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Post by Daos on Mar 25, 2020 17:08:10 GMT -8
Marik regrets that he isn't able to learn anything about Emerald, much less get her alone, but at least she seems receptive to him so far and there is plenty of time left on this expedition, so he doesn't worry about it much.
Once camp is set up the following night, Marik frowns as he peers out into the darkness. "I don't like this. Maybe we should send a scout? Although I confess, I'm not sure which direction to send one. Do one of you have some kind of magic that might make sure we're alone out here?" he asks the others.
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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 27, 2020 6:43:38 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw plans to cast his spell so that the hut will be on the side nearest the river - shielding the wagons and horses. He agrees with Marik, "Aye...I don't like this either. I shall send Q'Woth and scry the area."
Send raven familiar to scout in a spiral pattern that starts tight around us and works its way to a mile radius and scry area - looking for trouble.
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Post by Margrave on Mar 30, 2020 5:14:24 GMT -8
The scouting of the raven yields nothing of note. Even scrying through its eyes, Dra'Ziw is unable to notice anything other than the trail ahead.
Unease continues to build as the caravan continues onward. Each night, the group sets a watch. If it weren't for the sleeping spell from the cleric of Wee Jas, the group would most likely find it difficult to sleep at all as the second leg of the journey skirts the Veng river - the only barrier that separates Furyondy from several thousand bloodthirsty Iuzian troops. By the beginning of the eighth day, both the teamsters and merchants have grown significantly nervous.
The muleskinners push the wagons as fast as they dare go, but they eventually push too much, and a wagon throws a wheel in the late morning. Watches from both man and animal alike are set, as it takes more than four hours to fix. One cannot help but feel exposed while doing so, and this sets the caravan back considerably. Malin blusters as he had hoped to reach Fort Belvor by nightfall. Now the caravan must either travel in darkness - far too dangerous in this area - or find a safe place to camp. Still, Malin insists on pressing the caravan for as far as it can go before bedding down for the night.
Tensions run high as dusk begins to fall, and you plainly see fires burning in the distance on the Iuzian side of the river. Then you slowly realize that one of the fires isn't from across the river at all, but on the winding trail up ahead. When the trail straightens out, the source of the fire comes into view - a burning wagon, on its side in the middle of the road, part of an ambushed three-wagon train.
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OnceUponAnAxe
Gamer
Ghosted
Throwin Dice and Livin Nice!
Posts: 207
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Post by OnceUponAnAxe on Mar 30, 2020 11:33:14 GMT -8
“Well that certainly doesn’t bode well for our caravan. Now does it. Marik, care to join me and my boys on a bit of a scout up ahead? We could use the raven as well wizard.” Wethun dismounts and readies to wonder forward and scout out some greenskins.
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Post by Justin Tyme on Mar 30, 2020 12:24:41 GMT -8
“Well that certainly doesn’t bode well for our caravan. Now does it. Marik, care to join me and my boys on a bit of a scout up ahead? We could use the raven as well wizard.” Wethun dismounts and readies to wonder forward and scout out some greenskins. "My thoughts exactly. I shall stay here to guard your horses and the caravan; but first...accept my magic which will cloak you with invisibility. Be careful, however, for if you attack - you will become visible again. The spell does not silence your approach." ooc: Cast invisibility on Marik and Wethun - if they accept. Send Q'woth to fly overhead of the wagon area in spirals - scry through him if he sends empathic fright through link.
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Post by Daos on Mar 30, 2020 14:58:50 GMT -8
Marik will accept the invisibility spell, and drawing his sword, he dismounts from his horse and carefully approaches the burning wagon. He keeps a sharp eye out for any ambushers lying in wait or any victims who might need help.
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Post by Margrave on Apr 1, 2020 12:49:36 GMT -8
The invisible two move quietly ahead - whispering to each other their position with Marik holding out his bow until Wethun finds it. The two use it as a means to keep together - Wethun taking the left track and Marik the right. Suddenly, Q'woth begins cawing frantically overhead. It is clear that it is calling out "DRA-GON! DRA-GON!"The copse of trees to the left of the trail shudders and leaves fly as a huge red scaled winged creature bursts into the air. It flaps its massive wings, and you can feel the wind from them even at this distance. A palpable fear holds you in place as you stare at the creature as it gains altitude. You almost breath a sigh of relief before it suddenly wheels over and dives - straight for the caravan. The horses panic and nearly throw their riders or break from their reigns. Then the reptilian beast sucks in air and its neck glows red like a furnace as it lines up on the track, swooping down upon all of you. A sound like ten storms raging is heard as the light of the fading sun is overtaken by a blinding gout of flame whose heat you can feel before it is upon you. ooc: Save v. Breath Weapon for half of lmJaKrNA14d10+7 fire damage. Before declaring actions - click on spoiler below: I couldn't help myself. Happy April Fools Day, everyone! What really happened: The invisible two move quietly ahead - whispering to each other their position with Marik holding out his bow until Wethun finds it. The two use it as a means to keep together - Wethun taking the left track and Marik the right. Q'woth caws overhead, "All-clear! All-clear!"You see that the middle of the three wagons lays overturned and is virtually demolished on the road. To the right lies the charred wagon, still smoldering. To the left stands the third wagon, apparently undamaged but awash with blood. Large spots of blood also dot the surrounding area, but you see no signs of bodies anywhere. Cargo from the three wagons lies ransacked and scattered across the roadway, but little appears taken. You also note numerous crudely-fletched arrows lying among the cargo - several of which are charred near the arrowheads. Wethun easily recognizes these as orc arrows. He knows that they commonly are dipped in tar or pitch and are lit before firing. He cannot help but scan the area and finds numerous tracks - it is clear that orcs attacked and dragged bodies towards several small copses of trees. The two scouts hear the wagons approach and the part may discuss options. Malin is heard tsking and the merchants are visibly concerned. The tradesman says, "We should gather up all of these supplies to take with us." The teamsters set off to work in the waning light. It is obvious to you all that this caravan could have easily been yours. 14d10+7
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Post by Daos on Apr 1, 2020 13:59:41 GMT -8
"But what became of the victims?" Marik asks, noticing the lack of bodies. He looks around the nearby area for any clues, perhaps footprints or dragging marks if the bodies were carried away.
