Marcus shakes his head.
We're spent and we don't know what we're going to run into on the way.
I want to help as well but our mission is too important to risk us falling to something as simple as another storm. I vote we set out first thing in the morning.
If we go, we go as much for ourselves. I don't wish to risk the ghost again. If they don't wish to relocate then that is on them, not us. We bury the bones and go our seperate ways.
Marcus isn't one for drawing out a lost battle.
OK lets go.
Kiri take point from the air please. Darkvision along isn't going to give us much warning if we run into something.
"Very well then" - Telurion nods at his companions - "Let us get going, make sure we can meet up with them, and guarantee their safety" - then grabs his equipment, and prepares to leave.
Lara gives Marcus a grateful look after he concedes and checks her bowstring, readying to lead everyone back to the expedition basecamp.
Given our past experiences out here... I'm not sure we can guarantee our safety. But enough with the jibber jabber! Let's get a move on!
The bone storm having subsided, the adventurers decided to trust the newcomer Lara; who led them south and west through the Dead Fields.
The ominous howling of some kind of wolves could be heard as the last of the day's sun faded and the group were forced to rely on magical lighting to navigate. The bone-chilling sounds were clearly supernaturally frightening and were the group closer to the source they might have had an issue with them. The howls sounded like winds blowing from the netherworld.
After two hours of marching, Lara told the others that they approached the encampment of Thane Fenris.
A small mound rose from the plain. It appears to be somewhat fortified at the top, and a stair has been cut in the side on the south face. Just west of the mound is a large excavated pit surrounded by fresh piles of dirt. Between the excavation and mound is what appears to be a pile of debris. Short stocky, bearded figures labor in the excavation with pick and shovel. More stand as sentries atop the mound, crossbows at the ready.
Lara was apparently recognized; and her presence did not cause an alarm. The crossbows were not leveled at her or her companions. There was a brief commotion as the Dwarves called for Thane Fenris. He was apparently among the Dwarves still digging in the pit even at this late hour. He looked tired; in fact all of the Dwarves did. But his eyes lit up at the sight of the heavily armed and armoured group Lara had brought back; especially upon seeing Durin and Barak.
"Luck was on our side," Lara replies to Thane Fenris with a smile as she leads the group into the basecamp. "I did indeed tell them of our search for the resting place of King Kroma. I also informed them of our nightly 'visits.'"
"Well met" - Telurion steps forward - "Miss Evangeline indeed made contact with us, and explained in broad strokes the purpose of your presence in the Desolation" - he bows - "My name is Telurion, and we are here first and foremost to offer our assistance in the defense of your camp. But we would also like to know more details about what brings you out here" - he ponders for a few seconds, then continues - "The truth is, there is also another reason why we would like to have a more lengthy conversation with you and your clan - a recent exploration of an abandoned fort in the region revealed the ghost of a dwarf who attacked my companions - while they were able to defeat him, we have yet to lay his soul to rest. We fear that he will come again unless we give his remains, which they also found, a proper burial. In that regard, we seek your assistance" - he smiles.
"But for the time being, shall we address the nightly watch, and perhaps wait until the morrow to discuss these matters? We would offer our cooperation during the night, if you accept it?"
After exchanging pleasantries, and listening to Telurion, Durin cuts in, No. We bury him tonight. There is no need to wait for tomorrow. They are already up in the middle of the night digging and we just trudged across the Desolation to be here. .
Marcus has stayed back while his more eloquent companions speak and make introductions.
We need to bury our old friend and leave. Not in the morning. Now.
Thane. We wish to assist you and your expedition. While dwarven endurance is famous for good reason I have command of certain spells that would assist your excavation efforts greatly.
Today we destroyed a large force of undead which were guarding a fortified hill not more than 2 hours march from here. Miss Evangeline can attest to this. Let us journey there together as soon as you can break camp. It will be a much safer place to defend against the undead while we plan our next move.
"Marcus is right of course" - Telurion is quick to add - "The fortification we cleared is surely defensible. Even without any immediate recovery works, it already stands quite well barricated as it is, and indeed we could gain much by returning there immediately"
"Ellicott-Tillingsworth," Lara mutters quietly to no one in particular, wondering why people are using formal terms of address like 'miss' with her middle name.
They aren't going anywhere in a hurry, Durin thinks to himself about the dwarves.
Barak steps forward offering a hand to fellow dwarf "It is an Honnour sir I am Barak Varr, Son of Brunner Varr of the Onyx Anvil Clan. I have only this to offer as a gift." Barak Produces a bottle of Ale and hands it to the elder dwarf "This is a dark brew made in the brewery of my clans mountain hold. we use the ore smelters to boil the cavern spring water and add a drop of dragons blood to keep he mountain chill away."
