Combat round 1

Hearing the Snatch's scream from behind Tarsheva quickly stands and turns in her direction firing two bolts at the spectre. Flashes of bright light hit the spectre square in the head and chest. It's eyes divert to her for just a moment as it's claw starts sinking into Snatch's flesh.

The Spectre that attacked Clymentria, fades from view, then appears behind her shield clawing her across the face. The spectral figure seems to grow more solid as her life force bleeds into it.

Peter: [Out of breath] Draws out his ornate green steel short sword and takes cover, quietly, by the wagon (front right). At certain angles it almost looks as though he is trying to hide.

It looks bad for Snatch as she struggles against her undead adversary. Just when the spectre pins her against the wall the shadowy figure is hurled over the wall by a giant ethereal owl.

Clymestria: [Plants her spear, and pushing her owl shield forward to protect herself, Flederoth and Snatch, she assumes a phalanx position] You choose to hate the living, and come today to sate your thirst on our lives. This shows you have no wisdom, and BY THE MIGHT OF ATHENA, BE GONE!

Deep and clear an owl's hoot cracks the silence, its form the hue of potter's clay rises from her shield, it hangs there flapping its wings. Gale winds buffet the spectres tossing their tattered robes around their fleshless limbs, their arms are thrown up to block the raptors call from their withered ears. Where the backdraft wafts it is like a pleasant summer breeze. A mouldered form heaves upward, and then another in an arc away from the torrent, over the nearest wall. Left in their place is the moan of a predator hungry after the hunt, but beaten from its territory. With another long hoot the owl fades back to nothing.

Spectre1 & 2: [hissing in unison as they flee, forced back by Clymestria's holy might] We are the Lovelost. Your lives are ours on which to feed!

Brilligh: [Wheels around in the air over Tarsheva, her shadow cloaking her, faded robes billowing, leathery wings rustling like dead grasses. She pulls a stinger from her coin purse, slipping the coin through her bony fingers. She raises it to her dark lips and gives each side a long lick. Her hoarse whisper scratches at the still air.] You thought they stung before... [and with a nearly invisible flick of her wrist, whips the coin through the air at the specter attacking Snatch.]
The missile strikes the spectre causing it to dissipate leaving only a wisp of smoke that floats into the sky.


Flederoth jumps from the cart trying to attack the spectres with his longsword as they flee but hits only air.

Snatch: [casting a spell] THEY SEEM TO BE AFRAID OF OUR HOLY MIGHT!

Pfepftzet turns just in time to see the clay owl beat off two spectral forms. She raises her bow to take aim but takes pause as Flederoth's sword cuts through the forms as if they are just air.

Pfepftzet: [mutters while she tosses her bow onto the wagon and reaches for her magical morningstar] Damn lathly magical creatures. I'll nick you with this and see if you don't feel the spikes!

But before she can even fully grip the handle, the spectres have already fled out of range.

Pfepftzet: Bolt you rusting veil-faced blecks! You turn head around this party again and we'll scrub ya into your second death!

XP BONUS:

Clymestria: 2,000 xp
Brilligh: 1,200 xp
everyone else: 750 xp

Funeral II (seed)

Tarsheva: This isn't a good sign. Double quick all, move towards the portal! No time to lose here! Keep yer eyes peeled, cutters. There're some angry spirits out today. [to those who are feared] No use cryin' in the bleedin' dust! Get up and move!

Brilligh: [Glances back over her shoulder as she hears Clymestria & Flederoth sobbing. She reaches up and wedges the stick of incense under the silver feather pin in her hat, and feels calm move into her as her spell, and Athena's blessing, settle over her.]

Clymestria: [In her minds eye flashes a family pressed against an invisible barrier being torn to shreds by an undead hoard. Tarshevas words cut through her stupor, and Clymestria shrugs her helmet onto her face, grabs up her dull gray shaft of finely wrought iron, and stands.]

Flederoth:[hysterical] D-d-don't leave me h-he-here!

Peter: [out of breath] Do not worry my friend, there is safety in our number.

