The group goes to pick up the other villagers stepping through the transportation circle. Akiros is there with his companions happily drinking away from the barrel that was brought to them, with the villagers sat in a ring around a large fire the minotaurs had prepared for them. Akiros recognizing their friends step out from the tent says; "Ah, my friends. You are alive! I take it then the battle fared well and you stand triumphant!" A few glances shows that despite their victory something is wrong, Akiros asks "What's wrong my friends, shouldn't the victory bring your spirits high?"
Rybal grips the haft of his weapon tightly, knuckles whitening as he exhales a visible cloud of air in this cold land.
Thank you,Brother, for safeguarding our friends in our time of need. Do not hesitate to call upon me should you need assistance. For now, this victory is hollow, and my spirits won't raise until I free Ebrahim's spirit from his corpse with my own two hands.
The half-orc claps the minotaur on the shoulder in thanks, then motions to the villagers to follow him to the relative safety of Chamarel.
We will mourn together.
Akiros doesn't add anything to that but nods understanding the gravity of the situation. He claps his hands loud enough that the crowd hears. He yells out explaining that they are returning home, then they pack up their things and are lead back through the portal.
Akiros says before they leave. "Fight on my friends"
Arriving back in town the villagers begin to realise how bad the battle actually was, they all make the pilgrimage to the church as does the party. Once they have arrived they see that there is a pyre ready for the dead. Chara is holding an unlit torch next to it, there is a podium there with a priest atop of it. The rest of the village is haphazardly strewn across the rest of the courtyard, huddled together with friends.
The priest reads out the death rites for each particular god that each of the dead worshiped. Going through in turn announcing the names of the people that died who worshiped that god. After he has gone through all the death rites he leaves the podium and bids the party to rise.
Friends... I call you such because you took me in as a Healer and allowed me to live among you at the start of all these woes... friends, I mourn with you.
Evil has taken root in this innocent and good part of the land, an evil that has taken advantage of your easy ways and open hearts - I beg you do not harden because of these events and these sad losses but temper it with wisdom.
For now know that your loss is shared and that we are committed to making sure that it doesn't happen again, and the one who caused this hurt is punished.
The entire town stays silent for a brief time after Variel says his piece, remembering those who had fallen. Some of the townsfolk begin to sing softly a song for the dead.
Rybal, for once weaponless, approaches the pyre and speaks with grave severity.
There are no words to show the sorrow in my heart for those we have lost. For...the lives I've taken. Despite the Craven in White's sorcery, the men and women of Chamarel fought bravely. The gods will give them their due honor in the afterlife. Let Ebrahim have his laugh for now--his time runs short. We will find his weakness, and I will cut him down. I will bury him so deep in the Earth that no one will hear his songs or see his sly smile. So deep that his walk to his final Judgment will be short and swift. The memory of his existence will fade over time like a bad dream, and all that he has ever done shall be undone. No remnant of him shall remain when I am through. This I vow in the sight of the souls of the departed, and the Gods who spirit them to their final glory.
Rybal holds his hand over the fire for a moment, then backs away to allow anyone else to speak.
After paying his respects to the dead Drak essentially backs off and sticks to the shadows, taking it upon himself to keep a vigilant watch over the villagers while remaining mostly unseen.
After each of the heroes does their party Chara lights up the torch she is holding and sets the pyre alight. Songs continue to ring out with the words of each of the heroes kept in their mind. Tears being held back by numerous villagers including Chara as they pay their respects to the fallen.
When the funeral ends Snow approaches the group saying. "I know .. now may not be the best time." She says as she scratches the back of her head a little shaken by the recent events. "Should we, continue the hunt for the man in white? I know the townsfolk saw how I helped them however I feel their unease in this awful time and I'm not sure me being a dragon has helped with that at all. Snow looks at her feet waiting for a response.
I agree with both of you--Snow did her best to defend the town. But I have no wish to remain here while Ebrahim plans his next scheme.
Rybal turns to the dragon. Do you know of any sages in the area? We need someone with a deep knowledge of the region, dating back years past. We must learn all we can about our enemy, and my knowledge of books is limited.
The half-orc's face flushes, seemingly in embarrassment at this admission. Perhaps with Variel's book, and a sage's input, we can find the information we need to defeat him. I think we should take the dullahan's horses and leave at once.
If there is any mention of resting or recovering from their wounds, Rybal only scoffs.
Rybal, friend, I think we have earned at least one days rest... I will tend your wounds and provide magical healing on the morrow
Long term care is provided for the party giving them back double level as hps with a day of rest.
The group heala up and prepares to rest ready for the long haul. Snow replies to Rybal: There was one in my time up here, I do not if he yet lives but no doubt his atelier still stands. An old gnome who archived the coloured earths of the mountain to study their properties. Though all scholars dabble in many arts so no doubt he kept records of the history too.
I am fearful because of the stares they give me. I'm their saviour today but would I be their friend tomorrow? Once bitten, twice shy as they say. she responds to Malthu.
Very well friend - have you need for our aid, you have only to ask. Depart to where you feel comfortable until then and leave with our thanks and gratitude
Rybal nods in agreement.
We will find this gnome, or the remnants of his works. Can we still contact you with the circles? Or is there a better way.
Snow points on a map you've had a while to where the gnome's atelier is held. A relatively far off place. Some old houses that used to be part of chamarel once upon a time.
The journey doesn't seem to be a long one but no telling how unstable the land is near the dilapidated buildings. As the original inhabitants left due to the state of the terrain.
Snow says I wasn't there to give anything in person when we first made contact but I have sending stones that I pilfered from this mansion a long time ago. Those would perhaps be better? I only have one pair though.
Is there anything the party would like to do before they depart?
