Darkness Falls (IC)

[Schylerwalker]

OOC Thread

Spoiler

Show

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9376477#post9376477

[I'll try to get an actual map up as soon as possible, I just need to get my damn scanner to work. ]

Darkness falls on the Ruin Lands.

The Ruin Lands have long been a realm of contention and conflict. Long ago, in time out of mind, they were the center of a bright and prosperous kingdom of men and elves, ruling together with wisdom and strength. They lived in harmony with the land and brought peace and honor to all those they dealt with. But all good things come to an end. Corruption, greed, and ambition were the undoing of this once bright nation.

Now, the Ruin Land is a frontier nation, existing between other great and powerful countries. It has four natural borders; the Wyvernspine Mountains to the west, the Ameren Forest to the north, the Dreadwood to the south, and the Demetian Sea to the east. The Ruin Lands are ruled by several fractious nobles and ambitious governors, seeking to unite their rivals and carve out a new kingdom for themselves.

It is a land ripe with opportunity, thick with peril. The Hool Marshes hide great treasure and a greater chance for death, cruel men ride out of the Tarran Plains with fell deeds in mind, and rich men and women plot and scheme in bustling port of Saltmarsh. As can be expected, ruins dot the land in great number, filled with beasts, brigands, plunder...and the mocking ghosts of less successful adventures than yourselves.

We begin our tale in the region of Calabria, one of the northernmost states of the Ruin Lands. In particular, the village of Arains, once under the oppressive heel of the wicked Lord Grint. Many years ago, he and his men were defeated by the army of Kessen Almanar, lord of Brightarch, who united Calabria under his banner. Now, the ruined castle of Grint's Despair stands as bleak testimony to the tyrant's overweening ambition. To the east are the thick outskirts of the mystical Ameren Forest and Holgren Dale, and to the southwest are the rugged Blue Hills and the misty Harrowmoor.

In recent times, rumors have sprung up that herdsmen and trappers near Grint's Despair have gone missing, and that pale walkers have been seen on the walls of the mountain fastness. Bandits have been prowling the vicinity in greater numbers than have been seen in many years, and beasts come out of the wood at night at the behest of some strange power.

The village of Arains is a bustling cross-roads market town. It has a population of about fifteen hundred; it survives off of trade coming and going from the more civilized lands to the north, and off the farmers, herdsmen, and furriers who bring their goods in to town. It is governed by the Sheriff Sir Waymar Delce, appointed by Lord Almanar of Brightarch. It is the last day of spring, and the air is rich with the smell of honeysuckle, fresh cut hay, and the next herd being brought into town.

[Obrysii]

There existed a rather peculiar woman who had up until recently only been a seasonable guest within the town of Arains; she had come and gone with the seasons – seemingly to track down something that always seemed just beyond her grasp. Now, however, times have changed, and she has searched to become a more permenent, or semi-permenent, resident of the own.

Kailey Winters – who often used her middle name of Austin – walked slowly along the market place, pale-skinned, black-haired, and surprisingly charsimatic, if a bit sullen and fatigued. She walked slowly along, looking at everyone with steel-gray eyes that seemed to have an almost manic look. She was sick – ill, or so many of the people often told her.

'You look ill, have you been to the clerics?' they'd ask – and why yes, she had, she'd lie – she was in a fine state of health, just stressed out. Nevermind the fact she felt a weird lump within her, nevermind that she could and would often speak with the freshly dead as she reached murder scenes or scenes of death. Nevermind the fact her dead sister haunted her.

Or that she was slowly growing in the necromantic arts.

The apprentice to the village mortician, those who knew her would have a strong sense that she was obsessed with death – utterly so, in fact. She spent more time with the bodies of the dead than with anyone, and rare was the man who would take her to dinner or otherwise attempt to be a gentlemen caller.

At present, Kailey wandered in search of Machi Avellian – one of the few who understood her purposes, one of the few who even humored her over her claim to being able to speeak with the dearly departed.

[psilontech]

The air of late spring in this area would always bring a smile to Machi's face, which he now prominently showed. He had entered this town with his constant companion for quite some time, Thric, some months ago in search of employment to fill their bellies.
Ah, Thric. The lizard had followed him incessantly after he learned of Machi's abilities with the... darker arts of the arcane. To "keep you from raising an army of skeletons" he once declared. A scoff escapes his lips. Not bloody likely.

