"If it's just a cottage I might as well stay on the boat," Jacob comments to himself. Now why does he sound so off? Jacob wonders from the head of the boat. He looks back off into the forest, wondering.
"Feigr. Check the surroundings."
"Must I?" It asks boredly.
"Now," he responds annoyed.
Feigr the crow takes to the air to look out for trouble.
"Always. Never think that there isn't. The real question, I think, is whether or not the powers in the forest should be concerned about you?" It chuckles, reverberating. "Passing through? To where? There can only be one destination, there can only be one outcome." It raises a gloved index finger, which bobs in the air as it considers the implications of the group's arrival. "Fascinating." You swear it's smiling.
Jacob squints at the hooded figure. He refuses to be illuminated. Why? It was good the ghost house forced him to prepare different spells for now he could see beyond the physical.
Yazmine gives the thing a hard look up and down, going over his words carefully.
Necromancy? he ponders. Not that was his vein of speciality.
Chester frowns uncertainly at the odd antics of their... Well, not quite their host, since he has neglected to allow them entry to his cottage. Neighbor, perhaps. Regardless, he offers an idle nod in agreement with Aldric and gives a sweeping bow in the cloaked man's direction. "We appreciate the opportunity to moor our ship here. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe we have sleeping quarters to arrange."
With that, he takes a step back onto the boat without quite turning his back to the man. Assuming it is a man at all. Once he is securely off the dock and onto their boat again, he turns to the rest of the group. "It seems we are bunking here for the evening. Any of you are welcome to bed down in my carriage, should you prefer. It would be prudent to set watches, no? Any volunteers?"
"I volunteer", Kiara replies, looking entirely relaxed about the job. "The dark doesn't bother me as much as it might do...others, so I'm perfectly happy taking first watch".
Quite suddenly, the figure is standing on the dock, having moved from the porch in the blink of an eye. Its gloved fingers steepled, its voice now much easier to discern-what sounded like reverberation at a distance is a multitude of tiny humming voices attempting to harmonize into coherent speech.
"Quaint. Precious. Futile. Do it if it makes you feel safer, or maybe for practice...you may need it." Its hands raise apologetically, "I won't begrudge caution, no-no, who are we to interfere with such a grand undertaking?"
It places a gloved hand dramatically over its chest, "We...I...am Derrick Zstelian, and I couldn't help but wonder what I might gain from assisting you. The stories are true, Ascanor fell to beasts, but do you know what kind? An ounce of prevention, in this instance, really could save you a pound, or several hundred pounds , of flesh."
Yazmine eyes the creature suspiciously and has a hunch the others are as equally disturbed by it.
"... What is it you hope to gain? We can offer coin as we would to any dockmaster of any port," she offers tentatively to the thing.
Chester turns slowly to regard the figure and its sudden approach, just the slightest bit unnerved. Especially considering he did not even hear it move. Just the same, it would not do to be impolite to a potential benefactor, if not friend. "A pleasure to meet you, Master Zstelian. I am Chester Banderfeld and these are my companions," he replies, taking a step back in the thing's direction.
"I'm afraid I do not know of what manner of beast Ascanor fell to, though I must profess my curiosity. Would you care to enlighten us?" He considers offering a hand to shake, but this creature does not seem the type to shake hands.
"Coin is base reward at best. My research is at a standstill, I require a private laboratory and privacy for my work. I'm suggesting a long term arrangement, and I can help you, more than just with the beasts of Ascanor, but with much more. How does that sound?"
Had Jacob known the truth of the thing before he might have considered his response a little longer but would probably come to the same conclusion. The man had an aura of necromancy which meant he was made of or could cast necromancy spells...or both. In either case that meant good things for Jacob's own research. "Sounds good to me." This of course was only his recommendation. Aldric was the default leader in this case. Not out of respect but indifference to Jacob.
Yazmine cringed, then looked to Kiara who she had decided would be her buddy on this venture of theirs. Jacob seemed eager for once, which was odd enough that she gave him a quick look over for any obvious signs of mind control.
