Dark Hope - Chapter 1 - Pan Town

[Tänya]

[ooc]nah, no worries. I have to leave for awhile.[/ooc]

[Atrus]

Trapped between wanting information on....him...and trying to dodge a potential divine lightning bolt. What a great way to start my day. Atrus looks around. and now I'm talking to myself! What I wouldn't give for mug and a tasty barmaid....

With a slight frown on his face, Atrus forces himself, step by step, into moving further into the temple. He won't be denied information. Even for this.

[Tänya]

[ooc]

...one down, one to go...

[/ooc]

[Tänya]

Her waking visions shifting from wooded glades and wisdom as the dawn breeze softly caresses her before it fades away, the touch of fear from what she perceived in them tints the color of her meditations. Taking the time to refresh her spells, she is ready to drop from exhaustion and injury as she returns to herself by the window, as she had yet to simply rest and be healed.

Rising slowly from her place, she glanced to see if the half-blood still hovered in the shadows. When she did not see him, she knew that actually meant nothing, as he could be well hidden. But, she also had learned while Solaris wants her to let others know that the g-ds will respond to those who call upon them, that she needs to allow them to seek their own way to doing so. The rogue remaining out of sight showed her she had pushed too much. Should they continue on together, perhaps in time he will allow her to occasionally breach his defenses.

Her master affirming the temple here as a good place to seek healing and rejuvenation set her mind more at ease. Finding the stairs at the back of the temple the others had descended, she went down them herself in search of them and this Brother Rell. She had hope the chaplain of the temple would be able to add to what little her master had told her of the great menace of Nature...

[Mephiston]

You go down the right stairs.
Alan is leading the group through narrow corridor. You are now in the last cell of the corridor.

The underground of the church is dark and only few torches enlight the rooms.

Alan speaks
"Rell is here since i answered the call of Solaris. I think at least 10 years. I know Arael, he's a good boy, and he seems to be freezed in his age! Here is Rell"
Alan nods to a priest that is lower on a wounded farmer.
"Chaplain Rell, those are the heroes that helped the farmer against the undead creature! they want to talk with you because i said you could help him about things that i don't know."

The man turns toward you and with a deep bow he speaks
"Thank you all, strangers! your help was appreciated. The whole community of Pan Town thanks you for what you did."
"My name is Rell, and i'm the chaplain of this church. You are well come. How may i help you?"

It seems that the man that was moaning is laying on a bed in this room. He's seroisly wounded in many part, and you can see also that some of his wounds was already healed.

[Renard]

Looking at the wounded farmer, Renard quells a moment of queasiness, and wonders if he looked as bad from the transformed bear attack.
Forcing his eyes away from the mangled farmer he bows in earnest to Rell.
"Goodly chaplain, our pardons for this interruption of such kindly attention to the wonded. If you need more time --- or if you wish to continue your work on the man while we talk..." Renard hesitates for a moment to allow the priest to answer.

...But Renard will kindly press on anyway...
"Your assistance is indeed welcome here as we encountered a vile man in a cavern beneath the old ruins north east of here. He gave faith to a god named Graveris. Have you heard of this being? Oh! and a symbol on a make-shift alter there looked like this"---<Renard describes the root-shaped / upside down tree symbol found>

Ever mindful of the chaplain's age and position, Renard does his best to be respectful (Diplomacy) yet really wishes to learn as much as he can from this man, and presses the matter of urgency by adding, "The persons who wrought this evil upon Pan's Town escaped and we wish to track them down. These people"[/i}--gesturing to his companions present---"are strong of heart and skill. But we need your knowledge and help."
And punctuates this with his most kindly and warm smile.

<and BTW, do 'we' recognize the injured farmer?...>

[Tänya]

[Spot, Listen, Search, Sense Motive, and Diplomacy checks throughout this encounter, please]

After Renard answers the chaplain's greeting...

*bowing to Brother Rell*

"May I inquire as to the patient before you? Is he not responding to your care as much as you would wish? I have some small healing skill, and would be happy to see if there is anything I can do to help...?

"We also are in need of your Order's skill at healing among ourselves. Several of us were injured during the battle at Nando's farm, and at the ruins Renard," pointing at the bard, "mentioned. Again, I would be glad to offer my aid as I am able, but at the moment I am weary as I have yet to sleep since before we fought the undead animals at the farm. I would like to see if there is anything I can do to help this farmer now though.

"Do you have the resources to see to our wounds as well? If your Order is stretched thin, I understand."

[Atrus]

The pressure worsened the deeper he walked into the temple. He could feel an disapproving glare follow him down the steps, keeping the hair on his neck straight up and his eyes moving quickly. His muscles were coiled springs, ready to bolt up the stairs at the first sign of trouble.

