"Oh, a maze of sorts, sounds exciting. I remember when me and Thedicus the Bold went into a maze. There weren't any ghouls to worry about but there was a rather nasty chimeric beast in the maze with the body of a bull and upper torso of a brutish man. Nasty thing. But Thedicus killed the thing I managed to lead us out of the maze. I leave the heroing to others like Alden here, but mazes, I like mazes." Kevan says in response to Tymos.
"Underground spaces tend to run deeper than one thinks. And if the ghouls aren't being spotted escaping the graveyard than they must have found somewhere that exits into the town."
Tymos looks down to examine Kevan as the halfling speaks, but as Eochaidh voices his opinion he looks up and gives a slight dip of his chin. "Perhaps." he allows, "But we've found no underground passages, and we've conducted a very thorough search of every building. Within and without. If there is it would have to be found from inside."
He then looks back to Alden. "Are you done then?" he asks, "I would like to fulfill my word and see you out of the city."
"I think we've learned all we can for the time being," Alden replies. "We will return to our people, and see what other resources we can bring to bear against the ghouls."
Kevan heads out with everyone, whistling as he goes.
Tymos looks down to examine Kevan as the halfling speaks, but as Eochaidh voices his opinion he looks up and gives a slight dip of his chin. "Perhaps." he allows, "But we've found no underground passages, and we've conducted a very thorough search of every building. Within and without. If there is it would have to be found from inside."
He then looks back to Alden. "Are you done then?" he asks, "I would like to fulfill my word and see you out of the city."
"Yes, thank you."
Tymos leads the party back the way they come. Walking along the streets the people of the city are more noticeable. While they don't leave their houses some now stand at windows, and even a few children are noticed by the sharper eyed members of the group.
Eochaidh can tell at a glance they are not in the best of health. Many have the gaunt look of malnourishment, and it is no wonder if the food crisis was as bad as the group was told. Of course, Tymos and his soldiers do not have the same look about them.
The group is led from the city without incident and Tymos pauses when they reach the initial place the two groups met. "I will have the men on the wall watch for your return." he says evenly. There is a long pause, the man considering the group.
"If you decide to make the attempt. I would like to join you." he adds with a respectful nod. Then turns on his heel. The guards move back through the gate, and it is secured behind them.
Alden returns Tymos's nod of respect, and once the gate has closed, he turns and begins walking towards Passbog.
After the party is well out of earshot of the walls, he says, "If we're going to clear out the ghouls, we need to learn all we can about them. We should call a gathering in the common room, and make sure we glean whatever we can from the rest of the town. After that, we should probably see if she will be willing to provide any helpful advice. It also might be worthwhile for one of us to pay a visit to the swan-woman, and see if she can be of assistance."
Alden returns Tymos's nod of respect, and once the gate has closed, he turns and begins walking towards Passbog.
After the party is well out of earshot of the walls, he says, "If we're going to clear out the ghouls, we need to learn all we can about them. We should call a gathering in the common room, and make sure we glean whatever we can from the rest of the town. After that, we should probably see if she will be willing to provide any helpful advice. It also might be worthwhile for one of us to pay a visit to the swan-woman, and see if she can be of assistance."
"And I fear time may not be on our side."
Rabbit nods at Alden's plan, relieved to be out of the town. It felt... oppressive, and the sight of hungry townspeople didn't help. He's hoping they will be able to make enough food in their combined territories to avoid any tensions... or temptation of the townies to go into the dragon's territory.
But that's a problem for down the road. For now, they need info. "Yes, let's hurry home and see what others may know of the ghouls."
"Sounds good. We need to know if our regular weapons will destroy them or if we need anything special. I think we also need to know if anything special needs to be done with the bodies, to keep them from coming back. Burning bodies isn't easy but it may be required."
”I’m also concerned about how it spreads. Clearly, some people have been eaten by the ghouls while others became them. We don’t want this spreading to our family and friends.”
”I’m also concerned about how it spreads. Clearly, some people have been eaten by the ghouls while others became them. We don’t want this spreading to our family and friends.”
"Or can the ghouls subsist on dead flesh and they've transformed many of their living victims into ghouls? In particular the skills of the 'hunting party' they sent to eliminate the ghouls, those could be a significant problem."
