”Whether or not to slay the ghouls is not the question., m’Lady,” Alden replies. ”As you say, they cannot be abided. Unfortunately, I am too green in matters of the undead; we all are. We want to face them with the best possible means for success. Once the ghoul threat is no more, we can attempt to join the Chelish survivors with our neighbors in a spirit of one whole community.”
With a bow to her Eochaidh says, "Greetings Lady Talschornvox. If you would like to eat first afterwards we have an update on the situation with our newest neighbors - and we need your knowledge and wisdom."
Rabbit scrambles to his feet with wide eyes on realizing that the dragon is among them. He bows deeply, checks that Mr. Whisper isn't looking particularly edible, and nods several times at Talscharnvox.
"It's as they say, great lady. There are ... new neighbors, and they say they will abide by our leadership if we rid them of a problem they currently have. If they abide by our leadership then we can ensure they don't bother you or violate your woods, ma'am. It's just that we haven't got any knowledge of the things plaguing our new neighbors and, well, we'd like to, um, succeed. May I get you anything to drink?"
The dragoness sits primly at a table and listens quietly as the party explains their circumstances. Milana returns in a moment with a small board of cured meats, her best smoked cheese, and some pickled vegetables. She also pours her a small cup of reserved wine. She tries one of the slices of cheese, and then quickly follows with a pickled treat after finding it to her liking.
"I know very little of ghouls." she says, "But you should be able to deal with any minor undead if you could fight werewolves. This is good fare lady...?"
"Milana." the innkeeper says. Talschornvox smiles faintly and retrieves a gold mark from a pouch at her hip. "It's value is not as high in this world, but I thank you for the food. Alas, I do not need any wine Rabbit, but might I see your familiar?" she returns as her smile turns more sinister.
"These new neighbors seem to be a fruitful opportunity for you all. Do you intend to be this concerned each time a shard merges?" she asks, "I had though you more... industrious. Where is your paladin?"
***********************
The swan maiden looks befuddled for a moment. Then it dawns on her. "Oh!" she says in surprise, "I know very little of undead. If that is why you came to me I will be of no help I'm afraid." She seems a touch embarrassed, and looks around a moment before meeting Alden's gaze again. "Was there anything else you wanted, ser paladin?" she asks hopefully.
”I admit, seeking your expertise was my primary goal on this particular occasion,” Alden replies, flushing slightly at what he perceives to be either her admonishment or interest in him. ”I am hopeful that sometime soon, when innocent lives are not at stake, we could take our time to speak at length, and become better acquainted with one another.”
I hope I am not being presumptuous, and end up making a fool of myself! Alden thinks to himself, as he meets the swan maiden’s gaze and offers what he believes to be a charming smile.
The lady seems disheartened, but nods. She holds out the downy white feather as a token. "It has been years since I have had a proper conversation. she admits.
Alden accepts the feather from Sarana, his hand lingering against hers. "Thank you, m'Lady. I will carry it with me, and think of your lovely smile when I see it. Is there any token I can give you in return?"
"I will think on it." she says quietly. She glances away and after a moment draws her hand back. "Stay safe ser paladin." she adds. As Alden turns to go he notices the large, mottled brown wolf was at the treeline watching him. After meeting his gaze for a moment it turned and walked off.
Alden releases her hand as soon as he feels her pull away. He fastens Sarana's feather to his bandolier.
"If I survive, I will return, m'Lady. I look forward to our first real conversation."
He gives her a respectful bow of his head, and turns to return to Passbog.
"Alas, I do not need any wine Rabbit, but might I see your familiar?" she returns as her smile turns more sinister.
"These new neighbors seem to be a fruitful opportunity for you all. Do you intend to be this concerned each time a shard merges?" she asks, "I had though you more... industrious. Where is your paladin?"
Oh dear, Rabbit thinks, and clears his throat a bit nervously. Hopefully, a dragon would think it was rude to eat your familiar right at the table? Hopefully? Right?
He nervously fetches Mr. Whisper and holds the squirming rabbit up after leaning in to whisper Behave! to it. The rabbit does not seem assuaged by this command. Slowly, Rabbit proffers over the white bunny, which glares with a pink eye at Talschornvox.
The question also seems rather fraught. "Mr. Cooperson is seeking some further council on the undead," he says after a moment's hesitation. "And with all respect, great lady, I think it's, um, better to be cautious than to charge into, well, any situation without knowing what you're dealing with? Or trying to? Caution is maybe what kept us alive with you, since if we'd come in eager to fight I think that we would all be past meals by now. Anyway, if nobody knows more about them then we'll just go do our best, but I don't think it's bad to try and learn things first. Er, ma'am."
