You investigate the barn first, approaching the large double barn doors. One side is closed off, while the other hangs slightly open. As you reach out to the doors, you hear the sounds of rending flesh. Sounds like a few of those ghouls may be inside, gnawing on something… or someone.
Val taps Seamus on the shoulder, turning him invisible. ”You wanted to see my trick first hand, did you not?”
HP: 43/43
AC: 21/15/16
Saves: F4/R9/W6 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 1/4used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Vanish (5 rounds)
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 1/3 used (Mirror Imagex1, Placebo Effectx0, Lesser Restorationx0)
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4[/dice] damage.
Round Surprise
Unable to get off on the right foot, Kast limps slightly forward and readies for trouble.
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
hp: 38/38
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F3/R6/W5* +4 vs. mind effecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 3/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
"What's it? What's there?" Izomandakus steps back casting cat's grace on Valena using his rod.
Pachemu moves forward sniffing in the air trying to understand what is making the noise.
Izomandakus helps Valena by making her more dextrous. Valena turns Seamus invisible, so he can have his best first strike. Seamus sees his ready go off as he slashes deeply into the green one, though he does not drop it (no crit). Kast also readies, though he strikes down his opponent (I’ll say blue) with one stroke!
The ghouls, having heard you, poke their blood covered heads around the doorway. One is still gnawing on something but they all drop what they’re doing when you’re noticed.
Green comes out and opens the other door (so now all barn doors are fully open) and gets cut by Seamus. Blue comes out and gets cut down by Kast. Orange comes out and attacks Seamus by the door.
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 13 (paralysis)
At the same time as combat begins, you hear noise from the main house as well. You catch a glimpse of another ghoul through the window. Maybe more than one.
Round 1
”Thanks, ‘Mus,” Kast strikes at green.
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
With his move action, cast readies his shield for a return attack.
hp: 38/38
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F3/R6/W5* +4 vs. mind effecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 3/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
"I do not like it..." Izomandakus 5-foot steps towards the main building casting extended monsterous physique with his rod which he then stashes on his belt depleted for today "There are more inside the house!"
As he says this, his neck starts to elongate into an utterly disproportionate extent!
Meanwhile, Pachemu moves forward and helps Kast with green.
When the first ghoul approaches, Izomandakus extents his neck and his mouth opens into a sharp set of jaws.
Val hops a couple times, enjoying the newfound spring in her step courtesy of Izo. ”Thank you, darling. That will be quite a help.”
She lunges forward with a step, thrusting towards the already-injured ghoul.
HP: 43/43
AC: 23/17/16
Saves: F4/R11/W6 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 1/4used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Cat’s Grace
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 1/3 used (Mirror Imagex1, Placebo Effectx0, Lesser Restorationx0)
[ dice]1d20+11[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+6[/dice] damage.
Izomandakus changes form, again, while Pachemu takes another nasty bite out of green. Valena takes out green, the injured ghoul, cutting his arm, and a big chunk of his body, clear off. Seamus . Kast (per OOC) having no opponents, moves south next to Izomandakus and readies a strike against the ghouls from the house.
The ghouls in the barn are quickly dispatched by the party as more pour out of the house!
Purple opens the door and charges forth into Kast’s ready (Kast also has an AoO for reach).
Red appears from the house, looking somewhat fiercer than the others, and seemingly in charge. It closes with Izomandakus and attacks! As it closes, its reek overwhelms you - and Pachemu squeals at a scent he recognizes from Sandpoint.
and Fort DC 15 (disease) and Fort DC 15 (paralysis)
Yellow moves up as well, and also tries to take a bite out of Izomandakus.
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 13 (paralysis)
Finally, pink arrives on the scene and closes with Seamus (double move).
Round 2
Fort
Know (Religion) - red
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
"Wow, that one smells bad. Avoid getting too close if you can," Kast mentions, as he limps back to get a clean hew at purple.
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
He will activate his shield after his swing.
hp: 38/38
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F3/R6/W5* +4 vs. mind effecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 3/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
With his AoO, Kast will drop purple, but miss the red one strangely...
