Day 128 - Willston at night (cont)

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**Willston At Night (cont)**

**Days 128 (20th June – 5am)**

**DM Note: Umar/Bazin still blessed +2/+2 (24th Day)**

 **Francis still blessed +2/+2 (1st Day)**

Down in the cellar, the party regards the damage done to Dougal with significant dismay. Dougal is conscious, but in a lot of pain, Even with some curing, he is still fading in and out of unconsciousness. Whilst he can talk, he relates what had happened to him, and what questions he had been asked.

The Druid with you confers with the Maratasen, who frowns – then regards Dougals ruined left hand.

Maratasen (recoiling somewhat): “Death magic”

Druid: “I suspected as much, and not Temple of Death – or else we would be dealing with Zombies and the like – so almost certainly Sarn.”

Druid (to Dougal): “We are going to have to remove the damaged area quickly – just in case the curse or whatever it is spreads. As it is, we cannot easily move you, and I do not know how long it will take us to get a senior Priest here.”

After a little thought, Dougal nods his assent.

The Druid heats a knife and then signals the Maratasen, who chops off Dougals ruined hand about 2 inches above the wrist with a clean blow from his axe. The wound is cauterised and Dougal lapses back into unconsciousness.

About this time, the other Maratasen returns, he has obviously been wading in sewage and if it wasn’t for the palpable anger radiating off him, you might be tempted to laugh at his bedraggled and filth spattered look.

Maratasen: “Bastard got away, he moved extremely fast, either magic or he was a monk of some form. Still, I have his scent – and if I encounter him again… his corpse will feed the scavengers. What the….”

Dougals ruined hand is rotting away at an accelerated rate, turning black and filling the small room with a disgusting smell that even overpowers the stink from Dougal and the Maratasens dregs of sewage. Within a couple of rounds all that remains is a black shrivelled husk of a hand and wrist, then this too begins to disintegrate.

Druid: “Right, lets just gather up what we can and get out of here, we can pick up the rest of you from the inn you are staying at and make for the Nature Shrine. Hopefully Kahu can provide some guidance, and help your friend here.”

…and so the mixed party heads through the streets….

Whilst it is difficult to pinpoint anything, the streets feel tense, the only city patrol you come across is marching South and barely pays your somewhat strange looking group much attention.

The wandering group arrive at the inn a few minutes after a Dark Elven patrol which is there to pick up prisoners. One of the Dark Elves looks the party over and gives a curt nod.

Dark Elf: “OK, what is going on with you.”

The Druid bows to the Dark Elf and explains the situation as he knows it and explains that you are all planning to decamp to the Nature Shrine.

Dark Elf: “Shimrath, Ellebas, accompany these people to the Nature Shrine. Once there, they are not to leave until someone has been to get their story.”

Two muscular Dark Elves nod their assent and join your group.

Caradoc explains to the Dark Elves about the rooftop watchers that have been encountered, but the Dark Elves simply smile.”

Shimrath: “Anyone on the rooftops now will have a short lifespan unless they have official business up there. Most of your fellow guild members have been roused early….”

Ellebas: “Shut up Shimrath.”

Collecting up the suspect loot from the Inn, the large group makes their way to the Nature Shrine, where you are met by Kahu who is awake and at the entrance to the grounds.

On seeing Kahu, the two Grizzly Bears break into a run and Kahu steps forward to meet them. He puts a hand on each of their heads and the bears shrink and morph into two naked Dark Elves, both obviously quite young and quite probably twins.

Kahu: “Thank you both, go and rest now.”

As the party files into the Nature Shrine grounds, the Dark Elves militia take up position by the door after explaining to Kahu that you are supposed to remain in the shrine until questioned.

Quercius gives Kahu a quizzical look.

Kahu: “The twins? They visited the Shrine of Change and were changed….. blessed of Wyldwood as Werebears. Unfortunately they have yet to gain full control of the change, and have a limited ability to project their intellect over the Bears. But they are learning quickly, two months ago I would never have been able to let them out onto the streets – even with a druid accompanying them.”

Kahu: “Anyway, you all look tired, I will get some temporary sleeping quarters arranged, your messages have given me some idea of what occurred – but hopefully you can spend a few minutes bringing me fully up to speed?”

Bringing Kahu up to speed, takes a good 15 minutes and during this period Kahu and some of the other priests heal the party up to full health. Kahu is obviously taken aback at what has happened to Dougals hand and his inability to heal it.

Kahu: “Many apologies, if we had known that this would happen – we would never have got you involved. The Church or Sarn is obviously more organised and more powerful in Willston than we suspected, and more importantly believes something is going to happen soon. Given that Greyel is unavailable and the militia alert was sounded I suspect we will find out what…..very soon.”