"We have enough ground we could plant extra acres. As long as it does not encroach on the dragon's territory, I think we should see if they will allow anyone to leave and learn to farm. If we are going to be sharing the same space, they will need to eat. If we do not teach people how to make food, then they will begin to take it." Kevan says uncharacteristically serious.
"We have enough ground we could plant extra acres. As long as it does not encroach on the dragon's territory, I think we should see if they will allow anyone to leave and learn to farm. If we are going to be sharing the same space, they will need to eat. If we do not teach people how to make food, then they will begin to take it." Kevan says uncharacteristically serious.
"I think Tymos and the leadership believe that if the residents are allowed to leave that they would not return. I suspect they are correct."
"If Berik keeps his word and abdicates power to us, then it will be a simple matter to recruit survivors from their city to become farmers. If, as I fear, that there is some subterfuge at play, either by him or Tymos, then we can expect betrayal at an opportune moment. Perhaps they plan to bury us alive in the mausoleum, then abandon and burn the city, and claim Passbog for themselves.," Alden replies, his tone turning cautious and speculative.
”Yeah, I’m not keen on Tymos joining us in the catacombs.” Kevan responds.
Rabbit makes a small sound, a not-quite laugh. "Would you rather have him waiting outside the catacombs when we emerge, with all of his guard by him, leveling crossbows at us?" he says in a rare quip.
"I don't like either option. I've... met him before. Back in... before everything shattered. He's-- he's cruel. But all the same, it might be better to have him with us so we can keep an eye on him. Hopefully they wouldn't collapse the catacombs with him in there. And..."
Rabbit hesitates. His brain doesn't naturally work this way, and the gentle part of his soul shies away, but hard realities are present.
"...and... and... um... if necessary... maybe... he could be a hostage?"
Rabbit makes a small sound, a not-quite laugh. "Would you rather have him waiting outside the catacombs when we emerge, with all of his guard by him, leveling crossbows at us?" he says in a rare quip.
"I don't like either option. I've... met him before. Back in... before everything shattered. He's-- he's cruel. But all the same, it might be better to have him with us so we can keep an eye on him. Hopefully they wouldn't collapse the catacombs with him in there. And..."
Rabbit hesitates. His brain doesn't naturally work this way, and the gentle part of his soul shies away, but hard realities are present.
"...and... and... um... if necessary... maybe... he could be a hostage?"
"Tymos and Barik Kron seem to be untrustworthy although for different reasons. However we have little choice but to work with them since we'll need their assistance in finding the shard. Particularly since these ghouls seem to be intelligent; they may have plans of their own for the shard."
"Barik is hiding something for sure. For all we know, he's a ghoul." Kevan adds.
"Are ghouls intelligent? I mean, intelligent enough to do that?"
"Are ghouls intelligent? I mean, intelligent enough to do that?"
"If the information we've been provided by those in New Ostenso is accurate, the ghouls appear to be intelligent. I hope we can find a reliable source of information on the creatures among our friends and allies."
"Roderick's ghouls aren't but he could be a mutant or some sort of ghoul master. Anyway, I don't trust him or Tymos. Rabbit's right, there's the possibility we come out of that graveyard and get shot at."
As the party makes their way back to the inn they find the villagers waiting for them as planned. The Tooms children were in the dirt road between the inn and the smithy, playing a game of stones with Norian. Bart was standing nearby watching with Fogril. Thin smoke rose from the smithy, showing that it had been lit and in use despite the potential threat while the party was gone.
Seeing the group coming the children run up to Kevan to ask fervent questions. How did it go? Were there lots of people? Did they have any children? Were there elves? Milana, Tel Beys, and the children's parents came out a moment later hearing the commotion.
The party is free to relate what they wish.
When the group starts to inquire about ghouls Milana is quick to pipe up. "I know about those foul things." she says curtly, "Nasty undead. They carry a disease that will turn anyone who dies into a ghoul by the next midnight. They can see in the dark, and they will attack with claws and even bite you. As far as I know they're intelligent, but the ones my group faced were so mad from their hunger they came at us like wild animals. Even so, they still killed a member of my group. Managed to paralyze him with their attacks."
Eochaidh ponders on what Milana says and replies, "Was the paralysis also caused by disease? I ask because I have one possibility to delay onset of disease and another to make me more resistant to disease. The problem with the spell for me is that the components required are quite expensive and it's not a guarantee I wouldn't be infected."
