Constantin advances to support Vermundr, using his longspear to attack from a distance.
Zed runs in to back up Verm on his boar.
Kaz steps forward and telekinetically send another stone winging at a (the blue) boar.
Zed crushes one of the boars after solid hits from Vermundr and Constantin though sadly Kazamir's telekinetic stone flies wide and bounces harmlessly off a tree.
Miss
Miss
The two remaining boars charge forward, hooves churning up the ground, snarling and snorting as they come. Those razor sharp tusks are low and looking to eviscerate but both Vermundr and Kazamir side step the charge.
Zed sighs and takes another swing at the nearest boar.
The boar attacked by Zed looks severely injured now.
Kaz will stab at the blind boar with his swordcane, then take a five-foot back.
With a grunt of effort, Vermundr cleaves into the dying boar.
Too concerned with striking one of her friends with some of the fire rather than a boar, Vala hesitates too much and the flames fall wide of the mark, hungrily scorching the grass for a few moments before sputtering out.
HP: 39/39
Negative Energy Resist 5
AC: 14 (10 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 14
F/R/W: +6/+3/+11 (+2 vs death effects, energy drain, negative energy, & necromancy)
Monstrous Insight used: 0/7
Healing Hex targets: Hazel
Current Wandering Spirit: Life
Channel Energy (3d6) used: 0/5
Prepared spells
Orisons (4) | DC 15: dancing lights, disrupt undead, identify, read magic
Level 1 spells (4+2+1*) | DC 16: inflict light wounds [ ], know the enemy* [ ], magic missile [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ], produce flame (CL7) [X]
Level 2 spells (3+1+1*) | DC 17: glitterdust [X], lesser restoration* [ ], spiritual weapon [ ] [ ] [ ]
Level 3 spells (2+1+1*) | DC 18: fly [ ], lightning bolt [X], locate object* [ ], spiritual weapon (extended) [ ]
Level 4 spells (1+1+1*) | DC 19: legend lore* [ ], greater magic weapon [ ], spiritual ally [ ]
Ongoing Effects
glitterdust: 2/7 rounds
produce flame: 2/8
Following Zed's attack, Vermundr hacks the boar down which dies with a squeal.
The other, already injured, flinches out of the way of Vala's small ball of flame, already having felt the kiss of fire not too long ago. It doesn't so much squeal as it does shriek and bolts off into the undergrowth as fast as it's hooves can carry it.
Ah ha! Duristan says with a flourish and a punch of the air. Not the hunt we intended but successful nonetheless! his cheerfulness is either infectious or irritating depending on your outlook.
Delgros doesn't share it however.
The woodsmna and the hirelings have gathered the horses some distance away and as he approaches he says;
You're damned lucky, Duristan. Those boars could have skewered you or any one of us. There could well be a pile of guts where you're standing now.
Nonsense. the nobleman replies. What challenge could a trio of smelly pigs provide for these Heroes, seriously man?
He moves to Hazel and says quite seriously, looking deep into her eyes;
My thanks for your aid good sirs and madame, I trust you weren't injured badly Miss Hazel?
Delgros moves to the carcass of the deer and looks down at the bloody mess.
No telling what attacked that. Not now the boars have had a go at it.
Despite Delgros' negativity, the trained eye can differentiate between the tooth and tusk marks of the boars and the bites and lacerations of some other creature. Though what that other creature was is impossible to determine.
Vermundr looks over the trampled remains, quickly coming to the same conclusion as Delgros and Hazel.
"There's hundreds of pounds of good meat here. Tough, but good. Help me dress these kills", the big man says as he straps down his greatsword and starts sharpening his hunting knife.
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"Zed's fire must've really thrown them for a loop!"
"Just trying to get a head start on the bacon." Zed says in one of his exceedingly rare moments of morbid humor.
Constantin posts his longspear and says, "Breakfast comin' late today."
Vermundr begins preparing the boars for travel, cutting into the carcass and starting to remove innards that would be unpalatable.
As he does so he notes the stag nearby and, closer now, notes that there are bite marks that belong to something other than the boar. Mentioning it, he sees Duristan almost literally jump and down in excitement.
