Gasping at the huge swarm, Alexei ducks behind Harold. "דבורה!" the Chelaxian shouts, before he begins to cast a spell, chanting in airy tones and gesturing fluidly, before pressing a hand against the Half-orc's back.
"Didn't Alphy say somethin' baaaht a Ghost Man laughin' at 'im near 'ere? And a little dead girl, Ellsa. This village feels like i' should be inhabited by lost souls." Harold makes the sign of Pharasma and shudders.
"Indeed, Master Grimsley. I believe Alpy said that the children of Hergstag were killed by a 'Ghost Man', who made a sound like bees buzzing," Korvus clarifies.
Finally noticing the buzzing sound and seeing the approaching swarm, Korvus raises his trusty wand and fires a bolt of mystical energy at the mass of insects as he begins to back away from the apparition.
"Yea, go fight that, I'll be over there." Lucius casts a spell and touches Bjorn on the shoulder.
He then moves 20 feet away from the swarm-face.
Harold growls at the swarm of bees flies up and seems to laugh at them, "As da Chelaxian sayin' goes, speak ov devils an' they appear. I could be wrong, but I don't fnk what is nawmal behavior fer bugs, is i' Korvus?" The half-orc reaches into his pockets to retrieve his brass knuckles, as little good as that would do against a swarm, when his fingers brush against a familiar shape. His brow furrows as he ponders, I wonder if that would work? Figuring it was worth a shot, Harold brings out his haunt siphon in case these bees are being controlled by this 'Ghost Man'.
Harold mutters a brief prayer to Pharasma as he holds the siphon aloft toward the swarm and pulls the top off it, "Back ter da 'ells wiv you!"
Round One
21 Lucius
20 Alexei
20 Bjorn
15 Harold
14 Brother Swarm
06 Korvus
The swarm of bees heads up the hill, and Lucius casts shield of faith on Bjorn.
Alexei casts shield of faith on Harold.
Bjorn moves forward and swings at the creature, but his fist passes through it. It appears that the "swarm" of bees is really an incorporeal creature!
Harold pulls out his haunt siphon and aims it toward the swarm. The vapor inside the siphon explodes out, swirls around the swarm, and a number of bees are sucked back inside!
The swarm's image changes and becomes a hazy blur with tiny lights dancing inside the form, but a portion of it lashes out at Bjorn and touches his chest.
Korvus shoots a magic missile at the swarm.
-----
Next round!
12
"That's a swarm of bees, that's a wraith. It drain's life force, not that Bjorn didn't already figure that out. Pharasma send this wraith back to where it came from."
Harold spits in the direction of the shapeshifting swarm, "Really now, who goes buzzin' abaaaht like a bunch ov bees? If yew wan'ed ter be intimidating, I'd 'ave gone wiv wasps. Those buggers are a pain in me arse, literally an' figuratively." The half-orc slips the siphon back into his pocket as he retrieves his brass knuckles from and fits them over his knuckles as he steps toward the wraith. The big man gives a testing swing at the swarm of light's shifting form to see if his fists will do anything against the thing.
Round Two:
"A most astute assessment, Master Lucius!" Korvus agrees with Lucius.
Following the example of Harold and Bjorn, the half-orc wizard steps forward a step as he reaches into his belt pouch to retrieve his own haunt siphon. Pointing the vial toward the wraith, he twists open the cap.
Round Two
21 Lucius
20 Alexei
20 Bjorn
15 Harold
14 Brother Swarm
06 Korvus
Lucius channels energy, hoping to damage the undead monster.
Alexei pauses to take a tactical assessment of the situation.
Bjorn pulls his haunt siphon and opens it at the wraith, to much the same result as Harold - only this time a hoarse scream echoes around the hill as the monster reacts to the attack.
Harold moves up and swings at the monster, but his attack passes straight through the monster's form.
The wraith takes advantage of Harold's location and lashes out, caushing Harold to recoil with the icy chill of the grave as it hits him in the chest.
Korvus also takes out his haunt siphon and attacks the wraith from the opposite side of Bjorn, trapping the monster between them. Even more of its essence is pulled into the siphon!
-----
After Alexei's move/action, next round!
38
Alexei hefts his weapon into the air, biting out a harsh word in Celestial as waves of white hot light pour from the mace, washing over his companions and the wraith.
Lucius will again channel the power of Pharasma to destroy this thing.
Harold growls in his throat at his fists having no effect on the ghostly wraith. The half-orc darts back a step as he makes the sign of Pharasma again, "May da Lady ov Bones come take yaaahr soul ter be judged, damned one."
