Tyra takes Dalron’s hand; “I can walk. I am ready to go home. Did my mom and dad make it home safely?”
"Let's go find out, child."
Later, in town...
“Thank goodness you found Tyra! But, I see not everyone has made it back, have you run into.... trouble? We were beginning to worry.”
"Some of the dead in the graveyard have risen as undead, the girl's parents included. She doesn't yet know. You'll need to make arrangements for her care.
"We believe that a necromancer and his or her companions might be the cause. We are going back there in the morning to eliminate them."
"I think you'll be needin' to call the sheriff. We've got grim news to share about what we've found in the graveyard."
After the conversation in the inn, but before he goes to sleep, Lanliss seeks out Mailea, the cleric of Callistra. If the church is closed, Lanliss will attempt to locate the residential part where Mailea may live and will insistently knock on the door until the cleric answers.
Ians face goes white as you share the story of the dead coming back to life and necromancers. Looking over his shoulder towards Tyra, he turns back and speaks quietly; “Even her folks... this is horrific.... I have only heard of things like this happening is stories of old... Never in my lifetime did I think it would happen here. I am glad we have you here to help rid us of this problem.”
Mia places a hand on Barnabus’s shoulder; “I am right here my Dwarven friend. What news do you have of my men? There should have been two of them. Formal a Dwarven male, and Zeera a human female. Did you find them?”
"We found matching pendants to identify the girl's parents, but we didn't have descriptions of the others. I'm sorry, but... it seems unlikely. Once we have ended the threat, it should be safe to come identify the bodies yourselves."
@Lanliss and anyone else who would like a hint can roll also...
Examining the remains you see that the bodies have been savaged by some wild beast and they lie in pools of blood. One is a male dwarf, and the other is a female human. Each one wears the remnants of a town sentinel’s tabard. Their armor is tattered. Blood spatters covers the landing and the flagstones just inside the tomb’s doorway.
You know the sentinel’s are the higher ranking members of the town guards. These were indeed Mia’s men.
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Looking at Mia
"I am sorry to say but your men died just outside the tomb’s doorway. I believe that they were attacked by the undead and left. When we got there there were two wolves and a worg, that we might have interrupted from eating the remains."
Turing back to keep an eye on Tyra
"Does Tyra have family that she can stay with?"
With the advice of the othes, Scarlet decides not to stay behind but accompany the group back to town.
Letting the little girl be handled by by the others, upon arriving at the Inn and going in the back to talk. Scarlet confirms what happened.
"Dalron is right. Your guards, both of them, were dead. Torn to shreds either by the undead or the worg."
Both Ian and Mia are taken back when Scarlet says that they were torn to shreds. Mia clears her throat as she speaks up; “Hopefully there are enough remains for them to have a proper ceremony... Once things are clear I will send more of my men up to retrieve the bodies.”
“Family? The only other family she had in town was her grandfather, and he just passed... That poor girl has lost all her family in a span of a month. I am not sure what we will do with her. I am sure Mailea would take her in at the temple, I am sure she could use an acolyte. A life of faith might be good for her.” Ian gets up to walk away, “I need to tend to the open room, we are busy. Please, no news of what is going on unless it is absolutely necessary.... Eat up and rest up.”
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Talking to the party in quite tones
"We will need to be quick, so we can get back to the tomb and see why the dead are rising. I think our next stop will be the Temple to talk to that very nice Priestesses Mailea about the undead problem and about Tyra."
Says Dalron as he speaks between mouth fulls.
Talking to the party in quite tones
"We will need to be quick, so we can get back to the tomb and see why the dead are rising. I think our next stop will be the Temple to talk to that very nice Priestesses Mailea about the undead problem and about Tyra."Says Dalron as he speaks between mouth fulls.
"Actually, I'm about to head over there right away, but for a different reason."
Lanliss looks around twice to make sure that they aren't being heard.
"Friends, listen. Tyra's situation is heartbreaking, but it may be worse than we think! There is no reason in the world that the girl should still be alive and--physically, at least--unharmed. An undead or a necromancer killed her parents to raise them but sealed a defenseless victim in a vault? That doesn't make any sense!
