Rennyn does a double take when Fenra exits her wagon wearing absolutely nothing. Well, that's one way to make an entrance, he thinks to himself. Many other questions cloud his mind momentarily, before he pushes them away to focus at the task at hand.
As Draeven swings his heavy sword around to get it into position to strike again he catches sight of Fenra's naked form. Holy sh*t! he blurts out involuntarily before composing himself and remarking, A little cool out here for the birthday suit no? Might work as a decent distraction, he muses before adding, You might get more attention from these guys than you want.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
...
No sooner does Rennyn make his way towards Ameiko's wagon than eight more intruders appear threatening Draeven's position. But that's not all. Another eight warriors press in on the very wagon the paladin has taken unto his charge. The men are all similarly dressed, heavy cloaks, carrying battle axes, round wooden shields and now that the fun has begun, cry in unison, WhoooAhh!
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
BN59: Dazed to Round 2 | HP18
BN60: SAtt. | HP18
Groups B&C 2xMA 60ft
Spivey MA+casts Daze Round 1 | Draeven: 8 points strain
Seeing the mass of men materialize to his right Draeven realizes he at risk of being cut off or surrounded, or both. He brings his sword around at the other man directly in front of him...
...chopping him violently before back peddling towards the wagons while calling out, Rally on Rennyn between the wagons! Spivey! Sanctuary on Ameiko!
Rennyn sees Draeven break off and retreat towards the wagons as Sandru emerges from Ameiko's. We need to create a bottleneck here between the wagons. Keep them from overwhelming us with numbers. He takes a worried glance towards Fenra and at the other wagons waiting for the rest to emerge. With Draeven moving back on this side of the wagons, Rennyn spins and takes up a spot beside Sandru. He digs his feet into the ground and raises his sword in both hands high over his head and awaits the charging horde...
Rounding the corner Fenra sees the large group approaching from the North (group B). Her hands dance in the air and among them the night sky suddenly seems to be filled shifting colours.
Jeryn wakes to shouts and Fenra's quick shake. Rising quickly he grabs his spell pouch, casts mage armour on himself and exits the wagon.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Combat!
...
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
List of Dead: BN60, BO60, BL74, BM75
BN59: Round 2, MA+SA throwing axe vs. Fenra | HP18
Group B: Fascinated except BI60 & BK63 | Round 2 BI60 charges Draeven to BO68, BK63 MA+SA
Group C: Charges except for five at the rear BA72-76 - MAx2
The lone survivor of the first group shakes his head clear of Spivey's spell and, stepping over his fallen comrades, presses his way into camp. Upon seeing Fenra standing naked by the firelight the man whoops with excitement and wisely avoids certain death. He draws a throwing axe and sends the weapon hurling toward the oracle which lands a solid hit on her right leg.
Emerging from the wagon, Ameiko is quickly followed by Shalelu. The two heed Rennyn's words and with a snap of her fingers, the Tian summons up her shamisen. As she does, Spivey appears next to her finishing a prayer to the goddess of dreams. Touching the Tian Spivey conveys to Ameiko the goddess's compassionate warding for protection. Ameiko's bachi strikes the cords of her shamisen and one of her courageous tunes ripples through the air. Nearby, Shalelu takes up her position and notches an arrow. Picking her target the elf launches her missile sending it deep within the man's cloak.
Meanwhile, Rennyn's wagon rocks as both Kenan and Koya exit. The old woman presses her thumbs together and draws the wings of Desna over her heart, also asking for the goddess's compassion. She does her best to take up her position but is short of breath. Kenan springs to the top of the Varisian style wagon. The dwarf draws his bow and seeing Shalelu's aim selects the man next to him. Loosing the arrow, it flies true striking deep into the folds of the man's cloak.
The intruders respond. With a roar the lead charges and Rennyn's blade fells two. Their positions are quickly replaced by more who quickly take up their axes against the group. The clash of metal rings through the night air with Shalelu taking the brunt of the attack. Behind these are yet more. Five Ulfen warriors move into view chanting encouragement to their companions and wielding their axes menacingly.
At the other end of camp, Fenra's spell holds most of the remaining attackers at bay - save for two. One of them advances on Draeven swinging his battle axe at the big guy's head. Draeven would have dodged it, however the charging cry of a second warrior distracted him and a stinging blow connects with his out turned shoulder.
