While you're unsure as to whether or not the haunt is dormant, you do know that dousing an affected area in holy water is often a good way to make sure.
Unatti sighs loudly as Epperson struggles to get his wand to work. She quickly mixes together a healing potion, and hands it to the dwarf. "Drink." She says in a tone that brooks no backtalk.
Based on the psychic energies lingering on Epperson, you believe this haunt is connected to Pentheru's guards. Something about a mob, a last stand, and the resulting chaos inside.
Epperson looks up at the witch as she reluctantly hands over a healing draught.
"I am appreciative." He quaffs the potion.
The dwarf immediately looks better. "Alright, let's try this again." He twirls the wand and attempts to activate it.
The welts visibly begin to reverse their purple swelling, almost fading from sight.
Aerith breathed a sigh of relief at seeing the dwarf safe and sound, as well as Unatti showing that she did, in fact, care.
"It might make sense to go out and purchase holy water." She said. "I've read that it is an effective way of dealing with such apparitions."
Realizing Mahmoud is pulling out a crowbar, Tribim tries to help by pushing from the other side as Mahmoud pulls. Nodding in agreement as the juggler explained they couldn't leave him. Tribim knows it wouldn't be right to leave Epperson, even if he was a stinky little fellow. Smiling to himself as he realizes the dwarf has started to grow on him. Seeing Mahmoud put his ear against the door, Tribim does the same, but isn't able to hear much.
Feeling the doors begin to open he jumps back as Mahmoud rushes to Epperson's side. Trying not to chuckle as the dwarf shakes the wand, Tribim listens as Epperson explains what happened. Nodding in agreement with Mahmoud, 'Anxious' was not how he was feeling. But he was curious. Relieved to see Unatti give the dwarf a potion to drink, at least she hadn't really decided not to help him anymore.
As Aerith speaks about holy water helping, Tribim doesn't doubt that she's right, but he'd be a little disappointed if they can't snoop around a little. Trying not to pout, he asks, "Does that mean we can't look around some more? I mean we're already here, right?"
"Dwarves are notoriously resistant to magic." Aerith replied. "If Epperson fell prey to a haunt, then it bodes ill for us. The haunts will not go anywhere, and it is safer for us to explore these ruins when we are properly prepared. Most of us can wait at the entrance to defend our find, while a few of us go and buy the holy water."
"Yeah....," Epperson says, struggling to shrug off his pack, "I've got some holy water here." The dwarf produces four vials of the stuff.
"That's a mighty good idea, Aerith. I bought these to fend off walking and flying undead. Didn't think about other restless spirits."
He hands over a phial to Aerith.
Smiling when he sees Epperson produce the holy water, Tribim walks over, resting his paw on the dwarf's shoulder and says, "Epperson, you're a genius." Looking enthusiastic at those clearly smarter than himself. "What do we do now?"
Mahmoud silently considers Aerith's suggestion for some of them to go and purchase holy water, reluctant to leave the site now that they're here but also aware that they could be in trouble without it. When Epperson produces the vials while he is making up his mind, Mahmoud breathes a sigh of relief. "Shall we go back in, then? Or we could start with the grounds and the outer buildings, if we want to wait to tackle the haunted interior."
”Oh I recommend we use this holy water now in this entrance area to avoid the return of the restless spirits.” Epperson picks up his discarded flail and shield.
Looking at the fresh bruises on Epperson's face Tribim Liking the idea of using the holywater to avoid the return of the restless spirits. Seeing Epperson going to pick up his gear, he offers, "Epperson, do you want me to hold the holy water?" Blinking he asks, looking from Epperson to the others, "What will we have to do with it?"
”I gave a phial to Aerith,” Epperson mentions. ”I’ve got the rest handy should we need it.”
”What will we have to do with it?"
”You just pour it out in the area where the haunt manifests. I think that door that became impassable is probably a good target.”
Aerith nodded happily at being given the vial. Then, in an abundance of caution, she used her telekinesis to apply the holy water, lest the haunt manifest again by the presence of the living.
Mahmoud silently watches Aerith cleanse the haunt, and then shifts conspicuously. He raises his eyebrows to the group and turns his left palm upwards, as if to say "Shall we proceed?"
"I believe we'll need more than one vial to fully cleanse the haunt. Epperson, would you do the honors?"
