Rogar sleeps poorly again, his dreams full of the usual nightmares, and his thoughts filled with questions about the events of yesterday. When he wakes, he heads downstairs for some breakfast, arriving just as Ulrik is walking out the door. He grunts a curt greeting to Marcus and Vi as he walks to the bar to order some breakfast.
Taking the seat offered by Vironus, Marcus sits and once the breakfast comes to the table, he will start eating...
"I heard something about a woman, a Triumvirate and... a prisoner, perhaps? I would like to hear whatever you can tell me about it."
Well, we went to the town we saw as we first arrived here, and after some investigation, discovered that one of the Triumvirate/leaders of the town seemed to be some kind of witch. She fought us, so we subdued her and took her prisoner. She's currently held here in the Temple, and that is where Ulrik has just gone to.
With no response from tinius, Vi goes up to Dangrio and orders egg and bacon, before returning to Marcus, this time sitting at the table instead of sitting on it.
Did you find anything of interest through your investigation yesterday? We are heading back to Desnal, the village I spoke of, today, though I think this time we should expect trouble, as I do not know how many people are in on this whole thing.
Tinius brings out a smorgasbord of food for breakfast, and asks everyone how they are.
You arrive at the temple, to find it in a small state of panic, as a rather annoyed halfling stands shouting out orders to the acolytes.
Ulrik sighs, rests his hand on his blade, then yells."Everyone! Stop where you are!"He is keen to check to make sure she is still restrained.
The halfling slips his arm into his shield, shouting at the acolytes to hurry up, before turning to Ulrik. "And who are you, being sir? If you haven't noticed, we have a bit of a situation here." He says resting his other hand on his sword.
Ulrik un-collars his blade"I am Ulrik Snow or the Iron Brothers. Crusader of Gorum. But Decorum does state that one states who they are before asking another their name. So who are you?"Ulrik finishes drawing his blade and looks at the Halfling intently with an unsettling fury. Then he looks around the temple making sure to keep the Halfling in his vision as much as possible and speaks in an irritated tone."Why wasn't I informed that something was happening at the temple!?"
The halflings eyes look at Ulrik, and flash for a moment. With a long-suffering sigh, he removes his hand from his blade. "Stay your blade in this temple, Ser Snow. My name is Oloster Foechuckle, knight of the Inheritor. We have nothing to tell you as of now. The person known as Cindi is dead this morning. Along with the two acolytes set to watch her, one of which was a squire in my service. So if I haven't informed you of nothing, you will have to pardon me." He shouts at a couple of the acolytes that are just standing around. "Urtar should be down in a while, after his vespers."
"Sorry for my rudeness... These events weigh heavily."Ulrik sheathes his blade."Tell me all you can and take me to where you was and should still be."
I lean back into Rogars hearing and speak to him calmly.
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As per usual I wake at the first sound; which in this case is Vironus getting up, I then head to the bathroom where I start to wash myself and am in there when I hear Marcus go downstairs too. Just as I am about to drain all the water and come down Arirai decides to jump in the water and have a little swim, so I decide to wash him too ... which he doesn't like much.
I come down a lot later in the morning because of that, to find everyone downstairs about from Ulrik, seeing Rogar I go and sit next to him while nodding at everyone else as good morning. Noticing Rogar a now dry Arirai decides to jump onto his lap and curl up to sleep, obviously sulking with me.
Once everyone has finished eating I turn to them all, "Yesterday Marcus and I shared our abilities with each other, in hopes that this would assist us with combating this curse and ending its vile contagion. Is everyone here willing to share their experience and abilities for the greater good of our group?"
The halfling sighs as he reslings his shield. "Yep. Very heavy." He leads Ulrik through the temple to a lower level with a strong door. "I suggest you hold your breath."
He opens the door, as a rotten stench flows out, and you can see a body wearing the same cloths as Cindi, but the body looks much different. Darker, feral and crumbling before your eyes. The paladin quickly recloses the door, apologizing. "I do not yet know how this was done, or what manner of creature that is. Any light we bring in, or when we open the door, the body falls apart even more. The smell none too favorable, either."
Tinious sets down a small bowl for River. He then turns back to the bar, polishing and straightening the shelf.
Rogar chuckles for a moment.
Rogar's face turns serious. "I'll go first, if that's all right. Not much to tell, really. I have a little experience with building things and am somewhat knowledgeable about engineering." His face darkens for a moment as he gestures to his burns and scars. "That was before this happened." He pauses for a moment, his eyes gazing at something far away.
