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In the small town of Southkirk is where others along the way believed where the darkness originated. Those that traveled have found themselves on the edge of a road, or near a building, or just exited the woods in blind luck and happened to see the torch-light in the distance. The small church's two frontal torches were usually lit during the ealier hours, but it was all night. Travellers had been warned about the moon, of course, and its distracting light; the only light in the sky was the malicious moon, daring those below to stare at it.
Farms of wheat sprung into the vision, the image of their farmhouses closeby the roads. Animal sounds could be heard coming from the area; horses, pigs, and cows being the most recognizable. But only dark figures wondered around in the fenced off areas. Nobody walked the streets, and the only light around the travellers' was their own. One traveller may have passed near enough to hear the sounds of something being ground from a much larger structure. There was a longer building with barrels outside, but its trappings had all been removed. The light of the travellers revealed that it was boarded up, the windows too murky to look into.
The cementary, across from the church's light, had unclear figures moving in the darkness. Thankfully, these figures spoke, unlike the ones the travellers swear they saw along their journies, "But what will we do? We've lost all eight of our priests, the head priest. One cleric isn't enough for an entire town, do you get what I'm saying?" The other voice spoke up after a bit, "I know. But what do you propose we do about it? Take our family through the woods in hopes of surviving to Lastwall?" Voice 1 retorted back, "If we could fashion a boat, we could use the river.." Voice 2 whispered loudly, "Shh, shh! There's something out there." Both voices grew quiet.
There's also a faint smell of smoke in the area, mingling in with the thick darkness. Something had been burned recently.
Zaeos stays in the shadows, watching the proceedings and the surrounding terrain at the same time.
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Zaeos's eyes strain as he attempts to watch areas away from the church's front lights, but they are eased when he returns his sight forward. His eyes only catch faint outlines and vague shapes in the darkness.
The other travelers likely neared the light, and how they were much more exposed than Zaeos was. Surely, at tactical error on their part. How careless! The Hunt may take them away so quickly...so quickly.
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Zaeos was idly watching the area near the church, and perhaps, watching it too intensely. Watching it from the shadows, even. The church torches flickered but continued burning.
There was a brief moment where he thought he saw something moving along the westerly edge of the church, but when he went to focus his eyes on it, his head grew steadily colder, starting from the back of his nape to his frontal lobe. The vague shape shifted and danced with the light's edge, but never entered it. Never stepped foot into the light.
Then something grabbed his left side of his face, and someone's face pressed itself into his right side, both pinning his gaze forward. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the glazed over pupil, heard the being's voices, which were at first feminine, then masculine, and then childish, "Won't you moongaze...with...meeee?" The hand tightened its grip and pulled the skin of his cheek tight to the point where it hurt his lower lid and made his eye water. His body was strangely paralyzed from the being's touch, its hand drawing its fingers slowly down Zaeos's jaw line. Once the last fingertip left his skin, his body could move again, but the being was no where to be seen. He sat alone in the darkness.
Horec paces impatiently in front of the church every now and then he cats a nervous look up at the unnatural moon. Unconsciously he grips his sword as he continues to pace. He stops and looks at the others gathered nearby.
"We should be finding the source of this darkness! Things like this do not happen on their own. Their is always some miscreant behind them. Let's find him at put an end to this madness!"
Horec does not bother to keep his voice down.
Zaeos looks about in horror, unable to find the being he knows he saw. He makes sure to move a bit closer to his would-be companions and the comparative safety of the light.
Akurna hears some commotion outside the church. She gets up from her meditations and goes to the door.
She opens it and looks out into the darkness.
"Who's there?"
Those outside see a woman silhouetted in the doorway.
"Travelers! You are not from here... come in out of the dark!"
She steps back and light shines upon her front. Those outside can see she is a dusky woman with olive skin, and green hair. Her nails are unusually long and painted black. Though pretty, she has a stern and mildly disapproving look about her, like the headmistress of a boarding school. She is dressed in flowing robes of gold and black. Hanging from around her neck is a small black figurine that looks like a dog with upright ears.
Zaeos ignores what the others decide to do and strolls purposefully into the abode. And the light, away from whatever that was.
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The moon, Horec feels, stares back at him but not out of nervousness. It stared down at him as an insect, filling him with its malice and its desire to see such an insect crushed under a thumb.
