PM

Raknesh steps forward.
"My people are trained to strengthen their control on their minds." he says.
"I believe I am the best option to help our friend. He helped us, risking his own life doing so. And we will need his powers and healing magic."

"I have no knowledge of the divine, but I have been practicing a form of.. Soul Magic, some may call it. It may not be helpful at all, though., and it is very dangerous."

"I'm assuming whoever goes to get Stefan will leave their body behind as he did?" She glanced at the druid and frowned. "I can stay behind and guard the ones who go. I know nothing of magic or sorcery and would probably slow the rescue. Also if there are clues we need to find in the temple we can do that while we wait."

Stefan: pm

Tanzy,Raknesh,Prizzard:

The old man looks at Raknesh approvingly. Yes, you'll do nicely. I will only risk one of you, though the others may have their hands full. There are still a few of those creatures about. I think they were left behind to keep a lookout. For what I don't know, but I've been  hiding from them for two days. They will be vulnerable during this mission and I will need help protecting their bodies. You may get a chance to use your magic all too soon sir. He nods towards Prizzard.

As he talks he has you bring Stefan inside a small room and place him on a cot. He gets another out for Raknesh and bids him to lay down. He prepares what looks to be a very complicated spell and answers questions should any arise. The rest of you stay alert. This could take a while or it could go very fast. He turns to Raknesh. I have enabled you to track your friend. There will be a very faint trail that will lead you to him. You will find you do not have magic abilities while you are there. However, because of your natural skills they may just transfer over. Let us hope so, you will be in a great amount of danger. You are still connected to this world as long as you do not eat or drink anything or interact with the inhabitants of that world. You must ignore them save for the King and the gate mistress. If you do not follow my instructions you may be lost forever. Once you find your friend you must lead him back into the heart of the dark forest, the place where you will appear in the first place. Then you must take this dagger and kill him and yourself. Instead of dying like in the living world, it does the opposite in the land of the dead. But only with this dagger, understand? He hands you a black bladed knife with symbols scratched into it. Ready?

ooc: Finish up with comments/intentions and then I shall commence with the rescue mission!

"I would strongly prefer to not use it. The first time left me unconscious for days, torn away from magic and a piece of my soul as well. Since then, I only tried it once, with what seemed like little effect." I have no prep to make

pm

Raknesh takes the knife with some reluctance. He doesn't like the idea of 'killing' Stefan.  The old man has no reason to wish them any harm, but with all the trouble they had with possession, some doubts are starting to form in his mind.

He shows the runes to Prizzard, in case his skill with magic could confirm the use of the knife.

Halek listens to all of this very carefully and turns to Raknesh, his face grave. Be careful. Please. His eyes are pleading. It is clear he looks up to you very much.

In the meantime Loden speaks. I suggest we keep watch. We need two people to scout the area, in case more of those creatures are still about. We don't want to find out about them when they are right on top of us. Any volunteers?



Stefan: pm

After a minute of looking at the weapon blankly, he hands it back with a response: "I'm not sure about this specific item, but there are many stories of such things being done. I don't see a better option, either."

"I can scout around." Tanzy volunteered with a grin.

PM

Loden gives a nod and asks Prizzard to go with her. If you do see anything, do not engage unless you have no other choice. Come and get us immediately. They are no easy foes and if they are many we may have to run. I don't want to have anyone get caught up in a fight they can't finish. He warns darkly. I will stay here and help guard our companions. Good luck.

ooc: Please roll move silently, hide, and search/spot as well as any reactions

Raknesh: The old man has you lay down and he begins to chant as he hands you a red substance to drink.This will protect you from the dead but only for a time. You need to get your companion quickly. He warns. It is bitter but upon finishing it the room begins to spin. It is not long before you black out. You find yourself on your back in the middle of a dark forest. The trees are twisted and covered in moss. Bright sunlight streams down on a path before you. The feeling of being watched is overwhelming. You look at the path and you see the faintest hint of a red line on the path. This must be the way to Stefan as the old man told you there would be a way to find him.

