Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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The Moundshroud Residence:

The woman waved her hand over to Arissa and a glass filled with wine appeared in it. "Strong enough that even your spirit might feel it," she says laughing for a moment. Seeing the silence of everyone she she shakes her head. "Suit yourself." She taps on her glass and it become full once more. The woman seems to observe everyone looking around the room and a faint smile hang on her lips. "Between good and evil? I guess that depends on where you stand doesn't it?"

Her attention turns to Bernard as he speaks to her, and she shrugs. "I am Phoebe Jenadine Sinclair, a humble follower of Hala and caretaker to the Moundshroud Residence you find yourself in. I had assumed you where here for some cure to an ailment that modern healers could not mend, or a magic potion to make you stronger... or faster... or smarter," she says as she looks between some of you. "I might even have a thing or two to cover up some of the smell you seemed to have dragged in with you..."

Violette crosses her arms, "So you're a hedge witch in the middle of the swamp, but you do have a nice choice of decor," said Violette looking at the flayed man portrait. "Who in their right mind painted this? I can't imagine the type of person that could draw it so... realistically."

"I'm fairly certain that came from a Borcan couple known for their strange paintings. This is one of the more tame pieces, but if you look closely it's almost as if the person is still alive in the painting," says Phoebe. Violette looks away from the painting finally.

"I noticed...." she says moving over to one of the couches and leans against the back of it, crossing her arms.
 
Léone nods curiously at Phoebe, still sneaking glances around while trying to understand the strange nature of the scenery around her. "It's a pleasure, Ms. Sinclair. I'll start us off, my name is Éloïse Léone Vaugrenard but feel free to just call me Léone." She flashes a slight smile, fiddling with the broom in her hands as her gaze continued to wander slightly. "Apologies for not taking you up on your offer, I'm simply fascinated by your decor - that painting over there's a wonderful depiction of the Siege of Nartok, and the artist really captured the Barovian heraldry well in this one here. Is this your personal collection or simply maintained?" Rather than trying to build up pleasantries, she seemed legitimately curious about the strange nature of this humble abode.

Her eyes catch the ring on her finger and she perks up a bit, her interest piqued. "You mentioned Hala? I might've been able to guess, I could recognize that insignia anywhere - especially with fine craftmanship like that. A loop of snakes... it's some fairly unique symbolism, indeed. Do you associate with one of the covens or work independently?" She chuckles a bit, amused by how much she actually remembered about the lesser known belief. "Unfortunately our business today is a bit... different than your usual fare, I suppose. I could start us off but I feel like an explanation is best left to the others - I'm mostly here as support if need be."
 
Bernard was about to speak when Leone spoke up. He smiled and waited for her to finish, following the conversation. He found the art impressive and was even more impressed that Leone could place some of the imagery. Then she spoke of this Hala and their relationship to snakes as a symbol and Bernard tried not to tense. When Leone finally passed the conversation over to "the others", Bernard could not help but speak up, he had knocked on the door.

Stepping forward out of the group, he gave a warm smile and a subtle nod, "It is nice to meet you Phoebe. I am Father Bernard Hathoway, head of the Ezran Parish in Blackburn's Crossing. Leone and Arissa have already introduced themselves. The others are Violette Reiner from Richemulot, Kallisto... Wr... Ramos of Blackburn's Crossing, and the fox is Peri." Bernard hesitated, unsure of Kallisto's last name, he wanted to give her one like Wright or Deckard, but then recalled Marcus' name and felt it appropriate to use. He paced around the room as he spoke. "We have come seeking knowledge of a creature who roams these parts, a great serpent. We hope you might have answers for some of our many questions."
 
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The Moundshroud Residence:

"Maintained, I am not the owner of this manor merely a caretaker," says Phoebe in response to Leone's question. "It seems that broom might not just be for show after all. I'm part of a coven yes, though me and my sister's have drifted apart as of recently. It's the usual reasons for drifting a part.... men."

She does not linger on the subject long instead turning her attention to Bernard. "Ah, I see now why you travel with such a large group but if you have questions about the creature than you must already know it is pointless to try and kill. After a few days she will rise again in a new body, but I am curious as to why you seek the creature. None of you have anything to fear from the beast.... save you," says Phoebe pointing a golden clawed finger to Kallisto. While waiting for a response the witch takes another sip of her wine.
 
