From The Wilds!

Welcome home, such as it is. And it is all but abandoned. This squalid hamlet, these corrupted lands, they are yours now, and you are bound to them. Meaning that it is your problem now, Heir. According to the tax laws, the dead owe nothing. I suspect that Big Undead had the vizier in their pocket, but it works out for me at this point.

Right now, the sun has almost completely set, and lo and behold! You see Bob next to a new carriage, with five coffins carefully arranged on the back. Obviously he has been his usual useful self since leaving you to die in the woods.

Thankfully, he is coming over to explain himself. That's good. He's hard to abuse when he is out of arm's reach.

Just a little...bit...closer...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:14, Sat 20 Mar 2021.

Bob, for his part, sounds relieved that all of you are alive. "One thousand pardons, masters."

He kneels to Dia. "I truly thought you had perished. That is normally what happens when the cart is blown to splinters by cannonfire. I resolved to get coffins for you, and bury you all, lest you become more ghosts haunting the Old Road."

His shadowed face is further concealed by his black bandanna across his face. "But, I will leave the coffins here, and get the townfolk back. Also, there is a second delivery of heroes coming in. I've heard they are your seconds? A nezumi, a draconian troll, and... a mummy? I assume yours, Sir Muertos. A Miss Satterwhite was slated, but I was told there were complications with Sir Goldbright?"

He glanced to Jarnbrautlest's comatose cargo. "Ah. Yes. You'll have to clear a room for him in the Ruins on the Hilltop. I'll leave the coffins behind for you. In an emergency, they are surprisingly comfortable beds, and unless ghouls are involved, most of the undead will leave you alone. Go to the Ruins on the hilltop, and clear yourself out a place to sleep for the night. Take a moment to catch your breath here, but do not tarry. The dead are quick here."

After a second, he added. "That means they are undead. Sorry, masters. Do you need a service of me, or may I get your companions here? They should arrive in the morning if I leave within the hour. That strange wildfire will distract most of the terrors of the woods, I suspect, and expedite my journey."

Robin is looking rather impressed at the coffin ment for her, "Wow, I should be more upset with this, but you even got my horn shape right. Kinda too impressed to be mad."

After marviling about the accurate coffin shape, she leans next to Jarn and quietly ask.
"Speaking o' wild fires...How much do I owe ye? presuming you were serious before."

Jarn responds to Robin

"50 gold."

Jarn walks up to Bob, looking down at him menacingly.

"I have only one thing to ask!"

Jarn wips out the note.

"How the hell did you write this so fast!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Dia will ask Bob after Jarnbrautarlest's question

"wait. Cannonfire? I didn't hear anything like that before we crashed... I suppose that it doesn't matter. Yes. Bang Ironson has been my partner for adventuring for a while.

I do need to resupply. Fickle fortune destroyed all of my things before I got here. Do you have an Idea where I can pick up components for my spells?"

Olivia paused over the coffin that was meant for her.  Too plain, were her thoughts, I want something more like a gothic mausoleum or an elaborate tomb.  She looked at Derrick's coffin, then looked at him slouched stupidly nearby.

"Which undead will leave us alone?  Which undead will not?  And why?" Olivia looks from Bob to Dia.  Olivia was holding onto Dickens and rubbing the back of his head.  Her odd companions, Derrick excluded, but he was odd in his own way, meant that she had not left the library in a long while.  And Bob's strange roll call for a second batch of would be guests only meant she'd arrived with the more normal of the two groups.  "Also, how long do we have in this... place?"  She didn't know quite where this place was and seeing as they didn't have a proper booksellers that she could see, it wasn't worth it.

"Let's sort these questions out. For you, Sir Jarnbrautarlest, I have those prewritten. I learned to be prepared on the road. For you, Master Dia, the master was into some... interesting hobbies before he departed this world. Hobbies that strongly resemble your spellcasting. And for you, Miss Satterwhite, the undead are not very bright. Generally. They'll assume you are one of them, just taking a rest. The ones that do not feed on corpses will leave you alone. I've been here for a while." Bob gave a high pitched giggle. "Just taking care of the estate as well as I can.

"I'll let the town know that someone actually came here, and when the sun rises, if you still live, I'll bring the rest in, and this place can truly live again. You'll have a tavern again." He glanced up. "This goes without saying, but I'll say it. Anything in the old manor ruins is yours, if you can keep it. There are terrifying creatures there, though. Most of the denizens are undead, and some of the local kobold tribes have been seen picking through the ruins for salvage. The Hoodlums also have a base somewhere deep inside. They are considerably more dangerous than most of the rest."

"Thankfully, one only needs to clear the surface of the ruins. A few rooms in the building itself. You don't need to go deeper. And don't go deeper. Find the Occallium. It is unmistakable, and you will not confuse it for anything else. If you find it, the Heir can do all kinds of miracles with it, and you will sleep safely. And if I get back, I will sleep safely for the first time in... uhhhh."

He whispered to Dia. "How long have I been here?"

Bob is, of course, his usual useful self, but he has been an adequate placeholder for the actual Heir, and no one can take that away from him. The Occallium! I can't tell you more about it, though, unless you already know.

I'm not in the business of education. I speak with peers, not fools. Bob is the absolute best. We've known each other for a looooooooong time now, haven't we, Bob?

"... Apparently a very long time Bob. But that is ok.

That means our next stop is the top parts of the Manor ruins. And I need to mess with this Occallium."



OOC:
14:01, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge Religion. What Hoodlums is Bob talking about .

... Damn. So close.

Well, based on your knowledge check rolls, Dia knows that the Hoodlums are a religious cult dedicated to Kali, a greater dog capable of creation and destruction, capable of giving life, taking it away, and playing dead for a treat. The Hoodlums have an uncanny reputation for misusing collars in a homicidal way, and making some gold coins off their victims after they do so.

As for Dia's untrained check on the Occallium, he realizes he doesn't know what that is, only that it is something he knows nothing about. It would be Arcane or Arcana you need to know something about that.

