You travel across the scattered bridges of the Moonstream delta, until you finally reach the road at the base of the Sunrise Reach. The trip is peaceful, until after your mid-day meal. On a detour of the path, you hear loud shouting and swearing.

As you head a bit further, you spot a large man dressed in leathers and furs, quite likely a hunter. He's shouting angrily at a group of Dwarves with a small pony-drawn cart.

The man seems ready to fight, while the Dwarves are doing their best to talk him down. But by the man's slurred words, you think he may be a bit drunk.

Istvan looks the situation over...

(13:06, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,1.  Discern realities.

On a 7–9, ask 1... take +1 forward when acting on the answers.

What happened here recently?)

It seems the man took offense to the dwarves taking so much of the road with their cart, forcing him to walk in the mud on the side of the small dirt path. A pretty big overreaction, as there's no way the pretty heavy cart could move if it went in the mud itself. The dwarves clearly don't want to fight, but nothing they say seems to work.

"Excuse me sir!" Spriggy called out to the semi-drunk man. Normally he wouldn't get involved, but the journey had been uneventful thus far, and he did not like how unreasonable the man seemed to be while dealing with the dwarves. "If you are truly itching to fight, perhaps you could let the pony cart pass and we could spar a little?"

Spriggy drew his rapier and gave it a couple of casual swipes through the air. He didn't really want to fight the guy, but thought he might be able to distract him long enough for the dwarves to get past. And even if he did end up in a mini brawl, at least the guy seemed like he might not have the best balance at the moment. "Do you have a name?" he asked the drunkard, trying to keep the man's attention.

---

Probably a parley roll? Using the prospect of a fight as leverage. Either as a lure or as intimidation. Whichever seems more appropriate.

22:16, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,1.  Parley with drunk guy.
On a 7–9, they will do what you ask, but need some concrete assurance of your promise, right now.

Kharla purses her lips as she considers the situation; drunk in a pub or wandering a city street was something she was familiar with.  Such easy marks but usually little coin left in their pouches.  But drunk on the road in the wilderness....well she was a city girl but she'd always just assumed one wouldn't go tromping around the woods sloshed to the gills.

08:09, Today: Kharla rolled 5 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,3.  Discern Realities.
- makes sense to me, probably to ward off the cold and had a little to much
- is that XP?

"Someone woke up with a burr in their smallcothes," she smiles to the Dwarves, clearly implying the woodsman.  "How did this start?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:12, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

The hunter looks at Spriggy, before snorting. "What you want to do? Pick my teeth, or fight?" He raises his meaty fist. "If you're a man, show me your hands! Gelnien's gonna show you how to fight!"

If you want to fight, you'll have to make a choice: either fight bare handed with your STR, or use your rapier and your DEX. Either way, you'll have a +1 to your roll for his intoxication, but your fist will do -1 damage, as he's drunk enough to ignore the pain of punches.

The dwarves breath a sigh of relief as someone reasonable approaches them. "That he does, lass." The leader of the dwarves shakes his head. "We're just on our way to Chestnut Hollow, trade some coal for their silver. But when this man saw us he turned red as a tomato, and started accusing us of taking all the road! We can defend ourselves from bandits, but we don't want to start a fight with a random rube!"

He sighs, and offers his hand. "I'm Brom, son of Dougal."

OOC: Yes, Kharla gets an XP for the failed roll!
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:05, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

Since he wasn't truly trying to battle the man, Spriggy humored Gelnien and sheathed his rapier. The scrawny elf held up his fists before him, leaving plenty of space between the two. "Let's be clear about this. We are in a brawl to see who is the better fighter. The first to land a good blow on the other is the winner. Agreed?" Even as he spoke Spriggy bobbed back and forth lightly, but made no move to close the distance between them. Instead he tried to lure Gelnien further off the road and onto unsteady ground. He definitely did not expect to win the fight, but winning was not his goal. He risked a glance toward the dwarves and was glad to see Kharla was over by them taking care of things while he kept the drunkard distracted.

---

Spriggy isn't trying to do any real damage to the man and will happily concede the match if Gelnien lands a good hit. But here is a hack and slash roll for when it becomes relevant. The +1 will balance out Spriggy's -1 from Str.

14:09, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 5 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,4.  Hack and Slash Gelnien.
+1 XP!

Glenien laughs as he avoid Spriggy's punch, before striking back with a somewhat soft punch, for someone his size.

Spriggy takes 2 points of damage (before armor, of course), and Glenien waits to see if you stay standing after this 'devastating' blow.

Even though it was only a glancing blow, Spriggy stumbled backward in dramatic fashion. "That is quite a right hook you've got there. I may have gotten myself in over my head here. One more hit like that and I may have to forfeit!" Spriggy did a couple of bobs and weaves, then went in for another strike. Perhaps he was focused too much on his showmanship though...

Regardless, he figured one more round would give his companions and the dwarves all the time they would need.

---

Another strike, another miss. +1 XP! I'm going to level up fast at this rate. If I survive...
14:05, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 4 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,3.  Hack and Slash two, electric boogaloo.

The hunter laughs as he gleefully punch Spriggy once more, eager to see the elf stumble under his 'mighty' blows.

Blows that still only do two points of damage. I'm starting to think he's more drunk then I thought...

"Greetings Brom, son of Dougal," Kharla favors Brom with a nod and a smile, then winces visibly as Spriggy leads with his chin, "I'm Kharla and these are my companions Istvan and, ouch, Spriggy."

"Don't go so easy on him, Spriggy.  Show him what you've got!" she turns and calls to Spriggy briefly before facing Brom again and smiling, "He's fine."

"We're actually on our way to Chestnut Hollow ourselves," she continues, "Understand they've a bit of a problem since the earth shook a few days ago and the bodies of their deceased they chose to plant in the ground rather than burn in a pyre began to rise up again.  Haven't seen any Dark Elves here about, have you?"

"Can't say we have." Brom says. "Nor did we hear of problems with their dead. But knowing how those of the Ghostwalk feels about buried bodies, I can't say I'm surprised they don't like talking about it. Ichiro told me their graveyard is the main reason they decided to exploit the silver vein that was found there."

As you speak, the other dwarves encourage their pony to keep moving, hoping to be far enough from the hunter that he won't care about them anymore.

"I am showing him what I got!" Spriggy called back to Kharla. Unfortunately "what he had" was not at all impressive...

Once again, Spriggy greatly over exaggerated the effect of Glenien's punch and stumbled backward. Panting heavily, the bard held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, then wiped his scuffed chin. "Alright, alright, I think it is clear who the better fighter is here. I give up. Where did you learn such smooth fighting skills anyway? Does everyone from around here fight with such skill?" Spriggy hoped to steer the fight into a conversation rather than an active brawl. Maybe even learn a thing or two about the area, if he steered it delicately enough.

Glenien laughs at Spriggy's surrender. "That what it takes to survive here!" He stumbles to a rock, where he seems to have left his back. He pulls out a bottle and take a swing, before tossing it to Spriggy. "Here! That'll give you some hair on your chest. You gotta be tough these days, what with all those refugees eating all our food..."

You're reminded how the wars and skirmishes in the midlands have brought a large number of immigrants to the province. With the protection of Death Forest, and a strong alliance with Loward Down, the countries of the midlands haven't tried attacking the Province of the White Sword, giving it the image of a peaceful utopia. Of course, with so many mouths to feed, and little farm land, that lead to a severe famine in the last few years.

Things have mostly settled now, thanks to a lot of fishing, but old grudges dies hard it seems.

Now that that seems to be settled, Istvan walks up to the dwarves. "Hey there-- Istvan Vanoson here, cleric of Nnnnoric? If you know what I mean? Eh? Mm?"

He briefly shows them his holy symbol (a little onyx pendant of a crescent moon).

"So um... any other hints about what we can expect up ahead? Anybody got any thoughts?"

Brom raises an eyebrow. "Noric? I didn't expect to meet one of his cleric here, but it's always good to see one who remembers the Ancestors. As for what's ahead, the road is usually safe. Few people visit Chestnut Hollow, other than the few traders like us. They don't like dealing with strangers, in case they find out about their dead."

Spriggy took a swig of the offered drink, doing his best to swallow as little as possible. "Well, you definitely qualify as tough. I'm sure you'll be good on food for a while. I should probably get back to my friends before they head off without me. Thanks for the spar."

