After tying one end of the rope off around the tree and the other around Tobias's waist, he was lifted as he held himself steady against the cave side.

The children were happy to have Leland back with them. He was peppered with questions from the littler ones and admonished for not being careful enough by Torr.

The bear slept through most of the activity and only started moving groggily as Tobias was pulled out and onto the forest floor.

The rope was untyed and coiled up ready to be carried.

"We need to get on along home. We don't want our parents to start looking for us because we have been gone for too long."

"Russell, Wesley, you help Leland."

"Isabel you trail behind, make sure everyone sticks together. We don't want any more accidents."

"I'll carry the rope."

Tobias rested on the soft grass near the mouth of the cave, it was all he could do to prop himself up on his elbows, his palms supporting the small of his back, his head feeling overly large and heavy and his legs like over-cooked noodles.

"Get home children, quickly lest your parents and the village worry. This was an accident, take care of where you decide to play from now on. You're very lucky that Leland wasn't eaten."

Looking up to the rest of his companions in this little adventure, Tobias reached out his shaking hand for help up. "We'd best get along as well, the spell will not last long, and may infuriate the beast upon his awakening. I'm nearly spent as it is, but we ought best continue our search for the Tanner. Assist me to my feet please, I'll do my best to keep up."

He used his staff to assist and then leaned heavily upon it, the burgundy light having faded completely now.

"I won't be able to manage much more I'm afraid, the magic is... very costly," Tobias admitted quietly, and his gaunt features showed well his nickname, the Haggard.

"Tobias, I agree we need to get out of here before the bear wakes. But I think for the time being we head back to town. We can rest back at the inn, get some food and drink.
Then we can figure out what the next step is in finding the "Tanner". This will also allow us to get any other news from the towns people, if any." Taking Tobias reached out hand, I wrap his arm around my neck, and start walking to town.

In reply to Dumoss Nindir (msg # 4):

Jeffrey took a final look around to see if there was anything being left behind and then set off after the rest of the party.

Everyone quickly returned to the village following behind the kids.
Once the kids were through the gate they scattered to their own homes.

Watchman Edmond asked, "Were you able to find that deer you were looking for?"

Tobias shook his head wearily. "No Edmond, we did not. Rather we disturbed a bear. Thankfully no one was hurt. Incidentally, you haven't seen Alvar return have you? I guess I was hoping he'd come back this way while we were helping the children."

Looking around the town, he felt faint. No doubt about it that it was due in large part to the energy sapping nature of the magic he'd embraced, but his stomach growled as well. Oft times he would forget to eat due to being engrossed in his studies. His body seemed to always remind him of its needs however.

"We're going to rest a bit and get something to eat. Let us know, will you?"

"Getting something to eat, huh? That sounds like a good idea."

"Watchman Cooper should be here to relieve me soon."

"Told Hunter Elton about that deer you said you saw. He's out looking for it now."

"He did say that it sounded like a Fae creature as there are no golden deer in these parts."

"As good a hunter as he is, I expect there will be venison on his table tonight."

The weary gaze snapped suddenly toward the watchman. "Why did you-?" he began and then ran an unsteady hand through his hair.

"Great care should be taken with regards to the Fae... the Huntsman may well regret his undertaking."

Tobias was so tired, and wanted nothing more than to get a bit of stew and find his cot.

"I must rest a bit before we continue our search... Thank you Watchman."

To his companions he added, "We can do little to stop him at this point. Let's retire a bit until we're up for the task..."

In reply to Tobias Draigh (msg # 9):

"Dinner and then rest, sounds good to me. However, we need to get up early and continue trying to find Alvar."

While Jeffery and Alvar returned to town to get lunch, Tobias and Dumoss turned back towards the woods.

Dumoss was able to pick up the trail with both deer tracks and human footprints to follow.

Moving slower than he would have by himself Dumoss followed the trail as it went through the woods to a glade.
Through the trees Dumoss saw Elton the Hunter at the edge of the glade just as he loosened an arrow.

They heard the fleshy smack of the arrow as it hit it's target and the rustle of a body crashing into brush on the other side of the clearing.