"I won't pretend to understand their motivations, but what if, maybe, the girl is infected with some sort of necro-disease and hasn't... well, she hasn't died and risen again? And then what if we leave to go back to the cemetery tomorrow and she turns and and she kills (or worse!) more of the villagers while we're gone?
"I hope I'm wrong! I probably am! But the risk could be too grave to ignore. Sorry about the pun. A village cleric is the best person to recognize what could happen to Tyra while we're away. Maybe she can even prevent it.
"So, I'm going to see Mailea to ask her to keep an eye on the girl."
Lanliss stares at his companion wide-eyed.
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With a very concerned look on his face as he looks at his hands
"Do you think you could catch the disease by touch?
Not waiting for an answer, Dalron gets up and heads outside using his cloak where Tyra did not touch to open the door.
Out side he tries to find a water trough that has some measure of privacy and begins to undress wash his clothes, armor, and other equipment with his soap then bath himself with the water. When he is all done he puts on his travelers outfit and dumps the water trough in hopes to stop the disease. then he with make sure things that can be dried are and will oil what needs to be as soon as possible.
With a very concerned look on his face as he looks at his hands
"Do you think you could catch the disease by touch?
"Not if you wash your hands regularly."
"She just looks like a little girl to me." Barnabus declares.
"I don't know enough about how undead are made. Would such a necro-disease radiant some type of magic? Could it be detected as normal magic?"
Dalron runs outside and begins to strip down and bathe in a water trough between two buildings.As he is soaping up he realizes people are still out and about and give him strange looks when they see a naked man bathing in a horse trough washing his close and armor.
“If you need anything from me, don’t hesitate. I will be doing my patrols.” At that Mia turns and goes out the back kitchen door.
Once everyone has had their fill, Lanliss and anyone else who wants to go to the temple get up and head that way. Upon arrival, it is obvious that someone is still there. The flickering of candlelight shines from the windows.
Though you are going from evening time into a candlelit room, the dimness still demands your eyes some extra time to adjust. There is an overwhelming aroma of perfume and burning incense in the temple. Mailea approaches the group with a knowing smile across her face. “It seems that the Unquenchable Fire has called you back to this holy place. What are your desires? What are you yearning for?”
I think this temple thing is a wild goose chase, and that priestess doesn't seem decent.
Barnabus stays at the inn, refills his flask, and eats a shepherds pie for dinner.
"I don't know enough about how undead are made. Would such a necro-disease radiant some type of magic? Could it be detected as normal magic?"
"I don't know! None of us do! If I'm wrong then there's no harm. Except for Dalron exposing himself, I guess."
Though you are going from evening time into a candlelit room, the dimness still demands your eyes some extra time to adjust. There is an overwhelming aroma of perfume and burning incense in the temple. Mailea approaches the group with a knowing smile across her face. “It seems that the Unquenchable Fire has called you back to this holy place. What are your desires? What are you yearning for?”
"We found the missing girl, Tyra, but her parents are dead," Lanliss begins, trying to kill the mood right away.
"Tyra's parents and the guards later sent to search for them were murdered and then raised as undead, and most likely many of those who have been buried in the same cemetery. We are going back in the morning to take care of any other threats that still remain, but we are concerned about Tyra. Aside from no longer having family to care for her, there's a chance that she has been infected with some sort of undeath disease and it hasn't fully taken hold, yet. None of us know much about how this process works.
"We'd like you to watch over Tyra while we're back at the cemetery. Both to comfort her, and to take action in case she tries to harm others. Only Ian and the sheriff know about the undead, and only my companions and I have discussed our concern about Tyra.
"Also, I'm sure that my companion Scarlet would think that you look lovely, this evening."
Scarlet remains in the back of the group whey they are discussing the girl and undead at the temple.
When Lanliss mentions him, he gives the priestess a smile but remains behind the group. "Yes. Yes." He doesn't say anything else.
