Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Jeff]

Twelve hours, perhaps more, roll by between sleep and wakefulness. It is a mixture of peaceful and uneasiness, as each body is given the rest it needs but remains troubled by the dangers ahead and those remembered. Kal's designated watches are observed, and each non-warforged among you, when woken for a shift, only does so grudgingly. You find sleep, but your body craves more. Still, it is enough, enough to take up arms again, if needed. You feel...dangerous again.

At various points during these hours, the white glowing cloud of Llash-Tava stirs as if she's looking in on you, but she never fully manifests while you are resting. Streko glimpses this but hasn't actually been conscious while she was present.

There is no sign of Greshnaza.

---

A full rest has happened! Everyone (except Adamant) is now at max hit points and you've all regained half of your maximum possible hit dice. For some of you, you now have all your hit dice back (usable in future short rests).

Joe, I've gone in and touched Streko's stats up for 8th level. Note you now have an extra spell slot at your highest level (4th). And all your slots back. You do need to go in and choose 12 spells to prepare for the day. Remember that the spells that have a white check mark (against black background) are ones you always have prepared because of the Trickster domain so those don't have to count as any of your 12. You can just put a check mark (or a number if that's easier to keep track) by the ones that you're preparing. I would suggest preparing Lesser Restoration as one of them; it can remove some of the afflictions undead can inflict.

Everyone else, look over your sheet and let me know if we need to square anything away.

Joe, I don't think we'd settled hit points for 8th level, did we? I think we need to do a hit point roll.

Pretty much all of you are actually already close to reaching level 9, in any case!

Also, Adamant will need to choose which spells to prepare for the day, too. Kal and Belarin don't need to, given their shorter lists.

[Dave B.]

When it is Shorak's turn to sleep, he gladly lays his head down and closes his eyes. Sleep comes quickly and none too soon.

[Jeff]

Would anyone be filling Streko in on where the party is and what's going on? He went down fighting Sarquaa.

[Brian]

Fully rested and free of poison, Condign stands and stretches. The others are awake. Streko has regained consciousness.

"The lady Histra could return at any time," he says to them. "We should prepare. We have treasure to examine. Belarin, Kal, you are the most knowledgable about magic. Where do we start?"

[Dave W.]

During the hours Streko is awake, Adamant fills him in on the part of the adventure the halfling missed. "We obviously defeated Sarquaa and the other undead. I missed the end as he nearly bit my head off. I feel much better... my voice is whole... Our friends revived me with the last of our potions. I think they thought it would be easier to carry you than me."

"I did carry you here. We were and I suppose still are pursued by the creature that Histra's cousin sent after us. Oh, yes, Histra became smoke and the demon stopped fighting with us to chase her. I hope she finds us soon. I suppose we will have to go find her shortly else-wise."

"So we are here, in the lighthouse. There is a medusa hiding behind that dark veil... or the spirit of one. The spirit of the lady sphinx has also appeared to us. We know how to find and release her back in the ...real?... world. Unfortunately we will be facing the undead body of the medusa before we can release the lady sphinx. She, the medusa, has asked us to destroy her body so that she might be free from the bonds the Coin Lords put on her."

"There are treasures here, you'll have to ask Belarin about them. The lady Sphinx has no objection to our taking them but she did warn us that some might be cursed."

"So, we will shortly find Histra, possibly fight the demon Belarin and I released, potentially face the creature Branash sent to kill us, and then return to fight an undead medusa and release the sphinx. What have I missed? Ah, it appears that Krez has attacked the Merrow Down so he will have to be dealt with at some point."

"Do you have a way to undo the affect of people who are stoned?"

"Oh, and I'm not entirely sure if I am dead or not."

[Brian]

While Adamant talks with Streko, Condign decides to examine more closely the weapons Belarin pointed out as magical. He approaches each, careful not to touch anything, and examines the mace, warhammer, longsword, and pick, noting the metal used and if there any distinguishing characteristics he can discern without picking them up.

[Darren]

Dec 12, 2015 8:28:27 GMT -4 Brian said:

Fully rested and free of poison, Condign stands and stretches. The others are awake. Streko has regained consciousness.