Spriggy did his best to excuse himself politely and head back over by the others. He didn't necessarily agree with Glenien's sentiments on refugees, especially considering he had been given refuge himself as a boy, but he also did not want to give Glenien any excuses to turn their friendly spar into an outright fight. He had gotten himself roughed up enough already.

He returned just in time to catch the dwarves' reply to Istvan's question. "So you already knew about the people of Chestnut Hollow burying their dead instead of cremating them?" Spriggy asked, quietly enough that he hoped Glenien wouldn't also catch his words.

Kharla nods as she listens to Brom describe Chestnut Hollow but his earlier comment nags at her.  Finally she asks him, "I know that mining silver and burying bodies both involve digging but other than that I can't think of a connection.  So why would Chestnut Hollow's graveyard move them to exploit the silver vein?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:20, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

"Silver veins are rare this far north. Most of them were found long before they could drift all the way here. Once it was spotted, the Czar wanted someone to exploit it." Brom explains. "That was a chance heretics couldn't pass up. So the whole community agreed to move here, so they could follow their belief in peace, without the church breathing down their necks."

Glenien is soon left behind, as you walk besides the Dwarves. You have to slow down to keep pace with your new companions, but the companionship is nice.

OOC: The drink does wonder to soothes Spriggy's pain, healing him for 1 hp.

Spriggy noticed as they walked that his fresh wounds were not bothering him as much. He didn't feel as chilly anymore either. Whatever Glenien had given him was really working wonders. He just hoped he didn't experience any downsides...

The elf listened carefully as Brom spoke, since any detail could prove to be important for their mystery. He had yet to make any important connections other than the obvious, but he kept everything in mind just the same. "So am I understanding this correctly? The silver vein was found in the same location as the graveyard? And the town of Chestnut Hollow sprung up solely to exploit the silver vein?" If the graveyard was older than the town itself, that could be an important clue. But it could be just as likely that the graveyard was constructed later, taking advantage of the freshly churned earth in the spots that had already been mined. Which could also be an important clue.

"The reverse I think," Kharla answered Spriggy, "The silver was discovered and the people saw an opportunity to move out away from the eyes of the church.  So they founded the town of Chestnut Hollow and soon were burying their dead as they pleased.  They were happy, the Czar was happy and the church was oblivious."

"That's right, miss Kharla. They wanted a safe place to live their belief, and like our Dwarven ancestors, they found it by digging a hole." Brom says with a grin. "I can only wonder what happened to them though..."

As the sun starts to sink into the Mistshroud Ocean, you see the light of lamps up ahead of you, along the road. "We're almost there. Chestnut Hollow is right ahead."

Spriggy nodded in understanding as Kharla and Brom clarified the situation. It even seemed to jog a distant memory somewhere in his brain. Probably from a tale he had overheard about Chestnut Hollow while working as a tavern entertainer. He shared what he had remembered with his adventuring companions.

---

I would like to use Spriggy's racial move:

"When you enter an important location (your call) you can ask the GM for one fact from the history of that location."

As far as Spriggy remembers, the town is pretty calm overall. Their mine was rich enough that they didn't have much issue during the worst of the famine. Of course, that created some friction with jealous citizen in other parts of the province, but Chestnut Hollow kept to themselves enough that few people even heard about what happened to them.

As you get closer, even with what little light remains at dusk, you can see the village does look quite well-off, with painted walls and clear windows. Though you notice the street seems pretty empty, even for those last hours of the day.

"Quite empty around here..." Spriggy commented. "You don't think their graveyard troubles manifest specifically at night, do you?" The bard was suddenly walking faster than he had been a moment ago, eager to get inside before full nightfall hit. Maybe he was overreacting, but he would feel much better once he reached the inside of a well-lit establishment.

"Is it always this quiet?" the newest of the Phoenix Blades asks aloud as the village draws closer.  Kharla watches for candle light in windows or villagers on the street, looking for any signs things may not be well for the inhabitants.

21:38, Today: Kharla rolled 3 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,1.  Discern Realities.
- What a quaint village, so peaceful!  Unless you don't think that was a good time to use that skill, Kharla will take another XP.  Wow, what a roll

"It's very tranquil actually," she shrugs.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Istvan, anxious, looks around carefully...

(07:53, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,1.  Discern realities.

What is about to happen?

Note: if NOTHING is about to happen, OR if you feel like it's dumb of me to have rolled for this immediately after someone else tried it (or both), then just ignore this I guess.)

While Kharla walks confidently into the village, while the rest, Brom included, are more worried. "The citizen usually go to bed early, but not that early..."Istvan realizes the village boarded up, like it's planning for an attack. There's no damage around, so they haven't been attacked yet, but they're expecting one.

Brom leads you to the village's tavern. He knocks at the closed door, until someone opens. "...Brom? Is that you?" A large woman opens the door. "Come in! I forgot you were coming to trade this week... Get in quick!"

"Is it alright if we seek refuge as well?" Spriggy inquired. He assumed the answer would be yes, but it was still a good idea to be polite. "Is there a good reason everyone is staying off the streets? Will Gelnien be alright out there on his own? We passed him on the road a while back..." He figured name-dropping a local might add to their credibility a bit.

"But what about your pony?" Kharla hooked a thumb toward the Dwarf's cart.  She hadn't noticed anything amiss so was a bit slow to appreciate the woman's level of concern. "I can help you stable it if you like."

"It's alright, we can take care of it. You should go in, you have much to talk about I'm sure."

The woman looks at your group, realizing you're not part of Brom's assistants. "Yes, come in... I'm Arund, owner of the Sword Stone. Who are you?" When Spriggy mentions Gelnien, she sighs. "Oh, he should be fine. He only comes around to trade for some drinks. He has a cabin on the river's side further south-east. Nothing..." She hesitates, leaving her phrase unfinished.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:16, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

"...Nothing's going to attack him there?" Istvan guessed.

"Hmmm...." the thief frowns at Istvan's comment, clarity of the situation having slowly dawned upon her, "Lady Arund, we are members of the Phoenix Blades, sent to understand and assist as we may in Chestnut Hollow's plight.  Perhaps you could further explain the situation to us over a mug of wine?"

With a quick look up and down the street, Kharla enters the Sword Stone and finds a seat.

She flinches at Istvan's comment, but breathes a sigh of relief when Kharla explains why you're here. "Oh thanks Zohlkahn you're here... Please, take a seat, I'll bring you something to drink."

Brom and his dwarves sit at another table, far enough to avoid accidentally eavesdropping on your discussion. Not that Arund seems to care, as she sits with you and offers you a pitcher of beer. "It all started five days ago. We had a bad collapse in the mine, and lost eleven miners. After we gave them a final wake, we went to... bury them." She pauses, but seeing no reactions, she continues. "When we went to our graveyard... we found the dead had tried to dig themselves up."

She pauses to take another drink. "Some of us thought it could have been done by some wild animal, but we didn't find any tracks. We decided to bury them again... but it happened again the next day. At that point, we decided to send a call for help. It's happened every night since. The dead never fully unearthed themselves... but we're worried it could change..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Fri 05 Feb 2021.

"Wait, hold on. 'Tried' to dig themselves up? I mean, obviously, if you noticed, that means that they got as far as the surface... So what exactly did you find? Half-buried corpses? A skeletal arm sticking out of the ground? Has anyone kept watch at night to see what happens...?"

"Half-unburied would be a better way to put it... A few limbs poking out of the ground, some getting as far as part of their torso." She says. "As for guards... the worst we have to deal with in these parts are the occasional bear getting too close to the village. Whatever is causing this... it's not something anyone in town is ready to deal with."

"Hm. But they're unmoving and acting-dead (as opposed to undead) each time you actually find them? Hm. ...But... Is this just the new 11 miners you buried? Or were the previous dead already trying to, er, exhume themselves when you took the unfortunate 11 to the graveyard? If so, are the new 11 additions also trying to un-bury themselves?"

"Bodies digging themselves up but not fully reanimating? This reminds me of something I read about once..." Spriggy commented. He tried to recall what exactly he knew even as Arund shared her own knowledge. When the lady finished answering Istvan, Spriggy shared his own insights about the situation.

---

Spouting Lore:
13:49, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,3.  Spout Lore - self- exhumed bodies.
On a 10+, the GM will tell you something interesting and useful about the subject relevant to your situation.

