eaving the cave, their guide the Great Wolf led them into the mountain range. They all knew it would be about 2 months till they found the manroad the Wolves knew about. Mort, and Adira were busy foraging for food to sustain them as Adira watched the Great Wolf pup struggle along with the group. Adira noticed that the Wolf guide would spend time at night and some during the day when not leading to teach the pup things.
About a week in the journey, Mort continual questions about the amulet around Dro neck, made even the greedy dwarf relent. Mort woke up with a splitting headache about 4 hours after falling asleep as Dro did. Mort looks around and feels no new knowledge, till Adira is reading something and Mort looks over her shoulder and reads and gives a rhyme. “Wow, guess I can read”. Adira smiles, “ you also can compose rhymes from words, it seems you have composition also.” Mort lays on the grass and smiles, “ My brother will be shocked when he learns this.” Over the next couple days, Adira and Tha’pop tried the amulet on as well. Adira learned logistics, while Tha’pop to the annoyance of Mort learned knots and was better than Mort. Dro surmised that the amulet only worked once per individual who wore it.
Days went by as the group traveled deeper in the mountain range and spring was in full bloom. Weeks later in the mountains the Wolf guide stopped and through the psychic connection of Keva( the pups name now) and Adira, Tha’pop was asked to follow. A raging storm that night created rain and fierce lightning all around. The Elf and Wolf traveled to a rim overlooking a narrow valley with steep mountains. During the lightning, Tha’pop thought he saw the mountains on both sides of the valley in the distance moving. Upon further watching, it was a massive movement of creatures on both sides of the valley, descending to the valley floor. Tha’pop made his way back to the group and told them he was going to investigate closer, during the night. Everyone knew Tha’pop was the best rider, and no one volunteered to go with him. Tha’pop started out and during the night got to within 2 miles of the valley floor. Looking down he witnessed a grand and terrible battle between Orcs and trolls on the valley floor. Tha’pop estimated 8000-10000 in the battle.
The Next morning Tha’pop gave his assessment of the battle and the group stayed in place for 3 days while the battle ended and was just a memory.
Mort wanted to see the battle remains, but tha’pop said it was 12 miles out of the way, and with roving bands still around perhaps, not a good idea. The group carried on behind the guide.
About 2 months in, the guide stopped. Keba told the group, the manroad was 5 days further on and this is where the guide leaves us. The great wolf nodded and trotted back the way they came, never glancing back, till gone from sight.
On the morning of the 5th day after leaving the wolf guide, Tha’pop noticed carrion birds circling up ahead. Rea the Raven who stayed with Keba cawed as they approached the spot. Coming over a rise and seeing the well maintained road, they see something else. A massacre of animals, and peoples scattered for about 200 yards in both directions. Tha’pop (perc. ob4) said this looked to be a caravan of about 200 people and dead about 6 hours perhaps. The group descended to the carnage and walked among the dead.
Dros walk in the massacre.
The bodies are not yet hard and stiff, but that will come by morning. Slipping around on blood soaked grass and ground, you inspect the death and carnage you see spread before you. You see caravaners, pilgrims, beasts of burden, guards, servants and slaves, all sprawled in grotesque postures meeting their god or patron in death.
Shooing away the ravens and crows that try to land on the bodies, you step over bodies hoping for a survivor, but not expecting any to be found. Your eyes stop on something, and realize you see something familiar. A fellow dwarf 10 paces away, sprawled face down still holding a blood stained axe Stepping over and bending down, you wish to find his name to honor his death and bring the death song dirge to his clan.
You roll his body over and the body gives a groan. Startled, you cradle this dwarven in your arms and his eyes flicker open, murky and cloudy, and kiss of death so very close.Wiping away the blood from his eyes and mouth, you are about to call for help from your friends. The dwarfs’ eyes flicker for a moment and then his whispers jaggedly begin.
