Tara Eliade |
"Or they wait until we're weakened by the boars!" Tara pipes up, far to cheery for her morbid statement. "Besides yourself and Mr. Duristan, no one else took damage." she adds, kicking the boar's body. "Do you think we should bring the boars back too?"
Pontia Canario |
Pontia nods. "It would also have a chance to watch us fight, and figure out if we're strong enough to give it trouble. When we made short work of the boars (and well done, ladies and gentlemen), it could tell we would not be easily dispatched."
Sophie Kundegard |
Sophie silently thanks her ancestors for the use of the weapon as she readies her longspear.
none of these creatures seem sentient, right?
GM Fuzzfoot |
Duristan squeals with excitement as the last of the boars fall. As you discuss the events, he begins to inspect the stag. "Surely there are signs here. Help me examine the beast."
Excited with the prospect of another kill, Duristan quickly decides to wait out the night in the woods in the hope of catching the werewolves. Delgros derides Duristan’s plan as a “fool’s errand” and informs Duristan that he’s heading back to the lodge before night falls.
"You, brave adventurers, clearly you see the wisdom in staying out for the sport. It will be a hunt like no other!"
Sophie Kundegard |
heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
"Fah! This is not wisdom at all, fool noble child. But I do love a good monster hunt."
Vivian Deberth |
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Vivian inquisitive green eyes, and her expertise at wounds, are up to the task again.CSI:Ustalav theme
She points out the differences between two sets of wounds
See there? Those are punctuating wounds, like boars tusks, or if someone used a spear or short sword. These, however, are slashing wounds, biting and claws. That's what caused the deer's death. The boars only damaged its body further
GM Fuzzfoot |
"So, it's settled then? Setup camp, boys!"
The few hanger-ons and hirelings that Duristan travels with start pulling out camping gear.
Delgros throws up his hands. "Well, I am not staying. Have a good night."
With Delgros departing, Duristan suggests putting traps about the perimeter, and wait for the wolves to come to them. Without waiting for your reply, Duristan splits his hirelings into pairs, and instructs them to bait the perimeter and keep watch. From the crates, his hirelings pull several silvered, toothed wolf traps and hunks of raw meat. Two pairs head out in opposite directions. The third pair remains behind, setting up a small camp, while Duristan pours each of you a crystal snifter of exquisite Ustalavic brandy. He entreats you each to tell him of your exploits, and listens eagerly and attentively.
Vivian Deberth |
i think he's a danger for himself, and maybe every one else. But he seems well-prepared at least, as you can see with the silvered wolf traps traps. It seems odd to me that Delgros left the safety of a camp, but I might be too suspicious. The man probably knows how to handle himself in the wilderness, or else he won't be tasked to be an hunting guide.
Sense Motive on Delgros: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Silas Womarsh |
Silas nods in agreement. "I'm sure it goes without saying that we need to stay extra vigilant," the large man says. He reaches up and puts his hand on the woman's shoulder.
An instant later and he seems to realize what he did and jerks his hand away, his face turning a mottled red. "S-sorry," he stammers and steps away.
Vivian Deberth |
Nothing to get sorry for. It was round under your hand, but it was only my shoulder. it's softer elsewhere, if you wonder..
The pretty redhead winks at the big warrior, hoping to make him even more unconfortable.
Pontia Canario |
Pontia seems to be oblivious to the byplay between the grizzled fighter and Vivian as she produces a floating torch and studies her spellbook. Then she stands up and circles the camp, casting a spell.
Casting alarm.
"I'll have some warning if anything comes after us. I should prepare some surprises for them as well, I think." She sits back down on one of the stools, sipping her brandy and paging through her spell book again.
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Niculaie returns his unused silver arrow to the quiver when the boars fall. The singer follows Vivian's investigation, but seems distracted by the fresher wounds on the boars themselves until the group moves back into the clearing to set up camp. He assists Duristan's hirelings with setting up the tent, and by the time that chore is completed, the dhampir appears to be himself again and accepts their host's brandy gratefully.
"Good thinking, Miss Canario. Mister Airesir - forgive me if I have forgotten your title - those traps appear to be exactly what the situation calls for. Did you come to the Lodge expressly seeking to hunt a lycanthrope?"
Sophie Kundegard |
Sophie eyes the brandy suspiciously. She eventually takes a sip. A few minutes later she is sippimg away contentedly.
She doesn't tell the man much, trying instead to ask questions about his own exploits and get him talking.
GM Fuzzfoot |
"I am always hunting the beasts! In fact, I have killed three to date. It is my calling..."
He removes the clothing from his shoulder and shows you a scar.
"This is a scar-ward. A local witch gave this to me to grant me immunity to the curse of lycanthropy. I can hire her to do the same for each of you when we get back to Ascanor Lodge, if you like."
