"Hold, good friends," Hermia calls, loudly, and spares an apologetic glance at Brett. "I sense no evil from this creature, and it appears it has no intent to attack Alaric," she explains for Brett's benefit.
"Alaric, my magics will allow me to understand if this creature is attempting to communicate with us, but I will not be able to communicate back."
Hermia ceases concentrating on Detect Evil, and prepares to cast Comprehend Languages.
The creature is not being agressive, so much as acting extremely scared, frightened really. You see, on closer inspection, that his hand is smashed up, the webbing ripped to shreds, and the thin membrane for his fingers are damaged badly.
Further, he holds no weapon. When he hears your words, he croaks out in broken common...
"Truce! Truce!"and waves his hands about.
"Hold, good friends," Hermia calls, loudly, and spares an apologetic glance at Brett. "I sense no evil from this creature, and it appears it has no intent to attack Alaric," she explains for Brett's benefit.
"Alaric, my magics will allow me to understand if this creature is attempting to communicate with us, but I will not be able to communicate back."
Brett gives you a nod, but keeps his eye trained, and his weapon ready. Clearly, he will not fire, but he is also keeping his weapon on the creature, ready if it DOES leap, but takes Hermia's advice and holds fire, until it does something overt.
Seeing that the creature is injured, Hermia looks to Brett. "May I go to him, Master Brett?" she asks politely. "His touch is poison, but I can heal him from a distance."
"Me be... Garuum... no fight... no fight..."he adds, waving his hands.
Alaric nods back at the Boggard and responds Truce. No fight. I am Alaric.
Seeing that the creature is injured, Hermia looks to Brett. "May I go to him, Master Brett?" she asks politely. "His touch is poison, but I can heal him from a distance."
"Nay harm lass, just be careful, could be a trap or some such... but let him hear ye're comming. He may jump or do something on ye, by accident even, if ye surprise him... I'll keep me weapon ready, though, if he tries anything dodgy..."
Ariarh watches the injured creature and hears his words proclaiming a truce.
"Hello, Garuum. No fight. Truce. My name is Ariarh and this is Dior (gesturing to her griffon who is staring at the boggard)."
Hermia smiles at Brett brightly. "Your advice is invaluable. I thought only to help the creature. I am sure that if I try I can make quite a bit of noise, hmm?" she jests, and begins moving towards the creature.
Hermia's natural movement has no more grace than most. While she does not stomp, she does not make any effort to mask her approach. When she gets within sight of the creature she begins speaking to it as well.
"Kind, friend. You hurt, I heal," she calls.
The boggard looks suddenly very releaved. Clearly fighting a group of well armed creatures that are surrounding him is something that is not too his taste.
He flings himself on the ground, and stares up at Alaric and Ariarh, looking them with his bulging eyes.
"Me Garum. Men came; men killed Ubagub. Ubagub dead, men be cruel. Want no fight, want no harm. Want only peace. Just be alone,"he adds the last, almost forlornly.
Despite his grotesque appearence, there is something very sad about this creature, and you feel a sense of pity for it, despite what rumors of it you've heard.
You don't need to be afraid with us. We won't hurt you. Who were these men that killed Ubagub?
"I'm sorry Ubagub's dead. No fight. No Harm. No cruel. Peace."
Ariarh kept her voice gentle and even, watching the sad creature before her and Alaric.
"When cruel men come?"
You don't need to be afraid with us. We won't hurt you. Who were these men that killed Ubagub?
"Bad men... wicked men... men with bright eyes and wicked, cruel steel. They hurts us... and kills pore Ubagub. Do this some nights ago... Two nights, maybe... two or more... but two at most, or least? No count well,"he ends lamely.
The creature responds, and summons you forward into its hut. Inside the hut you see a rotting corpse, the corpse looks like some sort of dead animal, largish, but you cannot tell what it is, as it has become so decayed that all you recognize is maggots and flies crawling in and through it.
