Bynoth moves to his right taking him closer to where he spies the shadowy forms of his demonic foes.
"Lurk in the shadow foul hounds of chaos! It shall not shield you from the keen edge of Hextor!"
Floating at his shoulders the two spectral weapons of Hextor hover like sentinels. The priest of war reaches up grasping the handle of the battle axe, then hefts the phantasmal hatchet toward the plague canine ;
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Bynoth moves to his right taking him closer to where he spies the shadowy forms of his demonic foes.
"Lurk in the shadow foul hounds of chaos! It shall not shield you from the keen edge of Hextor!"
Floating at his shoulders the two spectral weapons of Hextor hover like sentinels. The priest of war reaches up grasping the handle of the battle axe, then hefts the phantasmal hatchet toward the plague canine ;
: 1d20+5
: 2d6
Bynoth grabs the battle axe made of force magic and throws it with ease at the possessed dog. It whirls through the air at the animal. Just as it reaches the dog it seems to hit a wall and the axe vanishes. The dog glares at Bynoth and takes a step back almost shocked by Bynoth's ability. After a brief moment, Bynoth swears the dog is baiting him to come out of the barricades.
North East Group of Dogs
With one dog gone and the other wrestling to get out of the web that Sylas placed over the hill to the northeast. The dog howls and for a minute Perri feels the noise go through his soul...a cold icy feeling is all that Perri can feel at that moment. The thing turns and takes off to the north. Cerilis and Harry heard it as well and they both felt that cold touch...but not in the manner that Perri feels it. The dog caught in the webs seems to be snagged in two different branches of the web and yips, bites, and barks at the web in frustration. As he sees the other dog leaving he howls and growls at the dog.
Sylas calls down to his friends I am taxed and feeling the pull of the magic, I am holding my actions, there is one more enemy out in the webs caught.
The Farmhouse
Evening
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Farmer's Cabin Map
Pack of Possessed Infected Dogs
Farmer's Old Cabin in the Glade
Campfires - Yellow circle is normal light/40 ft is dim light
1st Group ((You are now UP))
Maja -
Perri
Harry
2nd Group
Cerilis
Thanim
Bynoth
3rd Group
Sylas (getting off of roof)
Group 2
Group 3
Harry strains to pick up what is happening outside the cabin, yet the chaotic sounds of the battle noises coming from his companions made it impossible to determine what other foes were lurking out beyond the camp perimeter.
Trying to keep the frustration out of his voice he motions to the other side of the encampment. "Kin ye see anything out thar?" He yells out to Sylas.
Perri visibly shivers as he moves in the direction of the vocal "animals". "C'MON! YOU want this! Get over here and take it!"
Maja - Bot
Maja puts her hand on his side. Perri, calm yourself. I know this is not easy my friend but you need to settle yourself. Please... She looks at Perri with concern and pulls her hand off him gently. You need to make your way back into the cabin and rest. Thanim will help you...Perri...please go back inside if we need you we will call you.
She turns and looks at Thanim deeply concerned by Perri and Cerilis.
Bynoth's hard stare at the distant foes is broken by the arrival of a ravening Perri.
He pauses, assessing the man and the potential he provides. The priest addresses Maja as she urges Perri to retreat;
"Would bid you hold Mistress Hobniz. Our Rhennee is possess'ed of a battle lust... We would be wise to... indulge such rage. This I know."
Bynoth turns his attention to Perri, eyes cold and calculating;
"Navigate the barricades and draw them to you brother... Let the hounds taste the lash of your whip. When they do, we will close the trap and crush their infernal bones together!"
As the lone spectral mace hovers at his pauldron, the warpriest raises his burning flail aloft as he bellows the litany of war;
Thanim gives Bynoth a cutting look, "Perri! Cerilis! Maja is right. The immediate danger has passed. You are not well. Return inside; you'll know it if we need you." Thanim sheathes his mace and opens the door, waving them inside.
as he reenters the house...
Keep an eye out...misdirection.