Later in the evening, as the brandy in the bottle gets lower and the conversation dies down, a short, horrid snarl pierces the night, followed by a smothered scream.
Sophie Kundegard |
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Sophie jumps to her feet, grabbing her longspear. "What was that?"
GM Fuzzfoot |
"Where are all of the men?" Duristan points out that 4 of the hirelings are missing.
Sophie Kundegard |
"Didn't you tell them to keep watch out by the traps you had them set?"
GM Fuzzfoot |
Not yet, but you can investigate...
As Silas approaches, he comes upon a grisly scene.
You find the body of one dead hireling on the ground, and a huge, gray-furred werewolf with bloody jaws holding the lifeless body of another, whose throat has been torn open.
As soon as you approach, the werewolf drops the body she is holding and growls a command. "Stop! We have you entered Vollensag territory?"
Picture on map.
Sophie Kundegard |
"Hunting werewolves" may not be the best answer right now... Sophie thinks to herself. She opens her mouth, clears her throat and says "Why have you have murdered two of our men?"
GM Fuzzfoot |
"The count is four... and you are the invaders, so you will answer my questions!"
Tara Eliade |
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Tara follows behind the group, only to feel the exhaustion that had been creeping up on her dissipate at the grisly sight. Clutching her upper arms in either hand, Tara cowers behind Sophie as the older woman attempts to parlay with the shapeshifter. "We were hired to help escort a package. We didn't know that this was your territory. Perhaps we can make some sort of arrangement? We just want to get back to the lodge." Tara whimpers, trying to keep her voice steady.
Silas Womarsh |
"Murdering men who've entered your unmarked territory is akin to murder via ambush," Silas growls back, not lowering his weapons. "If the penalty for a trespass is death then it should be well known and marked. This is the equivalent of a Varisian Bravo's honor being besmirched because you walked down his public street."
His sword strikes his shield with a challenging clang.
"I could just as easily declare that you're standing within my territory which extends from that tree over there to that one back there. Shall we discuss the penalty for that?"
Yeah, I don't think he's helping.
GM Fuzzfoot |
“Your false explanations are meaningless. Go tell whoever sent you to stay out of wolf affairs! Let him know that his dealings with Mathus Mordrinacht and the Silverhide pack do not sit well with the other tribes of this wood. There shall be much blood spilled between our kin before a Silverhide packlord sits upon Highthrone. Mathus the betrayer shall never claim the title, and should you and yours continue to support him, the wrath of the wolf packs shall fall upon him! Now leave our territory and return to your cozy wooden den, or share the fate of these poor little sheep!”
Silas Womarsh |
"I recognize none of those names and care nothing for the politics of wolf packs," Silas says, making no attempt at subtlety. "However if you wish to test your teeth against mine, dog, then by all means, come face this 'sheep'. I've put down my share of rabid curs and you won't be the last."
Vivian Deberth |
Could we please keep the threats down for a few seconds… We know nothing about Mathus Mordrinacht, a Silverhide pack, or the Highthrone. Could you enlighten us?
Know Local?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Diplomatics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Why have you killed these people, who weren't a threat to you? Why do you think we were sent to meddle in your tribe's affair? Has it happened, recently?
Pontia Canario |
Pontia keeps a hand near her components pouch, ready to cast a spell if necessary. Wonderful...lycanthrope politics. She searches her memory for the names the creature used.
Knowledge check; at least +10: 1d20 ⇒ 18
GM Fuzzfoot |
"Go, now, or you will suffer the same fate!"
While you don't seem concerned, you can see that Duristan and the other hirelings are more than ready to run. "Come one.., let's just get back to the lodge..." Duristan pleas.
You all are new to the area, so you don't know anything about the local politics or werewolf tribes, but these skills will come in handy back at the lodge to discover some information. What Pontia does recall, however, is that wolf packs tend to stay together and protect their territory, so others are not likely far behind.
I think this is going to come down to Silas... what's the move?
Silas Womarsh |
Silas sighs, hearing Duristan's plea. He smiles at the lupine figure in front of him and gives it a small salute with his sword. "Until we meet again," he says and slowly backs away. He never lowers his weapons or turns his back on the creature.
Once they reach the clearing, he finally turns to the others. "Does someone want to tell me why we let that thing kill men with impunity? We should have put it down as a message to the others."
Vivian Deberth |
Because it wasn't alone, even if you haven't seen him. We could have killed one werewolf, but two? Wolf travel and hunts in packs, never forget that. Beside, the second werewolf could have attacked more servants while we were fighting his comrade, killing even more people before we could react. Maybe we will be able to avenge those deaths later, but with careful planning, not rash actions
Vivian hooks arms with Silas, for a brief moment.