You stiffle your gag reflex, and take a cursory glance around the room. It is empty, except for bits of oddments and garbage that are not uncommon in such a place. Broken pots and jars filled with dead vermin, that the creature will occasionally pop into his mouth, and other bits of string and junk.
Brett waits outside the door. He's listening, but keeping an eye on things. So far, Smendor and Gan still seem to be with the horses.
Hermia smiles at Brett brightly. "Your advice is invaluable. I thought only to help the creature. I am sure that if I try I can make quite a bit of noise, hmm?" she jests, and begins moving towards the creature.
Hermia's natural movement has no more grace than most. While she does not stomp, she does not make any effort to mask her approach. When she gets within sight of the creature she begins speaking to it as well.
"Kind, friend. You hurt, I heal," she calls.
The boggard doesn't respond directly, but he does lead you toward his hut, and has you come inside to talk. He doesn't turn down your healing, but doesn't seem to be interested. Not because he isn't in pain, but because you sense he doesn't comprehend your power for him.
Hermia will Channel to heal the ailing boggard, damage. She then will then study the corpse of the other animal to determine what it is study it to see what manner of weapon or attack felled the beast, if it were scorched by some manner of magics, or just attacked with melee. She will spend several rounds doing this, leaving Alaric and Ariarh free to do the face work.
She is confident that Master Brett has their security covered.
Seeing that no real danger has presented itself. Smendor will move up and ask Brett from distance, Should I move the horses up or simply guard them?
Seeing that no real danger has presented itself. Smendor will move up and ask Brett from distance, Should I move the horses up or simply guard them?
"Keep 'em near, I'd guess... but this place stinks of rot. Best not let the horses stray too close to it, else they may catch ill and grow sick."
He is letting the others handle the "interogation" of the creature; currently he is making a wide circle of the area, searching to see the swamps and wetland, and making sure there is nothing about.
It is about an hour or so till sunset, at this time, though. And there is no moon, and you are in a place heavily criss-crossed with rivers and low-lying waters. Travel at night will be dangerous, to say the least.
Hermia will Channel to heal the ailing boggard, 1d6 damage. She then will then study the corpse of the other animal to determine what it is study it to see what manner of weapon or attack felled the beast, if it were scorched by some manner of magics, or just attacked with melee. She will spend several rounds doing this, leaving Alaric and Ariarh free to do the face work.
She is confident that Master Brett has their security covered.
When you cast your spell the boggard will let out a croak and a gasp, and run from you and hide in his hovel under a pile of refuse. He is letting out pitiful moans and grunts from under his hiding for a moment, then, slowly, moves out, and flexes his hand somewhat.
You see that fear is gradually giving way to awe for him, and you can also see the mottled purple infections on his hand have healed somewhat. The webbing is still torn and shredded, and the thin bones of his hand are still pulped, but it seems that swelling is down somewhat and the color looks more... healthy, though it is somewhat difficult to tell given his natural color.
As for your knowledge check, this is a difficult thing. First off, his state of decomposition is so bad, you can barely make out what type of creature it is. The maggot ridden body creature stinks of rot and disease. You cover your mouth with your sleeve, as the smell is near overpowering, but you are not sure what it is. Clearly, though, it does not look like a humanoid, but some kind of animal.
Curious reaction Hermia ponders, noticing the boggard's reaction to her channeling. Very few individuals she was aware of had the ability to do the same. She thought it highly likely that some manner of dark priest had attacked this creature.
"Pardon friends, but I do not believe that it is advisable to remain in this building much longer," Hermia suggests to Alaric and Ariarh, her voice hard as she is almost reeling from the stench of the corpse.
Hermia stands and looks to the boggard. "I fix hand, heal hurt, outside," she says to him. "No harm. Friend."
The boggard looks at Hermia with both awe and suspicion... He prostrates himself before her several times, then moves up quickly and follows you all outside.
The stink is bad outside here, but at least the fresh air and wind rising from the boggy water is somewhat... better?
He looks at Hermia mainly, and somewhat suspiciously.
"Garum come... He obey... very obey... masterrr..."he says the last word with a hiss. His words comming somewhat eerily, but you detect no evil from him... rather an unwholesome sense of fascination from him regarding your powers.
