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Seated in the Army of Exploration command tent, Master of Swords Marcus Farabellus looks up from a pile of reports. He squints, indicates a few chairs, and launches immediately into his brief.
“We have little time. I’ll be as quick and clear as I can. Tancred Desimire and that traitorous dwarf, Thurl, are on their way to Jormurdun as we speak.”
By now, every Society member knows about Thurl’s betrayal in Nerosyan. His alliance with that disgraced Chelaxian noble isn’t surprising. But the confirmation that they are grabbing for the Society’s prize charges the air with tension.
“I knew something was wrong when our spies told us the villains weren’t leading their troops, but it took time to learn the truth. Those worms are using this battle as cover.”
The Master of Blades points to one of the maps on the table.
“The enemy’s forces are lined up here, blocking our advance. We’re making a direct assault to dislodge them, but we don’t have time to wait. I need you to go after them. Our forces have punched a hole in their line, giving you the opening you’ll need to slip through, track them down, and stop them.”
Farabellus fixes each agent with a hard stare. “In the case of Thurl, that means permanently. He has destroyed countless lives and has put even more at grave risk. Don’t waste any energy trying to bring him back alive—not that he’ll likely give you the chance.
“Desimire is more of a problem. The Society doesn’t need him back alive, either, but Paracountess Dralneen personally requested that we turn him over to Cheliax for trial. She has a personal stake in this. You may recall the mess surrounding her disappearance last year—including Tancred’s involvement. Take him alive, if you can. If not, bring back his body, but make sure his head and jaw are intact.”
He steps back from the desk and takes a deep breath. “So, that’s it. Catch up to these treasonous villains and don’t let them get a foothold in Jormurdun. They’ve got a head start so they might take you right to the Sky Citadel’s entrance. That’ll at least save us the work of searching for it, but they must not be allowed to hold that site.
“And one more thing. If you do manage to get inside, try not to break anything. High King Borogrim is allowing the Society to explore the Citadel first, but we must turn it over in good condition.”
The Master of Blades leans on the table again. “This mission is critical. Those two must not get their hands on any of Jormurdun’s treasures. The loss of historical knowledge is nothing compared to the damage they could do if those relics fell into the hands of those controlling the Worldwound.
“The quartermasters can out t you with supplies once you’ve gotten yourselves together. I’ll have escorts take you through the battle lines. If you’ve got any questions, ask now. Otherwise, get going.”
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"Just how are you planning on escorting us through the battle lines? Teleportation magic? I don't fancy trying to stroll through an active battlefield.," the female elf pipes up, without even looking up from the knitting needles she had in front of her, making what looked like a tiny shawl. She held it up, examined it, and went back to her knitting as she waited for a response.
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A skinny halfing holding a longspear with a magnificent green banner with gold trim and a gold leafed Glyph of the Open Road stamped in the middle hanging from the end.. Just looking at it confirms the reason you are here.. Fearless warriors of the Society, out to take the bad guys down again!!
"Floggentop Wizzbottle the Third at your services!! Well met all!! Im sure whatever the VC has planned will be adequate to get us across enemy lines.. And I have a few tricks up my sleeve, or should I say in my pack, that will help if need be.."
He casts a spell on himself and the plays a little tune and makes you all a bit lighter on your feet..
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Shayla frowns at Tessara's mention of teleportation magic. "What's wrong with moving straight through the battlefield? Gives us a chance to cut some enemies down while we move to our destination."
She places a hand on the leopard sitting next to her as she turns to look at Floggentop. "I'm Shayla, and this here's Suri."
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Tess nods at the others as well as the handsome leopard. "We have a more important mission than merely chopping down some foot soldiers. Wasting our resources on them could hurt us in the long run.". As she discussed the topic, her right sleeve flared, and a tiny monkey poked his head out of her robe.
"Ah, yes, my manners. This is Zeriah, my companion, whose sweater is almost ready, and I'm Tessara. You can call me Tess."
We don't have any means of scrying on them, nor any idea where they are, so teleporting into the lands would be risky There's a break in the enemy lines not far from camp. A squad of soldiers will escort you to the site where Tancred and Thurl were last seen.
