"Sir Rois, member of the Knights of Ozem, friend." Rois says, trying not to laugh at Vorel's shaken memory.
He turns to the new parents and raises his cup of caff in a toast, "Congratulations to you both. I apologize for the ruckus in the tavern last night. I hope it was not too distracting. Have you named the babe?"
"Why yes! The child must have a fitting name for such odd birth circumstances. Yesterday was no ordinary day. I feel like this child will amount to many great things."
"At least I hope. The last thing we need is another reason to fear."
"Thank you, I have been waiting to hear from brother Stephon for a few weeks now, he was have troubles with a spirit of some kind haunting the earl's stables. Hopefully it is good news. If you are heading east could you quickly examine the cemetery out by the old mill. I don't get out that far to often, you can't miss the old mill only abandoned stone building until the next county I think. the cemetery is just behind it in a crops of woods."
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Hailey is the last to arrive. Having paid for her room, Hailey had her own spell meditations to prepare, and she did, selecting carefully the spells she felt most useful, and knowing her little secret awaited her should danger strike unexpectedly.
She mused on the night before, and quietly prayed to Nethys that the child would be blessed with the gift of magic, but the wisdom to keep himself safe with it, and, if Nethys were merciful and the child worthy, a mentor.
Only then did she venture downstairs so see what breakfast would be offered, if anything.
Then she would have to spend her time listening for anything related to her mission.
OOC: She pays with one gold piece, so that it will cover her breakfast the next morning and, she tells the tavernmaster, "The rest as a donation to help the parents of the child."
Calistria nods her head, face serious as she listens to the words of her fellow cleric.
"The cemetery behind the old mill. In a crop of woods." Calistria repeats his words, making sure that he knows she understands the seriousness of his request. "I'll make sure it is safe and undisturbed."
With her letter delivered, Calistria returns to the table and her breakfast. She tucks in, quite happily.
"So, after breakfast, who wants to come with me to make sure a cemetery hasn't been overrun by vandals. Or the undead. Or undead vandals?"
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"So," Hailey says, with her head perked up, "They are here!"
She breathes, then reveals her holy symbol necklace for all to see.
"Let us get right down to business. My name is Hailey Besh, and I serve the great god Nethys, Lord of Magic. There have been reports of necromancy magic, possibly as signs of the use of great power, or even old artifacts and relics of old. Since only the Dark Archive or the church of Nethys can safely handle, control, guard, and study such relics without endangering the entire world, the church felt Nethys insisted on an investigation. I volunteered, and am to report if I find any proof of necromancy power. So if the undead are here, my investigation must begin. Show me. At once."
Calistria nods her head, face serious as she listens to the words of her fellow cleric.
"The cemetery behind the old mill. In a crop of woods." Calistria repeats his words, making sure that he knows she understands the seriousness of his request. "I'll make sure it is safe and undisturbed."
With her letter delivered, Calistria returns to the table and her breakfast. She tucks in, quite happily.
"So, after breakfast, who wants to come with me to make sure a cemetery hasn't been overrun by vandals. Or the undead. Or undead vandals?"
Voryn is a bit surprised about Calistria's proposition, but having made these new acquaintances had made him feel in good company, company that didn't seem to care about his appalling looks, company that were, like himself, different from the usual ustalavian peasant, and he found the thought of keeping such rare company a pleasing prospect.
"I live that way anyway, and I wouldn't mind the company. But would you mind if we stopped by Baron Gelou's house just north of the village before we depart east. I want to enquire about paid work. Winter is coming and I could use the coin."
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Paid work? Is knowledge and the mysteries of magic not enough? Oh, but he's a local. Oh well, if he's a good sword-arm, he might be pleasant companionship. Two ladies out there on their own isn't exactly the safest idea in the world, anyway, Hailey reasons.
"I would be glad to have someone like you by my side, good sir," Hailey announces, "since you have both a considerable size and strength advantage on me, and have knowledge of the local area. That can prove invaluable. All knowledge can."
Voryn was honored by the flattering words of the very purple gnome. He wasn't used to be acknowledged in such a way.
"I do know this land well. And more importantly, I know how to deal with the undead, should we come across any. By the way, I don't believe we've been properly introduced, milady. Name's Voryn Chaldov. I am a huntsman by trade, but deer and rabbits is not the only things I hunt."
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Do big people simply refuse to listen to a gnome unless they're brother priests?
"I already gave my name, but I shall give it a second time. Not a third. I am Hailey Besh, of the church of Nethys. He is the god of magic, for I will not be repeating that, either. Please to meet you, Mr. Chaldov. Now then, are the undead a serious problem in this area, or just a minor, occasional occurrence? Please tell me exactly what you know. I too know how to deal with the undead."