You hear that, Delgros! Duristan shouts triumphantly. Mr Vermundr just confirmed it - "something other than the boar." It must be a werewolf! He looks off into the dense forest with a half smile on his face. I knew it. I knew the tribes were all here. Just think, I could hunt all of them and be the first to collect a pelt from each one!
He turns back to the group his excitement almost at fever pitch.
That settles it, we'll set up camp here. We'll set a perimeter and wait to see if they return to their kill site. Besides, what better way to trade stories than by moon and fire light, haha!
He then sets about ordering his hirelings to set up camp for the evening.
Oh there are well over a dozen distinct wolf packs in the woods. No one knows how many individuals but they must number in the hundreds. Duristan says, matter of factly.
You chaps! he calls to the hirelings. Be good fellows and bait the perimeter won't you?
The men set about following his instructions, pulling hunks of raw meat and large, deadly looking traps from the crates.
As they do so, Duristan himself opens a smaller box and withdraws a single bottle.
I shall tell you all about my meagre exploits later but please, prey tell me how you came to come together as a group and spare not a detail!
The bottle is a particularly expensive Andorian brandy that he uncorks with a satisfying pop.
May I offer you a drink? he asks, already pouring into expensive crystal glasses that he brought with him. And prey Mr Ulmin, that hammer.... club... thing of yours. Why I've never seen the like! You put it to use like a brutal artist, wherever did you learn the skill? And I must admire your blade, Ms Hazel. It looks as light and deft as my own rapier and yet I sense you could wield it like a cleaver! All of you, please I'd be honoured to hear your stories! he gushes further.
The star struck young hunter eagerly awaits your response.
Rapidly becoming more alarmed by the hunt the party was involved in, Vermundr passes any offers of libations.
"There's a dozen werewolf packs in these woods? I've... never heard of that happening before. Up north, those with the were typically operate alone. The fact that this lodge hasn't already torn to shreds should tell you something about these packs. We should abandon this foolishness before we give them a reason to come after us."
"These aren't heroic tales from story books you're asking us to relate to you, Duristan. My dearest friend was murdered, a good man was tortured and twisted into a skeletal rictus of his former self, serial killers left a wake of blood and gore behind them and framed an innocent child for it, my niece was assaulted, possibly now murdered as well, and her body, either living or dead at this point, has been stolen away for purposes I can bear to imagine, and now here we are with you." As Vala's brief recounting catches up to Kendra's abduction, her voice cracks and a few tears trickle down her wrinkled cheeks. "There's nothing glamorous in what brought us together or in what we're trying to do. Just hurt and loss; in dreadful amounts."
"And our work is not yet done," Kaz picks up as Vala lets off. "The forces behind this series of tragedies are yet at work. I do not doubt your courage, sir, but to delve too deeply risks not only those we tell, but the course of our work against them, as well."
"Tetsubo." Zed quietly corrects. Oddly enough, he doesn't seem as set as the others upon the seriousness of their recent escapades, seeming to drift off a bit as he runs a hand down the side of his weapon.
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"These aren't heroic tales from story books you're asking us to relate to you, Duristan. My dearest friend was murdered, a good man was tortured and twisted into a skeletal rictus of his former self, serial killers left a wake of blood and gore behind them and framed an innocent child for it, my niece was assaulted, possibly now murdered as well, and her body, either living or dead at this point, has been stolen away for purposes I can bear to imagine, and now here we are with you." As Vala's brief recounting catches up to Kendra's abduction, her voice cracks and a few tears trickle down her wrinkled cheeks. "There's nothing glamorous in what brought us together or in what we're trying to do. Just hurt and loss; in dreadful amounts."
Duristan is so absorbed by Vala's recount that he does not hear Vermundr's warning. Instead, his eyes gradually open wide and his mouth spreads first from a gaping 'O' of amazement to a huge grin of wonderment.
When the tale is done, he leans back and gives you all a round of applause.
Bravo! Bravo! What amazing adventures you have had! Far more impressive than anything I have accomplished. These days my only real pleasure in hunting and annoying those pampered ingrates at the Lodge. I'd like to see some of them at the hands of a serial killer, I tell you! Hahaha.... errmm...<cough>! he finishes nervously, realising all too late how inappropriate his joke was.
Unfazed, he switches tack.