Leaving the others to talk with the Chaplain, Atrus moves to the bedside. Sitting next to the wounded man, he speaks softly.

"What happened to you?"

[Mephiston]

"Of course, my friends, my order will be glad to help you and heal your wounds.
But we are proved from the healing work on those poor farmers and commoners.

Please take our cells to rest for the night, tomorrow morning we will be ready to heal you all."

Then i looks to Tanya.
"Yes, milady, if you would be so kind to help me now with this man, i will be grateful."

He bows.

He looks to Renard.
"The symbol you had described is not familiar to me, i'm sorry, and i never heard of a god called Graveris... i'm very sorry, sir"

[Mephiston]

the man open slowly the eyes
"Good day, sir. I was in my bed when i heard screaming from the near farm, the farm of Nando. So i ran to see what was happened and i saw many animals attacking the farm... i'm sure... i saw a big brown bear using a torch to katch on fire the farm! But how is it possible? The animals fear the fire!"

He shakes his head

"the chaplain told me that someone helped Nando and the battle was finally won... are you one of the people that helped the farmer? Is Arael ok?"

[Tänya]

Having received permission from the chaplain to examine the wounded farmer, Tänya moves to Atrus' side and awaits a sign from him that she may proceed without interrupting his own purpose. When he signals she may go on, she removes the coverings on the man, and gently running her hands over him, assesses the harm he has taken and what may be causing him to resist the efforts of the Order.

[heal check please, good DM]

[Tänya]

"Chaplain, a moment of your time, please?"

[Diplomacy, Diplomacy, Diplomacy, please...]

As she waits for the chaplain to come nearer, Tänya gently prods one of the wounds. An excessive amount of puss leaks past the dressings; excessive for the amount of time that had passed since the wounds were inflicted and for the healing the farmer had already received.

"Brother, this is beyond my current skill. The wound is festering with infection, much more than if it were inflicted last night, and treated within a few hours. Something has accelerated the course of infection in this man, but I know not what it may have been. A Remove Disease spell is needed, something I have yet to learn how to do.

"Is there anyone here who can help this man? I fear that I can not..."

Slumping in defeat at her lack of needed knowledge, Tänya wearily makes her way back to the side of the bard.

[Atrus]

"the chaplain told me that someone helped Nando and the battle was finally won... are you one of the people that helped the farmer? Is Arael ok?"

Disappointment and anger shone brightly in his eyes. His fingers tightened their grip on his knees. Lines formed on his brow and his jaw grew as the muscles clenched his teeth tightly. He doesn't know anything of importance. "Just another dead end" he mutters softly. Looking the injured man in the face, he attempts a smile, which reveals itself as closer to a grimace, and says "We are the ones who stopped the attack. I'm glad you survived. Rest now, friend. You are in a safe place." He looked Tanya in the eyes, trying to hide the flare of anger, and stood up.

"Well, if we're resting for the moment, I'm sure as hell doing it outside. It's too...heavy...in here. Catch up with me later, if you all want. I'll be in the woods to the north. "

[Mephiston]

The chaplain steps near Tanya.
"yes Milady, how can i help you?"

[Tänya]

Looking up at the chaplain, Tänya offers a wan smile.
"See to the farmer, please. He has illness from infection coursing through him, not simply injury. I am unable to help. Do you have the ability to treat disease as well as wounds?

"I have an injury myself from undead wolves, as do several of our party. This one here," and she nods towards Renard, "was also mauled by a bear, although it was from one that shapeshifted. The shifter may have been an undead himself, I know his master was..."

With that, Tänya sagged against Renard, her strength finally gone from exhaustion.

[Mephiston]

"Don't warry, milady, tomorrow i will be ble to treat the illness and the man will return to his farm in the same day"
He smiles softly.

"i think you all now need to rest. Please take a cell and rest as you want, tomorrow we will cure you and you will be fine."

He bows and turn again toward the man.

