"It sounds like you've been busy. We've noticed more beasts active in the woods. Either you are very unlucky, or things are only going to get worse if we don't fix this." He stops to fill up his bowl again, sucking loudly at his teeth for a piece of something stuck in between. "This is pretty good by the way."
The night passed - surprisingly - uneventfully, and most of you spent the time divided between getting to know your new travelling companion and getting some much needed rest. The morning dawned early, a heavy fog covering the river and the lands around it with a cloud so dense that it was impossible to see the stern of the boat from the forward watch tower.
One good bit of news was that Captain Bloodtusk, after both magical ministrations and fourteen solid hours of rest, was up and about this morning, though moving a little slowly. Orcs were hardy creatures, and though he looked a little pale, the captain seemed to be shaking the effects of the poison. He sought you out specifically to thank you for all the effort you put into subduing the saboteur, rescuing Sharg, and saving him from the poison's effects. He even welcomed Mawj to the boat, though he still seemed a bit confused as to why the orc was travelling with you.
"Again, my thanks to all of you. Some might blame your presence for the ills that have befallen us on this trip, and to some extent they may be right, but you had no part in Sharg's mishap, and less responsibility to recover her. That you did speaks highly of your character. I, for one, am glad you are here. Of course, this has all slowed our progress greatly, and the damn fog's no help. We can push on this morning, but it will be slow going, and I need at least two sets of sharp eyes in the watchtower searching the water ahead for dangers to the boat."
Halrex nodded and spoke, "Quill, you've done good in the watchtower so far. Why don't you take your place there again this morning? And Sander, you as well. The rest of you please take your normal duties, and be wary. Fog like this could let all manner of beasts in closer to the boat than I'd like."
Before anything else, Molly pays a visit to Sharg and the ailing horse, giving both the benefit of her Healing Hex once again.
Later, after the captain has spoken his words of appreciation, the Witch grins merrily. Molly salutes to the captain, then speaks up: "Speaking of things that could sneak up... Suggest putting a good guard on the saboteur-lady, too. It'd be a nasty turn if she had helpers nigh and it turned out they were looking to spring her from the lockup in this fog..."
"Of course, Captain," Sander replies. "I'll do my best. Come along, Quill."
The halfling easily scrambles up to the watchtower and settles in for a long day of -- please let it be fruitless -- watching.
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"Come along, Quill."
Quill's eyes bulge as Sander insists that he follow...as if he didn't know what he was doing or going. Quill inwardly harrumphed and uses his long elven legs to arrive at the ropes before Sander.
"Here, Sander, let me show you how it's done. And you'll want to avoid that rope there...it's slimy and wet all the time. I think Storn uses it to wipe his nose."
Quill scampers up to the watch spot, pausing only briefly to look down to be sure Sander follows, then goes up to claim the good spot in the tower. He'll make room for Sander, and scrunched up his legs so the halfgnomeling has room to stand or sit or stretch out.
"Mawj would be happy to watch your prisoner." He ambles down to the hold and finds the most comfortable place to sit by their 'guest'.
"Greetings. Mawj will be watching you for a while. Mawj heard that you tried to hurt the people on this ship. Mawj is certain that you understand that if you or any friends try to hurt us again, Mawj may accidentally eat you during the confusion. Or just parts of you. Whatever Mawj can reach. So... heads up. He sits down starts taking stock of his reagents in his pack.
Quill
Sander
The woman made no attempt to converse with Mawj, simply turning so that he wasn't in her direct line of sight and continuing to stare off into the distance.
In the watchtower, Quill fumed resentfully after Sander's condescending treatment, but managed to keep a sharp eye out for signs of danger. Staring into the unrelenting grey mists of the fog gave him a headache, but he had other things to worry about. Like whether or not the halfling truly had so little respect for him, and how that might affect his chances with the woman downstairs.
The fog finally burned off around mid-morning, leaving the countryside bare and gleaming in the bright sun. Many of the half-orcs grumbled at how bright it was out, but managed to do their jobs anyways. At the watchtower, both Quill and Sander shaded their eyes against the light as they looked about.
Much to his delight, it was Quill that spotted the way station first. Captain Bloodtusk had said something about stopping at a way station to deliver supplies, and it looked as if this might be the one. A small dock jutted out into the river. But, something seemed wrong. If there was smoke, shouldn't it be coming from the chimney? And what were those lumps scattered about the building? They looked like dogs, no worgs! And orcs too!
Quill's quiet again. I hope I didn't offend him. The boy's so touchy. I suppose I remember when I was just a boy -- but I wasn't 100 years old at the time!
He continues eying the surroundings for any threats.
Sander looks over.
"Quick! We need to quietly warn everyone else. Maybe we can surprise them!" he whispers, preparing to slide down to the deck.
