56: A bridge of bones

[Ebiris]

[14:26] <@Ebiris> Several days pass in idleness or preparations as suits individual will before Lavinia announces that she's completed all of the land purchases suggested by Liamae out in the Eastern foothills of Isernia. Thus the sorceress and her companions on this particular quest gather in a room at Zeus's folly, perched over a map of the nation with several pins dotting the Eastern extent. From the map it does seem to be fairly unsettled land, only a scattered handful of villages marked at all so far from the cosmopolitan heartland. "These are the lands Lady Vanderboren has bought, and from what I've observed I'm still sure the falling star will land well within their borders. There's only one noted settlement there, called Lessmus - the Lady wants us to stop by and let everyone know about the change in ownership anyway, but I figure it'd make a good base for us to get settled as well," the dark-skinned magician explains, pointing to a scratch of writing underneath in the shadow of a brass pin.
[14:27] <@Lucie> "Sure," Lucie says, examining the map. "How long've we got at this point?"
[14:27] <@Henrietta> "Is there, well... is there a chance that it will fall on the settlement?" Henrietta decides to ask.
[14:29] <@Ebiris> "About six weeks, I think," Liamae nods confidently to the first, before shrugging at the second, "It *might*," she hedges with less confidence. "I mean, just because I've narrowed it down to this area doesn't mean it'll fall slap in the middle, it doesn't work that way. The town's inside the potential area I've calculated, so it's as possible as anything."
[14:30] <@Lucie> "Hm. Guess I'll bring some books. Probably not much else to do out there."
[14:30] <@Rudy> "Will we have a more precise guess as to the impact site closer to the day?" asks Rudy, curiously.
[14:33] <@Ebiris> "Hmm, I might be able to narrow it down as we get closer, but I can't say for sure. I can see it better when it's closer, but that's also when it's path becomes more erratic," she shrugs apologetically.
[14:36] <@Henrietta> "Well, as they say, what is life without a little mystery?" Henrietta voices, likewise shrugging slightly.
[14:36] <@Lucie> "Well, just so it doesn't fall on us, it should be alright. Looks like there's plenty of empty space out there."
[14:38] <@Ebiris> "There is!" Liamae agrees brightly. "If we're lucky it'll get drawn more towards the mountains and away from civilisation. Anyway, it should take us about two weeks to ride there, so we'll have time to set ourselves up nicely. We'll have to enlist the townspeople to keep out anyone poking around to steal the Lady's starmetal once it's fallen, and you know how getting people to do anything works..."
[14:39] <@Henrietta> "You hire people who are qualified for it?"
[14:39] <@Rudy> "Miners?"
[14:40] <@Henrietta> "If it falls near the mountains, definitely."
[14:40] <@Lucie> "Pay them off?" Lucie suggests. "Or throw 'em a feast on behalf of the new owner or something. You know, throw a carrot in front of people and it's easier to keep them moving straight."
[14:40] <@Ebiris> Liamae blinks. "Well yes, but I was thinking how when we say 'Can you get people to patrol the borders to keep out thieves' then they'll say 'But then we'll be defenceless against wolves, you have to kill them first for us!'" Smiling blithely afterwards, "When you've been adventuring for a while you get a feel for this sort of thing."
[14:41] <@Rudy> "I don't get it," replies Rudy. "If they're defenseless against wolves, what good are they for thieves?"
[14:41] <@Rudy> OOC: Oh, ex that line
[14:42] <@Lucie> "I dunno. Promise them a small cut of whatever gain comes out of this--not much, mind, just enough to keep their attention--and they have a stake in it, maybe more likely to help protect her ladyship's investment."
[14:44] <@Rudy> "Have to see what they think of getting a new lady in the first place and all," adds Rudy. "Anyway, if they want us to.. kill wolves.. or do any weird domestic tasks they've left undone for years, we'll have time."
[14:45] <@Henrietta> "Almost four weeks of it," Henrietta agrees. "I am certain they will grow to like us in that time!"
[14:46] <@Lucie> "Maybe. Just yokels out there, right? Might not take to outsiders." Lucie shrugs. "Just have to see what we have to work with when we get there."
[14:46] <@Rudy> "I just hope they don't get wiped out by some horde of monsters or something that comes flyin' in with the meteor," remarks Rudy. "We don't want to hire mercenaries ourselves, right? Set up like a pyramid heirarchy?"