Olivia knows this as a minimum - it is some kind of scrying device, one of legendary power. Without a roll, that is all that is known by her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:28, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

Oh, right. What does the town itself look like? Perhaps that could set the mood. Perhaps you can make your own game and show me how the most basic concepts of GMing work, things only a fool would forget, of which I am not.

Ahem.

When you entered this town, you crossed over a shallow, stone bridge and a sign on your left promised directions; long worn smooth by time and rendered illegible by the elements. A creek, barely a rivulet by this point, emerges from the ground on the right, a natural spring and the life from which the town flows. The trees surrounding the town seem to claw at the air, stripped of their leaves here by some strange force.

Bob's stagecoach is to the left, once one crosses, at the foot of a steep cliff that rises three stories, and the skyline surrounding you indicates four other tall buildings in decrepit condition, and one squat building built almost like a fortress. The original functions of the buildings would be difficult to discern, and would require someone verse in architecture and the layouts of towns to understand them.

Just beyond the town, one can make out the ruins of a once glorious manor. My old home.

Only a statue in the middle of the town's circle, with a tree grown around it, remains, and even it has had the top half destroyed... wait, they wrecked my statue? My stony visage was destroyed! Do you know how much I had to spend to have that thing commissioned? Art doesn't grow on trees, or at least it isn't supposed to! It wasn't enough to storm my manor, they had to break my statue, too?!

Ahem... the setting sun casts long shadows, as Bob awaits a declaration of what you will do with your newfound enlightenment.

Dia smirks to himself when he has an idea.

He turns to Redbreast
"Well. Fickle fortune and the Darkest Deck have blessed all of us here to various degrees. Would you like a draw from the Deck to catch up with the rest of us?"

OOC:
11:08, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 33 using 1d20+19.  Persuasion check. Would you like a card?

Robin whences at the suggestion, but is torn. On the one hand this is a terrible plan, on the other...Free Will, if Redbreast wishes to take Dia up on this that is her business. "I'll just go on record saying this is ill-advised, but please do as you will."

Redbreast shrugs. "I suppose I do need to catch up..."

Of course, she pulls The Donjon. She seems upset at Dia. "You little son of a-" And then vanishes. The Deck gives a laugh that can be heard in everyone's mind.

Well, she might as well be dead. Good riddance. Reduces the head count. You have no reason to find or rescue her with the Occallium, as your time and resources are finite, and pointless diversions are not the point of being a freelance adventurer.

So, what do the four of you do?

Dia realizes what she pulled and says "oh shit."

Then he thinks for a bit after she is gone.
"... I was not expecting her to draw that card. I was hoping that she would draw something to make her stronger."

Robin gives a face palm. "Well I can't speak for the rest of ye, but I'm good aligned. So I'm going ta rescue her... Once I know where she is..." She lets out an aggravated sigh. "ANY'NE ELSE wanna get on the rescue list before we find this thing?" Having finally calmed down and recognized the odds of what happened she jokingly adds.  "We have two do I hear three?"

Olivia watches with interest and is surprised by the turn of events.  She wonders, What if Dia had asked me instead and I accepted?

"Robin, is it?  I can force Derrick to help you once we awaken him, but until then it would probably be better to find this Occallium.  If Redbreast is a capable fighter, then they can handle themselves.  Then you'll have two extra bodies in your recue endeavor," Olivia slaps the unconscious rump of Derrick.  "My vote is to rest for the night.  I have Leomund's Hut on standby.  Tomorrow, dust yon manor for the magical debris that we need.  I should prepare different spells, regardless."

"But I love pointless diversions! Either way whoever you decide to save first I'm in."

Olivia watches Robin storm off to search the houses a bit while the rest of the part mulls over her ultimatum.  "We could risk a rest if Robin finds something useful, as in a place to secure.  Then maybe with a brief respite and clearer heads we can continue.  Also, don't ask me to pull one of those cards." Olivia directs the last to Dia.

Olivia looks at the darkened windows and then at the darker woods beyond and can't decide if something worse than kobolds is waiting in that dark or it's her imagination.  When Robin returns Olivia approaches her, "Did any of these houses you checked have a cellar we can secure or better?  Having a safe place to stay for the night would be good for all of us perhaps.  We can check the manor and look for Redbreast in the morning."

Robin hadn't realized she was stomping away, she was just really focused on finding a safe place for Olivia's spell. She ducked into buildings paying extra close attention at what she thought was the bar in hopes that they might have some hidden cellar that might do for Olivia's purpose. If push came to shove though Robin felt awake enough for at least part of the night watch, naturally though she was hoping to avoid that outcome.

22:53, Yesterday: Robin rolled 30 using 1d20+14.  Stealth.

22:53, Yesterday: Robin rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  Awareness, I'll also walk around to look for trap doors, cellars ect.

22:51, Yesterday: Robin rolled 16 using 1d20.  sense motive straight wisdom.

Well, Robin, being the perceptive type, noticed an abandoned encampment overlooking the town from a bluff above it. All signs from here indicated the lack of occupancy had been for some time.

Her sharp vision indicated that it was curiously unlooted, but reaching it would be simple. If she wanted, she could guide everyone to it.

Dia, for his part, senses a curious antipathy to his energy.

Do you wish to go around, and follow Robin's guidance to the tent overlooking the town, or perhaps instead find a more indoor type of place to cast one's spell? The choice, ultimately, is Olivia's.

So naturally, this is her question. "You" in this case is singular, not plural.

Dia looks to the old camp oddly
"... Who in hell wards an old abandoned tent?"

"Someone who doesn't want to be disturbed?" Olivia answers Dia's possibly rhetorical question.  "That place will probably do just fine for a rest."

"I mean, don't wards only last a few hours at most? It looks like it has been abandoned for a while so how is it still warded? Maybe there is someone there and that is an illusion. We should check i out anyway. "

"Welp, lets see if it's owned."