As the groups began to talk, eight more Dwarves slowly moved over, introducing themselves in a relaxed manner as the group did the same. The names of his seven warriors were Glomi, Bruitt, Kargesh, Romni, Ragnar, Thulbine and Bereg.
The dwarves here were all doughty warriors all and were led by the clearly proficient Thane Fenris, but all bore bandages and signs of recent injury. Thane Fenris himself is ruddy-cheeked and has a blonde beard forked and tucked into his ornate belt. He wears fine but travel-worn apparel, since he and his men have traveled far in their quest for King Kroma’s bones.
The 8th Dwarf was introduced by the Thane as Old Gorrak, and he was a Cleric of Dwerfater. Durin and Barak recognised that his mundane and threadbare clothing (even by comparison to Glomi and co.) was a symbol of mourning for the clan's lost status and prestige.
The Thane took the mixed messages of the group in his stride. He was quite smooth spoken, reflecting his nobility in the once-proud Stoneheart Clan. He seemed quite impressed with Telurion and he returned Barak's firm handshake. The Dwarves shared the offered gift between them, clearly parched from the gruelling work of excavating and grunting thank you's to their fellow Dwarf.
I understand what your saying, Marcus. Gorrak will see that the Dwarven remains you recovered are buried in accordance with ceremony and a customary blessing, no matter whether you grant us aid or not. He will rest well; with a full 21 of my clan and kin beside him he said pointedly, gesturing to the graveyard nearby.
Dozens of fresh mounds of earth mark new graves in this makeshift cemetery. At the head of each rises a broken weapon haft to serve as marker. There are exactly 21 graves. The breaking of the haft of a warrior’s weapon (usually an axe, hammer, or pick) is a tradition of the Stoneheart Clan to denote death in battle, the Thane explained.
The Thane did not mince words for very long. After a full gulp of the last of Barak's offered ale, he made his case. The truth of the matter is... today we found another Dwarven skeleton. We think we are truly close now to finding our lost King Kroma. And whoever is orchestrating the attacks on us here, they are clearly a sentient mind. The skeletons march on us in ranks, organised and planned. I will not yield this place to them, not when we are so close. Not when I have lost a score of men to this accursed "Desolation" already. We believe they seek to foil our quest; why else lose hundreds of skeletons attacking us relentlessly, night after night. I will not beg for your help, strangers. But, despite what is left of my pride, I do ask for it. We'll share watches if you agree, like Arachiel said.
Lara remains quiet, taking in the various names of the group as they are finally given. Her purposes remained with the dwarven expedition, who were set to stay--so she would let them do the talking and make the case, or be persuaded by their would-be rescuers to relocate.
Durin addresses his companions. If what he says is true, that the skeletons are being organized by someone or something bent on disrupting their search, then relocation will be futile. The attacks will happen wherever the dwarves happen to be. Their malefactor may even be watching us now. And will attack when we are in the open should we try and relocate. Especially at night..
Turning back to the Thane he asks, Any idea as to who or what would be so determined to see that your expedition fails?
Old Garrok responded abruptly, but was not reprimanded by the Thane for speaking out of turn or speaking for him.
No doubt some malign force here in the Desolation. Perhaps something with a memory ancient enough to surmise what it is we seek...
And capable of marshalling untold numbers of undead to do its bidding no less.
Usually a few-score of skellies per night... We've made a great pile of bones and shattered weapons over yonder the Thane added, gesturing to the debris pile. Not more than several dozen each night thus far, but its taken its toll on us.
Telurion stares off into the darkness - "The region is completely suffused with negative energies - the fortification we found earlier did not show any sign of a higher conscience behind the animation of the undead creatures that populated it" - he ponders - "Even though the continued assault on the camp may indicate something else, I believe we cannot also discard the possibility that theese are roving bands of undead, being drawn to where the living are" - he adds.
"It is irrelevant for the present time however I guess - since you believe you are close to your goal, and you wish to stay, I believe we will stand with you" - the oracle smiles at the Thane - "Which I believe will entail some preparation..." - he looks around.
"I am not the most martial bent traveller you'll find but let's see - has there been any preferential direction from whence the assailants move in from? Are there any materials that we could use to fortify such position, if there is one? And if not, to fortify this position, and hold off until dawn?" - he looks around at the dwarves and his companions - "I believe Marcus should get to rest immediately, and only be roused in case of absolute necessity - our resources are drained, and if he manages to recover his spells it will allow us a tremendous leverage" - the aasimar states.
