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

[drothgery]

Daellin stared at Selaese for a few seconds, more than a little disturbed by what he'd had to do. There had been little choice, though. And he would not have a friends' body be used like that -- no matter what her faith thought about it.

"Yes," he answered Khensu. "I'm stll myself."

Then he used his wand to heal Jarrith.

 

[stonegod]

Then he used his wand to heal Jarrith.

Assuming Daellin does so to full, that will be 3 charges. Don't forget to update your sheet.

 

[GwydapLlew]

"Collect wood. Before we go further, we should honor our friend." Before Janis could object, he quickly continues. "It will take only a minute, and it will purify her soul."

The paladin kneels down next to the unconscious warrior and looked over her injuries. ((Heal check.)) If she is still alive, Khensu will apply the wand to her as well.

 

[stonegod]

The paladin kneels down next to the unconscious warrior and looked over her injuries. ((Heal check.)) If she is still alive, Khensu will apply the wand to her as well.

[Heal check succeeds]
The woman claims tenaciously to life. The lack of black veins or grey skin suggests she resists the zombie plague that fell Selase and still infects Jarrith.

While tending her, Khensu can clearly see symbols now on her armor. The are primarily to Dol Arrah---Sovereign of Honor. But other markings recall something of Khensu's training: A group of itinerant foes of the undead who fight them without warrant or surcease. These 'Lightbringers' are known for being outside of the Sovereign Host hierarchy but also not beholden to the Flame. Apparently, this woman is one of these 'Lightbringers.' [Kn: Religion taking 10 succeeds]

Using his wand, Khensu can see the healing suffuse her. After a moment, she opens her intense, green eyes. Her hands clench a moment, seeking a weapon, then relax upon seeing the paladin. "You have my thanks, friend of the Flame. It appears Olladra is with us this day for your timely arrival." She pushes herself up. Though weak, she hides it. She looks around fiercely. "However, these are only a few of many. We must get the barriers back up."

Standing, she coughs a moment, and wipes the blood on her already stained purple cloak. "If any of you are good with wood, your help would be appreciated. Otherwise, I must get Parriwimple and those Visanti to get this repaired."

[2 charges awaken the warrior. She is still near death.]

 

[GwydapLlew]

Sir Khensu assists her in rising and offers her a salute between paladins. "I am Sir Khensu Feral of the Order of Illumination. These are my companions." He gestures to the remaining members of the Six and turns to look at the three barricades.

"I have little skill in woodworking, but we should be able to assist. What has happened here? Why do the dead walk in such large numbers?"

 

[stonegod]

"I have little skill in woodworking, but we should be able to assist. What has happened here? Why do the dead walk in such large numbers?"

The warrior takes Khensu's hand with a firm grip. "I forget my manners. I am Ashlyn, devoted of the Sovereigns. As for what has happened here..." She looks around. "I do not know. This place is cursed. Thendrick---my companion, a temple scholar for our order---had led us here and we found it thus. Perhaps the few villagers who remain holed up in the inn"---she nods at the northern building---"may know more. Thendrick and my other companion Mathilda believed the evil had something to do with the town church, but I have my doubts."

The paladin makes her way over the fallen barricade that allow the Six access. "We must get these fixed soon. I was already overrun once, and would have perished without your aid."

Turning back to Khensu, she continues. "As I said, my companions went to the old church on the edge of town. Everyone told us to take to Madam Eva first---she's some sort of wise woman who lives west of town. But they wouldn't listen, those arrogant clods. They went to the church, confident they could handle what was there, heedless of leaving these others defenseless. That was three days ago."

She looks to the north in the dark mist. "I haven't heard anything from them since, and I've been too occupied with the defenses to venture beyond this square."

 

[James Heard]

"Judging from what we've seen of the town, I imagine you're not missing much...except perhaps a few less open wounds. Perhaps it's time to consider returning the way we came, reporting this outbreak to the Karns and having them send in some troops less prone to the depredations of contracting vile diseases and falling to the undead?"

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith gets back to his feet after receiving the touch of healing. The sickness still has him, but at least his bruises and cuts have closed. As Sir Khensu and the woman speak, Jarrith looks around at the carnage and begins dragging corpses outside of the walls of this fortifide area in hopes of cleaning it up just a bit.

"I think speaking to some of the villagers in the Inn is an excellent idea. Right now, information could be the difference between life and death. Tell me, Miss Ashlyn... do you know anything of the town's Burgomaster? One of the reasons for our arrival here was that we received a note on the road that claimed that this town was being harrassed by some witches up in the hills." He looks down at the formerly undead body he is dragging outside the circle, and chuckles. "It appears that it wasn't witches that were the town's problem."