Jarn makes his way to the camp, bellowing his question.

"Hay! Anyone Home?!"

Well, Robin did make it clear she was looking for whatever the hell I wanted her to find, and find it she did. I know what this tent is about, of course. I'm surprised they might even still be around.

They make it up a winding, nearly abandoned pathway - which Jarnbrautarlest makes into a very obvious trail after he walks through it. From the high view of the bluff, Robin can make out undead under the rising moonlight, surging from the manor ruins to the town proper. They seem to be congregating in the middle of the town, although for what purpose is unclear.

Up here, so to speak, the lone tent has an abandoned campfire. The ashes are cold. Both Olivia and Dia can sense the wards at this range - antithetical to the living dead; and while Dia can walk beyond the wards, he certainly feels them resisting him like forest foliage.

Whoever made these was an ally of nature - druidic, divine magic. Jarn feels only a mild tingle as he crosses the camp threshold.

Oddly, no one seems to have occupied it, though. Jarn's bellowing goes unanswered. It's lonely, but you are safe enough.

So, what is your plan? Await the sunrise after a good night's rest and deal with the undead then, or do something extremely contrary and irritating to me?

Actual OOC: Honestly I am cool with whatever you do.

"This will do.  We should keep watch, but I may not even need to put up the Hut.  Rest and study are my plans, Derrick's body can even substitute as a pillow."  Olivia settles in next to the cold pit that was a camp fire at some point makes herself comfortable.  Charles Dickens appears out of her bosom and hunts crickets for a couple of minutes before coming back to rest.

"Jarn, what do you think?  Bob's trying to get us killed or he's truly interested in taking care of the Darkest Heir?"

Robin takes a long stretch, it looks like the kind of morning stretches one would do to wake up. "I could take first watch anyways, I don't mind taking the last watch eiter if it comes to it. But even I like sleep."

"Bob's trying to kill us? nah! Doesn't seem the type, and if he is we'll deal with that problem then."

"Also I'll take second watch."

"Next question? What's are plan for da zombies come morning?"

Dia looks at the group of zombies milling around town and sighs.

"I suppose that I will take third watch then. Hopefully I can carve something that I can channel my power through. I am actually a specialist with dealing with undead. But I lost all my physical tools. So I am much more limited now with how I deal with them."

Well, well - Olivia is not planning on using the Hut with this warded zone? Alright, then. Don't let me discourage you.

All of you experience the same thing during your watch.

So, in order -

Robin responds first to this.
Then Jarnbrautarlest.
Then Dia.
Then Olivia.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whoever is on watch, you are approached by one lone, shambling, obviously undead warrior, armed only with a broken sword and armored lightly. Their baleful, crimson gaze falls upon you with the unfiltered malevolence of the grave, and they speak words heavy in fell essence.

"Can I come in?"

Robin's tail twitches violently like a cat, gives a mother's glare at the undead, and slowly growls out a "No."

"Ah! Your da git Robin told me about. Well about yer question, hmm let me think about it, EAT TREE!"

Jarn attempts to bull rush the undead into the nearest tree.

17:20, Today: Jarnbrautarlest rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Bull Rush.

If it succeeded:17:22, Today: Jarnbrautarlest rolled 34 using 4d6+16.  Zombie eats tree.

"I was annoyed that Jarn didn't pay enough attention to the body and let you drag it off. That is a nice Skull you have."

Dia rushes and leaps up to the undead's skull and then Channels negative energy through the the undead's skull to Rebuked him.


OOC:
Initative
22:00, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.


22:10, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  jump.

22:02, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 23 using 1d20+19.  Bluff to get drop on undead.


22:07, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Grapple touch attack.


22:08, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 6 using 1d20-2.  Grapple his goddamn skull.


22:12, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Rebuke Check.
Can affect up to a 7hd Undead


22:14, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 22 using 2d6+11.  turning damage.
up to 22 total hd of undead


This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Wed 12 May 2021.

Olivia looks up from her books to examine the undead warrior.  The small lizard on her chest cocks its head, - Don't do it. -

"Wouldn't dream of it, Dickens.  But he's so polite," Olivia stands and steps away from the others just a couple of steps to get a better look at the Skeletal Warrior without crossing any barriers.  "Is there something I can help you with, warrior?"

Well, let's describe how your shift at guard went. This, for the record, is the only notable event for most of you.

--------------------------------Robin-------------------------------------
The undead's skull betrays no emotion, although it's voice is surprisingly pleading. "Please?"

---------------------------Jarnbrautarlest--------------------------------
As Jarn picks it up to slam it into the nearest tree, the undead has time to say, "Please don't" before being smashing into bits. He hears a bit of movement in the trees, although what sounds he can make out fade quickly - it seemed to be a retreat of some kind.

With that in mind, his Perception is low enough that the mystery enemy collects the ruined bones without him noticing. He is not bothered for the rest of the night.

--------------------------------Dia---------------------------------------
The undead in question has no idea why this halfling is leaping at his head trying to grab his head, and it has no intention of sticking around to find out why. After what happened with Jarnbrautarlest, the skeleton simply praises whatever dark god is watching over him in that moment, and bolts for the treeline.

He is not bothered for the rest of the night.

------------------------------Olivia---------------------------------------
Its red pinpoints glow slightly brighter, almost as if its eyes were going wide. "Yes, uh. Can I come in? Your camp has a circle around it we, err, I cannot cross unless one of you rubs out one of the symbols on it deliberately. So, I need you to remove one of those, if you will."

Robin attempts to scowl harder, but can't stop a smile for the audacity of this undead. "No."

"Bring me the Occallium and I will." Olivia states plainly and returns to her spot carefully, ready to wake Jarn to go play with the skellybobs if they get too insistent.

Dia walks out of the warded circle for a bit and stands for a while and then casts chill touch but his hand doesn't start glowing blue.

