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Seeing the light from outside. Seeing the Sun shining.
Brother Butterfly smiles his patented big toothy smile. His hand moves to his moustache and he curls it repeatedly.
His thoughts of opening the healing kit and spending one or two hours bandaging and applying poultices -have totally exited his mind.
IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO SHINE!
There are masses of downtrodden on the floor below that need a spiritual leader!
both hands move to curl both sides of his mustache as all this races through his mind
Desna will be praised, but there's glory to be had.
The WATCHMEN have saved Briarstone. EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.
Taking a quick look at his appearance and not seeing any major blood stains on him.......Oh, Cats doesn't look too good. We have to look hurt but strong to those below.
He makes a couple adjustments to look both very clean, but also like he went through a well won fight to the death. Then he barks out instructions.
We need to show everyone that the threat has been vanquished! Let's get the bodies of Zandalus and Tatterman and drag them or put them on a splint. The others below will bend to our will knowing that the threat is over - their leaders dead.
*I* will make certain to calm the masses and we shall all migrate to safety.
He then looks to see that people are working. Getting ready to detect magic while they do the things that they need to be doing.
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Fearless looks on in astonishment before several more questions pop into his mind. "Does this mean Winter and York are gonna put us back in our rooms now? Surely there is no way they are just gonna let us walk outta here. Right?"
Fearless asks the much needed questions about his freedom as he searches the room and the Tatterman.
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The Mariner lets go of the longsword, cleaved halfway down the Tatterman's chest from the shoulders. Wide eyed in disbelief there was an end to the monster and collapsing back on his hind, he waits for the words of others to confirm some reality. Upon seeing the coin of golden light, he rolls over and crawls in panic to the source of the sun coming from the walls. Fearful its only an illusion, he puts his face to the crack and looks out.
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Cats ignores Brother's call to action, instead slumping into the sunshine. It's been a while since he felt the sun...and he certainly doesn't remember *ever* being in the sun...and so a good sun-sit seems like a good idea.
His sword lays behind him and he just sits, slumped, and smiling.
"This was the Catterman, right? We finally got him? No jokes, no dreams?" Cats asks, thinking that they had. "Just give me a moment or five or ten, I want to enjoy this."
Cats smiles at Brother. Then Fearless. Then Pinkie. Then Mariner.
This is good. Really good.
Cats' soul feels lighter, less burdened.
Pinkie gives Mariner a pat on the back and a nod and a smile back to Cats before he starts checking the bodys and the room again tearing down all of Zandaluss "art" as he goes.
"No need to break the routine. Check everything."
You can hear a hint of sadness in his voice Its almost like the boy doesn't want things to end.
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Though Fearless has a hard time believing that the Watchmen have won, Brother Butterfly is busy rejoicing in Desna, healing the injured, making some confused grooming choices, and planning a victory tour of Briarstone.
Meanwhile, the Mariner and Cats, both of whom suffered the most under the Tatterman's razor, take time to catch their breath and enjoy the first bit of sunlight they can remember. Peeking outside, the last of the mists are vanishing into the air over the rocky grounds of Briarstone Island. A few hundered feet away the rocks descend into the rippling surface of a large lake, and off in the distance the sun is just dawning over the the mainland across the water.
Cats feels the warmth of the sun on his face, and in his very soul. For a time he feels the burden of his guilt subside. He knows, somehow, that it will never lift completely, but that the gods of good will help him bear the load along the path of redemption.
As Pinkie goes through the room a voice in his head responds to his unspoken thoughts.
Oh, I don't think this is the end boy. I think it's just the beginning.
The hundreds of sketches here are unsettling, but if collected, could fetch a significant price.
The Tatterman's blade is magical, and he wears a magical golden ring shaped like a coiled tentacle.
Zandalus carried a magical mace and 4 potion bottles. Scattered throughout Zandalus’ mattresses are eight pouches each containing 50 gold coins, a wand, a magical elixir, a scroll of summon monster III, and a magical book titled The Chain of Nights. Among the book’s numerous elaborate medical sketches of the brain, depictions of pressure points and chakras, meditative mantras, and methods of achieving lucid dreaming are spells and arcane rituals devoted to breaching the boundaries of dreams.
