Chapter 17: The Thing in the Woods

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur makes no threatening gestures, either to the rabbit or the villagers. To the rabbit, he says, "Hullo, friend! We come in peace. Would you care for a piece of jerky? I have some here," he says, pulling out a bit of dried jerky from his rations.

If the rabbit or the villagers (or, indeed, his companions) find this behavior odd, Urdur tries not to let it bother him.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Hothhil adds, and excuse me, but what is the "Thing in the Woods" that Purity spoke of? A bear or some such?

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric spreads her empty hands and offers a reassuring smile to the villagers. We are not angels, no, but perhaps the gods have seen fit to send us here. As others have said, we are on our way to investigate rumors of evil elsewhere so that we may snuff it out. But, perhaps wise Tritherion has guided our footsteps, placing us in this place so that we may be of aid and comfort to yourselves. We mean you no harm. On the contrary- if you are having problems, we may be able to help. Please, I would hear of this "Thing in the Woods."

Also, if you are looking for a creepy, atmospheric film and haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching The Witch, the film these current images have been pulled from. At night, with the lights out, alone...

[ravenn4544]

Mouser doesn't say much of anything but his hand cautiously finds the hilt of his sabre.

[OGRE MAGE]

Normally, Bo would let one of the nice, smooth talking members of the group do the talking here. Again, he finds himself missing the company of the dead paladin.

The lanky greybeard approaches the woman with his palms displayed.

"Yes, yes, do go ahead and fetch the man of the house, will you. For we would like to learn as much as we can about the evil that plagues this area. Though we may seem strange to you initially, ma'am, I assure you that we mean you and your family no harm. My friends speak the truth. We are only seeking shelter from the oncoming storm, and were hoping to trade our services for lodging."

"Surely there must be something our group could do to repay a nights lodging? We are no strangers to hard work or roughing it, as you may be able to tell by looking upon us. But do not dismay if we seem a bit hard to you, for we have had plenty of hard times ourselves, recently."

The tall human wishes he would have warned the newcomers in his group about the local commoners being afraid of magic use before they came across any suspicious bystanders.

[ravenn4544]

"Surely there must be something our group could do to repay a nights lodging?

Mouser, pulled out of his gloomy thoughts by this, suddenly finds the ground beneath him extremely interesting...

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis, familiar with the distrust many humans have of his kind, says nothing, but stows Cranach and folds his hands, smiling as congenially as he can while the others speak. He doesn’t smile too much however - he is careful not to expose his rows of metal teeth. He understands it could be... unhelpful in this situation.

[Inferno]

In the Shadow of the Wooded Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. Dusk. Saturday, November 12th, 576 CY
Overcast, cold, flurries







At the threshold of an ancient, unknowable wood at the mountains' foundation, Brevos, Hothhil, Long Bo and Ingrid try to explain themselves to settlers surprised and frightened by the adventurers' presence.

Meanwhile, Urdur the conjurer slips away to confer with a rabbit.



"Thanketh thee," it says solemnly as it takes the offered food and hops away.

Hothhil and Pyotr aid young Purity with her firewood and she gasps in terror, "Mother! Ears as pointed as the devil's! And this one has fangs!"

"Hush, childe," Purity's mother comforts her daughter and listens to the strangers' offers and requests. She does not accept the proffered pieces of silver but says, "I am Deliverance Redman. Ye best come inside before the storm doth take us all."

As the snow falls steadily all around, settlers lead the travelers into the large common house.



Candles and a fire are lit. Chairs are drawn up. The meeting house could be a church but there are no religious depictions of any kind.
"W-we shall hast no graven images or idolatry," one woman explains hesitantly. "Pray, rest now."
The women tensely serve the strangers a hot meal and pray over it, giving thanks to Pelor.



The fare is spare and humble but what they have, they have to share. There is no ale, wine or spirits, and the women do not eat with the strangers.

The rest of the community slowly gathers in quiet. There are ten men and ten women, seated apart from each other by gender, and apart from their guests. They are dressed plainly and modestly. Their weary, fearful eyes watch the strangers, especially Ingrid, Mondegreen and the demihumans. The girl, Purity Redman, is not present. No child is.

The last man to enter remains standing. He observes the travelers a moment.



Then he speaks. "Greetings. I am Gideon Ashblood, the minister here.

"We art the true followers of Pelor. We fled Urnst, to the east, where the Church hath become worldly and desirous of power and wealth. We spoketh up and were driven out. We art simple folk who followeth the true Word. We seeketh only to live in peace and prayer. We hath chosen to live apart, in this colony, with our faith to protect us from the wickedness of the world.

"I understand that thee hath offered to aid us. That is very generous of thee and for that, we art most grateful. But before we can accepteth that which hath been kindly offered, we needeth to better understand just who thou art. Pray, do forgiveth my plain speaking... These crows. This dark woman here," Ashblood says, mistaking Mondegreen's gender, "dressed all in black and possessing a black cat. What sayeth thee, miss, to allegations of witchcraft? And, to the rest of thee, of consorting with her?"

