Shattered Star

Game Master Zesdead

'Shattered Star' - Part 2, 'Curse of the Lady's Light'

...in which our adventurers explore the Thassilonian Chambers beneath the Lady's Light.

Party Health
Ziomarra Callinovo 46/46HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Desna
Josephina Annabella Whitehall 31/59HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Iomedae
Halli, 54/54HP
Teldon Moore 52/52HP, 3 Hero Points, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Briana Kaddren 60/60HP, 1 Hero Point, 1 Blessing of Pharasma
Arsith D'Arabiane, 65/65HP, 3 Hero Points
Shadlah Broken-Earth, 63/63HP, 30NL, 2 Hero Points

Maps / Images
The Lady's Cape
Varisia


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Inactive

Although she understood why Joanna looked to Zee for comfort, the same reason that she herself had looked to the Varisian for direction just now, Briana couldn't help but feel another pang of sadness at not being able to be of more help or comfort to her friend.

This is like before, with Hazel...

No. This time you can't help. With Hazel, you didn't try at all.

As she looks up and notices the crowd approaching, she sighs and wipes at her eyes, realizing that her vision had grown blurry with tears again. Carefully releasing Joanna, she wearily drags herself to her feet. If nothing else, she wouldn't let Teldon face them alone.

"I'm here," she whispers as she moves to stand beside him. "Let's hope that Arsith is okay...and that Shel and Viorec will speak in our defense if it comes to it."


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Sorry, I didn't know if Briana was close enough for Joanna to get to her shoulders from laying down, so I went with Zee since I figured she'd be at the right height.


Inactive

Hey, no worries! Briana just assumes Jo's looking primarily to Zee right now because she's sort of the mother/older sister figure to the others :)


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Thank you," Teldon whispers back, dropping his spear in order to clasp hands with her (though his other hand still holds open the Kriegler Book as he continues to skim it for evidence).


Teldon – there is little that can be deduced from the book in the little time that is available. The text, which is clearly written by a number of different hands, is dense and, quite obviously from a first look, has been written using some form of code – given enough time and already seeing patterns, Teldon can be fairly confident that he will be able to decode it but, here and now, it is no more than another mystery.

As villagers arrive, those who were carrying pails of water set them down when the ferocity of the fire becomes apparent… indeed, as the crowd gathers, one of the walls collapses inwards setting a small fireball into the sky.

Battered and smoke covered, the first words to the friends are sympathetic yet talk quickly turns to questioning whether anyone else was in the building…

”Your friend…. the little one?”

”…and the white-haired one? Were they in there?”

…but quickly becomes tense…

”What about the Mayor? Did he get out?!?! Is he okay?!?!”

”…and Leonard… he couldn’t have been in there could he???”

…and then, as the crowd notice the chest dragged from the building, the glittering of the coins inside and the book in Teldon’s hands, the scene becomes ugly…

Over the shouting and questioning, a portly man tries to take charge, ”Someone go look around, see if you can find the mayor anywhere… don’t get close to that building though, it’s gonna come down any moment. – if you can’t find him, then get Saul Lupescu, he’ll know what to do… in the meantime…”, the man pointedly looks at Teldon, ”…you better start talking”


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"People of Ravenmoor," Teldon begins, trying hard to be as personable as possible, "much has happened tonight and most of it will be shocking for you. Our small friend was murdered along with Saul Lupescu and his wife. We saved Shel, she is at Viorec's with our white-haired friend. Mayor Kriegler... was transformed, like the hog at the festival... he got the badness in him, as Mr. Friatore said. We stopped the thing that he became, but not before it destroyed the minds of several other villagers. They still lay unresponsively in the corn maze along with the creature's remains... unless Leonard moved anything... we haven't found Leonard yet, although I suspect he might have been the one who set the fire... We just barely managed to search the house before it started collapsing; there was nobody else inside but we found this chest... it has enough gold that you should be able to rebuild the town or relocate, and this book that I've been looking through for any information that might help us understand what happened here, or what kind of curse rests on the ground here that animals and now a man could be so changed..."

Teldon knows that there will likely be more questions but stops to allow what he has already said to sink in.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (6) = 29


"The Lupescu's??? They're Dead??? Who? why?" the gasps within the crowd are palpable... "Karl!!!", the man calls to a brawny lad, "Get yerself around to the Korzhas... Take a few lads and bring that White Haired lass back n'all". The lad rushes off with a few friends...

"Now mister... What did you say happened to the mayor again? And there's people still over there... Where? A corn maze? Honestly folks, and I don't want to think ill of you, but half of what you're saying don't make a whole lot of sense."

"...and I don't want you folks to offended but I think you ought to throw any weapons you're carrying off to the side fer now... Much obliged"

Arsith

All has been quiet at the Korzhas since the friends ran to the Manor House - some twenty to thirty minutes later, after the house has collapsed in on itself and villagers have started to run towards the blaze, a group of lads arrive. Armed with shovels and scythes, they shout orders at Arsith, "You're wanted... You gotta come with us now..."


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna, slowly stands up and looks at the crowd.

"Then let me spell it out for you," she says in a slow, cold voice, "You've been played for fools. Your beloved mayor had been killing those chosen as festival queens in the name of a parasitic god known as the Gossamer King. He killed our friend during the festival and had her replaced with some foul creature that took her form," as she talks, the words come faster, and the anger and grief the young paladin feels overcomes the fatigue she feels as her voice rises in volume. She slowly begins to close the distance between her and the man who'd taken charge.

"We were worried for Shel's safety, we went to the old abandoned farmhouse and were attacked by the Lupescus. We left them with the Khorzas with whatever fiend they replaced Nalathi with, and it killed Shel's mother and father, and nearly killed Viorec. Alizna attacked us when we began to explore the house, and after we killed her and found she was some sort of monster with a spider's body, we found... We found where they'd buried the people they'd killed. Where they'd dumped Nalathi like she was nothing more than a pile of rags!"

