Tera doesn't look up from his work as he responds to Gorn. All except them. Think of the songs Vanadin will sing of the great Gorn Steelbreaker, savior of the damned!
There are two humans, a half-elf, a gnome, and an orc. all of them are malnourised and badly beaten, as well as several necrotized wounds. Varis will recognize them as similar to the wounds sustained by an overly ambitious cult or coven.... the result of using yourself for too much magic.
Please, you have to help us. the orc rasps, as he realizes you are not her captor It's gone for now, but it could come back at any time.
treating their wounds, the orc and the half-elf begin to recover quickly, the half-elf even trying to stand, and succeeding on the third try.. the humans and gnome are in worse shape. the gnome likely won't last the night, his left arm and leg are both gangrenous. the female human is not much better, several of her wounds clearly having festered. the male human might make it out, but he will lose his right arm, and have plenty of scars.
they are locked into their chains, but the chains wouldn't stand up to a blow from Gorn's STEEL
what do you do?
Varis' eyes narrow, How did you get those wounds?
Varis
It chained us up in here. sometimes, when it was out, or adding bits onto itself, everything would go tingly and cold, and suddenly youd feel like youve just heaved up all your food, and then some. and sometimes, if it was really bad, one of us would die. The orc gestures with her chin Or bits of us would go necrotic. he would bring in a new person, with this rune on them, every day or two. Please, we need to go!
what do you do?
If we let them go we will start a conflict with the one using them as a source. If we do decide to free them we might as well stay put for an ambush now and play the part of the hammer rather than the nail.
What did it look like?
It was a hulking brute, with too many arms, and tails made of corpse bits. the Half-elf says, finally finding his feet. You mustn't try to attack it. it's too strong you'll get yourselves killed... or worse. We need to leave, now! He says
what do you do?
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Gorn neither sheathes sword nor lowers shield. The whole situation smells ill. Still, the half-elf takes sense. "And it may not come back at all! It serves us not at all to simply sit for a thing...or many things--we know not save for their addled musings--for either hours or days. And, alas, let us not forget who we are or where we are. NONE crave a beautiful battle more than I! But we have others to return to, all our kin. We have done good works here. Let us away and cash our chips from table before risking all on a last throw that may go ill!
Come, I will carry the two humans. The orc and half-elf will walk on their own. The gnome will not live NO MATTER our efforts. Let me take his pain and he may at least boast to his ancestors that he fell to a noble blade!
Then we can take our gains and head back, heroes and saviors, and all may have a full belly this night!
What say you?"
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Varis has already left.
"We've killed that beast already. If it's under the command of someone, they're already going to be looking for us. Let's get these people out of here." Vanadin agrees. " But we should at least get the gnome out of here. If you had a choice, would you want to end in this cave, Gorn?" Vanadin asks, as he helps the ogre break the chains.
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Gorn growls out a wordless rumble before saying, "If I had a choice, I would wish to meet my end with as much honor as could be had, rather than after an eternity dragging my pain-filled carcass over root and through thorn before Death finally carried me to my end as a mother carries a helpless babe.
Fine! But if you think him some wounded hero in your ballads, then let us see how greatly the divine chorus loves him.
I carry the humans.
You carry the gnome."
With that Gorn screams a battle cry, raises the Sword of Aquilonian Kings high and his STEEL renders asunder the chains. The hardened edge of the blade parts the roughly hammered pig iron like water. In five cuts, the five humans or humanoids are free of their fetters.
Assuming none turn into a demon and try to slay him for his labors, Gorn sheaths blade and shoulders shield. He kneels down in front of the man and woman. "Good even' to you. I am Gorn, of the Steelbreaker clan. Though I'm part ogre by blood, you need not fear me so long as you make no mischief. I am to return you to the town. I hope you are ready for we can brook no delay."
With that he hefts the two wounded and naked forms over his shoulders. Famished as they are, he barely notices their weight and exits the room. "'Tis no short path back to town. So, by what are each of you called?"
As they leave the cave Tera will take to the sky and serve as lookout.
The gnome and Male human are still unconscious. Ana the woman says, clearly still pretty out of it.
Felagriel the Half elf says. Varis immediately knows that she was raised by the human parent (or is a second+ generation half elf). The prefix "Fel" is indicative of black-hair, and her hair is decidedly blonde.
I am sir Pruk'va, of the order Halibolg, in service of the Daemon Moran. she says. she had retrieved a blade, sheild, and helmet from the detritus around the beast's bedding, though she bemoaned the loss of her cuirass and scabbard.