But Arains was a nice place, ripe with opportunities to practice his art and make a little gold on the side. A remarkably violent area, he mused to himself. Especially with the strange attacks that had begun recently. He had established himself as a person to call upon by the town guard to assist in the investigations of the more and more common murders in the area. A nice lump of gold for each success, he chuckled and pat his very fat coin pouch.

He really did need to get a hold of one of the bodies that had fallen prey to one of the more mysterious predators in the area to see what he could find, but alas, the majority of the bodies do not return to the village. Stranger and stranger, this area has become since his arrival.

... Speaking of strange, there was that pale young woman that would talk with him on occasion -- Ah, Kailey Winters, that was her name. Odd lass. She seemed to have a certain gift for the Necromantic Arts, though in a subtle manner completely unlike his own. It seemed to be more of an innate ability than something to be learned and practiced. She had even figured out with seemingly no difficulty, how to channel negative energies to manipulate the undead with such ease it was almost insulting to all that he had accomplished. 'Ah well', he supposed, 'I'm close to figuring out how she does it. I can feel it!'

A surprisingly slow day, he wanders the town in search of a quick meal or perhaps a poor soul in the need of their murderers tracked down, humming a pleasant tune he heard from a bard earlier that week...

[Turalisj]

Thric was at his usual distance from the necromancer, just far enough back to rush in in case he tried anything strange. He'd been following the mage for quiet a bit now, keeping an eye on what he did. That was easier said than done, as Machi had a nasty tendency to disappear for a few minutes and reappear with a corpse.

The dragonborn kept a cloak covering most of his body, leaving only his fanged muzzle barely visible. On his back sat a large sword wrapped in a red lacquer sheath with a similarly colored red handle, with a green gem atop it. He wore a simple chain shirt, kept tucked into his belt so as to make any unneeded noise. Upon his brow was tattooed the symbol of his god, a blue shield with a silver dragon's head.

[JerichoPenumbra]

Ranver strolled about town asking for more information about the strange occurrences, taking a pause every now and again to enjoy the spring air .... at least when he wasn't down wind from the cattle herds.

He muttered to himself about how he would have arrived sooner if he hadn't gotten lost on the way to Arains. If those brigands hadn't chased him off the road he wouldn't have gotten lost and arrive later than that other investigator.

He was sent to investigate the disappearances from around Grint's Despair. But by the time he arrived another investigator had already made himself know in town. Ranver thought about whether-or-not he was needed to investigate the disappearances, that Machi fellow seemed competent enough. But then again the job is open to anybody and if Machi doesn't solve it then it just gave him more of a chance to solve it himself.

"Ouch!", he exclaims as he stubs his foot on some of the denser refuse in the streets.

Where was I going again, he thought to himself, then he remembered he was out to gather some more information about the new wealthy man in town and where the sheriff goes to on Tuesday nights.

There's always information in the marketplace he thought...

[Drogos]

A tall figure wrapped in a large black cloak heads into the town of Arains. His face was concealed by a low hanging hood. Across his back a long pole was strapped, one end thicker than the other and wrapped in white strips of cloth. He walked slowly but with a purpose. The telltale clink of metal he made with each step revealed that he was heavily armored underneath the cloak.

Malark Duskedge had come to town for a reason. A variety of reasons actually. The first had to do with all of the bizarre murders taking place. the local law officials had made little effort to keep the wild rumors from spreading, almost as if they were hoping some do-gooder would rise to their call of need. Malark was certainly no do-gooder but he had come to put end to those abusing the right to deal death. For those who kill for revenge, greed, hate or madness, who slay the living for their own pleasure or gain, were the ones that Malark had spent the last several years hunting and ending. The fact that they broke the laws of their own cities or kingdoms concerned him not. Such individuals did however brake his law and that is why he hunted them.

Malark had also heard that their were two particular individuals in the market town who played with the very force of death like a toy. Necromancy was an abomination as far as Malark Duskedge was concerned. To give someone an ungraceful imperfect thing was one thing but to deny someone even the peace of oblivion afterwards was unthinkable. And so he hunted a young girl who seemed to be cursed with this unnatural talent. In his efforts to find her, he had also come across another who sought her, another necromancer no less. Malark intended to find them both and evaluate their actions, for he was always fair in his judgments. If they were like all others he had met before, he would probably send them into oblivion, swiftly and merciless but perhaps they would prove themselves somehow worthy of the twisted life they lead.