Mailea’s eyes widen as you tell what has happened not to far from Kingsholm. “Calistria protect us... I would gladly take Tyra in. She is a beautiful young girl, she will need someone strong by her side during this time. I will be able to examine her and see if she caught any kind of disease, bring her to me right away. Is there anyone else who might have became contaminated? I would wish to examine them also.”
Looking around the temples main chamber, not really looking for anything but thinking over what you have told her, “I have several chambers where I can keep anyone who needs to be quarantined just incase. They are comfortable rooms, and some of them have restraints if needed.”
You sit in the dining room with the people of Kingsholm. As you are eating and drinking you begin to think over what has just happened. The death of a family, and then their return to life by what you could only imagine is the vilest of magics, Necromancy. You have not spent much time studying this kind of magic, but you know most of it is evil.
Taking a bite of your shepherds pie, you see the people around you talking, laughing, joking around. All of them with the people they call friends or loved ones. You begin to think; “If they only knew what evil was happening just a short distance from here...” it causes you to shutter and you take a drink from your flask.
“They are comfortable rooms, and some of them have restraints if needed.”
"Why would they have... Oh, right."
Lanliss, and any others, leave to fetch Tyra. Then he finds a quiet place to pray for spells before retiring for the night.
Scarlet leaves to go retrieve the girl and return her to the temple.
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Barnabus nurses his whiskey and eats the home cooked meal.
To himself he thinks: "These folk would be helpless in the face of the evil that seems to lurk at all of the edges of the wilderness. Perhaps it's best that I left the library and put my talents to use after all."
"My magical power is growing and I think I can keep this up .... as long as the whiskey holds out."
Unless anything specific is going to happen at the temple, the party is able to get Tyra and deliver her to Mailea. Mailea puts an arm around her, “I will take good care of her. If you need anything, no matter the hour, the Temple is always available for worship.”
Everyone returns to the Cornet & Cabbage Inn for the night. Ian gathers everyone around a table in the corner that he was sitting at. Walking, more like stumbling, to the bar and back he brings a bottle of brown liquor and six glasses. He sits down and starts pouring, some making in the glass and some out. This is clearly not the first drink he has had this evening. Looking around and seeing no one is in the inn, “This... this is to the Yurlings; Gunar.. Morgan.. Desiree..” swallowing back a tear, “and poor young Tyra..” He slams back the drink and pours another one, he will pour more for those who drank their first. He is not paying attention to any refusals. “Tonight we mourn and celebrate their lives...” as the night passes on, Ian keeps refilling any glass that goes empty. The night is full of memories he had with the grandfather Gunar, all the way through Tyra.
Night comes and goes. Those who stayed up drinking and telling stories wake up in the dining room of the Inn, head aching from the previous night. The aroma of the spice bread that Tyra helped prep last night is filling the entire Inn. Those in their rooms are also awaken by this most pleasant smell.
Refreshed or groggy you are all greated by one of the barmaids with freshly baked spice bread, fruit, dried meats, and milk.
Lanliss tries a sip of the whisky and is nearly sick. Mentally, he regrets not having detect poison prepared. He smiles at Ian but doesn't drink, occasionally passing his liquor to Barnabus. Eventually he begs off, stating the need to pray to prepare for tomorrow's return to the cemetery.
The next morning everyone feels refreshed, except for Barnabus. Staying up late drinking with Ian has most definitely gained you favor in his eyes and a friend for life, but you will be fatigued until you get proper rest. This lack of sleep and hangover has also not allowed you to get a full nights rest(8 hours) or time to study and prepare your spells(1 hour).
Ian plops down next to Barnabus and gives him a slight elbow, “Sometimes you just need to drink through a terrible time, one thing I can add to the list of life is standing toe to toe in drinks with a dwarf.... no matter how short lived it was. Barnabus, you sure can put them away. Thanks.” Taking a long slow drink of coffee, Ian is quickly startled as Mia approaches the table.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be at the cemetery by now? What if whatever is causing this gets away or worse, sends them our way? I hope a night of drunkenness was worth it... I’ve got a patrol to do, someone needs to see that this town is safe.” Mia walks off before giving anyone a chance to speak, and will continue on her way even if someone shouts to her.
