(IC - D&D 3.5) Rathan's Problem Down Under

[unleashed]

“Goodnight all,” Eltyr replies as he lies back, dozing off quickly pretty much where he was sitting.

 

[Rathan]

As you all settle into what sleeping arrangements you've made within the barn you all can't help but feel something is watching you. After Berrek drifts off to sleep any who remain awake after he dozes off notice a some soft of ghostly being hovering over his body... The image is faded and almost fully transparent but if one takes a good enough look there IS something there.... The being leans a ghastly looking hand down to touch his torso but Menhir while patrolling spots the beings attempt at a touch. Sadly it too notices the elementals eyes on him and turns his head in this direction. Menhir can clearly see half of it's face is stark white and skeleton-esque.. while the other bares the symbol of a open hand over a translucent blue burst branded into it's cheek.. the same hand in fact Berrek bares on his person. The being notes Menhirs spot of it's presence and fades into nothingness after giving the elemental a glimpse of his ghostly face..

 

[Ambrus]

Being unfamiliar with floating spectral entities, Menhir slowly glides through the earth towards Berrek's torpid form in the barn. The curious elemental looks around for the odd apparition while wondering whether it should disturb the organic's communion. There was so much it still didn't know about their ways; possibly the apparition was of trivial relevance. Then again, perhaps not. Opting for surety, Menhir reaches out and causes the earth beneath Berrek to undulate and shift so as to stir the man awake.

At first, the elemental finds itself at a loss for the right words to use to describe the puzzling occurrence when Berrek finally awakens. Finally the featureless surface of its face begins to rumble a deep gravely voice: "In the air above you, a... floating... clear... elderly human... reaching out to touch you." Growing silent, Menhir hopes that Berrek will recognize what it's describing and supply it with an explanation.

 

[Neurotic]

Awakening with a start Berrek is almost fully standing, his hands reaching for weapons before he registers that elemental shows no sign of alarm. Relaxing a little and then mentaly berating himself for assuming he would recognize alarm in such creature, he thinks for a moment and quietly responds so not to wake others:

"Yes, Menhir, thank you for your alertness. This thing is a mage, I think, that died in starfall. I was there too, but I survived and he somehow became bound to me. I'm not sure why, how or how I can affect him as he doesn't seem to be able to communicate. Maybe later I can talk to the priest."
[sblock=Addition in case nobody else is awake]
"Could you keep this to yourself for now? There is no need to alarm others when it's such benign phenomenon. I promise I'll talk to the priest when the opportunity arises."[/sblock]

OOC: I'm not sure anyone would stay after Berrek partly because of his mild paranoia and partly because he was looking out at the storm.

 

[Ambrus]

Momentarily confused by Berrek's initial reaction upon being jarred out of his torpor, the elemental slides a few feet backward while rising up out of the earth to its waist. It remains in that position, uncertain of what to expect until the man manages to calm himself. Once Berrek composes himself, Menhir sinks slowly back down into the ground, leaving only its featureless head above the surface while listening to the man's explanation.

Puzzled by the unfamiliar concepts that Berrek's story implies, and yet unable to properly articulate his thoughts, the earth elemental offers only a disjointed inquiry in subdued rumbling tones. "Dead... mage? Bound?"

 

[Neurotic]

"I don't know. He is just here. But, yes, he's dead."

 

[Ambrus]

The elemental seems to ponder this quietly for a moment before responding in its gravely tone. "He's dead, but he still... acts?"

 

[Neurotic]

"As far as I know he cannot affect our world except for very limited time and in very limited manner. I don't think he can communicate and I'm not even sure it IS the mage. It could be some strange echo effect from starfall."
Berrek shudders at the memory of destruction he found around himself. He is glad that at least that part of his memory is unavailable.

 

[Ambrus]

As far as the elemental knew, organic creatures act until they die. Afterward, all they do is lie still and are either consumed by other organics or they decompose peacefully in the earth. Menhir, uncertain that it's properly understood what Berrek has tried to explain, decides to let the matter drop for the time being. Evidently the man considers the apparition harmless and so the the elemental sees no need to further dwell on it.

Offering Berrek a simple nod of acknowledgment, the earth elemental slowly drifts backwards through the earth. Menhir leaves the man to resume his state of torpor in peace while it continues its solitary patrol of the environs.

 

[Neurotic]

"One more thing before you resume your guard, Menhir. If you notice him again, please observe carefuly, but don't interferre, he may be able to communicate in dreams. But, I'd like to know when that happens and what exactly transpired. Can you do that?"