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Ilamin watched the whole scene passively. He had not had much to contribute beyond what opinions he had offered up to this point. When they rang the bell and brought up a....Zombie? Some Undead of some kind at least, he was almost shocked into silence.
He looked at the others and then back at the Undead before he began to back up his steed. "This...is not our business or natural. Let us stay clear of this crossing for now." he said simply.
Golwen pauses a moment a little surprised by these turn of events before speaking. Greetings. My fine er... fellow. I think my friend here is quite right. Our business is actually not in this direction. And we wouldn't want to bother you further.
How about 5 copper pieces for your time and then maybe you might tell us what happened in greater detail? I'll throw in a silver piece if you give up information that would be useful to a group of would be explorers. Then we can let you get back to that lovely river of yours.
What do you say?
Makoa thinks this is not his area of expertise and decides the best course is to stay silent for the time being.
Ryker goes pale and backs the hell away from whatever just crawled out of the river, abstaining from filling it with arrows as it clearly hasn't become hostile. What the is that? Who puts a bell here for this thing?!
His nerves calm as conversation remains civil, but the being's very existence troubles him. "Will you lie in rest if the Stag Lord's corpse enters the river? You are undead, and while I have no wish to fight you, you must be put to rest and meet your judgement in the Boneyard."
While Golwen continues to converse with the river guardian, Ryker whispers to the group. "Let's get moving, I'd rather explore the rest of the area we are supposed to. I'll mark this thing on my map and if we have the chance to put it to rest, one way or another, we should take it before it becomes a hazard for others."
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Ryker: While you cannot pin down exactly what type of undead this is, you are confident it is a singular haunt and cannot create spawn.
Golwen:
"I will tell you what I can... remember... since I sense you will be at odds with the stag lord... and I want his body in my river. I will only know peace when the stag lord's body has been cast into this river... the river shrike. My name... is Nettles, and this is Nettle's crossing. Bandit's came to rob me of the meager funds I made for the bridge I made with my own hands, of which only these ropes remain. The first time they came, I refused their demands. The second time they demanded, but I sent two into the river and the rest packing. The third time... they burned me alive in my home, and destroyed my bridge... but I can not rest easily... no matter how hard I try. Slay the stag lord, and I will reward you. I am glad you can look past your horror and see a man that suffers. Those who cannot do not fare well or leave this area easily. For your silver I can tell you that trusted bandits of the stag lord wear special necklaces... and that the Stag Lord's fort is on unhallowed ground. The easiest way to sneak in may seem to be behind it... but I sense in my waking nightmare that this back approach is where the border between the realms of nature and death are especially thin..."
Then, mid-sentence, Nettles takes a step back. Then another. Jerkily and unnaturally he is pulled back off the ledge of the cliff, and down into the water. His raised fist is the last to fall beneath the surface. and one last moan rises up to the crossing once again.
"Dump the stag lord in the River Shrike... so that I might finally rest."
"That was... most unexpected." Max is a bit at a loss for words. "Apparently the stag lord has caused quite the problem around these parts. I'm interested in Nettles' comments on how best to infiltrate this bandit's edifice. We should endeavor to find it as quickly as we can."
Pyros takes two steps back when the undead thing emerges from the river. His hand freezes halfway to the hilt of his blade, and by significant effort and willpower he manages to resist the urge to draw his blade.
Once the creature retreats, he shakes his head. "That...thing's information would be more useful if it wasn't so cryptic."
Ryker is visibly more at ease when the undead thing starts to fall back into the river. "If we decide to make a move against the Stag Lord, it is certainly an option worth considering. For now, I say we put as much space between us and this part of the river as possible..."
Getting back on his horse, he starts to quickly trot until he reaches about 100ft away before waiting for his companions. Why can't things just stay in the ground like the Lady of Graves intended? It'll be good for the whole area when we put that thing to rest.
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Makoa hass been watching the whole scene warily, but once the creature goes back down into the water, he looks around at everyone, "We dun here? Let's get away from creepy critter and keep exploring udder areas."
"Yes, that seems prudent, my large friend."
Golwen watches in both interest and surprise as the events unfolds. "Yes... Well. I agree, off we go. Certainly a spectacle though. Poor man, died trying to make a living, only to find himself in undeath. I wonder what sort of traits one aquires when one in his position. I'm not scholar of the dead, a little to morbid for me, you see. But if we were to kill his 'body' so you think he would stay dead, or continue to haunt the area?"
Golwen pauses realizing what he said.
Not hat I would want to put him through any more misery, rather I'd be quite happy to put him out of it. It was just an interesting thought.
Oh, right! Golwen turns and deposits then promised money. And offers a silent prayer up for thenmabs soul.
May you soon find peace in true death. I'm sorry for your lot.
Two things further come to my mind. Someday if the chance offers itself, it be a nice offering to this man's memory to rebuild this bridge. Should we find ourselves the luxury of time, and, supplies... Or better yet, magic.
Second, these pendents he speaks of, seems like something we should keep an eye out for.
SO, it looks like Ryker might have some idea of where he is going.
Golwen occupies himself with exhaling a ring of smoke, that he admires before surveying their surroundings. It's strange, I keep imagining there will be a small Hamlet or such about, or at the very least a farm. These lands are quite astounding. It's shameful the bandits have thought to put them to such nefarious uses.
Imagine if we settled out here, what sort of changes would the land go through? ....
Wonder what other intriguing things we will find out here?
Golwen's mind goes back to Nettles, as he says the last bit.
Ryker cocks his head with intrigue at Golwen's musings. "Changes? We? I don't mean any offense, but I hadn't though of settling with y'all. Most of my thoughts have been of my family. As far as changes, I'd imagine farmland would be in tall order. Lots of the dirt here looks good enough, but I'd imagine giants and a goblin/kobold feud would scare away most anyone with sense!" he says, having dismounted his horse and taking advantage of the reprieve to clean its hooves.
"What changes would you see out here?" the Half-elf asks Golwen.