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As everyone gathers in the chapel, Morti nods and mumbles a "good morrow" to various villagers, trying to keep an eye out for anyone giving him a harsh look in return, as well as determine whether anyone is conspicuously absent. ...besides Baca--the whose absence is more conspicuous now than the same time yesterday, when he and his were only gone from town.
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As you enter the kirk you see that the old proest has been politely stuffed into a corner. KAERL steps forward bearing a large walking staff and taps it on the wooden floor loudly.
Order, to order.
I hereby announce the 61st meeting of the Wildwagon Board. This quorum is called to discuss a matter of mortal peril... This, "Hollow Man, and how he shall be dealt with.
*There is much uncertain murmuring among the crowd.*
Kakao finds a place to stand off to one side where he will be able to see most of the attendees. This should give me a good chance to learn what the villagers think of this menace!
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The conversation immediately turns sour, with the meeting staff being passed from villager to villager quickly. Complaints ring out about the situation and your stymied efforts. One man sums it up for the group, "The bull was bad, but this is worse. We can't trust these strangers. Already, the Baron is missing, and the greyskin! Whut uh, what use are these people to us? Whut, uh, whut can we trust them for to do? The anshure is we can't!"
The conversation immediately turns sour, with the meeting staff being passed from villager to villager quickly. Complaints ring out about the situation and your stymied efforts. One man sums it up for the group, "The bull was bad, but this is worse. We can't trust these strangers. Already, the Baron is missing, and the greyskin! Whut uh, what use are these people to us? Whut, uh, whut can we trust them for to do? The anshure is we can't!"
Smiling, Kakao walks up to the man making the accusations and gestures that he wants to be passed the meeting staff.
Keeping a close eye on Kakao and the villager, Okrin tries to remain still and calm toward the rear of the meeting.
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Okrin senses great fear from everyone in the room. He sees the man glance to a woman, it must be his wife. You can tell that she has the marks of dried tears around her eyes.
Kakao, at first the villager does not see you approach him, and then he does with all-at-once with a start. He passes you the staff.
Kakao accepts the staff. He spends a few moments looking around, making eye contact and smiling at each of those who had complained the most.
He lightly raps the staff on the floor, obviously copying the manner that Kaerl had used but not nearly as loudly. If I pitch my voice right, they will have to focus in order to hear me. In a soft voice, just loud enough to be heard, he then addresses the crowd.
"Thank you for inviting me to your meeting. It is my hope that we can accomplish much here. I came here following an omen sent by Bacchus, and am willing to share his gifts should you accept them."
"I spent last night running through the forest, following these people", gestures towards Okrin, Karl, and Morti, "who tried to stop the Hollow Man last night, and failing that out-ran him so that all of you could be warned."
We have done our best, and we will help more if we can. But this is a tough beastie. We lost a companion last night in your defense, and another is missing.
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The air is thick with a fog of flies and buzzing insects. Here in the center is the pitiful wreckage of a once magnificent tree. Towering overhead, the kinked thing is riddled with polypores and sick fungal growths; its thorny boughs hang wasted, swaying in the wind leafless. The tree's once great girth withered to little more than a black, lightning-tortured canker swollen by disease. A number of human heads leer from this monstrosity, the meeting point of plant and flesh a riot of lesions and puss for one and each of the heads.
You hear a strange whisper on the wind...Ahshapramaaaas Overhead, among the midnight black shadows of the branches, you hear purposeful movement.
Later on, in the village of Levoca...
Taking the staff, another dissenter states "That may be so, but how are any of us to know if that is the truth! We still don't know what happened to the Baron and the greyskin! Or the blue woman! There are what? Four of you left?" He turns to face the crowd.
"If the Baron Montepierre and the rest of your company were slain by this monster, then we should send for help. We can not wait for any more of you fools to die!" He finishes, holding the staff back out for anyone to take. From the crowd, you all hear a generally supportive murmur.
You hear a whisper nearby, two old-ish boys, barely of age whisper to one another,
"You don't think the Baron's dead, do you?"
"Don't be stupid, these lot are worse than the Guilds, they probably killed the Baron Montepierre themselves!"
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As he calmly approaching the man who has spoken, Okrin retrieves a bit of the hay he had stashed in his robes and then carefully takes the staff with his empty hand.
"I am not a man many words. Like many of you I to am afraid. It would be folly to pretend otherwise. Holding up the bit of hay. But as I see it there is but one choice. This fear can consume us or Dropping the hay to the ground, stomping on it as he continues to speak. we can stand our ground. Finding those who are lost and sending word to those nearby least they too be consumed by this creature."
