[19:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> At this Wayland gasps! Air expels from his lips as his wounds fade away! What is left is intact flesh, as if the werewolf's claws had never touched him!
[19:16] * Aaeru swoons.
[19:17] * Wayland blinks, then looks around. "Wait...where am I?"
[19:20] <Janson> "Wow... you don't look different at all!" Janson marvels, peering over at Wayland before registering his question. "You're in the House of Suffering."
[19:21] <Aaeru> "Where we alleviate suffering," Aaeru hurries up to add, snapping out of her stupor. "Not the other way around."
[19:21] <Andria> Andrea gasps at seeing Wayland breathe again. "You're alive again!" she exclaims as she gives the blue man a hug.
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ilmater has spoken," Croger says, "He has breathed like back into you, Wayland."
[19:22] <Wayland> "Ah...yes. Err, there there." Wayland awkwardly pats Andrea's back. "It looks as if I will life to fight another day."
[19:23] <Andria> "Look at you, it's almost like...like nothing happened!" Andrea says as she looks Wayland over, stumbling over saying 'like you hadn't died', and switching tacts.
[19:23] * Wayland nods at Croger. "It appears as though I'll be joining your church, as well. I had to make a deal, you see."
[19:24] <Aaeru> "You sold your afterlife to join the House of Suffering?" Aaeru gasps.
[19:25] <Andria> Andrea winces a bit at how Wayland puts his situation, knowing that Aaeru would...yep, she interpreted it like that.
[19:25] <Wayland> "Yes and no, Aaeru. I sold my afterlife, if you wish to put it that way, for another chance to put things right."
[19:26] <Andria> "You and Aaeru are going to have long hours of discussion over theology, I can see it now..." Andrea mutters.
[19:26] <Aaeru> "Which you'll do by joining us?" Aaeru confirms.
[19:26] * Wayland nods.
[19:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Damn," Branna mutters, but otherwise keeps to himself. HIs eyes are hugely wide and his hands shake.
[19:26] * Aaeru nods back in vindication.
[19:27] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Welcome," Croger says, offering his hand to Wayland. "This is a path of hardship we walk, but for the betterment of those who suffer."
[19:27] <Janson> "Well, you do owe Ilmater, no doubt about that," Janson admits, even if it strikes him as somewhat fickle.
[19:27] * Wayland looks sidelong over at Branna. "This does not mean that you have to convert. I'll not press anything upon you two. Just remember that the gods -are- watching."
[19:28] <Aaeru> "I will need to fast in honor of this occasion-- oh, 'you two'? Umm, I think you will be a bit disappointed...."
[19:28] <Wayland> Shaking Croger's hand, Wayland looks at Aaeru. "Eh?"
[19:30] <Aaeru> "Well, I think it's just Branna, now..." Aaeru says slowly, trailing off.
[19:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Noel's not had a good day," It's all Branna says, "Lemme talk to him, boss.
[19:31] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "
[19:32] * Wayland nods. "Very well, Branna. I can understand that he is stressed."
[19:32] <Aaeru> "It seems he was deeply traumatized, far more than anyone here. It just might not be the life for him...."
[19:33] <Janson> "Was a pretty brutal fight," Janson agrees. "Reminds me of stories about fighting giants, the way he just kept on swinging no matter how hard we hit him."
[19:33] <Wayland> "If not, perhaps I can find him a job, or send him to the monastary where I was trained. Not all are cut out for the life of adventure."
[19:33] <Aaeru> "I'll try to learn better magics!" Aaeru vows.
[19:34] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Tonight, go, rest and finish your current affairs. Come back on the 'morrow and we'll all talk anew," Croger says as he shakes Wayland's hand. "Come with an empty mind and a soul ready to hear wisdom."
[19:35] <Aaeru> "Want to fast, too?" Aaeru offers Wayland. "I'll show you how it's done!"
[19:35] <Janson> "Also, uh, you wouldn't happen to know where this Lady Moongal is staying, Wayland?" Janson asks, fidgeting a little. "Just, I was thinking while we were taking you back here, no one else knew and it was pretty awkward. I'm sure you're not going to die again any time soon, but we should try and be on the safe side, right?"
[19:36] <Wayland> "My thanks to you, Croger." He turns to Aaeru, smiling. "I've not fasted for many months, not since I left the monastery. Perhaps I will join you. I must speak with the Lady Moongal first, though."
