After 20 minutes the barmaid is able to serve Un'gra and August the food, water and big piece of raw meat they ordered.
Un'gra and August bring the supplies to the group working at Roots and Remedies and everyone takes a short break to get some food and water. After the break Milon show up with his niece placing her in a small cot in the backroom of the shop. Working through the night the group with Laurel's guidance make the recipe from the old dusty tome.
As the sunrises Laurel gives Lilly (Milon's niece) the cure. "I hope this works! Lilly will not last much longer."
The group takes another meal while waiting for a sign from Lilly that the cure is working. Laurel walks out of the backroom with shoulder drooping and a long face she whispers. "We have done it.....the cure works. Please notify the Sheriff and prepared for a long day." Exhausted Laurel slumps down to the ground against her workbench.
"I'll get the Sheriff, I have other things I need to speak with him able as well." Nebdel grabs his gear and leave the shop heading for the Low Market.
William knocks on the door and enters. "Morning," he says, and looks at Milon's niece. "Milon, isn't at your niece? Is the cure working? That's great!"
After talking to Milon and Laurel for some time, William tells everyone why he's come to Roots and Remedies. "Serila will... She'll be buried this afternoon. As most of you here have witnessed her last moments in life, I'd like to invite you to come to her funeral. The ceremony will start in the church at four this afternoon, you're all invited."
"If ya want to go to the funeral, I'll stay here with Laurel. Just let me get some rest before you leave" Un'gra looks over at Laurel. "Hey, I'm Un'gra. Met this lot out of the ruins, they saved my life."
If noone objects, Un'gra heads to the inn to rest for a bit.
Sheriff Deldrin Baleson shows up soon after Nebdel was sent to get him. "I was told there is a cure for "The Taint"?
Laurel turns to Deldrin "Yes there is! These brave folks have found a cure for "The Blackscour Taint". Laurel nods to each one of the members of the group. "They have saved the town."
The Sheriff smiles and shakes everyone's hand. "Thank you!! I will have my deputies deliver the cure to the sick. The town owes you a great debt. I hear you have lost one of your company. I am very sorry. Her sacrifice was not in vain."
By the mid morning a line of people have formed outside the shop, crowd is on the edge of fighting each other and the deputies are needed to control them. Some have shown up to get the cure other to give thanks to Laurel and the people that have brought the cure to the town.
Most the people in line that believe they are sick do not have "The Taint" only think they do. Laurel has sent for help from the priest at the temple to examine the people so that the cure is not wasted.
Balazar is with me inside. No way I'm leaving a lion outside with crazy townfolk.
With the crowd growing a little restless outside, August keeps an eye on the backdoor of the shop, making sure nobody gets any bright ideas, forcing their way in the back.
Just after lunch the line outside the shop starts to thin out with the help from the priests, deputies and the intimidating presents of the Sheriff and the warriors of the party.
At around 3:30 pm Laurel closes the shop and walks out into the sun."Well I believe we have cured the most ill of the town folk. Now that I have the cure taking care of anyone that gets "The Taint" will be easy as long as we eliminate the causes. But we can look into that after the funeral."
Laurel walks back inside then comes back out a few minutes later."Forgot my jacket, it is cold out today. Ok, let's go say goodbye to Serila." Laurel turns and starts walking south down the street.
Keanan sits just outside the church with Balazar, but won't go in. "Nope, sorry, not my god. I'll do my mourning out here if you don't mind. I'll keep any potential trouble makers out as well."
"If ya'll excuse meh, I don't think I belong at that funeral. Send my condel... condo, ahh ya know what I mean just tell the father I'm sorry his kid is dead. I've got some business to attend to as it is, but I'll be at the inn to get ya those drinks I owe ya." Un'gra lets the others pass as he takes a quick look around, getting his bearings and trying to figure where he might best find what he is looking for.
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"I have some business to attend to," Jeffrey says. "I just received word from one of my staff there's something he needs help with."
"You'll find me in the Sitting Duck after the funeral. I already gave William my condolences, please relay it to her mother."
Jeffrey walks off to the northern exit of town. "Un'Gra, come. I'll quickly show you a place with somewhat decent beer."
August hangs back, decided not to attend the funeral. He has made his peace with Serila's death, and finds no sense in opening up that wound.
Keanan and August sitting outside the temple see Serila's father come out the front doors. After a few minutes of pacing he waves the two of them over.
Keanan and Balazar walk over to her father. "I am sorry for your loss. She was very brave."
"Thank you," William says quietly. "The priests of Iomedae are to busy curing the town to hold the Funeral. As there is no temple to Sarenrae in town, we decided to move the funeral north of the docks in the grassy area. We hope outside under the sun Sarenrae may witness Serila's passing."
William moves to the site of the funeral. "If you'd please follow me."
"Well, Balazar and I are no worshipers of Saranrae, but we'll attend an outdoor funeral, if your god doesn't disapprove."
