Euron feels every lingering look, he knows the trust will be hard to get back. I just need to keep doing what i was doing, nothing has changed. They may know but i just need to try twice as hard.
He then responds to all the looks. "You know all there is to know about me now..." Turning to look at Flyn and then to the others. "But all this adds up to a cultist being inside.. maybe Finas found out something he wasn't meant to? We should ask around who he was seen with last. We have the upper hand now, they don't know we know."
Nikolai continues to look fearful, and nods enthusiastically at Lilith's suggestion he takes more care with what he consumes.
Radek nods
The word has already been passed that you are looking in to Finas' death, perhaps you can use the opportunity to ferret out this infiltrator at the same time?
after Flynn talks of scouting for camps he shakes his head
We've run some patrols, scout pairs, around Solace for a while now, in fact Finas was one... well, aside from the bandit camp somewhere to the south, we haven't found any sign of others setting up shop. The cultists we've seen have always preceeded or followed a swarm of undead, like they were herding them
he shudders in revulsion
The bandits have never struck us as the cult type, they raid for supplies, not to kill for its own sake
As Lenneth confirms Lilith's conclusion of Dogspaw, Nikolai replies in a quieter voice than normal, gone is his usual commanding intonation, leaving a very tired-sounding old man
We do have a garden outside, though it's more vegetable patch than anything else. No herbs to my knowledge, but I'm no herbalist. Sasha and the two girls forever hanging around Brae are the ones usually tending the garden such as it is. Violet... she also has some skill with herbs but does not visit the outside much... they will be the ones who might know about the plants grown inside Solace.
Radek, Nikolai and Whisper all listen to Lenneth's history and assessment of herself and her traveling companions, and to Euron in turn as well, though Nikolai's jaw clenches with suppressed words.
Radek responds in turn
I think the next move then is to keep asking questions of the folk here and see what you can find out. We must move as quickly as possible!
he moves to the door to open it
Keep us apprised of your findings, perhaps we can meet before dinner tonight to discuss what you've found?
|
If we are to question everyone I think we will need an official sanction. And everyone includes you in this room. So if we are to begin let us begin here and now. And for the others, I recommend we gather everyone together tonight and hold them together until we have questioned everyone one at a time. Flynnvas and Lives can handle the watch duty while we do this. Or I can take a turn at watch if one of them wants to participate in the questioning.
Sky and I can handle the watch, no problem.
Guess Mallis is going to have to wait to try and win some booze off me.
He regards Lenneth for a long moment, apparently taking no offense, or even notice, to her bluntness.
With a shrug, he says, "I fight. I survive. I keep my eyes open, my ears open. I can certainly help the watch on the walls, or, if you want another set of eyes on those you question, I can do that, too. Might be good if you reveal a traitor, and he or she does not go quietly..."
When Lenneth mentions "...I know this is a lot to ask on your first day here...", the Shoanti actually chuckles.
"Where there are people, there will be things like this. I just consider it the price of being among the living again." He gives a wide grin before lapsing into hsi normal laconic expression.
"Thank you for being willing to help keep watch...I know this is a lot to ask on your first day here and under such strained circumstances."
Think nothing of it, Lenneth. I carry my own weight. he thinks a moment. Well unless I'm riding Skyfall, obviously! he adds with a snort of laughter that at least goes some way to breaking the tension in the room.
As the sun goes down and the black, moonless night draws a curtain over the day, everyone congregates in the main hall. The mood seems tense and uncertain. The friendly banter you have been used to has been replaced by sideways glances and whispers.
Everyone seems to be present with the exception of Brae and Violet. There is a brief buzz of discussion between Radek and Danel, and Radek marches Danel over to you. He speaks falteringly
So, Violet and Brae went for a walk after lunch, I warned 'em not to go alone but they went anyway, said they'd only be gone an hour or so, needed to forage for some herbs...
Radek shakes his head
They've been missing several hours now, it's darker than the abyss out there... Violet has yet to produce any provisions today either...
Nikolai joins you, leaning heavily on his cane
I'll order some of our stores to be passed out in the meantime, the community has to eat
he looks concerned. Radek winces and turns to you, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot
Any thoughts?