You are all glad to be on the earth in front of the hut, even as Brett comes around the corner from the north west.
"Don't be seeing naught out there, except some snakes in the water... poisonous, I think... so be careful on it. Anyone check out the other building yet?"he adds.
Hermia's eyes widen at the boggard's perception of her as something greater than human. She recalls that the boggard tradition of priest rulers and inclines her head in a nod. She speaks to Alaric and Ariarh. "It is best if I do not channel near him any further, lest he confuse my station among you, and for himself," she says. "The last thing I wish to be confused for is some manner of divine ruler."
Hermia turns and regards Brett. "My eyes are not so very sharp, but if you do not object, I will accompany you. It is imperative we find dry shelter tonight, and I would like to study a culture of the water before we allow any of the horses to drink from it."
Hermia, you and Brett move slowly toward the other stone building. Before you move toward it, Hermia, you are free to examine the water. Looking down into water you see a thick sludge in it. It is muddy and thick, and scum rampant on it. Without even a close examination, you would not allow your horses to drink from the foul water.
You consider creating water for the horses to drink from. Yet there is no basin that you can find to fill with the water. Perhaps you will find it in the other building.
The room is dark and foul smelling as well. As you enter, you see what looks like movement in the eaves. Hermia, you cast Light with a brief gesture, and step back in horror.
Hanging from the rafters is a series of bodies dangling from their necks by nooses. Flies are infesting them, and they are foul and stench filled. You can see they are bloated and gray, they look like they have been hanging for a long time.
All of them are human, and their tongues are hanging from their cracked and torn lips, worn with age and agony. Besides the hanging, they look like they have died badly.
”Gods above…”Brett mutters even as he stands in front of the doorway, staring at them with horror and shock. He turns to Hermia, and looks to see what her reaction is.
Hermia touches her lips, and holds back the desire to wretch. "Garum's hand was broken, and if... If he had done this, I believe they would show signs of poison. I believe that we have stumbled across something exceedingly foul," Hermia replies calmly.
"I do not believe that these fellows will cause any further harm to me. I will remain in place, but if you would, could you kindly fetch Smendor to attend this work? I think that you will know the best way to deliver this sad discovery to our companions."
After a moment of reflection, Hermia corrects herself. "Might you summon Gan, instead? I have need of his stature and strength to pull these men down so that I can examine them more thoroughly. But, please do bring Master Smendor as well. And thank you."
Brett backs slowly out of the room, horror on his face. You cannot tell what is bothering him more; the presence of the corpses, or the calm with which you compose yourself.
So different that what he is used to... clearly the journey to the beyond has effected you profoundly.
But he listens to your words, saying nothing, and silently moves out. You can hear him outside the building, calilng out to Gan and Smendor, letting them know what you have found.
Hermia does as she told Master Brett she would, and stays in place. She suspects that someone wanted these men to be found, else they would not have been put on display in such a fashion. If it were something mundane, like murdering bandits, as the group has done before, they likely would have been left where they fell. She does not approach the bodies until Brett returns and sees if they have been trapped in any way.
Hermia will however, step back carefully, block the entrance and cast Detect Magic, and concentrate to determine if there is any type of aura on them, specifically for a magical trap.
If there is an aura
Spellcraft , and Knowledge (Arcana) .
If no aura, she will try to recall if there is any evil sort of ritual that requires hanging corpses.
Knowledge (Religion)
Hermia does as she told Master Brett she would, and stays in place. She suspects that someone wanted these men to be found, else they would not have been put on display in such a fashion. If it were something mundane, like murdering bandits, as the group has done before, they likely would have been left where they fell. She does not approach the bodies until Brett returns and sees if they have been trapped in any way.
Hermia will however, step back carefully, block the entrance and cast Detect Magic, and concentrate to determine if there is any type of aura on them, specifically for a magical trap.
If there is an aura
Spellcraft 1d20+6, and Knowledge (Arcana) 1d20+7.