Kharla nods as she listens to her companions then offers, "The sun has not yet set.  If we wish to know how the bodies are unearthed perhaps we should build a large fire in the graveyard and keep watch tonight?"

It is clear in the tone of her voice that she is not thrilled by the idea; only dedicated to resolving the mystery.

Arund sighs. "We couldn't bring ourselves to harm the bodies to test them, but they showed no signs of being animated when we re-buried them. And the dead miners only reanimated after we buried them. The rest of the our cemetery was also affected."

Spriggy recalls... "When the Dark Elves unlocked the secrets of necromancy, their favorite tactics was to use their prodigious magical powers to raise entire armies at once. Of course, the strongest necromancers died long before the rise of the Ghostwalk. Before long, the most they could manage were a squad of undead at the time...
But if the spell breaks before the bodies can unearth themselves... This screams of failed incantation."

"Dark Elves? You think Dark Elves could have done this?" Arund seems unsure whether to be happy or worried... "Well, the sun is setting... If you're willing to wait near the cemetary, I can offer you some lamps. The path leading up there is discreet, but I can show where it is."

Spriggy looked to the other two. "I think we should take her up on that offer. If someone is out there trying to animate a squad of undead, we should probably try to catch them in the act." Spriggy had been looking forward to a night in a nice soft bed for a change, but this was what they were here for. And if they waited an extra night and the potential spellcaster figured out the shortcomming of their spell... Well, they could have much bigger problems than a night of missed sleep.

"Sure. What if someone's trying every night? And what if this happens to be the night they get it right? Whether it is or not, I think we should be there to stop them.

I am curious about that mine collapse, though. Makes me wonder if maybe someone dug in the wrong spot underground... When you retrieved the poor miners' bodies... did anyone see anything else suspicious in that area? Weird glowing runes that said NOW YOU'VE DONE IT or a big glowing sign saying YOU HAVE BROKEN THE SEAL or a creepy glowing skull that whispered TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED, or anything? ...Glowing or otherwise?" Istvan was a big believer in evil magic (arcane, divine, or otherwise) being glow-y, but he didn't want to rule anything out.

Gathering a few lamps, Arund leads you out of the inn, and toward a trail you would never have seen in the dark. "If they did... they didn't live to tell us about it. The victims were in a new side branch they started digging. It collapsed on them midway-through. We managed to dig them out, but no one tried crawling through what was left of the tunnel. We were more concerned with what was happening in the graveyard."

The trail twist through a small wood, until it reaches a depression between the hills. Ahead, you see the rows of crosses marking the burial sites, an imitation of the old tradition of leaving a sword jab into the ground to mark the place a warrior died.

Arund shivers as she looks at the graveyard. "If you don't mind... I'll wait for you at the inn. I'd rather not be here when whatever is causing this arrives..."

"Understood," Spriggy replied to Arund as she excused herself. If he hadn't been here for this specific job, Spriggy would have probably been right behind her. But as it was, they had a mystery to solve.

After making sure his lamp worked properly, he said to Istvan and Kharla, "I suppose we should try and search for clues before we lose the last of our daylight. Unfortunately footprints probably won't be much help, since they have been reburying the bodies daily, but it doesn't hurt to be vigilant anyway." Spriggy began pacing through the graveyard, taking note of how many looked to be disturbed. Or which ones were NOT disturbed, if it seemed relevant. He also kept his keen elven ears and nose tuned in to any hints of magic in the air.

---

Discerning Realities:
20:58, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,3.  Discern Realities - graveyard clues.
What here is not what it appears to be?
What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?

The red-head stood pondering, eyes searching the rows of markers.

"If I were trying to raise the dead....where would I do it from?"

She began her stroll, looking for any sign...

Spriggy has already succeeded so no need to roll to asssit

As Spriggy said, the dirt of the graveyard is trampled and overturned. But by carefully checking the edges of the graveyard, you can see the villagers always entered the graveyard from the path you took. Outside of that well trodden path, the earth remains soft, with no signs of tracks.

The sun is now well set, and Spriggy pauses to gaze at the moon, the vessel of the elven god Dirthspar. As the god of meditation, most elf spellcaster participate in the god's worship. Spriggy himself attended many such ceremonies, and as he watches the moon above, he can still hear the chants that accompanies those rituals...

Wait. That's not a memory. You can hear a strange, distant chant. It sounds like an elvish song, but it's... distorted somehow, making it impossible to understand what is said.

You have little time to ponder it though, as the earth around you starts to move...

OOC: Dirthspar has been added into The World of Arete thread if you want more information.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:47, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

Istvan suddenly remembers oh yeah, he can turn the undead, right.

He asks Noric for a little protection...

(12:35, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,3.  turn undead?)

Noric comes through. It's not the most powerful job of turning that Istvan has ever pulled off, but it'll still work...

"I appreciate their punctuality," Kharla grins, her dagger and shortsword suddenly in her hands, "Now for a little puncturing of my own!"

The thief begins to lay about her with abandon; targeting any head that breaks the surface.

18:35, Today: Kharla rolled 9 using 2d6 with rolls of 3,6.  Hack and Slash.
- oooh I didn't ask if they were vulnerable as they were emerging, could have been a backstab instead

Well IF they are up for a backstab then Harley will use that and choose 1: You deal your damage+1d6
Otherwise just Hack and Slash for 1d6 but: On a 7–9, you deal your damage to the enemy and the enemy makes an attack against you.

18:40, Today: Kharla rolled 11 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,6.  Damage for Backstab or Hack and Slash.
- Either 11 dmg for Backstab or 5 for Hack and Slash
This message was last edited by the player at 14:50, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

"That chanting. It sounds... familiar. Yet I cannot parse out the words..." As Istvan began turning the undead, Spriggy moved closer to the cleric with his rapier drawn and stood back to back. When Kharla began her stabbing, Spriggy's gaze was not drawn to the obvious threats around them, or even to the carnage Kharla was inflicting. Instead, his gaze was drawn toward the moon. His finger traced the edge of the treasured songbook that hung off his belt and words of the elven moon deity sprang to the front of his mind.

Softly, and with a calmness unwarranted by their current situation, Spriggy released the poetic words from his lips:

"The silver sand falls grain by grain,
Casting light upon the sane.

Patience pools and light shall wane,
Only time can soothe all pain.

~So sayeth Dirthspar"

Spriggy wasn't sure why, but he could feel a touch of magic in the poem. It pulsed patiently into his companion's weapon of choice, giving a touch of magic to the blade's next strike.

---

Used Arcane Arts to give Kharla +1d4 to her next damage roll (not intended to boost her current damage roll).
23:51, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,1.  Arcane Arts: boost Kharla's damage.

On a 7-9, your spell still works, but you draw unwanted attention or your magic reverberates to other targets affecting them as well, GM’s choice.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

Kharla starts slicing the limbs as they dig themselves out, but there are a lot of them, reaching up from the ground to grasp her. The whole cemetery moves, except for a small island of peace where Noric holds back the creatures.

As Spriggy's word echoes around you, the distant chanting seems to fade... only to grow stronger and more distinct as the moon shines on Karla's blade. It's difficult to tell, but you get the impression that the chant comes from the direction of the mountains.

But now is not the time to admire the scenery, as a horde of half-buried zombies reach out for you, pushing back against Istvan's prayer!

"There's too many," Kharla frowns, before looking to Spriggy "But didn't you say before that if the spell were disrupted the bodies would return to their rest?"

"To that chanting, quick!"

She expects to see Spriggy and Istvan rally with her and will be surprised if they do not.

Being Chaotic Kharla is ready to jump in without a plan.

Are we in a position where we could break for it or do we need to make some rolls?  If so what would be appropriate?

You'll need a roll. Either Hack and Slash to cut your way out, or Defy Danger using either DEX or STR to avoid or push through the limbs.

"Only if we disrupt the spell before the bodies fully emerge from the ground. Let's hurry! That way, I think." Spriggy pointed in the direction of the mountains, where he thought the sound was coming from. He did his best to avoid the grasping hands of the half-undead as he navigated the dark cemetery. He was eager to get unchurning soil beneath his feet once again.

---

Defy Danger with Dex:
15:09, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,2.  Defy Danger + Dex, navigate graveyard.

