Greyston smiles at Sapphire as she joins in on his and Elleross conversation. "You surpass both me and Elleross in a lot of things Sapphire, as he said the way you wield a blade you have a lot of skill there. Being adept in spell and sword there is not much that will hold you back i will be happy to lend any aid you may need. While i don't think you could learn from my scribbled formulas i'd enjoy if we can all talk about what we've learnt."
He rubs at the stubble on his chin. "Like you both it seems this has been my only real test of my theories and teachings. The practical knowledge has thrown be forward leaps and bounds, we will learn a lot from each other." He again smiles at her and nods at Elleross.
@Before bed
Greyston buries himself back into brewing making sure nothing bad happens this time.
With Corum mostly recovered from his encounter with the weasel, the party packs up the tent and makes their way slowly and carefully down through the pass.
Though the snow has abated somewhat, you can see it has been heavier here than elsewhere in the valley.
After several hours struggling along, you enter the deeper part of the valley, where the hunter's journal indicated he pursued the weasel. The trees break and you see a wide plane up ahead.
More than a dozen boulder-sized chunks of ice litter the clearing ahead where a strange hut sits perched on tree trunks atop a raised mound of snow-covered earth.
@Elleross
Nasrin seems content with the offer to share, but the only thing she says is, "No, things are often better buried. I am sorry the ghost even came up here." She continues about her work in the tent, ensuring everyone is ready for the morning's jaunt.
In the morning Nasrin casts her Endure Elements and patiently waits for everyone to finish packing their personal gear. Once the pack is ready to move, she sets off, not as fast as some mornings-she knows the secret location is close.
Acid splash,arcane mark, disrupt undead, detect magic
1st lev burning hands x 1 colour spray x1 , endure elements x 0
Scrolls
Unseen servant
Magic weapon
Endure elements
Animate dead
Colour spray
Burning hands level 1
Items
1x tangle burn bag
2 x alchemist fire
Rising early Elleross once more prepares his mind for the day ahead, retreating into his memory palace he races to the top of the tower of the Sun and pours over his spell book storing the arcane incantations in his mind ready to complete.
Shutting the book and returning it to the waterproof pouch he keeps it in he casts his protection against elements spell, protecting himself against the bitter cold of the day ahead.
@ the valley
I do not like the look of this place at all. The hunters journal warned us that something is not right in this valley . We need to be ready for anything he says warily as they approach the strange hut.
Focusing his mind Elleross casts a simple spell, seeking any evidence of magic in the vicinity.
Deprehendatur, Magia, Potestas he calls out and concentrates for several moments.
Do forgive me, I did not mean to trawl for compliments with talk of inability. Thank you for your kind words about my skill with a blade, I trained hard to become deadly so it has been gratifying to be able to use those skills so successfully 'out in the world'!
she smiles at Elleross and Greyston
I have no doubt my arcane skills will improve simply by being able to observe the pair of you, you are both each in your own way inspirational, I look forward to traveling with you more!
she turns to Nasrin and Corum
Not to leave the pair of you out of my thoughts, I am happy to call you both sword brother and sister. Now, I must abed before I let my emotions get the better of me
Nodding in satisfaction at Nasrin's suggestions around how to sleep on her bruised ribs, Sapphire is elated to find they are not bothering her in the morning. Striding forth in to the snow with the others, she keeps her eyes attentive and the appearance of the odd hut is certainly a surprise.
The hunter spoke of such, with a doll inside. That sounds like witchcraft judging from what you have collectively indicated about the witches' abilities
she cocks her head in thought
The hunter was able to enter the hut but his writing became erratic afterwards, we should be on guard for anything trying to fool our senses or influence our behavior
As Elleross casts his spell, Sapphire focuses on the area of effect, ready to interpret any auras that present themselves.
Greyston goes about his normal morning routine, living in the snow is starting to become second nature to him now you adapt or die in a place like this. He hands out his extracts and the potion he brewed last night then drops his endure elements portion.
Looking out at the clearing Greyston scans it for any creatures.
"Let's take this slow, anything could happen. Corum check one of these snow piles."
They trek through the snow for another hourb before coming to the strange clearing. Corum stands watch as the others discuss it. He is slightly uneasy at the thought of witchcraft and he makes the sign of the protective horn above his heart. When Greyston asks him to check one of the snow piles he slowly moves forward, tapping the ground before him with the haft of his poleaxe to make sure there are no bear traps.
