Seldon does his best to ensure Mirela's comfort, but is frustrated in his attempts to slow the disease. "I'll pray to the goddess this night, and drive this disease out. Try to get some rest, Miri."
Weary, worried and worn the party holes up in the front room of the haunted mansion to sleep through the night, restoring lost vitality and also regaining magical firepower that had been expended throughout the day.
Fortunately, the house is not the place for lots of wandering creatures, so the parties at rest are not disturbed (at least physically) throughout the night.
Unfortunately, the house is still not the safest place to sleep. The wind from the gulf keeps a sound like hysterical laughter echoing through the house. The sound starts to pervade your bones, and makes sleep quite difficult. When you do finally drift off, your sleep is troubled by disturbing dreams and terrifying nightmares.
Barek, Seldon, and Tunder's dreams are basically the same. They dream of being trapped in a crumbling house with no exits. The house grows smaller and smaller with each breath.
Selena and Mirela's dreams are of being stalked throughout the house by shapeless monster that wishes to do her great harm or to drive them to kill themselves by exposing their mistakes and weakness in the form of horrific visions.
Mirela and Barek also awaken feeling much worse for wear than the previous night. Both have chills and fever and are pale and obviously ill with the disease spread by the ghoul's touch.
Will save
Multiple times in the night Selena awakes to th thought that a presence was next to her. A malevolent presence that taunted her with thoughts of being alone and helpless, bereft of family and friends at the end of her life as she looks on in helplessness as old age takes it toll on her as she finally dies. Through sheer force of will though she banishes the thoughts upon waking when she sees Miri in the room with her. They hadn't been together long but selena counted Miri as a friend.
It panged selena to see Miri aching so but this was something beyond her knowledge. This was Seldon's area of expertise. She just hoped that it was something curable and within the priests power. She felt for Barek as well and hoped that he would make a quick recovery. He seemed the type to be able to resist most afflictions but since he was already sick Selena didn't know. Hang in there both of you. We will get you out of here and back home to recover.
Trying to protect herself Selena finds a small bit of cloth and makes a rag to cover her face in case the disease could spread through the air. One that is done then she combs through her Spellbook loking for ways to get past the carrion swarms.
Barek tosses and turns during the night, seemingly at war either with the spirits still in the house or the disease from the ghouls. When he wakes though, it's easy to see who has won. His face is pale and slightly ashen in color and the big man's sure hands shake as he rises. Barek constantly feels chills throughout the morning.
Seldon cries out during the night, murmuring in frightened elvish as his breathing grows shallow and heavy. The claustrophobic elf is clearly shaken by the dreams, despite the protection of his goddess.
Seeing his companions clearly worse for wear, the elf opens the shutters, praying with shaking hands to the fading north star, fingers numb in the morning cold as the crows circle in the bleak dawn light.
Then he sees to his companions, casting two restoration spells to restore Barek's hearty constitution, curing the worst of the man's wounds before they fester, and driving the disease from Miri completely
Then the elf falls into a deep prayer, using his augury scroll to consult the goddess directly. "Mara'mesta, alla Desna. Eleni sílar antalyannar! Ta yassene val ava i'ksh tuul sina yamenuva."
While the terror of the house attempts to drive Mirela to madness, her physical exhaustion and need for sleep allows her to rest nevertheless. With Seldon providing treatment for her disease, she sleeps all the better.
Though still unwell, Mirela does thankfully not look any worse for the ware, an apparent nights rest having had at least some impact. Gradually dragging herself to her feet, she looks to the others and adds "Morning, thank Desna... can we go now? I can't stand to be here another minute."
Barek feels better after Seldon's ministration, but the large man is still a bit pale and shaky. "I think I may need more. Let's get to Magnimar or Sandpoint today. Hopefully some rest at the temple will help. Like Miri said, I do not want to repeat that night again."
If we are going to make a run for it then run we shall. Once we are at the doorway to leave then I will cast a haste spell on all of us quickening our steps. It will only last for about 30 seconds so do not stop to fight. Unless that is you want to fight them now that Seldon is refreshed this morning. If I recall correctly his ability to channel positive energy will damage them. Perhaps it would be enough that we can defeat them and not have to worry about them when we return to search for more clues.
