Aelerie pales a bit at the prospect of taking the head off of Jeva's sire, but manages to keep the shock from her face considering she understands Albus's motives are good. "Before we resort to that," the arcanist rummages through one of the satchels at her hip until she finds what she's looking for, "I have another scroll like the one I used to get Lady Cirthana and me back to the Hollow the other night. If we could make camp for the night—or at least rest for an hour or two—I'll be able to summon up a few horses to take us and the bodies back to the orphanage."
Looking over to Laro, Aelerie raises one of her shoulders in a lopsided shrug. "That'll give you time to field dress the wolves, too." This time, she isn't quite as capable of keeping the look of distaste from her face at the thought of eating wolf steaks.
Aelreie's readings had seemed to indicate that were-creatures, once killed, revert to their human forms. Oddly enough that didn't happen to Jeva, who remains in a half wolf-half human form and does not transform back to the thin waif in the ragged yellow dress that the group remembers from the first time they'd visited the ruins of Elara's Halfway House.
Beheading the large werewolf is quick work but bloody. The rank smell of werewolf and worg blood overpowers the more natural stink of the dead wolves as Laro, Albus, and Javell use their blade and survival skills to skin the wolf corpses and dress the meat.
The smell seems to keep large animals far away from the bank of the quietly lapping lake where the combat happened and the butchery is now being carried out. The buzz of flies over the blood and guts of the corpses soon grows thick however and the shadow of vultures appears as the group prepares to depart.
Other than Jeva's corpse, the wolf hide and meat, and the werewolf's head, they find a masterwork longsword and dagger on the large werewolf while on Jeva they only find a regular dagger along with a stunning necklace set with a bloodstone sculpted to look like a scintillating green eye. It detects as magical
The ride to the orphanage is somber and with the aid of the horses they manage to make it to the Halfway House by the fall of twilight. The group stops halfway up the hill of the orphanage, at the place where the unnatural chill and sense of foreboding begins.
Albus stops as they get to the area of the orphanage. "I'm not sure, it feels unnatural again. Should we stop here or skirt it and get Lady Cirthana to help us in this supernatural task?" Albus seems at a bit of a loss at something out of his element.
Laro shivers and looks around, "I think we should move forward toward the orphanage and show them the corpse. If we run into anything before we get there we'll show them the corpse then. What do you think?"
Aelerie nods in agreement with Laro's suggestion. "Hopefully Elara's spirit and those of the lost children will finally be able to move on, and we can bring Lady Cirthana back to carry out the cleansing ritual afterward." Swinging her leg over the saddle, Aelerie dismounts her conjured steed and gratefully pats the horse on the side of its neck. "But we might be in for another battle if they aren't appeased." She sends a worried glance over to Albus and Javell, taking note of their injured states. "We should be ready for a fight, just in case."
Albus nods at Aelerie. "Okay then we'll go forward slowly, I'll present the master werewolf's head and try to explain the he is the true cause of their horror. I'll leave my pack behind, if needed someone bring forward Jeva's. We'll see if we can bring a shred of mercy back to them or they may never be truly free, souls scarred by hate do not go to the better afterlife."
Albus approaches slowly bearing the head of the old werewolf. "May the Inheritor guard my path, may the Father of Forests, clear their hearts." Pausing at the first sign of a manifestation Albus yells, "Here is the head of the one really responsible for all this horror, the beast who brought the curse!" Albus presents the head toward the orphanage.
Aelerie focus on the necklace and figures out that it's a Fey Child Necklace.
That is incredibly odd and certainly not what Aelerie would expect a bunch a were creature to have. She is certain that Jeva didn't have anything like this before.
The air grows colder and colder as Albus advances in front of the group holding out the head of the large werewolf. It soon becomes almost freezing and the group either shivers or struggles to keep from doing so as their breath becomes visible and frost appears on the ground.
A misty figure resolves in front of the group. It advances in a straight line brushing through Albus as if he wasn't even there before coming to a stop at Jeva's corpse which is still locked in a snarl.
As it stares at the corpse, smaller ghostly figures appear, seemingly conjured up by the cold itself. You see the burned girl, and the boy with the broken neck among them. They stand holding hands in a semi-circle behind the ghost of Elara. The ones at the end of the chain place their small hands on Elara's shoulders.
