Quinn smiles and inspects the table. "Magic was used to warp the wood into this shape, correct? It seems a tad... excessive to do all this by hand."Veridis smiles
"We are a society defined by wood and it uses, Ser Ardensier. Most of this was carved, but I am sure that the Woodworkers' Guild uses some magic in their carving process."
Quinn's face turns serious. "I'll find what was drawn here, if it truly exists. What have you learnt of this evil spirit so far?"Veridis grows solemn again
'I am afraid what I have told you is all we know. We don't spend a lot of time delving into evil and its manifestations. We are very leery of such things given our history. However, you folks asked, and you seem a well-experienced group. I can tell you that there have been more reports of evil things traversing the Big Bark, and as I said, the feeling of evil's presence comes and goes here."
He looks about, and lowers his voice
"It is my guess that whatever the thing is, it can use the many gates we have near our town. Perhaps it has a lair nearby or something of that nature."
Ekuur interjects for the first time. "I am not an expert in these undead from worlds outside of my own, but I have begun picking some things up. Are there any individuals who have been harmed or affected by this spirit still here? Perhaps we could learn something by checking them."
"Yes, the 'Leaf Ghost'. Fortunately it was nothing that few well-placed fireballs couldn't cure!" Justin smirks.
"However," He continues more seriously. "Most undead I'm familiar with aren't generally considerate enough to give us such an easily accessible weakness. If these ARE all connected,... well, the leaf ghost was fairly powerful. An entire world populated with undead,..." Justin shakes his head, obviously trying to rid himself of an unpleasant image.
"And an actual NecroSol?!? I have to admit, that IS fascinating. You know, in a fairly terrifying sort of way."
Justin takes a drink and taps something inside his coat, thinking. Later during a lull in the conversation, he pulls Isaac and Karrin to the side and talks to them out of the local's earshot.
"I don't want to alarm any of the locals, best to be cautious when dealing with the superstitious, but you are aware of my habit of taking,... souvenirs? Some chitin from those beetles, a couple of bones from the remains of the leaf ghost? Yes, well. I'm thinking that if the ghost WAS from the world of their ancestors, and I can get a decent magical reading from their portal, I may be able to use the leaf ghost bones to fashion a sort of 'undead detector'. I should be able to detect any necromantic energy in the area that is similar to that of the leaf ghost or the world beyond the portal. If there IS something hiding in the area, we should be able to find it."
"Of course, 'easy' is relative. What should be easy in a university facility or well-stocked lab might be a little more difficult out here,..."
:)
"Ser," she piped up quietly. "You said that some of the townsfolk have gone barmy. In what way? Only you can tell a lot about the stress that caused a mind to break if you know how it is broken. It might give us an important clue as to what is happening."
Ekuur interjects for the first time. "I am not an expert in these undead from worlds outside of my own, but I have begun picking some things up. Are there any individuals who have been harmed or affected by this spirit still here? Perhaps we could learn something by checking them."
Veridis nods
"We have one sufferer currently on bed rest. "
He looks over to Nari
"Usually this madness manifests in a destructive rage followed by hallucinations and depression. Catatonia and death often follow."
She frowned thoughtfully.
"I can't say I am familiar with those exact symptoms. That sounds like a very unusual form of madness indeed. And certainly suggests outside influence. It's certainly not a normal response to trauma. I'm sure someone at the Gatehouse would know more." She shrugged. "I am not as well versed in mental ailments yet. There are so very many to learn."
Veridis nods to Naridre
"I too am but an amateur in mind sicknesses, but those that succumbed were often folks that you would not imagine would be the type to fall prey to madness. The one sufferer we have now is a respected member of our community, a hunter by the name of Roth F'Tsar."
He sips a flute of white wine
"The sickness seems to have no rhyme or reason."
"The one sufferer we have now is a respected member of our community, a hunter by the name of Roth F'Tsar."
"It's not much of a lead, but it's all we have. Shall we have a talk with Mr F'Tsar?"
"It's not much of a lead, but it's all we have. Shall we have a talk with Mr F'Tsar?""The one sufferer we have now is a respected member of our community, a hunter by the name of Roth F'Tsar."
Veridis looks grave
"I can see if I can arrange an interview. He is currently in the care of one our local priestesses, Marlus Van. She was his partner, and keeps an eye on him at her kip in the Woodworkers Guild. I suggest you relax for the evening, and we can start in the morning. That should give me time to arrange a viewing."
He stands.
"I reccommend this establishments rooms. Grevek F'Armik is the innkeep, I'll put in a good word for you if you wish."
