Chapter Three - Return to the Mournland

Trent just stood in the doorway and stared at the ghosts. When he left the train the day before he had thought was prepared for his first adventure into the Gray. A hallucinated train, living fireball, and now quite talkative group of ghosts was proving that he had no idea what he was doing.

Meepo shrugs. "That doesn't mean pleasantries shouldn't be exchanged" and holds his hand out for a few more seconds in hopes of the gesture of a hand shake before putting his hand down

Meepo gives a shiver as the ghost passes right through him.

Meepo gives a large smile as Klaus attempts the gesture of a handshake and Meepo trys to move his hand in motion with Klaus simulating a hand shake.

"thank you!" Meepo says with a large toothy smile

He pauses

"is there anything you guys have been wanting to do that you haven't been able to since you can't touch this plane?"

"Protect it from who? And for how long exactly?" Vice ask, as he stands up, checking his chest for any residual damage from the ghost sword.

"I have no post left," 37 states plainly. "The war ended, and like the remaining soldiers we warforged were just... let go. Some found acceptance, some found rejection over wounds that still seemed fresh, and some warforged seek vengeance."

He looks to his companions for a moment. "I choose to accept others, because I wish to be accepted. It makes no sense to want a courtesy I am unwilling to extend myself."

"Do you know what killed you?" Torhak said to the Professor and Klaus, "Is it still here?"

Laulalith's heart and mind race as she listens to the extraordinary conversation with the two ghosts. In the war, the Cyran counterintelligence service had used posters with the text: 'Loose lips crash airships' to remind people to keep military secrets, well, secret. It hat been her job to loosen those lips, and she had been good at it. Apparently, Krause had never received that memo, and the professor was not much better. In the first few moments of their conversation, the two ghosts had managed to disclose critical limits to their own capabilities, the existence of a secret lab, and their current goal.

"What power shielded these two during the mourning? They died like everyone else in Cyre, but their spirits - their souls - remained free. What did they experience in the Mourning? Why can't they leave the warehouse? Can they actually leave the warehouse? Are these two the only ones to escape the Mourning? Or are there more ghosts inside?"

Today, she had ventured into the Grey with no clear plan for how to uncover the secret of the Mourning. The task ahead is still daunting, but this could be the serendipitous opportunity that got her started. Could she really be that lucky?

However, she cannot risk spooking the ghosts, so some of these questions will have to wait, or at least be asked indirectly.

She takes a step forward to join the conversation. "We clearly got off on the wrong foot. Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Laulalith the Bard." As usual, she accompanies the greeting with a bow, but this time, she leaves out the part about being at their service. There is power in words, so it is best not to make idle promises in company like this. "Please, let's start over. I'm sure there is much we can do for each other."

"I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to be unable to interact with the physical world. Perhaps we can be of assistance? Either by - well - interacting with the physical world on your behalf." She picks up a rock from the ground to illustrate her point. "Or by assisting with your research. I assume that you were researching other things entirely before you died, so I suspect you don't have access to the books and materials that could facilitate research into this topic."

She will have to navigate this conversation carefully. The ghosts seem unaware of what has happened in the two years since Mourning. The truth could very well be traumatizing for them. Especially if they had family in Cyre.

Vice mutters under his breath to Torhak "Gotta imagine prof was working on some sort of weapon. May be best if it's left here." before he goes back to listening to the ghost/elf confersation

"Could be something more defensive, than a weapon. He said his body was inside...sounds like armor" Torhak said in response to Vice.

Meepo turns to the professor "and what would put your spirit at ease? Would burying you help? Or maybe something like finishing your project or testing your project or something?"

Laulalith answers the professor's question truthfully. "Personally, I have never met the person that directed us to this place. One of my companions may be able to answer it." She shrugs. "But my personal interest is not really in the contents of this warehouse - or your research." The last part is part truth and part tactics. She has a feeling that the professor is easily compelled to defend his research, and she does her best to adjust her tone of voice and body language to provoke that particular response.

"Many, many people died on the same day as you. It's now know as the Day of Mourning, but no one knows what caused it." She brings her right hand to her heart. "I'm truly sorry that you are among the mourned." Then her eyes turn harder. "But I think you're a practical person with little patience for my sympathy, so let's talk about something else."

"Clearly, the two of you were not the only ones to die here." She makes a sweeping gesture towards the bodies on the floor. "Professor, as a man of science, you must surely have thought about this. Why do you think you two are the only ones to end up as ghosts? My previous offer still stands. We may be able to help you achieve some sort of closure and move on - if that is what you wish."

Considering the anguish displayed by the ghostly faces in the grey, she has a strong suspicion that these two are better off than the vast majority of the souls lost in the Mourning. But she sees no reason to share that theory at this point.

Vice, talking before he thinks, replies to Torhak "Why would a ghost need armor?"

Torhak stopped and became visibly confused by Vice's question, "Uh, they wouldn't" he then wasn't sure why his suggestion had made sense to him before....before, before death. "Oh, I meant before he became a ghost"

Glancing to Tryne, 37 wonders aloud, "What are the odds we might finish his work?"

37 follows the ghost of the professor, and when the spectral form passes through the door 37 opens it and follows, observing everything he can about the facility.

The artificer had been following the discussion closely, fascinated that these ghosts has been able to maintain their complete intelligence after death. He had limited experience with undead, but thought it was extremely rare for the victim to keep so much of his humanity.

At the reference to the weapons, specifically the elemental rifles, the battle smith's interests perked up. He would definitely need to examine one of those, maybe take it apart.

"Lab... I've always wanted a really nice workshop. Someday perhaps." he followed the ghost toward the lab.