- - -
"Aww! Yes, it smells terrible!" complains Izomandakus who takes a very pale skin tone.
The boy opens his mouth and very large jaws protrude which he uses to try bite the red ghoul. He also slashes with his hands which seem to have grown long and sharp nails that shine with magic as he strikes.
Pachemu moves into the fray too, ducking below the cart, and tries to bite the ghoul's leg to help Seamus hit it with his swords.
Val dashes off to the south, using the clutter to guard her advance. Izo’s spell helps make up for her poor form, but it is likely not enough.
As she gets into a flanking position with Pachemu, the horrible smell finally hits her.
Steeled by their earlier experiences with this reeking flesh, she pushes through it just fine. She stabs towards the flanked ghoul, aiming for his chest.
HP: 43/43
AC: 23/17/16
Saves: F4/R11/W6 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 1/4used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions: Cat’s Grace
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 1/3 used (Mirror Imagex1, Placebo Effectx0, Lesser Restorationx0)
[ dice]1d20+9+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4+2[/dice] damage.
Izomandakus only hits red once, quite a change from the relatively easy to dispatch ghouls. Valena tumbles in successfully and takes a swipe at pink, preparing it for Seamus, who obliterates it before stepping to yellow for a swipe. Kast kills another with his AoO, but fails to land a hit on red - clearly tougher.
Now that you get a closer look at the red ghoul, or ghast as Kast says, you can see it is Mr. Hambley. This is his farm, and you seem to be fighting members of his family from the house. His wife, his two children - all now thirsty for your flesh and blood, but once fine upstanding members of the community.
You hew them down.
Red concentrates on Izomandakus, apparently oblivious to the re-deaths of his family.
and Fort DC 15 (disease) and Fort DC 15 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 15 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 15 (paralysis)
Meanwhile yellow concentrates on Seamus.
and Fort DC 13 (disease) and Fort DC 13 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 13 (paralysis)
and Fort DC 13 (paralysis)
Red gets a swipe in on Izomandakus and Seamus takes a little tweak as well. Still, this could be the final round for the farm family!
Round 3
"Mr. Hambley! No," Kast cries softly, unhappy for this turn of events. These are his people...and this shouldn't be happening to them.
He limps forward, trying to get a good flanky shot at red.
to hit;
magic cold iron damage.
hp: 38/38
AC: 20/17/13 + 2/shield
Saves: F3/R6/W5* +4 vs. mind effecting
Aroden's Verve: 0/0 used
GlitterBomb: 0/0 used
Extend GammaRadiation: 0/0 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 3/6 left
Staff of Courage 2: 4/4 left
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
[ ooc]Morningstar, two handed:[/ooc]
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] damage.
Val’s face falls as she hears Kast cry out someone’s name. She double-takes and realizes that yes, they are fighting a whole family of undead. She stares down the once-Mr. Hambley. Did he get turned first? Did he kill the others?
She rushes around to flank the ghast, throwing out a strike from her sword.
HP: 43/43
AC: 23/17/16
Saves: F4/R11/W6 +2 will vs charm and compulsion, +2 fort vs poison and drugs, +4 fort vs alcohol
Hypnotic Stare:
Painful Stare:
Active Implanted Tricks 1/4used): Psychosomatic Surge (Seamus, unused)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions:
0: (Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Message, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
1: 1/5 used (Vanishx1, Lock Gazex0, Ill Omenx0, Faerie Firex0)
2: 1/3 used (Mirror Imagex1, Placebo Effectx0, Lesser Restorationx0)
[ dice]1d20+9+2[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+4+2[/dice] damage.
"Aw!" is all Izomandakus manages to do as one of the claws cuts him hard on the right arm before he gets paralyzed by the ghast.
Pachemu jumps intercepting the ghast, although late, she shields her master, taking some of the damage "Oiiiiiiiiiink!"
The pig then tries to snap the yellow ghoul, again trying to aid Seamus on his attack.
Izomandakus freezes up as the paralyzation takes hold of him, though Pachemu does well supporting Seamus’ attack (only on yellow though, not on both). Valena tumbles into position, and though she doesn’t get the flank as Izomandakus is paralyzed, she still connects, and deeply though the farmer-ghast remains standing!. Seamus resists the paralysis as he cuts down yellow with yet another critical, though he fails to connect with the ghast. Kast does get flank with Pachemu the war-pig as he, just barely, cuts down the head of the household.
