Adherents of Mercy

Just as things seem to be settling down for the Dreamers, the party comes across a spooky farmstead and a figure from Doc's past.

## Plot:

Having gathered up their vestiges and those things left unburned by the flames of Aerdollan and his kin, the Dreamers finally head towards the East once more. Only a day from the nearest settlement, a hunting village by the river, the party decided to make double time. So it was that, tired to the point of exhaustion, the party made it to Steepknoll Crossing, a small, but well worn stomping ground for local hunters and fishermen. While settling down to rest for the evening Réalta took to learning from the local cooks and huntsman how to better prepare a meal, while the rest of the group bedded down for the evening. Most were ready for the respite, except Doc, who had heard a rumor of a medicine woman of The Order of Mercy who was in the main township, just an hour's walk away. So it was that, with a mind for the next stage of the journey, the party found their rest. Short lived, for some though it may have been, most of the party are able to sleep through the night. Except for Gwendolyn. There is a terrible vacuus dream that seems to draw her inward, and she soon finds herself back at Jackdaw Ridge.

This dream draws Gwendolyn’s attention to the baby pram Meddi had occupied as a small babe, and then, in a flash, Mordred’s mother stood before Gwendolyn once more. What had been her name… she had hid it after joining them, given false names so many times… Jessica. Her name was Jessica. Why had she been so ashamed… yes ashamed… of her name? Gwendolyn entreats Jessica to speak with her, only for Mordred’s mother to disapparate and be replaced… by Mordred himself. Bleeding… dying on the floor. The vision seeks to torment Gwendolyn, only to end, nearly as soon as it began. With a restless night’s sleep, Doc is the first to rise, making his way to the Township of Alberlet. Soon at the local tavern Doc is greeted by Tifanie O’Mercy, a former sparring partner from back in the day in Orion. She greets him by his name, Benedict, and the two share a number of ales by the hearthfire. Benedict learns that the town has been experiencing bad dreams, and that the head of the Guild Merchants in the town, Lady Fjolla, has been suffering for some time from extreme fatigue.

When the rest of the party arrive in the town they greet Doc and his friend, and they all decide to head to the Lady Fjolla, and aid Doc with his duties. While patrolling through the streets, the Dreamers notice a small child staring at Gwendolyn with horror on his face, looking like he had seen a ghost. Arriving at Lady Fjolla’s door, they find it unlocked, and Tifanie greets the maid, and Butler, asking after the Lady of the Manor. Soon they find Lady Fjolla resting on a fainting sofa in the study, who rouses to greet her guests after a slight moment of rousing. Doc examines her closely with Tifanie, looking for any irregularities. Strangely, Benedict notices abnormalities in the woman’s heart rate. The Lady Fjolla asks what the concern is, and Benedict locks eyes with her, talking her through a seeming panic attack, allowing her to take his arm and slow her heart rate. Looking around a bit dazed, the Lady of Alberlet then stands to retrieve refreshments for the party.

Just then, her body is flung up against the mirror at the far end of the room, while Gwendolyn & Réalta stare in shock at the wraith-like figure indicated in the reflection. The Lady’s head spins and contorts on her shoulders until, with a gout of red icor it shoots across the room, landing, teeth chattering, at the feet of Haze and Doc. Réalta—to her dismay—cannot seem to detect the attacker, while Gwendolyn and Virakai blast at the creature with fey magic. The corpse briefly reanimates, just long enough for Saoirse to see that any reflection could give the seemingly demonic spirit away. With that, Virakai uses a beam of moonlight to shatter the corpse, simultaneously destroying any evidence of the Lady, or her possession. Dumbfounded, the party asks Tifanie and the butler, and maid, still disoriented, for any hints to what might have been possessing the Lady, and how it might be made to target its victims. The butler and the maid stand shaken, but are able to reiterate that the Lady Fjolla had been suffering from terrible dreams of late. Benedict looks over with dismay at Gwendolyn, and Tifanie rushes out the door of the Manor to search for the strange child from before.

The boy is found, and reveals that the child too was able to see Gwendolyn, seemingly, haunted by some malevolent spirit. The child suggests that the group all journey to the burial mounds outside of the town, because then they might meet the village’s very own benevolent guardian “Mimby the Nairimbe”. Haze is… skeptical.. But the party decides it may be worth checking into. Saoirse volunteers to stay behind and analyze the room, setting up traps from mirrors and explosives should it return, while the rest of the band head to the local tavern to check in on Sir John, Mance, and the twins. Upon arrival, Mance is found at the bar, drinking and relaxing to his content after much needed travel and trauma. Clambering together, all of the dreamer’s ask hurriedly if Mance had suffered of late from any ill dreams. With a wince of recognition, and concern on his face, Mance iterated, “No… I haven’t… but…” and turned his eyes towards the stairs, and Sir John of Glosthen’s room.