With his haunt siphon expended, Korvus aims his wand at the wraith and fires another mystical bolt at the incorporeal creature.
Round Three
21 Lucius
20 Alexei
20 Bjorn
15 Harold
14 Brother Swarm
06 Korvus
Alexei recovers and channels energy, followed by Lucius who calls upon his power once again. The wraith recoils from the holy power, but continues to engage in battle.
Bjorn strategically moves away from the wraith while Harold backs up and casts a spell at the monster.
The wraith continues forward toward Harold, swinging at the half-orc but missing.
Korvus fires another magic missile at the wraith. The arcane bolt strikes the creature and it emits an ear-shattering shriek as it disintegrates before your eyes.
The wraith is no more!
-----
From down in the village, you hear horrible cries and screams coming from several locations. As you watch, dark shadowy creatures emerge from several buildings and dash off into the tall grasses and fields surrounding the town.
Near the scarecrow, you locate a small cave - apparently where the wraith you fought rested and hid when not roaming around the village. Sadly, you also find the remains of four small human bodies.
What would you like to do now?
Alexei relaxes as the incorporeal creature disintegrates, sheathing his weapon at his belt once more. He watches with a combination of fear and disgust when the smaller shadows flee the city, but is glad that they are gone.
When the group discovers the bodies of the children, the oracle frowns deeply. "Well, it's clear that Alpy didn't do this. Not a scratch on the poor things," he says, remorse for not being able to do anything for them clear in his voice.
Harold removes his brass knuckles slowly as the wraith fades into dust motes. On the discovery of the little bodies of the children, Harold shakes his head in disgust, "It's sad ter see da wee ones pay such a 'eavy price fer da sins ov uvvers. Thee fnk we should wrap up da bodies ter brin' back as evidence? We'll probably need ter see if we can recover da two remainin' bodies as well in case da prosecushun team tries ter still place their fates on Alphy's shoulders. Tis bad luck what we'll 'ave little chance ov findin' a witness ter what 'appened ter da children."
"Those are wraith spawn. A.K.A we're not done yet. They just became full wraiths once we killed the big one."
Lucius just nods at Harold's words after giving a short prayer to Pharasma. "To put these kids to rest, we need to hunt those other wraiths. If we don't they'll just kill and make more."
"I'm afraid I have no magicks of that sort, Master Stonehand," Korvus replies to the Ulfen's request. "However, I do have a potion from the false crypt in Ravengro that should restore some of the vitality stolen by the wraith if you or Master Grimsley wish to use it," the half-orc wizard adds, reaching into his backpack.
"I agree with Master Dawnreach: by the state of the children's bodies, it is clear that Alpy played no role in their deaths. On the contrary, I would surmise that the wraith we dispatched was responsible for slaying them - the fleeing wraith spawn we witnessed may be the tortured spirits of these innocent children. As Master Grimsley suggested, we should take these bodies back with us to Lepidstadt as evidence and then ensure they receive a proper burial. If possible I would like to lay their souls to rest by destroying the wraiths they have become as Master Lucius suggests; however, I question whether we possess sufficient resources to do so at this time."
Alexei sighs. "Are you even sure there is anyone here left who could yet die?" the Chelaxian asks, looking uncertain.
"I'm not taking that chance. For the kid's sake and everyone else's we have to hunt them down."
"If we leave, we're condemning these people to die. Are you ready for that?" Bjorn says matter-of-factly.
Alexei sighs. "Are you even sure there is anyone here left who could yet die?" the Chelaxian asks, looking uncertain.
"Master Dawnreach makes a valid point," Korvus says, glancing toward the ruined village. "With the wraith up here and its spawn within the town buildings, I doubt anyone lives within Hergstag now. But we still need to check the structures, if for no other reason than to find the bodies of the other two children - if possible."
From the group's location at the crest of the hill near the scarecrow, Korvus scans the village below for any sign of life.
"Maximus? Would you be so kind as to perform a bit of aerial reconnaissance?" Korvus requests of his familiar.
The blackbird perched on the wizard's shoulder glances at him askance, but nevertheless takes to the air and wings toward the ruined village.
Harold spits up a wad of clotting blood as he rubs his sore chest. A wraith hand through the sternum was no where near to pleasant. The half-orc nods with Korvus and the others, "We'll can look about, keep i' brief an' should probably not stick long after da sun sets. Dead places 'ave a tendancy ter attract dead fngs awer those what feast on dead fngs."
