"Yes, the thought of traveling together was no small part of the reason I originally gathered us together." the deputy agrees, "Though, going on foot in the dark when we're all in need of sleep seems a poor choice... I suppose we could travel an hour or two then camp in the wilds, but if we don't make a report of this to the local constabulary who knows what manner of accusations and insinuations might follow us around Ustalav..."
Seeing Daniel tempting fate with that blasted horse again, he calls out, "don't forget your promise- no trying to leave until we've discussed things!"
Daniel waves Carter off with his free hand. Yeah, yeah, just getting ready for when we do.
Huh, I can understand them again."I'm not sensing anymore undead in the area." I like the Deputy's idea," says Belo as he wipes the rain from his eyes. "I'm just gonna go back in the inn and grab my backpack."
Daniel turns to belo.
so, what, can you only talk in this tone when in battle?
As Daniel walks up to the horse with carrot and apple extended,he feels a sharp pain on his face from the still fresh hoof print. remembering there short but painful meeting the horse kick the stall door as Daniel approaches.
The memory or that hoof makes Daniel jump in fright doping the apple, it rolls into the stall and the horse places his massive hoof on to the apple. Slowly crushing it with the weight of his body his eyes never leaving Daniels as if daring him to come closer...
The color continues to drain from the deputy's face as he contemplates what has come to pass... as people talk about plans for the journey he begins to shake his head...
"I'm sorry folks..." he says, "the professor was always generous to me but there are things in this country I should have let lay... I'm going to fetch the constable and file a report, then in the morning I'm heading back to Nirmathas... Good luck on your journey."
Radriel rises from the floor and gets closer to everyone so he doesn't have to strain his raw voice so much. My vote is to spend the rest of the night at the Inn. As crazy as that may sound I like the idea of spending the night in the woods less at this point. Besides I agree with the Deputy that this has to be reported to the Locals and the Deputy is the best one to do that. After he has made his report in the morning we all can set out on the road together. It has been a taxing night and I wouldn't mind a couple of hours sleep in a decent bed before starting off. That said I'll abide by what the majority decides. his voice cracking with strain at the end
Daniel turns to belo.
** spoiler omitted **
"Oh", said Belo. "Yes. My 'curse' for lack of a better word, only allows me to understand and speak Celestial in stressful situations, which did not endear me to my debate teacher in school", Belo smirks.
Daniel gulps and then, out of sheer stubbornness takes another step I will purchase you in the morning. I'll ride you yet. determined to win the staring contest with the horse. But just shy of kicking range.
He speaks to belo while still eyeing the horse.
yeah, I'd imagine.
It wasn't smart to test a horse. But it kept his mind off the gruesome ending to the day.
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"And, well, if there's nobody residing in that inn anymore... Their pantry will go to waste! ...It has certainly been a dreary eve. ...Anyone up for a twilight morsel? I've learned to cook from the best, all across Varisia."
Hector's fright is swept by the thought of food.
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"Hector, I am truly exhausted by tonight's events. . I am in need of sleep now rather than food, but if you are still offering in the morning, breakfast would be great before we get on our way "
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The deputy sets out to track down the constable in the dark and the rain... after a wearying search he returns to the barn with him. He spends much of the rest of the night explaining in great depth the events that transpired (leaving out only one sentence, and the name that appeared therein).
In the morning he makes good on his decision he announced the night before. After sharing an early breakfast with the professor's other associates he heads off back to Nirmathas, leaving the cursed lands of Ustalav behind once and for all... he hopes...
Morning comes and Hector makes breakfast for all who want it. There is still a gloom hanging over your heads about what happened last night. Carter says his good buys and takes his leave...
Morning comes and Hector makes breakfast for all who want it. There is still a gloom hanging over your heads about what happened last night. Carter says his good buys and takes his leave...
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Wonderful breakfast Hector! I needed that after last night. Looking at everyone gathered around the table. Shall we get started on the road. I would enjoy your company on the road. As we can see from last night there are strange powers about and I feel traveling together would be wise.
Radriel makes his way to the door waiting for the others to join him.
As Hector finishes cleaning up the pots and pans, he wipes the grease off of his hands into his borrowed apron, and sets everything back as it had once been. Even if the innkeeper had past, there was still use for order, and for the pantry. He quickly but meticulously sweeps through its stores, taking for himself more than just tidbits of several spices and hearty foods.
After he gathers his now heavier load of possessions, he is ready to set off to Ravengro.
"Aye, let us be off... before anything else wonderful befalls us."
Gods, I hope we find a fit horse though... And a wagon. Gah, the luck of Ustalav... I'd like not to tangle with you today...
Hector didn't sleep well that night... or more accurately, at all. Too spooked.
If we could find just a wee cart, I could doze and find myself in Ravengro in no time... Bother.
