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20 May, Evening, at the The Old Mill: home to Hendon and his wife Vina
Raust relaxes at the welcome, enjoying the comforts of food, stew, and fresh bread. As the conversation turns to the reasons for appearing at their door, Raust confides freely.

"The faithful of the circle of Herne at the statue," they begin, "They are slain, and they are all the... people. All the people Raust has known." They pull the bear-cloak tighter around themselves. "Their loss is keen, an ache in the soul. But, they must know more in the peoples. They spoke to Bez, who mentioned you as among Herne's faithful, and they now speak to you." The druid dips their head to the couple in acknowledgment.

"They cannot stay in the forest with brothers and sisters any longer," the druid gestures to where the pair of wolves now slumber, "brothers and sisters come with them to serve Herne, but they must ask, must learn how to do so. They know not the ways of... towns."

"Where can they find faithful of Herne to trust?
How to rebuild the faithful of Herne after such death? That new community comes to the statue?
Who will come to answer a call to hunt the slip-skin snake men who have affronted Herne?
How to ask other ranger-men to aid this task?

My soul howls mournfully for the death of your father. Is it to be avenged in the same hunt as those who came against others of Herne? Can you sing his tale?"

Raust shares with them freely all she has learned this day at the Manse - including that the lizardmen and the slip-skin snakemen are different threats, unknown own if they connect; that the snakemen are likely connected to the trio of dark gods now possibly in collusion; that the snakemen are responsible for both Lumbermill, Peterson Farm, and attack at the statue and came with intent to infect and rebirth through the victims, not to hunt, nor to gain resources. She asks if Old Basil's death was at the hands of snakes or lizards, how it came to be, and how it fits in the puzzle. Lastly, if Basil, all Basil's rangers, and everyone at the Herne statue died, where can she find rangers to aid her duty now.

The Old Mill

An evening with Hendon & Vina.

Raust fellowships. The trio share their burdens and concerns.

In answer to some questions, Old Basil (uncle not father) took two apprentices to hunt and lay traps along the northern banks of the Moorwash River hoping to catch a grizzly bear. It is assumed they were captured and held prisoner by lizardmen who tried to random them to the dwarves in exchange for the return of a stolen item. For whatever reason, the ransom letter was never delivered and so the threats to kill the captives and hang their bodies on the Old Dwarf Bridge was carried out.

Lumberjack Paterson was originally bitten when the logging camp came under attack several weeks ago. He left the camp after the raid to fetch aid but by the time he returned to his house he was already fevered. It is though his wife nursed him but he transformed under the serpentine ecdysis and possibly bit her and others of the family. Days later a ranger (Venwynn) stumbled upon the cabin and raised the alarm to the Helix town guards. The guards put the smallholding to burn and buried all victims, citing 'leprosy'. Two of Paterson's children were not found, assumed missing in the forest.

The attack on the logging camp and Herne Statue are both on the west of Helix.

A smaller frontier settlement, Crooked Yew is located in the Blackened Forest west of Helix which is predominantly Herne in faith. A group of druids under Druid Clive, oversee the production of honey from the giant bee hives scattered around that area.

read the Crocked Bees and Crooked Yew expedition thread.

You will know of the apiarists and their work. Another notable druid, 'Mad Druid' Bjornark lives in a ruined moathouse located on the banks of the Moorwash. The rumour is that his constant shape-shifting to animal form has corrupted his mind, others allege he is in fact a werebear. Certainly bounty hunters working for the Silvanus Inquisition stakeout the ruin, as a wanted bandit werewolf named Reisling frequents the place.

Hendon is a ranger but only scouts for Lord Krothos. His eldest son Tamson has been ranging to and from the Barrow Mounds but they do not favour the youth adventuring.

You might be able to recruit skilled NPC's and hirelings from the Mercenary Guild.

Late 20 May, The Old Mill

Raust enjoys the evening with Hendon and Vina. In gratitude, the druid draws enough water from their sisterns to fill two spare firkins if they have them, praying over the containers to make the water refreshing and sweet. As their conversation winds down, Raust goes out to their woodshed and curls up to sleep, not comfortable doing so without Namma and Carca and not inviting them in to the hearth without permission. The heavy bear cloak bundled around, the druid presses their back against Namma while Carca curls up and tucks in between the druid's knees and chest.