The questions are asked softly, evenly and politely, despite the accusation they hold. The other homesteaders sit riveted, awaiting the answer. Outside, the snow silently continues to fall.


Replies? Actions?





PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 15/15, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Hothhil Thornbush, Elven Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/20
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 4(3), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Mondegreen Cindereye, Human Magic-User 2: Move: 9", AC: 9, HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Pyotr Whitetip, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 30/30
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 12/12
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 32/32
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 9/9, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl and 1/1 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• None currently.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)

[AleBelly]

As the food is offered, Mondegreen declines, remembering Bo's advice. "You folk are poor" he assesses bluntly. "You need to keep all you can. I brought my own." He munches his rations as the others consume their meal.

If Mondegreen is offended by Gideon's questions (or his misidentification of his gender), he does not show it. What else would he expect from these uneducated wretches? No, he is not offended. He pities them.

"I am a skilled practitioner of the magical sciences, sir" replies Mondy in a perfectly condescending male voice. "I am quite skilled at it. But I do not practice witchcraft. Witchcraft, you see - or see-eth, is the practice of using magic to further the cause of evil. Some use the term to describe magic used for personal gain. I do neither."

He pauses.

"You see that we have warriors amongst us. They fight evil with their weapons, with their strength, with their brawn. And they are useful." The mage points to his temple. "But I fight evil with my mind. If you think great evil can be defeated with arms alone, I can only conclude you've never faced it."

[wolfpack]

Brevos sighs

Minister I am Brevos warden of the north. I have spent the last 30 years living on the outskirts of civilization in places just such as this homestead standing against those who wish to destroy humanity.

no one among us practice evil, and as much as you may distrust the magical arts they are no different that firing a bow or swinging a blade. It is the person wielding it that determines if it is used for good or evil.

We are here tracking a source of evil, within the last months we have freed the village of briarsgate from a grip of evil so palid that it nearly drove us mad. We lost many good men including a holy warrior from hookhill.

He then details what they encountered in the pit

This past encounter has taught us that we must work together with all good people regardless of background, because evil does not care about these things and we must stand united to face what has come.

We now have followed rumors of this continued evil to this area and we mean to face it. Now if you do not wish to assist us with whatever information you have because of our companions then so be it we will simply take out leave. We mean you no harm and I can lead us through the storm, I have survived many in my time and the wilderness is my home.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser looks around feeling no great need to add to what has been said.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo whistles for Sephus to join him before entering the common house, letting him take his normal place in his hood. He does not eat or drink anything offered unless he can see that the puritans of Pelor have also eaten or drank from the same offerings. Giving a taste to his bird first, once he is certain it wont harm him, he partakes in the generous meal. Sitting comfortably, he listens to Gideon talking with the others, adding his own thoughts when time permits.

"Goodly folk of Pelor, we are not here to offend or mislead you in any way. In fact, my offerings of help were as sincere as the blinding light of your one true god. We fight against evil, as my friend here has just explained. The horrors we have seen recently would bring a strong man to his knees, but we have conquered our fears and intend to continue with our efforts, with or without your help."

"If the thought of magic use frightens you, or makes you think that we are bad people, then so be it. We will not be able to change your minds about that. However, if you need help with an injured or sick child, or poorly growing crops, would you not accept that help? For those are the kinds of things we could do for you. All we ask for in return is your trust, hospitality, and any information you might have about an ancient lost temple to the northeast of here, hidden somewhere in the Lortmil range."

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis eats, in moderation, while he can, afraid he knows where all this might be going. He nods at the others’ perfectly valid points as he chews, looking back to the elder for his reactions. Finally, he interjects briefly only to say between mouthfuls: ”I’m good at killing goblins and giants, if you got any of those around.”

[Urson]

Pyotr

The half-orc says little- he's seen plenty of prejudice in his time. He eats a small meal, sharing a bit of his meat with Yvan. The crow squawks мочиться от тебя, рыба-ублюдок ,then flaps off to roost in the rafters.

Mein name is Pyotr. My crow is yust a pet with a nasty mouth. He vas mein fadder's bird before mine. I am yust a poor warrior, hopink to make my way to Heafen. I tank you very much for dis meal.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Hothhil reassures the child he is no devil, Just an elf, dear. He walks to the common building with the others. When food is brought forth, he plays at eating it, but does not put any in his mouth, thinking he will eat his own rations later. He doesn't add to the conversation, feeling that there is little to add. Surely pressing their innocence to these people is only proof that his companions are the evil they fear. They have made up their minds, and words are unlikely to convince them. He decides he will allow his actions prove their intentions, if they will allow him the chance.