Thanim gives Bynoth a cutting look, "Perri! Cerilis! Maja is right. The immediate danger has passed. You are not well. Return inside; you'll know it if we need you." Thanim sheathes his mace and opens the door, waving them inside.
[dice=Perception]1d20+5
[dice=Heal]1d20+13+2
[dice=Heal]1d20+13+2
As Bynoth cries out to the Lord of Battle and Perri taunts their adversaries in a wild display of anger, fear, and near panic, Thanim takes the time to inspect the area and his companions. It appears the pack of dogs is leaving, at least for the time being, but he is concerned by what he saw in the cabin and what he is seeing now from Perri. He is used to Bynoth and his taunts to drive the enemy into rash mistakes but Perri...this is not the man he knows and it concerns him. It doesn't appear to be the fever of a sickness or any physical issue but something spiritual and it is a battle the man seems to be losing. He urges Perri to move inside as Cerilis passes by him and Harry. There is something worse and far more foul lingering around them now...and possibly in this cabin.
The Northeast Group of Dogs
The possessed dog seems to wander off into the shadows of the trail going north. Meanwhile, the other dog seems to back, yelp, and whine as it makes its way out of the magical web and then heads north down the trail as it growls and barks. After several moments the surrounding area goes quiet. Those around the cabin can see the scorched area of where the two foul abyssal creatures fell...leaving a black blight on the earth.
Bynoth continues to stare out to the perimeter, his hard expression showing no signs of rescinding;
"This skirmish perhaps Mistress Hobniz... However the war against pestilence, filth and chaos still awaits a victor. Next time we shall be more forthright, carry the fight to them... Spill their blood and taste their fear."
Harry's gaze lingers upon the Rhennee warrior, a look of concern on his face. "Aye Master Bynoth, this be but a skirmish like ye said. The foul spirits be driven off yet not defeated. Still we all need ta rest 'ere Maja. Th' plague still lingers in me blood..." As he glances outside back at the area where the possessed dogs fled he adds uncertainly, "Can ye be sure they are not lurking beyond, waiting fer us to get our guard down?"
As it is clear the unnatural animals are leaving, Perri slows, moving back to the porch, where he nearly collapses as he goes to sit down. "The voices want me to kill you all and eat your hearts, or something . . .. I have to stop them. Make them stop." He looks up to the healer, exhaustion and grief both filling his face.
Sylas looks down from the roof and then ties himself back on it again saying from above well done friends, back to guard duty and rest. I need to sleep and regain spells
Bynoth eyes the raving Rheenee, then casts a baleful look toward Thanim;
"That does not bode well Master Purrun. Rest assured we will make it stop... One way or another..."
On hearing Bynoth's declaration Harry simply shakes his head in disgust, "That may take a while...this Plague be haunting the lands fer a while now and it be related ta th' demons who harry us even now!"
He gently places a hand on Perri's shoulder and guides him to the bed. "Rest up me friend. Th' demons will be back, and we need to regain our strength to meet them again."
He begins to motion for Thanim before realizing the plague still was in his blood. "Watch closely over us now my friend, I fear the battle is not oveah yet," he implores as he climbs back into his own bed and awaits the dawn.
Perri moves to the porch and Thanim removes his shield. He embraces Perri, then supports him while moving into the cabin. "Voices, Perri? What voices are these." "This is no conventional disease. No wonder it has been so virulent and intractable. Pelor, enlighten me..." "Here, lie down and tell me about these voices." As he moves about the room, he also checks on Cerilis and Harry. "With your help, we won the battle, but now you need rest. The others will let us know if they need us."
The Farmhouse
Late Evening
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Farmer's Cabin Map
Combat Manager (Baltron's Beacon Tab)
Things seem to settle down after the dogs leave and Maja feeds each of the fires as she inspects the areas of shadow around the front of the campsite. Bynoth stares into the woods around the cabin. Sylas settles down and sees that Maja and Bynoth have things well in hand on the front side. He looks over the back area to see if anything is moving around them that could be a threat. As Maja and Bynoth walk the front they see nothing dangerous prowling the area. Sylas doesn't see anything to the rear or the sides as well.