"You know, you're right." Kevan says to the dragon and then walks outside.
Kevan starts walking back toward the city wall.
In the wake of his earnest speech to the dragon, Rabbit suddenly blinks, as Kevan is.. leaving?
"Um... Mr. Nimblefingers, where are you headed?" he says, rather nervously. He does many things rather nervously.
Eochaidh is puzzled at Kevan leaving and follows him to see what he has planeed, "Where are you going Kevan?"
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”To be resourceful.” he says as he walks out.
Alden makes his way through the woods and back to Passbog, maintaining a steady pace, but keeping an eye out for trouble.
Kevan heads out. Thanks to the pep talk from the dragon he's sure he needs to do some scouting about. You can't attack an enemy unless you know where he is. So, in he shall go, to discover what he can. He may try spying on the city wall as well but first the graveyard.
Alden makes his way slowly back to town. The trek back is uneventful, and he has plenty of time to ponder on his long walk. After all, he had spent most of his day doing so. By the time he was getting back the sun was low on the horizon.
As Kevan approaches the gate the guards atop it look down at him curiously. Before he can pass through though one of them holds a hand up to indicate he should stop. "Ho!" the guard calls, "What business have you alone?"
Alden makes his way to Milana's to see if anyone is still gathered there, and if there is any news regarding the Dragon.
Jaxom follows Kevan. When hailed he stops and smiles. "Mind if I take a shift with the guards on the post? Maybe kill a couple of ghouls if they come out?"
Eochaidh, despite his intuition to do the opposite, can't let Kevan go alone.
"We're planning and I need to look around the cemetery. Information wins battles you know." Kevan responds to the guard.
if needed...
The guard looks down at the group with blank confusion before turning to his comrade on the wall and briefly conversing. "Just stay there!" he calls, "I need to ask the commander." The other guard soon exits at the ground level and takes off running, and as he does the remaining man keeps the ballista ready.
It was a long while before the guard who ran off returned with Tymos and one of the female guards from your first encounter with him. The man looked somewhat disapproving to see a portion of the group returned. "I was told you wanted to scout about the cemetery?" he asked with a look to Kevan, "I already told you once I would not let you enter the graveyard until you were committed. I cannot let anything come out of the graveyard until certain the ghouls are dealt with. Disease mind you. " He held his hands out with a shrug.
After a moment he looked to Jaxom. "More watchers are always welcome." he adds, "Especially at night. When can we expect Ser Alden and... Rabbit to join you and venture forth? Are you three come in advance of the others?" He seemed to find saying Rabbit's name odd to his tongue, making a bit of a face.
”I want to get as close as possible to get additional information. I would really like to go in and look for entrances and exits to the underground.” Kevan says expressing his intent. ”Multiple entrances gives us other opportunities to get out but it also gives the monsters extra opportunities to flank us. If you let me in you can inspect me when i come out but waiting until we are committed does not leave us with time to plan.”
"You can always plan inside." Tymos says callously, and after a moment he places his fingers to his temples, "Listen well, I cannot risk any of you carrying disease back out into the city. At least not until the threat is ended. I would not have sworn to go in with you if I intended to make the task needlessly difficult."
Not wanting to make the situation more tense, Kevan gives up this idea. Downcast, he turns back to the farm.
If that is the best he can do, Kevan will join Jaxom. Perhaps they can spot the beasts in the act.
As Alden steps into the inn he finds Rabbit, Milana, and Fogril sitting about a table doing some stitch work. The dwarf is grumbling under his breath, most of the words lost in his beard. Maybe Rabbit will explain how it came to pass. As it stands it seems the other three have moved off to the city to be industrious.
There was no sign of Talschornvox, but by the large front window Norian and Bart were sipping something and watching the sunset. Milana smiles and puts her knitting aside. Going to a pitcher and pouring the paladin a cup. "It would seem your fellows decided to take a turn on watch in the city." she explained with an easy smile.
******************************
Meanwhile, at the city proper Tymos has lead the trio to the defensive tower set overlooking the graveyard. "Since you're here helping tonight we'll change things up a bit." he explains as some of the assembled guards set torches along the fence line, "You'll each take a shift up there with the ballista crew. There's not enough room for more than one of you at a time, and I don't trust you with the ballista."
Turning to look out over the graveyard he points out across the mostly open ground. Outside the mausoleum proper there were only a few more impressive grave markers that might serve as proper cover. "So during your shift we'll shoot a few brands into the graveyard." he explains, "It won't be bright, but maybe you'll see one of the bastards slinking about and call out to the ballista team. I don't expect anything, but maybe you'll surprise me."
