Oblivious, unknowing, uninformed, unfamiliar, all traits currently having a tight hold over our Party members. As Beef's dead body lies helplessly in the snow surrounded by a small, ever growing patch of red they remain blind to his fate. Finn and Lucian have grown weary of their searching around the campfire and decide to try and meet up with the rest of their friends. Hopping onto their Wyverns they take to the skies in search of their companions. Sigrid, out in the frozen wilderness notices a shape moving through the storm, she immediately senses danger and quickly moves away from the beast, hiding in the wall of snow beating against her face as it moves past her. A cloud of relief bellows from her lips Farraine, somewhere out there in the cold blizzard notices a large shape moving amidst the flurry of snowflakes, he draws his sword in anticipation as the beast moves closer and closer towards him. He lunges at it with his sword, striking the monster with 2 well timed attacks. The creature howls, towering over Farraine, it swipes its claws at the brave fighter in long arcs, Farraine manages to deflect one of the attacks but the other slashes through his defences and tears through his armour.
Sigrid, now in human form, attempts to move through the deep snow but it is getting more and more difficult as the snow continues to fall steadily around her. Pulling her hood over her head against the storm she trudges slowly around a large boulder. Finn, with Lucian in cold pursuit, flies towards Binky on their winged transport. With a small pop, the creature blinks into existence behind Finn's shoulder, his red, wiry arms wrap around the halfling's waist as they head off in search of their companions. Soon, in the far distance they see a monstrous creature, raging in the snow. Farraine takes another swipe at the creature with his sword, blood dripping from newly created wounds. Roaring in a mix between surprise and anger the hairy creature swings at Farraine once more but again the skilled fighter deflects the blow and his sword meets woolly flesh, tearing fur and skin. The beast’s second strike hits its target and Farraine recoils in pain, grabbing at his waist as blood drips onto the brilliant white snow below.
Sigrid, beginning to get frustrated at her lack of progress thus far, mutters some words of power and two of the ugliest birds you have ever seen spawn into existence. Sigrid whispers to the Vultures, asking them for their assistance. It appears she is now wondering where the rest of the party is, her brief encounter with the snow creature has her worried for her friend’s safety. As Finn swoops through the air he notices off into the distance Farraine battling with a huge beast, almost blending in with the white of the frozen flakes as they whip through the sky. Finn draws his crossbow, raises the sight to his eye, takes a deep breath, holds it, his mind in a state of pure stillness, blocking out the chaos of his surroundings, his finger tightens around the trigger, there's a "pumft" as the bow string hurls the bolt through the air with lightning speed it's journey ends with a "pfft" as it embeds itself deep in the snow some 5 metres or so from the raging monster. Finn curses beneath his breath as he guides his wyvern closer. From behind the huffed halfling, Lucian has also set his sights on the white creature and utters words of power, the beast recoils in pain as the spell hits its target. Farraine gazes up into the sky to see where the attacks came from and is delighted to see his friends swooping in to help. He attacks the creature once more but his joy seems to have affected his skills and the creature manages to fend off his wild attacks. With another wide swing of its hairy arms two more gashes appear on Farraine's waist, the pool of red snow at his feet grows steadily with each passing moment.
Sigrid, wading through the snow with increased frustration, decides she has had enough and in the blink of an eye morphs into the form of a giant eagle. Her wings beat down on the snow floor, sending plumes of powder into the air that are swiftly blown sideways by the strong gale. She takes flight and heads off in search of her party. Turning your attention once more, our fearless halfling once again has his crossbow held outwards, the point of the bolt directed at the bloodied beast, his eye narrows as his finger squeezes on the trigger. Once again the bolt flies from the housing, streaks across the stormy sky and buries itself deep in the skull of the snow creature. It lets out a whimper as it slumps to the soft, powdery snow. Finn locks eyes with the injured fighter below and gives him a brief salute. Signalling to the wizard behind him Finn points to Farraine and the Wizard descends to pick up their companion. Heading further into the storm the halfling is joined by Sigrid who swoops on ahead, her keen eyes scanning the snowy tundra below for signs of the missing Bard. After a few moments she sees a bulge in the snow below and what looks to be a foot. She glides down quickly followed by Finn and then Lucian and Farraine. They dig frantically at the mound of ice and are horrified at the sight of a blood covered bard, no breath, no heartbeat. They are at a loss. Their friend and companion, a hero of their adventures, lies dead and unresponsive. It appears his appalling mastery of Eldritch Blasts has finally caught up with him.
