Bereft of the merciful traits of his fellow priest, nor the charitable toil of Maja, Bynoth struggles to add anything meaningful to the process until he seeks guidance from Hextor.
Kneeling before his weaponry arrayed before him, the war priest prays to his harsh god;
"Lord of Battle. In this time of where the foul touch of pestilence and chaos is upon several of my allies. Should the merciful healings of the lesser god Pelor fail, grant me the strength of will to gift them the release of iron and flame."
Inspired by the darwinian vision he receives Bynoth begins building a pyre for any of his comrades who fail to recover under Thanim's ameliorations.
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Maja
As Bynoth toils to put together the pyre and she listens to his prayer she wipes her hands off and walks up to him shaking her head. Realizing the Bynoth in is own little way cares... She stops and stares at it for moment and looks back at the warrior cleric. "I sometimes think your mother didn't hug you enough." She pats him on his back looking at the pyre. "It could be bigger..." She turns to back to the fire. "I am glad I stayed away...I told everybody this would be bad."
She gathers up the bowls and clean them off at the stream and then puts them back into the boiling water to clean them. Once done she stacks them up away from the cabin.
Sylas returns from his fishing trip
The stream is quiet and Sylas drops the lure in and a few moments go by and you decide to use the technique that was recommended to you. You get a nice hit and the hook sets! You pull in a nice size trout...and hour goes by of fishing and relaxing by the stream.
Sylas returns from the stream with a string of thirteen nice size fish. The fishing pole and lure were a huge success and Sylas actually threw back several smaller fish. The old farmer was a savvy fisherman. Maja sees them and her eyes light up. "Well, well...I see you had a good morning of fishing! I can put those in a barrel of water to save them for lunch or dinner if you like!
Bynoth listens to Maja's words as he eyes the pyre he has constructed before mirthlessly answering her;
"You did indeed Mistress Hobniz. We would have done better to heed your words... As for my mother she was not afforded much opportunity. My family toiled as weavers for the Hextorian church. When she and my father passed I was given into the war-kirk's stewardship."
As Thanim gives out the soup, he takes a moment with each patient, "Maja and Sylas have prepared this. Taking good care of us." He checks each one, but when Harry makes his cryptic comment, he pauses. "Everything ok? What do you need?"
Harry looks up from where he started to devour the thin, yet tasty soup, "Not yet me friend, not until we 'ave defeated this plague. I believe th' rumors we 'eard about this may hold kernels of truth."
"It has not been a normal fever, no. Something keeps talking to me."
the fish is for us all and will help us make it through and I am glad to help in any small way Sylas smiles and nods to his friends and helps clean the fish as well when it's time.
Thanim grows concerned, "Rumors? Voices? This is not good." He cares for Harry and Perri as they talk, "If the voice is not bringing peace, ignore it. Our focus is healing. Give that your attention, nothing else."
It is the sickness, your mind is confused and playing tricks on you. Be vigilant and strong. Do not let it get to you. I know it is hard but you can do this. Think logically about what the words and then you can help your mind unravel your thoughts. Have faith in yourself...
Cerlis does not look up from his soup as he eats. It is clear that he is effected by the same type of confusion. He seems to be struggling with keeping himself sane and his words are just as much for himself as they are for Perri.
The Farmhouse
Early Afternoon
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Thanim settles his companions down in the cabin for some more rest. Once they eat and attend to themselves they again settle down but all three seem upset and unsettled from this morning's events. Each of them feels sick, fever, cold sweats, body cramps seem to set in at times. Coughing, headaches, and tenderness in the neck, armpits, hips, and other areas come and go throughout the day. But what seems to bother them most is not the physical ailments but the events that played out in their dreams and in their heads.
Thanim settles down after a round of caring and checking on each of them. He settles down in the moment of quiet and prays and reflects on the morning's events. That is when he notices Harry talking to himself in his sleep. He is mumbling something and his hands seem to be moving about under his blanket. As he notices this he also notices Perri and Cerilis dreaming as well but it doesn't seem as physically active has Harry's. As Thanim turns to check on Harry once more he notices the room is cold...as if a cold wind had blown through the door and blown the fire out. He had just put a few small logs on the fire to feed it just before settling down. It seemed odd that it was so cold in the room...