No spell casting for me.
Tunder stays up much of the night so that his companions can recuperate. When he does rest, he sleeps fitfully. Eventually, he wakes with a jerk, gripping his waraxe.
With the coming of the dawn, Tunder is more than ready to leave the cursed house. "We do this together. We move at a slow trot so we can still defend ourselves if necessary."
Looking out the door, the giant flocks of carrionbirds, which seem to be undead themselves, are still mingling about the ruined outbuilding of Misgivings estate.
"I say we just run. With Selena's spell, we can be far gone before they even have much time to react. The longer we stay, the more we have to contend with them."
Seldon stirs from his reverie after ten minutes, the gods having provided him his answers. "Before we take our leave, would you accompany me to the basement again?" the elf says, picking himself up and retreading yesterdays steps to the lower levels so as to avoid any new dangers.
Blessing some holy water on the spot, he begins the consecration ritual on the resilient patch of mould.
Selena nods her head as Seldon informs them of his vision. If the gods have seen fit to bless you with some insight to this place then let us go back and try what you are suggesting. If that does not work well then we can still attempt our escape by myself casting haste and U.S. running from the carrion swarms. Is there anything that you wish of me Seldon to aid you. I have prepared a spell to protect you from the evil forces here for a short time. That may be of help in at least letting you get closer to strange fungus.
After retracing their steps down into the basement, Seldon leads the group past the site of the encounter with the Skinsaw Man/Foxglove and to the almost human shaped fungal growth along the wall.
There he sprinkles holy water, and begins to work casting a spell to make this site holy to the Starsong. Calling on her direct power, Seldon consecrates that spot, removing the taint that has filled it.
As the last of the spell is spoken, the fungus figure suddenly animates tearing free from the wall and cries out in a barely human voice, "NO! I was supposed to remain forever!" and then howls the voice turning animistic then cutting off suddenly.
With the haunt of Foxglove Manor thus exorcised, the keening of the wind stops, and as you head back upstairs, the sun actually breaks through the heavy cloud cover for the first time.
Looking out to the yard, again only a few lone crows remain, pecking at grubs or pulling at worms in the untended lawn. It appears safe to return to Sandpoint, or anywhere else you wish to go.
Looking out to the sun finally shining on the mansion, Barek claps Seldon on the shoulder. "Good work. Perhaps the evil of this place has finally been defeated." The large man begins coughing and sighs. "So where to? Magnimar seems like a good lead and the church there could help too. We could send a message to Sandpoint once we arrive."
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"If we start southward now we can have a good feather bed come nightfall." the elf groans, wearily. "I am all for it."
Barek nods. "Ok, let's go. A feather bed is as good a reason as any to get there."
"Yes. We should report back to the town."
With the curse lifted, Mirela is in a noticeably better mood, one much more akin to her usual disposition. Walking outside Misgivings, she takes a deep breath and smiles "What a glorious morning Seldon, thank-you."
Spinning on her heel, she raises one eyebrow as she looks one last time at the Foxglove family manor, and salutes it sardonically "If I ever see this damnable place again, it will be too soon for my taste." Glancing over at her companions with a playful grin, Mirela adds "Right then, Magnimar; a feather bed sounds positively wonderful."
Renewed with vigor in the cause of right, the heroes set out for Magnimar, the port city and jewel of the Lost Coast, which is something less than 50 miles away.
Having acquired ponies in Sandpoint, and wisely leaving them tendered far enough from The Misgivings to be food for the carrion birds, the group is soon off, heading down the coast, towards the City of Monuments.
Leaving early in the morning, you are able to pass several wayside shrines to Desna on the trip, places where weary travelers can rest, stop, seek shelter, or even spend the night along the road. They are spaced about every 20 miles along the Lost Coast road.
