"Quinn freed his wife only to die...from prisoner to widow. That poor woman," Lucanor sighs
Silas looks about ready to drop with exhaustion and a sudden horrible thought makes him go distinctly paler. With a scratchy voice he croaks, "I uh, have a terrible feeling that very many towns folk died today. Syntira is probably doomed politically. And unless the gavel had the good graces to get himself killed he's the only one to benefit from this tragedy."
The throught makes Silas feel physically sick, and in fact he is.
"We don't know how many died...but I know this. More would have if it weren't for what we did this day," Lucanor says, "That won't bring much comfort to the loved ones of those lost... but damn it, it matters."
Hecktor removes his mask, the lower inside covered in blood.
"Glad that's over.....but this was, a nasty and nearly fatal fight. Sadly for Quinn and many townfolk the same cannot be said. Lets just get out of here."
Hecktor puts Silas' arm around his neck, to support the sickly pale bard.
"Come on, let's leave."
"I'll need more study to fully know the properties of that glaive, but it's magical for sure. The other thing is enchanted plate armor that grants a measure of resistance to the cold. I guess Michael is best placed to use that."
Gilmork touches Hecktor on the shoulder and a wave of healing energy washes over him.
Gilmork takes back his mask from his pack and puts it back on. "Seems I'm destined to wear this again." He says with a sigh as he hides his true face once more.
"Wouldn't put it past some folks to say it's my fault when they see someone that looks like a werewolf."
"So what now? Do we get rid of the remaining fey or do you think they will leave now they know their leader is gone?"
"I hope they know. If the big leader dies it would send a signal right?"
Lucanor says, "Options that come to mind.. we risk splitting up and covering more ground. Number two, we go to find Quinn's wife now widow, and see if she's awake for the bad news. Three, we find another 'attraction' with folks..see if fae are lingering around, or if they're gone and the humans have snapped out of it."
Gilmork heads out back to the carnival (hopefully with the others in tow), he rounds up as many of the surviving townsfolk he can and usher them away from the carnival grounds.
If he meets any more of the dark fey he growls at them through his mask and tries to scare them away. "Leave this place, your leader is dead and you will follow if you linger."
"While I agree Quinns widdow deserves to know what happened. I think we should make sure the Fey are gone first. In his madness he caused no end of trouble and I propose his personal effects" Silas indicates Quinns arms and armor, "be sold as wareguild for the townsfolk. No doubt there will be more orphans now than ever..."
Silas cocks his ear and, "I can hear a commotion over there perhaps we should investigate."
"Then let's go. The suggestion on the selling of the items is as good a suggestion as any. it's hardly compensation for lives lost, but at least it's something."
As you guys move around the carnival you see some bodies and wounded which you care for. There is no sign of the dark fey, you surmise that they knew when their master fell and they fled into the woods. The townsfolk begin to realize what happened and you hear "Hail the Heroes!" and "The Heroes saved us!"
You notice Lady Cirthana, who is also caring for the wounded and dying.
All told you figure about 80 casualties this night amongst the townsfolk. A significant number yes, but dramatically smaller than it wound have been.
"Well, by rights Quinn's gear probably belongs to his wife..." Lucanor says with a slight frown. He likes Silas' idea, he's just not sure about the legality of it.
When folks cheer them, Lucanor is almost surprised. The town folk showing gratitude like this...well, normally they seem more cynical. Maybe all their good deeds are indeed slowly making a mark, "We had help from goodly fae to battle the evil ones." He says to folks, trying to mitigate early any chances of increased hostility between fae and human
He tends to the worst of the wounded, at the very least stabilizing them so they'll have a chance to be seen to later.
When he sees Lady Cirthana, he nods respectfully, "Ma'am, I'll have a lot to report later. Any idea how many we've lost?"
I do not know Brother Lucanor, I have treated at least a dozen for minor wounds, and half dozen for near fatal ones. You say the Fey had something to do with this?
"On both sides," he says, "Some dark winter fey caused this, but we wouldn't have been able to see through their magics if not for the help of another fae queen. Seems to be something of a civil war going on, I suspect. Seems the wildfolk have their good and bad, just like we do."
While Lucanor talks to Cirthana, Silas slinks away to deliver the bad news to Quinn's wife, thinking I suppose Lucanor is right, the stuff belongs to his widow now.
He retraces his steps to Quinn's caravan and nervously knocks on the door.
