Campus also casts detect magic on the mirror, perhaps hoping it would transport her back from where she had come.
Not only does the phylactery emanate a magical aura, so too does the pearl and the bag itself. The mirror, though...does not.
Opening the phylactery seems to have no effect.
Varinder casts a slightly proprietary eye over the pearl, bag and phylactery. Magic, eh? Might be worth something...or worth keeping. Who knows what experiences and auras these items have gathered in their walk across time and space? Maybe I'll be able to learn more as I master my abilities. But for now, at least...
I've no spell craft training. Perhaps the good, but absent minded mage Artemis might take a look.
Nor I, my good Campus. Ahoy, Mage, what does your art tell you of yon baubles?
absent minded mage
Aremis walks over and pushes his spectacles up as he reviews the items. He does a full examination, and hums to himself softly as the others give him room to work.
Easy. You have here a Handy Haversack, a Pearl of Power, and a Phylactery of Faithfulness...quite the find!
Varinder shrugs upon Artemis's words, not knowing what such devices may be worth.
"We are fortunate none of our foes have attacked in greater number," the Merfolk says, "So many battles may tire us out.
"Also, what of the spoils??" she asks eagerly of the loot.
Pointing to the Phylactery of Faithfullness case This may help provide us moral guidance in difficult decisions we must make. I am supposing that it could tell me whether I or the Paladin are making a decision that would violate the oaths of our faiths.
Pointing to the bag, A bag of holding with two pouches, it would seem.
Pointing to the pearl This would allow a spell caster to recover a spent spell and cast it again.
Quite valuable and useful. Perhaps I should try to use this now to recover a healing spell?
She takes the pearl, and tries to recall a cure light wounds spell.
After hearing what the items were, Ramul was particularly interested in the handy haversack.
"That sack is quite useful. I don't think we should sell it as it provides a convenient way to carry things."
The pearl works as advertised, needing no additional time to bind to Campus. She is able to retrieve the spell as if her god had simply given it again
This phylactery is... interesting... but I don't need it, my path is clear before me
"I do not need the phylactery. The few memories I have are of speaking my Oath. Those words shall guide me, I will need nothing more." Ulfric says matter of factly. "That pearl will prove very useful."
After listening to Ramul, "I agree with keeping the sack. We will likely need all the tools we can find to survive."
Ulfric will move towards the door slowly after speaking, almost absent mindedly, due to his desire to leave.
Campus looks at Ulfric and smiles. Be wary Paladin, certainty is the pride that makes one blind, and the path you swore to take is narrow indeed.
Do you suppose the pearl can store more powerful spells?
Artemis sniffs and contorts his face in what must be deep thought...it looked comical. Mmmmm....no...not this one at least. I think that different pearls can do that, but I think each is specifically attuned to a certain level of spell potency or degree of skill to cast.
What does she know of my oaths. I merely seek to protect others from what lurks in the dark... by being there with it...
Ulfric nods at Campus' words, his face hard as per usual. Its not that he doesn't want her advice or aid, it is just easier to hold a burden on your own sometimes.
The group follows Ulfric out of the laundry and back out into the main corridor. Headed south, they soon come to about where they gauge the "safe" spot to be, considering the crossbows undoubtedly leveled at them from the south.
One of the guards from behind the barricade yells out. Alright, like the captain said! Let's see 'em!
Ramul follows the others back into the main corridor and to near the barricade. He had thought about interjecting in Ulfric and Campus's conversation. He sees himself as a kind of holy warrior. He knows the paladin and cleric wouldn't understand, though, as he has no divine abilities. As such, he decided to stay quiet.
It still seems like he barely knows these people. Even more so, he barely knows himself. He knows Milani is watching, though. That's enough reason to press on and do his best to make up for whatever misdeeds he may have done in the past.
Ramul nods at Ulfric and the others, indicating they should toss the shape changers' heads to the captain.