"So what you want is just space with more privacy? More privacy than being out here in the middle of nowhere provides? You get that many boats coming through here?"
"No river traffic at all, but consider the river after Ascanor is reestablished...a busy dock, even one as petty as this, is no place for serious research, unless you're a tax collector."
"As someone who has dabbled in tax collecting, you are not wrong. That in mind, perhaps it would be in the best interest of both of our parties if we were to set some terms for this agreement. By writing up a contract of sorts, I should think," Chester suggests to the cloaked figure as his lips quirk ever so slightly upward in what can only be the beginnings of a Cheshire grin. As a barrister and servant of his god, contracts are something of his specialty, of course. "Assuming, of course, that all of us in attendance are in agreement with the terms, that is. I would only wish to draw up such a script should we elect to take this gentleman up on his offer."
Kiara frowns up at the creature, not the least bit intimidated, although perhaps that might have been because she still has little understanding as to what it might be. "This..research you wish to undertake, is that going to impact against our personal goal...you see, there is little point in us setting up a deal, if in the long term, you personal goals and ours...no longer align"
"Noble lady, of course you're right. It should put you at ease that my interests primarily concern meteorites and other fallen objects from the...sky above. Nothing so risque as Necromancy or soul trading with daemons...
And if it pleases your company, I will contract an agreement, though I would prefer an informal agreement until Ascanor is settled."
Yazmine nods along with Kiara, clearly throwing her agreement with her.
"I think that's a fair arrangement..." she says tentatively, still not sure she's entirely confident in this creature's motives.
"... I hate to ask the blunt question, but what are you?"
The creature stops, and visibly turns its focus to Yazmine, something like a shudder moves through its body. "Yes. Certainly. It's only fair that you should know, if we are to associate, the nature of my being. Please indulge some context to the current state of things. I was once a man, of Lepidstadt, a researcher that spent most of his time in the University's libraries. I was timely and neat, and it was these virtues that granted me a spot on an expedition to the desert ruins of Ancient Osirion. Sadly, the adventure of a lifetime proved to be just that, and I feel pray to one of the outer tombs' deadly trap, a pit of flesh eating scarabs that had existed in stasis for thousands of years, until my fateful plunge. And yet, I lived on, a piece of my mind still lingered in each of the little monsters that had devoured my flesh, and I rose again from the pit...and made my way back to Ustalav, hidden in the sarcophagus of an ancient pharaoh. Unable to continue my life as it was, I eventually found this small abandoned shack, and I cannot emphasize my desire to rejoin civilization in some small way, without fearing over a quick end to my second lease on life. So there you are. You'll excuse me if I do not disrobe."
Chester's eyes widen not in revulsion, but unfettered curiosity as he looks the figure over anew. To be comprised of so many individual bodies that are used to make up one whole; he can scarcely imagine the level of control that requires. Or perhaps it is simply instinctual, as the beetles strive to stay together as a colony with a singular hive mind.
"How fascinating," he finds himself murmuring as he takes a step closer in an effort to peer beneath the hood. Without turning to regard the rest of the bizarre adventuring party, he addresses them as a whole. "I, for one, would certainly not turn away another intellectual mind who might be a boon to our quest. Especially one with so much to offer. Should it please you all, you may set the terms of the agreement and I will simply mediate the negotiations to ensure they are mutually beneficial."
Well, I hope I never do see this one disrobed, she thought to herself, but held her tongue in an effort to seem polite.
"You're a lawyer aren't you? Assuming you're one of some quality, I see no problem with you negotiating the terms of contract when the time comes to draw such things up," Yazmine says with a look to Chester.
"Are we prepared to settle here at the dock for the night, then?" She sounds rather disheartened by that. She always liked when they stopped and got off the boat. Being on the boat was simply a horrible experience...
