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17:05, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Posted by Dungeon MasterFor group 0
Dungeon Master
GM, 783 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Sun 26 Nov 2017
at 15:09
  • msg #1

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

The following day dawns with the sky a mass of dark cloud limned in crimson against the sunrise.  Thunder grumbles faintly in the distance, and rain lashes Crossroad in fitful squalls, making the ground even muddier.

The executions are over quickly - nobody (not even the condemned) feels like hanging* about in the cold rain and the gusty, biting wind.

Colwyn mutters sulkily, "This is bein' what my ol' ma was callin' a lazy wind, on account as it's cuttin' straight through a body, 'stead of goin' roun' 'im."  He pulls his cloak tighter, and shivers miserably.

The condemned men are sitting on two horses beneath an oak tree, their hands bound behind them, and a noose around each of their necks.  They are watched carefully by several guards, two of whom hold the reins of the horses.

The chief magistrate reiterates the sentence, and declares that the cult of Orcus is, forthwith and forever, barred from Crossroad upon pain of death.  Then the horses are led away, leaving their burdens dangling in the wind.  Those citizens who had attended the execution (and there are many, free entertainment always being worth the cost of admission) are back in the hovels before the corpses have stopped swinging.

*OOC: Yes, that was a joke.  You may laugh out loud now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Sun 26 Nov 2017.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 984 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sat 2 Dec 2017
at 06:01
  • msg #2

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Aarnr wakes from his all night vigil over Ozzie's body as dawn breaks.  Since his blood-brother's corpse hasn't risen as foul undead, it seems likely that Ozzie's spirit was successful in routing whatever sheep-bitin' pumpion Note sent to try him, which gives Aarnr no little satisfaction.

The thunder may grumble faintly in the distance, yet the priest is a great deal louder as he makes his daily demands of his god.  The cold and the rain and the mud are particularly miserable ... indeed, he feels quite at home.

The executions don't seem particularly unpleasant and the cultists' failure to even rail against their fate is very disappointing, though admittedly nothing could lower his opinion of the pribblin', folly-fallen dewberries.  Still, by the time it comes to the nailing up of the heads he's a lot more cheery.

That does not last long, however, for Ozzie is soon to be buried (though it seems unclear as to when this will happen as the grey skies preclude any observation of the height of the sun).  Having seen those who were somewhat indirectly, as was explained unsatisfactorily, responsible swing for it, Aarnr supposes the his blood-brother's spirit is now free to journey on ... or hang about the graveyard fighting whatever evils are stupid enough to dare the Halfling's wrath.

Wood. Damp wood.  Aarnr eyes the skies though the pouring rain.  Dampness shouldn't be too hard to come by.  Right then ...
Dungeon Master
GM, 784 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Sun 3 Dec 2017
at 20:25
  • msg #3

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Preparations for the funeral continue throughout the morning.  Mostly they consist of Aarnr gathering as much damp wood as possible, loading it onto the cart, and travelling to the cemetery (having gotten directions from Fassik).  A grave has already been prepared for Ozzy. although, somewhat incongruously, it is large enough for a full grown human.  It seems that nobody remembered to tell the grave diggers about his diminutive stature.

Aarnr piles the wood next to the grave, which has been covered with a sheet of canvas to keep it from being flooded.

Meanwhile, in Crossroad, Eilieen sits vigil beside the deceased, who lays on a table in Anja's house, clean and dressed in his (reconditioned) finest.  His harp and his sword are by his side.  Eilieen murmurs prayers that will, hopefully, assure Ozzy a safe journey to Note's palace.

And all morning, grateful Crossroaders come to pay their respects to one of the heroes who had come to drive the cult of Orcus out of their city...  Even if this particular hero had died before he got to the gate, his intention had been true.
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 305 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Fri 8 Dec 2017
at 21:39
  • msg #4

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Eventually noon approaches, and Ozzy's body is wrapped in a blanket and laid on a plank, with his harp and sword wrapped within the blanket, Then the plank is lifted by four pallbearers and born gently out of the city and into the woods, along a track which apparently leads to the cemetery.