She offers a smile to him. "Sometimes, they need loving care, too. By the way, good priestess, I hope you have prepared lots of curing power, because, to be quite blunt, that's something I just don't do."
OOC: By loving care, I should explain. She channels negative energy, meaning her power can heal the undead, while mortals can find it painful.
"I don't know that there's undead. Or trouble at all." Calistria points out. She's happily stuffing her gob but she does take a moment to wipe her mouth before speaking. "But I like to be prepared and having a traveling companion... or five... is always welcome. Desna will bless us for journeying together, I know. Should there be trouble, Desna willing, I will be there to provide the light of healing."
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"Smashing, because I tend to be better at hexing those who abuse the sacred gift than tending those who fear it. Perhaps though you on the w . . . willfully more benevolent path, we together represent the balance Nethys demands."
OOC: The term hexing is merely how she refers to the use of her negative channeling power and her spont. casting of "Inflict" spells. It has nothing to do with the witch class, just the way she phrases things.
"If you are looking for the undead, Ustalav is the right place to have come. The Shining Crusade put an end to the rule of the Whispering Tyrant, and with it the darkest of times, but the trouble with the undead did not end there. Far from it. The undead menace is an ever-enduring dark curse on these lands. Wait.. Did you say that the undead need loving care?!"
At the mention of undead, Vorelloex erupts.
"Those dead are not child toys, don't you know they eat people?!? If I ever see one again I'd kill it on the spot. Loving care? Sure, and they'll be sure take care of you right back -into their helljaws!"
After his little spout of offense, he has what seems to him like a wondrous divine revelation- he could pay homage to his brother by killing ALL THE ZOMBIES, starting with whatever might happen with this fledgling group. He plays it off as a kindness to them.
Vorelloex sort of says this to the air, but actually means it most for who he knows as the 'Desna lady'.
"I'll join you on your sojourn, and put back to death any dead man that gets in your way, or my name isn't Vorelloex Ledir." He says with a vigorous snarl.
Not able to keep silent any longer, Rois speaks, "Loving care? The undead love only tearing the flesh from their living victims. They are an abomination."
Then, forcing himself to calm, he continues, "I have not yet taken my investigation to this town. I would like to accompany you, if I may."
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Peace friends! Calistria says while she holds her hands out in supplication. I am sure none of us wish to see harm come to another living being or wish to have a child quake in fear of the night when she should be staring in wonder at the stars. Peace."
Calistria lays her hands back on the table.
"Now, it so happens I am carrying a letter for the baron. So, we can soothe many birds with one healing balm on this adventure, yes? As friends."
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Watching this debacle unfold in front of him, Swift can't help but grin at the comical assembly of characters that make up this merry band of men (and women).
"Seems to me like you could use someone level-headed and calm. I believe I'm that man when it comes to wisdom of the ages, despite being young of body. I'll be the voice of reason in this cacophony."
"Besides, there might be some unusual magic there that I can investigate. I cannot pass up this opportunity "
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Finally looking up from his meal, the burly half orc looks about and tells the group "Companions sound like a good thing in these parts.. I would be glad of the company, and I foresee that I may learn plenty of both good and evil with you all beside me. However, it seems that several of us need more information on the lay of the land. Is the Barons house in the same direction as this Cemetery? If so we can attend to both. If we must choose though, let's get the cemetery out of the way first as Calista has already accepted this task.
"The baron's house is just outside of town to the north, only half a mile from here. The cemetery is six to eight hours walk to the east. I have a small wooden hut in the woods not far from the old mill, where the cemetery lies. If it gets late, and if yall don't mind sleeping on blankets on the floor, you are welcome to be my guests."
"The baron's house is just outside of town to the north, only half a mile from here. The cemetery is six to eight hours walk to the east. I have a small wooden hut in the woods not far from the old mill, where the cemetery lies. If it gets late, and if yall don't mind sleeping on blankets on the floor, you are welcome to be my guests."
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"That sounds like a perfect plan!" Calistria says with delight. "First the baron, then the cemetery. An all day trip with a destination at the end. Maybe we could work together to make dinner!"
Speaking of food, Calistria finishes her breakfast.
"I'll just need to go get Butterfly, my mule. He's a lovely boy with a sweet temper. He's resting behind the Inn."
Quietly under his breath, Vorelloex mutters the begrudgery akin to those men who must always prove themselves 'tougher' than their contemporaries by decrying their blessings...
...more out of childish gait and whims than anything else.
"Coi zklaen qe d'nag ekess tepoha... Edfasal youwei..."
The party in agreement, everyone finishes their breakfast and departs the tavern after settling up any debts with Antal.
The walk to the Gelu house takes about 15 minutes.
