Idi shakes his head sadly, answering Spriggy. "No more than the next man I'm afraid, not at the moment. It is within Thovis's power of course, but I would need to pray on it a while, I have the Hunter's blessings focused in other ways right now."

At the sound of the smashed window, Idi springs to his feet and steps back defensively, looking around to see what the extent of the danger might be.


How close is the raven? Buckthorn went to talk to someone, I wasn't sure if that was nearby or not.

A look of concern crossed Spriggy's face when the glass in the next room broke, but he continued his healing song so that his progress would not be undone. And he visibly relaxed again when the sound of a crow cawing hit his ears. A bird running into a window was hardly a cause for panic. He was confident the others could handle a lone birdie while he continued healing the wounded patients.

Caught completely off guard Buck flailed, trying to defend himself against the determined bird, with one arm he reached to bring his spear shaft to the ready as a makeshift quarterstaff.

In the commotion the acolyte's map found its way onto the floor and Buck, surprised but not intimidated asked aloud;

"What, raven??" as if half-expecting the sudden intruder meant business.

The raven caws in an almost unnatural way. It's bleeding, badly, but still flies about making wild charges at everything that moves. It strikes at Gorrid's shield, bouncing harmlessly.

Buckthorn shouts at it, but the bird seems mad, repeatedly screaming at all to die. It seems it didn't even notice the horrible wound it was given.

Since the commotion seems to be just a single bird, Idi rushes into the other room just behind the others. He sees Gorrid's blade out, and having seen the damage the paladin can do with that--

"Gorrid, wait! We may learn more capturing than killing it!" A single mad animal, it fits the pattern. Idi quickly pulls the scarf off his head and when the bird loses momentum from running into something or someone, he makes a lunge to try and pin it wrapped in his scarf.


I don't know if this is the way we'll do this, but I'll make a Defy Danger (DEX) roll because that's my best guess. GM feel free to adjust the total if something else applies more, or ignore if it's not fitting!
Idi rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 5,2.

"Idi is right!" Buck sounds off while dropping his spear and removing his fur trimmed cape to help in capturing the desperate bird.

"I wasn't *trying* to kill it!".  However, the paladin's protest was somewhat lost in the chaos.  He re-sheathed his sword before someone accidentally got hurt and did his best to not get in the way as Idi tried to grab the bird.

What here is evil?

You manage to catch the animal with your cloaks, but it keeps struggling. So much that you can hear sickening cracks as the raven breaks it's own wings while fighting your grasp. It's movements grows weaker, probably because it's loosing blood.

As Gorrid looks at the pinned corvid, you notice a faint aura of evil fading as the bird grows weaker.

When Spriggy finished his healing song for the villagers, he went to see what was happening with the bird. Even though it had attacked them, it was basically impossible for the bard to view the dying bird as an enemy. He figured it was probably enchanted somehow to do someone's (or something's) bidding. "I've got this," he said. And Spriggy began singing the same song for the bird that he had for the villagers. If he could keep it alive and remove any magic controlling it, maybe it could tell them what was going on.

---

10:07, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,4.  Arcane Art - Heal crow, remove mind's enchantment.
It works, but...

10:12, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 5 using 1d8 with rolls of 5.  Damage Healed.

Sir Gorrid adds his prayers to the bard's efforts.  There was no need for the bird to die.

quote:

12:24, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,6.  Aid Spriggy.

You manage to stabilize the small animal, though barely. It's passed out, and still has it's malevolent aura.

Sir Gorrid examined the animal closely, trying to figure out if the aura was attached to anything in particular - for example, something on the feathers or possibly ingested.  Then he grabbed a sheet from one of the beds and wrapped it tightly enough it would be unable to move, though still able to breath and communicate.  Then he cast his own healing on it.

quote:

08:33, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 12 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,6.  Discern realities.
08:34, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 1,5.  Cure light.
08:34, Today: Sir Gorrid of Torr rolled 6 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,2.  Healing.

Questions:
What happened here recently?
Who's really in control here?
What here is not what it appears to be?

I'll forget the spell

Russel keeps a sharp eye out for any out of place animals about.

After the breaking of glass, he even scans the sky for any other lone predators that may be flying about.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Wed 27 Apr 2022.

Gorrid cannot find any strange substance on the animal, who seems to have only calmed down because it's grown too weak to struggle. It's hard to tell, but it's eyes look bloodshot. In a way, the bird reminds you of the Orcish berserkers you once fought. It certainly acted as violently as one.

Outside, there doesn't seem to be any other animals in the area. Whether in the sky or on the land.

