Chapter 35: What the Night Brings

[Inferno]

The Hinterlands beyond the March of Bissel, Greyhawk
Day One. Night. Saturday, January 14th, 577 CY







At table, the old Flan woman listens to the doomed heroes' sad story and replies, "I am sorry that these things should have happened to you. But here at least, you are welcome."

Then to Faron with a small, reassuring smile, "There are many strange things in the night. But inside, we are safe."

The dishes are cleared and the guests are served strong black coffee and fried apple cake. The servers smile as if they know the visitors will like it.

Then the children sing songs for them into the night.



Some bashful, some bold, some giggling from behind each other, marveling at the gnomes and the swords and the armor.

When the weary travelers can no longer keep their eyes open, the old woman speaks in Flannish to her family, and then to their guests in broken Common, "We have kept you up too late. You will forgive us I hope. We don't have visitors often."

Then she smiles at Ingrid, "It is not our way that you should sleep together in one room. But if it is your wish, my dear? Perhaps you are married to one of these nice men."

Soon, their hosts retire and leave the guests to the great room where more beds were brought in for them.



"Sleep well, my friends. Please to not go outside. Inside, we are safe," the old woman says as she leaves them. "Good night now. See you in morning."

The Flan peasants say their prayers, and soon the house falls quiet.


Replies to any of the above? And actions for the night please.


Map:

For floorplan only. PCs are in the center, great room. Their hosts are sleeping in the other rooms.





PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 6: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 27/27
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 4/5: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 21/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 6: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 28/28, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 3/3 3rd lvl
N'Rogara: Human Ranger 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 53/53
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 37/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 5: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, 1/1 3rd lvl

PC Magic:

None currently

Player Resources:

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

[rredmond]

"Inside may be safe," the ranger says quietly, just for the rest of the party to hear, "but I'd be happier if we still set a watch."

[jemmus]

Yes, I fully agree, friend, Faron says. I'll take a middle one. He feels that that is the time that things are must likely to bump in the night.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur nods in agreement. He offers to take first watch per the watch order in the OOC thread.

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis will keep watch when it's his turn, keeping an ear and eye out for any burrowing friends that may seek out this structure for warmth during the night.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser also takes a watch.

[Inferno]

The Flan Village in the Hinterlands beyond Bissel, Greyhawk
Day One. Night. Saturday, January 14th, 577 CY







The peasant house falls silent, and the doomed heroes set a watch for the night in the humble great room, crowded with beds.

It has been many weeks since they have slept with full stomachs in beds in a warm room. They quickly fall asleep and hours pass without incident.

Ingrid Esthof dreams again of an alluring stranger whom she cannot quite see, who is her lover and her love.

Late in the first watch, Ingrid rises from her bed in her night clothes. N'Rogara and Urdur assume she needs a drink of water or use of the chamber pot.

Neither suspects she is sleepwalking.

Without a word, Ingrid goes to the back of the room and unlatches the shutters and the window.



Ingrid throws open the large window and, facing it, exposes her neck!

For the first time, N'Rogara sees the frightful marks upon Ingrid's throat!



A blast of frigid air from the open window blows out their candles, awakens Faron, Mouser and Telkis, and rouses Ingrid from her beguiling dream!

Suddenly, in the moonlit curtains, they see the shadow of a figure!



Beyond it, in the darkness of the night, erupts the bloodcurdling howls of wolves!

The shadowed figure silently beckons to Ingrid.



Against her every wish, Ingrid feels compelled to comply! (Ingrid please Save vs Spells to act freely! Wisdom modifiers count)


Actions, everyone!


Map:

Room is 20' x 30'. PC markers are each approximately 5' x 5'.





PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 6: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 27/27
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 4/5: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 21/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 6: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 28/28, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 3/3 3rd lvl
N'Rogara: Human Ranger 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 53/53
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 37/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 5: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, 1/1 3rd lvl

PC Magic:

None currently

Player Resources:

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

[ChubbyPixie]

If Telkis sees Ingrid moving towards the window, he will try to restrain her.