Varinder's lip curls somewhat at the exchange between Campus and Ulfric. Ha! The divine...what has that ever brought me but pain...everlasting pain, so that moments of pleasure are no more than torments only deferred? And what is losing the past if not another species of pain? Sweat beads on the Gnome's brow, and he is suddenly aware that he is muttering indistinct curses under his breath. Hoping none have noticed, he shuffles along in the wake of the others, trying to regain some sense of self-mastery.
What am I doing here? Monsters with scalpels, winded warriors, a mermaid. Why do I stay here with them? Why don't I just look for an escape and be gone?
Your heads are here Campus nods, and her companions roll the heads out. A strange and worrisome place this is.
Ulfric takes the heads and tosses them over the barricade to eh speaking man.
"It is done. Allow us to enter so that we may rest after this ordeal you have forced upon us." Ulfric says to the man.
One of the guards at the barricade jumps up in quite obvious surprise at the macabre trophies that he'd just received. He lets out a sound that is somewhere between "Eww" and "Yuck", then backpedals into one of his comrades, who shoves him back.
The guard swallows down his revulsion, and swiftly departs to get his superior. Within a few moments, Captain York is back, and he nods his head in what appears to be satisfaction at the display. He looks at you hesitating as he thinks. Alright, please come to the side door here and we'll let you in.
Good to his word, the captain stands by as one of his men lets you into a room that actually is made up of what looks to be two smaller rooms that were once separated, but a broad gap in the brick wall now links them. Dusty buckets, brooms, and racks of cleaning supplies lie in the rear of one space, while the other features a small desk and chairs shoved out of the way. Two obviously nervous armed guards stand near the pile of desk and chairs, crossbows armed but lowered.
The captain then leads you through another door and into the area on the other side of the barricade. The amount of junk piled up next to said barricade is impressive, and it's obvious that they could repair the barricade with that gathered material in a matter of minutes. At the eastern end of this hall, a set of four bed sheets have been clumsily stitched together, creating a curtain.
To the west, a pair of doors leads into another room.
Captain York turns back to you hear; his young guards - there are four more of them in this larger room, tense. I'm sorry for all of this, I am...but it's necessary. We don't know who we can trust or really what to do. A woman leads this ragtag band of survivors - Winter Klazcka. I will take you to her if that's alright. She'll be able to answer any questions you have, and hopefully find a good way for you to help out.
Klassalka keeps her guard up, in case of either trap or paranoid attack. "Hrmp," she gives the nervous guards a look.
"I understand your concern. I am more than happy to meet with this Winter Klazcka. Also, there is a man with us that seems unable to speak well. We saved him from being eaten by ghouls" Ansgar tells York.
A way for us to help out? Isn't that what we just did? Ramul wants to say. He manages to hold his tongue, though. These people had finally decided to let them through. Upsetting them now would not be wise.
"Thank you for letting us through. This place is quite... unusual. I'm eager to meet this Madam Klazcka. Lead the way."
Ho Ansgar! seeing a potential ally.
Campus leans over. Where in Cayden's Cup are we?
Captain York looks surprised, then recovers with a grunt. That babbling fool? You sent him our way? We turned him away with force...the man was babbling and we thought for sure he was one of those beasts. He turned away with little coercion, like he didn't know where he belonged anyway. The guards said that he ran back to the boiler room and hasn't come out.
Understand that the security here at this barricade is what keeps the people here alive...and that's my responsibility. You've proven yourselves as allies, but why should we let a man like that in among our people?
"I am not saying you should let him in. Though he is not evil." Ulfric says. "Though if you won't let him in, I would like to leave to give him what food stuffs I have so that he may survive. We do need to be better than the monsters we face."
Ulfric's voice as he talks is not threatening, coercive, or admonishing. He does truly understand the reasoning behind York's hesitance and, in a way approves of it. But, Ulfric does feel the need to stand above it.
He was tortured with a scalpel while chained to a wall by a freak. Are we going to become as bad as them by turning away their victims? For assurance, Ulfric, this sworn Paladin can provide assurances that the man is not overtly evil, may I presume upon you Ulfric?