Recalling Perian's words of Ferrin warning her to stay away from the Witch in this area, Kallisto had stayed silent -- afraid she might say the wrong thing, but also attempting to make sure she didn't accidentally break something. Listening to the conversation she had looked around the inside of the home, surprised at how ornate it was, until attention was brought towards her.

She adjusted her hold on Perian, currently a fox being held in Kallisto's arms, Aluc resting on her shoulder as well, "... I've had some idea that the serpent might seek me out, though I'm unsure ... if it's merely because of what I am, or what I carry. I was ... sought out, told I would somehow be the one to finally put it to rest. However, I am ... unsure what that fully means. I know it was a guardian at one point, but I do not know who or what it guarded. I know it has ... begun to make it's own 'children', but why and how, I do not know." Kallisto gave a growl of a sigh, "I also know it's 'children' are those who once belonged to the tribe here in the swamps."

Kallisto met the gaze of the woman, eye focused for a moment on her ring, "From what I have heard, it sounds as though it has been corrupted ... I think it's time to put it to rest. For its sake and others." She bowed her head slightly, "We came ... hoping for insight on things we're unaware of, an idea of the ... larger picture I suppose. I know the serpent has come to you ... but I do not know if it came to ask for your help as well."
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"Corrupted? More like driven insane is the like," says Phoebe with a touch of sadness in her voice. "She is a discarded thing of a people that either left or had no further use for her kind. She was part of a bonded pair from what I've been able to get out of her. Imagine waking up after dying and every time that you expected a connection to a companion it was gone... She will not rest until all of who she considers traitors are dead."

Sipping into her wine again for a moment she then adds, "You may all stay the night, but I will not have a battle on my front door step. As the Caretaker of this house I simply could not in good conscious offer more than this small respite."
 
Kallisto nodded, her own expression saddened, "I had thought as much. As I said, I intend to finally put her to rest -- a chance to break from her cycle ... If she has gone insane, she may not realize what I offer, though I would like to somehow explain it to her -- a small chance for peace instead of merely fighting to the death."

She bowed her head again as the woman continued, "The offer is appreciated, as is your knowledge."
 
Bernard shakes his head as he listens to the discussion between the two, "Why is it that something goes wrong and 'kill it' seems to be the response? Is there not another way? Could we not help this creature and spare it rather than killing it?" Bernard scratches his chin as he considers what's being discussed. "What about its children and the natives? What happens when the serpent is dead? Does the Maw kill the children? Do the natives attack the Crossing?" He looks to Phoebe, "Why is the serpent attacking the natives? What does the tribe have to do with Legba and why does he want the serpent gone, what does he gain?" He turns to Kallisto with a frown, "Hasn't there been enough death?"
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

Phoebe's eyes briefly look over to Bernard as he speaks of a few things, then back to Kallisto as she seems to examine her closely from head to toe. "You could attempt to raise it's mate from the grave but you'd have to find it's body first, otherwise I'm afraid she seems rather adamant for the destruction of the indigenous tribe and those of it's blood," says Phoebe as she reaches up a hand and yawns as if tired of the subject already. "It stands to reason if her bonded one is dead, and she considers the tribe traitors I would trust that you're powers of deduction would suffice in resolving the mystery. As for Papa Legba and the tribe... the only relationship that I know of there is that they revere him as the Shadowman. A God that while requiring sacrifice for intervention has allowed them to survive so long against the serpent."
 
Bernard laughed, "Honestly, as I've recently discovered my powers of deduction are lacking. There's a reason I'm a priest and not a town guard." He smiled, continuing, "I know Papap Legba to be a fiend - I have a nose for those sorts of things. Though with his power, I could see how some might revere him as a god. I do wonder what the limits to his power are, if his deals are mutable or even if they can be broken or transferred." Bernard shrugs voicing his thoughts out loud. He looked to the rest of the party, "I suppose that without the corpse and lacking sufficient power to resurrect the mate, we should again resign ourselves to the hunt." Bernard then turns back to Pheobe with a smile, "Thank you for the information and for your hospitality. Would you mind if I made dinner? It's the least I can do and I'm sure my friends are better company than I. Is it safe to fish the lake?" Bernard's mind wandered as he thought of all the fish dishes he could make, sure that he could find one that might please Arissa and remind her ever so slightly of home.
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"That's probably for the best, it would probably wake up and want revenge on the ones that killed it anyways. Not sure your thoughts towards the tribe but it could potentially make it worse," says Violette off from the side of the room looking at the Natrok painting. She seems to be observing that piece in particular with some interest.

