"Then let us go," said Taltōsh.
Yes. Hastily would be best.
Aye. Let us move.
"Angus?" asks Aramsmes.
Angus looks back longingly at the temple, but then nods at the suggestion. Marie follows behind and is very quiet.
You arrive in Sandpoint at the temple after dark. Most of the town is very quiet, Alia however meets you at the door and ushers you inside.
There is a small amount of food set out, and only two of the acolytes are still awake.
"I think I need to know more about what exactly is going on."
"Well! That was... not great. Shall we got get some food and drink and talk about what happened?"
Food and a good...or any wine actually.
Taltōsh looked at the others.
"Yes, we should discuss what happened over a meal."
" I agree, I dont think I fully understand what is going on here and would like to be brought up to speed."
Angus sits down at the table and rests his head in his hands. He sighs deeply and looks around to each of you. " I'm not sure what all that was about? Did we find anything of interest in the temple before those undying attacked?"
Alia rushes over and pours him a glass of wine and he takes a swig finishing it in one gulp.
Honestly, I don't think so. We did not have long to search before we had to flee. Perhaps the Acolyte can shed some light on the situation.
"For my part, I worked out how to get through the ward, dropped through the roof and followed you. I channelled to heal Marie, paged through a few books and then the Zombies attacked. Oh, Taltosh - do you still have that book I handed you?"
Arasmes shrugs
"I gather the rest of you did a more thorough search - I'd be interested to hear about that."
"Ah, yes, I had forgotten about it," Taltōsh replied.
Pulling the gray tome out of his pack, the sage handed it over to Arasmes.
"I cannot read it, it's written in an archaic form of Varisian."
When you look around the room you don't see Marie with you in it.
Adriel Starts and gets up, Where did she go?
Arasmes looks around "What do you mean, she...?"
this is followed by cursing in long dead languages
"When was the last time anyone saw her?"
"She came into the temple."
"...maybe she had a reason not to come sit and eat with us."
"I suggest we find her. Now."
Elorin leaps to his feet and draws his bow. "I felt something was off with her. I will search outside and speak to the guards."
"I will check the sanctuary. If she's not there, I will ask those there if they've seen her," Taltōsh said as he snatched up a roll to tide him over until after the search.
"I'll go with you, Taltosh" Gryfford says.
"Of course, Gryfford," the hooded sage replied.
"I'll check the library."
Taltōsh held up a hand to stop Gryfford. Quietly, he said, "Please go inform the others that Marie is in the sanctuary. I'll stay here."
With that, the hooded sage approached Marie, but left a respectful distance between them.
Taltōsh then stood silently, allowing the woman to work through her grief undisturbed.
Survival to track:
Gryfford enters into the library to find Arasmes.
A slight pause.
"Honestly, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Maybe you jumped the crossbow too quickly with her."
Gryfford goes outside the temple to find Elorin.
Spotting the Elf hunched over tracks in the gloom of night, he goes to him.
"There's no need for concern, I'd say. Anyway, let's go back inside."
"Can we finish our talk then?"
"I don't know - maybe you're right. Don't you feel it though? Something wrong with her?"
Can Arasmes sense if Gryfford has been influenced by a charm or something?
Gryfford thinks a little while before answering.
"She seems a little strange, yes. But I attributed that to the fact that she's been left a long time mostly alone in that dusty old dwarf temple."
The blond warrior smiles.
"I decided not tho hold it against her - being strange, I mean. Aren't we all a little bit peculiar ?" he says while looking inquiringly at the dhampir.
He shrugs.
"Besides, I must confess I have a soft spot for red-haired girls."
Arasmes follows Gryfford back in
"That is quite understandable. When you feel ready, we can repair to the dining hall to discuss what happened," Taltōsh replied to the young woman.
For those of you who remained in the dining hall a few minutes later you see Taltōsh return with a bleary eyed Marie. Angus addresses them, "Ahh I see you found her. Is everything alright?" He blinks hesitantly then looks at the others gathered. "Did anyone else find anything of interest."
Elorin just shakes his head as he watches Marie.
Angus looks back to Arasmes and Taltosh..."Did I hear you say something of a book? Someone tell me what is going on?" He brings his hand down on the table with loud SMACK!
Alia rushes over and he looks sheepish, "I'm sorry my friends, I am frustrated at the outcome of the battle. It is most unsettling, something wicked this way comes..." His eyes flash white for a moment as he speaks the last words and then he looks very tired.