Those Wicked Stones

Date: Winter 1204

Background

Charles of Avebury, one of Merewen's kin, sought the aid of Stranggore over the matter of the haunting of Avebury. Nightmares of murder and mayhem have disturbed the normally restful village of Averbury. James, fearing he had created the ghost causing these nightmares - this being the site where he slew Jonas of Wells, announces he will put this matter to rest. Having no skills with ghosts, he asks Sandre to accompany him, along with his bodyguard Bloody Bill, the hunter Randolph, and Charles, they traveled northeast to Avebury to find out what haunts the Stones.

The Journey

Along the way, Charles gives more detail on the nightmares which started two weeks ago on the full moon but due to the intensity of the visions, and Father Carl's inability to improve things, Old Kate sent her grandson to get the help of the Wizard's of Stranggore. Tensions are high, as Father Carl forbids the use of the old ways as false idolatry at best and most likely demonic in nature, and those villagers who practice the old ways, rituals that honor the stones, must do so in secret.

The Investigation

James and Sandre investigate the Stones, find corrupted graves in the Churchyard, and drive off the howling spirits. Bill freaks out and flees into the Church, drinks his wine, and fills his skin with holy water. However when he leaves the church, he becomes possessed and becomes belligerent. Sandre controls his grog and we continue.

The Banishing

They go south to Silsbury Hill and then King Sil's Barrow where they enter the long crypt and face a demon of many mouths and her cobble stone golem. A preserved corpse of an ancient king sits on a cache of infernally tainted stones. James makes a ring to entrap the evil within and then pours holy water over it. Foul steam hisses off the stones and when the cloud clears all are gone.

The Confrontation

Having dispatched the demon and banished the corrupted king, we return to the village and rest. We are awoken to cries to attend a Mass of thanks giving. We dress appropriately and attend. Father Carl, announces that the Lord had relieved them of this curse and to thank Him, that he will cast out Those Wicked Stones. Infuriated, Sandre walks out returning in full wizard regalia and confronts the Father in his own Church. Sandre defended the old ways and argued extremely well, so well that Father Carl agreed to not cast out the Stones. The villager were permitted to perform their age old traditions as long as they all participated with equal zeal in the traditions and rituals of the Saints and the Holidays.

The Conclusion

James and Sandre learn more about the town, that it was once a home to wizards loyal to Damhan-Allaidh who fought the Order when they came to the British Isle, and that likely the graves are those of wizards. The Father is seeking the advise of the Bishop on where to move these graves.