"As you say," says Phoebe, before turning to Bernard. "It is safe to fish... but I would not swim in the waters without the boats. Somehow two large sharks have found a home somewhere down in the depths. Please do not ruin my kitchen or break anything within the house. I will be out back if you need anything else from me before then. Do not wander down the hallways to the left and right, for they like to change and there is no telling where you will end up. Up the stairs are enough rooms for everyone. Do not worry about taking the one I am staying in, that is the only one that is locked."
 
Arissa’s eyes widen briefly as the drink appeared in her hands, but she took it and raised the glass appreciatively before listening to the conversation, nursing the glass in her hands. When Phoebe spoke of her capabilities as a healer, Arissa immediately thought of Jonathan. Could it be that we have found a way to cure him without invoking the Mist’s wrath? Arissa glanced over at Bernard, wondering if he had a similar thought, but then focused back on the conversation.

When the topic of the Naga’s mate came up, Arissa immediately recalled the terrifying memory of seeing Bernard when he was unable to recognize her. Gods... I do not know what I would have done if it were permanent... perhaps I would have ended up like this beast, a shadow of my former self... Not wishing to entertain the thought any further, Arissa took a drink of her wine, frowning at the unexpectedly bitter taste, but satisfied that it seemed able to do the trick.

As Bernard finished his conversation with Phoebe, Arissa found her thoughts growing scattered and hazy. She heard a strange noise and looked around to see where it had come from, and found herself looking at the gruesome painting of the flayed man earlier. She felt as if something was hiding just in the periphery of her vision, and cranes her neck to look behind her, shocked to see the outlines of her boney wings. She quickly glanced around to see if anyone else seemed to notice, spotting a butler lurking in the corner she had not seen before. Seeing a lack of reaction from her companions, she brought a hand to her back and at finding no resistance, she shrugged and turned back to Phoebe, focusing her efforts on keeping her mannerisms normal. “Thank you so much for being such a gracious host, Phoebe. If you would not mind... there is some business I would wish to speak with you about... entirely unrelated to this Naga talk. Could you spare a moment?”
 
Léone nods as the conversation comes to a close, agreeing with the conclusions of the rest of the group. "We wouldn't even know where to find the body, especially if it regenerates anew every time... or would the resurrection work on any of the bodies? Obviously out of the ordinary..."

At the offer to stay the night, she glances around at the hallways curiously before turning back to Phoebe with a respectful smile, slowly placing her broom back inside the bag at her side. "Well, thank you for the offer. I'm just curious, you mentioned the shifting nature of the residence... if you don't mind me asking, is this considered a demiplane of some sort? I thought I'd take the opportunity of safe haven to send a message to someone back in town, but I'm aware that such things go awry if you're not on the same plane of existence."

Glancing over at Arissa when she mentions "other" business she frowns slightly, but doesn't say anything out loud as they start to walk off their own direction, instead whispering as she turns away. "I hope you're not thinking of doing anything reckless without consulting the rest of us." She wasn't going to interfere, but hopefully her friend knew what she was doing.
 
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The Moundshroud Residence:

"Some rooms of this house are, and others aren't. I would try outside just in case," she mentions before looking over to Arissa. "We can speak while I garden in the back Arissa."

She turns back to everyone for a moment. "Should you need anything just give a holler to Giles, he's a friend spirit of the manor though a bit shy," says Phoebe before waving Arissa to follow. Arissa sees the man dressed in the butler outfit bow for a moment.

"Giles?" asks Violette looking around for a moment and takes a few steps backward as if slightly concerned about there being a spirit in the house. Arissa notices she almost steps right back into him but doesn't seem to notice. Upon following through the double doors and passing through a half dining room half kitchen another set of doors leads to the back where a large tree filled with the large orange objects that Arissa had seen on the way in. After a moment she realizes they are carved pumpkins with faces seemingly carved or grown into them. They hang from the tree and glow faintly from an inner light. Phoebe makes her away around the low branches to start taking some of the non-glowing jack-o-lanterns and placing them on the ground.

"What in particular did you want to ask about Arissa?"
 