Clymestria: [Reaches down and grabs Flederoth by the belt and pulls him to his feet. With her spear she waves everyone along and collects herself.] Run, stay with the cart, brave Githzerai [Clymestria keeps Flederoth in front of her, and runs along quickly to catch up, keeping pace as the rear guard. ]

The mule starts moving a bit faster, up to the pace of a brisk jog, the wagon jitters and shakes. The amount of noise produced is considerably more due the wagon and everyone's armor, weapons and baggage. [Con check] As you run you can hear your heart beating in your ears.

Snatch: [stumbling behind the party, unable to quicken the pace, her large stature staggers her progress] GO GO! MOVE FORWARD!

Brilligh: [Opens her wings and surges up a couple feet and forward with the cart, shadowing Tarsheva. Hovering just behind her head, Brilligh quickly produces a small pouch of powdered bone and a glass vial filled with powdered silver. She flicks a pinch of each at Tasheva, her voice a ragged scratch in the air] The eyes are still dead to you, the eyes are still dead.

Clymestria: [Moving with confidence, the name of Athena on her lips, Clymestrias lungs heave with even breaths, and her legs relish the exercise, though fear drives her on. The presence of these souls, who have been trapped here, not allowed to roam the Ellesian fields, nor made to suffer thier lot in the realm of Uncle Hades.] "What could do this?"

There's a tangible sense of anxiety in the air. The solitude, the silence, the morose surroundings.. this place is for the dead alone. Yet you are here now, running past ruined frescoes and murals of how this land once was. They are still here... and awake. You can feel their hungry eyes watching you, angry that you live while they must endure an eternity of torment.



MARCHING ORDER
Clymestria: back

Flederoth: back

Snatch: back

Brilligh: back right corner of the wagon

A howling scream can be heard from the ruins.....

TO CLYMESTRIA: While struggling to keep up, trying to keep your senses sharp you are startled by a bone chilling cold that suddenly appears as you pass the shadow of a ruined home, seemingly out of nowhere. From the shadows a spectral hand claws out at you. Your danger sense goes off and all the years of combat training kick in. You instinctively raise your shield as a bony claw rakes where shoulder would be. Your bronze shield becomes frigid to the touch. You can barely make out the shadowy figure's face. He lets out a hissing moan when he misses. His decayed face twisted in an expression of pain and anger. [you can act after you roll initiative]

TO SNATCH: You try to run but your weight gets to you, maybe you're just tired from the battle yesterday. You watch as the wagon starts leaving you behind. Clymestria catches up with you holding Flederoth up pushing him forward. At that moment a numbing cold pain hits your leg. You let out a pitiful wail as your body starts to go numb but Shekinestra's power surges forward and in a moment of clarity you press outward pushing the spectre aside. The spirit seems to grow more corporeal as it drains life from you. The figure of the man that stands behind you wears ceremonial robes, perhaps a funeral shroud. [you can act after you roll initiative]

Funeral

[enter Peter in disguise]

Clymestria: [smirks at Peter's disguise] Not excited to return home?

Peter: [to Clymestria loud enough for others to hear] You are a woman of wisdom and yet you do not see your arrogance... Do you speak to others with compassion and understanding or do you speak to them from a metaphorical podium from which you dictate their actions and responses? Just because you do not understand what I do does not mean that what I do is no good. Granted we've gotten off to a less then jovial start but, is it I who is not trying for friendship, or is it you?

As everything is packed and the journey nearly underway a guard comes to the wagon with a frazzled looking githzerai. As he draws near you notice that it's Flederoth, the barkeep that had been arrested for the murder of Renik Crawthson. He's no longer in chains and has a large bag on his back. He's armed with sword on his belt. He looks at the party nervously and sees Peter's silly disguise and smiles.

Guard: Hail, heroes of Crux! We have one prisoner to be freed and released into your custody. Master Veridis Mov has ordered his release due to information received proving he was not involved int he murder of one Renik Crawthson. Do you willingly accept him into your party?

Flederoth: Well met again cutters, eh? Mayhaps you have room for a poor old inn keeper to join you to the cage? For this favor mayhaps I can help you in the cage, I do know many bloods there. For this favor I would pledge my allegiance to the party and promise to do no cross-trades to you. For this I show my gratitude and my people will consider you an ally. [Bows deeply]

Clymestria: Well met Flederoth, I accept your oath in the spirit in which it was given. [Seeing this disheveled Githzerai brings to mind again the plight of Karzoka and the mission upon which they now set out]


Snatch: I DO ALSO ACCEPT YOUR BODY INTO OUR GROUP, BUT ONE MUST BE SURE TO CONSIDER THE FULL RAMIFICATIONS OF THE OATH YOU ARE TAKING. ARE YOU READY TO SHED BLOOD WITH US? THEN, OF COURSE, WITH MY OWN LIFE I WILL PROTECT YOURS AS WELL, IF IT BE NECESSARY.