“ My brother, my beloved Coal. I see you….cough… How are you here? I have longed for this moment my brother. We bested them, didnt we? The treasure is ours now for the taking. I’ve kept our secret and your map safe. The great dragon horde of Ancients lost, is now found. Piss on the lot of thieves and oathbreakers who hunt us. cough… It is now, the eye of the unicorn gives us both destitute and riches. .Let us laugh now brother…coughs…, who would’ve thought that the Thunderhill brothers, Coal and Slate would be the richest of all dwarves. Let us…” The dwarf gasps, one final breath, and all is silent.
Death pries open the other hand, and drops the bag.
Adria walk through the massacre
The bodies are not yet hard and stiff, but that will come by morning. Slipping around on blood soaked grass and ground, you inspect the death and carnage you see spread before you. You see caravaners, pilgrims, beasts of burden, guards, servants and slaves, all sprawled in grotesque postures meeting their god or patron in death.
Shooing away the ravens and crows that try to land on the bodies, you step over bodies hoping for a survivor, but not expecting any to be found. Seeing the others of your party separated and searching, you come across a female with 3 arrows in her back face down. What suffering and fortitude to take such wounds, and never be remembered again. What a waste you tell yourself. Looking down at the dead woman’s body you hear an almost imperceptible sound coming from her. Kneeling down you roll her to the side, and your startled at what you see.
Staring up at you in a shallow pocket of earth,under this body,is a baby.A human baby stares up at you. It shocks you to see a bright eyed baby looking up at you, full of health it seems, and smiling. Not thinking and only just by reflex you pick the baby up and see a package stuffed in the baby’s bonnet. You reach for it and a ring and note fall out. Standing up you look around all the carnage and death at your feet and yet in your arms is a live baby.
Tha’pop journey
The bodies are not yet hard and stiff, but that will come by morning. Slipping around on blood soaked grass and ground, you inspect the death and carnage you see spread before you. You see caravaners, pilgrims, beasts of burden, guards, servants and slaves, all sprawled in grotesque postures meeting their god or patron in death. Realizing what a waste of innocent people who were merely living their lives.
The Crows up above are circling, with the vultures ready for this glorious banquet of death to come. The tracks of the enemy run north, and they have been gone for at least 6-8 hours. The quiet stillness of the air makes you pull your cloak up closer.
Not many of the attackers lay around. It seems like the bodies of the attackers have been taken.The only clue of the attackers are a few hacked limbs showing humans, and orcs mainly, and that disturbs you. Orcs and humans allied is a rare thing. This rarity hasn’t happened for at least 30 years that you can remember.
Stepping over another body with an ax in his back, you bump against it. Suddenly a presence reaches out to your mind. “ Yes, yessssss, I feel you. ahhh. Finally a true warrior to wield my power”. Startled , you stop, but make no visible sign if anyone should be watching. You breathe and exhale a single mediation, clearing your mind of this sudden powerful illusion. Bending down next to a dead body, you sense nothing. Probably lack of sleep you surmise, and ready yourself to stand up again after viewing the dead body. “I’m as real as the wind you feel, Warrior”, the presence saying even louder now. You slowly scan the surroundings, kneeled down and ready your weapon quietly. Nothing stirs , your senses show no movement, no sounds other than your companions searching the bodies. You take another mediation breath and clear your mind.
Your knee has been bothering you for a while, as you sheathe your weapon and prepare to stand, holding on to the ax embedded in the corpse for support. Your mind explodes, and the illusion becomes much more real. You look at the ax, and it speaks to your mind and spirit. “ Yes, I am flesh to death, Widow mourner, and Prophet, and many more names too numerous to count. You are a warrior, and I am the weapon to make your way.”
You squat there for a few moments, soaking in what you have just heard and just felt. You recall stories and legends of such weapons and only thought them as legends, till now. You have slain many in combat, and seen many strange things. You banish the fear that was beginning to creep and seep in your mind, determined to not bow to this form of magic or trickery. It cannot be.
