As conversation dies down, Josep returns with the Baron. Bayan stands as the Baron enters the room. The Baron is in his mid-30s, on the tall side, with dark, short hair and caries himself like a soldier.
"My lord, may I present to you the captors of the bandits that have been causing problems out by the old mill. Voryn of course you know, The others are Sir Rois of lastwall, Calistria and Hailey clerics of the gods of travel and magic respectively, Vorel and Garakk, warriors of distant tribes and Swift Palm, a scholar of the inner wisdoms. They have important news they believed both you and Bayan should here directly from them."
"Thank you Josep, I take it by your expressions and the fact you asked to speak with me directly to mean that there were more disturbing things you found than mere bandits?"
"Yes my lord, we have very dire news indeed. We proceeded to apprehend the bandits at the old mill, then we spent the night in the cover of the abandoned building, expecting more bandits to arrive. But it seems we were fooled by the ruffians. We have recovered the goods. We also investigated the cemetery just beyond the mill..."
At this the monk falters, unsure how much information they were planning on releasing.
"What we found there, we cannot fully explain. Perhaps one of the priestesses would be better suited to explain this next part..."
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Calistria walks over to stand next to Hailey and bends down to speak softly into the gnome's ear.
"I have faith in your ability to explain how important this is to the Baron. Remember, he won't see a scholastic opportunity. He'll see a threat that needs to be stopped. One that will frighten him. Pick your words accordingly, sister."
Then Calistria steps back to allow Hailey the floor.
Rois tenses, unsure of how the Baron will react being face to face with a necromancer, "My lord, this one is the expert with the matter that needs to be discussed. Please hear what she had to say. Her words will bring you guidance."
Rois tenses, unsure of how the Baron will react being face to face with a necromancer, "My lord, this one is the expert with the matter that needs to be discussed. Please hear what she had to say. Her words will bring you guidance."
[Dice=diplomacy] 1d20+3
Thanks to Garekk's assistance he is now friendly towards you.
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Hailey is flattered, secretly pleased, and most grateful to her newfound friends for their support of her. It makes this difficult matter easier to bear.
She composes herself and approaches the baron.
"Good priest, come here also, for this concerns you also. I'll get right to the point, milords. The dead walk. Or at least they did, rather recently, too. I have proof."
She reveals to the baron and the priest her container with the flesh of the undead.
"After searching the graveyard, I assisted in unearthing a grave as a sample. Brace yourselves. that grave was vacant. That, in addition to this putrid flesh, is a good sign that the rumors are at least partially correct.
"This means you're dealing with a magician. Exactly what type, I cannot tell you yet, because I didn't find any traces of magic with which to identify the spells in question.
"It also means that the citizens, and their homes, are quite possibly in danger. Both merit protection. I suggest, if you have the men to spare, that you send scouts for further investigation.
"It is important that panic be kept in check. If the dead do come back against the living, they'll likely strike in darkness. I can't prove it, but I don't think they like a lot of light. Be ready for anything.
"Don't forget that the living may not be their target. Or else they could be a great distraction. Consider that they could be sent to look for something else, or to distract everyone by a magician who is looking for something else. How better to strike than if everyone is too busy fighting the undead to notice you?
"It would be wise, priest, to rally the people into one location, and cast a strong spell, possibly Protection from Evil, or perhaps a Magic Circle against Evil, to ward off the threat. Sanctifying the place can also make undead weaker. Perhaps even casting Hallow would be wise. Far beyond my power, but perhaps not beyond yours? Scrolls of cure spells would a great idea, both for medical care and for damaging the undead."
Then she turns to the rest of the party.
"Or should we become the scouts and go hunting the undead? Myself, I would be willing to go. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I would welcome your company."
Calistria beams, smiling proudly as Hailey speaks eloquently to convey both threat and information. She walks forward and claps her hand on the gnome woman's shoulder.
"I would not dream of letting you fight alone. I stand with you, sister."
Bayan speaks after the clerics.
"My lord, these travelers have clearly overestimated my abilities. But the church is the sanctified ground of Pharasma, if we wish to protect people have them shelter there. "
Rois nods, impressed at Hailey's explanation. There is no doubt that the baron will aid us now. Our first priority needs to be the safety of the people. Then, we can take justice to the undeath and refill empty graves."