Brilligh: [sucks her teeth and gazes balefully down upon the fetid creature] Another rusted sod? [she thinks] What, am I running a bleeding orphanage?

Pfepftzet: [nods to Flederoth] I shall enjoy the company of a fellow Githzerai.

Flederoth: [in Githzerai] I shall enjoy feasting mine eyes upon your lovliness madam. [bows to kiss Pfepftzet's hand]

[Grumbling to herself, Brilligh ambles to the front of the party and dipping her spindly fingers into a dark leathery pouch begins to draw an arrow on the ground surrounded by a square with black, sparkling iron filament.]

Brilligh: [Brilligh walks back to the back of the wagon and tries to be within earshot of most party members.] (rasping) Mark this, Tarsheva, and th' rest o' ye, drive th' wagon through th' glyph, an' ye stomp it, an' focus on y'r goal.[her gaze sweeps over the party members]

Snatch: [walks across the glyph, stomping three time her left foot, resounding the ground with the enormity of her stature]

Clymestria:[steps confidently on the sigil, knowing it has proved its worth many times over] Through Funeral to Sigil.

Peter:[walks over to the glyph reluctantly and cautiously taps his right toe on it] [to Brilligh in a lisp] Oh, you dear sweet thing, what is this for?


It's a short walk outside of town to the portal. The portal is made from the ruins of a doorway that's been over grown by mighty Yggdrasil. The path leading to it was once paved but branches have broken the paving stones and laying them asunder haphazardly. No portal keys are necessary on Yggdrasil and passing through the portal leads you to Funeral on the top of the trunk of a dead tree lying on it's side.


Clymestria: Ranged weapons ready! I want you, Snatch, and you, Pfepftzet, to spread out. [Readies her shield and spear. Helm balanced on her brow and moves to the front of the party]

Snatch: (takes a mid left position and readies her short bow just after walking over the glyph)

There is a distant moon that sheds little illumination over a ruined city. The air cold and still. It is very quiet, almost peaceful, though you get the feeling that something awful happened here. The psychic impressions here are very strong. Dead trees stand as a grim reminder that life flourished in this barren land. Remnants of buildings lie gutted and derelict like skeletons. The statues and monuments of this once great land lie broken where they lay.

Brilligh: [grits her teeth under the psychic pressure as her eyes take in the bleak, morose surrounding, still a little weirded out by her experience in the Guards Tower two nights before. Briefly, she considers trying to break a smaller branch off some tree or shrub close to the edge of the road, but then she remembers stories of travelers on the Styx, and how just one finger trailing in the water, just one glance at the rippling surface, and whole lives can be wiped clean, a Groke's entire book erased. She shakes herself all over, wraps her arms around herself, and continues walking, preferring not to attract anymore attention with her flying, keeping a wide eye towards the monuments and buildings around her, looking for anyone trying to lay out the red carpet (an ambush).]

Snatch: (Feeling a little uneasy, remembering the story of the traveler who came through this 'peaceful, dead' land only to feel the effects of an energy drain, weakened, beaten... but alive, lucky berk. This too must be a land that was once ruled by another dead god... what is this mess that is happening to the planes... infinite possibilities, and yet someone is exploiting a trick of some sort to shuck masters from their willful followers... they have been tested, and yet they continually fail... We will succeed, we will continue to travel safely across even the most barren of landscapes if necessary, to know the plush unity of our goddesses' bountiful presence.)

The path seems well marked. As you follow the trail you find trash and refuse from previous travellers. The fact that even rotting food debris is left undisturbed shows the desolation of this land. Perhaps even the scavengers themselves have died off.

Pfepftzet: [walks beside the wagon with her bow in hand while her eyes continuously scanning the desolate surroundings.]

Brilligh: [walks up to the front of the party (I'm assuming) and walks with Clymestria.] Hey Clym... [sticks out her real hand], I'll take yer oath. Clymestria Atticus, of any Body in the Multiverse, I think you say exactly what you mean.

