Act 3 Scene 1: Arrivals and Leavetakings

[TristenC]

Having searched the entire barn area, Airand unlatches th small gate from inside and checks out back. Returning he shakes his head. Nothing back there, just empty crates and barrels.

[Nocturno]

"Off to bed, I guess, unless we can find somewhere else to inspect."

[Jenara]

"Lets go." Mira agrees, shaking her head. She will return to the Inn unless anyone has any other ideas.

Karl lowers his head in agreement, squeezing Mira's shoulder.

[Styrius]

Kybalion looks back at the others as his name is called. He less confused at this point yet still frustrated. The duty of searching comes natural and feels normal. The group's resignation as to finding this cowardly creature tonight after all that effort feels like surrender to him. Yet, he knows he should follow their lead for the moment because he has much to learn. Is there a way out of this nightmare? Why is he here? What do these people do? While he is here how can he best help? Before joining the group, he makes it a point to break a couple of spokes of the carriage. If it is a way for the creature to get around, it will not go far very soon.

[TristenC]

As the others talk, Kybalion takes a nearby wooden maul for driving stakes and uses it to break several spokes on each of the carriage wheels.

The group sets out from the barn and begins the journey back towards the inn. The air near the inn proves cold, humid and oppressive; the roar of the twin falls drowning out faint npises and causing other sounds to echo oddly in the night. As they draw farther and farther from the small island, the evening grows less dark and the air clears somewhat to the point one can see more than a few dozen paces at least.

Seeing Karl's downcast nature Jerry speaks again. The small Temple is not far from the Broken Wheel. Earlier today when Merrick, Elsa and I visited we met the head priest there. He might have a way to 'Restore' those who had their life force drained by such a creature. It is high level magic but it is possible there is a scroll or we could get Elsa to join is and try to combine our prayers. We could stop there tonight, if you like. I trust it would make rest tonight much easier... The group descends the final hill and stands before the Broken Wheel Inn.

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If they or a group of them would like to try the temple we can make it quick.

[Jenara]

"I believe that would be a good idea. I hope all is not lost, my honor is stained." Karl admits with some difficulty. "It pains me to say so. I hope Lady Elsa would do such a Thing for me."

[Jenara]

Mira says nothing about the Wagon wheels, her own depression had caught her now, she walks to the inn in silence.

"I'll ask her now. Good luck." She pats the knights arm and walks inside the inn, ready to face the music as it were

[Nocturno]

Pyros hearing an option of something other than heading to bed will be on the heels of anyone doing that.

[TristenC]

Airand bids the others good-night and heads off to his aforementioned destinations.

Mira braces herself and enters the inn, unsure of what she will find. Almost startlingly, the common area seems to be basically normal. The tables and chairs have been returned to their original position. Most of the blood has been cleaned up and the pair of fighters, Esker and Iscind, sit together speaking quietly to each other over wooden mugs; no other patrons remain in the common area. The bartender practically jumps as the door opens, snatching the club from the counter. Eyes wild he sees Mira and relaxes visibly, before a stern set to his mouth takes over. Elsa enters from the kitchen a moment later, sleeves rolled as if she has been cleaning. Seeing Mira she makes her way over.

did you find it?! Is it... finished?

Jerry and Merrick enter as well, the latter relating what he can of the encounters. Jerry, Pyros and Kybalion followed it as far as the Old Kartakan Inn, but we couldn't be sure if it actually entered or not. Cross and I arrived somewhat later. There were some... discoveries we should talk about later, but after searching the entire inn, it was not there.

Elsa sighs, shaking her head. So now what?

[Jenara]

"We know roughly where it is, time and light are against us.' she sighs. "Thank you. Truly, thank you my friend." Elsa can tell Mira is moments from crying but she is refusing to break, not here, not before these people. "But yes, we need to talk later." With that she nods to the two Rangers and turns to Kybalion.

"Thank you. I know this is all strange to you still. But your help was invaluable tonight." She gives a slight curtsey. "I.. no we are in your debt.

"Monsieur le barman, je vous prie d'ajouter à l'addition ce que mes amis consomment. Et une boisson pour vous aussi." She tells the bartender. "Your drinks are on me.": she tells the warrior.

