*Tyrian waits outside of Llast in the woods, invisible, waiting for Dev to see what he finds out, everyonce in a while wiping dripping puss from her face*
*Argos being at the temple at the moment, paying his respects on the way home, listens to the man pleas and turns his atention to him, once he finishes the service and prayers he stands and moves with calm step towards Dev, his hair tied in seven braids*
Excuse me sir. I see that you certainly are bringing an unusal kind of questions today . *he smiles a bit* Mind my manners, the name is Argos Stargazer, Are you... feeling like a zombie ? The case you present has been unheard, yet about the Silkwoods, there has been some reports that i've heard, but nothing concise .
The kind of issues you describe are too generals to find a narrow answer, as with everything, proper examination should be done, Do you have more information about the case? Like .. when did it started, how ?
*He awaits calm for a reply *
The officials and clerics of the temple seem very concerned with Deverain's report. They too wish to take a full report of the incident. Within hours a full council meeting is convened and rumours fly that not only has the head councilman taken a keen interest in the event but also that a complement of undead hunters will soon descend upon the Silkwood to comb and cleanse the blight.
Deverain speaks to anyone who wishes to hear the problem.
"I dun' really know wha' it would feel like ta be a zombie, but I feel rotten. An' I've been havin' nightmares about bein' dead and walkin' around an' such. An' my friend... She looks like a zombie. Still can talk, think, an' she dun' walk around moanin' an such, but she has rottin' flesh and I can see her brain...
"It started when we were huntin' spiders in tha Silkwood. In tha' bottom level, by the giant spider, there was a zombie. It had a greatsword coated in frost. I didn't think much of it, an' I went out ta fight it, but it cast some spell that circled me 'fore it blew up and knocked me down. The bloody thing killed us both. Luckily, we were stonebound, an' we went back and killed the zombie. I've been feelin' bad ever since then, an' my friend's zombie-ism started right afterwords."
*Argos looks upon Dev as he explains the problem* Well.. its certainly strange , so you feel like rotten, but otherwise alright, you are feeling this nightmares since you had the encounter with this zombie down there as well, isn't it? *As he asks that , he gives a visual examination of the man, looking for his general state of health, he focus on his flesh and eyes, trying to discern if he effectively its not "rotting" or turning himself into a zombie ). Also.. It would be necesary to see your friend, Its hard to see what could be the problem without it, For what you say it sounds like a transmutation, but. .. *Argos grimaces* Lets hope its just that. Where is she?
"Yes, I feel alright aside from that. And my friend is outside of town... she is somewhat mistrusting of priests. It may be wise to go out to meet her... I doubt I could get her to come in here."
// Pm sent to Nova.
*Argos nods slowly* Alright, First things first , Please sit over here, let me do something, this may allow us to learn a bit about your condition, then we'll go and met with your friend. **he continues over with his examinations *
*Deverain is willing to allow any tests done to further the understanding of whatever is happening*
*Argos glances at the man, and focuses on him for a minute or so, once he presents with several blessings , and physical analisys, he looks at the man, and speaks * Its seems that you got a kind of curse, the symptoms are reflected as that, yet its seems something more than a weak curse its something else that prevents the standard removal actions and lore to cure. It doesn't at least seems to be divine in nature.
I must say we must look to your friend as soon as posible.
*Argos stnads and gestures Dev to do the same* Is she near you said? , Please lead me to her.
If you think so and she gets out of control, you may be ready then to face the truth that she may not be your friend no more, But lets not draw conclusions yet, *he gives a sincere smile upon the man* And worry not for my safety, i have faced plenty of dangers so far, Its not fear of danger that moves my feet, but the hope to be able to help somehow.
*Dev chuckles as they walk out towards the gates of Fort Llast* "Naw, she's just this way towards Toranites... She dun' really like the church in general, never has as long as I've known her."
*Dev chuckles as they walk out towards the gates of Fort Llast* "Naw, she's just this way towards Toranites... She dun' really like the church in general, never has as long as I've known her."
*As the two move to the outside, Argos keeps his senses on the enviroment and the surroundings, he follows Dev till they arrive where he is guiding on the forest *
**double posted, deleted**
Tyrian watches them approach invisibly. She takes careful note of the man Dev is bringing with. She sets forward, a bit squishily, taps Dev on the shoulder, snaps her fingers and appears.
"Tyrian Baldu'muur, proprieter of the Twin Dragon Inn."