And just like that they vanish, taking the unnatural cold with them and all that is left is some melting frost and the orphanage. Somehow it no longer looks ominous. It just looks like a sad pile of rubble.
Although it's probably not the appropriate time for it, Aelerie finds herself ruminating on the strange necklace Jeva had been wearing earlier. Holding tight to the reins of the horse ferrying the werewolf's body with one hand, Aelerie fishes the jewelry out of her pocket with the other. Why in the world would she have this on her? Could she have been in contact with the Vale's fey denizens? The corners of the arcanist's mouth turn down in a frown at the thought. I wonder what Master... Mister Hildrinsocks would make of this.
The feeling of frigid cold intensifies, bringing Aelerie's attention back to present concerns just as Elara's ghost comes rushing to stand next to her. The conjurer startles, nearly dropping the pendant, but, thankfully, before she can scream or run away or summon a creature to attack her, the shades of the caretaker and the children all disappear. A few moments pass before Aelerie's ready to let out the shaky breath she's been holding. "I think it worked..." she shouts up to Albus, sounding not at all convinced in her assessment. The arcane was one thing, after all; the spiritual was a completely different element. She glances over to Javell for his more expert opinion. "It feels different, at least. Still sad, but not oppressively so."
The only thing left to do seemed to be bringing the Lady back to perform the cleansing ritual. But first... "What should we do with...?" Aelerie gestures to the shrouded body of Jeva on the back of the horse, then up to the severed head in Albus's hand. The thought of walking through town with the body of an adolescent werewolf and a bloody head didn't sit well with her. Still, it might be for the best. "The Church would be able to carry out Jeva's burial rites. And maybe the Sheriff can identify the man that turned her?"
Albus is tense when the spirits sweep past but then sees that they swiftly disappear. He looks around and sees that all has become as normal as could be expected.
"That ... that is a bit unexpected something ... well kind of ... well, I thought more would happen good or bad."
Albus turns to Aelerie, "I do want to bring the Lady and the Sheriff in on this but I am reluctant to openly bring these bodies through town. Not all there are friends." He thinks, "Hate to ask again but perhaps you could ride into town, tell the trustworthy and discrete, all see what they think about this and how to handle it. I'd like not to be accused of child murder, the killing is bad enough."
At Aelerie's suggestion that the Sheriff may be able to identify the master werewolf, he nods, "Good point Aelerie, it has worried me that he may have cursed, others, maybe many others, to who knows what evil ends. The more we know about him the more we can try to see what other harm he's done that may yet bear bitter fruit."
Laro smiles as the spirits disappear and turns to the others. "I think it may be best for now to bury them out here in the woods. Carrying a severed head through town might raise some suspicions."
Albus says, "I'm reluctant to bury them without enough guidance, perhaps Javell would know more; I do not want them to become restless spirits, even more fell than the others." Albus turns to Javell looking for answers to divine mysteries.
After spending so much time on horseback recently, Aelerie is able to swing up into her saddle with nearly practiced ease before Albus finishes his request. Perhaps it was overconfidence on her part that made her so willing to make the journey back to Falcon's Hollow alone and at night, no less. But, as terrible as the idea made her feel, the roads did feel much safer with Jeva no longer a threat, and despite the toll the day's battle took on her magical reserves, Aelerie feels confident in her ability to turn away any trouble she might face along the way. "I'll try to be back before long. Is there anything else you all might need from town before I go?"
"I'm not particularly trained in the ways of undead- I hardly had what one might call a formal training- but I don't think that burying the werewolves would do more harm than just leaving them for wild animals. It's likely to be better, even." Javell notes, "Either way, I doubt they'd come back barring an outside force."
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The road from Elara's former halfway house to Falcon's Hollow is becoming a familiar one for Aelerie and she is able to cover the distance without incidence.
While Sheriff Baelson is not in the small building that serves as his office and the community's jail cell, one of his deputies is able to get a message to him and he meets her after a short delay.
Ms. Mirisen he says respectfully I take it your monster hunt went well?
He is incredibly happy when informed that it had gone well. It's a sad story what happened to the little girl he says with a sigh But it is what it is and the four of you did a very good thing with taking care of it. And putting the ghost of Elara and her wards to rest? That is a bit of heroism that will ease a lot of hearts here in town. We've got enough haunted places around here and Elara was well loved.
