Obadiah Hludham |
Obadiah listens intently to Salvin as the two shared watch. He nods and enjoys the natural rays of the sun playing across his face as the Elk Father grants them all a new day;
He rises and stretches, placing a hand on the shoulder of the big paladin;
"I 'ear your wise words Brother Salvin and will try to 'eed them. You are right, tis t'source of this poisonous knowledge that we must remove, before t'lands wounds can 'eal. I thank thee for your council."
Their thoughts are interupted by the small presence of Vhailor;
Good morn Master Vhailor... (gestures towards the distant tower)...[/b] Per'haps this day will bring us answers eh?"
Odol Nightshard |
Odol sleeps like the dead...no dreams recalled...only darkness. He wakes to the brighter day, but struggles getting up, his leg still suffering from the effects of the damp weather.
"Good morning men," he calls as he tries to stretch out the leg and puts on his armor. "Hopefully today we finish off the darkness that is plaguing your town."
Salvin |
Salvin looks at Vhalior.
"Today we find out why someone is spending so much money to attack the village in such a weak manner. There have been no demands, no attempts to change tactics. I'm begining to wonder if some poor creature pressed another button in the night, much like you did, and caused all this without even realizing it."
Salvin nods as Odol speaks, looking at the tower.
"Amen to that, brother."
EngineHouse |
There is no visible damage to the constructs apart from minor discolouration where they grasped the column. Your repeated castings of mending do not have any effect - they remain inert. You can't get at their internal mechanisms without foundary tools at the very least. If you want to study one of these constructs further, you'll have to get it to a blacksmith's shop. They fold up pretty small, but are surprisingly heavy for their size - each weighs 60lbs.
Note that your comrades will easily be able to tell you're lugging one around. If you choose to take a fallen construct with you there's no need to put your decision to do so in a spoiler.
Finally rested, the party moves out over the puddle-strewn wasteland of Numeria. Grass and scrub becomes denser until finally, after six hours of walking, you approach the edge of the forest. The forest edge itself is very distinct - you come to a small cliff, at the bottom of which the dense trees begin. The cliff also gives a good view of the Choking Tower in the distance. You are starting to be able to make out it's shape. It looks like a mass of chimneys and smoke stacks with little sign of windows or rooms within.
The appearance of the tower is not the most disturbing thing about the scene, however. Every few minutes, and sometimes many times in quick succession, you can hear distant pops and cracks echoing over the otherwise-silent treetops.
Everyone make a Knowledge (Engineering), Knowledge (Local), Craft (Weapons) or Profession (Soldier) check.
Also, those that can make a Knowledge (Arcana) check
Salvin |
Knowledge (engineering) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 and Knowledge (arcana)1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Salvin listens to the noises coming from in front of them, frowning. He looks up when Damrang speaks.
"Is that what gunfire sounds like. I've never even seen a firearm before ..."
The paladin doesn't exactly sound excited about the new experience.
Current HP 15/17 if I healed 1 HP with the night's sleep
Gregory Leichardt |
Knowledge(Engineering): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24.
Knowledge(Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10.
Gregory nods.
"I agree, it sounds like gunfire; I swear I can hear the report of a cannon every so often, as well...
...still, we need to get to the tower; Let's keep going!"
I wonder what is going on, though...?
Odol Nightshard |
Odol looks out on the tower. The first step of the quest nearly complete. Pausing with the others, he ponders the sounds in the distance.
Knowledge(Engineering) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
"Aye Gregory, I'm certain those are cannons. I agree that we should move on, but we must watch for trouble. I would not want to face fire from either of those sources. Let us be cautious as we proceed to the tower."
I sure would like to get a look at the firearms and cannon though. Maybe, they'll all kill each other off before we get there.
Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Odol continues limping toward the tower with the rest.
Obadiah Hludham |
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Obadiah balefully mutters at the others conjecture regarding the sounds;
"By the Grim White Stag, regardless of what they actually are, it is nothing more than infernal voices of diabolical machines..."
He trudges on, paying the distant sounds no futher heed...
