Aftermath: Some In-Party Bickering, Halfling Priest, Boarding Up The Lodge
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; Dead men siege 8
nicely said, Cadfael.
nicely played, as well
:)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; Dead men siege 8
Hey, I never got Dan's reply. But I agree with Scott. It was *very* well-written/played.
From: Ty
Subject: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Mission watches the remaining skeleton attack him with a vague detachment. With only one remaining, it is quite simple to avoid its clumsy, though surprisingly fast, swipes. They move quickly, but they are nothing but dry, brittle bone. He wonders what sort of dark energy animates these mindless things. He wonders if that same dark energy surrounds his unborn child. Seeing Sa'id bend down to search the fallen halfling breaks the monk's reverie, and he kicks the bony thing once in the chest [Attack 16, Damage 9] shattering it.
Inside, Cadfael heals Rennik for 15 points of damage.
Garyth ties a strip of cloth around Gully's head, and stops most of the bleeding, though it is a tense moment while Gully talks the panicked Cutter from ripping Garyth in half first.
Gully looks about with a stunned expression. "My lodge?" is all he says while he surveys the damage. Nearly every window is broken, and you know that he must have had that glass brought out all the way from Nesalin or Overlook. An expensive proposition, but a good trade off for the comfort real glass windows provide. The dining area has been wrecked by Garyth's battle with the skeletons. The front of the lodge and the front window still smolder from the fireball's blast. Two doors are wrecked. And everywhere you look there are the broken pieces of skeletons.
It is quite a mess.
[Ok, the fight is over. From here on out, we don't need to follow strict round by round type stuff, so feel free to send out RP posts as much as you wish. I imagine that there is a lot of questioning and conversation to be done. This is a great opportunity for some really interesting RP, and I am giving XP out for good RP sessions, so make the most of it. After that fight, you guys are on the quivering edge of level 6, and some good RP could push you over. :)]
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Farron runs up beside Sa'id, as he is examining the fallen mage. "What have you found?" he asks, curious also to know if this halfling was under an infernal contract like the previous ones were. "Perhaps this mage is the very same that escaped them during the last battle", he adds.
As Sa'id continues his investigation, Farron whispers, "Not so 'useless' in this fight, were we now. But hell will probably freeze over before this lot admits it. I notice 'tumble boy' over there found a use for his healing potion." he adds, noting the empty vial on the ground. "For all his dislike of magic and its users, I wonder what strange tree he thinks that grew on."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Ty, what are the odds that Mission heard that comment?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Something clicks into place in the back of Sa'id's mind when he sees that the fallen halfling is wearing chainmail, and he collects the halfling's pendant and rings, as well as his purse, before addressing Farron's whispered comment. "He's a priest," Sa'id says to his colleague. "One of these trinkets might be a holy symbol, so I'll speak to Brother Cadfael about them. The purse I'll give to Gully, though it's not much." He pauses, and smiles wryly. "I suspect that despite our effectiveness today, we -- or at least I -- may wind up the target of at least one tongue-lashing," Sa'id continues softly, steadying his whisper against the dull pain in his collarbone. "The more we fight, though, the less I trust the judgment of warriors and priests. We'll see what they have to say for themselves."
Sa'id hauls himself painfully up to a standing position, and begins speaking at normal volume again. There is a slight waver in his voice, though; it's clear that he is unaccustomed to major injuries like those he has sustained today. "Do you have a spell to put out what's left of my fire magic?" he asks Farron. He'll wait for a reply before moving back toward the lodge.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Note that Farron was trying *not* to be overheard.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
"Not really", Farron replies. "But I could cast a language spell and give the flames a good tongue lashing. What do you supposed they speak, Infernal??" He says this last with a meager grin, and turns back to the lodge to see what assistance he might give there.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Promise.
He had been so close.
Is the ache in his chest from Anileth's attack? Or from his failure to save his son?
The Path lays before him. Eastward. Blood and stone speed my feet!
Mission takes a step, and is reminded that his life was too, too close to being lost this night. Twice. His breath is ragged and pained in his lungs, and his body aches from the attack of the skeleton.
And the halfling mage's touch lingers in his limbs, despite the Path's blessing. Magery. Chaos. Tendrils seeking to bind his limbs, drive his soul into sand.
Anathema.
Farron's voice carries perhaps a bit farther than what the mage may have wished. Mission can hear the mocking tone, sees the wizard shift slightly in his direction. Something about 'tumble' and 'trees.' Mission feels a hotness rise in his face.
And yet. . .
Promise!
Haranguing either of the mages would do nothing to get him his son back. And his Redemption does not hang on the words of some conjurer, but on his own devotion to the Path of Blood and Stone.
Which is where the true source of his anger lies. Not in Sa'id's idiocy, not in Farron's mocking tone. . . but in himself. Seeing Anileth brings back his own shame. Having it thrown out to the eyes of his companions, so everyone knew his betrayal, his despair, his utter lack of devotion and self-control. That was his anger.
Mission shakes himself, stretches his arms above his head, and sucks in a loud breath at the pain in his chest. Neither would these thoughts bring him closer to Promise.
He steps softly toward the mages, gritting his teeth. In discomfort, he tells himself. The foolishness of mages is nothing to me. The foolish, selfish, utterly idiotic, inane, INSANE, mages who run off into the night after who knows what. . .
Blood and stone, protect me from anger and magery.
He says quietly to Sa'id, "Next time, we should try to stay with the others in battle. I gave my word to protect you-- all of you-- please, don't make it so difficult next time."
He nods to Farron. "Is this creature," he jabs a toe at the halfling mage. "still living?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Mission is aware that Cadfael created the potions. Sometime, he and Farron should get together and discuss the philosophical differences between obtaining the favor of a god, and muttering incessantly over dead materials. . .
