You throw the prisoner in the back of the wagon and head back to Silvam arriving around 5 PM. Everything seems normal, though things are winding down with the market, several vendors have left, others are packing up. The tavern seems to be doing good business today.
Rois takes in the people of the small town. It looks peaceful, he thinks, but, there is something brewing. The town looks like one prepping for war - the calm before the storm. The people may not know it, but, unconsciously, they realize that their life's journey is about to take a terrible turn.
"We should take our newest rabble to the baron and send him to his punishment. I have never seen iron bars hold in magic." He then turns to the clerics, "Are there any precautions we can take to make sure he cannot control undead while in jail?"
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"I am by no means an expert on this sort of matter, but my understanding is that if no corpses are nearby, he won't have anything to raise. I could be wrong however..."
Swift wears a heavy frown upon his face. An ominous feeling he can't shake sends chills down his spine. Perhaps it was the paranoia only Ustalavian natives can understand.
Vorelloex grabs scream, perking up at what he is hearing.
"Y-you want I should cut his hands off?"
"No." Calistria says to Vorelloex. "We turn him over to the Baron. He faces justice. It isn't our place to decide. Let us do it quickly, though."
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At this outburst from the unpredictable elf, Garekk puts his arm around Vorell shoulders. "Come now, my friend! There is no sport to be had in maiming prisoners. Let's see what we can do about finding worthy opponents.. "
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"Things are different from where I'm from... When you see your enemy, you make them pay for their hubris, and you make them remember your name, regardless of whichever plane they might exist in after you're done with them... But you're right, there is abundant hubris to find... Have it your way."
Vorelloex sniffles, and holds his hands in front of him in concession. He still wears his nonchalant smile as they walk towards the Baron's abode...
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"Good man.. er.. elf! Together, we may find much hubris to rectify in the coming times!" Garekk says happily, clapping the morose elf on the back. "We will teach many enemies the errors of thier ways, and sing many songs together!"
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Swift gives a half smirk at the pairs exchange. The Wandering Path was often a lonely and confusing one. Being able to walk the Path with others seems to bode well for this quaint party.
"As long as they don't start needless bloodshed, I will follow them and aid them in any of their endeavors."
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Rois again wishes he could do more to ease the half-elf's internal struggle. It is not healthy to have bloodshed be your only source of respite. But, Vorel has yet to taiste true combat since his brother's death.
"Let us make our way to the Baron. Maybe after, we can find a meal and get some rest from the road."
A soldier learns when to find a bed when he can. It may be a long while before this is settled. I would like the troops, nay, my friends, to be well rested if this thing is to come to all out war."
"A good idea." Calistria pats Sir Rois on the shoulder and then walks forward, leading the way to the Baron's house.
The corpses don't smell good. Even her good cheer has limits.
You arrive at the manor house quite quickly. It would seem Josep spotted you heading towards the house as he is waiting on the steps for you.
"Ar.. are those rotting corpses in my cart?"
Calistria closes her eyes, breathes out, and then opens them again.
"Not at all, Josep." Calistria steps forward and gently touches his arm with her hand. "These are the bodies of members of your community, taken in a criminal act from their place of final rest and subjected to foul magics. We have freed them from their torment and are returning them now so they may be laid to rest with appropriate ceremony. So that their souls and the souls of their loved ones can breathe a sigh of relief. Surely, as a pillar of this community, you support that?"
Channel Energy uses left: 4
Bit of Luck uses left: 3
"This one is still alive." He motions to the necromancer's apprentice huddled amidst the bodies, "Trust me when I say that we do not wish to speak more of this on your doorstep. Please Josep, call the baron. We have much to discuss. Some food and drink would also not go amiss."
"Come in then, I will get the baron. Make sure your prisoner is secured."
Josep lets you into the same room your were in yesterday.
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Before they enter the house, Garekk will check the bindings on the prisoner and makes sure to stay close to ensure there are no mishaps
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Rois Garekk with the bindings and also puts a bolt of cloth in the prisoner's mouth to gag him. "We do not want you casting your spells in here, do we? This is only to ensure our safety. If you cooperate, the cloth may be removed."
No one is very talkative after the day they have had.
Josep returns after a few minutes with the Baron.
"I brought some sweet bread that was baked fresh this morning. Found it being sold at the market today, the lady's stall was right next to a carver who sold pendants with the most curious geometric patterns carved into them. I have never seen him before, but if the business he did today is any indication he can afford to travel.
Will it be that dwarven brew or the frost wine my lord?"
"The frost wine I think Josep. The dwarven stuff is too strong for this bread."
Josep indicates to the wine glasses to see if anyone else wants a drink.
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"Wait.. pardon me, my Lord, but what was the design? Did it look like this?" Garekk draws the symbol on the table with his finger
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"I don't recall that one specifically, but it is definitely possible. The style looks the same, he had many different patterns."
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"My Lord, we investigated the area you suggested and found this man here. He was controlling a number of skeletons, and both he and one of the skeletons were wearing this pendant." Garekk goes on to describe the conversation with the man and his comments regarding "The Path". "I fear that the one we captured is not very high on the chain of command and there may now be a link between these fell deeds and your town. Also, the undead we battled do not match the number of disturbed graves we found the other day."
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"If necromancers wanted to attack the town, why wait until after market day?"
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"There are more people here, my lord. During the week, the out laying people are tending thier business. On market day they all come here.. and unfamiliar people may hide in plain sight among the crowds with no alarm given. It is an easy to attain, target rich environment."
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"So the attack will likely come tonight then?"
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"We do not have that information, but I would surmise that. We may also be able to get more information from our friend here. If the attack does come, though, I am worried about those pendants."
