Talliree shivers as the wind nips at her. She pulls the cloak tighter. Her pace quickens as she turns towards the manor.
"C'mon Hob! Maybe we can keep a ghost-hag away with a warm fire."
Talliree and Hob brace themselves against the brisk wind, turning the corner to see a number of the work teams cleaning up for the night; and just in time to see Mitchell make his way into the Alley from the main street.
A hail from the left brings them up short, seeing Rishaal , himself bundled tightly against the cold, trying to get their attention.
He hustles up, and says, "Ah, I am glad to have caught you. My apologies, I hope I didn't waste your time. After you'd left another customer had entered my store, and talk had come around to you seeking out Owein. Now, consider my embarrassment when my customer told me that old Owein had died some months ago! Forgive me, if you'd gone in search of him, only to find him gone! I must be off, I'm meeting a friend across town! Again, my apologies..." and with that Rishaal hurries off into the deepening evening.
Hob face goes pale and he edges a little closer to Talliree his jaw moving wordlessly for a moment.
After he had recovered a bit he clears his throat. "At least he was a nice ghost? I think we can count on his word given how much effort it took him."
Hob stuck close to Talliree as they headed for 'home' and begins to ponder how much he missed fighting goblins in a dungeon.
Talliree stares at nothing after hearing the news and follows Hob's guidance back to the manor where, as soon as the door shuts, she faints.
Whether or not someone does catch Talliree as she faints, Mr. Whiskers climbs out of his hiding place and tickles her nose with the tip of his tail.
Hob doesn't try to stop Talliree's fall given the size difference, he just tries to slow her descent before she hurts herself.
"So a bit of bad news Mitchel. Turns out we made contact with the ghost of an adventurer who put an end to the woman who ran the orphanage... he had some rather grizzly tales and referred to her as a hag but couldn't elaborate as to whether he meant that academically or not before he got sleepy." As he speaks Hob moves across the room gathering a few bits.
He places a blanket over Talliree to keep her from getting cold and a small lump of cheese on her forehead for Mr. Whiskers.
He pulls out his notes and starts flicking through them. "Ah yes Ester Greybrow ran an Orphanage here between 1435 and 1459. Dale reckoning of course. A two year gap before one Lif opened it up as a tavern." He looks up "I found out some interesting tid bits about the areas history involving the shadow guild but that from over two hundred years ago and doesn't seem connected currently. I'll dig into it later though."
Hob looks back down at his notes. "So Esther had a strong personality but hid things well, easy enough to say an orphan ran away. Then one night the adventurer's caught up with her after figuring things out. Lets say there was some less than officially backed justice in the street outside. A nasty death but even they didn't know how many children died at her hands and how many actually caught on and ran away first. She was cursing and giving out til the end. He said she lived for the children and up to when they came from her was careful never to be seen raising a hand to anyone... at least that they saw."
"He did mention she promised to come back and get them all, which only encouraged them to usher her on her way towards the Boneyard. So thats what we dug up... until Rishaal cast the fireball down that the man we had been speaking to was dead for five years. I took it poorly, Talliree took it worse. Still I've got notes to keep me on track." Hob holds up the bundle of paper proudly as if it would ward away any spirits... or worse yet confusion about the facts.
Mitchell is ecstatic to see his friends return, and runs to give them a welcome... just in time to keep Talliree from tumbling unconscious to the ground.
"Talliree! What is wrong? Are you Okay! Mitchell shouts gently lowering her to the ground with hobs assistance. Medicine
"Come on. Let's get her inside, and we can discuss the next step. Sounds like we have some serious spirit appeasing to attend to before opening this place up to the public".
Talliree groans in protest before Mitchell and Mr. Whiskers' efforts drag her back into the waking realm.
"Nooo! I don't wanna be where the ghosts are," she mutters before coming back to full consciousness. Her skin is still pale, even with the warming fire, and dark circles line her eyes. Even when she is fully awake, her eyes are dull.
After a little while, she looks to Mitchell and Hob. "Next time we see Volo wuzhisface, I'm going to do something embarrassing to him. Any ideas?"
"If we have any ectoplasm after evicting the bad ghost-" Hob turns around "There's definitely more than one of you, most of you have been fine so just the bad one."
"You could always dunk a jar of the stuff over him. It makes a point but no lasting effects. I assume."
"Think it'll rob him of his pride, though," she asks.