With ichor dripping from your weapons, the party is successful and the battle over. Izomandakus takes a moment or two to regain control over his limbs, but a few scratches aside - and no bites - you’re victorious!
"Stay calm, Izo, it will pass," Kast offers from experience, waiting to be sure Izo is okay. "It's an unpleasant sensation. I know. You can feel your muscles wanting to move...but they just...*won't*."
When Izo comes to, and others are ready, he will be ready to move inside to check things out in there.
"Let's start with the barn to see if we missed anything, then the house, then we'll make a pyre for the bodies. I don't think...I don't think we have the time to bury them all."
Limping, Kast moves to the barn.
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Izomandakus observes the ghast paralyzed. His eyes would show fear if he was able to make any move with them, but as the creature is destroyed he just remains there quite for a while.
Pachemu brings herself protective in front of the boy.
Some seconds later Izomandakus' fingers start to twitch, then finally he smears "Yeeeaj, tha' waz unblizan" he shakes his his head "Umpleazant. The tongue is still a vit nimvled"
As Kast opens the way into the building, the boy goes in to support "There must be some wood pile somewhere for the winter months" the boy looks down to Pachemu when Seamus asks his question. When the pig confirms he just says "Yes, it smells to ghast here. Still. That ghast had no razor"
Val waits to make sure everything has fallen quiet and still before she sheathes her sword. She uses her trick from before of casting a prestidigitation on a cloth to scent it lavendar and hold it up to her mouth and nose. ”I agree that we have confirmed via scent that our culprit is a ghast. Doubtfully this one, though.” She stares at the bodies. ”I hate undead. Loathe them. Anything that could murder whole families and turn them into monsters does not deserve to exist.” She can understand a little better now at least exactly why someone could be so driven to fight undead. ”Burning them makes the most sense. We can set it up while we finish searching the farm.”
The party heads into the barn to check for possible survivors and make sure there are no further ghouls. The large chamber where the ghouls had been found, contains the carcass of a cow. They’ve been feeding on it for days, and the cumulative rot and filth is somewhat overwhelming (Fort DC 13 or nauseated for d4r if you enter).
If anything, the other largish chamber is worse, with several pigs having been already mostly consumed. When you climb up to the hay loft, you find half a stable boy.
Heading back to the house, things are even worse. The one story farm-house is thick with body parts and the floors are sticky with blood. Apparently the ghouls have been using this as a base of operations for forays into nearby farms for at least a week, maybe two. There are a lot of livestock parts, but also humanoid.
There are even some fresher bits, from the nearby farmers who came calling last night. But no survivors - at least not here. They’re likely ripening in the sun on the other scarecrow scaffolds.
In the master bedroom, Seamus spots a loose floorboard hidden partially under the bed. Prying it up you find meticulously organized leather pouches containing 100sp each. The Hambley family’s life savings, you find 34 pouches in all as well as the deed to the farm and surrounding lands.
Pachemu oinks furiously as she observes the pig onslaught. Izomandakus pads her loin caring "It is ok. They do not suffer anymore"
The pig seems to have a hard time recomposing herself from the scene.
The boy diligently helps move the corpses into a pile outside, in a safe place for a fire "At least we extirpated this ghouls from the community, the farms around will like that, but we need to make sure there is no more ghoul remaining or it will extend again"
Finally, when they find the pouches, Izomandakus is quick to take measure of the coins inside "It seems the farmers will not need this money anymore"
Kast seems disgusted by the all the dead, if not the deed.
”Well, I think we should put all the bodies into the barn, then make it a controlled pyre,” Kast says. ”And yes, we’ll need to check each of the neighboring farms as well, and hope the infestation hasn’t spread too far. And, as for the deed, we’ll give that to the Mayor, they will do what they do with it. Probably put it up for auction, I would guess.”
”If we all work together, we can get his done in time for supper...that is, if we feel like eating after this.”