--------------------------------Robin-------------------------------------
The skeleton gets a sad tone to its voice. "Alright then. Take care." And it leaves.

She is not bothered for the rest of the night.

-------------------------------Olivia-------------------------------------
The skeleton tilts its head. "The Occawhat now? I'm sorry, I have no idea what that is."

A voice comes from the brush behind the skeleton. "Tell her we've already got it, you dumbass!"

"Oh, right. The Occallium. Right, right. Silly me. Sure. Just drop that circle for us and we'll, er, I'll bring it right in."

---------------------------------Dia---------------------------------------
Well, Dia, it seems you are about to get a second try at seizing an unlive skull. Just roll the touch and then the grapple.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Thu 13 May 2021.

Dia leaps as the undead runs towards him and shouts "Give Me Your Skull!".
And then completely misses the undead and flies pass him.

OOC:
21:28, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Athletics to jump on his goddamn skull.

21:28, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Grapple Touch attack .
Natural 1. The attack misses.


This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Thu 13 May 2021.

Olivia wakes up Jarn and points to the skeleton, "It and its friends said you don't know how to fight."

"Huh?"

Jarn looks at skeleton.

"You Ass Hats Again! WRRYYYY!"

Jarn bull rushes skeleton: 18:48, Today: Jarnbrautarlest rolled 7 (Aww) using 1d20+2. Bull Rush.

If it hit: 18:49, Today: Jarnbrautarlest rolled 35 using 4d6+16.  Bull Rush Damage. Incidentally, if the skeleton is in the same position as his predecessor, then he's going in the same tree.

As amusing as it would be to watch Jarnbrautarlest fail, vindicate the fictitious slander against him, and watch him charge around impotently like my heir, I think I'm going to do Dia a favor.

First, let's just assume the prior session ended with Dia not getting that skull. His familiar, however, has a grand time watching undead panic from the power granted by his master, and is now convinced his job is fantastic. Dia's shift ends with disappointment.

Second, Dia wakes up from the commotion of Jarn waking up and then smashing the skeleton, who only has time to say "Please don't." Olivia, if she cares, knows about Dia's desire to get a skull, although it is up to Dia if she knows he wants one to use as a means of getting his Focus back.

Jarn, in your case, your melee attack isn't a lowly +2. It is a whopping +10, and I believe this applies to touch attacks as well. It would amuse me now to watch two of you flounder, but I need your strength to approach your reality rather than your perception. I have an ancestral home to reclaim.

Dia sees Jarn smash the skeleton and then immediately rushes to pick up its skull.
Saying
"Mine,Mine,Mine,MINE!"


He resists the urge to hold it over his head in triumph.
"Thank you Jarn. I needed this. I think there are more undead around. Let me try my thing before you smash them."



He then casts chill touch again, but his hand doesn't glow blue.

While all of this traspires Robin snores loudly not giving a flying hoot, about what is going on.

Well, looks like Dia got one undead. No other undead bother them for the rest of the night, and none return. Nor can they be hunted down and forcibly conscripted, you fanatic. Wait until later for your undead army - I was as eager as you once, and look where it got me.

At the end of Olivia's shift during the sunrise, a man wearing a green sleeveless shirt, matching pants, and a backpack walks from the bushes. "I see the campsite wards still hold."

He notices Dia on the edges of the camp hugging a skull which is outside the perimeter of the wards. "Necromancers."

He looks back to Olivia. "Although it has been a bit since I've seen one that works with other living people. Welcome to the Hamlet. I'm Ted Bear, and this is my humble tent. If you want information about anything outside of the Hamlet, I'm the guy who will usually know it for a small fee or exchange, or can find out for a bit more. Or you can ask Bourbon or Myrtle, but the former's a bit of an ass and the latter is a bit out of it."

All of the undead are off the streets in the town below, and indeed, Bob's wagon seems to be coming back with the rising of the sun. It seems he is leading a train of carriages, as well, and several people are unpacking.

"Well met, Ted," Olivia looks the guy over.  "We needed a safe spot for the night and it served very well.  Would've have preferred to stay in town, but it seems your undead problem is a bigger problem than expected.  We were hoping to get to the ruins on the hilltop today to look around.  How much do you know about that?  And what's the price, Ted?"  Olivia keeps a strong eye contact with Ted and smiles coyly.

Dia gets up and stretches outside the wards while not letting his new focus get out of his sight.

After he is done. He bows slightly to Ted and says
"Greetings Ted. I am Día de Muertos. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Hopefully I can find the magical supplies I need in the ruins."

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ snort ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ....he he Leroy Jenkins ZZZZZZZZZZZZ."

Robin is proceeds with her morning stretches and works in a tip of her hat, and "Top o' the morning ta ya. Robin Von Zonderland at yer service."

He nods to Robin, but still seems leery of Dia. He focuses on Olivia, for the most part.

"My price?" His accent is a bit odd, when one notices it. Brings shrimp and barbies to mind. "Usually just supplies to keep living out here. Food, water, that sort of thing. Sometimes I have a tool that breaks, and sometimes I get asked to do something scary that I might go 'whoa there, I'm going to need something extra to get out of that jam.' I run on the barter system - information for goods."

"And yeah. There's a lot of the quickened dead here. Bob said you were going to deal with that, but it looks like you got a bit holed up. Looks like the Tucker clan got to you, ma'am. You're lucky to be alive. They really don't like robed bookish types."

Robin looks over to the still sleeping Jarn and gestures towards him "And this fine fellow is Jarnbrautarlest." She then proceeds to pick up two sticks and attempts to play his metal plates like a xylophone, mostly so she can make the claim of having attempted to wake him.

Jarn dreams of the times he was home, when his body was still mostly made of meat, and his friends. The clear blue sky, the green fields, the hole, the old ancient tree on the cliff, and the drumming.

"Wait drumming?"

The drumming grows louder as his town begins to fade in the light until nothing remains but the annoying pounding of his head.

