All at once, the clouds are parted. Light streams down in bright unbroken beams. A washing wave of peace passes over the bog as the sun rises and the sounds of insects and animals fill the area. "You've done it! You destroyed the evil!", the leshy runs around you with joy.
Among the ruins of the building is a steel box that contains a bottled scream, a wand of burning hands (CL 5th, 6 charges) and a potion of fly. You also find destroyed idols and ritual sacrifices to a deity represented by a single red eye.
The leshy thanks you fervently and then part ways, "Goodbye friends, may Elm's spirit protect you on your journeys."
"There was also another that helped Elm defeat the evil- he is the holyman in the village..."
Entering the village, you find the square mostly empty. Everyone seems to be at the Shelyn temple, where Dupin is leading prayers. Constable Tivareau and Armeline are also in attendance.
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Guk beams a large smile before waving goodbye to the leshy. "Goodbye, you've been a great friend! *ribbit* I hope we meet again!"
The shaman then makes a mental note about the red eye symbol. "We should ask Dupin. Let's get back to attend the festivities! *ribbit* Everyone must be worried."
Upon his arrival at the Shelyn temple, he listens carefully to the sermon until the end, then speaks up when he gets a chance to do so. "Villagers, rejoice! *ribbit* The foul evil that befell your town today is no more. Let's rejoice together! Perhaps another flute song at the inn?" he nudges his companions.
If given a chance, he'll approach Armeline and extend once more the Society's apology, yet this time less formally, and more whole-heartedly. "Listen Armeline, *ribbit* with all that happened today you must realize that the Society has changed much since the time they left you to fend for yourself in times of great danger. *ribbit* I'm really sorry about what happened in the past - I can't do anything about it except show you that while we brave grippli hop around, we won't let that happen again. We are the new face of the Society now, helping out whenever we can, even if the problems aren't ours to begin with. *ribbit* And we are not alone to think that! Perhaps you would consider opening your heart to Shelyn's grace and allow the Goddess to unburden your heart with the resentment you justly feel towards our masters."
At Guk's blaring announcement, the entire congregation stops mid-song to look upon the four gripplis at the door.
"Who are ye?"
"Someone left the front door open again!"
"No, that's just the strangers!"
"I've got a roast in the oven!"
Dupin calms everyone down then leads you off to an alcove; Armeline and Tivareau following. After recounting the night's events of the leshy and the skeleton, and more pressing upon Dupin, he sighs, "I am sorry we kept it from you. What happened 30 years ago was a terrible tragedy. We, all of us, allowed fear and division to triumph over mercy and love. A group of worshipers of the hag goddess,” he swallows and shakes his head, “Ah, Hell, we have her attention anyway. Gyronna. A group of worshipers of Gyronna attacked our village. They used illusions to walk among us and tore us apart. They framed us for betrayal and murder, and in the end, we turned against each other, hands full of blades and hearts full of spite. I felt the poison that had taken hold here gnawing at my faith, but knew deep down that something was terribly wrong, and with the help of my lantern, I revealed the truth behind their disguises. And, well, I’m not proud of this, but I led the charge against them. I let rage take over. I cried for their blood, for their hanging. When it was over, I followed their tracks back to their home, dropped their bodies within it, and set the whole mess ablaze. I may have put a stop to the threat, but in so doing, I succumbed to their influence nonetheless. However, Shelyn forgives me, and I have forgiven myself. I, we are thankful for your Society's help."
Armeline appears equally shocked to hear of the truth and your innocence. After a moment of reckoning, she says to you, "You have regained my trust - I will return with you to meet the Venture Captain."
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Gribbl has little to add to the words of the eloquent shaman, Guk... he just smiles and nods... hoping that his words don't fall on deaf ears. When Samm asks about the evil targeting the druid, he does wonder the same thing... "Yes, that is a very good question... perhaps the druid was the primary threat to the evil here."
Tivareau nods to Gribbl's thoughts, "It appears you were right about Elm's map that you found at his home. He was seeing the signs and tracking their return for revenge. They murdered him to hide their presence."
Dupin recounts the entire ordeal to the villagers of the Gyronans' plot and the Pathfinders' help in the village's hour of need. The Mercylight festival is resumed and final ceremony given in the late afternoon. Before you depart, Dupin presents you with a meaningful gift, a lantern of auras, the one he once used to uncover the murderous plot 30 years ago.
Days later at the Woodsedge Lodge, Venture Captain Petulengro greets Armeline warmly, "My personal apologies for the Society. We have much to discuss." Turning to you, "I am surprised to hear just how dangerous the situation became and, proud of you for handling a difficult situation. I will account your deeds in the Chronicles. You are dismissed", then adds before closing her door, "-There's some pastries in the kitchen."
-Posted with Wayfinder