Tharnik raises an eyebrow when Alexa mentions the word werewolf and gives the group a small, almost knowing smile.
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"He's a sell-sword, Valen." Tharnik says.
Tharnik steps forward and salutes the warrior. "Well met, sir. Did you take many pelts while you were out? I was hunting them myself before the shadow man attacked us." He looks at Kendra and Madeline for a moment before continuing. "Whatever is out there, with those wolves, isn't natural."
Tharnik replies to Creel in Orcish: "Thank you sir."
Tharnik looks at Creel and says, In Orcish: "Do not forget about my condition. If there is a cure, I would have it."
Tharnik speaks. "This is good. I will stand the watch here. Kendra will be safe."
"I agree. I've had quite enough of this place for the time being."
"Maybe. It might free the spirit, too."
"Hmmm...."
Tharnik returns Alexa's look and stares her down before calmly saying, "We did NOT wander off. One minute we were upstairs with you and the next we were here, Kendra overtaken by some mad spirit. I cannot explain it. Something has her."
Tharnik looks at Madeline and says, "Who?"
Suddenly, Tharnik speaks up, "I believe Master Creel and some of the professor's earlier students determined that the Piper of Illmarsh, alongside four other rather wicked men, came to Harrowstone to meet their doom. For some reason, there was a fire that killed them before the executioner could put their heads into a basket." Then, Tharnik speaks to Creel in Orcish, Orcish: "They had evil hearts. The curse of unlife is strong here. I suspect another spirit close by."
Tharnik speaks up, addressing Madeline. "I don't think the unquiet dead care for the seasons or hours."
Tharnik looks at the razor and then says, "This is proof of very little. If the man did slaughter a chicken and bleed it out, it may only be his dinner. I don't know why, however, he would hide his razor. Perhaps if we caught him in the act?"
"He gave you the bad eye at the town hall, too. I don't trust him. There are bad spirits about." Tharnik replies to Kendra.
Tharnik follows Valen around and says, "I think the Sheriff should know."
Kendra, badly burnt and barely covered, speaks, "I, I... thank you. I thought I was going to die. One moment, we were pressing this foul beast toward the tower and the next I was burning. Everything was burning." She drops back and pulls Vaughn's cloak tightly around her. Then, she says, "If you are going to press on, I will need to retire. I need to clean up and put some sturdier clothing on. This outfit is... well... ruined." Tharnik, for his part, grunts. Then he looks at Creel and speaks in Orcish, Orcish:
"You fought bravely. May your clan's ancestors bless your blades." Tharnik then moves adjacent to Kendra and wraps his arm around her, comforting her.
"Well, I suppose we should clear out this tower then." With that, Tharnik rests his mace on his shoulder, glances toward Kendra, and falls into step with Creel.
"Perhaps, because the locals do not come here, they simply did not know. From what Kendra said, this is the site of a tragedy."
Tharnik replies, "Indeed. The spirits here are not restful."
After cleaning up and deciding on a course of action, Tharnik jogs off to see the sheriff, returning shortly thereafter with an old, but serviceable longbow. He smiles has he sets it down, alongside a quill and a dozen arrows, and says, "Sheriff wants it back in one piece. Says it's his hunting bow." Then, he gives Creel a quick smile and says something in Orcish. If you speak Orchish: "The sheriff is scared. Worse, that little weasel Gibbs is in town, stirring up trouble."
"I will gather the supplies from the crypt. We should meet back at the house in an hour." Tharnik then turns to Kendra, offers her a toothy smile, and places her hand on her shoulder. She smiles in return and the two set off, headed to the Lorrimor Estate.
Tharnik speaks up, "So, are we agreed then? On to this town meeting to address recent events? And with full disclosure? Or should be leave my condition for later, work on actively curing me first?"
In Orcish:
"Understood. Still, staying close is good. Perhaps Kendra and I form a war party with you. Go to Harrowstone together. Safety in numbers." After replying in Orcish to Creel, Tharnik looks at Valen and shrugs. He says," If my allies trust you, then you may look on my wounds." He then turns to Alexa, "It seems as if your conclusion is the same as your ally. We'll seek this out at the apothecary in the morning."
Tharnik grimaces. "I do not like the idea of a cage. But I know my heart has already walked with evil too long. I will consider your words. Maybe I can master the wolf that rides me."