The Sheriff gives Aelerie a grin I bet Albus is beating himself up over putting down the girl werewolf. That boy wants to save everyone. He does his father credit but he's too hard on himself and you can tell him I said that. Monster attacks are a harsh fact of life around here and no one in town has sympathy for a murdering monster like what you say Jeva became. As for what to do with the body? I'm not a religious man so I don't know but I will say the townsfolk would like to have a burning. Show the Vale that the people of the Hollow can fight back against the horrors that prey upon us. It's good for the spirit. He pauses But the four of you have been making waves for a bit now and this'll make you even more prominent. The Lumber Consortium bastards don't like anyone who ain't under their thumb around here.
The Lady Cirthiana greets Aelerie warmly as well with a formal hug and cheek kisses like how people in big cities greet each other. The Lady may have been in the Vale for many years but it's obvious that she's not native to the region.
When asked about the conundrum The Lady considers the matter You are the ones who took care of the evil so the decision is by rights yours. Iomedae is a Lady of Justice and Valor and both of these are public virtues. The forces of good should be seen to not only do battle against the evil that ever stalks us but triumph as well. It bolsters morale and inspires others to strive in the way of goodness also. The Lady says while piously touching the sword symbol of her faith to her brow and kissing it before returning to its place hanging around her neck on a silver chain. This requires proof so I would advise bringing the corpses of the werewolves into town where they may be put on public display for a bit before being disposed of. Thus we may bring some goodness into the world. I am of the opinion that the followers of Erastil here would be pleased by this as well. It is good for a community to know it is being protected.
Albus makes camp for the night, closer to town-out of sight of the orphanage, but doesn't bury the weres. "I think it best to await the reply before any burial, I want it done right and with least risk to the town."
Laro gathers some wood for the fire and replies "That's fine with me. Just make sure I'm sleeping upwind of the corpses."
Aelerie rides into camp at a slow trot a few hours after nightfall and tiredly mumbles her greetings to the group, clearly exhausted by the day's events. After swinging down from her horse's saddle, she dismisses the spell tethering it to this realm and starts getting her bedroll situated by the fire, a good night's rest obviously her first priority. Once she's magicked the grime and grit of travel from her skin and clothes and settles into her bedroll, she finally relates to her friends what the Sheriff and Lady Cirthana had to say.
"...and they both seemed to think making Jeva and her sire's disposal a public display would be best," she finishes telling them. After pausing to take note of their reaction, Aelerie adds, "But the Sheriff cautioned that doing so might put us more at odds with the Lumber Consortium."
Laro snorts and says "Just breathing can put you more at odds with the Boss. We take the corpses back and if the Boss tries anything we deal with it."
"If they do start coming down on us, will you be alright?" Aelerie asks Laro, knowing the man was still technically employed by the Consortium. The loss of livelihood was no trifling matter in the Hollow. Aelerie herself feels a little worried about any repercussions her father might face as a result of her and her friends' actions. Sure, she had earned a fair bit of coin from her adventures, but how long that would last if Gavel Kreed decided to put pressure on her family was anyone's guess.
Albus frowns at the thought of public display, saying, "I have no desire to put anyone at risk, but even more than that I don't think of this as some glorious deed, but a terrible tragedy. Maybe it had to be done but let the burial be as quiet as possible."
"Well said, Albus," Aelerie says in response to the woodsman's comments. "And I agree with you for the most part. But I also understand why Sheriff Baleson and Lady Cirthana thought it best to do this publicly. We've all done a lot of good for the town. Finding those missing children, helping Laurel cure the Blackscour Taint, putting these spirits to rest. Now we have an opportunity to show people that they can fight back against the monsters that threaten them, whether werewolf or human," she says the last meaningfully, clearly referring to the organization that continued to bleed dry the residents of the Hollow.
"Maybe there's a way to do both? I think we should bury Jeva near the orphanage, quietly, and bring her alpha's body back to town. Give our people what they need by showing them who the real monster was."
Laro smiles at Aelerie "Well, it may be time to put my resignation in anyway. Worst comes to worst I can move on. I've been without job or home before and ended up here. Which is much better than where I was." He then turns more serious and continues "As for the corpses, if the Sheriff and Lady Cirthana think it's best for the town to see them I think that's what we should do. If the town can see justice was done and know they can fight back against the monsters here, I think the people will be better and Boss will be worse off."
"I've always avoided the spotlight when I can. That still hasn't changed. If you want to do it publicly, I'll be watching from the back of the crowd." Javell says, polishing his knives.
