The Unseen Servant forums

apologises, my Wi-Fi has been playing up recently and timed me out of internet access

Here is a description of the scene. The chapel is stone built, sturdy and solid, with a white-washed plaster exterior which reflects brightly in the sun. The chapel has a small bell tower built to one side whose belfry is elevated perhaps 15'ft above the slate pitched chapel roof. In front of the chapel is a small marker of a cross with twin curled serpents coiled around the two beams, a Cadaceus image. The chapel has a single door to the front, along each side several stained glazed windows show various pastoral scenes. The chapel has a single interior room with few items of religious décor, a stone baptismal font, a covered immersive baptismal pool, a wooden ornate communion rail and a large pine altar table. A pair of raised alcoves in the far wall behind the table are empty of iconic fare, a lot of the wooden basic benches have been hacked and panes of glass litter the floor. A side door opens onto a tiled square.

The chapel stands in the left front corner of a designed plaza. To the right corner stands a small single storey farm trading store. You can tell as various wares, food crates, barrels and agricultural implements lie littered along the floor outside. In the far left corner behind the chapel is a two storey cottage which Iggwaytells you houses the four Sisters who serve the mission, (Padre Claude has a personal chamber tacked on the rear of the chapel), . The furthest corner houses a long low building covered in crawling ivy and complimented by a derelict stork nest on one chimney. This is the Infirmary/ Laboratory where local health care services mix with ophiology. (the specific study of snakes). The area in between all this is the only stone paved land around and as such makes an informal gathering ground with dotted trees providing a little respite form the sun. The land surrounding the mission is rutted with trails and marks perhaps where stallholders gather and folk to and fro. More recently scattered arrows and a spear shaft mark the ground. After a distance of about 100'ft in each direction the treeline envelopes the area.

Presently in the middle of the plaza are a number of makeshift tents. Family groups shelter nervously. A pair of female acolytes attend to various needs. A few children playfully skip around while an old farmer type leans on an even older hunting musket. Some men help fill grain sacks to a wall being adapted to give additional height to a linking low stone wall which adjoins the buildings. You note a crossbow here and there and a few pruning hooks sharpened into spears. hope that gives a clearer picture of the scene)

Padre Claude de Lautrere greets old friend Lazarus heartily before greeting the shameness also, though with a less tactile hug"Sister Iggway Gweequay, you have brought such a benevolent gift to us. Your faithfulness shall be richly rewarded. Our prayers may yet be answered at just the right time, we have little to waste and I would want on happier times to greet you both again with more than a humble banquet. But come inside, Captain your men must be thirsty after their trek from the shore" The padre claps his hands and signals for some water to be brought to quench the thirsty and platefuls of basic breads and cheeses are served up.

"We gathered as many folk as we could to seek shelter in numbers but still Pachucapatl sent his tribal warriors to assail our walls last night. Never in my life did they do such a thing but lately they have been more brazen in their assaults and threats. They broke the western windows and clambered inside the very sanctuary itself and took off with the statues of our Beloved Saints. Two men, Francoise and Petitjean of the new settlers went after them but they themselves have not returned since. And I believe that Sister Adelaide is still resident among their long village. Held as a pawn to their vices I dread." Iggway will recognise the name of the cleric sister as a 'community midwife'

The padre pauses a minute to give time for the Captain to take it all in as he surveys the chapels interior and the scene of desecration. "We must do something Captain my friend, I cannot have Sister Adelaide left to their aggravations yet I am unable to leave the compound and my precious flock here."

Lazarus contemplates the situation. "I have your request to provide help to redeem these unfortunates from the natives. I understood many are afflicted by a pox also?"

Padre Claude takes off his skull cap and scratches the sunburnt blisters on his balding head,"Aye, heavens' mercy. It is true we had an affliction of sorts. This new wave of settlers, ship wrecked in fact off the reef came ashore months ago. We thought of growing our trading ability here and the natives even kindly parcelled land off for cultivation. Though it seems they carried an unseen plague which tore through the immunity of the Arawarks. Over time many died horribly, vicious sweats, blistered postulates, coughing up phlegm and blood. I fear some of the settlers still suffer the disease hence the colonial help is all but none existent. I had no choice to save them by calling for covert help."


