Werewolves now? We best try to track that thing.
"The storms coming. Do you think we have the time?" Cleo doesn't disagree, he is right, leaving something like that around to hurt people is a bad idea, but she worries.
Kemras shouts out for help, but it takes a little while before anyone hears him. One of the few guards hustles over along with some onlookers. The guard asks "What happened here?"
"Sure, I guess." Simir says as he stands up. He feels around at his wounds, which have been significantly healed. "I wouldn't hunt it, but you sure could, and your friend here looks more than capable. Hmm, this collar's doin weird things, Miss Cleo."
Sure enough, Cleo does notice that the collar dropped from the werewolf is mending itself, and words in Celestial are being engraved in it.
Besnik protests, and tries to climb up the mast himself, but he only gets about two feet before he slips and falls over. Petre retreives both ends of the rope and loosens the lower part of the sail in an effort to reduce the slack. Besnik groans and holds out the vial to Wabbit.
"You be careful, Mister Wabbit. I'd sooner go meself than let you die."
Petre holds out the rope ends for Wabbit. He doesn't say anything, just nods.
Wabbit begins scaling the mast. There's no rigging for such a small boat. The rocking of the waves, the howling wind, and the rain make scaling the mast slow and difficult, even for Wabbit. Suddenly, the massive turtle head surfaces from behind the ship, with its razor sharp beak wide open. It chomps down hard on the ship, destroying the aft portion. Water begins filling the vessel, but the turtle submerges. Hopefully that will be the end of it.
Kemras looks at the guard grimly. "I am concerned he may be possessed, or a cultist of some forbidden nature."
If the vial container is small enough that Wabbit could hold it between his teeth, he'll do that. Otherwise he'll climb one-handed. It's possible that Wabbits ring of featherfalling may come into play if he loses his grip.
"Oh, looks like it is magic." she picks it up and waits on Furnok. "We'll check it out later, and look at your wounds later, Simir. Check in with the church and tell them about the werewolf. So we can make sure there isn't an infection."
Let us get him and th ehogs back, make sure he isn't infected and gett hat collar checked out.
Cleo nods "Okay, we'll get the animals to their temporary home, and you to the temple." back at the hods, who are hopefully still in about the same area, she'll snort and oink to tell them they are taking them to the food now.
It takes a little time finding the hogs who fled the scene, but they're all in the nearby area. Upon delivering the hogs to one of Simir's sons, they escort the brave or foolish man to the temple. Father Ferrus carries a wand of Diagnose Disease, which is relatively common for healers that caretake an entire town. Thankfully, Simir shows no signs of infection. His years of hard work pay off with a healthy heart and a strong body.
Father Ferrus is also able to read Celestial, which stats "Safety in Kith and Kin"
The guard thinks for a moment, then says "Yer name's Kemras, right? Look, I ain't gonna arrest you fer this, cuz I know you coulda just dumped 'im in the drink. Just know I'm gonna let the Father know bout this when I take this guy up. We'll see what 'e says. Yer free to go."
And with that, the guard hauls the old man onto his shoulders and carries him up to the center of town.
About a half hour later, Kemras notices dim lights coming from the far end of the lake. Along with it is the faint sound of a bell.
Though the wind seeks to throw him right off the mast, and the water pelts his eyes, and he's only climbing with one hand, Wabbit still manages to hold on tight and continue climbing up. The turtle comes back for another bite, this time eating right up to the box. Petre desperately tries to bucket water, while Besnik readies a shot against the beast. The boys are terrified, and do everything in their power to row.
That out of the way, he returns to his watch. Ah, the ship... probably. He guesses as he looks into the distance, noting the lights. Time to do what I've volunteered to do, I suppose. And so he does.
Wabbit continues to try climbing and gluing the sail back together all the while thinking turtle soup is supposed to be quite tasty...If this big one doesn't quit the whole town might be feasting on him soon
Kemras is surprised to see that the fish eye is capable of functioning as a trinket. Should he pour his magic into the eye, it flashes to life and peers around with a red glow. It functions as the Summon Monster spell.
