(3.5 IC) End of Fate

[DeTess]

Eria looked uncertain. But kept her peace. Maynard wouldn't have agreed if he hadn't feel confident he could make it back through the night. "If we've got a deal we should get moving. Daylight won't last forever and we should check on the other guards as well if we can."

[Forsaken]

The Captain stares long and hard at Maynard and nods. You have my word. I'll return as soon as my daughter is free and safe. As the possessed girl reaches out her hand to Maynard. [DC 25 Will Save to avoid being possessed if you choose to fight it.]

[Dakrsidder]

Realizing the true nature of the creature, Ekkehardt had no qualms about the scene before him, as, considering their position, they weren't likely to do anything to jeopardize the deal. It's unfortunate that the ghosts won't get their revenge anytime soon, but it wasn't something he significantly cared about anyway. He did also wish to gain knowledge of what would've happened if he managed to connect with the flames, but he did learn that its nature is similar to the wraith, which was good enough for him to move on.

As such, he turned towards where they came from and started walking. "Should probably take the treasure that isn't too heavy to carry before checking on what remains of the guard."

[Forsaken]

A cold chill swarms your body as your consciousness fades. The little girl falls to the ground unconscious as Maynard's demeanor changes as he rushes out of the cave. The girl is yours. The wraith free rushes out of the cave and flees into the wilderness.

Spoiler: Maynard new IC

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IC B to follow maynards part of the journey

Gerald rushes to his daughter and picks her up. Feeling her pulse, he is relieved that she is still alive. Looking at the entrance where Maynard left at he does a slight nod. I'll keep my word. turning to the group he says. Sorry for not properly conversing earlier. I am the captain Gerald of the town guard. You mentioned that some of the guards followed me out here? Those fools. They should have never left their post. I knew I would have been able to track her down myself. After he stops mummering under his breath he continues. Lead the way lets return as quickly as we can. Hopefully some of the guard who left still live. He says following you out of the cave him understanding that you know the way to his men.

(Anything that you do before leaving? What are your next moves?)

[DeTess]

"I'll keep an eye on Maynard." Eria offered. "If anyone else feels confident about heir sneaking skills they're welcome to tag along."

[Metastachydium]

As the possessed man speeds pat, Bryanthe offers, with a quick shiver, a cautious Do you need me to… Or? but Eria's chief criterion, stealth, stated for it being a good idea to stick with the man… Oh. It made her sound like a spectacularly ill-suited candidate for applying to help with the task. She can only hope the man (and any who race into the night with him) will be fine; but, at any rate, if there are remaining guards out ther, more of them might need some patching up than just the one Maynard. Speaking of which…

Are you two alright, Sir? I'm a healer. I can help if not. she turns around to address the Captain, while examining his and the girl's form with a quick, practiced eye, to make sure neither's any worse for wear than Gerald might say.

Spoiler: OOC

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Heal: (1d20+22)[35], mainly to see how much healing they may need, if any, so that B.'s resources can be used as efficiently as possible.

[Forsaken]

Seeing Bryanthe healing his daughter Gerald replies in thanks. Walking out with his daughter in his arms. Now time to see where these guards are...They know not to leave the city they shouldn't have tried following me.Gerald finishes saying under his breath.

Upon collecting the valuables and leaving the cave. Gerald retraces your steps leading the way to the cave the guards were in. But upon arrival you see 8 heavily injured guards with another dozen laying motionless at their feet. Upon seeing Gerald one shouts

"Captain! Your alright!" the guard wincing at his wounds.

You fools why did you follow me. You know it would have been fine. We lost so many men. Gerald says looking down at the guards on the ground.

"Not all of them are dead captain. Reoff, Sig, Dale, Trune, Migard are unconscious do to their injuries we separated them. A few of our lighter injured went down the hill in preparation for the other dead. While we were just trying to catch our breath to look for you. We also cleared this cave of the demons inside. Hopefully that will lessen the attacks for a few days."

Nodding his head Gerald replies Good job for clearing the demons out. We will see to it that the dead's families will be rewarded. Turning to Bryanthe Are you able and willing to save some of my men before we return to the village?

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Porky follows along, silently, feeling he has nothing to offer to the conversation. Seeing the guards Porky steps forward.

"Porky here now. Carry men back to town. Give Porky sleeping men."

