Order of Combat Round 10:
Balani 25
Corbrius 8a still fleeing
Tragershen 8b *dead
Kragnir 8c
Mihai 8d
Nim 8e
Wic 8f still fleeing
Shadow Creature 7
The creature is next to Kragnir in rough terrain. Nim is behind him casting and will finish his spell.
The sergeant has enough movement to get next to Nim and hand him or Kragnir Corbrius' sword. Here use this, it says it can hurt that thing, though only once.
The shadow creature appears to be in a frenzy, bent on killing Kragnir.
Balani grabs two more arrows and fires them off as the creature while calling to Kragnir, Don't be so dramatic!
Balani releases another two arrows, the first going wide of its mark the second taking the creature in its back. With the addition of the cold iron and the magic nature imparted to the arrows, it pierces the creatures defenses...it jerks to a stop...lets out a blood curdling scream...then dissolves into nothing...
As quickly as it started...it has ended. You all stand there a little stunned.
Suddenly the sword lets out a wail...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He is gone, Corbrius is gone! It is silent for a moment as you gather and you try to question it.
My connection to Corbrius...it is gone. That would only happen if he was...dead...
You take a quick stock of what happened. Tragershen is dead, as are two guards. Two of the tents are destroyed as well as some of your supplies. It appears that the horses survived although two injured themselves quite badly trying to flee.
Wic returns about a minute later as you ready yourselves to look for Corbrius. You heal yourselves and set the remaining guards to get the camp back in order.
It takes you some time but Nim is able to follow Corbrius tracks. He was fleeing with the magically enhanced fear. They lead for about 100 meters before they end in a small crevasse. Kragnir can't see the bottom. It appears that Corbrius ran straight over the edge, not realizing it was there...most likely to his doom.
I can't sense anything anymore...I feel a force...it is pulling me away. I am sorry my friends, the magic that Corbrius possessed that kept me here...it is fading.
Find the city, don't give up it is what he and I would have wanted...don't forget...
And the voice goes silent. There is no magic left in the sword.
Balani grins to herself, Poor Kragnir, denied once again the chance to die in battle.
She assists in helping to find Corbius' trail and then in the disposal of the bodies and clean up of the camp.
I wonder if that thing is gone for good? This place should be free from all other dangers if that thing prowled here.
She approaches Mihai as the most likely holder of knowledge for clarification. What was that and is it truly defeated?
AC 19/16/13
HP 18/41
aspect of the falcon 5 min
Weary and sorrowful as his tenuous harrowed link had been severed to two of his companions this night Mihai shakes his head at Balani's question "I do not know Balani... it seemed a creature of shadow and death, but I know not it's name." and with that, Mihai moves to continue tending to Tragershen and the two fallen guards.
Turning to the other guardsmen he asks "Would they meet their end in the earth or be put to flame to join the air?"
Nim instructs Wic to climb down and recover Corbius' remains, that he might be laid to rest properly as well.
Perhaps we should set two to a watch for the remainder of the night. One of us and one of the soldiers.
Nim then sets about the thankless task of separating Corbius and Tragershen's personal items, from those belonging to the group.
Corbrius remains are gone. Something dragged them away into a hole in the earth and Wic would have to squeeze in order to see down it. You get the sense that he didn't like the smell that was coming from that hole.
Many of Trgershen's items are destoyed. The real fire damage striking his body while it was down, only some of the items survived.
Corbrius remains are gone. Something dragged them away into a hole in the earth and Wic would have to squeeze in order to see down it. You get the sense that he didn't like the smell that was coming from that hole.
We should move our camp immediately.
Heading Nim's words Balani helps pack up what gear is left in preparation to move on.
You move your camp to a different location about 1/2 mile down the trail and bed down with added guards.
It is a rough night. The loss of two friends, two guards, and two tents weighs on you heavily. On top of that the rain moves in and makes travel difficult at best.
You do your best, gearing back up and you slog your way through the jungle for the next several days. The rain finally let's up on the fourth day allowing Nim to take up scouting again. Several of you have thoughts of just giving up what seems to be a foolish quest but in the end you continue on...for the moment.
Nim is able to navigate you around several riverside predators over the next 5 days but it is otherwise quiet. On the late afternoon of the 10th day after your encounter with the Shadow creature Nim spots some movement behind your group.
He sees a man riding a horse that is translucent...on top of the river. He is heading along the river extremely fast and will be passing the group in less than a minute!
You are riding a Phantom steed...your emergency get the hell out of dodge spell you kept secured.
A 10th level wizard penned it for you, as a favor and you have about 2 hours left before it expires.