"The lady Histra could return at any time," he says to them. "We should prepare. We have treasure to examine. Belarin, Kal, you are the most knowledgable about magic. Where do we start?"

Kal shakes his head at Condign. "I was never much of an academic, I'm afraid. That's more Belarin's department. Or Sem. Maybe there's a way we can take this stuff back with us without touching it?"

Kalarian listens to Adamant. "It's somewhat troubling that we haven't heard from Histra, yet. I wouldn't even begin to know where to search for her in this place, but I won't entertain the idea of not trying."

[Dave B.]

Shorak wakes with a start. He looks around and realizes where he is. Seeing that everyone is awake or waking up, he pulls out some of his rations for a light and quick breakfast, while trying to do a few stretches at the same time. Working some of the worst kinks out of his muscles.

[Joe]

Streko rises, reluctantly at first, then with a sense that he CAN rise. He is told that it is his turn for the watch. He isn't sure what, exactly, he is on watch for, but realizes that he and his friends must still be in danger.

He glances around and, while his friends, and indeed, he as well, appear fine on the outside, he is sure that they are also in pain within. Adamant appears to be severely damaged himself and it comes as a brief, but welcomed shock, when the great and mighty warforged begins talking to him.

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"We obviously defeated Sarquaa and the other undead. I missed the end as he nearly bit my head off. I feel much better... my voice is whole... Our friends revived me with the last of our potions. I think they thought it would be easier to carry you than me."

"Our friends are wise and I am deeply grateful for your care and ministrations, Adamant. I believe I would not be here with you as I am without the assistance of our friends and, specifically, your help."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I did carry you here. We were and I suppose still are pursued by the creature that Histra's cousin sent after us. Oh, yes, Histra became smoke and the demon stopped fighting with us to chase her. I hope she finds us soon. I suppose we will have to go find her shortly else-wise."

"Histra can take care of herself, especially in this place, which is more familiar to her than it is to us. Considering we are being stalked by yet another foe, it would be unwise to leave the relative safety of this location. What, by the way, is this location I find myself in?"

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"So we are here, in the lighthouse. There is a medusa hiding behind that dark veil... or the spirit of one. The spirit of the lady sphinx has also appeared to us. We know how to find and release her back in the ...real?... world. Unfortunately we will be facing the undead body of the medusa before we can release the lady sphinx. She, the medusa, has asked us to destroy her body so that she might be free from the bonds the Coin Lords put on her."

"The spirit of a Medusa, you say? But, of course! Why not? Although the news that we have found Argushem's mate is a welcomed one! There had to be a catch, though, didn't there. Sometimes, I feel as if we fight and die for nothing at all."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"There are treasures here, you'll have to ask Belarin about them. The lady Sphinx has no objection to our taking them but she did warn us that some might be cursed."

"Treasures, you say? Well, I am not one for trinkets. That is more of a Gnome's purview, wouldn't you say? However, if there is the smallest chance that there will be aid for us in our endeavors here amongst the treasures and trinkets that have been laid out before us, we should partake. With utmost caution, of course, before their explicit need becomes apparent."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"So, we will shortly find Histra, possibly fight the demon Belarin and I released, potentially face the creature Branash sent to kill us, and then return to fight an undead medusa and release the sphinx. What have I missed? Ah, it appears that Krez has attacked the Merrow Down so he will have to be dealt with at some point."

"Just another day in the journey of our fellowship, I would say. Although this has been the closest I have been to Olladra's actual embrace, the hourney is not yet complete. We must find a way to fight off a demon, while protecting the one person who can help us escape the Real of the Dead, face a lurking stalker, find an undead Medusa and release a Sphinx. Oh, and seek revenge on that Vampire, damn him to the Keeper's cursed home. My apologies to Olladra's familial bonds."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Do you have a way to undo the affect of people who are stoned?"

"Alas, I do not, aside from a removal of a curse, should that, indeed, be what occurs when a Medusa casts her gaze. I am unsure, but would be willing to try."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Oh, and I'm not entirely sure if I am dead or not."

"My dear Adamant, you, more than any other member of our fellowship, are filled with life and brimming with hope and joy. You are the moral compass for us to follow. Your kindness, your loyalty and your companionship are the antithesis of death in any iteration. You, sir, are life incarnate and I am blessed to have you at my said, as both friend and companion. Never forget that, Adamant. I am sure none of the others would disagree with my conviction on your state of awareness. Or have I misconstrued your remark?"

