As a worshiper of Darlen (albeit not terribly active), Wulfric will attend the evening services. After that a bit of weapon drills a wander around the battlements and bed.
Vilesse retires to the infirmary to rest. The infirmary’s other patient is awake. She sits on her cot picking at the plate of food that Rosenn brought up to her, a wool blanket pulled up about her shoulders even though her dark hair is matted against her perspiring brow. A candle sits burning upon her nightstand, and she offers Vilesse a weak smile as the other woman settles into her own cot.
Wilf heads back to the group’s lodgings and putters about with some more minor repairs.
Mitran seeks out the library and gives it a cursory once over.
Wulfric and Tomi join the clergy in the Justicar’s hall for evening services. Ruan and the others seem delighted that they have chosen to attend. The ceremony is simple and ernest, during which Ruan thanks Darlen for sending strangers to aid his faithful in these uncertain times.
Mitran returns to the stables to check on Bo just before going to bed.
as the service ends, tomi attempts to gain his private discussion with father ruan.
father ruan, if i might speak to you...
if father ruan agrees to a private audience, tomi describes his visions further and attempts to glean some insight from father ruan about what it might mean, or if there is something in the history of this place that might have drawn tomi here.
if he doesnt agree to the private audience, tomi, slightly disappointed, will simply return to the guest quarters.
Ruan listens earnestly to Tomi’s visions, and offers some sage insights. He promises to research some of the symbology more closely over the next few day and share with the Halfling what he learns. Tomi leaves their meeting buoyed and positive, having met the first person since leaving home that not only takes his quest seriously, but can offer insight into its meaning.
The night passes cold but quiet save for the howling wind, which dies out just before sunrise. Dawn breaks crisp and clear. Most of the party, hardy and used to hard work, rise with the sun, but before any of you have ventured out of the guest lodgings, the morning calm is broken by a woman’s panicked shriek.
You jump up and head outside to investigate. You find Rossen outside in the courtyard, already being comforted by Tomas. As you approach, she points to a pile of snow, atop which are the tiny crumpled corpses of four song birds.
Vilesse smiles back at the sick woman and raises her voice to speak to her across the room. "Hello. Have you been here long?"
Mitran meditates on the previous days travels and prepares the following spells:
Cure Light Wounds
Open Spell Slot
Healing:
Bo is restored to full health after a calm night of relaxation with Chaser. Mitran wonders how they got along.
Who knows what the day will bring? Father Ruan should be able to tend to us if need be.
Mitran runs out to see Rossen in the courtyard. Rossen! What happened here?
Mitran will investigate the song birds' corpses.
"Has anyone been close to these, Mitran does this look natural? Can you read any marks in the snow?
Tomi watches the fuss about a few dead birds mildly confused - to his mind, life and death go hand in hand, especially in this harsh climate. kicking at the snow he huddles a little deeper into his cloak, wishing it was the wolf pelt, and amuses himself by watching his breath fogging the freezing morning air.
Additionally, you could ask Father Ruan to heal you.
Eiravel watches him go then turns to you again with a sigh. I'm grateful to the priests for saving my life and taking me in, but I don't think they like me very much.
Under a comet lit sky
the helmeted hunter lets fly.
The warthog, strong and spry
hears the forests cry,And tastes matron's blood on fateful night
when swollen silver moon shines bright.
The hunter riding steed of light
Chooses path of mercy or path of might.
Well, ruminates Ruan. That is a puzzle. Let us assume you are the hunter, it sounds like you have some dark days ahead. These things are rarely literal. Do you have any idea what the warthog could represent? Remember that Darlen always counsels mercy as a virtue, but gives us the resolve to answer with violence if necessary. The trial comes from knowing when that is . . .
Mitran and Wulfric look over the little bird corpses. Originally they assume they died of exposure to the cold, but the flesh around their beaks is slightly blackened, suggesting poison.
I just came out to start clearing away some of the snow, and there they were, just like that. Rosenn points at the birds. She is quite distraught. I'm sorry...I can't... She buries her face in her hands and hurise back to her room.
