SR's - Silent Gods (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

I think that might be Aerik's family. The only family I have is my kids and the Balatins/Howells by marriage, right?

Doh! My bad. Sorry. You will find your kids with the Balatins (Sara and Eluon) at the Hall.

As Ritti gets close, Jak can't help himself. He reaches out and pokes her in the side. "SQUIRREL!"

He grins as he falls in beside her, "Looks like we're headed the same way. Good to see you around, Red. The town's still standing.. I'm trying to decide if that means you're succeeding or failing at your job."

The small red-head Eeps! and jumps to the side. "Cripes, Jak! Don't DO that!" She slaps him across the arm before settling into step with him, taking one and half steps for every one of his long legged strides. "Of course, I'm succeeding! I keep this up, they'll have to make me Hetmon in a month or two... not that I'd take the job. I'm glad you're in one piece - it's been a bit of sad and dull around here without you around. So, it seems you're heading home? Gonna tell your Da about all your adventures, I expect? I should really be there as a member of the village guard. It's important for us to be fully aware of all the happenings."

"That's smart." It was only half a joke. True, she was only a slip of a girl. But, at the same time, she had a knack of staying off people's radars… who else but Jak could really keep track of her to keep her safe. Only made sense. Wait a minute…

"Was there ever a question of me being in one piece?" He backhands her shoulder lightly as he gives her a wink, "I'm Jak! More lives than a damn mountain-cat… though maybe less than the Doc."

The rest of the walk he asks her about the last couple of days, letting the girl talk about whatever she found most important or interesting. The girl had a more level head than half the grown-ups in the Drear, if you asked Jak… few folks did.

Finally they get to the house, and Jak opens the door, holding it for Ritti to enter first, "Da! Mari! Euls! I'm back! We got anything to eat?"

He waits for his usual bear-hugs or reprisals… Jak never knew which he'd get. Then he begins to give a only-slightly-cleaned-up version of the past few days. He waits until he can get a moment alone with his Da to give all the details, including the trip to Zarzana's, the more gory details of the Barrow, and the little occurrence with Zeke.

Marcus Braun wrote:

I think that might be Aerik's family. The only family I have is my kids and the Balatins/Howells by marriage, right?

Doh! My bad. Sorry. You will find your kids with the Balatins (Sara and Eluon) at the Hall.

No worries, I don't know how you keep even half of this stuff in your head!

After his meeting with the Hetmon, Marcus goes to the Assembly Hall in search of his family.

Sara, how's Eluon? I brought something from the Doc that might help...

Jak is greeted with food and uniform warmth by his family. The Howell girls even make a point of stuffing Ritti with food. It seems the losses to the town have made everyone a bit more forgiving - even of scalawags.

The evening hours wear on as Jak weaves his slightly abridged tale to the goggled eyes of his sisters. Even Ritti sits slack-jawed, a buttered roll forgotten in her hand. She seems more than a little impressed.

Mattin Howell wears a poker face, mulling the information. Later that evening - when he hears the unabridged version - his face shows more concern.

"I wish I could offer you some advice more helpful than 'be careful' - but I can't think of any, Jak." He sighs, "You look worn. I understand you've got business at the Teeth but you look like you could use a rest. How long you staying?"

Jak, do you have anything in particular you want to discuss or does fast-forwarding work for you?

1d20 ⇒ 13

Marcus finds his family in the Assembly Hall - involved in cleaning up after the evening meal. His children rush to him for hugs before returning to their tasks.

Sara, it seems, keeps everything running smoothly. She gives her brother-in-law a hug. Her eyes constantly watch the room, ensuring that the young ones perform their appointed tasks.

Her comment is a distracted aside. "The trick is keeping them busy. Give them something to do and they have less time to stew in grief or fear.
Eluon? He is healing up. Merl has finally agreed he can join the town watch."

Jak shrugs, "I'm not. Aerik agreed to hold onto what we took while some of us are in town, and that thing makes me uncomfortable. I don't like him being alone with that thing, and I'd rather it be away from town and taken care of as soon as possible. I just wanted to be able to check in with everyone while we headed that way… makes me antsy not knowing what's going on here with everything that's happened."

I'm great with FF'ing this thing forward. I just wanted to get to check in with the townsfolk. So unless they tell us something has changed, we notice something bad, or we get a bad feeling, then I'm great moving forward. As to immediate actions, Jak would resupply on any rations he used while they were on the trail, then head back up to where Aerik is waiting. Jak would prefer to be back on the trail in a number of hours, if possible.