Raust instinctively wakes with the morning birds before the dawn. Per their custom, the druid drinks only water and doesn't break fast, allowing the hunger to sharpen their senses for the hunt ahead. While the birds chirp and jostle in the surrounding trees, the druid enters a meditative state and communes with the Horned God, the master of all beasts. They pray for wisdom in the day ahead, to see what is needed for the bodies as well as those still living who mourn them this day. They feel the sunlight crawling across their skin with the dawn before their eyes open, refreshed and with insight for the day.

Rising to their feet, the druid picks up spear and bow and begins back towards town, the pair of wolves at their heels.

Probably read the Mazzah post before this one...

The Axe and Anvil Forge

Sven seeks out the dwarves at the forge, hoping they can do a little maintenance on his already well used crossbow and pick up some extra bolts.

If he sees Karl Barrelgut, he pulls him to the side and shows him the mithril mask.

"Before I let you inspect it, I believe this is a cursed item, so please don't try it on yourself."

He hands over the mask, hoping for any more information he can get about it.

"That's mithril, right? I have heard such metals are highly prized."

The Axe and Anvil Forge.

"Terrible thing, fearsome presence eh. Can just imagine if I hung it on the rafters sooner or later one of the apprentices will try it on.

As an item it is well crafted and Mithril is too precious to break it up and smelt down. I think, unless you have an undead associate to masquerade in it, it might be best served as a tribute item or gift.

Curses are traits crafted into the creation. A cleric might be able to remove curse so the wearer can take it off but not remove the curse from the item. Perhaps an evil aligned necromancer might use it without issue. So at least that validates your continued delving hasn't affected you too much just yet."

The dwarven forge-master and priest of Moradin offers some advice.

Bolts and refurb on the gear at book price, just deduct a reasonable coinage to cover cost.

Orgoth

Orgoth visits the Gnome leader to retrieve the magic ingot and find out if he learned anything.

"I am here to pick up my ingot. Have you learned anything?"

Orgoth

Orgoth goes to the Silver Standard. "Hello. When is the next coach heading to Ironguard? Me and a friend, both proven adventurers would like to hire on as guards in exchange for a ride to Ironguard."

Early morning, 21 May, the smoking ruin of the Hospice

The morning is still cool. The sun is rising above the tree tops and the shadows are creeping downward as light bathes roofs and walls of the surrounding buildings. Raust approaches up the road. Namma the wolf pads on her left, sniffing the wind as it smells like charred wood and burnt pork. Carca growls low in his throat, the druid's hand coming to his hackles to calm him. Traeliorn walks with them, from the Brazen Strumpet. Inhaling a deep breath, the druid pushes back the bear-fur, antlers primly upright, and steps forward towards the earliest townsfolk walking the rubble.

"For those faithful to the Anganach," the druid speaks loudly, "If a wagon is available, these of Herne can be honored by proper offering and burial at the statue to the west this evening. "

The druid pauses a moment, then nods, as if it is settled. Setting aside the bear fur, bow, arrows, and pack, the druid begins helping pick through the rubble. They, and the pair of wolves,
communicate with occasional whines and wuffs as the wolves sniffing over the rubble and indicate where bodies are buried beneath. Raust uses her spear butt as a pry bar when needed and aids others in shifting heavy timbers to free the corpses. As each corpse is excavated, the druid checks for any signs of life and then lays them out in repose, hoping someone is able to bring a wagon...

Orgoth

Seeing the druidess in action and hearing her words. "I am a follower of Cromm Cruach, I think he is said to be of the Anganach. I can help in the manual labor department but I don't own a wagon. Perhaps I could rent one from a farmer."

May 21st, Day

Isvand will spend any time while we await Sven and Orgoth's return in getting into adventures with Gerdal, practicing his skills & dexterity with the guild of "acquisitions." He will also seek out a fitness trainer, to try to get into better shape. He'll accompany Orgoth to help bury the bodies.
Just a placeholder for now.

Early morning, 21 May, the smoking ruin of the Hospice


Raust, Traeliorn, and Orgoth, aided by the sensitive noses of Namma and Carca, pick their way through the smouldering timbers to recover dead bodies.

"If you could pay a farmer, it would be a great kindness," Raust replies to Orgoth. "Those faithful to Herne should be cremated on a pyre, their final offering to the Gods. We will build the pyres at the Herne enclave to the west, where they lived their days."

Just holding for the GM of there'sextra challenges or hurdles here. Otherwise i will post the cremationscene and we advance back to the 22nd.

