Seventeen frowns and with perfect recall she says, "Moreover Altouna said that 'Eredian's bitter, tersely worded missive made it clear that he blamed Aldronard-both because Justinia had been pining away for him and refused to leave her family home to start a new life, and because Aldronard hadn't been at the farm to protect her.' Most illogical."
She seems deeply puzzled by this and wonders, "So Aldronard was gone for years, why didn't Justinia meet somebody else? I don't understand, and then Eredian does something equally strange by blaming Aldronard for not being there to save Justinia. Isn't Saranrae supposed to stand for forgiveness? It seems her paladin got none."
"An unfair predicament to be sure. Eredian's pent up frustration erupted onto what he found most easy the outlet, to blame someone his daughter loved well enough, incidentally leading to her death. But those are undetermined circumstances which could have happened anywhere."
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Jarreck takes the key to the chapel and unlocks the door, for the moment leaving his weapons sheathed.
"Aldronard's shade! We wish you no trouble only peace, something you have missed as of late. Former paladin of Sarenrae come forth, we wish to learn why you have failed to move on to the reward you earned during the crusades.
Seventeen follows Jarreck to the chapel and she wonders what if anything she can do to help, yet she's gone oddly coy, unsure of how to proceed.
Seven and Jarreck enter the Chapel and feel a sense of disquiet, as if something is watching them.
Eredian...Eredian......is that you. Eredian please...please...forgive me. Eredian...Eredian... I did not mean to leave for so long. Pleaaaaase grant me forgiveness.
A disquieted spirit appears... The ghost's body trails away to mist below the torso, while tears run from his eyes and quickly evaporate into smoke. When he moves, he does so with painful spasms, his arms and torso lurching awkwardly as his shattered ghostly bones grind against each other.
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His voice softening from the initial challenge level he started the dialogue with Jarreck speaks to the spirit from his heart and his own past.
"Aldronard, Eredian forgave you a long time ago." falling back on Guaire's statement from earlier He had just lost his daughter, and he lashed out at the easiest target for him. you. It was a moment of anguish such as you felt when you received and read the letter. Yet it was only a moment of time and has long since passed, probably before you even received the letter. Once the messenger left with it he could not recall the missive."
"It is always easiest to lash out at those who cannot defend themselves. It allows us to vent our pent up frustration without worry of being forced to face our own failure at the moment. He was a father and had just lost his daughter, his grief was justifiable, his anger at the situation understandable. I would be confused and angry at the world. I was for many years after my whole family was killed in a trap set for them. For me there was no one else to lash out against so I blamed myself."
pausing a moment to see if the spirit is understanding any of what he has said.....
Guaire remains quiet, intent on seeing the ghost's response first, perhaps Jarreck would have gotten through to the ghost early on.
"May his goddess give him strength to hear your words."
The Ghost doesn't seem to understand Jarreck's words, or perhaps he doesn't hear him.
Eredian...Eredian......is that you. Eredian please...please...forgive me. Eredian...Eredian... I did not mean to leave for so long. Pleaaaaase grant me forgiveness.
"The words aren't getting through, this man must have been like this for so long, that his 'senses' are failing him."
Seventeen cocks her head trying to understand the spirit and she takes its words literally. She whispers to Jarreck, "It seems we need to get Eredian here. Is that possible?"
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Speaking softly to the others...
"I don't think so Seven,I'm guessing he's passed beyond our reach unless one of us can commune with the dead."
A much louder appeal....
"Sarenrae, goddess of compassion and peace. Dawnflower one of your own is lost and in need of your help. Aldronard, this paladin of your faith, had a momentary lapse when the love of his life, only surpassed by his devotion to you, died at the hand of raiders while he returned from your crusades. Grant him the forgiveness he needs so that he might move on from this plane to be reunited with his beloved."
Jarreck unsure as to how to proceed says the last much softer.
"Or let us know how to do so. A paladin of Sarenrae, who is known for her temperance and acceptance of all, makes for a poor representative of her in this chapel. For he is still known as a paladin of Sarenrae and your faithful tend the remains of this keep."
Omo hangs back. He thinks this business with interfering with the dead to be a terrible idea, but he listens to the exchange.
"I think he thinks you are the one he seeks. Say, I forgive you."
The Ghost of Aldonard, hearing Sarenrae's name invoked begins to shriek with wrath. However a moment later, hearing Jarreck's words seems to calm the ghostly figure. Aldonard sobs in relief and gratitude, then raises his arms to the sky and Pardon me Dawnflower! Pardon me for blaming you just as I blamed myself! A soft beam of sunlight shines down and carries him into the sky, whereupon he fades away.
Jarreck feels a warmth surround him.
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Jarreck nods hid own head in gratitude and relief; understanding thing were very close to going badly for them. "Thank you Omo, I am glad that went ..... well. Without your insight things might not have ended so well."
"Shall we take a look around, from the captain's words many have entered never to return. Or do you wish to leave that search to the captains men during their wait for the next units arrival"
So long as no one objects Jarreck will make a lap of the chapel area looking for anything useful or that would point towards the missing investigators
Seventeen says "We should look, perhaps we could send word to the relatives of any would be adventurers who perished here?"
Ever cautions, Seventeen casts Detect Magic, Detect poison and has a look but doesn't touch anything.
Only rusted weapons and armor, as well as a few bones, remain as proof that there were ever any who ventured into this chapel.
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If there are any recognizable crest/insignia outside of Sarenrae's symbol, Jarreck and Seven will return them to the captain.
