Questions for the Captive, Identifying, A Dark Promise
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron awakens from an uncomfortable sleep and takes a look around the tower, remembering last night's fiasco. He can hardly believe they weren't attacked in the night and quickly checks his pack to make sure everything is still there, especially the pouch of pearls. He did notice some of the dark looks he got the night before as he was rummaging through the mage's belongings, but what did they expect him to do? Leave powerful magical items for their enemies to reclaim? If the battle had gone the other way, Farron's own spellbook and pouch of magical items wouldn't be rotting alongside his corpse. And it's not like the mage would be needing them anytime soon.
With that thought, he looks towards the fallen mage, and suppresses a shiver. Its disturbing to see the twisted body still lying there on the rubble. It's not like he hasn't seen dead enemies before, but after a battle at sea he didn't have to stare at corpses the next morning -- plenty of extra hands around to toss the dead ones overboard, then 'out of sight, out of mind', as it were.
He's grateful that Mission's inquiry of Sa'id breaks him out of these morbid thoughts, and he moves over towards them, interested to see if he can tell what kind of potions the monk has found.
From: Ty
Subject: There's got to be a morning after...
A lot of stuff can happen now for the group at the tower. Lot's of chances for RP and for questioning and searching and the like.
So, I will respond to direct DM questions, but I am going to stay out of the mix until everyone checks in with a "I am ready to leave the tower now."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Mission stops himself from leaning away from Farron as he approaches-- but he can't stop the memory of the greed on Farron's face as he plundered the dead mage. So he says nothing as the man approaches, merely stands his ground and keeps his emotions to himself.
If only he could be apathetic. Mission catches sight of Garyth, and knows that he's not the only one with misgivings this morning. The soldier looks grim-- and sick. Boot leather to gold, Garth's pike was poisoned.
Garth was as good a reason as any to move away from the mages. Mission wraps his bandana around his hand, and seizes the big man's pike. Holding it in the hand protected by his bandana, Mission approaches Garth.
"My name is Mission," he says evenly. "And this is a weapon with a good heft to it. What kind of magery has been placed on it?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garth twists up his battered face at the monks approach, and spits to one side.
"Untie me, and give it back to me, and I'll gladly demonstrate the uses of that weapon." It's hard to tell, but it looks like he might be grinning.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Sa'id finishes studying and closes his spellbook as Mission approaches. "I don't want to swallow one of these and wind up being turned into. . . something awful. Can you. . . tell what these potions are?"
"Sadly, I have no skill in divination," Sa'id replies. "Farron may, however. Also, I believe the string of pearls he took from the fallen mage may be of use for those purposes."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"I'm shocked, really, I am," Mission says, returning Garth's grin. "You're not even going to offer introductions before threatening me? No name to call my killer? No, 'I am Garth, worshipper of the Storm and Darkness!' No? Nothing? Just, 'Give me my weapon, and I'll kill you?"
Mission snorts. "In a moment, I am going to go gather that dead mage up. I am going to take him outside, and burn his body to ashes, as is proper to do for the dead. And I will tend the fire until all that is left of him is ash, and that ash, I will scatter from the top of this tower so that his spirit will not be provoked into lingering around its resting place.
"If you have any alternatives for the disposal of this mage's body, I'm sure we can arrange something."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
At Mission's mention of burning the mage. Garth's face goes dark.
"You taunt me? You murder my closest friend, and the only man I have ever trusted, then taunt me with his burning? He was right about you. I told him you were nothing, not worth our worry. But as usual, he saw through to the truth.
"Do what you will with the body. You are leaving me no chance to restore life to my friend, but that does not surprise me."
His face goes flat as stone. "But know this. If you do not kill me, here and now, I am going to track down and kill every one of you for what you have done here. I take an oath on the blood you have spilled here, to exact revenge in full measure. Mon Kada strike me down if I do not."
His last words send a chill down Mission's spine. The rest of the party looks up, faces white. Cadfael makes a warding sign with his fingers and begins rapidly praying.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Sa'id, who has been poring over the fallen mage's body in preparation for the casting of Gentle Repose, looks up in surprise at Mission's words, but says nothing as Garth speaks his oath. He sighs as Garth finishes speaking, and deep weariness is clearly visible in his eyes and manner.
Fools, the lot of them, he thinks. When he does speak, his tone is icy.
"I roused myself before sunrise to study a spell of preservation for your friend, and you repay me by swearing my death. Very well. I will cast the spell nonetheless. It will keep his corpse from rotting for five days." Sa'id's gaze passes to Mission. "Did you not hear make this very offer to Cale last night?" He looks like he wants to continue, but instead simply shakes his head and turns to his spellcasting [Gentle Repose on the dead mage].
