IC II

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"Do we expect Jadas to have completed any potions yet? Do we have other business here? There's a few things I might do to keep busy around Alice for a day, but I think the matter of the Shattered Tusk clan presses in Draea."

I would like to learn more about throan and possibly visit the Temple of Manifest, but throan can be investigated by our factors and sages, and the Temple is just a vanity project for Zellar. I'm happy to press on but can occupy myself if necessary.

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Eighteenthday
Alice

As the adventurers make their way through the crowded streets it occurs to them that they are being pulled in multiple directions. It is likely that only one, maybe two potions are ready, yet if they wait for more to be complete they could lose the element of surprise against the orcs. It is surely a conundrum. On the one hand, were they to press ahead, they could likely make the rebuilding community of Pont by nightfall and camp there. On the other hand, there are warm beds, hot food, and cold beverages available in Alice, as well as a hive of activity.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

The dervish looks around at her lay companions. Their silence as they take in the frenetic activity in the streets of Alice betrays their empty bellies and weary limbs. She nods austerely to herself.

"I know what you're thinking, friends. Warm beds. Hot food. Cold beverages.

"But did not our ancestors, who held fast the fading torch of civilization through the last cycle, sleep in cold berths, forever fearing being rousted to the hot terror of battle? Did not food come to them rotten, squalid and poor? Did not they subsist on nothing richer than water?

"Chaos waits for neither man nor woman. Chaos does not sleep at all. Chaos drinks nought but blood. Chaos eats nothing but the fear of the innocent! Let not the temptations of civilization slow us down. For if we tarry, there may be no civilization to which to return. Onwards, to Draea!"

With her fist held in the air, Zellar spurs Thunderhoof on through the crowds, towards the north gate.

Alwen Nar, to Sigmari An

"Fuck me, but I wouldn't mind an ale after all that marching."

[The_Wanderer]

Zellar

The dervish looks around at her lay companions. Their silence as they take in the frenetic activity in the streets of Alice betrays their empty bellies and weary limbs. She nods austerely to herself.

"I know what you're thinking, friends. Warm beds. Hot food. Cold beverages.

"But did not our ancestors, who held fast the fading torch of civilization through the last cycle, sleep in cold berths, forever fearing being rousted to the hot terror of battle? Did not food come to them rotten, squalid and poor? Did not they subsist on nothing richer than water?

"Chaos waits for neither man nor woman. Chaos does not sleep at all. Chaos drinks nought but blood. Chaos eats nothing but the fear of the innocent! Let not the temptations of civilization slow us down. For if we tarry, there may be no civilization to which to return. Onwards, to Draea!"

With her fist held in the air, Zellar spurs Thunderhoof on through the crowds, towards the north gate.

Alwen Nar, to Sigmari An

"Fuck me, but I wouldn't mind an ale after all that marching."

Feargus

Feargus looks down at his "squire" and says, "Mardan Cy, you are welcome to record all that they say, but I feel I must soon take the time to instruct you in the art of editing. That way we can really tailor their words to our great deeds. Take for example Zellar's words. They are well spoken and moving. On the othe hand, Alwen Nar speaks with the voice of the common person. Depending on the environs where you find yourself performing, you may want to sound more like Zellar...or like Alwen Nar. They are both right and good. Now...prepare yourself. I believe we ride shortly to Draea."

"Goshawk! You will like Draea. There is not a location in this land that values strength of arms more."

[shaidar]

Newton looks at Wilter and Toma "As Ribar will attest, there are days when it is best to take the punishment and push on, rather than succumb to drink and a decent meal, however much they beckon"

He glances at the inn, longingly, then gees his horse into action and follows Zellar.

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Seeing the group not slow down, Gardo continues to ride on. He looks around to make sure his three henchmen are continuing on with him as he moves forward.

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Eighteenthday
Pont

Eschewing the comforts of civilization, the adventurers press on, reaching the rebuilding community of Pont as evening darkens towards night. "I thought you just came through here," says one of the guards, "heading north again so soon? We received word a few days back there's going to be a caravan headed that way 'ere too long, and the folks might want to get to work building some temporary quarters and stables. I bet the next time you come south there'll be an inn here, with barrels of ale; maybe even a bathtub!"

[The_Wanderer]

Goshawk

"Mardan Cy, just remember an inn would be a fine thing for this place but a bathtub...my old granny used to say that a bathtub warmed the evil spirits in your blood. Best stay out of them as much as you can. Of course sometimes the lady folk like it if you're smelling nice..."

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Goshawk

"Mardan Cy, just remember an inn would be a fine thing for this place but a bathtub...my old granny used to say that a bathtub warmed the evil spirits in your blood. Best stay out of them as much as you can. Of course sometimes the lady folk like it if you're smelling nice..."

"Goshawk speaks true. A cold bucket of water and a stick to scrape off the dirt is more than adequate!"

As the group settles in for the evening, Zellar shares what she knows of Draea, the Shattered Tusks, and Burnnkenkrayn with Alwen, Sigmari, Wilter and Toma.

"A dragon is a terrible foe, but there's no cause to be afraid. Our learned allies in Rhea's Ford are even now researching the monster's weaknesses, and Jadas, the Alician mage, is preparing magical potions that are proof against its breath.

"Besides, there are no more capable warriors in all Absalom than Gardo, Newton and Feargus here. I have only journeyed with them a short while, and yet I've lost count of the orcs, ogres and trolls they've sent back to the mud. Oh, and don't let me forget... gentlemen, tell our new friends here what you did to that hydra!"

