Chapter 36 - The boney hand of the Dread Guy

General Summary

The Yokels search the prisoner, who has a modicum of money, which he says he spreads around in pursuit of the Dread Lord's agenda. This Chonkorchuk takes eagerly, as small recompense for the money they have lost on the journey. Rogdai also has a half-dozen or so clay bottles, feathers and a quill, knucklebones, a stone lizard head, some dirt, an iron egg, incense, some carved fish teeth, and a jeweled mirror, all of which are also taken. When pressed to reveal the purpose of the egg, Rogdai says only that it was granted him by his master, that it is of no use to anyone else, though very important to him, like Chonkorchuk's fefila. Chonkorchuk says that the prisoner is not very good at answering the questions, and has Sasha put her branding iron on the fire.
Rogdai interjects that he has answered questions truthfully, and to the best of his ability. He recapitulates that the Tsardom of Shadow was watching over Koshchei's death, as the Yokels already know, and that he was merely trying to stop them from interfering on the orders of the Dread Lord, though he pledges that he will no longer do so. He admits to sending navii after them in Krinets, for the same reason. He says that the mirror is a powerful item created by the Dread Lord. He denies that the Dread Lord's plan involves transforming everyone into an undead, though he does say that he aims to transform the world. He does aver that the Dread Lord has power over life and death, and can bring people back into the realm of the living in exchange for service. As for entering service, he says that Koshchei favors formal contracts. He also says that the master will look kindly on those who treat his servitors well, but that the Yokels do not want him as an enemy. From Rogdai's evasiveness and hints, the party concludes that Koshchei and Yaga had a romantic falling out, and that Koshchei is trying to steal his death in order to break free of her.
The companions then debate over what should be done with the prisoner. Drazhan speaks up in favor of killing him, since he attacked them, and Chonkorchuk agrees that given that he is the servant of he who must not be named, it is too dangerous to let him go. Vasilisa, on the other hand, says that as a prisoner, he holds no value for them, and even contends that she attacked him first. She says that their life will be endangered much more if they kill him, or hold him. Sasha, for her part, does not favor killing him for the time being, but is in favor of restraining him. Plamen has the deciding vote, but he demurs, saying that he is easy-going, and has a hard time deciding to put someone to death; in the end, he says he will pray over it during the night. Chonkorchuk is especially worried about letting him rest enough to recover his magical energy, so Vasilisa's wolf sits upon him to prevent him from sleeping.
When Drazhan rises to take his watch, he sees the wolf lying on top of the prisoner. Soon thereafter, Rogdai vanishes. Drazhan rouses the rest, and roams about in wolf form for a bit, but in vain. Once everyone has risen, Chonkorchuk uses his mind to pierce the veil, and sees that Rogdai transported himself about a half verst away. He curses their failure to deal with Rogdai when they had the chance, but it is too late now - the man has slipped their grasp. Despondent, they continue making their way north to Yarozersk - the next stopover point. Later on in the day, a huge flock of ravens circles overhead, before flying back south. The way is being watched.
The following day, making their way through a swamp, the party discovers a carved wooden coffer floating in a mucky pond. After opening it, they discover a large pearl, and a bag of metal shavings, both associated with spells that Sasha and Chonkorchuk have recently mastered. Finding such items in a box floating in swampy water the middle of the woods is strange, to say the least. Also inside the box are two strands of dark-blond(e) hair.

Rewards Granted

• Box with pearl, shavings, and hair

• 6 clay bottles filled with liquids

• 1 iron egg

• jeweled mirror

• Frankincense and myrrh

• 4 carved fish teeth

• various junk: knucklebones, feathers, dirt, stone lizard head

Character(s) interacted with

• Rogdai Siverskii

Report Date

21 Sep 2019