Ah. So that's it, Jacob thinks in relation to the man's...thing's being. Pity he isn't interested in Necromancy. I could still study him. See if it is something to worth attaining. He takes leave of the conversation here but they would need to question him further in the morning. Especially about what else lurks in the forest.
"To dismiss some of the anxiety you might have about tomorrow's dangers, in my explorations about the Shudderwood, I came upon Ascanor on two occasions, and there I encountered wolves disguised in the shapes of men...quite literally. I would not have survived, if not for my current condition. As you may know, alchemical silver is quite effective against such creatures-which I tested on my second trip to Ascanor, and several nights afterward at this location. I'm happy to lend my stock to the cause."
"Lycans? Hmm. If I am not mistaken magic is just as effective as silver. I will be fine but a few arrows and a sword would be convenient," he says more to himself as he goes over plans in his head.
"I would certainly agree to make use of whatever supplies you have to offer, my friend. Is there anything that you would ask of us? Or do you simply wish to tag along, as it were?" Chester, despite having little to no intention to actually do much fighting, is certainly intrigued by the thought of having silver weapons to combat the beasts they will surely face.
"All I ask is favorable terms. A fair evening to each of you." Zstelian gives a curt bow, then recedes back into the shadow of his cabin.
The night passes quietly, as promised. In fact, the area is strangely devoid of wildlife, save for the fish beneath you. There are worse things than grilled fish for breakfast, however, and in the morning you are well fed and rested for the day's adventures.
Yazmine, seeing that apparently this odd fellow was going to become their newest ally, decided she may as well warm up to him now.
"Your offer is most gracious, though I'd be afraid I might accidentally lop off my own foot trying to wield anything more deadly than a small knife! I assure you this," she says, placing a hand on the ornate scimitar at her hip. "Is purely decorative. Much like Jacob here, I'll be relying on magic to carry me through any encounters, if for no other reason than to spare my limbs."
Zstelian nods, "That would be unfortunate. Pleasant dreams, friends."
Zstelian walks back to his cottage, silently entering his abode. During the course of the night, if you find yourself awake and gazing at the little house, this candles continue to burn until just before the sunrise, and his shadow moves across the window frequently, occupied with some labor, presumably the alchemical silver.
"And you as well, good sir." With that, Chester helps the group set up watches before retiring to his carriage for the evening. Or at least, for as long as he is allowed to sleep before it is his turn to take watching.
After most of the party has awoken from the night's rest, Zstelian appears from his cottage, carrying a small wooden box. He presents it to you on the dock, opening it to reveal twelve glass tubes filled with liquid silver. "As promised, here you are. Simply apply the chemical to your metal blade before engaging whatever were-creatures have taken residence at Ascanor. It does dull the weapons, so I wouldn't suggest using it against anything else."
Marris waves his hand, politely dismissing the offer, "Thank you, but I too have my own ways of dealing with lycanthropes. Seems the entire forest is supposed to be full of them though, so the others might need the rest for later."
Yazmine nods for her handmaiden to take the wooden box and hold it for the time being.
"It's a gracious gift. I'm sure it will be well used before our task is done."
She savored the moments she had on the dock, knowing full well it would soon be time to depart on that infernal boat again. Not that she rushes anyone to it.
Kiara lightly takes the vial herself, although not out of any particular desire to use the chemical on any weapon she had. As a spell caster, the vial was unlikely to be useful to her, but the chemical itself could be useful for further study, or at worst, look rather pretty.
Jacob takes two from the box. Apply now or later? Best wait until they got to the lodge. He wasn't sure how far away it was. Which reminded him, "How much further to the lodge?" he asks Aldric.
Captain Arter gives he location a look and ponders, "If we leave soon, we'll make it before midday I wager."
Zstelian seems to nod in agreement.
Chester peruses the vials curiously before taking up one and tucking it into his waistcoat pocket with a smile. "Most appreciated, my friend. Have you any items you must bring with you to Ascanor from your home?" He asks Zstelian, glancing back toward the others before he continues. "I suspect we should like to get going sooner, rather than later."