She returned to the village to find a line of villagers outside the shrine of the Forgetful Bear. As she approached to try and hear what, if anything, the people were talking about, she was recognized by someone in the line. Someone in line called out "Ghoulslayer!" and the rest of the crowd broke into applause.
[Here, I will use a direct transcript of what transpired, since I think it reveals one of the difficulties of chat-based gaming: a pause to type can be interpreted as a full stop, allowing interjection.]
Ariale: I ask "what is going on here?"
Me: A heavily built man with narrow features and a flaming red beard informs you that their grand-father, a man of some years, has passed and they have come to see the good sister about arranging the funeral rites.
Another, a solid woman with golden braids and a barrel chest, tells you that she's here for a blessing for her family's sheep flock.
Ariale: I inform them that I heard sister Rebecca had an emergency of her own and will be away for some time.
Me: A willowy man, with a hook nose, and wearing farmer attire stands at the closed door to the shrine, his hat in his hand, turns to you and says "Odd. because she's in with my cousin right now"
Ariale: "Oh, good to hear! I'm glad that all is back to normal!" [this is a pretty good save on her part]
Me: "Normal?" asks someone in the line
Ariale: How long may I ask has your cousin been in there?
( I ignore that person )
Me: "Not long. He went in after Orlygrson's wife came out."
[I opted not to follow up with the questioning since it was clear to me that had I indicated that Sister Rebecca was seeing her flock, then Fjörgyn wouldn't have made that statement. And, if we had been face to face, i would have stopped her interjection before I finished the description of what was going on with the line ]
As Fjörgyn went to take her place in line, the door opened, and a villager came out, behind him, Fjörgyn could see Sister Rebecca beckoning her to come in. Sister Rebecca addressed the petitioners, "I'm sorry all, I must speak with ghoulslayer for a moment."
She paused, then added "Important church business."
Inside, the cleric's demeanor and face transformed from the one Fjörgyn recognized as Sister Rebecca to the one she recognize as the wizard.
"UGH. these people are driving me mad! Did you get the book?"
"I sure did. Not without some trouble of course, " said Fjörgyn.
"Excellent...oh yes, the security system. I had forgotten about that. It's been...a very long time. May i have my book please?"
Fjörgyn handed over the spell book.
"Excellent," said the evil wizard as he caressed the aged tome.
Having completed her mission, when the wizard suggested yet another to prove her merit for the spot as his apprentice, she reminded him that the deal was that getting the spell book was supposed to guarantee her position. [i.e. I forgot and she reminded me, in character]
Thus corrected, the evil wizard ordered her to go to the site of his long abandoned tower to see what of it remains and to clear out any who may have taken up residence during his extended absence. Without solitude, he informed her, he could not study his magic, nor silence the constant yammering of Sister Rebecca, who still occupied some part of the otherwise possessed body.
Since the last errand was somewhat dangerous, F. inquired after the possibility of some kind protective magic, but, until he could study his spell book in peace, he could provide no such thing. He did note that she could loot the shrine as she saw fit.
Which she did.
Taking leave of the Forgetful Bear and noting the sun was drooping in the sky, Fjörgyn set out to sell some of her acquired loot from previous outings.
After successfully unloading some items at the general store, she went to Zelligant's shop to sell him the remainder of some black fabric she had found. Business was obviously booming and he offered her top dollar for the yard and a half.
When she returned to her room for the evening, she found a folded piece of parchment had been slipped under the door:
"You have been invited to attend a late night gathering of like minded patrons of Dark and Ancient Forces in the clearing by the old shrine in three nights. Please tell no one of this invite. We will know if you do and we cannot have that."
[this is where we ended the session.]
That was pretty much her response, too.
ReplyDelete