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Snakewood

by Rick

Together, we made it to the old ruined fort where our bar-friend had murdered his friend. There were no doubt undead in the area.

I was already shaken from what had happened in the tavern, and the stillness within the ruined walls did not help.

First, we scoured the outskirts and grounds. Tiberius from time to time spoke as if he was looking at the fort ages ago, when the soldiers stood against Ragnall during the undead wars.

Reaver

Eventually, we found it: the body -- reanimated -- that the bar-friend had murdered. And it spoke: "I don't have time for this".

I froze.

Tiberius spoke to it, and it spoke back. There was some back and forth about vengeance -- and that the spirit wanted only to pass on to its next life. It -- he -- called himself Randalt, and to some extent agreed. We deliberated on what was the next best action.

Back to Erta! We sought the word of the council.

Deliberation

Once in Erta, we sent Curie and Venrick back to Erta, to see if they could bring the council with them.

When they returned we got the story: they petitioned the council to bring justice to Randalt's murderer, and the council unenthusiastically agreed.

Randalt felt the revenant's pull: his killer was in the town's graveyard.

On our way, the head priest NAME interrupted us, but congratulated us nonetheless on our clearing of the fort. He mentioned more work for us later, if we were willing.

Dead in the dirt

We found Randalt's murderer half-buried in the graveyard, in the process of being buried by the attending gravekeeper. He didn't have any problem burying someone alive -- more interested in bury anyone at all, if you ask me -- but we were able to pay him to leave. The killer gave up almost instantly, having already accepted his fate.

There was more: Georg and Randalt knew each other, and had a relationship. They did research on the realm's harrowing, the harrow deck, and upon reaching some discovery argued over their findings. Georg killed Randalt in a rage, and Randalt rose as a revenant with his life not complete. It was sad and dark, and I wish one of my parents were here.

The killing was quick, and they shared a grave then at last.

Life from the loam

Before he ended the cycle, Randalt gave us the key to the pair's house, on the east side of town. Inside, Curie took the rest of the pair's notes on harrowing.

Then Hebaz showed up, and we were whisked back to the council's chambers.

In no short terms, we all were made citizens of Erta -- thanks to good word put in by the dwarves we had saved. The council claimed us as allies, and promised us more work. This came with a stipend for each of us, weekly, and ownership of the fort we had claimed nearby. Due to their debt to us, the dwarves for now would labor as we asked.

Continue reading...

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Snakewood

Reaver

Deliberation

Dead in the dirt

Life from the loam

Continue reading...

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