The two voices come into the light as well, both men and both farmers from appearance. Farmer T, a serious looking man with a wide-brimmed hat, approached Horec and offered his hand, "Tierney, sir. And I hear ya. Been having problems with spirits, both evil and good around here. Someone named Charles has been doing terrible business as of late. We lost our priests to him and our chapel's head even."
The other farmer pipes up, a younger man, probably Tierney's son, "We heard some lord's men were coming here short like from a messenger man. Haven't seen that messenger man since."
A man passes Horec and enters the small church, once the priestess beckons him. He did seem in a hurry to near the light.
The insides of the church were well lit by four torches, in each corner of the room, held up by wall-sconces. The single priestess was the only one in attendance and the altar room was otherwise empty, except for pews and the four doors that led to other rooms.
Akurna, one of the men who was standing outside bustles himself into the altar room. He doesn't state his name, but instead, stands underneath the light. He stands with a purpose.
"Welcome," Akurna says as the traveler enters.
"I am Akurna. I've only been here a few weeks, but somehow all the other priests are gone. Most are missing. One is certainly dead; we buried him just recently."
"Tell me, do you have any news from other places? We seem rather cut off here. When did you last see the sun?"
"I am Zaeos, the Hunter. I was most recently in Fangwood and it is the same there as here... Maybe we could hunt down these missing priests."
"I am Zaeos, the Hunter. I was most recently in Fangwood and it is the same there as here... Maybe we could hunt down these missing priests."
"I... I am no tracker. But I know that Friar McKay was in the village last night... he just never came back from... from the..."
Akurna seems at a loss for words for a moment. She frowns, and her face hardens.
"A farmhouse burned down last night. Most of the village was there, including Friar McKay. But I don't know how one could pick out his tracks from among the mass of villagers."
Zaeos just smiles, "But I might.."
He looks at the others gathered. "Not before morning, though."
"Yes the priestess' question is a good one. Does anyone have any idea how far this cursed darkness extends?" Horec asks as he also steps into the temple.
"And even more importantly, does anyone know what, or who, is causing it?"
Dot. Will post later tonight. I 'm on my tablet on gaming night with friends.
There's a metal on metal clink and light flares in the dark. Haltak holds his hammer aloft as torch, armor shining. .
The darkness extends at least to Highhelm, and all travelers from beyond say the same. And I, at least, do not know the cause, though I search for it. Haltak Forgemaster, at yer service. There's perhaps some safety and sure comfort in numbers yet, if I may enter as well?
In the distance, the two farmers hear the sounds of steps crushing on the nearby gravel.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" Farmer Tierney barks to the shadowy figure waling toward him.
The man in shadow appears to have a very dim ball of light circling his hand. Both men see the figure grab the ball of light out the air and pocket it.
The shadowy man walks closer to the dim torchlight, with hands raised in submission.
"My name Phaust, I'm a agent for the Lady of Graves, Pharasma. I mean you no harm."
Upon closer inspection, the Tierney men see a holy symbol of Pharasma in Phaust's right hand. The human looks young, not even 25, with pale white skin and dark hair . Phaust wears finely-crafted black leather armor with a large dagger in a scabbard and an old-looking lamp on his hip.
"May I enter", asks Phaust in a strong ustalavic accent.
The two Tierney allow the young man to enter the church.
The darkness extends at least to Highhelm, and all travelers from beyond say the same. And I, at least, do not know the cause, though I search for it. Haltak Forgemaster, at yer service. There's perhaps some safety and sure comfort in numbers yet, if I may enter as well?
Closing the door behind him, the dark young man adds, "The darkness extends to Crossfen in Nirmathas." With no preamble, the young man adds, in a thick ustalavic accent, "Phaust Spireborn, agent of Pharasma, Lady of Graves. Goddess of birth, death, fate and prophecy."
Haltak scowls, but then he always seems to be scowling a bit.
"Yer lady dinnae see the fall of Aroden, perhaps she saw fit to tell ye somethin' o' use?
...if I may enter as well?
"May I enter", asks Phaust in a strong ustalavic accent.
"Of course, of course!" Akurna gestures for the others to come in. "Please come in, all of you."
"... I was most recently in Fangwood and it is the same there as here... "
The darkness extends at least to Highhelm...
"The darkness extends to Crossfen in Nirmathas."
"Well, we are on the edge of the Fangwood, and Crossfen is within the Fangwood not far from here. But Highhelm... that is quite a ways.
