The Last Ghoul - Round 2 - concluded
25 Thorn
21 Mirela
21 Tunder
18 Ghast (5 hp dmg)
17 Barek
14 Seldon (sickened)
8 Selena (sickened)
Moving quickly and decisively, Mirela rushes towards the ghast, which lunges to bite at her as she passes. The snapping of jaws just misses the brave Varisian as she pivots away from the undead, ending up on his side, and behind him. She skids through the greasy goo, just as she plunges her rapier into the malevolent corpse from behind. The blade explodes through the evil undead, in a shower of gore, and the creature slumps to the ground, skewered through by her blade. "I only did as he asked," the thing whispers as its essence escapes it.
Seldon shudders as the creature is put to rest. "Should we check the house? Once this threat is contained we can properly prepare for a strike against Foxglove."
Barek spits on the twice dead corpse. "Good work Miri. I dont know what Foxglove's game is but this 'messenger' is done for." He nods at Seldon's suggestion. "Let's search the house for any more of them and any more victims."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Seldon makes his way to the door and raps loudly three times. "Mae govannen! In Desna's name these weary pilgrims seek safe harbour." he says, sliding his longsword from his sheath as the others get into position.
The fallen corpse of the ghast seems to be the last remnant of the coven of ghouls that had inhabited Hambley's farm. There is no answer to Seldon's brave call at the door, and as the heroes begin to creep into the place, they see the terrible state the interior of the farmhouse is in. The mutilated body of Farmer Hambley himself lies in the kitchen. Although the corpse is now decaying and covered with flies, the Sihedron Rune is still plainly visible carved upon the man's chest. Attached is a single scrap of blood-stained paper. Again the outside of the folded parchment says: "Dearest Mirela". Opening it with dread, you see the message left for your companion. "Take the fever into you my love -- it shall be but the first of my gifts to you. -- Your Lordship"
Besides the grotesque token and message the farmhouse appears to be the den of the leader of the ghouls, and is filled with chewed bones and partially eaten corpses.
Selena dismisses the grease with a trembling hand. In all of her other travels she was always protected from harm. Even with the others before at the goblin enclave she was never in harms way. Tis time though she was the target. Clutching her blood stained garments around her she shakes with the realization of what just happened. I saw what happened to Thorn but never expected for me to be the target. Am I really cut out to do this?
Selena starts to shamble away from the others before stopping herself. Looking at them heads towards the farmhouse fills her with shame. Look at them. They have out themselves in danger more often than you have. They have bled worse and even one has died to helps others. I thought you wanted some adventure and excitement. With both of those comes risk and danger. The alternative is to go back to your father and return to his business as his pawn. Now get a backbone and go help them. You need them and they may need you as well.
Ashamed of her actions Selena doesn't say a word as she slips into the house and looks around watching the others. Yet her inner turmoil and cowardice a few minutes ago has her distracted and she doesn't see anything going on anyways.
Perception
Barek makes a face as he sees the partially eaten corpses. Unfortunately, this sight only adds to their experiences today and the big man merely turns away. As he turns he spots a key lying on the floor. "Hey what's this?"
He picks it up and turns it over carefully. "Some sort of flower design with thorns.
Doesn't strike me as something the farmer would have."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"We're too late." Seldon spares Selena a curious glance before examining the key in the light. "That, my dear friend. Is a Foxglove." Seldon murmurs absentmindedly, frowning at the Sihedron rune carved in the man's chest. "Useful for regulating the pulse, although toxic in large doses."
"The blossoms used to grow all along the cliffs of the Lost Coast in my youth, particularly on an outcrop just three miles west. I'd merit a guess that the Foxgloves built their manor there."
Still shaking and reeling from the terrible stench, Mirela slowly puts her blade away as she gives a slow nod to Barek "Thanks Barek; instinct kinda took over there." Glancing one last time at the ghast, Mirela shakes her head "Uhh, this is the most nauseating thing I've ever encountered. Let's just get out of here."
In the farmhouse, Mirela's expression quickly becomes a mixture of horror, disgust and anguish. Covering her face with her left hand, it's clear to all and sundry that she is doing her utmost to choke back a torrent of emotion as she surveys the slaughter.