[14:48] <@Henrietta> "Don't you feel confident with just us there?"
[14:48] <@Ebiris> "Her Ladyship is giving us five hundred gold to cover any expenses on our journey or once we get there, but that's it - we can't promise anyone a cut of the profits or anything. Also the roads out that way are pretty well nonexistent, so we can't take a carriage - will you three all be okay with riding this time?" Liamae asks, looking over the Irregulars.
[14:49] <@Lucie> "Long as there's something soft to sit on when I get there, I've lived through worse."
[14:49] <@Rudy> "More than I would with a buncha sellswords at our backs," admits Rudy. "At a country town, Lucie? Better bring your own pillow."
[14:49] <@Henrietta> "I will... give it a try," Henrietta says bravely. "How hard can it be?"
[15:04] <@Ebiris> Thus the foursome plus dog set off East through the heart of Isernia! Travelling well paved roads across the plains and farmlands, passing by grand cities and proud towns, the days melt into each other. The first week goes very well, though by then things start becoming less prosperous and populous. Bustling towns give way to sleepy villages. Stone roads give way to dirt tracks. Wide plains give way to rolling hills and thick forests. Still, though, it's a pleasant journey free of trouble or strife, until finally an obstacle appears on the ninth day of travel.
[15:04] <@Ebiris> Hearing the burble of rushing water ahead is no big concern, the few rivers encountered previously all were spanned by well cared for bridges, the bridgekeepers amiable to exchanging gossip and stories after a meagre toll had been paid. But this one is another story. Rounding a copse of trees, one can see an old worn sign planted into the earth, reading "Nettles Crossing - Five Coppers - Ring Bell For Service." A somewhat tarnished brass bell hangs off the side of the sign, and on the far side of the burbling stream one can see the remains of a burnt out shack.
[15:04] <@Ebiris> Of the bridge itself, however, naught but a single thick rope spanning its breadth remains.
[15:06] <@Lucie> What else is there to do? Lucie gives the bell a desultory ring.
[15:06] <@Henrietta> "Is that... I mean, did we come across bandits?" Henrietta asks quietly, looking at the sign in disbelief.
[15:06] * Quits: @Merc-zzz (~k@c-76-31-44-65.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) (Ping timeout)
[15:07] * Joins: Merc-zzz (~k@c-76-31-44-65.hsd1.tx.comcast.net)
[15:07] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Merc-zzz
[15:07] <@Rudy> "This place could've been trashed for ages," notes Rudy, eyeing the river warily and dropping off his horse. "Are there any other bridges nearby?"
[15:09] <@Ebiris> The bell rings with a tinny clang at Lucie's efforts, the horses treading the muddy ground restlessly and snorting. A moment later, however, a figure is seen approaching from downstream where a heap of wooden debris and rubble has caught on some upthrust rocks in the water. It shambles on top of the river's surface as if it were solid ground, holding a long rusted and algae-stained glaive. Its flesh sloughs off its long decayed body, putrescent and dripping as it slowly and painstakingly approaches. Henrietta's dog starts to growl lowly, staring unblinking at the nearing spectre.
[15:10] <@Lucie> "Everywhere we go," Lucie grumbles, readying her mace. "Do there have to be living corpses everwhere we go?"
[15:11] <@Rudy> "Wait, maybe it just wants a few coppers!" Rudy scrambles back to the horse, fumbling for his crossbow!
[15:11] <@Lucie> "Old habits die hard? You go ahead and find out, Rudy. I'll watch."
[15:12] * @Henrietta summons a a trio of bright red roses into her hand! "I would not be crossing with that thing even if it only wants my money and not my flesh," she declares, ready to strike.
[15:13] <@Ebiris> "This is why cremation is so popular, I think," Liamae quips, trying to control her horse that starts whinnying nervously under her.
[15:13] <@Ebiris> From the water the cadaver speaks having drawn close to the remains of the bridge and the riverbank. "You are not my tormentor," it rasps in the voice of a drowning man, bleached white eyes staring emptily at the group. "Throw the Stag Lord's body into the river that I may look upon his death, or join me instead."
[15:14] <@Rudy> "Who is the Stag Lord?" asks Rudy, stepping forward!