Kevan brightens when the children approach and start asking questions. "It went great. I was so convincing about the prowess of our team that the mayor offered to step down if we could solve his problem, he's got monsters. I don't think we would have him step down but it was nice of him to offer. There were several people, more than we have here but they are sad and scared. Not a bright lively bunch as we have out here. I hope we can get some of them settled nearby to help us farm. I met one young man, or older boy if you will, I saw a few children but again, they did not come out to play. I think we can help them though. All of them. I think we have some good monster killers here." Kevan says in answering the many quesitons.
"By removing the ghouls, we hope to eliminate the threat, and earn the trust of the remaining people in the city. However, we should all be wary of them. Their lord is suffering from some sort of madness, and the captain of the guard seems to be the scheming sort. When we return to deal with the ghouls, it is essential you be on your guard with anyone who comes from the city. I would also suggest posting a watch, in case they come by night with an intent to kill or conquer."
Alden's expression leaves no doubt that he is concerned for the well-being of Passbog's citizenry.
"I also think it would be prudent to notify our neighbors in the Forest Shard. Having a hostile force, or a pack of ravenous ghouls on their border might cause them to enough concern to take drastic measures, if not forewarned. I will deliver the news, unless one of you believes another would be better suited to the task, in which case, I will defer."
"If the residents of New Ostenso decide to enter our area it would be unwise for any of us to travel alone."
"So they're ravenous like animals, biting and clawing, eating their prey. They are intelligent, but sometimes their appetite over-rides the intelligence. They are undead and they carry a disease that turns other people into the same type of undead. And being hit by them can temporarily paralyze their targets. Looks like the soldiers were rather smart killing them at range."
"When we face them we should focus on killing them quickly. Gang up on one, kill it and then the next, and the next. After a battle, unless we can identify a way to cure the possible disease, anyone wounded should be quarantined until we can be sure that they don't turn into a ghoul. And if possible, they should be restrained so they cannot harm anyone if they turn into a ghoul."
"And fire, don't forget fire, we need to take plenty of that." Kevan says excitedly with one of his alchemist fire bombs in his hand and a ravenous smile on his face.
"I believe the paralysis is something else." Milana says thoughtfully, "The disease has other symptoms." She taps at her hip as she considers. "Debilitating in it's own right, but not paralyzing." she finally says with a nod.
****************************
"Please help them Mister Kevan." Alberta pleads, "You'd make a fine mayor. You always know what to do!" Thomas seems equally excited, but seems hesitant to agree with Alberta about Kevan becoming a mayor. "You said an older lad. About my age?" Thomas asked, "Old enough to use a bow?"
****************************
Tel Beys and Bart exchange a glance at Alden's warning. Norian simply looks put out. "I really do hope we can assign some kind of guard once this is over with." the sorcerer remarks, "So we don't all have to huddle together while I set magical shelters."
"You said he was mad?" the sturdy monk asks.
"I could send a message to the dragon." Norian muses, "Though I have not seen the pond your other acquaintance lives at."
****************************
There is a sense of dread among the village, and yet there is also a bit of excitement as well. Tel Beys seemed to be considering, and knowing her industrious nature she was likely considering what so much new manpower could accomplish. The children were bundles of naïve excitement, looking forward to more tall tales and new people to meet. Milana looked at the group earnestly, as if considering how formidable the lot of you were. Martin and Yana were looking upon their children wistfully, managing thin smiles at the thought of people as well.
Only Fogril and Torin seemed perturbed. "So much for brewing some good ale with any excess crops." the dwarf muttered, "Even the end of the world can't get me away from civilization." Norian gave a rueful smile at the dwarf, but then grew pensive.
"I thank you for that but I'm more of a mayor's assistant. I like to work behind the scenes. I feel like I can get more done that way. As a matter of fact, it wasn't a mayor's position but I was the first mate for Captain Sparrow. It was a great job, we sailed around the sea and..." he pauses as he considers who he's talking, "And we helped other ships that were too overloaded to take their wares into port. It was a very fun time." Then he hears the question about the mayor being mad, "Yep, mad or some sort of magical malady. He wears a mask and made out that he had some hideous visage and at times he could not control himself."