You have been on the trail of the party for about a week when you left the main caravan. Unfortunately, your two guards didn't make it. You were ambushed by a group of monkey men about a day ago. They klilled the guards but you were able to finish the Charua-Ka so at least they didn't come after you.
You tried to continue but got spooked and risked the scroll, leaving the horse you had to certain doom. You started riding this morning and haven't stopped yet, hoping to find them!
Nim observes the man...
...before alerting the others with a prearranged bird call.
He looks like he is ready to travel in the jungle. Nim alerts the others and the man slows when he sees your caravan from the river.
Assuming you do nothing overtly agressive, the man waives to you before slowly approaching.
Jawn, feel free to describe and introduce yourself.
Balani eyes the stranger with suspicion and whispers to Kragnir, He could be from any faction.
Mihai crosses his hands across his chest and comes forward, warily speaking "We are of an advance group... from where and whom did you come, and who is it you're seeking now?"
Mihai senses no subterfuge in his words.
Mihai and Nim have heard of this magical horse spell...although this level of magic lends you to believe he is selling himself short on his abilities if he can summon one of that power.
Kragnir had been uncharacteristically morose after the fight. Fully expecting to lie down his life, he had summoned reserves of strength and courage he barely knew existed and although Balani's arrow had finished the shadow off, he knew it was truly his contribution that had led to its demise.
He had not known that Tragershen and Corbrius had been slain until after the fight. As a mercenary, he had witnessed death many times; but it was usually a stranger or acquaintance, or at the most a temporary battle brother after a few weeks on the same job. Tragershen and Corbrius' deaths had both saddened and shaken him; and sunk him into a state of melancholy from which he had not yet emerged. His stoneplate armour had begun to dirty as he had suddenly stopped cleaning it after that particular battle.
Eyeing the mage on his fancy mount, Kragnir had his arms folded initially, but shrugged as he relaxed somewhat at the man's words.
Makes no difference ter' me. They took me an' Balani on as strangers, don't see a reason not ter' extend ye' the same courtesy eh Mihai? Fair warnin' though- a magi's life expectancy in th' band seems ter' be a short one.
Mihai measures the man, before giving a slight bow and extending a hand to clasp. "You are welcome to walk beside us Jawn, late of Eleder and Osirion before. I am Mihai, of the Walker and wherever my feet lead me."
Balani looks to Mihai, trusting his judgment of the man but with-holding her unequivicable support until time proves him. She gives him a welcoming nod as she introduces herself, Balani.
Kragnir's change of mood does not go unnoticed by Balani but she had expected that he would have pulled himself out of his funk by now. After it is clear that Jawn will be accompanying them on the trek she finds a moment to speak with Kragnir privately.
What is wrong my friend? You almost seem sad that you did not perish that night. Or is it that you worry we won't find anything else to test your skills now that that foe is gone?, she gently teases. She then turns very serious,
It was by your actions that we were saved and I fear that we will need that strength again before this is all over.
She looks at him, trying to gauge the effect, if any, her words are having.If you are concerned about your perceived debt to me you must know that it was paid long ago and you are by no means beholden to me, but I have grown used to your company and would miss you if you left or died foolishly.
She squeezes his shoulder as she stands and turns to go.
Nim has been very quiet as well in the days since the deaths of Corb and Tragershen. It is abundantly clear that he is quite frustrated with the events of the past few days, and weeks, and with the soldiers in particular. He lays a lot of the blame for the misfortunes the group has been suffering at their feet.
In the days since the latest attack, he has been very short and rude to them whenever they have slipped up, whether real or perceived. Their continued presence aggravating him more each day.
You get the distinct impression that he would like to ditch them, and possibly the rest of the government force as well, entirely.
Nim spends most of his time in avian form, scouting ahead from the air, while Wic accompanies Balani on the ground.
Keeping mostly to himself, he fails to notice Kragnir's mood.
The arrival of the new man, dressed in the livery of the government forces does not make a good first impression upon him.
Nim remains in avian form for most of the initial contact, only revealing his true form after a time. Realizing the others have made up their mind, and having no interest in causing more tension, Nim says nothing to Jawn before taking back to the air in the form of an eagle.
You complete your scouting that day and nothing out of the norm is spotted. That night it is rather quiet around the camp fire. There is obvious friction in the camp...and at this point no one seems inclined to try and bridge the gap.
The night is quiet and the group packs up in a somber manner and continues on.
The next day you move about 2/3 of the day along the trail when Nim spots something ahead on the trail.
A curious sigh is ahead of the group about 200 feet. You see a couple of men standing in the trail. You move closer in eagle form to about 50 feet.