[Dave W.]

The key questions answered... sorry, we're just getting killed at work tonight...

Dec 13, 2015 14:41:33 GMT -4 Joe said:

What, by the way, is this location I find myself in?"

"We are in the Lighthouse. This is the source of the light we were moving towards. Sadly, the lighthouse in Dolurrh, not our home."

Dec 12, 2015 18:30:15 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Oh, and I'm not entirely sure if I am dead or not."

"My dear Adamant, you, more than any other member of our fellowship, are filled with life and brimming with hope and joy. You are the moral compass for us to follow. Your kindness, your loyalty and your companionship are the antithesis of death in any iteration. You, sir, are life incarnate and I am blessed to have you at my said, as both friend and companion. Never forget that, Adamant. I am sure none of the others would disagree with my conviction on your state of awareness. Or have I misconstrued your remark?"

"Oh, it is not despair... Here is my dilemma. Twice I have left the river of time. I don't believe I existed until revived. And where did start swimming again? Dolurrh. I'm sure you know theology better than I, but if I died would it not be here that I appear afterwards? I don't know how to tell the difference. I suppose we will find out when we return from this place."

[Joe]

Streko hugs Adamant briefly, but fiercely. "This is not the realm you will come to when you die, my friend. This, you shall bypass entirely, for Dol Arrah will have nothing to do with you being here. You shall go to His chosen realm without haste. And that is not hubris to speak for a member of the Sovereign Host, but rather, faith in you and the works you attend to in His name. Worry not, my dear Warforged. I doubt any of us shall visit this place unless it is of our choosing once more. Until that time, let us pray we are successful in completing our mission once and for all so that we may leave this land and return to a place our memories are safe. Yes?"

[Dave W.]

Dec 14, 2015 1:17:45 GMT -4 Joe said:

Streko hugs Adamant briefly, but fiercely. "This is not the realm you will come to when you die, my friend. This, you shall bypass entirely, for Dol Arrah will have nothing to do with you being here. You shall go to His chosen realm without haste. And that is not hubris to speak for a member of the Sovereign Host, but rather, faith in you and the works you attend to in His name. Worry not, my dear Warforged. I doubt any of us shall visit this place unless it is of our choosing once more. Until that time, let us pray we are successful in completing our mission once and for all so that we may leave this land and return to a place our memories are safe. Yes?"

Adamant is initially surprised at the fierce halfling hug, but does return it. "Oh, Streko, I have performed poorly in this realm. My choices have led us astray... I am responsible, in part anyway, for Syrdan's leaving. But you fill me with hope."

"It would do my soul good to pray with you. I have lost track of what time of day it is, but since we are freshly renewed, I think we would be forgiven for doing the Morning Service."

---

Thanks Joe, I've been wanting to have this scene with someone since Addy dropped unconscious.

[Jeff]

Dec 13, 2015 9:21:44 GMT -4 Brian said:

While Adamant talks with Streko, Condign decides to examine more closely the weapons Belarin pointed out as magical. He approaches each, careful not to touch anything, and examines the mace, warhammer, longsword, and pick, noting the metal used and if there any distinguishing characteristics he can discern without picking them up.

Condign gets as close as he can to the four weapons amidst the skeletal remains, not touching nor extracting them from the detritus just yet. It makes his assessment murky, however.

The mace is the sort with angular flanges arrayed around the head, but the entire head is dramatically larger than usual and the shaft a bit longer. It looks like it would be particularly top heavy, even for a mace. But the wounds it gives might be savage indeed.

The longsword doesn’t seem to bear any special design, but it looks well made. Then again, it’s still in a leather scabbard and Condign knows that the real mark of a sword is its blade.

The warhammer has some kind of flamelike design to it, and the steel itself looks darkened or scorched.

The pike, leaning up into one corner of the room, looks fairly unremarkable, except for its tip. The spearhead is bright gold in color.