Joanna was breathing heavily, the tears streaming down her face leaving trails in the soot and blood that is covering it.

"We heard Shel scream and hacked our way through that damned maze of nightmares and found you precious mayor ready to kill her! He killed anybody in his way with the vile power that had been granted to him, at least he did before we killed him. And then, just when we had thought this nightmare over, he turned into a monster that nearly killed all of us before we killed it!"

She was in the man's face now, grabbing his shirt and screaming.

"People are dead! People are dead because I couldn't stop him!"

Her grip relaxes as she falls to her knees, sobbing and quietly repeating, "I'm sorry," over and over.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

well... so much for avoiding accusations and trying to be delicate...

Teldon frowns at Jo's outburst and continues speaking with the crowd in a less formal manner, "I'm sorry. We haven't slept... We've lost our friend, and very nearly our own lives... as you can see it's taken a heavy toll on us. Shel and Viorec will confirm what they can. The corpses of those murdered previously are in the basement of the Chenowitz place, and the remains of what the mayor became, along with those who's minds were broken are in the corn field behind there... Please go and see for yourselves..."

edit: I believe Briana's assistance puts me at a 31 diplomacy. Also I dropped my spear already when Briana joined me...


Inactive

"What they're saying is true," Briana adds quietly, obliging the man by slowly laying her mace down on the ground, along with the dagger concealed in her wrist sheath. With a start, she notices that her crossbow is missing and then remembers that she'd dropped it back at the Chenowitz place.

"We...or one of us can show you, at the Chenowitz place. We came here when we saw the fire, to get our belongings and to see if anyone was still in the house. That," she gestures at the chest, "and those," she points at the books sitting on the ground, "we grabbed so maybe...maybe your town can move on. So there'd be money to help Shel and everyone else who lost someone. It's...all that we can do now."

Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

With nothing else to say, she moves over to sit with Joanna and wait for whatever further questions or accusations there are to come.


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

Arsith follows the villagers, trying to look non threatening.

There was enough death already tonight, enough blood and tears. We mean you no harm.


Arsith

Clutching his stomach, where the wound is clearly still sore, Viorec calls out after the Pharasmin, "I must come with you... I can vouch for what I have seen this night - if the Mayor is truly gone then your friends have much to worry about. The Krieglers have been part of this village since its very founding - the village will not know what to do without the Mayor... and they may seek justice - or a version of it".

Leaving Shel behind with his family (still holding some kind of vigil over the bodies of the Lupescu's), he hurries after Arsith...

All

Karl, along with his compatriots, returns - escorting Arsith, after no more than five minutes or so - Viorec Korzha, struggling to walk at any great speed, follows behind...

...whether it is the sight of one of their own willing to support Arsith and her friends, whether it is Joanna's emotional outburst or whether it is Teldon's continued attempts at diplomacy, it matters not - what matters is the fact that the accusatory tone of the villagers seems to disappear for a moment. Considering the stories told by Joanna and by Teldon - and, off to one side, corroborating the story with Viorec Korzha - the portly gentleman finally addresses the friends, "It seems that some of what you have told us does not sit uneasily with Viorec's experiences of the night - Walk with us to the Chenowitz Place then... Show us what you have seen - tell us of the night and of what you believe the Mayor was attempting... After I have seen with my own eyes then I will know better our course of action"

Something in the man's voice tells you that, although he is not as convinced of your guilt as he was earlier... He is still a long way from believing your story...


Inactive

When Karl returns with both Arsith and Viorec safely in tow, Briana exhales a breath that she hadn't been aware of holding and gives the Pharasmin a hug. "I'm glad you and the others are still okay," she whispers. With a glance at Joanna, she adds, "Would you stay close to Joanna for now? This has been a hellish night for everyone, but I'm worried about her..." her voice trails off.

And you've got experience dealing with grief. Maybe you can help her.

"Viorec, you're still hurt..." she begins then stops, unsure of what the crowd's reaction would be if she attempted to heal the man. "Um...I might be able to help, if that's okay..." she mumbles.

She'll use her Healing Hex on him provided no one objects.

Healing Hex (Viorec): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Once the gentleman and some of the others seem willing to entertain their tale of the night's events, she nods. "Thank you for being willing to listen and give us a chance to explain our part in this. I...I think we should probably show you what's inside the Chenowitz place and then what's left of the meeting place behind it."

When everyone seems ready to move she gathers up Rowenna, who finally seems to have crept out from her hiding place nearby, and begins to head off in the direction of the Chenowitz place...hopefully for the last time.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

Teldon accompanies Briana and the portly man and his escorts. When they arrive at the Chenowitz place he begins his report outside... "Here, where this blood is, this is where Saul and his wife ambushed us, as Shel told you. After we subdued them he told us that the mayor and some of the townsfolk planned to sacrifice Shel as they had Yve Kharvoski and a number of others; they were trying to capture one of us to be sacrificed in her place.

As they approach the entrance to the building he pauses to point out Nalathi where she has been laid out. "Here is our friend... Her body had been hidden in the basement and after we found it we carried it out here so that as soon as lives were no longer in danger we could make funeral arrangements. We hadn't made it back yet, obviously."

As they move through the house he leaves judgment on Alizna's true nature to the townsfolk, "Here is Alizna as she attacked us... how she transformed from the old woman we met yesterday into this, I couldn't say..."

In the basement he points out the altar and it's dark idol, "Our friend's body was stuffed under the altar... and, over here you can see where other bodies were hidden... This one is obviously Mr. Kyle, the others I'm not sure about."

