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Part 18 - Justice.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Arkan
player, 263 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Mon 23 Oct 2017
at 17:19
  • msg #67

Part 18 - Justice

"That is most fortuitous. Perhaps his spirit can watch over this place and ensure none of the evil from Rappan Athuk touches upon it," Arkan replies to Anja.

"I do not know the rites but yes, if you could ask one of the guards to provide them for the burial it would be appreciated,"
he adds with a grateful smile.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 974 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Tue 24 Oct 2017
at 04:50
  • msg #68

Part 18 - Justice

If Aarnr notices that Eilieen is upset ... well, it'd be a miracle and probably the first of such kind ever performed by Bowbe to boot !  On the whole, though ... it seems a good bet that the priestess of Zadastha's please and thank you relate to the funerary rites for Ozzie and not the offer to sell rations.

Congratulating himself on his perspicacity, if he only knew what that meant, the priest considers his own feelings on the matter of his blood-brother's interment.  While he'd intended to make a pyre of Rappan Athuk and burn the Halfling's body atop it, Arkan's words strike a chord.  There is certainly something to be said for giving Ozzie's spirit the chance to fight on in the afterlife ... as long as he doesn't rise as a foul undead !

Though while Aarnr might once have quite reasonably assumed that the presence of a graveyard would serve to attract the followers of the Prince of Undead, the burial of Fergus, in land consecrated by Freya, suggests otherwise.

So be it then.  Ozzie shall have his grave and this city of Crossroads its ward.  Though the priest still wants a pyre for himself, that his ashes might be scattered to the four winds.

Once he's dead, of course.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Thu 26 Oct 2017.
Dungeon Master
GM, 777 posts
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Wed 25 Oct 2017
at 19:42
  • msg #69

Part 18 - Justice

Arrangements are made.  Orders are issue, and word is spread around Crossroad that somebody who knows the rituals of Note is required for a funeral for one of His followers.

Other messengers are despatched to inform such local merchants as are to be found that the strangers who have done such a great service to the city may be approaching them to purchase goods.  Furthermore, they are to be treated as if they were citizens of Crossroad, and are to be charged a fair price (further, instructions are given to the guards that the phrase, "or else... " is to be heavily implied when speaking to these merchants).

After an hour or so, one of the guards returns, accompanied by a scrawny, balding man, bent double with advanced age and leaning on a staff as he hobbles forward.  His eyes are red, and running constantly, and when he speaks his voice is hoarse and cracked.

"I've heard tell as how you folks are looking for someone what can do words and blessings for a Note fun'ral.  I'm no priest, but I know the right words, and the main blessing.  I can help.  Name's Fassik, by the by."
Dungeon Master
GM, 778 posts
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Sun 29 Oct 2017
at 19:53
  • msg #70

Part 18 - Justice

Fassik looks from face to face, as the group of strangers say nothing to him.  "I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking as how I look like I'll die in the middle of the fun'ral.  Well... I'm stronger'n I look, and I've got a good voice."

His "good voice" doesn't sound that good, bearing a resemblance to a couple of pounds of gravel and pebbles being rolled about in an iron pail.

Then he clears his throat and starts to sing a scale, and it sounds as sweet as any that might be heard from a choir in a temple of Note.  A song that would make larks and nightingales mad with jealousy.

"I plays the harp too."
Arkan
player, 264 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Sun 29 Oct 2017
at 20:05
  • msg #71

Part 18 - Justice

Nodding graciously at the old man as he stands to greet him Arkan gestures in the general direction of the graveyard. "Aye, our thanks you could make it on such short notice, for time is of the essence. Our fallen companion, by the name of Odysseus fell in battle. It would do us honor if he were to be interred here, with all the proper rites as befitting a hero."

Glancing at Aarnr he adds, "Perhaps you should inform Bilfro by the wagon and bring the cart with Ozzy's body here my friend."
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 975 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Mon 30 Oct 2017
at 06:09
  • msg #72

Part 18 - Justice

"It's froggin' Oswald !" Aarnr is happy to correct Arkan's mistake, the name of his blood-brother being something he actually knows, even if nobody really calls him that ... besides, there's no telling what the madman Bilfro will do if the scrawny fellow tries to bury his owl !