Diaz and Al seem to be alright. Al says I have to say, this is the most traumatic it has been since I left my homeland. Hin is dead, there are more atrocities done by one man than I can bear. I will see this to the end though, for my sister, I owe her that much.
Chara is with Brice, they are playing with the blue dog. Malthi notices a very pronounced rune on Chara's forehead. Hi malthu, I'm recovering, hard to keep up in this ... Mess. I think what I'm most scared of is I could've ended up like them. I don't know, I don't blame myself but it still terrifies me what could've been.
The dog plays quite readily. When you play fetch you see it teleport to the stick then teleport back. It seems it's magical capabilities involve at least short range teleports, though it does make playing fetch a little redundant, despite the creature's instance to keep playing.
Chara shakes her head "No I've seen nothing like it, I only noticed the rune when I looked at my reflection and I've never had a mark on my forehead before. Well, that I didn't try to paint on there anyway."
Brice responds to the next question "I am unsure how he got control of the villagers, I am not sure if it is his doing or that of those headless people. To note all of the victims were female so that might have something to do with the mind control. Admittedly Varis did fall under a spell and he was male. By my understanding the Man in White has a lot of forces that no doubt have different capabilities. Possibly they find their own ways to do his bidding? Though the bigger concern is why he wants us wiped out now?"
Chara throws a stick again and the blue dog goes to teleport to pick it up. "I don't know what I make of this dog, other than it being a rather friendly animal. It was very protective of me and it seems when it goes further away from me the mark changes colour, or at least fades from what Brice has observed. So I assume they are related. That's in the realm of possibility right?"
Pray you carry word to your Baron while we continue our hunt - let him know of what passed and word of a friendly dragon that did you great service
The group saddles forth ready to go North after a night's rest, the others remain preparing themselves for their return so they can go off and deal with the Man in White once and for all.
The land seems quieter now, peaceful, the group does not see much in the way of fauna as they travel. Perhaps this is due to the sounds of battle from the previous night. The local wildlife must've been scared away to return when it's safe.
As the group venture they see the clouds darken as they approach the other side of the mountain. It looks like it will rain in the evening at some point. They see a wooded area with parts of hamlets left behind. Trees having taken root in the old buildings. Many of the small hamlets are bare, nothing of value or interest in them. Save for maybe a few remnants of people's lives once upon a time.
Going east to where Snow pointed out, the group arrive and a small valley. Almost seems man-made, inside their looks to be a small set of ruins of an old magical building. Variel can tell several of the functions of the buildings, some of the parts of the building were used for scrying, some for focus, some for messaging. However there is small encampment of goblins surrounding the ruins. How would the party like to proceed?
The goblins look to be going about their day as normal. They are cooking, sorting meat, cleaning their houses. As far as Malthu tell this looks to be a normal settlement of goblins.
Agreed.
Bah! I'm not built for sneaking about. If Drak wants to scout ahead on his own for any surprises, by all means, but I won't tiptoe around a few goblins. Besides, they might know something useful.
Rybal waits for a reply.
Very well - Bold it is... besides I can incinerate the lot of them if needs be
The group decides to move forward towards the goblins, several guards approach. They aren't all that well armed, several wooden shields, each has a short spear. They have several stones attached to their belts that seem to shine. You honestly think they don't stand any chance against you. Their weapons aren't brandished at the group however they come with questions. "Hail tall ones, rare we see big ones walking about here. What is business you has here?"
Variel decides to let one of the warriors do the talking.
Rybal strides clamorously next to Malthu and responds to his question with a grunt, looking at the goblins expectantly (and a bit impatiently).
The goblins are a little taken aback by the very large veteran warrior standing with Malthu though don't seem too worried, yet anyway, due to Malthu's assurance. "Gnome? Nah, tall one." He points a thumb back at the camp however. "Dat broken shack Dere used to belong to some ancient magic-thingy. Dem stuff inside me thinks the home owner used to be big like yous. You can has look inside if you want! We tried some generations ago .. but.. stuff is dangerous, killed at least 3 gobbos. Might kill yourselves too if not careful!"
Rybal smiles at the thought of something dangerous.
Good, he growls in approval. Variel, want to hit me with those magic sticks?
Wands are so employed.
The goblins look at the crew suspiciously as they edge closer to the ruins, with Rybal growing much large and stronger than he was previously. The goblins took little notice of Variel as he cast the spells so assume that Rybal is some sort of shapeshifting giant and gawk in awe.
The small ruin is mostly intact, though there are cracks in the wall down two sides, that link up near the roof. Something likely originated from there searing thing place in two. Though it is hard to tell if that is from the goblin's foray or if that has been there for quite some time.
The brace adventures journey forth, walking through the door way that lacks a door. All it has is some sheets with something scrawled in goblin on it. As they pull open the sheet and take their first step forward a panel in front of them lights up green, then the next step lights up red. The panels on the floor seem to stay coloured as long as they remain inside the building. It provides an intense light from the floor lighting up much of the room. The opening antechamber of the building is about 30 feet by 30 feet, with a relatively low ceiling. Rybal has to crouch a little to get inside but he isn't hampered for movement. No doubt designed for someone of smaller stature. Upon the walls there is a myriad of creatures drawn. All seem to blend into each other, though they all seem to be very foreign creatures. Twisting creatures with forms that don't fit for this plane. Most of the drawings are worn away except for 3, a Large whale like creature with tendrils poking out from the sides. A tiny hobbling creature wrapped in bandages and a taller creature that could pass for an orc save for his face being upside down and lacking any eyes to speak of. There is a singular door at the back of the antechamber, that is bolted shut from this side.
An ill aspected series of illistrations, Variel addresses the pictures.