"Trust me lads these black powder weapons will never take t'place of a strong yew tallbow"...
He cradles his bow and marches over on the the tower.
;) quite the prophet lol
EngineHouse |
You quietly descend the low cliff and set foot in the Ashen Forest. Below the tree cover the distant gunfire is muffled, but still audiable for there are no other sounds - no bird song, no rustle of creatures in the undergrowth. The forest itself looks healthy enough, consisting mostly of ancient desiduous trees cloaked in the gold and brown leaves of autumn. That said, their bark looks dulled - closer inspection reveals every plant wears a thin coat of soot.
After another hour's walking your path is blocked by a narrow ravine about twenty feet deep. A fast-flowing stream runs along the bottom. On the other side, the gap in the trees created by the stream has allowed bushes to grow, creating good cover.
You will not have difficulty passing the ravine - it begins some two hundred feet upstream with a small waterfall. Before that, the stream flows across the forest floor at ground level. You are about to push on when something unexpected happens.
Ten figures emerge through the waterfall. It obviously hides a passage on the other side. The figures are clearly a squad of soldiers. They wear chainmail over their arms and torsos but all have one arm decked out in plate armour capped with an oversized sholder pad the size of a small shield. They wear the trappings of technology - their faces are covered with lense-eyed masks trailing leather pipes, and they all carry long double-barrelled firearms.
They do not see you through the trees - you are after all some distance away. They wade through the plunge pool of the waterfall, pulling corks and waxed leather covers off their weapons as they go. They are making their way down the ravine in your direction.
Everyone make a perception test
Salvin |
Salvin peers at the men emerging from the waterfall, wondering about the purpose of all the items they are wearing.
Perception 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Salvin's eyes widen as he realizes what is about to happen.
"Everyone, get down," the paladin hisses, trying to keep as quiet as possible while making his point.
Stealth 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (10) - 7 = 3 + whatever the bushes and undergrowth provide as Salvin crouches down and tries to go unnoticed behind some cover.
Does Salvin know anything about this conflict or the people involved? Does he know if one side is "good" or deserving of help? I don't want to fall because I didn't recognize someone I should.
EngineHouse |
Salvin, the uniforms the soldiers wear are like nothing you've ever seen before. As far as you knew this forest was as deserted as the wasteland you just passed though. You'll have to make use of your divine gifts to guide you in this situation, but at the moment you aren't close enough to do so.
Odol Nightshard |
Odol sees the men coming through the waterfall and freezes as he watches them.
Too many for us to take any chances with.
He looks over the scene for any clues about what the men are wearing and what it could mean.
Knowledge(Engineering) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Upon hearing Salvin's warning, he lowers himself into the undergrowth as low and carefully as he can.
Stealth 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12
EngineHouse |
Obadiah Hludham |
Perception DC 18: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
The preacher-farmer narrows his eyes at the figures trying to discern their intentions, on Salvin's warning he squats down, bow readied.
He concentrates... seeking Erastil to open the soldier's souls to him
Elk Father though they bear the arms of mecromancy - are their hearts less tainted?
Casts Detect Evil if the soldiers pass within the 60ft range...
EngineHouse |
The squad doesn't make it's way down the ravine. Instead, two of them unsling grappling hooks - the hooks themselves seem to fold out of an easily stowed baton - and throw them out of the plunge pool. The mysterious soldiers start to clamber out on the far side of the stream. Five of them have reached ground level when, a hundred feet downstream of them (and hence a hundred feet from you), three figures rise out of the bushes.
The slender, graceful figures are either elves or human women. They are wearing dark crimson field-tunics cut to just below the knee, and heavy leather boots - the traditional travelling attire of wizards. Their clothing is re-enforced with thick pads of black leather on the sholders, chest and back and their heads are hooded. Though they apparently carry no weapons, they look every bit as militant as the gun-wielders.