Bynoth
Sylas
Maja
Perri moves to the porch and Thanim removes his shield. He embraces Perri, then supports him while moving into the cabin. "Voices, Perri? What voices are these." "This is no conventional disease. No wonder it has been so virulent and intractable. Pelor, enlighten me..." "Here, lie down and tell me about these voices." As he moves about the room, he also checks on Cerilis and Harry. "With your help, we won the battle, but now you need rest. The others will let us know if they need us."
[dice=Heal Check]10 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 2
No one was physically hurt. Harry and Cerilis still look as if they are not fully recovered and need rest. Perri looks worse...physically he appears as Harry and Cerilis...but he is haggard...his eyes look as if he is not himself or somewhere else, even when he speaks to you. You notice he is constantly looking over his shoulder...at times he just looks over and stares...other times he glances back as if expecting somone to be there.
Perri
Has Perri walks into the cabin he looks to the corner near the fireplace. He stares at it for moment...appears startled and then unsettled. His face is covered in sweat and he is breathing as if he had been on a long run.
cOwArD! yOu kIlLeD THEMZ yOu dIdZ! The sound in his head as if it is just over his left shoulder goes quiet. In a sweeter almost female voice. It is ok Perri of the Rhennee. People don't understand you. But I do. I will be your friend. I will make these memories go away. I can be your salvation from the pain. That voice seems to fade off to his right.
Perri jumps as if awoken from a nap and he realizes he is standing in just in the doorway. Did they see that? Did they hear that?
Satisfied that the immediate threat is over, a grim-faced Bynoth pulls together the group to discuss Perri's state; addressing first Thanim, then widening the discussion;
"Servant of Pelor... Can the Rhennee be saved? His pestilence suppressed? We need to know if a more... terminal... solution should be explored. I broach this to you all so there can be no accusations of subterfuge. Before you answer think of the ramifications of entering the fray with one whose mind may be haunted by chaos. Whose will may no longer be his own."
"What voices? The ones around me, talking to me. They tell me that you are all trying to kill me, and that I have to kill you first. They tell me that a quick burst of activity can solve that problem. I don't believe the the first part, but I know the second to be true." He allows himself to be escorted inside a, but stops in the doorway.
Jumping with a start, he begins moving inside, being guided to his pallet. "The voices promise to support me, to help me. Seems wrong, but they do."
Thanim listens as Perri describes the voices. His brow furrows and his visage becomes as stone. "Perri, it is good that you are telling me this. We do not hear those voices, but that does not mean that what is behind them is not real. You must acknowledge those voices, but always remember, they are not you. They are from the sickness. Do not suppress them and force them to manifest in some hidden way. They are not good. Nothing good hides in the shadows like that. Fight them. Laugh at them. You do not have to do their bidding. They. Are. Not. You. You have our support. You have Wigger and Cwenchild's support! We have been with you, through thick and thin. We shall continue to be here. Use our bond, our strength to fight them."
Thanim does what he can to put Perri and the others at ease, even as he feels his own sickness strengthen. When Bynoth gathers the group together, Thanim keeps a respectable distance, but says, "Perri is in a fight. A fight no less important than the physical battles we have waged together, and he needs our support. Shortly, I'll need your support as this disease grows in me, but together, together!" He pauses and looks eye to eye with each of the others, "We will beat this. Now is not the time to consider anything else." The group disbands and he monitors Harry and Cerilis, hoping one of them will be well enough that he can take their bed.
Thanim listens as Perri describes the voices. His brow furrows and his visage becomes as stone. "Perri, it is good that you are telling me this. We do not hear those voices, but that does not mean that what is behind them is not real. You must acknowledge those voices, but always remember, they are not you. They are from the sickness. Do not suppress them and force them to manifest in some hidden way. They are not good. Nothing good hides in the shadows like that. Fight them. Laugh at them. You do not have to do their bidding. They. Are. Not. You. You have our support. You have Wigger and Cwenchild's support! We have been with you, through thick and thin. We shall continue to be here. Use our bond, our strength to fight them."