Every once in a while, you pass a Varisian trader or a Chelish merchant headed up the road to Sandpoint and greet them with a smile or words of friendship between strangers on the road. Once you pass a family loaded in a buckboard wagon also headed south, but loaded down so much as to be making quite poor time. They call out in friendly Varisian voices, and the children run along behind your ponies for some time, until they wear out, laughing and babbling in their native tongue all the while.
All in all, its a very relaxing, if long, day on the road and you all begin to understand some of Seldon's lifetime of wanderlust, as the pleasant autumn day slips by.
Soon the sun starts to descend into the Gulf of Varisia on your right, and the stars, the guiding marks of Desna appear. Ahead you can see the glowing lights of Magnimar, perhaps 5 miles distant still.
You guys regroup. Talk about it in Discussion. Get a plan and share it.
After a bit of a disagreement occurs about the next place to travel, Mirela's argument to go clear her name settles the matter, and the heroes move out, backtracking to their home-away-from-home. The ride is short, about an hour, and they see the familiar spire of the Old Light rising over the harbor and the industrious little village along the Turandurok River.
Hemlock is pleased to see the group return, mostly healthy, and listens gravely to the recounting of the madness and fall of Aldern Foxglove.
"So what is your next step?" queries Hemlock. "What was on this letter you found again?"
Selena lets Miri explain as much as she wants to since miri was the focal point of all of this. If Miri wanted to leave out certain aspects such as the haunts and the vulgarities found down below that was fine enough by Selena.
As for the next step, I think mor than anything we need a day to refresh and heal up. I was spared the brunt of the attacks thanks to the others being up front and taking the blows for me but some are still injured and others sickened. We need to recover and then plot our next course. The two options I see is to either finish clearing out the goblin lair or go back south. On the way south we can finish searching the manor for other clues as a pit stop to Magnimar. I am all for the goblin lair first.
Bluff You can tell that Selena is not keen to return to Magnimar as it means a possible run in with her family. That more than anything is why she is suggesting the goblin lair.
Aldern, You have served us quite well. The delivery harvested from the caverns far exceeds what I had hoped for. You may consider your debt to the Brotherhood paid in full. Yet I still have need of you, and when you awaken from your death, you should find your mind clear and able to understand this task more than in the state you lie in as I write this."
"You shall remember the workings of the Sihedron ritual, I trust. You seemed quite lucid at the time but if you find after your rebirth that you have forgotten, return to your townhouse in Magnimar. My agents shall contact you there soon -- no need for you to bother the Brothers further. I will provide the list of proper victims for the Sihedron ritual in two days time. Commit that list to memory and then destroy it before you begin your work. The ones I have selected must be marked before they die, otherwise they do my master no good and the greed in their souls will go to waste.If others get in your way, though, you may do with them as you please. Eat them, savage them, or turn them into pawns -- it matters not to me.
Signed - Xanesha, Mistress of the Seven
Seldon unfolds the letter and reads it aloud to the Sherrif. He keeps quiet on what else they found at the manor. No sense causing a panic.
Seldon gives Selena a knowing glance, but stops to consider her suggestion. "Nualia also carried the mark of the Sihedron, although that could be sheer coincidence, that may mean she was also connected to this Brotherhood in some way." he says, motioning to the amulet around Mirela's neck. "Tsuto's journal mentioned some manner of creature on the lower levels, but it does not seem it has any connection to this... harvest ritual, or to Xanesha."
"Our enemies will catch word of our victory here unless we keep it quiet. They may begin to move against us when they hear of Aldern's demise..." the elf says, frowning. "It might be best if you let the news of ghoul sightings die out, if indeed they do, rather than inform the townsfolk now... although the choice is entirely in your hands, Sherrif. I would not want to give the people false hope, and if we can prevent this Brotherhood from gaining a headstart on us, all the better."
"We can use this time to gather intelligence, or to head for the townsfolk and strike whilst the iron is hot." the elf says, reserving his judgement on the matter.
The choice for Tunder is easy. "It would be irresponsible to leave those grimy little greenies to run loose. We ought to go back to head island and make sure they won't be bothering anyone ever again."