Orgoth

"I will go get us a wagon."

He goes and asks around for someone who will rent/drive the wagon for them. How much?

Orgoth

"I got us a wagon, the militia supplied it to help. I can load it."

Isvand will travel along to help put the followers of Herne to rest. He's not a follower, but if Orgorth thinks it's right, he's more than happy to help.

Orgoth

"Thanks for the help Isvand, always appreciated."

Later on 21 May...

It is a hard days labor to sort through the remains of the burned hospice now that they have had a day to cool. The wagon is loaded with all the bodies - and parts of bodies - that could be recovered and identified as from the Herne attack. Care was taken to restore those of the faith of Ygg or the new gods to their own chapel in the town. The wolves help to expedite finding the bodies and Raust also looks for items of significance to go with bodies or to next of kin.

Raust, Traeliorn, Orgoth, Isvand, and those of the town faithful to the old gods provide a solemn procession to the Herne Statue three miles west of town. The druid pauses to comfort survivors who weep at returning to the place of the tragedy. The others work to build a pyre for a bonfire: halved logs stacked several feet high as a base and filled with the dried firewood from now-unoccupied homes. Raust is grateful for the strong arms of the others, overseeing as each body is laid out upon the wide pyre, arms crossed, their few grave goods beside them.

As the sun sets, the work is done. Raust holds the fire brand and leads the funeral service for those gathered. "The Horned God provides for us, he leads us to provision all our days. We offer our gratitude in sacrifice for all we are given, and when our day is done, we honor him again with ourselves as the final measure. All we are returns to him, born again in man and beast and field, or running in the wild hunts of the Elysium for eternity." The druid gives an empassioned sermon, golden irises looking deeply at each face in the crowd. Finally, they touch torch to tinder and ignite the pyre. "May all speak, share the memories of those deceased, that our memories may be comfort as they join the eternal hunt."

Raust turns to the pyre as the flames lick upward, touching the foot of each body in turn, apparently sharing her own memories.
"Alys, who wandered the woods in her youth, found a wolfchild and taught words. She never forgot.
Rowena, smith of metals, giver of arrows, who loved with a fierce heart all she called her own.
Liadain, who spared the white hart and Herne saw.
Brighid, giver of cakes, who always bought rabbits.
Eithne of the red cloak, grandchild of Alys, who continued her work in alms.
Moira, who fashioned clothes for those who had none."

As the pyre is fully engulfed, Raust steps back. Tears stain the druid's cheeks, Namma and Carca approach and stand at either side, their heads level with the slight druid's shoulders. After the other tributes are given, the silently watching druid tips back their head and lets a deep, long, mournful howl escape their throat. Both wolves tip their heads back and do the same. The sound of three harmonizing broken hearts - an anguish from the depths of the soul that cannot be expressed in words, a keen loss, a promise of justice.

GM:

Silvine: Art Dealer
May 22nd 1066

Moriartus steps into the eclectic art dealer's shop, marveling again at the diverse display of objects and artifacts. "Good morning. I would like your opinion on a most unusual find." He lays onto the counter a silvered metal cord holding a small golden Ankh, a collar shawl gilded on a thick leather base, and a matching moulded leather neckpiece.

"I believe these are the acoutrements of an ancient high priest of Set. Obviously, I could sell the gold and silver, but I appreciate its value to a collector or antiquary as a, well ... set." He smiles at the unintended play of words. He neglects to mention the included eight zombie servants, though. Some excavation required.

Spearmint wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 2:29 pm The Axe and Anvil Forge.

"Terrible thing, fearsome presence eh. Can just imagine if I hung it on the rafters sooner or later one of the apprentices will try it on.

As an item it is well crafted and Mithril is too precious to break it up and smelt down. I think, unless you have an undead associate to masquerade in it, it might be best served as a tribute item or gift.

Curses are traits crafted into the creation. A cleric might be able to remove curse so the wearer can take it off but not remove the curse from the item. Perhaps an evil aligned necromancer might use it without issue. So at least that validates your continued delving hasn't affected you too much just yet."

The dwarven forge-master and priest of Moradin offers some advice.

Bolts and refurb on the gear at book price, just deduct a reasonable coinage to cover cost.

Sven isn’t thrilled about this information, but leaves his “piece” to be serviced all the same. “I will purchase some ammo when I pick this back up. Thanks for the knowledge!” -20gp

He heads to the church with the mask next.