Motteditor's Savage Tide
Game Master motteditor

Kyson looks at Zstelian.

"I'm confused, Zstelian. I don't know what they want nor why Silvio is acting like he is then...if they aren't doing this." Kyson looks around, trying to make sense of things.

"Maybe this is part of the trap!? Maybe we're supposed to be so confused by random things happening that we're all going to die?" Kyson scratches his chin and looks at Sekathral and Khaz.

"Should we just drag Silvio back to the ship? This entire glen doesn't make much sense. But they don't seem to really know what they want nor have we seen any evil lizards. Ideas? Khaz? Seka?"

Though I bet Sarenrae would want me to at least try to help these spirits rest. Hmm...tomorrow's prayer will aid my understanding.

Motte, is there a knowledge check or something that would help us figure things out here? Kyson (and me) are plenty confuzzled.

"Uhm. I guess it's possible that this ghost guy isn't the one making Silvio regret seeing his mother naked...more than once," ...but that sure does explain some things! "The lizardjerks are the ones who killed the ghost guy or something. Not sure why we hear all these voices though. It's just bizarre."

Kyson looks around.

3rd Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 17 (+2 if the effect is evil) vs DC17 => success! \o/

Silvio's glazed over eyes once again regain their steely focus and unmovable confidence. "What are you talking about? Silvio only saw Elena Callgari Pazzi naked trice, and it was in the prime of her years. It doesn't bother Silvio", the sea captain says. He casually dusts come of the dirt of his knees and surveys the scene. A sword materializes within his clenched fist in an instant as he sees the shadowy creature at the altar.

"Reveal your identity, shadow creature!" he roars. All of the doubt and remorse from just seconds ago is nowhere to be seen.

"The lizards massacred all the coves at the fort and then ***ked off", explains Sekathral. "The gent over there made of smoke is made up of all the dead round-ears and wants revenge on the lizards, or wants us to take revenge on the lizards, and will kill us if we help 'em. How's that?"

He thinks for a bit.

"Here", he says to the ghost, indicating the piles of bones as he does so. "All these are, er, yours, right? We've got a priest with us, so how about we give you a decent burial, at least?"

I just hope someone brought a ***king shovel. Or that Khaz can make another sodding great hole in the ground and they'll be happy getting shoved in there any old how. This ain't going to end well...

"These are not my people's bones," the creature responds in its breathy voice. "These are the lizards beginning to make amends, but it is not enough."

"No... Tell me, how did this whole thing happen in the first place - why'd the lizards attack you? I mean, it had to start somewhere, and it's got to stop somewhere - the thing is, if we do what you want to the lizards, they're going to do the same thing to us, or the next bunch of humies to come along, and we don't want that. I bet you don't either - you can't want another massacre like the one that got you where you are, surely?!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

We might want to think about rolling initiative...

"They attacked because they are savages. There shall be no more massacres when they are gone."

Kyson watches Silvio arise, relieved he doesn't need to deliver a second blistering slapdown.

"Where are the lizardmen? Do they have damsels?" Kyson tries to find a reason to want to go attack the lizards.

Khazmia rolls her eyes, though she tries hiding it with her hat. "Oh, I'm sure they must, Kyson. Doesn't everyone?"

Silvio allows a confused expression to touch his features. The ancestral aldori dueling blade is lowered, but only slightly. "So you are telling Silvio that this creature of shadow is not the foe Silvio is looking for? Then why is Silvio confronted with it and not these lizard men you speak of?" he asks tentativly as the great sea captain's patened heroic logic doesn't seem to be able to explain the situation to him.

"I know not where the lizardmen are," the creature responds, ignoring Kyson's second question. "They hide to avoid my vengeance."

"Show yourself", Zstelian shouts.

"Or as much of yourself as you can."

Are you trying to talk to lizardmen? You can see the creature you've been conversing with: By the altar, you suddenly see what looks like a dozen humanoid-shaped shadows suddenly converge, forming into what appears to be a massive, 10-foot-tall human made of shadow.

"I know not where the lizardmen are," the creature responds, ignoring Kyson's second question. "They hide to avoid my vengeance."

"Well, if *you* can't find 'em, I'm not sure why you think we'll be able to, mate. However, if we want to try, what's in it for us?"

