"With respect, Deputy Redmane, if Grayst is to be killed, it should be done in front of witnesses. If you are not comfortable carrying it out, I will do so. I just want it recognized by you, as an official of Sandpoint, that it is not a murder, but a mercy. If Grayst could be saved, we would do so, but allowing him to become a ghoul would be a dire threat to the community."
Redmane nods at Ethan and asks him what the most respectful way to do it would be. He figured a quiet room would be better than a bunch of people singing and doing other things like it was nothing. Ethan senses that the corporal is only trying to do it in a non offensive manner, and doesn't relish in the task one bit.
"Cutting his throat would be the fastest, cleanest death with the weapons I carry." Ethan touches the pommel of the dagger at his belt. "He will be unconscious within a few seconds, and then pass on a few minutes after. The only way to make it cleaner would be a precise, single stroke decapitation, but that would require a sharp, heavy blade wielded by someone skilled in its use."
Redmane lets Ethan do it.
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Arrian sighs and hefts his falchion, "Like mine right? I can do it."
He will accompany Corporal Redmane and Ethan to a quiet room.
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"I did not mean to put this weight on your shoulders, Arrian," Ethan says softly, almost as if he regretted providing the information about quick deaths. "If you do not wish to do this, do not do it. Taking a life in this manner is not the same as killing a foe in battle. While in the end it is a mercy, it may very well leave scars upon the conscience."
I am happy that I dont have do it Alicia remarks as she stops singing.
I can offer that his last moments are spend looking perceiving beauty, rather then terror, yes, I believe that would be humane yes?
She continues
Inside the small room, she takes Grayst head in her hands, gently having him look at her face, as she begins to softly sing
His throat thus exposed to either Ethan or Arrian or Redmane
Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus
Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus
Huic ergo parce, Deus
Full of tears will be that day
When from the ashes shall arise
The guilty man to be judged;
Therefore spare him, O Gods
Arrian prepares to end Grayst's existence but he hesitates.
Then his hands tremble.
Closing his eyes he nods and then opens them, rotates the blade and offers the handle to the Corporal.
"I'm sorry. I can't do it."
He looks equal parts troubled and emotional, closing his hands over his holy symbol, and utters prayers for guidance and clarity to Cayden.
Donimah, having kept close to the group, sighs a bit, drawing a knife and marching methodically up to the bed. While the others hold Grayst's attention, she draws the blade quickly and cleanly across the poor man's throat.
"My hands are already stained," she says quietly. "No need to dirty yours."
She bows her head a bit.
"At least you can stand before your ancestors as yourself instead of a monster, Grayst. May they and the Mother embrace you and give you the comfort we couldn't."
She takes a deep breath and looks back up at Arrian.
"Let's go."
"May the Gray Lady judge your soul with justice and mercy," Ethan intones, as he closes Grayst's eyes.
"Our path points toward the Manor. I suppose it is our destination."
Arrian places one of his big hands on Donimah's shoulder and pats it gently, "No you just did what was necessary."
To Ethan, "Yes it is. We need to end this now."
Lady Kelinahat demands her servants know the distinction between foe, who may well be a good man serving a bad cause, and fiend, who is evil with no hope of redemption. I declare this "lord" my fiend, and my vengeance on behalf of Mr. Grayst, and any other he wronged, my goal in this.
Should we hunker down here for the night, and move to this manor during the day? While some of us can see in the dark, not all of us can.
Lady Kelinahat demands her servants know the distinction between foe, who may well be a good man serving a bad cause, and fiend, who is evil with no hope of redemption. I declare this "lord" my fiend, and my vengeance on behalf of Mr. Grayst, and any other he wronged, my goal in this.
Should we hunker down here for the night, and move to this manor during the day? While some of us can see in the dark, not all of us can.
"They commit their crimes at night and we shouldn't give them a chance to learn of the loss of the necromancer or the Sanitarium. I can provide light from Cayden if you need it."
I can see as well in the dark as the opposition can, but if we are illuminated, they will see us before we see them.
Alicia opines
And while I dont particularly fear being ambushed by ghouls myself, others in our group do not exactly wear full plate or a Paladins. On the subject of full plate, if we march through the night with lights, the foe will both see us and hear us before we see or hear them.
I can see as well in the dark as the opposition can, but if we are illuminated, they will see us before we see them.
Alicia opines
And while I dont particularly fear being ambushed by ghouls myself, others in our group do not exactly wear full plate or a Paladins. On the subject of full plate, if we march through the night with lights, the foe will both see us and hear us before we see or hear them.
"We're not all that quiet to begin with. Speed, surprise, and violence of action are the keys."
Arrian places one of his big hands on Donimah's shoulder and pats it gently, "No you just did what was necessary."
Donimah turns to Arrian and nods.
"I always do," she says.
As the conversation turns to a plan of action, her expression turns steely.
"Yes. I wouldn't say we've exactly been "sneaky" in our approach in the past. Let THEM fear US."