Once the group is well clear of the cave, Vanadin sets the gnome down gently and moves to Gorn. "I don't have a weapon to do this cleanly. Can you..." He stops, as Flicker moves into his field of view. The ball of light moves over to the gnome, flashes a beam at the rune on the gnome's chest, and then forms itself into a grey-bright column over the gnome's form. Vanadin takes the blade in hand, and carves the rune out of the gnome; when it is over, the gnome is dead, but the pain on his face is gone.
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Gorn nods at Vanadin and lends him the Sword of the Aquilonian Kings. The sword cuts true, used to carving up tougher carcasses than the atrophied gnome posseses. Gorn thinks he catches a hint of a smile as the last breath exits the gnome, returning the honor of at least being felled by a warrior's blade, but 'tis hard to tell. "That was honorably done," he says, cleaning and returning his sword.
"Good to meet you, sur Pruk'va," Gorn rumbles, the two humans on his shoulders, as they near the town. "What do you now? Of note, we have more rights to wrong for this burg, and another sword-hand is always welcome. We have little to offer, save the honor of fine, fine battle, and always a place in our village, when 'ere we finally set down."
At last Gorn asks Ana where she would most prefer to be delivered. He assumes she and the male human are together, though the appraising looks she had been subtly giving him on the last leg as her wits returned, clouded that theory. Well, mayhap after she heals their paths will cross again.
"If you will walk with me, friends," Gorn says to the group, "we can best discuss how to handle the coinage. I'd suggest stocking up on barrels of flour and casks of mutton for the others, and saving what we can.
Whatever, I must needs see our quest-giver. I canst present the sword to him, and he deserves to know why it can not yet be returned to his care. I shall promise him to search out a cure for his sword."
Gorn
Pruk'va nods to you. Perhaps I will join you. I would, hwever, like nothing more than a good meal, and a nights respite at the moment. She says. And hn I shoud have a healer examine me. do you know where I could get those?
Varis & Tera
Olyn is waiting for you at the town gates. Varis, what exactly happened out there. I had the swamp-girl watching you, but currently, she is in the security room, terrified of the "Corpse-beast".
Vanadin & Silvia
Jimmy comes over, shouting You guys are back. When he reaches you, he regains his breath, and tells you. Listen, We should totally go tot he tavern, and tell everyone about our adventures! What do you do?
The sovereign of a flesh-crafting cult is out there, we encountered his beast. It also appears we were far from the first one to do so, Varis shows the staff to Olyn, There were also some flesh golem dog-men and his workshop had several prisoners. You might want a pass at them to make sure it's not a planned incursion into town, but you didn't hear that suggestion from me.
Just watch out, whoever this guy is he is worse than the beast that scared your girl.
Tera shivers at the phrase "Corpse Beast."
Varis, I'm going to go lie down.
Tera returns to the caravan and lies down for a well earned sleep.
Also, I am more than a little poisoned. Does the tower have anything that might help?
As they walk, Vanadin nods at Gorn's discussion of finances. "Sure, save what we can. If we're to keep fighting, though, I should replace the armor those thrice-cursed paladins insisted on burning. "
Vanadin nods at Jimmy. "Lead the way. With any luck, someone there can point us at a healer. Silvia, you coming?"
Silvia looks surprised to be noticed. She looks surprised at absolutely everything. She's more than a little distressed to be missing her eyebrows among civilised peoples.
"Yes please..." she whispers, mortified.
Gorn
Well Olyn says, ignoring the fact that the query was not directed at her We haven't really bothered with healing magic over at the tower. we leave that to the chirugeons and wild-men. but there is a... swamp with who might be able to help your friend. at the edge of town
Varis
fascinating Olyn says We haven't done much with the necromantic node, it's rather weak compared to the fey ones. but they had this beast capture people, and branded them, so they could be used like a cultist uses their congregation... ingenious. She looks around tell me you found their notes, or at least recovered their spellbook
Vanadin and Silvia
when you reach the tavern, you find a crowd already assembled. they immediately start houding you with questions. it would seem they have heard some... exaggerated versions of your past week. What do you do?
They were out, now what about curing my poison?
Tera coos softly as he sleeps, and dreams of odd lights converging in the darkness.
Vanadin smiles at the crowd. Not going to be paying for my drinks tonight! He puts on a big smile, and begins answering a few questions - starting with those asking about the attack on the estate. "Oh, yes, hundred, hundred-fifty paladins, each bearing a ball of fire. Two days and nights it went on, we could see the glow, bright white and purple-green, from miles away." Not all the crowd's embellishments make it into the retelling, but a fair number do. After a minute or three, he asks "Friends, my throat is dry. Before I tell you of Gorn's STEEL and the nine-limbed flesh-beast, I need a drink! Who can point me at your finest tavern?"
