Hunger in the Darkness - Expedition to the Mines of Zolurket
Game Master Mark Sweetman

"Well looks like we found their home. Seems we have three choices; go back and try to go over the scree, walk in all friendly like and see how they react, or wade in on a tide of blood. I prefer the second choice." "Though if you like I could try to sidle up and take a gander."

Eyeball, thanks for rolling the check for me!

"I'd be willing to walk up to them, if others would like to position themselves 'just in case'. Any additional information from scouting would be nice, though only if you are safe doing it."

"I'm only dangerous over short distances. I'll accompany Love into the camp, those with longer ranged alternatives could set up to cover us. Unless you want to scout alone first, although that may send the wrong message."

"Thanks for the offer but I think I'll feel better knowing you are here in case I need rescue. Keep your ears open for a lonesome howl. If you hear it come running."

With that Love slips off the trail and starts moving from thornbush to Live Oak to rock. Moving ever closer to the begraggled thorpe.

stealth, 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22. Perception to see what I can see,canny 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 4 = 18

"If we hear trouble, we will bring the thunder, Love. Be careful out there."

Love is able to sneak forward to near the outskirts of the camp, confident his approach remains unseen. Gazing into the interior... you see something unexpected.

The only movement you can discern is a single dhabba limping around the campfire with a crushed hind leg, severed tail and a claw wound on it's side. It is clearly near death and poses no threat to you. The area around the campfire in the centre of the huts appears as though a charnel house. You see broken bodies, spilt blood and nothing else alive.

You'll need to move closer for a better look.

Love is able to sneak forward to near the outskirts of the camp, confident his approach remains unseen. Gazing into the interior... you see something unexpected.

The only movement you can discern is a single dhabba limping around the campfire with a crushed hind leg, severed tail and a claw wound on it's side. It is clearly near death and poses no threat to you. The area around the campfire in the centre of the huts appears as though a charnel house. You see broken bodies, spilt blood and nothing else alive.

You'll need to move closer for a better look.

Then move closer I will. What were the bodies when they were still up and doing? Human? Hafling? Jackelwere? Is the campfire still burning?

Love creeps ever closer taking care to stay down wind of the dhabba.

Stealth if needed 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22. Perception for details/anything odd. Canny 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 4 = 21

Stealthing closer Love can confirm the bodies on the ground are jackalwere. The bodies have been mutilated by powerful claws, and if you had to guess you'd think that some have been partially eaten. You see the bodies of man, woman and child alike rent asunder.

The campfire has long burned out and is merely standing sentry as a charcoal idol. Given how laboured the dhabba's movements are you think that it would not be able to competently react to your presence anyway.

You can sense no danger within the camp at present, your DM says it is safe for the rest of the party to approach - if you like.

Spear in one hand and camel lead in the other, Cynara will cautiously approach the village, listening carefully for movement.

The camel offer some resistance against approaching closer, but with some gentle goading you get them to move.

Going within the bounds of the village, or just looking from without?

You can sense no danger within the camp at present, your DM says it is safe for the rest of the party to approach - if you like.

Well with that kind of assurance I will return for the others. Does this writ of safety extend to the huts? Or do they still need to be searched?

The huts still have secrets hidden within, but they are unlikely to leap out in a fury of tooth and claw and devour your soul entire :P
So yes, still need to be searched - but it is safe to do so.

The huts still have secrets hidden within, but they are unlikely to leap out in a fury of tooth and claw and devour your soul entire :P

So yes, still need to be searched - but it is safe to do so.

Khepri will bravely walk into the camp as any go od paladin would and put the dhabba out of its misery

The dhabba barely whimpers as Khepri puts it out of it's misery. Stepping into the village's circle you can now see into some of the houses, noticing that the carnage is not limited to the central area. There are blood trails and bodies within what you can see of the huts.

All of the damage to the jackalwere and few dhabba bodies appears to have been caused by claws and the bite of teeth. If you had to judge you would say that the creature that did it could not be any larger than a person.