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"do you think a necromancer could control the living with these pendants?"
"The boy we found in the cave didn't seem very coherent." Calistria muses. "I think that is a real possibility. A necromancer who can use magic to control the living!"
"Silvam may be in severe danger. We have to find that carver!"
"Perhaps I should be concerned with your intentions, some might find it strange that a bunch of foreigners, all skilled in the arts of war, happen to be in my sleepy little village when a necromancer shows up. So far all I have seen is rumours, wild claims, some bandits and bodies. You can understand why some might find this suspicious. Now you want me to prepare for an attack by a necromancer, even you haven't met and want to harass a traveling carver just because of some symbols he carved into pendants? I need more proof of a possible attack before I spread blind panic among my people and let you interrogate a man who has done nothing wrong."
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Garekk, displeased with the turn of the conversation, and rather insulted that his own motives have come into queation, looks at the Baron incredulously. "My Lord, since arriving, we have done nothing but your bidding. We mean no honest man any ill will, and certainly would not harass an innocent without just proof. We have given you all the evidence that we have, and it is up to us to read it as we may." He then grabs the prisoner and drags him forward. As he pulls the rag out of his mouth, he tells the young man "Speak, little one. Tell us what you know of these designs and your "Path"."
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"An attack might not be the best idea, sir, but an investigation is at least called for." Calistria says, trying to keep this as diplomatic as possible. Before Ustalavian paranoia ended up with them fighting the law for their lives.
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"We also may be able to see about these pendants ourselves. Hailey and Calistria, would you mind running down to the market and surveying this carver? See if you can detect any nefarious deeds, and buy one of the pendants that we can examine it. Here are a couple of silvers.. that should cover it." Garekk turns back to the Baron saying "That way we can see about you craftsman without interrupting his "honest work"."
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"I can understand your hesitation, my lord. But this is a matter we cannot dally with. Think of all that could be lost. Lives, homes, the entire village could be wiped out! Magic such as this can never be trusted. Once we ascertain the nature of these pendants, perhaps then we can make a choice of actions."
Swift is talking in a soothing tone. He is trying to get his point across without upsetting the Baron.
"Perhaps it seems to you that I am to cautious, and maybe I am but alerting everyone at this point will likely cause more harm than good. Speak to this carver if you must, but remember that he has done nothing wrong so far. Josep, if we put out the call now how many armed villagers could we have before morning?"
"I doubt more than half a dozen my lord, many are likely in their cups already and even at the best of times our militia is nothing to brag about in training or equipment. As you know most are normally armed with spears, wood axes or hunting bows. Other than us, only Orn'Tos has any real training, experience or equipment."
"A good idea. Sister, shall we go and see what this carver is selling?" Calistria offers her hand to Hailey.
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Though she is irked at her fellow priestess declaring the magic that made the undead foul, Hailey says nothing.
It is such a shame though. What a waste of those poor things. If only . . . but in time.
During all of this time, Hailey merely raises her eyebrows at the talk of the carver and his pendants. She does not say anything, but instead stands before the captive man.
"Forgive me, but I must ascertain something first. I must be sure he's not hiding something. Magicians are very clever and tricky sorts. Would you be dreadfully offended if I performed the simplest of blessings to determine of he's still hiding any magic upon him? When I am done, if I am granted consent, that is, I will join you at once, Sister Calistria."
Besides, for all you know, there could be a magical device in this very place to enable you to be watched. And you would never know it. Unless, of course, you're the mage I seek to challenge.
In short, she is asking for permission to cast Detect Magic.
In long, she is also evaluating the baron, for she has no confidence in him, either, and his immediate defensiveness toward the party has just plummeted him even lower in her estimation.
The baron waves his hand in a mildly dismissive motion that indicates you can proceed.
You sense that the baron is being honest, and mildly suspicious about the chances that strangers would show up the same a plot of necromancers was discovered.
The only thing you detect is that the baron's longsword is magical. Along with the talismans you already knew about.
"My lord, your misgivings on our loyalty are natural. You are right to suspect strangers for the good of your people. However, have we not proved ourselves with our efforts? Have we not already helped birth new babes to your mothers? Have we not helped your citizens bring solace to their dead?" Rois pauses a moment to let that sink in, then continues...
"It is true that our goals stretch beyond your fair town and it's people, but, that is because that if this undead menace were to succeed in Silvam, then the rest of Ustalav and beyond could feel it's evil. Your citizens are simple, peace-loving folk. They know nothing of war. I implore you to trust in us and we will keep them safe."
"Let us take care of this matter, discreetly, but on our own terms. We know war. If anyone should be put in danger, let it be us."
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"And I know not war, but I do know magic, especially how to control it. I admit to you freely that there is some darkness to me, but balanced out by light to maintain the neutrality Nethys demands. Even if you do have fears, assign them only to me and not my warrior companions, nor the woman who follows the . . . other deity. I have come to investigate and punish those who have misused the sacred gifts."
"it is nothing special an ancestral weapon with a bit of fire magic. Very effective at intimidating most threats to Silvam. You will have to forgive my caution, we are in Ustalav, it wouldn't have been the first time strangers lied to take advantage of scared locals."
"Come, Hailey. We'll let the Baron interrogate the captive while you and I investigate the carver." Calistria pauses. "Perhaps one or two of our friends can follow at a distance?"
"I would be delighted to join the both of you. I could never let two young damsels venture off alone." Swift gives them a warm smile. "As you wish, I will follow you from a distance, so as to not raise any suspicions."
Without word, Vorelloex follows suit behind Swift, also keeping tabs on their magicians in the event something goes awry.