Okrin holds the staff out for anyone else to take.
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"If the Baron Montepierre and the rest of your company were slain by this monster, then we should send for help. We can not wait for any more of you fools to die!" He finishes, holding...
At hearing Montepierre, Kakao slaps his forehead. So that is who they were talking about when they said Baron!
Okrin holds the staff out for anyone else to take.
Taking the staff back, Kakao loudly raps it once and says "Sorry, guess I should have answered your questions first." He leans on the staff and draws a deep breath before continuing.
Holding up one finger, Kakao says "The Baron Montepierre is on his way home. Evidently the two fellows that led Cyanne and I through the woods had a message for him, requesting his presence."
Extending a second finger, Kakao says "The blue haired girl had a name -- Cyanne Miller. She sacrificed herself to put out a forest fire. Yes, she is gone." Holding his holy symbol high, Kakao states "If any of you speak ill of her in my presence, I will pray that every drop of alcohol turn to vinegar in your mouth!"
Allowing his holy symbol to drop back to his chest, Kakao holds out three fingers and states "If by green-skin you mean Mak, well I'm not quite sure where he went off to. He was still with us when we came running into town. Ask Anna, she saw us when we collapsed in her barn last night.[/b]"
Holding out the meeting staff, Kakao then asks "Any more questions? Or are you ready to talk about ways of fixing this problem rather than fearfully laying blame?"
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Caramir stands in hiding, feeling drained both in mind and body - seeing Shade lights up his face though, even more so at the cat's nonchalant attitude - "Everything's always ok with you, is it not?" - he whispers with a grin - "Come on over here, and let me see if you are ok"
The cat's hiss brings him to attention - almost too tired to even move, the elf simply slides into hiding again, bearing witness to the foul corruption ahead of him - 'So here is where you return to every night' - he ponders - 'Why?'
Even exhausted as he is, his eyes do take in the whole scene, trying to puzzle it together - the corruption, the old tree, the name Ahshapramaaaas...
Mikka observes the exchanges in silence. She could understand the fear of the villagers, facing an unknown horror that killed thier own, but thinking that the militia stood a chance against the abberration of nature, or that they would last long enough for help to come was folly.
"If the Baron Montepierre and the rest of your company were slain by this monster, then we should send for help. We can not wait for any more of you fools to die!"
Morti raises an eyebrow at this, waiting for an opportunity to step in.
"An' whose help would ya be sending for, then? An' what would you expect them t' do? For all we've risked our lives these past night--and the miller's daughter sacrificing her own--I wouldna mind letting your other help step in!"
Realizing his words may have come across as petulant, he adds, "...though for myself I will continue the fight until it is seen through."
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** spoiler omitted **
He frees himself from the muck and approaches you, his scythe clean and bright as the moons
Caramir slithers without a sound, staying there, motionless and waiting.
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There is much disconcerted murmuring running through the crowd.
Taking the staff back, another villager pipes up. We should send the fastest runner to Bard's Gate! With a written plea to the Lord Mayor from Kaerl, they will have to send the guard!
Another man, the one you know as Aldan, steps forward to take the staff. "I don't need to remind you, your friends too drank from the cup. Stow your empty threats, outsider."
A woman walks up and takes the staff next. "We should discuss leaving this place! How is that so far from your minds, all of you? This forest has been only so much misery." Much contrarian grumbling ensues.
Approaching Kakao and addressing him in a whisper.
"If there is help to summon I for one would see wisdom in seeking it."
Another man, the one you know as Aldan, steps forward to take the staff. "I don't need to remind you, your friends too drank from the cup. Stow your empty threats, outsider."
Kakao raises an eyebrow at Alden's statement. He certainly doesn't understand my meaning. This morning's cup was freely given with no ill intent. It has no relation to my promise to curse those who would slander Cyanne's sacrifice.
He is still considering what to do when Okrin moves beside him.
Approaching Kakao and addressing him in a whisper.
"If there is help to summon I for one would see wisdom in seeking it."
Kakao responds in a normal voice rather than whispering. "There is a mystery here, and I would like to delve into it further. If they would cooperate, we might even be able to find out who is directing the monster to murder the men here."
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"Bard's Gate!" exclaims Morti in frustration. "Help wouldn't arrive for a week!"
