OOC: Can Rita cast Endure Elements? It’s not in her spell list, but it is a common clerical spell.

How much time passes between her arrival in Aurelianorum and the mission to Mestenon? If Rita stayed in Lucimburic the first six weeks of the winter, she would arrive in Aurelianorum in early February.  How far into March does the group wait to start the mission? This is important because it will determine how many scrolls and potions Rita can create. She will do mostly healing potions and scrolls though if she learns Endure Elements, she could make potions and scrolls of those. It is also important because the Spring Equinox is a major holiday for her.

At the Academy, she inquires as to whether anyone knows her sister Katrina. There is a good chance someone does, given her proficiency as both a cleric and wizard. It is even possible, though not likely, that Katrina could be here!

Rita will buy five +2 bolts and ask Riordeg if he wants any magical arrows to fight demons using his bow. If he does, she will buy some for him.

Rita will want to do something to commemorate the Spring Equinox. If the group leaves before the actual day, she will take some time on that day to worship and conduct her own ritual, inviting anyone who might want to participate to join her. If they don't leave until after the Equinox, she will celebrate at the Temple of Pluto in Aurelianorum. This is her first Spring Equinox serving Proserpina, which makes it a very important one. It is the day Proserpina departs from the Underworld, leaving Pluto to join her mother Ceres in the world above.

What sort of place is this no man’s land, with all those strange monsters?

“Are the monsters actually in Mestenon or just in the areas surrounding it?” she asks Kyriel. “I don’t even know what a hopper is. Undead I at least know how to fight. Are these monsters creatures that Scolo created with his strange magic, or are they creations of the Huns? It would help to have some knowledge of what we will be facing.

There could be people hiding out in that old prison or even possibly innocents being held there. If the Huns slaughtered people at that site, there may be restless spirits that need help crossing over. I cannot ignore that possibility.”

Before Raude leaves, she tells the priestess to give her best wishes to her parents and let them know that Rita is doing fine.


“Yes, I have,” Rita says to Bryon. “Thank you for everything.” Bryon had given Rita some lessons in applying and wearing makeup, which she has been gradually using though only in a very subtle style.


She stocks up on healing supplies, given the likelihood the people of Mestenon will need them.

Rita introduces herself to Culann and to her familiar.

“Greetings, Culann. I am Rita Duronus, a cleric in service of Lord Pluto and Lady Proserpina,” she says.

OOC: Can Rita understand the two familiars’ speech, or do only wizards understand them?

“I know Carnotum. It is not far from Catolacus, home of the largest Temple of Pluto in Europa. We were there almost a year ago, when we first met King Theoderic. Patre Evroul at the temple provided sanctuary to the children and centaurs whom we helped escape from Lutetia Parisiorum. If we do need help, either healing or temporary sanctuary, I know he would help us.”

Rita has never seen anything like the hat Terrance makes for Kyriel to block mind-altering spells. Her sister, a cleric/wizard of Minerva, would likely enjoy spending hours listening to Terrance’s explanation of how the hat works.

“When we get to the dangerous areas, I could cast a magical circle against evil centered on any one of us. It lasts nearly an hour and prevents charm or possession to anyone within a ten-foot radius of the person on whom the spell would cast.”

She sincerely hopes that no rivalry develops between Culann and Bryon. That would only make the mission more difficult. Rita does her best to stay out of any quarrels, largely by staying near Riordeg.

Even though she isn’t that familiar with the geography, she knows what Bryon is doing in suggesting the inappropriate road.

“I am not familiar with this area. Stannos, do you know the best route to take to Mestenon, preferably while encountering as few monsters as possible?” She deliberately asks Stannos rather than Kyriel. Even if Stannos disagrees with Bryon, chances are she won’t stay angry with him for any length of time.

“We do have a mission to focus on, and it is crucial that we stay on task,” she adds.

Kyriel is a little saddened by Culann's snappy reply. Normally she's bubbly and fun to be around. After a moment's reflection, she realizes that she hasn't been the best company of late and Culann is probably reacting to that. "I'm sorry, Culann. It's just that I've been worried about this trip. I don't know how much interaction you've had with Scolo and the people of his village. Every time I've been there has reinforced my belief that Scolo's magic is dangerous to those around him. He probably doesn't mean for the madness to escape and spread, but I think it does. That's why I've been so uptight of late. I'm sorry if I pissed you off."