Porky takes a knee so that he can heft the weight of multiple men for the trek back to the town.

[Metastachydium]

As the captain makes his request, Bryanthe nods, twice, quickly, with and begins to glow once more without even noticing. The prospect of saving someone, at last, washes away the cold dread clawing at her stomach, triggered by seeing the dead. Spare your strength, Porky. she smiles at the big man, touching his arm lightly. I can make them walk again. and the light around her hands grows warmer once more as she sees to the work.

Spoiler: OOC

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On demand, B. still has three charges from the Healing Belt (2d8 hp each);
three Healer's CMWs (2d8+12 hp);
2 Cleric's Cure Minors (3 hp);
and 4 Healer's CLWs (1d8+12 hp) to provide.

[Forsaken]

Due to Byranthe healing it rouses the guards from near death. While the heavily injured guards seem to breathe easier and nod in thanks. Coming up the hill you see six new guards looking in pretty good condition approach ready to start transporting the dead down the hill.

(Porky can carry the last 2 dead down the hill in he so chooses to.)

After continuing down the mountain past the guards first battlefield you notice it cleaned up the devil's body lay to the side anything of value picked up and the previous guard's bodies that lay here are no longer there. As you travel further back to the village you see 2 carts in clearer terrain with the guard's bodies draped in a white cloth. The guards lay they're fallen comrades down in the carts covering them as they continue the trek to town.

The sky starts to dim as everyone tries picking up the pace returning to the village. The mayor whom it felt like forever since you last saw him eagerly approaches but upon seeing the dead guards get sadden. But seeing the rest and Captain Gerald gets more confident.

Norman says happily "Captain! I'm so glad that you have returned safely and with your daughter and guards! The townsfolk will glad that they don't have to guard the gates tonight. " He finishes ignoring the other guards-tired faces and fatigue as they nod to each other bowing to the captain the uninjured one's head to the eastern gate. While the others wheel the dead towards the totem in preparation for their burial rights.

My men are exhausted, and we have two more outside. Whom might need rescue after tonight i set off again to assist them. Gerald replies flatly clearly used to the mayor's thoughtlessness as the guards have been fighting almost nonstop for an entire day. Motioning one of the injured guards that stayed to take his daughter home. Gerald starts heading for the north wall (Unless you wish to say anything else.)

Norman panics hearing that Gerald is going to set off again and says, "Please don't go they are most likely dead, and it would be pointless to go!" But is promptly ignored by Gerald.

(What are you all planning on doing?)

[Dakrsidder]

Having returned to town with the objective completed, meaning it was no longer at risk of falling apart, the same way he'd wandered into the group, Ekkehardt wandered off on his own to find somewhere to lie down. As far as he was aware, there wasn't anything particularly pressing, and he really wanted to sleep in.

[Auranghzeb]

Invaded by a sense of shame at having been a passive observer, Ja offers to accompany Gerard in the rescue party. It's not as if she even spent any resources tonight.

[Metastachydium]

Bryanthe pesters the wounded guards with some more concerned offers of Are you sure you don't need more healing? I have more healing., but absent any takers, she decides she'll embark on a quick tour of the settlement to see if someone else is more receptive of the notion (as well as in need of some quick aid ministered). She doesn't mean to linger up and about for too long, nevertheless. Mostly all of her is sore with fatigue (how are all these people running so fast all the time?!) and if the Captain's to set out the next morning to try and save Eria and Maynard, she better be there and help. She owes those two that much.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Porky hauls dead bodies as he is directed. He seems oblivious of alot of things going on around him. But when the captain mentions going out again, porky speaks up.

"Porky join captain, make sure captain come home. Mayor rest easy."

[Forsaken]

Ekkehardt finds himself at a tavern called the Golden Bard. Its located in the slums a rather odd name for such a poor location but you know that this is the best place to rest at an affordable price. The tavern is a timber and brick and sprawling double story building, with a tanned wooden roof and a small vegetable garden. A small drake's skull hangs over the hearth. It contains a small wood oven and a small stage for performers. The tavern owner Mormo is a small Tiefling standing at 5' 3" but due to his appearance he doesn't judge others and is accommodating to all. If you so wish it you can bed down for the price of a single silver. There are only two people in the tavern right now. A half elf sitting in the corner distracted in her thoughts and another Tiefling cleaning the tavern.