Kemras remembers that his job is to alert the ship such that it doesn't accidentally crash into the dock. Elves and Gnomes might not have difficulty seeing in this weather, but a Dwarf's darkvision is useless in these conditions.
Wabbit braces himself against the wind, and continue to climb up the mast. At the end, he discovers that the rope he's tied to has reached its limit, but he bravely takes it off. Climbing just a few more feet, Wabbit pulls the ends of the sail's rope together over the mast. He pops the cork on the vial of alchemical glue, and works carefully to seal it all together. Meanwhile, Besnik looses a shot on the giant turtle, but the beast is far too resilient to go down like a garr fish. It surges closer, revealing its entire shell to the surface. The turtle must be at least 50 feet long! Its head raises out of the water, but this time it seems more interested in the shining light at the top of the ship! It swims closer and closer, its giant tail creating huge waves with each undulation. Then, as the glue begins to harden, Petre opens up the sail. The ropes snap taught, and the wrecked ship creeks and groans. Wabbit has to hang onto the rope to reduce the tension, and looking back, he sees the turtle's maw headed straight for him.
But it never arrives.
Finally, the ship matches speed with the giant turtle, sailing down lake Coal at a breakneck pace. Within a minute, the large turtle gives up the chase, and submerges back into the lake.
The moment Wabbit decides he wants to descend, he gets a bit of a surprise. His serpent tattoo animates, and stretches out to latch onto the deck of the ship. Between his slow fall and the serpent, he essentially grapples back to the deck without issue. Petre and Besnik are bucketing water, while the two boys continue rowing. Everyone looks tired, but there's a tiny smile on the corners of all their lips.
Hopefully, they see that... Otherwise, I'll have to rely on something more creative... which might be difficult.
Kemras dispenses three bouts of firebelly, each one is responded to with the ringing of a bell. The ship raises its sails at the correct time, and glides into port about as gracefully as it can in these conditions. Kemras helps secure the small but sturdy wooden vessel, which Kemras immediately notices has taken damage. Short spears jut out from almost every direction of the ship, though perhaps astonishingly the vessel isn't taking on water. A gangplank is lowered from the ship, and out comes a Dwarf with a salt'n'pepper beard, and a human man with a torn set of studded leather armour.
The Dwarf greets Kemras
"Ahoy! I recognize a firebelly spell anywhere. An ol' favourite of Torag, it is. Me name's Morgrun Saltbeard, captain of the..." "... And this here is me new brother-in-arms, Robero of Erastil."
After learning Kemras' name, Morgrun says
"Boy are you a sight fer sore eyes. We were worried sick the whole town had fallen. What's the status of Turtleback?"
"Wait... First, let me answer your question. To my knowledge, the town's fine, other than the storm hitting hard. Second, why would you think Turtleback Ferry had fallen? And to whom?" His eyes narrow at the spears. "I would guess it has to do with whomever attacked your ship."
Even as he speaks, he remembers what sort of threats were supposed to be out in the area. The only thing I can think of is giants... but those don't look oversized at all. Bandits, maybe? Or rather, pirates, as they are on the water. But then why would they be worried about the town. Not enough information, best to wait for the answer.
Morgrun and Robero both show signs of relief. Robero says "There's a team of Ogres just south of Claybottom lake. No less than six. We didn't realize until we were surrounded, and they started chucking these things..." "... at us and the ship."
Morgrun says "Robero here held em off best he could, an saved two of my men from death. But I got some good shots in too if I says so meself." The Dwarf chuckles. "Bet they weren't expectin a dwarf vessel. We use the best wood out there, an line our ship hauls with steel. Only sprung one little leak, and I got both a carpenter and a smith on board."
Robero says "I know Ogres only come from the northern mountains, so I was terrified they had taken over Turtleback. Perhaps they slipped past Fort Rannick, but I can't imagine those oafs sneaking unnoticed."
Finally, Morgrun adds "Me thinks the Ogres are makin a blockade. Nothing gets in, an nothing gets out."