[15:14] <@Lucie> "The what lord now--" Lucie starts, but decides if Rudy wants to walk up and chat with the corpse, he's welcome to it.
[15:15] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 local
[15:15] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 local and gets 27." [1d20=20]
[15:17] <@Ebiris> "A thief. A coward. A murderer," the walking corpse groans, pointing his free hand Southwest away from the South flowing river.
[15:17] -> *Rudy* You've heard a few tavern tales about a bandit leader called the Stag Lord who was active in Eastern Isernia about twenty years ago. He was thought to be a Beastman and gathered many others to serve him... until it came out that he was just a human with a neat hat and was killed by his own men.
[15:19] <@Rudy> "Oh, that Stag Lord! Uh, we'll.. get right on that?" Rudy backs up a step. "This guy's a bandit king that's been dead twenty years. Could there even be a body left?"
[15:20] <@Ebiris> "Uh, well the guy's pointing, right?" Liamae whispers, nudging her horse to nervously back off. "Maybe his magic undead senses let him know where the body is?"
[15:21] <@Lucie> "No," Lucie assumes. "We want to beat this goon up and throw him in the river, or is there maybe another crossing around? I don't see what we get from taking a detour on some dead guy's say-so."
[15:21] <@Ebiris> There was a crossroads passed early on yesterday - you took the Southeast one but the road did continue East so it's possible that way led to another crossing.
[15:22] <@Henrietta> "Actually... it might be for the best if we do put his soul to rest. What happens if we destroy him, only for him to reform later and harrass some innocent travelers?"
[15:22] <@Lucie> "We don't even know if we can find what he's looking for! I dunno..." Lucie turns to Rudy: "Ask him how far this other corpse is?"
[15:23] <@Rudy> "Hey, you ask him, Lucie," replies Rudy, getting back on the horse. "It's fine, I can watch."
[15:24] <@Lucie> With a scowl for Rudy, Lucie turns to the dead man: "Sure, we'll get right on this. Only, how far away is this Stag Lord from here?"
[15:25] <@Ebiris> "I know not. He shuns the water to escape my revenge," the rotting thing hisses out, wet and spluttering as it stands impassive on the fast flowing river.
[15:26] * @Lucie turns back to the others. "Well, you know how I feel. We've knocked down undead before to get what we want, not afraid to do it again. But I'm outvoted, aren't I?"
[15:27] <@Rudy> "Hey! If we help you, will you help us cross the river?" demands Rudy. That's how this shit always works in fairy tales!
[15:27] <@Ebiris> "Even if we do kill him, we'd have to rebuild the bridge to get our horses across," Liamae points out. "Still, he might have something nice for us if we help him out?"
[15:27] * @Henrietta glances awkwardly at Liamae. "Umm, we could... hope that he has magical undead senses after all?" At Lucie's question, she squirms. "Can you, well, can you guarantee he won't rise again if we destroy his body now?"
[15:28] <@Ebiris> "Throw the Stag Lord's body into the river, and you shall pass freely," the undead bridgekeeper promises, sightlessly glaring at Rudy.
[15:30] <@Rudy> "Yeah, well, even if we destroy his body we still can't cross the fucking river," replies Rudy. "So let's go check it out? Maybe we'll dig up some loot, too."
[15:30] * @Lucie eyes the dead man. "Sure Liamae, he looks just like he's got a pile of magical crowns hidden away somewhere, just waiting to give 'em to us." Lucie climbs back on her horse, thinking about Henri's question.
[15:30] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+9 K:R
[15:30] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+9 K:R and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[15:31] -> *Lucie* It's hard to say. It does seem like he's bound to the river in some manner that's harder to defeat than simply crushing his head.
[15:31] <@Lucie> "Could be he'll just get up again if someone knocks him down," Lucie admits. "Hard to say for sure. But if he's been here as long as Rudy thinks, could be someone's tried killing him before and it didn't take."
[15:32] <@Henrietta> "I worried over that," Henrietta admits. "Well, nothing to do but to try and put him to rest, now."
[15:32] <@Rudy> "Would that count as a form of murder?" asks Rudy, wheeling his horse about to head Southwest.
[15:33] <@Henrietta> "Oh, I hope not...."
[15:34] <@Lucie> "Of course not! He's already dead."
