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Post by earthwizard on Nov 27, 2007 9:28:29 GMT -8
The party has found the The White Raven Inn along the road between Hode and Odeen. Battered and weary from their encounters with a goblin raiding party and an ogre, the White Raven is a welcome rest. Hogard and Lisanne, an old portly couple, own and operate the inn. They welcome the travelers with bright smiles, and Lisanne proceeds to cook up a hearty stew of meat and potatoes. While the party rests, a traveling bard recounts the tale of the moons: Gilgamesh, a king. Gilgamesh, a king. At Uruk. He tormented his subjects. He made them angry. They cried out aloud, "Send our king a companion! Spare us from his madness!" Enkidu, a wild man from the forest, entered the city. They fought in the temple. They fought in the street. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu. They became great friends. Gilgamesh and Enkidu, at Uruk. The new friends went out into the desert together where the Great Bull of Heaven was killing men by the hundreds. Enkidu caught the Bull by the tail; Gilgamesh struck him with his sword. Killed him. They were victorious. But Enkidu fell to the ground, struck down by the gods. And Gilgamesh wept bitter tears, saying, "He who was my companion through adventure and hardship, is gone forever ..." Later in the evening, the party retires to their rooms. The light from the half full Enkidu and the full Gilgamesh shine through the window bathing the room with their soft blue light.
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 6, 2007 22:01:04 GMT -8
Morning at the White Raven Inn brought with it a wanderer and his pet wolf. Zedifex, the elven druid of the Unicorn Forest (ask Vince), entered the inn and was greeted by Lisanne. He promptly ordered some hot tea and a bowl of water for his wolf.
Rurik, the dwarven samurai, and Gerbo, the gnomish wizard, briskly entered the common room, ready for their days' travel to Odeen. Fate, it seems had other plans.
After greeting Zedifex, Rurik and Gerbo gently woke the scantly clad Drago from his slumber. Who knew monks were so lazy? Unfortunately the monk Jake proved too difficult to rouse.
But just as the party were headed out north along the road to Odeen, two children, a boy and girl, came upon them and in panicked voices pleaded for their help to save their father from Yama's grasp. It was then Zedifex had a foreboding recollection of the howls of wolves from the previous night.
The party were led to a small cabin out in the Ceryn Wald, where the small family lived, and where the father now lay on his death bed. Zedifex was able to tend to the wounds of the man, and brought him back from the Veil. And the howls of Zedifex's wolf brought their attention outside. The wolf pack was back for another fresh attack . . .
(more of how our party of heroes fared to come)
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 11, 2007 18:06:38 GMT -8
Zedifex's first instinct was to hide in a nearby bush. Rurik and Drago, however, were eager for a battle and stepped forward ready to handle whatever may come. Gerbo, readied his crossbow in preparation. Then they saw them, first the visages of 4 menacing wolves and then their entire bodies as they stepped forward. From the bushes emerged another wolf, but this one seemed different from the others, angrier and possessing a crazed look in its strangely intelligent eyes. Zedifex attempted to reason with the beasts using his druidic powers, but it seemed another had greater influence over them than the elf. The ensuing battle was life threatening for everyone involved. One wolf perished, and Drago nearly expired from his wounds (again). In a bout of quick thinking, Gerbo put two of the wolves to sleep allowing the others to focus on the pack leader. Zedifex's wolf companion was able to trip the beast, allowing Rurik an open attack on it as it attempted to rise. Feeling gravely wounded, the pack leader tucked his tail between his legs and dashed off into the bushes and trees of the Ceryn Wald. Through Zedifex's druidic powers, the party were able to speak with the wolves and gleaned that the pack leader only recently came and bullied the others into attacking these humans. The party decided to spare the wolves on condition they find other hunting grounds and never return to bother this or other families who reside in the Wald. With severe injuries, the party decided to rest for the night with the family. They woke in the middle of the night and decided to pursue the pack leader to his den, to finish the job and ensure he does not corrupt other beasts of the area. It was a simple matter for Zedifex's pet wolf to track the beast, and the party soon found a nearby shallow cave. Thinking to sneak into the cave the party began to move about, but their actions were obvious to the beast hiding within. From the cave mouth sprang a large wolf-like creature with bone spikes protruding from its back and saliva glistening from long fangs. Rurik, who was prepared for such an action, sprang to intercept the creature. As the fight ensued another identical beast came from around the rock outcrop and yet again the party was locked in life-threatening battle. Somehow Gerbo's sleep spell managed to be effective against these large beasts and Zedifex was able to put them down, but only after they knocked both Rurik and Drago unconscious (yet again). After reviving their companions, the party were feeling brave and ventured into the darkness of shallow outcropping of rock. Inside the cave they saw the remains of other animals, food for the pack of wolves, but no sign of the pack leader. Instead they came across a badly wounded human dressed in now bloody rags. Gerbo, Rurik and Drago recognized him as Roy Priven, the human they rescued from the hobgoblin gang just a few nights back. Indeed, they discovered his bracelet, which was engraved with the family name, Priven. As Zedifex was kicking around rocks in the cave he came across a narrow tunnel. Peering down it he was rather confused, as deep down he saw the gleam of daylight. Looking outside he noticed the sun had risen and morning was upon them. With so many wounded, the party decided to return to the family's cabin and request their hospitality once again. The family, grateful for the party's help, obliged. As they lay out Roy on the table in the common room, Zedifex noticed something was terribly wrong. Roy had sword wounds, ones unique enough to be identified with Rurik's katana and wakizashi blades . . . Next time: The Curse of Roy Priven, and An Infested Fort
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 13, 2007 12:50:24 GMT -8
Ugh, my head. AAgh, my side! By the Devas, I am freezing . . . is that? Is that blood? Where am I . . . oh Devas, not again.
