Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter Two

[Nonlethal Force]

Destiny smiles in great relief as Keryth offers up an explanation of the contagiousness to Byntrou. Muttering to herself she adds, "Going mentally insane would be a fate worse than death ..."

The woman replies to Keryth's inquiry. "I says. Nobody but me and a few of the wives of the miners who worked with Markie. Course, who listens to miner's wives when the priests can't even cure the insanity? I don't think she was the type to kill herself. Everyone else says her insanity - or coming insanity - drove her to the impossible."

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Well, one would think they’d listen to those who would have known her best...then most are not entirely rational, when confronted by something like that. You’re story though raises questions in my mind, without me even knowing the woman, especially considering the location of her demise...” Keryth replies pensively. “So how long ago did the priests leave and do you know where they went?”

 

[D20Dazza]

Bahruul stands quietly in the shadows watching the village with a wary eye and waiting for his friends to finish interviewing the Goodwife. His eyes dart back to the abandoned temple from time to time, watching for any movement from the madman Markie.

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

Byntrou visibly relaxes with Keryth's reassurances, though he perks up again as the woman at the door makes her implication more explicit.

"The wife's 'change,' did she speak of a particular fear? Was she especially interested in the minds as her condition progressed?"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The woman replies to Keryth, "Well, I can't say exactly for sure which day that they left - or even if they all left together. But I know we're takling weeks, not days ago."

To Byntrou she adds, "You know, I don't think I've seen one like you or your friend in these parts before. Ah, no matter. You've given me no reason to fear ya so far. As far as her fear, she was mostly afraid of becoming like Markie, really. She saw what happened as he lost control of understanding time and - well, you've seen his problems and all. She didn't want to become like that, mostly."

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

To Byntrou she adds, "You know, I don't think I've seen one like you or your friend in these parts before. Ah, no matter. You've given me no reason to fear ya so far. "

"Nor would we wish to, good woman," Byn says with a smile. The smile falls, however, as he looks around the darkness. He settles back again, letting Keryth do the talking, wondering if they can trust Markie's assertion that they're perfectly safe outside so long as they're aboveground.

 

[D20Dazza]

"Thank you for your trouble Goodwife" Bahruul rumbles good naturedly from the shadows "But I am afraid that if we don't soon find somewhere to camp it will be to dark to do so. Please excuse us, a blessing on you and yours"

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Yes, thank you for you’re time ma’am. I only hope we haven’t allowed your pies to cool too much...” Keryth offers with a good-natured grin.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The woman smiles as the party obviously provides her with several closures to the conversation. "Don't your worry yourself over my pies. If Tru ate a piece, he might need your healing later though. I might just take off his bad leg and beat him silly with it."

She lets out another jovial - and side shaking - set of laughs at her own wit.

"Oh, deary me," she continues, settling herself down from her laugh. "As for a place to stay, I'd offer a room but seeing as how we've just met and I've got no empty places inside anyway it just wouldn't be right nor proper. You're welcome to the front yard of my house, if you don't mind the dew in the morning. The air gets kinda chilly at night and some mornings the dew can be kinda thick. But if you should stay outside, I'll offer up some pie in an hour once it's cooled and edible."

The woman's front yard looks as inviting as any other place in town - although that honestly isn't saying much. One thing is for sure of life in the mountains - there are no shortage of rocks that can be used for pillows...

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

Byntrou shrugs as he looks to the others. "I can't say as I prefer it, but it does appear to be the best offer we've had thus far," he whispers dryly.