"I am at your disposal to stop this evil. Lastwall itself backs you in your cause. Once the people are safe, we can turn our attention to this disturbance and discover what is truly behind the rising dead."
"I would also like to volunteer myself for this task. I would never dream of letting you all go without some wisdom at your backs! I will be the voice of reason. And we can do some yoga every morning! Relaxes the mind, body, and sometimes helps with the sinuses!"
Swift is happy at the prospect of joining such an unorthodox band of adventurers. He smiles from ear to ear as he surveys the party, an excitement he hasn't felt since his early childhood.
The slightly tipsy Vorelloex blushes as he surveys the mottled crew and the job before him.
Maybe these can become family...
He sniffles as he speaks.
"Rois, you vowed me a hand in my brother's vengeance. I'll not part from you until Relthas is given proper homage. And you all..."
His roaring almost halts to a squeak as he almost chews forth words of vulnerability.
"...seem like a good folk to revel with...
His pride picks up his composure for him, almost instantaneously.
"...And you have my axe for now."
Rois puts a hand on Vorel's shoulder to steady him and give credence to his statement, "Then we will be brothers-at-arms until this deed is done. I will help you avenge Relthas, if I can."
"I'm with you. But all we know now is that we have some empty graves. That's not a lot to go by."
Rois nods his agreement with Voryn and addresses the baron directly, "My lord, these are your people. We are all willing to help this village. What will you have us do?"
Rois nods his agreement with Voryn and addresses the baron directly, "My lord, these are your people. We are all willing to help this village. What will you have us do?"
"Bayan will prepare the church to hold the people if needed, however at this point we have no evidence that the necromancer's plans involve attacking Silvam. That being said if the necromancer is sheltering nearby he is probably in the glittering grotto on the shores of the lake of sorrows, do you not agree Bayan?"
"Indeed my lord, such an isolated place would be ideal for those interested in conducting fell deeds away from prying eyes."
"Then we will investigate this lake of sorrows. Will you be able to provide us with mounts? The way is pathless and a horse will bring us there and back more quickly than on foot."
Calistria listens as the Baron and Father Bayan work out the most likely place for the necromancer to be hiding. She whispers to Hailey, though.
"Glittering grotto... lake of sorrows. I've never heard one name so pretty and the other so depressing in the same sentence before."
Then she raises her voice.
"We'll want to go until nightfall, then take shelter. Perhaps back at the old mill. Hailey and I will want to rest for the evening so we can be fully prepared with the gifts of our gods to help."
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Roll an aid another check then, friend! Lets see if we can get the DC high enough to make the baron give us Elephants!
So, that's a 18 for diplomacy...
"It is quite odd that they knew immediately where to send us first. Perhaps it is just my paranoia kicking in. Bah, perhaps it is not even worth mentioning."
"We will investigate these places at once, my lords."
Swift bows respectfully in the custom of Ustalav.
"It is quite odd that they knew immediately where to send us first. Perhaps it is just my paranoia kicking in. Bah, perhaps it is not even worth mentioning."
"We will investigate these places at once, my lords."
Swift bows respectfully in the custom of Ustalav.
"Then we will investigate this lake of sorrows. Will you be able to provide us with mounts? The way is pathless and a horse will bring us there and back more quickly than on foot."
[dice=diplomacy]1d20+3
"Perhaps if I had enough horses that would be an option, however you may be able to use a pair of horses and a wagon. It would be a bumpy ride, though faster than walking."
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"That will suffice. Thank you my lord. We will return with our findings as soon as possible."
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+3
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+3
Garekk wonders how it is that their host knows exactly where to look.. "My lord, other than the location, what leads you to believe that this might be the location of the necromancer?"
[Dice=Sense Motive] 1d20
[Dice=Perception] 1d20+4
"It is the only place I know of near here that has shelter but is isolated from prying or watchful eyes."
"It makes sense. And a wagon sounds good, your lordship. We appreciate all the help we can get.