Elton leaped forward into the clearing without noticing Dumoss and Tobias's approach.

When they got to where Elton had been they could see him kneeling beside a body on the ground.
It was a human body!

Tobias touched the arm of Dumoss and held a finger to his lips, warning the ranger to silence!

From the edge of the clearing, the Haggard strained to see any details about who the wounded person might be while keeping hidden to watch what the Hunter would do next. He motioned for Dumoss to draw down on Elton in case this was indeed what it appeared to be... a murder scene.

While crouched over the body in the brush, Elton choked out, "Oh Gods! What have I done!"

Tobias strained to get a clear view of the body in the brush behind Elton.

While not certain with the brush blocking some of the view, it looked like Alvar lying dead on the ground with an arrow through his heart.

In reply to Oracle (msg # 14):

Being exhausted by such a busy day, Jeffrey took a nap and then helped around the forge while waiting for the others to return.

Tobias clamped a hand over his own mouth to hush his gasp upon seeing Alvar's body. Have I just seen a murder? His mind reeled a moment and he desperately tried to regain his thoughts. No... something else is afoot.

He waited a moment longer, even though every instinct told him to rush to the aid of the fallen. His mind, usually sharp, seemed clouded by shock.


OOC: Waiting long enough to see the Hunter's reactions to Alvar...

Pulling out his knife Elton begins stabbing downward.

"Elton!" Tobias shouted in alarm. He broke from the trees of his hiding and rushed forward. "Elton, stop!"

He was in shock. The scene alarming and frightening.

"What're you doing? What's happened here?"

Holding his staff defensively before him, the young wizard tried to edge closer to the corpse and get a closer look.

Elton turns towards Tobias with a look of shock.
All the color drains from his face.

Tobias sees Alvar's body laying on the ground with an arrow through his heart.
The pretty silver beltbuckle at his waist glints in the sunlight.

Beside his body some of the dirt has been dug up.

"It, it was an accident! I didn't know it was him!"

"He looked like a deer!"

"You must believe me! I'd never shoot a friend!"

Realization came upon Tobias and he rushed to the body lying on the ground. Dropping to his knees, he placed his head on the chest of Alvar, listening desperately for a heartbeat!

To listen for a heartbeat Tobias had to push the shaft of the arrow away.

The shot was well placed.
Through the heart.

Tobias could detect no pulse or breath.

"What can I do?"

"Everyone will think I'm a murderer."

"When he was alive he looked like a blond deer. It must have been some kind of Fae trickery!"

"He didn't look human till he was dead."

"He's dead."

His own words echoed inside him.

Tobias felt a sudden surge of magic within him, the same he'd experienced before in a moment of terrible tragedy. This time it was easier to control... but not by much.

After several long moments of struggle, the young mage took a long, shuddering breath.

"Elton, I believe you. I agree with you that this is indeed something sinister... We must discover what or whom is behind this... but for now, you must be honest and face the town in this tragedy."

Tobias considered the scene, and on an impulse, he began to search and examine Alvar's body. He extended his hand and his staff over the body, reaching out with his sixth sense in an effort to detect any fae magics. Then, methodically, he looked for markings, talismans or anything that might exert the shapeshifting power.


OOC: Using Tobias's Sense Magic ability as well as invoking Forbidden Magic and Folklore Skills to look for clues on the body or belongings.

"What will your sister think? How can she forgive me?"

"Did you see him as a deer? Did you see the tracks it left?"

"Will you be able to make her understand it was an accident?"

"If word gets out I will be tried for murder. There is no choice since I did kill him."

Alvar's clothes were what he had been seen wearing every day. Good quality but with stains on the sides of the blouse where his apron didn't cover. Now there was fresh blood around the arrow in his chest.
His pants were well made but had a few stains below where the bottom of the apron would be.

Around his middle was a new leather belt with an unusually shiny sliver belt buckle.
The buckle was very fine workmanship. In the shape of a deer and clearly Fae made.
It seemed to glint in response to Tobias's hand passing near.

His boots were in good condition and well crafted but stained from his trade.