While Hob and Talliree plan their revenge upon Volo, the workers continue to depart.
Finally only two of the Masters are left and the approach Hob, Talliree and Mitchell, "Pardon the interruption" one says, the Master Plaisterer you believe, "Could we have a word?
"Sure, they're free. Take as many as you want," Talliree says. She puts on a smile, feeling a little better at the thought of doing something suitably embarrassing to Volo.
The Master Plaisterer smiles thinly at Talliree's joke, then says, "Indeed...now then, the problem is the children. My men and others have complained about your children popping out and scaring them, or being underfoot. We've tried to catch them....but they're slippery little eels." he finishes, a grudging admiration in his voice.
He regains his composure, "Please, tell the three of them to keep out of our way and to leave our workers to work in peace. Otherwise, I'll pull my men...and the other Masters will do the same."
Having said his piece, he bows his head and departs with the last of the workmen, leaving you alone in the taproom, repaired fireplace burning brightly.
"But I'm still a-" Kiley starts to protest, but her eyes widen and her posture becomes more defensive and shy as she glances about. Thoughts of Volo singing a high-C sharp take second place to the fact there are now ghostly children running around.
"I don't like this place anymore."
Well. It seems as though we have a problem. Perhaps we could consult some experts on the matter of ghosts and how to rid ourselves of them. I'm sure if it spooks the workers it will spook any guests as well... unless we sell the ghostly experience as a benefit... they don't seem to harm anyone"?
They haven't harmed anyone yet, Talliree corrects, a worried look on her face.
Mitchell retired to his attic eyrie and Talliree, Hob and Himo bed down before the large fire in the tap room.
You sleep soundly, until...
The nightmare has you in its jaws. Down through the depths you fall, tasting salt and blood on your lips while water rushes into your lungs. The depths are dark but not empty and the dead wail together as one haunting chorus. As the seas churn and drag you deeper, you burst free
from the nightmare with a sheen of sweat on your flesh. The night is cold. The embers in the fireplace glow dimly. Try as you might, there’s no more sleep for you tonight so long as you can taste that blood on your tongue and the salt on your lips.
You retire and sleep soundly, undisturbed, until you're woken by the whispered talk of children close by. They seem to be by the door to your room, straining your ears you can hear two voices obviously egging a third to "Go on...give him a poke...I dare ya!"
You notice there's something off about the voices....
Talliree whimpers in her sleep. Mr. Whiskers, her oldest and ever-loyal companion, watches over her with a mousy look of concern in his beady eyes.
Mitchell stirs from his sleep and sits up. He slowly creeps to the door, grabbing up his sword as he goes. He listens at the door for a moment before slinging it open hoping to catch the pranksters off guard.
"Ha Ha! Poke who?"
Mitchell flings open the door to reveal three children...rather three 'somethings'. Their very flesh seems to shift, not wholly transparent but not wholly solid.
They all let out little shrieks when Mitchell surprises them, two of them , a small half-orc boy and a human girl jump behind a taller human boy.
They voices come from another world, echoing off every floorboard and wall with an ethereal quality.
The tallest boy frowns at Mitchell, "Ya scared them, ya did!"
GM:
"Stars! What are you and what are you doing here. This is my room now and you need to pass on. What holds you here"? Mitchell casts Detect good/evil while tightly clutching his holy symbol.
The taller boy looks at Mitchell with confusion, "Hold what? Me? " he asks, then turns at a whimper from the half-orc boy, "There, there....all will be well."
He then turns back to Mitchell, his interaction with the younger boy seemingly resolving his confusion. As if remembering his manners, the boy says, "I'm Victor, she's Matilda and he's Gron" indicating the girl and smaller boy.
A small quaver in his voice betrays the terror that he's trying to keep down in order to calm the other children.
GM
"There, there. If you are planning on playing tricks on someone, you have to be prepared to have the tables turned. I'm Mitch and this is my room now. What are you all so frightened of"?
Religion Untrained to know what they are.
Persuasion To put them at ease and get them to talk.
The boy/ghost/apparition has the grace to look abashed at Mitchell's statement, "We're sorry, didn't mean nothing by it...just some fun, is all."
At the mention of being frightened, the two younger 'children' shrink back behind Victor and he frowns, "Don't be scarin' them, they're a'frighted enough! "
Hob will rub his lips to see if there is any residue there and seek out a reflective surface examining his reflection to see if there's any physical substances to the sensations he's been feeling.