"Where am I?" Roy asked aloud as he looked around. "You, I know you." His eyes locked on Ruriks'.
"Relax, you are safe." Zedifex tried to comfort the wounded man.
"Who are you?"
And so the conversation with Roy Priven began in a befuddled state, and it continued that way for some time. Soon though, Roy became agitated and demanded to be released from the makeshift rag bonds with which the party had secured him. Not thinking it wise, or safe to do so, our heroes refused. They attempted to calm him and talk in order to learn why he had returned north in his travels instead of continuing south. What was he doing in the den of such ferocious wolves, and how did he come across those grievous wounds. But Roy was steadfast in his desire to be released and to go along his way. Soon he work himself into a rage and something else began to take over.
Roy collapsed on the floor and began convulsing. The party, watched in horror as the feral beast within the broken man emerged to show its wild and vicious persona. Even as Zedifex shouted for the family to take cover, fur was sprouting from all patches of Priven epidermis. His face and ears elongated and long fangs seemed to grow from nowhere.
A guttural sound rumbled deep within the beasts throat as it rose and easily snapped the rags that bound it. Now standing, the beast clawed at those who were nearest. Gerbo attempted his color spray, but the beast was unaffected. The others simply cowered out of its way, allowing a clear path to the door. Seizing the opportunity, the beast bolted out the front door, and into the Ceryn Wald.
Having narrowly avoided disaster, the party promptly shut and locked the door to the cabin. Having life-threatening wounds of their own, the decided to rest until recovered. And so more time passed with the family in the Wald, during which Zedifex attempted an experimental herbal remedy for the father, who had woken from his healing slumber.
Zedifex ground some leaves of a plant known as wolfsbane and served it to the man as tea. Trusting the elf, he drank deeply, then doubled over in pain. He slumped to the floor for a moment, but recovered and climbed into a chair. The wolfsbane tea had drained him of his strength, but his hearty constitution fought off any lingering effects.
Having spent plenty of time recuperating, the party again felt adventurous and decided to head out to explore the tunnel they found in the now former wolf den. Squeezing through the damp rocky tunnel they emerged into what appeared to be an old abandoned fort. It was in a state of severe decay. The roof had completely collapsed away and most of the walls had large gaps. What remained was overgrown with vines and other plants. Old rotten bunk-beds and footlockers were the most furniture they found. During their explorations, the party encountered several large feral looking dire beasts.
More wolves had emerged from the ruins. They attacked and Rurik and Drago again bravely stepped up to the challenge. Drago took on two wolves by himself, while Rurik focused on the largest of the three. Rurik went down, and Gerbo's spells were failing left and right. Zedifex dropped as well and it seemed Drago was going to take the brunt of all three wolves. But during the battle Zedifex's pet began to act strangely. Seeing her master fall to an uncertain demise, she felt a strange power overcome her. The wolf began to change. She grew larger and sprouted sharp bones from her back. Through some mysterious force, Zedifex's pet had become dire. The rage and aggressiveness inherent to all dire animals took over and the pet entered the foray, quickly dispatching the remaining wolves.
Zedifex was amazed at his pet. At first he was apprehensive. How would he care for and feed such a beast? But his pet appeared to maintain her loyalty to him, so he resolved to find a cure for the affliction, instead of dismissing the beast.
Feeling weak again from their multiple wounds, the party decided to rest right there in the ruined fort. A small alcove, which looked like the footprint of a guard tower provided their shelter. However, their rest was interrupted. A huge dire bat and a giant owl swooped down feed on the weak heroes. The walls provided them some cover, however, and it proved too difficult for the beasts to attack. They were dispatched and the party finished their resting.
After feeling rested our explorers ventured deeper into the unexplored ruins. Near the back they discovered the remains of the captain's quarters. Picking up the captain's journal they read about the last days of the fort. It seemed a book was discovered out in the wilderness and brought back to the fort. Since then the animals all began acting strangely. They grew agitated and aggressive. That was the last entry, some 400 years ago.
In another room, they discovered a chest that contained a set of fine blue velvet gloves with stars on the knuckles. And Gerbo climbed up on a desk to find the book: a strange tome written in a language he could not read. He saw images of vicious beasts as he thumbed through the pages, and he felt a dark aura surround him.
On the way out, the party were met by an impossible beast. An enormous bear with horns around its eyes and claws the size of swords watched them, and two more normal bears blocked the only exits. Zedifex mustered his best bear mannerisms and attempted to calm the beasts, allowing them to pass peacefully. Our heroes escaped and headed out the front entrance of the ruined fort . . . out into the Ceryn Wald.
Who knows where they will head, and if they will ever reach the city of Odeen.
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