The dhabba barely whimpers as Khepri puts it out of it's misery. Stepping into the village's circle you can now see into some of the houses, noticing that the carnage is not limited to the central area. There are blood trails and bodies within what you can see of the huts.

All of the damage to the jackalwere and few dhabba bodies appears to have been caused by claws and the bite of teeth. If you had to judge you would say that the creature that did it could not be any larger than a person.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 18

Khepri will motion the others he heard something and head over to investigate

Moving into the hut where the noise was heard, Khepri tracks it to under the solitary bed there. Casting the bed aside, you see a juvenile jackalwere cowering in the fetal position - too scared to open his eyes.

"The hell happened here? Rival tribes? Who hate jackelweres? Other than me of course. And Magatha."

Padrym follows Khepri into the hut, Magatha clutched firmly in hand.

"Well now what?"

Female voice: You know what.
Yes, I do.

Feigr walks into the village with the rest of the group, taking a deep drink at the site of the carnage. Having mustered his nerve, Feigr moves over to the bodies to inspect the wounds and see if there are other clues about what sort of creature may have done this.

Heal 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Apparently without success.

Fegir examines the wounds and confirms that they all appear to be from the same source - claws and fang of a single man sized creature. Khepri also points out a few spots were donkey hoofed footprints can be seen in the town center.

Knowledge (nature / planes) might help here...

After calming the camels down a bit, Cynara gets out her magnifying glass and starts looking at and around bodies.

Knowledge (Nature) check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Heal check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Cynara examines the markings on the bodies and the tracks, racking her brain to try and match it against any natural creature she is aware of. There are a few things that trouble you.

The skin of the jackalwere is resistant to normal weapons, though these look as though they were torn to ribbons as easily as humans. You don't know of any natural creature whose claws could have bypassed the jackalwere's resistance.

The donkey hoofed prints are also confusing. You are not aware of any natural creature that would leave a print - yet still be able to attack with tooth and claw. Searching the clearing you are confident that the only tracks present are jackalwere, dhabba and this donkey hoofed being.

Cynara comes to a growing realization that whatever slayed these jackalwere is not begat of the natural world...

You still have a cowering juvenile jackalwere to react to as well...

Any idea whether the creature with the hooves was bipedal?

guys my Internet is down for the time. Will someone roll me a Planes check +9? Thanks.

Dolgrym Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Heh - hope that is good enough for ya :P

Dolgrym can recall tales of what can occur if a janni who is in poor favor is killed. Cursed to return and walk the world as an undead abomination with a terrible hunger. The janni's jaw is distended and oversized while it's claws lengthen and harden. Wounds it causes bleed more profusely than normal and their attacks can cut through many defenses.

The creatures are known as ghul and are also able to take the shape of a hyena. They tend to be territorial and share the hunger for humanoid flesh the same as ghouls.

Cynara can confirm that the tracks she finds appear to be from a bipedal creature.

Nice trick Dolgrym. I think you just saved us from a future crit

"Khepri and Padrym, what have you got over there? Dolgrym has more to say about what killed this village and it sounds like trouble. Can anyone tell from the tracks if it left or moved into one of the huts?"

Nice trick Dolgrym. I think you just saved us from a future crit

"Khepri and Padrym, what have you got over there? Dolgrym has more to say about what killed this village and it sounds like trouble. Can anyone tell from the tracks if it left or moved into one of the huts?"

"A young Jackalwere. Missed by whatever killed all these things."

As it has now heard a couple of words spoken in common and no additional pain has been wrought upon it, the jackalwere opens its eyes to chance a look at the newcomers. It initially appears relieved before a different kind of fear overtakes it. Scrabbling backward on the floor to the corner of the hut it cowers once more.

