The Abandoned Windmill (NW of 24)
Village of Briarsgate, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Eight. Early morning. Sunday, October 23nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, foggy
The heroes intend to follow the evil priestess' secret map out of Briarsgate into the swamp of the Rushmoors.
The old hermit and the three villagers thank them and say their farewells. "May blessed Merikka watch over and keep you," one says. The blessing sounds more like a eulogy.
Carrying their unconscious friend, the heroes skulk northwest through the grey fog, giving the dawning hamlet a wide berth.
They pass through the wall of thorns and roses for which the village of the damned is named. They eventually arc southward toward their final destination, not knowing if they will ever see Briarsgate again.
The heroes tread through a small wood for cover. When it gives out, they steal across the countryside.
They pass through the outer farms, encountering no living soul nor detecting anyone following in their wake. It is as if this forsaken land has emptied out.
They skirt the perimeter of the Dim Forest, following it south. Within that haunted wood, a sepulcher of overhead growth creates a spectral realm of permanent twilight. In these hushed territories, the common sounds of squirrels and birds are painfully absent.
As they approach the borderlands of the vast swamp, the ground grows wetter and the trees change.
They travel all day through regions as eerie and silent as the tomb.
At sundown, they locate the cultists' trail at the edge of a broad and fetid marsh. Rushes, twisted trees and stagnant water extend as far as the eye can see.
The heroes believe another full day of walking lays before them. But further advance involves wading through two feet of black water. The trail remains clear, however. Dead, grasping branches and weeds are pushed back.
The shadows grow longer and the distant grey sun begins to descend into its nocturnal grave.
Actions?
Map:
Red trail is the cultist map's path. Red X is that trail's destination.
White trail is the heroes' path from Briarsgate. White X marks their current location.
PC Status:
- Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 2/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 7/10, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC 5, HP 14/15, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 25/28
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 9/16, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
Long Bo, Human Druid 3: Move: 9", AC: 6, HP: 16/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(0), HP: 22/30, Laying Hands: 0/1
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 25/28
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC 6, HP 5/6, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
- Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.