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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zora" data-source="post: 2740340" data-attributes="member: 30156">Journal entry 10/28/05Pepa, we entered through the front gates after determining that all of the townsfolk were indeed dead.  I would have attended to the bodies at that time, but there may be folk inside, and they would need help first.Upon passing through the front gates, I heard the distinct sound of battle, coming from the guardhouse!  It HAD to be Serrah, she’s too good a swordswoman to be taken down yet.  I immediately ran into the guardhouse towards the sounds, with my companions following.  Running past 2 dead soldiers, I encountered a truly sad sight: the proud warrior Stone walking as an undead, with arrows and a sword embedded in him.  At first my reaction was to yell at him that he was supposed to protect them; then the realization that he probably did stung me and I was determined to end this false existence forced upon him so that he could go to Dumathoin’s care.My companions headed past me to a stairwell where undead soldiers were attempting to get up the stairs, then turned on my friends.  Nekaya held them at bay through the power of turning, whilst Liadan managed to destroy them with the gifts of Lathander.  None of the soldiers had any wounds on them, which was disturbing.As I approached the stairs, I could see a trail of blood leading away up the stairs towards Serrah’s office.  I ran up the stairs, found nothing in her office, then rushed towards the roof, where I saw her: Serrah.She was exhausted and weak as a kitten.  It turns out she had taken a few lungfuls of the greenish cloud.  We could see it better now, and Phaele claimed it was a Death Cloud, with another spell in it, possibly to animate the dead.  And it appeared sentient!  Whoever created it has much to pay for.Supporting Serrah, she reminded us that in times of trouble, survivors would have fled towards the winter stronghold, a shelter below the town hall.  I pulled out some of the leaves the druids gave me, and with Erim’s help brewed a restorative tea for her, enough to help her move with some support.We headed out the front gate, where we found the survivors we saw coming into town, now numbering nine strong.  Putting Serrah upon Spirit, I urged her to go to her home and family.  She stubbornly refused while there still might be survivors in town.  Knowing I would not be able to dissuade her, I pulled out the extra weapons I had on me and in my pack, and gave them to the townsfolk present, with the orders to protect her, and should something come along, to flee to safety, taking Serrah with them.Liadan mentioned that the temple to Chauntea might have some healing potions and restorative draughts to counteract the poisonous cloud.  Phaele remembered that Olson kept vials of antitoxin always at hand, due to his fear of snakes.  He’s a good kid, I hoped he had made it.We split into two groups: Nikos, Nekaya and Phaele to head towards Olson’s and Sonom’s places, while Liadan, Erim, Telemnar and I went to the temple, then to meet them at the winter stronghold.  Before we could split up inside the gates however, we were struck by a truly sad sight.  Young Missy Briar, with her flame-red hair was lying in the courtyard being devoured by one of the town dogs, which had grown quite swollen with the flesh it had eaten.  Images flashed inside my mind of the time –not less than 24 hours ago- where I had given her a ride on my shoulders during the celebrations of the festival.Bile rose in my throat as my anger threatened to take over and I wished nothing else but to wrap my hands around its throat and choke the undead life from it.  Before I could react however, Nekaya, Telemnar and Nikos slew it.  Eerie howls came from almost all around us as dozens more came rushing forward to bite at us.  Phaele, quicker of mind than I am of leg, created forth a wall of fire, incinerating the undead dogs in an instant.  I’m glad she’s on my side…Both groups broke into runs, going for their separate destinations. At the temple, I watched one of the clouds –for there were four- moving towards us as with a purpose.  Liadan found the cache of divine draughts and we left with much haste.  On the way to the temple, we found the bodies of Stin and Lab, the brothers from Athkatla, dead in the street, apparently slain by arrows and magical lightning.  Erim discovered that a hammer and a breastplate were magical, and we took those with us.I found out later that the other group found Sonom’s tower, which had been the only building in town utterly destroyed.  This just lends credence to the idea that this was planned.  Olson was found dead, pinned to his front door with large arrows, of the type the stranger Wyrstalker used.  He WILL pay for that.  Phaele picked up two wands that were being wielded by Olson.  The woman warrior who was serving the Halruuan elder was also found in the street, probably killed by Olson.  Kid put up a fight.  Good for him.Turns out Nikos found Stone’s armor at Olson’s, probably there for enchantment.  I think he wants me to have it.  Not sure how I feel about that.As we were debating using some of the anti-poison vials in our possession and attempting to destroy one of the clouds, we heard a voice come from one of the clouds.  In a voice that came from the Halruaan elder, came the statement: “Mirras, you are not correct.”From Mirras came the response: “Signs pointed to here.”  At that, the cloud parted and a woman clad in dark armor was there…just as the form of Elder Furnael disappeared.She’s got much to answer for…</blockquote>

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