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Kalak hits the burning skeleton and it crumbles into pieces. Bash destroys yet another skeleton, as its skull rolls across the ground after coming off and flying over his shoulder. Natalia opens the Haunt Siphon and the ghostly screaming ends as the Haunt comes to an end.
Leaving one mindless skeleton left that will come up and attempt to avenge it's friends.
Which misses horribly.
Initiative
Normal Skeleton
Tenibri
Natalia
Lyte
Kalak
Bash
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Natalia places the now charged Haunt Siphon into her backpack, "That only turns the Haunt off temporarily. We should look around for clues for what created it in the first place and figure out how to resolve the trauma."
With that in mind, Natalia walks over to the altar and looks around for anything else of interest.
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Bash, looking somewhat disappointed, yet proud at the same time, gives the last skull a solid kick before dusting himself off from the whee scuffle "Glad ta see we finally got to 'ave some fun on this trip!" He looks around a bit with a rare smile "Hope that weren't all the fun to be had... You check out that thing there, I'll look fer more a that moss stuff near the camp!"
He heads in the direction the skellies started from, eyes on the ground for more moss or other things of interest.
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The leashy peeks out from the bushes after the skeletons are gone. He waves slightly, and looks more at ease seeing the skeletons have been dealt with.
Not normally a knowledge check, but you figure that since the haunt was centered on the bones themselves and the nature of Gyonnan's followers this may have something to do with not being buried on sacred ground of any sort.
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"Steady now Bash! There are many roles that beings of all types fill besides the front lines of battle. And yes, there are a lot of cowardly generals and kings that seem to have no problem sending in their soldiers to fight for their ideals and prosperity. But until we see what part this fine and gentle-ish creature has to play, it actually may be best to keep the main action to the more suitable warriors as yourself."
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Natalia looks around the area a bit more with an inquisitive expression, "Hey, I think if we can bury these bones in sacred ground, we can put the haunt to rest. Since it seems the remains were just all cast away at first, if we give them the proper respect that should calm the unquiet spirits. So, we should stop by a church yard first before we move on to anything else."
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Bash smirks a bit at N'ing "Aye some are better than others on the field of battle, but sometimes ya got no choice whether you get to fight! Best learn early than fall before ya do!"
He then nods at Natalia and starts gathering up the bones and skulls he so efficiently dispatched earlier "Look 'round fer a blanket or somethin' to carry these in and I'll bury em back in town." He says, motioning to the large pick slung across his shoulder.
Once they've got it gathered up he heads back the way they came, looking for a church or graveyard.
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Once you get back to town, the chruch's graveyard is available, and the villagers will help you dig new graves for the remains that you bring back.
Eventually you all make it back to town, the next morning, as you show up and let people know what happened (they ask questions while digging)-- the festival continues on in a cheerful mood. Bertinard has survived the attack on him last night and eventually leads the town in prayer. This notably thanks Shelyn greatly for leading you fine folk to Rosehaven in their hour of need.
He also presents the group with a gift, it is the latern he once used to uncover the Gyronnan's plot. (It's a Lantern of Auras ACG pg 232). As he does this he retails the story of what happened so long ago.
About three decades ago, a small coven dedicated to the vengeful goddess Gyronna slipped into Rosehaven, spreading paranoia and mistrust. Through careful whispers, planted evidence, and even strategically timed murders, the coven dissolved the village’s sense of community. Accusations of murder and treason ran rampant among the villagers, and suspicions flared into violent confrontations. The villagers were on a path to tear themselves and their settlement apart when the local priest and folk hero Bertinard Dupin interceded (though he won't call himself a hero, the people do). He bore a lantern that cast the light of revelation upon all before him, dispelling the coven’s disguises and rallying the villagers to subdue and execute the villainous trio. The accursed blood soaked into the village square, the bodies of the coven’s members were burned, and the aggrieved turned to one another and forgave each other for their crimes, burying the hatchet on the recent, terrible events.
To commemorate the anniversary of the village’s triumph over evil, Rosehaven celebrates a 3-day festival each autumn in which villagers hollow gourds, carve them with fanciful and even frightful designs, and then place lit candles within to ward off evil. On the last day, everyone gathers and ritually forgives each other for the past year’s affronts. These acts all honor their patron goddess Shelyn, who delights in the artistic expression and acts of forgiveness.
The villagers make accessories out of feathers, both colorful feathers that they have collected and chicken feathers that they dye in bright colors. Once the accessories are complete, they spend several hours performing music and dancing.
In the evening, several villagers come and apologize for suspecting them at all duing these troubled times.
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Bash puts his heavy pick to work digging in the cemetery, he grunts in the positive when some of the town's folk show up to help even "Aye, shovels be good. I'll get 'em started with the pick and you all get ta diggin. Don't want these ornery bags a bones comin' back next year!" Its not much, but its about as thankful as Bash gets unless you're healing him during battle.
Once they have a minute alone from the villagers Bash will clear his throat and speak to the group "As much fun as this little trip has been, today might be the day to find Armeline and make our proposition. Better be one of you with a silver tongue though. Maybe give'r them buncha feathers we found and stuff..." He says, looking at the ground mostly, not being one for words that aren't inherently offensive.