The wind, the waves, the TURTLE.....Wabbit's never gonna forget this fishing trip!
He lands on the deck a bit dumbfounded at the behavior of his tattoo huh it's never done that before He takes a brief look at it, notes the change Magic...I'll never understand it He says with a smile to himself, appreciating it regardless of whether he understands it or not.
Watching the turtle sink off into the distance
Well guys...we're not turtle food today He says with a large grin and resumes watch just in case
Wabbit's remark results in large grins on everyone's faces. The ship is able to dock next to a small and stout vessel. The boys groan as their arms finally relax from the rowing, while Petre and Besnik haul their catch. "One garr ain't bad. Still lots of meat on em." Petre says. "Thanks for all your help, lad." Besnik says to Wabbit. "We couldn't have done it witout you. Here's something for your trouble. If you need a place to stay, you're welcome to stay with my family."
Besnik gives Wabbit 10 gold pieces and a good clap on the shoulder. Petre gives Wabbit a handshake and says "I got a guest room if you need it. Just give me a holler."
Then they all work together to lift the garrfish out of the vessel, and start hauling it into town.
On the dock, Wabbit sees Kemras speaking with a Dwarf and a Human.
Kemras looks at Morgrun, eyes widening slightly. "That's... not good. Come with me, we should tell the mayor-priest about this. He needs to know that his town may be under threat, to say nothing of the fact that there might be a blockade forthcoming."
Ogres. That means Fort Rannick has probably fallen... given that they don't have any survivors fleeing here, that means it was devastated. Dammit, Kaven, if you're dead...
He looks up to see Wabbit, nodding his head. "Ogres attacked these gentlemen's ship. Fort Rannick has probably fallen, and we should tell the mayor." He says by way of invitation and explanation.
No time to waste then. Let's see the mayor Wabbit says to Kemras, brought down from the highs of the fishing trip by the sad news
The group push north to the top of the town and enter the temple of Erastil. There they find Father Ferrus, who's just finished speaking with Cleo and Furnok. Kemras also spots the old man he stabbed, lying on a cot, hopefully fast asleep. Morgrun takes a look around, but Robero looks like he's been here before. He walks past Cleo and Furnok, then gives a nod to Father Ferrus, pointing to Kemras and the group. Then he kneels before the hearth and begins to pray.
Cleo and Furnok see Kemras and Wabbit, both of which are absolutely drenched. Behind them is an older dwarf wearing warm furs and elegant jewelry, as well as a human man with torn studded leather armour, bearing a longbow and the holy symbol of Erastil. The human walks past them to pray at the hearth. The other three look quite worried.
Cleo shuffles quickly to the drenched pair. "Bad things are coming out of the storm, a werewolf for us, but you both look even more rattled. What happened?" the halfling worries.
"This fine captain," Kemras indicates Morgrun, "was attacked by ogres on his voyage over here, to the point that he and his crew were concerned that Turtleback Ferry might have already fallen." His expression is dark. "I think there's a possibility that Fort Rannick is either besieged to the point that the Black Arrows cannot prevent any attacks by giants... or it has already fallen. Either way, this presents a great danger to this town."
The half-elf pauses. "A werewolf? Was anyone bitten?"
"Yes. That brave man attacked it with a spear, and was repaid with tooth and claw." she nods toward Simir "We've made sure the infection didn't spread, so he should be safe." she answers before her worries continue "Ogres, that is bad, very bad. Once again we are too late it seems. Still a bad idea to go out in this storm though..."
"Morgrun Saltbeard, at your service." The Dwarf bows. "Captain of Janderhoff's ship The Venture, on behalf of the King."
He pauses for a moment, then chuckles "Not to toot me own horn, but it's a new title and I am filled with honour and pride. How may I address you, friends of Kemras?"
"Clea Gingerberry, sir. No title, just me. Was it you that fought off the ogres? So many lives might be saved by getting that warning to us... especially ours since we were about to go to the fort, and doing so blind would have been horrible. Thank you." she says with complete sincerity.