"Aye, a youngling. Though I've no taste for it this creature shouldn't be allowed to live. Damn me if I can bring myself to do it though. I'm no paladin or saint but I'll not have it said I kill children in cold blood. Run child, find your people and live your life. Change your cursed ways if you have it in you to defy an entire people."

As I have.

The juvenile does not move, but speaks "Please no kill-kill...... you are not death-on-hooves?" speculatively looking to your feet to see if you are hooved.

Feigr arrives at the hut as the youngling speaks, "Hells no, we're not death on hooves, but where did it go and why were you spared child?"

Becoming slightly bolder but still cowering "When the demon came I ran-ran away... when I came back-back all dead..." continuing to eye the party warily "Why you come to land of Chakal... he not be happy-nice when he see you..."

Becoming slightly bolder but still cowering "When the demon came I ran-ran away... when I came back-back all dead..." continuing to eye the party warily "Why you come to land of Chakal... he not be happy-nice when he see you..."

"I don't think we'll be happy-nice to demon either. Where can we find this demon?"

"Chakal not death-on-hooves, Chakal big-big chief.... You want kill-kill demon? I not know where demon go..."

"Where is Chakal? Did Death on Hooves spare him as well?"

Padrym says nothing as Dolgrym and Khepri interrogate the young jackelwere, instead moving out of the room to give the others move space.

So...many...dwarves...:P

This is an unwise delay. Is this demon a threat if we can bypass it?

Is the description of this demon's range likely to include our base camp or give us trouble?

Seeing the others dealing with the youngling and confident that it will not be slain out of hand. At least it had better not be.... Love moves to investigate the other huts et. al.

Perception if needed, canny 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 4 = 16 please add 1 for traps and 2 for odd stonework.

The ghul will be far behind your back before you make the base camp at Tar-Urkatha

"Chakal not live here... he live with others that way" pointing in the direction you need to travel. "He no like-like dwarves..." brow furrowing in thought "...but he like death-on-hooves less... maybe you kill-kill the demon and Chakal let you pass still walk-live"

While the juvenile is being interrogated Love checks the remaining huts. You find what you would expect in a small village, plus a smattering of armor and weaponry, but not much of any real value. Hidden under a bedroll you find a small pouch containing a few gems, and there is a bear-skin rug of good quality in what looks to be the leader's hovel. There are no other living jackalwere, and you count twelve bodies between the clearing and huts.

Appraise on the gems? 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11. the skin?1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8.

Love grabs the best quality weapon suitable for the Juvinile from among the ones scattered about the village. (Appraise? 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 +2 if greed applies.) Fills a bag with food and drops one of the gems in the bottom. Love walks back to the where the party is interrogating the youngling. Filling a water gourd from the communal source on the way.

Love enters the hut at the end of the questioning.

"All right youngling. This is full of food, this is full of water and this will be handy. Every one else is dead and I have no idea when of if that thing will be back. I think your best bet would be to head south and out of the area but you will need to make up your own mind. I wouldn't recommend our back trail as we might have someone following us.
You got a rotten deal kid. If we could I'd bring you with us but we are going nowhere near saftey and you will live longer on your own."

"Of course, we are heading in the direction of his Chakal, Love. We could always give him an escort. Might earn us safe passage through the area."

Cynara will check the young jackalwere over, trying to keep her professional healer face on. The dwarves and Khepri are right...nits breed fleas, true, but fleas have no choice in what they are. This one does.

Heal check (taking ten): 21

"Is Chakal of your people, or some other race?"

The jackalwere takes the bag from Love gratefully before continuing "Chakal like me, but bigger. He lead many-many swords. Me not worth much... but if you had head of death-on-hooves?" looking at you hopefully "If not kill-kill demon... maybe me can lead you secret-hidden way... but Chakal have many scouts"

Cynara finds that the young jackal is in generally good health, though she is able to soothe some scrapes and cuts.

