DM Alexander Kilcoyne's Slumbering Tsar (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Other than the information Marcus had given them, Barak and Durin would know of King Kroma, as would Telurion with that roll. He was the last great Dwarven King of the Stoneheart Mountains, to the west of the Desolation. Once, all Dwarves in those mountains were united as the Stoneheart Clan; but after King Kroma was lost in the battles within the Desolation the clan splintered into several smaller ones. King Kroma was known as a formidable cleric of Dwerfater.

Your not a huge distance from the Stoneheart Mountains to the west right now in the Dead Fields; and any expedition camp would no doubt be in the Desolation itself. It is doubtful that this woman has had to travel far.

DM any further information on King Kroma's death from my further specific history roll. Can't access it from work but don't think the initial lore entry had anything beyond the name.

Marcus has long since learnt to take his cues on new people from Durin and maintains his polite but wary stance.

Miss Ellicott-Tillingsworth. Perhaps Yenomesh did indeed provide you with some protection but he is a God of knowledge as well and you've given us little. It has been a tense afternoon. He gestures absently at the multiple piles of positive energy wracked zombies heaped ready for burning.

And we've encountered nothing but life threatening dangers in the Desolation so far, any one of which would have swiftly ended a lone traveller.

Normally we'd make introductions and provide you with the hospitality of our camp but it is fair to say we first need to verify your bona fides if you will.

Perhaps you could tell us the whole story. Where exactly is the dwarven encampment and what led it to a search for King Kroma's remains? What threat compelled you into such a dangerous foray to seek aid?

It goes unsaid that dwarves aren't exactly known for their willingness to seek outside help.

Wanting to defuse the situation as best as possible, even in spite of not knowing if this woman is a threat or not, Telurion pipes in - "Maybe we can find some middle ground, as I am sure Miss Tillingsworth understands our added cares?" - he takes a few steps forward, placing himself midway between the woman and the group - "I go grab us something to eat and drink, and we meet halfway? How about that?" - he adds looking to Lara and then back to the group.

"Agreed." says the paladin, as he begins to study the newcomer for signs of not being what she claims to be.

Detect Evil and Sense Motive. Obviously, I know nothing is going to show, but Arachiel does not.

DM any further information on King Kroma's death from my further specific history roll. Can't access it from work but don't think the initial lore entry had anything beyond the name.

Lara nods at Telurion's suggestion. "I know better than to get too far from the road...or to stay right on it, for that matter. Thane Fenris and the members of Clan Glancral are only a short distance away, and their numbers are dwindling--for largely the same reasons as you say it is fortunate I did not come through here a few hours ago. Waves of undead attack the remainder of our expedition nightly. Hence why they decided to send someone to seek aid at the Camp. It is dangerous out here in the Desolation, but so is the expedition's base camp, and I am a more able survivalist than the dwarves are--who would not willingly leave their thane anyway. Besides, they are about as insular as you might expect, and I am sure they view me as expendable, since I am no dwarf."

Telurion visibly tenses as Lara refers constant undead attacks - "Nightly..?" - he turns to the others - "Friends, we cannot ignore this" - then back at the woman - "We may have just managed to secure this area - would there be any chance to convince them to relocate here?" - he inquires - "It would at least be defensible"

"They might be convinced. We were planning on relocating to a new digsite anyway," the archaeologist concedes.

Telurion looks back to the others - "This may be an advantageous agreement to all?"

If what she says is true...

Suspicious by nature. I won't leave you suspended. ;)

IF, we were to agree, how long to reach your camp? If they are attacked... nightly...

"I am not sure we have the resources to move there still tonight" - Telurion ponders, looking back at the pile of undead.

It is still night, right?

Day 9, 6PM

After a full sweep of the fire-base, setting up a large fire in which the corpses were burned and having found nothing else of note in the place, a couple of hours had passed. Acting as a lookout while putting the finishing touches on Arachiel's sword, Telurion spied something in the last of the day's light...

No, the earliest we could make it is tomorrow. Even then I'd prefer to try and convince the dwarves to make it back to the Camp. I need about a day of quiet and access to the notes I left there to complete the new shelter spell I've been working on. That could potentially serve for us and the dwarves as well depending on how many there are.

Frankly, I'd rather have my spell ready before we go further.

Miss Ellicott-Tillingsworth can you describe these attacks in more detail? Waves of nightly attacks implies direction or at least purpose. What undead creatures have you seen? How many defenders were still capable of fighting when you left, how many wounded?

Can Lara locate the encampment on our map. Assume it is in the Dead Fields or did she come from the north?