Clymestria:[Takes Brilligh's forearm firmly in her hand and looks her in the eye] And you Brilligh do exactly as you must. I've grown accustomed to having your strength beside me.

Peter: Clemestria, I accept the pledge for this most worthy party of adventurer's. We are now bound by word and the word is law. Only death shall disband me from our kinship (Peter rotates his head around the group looking at everyone in the eye when he says this).

Tarsheva is very quiet as the Arcadian Mule pulls her small cart. She has a repeating cross bow in her hand loaded with bolts that glow softly. She quietly mutters a prayer to Tymora.

Tarsheva: [to mule] Easy Apple, keep your nerve. We'll be there soon.

Brilligh: [Walks alongside Tarsheva] Tarsheva, I understand you trade in flowers & herbs. Before we part ways, I would like to catch a skeg at your inventory, perhaps we can just barter our services.

Brilligh: Also, I'm wondering if you've heard any stype on a little bud called Desert's Night. Not sure if the name is a reference to Darkness or a blood. Just wondering what it does, and if it's available anywhere near here?

The sound of coins changing hands is defening as it breaks the silence of the surroundings.

Tarsheva: [quietly to Brilligh] Sure I know a bit o' dark about Desert Night. Won't do you much good tho. See, it only grows in Baator in the realm of Set. But he doesn't twig to the idea of sharing. Numerous times I've tried to get me some. The last time I saw a Desert Night blossom was when a Knight of the Post gave Set's proxy the laugh, that didn't last long. He wasn't two days in the cage before he was dragged kicking and screaming back to Baator by Set's minions. It's said to return the memories of poor sods who've lost them to the Styx. Works too, according those who're well-lanned on the subject.

Some quiet hours pass anxiously. The tour of the abandoned world is more akin to a solemn procession then a trade caravan. As the day goes on a fog rolls in sticking to the buildings obscuring vision.

Clymestria: [as the fog rolls in] Tighten up the line, keep close.

Brilligh: [While the party is stopped for food] Gah, rust! Do you know what I just tumbled to? That sodding berk Karzoaka has no rusting magic with him. I know he can sling spells but he had a black cloud of foul luck over him before he got taken to the dance. What a bleeding pain.

Snatch: [to Brilligh] DO YOU SUPPOSE THIS BOOK THAT VERIDIS GAVE US HAS THE POWER TO HOLD MAGIC? I KNOW ONLY THE FLOW OF MAGIC THROUGH MY HALLOWED BODY FOR THE RITES OF MY TRI FACED LADY. IF IT WOULD BENEFIT OUR FUTURE COMPANION I WILL DONATE IT TO HIM.

Clymestria: [before she eats she says a prayer to Athena thanking her for keeping them safe to another meal.] Snatch you had a good point earlier, I've already planned to take a trip to a smithy in Sigil, Tzet can lend me her fighters eye. Let's put those books to good use; Brilligh, Peter a spell or two wouldn't take long. Once we've found a place to hole up you should get some scribed down.

Snatch: [to peter, while eating slavishly and atleast twice as much as anyone else] HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP, LAWYER? THIS IS A DESOLATE PLACE INDEED, IF YOU NEED A BODY TO STAND BEHIND JUST LET ME KNOW, THERE IS PLENTY OF PROTECTION IN MY SHADOW, FOR IT IS IN THE SHADOW OF A MUCH STRONGER SNAKE SHAPED FEMALE, [yelling] SHEKINESTRA!!

Peterpp: [to Snatch] I thank thee for all you have done and what you have offered. This is a grand gesture and will not be forgotten. I will do my best to guard your backside with the honor you so deserve. Please let me know when and where I may help.

After a quick break for food you approach a bridge that crosses a dry river bed. Through the fog you see a woman washing clothes. She sings an eerie song washed over with mournful tears of anguish. She stands as though she hears something and seems to gaze in your direction. With a look of terror she covers herself with her arms, as though to protect her self from some unseen force then disappears from view as her body is torn apart by some dire wind. [Roll save vs Fear (paralyzation)]

For those who missed their save: A ripple can be seen displacing the fog moving toward you like a shock wave. It moves so quickly that you hardly have time to react before it slams into you, leaving you short of breath. The terror of a million souls tear at you making you tremble, and cry. You drop your weapons or anything else you are holding and fall to your knees. [+2 initative, -2 Strike, -2 Damage]

For those who made their save: A cold wind blows chilling you. Your hands grow numb. Your heart races for a few moments then things return to normal.