Albus nods slowly, "I have as little taste for public display as you Master Javell but if something must be done for the crowd, let it fall, literally, on the head of this monster and let the body of a child be quietly buried without celebration."
A compromise reached the group carries out a quick burial of Jeva away from the hill and then head back to town bearing the head of the werewolf. It's mid afternoon by the time they reach Falcon's Hollow and, just like the time they came back with the five missing children, they are met by a crowd. The return of the Heroes of the Hollow to town has proven to be a most exciting time for the long suffering residents. It helps that their return usually indicates that life has gotten better in some way rather than the worse the townsfolk always warily expect.
Although she had been supportive of the idea of having a public display earlier, Aelerie wears an uneasy smile as the group comes back into town, their newfound celebrity making her as uncomfortable as the thought of presenting a severed head to the crowd. Looking around at all the expectant faces gathering around them, Aelerie reminds herself that she's known these folks all her life. No reason to be nervous. After clearing her throat, she breaks the heavy silence. "Good day... Has anyone seen the Sheriff?"
He's at his office! Someone from the crowd helpfully informs Aelerie. As the group moves towards the office most of the crowd melts away. The most enthusiastic stick around though and the four of you can hear whispers about ghosts and the orphanage. Apparently some of Lady Cirthiana's acolytes have loose lips.
The Sheriff comes out as the noise of the crowd outside his office catches his attention. He nods at the four of you as his shiny new silver sword glints in the sunlight. The Heroes return he says with a grin. How'd your trip into the Vale go this time?
Albus become grimmer as he sees the excited crowd. They expect a celebration, this seems vile to me. Are they better for my deeds or just entertained? At the Sheriff's question, Albus sighs with a burdened weariness, "I don't feel heroic. As to the trip, for the village, well and good, two werewolves dead. For me, I could not save a child and nothing will be the same again."
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Nothing ever is The Sheriff sighs as excited whispers start up as the crowd absorbs the information about the werewolf. Well. Let's show the monsters of Darkmoon Vale that Falcon's Hollow is not to be messed with.
The area in front of the Ferry Docks that is the meager connection between the village and the rest of Andoran is a natural impromptu gathering place and word spreads quickly in town about something amazing that the Heroes of the Hollow have done. The Sherriff's deputies are called in from their patrol of the town to manage the crowd as one of their number bangs a small wooden spike onto the ground.
As preparations are made Lady Cirthiana and her small retinue come out as well as Mayor Harg. Virdel is there too. The hafling seems a little drunk but he waves to the four of you.
As evening comes, and brings twilight with it, torches are lit and preparations are complete. The Sheriff, the Mayor, and the Priestess look at the four of you and the bag you're carrying.
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Albus waits for the others to act while he struggles with the anticipation of the crowd. This is disheartening, life not death should be celebrated. Time stretches out and no one acts as the crowd grows restless. Albus takes the bag from Aelerie, waits for crowd to quiet down, lefts it up, and says, "Here is what you want, a villian true and properly deal with. He is the author of the madness that afflicted helpless women and children. Some of the rumors you've heard are true, a mad child slays an orphanage, terribly, and the spirits of the murdered manifested in anger. what had to be done was done, what may have had to be done was done. The werewolves are dead, and to some justice was done."
Albus opens the bag and places the head of the grown werewolf on the pike, letting the crowd yell out its fury. Then as the noise dies down he continues, "But it should not be overlooked that this fiend attacked a helpless child and cursed her. Made her a monster, An attempt was made to help her but fumbled from ignorance and failure to stand with her community, tragedy compounded. Celebrate the fall of a monster but never forget that what befell this child could have happened to any child here."
Albus points to some parents in the town. "To your child, or yours, or even yours. Great or small, a brief moment and a child is lost. Watch over your children, but that is not possible every moment, so consider the value of mercy, you may need it for you and yours. I failed to save one child to protect others. I would say not again, but that is a promise I cannot make, no one can, with all the will in the world, no one can be everywhere at once. So pray for deliverance from your gods. May the Forest Father open your hearts, to love and keep your neighbor. May the Inheritor send champions better and stronger, to bring her light to the this land. This day you are safer, take joy in that, but always be aware of the price that was paid for that." Albus sits down absently petting Whisper as his ghosts haunt him.