……

The party rests……

……

**Days 128 (20th June – 2pm)**

**DM Note: Umar/Bazin still blessed +2/+2 (24th Day)**

 **Francis still blessed +2/+2 (1st Day)**

After a meal, with much philosophical debate at to whether this is Lunch or Breakfast, the party is visited by what is obviously a senior Elven Officer and his aide.

The party is quizzed at some length about the events of the past 24 hours, and whilst initially somewhat snooty and officious the officer gradually loosens up a bit. He introduces himself (after about an hour) as Canbel Brighthelm.

Canbel: “So it appears as though most of this group have arrived during the evacuation of the coastal villages that Rasten authorised. Most of the rent a thugs that you have met are really just villagers with some fanatical belief in Sarn. Not particularly skilled, but willing to fight and die for the cause.”

Canbel: “The person that worries us the most is that human character you fought at the Inn, the one that got away. The two prisoners from the Inn have named him as Thirson, apparently he led the services and so must be a priest of the religion. We also think he was the character who turned up in the cellar, and once again – got away.”

Umar: “The bloke chucking fireballs, lightning bolts and magic missiles around?”

Canbel: “Yes that’s the one, we know very little about him, but there is currently an operation to clear out the old sewers – just in case there are more of the vermin holding out down there. Of course, the city has other worries now.”

Caradoc: “Like what?”

Canbel: “Well there is an army approaching from Ghoulagabba, initial scout reports put it at about forty thousand troops but most of the troops that Ghoulagabba had up in the North East also seem to be converging here. We would guess that the city will be under siege in a few days…..”

Kahu (who has joined the group): “Forty thousand troops, plus the undead Canbel.”

Canbel: “Yes, plus the undead – probably a similar number of Zombies and Skeletons – but lets face it they wont make much difference.”

Kahu: “In those numbers, and with Temple of Dead priests bolstering them, I think you will find them more of a factor than just simple cannon fodder.”

Canbel: “The higher ups don’t seem that concerned, and I trust Rasten’s judgement. I am more concerned with maintaining internal order. We cannot defend the walls if significant trouble starts within the city. Rasten has already moved his command post up to the Trade Gate, all shipping in the area is under interdiction. We are secure.”

Kahu: “If you say so…..”

Canbel: “Well what will you be doing? Sitting here growing foodstuffs for the troops?”

Kahu: “I and my colleagues will be at the wall.”

Canbel looks somewhat taken aback at this statement.

Canbel: “I see….. so the tree huggers are finding some teeth.”

Kahu: “Thorns can draw blood Canbel.”

Quercius suddenly notices that Kahu’s holy symbol has now got thorns on the intertwined vines, but decides to wait until Canbel departs before investigating.

Canbel (after a pause, he nods at Kahu): “Glad to hear it….. but anyway we still have the issue of internal order. The City Guard will be stretched, even if we can find locals willing to swell the ranks and can process them fast enough for induction. This Thirson can obviously cause trouble, and worryingly we believe he has at least a few supporters amongst the Elves or Dark Elves.”

Kahu: “….and whilst I don’t know much about the Sarn religion, I do know that his worshippers paint themselves as vengeful. They will not be happy with our accomplices here.”

Canbel: “Agreed.”

Kahu: “Go on, Canbel…..we have discussed this.”

Canbel (grudgingly, addressing the party): “As Kahu says, we think that Sarn will probably come after you, Thirson seems to be too big a fish to address you personally – but will not want to see you go unpunished. We have a safe house for you, known only to a select few, near the Cathedral.”

Canbel: “You will be issued with badges that proclaim you to be working for the Empire. Whilst they will not grant you the full rights of an Elven race, they will allow you emergency access to the Cathedral and will make sure that any Elven officer will take you seriously…..” (he pauses)

Kahu: “….and…..”

Canbel: “…and should it be necessary for you to get into conflict with an Elf or Dark Elf Sarn follower, you will be exempt from the automatic death sentence for drawing arms against an Elf or Dark Elf. But make sure of your facts before entering into such conflict…..there will still be investigations and the pass will not protect you against stupidity on your part.”

Canbel reluctantly hands over a small badge to each party member.

Canbel: “Kahu, you can finish the briefing.”

And the officer stiffly walks away followed by his aide…

Kahu: “As you heard, I will soon be going up to the walls with most of the temple priests and guardians. This place was never intended to be defended militarily and I would suggest that the safe house is your best residence.”

Kahu: “What Canbel neglected to say, of course, is that he is really hoping Sarn moves against you – he is in effect treating you as bait – though I don’t think that sits well with his personal honor code, he does have orders.”

Kahu: “My recommendations are…. If you sit waiting, then you are letting Sarn determine the agenda – he may be a beserk force of vengeance, but that does not make his followers stupid. You need to find out more, and if possible take the fight to the organisation.”

Kahu: “I do suggest you stay indoors at night though…..”

Kahu: “Anyway, lets finish this meal, I am sure you have questions – and then I will get you escorted to your new residence.”

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