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Kalak helps dig up graves. When townsfolk join in, she starts asking them about Armeline, trying to figure out where they might find her and what she looks like, mainly. She also keeps an eye out for her in case she'd come by. Seeing as she doesn't and their trip is coming to a close, she starts getting worried. When Bash mentions needing to speak to her, she nods. "We should take advantage of this festival's rituals. Maybe the Society's apologies will be better received during their rites of forgiveness."
Kalak looks nervous as she starts worrying about having to talk to her, since nobody seems to be speaking up. "I hope I don't mess this up," she mutters, remembering all the times her attempts at diplomacy backfired. Still she waves to her companions and shows them the direction of Armeline's most likely location according to what townsfolk have said.
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eeing that the digging is well represented, N'Ing hangs back to facilitate the process and bringing water. He isn't above the work itself, but as there were plenty of volunteers, he would have just gotten in the way. He stifles the urge to say something about "Too many cooks..." in order to preserve the solemnity of the moment. He is unfazed at Bash's eagerness to orchestrate the process,
"Yep, a dwarf's work ethic is directly proportional to his surliness!"
At the mention of Armeline he says,
"Well, I've never considered myself bashful when it comes to speaking with the ladies, so if it suits everyone else, I can be the one to speak to her. It all depends on how everyone else feels about it."
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Tenibri is unable to assist with the digging directly, but he does summon a series of dogs, glimmering with celestial energy, that enthusiastically contribute to the digging of a grave once they realize that no threats are present to fight.
Agreeing that Armeline should be sought, so as to close that chapter of the Society's problems, he cautions N'Ing. "Just remember the Society has a purpose here; you're not seeking a date." Though a sincere admonition, he says it with a smile, and seems that he'd be happy to assist.
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Armeline is findable and actually seems like she was looking for you but not directly.
"I'm sorry for being one of the ones that thought you were behind the issue with Elm, after last time...and being around here. After all the letters went unanswered, having to escape from the prison. I'm not sure how it worked, I managed to disguise myself with just enough time to make it past before the guards started following. This... it wasn't the first time, you know with me that the Society left people behind. They just don't normally send people out with what you need to handle situations, the literature is full of those cases."
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As he did when he introduced himself to Kalek and Natalia, N'Ing slams his fist into his palm and bows to Armeline.
"Yes, a very unfortunate set of circumstances when those who deserve better get left behind! N'Ing of the family Lyte, miss of the Grand Lodge."
He gestures at everyone else as he introduces them,
" Bash Steeltoe, Kalak Chei, also of the Grand Lodge. Natalia Markovich of the Silver Crusade, and this wee gentleman here-Tenibri of Liberty's Edge. The Society was hoping that during this beautimous ceremony of forgiveness, you could find it in your dear heart to forgive them, as they extend their apologies for the unfortunate circumstances behind your abandonment."
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Bash stands up proudly with his chest out and his thick arms crossed. "I haven't been workin fer the Society long, but so far so good. If they couldn't help get ya outta that bind then they musta had a real good reason." He says in a hopeful tone.
"Throw 'em a bone here and lets move on this. Good fer everyone as I see it."
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Armeline looks thoughtful and then nods. "I'll at least write her, and see about going down to talk, I should be able to have something together by the time you leave."
~~
Fast-forward one boat (with Armeline) ride back that takes less time (down-river). Back at Woodsedge Lodge, Venture-Captain Petulengro bows to the former contact, offers a sincere apology, and asks her to stay at the lodge for a few days, as they have much to discuss.
She also asks for your reports as well on what all happened.
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On the boat trip down, Bash tries his best to soften up Armeline to rejoin the Society, the only way a Dwarf knows how... liberal application of alcohol "No way, brandy's on ME. I got some... apple and I got some... raahspbury. Well, and lemme tell you... THEY ARE GREAT!" He says as the group sits on the deck of the ship rowing downstream. He passes both bottles to the woman for a bit more, and to the others in the group as well.
"Ya see... I may be new here in this... Orrganizzzzation, but I tell you... good people... well, most of 'em. There be a$%#&#*s everyyyywhere, but less seeeeem to be... here." He continues to plead his less than sober case to the woman, hoping his somewhat intimate knowledge of the situation, and fine booze, help.
Convince an NPC to work as a Pathfinder Society contact, or convince a disaffected agent to work with the Society again. This requires a successful Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) check with a DC equal to 15 + your character level.
Once they reach the lodge and start explaining the events Bash keeps things short and sweet.
"We went in there, town was hostile as s%@*, but we kept our heads and working s*@# out. There was some angry squash and some walkin' bags a bones that needed disappearin', and in the end Armeline said she'd come an have a chat. Oh, and nobuddy died cept some poor fella Elm... not our fault. Back me up on that one guys."
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When Bash passes around a bottle of strong alcohol, Kalak smirks looking at the merry group, but refuses to drink any. "I'm not sure I'd handle that so well, thanks."
Once they get to the lodge, she lets Bash talk before she chimes in. "Yes, we were delayed in meeting Armeline because the place was haunted. We figured it would be best to help the town people after they found Elm dead of mysterious causes, so we dealt with the undead."
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Venture-Captain Petulengro, "I'm quite surprised at how dangerous such a simple mission became. It is very rare that I see agents stand up to such odds and make the best of the situation, I'm proud of you all and my report back to the Grand Lodge will reflect that."
~~
Congrats! You all survived Reaping What We Sow!