The party linger about as introductions are made. Siggard greets a local man shovelling dirt into grain sacks. 'Gin' Van de Poel keeps it open for him as he works."Alo zanmi, vwal ou yo yon je akeyi nan pò nou an. ki natif natal yo kouri Amōk yè. Mwen panse ke yo pral tounen pita." Elijah Crowthorne approaches the two nuns. They confirm the natives tried to get through the church doors but the portal held firm though not without the aid of some divine assistance. A few warriors entered the chapel and so the women and children sheltering inside tried to flee through the side down. The natives didn't molest them directly but messed the church up and stole away the statuettes. They are busy binding a few minor wounds. A third sister is in the house, she is looking after the sick children inside.

Wandering around the plaza, Zoggrot and Rexlin notice that the infirmary building is boarded up, from the outside. The family groups look miserable, a few sit on cases of personal possessions, bulging bags of clothes and household items.(anyone walking the plaza give me a [4d6] vs intell roll please).

Pascale the Halfling nudges Geoffrey Blood. "You are a good shot, lets get in the bell tower for a better view." She passes you a couple of muskets and throws a grapnel up grip on the wall ledge. It sticks and not bothering to test her weight on it, lithely climbs up.

Grimwald the dwarf goes to fetch the spear sticking in the mud. "A trophy of Monte Verde." he declares waving it and mimicking a native war dance.

any charcter actions, questions and verbals please,

Spearmint wrote:(anyone walking the plaza give me a [4d6] vs intell roll please).

Pocc walks the plaza curious about the

Spearmint wrote: Infirmary/ Laboratory where local health care services mix with ophiology.

so he does to check out the ophiology and brings up the snake they saw along their trek into the village.

Intelligence check (11) [4d6] = 15

Spearmint wrote:
(anyone walking the plaza give me a [4d6] vs intell roll please).

Hard INT (9) [4d6] = 12

Rexlin busies himself looking around but doesnt find much. He decides to stay within earshot of the captain.

Siggard is curious about this place and how the many different people have all come together to rely on one another. He continues his conversation nodding and smiling as he scopes out the immediate surroundings and beyond.

Hard Intelligence Check (17) [4d6] = 12

"Yesa? Pral taanin pita? Whya' ting-dat mi fren?"

Iggway hugs the Padre back...It's good to see you as well Padre, your health and love of the people, keep you going. But, what I have seen so far is quite troubling...I've heard of some very strange events occurring. For instance, earlier on the way in we walked passed a camp with many young native girls and one old crone, whom they called Grandma. The girls said, Grandma was attacked by a boy in rags, but her wounds suggested some beast with claws and large teeth or fangs, not a boy. They also mentioned that when the injured warriors were brought back from battle, they were offered up as sacrifices instead of being hailed as warriors. They used the term 'cleansing the island'... Why would they do that? It has become very odd here!

Elijah Crowthorne, sea priest:

Old Eli binds wounds with the nuns. "Good sisters, now what do ye think could be makin' the natives want to attack ye, and steal ye holy statues?"

Holden heads to the small trading store carrying his signature smile with him, "Hello there.......what do you have that might be a bit.....different", he says not sure if he will be understood. He checks his wares.

Int(15): [4d6] = 11

Geoffrey looks around and follows her up the tower.

