Chapter 17: The Thing in the Woods

[ravenn4544]

Mouser hearing the story of the fell Thing in the Night shakes his head "this sounds all too familiar... this town you mention. Vicars Head? What else can you tell us about it. That may be where our path lies first..." His words trail off.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

There is no question that we will do everything we can to help you. What is the child's name? What were they wearing when last you saw them? What does the child look like- hair color, eyes, any detail you can give will be helpful.

I know some of you distrust us. I understand your concerns. But I am a woman who has pledged my devotion and my life to serving my god, Tritherion. No, it is not the same deity you worship, but Tritherion and Pelor both appeal to those who wish to do good, to serve mankind and make the world a better place for all. We may do this using magic, which I know some of you really distrust, but not all magic is witchcraft or evil. It is but a tool that can be used for weal or woe, much like an axe you would use to cut wood for your fires or a scythe used in the fields. In the wrong hands, these can also be used with ill intent. I'll say no more on this subject, I'll let our deeds speak for us.

I believe we should make finding the child our first task. I wish to bring the child back to this village as soon as we can.

[rredmond]

Oh Yondalla, a child’s life is endangered, Rudolph mutters, agreeing with the cleric and others. There are trackers among us, and those who practically grew up in the woods. Let us find the child as a start to ridding the area of its evil, he says louder, and to nobody in particular.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur nods, finishing his rations. He gets up, ready to help find the child.

[Urson]

Pyotr

Pyotr nods agreement. Da. Kinder is de only legacy we haff, and dey muzt be protected.

He steps outside the door, studying the clouds- trying to assess the weather, and how bad the snowstorm will be.

[ChubbyPixie]

"We'll get the kid if it's not too...." Telkis begins before catching himself. He stands up, dropping from the human-sized chair to the ground. "Danforth, sir, that thing you heard - did you get the sense it was acting like a beast? Or more like a man? What did the footfalls sound like? Hooves? Paws? Boots? Could be important if you can recall. ...Did it sound big?" He looks down at himself, then realizes what he's saying and points to Bo. "Bigger than him?"

[Rusty Tincanne]

Hearing of the recent tragedies that have beset these people softens Hothhil. Despite their prideful prejudice, no one deserves to live in a constant state of fear. And if he and the others can free then from their terror - and return the child alive - perhaps they can learn to open their minds. He nods as the others suggest searching for the beast and child. He wonders about heading out prior to the storm's arrival. It is their best option for tracking the Thing, but not the safest course of action.

[AleBelly]

Mondegreen follows the discussion with passive interest. As the discussion subsides, he pipes up. "It's unanimous. Our motley group will help you find - and hopefully recover - your child." He pauses before putting forth an idea that may be unpopular. "Have you considered that your recent actions have brought you into disfavor with Pelor? Perhaps the town you left behind exemplified well the virtues he wishes to promote. Mind you, I'm no expert in such matters. Just providing an outsider's scientific observation. The sample size is quite small, however..." and he begins mumbling to himself.

[OGRE MAGE]

Long Bo just shakes his head at the ramblings of the black wizard.

"A pox on their town, you say? And now those same things are happening here? That does not bode well at all and it is likely that something should have already been done long ago. But I understand that folks who put their religion in front of their common sense tend to take a long time to attempt righting wrongs."

"We will do what we can for you and for the folks of Vicars Head, if any of them yet live. I don't like the idea that travel between the passes has stopped. That is a foreboding thought. Tell me Danforth, you were certain of the branches moving and the footfalls? If this thing were an evil spirit or some kind of unholy ghost, those noises wouldn't have happened. If it is a flesh and blood creature like all of us, then it can be tracked down and killed if necessary."

Bo goes to the doorway as well, looking out over the approaching storm. He practices a bit of natural witchcraft right in front of the congregation so they can see that he doesn't turn into a demon or devil from the powers of his magic. He does so in an eastern direction, towards the next town.

Casts Predict Weather

[AleBelly]

While Long Bo practices his meteorology, Mondegreen thinks towards their search for the missing child. If it indeed exists.

"It is wise to study the ways of one's adversary. And I have done so. Often evil creatures or organizations have the ability to create illusions. Have you a toy, or a doll, that belongs to your missing child? If we are able to recover the child, I would look to see that they recognize the toy. And perhaps speak its name."

He studies their reaction to see if the villagers have fabricated the tale of a child.

[Inferno]

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







The heroes promise the remote congregation of the Ashblood Colony that they will search for the child taken by the Thing in the Woods, a lurking terror without name or shape. The women settlers break down weeping in relief, except for Temperance Hill. Mondegreen's scrutiny uncovers no sign that the child is a fabrication.

"Thanketh thee, kind and noble exemplars. We art in thy debt," says Reverend Gideon Ashblood with sincere gratitude. "May Pelor keep and protect thee in thy virtuous mission."

In response to Mouser's question about Vicar's Head, Ashblood answers, "Over one thousand souls resideth there. They art faithful to Pelor and true. They also opposed the Holy See in Urnst during The Schism, though their doctrine is not as orthodox our own."