"Campus is right. The man deserves a chance. Sequester him, if necessary, but at least let him be somewhere safe. I know there was at least one rodent still alive in that boiler room and it seemed to carry disease. He is a human being like all of us. Please give him a chance."
Captain York sighs and nods at Ulfric's wisdom, acknowledging that he did, indeed, have a heart. Yes, that's reasonable. I will station a guard outside the room with instructions to watch for the man and help him if needed, but not to engage at all, just to report. You can go and see him after you speak to Winter and are settled in.
With that, the captain leads you into the room beyond the pair of doors to the west. This room was quite obviously once a chapel, though now it has been repurposed into what could only be called a small settlement. Improvised pallets are clustered beneath sculpted divinities, and cooking fires burn beneath cracked windows. Panes of violet and blue stained glass form spiraling patters between prison-like bars, while dozens of candles flicker from modest alcove shrines.
There are nearly two dozen people in this room, some cooking, others administering care to others or breaking down furniture for firewood. They all look at you with fear and a degree of sadness, except for one - a pretty but striking woman in black leathers and cloak, with long black hair. The woman hastens over, her eyes stern and unfriendly.
I'm Winter Klaczka, a leader of sorts among the survivors here. Welcome to what's left of the people - workers and patients alike, that had the misfortune of being in Briarstone Asylum when this madness began. My thanks for taking care of those creatures...we'd had more than our share of trouble with them.
Her eyes don't show happiness or thanks...they're hard and judging, as if she still wonders if she can trust any of you.
Now, can you tell me who you are, and how you came to be here?
"I am Ulfric Bjarnasson. Paladin of Sarenrae." Ulfric starts. "I am uncertain how I came to be here, but I awoke in a cell in the furnace room and made my way here."
Looking at the others in the group, Ulfric realizes they all have pretty much the same story. "My companions here are much the same as far as I am aware. Though not paladins of course."
I am Campus, Cleric of Cayden, and aye, we all have much the same story, and half suspect that you do too...but to the point..Why do you remain here? Why not get the hell out of here? at this last comment, Campus's eyes slid over to her companions as if to say, 'I'm asking you.'
Varinder sweeps an imaginary hat from his head and proffers Winter Klacza a great bow. [/b]Madam,[/b] he says, in his most judicious tones. Our presence here is as much mystery to us as it is to you, I am sure. We found ourselves in this hell-pit after a strange shared dream...of which I prefer not to say more, as the horror of it lingers still.
He then rolls his yes lugubriously and smiles wryly. You have done well in surviving and aiding these others, but the good priest has a point: why are you still here? Are there greater monstrosities that have you trapped? May we not work together to gain our freedom from this...Briarstone Asylum, you called it?
Varinder sighs heavily and mops a touch of sweat from his brow. Forgive me, I beg you. Our adventures have been fatiguing and unsettling.
"Klassalka Huhl, warrior of the Clan Huhl. Do you have extra food...?" it occurs to her she has not eaten since awakening.
Winter sighs, and nods. Yes...many here have gaps in their memories, though some of course weren't quite right to start with. I, fortunately, have none...and it's a good thing I see, as we've much to discuss.
She nods her head slightly at Varinder, though the thick charm that the gnome attempts doesn't come out quite well enough to urge a smile. Well met, all of you...will you walk with me?
Not waiting for an answer, she turns and puts her hands behind her back as she walks among her "people." She glances aside at Klassalka. I fear, miss Huhl, that we're not very well off with food, and have many mouths to feed. But, we feed those who help with the work. There's much to do here, and few hands to do it.
She gestures to indicate some of the survivors who are splitting wood from furniture, while others cook at small fires, sew linens together from old scraps, and care for their wounded or sick. As you can see, our situation here isn't tenable. We've managed to pilfer enough food, linen, scrap wood, and supplies to build a modest refugee camp. But, food is dwindling, the water we collect through the windows isn't reliably potable, and our privy situation grows wose every day.