Assuming they are willing to follow, he then leads them out to where the blightspawn fell and the mindless villagers are. "Before he finished becoming this, the mayor confessed to us that he was truly a worshipper of Ghlaunder, an evil god of parasites and disease. This book that we recovered appears to be some sort of journal... It's written in code but if you give me some time I can translate it to Taldane and it should give us all more information about what has happened."


The portly gentleman, who at some point introduces himself as simply Gravendale follows Teldon around the Chenowitz Place - he asks that the majority of the villagers stay near the Manor House and watch for fire spread... although, as an aside, he quietly poijts out that "There's a lot of folks who don't need to be seeing what you say is around here..."

...and the scene is exactly as Teldon said it would be, blood in the yard from the first fight with the Lupescus, the destroyed 'Desnan' scarecrow, poor Nalathi laid out on the verandah, the horror of the Chenowitz farmhouse... and Alizna's corpse in spider form... And then, out back, the maze...

...where a blight appears to have overtaken the crops - blackened, rotting and starting to attract swarms of flies, the corn is dying... It is the sight within the centre of the maze that finally breaks Gravendale - the remains of the mayor... and of the beast that he 'birthed', the cultists who didn't make it and those, looking mindlessly into nothingness, that did...

Through sobs, he talks to Viorec Korzha... a whispered converstaion that, if anyone tries to overhear, is taken to the other side of the clearing. After a few minutes of the discussion, a discussion that seems to be threatening to turn into an argument at one point, Viorec approaches the friends, his tone is apologetic to say the least, "Folks, you must be tired... Very tired, I guess... We... No, Gravendale has decided to convene a village council to decide what we should do next... and with you. They will meet this evening but until then, you folks need to stay with me... There's enough rooms that you can get some sleep, have something to eat... and by sundown, we'll know what's to happen"


Inactive

Of course. Even with everything that we've shown them some people will want someone to pay for this, a scapegoat to blame.

Realizing that there was little point in trying to argue or resist - they were too exhausted and there were too many villagers for them to have any chance at fleeing - Briana gives Viorec a nod of acquiescence. "That's about as good of a response as we could have hoped for, given the circumstances. And yes, we could all use some rest. Thank you, Viorec."

It's not prison, but it may as well be. What if they decide not to let us go? Will they execute us?

Though she tries to put on a brave face for him, for the rest of her companions, and for herself, her voice quivers slightly as she adds, "If something were to happen to us, w-would...would you take care of Rowenna for me? S-she's a good c-cat and she'd be able to earn her keep even if she looks a bit s-spoiled..."


CG Female Human (Azlanti) Witch (cartomancer)/VMC Cleric of Desna 5/Evangelist 2
stats:
hp 46/46 | AC 17; touch 17; flat-foot 12 | Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9 | Init +5 | Perception +9

Breaking out of her near-silent funk, Zee clasps Brianna's shoulder. "Now, now. It won't come to that." She reaches over to pet Rowenna and scratch the cat between her ears. She then looks at Viorec. "Right?"

As they walk slowly toward Viorec's house, Zee says, "Thank-you, Viorec. After what happened to you, your friendship means more than I can say."


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Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Not sure if this is going to affect things, but the last time most of these people saw Joanna was when her hair had been cut very, very short. It's now almost to her waist.
Like I said, not sure it will affect anything, but I figured it might be worth mentioning.
Also, I previously got it wrong in the post where I mentioned it, Joanna's hair is brown, not black. Oops.

Joanna doesn't move until someone urges her to get up. The young woman slips and falls as she tries to stand the first time, and nearly knocks whoever is helping her up to the ground the second, but she stays on her feet and numbly follows Viorec. She doesn't eat anything, and barely drinks anything at all during the wait. she just sits in a chair by the table staring at the place where the Lupescus had been murdered. Her clothes are covered in soot, dirt, and blood. Her fair skin is blackened by soot, broken by where her tears had fallen. No tears come now as she sits and stares blankly at where the blood from Shel's parents had pooled. Slowly, she tires and nods off about mid-afternoon still clad in her father's armor, unable to stay awake any longer.

Joanna's nightmare.:

Joanna looked down at the broken blade in her hands. It was the blade she'd taken up when she'd defied everything her step-mother had ever said about her and truly came into her own.

It wasn't supposed to break.

Blue skies with white, fluffy clouds that lazily passed by, hung over the mirror smooth lake that stretched far out of sight and the young woman who stood in its center.

How had it broken.

"It broke because it was brittle," the voice of her step-mother said from behind her, as if she knew exactly what she had been thinking, "it is as simple as that, you foolish girl."

Joanna turned to find her step-mother standing a few yards away. The woman looked the same as Joanna remembered. A beautiful woman with blonde hair that was beginning to turn white. Her body, while not as slender as it once was, still managed to draw looks of envy from other women, younger, older, and of the same age. Green eyes full of contempt and malicious glee looked down at Joanna, clad in her father's armor, her brown hair falling loose down her back. The comparison made Joanna look even more like a little girl than normal.

"Now, what was it you said? Oh, yes," the woman says condescendingly, "you are a 'Knight of Iomedae' and a proper lady of Whitehall. My, you must think yourself so special." She walks up to Joanna and casually knocks the broken sword from her hands. The pieces sink into the water. Fading into the depths.

"Oh, silly me. I really should be more careful," the blonde-haired woman says with false politesse, "but really, Josephina," she adds, her voice growing much darker and more dangerous, "I don't know why you insist on playing tin soldier. Is it because Mommy Dearest was one too?"

"SHUT UP!"

Joanna stands there, barely able to keep herself from throttling the woman before her. Her breathing is sharp and heavy as she tries to calm herself down.

"Don't ever talk about my mother, ever," the young paladin says through clenched teeth.