Spoiler: Specials written on the Board

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Fruit Hash with Rice and a Mug of Perry (5 sp)
Meatballs Soup with Peas and a Glass of Vodka (5 sp)
Meatballs Hash with Sharp Cheese and a Glass of Whiskey (5 sp)

Bryanthe offer for more healing is greatly appreciated from the injured guards. Taking all that you offer the now healed guards set out to reinforce the walls again. Touring the town, you discover some of the main attractions.

Spoiler: Attractions

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Church of Whitewall Fort: The church is a large brick cabin, with a red tile roof and a smooth stone floor. A turtle serves as a mascot and greets pedestrians. It contains a number of small braziers and stained-glass windows of religious art.

General Store: The Frayed Cabinet; The general store is a wooden cabin, with a red tile roof and simple furniture. It contains an old-looking telescope and big bags of rice and lentils along the wall.

Enchanter: Aym's Monitor; The enchanter is a plaster and wood framed and large single-story building, with a brown shingled roof and overgrown hedges. It was once a barracks and has a collection of arms and armor. It contains a set of gold scales and bone candelabras with floating flames.

Jeweler: Shane's Gems; The jeweler is a plaster and wood framed single story building, with a black shingled roof and finely-crafted furniture. Several battered shields hang on the walls. It contains a crossbow sitting on the counter and many small candles hanging from the ceiling.

Alchemist: The Cordial Wing; The alchemist is a concrete and sprawling single story building, with a brown shingled roof and vines covering the walls and roof. It contains meticulously organized drawers of herbs.

Blacksmith: The Fear Gauntlet; The blacksmith is a wooden and sprawling single story building, with a red tile roof and shuttered windows. It contains a large variety of metal tongs hanging on the walls.

Also, the Golden Bard tavern as list in Ekkehardts post

As porky helps bring the guards to the totem, he feels a bone deep pulse causing his whole body to tremble. You feel the spirt of the totem and its power. Every pulse you feel a deep pulse throughout your body. It's not painful just powerful and odd. The guards laying down their fallen comrades seem unaffected by it. As a priest in slightly odd garb with a turtle print on it starts preparing the fallen last rights.


(Any tasks you might continue to do? Also everyone is resting for the night correct?)

[Dakrsidder]

Ekkehardt entered, taking in the smell, and looked over at the board before deciding there wasn’t anything of particular interest to him food-wise, but he didn’t require the sustenance either way. “Can I get a room?” He says this directed at no one in particular and sits down at the closest table before placing a silver on it.

[Forsaken]

The young female Tiefling takes your coin and tries to offer you some food and drink but seeing that you want to go straight to bed leads you to a small single room with a window facing outside from the second floor. You able to see over the slums and lookout parts of the small town.

[Metastachydium]

With all remaining healing distributed, Bryanthe, more tired yet than before, Bryanthe sleepily ambles into the church, greeting the turtle with a warm smile on the way in. She likes the turtle and she likes the windows. The Caverns didn't have windows, and if it had, they certainly wouldn't have been so pretty. Her people were all about avoiding notice, after all.

She sits down, for what is intended to be but a moment, to gather her thoughts as she looks at the pretty mosaics of glass. She always found they make her feel calm and warm and good, and this, as days go, was anything but any of those. And she nods off almost immediately, left shoulder and temple slumping against the wall.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

As porky feels the power the totem he shivers. He looks to the priest as he sees the man performing final rites.

"Porky feel power here. Why no one else act like they feel power. Is holy man able to feel totem power?"

Unsure of what to do with his hand, he clasps them together as he looks down at the holy man and his fine robes, his own robes little more than rags.

[Forsaken]

The turtle happily welcomes Byranthe into the church. As you drift off a few hours pass before the church moves you into a rest area for weary travels and places you in a bed. Clearly not wanting to wake her.



------------------------------------------------------------------------


The priest looks towards porky and replies "The power of the totem affects all on certain degrees. Those who are blessed with greater potential feels its power more. I can feel it yes. So can the guards in a certain amount. Some less fortunate only feel a small breeze while those with higher might feel a tingling sensation throughout their body." He answered you calmly as the wood starts to gather and the dead are being prepared for their final rites.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Porky looks from the priest to the totem.