All of this runs through the cloaked man's head as he makes his way into the heart of the market. the commoners in the street quickly made way for him because of his intimidating presence. No doubt his outlandish appearance would attract the attention of whatever law enforcement held sway here. With them he would start the search for his quarry.

Malark Duskedge, "The Reaper", had come to Arains.

[Schylerwalker]

Ranver's wanderings into the marketplace did not go unnoticed, it seemed. Around him, men and women cried out their wares; "Eggs, eggs, a silver for two dozen, getcha eggs here!" "Apples, finest apples ya ever tasted!" "Fine blades, blades worthy of song!" However, tailing him from a distance through the crowd were a pair of men in green and dark blue livery, a badge portraying a grey bridge on their left shoulder. [Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (nobility and royalty)] They moved through the crowd easily, hands resting lightly on the hafts of their maces, the chainmail under their tabards making a metallic slithering sound.

Machi, and by extension Thric, would soon run into Kailey meandering down the street, looking rather conspicuous. A trio of young men -- muscular, bare-chested farmers slick with sweat and covered in a fine layer of cut hay and dirt -- whistled at her from across the lane. She was a comely lass, her creepy air notwithstanding.

A guard at the gate looked Malark over hesitantly, but did not stop him. Whether it was because Malark wasn't really doing anything wrong, or the guard was intimidated by him, remained to be seen. [Malark, make a Spot check] The Reaper's passage into town was uninterrupted; men and women parted to make way for him, some even going so far as to drag their children away from his armored bulk.

[Zerkai]

In the distance a black speck could be seen by the guards stationed at the city gates and on the walls in the air briefly before disappearing back down to the ground and out of view. A moment later it could bee seen much easier by those outside the gates as the speck approached at a great speed and grew larger, black wings now visible as it covered over a hundred yards as in less then twenty seconds before slowly touching down on the dirt road that led to Arians.

After a few seconds of walking though it's wings started to flap, once again taking off towards the village, and it was close enough to give away details as it touched down 50 yards from the village, not just walking towards the gates in silence.

It's wingspan was almost 10 feet, with 2 smaller pairs of membrane wings coming out of the shoulders, each small wing three and a half-feet long. It was humanoid in shape, wearing a torn, ink-black outfit that consisted of a large wide-brim hat, boots, pants, and a traveling cloak with tears in the outfit for the wings, and presumable a shirt or tunic under the cloak. The cloak itself had 4 large red eyes scattered along the front of it, turned vertically. At first it seemed like it was just a pattern weaved onto the cloak, at least until the eyes started to blink, turning to look at their surroundings.

The creature's face was hidden by the wide-brimmed hat, but long black hair and bangs could be seen. Despite it's disturbingly eyed-cloak, six black membrane wings, and the slight aura of fear it seemed to give off, it was fairly short, a little over four and a half-feet tall.

[Anyone who sees the creature make a SAN chec-Er... a Will save. Seeing an Oxodrin's true nature, you must make a Will saving throw at a DC of 10+Number of features it has (So 18 DC) or be shaken for 1d4+3 rounds]

[Schylerwalker]

There are screams from the peasants and trappers taking their wares to market; an alarm bell tolls from the town center, and guards come rushing to the village entrance with weapons in hand. "Monster! Monster at the town's edge!" scream several townsfolk as they run screaming down the street. The watch-captain at the edge of the town Enda approached form streamed out of his booth, buckling his weapons belt around his waist. "What in the Nine Hells is going on?!" he bellowed.

Meanwhile, the guard detail at the village entrance rushed forward, stopping about one hundred and thirty feet away from Enda. There were three men, wearing chain shirts under their blue and dark green uniforms, with light wooden shields slung across their backs and heavy maces at their sides; they are armed with light crossbows, which are loaded and trained on you. "Halt and state your intentions, monster!" the one in the lead shouts in Calabrian.

[They have readied actions to shoot you if you do anything other than speak in a non-threatening manner]

[Drogos]

Malark turns around as he hears the screams of the villagers and the shouts of the town guards. He spins around and hurries back towards the gate he had earlier entered. Was his quarry going to come to him for once? He grips the pole strapped across his back eagerly, ready to draw it at a moments notice. Upon spotting the flying creature approaching the village. He tries to identify the creature. It looked like it could maybe be an undead but it wasn't a form he was familiar with.