After a few moments of shock the party realise how unprepared they are, how coming here was a mistake, they should never have split up. How could they have been so stupid? But all of that is quickly flushed from their minds as they try to decide what to do next. Finn has already been brought back from the dead so surely they can do the same for Beef. Finn rummages around in the Bard's backpack, searching for a magical scroll to revive their fallen comrade. He finds nothing. What's next? They need additional help. They need to get Beef off this mountain and back to civilisation and help. Finn begins to stuff the Bard's clothing with snow in a desperate attempt to preserve the body. Sigrid mentions that she may be able to perform a spell to bring the Bard back from death but there is a snag, there is a possibility that he will not return the same as he was before. Sat in the snow surrounding their friend the party carefully consider their options, On the one hand they have to wait for the Druid to study the spell that could bring him back changed, on the other they have a long flight back to either the Elven village or Waterdeep, one which would all too likely have a significant effect on the Crooner's corpse and the effectiveness of any ritual that may reverse the process. After a moment Lucian's synapses begin firing and he recalls that he has a teleportation circle set up in the basement of Trollskull Manor. A plan of action begins to form. Lucian and Sigrid will take the lifeless body through the teleportation circle and seek aid from the High Council. Finn and Farraine will fly the wyverns back to Waterdeep and pray for their friend's safe return. Lucian conjures a magical circle on the ground, lifts the bound body of Beef over his shoulder and steps inside and vanishes immediately. Sigrid follows closely behind, leaving Finn and Farraine staring at the bloody pool in the snow before them.
Back in Trollskull Manor there is a pop as two snow covered figures appear in the basement. The smell of ale and food offers a brief comfort before the weight of the situation comes rushing back. Ozen wanders into the basement and is taken aback by their sudden appearance, he is happy to see them again. Lucian and Sigrid notice that the Barman/jailer has a number of bruises on his face. It transpires that during their absence, a number of delinquents raided the tavern looking for the party and barman had to put them in their place but not before they passed on a message that Noska sends his regards. He notices the body slung over Lucian's shoulder and his face turns pale. "What happened? Is that......Master Beef?" Sigrid quickly explains the situation and the barman swiftly bounds upstairs to prepare transport to the palace. The carriage carrying Lucian, Sigrid and the late Beef speed through the streets towards the palace. Stopping at the gates Sigrid tells the guard that they seek an audience with the council members, their friend is in dire need. The guard heads into the castle, returning moments later with Laeral Silverhand. She looks inside the carriage at the still form of Beef as Sigrid tells of their battles and the need to bring Beef back from the dead. "There is little that can be done here, take him to the Temple of Lythander, the priests there may be able to help." Thanking the good Lady for her assistance the carriage turns and heads toward the Temple. The cobblestones rattle the carriage as it speeds towards a hopeful solution almost skidding to a halt as they reach the steps of the ancient temple. Bursting through the doors the pair are met by a robed clergy, Sigrid, explains their need once more and a grave expression creeps across the priest's face as he looks at the limp figure being carried by the Wizard.
"Wait here, I'll get help" A moment later the Priest returns, flanked by two more. They introduce themselves as Brother Calder, Sister Ghentilara And Brother Garrick. Sister Ghentilara bids welcome to Lucian and Sigrid and explains that Brother Garrick may be able to assist them in bringing back their friend. Once again though there is a price to pay and the ritual may not be successful despite Brother Garrick's skills in such matters. Sigrid agrees to their terms and as the body of the Bard is taken into the inner Sanctum she and Lucian return to Trollskull Manor to get the money needed to buy the diamond materials needed for the ritual. Returning the following morning Lucian and Sigrid return to the Temple and hand over the materials for the ritual. They are ushered into the inner sanctum where a number of priests surround the body of Beef, laid out on an altar at the centre of the room. Candle light bathes the room in a warm, flickering glow as Brother Garrick prepares the ritual. A rhythmic chant begins, flooding the sanctum. Brother Garrick takes a deep breath and commences the incantation. The strain etched on his face getting greater and greater as the ritual continues. Sigrid and Lucian look on, helpless as the chanting continues and grows, their fingers cross autonomously. After an hour of anxious anticipation Brother Garrick's face contorts in one final concerted effort as he channels divine magic into one last crescendo, then silence engulfs the room. Time slips by slowly, the silence, deafening, everlasting.
"I'm sorry....I'm so sorry....the soul.....it refused to return. There is nothing more I can do" Lucian collapses to his knees as Sigrid rushes up to the altar, her eyes close and her hands move over the prone, lifeless body. She no longer cares how Beef is returned to them, just that he is returned. Waving frantically she lets out a gasp as her magic fails. The Bard is Dead....still....and forever more.
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