She can tell from Byron's reaction that she's upset about the hat. Not only that, it looks like she's got some kind of rivalry going now too. She sighs but doesn't take the bait.

"As far as I know, the monsters don't go into the village but they tend to be nearby. The hopper eats magic. I shot it with an arrow after it ate a wizard's spell and it exploded. I think that they are things that Scolo has brought into the world either on purpose or by accident."

She shakes her head at the idea of people being in the prison. "No Mater. Nobody is alive there now. It's abandoned and has an evil feel about it. I'm sure that there are restless spirits there." She looks grim "There were a lot at Beda, and I don't expect the people who died at the camp to be any less restless."

Once again she shakes her head. "If we have to go to Catolacus, we will be heading towards Lutetia Parisiorum. That's bad news and I don't want to head that way if we can at all help it. I've pressed my luck more than I'd like. In the past year I've been there twice. Last time we had some trouble getting away."

In reply to Kyriel (msg # 37):

Culann leans towards Kyriel giving her hand a warm pat. Tis fine Lass, was just trying to be helpful. Sides from what we've run into so far it pays to be cautious and watching out for each other. She glances at the map wondering if there were any rivers in the area.

It looks like our optimum avenue would be to move from Mestenon through the woods to Durocasslum, being the closest non hun location in the area. From there it be easier to relocate.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Fri 17 May 2013.

Stannos doesn't know the route.  Kyriel and Culann do, however.

The launch themselves northwards.  Their "battle mage", Stannos, is claimed by Byron.  She seems to have no competition.  Culann uses phrases like "optimum avenue" when, in Stannos's universe, normal people say "best way".  He looks at her now and then but avoids talking to her, not wanting to betray his more monosyllabic vocabulary.

It is spring, it is Gaul, days are getting warmer and life is returning to the world.  They quickly pass beyond Aurelianorum's farmland, and the outpost tower that marks the edge of the land protected by the city and the wizards.  At the tower they have one last "safe" evening in civilization.

Beyond is the wasteland.  Kyriel and Culann have had some experience here, especially Kyriel.  This region was raided, fought over, and raided again.  Neither side was able to control it, but very soon, it became too dangerous to live here.  The surviving residents left.  Those that didn't were scooped up in Hun patrols.  Now, the fields are being reclaimed by nature, and the houses and barns are falling apart.  Some farms and villages are only burnt out remnants.

It all ended a few years ago.  The passage of time can be marked by the progress of trees and shrubs swallowing up the farm fields.

Stannos talks about how dangerous the area is, even though he's never been north of the tower since the last battle he fought it, two years ago.  He directs a lot of it to Byron.

"The Huns summon all kinds of crazy monsters, and they let them loose out here, just to hunt people outside their lands, and make sure their slaves don't leave.  You want to come to Aurelianorum from Lutetia Parisiorum, you can eaten by a..."

There is the roar of some kind of large, hungry creature in the distance.

"Yeah, by that," Stannos says.  "It's probably a wyvern or a manticore.  Manticores are bad, they can fly, and they have three heads."


He promises that if it attacks, and they survive, he'll get Byron a pretty hat.

Kyriel smiles at Culann, happy that she seems to have patched things up between them. She likes the idea of a general idea of which way to go, but . . . "We have to get there first."

She says nothing since she figures that Stannos' comments about monsters will probably stick with Byron better than anything she could say. Besides, the roar sounds before she can really add much anyway.

She gets her bow out and keeps her arrows handy. Scanning the area that the roar came from, she adds "We better make sure that the horses don't bolt."

If someplace looks to provide some decent shadows along their path, Kyriel angles towards them and tries to blend in.