Tetsubo eh? he says, turning to Zed. A fearsome name! And well-earned I'll warrant, whatever it means. Perhaps I should name my own blade. Something like.... oh I don't know.... Wolfsbane! he cries delightedly. Oh no, that's a plant. That won't do. Perhaps as my hunts continue I can think of something better.
He swallows another shot of brandy.
As experienced adventurers you've faced far more dangers than I. Perhaps you could give me some advice or help me learn from your experience?
Vala deflates at Duristan's enthusiasm and shakes her head, barely, in disbelief. "Just call it 'Sorrow', Duristan." She then mutters softly to herself, though loud enough for those near her to hear, "That's all you'll find at the end of it and all it will ever bring."
Duristan nods along dumbly as Hazel talks, utterly captivated by her every word. You sense that if he had a quill and parchment he would be taking notes.
Gosh, you've been through so much. Why though have you come to the Lodge? It seemed like your invite didn't get you far with that little creep at the gate.
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Duristan watches the light from the fire play and flicker in Hazel's deep eyes. He smiles dumbly as she talks and she isn't quite sure how much is being taken in.
Suddenly finding himself staring he starts as though a rumble of thunder suddenly clapped above him and he flusters, rapidly changing the subject to hide his embarrassment.
Well... <ahem!>... for my own part I came here from Ardeal. Father has done quite well in the shipping trade there but sails and lists and tar and lists were never for me. I'd rather make my name as a hunter.
I always enjoyed hunting and sports. But when you have a thirty beaters flushing out the game just for you to take the final shot, the novelty soon wore off. So I decided to throw myself in the deep end and I came here to the very edge of civilisation to hunt the most fearsome prey I could think of. Werewolves! he grins broadly.
Father was easily able to get me an invite to the Lodge thankfully. At least that was one good thing. But the other occupants are such tiresome bores. Nothing but pampered politicos who play at being one with nature or pretending to hunt. In truth, seeing the reaction you got from that little urchin Belik and some of the others, I would have happily hosted you even had you decided not to accompany me - just to get up their noses!
I've had several successful hunts so far in the woods - three in fact. But with the tribes of the Shudderwood all here, that's too great an opportunity to miss and I'm determined to obtain a pelt from all of them.
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The nobleman pokes at the fire, stoking it so that it flares brightly in the dimming light.
Delgros and the helpers finish setting up a perimeter and, under the woodsman's guidance, the group sees that it is perfectly serviceable. The old hunter clearly has the practical skills that match up with his gruff appearance - of Duristan you are not so sure.
Well you've already met Belik. Duristan says. And what a delight that little worm is. I've met his type many times before. Small men who exercise whatever small amount of power they have to make themselves seem more important. But, credit where it is due, he runs a tight ship at the Lodge as you've also seen. He's not in charge though - Estovian is actually the Warden.
Delgros there isn't much for conversation but he's a damned fine hunter. Leads all the hunts out of the Lodge actually.
The rest of the staff there comprise of a chef - oh you must try his boar wellington - oh it is to die for! In fact, when we take these back I will absolutely insist on him making it. The layers of buttery pastry and the rich mushrooms.... paired with Andoran Merlot... honestly it really is something. Do you drink wine, Hazel? You must permit me to show you the cellar at the Lodge, it's really rather extensive with vintages from all over Ustalav and beyond. he says excitedly, rather transparently trying to set up a date with you young priestess. I can arrange a tasting of some of the finest wi... he looks across the fire and sees Zed's flat, almost featureless eyes staring at him across the flames.
Looking back to Hazel he says; We shall talk about it later, perhaps.
He continues:
There's a stablemaster, various other staff and guards that run the place and all for a handful of guests at the moment.
Oh! And there's Madame Ivanja. he scratches his chin. I actually don't know if she is employed by the Lodge or not. But she arranges... <ahem> company... for the guests if they are feeling... he makes a few unintentionally awkward and lewd gestures with his hands before shrugging helplessly and saying... ...lonely.
Cilas - you'll like him. Well, some of you might. Well, Vermundr will. Well, maybe. I find him a tiresome bore, truth be told. He's some kind of military commander and if he doesn't mention it every time he talks then the sky isn't blue.