Morgrun puts a hand over the back of his head as he says with a chuckle "Well uhm fight em off might be a bit of an exaggeration. We ended up sailin through their half-done blockade, shootin arrows an bolts along the way. I don't think we felled even one of em, but they'll be hurtin. Robero, that's the man prayin over there, he's the only true warrior on board, an he did a great job. Saved two of my men from death, an took a spear to the chest for one of em. Y'know, I was in mandatory service for fifteen years, but that was back near a century ago, Gods I feel old. Finished me service just before the age o' Lost Omens." Realizing how many humans were in his presence, he adds "May his soul rest in peace. I don't know how you manage without him."
Furnok. We got a werewolf running around there that is going to still be a threat. No doubt wanting payback.
"Please to meet you, Mister Furnok. Werewolves, eh? Robero mentioned em. They say werewolves are vulnerable to silver. He says he's got holy powers that overcome it. So maybe you'd want to ask him for help." Morgrun replies. "I got silver pieces, but I reckon that's not helpful."
Hmm..I can check that out. Maybe there is a smith that can put silve ron our weapons.
"So, let me see if I can list all of the problems we have encountered at the moment." Kemras begins, lifting a finger. "A werewolf, who attacked Furnok and Miss Gingerberry. Ogres, who should not have been there, attacking Captain Morgrun's ship. A possible cultist," he nods at the man he'd stabbed earlier, "or possessed individual who was trying to use a magical item to summon something from the lake, possibly Black Magga itself... Did I miss anything?"
"Even for us, that is an impressive list of bad things coming out at once." Cleo sighs "Don't forget a massive storm that keeps us from going anywhere."
Is there anything unusual about this storm? Could it have been conjured up by an evil druid? I don't know anything about weather magicks. If it's a natural storm I'd rather wait it out. It can't last too much longer........Can it?
Don't count on it. We're in a world of werewolves, giants and magic so a weeks long storm isn't out of the question.
"Ah, yes, the storm... It could be magically conjured." Kemras takes a moment to consider the possibilities.
"But in the meantime, I think we could investigate this man." He points at the unconscious old man, before looking to the Father. [b]"Do you know him, sir?"
Kemras thinks magically conjuring a storm could be possible, but it would be a very powerful spell, likely from a druid. He's unaware of exactly what it would take.
Father Ferrus looks to be about to head outside, given that he's donning a cloak. "Yes. This is Antonio Helens, who's been suffering for a long time, and unfortunately I do not have the powers to cure him. His mind has been addled for years now, and I suspect he won't be with us for much longer. I'm surprised he even went outside in this weather, and all the way to the dock."
He looks at Kemras with a stern eye
"Kemras, I heard about what you did, and I'm not pleased. Even if he were summoning something, which I'm not convinced he was, he is an old man. Surely someone of your capabilities could subdue him in ways that didn't involve stabbing him in the chest. It's a minor miracle he survived, and were you not so forthcoming, our conversation would look quite different in the jail of the castle."
To the rest of the group, he says
"Now if you'll please excuse me, I must go for a short time. Brother Henric will be here any moment, and brother Robero can help you as well. Both of them are capable warriors, of which I am not, and perhaps they will know how to deal with the threat of werewolves or ogres. Farewell, and I should return by nightfall."
"Father, do you need an escort? That werewolf is still out there somewhere. The howling wind and rain makes it so spotting something until it is too late a very real possibility." Cleo volunteers to go with him until he gets to where he is going.
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Kemras feels a surge of irritation at the cleric's presumption, but simply clenches his teeth briefly before taking a deep breath. "If you wish to ignore warnings of potential danger to your town, that is your prerogative, Father. I am grateful that you have not thrown me in prison, make no mistake, but I have no means of removing such a threat without resorting to lethality. I knew I would be able to prevent his death," a small lie, "so I took the measures I deemed necessary. I apologize if they offended you."
Next time I'll wait until the bastard summons a sea monster, shall I?