Harry was exhausted and sickness was starting to take a toll on his endurance and he could feel it. He didn't want to sleep at first but Thanim was right he was not going to get better if he did not rest. He settled in under his covers and fell asleep. A little while later he awakes. His mouth was dry and he needed some water and when he looked about Thanim was no longer in the cabin. Thanim must have stepped outside when Harry was sleeping. His companion are sleeping quietly under their blankets and it appears to be quiet outside. He pushed backed the blankets and rose up...a brief spell of dizziness hits him as he did and he had to stop in mid-course and let his head settle and then he finished standing. His body was stiff and cramped...his neck and throat ached. He walks over and grabs a cup and pours water into it; he watches the water fill the cup and as he does he feels as if something was standing behind him. He turns quickly...and just sees his companions sleeping under their blankets and the fire dancing in the fire place. As he turns and takes a long drink from his cup he looks into the window and notice no one is in the camp. No fire...no packs...the camp is empty. That is when he notices the reflection of the cabin behind him in the window glass. He sees the glow of the fire and that is when he notices the figure standing behind him; a dark black figure with no face. He turns quickly, his heart racing and his hands coming up as he drops the cup expecting the worse...nothing was there. He stumbles a bit into the table as his body seems to overreact to the expectation of something behind him. What is going on! Where is Thanim? Where is the rest of the party? Behind him as if sitting right behind his ears he hears a voice...a whisper. They have left you....they are afraid of you. They fear you...the light bringer fears you. He fears your power that lies in your blood. The power of magic that lies in your soul. We can give you more power if you want it. It seems to fade a if falling deeper and deeper into a well. The voice calls out...All you have to do is let us in...let us in...and we will give you power. You snap awake...your eyes open but you are still under your covers.
pieces of smouldering thatch and wood falling to the floor. You look up and you see that the roof is on fire. You step towards the door and you realize it is on fire. Behind you as if standing directly behind you a voice whispers; Murderer...killer...the blood of this family is on your hand! You slaughtered them! You burned them! You killed them! You spin and as you do the smoke and heat becomes worse...there is nothing there! Again it whispers behind you...[b]It is not to late murderer! You are not to far gone! You must atone! you must confess! The words are like a pounding of a hammer on an anvil in your head. You look up and the entire roof is now on fire; you look around and the entire house is on fire. The heat, the smoke, the fire it overwhelms your senses... Your death comes quickly...and you awaken under your blanket. You are covered in sweat and your hair stinks of the smell of sweat and dirt.
A few moments go by and Thanim opens his eyes and checks on his patients and sees they are still under their blankets. It seems it is all quiet in the cabin. The room is warm as if the fire washed the cold out of the room.
The Farmhouse
Early Afternoon
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
A few hours go by and Sylas, Bynoth, and Maja spend that time to themselves. Relaxing as best they can, training, praying, and such. Bynoth hears noises coming from the direction of the farmhouse somewhere down the trail. Like people moving through the brush and branches, stepping on twigs and leaves. Whoever it seems to not care for stealth. You hear a small horn sound...BURR BURR BURR Bynoth quickly realizes it is a hunting horn. That is followed by a HO! THOSE IN THE CAMP! WE BRING FOOD AND SUPPLIES! WE WILL LEAVE THEM ON THE TOP OF THE TRAIL FOR YE! YE CAN RETRIEVE THEM WHEN WE LEAVE. HOW DOES YOUR COMPANY FARE?
Harry's eye snap open, his breath shallow and his heart racing. He glances about him noticing the fire in the small fireplace had gone out. Did I put it out? Had the room gone too warm fer me blood to take? Shivering from within his soul he lays his head back on the pillow, eyes fixated upward, the words from his dream echoing in his mind. By the time the call from the hunters is heard his eyes have already closed once again.
Sylas jumps up at all the sound and then calls out to the voice We are doing well friends thanks for the help. We have a stout cleric and are making sure all is well with us before we travel on! Sylas will wait for them all to depart before he goes up and gathers the supplies that the towns people had left at the top of the trail.
Thanim listens intently to Cerilis' words. "The plague must be inducing hallucinations along with the fever." He steps out on the porch. "They are feverish; I need to cool them down. Please, bring a bucket of cold water from the stream."
He soaks strips of cloth in the water and applies it to their foreheads, all the while muttering prayers and comforting words.
Sylas jumps up at all the sound and then calls out to the voice We are doing well friends thanks for the help. We have a stout cleric and are making sure all is well with us before we travel on! Sylas will wait for them all to depart before he goes up and gathers the supplies that the towns people had left at the top of the trail.
An old man's voice sounds off once more. [larger]The Hatchman's and the Thatcher's thank ye good people. We appreciate you tending to our friends. We also thank ye for sending us off before we fell upon the sickness. The leas' we can do for you. Please take the food, drink, and blankets as our thanks good folk![/larger]
Lies...lies.
Cerilis mumbles in his sleep as he tosses. Suddenly he fall still and silent.
A few moments pass and the he speaks in a voice that is barely above a whisper yet it is strong with purpose.
Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free...faith in ones morality...faith in ones god.
He remains silent for a short breath and then it is back to tossing and turning.
Lies...lies. All lies.
Again he comes to be stable and coherent.
Courage is knowing what not to fear.
At Maja's insight on the clemency of the Hexorite faith Bynoth flashes a hard smile;
"Clemency? Perhaps. Orphans of conflict make up the ranks of our acolytes and clergy. The reality Misstress Hobniz is that all armies, even those of a god, need foot soldiers. The attrition within our faith is high, so recruitment, particularly from the orphaned and discarded, is a judicious strategy."
Bynoth watches and listens as the distant figures proclaim their thanks and appreciation for the warnings given and pestilence avoided.
The young human is spending most of his time backed into a corner, wrapped in a blanket or two, holding his bladed scarf in his hands as his he fitfully passes in and out of sleep.
Maja chuckles back at Bynoth. "Yes, well, I've always wondered why you're spending your time yelling at us rabble instead of finding a nice disciplined army. But I guess that's your way of saying you care?" Maja shrugs. She still wasn't sure if she understood, but the hardened cleric was loyal--his faithfulness through this time of plague left no doubt.
* * *
Maja calls back as the kind folk depart. "Thanks to you too! I hope you left us some chicken for soup!" Maja hurries up the hill and starts scrounging at the supplies they brought. "Fish, of course it's more fish. Eh . . ." She digs through some more stuff. "Okay, some dried figs, some dill . . . " She then opens up a bottle and sniffs it. "Woo! That's some strong liquor! Guess they wanted to make sure we enjoy our last days if it comes to that!"
She helps move the supplies to camp and excitedly starts up a new fire for some cooking.
As Maja goes through the three baskets she finds fish, dried figs (soaked in honey), blueberry jam, fresh biscuits, fresh eggs (18), a slab of smoked bacon, a string of a dozen spicy sausages, and a basket full of carrots (5lbs), onions (5lbs), potatoes (10lbs). Also a jug of homemade whiskey, dark ale, and several blankets (3).
Thanim has never had to provide extended, direct care for those infected by the plague, and he finds the febrile muttering to be unsettling. "They mutter to themselves, then speak to one another as if they've all had the same dream... nightmare?" He cares for Cerilis, wiping the sweat from his brow. Cerilis tosses and turns, but when he seems to stabilize, Thanim implores, "Rest. Rest. This shall pass and you can tell me of your dreams."
After Cerilis' bout passes, Thanim pauses and thinks for a moment, "Perhaps this illness is beyond the mere physical. It may require more than simple physical care." He leaves the cabin and walks to where he can face the sun. Kneeling, he prays to Pelor to grant the aid these ailing men require. Several minutes pass, and he rises, returning inside. He leans over Cerilis and in a low, comforting voice says, "There may be more to this disease than is readily apparent. Let me help you." In a deeper voice, he starts to chant. The words are difficult to understand, but unmistakably, he calls upon Sol and his blessings.
Thanim has never had to provide extended, direct care for those infected by the plague, and he finds the febrile muttering to be unsettling. "They mutter to themselves, then speak to one another as if they've all had the same dream... nightmare?" He cares for Cerilis, wiping the sweat from his brow. Cerilis tosses and turns, but when he seems to stabilize, Thanim implores, "Rest. Rest. This shall pass and you can tell me of your dreams."
After Cerilis' bout passes, Thanim pauses and thinks for a moment, "Perhaps this illness is beyond the mere physical. It may require more than simple physical care." He leaves the cabin and walks to where he can face the sun. Kneeling, he prays to Pelor to grant the aid these ailing men require. Several minutes pass, and he rises, returning inside. He leans over Cerilis and in a low, comforting voice says, "There may be more to this disease than is readily apparent. Let me help you." In a deeper voice, he starts to chant. The words are difficult to understand, but unmistakably, he calls upon Sol and his blessings.
[dice=Caster Level]1d20+6
Thanim enters the cabin and moves to Cerilis's side. The young olf is drifting in and out of sleep...a sleep that doesn't appear fruitful. Thanim begins to pray as his prayer intensifies and then ends he notices the room grows very cold. The fire seems to flicker and dance as if straining to keep lite as if wrestling with some unseen force. As he looks back down at Cerilis, the olf is staring back up at him with unblinking eyes...almost immediately the olf lowers his head back down and closes his eyes and continues to sleep. However, the room around you grows colder...so much so that the windows seem to frost over ever so slightly...an acrid smell grows in the air...then a foul smell...like the smell of rotting afterbirth...it turns your nose away and you then you turn back in defiance and realize the smell and cold are gone. As if they were never there, to begin with. All three of your charges appear to be sleeping soundly for the moment.
