stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [IC]

[James Heard]

Nodding coolly, Janis seemingly accepts the paladin's apology wordlessly... or ignores it, depending on your take of the mage's mood.

"Cyran know-how has protected me once again this day, " the multiple images of Janis say in disconcerting fashion at Khensu's question, the vexing images of the multicolored snake at her throat making circular bobbing motions as it hisses in agreement that threaten to make any sane person feel as if they were trapped in a funhouse.

While the others tend their wounds, she makes her way to the rear again and the many faces of Janis gently stroke the unflattering pelt of her mount, Edi.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith reaches for the tender areas of his abdomen where he's been savagely attacked, and gently feels the wounds. He throws a look to both Selase and Daellin. "I'd be happy to take some of your wand's healing if you'll give it. What little divine power I have left I'd like to save to allow me a better chance of doing substantive damage to these undead monstrosities."

OOC: He has only two Grave Strike spells remaining besides his domain spells, and would like to save them if possible to allow him to sneak attack any more of these undead creatures.

 

[drothgery]

"This should help, then." Daellin says, fishing the wand of cure light wounds out of his pack, and tapping Jarrith with it.

 

[stonegod]

A tap from Daellin's wand and one from Selase's restores Jarrith's health, and another assists Selase.

Wounds tended, the Six decided what to do next. Examine the bodies? Any of the nearby buildings? Or press on as per Sir Khensu's suggestion?

OOC: That's two charges total for Selase's wand.

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Thank you both." Jarrith looks down at the body that Sir Khensu's already examined, then turns to the shifter. "Did you find anything on this unfortunate soul? Identification papers or such? The fact that he has not turned into one of these creatures is interesting. Selase? Would you happen to be able to recognize what he might have died from?"

He walks over to the body and looks at it more closely, including looking at it's tongue to see if it's turned black like his own has. "I know this might seem a bit gruesome... but perhaps... if the body is still fresh... we should take it with us? At the very least, we can protect it so that it doesn't rise. And if the Flame is with us... we might even luck out and find a Jorasco healer in town still alive that might be able to identify why this person hasn't risen from the dead or succumb to the disease. That kind of knowledge would be most useful, plus perhaps allow us to create some sort of antidote."

He stands back up and looks at the group. "And if not... we should get moving into town."

 

[stonegod]

[Jarrith Searches the body (Khensu has only looked at it visually); Selease makes a Heal check.]

Jarrith and Selase turn over the body so it is face up. The man is plain looking, and died with a look of stark horror on his face, but Selase confirms that there is no sign of the disease that infects the town. He was obviously killed by the zombies, and the maggots had begun to feast on his legs, but otherwise the body is intact. Selase can find no immediate reason why he was not infected from her inspection.

After turning the body over, Jarrith quickly spots a silver charm in the shape of a maple leaf hanging from the man's neck. A search of his pockets also turns up some rudimentary identification papers. They bare no Sivis mark or other official marking, but the block letters (notarized by 'Burgomaster Indirovich') identify the corpse as 'Viktor Litmunova,' a carpenter.

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Viktor Litmunova. Huh. Well, at strange as it is to say... he's one of the lucky ones. Still human, still dead. No idea why he wasn't infected." He takes the silver charm and inspects it, wondering if the maple leaf had any signifigance as a union or trade symbol. He lifts it up and shows it to the folks. "Anyone recognize this? It's probably just a pretty trinket, but it might be a symbol of something. He's a carpenter... maybe a union group perhaps?"

Taking the charm and the papers, he stands up and dusts himself off. "Well, I for one am not going to let this man's body get mauled out here in the street. For now, I think I'll put it inside one of these buildings and lock the door so no more of these maggots can get at it hopefully. Brother, can you help me lift him?"

Jarrith goes to one of the closed doors in the street that is locked but hopefully not boarded up (F9, M5, M9 perhaps?) and picks the lock to get it open. He will then pick up Viktor's body (with Sir Khensu's help if he gives it) and place it inside said building. A small prayer will be said over the body, then Jarrith will re-lock the door upon exiting.

 

[GwydapLlew]

[sblock=OOC]Knowledge (religion) or Knowledge (nobility & royalty) on the silver charm?[/sblock]

Sir Khensu will nod and assist Jarrith in moving the body. He joins his priestly brother in giving last rites before sealing the house and preparing to move deeper into the town.

 

[stonegod]

No one in the group recognizes the leaf as having any particular significance other than a sign of nature.

As Jarrith and Khensu begin to pick up the body, Daellin is notices something on the wind. Until moments before, there was a light rhythmic thumping that the elf just considered a distant sign banging somewhere---but he just clearly made out a loud *crack* and the sound of moans and swords clashing somewhere to the west!

 

[drothgery]

Daellin tells the others what his elvish ears percieved, even with the sure knowledge that Jarrith and Khensu would be all for charging headlong into yet more danger.