Knowledge Religion: (1d20+9)[21]

[Obrysii]

Kailey was not unaccustomed to the affections of young men – she had, in her youth, a rather large crowd of fanciers; but all of that changed two years ago. With the death of her sister, the growing mania of her mind that the dead really were haunting her, and the sudden apparition of the very woman who had died had all managed to bend her mind sufficiently to disregard catcalls or whistling.

She had too much on her mind to spend wasting it with men who were doomed to die – doomed like everyone else she cared about.

Turning her eyes downcast, and looking altogether in a sinking dive of sudden sorrow, she nearly ran head-first into Machi – she stepped back, blushed faintly, and flashed her cold steel-gray eyes towards the man's face. “Ah, just the man I was looking for,” she said – having sufficient charisma to push back her feelings and make herself appear a little more lively.

“I was hoping to have a discussion – we're of similar minds, I think, and this place isn't suiting our needs,” she said simply. In truth, she needed to get out and move on. She wasn't gaining the power she needed fast enough in this place.

Her discussion was cut short as the cries came out, and her body instinctively tensed - following Machi, she would go along, ready to fight - ready to showcase her abilities.

She wasn't just a pretty, if creepy, face.

Spoiler

Show

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20+4=15
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20+4=13

[Turalisj]

Thric let out a low growl, those that understood draconic could notice it sounded like a sarcastic 'fantastic'. Looking to Machi, then to the pale woman, and then towards the sound of the shouting and finally back at Machi. Grah, stay put necromancer. He said, turning and moving towards the sound.

[psilontech]

Taken quite by surprise by the sudden appearance of the younger necromancer, not a word manages to escape his lips before the warning bells and cries of the townsfolk reaches his ears.

"Hmm. It would appear that we must cut our discussion short for the time being, my dear. I think our attention must be diverted elsewhere. I for one am very interested in seeing what would cause such a commotion," a light chuckle escapes his lips.

Ignoring the warning to stay put by the lizard, not that he listens to him much to begin with, he begins to hurriedly walk after him in the direction of the gate and the disturbance, assuming Kailey to follow along behind him.

Running his hands through his brown hair out of habit of uneasiness he approaches the gate.

Spoiler

Show

Knowledge Checks: What the name of The Ghoul is this thing?
Knowledge: (Arcana):(1d20+10)[23]
Knowledge: (The Planes):(1d20+10)[11]
Knowledge: (Religion):(1d20+10)[24]

[Zerkai]

Surprisingly, the six-winged creature actually did stop, it's largest pair of wings folding back as three of the large eyes on it's cloak were focused on the three guards with their crossbows, the fourth's gaze just wandering randomly. The hat and cloak obscured the creature's face. After a moment of silence it eerily spoke up in the voice of a young girl.

"Monster... I am starting to get used to that. It this what you hear all the time...? It sounds almost nice... what's intent?" It's four eyes on the cloak tore away from the guards, all simultaneously moving slowly to look at something in the upper right corner of it's eyes as it asked it's question, though the creature was the only thing there. "... Oh, that." whatever it was seemed to answer it, though nothing could be heard.

"We are just traveling the land... seeing strange things, encountering bandits... lots of bandits here... that was a good meal." It remarked enthusiastically, it's head slowly tilting it's head to the side under it's hat "... Did i say that last part out loud?"

[JerichoPenumbra]

Concerned about the new disturbance, Ranver slowly heads to gates while being mindful that the sheriff's men may still be following him. Making sure his dagger is tucked in his cloak he hopes that what ever is at the front gates is less dangerous than the sheriff goons.

[Schylerwalker]

You have lost the guards in the shifting crowd, which is streaming in the opposite direction from you, almost carrying you away in the tide of screaming people. It's possible that they are running to the front of the town to deal with the disturbance, or maybe they noticed you noticing them and have ducked into some hiding place.

At the front gate, the guards looked at each other nervously. "Get the investigators," the captain said, swaggering up, warhammer clenched loosely in one meaty fist. Two of the men ran off, seeking Machi Avellian, Ranver Vorler, and Kailey Winters. The third remained where he was, staring at the beast with mixed horror and fascinating, crossbow quivering in his hands.

The guard-captain, chewing on a worse-for-wear cigar and standing at ease with warhammer and shield, wearing medium armor, seemed less impressed. "You just sit right there."

[Drogos]

Malark walks up beside the guard captain staring down the bizarre creature.