She would allow an examination, but making it clear the whole time she has no love for Toran, bringing up her son Chaynce's death following Commander Stormhaven into battle.
She would tell him she has tried various healing salves and potions since she is a fairly talented alchamist. She would also tell him that she has also poured over books of the Al'noth looking at spells, and counter spells of necromancy. (She knows most all necromancy spells)
She would then patiently wait for a diagnosis.
*Argos nods slowly and looks in shock once the name is reveladed *
My.. milady Tyrian, I know you, you are the mother of my Uncle of course, *he closes his eyes for a moment upon the moment of realization pass * You may not remember me though , The name is Argos .. Argos Stargazer, I was the one founding the instalation of the memorial from the dead in the Leringards Arms that is on your inn. I am well aware of your disdain for our Lord, alas its not the moment to speak of religion, what matters here is that i am here to see about your condition, not to preach about beliefs. I've ran some tests on your friend here, and what i've found its not promising. I came here to check out if you are suffering from the same ailments.
*Argos observes to the woman, she as she was in life , seems like a dead version of herself, covered in wounds that do not bleed, as if was just a walking body, not a zombie as the initial report would have seen, Argos closes his eyes for a moment granted after his introduction is accepted and his help is not turned away*
*He conducts some tests, focusing on the changes that the woman had observed and then testing with some blessings upon her once the tests are concluded he looks at her dead eyes and speaks*
You have the same reactions than him, *gestures towards Dev* but apparently in a way more advanced case, this as I've seen is some kind of curse, but its mixed with something else, the changes are not easily removed, and its doesn't appear to be Divine on nature, or at least not divine alone, Both you and him *gesturing upon Dev again* seems to be afflicted by this curse, and no blessing apparently can disrupt for now, I've tried several upon both of you with the same results. But odd enough you are not a full undead. or not in the full sense of it, I mean your body functions, you seem "alive" inside, your organs work, you can bleed and the blood circulates to your body, you seem to be in the need of food and sleep, everything works as it should be, save for the physical body, your body is in an undead status, but its you, you bleed but your wounds doesn't heal.
I would like to run a final test, if you allow me, but i must warn that it can be painful if I am right on my theories, I will though try to make it the less painful than I can .
*He awaits for a moment for a reply*
*Argos closes his eyes, for a moment and opens one eye looking again at the undeadized Tyrian, the wounds that had been done unclosed, the bloodless parts of her body , he closes his eyes again and finishes a prayer upon Tyrian*
*The healing spell goes out undisrupted, the positive energy being converted from a more violent spell by the member of the Order of the Longsword, touches the "dead body" of the lady on the arm, the hissing from the touch comes out and Tyrian may feel an stinging and burning pain upon the touch of the priest, the wounds touched instead of being healed generates an adverse effect, Tyrian feels one of the hardest physical pains that she had felt, and this was a minor spell *
*Argos removes his hand as soon as he notices the effect giving her an apologetic look, and waiting for her to recover*
*Argos looks at her with some concern* This was for testing if you are truly an embodiness of undead, Your body is reacting to the positive energy the same as an undead would do, your body functions as one and yet you are alive, the undead ailment makes the body functions to cease, with taht i am saying that if you were a full undead your body organs won't work as they are now, you had not need to eat or sleep, you would not need to go to the toilet, or sleep at all, which you actually need to be "alive".
But your body reacts to healing forces the same way than an undead, so this is indeed a rare curse, for now as i said, I can't find a proper explanation to this since its not divine in nature, it may be a good idea to look for an arcane specialists in curses, you may or may not be able to help, since your "sickness" maybe affecting your own observation on the issue. We need to find out if its arcane in nature and what kind of magic is affecting you.
For now there is nothing that divine magic alone could do for revert your condition, at least not in my knowledge. I am willing to escort and keep an eye on you during the procedings if we found someone who may be skilled enough in curses, But for now and for what i've seen we need to hurry, since *gestures towards Dev* he has the same symptoms as you , yet his flesh is not rotten and the state of "decay" its not that advanced.
"So yer sayin' we need at find a powerful Mage? Tyrian ain' bad, but if the sickness is cloudin' her mind or somethin' we'll prolly have ta find someone else. 'Cause I sure dun' wanna look like that... No offense Tyrian."
*Looks upon Dev at that* No sir, Power alone won't help here, what I am saying is that what we need is someone who knows about hexes or curses, it may or not be powerful, but someone to guide us into the knowledge of this strange affliction. *He looks at the exchange beetwen the two of them *
*nods* "Alright... an' where do we find someone like tha'?"
