The cutlery and mugs fly all around the room, striking hard!
Morzane launches a sickly green ray at Ameiko's body, but it twitches to the side, causing the ray to miss by a hair.
Kromoro calls upon the grace of Pharasma as a wave of holy energy racks the body of Ameiko. The body shakes slightly as the male voice screams a cry of anger as much as hurt. "Pitiful priest! We have a history of dealing with your kind in this town!"
Jansen tumbles expertly under the floating bar mistress, avoiding any kicks or slams. He comes up to his feet behind her floating body, ready to act.
The Raven Knight comptemplates his next move.
Ghorum dives to the side to avoid the brunt of the thrown objects and comes up, ready for action.
Ghorum emits a low growl as he comes to his feet, and moves cautiously towards the floating innkeeper. Knowing that he doesn't want to hurt the lovely woman, he readies his shield and his now peace-bonded waraxe.
Morzane takes the blows in stride. Pulling a potion from his pack he downs it and lets the magic knit his wounds.
-If that's true, this is a good opportunity to second your words with actions, creature. -then throw his great mace and gets close to the girl- So, better shut up and surrender!
Ghorum stalks across the room, moving through the cloud of flying objects to get close enough to Ameiko to act. The Raven Knight taunts the spirit inhabiting Ameiko with lies about his familial bonds.
"Fool! You're no cousin of mine! The Kaijitsu line never spawned such as you! More's the pity, though! Killing more of my family would give me great joy!
ROUND TWO!
Initiative Order:
Ameiko's Body 22
Morzane 20
Kromoro 18
Jansen 14
Raven Knight 13
Ghorum 3
The spirit, seeing Kromoro stalk closer, focuses on the dwarf. "Scum! Dirt-eating dog! Priest of moldy gods! You wish to attack? Then do so! Cut the flesh from my miserable sister's bones. Smash her dead! Let her experience the torment that I have experienced! Ameiko's body seems to convulse, then both arms rise with a jerk to point as Kromoro as the cloud of objects circling the room fly like a spear at the dwarf!
Attack:
Damage:
The objects fly at Kromoro and smash into him with hammer force. He raises his hands to deflect the worst of it, but cuts and bruises cover his arms.
Morzane pulls forth a small potion bottle and drinks the contents with a long pull. His wounds immediately begin to knit shut.
Kromoro dives at the possessed body of Ameiko and succeeds in getting his arms tightly wrapped around the girl. The body seems almost electric when his skin touches it, giving him a slight static shock. Still, he holds on tightly, refusing to be denied.
Jansen winces a bit as he sees the girl pelt the dwarf with further objects, knowing they need to stop her soon or they will be in more trouble than just property damage. He brings his morningstar around in a wide arc, trying to connect with her to knock the barmaid out while she is focused on Kromoro, doing his best to ensure she is only struck with a blunt portion of the ball.
Attack(includes: +2 Flank, -4 Nonlethal)
Damage(forgoing sneak attack for nonlethal, two handing)
|
Round 2
"You are right, she is not my cousin. What is it you want, though. Surely not to randomly hurt people? Maybe we could help you and no one needs to be hurt? Why are you angry, Miss. . .?" as he both shows he is unarmed and motion as if asking for a proper name to call whatever it is he speaks with. "We need not be your enemies."
Diplomacy:
"Fool! I am no shrinking woman! I am Tsuto Kaijitsu, and I will see this town burn for the evil it wrought on my love! I would see them all die in horror for what they have done. I will see this town scoured from the land, salted and cursed, never to live again!"
"Big words for one who must take over the body of a female!" Ghorum shouts as he moves closer to Ameiko. He drops both his shield and waraxe, leaping up to grab her arms.
Morzane ponders the creatures odd words.
-When did you died? I'm pretty sure the ones that hurt you and your love are all died already. Why trying to destroy a whole city of innocents?- I keep my grab in the girl, but I don't want to hurt her.
Ghorum tackles the floating body of Ameiko, leaving the party's only two dwarves to furiously pull Ameiko's body to the ground. The body doesn't seem to struggle; clearly the spirit is not adept at posession.
Ghorum tackles the floating body of Ameiko, leaving the party's only two dwarves to furiously pull Ameiko's body to the ground. The body doesn't seem to struggle; clearly the spirit is not adept at posession.
** spoiler omitted **
Morzane stops with a quizical look on his face. "The Tsuto who was in league with the former priest's daughter? The daughter who burned down the cathedral and was in league with evil forces?"
The grappled body of Ameiko seems to shiver with rage as the spirit inside lets out a long howl of loss and anger. "You know NOTHING! They murdered my love! Killed her in her moment of glory, destroyed her beauty and left me alive, to die at the hands of cowards too craven to even do the deed themselves! They allowed a rope to do their bidding. They WILL BURN FOR IT!"
