"Ruan's conscience shouldn't allow a murderer and servant of a dark god to live. Just because he feels guilty about his actions doesn't clear the actions of another. "
Vilesse shrugs. "Unless one of us is a sheriff, I don't think we're in any position to lay the sentence. I would think that Father Ruan is the authority here."
"Ok, if you folks want to suffer this murderer to live, then so be it. I'm going back to my flock. If he kills any more it's on your heads. I wash my hands of it. " and he will head back to the lodgings and get his stuff organized to head back to his home.
" Wilf, I don't disagree with you, I think that Ythel must face the highest level of punishment under the law, however it must be under the law. Father Ruan must be convinced that as the local representative of Darlen God of Law and Judgement, he must make a judgement relative to Darlen's laws not his own feelings. If he feels unable to do so, due to conflicting interests or whatever, then he must pass him on for appropriate judgement elsewhere. If Father Ruan feels that he has affected Ythel in such a serious manner then he must put himself before Darlen's judgement as well."
"Whatever you say. I'm done. " he grunts on the way out of the room.
In the end, they decide to spare Ythel’s life. None present claim authority to stand judge and execution over the man, and they listen to Father Ruan’s pleas for mercy. The fallen priest is not to escape justice though, and it is decided that the five who saved Cyme from Ythel’s doom shall deliver him royal justice in Swallowfeld. After his ordeal, Father Ruan is too frail to make the journey himself, so sends Thomas with them to bear witness and plead the Father’s mercy.
Not all of the adventurers are content with this resolution. Ythel spilled their blood. His inhuman henchmen tortured and brutalized his fellow clergy, and judging from the bodies found in the caverns below, he had been preying off innocent travellers for some time to fuel his evil rituals. The journey back to Swallowfeld promises to be a tense one.
As the group loads supplies onto a small wagon for the trip, Thomas brings forth a pile of gear. These were Ythel’s, he states bluntly. They bear the taint of Braal and Father Ruan does not want them here at the Priory. He thought maybe you could make use of them. Perhaps you can do some good with them, or sell them as recompense for the good you have done here. Also, the aspergillum you recovered from the undercorft – Ruan would like to give you 1000 coins in thanks for returning such a holy relic to its rightful place in Cymer’s treasury.
*
The journey back to Swallowfeld proves to be uneventful. The storm’s fury has vanished completely – Its hard to reconcile the four hour hike back to the village with the dark and harrowing day long march you made scarcely a week ago. On the way, you have time to ponder your experiences, what you have learned, and questions that have been raised; like the meaning of the marks on Ythel’s map – ‘the whisperer” and “the three”; or the strange circular glyphs that kept popping up amongst Ythel’s followers; and of course the disturbing hyena-like transformation Ythel himself underwent when you cornered him underground.
Wilf, strangely not feeling hungry at all, especially after a long hike decides he should go check on his sheep.
in response to thomas offer of gold in return for the aspergillum, Tomi says with a smile -
to my mind it is not ours to sell - merely being on loan from the shade we discovered beneath the chapel. For my part i want no reward, save the thanks we already have. The others may disagree of course! i'd not seek to speak on their behalf.
in two minds about returning to swallowfield - feeling that destiny draws him onwards, rather than back along the path already travelled, Tomi decides to tag along for a little longer - even if only to make sure that Ythel faces justice.
Vilesse glances at Tomi. "Selling implies we hadn't already given it to Father Ruan. It sounds as though he wishes to reward us for what we did for him and his temple. It would be rude to refuse his offer."
Wilf will accept any reward offered. He is too used to be being poor to even imagine otherwise.
"I think we can hardly refuse this kind offer on the proviso that we put it towards the benefit of the people of the Lonely Coast. The shade and Darlen can only approve of such an action."
The Reeve of Swallowfeld is quick to lock Ythel away. He assures you he will remain secure until a magister from Wolverton can visit and conduct a fair trail.
It at this point that Mitran takes his leave of the group, wishing you well. [/b] I'm off to visit my aunt and the clear pool hermatige, and likely won't be down this way again until spring. Safe travels friend - perhaps our paths will cross again[/b]
Tomi considers going with him - already he is chafing under Swallowfeld's quiet yoke of inactivity - but the direction feels... wrong. He asks Mitran about Ythel's map and the strange markings they found before he departs. I don't recognize the markings, or the areas on the map. You should check with Ausk though. He's a hermit that lives out that way - one of my aunt's contacts that studies the Tuath as well. He might recognize the markings. At the very least he will know the area and can guide you to those "x"s
It doesn't take long before Tryfena, owner of the trading post, catches up with Wulfric as he relaxes over a meal at The Wolf's Head. The formidable red head sits down across from him with an expectant grin. Well? She asks. Did you get them? Did you recover my earrings?
