You finally feel the heat and sweat and buzz of mosquitoes leave your body and mind after a few weeks, the Isle of Dread, and Southern Arcadia now months behind, your mission successfully concluded and your stipends collected.
You have arrived back in Avistan, at the open port of Magnimar, the City of Monuments.
However, the tales of your heroic exploits from facing down demon-posessed pirates to saving your ship from a mighty sea monster composed of Sargasso, have preceded you and you find yourself attending a small banquet held by Mayor Grobaras, a fat balding but well-dressed man, with a loud commanding voice. Around you the wealthy and influential of Magnimar make small talk and judge the worth of the heroes called to the Mayor's side.
After the meal, the Mayor invites you to a reading room, a giant library in it's own right. He offers you all pipes and smoking tabacco.
'Well, my lads. Now that the pleasantries are dispensed with, let us get down to business. I have lost contact with a fort under my city's control, near Turtleback Ferry, we don't know whether it is simply the oncoming winter, Korvosan interference or something more sinister. As old hands like yourself may have guessed, I want to you to investigate and will compensate you duly. What say you?'
map.
-
Marcus walks slowly around the room. He stops, tamps down the tobacco in his pipe. "Sounds like a fine adventure to me."
Sir Percival, has his mind and body studying a tome on the wild arcane oblivious to everything around him, realizes with some consternation that he has been asked a question. He tuts and mumbles under his breath and nods in Mouse's direction, at the same time raising his eyebrows to the heavens. He returns his head into the book and continues his study.
Diplomacy -
"I would not be adverse to such a journey, however, we will need more information on the town the trail and the possible issues we may face. Well informed is more important than being well armed I have found".
'Of course, of course good sirs. You will take the ferry to Ilsurian, of Lake Syrantula, which should be uneventful. Then however you'll have to travel up the Skull river through the Ashwood. This time of the year it may be dangerous, there are said to be werewolves and shadow-touched monsters in the wood. After that you'll arrive at Turtle's Ferry, before the snows, and I have no idea what you'll find there. That's what I'm goign to pay you all for. How does 5,000 gp up front, with further renumeration upon the completion of the task sound?'
Marcus perks up at the mention of gold. "Five thousand. . .to split?" He sits the pipe down. Absentmindedly rubbing his hands together, Marcus walks towards the mayor, his mind already imagining the new tunic and breeches he can buy. Dark green...no blue! Yes blue will be splendid.
A hearty laugh shudders through his frame.
'No, no, my boy. Each.'
Marcus sways and reaches out to steady himself on a chair. Several seconds pass before he able to speak. Even then, he can only smile.
"That sum seems reasonable to me despite the fact that we do not know what we face. We will of course need maps and provisions for such a journey. Is there a weaponsmith in town?"
"That sum seems reasonable to me despite the fact that we do not know what we face. We will of course need maps and provisions for such a journey. Is there a weaponsmith in town?"
'I'll be sending two of my most capable warriors with you aswell, for extra muscle. They are under your command for the mission. I'll have them meet you at the gate in two days time, sound agreeable?'
Marcus shakes the mayor's hand. "I look forward to meeting your men." Marcus turns to his companions. "I will be staying at the inn if you need me. If not I will meet you at the gates when it is time to head out."
"That sounds like a deal Mayor. Alright Marcus, just remember you can't bring any of your ladeis on the trip to keep you warm so pick up some cold gear! Percival would you like some time to yourself as well or would you like to scrounge up supplies together?"
Once more Sir Percival is interrupted in his studies. "What's up now, what have we agreed to? I was just at a very interesting point in a dissertation on the influence of the solar calendar on the occurrence of wild magic, in effect maybe using such to influence and control wild magic enough to be useful to aid and abet certain skilled people in the perusal of magical excellence. But then you're not really up to that are you Mouse and you Halstadt just accept it as a gift of the gods. What am I to do?? Well what ever it is you agreed to, it will make a profit? It's expensive to keep these tricks of mine available to you all, without a substantial income." Sir Percival barely listens to you at this time, but asks the mayor to keep the book so he can study it at his leisure.
The day dawns mist-shrouded over the lower half of Magnimar, though at the Twin's Gate you are above the fog, the sun trying to crawl above the distant eastern horizon towards which you are travelling.
Waiting at the gate are two men, clearly warriors prepared for expedition. Both wear armor under furs across their shoulders. They are Ulfen, and borthers or at least cousins by appearance. Similar in their prodigious height, one is stockier than the other carrying a shield and warhammer. The other, slimmer one carries only two handaxes for close quarters. They both have longbows.
They wave once and approach when they see you, they lead enough horses for the party and their extra food and gear. The stockier on is the one who speaks first:
'Well met, I am Hoyre, and this here is Venester. The mayor hired us to help out as your muscle in this expedition. Pleasure to meet you, and by One-Eye may our travels be well met also.'
Sir Percival, follows Mouse and Halstadt as they approach the warriors, he keeps himself to himself barely acknowledging the warriors. He has his eyes in a book, reading is taking his current attention and concentration.
Marcus walks forward and grasps each man by the forearm. Well met. I am Marcus, but you can call me Mouse. These are my companions, Sir Percival de Looupe and Halstadt Morgrym. He motions to each of the men.
'We have horses, if your ready to go. We're at your service from here,' Hoyre stays relatively expressionless, but Venester smiles widely when Marcus shakes his hand.
"The blessings of Angradd upon you both. I believe we are all ready. So have you made this journey before?"
Marcus walks to one of the horses. He rubs it's muzzle while he is whispering into it's ear. After he finishes the one-sided conversation, he climbs into the saddle and adjusts his pack and weapons. "Yes, what is the road ahead like?"
'Long. And getting colder by the day,' Venester chimes in.