Realizing he has spoken out of turn, he clamps his mouth shut until the staff passes his way once more, then offers more calmly, "By all means, send for aid an' do what you must to feel safe. But tell 'em to bring shovels, for if the Hollow Man still haunts this place when they arrive, they'll have my fallen body to bury."
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Okrin's comment seems to meet with some approving nods and murmuring to the affirmative.
"who is directing the monster..." cues very much rumbling and grumbling and wary glances.
"My fallen body to bury." a woman takes the staff from Morti, and says, "You may be willing to die, dwarf, but we are not warriors. Damned if I will throw my life away!"
"We should decide what to do about this monster in the mean time!" the huntsman Kakao has met speaks up.
"It's probably you!!!" this speaker points an accusatory finger at the hunter. "You are always out in those fell woods up to god knows what!"
Further wild accusations ensue, unceasing. It seems like the conclave is quickly devolving into a row after kakao's comment... they may be difficult to calm down now.
As the meeting devolves into utter chaos and shouted accusations, Kakao looks to Okrin and says in a raised voice "As I said, IF they would cooperate. That doesn't currently seem likely."
He waits about five minutes to see if things settle back down. If they don't, he gets up and starts walking out.
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Karl disgusted at the display, gets up, grabbing the staff.
BE SILENT! he yells, casting a ray of frost into the ceiling.
What are you doing? This is not helping. I know you are scared but you can get through this. Think! You know the threat now, and you can prepare for it. This creature is not indestructible. The amin reason it has succeeded is due to surprise and its inate powers. But it has weaknesses. Basically it is a wood golem. Fire harms it. It also only follows a set trail of slaughtered animals.
Karl continues quietly
Many things can stop it. Lure it into a pit filled with kindling and roast it. Hack it to bits with axes. Other ideas are possible. But none of that will happen if you panic, and start blaming each other or us. Remember, we offered our services. We have suffered loss and blood to this thing in your defense. If you don't want us here, we will go, and good luck to you. If you want to flee, run.But consider. Barca ran. Now he is dead. You are safer together and united in purpose
He looks around the meeting, trying for eye contact with as many as possible.
The hollow man is a weapon I believe. Someone or something is wielding it. It may be someone here, or not. If it is someone here, we will find out who. But baseless accusations will not reveal him or her.
Karl throws the speaking Staff onto the ground.
The choice is yours. Make it a good one
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A flash of white light errupts upwards, and a few boards break and tumble down in frosty splinters around Karl's head.
Everyone simmers down to a low mumble after Karl takes charge. Your friend in town, Aldan approaches to take the staff next. "What is your plan, then? How will you ferret out this controller? How will we end the hollow man?" Aldan asks all of you.
Okrin looks around, hoping someone else has an idea.
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a woman takes the staff from Morti, and says, "You may be willing to die, dwarf, but we are not warriors. Damned if I will throw my life away!"
Swallowing his frustration and trying for a more conciliatory tone, Morti addresses first the woman, "O'course not -- you do what you must to keep you and yours safe. If yer thinkin' that's leaving or sendin' word to Bard's Gate, b'all means do. In th' meanwhile, we will keep up our work to stop th' demon."
Turning to Aldan, he continues, "Our plan? Th' elf Caramir is our best tracker an' is on th' Hollow Man's path as we speak -- but we beg ye, by Muir's own truth, to tell us what you might taht we may face 'im. Who wishes Levoca harm?"
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Morti gets a round reply of shrugs and uncertain murmuring. The staff is passed around quickly.
"Wolves?" a familiar tall man reluctantly adds.
"Ochre Jellies!" a teenager offers
"No! Barkclaws!" (this from the hunter)
"You idiot, it's clearly the king behind all of this!" which gets a universal moan. (this is the cowardly woman who spoke earlier)
"It's probably some scumbag druid!" Kaerl says.
"Druids, I always said never to trust them." a man with a frizzled beard remarks to his son, tapping out his pipe.
"......... Pass."
"Wolves!"
"But he already said wolves!"
"The bull gods!"
"Isn't there supposed to be an ?"
"I thought he died last winter?"
"No, that was his cousin, he mostly studied werewolves."
"Werewolves?"
"Well, he never struck me as that kind of evil."
"So, definitely not an then."
Sense motive DC... None of the villagers seem to know who is responsible... but Caramir might have a few ideas.
Kaerl takes you all aside as the conversation continues.
"We don't have anything in the way of competition, and the merchant in me would have noticed, would have right off if we did. Our only neighbors are the forest creatures and dear old Mother Molvor. She takes care of us though, she does. So don't even think it."
