As the three of you prepare to hustle the vagrant back to Lorrimor house, Davor & Prof. Rokkanon notice a pale, ghostly figure making it's way across the bridge. You recall no sound as it must have made it's way past you towards the South.
Professor Rokannon starts as he glances up and past his companions.
"Look!" He shouts and points at the ghostly figure on the bridge.
He casts Detect Magic.
Tamarie looks in that direction, but is distracted by the cuffed man at her feet.
"What did you see?"
"Looks like a ghost on the bridge," Davor answers quietly. "Maybe Cassandra was right about this place."
"I... cannot sense any magic there." Professor Rokannon said slowly.
At Davor's direction Tamarie, you manage to spot what appears to be a small, nebulous, figure crossing the bridge, almost akin to the glow of rivermist in the moonlight.
Even if the prison of Ravengro is tempting to a daring young lady, something in Vivian restrain her to a late night, unprepared exploration. And being seen near the statue that got marred in blood earlier doesn't too wise either.
Well, as much as I enjoy your gallant company, Zander, I hope you'll have no regret to walk me home, back at Kendra's? There you could at least get rid of your armor, and show some flesh.... hehe...
She giggles as the naughty teenager she was not so much ago and probably still is, to a degree.
I hope the others has found a pleasant way to pass the evening.
She rises her head,ever smiling, and watches the nightly sky as she walks, her arm tucked into the priest's arm
Professor Rokannon takes a step towards the ghostly figure, then stops and shakes his head.
"As curious as I am, I am NOT chasing after that thing alone."
"Is the prisoner tied down properly Davos? Could you hold it down alone, professor?"
I'm sure such a pretty face as yours will easily finds helping hands among the wenches to get out of your.... armor, to start. Maybe a winning smile here and there could get us some useful info. I hope you're ready to .. get physically involved for the good of the group, if need arises.
Vivians giggles and gives a knowing smile to Zander
And when the girl is beautiful, the "need" definitively arises. After all, she may be a blessing from your goddess, who knows?
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Zander laughs over Vivian's wenches comment. I'm sure they have enough men throwing themselves at them without me asking them to help with my armor. I could try and ask around after earning a few points from the healing. I would really need more to go on though. I think we should do a bit more research on our own before I start asking questions."
Looking up to the heaven's, he adds "And if the goddess is truly blessing me, things will find their way. They will find their way if I get physically involved or not. Needs have a way of not going away if they truly are needs, and not whimsical ideas."
Don't blame whimsical ideas, i lived most of my good times by them. And a few bad times too, I admit. But well, that's what's life is all about: living.
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Zander turns to look at Vivian, a bit of confusion on his face. ”So to live life you need to make whimsical and potentially reckless decisions? The farmer that spends his days boringly caring for his crops and livestock is not living?” He then continues on, addressing Vivian’s giggly innuendo, ” I think there may be some confusion over my purpose here. I am traveling to visit religious sites, though that task seems to be changing while we determine the nature of this ominous cloud over Ravengro. I have not come to taste the local cuisine, or sow my wild oats. When I find someone I love, then I shall see to her needs, both whimsical and serious. I am not in the habit of throwing my attentions on local wenches, or other people I have just met. I can tell you and Tamarie are close, and perhaps you are doing that “best girlfriend thing” I’ve never understood, but I’m afraid you will have to tell her that I am not currently interested. I’m sorry.”
