Aaron, Formerly Deceased?

Chat log started at 18.8.2007 / 20:19:51
Weary and bloody, you survey the remnants of the room. Along the west side, the centipede's body lies among the pile of rubble that once hid its massive form. The body is currently lying alongside Geyer and Ranja, both unconscious. Deep rents in the stone floor remain from the centipede's wild struggles, a testament to its terrifying strength . Along the opposite wall, only moderately disturbed by the battle, a makeshift bed of straw marks Aaron's resting place where whoever or whatever brought him here left him. You've placed him on the "cot" for now, as you check him for signs of life.
Arphaxad: How is everyone?
Arphaxad: Sonadora, unless you know some healing, we must rest. And believe me, I know this isn't the most inviting of places, but what choice do we have?
Sonadora: I can just stop the poison if I'm lucky.
Geyer lays stricken, his body twitching as he struggles to rest from the wounds and poison.
Arphaxad: I will take watch while you sleep
Sonadora: Let's camp then. I'll take first watch.
Arphaxad: No, you sleep first, I must study my spells.
Sonadora checks Aaron for life.
Arphaxad: I have recently learned some new things that I must master, as we may need them sooner than I wish.
Arphaxad: Don't keep your weapon far from you, as who knows what may crawl along here.
Arphaxad: I just hope the centipede's presence kept most other things away from this area.
Sonadora agrees.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 22]
Arphaxad begins to turn through his spellbooks only glancing up from time to time to check around
Sonadora checks Aaron one last time before sleeping, hoping for some sign of life... but finds none...
And with that, you rest...
After about 8 hours, you think, you've finished resting.
Arphaxad opens his eyes and immediately looks to sees if his friends are awake.
Geyer comes to, hands groping for his sword as he groans to sit up.
Geyer: Ye killed the beast without me?
Geyer: Ah well.
Geyer: How's the lad?
Sonadora yawns and sits up, keeping her eyes away from Aaron's body.
Ranja is awoken by the sounds of the others around her stirring. She struggles to sit up, groggy and disoriented.
Sonadora: I could do nothing.
Sonadora stares at the ground.
-> Sonadora: As you awaken, the first thing you see is the hound... and you remember when you found it, it was so weak you could barely feel a pulse or breath... and then the thought dawns on you, maybe Aaron could be suffering from poison as well...?
Arphaxad: Well, I am glad to see we dont have to drag your body around warrior.
Geyer pounds his fist against the wall.
Arphaxad: Not to mention that armor shop you like to carry.
Geyer: Too late, then. I was afraid we mighta been.
Sonadora: Ranja, maybe you could check?
Ranja: Wha...?
Arphaxad: Where's that dog at anyways?
Ranja rubs at her eyes.
Arphaxad: What is our plan then, for today?
Arphaxad: We have to get this kid back to the town where he can be properly tended to.
Sonadora: First, see what we can do for Aaron. Then, get back to town? I think you all can use a bit more rest.
Ranja: Aaron? Is he....?
Geyer: Aye.
Geyer: We weren't fast enough. Sorry, lass.
Sonadora: I don't know....he may still be alive...
Sonadora: The hound was barely breathing when we first found him.
Geyer: Hound weren't missing a leg and bleeding for who knows how long either.
Arphaxad: Well, the more we talk, the less chance either have.
Sonadora: Ranja?
Ranja: What?
Sonadora: Can you check him?
Ranja: Where is he?
Ranja blinks to clear her sleep-blurred eyes.
Sonadora points to the cot Aaron lies on.
Ranja stands, wobbling precariously before finding her balance and moving over to Aaron to inspect him for signs of life.
Arphaxad begins to pack up his things.
Ranja: Heal [1d20+3 = 16]
Sonadora: I'll try to help too.
You can't find a breath or a pulse either.
Geyer cleans and oils his blade while watching the cleric sadly.
Ranja shakes her head.
Ranja: Nothing.
Ranja sniffles.
Arphaxad suddenly gets sick of the darkness and commands a light to burst from his staff to tear it back.
Sonadora furrows her brow, intent on finding some way to treat Aaron. (HERO POINT!)
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 27]
Sonadora create a poultice, blessing it with a prayer of hope and a request from nature... and hopes for the best as she apply it to Aaron...