"Oh please, the foolish woman has been dead for seventeen years," Joanna's step-mother says, completely unfazed by the raw fury burning in Joanna's eyes. "If you really want, though, I suppose I talk about your dead little gnome friend instead."

The anger gives way to blank incomprehension as Joanna's step-mother brings up Nalathi.

"Wha-- How could you know about that," Joanna asks worriedly.

"How could I not? I knew it was only a matter of time before you managed to get one of your foolish friends killed."

"How could you know anything?! You can't even find me," Joanna counters, both fear and anger building in her heart.

"Oh, did you think Donovan wouldn't talk if I, ah, persuaded him to? Come dear, how naive are you? Promises are just words if you have nothing to back them up. No one cares about just words," Her step-mother says, as she walks around Joanna, appraising her from every angle she could cast her critical eye.

"You're lying," Joanna tries to say firmly, confidently, but there's no conviction in it.

"Am I? You tell me, who was it that tried to capture you for their quaint little ritual when you ran off to rescue that girl? Imagine how poor Nalathi felt as they gutted her. She was depending on you to protect her, and you let those yokels gut her like swine," The blonde woman laughs. Her glee obvious as she torments Joanna.

"Or better yet, ask her yourself," she says slyly to Joanna.

Before she has time to say anything, hands burst out of the lake and grab Joanna's legs. They pull her under before she even has a chance to take even a tiny breath, and she panics as water instead of air fills her lungs. She kicks and struggles to break free, but just when she feels her lungs are about to burst, she finds herself above the black, mirror-like surface of another lake. This one lit from below by a light like that of dying coals. She hits the surface, to find it as unyielding as stone. The impact knocks what little air is left in her lungs, and a good bit of water as well. Her body doubles over in pain as she coughs the water in her lungs up.

"Hello Joanna, oh excuse me, Lady Whitehall," the voice of Andretti Kriegler says. Joanna looks up to where the voice had come from to find the dead mayor looming over her. His body from the waist up is bare, save the black bandages wrapped around his hands. His legs are covered by layers of black gossamer.

"It appears," he continues on, as Joanna tries to get away from the man, to no avail, his voice is filled with both joy and dark malice as he continues, "that there's still a chance for you to be my bride after all. Oh we'll be happy together, but first, there's someone that dearly wants to finish some business with you."

The late mayor of Ravenmoor sweeps a hand out to his right. Joanna, still on the ground slowly looks, her head and eyes wanting to look away, but too terrified to look at what Kriegler was pointing at. Her eyes widen in horror and disbelief as she say her. A gray-skinned figure clothed in black rags that might have been her normal outfit at one point, and that left her belly exposed. Her belly, that was marred by a long, deep, vicious cut that stained her skin ruby red with her blood. Her face was expressionless at first, not even being the surprised look of death that Joanna and the others had found her with.

That changed quickly, however, when Nalathi's glassy eyes spotted Joanna. The little gnome's face twisted in rage as she took up her trident and stalked forward to stand over Joanna.

"This. Is. All. Your. Fault!" she screams before plunging the tines into Joanna's neck.

Joanna woke screaming on the floor. The sun had begun to set in the west and the house was filled with the orange glow of late afternoon, but Joanna noticed none of that. She writhed on the floor clutching at her throat for a moment, as she screamed, before she realized where she was. She shook violently as she tried to get up, but only succeeded in falling flat on her side as her legs gave out. She lay there, shuddering and whimpering as the tears began to fall once more. All she says as she lies there is, "all my fault," over and over again in a broken voice just barely louder than a whisper.


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male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

While everyone else sleeps Teldon sits silently at Viorec's table and translates the Kriegler Book into Taldane, taking care to note passages that should be shared with whatever will pass as a tribunal this afternoon.

When Jo falls out of her chair he looks up from reviewing his finished work. 'I wish one of the girls was awake... This is not one of my strengths' he reflects before getting up from his own chair.

He pulls the weeping young girl up into a seated position. "Jo, listen to me. You know that I am not one for flattery nor platitudes. Truthfully, what happened here was not your fault. You made mistakes... as did I... as did Nalathi and the Lupescus... but you are not at fault for what happened- it was the mayor and his diabolical machinations that are to blame. Allowing yourself to be crippled by guilt will not fix anything nor bring anyone back, it will merely render you unable to protect others in the future. Briana, Zee, and Arsith, even I, trust you with our lives... we need you to overcome whatever inner battle is raging, for our sake. I know you are young, but you are strong and you can win this battle too. And we are here- just as we rely on you in the physical battle you can rely on us for the mental and emotional ones." He sits with her on the floor until one of the girls arrives and is willing to take over and then returns to his notes on the decoded book.

I'm sure that I'm fatigued by now. Taking 10 my minimum linguistics check is 22... If that's not auto-success let me know and I can start rolling to see how long it takes (or how far I get).


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

Aristh rushes to Joanna's side and takes her in her arms, letting Jo cry against her breasts

Come on sweetie pie, don't be too harsh on yourself. You have done everything you could, you tried. It's not your fault. If we didn't acted, things would have continued here, causing pain and despair, fear and distrust. We're not some fairy tale heroes, who succeed at everything. We are mortals. We defeated Ghaunder and his worshippers, at a dear cost, one of our friend's life, and this little town will be free from this nightmare, because we fought and we won. You're worth more than you think, sweetie pie. You're surely not a failure.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"D-do you mean that," Joanna asks after she'd calmed down somewhat. Her body still trembles with fatigue and the memory of the nightmare. The image of Nalathi, her face a mask of raw anger, looming over her with a trident brought a more violent shudder as she sat there with Arsith's comforting arms around her.