For once, Vivian appears to be serious, She even looks around to see if no one can hear them and ushers, slowly
Don't get me wrong.As you know, I follow Pharasma, i pray to the goddess of Fate and Death. Being a priest yourself, you are surely aware people from the same flock don't always agree about how to pray, what kind of life you should live. Here in this country, life is harsh, and the Pharasmin Penitence is strong. THEY believe people who suffer the most in this life are the most rewarded by our goddess. That particular belief doesnt match my personality, as you probably already know. I've seen Death so many times that I don't bother anymore to count, death of strangers, of neighbours, of friends, of family, of loved ones. Most of the faithful, it seems to me, forget that Pharasma can brings happy things in their life too, that their Fate doesn't have to be bleak. I have always enjoyed helping a mother to deliver. Nothing makes me more happy than the first cries of a baby, the exhausted and overjoyful look of his mother. Pharasma looks about births too, not only about deaths. So i try to do my own things, in my own way, to bring a smile on everyone's face with a cranky joke, an unexpected prank, or a good deed. I give to those poorer than myself, money when I can, a friendly ear, a laugh, a silly song when I can't. I may not be the wisest servant of Pharasma, and i don't intend to be. I won't do anything harmful to anyone, if I can help it. Life is already full of pain, sadness, and cruelty. I'm not foolish or reckless, I won't for example try to explore the prison by myself here at night, because it won't help anyone and it could potentially be dangerous not only for myself, but for those I like and care. My point is, you have to enjoy Life when you can.Because you never know when it will end.
Vivian puts her red haired head on Zander's shoulder, gently
I'm not afraid of dying, Zander. I know for a fact than death is often painful. I'm afraid to die alone. That's why I try to be on the good side of everyone, why I like to make friends. Tamarie and me have just meet a few days ago. I hope we'll be friends, and I want that friendship to last. That's not whimsical. To say the truth, Zander, I want someone to hold my hand on my dying bed, someone to mourn me, but I want that even through the pain and sadness, the memories of my silly jokes and pranks, my easy going attitude, my good deeds, sparkle for my friends, and keep me alive in their hearts.
And as I don't like to finish a conversation on a sad note, I must say that you seems to be a good guy, and the girl you will love and cherish will be happy. After a few days, Kendra may be happy to have someone who gently take care of her, who show her that she still may be happy, even if her father isn't here anymore to take care of her and to protect her, someone who can show her the beauty of this world, and of this life...It seems like an holy mission, no? If ever I find a priest of Shelyn in the vicinity, maybe i'll put a few words for the girl.
Vivian winks
As Vivian & Zander make their way back to the Lorrimor house, they see a figure, holding a lantern, making it's way towards them from the direction of their intent.
Glad it's heading away from us," Davor says of the ghostly figure. "I'm with you, Professor, no sense chasing more trouble right now. Let's get this guy back closer to the house and we'll figure out what to do with him there."
Davor's voice takes on a sinister tone toward the end of his suggestion. This subtle attempt to intimidate the captive is intentional, although he's not entirely sure the man has the mental faculties to pick up on the inflection or whether the lunatic is even aware anyone outside of his own head is talking.
"I agree Davor, let's take him inside. I want to know what he knows."
Vivian, puzzled, watches the figure closing to them. Could it be a guard?
The redhead does her best to look relaxed and inoffensive, anyway. Only those that can decipher body langage can see that she is suddenly tense and on her guards.
Bluff attempt
*** Vivian & Zander ***
As the figure comes closer, you realize it is miss Lorrimor.
"Oh good! I was hoping to find you two. Come back quickly, they've..." Shaking her head, Kendra continues in a rush as she immediately turns back the way she came. "They've...
found someone...
I'm a bit concerned what they intend to do with him."
"Of course, I'm a bit concerned about him as well..."
Hurrying back, you find Davor, Prof. Rokannon & Tamarie ensconced in Kendra's sitting room, a thoroughly bedraggled & (to be painfully honest) quite deranged indigent man seated on the floor between them, his legs splayed out in front of him & his hands still bound behind. Though conscious, he seems only vaguely aware of what goes on around him, his head lolling from side to side as he mutters under his breath.
Vivian kneels in front of the man
Do you know him, Kendra? at least by sight, if not by name?
Frowning in concentration, Kendra kneels before the filthy madman. As she examines him more closely, he suddenly looks up, glaring madly directly into her eyes before his head once more resumes it's meaningless perambulations.
"I've...
I might have seen him about the town in the past."