Aelerie stands slightly behind and to the left of Albus as the woodsman gives his rousing yet cautious speech. While the crowd reacts to the head put upon the spike and Albus waits for the noise to subside, Aelerie takes back her bag with a nearly hidden grimace and starts to magick the blood out of the cloth. Once the gore has been thoroughly cleaned from it, she turns it right side out again and stuffs her hefty spellbook back inside. That gruesome task over, Aelerie resumes her solemn position with hands neatly folded in front of her.
Once Albus has said what he needed to, Aelerie leans in toward the Sheriff to ask, "Do you recognize the man, Sheriff Baleson? We're concerned that he might have infected others."
The crowd cheers loudly just as Albus expects when the bloody head of the werewolf, still locked in a savage snarl is removed from the bag.
The people quiet down again as Albus continues his speech. Here and there you can see parents hug their children to them tighter and even the harder men in the crown nod at his words.
The Sheriff gravely finished the bloody business of impaling the head on the small pike and then the Lady steps forward to pour oil over the head and light it on fire. Thus the light of goodness prevails over the evils of this world. she proclaims as she does so.
The crowd cheers again as the head goes up in flame. The bonfire doesn't last very long and afterwards the crowd mills around in a bit of a festive mood though any bloodlust is tamed by the somber mood of the leaders of the community.
Most of the children that the group saved are in attendance as well and they rush to the group as soon as the bonfire is snuffed out. Their show of familiarity helps break the ice for the rest of the crowd and soon the four of you are surrounded, even Javell as it is obvious that the wildman has become a part of the Heroes of the Hollow as the group has come to be known.
Aelerie does feel a tap on her shoulder though. She turns to see Jalene Artem a popular barmaid at the Sitting Duck Tavern My, my, with the four of you around we won't even need the muscle the Lumber Consortium hires to keep us all safe. Why, what with getting rid of ghosts and werewolfs and kobolds, and curing plagues, some might wonder why we need the Lumber people around at all. she smiles sweetly at you.
[ooc]That's pretty much it for the day, though Aelerie can continue talking to Jalene. You guys can let me know what your plans are, if any, for the next day.
Aelerie schools her features into a neutral expression as Lady Cirthana sets the werewolf's head afire. It may not be the way she would have liked to handle things, but if it was what the townsfolk needed, then who was she to deny them. As she looks out on all the faces smiling in the light of the burning head, including some of the children, Aelerie considers that maybe living with her head in the books had made her ignorant of the grim realities of frontier living. Perhaps this is just the way things are here.
Brought out of her thoughts by Jalene, Aelerie shrugs and gives the woman a bashful smile. "Well, we're just doing what we can to help folks. But if doing that makes people wonder about why we need the Consortium, maybe it's time we started asking the man in charge that question," she replies, trying for a diplomatic answer in case any nearby listeners are affiliated with the Consortium, like Mayor Harg.
Well your father works for them doesn't he? Jalene queries One of the brave lumberjacks keeping this town running. But such a dangerous job. I do so worry about all of them. It would be such a shame if the Consortium's hired men wouldn't be able to keep him safe.
The four of you seem so much better at it
Albus is quiet after his speech that apparently received better than he believed it would be. As Jalene talks he wonders about the consortium and its response to these events. Speaking the truth about the sell-swords even as little regard he had for their boss tried to stick in his throat. "Well, we just try to do our best, and to be fair my friends are an uncommonly talented group. But, little though I like it, the mercenaries that the Consortium have one great advantage, numbers. They greatly outnumber the Sheriff's men and us combined, and, well, as I mentioned, we cannot be everywhere at once. But large numbers can be, sort of. And the gods will, including fortune, favored us, that last battle was close. No, without troops, or a militia, we could not protect enough." Albus then shuts up realizing that a town militia is the last thing the LC would want.
Albus then strolls to the Sheriff, mentioning the offer from the gnome merchant about a trip to the old Dwarven monastery. "Is there anything I can look into on that way that you may have some concern about, Sheriff? I can only hope that there are no other were's about but I think there is enough equipment to keep the town safe, the swords were effective, just." Albus is tiring, his thoughts coming out in a jumble.