[15:34] <@Ebiris> "I do wish there was a sign up warning people about this back at that last crossroad," Liamae sighs, turning to follow Rudy. Val remains growling and staring at the animated corpse until it vanishes into the water at the group's retreat, only then following. To the Southwest the forest presses in at the side of the trail, but isn't quite thick enough that the horses can't move through - just have to be careful of branches in their rider's faces.
[15:35] <@Henrietta> They have been going slower to begin with, so slowing down even more to protect her face doesn't bother Henrietta in the slightest.
[15:35] <@Rudy> "Eh, that's only if he goes away after. Maybe he'll stick around, become a friendly bridgekeeper ghoul-thing. Could make a bridge of bones!"
[15:36] * @Lucie plods along through the woods on horseback, grumbling all the way and knocking down the occasional branch that's troublesome enough to get in her way. "Out of his own, maybe? That'd be a thing to see. 'The bridgekeeper built a passage from his own bones and was no more.' Sounds like the end to a fairy tale."
[15:38] <@Rudy> "I figure it could be done. I mean, skeletons hold themselves together, right? So if you had enough bones you could build a bridge," muses Rudy.
[15:38] <@Ebiris> "Probably need to add the bones of his victims as well or it'd be a pretty poor bridge," Liamae reflects, bringing up the rear and ducking her head low as the group pushes through the spiny-leafed fir trees all about.
[15:39] <@Lucie> "Yeah, I guess stories don't really wonder about things like that. Little worried that *I* am, come to think of it."
[15:40] <@Rudy> "Because we haven't talked at all for days, so we'll seize on any little thing that comes up," replies Rudy.
[15:40] <@Henrietta> "This must be the most morbid conversation I was in during the past two weeks," Henrietta mutters dourly. "And it bothers me that I could only extend it that far back."
[15:41] <@Rudy> "Oh? What was the last one about?"
[15:42] <@Henrietta> "My death and subsequent eternal torment."
[15:42] <@Rudy> "Oh."
[15:42] <@Rudy> "That conversation."
[15:43] <@Henrietta> "It's hard to believe two weeks have passed since!"
[15:43] <@Rudy> "To be honest, it feels like months."
[15:43] <@Henrietta> "I sometimes feel that very same way."
[15:43] * Merc-zzz is now known as Merc
[15:44] <@Lucie> "Know what you mean. Nothing to look at out here but trees. Don't know how anyone lives out here without going a little crazy."
[15:44] <@Henrietta> "Isn't it all about the company you keep? That is, I am quite happy to be here with all of you!"
[15:45] <@Rudy> "It's really amazing that you can just come right out and say that, you know!"
[15:45] * @Henrietta ducks her head.
[15:45] <@Lucie> "Nice to hear that. Guess I've had worse company in my time," Lucie grudgingly admits.
[15:45] <@Rudy> "The way you make that sound like an understatement? Also amazing."
[15:46] * @Lucie shrugs. "You take what you're given, at least until you can use it to make something better."
[15:46] <@Ebiris> Time passes in said morbid conversation as the group wanders farther and farther off the beaten track, the forest growing thicker and darker with massive trees overhead shading the ground in gloom. Mushrooms become more predominant now, mostly chalky corpse-white bulbs littering the ground or pungent stained yellow saucers seemingly embedded into tree trunks.
[15:46] <@Ebiris> OOC: people should make survival or knowledge nature checks
[15:46] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+10
[15:46] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25." [1d20=15]
[15:47] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+6 nature
[15:47] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+6 nature and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[15:47] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+2 survival
[15:47] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+2 survival and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[15:47] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+2 aiding Rudy
[15:47] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+2 aiding Rudy and gets 15." [1d20=13]
[15:50] <@Ebiris> "Watch out for those mushrooms on the trees," Liamae speaks up, pointing to a more orangey yellow disc mixed in with the lighter ones scarring nearby trees. "If you get the spores on you it can make you a bit sick in the head."
[15:50] <@Lucie> "Right," Lucie says, doing what she can to steer her horse away from any such afflicted trees.
[15:51] <@Henrietta> "I... I am sure I will be fine," Henrietta responds, though she takes care to avoid them much like Lucie and Liamae do all the same.