The fire had died down, a pile of glowing embers now. Rising Hob gingerly steps around the whimpering form of Talliree, and places more logs on the fire. In the now brighter light, Hob steps over to a newly installed window and is startled to see the manifestation of his dream upon his face, streaks of real blood criss-cross his forehead and cheeks!
Hob's eyes go wide as he sees the reflection. With shaking hands he drags some loose pages of paper over his face... partly to clean it up and partly to keep a sample. He moves over to Talliree now suspecting that she might also be having a supernaturally fuelled nightmare.
He shakes her by the shoulders. "Wake up!"
Talliree rises with a gasp, her eyes lost for a moment, unfocussed in her alarm, until they focus on Hob's face. Screwing her face up in disgust, she exclaims, "Ew..what's that on your face."
Mr Whisker's watches , nose twitching, from Talliree's shoulder...
GM
"I don't mean to frighten you, but I'm not sure why you are here. You know you are long dead... right? What are you frightened of, and why are you still here"?
The older boy looks at Mitchell in that special way children look at their elders when they've said something patently false, "Dead? We're not dead, Mister! But we will be if Ol'Ester catches us! You haven't seen her have you? " he said, the sudden dread in his voice giving no question what he was afraid of.
"It's blood from my dreams... I'm not hurt so I don't think it's mine... it might just be ectoplasm." Hob said hopefully.
"But we've got her on the ropes now haven't we!" Hob said defiantly a bit louder. "She's messed with our heads but hasn't been able to really hurt us. You could have just laid low but you had to poke the hornets nest. Rest assured if you keep this up even if we can't deal with you we'll get an old priest and a young priest on the case!"
Attic:
Mitchell stops and thinks for a moment. "I'll tell you what. Why don't you tell me where you think she is, and I'll go give her a stern talking to. I promise I won't mention anything about talking to you".
The boy screws up his face, thinking, "She could be anywhere. This is a big place. Good thing, lot's of hiding places!" he says, full of fake bravado.
He frowns, starts to say, "Mama Ester, ..." but is interrupted by a strong wind buffeting the Manor, setting shutters shaking and rattling.
Victor, the fear on his face mirrored on the faces of the smaller children, looks around as if dreading something...
Then the wind settles and a crone’s voice slips through the manor—both a whisper and thunder, both omen and off-key: “Hush little orphans, don’t cry no more—Mama Esther’s at the door. Winter’s quite long and money’s tight, but Mama made dinner for to-night.”
All three of the children begin to scream and thrash about. They scream, clinging to your legs, the little girl exlaiming, "Mama's home! Mama's home"
The crone continues that wretched song as the floorboards—all floorboards—squeal and groan and the winds outside worsen into a gale:
"So, hush little orphan, the stew is hot. Hush little orphan, get in the pot. Hush little orphan, Mama’s got you. I’ve got you right where I want you."
In a little voice, Taliree re-affirms her opinion, "I don't like th is place." as Mr Whiskers seeks to comfort her by snuggling her neck.
A few moments later, a strong wind buffets the Manor, setting shutters shaking and rattling.
Then the wind settles and a crone’s voice slips through the manor—both a whisper and thunder, both omen and off-key: “Hush little orphans, don’t cry no more—Mama Esther’s at the door. Winter’s quite long and money’s tight, but Mama made dinner for to-night.”
You hear muted screaming, children by the sound of it, erupt from upstairs.
The crone continues that wretched song as the floorboards—all floorboards—squeal and groan and the winds outside worsen into a gale:
"So, hush little orphan, the stew is hot. Hush little orphan, get in the pot. Hush little orphan, Mama’s got you. I’ve got you right where I want you."
Out from the gloom comes a form half of shadow and half of a corpse: a hunched old woman that staggers on, a ravenous smile painted her ripped lips. Her eyes are cloudy discs of red and milky white, and her voice gets your very skin crawling: “They’re mine,” she whispers, “they’ve always been mine. Now and forever.” Her smile stretches as she calls out, “It’s suppertime, children!”
She pauses, gives Hob and Talliree a leering smile, then she sort of stretches upward, her body thinning, sliding up into a crack in the ceiling, slowly oozing upward, making a noise that sounds like squealing stairs and groaning wood...
Attic
"Now, now Children. Calm down. Wait here in this room, and I'll go have a stern conversation with this Mama Ester right now. She has no right to go around scaring children, even ghost children. Stay here, and hide in this room. I'll be back for you after I take care of her".