"Ah, before you go..." Kemras removes the enchanted eye from a belt pouch. "This is what he was using. It can summon sea creatures, albeit not those of a lawful or good bent." He pauses. "I could make use of it, but if you would rather take it yourself, I have no true need of it." He offers the thing to Fathe Ferrus. "You may examine it in your own time, to see if I am correct."
You arrogant ass. He keeps his expression tightly controlled.
Father Ferrus furrows his brow and is about to retort when Cleo cuts in. With some hesitation, he says "Ah, well yes, if you would be so kind."
He pulls a brown hood over his shaved head and takes his walking stick, before exiting the church. The wind and rain are relentless, making talk very inconvenient, but Cleo can hear the Father muttering at times. Darkness covers the muddy town as dark rainclouds obscure the still setting sun. Father Ferrus conjures a light to guide them through the dark. Cleo notices from the spell that her powers are stronger, but not by much. At one point, he shouts "If this continues through the night, we're going to have to evacuate the lowlands! Ridiculous."
About a quarter-hour later, the two clerics reach an unassuming one-story house. Father Ferrus knocks on the door with his stick, and quickly the door is opened. The older man motions for Cleo to enter.
The inside of this house is all one room, with a hearth burning just to the left of the front door. Cleo smells some sort of hearty soup simmering on the hearth, along with the smell of pine wood burning. A middle aged man, strong with the years of farming, greets the Father and takes his cloak, stick, and hood to dry by the hearth.
Father Ferrus says "This is sister Cleo Gingerberry, who has kindly accompanied me here. Cleo, this is Veric. How is he?"
Veric replies solemnly as he offers to do the same for Cleo's affects. "It's time... This way Father, Sister."
Veric guides the two clerics to the far end of the room, where an old man lays. Veric lights a candle along the way, and sets it down on a nearby table. Father Ferrus pulls two chairs to sit himself and Cleo by the bed.
The old man looks terribly weak. His eyes are clouded by cataracts, and his hands are withered and twisted. An uneaten bowl of soup rests cold at the bedside table next to the candle.
"Who'sit?" The old man croaks in barely more than a whisper.
"My name's Virgo Ferrus, I'm a priest of Erastil." the Father replies as he takes a seat, in a practiced voice of both softness and volume.
------------------------------------------
As predicted, Brother Henric enters the church only a few minutes after Father Ferrus departs. He moves hastily towards the group, and says in his gruff voice "Hi. I got a message about a werewolf. What's the situation?"
"S++%'s hit the thatchin, me good man." Morgrun answers.
"It is a pleasure to meet you sir" Cleo greets Veric warmly, and the same to the poor man in bed "I'm Cleo Gingerberry, sir. A priestess of Erastil." she holds her questions since it seems every breath this man takes is a chore. Instead, she waits on Ferrus to continue.
Veric nods respectfully as he hangs up Cleo's things. His face is grim, solemn, and hardened. Tight-lipped and curved downward, framed by a slight mustache. His cheeks are plump from the gains of a fruitful harvest, yet suntanned and leathery from the labour. Veric's eyes are deep brown with wells glistening, unfocused as he stares slightly past Cleo. Quietly, he leads them to his old man.
The old man says "Ah, cough cough, I'm glad you're here. Veric, give em chairs will you?"
Veric kind of adjusts Cleo's chair so it makes a noise and motions for Cleo to sit. Unfortunately it is a human sized chair.
The old man says "I have things to say, before I go."
Father Ferrus nods and replies "We are here to help you on your journey, mister Eugin. Please, tell us everything."
Old man Eugin croaks "I, I haven't been honest. I'm... a thief."
Father Ferrus nods, but doesn't say anything. Eugin continues
"I stole tools, an furniture, an even little dinner knives. I took my mom's stuff an sold it before my brothers knew. I fought Burt an told him to hang himself, an he did. An now I'm here with naught but my son."