By this point Ythel and Malvenos have joined you in the courtyard. Everyone stands around awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. Tomas eventually breaks the silence. Wulfric, that leg looks like its still bothering you. Come up to the infirmary when you get a chance and I'll take care of it for you.
im not sure really - though the night that my tribe left me behind our shaman had given me some sort of potion that left me thinking i was a wild boar for the night... that might be related somehow?
in any case it sounds like i might need to be wary in the days to come. thank you for your wisdom father.
"That would be great Tomas, it is still rather painful. Does anyone feed the birds here? These appear to have been poisoned. Mitran could these have been poisoned elsewhere and died here?"
Perhaps it is an omen. Father Ruan, could you tell me more about the lore surrounding Cymer and its purpose?
***
Well, that explains it then. Malvenos responds to Wulfric’s revelation of the birds being poisoned. Rats and mice are a problem here. We put out poisoned bait regularly to keep them under control. These birds likely got into some of that. He casts a glance at the retreating Rosenn, clearly perturbed at her outburst. Hardly something to get worked up about.
He turns to leave, the matter clearly closed in his mind. I’m going out to walk the perimeter now that the weather has cleared; maybe catch some small game. Anyone who wants to join me should meet at the front gate in 15 minutes.
Ythel sighs and stoops down to scoop up the birds. Tomas looks back between the retreating Malvenos and the priests’ quarters where Rosenn disappeared to. Well, that leaves me to check on our patients then. Wulfric come with me, might as well get that leg mended at the same time.
Well, Ythel answers Mitran. I’ve only been here a few years, so the others probably know more than me, but the old stories say St Cymer had a dream of a great evil rising from this very spot. So he built the priory right over top – like a theological cork, if you will. He smirks at his awkward metaphor and shuffles off to dispose of the birds.
Wulfric and Tomas enter the infirmary, where Vilesse, and another young woman, dark haired but pallid, sit in cots gingerly eating a bland breakfast. He sits Wulfric down, closes his eyes and casts a prayer to Darlen over the other man’s leg, which is soon fully healed
Wilf would have come out at all the hubbub, but seeing it was just a few birds, not have paid it much mind.
"I'll tag along on that walk. I wouldn't mind a stretching my legs in some weather which isn't looking to kill me. "
im sure chaser would love a chance to stretch his legs a little...
rather pleased to be away from the slightly morbid scene of the dead birds, Tomi bounds off to get chaser ready for a ride. knowing there might be more of those goblin creatures about he collects his weapons too.
Vilesse looks at Wulfric, curiosity plain on her face. "What was that shouting?"
Mitran, not wanting to miss anything, gathers his things with Tomi and gets Bo.
Look, they didn't try to eat one another. Another of Pirsma's miracles... Would you believe there are those who think animals are just dumb creatures meant to do our bidding? You seem very respectful towards Chaser. Are all animals held in such high regard where you come from?
Wilf, Mitran and Tomi join Malvenos as he patrols the exterior of the priory. All seems in order, though the sheer volume of snow that has fallen in the last twelve hours or so likely would have obliterated anything suspicious.
After he is sure of the priory's security, Malvenos tries his hand at some hunting, but the woods seem devoid of life. With a scowl, Malvenos remarks. Its been like this for a couple of weeks now. I brought it up to the others, but they don't understand the forest like I do. They just said I was being paranoid. Something is stirring; some doom is gathering about this sacred place. The forest is normally bustling with the sounds of woodland creatures preparing for winter, but not this year. Something has scared the creatures away – something unnatural has come to Cymer.
Another hour of fruitless hunting goes by, and the sky begins to darken dramatically. More scowls from the half-elf, as if the weather confirmed his earlier suspicions. Looks like this storm is not done with us yet. Best head back. On the return Malvenos asks some pointed questions. That elven girl you brought in - how well do you know her? Where is she from?
By the time the four have returned to the priory, the wind has picke up and the snow has started to fall again. By mid day the storm has returned in full force.
Meanwhile, Ruan comes to the infirmary to check in on Vilesse. Tomas is just finishing with Wulfric's leg , and the two stay to witness the old cleric purge Vilesse's mysterious disease with divine magic. Next he shuffles over to Eiravel's cot. The two talk quietly for a few moments then he casts another spell of healing upon her. Some of her colour returns and she smiles at him gratefully.
