The Mariner trudges up the hill, "This might give a good view of the city. Other than that, why are we going to see this enormous phallus that a witch put there at the top?"
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As they get to the top of the hill Pinkie says "A witch may have put it here but I seen a one eyed man with that symbol on his hat.......yes i did .....no it wasn't a dream.......well my marble showed it to me.......yes it can you just have to know how to use it.......OH I didn't think of that.......That would not be good.....Yea he probably does if its his.
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Brother looks at the monument and tried to better understand it's relevance and impact-geographical and planar.
"To answer your question Mariner, we are here to see if these things can provide clues. We will want to go to the other one and compare/contrast the differences. "
He looks at there the other one is and tried to look in to see if there is something of interest along the line that the two points make.
"can I ask one of you to climb up this thing and make a charcoal rub of the glyphs? I might be able to use some of Desna's help and translate these to words we understand. "
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"To answer your question Mariner, we are here to see if these things can provide clues. We will want to go to the other one and compare/contrast the differences. "
Cats looks at the giant phallus and then turns his attention away from Brother Butterfly and to the Star Stelae. Then back to Butterfly.
"What mystery do you think we're trying to solve? Man, we know we got there from Lowls? What does the witch have to do with this?"
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Still working on evaluating the Star Stelae he answers Kast's question.
Well Kast, Fearless mentioned "Sorry, either sleep or something is playing tricks on me. Had another dream last night...
We all know better than to discount dreams. Fearless also mentioned that someone was speaking to him. To "BRING" a male to this place.
Working out the clues thus far.
Fearless - are you CERTAIN it's a male that we need to bring here?
If it's a male, we then need to discern WHO that person is. My first person of interest is the one eyed Hat wearer that Pinkie and his relatives viewed.
I don't want this other item to be lost in the shuffle, but we really do need to track down the old owner of the book store (booklayer?). We need to learn what books The Count ordered. Maybe This book - The Chain of Nights - might be just one of 3 or 4 other equally important books. Kast - You need to ask your girlfriend at the Inn where to find the owner.
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I am looking to see if the symbols are magical and what school.
Tomorrow, I plan on memorizing Comprehend Languages. Reading the rubbings should give me more understanding, I read the spell and think it'll work well for this situation. Can I make a "religion roll" to see if I need to do anything else to prepare for tomorrow's spell? Or, how long will it take to forget a current spell and pray for Comprehend Languages instead?
"Maybe it's mail they want. A pen pal."
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"What about you, Fearless? What did you cat?"
Fearless remains oblivious to Kast's true true name as he shows his own crossbow. "Mine's a lightwood crossbow." He says with a smile, mocking Cats.
***
Looking all around the town Fearless twitches with each new engagement, not quite trusting any of them. Hells he barely trusts the people he is with little more than those of the town. They have proven their trust time and time again, but also their resolve for his slow and painful death. Betrayal never comes from strangers.
As they reach the weird phallus Fearless turns to Brother Butterfly's question. "It just say bring him.I am not one to assume genders and these days it is harder to tell so more than usual what I am referring to so no I am not sure. I am just as confused as you are."
Fearless grasps the paper and charcoal and makes to climb the phallus.
Fearless climbs and begins to make some charcoal imprints. The charcoal bumps in his hand as he pins the paper down flat. All alone he speaks to himself. "Who did you want me to bring here?"
Brother Butterfly detects faint magic upon the Star Stelae, but cannot determine anything else about the strange object.
Fearless begins to scale the menhir, but a powerful feeling passes through him when he touches the surface. Suddenly he is bombarded with strange images and distant whispers.
Fearless' mind is wracked with images. "Was it me I was supposed to bring?" he listens closely to the whispers in his fractured but whole mind.
Try as he might Fearless is unable to make sense of what he sees and hears from the Star Stelae.
"Humping it ain't gonna help" the Mariner circles the menhir to the rune side as the others play with the thing. "Well it's a star...", touching the stone.
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"Mine's a lightwood crossbow." He says with a smile, mocking Cats.
Cats whistles, impressed.
"Catwood, huh? Oh yeah, that's nice. Totes."
* * *
"Climb s~@@?" Cats looks up at the Stelae and shrugs. "Sure, why cat?" He slings Salvation's Sting over his shoulder and looks for handholds by which to climb up and, hopefully, to not desecrate the moment.
Climb
Climb
Nothing unusual happens to Cats or the Mariner when they lay hands on the Star Stelae. Both try, yet fail, to find a good grip on the stone and end up sliding down the stone and landing unceremoniously in the grass. Luckily the Star Stelae is not tall enough for the landing to be more than embarrassing.
Cats gets an idea, asking Mariner to stand close to the Stelae while Cats uses the big man's shoulders to try to get a better grip...he tries one more time to climb.
Climb
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Standing on the Mariner's shoulders gets Cats into a position to use Brother Butterfly's art supplies to make a running of the markings and the star at the top.