”Eh? Ok, then…it’s not like the money matters.”
Epperson pulls out another flask of blessed water and unceremoniously dumps it on the ground in front of the door.
”Good?” he says, looking around for confirmation.
Mahmoud nods, deadpan. "The curse has been lifted," he intones quietly.
Hearing the curse has been lifted, Tribim smiles, "Good." Nearly skipping up the steps, he moves into the room where the skeletons had waited. Pausing in the middle of the room, he looks at each of the doorways to see what is beyond.
The western doorway appears to lead to a parlor with a staircase leading to the home's second story. The northern doorway appears to lead to a courtyard. The eastern doorway appears to lead to a large bath.
Turning and looking at the others and shrugs. Pointing towards the west with his spear he adds, "I think it's a Parlor." Spinning the spear, he begins to head that way cautiously watching everything he can.
B12 - Parlor
A large staircase climbs to the second floor from this room. Sand and dust cover the floor, and painted columns stand in all but one of the corners. Pieces of broken wood, shattered pottery, and disintegrating fabric litter the room's perimeter.
Potential Loot
Silver Amulet set with tiny gems and an ankh charm
Tarnished Silver Serving Tray
Small Ornate Vase
Silver Ring
"Shall we go up the stairs, or do we wanna finish looking around down here first?"
Pausing from gathering the valuables off of different tables and shelves, Tribim gestures toward the rest of the first floor, "I'd rather make sure there's noting behind us before we head up. " He looks at the others, "As long as that's ok."
Epperson moves in front of the amurrun before he can sweep the valuables into his sack.
”Hold it,” the dwarf commands, handling each of the items briefly in turn. ”Hunting curses.” He pauses briefly on the silver ring, holding it up close to his eyes.
”Worth a lot this one, if you care about those things,” he grunts before dropping it back from whence it rested.
Mahmoud shrugs at Tribim's question. "I was thinking we track down whatever is haunting this house in its lair, which is likely upstairs or possibly in the basement, then mop up the rest of the place afterward. But you're leading the way, and who's to say what is the bigger concern? I'll follow right behind you, my friend."
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Pausing when Epperson told him to 'hold it' Tribim slowly handed the Malefactor each item, then returns them to the pack. "Better safe than sorry right?"
Having thought it was the skeletons of the three guards haunting the building, Tribim's not sure how to respond. Both Mahmoud and Unatti wanted to check up stairs and he wasn't even sure if there was a basement, Tribim blinks unsure of which way to go. He looks towards Epperson then Aerith, "Any thoughts on which way to go?"
He was going to add that several 'crews' he knew had standard procedures depending on whether they were using a second floor window or a basement crawl space, but he didn't want to seem like he was that familiar with such things.
As soon as the silver ring is touched, a ghostly scene superimposes itself over the ruins of the room, as translucent furniture and decorations like potted palm trees and richly upholstered divans waver into existence. In the center of the room, a ghostly young man clasps the hands of an ethereal young woman. They speak in Ancient Osiriani, but, strangely, all of you can understand them perfectly.
"I'm so sorry," the young man says. "I can't find the ring I bought you anywhere. I just had it!"
"It's all right, my love," the girl replies quietly. "It's not the right time to tell my family anyway."
"Come with me, Ariseti! Come across the river where we'll be safe!"
"Not just yet, darling. My father says we'll be safe here. You go, and when all this is over, you can come back for me, and we'll announce our engagement then."
She pauses, and reaches out to touch the man's forehead. "Are you feeling all right? You're burning up!"
With this the vision ends, as first the figures fade from view, followed by the room and its furnishings.
Blinking Tribim looks from the ring to Epperson as he extends it to his friend to check it for curses. "You saw that right? Tell me you saw that."
Epperson's eyes grow wide as the vision fades. He rushes to Tribim, clasping the amurrun by the shoulders and peering deep inside his eyes. He then sweeps the ring from his paw.
"It was a CURSE!" he pronounces, holding the ring aloft. "What was the name? Ariseti? Of House Pentheru?" With a fervour you've not yet seen from the dwarf, Epperson holds the ring aloft and bellows.
Epperson turns around and addresses Tribim in his customary voice, the fire gone as quickly as it appeared.
"You were lucky. I will hold onto this item for safeguarding." Epperson puts the ring on the index finger of his left hand.