"Ma'am are you there? Ah no don't get up I can let myself in. I'm not sure how to say this really, I'm terribly sorry Ma'am Quinn went with us to battle the Cold Rider and he didn't make it. He died bravely and in my eyes he salvaged his Honour. I'm terribly sorry for you loss, there was nothing that could be done. We'll arrange for his body and effects to be moved here and ensure he gets a proper funeral. I'm afraid I can't stay, many people died tonight and we have much to do, but if there's anything else we can do for you please let us know. Ask anyone in Town they know how to find us."
Hecktor will accompany Silas on his difficult trip to Quinn's widow.
"He's right miss. It was a hard fight and he fought well, i can speak from experience fighting for a cause.
Do or die was the situation, a man's got to do what he can."
Gilmork approaches Lady Cirthana quietly.
"Please don't twist Lucanor's words or pick specifics out of them. The good-natured fae have helped us this evening, combating the evil fae that wished harm upon every person in the Vale including the other fae. The people of Falcon's Hollow are also a people divided in their actions and opinions. We should not say all fae are evil or must be destroyed because the awful actions of one, the same might be said of us looking at the actions of some of the spiteful inhabitants of the Hollow."
Gilmork approaches Lady Cirthana quietly.
"Please don't twist Lucanor's words or pick specifics out of them. The good-natured fae have helped us this evening, combating the evil fae that wished harm upon every person in the Vale including the other fae. The people of Falcon's Hollow are also a people divided in their actions and opinions. We should not say all fae are evil or must be destroyed because the awful actions of one, the same might be said of us looking at the actions of some of the spiteful inhabitants of the Hollow."
"You said it better than I did, Gilmork," Lucanor admits, and looks to the priestess, "We're worried that Kreed will try to twist this all against all the fae. The man's got a gift for stoking the fires of hate against even the innocent ones. The last thing the fae OR us need is some stupid war."
Silas reflects for a moment and says, "That's very generous Ma'am, thank you. If you don't mind me asking, what will you do now? The carnival is yours now, perhaps it can be saved?"
"I meant no disrespect Lady Cirthana, I'm just asking for understanding from the Hollow's citizens with relation to the fae. They know me now, but I'm not a resident of the Hollow. If someone could talk reason into them it might be you instead of me."
Silas, shrugs slightly and sighs, "Tis a shame Ma'am, but perhaps it's for the best. Anyway we must be going, but like I said let us know if there's anything we can do."
With that Silas steps out and walks away. A few minutes later Silas stifles a yawn and says to Hecktor, "Man I am exhausted. But I don't think sleep will come easy tonight. I need a drink to settle the nerves. Lets get the others and head back to the Duck?"
"Whether it has something to do with the seal or not, I'm not quite sure to be honest," Lucanor feels more than a bit of exhaustion, "No disrespect from me either meant, but even with my friends here, I'm feeling stretched thin. Now I won't ask anyone to go into danger FOR me, but maybe you could get a lay priest or two from one of the bigger cities to help with the day to day aid of the temple? Between the seal, the fae, the Consortium's tyranny, werewolves , sicknesses, and a whole peck of kids in a whole peck of trouble to occupy you and me, I get the feeling Iomedae's faithful are a bit overwhelmed."
He had asked superiors before for aid, mostly in the city. It occurs to him that the priestess herself might be offended by the suggestion they needed to increase the strength of the church even before its popularity, but it was how he felt and he meant no insult.
Lady Cirthana grows pensive You may be right. We could use the help, but....too many eyes and ears would not serve my true mission. You are sure the Fey never mentioned Drazmorg or the Seal? she pauses This may be just a coincidence... or perhaps this Cold Rider was drawn to the Vale by the power of the Seal.
"One thing I recall is that when we mentioned Drazmorg, she said 'I do not know the name Drazmorg'. No mention of the seal that I remember, but we were all a bit in awe," Lucanor admits, "But while it may have drawn the Cold Rider as you surmise, the fae queen herself didn't seem to have a clue. I can try to track her down and ask again, but that could be tricky."
Cirthana shakes her head That won't be necessary. However, you will probably hear from her again. Now that she knows your mettle, she may have uses for you again. She puts her hand on Lucanor's arm Be careful with the Fey, they may seem good....but their ways are alien to us and they have their own strange view of things. Cirthana scurries off to assist more wounded.
Lucanor nods to her, "I'll do that." He watches her go and looks...well, perplexed. Then he glances to Gilmork, "Well, today's just full of excitement, isn't it? What do you suggest we do next?"
Gilmork shrugs as Lucanor asks the question.
"If I had any healing powers left I would help the wounded. Alas I am drained, regrettably my non-magical means of healing is pretty bad, so I'm not sure how I could help here."
