Barrowmoor: Exploration and Ecdysis.

[Spearmint]

Herne Shrine, west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 28th 1066.

10.00am.
Weather: dry, light breeze.
Visibility: by the Shrine, the mist is thin, visibility is good. Beyond on the Barrow Moor, the mist thickens to limit visibility to 60'ft.

Herne is worshipped largely by humans and elven communities, some halflings also. Regarded as a 'rural' faith, its focus is on hunting, crafting, celebrations of seasons. Unlike Cromm Cruach, another deity of the Angarach, it does not have a war-like domain, rather it focuses on individual survival in the wilderness, man and beast in harmony.

"A group of pilgrims were here. Celebrating a turning of the Moon. About two dozen people in all. They were feasting, making offerings. The creatures came from the Moor, took them by surprise. Some bore weapons, primitive bows and stone axes. They attacked without mercy, killing some, driving off others. Nearly all were wounded and taken in by the church.

We know what happened to those bitten."
Marcel gives a brief resume. It appears the same mode of attack occurred at the logging site days earlier. A surprise attack then withdrawing, taking their own wounded and dead with them.

Scouting around, you can see that arrows have struck some trees a bowshot away. Broken shafts and arrowheads still embedded in the trunks. At least it indicates the creatures came this way. As much as anything, due south-west appears the direction to follow.

On the edge of the shrine perimeter are some ancient tombstones. A small graveyard dedicated to Hernite faithful who were buried here centuries ago. (Those who died in the attack were buried in town). Overshadowing them are some Hawthorn trees which blossom with sprigs of mistletoe. Anyone who wants can cut a fresh sprig.

actions and questions please

[sastaz]

Gerdal turns to Isvand and the others.

"You find anything? This place looks well travelled to me, so I doubt there will be any clues here as to their whereabouts."

She points in the south western direction.

"So, do we want to send one or two scouts ahead before we come crashing in? I guess there could be an entire village of these creatures nearby, so that's not something I'd like to just stumble into."

[Marullus]

Raust returns, expression solemn, spear in hand, regarding the ash mound where the funerary pyre was a week ago. "In both attacks the snakemen came by surprise on those unprepared. They attacked to wound, to intentionally infect, and retreated leaving the victims alive that they might to create more snakemen. They did not hunt, or act from need, instead slaughtering those engaged in worship and celebration, and this is a sin to Herne."

The druid harvests some springs of misteltoe, expecting to need a fair amount in the days ahead. As they do so, Raust address Friar Marcel. "What did your books tell you? Of the linkages to Set, or Kali, or Nergal? Of the curse and how we can defeat it? What do you intend when we uncover the path's end?"

After the discussion, the druid and wolves are prepared to follow the scant signs they found heading southwest. "We move quiet, close enough to not lose sight. No stumbling."

Proposed Order:
(rangers)
Traeliorn
Venwynn
(casters)
Raust with Namma and Carca
Gerdal
Friar Marcel (NPC)
Isvand
(rear guard)
Ricardo (NPC)
Pasquel (NPC)
Dale Birgensen

[Rusty Tincanne]

Realizing his training sessions at the mercenary encampment are catching up with him, Dale arches his back and then shifts his weight back and forth to keep the stiffness from his bruised and aching legs and back. While stretching, he addresses the group as a whole trying to assess their current risk. Do you know if the logging camp was also attacked at night? If so, it's best to keep moving and find a more defensible camp before the sun sets. He will continue his watch until the others are satisfied and ready to leave, likely toward the moors. He will take a spot toward the front of the group with, presumably, a ranger.


Spearmint: Is there a chance the first post can be amended with the current PCs and NPCs, and their classes? Thanks!

Edit: didn't notice others had posted since Spearmint. (Forgot to refresh the screen between reading the update and posting. ) Fake is fine a the rear guard.

And it looks like Maurulluss's's's's list could be copy/ posted to the first post. Though it doesn't tell classes, which would be helpful.

[RiverGreenForest]

Traeliorn

The Elf cuts a sprig of mistletoe and stores it into his rucksack just in case Raust or anyone else in the group needs it. Cautiously walking over to the trees with embedded arrowheads Traeliorn examines them and confirms Gerdal's suggestion with a slow nod while turning back to the group.

"I agree with Gerdal, according to the direction from whence the arrows flew we should head southwest. I can scout ahead with Dale or Raust to find more clues about the snake-men."

[Marullus]

Is anyone wearing metal armor and not sneaky? Just Dale?

[Rusty Tincanne]

As he faces southwest, Dale's oft-repaired chainmail shirt glints in the morning sun.

[sastaz]

Gerdal looks unarmored. She is wearing a very nice looking black and silver stars & moon-patterned cloak though. And she does cough every now and then, now when you think about it. On the other hand she does seem to have some form of camouflage, blending in with the surroundings.

[tarlyn]

Venwynn sports a Leather Armor and Leather Bracers, neither magical. She isn't as sneaky as she would like to be.

[redwarrior]

Isvand is wearing leather armor. He does have a small metal shield slung, but doesn't clang when he walks.