-> Sonadora: You need something to stem the bleeding from his leg, you think you're drawing out some poison...
-> Sonadora: Maybe some healing spells?
Sonadora: Ranja, can you try healing him? I think I'm getting something and he's starting to bleed again.
The poultice fills with the green ichor that also flowed through Ranja and Geyer's blood, in addition to a bitter smell that brings back memories from the pit trap.
Ranja bends over Aaron and again check him for signs of life.
Ranja: Heal [1d20+3 = 20]
He is bleeding again, but it's slow.
Ranja closes her eyes and concentrates on her healing spell while chanting softly over Aaron's unmoving form.
Ranja: [1d8+1 = 3]
The flesh of Aaron's leg knits together... but the magic isn't enough to regrow an entire leg... you stem the bleeding, at least.
And then, suddenly... Aaron gasps... and begins to breathe weakly...
Sonadora stares in awe.
Arphaxad: Not bad ladies!
Arphaxad: Not bad at all.
Sonadora: Ranja....you did it!
Geyer lets out a low whistle.
Sonadora hugs Ranja! Hugs Aaron! Hugs Vida!
Ranja looks faint and tired, but manages to smile weakly and pat Aaron's hand comfortingly.
Arphaxad: Hmmm, well Geyer, we got the raw end there, didn't we?
Geyer: Bane's blood! I've never seen such skill at drawing out venom, Lady Sonadora.
You notice the odor from the poultice is incredibly bitter, the smell of the original poison overpowering that of the centipede's completely.
Sonadora wrinkles her nose in disgust at the poison.
Ranja: I think we should leave. That smell is making me feel nauseated.
Sonadora: What should we do with this stuff?
Vida barks happily, his tail wagging.
Arphaxad: Geyer, can you carry him, or do we need some sort of stretcher to pull him along with?
Geyer: I can carry him, but it'll be tough to fight if we run into trouble.
Arphaxad: true, but have we any other options?
Geyer slings his shield on his back, and hefts Aaron into his off-hand.
Sonadora: I'll carry the hound.
Geyer: None I trust as much as myself.
Sonadora buries the poisoned poultice.
Arphaxad: Well then, let's move on if we are all ready.
Ranja nods.
You trek through the mines carefully, looking out for anything that might be hiding in the shadows...
You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak...
And then..
You blink your eyes as you step out of the gloom and into the bright midday sun. You can hardly remember the musty smell of the mine, your senses assailed by the smells of the forest in early winter. And yet, you also feel the chill winds assailing your exposed skin - a reminder of your failures within the mountain blending in with your successes.
Arphaxad pulls his robe tightly around him
Sonadora hugs a tree in bliss to be back outside.
Ranja breathes a deep sigh of relief at being aboveground again.
As your eyes grow accustomed to the brightness, you make out some unusual imprints in the mud surrounding the entrance to the mines. You kneel to check more closely and find a small ceramic tube imbedded into the dirt.
Geyer pulls the ratty blanket tighter around Aaron as they step into the winter air.
Sonadora: What's that?
Sonadora points at a small ceramic tube.
Arphaxad: It seems to be a small ceramic tube.
Arphaxad chuckles
Sonadora grins at herself.
Sonadora tries to pull it out.
It comes out easily. It's about 8 inches long, it's hollow and it's open at one end.
Arphaxad: Interesting, and what is inside of you?
Arphaxad eyes the item with interest.
Sonadora inspects it.
Sonadora: Search [1d20+1 = 21]
The ceramic tube is fairly nondescript, but when you examine it near your face you catch a pungent odor... ugh. If you had to guess... it could be some sort of musk, or perhaps a concoction of very potent, very aromatic herbs.
It isn't bitter like the poultice was, though.
Sonadora hands it to Ranja.
Sonadora: Maybe Sintiyla can use it?
Ranja accepts the tube and looks over it closely.
You guess it might have some sort of Arcane use, perhaps as some sort of container.
Ranja: Knowledge (Arcana) [1d20+6 = 24]
The stuff inside, and the ceramic tube... you think it could be some sort of variant on a smokestick.
Geyer: Are ye all done playing with trinkets? The lad's still in bad shape, y'know.
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora: Let us continue.
Arphaxad: I agree with Geyer, move this along. If it's of value, bring it.