"But that was long ago. I fear I've forgotten much of that. Now, my talents lie mainly in a more warlike direction. I'm skilled with my shield and my axe, and I know how to take a hit. If there's fighting to be had, I'm the one you want to hide behind."
Rogar pauses, then, almost as an afterthought, he adds one more bit of information. "I can also see in the dark. I never thought much of it, but as yesterday's events showed, it comes in handy sometimes."
I give a little giggle along side Rogar, then look up, "So both yourself and Marcus are both combat trained? I am able to channel arcane energies and manifest them as a number of abilities. So far I have learnt how to manifest the energies to heal hurts, put people to sleep, make people bigger, protect myself with invisible armour, breath underwater for a time and how to make fire spring forth out of my hands. But I am sure that I will learn more as we journey, I do however have to prepare which abilities that I want to manifest in the day ... any of those you feel will be particularly useful?"
I then look around and back at Rogar a little confused, "I thought everybody could see in the dark?! I can and just thought that it took a while with some people to develop."
Almost as a second thought I raise my head quickly as I remember something else, "Oh and I am able to make people doubt themselves giving them a brief turn of bad luck."
Yangrit storms in and walks into the library. A couple seconds later, you hear her shout, "Wake your master, boy. And bring me a drink."
Vi asks Tinius how he is, before turning his attention to River.
It sounds as though you have a fair share of abilities, but the main question I'm sure we're all dying to know, is....are you able to call upon the power of your deity to summon alcohol?
Vi laughs as he holds forward an empty tankard.
I look at Vironus a little repulsed and slightly confused, "I do not get any powers from a diety and if I did, why would I use them to summon alcohol? That doesn't seems very useful. What about your abilities, I know that fighting and starting bar brawls are in your repertoire."
Starting bar brawls? I didn't start a thing. It was the stupidity of the drunken fools surrounding me that caused the fight you refer to. I merely stated why I wanted to adventure and that it wasn't wise to cross me. Next thing I know, everyone breaks out into fight around me, while I watch and laugh at their stupidity. I swung no punch, neither did I hurt anyone. If people don't like what I say, that is down to them.
Vi laughs.
As for the Alcohol. Well, I guess you're not as open as I to intoxication, but alcohol is a good way to pass time. Especially when you don't know if you'll live to see the next day.
I can fight. Well at that. I was once regarded as the best Gladiator in Katapesh, and as such, I was one of the few lucky enough to be granted their freedom. I won't harm women or children if I can help it, but I have no respect for men who cannot fight. For they are not men, but hopeless beings I have no time for.
Vi's mood slightly shifts a little darker as he looks into River's eyes.
I am agile and strong, and will no doubt be the one who saves you, so less of the condescending tone, and yes, I'm fairly intelligent so have a good grasp of the common language.
"Had you worded your words differently then things may not have turned out as they did, but enough off that I promised to co-operate with everyone and that is what I shall do. My idea of passing the time is to study and learn about the past, from what I have heard alcohol dulls the mind while intoxicated and that wouldn't help me in my research."
I start to twirl some of my hair, "I have never heard of Katapesh, is it a big place? Freedom is always sweeter once earned, although I think that everybody should be free." Noticing the dark stare, I look back at it intently, "I am agile, but not very strong. You may protect me from a danger yes, but the same could be said about my abilities, they could save you from serious injury or prevent you from being over-whelmed. I did not mean to give any condescending tone, nor do I know what tone that would be, but at no point did I say or even think that you were not intelligent." I look a little puzzled now. "It would appear all this time away from people has dulled my social graces, sorry about that."
"Speaking of tongues, do we have any other linguists here? Knowing what tongues and scripts we can understand should benefit us all greatly. I can speak this current tongue, the tongue of water beings, the tongue of the Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, Halflings and even Ancient Thassilonian."
Well, I am who I am. I live fairly care free now, because I have no chains tying me down to do what others ask of me. Your childhood should be one you want to remember, not one you choose to forget. I make the most of my life now, and look forward to what each day brings.
Vi rubs his hand over the back of his neck and looks down.
Yea, it's a big place. You can buy and sell anything it would seem. There's no messing with the trade in Katapesh.
Rogar chuckles a bit at Vironus' brash words about saving River with his martial prowess. He interjects lightly, "Agile and strong you may be. A good fighter too, perhaps. But everything goes out the window when the lights go out. Or have you forgotten what happened yesterday? One person did the savin'. One person did the brash shouting bit. ... And person blundered about blindly in the dark."