Arissa glanced briefly back at Léone before she followed after the seemingly friendly witch. Right before she left the room, she heard Léone’s voice speak in her ear. She quickly responded. “I have no intentions of doing anything too rash... but she may be able to save Jonathan... I have to know.

As she entered the back garden, Arissa stopped for a moment and stared up at the tree in confusion. “What is it that you are doing with those pompoen?” Arissa then turned to Phoebe as she addressed her and smiled sheepishly. “My apologies, my thoughts are a tad scattered at the moment. It seems that you provided everything that I had wanted and more in my drink. Anyways, that is besides the point.” Arissa’s expression grows serious. “Earlier you spoke of being able to cure ailments thought to be incurable... a dear friend of mine is dying, and I was wondering if you were able to help, and what the price for your aid would be.”
 
Near the Halloween Tree:

"That entirely depends on what he is dying from my dear Arissa," she says as she pulls another pumpkin down off the lower branch. "I'm taking them down so that other's may grow and not grow tangled. The tree here holds the faces of all who will die during the harvest season, whether it be this season or the next or the one after that. Some of the pumpkin's burn for a very long time before fading."

Pheobe takes a look at one for a prolonged moment before shaking her head and putting it down on the ground as well. The pumpkins lightless pumpkin's she takes off the tree seem to wither and die over the course of a few minutes.
 
Arissa stared at the pumpkins for a few moments, wondering if there were any faces of those she knew on it, but unable to make anything out. She turned back to Phoebe with a sad smile. “I am afraid it is a complicated story. My friend, Jonathan, made a bargain with de schaduwman, Legba to pay the cost for any deals that I had made upon hearing of my intent to do so.”

Arissa pauses for a moment before drawing her blade and offering it to Phoebe for inspection. “Unaware of the terms of the prior bargain, I dealt with Legba again in order to gain the power to protect my friends. He agreed to bind the soul trapped within that blade to my use... and apparently is using my friend’s life force in order to do so. Godefroy describes it as the construction of a bridge, with me on one end, the spirit on the other, and Jonathan as the material... I am not certain if that makes sense to you or not. Is this even something that is within your ability to fix?” Arissa looked to Phoebe hopefully, praying that she had found some sort of solution to save Jonathan.
 
Near the Halloween Tree:

Phoebe sighed at the explanation putting a hand to her head and shaking it. "The arrogance of some men, trying to take on our burdens so that we remain weak, which makes us unlikely to realize the consequences of our own actions," says Phoebe as she listens to Arissa continue her story. The next Pumpkin she takes down is a blackened pumpkin. "Rotton to the core I see...."

She sets that one down and then turns back to Arissa with a dispassionate look. "Who is this Godefroy? Nevermind that, what you need to consider is what you'd be willing to use instead for that bridge. The Shadowman or Papa Legba if you prefer is obsessed with keeping some modicum of balance. I suppose it is in his nature," says Phoebe finally clapping her hands together and made a shooing motion to the pumpkins on the ground as they got blown away in a gentle wind. "The only way that I would know to save your friend is to put someone else within the binding before it completes. That of course depends on you're moral compass at sacrificing another soul for the task. I just so happen to have a spare soul that could fit the bill but then you'd be indebted to me. I'm not sure you want to trade one debt for another."
 
Arissa frowns slightly at Phoebe’s answer. “I cannot say I am particularly thrilled by the thought of paying debts Roth debts either. I mean no offense, but my friend is dying to save me from myself... I cannot imagine how he would react to learning that I had spurned his sacrifice in such a way.“

Arissa pauses to think for a few moments before looking back at Phoebe. “I am afraid I have several questions... both in regards to our arrangement itself, and to the consequences of such action. First... why is it that the process could not be halted now? I clearly have access to the abilities that are being granted to me. Is it not possible to simply freeze the process as it is now? Second, if you do not pardon my asking, who does this soul that you possess belong to? This is more of a curiosity to me than anything else. Third, what would happen if you were to use a portion of the spirit within the blade to finish formation of the bridge? Would that not leave my friend with life force to spare?”

Arissa frowns again, frustrated by her uncertainty. “My apologies if I am asking too many questions, but you had said, I was not made privy to the consequences of my actions before the deal had been made... would you care to enlighten me on our agreement? I have learned the hard way that dealing with fiends leaves a scar on one’s soul that is almost impossible to remove... would this have a similar cost? Also, in what manner would you ask that I repay my debt to you? Again must apologize, but I am done with signing the contract before I know the terms. I want nothing more than to save the life of my friend, but he would never forgive me if I merely traded his suffering for my own.”
 
