011. "Lend me your vigilant attention!"

[Corwin]

[19:25] <Janson> "Lead the way," Janson nods agreeably after giving it a shake.
[19:27] <Kotono> Father Ceiar leads the party back into the temple. You go into a small room, where an old table supports several tomes. Each tome has the symbol of an eye on them, watching in painted attention. Father Ceiar himself wears steely gray robes and vestments. From his neck hangs a gauntlet with an open eye set into the palm. He sits at the table with careful moments, "You seek me," he begins to the
[19:27] <Kotono> four, "But I'm afraid I've never met a one of you."
[19:29] <Aaeru> "There is a first time for everything," Aaeru responds with a smile. "And the reason we sought you out was because the Lunatics said that you were looking for Gweonryn. Doesn't it make sense to try and collate our information?"
[19:29] * Janson has already introduced himself and Aaeru, so doesn't see a need to do so again. "That's Wayland and Andrea," he offers on behalf of the other two, at least.
[19:30] <Andria> Andrea raises a hand and waves a bit. "Hi!"
[19:30] <Wayland> Nodding to the old man, Wayland smiles. "Hello."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Gweonryn," Father Ceiar raises one wrinkled eyebrow, a moment to nod to both of the other two. "You seek him?"
[19:31] <Aaeru> He is an old man, after all, and Aaeru resolves to speak just a tiny bit slower and clearer, mentally chasticing herself. "That's right. We are also worried that he hasn't been seen in days."
[19:32] <Janson> "We've been commissioned by a friend of his to find him, yeah," Janson nods. "Last we heard was that he intended to go visit the Selunites but never got there. They said you were looking as well, so we figured we could pool our resources."
[19:33] <Kotono> "What do you know of him? Are you his friends?" Father Ceiar studies them before Janson speaks, "...aah. Are any of you familiar with the curse of lycanthropy?"
[19:33] * Wayland shakes his head. "Lycanthropy?"
[19:33] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 knowledge nature, probably?
[19:33] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 knowledge nature, probably? and gets 27." [1d20=16]
[19:35] <Janson> "Ahhh," Janson nods understandingly. "That explains the hairiness. Has he been afflicted or is it natural to him?"
[19:36] * Aaeru blinks in confusion. "It does?"
[19:36] <Kotono> "I don't know for certain," Father Ceiar continues, "Though his erratic behavour suggests it is afflicted."
[19:37] <Andria> roll d20+0 local, I guess...?
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20+0 local, I guess...? and gets 8." [d20=8]
[19:38] <Andria> "What's this lycanthropy stuff, and what does it have to do with his being hairy?" Andrea asks, a little confused. She hasn't recalled mention of such a curse...
[19:38] <Janson> "Imagine a human afflicted with a condition that makes him turn into a wolf. Traits bleed through to give him a bestial mien even when not fully transformed," Janson explains for Aaeru. "It can apply to other animals as well - I know lots of people who can turn into animals back home, but for them it's a gift of Jannath earned through discipline and skill rather than a condition like lycanthropy.
[19:38] <Janson> Has Gweonryn had it long?"
[19:39] <Wayland> "Ahh, I see." Wayland nods.
[19:39] <Kotono> Father Ceiar takes a moment to clear his throat. His voice rasps harder after he does, "A moment. Lend me your vigilant attention and I will explain more."
[19:39] <Aaeru> Aaeru's attention is both vigilant and all his!
[19:40] <Janson> "Of course," Janson falls respectfully silent for his elder. Although he's used to his elders looking freakishly young back home...
[19:42] * Wayland nods.
[19:44] <Kotono> "A lycantrope is a were-creature, such as a werewolf, werebear, werecat or other permutation. There are two types - those born with it, natural lycantropes, and those infected with it. You see, the bite of a lycanthropic creature spreads the affliction. While a soul born with it may perhaps be able to control it, to those who are infected it is a terrible curse." A moment, "The phases and power
[19:44] <Kotono> of the moon has influence over a lycanthrope. It is little wonder he sought the Lunatics." Father Ceiar pauses to cough, clearing his throat.
[19:45] * Janson almost interrupts but restrains the urge so that the elderly Helmite can recover and continue at his own pace.
[19:49] <Kotono> "Now I know not how Gweonryn came to his state, but several days ago a pair of Helm's faithful were assaulted by a wolf-like man. An inquisitor was assigned to invesigate it based on his apperance. His search was blessed and fruitful, coming to find Gweonryn. However he was able to bite and then escape the inquisitor, wounding and infecting him."