[Renard]

It seemed there would be no immediate answers forthcoming from the chaplain. The disappointment Atrus obviously feels is reflected in Renard (although not shown), and he thanks Rell with a soft bow.
As the beautiful elf slumps wearily in to his arms, Renard does his best in his fatigued state to comfort her. As one had gently sooths the tension of her shoulder, he remarks to the chaplain, ”The estimable and compassionate follower of Solaris is likely correct, dear chaplain; the farmer’s wound is grievous and a result of the evil that attacked through the animals. If any of your church has the power to aid this farmer, please do so. I leave this coin as an offering for your services.” Renard hands a small pouch to Rell.
<DM: I will PM the amount in it.>

Well aware of the warmth of Tänya’s weary body next to his and of the growing agitation in Atrus (and no doubt, the discomfort Ahkash likely feels), Renard thinks for a moment about spending time resting in the cold, lightless basement of a church versus the warmth of an inn (where warm food, bed and wine promise to be), and boldly makes a decision on behalf of the group, hoping he offends no one…
”As for our needs, Brother Rell,”—warm smile <and Diplomacy>—”as you said, we shall have to wait on the marrow for your church’s aid, and a kindness has already been offered on behalf Arael’s father. However, we shall return after we have rested ourselves,” Renard augments these words with an empathetic squeeze of Tänya’s shoulder, and a look of understanding to Atrus.

”’Till later, goodly chaplain, and may the light of Solaris illuminate your heart and mind.”

As Renard guides Tänya in the embrace of his arms back towards the stairs up and eventually out, he pauses for a brief moment at Arael. ”My friend, you are beginning to learn how special you really are. Perhaps, if you are willing to test yourself further, and glean more about yourself, clouded by loss of memory, you may wish to see if you can help the injured farmer --- a member of your town.” Renard releases one arm from his support of Tänya and places his hand kindly upon the winged man’s shoulder. ”Be calm, and look into yourself – your heart – and find the need that resides there.” With a final friendly squeeze, he returns to his supportive embrace of the elvin druid and continues to leave, giving a brief wink of acknowledgement to Thonunian.
…and secretly hopes he can make it back to the inn before he, too, collapses from exhaustion… <a good Bluff check will ensure Renard does not show his weariness.>

[Mephiston]

Rell takes the pouch and looks inside.
He opens his eyes wide and takes one step back.

"Sir, this is too much for us! I can't accept! please take back the money! just a hand-out will be appreciated..."

Arael looks to Renard
"I don't think i'm able to do what you said... but i'll try"

The winged man goes near the ill farmer and kneels to his bed.

He close his eyes in concentration and he puts a hand on the chest of the man.

He stays in this position for a couple of minutes, then he stands up. Nothing seemed to be happened.
Arael shakes his head discouraged.

"I think i will go to rest in a cell."

I steps out the cell and move right in to the corridor.

[Renard]

Rell takes the pouch and looks inside.
He opens his eyes wide and takes one step back.

"Sir, this is too much for us! I can't accept! please take back the money! just a hand-out will be appreciated..."

Renard gives a light-hearted chuckle. "My good priest, those who can, do. And thus..."--gesturing to the pouch. And with a wink and charitable smile, he adds "Now don't make me take offence by trying to give it back. Put it to the best use you can."

The winged man goes near the ill farmer and kneels to his bed.
He close his eyes in concentration and he puts a hand on the chest of the man.
He stays in this position for a couple of minutes, then he stands up. Nothing seemed to be happened.
Arael shakes his head discouraged.
"I think i will go to rest in a cell."

With a deep sigh, Renard resigns himself to the fact that he does indeed know less about most things than he likes to admit. And gives an apologetic shrug to Arael, but smiles kindly at his attempt.
As the winged man heads to a cell to rest, Renard leans close to Tänya's lips as she wearily whispers something to him. With an empathetic smile he turns to his other companions, "Our ray of sunshine wishes to stay in the comforts of the church of Solaris here. Atrus, Ahkash,"---looking about the shadows if the half-human be present--if you be here, you may wish to return to the inn. Thonunian and Balpur, I know not where you may wish to rest, but either way, we will endeavour to meet up later when we are rested and able to continue down that hidden passage."

"Perhaps one of you who will be heading back to the inn could be so kind as to ask someone to keep an eye on the ruins -- just to see if anyone enters or exits -- and who can come and get one of us in that event. What say you?"
"Oh, and Atrus, please have a few pints for me, will you?"

If there is nothing more said, Renard will accompany Tänya to a cell to rest, keeping an eye on her for the first little while, then utterly collapsing in sleep, in a tired heap...

[Atrus]

"Our ray of sunshine wishes to stay in the comforts of the church of Solaris here. Atrus, Ahkash,"---looking about the shadows if the half-human be present--if you be here, you may wish to return to the inn. Thonunian and Balpur, I know not where you may wish to rest, but either way, we will endeavour to meet up later when we are rested and able to continue down that hidden passage."

"Perhaps one of you who will be heading back to the inn could be so kind as to ask someone to keep an eye on the ruins -- just to see if anyone enters or exits -- and who can come and get one of us in that event. What say you?"

"I'll keep an eye on the ruins. Meet me there tomorrow. Before I go any further with you, there's something you should hear."