"As for myself, if I could grab some rest for the next couple of hours, I will be able to stay up for the remaining of the night, so I would perhaps suggest that also - additionally, would you know if there is some sort of bludgeoning weapon that can be recovered from the pile" - he addresses the thane directly - "I have but this longspear recovered from our earlier battle, and it is almost innefective against the likes of skeletons" - he draws the weapon, sticking it on the ground.
"As for the rest of our group, I say we keep everyone centered - perhaps right here at the encampment, except if anyone can honestly mount a watch unseen away from here - I guess our strength will be in numbers and staying together - what do you all think?"
Marcus' reply to the Thane is gentle but it apparently takes some effort.
You've lost near three quarters of your company and your still here?! What have you found to make you so sure that King Kroma's remains are here? Surely not just a dwarven skeleton.
We must be able to come up with something better than just waiting for the undead to attack. And we need to ascertain whether they are being created or called. May I be shown their remains please, starting with any zombies.
The wizard then says something incomprehensible to Kiri and the familiar flies down to take the gem of seeing from the wizard's hand.
To the others. Kiri will keep an eye out for the undead from the air.
This is all wrong, completely wrong. I want all these dwarves starting with the Thane scanned for magic and evil please. Then check them with the gem. Then scan their camp starting with their belongings. Do it quickly I don't know how much time we have.
Judging by the flicker of surprise on her face, Lara was unaware that they had found another dwarven skeleton recently.
Kiri hands her wand of cure light wounds to Telurion to patch up any wounded dwarves before she takes to the air with the gem.
"Thank you" - Telurion nods at the Azata, then turns to the Thane and his dwarves - "We can provide healing in preparation for the night - are any of you wounded?"
Durin, not sure if there is anything for him to do, tries to see about setting up a game of dice with some of the other dwarves to pass the time. (Out of sight of the Thane of course)
If successful, he tries to borrow a few coins from Marcus before joining the game.
The Thane answered Telurion and Marcus' questions about fortifications.
We're not some green hundred year old's... we've got ourselves this small hill here, where we're camping. It has a steep, fifteen feet slope and we've dug a defensive position so we can duck for cover if needs be. It has the advantage of high ground. We've got wood, aye, but its for our fires. We all sleep in our armour... we've got used to it with all the attacks.
The Thane handed Telurion a sturdy warhammer. There were also enough sturdy lengths of wood to act as a club if necessary.
Marcus- I had planned to move on when I sent Lara to find help. But since then, we found the remains of a Dwarf bearing a shield; adorned with the symbol of Kroma's personal bodyguard. Sworn, loyal Dwarves who would sooner die than abandon their king. We are so close... I can feel it. I will honour my fallen men and our ancestors. I will not retreat now, so close to the fruition of our quest.
The Dwarves and their Thane are free from the taint of evil. Old Garrok and the Thane both have some magical gear though.
The Thane gladly led Marcus and the others to the debris pile.
We gather the bones of each skeleton we destroy every morning and place them here; along with their weapons.
A large pile of shattered bone and weaponry rises here between the defensive mound and the excavation pit. There are the remnants of hundreds of skeletons here.
You feel a sharp stab of alarm through your bond as Kirilarien scans the debris pile for evil. She whispers to you-
There are auras of evil within the debris pile... of moderate strength. Its hard to tell with all the bone but I think there are at least three...
Telurion thanks the Thane for the provided weapon, and follows after Marcus and the others towards the debris pile.
He stares at the huge amount of skeletal remains, and shakes his head - "There must be hundreds of them..." - he whispers.
Aye. In total, anyway. We've never faced more than a hundred a night.
"Still... A hundred a night... I honestly congratulate you on your resilience, and the commitment to your search. I will help in whatever way I can" - the Oracle comments, impressed with the dwarven tenacity.
"The healing alone is a great help," Lara ventures. "But there are sure to be more undead tonight. Perhaps we should get what rest we can before they come?"
You go ahead, I'm trying to win some coins...
"Agreed" - Telurion retorts at Lara - "I suggest we start our sleeping arrangements - are all in agreement with my earlier suggestion?" - he adds.
"But for the meantime - Marcus, any idea on how we can be more proactive, instead of reactive?" - the oracle questions his wizard companion.
Marcus straightens very quickly from an examination of the skeletons.
Yes Telurion we need to be extremely proactive at this point.
The wizard says something unintelligible to Kiri and the lyrakien rattles something out in dwarven.
Be ready! There are at least three creatures in the pile still animate!