Kendra smiles as you hide the spell and winks at you, Junior does not seem to notice.
After a little more fussing, Junior settles down and returns to sleep.
Kendra soon nods off cradling her son in a rocking chair.
With Junior once more calmed & sleepy, Ysmerelda makes her way back to her own bed, borrowed though it is, to return to slumber until dawn.
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Sirsi will linger outside the door for a short while, listening for any more disturbances. Eventually she grows tired and heads off to bed.
Morning greets you with the smell of a rich breakfast.
Granny has just finished pulling bread from the hearth.
Eggs, ham, sausage and grain porridge are warming or sizzling on the fire.
Kendra and Junior meander out at about the same time as you all do.
Junior seems in good spirits, attacking his meal like a staving wolf, will his mother drinks some hot tea first.
Granny eats a she cooks, sampling the food, and writing a list on a small chalkboard.
The morning finds Hotrek sitted cross legged and mediating. His posture is relaxed wtih the haft of his weapon across his knees. His expression serene and his muscles loose.
That smells like it was cooked by the gods themselves. Sirsi grins, before tucking into her food with abandon.
Granny Gods? No deary, just me and my pans. Dig in dears, nothen worse than a grumbly belly to start the day.
What will you lot be up to today?
Hotrek, is you want to do more hammeren an woodwork, the shed out back is got some more for today, but your gonna need to get more from town this day or the next.
Know Kendra gots some chores an shopping ta do, need vegtables and some other things.
The massive cat you saw the previous evening leaps onto the table to sniff at the bacon. Granny quickly grabs a wooden spoon and throws it at the cat.
Stupid cat.
Seraphine lumbers in, still half asleep, and slumps down into a chair.
"Hmm...food" She starts to dig in, continuing "Huh, wha? Oh yes. I figured I'd go into town. There are some, erm, things I'd like to research."
Hotrek helps himself to a hearty breakfast after his mediation.
"Your cooking is divine and let no one else tell you otherwise! If Kendra would allow, I would go with you to town to pick up additional supplies and of course provide aid in carrying back her groceries."
Apparently, Ysmerelda is not a morning person. When she finally arrives, her face is notably haggard & drawn in comparison to the day before. Silently, she accepts food & drink, acknowledging the other's presence and words with nods & small sounds. As the meal progresses, her colour and demeanor improve though she is still notably withdrawn, compared to the previous day.
"How may we be of aid to you this coming month?" Ysmerelda asks Kendra, a measure of the previous day's sunny disposition apparent once more.
Kendra Well, I'll have to decide if I wish to stay here.
Even though I have spent most of my life here and consider it my home, of late, the welcome here is most cold.
My son and I could easily travel and make a home elsewhere, but Granny is rather old to make such a journey.
I also dislike the thought of taking away the only family Gibbs has left in the town.
The Whispering Way mentioned in my fathers journal is of tremendous concern to me as well.
I worry that they may have unfinished business here in Ravengro and the Harrowstone.
I worry that the business will include my remaining family.
I wish there was a way to feel safe again...
"There, there" Hotrek gives her a grandfatherly pat on her shoulders, standing on tiptoes and balancing rather precariously to comfort Kendra.
"We shall make ourselves known to the villagers and of course investigate the surround area here. While we're here as your guests, we're also available as guards." saying the last with a wink that disappears into white eyebrows.
"Family of course must be maintained. The good professor wouldn't have it otherwise."
"You've been more than proper at how you treat your guests, by the ancient laws of hospitality we'll aid in the defence of your home, if'n it comes it it."
Sirsi will join Seraphine in scouring the libraries and records.
Unless Kendra needs a babysitter.
The Professors library is well stocked and neatly cataloged.
Ravengro Town Hall has extensive records stretching back to the founding of the town, but is typically off limits. Kendra believes it is possible access it with a little diplomacy and a silver tongue.
The Temple has the most extensive library that Kendra knows about, unless you travel to a larger city. Even then, the one in here is a repository for books from around the area. Permission is granted with caveats from time to time, a little coin in donation often smooths the way.
The Unfurling Scroll is school and magic shop. Alendru Ghoroven charges a flat 10gp per day, but has been known to drop his prices or trade.
Knowledge checks can be attempted at each location.
Each check requires 8 hours of research, with possible bonuses granted on checks depending on what site you use.
You may either take 10 or roll after 8 hours, and may re-roll a check after another 8 hours.
Aiding another is a DC 10 and my be attempted untrained in any of the libraries.