Clymestria: [Trembling and weeping most of her words are hardly heard] ........By Athena, let us make our way with wisdom and safety. [party memebers are BLESSED (+1 to fear)] [2 minutes]

Flederoth: [Teeth chattering, falls to the ground weeping hysterically] [4 minutes]

Brilligh: [pulls out a stick of incense, lights it, and mutters to herself.] Now just calm down.

The smoke from Brilligh's incense swirls around her she walks along with the party. The smell is pungent, but not overwhelming.

Peter: I could go up ahead and scout for any dangers if it so pleases our lovely mistress of employment. [his sad eyes droop down peering from a dirty face peeking out of an even dirtier burlap bag, used as a makeshift hood.

Smooth Operator

Peter: (to Veridis) I would like to speak to you in private when you have the time.



Veridis: Certainly, please follow me.



Veridis leads Peter back to his home.



Peter: Verdis, I would like to have Flederoth released from custody.



Veridis: [looking attentively] I'm listening.



Peter: I was there the night of the murder. I didn't see anything happen but there were a few of us who heard something. I came out of my room to see what was happened but the deed had already been done. The serving wench was standing across the hall frozen with fright, it was her scream that alerted Flederoth and myself to the tragedy. When we found out what had happend we were in a state of shock. We made poor decisions, I thought we should have alerted the local authorities, but Flederoth panicked and said he would be ruined if I told anyone. So being a man of my word I did not say anything in hopes of Flederoth doing the right thing with the law but now I see he is in turmoil over my silence. I feel terrible on a number of levels and I know that this situation has worsen because of this. Believe me he is no killer...



Veridis: [Thinking for a moment] You speak well, Peter. I do believe what you say, despite you being from Sigil. And as a wanted man you have considerable courage to go back to the Barghest's den as it were. Perhaps Flederoth's skills can help you. I will arrange for his release.



Peter: Well, I thought you should know. I would like to propose to Flederoth to leave the town for a bit to come to Sigil to visit an old Githzari hero for inspiration to bring back to your community so it may thrive under a just and fair law system. Do you think I could get him to come, just for a few moon phases to ease his troubled mind and mine?



Veridis: He will be left in your care, I wash my hands of him. He's not to come back, we don't like faction members here.

Peter spend some time after his conversation with Veridis to carefully apply make-up and change clothes to appear as a peasant.

Departing Crux

After the meal Veridis thanks you and gives you each a blank leather bound book with the image of Yggdrasil on the cover.

Clymestria: Thank you for your kind gift. In this tumultuous time, this might be just the thing to help order my thoughts. [tucks book away carefully]

Snatch: WHAT A LOVELY GIFT, THANK YOU FOR THIS SHOW OF GOOD FAITH, I CAN FEEL THE POTENTIAL OF THIS ITEM IS GREAT INDEED. AS WE ARE HEADED TO SIGIL SHORTLY TO NEGOTIATE THE POSITION OF A COLLEAGUE, PERHAPS IT IS BEST CONSIDERED A GIFT OF PARTING.

Veridis: You have decided to travel to Sigil? Very well, the path is through Renais, also known as Funeral. It just so happens that the famed flower merchant, Tarsheva Longreach, arrived yesterday and is going to Sigil via Funeral. If you'd like to make some quick 'jink' as a guard I can introduce you.

Clymestria:It seems by the ineffable laws of our lands, we have yet again come around to an obstacle, one best not ignored. My companion Karzoka, who released me from a firey imprisonment, was captured by a group from Sigil. Since my release, I brought about the release of Snatch. It seems now a third rescue is required.

Clymestria: As we now find ourselved headed to dangerous unknown environs I say that we must solidify this party with a compact.
[Steps foward with one hand on heart heart and opposite arm extended attempting to lead all] [Ids Ke, Modron, Saru, Warple-Lemon all join in] I, do vow that I shall serve the intrests of the party as my own, until such time as I am dead or have officialy ended said compact, or will knowingly forfiet the protection it provides.