"Sh-she blames me," Joanna whispers as she relived that moment again, "Nalathi blames me."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

When Arsith wakes and rushes to Joanna a relieved Teldon rises and returns to the table. "Viorec, I don't want to impose at all," he says wearily, "but is there any chance at all that you might have some coffee? Or maybe a strong black tea?"

When Jo begins to speak to Arsith he wonders for a moment, 'why do I even bother trying to help... they just ignore me anyways...' He almost opens his mouth to tell her why he is certain that Nalathi doesn't blame her but decides it's pointless.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

When Joanna was asking if you mean that, she wasn't necessarily asking Arsith. ;)
Also, just to everybody, let me know if this gets annoying for you.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

ooc I suspected it was probably an open question/statement, but Teldon knows/believes that Jo doesn't like him so when she says or does something ambiguous his default is to accept the interpretation that's more negative toward himself (plus between blood loss from the styrge, still suffering from two types of poison, the emotional trauma of holding a half-dead Briana in his arms not that long ago, and the total lack of sleep he's not in a great mood).


Throughout the day, Teldon continues his study of ‘the Kriegler Book’ and Joanna, reliving the events of the last day over and over, broods…

As the afternoon slowly melts away into a dusky evening, Arsith, Briana and Ziomarra awaken in beds that they barely remember collapsing into… just as, in the room where the Lupescu’s lost their lives no more than twelve hours ago, Joanna wakes with a start…

Teldon, and then Arsith provide some words of comfort… the Korzha children, who have kept a low profile through the day, seem uncertain as to what to do or what to say. Glad of the distraction and for something to do, Ornigaard offers to get Teldon some coffee and, asking everyone else, suggests that people must be hungry – his smile barely warms the room,”My Dad will magic something up soon”.

Teldon – as exhaustion takes over, it becomes more and more difficult to concentrate upon the intricate text within the book – symbols, words and partially decoded phrases float around in your head and, despite studying uninterrupted throughout the daylight hours, as evening comes you have deduced little more than the fact that the earliest writings within the book are by the hand of Iola Kriegler herself and, as the handwriting changes through many generations, finally arrives at Andretti Kriegler. There are references throughout the book to the hidden worship of Ghlaunder and the consequent need to disguise such veneration as reverence towards Desna… You suspect there is enough in the book to condemn the entire Kriegler line as having deceived the village of Ravenmoor for many generations.

There is a huge amount of text that really underlines the story and puts some nice context around the events – but, it will take many days to translate and is probably too much of a distraction for right now.

A quiet knock at the back door heralds the return of Shel Lupescu, flashing a smile of sorts towards the friends, she quickly hurries to speak to Viorec… who looks shocked and appalled at what she has told him. Taking her to another room, he continues the conversation where it cannot be overheard – five or so minutes later, he returns… pointedly not looking at the friends, he hums to himself whilst preparing vegetables. A minute after that Shel leaves by the back door… she has been crying.

Sense Motive DC10:
Viorec is clearly summoning up the courage to tell his ‘houseguests’ something.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna had taken her armor off and returned to the chair she'd fallen out of when Viorec comes out of the room he and Shel had been talking in. Her hair hangs in front of her face and dark circles are under her eyes as she sits there with her head lying on her arms. She only stirs when Viorec comes from his conversation with Shel. Her gray eyes dull and nearly lifeless fix on him, the way he moves and the way he avoids looking at them.

Viorec? What's wrong, she asks in a soft, quiet voice.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

earlier

of course I mean that! And I'm sure Nalathi doesn't blame you. None of us blame you.

Arsith gives a long, big hug to Joanna, calling her "sweetie pie" several times


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

'This will be devastating for some, and impossible to accept for others...' Teldon ponders as he looks up from his work. Rubbing his tired eyes and gulping down some more coffee, he shifts gears and begins writing a guide for decoding and translating the text. 'I can't finish this in time and they likely won't take my word for the contents anyway. At least I can teach them to read it themselves.'

In response to Jo's question he says, "He is trying to find the resolve to share some bad news with us. Please, Viorec, nothing you have to share with us could be worse than what we have already experienced: just tell us."

I can't fail a DC 10 sense motive check.


Viorec puts down his peeling knife and turns to the friends, "It's been decided... There will be a trial - too many folks lost loved ones out there in that field and they're looking for someone to blame.. someone to take their anger out on". Viorec's voice is laced with frustration, "It's going to be nothing more than show trial... the verdict's already been decided - Shel says they're building Wicker Men out in the Festival fields already..."

Slamming his fist against the wooden worktop, Viorec is full of determination, "The trial isn't until tomorrow... We've got to get you out of here - tonight".


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"Is Shel one of the ones that wants us to burn," Joanna asks, her eyes full of pain.


Viorec tries to reassure Joanna, "Not one bit... It'll take her a long time to get over what's happened but she knows that none of this was of your making... And, deep down, that her parents made a bad choice the day they started listening to Kriegler" - he places a warm hand on Joanna's wrist, "Listen to me... There are people here who believe you... People who know what you have done for the village... People who will help you".


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Witless simpletons" Teldon utters shaking his head morosely,"if they could muster a single thought between the lot of them I would stay to very slowly explain the evidence and the events in small words they might understand... Kriegler was responsible and he has paid."

there are probably still cultist alive, steering the conversation... I better not mention it to Jo or Zee... we've already gotten ourselves into enough trouble trying to help these inbred swampfolk, we'd never get out of here if we get tied up in that... I really should have offered the mayor our silent departure in exchange for the amulet when we had the chance...

"Ornigaard, go fetch Shel, please," he continues after a moment of contemplation, "Viorec, we have this whole chest of gold... come with us- you and anyone else who wants to forget this place and start over. If we have to flee we're not going to leave it here to rebuild the town, but we'll give it to Shel and to you, and to whoever wants to leave with us so that you can afford to start new lives. We'll escort you to Galduria, Sandpoint, or Magnimar; we may even be able to put you in touch with people who have jobs to offer... You can't possibly want your children to grow up surrounded by these kind of people..."