"The key thing to remember is if we want to regain Deshrit we will need to deal with both the ghouls and the living residents of New Ostenso. Otherwise we risk being at the mercy of whatever, and wherever, the ghouls decide to send us."
”I will visit the pond. Its resident will only speak with one person, so I will have to go alone. How did you intend to notify the Green Lady? She doesn’t appreciate magic being used in her territory without her expressly stated permission.”
"I wish you luck, Alden, with the Swan Lady. If you want me to go with you to the ... the green lady, I will."
Rabbit has been nervous and perturbed since the encounter with Barik, fretfully toying with threads from his clothes and tugging them loose. "I think we should definitely... definitely deal with the ghouls as quickly as we can. I'm sorry. I'm not a big strategy warrior or... anything. Could anyone bless any water? I guess we don't really have any priests."
The children seem distracted by the change of topic, with Alberta looking a bit harrowed at mention of the madman. They step to the side and converse between themselves a moment. Then they wander off.
***************************************
"I don't think they could do that." Norian chimes in as he listens to Eochaidh, "Surely there must still be some kind of cooldown period between merging. At the very least they wouldn't be able to do so with powerful opposition still remaining."
***************************************
At Alden's question the sorcerer turns his head. "With magic of course." he says with a wry smile as he brings his hands together. Small sparks dance between his fingers, "You wanted a meeting with her yes? To warn her?"
*****************************************
As Rabbit mentions holy water a familiar face wanders in through the door of the inn. You hadn't seen Siegfried much since the original battle with the goblins. The harrowed dwarf had kept mostly to the forge, and often left to seek isolation when the others were at work. Kras'tak remained underfoot at the end, but had also grown skittish over the months of your adventures. "You need holy water... I can help." the dwarf offers in a low voice, "It might feel nice to be doing something again."
*****************************************
Alden nods. "Go ahead and send the message. How long will it take to receive a reply, assuming she responds immediately?"
"Regardless of her answer, I will go to the pond and speak with the Swan. With any luck, she will be able to offer valuable advice."
Jaxom watches and listens. Finally he hears Siegfried. "Dragon. Swan. Sorcerer. Magic.... Siegfried? Anything I can do to help you?"
"I don't think they could do that." Norian chimes in as he listens to Eochaidh, "Surely there must still be some kind of cooldown period between merging. At the very least they wouldn't be able to do so with powerful opposition still remaining."
"I'm not sure how long any opposition in New Ostenso is going to last. Despite their efforts to seal off the graveyard where the ghouls reside they still manage to organize raids into the city. Once they've overrun New Ostenso they will look for fresh prey - here."
To Siegfried: "I would ask Milana if holy water would harm the creatures. Perhaps if we can make enough of it we would have a better chance of rooting them out."
"Norian, or anyone really, do you have a bandolier I could use? I've got a bunch of alchemist fire prepped but I'd prefer easy access to it rather than have to dig it out of my pack each time."
Norian seems to consider Alden's question for a moment. "Actually, I'm not sure how she will respond." he explains, "She might decide to come to us. I'm not sure if she has magic like this."
*******************
Siegfried looks to Jaxom and gives a sniff. "I guess you can help fill the vials? File down some silver to put inside?" he explains, though he doesn't seem thrilled about accepting help. At Eochaidh's question the dwarf gives a gruff nod. "If it's undead, holy water will hurt it." he explains, "All undead."
*******************
"I could put something together." Norian remarks in response to Kevan, "Though I'm not a leather worker. I might have an old bandolier lying around, if you don't mind used goods."
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The preparations are made that evening. A bandolier and two flasks of holy water are provided. The next day another two flask are created as Alden sets out to see the swan knight Sarana. The journey goes smoothly, with Alden passing into the greater woods without incident.
As the paladin draws closer to the pond though, he gets the feeling he is being watched. Or perhaps more aptly... stalked. Coming into a small rise dotted with thickly rooted trees you spot a large wolf laying down directly in your path. It briefly growls, issuing a warning of sorts. A moment later two wolf cubs scamper from the brush. One is jet black, with a white patch at one brow. The other was a mottled brown with fur that seemed extra tufted. It was the latter that tripped over a boot to land at your feet.
The prone wolf started to stand, and issues a more fearsome growl that curled it's lips back.
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Alden maintains eye contact with the wolf. "The Stagfather's Blessing upon you and your family, Mother. I will not harm your cubs. If you let me pass, I will happily share some meat with you."