Ranja shrugs and slips the tube into her pack, planning on studying it more thoroughly at a later date.
As you travel through the forest, a light snow begins to fall. By the time you reach town, a dusting of crystalline flakes covers everything around you. (Brr!) The setting sun illuminates the town plaza, the orange rays reflecting off the buildings as you step through the wooden gate leading in. The square is mostly empty, with a few merchants still closing shop and putting up their tents, and the sound of a mandolin echoes from across the square inside the Bit of Shade.
Sonadora: We should take Aaron and the hound to the healer and send for his family.
Arphaxad: And I would like to speak to the healer myself.
Geyer: Dora - find the lad's family. Arphaxad - go get Arahnrod. Ranja and I will go directly to Sintilya's.
Sonadora: Can somebody carry the hound?
Arphaxad: I'm sorry, but who is that?
Geyer: He's the mayor. Big building with the sun looking thing on it.
Ranja: I'll take him.
Ranja nods to Sonadora.
Sonadora hands the hound to Ranja with a friendly smile. Ranja may not know it, but she has earned Sonadora's undying gratitude.
Ranja shifts the hound in her arms, trying to settle him comfortably.
Sonadora heads off to get Aaron's family.
Arphaxad: While we are here, try to find something about those creatures people saw around town.
Arphaxad heads toward the town center
Geyer walks quickly to Sintilya's.
Ranja hurries after Geyer.
As you pass the Chamber, those of you heading in that direction from the North Gate, you notice several figures inside the Chamber along with an unusual and uncharacteristic lack of candlelight inside Sintilya's Temple.
Geyer: Maybe she's in the Chamber? Let's head there instead.
Ranja frowns.
The interior of the Chamber of the Sun lies in stark contrast to its glowing, snow-dusted exterior. Michael Ruhlin sits off to the side whittling away at a clump of wood. Several ruined scraps lay around him, his frustration evident in the gouges left in several of the pre-carvings. His wife Beth sits in Garrett's chair, William asleep on the ground next to her and Kate lying curled up on her lap. Sintilya paces around the room, the book on Native Flora and Fauna you rescued from the caravan in her hands. As you enter, all three adults immediately look up...
Geyer: We've brought back the lad. He's hurt bad, though.
Geyer: Thank Sonadora and Ranja that he's alive at all.
Ranja blushes.
Sintilya Foxblood starts suddenly!
Ranja: Mostly thanks to Sonadora.
Sintilya Foxblood: You're back! And.. you've what?!
Michael Ruhlin stands from his seat and dashes to his boy.
Geyer hands the son to his father.
Michael Ruhlin examines Aaron carefully, his face drawing into a grimace at the sight of his leg.
Michael Ruhlin: What happened?
Sintilya Foxblood: And where's Sonadora?
Geyer: Whatever kidnapped him got away - they tried to feed him to a giant centipede, though. We killed it and got him back.
Ranja: She went to find Aaron's parents. I suppose she went to their home first, not knowing they were here.
Geyer: It had already started to feed by the time we arrived. Nearly killed the lot of us, too.
Beth Ruhlin stands up gingerly, careful not to disturb Kate and William.
Beth Ruhlin: I'll get her.
Michael Ruhlin glances meaningfully at Beth.
Beth Ruhlin: I will.
Beth Ruhlin runs out.
Sintilya Foxblood: So, they tried to feed Aaron to a centipede? How... how big was it?
Ranja spreads her arms wide and waves them around.
Ranja: Like that, but bigger.
Arphaxad: It was larger than any creature I've seen.
Sintilya Foxblood: Oh dear.
Geyer: I'd say large enough to prey on a horse if it felt likte it.
Sintilya Foxblood flips her book open to an early page and shows you a picture of a centipede measured against a small wagon.
Sintilya Foxblood: Something like this?
Ranja nods enthusiastically, and then shudders.
Geyer: Aye...that's the one.
Beth Ruhlin comes back through the door with Sonadora behind her.
Sonadora nods a greeting to everyone in the room.
Michael Ruhlin: I don't think we can thank you enough for bringing back our boy...
Sonadora: I am only glad that we made it in time.
Arphaxad: What do you know about all this?
Geyer: I'm sorry we couldn't bring him back whole, friend. But we will avenge this horrible affair, ye've my word on that.
