Kevkas grins at Matthias and Janiries. "Let them come. We'll smash them like we did these statues." He nodded at the pool. "But he might be wary of attacking us here. That was supposed to be able to heal people. I know I wouldn't want to attack a group of armed people with their backs at a font of free healing. It ain't working any more, but nobody knows that but us and whoever killed Beyha." The big half-orc grunted. "Assuming that wasn't Kane, that's to our advantange."
He finishes inspecting his sword and stands up to secure it on his back, then walks over to the pool. "Somebody must've fouled up the pool somehow if its healing powers are gone."
"A healing spring - that makes sense," Matthias said, with a last look of pity for Beyha as he stood. "She would have known that as a local, and made one last attempt to recover before some monster ripped her face off. And it was a monster - something with horrible strength and cruelty. Maybe the demon the cultists were trying to call forth." He clapped Kevkas on the shoulder. "If it's here in the flesh, we might have more trouble with such an abomination than we did with these merely possessed statues. If we could restore the spring somehow, that would be a real advantage."
He too looked around for some sign of what had been done to desecrate the spring, and whether it would be possible to reconsecrate it.
Nijena seemed almost to step out of a trance. One moment, she'd been moving around the battlefield, sword in one hand, magical power crackling in the other, and the next, she blinked, and the world around her was... if not normal, something close to it. She'd managed to avoid the flying shards of wood, knocking one of them out of the air just before it would have taken out her left eye, and she'd been close enough to Matthias when he'd released his healing surge that any injuries she'd sustained were gone.
She remained still for a few more seconds, her eyes flickering briefly with that ghostly green light, while sweat, dirt, wood splinters, and a little blood fell away from her body to litter the ground around her. Then she literally took one step, and seemed to walk back into the reality the rest of her companions were occupying. Her sword slipped into the scabbard on her back almost without thought as she approached the pool with the others.
She gave it a glance, then looked over at the desecrated statue.
"Ambrose," she said, bumping the odd man with her knee - not hard enough to cause harm, but enough to ensure his attention was disrupted - "What do the symbols mean? On the statue. Come help me to decipher them?"
Belgrin lifts his maulaxe, bringing it down across the surface of his shield, which bears a flurry of protruding wooden shards; the wood splinters away, leaving the shield relatively clean. replacing the weapon at his side, he reaches up to check his beard, picking out splinters every few seconds.
"First bone, now wood. World's got a grudge against Dwarven beards of late..."
Satisfied with his grooming, Belgrin takes up position near the body.
"If yer buryin' her, let's get to it. Don't want a shovel in hand whenever our quarry--or our nameless beastie--comes back for more jollies."
Marius joins the assembled group by the pool. The water is murky with blood. But that, in itself, should not be sufficient to desecrate this holy place. It's tasted the blood of many warriors, I can assure you. The young druid says this while kneeling by the side of the still pool, looking into it's depths, deliberately avoiding view of the desecration done to the great statue of the Lady of Rangers just feet away.
Ambrose snarls as Osuki interrupts his jibbering - he was casting no spell, but conversing ... though with whom is unknown. He recovers quickly, however. Pointing to the water, he says Look deep! See that amulet, there? That is the cause of the pollution of this water!
Sure enough, after a moment you can make out a small, bronze coloured amulet, six or seven feet deep in the water. It is hard to make out any distinguishing features, save it's colour and the presence of some deep red gemstone at its centre.
It must be removed, yes, and the water resanctified to the Great Ranger. That should restore it's .... healing powers.... Ambrose trails off, as if listening, and snickers as if to some unseen jest.
The symbols carved into the effigy of Mielikki vary; some appear genuinely demonic in nature, whilst others are mocking in nature, vindictive - the gouging of the eyes, the red paint applied to the lips... an almost childlike tantrum against the goodness represented by the Goddess.
Kevkas nods. "This'll take just a second, then." The big warrior- nearly as tall as the pool was deep- wades in toward the amulet, hoping to be able to spot it when it's closer. He was nothing if not decisive.
Spoting the amulet is not hard, now - it's submersed in about six feet of water, laying at the bottom. Shouldn't be too hard to grasp - should you reach for it.
Apollos nuzzles the corpse and whines sadly
"Belgrin's right. If we're going to bury her, we should get on with it quickly. I'm sure you big guys can get a hole dug in no time."
Rising from her kneeling position next to one of the wooden constructs, Janiries looks over to Belgrin, Kevkas and Ogre with a mischievous grin on her face, before continuing.
"These things smell of brimstone. So it's almost certainly the doing of those damn demon cultists."
Hezar and Apollo assist with the digging of the grave.
Once he's close enough, Kevkas takes a breath and squats down to pick up the amulet.
Matthias also bends to the task of digging Beyha's grave.
Kev kneels down and picks up the amulet, or at least, he tries to. As his fingers contact the bronzed amulet, he suddenly feels pain - like a thousand burning embers all over his body.
Damage:
Kev needs to roll a will save vs DC 22 as well, please.
