"NOOOO!!!" came a shout as Radulf and Lili stopped in front of the council hut and Radulf lowered Odvir to the ground. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??!!!" It was Warden-Captain Erik, running up to them, then falling to his knees and cradling his son.
"Ragnaid?!" he asked Odvir, "Are you there?!"
Radulf looked quizically at Lili, "His wife's name," she whispered.
"No, no, no," repeated Erik, as huge sobs began to wrack his entire body, shoulders heaving as despair seized him. He looked at Radulf and Lili, hatred burning in his eyes. "You've doomed them both, damn you!" and then he bent his head over his son, rocking back and forth.
The Mayor and the rest of the council arrived and eventually Erik was coaxed into the council hut, where Odvir was put into a chair in front of the fire. The village wisewoman was brought and she began dressing Odvir's wound, while Erik was calmed down with the help of restorative brandy.
Erik is going to share what's going on, but one of his descriptors is Reserved, so I think that a roll is needed; the gather info says that if you act in a community that you have a bond with, you get +1; as I'm using the Starforged connection moves, and Radulf has a connection with Woodwatch, I'm taking the +1; in Starforged connections get +1, bonds +2
Gather Information: +Wits, +1 connection with Woodwatch; 3 +2 +1 vs. 5 & 4 => strong hit => discover something helpful and specific, +2 momentum, now +5
"Ragnaid died, you all know that," began Erik slowly, as if he didn't want to share. "Odvir tried to bring her back to Woodwatch, but the foolish boy took too long and she rose." For a moment tears threatened to overwhelm him again, but he forced them back and continued. "He ran. He couldn't bring himself to fight his own mother ... I don't know where he ran but he fell into the clutches of some evil. Some terrible evil." Again he paused.
"Somehow, this evil took Ragnaid's soul, bound it into Odvir and then sent Ragnaid's body against the village, where it was dismembered and her head boxed - one of those that you rested when you came before," he looked accusingly at Radulf. "Her possessions were given to me and there I found a letter written by Odvir. It said that if I didn't do as I was told, my son would be left with his mother's soul bound to him ... They would war eternally for control of his body - a living hell for my son caused by his mother ... my wife ..."
Silence fell in the room as everyone looked at Odvir and they contemplated the horror that had befallen the Warden-Captain's son.
Lili knelt by the chair that Erik sat on. "Erik, we can help you and Odvir," she began. Erik looked up at her, trying to fight the hope that he feared was false, kindled in him by her words. "If you'll allow it, we will take Odvir to the temple and perform a ritual." She paused, then continued, "I am very sorry, but we can do nothing for Ragnaid - she is dead and her soul should be at its eternal rest, but I believe we can free Odvir and return his body to him. At least you will have your son back."
Erik nodded, "Please Priestess. Please save my boy."
"You must stay here," Lili said to Erik as he moved to stand. "What we must do, would be distressing to you and you must not be allowed to interfere. If you did, it would be very dangerous to all." Erik nodded, reluctantly, and sank back to his chair. "Charun, please bring Odvir to the Temple-of-Vanth." Radulf nodded. The wisewoman had finished with Odvir's leg, so Radulf gently picked him up.
Discovering the Villain's control of Erik and formulating the plan to free Odvir counts as - Reach a Milestone: formidable vow "I will end the villain that created the Chimera", progress now 4/10
In the Temple-of-Vanth, Radulf waited while Sigrid laid out a bedroll in front of the altar and he then laid Odvir gently upon it.
"So what is the plan, Priestess?" he asked Lili, using her title, somewhat reluctantly as Sigrid was with them.
"First we will perform the Rite of Communion to speak with Ragnaid," answered Lili, "Then we will use the Rite of Ward to force her from Odvir's body."
"Forgive me," began Radulf, "But why Commune?"
"We need to establish Ragnaid's ... state," answered Lili. "If she retains ... her 'self', her identity, then she may depart willingly once freed from Odvir. If she does not ... well, then she may manifest as a Haunt, and you will need to put her to Rest." She turned to face Radulf fully. "I suggest that you pray for strength, while Sigrid and I prepare the Rite of Communion." Radulf knelt by the altar and prayed. He prayed hard. Facing a Haunt was not something he looked forward to ...
Secure an Advantage: +Iron: 2 +3 vs. 4 & 3 => stong hit => +4 momentum (+2 from strong hit, +2 from Devotant asset) now +9
Note: Although not explicitly mentioned that he removed it, Radulf would not still be wearing his Mask-of-Charun, so does not get the +1 it would've given him
His prayers complete, Radulf stood and studied what Lili and Sigrid were doing. Their preparations completed, the candles surrounding Odvir were lit and the incantations begun, which Radulf did his best to commit to memory.
The Communion ritual would be good for Radulf providing opportunities for vows, so this is his attempt to learn it
A ghostly insubstantial form manifested in the same space as Odvir.
Is Ragnaid still Ragnaid? Ask the Oracle: small chance, 91+ yes: 56 no. Oh dear ...
It sat up and turned to face Lili, looking like a middle-aged woman whose family resemblance to Odvir was clear, but then her mouth opened ... and opened - far wider than a human mouth should and began screaming. Radulf could do nothing but clap his hands over his ears - which did nothing to shut out the unearthly wail that the spirit projected as its face twisted into an horrific visage.
Lili though was made of sterner stuff, and somehow managing to ignore the wail that tore through Radulf's head, she simply pinched one of the candles out. The spirit vanished, just as the candle flame had. "Well," said Lili, "We now know that Ragnaid will not depart willingly."
"Charun Radulf, move the pews back to make as large a space as you can in the temple. Sigrid, clear the Commune Rite materials away," instructed Lili.
Radulf and Sigrid did their tasks. Once there was room, Lili laid out a large circle of salt in the cleared space.
"Charun Radulf," Lili told him, "Once I have concluded the Rite, you will need to carry Odvir into the centre of the circle. Lay him down and do not touch him for five heartbeats. Then pick him up and carry him out of the circle - be sure you do not break the circle."
"Priestess," replied Radulf, "I know not to break the circle."
"Of course you do," answered Lili as condescendingly as she could and Sigrid giggled quietly.
"It will be difficult to exit the circle," continued Lili, serious again. "The act will tear the Haunt out of Odvir and trap it inside the Ward of the circle's salt. You must then re-enter the Ward and put the Haunt to rest. Make yourself ready, while I perform the Rite."
As Lili began the Rite, Radulf readied himself for the coming battle putting on his Mask-of-Charun...