In reply to Ben (msg # 39):

Culann gives her head a slight shake at Stannos'es description; then glances in the direction the sound came which sounded like it came from a hearty beast. Aye a wall or four and a solid roof will serve quite well

Bryon, given to flights of fancy, only hears Stannos promise to but her a hat, she misses the qualifiers. It is enough to get him anything he wants from her. She is indeed almost passive now, allowing her rivalry with Kyriel to slip away in favor of showering Stannos with her affections. She makes no never mind where they go, by what route, or even where and when they make camp. Henceforth she goes out of her way to wait on Stannos hand and foot, even massaging him when the camp is settled in, starting at the feet and working her way round.

If there were any doubt that she is at least half nymph it is put to rest now. Her playfulness, her teasing and how she and Stannos spend their nights makes her heritage and personality crystal clear.

 They pick up the pace and press forward, looking for some cover.  They know they have to spend one night out here in the wasteland among ruined settlements and abandoned farms, and that roar... that is one of  the reasons no one lives in the wasteland, and so few people venture through.

Kyriel scans for the old prison she remembers.  Was it here?  Close enough?

But there is an old farmstead she can see.  It's a white walled building, single story, quite large- the kind which is almost a whole village unto itself.  The straggly, overgrown field behind it was a vineyard.

Riordeg calms the horses.  He's good at that, having been around them all his life.

As they get close to the farmstead, they hear the roar again.  It's off to their right, not from the farm, but it's much closer this time.  Riordeg has a much harder time with the horses.

Stannos scans the sky, looking for wyverns, manitcores...

As they get close to the farmstead, a flight of birds takes to the sky suddenly, in the direction of the monstrous roar.  They see the farmstead.  The Huns looted every building in the area, and burned half of them.  They didn't leave the doors locked when they left.  In fact, the front door isn't even there.

Kyriel nods in agreement with Culann. Having a way to either avoid or direct the attentions of the beast is good. Of course, avoidance is preferable. She breathes a sigh of relief that Byron seems to have settled in; the last thing that they need in the wilds is some kind of rivalry. What she and Stannos do on their own time is their business.

She remembers the old prison, but right now she's much happier finding an abandoned farmstead. Much less likely to be "interesting." In other words, not having an issue to deal with. Glad that Riordeg is able to deal with the horses, she pulls her rapier and takes point and heads into the building. If this were a normal camp, she'd take the time to look for any "surprises" that the hun might have left for someone, but right now they don't really have the time. For now the rapier's tip will have to do. Running just above the level of the ground, she hopes that it will trigger whatever might have been left behind before she'll be affected by . . . whatever. "After me!  The huns might have left some surprises."

Bryon follows behind Kyriel happily. She is very glad for someone else taking the lead, she hated making decisions...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Tue 21 May 2013.

In reply to Ben (msg # 43):

That doesn't sound promising I suggest we get ourselves and the horses into the building quickly Culann prompts nudging her mount towards the open door.

ooc is the doorway enough to allow a horse through? If so she'll direct the horse inside and lean over its neck in the process

During her time at the Temple of Pluto in Aurelianorum, Rita learned how to cast Endure Elements, a fact she shares with the group. She also brewed eight healing potions, which may very well be necessary, since she is the only cleric in the party, and there may be many sick or injured people in Mestenon.

"I did get the chance to make eight healing potions while in Aurelianorum," she tells the party members.

"The hopper eats magic. So you killed it with a non-magical arrow?" Rita asks. If such creatures can be killed with regular arrows, maybe they are not as scary as everyone thinks.

"I know it is not part of our mission, but if there are restless spirits nearby, I must at least try to help them," she explains. "How far away is the prison? Those souls are suffering, and I can help them cross over and leave that suffering behind. I would never ask anyone else to do this with me. It is something I must do by myself."

Riordeg will volunteer to accompany her, she knows. That makes her feel secure and loved, but it also scares her. She cannot let any harm come to him, especially not through something she alone chooses to do.

"The farmstead may not be any safer than camping out here," she adds. "We have to approach very carefully, as there likely is something in there. Any monsters summoned by the Huns are likely to be demons of some type."

The roar is unexpected, and she too looks up to the sky to determine its source.

"Whatever that is, if it is near the farmstead, we may have no choice but to deal with it."

Are the birds heading towards the farmstead? Do they appear to be fleeing from the roaring creature?

Should the roaring monster come into view, she will be ready to cast Deific Vengeance at it if it gets within the required 35-foot range.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Wed 22 May 2013.

