"yes searching the area for a sign of what could attack other lesser travellers is a good idea. do you want me to scout a head?"
Quiary says getting his bow ready.
"That all makes good sense. Just gimme a sec to settle my stomach."
"I think that would be a good idea Quiary. Yell if you need help quickly." Ansgar says. Once Quiary is a decent distance in front Ansgar will follow.
Norm cast mage armor on Cliff.
"Cliff, follow Quiary quietly"
You take a while to examine the trees where the flock of birds came from and the area around it. Both the trees and ground have some scattered black feathers, and their placement seems to suggest the birds came from the east.
"WE follow the trail, stay back about 20' or so, Cliff can stay with me?" Quiary says before disappearing in the woods.
Ansgar nods and waits to follow behind Quiary.
Quiary follows the trail for a while until he can't find any more black feathers. The feathers keep pointing east, though is hard to know how far the flock came from.
Norm will follow with the rest of the party, undtil Quiary and Cliff stops
"So, how long do we want to keep going? Looks like there is still a track to follow."
"Keeps pointing east, lets follow it till we find out who sent those birds, other won't be as well equipped to deal with them." Quiary says as he comes back out of the shadows.
"Or until nightfall comes. I don't think we should be walking around after dark if there are undead about." Ansgar says, following Quiary as appropriate.
"It's probably going to be to hard to follow a trail of feathers during the night, so that sounds like a good idea. We should look for a good place to camp while we're moving, so we have a place to go to when we stop"
"The horses will need water too. If we can find a spot by a stream or a pond that would be good."Cael chimes in.
"So Stoneface, I never did hear where you are from. Since, you know, we're basically like family now or something, brothers in arms and what not, do you care to share?"
Quiary comes back out of the shadows with Cliff in tow, 'You're making a lot of noise." a slight smile on his lips. 'What do we do up here? just scout and retreat or pursue what ever is there?"
Zelinda follows the others on Uma, assuring the mare every now and then, more for her own sake than the horse's. He doesn't interject on the conversation but quietly keeps an eye open for further danger, on hand on the reins and the other on her weapon.
Ansgar looks over at Cael, "The Cult of Ragathiel in Magnimar. I plan on stopping there when we get to the city to ask for guidance on what to do with Nualia's remains, and now these undead."
"You call it a cult? That is an interesting use of the word, why not small gathering or something less evilish sounding?' Quiary asks Ansgar
"I didn't think we were being that loud... Anyways, so you were raised in this Cult? Quiary's right by the way, you should really be more careful in the words you pick. People get weird about things like that.?"
"A cult is 'a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.'" Ansgar says looking at Cael and Quiary nonchalantly. "There are many such small cults in Magnimar, worshiping various angels, agathions, and azatas that go largely unknown to the world at large." Ansgar shrugs, "We don't care what others think, and our services are requested enough that it doesn't seem to matter."
More directly to Cael, "I joined them about a decade ago, and its the place I call home."
Cael shakes his head, "You don't care till somebody decides you're a problem then starts spreading lies thick as manure on a field, then you care. It doesn't matter what the real meaning of the word cult is, it matter what people think of it. But it's none of my business, so I ain't gonna bother you about it, it's your necks in the noose. What kind of services does a cult of Ragathiel offer anyhow?"
"Large swords for one." Quiary says pointing at the Bastard Sword Strapped on Ansgar's back with a slight smile.
Ansgar walks along, silent for a minute or two before he speaks. "We of the Cult offer Vengeance in the name of our Empyreal Lord." Ansgar lets that sit in the air for a moment before continuing. "Ragathiel's Vengeance is metered, precise. It buries the issues of wrongdoing, for those who ask us to work must never mention the matter again nor continue their feud. It helps prevent blood feuds between families, or an excess of violence. Of course it helps that we must first review the situation and investigate before acting, but once we step forth we are implacable."
"So yes, as Quairy puts it, we give large swords to those who need them." Ansgar states. "Why do you ask Cael? Are you in need of what we offer?"
"I was just curious. You hadn't said much about where you came from that's all." Cael pauses for a moment then and takes on a distant look. When he resumes speaking his tone is somber, "no, I don't think I need any help with vengeance."
Quiary turns his face away because Ansgar missed some of the message that was being put out. "So these birds that attacked us anyone else know anything about them?' Quiary says as they continue through the woods.
You keep heading east for a while and are able to find a few black feathers along the way, the intervals between finding them seem to grow wider as you push east. About two hours later the night starts coming and trail goes cold, you are confident that the birds came from east, but you're not sure how far they've come from, could be a couple of hours away or even as far as Sandpoint.
You find a good place near water that seems safe and comfortable enough to camp, and spend the night there. You wake-up the next morning feeling refreshed from the long journey.
Zelinda is nearly falling asleep in her saddle by the time they stop to make camp. She just barely manages to de-tack Uma before throwing down her bed and collapsing on it, managing to call out, "Waak meh fer mah turn ta...." She falls asleep before she manages to finish the incoherent thought.
Cael for his part feels rested, if a little saddle sore. Used to walking riding is a luxury. He pats Shadowmist fondly. "You did great today. Let's get this off you, you deserve a good rest tonight." To the others he says. I can take first watch if you'd like. It's been a long day, but I'm feeling ok. I can keep an eye on things for now."[/b]
Quiary is able to make it though most of the day before his legs start to betray him. "Maybe camping for the night is a good idea. I will take the last watch I think or the middle one just need some sleep." The half elf says as he sits down and leans against a tree falling asleep.