We don't know exactly what Thurl and Desimire are up to. By the scouts’ accounts, they have a day’s lead—enough for concern, but not so much that you can’t catch up if you hurry. The last report mentions that they have a few cultists and the murderers sprung from prison, and of course some demons travel with them. But both are skilled in summoning magic, so we don’t know if they’ll have any new help.
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Farabellus’s troops guide the party across the battle field, staying clear of the main battle sites. They witness minor skirmishes, but most of the fighting has moved on to other areas. After an hour of travel, the squad points out the direction Tancred Desimire and Thurl were last seen heading, then departs to join in the final assault on the demonic army.
As the party leave the scouts behind, they enter the broken wasteland of the wolfcrags. Hour upon hour of trudging through the wasteland reveals little in terms of traces
Though there is that little scrap of clothing there on the ground...
The cold ground crunches beneath your feet and silent bursts of lightning—exploding in anything but natural colors—illuminate the gray clouds. Occasionally, sunlight shines through an opening above, providing light, but little warmth.
A chill wind blows from the north, carrying tiny, white snowflakes that irritate the eyes. Sometimes, small red specks cover you and your gear, suggesting that the flakes are not always made of water. A ragged howl echoes in the distance, evidence of where the Wolfcrags get their name.
Heading north, the trail passes through a narrow valley, when a geyser erupts in a loud eruption of fire and boiling water.
The howling of wolves grows louder, and two of the creatures appear on the other side.
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Tessara
Grigorii
Floggentop
Shayla
Oloch
--
Wolf
Wolf
Thurl... Says the half orc armored like a dwarven fortress while disgust crosses his face. Gorum will be pleased with his death. I won't make promisses about Tancred's life, the god of battle can't be denied, but you shall have his head.
My name is Oloch by the way. He finally says as an introduction to the group before leaving the venture captain's presence.
---------------------------
Holding his sword high, Oloch howls backs at the beasts.
Before setting out, Tessara uses her magical protection and elemental resistance spells. Together with Oloch, she stand firm against the oncoming wolves.
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Tessara << readies evil eye (30')
Grigorii
Floggentop
Shayla
Oloch << readies dazzling display (30')
--
Wolf
Wolf
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"Bah, wolves."
Grigorii prepares for battle by casting heroism on himself. Then he begins singing, calling forth spirits of battle that fortify his heart and mind, and those of any allies that accept the song.
Accepting the rage is a free action a character can do at the beginning of each turn. You do not have to continue raging each round. Unconscious allies automatically accept the song.
Effects: +4 morale bonus to both Strength and Constitution, +3 morale bonus to Will saves, and -1 AC.
Rage Powers:
Spirit Totem, Lesser: Each round the spirits surrounding raging characters make a slam attack against an adjacent living enemy. +10 (1d4+4 negative energy)
Spirit Totem: The spirits provide 20% concealment against attacks from non-adjacent foes.
"R-A-G-I-N-G
Raging Dance!
Ah you can rage if you want to, you can rage and lose your mind
Cause my songs enrage and if you don't rage
Well you'll be left behind
I say, we can go where we want to, A place where you will get to flank
And we can fight like we come from out of this world
Let the ranger be the tank,
And we can rage
Ah we can rage when we want to; the fight is strong and so am I
And we can dress real neat from our helms to our feet
And surprise 'em with the victory cry"
Grigorii highlights the gloriousness of rage, while Tessara and Oloch hold. The third Floggentop adds his own song to the discourse, creating a cacophony of inspiration far, far worse than wolves howling.
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Tessara << readies evil eye (30')
Grigorii
Floggentop
Shayla
Oloch << readies dazzling display (30')
--
Wolf
Wolf
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Tessara fires her arrow through the cloud of cold misty spray fired from the geyser, hitting a wolf from afar. The creatures howl as they circle the geyser.
--
Tessara
Grigorii
Floggentop
Shayla
Oloch
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Wolf (12)
Wolf
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"If these beasts won't come to us, we'll just have to go to them!"
Grigorii casts moment of greatness then moves into the geyser's area.
