Carter seems /very/ nervous near the water.
"Y-ya... the bridge..."
We can't leave the horses behind Jenya says after the bell gives out a sad and rusty clank. How hard do you think it would be to ford the river?
"Wha...just a mere strin remainin."
He kind of nods to accent Jenya's question.
White eagle dismounts to check the river. trying to judge if it is able to be crossed with the horses.
He sends Elangomat across to the other side to check the area there, to see if it is safe.
Knowledge Nature for anything that may be helpful right now
If we can't cross over then maybe we should follow the river down to the fort and see if there's any way to cross elsewhere Jenya suggests.
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Shimmying across the rope is a fairly easy climb check, but the rope is not the most secure, best not to test it's strength too much.
Looking down at the river anyone can see that the current is fierce and fast, there is a serious danger of drowning if someone were to fall in. There seems to be some debris, possibly from the ruined bridge, downstream. Grabbing on to the debris might save a swimmer's life, but once past that the river only gets more dangerous.
[url:https://sites.google.com/site/marcsrpg/pathfinder/kinmager/team-antlers/davik]Moments after Jenya rings the bell a figure rises up from the water. The rotting figure, dragging a dripping ranseur, drag itself from the rubble and walks across the water towards you all.[/url]
This obviously long-dead man with putrescent flesh might seem threatening but as he rises from the waters, he calls out to you in an eerie, soggy voice: “You are not my tormentors. Throw the Stag Lord’s body into the river that I may look upon his death, or join me instead.”
At that he stops, still standing on the water as though it were solid , waiting.
Jenya lets out a squeak that she tries to cover up as a coughing attack.
Stag Lord? she says after she recovers from her 'coughing fit'. She turns around to the rest of the group. Maybe we should head for that Fort real quick to keep them from doing anything with that bandit body. Maybe we can send Englomat on forward with a message or something?
Turning back to the dead man in the river she asks Uh... are you... Nettles?
Jenya turns to Carter You're good with dealing with spirits right? How do we put this thing to rest? I'm a bit uncomfortable with carting a body out here and dumping it in the river in any case.
I too am not sure, but I believe that this spirit has already provided a clue as to how to put it to rest.
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I can tell you this creature has three HD. Those who beat 10 on their religion checks also get the feeling that this tortured creature has been inflicted by a curse as a result of the circumstances of his death. It has given him a certain purpose, which explains why he is not attacking indiscriminately, but it also means that traditional means of putting him to rest are likely going to be ineffective.
"I know of this. One of my sacred duties to grandfather is to find these spirits and assist them in passing on to their judgement and rest. Allow me to speak to it please."
He steps away from the group and to the edge of the water.
"Restless spirit! I come in the name of lord Anubis! I ask that you tell me what keeps you here that I may help and give you peace!"
His usual akwardness is replaced with a very very rehearsed sounding speech.
Well we should get to the Staglord Fort then. Leave this poor bastard to his bridge for a while Jenya says Maybe we'll find some other way to cross the river as we follow it to the fort.
He leaves the river back to the group.
"We need to do as he says that he may pass on. We must hurry that they do not destroy the body before we get there."
Jenya nods Sounds like a plan to me, let's ride to the Fort as quickly as possible We can explore more later
"Makes one wonder what kind of type dis Stag Lord is."
"I think it's 'was' now. Right?"
Yeah he's dead from what we heard. I guess if we're all agreed we head straight to the fort?
White Eagle remains vigilant, making sure that this is the only spirit he has to deal with.
Once Carter informs them of the situation. Will will make haste to the fort. follow this river the fort should be on this side. maybe 2 or 3 day ride.
looking to Cater, thank you for your help.
White Eagle will lead the group heading the most direct route to the fort. (not exploring)
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Indeed, weekends are often very slow for me.
On horseback it takes you 20 hours of travel to get to Stag Fort, so you arrive the next day, after camping without incident.
Where the Shrike and the Thorn rivers join together and then empty into Tuskwater Lake there is a hill covered in thistle, purple blossoms all in bloom. Atop the hill is a wooden palisade that surrounds an old ruined tower. There is a but a single path leading up the hill to a simple wooden gate.
"A flattenin 'uh, 'aven't seen anodder way to cross de water yet. It's a detour, but we should be able to just find our way back, non?"