Though they are many their movements are slow and clumsy.  The redhaired thief is easily able to avoid the clutches of the rising dead.

19:12, Today: Kharla rolled 12 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,6.  Defy Danger + Dex, avoid the grasping dead.
- success

Ugh, they were fighting his turning. And since they had gravity on their side... Istvan prayed harder (and worked on moving to a better location at the same time)...

(13:03, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,4.  Turning undead and moving to a better spot...)

With the skills she learned jumping across rooftops, Kharla nimbly jumps from tombstone to tombstone, escaping the graveyard. Istvan and Spriggy follows, though even with Istvan's power holding back most of them, a few hands still claws at them as they make their way out.

OOC: Istvan and Spriggy have a choice: either lose a charge of their Adventuring Gear, or they take... 1 point of damage.

Now free from the graveyard, you see the dead still trying to free themselves. To the north-east, you still hear the vaguely elven chant, seemingly repeating itself.

Spriggy was glad he had decided to purchase his armor back before joining the guild. It was keeping him from being gouged by long-dead fingernails right now. A wise investment indeed...

Now out of the graveyard, he turned to his fellow adventurers and said, "Obviously we should head toward whoever is doing that weird chanting. But should we rush in and try to catch them quickly, or sneak around and try to surprise them?" He looked toward Kharla and reconsidered. "Or maybe me and Istvan should draw their attention while Kharla tries to sneak up behind?" He was operating under the assumption (perhaps unwisely) that they only had a single foe to thwart.

Kharla doesn't slow her pace, charging ahead towards the mysterious voices.  When she believes she draws close to the speakers she will slow and attempt to approach stealthily; the better to see who stirs the dead.

Boy I hope they don't have lookouts

GM let me know if a roll is needed

The chant is... far. Farther than any of you expected. You slow down as you start climbing a small hill, drawing nearer to the mountains. Reaching the top, you find yourself looking down at a set of moonlit buildings outside a mine.

The chant seems to come from that area, but you see no light or movement below you.

"I am beginning to get the feeling that the reanimating graveyard is connected to that mine collapse they had here..." Spriggy suggested. The timing was surly no coincidence. "Do you think our prospective spellcaster has taken up residence in those mine buildings, or the mine itself?"

---

Edit: Spelling
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Thu 11 Feb 2021.

"Well they still mine, by day, don't they? Did I miss that part? So my guess would be somewhere in the mine itself, because it seems to me that if someone was using one of the buildings regularly, they'd notice the next day. Although I could be wrong. I'd rather be wrong. But I think we'd better go down and find out, quickly."

Kharla seems to be catching her breath, she leans with one hand upon a tree but her teeth show white in the moonlight as she smiles.  With a large breath she rights herself and proceeds as silently as possible down the hill...

OOC: is there a roll to try to be quiet?

OOC: A Defy Danger roll would be the equivalent, usually with DEX to avoid making noise, or possibly WIS to time your movement with the noise your opponent make.

Spriggy nodded in agreement to Istvan's insights, then followed Kharla's lead as she headed forward toward the mine. The bard did his best to remain quiet and unseen as he moved, like Kharla, but his own skills in such things left much to be desired. Even so, he tried timing his steps to the rhythm of the strange chanting so that his footsteps would be less likely to be noticed.

---

20:52, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,2.  Defy Danger + Wis, sneaking in-time with the sounds.
Thaaaaat's an XP. His rhythm must have been off.

Kharla looks back over her shoulder quickly as a crunching rises behind her.  She realizes it is just Spriggy...trips over her own two feet but manages to stay upright with only a small, unseemly curse that carries through the night a bit louder than she would like.

Embarrassed she does a quick double-take to see if anyone else has noticed her clumsiness.

21:15, Today: Kharla rolled 7 using  2d6+2 ((4,1)).
- On a 7–9, you stumble, hesitate, or flinch: the GM will offer you a worse outcome, hard bargain, or ugly choice.

Since the team is trying to trace an apparently-mystical (literally) sound, and since the rest of the team is doing so, Istvan, too, tries to be stealthy. When would be the safest times to move? Which shadows would seem to offer the best cover...?

(17:30, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,5.  Wisdom about stealth..)

Istvan successfully moves from darkness to darkness, freely and silently. Perhaps Noric, god of darkness and freedom, is whispering hints into his mind...?

You move closer to the buildings, but despite your attempts at stealth, Spriggy just can't seem to focus on his footsteps. There's just something about the chant that intrigues him, but he can't put his finger on what...

"What is with that tune?" Spriggy asked, forgetting that he was trying to remain silent. Rather than comment on his comment though, the elf clasped a hand over his mouth and tried to figure out if the sound was coming from a building, the mine, or another location entirely.

IF it's easy and simple for him to do so, Istvan grabs or waves his allies to silence and stillness...

Either way, Istvan studies the shape he sees...

(15:02, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,3.  Discern realities.

What is about to happen? )

Kharla grits her teeth, hesitates, then retraces her steps to the bard and cautions him to halt.  Crouching in what cover is available she whispers, "Istvan has a better approach.  Let's hold here until he signals."

She scans the night for any sign of watchers alert to their presence.

16:01, Today: Kharla rolled 5 using 2d6+1 ((1,3)).
- whew, we're clearly safe.  All good....oh look, XP

Following the signal Istvan is giving you, you spot a small shape moving through the shadows, drawing closer to you. It's not exceptionally fast, so you could try to escape and hide behind a building... or you could wait a bit more, and take a good look at it as it moves into the moonlight.

The way the thing moves, Istvan thinks it belongs in the "undead" category, so Istvan mutters under his breath to Noric for help...

(09:31, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 12 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 5,4.  turn undead with small extra bonus from Discernment.)

Ooh, this one is more powerful than last time. Thanks, Noric.

As you watch, the creature start twitching and moving in an uncontrolled manner, until it's fully out of the shadows. The shape, a partly eaten beaver, runs away over the hill, fleeing the darkened shadows.

The three of you are left in the mining camp, alone.

The thief exhales in relief.  Istvan cannot see her nod of appreciation in the dark but she does so anyway in his direction.  She had worried of dead villagers raised again; she had not considered wildlife as well.  Truly the situation in Chestnut Hollow was...grave...indeed.

She turned again, trying to locate the direction of the unnatural voices, and proceeded on in their direction.

OOC: Nice work Istvan.  Onward to the source of this trouble...

Like Kharla, Spriggy had not considered the possibility of undead wildlife. The bard suddenly felt much more vulnerable and exposed this far away from town. He was extremely thankful to have Istvan, a cleric of Noric, on his team. He stuck close to his companions and signaled that he was ready to follow them further toward the source of the sound.

---

Do we have a better sense yet of where exactly the spells are originating from? What all are we seeing (scenery-wise) as we move through the darkness?
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Sun 14 Feb 2021.

Istvan acknowledges Kharla's appreciation silently, watching the partly-eaten beaver go... off to work on the labor required by the dammed, perhaps.

It seemed unlikely that someone would raise a normal beaver from the dead on purpose... So it was more likely just an accident caused by an indiscriminate magical effect...

You focus on the chant... though it seems to be growing faint. But there's no doubt in your mind, the chant comes from the mine.

As you walk through the camp, using the light of the moon to guide you, you notice that there are cobwebs on some of the tools. Everything is well used, but it appears that no one has worked in the mine for the past few days. Considering the recent deaths, and the following trouble in the cemetery, it's not really surprising.

The mine itself has a pretty wide entrance, with two railways to bring out carts of ore. The earth around it is packed, save for a softer spot where you notice a track left by a bony paw.

"We'll have to go in here sooner or later-- I think the miners opened up something that was already underground, since there's no tracks here except undead beaver tracks. So since it's not coming out... Let's go in after it. Ready?" Istvan asks... but he heads in anyway...

Her blades in hand Kharla follows Istvan into the mine.

OOC: Are there any light sources in the mine or will we need to light a lantern?

OOC: You'll need a lantern.

"I suppose it can't be helped," Spriggy admitted reluctantly. He was not to enthusiastic about entering the mines, but it was what the job required. Before he followed the other two, however, the bard crouched next to the paw print and let a dim light emanate from his lantern so that he could get a better look at it. He had grown up on a farm near a river, so he was familiar with several types of paw prints, and might even be able to tell if it actually from a beaver as Istvan had suggested. He shared his findings with his group members.