If no aura, she will try to recall if there is any evil sort of ritual that requires hanging corpses.
Knowledge (Religion) 1d20+6
Smendor makes his way over to the stone building to address the seen he has been told about. Knowing what is in the room Smendor will place a large face size length of cloth around the lower part of his face to cut the smell.
"This be a bad thing to see", standing back at the door as he moves into the room. "I have seen other creatures do such things, and to see this hear is a dark day."
Smendor will inspect the volume of wood inside the room, "This place will not be the home of anyone. It must be given back to the wilds so it can be cleansed of this taint. I wish not say these words, but we should stack the building with lumber from the surrounding area and burn what is left of the place into nothingness. Their flesh is has gone to a point we really cannot move them.
Smedor takes a time of silence.
Please give each of them last rights, and I will get started finding lumber.
Garum? Did the bad men that came before do this? Alaric asks, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it anyway.
There is plenty of lumber here; or at least lots of loose kindling in the form of rotted wood laying about.
Bot of you are free to make a Knowledge: Nature check, either Smendor or Hermia at this point.
Smendor, you are free to make a Knowledge: Engineering check as well.
Brett has moved to Alaric, Gan, and Ariarh, and informed them of what they found directly.
Garum? Did the bad men that came before do this? Alaric asks, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it anyway.
"Men do that to men. Men kill men, hang them. Men kill men, yes."
Garum seems to want to be more helpful, but it seems like there is a language barrier which he cannot work with.
Alaric, you can clearly see that he is upset, wants to do more, but cannot.
Thank you Garum. Alaric says warmly. You do not need to worry, you are safe now. Would you like something to eat?
Their flesh is has gone to a point we really cannot move them.
Smedor takes a time of silence.
Please give each of them last rights, and I will get started finding lumber.
Hermia Knowledge (Nature)
Hermia nods grimly. "Very good, Master. While I attend them, I will keep an eye for any manner of mark that may aide us in determining where they came from," she promises.
Hermia kneels down and offers a prayer to Great Mother, then removes the bowl from her pack and channels a measure of water into it. Though she cannot prepare the bodies properly in their advanced state of decomposition, she believes that no man should go to the earth in such a state, and at this moment, the ritual of cleansing is one that is maintaining her calm.
Hermia rises and steps up to the first body, and blesses it with hollow, practiced words, her concentration honed on finding some manner of item among them to identify this man from the rest so that she might remember those who have fallen along her path. She spends as long as she ought with each hung man, taking in details of their clothing, any distinguishing scars or marks upon their person, and sprinkling each with a measure of water and reciting a familiar blessing while Smendor fetches the wood he intends to use to dispose of their corpses.
Knowledge Engineering:
Smendor knows the chance is small, but while he is looking around for wood to burn he will also take the time to look for any tracks. He want to know where to find the monsters that have done such a thing.
Does that creature know what way these men may have went. The trail will be old but I would like to know what way they went.
Thank you Garum. Alaric says warmly. You do not need to worry, you are safe now. Would you like something to eat?
Garum visibly brightens at the mention of something to eat. However, as you say this you see him flick his tongue out and snag it around something by your ankle, something you hope is a rat or other vermin... and he suddenly slurps it into his mouth, with a series of gulps.
"Food good... man food cold. Want hot food. Food alive, taste better. You try, it good."
He watches you without guile, so it appears, waiting for your reaction.
Their flesh is has gone to a point we really cannot move them.
Smedor takes a time of silence.
Please give each of them last rights, and I will get started finding lumber.
Hermia Knowledge (Nature) 1d20+9
Hermia nods grimly. "Very good, Master. While I attend them, I will keep an eye for any manner of mark that may aide us in determining where they came from," she promises.
Hermia kneels down and offers a prayer to Great Mother, then removes the bowl from her pack and channels a measure of water into it. Though she cannot prepare the bodies properly in their advanced state of decomposition, she believes that no man should go to the earth in such a state, and at this moment, the ritual of cleansing is one that is maintaining her calm.
