Helix Village, Duchy of Aerik.
June 29th 1066.
https://www.unseenservant.us/forum/view ... 26#p662426
Following this conversation with Gern, the Forgemaster's nephew, Orgoth has rallied the willing and able to set out as a reinforcing posse, 'somewhere along the trail'.
Looking for a dwarf and co' under the thick prevailing mist that shields all but the closest of figures might be a forlorn task. But hope is kept and fortified by able comrades, they quickly set out.
Orgoth, Sir Dewey, his 'squire' Copperpiece, Sigrid, newcomer Gideon and two torchbearers, Kane and Abel.
Barrow Moor random and even more random [1d6]=1 [1d6]=2 [1d10]=3
The first hour takes you to the outskirts of the settlement, past the last small holdings on the extreme perimeter of the Duchy patrols. After this, you are in the wilderness. Another couple of miles takes you close to the Herne Ring, the large circle of standing stones that form the sacred enclosure where devotees of Herne go to make pilgrimage or offerings. Orgoth of course has just been at another sacred grove, partaking in the blessings of Herne's Hunt and receiving divine favour in return. Buffed out with a broader shoulder and the extra confidence that gain rank and experience has brought him.
Sir Dewey has gained a shadow. At least a half-orc youth that is under his current mentorship. The boy is a bit of an untamed rascal presently, but proudly states he can lock and load his crossbow as quick as 'the big guy' and will happily jab the point of his dagger into the backside if anyone to slow to add the Sir pronoun when addressing Sir Dewey. Sigrid has proved more than just a pretty face. Facing off against Undead, hags and even befriending a bagpipe playing troll.
Gideon Hawke might be enthralled by such hallowed and experienced adventurers but brings with him the aid of St Ygg and divine blessings, especially upon the Moor where the Unhallowed walk, is in desperately short supply.
Torchbearers Kane & Abel light the way, so far following a much travelled path that meanders from the trade road southwards, going around the quicksand like bogs and towards the field of Mammoth Bones. From Helix to entrance to Barrow Mounds,
, not expecting to need to travel so far, intercepting the sought after dwarf somewhere along the journey.A) west via the Shrine of Herne then south and circling the Mounds to approach them from the south. 7.5 miles across the Moor from the forest edge. Journey time approx 5 hours across Moor.
This way is shorter but considered more dangerous as the region directly north of the Mounds has many notorious 'quicksand' like bogs.
There is an interception en route. Walking in the trail, the croaking of frogs and chittering of grass crickets is a constant background noise. However a mile past the Herne Ring the vanguard of the group stumble upon the body of a dead adventurer. He is being swarmed over by a multitude of black scarab beetles, their shiny carapaces streaked with splotches of the dead man's blood. They nibble and feast, tearing the man apart under numerous grinding teeth and grasping portions of flesh to roll up into little parcels that they begin to carry away in Dung Beetle fashion. These critters are no bigger than a boot and ordinarily might be squished under a heavy stomp. But they swarm over the man and along the trail in several batches, a score of critters in each. Kane & Abel swipe at them, clearing them away from the deceased man with wafts of their burning firebrands. However they soon shout an alarm as a trio of man sized beetles, each with great grasping claws that look as long as serrated broadswords, jagged and vicious appear from the undergrowth.
The tyrannids don't just have an aggressive presence, they have an eerie, otherworldly feel that doesn't fit right even among the many strange inhabitants of the Barrow Moor.
These beetles are distinctly coloured, one a fiery red that glows like lit coals, a second has an icy blue like a frozen sky and the third looks sickly green.
actions everyone please
Health Status:
Kane: 6/6hp.
Abel: 6/6hp
Sir Dewey: 11/22hp
Copperpiece: 6/6hp
Orgoth: 33/33hp
Sigrid: 11/14hp
Gideon: 8/8hp