Watchfort Reclamation Continued, Spring 669.

[Leitz]

Hemia

The wretched thing turned her stomach and being cloistered in the room with it made her skin crawl. Hemia fought to breathe while Borav, and then the other Dawi hit the alter with their Hammer. Her eyes started to show spots and her throat was locked as tight as the food bins back at the convent. She was going to pass out right when she needed to be strong! This was not going to happen at all. She needed to breathe. Just stinking breathe.

Sir Jiho stepped forward at Korev's offer, took the hammer, and struck the alter. They were going to ask her to do so as well, she knew it. How could she not? Running away from being stuck in rigid expectations had been such a great idea. Smiting evil was such a great idea. Standing before a consecration of it wasn't something they had talked about as girls forced to don a habit and scrub floors. They could snap out answers easily enough, memory was a given.

This...thing...was not...

A movement in front of her; Si-woo had struck the alter as well. It was her turn, and she couldn't think what to do. Si-woo stood there, right in front of her. Facing her. Her husband, and lover. She would never tell Elder Tomas which of those came first, not his business. Her husband stood in front of her so that no one else saw her. They could not see the fear in her eyes, the doubt, the memories. Her husband whispered something too low to hear, and he must have seen that she did not comprehend. He held the hammer close, leaned forward, and whispered, "I have faith in you."

His smile was as warmly reserved as ever but she knew the slight addition he had just for her. He had faith in her. Not in her spells, or the Lawgiver. Or anyone else; just in her. Air flowed into her lungs, his special smile just for her. For his beloved. A second deep breath, the world was a better place.

Once the ritual strokes are complete Borav entreats Hemia "I have not your skill, the Maker's Will burns strong in you. Only you have the might to banish this evil."

Hemia smiled at her husband and then gripped her mace firmly. "Hold that hammer, lover boy, I've got my own."

She stepped towards Borav and put an armored hand on his armored shoulder. "I will strike this evil with you, Borav. With you and your kin. Prepare your hearts as I prepare the ritual."

It took time, but Hemia the priestess led everyone who wanted to join in the ritual of Blessing. At the final word, the final moment, she lifted her mace high and then brought it down with all of her well armed weight and the pure might of the Lawgiver.

[tibbius]

Dramm and Barnaby each smite the idol.

[scarik]

Like a tree struck by lightning the altar bursts into flames under Hemia's mace and malignant shards of stone attempt to fly in all directions, but are compelled by the ancient armor she wears to seek her instead whereupon they are burned away by her blazing aura. The icon cracks and chunks of stone fall free from it. When the dust clears the figure is unrecognizable with only the flame motif surviving.

Hemia turns back to the others and holds her glowing mace aloft. Behind her the flame carvings dance with warm light like the fires of a festival. With a loud crack the altar gives way and falls down to resemble an open book.

Then the light of her magic fades leaving only torches and Elf-light to shine in what is now merely mortal darkness.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

It wasn't hard to see how the aura radiating from the gem and altar was affecting both the Dawi and the other members of their group. Morwen was eager to study the items she confiscated, but knew they had to proceed with caution. Her earlier observation about the blood spatter may have been overlooked by the others despite her verbalizing it, but that by no means meant she had forgotten about it.

It occurred to her that finding proof before voicing her belief that this was a sinister trap someone led Thane Graka's father and his men into deliberately. Glancing at Macnav, she spoke quietly in their language. "Do you remember catching sight of any other areas with blood splatter, instead of just bones?"

[CarrieVS]

Earnan dithers between the earnest wish to destroy this thing, to be part of ending the horror of this place, and the desire to come not one step closer to it, until he realises that he has almost missed his chance to decide. He steps hurriedly forward and takes the hammer, one of the last to do so.

[scarik]

Dramm and Barnaby each smite the idol.