"Where to next?"
"Yes, I saw-" Aerith was cut off by Epperson's fervor. She took an involuntary step back. "Uhm...onward. Then. To the next room? Yes, onward."
Blinking as he releases the ring to Epperson and the dwarf holds the ring aloft. Nodding, it really seemed like the dwarf knew what to do in case of curses. Relieved as Epperson explains he was Lucky, Tribim nods, "Thanks, yeah, you should probably hold on to it."
Breathing a deep sigh of relief Tribim, blinks, remembering Unatti had inquired about going up stairs, he points to the steps, "Um, lets go upstairs."
Now fairly freaked out, Tribim nods to Aerih, "Yeah, the next room." holding his spear at the ready he slowly moves towards the next room.
B17 - Dining Room
An enormous stone table, the marble top polished and smooth, runs parallel to the west wall of this large room. A much smaller stone table stands in the east side of the room. Splintered piles of dust and wood lie in the corners and along the walls - the only remains of chairs after untold years. A strong, fetid stench pervades the room - likely due to the six human skulls set upon the western table. Each has been polished clean and balances atop a tarnished silver goblet standing on a tarnished silver dinner plate.
Due to your heightened alertness, you notice each of the skulls is almost-imperceptibly starting to rise into the air.
wrinkling his nose at the fetid stench, Tribim realizes the skulls seem to be rising in the air. For the briefest of seconds, he squeezes his eyes shut and lets out a small whimper. Breathing a sigh, he announces softly, "I think the skulls are moving!"
"Interesting." Aerith peered inside. "It certainly smells horrific in there. Perhaps I could try and take one of the goblets they balance on? Let us see if it stops the skull from rising."
Peering inside the room, Aerith quickly realizes the skulls are actually a type of undead called beheaded. They're not particularly dangerous on their own, but in large groups, they can overwhelm an unprepared adventurer.
"Right, right. These are, aptly named, Beheaded." Aerith said, even as her own blade was sent flying into the room. "Mindless guardians that are not particularly dangerous on their own. Just be careful with their numbers." She added, happily knowing that she wasn't going to step foot into the room herself.
Mahmoud swears under his breath and rushes into the room. He throws his dagger at the closest floating head, catching it when it ricochets back and tossing it again.
Raising an eyebrow at Aerith's comment about interesting, Trim makes a mental note to ask her if she's talking about the stench, the goblets or the fact that the undead could levetate and seemd to be attacking.
Learning that the things are called beheaded, he watches as the elfs blade flies into the air, and Mahmoud moves across the room throwing his weapon as well. Hoping to not be outdone, Tribim steps forwards, drawing a chakram as he moves, and hurls the weapon at the first one he can see clearly.
Unatti, standing outside the room due to overwhelming stench, covers her nose with kerchief. She then blasts the same skull that Aeirth attacked.
"Hrrmmmph," Epperson manages as the skulls begin moving. "Time to swat some flies." Hefting his shield and flail, the dwarf marches, slow and steady, into the room.
targeting an unattacked flying skull.
Due to Tribim and Aerith's warning, you have plenty of time to prepare yourselves as the beheaded finish rising into the air. Four of them are swiftly dispatched, and another appears to be temporarily frozen in place - Epperson's strange curse seems to be working.
”Ow,” Epperson growls as the line skull head-butts him. ”Stop that - THBBBBT.”
He blows his signature raspberry at the attacking skull before swinging his flail at it.
emboldened by Epperson marching into the room and the destruction of several of the floating skulls, Tribim begins to follow the dwarf. Seeing the nearest floating skull engage his friend. Tribim realizes he doesn't have clean shot at the first one, so he moves further into the room, drawing a chakram, he throws it at the floating skull in the corner.
Epperson and Tribim quickly destroy the last of the beheaded.
Potential Loot
Tarnished Silver Goblet x6
Tarnished Silver Plate x6
Smiling as his chakram shatters the last skull, Tribim turns to Epperson, "Well done my good dwarf." Having learned his lesson about touching things, he moves to the corner picking up his two chakrams, asking, "Epperson can you tell if the silver wear is cursed or not?"
As he returns his throwing weapons to their pouch he moves to the doorframe on the western Eastern wall and looks into the room.
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B18 - Second Dining Room
This room appears similar to the one you're currently in but is empty save for dust and sand.