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The night passes uneventfully and you all are for once able to get a good night's sleep as Bolli's men keep watch. A gentle rain in the early hours of the morning soothes the ravaging flames in the further off in the forest and by sunrise the fires have all but died down. As you awake, the air has a wet and ashen taste. The sky is gloomy and overcast and the autumn rain drizzles coldly threatening to become a wet snow. Already, Bolli's sailors by the boat have started a fire serving a stiff, piping hot elderberry tea. Some meat and cheese provide a cold breakfast. Bolli greets you as he hunkers down by the fire sipping his tea. His eyes keep a vigilant watch on the blackened forest. He opens his mouth to say something but then thinking better of it closes it. The trader makes some small talk with his men but you see his eyes occasionally make a furtive glance towards gnarled and twisted shapes of the burnt wood.
Bolli's men arrive on a small launchboat and begin the task of rebuilding the tow cable winch. The trader says that his men will gladly keep watch over the night while you rest and prepare for your journey. After some time the sailors manage to jury-rig the tow cable and in an hour's time the ships are brought to the beach. A few of the other men quickly set about building cooking fires and a warm repast of mutton stew and bannock is ready to warm your bellies and restore your health. In addition, Bolli offers all of you a flagon of honey heather ale. You also see the trader take kindly to Trygvarr's children ensuring that they are comfortable and fed. Both youth exhausted from their ordeal soon fall to sleep. Dorvarr
Spoiler:
Just checking you checked the spoiler for you near the bottom of the previous page after you searched the homestead? I rolled the Search check for you.
After a few shouts back and forth across the water, Bolli swims to shore from his knorr to confer with you. The wet trader looks around at the scene of devastation, his expression turning stony cold. He nods to Vladimir, "Aye, we can make room for the young ones. I knew Trygvarr, their father, well, when we were younger." The man pauses and regards the skies above. "Well men. I believe our ships can wait for three days before we must leave the river lest the ice block our path. There is foulness to this business and ye'd be right to sniff it out. I'll beach our ships here and try to do the best we can for the dead."
As your band confers as to the next step a booming voice echoes down the river that you recognize as Bolli. "What ho???!!!", the man's baritone rings clearly down the valley. Dorvarr
Spoiler:
Search 16. You find no other survivors in the homestead. However, amidst the bodies and dissarray you find a pouch of gold amounting to 100gp. Not far from the pouch under a table that appears to have been turned over in the battle you also discover a small black book. The cramped writing is in a foreign script but you recognize recent dates heading some of the pages. It would appear to be a scholar's journal though some entries are clearly written in some arcane code.
I assume that I didn`t see anything else? Nothing out of place. The fires still burn hot back in the forest but the enemies human and otherwise have been dispatched. A few of the horses drink water by the broken tow cable tower. The lad by Utgaror stares coldly at the dead fugitive. "He was one of the bastards that came with the Frank. All them had those markings on them," he points to the swirling red glyphs that adorn the man's lifeless arm. I remember one of my father's men called them Picts like it was a curse."
The burly warrior's eyes widen as Vladimir mentions the children. Suddenly, the man bolts to the great hall's exit at a full run moving wide around the three of you. The man skillfully weaves through the shattered remnants of the hall and the blood corpses just bursting through the threhsold of the main doors. Initiative
Outside, Kveldulf's reverie is broken by Utgaror's shout. The fatigued barbarian sees Utgaror pointing towards the homestead as a burly warrior with shaven head and arms emblazoned with red swirling glyphs breaks out the main door. In his right hand he grips a hefty axe. The man looks uncertainly around him but seems about to decide to make a run for the river. Kveldulf
Spoiler:
You recognize the distinct tattoos upon the man's arm marking him as one of Uurad the Red's spearmen. The Pictish pirates you encountered before arriving at Raudurfoss.
The wounded warrior eyes the three of you warily keeping his distance. His grip tightens on the haft of his axe, "Name's, Brack. Sailor with a merchantman. Tis poor luck we decided to take this woodsmen's hospitality for the night. Twas attacked by these vermin ye see. We did the best we could but the creatures were all around. With my brothers fallen and myself wounded I hid myself here.' Brack gestures to the dead spiders and the hole below the boards. His cold eyes again lock with you regarding you uncertainly. "Are they all gone? Any more of ye?" Sense Motive 9 Spoiler:
The warrior's manner is high strung and anxious though he tries to conceal it, if poorly. As he narrates his story you sense that he is not being entirely truthful.