There now, exclaims Ruan. I hope to see both of you ladies at dinner this evening, and if you like, I think you will both be well enough by then to move into the guest lodgings. I understand Wulfric and his friends have the place looking better than it has in years.
"Don't know the lady much at all. Never met her fore I agreed to bring her here. "
where i come from... the bond between mount and rider is life or death. without a horse, you might as well be dead, and the respect runs in both directions. Other animals have their place, we rever their spirits, but the horse is special.
Tomi laughs at the idea of the animals eating each other -
its good Bo did not eat Chaser, but i dont think chaser is equipped to eat Bo!
Tomi stays silent on the subject of the forest, not considering himself expert enough to comment.
surely any right minded animal is curled up in a burrow with this sort of weather about...
like Wilf, i only met Vilesse a few days ago. She seems a good sort though, why do you ask?
Vilesse smiles gratefully at Father Ruan. "Thank you, Father Ruan." She still looks weak but her smile still lights up her face. "I will help Eiravel move her things into the guest lodging when she is feeling ready."
I only met her a short while ago, but to me she seems the victim of misfortune. We only started to encounter such harsh weather as we made our trip here to Cymer. I couldn't think she had something to do with it, Ythel mentioned a bit of history regarding Saint Cymer. Perhaps we could petition Father Ruan for more information when we get back.
Mitran will seek out Father Ruan when they get back.
Malvenos shrugs in poorly feigned disinterest as Tomi turns his questions about Vilesse back on him. Why do I ask? No reason I guess. Just don’t see many full blooded elves out this way is all.
After their foray outside the priory, Mitran makes a point of seeking out Ruan to ask more about the history of Cymer. I’m glad to see you are showing interest in these things, but truly there is little else to tell. The priory has been a quiet hall of contemplation and study for decades now. You may turn up more in the library.
So the young druid spends a good portion of his second day in the priory sequestered in the library, looking into Cymer’s past and anything that may explain Malvenos’ odd observations of the local wildlife.
The Priory of Cymer is a small, backwater shrine named after a local saint. The priory was founded at the behest of Cymer (a visionary believer) who foresaw a great evil would arise at the site. One obscure document you find suggests the priory was built above a network of caves; stonemasons sealed the caverns because they feared what might creep forth.
The current curate at Cymer (Ruan Gloyne) was once a member of an extreme sect – The Brotherhood of the Unalterable Way. Depending how you interpret the appointment records, becoming curate of Cymer was either a reward for leaving the sect or a punishment for not doing so sooner. The Brotherhood of the Unalterable Way is an ultra
orthodox sect of Darlenites famed for their unbending view of holy scripture and their practise of self‐flagellation which they believe literally scourges sin from the body.
The rest of the group busies themselves with chores and repairs around the premises. Vilesse moves her things down to the guest lodgings, but when she offers to help Eiravel move as well, the other girl complains that she is still feeling quite faint, and will stay in the infirmary a while longer. Malvenos can be seen keeping an eye on her from the gate house.
The dinner bell chimes, and everybody files into the frater for a meal of rabbit stew, root vegetables and thick crusted bread. Ruan tries to buoy everyone’s spirits and again is generous with his thanks to the party for the help they have provided throughout the day, but whether it is the constant blowing storm outside, or the strange events that have been occurring, the mood is subdued and conversation is stilted. Tomas questions Malvenos on his foray, and makes several suggestions on what he should have tried to catch some game. Malvenos suffers Tomas’ inexpert advice sullenly. Ythel is pensive. Other than asking several times after Ruan’s comfort he contributes little to the conversation. Rosenn is skittish. Eiravel does not attend dinner.
Afterwards, the evening services are performed the same as the night previously. The monks then retire to the chapter house, and you their guests are left to your own devices.
After you retire to bed, your sleep is untroubled until just before midnight when a distant banging sound wakes Mitran.
After suffering through the uncomfortable silences at dinner, the normally gregarious halfling makes his excuses and finds a sheltered spot outside to sit and contemplate where he has found himself and what he is doing here.
after watching the moon rise he decides he has had enough of the cold and wanders off to find his rest.
Hearing the banging, Mitran gets out of bed. Still dazed by his sleep, he stumbles over Wulfric. When Wulfric wakes, Mitran says Did you hear that banging noise? It sounds eerie. in an attempt to make Wulfric believe he was intentionally woken. Should we wake the others?