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"Watchmen, as I gather the survivors toward our exodus of feeedom- what names did you want me to tell them they should appreciate? Your true names, like Kast , for example, or your Briarstone nicknames- like Fearless?
They should give us fine Saviors proper honorifics."
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Fearless sifts through the magical components as he tries to see what all he can remember. He pushes them around and holds the ring up with the tip of his silver dagger.
"A few of these are somewhat useful, though much is still a bit hazy about what it is. I need sleep after all this nonsense."
"Watchmen, as I gather the survivors toward our exodus of feeedom- what names did you want me to tell them they should appreciate? Your true names, like Kast , for example, or your Briarstone nicknames- like Fearless?
They should give us fine Saviors proper honorifics."
"I hope noone hears of us or this place again! I don't want to be coming back here fool. Let alone be immortalized with a crazy house. I ain't crazy shapeshifter. I just can't remember." Fearless taps his noggin as if to prove the point.
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Cats sits in the sun and basking in the new light. It *is* new light as Cats can't remember ever having basked in the sun before. It's also a *new* light because it feels different...it feels warmer, more deep...like it is penetrating his soul in a different way.
Cats feels the light exposing the stain on his soul...the stain that he can't recall how it got there, but he knows is there. And with the light, comes forgiveness, comes redemption, comes salvation.
He smiles up to sun, a silly gesture, but one that allows his feelings to be expressed. He knows the stain is still on his soul...but there is something else there too. It is coming through the sun's ray and making a home in his heart as well. It's not erasing the stain, but but is pushing it aside, shining light so that the stain will fade and that healing will begin.
He turns his focus inward.
Sarenrae, is that you?
My name is Kast. Nice to meet you.
* * *
* * *
Cats ignores Brother's orders and commands and dreams for a while yet. Blissfully, sitting in his own blood and taking time to explore his new self.
Eventually, he'll rise to his feet and clean off his blade. He does this in the light of the sun as he is not yet ready to leave the beams.
He will claim, at least temporarily, the war razor or the light mace if no one else wants them. They seem light enough for his use.
* * *
Cats finally returns even more consciously to the present.
"What's that, Brother? A name? Nah...I don't need a fancy name. Just my real name, 'Cats' is fine," Kast replies, knowing what he is saying is slightly wrong but that he can't put his finger on it.
Cats thinks about going below.
"Let's just be nice to people when we see them below. Some of them might have been affected deeply by Zandalus and the Catterman. They need a chance at redemption as well. Let them have a few moments of sun on their faces before we start bossing them around," Cats suggests.
"Also, don't forget that we need to explore those stairs that go down in the garden. We boarded over the spot, but there might be some danger down there."
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The priest of The Traveler reaches down and picks up the trademark symbol of clerics the world over. Then talking aloud, but mostly to himself.
Yes, this symbolism will work well to edify.
looking around, he doesn't exactly see his Watchmen doing the body hefting and physical labor needed to get the show on the road.
looking mostly at The Mariner (but eye contact to the others as well).
Don't you guys want to migrate to safety? The longer we wait, the more The Cookie Lady and Wren are in danger. We still have order to restore and people to save. Let us not WIN THE DAY and yet allow bedlam below.
He starts walking downstairs.
common guys, let's save people!
When he reaches the base - he yells in a booming preacher voice.
BB goes on as long as people stare at him and give him attention. Finally coming to the conclusion and rallying them to follow him to The Sanctuary and then towards escaping the island.
"He-hee, he hee,---Ha ha, HA HAHA HAHH! Look at that!" the Mariner peers out at the landscape and the blue waters like a man at an orgasmic peep show. "Oh I can almost smell the sea!" Still no closer than a man looking through prison bars is any closer to real freedom, the sight of the real world can make any old fool believe in it.
"Yea, let's go!" not even waiting for consensus, he grabs the Tatterman by a leg and Zandalus's head, and stampedes down the stairs after Brother. At the crowd's attention, he holds the gory-ous trophys up as proof.
The survivors in the dining hall watch in amazement as the Watchmen descend with grisly proof of their battles above. A cheer goes up when Brother Butterfly announces that Briarstone has been saved from the dream killer and his cult.
Once it’s clear that the Bag Lady, her henchmen, Zandalus, and the Tatterman himself are defeated, what remains of the Apostles in Orpiment almost immediately fall apart. Many of the former patients race onto the grounds, reveling in the return of a familiar sky and dawning sun.