---

Sure, I'll try to Spout Lore on the paw print.
21:37, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 3 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,1.  Spout Lore - paw print.
He maybe should have waited a bit longer before using his lantern. +1 XP!

Using your lanterns, you step into the mine. For a moment, you worry about not finding the right path with all the side passages you see, until you see warning signs that were recently left, pointing toward the collapsed area. Considering what Arund told you, it sounds like a good place to check.

There's only one problem. Most of the tunnel is blocked off, though you may be able to slip through...

OOC: Though that would require a Defy Danger roll. DEX is the most likely choice, but if you have another idea, feel free to present it. Kharla can treat it as a trap however.

(You mean Kharla may be able to... "defuse" the difficult-to-get-by area...?)

Possibly, by figuring out what parts are about to fall apart and how to shore them up, before you stumble into them and cause another collapse.

Spriggy wasn't exactly sure what had left the footprint, but he was pretty certain it was something no longer alive. Which wasn't surprising, but still a useful bit of knowledge.

When they got to the cave-in, Spriggy asked, "Who is going first? I could try squeezing through, but I am not sure I won't cause a mini rockslide in the process. Plus, there could be something waiting for us on the other side..." He looked to his teammates, his expression implying that he would rather have one of them go first. Istvan because he could repel the undead, and Kharla because she probably had more experience squeezing through tricky spaces.

Since you're no longer in a rush (the magical chant ended sometime ago), you also have the option of returning to the village for the night, and asking for their help in shoring up and clearing the passage.

I would like to give Kharla a chance to shine, but it seems she's AFK for the moment.

The thief shone the lantern light across the debris, then prodded here and there, eying the dirt that rained down when she did so.

13:26, Today: Kharla rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,5.  Trap Expert.
✴ On a 7–9, hold 1.
• Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?

The area is still somewhat unstable. Someone could crawl through, but if they brushed up at the wrong place, the rocks would collapse on them.

Kharla could stabilize it with a Tricks Of The Trade. On a 10+, she manages to find the remnants of a pickaxe she can use. On a 7-9, she has to dig up a crowbar from her adventuring gear (and mark one of it's uses).

"So what do you think?" Spriggy asked Kharla as she surveyed the scene. "Can we go on? We probably should if we can. Keep the initiative and whatnot. But I would also rather not die in a cave in if it can be helped..." He let the thief do her thing, but was also ready to help in any way she asked.

"One moment," the redhead held up a finger and smiled in the lantern's glow.  Scanning about she begins to search, discarding rocks, a splinter of timber, before finally settling in a broken miner's pick.  Soon she had the remnants wedged under a portion of the hole tightly.

"That should do it," she nodded in satisfaction, "but there's really only one way to be sure."

Bending down she shine the light into the hole then followed carefully after it.

20:26, Today: Kharla rolled 11 using 2d6+2 ((3,6)).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Spriggy made sure his own lantern was still well-lit, then followed after Kharla into the hole once it became clear that it was safe to do so. "I really hope there isn't an ambush waiting for us on the other end," he whispered unhelpfully to his companions.

The broken pick holds, and Kharla passes without issues. Spriggy and Istvan soon follow, and you can head deeper into the mine. The area seems more stable, even though dirt fell even here.

You soon reach a small tunnel splitting off the main path. Looking at the ground, you see a few small tracks heading there, while a set of larger tracks follow the main tunnel.

Istvan studies the tracks...

(07:09, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,3.  Discern realities, more fun with tracks.

What happened here recently?)

Judging by the track, Istvan figures that since the mine's collapse, dead animals in the area have been reanimated by the spell you've heard earlier, and they've made their way into this tunnel. Although some have wandered into the side path, the main tracks seem to follow the central shaft so far.

"We should probably follow the main path, huh?" Spriggy asked Istvan and Kharla. "It could be potentially useful to block off the side tunnels, but I doubt we have the time or the means to do a worthwhile job." Unless, of course, someone happened to bring some gear that could accomplish such a task. Spriggy himself had not. And the longer they loitered in the tunnel, the more likely they would be to meet some foes. He made sure his rapier was in hand and inched toward the main tunnel, ready to follow it unless one of the others objected.

Istvan feels Spriggy's making sense... He follows Spriggy.

Kharla waited as Spriggy and Istavn proceeded down the main path, listening for any sounds of movement from the side tunnel.  Assuming none are evident she follows the men but maintains alert for any signs of danger from the rear.

21:35, Today: Kharla rolled 7 using 2d6+1 ((2,4)).
- What should I be on the lookout for?

You head down the corridor, and find it widening into a chamber. As you take a moment to shine your light into the area, you spot a form moving ahead. A skeleton, barely covered by the rotten remains of a bear's pelt, shuffling on all four until it notices your light.
What do you do?

Istvan asks Noric for protection.

(12:13, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 14 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,6.  Turn Bear.

That number again: 14.)

Maybe Noric, god of darkness, does extra-well down here underground? But this is Istvan's Best Turning Ever. It turns the undead, stultifies them, and fills Istvan with a warm happy feeling. His clothes feel a little cleaner.

Spriggy stood with his weapon drawn, his hand shaking slightly. An undead bear was a bit more than he had bargained for. But thankfully, Istvan's clerical skills proved invaluable once again. "Thank the gods," Spriggy said as he breathed a sigh of relief. "Er, well. Your god. Noric."

The bear clacks as it shudders and runs into a side passage, leaving you free to continue down the main path.

After a short time, you pass another side tunnel that draws your attention. It looks a bit newer then the others, and at the limits of your lamplight, you can just make out a lot of rubble on the floor.

The thief raises her lantern as she steps into the side passage, the better to see the extent of the rubble.

21:44, Today: Kharla rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((3,6)).
• What happened here recently?
• What should I be on the lookout for?
• What here is useful or valuable to me?

Take +1 forward when acting on the answers
This message was last edited by the player at 03:48, Sat 20 Feb 2021.

This tunnel does seem to be the most recent... and it wasn't fully shored up. From the abandoned tools under the rocks, the miners most have been working here when the quake started. It seems they managed to run away, only to be caught by the collapse close to the entrance. The more interesting part is that the quake broke open a path to a natural cavern.

Kharla also spots a few claw marks on the rocks, and bony paw marks. Some skeletons must have gone through here.

Also, though the cave ahead is mostly beyond the reach of your lanterns, there seems to be a faint glow ahead...

Ah ha! Istvan's conviction in evil magic (arcane, divine, or otherwise) being glow-y is once again bolstered. He gives his allies an eager sort of we must be going the right way to fight the evil look.

Spriggy returned Istvan's look, but with significantly less eagerness. He whispered to them, "So, at what point do we claim we have solved the mystery of the graveyard and return to collect our reward? Because it is looking increasingly likely that the miners stumbled upon an entrance to the Dark Elves' depths, who are trying to raise the dead in the immediate vicinity of their new connection to the overworld. I suppose we don't have enough evidence to say for sure that that is what is happening, but I am hoping we don't have to follow them all the way back to one of their underground cities before we can say we are certain enough..."

Cautiously, the bard inched forward to get a better look at what was glowing up ahead. He wanted to know if it was natural, or if it might be something that fell into his area of expertise (spells and magicks). His keen elven eyes and soft footsteps helped him to get a closer peek.

---

I suppose Spriggy is trying to Discern Realities here:
15:40, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 11 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 4,6.  Discern Realities - faint glow.
Better than I dared hope for! I will ask these in relation to the faint glow:

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

"If there are Dark Elves outside the Wasteland then all of the races face a dire threat," Kharla pursed her lips in thought, "Yet I would think no Dark Elf to have any difficulty raising the bodies buried in the nearby graveyard.  Surely the corpses would walk the streets of Chestnut Hollow adding the townsfolk to their number long before now.  It may be that what has been freed needs time to gain its full power....or it may be something else."

She bites her lower lip before admitting, "I think I should like to know which, dangerous though it will surely be."

The redhead raises an eyebrow to Istvan and Spriggy, gratified to see the bard move forward towards the glow.  She follows, hugging the tunnel wall in near silence.

OOC: How bright is the glow?  Are lanterns still needed as we get closer?

15:59, Today: Kharla rolled 12 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,5.  Defy Danger + Dex, approach silently.
- forgot my +1, regardless Kharla will try to remain stealthy and have opportunity to use her Backstab ability if something comes for the group....

