Rikael will check the bodies around the statue for life, and then investigate the statue itself, while taking a drink from his flask.
Cayden, please guide us. I have a feeling we'll need it.
Guys, am I the only one who finds this statue a bit... Out of place?
for the bodies.
for the statue.
Sildur follows Rikael to the statue, Dru circling around it, sniffing at the bodies and grunting his discomfort.
The ulfen's eyes are drawn to the statue, watching it closely, "No Rikael, I am certain that this...figure, is not quite right..."
Thorn takes his time to go through the site keeping both eyes and ears out for trouble.
Thorn and Urga can find no indication of obvious or immediate danger in the surrounding area.
The bodies around the site and statue are clearly dead. Most of the bodies lie pierced with tiny needles and shards of ice, but many also have more conventional injuries, i.e. stab wounds. All of the bodies have been stripped of armor and weapons.
The statue is not a statue at all, rather a partial body frozen in ice. The corpse is dressed nicely, like an officer in the Taldan army. Parts of the body have been severed, leaving gruesome chunks in the area. The body still wears a breastplate, which you think you could remove if you were to melt the ice. The man's severed hand still holds a finely crafted longsword.
As you search the general area, you find the bodies of two maidens (or at least young ladies) inside of the wrecked carriage (carriage A). Their wounds are similar to the rest of the bodies. Pieces of their clothing luggage are strewn across the area. Some of the pieces look quite valuable and you think you could make two or three complete outfits.
The clothes are worth 90GP.
As you search the area, you can hear banging from inside the other carriage (carriage B) when you get within 10 or 15 feet of it.
There are obvious tracks of people and horses leading away from the site at the trail head (area E).
Urga will investigate Carriage B.
"Who's in there? Identify yourself!"
He will peer into the carriage windows, if possible.
By the gods! This statue is a man! Frozen in ice! How did this happen?! Agatha, do you know of any sorcery that could do this?
He tries to take a better look at the sword the statue is holding, and the breastplate.
Why was this man frozen, instead of the rest? Was he the leader?
When the pounding in the carriage starts, he draws his rapier and looks back.
Urga, is it a survivor?
Thorn communes with the spirits and they tell him the blindly obvious. The cold froze the people.
Sigh.
When the banging starts, he draws his bow and steps back, nocking an arrow to its string.
"Survivors? Ware that it maybe a trap, according to all of you Yuln mentioned he's the only one isn't he?"
The man, when he was alive, appears to be in his late 30's or early 40's. He is clean shaven and looks as if he ate well. There is an emblem on the upper left hand part of the breastplate. You think it would take a small to medium sized fire to melt the ice quickly.
The emblem is one of a captain in the Taldan army.
The longsword is a Masterwork weapon.
Thorn stands ready with his bow and Agatha is surrounded with a shell of force.
Local time is about 400pm
Temperature is in the low 40's and wind is calm.
Guys, this guy was a captain. His weapon is also extremely well made. He couldn't have gone down without a helluva fight.
Rikael looks over to Sildur.
Does Dru sense anything... Unnatural? 'Cause I sure as hell do...
Rikael sheathes his rapier and pulls out Feybane.
In answer to Rikael's question, Dru grunts loudly and shuffles away from the statue.
Sildur's brow is creased with concern, "Well that makes three of us, this entire site stinks of fey cruelty. We'll need a fire to thaw out the captain here. Perhaps we can use wood from one of the carriages?"
As the noise from one of the carriages intensifies, Sildur draws the cold iron dagger from his belt and moves towards it, Dru following cautiously at his heels.
The ulfen sighs, "I don't think there's anything for it, we'll have to take a look."
Urga look's suspiciously at the barred carriage doors. "Could the fey have locked someone in the carriage? Or is this a feral animal? I don't think we can risk the possibility of leaving a survivor in the carriage. Remove the spear?"
Sildur nods to the half orc, raising his shield, "Doesn't seem like the fey were simply interested in locking people away. I would be wary of whatever comes out of that carriage."
Rikael steps up to Sildur as he inspects the carriage.
I agree, why would this be locked from the outside? This is really, really, strange.
He deftly twirls Feybane and assumes a fighting stance.
We only have one option. We have to open it.
Urga nods to Rikael, "Everyone get ready."
Once folks are in position he pulls the spear and backs away from the carriage, falchion ready.
As Urga removes the spear from the handles, the door bursts open and three creatures climb out. They are dressed like the rest of the bodies you see around the site, but do not speak or make any noise.
These are zombies, undead corpses animated by evil magic.
Zombies are slow and not particularly bright. They often have difficulty moving and attacking at the same time.
Zombies are resistant to piercing and blunt damage.
Urga: DC 10 reflex check to avoid damage from the zombies exiting the carriage.
Round 1
Sildur's seems visibly shaken by the grisly figures as they emerge from the carriage.
The ulfen man quickly regains his composure however, he calls out to Thorn and Rikael, "The fey are still here, we're under attack!
"Dru!, Sildur make a sharp gesture in the direction of the lead attacker.
The two of them move together, each closing with the target. Sildur lashing out with his dagger and Dru raising on his hind legs to maul the target with teeth and claws.
Sildur :
Dru :
Izumi screams and points at the creatures, "AAAAAAAHHHH... We are being attacked!"
Zombies! Everyone, use slashing blows! There is foul magic afoot here! Cayden help us, are those people who were in the caravan?
Rikael rushes forward, aiming to occupy the second zombie. He spins Feybane in his hand and he moves, and when he gets to the zombie, he brings it down in a vicious downward chop.