Lives steps in and leans forward, all signs of his usual lassitude gone. He speaks urgently in a low voice, meant to carry only to those immediately around him.
"Keep everyone else together as much as possible. We," he indicates the party "should go after Brae and Violet immediately. My worries have centered around this Brae, and there would be no surer way to cripple this community than to slay Violet."
During the four hours, Flynnvas climbs the tower to take up duties beside Mallis. Skyfall roosts on part of the collapsed wall above which gives the human all kinds of cause for concern.
They talk about the community and the duties here but are more wrapped up in their games of chance to really get into how everyone is feeling.
Aye, I think you're right, Lives. She's at least worth talking to. Do you know which way they went? I might be able to track them and with Skyfall's help catch up.
Our nightvision isn't perfect, but it's decent so long as there is starlight to see by. Besides, theirs is worse and from up there we can see a candle light from miles away.
I'm going to circle around a while, if there's anyone living out there, I'll find them.
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Flynn looks down at the bracelet suspiciously. He can’t help but see the design and think that it looks more like a manacle than a piece of jewelry. His eyes switch from the interlaced skeletal hand and up to Lenneth’s pretty, strained face.
Her large, dark eyes are ringed with black, her pale skin is drawn and flushed with worry. He thinks then for the first time about what the group has been through. What little he knows makes him marvel at their resilience, how even now, still mere hours after they lost two of the group that they set out with from Sandpoint, they struggle on as one crisis after another befalls them.
The Whispering Way and their cronies like Euron have taken everything – even time to grieve.
I’ve always been a sucker for a pretty face, my lady. he says with a smile. It’ll be the death of me I’m sure of it. he adds with a laugh as he takes the bracelet and slips it on. As he does so he takes one of her hands in both of his and looks at her seriously for a moment.
Listen, I know there is a lot going on here, but try and get some rest. If I find anything I’ll follow, but not engage. I’ll be back before you know it. he says, his smile returning.
With that he turns on his heel, places two fingers in his mouth and unleashes an incredibly loud whistle. From somewhere above you hear an excited screech split the air.
1 mile = 5280 feet = 33 rounds double moving at 160ft per round
2 miles = 10560 = 66 rounds
3 miles = 21120 = 132 rounds
4 miles = 42240 =264 rounds
5 miles = 84480 = 528 rounds
1023 rounds in total or 102 minutes (and the same again if he flies back in the same pattern)
I am 100% sure those calculations are wrong but I don't have the time to do it properly and I think they will serve for game purposes unless Fiendish tells me otherwise :)
Danel thinks for a moment, then replies to Lenneth
They was talking about freedom, and Violet said she wanted to get some herbs and I'd be in trouble if I told anyone. they said they was only going to be an hour
he looks very scared.
It's twilight as Flynn takes to the skies, and within an hour or so, complete blackness as the cloudy night obscures the moon making it difficult to see much of anything on the ground. Flynn is about to give up and fly home when he spots something on the grass, just at the edge of the forest to the south of Solace. Circling closer he can see a female form lying on the ground.
There is a lot of murmuring going on as word of Brae and Violet's disappearance spreads. You begin to hear talk of the keep being cursed now it has offered mercy to one of 'The Way', some begin to look at Euron in fear. The community starts to split in to small groups, nervously eyeing anyone who comes near. One of the children starts crying and is hushed by her mother.
"Brae... This could be bad. You are right Lenneth i had my misgivings about her but why would Violet go with her outside the castle? She knows how important she is something isn't adding up again here. We should stay.. Flyn should go look for them." He nods in agreement.
--
As Flyn walks off and Lenneth follows him, Euron then notices how the community in the castle being to split into small groups mostly eyeing him up. Grabbing a chair he stands on it and shouts out. "Everyone! You all know me... i know most of you wish me dead, but im here to help you. Now is not the time for us to split apart and break, now is the time we have to stand united. Whatever is happening out there.. in here we have to stand together or it will all fall down. I only ask for charm, to matter what happens we will work through this we will survive."
As Flynn readies to depart, Lives walks with him as far as Skyfall.