The floorplanks are swept aside by the great chair and a burly bearded man with a shaven head totters up. You can see he bleeds heavily from many wounds but with an indomitable will continues to move holding an axe but not threatening with it. His bulbuos nose is adorned with a great golden nose ring and his muscular arms are emblazoned with the same red swirling glyphs as those of the two dead warriors.
Knowledge (local) DC 15
Spoiler:
The glyph markings on this man and the dead warrior's arms mark them as spearmen of Uurad the Red, the notorious Pictish pirate who as of late been harrying the Mosfell coast. Supposedly hired by Sihtric to plague Halfdeane's vassals.
Dorvarr, hammer in hand, warily approaches the seemingly deserted homestead. Glancing through the sidedoor, the cleric sees signs of a bloody struggle. The pantry shelves are broken, pots litter the floor and benches in the hall are upturned. The hall is only dimly lit by the few rays of sun that pierce through the doorway. The floor is of stout timber planks. Looking around, the priest sees two human warriors lying motionless in pools of blood. The warriors are dressed in torn and gouged leather armour and hides. Dorvarr notices curious curling glyph patterns painted in red running down their arms. Three of the wolf-sized spiders lie at their feet slain by sword. At the back of the hall a third man lies draped over the great chair, an axe protruding from his back. This third man sports a mane of long blonde hair and an unkempt beard. He is dressed in hides and in a lifeless grip holds a keen broadsword. Dorvarr sees no signs of the glyph markings that adorned the other two warriors. Listen DC 14
Spoiler:
You hear a faint rustling of movement emanating from beneath the floor near the great chair.
The homestead is thus far untouched by the flames. The small hall stands quiet and seemingly deserted. A side door hangs ajar.
The youth turns to your group. "There were men that came here a few weeks ago. Warriors in mail. Led by a foreign man in black robes with a strange accent. My dad said he was a Frank. They were looking for something in the woods. I overheard one of the warriors speak of the Grove of the Old Ones. They left and we did not see them for several days. They came back with a cage covered in cloth. My father had an argument with the Frank telling them they could not stay at the lodge. That night the warriors took me and my sister captive. They said that our father would only see us when the Frank was finished what he came to do. We were put in the barn with one of those things you fought. The Frank seemed to have some magic with which to calm the beast. It then laid those eggs you saw. The Frank seemed quite happy and said that they would take them back with them. Last night there was an attack on the lodge. I could hear men shouting, fighting and dying. Some went past the barn with torches. I could hear the Frank telling them to burn the forest and flush them out. Then we heard the creatures calling. The one in the barn began to cry back. We heard horrible screams of the men. I think the Frank and some of his men got away as we heard them call out a retreat. We hid in our cage hoping the creatures would not take notice of us. They were far more concerned about the eggs. Then as the fires started my sister shaken by fear called out for help and the monster came at us."
Hey all. I've successfully transplanted to Coquitlam/Burnaby area. Pretty nice digs, its a bit weird being back in a real city. Got a week until classes to get settled in and poke around Vancouver area and look up a few people. So anyways back to regularly scheduled Viking and Vampires...
Alkir: Yes, so when and or if we do the switchover I'm obviously fine with moving feats around and such.
As you recover from your wounds and catch your breath. The two youth look around the scene of devastation. Both bear a heavy and forlorn expression. The girl sobs and the lad tries his best to comfort her but he too is clearly distraught. You overhear his words of assurance, 'Father may still be alive." But his words ring hollow as stares grimly at the homestead.
Sounds like most are interested in PF. So I think unless there any unvoiced objections we'll look at doing that when next we level up. (Well maybe, anyone have any idea when the Cavalier is supposed to be coming out?) As for the decks I'll leave em handy by the computer desk. That said if anyone has them feel free to post the draw.
Ragnarr in his weakened state almost leaps over the writhing curtain of fire but does not pass unscathed.
Utgaror has better luck as he manages to lift his legs completely over the barrier.
The druid holding onto the burned and wounded barbarian pushes him forward. The far end of the barn heaves forward the wall completely gutted drops downward. The burning roof follows it in a hissing, crackling explosion. The two leap forward over the threshold as the barn comes crashing inward in a great column of smoke and flame. Exhausted both of the adventurers lie on the ashen ground their lungs heaving thanking the Gods for a narrow escape. Outside the farm is silent save for the crackling of the barn and the surrounding forest.