"WARGS?! ORCS?! SLAUGHTER?!"
Thanking Gorum for answering his prayers, Storn throws down his oars and stomps off to armour himself before joining the others.
Mariana startled out of her writing and jumps up, grabbing her bag and tossing her journal within. To herself, "I thought we were trying to be surreptitious..."
Mawj comes up from below. "Do they have watercraft? If we go past them could they pursue?"
That boy ain't right, Sander thinks with a sigh.
"We can't just go by. There might still be people there who need our help," he tells Mawj as he reaches the deck, wishing it weren't so.
He looks toward the captain to see what he intends to do.
"How many are there? Are they readying bows? Any siege?" Molly calls from a hiding place behind the mast.
That boy ain't right, Sander thinks with a sigh.
"We can't just go by. There might still be people there who need our help," he tells Mawj as he reaches the deck, wishing it weren't so.
He looks toward the captain to see what he intends to do.
"See, you say that, but there is a chance that we will be captured and made slaves. Or worse. Mawj thinks getting us to their base and striking at their heart would be more effective. It could wreck their raiding over the whole region."
He rubs his chin. "But if we had to, then putting the ship on the bank a few miles down the river then coming back at night would be the best route. No sense attack in broad daylight."
The captain was already shouting orders to bring the keelboat to the bank, even as Quill looked around fruitlessly for a longboat. The only boat here was the keelboat itself, and the ponderous beast pulled gently to a halt at the way house's docks as if it was guided by Bloodtusk's will alone. Crew members made lashings to the dock, even as Mawj was voicing his concerns.
The captain said, "An old friend of mine mans this station. I'm not just going to drift by withotu checking on her, not with signs of a raid about. Raiders may already be gone, and she's injured, or maybe they're inside and torturing her for sport. Can't be many, in either case. You can stay on the boat if you like, but I'm going to check on Calrianne."
As soon as the boat was tied up, the captain detailed a few of the crew to guard the boat while he and Halrex grabbed their armor and weapons and made ready to scout the way station.
Molly grunts, shakes her head... then follows the captain.
"Leave a decent-sized guard behind, cap'n. It'd be a poor showing if the bleeders turned, weaselled around us and took the ship."
Sander, checking his pouches to make sure everything's in place, joins his companions.
He jumps as electricity starts to crackle up and down Quill's bow, giving the elf an unhappy look.
Freshly armoured, Storn clanks off with the rest of the group, his craggy face hidden by the helmet and with iron spikes sticking out in all directions. He staps on his shield and stalks onwards.
"You always take care of your people." Mawj alights from the boat onto the dock and follows with the group.
From up close, it was amazing that the keelboat even had a dock to moor to. The attackers had chopped, hacked, burned, and beaten it to sooty splinters, but somehow it held together enough to let you disembark. Falchion in hand, Bloodtusk led you off the shattered dock and on to the ground.
The near corner of the building was obviously a stables of some kind. A set of stairs ran up the southwest corner of the building to a lowered drawbridge. It was apparent that the waystation was meant to be a miniature fortress, with the inhabitants able to raise the drawbridge and hold off a raiding force while lighting a fire beacon to warn of the raiders. The lowered drawbridge and the corpses around the building spoke of a sudden attack, possibly while the way station inhabitants were unawares.
Storn lets the wimpy sneaky people creep up on ahead while he hangs back to wait for the reconnaissance. In the meantime, he mutters some prayers to Gorum, enchanting himself.
Drinking his shield extract as he exits the boat, Sander pads quietly after Quill.
Mariana
Molly
Quill
Sander
Storn
Mawj
wolves
Quill peeks his head around the corner to see what was obviously a small stable, sized to hold two warhorses comfortably. Unfortunately, the horses appear to have been freshly slaughtered, and the elf can see two large wolves gorging themselves on on one of the carcasses. From the next stall over, he can hear the sound of at least one more wolf eating, as well. The wolves are so engrossed in their feasting that they do not notice his approach.
Sander, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as stealthy. The alchemist was so intent on Quill's back that he tripped over a dead orc and crashed to the ground. Hurriedly, he stood up, but it was too late. The two wolves in Quill's line of sight both bolted upraight, sniffing and growling. One turned to look right at the elf and bared it's teeth before attacking.
Both of the wolves in the stall lunged at Quill, the young archer barely managing to avoid their snapping jaws, beating at them with his bowstave.
"Typical," Molly sighs. The young Witch hefts her crossbow and runs forward until she can see Sander and Quill - and the trouble they're in. Muttering under her breath, she fixes a malicious glare on the wolf closest to Sander.
"STOOOOOORN!"
Delighted to have cast his spells at the right time for once, Storn starts charging forwards towards the wolves.
"COME AT ME YOU FILTHY FELINES! WHARRGARBL!"