Well we can follow it north and see what we find for sure. Getting that bridge back up would be right useful for everyone to prevent the long ridearound. We ready to go in and see if anyone's home?
Carter nods.
White Eagle nods. He sends Elangomat on ahead to scout, just in case something happened.
White Eagle will lead the ride to the entrance of the fort.
"Should we announce ourselves, or not?"
We got a message to come here so I guess why not.
"No need to announce yourselves. We heard you coming up the road." The owner of the disembodied voice comes into view as the front gate opens. The woman is hauntingly beautiful, with long black hair that has a crimson red streak through it. A dark red mark on her face is the symbol of Pharasma imprinted on her cheek, like an overlarge tear under her eye. Her skin is a pale olive, peeking out through the blackened armor she is wearing. Her dark eyes seem to be looking through you.
Next to her is a grizzled man wearing armor and blade at his side who seems to have seen more than his fair share of combat. Though he stands relaxed, he seems ready to move on a moment's notice.
"We've been expecting you, "the woman says. She seems familiar, but you can't just place her face at the moment. "Please, you've been traveling for some time. Come in and make yourselves at home. The Queen of Ravens bids you welcome."
Upon arriving at the fort Kyras looks upon it with some respect.
"Nice work dey did on dis fort."
Before heading in he says to the others in a very modest tone.
"De symbol on de lady's face, it's de symbol of Pharasma."
Though keeping a composure he seems amazed by the grace of the woman who suddenly appeared.
Ten claws however grab hold of his shoulders......
Her claws firmly upon Kyras' shoulders she leans in
"Don't go fawning over strange women......."
Carter looks at her and goes into a bow.
"Hello fellow agent of the cycle."
He returns from the bow.
"Your symbol is of that of the form grandfather takes in this land's pantheon."
Carter has on a black trench coat over gold armour and white wraps covering his body up to the neck, wrists, and ankles.
A large brimmed hat covers his jet black hair, which conceals his ears.
A khopesh sword hangs at his side and numerous bottles and vials line the inside of his coat.
Raven returns the bow with a nod. "You are most welcome here."
She leads you into a makeshift main hall where some rations have been laid out. "Help yourselves. The rest of my friends should be returning shortly from scouting the surrounding lands."
White eagle rides up and dismounts. Elangomat flies down and lands on the now empty saddle.
Raven, good to see you again. It has been a while. He says as he escorts Sikem into the fort.
there have been some changes, as you may have already seen. I am afraid Hunter is no longer able to continue exploration. he suffered grievous wound at the tusks of a wild boar.
turning to his new companions. This is Carter, Kryas and his lady friend Alanya. And this is Jenya. introducing each as he indicates going around.
we will have to sit around the fire and share the tales of our journeys since our last meeting, but first there are matters that we must attend to.
White Eagle seems a bit hesitant to make his odd request. but reluctantly he continues. We seek the remains of one called "The Stag Lord"
"A spirit is stuck out of the cycle. We think that if we surrender this body to it, it will return to the cycle."
He tells her, fairly sure she will understand.
The zombie is near the remains of a destroyed bridge on the Shrike. We think the bridge was destroyed by the Stag Lord and the poor soul was tortured by him. He wishes the body be thrown into the river with him. Jenya elaborates
After graciously meeting the rest of the travelers, Raven sits with them around the cook fire. She nods understanding at their request.
"The Stag Lord is indeed dead.", she pauses as if weighing her next words. "However his remains are naught but ash, feeding My Lady's flowers where her temple will stand." She takes you over to a rampart where you can clearly see the field of purple flowers. There is one black one in the center of the field. "Perhaps if I were to speak to this spirit, we could come to an understanding."
Carter puts his hand to his face.
"I'm afraid the spirit won't be returning to the cycle without this. Is there something of the one called Stag Lord that we could give the lost soul, that may prove he is dead?"
"Some of his belongings are still in my room. I'm sure I can find something in there that will appease him. Else wise I will speak with My Lady and ask for her guidance." She looks at the others. "If you will excuse me?"
Raven returns to her room to go through what is left of the Stag Lord's old belongings, looking for anything with his energy still attached to it. "Lady, lead me to what I seek. You know the spirit they speak of, allow me to send him to your embrace."
As raven prays White Eagle goes to the flower bed that she mentioned. checking the soil looking for signs of the remains that could be obtained.