Chapter 23: Genesis of Evil

[Inferno]

Chapter 23: Genesis of Evil

The Mountain Pass, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Eighteen. Dusk. Tuesday, November 29th, 576 CY
Cold, damp, overcast.





Ten days later, the heroes have survived crossing the pass through the dark mountains.

They come searching for the supposed site of an ancient shrine, the vile source of the evil that plagued Briarsgate. And to find a little girl who was taken there, from the Ashblood Colony of religious dissenters, by a coven of heinous witches.

Plagued by cold, snow and nightly dreams of an horrific abomination sleeping beneath the forbidding mountain spine...




...they traversed east northeast beneath the towering black peaks until they had come out the other side.




They have yet to find any wolfsbane, even by the magicks of the grey druid. Only once had they heard a distant howling of wolves and that was five nights ago.

It is sunset now and they stand at the edge of a humble settlement near the eastern trailhead of the mountain pass. In the shadow of a fearsome black mountain, the largest in the chain, two dozen humble buildings huddle together against the bitter cold. Many are abandoned.



One timeworn shack is a public house with yellow light flickering within. Despite that warm glow, the heroes know that in rustic backwaters like this, during these dark and troubled times, spellcasters are often burned as witches.


Actions?


Map:

The red X marks the supposed location of an ancient shrine; the source of the evil that plagued Briarsgate.
The green X is the heroes' position.





PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 16/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Invisibility x2 (Urdur): Targets: self and Rudolf.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[rredmond]

"Should a few of us quieter types scout it out first," offers an unseen Rudolf, "or do we not split the party, inviting certain death for us all, and go in together?"

[OGRE MAGE]

After a grueling week and a half in the freezing conditions of the wild, Bo is glad to see a hint of civilization again.

"What have I done? By my estimation, we are farther north than we need to be. I was so focused on finding us some weed, that I missed the fact that we were traveling too far. It is as if the grips of the evil that haunts this place is trying to prevent us from finding our destination in time!"

After pondering their map for a moment longer, the grey druid addresses the halflings suggestion in his deep baritone voice.

"I think we should go in together. We've nothing to hide. If the settlers here want to point fingers and make accusations, let them. I think we can handle ourselves."

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

I agree. We have had tragic results more than once when we have split up. I do not think it necessary to do so here. If something were to go wrong, best to have the full group present.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur says, I agree, let's keep together.

I should probably also make us visible again. I'm concerned about what the villagers might think if there are invisible entities following the group around.

If the party agrees, Urdur drops the mystic invisibility on himself and Rudolf before heading into the village.

[wolfpack]

Brevos will lead the way t the cottage with the light on.


we should be weary for all we know t could be a witches cottage

[Urson]

Jerome

Jerome nods, and leads the way. We are all near death from the weather. Aside from all else, we should all benefit from whatever heat we can get.

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis will keep an eye out for any small rodent activity, or perhaps signs of a badger or rabbit. He can’t remember the last time he talked to an honest burrowing creature. Was it the frightened rabbit they talked to right before they were savaged by wolves so long ago? It seemed an eternity since then. He’d love to get recent news of the goings on here, but more importantly, he’d just like a good chat.

“Could be a normal village. Could be all corrupt like, well... any other village we’ve ever visited together. This close to the source, it seems likely, even. I’m of half a mind we should avoid the inhabitants outright, but we should stick together, at any rate,” he says.

[rredmond]

Urdur says, I agree, let's keep together.

I should probably also make us visible again. I'm concerned about what the villagers might think if there are invisible entities following the group around.

If the party agrees, Urdur drops the mystic invisibility on himself and Rudolf before heading into the village.

"I would say maybe leave one or both of us invisible," Rudolf offers cautiously, "not that I want to be untrustworthy of walking into scary towns, you know since the last two worked out so well, but... You can always make me visible later (or when no one is looking), especially if there's food that needs eating, but I can be more helpful to us invisible. And any sensible person we meet will understand the need for our caution in this neck of the wood methinks." Rudolf won't fight the party if the general consensus is to make him visible, he just would rather be invisible when the army of zombies and werewolves come out of these cottages.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser agrees with a shivering nod to stick together. He'll keep to the shadows and scout ahead as he can. "What chances is it that this village - so close to the evil shrine we seek - is untouched? The town we came across days away was completely overrun with evil..."

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

We should definitely be prepared for trouble. I don't know how sensible the villagers will be.

[Inferno]

A Settlement Beneath the Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Eighteen. Dusk. Tuesday, November 29th, 576 CY
Cold, damp, overcast.





With dread foreboding, the heroes brace themselves and enter the frozen hamlet in the shadow of the frightful, dark mountains.

There, Telkis finds no wild animals with which to converse. Six shivering figures, leaving eight tracks in the snow behind them, watchfully approach the humble public house with Jerome bravely leading the way.

They swing the door open with a creak and all conversation within the rustic tavern dies.



There might be a dozen stout men in here. Their grim faces bear honest witness to lives of toil and hardship.

In the chilly silence, every eye appraises the unexpected strangers with surprise and distrust.


Actions?


Map:

The red X marks the supposed location of an ancient shrine; the source of the evil that plagued Briarsgate.
The green X is the heroes' position, at the settlement.





PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 16/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Invisibility x2 (Urdur): Targets: self and Rudolf.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Looking at the the locals who appear uneasy with a group of strangers appearing suddenly, the cleric attempts to preemptively defuse the situation. We are cold and tired. Can we please get food and drink? She gives a quick look to her companions. And I believe my friends here would like to buy a round for those of you already here.

[rredmond]

Rudolph stays quiet and observes what's going on checking in particular for any weapons in the establishment.

[ChubbyPixie]

Aware that humans in small, removed hamlets are not typically the most welcoming of non-humans, Telkis stays quiet, giving only a pleasant (he hopes) respectful nod to the room as their cleric speaks.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser embraces what warmth he can from the room and thinks quiet optimistically about a drink.

[Urson]

Jerome

Hail to all who are here! We have travelled for days in the snow and cold, and are desperate to be rid of the chill.

Jerome performs a complex gesture with both hands- a blessing of St. Cuthbert. He then does Detect Evil to try and evaluate the folks here.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur stays near the back of the group, doing his best to remain silent.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo stays outside the building for a moment as the others enter. He looks around in the snow to see if there are any tracks leading to or from the building. He also looks around at the roofs and sky above, hoping to find any sign of avian life that he might be able to speak with.

He tries to strain his hearing so he doesn't miss what is being said inside the tavern, peering through frosted windows if any are available.

[wolfpack]

Brevos keeps his hood up, staying quiet allowing the more friendly and charismatic among them speak.