[15:52] <@Ebiris> OOC: make spot checks everyone to see if you're careful enough to avoid them all as you go
[15:52] <@Rudy> "Yeah, you've got a hat," replies Rudy, deciding to get off his horse and lead it on rather than ride along for this part.
[15:52] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+12 perception!
[15:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+1 Liamae. Rudy doesn't have to roll.
[15:52] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+12 perception! and gets 25." [1d20=13]
[15:52] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+1 Liamae. Rudy doesn't have to roll. and gets 3." [1d20=2]
[15:52] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2
[15:52] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4." [1d20=2]
[15:56] <@Ebiris> Suitably warned, Lucie and Rudy are quite careful and don't go anywhere near any of the suspicious fungi. The two sorceresses are a bit less observant, occassionally bumping themselves or their horses against infected tree-trunks. Liamae is the first to notice, sighing and dismounting her horse to follow Rudy's example, sneezing before a prestidigitation spell clears off the fine dust coating her shoulder and horse's flank. "You too, Henri," she warns, rubbing her nose. Henrietta finds her nose is starting to run and feel blocked up herself, some sporedust floating before her eyes and into her face as it tumbles down the brim of her hat.
[15:57] * @Henrietta dismounts her horse, and brushes off her hat gingerly while keeping it away from everyone else.
[15:58] <@Ebiris> Val barks and looks up at Henrietta, panting and wagging his tail.
[15:59] <@Henrietta> Prestidigitation takes care of the rest, and Henrietta looks down at her dog through tearing eyes. "What is it, Val? Did some of the spores get on you, too?"
[16:01] <@Rudy> Rudy suddenly slaps his head. "Damn! I forgot to buy healing potions!"
[16:01] <@Henrietta> "This... is a bit late for that."
[16:01] <@Ebiris> Val barks twice before bounding ahead to take the lead with Rudy and Lucie. "Just try and stay calm, Henri," Liamae sniffs loudly. "You might hallucinate but it's mostly harmless. Um, I don't know if we should continue, guys?" she looks at the unaffected pair. "If we get into trouble Henrietta and I could be useless."
[16:02] <@Henrietta> "Well... we can't stay here, can we? With the spores and... and who knows what else?"
[16:02] <@Lucie> "Do you want to stop in the middle of the mushroom patch here?" Lucie says
[16:02] <@Lucie> .
[16:02] <@Ebiris> "Uh, yeah, good point... hope it's safer ahead, then," Liamae agrees, hurrying to catch up and dragging her horse by the reins.
[16:03] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort saves for magical girls. Bonus vs poison applies.
[16:03] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[16:03] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 15." [1d20=11]
[16:03] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+6
[16:03] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[16:05] <@Rudy> "Well, you guys should just hold on to me and Lucie, then. We'll keep you from running after any weird hallucinations or anything?"
[16:06] * @Lucie considers her companions for a moment. "Sure, just grab on."
[16:08] <@Ebiris> Thankfully aside from stuffed noses and watery eyes, Liamae and Henrietta are fit to continue with just minor disorientation and dizziness. While fungus continues to dominate the forest floor, there's little else that's a hazard as the group presses forward on their quest! It's close to an hour later when the group finds something other than plant-life - a crude statue stands in the forest, a small clearing around it and a thin but passable path running Northwest and Southwest from it. The statue itself seems to be the representation of a humanoid figure with antlers, though it's worn and filthy from lack of care, seeming deliberately defaced and graffitied under the mossy coating.
[16:08] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort saves for drugged duo again
[16:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[16:08] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 16." [1d20=12]
[16:09] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+6
[16:09] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[16:09] <@Ebiris> Thankfully Liamae and Henrietta start to feel better by now, their sinuses clearing and the forest not moving quite so much around them in strange vertigo-inducing ways.
[16:09] <@Henrietta> "Are you alright, Liamae?" Henrietta asks worriedly, forced to rely on Prestidigitation fairly consistently.
[16:10] <@Lucie> "The Stag Lord?" Lucie wonders in regard to the statue. "Don't see too many bandit chiefs putting up statues of themselves but, well, who else could it be?"
[16:10] <@Ebiris> "Mmm, I feel a bit better, now," Liamae remarks, letting go of Lucie and rubbing an arm over her brow. "Good thing we weren't attacked or anything. Stress makes it worse, but we seem to be past it." Peering now at the statue, "Maybe he co-opted some old legend to seem more impressive?"