At the mention of a ballista team the group notes the tower has two men atop it now as the sun begins to set. One to operate, and one to either help load or spot. It would seem they keep a tighter watch in the evening.
The man on the ballista looks familiar. The friendly soldier that talked with Rabbit briefly who wore ill-fitting armor. He stared out at the graveyard over the weapon. The other man was one of the better armored professional soldiers that had flanked Tymos when they first met. He seemed more at ease, or to be more exact he looked between your group and the man on the ballista.
"Now, excuse me. I am going to finish my dinner and finish my work for the day." Tymos declared, "I will be here to check on you all before the dawn." As he stalked off one of the guards setting torches paused to watch him go. Then came over to the group with a smile on his face.
"Evening heroes." he offered casually, "My names Timalt, but you can just call me Tim." His eyes were large and blue, his features bright under an unkempt mat of black hair. He was Chel, to be sure, but he seemed as unkempt as any Andoran country farmer. He only wore leather armor and carried a spear and shield, though the shield rested on his back.
[b]"I was told to let the gruff looking one go first, and the smallfoot have the last watch." he explained, "If'n that sits fine with you we can be about it."
Jaxom looks at Timalt and grins a little. The gruff looking one would likely be me. Sure, I'll go up first. I don't know that I'd call us heroes though. We're just trying to do our best to survive in the aftermath of the great wizard's disaster!" He climbs up the tower quickly and takes a position where he has a good view.
”Actually, I want to put this thing back together, find the wizard who did it, and rob him blind.” Kevan smiles. ”Obviously, I’m not the gruff looking one.”
Alden unshoulders his pack and takes a seat giving a grateful nod as he accepts the cup.
"Did the Green Lady come? Did she offer any useful information regarding the ghouls?" he asks.
"I don't know if I should feel offended I wasn't mentioned by description like the other two. In any case I will do my best to help spot any potential danger."
"Yes, the lady came and went." Milana says. Handing the cup to Alden she takes pushes the remaining chair out for him and goes sit down where had been. "She didn't have anymore information. I'm not sure what obscure lore you're all looking for. I thought I was well versed on ghouls."
Fogril sets down his own stitch work, and at a glance it is a very messy job. Perhaps serviceable. "If someone had told me I'd be sharing tea with a dragon a year ago I would have thought they went mad." he says in a low voice, "Between that and this etherium stuff... I'm starting to wonder just what kind of grand exploits I might get to be a part of in the future. Oh, what a master smith might do in the future."
******************
"No doubt of that." Timalt agrees before giving an apologetic look to Eochaidh. "I'm sorry milord. I don't think Ser Tymos meant offense. If he left you out it's only because he mentioned the first, last, and left the middle out as obvious. He likes it when he can save words and let the people beneath him figure it out. Has a lot on his plate that one."
As Jaxom ascends the tower the stern looking man is in his way at the top, and after a sour look he steps aside to allow him up top. It was cramped to be certain. The ballista itself took up the center of the tower with it's patchwork platform. There was just enough room for the loader and ammunition on one side, the man operating it behind it, and Jaxom on the opposite side.
As the sun is behind the horizon and the gloom of evening sets in the guards set a few flaming brands into the graveyard with the ballista. The low light they cast doesn't illuminate much, but it might expose the shadow of a moving creature.
For the first hour Jaxom sees nothing, though he strains his eyes. However, as night comes on in full he spots a flicker of movement near at the border of one of the brands. Tracking it, he notices a hunched figure approach the border of a second brand and start to reach for it.
The stern faced soldier notes his alarm, and as Jaxom points out the ghoul the ballista is aimed, and fired!
The bolt goes over the creatures head, which was actually close given the angle of the shot, but it quickly flinches back and flees deeper into the dark of the graveyard. The guards curse and reload. The guard on the ballista smile at the man. "You've got a keen eye on you." he says. The other guard frowns, but nods anyway.
There is no more activity for Jaxom's watch.
”No offense was intended, Mistress Milana,” Alden says in a sincere tone. ”The Dragon is doubtlessly centuries older than either of us, and if she possessed some obscure lore that might offer some advantage over the undead, I did not want to miss the opportunity to obtain it. Besides, by apprising her of the threat, we have shown ourselves to be good neighbors. If we continue to be, she might come to prefer that arrangement to other future offers.”