"Captain, Aldonard's shade has moved on. It wished only for forgiveness, something it couldn't find in itself after his beloved died while he lived. I believe the Dawnflower herself smiled on him as he went home. Our ride will not be back till in the morning, can we help you guys with anything else? I understand the stables have collapsed and they were the only other remaining building of any size left in the compound."
Guaire stood quiet for a moment.
"That was...impressive, seeing a goddess' power is entirely different from hearing about it. Hopefully he'll meet his wife, otherwise he'll feel as miserable in the next life as he did haunting here."
"Aye, some help in cleaning this place up so you can hold more easily against any more thugs would be preferable no?"
Ok, that will take the rest of the evening/day. The party only finds the Captain and his men's gear.
Unless there is anything else, its the next day. What are you guys' plans?
"We should keep moving when our escort arrives."
In a incongruously neutral tone considering what she has to say, Seventeen tells you, "For a stop we almost bypassed entirely I think this was quite successful. We've learnt about the Scrapwall gangs and saved the soul of a Paladin. Truly that's the sort of deeds they write songs and books about."
She pauses and nods at Omo, replying, "That would be logical."
Going to assume that this is still the AP that you guys wanna play...
The morning hike to the barge is a much sunnier affair and Red Kris himself seems to be a good mood.
Howdy Boys! Find what yer lookin for?
Ready to cross the river to Scrapwall, hear its all sorts of fun there, never been myself though.
Guaire inspects the boat quickly.
When he notices the attempted blood hiding, he hushes to his friends.
"The boat's been washed, but there's blood still sticking. Keep on your guard."
Seventeen spots the blood and pulls out her book and starts reading. A chapter later she gets up and, remarks devoid of emotion, "I trust this journey isn't causing you any trouble Mr Kris?"
Trouble, nah. None at all. You ready to cross the river? Red Kris asks, his metallic eye gleaming red in the sunlight.
Kris ignores Jarreck for the moment, since he already said he hasn't ever been to Scrapwall.
Mort clambers on board after the others and states: "Ready as we'll ever be, we've got things to do there, things that can't wait."
"Ready and eager," Omo chirps.
The ratfolk was still pleasantly surprised that the ghost hadn't killed them and they had found Trett. Even if he did not trust the leader of Hajoth to do the right thing, their trip was going better than expected.
Though as soon as Omo gets on the boot he will mix up a Monkey Fish infusion. Better to be safe than sorry.
Red Kris whistles jovially as the barge moves swiftly across the Sellen.
Upon arrival at the Eastern bank Kris says Been nice knowin ya as you step off the barge and onto the shore he wastes no time in ordering the barge to make ready and depart. Within minutes the barge fades into the horizon...
Seventeen looks at, something.
Scrapwall is a few miles away. You have a good idea (DC 10 Survival or Kn:Geography so I didn't bother having you roll) where it is from all the descriptions given by the Smiler and the Captain.
No, there is only one "easy" access to Scrapwall that you are aware of. That is the area marked "Entrance" on the map. Otherwise its a 100' climb over shifting piles of rusted junk.
Guaire casually eyes the captain as they disembark.
Nice knowin us? That's a line normally said when knowing the addressed is going to die.
"That Cythrul character mentioned the Lords of Rust being active in Scrapwall. Our aim was investigating this 'rising power', Meyandra was working for. Those Hellion and Unity things."
Seventeen looks at Guaire and says mildly, "We won't find the answers by standing here."
She starts walking towards the main entrance, keeping alert for any danger as she goes.
"Let's get inside then, but keep a good eye out for any hidden thugs like before."
Mort moves over to the main entrance as well, looking up and behind obstacles to scout for any ambushes.
A ramshackle pair of buildings with walls and roofs made of strips of leather and fur, timbers, metal plates, and other junk lashed and bolted together sits in a gap in the surrounding mounds of refuse. Between the two buildings runs a metal gate, closed to block passage into the open area beyond.
A man wielding a bow steps out from behind the cover of a large piece of rusting metal Hold on right there travelers, What business brings you to Scrapwall?
Mort and Seven see that several shapes move in the building and they see at least two other figures with bows watching from behind the gate.
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Jarreck views the entrance, thinking this might be an interesting outing but too late to worry about the now.
Nodding at the man who challenged them...
"Greetings we're travelers passing through looking for a place to rest for the night. It's been a rough trip down through the Blood Gars territory, we're looking for a safe place. Thought to lay up at the keep across the river but the men there warned there was plague there and wouldn't let us in."
So, you're Crusaders then? Scrapwall has nothing for you! This place is only for those who want to "live free of the strictures of society" Go away.
Without any rancor, in fact with no emotion at all, Seventeen states, "If you think we look like crusaders, you might want to get your eyes checked... We're going through anyway, are you going to be a problem?"
She doesn't make any aggressive actions, at least not yet.
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Replying calmly to the gate's guard.
"I mentioned nothing about being a crusader only that I was turned away at their keep. And a poor one at that with the plague infesting it and the walls crumbling down. Poor job of upkeep they've done. Speaking for myself I've been on both sides of the law and its interpretation on what I should be doing. How about you?"
Mort goes off to wander alone, and simply taps Jarreck on his thigh.
"I'm gonna take a closer look from up above. I'll meet you inside the city, else I'm gonna help you from up above to get in."
Mort wanders off shaking his head and seeks shelter somewhere out of sight from the watchman.
Mort will circle above the city and look down, aiming to see any troops moving around and check for buildings and their entrances.