Kast will begin dragging bodies into the barn, taking note of anyone he recognizes, and descriptions of those he doesn’t. Others may want to know what happened to their loved ones.
"Is that how it works? I doubt any relatives will come pick the silver. And some robbers can come by and take it. We probably should take it ourselves. After all we cleaned the farm" Izomandakus stares absentmindedly the coin pouches.
"I agree with Seamus on making an actual pyre. It will be easier to control and will preserve the value of the asset. Plus, it will not trigger any alarm if someone see the barn on fire" the boy is happy to help moving wood around before placing the bodies over it "And yes, let's try to press on so we can check neighbor farms and hopefully have supper there, maybe even pass the night"
The barn is quite close to the house, and the risk of incorporating both into a large conflagration is high, so I’ll assume a large funerary pile some distance from the house. If you gather the parts from the barn and house, the scarecrows you’ve investigated so far, plus the bodies you just killed - it’ll take you a few hours at least. You’ll need to make a large wood bonfire, then pile bodies atop it. It’s slow, heavy work - but it is still fairly early in the day. You could be done just after lunch if you bring your horses down to help drag carcasses.
Kast does notice that one of the ghouls is dressed rather more finely than the others. Though the ghoulish transformation disguises his features, they seem softer somehow, more pampered than what you expect out of a farmer. Around his neck you find an iron key, with a heraldic symbol of a curious flower surrounded by thorns.
- - -
- - -
On the ghast (even though you didn’t actually search - I’m a nice DM), you find an impressive, and out of place, amulet of light silver, or maybe platinum. It’s very pretty, and when examined, you find it is an amulet of natural armor (+2), likely the reason it was so hard to land a blow!
Before you head off to other farms, do you plan to investigate the other scarecrows on this farm?
Know (local)
"That's...strange," Kast says, looking at the body of the ghast. "Nor maybe not strange. I think...I think..." Kast looks up and Izo, then Seamus, hoping one of them can confirm. "I think that's Rogors Craesby, servant of Aldern Foxglove, and caretaker of Foxglove Manor."
His eyes glaze over as he thinks about this, and the symbol. He pauses for a bit, pondering, stunned with thought.
Know (nobility)
"And, unless I miss my guess, the heraldry on the key is the Foxglove family crest." Kast shakes his head and readies for the bonfire.
He goes with Seamus to get the rest of the bodies. They all must be accounted for and burn.
"Loans are nice" changing his attention to Seamus, Izomandakus asks with curiosity "What is your interest rate for new businesses and what provisions do you have in case a loan is not repaied?"
"Mmm... wait, yes, I do remember Aldern citing him while we were talking in the Rusty Dragon" examining the key, he adds "Perhaps it is time to homage our promise to the sheriff and give the Foxglove a visit"
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”We can hold onto the money until we bring it to the sheriff.” She picks up the amulet and holds it up to catch the light. ”We can hold onto this, too. Any extra protection would make it easier for us to survive this madness.” She compares it to her current scrimshaw jade amulet as though she is in a jewelry store. ”This suits my style a little better, so I could hold onto it for the time being. One of you lads could use the jade one in the time being.”
She furrows her brow as the others start talking about some Aldern Foxglove. She takes a moment to untangle her confusion before finally relaxing into a charming smile. ”Ohhhh you mean Abelard. I was dreadfully confused for a moment there. Kast, darling, you really must do a better job getting peoples’ names correct.” She has already forgotten Aldern’s name again as soon as she finished admonishing Kast.
Kast would know that the town doesn’t really keep a fund or anything like that, but they do try to find heirs, and failing that, dole the funds out for the betterment of the community. If he had to hazard a guess, if there are no heirs, he thinks Mayor Deverin would give the money to nearby farmers who lost family members, livestock, that sort of thing. And yes, you’d expect some sort of finders fee as well as payment for your services.
Before lighting your bonfire, you head out beyond the farmhouse to the other scarecrows. Thankfully a few are merely dead bodies, though several are ghouls. They’re so spread out you never face more than two or three at a time, so you make quick, if gory, work of it.