You immediately sense the wrongness of them. The jungle is quieter here. The smell of the area...it is bad...it smells of death. The two men stand in almost stillness...one looks over when a jungle sound is made. He appears to be a zombie and has a similar gait to the other man. You fly to another position and confirm your suspicion of the two men. They seem to be blocking the trail.
You also spot an obvious trail moving away from the two zombies. The trail is from something much larger...it has knocked down a number of branches. This is not a normal jungle predator that moves through the jungle. This thing moved through it.
You can follow the trail but depending upon how far it goes the party may encounter the zombies.
It only goes for about 100ft. before dead ineding into what looks like the face to some type of mound or maybe a tomb. There are carvings and statues flanking the entrance. The brush appears to be moved to the sides and cleared within the last month as the brush is recently dead. There seem to be plenty of tracks outside of the mound/tomb and you spot another two zombies standing outside of it. Oddly though they seem to have a rope tied to them and then to a tree branch outside of the mound...like they are steaked to the ground for some reason. How long do you watch for?
The rest of the party...you hear a call of an eagle...a sure warning from Nim that danger is ahead. Everyone draws their weapons and moves forward with caution.
You move around the jungle path and spot two men about 50 feet ahead, standing in the trail. They don't appear to be armed, but are standing incredibly still.
The "men" look like they have pale flesh and dark eyes. You are not sure if any life remains in them.
Perception:
Speaking in a low voice "They are not men... their steps are no longer their own, raised from the sanctity of the grave to a half-life."
Balani has noticed the general tension but other than speaking to Kragnir has not attempted to speak to anyone about it. She is not a priest after all and figures that Mihai would be best suited if a catharsis is needed. She is a little confused by it all. You strive and you either succeed of fail. She did not see where anyone could be faulted for what happened that night, people die, circumstances change, life goes on...for some anyway. As for Jawn, she is also not gregarious by nature and feels no need to make Jawn feel part of the group as she herself usually remains on the fringes, watching, by choice.
Balani nods in agreement with Mihai's assessment and with little warning slips into the trees with her bow ready.
The "men" appear to see you, their heads go up and they let out a small groan but make no move forward towards you...yet.
Keeping his eyes warily upon them Mihai speaks softly "I would see them freed if we can..."
Balani looks around them, but doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
She starts to fire on them as Kragnir moves up. It is a short battle and they start moving toward you when Kragnir gets close. You finish them before they can even pose a threat to Kragnir with his reach.
You notice a bunch of brush knocked down like something large has traveled a number of times away from the trail. The zombies look familiar. They are wearing the same uniforms as the other men you found in pieces, about 10 days ago.
This has to be the group that is ahead of you!
You don't see Nim around, after a short discussion you move off the trail and follow the tracks heading north away from the trail leaving the 4 soldiers to guard the supplies.
The trail only goes for about 100 feet before dead ending into what looks like the face to some type of mound or maybe a tomb. There are carvings and statues flanking the entrance, possibly of some tribal god...you don't recognize it.
The brush appears to be moved to the sides and cleared within the last month as the brush is recently dead. There seem to be plenty of tracks outside of the mound/tomb and you spot another two zombies standing outside of it. Oddly though they seem to have a rope tied to them and then to a tree branch outside of the mound...like they are steaked to the ground for some reason.
You spot an eagle on a tree branch overlooking the mound entrance.
"There would seem to be little risk to disposing of them given their restraint... Balani?"
The eagle watches intently from the top of the tree, scanning the surrounding area for hidden threats.
Balani looks around the area and at the others. It feels like a trap.
She looks around the area cautiously and approaches the tethered zombies with her bow drawn trying to determine how and why they are tied to the front gate as it were.
She stays out of reach of them but gets close enough to see if they react to her presence.
As Nim sits atop the tree he wonders why Balani hasn't just put a few arrows in the zombies by now.
You see nothing unusual (other than zombies tied to the front door) or invisible within you normal visual sight. Something could be hiding but you think you wold have seen it.
Kragnir gets tired of waiting, Enough of yeahs standin' around! and marches up and flattens the zombies with his hammer...nothing occurs in the few seconds it takes.
The entrance goes into the darkness, Kragnir can just make out that it seems to open up into a larger chamber about 50' in.
Nim swoops down, returning to human form as he lands. I won't even bother questioning whether we should deviate from our mission to investigate this hole in the ground. Drawing his scimitar Nim nods at Kragnir to lead on.
Balani shrugs her shoulders at Nim's comments and puts her bow on her back and her hand on the hilt of her falchion. She follows Nim and Kragnir through the entrance.