You carry the professor north along the Dreamwake, then turn right on the Eversleep. And thats when you notice them. A silent mob, about 30 men...more than a posse anyway. They weild stones and pitchforks and stand silently in the dark, no torches. They do not appear to intend to let you pass!!!
"Set the professor down," Toni says, quietly. After resting the coffin on the ground, she steps forward to meet the mob.
"What business have you? We are here to bury our dead," the fighter says, muscles tensing reflexively.
"Hey now you lot, step aside. We've come to bury a man, not make more work for the undertaker."
Toni sincerely grins at the dwarf. They were of a like mind.
"Don't worry Kendra, I'll sort this out." Removing her arm from around Kendra she steps forward. "Friends, this is not the time or place for this sort of thing. A great man and member of this community has died and should be buried with the respect he deserves, there will be plenty of time later to talk about other issues but for now join us or go back home to your families."
Toni sincerely grins at the dwarf. They were of a like mind.
"Whatya say lass, fifteen for you and fifteen for me? Or should we leave a few for the others?"
Lissala says quietly by urgently to Antoni and anyone near her. "If that mob say anything about the undead or dead rising do not let Miss Szabo say a word. Do anything to shut her up or we are likely to have a problem."
"I doubt this has anything to do with your Mistress, Lissala," Toni says, eyeing the mob. "We'll see if I can scare them off first, Mister Darkslayer, otherwise I claim the ones on the right."
Gabbi turn to Talon and Antoni and says fairly quietly "Calm down, they are just ignorant villages, they need educating not killing. Besides Petros wouldn't want us to kill his people and certainly not at his funeral."
No, I'm quite sure right. Currently it has nothing to do with her but things change quickly with mobs you know."
I take it this is not normal proceedings for a funeral?
"That would be a fine argument anywhere else, Miss Szabo," Toni says coldly. "Many Ustalavs are not reasonable folk. If they cling to some irrational fear, then they will follow through with whatever stupid plan they have in mind. They would turn against a good person if they invent a good enough reason. I won't draw my sword until we find out their intentions, though."
I am a stranger in these lands it is true, but I can not see the need to draw blood here. This can be settled without violence I am certian.
"Ay, as soon as they stand aside." Talon tells Rasgraton beore turning to Antoni, "You sure you want the ones on the right lass? I'm right handed."
"I already claimed the ones on the right," Toni says. "Next time, I'll let you pick first."
The orc, who has been waiting quietly while the rest of you jabber on to each other, finally turns his head and looks at something other than the coffin. Having politely ignored Rasgraton's question about babies he walks directly to the coffin. In a voice like gravel and thunder he speaks solemn words."You talk to much, the greatest example of human kindness and charity lies a corpse before you and you act as if this is a simple day in a tavern." He stares down at the pallbearers that had been doing such a terrible job of bringing the late professor to his final rest. "Please, allow me."
Mighty thews strain and bulge as the orc lifts the the coffin, gingerly almost reverently, for all the world looking like a father lifting his sleeping daughter up so he may put her in bed. He then begins to stalk off towards the grave leaving the others behind.
Edit:
Ras goes to stand with Gabby. He casts Guidance on her to give her a +1 to diplomacy. He will also include words of encouragement using the aid other action.
Edit: If any of you try to talk to the crowd this is what Ras does. If not he will walk beside the Orc.
Rasgraton clearly impressed by the show of strength walks to the Orcs side to give him silent support in numbers.
The young man smiles gently, going over to Gabbi, extending his arm. "How about the two of us go ahead and try to reason with these individuals? We might be able to do quite a bit of good, really."
Talon will advance on crowd with Gur. He hasn't drawn a weapon but his hand is near the hilt of his sword. "Reason with them quickly if your going to do it lad."