After your group finishes speaking with Kendra, but shortly before walking off, Tharnik steps back out onto the porch. He watches the group for a bit before finally stepping out into the yard. He looks directly at Creel. In Orcish:
"You weren't here to defend Kendra. You need to remember our blood-oath. Thank the spirits she released me and I was... of strong heart. I will accompany her now. She is not safe by herself." Tharnik then crosses his arms and looks at the newcomers. He then says, "I don't know any of you. The others that came before, some of them were thieves and others had no honor. I would have killed the one known as Giles. Still will if I catch the drunk. Act honorably and we will have no issue." He then watches Madeline enter the house. Once in, he looks at Kendra and says, "The moon is wanning. If I am carrying the spirit of the wolf, I have a month before it tries to ride me again. We had best make good use of our time then. I will follow your lead."
"Nooooooooo!!!!!! It's not my fault!! I didn't do this!!!"
Before the newcomers speak, Tharnik stands and addresses them loudly, "Before you go on and get yourselves involved in this mess, as all those with ties to Professor Lorrimor have, I'll say one thing - if I catch either of you stealing from this household, assaulting the lady of the house, or acting like some fancy-panced vulture, drunk or otherwise, I'll brain you, drag you outback, and bury you with the wolves. Got that? Good." He looks at both of the newcomers, obviously assessing their combat capabilities, and then sits with hard look.
We each learn from our experiences. All the more reason "Detect Evil" is frequently misused.
Did...did I just see an evil savage half orc give a paladin a lesson on etiquette? Heh. Being evil doesn't mean you don't have manners or a smattering of social consideration... ;)
Tharnik watches the group briefly and then heads over to the door to make sure it's locked. While there, he sneaks a peek out the window to see if unwanted attention (ie.. a crowd with pitchforks and burning torches) has gathered or if any unseemly types are sulking about. Perception skill check:
"I'm sorry sir" Kendra says towards Creel, a slight brittleness to her voice "but isn't it a little early to be making caustic remarks about my father, he has been in the ground a little less then three hours" Tharnik moves a little closer to Kendra and says, "I don't think, Miss Lorrimor, the gentleman meant anything of the sorts. We each knew the professor in our own way, having seen different parts of a very complex man. In fact, I'm willing to bet we are as diverse a group as this town has seen for that very reason." Diplomacy roll:
Tharnik touches Miss Lorrimor's elbow gently and then offers, "Perhaps some tea would settle your nerves while we remind the gentleman how sensitive you are right now?" Then, he shoots Creel a look that says, in short, 'a little more couth sir.'
"I've no issue waiting a month to ensure the good doctor's daughter is safe and sound..."
Tharnik, hearing Madeline speak, shifts his attention her direction and asks, "So, where does your companion hail from? He strikes me a bit 'odd' and that's coming from a half-blood. If I'm not out of order, of course..." Tharnik grins.
Hey Thranic!! some strange person named Jason Sonia crashed the furneal and is stepping all over your lines! Oh, don't you worry. I'll handle that upstart right away...
Tharnik remains at the ready downstairs, guarding Miss Lorrimor. He continues to look out the windows, periodically, scanning for additional foes. Perception check: If you need another one.
Tharnik, upon hearing the sound, brings his weapon to the ready (but doesn't draw it) and then moves to a point in the room that lets him watch both the front door and the windows. He moves quietly as he can, but without an obvious training in that department.... Initiative:
As Tharnik bumps loudly into a piece of furniture, knocking a book off one of the shelves, he says, "Ummmm....Madeline, perhaps your gentleman caller would be willing to give us a hand down here, just in case more cats show up to this party?"