[19:50] <Andria> "Can you cure the inquisitor? Or is that what you're looking for Gweonryn for?" Andrea can't help but interrupt to ask.
[19:50] <Janson> "Were you able to cure the infection?" Janson asks worriedly.
[19:51] * Aaeru gasps! "Your inquisitor was infected with such a terrible, uncurable disease--" Aaeru looks sharply towards Janson. "Wait, it can be cured?"
[19:52] <Janson> "Several ways, but none perfect," Janson explains. "You can eat Belladonna immediately afterwards, or a powerful druid can cast a healing spell within the next few days. If neither of those works, it requires very powerful magic to be cast during the full moon, and even that's not guaranteed to work." He pauses for a moment and shakes his head, "Never expected I'd need those lessons in the
[19:52] <Janson> city..."
[19:54] * Aaeru nods at Janson's explanation, before carrying her eyes towards the aged priest, waiting to hear just which of these measures were tried in this case.
[19:54] <Kotono> "You are well versed," Father Ceiar nods to Janson, "We have our own ways of helping him, but the inquisitor will not be available for some time. After that I investigated myself. After confirming Gweonryn did not reach the Lunatics, auguries suggest he has fled to a cave to the south of Balmuria."
[19:55] <Andria> "Have you sent anybody else there?" Andrea asks curiously.
[19:55] <Janson> "Why flee? Did someone chase him, or did he panic for some reason?" Janson asks, unsure why he'd leave on the cusp of finding his best chance at help.
[19:56] <Andria> "Didn't you say something about the moon having influence on afflicted lycanthropes? Maybe thats why?" Andrea suggests, even though she's not sure. She's certainly no expert on this lycanthropy subject...
[19:56] <Wayland> "Perhaps he was ashamed." Wayland wonders.
[19:56] <Kotono> "Not as yet. I am not combat fit," Ceiar shakes his head, "I don't know why he fled, but his behavior seems erratic. The inquisitor reported he fell into a terrible rage when battling him, after luring him to favorable position. It is quite possible his mind is clouded."
[19:56] <Andria> Andrea pauses and tries to recall what the moon's been like the past few days...not sure if that'd help any.
[19:57] <Aaeru> "So what do you intend to do now?" Aaeru inquires.
[19:58] <Kotono> "Once we have a worthy agent prepared, go south, find him and bring him to Helm's justice." Father Ceiar's face grows stern, "He has assailed three of Helm's faithful. It cannot be allowed to pass."
[19:58] <Janson> "It's probably too late for the first two cures, so I figure our best chance is to try and reason with him into coming back here to be confined at one of the temples until a qualified druid or priestess can cure him - at worst we could even try my village," Janson suggests. "Father Ceiar, what sort of animal is the root of Gweonryn's infection?"
[19:58] <Andria> "Is there any way to avoid being infected in the first place? I'd say we could go capture him, but I don't know how we'd avoid getting infected..."
[20:01] <Kotono> "A wolf or other canine," Father Ceiar says, "We are not certain..." a pause to lightly cough again, wiping his lips carefully after. "Lycanthropy is spread through the bite. If the afflicted does not bite you, you cannot be infected. You consider going to face him yourselves?"
[20:01] <Aaeru> "You said his mind might have been clouded," Aaeru muses slowly. "And yet, you are saying that he should be brought to justice, as if you are certain that it was, indeed, his fault?"
[20:02] <Janson> "We've been contracted to find him, and there's no point even trying to punish him until he's been cured - he's not in his right mind while the beast holds sway," Janson draws himself up solidly.
[20:03] <Aaeru> "If you only mean for the matter to be resolved in a just way, then I see great merit in working with the temple of Helm to ensure this is so," Aaeru says, smiling at Janson.
[20:03] <Wayland> "I agree. If his intent was to harm Helm's church, then he must be brought to justice. If, however, he was not in his right mind, how can one blame him for fighting like a beast?"
[20:03] <Kotono> "I am." Father Ceiar agrees, "He is a danger to others and has committed grave tresspass against Helm's flock." He pauses a moment, lips pursed. "It will be a few days before another inquisitor or agent can be dispatched. It is unlikely that mercy will be on his mind..." Another pause, "Travel most of a day south into the foothills of the Galkass Mountains. There is a crevasse between two tall
[20:03] <Kotono> hills that loom over the countryside."