:)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
(OOC: Rennik would say a big amen to that)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Garyth follows Gully's gaze around the room, taking in the damage. A look of chagrin comes over his face as he speaks to Gully.
"Master Patter, your lodge... I..."
Garyth falters for a moment, and sighs. "I am sorry for the damage to your lodge, goodman, but we had no choice but to defend ourselves." He shakes his head ruefully. "I had no wish to bring evil to your house, but these are dark times. The land is not safe for honest people; I urge you to seek safety in Overlook, or at least somewhere closer to a Guard station. Perhaps you should return to check in with your sister."
He glances around, trying to estimate the extent of the damage. "If you can get safely to Overlook, you may ask the council there, or perhaps the garrison captain, for aid. I cannot promise you that they will help, but I promise you that if they do not, I will return when our mission is complete and help you myself, even if it takes a year to raise the money."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Rennik is weary, though he stares unflinchingly at Cadfael through the burning healing process.
"Next time I'll ask my enemy to eat tea and cake while I send for your aid."
He shakes his head and laughs.
"You are quick to spit venom, yet you worship no snake god. Had I called for aid, and had you come to my defense, this hall would have gone undefended, and others may have died. My battle was an ambush, and lasted half a minute. Could you have fought your way to me? Possibly, but not before I sustained my wound. And not without leaving others to die."
Rennik glances at Garyth and Gully before looking back to Cadfael. He then stands, steadying himself against the wall. He hadn't thought about the others, but he does now. He had not called for aid, but such a call would have been pointless. He had been bitten within fifteen seconds of seeing Horan, and had killed his foe before another fifteen had passed. What help could they have provided? And what fate would have befallen Garyth had Cadfael and Farron turned their attention to Horan?
Rennik does not understand Cadfael's malice, but he has no energy to think on it.
"I thank you for the gift of your god, but now I must pray for Mielikki to grant me strength as her poisonous cure fights the taint in my blood."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Gully grips Garyth's arm in a comradely fashion. "Do not apologize for the wicked deeds of others, young soldier. I know that you did not bring evil to my house. By gods, I was sheltering her here all the time! I am glad that when those dead ones came, you lot were here to stand by me." He touches his face, and pulls his hand away to look at the fresh blood. "I've never seen such things. These must indeed be black times."
At his feet, Cutter is whining and trying to lick him. On his wolfen face is a look of worry that is almost human. Gully rubs him once and says, "Go find your brothers boy. Go see if they've run all the way back to Kessel with their tails between their legs." He swats the big wolf on the rump, and it runs out of the lodge through the open front door.
Gully turns back to Garyth. "I could use your help, tonight, if you're willing. It's late, and the wounded will need rest. Perhaps you could help me board up the front window and the back door, and we can make a safe place to sleep here in the front room. It has the big fireplace, and I think I'll need to drive some chills off this night."
He moves over to one wall and picks of a large hammer and a box of pegs. "There are boards we can use in the barn."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Garyth nods to Gully, relief apparent on his face. He will help Gully collect boards and seal the windows, but not before belting on his sword (just in case).
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Gully takes Garyth to the barn, where they collect enough boards to close off the front window, and the broken down kitchen back door. When they are finished, there are only two ways into the dining room; the front door, and the hallway. Gully pushes one of the big tables over to the hallway, and flips it up on its side. Now you can see down the hall, but anyone trying to get in will have to push the table away or jump over it. The front door and its bar are still strong, so the dining hall becomes a bit of a fortress against further assaults.
Once they are done, Gully will break open a new flagon of wine and pass the cups around to anyone who wants to partake. It looks like the big trader plans to get roaring drunk this night.
Sometime during the construction, the wolf pack came back looking very ashamed. Each one comes up and gives an apologetic looking lick to Gully's hand. He just laughs and says, "It coulda been all the orcish hordes of Kelkor, and they would have fought to the death to protect me. A few shambling bags o' bones, and they make for the hills like pups. I guess you can never tell what you'll be afraid of, eh?"
[Ok. I am leaving it at that. Feel free to continue with any conversation or actions that you wish to take this night. I am not going to move forward with the game until everyone checks in with a 'I have nothing more to say' type post. I imagine that once everyone is sitting in the lodge, there will be a lot to say, and I want to leave plenty of time for you guys to hash that out.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
If Sa'id has nothing to say, Mission will collect the body of the dead halfling, and the bones of the skeletons around the lodge.
He will pile them all up, downwind from the lodge, and if no one has any objections, set fire to the lot.
After that, he will rejoin everyone else within.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Something Wicked; The aftermath
Sa'id nods absently at Farron and continues his slow trek toward the lodge. He is facing away from Mission when the monk speaks to him, which is likely for the best as a blistering glower disfigures his face for a moment. Blinking it away, he nods -- curtly this time -- at Mission, then carries on. There are several different logical threads being processed in the back of Sa'id's mind, but the pain is still preventing him from easily knotting them together. He goes in through what's left of the door, careful not to brush his robes against the smoldering logs. In the dark, he allows himself a brief, self-satisfied smile.
Sa'id leaves the halfling's purse for Gully in a corner of the lounge. Then he moves over to the fire and lowers himself painfully down beside Cadfael, and turns to speak to the priest.
"Brother Cadfael, there was a halfling priest outside who was protected by a group of skeletons. I found some trinkets on him; can you tell me if any of these means anything to you?" Sa'id holds out the items he found on the halfling's corpse. They are: a plain silver ring, a hammered copper ring set with a green gemstone cut to resemble an eye, and a crude iron pendant in the form of a heiroglyph.
"I do not recognize the iron symbol, but hoped that since he was a priest, you might."