Arphaxad: Who took your child to begin with?
Michael Ruhlin: It was while you were gone. He fell into some sort of pit trap and then was taken by some small green-skinned things.
Michael Ruhlin: Kate saw them. But they were heavily cloaked - she couldn't make much out.
Arphaxad: Where was he when he fell into the trap?
Michael Ruhlin: I believe the others examined it yesternight.
Sonadora: Thank the Goddess Sheela they did not get her too.
Sintilya Foxblood: Yes! And they found some poisoned quills!
Beth Ruhlin nods to Sonadora.
Arphaxad: I see, did they find anything else?
Sintilya Foxblood: I've been trying to find that in relation to any creatures in this book... but it's a thick book. I haven't found anything yet.
Geyer: Mayhap Lady Ranja can help. She certainly seems enthused by large books.
Ranja: Book? Have I read this one yet?
Sintilya Foxblood: Some shards of glass, also in the pit.
Ranja looks eagerly to Sintilya.
Sintilya Foxblood: Oh! No dear, this is the one you brought back from that scene at the caravan...
Sintilya Foxblood shudders.
Ranja: Drat. I have already read it, then.
-> Ranja: Not all of it *grin* It took longer than those hours had.
Ranja: Well, most of it. I don't recall seeing any mention of creatures such as those in the first parts of it.
Arphaxad: Well, perhaps you should have a closer look, and Geyer and I can go check out the area where Aaron originall fell and talk to those who have already searched it.
Geyer: Heh. Sintilya, Dora and I are the ones who originally searched it. Weren't much ta find.
Sonadora nods.
Arphaxad: I see...what of the other townspeople, do they know anything of these creatures?
Sintilya Foxblood: Only that their footprints tend to end mysteriously... Sonadora found a small scale, and I believe noone else has encountered one, aside from Kate.
Sonadora: We did figure out they were goblins....
Arphaxad: But where do the foorprints disappear to?
Sintilya Foxblood: Garret has been praying for guidance in his private room. Perhaps you could see if he's learned anything?
Sintilya Foxblood: Oh, we don't know.
Sintilya Foxblood: They just... trail off.
Geyer: Aye. I need to get his blessing fer something anyways.
Arphaxad: Let us go speak to him.
Michael Ruhlin: Before you go... we have something we want you to have...
Beth Ruhlin holds out something wrapped in a rough cloth and slowly unwraps it, presenting it to the group.
Michael Ruhlin: We've used it for some time, passed down from my dad.
Michael Ruhlin: But we want you ta have it. For bringing back Aaron.
Beth Ruhlin reveals a plain looking axe that appears as though it's had plenty of use throughout its existence. It's two-handed.
Michael Ruhlin: It's been blessed by a cleric of Chauntea, the green mother... to support those of us on the fringes of the wild.
Sonadora: It's beautiful.
Arphaxad: Many thanks, but payment is not needed for saving a life.
Beth Ruhlin waves a hand over the axe, whispering a small prayer to Chauntea, and suddenly the axe glows...
Michael Ruhlin: Pray over it, and it'll cut through things faster than anything I've ever seen.
Michael Ruhlin looks meaningfully at Arphaxad.
Michael Ruhlin: I'm afraid we insist. It's the least we could do.
Michael Ruhlin: Wouldn't be right if we didn't.
Sonadora grins at Michael and hugs Beth.
Arphaxad: Well, we will all pay it due honor, regardless of who wields it
Geyer thinks to himself that payment is required for almost anything.
Sonadora: Thank you for the gift. Hopefully, there will be no need to wield it.
Arphaxad: It would seem this would do the most good in the armory of our warrior.
Geyer: I've never been trained to fight with an axe...but I will be glad to carry it.
Beth Ruhlin hands the axe to Geyer.
Geyer: I'm sure its use as a tool will be of more benefit than it would serve as a weapon.
Sintilya Foxblood: And now... I'm sure Garrett would be glad to hear from you... he's right through that back door.
Sonadora nods and goes to see Garrett.
Arphaxad walks along behind her
You enter a simple room sparsely furnished with a bed, desk, and a small shrine. Kneeling at the shrine is Garrett.
Garrett Arahnrod stands as you enter.
Garrett Arahnrod: You're back! And I'm willing to bet you've brought Aaron back as well?
