Once again, patience pays off as Que opens the hidden vault. Inside, showing sings of the ravages of time, are five objects:
a blood-stained handaxe
a tangled collection of a dozen or so holy symbols
a moldy spellbook, many of it's pages ruined by age
a smith's hammer
a tarnished silver flute
Given the time spent searching the records and opening the various locks, evening is fast approaching. What do you wish to do?
"No way we hang out here is there?"
Wood prepares to return. Carefully tranferring the spellbook to his pack.
Que shivers a bit about the thought of spending the nigght in thte haunted prison.
"Yes, we should return to Kendra's house and rest the night. We can also use the time to learn more about those items we just found."
She seems to be in deep thoughts for a moment.
" I can't help, but those items: A handaxe, the holy symbols, a spellbook, smith's hammer and the silver flute.... seems we have found the signature tools of the five most prominent prisoners. We should check those items for any enchantment or perhaps lingering connection to the ghosts."
"I think these are items that were possessions of the infamous 5 prisoners"
"Hokay, If a ghosty starts swingink vun ov dose tings around, Hy am goink to have vords vit de guys dot iz suppozed to be keepink stuff like dot from happenink, cuz somevun iz not doink der job."
"hmmm ... Gkirkhan I think we are the ones who are supposed to keep all this from happening. At least at the moment, I fear."
Vertielle gingerly wraps the flute in a cloth, careful not to touch it directly.
The professor's library has information on magical items, and I think I saw a book concerning necromantic energies corrupting or possessing items very dear to the departed. It merits research.
Additionally, the spirits are sure to strike out against the town. We should be there to aid.
She turns from the stash, then back, as a thought occurs to her.
Removing these items may weaken the spirits.
As she leaves the small space, she is contemplative, and, before departing the prison proper, finally stops.
Let's use the spirit board to see what troubles that haunt. It may be used only once daily, but, I feel we should deal with it now, rather than tomorrow.
Vertielle kneels in the foyer on her cloak, placing the board in front of her. She unclasps the box the planchette rests in, lifting it gingerly and placing it on the board. After a minute or so, the brass arrow begins to move of it's own accord.
What is it that imprisons your spirit?
Vertielle sets up the spirit board and begins to try to commune with the spirits of the place. After what seems like a long time, the planchette begins to move and she speaks. The plancette responds, spelling out one word:
H - A - T - E
@Vertielle; as the device spells out that one word, you feel odd; as if you are flooded by rage. Your skin flushes briefly with a flash of
heat, then everything is normal.
@rest of the group: After she asks her question, Vertielle suddenly stiffens, an odd play of emotions briefly running across her face, ending in a look of hatred unlike any you have ever seen or expected to see on her, before she suddenly seems normal again.
@Vertielle: Something just tried to possess you.
Vertielle shivers, pointedly erradicating all trace of the expression from her face by rubbing it with her wrists, fingers shaking.
Well... I...
She takes a few deep breaths, composing herself.
I'm not sure that helps terribly. We'll have to remember to be more specific in the future.
"Dot, or remember to bring a priest or two."
Vertielle inclines her head to Eva.
Good thing we remembered to bring one.
"Oh, right."
Gkirkhan is rather embarrassed right now. Not to mention some other feelings are starting to manifest.
I need a drink.
Vertielle smiles a little as she stands up and pats Gkirkhan on the chest, which is as high as she can reach.
Let's go get a drink, eh?
Int check
"I'll have to use protection from evil before doing this next time. Maybe Eva can work the board next time, she is probably most resistant to possession."
"Ja. Dot soundz nize. Iz dere anythin' dot I ken help vit?"
@Wood: As you speak, you see, out of the corner of your eye, your name written on one of the doors, in some red, dripping substance you somehow know is blood. When you turn and look again, it's gone. Give me a will check.
Will
@Wood: You're fine so far.
The group gets back to Kendra's place with no issues.
She has a late dinner waiting, and says"How did it go? Did you learn anything about the events here...about my father's...accident?"
"Ja, et vas de nekky-manser in de courtyard vit de gargoyle head." Gkirkhan plops down into a nice comfy chair and rubs the heels of his hands in his eyes. "How de leetle sneak got by de dem plants Hy vill never know."
"Kendra, Harrowstone is a bad place with bad things haunted by bad spirits. Your father was extremely brave to go alone. We are challenged in a large group."
Wood looks a little concerned.
"By the way, I see blood everywhere now. I am haunted by petty feelings, but I think I can master them. Gkirkan, not that I need to tell you, but if you see me doing anything really bad, knock me out. Remember, I am somewhat strange, so I mean something really, really bad that is beyond my normal strange behaviour. Singing drinking songs qualifies by the way."
Wood smiles. "Thank you for the hot meal, Kendra. We are definitely making progress."
As you enjoy your meal and the warmth of a safe place, you hear a knock on the door. You hear footsteps as Pytor goes to answer it.
Kendra seems puzzled and a little concerned. "Who could that be? I hope it's nothing serious."
She stands up and walks to the door as odd sounds -of a struggle?- come from the hallway. She opens the door and looks out, then pales to white and faints.
Gkirkhan snarls something in a tongue that at least one of you recognize. He stands up and readies his sword as he follows Kendra to the door.
"Ho boy."
He lays her down gently as he looks out the door.
Pytor is struggling in the grip of a zombie in the Professor's best outfit, it's face a smashed ruin that doesn't seem to be impeding it's assault.
As she sees Kendra fainting, she jumps up, hurrying next to Gkirkhan who just caught Kendra. Her hand close to her weapon.
" What's wrong? What's going on there?"
Wood instinctively begins to cast a spell.
But then he seems to hesitate and have an internal struggle with himself. A dimensional portal begins to open.
Initiatives, folks:
Zombie Professor
init
Gkirkhan flies into a rage and charges the zombie. He brings the greatsword down upon what's left of the zombie's skull.
I think there's enough left to rebury. I think.
Yes, that was the only threat. You can all relax, for now.
Vertielle rushes to Kendra, doing her best to gently rouse the woman.
Perhaps you had best move the Professor, Gkirkhan. I don't think it'd be wise to let the townfolk see him, either.
After the dogs appears for Wood to pet it, he sends it back on his way.
"Let us inter his remains for good now. I am sure Eve knows a nice blessing."
"If the professor rose from the dead how many more do you think got out of their graves?
So I think it would be a Good idea to check the town for any."
Vertielle looks incredibly taken aback for a moment.
I hadn't thought of that, I had taken it that his proximity and involvement with the prison had made his body susceptible... We had best go check!
As you cautiously collect the Professor's mortal remains and start out toward the Restlands, you do hear further sound of combat from the direction of the temple.
As you head to the sounds you see the temple under asault. Two of the three main priests stand in the doorway, facing a mixed group of 4 zombies and 6 skeletons. The skeletons appear to be burning, which is what is damaging the temple defenders.
You note that the halfling acolyte is trying to drag a form (from the hair, Father Grimburrow) away from the combat. Two of the skeletons are in pursuit.
You are coming up from behind the group.
Initiatives:
Burning skeletons:
Fast Zombies:
Wood init
"Crap, this was one of those things I hoped I got wrong."
Vertielle, seeing the skeletons burning the defenders, rushes forward to aid, drawing her whip as she goes.
Bludgeon them! Watch the claws, she calls out, doing her best to aid from a distance.
Gkirkhan drops the Professor's body to the ground and rushes towards the the skeletons. While Vertielle advises using something blunt, Gkirkhan reaches for his sword. Something ugly seems to have been released in him. His eyes dance with fires of rage and his voice is heavy with cold fury.