Geoffrey Blood takes the strain on the knotted rope and climbs up the side of the church wall and into the belfry tower. About 40' ft or so above the ground and with a good view all around save for parts of the plaza shielded by the chapel roof. A large bell is stationary at head height, balanced on a rocking pulley from which a dusty threadbare ringing rope dangles down through small floor trap door. Pascale sets about chipping away with a dagger at the bell and clapper. "Heard tales that these poverty avowed 'do-gooders' smelt all the native gold down and cover it with a veneer of bronze to disguise its worth." She winks at you trying to reach up from standing on a wall and test her allegation out.Geoffrey give me also a [3d6] roll

Holden goes shopping. Walking over to the corner store and peering inside. It is about 30'ft by twenty and a single room. A door on the front and eastern sides. A curtain made from native string beads covers a flight of ascending stairs. The room has a counter and a single barrel is 'on tap', a sign on the handle indicates a 'rum and raisin' flavoured pale ale. The store is a clutter of simple farming implements such as hoes, trowels, spades, bags of imported bean sacks and rootstock crops. Mixed among it are native woven rugs, ornaments and straw dollies. The side doors and front windows has been broken and the two wooden shutters prized off their hinges. A couple of spent torches lie in ashen corners and enough arrows stick into the counter to make it look like a hedgehog. "It is not much to speak of but we get by and by. Our trade was enough and the shop was a bit of a 'water cooler' for the ladies to come and chit chat around. Had no truck with Pachuca's lot personally. We all got on so I thought, but things soured recently. Looking for anything?" he says while making repairs.

Elijah helps the sisters bind a few cuts and bruises and probes for a bit of information. "Padre du Lautrere gave his life's work to build this place. Almost part native himself in his ways. Got to bring a bit of honest civilization to these ignoble savages but they just don't seem at all grateful!"says one sister, the younger, clearly nailing her colours to the mast of indigenous ignorance. "Sister Beatrix, you should remember our vocations are not without sacrifice. Our work has been well received, less child mortality, more literacy. And of course the snake venom we can extricate and fund the work with is a wonderful boon. I fear though that the recent pox disease has spawned more than just terrors amongst us.""Sshush now Sister Cecilia, these settlers were ship wrecked by divine providence and brought nothing but blessing among us. These natives stick to a cult and worship the devil. If they are struck down, it be their own demons at work." the two sisters, older Cecilia and younger Beatrix, bicker a little before making their apologises."Our Blessed Ones (the two stolen statues), are of the early saints who tread now celestial paths and whose inspiration to compassionate work we follow. Perhaps the warriors wanted to make a show of things and despise the focus of our worship. It would so encourage the faithful flock to have them back in holy procession before us. Our prayers are sure to be more vigorously answered by their return to us."

Siggard chats away while Face chitters scratching a flea and scoots up a tree to shy away some perched canaries. "Se te yon ti pati anvayi yè swa. Sè Adelaide voye pawòl ki vanyan sòlda yo jenn yo 'pentire moute' e ki kapab sèlman vle di plis mal se sou wout la." the man dabs a finger in the dirt and marks a couple of streaks across each cheek.
Pocc peers through the boarded up windows of the Infirmary. Through a crack in some nailed boards you see dimly into the room beyond. It all looks quiet but the furniture and tables have been overturned and several large glass urns have been smashed against one wall. Some shelves still stand and a few birds seem to nest in the rafters of the building, flying in and out of the broken windows on the buildings exterior. One brightly plumed parrot clutching a small twig flies through the frame only to be suddenly snatched from mid-air by a sudden strike. A long black serpent curled around a pipe devours the unlucky bird, regurgitating the twig and slithering away into the shadows.

Zoggrot and Rexlin wander cautiously, waiting for an order. You can see the eastern wall is about two feet high of mortared stone and then another two feet of filled grain sacks. Some leak dribbles of sand or pebble stones from lacerations of arrows. Out in the open ground, Grimwald makes his 'war dance', waving his spear and stomping like a native. Several of the children giggle at him and pretend to mime bows and arrows, from behind the wall but are hurriedly shooed away by concerned parents. He will dance more pretty with his head on Pachuca's spear if he keeps that up," says the man with the musket. "We agreed to peaceful settlement with the natives years back. Hence our arms are as old and rustic as we are. If it where not for the cleric wards I am sure we would all be six feet under by now."