Idi steps back to let Spriggy and Gorrid administer to the animal. He examines his scarf—not ruined, but not something he wants back on his head before a thorough washing. He sighs and folds it up instead. "Something about this is clearly not right. I'm afraid I know little of birds, Spriggy or Buckthorn might get something from it though? I'm going to pray, and see what guidance Thovis can offer us."

Idi checks in with Russel before going any farther. "See anything? The bird made quite a spectacle, I didn't see anything else suspicious but I admit I was a little distracted myself. I'm going to prepare a prayer for guidance, but if you have any insights I'd welcome hearing about them while I get set up." Idi then sets off to find the chapel acolyte, hoping he can help Idi with a proper prayer service.


I'll want offerings for a proper petition, with luck the acolyte can set me up with that. I don't know if I'll have to convince him though! I'm not sure which god, if a specific one, this chapel (and acolyte) is dedicated to?

"The creature has been tainted with evil of some sort.  I have some holy water.  It might help to dispel whatever power influenced the creature and make it better able to share what occurred."

The paladin waited for the others to take whatever actions they wished and to raise any concerns before gently sprinkling the bird's head and wetting the sheet binding it with one of his vials.

Spriggy watched with interest to see if the holy water would have any effect on the bird. "Is the evil dissipating?" he asked those who could see the aura. Not only was he concerned for this one bird, but it would also help them plan for future encounters with ravenous wild animals if the water worked.

Washing the bird with holy water doesn't seem to have an effect, thought it's hard to tell with something so small, and with an aura so faint.

The chapel is dedicated to the Ghostwalk, and obviously the acolyte has the offerings you need! (And the motivation to help you, considering he just got attacked!) You go through the rituals, calling on Thovis for aid...

An image comes to you, of the raven flying over a black-and-white forest. It lands near a red pond, drinking it's water. As it drinks, it turns more and more red. Then, it flies out, until it charges into the chapel. You see Buckthorn catch the bird, and Gorrid tend to it. As Gorrid pours blue water over the bird, some of it gets into it's beak, causing the red to fade slightly.

Idi's eye flicker open after the vision, and despite the urge to share his insights right away he spends the moment needed to thank Thovis and finish the rituals properly. Then, he heads to find the others.

"Thovis showed us something about how the raven became twisted in its spirit. Tainted waters, somewhere in the forest, something evil I think. They passed that evil into the bird when it drank, it could do the same quite easily for any number of animals.

"The holy water is having some effect, Gorrid," Idi reassures, but with a frown. "Just... not a lot. If we're truly going to redeem the animal, it will take more, it seems. This must be a powerful evil. But we can't let the bird go on like this, leaving an evil in the world is against the tenets of the Ghostwalk. If its spirit can't be healed..." he leaves the rest unsaid.


If any PCs want to know the specific details of the vision Idi will willingly share them, feel free to assume so now or later.

"Perhaps a cage for our forest friend here while the raven recovers?"

Buck poses the question but it's fairly obvious he's made up his mind to act, hoping to find a cage or something appropriate to hold it rather than have to build something.

He whispers to the enwrapped bird to calm it.

"If the effect was caused by drinking, perhaps it can be reversed that way?"

He tried to slowly pour some of the holy water into the creature's beak, a few drops at a time, watching to see if there was any effect on the dark aura around the bird.

"Carefully... carefully..." Buck urged, holding the bird as steady as possible for Gorrid. He wasn't sure about the idea of forcing an exasperated creature to drink but Buck had rapidly grown more and more trusting of the knight's intuitions since meeting him not long ago.

"If you do find a cage, it'll have to drink eventually I assume. I hope it does. It didn't earn a dark fate, it's as much a victim as anyone. Recovery would be promising." But if it doesn't, I wonder if I'll have to do the messy work.

Spriggy watched with interest to see if Gorrid's holy water would have any effect. Almost absentmindedly, he replied to Buckthorn's comment about the cage, "Yeah, a cage would probably be good..." Then the bard's head snapped up as he realized he had a cage. "Don't worry Buckthorn. I've got the perfect thing. I'll right back."

Spriggy rushed out to his pony cart and returned with a small cage that the bird could fit in. It was designed for carrier pigeons to rest in (in case anyone ever sent them a message), but he figured it would do. "Here. This should work."

---

Using one Adventuring Gear to produce a birdcage.

The bird drinks some of the holy water, calming it down. The aura is still present, but it does seem to grow weaker. You assume it will take some time and a steady diet of holy water to fully recover, something the acolyte is willing to take care of.

"It explains why the animals are attacking... the only question is what tainted the water." He takes a moment to sweep the broken glass out of the way, before picking up the map he drew. "I'm guessing it most come from somewhere in that area, beyond where the first attacks took place. If you can find lady Oakley, she could probably lead you to it."