"Take care, friend. Come get us at the first sign."
I always do, friend. he says, looking up at the towering Shoanti. I don't want to be spending the night out there if I can help it, I should be back in a few hours.
He hauls himself up onto Sky's back and the great bird flaps her wings once or twice in anticipation to be off.
Hey, that Lenneth girl gave me a present. he says indicating the bracelet. Think she likes short men? he adds laughing as Skyfall climbs upward away from Solace.
Upon seeing the stricken female form, Flynn swoops down. and lands besides her.
He keeps a close eye on the edge of the wood, wary of any movement there - living or dead.
Flynn draws his blade and plants it in the ground beside her, within easy reach should he need it, and calls over his shoulder;
Skyfall, Guard!
The bird cocks her head at the command in a weirdly human-like nod, and takes back to the air, circling slowly around 60 feet above them.
The woman had been in scrap all right, but she was alive at least. He had only seen both Brae and Violet for a few seconds and in the dimming light it was difficult to tell if it were either. Cursing that he had no other choice, the Halfling strikes a torch and also plants it in the ground beside him, he can't very well save her if he can't see what's wrong. In truth, he wouldn't have much idea about what to do with a stab wound or broken bone besides a basic bandage or splint.
Hey! he hisses. Hey, wake up! he takes his canteen and with another glance around splashes it on her face.
He sees tracks leading back into the woods.
I guess that's where she came from. If she's just escaped something I better be on my toes here...
Undoubtedly, he felt better with Sky watching his back.
Despite the previous mutterings under their breath, Euron's words seem to have an effect, and some folk hush the others speaking about The Way and traitors within, levelling scornful glares at their neighbours. They look to you as a group and some even nod. One calls out though
Work together aye, so what's the plan then? We've mouths to feed as well as scared kids to reassure...
Ashleigh and Tabitha are sat nearby looking nervous, evidently lost without Brae's guidance.
Nikolai shakes his head and speaks quietly
We have to open the stores, people have to eat, as little as you dare please...
Radek nods and disappears off down a back corridor, gesturing for someone to go with him...
There is a groaning noise, and Flynn eyeballs the blade stuck in the ground for a second before he realises it's coming from the woman
...warn them...help Violet, taken her...
Flynn barely recognises the voice of Brae. She coughs weakly and just manages to focus on Flynn's face
We were attacked...They took her!
she claws herself on to her side, crying out in pain and reaching out a hand to Flynn
You must warn Solace! The bandits, they're in league with the Way! They took Violet!
now Flynn can hear something else rustling in the woods, and his keen senses detect the telltale shuffling of the groaners, above, Skyfall screeches a warning. Brae stares at him
You must warn them!
Even in the pitch black of the moonless night, Flynn can see there are several groaners converging on the beacon of his torch...
Flynn looks to the woods and though he cannot see the Walkers he knows they are there, and closing in. His heart starts beating faster and he can feel the beads of sweat begin to stand out on his forehead.
He snatches up the blade and grabs a handful of Brae's shirt.
Listen to me. I'm only going to be able to say this once. Get up. If you don't you're going to die. Do you understand that? They are going to rip you to pieces!
He looks up as he hears Skyfall's piercing cry overhead. She plummets toward the ground, wings tucked back so that she looks like an arrow fired toward the earth. At the last second she swoops up and a heartbeat later he hears a wet, tearing sound before the flap of great wings sends her back in a wide circle toward her master.
She can't hold them off. Run with me. Now!
Flynn is a small man but as he stoops down over her stricken form and grabs fistfuls of clothing he pulls with all his might, cords of muscle standing out along his wiry arms and across his chest.
Flynn looks around desperately for anywhere they can hide or at least defend so the zombies can only come at them one at a time.
Come on! Flynn grunts. Move your arse woman! he shouts as he tries to pull Brae to her feet.
He can see the line of Walkers at the edge of the torch light now. Skyfall swoops again, barrelling into them, tearing arms from bodies and heads from necks as she does so.
Good girl!
There are certainly more than he can handle whilst grounded and he knows for certain that fleeing is their only chance to survive. He just hopes Brae's wounds aren't so bad that she cannot even take the first step.