All the reports from town appear normal - no strange happenings, strange behavior, or anything that would incline you to think something fishy is happening. If your intent is to leave in a few hours, say at midnight, you'll need to get Lyrica. I'm happy to hand-waive your resupply.

Lyrica is happy to simply be with her family and enjoy their company. I am hoping this little r&r may get rid of some horror points. How long would she need to stay to lose a few of those frightening thoughts? Although she is trying to forget the recent horrors, she is obviously willing to adventure forward as needed.

I'm good with moving things along, but first.

Marcus enjoys the company of his family, but knows he can't stay long. He gives the healing elixir from Ezekiel to Sara.

Well, this should speed his recovery a bit. Thanks...for looking after the children.

With that, the lumberjack heads off in search of his companions.

Jak shrugs, "I'm not. Aerik agreed to hold onto what we took while some of us are in town, and that thing makes me uncomfortable. I don't like him being alone with that thing, and I'd rather it be away from town and taken care of as soon as possible. I just wanted to be able to check in with everyone while we headed that way… makes me antsy not knowing what's going on here with everything that's happened."

The older man nods, "Do what you feel is best, Jak. Just remember, when you get worn down, you get sloppy. And when you get sloppy, bad things happen."

Jak's family wishes him well and sets him on his way.

Lyrica is happy to simply be with her family and enjoy their company. I am hoping this little r&r may get rid of some horror points. How long would she need to stay to lose a few of those frightening thoughts? Although she is trying to forget the recent horrors, she is obviously willing to adventure forward as needed.

Good question. You will need a full 48 hours in a safe environment (Drear) with no adventuring related activities to knock your 2 Horror Points to 0. Everyone with 1 Horror Point will need 24 hours to zero their points out.

Marcus enjoys the company of his family, but knows he can't stay long. He gives the healing elixir from Ezekiel to Sara.

Well, this should speed his recovery a bit. Thanks...for looking after the children.

With that, the lumberjack heads off in search of his companions.

Sara pushes the elixir back into the lumberjack's hands. "That's a kind offer, Marcus, but you may have more need for this than Eluon does. He's doing fine. I'd rather you keep that potion to ensure you make it home to your children."

Feeling the imperative to get moving, Jak and Marcus happen to cross paths at the village well after midnight. While Marcus collects supplies, Jak heads for the Strom homestead. Given Lyrica's recurrent suspicions about his motives... as he silently vaults the rear fence he debates the best approach. Surprising her in her bed might end with him catching a scimitar slash.

Jak taps on Allegra's window - better to risk the wrath of the eldest Strom girl. After a moment, a worn looking Allegra appears in her nightgown. She cracks the window curiously, "Jak? I've heard you like to visit the girls in town at night but I never thought you'd come rapping at my window." She gives him a tired smile, amused by the reputation of her classmate long ago. "I take it you haven't come to invite me down to the Tumbling Pool, eh? Come around to the front, I'll let you in."

In the Strom kitchen, Jak has a quiet conversation with Allegra who doesn't bother to throw a dressing gown over her thin shift. In a moment, she pads into her sister's room and wakes her. "Time to go, Lyr. Jakwin Howell is waiting for you. Be quick or he'll have me pinned against the stove and plying me with lies about my beauty."

That should get her moving...

J's Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
L's Perception: 1d20 + 5 - 10 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 10 = 13 asleep

No posts, please, I'm posting more.

Within a few minutes, our heroes leave the sleeping village behind, link up with their comrades, and set course through the persistent fog towards the Teeth.

The night passes without incident as does the next day. The weather stays kind through the day. Even the next evening - aside from the blood stamped moon - is relatively peaceful. Mr. Grey makes only a wispy and short appearance, arriving just before midnight and leaving well before dawn.

Our heroes scale the heights easily, their familiarity with the route growing. Just before noon, they enter the Teeth. Again, they look upon the strange set of standing stones, some bearing the likenesses of people trapped within, and others without blemish. The scorched earth at the center of the circle remains as does the blasted remains of one of the stones. On the still standing and blackened portion of the stone, curlicue script stands our fresh:

North from the dark shroud - the Mourning Vale
Come the vengeful, bound by hate.
Snatch the black hand from the Pale;
Anoint the tools that sever Fate.