Dramm finds the heft of the hammer and the crack of the stone to be satisfying. It eases his nerves to know the haunts have been defeated and it was by skill at arms that the day was one. Sure the chants and magics of the others made it easier, and the skill of the potionmaker can't be discounted. But all of that was worth nothing without men willing to face death in close combat. It ought to make a good story.

Barnaby has a more spiritual reaction. He went to the same style of seminary school that has minted many Priests of the Law, Hemia included. But he never much felt the call of that church and never heard the Voice of the Lawgiver as many others claim to. What he did was hear the songs of the ages echoing in the hymns and psalms of the church services. So he left long before ordination and never paid it any more mind. But here, with the power of voice he has gained, he feels something otherworldly working within the oaths and hammer strikes. This is the second time Dramm has drunk a magic potion and performed a feat right out of the epics. Whether he wants to be one or not, the old soldier is a bona fide hero and Barnaby can agree it will make a good story.

Earnan dithers between the earnest wish to destroy this thing, to be part of ending the horror of this place, and the desire to come not one step closer to it, until he realises that he has almost missed his chance to decide. He steps hurriedly forward and takes the hammer, one of the last to do so.

The immortal spirit of the Eldar is both blessing and curse in this horrid place. It allows Earnan to withstand the unnatural chill the same as it allows him to ignore mortal cold, yet it makes him contemplate death in a way that he is unable to comprehend. Men and Dwarves both are born, live and die, and while they have their own struggles with that fact they are forced to confront it one way or another throughout their lives. But the Eldar do not age, and many of his kin have lived for centuries without ever being at risk.

This is different.

[tibbius]

Away from any dwarfs, the noble Barnaby confides in Jing Jiho: "It looks from the location of that altar, hidden behind the throne, as if the Thane had adopted some evil ways of worship. But why was the Thane seated here in an outflung outpost, rather than in Kraka Grag itself?"

[Leitz]

Jiho

Jiho nodded as Barnaby spoke, and then thought for a moment. "I do not know why, nor do I understand the blood splatters or the history. Let's give our friends a rest, and time to mourn. Can you discuss this with Friend Morwen and Hemia? Is the stone work of the alter Dawi? I will ask them to help me clear the rest of the watchfort, or to see if we need to come back after resting."

He motioned to Hemia, waved her close, and nodded to Barnaby. "Perhaps Dramm's and my wounds would be helped by washing in your Holy Water? If you and Barnaby could do mine, and then Dramm's, I will see to cleaning out the rest of the fort."

To give Barnaby time to relate his perceptions to Hemia and to maybe help Dramm and JJh.

Once his wounds we cleaned as best they could, Jiho looked at Gurav. "There is still some of the watchfort to explore, shall we do that? Perhaps Earnan and Hodlar can look for any more traps as we go, and we can see what we can see."

If Macnav stays with Morwen then Si-woo will jo with JJh. Or the other way around, if Macnav should scout for anything Morwen would be interested in that the rest of the characters might miss.

I know we've basically wrapped up but the Dawi need to get moving or they'll fall into a funk. This way Morwen, Barnaby, and Hemia can talk a little more freely and maybe they can figure out the mystery. If rolls are needed:

Hemia understand alter [_2d6]=(5+6)=11

[CarrieVS]

Earnan search [_2d6]=(2+2)=4
It's alright guys, there's obviously no traps...

[scarik]

With the altar broken Hemia can confirm what Morwen has said, the Blight is gone. The terrible darkness is manifestly lessened, and while her Bless is in effect the area is simply an unused fortress dungeon in need of dusting. But once that protection fades the darkness will creep back in, weaker than before, slower in its corruption, but ever present. Until the entire area is cleansed it will remain Shadowed, still capable of causing the dead to rise as undead who seek the warmth of the living to assuage their unending chill.

To cleanse this lingering taint the dead must first be gathered and proper rites conducted for them. Then an altar must be erected and consecrated. So long as that altar remains no evil will be able to take hold.