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Inactive

Earlier

Though not feeling particularly convinced, Briana offers a weak smile to Zee. "Right...I'm sure it'll be okay," she murmurs as they slowly trudge back to Viorec's home. Once there she very quickly collapses into bed, wanting nothing more than to sleep and forget about everything, at least for a little while.

Evening

After a surprisingly deep sleep, Briana wakes...staring up in confusion at the unfamiliar ceiling until the cobwebs clear and she remembers where she's at, and everything that had happened last night. Though she can hear the sounds of others stirring and moving about the house, she feels loathe to leave her room just yet.

"This isn't what I expected the Pathfinder life would be, Rowenna..." she says softly as she scratches behind the cat's ears. "This isn't what I expected at all...even when we tangled with the Tower Girls, or the goblins, I never..." she struggles, trying to find the right words, "I never expected to lose. That we might lose. That one or all of us might die. But we can. Even though Teldon says differently, I...I feel like we lost, last night...we lost a part of us. Nalathi is gone..." she wipes at her eyes. "And there's always the chance that someone else might die...I'm not sure I can bear it. And I don't know what to do for Jo. I'm scared for her, Rowenna...and scared of her, too." And as she had done with her stuffed toys as a child, Briana hugs the cat close to her, trying to fight back her tears. And rather than resist as she might have done on any other occasion, Rowenna instead begins to purr as her mistress' tears fall, clearly attempting to comfort her.

Eventually, Briana's tears cease and she relaxes her grip on Rowenna. "Thank you...you've always been the best listener. We'd better go downstairs; the others are probably up by now."

Daily Spells & Spirits:

Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
1st - Bless, Nature's Paths, Produce Flame, Spirit Call
2nd - Calm Emotions, Spiritual Weapon, Wild Instinct
Wandering Spirit - Life Spirit; gain Detect Undead & Lesser Restoration as spirit magic spells and Channel spirit ability for the day.

As she finally heads downstairs to join the others, she's just in time to catch Viorec's grim news. "I...that's what I was afraid of...it's the same, no matter where you go or what your status is. Someone always has to pay," she whispers, her eyes wide with fear and her arms tightening around Rowenna. "My grandpa used to tell stories about his time in Ustalav as a soldier; about how people would burn for supposed witchcraft and necromancy every time crops failed to grow or a mother died in childbirth." She gives Viorec a desperate look. "Is there nothing we can do to change their minds?"


Viorec frowns when Briana suggests that staying to defend themselves may be an option, ”I’m afraid Gravendale and some of the other elders with him are cut from the same cloth as our dearly departed mayor – now I ain’t saying they are worshipping anyone other than Desna… I don’t think any of ‘those folks’, one way or another, will be bothering us again… just that they’re going to hang on to the need for justice… and that ‘justice’, in this case doesn’t necessarily need to be the right thing. No, they need someone to pay… and for the villagers to see someone pay – and there ain’t a single thing, you or I …nor anyone else could do that will change that”.

…and when Teldon offers an ‘escape’ from Ravenmoor, ”That is a very kind offer sir… but this is where I come from – it ain’t the most perfect place but, once the clouds blow over, I do believe that this village has a future ahead of it. Besides, my wife is buried here… I couldn’t leave her behind…” Viorec thinks on for a few moments, ”Shel though… this cannot be home for her now – she needs a new life… far away from here. Teldon, when you go , could you take her downriver – to somewhere safe – and set her up. She’s a young girl… and naïve to the ways of the world – but she cannot stay here”

”Shel is going to let Gravendale know that you folks are staying with me through the night… and that you are willing to stand trial for what has happened. He has no reason to disbelieve Shel nor myself – so there will be no-one else watching your movements – and tonight, we will get you across the river and away from here”.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"What if you get caught helping us," Joanna asks, "won't they try to kill you too?"


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male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Viorec, Jo's right. You said it yourself: they're not interested in justice, they need everyone to see someone pay... if we're gone, and you let us escape, who do you think they'll extract that payment from?" Teldon tries to reason with the man.

"I appreciate that your wife's remains are here but are you in a hurry to have yours join them? Your wife's soul lives on in the outer planes, if she can see you do you think she'd wish you to stay and die? Think about your children... what will they do here as orphans who's father is remembered as a traitor?"

Teldon's gaze drifts off to the horizon as his sleep deprived mind begins running through scenarios... after a moment he speaks again, "We won't leave you here to die, so there are three options I see... First, you and your family come with us and start over. That's the easiest and safest. Second, we bind and gag your children in their beds, and leave you wounded and unconscious on the floor down here; then we trust Shel to get us across the river and away. The townsfolk will almost certainly believe your innocence then, though there is some danger of you not recovering well now that there is no healer in town, and if you or your children ever give any indication to anyone that it was a ruse the town could turn on you. The third option is the most dangerous... we could stay and stand trial... we know it won't be a fair trial, but that means we could be unfair as well... I could forge another page in this book, or just lie about the translation, and name Gravendale as the mayor's accomplice... we can claim that he has turned the town against us to hide his own guilt... it's unlikely anyone will simply take our word for it, but everyone will be at the trial- if Shel or Ornigaard were to sneak to the Kharvoski's and steal something of Yve's, or if there's a piece of jewelry of her's in this chest, they could sneak into Gravendale's and hide it among his things... I think we could convince the townsfolk to search his place, and when Mrs. Kharvoski spots Yve's possession the townsfolk will have a new target for their anger..."