Kendra has Granny to help look after Junior, but he insists on accompanying his mother and Hotrek on their morning errands.
Hotrek: As you accompany Kendra, she heads to the morning market and purchases groceries, fire wood, and other supplies.
Gibbs has set up near a large gazebo. A small pot of water bubbles over a fire as he deftly works scissors and blade, delivering shaves and haircuts to a line of customers.
Loaded with groceries, fire wood, and other supplies does not faze the ld dwarf even as he insists on taking them all from Kendra, balancing them on powerful arms and broad back.
"That looks like a lifetime of skill gained after hard work." he says appreciative of the way Gobbs handles his tools of the trade.
Speaking to the nearest local in an effort to strike up a conversation.
"Tis a fine day today ain't it?"
Seraphina will start off in the Professor's Library
Sirsi will assist Seraphine.
Various courses of activity variously plotted, Ysmerelda makes her way to the Temple to pay her respects there & inquire if there are any local shrines to Shelyn where she might pray without imposing upon Ravengro's hospitality.
Knowledge checks updated in Campaign info tab, no peeking unless you beat the DC, please!
Hotrek: Your attempts to talk to the towns people are not instantly rebuffed, but it seems they are still rather cool to you and Kendra as well.
As you help Kendra with her shopping, you can plainly people pointing at you and talking amongst them selves.
On your return trip, you pass by a narrow alley, soft moans emanate from its shadows.
Perception check please Hotrek and Ysmeralda.
Ysmerelda: On your way to the temple you pass by Hotrek and Kendra finishing their morning shopping, see spoilers above.
Instinctively, upon making her realization, Ysmerelda calls upon her Goddess' gift.
Despite loaded with the day's shopping, Hotrek handles them rather adroitly but stops at the sound coming from the alley and most importantly the smell.
"Kendra lassie, pray tell me does the alley yonder always like that or is it just for today, that tang of a certain aroma arises?" he enquires while quietly placing himself between alley and her.
Yesmerelda: That location detects as Moderate Evil. You are not flat footed at the start of the round. This is your one action in the surprise round.
Kendra: No, Hotrek that is the most terrible smell I have ever
A putrid smelling man with missing flesh and rotting clothing lurches out at Hotrek!
Hotrek, you are flat footed as combat begins!
So, finally first combat! I have not yet gone high tech yet, so combat will be narrative at this point. Post you descriptions of actions as normal and please use and tag to tell me your mechanics. I'm pretty easy on movement and actions, just tell me how far you are going.
Lets begin!
Knowledge checks are a free action.
Rotten Man
The rotten man sling his fist with terrible force but some how manages to miss Hotrek and his load!
Actually, considering we are within a town & she doesn't particularly have an expectation of danger, Ysmerelda isn't likely to be either armed or armored. She might very well have been leisurely about making her way however. It could have been a beautiful morning after all...
On the downside, this means her AC is only going to be 11.Instinctively, upon making her realization, Ysmerelda calls upon her Goddess' gift.
Hotrek's glances at the fist that whizzes past his head, gently puts his load down, unslungs his waraxe and then lines it up against the stinking thing....
"I do suppose that this isn't a common occurence now Ain't it now Lassie." Hotrek deadpans even as his warrior instincts take over amidst his swing.
"Kendra! Go to the Temple!" Ysmerelda calls out as she strides forward, lashing at the animate corpse.
Kendra apears to be frozen in fear, mouth open in a soundless scream.
Hotrek's axe misses the Zombie, however Ysmerelda's claw tears some bits from it side.
Zombie
The Zombie's fist slams into Hotrek rocking him on his heels, but his armor seems to save him from the worst of it!
Having closed with the deadly dead thing, Ysmerelda lashes out at it.
The Zombie's blow rocks Hotrek back but the dwarf calmly absorbs the blow and returns it with his axe with nary a thought.
Hotrek's axe splits the zombies skull, splattering remains and brains.
The thing drops without a sound.
Kendra trembles for several seconds, before trying to regain her composer.
Behind you from the market you can hear the sounds of panic and shock from the people there, moments later, Gibbs runs up long sword in one hand short sword in the other.
He glances briefly at the fallen corpse before sheathing his blades and going to Kendra.
"Master Gibbs, your grandson's mother has suffered quite a fright. Please see her home. If you should encounter any constables on the way, please send them here. I hope this is an uncommon occurance & should be looked into." Ysmerelda directs, attempting as best she is able to forestall the building panic.
