It is the morning of the day they will bury Salie McHaney.

Like most of her neighbors, Salie was born in Salt Lick.  And other than a trip to Ladder's Ending for her honeymoon, she never went farther than 4 leagues away from it.

Salie lost a lot to the ocean.  It took her husband and her four sons, one right after the other.  It's claimed two of her grandsons and one of her granddaughters.  All were on boats, whether fishing or simply playing.  But the water wanted them and so the water took them.

There are a lot of families in Salt Lick who have lost loved ones to the ocean.  But few who have lost as many as Salie did.

Just before noon, there will be a short service for her in the chapel at the Coomb's manor.  Then she'll be taken down to the docks.  She wanted an old style burial.  A raft towed out to sea and then left to drift past the point the currents would take her back to land.  Some say as she died, she begged for such a send off.  So she could be back with her menfolk.

Others say she just wanted to stink up the ocean cos she hated it so much.

With Salie, it could be either option.  Or both.  Or neither.

The thing is, Salie McHaney's funeral will start a little before noon.

Ordin, your mentor will preside over the service.  Your job will be to carry a branch with apple blossoms on it before the casket and, once she is laid down in the raft, to place it on top of her before they ferry her out to sea.

Zale, you never met Salie.  You hadn't even heard of her before last night.   But a week ago, a young farmer named Douty Neshie found you on the shore when he went to catch some crabs.  He's taken you in.  Though his farm is small, you can at least sleep in a dry loft above the main room.  Douty provides for his wife, two young daughters, and his grandmother Hettie.  Hettie likes to talk and as you are the only one around who isn't too busy, she talks a lot at you.

Douty asked you last night if you would take Hettie to the funeral.  She had grown up with Salie.  And he has work to do and his wife has the girls.  Considering they've fed you thus far, it really isn't much to ask.

I will pause here to let you guys ask any questions or react as you like.

Thanks

Ordin had been making preparations with Nysene Pebblebrook (his Mentor) for the ceremony for Salie throughout the night before the funeral would happen.  Ordin had asked many questions of his Oread Druid mentor.  He wanted to make sure everything would be perfect.  His role was to carry the apple blossom branch and place it upon Salie when she was put in the raft.  It was an easy enough task for him he knew.

Ordin knew of someone else that would be at the funeral.  Someone new to the city who had washed up on the beach not but a week ago.  He didn't know much of the person but had heard that he was Undine.  Ordin couldn't wait to speak to the man and find out what he knew.  It would have to wait though as the morning would be busy with the funeral.

"Yes, Nysene, I will be extra careful with the branch so that none of the petals from the branch fall off."  Ordin reminded her as she had asked about his duty during the funeral.

The undine agrees to take Hettie to the funeral. Zale spends time beforehand fishing, perhaps catching some and provides them to Douty in exhange for being allowed to sleep in the loft. As soon as he wakes up, he goes to the shore letting his feet sink into the beach. Once Hettie is ready to go, Zale is silent for the most part. His otter sits in his arms, constantly looking around like a little babe. Whenever Hettie talks, Zale seems to listen as well as the otter at the same time. Its strange and intriguing but somewhat adorable. And he doesn't wear shoes.

Hettie rambles on and on Zale.  "Salie and I used to be in love with the same guy.  Ewen Hoffsteder.  Hated each other's guts we did.  But then Ewen comes out that he likes guys.  What could we do?  We snuck some beer from the Gaft's place an' went up to the old Braker place.  Drank away our woes together.  After that we were okay with each other.  Then we got married.  Never liked her husband.  Always knew Janx would come to a bad end.  Not much of a fisherman.  But he tried.  Give him that.  Then, what with the kids and everything, we just kinda drifted apart.  Not like we didn't know what was goin' on with the other.  Hell.  It's not that big a village."

The otter glances at Hettie and then at you with a curious look.

Hettie continues.  "Everyone knows when someone else farts.  I heard Nysene fart the other week and told him he needed to lay off the garlic.  He just went on and on about how it was a purifying herb.  So I says to him, "Yeah.  I can smell how pure ya are."  Oh! Speak of the devil.  Nysene!"

Ordin, as you and Mysene head for the chapel, you suddenly hear Nysene's name called.  The two of you see Hettie Neshie being escorted by that Undine fella.  He's got an otter perched on his shoulder.  Hettie starts in on Nysene right away.  You and Zale are on the periphery of their conversation.  Like little kids staring at each other while their mothers gossip.

Feel free to introduce yourself.  Don't be shy

Just before he and Nysene made the chapel, Hettie the old lady who was friends with Salie approached them.  The Undine was at her side.  Ordin looked the man over some as they neared and was obvious about it.  The thing that caught Ordin's eye the most though was the otter that was with him.  Ordin wondered if he too was a druid perhaps.