The Farmhouse
Late Afternoon
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Maja, Sylas, and Bynoth go about tending to their duties outside of the cabin. Thankfully the day is calm, sunny, and the weather is mild. Just warm enough to need an overgarment but warm enough to not have it if you liked. It has been a few hours since the farmers dropped off goods on the top of the trailhead and all three of you hear barking and baying in the distance. It sounds like dogs or wolves but the barking and howls are unusual and it goes on for some time and seems to move off and away from you over time. The barking at times sounded unsettling as if the animals had forgotten how to respond to each other or even how to bark. Moments go by and the noises in the forest around the cabin seem to settle down as birds and small critters seem to move in a flurry and at the peak of the barking, the entire forest seemed to respond in a chaotic mess of noises.
The nightmares, the fire, the cold, the smells, it's all very unnerving for the young cleric. A chill ripples through his body as he ponders. He's cared for others when sick, he's healed gruesome injuries, but this? Never has he seen anything like this in person; heard rumors, yes, seen, no.
Unsure of the best way forward, he decides to continue with his efforts until a better option presents itself. The one bit of encouragement, however, is that the spooky smells and temperature changes seem to be in response to his supplications of Pelor. Whatever this disease is, their efforts do seem to be affecting it.
Thanim looks over his patients, relieved that they seem to be comfortable for the time being. Now seems like the chance to take advantage of the peace and get some rest. He walks to the door, leaning lightly on the frame, and calls out to Maja, "I'm taking a nap. Alert me if you hear any changes. Thank you for all your help." He takes a step back from the door, gathers his bedding, and immediately falls asleep.
Stern faced, Bynoth stands sentinel listens to the distant cacophony of barking and howls;
"Ill sounds... Can either of you tell what ails them? My knowledge of fauna, and animals is... limited. If it were the clash of blade upon bulwark I could tell you the edge or material, but these calls of the wild escapes me."
The Farmhouse
Early Evening
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
The late afternoon passes without any events but as afternoon moves into early evening the sounds of barking return. It gathers close enough to the cabin that those sleeping inside the cabin are awaken by it. It sounds as if it is coming from across the stream. At barking is again chaotic sounding. Each of you have hear wolves and dogs barking, baying, and fighting amongst themselves. It doesn't sound like that at all..it is as if the dogs are fighting to communicate with each other but yet somehow they understand each other. Like they are screaming and yelling while not really knowing what they are screaming about. The sound is awful and for several moments Maja, Bynoth, and Sylas could swear it the entire pack was going to end up in their laps it was so close. The movement and noise from across the stream (only fifty or sixty paces at most) was loud. Maja is concerned it will attract attention to their camp. Eventually it begins to disperse and the barking and howling scatters and fades away around them.
Sylas readies himself looking closely waiting for the creatures to burst through the brush.
Bynoth's lip curls at the clamor of noise;
"Chaos. It is a pestilence in its own right."
:
[dice=know nature and know religion]1d20+15
Sylas readies himself looking closely waiting for the creatures to burst through the brush.
Sylas listens to the abnormal and irrational barking and it reminds him of a lecture one of his old teachers gave on more than one occasion prior to discussing summoning spellcraft. The lecture was on supernatural occurrences and their effects on the natural surroundings. What was it that he said...something about animals are more open to suggestion and control by supernatural forces... They sense these forces better than we do as well and will flee from them but if not able to get away from it they will fight those forces over control of themselves for as long as they can. Once their will breaks they are simply a vessel to whatever is trying to control them. His teacher impressed upon the class to be aware of the signs that nature provides when supernatural and otherworldly beings infest the area. As he comes back to the present he recalls him elaborating on some of the effects that would happen if an inner battle was occurring...[/i]
As his attention comes back he can hear the broken barking and chaotic barking breaking up and dispersing around them. It fades off again and all seems quiet. He looks around and sees Maja covering her hears and a bit shaken by the noise and activity. Bynoth, stalwart and strong seems to stoically prepare for the worse even as the noise fades he stands his ground...after a moment of quiet he turns and looks to his two companions.
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Bynoth's lip curls at the clamor of noise;
"Chaos. It is a pestilence in its own right."
: 1d20+11
Bynoth looks around as things settle and he takes a calming breath...as if preparing to do battle. I am steel, I am unbending, unbreakable, my edge is keen, and I will endure. His mind walks through the past few days events... Bynoth will never be the skilled healer that Thanim is he can tend to the wounds of those injured in battle well enough. The plague seems to have brought something more than just sickness...with sickness comes spiritual weakness...with it opens a door to other forces wishing to do more harm to the living.
the wolves or dogs... There is something otherworldly or supernatural near by. We do not have much time before what ever it is wears down those creatures will and then they will attack. All of near by nature is under a supernatural fog.