”While I understand the prudence of approaching in daylight, when we are well-rested, I’m concerned that should delay too much longer, more people will be murdered.How far is the Manor from here?”
”While I understand the prudence of approaching in daylight, when we are well-rested, I’m concerned that should delay too much longer, more people will be murdered.How far is the Manor from here?”
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The room falls silent as Alicia sings. Even the wind outside seems to tone down is howling to hear her sing.
For a brief moment, you feel you connect with Grayst's soul. You feel his madness. It is mostly born of the terror's he's lived, witnessing live men's chests being carved by an undead. You feel jealousy towards Arrian, although you don't understand it.
As your song touches his spirit, he understands what is about to happen. How, not only he is about to die, but after death he will be judged for his life of being a lawless brute, his soul probably sent to be a meaningless blob in the abyss, to live an eternity of scrounging for scraps, fighting for crumbs and being stomped on. This saddens him.
This only lasts for a spark of a moment, but it is enough for you to know that, in his madness, he can never be redeemed, and this is the destiny of some people. You feel a sense of powerlessness, that even in your best efforts, you cannot redeem every single soul.
As Grayst dies, he doesn't struggle, but his face looks relaxed, accepting.
Corporal Redmane is relieved he doesn't have to do this deed.
Alicia, in the vision, tries to focus on the carving undead. Identifying features, enviromental cues, assesing the undeads physcial strength and dexterity.
As is teached by Kelinahat, seek information, even from terror.
What a torturer does to his victim can reveal the own weaknesses and fear of that fiend, to more quickly bring him down and stop his evil.
But her thoughts drift.
Can irredeemable evil be destiny?
Can such truely be fate?
Alicia ponders
Where and how and what would I be if not exchanged as a child by Lady Kelinahats agents? Likely an assassin, I am beautifull, far stronger then I look, and I know that there could be ways for me to grow claws, in addition to my fangs, where I to embrace my Abyssal fiendish heritage, a sensual, beguiling approach, that suddenly turns into a bloodrage fueled violence that requires no weaponry...
Her thoughts wander
I may have well been as assassin who would pride herself on professionality and skill, killing only her targets, and striking precisely, after all, why kill when you arent paid for it?
Because it can be fun, but being professional can be a significant unique selling point. Especially if you are professional enough to transfer your assassination skills into being a sought after bodyguard. I will kill only the cultists threatening my client, if he wants me to track down and mass murder their organization, that will cost extra.
A voice sounding like hers speaks in her mind, not really a mental invasion, but perhaps... someone close thinking the same thing?
Who are you? Alicia inquires at that other
Why would I freely give you a secret you desire, and who are you to dare to invade the mind of one pledged Midnight eternal? the voice lashes out, as if understanding that the voice is not alone and whatever connection existed is severed.
Huh, that was... odd, Midnight eternal? Thats one of Nocticulas titles... cultists threatening my client? What in Kelinahats name is happening? And where? I am one of her-of-ebon-wings chosen Paladins, and I will unravel this secret, but slaying that ghoul infestation threatening Sandpoint comes first!
Alicia resolves
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Pretending to sever a telepathic connection while still listening in is a ploy that works suprisingly often. Especially against targets unused to telepathic communication Someone else thinks
Now, while I do not have a name, I know that the mental invader regards herself as a Paladin of Kelinahat.
A teleempathic connection needs a foundation, as I am diametrically opposed to what a Paladin of Kelinahat would stand for, it has to be a connection of blood and/or fate, so likely a sibling? Probably a twin. And there is a plausible story as to how that would happen, finding out why some children were missing from the institute, due to being exchanged for a Nocticulan agent by the servants of heaven, was part of a test I passed succesfully, the mistresses of education sought to test if there were those among us who felt regret at not having been taken instead. the other thinks
And I know not what fate befell those who had regrets which the mistresses detected.
the other shudders, for a slight moment.
I know far more of her then she does of me. I dont have her name, but I have a quite close geographic relation, Sandpoint, and a current task, dealing with a ghoul infestation. Which implies indirectly she finds Ghouls threatening, which in turn implies that I am significantly superior to her on an "individual capability for violence" basis, unless they are Leng Ghouls, who are far more formidable, and whose presence in these enviroment would be... newsworthy. I should not jump to conclusions. I have planar connections to make inquiries, and I am guessing she doesnt.
It is possible that... interesting opportunities exist should I have a good aligned Paladin twin who serves one of my Lady in Shadows near peer competitors.
Someone else thinks as the connection truely fades.
Ethan nods to Deputy Redmane, and places a sympathetic hand on the man's shoulder.
"Duty is often a heavy burden. None of us wanted this for Grayst, but he could not be allowed to change. Once we have have brought down his 'lord', justice will be served."
Arrian nods to Ethan, "I know what you mean."
Arrian will then go over the necromancer's map with the others on their thoughts of which path to travel.
"You have born the brunt of that duty in this moment, Arrian. That has not gone unnoticed, or unrecognized," Ethan says, giving him a nod of respect.