Markiza Welory comes to the Lodge frequently. I believe she likes to hunt fox from horeseback and hounds. I find that distasteful, no sport at all for the poor thing, it doesn't stand a chance. In any case, I think she is visiting without her husband which I thought strange for a lady of her standing but she's a snooty cow so I didn't care to sak her about it. Alone that is except for that handsome huntsman and guard she keeps around - I don't know his name but perhaps it isn't so strange that she travels without her husband haha!
The only one I can tolerate is Corvin. And that's because he enjoys irritating the rest of them as much as I. A little too much into his cups though for my tastes.
Kaz stays quiet, absorbing what he can about the man and his impressions of the other guests.
"Quite a risk you take, hunting lycanthropes," Constantin adds as the nobleman trails off. "Out of curiosity, do you have a plan for what you would do if you were... infected? You know, bitten and... turned to one of them?"
"Quite a risk you take, hunting lycanthropes," Constantin adds as the nobleman trails off. "Out of curiosity, do you have a plan for what you would do if you were... infected? You know, bitten and... turned to one of them?"
Duristan looks at Constantin as if he were speaking a different language. The psychic doesn't need his considerable talents to realise it is not a thought that has crossed the nobleman's mind.
Preparation is everything. is all he says in a rather disconcertingly vague tone.
His warnings ignored, Vermundr simply growls wordlessly and focuses on his meal. Damn fool is going to cause a bloodbath...
"Well, I have some wolfsbane for tea. If you get scratched, let us know! It can be cured. Better than hiding it and transforming later."
Vala sighs and shakes her head as Duristan's exchange with the others comes to an end. "Well, I hope each of you is right." Her words are offered simply and without preamble or further explanation. She looks toward Pyth then, perched up on a bough just above the carnage they'd come upon the boars tearing into, and the two share a lengthy gaze before she sighs again and casts her eyes to the ground between her feet.
HP: 39/39
Negative Energy Resist 5
AC: 14 (10 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 14
F/R/W: +6/+3/+11 (+2 vs death effects, energy drain, negative energy, & necromancy)
Monstrous Insight used: 0/7
Healing Hex targets: Hazel
Current Wandering Spirit: Life
Channel Energy (3d6) used: 0/5
Prepared spells
Orisons (4) | DC 15: dancing lights, disrupt undead, identify, read magic
Level 1 spells (4+2+1*) | DC 16: inflict light wounds [ ], know the enemy* [ ], magic missile [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ], produce flame (CL7) [X]
Level 2 spells (3+1+1*) | DC 17: glitterdust [X], lesser restoration* [ ], spiritual weapon [ ] [ ] [ ]
Level 3 spells (2+1+1*) | DC 18: fly [ ], lightning bolt [X], locate object* [ ], spiritual weapon (extended) [ ]
Level 4 spells (1+1+1*) | DC 19: legend lore* [ ], greater magic weapon [ ], spiritual ally [ ]
Duristan and the party share stories - mostly from the nobleman's perspective - until the bottle of brandy is nearly dry. As the last remnants of sunlight dapple through the tall trees the sky is turned a beautiful blood red.
As you look around you realise that only one pair of hirelings and Delgros are putting the finishing touches to the camp. The others, those who were setting the traps, haven't been seen for a while.
Vala glances around the clearing briefly before her face clouds in dawning concern. "Delgros? Where are the others? The men who were setting the traps?" She rises slowly as she asks the question, her apprehension growing.
The old huntsman looks around him, cursing himself for being distracted by Duristan's nonsense and setting up the camp itself.
I haven't seen them for nearly half an hour. he admits. They should be done by now and back in camp.
His hand wanders to the haft of the axe at his belt but he doesn't draw it. Yet
We have to find them. he says earnestly, grabbing up his geat and slinging his bow across his back.
Duristan looks about somewhat dumbly before leaping to his feet, his eyes wide and his fine mithril chain shirt glittering in the firelight.
Delgros, you let them wander off! he accuses before the old woodsman wheels on him about to say something that may well have cost him his job before the nobleman says quickly; No matter, we will rescue them from whatever fate has befallen them - we have real heroes with us!
He draws his rapier and begins heading toward the tree line.
As the conversation turns away from idle chat and towards finding some missing men, Zed seems to stir. "Hmm." He gives a slight glance towards the woods, then slides over towards the edge.
"Here, let's see where they went." Zed leads the group on to follow the footprints.