Tharnik studies Madeline and her companion while she tells her story. Perception check:
While Kendra readies the refreshments, Tharnik paces around the sitting room, glancing at books and occasionally out the window. The pitter-patter of rain would normally sooth him, but the angry villages still weigh on his mind. While he doubts anyone would be dumb enough - or brave enough - to dare this weather on a fool's errand, he knows the virtue of being prepared and aware. Perception check:
After he feels a little more secure in the damp, cold room, he pulls up a seat by the fire and warms his feet, trying to dry out his boots as best he's able. He scans the room, making eye contact with each of the other attendees before clearing his throat and speaking. "I'm sure all of us have interesting tales to tell, and I am no different. But perhaps a proper introduction is in order. While it's easier to say my name and title in Orcish, it is loosely translated to Tharnik, Outcast from Clan Black Sun." Tharnik lets the implications of his words hang in the air for a mere moment, letting them sink in, before speaking again. "Put simply, I'm an outcast from Belkzen, a former highway man, and a character of less than reputable standing ...or was." Tharnik looks away, gazing out the window for a few seconds before continuing. "I met the good professor at one of his research sites not far from here. I was living in the wilds of eastern Ulstalav when he was attacked. Normally,I would have turned away and let the bandits and him fight it out, but there was something 'different' about the professor than demanded I act. I took up arms and defended the professor, eventually slaying his enemies and saving him. Or at least helping." Tharnik looks away, again. After a short pause, he speaks. "Unlike a few of you, I am not a holy man. In fact, I'm not even a very good man. But I'm no monster and I wish the good professor here could have stayed with us a little longer to see what I might become. He always..." Tharnik stops again, pausing and clearing his throat slightly. He offers the crowd a weak smile and says, "It would have been nice to have him here still, that's all."
"Of course," Tharnik replies.
Tharnik looks at the priest and says, "Father Grimburrow, I believe we have another holy man with us that, if you'll allow, would probably provide a rather touching eulogy." Then, Tharnik looks in Rendel's direction.
Tharnik looks over to the newcomer and her companion. "If you and your companion were dear friends of the good professor, as I suspect all of us were, then by all means. Should we make room for five..." Tharnik glances over at her tall companion and then continues, "or six?"
Tharnik looks across to the dwarf, nods back, and then looks at the farmers and snorts. He then levels his gaze at the leader, his 'gusto' gone with a few words, and then to the man who whispered to the leader. He makes a point to note his features and any details, in case he'll need them again in the future. Perception check:
: After studying the crowd, he looks back to the dwarf and says,"Aye, it would seem these simple bastards are as superstitious as a heard of sheep. And they spook as easily, too." With that, Tharnik adjusts the coffin and looks forward again, watching the crowd depart. As they go, he mutters, "Good riddance. I didn't feel like digging additional graves today, anyway."
Having changed into the best possible clothing he could muster at the inn - and even this outfit is slightly wrinkled from the road - Tharnik walks to the edge of the graveyard and scans the scene before him. A host of bodies, all cloaked in black, stand in the rain before him. Some are huddled, silently mourning the loss of their fallen friend. Others, he notes, are whispering amongst themselves. He can hear their whispers as surely as he can hear the spirits that haunt him. He wonders, almost whimsically, if he'll add the good professor's voice to those that mock him when the sun sets. No, the mood is already somber enough, Tharnik thinks. It's better to join them, pay my respects, and leave. There is nothing here for me, not now that the good professor has gone from this world. With that thought, Tharnik shoulders is deep red cloak, fastening the old, pitted broach, and slowly walks up to the crowd. He hangs back slightly, watching carefully to see who is in charge. Noticing the Lady Lorrimor, he moves forward. He slows before her, nodding and offering her the appropriate frown. "I am to understand the good professor has passed. You have my condolences," he says. With her reply, he nods again, accepting the black cloak and placing it over his own. It's almost fitting, black at night - and black at a funeral, Tharnik thinks. We are born from the night and, aptly, go back into the night. Tharnik's thoughts are dark and heavy, but he shoulders them, as well. He steps forward, behind the pale human, and grabs the handle to the casket. He doesn't speak, and bows his head in respect.
While you'd be on my toes, by all means, play what you will - I probably will be using self-buffs more than anything, since we have access to all cleric lists... and a lot of those spells can be amazing. Well, I certainly don't want to be on your toes! In fact, I'll make sure I wear small shoes! ;) Seriously, I think there's a LOT of access to divine magic in the party, so I don't have a problem filling out some of the arcane/auxillary roles, either. I could, if it served the party, shift to another Mystery (Lore or Air) without upsetting the theme too much. I was just figuring that being a half-orc from Belkzen, he'd be more inclined to manifest the Battle Mystery. That being said, an overall question for the group: You have a LOT of combat characters with access to divine magic. Will people be focused on healing themselves or will there be a dedicated "healer" for the party? Alignment
Thanks for considering me.
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