Below the text is a depression in the stone shaped to fit a perilously thin, long-fingered hand - easily twice the length of a man's.

OK, your move, kiddies.

Jak stands, silently regarding the words and unnatural handprint. He seems to come to some kind of decision.

"So, Lyrica, do you sleep in that full metal getup? Or are you more of a skin to the sheets type gal?"

At the reactions he gets, he shrugs defensively, "Or we could talk about the hand and the stones… whatever y'all prefer. I guess the obvious thing to do is try to press the hand into the print. Though in every campfire story i've heard, that's when all the good guys get tore up. Then again, I have no better ideas."

""So, Lyrica, do you sleep in that full metal getup? Or are you more of a skin to the sheets type gal?"

"Jak Howell!!! You know well that I do not wear my armor to bed, but my you are a forward one, aren't you?! I cannot believe that you woke up my sister just for the excuse to get to visit with her and perhaps chance a glance at her sleeping attire!"

At the reactions he gets, he shrugs defensively, "Or we could talk about the hand and the stones… whatever y'all prefer. I guess the obvious thing to do is try to press the hand into the print. Though in every campfire story i've heard, that's when all the good guys get tore up. Then again, I have no better ideas."

"Well for one thing, you could tell me if you heard of any news here in the Drear. Have there been more incidents to report, or are we free to venture onward? Sticking to the task we have to accomplish would not be a bad idea."

Lyrica gets dressed, dons her armor once again, and leaves with Jak to rejoin the rest of the company. Once back with the others, she declares, "Well my father is doing much better, though he still seemed very tired when I saw him. It felt really nice to see him. So I think I'm ready to venture forth. Are we ready to deliver this black hand yet?"

Let's just simply this conversation and make it all happen at the stones, shall we? :D

"Jak Howell!!! You know well that I do not wear my armor to bed, but my you are a forward one, aren't you?! I cannot believe that you woke up my sister just for the excuse to get to visit with her and perhaps chance a glance at her sleeping attire!"

Jak shrugs helplessly, mouthing how would I know that?

"Plus, I'm pretty sure your sister wanted me to look. She's the one answering late-night visitors wearing just her shift. I'm not sure how much more of an invitation you can offer than that. Plus, what does she have to be embarrassed about? She's a beautiful woman.. I see no reason she shouldn't be proud of what she's got. She was born with her... assets, and I was born with eyes."

"Well for one thing, you could tell me if you heard of any news here in the Drear. Have there been more incidents to report, or are we free to venture onward? Sticking to the task we have to accomplish would not be a bad idea."

Lyrica gets dressed, dons her armor once again, and leaves with Jak to rejoin the rest of the company. Once back with the others, she declares, "Well my father is doing much better, though he still seemed very tired when I saw him. It felt really nice to see him. So I think I'm ready to venture forth. Are we ready to deliver this black hand yet?"

Jak nods earnestly at the news of Lyrica's da. He was a good man and the Drear would be worse off with his loss… especially now. Jak quickly relates his lack of any real news from the Drear, though he is obviously distracted by his renewed inspection of the stones.

"So, anyone have any brilliant insights here?" He looks over at Lyrica, but lets his gaze shift to Marcus, Aerik, and Zeke… hoping for some feedback.

Best not to overthink it. Let's ready our weapons and put the hand on the stone. I'll do it if no one else has a mind to, but I think Zeke or Lyrica should, if you ask me. We all have a part to play in this, but they've been touched by the gods directly--may work better if they do it.

"Doesn't look like we have much of a choice here. There's a key and a key hole. I'll do it. My mom is one of the taken. I should be the one to take the risk. Plus, the sooner we crack this stone, the sooner we can move on to the next one."

Jak nods. His blue-scaled whip whispers as it slides from its loop, thwaping lightly on the ground as Jak keeps it restlessly moving.

"I would be willing to put the hand on the stone, if you think it is what needs to be done. I'll even say a prayer to Sarenrae to see if she can give me the divine energy needed to confront such evil. Either way, we need to be prepared for any threats that come our way."

"If you are willing, Aerik, go ahead. You've got me here to support you as you need me."