Gaining your composure,smiling, you stand up, look around, and ready to step away and notice the ax is in your hand. You’re amused and shocked, for you distinctly remember letting go of it, and yet, it is in your hand. Staring at the ax, you watch it dissolve, breaking into leaves and spiraling to the ground. Leaves falling apart and disappearing, leaving only an ancient bone in your hand. With bone in your hand,without thought, you reach for your own weapon and clasp the bone to it fusing into the weapon, bone disappearing, and you sheathe the weapon in its place.
You hear the crow, caa, and feel the wind again. Shaking your head, you tell yourself the vision you had was powerful and to get some well deserved rest soon. Perhaps I’m feverish, you muse. Lifting your hand to feel your forehead, you see a leaf fall from your hand, you don’t remember being there before.
Tha’pop unsheathed his sword and it speaks in his mind. He gets a momentary vision of holding a gigantic lance between his claws. Looking around he sees himself flying and his large wings have scales and his claws as well. The sword speaks, “You have called me forth. My master was called “Fire Fever” by many and my name is “Ember Tempest”. Where is the next soul to rip?” The sword awaits an answer as Tha’pop sees orange tendrils of smoke circling and rising from the sword as he gazes upon it. Then he hears the commotion and starts running.
Morts encounter with the massacre.
The bodies are not yet hard and stiff, but that will come by morning. Slipping around on blood soaked grass and ground, you inspect the death and carnage you see spread before you. You see caravaners, pilgrims, beasts of burden, guards, servants and slaves, all sprawled in grotesque postures meeting their god or patron in death.
Shooing away the ravens and crows that try to land on the bodies, you step over bodies hoping for a survivor, but not expecting any to be found. A dead priest’s body is seen sprawled in the dirt and catches your eye. He was a big man like you, and seen a hard life from his face. But what caught your gaze was his back. The tunic is torn in the back from a weapon hit, and through the fabric you see tattoos. Priests don’t have tattoos, since they can be removed by the church with magic, and it’s a strange one at that. Bending down next to the body you lift the tunic and see the whole back covered in tattoos. This is very odd, and you roll over this unlikely priest you’re sure of now. Most of the tattoos on his body are common for poor, or criminal elements, and on his forearm is a strange design you haven’t seen before, making a mental note of its design. You see a small satchel in his hand. This is not any type of priest you have even seen before. The body is holding a satchel in his tight dead grip. You take the satchel.
In the satchel Mort finds a vial that has a black icor like the consistency of syrup in it. Taking the cork out of the vial, Mort looks more closely. The black icor climbs out of the bottle and attaches itself to Mort’s hand, causing instant pain and coldness.Mort hurriedly puts the cork back in, except for the small part on Mort’s finger. 30 feet away, Kebas ears and nose perks up and screams “BADD!!!” to Adira and bounds towards Mort.
[ In game i used a 3 minute timer to create artificial stress to have all the players work in real time for this event. ]
[timer starts] Adira yells out something is wrong!!. Adira starts towards Mort who is holding his hand and seeing the blackness causing his veins and fingernails to turn black. The blackness is creeping up his finger. Mort cries out, “Need some help here!.” Mort tells Adira who is there now with Keba, to grab his apothecary supplies. Adira stares at the finger, as now 2 fingers are black. Tha’pop being the furthest way, sheathes his weapon and runs towards the fray. Dro looks up, sees Tha’pop motion for him to grab a weapon and run. Dro, being closer gets to Mort and Adira next and sees Mort and Adira frantically trying to figure out what to do next. Tha’pop starts to utter a word, and suddenly Dro grabs Mort’s hand, puts it on a log and chops off his 3 fingers with 1 whack. [timer ends]
Looking at the fingers on the ground, they turn black as coal, and start to break apart. Dro and Adira sit Mort down and now race the clock to stop the bleeding. Dro using herbalism and Adira help Apothecary (ob 5) successfully stop the blood. Mort is in shock for an hour as his wound now slowly clots up.
