Session 3 10/22/22

After our battle with the Gungs, we took care of our wounds and tended to the last surviving merchant. He graciously offered a gift to us for saving his life, even though we we not able to save his companions. We offered to allow him to accompany us for the remainder of the journey and he accepted. The rest of the way was relatively uneventful. The trip was oddly quiet after the battle.
 
When we arrived in town we made arrangements at the local inn, and then went to the local taven for a meal and to start looking into where we can find the faerie dragon. Along the way we met an individual who claimed the town was charmed, and that someone at the bakery was responsible for the charm! Local town lunatic? Or last rational resident? Only time will tell. Fortunately, adventurers should not have too many carbs so skipping the baker's goods until this is resolved won't be an issue. At the tavern, Verna and I dined on bird flesh. The seasoning and flavor that the local chef infused that meal with was top-notch. If the baker is half as good as our chef was, I would believe that he was capable of infusing charms into the food.
 
Towards the end of our meal, a strange being joined our table and it seemed like he knew where Sparkles was. Verna, Wabnuc, and I decided to go with him to pursue the lead. Rex and Desire decided to stay in town to do who-knows what. I swear, neither of them take this job seriously.
 
Our friendly stranger came through! We met with Sparkles and he gave us much to ponder. It seems the local branch of the church is up to some shenanigans, as I expected after they abandoned the merchants on the road. We will need to infiltrate the obelisk and find out what is out of balance with the elements there. Hopefully it will be a simple task to sneak through and bring balance to the world.
 
Our way back to town found us traveling after dark. There was some being radiating evil along our path. I had to try to destroy it. I blessed the three of us and we charged in. I struck with an unnatural holy power, the most powerful I have felt since that time so long ago. I could tell the undead was weakened after my blow, but I had expended all I had at that point. I was not strong enough to destroy the zombie and the artifact while keeping my companions alive - we were forced to either retreat and regroup, or fight and probably lose one or more of us. We ran. If the others has been with us would it have turned out differently? Maybe. All I know, is I must learn to wield this strength and grow in power. Fortunately, we were far enough from town that a full-fledged zombie outbreak is unlikely, but we will need to regroup and take care of that monster if at all possible. Perhaps the locals know of a fighter who would join to protect his town, or the church can spare a cleric or two for some more holy cleansing.
 
After we joined the two that had stayed behind, we made plans to go to the obelisk. The zombie will have to wait until another time. The pursuit of the obelisk will hopefully give answers about what the church has been up to and if they can be trusted. Even if they can't be trusted fully, hopefully they can band together to cleanse the zombie at least. Knowing corrupt churches, they likely hired the necromancer who raised it so that they can show the locals how much they need the church to ensure they stay in power. Many questions remain. No answers.