Session 22 - 9/5/2020

General Summary

Olmis (the 10th month) 3, 1610 - The Boy with the red ball (finale), "A Prized Posession"

The party emerges out onto the lawn... it is still overcast, alternating between a depressing drizzle and a cold mist.
While Egon distracts the ghost of Toziro Miacalin, Dalik Sudshammer and Gotrek dig a grave on the sun-drenched mound on the Miacalin Mansion grounds - it is the one place that does not make the skin crawl. They notice Kelmonite writing on the large and small boulders (they later learn they are names: Madelia Miacalin (the granddaughter) and Hamara Miacalin (the grandmother). They dwarves hack out a fair-sized stone from the wall to serve as a headstone, however the wall curiously "repairs itself" of the damage done.
The dwarves return to Egon to hint that the grave is dug and that they "saw words". Egon urges them to take care of the task. The dwarves go to Toziro's room and Gotrek carefully transfers the boy's remains from the red toy-chest to a bedroll. Egon notices Toziro seems to be aware something is afoot, but he continues to distract the ghost with Prestidigitation and play.
Wyd keeps watch from the roof above Egon - nothing seems to threaten their work or play.
As the dwarves carry the boy's remains to the mound. Toziro jumps up and follows. The Patriarch's ghost (Kernadru Miacalin) also appears with his signature goblet of wine and seems to observe events. He's been observed enough now that the PCs realize his behavior is that of one who has imbibed too much wine and exhibits clouded anger. The interaction with him seems to imply that "The Destroyer" (Darka Miacalin) remains intact.
Toziro runs to the mound and the others follow. They see Toziro hug the small boulder and then the large boulder... it seems as this is a learned behavior. When Egon joins Toziro on the mound he feels the warm rays upon his skin and looks skyward with Toziro... Egon feels fully restored as if having the benefit of a long rest. He calls his allies to the mound and everyone feels fully rejuvenated... perhaps an omen of things to come.
The PCs decide to address this matter of "The Destroyer" first and they head to the bare patch in the lawn where the bones of Darka were seen earlier. As they move to the site, the sky grows dark and a downpour begins to fall... the PCs are soaked before they reach the spot. As they peer through the rain they see a large puddle where the bones of Darka were.
Darka rises from the mud with two skeletal allies!
The following exchange occurs during a battle with Darka:

Round 1
Darka: (ToKernadru) Die, old man... don't you see I poisoned your wine!
Kernadru: Poison!? I thought (COUGHS)... it's so... bitter! (GASPS)
Darka: The sooner you die, the sooner I will become the rightful heir to our empire... Die you stubborn old fool!
Kernadru: (GASP) You destroyed this family... we all know (GASP)... you had something to do with Madelia's death! (GASP) You didn't even shed a tear for her internment!
Darka: If only you knew the whole truth old man, now die!!!
Round 2
Kernadru: (FALLING TO HIS KNEES)... (GASP), my... will... I'll... cut you out of your inheritance... I'll leave it to Toziro! (GASP)
Darka: No *father*... it won't hold in court... the boy... the boy is a bastard child!
Kernadru: (GASPS Looks to Toziro)... no, you lie! He must continue our lineage (GASP)...
Darka: No *father* I gave up my ability to sire offspring... to ensure there were no other heirs...
Kernadrue: (GASP) Gave up? What do you mean... what did you do!?
Darka: You would not give me power father, so I got power from another.... with that power I removed Jayier as the next of kin... now the inheritance falls to me... if you'd only finish dying... there was enough poison in your wine to kill 5 horses! Now die already!
Round 3
Kernadru: You... (GASP) destroyed this family... (GASP) I hope you burn in the deepest layer of Hell! Tozy... trust... Egon... (GASP, his ghost fades)
Darka: (Insects form a sort of "flesh" around Darka's bones) Haaa, haaa haaa... Now I am the only legal full-blooded heir left... with only you, you little half-blooded bastard who might lay claim... but as you can see... I am alive... I have a form again... you... are nothing but a forgotten ghost!
Toziro: (Unchanged, No hint of comprehension). Bad man! Bad man! (Sar Somily!)
Darka: Oh yes, very, very bad, but also very wealthy!