Kaerl gestures out the kirk and to the north. "Since we've come here, he's the only real enemy I've known. Sure, we've faced our starving time, but that's the same with any new outpost. Before he came along, our only enemies were the chores and work of Levoca. I still say it must be some druid, some wanderer what has come across us."
He nods respectfully to Mikka, "present company excluded of course."
Kakao moves forward and waits his turn for the staff.
"Perhaps we should try to focus on some questions that may lead us to the one responsible.
Was there any signs of a mutilated animal corpse anywhere near Kostya's place? If so, who saw it and where was it?
Does anyone know where Bacca's family went to? Perhaps we should send a small group to check on them.
Who knows about those stick men that the monster animated last night? We need to understand what happened there."
Kakao then looks around hopefully, holding out the stick to any that might have some answers.
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Soon after, a giant centipede silently slithers into the clearing, passing right by you.[/dice]
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A small mule trudges into the little village of Levoca, a lone passenger sitting on top of it. A long riding cloak covers the passenger's form yet those who watch closely can tell she is a female, judging by the slenderness of her form. Gently stroking its side with a delicate hand, Elsie talks softly to herself "Well, while the price cannot be matched you will definitely not be mistaken for a fine stallion any time soon!"
As she ties the mule up to the hitching post in front she sees there is some activity at the chapel at the edge of town. Is this where I will find Monty? I hope so...looks like the entire village is here... Deciding to slip in unnoticed, she opens the door and takes a position at the back of chapel listening intently to the raucous discussion.
The Hollow Man? I do not like the sound of this, not one bit. This creature does not sound human...and yet has murdered before?
Her gaze travels to the group of adventurers clustered at the front of the building, led by a gnome who holds allegiance to Baccus by the looks of it. Those who look towards the back of the chapel see the young woman who has just entered the meeting hall. While she is not taking any steps to deliberately hide her presence, she seems to be taking a waiting stance to see what response her presence here will trigger.
Looking at Morti.
"Any of what they're saying sound of use?"
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Kakao moves forward and waits his turn for the staff.
"Perhaps we should try to focus on some questions that may lead us to the one responsible.
Was there any signs of a mutilated animal corpse anywhere near Kostya's place? If so, who saw it and where was it?
Does anyone know where Bacca's family went to? Perhaps we should send a small group to check on them.
Who knows about those stick men that the monster animated last night? We need to understand what happened there."
Kakao then looks around hopefully, holding out the stick to any that might have some answers.
Kostya's wife stands up and takes the staff. "Why would there be some mutilated beast in my house? There was never anything like that wee man. As for Baca, he took his wagon to the Piney town. Barrow Dayle."
Aldan quickly takes the staff away. He turns to the newcomer as she enters. "Who are you? Who is this, mark this woman! Are you the witch that hounds us?"
Okrin and everyone else can plainly see Elseera. He also notices that there is a young man present who seems excited to speak, but nervous.
Kakao nods thanks to the woman for answering where Baca went.
Kakao glares at Aldan as the man starts making accusations about the newcomer. Claims he doesn't know who she is, yet immediately accuses her of witchcraft?"
Karl steps up, holding his hand up.
Rash accusations will help no one, sir. Also, it is unlikely a witch or whatever will simply answer your question. But you have a small point. Who are you, please? And excuse the directness. This is a place under siege.
Aldan. A name to remember
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Looking toward Aldan and then the newcomer.
"Aldan, it is wise to be cautious of new comers. But let us try not to be so quick to judge. We could use another able hand. I for one would like to meet this new comer before making an enemy out of a potential ally with rashly spoken judgements."
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As the villagers talk among themselves, she gives an inward sigh though is careful to not let her exasperation show on her face. As the man greets her with laying the accusation of witchcraft on her, she eyes him coolly.
I swear by the Old Gods, these villagers are the same all over. Quick to accuse, slow to think...provincials through and through....now THAT one, no villager he. Working for the gnome without question.
Raising her hands up, palms outward, she calls out to the village man and the adventurer, "Ease your worries, good men! I wish no ill on neither you nor your kin. I am Eliseera, a traveler recent of Endhome. You have nothing to fear of me rest assured!"
Nodding as the crowd digests her words, she continues "Besieged you say? By this Hallow Man I hear you speak of? I can certainly assist you as I have dealt with...similar situations before."
His hiding place spotted, Caramir just turns around and runs as fast as he can - "Come Shade!"