Sugar Plum Yuletide (Let the Exorcism Begin)
Note: This adventure is based on the "Banquet of Death" module for 5e. It has been adapted for edition and level.
21 Frostkolt 348 AC
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"Carla, our local hedge-witch. I ran into her in town a couple weeks ago and she gave me some biscuits. That night, I watched a worm crawl out of an apple and it started talking to me!" Mortimer forces himself to his feet and staggers across the room. "It told me that if I didn't do what it told me to, the maggots it put in my stomach would kill me!" He opens a cabinet, using one arm to prop himself up on the countertop as he roots around inside. He produces a black, stone mortar and pestle. "I grind the maggots in this and mix them into the pie and bake them in the oven over a black powder while chanting words I don't understand. Today, I went to make another batch and the powder was gone. Then I heard the Jacksal's house caught fire and I knew what happened. I need this to stop! I need these things out of me!"
Raven, still holding Nightwatcher, speaks a single word, "Reveal." The black pearl in the pommel begins to glow. The elf extends the gem toward Mortimer and nothing happens. He slowly sweeps the sword's handle around the stricken farmer. As the pearl passes near to the man's stomach, it begins to glow with an eldritch light. Raven looks at Grotto. "Something evil lurks in his belly so at least that much of his story is true."
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"Carla, our local hedge-witch. I ran into her in town a couple weeks ago and she gave me some biscuits. That night, I watched a worm crawl out of an apple and it started talking to me!" Mortimer forces himself to his feet and staggers across the room. "It told me that if I didn't do what it told me to, the maggots it put in my stomach would kill me!" He opens a cabinet, using one arm to prop himself up on the countertop as he roots around inside. He produces a black, stone mortar and pestle. "I grind the maggots in this and mix them into the pie and bake them in the oven over a black powder while chanting words I don't understand. Today, I went to make another batch and the powder was gone. Then I heard the Jacksal's house caught fire and I knew what happened. I need this to stop! I need these things out of me!"
Raven, still holding Nightwatcher, speaks a single word, "Reveal." The black pearl in the pommel begins to glow. The elf extends the gem toward Mortimer and nothing happens. He slowly sweeps the sword's handle around the stricken farmer. As the pearl passes near to the man's stomach, it begins to glow with an eldritch light. Raven looks at Grotto. "Something evil lurks in his belly so at least that much of his story is true."
Mortimer gasps out, "There is a temple to the Harvest goddess near the center of town. Dakara is our priestess." *cough cough long wheeze*
Raven and Grotto manage to wrestle Mortimer up onto the back of his plow horse and secure him in place enough to keep him from falling off. They take him to the temple where preparations are well underway for the contest that will be kicking off in a few short hours. As they arrive, an older blond lady wearing in a white dress trimmed in green and a wreath of wildflowers atop her head looks up and makes a beeline toward the adventurers. Concern spreads across her face as she moves closer. "Mortimer, what's wrong?" She looks at Grotto and Raven, "What happened to him?"
"He is very ill, we are taking him to the temple. And who might you be?"
The woman pulls up short, "I am Dakara Spuma, Headmistress of St. Oswald's. Again, what has happened to Mortimer?"
Mortimer begins to explain, with Raven a d Grotto filling in details when the cursed farmer is unable to speak. Dakara's face becomes grave. "He is not cursed. He is possessed. A Gluttony Demon has taken a hold of him. I can drive it out but I will need the help of a second priest."
Grotto sees the festival preparations and gets very worried. He speaks to Raven.
"We need to delay the fest somehow. Who knows if this food being served has been tainted. Last thing we want is a town full of maggots! We must find Harrick to explain how the sickness is spread and tell him of the lead we have on the potential source. We have to assume no food is safe for consumption!"
"I will take care of it," the swordsman replies, "and see if I can learn where this hedge-witch, Carla, can be found!"
"Sounds like a plan, my good cop!" Grotto quips to Raven.
Then he speaks to Dakara,
"Dakara, I am Grotto Grimmbeard. High Priest of my order in service to the great and mighty Hanseath, the war god of my people. I have never performed an exorcism but I will assist and learn all I can. I will follow your lead in the task at hand. So lead the way to the temple so we can prepare!"
Grotto is very excited. He has never participated in an exorcism. He wonders if he drives the demon from its host will a battle ensue with it after. He will be sure to have his axe close by during the ceremony.
Dakara orders everyone out of the temple. She then helps Mortimer walk down to the altar and has him lie down. "Grotto, begin lighting these candles - use whatever traditional blessing you invoke while doing so. I will be right back."
By the time Grotto has finished lighting the candles and given a simple invocation, Dakara trundles back in with a coil of rope slung over her shoulder. She has also donned a heavy, leather apron and is carrying a canvas satchel.
She drops everything upon reaching the altar, opens the bag and begins taking out vials of holy water. She points to the rope, "Tie his arms down. One of the last things you want during this sort of ceremony is a blow to head in the middle of a prayer to expel the offending demon."
Once Mortimer is secured, Dakara kneels on one side of the farmer and has Grotto kneel across from her. "We will start with blessings, prayers for assistance from our deities, and supplications for the well-being of the afflicted. If you need a privy break, go now because once we start, there is no quitting."
"Be right back then!"
Grotto runs to use the facilities and hurries back
"Dakara, this may sound trivial, but since this is my first exorcism, I was wondering if you might have proper vestments I might don? Something that would still fit over my armor. I don't want to take off my armor in case this demon exits the man looking for a battle. I want to be prepared!"
"What do priests of your faith typically wear," Dakara asks.
"For our purposes, a simple tabard and belt to tie it at the waist. Also, if I could be allowed to draw on the front of it the holy symbol of my god, a great axe."
