Teil runs through the flames to quickly get north to the doctor's aid. His axe begins to shimmer with energy as he swings at the skull.
Despite his natural resistance to fire, Teilaenthis gets slightly singed while making his way through the fire.
Nevertheless, the Tiefling's axe makes short work of the other burning skull, breaking it into pieces.
With both undead menaces dealt with, Drace and Dr. Von Herzog turn their attention back to fighting the fires. The fighter quickly makes his way across the floor to help the Sheriff with the southwest fire, while the doctor makes another attempt at his fire, but fails to snuff much of it out. The Sheriff is unable to extinguish much of his fire either.
Vivian manages to extinguish some flames, then rushes to another fire, but she's less successful.Coughing, she says
Lady in distress here, I could need an hand...
* * *
Working together with the Sheriff's help, it takes the party about another minute before they finally succeed in extinguishing the remaining Town Hall fires. Tired, covered in sweat, and smelling like you've all been simmering over a campfire, you emerge from the building to find the Town Council and some of the other townfolk outside waiting for you with relieved expressions.
"We just want to thank you for your quick action in saving all of our lives and preserving the building and its records." Councilman Hearthmount addresses you with a respectful nod, "We will need a couple of days to clean up, but after that we will give you free access to building for your research."
Stefan thinks about what he knows about flaming skulls...
Stefan remembers the same information that Tara recalled earlier:
These are aptly named Flaming Skulls, members of a class of undead known as the Beheaded. They are relatively simple creatures despite the dread they may inspire upon seeing them. Their only major attack is to ram into their victims, burning them with their fire. Unsurprisingly, they are unaffected by fire damage and possess the same immunities as most undead do, such as invulnerability to mind-affecting effects, poison, and disease.
* * *
Vivian takes Sentir aside
Vivian the walks to the Sherif
Is everyone all right?No one is too badly burned,I hope? I guess nearly all the town was there tonight...
"Actually, now that you mention it, those two good folks who got burned could probably use some healing or at least medical attention." The Sheriff replies, doing a poor job at not looking as tired as he feels, "As far as I know everyone else made it out without a problem. My deputies were outside guarding the place, I'll catch up with them in a minute to be sure. We weren't expecting flying creatures to break through the windows, I guess I better start arming them with bows."
Brushing off the ash and soot from the fire, Tara approaches the Sheriff. "Sheriff Caeller, Could you direct me towards the injured? I will do what I can to ease the pain." Offering a kind smile, Tara notices how the past week has taken its toll on the man, but does not mention it. Heading over to the two injured townsmen, Tara asks them if they would prefer first aid or magical healing.
Vivian waits as Tara heals the burns and wounds, and then asks the Sheriff discreetly
Teilaenthis simply observes the group, some small blisters a minor price to pay for saving as many as the group did. [i]"Will the scales ever balance again though?"[/b]
While Tara works on one, Stefan takes a look at the other injured townsperson.
"Looks like you've got second-degree burns and some smoke inhalation..."
Improvising the lack of his doctor's black bag with what he can scrounge in his spell component pouch, Stefan treats the young man's burns.
The Sheriff indicates to Tara the two burned men Sentir and Teilaenthis saved during the fire, "I'll coordinate to have someone contact their families." Although in no danger of immediately dying, they are not going to wake up without healing assistance.
Using his education and bits of spell components, Dr. Von Herzog manages to rouse one of the men back to consciousness, "Where, what?" He questions with a groan.
While watching the doctor work, Sheriff Caeller shakes his head to Vivian's discreet inquiry, "At least a third of the adults weren't here for the meeting. Some are afraid to travel after it gets dark, others had to take care of children. Besides, you saw what happened, those lamps all seemed to explode by themselves. If anything, it was probably someone present who was responsible."
You're right, sheriff... Besides, it's probably better not to point fingers. People are afraid enough...
She sighs
Is there anything else we could do?
Stefan helps the injured man back to his feet, and gives him a reassuring clasp on the shoulder. "Change the dressings on those burns twice a day, be sure to drink lots of water, and get lots of rest. I think you'll be good as new in a few days. I'll come by to check on you daily."