Thorn looks.
Thorn Sighs as he sees everybody rush in.
Thorn decides that the best he can do is wait it out. It was such a nice day too. Spear placed on the outside, and no one asked if the ones inside could respond? He could have being too paranoid too but it could be a fey trap like now.
Thorn stays where he is waiting.
Rikael, Sildur and Dru should be able to handle it. thinking to himself.
Reflex check:
Knowledge (Religion):
Urga moves to attack the zombie north of the carriage, slashing with his falchion.
Attack: Damage:
Agatha casts hex:evil eye at the zombie with long hair. The zombie is unaffected, its mind too rotten to be affected by doubt.
Sildur slashes the zombie with his dagger and Dru follows up with two claw slashes. Dru attempts to bite the zombie, but gets only a mouthful of cloth. The zombie looks like it is about ready to fall apart, but stays in the fight.
The woman zombie shambles toward Urga, but can't do anything other than walk.
Rikael moves forward in a rage. His swing with the sword Feybane lays the zombie low with a single blow!
Urga deftly avoids the zombies as they exit the carriage. He then moves himself slightly to get a good swing at the woman zombie. The heavy weight of Urga's falchion makes short work of the zombie, returning it to death.
Thorn shows his confidence in his teammates by letting them handle the threats.
The one remaining zombie attempts to slam Dru.
The zombie lands a crushing blow on the side of Dru. He looks wounded but not enough to be in danger of falling.
Our group of valiant heroes have dispatched two of the zombies. A single, wounded zombie stands between the team and victory.
The mountain bear roars in pain as the zombie rips open it's side.
Sildur's voice is ragged and filled with rage as he shouts at his companion, "Dru, Flank!"
With the bear and his master both edge around the enemy, seeking to split it's attention and unleash their fury.
Sildur :
Dru :
Dru! Dru, are you ok?
He pulls his sword out of the carcass and twirls it, cleaning he blood off of it before turning to the next threat.
Agatha prepares herself for close combat with the remaining zombie.
Sildur and Dru reduce the last zombie to a pile of body parts.
Rikael looks into the carriage and sees no more zombies (or other creatures for that matter).
As the battle stops Izumi says, "That was quite gruesome. It's bad enough that the guards and ladies had to die, but much worse that they were raised as undead."
It is shortly after 400pm.
Temperature is in the low 40's and wind is calm.
Since there are no more threats, Rikael will conduct a more thorough search of the carriage.
I wonder if there was any specific reason that only the people in this carriage were brought back? And why was it locked from the outside? Did Yuln bar it?
Thorn interjects now.
"Because they may have being left around as a trap for others coming after them. Who knows what the fey and the winter witches could have thought off. This was a delaying tactic and if it picked off more of us, the better."
Sildur inclines his head, "A trap seems most likely. We had best finish up here quickly. Can someone get a fire going to thaw out the captain over there?"
While the others continue searching, Sildur does his best to wash out and bandage Dru's wound. The mountain bear's breaths are labored but he seems to be in no immediate danger. Sildur hums softly to his friend as he works.
Urga nods his agreement while he cleans the gore from his falchion, "A trap no doubt. We must be wary of these insidious fey. Does the bear require healing?"
Urga then helps the others chop up portions of the carriage for the fire.
Rikael pokes his head out of the carriage to reply.
If that was truly a trap then the fey are sinister beings indeed. This whole situation is curious, though. Why the noble lady? Why set a trap? If they were that smart, and planned this out that well, then they must have a damn good reason for taking her. I have no skill tracking, but maybe there are tracks from when they captured and carried her off?
Sildur nods to the half-orc, "Damn thing left a nasty wound in Dru's side. You would have his and my thanks if there is anything you can do?"
In answer to Rikael's question, Sildur inclines his head in the direction of the snowy trail leading into the forest, "I'd say it's fairly certain this wasn't a random attack. I'd wager that's where they carried here off...always the forests with these fey."
Urga will casts CLW on Dru:
"There you are my friend, good as new."
Dru grunts appreciatively and rubs against Urga's leg. Sildur smiles his thanks at the half-orc's efforts.
Sildur then helps Urga collect wood and pile it at the foot of the frozen man. Taking out his flint and steel he quickly sets a blaze to melt the ice trapping the corpse.
After everybody is fairly certain there are no more immediate dangers, Rikael searches the carriage that held the zombies. At one time, the inside of the carriage was very well appointed, suitable for a minor to moderate noble. Most of the cushions and finery have since been ruined by the zombies.
It does appear that the previous attackers missed a hidden compartment in the seat. In that compartment, Rikael finds a signet ring, a pair of earrings, a set of pearl inlaid bracelets, some assorted gold and silver necklaces, and a sapphire pendant.
The ring bears the mark of Lady Argentea Malassene, the noble that Yuln claimed to be in the employ of.
Jewelry Values
Earrings: 25gp
Pearl Inlaid Bracelets: 90gp
Assorted necklaces: 75gp
Sapphire Pendant: 50gp
Thorn can find no other traps. There are obvious tracks of men and horses leading up the trail in area E. The exact number can't easily be determined, but it appears to be at least 6 to 8 men and a horse or two.
Sildur and Urga gather firewood and try to start a fire. Once it gets going, Izumi starts to warm herself up as well. It will likely take a half hour or more to get a fire big enough to start thawing the Captain. The hand holding the sword thaws quickly, allowing you to collect his sword without too much effort. The man's body becomes a big, bloody mess as the temperature rises.
"That is terribly revolting, " says Izumi, struggling to not look closely at the body as it thaws.