If it is not brought up, he will ask about the Thing in the Woods again, feeling it is probably a mere fairytale they tell their children to keep them in line.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric will eat quietly, not wishing to offend their hosts by refusing their hospitality and wasting food when the villagers clearly have none to spare. Thank you for allowing us to share your meal with you.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur watches the rabbit go, hoping he made a good impression. Perhaps their paths will cross again later.

He has nothing to add to what his companions have said. He simply shrugs and sits down, eating his own rations. He says nothing of his own abilities in the arcane arts.

[rredmond]

Rudolph feeling a wee bit paranoid, comes quietly out of the shadows and along with the rest of the crowd. He does, as inconspicuously as he can, eat some of his rations on the way in. He'll move food around on his plate, not eating or drinking quite yet. As they walk in and are seated, he will look around for anything on the walls, floor or ceiling (in quick glances) that are out of place, or set his thief-senses tingling. Once at the table, he tries to study the people of the village, seeing who might be more in control than others, and who might be studying them right back. He does the same to Minister Gideon, seeing if there's any pauses in his responses (as if waiting for direction) or glances to other people or parts of the room, or his hands in his pockets a lot. Trying to figure out if Gideon is really the one in charge, or a puppet in some way. All this paying attention makes his toe hair straighten!

[Inferno]

In the Shadow of the Wooded Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. Nightfall. Saturday, November 12th, 576 CY
Overcast, cold, flurries







Outside, the snow keeps falling in the ancient wood of the ominous mountains.

Inside the meeting house, the humble colony of Pelor dissenters are quiet as the grave as they listen to answers to the accusation of witchcraft. The answers, or perhaps the indignation at the question, seem enough to allay the concern of Gideon Ashblood.

Relieved, he lowers his head and quietly says, "Again, pray, forgiveth me. These terrible times hath sorely tested our souls... and our faith."



Those adventures that partake of the hot, homecooked meal find the simple fare filling and delicious.

Hothhil asks again about the Thing in the Woods that the girl, Purity Redman had mentioned. The settlers react with dismay and sorrow at those mere words.

The Reverend Ashblood explains, "As I hath said, these art terrible times. We art haunted by a lurking terror without name or shape. Our troubles seem to hath started in the Spring, in a nearby town, two days to the northwest, named Vicar's Head.

"They art a good people, and we tradeth with them. However, we hast not heard from them in the last few months. Just before they hath fallen silent, there wast word of an outbreak of witchcraft, and a pox forged by black magic, afflicting the town. Then, nothing.

"Then, three months later, our own modest crops began to fail. Then, livestock were killed in the night, slaughtered most gruesomely. One of our good brothers, Danforth Bale, didst nearly glimpse the monstrous cause."

Danforth Bale stands, and ruefully speaks.



"It hath killed mine own mule. I didst see branches moving, and hath heard its terrible footfalls as it moved into the woods of the mountain. I dared not follow into that dark place, with mine wife and family so near to danger."

Ashblood continues mournfully, "Ever hath the woods on the mountain felt unnatural wrong. But we never set foot into them, and thus were protected by Pelor, until now. We must hath given affront... some cause for Pelor to punish us... test us.

"For sadly, the worst hadst yet to befall us. Three nights ago, a child wast carried off by the Thing."

Ashblood struggles to continue. Some of the women begin weeping.

Then Ashblood says, "Thou spoke of thine battle against Evil. Thou wast kind enough to offer to help us. We wouldst accept such aid most gratefully."

Hothhil and Mondegreen hear a woman in the congregation whispering.



"But these art outsiders. Heretics. They dabble in witchcraft themselves!"

Gideon Ashblood must have heard her too, or guessed her words. "Temperance Hill," he says. "Didst not Pelor bring these lost souls to us? Perhaps by aiding us, they can be saved. And, in saving them, we might just saveth ourselves."

Rebuked and redfaced with shame, Temperance nods and lowers her head.

Long Bo asks of the heinous, lost temple believed to be one week's travel northeast of here, hidden deep within the dark mountains.

Gideon Ashblood replies, "We hath no knowledge of such a dreadful place. The pass to the eastern side of the mountain range is near Vicar's Head. We've hadst no travelers from the other side in months. This is most unusual for this time of year, and more dread cause for concern."

Rudolf the keen-eyed hobbit watches everything carefully. He finds nothing out of place in the meeting house. He believes the settlers are clearly divided by gender, with men holding power over the women. The Reverend Gideon Ashblood is the real leader, in Rudolf's estimation, but the terror that grips the colony threatens to overthrow that, as well as the settlers' very faith.


Replies? Actions?





PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 15/15, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Hothhil Thornbush, Elven Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 20/20
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 4(3), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Mondegreen Cindereye, Human Magic-User 2: Move: 9", AC: 9, HP: 12/12, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Pyotr Whitetip, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 30/30
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 12/12
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 32/32
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 9/9, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl and 1/1 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• None currently.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)

[wolfpack]

Brevos listens intently.

Then tomorrow morn we venture into the woods of the mountain. Perhaps the girl lives, we will end this beast or die trying.