"It's not much of a lead, but it's all we have. Shall we have a talk with Mr F'Tsar?""The one sufferer we have now is a respected member of our community, a hunter by the name of Roth F'Tsar."
Veridis looks grave
"I can see if I can arrange an interview. He is currently in the care of one our local priestesses, Marlus Van. She was his partner, and keeps an eye on him at her kip in the Woodworkers Guild. I suggest you relax for the evening, and we can start in the morning. That should give me time to arrange a viewing."
He stands.
"I reccommend this establishments rooms. Grevek F'Armik is the innkeep, I'll put in a good word for you if you wish."
"Our thanks for your help in this matter. I would very much like to look over this man."
"Our thanks for your help in this matter. I would very much like to look over this man."
Veridis nods
"I will see what I can do. I will return tomorrow at first light."
Merle and Seph remain with Pounce at the town hall, and return her at first light. Mr. Swire, having said little over the course of the evening, suddenly stands up and declares he's decided to take a solitary route back to the Cage.
"No offense cutters, but this gig is beginning to get a bit tedious." He says with his typical smirk. He departs the King's Table as the rest have their dinner.
Bethany and Drazek also stand after dinner and announce that they are taking a job offer to go to Bytopia for an extended period.
"We've done our bit, the khaasta are dead, and the Cage might still be a little hot for my taste," The warlock says, an arm emcirling Bethany's slim waist. "Powers willing, perhaps we shall meet again in Sigil."
The two remain with the group until first light then depart with a small beetle caravan.
Quinn and Rhiannon seem to gel well with the group, and with three members leaving, the party has enough room for a few newcomers. They all get rooms for the night after dinner from the plump innkeep.
The common room is stocked with plenty of prosperous townsfolk and travellers. Those detecting evil find little to disturb them, there are few malicious auras about. There is however a lot of spirited conversation about, and those who chat with the crowd find out some interesting tidbits:
Gather Information:
DC 10:
DC 15:
DC 20:
DC 25:
DC 30:
In the morning, Veridis returns as promised. He brings along a plain, matronly-looking woman in her mid-forties. She is clad in a green robe with a stylized tree embroidered over much of its front. She looks worn, as if she hasn't been sleeping well. Veridis introduces her as Marlus Van, head of the Woodworker's Guild, and a priestess of Yggdrasil.
"A pleasure to meet you," She says, her dark-ringed eyes surveying the breakfasting group. "I hear you wish to interview my companion Roth?"
diplomacy (gather info)
"Also a pleasure to meet you, Guilmistress Van. Yes, if we could see and speak to your friend, that would be very helpful to us, I believe."
Diplomacy/Gather Info:
"Aye, ma'am, and anything ye'd be willin' teh tell us about his, er... condition would be helpful."
Merle looks up from her food with a clear expressionof 'what are you lot talking about?' on her face.
Seph sits in his catform eating out a bowl apparently lost in thought.
Diplomacy/Gather Info: 1d20+6
"Aye, ma'am, and anything ye'd be willin' teh tell us about his, er... condition would be helpful."
The priestess sighs
"He is delusional. At first he was ranting about corruption and how everything was tainted. Then he attempted to carve a chunk from his arm. He said there were maggots in his flesh. The last few days he hasn't said much of anything, he just stares at the wall."
Her eyes shine with unshed tears
"I fear he will not be long for this Incarnation."
"I am very sorry for your troubles, ma'am. We were hoping that we might be able to learn something about what caused this affliction by speaking with him. I don't know if it's possible to help him at this point, but it cannot hurt to try. With your permission, of course," she added deferentially.
"It seems that this whole town in on edge."
---
For now, Quinn stays quiet and simply watches his companions talk to the priestess.
Diplomacy/Gather Info: 1d20+6
"Aye, ma'am, and anything ye'd be willin' teh tell us about his, er... condition would be helpful."The priestess sighs
"He is delusional. At first he was ranting about corruption and how everything was tainted. Then he attempted to carve a chunk from his arm. He said there were maggots in his flesh. The last few days he hasn't said much of anything, he just stares at the wall."
Her eyes shine with unshed tears
"I fear he will not be long for this Incarnation."
Isaac nods in sympathy.
"I'm right sorry to hear that, Ms. Van. The Source works as it wills and we can only hope his suffering in this life will draw him closer to his own Ascension."
"It seems that this whole town in on edge."
"Yea. Charming place." Justin murmurs in agreement.