Bryon nodded at Rita's sentiment, "That actually sounds very exciting. I will go with you as well. I think such a place will be oodles of fun to explore!"

Her idea of fun...Sheesh!

The birds scatter quickly.  They have no real destination in mind.  Just "away".

Inside the main entrance is a short passage, with brick walls on either side, partly covered in the same white stucco which is on the outer wall.  Sections have spalled off, and it is dingy green with algae towards the base.

Far from major cities, even moderate farmsteads like this are built for protection, because of the dangers of wild beasts and outlaws, even before the Huns came.  So the farmstead is built like a little self contained fort- everything faces inward to the central courtyard, which is only accessible by the gates, while a strong brick wall faces outside.

The courtyard has hard packed clay, but weeds have sprouted through cracks.  In the middle is something like a gazebo with a hole in the floor- it is the farm's well.  Arranged around the courtyard, clockwise from the main entrance, are:

The workshop.
The barn.  This has its own entrance to the outside.
Three homes for farm workers/servants.  Just small peasant lodges, typically they would have just a couple of rooms, and hard packed clay floors.  One of them is tucked into the corner.
The manor house, for the owner/manager of the farm, on the back side opposite the main entrance.  Only the manor house and the barn have a second story.
Two more workers' homes.
Storage sheds.
A “Common Hall” in the corner to the right of the front entrance.  This is the place they would use for all the “communal” functions, like group dinners, sewing circles, etc.
A  small shrine to Bacchus and Ceres, deities of wine and grain.
And... back at the entrance.

But there may not be time to do much exploring.  The brush in the overgrown field across the road is moving.  Whatever it is, it is coming.

Rita enjoys Bryon's company and has come to genuinely like her, but this last remark is quite inappropriate, if Bryon's is referring to her desire to check out the prison for restless spirits.

"Oodles of fun? Do you mean the prison or the farmhouse? If you're looking for fun, a place filled with restless, suffering spirits is anything but that. I cannot imagine you would take pleasure in other people's suffering. If fun is the reason, you want to accompany me to the prison, then please do not come along. Such an attitude would be offensive to Lord Pluto."

She tries to not sound too harsh, understanding that Bryon is from a very different background than she is.

As they head into the farmstead, she glances back at the road.

"Someone should keep watch while the rest explore, or we could be taken by surprise by who knows what monster that might follow us in here. I have a feeling that whatever that roaring creature is, it already knows we are here."

If no one else volunteers, she will stand watch at the entrance. If someone else does volunteer, she will go inside.

"We should check out those storage sheds. You never know what might be in there."

As soon as she sees the shrines to Ceres and Bacchus, she carefully examines each one and says short prayers to both gods for success in their mission. Ceres is Proserpina's mother, which means the grain goddess has a special connection to Rita. She also looks to see if any religious books or items have been left near the shrine.

Is the roaring coming from the moving brush? If not, do we still hear it?

Kyriel nods in agreement with Culann. "I don't think we'll have much time."

News that healing potions are available is always welcome. "That's very good Mater. I'm afraid we might need some sooner rather than later."

She nods again when asked about killing the hopper. "When it ate a magic missile spell, I thought the best thing to do was to shoot it. I didn't have any magic arrows at the time."

She certainly approves of the idea of clearing the prison. "I don't know what the huns were doing there, but it had an evil feel. I'll help if I can." She's noncommittal about Byron's idea of fun.

Once they get into the compound, she waves the others towards the closest structure large enough to house everyone and the horses. "In there! I don't know how much time we'll have before the creature is upon us. I don't know if we'll have time to do any exploring before the creature is here."

She pulls her bow out and peeks around the door to see what the creature is. If it continues to approach in a threatening manner, she'll unload a couple of arrows at it in an attempt to dissuade it from continuing its approach. After a couple of shots, she'll fall back with the others. She doesn't desire to get separated from them!

Bryon realizes she has offended Rita, which was not her intention. "I am sorry I did not mean that restless dead would be fun. I understand that will be somber and necessary. I meant that exploring a former prison might be fun, especially if the Hun have left behind guards or something. I've met a Hun or two, mostly traders, never soldiers. I think it would be fun to explore their place for holding prisoners. I will not interfere in your somber spiritual incantations."