Gideon Ashblood replies grimly to Ingrid and Mondegreen, "The child's name is Amity Mantle. She is nine years old, fair of skin and hair. Her family art not present in this meeting house. They art in mourning, praying that their daughter may be spared by Pelor's infinite mercy. I shalt ask the Mantles about a toy."

Danforth Bale answers Bo and Telkis after taking a moment to try to remember, "Aye. I am certain I didst heareth footfalls. It sounded big to me, though I couldst not tell whether it be hoof, boot or paw."

Pyotr Whitetip opens the door to the bitter cold and studies the night sky with a sailor's eye. The seafaring half-orc has no doubt the heart of the storm will soon be upon them.

Then Long Bo casts a magic spell, to the abject horror of the settlers. The women hold each other in fear of this black witchcraft as the grey druid divines that overnight, the blizzard will have wind and cold, and about a foot of snowfall. Before dawn it will relent.

"Pray, sir, such deviltry is unwelcome upon this hallowed ground," Ashblood says gravely, making the sign of Pelor with trembling hands.

Mondegreen idly asks if the settlers' actions have won Pelor's disfavor, causing an innocent child to be taken in retribution. Temperance Hill glares with burning hatred at the dark conjurer. Gideon Ashblood states quietly: "In truth, in our darkest moments, we hast wondered if we art being punished for our pride, and for our role in The Schism."

Then Ashblood looks directly at Mondegreen: "Yet, ever doth the wicked prey upon the righteous and the pure, to sow doubt, dread and misery."



The reverend turns and faces his congregation. "We knoweth this is not the reckoning of Pelor, to punish His faithful followers on Oerth. Nay. This is the work of the Devil."


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: 5/6 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)

[Urson]

Pyotr

I am worried vor dis childt. She needts finding, and zoon. But dere will be rough weather dis night- plenty uff windt and znow. I am afraidt dat we would die from de weather bevore we had any chance of finding Amity. I zuggest we wait undil morning- but push off at first light.
The big half-orc stops suddenly, realizing this is the most he's said to anyone since they arrived. He steps back, as if trying to disappear in the shadows of the common house.

Yvan squawks and cackles in the rafters. Трус!!

[ravenn4544]

Mouser considers and thinks they themselves would be in peril if a search in the coming storm was pursued. It would be prudent to wait and set out at dawn.

[OGRE MAGE]

Satisfied with his spell, Bo turns back inside and shuts the door. He keeps a close eye on Temperance Hill, finding her reactions a bit suspicious, as he addresses Ashblood again.

"Yes, yes. I'm sure this ground is hallowed to you, despite the dead crops and slaughtered animals, right? If we are going to help you, we will be doing things our own way, so please don't lecture us about what might not seem proper to you."

"Now then, my commune with The Shalm has told me that this snowstorm will be messy, but short. We will receive nearly a foot of fresh snow tonight, but the worst of it will already be passed by the morning. Therefore, I suggest we stay here for the night, with the congregation's blessing, of course."

"In the meantime, I would like to hear any more you could offer about this Holy See in Urnst and this thing you refer to as The Schism."

[AleBelly]

Then Ashblood looks directly at Mondegreen: "Yet, ever doth the wicked prey upon the righteous and the pure, to sow doubt, dread and misery."



The reverend turns and faces his congregation. "We knoweth this is not the reckoning of Pelor, to punish His faithful followers on Oerth. Nay. This is the work of the Devil."

Mondegreen looks non-plussed at Ashblood's passive-aggressive accusation, then barely stifles laughter when he accuses Long Bo of witchcraft. But argument is pointless. Logical thought is beyond these bumpkins he thinks to himself. He blunts his words, but he can't help but reply to the accusation:

"I gain nothing by sowing discord or doubt. And it seems there's already enough dread in the air. I can feel it myself. No - to solve a problem one must find its root cause. I care not of your church's internal politics. Rather, I would hear more of the girl's abduction, and the beastly creature that has her in its clutches. I say again, finding the root cause of this predicament is the first step to a solution."

[Rusty Tincanne]

Having heard enough of the barber comments from Bo and Mondegreen, Hothhil, who is actually in agreement with his companions, speaks up. Friends, we are guests here, and whether or not we agree with the beliefs of our hosts and hostesses, we must show them respect. If we cannot manage that, we should depart now, for it does them little good to offer assistance with one hand, while smacking them with the other. Hothhil gathers up the dirty dishes from the party of adventurers and sets them by the door. He then reorganized his pack as the conversation, hopefully more congenial now, continues.

[wolfpack]

What has the weather been like for the last 3 days. If it has ben free of snow then tracks may still be visible and I need to go check before the storm sets.

[Urson]

Pyotr

Pyotr says nothing- as usual- but nods when Hothhil tries to correct the others.

[rredmond]

Rudolph listens to the others talking, while marking the exits... just in case - what have I gotten myself into he wonders to himself. He'll continue to scan the room for any strange movements from the villages, or anything that looks out of place with the walls, floor and ceiling. Stretching, and appearing to pay attention all the while to hide what he's doing.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser agrees that a search of the immediate area before the snow falls makes a whole lot of sense before heading out in the morning with a foot of snow to content with.