Near the Halloween Tree:

"Quiet the chatty one but you seem to have your understanding based on a crude metaphor. Think of you're friends soul as a thread to weave the blades power tightly to yours, and if we pull him from the seam before it is complete the whole thing will unravel. Instead we rethread another soul as it slowly works it's way backwards the new thread fills in the gaps," says Phoebe putting her hands on her hips for a moment looking at Arissa. "Please, a contract? You would simply be doing me a favor.... lets see.... the man mentioned you were all from the crossing no?"

"I've an idea, you can take something for me so that I can finally round up a pesky runaway, that's been hiding in you're town. Ultimately he is rather harmless on his own but where he ever to take root it could spell bad news. Something that helps both you and me out," says Phoebe after a short time of thinking about the favor she'd ask. "As for the soul. It was my son's if you must know."
 
Arissa listens to the thankfully simple enough explanation from Phoebe and looks to her sadly. “I am sorry to hear about your son. You have my condolences, Phoebe.“ She then stops to think for a moment before asking another question. “So are you saying that this would also begin to reverse the process and return his strength to him? That would be truly wonderful if you were able to do this. Is it something you have many times before?”

As Phoebe spoke of her end of the bargain, Arissa tilted her head slightly to think. “I am afraid that I am not originally from these lands at all, and am unsure of who you are speaking of... I hail from beyond the Mists from a land named Carmanth, and have only been here for a little over a month. Unfortunately, you may have to be a little more specific with the man’s identity if I am to find him for you.”
 
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Near the Halloween Tree:

"Don't be," says Phoebe waving a hand dismissively on the subject. "I have not done something like this before not exactly at least. As for the identity of the person do not worry, you're involvement will be simple. You will take a bag and bury it under the floorboard of an empty house. Simple."

"If you choose to agree to this, than I'm afraid you won't be getting much sleep tonight, I'll have to prepare my room for the task," says Phoebe gazing from Arissa to a pumpkin that seemed to be flickering on the tree. "Hmmm... this one doesn't have much longer. Maybe a day or two."
 
Arissa's eyes fall on the pumpkin Phoebe was staring at and immediately recognized the face on it. She glances at the sword in her hands and sees translucent spider-silk like strands weaving together forming a tether between herself and the blade, looking nearly fully formed. Arissa stops to think for a moment and tries to weigh her options before smiling apologetically to Phoebe. "I appreciate the offer... truly, I do, but would you mind if I deferred my decision until after our meal? I am afraid I am still a tad cloudy minded from the wine from earlier, and I believe this is a decision I should make on a clear head, ja? If I were to be quite frank, however... I would be lying if I said that I were not leaning towards accepting."
 
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Near the Halloween Tree:

Phoebe shrugs as if disinterested. "Whatever you decide, I'll be around the house," says Phoebe shaking her head at the pumpkin above them before clapping her hands a few times to remove dirt from her fingers, and then heads inside the house.
 
Léone glances back at Arissa as she leaves with Phoebe, frowning but not saying much of it. "She'll be fine, probably. I'll have to check up on her later, though if she doesn't come to me first."

Stepping outside a minute or two after they leave, she finds a quiet corner and sits down cross-legged, taking a deep breath and enjoying the peaceful lakeside scenery for once. After she had taken a few minutes to relax, she slowly pulls out her wand and begins to trace a faint glyph in the air, thinking of James as she leans in to speak. "Hey James, just checking in. It's hectic but we're fine, getting closer. How are things? Any news, emergencies? Twenty-five word reply. I love you~"

She cracks a faints smile as the words seem to dissapate into the air almost instantly, leaning back as she waited for a response. After a few seconds, she hears a familiar voice echo back to her in her mind. "OH! I remember how this spell works. I am worried about you, but nothing crazy that I am aware of yet. I love you too." She blinks a couple times then stifles a chuckle, stowing her wand back away as Violette happened to walk up just after.

"O-oh, hey," she says, trying to play off the awkwardness of laughing to herself. "I was just sending a message back to town - seems they're doing fine for the moment. I'll be inside soon for dinner." After Violette leaves, she scratches her head and relaxes a bit on the ground, deciding to get a few more minutes of fresh air before going back inside.
 
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