Keanan and Balazar wander down near the docks to watch the funeral.
Map Updated
Not wanting to be rude, August follows William and Keanan to the funeral.
In the middle of the field, raised on a small improvised altar, lies Serila in a bed of flowers. She looks like she's sleeping, her face serene. Serila's neck has been mostly covered, so those who attend the funeral will not see where it snapped.
There's a rather large group that's come to attend the funeral. Most of them are Serila's parents' business contacts, co-workers, or residents of the Perch. Some curious passersby have also stopped by to see who's dead. When talking to the guests it becomes rather obvious most didn't know Serila personally. Though there are some guests of Serila's own age or younger who did know her, and who are honestly saddened by Serila's death.
William and his wife Cecile walk up to Keanan and August. It's William who speaks. "As those who were with Serila during the last moments of her life, would you like to hold a small speech? My wife and I would very much appreciate it if you could do this for us, please."
"Serila was extremely brave. She went on an extremely dangerous quest with strangers to save this town. While many of you don't seem to know her personally, she was willing to die to save your lives, and die she did. She faced more danger in one week than many of you will face in your entire lives, and her actions demand your respect. This town lives on because of Serila. She also quickly became a good friend, and my days going forward will forever be tainted with gray as i will miss her."
Keanan grumbles quietly "I hate public speaking."
After everyone has a chance to say their goodbyes in their own way. William stands before the gathering calling for their attention. "I thank you all for the kind words. Now according to the goddess Sarenrae, which my daughter was so quietly faithful, her body must be burnt so that the soul may reach the heavens. I loved you so much my daughter. Goodbye." Taking a torch from a man standing by the pyre William raises it into the sky....
Then suddenly the torch goes out and a bright white orange light covers Serila's body and an aura of positive energy pulses filling all in attendance with fiery tingling feeling. A vaguely human like shape floats down toward Serila's body on two pair of wings and a halo over its head. All that see it are stunned with awe.
"Rise child your time has not come. Sarenrae has work for you."
The shape slowly ascends and disappears. The fiery feeling fades and the stunned gathering of people come back to their senses.
"That's something you don't see everyday."
Serila suddenly sits up, and looks around at those who've gathered. Her hand goes up to her neck, and pulls away th scarf her parents used to cover the snapped neck. Serila's neck looks fine as she touches it carefully.
Looking around, Serila's eyes focus on her parents, then on some other people she knows, and eventually they find Keanan, Balazar and August. "You're alright," she manages to weakly whisper, but the silence that ensued Serila's raise carries her words to her companions.
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While the funeral takes place outside, Jeffrey and Un'Gra spend their time drinking beer in the Sitting Duck. Jeffrey then remembers he got a letter and was actually supposed to get working on a new job. "Ah, bugger... I promised the druid and lion some treats..."
Jeffrey places half the salary he received from William on the counter. "Yangrit, remember the dwarf and his lion? You told me the dwarf's been here before. Guess it's hard to forget when someone owns a lion. Anyway... when he and his companions come in, give them whatever they want and can be covered by this sum of money. Un'Gra here is one of his companions, I should add. Please let the dwarf know he got it from me!"
Turning to Un'Gra, Jeffrey takes out several items from his backpack. "Your cleric was carrying this mess. I don't know what belongs to who, and I dont'feel like sorting it out. Can you make sure everything ends up where it should? I really have to leave now."
silver hammer w/ symbol of Droksar unknown - August is carrying
dagger x4 -
shortsword -
thieves tools x2 -
silk rope 50' -
kobold trail rations x6 -
tools (don't know what kind) -
cure light wounds (1d8+3each) x2 -
red gem from kobold unknown magic -
metal mushroom for cure from ruins x4, need 7.
moss for cure from gigantic tree.
rat tail root for cure from witches hut.
light crossbow# -
light crossbow -
crossbow bolts x4 -
glass vial with tan liquid in it -
masterwork darkwood shortbow# -
silver etched small wooden stick
standard shortsword x2#
standard hide armor#
signet ring with the image of a flaming hawk# -
9 gp, 12 sp# -
eight days’ worth of rations# -
masterwork studded leather armor - August is wearing
bloodstone (~75 gp) -
obsidian (~35 gp) -
talking shruken head from witch's hut -
#=indicates it tentatively belongs to the survivors of the dead hunters.
After giving Un'Gra all the items and waving Yangrit goodbye, Jeffrey leaves the inn. He sees a bright orange flash in the corner of his eyes, and turns his head into the direction of the docks.
What was that...?
Jeffrey shrugs, deciding he has no time to investigate the strange flash. Taking the northern road out of town Jeffrey heads to his next job.
After Keanan pockets some of his coin, he walks out to the woods with Balazar and picks a few berries, and then casts Goodberry and pockets them in his backpack, as they will last two days.
Once he's done, Keanan and Balazar will wander to the Sitting Duck and get some food.