Kev flinches back, sputtering as his head breaks the surface. The half-orc growls and shudders as he tries to shake off the pain. "Should've expected that." He grimaces down at the amulet and makes a grabbing gesture from where he stands. "Try this, then."
The ghostly, translucent hand created by Kev's spell passes right though the amulet, unable to touch it, or interact with it in any way.
Hezar watches the failure, then takes his pack and dumps it out completely.
Perhaps this will work. He takes his digging implement and when he gets near the amulet he pushes the amulet and all the mud and dirt around it into his pack, never touching it, then he brings that out.
Kevkas stands to one side watching to see if Hezar's attempt works. Apropos of nothing Hezar could see, he growls in the guttural Orcish language "Shut up, uncle. I'm not taking advice from someone who got stabbed in the ear by his wife while he was asleep."
Hezar's efforts bear fruit; the amulet - and a couple pounds of mud and sediment - are removed from the pool. The details of the amulet are clearer now; the bronze medallion has been worked into the shape of a skull-headed, goat legged, obese humanoid. It grins evilly and has eyes (that look like rubies) which seem to follow any who gaze upon it. A grim air hangs around the amulet; even without casting a spell you can sense the evil hanging in the air around it.
Ambrose reaches out for it, before pulling his hand back and hissing. Foul thing! Smells of demons, it does! We should destroy it! No ... no, you're right, might bear a curse upon those who desecrate it..... let another take that risk....
Belina looks away and makes a warding gesture when she sees the amulet. Rylinds eyes narrow a bit but the half-orc says nothing. Marius makes a dash for the trees, and you can hear the heaving sounds of him being sick at the sight of the grotesque effigy.
Just simmer down Amborse.
Belina, think you could magic my bag clean for me? My clothes dry? I'd be forever grateful.
He winks at her.
The young Calishite bard blushes under Hezar's gaze. Yes, my lord. she says quietly, before casting prestidigitation upon Hezar's clothes (drying and cleaning them) and then his pack (cleaning it out thoroughly). She leaves the amulet untouched, clearly frightened by the artifact.
"Well we can hardly leave it here, can we? Wrap it up and stick it in my pack, or better yet, take those eyes out." The Sun Elf pulls out a dagger with a flourish, pointing it towards the cursed amulet for emphasis.
Rylind shakes her head and smirks at Janiries. Yes, please, try to take those eyes out with your dagger, lady elf. I'd love to see what happens!
Fools! Hisses Ambrose. We should dig a hole somewhere remote and leave it there....intact!
Nijena didn't approach the amulet too closely, as she could feel its malevolence from where she stood. But she did force herself to look at the thing, and searched her mind for what memories it might stir within her.
"I tend to agree with Ambrose," she said, "I do not like the look of it. But I do not think there is anywhere safe enough that merely burying it will suffice. Not in mere earth."
She shook her head. "Things like that... they tend to call to damaged souls, and not stay hidden as long as we should wish them to."
Well he creeps me out too. I can't say that my little corner of the forest is this lovely...well without the evil here. Just some trees and the stars, and a small cabin for when it gets too cold. Probably too spartan for you, but someday you will see it. Though I suspect you will find us somewhere fantastic in our new estate.
Apollo trots over to Belina and nuzzles her hand, insisting on pets.
Still wet but apparently not caring, Kevkas nods at Nijena. "We should take it somewhere. Leaving it here is just begging whoever put it in the pool to come back and pick it up." He glances at Janiries. "I can carry it, if you don't want to. But we should leave it alone right now. Gave me a shock when I touched it; you probably wouldn't do any better with your knife."
Nijena glanced at Kev, then looked again. Water streamed off of him. Some had even beaded on the end of his nose, and he seemed oblivious. "You're not even..." She gave her head a quick shake, smiled, and sighed.
Her dark green eyes lightened again, and water began streaming off of the big half-orc even faster, beginning at the top of his head. In a few seconds, Kevkas was dry again.
Anyone foolish enough to draw comparisons between Nijena's actions and what Belina had done for Hezar was probably better off keeping said comparisons to themselves.
If Matthias had given Ambrose a look of distaste, then the look he gave the idol was purely disgusted. "It certainly doesn't belong in this grove, even buried. I hate to think what evil would leak from it into the earth if it managed to despoil a holy spring."
Belgrin scoffs at the malevolent trinket. I say the thing needs t'be melted down for the jewels. No sense bein' scared t'offend a dark god; we're already facin' one before long. 'Sides, sticking a thorn in evil's sides always earns ye good graces with yer own gods, I'd imagine."
Kev nods his thanks to Nijena. The silent gesture of appreciation was a significant improvement over the way he used to thank her for such help, which was by grumbling that it was a frivolous waste of magic and he'd dry eventually anyway. In truth, the huge half-orc did appreciate it, but still didn't want to be seen as the kind of person who couldn't stand to be in wet clothes for a few hours. Their time together had rubbed off a few of his rougher edges, though not all.