Something in her recess of her mind instantly horrified her about the symbol on the key, but Mirela nevertheless listened quietly to Seldon's explanation of the heraldry. A moment after hearing her wise friend out, Mirela finally breaks down and weeps uncontrollably, hyperventilating as she frantically responds "Foxglove?! W-why is he doing this? He... he keeps killing all these p-poor people, like it's some kind of sickening gift for me." Pacing erratically, Miri begins shaking her head, her voice becoming manic "T-take the fever into me? W-what... what does that even mean?! D-does he want to turn me into one of his monstrous creations too?!"
Finally Mirela stops her pacing, and looks up, her eyes red and puffy. Her voice suddenly goes deadly quiet, and she responds with a sort of delirious resolve "I-I have to go, leave, forever. I'm a danger to all of you, the people of Sandpoint... everyone. H-he's just going to keep going until... until... I just have to go."
While still enlarged, Tunder removes the heads from the re-dead bodies to make sure that they stay that way.
After he shrinks, Tunder aids the others in investigating the house.
"..until we stop him." Tunder completes Mirela's sentence. "Take to heart the lesson that Stone teaches. Be resolute and once you chose to act, the world will move."
The group finds no more undead or clues in the house. With Sandpoint and the comfortable beds of the Rusty Dragon only a few hours ride away, the consensus quickly starts to lean towards leaving this scene of horror and heading back to town.
The ride back, even after dark, is uneventful at best. The PC's get to bed in the wee morning hours, but get enough rest to replenish their daily allotment of spells, abilities etc.
They make plans to head down the Lost Coast road towards where they expect Foxglove Manor to lie in the morning.
End 11 Rova 4707
Though angry that someone would steal from her in this manner, it seemed to be the least of her worries at the moment. Shaking her head with a sigh, Mirela curses quietly before heading back downstairs.
Passing a few of her companions, Mirela shakes her head and mutters in an irritated tone "Somebody broke into my room, and stole some dresses of all things."
Heading to the counter, Mirela smiles tiredly "Bethany, can I change rooms? Somebody broke into mine while we were away."
You definitely get the feeling that Selena is having second thoughts about what is going on. By the way she is avoiding eye contact with everyone though you suspect it is more than just the ghouls and the condition of the occupants of the barn and house.
When the talk turns to returning to Sandpoint Selena nods her head and is the first out the door. Wearily she walks back, with spells spent and dark thoughts clouding her mind in their place, without talking much or even consoling Miri who is close to having a nervous breakdown from the looks of it.
Perhaps a good night's sleep and recoups ration from the ghast's attack will lift her spirits by morning.
Morning, 12 Rova 4707, Sandpoint Varisia, The Rusty Dragon
The halfling hostess looks astounded that Mirela's room was stolen from while she stayed at The Dragon. "Miss Mirela, I am so sorry about your trouble. Of course you can move rooms dearie, Morris will move your things this very moment. Such a scandal has never occurred in my years here. I shall have Lars check the floors every hour. Perhaps we will catch whatever villain is up to no good here."
Barek tries to comfort Mirela both on the way back to Sandpoint as well as in the inn. "Come on Miri, sit and have a drink tonight. We'll try to forget what we saw and what we may face tomorrow."
After her discovery of the missing dresses, however, the fighter turns somber. "I don't like this one bit. I think this all starts and ends with Foxglove. We find him and we end this nightmare for you. Tunder, Thorn, Seldon. We need to place extra protection on her during this excursion. Somehow, I think whatever we find there will pose greater harm to Miri than even the rest of us. Perhaps we need to ensure she's covered with a protection from Evil spell too."
"I think you're right about Foxglove. I suggest we get someone to guard her stuff while we're out. All our things really."
Though she hadn't been worried too much about the stolen dress before, Mirela's eyes slowly widened at Barek's inferences into the petty crime. Maybe it wasn't so petty afterall. Finally shaking her head as though coming out of a trance, Mirela pipes in "You think Foxglove or one of his monsters took my dress?" With a mock shiver of disgust, Miri shakes her head "Gross."