Thanim does what he can to put Perri and the others at ease, even as he feels his own sickness strengthen. When Bynoth gathers the group together, Thanim keeps a respectable distance, but says, "Perri is in a fight. A fight no less important than the physical battles we have waged together, and he needs our support. Shortly, I'll need your support as this disease grows in me, but together, together!" He pauses and looks eye to eye with each of the others, "We will beat this. Now is not the time to consider anything else." The group disbands and he monitors Harry and Cerilis, hoping one of them will be well enough that he can take their bed.
[dice=Perception]1d20+5
[dice=Kn (Religion)]1d20+9
Thanim ponders what he has seen over the course of this day. In totality, he begins to realize what is occurring to his friend. Voices talking to him, demons possessing dogs, and this disease. Perri is being attacked by an entity...a demonic one from my guess. This is not good. It has been many years since I read the books on entities and possession.
As day breaks over the horizon, Thanim begins his daily preparations and considers the conditions of his patients. "Possession. Perhaps that is it. An entity taking the opportunity provided by this dreadful disease to make Perri, and perhaps the others, its home. It will not succeed! We shall cut off the avenue of entry." Thanim considers ways of foiling the designs of evil spirits on his friends.
I may soon be too weak to serve you properly, Sol. I am good; please grant me the strength to do good while I can. Thanim kneels and prays to Pelor while preparing his spells, giving special consideration as to what may help Perri. Hmmm, Remove Curse, Protection from Evil. What else? He prepares his list and makes ready for his own descent.
Bynoth listens, his (default) severe expression unrelenting;
"Bloodletting is used amongst the ranks of Hextor's faithful to combat a number of ills - both physical and spiritual. My recommendation would be to commence with such a treatment..."
While Harry feels sleep tugging on his body the conversations around him kept him from completely surrendering to slumber. Groaning softly to himself in irritation he raises his head for a brief moment.
"Perhaps the one we seek...Feremon can offer us guidance on how to handle this. Demetrios did say th' Plague mebbe related to what we seek in the Hool Marsh. The Black Flame."
The Farmhouse
Two Hours before Midnight
5th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 3)
Farmer's Cabin Map
Combat Manager (Baltron's Beacon Tab)
Thanim manages to settle the group down inside the cabin. Cerilis and Harry seem to fall asleep but their sleep is unsettled and restless. Perri's, however, seems to toss and turn throughout the night. He talks to himself...but his voice is different...and at times it unsettles Thanim as he seems to mumble in a language that is dark and otherworldly. Then he begins to mumble in Rhopan and Keoish...He doesn't understand Rhopan but he has heard the man speak in it several times... The mumbling doesn't make sense as he bounces from Rhopan to Keoish.
Perri lays down and manages to fall asleep but his dreams are filled with images and flashes of that terrible moment when he fleed from the owlbear and abandon his family and friends. It seems like every moment in his lift that he failed or committed some terrible sin washes through his dreams...and always a dark figure looms just beyond site as if watching it all. The figure is short and shaped much like that creature Perri saw outside the cabin....His mind is filled with horrible screaming in agony of his family... It cuts deeply into his soul, into his being, into who he is...then that whisper comes...telling him it is ok...it is ok... But Perri knows this is all wrong and he fight it back and after a moment he seems to settle himself. He falls into a deep sleep and for the moment the images are gone but that dark shadow just off in the distance is there but Perri is unsure of its purpose.
Outside Sylas, Maja, and Bynoth manage to keep watch of the fires and the woods around the cabin. It is still and the night is quiet for now.
Cerilis rolls over and continues to sleep...
and mumbles in his sleep and coughs slightly. The olf switches from one language to another one several times as he tries to sleep.
agar lettien...typical...bacon povrassk...othna ni...dhekaan dac o
blood...letting
bacon sandwich
would be
fine...thank you
The Farmhouse
Early Morning
6th Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy(Day 4) Earthday
Farmer's Cabin Map
Combat Manager (Baltron's Beacon Tab)
The night is quiet after the attack on the house. The morning is cracked open with a pink-orange sun in the east.