While tying up Elton.  "Sorry Elton"

"Tobias, stop. Let me grab that Fae belt. After we get Elton back to town, I would like to take this to 'The Erl King' and find out more about it and where it came from."

"After we get back to town we will lock Elton"

"Elton; for now this is to keep you from running, but also to keep you safe from others in the town, until we figure this out."

Leaning over the body, I Carefully unbuckle the belt, remove it by it's leather belt  strap and place in my bag.

Thinking to himself. I knew there was some magic behind this. It could be Elton or in the least he could be in on it.

"Before I leave to find the Erl King, we'll explain whats going on to the others in our group. But we will need to be careful, I still think the person responsible for all this is still in town."

"Lets head back."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Tue 17 Dec 2019.

OOC: Those that know anything about the Fae know that 'The Erl King' is of the Dark realm.

Elton did not oppose against Dumoss at first. He seemed dejected and resigned to his fate.
Most likely in shock from what had just happened.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:28, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

"That belt is Fae?"

"You are going to take it to the Dark Elves?"

"Are you friends with them? Are you one pf them??"

"I have known you for years. I didn't realize you were from the Dark Realm!"

"Were you the one that transformed Alvar?!"

Tobias shot Dumoss a harsh glance. "'Ware and quiet! Speak not of such things openly! You'll summon minions and trouble!" Tobias shuddered and glanced around the clearing nervously.

"Let's take the belt to my tower. I've many wards in place that will allow us to study it in more detail and not risk the danger of a fae eavesdropper."

Turning back to Elton, Tobias tried further to calm the Hunter. "The Villagers aren't fools. Superstitious yes, but they'll recognize honesty. I'll..." his voice cracked, "I'll inform my sister. It would be best if she heard of this from me."

Thinking for a moment, Tobias responded, "We saw some tracks, but show us again before we leave the area."

"Elton, you can stay at my Tower. No one can harm you there, but you must promise us that you'll not try to run. We'll both attest to your innocence, if you run, you'll only make things worse. Do you agree?"

At the mention of Vyria, a tear formed in Elton's eye.
"Yes, please speak to her. Tell her I am truly sorry and would never had shot if I had known."

"Thanks for the offer of safety in your tower. I'm sure nobody will enter there even if they thought I was inside."
"I would rather not enter myself if I had a choice."

Looking nervously up from beside the body, "Dumoss can see for yourself where the deer tracks turn into human footprints."
Elton pointed at the ground just a short way from Alvar's body.

In a whisper to Tobias, "Are you sure he is not involved in this Fae trickery?"

Tobias gave the faintest head shake to the Hunter, but said nothing. For one, he didn't want to incriminate Dumoss unfairly nor offed the Elf. Secondly, if Dumoss was involved, it quite possibly could be under a Fae influence or even duress. Such things were spoken of in tales and Tobias's own studies only confirmed that when dealing with Fae it was often safer to assume strange things were more often common than not.

"Alright, let's go to my Tower, get you safe and then we'll take the body of Alvar to town and find my sister." The young wizard's voice was devoid of feeling, for if he allowed himself a little emotion at this point, his magic might well elicit more, and that was never a good thing. At least not until he learned more control.

"Dumoss, please lead the way if you would, you're better and finding trails than I am." In reality, Elton's question had sparked a few doubts about the Elf and what role, if any, he might have in this tragedy. Tobias wanted him up ahead so he could keep an eye on him.

Slowing standing up, Elton asked, "What about him? Can we just leave him laying there."
"Things smelling the blood will be here soon. Wouldn't want them tearing into the body."

With a long sign, "Got no choice I guess. Can't bring the body to town.
Bury him and you'd just have to dig him back up. Unless you got some kind of magic trick ..."

The young wizard's face flushed a deep crimson and his throat seemed to tighten.

...Unless you got some kind of magic trick...

It echoed in his mind, reverberated in his soul. The question evoked images of another untimely death, another tragedy, images which Tobias tried nearly every day to press from his tormented mind. How many times had those scenes come to him and he'd vowed to forsake his craft?

Yet now it finds me again... I don't choose the magic, the magic chooses me!