Sylas looks around eyes peeled as he speaks in a hushed whisper the voice of his old instructor coming out through his hushed tones.
Thanim rolls over in his sleep, the barks penetrating to his dreams before he wakes with a start. He feels uneasy as he tries to decipher the dream from reality, and he doesn't know exactly where to draw the line. He stands, but it is too fast, and he stumbles to the entrance. "Is everything ok? What is that howling. It gives me chills as if it be unholy."
Thanim rolls over in his sleep, the barks penetrating to his dreams before he wakes with a start. He feels uneasy as he tries to decipher the dream from reality, and he doesn't know exactly where to draw the line. He stands, but it is too fast, and he stumbles to the entrance. "Is everything ok? What is that howling. It gives me chills as if it be unholy."
[dice=Kn (Religion)]1d20+9
Thanim walks out and as the howling and barking fade, he can feel the uneasiness in the air...the unnatural forces at play. However, he can't pinpoint the cause. The events unfolding in the cabin, however, seem to coincide with the escalation of events outside...
Bynoth holds his sentinel position, eyes scouring the locale as the immediate threat subsides.
At both Maja and Silas' words he remains stern, then adds his own thoughts;
"The pestilence scours the body, but so too the spirit. As the will weakens, other forces... malignant and chaotic can gain footholds. Then the battle for the soul begins. As our learned Olv rightly says once that inner combat is lost, the fell forces then push the poor vessel to uncharacteristic actions and atrocities."
The war-priest's demeanour remains unyielding and harsh;
"Those lost must be released. Those hounds. Any of our companions who succumb. By fire. By steel."
"Yeah, I think we need to put down those hounds. If we don't, they're going to be a terror on the countryside and also disease vectors. Though with how contagious the plague is, it could mean the rest of us catching it." Maja lets out a sigh.
"These dogs were close, so there must be tracks. I'm going to take a look and see what I can figure out."
Maja will scout ahead to determine their numbers and where they are coming from and going to, if possible.
[dice=Survival]1d20+9
The Farmhouse
Late Afternoon
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
The area around the cabin is filled with trees, ferns, wildflowers, and wild grasses. There also many fallen tree limbs and dried leaves from the past fall/winter on the ground. Moss covers many rocks and boulders. The Cabin sets to the Northwest of the farm and in a small glade by the spring. The spring is north of the cabin and only fifty to sixty paces from the cabin. There is a small trail that runs from the back of the cabin to the stream. To get from the old cabin to the farm and meadow is another trail that goes up the hill to the southwest and back around the top western wall of the meadow and into the back portion of the barn and yard. There is an open area around the front of the cabin (where the camp is that is about thirty to forty paces wide and deep. The ground and terrain are rough and hilly around the cabin and with woods surrounding the cabin, it would be easy to be out of sight of anyone in the camp if you strayed to far away. if you go southwest and follow the stream the elevation descends and empties into another smaller glade maybe two hundred paces from the cabin.
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Perri sits in his corner, partially under a blanket, uncertain what part of the noises he is hearing he is actually hearing.
As the sounds of the barking washes over the small cabin, Harry squirms restlessly under his blanket shivering profusely despite the presence of the fire warming the tiny room. He eyes flutter open briefly...his gaze unseeing...before his eyes close once again.
Cerilis tosses and turns. The blanket getting tangled up in his legs as he twist this way and that. He does not wake.
The Farmhouse
Late Afternoon
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Maja inspects the area around the cabin. First checking the near side of the stream. She walks the area as much as she can and doesn't see any tracks on this side or any real sign of disturbance on the other side of the stream. She then inspects the trail going out of the area and up to the meadow and it doesn't appear the animals were on the trail near the cabin. When she circles around to the eastern side of the small glade she does see tracks and a lot of them...not wolf tracks, smaller, and they appear to come in and out randomly.
She returns about twenty minutes later and walks into the encampment and sees Bynoth standing watch and Sylas pacing around the fire...Maja can tell he was a bit concerned about her being gone. Things are now quiet around the camp and in the cabin.
While his charges are resting, Thanim takes a quick break and sits on the steps of the cabin. Maja returns to camp and explains what she found. While not the worts thing, her news is not good. The last thing Thanim wants is to be protecting 3 weakened patients from a pack of possessed or unnatural dogs. "Hmmm. Should we set up a trap or ambush of some sort? Get them before they get too close?"