Donimah silently begins cleaning her dagger, going to one of the nearby fires (torches, candles, it matters not) and holding the blade into it.
"Sterilizing," she explains. "Don't want to catch the fever if I cut myself peeling a potato or something."
Juriya auto-succeeds the Sense Motive.
"It's extremely common and makes sense, that you're relieved you don't need to bear the burden, Redmane."
Ano stays silent. In fact, she walks outside, sitting outside of the building to try and find any stars to look at.
Corporal Redmane, let me walk you through the security improvements we implemented to make this position more defensible
Alicia gives Redmane the rundown of the layout and established defenses
"This situation is difficult," Ethan says. "As urgent as the situation may be, I am conflicted about whether we should leave immediately. We would be traveling into an unknown danger through the night. We will neither be rested or fully prepared when we arrive. On the other hand, if more murders occur because of our delay..." He sighs softly in frustration, running his fingers over the holy symbol hanging from his neck.
A small sign would not go amiss, Stagfather, he entreats silently.
Oh thee of ebon things, send us a sign, shall we press on in the darkness, leaving behind exposed civilians but risking evil to spread, or shall we approach its vile rair well rested?
Alicia prays as well
Outside, unbeknownst to the others, Ano looked up at the stars and the moon.
Desna…I feel lost. More murders are happening, they are taking lives like how it was years ago. We know where to go to stop, but I don’t have the strength to push on now. I want nothing more than to stop this madman…but if I falter he could run free and kill more. But if I go forth we shall be exhausted and vulnerable. I can’t fail…I can’t…what do I do?
Juriya sighs, and reflects herself. Daikitsu... I feel as if I've been failing you lately as I've taken on the role of a hero, trending towards violence but... these people were about to harm Sandpoint, turn everyone into undead menaces, what... what was I supposed to do? I know my instincts are flawed at best but... I'm still at a loss for how to do this nonviolently when defending myself.
From what I read, war is what you despise most but... this isn't war. This is a few, admittedly nutty, people defending their community. I... I just hope I'm doing the right thing by taking this role.
Arrian pondered while the others considered the options before them. He didn't need to ask Cayden Cailean what he'd do; Arrian had a pretty good idea. Cayden would go to the nearest pub, buy a keg of ale, and then drink it on the way to Foxglove Manor. There, emboldened by drink, he'd heroically defeat all of his enemies like the stories the bards tell.
"The problem is I'm no hero. And this isn't a bard's story. If it were the hero would know what to do, how to do it, and save the day. I'm not sure I can save myself. With my luck I'd get drunk, fall into a hole, and break my leg."
He was also stuck with what happened when he was going to give Grayst a mercy killing. But he wasn't ready to talk about that right now.
The final words he heard in his mind stuck with him the most: "Trust your friends; they are your true strength."
For a moment, the group sits in silence. The guard that came with Redmane stops his scribbling for whatever reason, and even the winds seems to stop its howling. A lunar moth lands on a window to the southeast of the building. Just as quickly it flies away to the southeast.
The stink from the wizard's spell can still be felt. Although it produces no disabling effect, it is still unpleasant. The dark of the night seems to enter the building.
The silence and the mood are broken by an egg that falls and breaks from the kitchen part of the room.
For a moment, the group sits in silence. The guard that came with Redmane stops his scribbling for whatever reason, and even the winds seems to stop its howling. A lunar moth lands on a window to the southeast of the building. Just as quickly it flies away to the southeast.
The stink from the wizard's spell can still be felt. Although it produces no disabling effect, it is still unpleasant. The dark of the night seems to enter the building.
The silence and the mood are broken by an egg that falls and breaks from the kitchen part of the room.
Lunar moths? One of Desnas favorite animals. Hmm, is this manor in the south east?
An odd omen. Alicia regards the egg
Some things can be broken irreversibly, so I could interpret it as asking us to go forward, but it could also refer to false security, what if the egg is this building, which would be broken in our absence?
I also read books about military history, detailing that no war is ever won on the defense, and that aggressive action is best against an evil adversary, especially against undead who are much less encumbered by logistics then mortals would be
Alicia interprets the signs as indicating that they should press on.
Ano stares at the moth as it flitters on into the night. She sighs heavily, and heads inside.
"Well...what are we going to do?" she asks in mental exhaustion.
Ano stares at the moth as it flitters on into the night. She sighs heavily, and heads inside.
"Well...what are we going to do?" she asks in mental exhaustion.
"I still think we should go now but I also realize it's late at night, it's dark, and we're tired. It's also fair to wonder if they're out of the Manor now and won't be back until morning."
If you don't leave now, one of the pregnant women that Ethan is looking after will be eaten by ghouls.
A suddenly comprehension hits Ethan. "The ghouls are already hunting," he says. "One of the young mothers in my care, and her unborn child, will die unless we go now!"
He moves with urgency, shouldering his pack, and arranging his gear as best as possible for a quick march.
"Which direction did that moth fly?" he wonders aloud, trying to get his bearings.