[Ken]

Belarin rouses himself from sleep in time to hear Condign and Kal discussing the weapons and armor. “Well met,” he says, squeezing in between them. “You smell terrible. Let me see…”

The warlock takes a minute to examine the items again. “The helm, the mace, and that armor – the splint mail – have auras of abjuration, the standard school of magic for protection, or perhaps banishment. The plate mail is intriguing. It has an aura of divination, which is a bit unusual in armor. That type of magic is used to detect or spot things: invisibility, for instance, or the presence of evil, disease, or poison – magical tools that, to me, suggest this may have belonged a paladin.”

He points toward the weapons. “The pike, the warhammer, and that longsword – they have signs of evocation. Kal knows the evocation spells quite well – they’re the flashiest ones.” He smirks. “Your fire, your lightning, your cold… I’m not saying that these weapons possess any of those qualities, just that it’s a possibility. Those scorch marks on the hammer, though, certainly point in that direction. As for whether or not they’re cursed….” He shrugs. “Curses are meant to be hard to spot. A skilled mage could likely tell us for certain, but that’s beyond me at the moment.”

He picks up the two gray tubes. “Now these may be more immediately illuminating. Excuse me a moment.” He chews hungrily on some dry rations, and then he takes a few steps away and opens the tubes.

[Brian]

Condign listens to Belarin. "Thank you, my friend," he says and watches as the warlock moves off to examine the scroll cases.

Divination, evocation, abjuration...he was never good at magic or their schools. He understands weapons and armor and skill--the implements of war. Plate is the pinnacle of heavy armor, but the divination aura for some reason bothers him. Belarin said abjuration was often associated with protection. For a warrior, protection is welcomed, and splint would also be an improvement over his chainmail. He turns the choices over in his mind.

"Adamant," he says, calling the warforged over. "You cannot use armor, I believe, and the others cannot wear plate or splint. I may as well see if we found anything useful. Take Shorak and Kal. and the others and go over the weapons and the helm. See what each of you might want. I am going to see if the splint mail fits." He starts removing his chain mail, then pauses and gives Adamant a sly grin. "If I turn into a harpy or something, make sure my death is quick."

__________________________________________________

For better or worse, Condign will don the splint mail (if it fits)...and probably turn into a harpy.

[Jeff]

Thinking they're probably not simply potions, given their unusual containers, Belarin chances to remove the cap from one of them. When he gets the sharp scent of what it contains, he quickly seals it up again…where has he smelled that before? There was something potentially dangerous about it, if he remembers. Then very carefully he tries the other tube. A different scent, more akin to alcohol, rises from that tube. He seals it and then smiles with a memory…

The nymph Raeshara, standing before a large, horizontal tree root that had been smoothed into a makeshift tabletop, pointed to some objects there. They were standing in her “Willow Workshop,” as she called it. It was perfectly outdoors, of course, like everywhere she went, but was afforded some level of shelter and privacy by the thick curtain of leaves her favorite willow provided. Raeshara herself was modestly dressed—for a nymph, which is to say, still distracting. She never outright said it, but Belarin always suspected that mastering the complexities of magic while distracted was part of her training. Her most diaphanous garments, he swore, were selected for days when he was being tested.

This was not one of those days; today she was talking about alchemy, which she had some disdain for. She seemed to think that mixing chemicals was hag’s work, or the more science-minded eladrin in their lofty feyspires. But she had a respect for its power, and in particular the more potent magics that could be crafted from it.

“The solution in this,” she said, pointing to a narrow, stoppered jug, “is called sovereign glue. It will bind anything together. If it is well employed, and given a few moments to set, it will adhere a villainous swordsman’s weapon to his own shield. Or a dragon's wings to the ground. Or a sleeping guard’s visor shut.”

“...Or an ogre’s ass-cheeks together,” came a gruff but mirthful voice from behind them. Ahh, Vult, who came into the Willow Workshop whenever he was bored or wanted to torment his friends. The beautiful sorceress gave an irritated frown and Belarin quelled his chuckle. He was a student here.

“Understand, the bond is permanent. The two might as well be the same object. There are very few things that can separate them again. And one of them is”—here she pointed to a separate jug, colored differently—“universal solvent. There is no glue that it cannot dissolve.”

“Good for spiking drinks, too,” Vult added.