[20:04] <Andria> "Hey Janson, how exactly does the moon affect them? I think it's a full moon in a few days, isn't it?" Andrea asks her friend, since he seems the most knowledgeable on the subject.
[20:05] <Janson> "During the full Moon is when he's forced to transform, although really they can transform any time, it's just that time when they absolutely have to. It's also the only time a rooted infection can be cured," Janson tells Andrea before focusing on the Helmite. "If we can bring him back peacefully, will Helm hold off on enforcing judgement until he's been cured?"
[20:07] <Kotono> "That is not an easy task. Further, he has shown cunning between his fury," Father Ceiar says, and bows his head, "...if even He can..." A quiet murmur, "If you bring him back intact, I will advocate for it. If you cannot do so safely..." A shake of his head, "Do what you must."
[20:08] <Aaeru> "Is there a way to tell if a person is inflicted with this curse?"
[20:09] <Janson> "If there's any man left, we can reason with him. If the beast rules... well, I have a knack with animals," Janson smiles tersely. "We should pick up some belladonna first, and then see if we can find someone qualified to cure him before we depart - maybe the Lunatics, or Aaeru's friend Croger?"
[20:10] <Kotono> Father Ceiar shakes his head, "If he transforms or becomes as the beast. I know not of an easy, reliable method."
[20:11] <Kotono> A moment, "If you are to go, know this. Only silver can effectively wound a lycanthrope. A weapon of steel or iron will be naught but wasted might."
[20:12] <Andria> Andrea is startled by that bit of information. "Oh, that's definitely good to know...Not sure where I'd be able to pick up a silver falchion though..." she comments with a bit of worry. It's probably fairly expensive too...
[20:13] <Janson> "Magic also works just fine," Janson points out.
[20:14] <Aaeru> "If it comes to that, I'll try to restrain him," Aaeru mentions. "You could just try to knock him out, then."
[20:14] <Andria> Andrea frowns. "That won't help me though, none of the little magic I know is meant to harm or subdue..." she admits.
[20:14] * Wayland frowns and looks absently at his hands. "This may be harder than we thought..."
[20:14] <Janson> "I'll go buy some belladonna and restraints, someone can go check with the Luantics or Aaeru's friends to see if they're able to provide a cure, then we'll meet up at the South gates?" Janson suggests, eager to get moving.
[20:15] <Janson> "Could probably find silver weapons of some kind at a weaponsmith. Anything's better than nothing," he adds.
[20:16] <Andria> Andrea nods. "I might check with my teacher, see if he has anything he could lend, or even if he has any advice for this sort of thing."
[20:19] <Kotono> Father Ceiar nods, "If you go, Helm's blessings on you," he says, "Good luck."

[Corwin]

[20:27] <Kotono> Silver Star Books is about how you left it. Nothing unusual has happened, the same young man is reading perhaps the same book as you come in.
[20:27] <Wayland> "Ah hello, sorry to be a bother, but I must speak with Lady Moongal at once. It's about her friend."
[20:33] <Kotono> "Eh? Sure." Clearing his throat, "HEY DACOTE, THE GENASI'S HERE AGAIN! WANTS TO TALK TO YOUR MOM AGAIN!"
[20:34] <Kotono> Dacote emerges from behind the shelves in good time and order, "Ah," He says, "Do you bring word about Gweonryn?"
[20:36] <Wayland> "I do. Is your mother in? I'd prefer to tell her directly."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Not at the moment," Dacote says, I can pass word onto her when she returns."
[20:42] <Wayland> "Damn. Her friend that she had me searching for supposedly attacked a group of Helmites. He's a werewolf. He bit and infected an Inquisitor sent after him."
[20:44] <Kotono> "What?" Dacote blinks twice, "A werewolf? He's gotten himself into trouble, hasn't he?" With a distinct frown as he rubs his forehead, "Where is he? Do you know?"
[20:45] <Wayland> "A valley in the Galkiss Mountains. My friends and I are going to go talk with him and see if we can't get him to come in to get cured."
[20:51] <Kotono> Dacote goes to pace back and forth, hands behind his back. "He's gotten himself into deep trouble. What about Helm's church? They probably want a pound of flesh from him?"
[20:52] <Wayland> "That's what it sounds like. They're making rumblings of sending another Inquisitor, most likely much better armed, within the next few days."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Then you need to go drag him back," Dacote says, "So we can hide him from the Helmites."