Brae struggles weakly to get up, just managing to get to her feet but as she takes a few steps she cries out in pain and falls to her hands and knees. She looks Flynn in the eyes
Your valor is recognised, even now in this new world, but don't throw your life away on me, Violet is more important than I am, you must rescue her!
she shoves the halfling away and grabs the torch to use as a weapon as half a dozen walkers converge on the source of light
Go!
she screams
Radek reappears with Cale and the two girls, carrying some small sacks of vegetables, and they begin to boil water to make some thin soup.
Brae! he shouts after the slowly diminishing patch of light that is his torch.
Valor isn't worth a dawned thing these days! he calls after her, taking a few steps forward. We can still make it back. Brae!
he bellows. But he knows it is futile.
The sounds of the walkers is louder now. Many seem to be shambling off toward the woman but many others are headed hus way.
Come, Skyfall! Grab! Grab!
The bird cries out in response and arcs down toward her master. Her large talons clamp down on Flynn's arms, not biting through his flesh but wrapping around the thick muscle there. With barely a break in her trajectory she swoops away and suddenly the world is falling away from beneath Flynn at a rate of knots. His stomach lurches but his heart bursts with joy. He had only ever had Sky do this once before but he wears the scars of months of trying to teach the bird this trick.
This is only the latest time she has saved his life and he loves her all the more for it.
When she slows her pace he hauls himself back into the saddle and flies for Solace.
Skyfall swoops down onto the roof of the ruined tower, ostensibly her new perch whether Mallis likes it or not.
The look-out is there and Flynn nods to him as he hops down from the bird's back and runs down the stairs in search of the others.
Hey, hang on. Mallis calls. I'm supposed to be down there too for some kind of meeting. Oh, please yourself then. he says as Flynn continues down the stairs two at a time.
He catches up to the others in the Great Hall, bursting through the door. His hair is pointing in a dozen different directions from the wind and his face is streaked with grime and sweat. Brae's blood is clearly visible on his clothing.
Seeing that Lenneth is about to address the crowd, he signals to Lillith and Lives to come to one end of the stage.
There's a serious problem. he says to them breathlessly. Brae is dead. I don't know why she was out there with Violet, nor so far, but they were attacked and Violet was taken. Brae survived her wounds only long enough to tell me that whoever these bandits are, they are working with the Whispering Way!
Euron moves over to Flyn following Lillith and Lives, ignoring Flyns call for them two. Listening to his story Eurnon closes his eyes. "It's all falling apart.. bit by bit."
"We have to see to the defence of the castle we have to deal with the threats inside first, we can't run out there in the night. If what you said is true they will have scouts watching the gate." He turns to look at Lenneth. "Lenneth is going to question everyone, i hold out hope she gets something that maybe the traitor will slip up."
If what you said is true...
It is. the halfling interrupts. My word can be counted on.
Hunting down these cultists and getting Violet back should be priority tomorrow at least
Lenneth's words, in part due to Euron's earlier address, manage to quieten down the gathered people of Solace.
Most have nothing much to contribute in answer to Lenneth's questions, but a couple of conversations stick in your minds.
- Cale notes when they were on patrol last, Finas was the one they left behind to the south to watch for bandits. Maybe he was killed to stop him from saying something about what he saw? He looks thoughtful.
- Shayliss greets you, though , and reassures you that she hasn't seen anything amiss. She heard Della tried to get close to Finas when he first arrived but her attentions were rebuffed, after which she never had a good thing to say about him. She clutches her swollen belly tightly and looks grimaces in worry.
- Sasha informs you, with a quizzical look, that she doesn't tolerate dogspaw growing in her vegetable patch or herb garden as it tends to strangle the growth of other plants, not to mention it can be dangerous for children to eat. She seems stern.
- Danel says the last odd thing he saw was that small river of zombies that was marching by the castle, then suddenly veered off their course and came straight for Solace! He thought it odd at the time but now you've mentioned a traitor in their midst it makes a certain kind of sense. He looks nervous.
- Della says she offered her friendship to Finas but the man seemed incapable of thinking of anyone but himself, so she left him to it. She acts disdainful.