Rogar pauses for a moment to let that sink in, then calmly resumes speaking. "Skill at arms isn't everything; this is a very different place than the Arena you speak of so fondly. Sometimes a simple act of kindness can prove more powerful than the might of an army." He glances at River and smiles. "And don't be so quick to dismiss the lady. If she is in fact a spellcaster of sorts, she'll be stronger than both of us put together some day."
He pauses for a bite of breakfast. "To answer River's question, I clearly speak the common tongue."
"I also speak the language the Dwarves."
"And I also speak the foul tongue of my kinslayers: the Orcs."
Ha! Well I find myself unable to argue against that. Light is something most people rely on. As for dismissing the girl, I am yet to see her abilities, but I just don't wish to take blame for a fight I did not cause. He shakes his head. Drunks want any excuse for a bar brawl. It's one of the only things that commonly entertains me. I just want a simple life, where I can drink and fight all I please.
Vi looks to Rogar and Marcus, then at the door Ulrik left through.
...and if I make a few friends along the way, so be it.
Seeing the tension rising among River an Vironus, Marcus tries to cool down the mood.
"Woah, calm down you two. It's clear that we have been summoned here because each of us possess abilities that will be needed to face whatever is causing this curse. I'm glad to know that we count with such proficient warriors among us, and River's abilities I'm sure will prove to be quite handy..."
And then looks to Rogar.
"Your dwarven heritage will be needed more often, I'm afraid. Long ago, there was a dwarven settlement around this place and your people worked on a mine that brought wealth to all around here. Sadly, it also rose envy and hatred... which I think was that triggered this tragedy in the first place...
Maybe you have come here to restore the dwarven dignity or amend a huge mistake!"
Gritting his he turns."Thank You. May this day see you well."Ulrik then leaves to head back to the Tavern.
You hear a loud stomping and mumbling as Ulrik walks in and heads in your direction."Cindi is dead. We should go to the library to learn more. We must figure out what is at the root of this fast. Or we might have another War on our hands. A War I fear we can't win."
Tinious gathers up a mug and a plate of food, and takes it to the alcove with books in it. You hear a grating voice, "Ye be welcome to look, boy, but I am not finding nothing describin Scrathae."
I look to Rogar and laugh,
"That last language, the one of the kin-slayers, I have never encountered any of them and haven't learnt the language. It sounds a little grunty and snarly." I look around the room, "Looks like I am the only one here is not accustomed to fighting in close quarters, looks like I will have to find a way to assist you without getting in your way at all ... Now to a serious topic, which of the abilities would you like for me to prepare today, I usually prepare the one to put people to sleep, like what happened in the tavern."
I then look to Vironus, "Hmmm ... maybe I should go to Katapesh and see what it is like? Once we have finished here and I have located the last couple of temples to complete my search."
When Ulrik marches in, I turn about shocked and ready to defend myself in some way, then relax a little as I see it is him, "The Dwarves of the mines were accused to be holding wealth back from Baron Sengeir, even though he was guaranteed to lose the war, he went to the Noxmater forest and plead to the witches there for assistance in his war. For some unknown reason and price they agreed and the war was won quickly, but neither have been seen of since the war. The witches are still rumoured to dwell in the forest though."
I look around to the library, "Scrathae? What or who is that?"
You have never heard of such a creature, though the name harkens to some of your studies. The word seems to be an Aklo word. 'Dark Spirit' or the like.
"It was "Cindi's" Race."Ulrik seems to have something on his mind and it isn't the Scrathae.
I look around and back at Ulrik, "You do know that Scrathae means Dark Spirit, or something similar in the language of Evil Fey ... Aklo I think it is called. Unfortunately I don't understand the language, but that phrase has come up in some of my studies and research. The best bet would be to speak to the person who said the word and find out who is the Dark Spirit."
"It came from Cindi via one of Urtar's Spells. Seems he is our best bet now that the one Scrathae we had is gone."
"Well it looks like it is back to Urtar again later then, maybe he will be able to tell us a little more today."
Ulrik scratches his head with a sigh he speaks up."Is it just me or does everything seem to lead back to Urtar around here?"
Suddenly feeling uneasy, "I know what you mean, Marcus and I spent some time with him yesterday and although he seemed grateful to us for looking into the curse and how to stop it, he did seem to be with-holding information. Or at least he would tell us anything unless we really pried, which we tried to do. But I don't know how much we got from him."