I definitively sounded like my mother, being the voice of reason while I was ready to follow my next crazy, reckless, latest urges. It's worrying.
She smiles, but her smile is soon tainted with sadness, as she watches the ravaged corpses that they will have to bring back to the lodge
More bodies to bury...
GM Fuzzfoot |
Duristan is very quiet on the way back to the lodge, and the hirelings all travel in fear.
Upon returning, a halfling servant (Belik) approaches your entrance and greets you. He wears an apologetic grin and carries a silver tray holding hand-carved wooden mugs containing a steaming beverage.
“Please accept my most sincere apologies for my inappropriate behavior earlier. I was not informed of your coming and acted hastily on behalf of the lodge warden. I can assure you that you will suffer no further ill treatment during your stay at Ascanor Lodge.”
Coffee?" He politely offers the mugs.
“If it’s convenient for you, my master requests your company at this time for a brief introduction and to offer his apologies as well.”
Pontia Canario |
Pontia accepts the offered coffee with a smile. "We are not the most reputable-looking group, after several days on the road. A question, if I may: Master Duristan's hirelings were slain by a werewolf, who threatened us and claimed that we were trespassing on Vollensag territory. Do you know what it meant by that?"
Niculaie Pavlencas |
Niculaie broods, uncharacteristically silent on the entire ride back to the lodge. When Belik approaches, however, the dhampir forces his lips into a thin smile and accepts the beverage.
"Thank you, Belik. It has been a discouraging night. Miss Canario has the right of it; we must learn more of the werewolf clans active in the area if we are to investigate and put an end to any further threat."
Sorry again - the switch to working from home hit at a particularly busy time at work and I admit to being distracted by the nightly horror show on the news. Going forward, I will try to stay focused on what's truly important: dealing with these werewolves and the Whispering Way!
Sophie Kundegard |
Sophie seems wary and pensive as they break up the camp. "In the middle of a civil war between werewolves. Oh my. What a pickle." she mutters to herself.
She frowns at Duristan on the way back. "Where is all your big talk of hunting werewolves now, eh? Doesn't quite stir your blood so much, having seen one rip through your men?"
She purses her lips disapprovingly at the halfling that greets the party. "Hmph. You can also tell us if the other hunter made it back. He left alone as we were making camp," she does not accept the offered coffee
Sophie Kundegard |
Once they reach the clearing, he finally turns to the others. "Does someone want to tell me why we let that thing kill men with impunity? We should have put it down as a message to the others."
"We are in dangerous ground, boy. We are blind to the situation and the potential for repercussions. We must not be rash. The wilderness does not always have the same ideas of Justice that we do"
GM Fuzzfoot |
Duristan is quiet and doesn't even respond to Sophie's jibes. Clearly he is struggling with a lack of courage.
-----------
The servant looks at you and all of your questions with a bit of an overwhelmed look. "Errr... whiskey, yes - I can get you that." As for the rest, he simply says "Perhaps you should talk to the Master."
Belik leads you into the lodge, through the Great Hall, and up the south stairs, stopping at the door to the reference library (area D30), where he knocks three times. The door creaks open, revealing a circular room with book-lined walls and Estovion Lozarov.
Belik bows low and presents a formal introduction: “Esteemed guests, may I present Estovion Lozarov, Lodge Warden of Ascanor.”
Estovion thanks the porter and curtly dismisses him, waiting until the halfling’s footsteps fade off down the hall before speaking. Then he greets you and speaks in a somber tone.
“Please do not hold the actions of my porter against him. The error in your improper greeting was entirely mine. I neglected to inform my staff of the open invitations I gave to the Order,”—he pauses here to wink— “and they did not recognize the reservations. Rest assured, however, that all of the lodge’s facilities are at your disposal, including our libraries. While the general library is down the hall, this one,” he says, gesturing at the book-filled shelves, “is likely better suited to your research.”
Vivian Deberth |
There was a misunderstanding, that's all. We thank you for your belated hospitality nonetheless, Master Lozarov. Books are good and all that, but I admit a warm bath, and then a solid meal would be most welcome for now. It has been a long and eventful road.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Sophie Kundegard |
ah yes! we are pretending to be part of the whispering way? or some other group?
Sophie harrumphs. "Yes, well, as we were making camp one of the huntsman left our party to return here. Did he make it safely?"
There are many other questions to ask... but first we must get our bearings.
Silas Womarsh |
The Judge in Lepidstadt that put us on our current path is a member of the Order of the Palantine Eye. The invitations were on the Order's behalf.
"Yes, food and a bath are number one on the agenda at the moment," Silas says, looking around at the shelves of books as if surrounded by armed enemies that could attack at any moment.