Snatch: YOU ARE A KIND AND CAPABLE MAN OF UPSTANDING CHARACTER, THANK YOU FOR ARRANGING THAT MEETING FOR US.

Walking outside you notice it raining hard, the townsfolk wear woven bark rain gear that has been oiled with sap. It seems to work very well. You see a group of guards entering a residence while the family waits outside being questioned by a couple of guards. Another group of guards hail Veridis as they walk by eyeing the party cautiously.

Veridis: Yes, guardsmen these are the very folks who helped save this town! You owe them a debt of gratitude. Let it be known: they are forever welcome here as my friends!

Guardsmen: Hail heros of Crux! We, der guards of Crux, thank you. [Bows]
Clymestria: [centurian salute to the guards]

Snatch: HAIL TO YOU, YOU ARE ALSO A HERO OF CRUX, STALWART DEFENDER!

Veridis: How goes the search?

Guardsmen 1: We have found der body of Kair Amaa, a visitor from Sigil. His body vas found early dis morning by Guardmen Rundle und his party. That iz all so far.

Veridis: This was known to me, thank you.

Continuing on through the market most of the merchants are huddle next to their carts or tents trying to stay dry. One merchant, a very tall human woman, is breaking her camp down and packing it into a wagon. She is a powerfully built woman with broad shoulders and strong legs. She has red hair tied into braids. She has obvious signs of age but still moves gracefully.

Veridis nods to the party indicating that this is Tarsheva.

Veridis: Madam Tarsheva, I have found some people to guard your goods as you travel to Sigil. They are my personal friends and I cannot speak highly enough of them. They too are headed to Sigil.

Clymestria: [Makes eye contact with Tarsheva, and gives a single afirmative nod]

Tarsheva Longreach: [speaking quickly as she continues to pack, pausing briefly to look you all in the eyes from time to time] Greetings.... cutters. I am Tarsheva Longreach, planar traveller and merchant of fine flowers and plants. You come recommended by Veridis that means you must be some top-shelf bloods, I thank you for your time and help. This should be a quick ride through Funeral to the Cage. Since the danger is minimal, save the occasional haunt or spectre, I will pay you 15gp each for your time. I estimate this trip taking most of today and we'll arrive at Sigil just before Antipeak at which point your obligation to me is done. Sounds easy, right? So, do we have a deal?

Snatch: I AM AGREED (curtseying), WELL MET FAIR LADY.

Clymestria: With Athena's blessings we shall complete or journey with ease.

Veridis: [grabbing Clymestria's shoulder gently] It looks like we will part ways here. Please consider yourselves welcome in Crux at any time. Again thanks for all you and your party has done.

Clymestria: [to Veridis] Good friend, I hope the rebuilding effort is speedy, and that you remain wise, if not for Athena for the poeple you serve

Peter: (To verdis) I would like to speak to you in private when you have the time.

[exit Veridis with Peter]

Tarsheva: Just stick to the path and keep keep your bone box from rattling, understood? If you stray then there's a pretty good chance you'll hit the blinds. Right? Point A to point B, NO banging around! Here take this. [hands Pfeftzet a heavy large bag filled with wooden boxes] This keeps falling off the cart.


Clymestria: [to Tarsheva, quietly] Those boxes arent especially breakable, I would hope.

Snatch: (to Brilligh) ANOTHER STRONG WOMAN, SEEMS TO BE FITTING!

Veridis Mov's House, Crux, Yggdrasil pt. II

Veridis: [looks at Brilligh, speechless, obviously annoyed] Is this true Brilligh? I don't think so. My people have heard about you. I'm sure that if you couldn't raise this town, then perhaps your Tanar'i friends could [winks]. Or, more likely, your good friend Clymestria could talk some wisdom into you.

Snatch:[watching silently, looking at the rest of the party's response]

Peter: (speaking to Verdis loudly so the rest of the party is in on the conversation for possible backup) Aw, please do not upset yourself over Brilligh's left handed - old Tiefling joke about city defences... You know for some reason that one never does translate quite right into any language. Although it is pretty funny in the Tiefling tongue. That's just like Brilligh, though, always trying to lighten the mood.