With a sudden last bone-rattling jerk, Ameiko's body goes limp as the spirit seems to leave it, and the objects in the room coalesce into a vaguely human shape, which then suddenly becomes solidly human and definitely dead, its face a horrifying skull bared into a shrieking scream which echoes into your very beings.
Initiative Order:
Tsuto 22
Morzane 20
Kromoro 18
Jansen 14
Raven Knight 13
Ghorum 3
Will(2 higher if illusion)
The grab transform into a kind hug, putting the girl in the floor, apart from the danger.
If getting the girl out of danger, in a corner, isn't enough to eat all my turn, I recall the power of my good again:
-Foolish creature, don't fight anymore for the offenses of the past!
And use another channel energy:
Now worries, sir. Just get better!
I am enjoying this so far...a pace I can keep up with...thanks again for taking up the reins!
Of the party arrayed in front of the angry spirit, only Ghorum is shaken to his soul by the scream. He manages to keep his cool, however, gently lowering Ameiko's now unconscious body to the ground and dragging her away from the fray, freeing Kromoro to join the Raven Knight in holding forth their holy symbols and shouting words of protection. The holy light seems to race into the dark spirit's form, causing it to waver and shake. With a final defiant "Noooo!" the deathly form of Tsuto explodes and is dissipated. The aura of oppression clears from the room, but Kromoro and the Raven Knight both have the sense that this cleansing is not forever. Unholy spirits are not easily put to rest, and this one may prove to be durable.
With this act, Ameiko gives a loud moan as her eyes flutter open to see the wreckage strewn about the bar.
"By the gods, what happened here? What happened to me?"
Jansen drops down beside the girl as he manages to shake off the fear of the ghost, helping Ghorum to settle her carefully onto the wood. With the wave of comfort washing over him as the spirit fades, he glances up towards the two clerics to try and determine if its really over before looking back to Ameiko.
"Its ok, Ameiko. We are here and you are safe now. Some sort of spirit claimed your body, but we have driven it away. I do not know just what is happening in this town, but we had intended to find out, this only strengthens my resolve. You won't come to harm again."
Morzane nods, "This is a little strange. Do you remember anything?"
-There is a lot of rage in that spirit- kromoro look at his companions- And it's not over.
Kromoro then gets near the girl to cast heal wounds. She doesn't seem to have any external wound, but the spirit could have damaged any internal organ.
-All right. The spirit shouted a name. Do anyone knows about that name?
"I remember pouring a drink, then nothing. I was on the floor and I felt.. violated. You say it mentioned a name? Did that thing identify itself?"
Jansen gives Kromoro a bit of a nervous glance since the spirit seemed to have mentioned a bit more about its relationship with the body it was possessing than simply its name when it was taunting them to strike her.
"It claimed its name was Tsuto. He dared us to harm his sister as he had been harmed to try and stop him. We did all we could to keep from wounding you while driving the possession away, but I fear the cut may be deeper than the flesh. I know this may be a terrible time for it, but if the spirit spoke true and he is your relation, I think we need to know what happened to him to keep him from manifesting again."
-I agree with you, Mr. We need to drive this evil away from this city.
The priest get up from the floor and see the mess around the place.
-I believe we should help to clean this mess. Then go to sleep. The ones who wants to investigate this should meet in the breakfast to discuss it. We will be her for sure.
Morzane will use his touch on anyone that needs the healing. "Something needs to be done. I am not being paid to clean but I will help with what I can." Looking at the bar, "I think that I will need something strong to have sleep this night. You people certainly know how to roll out the welcome wagon."
Morzane will use his touch on anyone that needs the healing. "Something needs to be done. I am not being paid to clean but I will help with what I can." Looking at the bar, "I think that I will need something strong to have sleep this night. You people certainly know how to roll out the welcome wagon."
Ghorum laughs at Morzane's jest, even though he isn't really sure if the Half-orc was joking...
"Let me help clean up a bit, and I'll buy you a drink to "help you sleep", lad". Ghorum chuckles as he begins to clear away some debris.
Kromoro keeps cleaning the place before going to sleep.
Ameiko lets out a sigh as she hears the name of her departed brother. "Will he never stop troubling us, even in death? Tsuto was executed for his crimes by the justice in Magnimar. He lead a band of goblins into the town and planned to invade in force, burning the town down. He was in league with a woman named Nualia. She was the old priest's adopted daughter, until she went mad and killed the priest and took to worshipping Lamashtu. A band of adventurers killed her and captured Tsuto. Why is he back now? Why would he start haunting me now?"