After the man's friends help him home, the doctor joins the Sheriff's and Vivian's conversation. In a very quiet voice, he says, "Sheriff, I doubt that any person in that room was responsible for the fire. I fear it may be the restless spirits of the dead." He stares off in the distance toward the ruins of Harrowstone. "Something has changed up there. Once our research is complete, we're planning to continue Professor Lorrimor's investigations into these strange happenings."
The Sheriff nods and lowers his voice, "I don't have an issue with you investigating the prison, just be careful. Please keep me informed on whatever you discover, just leave a message at the jail if you can't find me. Our hands are full at the moment with all the undead attacks and trying to track down the person responsible for the vandalism, so I won't turn down the help. You don't seem like the kind of folks to abuse the town's trust, please don't give me any reason to think otherwise."
With that, the Sheriff excuses himself to round up his deputies, while the Councilmembers go to work finding stretchers to transport the injured back to their homes.
As they go back to Lorrimor's house, Vivian hooks arm with Doctor Von Herzog
Stefan-I can call you Stefan, I hope?-I have an healing kit in Kendra's home. I never thought it could have been useful tonight... Would you like to have it?
Teilanthis joins Sentir in keeping vigil at the monument.
"Yes, Ms. Delberth. You may call me Stefan. May I call you 'Vivian?'"
At her offer of a healer's kit, "Why, thank-you! I will repay you for this as soon as I am able!"
Sentir, Teilaenthis, and Drace split from the group to go investigate the Harrowstone Memorial. In what little light the moon provides, they see no further vandalism to the monument at this time in the early evening, although the 'VE' is still depicted at the base in dried blood.
Sentir looks at the fairly peaceful surroundings then to Drace and Teil. "Let's hide and get comfortable. It may be hours if they come, maybe it only happens at dawn or some gods forsaken hour? I'll hide among these trees, in the back. Both of you are better in a fight then me..." The oracle says self-consciously.
Then he makes his way among some trees, trying to lose himself in their shadows. His burned arms crackle in the cool air, and he shivers painfully.
Of course you can call me Vivian, Stefan.
The redhead smiles and winks.
Come on, you don't need to repay me. I know a few things about anatomy myself, having been trained by my mother, but I prefer to work as a midwife. I bought the healing kit before leaving the temple, and coming in Ravengro. If you need someone to check on your wounds, don't be afraid to call me... I don't think you risk pregnancy.
Looking at Sentir Teileanthis says "We should sleep in shifts so we are able to function in the morning. I see best in the dark of us, so I will take the middle watch when it is darkest."
With that he settles down to rest in a hidden area.
At the Memorial, the evening passes quietly at first, as there is very little activity outdoors besides the occasional bat that flies by. Sentir, Teilaenthis, and Drace are all fairly sure they are well hidden in a copse of small trees, the occasional clanking of armor being the only real giveaway of their position.
Shortly after midnight, Teilaenthis is alerted to some movement north of your position when something snaps a series of twigs. Quickly alerting the others, all three men see an older man in his bedclothes walking towards the Memorial with a bloody war razor in one hand and a waterskin in another. Unfortunately, he also sees you.
You recognize the man as Gibs Hephenus, the ringleader of the mob that tried to prevent Professor Lorrimor from being buried in the Restlands.
Initiative (Round 1)
Drace <= Up
Sentir <= Up
Teilaenthis <= Up
Man
Sentir watches the figure, standing ominously in the moonlight. He is glad Teil was on guard, as he may have missed them.
He has no idea who the man is, but the blood razor leaves little doubt to his intentions. Since they were already seen Sentir stands up straight and focuses his mind on the distant figure.
Bending his will on the armed man, he attempts to strip away his mental defenses and see what lies within.
Teileanthis readies his axe and it begins to crackle with magical energy. He steps out into the street and the wand held in his tail points at the old man and a beam of energy shots forth.
Sentir concentrates for a moment to force his will into the mind of the older man. As the Oracle breaks through the man's mental defenses, Sentir immediately senses there are two minds present here, one enslaved to the will of another.
Teilaenthis calls upon one of his arcane heirlooms to send a bolt of energy in the man's chest, burning him slightly.
Arming himself with his morningstar and carrying his shield, Drace moves out of the copse to move next to Teilaenthis, and gets ready to engage the enemy.
In a shockingly deep and powerful voice, the old man shouts, “You shall not prevent our escape! The woman will die again!” He then charges Teilaenthis and slices into the tiefling's shoulder with his war razor.