"Aye Argos, where do we start. Quickly I would say." Wipes some puss off her face.
Well.. those are indeed very good and hard questions, since this falls out a bit out of my area of expertise, but i have some ideas though, We could go and search if there is something about this with the Aeridintes, they are specialists in curing ailings and requestiong their help would prove fruitful, specially if they may know of a someone with knowledge in curses that also delves in Arcane magic or well.. what ever is this.
The second option would be that you go to the Lucindites, even if I don't see eyes to eye to their teachings, they for sure may have more than one expert in this kind of situations or at least maybe could point in the right direction.
And third but not last, doing some research with the Aragenites may prove fruitful as well, I know that my mother has told me about all kind of knowledge that they hold there, yet as i said this is not a sickness that is too common, so it may be well that they got nothing.
I'd recomend you to travel to Spellgard, you may find a way to speak with Lucindites there, And if they can't help you, you may find on the city a convenient portal to North Point where there is an Aeridinite temple.
What i can do in the mean time is to travel towards Haven, and see on the vecinity if there are other cases like your and if something has been found about this illness. if any we'll need to move forward. If you wish to proceed with this , I can try to get a wagon and some horses for transportation in order to move faster over the areas intended.
This is of course if you wish to preceed with my recomendations.
*Argos awaits*
"I hate problems that can't be fixed with a bum rush... I'll head ta tha Lucindite temple an ask around."
Well you can do that too, yet you are half the way from here to Spellguard, Now mark that i can't pinpoint this as Arcane, even if it seems the logical assumption, there are things on this world that we may not be explained, you do as that, and if that is what you choose to, I'd stay in Haven, specially if you deal with Storold, since I don't think my presence there would be any helpful to your case.
Still i am on my way to Haven myself to see about if there are more cases like yours, leave a note here *he passes her a note of an address in Haven* if you pass by the town or need something.
*Dev makes his way through Spellgard to the Lucindite temple, then looks for anyone with knowledge of curses*
// been a crazy few days at work and I have call duty for the weekend - I'll get here when I can but other GM's with Lucindite and Spellgard factions can jump in if they care too as well.
Deverain is eventually greeted by young-seeming acolyte, who questions him about his interest in curses, her face lightly concerned though mostly curious. Upon hearing a little more of why, she simply nods, her concerned expression shifting a little and taking on a different tone. She directs him to a space out of the way of the comings and goings of the temple and disappears into the crowd as she moves deeper into the temple.
A few minutes later, Deverain is approached by a robed human in his thirties who identifies himself as "Alandrin". He too questions Deverain on his interest in curses while his expression remains rather fixed and academic. The man's eyes move about Deverain as they speak, almost as if examining him in some way. He takes a great interest in Deverain's descriptions, coaxing out details and asking very thorough questions. In the midst of it all, he asks for Deverain's permission to look more closely at his aura and eventually that of his friend. Overall, his demeanor is that of a researcher in the middle of a discovery of something completely new, at least to him. While Alandrin does not appear "excited" as their conversation continues, he becomes very invested in Deverain, the condition of him and his friend and in the curse's magic itself.
*Dev answers all questions asked, and shrugs* Go ahead and look at my aury thingy!
Alandrin wastes no time, once consent is given, and begins a close examination of Deverain. While there is no direct, physical contact, his gaze and intensity coupled with his muttering of foul-sounding arcane words makes the entire experience uncomforting. Still, Deverain does not feel anything more than a slight, almost tingling warmth at times during the examination.
"You are surely cursed," says the mage. "but you knew that. It is arcane in nature, which is...more fortunate. The gods do not always wish to let go of them so easily. Did you say there was another? May I see this one as well?"
*Deverain nods* O'course, she's outside o' town. But jus' warnin' ya... She looks like a zombie.
"I have seen worse," Alandrin says in a matter-of-fact way. "Please, lead on."
*Tyrian watches then approach, invisibly. She examines the man who walks with Dev closely.*
*She does not appear right away, simply tapping Dev on the shoulder to let him know she is there.*
She speaks while still invisible, "What have you found out Dev? And whom do I have the... pleasure of meeting?" referencing the Lucindite, loud enough for the Lucindite to hear.