Vilesse nods at Tomi. "I would also like to learn what the symbols on the map mean."
"Ah Tryfena, not yet unfortunately. The tracks died out en route to the priory, wiped away by the storm. I fear we have not been at our most observant, whilst we were fighting off a raid by goblins and a braalite priest. However you have just made me think of something, possibly another lead we can follow and I will speak to my colleagues. Don't worry we will do what we can."
Wulfric will find the others afterwards and mention " Tryfena caught up with me, in the pub. We completely forgot to look into her burglary. Do we remember the symptoms of Eiravel? were they reminiscent of giant spider poison? Could it have been her?
bidding a fond farewell to Mitran, Tomi resolves to seek out this Ausk as soon as possible. Gathering together his scant possessions, Tomi first seeks out his other companions and asks them if they would like to come with him.
Ausk is spending his days communing with the spirits, tending his fungal and herb garden and working in the forest with his father.
Why yes, Mitran responds to Wilf as he saddles his horse. Now that you mention it, the symptoms that Eiraval was exhibiting when we first saw her would be consistent with giant spider venom.
Wulfric, as is common with the more remote outposts of the Locher's militia, you have been de-mustered for the winter; essentially rendering you a reservist until the snows melts (The Lochers run the Coast effieciently, but are well known penny pinchers and "cost-cutters"). As such, you find yourself with little to do when Tomi comes to you with his offer.
Vilesse nods at Tomi. "I would like to meet this shaman."
"Sure, I suppose I can. Not like the weather is fit for the sheep to be taken back to pasture yet. Last trip was pretty good for money, and I still need that for stable fees. "
"I would be happy to join you in looking out this Ausk, we could certainly use the help in the woods. We may have to go back to Cymer though and see if Eiravel has Tryfena's earrings. We missed a trick there. "
After doing some trading at Tryfena's and divvying out the spoils of their last adventure, the group decides to seek out Mitran's contact, the hermit Ausk, to see if they can learn anything more about the map and markings they found on Ythel.
The trip is thankfully nowhere near as eventful as their last sojourn from Swallowfeld, and after most of a day's travel they come across a small log cabin in a snowy clearing. A grey haired man chops wood out front and smoke rises lazily from the cabin's chimney.
The man stops his chores as he sees you approach. Ho, travellers. He yells out to you. What brings you out this way? His voice is friendly enough but you can tell by the way he grips his wood axe that he is wary.
With arms open wide and holding his weapon and shield out Wulfric approaches.
"Ho woodsman, we have come looking for someone called Ausk. Our friend Mitran suggested we seek his advice. Is he about?"
Ausk, a tall greenskinned half orc covered in mystical looking tattoos, comes around the corner.
I am Ausk. Your Mitran? Was he a woodsman? Black bear for a friend? I know him yes. He was a friend to Ausk on walkaround.
"Yes that's right a bear called Bo. He has had to head back to see his aunt, but he said you might be able to help guide us to a couple of locations in the wood. With Mitran's help we have recently thwarted an attack by half goblins and a braalite priest against the Priory of Cymer, but we found a map linking the group we defeated with some areas of the woods. Would you be willing to guide us there?"
Ausk chuckles at some joke no one else gets Ausk knows the woods yes. Show me your map I compare with my map yes. he says tapping his head for emphasis.
Father, we make tea yes? I'll go fetch some. Ausk disappears into the shack and returns a moment later with six clay mugs and a tea kettle held precaiously in his arms.
" A cup of tea would be great, nice place here by the way. Do you spend a lot of time in the woods then?"
Curious as ever, Tomi leaves chaser to wander around grazing and accepts a mug of the strange smelling tea. settling himself down on one of jaxoms logs to try it out, he introduces the rest of the group. After a few minutes of conversation, during which he produces a slightly worse for wear loaf of bread for the group to share, Tomi pulls out the map.
would you care to take a look?