Draeven shrugs off the ax blow while bringing his own weapon down on one of the men pursuing him...
...removing both of the man's arms at the elbows before sliding back and to his left to give himself more room to work. He goads the man who attacked Fenra, Coward! Attacking a naked woman? Your people must be proud!
Rennyn's sword is a whirlwind of death...
...cutting down a third Ulfen warrior as he tries to move past Rennyn.
Seeing Shalelu and Kenan target different men Rennyn calls out above the din, Concentrate your attacks! Target the wounded! We need to whittle their numbers down as fast as possible! He then spins his sword around and slices neck high at the man before him...
...opening a geyser of blood under his chin. Rennyn then reverses his grip and stabs at the next warrior's chest...
...driving his katana clean through, his blade emerging from the center of the man's back.
Sandru attacks the first man who comes within reach of his sword...
...slashing him across the thigh.
Sandru attacks the same warrior he bloodied across the thigh...
...catching him just under the armpit and sending the man crashing to the ground.
Spivey casts daze at the Ulfen threatening Shalelu...
...and the man's features cloud as the spell takes hold of his mind. Shalelu! I dazed the man in front of you!
Ameiko continues her inspiring performance.
Shalelu, seeing the man in front of her fall victim to Spivey's spell lifts her bow and fires point blank into him...
...driving 2 arrows into his torso but the third arrow lodges in the bridge of the nose piece in his helmet.
Kenan sees that Shalelu's man does not fall and sends his own arrow at the man...
...putting it right into his eye socket. He sends a second arrow at the man behind...
...and puts an arrow in his eye as well.
Jeryn tries to get as close to Fenra and/or cut off a direct path to her, readying burning hands should someone approach.
Koya casts bless on her allies.
Fenra winces as the axe strikes her, a trickle of blood runs down her leg. Letting the lights linger on the far group, she moves closer to her friends and wraps her starry cloak around her.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Combat!
...
It is an all out battle and although the intruders outnumbered the group, the realization that it is the intruders who are in trouble begins to take shape with at least one of them. Already eight of their own have fallen with almost nothing to show for the cost. Still the sound of battle continues. Draeven's words draws in his next victim. The warrior swings his axe but narrowly misses the big man.
Shot in the face and his eye in ruins, one of the warriors screams in pain as he clutches at his face. Covering the wound with his hand, the man turns and flees the battle with what's left of his life less he join his comrades . With spaces created, the rear guard steps up to fill in the gaps. Three swing their weapons finding weaknesses in the group's defensive line while two of the five produce throwing axes and hurl them at the monk. The rotating metal blades glimmer and flash in the firelight and with little room to maneuver on top of the wagon, Kenan's efforts to evade the weapons fails and he feels their stinging blows. But not as badly as Rennyn. With foes piling in on all sides of the paladin, he is hard pressed and suffers a deep cut across his forearm.
As the battle intensifies between the wagons, on Draeven's side of the camp it is play time. Faced with only two warriors, the second steps up with a pitiful display of weaponry not even worthy of a child learning to chop wood. The attack doesn't come close to the green figure of death.
Then from out of the shadows of the furthest wagon and amidst all the confusion and cries, Jeryn slips out. His robes are tied neatly and hair combed - the wizard is finally ready for what could be the most important battle of his career.
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
List of Dead: BN60, BO60, BL74, BM75, BO68, BL72, BL73, BN73
BK73 wounded for 15 - one eyed guy. Flees MAx2 to AY65
BM75 HP4, SA vs. Rennyn
BO65: Round 3 | HP18
Group B: Fascinated until end of Round 4 except BN68 | Round 3 BN68 5ft step+SA
Group C: BA72-76 MA+SA, BK73 (HP 3) flees, BL74 SA
Sandru swings again at the wall of meat before him...
...wounding the previous man's replacement.
Draeven hacks at the coward...
...and removes his head. Not laughing now are we?
Spivey casts daze at the Ulfen threatening Shalelu...
...and the man's features cloud as the spell takes hold of his mind. Shalelu! I dazed the man in front of you!
Rennyn takes his wound wordlessly, letting his sword be his reply...
...adding two more bodies to the pile at his feet.
Ameiko continues her inspiring performance.
Shalelu, seeing the man in front of her fall victim to Spivey's spell , draws her short sword and chops at the man battling Sandru...
