IC II

[VonAlric]

Gardo

He shrugs. "I said before on our way south that we needed to deal with this thing. Too bad Telemachus din't travel with us."

[thirdkingdom]

How do you guys want to go about this?

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

The dervish sketches a plan to her companions...

Newton, Gardo and Notai all have enchanted weapons. I'll use a shillelagh and I'll put striking on Feargus's Trusty Mace. We put the rest of the henches and the mercs on herding duty and try to funnel them if there aren't too many, or temporarily split them into groups if there's... too... many. Ribar should lead the "herders" because he can turn the shadows if something goes wrong and a melee ensues against a bunch of helpless characters.

"What say you all?"

[thirdkingdom]

Here's a pretty decent map. Assume each house is about 20' x 20'.

Village of Shadows Numbered.jpg (328.51 KiB) Viewed 713 times

[shaidar]

Newton

"Not a bad plan, but are we sure they can be turned? We could lure a few out and find out"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Newton

"Not a bad plan, but are we sure they can be turned? We could lure a few out and find out"

"A wise point! If yourself, Gardo and Notai can lure some out now, Ribar and I can test their resistance to the light of the holies. Then we'll know whether it's worth camping here overnight."

[The_Wanderer]

Here's a pretty decent map. Assume each house is about 20' x 20'.

Village of Shadows Numbered.jpg

Nice job with that!

Feargus

Feargus nods assent to the plan. "So what's this thing you're going to do to my mace? I don't call it my Trusty mace for no reason you know. You better not mess it up...Goshawk, Mardan Cy - Stay back a bit. It seems there is some thought that the shadows may be impervious to mundane weaponry."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

He takes a breath to start up an argument but stops with a small cough behind him. He turns to see Mariusz tapping the side of his head. Gardo imitates this action for a moment then his face brightens up. He pivots back around. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Wasn't sure why I was thinking it wasn't."

[shaidar]

Zellar

Newton

"Not a bad plan, but are we sure they can be turned? We could lure a few out and find out"

"A wise point! If yourself, Gardo and Notai can lure some out now, Ribar and I can test their resistance to the light of the holies. Then we'll know whether it's worth camping here overnight."

Newton

"Sounds good to me. Let's see if there's anything in the house to the left."

yeah, very cool map. How about we try building #3, it's near the exit and it's reasonably isolated.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar orders her henchmen back a hundred yards and prepares the icon of the Mnencir, murmuring prayers to the god-sphinx.

Alwen Nar & Sigmari An

After retreating, Alwen and Sigmari, not to be caught defenseless, prepare their bows despite Zellar's admonitions regarding their helplessness.

"Better to die facing one's enemy," says Sigmari, a deadpan irony underlying her tone.

"Better not to die," Alwen mutters, memories of his time in the east and countless dead companions flashing before his eyes.

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Newton

"Not a bad plan, but are we sure they can be turned? We could lure a few out and find out"

"A wise point! If yourself, Gardo and Notai can lure some out now, Ribar and I can test their resistance to the light of the holies. Then we'll know whether it's worth camping here overnight."

Newton

"Sounds good to me. Let's see if there's anything in the house to the left."

yeah, very cool map. How about we try building #3, it's near the exit and it's reasonably isolated.

Fifthmonth, Nineteenthday
The Village of Shadows

The chosen adventurers enter the compound, alert for any sign of danger. Zellar, upon crossing through the palisade, feels a heavy weight upon her breast, as if she were breathing underwater. However, the companions are able to advance up the street in the light drizzle without molestation.

The nearest structure is decided as the first to investigate; it has stone walls and a slate roof, and looks to be in decent shape. It's not possible to tell from the outside what it may have been used for. Perhaps the dwelling of a prosperous villager? There is a door facing the road, but it is closed; no windows can be seen from where the adventurers stand in the road.

Hahaha! You can thank Google image search for the map, not me!

[shaidar]

Newton

Before entering, Newton leaves his equipment except his armour and axe with his horse and orders Wilter and Toma not to enter the palisade under any circumstances, but to stay alert and watch for danger.

Upon approaching the building he whispers to the others "Be ready, I shall try and open the door"

Just trying to bring Newtons encumbrance right down so he can move quickly. Although I just realised that Ribar is in heavy armour

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar whispers a prayer and casts protection from evil on Newton before he opens the door.

[shaidar]

Newton nods his thanks to Zellar

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

"Mardan Cy - stay a few steps back and light up a torch...and keep your eyes open. Your oil might be the only thing any of us carry that can hurt these things. Goshawk, you're on my hip. Eyes open and let me know if you see anything."

Feargus shadows Zellar as the party moves forward.

[thirdkingdom]

The Village of Shadows
1 turn elapsed

Newton approaches the door and, putting his ear to it, listens intently. Hearing nothing, he puts his hand to the door and pushes it open. The diffuse light from the overcast day spills in through the doorway, revealing a room some thirty feet wide by twenty feet deep. In one corner is a spiral staircase leading up.

The room is a mess; it looks as though it has been thoroughly ransacked and searched, with belongings thrown willy-nilly upon the floor. It smells of mold and mildew, as well, and he soon locates the source; a window set into the south wall, opposite the door, has broken, letting in the elements. Otherwise, the room appears to be empty.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar gazes about the village, making sure nothing is sneaking up on them.

"If this house was pillaged, then it is unlikely to be the abode of darkling creatures. Nonetheless, we should check the upper story. If our goal is to determine whether the shadows can be destroyed by the white-hot gaze of the holies, then perhaps I should accompany Drakesbane up that stairwell."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Just what I was going to suggest. I go first, followed by Zellar, and the rest wait downstairs in case there is a problem"

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"Yep, we'll wait downstairs. You go first."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus
"Yeah, I'll stay down here as well." Feargus begins pacing the room and inspecting the walls and ceiling, making sure that the building is still structurally sound.

"Mardan Cy - Stay outside and keep your outward. Let us know if you see anything."