Gathering Wren and the few patients and staff under his care, the Watchmen make their way through the Asylum to Winter and her survivors in the Chapel. There you are welcomed as heroes. York and Winter smile for the first time, and the friends you've made in the Chapel offer their heartfelt thanks. Even Campre shows some grudging respect. Joining the two groups is a bit tense, as some found themselves on opposite sides during the riots, but the worst offenders are gone, and York has had plenty of experience restoring order in a place prone to confusing and violent events in normal times.
And a tray of Ivory's fresh cookies doesn't hurt.
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Cats lets Brother do his thing, organizing the mobs into rabble, then the rabble into packs, then the packs into groups, then groups into sorts, and sorts into ilk, then finally putting the ilks where they belong.
He doesn't say much, or do much...save for staring at the windows and doors at the sun whenever he can.
* * *
On the next morning, Cats will kick Brother and Mariner and Pinkie and Fearless awake.
"Hey. Hey...I've been thinking. We haven't explored that under area yet. Might be some patients down there too...somecat might need us or be stuck down there. We should check it out."
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Fearless jerks awake from one of the only good nights worth of sleep e has had in a very long time. GWAAHH!" He looks around confused.
"The hell Cats. You looking for death?" The halfling stands up and stretches. "Just give me a minute to get my head straight."
Walking over to the shower room Fearless washes his face and knotted hair in the warm water.
Are we really going to be free? Only to go into the dark underground
slowly moving back to his cot Fearless takes his time and unloads his bag once again to try at the magical equipment further.
With a simple night's worth of rest Fearless is able to easily identify the remaining gear. Grabbing ahold of the bracers and places them around his wrist.
Finally finished Fearless approaches Cat's once again. "How do you expect us to even see down there? What if it is like the dark room from before?"
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Reveling from being in the Spotlight, BB's ego soars. The center of attention is his Cloud Coocooland and for a while he is the epitome of a spiritual leader (with selfish and self centered egomaniac undertows). Thankfully, the end work he does is good and he strangely pauses to give praise to Desna while also sucking the marrow of narcissism. What a juxtaposition.
Being woken up by Kast, he smiles at his first friend here.
What a day yesterday was! Hanging on the bring of disaster - and rising like a Phoenix.
"Hey. Hey...I've been thinking. We haven't explored that under area yet.
He thinks about the logistics.
If you think it wise, I can not say no to saving more people. But, I don't think we have the tools or equipment. Do we? I only have what was scavanged or taken from the enemies we've faced. You know we don't have much rope, and I've displayed that I am a terrible climber.Taking the dramatic pause and twisting his mustache into curly form from it's "bed head" flat look.
We can check it out, but I won't be able to climb down there with you. OR a second option, we can go to the mainland and purchase a magic potion to help aid us (me) in climbing and then return to this island. This second option might work best because The Watchmen should be looking for a "Count Lowls".
He picks up the book "Chain of Nights".
This "Count" is the one that started all these events. Even causing the death of Dr Losandro by giving her the book. Zandalus took it back and was using it's internal magics- which are pretty potent!
What do you think? We make our way to the mainland with the survivors and see how far it is to where this Count Lowl is. He probably has information about our pasts.
The Mariner looks up from the breakfast cookies, almost shooting them out. "You wanna do what?! LEAVE and then come back to the island to look for more horrors?!" Stuttering flabbergasted, he can barely find the words to say it all at once, "How do you know we can even get off this island? And how do we get off this island? Is Winter releasing us on good behavior and pardons? How can we be sure the rest of the world isn't tearing itself to death?"
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If you think it wise, I can not say no to saving more people. But, I don't think we have the tools or equipment. Do we? I only have what was scavanged or taken from the enemies we've faced. You know we don't have much rope, and I've displayed that I am a terrible climber.
Cats glares at Brother.
"Listen here, Brother. We got ropes...and we barely even went down there last time. Now, we're going to make sure it's all safe. I've done what you wanted a LOT...so get your stuff together. Let's go, soldier!" Cats says in a voice that he's not used to using, but he uses on Brother.
"And the rest of you as well. Let's get this done quickly and over. There can't be much there...it's probably just a basement or something and just need to be sure there are no ghouls or yellow mists or whatever down there. We have to be sure."