"Yeah, what's in for us?"

Wait, did I just say that?
Yes. Are you daft?
Uhm...
What's Sarenrae going to say when you demanded payment to help spirits rest in peace?

Kyson ponders.

Ah! "Where's my tithe?"

I missed the description of the creature earlier. Was Kyson about to identify it?

I don't think Kyson has made any attempt to identify the creature; he was able to figure out the haunt that was filling some of you with remorse.

The creature actually seems a bit taken aback at Sekathral's words and hesitates for a few moments.

"You wish to help me achieve vengeance?" it says in its whispery voice. "Your help is not required, but you shall have the gratitude of the spirits of Fort Greenrock."

The creature never actually asked for your help; merely asking if you were here for vengeance.

While the spirit interacts with Sekathral, Kyson gives it a good looking over.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Know (religion)

"Uh...Sekathral...what now?" Kyson asks while another question pops into his head. "Hey Zstelian, how long ago did the attack on Fort Greenrock happen? Wasn't too long ago, right?"

Zstelian watches the creature carefully.

"Months ago Kyson."

"Dunno, mate", whispers Sekathral to Kyson.

"Gratitude from a ***king ghost don't fill your pockets nor cover your a*se, so I may have said too much. I say we piss off and leave him to it, unless you think we can send it peacefully away to Pharasma"

Kyson nods at Sekathral, wracking his mind for what he can do.

Let's see what my knowledge check reveals, Seka. It's pretty clear that we're mostly unmotivated to go slaughter a bunch of lizardfolk, right? Not sure if we're misreading the hook here, but I think the vengeful spirit is meant to be the driver. However, it's not really us, is it? Kyson would try to find a way to help the spirit, but going to fight a bunch of lizardfolk for revenge doesn't fit well. Of course, he'll help if others want to go.

Eye for an eye is one thing but 10:1 is not a good ratio. Zstelian isn’t particularly motivated to help this thing either.

"This is dubious to say the least. This gathering of shadows tries to incite us into fighting some tribe of lizard creatures for some vengence. Silvio must suggest that we leave and make our way back to the camp."

Kyson, it appears to be some sort of mass conglomeration of spirits from the victims of the Fort Greenrock massacre. You've heard vaguely of such things; it's got no physical body, meaning it's going to be hard to hurt with weapons. Likely it can also suck the life force out of its foes i.e. negative level.

i.e. negative level.

RUN!!

Sekathral nods at Silvio's words, attempts to catch his companions' eyes and jerks his head shorewards, suggesting (by gesture) that they all leave together, quick-smart.

Kyson agrees with leaving.

"Let's go talk about this with Lavinia."

Kyson slowly begins to move away.

Despite your fears, the creature makes no move as you depart and soon you've left it and the haunted clearing behind.

It's a long trip back to the boats, another day and a half through the insect-infested jungle, but you make it without incident, only to find Lavinia and Co. waiting. The Ravens spot you as you clear the forest, clearly on the lookout for any threats coming from inland.

Kyson gives Lavinia a smile and tells her what they found.

"...and so the ghost thing just wanted a lot of revenge. We didn't see any lizardjerks and the ghost didn't know where they were. Also, he wasn't going to pay us or anything...so we left." Kyson frowns. "It was a long trip for nothing. But it was nice to walk around for a bit. Let's get back aboat and move on."

Lavinia seems saddened by your story, though she's glad you returned. "I feel for the people of Fort Greenrock, but we have our own settlement to get to even if I didn't dislike the idea of killing all the lizardfolk too. I think you made the right choice to come back."

Soon enough, the ships take to see again and the next few days pass uneventfully. On the fourth day, the ships stop at the mouth of the Atikula River, to replenish their water supply.

A massive, 900-foot-wide waterfall plummets 200 feet over a cliff into a pool that pours into the ocean below. With no beach nearby, it's easy enough for a ship to sail in close and then send out a rowboat with barrels to fill. Lavinia gestures for the Sea Wyvern to go ahead of the Blue Nixie.

Most of the passengers come up to shore, though Father Feres stays far from the railing.

"Beautiful," Lirith says, though Avner seems to not be able to do anything but sneer.

Zstelian pauses his enjoy revelry to chat with the priest.

"What's the problem Father? You're missing a fantastic view."