The priestess looks around, "I'm sorry. I don't think I have anything that would fit someone of your stature. You said your god is a war god, so maybe your armor will suffice?"
"Aye, my battlefield vestments will do just fine!" smiles Grotto. "I have taken part of many battles and am well equipped to deal with this evil. Would you allow me to cast 'Protection from Evil' upon you? I feel the wrath of this demon will be more focused upon you since you are leading the ritual."
"That would be kind of you," Dakara replies. "Now, let us begin."
Meanwhile, Raven stops one of the townsfolk and asks where Lord Harrick may be. It takes two tries but Womford isn't that big. He tells the Master of Ironford about Mortimer and cursed pies. Harrick dispatches men to shut down the contest. Once that is in progress, Raven asks where he can find the hedge-witch Carla. It turns out that she has a small cottage just a few hundred feet from the temple. When Raven arrives, he finds a note on the door saying that she’s gone out to visit her family. A white dog with a sad look on her face is lying in the grass nearby. The dog stares steadily at the ranger.
Raven crouches and extends one arm, offering the back of his left hand for the dog to sniff. At the same time, he calls upon a little used power granted to him by Shaundukal - the ability to speak with animals. "Hello there, my name is Raven. What is your name?"
The dog sits up, its tail wagging hesitantly. "Nala."
Raven nods. "It is good to meet you Nala. Are you waiting for Carla?"
The dog shakes its head, "No see Carla. Wait long time. Need her help. Belfur dead."
"And who is Belfur?"
"Master." Nala stops and scratches herself behind her left ear. "Master is Carla's mate."
The woman pulls up short, "I am Dakara Spuma, Headmistress of St. Oswald's. Again, what has happened to Mortimer?"
Mortimer begins to explain, with Raven a d Grotto filling in details when the cursed farmer is unable to speak. Dakara's face becomes grave. "He is not cursed. He is possessed. A Gluttony Demon has taken a hold of him. I can drive it out but I will need the help of a second priest."
Grotto sees the festival preparations and gets very worried. He speaks to Raven.
"We need to delay the fest somehow. Who knows if this food being served has been tainted. Last thing we want is a town full of maggots! We must find Harrick to explain how the sickness is spread and tell him of the lead we have on the potential source. We have to assume no food is safe for consumption!"
"I will take care of it," the swordsman replies, "and see if I can learn where this hedge-witch, Carla, can be found!"
"Sounds like a plan, my good cop!" Grotto quips to Raven.
Then he speaks to Dakara,
"Dakara, I am Grotto Grimmbeard. High Priest of my order in service to the great and mighty Hanseath, the war god of my people. I have never performed an exorcism but I will assist and learn all I can. I will follow your lead in the task at hand. So lead the way to the temple so we can prepare!"
Grotto is very excited. He has never participated in an exorcism. He wonders if he drives the demon from its host will a battle ensue with it after. He will be sure to have his axe close by during the ceremony.
Dakara orders everyone out of the temple. She then helps Mortimer walk down to the altar and has him lie down. "Grotto, begin lighting these candles - use whatever traditional blessing you invoke while doing so. I will be right back."
By the time Grotto has finished lighting the candles and given a simple invocation, Dakara trundles back in with a coil of rope slung over her shoulder. She has also donned a heavy, leather apron and is carrying a canvas satchel.
She drops everything upon reaching the altar, opens the bag and begins taking out vials of holy water. She points to the rope, "Tie his arms down. One of the last things you want during this sort of ceremony is a blow to head in the middle of a prayer to expel the offending demon."
Once Mortimer is secured, Dakara kneels on one side of the farmer and has Grotto kneel across from her. "We will start with blessings, prayers for assistance from our deities, and supplications for the well-being of the afflicted. If you need a privy break, go now because once we start, there is no quitting."
"Be right back then!"
Grotto runs to use the facilities and hurries back
"Dakara, this may sound trivial, but since this is my first exorcism, I was wondering if you might have proper vestments I might don? Something that would still fit over my armor. I don't want to take off my armor in case this demon exits the man looking for a battle. I want to be prepared!"
"What do priests of your faith typically wear," Dakara asks.
"For our purposes, a simple tabard and belt to tie it at the waist. Also, if I could be allowed to draw on the front of it the holy symbol of my god, a great axe."
The priestess looks around, "I'm sorry. I don't think I have anything that would fit someone of your stature. You said your god is a war god, so maybe your armor will suffice?"
"Aye, my battlefield vestments will do just fine!" smiles Grotto. "I have taken part of many battles and am well equipped to deal with this evil. Would you allow me to cast 'Protection from Evil' upon you? I feel the wrath of this demon will be more focused upon you since you are leading the ritual."
"That would be kind of you," Dakara replies. "Now, let us begin."
Meanwhile, Raven stops one of the townsfolk and asks where Lord Harrick may be. It takes two tries but Womford isn't that big. He tells the Master of Ironford about Mortimer and cursed pies. Harrick dispatches men to shut down the contest. Once that is in progress, Raven asks where he can find the hedge-witch Carla. It turns out that she has a small cottage just a few hundred feet from the temple. When Raven arrives, he finds a note on the door saying that she’s gone out to visit her family. A white dog with a sad look on her face is lying in the grass nearby. The dog stares steadily at the ranger.
Raven crouches and extends one arm, offering the back of his left hand for the dog to sniff. At the same time, he calls upon a little used power granted to him by Shaundukal - the ability to speak with animals. "Hello there, my name is Raven. What is your name?"
The dog sits up, its tail wagging hesitantly. "Nala."
Raven nods. "It is good to meet you Nala. Are you waiting for Carla?"
The dog shakes its head, "No see Carla. Wait long time. Need her help. Belfur dead."
"And who is Belfur?"
"Master." Nala stops and scratches herself behind her left ear. "Master is Carla's mate."
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