"I have an Apprentice to tell that I am in fact alive. For now at least." And with that and a kiss on Kybalion's cheek she waves to Elsa and heads upstairs.

[Jenara]

Karl steps inside, catching a glance of Mira departing he decides to leave her be.

"Lady Elsa." He bows. "I am at an inconvenience, that Creature took something from me. My honour is stained." He bows his head. "I am loth to so do, but I require aid." Lowers his head.."Would you assist me in meeting the local priest, I will beseech them to aid me, to help us vanquish this evil."

[TristenC]

Mira calls out her offer to cover the drinks to the Bartender, who stares back at her with hollow eyes but nods nonetheless. She makes her way up the stairs, noting that even the blood down the hall has mostly been cleaned aside from a dark staining that has seeped to the tiny spaces between the floorboards. Outside her room she hears a cry from inside... Who?!? Who is it?!

Broken Wheel: Common area
Of course! Elsa agrees to the Knight's request immediately. We shouldn't waste any time, let's go!

Cross glances at the rangers seated around the table. I'll stick around here and fill them in on what we have found so far.

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If Mira is wanting to join the group to head to the Temple, we can do her conversation with Sabrina in her private thread

Is Kybalion going with Sir Karl, Elsa, Pyros, Jerry and Merrick to the Temple?

[Jenara]

(Mira is staying at the Inn. She's all but exhausted and struggling to hold it together)

'I am forever in your Debt. Good lady." Karl bows again and takes directions as required. (He will lead even though he has no clue where he is going!)

[TristenC]

The Temple: (Elsa, Jerry, Kybalion?, Merrick, Pyros, Sir Karl)

Merrick leads the group back into the misty night. A short walk West along the road from the inn leads to the large square in the middle of Upper Skald. He then turns south down a side street half-way across the square. The street proves to be rather short, with only 3 or 4 shops on either side, before it dead-ends into a modest light grey-stone structure; an atypical construction amongst the plaster and beam nearly everywhere else. The domed roof is stone as well, rather than the thatch or red tile of other buildings. A thin sliver of moon becomes visible through the oppressive fog above for a brief moment before the mist rolls back to cover it again.

The wide door is thick and strapped with iron. Elsa knocks heavily upon it, the banging echoes moving unnaturally in the fog. A few moments pass and she pounds again upon the door. Another wait, and just as she is about to knock again with the back of her shield when a voice calls from beyond. C'est qui?

Brother Hedram, you may remember us from earlier today. Elsa calls through the door in Elven. We purchased some Holy water from you. Elsa Tallfellow, Jerry Greystar, Merrick, and we have some new friends with us as well. One of them needs your aid, sir!

The sound of latches being undone and a weight being moved precedes the door parting a crack. At the sight of those without it opens to reveal a man around his sixties in light grey robes who quickly ushers them inside and bars the door. The space is dim aside from a candle the old man has. He leads them down a short walkway to the large circular inner chamber. Lighting a pair of plain pewter candelabras casts farther light to reveal a plain domed ceiling of pale stone which reflects dimly back with a soft ambient glow. The stone of the floor is entirely made of wide, well-fitted stones of red jasper. Inlaid in the stones is a brightly polished seven-pointed star of iron, the tips of which reach the edges of the 30 ft diameter chamber. At the end of each point a small alcove has been located with a plinth for offerings and a symbol carved into the back wall of the alcove. The seven symbols are (clockwise from the back): Sun, Rose in bloom, Scroll, Moon, Raven, Mirror, Balance scales.

Small braizers stand here and there where votive incense can be placed, though they now lay dark and cold. What has happened, my friends? He asks.

[Jenara]

"Brother Hedram." Karl enters the building with a heavy heart. "I beseech your aid. My name is Sir Karl Mordrane Sularia. Knight of the Sword." He places his gloved hand on his chest.

"We fought the Foul Creature that is terrorising this town, we vanquished it for now. But it's touch. It was like the life was sucked from me." He speaks solemly. "We need to end this monster before anyone else gets hurt." Asking for help, from one unknown.. "Is there any magic that will help restore what I was?"