Re: Chapter 7: A Ghastly Discovery
Meanwhile, the villagers, led by Eagle and company, make the somber journey back to Windham, their horse-drawn carts loaded down with the corpses of their loved ones and neighbors. It is a bittersweet affair for all, for even though the Horned One's reign of tyranny has ended, it came at a great cost. Much blood was shed at that ruined keep and in truth, it will likely take little time before some new foe moves in to occupy the site.
The Forlorn Hills are a danger-filled land and ogres and demons are but a fraction of the terror that dwells within those dark, rolling hills. But for now, the threat has been vanquished and a new day dawns.
Eagle and company are well-received by Lord Mayor Kazmerak, who owes them a debt of gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice. Well, not just gratitude, but also a bounty of 500 gold and a parcel of land just south of the village, which he honors without quarrel. With a cart loaded down in gold and treasure, those 500 gold pieces might seem a pittance now, but the Lord Mayor pays nonetheless.
The next several days are spent seeing to the proper disposition of the deceased, the cemeteries and graveyards heavy with the scent of freshly-dug earth and floral bouquets and the air rent with sobs and wails as the villagers come to terms with their loved ones' fates.
But, there is little time for Eagle to mourn. He still has much work to do, and it must be done back in his home city of Stormhaven...
Returning back to Stormhaven, Eagle consorts with the High Priestess of his patron deity, Ulaa Elliastrae, a half-elven woman who has cordial relations with the druids of that city. The High Priestess agrees to aid Eagle, but will require a considerable payment to do so. In total, the High Priestess asks for 6,000 gp to cast the raise dead spell, which may be used on all of the deceased companions, though those who were turned to ghasts must have the spell cast on them twice, for the first casting merely removes their undead state. It is a risky proposition, for sure, but the only option, for the ressurrection spell is beyond her ability to cast.
High Priestess Ulaa Elliastrae claims the only cleric powerful enough to cast the resurrection spell is the High Priestess of Erathis, Aldanna Fairhand, whom presides over the most opulent temple in the city, the Golden Hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:34, Wed 11 Feb 2015.