Stefan: pm

Tanzy nodded at Loden's warning. "We'll be careful." She emphasized the we'll part. She didn't know much of Prizzard aside from the fact that he could be rude, distracted, insensitive and all around strange. She wondered what sort of scouting partner he would be and if he was any good at it. As an afterthought she pulled a small whistle from her pack. "If we do run into trouble listen for this. We'll give you enough warning to get the bodies moved if we need to run."

Spot 12
Search 16
Move Silently 13
Hide 23

He raises an eyebrow at her emphasis, but has nothing to say about it. He proves his clumsiness once again during their scouting, soon explaining simply "Skulking is not something I am used to."

rolled 4  using 1d20   Search.
rolled 5  using 1d20   Move Silently.
rolled 9  using 1d20   Hide.
rolled 17 using 1d20-2 Listen.
rolled 12 using 1d20-2 Spot.

pm

pm

Tanzy and Prizzard:
You scout the area with varying degrees of sneakiness. As you look about the temple grounds you see the long row of cells that the priests used to inhabit. They are simple and stark looking. Nothing seems to be amiss there. There is a dining hall and a few clusters of larger rooms for meetings and things. All empty. The temple itself looms before you, all pillars and archways. It is magnificent but small. Mostly a chapel and a series of rooms for various rituals and the like. The tall wooden door inside is locked but you can see clearly through the windows. Even in the darkness it is clear there is movement from inside the chapel. A lone figure is walking through the aisle between the pews. You don't think they have seen you yet but you aren't sure.

Raknesh: As you attempt to create your mindblade you find that it is difficult to concentrate here. However, you do feel it is just barely out of reach. It is likely with more effort and time you will find success. As you attempt to figure out your limits in this strange place, you hear a rustling from behind you. You turn to see a figure kneeling in the path behind you. It looks to be a woman, bent over as if in anguish. You cannot see her face but she begins to wail, a truly heart wrenching sound of utter despair. You can't help but remember the old man's warning to avoid people though....

Stefan: pm

PM

Tanzy tugged on Prizzard's sleeve and tipped her head towards the figure. "There is someone in there," she muttered stating the obvious. "I'm going to circle around and see if I can get a better look." She'd noticed the man hadn't been the best at sneaking and really hoped he wouldn't give her away.

move silently 23
hide 14

Raknesh frowns a bit as his failure to materialize his blade, but can't lose time to try again now.
He expected illusions and attempts to lead him astray, but the woman's wailing felt very much convincing.

There has been, however, too many traps for him to risk anything.

Strengthening his will, he moves toward the path, toward the one soul he can save.

Stefan: pm

Tanzy/Prizzard:
Tanzy: You circle around, managing to go unnoticed as far as you know. On the other side of the chapel you do get a better vantage. It is a woman of sorts. Her hair is black and tangled, her skin white as death and her eyes are gaping black orbs that look about her with a dead coldness. You feel a chill of fear at the sight of her. She looks to be scouting for she is carefully searching the place, a short sword drawn and moving as quietly as a cat.

Raknesh:
The woman's wails grow louder as you move away, as though she is angry that you are leaving. Ignore me if you will mortal. But the wail of a banshee brings death to living ears. She rasps with a broken voice. You have been warned. With that she moves away, her cries fading away. Meanwhile the path leads you towards what appears to be a city of sorts. There is a road leading up a hill and the city is built around it. There is a gate separating the wood from the city, but the gate is thankfully open. The streets however, are milling with hooded figures. At the top of the hill is a large castle of sorts. The path seems to lead up there.

ooc: Roll move silently and hide if you decide to take the sneaky route

Tanzy made her way back to Prizzard. "I'm pretty sure she's one of those things we were told to avoid. I think she is alone in there, probably scouting around just like we are."

PM

Prizzard keeps still, only giving a small nod at her words.