...finishing off the wounded man.
Kenan fires at two arrows at of the men in the back...
...putting both into the man's heart, causing him to pitch over dead.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Combat!
...
No sooner does Koya's holy symbol pulse filling the party with the divine graces of Desna, than more bodies of the intruders pile. Only four remain: one in a stunned daze, a woman with eyes showing shock, another moments from Pharasma's judgment and an older man. He glares at Rennyn with a wild look and shouts, Jarel! Jarel!
Faugh! Han er begeistret! Birgit! Løpe! Få ord til sjefen! Dette må være dem! before taking another swing at the paladin. The attack is followed quickly by the pale looking warrior. Both axes land glancing blows threatening to test the elf's resolve.
As the warriors do their part, the woman turns and disappears into the night.
cleave attack vs BL,75: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
Group C Round 4 Actions:
BK73 HP 3 - one eyed guy. Continues to flees MAx3 to AW48
BL75 HP 1 SA
BL74 HP 18 SA, BK74 HP 18 - Flees AZ71
BL72 Dazed HP 18
Group B: Fascinated | BN69 SA
Spivey calls out to the others, He told that woman to "get word to the boss!" That we "must be them!"
Shalelu! Spivey! Sandru! Kenan! Stop that woman! And the other one that fled! Rennyn replies as he absorbs the two axe blows without serious injury.
Jeryn seeing only two warriors remaining near the wagons, sends a force missile ramming into each of their chest's...
...knocking the severely wounded man back and to the ground where he wheezes out his last breath in a puff of frosty air.
Koya seeing the blood running down Rennyn's arm, speaks soothing words while making the sign of Desna. Her hand begins to softly glow a golden yellow with flecks of blue as she reaches out and touches the wounded paladin. The glow transfer to him and envelopes his whole body before concentrating in the wound...
...completely mending the gash in his arm in an instant while restoring some of his vitality as well. Rennyn nods in thanks.
On it! Sandru exclaims as he takes off in pursuit.
Draeven...
...mercilessly cuts down the last man before him with a savage swing of his blackened steel great-sword.
As you wish! Spivey exclaims before racing off to cut off the woman.
Rejuvenated by Koya's blessed touch Rennyn slices at the last warrior standing before him...
...but his katana is blocked by the man's shield. He then slide steps and calls out to Ameiko, Now Ameiko!
Ameiko strikes a powerful chord, draws her mithril rapier with a flourish and moves to the opposite side of the man facing Rennyn...
...stabbing the man in the backside.
Shalelu nods to Rennyn's request, throwing her sword to the ground and sets off in pursuit with the others.
Kenan calls upon his inner strength to aid in his pursuit of the fleeing enemies as he leaps down from the wagon and sets off in pursuit, bow in hand.
Fenra moves towards the fascinated group and strengthens the spell holding them in place.
As the fair oracle moves towards the group she notices her spell remains as strong ever. It is as though it had only just been cast, and by the looks on the faces of the men, they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Draeven muses out loud about the implications of what Spivey said the man told the woman who fled. Boss huh? Isn't much of a boss if he sends his men and woman to be slaughtered. He spits emphatically on the ground and then watches as the completely nude Fenra strolls towards the group standing mesmerized by the glowing lights in the sky.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Combat!
...
The fair oracle's bare feet glide across the cold ground towards the group of intruders to the west. Their eyes are glazed, watching shimmering images of her naked form twist and weave in the air. As Fenra begins to cast her next spell, the men blink hard and come to their senses when a cone of vivid colors washes over them - the group drops to the ground unconscious.
Sandru, Shalelu and Kenan race away from the campsite following Spivey in pursuit of the fleeing woman. Sandru's movement draws the keen eye of the intruder facing Rennyn however and the caravaneer is stopped in his tracks by a well placed swing of an Ulfen battle axe.
The tall woman did not get far before the Lyrakien caught up to her and it is an easy run for the others to cut her off. Surrounding the intruder Shalelu and Sandru raise their swords as the monk draws up his bow ready to fire. The elf issues her challenge, Halt!
Back at the wagons, a battered Ulfen warrior cries out in protest to Ameiko's blade. Not considering the Tian girl a serious threat, he turns his axe back on Rennyn narrowly missing a chance to score another wallop on the elf's flank. Meanwhile, the dazed Ulfen stirs to life. Seeing Ameiko standing with her back to him, he takes up his weapon. Lucky for Ameiko she catches the glint of steal and manages to twist out of the way saving herself from harm.