"Damn you light of drumming! You took it all! You will pay!"

Jarn charges the light and wakes up throwing a wild punch.

17:51, Today: Jarnbrautarlest rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Wake up punch.

Don't know what the damage of a normal punch is. Will leave it up to GM.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Mon 07 June 2021.

Jarnbrautarlest deals a fearsome 1d8 + 9 damage to the air in front of his face.

Ted is taken aback. "Err... we met before, big guy?"

Jarn's shouts of rage about drumming cause Robin to fling her sticks far away and proclaim. "Those Dang Drums Again! I know NOTHING of them."

Jarn isn't the only one lost in thought, as Olivia thinks far too long on broken tools.  "Yes, well,  I'm all about bartering.  Does the word Occallium mean anything to you?  I'm looking for a way to wake up my soulless friend here," Olivia indicates the hunched body of Derrick.  "And my angelic looking companion," indicating Robin, "has also lost someone.  The Occallium might be the path to both of them.  If you know nothing of that matter, then about the castle of the hill, please.  We might just need to pick through the ruins in the daylight."

Then Olivia looks towards Dia and glares while indicating the diminutive skull lover might want to get his own two coppers in.

Dia was observing the commotion with a bemused smile on his fas. But with the mentioning of the Occallium, he snapped back to the present.


"Ah Yes, information on the Occallium. And Information on the inside of the Darkest Manor. I would be willing to barter for that. And do you know anyonewhosells magical supplies. I would like to go into the manor with full access to my spells. So what is that information worth to you?"

OOC: Sorry for the wait.

"Yeah, the ruins on the hilltop - that castle - that's the Darkest Manor alright." He frowned. "Cursed place, since the Baron killed himself. Good riddance, but no one was able to fill the void and provide a shield against the problems his forces became when he was no longer paying them. The Tuckers and the Kamikaze? He brought both of them here, along with that damn bombard of theirs. If you hear thunder on a clear day, go for cover."

He rubbed his head, trying to thing of a cost... and an excuse to not do this. "You planning on going to that thing today? I don't know who does what in town aside from Bourbon and Myrtle. I kind of keep my distance. But if you are going there today, you might want immediate information. Mine takes a day or two for me to do my thing."

"The Occallium, though. Hmm. Sounds familiar. Probably one of the Baron's many, many cursed artifacts. Tread carefully around it."

Dia starts packing what little  he has with him.

"Hmmm... Ok. See you later. Looks like we need to talk to the others that have arrived. "

"Yah, sounds like the plan, gotta let my friend know that the debts been paid."

Jarn starts walking back to town.

Olivia pauses for a moment wondering if Jarn should come back and pick up Derrick or if they should just leave the body inside the wards.  "Are we just leaving him here then?"  Olivia looks at Ted Bear and then at the slowly distancing forms of Dia and Jarn.

Upon hearing Olivia Jarn turns.

"Who?"

He looks down at Derrick.

"Oh right!"

Jarn returns, chucks Derrick over his shoulder, and starts off again to the village.

"Sorry bout that, forgot about him."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:27, Tue 15 June 2021.

Robin follows the group to the newly arrived carriages.

The town has begun to cautiously rebuild. None of the buildings are open yet, but since they don't have closed signs up, they aren't in a position to argue. Significantly, there is a fat man in the middle of town, yelling out now that someone is here to listen to him.

"Hear ye, hear ye! Brave heroes have cleared the road and much of the underbrush, and have reopened the roadways! More heroes... of a sort... have arrived! The tavern, the hospice, the smith, the guildhall, the abbey, and of course, the town square, the life and substance of our quiet hamlet here! All more or less open for spending."

This, of course, is Ben. Ben is actually doing his job for once. Soon, he will stop doing that, and either go to Bourbon's or to the wrecked Abbey to sleep things off or drink himself into a stupor.

A small or at least contained commotion is at one of the newly arrived wagons as a green troll in armor is having issue with the dimensions of the door. "Come on ya git. Rrrrrr, stu'id humi-- doors." after another heavy strained growl he finally manages to free himself from the carriage and barely avoids faceplanting immediately upon success. Finally free from the confines of the carriage he stretches his vestigial wings and then systematically everything else from there. Finally he spots Robin, "Oi Robin, hope dis place drinks better than it looks."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:59, Mon 21 June 2021.

"Come on Durque, lets go find out together, gotta fill you in on a few things anyways. We should have a little while, since Dia has to get himself some supplies. The two head off towards the tavern and she yells back to Dia where he can find them when he is ready.

A gaunt Goliath folds himself out of the carriage with eerie grace. He stands at 8 foot tall. Something seems off about him. But he does have a pretty nice leather wide brimed hat.

"Greetings Dia. I have safely transported what remains of your things."


Looking much closer, One notes that he isn't mearly gaunt, he is literally mummified

OOC:
08:09, Today: Bang Ironson rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  Disguise from hat.

...

Apparently I was allowed to take 10 on a Disguise check so the result is 18.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Tue 22 June 2021.

Dia smiles brightly, actuallyhappy to see the morose goliath.

"Good Morning Bang. Glad yo see that you made the trip safely. Could you come with me? I need to buy some basic things... and talk with Bourbon."

Dia goes to find Bourbon

A small, cloaked, rat-man jumps out of the carriage and scurries up to Jarn.

"Ah! Iron-brain! You are not dead, good, good, yes, yes. Come! We must make our way to the facility of money making. We have debts to pay, yes, yes."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Sat 26 June 2021.

"Already paid."

"Yes, yes, already paid, come we must go to........."

Quil'Fank turns surprised.

"What, WHAT!.....Already paid! How!? Who!? Yes!"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Sat 26 June 2021.

"I got a wish, well actually three wishes, and I used one of them to wish are debts away."

"Wish!......WISH!!? THREE!? How? Where did Iron-brain get three wishes!?

"I got it from that little colorful necromancer over there, he has a deck of cards that when you draw one miracles happen, but be careful because some of those cards......"