Cats begins to toe tap Brother and Fearless until they get moving.
* * *
When (If?) the party gets to the barricade, Cats will seek help in undoing the barrier they put up before.
After a lingering look at the view outside Cats takes command and orders the Watchmen back through the asylum to the ruins of the Morgue in the central courtyard.
After tearing down the barricade they find the chasm within the structure wider than when they left it.
After gaping at the gaping hole, too late the Mariner finally asks, "And why did you all listen to him?..." Still misty eyed from the scenic above, all he could do is grip his polearm tighter and stare at the darkness. After long while of joined silence, he pulls out a sunrod and ties a tether to his wrist. Holding the rod ahead, he expects to see a nursery of Tattertots.
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Jasper jumps to his feet without much cajoling. Kast obviously expected more resistance as he adds a couple extra beratements and glares.
"hey Campre, I'll pay you 5 gold to help me for 10 minutes. No danger involved."
Anticipating a bit of haggling, BB pays Campre the agreed upon 10 gold to help clear away the barricade and to be an anchor for his rope climbing.
contingent
"Cats, I will break my memory losing neck. Do you have that magic falling item I can use? Otherwise, I can't do what you want.
The mind is willing, but this body is weak. "
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Cats looks down to the abyss, the catbyss stares back.
"I will break my neck."
"What? No! No!" Cats looks down more, tossing a rock and waiting to see how long before it bounces. "I'm not sure we're catting down there. Are you nuts?"
Cats looks for a torch or something to light on fire and toss that down as well...breaking out his flint and tinder.
"I don't suppose any of you have any lights on you, do you?" Cats looks to set fire to something as he doesn't have any magic at his disposal to highlight how far things go.
"This is a lot bigger than it looked." Fearless let's out a sharp whistle as he looks around.
Fearless pats his pack. "Didn't find a single torch around this place." He kicks a few stones before grabbing one as Cat's did. As if on cue the stone and his fist begins to glow with the brightness of a lantern. Growing wide-eyed and fearful Fearless leaps back, dropping the stone down the hole as he falls back on his butt.
"How...How did that happen?"
Cats smiles as Fearless accidentally proves useful.
"Oh yeah, that's catfect. Let's see what we can see," Cats follows the glowing rock with his eyes. Cats will try to gauge the depth, then ask Fearless to repeat the process with another rock so he can toss it to the north, south, east, and west.
He's trying to measure how big the gap is.
After long while of joined silence, he pulls out a sunrod and ties a tether to his wrist.
"I don't even know how I did that one!" Fearless' voice squeaks. Standing up he dusts himself off and grabs another stone with jittery hands. "I'll....I'll try." Closing his eyes he concentrates on what light looks like. Feeling a small tinge in his mind the stone and his palm flicker on and off as if pulsing like a lightning bug. Opening his eyes the light stays dim and steady. "What the hell did those things do to me in here?" His voice cracks and he drops the stone down again.
Fearless' light drops down...
And down...
And eventually bounces off a the floor of the cavern at least 200 feet below.
Surprised at his newfound ability, Fearless concentrates and illuminates another stone. As he does the light below fades.
Dropping the second light reveals a similar view as it drops down into the cavern.
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Brother Butterfly was prepared to cast light on one of the rocks -- and them Fearless did his thing! Fearless copied his gig.
Startled and pleased that there may be some hidden power lurking in the broken and highly aggitated brain of Fearless.
Fearless- you may have natural talents and powers. You could be a sorcerer or have special bloodlines. We should find you someone that might be able to help you unlock your full potential. Maybe in Thrushmoor.
BB casts light on one of the rocks so that there's TWO light sources to look at the deep chasm.
Speaking to no one in particular.
There's no way I can make it down 200 feet and back up. I'm going to stick around here for moral support,but when we are done, i have to talk with Lady Winter.
As the others look down, the Mariner is looking up. Maybe it's primal or maybe it's time served in Brimstone, the cogs turn as he sees a lump of mortar drop silently away from the foundation above. Before he can say something, another one drops away. He reaches out and shakes Brother by the shoulder, "Hey Butters, you know that notion you have of coming back here to build a vacation home?..."