The man, Fassik, seems to know the sort of song that would be suitable, though it is not to the priest's taste - he prefers his music with a strong beat that you can feel in your bones ... and lots of shouting to accompany it.  Screaming too.

It is to be hoped that the old fellow doesn't die before the end of the ceremony or undoubtedly there'll be more hanging about for his funeral !

Tell Bilfro ?  Aarnr nods at Arkan's suggestion and stamps off to fetch wizard, cart and his blood-brother's corpse.
Eilieen
Player, 842 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Mon 30 Oct 2017
at 14:01
  • msg #73

Part 18 - Justice

Astounded from her deep funk, Eilieen stares at Fassik.  As Aarnr stomps off to locate Bilfro and cart, Zadastha's priestess moves forward and bows to Fassik.  Arkan has taken care of the particulars, with some aplomb, but she feels the need for more.  "Forgive our lack of welcome.  Things have been tense, and I fear we are not at our best.  Oswald himself would be pleased that such a beautiful voice may sing for him, and having one who will follow the rites properly is a gift.  As Arkan states, you have our gratitude."

"I understand now why you follow Note's ways, for certainly he has blessed you himself."
Dungeon Master
GM, 779 posts
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Fri 3 Nov 2017
at 21:12
  • msg #74

Part 18 - Justice

Fasslk shakes his head at Eilieen, and smiles.  "Oh, I don't follow Note." he rasps, "Least ways, not no more.  But when I were a lad, some fifty years since, I did.  That's when I learned the words and the blessing.  And Note is none too fussed who does them for one of his own, as long as somebody sees to it as how they get done proper."

Aarnr goes striding out of the village city and hears around to the east.  Bilfro can be seen in the distance, performing what appears to be some kind of dance alongside the cart.  There seems to be a lot of hopping about and furious gesticulating...
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 976 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sat 4 Nov 2017
at 05:12
  • msg #75

Part 18 - Justice

"Thou infectious, dread-bolted flap-dragon !" Aarnr calls out equably to Bilfro as he approaches. "Is it squirrels ?"  He holds Gonder's blade at the ready, should the wizard want his help in fighting off the creatures.
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 303 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Sun 5 Nov 2017
at 19:33
  • msg #76

Part 18 - Justice

Colwyn eyes Fassik warily.  Then he asks, "What'll yer be needin' ter be buryin' poor Ozzy?  I's meanin' like if there's bein' a price fer doin' it, or if we's needin' ter be buyin' special oils ter 'noint 'ïm.  Or a special bell ter ring, or if we's needin' lots of chickens fer sacrificin', or that kind of thing."

"Ah, good question." croaks the old man, with a nod, "But we don't need none of that, son, 'cept for some sticks.  We'll need firewood, and a bit of kindling.  Note's fun'ral needs the body to be buried, and then a fire to be laid atop the grave, so that the smoke carries the follower's Last Song to the god's home."

"The Last Song being his soul."

Bilfro Gabbins
player, 217 posts
Magnetic personality!
Death Unseen watches!
Wed 8 Nov 2017
at 12:38
  • msg #77

Part 18 - Justice

"SQUIRRELS!?  WHERE?!  WHERE!?!"

Bilfro leaps anew, although this time all but out of his skin.  Eyes flailing and arms dashing all around - oh yes indeed - he climbs the front left corner of the cart and perches thereupon like a mighty something something eagle or potentially, and rather more likely, a far less impressive fowl, mayhap even yellow in fluffy plumage.

As said eye-flailing returns negatory positive confirmation of sightings of targets within specified parameters the posture relaxes and he glares at the burner of capitols.

"Nincompoop and pyromaniacal megalomaniac, what do you want now?  Here be neither palace to raze ablaze nor populous to petrify, you positively plunderous plonker."
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 977 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Wed 8 Nov 2017
at 14:37
  • msg #78

Part 18 - Justice

The priest joins Bilfro in the search, and is seriously miffed when there are no signs of the beasts.  "Why would they not have squirrels ?" he mutters.  "Perhaps ye scared them off."

The wizards words are more than satisfactorily insulting and worthy.  Aarnr briefly considers ... but decides that Bilfro is just being his usual jocular self and is probably not expecting a blade to be playfully levelled at his neck.  Certainly not after the pointed comments that Eilieen had after he thus obliged Currinder !  And on the whole it's unlikely that Bilfro is one of Orcus's foul get ...