The bard's companions accompany him on his final worldly journey.

The cemetery is not large, and mostly seems to be filled with dead branches and the occasional fallen tree... all of which are piled into a good sized mound.  Ozzy is laid to rest in the shallow grave, and the reason for the dimensions of the hole becomes apparent as the plank is laid in with him atop it.  Fassik seems impressed by the sheer quantity of dead wood pile around the grave.

He clears his throat an starts to speak in a wavering, croaking voice... "Friends, we are gathered today under the gaze of Note, and before the eyes of his Archons, to bid farewell to Oswald Osbourne, and sing him on his way to the Celestial Feast Hall, where he will be welcome by Note, and set in a place of honour for all Eternity... "
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 985 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sat 9 Dec 2017
at 05:39
  • msg #5

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Having conceivable gathered more firewood than is present in the entirety of the marshlands of his home, Aarnr finally ceases his labours as the funeral procession approaches.

The priest bids the plank-bearers pause only long enough for him to slip his dagger into a fold of the blanket.  While he would gladly surrender the Sword of Gonder to his blood-brother's care, the Halfling would barely be able to lift it, and while there is no doubting his doughty spirit, it would be severely hampered using it against the expected incursions of ghosts and the like that he is likely to face.  No, the dagger is more appropriate, especially as Ozzie's spirit will undoubtedly turn first to his favoured sword to smite the evil that is to come.

But always a comfort to know you have another blade to fall back on ... removes any concern that you might break the only one you have in your eagerness to fight.

Stepping back, Aarnr looks on as the ceremony progresses, the passing rain squalls throughout likely the closest he's going to get to a wash any time soon (unless there's any aquatic beasts need slaying), taking his cue from his surviving companions, prepared to join in with the singing if they do.
Dungeon Master
GM, 785 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Sun 10 Dec 2017
at 22:24
  • msg #6

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Fassik talks for some time.  It turns out that he has not been idle since agreeing to handle the funeral.  Somehow he has contrived to learn a fair bit about Ozzy's personality and deeds, and his eulogy for the halfling is inspiring.

Finally, as he finishes speaking, he gestures with his right hand.  A signal.  And the pallbearers start to place stones around and atop the body, before filling the grave with earth.  All the while, Fassik prays to Note.  Then the bard's companions help to pile wood atop the grave - probably far more than is customary.

At the last, a dry torch is lit, and dry tinder is placed in the mound of damp wood.  As the pyre is ignited, and whisps of smoke start to rise, Fassik begins to sing...

Let none who knew you be borne down by sorrow
As the Skalds of Note sing you on your way,
And his choirs guide you to the Hall of Joy,
There to sing in endless bright day.
No man is a slave in the Hall of Joy,
All there are called to revel and play.


The song goes on in a similar vein for another twenty or so verses, all sung a capella by Fassik.  It tells of the brightness of Note's hall, and the music and poetry that fills it, and how Ozzy will provide some of that music for all eternity, pausing only when he wants to partake of food and drink from the ever-full tables, or to rest on a bench and listen to the music and verse of others...
Erista
player, 563 posts
Mon 11 Dec 2017
at 03:47
  • msg #7

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Erista doesn't attend the hanging, but is of course there for Ozzy's funeral.  As she sets her last piece of wood in the pile, she says quietly, "You would've been a great warrior, and sung your own glory.  We'll remember you in our stories, Ozzy."

She listens to Fassik sing, her eyes glistening at the edge of tears, looking away as the flames begin to emerge from the wood and Ozzy's clothes begin to smolder.  Cupping Astral on her arm, she pets the owl's head gently.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 986 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Mon 11 Dec 2017
at 13:42
  • msg #8

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Again taking his cue from his companions, Aarnr neither sings nor takes his sword and guts the fobbin' flap-mouthed old foot-licker, though his screeches certainly provide a test of his patience and what passes for a semblance of grandmother-inspired manners.

The pyre, at least should be one for the villagers to remember, though undoubtedly it will grow in the telling.  Possibly not the most subtle of reminders of the inexplicable burning down of their palace, but not even a ghost of such concern troubles the priest's mind.