Taking the new room key from Bethany, the young Varisian stops at the stairs and sighs with a resigned smile "I'm going to go move my stuff, and then I'll really need that drink you promised earlier Barek."
Waking up refreshed with the sun shining did a wonder on Selena's outlook. the scratch from the night before was mostly healed and there was no signs of any infection. Shaking off the doldrums of her melancholy she heads downstairs for a bite to eat after donig her studies. Today she wouldn't be caught off guard with her planning. Instead she would be ready to face Foxglove and his undead minions.
Heading out and finding the others at their inn Selena gives a smile to everyone until she hears what happened to Miri. Anger takes the place of the cheerfullness as she spouts off, Skip that drink Miri. Let's go to this Foxglove's place and put an end to this right now. On the way out of town we can fill the sherrif in on what we have found and discovered. Let's go.
Seldon invites Miri to join him in his morning prayers, and stops by Vinder's to purchase several arrows. On the way, he makes a few inquiries about the manor.
As Mirela comes back from her new room, Barek is holding a cup. He hold it out to her with a slight smirk. "Don't ask what it is. I had Lars pull something out of the old stock. It's, uh...It's green."
"Come on, drink it on the go. We need to see the sheriff and see what he knows about the Foxglove estate."
While buying more arrows at Savah's, the elvish priest asks the shopkeeper about Foxglove Manor. She frowns at him him and says: [b]"What do you want with that old place? It' must be on 80 years old now. There was some sort of family tragedy there a few decades ago, and no one's lived there since. Stories among the Varisians and others who believe such things is that the place is haunted. I wouldn't go there if I were you."
Barek and anyone going to visit Sheriff Hemlock
Hemlock listens impassively as you describe the findings and actions at Hambley Farm. When your briefing is over, he nods curtly. "You have done well for Sandpoint once again, ending the threat of the ghouls in the hinterland. It sounds as if your friend Foxglove is at the center of the recent troubles, so I did some checking on him.
The Manor is known round here as "Misgivings", particularly by the roving Varisians. It has a bad reputation, including strange lights in the windows, screaming sounds coming from within, and even rumors of a huge bat creature living in the caves below. The Foxglove family lived there as recently as 2 decades ago, but then a fire burned down the servants building. Cyralie Foxglove was found dead -- burnt and dashed on the rocks below the cliffs behind the house -- and Traver was found in his bedroom dead by his own hand. The children, including your young Aldern, were sent away to Korvosa to live with distant relations.
Aldern Foxglove recently returned to live in teh ancestral family home but had a hell of time finding locals to help him with reconstruction and repairs, due to the reputation of the place. Until Aldern moved back in, the place was cared for by a retired innkeeper named Rogors Craesby (who lost an ear in a bar fight many years ago). He'd check on the old place one a week or so, air the place out, check for squatters, etc. Sounds like he matches the description of your ghast friend from the Hambley's place.
Sounds like another road trip in your future, eh? What can I provide to help you along your way?"
"Sounds like Foxglove's whole life unraveled. This might just be the tail end to a tragic life story. But nothing speaks of consorting with undead, unless he really was that desperate to try to regain his family's fame. It sounds like anyone close to the Foxglove family is dead or undead." Barek shakes his head.
"And for some reason Aldern has his sights set on Mirela for his...bride? Who knows. I just know we're not going to let that happen. Whatever the story is, we've got to stop whatever is going on at the Foxglove Manor from spreading further." The burly fighter cracks his knuckles. "Let's get going."
Selena listens to Hemlock with a look of sorrow on her face at the sad tale of Aldern. Yet this does not distract her from what she knows must be done. I agree Barek. While his story is tragic we can not let him continue on with his actions.
Sheriff, would it be possible to continue to use the horse and cart we borrowed yesterday? It made it so much easier to travel and quickened our journey emmensely. Also the holy waters from father Zantus were much appreciated. I would still suggest that he continue to make them as we don't know how many undead are still out there.
As for aiding us, well someone broke into Miri's room and stole a dress of hers. I don't know why but if there is someone to spare to hang around to keep an eye on the place to make sure it doesn't happen again I am sure she would be grateful. More tangible aid at the moment might be some good rope and a climbing kit if we need to search along the cliffs or in the caves for any reason. I can not climb at all and would need someone to lower me should the necessity arise.