Kveldulf clumsily attempts to leap over the curtain of fire but is stung by the heat of the flames as he charges down upon the undulating mass of vermin. fire dam 4 His flail slams down breaking up the remaining horrors. He gazes up in apprehension as the rafters continue to crash down around him. The remaining party members charge out in a breakneck speed to escape the collapsing inferno. Vladimir clenches his teeth as carrying the two youth he dashes through the fire.
fire dam 5
The druid seeing his comrade fall leaves his summoned bear to deal with the ravenous swarm and rushes through the fires to Ragnarr. The druid cries out as the flames roar burning his skin.
I do actually have both the Critical hit and fumble decks. I have mixed feelings on them. Most of the time as a player or even as a DM running monsters I would rather just take the double damage for crit than most of the results in the deck. As for the fumbles again a bit mixed on them. However, if the consensus is let's use the deck than I'll crack them out and leave em by my computer desk. What's your take? On another matter just thought I'd query it. Is there any interest in converting to PF or should we just stick to what we got? I have been steadily reading over the pdf. Just wanted to gauge interest. I'm fine with 3.5, though admittedly somewhat curious to try out PF. Also, well I'm posting here just a heads up. I will be moving to Vancouver at the end of the month flying out of here on the 30th. After three years of working as an Education Asst up here decided to get my B.Ed. Hopefully coming back here or somewhere in the north as a full teacher after the 12 month program. I'm not sure how long it will be until I get my new place hooked up for internet so there might be a hiatus for the 1st week of September.
The skald and the cleric both beat a retreat from the burning barn. Dorvarr successfully delivers a strong parting blow to the foul broodswarm crushing a score of the gibbering horrors. Ottar's vision swims as the nausea roils within slowing his movement. Dorvarr passes the threshold of the barn while Ottar just reaches the doorway. Kveldulf's offer of aid though appreciated helps the knight little who loaded down with his armour and the two children simply attempts to rush through it as fast as possible.
Utgaror and his fierce bear companion engage the swarming abomination hoping to clear the way for their companions. The summoned bear angered by the swarm swipes at the creatures with both of his great claws ripping into scores of the alien brood. Utgaror similarly stabs his spear down in a flurry of strikes slashing and impaling more of the creatures.
The solidity of the swarm's mass breaks up as the remaining creatures skitter and gibber in each and every direction intent on fleeing. A mass of the broken, bloody creatures remain on the barn floor.The druid yells, "The things are vanquished. Run! This place is coming down!" Utgaror runs swiftly back joining Ottar at the doorway.
The barn strains further under the collapsing weight. Smoke fills the air. The far wall begins to pitch forward.
Yes it affects both of you and it is half damage rnded down with your successful save. The end of the barn that you ran down to confront the large ettercap is the one most affected by the fire. The end wall of the barn is about to fall down so the whole area is pelted by the debris. Ottar: Just a note your Dex should be at 5 from the poison.
Both the cleric and skald see countless tiny horrors gibbering and trampling one another as the grotesque newborns slaver to feed their appetite. As they move disturbing features can be discerned. The creatures appear something between those hairy black spiders and sickly pink newborn humans. Dozens of tiny mandibles click and chatters as they come, slavering venmous drool. Suddenly the crawling mass sweeps over the two adventurers biting and clawing feverishly.
Both feel a woozing sickness as the arachnids venomous bites dig deep into their flesh. Dorvarr's hardiness spares him but Ottar already weakened succumbs.
Meanwhile by Ragnarr, Vladimir and the two beleaguered youth the barn groans as the far wall sags down dangerously and parts of it sloughing off in the flames cast more flaming debris. The young knight valiantly shields the children from harm though he is blasted by the scorching heat. The barbarian fares better but it is apparent that in a few more seconds the far wall will collapse inward engulfing all in a fiery end.
Also moving thru the flames on the ground to rejoin the other three requires a Jump/Tumble check or 1d6 fire. .
As Utgaror finishes his druidic chant, the form of a stout black bear appears by the shattered eggs sacs. Raising its great paw it trounces downward at the gibbering horrors but the surging swarm moves too swiftly.
Utgaror snatches a torch from his backpack and lights it from the burning hay. The druid moves quickly to assist Ottar and Dorvarr.
Vladimir bursts the bindings in a hasty frenzy as the fires begin to lick up behind him. The two youth, a thin red haired lad and a blond haired girl both appearing quite sickly and weak emerge from the cage coughing back the black fumes. The girl's eyes widen as she sees the ring of fire rising on the ground before her and beyond the crawling mass of spidery vermin.
