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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 4, 2020 6:11:12 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw acts quickly - calling out the positions of the two groups of wolves to the party and warning the group (and his raven) to stay clear of the trio to the NorthEast. As he does so, he takes a chip of quartz from one of his 'pockets' and flings it at the wolves and invokes the words of magic. Suddenly an eruption of snowballs peppers the wolves there.
ooc: snilloc's snowball swarm; save for half
BIslNeMR6d3
Initiative: 1d10+26d3·1d10+2
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Post by Margrave on Mar 10, 2020 12:51:38 GMT -8
Sam, Dean, and Wethun advance on the skulking wolves to the northwest. The creatures leap at them - one of the wolves latches onto Dean's throat (4 damage) and the two are wrestling for position. The other two meet the blades of Wethun and are chopped nearly in half by the claymore wielding ranger.
The words of magic invoke a storm of snowballs that pelt the wolves to the northeast. One of the creatures snaps at the flank of the horse (5 damage) and it starts to panic. The twang of bowstrings are heard and that creature falls to the ground with an arrow protruding from its side.
Chert speaks words that conjure an acidic missile that flies and strikes another wolf that yelps in pain and tries to run but stumbles after several strides and writhes in pain on the ground until the bubbling from the wound is the only motion left from its lifeless body.
Just as quickly as it started, the attack ends with the remaining two wolves in fast retreat with their tails between their legs.
The muleskinners get out from under their wagons and calm the horses. The one that was bitten is tended to, and a curing spell or two will easily do the trick. The same holds true for Dean.
All of the merchants are thankful for your quick action, and they complement the forces at Greatwall for choosing such capable guards. They check to make sure the gear is still secure under the heavy tarps and suggest that camp is broken at first light. Though a pack of wolves is not the raiding orc and hobgoblin hordes, it is somewhat comforting knowing that the group is capable.
Wethun is able to get ample meat to feed Sam and Dean (and anyone else) from the wolf carcasses.
Camp is broken at first light. The teamsters press the wagons again - the thought of getting to Mursten seems to drive the men and horses onward. Though the group is on high alert, nothing happens during the day except for clouds and a rainstorm moving in. Similar watches are set at night, yielding nothing other than the group's imagination and rain. The showers are not heavy and are done by morning.
On the end of the third day, as the sun starts to set, and you come upon the charred remains of a cart and several ravaged bodies. From the look of the corpses, it appears as though the attack took place only about a day ago.
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Post by Daos on Mar 10, 2020 16:39:37 GMT -8
Dismounting from his horse, and drawing his Short Sword of Quickness, Marik approaches the cart. First, he'll examine the bodies to see if any still live. Then, he'll check and see if there is anything still in the cart that might be of any value. "I suspect it wasn't mere wolves that did this," he remarks to the others as he searches.
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Post by Kvard51 on Mar 13, 2020 10:51:23 GMT -8
Chert climbs down from the wagon to inspect the bodies. "We should be able to tell by the wounds, but I don't know of any wolves that use fire. Do you?"
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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 13, 2020 12:29:40 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw comes over to the bodies and looks at them intently. "Let's ask them what happened." He then holds his holy symbol and extracts incense and his tinder box from his pocket. He lights a spark and gets the candle going. Next he lights the incense and recites an incantation, "Tho ye have taken your last breath this week, come spirit - I summon thee to speak!"
When the spirit arrives, Dra will ask: "What happened here to cause such carnage?" "What were you carrying in your wagon?"
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Post by Daos on Mar 14, 2020 14:56:30 GMT -8
"Fire breathing wolves? Somehow, I wouldn't be too surprised if such a thing exists," Marik says. He quiets down when Dra'Ziw starts casting. Could this half-elf really speak with the dead? He had heard of such a thing, but never seen it in action.
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Post by Margrave on Mar 16, 2020 7:20:38 GMT -8
For a moment, it seems as if nothing happens. Then a strange wind picks up, swirling the cinders and ashes around the bodies. They suddenly take form of a man-sized figure. A moan like an echoing wind answers the first question, Shafts of fire came from the sky. Pain - stinging pain! Orcs! The second question is asked and answered. All that is valuable. My pretty ones and my beloved. Gone. We were to start anew. Now all gone. Gone. The wind dies down and the ashes scatter to the wind.
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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 16, 2020 11:18:12 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw completes the spell and says, "It seems as though this was a family from the east that was headed into the Kingdom that was set upon by marauding orcs. Wethun, can you track them to bring justice for them or to see if we need to be concerned about their whereabouts? I will send Q'woth with you and your canine companions and the rest of us can move the cart and corpses off the trail."