Vishnya was up to meditate and greet the sun - not that it showed that morning, but that didn't put a stop to his ritual. The sun was there behind the clouds, even if he couldn't feel it's heat on his face, and so he would greet it.
Instead of partaking in what Hector came up with, he boiled some of his rice for himself that morning - he was still not used to the hearthy fare in these northwestern regions.
It took some searching to find his staff where he left it by the fire last night, but with it, he was ready to be off.
"Yes. Traveling together. There is only one path." There was a touch of something in his voice at that last statement - he was either imparting deep wisdom, or saying something he thought was funny.
A fine meal halfling. Also, I think we should look into travel by means other than walking. Perhaps horses? or a wagon. It would get us there quicker, and a bit more rested.
Daniel speaks right after he finished eating.
I know a horse we could purchase.
"Agreed. Daniel," said Belo. He then turned to Hector and said, "Thank you for the meal, sir."
After eating Daniel walks out to see if he can buy the horse...after 1 hour he dose not find anyone
He goes back to the stable to test his man hood again, but this time he finds a young stable boy tending to the horse. There is a black cloth over were the innkeeper died but her body has been moved
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Young lad, No, don't run. I merely seek to know whose horse that is. I may be willing to purchase it... even though it was here last night..
Daniel doesn't move towards the boy, just speaks to him. His shield strapped across his back.
the boy slowly turns to Daniel...
as he turns you see he can't be more than 14 at the most it obvious from his hands he has been a stable boy for long. an old long scar across his face down to his neck line can be seen, how he survived that you have no idea.
"my GOD what happed to your face...is that a hoof print...sir?"
after you answer
the boy pats the horse's side
"well I guess he's mine now seeing as the owner has not been back in a few years...yes this is my horse Skullcrucher"
he said with a inflection and pride in his voice
"must have been a grate horse in his time with a name like that ehh.."
"buy him you say..no no could not do that how else will I get around when I need to go to market..."
Radriel waits patiently as Daniel talks to the boy about SKULLCRUSHER.
"Come on Daniel, it's just an old war horse. . I'm sure you can buy another when we get to the next town "
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Hector, with his backpack almost as big as his gullet, without a wink of shut-eye, falls back upon his pack to the ground, and begins to drift to deep slumber...
Eggs inside the backpack can be heard cracking from the weight placed on it. They run and sog into the pack.
hmm, are you sure? Not even for 75 gold?
If rejected. Daniel will make another offer.
Then, instead of purchasing the horse.. What if we rented it? See, my associates and I need to get some place in a hurry and are in need of a horse.. we will bring him back, or, you are welcome to come along to see that he is returned.
Daniel speaks again as he holds up a finger to Radriel to wait just a moment.
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Lidya said with a smile
Hector look around and sees he is at a dinner table with a lavish spread there is a few more strangers at the table as well but their faces are hidden by shadows...
"Lidya how when i thought i lost her was that all a dream.."Hector thought to himself
Lidya came back into the room with a plate if food
"it smells wonderful what is that..." he said as she set it down
"Now now take a bite and tell me how you like it then i might tell you what it is and how i made it. its been some time since i have seen you how have you been you look like you don't get much sleep..."
As she set the plate down Hector can see some sauce on her face
"Oh Lidya you have always been an excellent cook" chuckling he reaches up and wipes the sauce off her face
"but you always made a bit of a mess when you cook"
"oh you, come come eat up and don't worry there is lots left have your fill."
"ah is must have been a dream losing her now i can't let this get cold can i...ohh it really good"
noticing the others at the table he ask "why hello how do you all know Lidya i hope your enjoying the meal as mush as i am" no one answers him no mater how he tries to spark conversation.
Finally had enough he gets up walks over to one of them grabbing the chair Hector turns the man around to ask him why the cold shoulder
Only to find a {Look here}rotting corpse instead
Lighting strikes and thunder booms, backing away Hector runs to the kitchen to find Lidya. upon opening the door he sees her by the counter with a smile on her face she turns now in the light he can see that she is covered in blood{Look here} and his friend the professor on the table.
smiling as she bring the clever down cutting of his arm at the elbow Lidya holds it up and says
"Oh silly don't worry seconds will be ready soon...for in just 3 years the three moons will be in the sky, you will eat flesh and Die"....you awaken with a fright..
the boy thinks about what you said
"No i can't sell him for that little but i for 90 gold i could take you and all your friends to your destination. i have a cart and it would be safer to travel with me than on foot...hmm but depending on were you want to go i might have to ask for more" he said
Radriel stands by impatiently not understanding why anyone would be so set on buying this old war horse. .
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Daniel turns to the others.
Eh, well, you folks wanna walk or ride? Personally I feel like the lad is trying overcharge everything. Up to you guys.