[20:55] <Wayland> "We'd planned on dragging him back alive and curing him, if possible."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Good, good, good," Dacote says, facing Wayland now, "Bring him back here as soon as you can and keep the Helmites away from him."
[20:58] <Wayland> "I will, if I can. I must warn you, though, that if we cannot subdue him, we may be forced to destroy him for the good of all."
[21:03] <Kotono> Dacote's eyes narrow, "If you do that, Lady Moongal will not be pleaed with you."
[21:06] * Wayland sighs. "Likewise, I do not wish to do it. I will do all that I can to get him to come along with us and get this whole mess sorted out. His death is not high on my list of priorities, but at the same time I do not want myself or my companions to become infected as well."
[21:09] <Kotono> "I see, I see," Dacote paces again, "Try as hard as you can. I can't ask any more of you."
[21:11] <Wayland> "I will. Please give my regards to the Lady when you see her next." Wayland waves as he leaves.

[Corwin]

[20:29] <Kotono> The House of Suffering is quieter today. You find only a few at rest, tended by but one person. Croger sits amid them, wearing a simple flowing smock. His head is bald, his face long weathered by the passing of time. He kneels before a woman with a flushed face, gently dabbing away her sweat and laying a cool cloth over her forehead.
[20:30] * Aaeru calms her nerves, as they always have a nasty tendency to act up whenever she is around Croger. Still, that has never stopped her from coming and doing what she can to help, and so, while her entrance is more subdued than it would otherwise be, Aaeru still heads inside, greeting those within.
[20:35] <Kotono> Aaeru approaches as she greets, Croger turning to her. "Mercy be on you," he murmurs quietly, "Aaeru, are you here to clean or tend to the sick?"
[20:39] <Aaeru> "I am here for a consult," Aaeru responds, adding, "with you," just so there won't be any confusion. "What needs doing, while we talk, if you can devote a few minutes to this?"
[20:41] <Kotono> "Talk," Croger says, "Sit and relieve yourself of your burdens and suffering for a moment."
[20:42] * Aaeru takes him on his offer, finding a seat for herself. "This matter concerns a friend of mine. He was asked to find a man, but now we have reason to believe that this man has the curse of lycantropy. Do you know it? It is one where a person can transform into an animal, and infect others with a bite."
[20:45] <Kotono> "I know it," Croger says with a long nod, "Has he had the curse long?"
[20:46] <Aaeru> "Going by second-hand report, only recenly. A matter of days, perhaps a week? The matter is further complicated by this man attacking several of Helm's faith and then fleeing the city southwards. Should Helm send more men after him, they would care more about punishment than redemption, so I was hoping that there was something we could do while there is still time."
[20:49] <Kotono> "Ah, I understand," Croger smiles now, "Those of Helm are the arm of justice within the Triad. We are those of mercy. Deeply rooted lycanthropy is difficult to cure...but not impossible, if he is brought t us at a full moon and powerful magic is invoked."
[20:50] <Aaeru> "I intend to do my best to appeal to his decent nature," Aaeru says, "and my friend Wayland may learn more from this man's friends to make such an appeal more effective. If it comes to conflict, however, I will try to subdue him and bring him back. Knowing that we could, indeed, offer this man a cure is quite the relief."
[20:52] <Kotono> "We will do our best to ease his suffering," Croger promises, "Ilmater will have no less, and if we petition him with clear hearts, the way to save him will be shown."
[20:53] * Aaeru clasps her hands in happiness. It was said to be difficult magic, but someone like Croger would be able to help after all, as she believed!
[20:56] <Kotono> "Walk ahead and relieve his suffering, Aaeru," Croger says, "None deserve to suffer with such a curse on them."
[20:57] <Aaeru> "With Ilmater's guidance, even someone like me would surely be successful!" Aaeru agrees.

[Corwin]

[20:32] <Kotono> Andrea heads to see Olan. He is found at his home, a quiet place within the New City. In the backyard you find him and Brent, wooden weapons as they spare with one another. Two wooden greatswords, the hollow THWACK of wood on wood each time the blades meet being heard.
[20:36] <Andria> Andrea smiles at the familiar sight, watching the two spar as she leans against one of the walls, quietly watching them.
[20:38] <Kotono> Brent grits his teeth as Olan forces him back! Brent's loose brown hair is plastered to his forehead with sweat, face locked in concentration! He charges forward...and Olan sidesteps, blade coming down right on Olan's back! His son goes down in a wretched heap, dust kicked up off the ground. "...you know better," Olan sighs, "You can't charge someone like that when they're braced for
[20:38] <Kotono> it, unless you're so much faster that they can't hope to defend."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Urgh..." Brent stays down, slowly rolling to the side and sitting up. "I know...thought it might catch you off..." A pause to wipe his forehead, "Oh, Andrea's here?"