The glow is quite faint. In fact, Spriggy soon realize the cavern has a crack open to the sky, letting a trickle of starlight inside. It's not enough to see by... but it just enough to spot the movement of a group of skeletal wolves, slowly rising as you draw near.

As your lanterns bring light to the cavern, a stray beam bounces on a silver object in the wall. You don't have much time to pay attention with the three wolves coming closer, but it seems to be a small altar of some sort.

OOC: The wolves didn't spot Kharla, giving her a chance of Backstabbing one.

The thief springs upon the nearer lupin skeleton just after it has past her position.  She slashes across the flank of the undead creature, then raises her weapons in a defensive posture to prepare for a counter-attack.

16:15, Today: Kharla rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,3.  Backstab.
• You deal your damage+1d6

16:35, Today: Kharla rolled 7 using d8+d6 with rolls of 3,4.  Backstab damage.

"There is an altar!" Spriggy said. But he didn't have time to explain further. "Let's deal with these then go take a look." The bard rushed forward with his rapier drawn. He probably wouldn't have stood a chance against the beasts if he hadn't just been getting a sense of the cavern layout via starlight only moments prior. That tiny bit of geographical knowledge gave him just the edge he needed to twirl past a gnashing maw, spring off of a stalagmite he had noticed, then stab into the beast's vacant ribcage.

Chonk!

It was about as effective as stabbing a wooden beam with a quill pen, but Spriggy still felt like a skilled warrior. At least until his opponent reacted to his moves.

---

Hack and Slash with my rapier (a precise weapon, so I roll using dex). I'll focus on the same one as Kharla if she didn't already destroy it. Otherwise he will go after one of the others instead.

21:10, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,2.  Hack and Slash (with dex).
I forgot about the +1 from my Discern Realities, so that is actually a 7. Just made it. "You deal your damage to the enemy and the enemy makes an attack against you."

21:13, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Damage.
He's a heavy hitter!

Istvan is taken aback for just a moment while his allies spring into action... Well, we did take this job because of my skill set... he thinks, and he raises his holy symbol once again...

(10:02, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,5.  Turning wolves! Turn ALL the animals!)

"Shoo! Scat! In the name of Noric, god of Darkness and Freedom! You undead beasts are dark and all, but you're getting in the way of our freedom!"

Kharla's strike easily slips between the undead's ribs, before moving up to break it's spine. It falls to pieces, too damaged to keep fighting. The one attacked by Spriggy, on the other hand, barely notices the blade's scratch, as it jumps to bite the bard. Hard.

Thankfully, before it can pull Spriggy to the floor, Istvan's power manages to push them against the back of the room... where they stay, having no clear path toward an exit.

OOC: Spriggy takes 5 points of damage. Those teeths aren't for show!

"Ahh!" Spriggy exclaimed as the skeletal wolf bit into him. He could feel the blood already soaking his sleeve. Thankfully Istvan managed to repel it before the undead could cause any more damage.

The bard held his lantern aloft with his injured arm and saw that the foes were cowering in the corner. He knew that attacking them would likely break the cleric's magics, but maybe they could still eliminate their threats another way. Spriggy didn't want to just leave them there for later after all.

Spriggy thought quickly about the resources available to him and recalled that he had a fishing net in his pack. Considering all of the bones the net's holes could snag on, as well as the surrounding stalagmites poking up from the ground. Spriggy figured there was a good chance that the skeletal wolves would become thoroughly snagged. At least for long enough that they could safely destroy them without being subjected to meaningful counterattacks.

With his plan in mind, Spriggy explained his intent to his companions. He then pulled out his net, aimed carefully, then tossed it at the undead wolves to ensnare them.

---

I am trying to Defy Danger with quick thinking, if possible. Using the net to snag the wolves' bones and the surrounding stalagmites.

20:56, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,6.  Defy Danger with Int - net ploy.

One adventuring gear used. Do we need to roll to attack them, or can we simply destroy them carefully at this point? (Assuming my plan worked as intended.)

With the wolves entangled, you carefully crack them down, until they stop moving. And with the threat gone, you're free to examine the altar.

The thing is made of silver, and seems to be part of the silver vein running into the wall. By the rocks still clinging to the altar, you're guessing the vein dragged it underground all the way here, and it seems no one saw this altar for centuries.

The altar is decorated with a series of strange runes, with a black skull placed at it's front. On it's top is an orb, apparently made of layers of silver of differing purity, creating a strange pattern of light and dark metal.

Breathing heavily after helping to dispatch the wolves, Spriggy sheathed his rapier and cradled his lantern arm so that he could get a good look at the silver altar. It seemed familiar to him, but in a vague sort of way. The black skull, the silver, the runes... they all felt familiar. Spriggy searched his mind to try and place why they seemed familiar.

---

Does the altar fall under the category of a "spells and magicks" item for the purposes of Spriggy's bardic lore? If so, I will also ask a question about it in my next post. It seems important enough to warrant one.

Spout Lore:
14:03, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 7 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,5.  Spout Lore - Silver Altar.

"On a 7–9, the GM will only tell you something interesting - it’s on you to make it useful."

Spriggy isn't sure what it is exactly, but it the runes seems... creepy. The only book he remembers seeing something like them were in the 'DANGEROUS, DO NOT TOUCH!' section of the library. The orb is surprisingly familiar, though... looking at it, you're reminded of the moon. In fact, the light and dark stripes of the sphere look exactly like the patterns of the moon this month.

Yes, the altar qualifies.

"I think this may be a moon shrine..." Spriggy guessed. "But not the happy harvest type. I remember seeing runes similar to those in the restricted section of the library." He looked the shrine over with a new goal in mind and searched for the telltale signs of magical utility. He attempted to visualize himself in the role of a person "operating" the silvery altar. It was obviously meant to be used for magical purposes, so knowing how it could be activated could provide them with clues.

And maybe a potential boon...

---

My Bardic Lore question about the altar:
"What would we observe if someone were to activate the altar's magicks in front of us?" (Hoping to figure out how to activate it and what effect that would have.)

Kharla regarded the strange alter with no small sense of longing for the silver worked into it.  But she'd little experience with magic, let alone such dark forces which could raise the bones of animals and people alike.  It was enough to stay any thought of touching the shrine or any of it's contents.

But in her pondering Spriggy's words triggered a question, "A moon shrine, you say?  Is it safe to say then that it is meant to be used in the full light of the moon?"

She eyes the crack above, trying to determine if the moon shines upon the shrine even now or if it has already moved past the opening.

"Is it possible moonlight itself upon the shrine triggers the raising of the dead?  Or does someone come at the correct time to work such fell magic?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Wed 24 Feb 2021.

Looking closely at the runes and workings of the altar, Spriggy concludes that Kharla is right. This construct was made to automatically cast a necromantic spell when provided by the right energy. Namely, moonlight.

The sides of the cracks above are steep and high. By Kharla's estimate, the moon can only shine down into the cave for an hour or two, and it's already passed tonight.

After explaining the automatic nature of the altar, Spriggy said to the others, "So... is that it then? Is that the extent of the mystery? Was this little shrine really the source of all of the town's problems?" He eyed the altar again, curiously. "Kharla, do you have any tricks-of-the-trade that might be able to disable things like this altar? Something more reliable than simply making sure moonlight doesn't shine on it? I would simply destroy it, but I don't really want to risk unleashing any of the magics built into its construction. I can try explaining how certain parts of it probably work, if that would help."

As he waited for an answer, Spriggy began humming a gentle tune to himself. A tune of healing from the unknown language in his songbook.

---

Using Arcane Arts on myself to heal some damage:
13:57, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,2.  Arcane Art - Heal self.
I heal 1d8 damage, but... your spell still works, but you draw unwanted attention or your magic reverberates to other targets affecting them as well, GM’s choice.

Damage healed:
13:59, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Damage Healed.
Back to full health!

Kharla taps her lips as she considers the shrine.  "If it were a mechanical switch I might wedge something in to keep it in place but that seems little applicable here."

She walks round the shrine as talks, exploring options, "I once heard tell of a trap which used water to fill a cistern once triggered to slowly raise and reset a crushing weight.  It was defeated when the cistern was breached and the water allowed to stream away....hmmmm"

20:34, Today: Kharla rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,4.  Tricks Of The Trade.
When you pick locks or pockets or disable traps, roll+DEX.
✴ On a 10+, you do it, no problem.