The village remains eerily quiet after the emergence of the new wraiths. Nothing else moves, and nobody appears in the houses. As you can see from the top of the hill, many of the buildings appear to be in bad shape; broken windows, doors hanging off hinges, and missing shingles are common. As you recall the high grasses that obscured the path, and the wild growth in the corn fields, you gradually realize that Hergstag appears deserted.
"Hopefully." Lucius follows Bjorn back into town.
Alexei follows the other two men. "I can only imagine who could have managed to survive alone in this sad place," he says, hand gripping his holy symbol tightly.
Descending the hill, your group begins to examine the buildings in the small town. After only a few minutes, you all deduce that Hergstag has been abandoned for many months.
Searching the area only turns up a few handfuls of coin (122 gp), a silver pocketknife (worth 25 gp), and a set of masterwork thieves tools.
The only location of any interest is a small graveyard. A cursory search reveals six small headstones dated approximately at the same time as the crimes the Beast is accused of committing. One of the headstones bears the name "Ellsa" - the name of the child the Beast carried into town.
Lucius pockets the coin, the pocketknife, and the thieve's tools. "I guess this is where they buried the children that they think the beast killed."
Harold makes a sign to Pharasma as he looks at the others, "That would be aaahr two remainin' little ones." He nods in agreement with Bjorn, "We should probably be ge'in' back ter da city. We 'ave ter prove Alphy wasn't da one who terrorized da swampers in da morning."
"Master Grimsley is correct; we must return to Lepidstadt to be prepared to defend Alpy in court tomorrow morning," Korvus concurs with Harold, staring morosely at the six grave markers. "After the court proceedings are through, perhaps we should return here and bury the remaining four children here in the hallowed resting place of their people."
Alexei nods, distraught at the state of the town. He kneels and says a short prayer to Sarenrae for all the fallen, before standing and moving to follow the others back to Lepidstadt. Such a waste... the Sun does not shine on this place any longer... he thinks to himself, frowning.
Heading back to the city is a tiring affair. The "paths" leading from Hergstag to the main road are no easier to traverse the second time, and the trip back to Lepidstadt is anything but exciting. You arrive back in the city soon after sunset.
Moving through the streets, you begin to notice several men and women hurrying toward the center of town. You can make out shouts and cries in that direction, and thin plumes of smoke rise against the light of the setting sun.
The sound of several horses quickly moving down the streets grabs your attention as a number of mounted cavalry ride toward the noise up ahead.
"Gentlemen, it appears that some sort of celebration is soon to get out of hand. I fear that if things go badly, a mob is certain to form - apparently very close to the Courthouse where Alpy is being held," Korvus informs his companions.
"I suggest we attempt to reach the Courthouse with all due haste."
"Yea, this is going to be bad.."
"Maximus? Would you be so kind as to scout ahead for us?" Korvus asks his familiar.
"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" the blackbird chirps as it takes wing toward the Courthouse.
As the companions move toward the Courthouse, Korvus takes the opportunity to bolster his defenses and those of Harold using his Wand of Mage Armor.
Alexei swears softly, nodding as the others suggest moving out. "We cannot let the people of this city take matters into their own hands... especially not when our big friend is innocent," the Sarenraen states, his eyes glinting even though his face is drawn and tired.
You join the throng and make your way toward the center of town, only to find a large crowd of rowdy people shouting and making noise. Some bang weapons on shields, others have pots and pans, while others simply jump up and down, clapping their hands.
Guards surround the courthouse, and the horsemen you saw earlier begin yelling and roughly pushing their way through the crowds. Many turn with anger in their eyes, but the reality of heavily-armed soldiers riding warhorses deters anybody from making a stupid mistake.
After a few minutes, a couple of men closest to the Courthouse climb up so they can see over the heads of the crowd. One raises his arm and shouts, "Trials are for people, not for Beasts! It's time for the monster to pay for its crimes! Not a man, time to pay! Not a man, time to pay!"
The crowd quickly takes up the chant, "Not a man, time to pay! Not a man, time to pay!"
The horsemen move quickly to surround the man, causing those nearest to push forward in an effort to protect him. Before you can move, matters escalate as the soldiers draw their weapons, the loud ringing of steel pulled from sheaths silences the roars, only to be replaced by screams of fear.
The mob around the horsemen begin turning away and trying to run, causing a panic to erupt. Men and women are dropping whatever they have and fleeing as fast as they can! If you're not careful, you'll be caught up in the stampede!
DC 14 Fail: The fleeing people surround you before you can move, and they knock you to the ground. Feet and bodies press into you, pounding you into the slate-covered streets.