The manor house is an old, two story stone building, with ivy growing up the walls in many places. There is stone wall surrounding about an acre around the house, but the gate is open. The house is large, but not massive.
There is a servant outside tending to the bushes that line the path up to the house.
"This is it. The Gelu house," Voryn says as he passes through the open gate in the ivy-growing stone wall. He pulls the hood of his thick dark brown cloak down, puts a sturdy boot on the front step of the house and knocks on the door with his leather gauntleted right hand.
"So some hum-bug do-nothing lives here?"
Vorelloex asks, being oblivious to well, about, everything.
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"Ioan Gelou. The baron of Silvam," Voryn says as he stands back from the door.
A man in his late 30s opens the left of the double doors.
"Voryn, what brings you into town so early? And who are these friends of yours?"
"Good day to you Josep. These are my new companions. Sir Rois Grave, Knight of Ozem. Vorel Ledir, kellid warrior. Garekk, tribesman and warrior. Swift-Palm, wise man. Haily Besh, priestess of Nethys. And last, but not least, Calistria of the Order of Sacred Couriers, priestess of Desna. We are here to enquire about the situation in Silvam and if there is any work to be had for a band such as ours. Oh, and I believe that Calistria the Courier has a letter for the baron."
"Good day to you Josep. These are my new companions. Sir Rois Grave, Knight of Ozem. Vorel Ledir, kellid warrior. Garekk, tribesman and warrior. Swift-Palm, wise man. Haily Besh, priestess of Nethys. And last, but not least, Calistria of the Order of Sacred Couriers, priestess of Desna. We are here to enquire about the situation in Silvam and if there is any work to be had for a band such as ours. Oh, and I believe that Calistria the Courier has a letter for the baron."
"You always have kept strange company Voryn. I will deliver that letter to the baron." Josep reaches his hand out towards Calistria.
"It would seem that bandits have taken up residence somewhere out by the old mill. The baron has received reports of locals and travellers being harassed by unknown persons who rob and steal. They appear to not have killed anyone yet, but the Baron believes it is only a matter of time before things escalate to that. He is willing to pay a week's militia wages to those who bring these highwaymen to justice. The items the highwaymen have taken should be returned here, anything not claimed by it's rightful owner within 7 days would also be yours to keep."
Hm... There may be donkeys in my future after all... Lucky lucky...
Vorelloex tries to look like an upstanding citizen in front of the money man, and contain his menial excitement at the mention of coin, violence, and spoils.
Little did he know his latent predatorial urges were more than the simple greed and bloodlust of the kellids...
Calistria happily turns over the letter to Josep. In the background, her mule butterfly is steadfastly ignoring Sir Grave's mule.
"Bandits. Quite serious!" the cleric of Desna says, Perhaps we should try to parlay with the, first? We might be able to find the cause of their banditry and work out a solution. Many join bandit bands because they are poor and have few other options."
"Since we are heading that direction for our other favor, we could easily detour to chase off or arrest these bandits."
"Payment will of course require proof that the bandits have been brought to justice."
"of course. I would like to amend the payment offer. Instead of coin, I would like an audience with the Baron. Just a moment or two of his time. If he did, Lastwall would owe him a debt." Rois says, hoping the Baron has some valuable information that would aid his investigation.
"of course. I would like to amend the payment offer. Instead of coin, I would like an audience with the Baron. Just a moment or two of his time. If he did, Lastwall would owe him a debt." Rois says, hoping the Baron has some valuable information that would aid his investigation.
"Such a meeting could be arraigned. It would have to be kept quite short, the baron is a busy man."
"If it is the same bandits that I had a run-in with yesterday, which it probably is, since it was not far from the old mill that I was waylaid by them, I doubt they can be parlayed with. Those were vile and unconscionable men. I fought them with Swift and they retreated, but there might be a larger number of them, than what we met. So the payment would be 1 gold and 5 copper each in addition to anything not claimed by it's rightful owner within 7 days? We are going to be risking our lives, Josep. Considering that, 1 gold and 5 copper ain't a whole lot..."
"If it is the same bandits that I had a run-in with yesterday, which it probably is, since it was not far from the old mill that I was waylaid by them, I doubt they can be parlayed with. Those were vile and unconscionable men. I fought them with Swift and they retreated, but there might be a larger number of them, than what we met. So the payment would be 1 gold and 5 copper each in addition to anything not claimed by it's rightful owner within 7 days? We are going to be risking our lives, Josep. Considering that, 1 gold and 5 copper ain't a whole lot..."
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 - 1
"Considering it probably won't take you a week, which you are being paid the standard militia pay rate for and you will probably get to keep several gold worth of items. I think it is a fair deal."