To an academic, such as Morwen, the altar isn't strictly necessary as the dark magic will no longer have a focus and will fade back to natural levels with time. Not only that but the current levels of necromantic energy are sufficient for many Ravenfolk rites and could be used to anchor spells to secure it.

Regardless as they explore further they find that while there are several more traps they have not been armed. Only those that were between the Dawi and their assumed enemy were readied. They also find that, unlike at Eastfort, there is a secret passage leading to an intact spiral staircase in the winding corridor between Chambers 5 and 7. It leads to the surface and would link the hilltop tower to the dungeon below. At Eastfort there was probably a similar passage but it had collapsed into ruin and was filled in with mud and rubble.

So while there is no more physical danger the spiritual and emotional dangers linger...

Upon closer inspection and with better lighting, the bloodstains where they fought the Shadows are clearly deliberately placed. Further evidence of the horrors required for that are found deeper within the dungeon and shall not be further spoken of here. Suffice to say that only those of callous heart or incredible constitution can bear the sight. Even the Ravenfolk, with their poor sense of smell and alien ways find it hard to witness. The evil found at the logging camp is the only thing that compares. Zhar the Fireborn is the Demon Prince in who's name these wicked deeds were done, and it is his face that formed the blasphemous idol. But its a mortal, and likely a Dawi, who made it manifest here in the living world. No demon, nor devil, can pass through the Veil Between Worlds save by invitation of one who knows the correct spells and is native there.

But there are two small mercies to be found. Young as many were the dead are all adults, the children had all been safely spirited away beforehand, and none of the Dawi Wights show any signs of sorcery. Everyone knows that Dwarvenfolk do not practice arcane magic, few know that its not because they cannot, but that they choose not. Those who forsake this decision are changed by it; their teeth grow to unnatural sharpness and they grow horns like those of bulls in the image of Zhar. Should they continue on this path their flesh, carved from stone by The Maker and given true life, reverts to rock until they are naught but awful statues.

Building an altar costs 1000p and takes a week to empower it.
Temporary cleansing for this area requires 15 casts of Bless (5 hours if done as a ritual costing ~300p) and 10 more hours to actual walk and perform the rites so 2 full days.
Doing neither allows Morwen to use the focusing crystal she took from the altar to freely cast 1000p of ritual spells to secure the area. She can drain the unused magic at a rate of 1 shilling/level/day and store it for later.

[scarik]

The group begins the grim work of removing the dead, a burden made lighter by Morwen once more turning the magic of the Adversary against It. Though once more to the curious Raven's surprise her spell does more than expected, and instead of calling forth the plain disc and invisible porters ghostly Dawi come to her call. Hearty seeming they are and they sing as they work faster and with greater strength than any Unseen Servant loading their equally ethereal carts. Their songs are somber as they move the dead but they fill the empty halls with sound and lift the curse just that small bit more.

Goblins? [1d6]=1

For the remainder of the day and night there are no signs of the goblins approaching and the calls of the plains wolves are largely far off to the north.

Random Encounter Chance [1d6]=2

For the first night after the victory they are likewise spared any additional surprise visitors.

But the night is not without its terrors and all those affected by the Wights' touch experience vivid nightmares that allow them no respite.

[Leitz]

Hemia

Hemia Healer [_2d6]=(3+6)=9

Hemia grumped under her breath as she walked. It was unbecoming of a priestess but she had to say something to someone, might as well be her. Dead grass crunched underfoot as she walked around the watchfort; saying her prayers, trying to figure out how to deal with all the usefulness the Ravenkin brought to the group, and most of all trying to not take her nicely blessed mace to her boss's head and knock him out so he got a little rest.

All of the Dawi bodies were out, they had been moved while she did the first ceremony to weaken the evil hold on the watchfort. The Dawi singing had warmed her heart for a moment, but then she realized that there were more Dawi voices than Dawi present. Her husband had explained it to her on the first walk around the watchfort; the Ravenkin summoned spirits of the dead Dawi to move their bodies. Hemia unconsciously crossed herself again and kept walking.