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Post by Kvard51 on Apr 1, 2020 16:27:30 GMT -8
Chert stands on the wagon seat, shaking his head sadly at the report. Hearing Marik's question, he says quietly, "Likely for them orc's stewpots, milad. We needs hurry before they get hungry again." He climbs down, searching through the rubble for things they might be able to salvage.
Observation (Int 0) FLKgwtel1d20 1d20
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Post by Justin Tyme on Apr 2, 2020 4:51:31 GMT -8
Knowing that his strength is inadequate for helping here, Dra'Ziw keeps a lookout from horseback. He figures that the group will most likely be camping here or close by; he finds the irony in not needing to light a fire. Dra wonders if the blaze will attract others. He calls out, "Marik...Wethun...you still here? Are you going to see if we can find any survivors? This is not like the other family we saw earlier, because they left the dead where they lay. Unlike before, we will be here awhile."
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Post by Daos on Apr 2, 2020 12:54:20 GMT -8
"I'm here," Marik calls out. "I'll scout around the area, see if I find anything."
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Post by Margrave on Apr 3, 2020 8:03:52 GMT -8
Wethun and Marik continue their scouting mission as the two spell casters remain near the wagons with the raven on lookout overhead. Wethun's keen eyes and his experience as a tracker easily picks up the trail. There are at least a dozen booted feet that the ranger recognizes as orc prints that head towards the woods close by. The Justifier's heart quickens as he follows them to one of the small copses of trees set apart from the woodland beyond, leading Marik with the bow. Marik's eyes scan the area and sees bodies laying unceremoniously in a heap with arms and legs in strange positions that would indicate they are not alive. As the pair gets closer, they can see and smell the tell tale indicators of death - open glassy eyes, bloody wounds, and the stench of decay. Flies scatter as you investigate the bodies carefully - looking for anything of use. To your surprise, one of the corpses looks familiar. The face and body type looks exactly like one of the merchants - the rail thin Jasmalus! This body is not full of arrows or blade cuts, but has a strange red rash of spots and dark bruising under the nose and eyes and around his mouth. The whites of his eyes are yellow and bloodshot. Wethun turns the body over with his boot and finds that there is a dagger in the back of the body. Marik immediately recognizes the dagger to have the mark of the Scarlet Brotherhood from the mysterious southern nation of Shar whose pursuit of domination of the Flanaess with protection, preservation and purification of Suel culture and blood. Marik carefully inspects the wavy blade and notes that there is a poison compartment concealed in the hilt - now empty. This most likely explains the strange appearance of this dead Jasmalus. The bodies seem to have been stripped of useful belongings.
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Post by Daos on Apr 3, 2020 14:49:05 GMT -8
Marik retrieves the dagger, then reports back to the others. "Jasmalus, you're going to want to see this. We found the bodies of the victims, and one of them is a dead ringer--pardon the pun--for you."
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Post by Justin Tyme on Apr 6, 2020 12:24:59 GMT -8
Dra'Ziw is nearly surprised as the quiet and invisible Marik returns. He is able to locate his companion soon enough by following his voice and then seeing the floating visible dagger that was in his possession.
He says, "Marik, Chert, a word..." He dismounts and loops his reigns to one of the wagons and walks away from the group of merchants out of earshot. When the two join him, Dra begins, "What did you find? You said something of a twin to Jasmalus?" He looks at Chert, "Have you heard of dopplegangers? I am concerned that there may something strange afoot here. I do not have the means to detect such things today, but I will pray to my goddess for the ability to detect the hearts and minds of our companions in the event that these merchants or the teamsters are skinchangers. In the meantime, I think it wise for us to be on the lookout. When I cast my nap spell, I will instruct Q'woth to guard over us as well. For now, I think we all should check out what you and Wethun found. I shall watch Jasmalus closely to see his reactions. Agreed? Lead us there by the reigns of my horse, please. That way you will remain invisible. You may want to give me that dagger, too."
Barring further conversation, Dra will return and announce, "In order to protect you all, we should go check out what our scouts have found." He looks at the teamsters - "Bring shovels." He will travel to the location lead by Marik. Dra will speak to Q'Woth, "Guard the wagons. Tell me if anyone other than me or my murder approaches."
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Post by Daos on Apr 6, 2020 14:37:58 GMT -8
"Doppelganger?" Marik repeats. "I've heard of them. They're fae that can look like anyone, right?" He furrows his brow in concern. The idea that someone could look and act just like him, fooling everyone, is a disturbing one. "But if you're suggesting a doppelganger killed Jasmalus and took his place, how do you explain this dagger that was in him? Look at this design on it; that's the Scarlet Brotherhood insignia, I'm sure of it. Do they employ magical creatures?"
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