The two skeletons are turned by Dalik, but Darka seems unaffected by this divine magic! The skeletons are quickly dispatched - one struck so hard its skull sails over the compound wall. Darka uses his Legendary Actions to manipulate rusty chains to grapple and then restrain Gotrek's assault. Wyd aids Gotrek's escape from the chains, and the chains then shift to Dalik. Egon and Glimfeather assail Darka with Magic Missle, Dragon's Breath and assorted magics. Toziro clings to Egon's leg. Soon Darka is defeated - his bones collapse in the yard... the storm that rages and the uneasy feeling that plagues the compound suddenly lifts.
The bones of Darka are smashed up as best as can be, buried and scattered. The lockboxes Darka clung to and used as weapons are opened by Gotrek. Opening the earlier lockbox and these two finally dull his blade (-1d4 damage), but the contents are spilled... one (seemingly the most prized by Darka) contain what seems like deeds or rights to textile farms and buildings throughout Ruins of Telmyr. The papers are worthless today but likely worth a large fortune in its time. The other box contains 50pp and 100gp worth of gems... Gotrek tosses in the additional 50gp worth of gems he found earlier and the bounty is divided.
Dalik assesses the "vibe" of the situation... it seems Darka's soul may not be "at rest"... something else now owns his soul. Nonetheless, he is no longer a threat here. However, Toziro's ghost remains present and watching with curiosity. The PCs feel it is now time to lay the boy's body to rest... and perhaps free Toziro's undead ghost. The body is laid in the grave along with the ball and some encouraging words to join his family... Toziro simply retrieves his ball and wants to play. The grave is covered, the final rights are administered by Dalik and still the ghost of Toziro remains. Dalik speaks knowingly - the ghosts of the young are often the most difficult to put to rest. Egon attempts to encourage the boy to go join his Grandmother and cousin. The boy hugs the stones again... seemingly not grasping his spirit is free to leave its un-natural state.
The PCs take a few moments to reflect and ponder the challenge and disappointment of having to leave Toziro's ghost in its current state. Inspiration strikes Egon and he pulls out the seemingly valueless comb that was collected from the ghost of Hanith Vorlan. As Egon tells Toziro about Hanith and that this is his comb - sudden attention and recognition register on Toziro's face!
Toziro's ghost races across the lawn... halfway to the house he stops, encouraging the others to come - they do. They follow Toziro to his room and see him climbing the old bookshelf and tapping on a book. Egon carefully withdraws the old book from its shelf... it is well worn and titled "The Life and times of Elder Hanith Vorlan". It is written and illustrated for Kelmonite children. Toziro seems expectant and runs to the remains of his bed. He summons his ball and favorite doll, seemingly awaiting a bedtime story... perhaps a routine he went through hundreds of times with someone who loved him dearly.
As Egon reads the short tale, he finds an illustration of the comb, the mirror they also own and Hanith's unique swords are illustrated in detail. At the end of the story, Toziro remains smiling and waiting for more play or stories.... unthwarted, Egon goes back to the Kelmonite concept of the circle of life illustrated in the book...and talks about it with Toziro... Egon uses Prestidigitation to paint a replica of the circle from the book and then casts light at the "Start and End" on the circle. Toziro points to this spot and says "nana?"... at the cusp of comprehesion, Egon nods. With that Toziro's ghost fades with a happy and peaceful demure.
With a sense of accomplishment, a job well done and a number of disturbed-spirits finally at ease, the PCs begin the trek back to New Bethford.
At New Bethford, Dalik stops by the "all-faiths" shrine where he gets to know Kadisia Samarigan, Stephen Minard who encourage him to help attend and serve those who come to the shrine (he also learns of Ebert Hoffman - the "doc" who recently brewed the antidote for the poison that recently wracked New Bethford's populace. Soon the Three Brewer's Drinking Hall is packed to the rafters with those eager to hear the latest exploits of their heroes. Food is served and ale flows. Wyd frowns at the ill- and hastily-drawn- "icon" of him that his business "partner" drew to grace their products. Wyd takes down the business shingle and quietly begins working on a masterpiece. Gotrek visits Felda Blackbrow to purchase a shield and get his dulled axe re-sharpened (2sp / edge). Egon shys away from the festivities... introspective of the life of Toziro and children in general. When Ansala Bower returns from her daily hunting duty she finds him in their tent. She can see he is deep in thought and slips her hand into his... He talks briefly of children and together they take a long walk hand-in-hand around the growing village of New Bethford.
The sun sets on New Bethford, tomorrow after a much-needed rest, a new day will dawn.

Players: John, Mark, Jay, Todd

Report Date

05 Sep 2020