You take all of this in in less than a second. As soon as the figures emerge they release a volly of electric blue darts of magical energy. These spell-shots seem to seek out chinks in armour and three of the five soldiers on the lip of the ravine collapse. The remaining two kneel and raise their weapons just as the three wizards unsling shortbows. Taught strings are released as the rifles speak with cracks of fire and smoke. It is now that you realize the purpose of the outlandish armour the soldiers wear: when they kneel and raise their rifles they present their plate-armoured side to their enemy. The arrows hit only steel, though they make the soldiers reel as if they hit as hard as axe blows. Nonetheless, neither of the soldiers fall. Their return fire, however, doesn't do much either. You see musket balls trace short paths in some invisible barrier around the wizards and then fall harmlessly to the ground, robbed of their momentum.
Two more soldiers are climbing out of the ravine. Neither side looks set to retreat just yet. The battle is taking place a hundred feet from your present position, on the far side of a ten foot wide ravine.
What do you do?
Odol Nightshard |
Odol watches the scene unfold in front of him and considers what the group is seeing.
Spellcraft on blue darts 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Spellcraft on shield against bullets 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
"Damrang, I'm inclined to agree with ya, but I'll warn that my approach isn't subtle. When I attack, they'll know we're coming so if we're going to try anything subtle, it best be before I go in. And, I think we best have Salvin check any survivors on either side. I don't trust either group."
Gregory Leichardt |
Gregory raises an eyebrow.
"I am inclined to disagree with aiding the mages; we have established that the zombies that have been attacking the town were animated through magic, not machinery; they have simply been designed to make it appear as if mechanisms were their animating force. As such, I find it more likely that those using magic would be behind the zombies, rather than those simply using technology... I think we should attack the mages!"
Salvin |
Salvin nods as everyone whispers out their plans.
"And that's why I plan on waiting. We have no idea who is in the right in this conflict, or even IF someone is in the right here. I'm inclined to wait until this skirmish is over, then mend the wounded while Obadiah and I use our divine gifts to see who can be trusted here. Then, perhaps, we can finally find out what's going on here."
For someone who is curious by nature, the growing mysteries are like a mild toothache. It's not enough to complain about, but Salvin feels like he has to do something about it.
EngineHouse |
One of the soldiers still in the pluge pool shouts something and another of his squad scrambles back through the waterfall. Perception test to hear what he said.
Two other soldiers get onto the lip of the ravine - four are now at ground level. One of the spellcasters begins to run at the assembled infantrymen, but they ignore him and fire at the same one as they did before. Four well-aimed shots is too much for his magic to handle and he fall backwards, a bloody exit wound blasted through his back.
No sooner have they fired than the four troopers scatter in the face of the onrushing mage. One is caught by an arrow from the surviving archer and is knocked flying before lying still. Spellcraft check from those that can:
The wizard gets near to one soldier and releases a bright burst of rainbow light. He staggers and falls. Even as he does so, however, his two comrades draw shortswords and dive back towards the spellcaster - their scattering maneuver stopped him catching more than one of them in the blast. A sword is forced through his leather armour - you're fairly certain he's an elf by this point - and he slumps over, weakly coughing blood. Another spellcraft check if the fancy takes you:
The sole remaining wizard fires again, but this time his shot goes wide. The two soldiers drop and raise their guns once more just as the final two make their way out of the ravine to join them. Facing a four-man firing line the elven mage drops prone and draws a scroll.
Gregory Leichardt |
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19.
Gregory watches the unfolding battle with interest.
Hmmm... These men certainly act like well-equipped, and well-trained, soldiers.
"Well, it looks like we will not have to wait too long for this little skirmish to resolve!"
Obadiah Hludham |
Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Obadiah mutters to his fellow crusaders;
"We 'ave t' advantage in numbers now. Captives from both sides would be useful nay?"
My companions would spare t'life of a machine to answer their tinkering questions, but t' lives of men or elves... clearly they count for naught...
The farmer grips his bow in readiness of their next move...
Damrang Flintforge |
"I'm with Obadiah. We kill the other soldiers and take one of each captive."
They value machines more than the lives of living creatures. I see now why we are taught to avoid technology.