Walking through the night, Ansgar finds himself unable to keep up. The last few weeks efforts catch up to him all at once and he struggles along silently at the back of the group.
.
In the morning, Ansgar wakes, "We need to decide if its more important for us to find the source of these feathers or hurry to Magnimar and let them know. I think it best we go to the city."
After a few more hours of travel, you finally spot Magnimar's walls and slate rooftops on the horizon, it doesn't take much longer for you to reach the gates.
Two well armed but visibly bored guards perk up as they see Cliff approaching, but don't stop you from entering the city despite staring as you cross the gates.
Magnimar is a huge city that could fit more than a dozen Sandpoints inside it, a big variety of human ethnicities as well other races walk the streets, many of which seem to be adventurers openly carrying weapons.
Cael seems on edge as they enter the city, contently looking to the side and he casts a spell that shifts the way he looks subtly. "So where are we staying Stoneface? Not the Shadow district I hope," he chuckles nervously.
"Somewhere not nice but not to nice, they will try to swindle you out of your money and I don't want to spend more than I have to to sleep. I could do with a bath though." Quiary says brushing dust from everywhere.
Norm smiles and nod at the guards as we pass them
"Smile at the nice guards, Cliff"
Cliff smiles at the guards. It is quiet unsettling when Cliff smiles at you....
"I second that. The fancy places won't allow Cliff to come in, for some odd reason. They claim he scares the other guests! Can you believe that!?! This cute face can't scare anyone!
I stayed at a nice place the last time we where here. The flying butterfly, I think. Or was it The Smelly Badger? I think it's in that direction? or was it this one? I'm really not sure, everywhere looks the same to me in these big cities. I'll just follow along, sure we will find a great place sooner or later. Uhh, a baker! Anyone up for some fresh baked pastries?"
"fresh bread sounds nice, I could use something to eat that isn't hard tack." Quiary says as he smells the fresh baked food.
"I was planning on going to meet with and stay with the Cult. But if we can find a decent inn I will stay with you all." Ansgar says to Cael
Cael nods, "That sounds good. The Cult's not in the Shadow district right?"
"So long as I can have a nice warm bath, I don't care where we stay," Zelinda adds with a smirk on her face.
"We are starting to smell yes, I dare not take my boots off." Quiary says with a smile.
"It's a Cult Cael..." Ansgar says, his voice a bit dead pan as he starts off towards the Cult of Ragathiel's main meeting house.
"Mets 'ollw 'em o...." Norm says something which is unintelligible as his mouth is full of fresh pastries.
As he swallows, he tries again.
"This is some very good stuff! Anybody what one? I got plenty! What I was trying to say, let’s follow Ansgar to his cult. Maybe we are lucky they got room for all of us, always wanted to see a real cult, but if not, we should at least know where he is staying. And he should know where we are staying"
"Let's just get to wherever were going to stay." Cael says still glancing around nervously.
The meeting house is located on the southern part of the Naos district, near the huge tower known as the Arvensoar. The house itself would be considered huge in a town like Sandpoint, but seems inconspicuous when surrounded by all other manors in the district.
As you start getting closer Ansgar can already recognize two members of the cult exiting the building, probably headed to work.
Ansgar ignores the two men leaving, work to be done should not be interrupted in his trade. "Be prepared to answer some questions, but I will vouch for you." Ansgar says as he goes and pushes the door open. Looking around the house, Ansgar lets his eyes adjust to the dim light before walking to the front desk and addressing the man sitting there. "John, a bit of business first. I've got some companions here from Sandpoint. We need lodging for a few days if there's room here. Also, there's some carrionstorm on the road between here and Sandpoint." Ansgar pulls out the decaying carcass and drops it on the table in front on John. "And I need to speak with the Master if he's free. Other than that, has there been much happening while I went to visit the Cathedral?"
John opens his mouth to speak then closes it, looking at the undead carrion bird on his table, then at Ansgar and his companions, at Cliff, and back to the bird.
"...It seems a lot happened. We thought you would just watch the cathedral's consecration then promptly come back, but it's been weeks. Some even thought you got attacked and beaten or the road, or found yourself another god to pray, like Gorum.", his tone is jovial but you feel he is not completely joking. "In any case, welcome back."
He shuffles some papers on his desk before continuing.
"Lumina will have some questions for your friends before they can come in, you know how it works, we have to be careful. Ardent has been out on a mission for some time but I heard he is coming back soon. I'm sure both of them will want to hear more about these carrionstorm you found.", he says, prodding at the bird with a gloved hand.
"About things happening, there's been a string of murders recently, some think a cult to some demon lord is to blame, but if you ask me the murders seem a bit too methodical and their traces well covered, the mayor has been tightly controlling the crime scenes as well, so its hard for anyone but the city watch to try investigating."
"Bah.. Ragathiel is my liege and I'll never be swayed from him. Attacked and beaten is more along the lines of what happened, but I'll tell you more later after talking with Lumina. And that string of murders sounds... unfortunate. Hopefully no one we know." Ansgar nods to John and walks off into the house to find Lumina.
When Ansgar finds Lumina, "Excuse me, Lumina. I have some companions that need a place to stay. You and Ardent may also wish to hear what they have to say about what happened in Sandpoint."