[16:11] <@Lucie> "Maybe so." Lucie searches her mind for any obscure gods or myth figures someone might've pulled such an image from.
[16:11] <@Ebiris> OOC: roll religion by all means
[16:12] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+9
[16:12] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+9 and gets 29." [1d20=20]
[16:13] <@Rudy> "Well, maybe it's like a gravestone. It's weird for some thief to get a statue, though, especially when he was killed by his own crew." Rudy taps the statue lightly on the face.
[16:14] -> *Lucie* He's probably evoking Herne the Hunter. Most people these days consider him to be an aspect of Priapsus or an ancient satyr who started his own cult that passed into legend. A man with a stag's head and antlers pretty much fills the typical image. Lurid tales occassionally circulate of wild cultists capturing an innocent and forcing them to flee the Wild Hunt, but he's generally fallen out of worship.
[16:16] <@Lucie> "Was an old god looked like this," Lucie says after a moment. "Herne the Hunter. Not real popular these days, as I guess we're seeing here."
[16:18] <@Rudy> "Lemme see if there's a body down there," decides Rudy, summoning up an earth elemental to go down to the ground and check if anything's buried!
[16:19] <@Henrietta> Having been about to ask Val to look around, Henrietta decides to wait and see at the summons.
[16:20] * @Lucie clears off some of the moss and takes a look at some of the actual graffitti while Rudy's digging around.
[16:25] <@Ebiris> "Just looks like a beastman to me, but I guess you'd have a few of them living out in these wilds?" Liamae reflects, looking to the path continuing Southwest but then waiting as Rudy sends forth his monster!
[16:25] <@Ebiris> The mossy brown elemental of Earth descends into the soil, submerging itself completely without a ripple. After a moment however it emerges once more. "Hkkk. Bad soil. Wet not earth. Good stone farther," it rasps out in a voice like a slow falling rockslide. Meanwhile Lucie's reading of the grafitti has a few things showing. "Fake" "Traitor" "Fag Lord" "851-876" "Herne Not Human"... the tone is generally very derogatory.
[16:26] <@Rudy> "Doesn't look like there's much down there," notes Rudy. "Um. You think we can just take the statue or something?"
[16:27] <@Henrietta> "Umm. Why?"
[16:27] <@Lucie> "851 to 876...those numbers mean anything to anyone?" Lucie wonders aloud.
[16:27] <@Ebiris> "It looks pretty heavy..." Liamae looks at it dubiously. "Doubt it's worth much with all the damage."
[16:27] <@Rudy> "It's.. the right shape, maybe we can toss it in the river? And those are years, Lucie."
[16:28] <@Henrietta> "A... date, maybe?" Henrietta suggests. She looks skeptical, but decides to cast Detect Magic and see if Rudy is onto something.
[16:28] <@Lucie> "Well, I figured, but it's the right range for our man to have died, right? So this could be the actual grave?"
[16:28] <@Ebiris> There's no magic in the vicinity that Henrietta can see.
[16:28] <@Rudy> "Probably! I don't know."
[16:29] <@Lucie> "Maybe there's a body down there your pet didn't notice or something?" Lucie suggests. "These things seem more interested in rocks."
[16:29] <@Henrietta> "Val?" Henrietta kneels next to her dog. "Are there, umm, bones here? Say, like someone buried?"
[16:29] <@Rudy> "I'm sure they'd notice not-rocks, then."
[16:30] <@Ebiris> Val barks twice and then runs around the statue, sniffing and wagging his tail before he cocks his leg and urinates on its base.
[16:30] <@Ebiris> "Just soil. Wet. Bad," the elemental puts its piece in.
[16:30] <@Henrietta> "That is a no," Henrietta states, standing up abruptly. They are not carrying it back, now.
[16:30] <@Rudy> "Maybe we could keep going a bit. Hey, what if it was some kinda marker? And then they defaced it later? The actual bandit hideout might be down this way, and... and why would they keep his bones anyway? Ah, hell, we already came this far?"
[16:31] <@Henrietta> "Certainly. That we can do!"
[16:31] <@Lucie> "Sure, we're already wasting time in the woods, may as well waste more of it?" Lucie shrugs and continues on southwest.
[16:35] <@Ebiris> -------