Knowledge Engineering DC 12: There seems to be a vast cavern beneath Briarstone that is slowly giving way. It's only a matter of time before it collapses, likely taking most of the asylum with it.
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Hearing the revelations from Mariner,
"Sssooooo.... This place is going to fully collapse in upon itself.
That means we need to get off this island.
We should do our best to have them save the books in the library, and we should try and tell the two surviving Ratlings.
"
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Cats looks surprised. He looks at Mariner, then at Brutterfly.
"We need to cattlespotting evacuate this place...as fast as we catting can!" Cats eyes widen. "We can't dawdle and cattygag. We need to get people outta here."
Cats hastens back to explain to Winter what Mariner has said, even dragging the woman to come take a look for herself.
"Don't have to tell me twice." Fearless grabs his pack and turns to leave. As he gets out to the window he looks out to the open sea. "So how do we get off this island?" He thinks for a moment. "Doesn't matter right now. Let's just get out of the building before it falls in on us all. Ain't no books worth saving in an Asylum."
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Staring at Cats a bit to show his displeasure about getting his balls busted and having to spend 10 gold on muscle.
After a few seconds, he lets his displeasure go as it was a big advantage to know about the imminent destruction of the Abbey.
He returns and tag teams with Cats in speaking with Lady Winter.
"Honorable Lady Winter. We found that the Asylum is still unsafe and an exodus to the mainland should be done asap.
We also need some help in getting to Thrushmoor. Our path to reclaiming our history and memories is to that city. It might also let us learn more about WHY everything happened here.
"
Turning to Captain York,
"Dear Captain, I have lots of respect for how you held everything and everyone together during the crisis. As the Top surviving authority, I need you to write a release for each member of The Watchmen. We don't want any legacy of Briarstone to hinder us with the authorities. "
If we have time, BB does want to get books from the library. Maps of the local area and warn the two surviving Ratlings.
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Campre looks down into the Abyss with widening eyes as the Mariner explains the danger facing Briarstone. "I need to get the f@$% out of here." He whispers, then turns to make good on his promise, not even waiting for the other half of the gold Brother Butterfly promised.
Returning to the Chapel the Watchmen find that Winter and York have not been idle. Winter has tended to the new patients healing those in need and feeding those who hunger. Most have settled in without incident and few troublemakers are no challenge for York and the guards. York took Denman for a look outside and returned with news that the island's docks survived along with a small boat. Neither claims any real authority over the patients, and York explains that the only records of their time at Briarstone was held by Doctor Losandro, who did not report new patients to any national authority. With news that the Asylum stands on a crumbling foundation they agree that the place must be abandoned.
Preparations are made to ferry the survivors across the lake to Thrushmoor, a feat that will take more than a few crossings in the small boat tied up at the docks. York and Winter insist that the Watchmen be the first to make the trip to Thrushmoor on the argument that should trouble wait in town they have proven themselves the most capable of handling it.
Though they have their files from Doctor Losandro, the names associated with them may as well belong to strangers. The world outside Briarstone is familiar to them, but it's as if the knowledge they have of it comes secondhand. They know the lake, and they know that the town of Thrushmoor lies across the water, and that Thrushmoor is a city in the country of Ustalav, however they cannot recall having ever been anywhere other than Briarstone.
For anyone that takes the time, a map of Ustalav is easily found in Briarstone's library, and Winter arranges for patients to help rescue as many books as possible.
***
Clues have been found that have begun to explain how the Watchmen arrived in Briarstone, such as the name of Baron Lowls, the man who may be able to unravel the mystery further. But it is Winter who provides a surprising link to their history with the Baron.
As the Watchmen arrive at the dock to board the boat for Thrushmoor, Winter gestures them aside to speak with her in private. On a rocky precipice overlooking the dock she explains the true reason she was sent to Briarstone.
"When I told you that I was sent here to investigate odd happenings connected to Thrushmoor, I did not tell you everything, and when I explain I hope you will understand why."
"The Royal Accusers came to Thrushmoor under the pretense of investigating Count Haserton Lowls for tax embezzlement, but I have no doubt something else had drawn their attention. Something sinister. Perhaps that is why Accuser Omari recruited me, for truth be told I don't know the first thing about noble tax accounting."