Diplomacy if needed for supplies plus what others may ask for
Listening quietly, Mirela remains relatively stone faced, except when Barek mentions being made Aldern's bride, too which she responds with a shocked and indignant look "Desna save me, I can't imagine anything worse than ending up a bride of that psychopathic dandy."
Appearing somewhat impatient, Mirela angles towards the exit "Alright, let's get this over with then; one way or another, this nightmare ends today."
"I think a climbing kit and rope can be arranged, I am sure Savah will part with them willingly enough. And of course the horse and wagon are yours for as long as you need them. They are borrowed from you friend Davy Hosk at any rate.
"I will send a man to guard the rooms at the Dragon until you return. We'll have no more thievery nonsense on my watch."
The wagon, with feed and rested horse, and a climber's kit stowed in the back, along with two reels of 50' of sturdy hemp rope are stowed in the buckboard when you return from preparing your gear in the Dragon.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The Lost Coast Road winds south along the Gulf of Varisia heading through the windswept Ashen Moor before turning around the boggy Brinestump Marsh. After a few more miles, it the road crosses the Soggy River, near to Habe's Sanitorium and the Hambley Farm. After another mile or so later, a covered bridge covers Foxglove Creek. Just before the bridge, a narrow lane turns east towards the coast.
As you near Foxglove Manor, out on the cliffs over looking the sea, it seems that nature herself has become sick and twisted. Nettles and thorns grow more prominent, trees are leafless and bent, and the wind coming off the Gulf seems unnaturally cold and shrill as it whistles through the cliffside crags. The path slowly rises, bending around a steep corner in the cliffs, and then Foxglove Manor looms on its perch at the end of the world.
Seeming to have earned its local nickname "Misgivings" well, the house appears to loath its perch high above the ocean, as if the entire place were perched for a suicide leap into the keening wind. The roof sags in many places, and mold and mildew cake the crumbling walls. Vines of diseased-looking gray wisteria strangle the structure in several places, hanging down over the precipitous cliff edge almost like tangled braids of hair. The house is crooked, its gables angling sharply and breached in at least three places, hastily repaired with planks of sodden wood. Chimneys rise from various points among the rooftops, leaning like old men in a storm, and grinning gargoyle faces leer from under the eaves.
From where you stand in front of the home, there are two obvious entrances to the manor. The front door facing the west, and a side parlor entrance around to the northwest.
The outbuilding to the west of the main house lies in a heap. It's impossible to tell how many floors the building that stood there was, for all that remains are the sooty, scorched stones of its foundation. To the east, a four-foot wide stone well sits, partially collapsed, in the corner of the ruins. A few sickly looking ravens perch atop the foundation stones, gawking at you. They fly awkwardly away if approached.
Still not one for horseback or walking Selena is glad when Sheriff Hemlock indicates that they still have use of the cart. Thank you much sheriff. I will let you know what we find out. In the meantime, keep watch in case Foxglove is not home at the moment. I wish there was a way to communicate quicker should we find him not there but we will all have to do our best.
On the road, Selena's morning spirits slowly sink again as she takes in the scenery. What could cause such a drastic change in the land itself? It seems like Foxglove has infected it as well. Pulling the cloak tighter around her to stave off the supernatural chill that seems to settle on her Selena continues on with the others.
Arriving at the manor itself Selena looks on in trepidation. How is that building still upright. It looks like it should collapse at any moment. Maybe that would be for the best. Just knock it down and bury him inside.
perception
know engineering for safety to enter?
Moving off the path towards the destroyed outbuilding Selena sees the well. Tunder, Hemlock said there were rumors of a giant bat underneath in some caves. Do you think that the well would connect to the caves? If so, Foxglove could be in them instead of the house...
As referenced to the destroying the house and going into the caves, Selena does not want to go into the house at all unless there is no other choice in the matter.
Seldon wraps his cloak around himself protectively, seeming to shrink away from the house in the howling sea-air. His glance wavers first other the motley gathering of ravens, and then over Selena. "Courage, mellonamin. Desna would not have led us down this path if we could not handle the peril."