Worse, two poor souls who haven’t yet succumbed to ghoul fever (but who surely will within a day or two from the looks of them) also hang from frames as you go through the area. These two living people are Horran and Lettie Guffmin, dragged off from their farm last night and left bound, gagged, and partially masked as scarecrows.
Once rescued, they feebly warn you about the ghouls that dwell in the barn, unsure if you’ve headed that way yet, before begging to be returned to their families. ”We’ve been hanging up there all night! Folks came through late, we saw the light of their torches, but the scarecrows got ‘em. We’re so thankful you rescued us! If there’s ever anything you need, we live just over there!” and they point to a farm not far from here though hidden from view by terrain.
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"Oh, is that his name. Might be Aberlour. That's a favorite name for some too." Kast responds to VMeagl.
”If there’s ever anything you need, we live just over there!”
Kast is very worried by their tale.
"Have you been bit at all? Let me see your wounds, please," Kast says with some concern, and then explains. "Ghouls have a tendency to spread ghoul fever, which will kill you and make you into a ghoul yourself. We just ran into a touch of that at the Sanitarium. Good thing we were there before it got out of hand."
Kast steps forward to check the Guffmins while they answer Seamus' questions.
"Now, I'm not a healer and I'd feel a lot better if you went into town to see the Father," he mentions as he begins his examination for ghoul fever.
Heal - Horran
Heal - Lettie
"Now, if you feel sick at all, go see Father Zanthus. You go tell him what happened, you hear me?"
"Mmmm.... perhaps it is better if you stay confined, in case you contracted ghoul fever the last thing we want is you transform into a ghoul while you are visiting people at Sandpoint" Izomandakus spats while still having a look at the farmer's wounds "We can have a look after you in a day or too"
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Seamus asks, "Can you tell us anything about how they captured you? Also can you think of any reason that Rogors Craesby, the servant of Aldern Foxglove, and caretaker of Foxglove Manor would have been here?" Pausing for a moment he adds. "Did you hear any of them say anything about 'The Scrimshaw man?"
She quips up politely, ”Oh, we were finishing our chores, about to settle in for supper, when they just stormed through the door! There was maybe six of them. More ‘en me and Horran can handle anyways. All scratches and bites I can tell you!”
He adds, ”Oh Rogors is among the dead? That’s too bad, he was a nice man. Always gave us good coin for our milk and cheese. No, none of them said anything. Just grunts and the like.” he shivers, ”I wouldn’t want to hear them talk!”
"Now, if you feel sick at all, go see Father Zanthus. You go tell him what happened, you hear me?"
They both look very concerned, and in no shape to travel to town. ”We’ll just rest a day, to get our strength up after hanging here so long. We’ll head out to the Father first thing tomorrow, OK?”
The both show signs of bites. After they were captured, the ghouls bit them up and down their bodies multiple times. It’s amazing they can walk at all.
"Mmmm.... perhaps it is better if you stay confined, in case you contracted ghoul fever the last thing we want is you transform into a ghoul while you are visiting people at Sandpoint" Izomandakus spats while still having a look at the farmer's wounds "We can have a look after you in a day or too"
”W-w-we could turn into one of those… things?” The man can’t handle this new information on top of all his injuries, and he collapses on the ground in a heap - passed out. The woman, in a panic of her own, wails at the inhumanity of it all, and falls to her knees next to him, crying.
"Yes, you could turn into one of those things," Kast confirms grimly. "In fact, I think that's exactly why they left you as they did...so when you died, and died helpless, you would turn into one of those things. Not sure it works if they just eat you...they have to let you die while infected."
Kast takes out his wand and heals them both.
"Hamberder! Hamberder!"
CLW
He turns to Seamus.
"We can't go back now, Seamus, especially if there are other farms that might be infected. I think they can make it on their own. It's not that far...and let them take my horse. I prefer my own feet anyway."
He turns back to the Guffmins.
"I can't tell you what to do, but I strongly suggest you go see Father Z. Tell him what happened. That's the best option. We need to check on your neighbors."
Val’s mouth falls open as Izo and then Kast just drop the brutal truth. ”Boys! Let us not scare them to death now, shall we?”