*A Greater Sanctuary Spell surrounds her*
*A Greater Sanctuary Spell surrounds her*
The returning pair hear nothing of Tyrian's words, the superior concealment afforded by her Greater Sanctuary spell effectively blocking her voice from reaching outside of its effect.
*Tyrian shakes her head and mutters about the sickness possibly muddying her brain and dismissed the Greater Sanctuary surrounding her. She appears and repeats herself*
//oops! ;)
"Alandrin of Spellgard," the mage says with a careful and slightly flourished bow. "Specialist in Necromantic arcana in the service of the Lady. And you must be the Cursed One your friend spoke about."
"Alandrin, well met ser. I am Tyrian Baldu'muur and Yes... I am obviously the cursed one. *wipes some puss off her face* I have a knowledge of necromancy as well, through years of study, but I have no real practical experience in the... art, if you would call it that. *pats her tomes next to her* But I can find nothing similar to what is happening to me. Where shall we begin?"
"Thank you Dev for bringing him here, hopefully he shall have some ideas to help us both. Dev please send word to Argos in Haven and tell him that we are meeting with Alandrin and inquire if his searches have found anything as well."
She settles down on a few blankets by the fire.
"A pleasure, Miss Baldu'muur," Alandrin says with another short bow. "And all of Magic is indeed an art, full of its own wonders and beauty. Necromancy is often so misunderstood, but alas, you have not come for a lecture on such things. Let me have a look at you. And sir, if you would sit near her so that I may more easily make a comparison between you...?" Alandrin looks to Deverain, raising an eyebrow questioningly in his direction.
*shrugs, muttering* Necromancy ain' understood, undead are dirty an' that's that. Go ahead and compair and stuff then.
Alandrin appears to take Deverain's comment in stride, acknowledging it with a simple nod but not seeking to engage him in the matter further. His examination of Tyrian is much as the one he performed earlier on Deverain, though it lasts longer and seems slightly more in-depth. His eyes move between the two several times thorughout. He eventually straightens and relaxes back a little, having not realized he had been leaning in during his effort.
"Well....this is interesting," says Alandrin. "I can't say I've seen this exactly, yet parts are familiar. The good news is, it might wear off on its own. I cannot say when that might be, however...could be quite some time in truth. And it seems....old. Very, very old."
He pauses and looks between them, holding further commentary for the moment and giving them a chance to speak.
Tyrian tilts her head, "It MIGHT wear off? Sometime, in a LONG time? Umm... ser I'm pretty sure I shall be a full blown zombie by then. How the hells am I to run my Inn like this? It MIGHT wear off? I think perhaps you should be a bit more forth comming about what you have learned here. And what do you mean by old? Perhaps I should go to the followers of Aragen if that is the case, or perhaps even the Aerdinites."
She crosses her arms and stares at him firmly the best she can in her current state.
"Forgive me, I misspoke," says Alandrin. "I mean to say it will most likely wear off in time. Such is the nature of most arcane curses. Yet this one is a little beyond my experience, so I cannot tell exactly how long it will take. Could be weeks...months...years! Even I must admit such a duration does not seem pleasing in the least. But fortunately, there are very likely solutions that will take significantly less time. I believe I know some who can indeed help you, if you are up for the journey."
He pauses only for breath.
"As for its age...I know only that many of these sequences are not used anymore. To my eyes, they are less refined...less mature, though no less effective and with their own elegance. They do not fit the usual patterns of human mages, and they are very unfamiliar. It is like seeing very old writings, where there is enough similarity for one to be able to recognize the letters and words with some effort, but they are quite different from what you know. The good news is they're not draconic. Of that I am certain. If I had to guess, I would suspect elven influences. The others would know better."
"To Alindor, of course" says Alandrin. "Erilyn to be specific. Castle Imjam to give a name to the place you must go. There is there a sect among Her faithful who are singularly devoted to what many consider to be the 'darker' arts. If any would know how to help you, besides the one that cursed you, it would be them."
Alandrin nods once in affirmation and straightens a bit.
"My Dear Lady, I can see that you are skilled in Magic, but Magic is not written in the language of those who use it. Magic is its own language...an art form of its own with many, many interpretations. When I say the curse seems to have elven influences, I mean it bears a certain...flow, and perhaps grace, that reminds me of spells I have seen woven by elven mage scholars. I am not talking about the toolbag of spells most adventuring mages carry with them but rather magics meant to persist and endure through time. If I were to describe it, elves seem to prefer weaving spells with an almost organic feel to them. Dwarves....much of what I've seen of dwarven magic is often utilitarian and sometimes feels as if it were chiseled from stone. Rare is the dwarven artisan that produces a work that is appealing to non-dwarven eyes...though I cannot fault its effectiveness. The Magic of dragons...masterful with many interwoven layers and intricate details that seem nearly infinite. The one time I was fortunate enough to gaze upon an ancient enchantment of the great wyrms...."