"Ravengro doesn't have a lot of indigents, say what you will of the residents, but they do take care of their own...
Of course, that really only extends to their own. There have been rumors of travelers running afoul of bandits &...
darker things in the lands between towns. We don't have a Count's Guard to enforce the peace between towns here, things sometimes get a bit...
wild."
"They got me, my love. I'm sorry." The madman suddenly interjects, his head raising as he looks directly at Zander, his expression seeming to settle & clear.
Oh.
Vivian rises and brushes her robe, then looks at Zander
That explains a lot. Love is a fickle and wondrous thing...
THEN, she bursts in laughter
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Confusion evident on his face, Zander sputters over Vivian's laughter. "I have never seen this man before in my life, and I am definitely no love of his!" Approaching the man, he crouches low looking at the man. "Now good sir, please explain what you meant by that and why they had to drag you here trussed up like a feastday turkey."
Professor Rokannon frowns as he looks on the madman as he puffs on his pipe thoughtfully. He considers the influence of magic. Concentrating he waives a finger and mutters a word of power.
Vivian suddenly swallows her laugh and calm herself. Something the man just said seems to spark a thought in her overactive brain.
She puts a hand on the priest's shoulder and whispers to Zander
ushhh... be quiet and stay right in front of him.I have an idea...
Then she kneels right behind the mad man, and whispers slowly to his ear
This may be a long shot..but usually I aim well.
Who are you? Who is the one you love? Could you describe your love to us? The object of your affection is right in front of you... Look..This is the one you love.Forget all that is not love, all that is not the one you cherish and miss so much...
The redhead is noticeably serious, and not carrying a new prank.
Diplomacy
Epic fail.
Tamarie is not one for talking, so she'll sit back and play with something sharp, where the man can clearly see her.
She'll only step in if subject D is not complying what-so-ever.
Putting a scare into a scared man might not be that useful to get information, but if nothing else works...
"He was outside with a ghostly raven, I think he was spying on us." Davor tries to explain to the latecomers. "We should probably take him to the sheriff eventually. I doubt the townspeople here would be too happy about a bunch of outsiders taking the law into their own hands, even if this lunatic isn't one of their own."
Between Zander & Vivian's efforts, the madman begins to acquire a semblance of calm & lucidity, enough so that his expression & vision begin to focus on your actual presences rather than whatever he previously perceived you as.
Unfortunately, just as he seems about to speak, Davor makes his comment regarding the Ghostly Raven & his expression turns to one of insane rage. By the end his mouth is a froth of spittle & he is once more straining at his bonds so forcefully that he has rubbed through the skin in places.
"Huh, he doesn't like the birds apparently... Go figure!" Tamarie smiles as she walks into the kitchen to get some fresh water for the man.
For once, i'd like to stay here. I have to think.Yes Tam", sometimes it happens, even to me.
Vivian winks to the half elf.
"You can't think and walk at the same time? I guess it's true what they say about human women.." she says, smiling slightly.
I wonder what gossip about human women you may refer about. Don't worry, Tam", i can still walk up to you, and think about delivering the spanking you deserve. But i really have to stay at home, sit myself and think of everything that happened so far. We have to be careful, and I don't want to miss a clue, so we can avenge the dear Professor.
With that said, the redhead walks to Tamarie and gently slaps her backside
With a lurch, The madman has regained his feet & is making his way to the window!
"Oh, come on..." Davor sighs as he gives chase.
Vivian Initiative
Acrobatic check, Untrained
Vivian is quick to react too, even if Zander is even quicker. She tries to post herself between the man and the window, but encounter at best middle success
Between Zander & Davor, you succeed in putting an end to the madman's flight while Vivan makes a less-than-graceful tumble to interpose herself to protect Kendra's window.
Before Tamarie has drawn her arrow to shoot the man in the knee, Davor and Zander take him down.
"Dang.. Should have been faster, could have had my fun with him at least once.
Anyone got a ball and chain?"