Jolly smiles sadly and says in a resigned tone, "yes, Shirl.  I am sorry to bring you the news, but Norda has fallen in the Barrowmaze.  She fought bravely and persevered despite great wounds to protect and save our lives.  Unfortunately, we could not carry her body out of the Barrowmaze and had to burn her corpse before she turned into one of the Undead.  We were able to carry out her sword, armor, and personal items with us.  They are with our companions at the Brazen Strumpet right now.  We will also help with any funeral expenses that your family wants to give Norda."

Shirl's face is stoic as tears stream down it.

"Funeral expenses?"

She chokes out, "Thank you, but there is no need. I will go to this Barrowmaze and collect her Wergild myself. I thank you for my sister's belongings and will wear her armor and sword to honor her."

As Shirl turns aside in her grief, another person approaches.

Beyla walks up to the both of you. It is obvious that she trailed you two across town.

She speaks to you in a shaking voice, “The other are settled down with their meat and drink. I followed you because I must tell you something before I depart alone back for the Barrowmaze.”

”These risen dead are my fault.”

After the silence she resumes, “It seems like a lifetime ago, but once I was happy as a clerk in the archives at the Huldra monastery – the very one outside this town. When I turned 18 I took my vows as a priestess and took over as First Sister of the archives when the managing Sister retired. As First Sister I typically received several letters each month from visitors requesting permission to access rare or dangerous tomes in our library.

I had received many such requests from a distant scholar named Yardiff Bey, each time requesting permission to examine a particular rare tablet of the Elder Fey folk. Each time I  had refused. But three months ago the library was broken into by Beastmen – exactly the same as the ones we defeated in the Barrowmaze. The Sisters of the monastary battled them courageously, but failed to prevent one of the Beasts from escaping with the Elder Tablet.

Immediately after the robbery, the dead began to rise in the Barrowarrens. The head of our order sent an expedition to the Barrowmaze, and although decimated by the ranks of the dead, they discovered that the Elder Tablet had been used to open a great pit deep within the Barrowmaze, and that the dead were now beginning to wake all throughout the warrens. I insisted on going along on the second foray. I will not speak about that attempt other than to state that I failed - and ran -  as we were being overrun by the dead.

I returned back to the monastery and reported both the disaster and my shameful behavior to the council. I there learned that Necromancers of Moloche and Acolytes of Shax had recently sent their own forces into the Barrowmaze in an effort to recover the Elder Tablet and harness its power for their own. It was likely them that we heard battling near the graveyard exit.

The council has responded by creating The Fount of Law – a small white orb of pure order. This will close the pit for all time, provided one can get that close to such a hellish place. It has been entrusted to me, and I will finish my mission- come what may.

As I have said before, this situation is my fault. I must return to the Barrowmaze, and I will not have you put your lives in danger. I will go on alone and put the dead back to rest.

Don’t worry – I’ll be fine."

(OOC - Drohem, hold till I get a chance to type out a long response, as I want to stay in timeline...)

Quote from: pbj44;742181Shirl's face is stoic as tears stream down it.

"Funeral expenses?"

She chokes out, "Thank you, but there is no need. I will go to this Barrowmaze and collect her Wergild myself. I thank you for my sister's belongings and will wear her armor and sword to honor her."

As Shirl turns aside in her grief, another person approaches.

Foromo says "Shirl, Hold please..."

Quote from: pbj44;742181Beyla walks up to the both of you. It is obvious that she trailed you two across town.

She speaks to you in a shaking voice, "The other are settled down with their meat and drink. I followed you because I must tell you something before I depart alone back for the Barrowmaze."

"These risen dead are my fault."

After the silence she resumes, "It seems like a lifetime ago, but once I was happy as a clerk in the archives at the Huldra monastery – the very one outside this town. When I turned 18 I took my vows as a priestess and took over as First Sister of the archives when the managing Sister retired. As First Sister I typically received several letters each month from visitors requesting permission to access rare or dangerous tomes in our library.

I had received many such requests from a distant scholar named Yardiff Bey, each time requesting permission to examine a particular rare tablet of the Elder Fey folk. Each time I  had refused. But three months ago the library was broken into by Beastmen – exactly the same as the ones we defeated in the Barrowmaze. The Sisters of the monastary battled them courageously, but failed to prevent one of the Beasts from escaping with the Elder Tablet.

Immediately after the robbery, the dead began to rise in the Barrowarrens. The head of our order sent an expedition to the Barrowmaze, and although decimated by the ranks of the dead, they discovered that the Elder Tablet had been used to open a great pit deep within the Barrowmaze, and that the dead were now beginning to wake all throughout the warrens. I insisted on going along on the second foray. I will not speak about that attempt other than to state that I failed - and ran -  as we were being overrun by the dead.

I returned back to the monastery and reported both the disaster and my shameful behavior to the council. I there learned that Necromancers of Moloche and Acolytes of Shax had recently sent their own forces into the Barrowmaze in an effort to recover the Elder Tablet and harness its power for their own. It was likely them that we heard battling near the graveyard exit.

The council has responded by creating The Fount of Law – a small white orb of pure order. This will close the pit for all time, provided one can get that close to such a hellish place. It has been entrusted to me, and I will finish my mission- come what may.

As I have said before, this situation is my fault. I must return to the Barrowmaze, and I will not have you put your lives in danger. I will go on alone and put the dead back to rest.

Don't worry – I'll be fine."