"He does," Aelerie answers Jalene's question about her father with a soft smile. "As do a great deal of other good men in this town, like my friend Laro here." Certain that her stance on the Consortium must look odd given Jerask's occupation, she clarifies. "It isn't that I think the Lumber Consortium as a business is bad. It provides work for folks who otherwise wouldn't have the means to survive out here and, I think, brings some stability to the town." Then Aelerie's smile falls and her face hardens slightly, clearly indicating she was out of nice things to say about the Consortium. "But I tire of seeing the way the few at the top treat the townsfolk. How they work people like my father so hard and give them so little to show for it."
The arcanist is silent for a few moments before seeming to draw herself out of her angry thoughts. She shakes her head slightly before giving Jalene another of her customary smiles. "I just think the town would do better if the Lumber Consortium came "under new management", as it were."
**Aelerie**
So many think so. Jalene says with a smile and withdraws.
**Albus**
Nah, there's nothing much out of the ordinary right now. The Sheriff says. If there are any other werewolves around then having one of their sires get killed might encourage 'em to move on from here and hunt elsewhere. And if they don't then the silver you gave us should help us hold them off.
**Group**
Lady Cirthiana is happy to make another trip to the orphanage The way the four of you deal with the Halfway House is usually how Hauntings are permanently resolved. she notes But it would be good to make sure by Hallowing the ground in Iomedae's good name. Perhaps something else can be created on the Hill that would replace the good that Elara used to accomplish there.
Gorat, still at the Jak'a'Napes, the only inn in town known to not be under the thumb of The Lumber Consortium, is happy to be heading to the monastery within the next day or so.
The next morning the group escorts the Lady Cirthina on the north western road out of town to the former oprahange. It's a road that has become quite familiar to all of them by now.
The trip is uneventful, as is the Lady's ritual. She makes mention of Erastil, Torag, and Sarenrae, and Desna in honor of those present as well as the memory of Elara and the group's own close encounter with the dwarven deity, but mostly she speaks of Iomedae's sword and shield ever shining against the forces of evil that threaten all mortals, and especially, places as isolated as Falcon's Hollow. The ritual is carried out and a small makeshit shrine to Iomedae is crafted a few feet away from the burned husk that was Elara's life's work.
The group returns back to town in a somber mood.
**Aelerie and Hildrensocks**
Aelrie's mentor examines the amulet with an expression of shock, which is quite an familiar expression on the placid and whimsical gnome. This is quite the bauble Aelerie he says finally as he hands it back One shiny enough to be worth stealing from the fae... or a worthy gift from them as a mark of friendship. You found it on the group of werewolves you bested?
**Orphanage**
Aelerie is appropriately somber when discussing traveling to ruins of the orphanage, although she does briefly perk up when Lady Cirthana's speaks about the possibility of building something else on the site. "Like a school?" she wonders aloud.
The next day when the group reaches the Hill, Aelerie pictures a single classroom schoolhouse with a bell tower where the charred shell of the orphanage sits. She thinks about how nice it would be to share with the town's children what she's learned throughout all her years of reading, to give them options and opportunities beside growing up to work for the Lumber Consortium.
Once the ceremony is complete and the group turns to head back into town, Aelerie pauses briefly beside the spot where they buried Jeva. Wordlessly, she reaches into her pack and retrieves the bundle of wolfsbane they were going to try to treat the child with and lays them on her grave.
**Goose 'n' Gander**
Aelerie looks crestfallen as the shopkeeper says the necklace could have been a gift from the fae. "I was afraid you might say that," she mutters as she accepts the necklace back. "Yes. Specifically, the girl, Jeva, was wearing it. I didn't notice her wearing it the last time I saw her, either," Aelerie mentions for what it's worth. "I know the fae are... disgruntled about the town's harvesting of the trees in their territory, but you don't think they would ally with werewolves for revenge, do you?"
**Aelerie**
Birkisnsaud Hildrensocks makes a very complicated expression as he considers what Aelerie said. Us fey can be as fickle as we are long lived is all he will say.
Aelerie mirrors Brickasnurd's expression with a thoughtful frown of her own. It was troubling to think that the immortal and capricious First Worlders might be fostering a grudge against their little community. Slipping the bloodstone pendant around her neck, Aelerie says, "Well, thanks Mister Hildrinsocks. Maybe if we come across any of the fey in our travels, I can try to open up a dialogue with the help of this little gem."