Initiative (Round 2)
Drace <= Up
Sentir <= Up
Teilaenthis [5 Dmg]<= Up
Man
Sentir's mind reels as he sense a battle in the mind of this man, his will slaved to another. Combined with the man's words, he guesses out loud. "Watch out, he is possessed. Try to take him alive! He may have answer, and he may be innocent.".
With that warning, and safe behind the two weapon wielding men, Sentir casts another spell at the attacker. The oracle focuses on fire...and pain. He casts Burning Disarm on the war razor.
No sentir, this one has drawn my blood. He is not one whose lives I must save. Teilaenthis swings his axe at the man.
After Sentir casts his spell, the man's war razor instantly turns red hot. Not fast enough to drop it, the old man's hand blackens a little before the razor returns to normal temperature.
Teilaenthis has no trouble chopping into the unarmored man with his axe despite a less than accurate swing.
Taking Sentir's advice to heart, Drace refrains from going all out to kill the man, but still deals potentially lethal damage as his morningstar strikes.
Looking seriously hurt, the old man nevertheless continues to hack away at Teilaenthis with his war razor. Luckily this time the Occultist's wooden armor blocks the slice.
Initiative (Round 3)
Drace <= Up
Sentir <= Up
Teilaenthis [5 Dmg]<= Up
Man
Sentir moves up closer, happy to leave Drace and Teil to finish the old man off, hopefully leaving him alive. The oracle hangs back, hoping to cast healing magic if needed.
The teifling doesn't let up his attack, but swing his axe again.
Drace does a solid soft hit on the man, but that doesn't quite knock him out. A follow up by Teilaenthis's axe, however, causes him to collapse into unconsciousness. Due to the non-lethal hit, he does not appear to be dying, merely passed out.
On his body you find the war razor he was wielding, along with a stained waterskin full of blood.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Lorrimor estate....
Kendra appears out of sorts when only three of the group return, and smelling of smoke. Although she does calm down once the situation has been explained, "My apologies for not attending the meeting, I should not allow my grief to get the better of me. In any event, Father was very wise to have requested you all to stay after his passing. Ravengro would be crumbling right now if it did not have you brave souls to protect it!"
Stefan looks a tad embarrassed at Kendra's compliments. "We're only doing what any decent folk would do. I'm certainly happy to help out where I can. But how are you doing, Miss Lorri... um... Kendra? You had quite a shock. I can assure you that we will be doing whatever we can to put an end to these dark times."
Kendra replies, "It has been quite difficult Doctor, I will admit. Despite it all, I know that my Father would not want me to give into despair, life must continue no matter our pain. I'm afraid I do not know your individual stories, so much has happened in the previous week that we've really not had much time to talk, but I'm certain that each of you can understand what I mean. I need to focus my attention on helping you save this town from whatever threat is looming, so I will have to find time to grieve in the small quiet moments. Perhaps I am using this crisis as a crutch to avoid facing my melancholy, but fate has conspired not to grant me the luxury of surrendering to my emotions."
Vivian was about to say something, but keep silent
Maybe it would be better if Kendra can use Stefan as a "crutch". Let them talk and know each other.
You know that if you want to speak, or need some confort, you can call on any on us. We're your friends, and I'm sure Stefan would give you his shoulder if you need a place to cry on. But for now, I'm sorry, Kendra, I got to wash all these ashes.. I feel and smell like a slice of smoked pig.
Vivian walks quickly inside
"You've been very helpful to me through this trying time, Vivian. I don't believe I could have been brave enough to weather it without your emotional support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Kendra says earnestly before Vivian makes her way inside.
|
"Good. Finally out." Drace breathed a sigh of relief. "He certainly fought like he was possessed! Literally!"
Drace rearranges his gear to make ready to carry the man. "We should take him to the temple. Perhaps they can exorcise whatever being is inside him. If nothing else - perhaps heal his wounds."
"Take him to the Lorromor house... we should make the decision of what to do next as a group."
Teileanthis gathers the razor and blood...
Sentir pauses and looks at Drace and Teil. It is a hard choice, and who was he to put put in charge? He had never wanted to rule anyone....
Sputtering, "I say we take to the...temple. For his wounds." He speaks firmly but not very authoritatively and he looks at Teil plaintively.