Thank you for putting up with my lazyness kind DM ;)

"Do you have any way to signal them to move towards us?" - the oracle inquires of Lara.

She approached from the south but only because the trail to the fire-base leads from the south. Before that, Lara had travelled east/north-east from a different location in the Dead Fields.

Barak takes huge care when searching the outcrop still limping despite his lack of wounds the newly re-knit muscles feeling odd. so as the stranger walks up to the hill Barak is on the opposite side of the ridge. but he quickly moves to a good firing position. Staying silent as the rest of the group converses with the newcomer.

"I volunteer to lead the dwarves to us. I wont take me too long to find em."

Lara shakes her head at Marcus. "There's only about ten of them left, and they all bear a number of wounds. Honestly, I doubt they'd survive another attack--Thane Fenris never said as much, but it seemed pretty obvious to me. The expedition's basecamp is not too far away, so perhaps if we can move them here...." she trails off hopefully.

What about the undead? You haven't described them.

Barak takes huge care when searching the outcrop still limping despite his lack of wounds the newly re-knit muscles feeling odd. so as the stranger walks up to the hill Barak is on the opposite side of the ridge. but he quickly moves to a good firing position. Staying silent as the rest of the group converses with the newcomer.

"I volunteer to lead the dwarves to us. I wont take me too long to find em."

Thats an incredibly brave thing to offer Barak but even you may have difficulty locating them in the dark. And what if you ran into their attackers? I fear we'd never see you again...

Marcus looks to the newcomer being questioned by Durin. I can't decide whether she's good fortune personified or part of a perfectly calibrated trap.

"Waves of zombies and lesser undead, sir Dwarf," Lara replies, having never caught Durin's name. "Occasionally other things seem to lurk in the shadows, but we rarely catch a good look at those."

"Define waves. I only ask as we have very recently dealt with our own large group of undead."

"Countless zombies and skeletons?" Lara offers helpfully.

"Countless zombies and skeletons you say? Doesn't seem all that bad, as long as they are normal zombies and skeletons...which I wouldn't count on in this place."

Lara smiles thinly. "It would be too much good fortune for that, I am sure."

Durin places the head of his hammer upon the ground and flips up his battle mask. Could be the same fate for us here tonight. If the dwarven camp has been set upon by roving undead for the past few nights... and their camp isn't far from here...

Its a risk yes but I'm hoping the jujus themselves cleared the immediate surrounds.

I expect spontaneously rising undead in a place which has seen as much death as this. And theres no shortage of remains. Zombies require a fresher corpse though and these 'lurkers in the shadows' are concerning.

Theres always the prospect that these undead are being raised by a priest or wizard of the appropriate inclination ... or they could be drawn in by something... Miss Ellicott-Tillingsworth tell me did the dwarves actually find anything in their search for King Kroma's remains? Some artifact or other treasure?

Marcus tactfully leaves unsaid the possibility that dwarven greed may be the source of the expeditions tribulations...

"I guess it all boils down to if we feel we can make the trip to their encampment still tonight, or if the risk would be too high" - Telurion interjects - "Exactly how far is their camp?"

I know you only want to go in the morning Marcus. Telurion is just asking ;)

"Llyra" ( ;P ) replies, "It's only about two hours west of here. We might be onto something at the dig; but so far it's only been skeletal remains. No artifacts, no distinguishing weapons or armor. The plan was to move on to a new digsite soon if we didn't make a significant discovery."

Day 9, 6:10PM, The Firebase of the Damned

The conversation had gone on for some time and for just a moment, the talk of Dwarves, ancient kings and potential allies in the Desolation had Barak distracted. Even had he not been, he may not have noticed the extremely subtle change in the wind, and the coalescing shards of bone that had begun to gather. The terrifying weather pattern formed quickly and almost without warning. A bone storm had suddenly formed. Much akin to a sand storm, a bone storm was a much denser affair of white; the ash gathered from the Ashen Waste further east adding to the white powder that suddenly began to beset the adventurers and the archaeologist Lara.

In a mere instant, no longer than it took to cry out an alarm, visibility had been reduced to a mere ten feet. The group lost sight of Lara and to an extent, of each other. The swirling white cloud of ash and bone did not only reduce visibility; the tiny shards of bone and caustic dust caused sharp pains as they cut exposed flesh.