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron suppresses a blush at Sa'id's words. For a number of reason, he had never had the opportunity to learn "Identify" as a spell. Since identifying magical items was a primary money maker for the magical college, the mages there would not teach it without first obtaining an oath from the pupil regarding its use that Farron wasn't willing to make. But then he remembers the fallen mage's scroll case. Farron replies, "I'll see what I can do, but it will take some time."
Then, returning to his pack, he removes his spellbook and one of the Identify scrolls from the scroll case taken from the wizard last night. He hunches over the scroll, casts "Read Magic" and pulls velvet bag from a pocket in his robes. From the bag he retrieves a clear crystal prism, which catches a ray of light streaming into the tower and returns a bright rainbow on one wall. Looking through the prism, he reads the Identify scroll and copies it into his spellbook. Once finished, he leans back, looking satisfied with himself. Even if, somehow, he isn't able to keep the spoils from the night before at least he has gained one thing that won't be taken back.
This done, Farron goes back to Sa'id and gets one of the potions. He takes one of the muddy brown potions and reading an Identify scroll examines it closely. [ooc- now Ty can tell me what it is ;-)]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The Identify scroll will show the muddy potions to be vials of alchemists fire.
Alchemist's Fire: You can throw a flask of alchemist's fire as a splash weapon. Treat this attack as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet.
A direct hit deals 1d6 points of fire damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of fire damage from the splash. On the round following a direct hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
[OOC - OK, I'll bite. Clearly if Farron is white-faced, he must get the reference. What is it?]
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Cadfael comes slowly out of prayer as the morning sun rises higher in the sky, its light beginning to peek out from over the tops of the jungle's trees. Mute, he gathers his belongings and resolutely puts on his still-stained armour, it is a strange thing to see Pelor's sun so soiled and once again Cadfael feels the urge to clean it, to bring out its glory. Quickly though, he buries the feeling. What must be done must be done.
As softly as he can he makes his way to Garyth and lays a hand on the seated man's shoulder, answering his questioning look with the beginnings of a spell (lesser restoration). He smiles as gentle warmth floods through him into Garyth. It is not the searing heat of healing but a more loving kind, Cadfael always imagined it was what being held by The Father must feel like. It fills the body with a feeling of contentment, leaving no room for exhaustion or the pain of old wounds. Maybe, along with cleaning Garyth's wounds, this feeling will allow him to come to terms with the wounds Cadfael cannot heal.
However, rather than being grateful for the experience bitterness replaces the comfort as the glow subsides and Pelor's presence vanishes leaving him cold and feeling strangely alone. With a tinge of anger in his eyes he turns away from Garyth resolving to finish healing last night's wound before leaving the tower. Just, not now?
He is dimly aware of the conversation that is going on between Mission and Garth but pays it no heed until Garth utters the name Mon Kada. Unconsciously he begins a prayer against evil and wards himself that Kada's gaze may never fall on him. Just hearing the name makes him feel lost, desperate and angered. Such is Mon Kada's power.
"You fool! No man's memory is worth the oath you just took."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron will use a third scroll to ID one of the bottles of clear potion.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The clear potions are all Cure Serious Wounds potions.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Farron will return the potions to Mission. If he refuses them, Farron will add them to his pack along with the other stuff.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
"Mon Kada?" Mission forces his grin to stay on his lips, despite the chill that ripples through his muscles as he speaks. "Mon Kada? Garth, my people have a saying: fear not the dark god that waits in Hell, but the wolf that crouches before you."
"I made a promise last night to spare the lives of all who surrendered. You did not. You have taken an oath of murder and vengeance against us. By the Path of Stone and Blood, I should kill you now and send you on to Mon Kada, or whatever god will have you. The Law of Blood demands it, and my heart is Stone for the task.
"But if you wish your friend's life, and your own, I would free you. Tell us truly why you are in this jungle, and what you are doing in this tower."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garyth feels a chill at the big man's promise for revenge. Despite the fact that he deserves what comes to him, the thought of facing the huge halbardier again is frightening. He stands slowly and faces the warrior.
"For what we have done to your friend you may be right to pour your hate on us, but we did not seek this fight. We are, as far as we know, the only chance to save our people from a plague of demon beasts. We could not allow you to hinder us in our task. So you may make your oaths, but know that if you should succeed, you will be condemning innocent people to suffer."
OOC: I'm a little confused, whose bitterness interrupted Cadfael's spell, Garyth's or his own?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
The spell worked.
Cadfael felt bitter afterward. Your Con is repaired.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Alone in the dark
Garth looks at Garyth. "I care nothing for your quest, nor the 'innocent' you protect. And now you may add one more to the demon's you count as enemy."
To Mission he says, "My friend told you our business here. I have nothing to add."
To the group as a whole he says, "You will gain nothing by keeping me here. Either kill me, or release me. I will say nothing more to you."