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Cats rubs one out, then climbs down when he's done.
"Here you cat, Brother," Cats hands Brutterfly his rubbing. "If there is nothing else, we should go see about who else we need to apologize to."
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"Thank you very much Kast. I think these symbols have deeper meaning and hope Desna will allow us to translate tomorrow.
"
Brother would like to go to the other Star Stelae, but is fine with any detour . He can't use the spell until tomorrow.
"Pinkie, Mariner, and Fearless - any places you want to go to?"
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Fearless is ticked from his deep thoughts by Brother Butterfly calling his name. "What? " He wasn't quite sure how to explain what happened to him just yet. "How many of these did you say we're around town?" He jerks his thumb back at the Star Stelae. Not quite wanting to tell the others just yet of his strange visions. Last time he did he was clubbed to death.
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"There is a second one of these. Let me check the map of the city. It looks close by. On that hilltop there "
BB points to the other hill.
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Fearless looks at the map, turning he takes off at a run towards the second Star Stelae.
Why does it want me to bring myself to these thing?
Fearless leads the way down from the hill and southwest through town toward the second menhir. Passing by the Builder's Hall and through the Fish Market the group passes over a bridge to the rocky islet that shelters some of Thrushmoor's fishing piers. As the group begins to hike up the hill, Pinkie notices a young man leading a wagon of fish on the road nearby offer a friendly wave to him.
"Hey Devon! Where have you been?"
Cats looks at Pinkie, then the friendly man and is confused.
"Wait, what? I thought we were all a*!~+!@s? Is Pinkie a good cat?" Cats looks at Pinkie and waits to see the reaction before he starts asking questions.
Mariner mutters as the man approaches, "Must be a mistake"
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Upon hearing his "real name" Pinkie blinks in astonishment momentarily dazed before deciding that a mostly honest answer might be his best course.
"Oh not much just got Bashed on the head and taken off to the loony bin. Not that it seems anyone has been looking for me But thanks for asking. How have you been. Have I missed anything?"
"Right prolly shouldn't tell anyone about the loony bin."
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"i don't think its a mistake. From the stories we are piecing together, Pinkie wasn't part of the original crew. Maybe it was his young age, but he was probably brought in at the last minute, or his involvement was more collateral damage. Pinkie's not a bastard jerk like the rest of us were. "
Seeing the small legs of Fearless take him quickly to the other hill.
"Look at that little guy go. It's like he has the gift of The Traveler."
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"Oh... wow." The man stumbles over an appropriate response. He seems a little intimidated by the other Watchmen standing nearby, and a lot intimidated by the Mariner. Pulling Pinkie a little aside he speaks in a concerned voice. "Ol’ Meb said that your Uncle Evan shipped you off to Briarstone Asylum, but I didn't believe it. I mean, he’s always making up stories about folks. I just figured you'd left town with the count. Are you still working for him? I heard he hired some new people at Iris Hill. Some of them are pretty creepy; certainly not from around here. Seems like a lot of strangers in town lately now that I think of it."
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Hearing the name of Count Lowl's home-Iris Hill- Brother Butterfly makes a face.
""Iris Hill. That is probably the last place we want to go. That is a brawl and fight if I ever heard one. If Count Lowl hired some goons, they are certainly bad news. We'd better find out what their "specialties" are before attracting their attention. "
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"Uncle Evan still around? And just what did they say I was doing for the Count?"
He leans in closer
"Lots of rumors going around. I need to know what you heard.
Glancing back at the rest of the watchmen he adds "Oh don't mind this lot they may look well scary but they the good guys. Mostly."
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Fearless bounces from foot to foot as the conversation takes place. He almost seems like he is ready to bolt at any second as he is eager to get to the second stone, but doesn't want to take this opportunity from Pinkie to find out a bit more about his past, but simply remains looking like a child that ate too much candy.
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"Uhhhh..." The man stares at the Mariner like he's an escaped patient from the Ward of Wicked. Then he glances at Cats and visibly recoils in sudden recognition and fear. Pulling Pinkie a little further away and lowering his voice. "Isn't he the man who caught you..." He makes a motion with his hand, pulling at his pocket. "Look, I don't know what you did for the count, and I'm starting to think it's better that way." He frowns and looks Pinkie up and down, eyebrows arching when he notices the hilt of Red Destiny. "Hey, you're acting sort of strange. Are you sure you're ok? Why are you asking about Evan? I haven't seen him since the last time I saw you over near pier 19. Odd thing, because everyone has avoided that place since that creature melted Jano, Mernil, and Keyrn a few years ago."
Cats looks confused and approaches slowly.
"Hey buddy...uhm...I don't recall what I did, but I'm sorry for what I did. I wasn't 'right' last time you met me. I'm a new cat, turned over the leaf to Sarenrae. Can you find your way to forgive me?" Cats asks tentatively.
Diplomacy
Cats waits to see how his words are taken. If the man is willing to listen, he'll follow up.