"Pretty sure I don't want to build my summer home here though." He adds wryly. Then goes back to watching and listening to the discussions.
Justin coughs gently to introduce himself into the quiet conversation.
"Excuse me miss? I'm terribly sorry for what's happened to your friend. May I ask what methods you have attempted to cure him with? Nari and I may have other means at our disposal that might help. I can't promise anything of course, but if it could help him and the others who have beem afflicted, I'd be glad to try." He says with a small smile.
"Maggots aren't always a bad thing," Karrin mumbles to herself, "they only eat rotten meat which stops gangrene, I learned that from an orc actually. Maggots can keep you alive longer then you could survive without . . ."
1d20-1
"It seems that this whole town in on edge."
---
For now, Quinn stays quiet and simply watches his companions talk to the priestess.1d20+15
Quinn:
"Excuse me miss? I'm terribly sorry for what's happened to your friend. May I ask what methods you have attempted to cure him with? Nari and I may have other means at our disposal that might help. I can't promise anything of course, but if it could help him and the others who have beem afflicted, I'd be glad to try." He says with a small smile.
Marlus sighs
"We've tried many magics, but to no avail. It seems stronger than most spells within our reach. If you can do something it would be greatly appreciated."
Veridis takes Marlus' arm.
"We can go to the Wood Workers Guild to see Ser F'Tsar."
The group troops over to a large building covered in intricate carvings. The building is busy: several dozen folk process Yggdrasil's "twigs" for use as board lumber for buildings. Others split shingles, carve finials, and the like.
Marlus leads you all to a secluded part of the building. A bed is in the middle of the room, and a thin grey-haired man is wrapped in restraints on top of it. He looks up at the ceiling's swirling carvings without any sign of acknowledgement. Marlus goes to his side.
"My love, these good folk have come to see you."
The man stares upwards, insensate.
Nari tilts her head, as if listening to something.
"Yes, alright. It's worth a try. Go ahead."
She sets down her psicrystal on the end of the bed and it skitters across the blankets until it is near the man's head.
::Hello, in there! Ser F'Tsar, can you hear me?:: the small crystal shouted, telepathically.
Ekuur also leans near the man, looking him over carefully and trying to identify what his condition may be.
heal
Out of his element dealing with barmies, Isaac takes a look around, looking at the ceiling to see what the patient is looking at. He occasionally tosses up a piece of dried fruit for his monkey to catch.
Perception:
Merle watches the entire thing with an expression of mild uncertainty on her face.
Rhiannon stands around, also out of her element but wearing an expression of genuine concern.
Nari tilts her head, as if listening to something.
"Yes, alright. It's worth a try. Go ahead."
She sets down her psicrystal on the end of the bed and it skitters across the blankets until it is near the man's head.
::Hello, in there! Ser F'Tsar, can you hear me?:: the small crystal shouted, telepathically.
Nari:
Curious, the psychic presence that dwells between the two forms drifts closer. Her/its innate light plays over the silent tombstones.
Ekuur also leans near the man, looking him over carefully and trying to identify what his condition may be.
heal 1d20+10
It is a puzzle to Ekuur. The man is obviously well-tended, and in relatively good health. He is a bit haggard, slightly malnourished and febrile from laying restrained for so long. No obvious wounds seem to be evident.
Out of his element dealing with barmies, Isaac takes a look around, looking at the ceiling to see what the patient is looking at. He occasionally tosses up a piece of dried fruit for his monkey to catch.
Perception: 1d20+15
Chee Chowk snacthces the dried fruit with an innate dexterity, chittering happily on Issac's shoulder. The ceiling is a wonderful tracery of swirling knot patterns worked into the living wood of the room.
Nari: ** spoiler omitted **Nari tilts her head, as if listening to something.
"Yes, alright. It's worth a try. Go ahead."
She sets down her psicrystal on the end of the bed and it skitters across the blankets until it is near the man's head.
::Hello, in there! Ser F'Tsar, can you hear me?:: the small crystal shouted, telepathically.
"There's something wrong," Nari said trembling. "His mind is like a graveyard."
Isaac snaps his attention back to the catatonic man.
"What d'ye mean, Nari? Like, is the poor sod's head full o' deaders somehow or just empty?"
Isaac snaps his attention back to the catatonic man.
"What d'ye mean, Nari? Like, is the poor sod's head full o' deaders somehow or just empty?"
"No, just one presence. It....glows. The whole landscape is a graveyard.....no, get out....please....damn it, she's not listening to me...."