The madman's question is, well, completely incomprehensible but does remind the priest why he has returned.

"They've found a priest of froggin' Knot.  Some misbegotten, beetle-headed basket-cockle.  I'm to fetch ye and the cart and Ozzie so they can bury him and he can fight the reeky, earth-vexin' maggot-pies.  We have to get back gobbin' quick before the lumpish, pox-marked haggard dies."
Bilfro Gabbins
player, 218 posts
Magnetic personality!
Death Unseen watches!
Thu 9 Nov 2017
at 05:32
  • msg #79

Part 18 - Justice

"Oh, fiiiiine."

With a huff and a puff and mighty tame whimper, the wizen old wizard of wizardly woes waddles with worries to wagon, wondering wherefore, to hearken the crowing of Oz nevermore.  He snivel, he sigh and he simper.

He then, neath his breath, proceeds to bemoan the unjust injustice that chills down his bones; the passing of those who naught had done wrong, now only to live on in heart and in song.

The wagon he readies with heart full of woe, the fallen to render upon final rest, the best he will do to fulfil this request, and to solemn...

...he then stubs his toe.

"@&*|%\#!"

Thus limps the begotten to deliver the forgotten by life once so shotten in a quest misbegotten.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 978 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Thu 9 Nov 2017
at 13:06
  • msg #80

Part 18 - Justice

Even by Aarnr's standards, Bilfro's demonstration of the ancient art of heartfelt cursing is very impressive.

Uncertain and uncaring of what preparations the wizard makes to ready the wagon, the priest leaves him to it, leaping up into the drivers seat and holding the reins until such time as Bilfro considers auspicious, then turning the oxen in the direction of Crossroads main gate and spurring them forward with judicious flicks of the reins and dire threats.
Dungeon Master
GM, 780 posts
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Fri 10 Nov 2017
at 20:24
  • msg #81

Part 18 - Justice

Aarnr, Bilfro, and Ozzy all make their way back towards Crossroad.  The nice thing about oxen is that their idea of unseemly haste is a nice sedate plod.  So Ozzy's approach to the city gate is at a pace which is very appropriate for the impending funeral.

Meanwhile, inside the city, Fassik continues to discuss the funeral arrangements.  "The burial's simple, with a shallow grave and large stones laid round and on top of the body to keep animals at off of it.  Then a fire atop the grave - it doesn't have to be a big one, but damp wood is better, for that it gives more smoke."

"Lucky as 'ow it's been rainin' so much jus' lately then.  Everythin's bleedin' damp.  That's bein' a good sign, I's reckonin'." Colwyn opines.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 979 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Wed 15 Nov 2017
at 14:20
  • msg #82

Part 18 - Justice

Aarnr drives the oxen through the gate, their slow and plodding nature not quite providing the triumphant entry into the city that he feels Ozzie deserves, but short of getting out and pushing, there's naught he can do, save to look suitably menacing and grim.

Recognising his companions, the priest guides the beasts in their direction, pleased to see that Fassik is still numbered amongst the living.

"Here is my blood-brother's corpse," Aarnr intones in a manner that says 'he is to be froggin' treated with respect or I'll fobbin' gut ye, thou goat-hearted, skinflake' or would say if Eilieen wasn't watching him closely.

"What's next ?"
Dungeon Master
GM, 781 posts
You're trying what?
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Wed 15 Nov 2017
at 20:51
  • msg #83

Part 18 - Justice

The cart comes to a halt close to the ruined palace.  The citizens in the immediate area eye it curiously, especially after Aarnr's rather loud announcement.  Fortunately, that same announcement (or, rather, the appearance of the announcer) keeps them from eyeing it from too short a range.

Fassik turns at Aarnr's query.  "He will need to be washed.  A fun'ral for one of Note's flock calls for him to be clean.  Soap and hot water.  He can't bear the stains of his life, nor of his death.  Then he'll be needing new clothes, or he can just be wrapped in a new blanket.  What else?  Oh, aye, a musical instermint to be buried with him."
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 980 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sun 19 Nov 2017
at 06:37
  • msg #84

Part 18 - Justice

Washed !  If Aarnr manages (only just) to keep his opinion of that godless and unhealthy pursuit to himself, his face suffices to get the point across.  And given the provocation, the speaker is lucky that getting the point across is another thing he doesn't do !