Hector literally jumps back into consciousness, the omen ringing in his ears as he also hears Daniel's talk of a horse.
"I'm sorry, sir, what is the lad charging? And I hope he has a cart, we can't all ride one horse... ...Comfortably......."
Distractions from deathly dreams proved to be a great means to keep Hector from addling his mind with the meaning behind it's contents.
"well its all up to you i do have other things to do but, know this its at lest a 6 hour walk to the next town. The way is bound to have more dangers to those on foot rather than one travailing quickly"
all of the players know that six hours would might make you miss the funeral...
Vishnya had traveled far to come here. For the first half of his journey, he did not know that he was in a hurry, but now that he did, he had come too far to be late.
On the other hand, he'd also seen unscrupulous "guides" who'd sell someone an expensive "safe trip" to a town that was perhaps half a mile away on foot.
As he leaned on his staff, he cocked his head to the side, and listened for a wavering in the boys voice, that intonation that said that while he was trying to seem blazé, the salesman was in fact far too eager to sell.
"Well... we all managed to get here on foot. We can continue that way if need be.
"
Looking at the lad. . "Seems like a high price to purchase this old horse. . And an outrageous price for just taking us to pay our respects at Professor Lorrimors funeral. Besides, if old SKULLCRUSHER is indeed a war horse don't you think the last days of its life would be better spent on the road than doing the work of a lowly mule on the farm? "
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"Also, I'm not sure if you were friendly with the lady Inn keeper, but we were the ones who slew the foul necromancer who killed her. . If we hadn't maybe the whole town would be overrun with skeletons right now. . That has to be worth something. "
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yeah, scare the lad half to death, Wonder if he remembers the place he is right now? They probably blame us for the incident.
He looks down to the halfling.
90 gold for a damnable ride.
at the mention that you were the ones that were here last night. His eyes go wide
"beggin your pardon sir...d-did you say you saw what did that to old Mary?...she always so so nice to me,..you know she let me have my first drink when i was younger,, hehe that's how i got this scare...but since you did avenge her death.... ill be honest im sorry i was lying to you really it is a few hours to Ravengro...i don't know how long it is by foot never made it that way on foot...but ill give you lot a ride ..its the least i can do"
he looks down a tear falls off his face
"well old boy lets get you all set up then...when do you need to leave?"
Putting his arm around the lads shoulders "I'm sorry for your loss son. Sometimes this world doesn't make any sense..All of us are still coming to grips with the loss of our friend the professor. So we kind of understand how you feel....
We'd like to leave as soon as possible so we can get to Ravengro in time for the funeral. "
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Nodding his head
"thank you and sorry for your loss as well...i could be ready on about 30 minuets or so your well come to wight here if you want"
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Hector is hopeful for the wagon and the two hours or more of sleep he'll be able to enjoy. He fears that after that nightmare he may be unable to calm himself into dreaming again. But he still hopes for rest.
He also feels the sogginess of his backpack, and immediately curses.
"Damn it! Drat it!"
His hands scurry through his pack, revealing some peculiar wares with a mix of mundanities, the latter being soaked in egg juice.
"Curse the trolls... Curse them..."
He takes the soiled bits of his possessions and throws them on the ground, stomping on them in anger. Then, after the chubby one composes himself, he takes a handkerchief from his pocket and begins to scrub his backpack, then meticulously repack his belongings into his bag.
Night falls on the trip to Ravengro and a new storm comes again
Its takes the rest of the day to get to Ravengro the boy takes you right up to the grave yard, no no no, I must have missed the funeral buy now you all think at least I can give my last respects to him before I see Kendra the boy says his good buys and goes on his way
It is a dark gloomy and stormy night,
Nights in Ustalav are a gloomy affair. Raging storms, much like this one, are very common. Nights without rain are replaced by a thick, persistent fog. People go missing in the fog, never to be seen or heard from again. The entire country seems covered in a terrible pall, a grim reminder to the citizens that they will never truly be free of their legacy. Most citizens of Ustalav stay inside at night if they can help it, huddling in safety until the morning sun reappears to protect them from the horrors of the night.
It takes something unusual to spur anyone familiar with Ustalav to stay outside during the night.
As you approach only two people are seen standing in the rain quietly, looking down at the fresh grave of Professor Petros Lorrimor. The old man's death was a surprise despite his advanced age.
was his death violent nature? You can only assume with the letter you got before the last telling you of his passing.
When his daughter Kendra sent the tear-stained letters of his death to his many admirers and students, only Five were brave or foolish enough to come this deep into a land many considered cursed. Kendra Lorrimor, a local priest by the name of Father Harking, and the six stand in the muddy ground of the Restlands, the only cemetery in the small town of Ravengro.