Justin stands on the other side of the bed, first examining the man with the practiced eye of an investigator, then casting a simple spell and slowly waving his hand over the man from head to toe with slightly glowing eyes as Ekuur and Nari do their thing,...
He looks up sharply at Nari's unusual vehemence.
"Nari, is it possible for you to show me what your seeing?" He asks calmly.
"You mean his consciousness is just gone? It's just empty?" Quinn shudders and grips his holy symbol.
He looks up sharply at Nari's unusual vehemence.
"Nari, is it possible for you to show me what your seeing?" He asks calmly.
"No, I don't think so. I'm not a telepath. That was Majeed's forte. She could, but she's not listening to me," she added through gritted teeth.
Isaac snaps his attention back to the catatonic man.
"What d'ye mean, Nari? Like, is the poor sod's head full o' deaders somehow or just empty?""No, just one presence. It....glows. The whole landscape is a graveyard.....no, get out....please....damn it, she's not listening to me...."
Nari:
Rhiannon watches the young mentalist closely for signd of distress.
Perception
Merle begins to pace getting more frustrated by the second finally she walks right up to the crystal "Now listen here I have no idea if you can hear me or not but if you can you get out of there right now got that?"
DM:
"These other sods: were they the same? Same Chant, same attempts to carve themselves up?"
DM: ** spoiler omitted **
The party watches in surprise as Nari seems to go into some sort of seizure. Her crystal seems to freeze in place.
Nari:
In the center of the henge is a horizontal slab of white marble. the sides are streaked with brownish stains. On the top of the stone is the man Nari saw in bed back in Crux. He writhes in pain as a strange creature circles him.
The creature is a mass of translucent fog. Where its head should be is a grimacing porcelain mask. It has two very solid-looking arms tipped with very sharp-looking claws. As Nari watches, it pokes the man with a claw, eliciting a wail.
The ....thing ... looks up, it's mask contorting in a rictus grin as if made of flesh, rather than porcelain. Two black holes where eyes should be bore into the slight elf psioniscist
"Ahh, more friends to the party" A sinister whisper reaches Nari's ears
Merle begins to pace getting more frustrated by the second finally she walks right up to the crystal "Now listen here I have no idea if you can hear me or not but if you can you get out of there right now got that?"
The party watches in surprise as Nari seems to go into some sort of seizure. Her crystal seems to freeze in place.
"Oh yeah, that helped." Justin says dryly.
"Nari? Can you hear me?" He asks the elf girl calmly,...
Isaac leaps toward the head of the bed and Nari, trying to hold her thrashing body before she falls to the floor and hurts herself.
"Bloody sodding Hells! Ekuur! Lann me the Chant, what d'we do?! Yer plane's got mind-mages like her, right?!"
DM:
"Is this supposed to be the part where I start writhing in terror?" she asks coldly. "Step away from him. NOW!"
"That wasent me." Merle yells as Nari goes into seizures.
Seph begins to Meow at Merle clearly quite shaken by what is happening
Feline
Seph Jumps from merles shoulder onto Nari and begins to paw at her apparently trying to shake her awake.
;P
"Of course it wasn't you!" Justin throws over his shoulder to Merle as he hastily makes his way around to Nari and Isaac. "Just bloody bad timing is all."
He kneels down next to where Isaac is holding the fragile-seeming elf lass.
"If you want something blown up, I'm your man. What I know about mind-mages would fit on the head of a pin. A small one." Justin grumbles as he pats his pockets looking for something. He finally finds what he's looking for and jams his hand into a pocket, pulling out a fistful of something.
"Ekuur! If this doesn't work it's your turn!" Justin calls as he dribbles silver powder into a circle on the girls chest. Shaking away the excess with a flick of his wrist, he slaps his hand into the middle of the circle and intones softly.
'Peace abides, and grace abounds, whom the shield of Seraphim surrounds.'
There is the slight crackle of ozone, and the silver powder flares into light, surrounding Nari with a faint silver nimbus.
The silver nimbus surrounds the elf maid, making her relax somewhat
Nari:
"Little wretch, you come to a place of my power and you would challenge me? I am master of all I survey..."
The creature streches an arm out towards Nari and the ground around her erupts with rotted maggotty hands. Several grip her legs with a boney intensity.
"I will deal with you at my leisure, morsel."
The repulsive ghost-thing turns its white porcelian mask back to its victim on the marble slab. Suddnely Nari feels a wave of light and hope fill her soul. The area around her brightens, and the hands fall away momentarily.
Then the light came and her heart lifted. The calm center spread outwards and she breathed a sigh of relief as the hands let go of her.