Hermia rises and steps up to the first body, and blesses it with hollow, practiced words, her concentration honed on finding some manner of item among them to identify this man from the rest so that she might remember those who have fallen along her path. She spends as long as she ought with each hung man, taking in details of their clothing, any distinguishing scars or marks upon their person, and sprinkling each with a measure of water and reciting a familiar blessing while Smendor fetches the wood he intends to use to dispose of their corpses.
It is difficult to tell, but you would guess the bodies are dead no more then a week old, possibly sooner. They have no distinguishing marks on them, though.
Your Knowledge Nature check reminds you that if you have large ammounts of flame (as is not unlikely with rotten wood) then it is extremely likely that whatever noxious swamp gases that there out there would probably also be flameable, and probaly explode. How far the gases would burn, and how wide the explosion would be, is unknown.
However, it is likely that the smoke alone would probably be seen for a long distance, very possibly many miles.
Knowledge Engineering: 1d20+5
The stone work is at least as old as the temple, though you aren't sure. The patterns on the undamaged parts of the wall are also consistent with the temple that you found.
You believe that who built this structure may have had a hand in the building of the temple. Though you suspect there is no religious significiance, it seems more likely that earlier inhabbitants of this land had made various structures besides this temple. Including this one...
This also seems consistent with the fact that you've been moving basically the same direction. Further, as you continue to move in the same direction you will be eventually reaching a statue dedicated to Erestil. Which also seems consistent.
Smendor knows the chance is small, but while he is looking around for wood to burn he will also take the time to look for any tracks. He want to know where to find the monsters that have done such a thing.
Does that creature know what way these men may have went. The trail will be old but I would like to know what way they went.
"Nay, mate. I checked already while ye were doing yer bit,"Brett says, kneeling down and looking at the ground, holding his musket, his nose wrinkled in disgust.
"The rains the last couple have days have been bad, as ye know. Whatever did this is gone, and the rains have churned this place to mud upon mud. Nay, there weren't tracks."
Hermia gives a choking sob and hangs her head woefully. They would have to come down, she thinks, and offers a prayer to Great Mother. She looks up at the structure holding them and searches for any signs of length of rope left possibly to lower each man down with brute strength, or if one of the party will have to climb up and loose them. But, either way, she does not believe that they should be left in such a fashion, least of all here, desecrated, and left to rot.
Having completed her ritual, she goes to the others to inform them of her desire to cut or lower the men down and dispose of them properly, and inform them of the dangers of staying the night in this location.
While Smendor walks around the area he is also thinking and looking for answers.
We have a room of dead men, but does his area look like it was the home of anything. The buildings seems older, but are their signs that would prove those dead men had been living in the area. If they have only been dead a few days there would be an area where fires have been and food cooked. There could even be a area where fresh game had been put down.
Where was their camp located?
Where they living in those dilapidated buildings that cannot hold back the rain?
Hermia gives a choking sob and hangs her head woefully. They would have to come down, she thinks, and offers a prayer to Great Mother. She looks up at the structure holding them and searches for any signs of length of rope left possibly to lower each man down with brute strength, or if one of the party will have to climb up and loose them. But, either way, she does not believe that they should be left in such a fashion, least of all here, desecrated, and left to rot.
Having completed her ritual, she goes to the others to inform them of her desire to cut or lower the men down and dispose of them properly, and inform them of the dangers of staying the night in this location.
You could, at the least, tear open the timbers and pull them down. But that seems risky at best; it could bring the ceiling down. You could also reach up and cut the ropes that hang them. They are bound by their necks and dangling from rafters. It would be easy to cut the ropes.
Make a Knowledge: Engineering roll, if you please...
Hermia Knowledge (Engineering)
While Smendor walks around the area he is also thinking and looking for answers.
We have a room of dead men, but does his area look like it was the home of anything. The buildings seems older, but are their signs that would prove those dead men had been living in the area. If they have only been dead a few days there would be an area where fires have been and food cooked. There could even be a area where fresh game had been put down.Where was their camp located?
Where they living in those dilapidated buildings that cannot hold back the rain?