The air seemed a bit more natural, although that might be because she had taken off her helm and gotten a little sunlight. Others had made up a camp and she had done what healing she could. It'd be a good idea to ask about using Holy Water in undead given wounds, was there a better way? She applied it liberally to everyone who had been injured and it seemed to help. Given how often they seemed to run into these things more knowledge would be better.

She continued to walk, her husband trailed her at a distance to avoid breaking her concentration. Which was a good thing, she needed to focus on the task at hand. The whole scene down with the alter felt like a miracle and she needed to keep from thinking about it. Well, she could think about it enough to pray thankfully, but not enough to get excited and scream with joy. Years of catechism were nothing to the moment of seeing the Lawgiver's blessing on her actions. NOTHING! Holy ...., nevermind, stay on focus.

The Dawi were burying their dead, Borav was saying the rites over them. It was a somber moment and Hemia wanted to cuss. Her boss stood nearby, keeping watch. Ignoring the black tracing up his throat and the side of his face; the undeath would have to be cleansed at Spring Keep. He also seemed oblivious to his own wounds she had patched up; he stood guard over the Dawi so they could focus. She gripped her mace, prayed harder, and kept walking.

And eventually admitted her fears to herself. Would her husband sacrifice himself for others and leave her alone? He did much of what his cousin did, would he leave her? If she were with child, and Lawgiver knows they were young enough and in love enough to have to consider that, would their child grow up without a father? How could she convince her boss, because that was the only way to keep her husband safe. Well, as safe as one can get in a dungeon.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Considering all the unexpected occurrences that she encountered in the short time since first arriving at the watchfort, Morwen was making a mental list of all the phenomena she would be researching once she returned to Ravenswell. There was a tiny part of her that hoped the Dawi weren't inadvertently offended by her efforts in light of the reaction of the area and the seemingly overwhelming power of Dawi traditions and mentality that affected her magicks. Morwen was a little too aware that beyond Macnav nobody would believe her if she attempted to explain that she genuinely had no idea of how the normal effects of control undead and unseen servants would be changed simply by being here.

Shoving those thoughts to the back of her mind, Morwen concentrated on helping to restore the area in the only way she knew how, while hopefully shedding some light on the mystery of how the watchfort became corrupted.

[CarrieVS]

Earnan had fancied himself no novice at combat: no soldier, to be sure, and Rathor can fence him into a cocked hat left-handed, but he is skilled enough with the arms he is used to, and he has fought for real before this, enough to think he understood what battle meant. But the past two days have shown him just how much he did not even realise he was unaware of.

The nature of their foes may have added a terrifying dimension to the struggle, but it is not just that. The line of battle, the press of melee, the cramped confines, his helplessness once the fighters came hand to hand, the shocking effectiveness of the dwarven fire-weapons... In the past he has fought one on one, or else with room to move and skirmish. This was different.

He does not wish to think more on it just now. He seeks the company of the living, the heat of the campfire to banish the memory of the deathly chill, and to talk about something - anything - besides battle or undeath.

[Leitz]

Jiho

When there was time for a private word outside, Jiho approached Earnan.

"You did well," he said quietly. His smile was genuine but belied by the black lines clawing up his face. A sensitive nose could smell the death in him. "The light helped us tremendously, and once we lost hearing it was critical for us to see each other. We couldn't have made it with out you, thank you."

He paused for a moment, watched the Dawi mourning, and then turned back to Earnan. "How are you feeling?"

[CarrieVS]

Of course, Hemia could also have given them light, but at least he was able to spare some of her efforts for the other spells that had been so important. And though another Hemia, or Morwen, or Dramm might have been of more use, he had dealt some harm to their enemies: better, at least, than having no-one in his place.

Earnan tries hard not to show any revulsion at the obvious reminders of the foul things they faced. Jiho is ignoring his own suffering to check on the comfort of his men, and Earnan appreciates it, truly. It is what his mother or brother would do.