She turns her focus onto the remaining conscious survivor, affecting an easy demeanor and smile. ”You two look like you have plenty of time, especially with Kast’s generous offer of the horse. The Father will just cast a spell or two and you will be sorted. I have a good feeling.”
It is honestly difficult for her to have a good feeling about anything right now, but someone has to give them the kid gloves. The way she sees it, if you go through something horrible, you deserve a little special consideration, even beyond the practicalities of keeping people calm.
”I do agree with Kast, Seamus. This situation appears to be devolving rapidly, and we need to do what we can to hold it back. Them going to town would give the Sheriff and Mayor warning, too.”
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Kast looks at VMaelg and shrugs.
”Listen, I think the last thing any of us want is for them to wake up tomorrow...dead.”
Kast hustles to the next farm to see if there are any ghoulsign there.
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The party revives the Guffmins (one more wand charge please, no need to roll) as best you can, though fatigue and disease is what really ails them now. Still, you lend them your horses and instill in them the importance of going to see Father Zantus this morning. Right now. You’re pretty sure they’ll make it to town, especially mounted. Though weakened by their recent abuse, Sandpoint residents are of a hearty stock.
Then, partly on foot, the group visits the two or three nearest farms. For the Hambley farm was on the western edge of the farmlands and has few neighbors - hemmed in by the Whisperwood as it is.
You meet back up with Maester Grump’s wife (Mr. Grump having been sent to see the sheriff already), visit briefly with the Watterly family (mourning the loss of a teenage child to the scarecrows), and stop in at the Guffmins place just to make sure it hasn’t burned down or something. It hasn’t, but what the ghouls did to the place and the livestock defies imagination.
There are two other farms which are just… empty. Though there are signs of recent struggles within, no one remains behind to tell the tale. Just blood and gore, and that signature nasty smell.
Mrs. Grump promises to let the other nearby farms know what’s going on - especially about the pyre you’re about to build with the bodies. That kind of smoke would otherwise attract even distant neighbors, wanting to help in case of a house or barn fire. And of course, everyone is on edge, many having lost a family member, or livestock.
So released, you return to the grisly task of preparing a wood pyre, and topping it with the dead and undead. It takes the rest of the morning to accomplish, but when you are finished with the dirty, smelly, smoky work, you’re confident that you’ve eradicated this nest of ghouls and purified the remains with cleansing fire. As for yourselves, you’re covered in gore and soot as you cough from the smoke and wish you could avoid the ash…
But where did they come from? You still haven’t found the Skinsaw Man or his razor…
It’s still Lamashan the 16th, an Oathday, and just lunchtime, though you don’t particularly feel like eating at the moment. Where to?
Izomandakus scratches his head and shrugs at Valena's question "Well, you should also know it is not certain. There is hope, if your vitality is strong, that you surmount the disease and keep away the monster. You should have a good eat and good rest"
The boy makes his best to help the farmers and later on, he works on the pyre with the others. As the flames rise and clean the undead disease and the monstrous slaughter inflicted to the Sandpoint farms, Izomandakus kneels, and Pachemu does besides him "Tender of Dreams, take good care of these spirits, as they are now free of any human or undead unpleasantness"
As the scolds are still cooling he asks "Well, if we want to root out this, we need to follow the hints we have. That relationship of the ghast to Foxglove is very outstanding Seamus... how far are we from the manor?"
Kast will offer a Pharasmin rite of passage for the victims and the pyre.
Know (religion)
"That was the best and least we could do. I'm sorry it wasn't better...but it's what I have right now."
* * *
"We should probably go tell Lord Foxglove we found his butler."
Kast nods as Seamus is correct. They *should*. At the same time, Kast feels that Abelour is an ass and isn't in the mood to rush out there.
Kast rubs the back of his neck, thinking.
"Yeah, I think we've covered most of the farms south of the Soggy River," he offers. "I'm just not sure if we should backtrack a bit and make sure there is no infestation closer to Sandpoint...or push forward all the way to the Manor. It's about 1/2 hour to the other farms, other side of the river, but further to the Manor. Might be we check closer to home first. The infestation might come from that direction too. I dunno."
Kast looks around, pondering.