[19:36] <Aaeru> "Don't be ridiculous, Janson," Aaeru finds herself lecturing him. "The Crying God has an important mission for Wayland! He would bring him back however many times it takes!"
[19:37] <Wayland> "Janson, you are welcome to accompany me, if you like."
[19:39] <Janson> "Sure - we could all go, even?" Janson suggests. "Or... well, it's pretty late. Maybe tomorrow, rather than disturb her now?"
[19:40] <Aaeru> "I would prefer to settle things over with Father Ceiar of Helm," Aaeru hedges. "The sooner we are assured that they would be waiting for us rather than send their inquisitors, the better."
[19:41] <Wayland> "All the same, I'd rather not turn over our new hairy friend to the Helmites. They will likely punish him for something that was not his fault."
[19:42] <Janson> "He's not going anywhere till he's cured, Ceiar agreed to that much," Janson points out.
[19:43] <Andria> "If the house of Ilmater can settle the matter, I'm sure those of Helm's will be alright with the situation. If nothing else, Gweonryn won't be causing any more trouble," Andrea says.
[19:43] <Andria> "Still, we should inform them if nothing else so they don't send someone to where we found him, and have to deal with more of those lizards, or whatever other beasts we were lucky to avoid..." Andrea adds after a bit.
[19:45] * Wayland nods. "It's only polite."
[19:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The next day dawns rainy. Summer rains come on down, everyone coming and going quickly as they can. The party enters Silver Star Books, wet but otherwise unbothered. The same young man is sitting near the front, reading yet another book. "Oh, hi. Here to see Dacote or his mom again...oh wow, you brought friends too1" With a quick smile to Andrea, "Hi!"
[19:47] * Wayland nods. "Yes, please."
[19:47] <Aaeru> Books! Glorious books! But... for sale. Aaeru is not quite sure what emotion she should be feeling, here.
[19:48] <Andria> "Uhm, hello!" Andrea says politely as she's flashed a smile.
[19:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "HEY DACOTE, THEY'RE BACK! C'MON OUT!" After that shout the young man hops up and comes over to Andrea, "Say, do all of you want something to read?" Yet despite this his eyes are right on Andrea.
[19:50] <Janson> "Might browse a bit later," Janson muses as he idly scans the book spines. "Business first, though."
[19:51] <Andria> Andrea nods in agreement with Janson. "What he said. Thank you for the offer though," she adds.
[19:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Dacote emerges out from the bookshelves, Lady Moongal a step behind him. "Ah," He quickly looks to them, "Have you found Gwoenryn yet, by chance?"
[19:52] <Wayland> "We have!"
[19:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Oh, fortune." She begins to smile, "Genasi, how is he? Where is he?"
[19:54] <Wayland> "He's a bit banged up, but alive. He is at the House of Suffering. The men there are currently trying to cure him of his affliction."
[19:55] <Janson> "Has to wait till the full moon before it can be done, though," Janson volunteers. "So he'll be confined for his safety and the safety of others until then - guy's got a nasty right hook."
[19:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Ah," Clapping her hands together, "I will go see him then." Even that bolsters her smile, "Ah yes, he is rambunctous." With a long look to Wayland, "Thank you, you've earned the promised reward."
[19:57] <Wayland> "And a rather unpleasant bite, I'd say."
[19:59] <Wayland> "It was my pleasure to be of help, Lady Moongal. He was obviously not happy with where and what he was. It is a grave injustice to see him suffer unnecessarily."
[20:01] <Aaeru> "So how did he get cursed anyway?" Aaeru wonders out loud.
[20:01] <Andria> Andrea perks up at Aaeru's question. "I was curious about that too," she admits.
[20:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "One is not entirely certain, but I will be asking this of him," Lady Moongal says. She murmurs a word and a blade appears in her hand! It looks to be a longsword, trailing with ice and cold. "This enchanted blade recently came in my possession, hailing from Armasea in the north. I gift it to you as a proper reward for finding Gweonryn."
[20:06] <Janson> roll 1d20+9 spellcraft, what did she just do?!
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 spellcraft, what did she just do?! and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[20:07] <Wayland> Looking a bit wide-eyed, Wayland takes the blade gently. "My sincerest thanks, Lady Moongal. Please remember, if you have any other pressing needs like this, let us know. We will assist you in any way we can. Call on us at Whimsical Sweets."