Ameiko is happy to have your help in cleaning up. The work goes quickly, and she seems reassured by the work.
Jansen gives a small nod of his head to Ameiko at her words, putting a consoling hand on her shoulder even as he pieces together what she has said with what he already knew. "He mentioned knowing how to deal with priests when he attacked our friend here. It may really have been your brother. I am sorry, Miss. I know how difficult this surely must be for you."
He pauses then and frowns a bit, thinking. "I do not know if you remember that far back, but some terrible horselike beast appeared in the doorway for a moment and spoke of those who slept being awoken. These certainly are ill tidings."
Considering just how much to say, he finally adds. "We will be here to ensure you are safe until morning brings new customers and the safety of numbers, Ameiko. This, unfortunately, isn't the first of these ill omens we have seen, though we were asked not to give details until the truth can be uncovered. We meet with Orik to begin to do just that first thing." Looking towards the two clerics, he notes "I am sure he would appreciate you accompanying us to give your account of what happened here."
With that said he sets about helping with the cleaning, his flirting falling away into a more protective stance around the girl, finding things that need straightening between her and the door, should there be any problems, without being overly obvious about it.
After cleaning up, and sharing a drink with the others, Ghorum sighs heavily.
"I think we should take turns standing watch outside Ameiko's rooms tonite...just in case. I'll go first" he says.
Kromoro leaves the room to the bedroom. While going up the stairs, he tells Ghorum:
-When your turn ends, call me. I'm in the door down the hall.
Morzane retires for the evening with Bones. In the morning, Bones and he talk about how to be more effective. Once they are ready, Morzane goes down stairs for breakfast before he leaves with his companions for the meeting.
The night watch passes without disturbance, though every time you pass a window you see a curious number of birds watching the Inn. They make no hostile moves, just watch the Inn. It's disconcerting, but nothing more.
The next morning dawns early. An older halfling woman comes into the inn early to start breakfast and Ameiko rises after sunrise. The smell of bacon, eggs and pancakes fill the small Inn, giving it a homey feel.
Ameiko seems a bit less rough the next morning, moving about her opening routine with skill and efficiency.
When you come down to the common room for breakfast, you find quite a spread of breakfast foods and Orik Vandercaskin waiting for you.
"So, gentlemen. I hear you had quite a night here."
Coming downstairs, Jansen smiles, pleased to see Ameiko seems to be returning back to her normal self. He nods a bit at Orik. "Yes, it did turn out quite complicated. We all came through it as well as could be hoped for though."
He moves to Ameiko, trying to stay out of the way of her obviously practiced routine, just asking if she is alright before he goes to join Orik at the table.
"Did our hostess give you a summary, Orik?"
"Yes, this town seems to be full of surprises. Did the founders by chance desecrate a cemetary before setting up shop?" Taking a sip of water and shoving some food down his throat, he continues "Well, what is the proposition that you wanted to discuss?"
"She did. And fine coffee and bacon to boot." He nearly chokes on his coffee when Morzane mentions desecrating graves. "Well. It's about something like that I came to see you lot. Last night something moved all the graves in the graveyard. Didn't dig 'em up. Moved 'em, still intact around the graveyard. Without making a sound, without waking up the caretaker. I'd like you all to come see what I mean, see if you can make hide or hair of it."
Morzane looks around at his companions. "Well, I suppose I don't have anything else planned today. Shall we?"
You finish your breakfast and head with Orik toward the town graveyard, kept behind the Sandpoint Cathedral. As you approach, you see a bleary eyed and tired looking Father Zantus standing in the cathedral doorway. The sound of prayers filters through the open door, and something else is in the air, a sense of weight to the morning air.
Orik leads you behind the Cathedral and nods at three guards, who open the metal gates that lead into the graveyard. The place is still, quiet, almost as it should be. Except. Something is off, a smell to the air, as if of fresh dirt, mingled with an old rotten smell and brimstone?
Orik leads you up a flight of stairs on the outside of the Cathedral, to a small balcony with a door that leads inside, probably to a choir area. He gestures down at the graves as you reach the balcony. You look down into the graveyard.
The graves have moved. From their slightly rambling, mostly neat rows and columns to a distinct, different symbol.
Knowledge Arcana checks, please.
Jansen isn't knowledgeable in the ways of magic, so he relies on the other forms of observation as he looks down on the cemetery, sniffing slightly at the air. "It smells like a tilled farm, mixed with... Less pleasant things. If the graves were simply magicked into a new position, wouldn't the earth itself have been undisturbed? Has anyone checked if the ground is stirred up and fresh as if it had recently had a shovel taken to it? And... this is quite a grizzly question, but has anyone checked if the graves themselves have moved, or only the markers?"