The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter VI

[Verbatim]

Ayden shook Master Therav's hand and wished the glass merchant well, hoping that his desire to visit the theater in Orchard Meadows was a sincere one. While the merchant's enthusiasm was refreshing, Ayden knew it could also be misleading, as first and foremost, Therav was a merchant and merchants would always follow the path that padded their pockets the quickest.

Looking back towards the others, Ayden saw a group of elvish guards escorting Sarlis and wondered what had transpired after he and Calenthang had left the others.

~I will have to ask him once we are away from this place...~

Turning back one last time to face Therav, Ayden felt the weight of his conscience warring with his word, and he spoke quietly to the man.

"In the future Master Therav, I would encourage you make sure that Waukeen's bounty does not come with a secondary motive..."

Turning his back and ignoring the puzzled look in the man's eyes, Ayden approached the others who had returned to their camp.

"We have learned things that would encourage us to leave sooner rather than later, and as such, I think the best time to depart would be now. While there may only be a few hours left of daylight, if we press we should be able to make it to the edge of the woods by nightfall."

Turning to face the Morninglord's chosen, Ayden's next words were for him.

"While we walk, I would very much like to hear of what transpired after I left, as the honor guard you were given was unexpected to say the least."

Seeing that Sielwoodan and Drog were not in the camp with them, Ayden closed his eyes for a moment and hoped that the halfling was within the limited range of Ayden's telepathic call to him. It was still strange to push his thoughts out to Drogo, and everytime he did it, wondered how his words were spoken in the halfling's mind.

~Drogo...we are breaking camp...if you can hear me...meet us on the road heading north from the fair...we leave for Twilight Hollow immediately...~

Opening his eyes, Ayden looked around and felt his face turn slightly red from having everyone's eyes on him.

"I was trying to call for Drogo, but do not know if he will hear the call. We can try again as we walk if he is not here soon."

 

[Manzanita]

As Ayden looks around for the missing woodsmen, he sees only a majestic bald eagle, which swoops low, then lands on a nearby branch. In his head, Ayden can hear Drogo's voice. "Leaving the city of elves already, are we? Perhaps I'm not the only one with nature's call in my heart." The eagle then winks. "I am with you, Wyvernspur. With the defeat of the hag, the powers of the earth which support and guide me have given me a new gift. I'll return to speak more of it once I've scouted the trail ahead."

From out of the woods, Rex, the large collie, comes bounding in to join ranks with the party, and the eagle takes off .

 

[Mimic]

Engrossed at deciphering his new book Broddy almost misses the fact that everyone is either gone or is about to leave. With a sigh that seems to start from his toes he closes the book and with a final gentle touch puts it way and starts to pack up his things.

"So why are we leaving so soon?" He asks once he catches up with the group.

 

[kirinke]

Teleri looks on in consternation as a rather large eagle glides down on a branch and looks directly at Ayden. His seem to glaze in shock for a minute as if some great relevation has just slammed him right betwix the eyes. The eagle hops to the end of the branch and launches itself into the air as Ayden looks on in bemusement.

"Ayden? You alright?" Teleri asks in concern. "Are you bespelled?" she asked again.

Gods, let it not be another enemy with a bloody charm spell up their sleaves! she thinks, ready to knock him out if it looks like it is.

[sblock] Edited to reflect that Teleri doesn't know about Drogo's new ability. Sorry for the faux pax. Missed the fact that Drogo was speaking only to Ayden [/sblock]

 

[Majin]

OoC: Will be travelling to Twlight Hollow now. There would be plenty city/town stops on the way so if anybody needs anything feel free to post about it. I would assume those party members not "in the know" would be told more about Chastity & Andreas, and their situation with the White Brotherhood.

~

The journey west to Twilight Hollow takes the better part of three weeks, but fortunately for a change, the trip is uneventful. Dark clouds have been gathering overhead most of the morning, signalling a storm brewing. The party finally reaches the village about mid-day, approaching somewhat warily, as if expecting White Brotherhood inquisitors to jump out at any moment. What they are greeted with though, is much more shocking.