Ausk places the mugs down and pours the hot tea into them while answering Wulfric's question Yes. Seeha and I spend much of our time in the Mother yes. We know the Mother very well, she speaks to us
A map. Curious thing yes. Let's see here.
Wilf will accept some tea and nod but not say anything.
Ausk studies the map he is give, and recognizes both the areas marked upon it.
The point marked as "the whisperer" is roughly where the old ruins of ironwolf keep would be. Its about two days straight north from Ausk's cabin. He knows that the area has been having increasing trouble with bandits in the last month leading or so leading up to winter.
The point maked as "the three" is also about two days away, but north west. roughly back towards Swallowfeld and the more remote community of Oakhurst. Other than the odd Tuath cairn, there is nothing but thick wilderness there
Ausk is confident he could guide the group to either location with little trouble.
Ahh, this one yes. This one with the little man symbol is where the old keep lay. And this one, this one with the squiggles is a First Men Mound, very strange...where did you get this map? There was trouble, yes?
Vilesse listens silently, seeming to watch the half-orc more than listen to his words.
"Some goblins and half goblins working for a Braalite priest, attacked the priory through the tunnels underneath. We found this among their stuff as we were chasing after them to save the head priest. They also had a parchment with a funny symbol on it. Would it meam anything to you?"
Wulfric hands over the other parchment.
Braal? That bugger? No fun yes. What would Braalites want with the First Men? A quandary yes. Makes me want to see for myself. Braalites mean nothing good to the Mother. Ausk scrunches up his face in concentration looking at the second parchment.
Ausk has encountered fragments of glyphs like this before, when exploring some of the most ancient Tuath sites, but never so complex a pattern. He cannot ken its purpose, if indeed it has one at all.
No, can't say that I know what it is. But, I do know that it comes from the First Men, yes. So, maybe is connected to other map? Ausk says, thinking out-loud mostly
perhaps we ought to explore whats marked as 'the three' on the map - it has the tuath connection with the other parchment we found. Then again... what do you locals know of this ironwolf keep place?
Tomi laughs and says -
im not even sure what we are looking for - perhaps tossing a coin would work just as well.
Vilesse nods at the parchment in Ausk's hands. "Two things point to 'the three' and only one to the old keep. That seems a good indicator, to me." She still seems to be looking more at Ausk than at the papers, watching more than listening.
"It makes no odds to me, either one is a good place to start and it would be good to start soon. First though i feel that Tomi and I have a promise to keep, we said we would try and get the earrings back for Tryfena that were stolen from her store, we have a good lead in Eiravel and we need to at least talk to her. On the plus side it can't hurt our future to have the local merchant on our side, we might get better deals in the future. What do you say?"
"We might as well do the stuff that has the hourglass counting down. We should go talk to the lady. "
now you mention it, i do seem to remember Eiravel had only arrived shortly before us... and we did make tryfena a promise.
even if she has already left, the sooner we return to cymer the easier it will be to pick up her trail!
"A thought that just occurred to me, is that if the goblins were linked to these other places on the map, we might be facing further attacks soon. Perhaps we should head via the three, scout it out, and then head onto Cymer. What do you reckon Ausk? How long would that take do you think?
investigating these places on the map does seem more interesting than chasing down a thief...
Ausk scrunches his face up as he does the math in his head, he counts on his thick digits and shakes his head, as if arguing with himself Not too long. One day of walking maybe
"Might as well get to hoofing it then. Let's get going for the closest."
"Well lets do that then. We can work out what is the higher priority when we have scouted the three. Is everyone ready to travel? "
Vilesse glances at Ausk. "I would think so, save our guide."
The group discusses their options and the clues before them and eventually decides to strike out the "the Three," with the intent to swing back towards Cyamar afterwards to question Eiraval.
Ausk takes some time to pack up his gear and bid farewell to his father, then they are ready to set out.
Following the map they head north west into the tangled wood and are quickly enveloped in the deep forest. Most of the trees have dropped their leaves for winter, turning the journey into a trek through a forest of giant skeletal fingers.
The map proves very accurate as do Ausk's skills as guide. By evening of the second day you have reached your destination.
A low, partially collapsed barrow squats forlornly in the centre of a small small clearing, partially buried in the snow. A half‐dozen tumbled, moss‐wreathed menhirs stand drunkenly about the site.
Humm. We have arrived yes. The Three? I wonder what the First Men did here yes. Ausk begins poking around as Seeha flies off to perch on one of the Menhirs.