Expedition - Markd/On A Mission From Baudh - 08 May 2021

[onlyme]

Markd will lower his head to hopefully not adversely affect the approaching apparition.
If she comes into casual conversation distance (without yelling over the others in their play),
My dear. Can you please tell us who knows the history of these lands, and where we might find a particular item for His followers?

[Marullus]

The apparition doesn't understand Markd's words, nor does she seem to understand his Lawful intentions. She tips her head sadly to him to confess this inability and he fears for a moment that it will topple from her neck, being mostly severed. She then turns her attention back to Bremen and Bandy watching them as they peer into the next room.

[Rusty Tincanne]

posted in wrong thread...

[Rusty Tincanne]

Captain Bremen
Seeing she does not understand Markd, Captain Bremen smiles and bows low to the ghostly woman. He gives her one of his most charming smiles and, if allowed, he will try to kiss her hand in greeting. He then puts an arm out toward the room, indicating ladies first. Just in case, he tries speaking in orc, repeating Markd's words.

If the orcish language does not work, perhaps Olaf can try the many different languages known to dwarfs.

[Marullus]

Bremen's naturally charming manners are favorably received by the ghostly lady, who seems pleased at his attempt to kiss her non-corporeal hand. She curtseys with formal grace and drifts into the room ahead of you. She approaches one of the stone coffins along the left wall, running her fingers over it sadly. She does not appear to understand orc.

If this pacing is to fast for anyone, please let me know.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Too fast? I feel like it is at a snail's pace. Usually we know what is going on and where we want to go, but now we have these non-common, non-orc speaking ghosts watching our every move, ready to call in the skeletons at any moment. Definitely difficult to grab loot if the dead are watching us.

Also, maybe we should have brought Silent with us. He is used to pantomiming.

Captain Bremen
As the Lady drifts past, the Captain winks at Markd, then follows. He points to the coffin and then at here, hoping she understands that he is asking if it is her body that is entombed within. Either way, he will bow respectfully, taking the opportunity to inspect the coffin for any symbols he would recognize. He moves to the center of the room and gestures to the other caskets, pointing to the other room with a shrug, as if to ask if their bodies are interred in the other caskets. While the torch illuminates more of the room he will look around.

[Zhym]

Olaf looks on with a confused expression on his face. In other words, his normal face.

"So...I'm guessing opening them coffins'd be a bad idea, yah?" he says. "Unless we're needed to give their souls a rest or something?"

[Marullus]

The woman shakes her head at her question and points to the central sarcophagus instead. Entering the room with his torch and approaching, Bremen sees that the central sarcophagus is engraved with her likeness on its lid, a complex piece of artistry suitable for royalty. You notice the carved version wears an ornate crown. She is looking sadly at the other coffins, each plainer and of similar make to one another, arranged evenly to either side of the central sarcophagus. Each has an inscription in the unknown language.

When asked if the other ghosts are interred here, she shakes her head again. Instead, she looks sadly at the lesser boxes and then curtseys and mimes some pleasantries, as if having a two-sided conversation with them.

I asked because this is four updates in 12 hours and others may not have that post rate. As I said on the hilltop, though, the challenges exist independent of the PCs, and not every group has the level or composition for every problem encountered.

[Zhym]

Gears audibly grind in Olaf's head. "So...she's a princess, and she's supposed to marry on man, but she don't love him. She loves someone else, but princesses can't marry who they want. So she kills herself?"

[Alethan]

Bandy Sandybanks

"By cutting off her own head? Nah, someone did her in. Women usually use poison when they want to do themselves in..." Bandy replies distantly, staring at the apparition as he speaks.

[Zhym]

"Maybe she eloped and they chopped her head off?"

[onlyme]

Markd shrugs,

Seems more like a revenge killing, if you ask me. A rival kingdom didnt like something her daddy did, and they offed her as payback. Maybe one of those suitors was the original offender.

[onlyme]

I asked because this is four updates in 12 hours and others may not have that post rate.

My only concern is when light sources, spells, etc are affected. Folks who cant post but once a day might have made a meaningful change to the direction of the game 3-4 turns ago had they the chance. For puzzle/conversational times like today, I think it speeds up the game tremendously.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Seeing the crown, Captain Bremen kneels before the ghost.

Once standing again, he asks Markd if he knows what the relic looks like. If we could draw an picture, she might be able to help us.

[Marullus]

The woman dips her head, acknowledging Bremen's formal respect to her.

Does Markd draw? Did we establish that anyone brought writing materials? That question was asked regarding mapping and not resolved.

[onlyme]

Markd will look for anything to draw on and with, maybe a wall? If found he will draw relic with a question.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Is there enough dust on one of the caskets?

[Marullus]

Markd uses the charcoal stub from one of Bremen's spent torches to draw on the wall. He draws a stylized sun with six rays extending from it. It is mounted on three concentric circles, alternating silver and gold. He draws it life-size, as he saw it hung on a similar stone wall - it is about four feet across.

The woman nods, indicating the man in clerical robes (who is intently focused on managing the men in the proceedings). She draws in the air with her finger instead, unable to touch the torch. She indicates where you are now, then draws a line north and indicates something bigger, likely the city you've already seen on the horizon. She then draws the line that far north again from there, indicating a place, then a line for flowing water, like a river.

In searching the room for something to useful to write with our upon, Bremen also noticed skeletal remains on the floor on the far side of the sarcophagus. They have lain undisturbed for centuries, still dressed and accoutered. They appear to be flowing robes, similar to the first man from the fountain room, who sits forlorn at one of the tables in the courtroom, mostly quiet.

Time: 12 May 2021, 12:00 noon
Light source: Torch (until 11:30am); fountain room is starlit, court room has candleabras
Injuries: Irving (lightly injured)

[Rusty Tincanne]

Captain Bremen crouches next to the dessicated corpse, looking for clues of his death, though he is careful to avoid touching the body. Gentlemen, I am getting the feeling we ought to try and leave before we become permanent inhabitants.

I'm getting a creepy feeling. If we want to interrupt the proceedings to talk with the clerical man, fine. Otherwise, let's skiddaddle.

Also, i keep forgetting to remind Marullus that Bremen is lightly injured too, though when you start with 3 HP, the loss of 1 hardly seems minor. The tag on the bottom says my torch is out. If correct, Bremen lights another.

[onlyme]

Captain Bremen crouches next to the dessicated corpse, looking for clues of his death, though he is careful to avoid touching the body. Gentlemen, I am getting the feeling we ought to try and leave before we become permanent inhabitants.

I'm getting a creepy feeling. If we want to interrupt the proceedings to talk with the clerical man, fine. Otherwise, let's skiddaddle.

Also, i keep forgetting to remind Marullus that Bremen is lightly injured too, though when you start with 3 HP, the loss of 1 hardly seems minor. The tag on the bottom says my torch is out. If correct, Bremen lights another.

Currently there is a candelabra that is lighting the room. So, you may want to hold off to not waste one.
I'm almost thinking the reverse. Maybe they need us to help avenge or move something so they can be at peace.