To the north, the Ulfen woman shakes off Spivey's attempt, I've seen that trick before imp! However her attempt to flee is cut short as Shalelu and Kenan quickly surround her. Thwarted, but by no means defeated, the woman shouts her rebuttal, Not likely elf whore! and swings her battle axe at the elf maiden. Shalelu parries the blow with her sword, her elven lips curl devilishly at the woman's supposed insult.
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
Group C Round 5 Actions:
BK73 HP 3 - one eyed guy. Continues to flees MAx3 (AW48 to AZ31)
BL75 Dead
BL74 5+11 Strain of 18, (HP 2) SA vs. Rennyn
AZ71 HP 18 - Saves vs. Daze, stopped by Shalelu and Kenan, SA vs. Shalelu
BL72 HP 18 | Dazed in Round 4, Snaps out of it in Round 5 Init 13, No AoO vs. Shalelu or Ameiko | SA vs. Ameiko
Group B: Fascination broken by Fenra's casting, rendered unconscious by color spray for 6 rounds, then blinded for 4 rounds and 1 round stunned.
Jeryn sees Ameiko sandwiched between the two Ulfen warriors and sends two more arcane bolts slamming into the one Ameiko poked in the back...
...and he crumples to the ground as his ribs crack from the force.
Koya, knowing at least this part of the battle is winding down, decides to wait for the inevitable to play out.
Watch your mouth! Sandru warns the crude woman before slashing at her with his blade...
...connecting solidly. Spivey, we can handle her! Find the man!
Draeven walks over to where the group of Ulfen warriors lay senseless upon the ground. This is no way for a warrior to die, he says grimly while eyeing up the prone figures at his feet. His battle rage subsides as he looks upon the helpless men and women.
Righto! Spivey exclaims before racing off to catch the man.
Rennyn approaches the last Ulfen warrior and brings his katana up from low guard...
...cutting the man across his belly.
Nice shot Jeryn! Ameiko gleefully exclaims as she continues her spin and dances around behind the remaining warrior ...
...she then lunges at him with her rapier...
...running him through the heart, her blade poking out his chest. Withdrawing her blade he crumples to the ground.
Shalelu wordlessly swipes at the woman...
...sending her soul hurtling into the afterlife.
Kenan calls upon his inner strength again to aid in his pursuit of the fleeing enemy as he speeds off after Spivey.
Fenra moves towards the unconscious group and begins to divest them of their belongings, including clothes. She takes the cleanest cloak and wraps it around herself. Anything of value she tosses into one pile and clothing goes into another.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Combat!
...
Spivey speeds off in a cloud of sparkling dust followed closely by Kenan. Even at the monk's enhanced speed the Lyrakien quickly leaves the dwarf in her dust yet he manages to reach Skalsbridge and from there catch sight of the fleeing warrior. The bridge is old with foundations made of large dry stacked stone. Mortar set wooden railings and cut stone spans complete the old bridge. It has stood the test of time well having only suffered minor erosion damage and a dual worn path running down the center of its span from decades of travelers crossing. Rather than weaken the structure, the test of time has strengthened the bridge, packing the stone foundations tighter. Reaching the other side of the stone bridge , Spivey can see the man but he remains out of range for her spell.
Fenra's inspection of the group of unconscious men reveals a standard issue of equipment: a heavy cloak, chain shirt, light wooden shield, battle axe and a couple throwing axes. Unlike the bejeweled Ulfen encountered in Losthome or Eldente, these men possess only one item of any real monetary value - a gold arm-ring depicting a lion’s head . It is likely the men had left their real wealth where ever it was they came from to benefit their families less they fail to return.
Koya wheezes. The excitement of battle has been too much for the old woman and as her adrenalin returns to normal levels she begins to shiver in the night air. She draws her arms close for warmth, the action serving as a reminder that nights are cold here .
Attackers: AC15 HP18 Battle axe +5 att. 1d8+2
Group C Round 5 Actions:
BK73 HP 3 - one eyed guy. Continues to flees MAx3 (AZ31 to BP27)
BL74 Dead
AZ71 Dead
BL72 Dead
Group B: Fascination broken by Fenra's casting, rendered unconscious by color spray for 6 rounds, then blinded for 4 rounds and 1 round stunned.