[RiverGreenForest]

Traeliorn is wearing studded leather armor.

[Spearmint]

Regarding classes of the group. Only Venwynn is a ranger, Marcel a cleric of St Ygg, Raust an aspirant druid. Gerdal is a 'sorceress', everyone else are common fighter class types while Isvand has some rogue dual classed skills.

Herne Shrine, west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 28th 1066.

11.00am.
Weather: dry, light breeze.
Visibility: by the Shrine, the mist is thin, visibility is good. Beyond on the Barrow Moor, the mist thickens to limit visibility to 60'ft.

The group take some time to scout around the statue and surrounding features. Resources taken and assessments made. Marcel is asked regarding the snake-men but he has very limited experience with them. Indeed, those who survived attacks only suffered fates worse than death themselves. Transforming into serpentine creatures themselves. "These animistic cults are not my speciality. Though all will bow before St Ygg and his Light, if not in this life than in the next to come." he answers to Raust.

Regarding the logging camp, it is a few miles west bordering the trail that splits the forest from the moor. The camp was indeed attacked by night, under a full moon. Of course this gave rise to the suspicion that were-creatures are involved though unlike lycanthropy, it afflicted victims of all demi-human races as well.

With no further clues than just to explore south-west, the group file along a very narrow deer trail that meanders around towering thickets of marsh grass and boggy pools of saturated peat that suck you knee deep in thick mud. This wilderness loam is not the healing Hurtloam type but littered with blood sucking leeches.

The pace is slow, not just because of the terrain but the pervading mist which swirls around you. Beyond your lantern light, the silhouette of withered trees take on a spooky appearance. Noises are echoed, the nearby croaking of frogs amplified to sound much louder than the palm sized creatures would normally make, the constant buzzing of swarming insects traced to just a single gnat.

The advice to keep close together wisely taken. By early afternoon you have covered probably a league distance though with no features visible to orient yourselves, how far you actually travel is a moot point.

With visibility limited, other senses are more useful. And a lupine nose sniffs something above the damp and rotting vegetation that causes the fur heckles to rise and a growl form in their throats.

Halting as some caution is passed down the line,

each person provide a d6 and action please.

[Marullus]

[1d6]=1

Raust looks visibly unimpressed with Marcel's answer. "What is the point of spending five days with books while we wait if books tell you nothing?" The druid has an emphatic sneeze, then moves further front with the pair of wolves.

The tip of the druid's spear comes up, now gripped with both hands. Their nose sniffs along with that of the two wolves, both straining to discern what is beyond in the mists. Raust stalks forward cautiously, Carca at their hip, trying to get a better idea...

[tarlyn]

Venwynn

[1d6]=6

The red haired ranger stops in her tracks at the sound. Holding her hand up so everyone stops. She looks back as she unsheathes her short sword,

holding it at the ready for everyone to see.

A finger goes to her lips in a silence[/] motion.


She looks around despite the mists, trying to get a good feel for the area.

Are there any trees, even if creepy or spooky, she can climb and get a better look around.

She is also concentrating and listening very carefully.

[redwarrior]

Isvand will ready a boomerang and attempts to slide very noticeably out of sight.



No need to worry! [1d6]=1
HS target 25 [1d100]=90

[sastaz]

Gerdal just halts, standing still between the two half elves, and watching the forest and the sky.

This is fine [1d6]=6

[RiverGreenForest]

Traeliorn

The Elf stops and unsheathes his long sword ready for whatever may come towards the group.

[1d6]=1

Woof. The dice gods liketh not me tonight.

[redwarrior]

Gerdal just halts, standing still between the two half elves, and watching the forest and the sky.

This is fine [1d6]=6

[Rusty Tincanne]

Dale follows the others through the morning, choosing the ever-deepening muck. He continuously scans into the mists (to the sides and behind) as he walks. When the others halt, he spins and drops to a defensive crouch to be sure nothing can attack from behind without being noticed. He hefts his shield other hand grips the hilt of his sword, which remains in its scabbard for now.


[url=https://www.unseenservant.com/index.php ... 39&macid=0][1d6]=2[/url

[Spearmint]

Barrow Moor, South-west of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 28th 1066.

Venwynn takes to the boughs of a nearby tree, climbing up to view whoever or whatever caused the accompanying wolves to alert the group. Folk make different preparations, Gerdal fades into the background, Isvand takes cover. Others stand on the deer trail, straining to perceive the danger ahead.

In the mist you can make out several overly large figures, much bigger and broader than humans though not giantish in size. They lumber about awkwardly, walking slowly. Several smaller humanoids surround them. One in particularly towers over the others.

As the wolves showed, while visibility is limited, sense of smell is critical. Wether bodies unwashed or soap fragrances or just the sweat of trekking, a scent carries which causes the larger figure to suddenly stand upright, all seven plus feet of him and pounding chest furiously, it runs at the group, leaping athletically upon his knuckles at it charges.

The hooting and rage is primeval; the creature, according to some, a long distance ancestor you evolved from.



With no sides surprised, it looks like initiative and actions are in order.

actions please