Iggway Gweequay, shares her concerns for the island to Padre Claude."My pardon Sister Iggway. I was so sorry to have to shorten your period of study with us. The venom extrication lessons were going so well were they not? Since those first turbulent weeks when the uprising begin, things have intensified beyond my ability to restrain Pachucapatls' fury. He took one of the 'new wave' families completely by surprise, carting them off at midnight in dug-outs to sacrifice to his votive. I thought the loss the family might placate his senses but still the natives continued to die. Few were brought here for us to tend to, we could have helped but the natives began to fear attending 'Praise and Health' services.. We have tried to mend the wounds but I fear this leader is driven mad by revenge."

okay, next actions or verbals please.

Elijah Crowthorne, sea priest:

Old Eli empathizes ruefully with the two sisters. "Aye, it be a terrible shame when primitive heathens won't be takin' the gift of civilization that we good, righteous white folk so selflessly bring them! Ingrates they be!"

Pocc shrugs off what he saw considering it the laws of nature. The druid just continues to patrol the settlement looking for anyone in need of his services.

Holden smiles, "I want something with a.......story, he smacks a silver making sure the shopkeeper hears it, "Mind if I pour myself a drink, you can have one on me if you wanna break from fixing the place", he pours himself a glass and starts drinking.

"I see this place is protected by divine means, is that a precaution for illness or spears?

Geoffrey checks out the tower and views while watching the results of her quick analysis.

check [3d6] = 9

Siggard nods at the man in an understanding way. He continues rambling on in his native tongue.

"Is there anything we can do to put a stop to this menace? What are the leaders of this place planning to do about another attack? Are there any security measures in place or do you all just hope that the priests and their gods will protect you?"

Rexlin

Squinting up he spies Mr. Blood in the bell tower and gives a wave and a thumbs up. The lad learns quick, even if it is by accident. He leans over to the Captain. "By your leave, Captain Sir, I'd like to take a couple men and scout about the perimeter just inside the trees. Find some good positions for a picket line if we need one, see if there is anything worth noting."

Iggway

Padre, what if Pachucapatls is not himself? What if he is being controlled by some malevolent being or creature? Could that be? I don't remember what he was like before. I don't understand why he'd turn on you.

The shopkeeper watches as Holden brazenly pours a couple of ales from the barrel into some dirty glasses. "He is with a bunch of pirates after all so never mind questioning his youthful looks, old enough to carry a sword so old enough to drink," thinks the shopkeeper. "Stories?..I thought I left 'faerie' stories to the children's bed time, but not anymore."He notices Holden staring at 'mezuzah' type glass boxes nailed on the doorposts and wall behind the curtain and whispers a comment to you. You can have a few minutes to converse privately with him. After a short conversation Holden leaves the man to fix barricading the shop from intruders.

Geoffrey holds the bell still as Pascale the Halfling fruitlessly scrapes at the surface veneer. She spits out a rude condemnation,"Bet the pious bastards have laundered the islands gold elsewhere." and tries her luck with the clapper. Geoffrey looks out and can see the forest all around. From your view you can spot the distant sails of the Breton gunboats bobbling in the wide bay on one side. Another quarter turn right and you look above the tree canopy down a series of undulating forested hills. A small flock of green chested swallows dart in orchestrated swirls, black wings tips and tails almost touching as they fly in unison. A familiar 'tap, tap, tap' echoes from the far trees, a woodpecker, honing in on bark grubs and larvae. A sudden flight of birds rise from a distant copse of trees, scattering in different directions. Concentrating on that spot you can barely make out several figures, half naked except for loin cloths and feathered head bands. They point at the buildings and sneak around the perimeter crawling from bush to bush.