"Tell me what you know and perhaps I can determine a way to channel the magic of the shrine into the ground rather than building up to release as intended."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Thu 25 Feb 2021.

As Spriggy does his chant, Kharla notices the spell seems to resonate with the silver vein. Even without moonlight reaching the altar, the raw ore itself seems to also absorb energy and fuel the necromantic spell, causing the skull to chant once more.

It's quite fascinating. It's a shame it also seems to bring the wolf together again...

Two of the wolves are still entangled, but the third manage to make it back to his feet... barely.

Kharla doesn't really see an easy way to divert the power, but removing the skull would probably stop the spell from being cast.

Uh-oh, wolves getting back up... Time for Istvan to go back into action again...

(13:16, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,5.  Turning wolves again! Turn ALL the animals as often as it takes!)

Whew! It worked well again...

"Oh no. We should have ground those bones to dust!" Thankfully Istvan was proving his worth yet again! "I'm not sure it is worth attacking them at this point, so long as you can keep them repelled until we escape this cave, Istvan. But let's get this altar deactivated quickly before we retreat."

Spriggy helped Kharla where he could with the deactivation. Once it was done, he said to the thief, "Now that it shouldn't be able to absorb my magic anymore, let me give your combat capabilities a bit of... inspiration. In case we need it on our way out." The bard began singing a tune that sounded a lot like a battle hymn, but as usual the words were not in a known language.

---

I am assuming we can head back to town now that we have figured out that the altar was creating the undead. Istvan, Kharla, feel free to disagree. Spriggy won't object to going a bit deeper. He also won't object to someone trying to steal a bit of silver from the altar, but he doesn't want to risk it himself.

Regardless, Spriggy is using his Arcane Arts to give Kharla "+1d4 forward to damage."
13:54, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,6.  Arcane Arts: boost Kharla's damage.
It worked well this time!

"Ah ha!" Kharla cries as the skull begins its cursed chant, the throwing dagger is in her hand in an instant and flings it at the shrine, "I should have known it was the skull."

She knows as soon as the blade leaves her hand it is not her best throw...

20:52, Today: Kharla rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,4.  Tricks Of The Trade or Volley, knock skull off alter.
- Kharla wants to remove the skull from the alter without changing touching it by throwing a dagger at it.  Not certain if that counts as Tricks of the Trade or just Volley.

If Tricks of the Trade then:
✴ On a 7–9, you still do it, but the GM will offer you two options between suspicion, danger, or cost
- hmmm, how about cost

If Volley then:
• You have to take what you can get: -1d6 damage

20:57, Today: Kharla rolled -3 using 1d8-1d6 with rolls of 1,4.  Damage.
- guess if it's Volley she misses

And maybe it doesn't matter as the wolves seem dealt with and we may have more time to separate the skull from the shrine.

EDIT: removed a bunch of text that's no longer needed since the skull actually shattered and released... something
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

The wolves glare at Istvan, unable to draw closer due to Noric. But as Kharla throws her dagger into the skull, it shatters, and the undead fall apart once more.

A dark magical cloud rises from the skull, and gathers in the center of the cave, before forming into...

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:35, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

"Crap, crap, crap," Spriggy sputtered as the figure formed before them, dropping his magical battle-hymn in the process. "This CANNOT be good..." The bard searched his mind for any scraps of knowledge about the creature that they might be able to use to their advantage. Especially in the likely event that the figure proved to be malevolent. He hastily blurted what he could recall to his teammates.

---

This being definitely seems very magical in nature, so I'll try to use my Bardic Lore to ask a question about it. I will also Spout Lore to see what else I know.

Spout Lore:
21:46, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 7 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 5,1.  Spout Lore - magical cloud person.

Potential Bardic Lore Question:
What are its weaknesses?

Here eyes seemed the size of saucers as Kharla watched the dark cloud she had released begin to coalesce.  With a quick scan of the cave she found little cover and so crouched behind the one object which might be large enough to conceal her: the shrine.

07:52, Today: Kharla rolled 5 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,1.  Defy Danger + Dex, quickly hide!
- lol! +XP

Alas for the startled thief her surprise was too great.  She stumbled behind the ancient shrine and peeked around its edge, fooling no one.

Should she have a chance, Kharla will also consider the legends she has heard which might relate to this...thing.

07:57, Today: Kharla rolled 4 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,2.  Spout Lore.
- ....see this is why one tends to leave lore up to the Bard, +XP if GM confirms she can perform this action as well
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

The creature raises it's arms, as a blasphemous chant fills the room...

"Our weapons won't work. We need to disrupt its magic!" Spriggy was not exactly sure how to do that, but a possible solution was already forming in his mind. If it was made of words, perhaps he could destroy it with words. Or at least weaken it.

The bard took note of the blasphemous chant it was uttering and quickly tried to patch together a counter-tune. Hopefully his opposing melodies would have some form of effect. Or at least buy their group some time to come up with another plan. "Maybe a countersong will help?" Spriggy belted out his tune as loudly as possible.

---

This seems like it might be a Defy Danger +Cha?
14:02, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,2.  Defy Danger +Cha: countersong.
That is a fail unless someone can assist somehow. I'll add XP, but remove it again if someone does a successful Aid roll.

Istvan had a choice: He could walk toward this thing, and see if it backed away from him... or he could give up on the Turning, and try something else.

He decided to go with the latter.

The next step was to figure out what was even going on...

(15:09, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,1.  Discern realities: what the heck is this thing.

What is about to happen?)

Judging by the spell the creature is doing, it's still trying to animate every dead creatures in the area, and bring them here. The good news is that the wolves are too fragile to be animated again... but whatever else is in the mine will probably come around soon. And unfortunately, Spriggy's attempt at counter-spelling isn't working too well.

Kharla knew she was entirely out of her league.  She'd never had much experience with magic and the being she had unwittingly unleashed was shrugging off every mystic force her companions threw at it.  And she...all she had was her blades and her wits.

Somehow it would have to be enough.

The dagger which had shattered the skull was within reach.  She sent it flying toward the shadowy nightmare hoping it would interrupt its spell.


19:25, Today: Kharla rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,4.  Volley.
✴ On a 10+, you have a clear shot—deal your damage.

19:27, Today: Kharla rolled 4 using 1d8 with rolls of 4.  Damage.

The blade spins through the air, through the creature's head, and through the room's exit and into the mine. You hear it fall to the ground, followed by a scrapping sound...

Spriggy looked around wildly as it became clear his countersong was not working. Drowning out the Word Demon's spell would not be enough of a disruption. For the moment the bard was at a loss for what to do. He quickly thought about what resources they had available to them for inspiration. There was the broken shrine, the rocks and things within the cave itself, some broken wolf bones, Spriggy's own gear which included his rapier and leather armor, adventuring gear, some rations, his songboo-

His songbook!

Spriggy quickly pulled his songbook out, flipped to one of its empty music pages, and began writing down the demon's words phonetically. He even used the note bar to indicate the pitch at which the Word Demon spoke its words. As he wrote the "words" of the demon's chant, Spriggy began chanting in unison, copying the Word Demon's spell as best he could.

If he couldn't counter the foe's incantation, perhaps he could claim it for his own! Luckily he had plenty of experience singing in a language he did not understand. Unfortunately the language he had experience with was much different than this one. He gestured for his companions to hopefully join in to possibly improve the power and harmony of his chant.

---

Spriggy is essentially trying to wrest control of the spell away from the word demon. If he can't stop the undead from rising and approaching, he at least wants to be the one in charge of the spell if possible.

Seems like another Defy Danger with Cha?
22:47, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,1.  Defy Danger +Cha: steal Word Demon's spell.
Nooooo!!! Anyone want to help this time? If not, at least it is yet another XP...

{ "Or not!" } Kharla thought.

Normal weapons appeared useless to a being that was not entirely solid.  Surely something must be able to hurt it.  To contain it...

"The skull!  The silver!  The runes on the shrine!  Something here contained this creature, perhaps it can also harm it!"

The thief scans for any pieces of the skull she had shattered.  If this was truly another type of undead what had she heard they might be vulnerable to?