"See ya round, Jeffrey. Thanks I'll make sure they get it." When Keanan comes in, Un'gra offers him a seat and orders another round. "A snack for the lion too. It's Jeffrey's treat, he had to leave but he left some stuff for us." Un'gra let's Keanan very a look at the loot.
When Keanan has had a chance to order and get settled, Un'gra turns to him. "Sorry about not believing you bout the kid. I'm not fond of hurting kids especially ones that already been through some crap." Un'gra pulls a bit of his armor aside revealing a slew of scars. "Some goblins took me in when I was a kid. I got grabbed by some guards when we made a run on a town. I told'em the goblins weren't coming back, they didn't like that answer. I didn't want to do the same thing to the girl. I paid for it."
"Well, no worries. I've learned to trust Balazar more than people. When she indicated something wasn't right, I knew to just go with it. Laugh, a fire isn't going to fool Balazar's nose. I honestly didn't want to hurt her, I figured she would tell us what she was and we could just go about our business."
After spending a large part of the afternoon with her parents, Serila manages to convince them visiting the Sitting Duck shouldn't hurt her. On her way to the inn she sees August. "August! You'll come with me? I heard the others went for lunch in the Sitting Duck."
Serila enters the Sitting Duck, eager to see her companions again. She doesn't look very strong yet, and wobbles a bit on her feet. "Hi guys! Where are Nebdel and Alperion?"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Serila Gudlinck," the young girl says to Un'Gra, "You're Keanan's friend?"
August while still somewhat in shock at what happened at the funeral agrees to go along with Serila.
I...I still don't think I believe it
Un'gra scrunches his eyes at Serila, "Hey, names Un'gra. Keanan and his buddies pulled me out a spider's web, so I'll call him a friend. " Un'gra turns to Keanan. "Did the dead girl have twin?"
After a few days and the party has settled in and healed all their wounds they are summoned by the Sheriff to the Hollow Tribunal.
While selling items for the party and buying some supplies of her own, Serila finds a silve necklace with the holy symbol of Sarenrae amongst the wares of a salesman. "How much for this?", Serila's asks the salesman, and eventually pays 25 gold for the necklace.
When Serila puts the necklace around her neck, she says a prayer to the goddes. "Sarenrae, I owe you my life. I'll wear this as a sign of my faith in you."
Serila's then approached by a man who introduces himself as Vade. Vade saw Serila try to sell the skull before, and offers her 300 gold coins for it. "Sure, I'll sell it. May I ask you what interests you about this skull?"
"It is unquie, No?...I would like to study the magic that anim...that is within it. Here is your gold may I have it now. I must go."
Taking the gold first, Serila then holds out the skull. When Vade tries to take the skull Serila will hold onto it with both hands, not releasing it. Though if Vade wants to, he'll be able to pull it from Serila's hands without much effort. "It's unique, and you'd like to study the magic that animates it? I'll have you know that was what I planned on doing, before you came and wanted to buy it. Would you be interested to know how I obtained it, and what I already know it's capable of?" Serila pauses for a second, and looks at Vade's face to see how he reacts.
"Though I'd like some more info from you as well," Serila continues, "What interests you so much about this particular skull? Tell me how it's unique."
"I already know or have a good guess on how you obtained it that is partly why I want it. The rumors have passed through the town of a group of adventures that braved the Darkmoon Wood." With a smile and a look of approval Vade nods his head at Serila. "Show me what you know and I'll tell you why it is unique."
August wanders around town making small conversation, occasionally asking if anybody knows the orc, that claimed his father.
Keanan has the urge to go back to Greypelt's palace in the woods and go look down the steps. He asks if the others would like to accompany him on a quick journey into the woods.
"We got this skull from the hut of Ulizmila, a witch who lives in the Darkmoon Wood. Or lived, we're not entirely sure. There was a corpse in her hut, and expecting it to be the undead body of the witch one of my companions tied it up. This skull began to speak when I came close to it. I expect it to be the witch's bonded object. I know the skull contains power, because it was able to animate a cauldron and have it attack us."
Smiles at Vade, Serila removes her hands from the skull when it's in his hands. Serila hopes this shows some trust, and the show of trust will convince Vade to tell more. "Your turn to tell me some more."
Hajar, hearing of the miracle that was Serila Gudlink's resurrection wastes no time in heading for the small town of Falcon's Hollow. To the two gnomes traveling with him he says Dawnflower be praised, this abominably cold weather sure does test a man's mettle. I heard tell the Herald himself come down with sunfire and glory to raise this Gudink girl. I would have paid to see such a thing with my own eyes. as the gnomes reply with typical gnomish responses Hajar says No, the herald is not made of fire, and no I'm not sure exactly how a being made of fire can exist outside of Sarenrae's will. Look, there is the town. I'm sure you will find the trading good yes? Come and see me if you need.