"What I do know is that upon arriving in Thrushmoor, Accuser Omari left to keep some private appointment with a local contact in an investigative company called the Sleepless Agency. I don't know what she learned from them, but when Omari returned she assigned me to track down a specific lead here at Briarstone - six dangerous people who were, until very recently, in the service of Haserton Lowls. Four men, a halfling, and a boy."
The Mariner gasps at Winter's statement; somewhat from the knowledge being hidden, mostly that he and the others had some destiny larger than just the looney bin.
Cats helps get everyone out and everyone to shore and even does a final sweep of the premises to make sure no one is left behind (or at least they are accounted for where they are).
He is anxious about leaving the non-asylum asylum for the 'first' time in memory and going to down. Since he can't remember ever being in a town, it fills him with a mixture of anxiety and dread and excitement. By staying busy, he avoids thinking about it too much.
On the outside, there might also be someone who knows what he did...and that fills him with dread. Because the Catterman knows he did it. He knows he did it. Even if he doesn't know what it was.
* * *
Cats listens to Lady Winter with a determined look on his face, as if he is taking orders. He nods silently and listens attentively even though he really doesn't understand it all.
"So...you...we should investigate the Sleepless Agency. And probably make our way to see Haserton Lowls if we want answers, huh cat?"
Cats looks around.
"Have we met the Catcuser Omari? We've seen so many faces, I don't recall. Who is he besides an 'catcuser', whatever that means."
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Hearing the revelation from Lady Winter, Brother Butterfly has a perplexed look on his face. Quizzically, he states
So I am supposed to be a bad guy?
He takes stock of his emotional bank account, his spiritual ledger, and while he knows he had offended his Goddess greatly. He tries to get a grasp of how his heart could have made decisions to make him "dangerous".
A small sliver knows that it's possible.
But, he's a faker. He's a good faker.
With the look of innocence and a guilded heart, he blankly replies.
That sounds impossible knowing the Watchmen that saved so many lives and defeated such vile evil these past few day. I'm glad you didn't kill us outright when we met your description at the Sanctuary barricade. Thank you for giving us the chance to prove ourselves and our true colors.
*****
At some point- to Cats: Cats, can I please get the headband back? I need to ask some questions of Desna.
Fearless feels strange as he exits the boat. As far as he could tell this was his first timeout of the Asylum and he generally had no idea what to do. The world was a much bigger place than his mind had even anticipated which gave him a bit of anxiety.
Winter snaps his mind back to reality. "You just tell us this now?" He grows angry. "So we aren't crazy. Someone actually is out to get us?"
"Catband? What catband?" Cats asks, forgetting he is wearing the phylactery. When that is pointed out, he hands it back to Brother.
"I don't need that back. I forgot I ever had it on. Not sure it does anything. Might be broken. Probably is. I didn't cat a thing all the time I was wearing it."
Cats will gather all his gear and be ready to head to the mainland.
As pinkie arrives at the docks he is a bit apprehensive but once he hears Winters story it begins to fade somewhat as he realizes his fate is still intertwined with the rest of the watchmen.
Yes it makes me happy.....what do you mean dis-functional....well your gonna have to get over it"
he places a hand on the halflings shoulder and whispers.
"Don't worry little guy We wont let anything get ya"
"Don't worry little guy We wont let anything get ya"
Fearless mind wanders back to a pair of known points that he small mind can seem to remember. First is his dream that the Tatterman played on him. He remembers the entire group coming at him, trying to kill him. Second is Brother Butterfly's painting that is in his pack, adding a constant reminder to truly trust no one. Of course it will all take further studying and he will have to stick with this group just a bit longer. The world is a mighty big place. There is no way to go wandering it along. Plus he still had to figure out his past. There was a lead at least.
"Lowls... Let's go find this Lowls." Fearless grabs his pack and makes way for Thrushmoor.
"Lowls... Let's go find this Lowls."
Cats stops Fearless for a moment.
"Maybe we don't rush to Lowls. Maybe we enjoy our freedom in town for a few days before rushing anyplace. I can't remember the last time I was in a town. And I'll be a free man. Might even cat around and go shopping too. We have lots of things to cat through," Cats makes motion to all the gear and loot they have to sell.
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So, Somehow we are Bad Guys. But Yet Not Bad Guys. I can just picture us on the boat.
Bad Guys meeting together to plan their arrival at Thrushmoor.