“I will blindfold you,” Raeshara said to Belarin, ignoring the redcap, “because identifying which is which could save your life. It is unlikely you will find them together.”

Belarin appreciates the memory, especially in this world, and finds that it’s still a strong one. And look, he found some sovereign glue and some universal solvent together! Very thoughtful on the part of the alchemist who concocted them.

---

JLaSala:1D20+5 → 25(20 + 5)#Belarin's Intelligence (Arcana) check

[Darren]

With a shrug, Kal walks over to the longsword and, touching only the scabbard, shakes the blade loose to fall on the ground so that he can get a better look at it.

[Jeff]

Condign gets to work first removing the splint mail from the still mostly-intact skeleton (minus the skull) still wearing it. He tries not to wonder if the former wearer’s demise had anything at all to do with the armor, which itself is in pretty good shape. There are a few small dents and plenty of scoring on the vertical metal strips that comprise it but the suit is clearly well crafted. He can’t deduce any particular design; it was as if the commissioner told the armorsmith, “Nothing fancy. Just make it right.”

When he’s finally worked the armor off the skeleton he sees the cracked skull on the floor beneath it and decides the wearer’s body must have been mishandled after his demise, which surely that had nothing to do with the armor. Perhaps it was an undead’s lifedraining touch that had done the work.

And then he takes a few minutes to get the suit in place around his own body. It fits well, but then it seemed to expand slowly as he was placing it on. Some magic armor can resize itself.

Once in place, Condign likes how it feels, though he knows it would take some getting used to. He doesn’t spontaneously transform into anything, which he counts as step one to a healthy future. Just in case, he starts to a section of the armor on his arm, slipping the segments around his arm free again, because he’d heard that cursed armor keeps itself from being removed at all. It allows him to, so he lets it be. If this suit of armor is cursed, it’s not obvious.

---

The splint mail has been added to Condign’s inventory. You’ll have to decide what to do with the magic chain mail, Brian, since carrying both will definitely encumber you. As far as determining whether the armor (which grants a base AC of 17) has any extra bonuses, he’d have to fight in it at least once to gauge that number.

[Jeff]

The sword doesn’t come out easily, which means the scabbard was shaped just right. But since he’s trying to get it free, with enough shaking Kal is able to slice the sword out; it clatters noisily the ground. When he stands over it, searching for some kind of design or writing or forger’s signature, Kal almost sucks in a breath. Looking down, he sees a skeleton reflected in the blade quite clearly. His own skeleton.

The rest of his reflection is the same; his armor, his weapons, even his hair; but wherever there should be skin, he sees only bone and an ill-favored countenance reflecting back at him.

[Brian]

Dec 14, 2015 15:14:12 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The splint mail has been added to Condign’s inventory. You’ll have to decide what to do with the magic chain mail, Brian, since carrying both will definitely encumber you. As far as determining whether the armor (which grants a base AC of 17) has any extra bonuses, he’d have to fight in it at least once to gauge that number.

Relieved to discover the splint is not likely cursed, Condign drops the chainmail shirt he used to wear. Though he is loath to leave it behind--it has services him well--he cannot carry both. Moving off to one side, he watches Kal and the others, nibbling on a piece of hardtack rations and sipping from his water skin.

________________________________________________________


Can Condign spar with Adamant to get a feel for the armor, or does it have to be an all-out fight?

[Jeff]

It needs to be a real fight. It needs to take some real blows and get some real hits for you gauge its protection. You don't want Adamant doing that to you.

[Brian]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[Darren]

Dec 14, 2015 15:18:25 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The sword doesn’t come out easily, which means the scabbard was shaped just right. But since he’s trying to get it free, with enough shaking Kal is able to slice the sword out; it clatters noisily the ground. When he stands over it, searching for some kind of design or writing or forger’s signature, Kal almost sucks in a breath. Looking down, he sees a skeleton reflected in the blade quite clearly. His own skeleton.

The rest of his reflection is the same; his armor, his weapons, even his hair; but wherever there should be skin, he sees only bone and an ill-favored countenance reflecting back at him.

Kal recoils from the image in the blade. Using the scabbard, he bats the weapon away towards the wall. "Nobody touch that," he says as the sword clatters away. "I'm pretty sure no one wants to touch that," he repeats as he flings the scabbard away.