When he is within 10' he uses his bardiche to poke at the pile in am attempt to dislodge some of the snow to see what is underneath.
Nasrin waits, close enough to help, far enough away to let Corum get back unimpeded.
As Corum makes his way forward through the pass, Greyston suddenly shouts Stop!
The Barbarian looks back at the alchemist and then down at his own foot, just about seeing the jagged iron teeth of a bear trap poking above the surface of the snow.
Making sure to avoid it, he moves closer to the large boulder-like ice formations and pokes at one with his weapon. Some of the snow scrapes off, but it reveals nothing but a solid block of ice beneath.
Suddenly, from among the boulders ahead, you see a small red shadow dart across between two of the mentors, a small frightened voice accompanying it;
I'm sorry! Don't hurt me! I never meant to call you names!
Greyston steps forward slowly looking at the others confused, watching where he steps. "Hello? Who are you? Are you a Fey? We don't hurt anyone that comes in peace."
Fey. It has to be. Nasrin gets ready to fight, shifting her grip on scimitar and shield.
Thorn turns his nose into the wind hoping to catch scent of the rabbit he just heard speak.
"Remember the journal spoke of the stones whispering to him, there must be something in that maybe a witch." He narrows his eye's trying to pick up whats running around the stones.
The barbarian moves to the next stone to see if he can get a better view of whatever just moves across the clearing.
Perception
Corun steps further into the menhir maze. The wind whistles through the icy blocks in an oddly piping, musical manner. It sets you on edge and despite the cold your hands start to sweat on the handles of your weapons.
There is no response to your questions but the figure darts past again, this time to your left.
Please don't keep me here! It's so cold and I miss my mother!
what is it Corum? It's moving too fast I can't see it clearly. he curses as he edges forward through the thick snow.
I can detect no trace of any magical energy here he says surprised I have a bad feeling about this place. he says as he moves forward it fills me with disquiet just being here.
Perceptipn
"It's a little girl. In a red coat."
He waits and watches intently, looking for more signs of movement.
I don't want your stupid doll! Get it away, I just want to go home!
The voice calls again.
Corum leads the party to the centre of the icy blocks. A small clearing lies at its centre with boulders all around you. The wind continues to whistle and you strain against it to hear the girl calling once more.
But instead, you see images begin to swim to the surface of the stones, faces of the restless dead, people you loved or hated, those who wronged come seeking revenge or those who left you all too soon come looking to now take you with them
The warrior looks arou d the stone circle. Suddenly he sees the faces of his mother and stwp father in the stone, the haunting visage of his mother in torment and pain and the leeeing geotesque face of the man he killed. With them are those he has killes since, slavers and bandits. Then he sees his own face beckoning to him and an icy chill runs down his spine. "What in the nine hells?"
He spins around brandishing his axe but to no avail. Panic begins to set in as the spectral gaces co tinue to taunt him.
Will
But his warriors instinct kicks in and a slow burning anger takes him. Je looks up at the hut and resolutely marches towars it.
All he can think of are the words in the journal. There is something in that hut he is convinced of it. He is not cutnout to deal with spiruts and ghosts but if someone in that hut is playing with their minds then they will meet his axe and regret it.
Following Croum though the stones, he can't help but shake the strange feeling of this place. For a split second he sees an old elf in the stone and quickly looks back to see Elleross behind him. Looking back at the stones he can now see it's his father his stern face looking over him in disgust. Then Emily the one person he loved her almost lifeless face glossed over eye's it becomes to much for him as he turns away.
"Emily!?" He shouts out as he falls back into the snow.
Huddled in the snow for a few seconds he shaking his head he then stands and brushes at his clothes looking back into the stone expecting even more, but now seeing nothing but his own reflexion. The knots in his stomach begin to form as he looks ahead at the rest of the stone and the house. "Let's get out of these stones, this is a bad place lets get to the cabin fast." He says hoping to just get away from the things he has been running from.
As she watches the others recoil and react with strong emotions, Sapphire's brow creases. Unnerved, she stares in to the depths of the ice to try to understand what they are seeing, but she sees only shadows moving in the depths, until suddenly a pair of ice-blue eyes appear, locking her in their gaze
You! a malicious, biting voice hisses in her head
You were supposed to be killed!