It seems very doubtful any men would have made their homes here. The stone work is old, true, and somewhat solid, where it stands, but the inner woods are near rotten and close to collapseing. You don't think the wrotten wood could lead to a collapse, as the stone work is fairly well made, but then again...
But common sense must also take precident here. If any man made his home here, for any ammount of time, then the smell alone would have been nearly intolerable. The high probability of disease or decay would have sickened things for anyone who made a camp here. A solid company of horsemen that came through here (if there were such men) would have been hard pressed to make their way over the broken swamplands and channels of water in the ground, unless they knew the area extremely well.
It is likely that the only thing that may have lived her for a long time is the strange Boggard, who you have already met.
Hermia Knowledge (Engineering)1d20+7
Tearing at the beams in the room would probably collapse the room, if you used heavy rope and force. This would have the two pronged effect of burying the bodies in rubble, and disposing of the bodies without making a lot of fire and smoke.
Ariarh considers what Brett has told her and Gan about the bodies in the other building.
Moving to where Smendor is standing talking about wood and fire, and addressing any of the companions who may be standing in the vicinity,
"Setting flame in this swamp is dangerous and most likely will cause an explosion. I have another idea. I can cast a spell to soften the earth and stone this building is built upon and have it collapse down on the poor dead men within. They will then be entombed within the stone and building and it would provide a burial of a kind and alleviate the need for fire."
Smendor thinking, there is no reason for a man to take the time to defile this place. It is already heavily stricken with filth and decay. It makes no sense for anyone to even come here.
Smendor will walk back to Hermia, “I have a question for you. Why are these men here? Yes some evil monster may want to taint the area due to the stature down the way, but that really makes no sense the place is already nothing more than a rotten haven for evil. If there is no reason for the men to be here than we must be looking in the wrong place, or asking the wrong questions.
What of this creature do you know anything about their kind?
Ariarh considers what Brett has told her and Gan about the bodies in the other building.
Moving to where Smendor is standing talking about wood and fire, and addressing any of the companions who may be standing in the vicinity,
"Setting flame in this swamp is dangerous and most likely will cause an explosion. I have another idea. I can cast a spell to soften the earth and stone this building is built upon and have it collapse down on the poor dead men within. They will then be entombed within the stone and building and it would provide a burial of a kind and alleviate the need for fire."
"Sounds good to me... I'm all fer burning bodies normally, as I don't want any crawling nasties comming after us... like the damn basterd at the temple we done fought... the skeleton priest as was... but anyhow... What's for it? If we bury them, that be bad. We can't burn 'em, with the gases. Throw 'em in the river so they can come walking after us in the night to get back at us? Brrr.... no thank 'ee. I'd just assume as we get done what we need getting done here done, and move on."
"Well, why don't ye go do what ye need getting done, then. I reckon the priestess o'er there can do her last rites on top o' the building as opposed to dragging 'em from the building, digging a place in the mud and rot anyhow, then filling mud on top o' them, and saying words. If yer plan works, it'll save us time and we can get the hell out o' here..." Brett adds, looking around him.
If we cannot burn them as they lay I would like to move them. Being left to decay under an old stone building is not a proper way to go. Yes fire is crude, but it is clean.
Hermia was considering the best method of bringing down the room when Smendor enters. The look of sadness on her face is profound, as she knows that there is no way she can properly bury these men, or lay them to rest with any manner of dignity.
"Pardon?" she says softly, and forces herself to recall what he has said. "Pray..." she sighs, exasperated. "The boggards arm has been disabled. And men are not among their prey, at least in this way. Look," she points to the height of the eaves the men dangle from and the precarious way that they lean. "Even if we allowed that he, with a broken hand, could tie the noose, how would he have pulled them up without bringing the structure down around himself?"
Hermia shakes her head sadly. "I do not know why these men are here. And it infuriates me."
"Smendor, starting a fire or the smallest flame with such strong, flammable swamp gases right at the door is reckless as they could explode. This entire site is built upon a swamp and the gases surround us."