"Canines, blood-'n-guts. Dogs and wolves are canines," Molly says, rolling her eyes. "Felines are cats."
"Here we go!" Muscles pop and features distort as Mawj assumes his boar form. He grows long wicked claws, deadly tusks, a pair of horns, and ferocious teeth. He rears his head and lets out his battle squeal. "REEEEEEEEE!" He stalks forward.
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Round 1, Init 14
"Sander!!!" Quill calls in alarm as Sander's fall scares him. He steps 5' back (Q47) and tries to shoot the near right wolf.
Elf help me!
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,,+DF)
damage w/electric.
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,+DF)
damage w/electric.
AC 17
HP 21/21
Happies: 1/4 used
Ferves: 1/4 used
To Hit: +2 BAB, +3 Dex, +1 WF, +1 Masterwork
Damage: 1d8 + 1 Str +1 magic
[ dice]1d20+7-2+1[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+2[/dice] electrcal damage.
[ dice]1d20+7-2+1[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+2[/dice] damage.
HP 26/26
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14
Fort +6 (+2 vs. poison), Ref +7, Will +3 (+2 vs. fear)
CMD 13
Bombs: 1/6; Mutagen: 0/1
Effects: Shield (0/3 mins)
Extracts
1st (4/day): cure light wounds [], enlarge person [], shield [x], xxx
Sander scrambles back, alarmed as the wolves approach, and tosses a bomb in their direction, making sure the splash doesn't hit Quill before he has a chance to move away.
Rushing forward, she flicks her, the Wand of Bless popping free, and she lets loose another charge to aid her companions.
The first two wolves died in a hail of electric arrows and the explosions from one of Sander's homemade bombs. The others moved up, helping in a supporting role, but once more Quill was the target of the remaining wolf. Fortunately for him, Molly's evil eye had the wolf cringing more than viciously attacking.
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Round 2, Init 14
Quill 5' steps back (R48) and attacks the wolf again.
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,,+DF)
damage w/electric.
to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,+DF)
damage w/electric.
AC 17
HP 21/21
Happies: 1/4 used
Ferves: 1/4 used
To Hit: +2 BAB, +3 Dex, +1 WF, +1 Masterwork
Damage: 1d8 + 1 Str +1 magic
[ dice]1d20+7-2+1[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+2[/dice] electrcal damage.
[ dice]1d20+7-2+1[/dice] to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
[ dice]1d8+2[/dice] damage.
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Storn stalks over, smashing Agrimmosh down on a nearby wolf.
"Good news! I've discovered the weakness of our enemy! That they're weak!"
Qahnaarin hurries forward [Q48] and tries to bite the delicious-looking wolf.
On the off chance that the wolf is still standing, Molly treats it to another Hex, this time hoping to weaken its ability to fight!
Sander, assuming the others have the situation well in control, looks around as he's certain the orcs are on their way to kill them. He prepares another bomb in case his fears once again turn out to be true.
HP 26/26
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14
Fort +6 (+2 vs. poison), Ref +7, Will +3 (+2 vs. fear)
CMD 13
Bombs: 1/6; Mutagen: 0/1
Effects: Shield (0/3 mins)
The remaining wolf died quickly to an arrow and a well-aimed blow of Storn's new hammer. A scream of pain ripped through the air, likely coming from the way station above. The screams likely covered the sounds of the combat, as no one came to check out the explosions and shouts from your fight.
"Looks like we know where to go next. Order of entry?" Molly asks, businesslike.
"Storn," says Storn, also businesslike, if that business is hitting things.
Without hesitating he starts stomping off to the entrance to the waystation.
"Mawj?" The boar-man follows behind Storn, keeping a wary eye on the flanks.
Looking over to Molly, she sees how badly injured she is and she says softly, "Do you need my help with that, or will your own magics be enough?"
Waits for the witch to heal her own wounds first as she begins to search for any items that might be useful, and then follows behind Storn and Mawj.
Another wailing scream echoed out from the building above, and it set your teeth on edge. Fearing for his friend, Captain Bloodtusk was the first one up the ladder to the second story. There, he found the drawbridge down and the doorway open. As Storn and Mawj followed closely after, they could see into the building.
The large open room had a table and stout wooden chairs, bunks for two, and a large fireplace. There were also a handful of orcs torturing a woman dressed in knight's armor. She cursed them over and over as one drove a lance into her belly, beneath her cuirass. The orcs were so caught up in their game that they didn't notice you in the doorway.
If you wish to act in the surprise round you can, but only Bloodtusk, Storn, and Mawj are on the platform. The rest of you are either on the ladder or on the ground still. Plan well, but don't be surprised if Bloodtusk attacks.
Molly moves forward, getting into position.
Sander scrambles up on to the platform.