In addition to the damage caused by the storm, the fine, cloying dust carried on the winds began to stick to everything, leaving a thin coat including the inside of the mouths and nostrils. Exposure could lead to temporary blindness. Thankfully, the bone storm would likely not lead to suffocation- as it lacked the density it would have had were the group exposed on the Ashen Waste. Nevertheless, the extreme weather clearly called for immediate action.

What do you do?

Terion stumbles around - "All get back inside!" - he shouts - "Lara! Follow us!"

Blinded by the bone storm, Lara sprints toward the sound of Telurion's voice. "I'd follow you if I could see you! Tell me where I'm going!"

bump/crash

"Over here!" - comes the Oracle's response, spitting dust.

"Follow the sound of our voices!" Arachiel calls out to Lara. The paladin draws and ignites his enchanted blade in hopes that the flames will create some small beacon that the newcomer can see.

*spits/coughs*

Durin joins the others seeking shelter. We should cover our mouths and noses with wet rags.

Marcus quickly follows Durin's advice, soaking the inside of his cloak with his waterskin before wrapping it around his face before staggering away from the barricade.

To the north east, at the entrance to the building, a cluster of dancing lights swirl into existence, the wizard's familiar hopefully aiding the way to relative safety.

Who has the decanter of endless water? Durin shouts over the maelstrom.

Me it seems.

I have it! Lets get to cover.

Day 9, 6:25PM, The Firebase of the Damned

A truly miserable fifteen minutes passed as the group scrambled to shelter, the mistrust of the newcomer Lara temporarily forgotten as they took shelter together inside one of the ruined buildings. While it provided enough shelter so as to not take further damage (in combination with as many blankets etc. as the group could muster), the dust was still blinding. The use of wet rags made little difference to the blinded victims until the bone storm had fully passed; but the group were glad of the endless supply of water as they forced the sticky, cloying dust off themselves once the bone storm had ended.

Damage (All except Durin): 1d4 ⇒ 3

Durin takes no damage due to DR.

Is there no end to the manner and variety with which the Desolation will try and kill us? Durin grumbles as he wipes the dust from his eyes.

Seeing everyone coated in the grey white dust, Durin is reminded of the ghost and his arm aches at the thought of it.

"The Desolation does seem to be rather creative for those purposes, does it not?" the paladin says with an incredulous laugh while he begins to remove the dust.

An idea involving the terrible climate, and what he has heard from his companions regarding druids makes Telurion smile at how wonderful it would be if those same ones would be able to actually change the environment in the area - returning life to its dreaded wastes, and starting the change he would so much like to see operated in the region.

He shaked his musings away, to address the more important matters at hand - "Fortunately we were able to quickly return to shelter. Is everyone ok?" - he questions, turning to all and Lara - "What of the matter at hand friends? Should we show some proper hospitality to Miss Evangeline, and make preparations to leave in the morning? If not, and since this enchanted ring allows me to recover with but short hours of sleep, I can be ready sooner" - he raises his hand, displaying a simple looking ring, sporting a precious stone in watery and earthy tones.

Ring of Sustenance for the win ;)

Ring of Sustenance doesn't mean you get your spells back any earlier than normal. Still refreshing at dawn. The basic decision your group needs to make is whether to delay until tomorrow or rush there tonight. This would mean another nightly attack on an already beleaguered group of Dwarves who have already lost many of their number. Can your consciences bear this weight? The decision is yours.

While Talomyr has no issues on letting the Dwarves fend for themselves, Arachiel certainly does.

"Miss Evangeline, do you believe you can lead us back to the Dwarven camp? While our resources are stretched very thin at the moment, I believe we can still help." Arachiel says.

Durin heaves his hammer onto his shoulder, indicating his readimess to depart the hard-fought-for-hill...

My bad on the Ring of Sustenance then - I was under the impression I could recover spells after resting. Thanks for the clarification AK.

Allowing spellcasters to prepare spells more than once in a given 24 hour period is a recipe for disaster to my mind (and further boosts their significant ability to nova). You can retcon out the purchase once you reach a shop, if you like. Spellcasters being low on spells gives more of a balance to the non-casters and gives them extra time to shine, to my mind. I dislike the 15 minute adventure day; hence my enjoyment of this AP which is fairly relentless.

Lara nods at the paladin. "Aye, I remember the way. It's only a couple of hours from here." Smiling in relief, she adds, "Wait until the dwarves see who I've brought back! It'll be enough for a few to crack a smile...well, almost."

Yeah, I might actually retcon it AK. Telurion has actually been able to maintain some balance on his spell usage, but I would probably not have bought it in the first place if I knew how it was going to work.

"I guess it is settled then?" - Telurion turns to the others.