Thanim makes his way outside on the porch facing the east. He finishes his prayers and stands. As he does he notices Sylas shuffling about the roof that he slept on as Bynoth held watch. Maja awakened as well as he finished and she gives him a nod and smile. The three patients seem to be sleeping inside the cabin. Thanim can feel the sickness in his body...he is sweating, he can feel some swelling in his neck and armpits. He is sore and in need of care himself.
Thanim finshes checking himself in the rays of the rising sun. "This will be my best chance to care for myself," he thinks with some glumness, clearly not looking forward to the next few days. He's seen the toll it has taken on the others, and he knows both that he will suffer and that he will be unable to help his friends. "Sol, I am strong. Lend me thy strength that I may continue this fight." He spreads his arms, letting the light wash over him, then digs into his bag to do what he can.
Afterwards, he reenters the cabin and looks to the others. As he tends to Perri, he speaks with him, "Are you feeling any better? Tell me more about the voices..." He opens the windows and tries to arrange it such that as much natural light as possible is in the cabin and on Perri. He completes Perri's care with a special sequence of spells.
Endure Elements
Bear's Endurance
Protection from Evil
Remove Sickness
Remove Curse
Thanim continues to monitor all his patients, but pays close attention to Perri and whether the spell regimen seems to have any effect.
Harry found himself awake long after his usual time for stirring, understandable considering the disease still ravaging his body. Slowly rising to his feet he glances about him noting the presence of the others, while paying close attention to Perri.
I need ta watch 'im closely, until we kin break the possession...somehow.
His attention is drawn to Thanim, now contracted of the Plague himself. Knowing he would be of little assistance here he instead calls out quietly, "Be thar anything ye need me ta do fer ye?"
Perri looks around the room with red-rimmed eyes and a decided uncertainty in his manner.
"They keep telling me that you all want to kill me, that you're not trying to help me get better, just to keep me passive . . .. But you're doing the same sorts of things you've done before. It doesn't make sense, but something is obviously going on. Something is wrong. I just have to understand it; to figure it out."
-----
"You don't normally cast that many different spells when healing. What are you doing to me? Are the voices right?"
Perri questions Thanim's intentions, and Thanim furrows his brow. In a voice as calm and as soothing as he can manage, Thanim says, "No, Perri. This plague is not the conventional disease with which we are all familiar. The spiritual component is as strong as the physical, which is why you must fight so hard. Fight this disease! The voices are not your friends; you have known us much longer. You know our hearts. We have fought together, bled together, and we shall heal together. These spells are to fortify you and your spirit, to give you every advantage. We care for you, as you care for us, and we want to help you in any way we can."
At Perri's voiced concerns, the Scourge of Hextor takes a different tact;
"Master Rhennee. Only the foolish weed out their weak or wounded at a time when they can serve a purpose. These voices speak their own poison, for should we wish to kill you, it would be done steel-to-steel, granting you a death in battle, so you may serve anew in the afterlife legions."
Bynoth remains stern faced at the prospect of the pestilence spreading further amongst the company;
"If the fortitude of Pelor's faithful cannot resist this plague, then there is little hope for the chattel, mundane and those no blessed by my own Lord's impervious constitution..."
Thanim finshes checking himself in the rays of the rising sun. "This will be my best chance to care for myself," he thinks with some glumness, clearly not looking forward to the next few days. He's seen the toll it has taken on the others, and he knows both that he will suffer and that he will be unable to help his friends. "Sol, I am strong. Lend me thy strength that I may continue this fight." He spreads his arms, letting the light wash over him, then digs into his bag to do what he can.
[dice=Heal Check]10 + 13 + 2 + 2
Afterwards, he reenters the cabin and looks to the others. As he tends to Perri, he speaks with him, "Are you feeling any better? Tell me more about the voices..." He opens the windows and tries to arrange it such that as much natural light as possible is in the cabin and on Perri. He completes Perri's care with a special sequence of spells.
Endure Elements
Bear's Endurance
Protection from Evil
Remove Sickness
Remove CurseThanim continues to...
Sylas folds his legs and eats on the roof and then meditates on the knowledge his mentors taught him. Maybe he can remember something else of use?