Morvan sighs, as the psychopomps find them and approach them. Well, that was a rather inept attempt at stealth on your part. Standing he steps forward and replies in Taldane, "Greetings to you. We are journeying to the camp of the Blades of Aaramor, as we intend to speak with them. We do not quarrel with you, nor have we any who are ready for Pharasma's rest. We would be about our business, and leave you to be about yours."
That should serve to divert them and satisfy their curiosity.
The trio glances at each other briefly before returning their gazes to you.
"Of course, we have no issue with your passage. But we wonder, if you might be able to assist us, however minorly. We would gladly compensate you for your time. But if not, it is of only minor consequence. We shall not hinder you. We suspect that you will receive hinderance enough from the spirits."
Morvan raises an eyebrow. "What spirits, and what assistance would you ask of us?"
"The spirits that haunt this cursed field. Several centuries ago-"
"It was one thousand, two hundred and twenty-five years ago," one of the figures, the elf, interrupts.
"Over a millenia ago," the psychopomp corrects smoothly, "This field was the site of a curse of significant proportions. Two powerful warlords led their warriors to battle here, but neither could gain victory. They fought and fought unceasingly, until their men grew weary of battle and turned on their leaders. In their hate and rage, the leaders spent their dying breaths and cursed all the warriors to remain here and fight until they were victorious. The curse was so potent that not only were all the warriors present affected, all those who have died here since have also been trapped. Our mission is to find a way to break the curse and free all the souls. While we have been able to free a few here and there, it is neigh-impossible to free most of the souls trapped here without breaking the curse itself."
"Not that we expect you to do that for us, of course," the third, dwarven, psychopomp assures you.
"Of course not, no, that would be a bit too much. We of course would be grateful for any soul you freed, even without breaking the curse, but the most effective assistance you could render us would be to deal with Zyphus' clergy. They take a perverse delight into luring unwary travellers to their deaths, where the curse can take hold of them. While we have many skills, hunting down unscrupulous mortals is not one of them. Were you to deal with them, it would both protect others from their depredations, and also allow us to more adequately focus on our work here in ushering these trapped souls to their proper destination."
The trio gaze at you intently, though their placidity makes it come across as mere curiosity.
Kallant coughs, "Where are these Zyphus' clergy? How do we recognize them? How do you expect them to resist out attempts to deal with them? Is killing them the best way to deal with them considering the curse?"
Kizziar telepathically translates the psychopomps' Celestial speech for the hellknights. Once they have finished their tale, he implores his comrades, We really don't have time for this. It's vitally important that we rescue Vespartius as quickly as possible, and even assuming we can easily defeat the clergy of Zyphus, stopping to do so would delay us substantially.
Thanks Kizziar, but I speak Celestial. I agree we are in a hurry. But we can take a couple of minutes to find out more information.
Besides, we have a couple more days in these Fields. Who knows what kind of help or hindrance these things can do for or to us if we agree or disagree to help them? Kallant thinks in reply to the devil.
I agree, this detracts from our main mission. As you noted though, they are not evil and his could be a real offer and not a trap.
Morvan listens to the telepathic statements sent by the others, then says, "We are willing to consider it, but our current mission is a rather urgent one. Can you answer my associate's questions, or do they merely prowl the plains, looking for unwary travelers?"
"They have no centralized location that we are aware of. Most likely they will tout themselves as guides, and attempt to lure you to more dangerous locations then abandon you. Zyphus is focused on accidental deaths, so they will likely avoid direct conflict unless they see no other alternative," the speaker pauses and they shrug as one.
"While of course our preference would be that they die outside of the curse, ultimately it doesn't particularly matter. The goal is to get them to stop hindering our efforts. If we can break the curse, then it matters not where they died, and if we can't, others more suited will take our place. Eventually all will stand before the Lady, even if we failiable ones fail here," they all reverently make the spiral of Pharasma's holy symbol in the air, then kiss their thumb.
”Right. So, if we encounter there agents, we will suitably motivate them to discontinue their current course of action. If there isn’t anything else, we must be on our way. “ Kallant politely replies.
"Of course. Safe travels," they nod politely, then vanish without so much as a flicker to show they were ever there.
"Well, that went well enough. We should keep an eye out for agents of Zyphus, then. Shall we return to bed?"
Kallant leads to camp or trail, which ever is appropriate.
As you return to your campsite, you immediately notice the pair of emerald tinted spectral figures examining the ground where you had been camped. They quickly turn as you approach, raising their weapons.
Urashu lugs himself back to camp. The meeting with the shoki had left him confused, rattled, and ill-feeling. His mind perks back up at the sudden threat, and he puts a hand to his gun.
Kizziar returns with the others, turning invisible when he sees the ghostly figures.
Kallant shrugs and thinks, ::Alright imp. I don't understand what they are speaking. Do you?::
Morvan stands, facing the apparitions, hand gripping his mace. Looking at his companions, he says, "Do any of you understand them?"
I don’t, Kizziar informs his companions.
Urashu shakes his head.
Melii shakes her head in response to Morvan's question. "I don't know what they're saying, but they don't look friendly."
Recognizing the language of the Kellid people, Melli steps forward.
"There is no safe passage through these lands. Surrender and you will be given the chance to prove yourself honorably," he growls, and they level their spears at you.
One specter grumbles quietly, but the other steps forward and speaks firmly, and they both level their spears at you.
"They're asking for our surrender. I assume we won't be complying with their demands?" Melii says in Common to her companions.
"You assume correctly." Morvan speaks a word of power, and his armor receives an increase in power.
Still invisible, Kizziar floats up to hover slightly ahead of the others and prepares to drop down and distract the specters if they attack.
The more dominate specter narrows his eyes as you all speak amongst yourselves, readying an attack should you make any aggressive moves.
Kallant puts some distance between the spectres and himself while pulling out his longbow. He nocks a ghost salt arrow and readies to fire on a spectre if they attack in anyway.
Based on their extremely strong auras of necromancy, it seems likely that these things are undead, Kizziar says to the rest of the group.
"We'll need magic weapons to harm them. My own are useless at the moment," Melii snarls, angry that she didn't think to bring an enchanted weapon. She focuses her thoughts on defense, warding herself against the specters.
Kallant knocks an arrow, and the first specter charges, bulling through the surprisingly painful arrow and stabbing with his spear.
The second specter follows the firsts lead and also focuses on Kallant.
I’d say that’s enough provocation.
Urashu acts right after the second specter, moving into position and casting Dragon’s Breath