The voice turns in to a scream and Sapphire drops to the snow with her hands over her ears to try and stem the pain, and suddenly it is gone. She looks around and realises she has just gone through what the others did, though each person experienced something different.
I agree Corum she shivers
Whatever this place is and whatever we need to do here, we should do it quick, the place reeks of witchcraft...
After ensuring everyone is on their feet, she follows the others in to the hut.
Nearing the strange ice covered boulders th hairs on the back if his neck stand on end and an involuntary shiver runs through him. Despite his magical protection he feels icy cold.
Staring at the rocks he cannot pull his eyes away from them and as the images form, he sees his wife again covered in blood, his fathers cold stern look as his sentence was passed in the court in oppara and just as he was thrown into prison back then he is now thrown into a dark dank part of his mind as his memory palace suddenly gains a whole new sub level.
the pools of stagnant half frozen water litter the cold stone floor and he winces as the cold seeps into his bare feet as he crunches through the thin ice, slipping on the icy slick floor he stumbles along the dimly lit corridor.
This is a place he remembers all to well, stone hold prison.
The walls here though are slick with ice and his breath fogs in the air as the fear inside him builds and builds.
Moving forward he passes the heavy iron doorways on either side, set just back from the walls they hang open like the great gaping maw of some cruel beast.
A cold sweat breaks out on his forehead as he peers into the cells but they are shrouded in an inky darkness that he dare not venture into.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! the sudden loud banging noise seems to fill his ears as the sound echoes down the long corridor.
Unable to stop himself he keeps moving forward toward the sound passing cells who's occupants he knew very well, Gurn the murderer a sallow faced weasel of a man who preyed on the elderly. Further along he saw black Jacks cell, a thief and cut throat to boot. He always carried a shank of some sort as many if the inmates learned.
Soon the banging was almost unbearable and as he turned the corner he knew what he would find. His own cell .
The figure in the doorway was hunched over , long dirty blond hair hanging limp from its head and it shook every time it slammed the door, it is only then he sees himself on the floor and his own screams fill his ears as the thing crushes his legs in the doorway and slowly it turns to face him.
His wife's blood splattered face looks out at him from beneath the mass of matted hair, and as his eyes meet hers her face changes, twisting into that of the witch. Her eyes glow a deep red like the fires in the deepest pit of hell and her mouth forms a sneer of pure evil and delight and with a hideous cry she lurches toward him.
The creatures jerky movements remind him of a marionette he once saw, jagged and awkward she pulls the kitchen knife out of her own chest and black blood runs freely down her white gown and she begins to run haphazardly toward him, her limbs seem almost broken as she hurries toward her every jagged movement terrifying.
With a cry Elleross turns and flees as behind him the witches maniacal cackling fills the corridor and she screams with a voice made of broken glass.
TiMe TO bE PuNShEd JUdgE!!! THe SeNTAnCe iSs aGoNy aNd DEATH!! her laughter flows over him and his heart hammers wildly in his chest as the dark doorways fly past .....
As Greyston turns to look at him Elleross cries out in horror
GET AWAY FROM ME!!!! as he turns and half running half falling in the deep snow he scrambles away from the vision and the strange hut
Nasrin is struck by the terrifying vision-her family's home seen from the underbrush outside the front yard. Her father is large as life next to her, his breathing quick, his strong hand holding her to the ground. She can hear shouts, her mother's raised voice, "Not my sons! No, you can't have them!" Her shouts are drowned out by harsh barking laughter. There is a crashing sound to her left and she turns to see it-A massive troll covered in ice colored scales it tramples into the yard. The shouts from the house get louder and finally one clear voice cuts through the din. "Take them to the yard." More laughter and her mother is dragged bodily out of the small cabin. Behind her and her captors a white skinned woman with a sky blue cloak steps out holding her twin brothers, one in each arm. She coos to them as their mother screams. The troll reaches out and grabs Mother and with a casual snap, catches her between two clawed arms and pulls. Blood sprays the white woman, and she smiles. Nasrin is frozen in place, tears flowing down her cheek. She feels her father's movement, he whispers "Run child!" He stands up and bellows a challenge to the witch and her minions. Nasrin watches, trembling, as he charges in, his wood axe swinging in a magnificent arc as it cuts down into the trolls shoulder. The trolls lungs pump in plain sight and it shrieks, falling to the ground in a heap. Nasrin watches as the witch sneers, and says words unintelligible and unforgettable, Father freezes in place-his axe stopped mid swing. The soldiers with the witch laugh and move in. Father does not even scream as he is cut down and then butchered. Finally, Nasrin turns on her stomach and begins to crawl away. Her vision is blurred by the tears and eventually she makes it to her feet and flees.