Veridis: Maybe I was wrong about you and your party. I was offering you the honor of being friend of our small burg. But your ego and underhanded nature may destroy the trust I could have for you. Already your party has assaulted me physically [looks at Ids Ke and Pfpfetset]. And now you, Brilligh, insult me at my table.

Clymestria: Good Veridis, if you are as true a judge of character as you have acted to be, you should know Briligh's warning for what it is, [unsure] concern? A friend to Crux would I be! [helps herself to the spread voraciously, leftover munchies combined with the hunger she always feels after a fight]

Peter: Now I know everyone is on edge from these past few days, months for some (looking at Verdis with eyes of empathy) and I know we are recovering from more than just cuts of the flesh and I know for a fact that no one at this table would want to misjudge anyone else at this table on account of our current standings fore we are all of virtuous intent

Snatch: SHE, LIKE I, IS ONLY TELLING THE TRUTH. OUR GROUP COULD MOST CERTAINLY LEVEL THIS BURG, BUT THAT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT OUR GOAL. THIS INCIDENT AT YOUR TOWN IS BUT A TEST OF OUR ABILITIES AS A GROUP FROM SHEKINESTRA. OUR PROWESS IN BATTLE ONCE AGAIN PROVES US A WORTHY ADVERSARY. TAKE NOT OFFENSE FROM THE TRUTH VERIDIS, BUT HEAR THE WORDS FOR WHAT THEY ARE WORTH. BRILLIGH WARNS YOU OF YOUR OWN POTENTIAL VULNERABILITY, SHE TELLS YOU TO STAND VIGILANT!

Veridis: You shouldn't worry about Crux, any town could have been crippled by the events that transpired here. At last count only a handful of people have been killed. That hardly diminishes our security! We will elect a new constable in the coming days, in the meantime I suppose I will take that position. Our people are survivors. Our "God" did destroy the world we came from, we've not forgotten that. All of your proselytizing will not convert us. We've repelled attacks on this town numerous times. We may not be large or powerful, but we have allies that rely on our small burg for their livelihood. The insidious nature of this attack is what was alarming. If it ever happens again, we have enough knowledge from your descriptions to combat this evil. And for that we thank you.

Clymestria: Quite a kernel of wisdom have you placed before us, assuring us further that you might well fight off the more mundane of threats, as you must being a trade town. I see now why you've this predisposition against dieties. Know that many choose instead to show mercy to their followers, and even reward them.[touches Veridis' hand]

Veridis: [posture relaxes, the anger in his face subsides]

Snatch: ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THE POWER OF THE GODDESS ASPECT AND YOU WILL SEE THE INSIDIOUS NATURE OF THIS LATEST ENEMY WITH CLARITY, BE NOT CONVERTED ON WORD ALONE, REALIZE THE TRUTH THROUGH YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. [stands and blesses Veridis three times]

Veridis: As we speak our men are going to each house and searching thoroughly for anything that may be suspicious. You are welcome to join them if you feel like doing so.

Peter: I'd like to state with all humility, that I am very blessed to be at such a table with an excellent caliber of people like yourselves. I'm sure Verdis if the need arises you could call on anyone of these fine people for counsul or protection.

Snatch: SAY WE COLLECT OURSELVES AND MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEXT PART OF OUR TEST.

Clymestria: Know you the best way to Arboria from here? I am summoned home, to Thrasos, by my church.

Brilligh: [rolls her eyes subtly, clearing her throat, and takes a long drink of watered wine.] Just givin' you th' rust Guv'ner, no need to call out to the fiends.  Yer hospitality has been ful gracious.  I was indeed making light of th' moment, as it would seem a Power Slayer just tip-toed through yer berg, and I'm none too twigged on the idea of catching up to it again. [Brilligh's eyes sweep the table, looking over the party, her voice scratchy] S'pose it's time to put foot to stone, eh?  We've cast shadows here long enough.  Veridis, thank you for the bed, the food, and the information.  I hope the..... damage here does not run too deep.

Veridis: There are many paths on the great tree-mother leading to all worlds. Unfortunately I do not know of a direct path to Thrassos. I have heard that Yggdrasil and mighty Mt. Olympus do meet somewhere. Perhaps the merchants here could help you out. The most direct path that I can give you is to Sigil. From Sigil you can get another portal to Arboria, no problem. You can even stay with some of our relatives that migrated there.