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Post by Daos on Mar 16, 2020 15:36:31 GMT -8
"Let's not lose focus of our objective," Marik says, sheathing his sword. He was a bit rattled after having seen ghosts. He couldn't help but feel they were still there, invisible, watching him. How creepy. "Maybe we should just bury the bodies and move on, before we lose much more daylight..."
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Post by Margrave on Mar 18, 2020 5:24:12 GMT -8
The merchants echo Marik's sentiment. They clearly would rather push on. Guards are posted while the cart and bodies are cleared by the teamsters. The party notice that Jasmalus - the tall merchant - is making notes in a small book. A makeshift grave site is built and the group presses on. Although tensions are high and the group feels even more vulnerable, the rest of the trip is without event. Camp is made as it has been before and the rest of the leg to Morsten is without incident as the caravan arrives in the evening. The merchants remind the party that the caravan must be ready to leave again at first light for the second part of the journey to Fort Belvor.
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Post by Daos on Mar 19, 2020 14:26:33 GMT -8
With what little free time Marik has, he decides to go and see Emerald and find out how she's doing and if he can get to know her a bit better.
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OnceUponAnAxe
Gamer
Ghosted
Throwin Dice and Livin Nice!
Posts: 207
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Post by OnceUponAnAxe on Mar 23, 2020 4:13:28 GMT -8
The animal attack seemed strange, but wasn’t unexpected. The wolves had been driven to near madness by the nearness of Iuz’s horde. The humanoids were hunting everything from rats to men to near extinction in these woods. He made small talk and cleaned the wounds of his wounded companion. At times on the ride, it seemed as if he preferred Sam and Dean to the bipedal members of the party.
Finding evidence of Orcish filth was unsurprising. His desire to destroy them, again wasn’t a surprise. He did fill a bit of disgust for Marrik and the gathered merchants. They had expressed a reasonable amount of apprehension at the prospect of leaving the road to hunt greenskins. But reasonable was something our orc stalking pal was not. His demeanor only seemed to break during the impromptu funeral held for the slain. Perhaps it struck home more than he cared to admit.
Wethun has been a ball of rage since the encounter with the burned cart and the slain family. His soul had aches to avenge the wrongs leveled against the remnants of his people. The arrival to Morsten and mention of Fort Belvor came as a small balm. He had seemed distracted on the ride. As if he was splitting his attention to seek the Orcs or will them into the path of the caravan.
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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 23, 2020 11:14:12 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw will replenish his food and spellcasting supplies. Being rather bookish himself, Dra will then discuss with Jasmalus what he is noting in his book.
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Post by Margrave on Mar 24, 2020 12:51:29 GMT -8
With what little free time Marik has, he decides to go and see Emerald and find out how she's doing and if he can get to know her a bit better. Emerald is in the common room of the Brass Tankard - the inn the group is staying. She is sitting with her merchant companions, eating bread and cheese and drinking mulled wine. Her green gaze meets Marik's eyes and she smiles. This stops the conversation of the others soon enough, but Marik's keen ears pick up the last bit of Malin's conversation to his companions, "...us from a similar fate. This crew is worth the price, and I am willing to..." He turns and smiles, "Marik! Come, sit...join us. I was just telling Emerald and Jasmalus here how impressed I am with you and your friends. You are quite handy with that bow. We are just having a light meal and will be settling down - early start tomorrow. Have some wine and cheese. Ahh - there is that spellslinger - Dra'Ziw. Come...join us as well! Eat, drink, wash the road dust from your mouths."As the conversation is dominated by Malin, Marik does not learn much about Emerald. When Jasmalus is questioned about his observed bookkeeping, he unconsciously puts his hand on his large belt pouch where the tome is kept and his body language stiffens. "It is my personal diary, and I ask that you respect my privacy in this matter." The party goes to bed with more questions than answers, but they have a job to do. Similar to the start of the journey, the wagons are ready and teamsters await the party with their merchant employers. The group departs for the second leg of the trip - similar to the first (minus the mounted escort). Unease builds as the caravan skirts the Veng River as it is the only barrier that separates Furyondy from several thousand bloodthirsty Iuzian troops. It is clear that this has a psychological effect on the wagon drivers, as they continue to push the draft horses to go as fast as possible.
The group sets up camp for the first night, but everyone cannot help shake the feeling that they are being watched.
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Post by Kvard51 on Mar 24, 2020 14:46:12 GMT -8
As camp set-up is completed, Chert takes his spellbook and sits under the wagon closest to the fire. He feels the need to time alone, but wants to remain close to his companions. He settles down to study until he has what he needs memorized. But his eyes keep straying into the darkness, seeking whatever it is that gives him the "willies".
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