Ravengro sits near Lake Lias, less than a day's ride from the western border of Ustalav. Hardly more than a village, its population of just over 300 people do not look kindly upon strangers. The Restlands Cemetery is just north of town, an ancient burial ground that the town has been burying its dead in for hundreds of years. Hundreds of tombstones, crypts, and angelic figures line the graveyard, for the dead outnumber the living in this town. If the citizens of Ravengro were to disappear into the mists, as occurred in the villages of Colofan and Tavilav five years ago, the graves and statues of the cemetery would be the only reminder that anyone ever lived here.
Kendra looks at the six of them and smiles just a little, though her sadness shows through. An attractive young woman, if a little plain in her mourning black, with brown hair in a tight bun, she sadly addresses them.
"Thank you for coming so far to pay your respects to my father. He was a great man, a truly great man. While his studies took him all over the world, his heart was in this town. He was born here and grew up in this very town, so it's only fitting... It's fitting that he's buried here. It a shame only you Five could make the journey but I am grateful not to go through this alone. I have held off on sending him on this last journey long enough"
The speech is obviously very difficult on her. Father Harking, a handsome young man, puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Harking is a cleric of Pharasma, if his holy symbol is any clue. He says to the assembled group,
"Perhaps you have something to say about the Professor. I know he would have liked that."
In the dark and the rain she can’t recognise those of you who knew her, the others and she is ready to hear your last words to her father…
With bubbling tears, the little Hector grieves his client, teacher, and friend.
A voice louder than usually uttered from his lungs springs forth as he recounts memories past, proverbs shared, and friendship given. The end of his speech finishes with a sensitive eloquence:
"...Petros Lorrimor was above all else, a well seasoned man of wisdom, temperance, the best sort of ambition, and only the best caliber of companion. With all of my heart, I mourn his passing."
The halfling falls to his knees on the edge of the coffin, weeping while grasping onto it, as for dear life.
With a voice still harsh and sore from the SCREAM and a glint of tears in his eyes Radriel recounts how his life crossed paths with the Professor and their relationship over the years "... most of all, thank you for taking the time to help a young lost boy find his way."
As he finishes his speech Radriel kneels down by the casket in a low voice meant for the Professor
Radriel stands and steps away from the casket. Eyes now devoid of tears, left in their place anger and a desire for vengeance.
When there is a lull in the conversation, Belo steps forward to say his farewell. Professor Petros Lorrimar was a great man. As dear a friend to me as I've ever known. A seeker of knowledge and a steward of others to seek out knowledge. Through his friendship, Petros Lorrimar made these lands not so bleak, which is a tremendous feat in itself. As well as being one of Ustalav's leading scholars, not too many knew that Petros Lorrimar was a man of great faith. He believed, as I do, looking toward the mourning visage of Kendra, that Death is not the end, but a new beginning, as Pharasma would allow us to met again in the Afterlife. Goodbye my friend. For now."
Belo steps back to let others say their peace.
"The professor carried the sun in his mind - and knew to light it in others. May he walk in the light. sai dam."
Vishnya took care not to mangle the words of the unfamiliar tongue.
he was a kind man. And he guided a child through a very dark time. May Iomeade guide him to his rewards in the after life.
Darian says very little of what is in his heart. Preferring to keep his thoughts to himself.
Father Harking folds his hands and says a prayer for the late Professor.
"Great Pharasma, please take Petros Lorrimor into your fold. Measure him upon your scales and find him to have been a good man, full of compassion and accomplishment. May he rest in peace."
As the cleric concludes the brief prayer, a bolt of thunder peals out nearby, culminating in a low rumble. The rain continues to steadily flow on them, soaking their clothes to the bone. As the coffin lowers into the wet ground by a pulley system, Kendra begins to sob quietly and says a goodbye to her father that is too soft to hear. The still angelic statues of a nearby crypt look upon the scene impassively, the rain hitting the stone carvings in just the right way to make it appear as if they are weeping. The thunder continues to strike, intermittently lighting the cemetery up.
During a strike of lightning, it appears that one of the statues moves slightly. The moment before the strike of lightning, it was standing with its hands folded in prayer. When lit by the bolt of lightning, the angel's hands are to its side with their palms facing out. A moment later, as the light vanishes, they are back to being folded in prayer. It may have simply been a trick of the light, but it certainly looked for a moment like the statue moved.
Daniel grips his shield suddenly then relaxes as the lightning strikes. After the burial he moves and speaks with kendra.
hey,long time no see. Wish it was under better circumstances... We're all going to miss him... Now I'm not gonna beat around the bush, not my style. I'm afraid I may have worse news. I, we, think his death was far from accidental. And I feared for your safety as well. Though I'd feel much more comfortable speaking indoors about it all. he forces a smile Besides. We've got catching up to do. he doesn't mention the statue.