"I am well enough, Sir, and glad that I could do anything to help. Such things as those should be cleaned from the world," he says with sudden vehemence. "But I hope it is long before I must see another fight like that one. I took no harm, though - thanks to you and Dramm."

[Leitz]

Jiho

Jiho nodded as Earnan spoke, and listened intently. A tiny spot of black seeped through Hemia's bandage and he continued to move a bit more carefully. "It was a difficult fight, the most challenging we have had. Something shook Gurav to the core, I've never seen him like that. The enemy leaders, they have the same clan symbol, and he is thane of Kraka Grak. If this is here, then I wonder what is there?"

"You are right, we needed to cleanse this from the land. It is my hope to make the western plains a place for families to grow in safety and prosperity. You have contributed to that dream, thank you." He paused for a moment and looked around at the stunted trees and blighted weeds. As he twisted the ball of his armored foot into the ground the plant husk simply fell apart and was ground into oblivion. "This is your first foray with us, and I agree, I would be happy to achieve my goals without such risk. But I can't promise that; we have little idea of what we're facing until we are in it. Maybe we can use diplomacy to resolve the watchfort held by the goblins? There's no need for bloodshed; a good ally, even if different than us, is better than more bodies to bury."

He took a breathe, and nodded. "You are alive because of you. I know it is common in soldiers to reflect deeply when a battle is challenging, if you choose to reflect on it I would offer thoughts for your consideration. Is that okay?"

Assuming affirmative, ignore otherwise.

"The enemy leaders were much stronger than normal wights, and I haven't seen that many of the Dawi thunderers in one place before. I'm pleasantly surprised we didn't all die, or worse. But you, and we, live because of you. Had you fled we would have been blind, and easily killed. Had Morwen's magic been absent we could have never gotten some of the skeletons on our side, giving us a chance. Had you and the others not thrown the holy water, flames, lightening, and firesand well we would have died. Had Hemia's prayers not protected us, we would have died. Had Gurav and his kin not joined in, we would have died. Had Dramm not moved forward boldly, followed by Barnaby, we would have died. Had Si-woo not kept Dramm and I from being flanked, we would have died. Had Erikir not found us a good place to shelter early on, we would have been weaker, and died."

"I'm sure you see the trend there." He smiled, and bowed slightly while bracing his bandage. "Thank you for helping us live."

[CarrieVS]

Earnan does indeed see, and he does feel the better for it. It does not hurt either to be assured that the terrors they have just faced are not everyday fare for his new companions.

“Thank you,” he says, and looks somewhat heartened.

[scarik]

I am going to call this adventure here.

The Dawi, Dramm & Barnaby and Ji-ho + retinue head to Springkeep. Those who need healing can receive it for a fee. The Lawgiver's mercy is of course free to all the Faithful... but there is upkeep and donations and alms to help those unable to pay for food after the long journey...

Ji-ho and Dramm both are expected to contribute a year's upkeep value for such wealthy persons (£6 or 1440p). They will need to spend 5 weeks at Springkeep to recover their energy drain and its about a weeks journey each way so that's 7 Weeks spent of Spring plus the Week (I round up!) it took to handle this adventure. That leaves them 5 weeks of Downtime.

Earnan and Morwen can do as they like for the full season minus travel time. Morwen returns to Ravenswell. Earnan may go where he likes.

Maggar (Ladki) will arrive at Eastfort in time for the Summer season to begin.

[CarrieVS]

Earnan has never seen Springkeep, so at first he travels there with the majority of the company. But having no desire to be converted to the faith, it does not hold his interest long, and he soon sets out again.

The elf has no concern about travelling alone, especially across-country: there are few foes he could not give the slip to, and he explores somewhat of the lands hereabouts.

He makes sure to be back at Eastfort when Jing Jiho and his company are expected to return.