Cleaning his axe of the remains of the fallen zomie, Hotrek turns to Gibbs.
"I'll be glad of another blade to escort here Lassie home. Would ye join me?" The dwaf requests as he hands his axe once ore at his side before picking up the fallen packages of the day's shopping.
Moving over to Kendra.
"Never ye worry Lassie, me axe will guard ye as long as tis needed and with yer father 'ere as well, no little zombie will come near ye."
Gibbs: Constables are boys, they would have wet their pants upon seeing this thing.. He emphasis his words with a solid kick to the corpse, hard enough to crack bones in it ribcage.
Returning his blades to their sheathes, he puts his arm around the women, small with fear, she looks like a child in his arm.
Come on, Kendra, let ol' father Gibbs and Hotrek take you home.
Kendra does look comforted with her escort of armed men.
A small crowd of people have gathered during the short battle and the exchange of words.
Mutters move thru the crowd, they sound upset, anxious and frightened.
Many of them look at Ysmerelda, some point at the gore on her "finger nails".
Pulling out a handkerchief, Ysmerelda wipes the gore from her hands as she steps forward from the alley. "Would one of you please call on the temple!" She calls out to the nearest villager. "We need to find out how this happened."
Several children dash of to the temple, yelling at the top of their lungs for father Grim.
A short time later, the father stumps is way into the crowd, leaning heavily on his cane. Each step is emphasized by the thump his peg leg makes as he moves next to you, breathing heavily from his march.
Stooping down on his one good knee he peers closely at the corpse, studying it intently for several moments.
Turning his head to Ysmerelda,
Help an old man to up, will you young Lady?
Addressing the crowd,
A zombie, nothing more, nothing less. Not the first such thing you have seen and no more dangerous than the wolves of the wood. We, the Ladies servants, will find where it came from. This young women and her dwarven ally, have put it to rest.
Thank you, young miss.
Ysmerelda will of course immediately move to assist father Grim. "I would hope this is not a common occurrence here in Ravengro, Father?" She queries, sotto vocce.
The powerful presence of the father seems to calm the crowd, his stern gaze moves them along their way.
Helping the father to his feet, you easily notice his peg leg, scars along his face, and how much bigger he really is. If age had not bent him, he would be almost two feet taller than you.
No, young miss.
Something like this wanders in every so often, but not in a very long time now.
The most dangerous thing that happened here, was some wolves mauled a boy a couple of years ago, and Gibbs saved him.
This one is relatively fresh, he was a farmer that died after falling off his barn last year.
That is one of the reasons I retired to this place, even so close to that tainted land over the mountains, the dead sleep more quietly here than in other parts of our land.
After six decades battling the unquiet dead, I came here to perform marriages, help birth babies and do a bit of teaching.
It looks like I may need to look around again, and make sure I haven't missed anything or let my guard down.
I hope this just a fluke, I am too old for this now.
Perhaps, when we get back., I should see about checking the whole house and shaprening my axe. he thinks.
Hotrek nevertheless steps besides Kendra, trusting Gibbs to be truly concerned for his kin.
Gibbs helps Hotrek with the packages and escorts Kendra home with them.
Seraphine and Sirsi hear the return even amid their work in the library.
Kendra sit at the table drinking some tea with shaking hands, while Gibbs drinks a bit of cider.
Sirsi comes to see who's arriving and notes Kendra's state, "Is everything alright - something happen in town?"
Hotrek glances up after returning from placing the day's purchases in their proper places.
"Zombie." he says as way of explanation, casting a worried glance at Kendra even as he moves to look for more materials to reinforce the door frame, the windows and considering whether of not to put up a picket fence...
Gibbs: Yes, your small fried and Hotrek destroyed a zombie. Right next to the village market, it was. I fear what damage it could have done or the lives it could have taken had they not been there. My poor Kendra had a terrific fright from it, she has not seen such things before, although I'm sure she knows of them.
Kendra I am shaken good father, but it will pass. I have not experienced the depth of things you and my father have. I...the fear...the smell of it...it stopped me, I could not ake action, not even think of what I should do.
"It does seem out of place," Ysmerelda agrees, adding, "though the timing seems oddly convenient."
"I was hoping I might speak with you privately if it is not too much trouble?" She brightens.
The Father looks around at his flock, now dispersing, and peers back toward the temple.
Father The others will be here to replace this to its place. What did you wish to talk to me about, young lady? We can talk on my way back to the temple if you wish. I am afraid I walk a little slow, bit of a branch for a foot slows me down.