"I will keep things quiet, while you recover and finish at Thistletop," says Hemlock. "But don't tarry to long, it sounds like some sort of conspiracy is afoot and we need to root it out before it explodes into more ritual killings."
Thank you Sherriff. We are much obliged to you for your efforts.
Selena looks to see what the others are doing but if all they are doing is resting then she has some plans. She wants to see about selling the monkey alarm that she found as well as the chime of opening possibly. Once she knows how much money she has to split with the others then she can look into purchasing some scrolls to add to her spellbook. The rest of the day would then be spent in study and scribing a scroll.
Barek gets them all rooms at the inn where he spends most of the day resting. "Seldon, do you think you can heal me of whatever it was that hit me down there? I'm really not feeling very well."
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"I think we can all use a visit to the temple." Tunder pats his weapons as he says this.
"It'll take a good days rest, but I should be able to treat the worst of the disease. But father Zantus might have a scroll that may save you the discomfort."
Barek nods at Seldon. "Let's go see if the good father can help me."
Selena, who avoided most of the damage during the exploration of the haunted house, returns to her room at the Dragon to study spells and perhaps scribe a scroll of her own.
Tunder, Seldon, and Barek head to the temple, looking for some divine intervention and recovery from the local priesthood. At the door, the acolytes usher you into a prayer chamber, and soon Father Zantus joins you.
"It appears you have had your hands full doing good works since you have been in town," he says as he examines your wounds. He gives a sharp intake of breath as he sees the suppurative and fetid bites from teh ghouls on Barek's flesh. "This is quite nasty. I am surprised to see you on your feet at all. This requires immediate intervention."
He rises, and comes back later laden with scrolls and two elder priests. "These fine men will see to your healing. The healing is free, as is the way of the Starsong, however, your consideration is requested. 'From each according to his means' and all that...I do have a cathedral to keep up, you know."
The priests set to work, casting divine spells and reciting from scrolls and holy books, anointing you with various oils and drawing some holy symbols on your bodies.
Seldon reaches for his coinpurse, emptying the coins into his open palm and finding only three silvers within. With a chuckle, he drops the last of his coin into the alms dish. He will help where he can with cleaning Barek's wounds as the clergy work their healing spells. He'll take a solitary walk around the temple and it's grounds, marveling at the cascades of Swallowtail-blue shimmering in from the stained glass windows before requesting a lesser restoration to restore his wisdom damage.
"By the grace of the Starsong, my head is finally clear..." he says, visibly lighter. He smiles. "I'm looking forward to some mulled wine and a warm bed. Shall we make our way to the Dragon, or should we ready our supplies for the morrow?"
Barek feels the filth of the Foxglove house leave him as the priests chants their magic over the fighter. The boxer grins and hugs the elderly Father Zantus. "May Densa and the Inheritor bless you, Father! Thank you very much!" He shakes each of the priests hands. When they indicate theoffering bowl, Barek nods.
"Oh, of course. I owe you a debt of thanks. And I would like to buy by friend Seldon a gift too. Another of those scrolls if you please. And I'd like a flask of holy water to keep anymore undead at bay." He digs into his coin pouch to take out over 100 gold pieces. He drops them into the offering bowl.
Listening to the others contemplate their next move, Mirela appears somewhat unhappy with the thought of returning to Thistletop "Really, do we have to go back there?" Taking a deep breath, the young varisian sighs as she realizes the strength of her companions reasoning "Fine, you're right of course... Thisletop then."
Accompanying the others to the temple, Mirela decides it best to see to it that her friends recover. Shaking the hands of Barek's healers, Mirela smiles broadly and sincerely "Yes, Desna be praised, we thank-you greatly."
Once the others are recovered, Mirela decides to head to marketplace to trade in her jewelry, specifically the items that Aldern had stolen. Though they were lovely pieces of silver, Mirela simply had negative feelings associated with them and decided it best to part with them.
Tunder needs no healing in particular (I don't recall him contracting ghoul fever), but he does tithe 100gp. It is wise to seek favor from the gods.