Then as the two women began to chat Ordin and the Undine fellow found themselves on the side.  Ordin was in more plainclothes today, wearing just a long green shirt and leather trousers with soft boots.  He carried no weapon or anything with him either, after all this was a funeral.  His thick brown beard was peppered with grey blotches and braided together in one braid that almost went to his belly.  If anyone had seen Ordin before they would also know he was missing something else, his armored warcat, Dillo.  It was obvious how the warcat got its name as armored plates like an armadillo were all over its body.

Ordin broke the silence first, "It is nice to meet you finally.  My name is Ordin Oakbranch.  I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you a druid?  You have such a cute little friend there."

All Zale does is smile and nod, like a kid stuck in the corner with Hettie. The otter looks at the undine and squeaks a few times as if talking to Hettie. When Ordin approaches, Zale steps back. He seems to have no weapons besides the otter who looks over at the druid. More squeaks come from it as well as chirping sounds. He lowers his head, keeping his eyes upon the dwarf. Perhaps he's mute. Or shy. Maybe both. Or something else. The otter stares at Ordin after it glances at Hettie "Zale. Druid?"

In reply to Zale Morcant (msg # 6):

The chapel bell starts to clang.  Services will start soon.

Mysene successfully unentangles from Hettie.  Waving, he motions for you to follow Ordin.  "We'll catch up at the banquet after Hettie.  Got to get things ready!"

Hettie turns and wraps a scrawny arm through the crook of your elbow Zale.  She boops your otter on the nose with her free hand.  And then she wistfully stares up at the chapel belltower.

"Wonder when that bell's gonna ring for me..." she mumbles.

---

The service is brief.  There are a few prayers.  A couple of people get up and say some nice things about Salie.  And then everyone sings her favorite shanty O There the Far Horizon.

After a few more rituals, the men come up and begin to shoulder Salie's casket.  Ordin, you take your position, holding the branch and processing right before the casket.  Mysene is on point, holding a candle and shielding it from the afternoon breeze.

Hettie is a little slow Zale.  She sniffles quite a bit.  A few tears rolled down her craggy cheeks during the service.  But she just shook her head and sang along.

She's singing again as you escort her near the back of the procession.

If I can see it,
I can row there
My darling
My always faithful one

There might be the far horizon,
but you are here
My beautiful gal
My ever setting sun...

The procession arrives at the dock.  The small raft Salie will lay on is resting just on the shore.  The pallbearers walk into the surf up to their knees and lay Salie carefully on her final raft.

Mysene nods at you Ordin.  You just need to head into the surf and place the branch in the crook of her arm so it doesn't fall away.

Both of you make me a perception check please.  Thanks

Seeing Hettie saddened, the undine goes to wipe her eyes. He sighs, listening to everyone. He goes to gently pet the woman as if to try and relax her. The otter squeaks a few times and nudges up against Zale. He seems to mimic but nothing comes from him as if copying. This whole thing seems new to the sorcerer. The man watches Ordin out of curiousity.

15:52, Today: Zale Morcant rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

When the undine gave his name as Zale, Ordin smiled but when he said druid in a questioning tone Ordin looked a bit confused.  The Zale not know what a Druid was?  "A druid is someone who looks after nature and I thought that since you have that otter there on your shoulder that you might be one.  I myself have a companion, he is not attending today's activities though.  His name is Dillo, perhaps you can meet him sometime."

When the bells began, Ordin rushed inside knowing he would need to be ready.

When the service was complete, Ordin did his part and led the way to the docks.  He then made sure that the Apple Blossom was firmly placed in her hand.  Ordin then moved out of the way and began to look around at the whole of the ceremony and surroundings.

17:25, Today: Ordin Oakbranch rolled 18 using 1d20+8 ((10)). Perception check

In reply to Ordin Oakbranch (msg # 9):

Well aren't you both perceptive?

Ordin, as you step up out of the water and back on to the pier, you turn and have a clear view of the boat that will be towing Salie's body out to sea.

Zale, perhaps your otter nudges you, making you look in that direction as well.  Or perhaps since you weren't attached to Salie, you aren't focused on her body, and so hear the slosh of water.

The towing boat is at the end of the pier, a rope tied to one end, attaching it to the raft.  Two men are sitting in teh boat, waiting for the cue to start towing Salie away.

They are both sitting facing the raft.  You can both see their faces.

The boat suddenly tips.  Something has come up out of the water at it's bow.

The thing looks human.  Mostly.  It looks like a man long since drowned.  Slick, wet, rubbery skin.  Eyes that are bulging, almost as of they contain too many visions of horror to contain them all.  The drowned man opens his mouth and lurches forward, batting at one of the rowers.

The rower tries to pitch forward but stops.  The other rower scrambles backwards.  The tow boat starts to lurch dangerously in the water.



You may both assume you have init.  Your actions are up to you.  Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Thu 16 Sept 2021.