Rabbit is a jangle of nerves when Kevan heads off alone, but it would be VERY rude to abandon their guest-- there at their request, after all-- and run after him. He frets uselessly, doing his best to maintain a polite and focused demeanor with Talschornvox, and tries to carry on with dinner. Fortunately, the others come back relatively shortly thereafter, explaining that perhaps things can be learned from taking watches on the town wall.
He doesn't consider himself much of a watchman but will try to take a shift with the others if it seems necessary. He'd much rather spend some time checking the goats and chickens and other animals, and helping Milana around the inn, trying to keep busy to keep his nerves from getting the better of him. Standing watch and staring at a wall waiting for ghouls to climb over it would be hell on his nerves, but running back and forth between the tailor's shop and the inn and the yard with things to do is a good way to take his mind off the thought of facing undead shortly. Mr. Whisper is always with him, and when anxiety threatens to overcome the halfling, he sits still, holding the rabbit, compulsively petting the animal's white fur and-- though he doesn't really think of it this way-- communing with his familiar and internalizing the magic that the animal has taught him.
The rabbit says run. It embodies the spirit of flight, of running so far and fast as to leave trouble behind. But the world has been broken and the pieces are small; he cannot outrun the ghouls next door-- or Tymos, or Barik-- as he once did Mistress Morus's reach.
He dutifully tags along to take a watch if the others mention that his presence is expected, though he holds his rabbit close.
Alden looks around a moment and asks, "Where are the others? Have they gone to their beds already?"
The woman who was a dragon regarded Rabbit's rabbit with a thin smile and then took the squirming rabbit by the scruff. It wasn't clear if the familiar simply went limp from fear or from the way he was being held. Without setting him on the table Talschornvox retrieved an item from her side satchel and held it out to the rabbit.
Between her fingertips was a cluster of knobby, pale green shoots that the rabbit sniffed and then took a tentative bite of. The lady set both on the table before he, stroking Mr. Whiskers softly as he started to mow down the offered treat.
"You're not wrong." she says to Rabbit. Her mood remained calm, almost slightly pleased as she took tea and pet his familiar. Pausing from stroking the Rabbit's fur she retrieved another item from he satchel and offered it to rabbit. As he held it he could feel what felt like a bottle within the oiled leather.
"Do not open that to the sunlight." she explained, "But drink it if you face those ghouls. I had meant it for your dear paladin, but since he is absent you will have to do." As his familiar finishes his meal he does not immediately move from the lady's presence, but after she stops petting him he does move back to Rabbit.
**************************************
Rabbit leaves the inn as well, determined to help the others. The guards reluctantly let him in without fetching Tymos again, and though they keep a watch on him as he passes they seem to overlook him as a threat.
Timalt gives a dip of his head to Eochaidh, something between a nod and a small bow. "Sorry again ser." he explains, "Hopefully you spot one of those undead and we get to give something of note to ser Tymos." As the druid takes his turn on the tower it was already well dark, with the new brands shot into the graveyard the only light within.
Eochaidh also notices some movement in the dark around some of the brands, but if it is the same ghoul or another is unclear. Either way it was being cautious. As he points it out to the man behind the ballista he frown. "I don't have any chance of hitting it in the dark." the man growls to himself, "But I'll keep this leveled in case it comes closer." True to his work, he keeps the ballista locked on the small circle of dim light waiting for a ghoul to draw closer, but during the druid's watch it doesn't.
********************************************
Milana fusses over Alden as he considers he may have upset her. "I don't take it personally." she says, "I have been retired so many years at this point. It would likely be foolish to just assume I knew all there was about ghouls. Even if I do have an understanding of them. I just hope you lot don't discover any new surprises.
Fogril chuckles at Alden's question. "Those lot already ran off to the city." he explains, "Not sure what they're planning, but maybe they'll lick those ghouls for you." The dwarf has another chuckle, smelling like he was well into his cups. Alden notices Milana had switched him to tea at some point. Tea he only sipped. The smith considers his words a moment and his expression sours.
"Maybe not lick them." he muses.
Alden sighs, rises to his feet, and re-shoulders his pack. "I should go to then," he says. "Hopefully, they haven't decided to go into the cemetery already. It would be better to go in the morning. Thank you for your hospitality, Mistress Milana," he adds, giving the innkeeper a respectful nod.
Once his pack is properly fastened, he trudges out into the night, heading in the direction of Passbog's new Chelish neighbors.
Once his 'watch' is over Jaxom climbs down and finds a comfortable place to rest. Hopefully nothing would break out, but he wants to be here to see it if it does,,,,
Kevan goes up and keeps an eye out but he was really hoping to snoop around the cemetery itself. As it is, he points out anything moving but figures the things will avoid the light. Predators typically avoid the light.