"Can you tell me what I did or who I was when I was here? Because I don't remember...but I know that I want to make things cat. Can you help me? Tell me? Tell us what you remember?"
The man flinches when Cats goes all Briarstone on him, but the earnestness in his pleas prevents a full retreat. "You didn't do anything to me. I don't really know you. Or the others. I didn't even recognize you at first without the beard. All I know is that you were the count's men, and one day Devon here was caught with a purse you claimed was yours. You dragged him off, but he was soon back in town running errands for the count. I guess he let him off easy, because you had threatened to cut off his fingers..." As he points to Pinkie's maimed hand he gasps.
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Fearless can't help but laugh and stifles it quickly. "Maybe Cats bit it off...pffft." He chuckles. "...Cat got your tongue..."
The halfling stops laughing for a moment as he sees noone else laughing and looks to Pinkie's friends horrified look. Tossing his hands into the air he yells
Building on Cats' questioning, "And who are you? And what about the creature? Most importantly, did it have wings?"
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Hearing that it was CATS who actually chopped off the finger of the nimble wielder of Red Destiny, BB gives a "well, you owe him some redemption" look to Cats.
Brother sees that the questioning of this gentleman is getting to the point of driving him off. Devon's friend, we thank you for your time and information. We are glad to have heard all that you have told us.
Please know that we "used" to work for Count Lowls and are now trying to turn over a new leaf. All of us here want to be pillars for the community. Do right by the people, and make them proud of this town.
I have an idea I have been toying with. We, as a group would like to sponsor a Fishing Tournament. Being a great fishing town, do you think that would resonate with the townsfolk? A Fishing Tourney Festival?
Would it resonate with you and your friends?
Looking at Devon and signaling - Devon, you should invite your friend to dinner, our treat. He might be more comfortable sharing stories about you after work with a pint in his hand and some spiced potatoes.
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Cats looks in horror at Pinkie's fingers...or lack thereof.
"I didn't do that, did I? Was it me? Pinkie, was it me who did cat to you? Was it?" Cats seems about to cry. "I didn't do that...I couldn't have. I wouldn't harm a cat. I wouldn't!"
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Pinkie holds up his hand and stares past it at Cats with one eyebrow raised. "Well I guess it was half my fault for getting caught"
He then slips his hand into his pocket and begins to chuckle.
"You took my finger but it seems I got someones eye."
Turning his attention back to his "friend".
"Brother B is right maybe you can join us for dinner. We are staying at the inn. We have some things we would like to do in town for a while and can meet up with you there later.
Addressing the group he says
"I'm going to have a look at pier 19.......Stop calling me Boy I got a name......I'll speak to him anyway I please......Devon died when he was sent to Briarstone by his UNCLE."
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Cats shakes his head.
"No, cat. No," Cats replies to Pinkie, still aghast. "It's not okay and it's not right. I'm sorry, Pinkie. You know...you know that wasn't me. But that doesn't excuse it. I'm sorry. I hope...I hope you'll find a way to forgive me."
Cats looks pleading at Pinkie.
"I know that we've shared a crazy experience and something's not right yet. But even so, I'm sorry if it was me who hurt you."
"Maybe give him a bit of the gold like the innkeeper. Seemed to cheer her right up." Fearless nudges Cats, instigating the situation a small bit as he wants to see how this strange man reacts.
For how scared these people seemed of us, they sure do seem to be approaching us often. They are up to something. He thinks to himself.
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Pinkie flexes his hand and looks to Cats thoughtfully
"Seems to me that guys dead also and Sarenrae has raised a new cat in his old body named Cats. Might as well say we all died at that place and came back as something else. I'm sure we gonna find out bad things about us all."
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Cats looks down at his bow, his eyes misting up.
"Yeah, yeah. You're cat, Pinkie. There is a new cat in town," Cats says, blinking back tears, feeling the weight of forgiveness upon him. "You got that right. I'll do my best, everyday, Pinkie to never be that person ever again. We're new. I'm new. I'm a new cat."
Cats sniffs and blows his nose on his tunic.
"Bro hug?" Cats offers Pinkie.
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Sometimes the kid even surprises the old man, his words catches the Mariner's attention. He had felt truly out of his skin ever since seeing the painting. He didn't have amends to make, cared little about debts, even less about those who wronged him (for now). Truly just felt - nothing. He had a vague sensation of something in control, but can't put a final name to it in his head - alien, immortal, godlike, ageless, but grander, like a primal source. And for that sensation, he felt no sense of self, or even the need for it. Recanting Pinkie's word in his head, We all died in that place and came back as something else. A new person in the old body. He blurts out what sounds like a question that urges a confirming answer, "Reincarnation - Reborn." That made the Mariner feel for the moment, he'd take this new perspective to task, Test out this fresh soul, see how it sails.
"Yeah, I like that", he says in earnest and throws both arms around Pinkie and Cats' shoulders in a crushing embrace, "Bring it in."