He looks over as Cirthana moves to treat more wounded people and watches her go.
"I guess some people need to know what happened, perhaps your alchemist friends and the sheriff of the town if he still lives. Else I'd say we deserve some rest and help out with the aftermath tomorrow."
"You got more than a few good points. Let's see if the sheriff and others lived. Iomedae forgive me, but I can't help but think that if one or two folks specifically got taken out by this," He considers Kreed and Bloodeye, though not necessarily in that order, "I might think it was for the better...but I get the feeling we're not that lucky. I also need to check on those kids. They're going to drive me gray. Fore we go, we might want to do one more round here...and tell any folks working the carnival the bad news about Quinn"
Lucanor wanders the carnival to survey the damage at places he hadn't been, the drinking hall, the freak show, and more.
After that, as Gilmork suggested, he'll make his way to town to let the sheriff know what's going on, if he still lives and doesn't know already. He's also got to check with family members of the kids and make sure each got home safe and sound.
"Another round would be a good idea, I'd like to check upon someone myself. I hope those kids are safe as well, children shouldn't be targeted or bear witness to such atrocities as were performed tonight."
Walking with Lucanor back along some of the places they didn't visit when the trouble had begun, Gilmork can't help to feel the need to check up on the poor little dog-faced girl of the freakshow. He doesn't want anymore sorrow for her and might try to convince her to leave such an abomination behind.
At the very least Gilmork will make a scene if he still finds her locked up or in chains and will make a demand for her release.
While waiting for Hecktor's answer (about the Sitting Duck), Silas will take a moment to examine Quinn's weapons.
Gilmork goes to see about the dog faced girl, and finds that no one from the freakshow remains. They have either fled or died in the fey takeover.
Lucanor goes to the Strong Ale tent and finds a half dozen saplings with human faces of townsfolk in agony. Nothing else remains...
Lucanor looks over the saplings, the facial expressions on them, "By the good goddess, what happened here?"
He doesn't know if it's possible for trees to have alignments, but he looks over the saplings to see if that's the case
Your best guess is that something/someone turned the people into saplings.
Lucanor scratches his head, "Well...aint' this a pickle. I don't know if I can save these folks, but I can try. I suppose. Either that, or make sure you all got plenty of water and ask the lumberjacks to leave be."
With that, unless one of his friends needs him, he'll head to town to talk to the Sheriff, and check on each children and their families. I Sure hope none of their families died. We may have enough orphans as it is.
The Sheriff receives Lucanor's news with the same grim look he usually has Two of my deputies were out there! Gared is out inspecting the Logging Camps, but Peete and Georg were there at that damnable carnival. I hope they made it out of there in one piece. The Sheriff heads toward the carnival to assist in the recovery.
You find that Hollin and Ralla are safe in the Temple, Kimi is with her mother. Mika Jabbs is fine, with his father at the butchery. You aren't sure about Savram Vade or Jurin Kreed.
"I'm sorry, Sheriff, I didn't see either of them so I couldn't say one way or the other. The full toll isn't known yet, but..we did what we could." He wishes the man well as he heads off.
News of the Children is mixed for him. He's glad to see Ralla and her brother safe, and makes sure they've had food. Kimmi and Mika get a smile from him, and he makes sure to thank Kimi for passing the potions on again once more. But Savram and Jurin? Well...
That's troubling.
He'll knock on the Vade and Kreed residence doors, in that order.
Vade's tower looks empty and the Kreed's ofc don't answer themselves. The Halfling manservant Jeebs answers and assures you all is well in the house. He invites you in to sit in the parlor while he fetches the Master.
"No need, good sir. If all the Kreed family is safe and accounted for, I won't bother Mister Kreed himself, but I thank you for the offer." I think I'd rather have Silas do the talking. He's smoother than me on any given Moonday.
If the dog-faced girl isn't among the dead, that's about what Gilmork cares for now, if she survived he hopes she doesn't wind up back inside a carnival again.
Gilmork followed Lucanor to the ale tent and looks on amazed as well, but he stays more sober on it.
"I've heard about this before, I've even had a dream about such a thing before. Turning men into a wooden statue... A sapling is a different story though, must be some strong magic involved."
Gilmork walks with Lucanor along the houses checking up on people, but he stays clear of the Kreed residence himself. Other people of the Hollow might like him, Kreed and his goons from the Lumber Consortium probably highly distrust him.
When Lucanor returns he comes walking out of the shadows around a corner.
"So everyone safe at their house as well?"
"Hecktor, a sudden thought, we should go and check that Laurel and the Doc are OK. Its on the way to the Duck, let's go?"