If you need assistance with this creature I would be happy to provide it. Either way, I would like to speak to your superior once this is taken care of. There are a few words I would like to have with him.

As he says this he sweeps aside his cloak a bit so the guard can see the shining black armor underneath it. He also lays a hand on the object strapped behind him on his back.

[Obrysii]

This thing was not what she expected. This thing was beyond this mortal realm - but not of the realm of death: it was from a realm of insanity. It had to be - though beyond that, she couldn't know.

"The far realm," she said, her lips quivering in an unknowable fear: she knew nothing beyond that tiny bit, and her mind was focused on the usages of the dead.

"You! Creature! Are you here to destroy or to seek peace?" she called, her eyes narrowing in potentially irrational anger.

[Drogos]

Malark Duskedge turns to the new figure addressing the mysterious creature. He recognized her instantly as the young necromancer he was seeking. Her appearance matched perfectly with the descriptions given by those he had interrogated. By first impression she seemed genuinely ready to defend the town, if necessary, but it could be a reaction out of pure self interest. Now that he had found her, Malark would be sure to keep track of her after this incident resolved itself. He took a couple steps back so he could keep both her and the creature in his field of view.

Hmmph, that was easy. One down, one to go.

[psilontech]

Machi nods to Kailey, "An accurate assessment, a terrifying combination of several equally terrifying creatures...", unease readily apparent in his voice. Once again, a hand runs itself through his hair in a nervous gesture.

"Such a being should not exist as far as I can discern. This is truly a... troubling situation."

His fingers flash through arcane symbols and he mutters in draconic under his breath as a shimmer of light materializes near his figure, standing side by side the other necromancer.

He turns his attention briefly to the captain who had sent men to retrieve him, "You called for us, sir?", a measure of confidence back in his voice.

Spoiler

Show

Casting: Spectral Hand.

[Obrysii]

Kailey trembled. It was creatures like this that haunted her dreams, made her feel sleepless - if it wasn't the spirits who did it, it was nightmare creatures like this. She coughed, feeling weak - and feeling enraged by this entity she felt she had to do something.

"I'm not that good in combat ... but I can bring into being a few minions that can," she said, half-whispering to Machi. "But I'll likely have to leave this place if I use that - what do you think?"

She wasn't really sure what she should do herself - she felt out of control, as if she needed guidance. She felt like how she'd been banished from her home - yelling, screaming - there was more panic in her voice than necessary, perhaps, as if this creature was bringing up memories.

And she didn't need those - not now, anyway.

[Schylerwalker]

The captain of the watched nodded, not taking his eyes off the bizarre being who talked about eating people. Bandits, to be sure, but still strange beyond reasoning, especially when, aside from the eyes and wings she looked...well, vaguely human.

"Yes, I did call for you." He hefted his shield onto his shoulder, warhammer in a defensive guard position. "Can you tell me what sort of creature that is? And if it means us harm? I can't afford to let a dangerous being into Arains if it's going to go around eating people!" The grizzled veteran spat out his cigar.

[psilontech]

A calming hand is placed upon Kailey's shoulder, "Lets not do anything too rash. If fighting breaks out and it appears to be necessary, then we may need to defend ourselves and this place. But until it appears necessary, it is best to keep most of our cards off of the table" speaks Machi in a soothing tone. "It hasn't made any overtly aggressive behavior... yet."

In a louder voice, obviously directed at the Captain and in a vaguely authoritative tone, "The creature which stands before us appears to be an aberrant mutation, multiple alien creatures of the far realm added onto the original. Human? It is difficult to be sure. As for its intentions... As far as I can recall, beings of such nature are generally quite mad. It..."

Machi seems to consider it for a moment more, "Doesn't appear to bode any active ill-will towards us as far as I can tell. Beyond that, this is not my particular set of expertise. I advise against attacking it unless it starts a fight, such beings could cause a large body-count."

A small, forced smirk adorns his face now, "Perhaps send someone you don't like to talk to it."

[Drogos]

Malark can almost not believe his luck when the second mark we was seeking appears before him. It was clear the older one had gotten to the young girl before he had, as the two Necromancers talked. As the black creature before them did not seem like an immediate threat, he thought he would take a moment to let himself be known to his quarry. He walks up to Machi and Kailey and speaks.