[20:39] <Andria> Andrea claps at the show. "Hello you two! Still getting pounded into the ground, I see, Brent!" she teases as she approaches them.
[20:39] <Kotono> "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Brent grunts as he gets up, "I almost had him before!"
[20:40] <Andria> Andrea laughs and turns to Olan. "Sorry I haven't been by in ages, Instructor..." she apologizes, before briefly glancing at Brent while he's not looking, and biting her lip. "Uhm, just been busy?" she...explains, a little awkwardly.
[20:40] <Kotono> "The tomes say a foul yugoloth once almost had the Saint, and yet she triumphed in the end." Olan shakes his head, "You haven't won until you wipe the blood of your foe from your blade. Something wrong?" He looks to Andrea.
[20:44] <Andria> "Sort of," Andrea admits. "Now, I'm not saying I only come to visit when something's wrong...but, uh, do you have any experience fighting lycanthropes, Instructor? Perhaps any spare silver weapons to go along with some advice?"
[20:44] <Andria> She laughs a bit nervously, not sure there was a better way to phrase that.
[20:47] <Kotono> "Once." Olan says, "In a land far to the west, a creature called a were-tiger ran amok. We defeated it by keeping it occupied and blocking it's attacks, while those with magic subdued it with fire and lightning."
[20:48] <Andria> "...oh. Then you probably don't have any silver weaponry lying around, huh?" she comments, with a little bit of disappointment. "Any advice on what -I- could do of help against one? I have a job where there's a good chance I might have to fight one..."
[20:50] <Kotono> "Silver is not only useful against them, but devil-kind." With a slight smile then, "Devils can only be wounded by blessed weapons of silver. I have one you could borrow."
[20:55] <Andria> "That's great!" Andrea cheers as she gives Olan a peck on the cheek. "What is it? I know you don't favor falchions...a greatsword, I guess?" she asks, curiously. "I'll have to remember the bit about devils too..."
[20:58] <Kotono> "A longsword," Olan says, "Brent, go get it - it's the one hanging in my study." As Brent nods and goes off, "If you're unlucky enough to ever cross swords with one, remember that."
[21:02] <Andria> "Hopefully I won't, but if I ever do, I'll be prepared. I'll have to get a silver falchion commissioned at some point, I guess. I don't want to impose on you often," Andrea admits.
[21:03] <Andria> Pausing, as Brent vanishes, she asks, "So how have you and Brent been doing the past few days, Instructor? Besides the regular sparring, of course..."
[21:04] <Kotono> "He's getting better, just a little," Olan half smiles, "Where have you been? You mentioned some friends?"
[21:06] <Andria> She nods. "I got a job, working at 'Whimsical Sweets and Troubleshooting'," Andrea answer, making a gesture as if framing the name of the place up in the air, making it seem more grand. "We mostly just call it Whimsical Sweets though, since it used to be just a sweet shop before my friends and I ended up there. Don't ask how it went from sweet shop to mercenary work, it's a little weird."
[21:09] <Kotono> "..." Olan's lips twitch up, "That's quite a jump. Mercenary work now?" Meanwhile Brent comes back with a sheathed blade, the hilt a cross pattern.
[21:11] <Andria> Andrea nods. "I...needed some distraction in my life," she admits, tossing Brent a quick glance, before her eyes rapidly move to the longsword. "Oh...that's a beautiful sword. Are you sure I can borrow this, Instructor? I'm ot going to lose it or damage it, I don't think, but still..."
[21:11] <Andria> ooc: I'm not*
[21:13] <Kotono> Brent looks away and reddens as he presents the sword out. "A warrior going into battle without the proper weapon is naked."
[21:17] <Andria> "Yes, well...wouldn't want that, now would we?" she says a little awkwardly as she takes the blade. She hesitates for a bit, and then grabs Brent in a quick hug before doing the same for Olan. "I'll let you know how my little adventure goes after I get back into town, alright?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "O-okay!" Brent reddens even more, a smile coming as they part, "You'd better have a good story out of it!"
[21:18] <Andria> "I will! And don't kiss the dirt too often while I'm gone, Brent...!" she calls out too as she starts to rush away, laughing a bit at having the last word.