Persuasion.
Mitchell will cast Detect Evil/Good (10-minute duration), and head down towards the kitchen with all haste.
Talliree makes a funny little whine in the back of her throat at the hag-apparition appears.
Hob initially backs away in horror, as does Himo. All however are jolted by Mitchel's powerful shout from the upper stories.
Staring they see the last bit of the Hag slips up through the ceiling to disappear into the second floor.
Despite their alarm and fear, all three bolt to run outside to the stairs to the second floor, but when they pass through the main doors, after a wrenching sensation find themselves in the second floor common room...
The only response to Mitchell's challenge is the creak and groan of the Manor. A sound behind him makes you look and you see the windows have somehow become filled with bricks. The walls, already decrepit, seem to become more brittle, the scuttle of rats and other vermin within clearly audible.
Hustling down the stairs, you rush into the common room to come face to face with your friends, standing there...looking confused.
Hob shakes his head, "But we were just leaving the tap room..."
Talliree squeaks, "What's happened to the windows..." pointing at the also now bricked up windows of this room.
A terrible groan of distressed wood come from the other room and the door slam open, revealing the hag, Esther. She walks forward sniffing the air, looking upward towards the attic...
Initative
Continuing to ignore your presense, the Hag begins to stretch upwards towards the ceiling...
Himo out-reacts everyone, muttering to himself, "Mask, guide and preserve us..." and a protective shadow emerges to settle over Mitchell, Talliree and himself.
Hob acts quickly, moving to allow himself a line of sight and with a quick arcane gesture flings a small ball of fire at the Hag..
The ball of fire hits and the Hag hisses with displeasure, but for now seems bent on getting up to the attic and the 'children'.
Likewise , Talliree's reflexes are quick ,but she's so freaked out by what's going on that she can't make herself advance within melee range, preferring to throw one of her javelins...
The javelin pierces the side of the Hag, eliciting a shriek of outrage!
Injured the Hag redouble's her efforts to reach the ceiling, her form elongating horrifically. Her head reaches the ceiling and begins to slid up into a crack there.
"Oh no you don't!"
Mitchell double moves back up the stairs.
"Must protect the children".
As a bonus action he casts "divine Favor".
Hob takes a moment to cast mage armour to protect himself and after gathering some courage he heads towards the stairs... she had gone up and they would find her. "We need to stop her Talliree she could be tormenting the spirits of all those children for years to come if we don't!"
Drawing his dagger he casts another quick spell and heads up the stairs... the blade of the weapon shining brightly and casting all too long shadows that moved as he crept upwards towards his quarry...
Combat Order
Himo
Talliree
Hob
The Hag, Esther
Mitchell
As everyone reaches the landing of the third floor, you hear a terrible horror filled scream erupt from the bath room next to the master bedroom, followed by the snapping and gnashing of teeth . Then a moment of silence, before you hear Esther whisper, "More..."
The door to the hallway slams open, and Esther emerges, sniffing the air, turning towards the privy at the end of the hall, "I can smell you little rabbit..."
Himo mutters a prayer to Mask, extends his arm and flings a bolt of pure light at the Hag...
The bolt hits Esther squarely and she shrieks in pain, glaring back at the party, hesitating between dealing with you or satisfying her hunger.
Taliree, thoroughly spooked by the situation, hangs back and flings a javelin at Esther...
.. the javelin stick into the Hag's body, but quickly falls away.
Hob scrambles up the stairs behind the others, and squeezing through points a finger at the Hag, a small ball of fire streaking towards her...
.. the ball spends itself against the Hag's tough skin, doing no appreciable harm.
Ignoring the party, the ravenous Ester yanks open the privy door, revealing the terrified half-orc boy/ghost.
Ester reaches out for the boy, but he proves too quick, ducking under her clawed hands and running , screaming past the party. The Hag snarls as her prey eludes her, turning to pursue....
"You're reign of terror ends today...NOW"!
Swinging Longsword with holy radiant backing.
Slashing + Radiant. If this hits then another Radiant from Divine Smite.
The Hag turns with a snarl when struck by Mitchell, the strike hurt but her rubbery hide dulled its impact. But then the Radiant fire of Mitchell's Faith began to burn!