[20:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The blade is faintly chill to the touch, sending shivers of cold throughout your body. "Thus I shall. Enjoy this blade, I obtained it from a Baroness to the north. She spoke of bravery with the blade and of the battles it has seen."
[20:09] <Andria> Andrea whistles at the show of magic. "A beautiful blade, Lady Moongal. You honor us with it," she says.
[20:09] <Janson> "Looks impressive," Janson agrees. "Even with all the trouble Gweonryn gave us, that's some reward. Thank you."
[20:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "All I ask is that one of you carry it bravely into battle," Lady Moongal says.
[20:11] <Wayland> "While I myself am a monk of the Divine Wind, I am sure that one of my companions will be most capable of utilizing the blade in a suitable heroic manner." Wayland nods firmly. "Again, my thanks to you for this."
[20:12] <Andria> Andrea scratches the back of her head. She's slightly tempted to ask if she can use it, it is a rather beautiful blade, but at the same time, she's more proficient and trained with falchions...oh the dilemma.
[20:13] <Janson> "Do you need directions to the House of Suffering, Lady Moongal?" Janson asks. "Otherwise we'll be off to tell Father Ceiar?" he confirms with his colleagues.
[20:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I can find the way," Lady Moongal says, "Thank all of you again."
[20:15] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Moving along?
[20:16] <Wayland> OOC: Yah.
[20:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Father Ceiar is found within a prayer room. Here he kneels, deep in personal reflection. The floor is hard here, yet his aged body bears it with patience and silence. When he finishes his meditations he rises and nods to the party, "Was your hunt a vigilant and rewarded one?"
[20:17] <Janson> "Could've been more vigilant, but we got rewarded sure enough," Janson summarises with a shrug. "He's caged in the House of Suffering until the full moon when he can be cured."
[20:17] <Aaeru> "Yes. You may be happy in knowing that we have apprehended Gweonryn, and that we will cure him within a few days. And, of course, that we have observed him telling us to get away and struggling to contain the beast within him."
[20:19] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I see that the truth was uncovered with enough persistence," Father Ceiar says, a moment to close his eyes and murmur unheard words. "The House of Suffering will hear nothing of punishment for the man, I presume?"
[20:20] <Aaeru> "Unless new information comes forth suggesting that he asked to be cursed thus, before having a change of heart. Outside of such unlikely cases, however, yes. The man is, from all appearances, both sorry for what he had done against his will, and made a considerable effort to remove himself from threatening others."
[20:21] <Wayland> "If he had acted deliberately when he attacked your inquisitor, if he had enjoyed it, then we would push for him to be brought to the Guard. He does not presently act this way, though."
[20:21] <Andria> Andrea nods. "He told us to stay back, and was concerned about harming us when the curse took over him. If we were harmed in taking care of him, it was only through our own fault."
[20:22] * Janson still thinks he could have controlled himself better, but doesn't say anything since the group is onto a good thing.
[20:23] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I will pass this word on up,' Father Ceiar says, "Ever is Ilmater the merciful hand of the Triad. He can still the justice of Tyr and halt the slow and sure defensive retorts of Helm. In the end, I believe that Ilmater's protections will be sufficient, assuming no further transgressions."
[20:24] <Aaeru> "He was hiding in a difficult to reach spot, with caltrops placed to ward others away, and constantly moving to avoid coming in contact with people. From this and other things observed I can only conclude that he truly did not wish to harm others." At the Helmite's words, Aaeru bows. "I will take it upon myself to ensure that nothing happens for as long as he stays with us."
[20:24] <Andria> "There won't be any further transgressions. If I may inquire, how is your inquisitor doing? Has there been a change since we last talked?" Andrea asks Ceiar.
[20:25] <Janson> "Never did find out who else got stuck on those caltrops," Janson notes, having forgotten about them until Aaeru mentioned it. He makes a note to ask Gweonryn when he's better if anyone else came by that way.
[20:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He is being healed," Father Ceiar says. "His condition slowly improves."
[20:27] * Aaeru doesn't insult the priest by offering to help.
[20:27] * Wayland nods. "Good that he did not perish in the attempt."
[20:28] <Andria> Andrea also nods. "I'm glad to hear that."
[20:30] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "All has worked out well enough here by the will of Helm," Father Ceiar agrees.