She agrees with Kyriel, "It will be on us in no time." She hefts her spear and takes careful aim...but then remembers her hair pin. She slides it out of her hair and focuses on the moving brush, hoping to see what is hiding there.

Using Hair Pin thingy to get a better look at Mr. Beasty.

We need to close the gate and secure any possible access to the exterior lest the creature find a way inside the compound Culann prompts

Kyriel looks back towards the direction of the roaring. It's coming.. she can tell.  It's not in range yet, but soon.. very soon.

 Securing the front door could be a problem.  It's not there.  In fact, the remains of it are lying on the ground, about 20 feet away.

Bryon was first interested in exploring, and Stannos gave her a "NOW?" kind of look.
Stannos may not be the cream of the academic crop at Aurelianorum, and some of his attitudes might be considered, well, boorish.. but he knows his way around a fight, and he's not one to run from fight before he's given it his best.  Especially when there are women to protect. Especially when one of them is his recent conquest.**

“If it comes it will be through the door,” he says.  “It's not a flyer or it would be flying already.”

“Probably not a manitcore or wyvern, then, oh master-of-monster-lore,” Riordeg says in a whisper, mostly for Rita.

Stannos stands at the back of the entranceway, where he expects the creature to come if it is following them.  He draws a short sword, and readies it in his “off hand”.  It is the customary stance of the battle mage, ready for action.  His free hand is ready for spell casting.

Bryon looks through a loop at the end of her hair pin.


**the question of just who conquered whom, given Byron's inclinations, is in doubt

"Apology accepted. Thank you for clarifying that," Rita says, genuinely glad to know that Bryon would not find encountering restless spirits as "fun." "I cannot imagine you as the type of person who would interfere with spiritual work."

She is genuinely glad to have had the chance to get to know Bryon better during their weeks in Lucimburic. If a stranger had made that same comment, Rita likely would have been somewhat alarmed, as such sentiments could indicate a wizard who enjoyed necromancy and might have revealed a more sinister side. Thankfully, she knows Bryon well enough to be certain she has no evil intentions.

Master of monster lore? She smiles at Riordeg, whispering back to him. "I'm hardly that though my sister probably is. But what I can do is give you some help."

She casts Bull's Strength on Riordeg, then prepares to cast Deific Vengeance at the monster as soon as it closes in on them.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:43, Sat 25 May 2013.

In reply to Ben (msg # 54):

Do you think we can use the door to partially block the entrance. Culann suggests looking about hoping there enough stuff, lying about to prop up

Culann looks at the door.  She's no carpenter, but it seems that the door will need some help to become a real obstacle.  Especially when she sees the spikey back of the thing protruding from the weeds and brush across the road.

It would be possible to drag the door in front of the opening in time, but unless there is some way to rapidly secure it and/or strengthen it, it will not do much.

Kyriel tries an opening shot when she sees the creature, and hits it in one bony shoulder with an arrow.  That made it mad.  It breaks into a charge, right towards the group.  And now there isn't much time left at all.

(It is just off the map, to the right, across the road.)

 

After casting Bull's Strength on Riordeg, Rita sees the beast charge at the group and decides not to wait for it to get within range for a deific vengeance spell, which requires the monster to be within 35 feet of her. Instead, she moves to spot O14, where she can see the creature outside and casts Doom at it. This spell has a much longer range, 150 feet in her case.

Doom
Necromancy [Fear, Mind-Affecting]
Level:Clr 1
Components:V, S, DF
Casting Time:1 standard action
Range:Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target:One living creature
Duration:1 min./level
Saving Throw:Will negates
Spell Resistance:Yes
This spell fills a single subject with a feeling of horrible dread that causes it to
become shaken.

Bryon uses her ability to climb walls to her advantage. She leaps up and climbs high enough that the thing will not be able to get her. From there it is a matter of using either her spear or E.blast whichever is more effective.

Culann slips through the door into the building, glancing about she spots the doors further along in the same wall. Rushing towards them Quick there's another door in here she calls back at the others