And before Jarn can finish.....

"WIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Quil'Fank screams as he rushes toward Dia.

"Friend! Friend! Let this one pull from the cards of miracles!"

Dia arched an eyebrow at the unusual being before him and pulls out the Darkest Deck.

"Sure. If you want to Draw from the Darkest Deck, go Ahead."

He then offers the deck to draw from.

Olivia regarded the strange parade of new arrivals as they themselves returned to town from the warded circle on the hill.  `I was to be with them,` thought Olivia looking at each of them in return, an undead, a troll thing, and a large rat.  She shivered and looked again at her other travelling companions, A death obsessed halfling still clutching a skull, a giant of a man who's given his life to a machine, and the demonic looking Fey'ri but that was just Fey'ri.

There seemed to be a promise of a place that Derrick's body could be taken care of.  He's the one that got her into this, she was fairly certain that Derrick was not going to get her out of it.  Olivia follows along behind the others to the one called Bourbon.  Perhaps a drink at the bar would help.

Quil'Fank frantically pulls from the deck and as he does the last words of warning Jarn gave him crosses his mind. "will do horrible things to you."

Quil'Fank holds the card up high.

"Yes, Yes, wishes and horrible things..... wait a minute..."

The card Quil'Fank triumphantly drew and raised is nothing other than The Gem, which rumbles in his hand and then drops fifty well-cut, large gems of green, red and blue on him, apparently called Rupees in some strange land, because they can't spell rubies I guess. Either way, localized economic devastation or rejuvenation is now in the hands of one certain nezumi wizard.

Quil'Fank, just so we are clear, now has fifty thousand gold pieces worth of assorted gems on his hands.

In Dia's mind, the Deck laughs, and encourages him to do it to another.

Quil'Fank recovers from the small avalanche of gems, and immediately starts gathering them up in his bag.

"Iron-brain! Quick, quick, help, help and find out where the building of investment is yes, yes."

"Whoo, you got lucky that pull, last person to do that got teleported somewhere, and this jent (Jarn patted Derrick's body still over his shoulder.)lost his soul. We're currently looking for both of them. Anyway..."

Jarn shouts to the crowd.

"Anyone know where a bank at?"

Olivia and Robin, at least, had the sense to go for a drink. Behind the counter is a full-blooded, grey skinned orc in a plain outfit of red and yellow cleaning out a glass. "Oy. First new customer. Welcome. Ain't got no money to front yet, so we ain't got the gambling up yet. Lady ain't arrived yet, so same for the R&R service. But I got alcohol, or at least the stuff the undead didn't smash up."

He glances down at Dia, doing his card trick at the door. "Ay! Don't bust that damn thing out in my business! Those cards are not allowed near my tables, and they stay in your robes or whatever the hell you are wearing! We gamble with money, here, not literally everything else. I've been told dead bodies are frowned upon here, and I'm pretty sure that hasn't changed."

The Deck buzzed vague disapproval into Dia's mind - one gets the impression the Deck was attempting the psychic counterpart to a raspberry.

He did, however, note the gems raining down on Quil'Fank, and his voice became a bit more... well, an attempt was made to be formal in tone. "Ell, glad to see someone prospered from the cursed deck of evil. Afraid I can't break high value gems yet. If you'd like to spend, though, I'm happy to have your money here, Sir. Drinks are currently worth one gem each, two drink minimum limit."

There was a sign behind Bourbon stating very different prices for drink, that were measured in coins instead of gems.

Durque's arm was resting on the counter trusty mug in hand, when the announcement of the new prices hit him like a ton of bricks causing his relaxed expression turns into a slump. Then he stands and shouts in anger"OI! Where Dat Leave Da Rest O' Us Den? Quilly Ain't Exactly Da Sharing Type."

Robin places a hand on Durque's shoulder "Come on mate, well go see if someone can special order ya some West Gate Ruby can't be any worse than the prices here."

After stuffing all the gems in the bag Quil'Fank takes a quick look at the price of drinks. 4 copper per mug of ale.

"One gem per drink, my, my. I did not realize this was an establishment for nobility, yes, yes. I hope the rest of you didn't have to many drinks! (Quil'Fank yells out to the rest of the patrons of the tavern.) Seeing as are gracious bar keep has up the price to 1000 gold per mug. Yes! Yes!"

The smell of orc hadn't crossed her senses in a long time, and bourbon smelled different than what she remembered, more.... domesticated.  Olivia sat at the bar, "For those of us not paying with gems?  Are coins a fair trade?" the tone and manner more commanding than neutral, reminding her of Derrick in a way when they thought he was actually going to loose his life in an orc den.  His 'god' came through then.  Having that gauntlet didn't hurt either.  She touched a pouch at her side to verify that it was still there and breathed a sigh of relief.

Bourbon gave a toothy grin upon seening Olivia's jingle. "Ell, now. For a fellow working classwoman, I can make an exception, since the rat can't afford to part with any of his wealth."

He put out a hand expectantly, and the grin changed to a smile. "Ale's as fresh as your coin is. I'm still rolling the stock out, so there might be a delay."

Hearing that Bourbon was responding to reason Duruqe visibly calmed down and asked. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt ta ask if yer stores got any Westgate Ruby?"

Dia laughts out loud and then says

"A gem per Drink. That is the most hilarious thing I heard all day.
As A reward, I'll let you Draw a card from the Deck. Contrary to popular belief, Most cards in the deck will helps you."

OOC

22:59, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 30 using 1d20+19.  Persuade Bourbon to draw a card.

Bourbon paused, looking at Dia's offer like he was screwing with him. He was clearly distressed by the sight of the Darkest Deck, and his tone become much less belligerent. "Tell you what, boss. Rather than me touching that, how about you just tell me what you want, after I get the lady her drink, and I'll do it rather that you drawing from that in here in a fit of anger."