Still, if it must be done to honour his blood-brother (and let's face it, washing can't harm him now) then the priest will not suffer another to so lower themselves.  A pity that he'd not had time to ensure Ozzie was shrived of all his previous allegiances and given over fully to the worship of Bowbe, as Aarnr is certain that the Halfling would much prefer this city be razed to the ground and his corpse burned atop it ... but such is not to be, and while he's equally sure Bowbe will welcome Ozzie eventually, it seems the lucky puttock's spirit will get to slaughter undead for a while yet.

"I'll see to the washin'," the priest tells his companions, "ye see to the clothes 'an blanket an' ... instermint."
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 304 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Sun 19 Nov 2017
at 21:48
  • msg #85

Part 18 - Justice

Colwyn looks around the "city".  Halflings seem to be entirely absent, as far as he can see.  And, somehow, he doubts that Ozzy would want to stand before his god dressed as a child.  So a new blanket is looking favourite.

If nobody else wants to volunteer to buy one, Colwyn will do it himself.

Though if he does so, there will probably be a "special discount" on the item, and possibly an additional "free gift" too.  If there's anything worth having.

"'e were 'avin' a 'arp. so that' be yer musical instrument, I's reckonin'."
Erista
player, 561 posts
Sun 19 Nov 2017
at 23:34
  • msg #86

Part 18 - Justice

Erista nods.  "He would want his harp," she agrees.  "And maybe..." she looks up at Eilieen.  "Zadastha might be able to clean and mend his clothing?" she asks, recalling her intense burning envy-- comradely admiration at having seen Eilieen perform such tasks with a wave of her hand and a brief prayer before.
Arkan
player, 266 posts
Magic Missile!
Magic Missile!
Mon 20 Nov 2017
at 20:53
  • msg #87

Part 18 - Justice

"He should also be interred with his favored weapon," Arkan says breaking his silence as the others discuss the specifics of Oswald's funeral rites. "He was as much a warrior as a bard," he adds by way of explanation
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 982 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 13:41
  • msg #88

Part 18 - Justice

"He'll be froggin' needin' it !" Aarnr agrees with Arkan.
Eilieen
Player, 844 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 20:58
  • msg #89

Part 18 - Justice

(NPCd)

Eilieen considers Erista's request for a span of time so brief that nobody would be able to measure it.  "I believe that would be possible.  Ozzy deserves a hero's funeral."

As will we all, in the end, she adds mentally, though it doesn't show on her face.

Fassik nods approvingly.  Clearly the deceased was a person of high regard among his peers...
Dungeon Master
GM, 782 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Fri 24 Nov 2017
at 21:08
  • msg #90

Part 18 - Justice

Arrangements are discussed and finalised.  Ozzy's body will be washed, that he may stand proud (if not tall) before Note, and sing of his life and deeds.  His clothes will be repaired, and cleaned.

Anja herself will provide a place in her home for Aarnr to wash the corpse, and for the deceased, clean of both body and attire to lay overnight, ready for his funeral at noon the next day.

The night's wait, according to Fassik, is a necessary part of the ritual, giving time for friends and acquaintances to pay their respects, or to contemplate the life of the departed, and say whatever prayers they may know to guide him on his way and ensure a safe journey.

And, at about midnight, one of Note's servants will come to Ozzy and engage him in a contest of musical ability, riddles, and wit, to determine his place in Note's halls.

The funeral itself will take place at noon, and Fassik agrees to obtain some mourners from among his own friends, and two young girls to scatter flower petals during the ceremony.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 983 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sat 25 Nov 2017
at 05:36
  • msg #91

Part 18 - Justice

The extent of the arrangements is quite baffling to Aarnr who's more used to simple ceremonies involving collecting wood and banging rocks together to light the fire.

"My blood-brother's death is providing these puttocks with free entertainment !" the priest growls ... though on reflection.  "He'd froggin' like that."

The suggestion that Ozzie's spirit might be coaxed forth at midnight is a most intriguing one.  Aarnr vows to be personally on hand for that, just in case the Noted servant performs some unholy, death-raising ritual that demands a sharp response.
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