Completed Play-by-Post: In Search of the Sorcerer

[nikolokolus]

Brule takes the spear from Borric with grave respect, and speaks haltingly in common, "Kurgan friend to Brule. Place in my stead forever." He then claps the steppe barbarian heartily on the shoulder and carefully cradles the spear, and sits heavily on a rock seemingly overwhelmed with emotion.

Spoiler

Can I make a roll to remember Ye Olde Pictish and give him a reply?

Spoiler

You discover that the Pictish language is still completely native to you. Add it to your spoken languages on your character sheet.

 

[Wayward Son]

"This is great! O joyous day!" He claps Borric on the back and asks, "So, my friend, how does it feel to be the stuff of legends?"

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Brule takes the spear from Borric with grave respect, and speaks haltingly in common, "Kurgan friend to Brule. Place in my stead forever." He then claps the steppe barbarian heartily on the shoulder and carefully cradles the spear, and sits heavily on a rock seemingly overwhelmed with emotion.

Spoiler

Can I make a roll to remember Ye Olde Pictish and give him a reply?

Spoiler

You discover that the Pictish language is still completely native to you. Add it to your spoken languages on your character sheet.

Spoiler

Ah, well, I'll save the memorizing thing for when I get handed paper with stuff written on it.

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab looks to Brule, "What will you do now? Will you go home? Can you?"

 

[ERYFKRAD]

To Brule, in Pictish, "Aye, hold that weapon safe, and may it be of use when the time comes, Friend."

"So, my friend, how does it feel to be the stuff of legends?"

To Mab, "This was of Ulfheonar's tale, and with him is bound. Mine legend is yet to be writ."

 

[Wayward Son]

"You are modest. That is admirable. However, do not rob Marcán of this tale with your modesty. He needs tales to tell to and be embellished by local barflies wherever he may end up." Mab says jokingly.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

"This is not over. This chieftain of theirs needs to be brought to account. Perhaps once I heal, I will challenge him to a duel?" this, to Brule.

 

[Helly]

"Borric, as often, you are right. The chieftain must not take credit for what we did tonight. But first let's heal and celebrate!"

 

[Wayward Son]

Spoiler

Can Mab help with bandaging and whatnot?

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

Can Mab help with bandaging and whatnot?

Spoiler

Certainly. There is no immediate effect, but it would certainly be part of the normal healing process. On the flipside if you don't spend time binding wounds, then no HPs are regained while sleeping in the wilderness.

Brule looks genuinely astonished when Borric speaks to him in flawless Pictish, "I would swear you were a native Pict by your accent. Remarkable." And then adds, "Agreed, Talorc will be held to account. With the spear in hand we will shame him for his cowardice, but it's a real pity we don't have some proof of the deed. With no Blaidd Mawr to attack the village tonight, I'd wager he and that vermin Syelle Ru will take credit for banishing the beast. I suggest we take shelter for the night and leave at first light; traversing these bogs at night would be treacherous."

As people mill about savoring the victory, the proximity to the black pool starts to wear on people. In particular, Marcán, Mab, Cormac and Ker are repulsed and feel almost physically ill standing so close to the pool.

 

[Wayward Son]

"Let us get out of the cave, and then I will help bandage the injured. This pool is wearing on me."

 

[L'ennui]

Whilst the people speak of leaving, Urash steps tentatively closer to the pool.

"It would be... such a waste..."

He kneels down to gaze into the black liquid.

"... such a waste not to get a good look at this, before we must leave."

 

[Wayward Son]

"What sort of water do you think it is, Urash? Would it be healthy for consumption?"

 

[nikolokolus]

In the soft black sand around the pool, the glint of couple coins, half-buried, catch the eyes of several of you.

 

[nikolokolus]

NOTE

Oops! Almost forgot experience awards

Everyone who participated in the battle gets a flat 1,000 experience. Some of you will be eligible to level-up when you get back to civilization or some other safe haven.

Who is eligible for level-up:
Ker
Borric
Rhenmyr
Cormac
Mab

Marcán is very close
Urash still has a ways to go.

 

[Siveon]

"Tales, later... you lads got it lucky." Marcán comically hefts between his words, perhaps almost exaggerating his wounds. "Shelter sounds nice. Just not here... it is not clean."

 

[Wayward Son]

"Agreed. As soon as you are all bandaged up, do you want to go straight to Talorc, or do you want me to set up a small shelter for the night to rest up first?"

 

[L'ennui]

Urash seems to be deep in thought, almost in a trance.

"Oh... consuming it, yes... maybe..."

He adds, with a gleeful smile:

"Though, I would not call it water... not only water, in any case. And drinking as such, oh it would be such a waste!"

Sitting back up from his kneeling position, Urash retrieves some clay statuettes from a fold in his bag.

To the group at large, he announces:

"My friends, I will be studying this pool, I know not for how long. I believe it may be a find of some import. I will understand if you must be on your way, but consider the fall of night; perhaps this cave is safer than what lurks outside in the darkness and dampness."

Urash sighs, and says in closing:

"What I mean to say, is that I hope you will not leave me alone here... I too would like to enjoy the glory of this momentous kill, and perchance recount it fondly in my old age. I know this place is not ideal, but I dare not abandon this well, and will be grateful for your company, should any choose to stay."

Urash hesitates a moment, then lays out the statuettes before him and, speaking the ancient Acadian incantations, prepares to focus his mind on his study of the well.

 

[Wayward Son]

"What, uhhh... What will you be doing with this water?"

 

[Siveon]

"I have no intention of staying here any longer than... I should. Urash, being both men of knowledge I can understand your enthusiasm, but this place was not made for men of nature such as I. I fear what this area might do to me."

 

[L'ennui]

"What, uhhh... What will you be doing with this water?"

"For now, I only mean to study it and meditate on its power... for it does hold power."

"I have no intention of staying here any longer than... I should. Urash, being both men of knowledge I can understand your enthusiasm, but this place was not made for men of nature such as I. I fear what this area might do to me."

A pained expression covers Urash's face.

"My friend... I know your fear, but look outside and you will find no light to guide your path, no sun to keep you warm. Only fel creatures and savages await in the dark. Here, at least, the evil has already been slain! I must urge you to reconsider, for all our sakes!"

 

[nikolokolus]

For what it's worth, Marcán is still very badly wounded.

 

[Wayward Son]

"I will stay in the other room of the cave. This place... It gives me the chills worse than any winter realm I have braved. Marcán. Come and I will bandage you."

 

[Siveon]

Marcán looks outside and shrugs. "Yes, that'll be be fine Mab. Don't be surprised if I close my eyes for a little while." He chuckles and follows Mab.

 

[nikolokolus]

The other small room is completely flooded to a depth of between 1 to 3 feet deep. It will be impossible to sleep in there.