He nods at Belgrin, Matthias, and everyone else. "We'll pack it up, then, and deal with it later."
Ambrose sucks his teeth at Belgrin's words. I am surrounded by fools! You cannot melt this amulet down and expect the evil to dissapate, dwarf. The demon lords have a limited reach here in the realms but they can still grasp for you. Don't anger them needlessly! Take it to one of your mountain caves and try it - you'll all be dead within a month!
"Hopefully we'll come across a temple that can deal with that amulet. For now, lets set up camp."
With that, Janiries takes out her bedroll, before turning to Marius.
"Can we cook here and use the water, or will Mielikki be offended by that?"
Matthias looked uncertainly at the water that had held the idol. "I don't think we should be consuming that... whatever taint the idol left, I'm not sure it's gone." He looked at Ambrose even as he bent to the task of burying Beyha. "Just what do you know about this idol, Ambrose? Do you know how to destroy it?"
Kev grimaces. "I've heard of the great beast on the amulet. It's Orcus, demon lord of the undead. Ain't got many worshippers in the open, but he's a demon lord an' gots followers in all tha darkest corners. These amulets are rare - it's death for any who look upon the form of the prince of the undead who don't worship him. Whoever put it in the pool, if they come back an' see we took it, they'll relentlessly hunt us down and sacrifice us ta ol' big belly there." The half-orc grins at Matthias. "So we don't need ta go to the trouble of huntin' 'em down!"
Marius looks dubiously at the pool before replying to Janiries. A priest or druid of Mielikki could certainly resanctify the water - as she is allied with my God, Silvanus, I will give it a try. Marius picks up a small, smooth stone, muttering words of an orison as he does so. He gives the stone a quick kiss and drops it into the water, which immediately starts to bubble and churn, growing clearer and more appealing looking as it begins to calm.
We may use the water, and set up camp here. Neither Mielikki nor Silvanus will be offended by a reasonable fire, fed by wood that has already fallen. The atmosphere of the grove has changed considerably, and the shadows of the forest - once seeming to close meanacingly around the periphery - now seem softer, less containing. The handsome young druid seems visibly more relaxed, as well - the dark shadow which seemed over him now departed.
The unpleasant air around Ambrose, however, is still present. Looking at Matthias for a moment, the goatish looking spellcaster seems to clear for a moment, focusing upon the young Helmish cleric. Your friend Kevkas has it right - this amulet is of a demon lord. Now that we've set sight on it, we can expect trouble - deadly trouble - to follow us. I do not know how to destroy it, though I suspect taking it to your church - or that of any goodly faith - would be our best option.... The clarity is quickly gone, however, as Ambrose seems to be listening to another voice. He mutters some reply under his breath, before continuing: Bury it deep, we should, yes.... will only bring trouble upon us, they should hide it, they brought us to this place...
"It's those murdering cultists who have reason to fear," Matthias said grimly.
After finishing laying Beyha to rest, he bowed his head in prayer over her grave. "Mighty Helm, I pray that you grant Beyha rest for her service in your cause. I didn't know her long, but even in the short time that I did, her dedication was an inspiration. Mielikki, Forest Queen, I ask that you forgive the burial of a follower of Helm in your sacred grove, for we have fought to restore the sanctity of this place, and we share a common cause against evil. We will destroy those who despoiled the grove, and who have killed many others. May Beyha know peace."
He planted a branch at the head of her grave, and left his left gauntlet on it as a marker for Beyha's grave.
Then he went to consult with the others over the best way to defend their camp for the night - and possibly set a trap for any cultists who returned.
Hezar would have left her weapon with her. But beyond that, he agrees
Beyha traveled light - her pack has essentials for wilderness survival, and a couple days of iron rations, but other than that no personal effects.
She did travel with a fair number of weapons, however - a composite longbow, a quiver with 14 arrows remaining in it, a broadsword with an odd, red sheen down the edges, and a well-balanced dagger in her boot. Her armour is a fine chainmail, surprisingly light, and shellacked a deep grey. She also has a small, round buckler. Her only other possessions are a small steel Helmish holy symbol and a purse on her belt containing 31 gp, 8 sp and 3 coppers - all of Zazzespurian mintage. A well-worn cloak completes her possessions.
Hezar seeks out some seeds from some wildflowers and he plants them over her grave.
Perhaps these shall grow to honor her.. He waters them with the sacred water
Spotting the ring, Janiries grabs a twig and with it, picks up the ring to get a better look at it.
Belina, can you examine these weapons so we can learn if any of it is magical. I know it is distasteful, but I have a feeling she would rather we use them to slay her killer than leave them behind.
"I think so, too," Matthias agreed. "So long as we return them to the church when our task is done."
Hezar will watch with Matthias, and Apollo
Belina, can you examine these weapons so we can learn if any of it is magical. I know it is distasteful, but I have a feeling she would rather we use them to slay her killer than leave them behind.
Kev grunts and mutters something under his breath, looking pointedly at Beyha's sword.