"No you won't...and Shirl, as she fell with us, WE are obligated to bring her back, we would be more than happy to help you with that, as well as welcome you to help us." turning to Beyla..."You will need help, and as we have journeyed together so far, we continue..." looks over to Jolly, raises an eyebrow...""

Jolly nods at Foromo's words and says to Shirl, "accompany us and you'll have your chance at retribution for Norda."

Looking to Beyla, he says softly, "of course we'll back with you to do this."

Shirl nods her assent, "I will join you when you are ready to depart. Don't worry, I'll know when you are leaving."

She walks back towards her barracks.

Beyla looks at both of you, "I must admit I am glad for the company. I have no idea how we are going to find this pit. It could be anywhere down there, though I would like to search around the area where the enemy priests have clashed. They must have a reason for lurking in the same area, and If we could but capture one we could learn much."

Foromo looks to Beyla, "Belyla, am going to need plenty of Holy Water", to Shirl, "Shirl, I'm sure you might know of a local distiller of some good, strong rot-gut, gonna need some of that"  and to Jolly, "While we know that water and oil don't mix, I have watched weaklings cut their whiskey with water, so imagine a flask of Holy Water and Rot-gut, in order to ...Baptize in Fire, so to speak..." Foromo has that evil grin as he then flips a platinum piece to Jolly, "hope this defrays the cost of that..."

"Meanwhile, ladies, I am in need of Drink and food. I hope you two know where we can get other supplies that haven't been picked clean by all these Merc Vultures..."

Shirl has returned back to listen to Foromo, and both she and Beyla actually laugh in delight over his idea to burn the dead up.

Wiping her eyes Shirl nods, "Okay, I will get you the rotgut!"

Beyla chimes in, "I'm off to the monastery for the holy water!"

They both depart.

Jolly hands Beyla the platinum piece and says, "this should get us four vial of holy water, I think."

Speaking to everyone, he says, "I'm going shopping and will met up with you all back at the Brazen Strumpet in about an hour or so."

Jolly strolls off with cheerful stride while whistling a happy tune on his lips.

Almost an hour later Jolly strides into the Brazen Strumpet with two teenage boys in tow who are carrying several burlap packages tied with twine.  Seeing the table with his companions, he moves across the common room toward them.

Pointing to the table, he says to the young lads, "please, set them down on the table."

Jolly reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out some copper coins and hands each boy two copper as he says with a pleasant tone and smile, "thank you, lads.  Get some candy on me."

As the boys leave, he turns to his companions with a wide, infectious smile and says happily, "I come bearing gifts for all."

As he opens one of the packages revealing three new shields, he hands them out saying, "a new shield for Hurmak, Mergo, and Beyla."

He opens another package and hands a new sling and pouch of stones to Mergo and says, "a proper sling and pouch for you, my friend."

He opens a third package and hands Peldic the items, "a new suit of padded armor and a new short sword."

He pats the last package and says, "I also purchased a proper lantern, ten pints of oil, a crowbar, and miner's pick for us."

Jolly reaches into his money pouch and takes out a handful of gold coins and passes two gold coins each to Hurtag, Hurmak, Baldue, Mergo, Peldic, and Beyla as he says, "here is something extra for you."

Jolly hands Foromo fifteen gold coins and says with a beaming smile, "this is your share of the leftovers, partner."

==========================================

OOC:  Before leaving the general store and entering the tavern, Jolly put on the boots that they found.  Does he feel anything different as he walks in them for a bit?

OOC - As soon as Jolly puts the boots on he notices that the fit - at first a bit tight - instantly conforms to his feet and are now very comfortable. Now the light in the common room of the inn seems incredibly blinding to him. This perception does not ease until he removes the boots.

Beyla returns to the party beaming, and plunks down three heavy water skins on the table, "I cleaned the monastary out of Holy Water!"

She thanks Jolly for the new shield and gives him a hug!

Everyone at the table seems pleased with their gifts!

Baldue snorts, "Hey, I didn't get nothin'!"

Beyla chides him, "I have purchased something for you Baldue!"

Baldue's eyes light up, "Great! Gimme!"

"Here you are my friend! A new heavy crossbow and 50 bolts in a quiver! Use them in good health!"

Baldue's face drops, "Oh....thanks..."

Foromo - Hmmm, opens his pak..."So, 2 lanterns, 19 flasks of oil...rope, need some more, am thinkin...what else?"

He then eyes the Holy Water..."Hmmm..."He orders the strongest flask of uncut whiskey from the barkeep...takes enough of a draught to lower the level to 3/4 full. He then fills the rest with plain water. He then takes a tack and attaches to long piece of cloth to the cork, then stuffs the cloth into the flask and corks it.

"Jolly, Beyla...come with me a minute"...he then walks out back...pulls the cork lifhts the cloth, then throws the flask up against a stone wall. Does it work???

OOC - I invite you to post some kind of character portrait, it helps me "see" the ongoing movie a bit better. Who knows, maybe it might work for you as well? Here are my folks:

"Jolly, Beyla...come with me a minute"...he then walks out back...pulls the cork lifhts the cloth, then throws the flask up against a stone wall. Does it work???


Good heavens, a great bomb has gone off!

(OOC - 4D6 damage will be typical)

Foromo looks to his companions, evil smile, beaming at his "Equalizer"...

(OOC - Noted 4D6 dmg...how many can we make???)

OOC - Each member of the party could carry at least one "bomb" if they so choose - that's 9 right there.

Here is a typical booze jug of the region - with a modern can of soda for scale:



Note the carrying grip - for easy hurling!