Chapter 11 - Back to No-Go (Knob Forest)

[AleBelly]

Just a reminder that the raven was sent to look for no-go. Unless Hellebore would have acted differently...

[Zhym]

Oh, right. I retract Angus's question. Let's just move on to No Go.

[tkrexx]

Wha... Hah?? Hyde stands, bewildered. Where'd them come from, hah? Chet! Get outta the tree, Chet. This be serious. Them be the same minted coin like them first Orcs we nabbed? They be gettin' mighty cocky if they be makin' their own money, yeahh.

[onlyme]

Dandelion looks around and worries where these orcs were from.
Have we drifted into danger? We best move on, I think.

[AleBelly]

The dead orcs keep the party company as they await Rrkox's return. The eagle leaves to hunt, returning with a dead gopher. Yum.

An hour after the orc "battle," the raven returns, squawking to indicate it found a town. Indeed, the party was over two miles off. They head west (with a slight southerly bent), and about 20 minutes before sundown reach town no-go. This time they emerge from the forest on the east side, not far from the manse in which they found the hanging bodies. (near the scale marker in map below)

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A couple of minutes of observation reveals no movement, save the solitary bird flying about in the distance. The party has a little less than an hour of daylight.

Actions?

Date: 4 Culling, Year 42
Time: 17:04
Conditions: 36F, clear, 10 mph wind from north, 2 inches of slushy snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Sun, 50 more minutes of light
Intended Direction of Travel: Town No-Go (Knob Forest), 260 degree bearing, 1.2 mph through forest, 11.0 mph traveled today
Injury Status: None

[Zorroroaster]

"We should find a safe place to hole up for the night. I'd rather face No Go with a spring in my step."

[Zhym]

This time they emerge from the forest on the west side, not far from the manse in which they found the hanging bodies.

Isn't that east?

"No argument here," answers Angus. "Where do you reckon is a safe place to sleep?"

[AleBelly]

This time they emerge from the forest on the west side, not far from the manse in which they found the hanging bodies.

Isn't that east?

Yep. Changed it.

[Marullus]

Hellebore smirks at Chet's predicament with the pine tree, then unweaves the magic to let both and the corpses drop to the ground. She is quiet, keeping to herself and her animals until they reach town No-Go.

"Perhaps those peasant houses off to the left. I don't trust either the church or the manse at night," she offers.

[onlyme]

Dandelion asks,

Or, would it be best to back into the woods where we have some protection from the spirits around this place?

[Zorroroaster]

"With all our muscle, I imagine we would be able to secure one of the huts that Hellebore points out. I'm ok with that. Let's just keep a low profile and hopefully not wake anything up."

[Zhym]

Angus nods his agreement and sets out for one of the peasant houses Hellebore pointed to.

[Storm11]

Tempus is ok with either spot and follows along with the rest. The town seems eerily quiet and still.

Is the sky still clear tonight? The halfling looks up, his dreadlocks trailing behind him.

[enn.in.me]

"Keeping warm, dry, and out of site of casual passers-by seems good to me. Let's find a hut." Yenny accompanies Angus in the search for housing.

[onlyme]

Dandelion nods. She is worried based on how the previous encounter in this town made her feel. But, she knows she is safer with the group than without.

[tkrexx]

I'm gonna build a fire, Hyde announces. I don't like this cold, no, and I don't like this place, neitha. I ain't gonna be here without a fire. Them dead things, they burn, yeahh.

[CAI4]

When they reach the peasant house, Chet searches for a shovel or something else to dig a cathole with. "This is where we should go to the bathroom. Then we don't leave any essence behind. We're gonna cover it back up with dirt. Then no sign we were here."

[AleBelly]

Carefully, the party creeps towards the ruined peasant houses. The charred corpses of the hanging bodies are still piled just outside the mansion. But nothing moves.

The peasant homes have all been ravaged by the decades since they were inhabited. Everyday items, bleached by the sun and rain, conjure sad thoughts of the thousands of common lives ruined by the fall of Masmuria. However, the rotting timbers provide a good source of firewood, and the industrious Hyde quickly builds a fire. The group looks around for secure lodging. All homes are half-standing at best, but amongst the debris the group manages to find comfortable places to settle in. The mounts even seem content.

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old house2.jpg (89.38 KiB) Viewed 265 times

As the party settles down to sleep, Chet, Yenny and Dandelion take first watch. Watches posted in the usual place. Let me know if this needs to change. The fat gibbous moon hangs high in the clear night sky. The faces of the half-orc, human and gnome are bathed in the glow of firelight.

Let me know if there are any actions before going to sleep.

Date: 4 Culling, Year 42
Time: 18:00
Conditions: 33F, clear, 11 mph wind from north, 2 inches of ice-crusted snow on ground
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Campfire
Intended Direction of Travel:
Injury Status: None

[Storm11]

Tempus approaches Yenny cautiously. Is there any way you can speak with the corpses of the fallen here to find out what they know? I heard tell that powerful priests and priestesses have that gift!"

[onlyme]

Dandelion is somewhat glad she has the first shift. She wouldn't be able to sleep much at the moment anyway, so it helps pass the time.

She asks, quietly...
So, I dont know much about these dead things. I prefer livelier entertainment of course. What should I do or not do if I see one of those dead people from last time, again? Besides screaming?