Aerik pulls forth the hacked off black forearm of the Forgotten. Even as he approaches the stone, a roiling grey cloud forms in the bright blue sky - blocking the spring sun and casting a pall across the Teeth. Aerik places the hand in the depression in the stone and steps away. Blackness, punctuated by tinges of purple, deepens in the turbulent cloud. With little warning, bolts of of lightning slash out from the cloud. The first silently strikes the hand and stone, blasting the remaining rock to a worn nub. The second bolt slams into a figure-less stone on the opposite side of the imperfect circle, accompanied by a wrenching, deafening, outraged scream torn from the sky itself. The rock splits into vertical halves. The blacker portion falls away revealing the core of the empty stone. Residual electricity dances along the inner surface of the stone, revealing writing as the cloud suddenly dissipates.

Long upon a twisted course,
Albridge town in evil steeps.
The greater good must be sewn or
A bitter harvest shall be reaped.

Angarak's Teeth

Rock Blast: 1d9 ⇒ 5

So close to freeing someone!

Marcus flinches as the lightning strikes, then approaches the blasted rock, recalling what he can about Albridge.

Knowledge (Geography) 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Perception to find any indentations similar to the handprint on the newly blasted rock, +2 additional if this is a natural setting 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Long upon a twisted course,

Albridge town in evil steeps.
The greater good must be sewn or
A bitter harvest shall be reaped.

"This sounds like another verse to the prophecy. Unfortunately, this does not sounds as if we will be over any time soon. Well, the blessed Dawnflower willing, I will try to sow as much good as possible. but where exactly is this Albridge town? Have any of you been there?"

Knowledge, History: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Know (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Jak begins talking as he helps Marcus look for new clues... his spoken words sound like they're simply vocalized thoughts. "My da's been down there more than a few times... he's earned a few coins running some of their usual surplus crop to some other markets."

Perception AA: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Becoming more confident that a hellish devil-toad isn't, in fact, going to jump out of the stones, Jak begins winding his whip as he reconsiders the new words. "Long upon a twisted course, Albridge town in evil steeps. I'm guessing that's not a reference to the trader's path that runs by town. The greater good must be sewn or a bitter harvest shall be reaped." He pauses as he continues considering. "I'll give it to whoever wrote this stuff... it's poetical in a morose sort of way. Sounds like Albridge could use some smiles and sunshine."

Marcus and Jak find nothing in the rock save the 'morose' poetry. :p

Jak's eyes linger on the words, then the forms imprisoned in the stones, before he hooks his whip back on its loop and dusts his hands. "I don't see anything else we can do here." He gives Marcus a wry grin, "'less you wanna take another run at one of those stones with that new-improved axe of yours."

"Albridge may be steeping in its own trouble, but I'm dead on my feet unless I can get some real rest… like in a real bed. My bed. Plus, my da will wanna know about Albridge. And I guess everyone else will, too."

I really can't think of anything else to try here. It seems we have our next lead on freeing the stone-people.

OK. I'm assuming that the folks that would like to R&R away Horror Points are still liking that idea. If so, I'd suggest a return to Drear, spend some days recovering, and then press on towards Albridge. Let me know if that sounds good.

Marcus frowns after examining the rock, not looking at Jak as he responds:

Yeah, I think we're done here, for now.

The big man turns to Lyrica: I never been there, but I can take us there. It's north an east of the Drear, on the road from Muuscarta towards Stainthread. If you all need some rest, we could go up to Muuscarta, stay a few days, then take the road to Albridge 'stead of trekin' through th mountains. Might be safer. Or not--who can tell these days?

Stormy--how difficult is it to traverse the mountains immediately East of Dies Drear?

Wow, it takes me a LONG time to post on my phone ;-)

"If we're gonna rest, I'd rather do it in the Drear. They can use every available hand. Plus, my da would kill me if he knew he missed a chance for me to make some trades out there... especially given the last few weeks."

The mountains are rough but doable - similar to the mountains around the White Barrow but not quite as high. In terms of travel, it would be easier to move down-valley towards Muuscarta and then take the roads to Albridge. In terms of time, it is probably a wash. The roads are a longer route but easier to travel. Going overland will be a shorter path but the terrain will slow you down.

" I never been there, but I can take us there. It's north an east of the Drear, on the road from Muuscarta towards Stainthread. If you all need some rest, we could go up to Muuscarta, stay a few days, then take the road to Albridge 'stead of trekin' through th mountains. Might be safer. Or not--who can tell these days?"

"If we're gonna rest, I'd rather do it in the Drear. They can use every available hand. Plus, my da would kill me if he knew he missed a chance for me to make some trades out there... especially given the last few weeks."