Back in the present, the image of her family home fades from the hut here in the snow. With the back of her glove she wipes the real and fresh tears off of her cheek. She focuses on the task at hand and carefully follows Corum.
Then the old wolf shouts, and he turns, frantic to be free of this place. She hisses at him, "Get ahold of your self!" Should I take him to the ground?
Greyston looks at the others, as they look in to the stones. But then notices Elleross scream at him and run off back out of the clearing. "Elleross! Quick we have to go after him. We have to snap out of it some spell is taking over us!"
Turning at the sound of panic that comes from Elleross Corum sprints back across the clearing and quickly catches the elf. He holds his shoulders in his hands and the old elf cannot escape his iron grip. The warrior stares intently at the elf who trembkes with fear. He snarls "Snap out of it man! It is something messing with your mind. You can beat this!"
Sapphire moves to Corum's side, the uneasy feeling she has now permeates her being, like a spectre standing over her grave. She tries and fails to shake it off, but concentrates on trying to help Elleross.
I lack any experience with such things, but perhaps we can calm him by bringing him back to the present. He seems to be reliving the past
Her eyes suddenly go wide
I saw shadows in the ice, and...something else too...I wonder if he saw something as well that has affected him so.
she turns to the group
What about you, what did you see?
"A reminder of why we can't let the Witches win. Not ever."
She looks at Elleross, What did he see that rattled him?
He struggles frantically against the powerful half elf but he cannot tear free of his grip.
His eyes wild and unfocused as the panic grips him completely.
Corum continues to hold him fast, shouting at him to calm down .
The ice covered hallways seem endless as he flees from the witch. Her endless shrieks seem as if they will go on forever and drive him mad but then amidst her curses and cackles he hears a different voice.
Focusing on that sound it becomes louder and he hears Corum and his relief is as great as his anger that he has allowed himself to be controlled again.
Turning he looks back behind him at the shrieking witch as it races toward him and with an almost casual gesture he waves his hand and the witch explodes, her body vaporising in a spray of blood as he destroys her.
Clearing his mind of the fear he tears down the prison around him the bricks crumbling and falling away to reveal his memory palace around him.
Looking up at the vaulted ceilings he wills himself back to the present
Suddenly his eyes focus on the young warrior and he stops struggling.
let me be Corum, I am ok now! he says angry at himself I'm sorry my friend, I'm not sure what happened, I panicked
Corum relaxes his grip and smiles. "Good. You had us worried there old timer. I am for seeing whay is in that hut there. Seems tonme there's something there playing games with our minds. My axe wants to tslk to it. You coming?"
He claps Elleross on the shoulder and turns to face the hut.
"I saw things from my past i'd rather not remember, those stones.. Greyston looks lost for a moment as he relives some of the memorys. "When we head back in there we need to head right for the house and don't look at those stones we smash them if we have to."
Heading over and kneels next to the old elf he reaches out "Elleross it's ok we're all here, we all saw terrible things. You have nothing to be sorry about. It's witch magic, but what was thing that darting about it looked like a little girl in a red coat but her skin was grey and ashen and i saw black tendrils stream off her like smoke. The journal spoke of a doll dress in red."
Regaining his composure if not his dignity he struggles to his feet with a little help from Greyston.
I saw things within the stones too, like you they were images from the past. They took control of me again! he spits the words out angrily those visions , induced a nightmare like state and I was terrified. It was only Corums voice that brought me back , when I heard his voice I realised what was happening, I realised it was all in my mind.
he says to them his face still flushed with anger I am going back in Corum and I intend to destroy whatever is inside he says clenching his fist.
Turning to Greyston he says
this little girl, you said she had tendrils of smoke coming off her? Is it a spirit of some kind? he asks as he searches his mind for anything like this that he may have come across before.