"Perhaps it's time to consider returning the way we came, reporting this outbreak to the Karns and having them send in some troops less prone to the depredations of contracting vile diseases and falling to the undead?"

Jarrith turns to Janis and is about to make another snide remark as he is usually wont to do... but perhaps the blackness of his tongue has made it easier to hold it. He closes it for a second, reconsiders his response, then nods in agreement surprisingly. "Actually, Stormhand has a point. Although this village is in the middle of nowhere... we can't leave it to their assured doom. Bringing in some force from the outside might be smart. I'm sure there are a number of Selase's flock that would know how to bring these creatures to heel."

Having cleared as many bodies as he can, he begins working on resetting the blockades. "Speaking personally... I cannot in good conscious leave this town the way it is, not when there seems to be some folks still living. I will not leave them to their doom. But at the same time, if some of you want to go back out and try to organize some force to return here... I will not fault you for it. I just hope that when you come back, we've been able to staunch whatever is bleeding this land dry."

 

[GwydapLlew]

As the others assist in building up the barricades, Khensu collects bits of broken wood and scraps of kindling. Solemnly, he begins building a rough bedding and places their fallen companion's body upon it. As he does so, he sorts through her pack and pouches, placing her valuables to the side.

At Janis' words, Sir Khensu looks up. "You are correct, Janis. We do not need to be here. There is no charge laid upon the Six other than to safeguard our caravan's journey. I cannot leave this town in the condition that it is in, not if I wish to remain true to the Flame." He kneels down next to Solase and places more wood over her body. "You are more than welcome to return to the caravan and warn our employer of the events here. It may be the wisest course of action - you do not wish to risk your life for those you do not care for, and our employer should be warned. As for myself, I will not leave this town under the thrall of fear and horror."

With that, he starts to light the rough pyre with his flint. He knew that Solase did not follow the Flame, but this was the best he could do for her in their current state. May the Flame take you into its embrace. May you not rise as an abomination.

 

[stonegod]

Ashlyn pushes herself up from her post near the broken barrier, and moves to one of the southern door. Light comes from the between the boarded up windows, and a sign that reads "Bildrath Mercantile" hangs above the shop. She knocks thrice, calling, "Bildrath! It's Ashlyn. Send out Perriwimple, we need the barrier fixed!"

Without waiting for a reply, Ashlyn attends to what Khensu is doing. Behind her, the shop door opens to reveal a huge form of a man. This must be Perriwimple. The man is probably fresh out of youth, and there is a slackness to his face suggesting a lack of intelligence. The man keeps his head down, trying to avoid any eye contact with the others or the dead, and when close, spins around and diverts off another direction. With a single purpose, he goes across the street, apparently to the inn and disappears inside. After another moment, two dark complexion men---similar looking to the messenger of yesterday---come out. Though obviously surly about it, they---with the large Perriwimple---get working on the barrier.

Ashlyn, seeing Khensu working on Selase, looks over the fallen woman. "One of yours? This disease that suffuses this town... it can strike the strongest at any moment." Her eyes narrow when she notices the holy symbol hanging around Selase's neck, and she look suspiciously at the paladin. More coldly this time, she suggests, "Burn it. Burn it any anything it possessed."

"Tell me, Miss Ashlyn... do you know anything of the town's Burgomaster? One of the reasons for our arrival here was that we received a note on the road that claimed that this town was being harrassed by some witches up in the hills."

Ashlyn does not turn to the Stalker, still fixated on something about Selase. "I have not seen the Burgomaster. I believe his son is in the inn, deep in his cups. Ismark is... difficult to talk to."

"Judging from what we've seen of the town, I imagine you're not missing much...except perhaps a few less open wounds. Perhaps it's time to consider returning the way we came, reporting this outbreak to the Karns and having them send in some troops less prone to the depredations of contracting vile diseases and falling to the undead?"

The champion of Dol Arrah turns to the new voice, and looks the army of Jani up and down a moment. "Cyran, if I do no mistake it? From near Metrol, if I have the accent. Greetings, fellow daughter. To answer your question, however, if you came here as we did, it would take more than a month to muster any such force if the Karrns"---said with obvious distaste---"decided to do anything about it. By then, this town would be nothing more than a haven of the undead, and that I cannot abide. I---"

It s at this point Ashlyn notices the rest of the group. Marot and Daellin take little notice, but when she sees ashen face of Jarrith, her face changes to a look of barely controlled anger. If her voice was cold before, it is as ice now. "You travel with one infected, and have not healed him or ensured his final rest?!" She draws her weapon again, and though she keeps it at her side, the aura of menace is there. She slowly approaches Jarrith. "Keep your weapons at bay. Any sudden movements and I will defend myself. I will rid you of this curse, cleanse it from your body, but if you resist, I will notice."