She stops before the statue of Pharasma, and turns to you. We need help. I'm willing to answer all of the questions you may have, but first I have to ask you for a promise...an oath. She directs the last at Ulfric, specifically. I need your help; these people need your help. I need each of you to promise to help with our needs however you can - cooking, firewood, medicines - we need anything you can give. Do we have a deal?
[i]An oath to help these people? I need no oath to do that. Besides, an oath is binding, and these people we hardly know. They could be bandits for all we know.[/dice]
You did not answer my question. Why do you not leave this place? Surely a town could provide more protection, more food, and better prospects? WHy not lead them away from this place?
Ramul listens to Winter closely and is surprised when she mentions that she hasn't lost any of her memories. He envied her a bit for that.
If it kept him - and the others - from going hungry, he was certainly willing to help with the day-to-day chores of life.
When Winter mentions making an oath, Ramul seems to miss the fact that she directed the comment to Ulfric, specifically. He also ignores Campus's question, for better or for worse.
"I promise. No, in Milani's name, I swear to help with the needs of you and your people so long as your needs allow me to do good and not evil."
Sighing in exasperation, Winter looks at Campus with a dark look. I see you haven't tried, or you wouldn't ask. She looks at the windows, then closes her eyes as if in remembered pain. It's as if the outside world has turned against us. I don't know if it's just Briarstone Isle, or if it's the whole world, but the hospice is surrounded by some repulsive vapor. Worse, the weather beyond is like nothing I've ever seen - thunder like laughter, rain like blood. And that's to say nothing of the shapes that scamper and flap within, vague forms that know when we sleep. Things are terrible here, but at least here we can see doom coming.
She shakes her head to break the spell of her memories, then looks at Ramul. With a genuine smile, she nods her head. You have my thanks, and I can assure you that the evil is out there...not in here.
That was convincing.
By gods what hell do we find ourselves in? Campus grimaces in distaste at her attending fates All I want to do is get out of here. but she nods solemnly at Winter.
Are these facilities extensive? How can it be that these shape changers and ghouls were not dealt with, and the grounds secured by now? DO they invade from the mists of the stormy wilds?
Winter inclines her head as if acknowledging the questions, but she doesn't answer. I have answers, Campus, Cleric of Cayden...but I need your pledge that you'll help us here. I have many to take care of in this makeshift camp.
These people need my aid, and I must fulfill my oath to protect those who can not protect themselves against the strange things of the world...
"I give my word to help you, so long as it is right and just to do so and my other oaths allow it." Ulfric says, aware that Winter may not enjoy being obviously at the bottom of a list of oaths.
Campus sighs. I give my word also, to aid your people from hunger, want and from the evil that threatens us, but.. Campus leaves the word in the air Cayden is my lord and cup, and I will not do evil in service to your people, as that is no service at all.
Klassalka thumps her chest, "I'd slay ghouls even if you didn't ask."
Varinder smiles benignly but maintains a careful silence. I'll make no promise to these folk unless I have to. But I'll work with these others, if only to get out alive.
The woman sighs and nods. I'd wager that's a good as I'll get, then. Very well...after we talk, I offer you whatever rest this place will give you, and whatever food we can spare. In return, I will have some odds and ends for you to help with - cooking, breaking down furniture, caring for the sick. If any of you have any particular skills that would help, please let me know.
Now...as to your question, good Cleric - I'll start at the beginning. You are in Briarstone Asylum, a hospice stuck on a rock sitting in the Danver River - a convenient place to forget inconvenient people. Your reasons for being here are you own - I wasn't intimately involved with any of the patients while I was here, prior to the madness. This place wasn't a torture pit, as most seem to make asylum's out to be - in fact, the doctors here were very concerned about learning more about diseases of the mind. They were doing good work.
If you were patients here, there must be some record of why you were committed, though where that may be, I don't know.
A few days ago, there was an uprising, led by a patient. It was unlike any riot I've ever heard of, though. It was more like a religious movement. Most of the northern halls are now held by robed patients who call themselves "Apostles in Orpiment." Those we've encountered are fanatically devoted to a patient named Ulver Zandalas.