OOC: He is treating that as an Intimidation. Bourbon is legitimately frightened of the Deck.

He came back up with a few bottles of decent quality ale. "Nothing of quality, my draconic troll, but it's far superior to swill. And we ain't got a place to put the money yet, because the people that would take the money are scared to come back as long as they think the undead and insurance salesmen will just raid them."

Dia smiles, apparently in good humor.

"hmmm... I would like to talk with you privately for a bit. Do you have somewhere like that in here or do we need to take a walk outside?"

Assuming that Bourbon takes me somewhere to talk privately

"Thanks Bourbon. What I want is very simple.  But requires a bit of explanation.

As the Darkest Heir, I didn't come out of my Draws unscathed.  I have to do a quest to get an Order of Paladins to set up here in town. Or else I can't advance towards my real goal.

Unfortunately their order is a stick in the mud that doesn't like bars or gambling.  Honestly it sound like they don't like fun at all.

So I have nothing personally against you. And Honestly I would like to subvert the intent of this quest as much as possible.

But basically,  I need you to go on vacation for a year or two. Just enough time for me to convince them yo set up here and allow them to put it into action.
I can offer you 15,000 gold pieces worth of Residuum. "

OOC
10:58, Today: Dia de Muertos rolled 28 using 1d20+19.  Persuasion check. Take a vacation .
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Thu 29 July 2021.

Bourbon slammed the drinks he was carrying down to go to a side office to talk with Dia. Everyone else heard his initial and quite irritated opening clearly. "WHAT?!"

As Dia made his case, he calmed down noticeably. Once Dia got to the end, he was quieter and much harder to eavesdrop on. "I know this order. They considered Baron Darkest to be one of their targets. They weren't wrong, but they started looking for dumb things to hate about him, like the fact he employs an orc. He was already some kind of fiend in mortal flesh for half of the things he actually did himself. Couldn't they just settle for that?"

He thought about the upfront money. "Tell you what. How about I talk with Ted after you pay me, and I make some kind of arrangement with him to disappear. Then, once your knights in shining armor arrive and that-"

He points to the Darkest Deck. "-thing has no further hold on you in regards to my place, I come back and run this place again. I'll take your money, or powder, or whatever the hell that stuff is. I know what people cursed by that deck will do to free themselves from it. I don't know how you got it, but it is not your friend, no matter what it says."

Bourbon walked out, considering the deal done, and spoke to the room in general. "Your friend has made me an amicable deal, so I'm in a good mood, despite this being my last day of business for a while. If you need a banker here, talk to Ecks and Wy. They should be setting up in the old guild hall, trying to determine if there is money that can be made here or not. If you need a medic, go find Bob. And I mean the elf lady, not the weird guy with the shovel. Just look around. She's not hard to find."

"Right, right, guild hall. Come Iron-Brain we go this Ecks and or Wy"

Quil'Fank immediately makes his way to the guild hall, meeting Ecks and Wy. After placing Derrick's body in a bar chair, Jarn follows Quil'Fank.

"Fellows! Fellows. This one is wondering if you do banking services? If so, this one wishes to invest!"

Behind him, Jarn;

"Hey Ecks and Wy, where's Zee?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:12, Sat 31 July 2021.

Olivia watches Derrick's body get dumped beside her.  He's hunched over the bar.  Olivia pulls a few coins from Derrick's pockets and places them on the bar, "Last day of business for a while?  Then how about a drink for me."

'what now?' a voice says to Olivia and the lizard on her breast squirms.  'Guaranteed this bar has some tasty treats for me.'  'You'll wait,' Olivia says back in her mind. 'The Orc might consider you food.'

"Dia," Olivia catches his attention, "We need to stash the dead weight, I'd like my friend to remain safe." She indicates Derrick with a poke.  "Then I'd like to finish my drink.  I'm a direct kind of girl.  It seems like we are dallying about getting to this manor and finding the Occallium.  What plans are you making that would require some assistance?"

Durque pays for the ale and starts to glug it down.

Robin thinks about it and obtains figuring rum would taste better with redbreast and Derrick. "Personally I'm good to go anytime you guys are, Olivia's probably right though the whole point of staying at the campsite last night was so we wouldn't have to fight undead at night."

Durque belches loudly before speaking, "Iffen ye don feel you need me I spose I could watch h'm. Be like watchen me kin back in de day, cept I don't hav' ta stop 'em from pissin in de Ale...Don luk at me like dat I told ye it was piss ale din' I?"

Dia has a smile when he comes out of the office. He listens to Olivia and the others and then responds.

"I was just getting my ducks in a row. Taking over the Manor is the next part of the plan. Such as it is. So I definitely need help for that.

Then I need to talk some Paladins into setting up shop in town as a part of the quest I got from the Deck. That is going to be an interesting experience.

"Yeah, hey." Bourbon was already carrying weapons and dressed in light armor. "Get the stiff out of here when you go, and drag him to Bob's place - again, the sanitarium, not the graveyard. It might not be mine for the time being, but I still want it to look good. It will cost "

He walked to the door and flipped a closed sign up. "When you are done, let me know."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEANWHILE, AT THE GUILD HALL

A boarded up building with faded coat of arms on it greeted Quil'Fank and Jarn, the only indication of occupation being the open doors. A half-elven woman dressed in leather armor looked up wearily and put a smile on. "Hello there! I am Ecks, guildmaster. We do not normally do banking services, but with a sufficient investment, I can let Wy know that there is interest in that when he returns, and he should call the banker into town. That will be a five thousand gold piece deposit for the banker himself, and any remainder will go into your account."

She blinked at Jarnbrautarlest as the smile briefly left, realized he was making a joke, and returned to her business face with the smile. "You mean Zan? He's the smith. We have a no-compete agreement with him, so I'm afraid that until he leaves, he is the sole source of reliable smithing in the town. Do you require his services for maintenance?"

Quil'Fank drops 5 gems in front Ecks.