Not sure what's needed here:
STR Check (14): [1d20]=7

"Ingrid, come to your senses!" he harshly whispers, keeping as quiet as he can in order not to alarm the household.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser wakens and quickly grabs his blades. “I knew it!” He moves toward the figure in the window.

[rredmond]

N’Rogara assumes the worst and rushes the figure, slicing through the curtain.

Two-handed: TH [1d20+2]=19+2=21 DAM [1d10+2]=9+2=11

Jinkies good rolls! Actions and associated rolls for actions are the SOP? If not disregard and I’ll cry quietly in the corner.

[SocraticLawyer]

Flööst, says Urdur. He silently rebukes himself for daring to think he might get a good night's rest.

Urdur does his best to get a torch lit, and moves towards Ingrid. If he can reach her this round, he tries to help Telkis awaken the cleric.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof - Vampire Thrall

With the lover she has been saving herself for her entire life beckoning her to come with him, she wants nothing more than to make him happy. She climbs through the window so they may be together.

Save vs. Spells (14): [1d20]=3

[jemmus]

Faron tries to take advantage of the action to quietly move to the shadow's flank.

Move silently 43% [1d100]=98 Nope.

[Inferno]

Flan Village in the Hinterlands beyond the March of Bissel, Greyhawk
Day One. Night. Saturday, January 14th, 577 CY








From out of the darkness, arms reach for Ingrid Esthof... arms that she longs to embrace.




Their cold shadow falls across her beautiful face and she can feel that shadow to the very depths of her soul.

Ingrid moves toward her dream lover that they may be together at last. But suddenly, she is denied! Telkis has her by the wrist and is pulling her away from that which she desires most!

Urdur gets a torch alight in the icy wind and the room is alive in writhing, jumping shadows.

Faron, Mouser and N'Rogara charge the open window with steel bared! The ranger's great sword, glittering in the cold moonlight, slashes through the ethereal, blowing curtain and strikes something solid within!

The shadow on the curtain disappears!




And then suddenly, bursting through the curtain and ripping it from the wall and trampling it beneath them, come two large wolves, barking and feral and murderous!





Actions?!


Map:

Room is 20' x 30'. PC markers are each approximately 5' x 5'.

Behind the DM Screen:

Initiative: Party:[1d6]=5, Monsters:[1d6]=2 Party wins.

PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 6: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 27/27
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 4/5: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 21/21, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 6: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 28/28, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 3/3 3rd lvl
N'Rogara: Human Ranger 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 53/53
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 37/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 5: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 15/15, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl, 1/1 3rd lvl, Torch

PC Magic:

None currently

Player Resources:

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

[jemmus]

Faron's longsword glows in the dark of the room as he thrusts it into the side of the nearby wolf.

THAC0 19 +1 Longsword [1d20+1]=17+1=18 S/M [1d8+1]=3+1=4 L [1d12+1]=5+1=6

[ravenn4544]

Mouser growls back at the wolf as he stabs with his trusted blade!

Scalpel (THACO 19) To Hit [1d20]=14, S/M/L Dam. [1d8]=8

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur whispers a series of mystical phrases, seeking to deprive one of the wolves of its sight!

Casts Blindness, targeting W2.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof - Human Cleric

Ingrid allows Telkis to pull her a few feet away from danger before she casts a spell. Uttering words of divine magic, the cleric suddenly begins growling like a wild animal!

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis releases Ingrid in alarm and vaults the nearest bed to attack wolf number two on its left flank:

Morningstar +2 (THAC0 17): To Hit:[1d20+2]=16+2=18, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+2]=7+2=9, vs L [1d6+3]=5+3=8

[rredmond]

N'Rogara curses as the creature in the curtain seemingly gets away. Hopefully with a massive wound, he thinks. "Strange crew,", he says out loud, half to himself, "everyone's growling, there's work to be done," he growls, in a growly tone, not actual growls.

Here's hoping he can back up his smartassery!
TH [1d20+2]=15+2=17; DAM [1d10+2]=3+2=5


FYI to the DM: there is something wrong with my Macro for some reason. I'll fuss with it later, but it returned a bunch of errors. You can see it in the roll list though. Bizarre. Decent enough TH roll though!