Teldon sighs and rubs his heavy eyes. "I know condemning someone else to death isn't going to be a popular option, but he's more than willing to kill us without reason or evidence... and he could very well have known about or been involved with the cult. He was, after all, 'cut from the same cloth' as the mayor. This would let Viorec stay and us leave on relatively good terms... we could leave a lot of the gold here for rebuilding and the people should be open to a new cleric of Desna coming here to minister to them. Regardless, we need to settle on one of these plans quickly so we can put it into motion."


Inactive

Briana blanches as Teldon suggests framing Gravendale. "Frame a potentially innocent man? Teldon, we can't do that! And to get Shel or one of Viorec's children further involved in all of this than they already are?" She shakes her head. "No." The young woman's words come with a surprising amount of conviction and determination, surprising both herself and likely everyone else.

"But Teldon and Jo have a point...what would happen to you and your family, or anyone else, if you were caught helping us escape? I...this is your home. I can't blame you for not wanting to leave. If you'd rather not come with us, then I think Teldon's plan of us making it look like we thrashed you and escaped would be the best thing to do. Of course it'll just make us look all the more guilty...especially if we take Shel with us; it'll look like kidnapping," she sighs. "But I don't ever want or plan to return to this place, so I suppose it doesn't matter at this point."

Does it?

"Speaking of people cut from the same cloth...Viorec, has Leonard returned or been found? Last night the Mayor called for him when we confronted him, but he never came."


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"No... I suppose that's not really a 'good' thing to do... I was just trying to consider every option..."

it would be good for everyone besides Gravendale... it's so strange how often being 'good' seems to place the good of one over the good of many... in a year Gravendale will be living in a big house on the hill and these people will still be believing the same lies, but their prosperity and understanding are collectively somehow worth less than his bloodthirsty, power-hungry life? I should have gotten some sleep...


Female Human Warpriest (7) Ini +5 HP 65/65 CA 20 T 12 FF 18 Fort+9 Ref+4 Will +9 Perc +10 Speed 20 PH 4/4 Fervor +2d6 HP, 2/4

And what about Nalathi? Should we try to get her back to give her a proper burial?


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

"And if you were to try it," Joanna says, giving Teldon a tired glare, "I would do whatever I could to stop you."

She sighs and rubs her eyes. She'd gotten maybe an hour or two of fitful sleep, and the fatigue was wearing on her.

"I won't be a party to harming anyone trying to help us, either," she tells everyone before looking to Viorec in the eyes, "I know this is your home, but if they are getting ready to burn us, and they find that you aided us--" the words catch in her throat, as she remembers seeing Viorec lying on the floor as his blood spilling form his veins.

"Please, I don't want you to get hurt again. I know people that can help you settle anywhere you want, or even come back here after things have died down, but I'm scared of what will happen if you stay and we go. Please, I know you have no reason to trust us, to trust me, but I'm begging you to come with us, for your sake and for your children's sake," she says, her gray eyes pleading with him to come with them, "We can escort you to Galudria, Sandpoint, or even Magnimar. Sandpoint's nice. It's a small town with lively people. I think you would like it there. I know leaving behind your home and everyone you've known is asking a lot, but I don't think you can help us and stay here safely anymore."

Her head bows as she looks at her hands on the table.

"Please, Viorec, I don't know if I could survive having your death on my conscious," she begs in a soft, broken voice.


male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

"Yes," Teldon interrupts Joanna's threat, "I think we are all well aware that you would much rather kill me than anyone who has ever tried to kill you..."

He sits stewing while she pleads and then finds himself unable to hold his tongue any longer..."Viorec, She's right... You really do have no reason to trust her. She still hasn't learned to tell ally from foe. Maybe if she could there wouldn't be so many deaths on her conscience already." Standing up and gathering the things he's been working on he trudges wearily towards a bed.

"I think staying here is a bad idea, especially for your kids, but given that some of us threaten others in public with no provocation I completely understand if you don't want to travel with her..."


Viorec listens to the pleas of Briana and of Joanna... as well as the cold logic of Teldon... before, with a sigh, "You're right of course... I'm going to have to talk to the children - explain a little of what is going on and sell the whole thing like an adventure. If it was just myself, I'd stay... But I can't risk the children getting wrapped up in this".

When Briana mentions Leonard, Viorec grimaces, "Not a sign, I'm afraid to say... Folks are saying maybe he burned in the house... But I can't believe that! The best we can hope for is that he has fled... and is still running"

Viorec talks softly and gives Arsith a sad smile, "Your friend is already on the other side of the river... Cardzi and I took her over just before noon - she is away from harm and, when you are safe, you will have time to say goodbye properly".


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna looks up at Teldon, an angry retort on her tongue, but instead of giving voice to the hot-tempered words, she just buries her head in her arms.

He's right, you know, a small voice in the back of her head tells her.

Joanna just nods at what Viorec says about having to tell the children. She was tired, but she feared what lurked in her dreams. The sight of Nalathi driving a trident into her neck was still too fresh for her to easily forget.


Inactive

"Teldon, wai-" she begins, only to be cut off by the sound of a door closing as he trudges away to find a bed. "He didn't mean that," she quickly says to Joanna, though she knows it's a lie. "He's just tired, we're all still tired and on edge. I'll talk to him later, after he's had some rest..."

With a sigh, she turns back to Viorec. "I'm sorry...we'll do what we can to help you and your family; Shel too. Joanna's right that Sandpoint is a nice place...bigger than here, but nothing close to Magnimar's size. There was a nice woman that owns an inn there by the name of Ameiko; she was very generous with her time and showed us around town while we were there. Maybe she could help you get set up if you decide to stay there, or put you in touch with people who can."


Saw I had been Ninja'd by Teldon - but no time then to edit post!!! It's fine anyway...