He moves slowly to retrieve his trail ration package, pulling out four pieces of jerky, two for the wolf and one for each of her cubs.
He tosses the two pieces to the Mother Wolf, and drops the other two, one in front of each cub.
As soon as Alden presents the meat the wolf pauses, sniffing the air. Taking cues the cubs do as well. Approaching calmly and keeping a respectful distance the wolves are eager to try the meat. They remain cautious of Alden, except the brown cub, who seems more than eager to sniff and paw at the paladin's trousers.
It is then that more wolves creep in from the sides, five of them, and as Alden looks around he spots three more wolves blocking the way he had come. They seem more interested than hostile, and part of the reason might be the blood on the muzzles of the three.
The lead wolf between the other two blocking his retreat is a larger wolf of mottled brown colored fur. Perhaps the wolf that had been visible was not the cubs parent, but instead a babysitter. The brown cub begins to paw at his leg and whine plaintively.
Alden keeps his breathing steady, and maintains eye contact with the the large wolf. ”Greetings, friend. I was just sharing a meal with these cubs.” He slowly, but smoothly drops to one knee, and hold out his hand for the wolf pup to sniff. ”My apologies, if I interrupted your hunt. I am just passing through to the pond. I wish to speak with the Swan Maiden, Sarana. If you let me be on my way, I will trouble you no further.”
The puppy flinches back briefly, then eagerly goes in to sniff. Moving up from your hand to your forearm and starting to lick. The original wolf rises and steps over, sheparding the other puppy away. It hesitates to draw closer, but after a few false starts draws closer and takes the curious pup by the neck.
Taking the pups along, the wolves then turn and walk away into the woods. As they do, a familiar looking woman in breastplate and swan cloak steps from behind a tree. "That was handled well Paladin." she says with a smile.
Alden rises to his feet, pausing long enough to return the smile, and give a respectful nod of acknowledgement.
"The wolves were acting according to their nature. If they had attacked, I would have defended myself, but I had no cause to provoke them." After a moment, he smiles at the recollection of the rollicking wolf pups, and adds. "The pups were adorable, and I would have hated to orphan them."
"As you no doubt heard, I have come to speak with you. May I have a few moments of your time, m'Lady?"
Sarana gives a slight dip of her chin and bears the hint of a smile. "Of course ser paladin." she says lightly.
"I do not know if you are aware, but we have merged with another shard of the world. It is what remains of a city from the nation of Cheliax. The survivors are plagued by ghouls, who lair in warrens beneath their cemetery. We have agreed to rid the Chelish of this scourge in exchange for rulership of their remaining people. Their lord shows evidence of madness, or at least, a deep regret for how things have transpired under his leadership. I speak for all of us when I say that we have no desire to make slaves of these people, only to live with them in peace. However, there is no peace to be made with the ghouls, and it seems that those they do not eat, they change into more of their own. We are woefully ignorant of how to deal with these creatures, but despite this ignorance, we must face them. I have come to ask for your counsel, in the hopes that you would prefer our presence to the ravenous dead upon the border of the forest."
The lady thinks for a time, looking out amongst the trees and then up to the canopy. "My council..." she repeats back slowly, "You should slay these ghouls. Undead cannot be abided."
Tucking a hand under her cloak she produces a single swan feather and lightly twists it through the air between her delicate fingers. "You would no sooner make slaves of those people than I would use my feathers for quills." she remarks, "Do you not see a great opportunity here?"
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Back at the village a shadow passes overhead, darkening the windows of the inn for but a moment. Then, a tall and lithe figure steps through the entrance. "I have been called?" Talschornvox asks primly. The reaction of the assembled village is mixed. The adults have a mixed reaction of trepidation or awe, but the children and Kras'tak are taken immediately by wonder.
Milana steps forward and offers the dragon in humanoid guise a curtsey. "My lady Talshornvox." she begins, "Can I interest you in any of our fare? I have a variety of meats, cheeses, and other good food." The dragoness gives a slight nod, then allows herself to be ushered to a table.
She then looks to the assembled shard bearers.
"We have a new shard to deal with and they have ghouls. We've got an idea on how to lick 'em but we wanted your wisdom on the matter. To see what we might be forgetting or more importantly what we may not know that you just might." Kevan says politely with a smile.