"Here's 5,000 now, now, call the banker yes, yes."

Olivia downs her drink, coughing on the foul liquid, "Stronger than I remember," she sputters an octave lower.  In her mind she wondered how it might have been made to incorporate strange bits of debris in the bottom of her mug.

"Durque," it comes out half belch and she pauses.  "Durque, if you would be so kind accompany me to the sanitarium and carry this one there for me?"  She pats Derricks head.  Olivia looked at Robin and Dia to see if they were following along.  "We can discuss on the way.  You might not want to charm a Paladin, but Robin and I could surely arrange a meeting if we have some details."

Assuming that Dia, Durque, and Robin are game.  Bourbon can close shop and we can cross to the Sanitarium with the luggage called Derrick.

Dia find a container for Bourbon and places the agreed upon 15,000 gp worth of magic sand within and hands it directly to Bourbon.

Then he follows Olivia and the others.
"Yeah. A Paladin order wouldn't like me much. They are called The Order of Gate-Or-Aid. And the really didn'tlike Baron Darkness from what I have Heard."

Durque shrugs and give an "Aye." as he throws the unconsence Derrick over his shoulder. And Robin follows along quietly.

At the Sanitarium...

The stone structure sits atop a small hill, with long degraded and overgrown steps leading to it. It has a singular tower joining it, but the tower's top was obliterated by some force, and all of the windows are boarded up. A singular wooden door lies slightly ajar, and the sounds of movement inside make it clear someone is inside.

A fleeting glimpse catches a stern elven woman in black robes and a white hat, sweeping, dusting, and cursing quietly under her breath as she does what she can to clean the place. A large medical kit is on a table behind her, and it is clear that she is slowly unpacking an alchemical laboratory.

She casts a glance up at you, and speaks while looking at her work. Her voice is as harsh as her stance. "What's the ailment?"

----------------------------------------------------------
At the Guild Hall...

Ecks took a breath out, clearly trying to explain something. "Well, as soon as I can get the banker here, I will give him your money and the fee. But if you want it stored now, I am afraid you will have to trust me with it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:39, Sat 28 Aug 2021.

"I seem to recall something to do with a soul removal Kinda thing, but good news for him we may have a way to retrieve it. So would you mind housing this fine gentle man until then?"

Durque proceeds to lift Derrick hand so he can wave.

Quil'Fank sniffs the air.

"Eh, you smell trustworthy yes, yes. Tell you what if this one leaves the money with you will you allow this one residence to stay until the banker arrives, if so then a deal is struck yes, yes."

Olivia walks in as Robin is answering, "Yes, indeed.  Soul kinda ailment.  We've an indication of something that may cure him of this condition, but we need to make sure that the body is properly kept until his spirit is returned.  Bourbon indicated you were the one to talk to."

Olivia pats Durque on the shoulder as a thanks and leans into Robin, "Sorry.  Bourbon's ale caught me at the wrong time, had to make an emergency stop."  She shrugged as further apology.

Dia nods in acknowledgement to the Elven woman. But doesn't say anymore.

The goliath nods to the elven woman.
And then comments to the others.
"With that. I believethat we are ready to take back the manor. Unless someoneneed to get supplies that I am unawareof. "

At the Sanitarium...

"Ah. Comatose patient. Believed cause soul loss. I've witnessed this before. Likely inflicted by The Deck." She gives a strange hand gesture of warding as she says this, and then gestures to the counter in front of her as she continues unpacking. "You can set the patient there. They will be tended for as long as you are gone, whether you return or not. The patient will not atrophy as long as they live."

OOC: So, who's going where after this? Answer in OOC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
At the Guild Hall...

Ecks seems to have a physical tic whenever they encounter something they did not expect. "Well... um... inn services are normally handled by Bourbon. He's the gruff orc down the street. He's an opportunist, but he's a deadly warrior when provoked, and his is one of the few services capable of countering a raid."

"Ah, Bourbon! yes, yes, back to the bar this one goes. Ecks, 40 gems this one trusts you with, let this one know when the banker arrives, yes, yes."

Quil'Fank leaves 40 gems with Ecks and keeps the other 10. Then heads outside with Jarn before speaking with him:

"Iron Brain! This one must meet the Tiny-Happy-Death-Bringer about residence, what are Iron Brain's plans speak, speak?"

Jarn: "I'll be heading off with the others. Still gotta save dat one guy who lost his soul and da lady who got ported somewhere.

Quil'Fank: Good, good. Then let's find our.....frieeeenn-mutual acquaintances and proceed with plans, yes, yes.

The duo head back to find the others, hopefully they don't get lost.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:03, Wed 29 Sept 2021.

It is, after some deliberation, settled for the short-term destinies of those bound to the Darkest Deck. The actual current Heir, one Dia de Muertos, will not be securing their ancestral residence by right, as they have a distraction to attend to. Olivia, it seems, will be accompanying the Heir to contact the Order of Quarter and see if they cannot talk their warriors into finally lending their arms to the Hamlet's aid.

Quil'Fank seems likely to be content to just hole up and wait, dreaming of all that money.

Meanwhile, Bang Ironson, Durque, Jarnbrautarlest, and Robin all make their way to The Old Manor Ruins, to clear it out before the sun goes down and the dead rise up in force. There, in a chamber, they will find the Occallium Orientalis and learn not only how to stop the flow of the undead, but they will find Derrick's soul.

Olivia and the Heir are fortunate. They have no pressure on them for time.

Quil'Fank only need to fear the failure of the four, for their rest will be very short-lived indeed if they do not succeed!

Meanwhile, the danger to our four heroes is quite palpable, as if they do not work quickly, the undead will begin to overtake them, and eventually overrun them.

Fight well, Heroes! Quil'Fank depends on it!

For the four person team - they will be going to the thread labeled The Ruins.

For the two person team - they will be going to the thread labeled Negotiations.

For Quil'Fank - congratulations. You don't need to move at all, you lazy rat.