Machi Avellian and Kailey Austin Winters, my name is Malark Duskedge and I understand that you play with the very powers of death itself. I am here to judge your deeds and intentions to see if you use your powers for a just cause. If you fail, I will most likely kill you. So far you have done nothing to condemn yourselves. Do not try to flee, as I am very good at finding people and such an action would confirm your guilt. If you pass my test I may allow you to live.

[Obrysii]

Just what Kailey needed - another person to harass her. Another to judge her, to make her earn his approval. Simply a man with too much of an ego on his shoulders, claiming it is some virtuous burden. Her eyes narrowed further, sharpening, her hands twitching, dark energies flooding into her palms.

She stepped back, though. "A precious little paladin out on a crusade?" she sneered, "Another judgmental man seeking to tame me. Seeking to punish me? Right, sister? What? He might be able to help?"

She shifted again, and again looking straight at the man, she spoke, "What is your test? Do not be certain of your powers, paladin: you do not know what powers I may or may not have - you do not know if I claim powers over death - or if death claims power over me."

[Drogos]

Hah! Me? A paladin? I have been called many things but I don't think paladin has ever been one of them. You couldn't be more wrong. I am simply a man with a healthy respect for death. Those who abuse the privilege of bestowing death upon others, I punish. Those who defile the sacrament of death by dabbling in the necromantic magics I also punish, if they do not do so with care. Denying someone peace by forcing their soul into a state of undeath is intolerable. I seek to bring all who are worthy into the peaceful fold of death as warmly and gently as possible. Those who are not worthy are ended by me, swiftly and without mercy. Pray you are the former.

[Obrysii]

The girl let out a healthy laugh. Well, it was a laugh - not necessarily healthy. More of a hauntly laugh - a weak, faint one that didn't really sound too good.

"I do not chain the souls of the dead to anything. If anything I make sure they did not die in vain," she said, clenching her fist. She'd seen people die in vain. She'd spoken to them - that mournfulness that comes from incompleteness of some task, and the lack of will to become ghostly.

"What use is the body but whatever its materials can accomplish? The soul is gone when a skeletal rises - and there is worse to be done with that. Think of the trauma the priests cause when they rebind a soul to someone in a resurrection!"

[psilontech]

Quite the little speech you have there, Clinky. You say you are no paladin, yet you seem to be intent on punishing those who do not conform to your ideals in an arbitrary manner. Not in the defense of yourself or of others.

I may, we may not be the highest example upon which beings should look for their ideals, but I am certain that my conscience is more clear than yours.

Questionable though the means may be, I bring order where there was once chaos. Murderers and rapists who would otherwise continue their foul deeds are brought their dues in the name of the laws of the land through my actions.

I do not murder, I am no judge. Though I do not pretend not to have killed, it has always been in self-defense. I highly doubt that you could claim the same thing.
So what is this test, that you deem appropriate to determine if I am worthy of your blade? A roll of the dice after hearing the opinion of a goat herder a hundred miles away?

Let us see your test.
Pray we do not fail it.

[Zerkai]

While they all spoke amongst themselves, the creature's four smaller wings started to shrink, not folding back like the larger ones, but sinking back into it's body and disappearing, the four eyes closing and flattening against the cloak as they disappeared too. The larger pair of wings stayed though, the humanoid creature stretched it's wings a little, raising a five-fingered hand to lift up the brim of it's hat to look up at them all now that it's four eyes on the cloak disappeared.

The creature's face looked human, despite being colored by fine ink black scales the same color of it's cloak and hat, it's hands the same as well. It's natural eyes weren't red, but a bright blue childlike eyes that stood out against the black hair and scales. She looked up at confrontation between the Necromancers and the Reaver, slowly smiling as she listened to them talk

"I don't know... I think I like them..." She once again spoke to nothing, sitting down on the dirt road and watching them intently, as if it were a show.

[Schylerwalker]

Captain Davlos stepped back and watched the adventurers warily. While he was confident in his own abilities and those of his men, he didn't want to get caught up in a fracas with two necromancers and some scythe-swinging vigilante. As the girl returned to some vague semblance of normality and sat down on the ground, he made a judgment call. "Men, stand down. If she tries anything illegal, you can clap her in irons then, but for now she seems peaceful enough."

About half a dozen of the town guards had gathered at the front gate, and beyond them were a few dozen townsfolk. The bells had stopped ringing, and people were slowly going back to work. "Adventurers," some muttered, or something along those lines. The watch-captain did not move to intervene on behalf of the two investigators...yet. However, his weapons were still drawn, as were those of his men.