Sonadora: Evening, Garrett.
Sonadora nods.
Garrett Arahnrod nods.
Garrett Arahnrod: As I prayed... I saw a vision of a candle in the middle of a darkened room... but it kept flickering and dancing in an invisible breeze until it went out. But as I gazed upon the fading light, I saw that it wasn't leaving... not entirely. The ember still burned, however weakly. I have to believe it was a sign from the Morninglord.
Garrett Arahnrod: I'm glad to see I wasn't misled.
Geyer: He was hurt bad though, I'm sorry ta say, sir.
Garrett Arahnrod nods.
Garrett Arahnrod: That...
Garrett Arahnrod sighs soflty.
Garrett Arahnrod: What is the injury?
Sonadora: We brought a hound back too...should the town be in need of one. He's a little beaten up but should come around in no time.
Geyer: Poisoned, cut up a bit, and he lost a leg at the knee.
Garrett Arahnrod: And a hound? Where'd that come from?
Garrett Arahnrod: Ah... his leg...
Garrett Arahnrod frowns.
Garrett Arahnrod: I only wish I had my mother's power... it was said she could even raise the dead if she needed to.
Geyer: Well, speaking of the dead, sir...I do need a favor.
Arphaxad: Now that indeed would be a worthy power to have.
Sonadora: We found the hunter's body in the caves with a giant spider. The hound was beside him. As for Aaron, it could have been much worse.
Garrett Arahnrod: The hunter...? The one who was complaining of you two days ago?
Garrett Arahnrod: And he was dead? How?
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora: From the spider.
Sonadora shudders.
Geyer: I made a bargain with a ghost to help us rescue the boy - in exchange for an honest burial for its body.
Garrett Arahnrod: The hound lived and the hunter died? ... I suppose Beshaba smiled upon him...
Garrett Arahnrod: A ghost, you say?
Geyer: Aye. Of a halfling miner.
Garrett Arahnrod: Do you need me to aid you in burying him?
Geyer: So, sir, I'll be needing a small plot in the village cemetary.
Garrett Arahnrod: Oh, of course, Sir Geyer.
Geyer: And some help in consecrating the ground so his spirit can rest would be much appreciated as well.
Garrett Arahnrod: If the ghosts helped free Aaron, the town is indebted to them.
Garrett Arahnrod: And if these were halflings, then surely they might have descendants who remain.
Arphaxad: This is quite possible, is there any history of mining accidents around here?
Garrett Arahnrod: None in recent history... but before the town fell it had several nearby mines where some of the people worked.
Garrett Arahnrod: That would be before my mother came and resurrected the town, so to speak.
Garrett Arahnrod: Most of the historical documents were lost, so... I'm afraid we can't be sure.
Garrett Arahnrod: Though, like I said, it's possible someone about town might know.
Arphaxad: Perhaps we should speak to some of the halflings around town then.
Garrett Arahnrod: Hopefully things will calm down for a while...
Garrett Arahnrod: But yeah, that seems like it could be fruitful.
Sonadora: Shall we bury the miners' dust now?
Arphaxad: Well, perhaps we should ask around first, as a descendant may like to be present when we do bury the remains.
Garrett Arahnrod: Well, we can't right now... but I'll get the groundskeeper to take care of the arrangements come morning.
Sonadora nods.
Garrett Arahnrod: Ah, true, true. Do you have any names?
Geyer: I will leave the remains and accessories with you for safe keeping until morning then, sir.
Garrett Arahnrod: Sounds good.
Geyer: There were no names, just a rhyme of sorts.
Geyer: The only name was "The Black Hound" but it wasn't mentioned with kindness.
Garrett Arahnrod: In the meantime, please, get some rest... I'm sure it's well deserved.
Garrett Arahnrod: Oh?
Garrett Arahnrod: The Black Hound... that sounds familiar...
Garrett Arahnrod shrugs.
Garrett Arahnrod: I'll have Sintilya look into it.
Geyer: Aye sir.
Geyer: There is one more thing.
Garrett Arahnrod: Oh?
Geyer points to his wounds. "I got eaten up a bit."
Garrett Arahnrod: Ah, of course!
Garrett Arahnrod prays over each of you, a bright radiance emitting from your wounds as they close up.
END SESSION