His eyes begin to glaze for the briefest moment before he clears his throat and shakes his head slightly.
"My apologies," he says. "I got carried away. Now where was I? Oh, your request. Yes, I could do that for you, but in truth it would take a long time. You see, curses have a way of wending themselves into that which is cursed, making it sometimes difficult to tell one from the other. As I am unfamiliar with you in your...ahem...natural state, and I am only one man, it will not be an easy process. But...if you want me to attempt it, I would ask you to return to Spellgard with me. Yet, if you want the best chance for success, go to Castle Imjam. Request a meeting with the Risen. They can help you."
*Argos may recieve the note on Haven by raven or falcon, upon reading the notes he frowns a bit upon the news, *
Well, there is that, Now I wonder if they will head over here on their way back.
*He pens the reply to the very same falconry office where it was emited, then he resumes his search upon the investigation he was persued , awaiting for reply *
Alandrin remains silent for a time after he stops speaking, watching zombie-Tyrian and waiting for any sort of response.
"It is a lot," he says in a few moments with a bit of a nod. "The path is yours to choose, but if it were me, I would be making my way to Imjam."
"Ser can you tell me what to expect as far as removing the curse? What sort of trials and tribulations I will have to endure? And... the chance of its success? And... what if it does not work? What then?"
She looks to Dev, "And what do you think Dev? This effects you as well... What are your thoughts?"
*she waits patiently for an answer*
"Well..." Alandrin begins, leaning back slightly and seeming to regard Tyrian-zombie with some contemplation. "every curse is different, and I do say, yours is quite severe...perhaps due to the circumstances under which it was contracted. But, in my estimation, I would say you would be the subject of an unbinding ritual, likely with several mages in attendance of you. Of course they would take every precaution, though I expect the process will not be pleasant or brief, judging by what I have seen. There will most likely be an abundance of discomfort and likely pain. Yet, it is also possible you will be able to aid their efforts. Indeed, one's own efforts to resist a curse, with will and Magic, can make the removal...less difficult. And if, by chance, they already know something about this particular curse, which I believe is likely, that will certainly help in all aspects."
His attention turns now to Deverain with the same regard. "As for you, sir...I believe the process will be similar. Perhaps easier in some ways, as your curse is not as severe, yet more difficult in others. Still, I think you will have an easier time of it overall."
"For you both, I suspect there will be a time of recuperation and rest...a week, perhaps...more if things are more difficult than I would expect. As I said before, you are fortunate this curse is solely arcane in nature. Once fully removed, there should be no lingering after-effects. At least nothing significant."
*In the mean time ... Argos has been looking around in Haven , for some causes, yet his discoveries has not reached to the conclussions he needed, he seems interested in the flood upon the gnoll mines, and the "special" people that are lurking around the town , he looks around the town to keep gathering information upon the identities of this people*
.... I wonder if this is no red herring. *With that he continues searching the town*
Alandrin claps his hands down onto his legs and stands. "Very well," he says. "I shall send a message that they may anticipate your arrival. You need only present yourselves to Castle Imjam and request a meeting with the Risen. I can suggest no other preparations except...perhaps...some sort of concealment for your travels."
With that, he bows slightly and turns to return to Spellgard.
*Deverain nods* we better get travelin' then
As Devarien exits the temple he sees Mangas arguing with the broker nearby.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Er know's yew want more Iron ore bit Erm tell'n yew dat cave in Haven is flooded an' Er can't git in dere! All Er got is diss licorice root! Yew want it er not?" He and the pawnbroker bicker back-and-forth over the price and then settle on a deal that seems very disappointing to Mangus.
"Belive me when Er tell you, if Er could do something about those flooded caves I would! Sheesh!" As he is walking away from the pawnbroker he notices Deverian. "Dev! Erm yew don' look so good. Yew ok? Yew need Er hand?..."
At some time very soon after the conversation with Aladrin, tremors shake the city of Spellgard. No serious damage occurs but as the tremor passes, so do Tyrian's symptoms. In a matter of hours she returns to normal. Deverian is normalized within moments of her as well