Jeryn moves to join the others in stripping the weapons and shields from the fallen warriors.
Having been out of her wagon for a half a minute now, Koya moves over to the fire to keep from catching her death
Sandru chases after Kenan.
Draeven begins removing weapons and shields and throwing them some distance away from the downed warriors.
Spivey catches up to the man and casts command. "Fall!
Rennyn joins the others at the unconscious warriors.
Ameiko joins Koya at the fire.
Shalelu follows Sandru.
Kenan keeps his speed up through mental fortitude as he pursues the fleeing man , ready to launch an arrow should he spot the man.
Seeing the many others there to finish dealing with the fallen, Fenra makes her way quickly back to her wagon and puts on something more appropriate. She then joins Koya by the fire and asks, Where's Kenan?
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
The last thing the Ulfen warrior heard was that compelling voice. Did he heed the command? He can't remember. His memory and his life went black seconds later, ended by an arrow through his heart.
Back at the camp, as Koya and Ameiko gather by the fire, the rest of the group gathers to strip the survivors of their possessions. Cloaks are loosened and weapons removed and while the intruders remain unconscious they will wake up before Fenra has her way with all of them.
Where is she going? Draeven asks incredulously as Fenra wanders off suddenly, the task of securing the captives far from complete.
Down by the fire Koya responds to Fenra, You didn't hear Rennyn send him and some of the others to run down the two that fled? I'm sure if they were in trouble we would hear something. Or Spivey would come fetch us.
Rennyn, Draeven and Jeryn yank away the warriors weapons and shields and then await their imminent return to consciousness.
Spivey flies a quick search pattern overhead to try and see where the man was fleeing to being careful to not been seen. Just her specialty.
Ameiko warms her hands over the fire and asks, So I wonder who sent these men after us? She looks pointedly at Fenra, knowing her... ability to sometimes see people's past just by a touch.
Kenan jogs up and grabs the dead man by the scruff of his collar and begins dragging him back to the camp. Meeting Shalelu and Sandru in his short pants coming his way, he turns them around to backtrack and retrieve the woman as well. Nice legs, the monk chides Sandru.
Once back at camp they drop the bodies in the pile and head over to join the others around the prisoners.
Fenra shudders at the memory of her past experiences "seeing" the past.
I will give it a try. We do have some live ones though, we could just ask. And if these two, she gestures towards the bodies Kenan dragged back, were rushing off to tell someone something I would think we may have more trouble on our hands shortly. Does anyone have any injuries they need tended to before then?
Fenra deals with anyone who needs tended to then approaches the captives.
Quickly imbuing her already silver tongue with a little more persuasiveness she asks a likely looking captive, Whatever prompted you to attack us in such a manner? All the Ulfen I have met are honourable warriors, not assassins in the night; I cannot believe you acted of your own accord! She sounds incredulous.
Land of the Linnorm Kings | Varisia | Eldente | Solskinn | Losthome | Skalsbridge |
Sandru shrugs at the dwarf but promptly follows directions. While the group polices up the bodies and dusts off Fenra notices that none of the captives will so much as look her in the eye. All of them stare stoically, a somewhat familiar kind of zen look, at the ground with not so much as a look of defeat to etch their faces.
Overhead, Spivey's search turns up a boat beached down stream nearly 500ft away. The small river knarr has a length of 52 feet and 20 sets of oars. It is the equivalent of a keelboat but with the speed of a longship. Painted upon its prow in Skald is the name Aril’s Hammer. There is nothing of interest aboard the ship. Nearby and well sheltered by a grove of trees is a simple camp. Several small tents covered in branches and shrubs which still look freshly cut are scattered around a modest fire pit which shows no signs of recent use. The tiny woman gathers what information she can and speeds back to camp to report.
Fenra leaves the captives and makes her way back to the bodies.
Well maybe this will be faster after all.
She hesitantly begins going through their belongings, bracing herself at each new object to see if something triggers a vision.
Draeven respects that none of the men's tongues start wagging immediately. He does however wish to know the answer to Fenra's questions. If you won't talk, then we have no use for you at all. First man to tell us what we want to know goes free. The others? Well... his voice trails off as he lets their imagination fill in the rest as he makes sure his gigantic blood spattered sword is in full view of the captives.