He shuddered as he beheld the body of his sister's husband on the ground. To attempt a ritual, to tempt the magic he worked so hard to contain... if it were to go awry somehow, or if anyone were to behold the terrible spectacle... it was almost too much to even consider!

And yet, if I am to be cursed with it, perhaps the magic can be made to work for me as it does against me...

Tobias drew a long, ragged breath that seemed to shake his entire thin frame. "I do have a... my magic, that is... I think I can utilize it..."

Looking at Elton and then to Dumoss, "It will be terrible to behold. I beg of you not to look! Keep your eyes on the path and follow it to my Tower, skirt the town, no one must see!"

Waiting a moment or two for the others to give him room and heed his plea, Tobias knelt beside the body of Alvar and began to prepare for a truly terrible sort of magical invocation. He himself was too weak to carry the body. It would have to carry itself.

"Eirich caraid a thuit, coisich còmhla rium slighe bròin..." Tendrils of burgundy mist drifted from the top of his staff which was pointed at the corpse. The words of command intertwined as the mist found its way into the nostrils of the dead man causing the chest to rise once more!


OOC: Casting Reanimation - up to 3hrs of undeath under the control of Tobias...

Elton turned away at Tobias's request to not look but then turns back when he heard the wizard collapse.

Trying not to look at Alvar's body he knelt beside Tobias.
The stress in his voice clear to hear, "Are you OK?"
"Though I feel I should give my life for his, don't you do it. Your sister will need you more than ever."

Private to Tobias Draigh: For the price of a Fortune Point and the last of your energy, you successfully cast the sorcery.

After staggering back to his feet with Elton's help, the three of them followed Dumoss's lead towards Tobias's tower.
It was slow going with Tobias needing to rest often and the arrow in Alvar's chest occasionally snagging on branches in the woods.

They reached the edge of the woods and could see the tower as Tobias sank to the ground completely exhausted.

As his strength failed him, Tobias gestured with his staff toward a certain section of the back wall of his tower.

"Bidh am maighstir a ’tilleadh, leig dhomh faighinn a-steach..." He uttered with barely enough breath to form the words of magic.

Elton and Dunmoss hefted Tobais by his shoulders and practically carried him the rest of the way to the tower.

They were able to get into the tower through the now obvious door and Elton was surprised by the space inside.

Alvar's body followed them in and continued to stand as Tobias was let down.
There was no way to miss the body but besides being more pale and having an arrow, at first glance there was little unusual to see.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:04, Mon 13 Jan 2020.

"Now that we're here, what shall we do?"

After glancing around, "Where I am supposed to stay while you work things out?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:48, Fri 10 Jan 2020.

Tobias collapsed into a high-backed chair that might have once been very elegant, even that of a long ago Lord, but was now battered and tattered from disrepair and an unknown season of neglect whilst the tower had been abandoned. The chair seemed to fit Tobias, and was his favorite, and he'd intended to one day have it repaired and restored... but hadn't found the time nor energy to do so as of yet. He gestured to a mug which had been empty but a moment ago and was now full of cool springwater. This he drank slowly, nearly too tired to swallow.

Finally, he spoke a few words of command and motioned to the walking corpse, an horrific sight to behold, to lie down upon a worn couch and take a position of repose. When it was thus, Tobias released the dark magic which he'd employed to animate the dead tanner.

"You'll stay here Elton, through that door there's a small room. You'll be able to look out the window without fear of being seen from without, the enchantments upon this tower will not allow it without my permission. I will ask that you remain there. I'll see that food and water are brought to you while I rest and afterward while I bring these tidings to those in the town..." He sighed wearily. The dread of what he'd have to do was growing heavier upon him.

"Dumoss, will you see to Elton and the room? I must rest briefly and then I would accompany you to break the news. We should be very safe here, but I would appreciate if you'd be watchful while I'm at rest." This was said, in part, to give the elf something to do. Idleness might compel him toward leaving the tower, which could complicate things even more.

Finally, not even getting up from the heavy wooden chair, Tobias closed his eyes, and fell asleep, his head sagging slowly to one side.


OOC: Will try to rest for an hour or so, just long enough to regain his wits a bit...