Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Can you understand us?" Eliza asks the green wisps directly.

There is no sensible reply, although several of them gather about Eliza, as if studying her curiously.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"We wish to parley with you," Henry says to the green wisps.

Can the Regenerator remove the penalties (in addition to the healing effect)?

The effect is similar to that experienced by Eliza.

Spoiler:

Yes, but use of it will cause you to not take any other action next "turn."

[jp1885]

Noticing how the wisps react to the others, Lepus opens his senses and also tries to communicate; in the same manner as he had ‘spoken’ to the supernatural entities within the Highdark estate.

“Greetings, oh shades. How come thou to be separated from thy bodies?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps the maidens will know how to reunite them," suggests Henry.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza moves slowly toward the prone bodies, wondering if the spirits - as they appear to be such - can be guided back to them somehow.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

WIS 18d20

By concentrating intensely, Lepus is able to perceive images, rather than words, emanating from somewhere amongst the wisps. These appear to show ordinary farm folk, engaged in their daily chores, who are suddenly set upon by what seems to be a horde of large serpentine beings, who seize them in their coils and carry them off, leaving only one wailing child alone with the various livestock thereabouts.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Eliza moves slowly toward the prone bodies, wondering if the spirits - as they appear to be such - can be guided back to them somehow.

This does not appear to have any such effect, although the bodies cease their jerking movements as Eliza nears.

[jp1885]

“They were taken by serpents,” Lepus reveals.

“Such creatures must’ve split yon wisps from their bodies. Mayhap it be a curse? If so I can try to reverse it.”

[Mr. Handy]

"An excellent idea," says Henry. "I cannot think of a better one."

[SunlessNick]

"Serpents... like the creature of Eden?" Eliza asks.

[jp1885]

“‘tis possible. Just as devilish I’ll wager.”

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

During this discussion, and as the adventurers ponder as to in what manner bodies and spirits may be rejoined, a low rumbling sound fills the cavity in which they stand, seeming to come from all sides at once. Accompanying this is the trickling of soil from several places in the surrounding walls of the chamber.

[jp1885]

Lepus looks around as the walls shake.

“If this tunnel collapses, we should rescue yon bodies and hope the spirits follow, yesno?”

[SunlessNick]

How many bodies are there?

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, Eliza and Ivan should be able to carry them," says Henry. "I doubt the spirits will be constrained by anything material if it does collapse."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

2d6

A quick glance around reveals that there are seven persons in total, and an equal number of the intangible wisps. It is a notable fact that, of the seven, half a dozen are of the female sex, with only one man amongst them.

Meanwhile, the shaking of the chamber ceases, offering merely brief surcease from concern, as immediately thereafter the small holes created in the walls of the room by this movement are proved to be points of entrance, through which emerge what appear to be long, slender serpents of no easily determined species.

Spoiler:

2d6

These prove to be three in number, and begin to writhe upon the bodies in no discernable pattern.

[jp1885]

“Be these the serpents that took yon villagers?” Lepus muses.

Breathing deeply, he intones a spell to detect evil.

[Mr. Handy]

"They could very well be," says Henry. "If they prove to be hostile, we should be able to defeat them. If they are responsible for separating the townsfolk's spirits from their bodies, that may help defeat the curse."

[SunlessNick]

Eliza stands ready to attack the snakes.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

“Be these the serpents that took yon villagers?” Lepus muses.

Breathing deeply, he intones a spell to detect evil.

The hedge wizard is nearly knocked off his feet by the intensity of the malevolence he detects from the creatures.

Regardless, the said vipers do not press an attack. What is more worrisome is the fact that, contrary to nature, they possess the power of speech, albeit of a whispery, hissing sort.

"Be wary."

"Be on guard."

"Be gone!"