Tears roll over the layers of wrinkles on Eugin's face. His chest heaves and he coughs and splutters. Veric tries to comfort him, desperate to hold back tears of his own. Eugin cries with silent breath "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Father Ferrus nods again and again, looking into the old man's eyes. He places a hand on Eugin's forearm and says "Erastil witnesses your confession, and grants you absolution. He will send to you the White Stag, whom shall bring you to His forests upon Heaven."
This seems to calm Eugin as he relaxes. Father Ferrus gently stands, and produces a flask of clear oil. He places but a drop on his finger and says
"Eugin, you have confessed your sins and received Holy Absolution. In remembrance of the grace of Erastil, I will anoint you with oil. Confident in our Lord and in love for you, we also pray for your safe journey hereafter."
He gently rubs the center of Eugin's forehead with the drop of oil, and says
"Oh Erastil, Lord of the Hunt and Father of Wisdom, see to Eugin's soul, guided by your grace."
He pulls from his robe an arrow with brown fletching and slips it into Eugin's hands. "May He protect you and lead you to eternal life."
"Amen"
Eugin closes his eyes and breathes deeply. He does not breathe in a second time.
Father Ferrus listens to Eugin talk, then performs a ritual. When the ritual is completed, Eugin passes away gently.
Ran into one of them hunting the boars and it hurt one of our fellows. Perhaps you know good ways to combat it and how to figure out if someone is in danger of becoming one.
Brother Henric wracks his brain as he replies
"Hummmmm well I know that silvered weapons do the trick, as well as holy smiting. Robero can smite. I don't know of a spell that detects curses, but there are spells that end curses."
Werewolves have DR, usually DR/10 silver
The following things can bypass a werewolf's DR:
- Silvered weapons
- Spell damage (not including Piercing, Bludgeoning, Slashing)
- Smite Evil (or Smite Chaos)
Lycanthropy, or werewolf disease, is actually a curse delivered by bite.
To prevent the curse:
- High Fort saves
- High AC
- Don't get bit
To deal with the curse if it takes hold:
- Remove curse from a very powerful priest
- High Fort saves
- Chew wolfsbane (warning: poisonous)
- Chugging molten silver (warning: hot)
The cursed person has until the night of the next full moon to remove the curse. After that, it becomes permanent.
Kemras tilts his head thoughtfully, pondering the question himself. "There are a few ways to break the curse of lycanthropy before the next full moon. Two are relatively mundane, but very dangerous. One requires a particulary potent priest. The first two are to either chew wolfsbane, which is poisonous... or to drink molten silver, which is, well, much more potentially lethal."
He shrugs after a moment. "That's all I know, I'm afraid. It's not a disease, though. If it was, it would be easier to deal with."
Cleo whispers her own prayer for the man. Cleo glances at his son, at his grief. She gets up and goes over to him while the ritual is taking place. In a low voice she gives what comfort she can "In the end, despite his own guilt weighing him down, he was still rich beyond measure. And that is because of you."
We can see if we get get Silversheen for our weapons. Perhaps Miss Cleo can pin him down with her magic and then I can bash him from a distance.
Because Cleo's intuition is so strong, she's able to see through the mask that Veric tries to hide behind. She figures he's a stoic type, who does not allow himself to feel emotions. Veric is in truth, grieving, though it may take time before he really has to deal with the full weight of it.
Veric nods to Cleo's words and answers simply "Yeah"
Father Ferrus says to Veric "She speaks true. Your loyalty to your family is precious beyond gold. I will return shortly so we may move mister Eugin, but until then, please feel free to mourn with the departed."
When Father Ferrus and Cleo get outside, the father asks Cleo some questions despite the downpour.
"I'll be bringing two guards with me to escort the body to the church. Our carpenter will make a simple coffin for him, before we burry him in the graveyard North-East of here. No gentle repose, nor embalming, nor stonework apart from the gravestone. Veric can come to church and the burial of course, and I will also give him counsel if he requests it. As a priestess of the same cloth, yet a land and people different from us, how does all this sit with you?"
Another question:
"Do you ever plan to lead a church of your own?"