Noticing the Orc take hold of the coffin and start moving towards the mob she goes back to trying to talk the crowd down. "Professor Lorrimor is famous all around the world for his wisdom and kindness. We were the few who could make it in time for his funneral but in days and years to come great people will come here to Ravengro to see the town he made famous. Professor Lorrimor was a good man and his work was protecting you and people like you from the worst that others could through at him. Come join us as we celebrate his life, come join us as we bury him with his people where he should be."
Man this thread moves quick...hard to keep up.
Ras will stay with Gor unless he stops to let the others speak. Ras will continue to push through the crowd with Gor. I like his style.
In my mind Gor is moving towards the crowd as if they are not there at all. Ras will help the overburdened orc push the mob aside if necessary. I'm backing Gor's approach here.
Toni folds her arms across her chest and looks to Talon. "I'm not much of a talker myself."
"Indeed. There are far too many evil things in the world to be wanting to stop a man from being buried like any normal sort. He was a wise man, a kind man, and the most supportive individual imaginable."
He smiles softly. "We really need to all just relax."
The crowd swells backward as the massive orc and rock man move through them. But a young man in a black suit and cornucopian hat 'encourages' them.
brothers I know these giants look scary but this is OUR town we are talking about! Let not the Necromancer be buried here! Kendra we have warned you!
Gabbi's eyes locate the young man staring at him for a moment and says with venom in her voice "And exactly where should a NECROMANCER be buried?"before addressing the crowd again "You are honoured by Petros's wish to be buried here amoung his friends and neighbours. Please let us past and those of you who remember him foundly drinking with you in the tavern or waving on his walk down the street are welcome to join us."
"Indeed. In death, we are all equal. No harm, no bettering of the world. What is in the past is in the past, so we should allow ourselves to celebrate the good in the world, so that future generations can learn and grow. Such a cold, dreary day would be so much better suited with a series of drinks, in front of a warm, roaring fire, instead of standing out in the damp. Wouldn't you all agree?"
The crowd listens intently to Gabi and Glderoy's wisdom. A older farmer says ya know Golding, I think they have a point! I've known the professor for years...let's all just go home. Or anyone wishes ta come with me to the tavern, i'll buy em a drink, in memory o the departed.
Golding No! Shut your mouth Livingstone...Petros is the cause of it all! He's the one who let the haunt of Harrowstone loose! You know what it's been doing, raveging our town, our children, with horrors! And now Kendra brings these, these BRUTES into town!!
Golding walks right up and kicks the orc in the shin. Put the coffin down you son-of-a-green-b&tch! You are not welcome here!
Livingstone and others: Golding, you better back off! We're on your side but I promise that is not a good idea!
Golding Bullocks! Come on you gaff!. Golding draws a short blade from a skinny scabbard hanging about his waist. down with the necromancer! down with the harrowstone haunt!
The other townsfolk take a step back...just in case the Orc thumps him.
What. do. you. do.
Talon quick draws his greatsword, "Shouldn't be bringing a knife to a swordfight laddie. You've had your say, best be runnin' along now."
Talon readies an action to attack Golding if he attacks.
Toni again addresses the dwarf. "I feel as if we are missing something."
Rasgraton being the closest to the man but not carrying a coffin will attempt to grapple the man with the blade so Gur can pass. He fully expects to be stabbed.
"Ay lass, there's somthin' more goin' on here, but this mob is going to be missing a member if this one doesn't back off."
"He is but a coward, hiding behind his blade," Toni notes. "He just wants someone to blame."
She walks forward, sword still sheathed along her back. She looks into Golding's eyes as he is held by Rasgraton. "Burying Lorrimor will make no difference to your problem. Nor do your actions help your case. Tell me about Harrowstone and perhaps we can help you."
The orc looks over this man Golding, sizing up the threat to his well being. In a voice deep as a dwarven mine and booming as a thunder strike he speaks a statement of fact and resignation."If you feel the need to stop me then do so. I will not be dissuaded from doing what is right. If I must bare the scars of your blade because you would attack an unarmed man then I will gladly bare yet another burden, and may Damerrich show mercy on your wretched soul as you cough on your own bile and evil will." With that Gur continues on towards the grave site, ignoring any who would stop him. If attacked he will not fight back and will only continue to move at the slow walk he can manage as encumbered as he is by the coffin, this is his burden to bare and his test to overcome.