"Totem protect porky and town. Is ok if porky say thank you to totem?"

He seems to be waiting for permission from the priest. If the priest says its okay, porky will bite his own hand and let a few drops of his blood pour at the base of the totem. (1d4)[4] drops of blood.

"Porky thank totem. May porky life blood be worthy sacrifice to thank totem. Keep protect farmers from demon."

[Forsaken]

The priest nods seeing the gesture porky does he clasps his hands together and does a prayer and the totem connection seems to be stronger now. A warmth seeming to radiate from your core warming you up and making you feel embolden. You can feel the death of the people in the past and their combined strength for the sake of protecting everyone as well.

(Gained ???)

(Anything else for the night porky?)

[Forsaken]

Morning quickly comes around. As yesterday's exhaustion seems to slowly fade away. You notice the crowds of people seem less than yesterday indicating that there might not be as big of an emergency as before. You all are waking up at your respective locations. Agreed to look for your missing comrades together your group noticeably smaller than before.

(anything that you would like to do or say to one another before trying to meet up with Gerald?)

[Metastachydium]

Bryanthe wakes quite surprised (if pleasantly so) that she's in a bed… Somehow. Eventually, her head clears enough that she begins to suspect church charity is a more likely explanation than miracle, and as she groggily clambers out of bed and begins to tiptoe her way out of the room, trying hard to make sure her glow stays muted so as not to wake anyone who'd rather sleep some more, she begins to look around for someone to profusely thank for not just shaking her awake and sending her on her way the other night.

[Forsaken]

Bryanthe sees an elderly woman quietly cleaning the churches interior. As you thank her, she smiles kindly and says to you.

"Your thanks is not needed. It's our pleasure to help anyone in need." You can tell she genuinely means that and hopes that you have better travels. She evenly goes far enough to do a prayer in hopes that you will be successful in future endeavors.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Porky, aware that the group looking to rescue the lost may leave early, wakes up before the sun and gets dressed, reporting for duty near the gate, waiting for the others to join him.

[Metastachydium]

In a complete (but not entirely unwelcome) state of fluster, Bryanthe stares at the woman for a moment; and then a little smile spreads on her face. This town really isn't a bad place to be, all things considered. I… I thank you, still. she says, in the end. Or not, if you really don't want me to, just know that I'm a healer person healing people. Just… she makes a nervous little hand gesture Just make sure you know I'd like to help you back if you need help, alright? – and she backs out through the door, not waiting for much of an answer. That was… A lot of talking, already.

♣

Arriving at the gate, last, of course, as usual, she looks about and tries to smile again. It doesn't really come to her naturally at the moment; this might get bad again, after all – but she does try. These are good people. They deserve this much.

[Forsaken]

Arriving at the gate early in the morning you see the gates open as people are moving corpses of a wide range of demon's devils and undead. Piling them up and sprinkling powder and making sure they are fully dead by removing the heads of their enemies. You see Gerald overlooking the process with tired eyes as he has not slept in a few days. With a certain mayor harassing him.

"Why must you go out? They are most certainly dead. Being out of town if they haven't returned by now, they are gone stay here and watch over the village we are unable to survive without you leading the guards. " Norman pleads. Not really looking up as the image of a strong or even a capable mayor.

Regardless of if they are dead or not, I will go out and find them. I will not allow their bodies to be desecrated when they helped me retrieve my daughter. They have done more for me in a day then you have in the last ten years. Why don't you go back and cower in your bed and wait for my return I have already instructed the guards to guard the gates and not try to follow me out. Gerald said in frustration of the mayors incessant nagging.

The mayor speechless sees you arrive. Slightly embolden he says to you in a commanding tone. "Tell the Captain here that it's pointless to go after them and it is just putting the many in danger for the sake of the few."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Porky holds his hand out to the mayor as if to calm him.

"Porky will bring back Captain. Mayor no worry."

He thumps his own chest twice.

[Forsaken]

Towards porky's statement the mayor scowls a little before replacing it on his face. With a very strained voice says "We can't afford to lose any more people on a mission for people who are already dead. We lost so many guards last time as well. We both know you can't even make up the strength of one guard how can you protect Gerald? You should help me convince him not to leave and then go back to where you belong farming."

The mayor revealing more of his true colors with the distain not even being hid in his voice.