"I was downriver in Three Pines Ford and on my way here when the Darkness fell. I felt... compelled to come here. When one is a priestess one follows such inclinations.
"There have been a number of strange occurrences around here, but whether that is specific to this village or is happening everywhere, I cannot say."
Akurna bustles around, heading for one of the doors. "Where are my manners? Perhaps I can get you something to drink. I could put on some tea perhaps?" She looks over the group. "Or maybe something stronger?"
Phaust looks down at the older dwarf and smirks, "Nope. I'm as much in the dark as you are."Haltak scowls, but then he always seems to be scowling a bit.
"Yer lady dinnae see the fall of Aroden, perhaps she saw fit to tell ye somethin' o' use?
Akurna bustles around, heading for one of the doors. "Where are my manners? Perhaps I can get you something to drink. I could put on some tea perhaps?" She looks over the group. "Or maybe something stronger?"
"Stronger, please", says Phaust.
The young man quickly observes the unique dress of who appears to be the cleric in charge,
and notices the symbol of Anubus on her neck.
Haltak scowls even more, if possible, but relaxes turning to Akurna.
"Tea is fine, thank you for your hospitality. Yes even in highhelm things move in the dark. Things that should not. Things...that even dwarves may learn to fear. I come to make my stand.
Haltak pauses slightly, , apparently having no idea who Anubis is.
"But there's always time for tea, miss...? Any you, elf, and you, loud man, what brings you towards the center of our misfortune?
"But there's always time for tea, miss...? Any you, elf, and you, loud man, what brings you towards the center of our misfortune?
Loud man? Aww. He's adorable.
Phaust lets out a small chuckle, and answers the question posed."I've just completed a mission for the church in Crossfen, and I'm on my way back to Ustalav. I have not heard any official statement from Kavapesta concerning The Darkness, being how I was in the field when it occurred. All I have is theories."
Haltak was actually thinking of Horec, since Phaust actually introduced himself. But he's happy to gather more information.
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Akurna eventually discovers the Friar's stash of stronger beverages and the tea in the storage room. There weren't any tables in the small church, but the pews were solid enough platforms. Tea was on the stove after a while.
From before, the two farmers peered into the darkness when Phaust approached, "Who goes there? Oh, one of the noble's men. Ya, the others are inside." They could be heard talking about what a mess this all was, but they eventually left for their farm, taking one of the torches from the front door of the church.
When the hunter talks about morning, each of the others present have this dim notion that morning isn't going to come. Especially the dwarf, who has traveled very far. A wind picks up outside, the church's doors buckling and pulling, but holding. The door remained unlocked.
Every creek of the door, a female voice calls out, "My dear, my dear...my dear, my dear. How I wish you were here. Where did you go...where did you go...where did you go...where." The voice cuts off, the last word slipping through the cracks of the old, wooden door. He heard the voice no more.
Even inside the building, with its bright torch-light and welcoming smell, the feel of the moon's pull and its splendid incandescence reminds Horec that it lies outside. In his head, it appears clear, and he knows its direct location even indoors. If the wall and the roof were to collapse, the moon would be there, right there! A sudden warmth floods his bones and muscles, drifting upward and gathering at the focal point between his eyes and it burned...it burned so fiercely, worse than taking a warhammer to the helm.
The wind slowly dies down, after a while. As the others gathered drank the soothing concoction of booze or tea, a whining sound followed by scratches at the door could be heard. They stopped, then continued, then stopped.
Zaeos stirs uncomfortably, taking the proffered drink. Does it sound like my wife...? he thinks, appearing to struggle to hear something only he can.
Akurna eventually discovers the Friar's stash of stronger beverages and the tea in the storage room. There weren't any tables in the small church, but the pews were solid enough platforms.
"The tea is on, and I found some wine in the cellar. It's a decent vintage from Druma." She begins pouring the wine into wooden goblets while the kettle boils.
"I would love to know why the darkness has descended in this way. But how could one find out? I don't know where to start."
"But I suppose we could look for the missing priests. It might not resolve the global issue, but it would make things a little better around here. The locals are frightened. Whatever can be done to restore order deserves doing."
...
... a whining sound followed by scratches at the door could be heard. They stopped, then continued, then stopped.
Akurna looks up at the sound, and stands up. "Something's at the door. Sounds like a dog... or maybe a wolf?" She goes over to the window and pulls the curtain aside, looking out.
Phaust grimaced. "Well, I guess I don't have to go back to home right away."