Love Appraise: The gems are of middling quality and worth some cash, but you'll need clean them up a bit and inspect them more closely to get a good gauge on their value - but you're guessing in the tens of gold for the lot. The pelt is good quality, but you don't know enough about the market to tell what it would be worth.

Dolgrym would have known from the Knowledge check that the ghul is powerful, but a seasoned group of adventurers such as yourself should have some confidence in being able to put it down.

The jackalwere takes the bag from Love gratefully before continuing "Chakal like me, but bigger. He lead many-many swords. Me not worth much... but if you had head of death-on-hooves?" looking at you hopefully "If not kill-kill demon... maybe me can lead you secret-hidden way... but Chakal have many scouts"

Khepri shows the young jakalwere his symbol of Sarenrae, "This is the symbol of Sarenrae, the Dawnflower. She believes that compassion and peace (no-kill) are the most important of all things and that anyone can be redeemed. (good-good)" Then he shows it his scimitar,"But she also has no patience for those with ill intent (bad-bad) and I will kill-kill anyone like that. Lead us to your hidden way faithfully, and we will protect you from Chakal and his scouts."

Khepri smiles with a huge grin, happy that this creature has a chance at remdemption.

Not being snarky - but is the Undead Scourge passing up an opportunity to destroy an evil undead creature?
Just interested in the IC decision making on that aspect.

Cynara looks askance at Khepri. "Redemption is a fine thing, and I applaud your openness to it. However, slaying the ghul offers us a chance to treat peacefully with all Chakal's people, to the long-term success of Stonebrow's plan. I cannot help but see the Dawnflower's hand in this--a chance to serve her and further the mission we've set ourselves to."

Not being snarky - but is the Undead Scourge passing up an opportunity to destroy an evil undead creature?

Just interested in the IC decision making on that aspect.

If you mean the Ghul, I thought we were doing both. (Killing the ghul then sneaking through the tunnels) I thought the two were related.

Feigr grumbles, "All right, enough love for the kid and the Dawnflower. You're makin' me sick. We've got work to do."

Feigr moves closer and looks the youngling in the eye, "All right kid. You see, you've got a problem and so do we. You want to get back to your chief and doin' him the favor of killing the demon would help you and us gain favor with him. Now some of my friends aren't going to like this, but we need help tracking that demon and I have a feeling you're better than any of us at following tracks. Help us and we'll help you. We'll take care of the demon and get you back to your chief."

Diplomacy check 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

My bad - wasn't being clear enough. The intent was to offer a choice of two options:
1. Kill the ghul and attempt to parlay that into safe passage.
2. Sneak past the jackalwere.

Though you can always do both as well :)

At Feigr's offer the jackalwere is heartened enough to stand "I.. think I can follow-track the demon... but I cannot fight against it..." he taps his neck "I am Nabo" and after a few deep breaths moves outside to where the rent and broken remains lie.

To his credit he does not balk at their sight, and gets on all fours to sniff the ground with his snout. Moving around the clearing he begins the task of finding the trail of death-on-hooves.

Any last actions at the camp before you depart?

Never thought I'd be following a jackelwere to kill a ghul.

"Anybody not ready for this? And is the ghul vulnerable to lightning?"

Dolgrym is not aware of any specific elemental resistances of the ghul.

Thanks for filling everyone in for me, DM. Net is still spotty right now.

"Nice to meet you, Nabo. I am Dolgrym. Hopefully we can help each other through this. If you can take us toward Death-on-Hooves, we will kill it. You can run to a safe place while we take care of it."

Cynara looks around the village. Deal with the bodies now? No, later. If there is a later. "Dolgrym, you should probably inform our leader of our change in approach. Just to be friendly, mind." The elf will kneel down near the hoofprints and sniff at them herself, so if the ghul has a scent she can recognize it if she notices it again.

"Creatures not native to this plane are notorious for their resistance to mundane arms. If any of you need it, I can bespell your weapon.

"Nabo, can you tell us when you think we're getting close to the creature?"

Perception check for determining scent: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25