Yes, Eochaidh I would prefer people roll their own perceptions, but if not I will roll for you to keep things moving along.
Timalt gives a dip of his head to Eochaidh, something between a nod and a small bow. "Sorry again ser." he explains, "Hopefully you spot one of those undead and we get to give something of note to ser Tymos." As the druid takes his turn on the tower it was already well dark, with the new brands shot into the graveyard the only light within.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
???????????: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10Eochaidh also notices some movement in the dark around some of the brands, but if it is the same ghoul or another is unclear. Either way it was being cautious. As he points it out to the man behind the ballista he frown. "I don't have any chance of hitting it in the dark." the man growls to himself, "But I'll keep this leveled in case it comes closer." True to his work, he keeps the ballista locked on the small circle of dim light waiting for a ghoul to draw closer, but during the druid's watch it doesn't.
Shaking his head Eochaidh tells Timalt, "No worries. It was more a curious point for me than me taking it as an insult. And hopefully we have some luck regarding the ghouls."
"Oh... thank you, ma'am!" Rabbit says, grateful for both the gift and the fact that his familiar is forced to endure nothing more than being fed some greens. "I'll relay it to him. Thank you for gracing us with your presence, today."
***
When he has a moment, Rabbit will try and examine the bottle. Mindful of her words about not exposing it to sunlight, he does it in a dim room.
***
For his watch, Rabbit almost asks if the other guards have any tips, but he's still rather scared of Tymos, a bit of which carries over to the other guards just by association. He just doesn't want to embarrass himself...
As Eochaidh released his spell on the lurking form there was a sudden bright silhouette of light that rimmed it. The claws, pointed ears, and an unnatural hunch clearly showed where the ghoul hid in the dark. The guard at the ballista jerked the siege weapon in line, took aim, and was then surprised when the thing went off suddenly in his haste.
The shot was perfect. Impacting the thing in the side of the head with the sound of splitting a melon. The bolt didn't just kill the ghoul, but staked it's partially crushed head into the moist earth. The body did not move.
The other guard, who had been studying the party all this time gave an amused huff. "That's a neat trick." he said quietly, as if talking to himself.
The guard on the ballista punched air for a moment, but quickly went back to the controls. Timalt, down below with the rest of the group stared open mouthed. "We got one." he said happily.
While the tension remained, it had been lightened by the success. Though, no matter how hard anyone strained their eyes there were no more sightings by any of the shifts that night. Alden was able to join them without incident.
As the sun started to slowly rise the fatigued party was able to more clearly see the distant target. The female ghoul wore a ragged dress that had once been worthy of a courtesan, a deep red that failed to cover the aged stains of blood and other things. She had a mane of messy black hair that was sparse over half her head. Well, matted about in the caved in side of her head.
It was not long after the dawn that Tymos approached, and his eyes widened considerably when he spotted the kill in the distance. "That's one of the consorts." he said in a low voice, "You actually got one." It was hard not to notice the wonder in his tone. He had to compose himself, and looked the group over. "I imagine you'll want to rest before we head in." he remarked in the normal dry tone the party was familiar with.
When Rabbit had taken a moment to unstopped the potion and smear some on his fingertips to taste he felt how thin the liquid seemed to be. Much like a concentrated spirit he could smell it easily, as if it would evaporate right off his fingetips. It was more of a milky gray than clear though, and as he tasted it he had to recoil from the taste. It was bitter as the strongest coffee and had a tinny after taste.
He was able to sus it out as a spell that kept one hidden from undead.
Responding to Tymos, "Yes we need to rest before we head in. I'm glad we eliminated one ghoul at least."
Once the group returns to Passbog, Eochaidh asks them to gather for a bit before heading to sleep.
"I can prepare some spells which may prove helpful to us in our fight against the ghouls. There is a condition with one of the spells though."
He turns to Alden.
"One of the spells I can pray for is known by my people as 'Huntmaster's Spear.' As you might guess by its name it's cast upon a spear making it more effective against one type of creature. Alden I would need your finely-crafted spear."
Eochaidh points to Alden's cold iron spear .
"The bad news is, once an attack with the spear is successful, the spear is destroyed in a burst of energy. It is up to you if you want to relinquish the spear for the spell."
Alden holds out the spear to Eochaidh. "It is not mine, so much as it is a tool given to us to end the ghoul threat. If you wish to carry the spear and enchant it for your own use, you are welcome to it."