You soon find yourselves mounted and ready to leave the city behind. Without hesitation you find yourself travelling down the road, making good time. As you travel Hoyre stays silent, but Venester begins to ask you of your previous exploits.
"With the ladies, or the sword? Marcus lets out a long laugh.
"Together we have faced many perils. Prior to that time we of course have our own tales to tell". Hal tells of his days at the vanguard watching and combatting demons.
Sir Percival rides behind the others, getting more uncomfortable as the day goes on. On his face is a pained expression, though this is not from the riding, but rather the inane conversations the others are having. He like Hoyre remains quiet for the most part. Responding to Venester he replies, "I am sure my friends can tell of our exploits, you don't need my view point to describe the same story. I have work to complete on this journey."
As you settle down to rest on the second evening, a days journey from the barge that will take you much of the way. You are within sight of the mushfens, which cloud the horizon with swamp gas and insects.
They nearby stream burbles and flows at your back as the camp is being set up.
Perception
Sir Percival for once take his nose out of a book and surveys the surroundings, interested by the mushfens, noting the gases and other features which make up this unique area. I wonder if it's like it said in the text books.
"Gods!" Marcus yells as he grabs his bow and knocking an arrow, fires.
Round 1
Initiative -
"What is that!" exclaims Halstadt.
Hal begins praying to Angradd to summon fire to smite the creature.
Fireball -
Round 1
Initiative
Sir Percival seeing the great creature and its enormous pincers rise from the stream, is somewhat taken aback, that such a creature should be so close. He chants and waves his hands in the direction of the monster, as a black choking smoke materializes behind and above the creature, yet moves quickly to surround it, falling just short of the 2 body guards. Sir Percival moves away as the spell is cast, recalling as he does any information he can about the creature.
ROUND 1
Percival recognises the creature as a Chuul, a strange monstrous aberration who haunts the waters of swamplands. He remembers reading that it is immune to poison and can paralyse foes.
He then casts a spell, brinking a reeking fume upon the creature which makes a pained gurgling sound, but seems to resist further effects.
The chuul then steps forward and attacks Hoyre with it's mighty crustacean claws. One swings wide, but the other grabs and lifts up the struggling warrior.
Hoyre himself then tries to break free of it's grasp, almost but not quite succeeding. He continues to kick and strain against the beast.
Marcus reacts quickly, firing at a gap in the beast's chitin, his arrow strikes deep.
Venester then raises his axes in an attempt to harm the beast with a flurry of strikes. He lands one light leading strike then buries his main axe deep in the creaures side dealing a stupendous blow and spraying himself with green ichor.
Finally Hal blasts the stinking cloud, however the Chull seems to evade some of the flame, but Hoyre, luckily escapes unharmed.
Sir Percival once more picks a spell from his memory, further draconic words issue forth from his mouth, as his body seems to move in quick jerky movements and his fingers spray out taking in each member of the party. "Ji'darien speedartus reflousi".
Round 2
Feeling energized by Percival's spell, Hal surges forward and strikes at the creature with his axe. "Drop Hoyre beastie!"
Greataxe melee attack (flanking, haste & charging bonus included) -
Greataxe Damage -
Trying to hit his last arrow, Marcus ignores everything else around him. He draws and fires two more arrows in rapid succession.
ROUND 2
Percival chants his spell, empowering his allies.
The chull moves Hoyre into it's tentacles, ravaging him with it's hidden mandibles, then steps forward to attack Hal it rends him wildly, but he luckily avoids being caught in the claws.
Hoyre tries wildly to escape but fails to do so.
The first of Marcus' arrows fails to land, ut the second draws more ichor from the damaged monstrosity.
Venester slashes wildly at the creature, dealing more damage but not finishing it off, though it is now growing weaker.
Finally Hal, empowered by Angradd's will charges in and destroys it with a mighty blow from his axe. The aberration falls lifeless to the ground, releasing Hoyre in the process.
"Acckkk. That was a nasty blow. Angradd grant me the power to bind my wounds as well as the wounds of my valiant ally!"
Hal casts cure serious wounds on himself and on Hoyre.
Cure Serious - Hal -
Cure Serious - Hal -
"Percival, is this a beastie we should be seeing out here?"
Marcus, after examing the fallen creature, searches through the weeds and undergrowth for the arrow that went wide.
"Well, that was. . .something." He smiles at his companions. He walks over to Hoyre. How do you fair, friend?
Sir Percival looks disdainfully at the creature, "Very nicely done Hal, that creature has the ability to cause some real damage. I wonder if we can harvest anything from it, if it can paralyse you, there maybe a toxin we can extract?" Sir Percival, seems to wander around the creature with a scientific eye for detail, looking at the creature, its strengths and weaknesses.
A quick inspection by Percival reveals that the creatures carapace and crab claws are actually collectors items for the wealthy. While the paralytic juices in the tentacles become weakened and decay after the creature dies.
Hoyre thanks Hal with genuine gratitude and the two Ulfen move the camp downstream over one hundred before restarting the fire and cooking a meal of rabbit stew.
Marcus lays out his bedroll. "Should we set watch? He looks to his companions.
"Good idea Mouse, I will take the first watch".
Marcus lies down and after a few minutes, is sleeping quietly.
Having inspected the beast, and discovered what he could, Sir Percival turns away, "Those claws and carapace would fetch you a healthy sum, should you desire to take them and make some money."
As they make arrangements for watch, Sir Percival reminds them, "I will either take the first watch or the last, but I must have 8 hours sleep to refresh my mind, otherwise I may not be able to help you as I should."
After a nice bit of stew, he lays his bedding down, reads for a few minutes, then meticulously arranges his belongings around him and lies down to sleep.