Our little meeting on the boat
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Chapter 2 - The Thrushmoor Terror
Though Cats intends to be the last madman out, Winter expressed deep concern for what might await the survivors in Thrushmoor, and she insists that the Watchmen be on the first boat to town with a handful of the more stable patients and make sure they get to New Chapel, Pharasma's place of worship in town.
Shortly after setting out in the boat the passengers discover that the break in the weather after the Tatterman's defeat was only temporary. Deep gray clouds soon roll in like a low ceiling in a dark room and driving rain soaks the passengers through as their small boat crosses the water. The wind and rain make for choppy conditions on the water and limit visibility even during the day. Many survivors crouch low, fearful of the clouds above, but the Mariner knows that the weather is natural to this region, and somewhat mild compared to a true storm. His eyes used to such conditions, he guides the boat with an expert hand on the rudder, and the aid of York and Denman on ropes for the boat's single sail.
Hunkered down at the bow, clutching the stringless viola under his cloak to shield it against the elements, Loic passes the time recounting the history of Thrushmoor for the benefit of those who don't know it well. Much of it is eerily familiar to the Watchmen, though none can recall ever setting foot there.
"Currently, Thrushmoor is the seat of power of the Ustalavic county of Versex and home to the region’s ruling family, headed by Count Haserton Lowls IV. It is primarily a fishing town, as the temperate climate and fecund waters of Avalon Bay provide the anglers with profitable activity all year long. The boats stop moving only for the few days on which the surface of the lake freezes, and even then, the tranquil inlet of the port provides an ideal spot for ice fishing."
"Originally established by Kellid wanderers, a settlement has existed in some form at the mouth of the Danver River for nearly 7 centuries. Early settlers found a bounty of clean water and abundant fishing here, though many felt that the area was cursed. It seemed that even though the people had everything they needed to survive, danger lurked behind every shadow and something always seemed to go wrong with their efforts to tame the land."
"Then, shortly after the first Ustalavs began building their homes on the river delta, a stranger came to them. An able spellcaster, she claimed to know of strange gods and had a wealth of knowledge, though much of this was lost on the simple fisherfolk. Some believe she erected the Star Stelae of Thrushmoor, but stories of them predate her. The stranger eventually gained the trust of these people and shared her magical talents with them. Awed by her mystical abilities, the people began asking about the source of her power, and she responded by teaching them of the Old Gods she revered."
"One day a red-cloaked inquisitor of Pharasma came investigating reports of strange practices and sacrifices. What he found was worse than expected."
"The inquisitor named the stranger the Briarstone Witch, accused her followers of blasphemy, and threatened to shatter her fledgling congregation. But the Witch was not intimidated. She drove out the inquisitor and cut ties not just with Pharasma’s church, but with Ustalav’s capital, Caliphas, altogether."
"Records claim that the Thrushmoor Vanishing occurred on the night before the Band of White, a mercenary company overseen by one of Ustalav’s infamous Royal Accusers, planned to attack and subdue the rebel town. As the rest of the faithful burned high, their smoke lifting sacrifices of blood and worse, the Briarstone Witch stood and called out to the Old Gods."
"The next morning, the Band of White found Thrushmoor empty. Only a few gory spatters suggested what the ancient magic had wrought. The village’s structures, though, were untouched. Not a single survivor was found."
"Some whisper that the Old Cults somehow survived the Thrushmoor Vanishing, and that the Briarstone Witch still lives, spreading her religion in secret to those that called upon her or pray at the Star Stelae. Lucy says that her Cult summoned something from beyond that consumed them, and it now lurks in the nearby waters - a legend that has become known as the Watcher in the Bay."
A sudden gust of wind pulls at the sails and Denman squeals in fright, but York steadied him with a chuckle. "Enough Loic. You're going to cause this boy to wet himself, and I don't want to bail more water then necessary from this boat." The other survivors chuckle along, bolstered by the the man's steady nerves.
As the small boat draws near Thrushmoor, Denman points to the shore. "Look there! I see lights glowing in the town’s windows. That's a good sign, right?"
Some of the survivors issue audible sighs of relief, glad that Loic's Watcher didn't rise from the deep, and hoping to believe that they will soon be safe and secure on the mainland...
No one could have predicted the terror that awaited in Thrushmoor.
***