Everyone catching their breath, they all reveal some of what they found, except for Tha’pop. There is a wagon nearby still undamaged, so Tha’pop and Mort (knots ob 3) successfully hitch some of their pack animals to it. Adira shows the baby girl to the group and they all look startled. We need to find some milk and scavenge around. They find a milking goat and hitch it to the wagon. Mort and Dro always eager for more treasure, want to look over the bodies, while Tha’pop is nervous that this place is magical and they need distance fast.
Rae the raven lands on Adiras shoulder and has a shiny gold embossed letter in his beak. Adira takes it and reads it (write ob 2).
The bearer of this note is Lady Anabelle Francois.
A line of credit is to be presented to her upon full assurance of payment.
Send all receipts to my agents.
Count Modildo
Head Merchant of Calias Merchant Guild
Primary Holder of Modildo Family Bank
Well that’s good news perhaps both Dro and Mort say almost in unison. Dro scavenges around (ob3) and finds the affluent lady dead surrounded by 2 dead bodyguards. She was wearing a medallion and a ring, of which he took. The group looks at him and he says, “ well, what are you looking at? This is just proof of her in case there is a reward or something.” Adira frowns, “ yeah, right”.
Traveling down the road that afternoon they run into 2 parties of traveling pilgrims. Telling them of the massacre, 1 runner is sent back to the nearest village to spread the word. The Pilgrims are shocked and terrified, but continue on their way. The party learns from the pilgrims that a village and convent lay about 2 days further on.
The next day’s travels were uneventful and Mort was still in pain, but subsiding a bit more, just cussing and gritting his teeth. 1 hour before sunset, they find a worn campsite off the road and begin to set up camp. Keba perks up and tells Adira “4 riders are approaching”.
{timer starts}
Adira takes the baby and puts it in the wagon, and tells Keba to stay behind a log that has fallen. She steps back away from the trees in the growing darkness. Tha’pop steps in the darkness away from the camp as well. Mort takes cover and leaves Dro the lonely dwarf on the wagon with a covered baby and a crossbow cocked nearby.
{timer stops}
4 riders dressed as soldiers trot along and come to the camp where Dro sits on the wagon. The leader of the 4 raises his hand and salutes. “Hello traveler, hope you’re well.”
“As best as can be expected, stranger.” dro replies.
Leader and 2 soldiers get off their mounts and the leader approaches the fire warming his hands, “ what news do you have of the massacre up the ways?”
Tha’pop looks (perc ob 4 successful) notices the leather breastplates on these men are not tied with normal military knots. Most soldiers tie their armor in a specific fashion and he can’t place this type of knot.
Mort looks (perc ob 2 successful) sees that 3 of the riders have cavalry boots, while the 4th one still on his horse, is wearing riding boots. Normally soldiers riding are equipped with cavalry boots for wear and prestige as well.
Adira looks (perc ob 3 successful) notices 2 midwife shawls peeking out from under a saddlebag of one of the soldiers. She remembers as being a midwife herself, You know that most midwives in villages, tribes, and most cities wear specific shawls. These shawls symbolize their position in their society as strong, caretakers, and midwives. It is customary for a midwife to sew a new color patch, symbol,thread color, or icon to their shawls for every birth they bring into life. It is a history for the tribe, village, or city showing the lineage of births that are remembered in these shawls.
A midwife can read a shawl and recite the births and history of those she has served and helped bring to a new life.
Bigger cities are sometimes shunning this tradition as saying it’s old and superstitious. A Midwife wears the shawl all the time. The only time a shawl is separated from a midwife is passing on her trade to the next midwife, or the marking of passing a child to another midwife.
The leader speaks up to Dro, “We are of the duke’s forces and looking for information”.
Tha’pop as a shadow, appears out of the darkness for the 4 soldiers to see. He prepares to pull his blade.