* Sheriff*
"Good we can use the quiet time, and I think you're right, few would be so bold as to attack any in town. Out of it, maybe not either we soon we will be escorting the merchant to see the Old Monastery, he seems to think it of interest. I wouldn't be surprised if the remaining kobolds are fleeing it, even though it's in many ways safer for them." Switching subjects Albus says, quietly, "How upset are the LCs? I don't want to be overly concerned but they are known to aggressive when they feel threatened."
*Orphanage.
Albus is quiet throughout the time at the orphanage. He looks over at the place where they buried Jeva, watching what Aelerie does, but doesn't say anything about it. Have to get a few of the Forestfather's faithful to say some prayers, maybe a priestess of the Lady of Graves as well. Albus thinks to himself.
**Albus**
The Sheriff rubs his hands over his seemingly permanent four day stubble. I don't have regular meetings with those bastards but they've been quiet. I think you and your groups saving Kreed's son from the kobolds has to have changed something. And none of you have spoken out against them so that's good too. Just watch what you say to folks in town. There's spies everywhere.
***
Gorat is overjoyed to be setting out for the monastery when you go to meet him at Jak'A'Napes. Well, not too bad of a wait considering you fellows have been out exorcising ghosts and slaying werewolves apparently. Hopefully the only exciting thing in our trip is going to be the monastery itself! Hah! I must say the cinammon flapjacks aren't half bad in this place. Quite surprising considering how rustic everything else is.
Albus preps for the trip to the wilds again making sure suppplies are topped off. "Yes things have been oddly adventurous for the past month, hopefully things will slow down a bit for a while."
Assuming everyone arrives at the Jal'A'Napes to start the trip. "Okay, we've done this before, let's do it the same way, a day's trek then a well hidden camp for the night, then on across the river and to the Old Monastery. Look out for those giant mosquito things. Everybody ready? Let's go."
Aelerie smiles at the faint praise Gorat gives, not offended in the slightest at the dwarf's opinion of her town. Frontier living was not to everyone's taste, after all. "It's the little things, when you live in a place like this, that keep folks' spirits up. Gives them something to look forward to. Like Jak's Sunday morning flapjacks. Or when the trading caravan visits," she says, oh so subtly hinting how it would be nice if the caravan could stop at the Hollow more often. "But I do hope you've enjoyed your time here, Mister Gorat."
Once Albus briefs them on the details of their journey, Aelerie nods to signal her readiness—as many times as she's been to the monastery now, she is confident that she could make the trek blindfolded—and sets off with the group. A short time into their trip, Aelerie tells her companions what little she had learned from talking with her former Master.
"So this necklace we found on Jeva," she starts, dangling the pendant in question from her fingers, "helps enhance one's standing with gnomes and other types of fey. Hildrinsocks thinks that she might have just stolen it from one of them. But, he also said it might have been given to her as a gift." Sharing a concerned look with the two woodsmen of the group, Aelerie asks, "You two haven't noticed any strange goings-on with the fey lately, have you?"
Albus replies to Aelerie, "Not that I've noticed but I having been back here long and rather busy at that so I'm not sure if I would know. They've been unhappy for sometime but the swords of the LC's mercenaries have kept them from being too bold, at least as yet. Best not to flash that around for a while until we know what is going on."
The group sets out, relying on Javell and Albus knowledge of the wilds and familiarity with the road to the Monastery to travel pretty fast over the clearcut plains around town and into the Woods. The first day of travel passes without anything of much note. Albus does note that, while they are not attacked by stirges, there is evidence of woodland animals that have fallen prey to stirge swarm. The swampy area of the Vale that borders the River Foam might be a place worth investigating.
The next day as they start to set out they hear a sound that is decidedly *not* a part of the natural background sound of the Darkmoon Woods. From the north comes a sound like very large voices shouting in anger and then the sound of crashing and very very loud thumping!
Based on how loud the sounds are Javell and Albus have no problem telling that the sounds are pretty much on their route to the Monastery.
"Laro? You want to check that out?" he asks his friend, "I'm about as stealthy as a bear most of the time."
Laro looks ahead and says "Sounds like any longshanks but I'll go take a look carefully. If you hear me screaming for my life come help me please.", he grins as he heads off into the woods to try and approach the sound from the side.
Albus nods, "Excellent idea, Don't worry Master Laro, I'll not be too far away."
Albus will move a short distance but stay well behind Laro but close enough to run to his aid in a round or two if need be.
+2 in forest terrain. Staying back so a to not give away Laro's scouting.