The young man takes the goblet offered and drinks it right down.
"Ooo!" Phaust winced, "That hit the spot!"
"Something's at the door. Sounds like a dog... or maybe a wolf?" She goes over to the window and pulls the curtain aside, looking out.
"No! Wait!"
Immediately, Phaust set down the wooden goblet and drew his silvered gandasa. Walking quickly in a crouched stance, the young man quickly made his way to door.
Akurna eyes go wide for a moment at the sight of Phaust's weapon.
Don't worry... I wasn't about to let a wolf into the church. Just having a look is all."
Horec still paces, even inside, nervously glancing every so often at a particular spot of the ceiling.
"If anyone is responsible, it is probably those damn Groetus worshipers, always going on about 'the end of times' nonsense. Isn't the moon part of their beliefs?"
Phaust whips his head back at the fighter, amazed by his keen deduction.
"Um. Yes! Groetus is suppose to be harrassing souls above The Boneyard. I believe that damned moon is Groetus! It fits everything I've read on him in Kavapesta."
"Sometimes going looking is less than wise. Particularly in these times.
Haltak morosely sips tea. He doesn't seem concerned by Phaust, a drawn blade being perhaps the least alarming thing in recent history.
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There wasn't a table in the small church, as there wasn't a dining room in the church, but the stove's top was very capable of hosting the moved tea pot. Though there was the desk in one of the rooms and it wasn't very heavy. There was plenty of bread and other food items in the church's pantry, but the meats were all cut and salted. The vegetables were whole and relatively small.
Akurna witnessed, once, the farmers of the area donating food to the church, food that would keep well. There was a knife and a cutting board in the pantry though. When she pulled the curtain back, there was half the light normally outside and a canine partially illuminated along the side. It whined and scratched at the door before turning around to stare at the darkness.
When Phaust approached the door, he could hear growling, a low, threatening sound, which soon became very loud and abrupt barking with intermediate whining. A softer sound thumped against the door. Peeking through the cracks in the door, Phaust saw blood on this beast's backside, large chunks of fur displaced and replaced with a soft, wet red from the outside torch's illumination.
Akurna witnessed the canine back up into the door. Then there was a yelp and a sudden darkness fell upon the area, the torch being snuffed out in an instant. Dirt and specks of blood were lifted up, coating the window.
Heavy winds rocked the door something fierce, the wood almost bashing itself into Phaust's peeping eye. There were six red globes in the darkness, before the canine yelled into the night in panic. Steadily, it became quieter.
Phaust takes a step back from the violent door shaking, taking his ioun stone out of his pocket and activates it. The light is gives off is just as dim as the torches, but it's better than nothing.
The church agent describes what he sees to the others in the room, and begins to wrack his brain trying to figure out what it or they could be.
"well? Something we can fight and put back where it belongs? Maybe it's corpse will help solve our mysteries, or at least we'll know it isn't still runin' aboot out there"
There wasn't a table in the small church,
...the torch being snuffed out in an instant. Dirt and specks of blood were lifted up, coating the window.
Heavy winds rocked the door something fierce, the wood almost bashing itself into Phaust's peeping eye. There were six red globes in the darkness, before the canine yelled into the night in panic. Steadily, it became quieter.
Akurna steps back from the window, speechless for a moment.
"I... I couldn't tell if it was a dog or a wolf. But something else... was after it. I don't know what the other thing was. I could see red globes, maybe eyes. Six of them. I'm not sure."
"Hmmmm. On the one hand, they'll be no dawn to make it better, and little reason to wait. On the other, perhaps best not go looking for trouble if we can avoid it."
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The sounds of struggle outside all seemed to be very dull. A painful, throbbing violence limped throughout his head, the room seeming to be much smaller than it should be. He could feel each wall's exact distance from him, the splinters of unsmoothed wood curling upward, enticing his fingers to catch them. The moon, the moon's pull drew the room inward and upward, with him as the funneling point. In the back of his thoughts, buried underneath all the current happenings, was the thought of the moon bearing down on him, stealing him away from the others...changing him. Corrupting him like it did his friends.
"I'll get ready."
"Aaargh... this room is too small! Yes, let's take the fight to them, no more cowering inside. Perhaps they will be a clue to this madness, perhaps not. Either way, at least it will be something my sword can address instead of this constant oppressive moon."
With that, Horec draws his sword and heads for the exit.
"Wait for our host to don her armor. If they've left by then so be it."
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