He does not yet approach the front door, and awaits Tunder's assessment of the caves.
"It could. He says after a moment's consideration. "I don't think we have the gear to make the climb down, though.
Well the sheriff did provide a climbing kit and rope once we heard about caves below the manor and that the cliffs were involved. Perhaps those would be able to help us out. With your vision Thorn and Barek could lower you down and have you take a peek at what is actually down there.
"Ok. Let's give it a try." Tunder seems rather excited at the prospect of spelunking down the well.
"Are you sure?" Barek takes a long look into the darkness of the well. "You don't think we should explore the house first? It looks at least sturdy enough to not collapse."
Along their way towards Misgivings, Mirela appears unusually quiet, though resolute in their decision. Finally reaching the property, she glances about with a look that mixes pity and disgust "The land, Sandpoint... me; it seems Aldern is a cancer to everything he comes in contact with. Desna save me, I can't wait to but an end to his existence."
Moving towards the well with the others, Mirela peers over it and surveys the drop "I don't know Selena, I think I'm going to have to echo Barek; shouldn't check the house first?" Glancing over at the home, Mirela stares at it for an unnaturally long time.
I can't help but feel that he's in there, staring back at me as we speak. With an obvious shudder, the young varisian girl breaks her staring trance with the house, growing pale and wide eyed.
Peering down into the well, you see the shaft is at least 50' deep, and a dark calm water stands at that depth. Climbing down may not seem like much of a challenge, but the water below might be an issue.
Tunder nods at Mirela's comment. "Ok, then. You've got more on this than any. Let's go to the house. Tunder walks to the doors.
Tunder nods at Mirela's comment. "Ok, then. You've got more on this than any. Let's go to the house. Tunder walks to the doors.
Sorry. The West doors.
"Hold on." Seldon murmurs, gliding his soft hands along the sodden, splintered walls. He murmurs a short prayer and casts his detect undead spell, searching for necromantic auras 60ft. beyond. "Stars, guide me."
If he detects nothing, he'll nod to Tunder and follow him into the threshold, maintaining concentration.
Selena positions herself next to the men and tries not to let her nervousness show. Haunted houses and undead were not her idea of a adventure. Yet at the same time she was not going to back out from helping Miri. Keeping her lips title sealed to keep from rambling on in nervousness she waits to see what Tunder finds at the west doors.
At present, Seldon detects no undead in the area. The double doors on the porch are locked fast. The lock looks newish, and well maintained, perhaps posing a challenge to any lockpickers in the bunch.
There are several windows on each side of the main entrance which could easily be smashed to provide entrance if you can think of no other means of ingress.
Tunder looks to Mirella. "I can get us in." He indicates Rumilda. "Or we could try the other doors."
Gently placeing her hand over Rumilda, Mirela smiles a Tunder and shakes her head lightly; quickly grabbing a toolkit from her backpack, she kneels down by the front door while adding "Hold on Tunder, let me see if I can get us in there without making such a ruckus."
While Miri works at the lock, Barek moves around the corner to peer into one of the windows. "You want to try the other door, or should Tunder try his way? Ain't nothing inside that won't know we're not coming then though."
Barek holds up the key found at the farm. "Hey, didn't you say this had some connection to Foxglove? Why not try it?" He steps up and tries the key in the lock.
Thorn has been perhaps even quieter than Selena or Miri. These past hours of horror brought back memories from his past that he though he had forgotten. Not of just the horrors of adventuring but finding loved ones and companions in such states.
He stood quietly at the back of the group watching for threats and had even sat in front of Miri's new door for a few hours before nodding off to sleep.
When his brother when to buy new arrows he shadowed him and sharpened his weapons to make sure they were ready for the coming eventual battle.
He had the dour look and tired from sleeping in a sitting position. Though he had endured worse in the past and he tried to still be alert.
He watched as the group continued to decide what to do. He took a few steps over to Selena and simply put his hand on her shoulder. Once she looked at him he said, "It will be fine, just another horror for us to vanquish. Besides we need to be resolute for Miri."