- Quinn grunts as you ask your questions, and says the tent where you found all those plants used to belong to a gnome. He wants to know if he can still leave tomorrow as he's got traps in the forest to check. He sounds uncaring.
- Everyone you speak to has a verified alibi for the time of Finas' death, with the exception of: Whisper (who was on lookout duty), Quinn (the only other person aside from Lives who sleeps in a tent in the courtyard) and Mallis (who says he fell asleep in the common room before he could get to the men's dorm).
- Ashleigh points out though that folk often get up in the night to use the facilities, so the alibis of anyone sleeping in the communal dorm rooms can't necessarily be trusted. In fact now you come to mention it, she woke up at some point that night as she thought she heard a noise, but didn't see anything. She looks like she's hanging off your every word.
- Mallis confides he did wake up in the middle of the night but couldn't be bothered to move to the dorm as it would just have meant getting cold again. He chews his lip as he thinks, looking shifty.
Euron ignores Flyns tone, but gladly talks back. "We can't leave the castle with a traitor amongst us, the moment we leave they could signal the cultists. Do we even know where they could be?" He looks back at Flyn.
Another traitor I guess you mean? Brae was escaping from woods and there were tracks leading in there. I couldn't see anything in the dark but at first light I'll pick up the trail.
I don't know anyone here so I couldn't tell you if they were lying or not. I'm more use on lookout in case they attack or in the field.
Everyone seems very tired, and worried, but they all head off to bed to try and get some rest. Radek informs you that he's taking a turn on watch tonight as won't be able to sleep whilst Violet is out there on her own.
The night passes, uneventfully in a dreamless sleep, almost as if the moonless night itself were pressing down upon you like a smothering blanket. You wake in the morning feeling woozy with aches and pains in your joints.
As you rise and make your way to the hall for breakfast, you find several other residents of Solace are also suffering from whatever this affliction is, some have even stayed in their beds.
Lives wakes, more stiff and sore than he has been since his training days. He pauses a few moments, trying to remember if he had been in a fight yesterday...
He hobbles his way through the morning, and as he sees many other in the same shape, a deep chill begins to form at the base of his spine, rising as he confirms more and more residents feeling the same way.
He's not familiar with these particular symptoms, but to see so many affected so quickly, so soon after the discovery of a traitor...
Not even a Sczarni gambler could see odds that long a coincidence.
Lives goes in search of his new friends, pulling them aside for a bit of private conversation.
"Would anyone be able to tell if the food stores have been tainted?" he asks quietly.
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Lilith wakes early refreshed and feeling well. She eagerly spends the time needed to refresh her arcane spells before doing anything else so is surprised to learn that most of the people in the keep are feeling under the weather. Hearing the discussion at breakfast she listens to the symptoms and tries to recall what it might be. +1[/dice]
As she contemplates the symptoms her expression grows dark.
Feeling just a wee bit dizzy Azmerais hardy body shakes off the worst.
Radek appears, himself looking paler than usual, and though Whisper trails at his heels she lacks her usual energy.
Nikolai is abed with this sickness, have you any ideas? We need medicine and food, are you well enough to travel and seek either? Or..
he looks suddenly mournful
...Violet could provide both, if you could rescue her, if she's still...
he clamps down and shuts his eyes for a moment before continuing
On the other hand, the bandit camp may hold food and medicine, or you could try foraging in the woods. Or you may have other ideas. If so I'd like to hear them.
"Find bandits, gut them, rescue violet. Good plan!"
Flynn wakes feeling groggy and ill. His limbs are leaden and despite the sweat that runs down his chest, he feels cold.
He curses foully under his breath as he hauls himself up and out of bed.
After he dresses he meets up with the party just as Lenneth and Azmerai are discussing their next move.
I feel like death. he says, simply. And I've only been here a day! he adds with a laugh.
The way I'm feeling at the moment Lenneth, I don't know how much strength I'll have to face these cultists tomorrow. And I think that's their plan, wear us down until we can't possibly oppose them. I say the people of Solace lock this place down - no one in or out - until we return from dealing with these bastards.