23:52, Today: Kharla rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 2,1.  Spout Lore.
- wow, nevermind, +XP

Her mind a blank she felt for a jawbone or shard of the broken skull which had housed the spirit.

Istvan's natural voice breaks easily, but he concentrates on keeping his notes in only his lower register...

(When you help or hinder someone you have a bond with, roll+Bond with them. On a 10+ they take +1...

08:32, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 10 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 3,6.  Aid the song.

Success in helping!)

Success! Istvan's singing seems to strengthen what the bard is doing!

While Istvan isn't much of a signer, he does know about undeads. And while the turning didn't work, Spriggy's counter-chant is close enough to healing magic that your combined voices causes the creature to waver.

Oblivious to the other's magic, Kharla finds a large piece of the skull, and holds it up toward the demon, imitating the way Istvan held back the earlier skeletons. She smile triumphantly as the creature's singing turns angry, before wavering and breaking.

The light of your lanterns grow dim for a moment, but soon recovers, revealing an empty cave. The demon is gone, the menacing scratches have gone silent, and the altar has melted into valuable slag.

"...I could be wrong," says Istvan, "but I think that that skull needs to either be burned, or buried the way that the locals do it-- under six feet of soil, not in a cavern that's open to the sky... Probably ought to gather all the pieces, and put 'em in a bag or whatever..."

The thief nodded to Istvan as she regarded the jawbone she held before passing it to the cleric, "Do you think it made of anything special or was it simple enspelled?"

"I think I should prefer burning," she adds as she begins to gather the as many of the remaining pieces as she can find, "It would be terrible of they were dug up once more and put to ill use."

Once the shards of the skull are gathered Kharla will help to collect anything of value from the shrine and cave.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Wed 03 Mar 2021.

"I also think burning would be best. Actually, why don't we do both just for good measure. Burn the pieces to ash, then bury the ashes deep." Spriggy did his best to help collect the pieces of skull, as well as collect as much silver slag as they could carry. "Should we keep the silver, or offer it to the towns folk? At the very least, I think a 10% finder's fee is appropriate. Maybe we should wait until we get back before we decide though. We might change our minds if those bodies from the graveyard made it to the town..." Spriggy couldn't help but wonder if the undead had been destroyed along with the altar.

---

How much Silver can Spriggy carry? I have three weight available before I exceed my Load and become over-encumbered. But if there is that much silver for the taking, I would be willing to expend another Adventuring Gear to produce something to wheel it along with. Adventuring Gear is cheap.

The skull burns quite easily, leaving you with ashes waiting to be buried somewhere. The altar's slag is a heavy, but not so much that you can't carry it.

Although, now that you're no longer worrying about staying alive, you're reminded how you've been walking all day, while it's now past midnight...

The red head yawed as the flames danced over the remains of the skull.

"Perhaps we should camp here tonight?  In the morning we can lug the ore past the collapsed section and then find a cart or wheelbarrow to help carry it out."

She even offered to take the first watch.

Remove 1 ration

06:25, Today: Kharla rolled 8 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 2,5.  Take Watch.
✴ On a 7–9, you react just a moment too late; your companions in camp are awake but haven’t had time to prepare. They have weapons and armor but little else.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

"That would be fine with me," Spriggy replied. "I'm not too thrilled about sleeping in this cave, but at least this room seems to be secure. Well, secure enough. I probably won't sleep too much, but even resting my bones sounds like it would do me a lot of good right now."

Spriggy shook his head with incredulity as he thought about the last few minutes of their lives. "Did we really just do that? Banish a Word Demon and destroy an silvery undead moon shrine? I used to think stories of adventurers were always highly exaggerated, but now I am starting to wonder what details get left out!" The bard shook his head again as he looked for a good spot to get comfy. He ended up salvaging the remnants of his fishing net to make a crude hammock for himself.

---

I can take second watch. Mechanically, Spriggy doesn't need to rest right now, but thematically he is exhausted. I marked off a ration since we are Making Camp. Should we roll for the Take Watch move? Here is a roll from me if it is needed:

21:07, Today: Spriggy Glompgut rolled 6 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 4,1.  Take Watch.
On a miss, whatever lurks outside the campfire’s light has the drop on you.

Let me know if I should add XP...

The night passes without issue, and with a bit of hard work with picks, you pry free the pile of slag that was once the altar. You make your way back to town, where you see a lot of people gathered in front of the tavern, looking worried.

No xp for the night's Watch, since there was no real threat at the time.

Spriggy was hot, sweaty, and tired by the time they returned to town, but he was looking forward to cashing in their hunk of slag and taking it easy for the rest of the day. Probably at the tavern. So he was a bit dismayed to see worried people gathered there. "This can't be good," he commented to the others. "What do you think happened?" The bard scanned the settlement for clues that might allow him to answer that question for himself.

---

Might as well use my bard ability, even though we haven't been gone long:

A Port in the Storm
When you return to a civilized settlement you’ve visited before, tell the GM when you were last here (around sunset). They’ll tell you how it’s changed since then.

Seeing how the group seems focused on Arund and Brom, and how they're waving toward the graveyard, you're guessing they learned of your arrival. And they're worried that you didn't come back yesterday.

"Here, what's all this now?" the redhead called out as they approached the group, "Don't tell me the dead are STILL restless.  Surely not after last night."

The crowd stops speaking when they hear Kharla. Arund raises her hands, and says "Zohlkahn bless, You're alright! I was worried something happened to you when you didn't come back! Are you alright? What happened?"

Brom and the rest of the villagers also seem relieved to see you.

Spriggy plopped the melted altar onto the ground in dramatic fashion and did his best to stand in a heroic stance. "We solved your town's graveyard mystery, that's what happened." He let his words sink in for a moment before continuing. "We found a silvery altar in the collapsed portion of the mine that was activated by the light of the moon. When activated, it would try to animate any dead nearby. People and animals alike. But we banished the dark magic within, causing the altar to melt and become useless for raising the dead. I plan to stay one more night to be sure, but I think your graveyard worries are over."

He scanned the crowd, hoping for some kind of applause or cheering or something. Whether or not he received any though, he added. "We had to fight a few wolf skeletons and a minor demon in the confines of the mine, so we decided to hole up in there for the night and get some rest before returning here this morning! How did the town itself fare last night?"

"Not much happened here," Brom says. "That's not to say people slept well, but if that altar you broke puts an end to the trouble, everyone will be happier. "

A few of the villagers examine the chunk of slag you brought, clearly impressed by the piece. "Hey Brom! Looks like we'll have silver for you after all!" Turning to you, the miner says "we can give you 500 coins for that thing, on top of your reward."

Spriggy glanced over to his companions, then back to the miner and nodded. "That sounds like a good deal to me! If you have a few good shops in town, I'm sure I can find a way to spend some of it right away. A room for the night and a round of drinks in the tavern for starters!"

Then he addressed Istvan and Kharla again. "What do you say? Spend the day resting, celebrating, and shopping? Then we can see tonight if the graveyard remains quiet. Sound like a plan?"

---

Split three ways, we should all receive 333 coins. Spriggy will buy a round of drinks and a room for the night (let me know what to subtract, GM). He'll buy other stuff too, but I will discuss that in the OOC thread.

"That sounds good to me," Kharla smiled, both at the thought of the coin and a nice warm bed, "I think I need to replace my short sword, a rapier like yours looks like it might suit me better.  Ah and a bath."

A look of seriousness crosses her face as she adds, "And yes, I take pride in my work and would not have any employer say I failed to deliver as promised.  If the dead indeed rise tonight then our task is not done and I would not leave until it is."

With that the red head looks for any store which might carry weapons to suit her.

There unfortunately no weaponsmith in the village, especially for a 'fancy' like a rapier. Meanwhile, the villagers enjoy Spriggy's generosity. Many of them bring some food as well, turning the celebration into a small festival that lasts most of the day, once the dead have been buried once more.

After a good night of sleep, you get up early to join a few miners to check the cemetery... and find that, for once, the dead rested in peace.

You can manage a round of drinks for 12 coins, and the left-overs from the party can replace the rations you used in the mine.

If you want to make a Carouse check, spend the 100 coins instead, and make your check. Otherwise, unless there's something else you want to check, you can return to the Phoenix's Nest after a week long time skip, to pick your next job.

Also: add yourselves 3 xp for completing your quest!
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Fri 05 Mar 2021.