"Jak, I couldn't agree with you more! I am happy to continue on to Albridge. I promise I will see this through to the end. However, after that terrible crypt, I could use a bit more time at home with the family."

"Marcus, I appreciate your offer to guide us up to Albridge. I am most grateful for your ability to show us the best path. However, if you think we are going to stay a few days, I would rather take Jak's advice and stay those extra days at home with our families. I think this task is not going to be as quick and easy as I first thought. Perhaps it is better if we stay patient and take care of ourselves. I mean, we do not want to burn ourselves out, before we even get out there and face the next horror that awaits us!"

Aerik allows his face to briefly show a flicker of hope as he inserts the hand into the "keyhole". The look melts away just as quickly as the lightning crashes with no released captives visible.

"Looks like we have more tasks to complete before we can free our friends. I can't say I like the wording of this next one though. It's one thing to hunt down old evil and kill it. This one sounds like we have to commit lesser evil in order to prevent greater evil."

""Looks like we have more tasks to complete before we can free our friends. I can't say I like the wording of this next one though. It's one thing to hunt down old evil and kill it."

"Aerik, I am most sorry that we have not been able to free our friends. I seriously hoped that bringing back the hand would be sufficient. But do not worry, my friend, I will not rest until they are freed and peace returns to our land!"

"This one sounds like we have to commit lesser evil in order to prevent greater evil."

"I'm not sure I like the idea that I am committing evil, especially when I am called to be a beacon of hope. However, don't worry, if I am needed to slay the undead that roam the surface then I will be there with my sword ready. I cannot think of a nobler act than to free this land of the darkness that plagues it!"

Jak watches the exchange about lesser evils as he re-checks his pack for the oncoming march. "I hadn't considered that interpretation, Aerik... though i have to say it sounds to have merit." He looks over to Lyrica, "I hope we don't have to do anything we don't like, either. But let's just see what we find once we get there."

What do you guys want to do? Head to Drear for a little rest or something else?

My vote is to go back to the Drear and rest for a bit.
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This will allow us to (hopefully) remove some Horror Point, take stock of what the town will need in the weeks to come, and then use the trip out to Albridge as a way of making any sells/purchases/trades with any towns along the way in order to help the town's long-term survivability.
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We can hit up the town(s) along the way to see if anyone else experienced any strange occurrences like the Drear did (which may help us get a fuller understanding of what's going on). We can also see if there are any further experts on the details we've been discovering about the events.
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Then, obviously, we'll just have to deal with whatever we find in Albridge.

My vote is to go back to the Drear and rest for a bit.

.
This will allow us to (hopefully) remove some Horror Point, take stock of what the town will need in the weeks to come, and then use the trip out to Albridge as a way of making any sells/purchases/trades with any towns along the way in order to help the town's long-term survivability.
.
We can hit up the town(s) along the way to see if anyone else experienced any strange occurrences like the Drear did (which may help us get a fuller understanding of what's going on). We can also see if there are any further experts on the details we've been discovering about the events.
.
Then, obviously, we'll just have to deal with whatever we find in Albridge.

Seconded. And Marcus will jump at the chance to get some better armor, if it comes up.

Cool. I'll keep that in mind. And don't worry about Albridge. I'm sure it's just a minor problem - just a local bandit or something. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. >:D

Lyrica will vote to go back to the Drear as well.

Good to see you back, Ez.

OK, so we've got a simple majority... beginning a couple of fast forwards.

Our heroes spend another couple of days traveling back to Drear. The weather turns chill again and their breath comes in frosty blasts in the relatively still air. Whether it is the change in temperature or their recent victory and the deepening mystery at Angarak's Teeth... it seems as if the dangers of the wilds give them a wide berth. They arrive in the small village by the sluggish river, no worse for wear.

While you rest up over the next two days, you find out that Mattin Howell, Jak's father, is preparing to take a cartload of exotic woods down valley to Muuscarta to trade. It seems reasonable to accompany the older trader as far as the large town before continuing on to Albridge. It would delay your departure from Drear by a few more days but your extra hands could be useful in helping to load the cart.

"Jak, is it true that your father is taking a shipment of wood down to Muuscarta to trade? This sounds like a perfect opportunity to be of help. Unless I hear any objections from each of you, please tell him that we would be happy to accompany him! Besides, it would be nice to get to know your father better. I'm curious to see how different the apple is from the tree."

I trust that horror points are removed?