Viorec is taken aback by Teldon's sudden outburst and, for a moment, considers checking up on him... But, seeing the Kriegler Book lying open... a significant tome indeed, he frowns, "The poor man's been up with that thing all day... His nerves must be shot through - you folks just need to hold it together for a few more hours. Get any sleep you can, Cardzi will be around at midnight... then we all leave... all of us"

Viorec manages a smile of sorts when Briana talks about Sandpoint, "Yeah... That sounds nice... Thanks..."

Anything else before we move on to escaping from this forsaken place?


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

Joanna again nods at Viorec's words. She can't sleep, but she does try to clean up as best she can. Somehow, removing the dirt and grime from her face makes her look even more tired. She dons her armor and checks her pack while she waits.


Inactive

After making sure that word will get to Shel should she want to leave Ravenmoor with them, Briana attempts to keep herself busy with whatever she can find that might need doing around the house. Though she knows that it's ultimately a pointless exercise since the Korzha home will soon be abandoned, the need to keep moving, to keep busy, is overwhelming.

As she works she occasionally glances toward the windows, at the stars now twinkling in the night sky. Something felt different, something that she hadn't noticed initially what with the more immediate concerns about her companions and their impending flight from town. Though she was ready to be shut of Ravenmoor for good, the thought of returning to the bustling, crowded Magnimar was almost...disappointing. In fact, she found herself looking forward more to the journey itself than to reaching their destination - or at least looking forward to it as much as she could, under the circumstances.

It actually felt nice out here, before everything went wrong. And even now my head feels clearer, somehow...

Not sure what to make of her observation, she continues her work in silence, biding her time with the others until the appointed time arrives.


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male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)

In the room Teldon collapses into whoever's bed happens to be there. At any other time, under any other circumstances he would have been more careful but in his exhaustion he thoughtlessly falls asleep before his head even hits the pillow. Unconsciously his hand slips into his pocket as he slumbers...

Teldon's dream:
Rolling over and slowly opening his eyes the clever adventurer finds himself still at Viorec's. Rising, he removes the shard from his pocket and considers it for a moment.

so much potential for someone smart enough to make use of it... why did we waste it letting Nalathi carry it around?

He places the necklace with the shard around his neck and rejoins the others. Joanna is sitting at the table staring pensively at the fire. She looks up at him when he arrives and frowns. "Teldon... I'm sorry..." she says softly, "you're so smart and I really should trust you more. I don't know why my emotions make me so reckless but I'm going to try to learn something from you and think before I act."

"But you'd still rather kill me than random strangers who try to kill us?" he asks.

"Please don't take those threats seriously... I don't think when I speak, and you know how carried away I get from any emotion... the truth is you are an extraordinary man and I'm very lucky to have you as a friend."

Waking for real, Teldon sits up in the bed and pulls Nalathi's shard from his pocket. He stares at it for a minute or two, then wraps it up and stows it in his backpack. He wipes a tear from his eye and despite still being exhausted he heads back out to join the others.


Female Human Fighter 3/Paladin of Shelyn 5 | HP: 67/67 | AC: 24/14/21 | CMD: 26, CMB: +12 | F: +13, R: +9, W: +11 (+1 vs. mind-effects) | LoH (2d6, 3d6 channel): 5/5, Smite: 2/2, Aura: Courage (10ft.) | Per: +13 (low-light vision), Init: +3 | Arrows: -, Wands:
Halli:
HP: 67/67 | AC: 19/11/17 | CMD: 25 (29 vs. Trip), CMB: +13 | F: +9 R: +7, W: +3 (+4 vs. Enchantment, Evasion) | Per: +9 (low-light vision, scent) Init: +2

As Briana works Joanna stares at her hands.

"Briana," she asks after several long minutes, "do you think Teldon's right? That I can't tell friend from foe?" Her voice was small and meek. Broken. Defeated.


Inactive

At Jo's words, Briana stops and turns to look at her friend. "No," she says softly. "No I don't. I think..."

If anyone's listening, please give me the right words!

"I think that the two of you have completely different ways of looking at...well, everything really. For whatever reason, I think Teldon just views emotions as a secondary thing most of the time...it isn't that he doesn't care at all, but I think for him, they're...distracting. They get in the way if there's a problem to be solved or something that needs to be done. And I think it's hard for him to understand that most people don't see the world the way he does."

She frowns, clearly struggling to try and give an example that would make sense. "His earlier suggestion of framing Gravendale...I think to him it was just a possible solution to our problem, instead of a suggestion made out of malice. It's like...like he doesn't really understand why doing that would have been wrong on some level, almost like a...like a child." Briana's expression looks pained as she speaks, clearly unhappy to be making such a comparison about someone she cares for. "And like a child...I think it's confusing and upsetting when he doesn't get the response he expects or hopes for. Think about how a child acts when they decide to 'decorate' for their parents and splatter paint all over the walls - I was trying to be helpful, why are you upset with me?"

Come on Briana, this isn't really about Teldon himself...it's about what he said.

Briana slowly walks over to Joanna and kneels down in front of her, clasping the Iomedaean's hands in her own. "Jo...look at me. All of that is to say that while I do care about Teldon very much, I think he's wrong here. The Lupescus and the other cultists and whoever made that illusion of Nalathi...they didn't just fool you, they fooled us all. They fooled Arsith and me...they fooled Zee and Teldon, who are probably two of the smartest people I've ever met. It's not your fault. And..." she hesitates, unsure of how her next words would be received, "I know it may sound so easy for me to say this and so trite, but I...I don't think Lady Iomedae would want you to blame yourself either. I don't think she'd want you to forget, but I think she'd want you to carry on."

Before she can say anything else, her ears catch the sounds of footsteps and an opening door and she glances over to see that Teldon has decided to rejoin them. Her face flushes and she guiltily looks down at the ground, unsure of whether he overheard her words or not.

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