He then starts to prepare himself, putting on his hides and grabbing his scythe.
"What did you hear? Always better to be safe than sorry."
Wulfic wakes the nearest of the others before donning his mail and grabbing his weapons.
"Huh, whuh? Banging? We better check it out. Can't imagine it's anything more than we can deal with. " he says as he dons his hide armor and gets his club in hand.
Tomi grunts in his sleep and rolls over, almost roused by the ruckus but not quite.
Vilesse continues to sleep, hearing nothing to rouse her from her slumber.
Listening closer to the sound, it is faint, constant, not entirely rhythmic, not increasing or decreasing in volume or intensity - like something banging in the wind.
After all members of the party have been awakened, and spent several hasty minutes donning armor and grabbing weapons, you head out into he courtyard to investigate.
Closer to the Justicar’s Hall, the banging sound gets louder. Atop
the snow‐slick steps you easily make out the hall’s main door banging in the wind. Beyond, darkness shrouds the interior.
unaccountably nervous, Tomi says -
seems like... seems like that shouldnt be open. We should rouse malvenos.
Clutching her spear with her thorn-wrapped leather gauntlets, red-eyed hound at her side, Vilesse shakes her head. Her eyes almost seem to glow in the dark, the young elf girl looking wild and beautiful in the night. "No time. There's no telling what might be in there."
This looks precarious. Maybe a bit of light is what we need.
Mitran sifts through his pouches, Where is that little bugger?
Vilesse shrugs and waves a hand at the open door. "Light? Here."
Wilf will move keeping pace will Wulfric watching out for trouble. nevermind
Works for me. Wulfric and Wilf move towards the main door, carefully up the slick steps.
"Let's get in there, it may be nothing, but let's be on our guard. And watch those steps!"
with some light emboldening him Tomi darts ahead of the others while they are putting on their armor carrying just his spear, to peer into the open hall.
Mitran retrieves his lightning bug from his pouch and looks up to see Vilesse's Dancing Lights and blushes. Ah, yes, light. Well, I like having my own as well. He then makes the incantation to make the tip of his scythe glow.
Mitran whispers ahead to Tomi, What can you see in there? Does the darkness seem unnatural?
By the dim light of Vilesse’s magical lights the group can make out that the heavy wooden door to the Justicar’s Hall is ajar and banging in the wind. Snow has already begun to pile in little drifts in the entryway.
You approach cautiously and make a grisly discovery at the threshold – a mutilated
corpse of a fox partially hidden by a small heap of windblown snow. . .
The party enters the hall itself and begins to look around. The place seems empty and undisturbed, but before you get too far inside. Tomas arrives from the chapter house, lantern in one hand, long sword in the other, and a fur cloak hastily thrown over his night clothes.What is going on here? He sees the desecrated animal corpse at the door way. His face goes red and he raises his blade, taking a step backward in shock. What have you done?!
Whoa friend! We came because we heard these doors flailing with the wind, as I'm sure you have. We have only just gotten here ourselves.
//
Vilesse grimaces and Hound growls at the mutilated fox. They are about to follow Tomi inside when Tomas shows up. Vilesse nods at Mitran. "What we have done is arrive here and find that poor creature. We were just about to go inside to see if whoever did this is still here."
At the arrival of Tomas, Wulfric rises from his inspection of the fox, arms spread. " Hey Tomas, as the others said, we have just arrived ourselves. It seems someone has cut out the heart of this fox. From the condition of the body I can't tell when and I don't know why someone would do that. Any ideas anyone? It makes me suspect the death of the songbirds again, but why would someone do it?
Or something, Mitran adds.
"Yeah, we just found it here. Now I'm not the biggest fan of foxes since I've had to watch chickens before, but this is just strange. "
Initially taken aback by the grisly scene and the discovery of so many people in the sacred Justicar's Hall, Tomas is never the less calmed by your words and explanations. Together you search the rest of the hall, but find nothing of note.
I don't understand what message someone is trying to send us, but when I find them, I swear to Darlen I'll make them pay! exclaims the young cleric.
Perhaps we should retire after we clean this mess up?