Edit:
I am sorry but will not let you get in the Orc's way to putting the professor to rest. We do not want any trouble. I will continue to hold you until you calm down. Ras is simply holding the man he does not want to cause him pain, regardless if the man just stabbed him.
The orc looks over this man Golding, sizing up the threat to his well being. In a voice deep as a dwarven mine and booming as a thunder strike he speaks a statement of fact and resignation."If you feel the need to stop me then do so. I will not be dissuaded from doing what is right. If I must bare the scars of your blade because you would attack an unarmed man then I will gladly bare yet another burden, and may Iomedae show mercy on your wretched soul as you cough on your own bile and evil will." With that Gur continues on towards the grave site, ignoring any who would stop him. If attacked he will not fight back and will only continue to move at the slow walk he can manage as encumbered as he is by the coffin, this is his burden to bare and his test to overcome.
Gilderoy clears his throat, walking towards the man with his hands out and open. "I really think that violence isn't going to solve anything, to be honest. I don't know what this haunt is, but I'm quite happy, after this burial is over, to speak with you further and try to determine the true cause of this 'haunt' and put an end to it. But stopping a decent man from getting buried is not going to help anything. It could, in fact, do more damage. Do you really want to be known by the town's history books as the man who made things worse? Or would it just be better to get a bit to drink and just mull over the information you all have collected?"
Gabbi ignores the man named Golding as her companions seem to have him dealt with and smiles at the one named Livingstone. "Would we be welcome to join you at the tavern after? Sounds like there is much you could tell us about what been happening here." And the more the merrier for the wake.
The young man whom Gabi zeroed in on in the crowd about 'where should a necromancer be buried' looks to an older man to his left. I know what a necromancer is, but that young lady makes a good point. I mean, what does a necromancer look like? Do they look like him he says pointing to Gilderoy??
Livingstone walks up to Rastraton. Great sir, if you will release our fellow townsmen I shall accompany you to bury the dead man. And afterword I shall welcome you into our town, Ravengro, where there is a wet bar at all times at the Laughing Demon Tavern. There you would need not stay long before you heard more about what haunts our town than you'd ever wish to know. What say you?
Seeing the situation diffused, Toni hurries to Gur, ready to help him with the coffin. "Carrying the coffin by yourself is a noble gesture, orc, but feel free to share the burden."
Gur speaks to you with a tone in his voice as if speaking to a four year old who has just asked her father why she can't have cake for breakfast."I carry this burden now as none of you seem to have the proper sense of sorrow this mans death deserves. Not even his daughter can muster the uncontrolled weeping she should exhibit at this solemn occasion. Therefore, and until such time as I deem the appropriate amount of decorum has been met, I will carry the good professor to his final rest." Not once does Gur look to you or slow his plodding pace to his final destination.
Talon will sheath his sword somewhat regretfully, "Ah well, maybe there'll be a good brawl at the wake."
Toni screws up her nose at the orc's response. "Have it your way."
She stops to wait for the others, fuming for a moment before realizing that perhaps the orc and the professor shared a bond beyond her ken. That was probably it.
Kendra moves through the crowd slowly, touching each man tenderly on the shoulder or cheek, giving encouragement. Come my friends, let us bury my Father together. Then call for your families, you wives and eligible sons and daughters, let them meet us at the Laughing Demon, where the Lorrimor family will call for the best Dragon-Weed Ale in the Cellar!
Tiny drops of rain begin to fall from the sky, tinkering off your armor (if you are wearing any). Kendra unfurls a petit black umbrella and holds it in her fishnet-gloved hand over her head. Come here, Gabi, there is room enough for us both she says with a kind smile as she walks.