Heroism ( +2 morale atk, save, skill )
Triple Time ( +10ft enchance to spd )
Rage Song ( +4 morale Str/Con, + 3 morale Will, -1 AC )
Lesser Spirit ( +10 slam ( 1d4 +4 negative energy))
Spirit Totem ( 20% concealment v. non-adjacent attacks )
Raging allies cannot cast spells or use Appraise, Bluff, Craft, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Disguise, Escape Artist, Handle Animal, Knowledge(any), Linguistics, Perform, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Stealth, Use Magic Device
Moment of greatness ( before one roll, double a morale bonus )
"I just like to rage,
Got nothing in my brain
That’s what people say
That’s what people say
But I keep cruising; can’t stop, won’t stop bruising
It’s like I got this music in my mind saying “You’re going to die tonight!”
Cause the hitters gonna hit, hit, hit, hit, hit
and the critters gonna crit, crit crit crit crit
Puny, I’m just going to rage, rage, rage, rage ,rage
raging song, raging song"
Shayla rapidly fires off her arrow, striking the first wolf in the lungs, its blood freezing in the cold of the geyser, then piercing the second wolf twice. Floggentop reloads his crossbow, and sends his bolt flying. It cleaves the air, then hits the wolf straight between the eyes.
There's a pile of tattered clothes here, previous victims of the wild creatures. There's some mithril equipment: two magical chain shirts, two magical shields - as well as steel, magical longsword. There's two potions and some gemstones as well.
The party travels on through the unhospitable landscape. On a flat table of stone sits a strange cylindrical structure, seemingly molded from the surrounding rock. Blotches of black and green ichor dot the ground, evidence of a battle with foul creatures.
The trail ahead bends to the right as it climbs toward the base of a high peak. Curses and threats shouted in dwarven, Abyssal, and Hallit echo down the slope—the sounds of a fight about to begin.
Oloch smiles at the prospec of more combat. Sword in hand he advances with as much stealth as he can to check the situation.
As teh group rounds the crest, they see three barbarians ready to face off against a group that is a mish-mash of demonic and sumomned forms. A dwarf leads a large, scorpion-like creature, a horror stitched together from seveal demons, and a large nabassu.
Help us defeat this intruder! on of the barbarians screams, Driver this demon-worshipper from out lands!
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Flog
Shayla
Oloch
Grigorii
Tessara
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Barbarians
Stitched Horror
Dwarf
Scorpion
Nabasu
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"Ah, bah," Shayla comments as she sees the dwarf's the baddie and it's a bunch of humans who are under attack.
With a sigh Shayla double moves up the hill, mumbling, "Stupid humans... can't even keep themselves safe..."
"Suri, attack the ugly things!"
"No humans!" she adds after a couple of seconds.
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"Hear my song! Let the spirits protect you!"
Grigorii moves forward 30ft and begins inspiring rage in the barbarians.
"Nice to meet you, where you been?
I can show you incredible things
Magic, madness, bloody sin
Saw you there and I thought
Oh my God, look at that space
You look like my next big flank
War’s a game, wanna play?
New money, armor, swords
I can read you like a magic scroll
Ain't it funny, rumors, words
And I know you heard how I roll
So hey, let’s go in
I'm dying to see how this one fends
Grab your weapons and a friend
I can make the small guys strong til the fight ends
"
Oloch runs forward to engage in combat.
Blood for the blood god!
Shayla sends Suri to the front lines, getting a wary look from one of the barbarian, who senses the strange vibe in the cat. Tessara moves in while Grigorii sings an inspiring song. Floggentop adds his own song again, while Oloch moves forward.
The barbarians fly forward in a rage, hacking at the scorpion-like creature, and the dmeon.
The dwarf casts a hastening spell, while the demon bathes the barbarians in its draining gaze
The stitched horror lays in to the barbarian on the flank, attacking it with greatsword, tail and fangs, ripping the barbarian apart with a series of hyper-accurate strikes.
The scorpion-like creature keeps in reach of the dwarf, then proceeds to pick off the barbarians
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Flog
Shayla
Oloch
Grigorii
Tessara
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Barbarian (-1 lvl, 32)
Barbarian (-1 lvl, 49)
Stitched Horror (hasted)
Dwarf (hasted)
Scorpion (hasted)
Nabasu (hasted)
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