[shaidar]

Fifthmonth, Eighteenthday
Pont

Eschewing the comforts of civilization, the adventurers press on, reaching the rebuilding community of Pont as evening darkens towards night. "I thought you just came through here," says one of the guards, "heading north again so soon? We received word a few days back there's going to be a caravan headed that way 'ere too long, and the folks might want to get to work building some temporary quarters and stables. I bet the next time you come south there'll be an inn here, with barrels of ale; maybe even a bathtub!"

Newton

"A caravan? A merchant, or some kind of settlers?"

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Eighteenthday
Pont

Eschewing the comforts of civilization, the adventurers press on, reaching the rebuilding community of Pont as evening darkens towards night. "I thought you just came through here," says one of the guards, "heading north again so soon? We received word a few days back there's going to be a caravan headed that way 'ere too long, and the folks might want to get to work building some temporary quarters and stables. I bet the next time you come south there'll be an inn here, with barrels of ale; maybe even a bathtub!"

Newton

"A caravan? A merchant, or some kind of settlers?"

Guard

"I think merchants, although it sounds like there's an official contingent going north with them as well. You were the ones who reached Kimrid, I think? Well, we had a message from the Baron a few days back, said to get ready for increased traffic heading this way. You may have even seen the caravan getting ready in Alice; we were told to expect it within the week, and that was five, no, four days ago."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Times they are a-changing. We should be leaving early in the morning, so can make sure they're no new surprises along the way, to Draea at least" He looks at the others "We should stop at the deserted village on the way"

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Eighteenthday
Pont

The adventurers spend the night inside the fortified palisade of Pont. Nothing unusual occurs.

Fifthmonth, Nineteenthday
Hex 236.128

The adventurers leave bright and early. As it has been for the past couple of days, the sky is overcast, the air warm and humid. The companions saddle up, bidding the settlers and guards farewell, and continue onwards, reaching the abandoned village by mid-afternoon, just as a light drizzle is beginning to fall. The village looks unchanged; a wooden palisade, somewhat scorched by fire, surrounding an interior in which are clustered at least a dozen buildings of wood and stone. It is in, all things considered, surprisingly decent shape -- unlike the ruins of Pont -- and were it not inhabited by the shadowy dead could be potentially easy to repair.

The adventurers are traveling 36 miles per day, which means they cover 6 hexes per day. The ruined village is in hex 236.128, or the fifth hex of the day. First, let's roll for random encounters: Random Encounter (1-2):: 1d6 3

[shaidar]

Newton

"We really need to make this village safe before the caravan gets here. I'm guessing the shadows will only be affected by magical weapons, but we could test this by luring some out and peppering them with arrows"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Newton

"We really need to make this village safe before the caravan gets here. I'm guessing the shadows will only be affected by magical weapons, but we could test this by luring some out and peppering them with arrows"

"It is unfortunate I did not prepare myself for this eventuality. There are certain blessings of the Mnencir that would allow us to strike beyond the door of death and send these vile shadows back to the plane of chaos."

If I prepare the spells, Zellar can arm herself with a shillelagh and enchant one weapon with striking. We are definitely at a disadvantage without a mage. Does anyone have a +1 weapon? Do we know how many shadows are in there? Do we think we could make a stand if we wait until tomorrow so I have the spells?

Is the village on the road? Is there any way for the wagons to go around? Or did we tell everyone the road is clear and forget the niggling detail of the haunted village?

[shaidar]

I think most of the main characters have +1 melee weapons. It is possible to travel around the village, and as the shadows cannot leave the danger is contained.

[The_Wanderer]

Actually...Feargus and Goshawk still do not. Sure could use a Telemachus special for this. Feargus was going to take the magic sword that is still in Draea being ID'd by Telemachus. Hopefully he left it behind!

Feargus

Feargus spares a glance at his two followers and says, "You're certainly right. Do we have the firepower to take this on though? I mean, a whole village? And if we think so, we should certainly wait for Zellar to prepare himself and attack in the morning. That way we can bar the road from any caravan coming behind us...If we attack, my proposal is that we prepare as carefully as possible. Who knows what can even hurt a shadow? Are they undead?"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Actually...Feargus and Goshawk still do not. Sure could use a Telemachus special for this. Feargus was going to take the magic sword that is still in Draea being ID'd by Telemachus. Hopefully he left it behind!

Feargus

Feargus spares a glance at his two followers and says, "You're certainly right. Do we have the firepower to take this on though? I mean, a whole village? And if we think so, we should certainly wait for Zellar to prepare himself and attack in the morning. That way we can bar the road from any caravan coming behind us...If we attack, my proposal is that we prepare as carefully as possible. Who knows what can even hurt a shadow? Are they undead?"

Oh, derp. I have turning. I don't know exactly how many HD shadows are, and I wouldn't want to get overly meta about it anyway, but I strongly suspect they are no more than 4 HD, which is within range for me to get a "destroy" result.

"Indeed, if they are undead, then the symbol of Mnencir itself can turn them back - and may even destroy them outright."

Zellar steels herself and looks around at her companions. "I am torn, my friends. It is my utmost wish to surprise the Shattered Tusks and send them to an early grave. To feel their blood spot my cheeks. To hear the whisper of their souls escaping to their bestial hell. But... knowing now that a trade caravan is heading this way, I feel we would be remiss in our duty not to at least try to deal with this blasted village. I would not want the first caravan between Alice and Kimrid in hundreds of years to be marred by hideous, otherworldly creatures from beyond the grave.

"What do you all say?"

[thirdkingdom]

I think most of the main characters have +1 melee weapons. It is possible to travel around the village, and as the shadows cannot leave the danger is contained.

It's certainly possible for you guys to go around the village on foot or horseback. Wagons . . . may have a more difficult time. The road runs right through the village.

[shaidar]

Newton

"We can't take that chance, we have to stay and make this place safe"