Watching the smoke rise, Aarnr smiles.  "May thy blade run red with the blood of thy foes," he tells his blood brother, fancying he sees his likeness in the curling wisps.
Dungeon Master
GM, 786 posts
You're trying what?
Hahahahahahaha!
Wed 13 Dec 2017
at 20:44
  • msg #9

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

As the song ends, Fassik raises his eyes to gaze at the sky, ignoring the rain.  His voice rattles hoarsely from his throat, "Note, your child returns to you, carried on song.  His body may tarry in the ground for a while, but his soul will join you soon.  We, his friends, ask that you treat him well, an grant him the place he deserves at your table."

And then he falls silent for several heartbeats, still watching the sky, and the rising column of smoke.

Right on cue, thunder rumbles across the leaden sky.

"Note has provided a sign.  Oswald Osbourne sits in His hall."
Eilieen
Player, 846 posts
Cure Serious Wounds!
Cure Serious Wounds!
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 18:08
  • msg #10

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Unsurprisingly, Eilieen joins Erista in skipping the hanging.  Justice might be done by the standards of the village, but it doesn't mean she'll enjoy watching.

For the funeral, she remains silent, quietly listening to the prayers, the music, the singing.  A fitting send-off for the small bard, the priestess miserably muses.  But she is more than ready to join in piling the wood, tears rolling silently down her cheeks the entire time.

The final words are said.  The thunder rolls.  And Eilieen turns away, covering her head with her obscuring cloak-hood as she begins to sob.

Grief is never pretty.
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 306 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Sun 17 Dec 2017
at 17:14
  • msg #11

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Colwyn enjoyed the funeral, in his own way.  It was a fitting tribute for his friend, and one that will linger in the rogue's memory for a long time to come.

Now, trudging back towards Crossroad through the cold rain showers and the biting chill wind of the wind, he is less happy.  "Grim and thoughtful" would probably describe his mood better.  Though he would, in all likelihood, never use those words.

He shakes himself, and sighs.

"Ozzy were bein' a rare one." he finally announces, "Always 'ad a joke or a song, no matter 'ow bad things was gettin'."
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 988 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Mon 18 Dec 2017
at 13:13
  • msg #12

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

Aarnr finds funerals rather gloomy affairs and while the weather certainly helps clear the mind of pretty much anything other than how froggin' cold and wet it is (undoubtedly the reason for the rather more enlightened view evidenced by those who live in The Vast), he does see it as his duty, in his blood-brother's absence, to cheer his companions.

Jokes ... he knows none, and his singing, he's been told, could start a war, but the priest certainly knows how to raise their spirits1 !

"Now that's done, Rappan Athuk lies before us !" he jollies them along.  "Won't that be froggin' fun ?!!"


1 in a non-necromantic way, obviously
Colwyn Akbar
NPC, 307 posts
It's a trap!
No problem.
Fri 22 Dec 2017
at 21:24
  • msg #13

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

"Oh, yeah.  Bleedin' loverly." Colwyn replies, though his expression does not seem to match his words.  In fact, he looks positively dour.

The gates of Crossroad are open when the funeral party arrive, and there seem to be no more than a half-dozen guards on duty.  The rest of the city's militart force are engaged in tearing down the few charred timbers which still mark the site of the former royal palace.
Aarnr Foultongue
Player, 989 posts
Human (technically)
Cleric of froggin' Bowbe!
Sat 23 Dec 2017
at 05:02
  • msg #14

Part 19 - Funeral for a bard.

The priest seems much surprised by the guards' activities.

"Look," he waves a finger in the direction of the ruins of the palace.  "Those burly-boned, beef-witted bugbears are fetching more wood for Ozzie's pyre.  That's froggin' nice of them !"

Just that small gesture improves Aarnr's opinion of the logger-headed, milk-livered gudgeons.

"Well ..." he looks around the rest of the city of Crossroads and can't find any reason to linger there longer than he has to "... let's get the gleepin' supplies into the cart and be on our way."
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