Twilight Hollow resembles most other small villages that dot the face of Faerun. A stone temple dominates the village's profile. Most of the remaining buildings have wooden walls and thatched roofs. The aroma of burning pine spreads an ashen pungency through the air. The smell of a hearty roast rolls out from the local inn, and the blacksmith shop rings with the sound of metal striking metal. The residents bustle about, performng their daily chores--until they see you. The moment they spot you, their natural rhythm falters. They stop. They stare. They whisper among themselves, and they disappear a bit too hurriedly into their shelters.

A cold rain begins to drizzle down on the village, casting misery upon everything. As if on cue, a black-clad woman comes down the street at the head of a funeral procession. Her hooded cloak hangs heavy and wet, strands of rain-slick blood-red hair escape from the robe as she walks. The woman carries a wooden staff so dark and knotted that it matches the expression of pain on her face.

Six pallbearers in black hoods carry a coffin. The ornate box glows with a soft magic light. THe citizens of Twilight Hollow emerge from their buildings to stand in respect as the procession passes. Some hold up banners bearing the symbol of Ilmater. Some step forward to join the parade and walk along with the other villagers. The funeral approaches. You hear the mourners chant in a practiced monotone:

"Sacred Ilmater, hold your child in your arms. In these dark times, watch over her and protect her from harm. We pray not for ourselves, but for her. We pray that, one day soon, her soul will know rest or return."

The woman leading the procession then follows up with an odd addendum to the prayer:

"A day of darkness yet awaits the people of Twlight Hollow. The day will come when a stranger will arrive in town. This stranger comes for the innocent among us. This stranger has a handsome shell, but inside this stranger hides a broken and warped soul. This stranger knows us. This stranger has watched us. This stranger knows the blessings of the beast that plagues us. Death walks with this stranger."

The mourner's then continue their prayer to Ilmater as the procession closes with the party and begins to pass. As it does, those looking into the coffin that know her, recognize the body laying inside. Chastity.

 

[DarkMaster]

Sarlis looks at the body, in the coffin. He addresses a small prayer to Lathander, almost as a reflex, without really thinking on the meaning of it.

He listen partially at the cloacked women, being more focused on finding shelter than listening to her.

"I hate rain, where can I get some shelter around here. I wonder what she is talking about, lucky like I am this "stranger" is someone in our group and death is obviously another!!!

Sarlis laugh internally at the taught of it "Sometimes I have too much Imagination"

 

[kirinke]

Teleri eyes widen, her tongue caught in her mouth, recognizing the young paladin she met briefly before. That's. No. It cannot be! she thought in consternation. This inquistion could not have simply murdered her! That is a black deed, to kill a paladin in cold blood. she thought angrily, keeping a firm grip on her emotions, channeling it into an icy, frighteningly focused rage.

[sblock] Can Teleri tell if Chasity is truely dead or merely unconscious? What is the state of the body? Untouched or bruised/cut/burned as if she has been in a fight/tortured? Teleri would probably be able to pick up those signs, considering her background.

Hay, Dm, that lil aside by the woman could mean Teleri and or Ayden too. They both are fairly attractive. Teleri is slightly insane, which could account for the 'broken and warped' and she is the priestess of Sehanine moonbow. Her order's priests are guides and seers, helping protect and sheperd the dead, preparing the bodies for funeral rites.[/sblock]

 

[Dhes]

Dunstand looks solemnly at the procession until the coffin passes before him. At the sight of Chastity’s lifeless body, his face turns white and he rushes ruses towards the procession and grabs the fist person he comes to and starts yelling at them. “How, How could this happen?? ….Her companion, where is he??” noticing his own actions, Dunstand lets go of the shocked mourner letting his arm fall limply at his sides.

 

[Majin]

The processioner stares wide-eyed as Dunstand stops him. The man starts to mutter something quickly about her squire being gone too, but cannot be overheard by the jeers that pick up from the crowd at the interruption. The woman leading the procession comes from up front and grabs at Dunstand's arm, whispering sharply. "Not now! Meet me later, if you wish, at the temple." With that she returns to the front of the line.

 

[hippocrachus]

Calenthang looks on the body of his friend and former companion grimly, maintaining his composure to not attract any extra unneeded attention.
We were not fast enough...
His eyes widen as Dunstand flips out and moves to grab him before he assaults another villager.
"Friend Dunstand, you have painted us red," he whispers into the rogue's ear. "We cannot save her now, but in order to help Andreas we must remain locale."