As Fenra and Draeven spoke, Rennyn had been examining the warriors auras for sign of taint and then examined theirs auras and bodies for the tell-tale trace of magic upon the men . Lastly he tapped into his ability to understand all spoken languages before asking of his companions, Do they even understand the common tongue? Perhaps these fellows only speak Ulfen. Spivey could translate for us.
Ameiko joins the group interrogating the prisoners. Well, if they speak the common tongue, I can attempt to charm one of them to try and get him to spill the beans.
The men remain stoic despite Draeven's attempt to instill fear into their hearts. Whatever it is that's motivating them, death by the big man's hands pales in comparison. Their mouths remain shut and no clue is gleamed as to what they can or cannot understand.
Watching the captives carefully, the paladin's intuition tells him none of these men are truly evil and while some of them remain intent upon bringing harm upon the group, they are no more than normal men sent to do bad things - hardly meriting eradication by divine edict.
Rennyn lets his vision shift in spectrum. He notes the men possess nothing magical in nature, however an aura lingers over all of them. This is something which is suggestive of an enchantment...
As you study the aura a foul taste fills your mouth. There is filth and the metallic taste of blood present; evidence of necromancy. While the nature of this spell is on the tip of your tongue, there is a compulsion here not to utter it less your own blood spurt forth. In liturgies past, you have come across examples of similar spells; the geas has been employed to silence the untrustworthy or compel the timid. This feels right but the spell employed on these men is more sinister; it has been perverted. Cursed or designed to curse.
Fenra's hands at first reach for an obvious item, a battle axe or cloak but is drawn instead to one of the men's golden arm bands. As the oracle touches the jewelry the fog hits and her eyes glaze white. From amidst the vapory curtain comes the outline of a large club speckled with metal studs. It quickly disappears, replaced by a large farm with sod buildings. Ulfen men are at work, some of them the piled dead. A tall blonde man with a braided beard approaches and the men gather. Instructions are given but the only word Fenra hears is "Longthews". The scene shifts and they are rowing upstream. Beaching their craft the men make camp and time passes. Scouts return at dawn; once, twice. The third time the scouts return early and the camp empties. The men slowly cross Skalsbridge. It feels like hours but then Rennyn's face emerges. There is a flash of steal and the sharp sting of cut flesh. Fenra's eyes clear. She has collapsed to the cold ground clutching at her stomache. Memory of the paladin's blade is fresh and while the pain is real, the wound is but a figment. As the pain fades with each passing breath, she sees the golden band laying a few inches from her outstretched hand.
Rennyn gets Jeryn's attention. These men have a magical aura about them. Perhaps they are compelled in some way? I do not possess the knowledge to determine the nature of the magic involved. What can you tell?
Of course, the wizard replies as he casts the his own spell to analyze their aura. He sees what Rennyn is referring to...
...There is filth and the metallic taste of blood present; evidence of necromancy. While the nature of this spell is on the tip of my tongue, there is a compulsion here not to utter it less my own blood spurt forth. In liturgies past, I have come across examples of similar spells; a geas has been employed to silence the untrustworthy or compel the timid. This feels right but the spell employed on these men is more sinister; it has been perverted. Cursed or designed to curse.
Just then, Spivey returns and reports on what she found.
Rennyn strokes his chin, as he processes all the information they have gleaned. We have the ship's name, Aril’s Hammer, a name possibly, Longthews, and these, he says as he picks up a golden arm band. I'm sure we have all we need to figure out who sent these men after us should we deem that necessary.
Turning to Fenra he adds, Would you recognize the farm and the braided man should we see them in the future?
Turning back to the captives he pauses for a moment before speaking. Strip them of everything save for their clothes and cloaks. Bind their hands and link them by the necks. Burn the ship. Someone should come upon them after daybreak. Addressing the men directly he adds, I suggest you use the time from now til morning to bury your friends. I'm sure you'll find plenty of stones along the river. If we ever lay eyes on any of you ever again, death will be the penalty.
Back to his companions, We should break camp right now and move at least a few miles further along. We can rest longer there.
Draeven, with the help of a few others, line the dead up in rows, stripping them of all weapons, armor and possessions as well. He Kenan and Spivey then gather some oil and a torch and go to burn the ship.