I'm concerned waiting will just make things worse for me, might as well head out now. Grelick will be fresh since he stayed here, we can bring him and try and find enough supplies for anyone else here, Varis says wearily.
Varis & Gorn
Well, if it's just the poison you're worried about, the alchemist in the tower basement might be able to make you some Antitoxin. probably try to fleece you, but don't give him more than 10 gold for it. Olyn says
No, she doesn't... Being a Swamp-Witch doesn't actually require being in a swamp. It is simply a form of magic, usually practiced by those less educated, and lacking in the refinement of true mages, like Myself and Varis. She says, smiling, and speaking as if yo a youngster.
Vanadin
Yer in it! much of the crowd yells, as they cheer on your tales.
[ooc]Anyone have anything they want to do this night, or shall we move ahead to the morning, and the expedition?
Varis hears the news and says, Nevermind, Gorn.
He then strolls on down to the basement.
Vanadin spends an hour or two regaling the crowd with a drawn-out, dramatically-reenacted rendition of the group's encounter, complete with (slightly gimpy) leaps up onto the furnishings, an upturned table or two, and playing up Gorn's contributions greatly.
Tera snores contentedly, beak deep in philosophical discussions with strange strands of light.
Gorn
It doesn't take much time for you to get Pruk'va to the swamp-witch, who, after cursing you out for a solid minute for waking her, agrees to treat the knight.
Silvia
I believe you guys are officially heading for the druidic site. Tera did some recon yesterday:
Tera
you follow the path along the route Feyrith told you to. the first mile is fairly normal, if somewhat overgrown. then you notice a decided increase in small fey beings.
The first real warning sign is the corpses of a group of would-be heroes, who look like they were ambushed along the path. They didn't see the spriggans in the tree canopy, but you did!
The adventurers do, however, have a noticable circle of normal growth (as opposed to overgrowth) around them... you would guess they have cold iron charms, or some other way to discourage the overgrowth on them.
Finally, past the ambush, you arrive at the clearing. sleeping atop the altar is a large manticore, and it is surrounded by a small number of Elvers (big snake-thing, you really can't tell if they're plants, or just plant-like fey)
How are you guys going to handle this?
Tera awakens in the morning with excitement. He tells the story of his dream to anyone who will listen, oblivious to the obvious signs of boredom on the faces of his audience.
Soon he joins with the others. He stares intently at Vanadin's light while the party discusses the plan for the day.
Silvia, you're looking a bit pale. Here, I still have the potion I swiped from the manor as I fled.
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Gorn is invited into the hut of the owner of the sword. A sound discernible as his gravelly voice is heard for a few moments, and it's answered with a quick staccato from the man, rising higher and higher. It's answered by a sterner sound from Gorn, who is quickly cut off by a loud argument from the man. Gorn states a few sentences, as dour and dire as a funeral bell.
There is silence, and the man utters one word.
Gorn stutters half a sentence, and is cut off.
"Go, I said. See it through or go in peace, but your words are as ash to me."
The half-ogre ducks under the entryway and hikes back to the group.
*****
"Eh?" he says to Tera who will not sit still. "Well, aye, you had joined me on my quest, so 'tis only right that we see to thy deed. Shall we away now?"
"Oh. Oh Varis, that is very kind of you! I will be certain to repay you."
"And you two aren't going anywhere without me!"
Silvia seems thoroughly emboldened by the return of her eyebrows, and stands with hands on hips, pouting at the owlbear and the half-ogre.
As they prepare for the day, Vanadin notes Tera's sudden fascination with Flicker, but doesn't comment on it.
"So, what's the plan? "
We are being compensated by the mage's tower for investigating the site, yes. That is the carrot being offered for clearing the site and allowing the tower to come research it, Varis says annoyed trying to think about the situation.
Varis and I will fly low above the trees to guide your path. Our first stop is a group of dead adventurers that must have some sort of charm against overgrowth, which is no doubt incredibly valuable. These adventurers were murdered by spriggans, so keep an eye on the branches above, they enjoy ambushing from above.
The Manticore itself appears to be guarded by Elvers ... basically plant based snakes of some sort. Nasty stuff. When we face the Manticore, perhaps Varis and I can work together to drive it towards the ground where the rest of you can engage it.
Tera leads the group into the forest towards the dead adventurers, keeping a sharp eye out for spriggans in the tree tops.