“Don’t let that bother you... she’s got a lot of stress and pressure on her with this. She lost two men and two of the townsfolk.” taking another drink of coffee, “So, whats the plan?
Not staying up overnight to drink, knowing he will probably need his wits to be top notched in for the next day, he calls it an early night.
In the morning, not really being a morning person, he munches on his breakfast as he tries to fully wake up.
“Nothing better than the hair of the dog to cure what ales ya. That sounds pleasant actually, would you like one?”
"Don't mind if I do." Barnabus says as he squints out at the world from behind bleary eyes.
"Seems like the lights in here are brighter than they were yesterday..." he continues as he takes the drink.
Barnabus takes a drink of the offered Hair of the Dog and follows up with a traditional hangover cure of eggs, fried potatoes, and greasy sausage.
Scarlet looks horrified at those that drank the concoction. "I've heard of that before. A raw egg, the drink that caused the hangover in the first place, distilled urine, and blood from a well-fed stirge."
Brunner observes Mailea’s actions and how she speaks. He does believe that she will care for her and keep her safe.
Ian wide eyed and in shock turns to Scarlet; “Were you sneaking around the kitchen last night? Don’t give away the family secret of the stirge.” He says with a wink.
Barnabus pushes through and drinks all of this vile brew and with a shake of his head slams the mug on the table. By the time everyone is finished with breakfast Barnabus begins to feel much better. Though he is still tired from the late night, he feels as if he has all of his whits and strength about him.
Ian stands up from the table after breakfast, “Good luck men, rid us of the evil that has taken over the cemetery.”
Once you leave the Inn you find Mia standing across the street watching the door. When she sees you she walks up to you all have pulls you into the alleyway. She hands you each a small coin purse. “You did as I asked, you checked on the Yurlings and on my men. I keep my word. If you find anything else out report back to me. Discretion is still a high priority.” she turns to walk away, pauses, and over her shoulder says, “Good luck..” and continues on her way.
Barnabus makes sure his flask is topped off and takes a little time to study his spellbook.
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Dalron watching a mantis catch a cricket
"That's it. Now I understand what my farther was talking about speed of firing arrows faster. He said just watch nature. Now I get it."
Grabbing his bow, and in a blink of an eye he rapidly fires two arrows into a tree.
One arrow hits it's mark, but the other bounces of the side of the tree.
"Well I have the speed down,just need to work on accuracy with the speed."
Scarlet looks at the others, "Lets head back to the graveyard. I'll feel more comfortable if we can deal the threat there before nightfall."
He then starts heading back to the graveyard. While heading to the graveyard, he does glance into the small coin purse handed to him to see what is inside.
After taking some time for breakfast, Barnabus studying to prepare his spells, and gathering everything the party needs the group sets off back towards the cemetery.
Scarlet interested in what is in the coin purse finds 50 gold in his pouch, others who look find the same thing.
Making your way past the wolves and worg on the outside, and passing by the the fallen undead, the group finds themselves in the last hallway they were in last.
The group stops at the statue of the woman set in the wall that is flanked by two water fountains. The door across from the statue is shut and has the names Verdunn and Gola Mikolos engraved on it. Further down the all way you see an entry way and more vaults just beyond that side passage.
Scarlet examines the stone door to see if it is sealed or shows any signs of being opened recently. While examining the door, he responds to Dalron. "Don't know enough of the local history to be able to identify the couple. We have a question though, do we try to investigate beyond the stone door even if it shows signs of being sealed and undisturbed?"
Scarlet looks over the door and does not detect anything out of the ordinary with it. It is unlocked, but it looks like it hasn’t been opened.
"Hmmph.....whoever they were, I've never heard of them."
"I'd say to let the dead rest."
"Only, if the dead have risen, we don't want them to come up behind us as we delve deeper into the mausoleum. We need to check each door as we pass." Lanliss indicates the door across from the statues.
Just before they open the door, Lanliss grants Dalron a charge of his Bit of Luck ability.
Bit of Luck (Sp): You can touch a willing creature as a standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the more favorable result. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.