"I saw it too. Red cloak, black, well, smoke." Nasrin pointedly does not mention her own visions. What is past cannot be brought back.
Greystons hands begin to shake, having trouble getting the memories out of his head. "What i would give for some Dragon Punch right now. Lets.. Lets head in there and try and get past those stones. Thats right Elleross do you know about this little girl?"
Elleross strides back and forth his eyes taking on a far away look as within his memory palace he strides through the hallways and vast rooms of his mind. Coming to a large room filled with tables topped with all manor of objects he moves to a circular side table just under The large stained glass window depicting Abadar and his pantheon. Reaching down he picks up a worn silver holy symbol.
Turning to Greyston suddenly his eyes focuses once more he says
I don't know anything about the girl specifically Greyston but the way it repeats itself over and over It reminds me of several books I have read and i once knew a priest who had some dealings with this kind of thing the prison Chaplin, father Stephens suddenly fills his mind and he can hear the small frail looking man talking about a house he once blessed in an attempt to clear it of a haunt
I don't know if it is an actual spirit, now that I think about it I would guess this place is haunted . A remnant of some poor soul is trapped here. The little girl he says sadly
something terrible must have happened here, haunts can be dangerous or they can just be frightening but either way I know of only one way to suppress them and that is with positively charged energy.
Greyston shakes his head at Elleross explanation of the girl, he looks to the elf grimly. "A disgusting thing to happen to a child. I've heard of the soul its a powerful thing and for it to be stuck like that can cause some dangerous effects."
He then thinking on Ellerosses words. "Positively charged energy - That's akin to holy water? or a cure spell? I knew priest and clerics who could channel positive energy through their holy symbols. Do any of you have such means? If this suppresses the haunt do you know of any way to free the spirit?"
I can replicate a cure spell but it takes a long time and I'd have to touch whatever I am trying to discharge the energy into so I can't see that being of any use.
I can disrupt the necromantic bonds that hold the undead together , that may damage this haunt or suppress it maybe but I don't know for sure he says thoughtfully
if I had to guess I would say the doll she has mentioned that is apparently in the lodge may have something to do with this girls spirit being trapped here. Once we get inside we will know more. I'm not relishing facing those stones again but this time I will know what to expect, they won't affect me this time! I will not let them ! he says with an angry intensity.
To Grey, "There are worse things than to be trapped. At least the girl is gone. But what of her family?"
"No, Elleross, they won't frighten us away. Our task is bigger than that."
that's just it Nasrin, I don't believe this little girl is gone. Part of her remains here, as you say she is trapped. Is she now denied her chance to receive Pharasmas judgement? I fear that may be the case. Releasing the remnants of her spirit would be a kindness I think. If there is a way to do it I will see it done he says hoping there is such a way to release this girls spirit. He suspects it has something tondo with this doll and the thought of it chills him.
Positive energy? I understand you've unlocked some ability to merge or convert your magic Elleross, but is it enough to put the haunt to rest?
she muses, then adds
Is there any way you could use energy I provide to 'boost' the effect?
"So the doll is our focus, if we can't fight this spirit, this haunt then we will take out what binds her here its the best plan we have so far. Any idea how to destroy it? smash it? positive energy on the doll?" Greyston then begins to think to himself, lost in thought.
Nodding at Nasrins words. "I tried talk to it... the girl. We have no idea when this happened maybe it was the witches when they came with the snow?"
The warrior half listens to the conversation. Much of what the others discuss is beyond his ken. He has heard of ghosts. Campfire stories told by mercenaries to try to impress their peers. When Greyston talks of destroying whatever is in the hut he smiles grimly and fingers the razor edge ofnhis axe.
"I have an idea of how to destroy whatever is messing with us. It has worked so far."
The old elf turns to sapphire and shakes his head
I can't replicate the channelling of energy like a cleric. That is beyond me at present, I have managed to alter the structure of my spells to replicate healing magic but I don't like the idea of trying to touch this spirit to deliver the spell.
I think the doll is where we should focus our efforts, we must destroy it somehow and hope it is the object binding her here. he says to her do you or Nasrin have any spells or abilities that may harm this spirit? I will try and disrupt the energies binding it but I will have to hit it with a bolt of energy to do it, so if I can see it I can try. he says a little doubtfully