Damrang grips his longbow in the manner he was taught, readying an arrow at one of the soldiers.
Perception to hear +10 DC for 100 feet away or is that accounted for?
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Salvin |
Perception1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 Spellcraft 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 Spellcraft No. 2 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Salvin tries to peer at the skirmish, but he can't make any sense of it. The only thing he can see is that four men are about to execute someone without even trying to take prisoners.
"This is madness," Salvin whispers.
The paladin suddenly stands up and starts out at a dead run along side the ravine, trying to draw attention away from the rest of the party. Once he's away from the party, he starts to yell.
"I'm a paladin of Sarenrae, and in Her name I demand you offer the right of surrender!"
I am hoping my sudden appearance will make both sides stop fighting for the moment. Running means he loses his Dex bonus to AC, but he doesn't actually have one so it's still AC 17 plus anything for distance. If I get close enough to someone to use Detect Evil, I will do so.
EngineHouse |
Two of the soldiers turn to look at you, one bringing his gun to bear. The other two fire at the wizard anyway, but one misses his prone target and the one hit isn't enough to break the ward. Apparently quicker on the uptake than the soldiers, the wizard scrambles to the edge of the ravine and jumps down into it. As he drops he releases another volly of magical darts that strikes down one of the soldiers that fired at him. The other yells at the two looking at Salvin:
"THE TWIST, GET THE TWIST!"
The three remaining musketeers try to draw a bead on the retreating wizard, but he manages to duck round a bend in the stream and out of sight.
"FRAK!"
The soldier doing the shouting has a brass symbol riveted onto his sholder-shield. You guess he's the sergeant. He rounds on Salvin, and in the quiet after the skirmish his voice is audiable even to those still in cover.
"Who the frak are you!? What the frak is Sarn-ree? Frak it, toss your weapons and chew mud!"
He's reaching for a smaller firearm holstered on his leg. You all realize he's fired both barrels of his musket and so needs another weapon to threaten Salvin with. His troopers, however, already have their muskets raised.
Salvin |
I'm not holding any weapon at the moment. My greatsword is still on my back.
Perception 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11 to see if I recognize anything these men are wearing or using as being tied to any region.
Salvin holds up his open hands, showing he's not holding anything threatening.
"Are you really the type to shoot a man who isn't even holding a weapon? Sarenrae is my god. She is The Dawnflower, The Everlight, The Healing Light. She threw Rovagug down into the center of the world. Now I have a question for you."
"What is a frak?"
Obadiah Hludham |
As Salvin rises so too does Obadiah, bow drawn and pulls a bead on the one of the musketmen #2 if its relevant EngineHouse
Frak? Twists? These fools speak in gibberish. Clearly t'cogs 'ave been placed in their 'eads...
Perception to assertain if they are flesh and bone: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Fraks sake lol
EngineHouse |
The sergeant has drawn his pistol but levels it at Vhailor rather than Salvin.
"Freeze, small fry. Both of you can lie down slow or I can make you lie down real quick. Makes no difference to me"
On of the soldiers speaks, and you can hear faint panic from behind his air-mask
"No armour and a book on his belt! Sarge, he's a mage! Shouldn't we..."
The second surviving trooper interupts with a shout
"There's more of 'em in the trees!"
So warned, the sergeant finally spots the rest of the party hiding in the bushes a hundred feet away. When he speaks again his voice is suddenly calm, almost resigned.
"Darn. They've got us pegged, lads. See what you can do for the others, I'll see what these topsiders want"
Efficiently, the two troopers start to check the fallen and prepare healer's kits. Meanwhile the sergeant reholsters his pistol and speaks again, loud enough for Salvin and Vhilor to hear
"Alright, I see your backup waiting up there. Looks like you're the one calling the shots after all. Frak's a curse, can't you tell?"
He unclips his mask lets it fall around his kneck. As he pulls up his goggles, you see he's strong-featured and clean shaven but a pale as a corpse.
"What do you want? A lot of good men could well have died for nothing thanks to you. Nobody's surrended in this forest for a long, long time"