The man replies to Siggard."The native attacks were a bit uncoordinated at first. Sporadic raids on isolated farmhouses, sniping at families going to chapel services. It was more when they brought their dead and dying to show the Padre but he was unable to heal the sick. I heard the native elders had spoken of 'justice and retribution' on the perpetrators but I didn't know what or who they meant. Now anybody venturing alone into the tribal areas seem fair game, as if the snakes were not problem enough to deal with. The Padre is well honoured and they fear him. Plus I think the chief is under pressure. Scores of natives have died and if he can't alleviate it he may be usurped. Hence the raids on the chapel and desire to drive folk away."

Pocc checks out the infirmary through the boarded planks, impressed at the speed of the striking serpent. A few more serpentile forms writhe on the floor, under tables, under stools, heads bobbing and tongues flicking. The more you look the more your eyes adjust to seeing that the place literally has snakes crawling out of every orifice, behind every cabinet, at every window!

wandering snake attack on Pocc. [1d20] = 20 Perhaps the fingers placed on the boarding planks were made to look like several tasty mice. The faint heat radiating from the tips enough to coax a hidden snake into striking swiftly and with great accuracy too. As Pocc steps away, the fangs of a snake latch on around your hand and bite. A minimal damage(-1hp) but you sense the injection of mortal venom beginning to course through your veins. (save vs poison please) Zoggrot, guarding close by, sees you withdraw your hand and the dangling serpent writhing still attached to your wrist.

Padre Claude turns to the shaman Iggway and answers,"We have done our best to evangelise them, but their faith in this 'Leviathan' spirit is strong. Pachucapatl is committed to the old ways and I am sure a vessel of diabolic powers. Nevertheless, our Great Saints walked these shores before us and feared not the serpents fangs, casting them into the fires as we know. By following their courageous example we have been able to make such in roads in bringing education, farming and health. Infant mortality is down and few mothers die giving birth, 'Heavens' be praised' for such small mercies. I think an blessed wind blew these 'unfortunates' to our shore for they surely would have died out to sea. We gave them succour as best we could and they offered to settle here but unknown must have carried a pox from which the natives had little immunity. The children seem to suffer more than most, hence they are kept aside but I must insist on them all being taken away for their own safety. Good doctors will find the cure for their ails no doubt. But we cannot leave without the icons to light our paths safely." (The statue icons are said to radiate a protection from venomous creatures)

The Padre would say more but is cut short as a volley of arrows pepper the ground around Grimwald who legs it to the safety of the low plaza walls.

Captain Lazarus has heard enough and prompted by Rexlins offer turns to the assembled crew.

"Okay, marine Dupre, take Mr Siggard, he is 1/2 native too I believe, take another couple of volunteers. Recover these icons and lost sister Adelaide from the clutches of this barbaric chief before it is too late. We shall leave by first light come whatever. Mr Vorche, put that serpent down unless you are talking to it sweetly. Mr Blood, covering fire if you will. Miss Gweequay, see what help you may bring to these children. The rest of you men, strengthen these walls and prepare for another assault. gather the women and children under the safety of the chapel."

okay folks, I need a couple of volunteers to team up with Rexlin and Siggard to scout the native village and the rest to give me an action and position such as 'behind the wall, inside the shop, guarding chapel front door, shooting from a window, inside the sisters quarters, behind the infirmary building, etc as an assault may be imminent. Hope you can picture the plaza correctly.

Elijah Crowthorne, sea priest:

"Aye, cap'n" the scarecrow prophet croaks. Old Eli will join the defense of the town, and guard the women and children in the chapel.

Holden nods, "Aye, captain!", he volunteers to go with Dupre and Siggard.

Siggard cringes when told to accompany the jar headed fighter, but he does not argue with the order. Dodging the incoming missiles, he proudly speaks up.

"Yes sir, captain, sir! We will not disappoint, sir!"

He looks around at the others who are volunteering so he can get a good gauge of the group.

"If we are on a tight time schedule, we should move on this quickly! Is everyone ready to go?"

He whistles Face down from harassing the birds and lets him snuggle back into his pack. He shoots a wink at Rexlin and continues organizing plans.

"So........do we have any idea where this Pachucapatl actually is?"