With a howl, the Hag Esther, began to paw at the wound ineffectually as the Divine Radiance began to eat away at her horrible form. A horrible sound began to emanate from her horrid mouth...and all the surfaces of the Manor. A moan of pain and anger , rising to a screeching crescendo as the Fire consumed her.
At the last moment, when just a few wisps of the monster remained, Mitchell could see those wisps of smoke coalesce into the forms of a myriad of children, too many to count, but all of them looking him in the eye, with thanks on their lips.
Then the Had...the childish apparitions....all were gone! With a great groaning of wood and clash of brick, the Manor began to right itself. The walls returned to their previously worn or under construction appearance, instead of the rotted appearance they'd taken on. The window shutters shook, as the bricks that had filled them disappeared. The foul stench of the Hag was replaced with the smell of sawdust.
After a few more creaks and groans, the Manor lay quiet.
Talliree's legs collapse as everything returns to normal. She shivers and rubs her arms to ward off a chill only she feels.
"P-please tell me it's over," she begs Hob and Mitchell.
"It seems to be. It looks as though that vile hag's hold on the souls of many innocents seems to have been released due to the might of Waukeen. For now we are safe... and the Manor is... well better"?
"Mitchell, what was it like growing up for you," she asks, wondering why the man seemed so calm in the face of what they have witnessed.
Mitchell re-sheaths his sword, and stops to say a quick prayer of thanks to Waukeen.
"Well. I guess I had it much better than most. Growing up in a noble household as the 2nd son, and 5th child has it's perks. My older siblings were mostly held responsible for learning to rule, and I was left to choose my own path. I had trouble deciding between a martial role, and a more divine path, till our local Chaplin showed me a path where I could do both".
He then steps away for a minute before returning his attention to Talliree, not comfortable talking about himself.
"I was fortunate that my calling from Waukeen was met with open arms, and my faith is strong enough to confirm that he will provide as long as I follow his tenants and try to spread his faith. I guess Waterdeep is suitable for this purpose, no?
"I find it strange that fate has thrown two such differing personalities together, but I welcome your friendship. Would you like to talk about your past? I've got a good ear for listening".
"Not really."[/smaller Talliree answers when asked about wanting to talk about her past. She lightly brushes her fingertips over Mr. Whisker's head while he nuzzles her neck. [smaller]"But, it wouldn't be all that fair to you if I didn't. It might also explain why this place spooks me so badly."
She takes in a deep breath and wraps a blanket tight around her as she begins her tale.
"I've never known any of my family. My earliest memories are of crying myself to sleep as my stomach felt like it was trying to eat me from the inside. If the witch who'd run the orphanage here had been around when I was alone on the streets and had asked me if I wanted to live here with her, I would have jumped at the chance." She shudders as she takes in a deep breath. A note of fear and an edge of panic creeps into her voice at the last sentence. It takes her a moment to regain her composure before she continues.
"When you have no one, you'll jump at anything resembling a family. That's why this place and the spirits that haunt it scare me so badly. I never liked ghost stories and living through one where I can see and feel what those kids went through is— rough. I'm not much older than a lot of those kids were. I— I can only imagine what it was like for them going through that, and— and—"
Her voice falters and she closes her eyes against the tears beginning to roll down her face. A soft sob escapes despite her attempts to stifle it.
"It terrifies me," she whispers as she curls into a tiny ball.
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Mitchell looks at the young half elf with true sympathy in his eyes.
"The true sign of bravery is facing your fears, not hiding from them, and you certainly do that. Just being here in this haunted place is proof that you are bigger than your fears".
The big warrior then reaches into his belt pouch and pulls forth a small cloth for Talliree to wipe her tears. He looks ready to offer a hug, but awkwardly hesitates, as physiical affection is not something he is well practiced with.
"There, there now. I won't make promises I can't keep, but I will do everything I can to be a family member to you. I can't go back and experience what you have, and feel for your past... but I can offer support and hope for the future".
He then grabs her shoulders, and looks her in the eye.
"I'm not going to preach to you, but tell you that I have another family in my worship of Waukeen, and he always welcomes any who call. Even if he is not one you feel faith with, there are other gods out there who might offer you comfort, and a sense of family as well. I am willing to discuss this, and help you with your search when you ask".
"For now we need to determine what to do next now that we've taken care of... hopefully the current threat. Perhaps we should try to find if there are any more bodies, or what happened to that hag's body, and try to keep this from recurring".
Religion (Trying to determine if the threat is truly ended or just temporarily).