[Ken]

Belarin reseals the gray tubes, a pleasant smile on his face. It fades at the sound of Kal's reaction to the longsword. "Duly noted, Kal," he says.

He steps back over to his companions. “I have… an idea about how to deal with Greshnaza – the undead one back in the living world, that is. I’m sure some of you have had thoughts, too,” he says. He glances around as though to check for eavesdroppers. “But let’s not discuss them here. I don’t have a firm understanding of the relationship between the spirit of Greshnaza here and the monstrous one back home. While I accept the spirit’s desire for release as genuine, I can’t say for certain that anything she learns wouldn’t be ‘overheard’ by her life-sucking counterpart as well. And yes, I recognize that it’s exceptionally strange to ponder the transfer of thoughts between a ghostly medusa and a wight-ish one. Even I didn’t expect that.”

[Jeff]

“My name was spoken.” The medusa emerges from the wall again, and though she seems incorporeal Shorak knows very well that she is, or can be, quite corporeal on this plane. He felt her touch; the cold was deep.

The glowing cloud of Llash-Tava also rises again, and soon the sphinx’s face looks upon the party again. “What more can I provide for you? I can see the intersections between Eberron and Dolurrh. I can tell you where you to find a crossroad, though I cannot see the dangers that lie between them.”

Streko sees both of them now for the first time. He's understood that this Greshnaza woman is a medusa, but she keeps her face concealed her; even as a ghost perhaps it can petrify. In contrast, Llash-Tava is quite radiant and beautiful to behold, even in this dark place. She reminds him of some Talentan tribal matriarch, a rare lioness who commands respect like any alpha male. It helps that there are indeed prides of lions on the Talenta Plains, though he did not grow up there.

---

If there is further interest in an of the treasures here, say so soon!

[Darren]

Kal moves near Shorak. "Perhaps we should fill as many pouches as we can with those coins?" He winks at the Drow.

"Llash-Tava, your hospitality here has been appreciated. It is true that we soon need to depart back to Eberron, so knowledge of where these portals are would be appreciated. We also need to find our friend, Histra. Is there a way to observe the landscape from the top of this tower?"

[Jeff]

“I do not know,” the sphinx says.

“Not from within,” Greshnaza answers instead, “though it can be easily climbed on the exterior if you are capable.”

Llash-Tava then says, “It will be difficult to describe the cross-points, as I do not know the city well in either plane. I will, however, grant one of you the ability to see it as I see it. Yet as you are within this plane and I am not, physical barriers can hinder your sight. You will be able to see more when you return to the surface and look through open air. Who will accept this sight?”

[Dave W.]

When the group starts looking at the gear, Adamant is not initially interested. He dutifully inspects them when Condign asks.

"You are correct, I do not wear armor so much as have plates attached. I have no real use for the armors or helm*. I am satisfied with my current weapon but let me take a look." And clearly he means look for as he nears the pike, he clasps his hands behind his back.

"The tip of the pike reminds me of the rays of the sun. But I am very attached to my shield. I have seen pikes used very effectively from the back ranks."

Adamant leans down to get a closer look at the mace and warhammer, hands still behind his back. "The warhammer does have a flame motif which I'll selfishly admit is appealing to one who worships Light. The mace doesn't look particularly balanced just to look at it, perhaps the metal is unusual."

"I will stay away from the longsword as Kal suggests."

---

* - I think that's right... he doesn't use armors or helms.
The mace and warhammer are both one-handed, correct? Would a history or religion check tell me anything?

[Brian]

Condign looks to the chest. "I agree. Some gold would be useful. And do not forget the pendant with the eye." He turns to Adamant. "If you would like to check the war hammer, I will examine the mace. Overbalanced or not, it may prove interesting.." He turns to Shorak. "Do you see nothing of worth to you?" He then addresses Kal. "And you? Would you find a mace useful? I would gladly see it in your hand."

[Joe]

Streko makes his way to the chest and examines the potions he finds. He will place all the ones he thinks are safe into his haversack without opening them. Those he finds to be questionable, he will not touch. He won't take any of the coins, but examines them closesly to see if he sees or feels anything evil or sinister about them. He will avoid all the weapons and armor.