Sighing Ulrik speaks lightly..."Should have been an Inquisitor."Ulrik then hits his head and laughs."Of course! We all need to go plan. Somewhere where Prying Eyes and Ears won't bother us."Ulrik then starts to pace slightly back and forth.
Waiting for Ulrik and River to finish their conversation, Vi asks the man what happened at the temple.
Ulrik, how has it come to be that the woman is now dead? I thought we left her in seemingly safe hands?
Pausing to swallow the mouthful of food he has, he continues.
The spirit of the body I originally saw fall in here, said we should avoid the mines and Castle, so for now at least, I think it to be best if we either revisit the Villa to see what else we can uncover, or we take a trip to the Forest.
The man looks to river and asks; Any suggestions?
"I would like to go to the Noxmater Forest, if the witches are still living in the forest, we could try to find out if they are the ones who started this curse? If that is the case, we could stop the source of it quickly. Does that sound satisfactory?"
Now to a serious topic, which of the abilities would you like for me to prepare today, I usually prepare the one to put people to sleep, like what happened in the tavern
"Since you're unused to combat, I would recommend preparing something to protect yourself. Maybe healing and that invisible armor. I don't want to speak for the rest of us warriors, but I can take care of myself. Just stay behind me, and you'll be all right."
Rogar puts a hand to his axe when Ulrik barges in, then relaxes once it's clear who he is. "Cindi's dead? How did this happen? Did the priests take her into the sunlight?"
He thinks for a moment at Vi's suggestion. "I'd suggest the Villa. We were so worried about not attracting attention - " He grins at Ulrik. "- except for this one, that we never bothered to search Cinid's office. Maybe there's something there. The more diplomatic of us could do some asking around town, too. There had seemed to be some bad blood between Cindi and the other Triumvir, so maybe he can help us."
Well, it's something at least. Though I think from now on it would be best if we kept our discoveries to ourselves. We're still in a town unfamiliar to us, with residents also seeming a little off, so we should tread carefully.
Vi laughs and throws in one last comment.
If I were still in the arena, I wouldn't be worrying about this, but this investigation is new to me, as is magic. So, I'm being careful because it's better to be safe than sorry! Says the man, with a smirk.
"That's right Vironus. Also, I've been searching for rumors and information among the townsfolk and I've gathered some interesting things about some of our local figures..."
Looking around for unwanted listeners, Marcus continues,
"But for now, I think we should go back to the Villa. Going to the forest seems to me as a natural choice, but remember that besides River, no one of us are trained in the arcane arts... and if those witches are still there, is better if we can go prepared."
Well, looks like the vote's two to one, so the Villa it is! Looks like we'll be going with my original plan after all. Still, tell me of your findings on the way to Desnal Marcus, for I'm curious and feel that's the best place to share information our of earshot right now.
Looking to Vi Ulrik sighs and speaks."No one would tell me what happened if they did know. But I say we go to the Forest."
Well, it looks as though the vote's on me!
Vi places his hand on his chin, looks down slightly at an angle and frowns.
Villa it is! Besides, we need to better prepare ourselves for our trip to the Forest, and I do not know of such items that could aid us against Witches.
Vironus finishes his breakfast and says Come. We must travel back to Desnal! before heading outside, waiting for the others to join him.
"Can someone catch me up on all the details we have learned so far? Maybe we should pick up a journal to record the information we uncover in?"
Seeing Vironus leave, I stand up and call out before he can leave, "I need some time to prepare my abilities for the day, I would have prepared them ahead of time, but did not know what would be the most useful. This will take me about an hour I am afraid, unless we have a wagon or something that I can sit on, on the way to the villa? I need to remain seated for the hour and during that time I am very vulnerable."
Popping his head back in the door, he responds to the girl.
We have a Wagon. Come now, we can prepare ourselves on the way!
With that I stand, pick up Arirai, placing him in my top again and then head out the door, hoping that Rogar and Marcus will follow. I look to Ulrik and gesture to the door.
Once outside I look around and upon seeing the wagon, "Well that is very handy, how long will it take for us to get to the villa?" I slowly struggle to climb onto it, sit cross-legged and place Arirai on my shoulders. I then start to meditate, whispering quietly to myself.
I do not recall as I wasn't timing our journey, but at a guess I'd say between 30 and 60 minutes, so you may want to start preparing now. That, or we can travel at a slower pace.