Dorvarr's mighty blow fells the unearthly beast as the hammer cracks the base of the creature's spine. It collapses to the ground lifeless. Not to be bested Kveldulf's devestating flail strikes down his adversary. Yet though the creatures are dispatched their swarming brood teems and crawls with hungry life threatening the cleric and skald. More fiery ash spouts downwards and ominous groaning sounds echo from above. Vlad up.
Initiative
To update the scene: The Ettercap facing Ragnarr is dead. The one by Kveldulf gravely wounded is attempting to stand up. The third by Ottar and Dorvarr also is attempting to stand up from Vladimir's ovverun. Though wounded it remains in fighting shape. Ottar and Dorvarr are also imperilled by the crawling swarm that has released from the eggs.
The large ettercap though facing Ragnarr though barely standing from its injuries emits a keening alien shriek as it attacks the beastly barbarian. atk link
Bite 22 dam 11
Overhead the two combatants a crashing sound is heard as a burning beam falls downward from the fiery roof directly ontop of the two.
The beam crashes upon the monster's head splitting its skull it falls to the ground gurgling. However, the hay on the barn's ground quickly catches, spreading the fire and thickening smoke. Other beams in the rafters can be seen that are also nearly collapsing. The far end of the barn may fall in on itself anytime now. The other two creatures knocked prone attempt to roll back upright. Amidst the din of battle and the crackling of flames overhead the strand of eggs suddenly heave with great movement. A cracking sound is heard as the eggs burst open and a horrific crawling swarm emerges spilling onto the ground near Ottar and Dorvarr.
Your init is posted above. Just before Utgaror.[/ooc]
The knight dashes forward to the pleading cries for help. Vladimir quickly raises his shield knocking back the creature's clashing mandibles as they dart forward. With a heaving grunt the knight attempts to push over the bloated beast as it claws flailingly. Using his shield he bashes his opponent sending him reeling over backwards. Ovverun: Vlad 9, Ettercap 4Vladimir
Spoiler:
Reaching the end of the barn you can see two youth penned in. One is a lad of perhaps 12 years and a girl roughly the same age. They would appear to be brother and sister. Both are sickly looking. You also can see that the 'barricade' appears to be more of a cage though much damaged by the monster. The wood is weakened in many places and with some effort you should be able to break free. However, the fire is raging above and you can seen one burning beam that holds up a large segment of the roof is about to break.
Kveldulf's shield spike tears a bloody gouge across the monster's bank. Flecks of ichor stain the young barbarian's face adding to his fearful countenance. Snarling Uruz rips into the leg of the creature reaving its chitinous flesh and throwing it off-balance. The bloated frame falls hard to the ground.
Kjelsbergson bolstered by Utgaror's enchantment whips his sword down with tremendous strength. The blade slashes deep across the monster's bloated belly nearly felling his fiendish adversary. It barely stands bleeding its inky ichor but with inhuman endurance the creature clings to life.
Dorvarr's strike scores a solid blow sending the creature reeling backwards but it recovers its footing. Its injuries are telling but possessed by an iron will its mandible clash furiously and it raises its claws to strike back.
The bloated humanoid stands its ground and as if to answer Kveldulf's challenge roars a keening shriek of bloody fury. The creature lumbers forward with darting strikes but the barbarian nimbly sidesteps and ducks the ettercap's fangs and claws. rolls link, nothing higher than a 7. one clumsy ettercap. Dorvarr up.
The barbarian's axe rips into the flesh of the gibbering monstrosity. It bleeds an inky ichor profusely. Yet, this one is larger than the other two and though injured holds its ground and with an alien cry it lashes out at Ragnarr with savage ferocity. Bite 18=12+6 dam 11=8+3
The barbarian is viciously injured and as the creature's venom works into his veins Ragnarr feels a draining lethargy threaten to slow his limbs but under the power of his channelled rage he shrugs the poison off and presses to attack.
The bloated humanoid's mandibles darts out quickly as the Ottar draws his blade. atk 18=13+5 dam 4=2+2 Ottar Fort 9=6+3 Dex Dam=5 The skald feels a wasting lethargy consume his limbs as the ettercap's poison works quickly but Ottar holding his sword fast with a heaving grunt slashes upwards striking a smiting blow across the hateful thing's inhuman face. Inky ichor gushes from a deep gash upon its head but the creature still stands. Once again the abomination lumbers forward but this time claw and fang strike out at the bard. The ettercap's attack sends Ottar staggering from his wounds but his steely resolve shake off the creature's venom. rolls link
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