Now about the whole bandit matter. The bandits have already been put in your dungeon, and we have the stolen goods for you here. We found a bundle of treated animal skins, a small cask of beer and 1 gold piece, 14 silver pieces and 187 copper pieces. I assume we get to keep the weapons and equipment we took from the bandits. We may need it if we are to go up against the undead and whoever has raised them."
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"I thought there was something rather improper about a priest of the goddess of death and prophecy not knowing about either the undead coming," Hailey whispers back to Calistria when she comments about the divergently named places. "Knowing this place's history he should at least be capable of casting Consecrate! And he should at least have had at least scrolls of Cure Lt. Wounds prepared for just such a purpose, if for no other reason than the stories of this place's past!"
She stops speaking and holds back from taking any further action until the others are finished talking.
Now that I think of it, it mightn't be wise to give all those people haven in the church of the goddess of death, though I suppose I really don't care, do I? Well, maybe a little. These people may not be students of the great art, but their ignorance shouldn't consign them to death by default, Hailey reasons.
"I actually have a spell that will allow me to detect the undead, if they are close enough. Should I prepare that? And good priest, it is a shame that we haven't a true chance to get together and talk. We can discuss the practice and preaching of the supremacy of learning."
She studies the priest, relying on her intuition to tell her if there is something wrong with him, as well as his reaction to her suggestion.
"I thought there was something rather improper about a priest of the goddess of death and prophecy not knowing about either the undead coming," Hailey whispers back to Calistria when she comments about the divergently named places. "Knowing this place's history he should at least be capable of casting Consecrate! And he should at least have had at least scrolls of Cure Lt. Wounds prepared for just such a purpose, if for no other reason than the stories of this place's past!"
She stops speaking and holds back from taking any further action until the others are finished talking.
Now that I think of it, it mightn't be wise to give all those people haven in the church of the goddess of death, though I suppose I really don't care, do I? Well, maybe a little. These people may not be students of the great art, but their ignorance shouldn't consign them to death by default, Hailey reasons.
"I actually have a spell that will allow me to detect the undead, if they are close enough. Should I prepare that? And good priest, it is a shame that we haven't a true chance to get together and talk. We can discuss the practice and preaching of the supremacy of learning."
She studies the priest, relying on her intuition to tell her if there is something wrong with him, as well as his reaction to her suggestion.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20 + 3
"Perhaps we will have a chance to speak once this situation is resolved, if everyone is going to shelter in the church I have much to prepare." Bayan turns to the Baron, "If you will excuse me my lord, I should start immediately."
After a nod from the Baron he leaves.
After Bayan leaves, the Baron follows shortly thereafter. Josep pays you the agreed amount and takes the skins and cask.
He then takes you down to the stables, and speaks to the stable boy who readies a wagon with two horses.
"The Baron will want them back when this is over."
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By the time the horses and wagon are ready it is probably an hour before sunset. With the wagon you reach Voryn's cottage about 2 hours after sunset.
"Hey, it's getting cold. Someone give me a hand in starting a fire. Do we want to set up a watch? It would be mighty lucky if the warlock came to us... We could even roast one of these horses... You ever eat stallion 'afore? Best grub shy of mastodon flank."
Vorelloex begins gathering wood from Voryn's stores.
"We aren't going to eat the horses we were loaned, Vorelloex." Calistra says, amused. "He wants them back, remember? And we want them to carry out things with us."
Calistria spends time preparing her bedroll for the evening. Then she moves away from the cottage to dig a latrine for herself and Hailey.
"Someone start on the stew with the veggies I bought, please?" Calistria calls out as she heads over with a borrowed spade to dig the latrine.
"Someone start on the stew with the veggies I bought, please?" Calistria calls out as she heads over with a borrowed spade to dig the latrine.
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Garekk chips in and helps with the camp chores and setting up for the night."I really think watches would be a good idea. Ladies, Why don't you two discuss what spells you are going to pray for so that you may complement each others endeavors. Shall we go with the same watch rotation as the night before last? The women at each end of the night and the rest of us between?"
"Someone start on the stew with the veggies I bought, please?" Calistria calls out as she heads over with a borrowed spade to dig the latrine.