Firstly, everyone, Prologue 2 is now up in the campaign resources; it introduces the new party and the current situation. Please read it!
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It's 3 days since the original party left Kassen.
Goldi is wandering in the forest, as she has been doing every day, going further and further away from the town, trying to come to terms with having missed out on the quest. She finds Jaer, badly wounded, having escaped some kind of battle in the crypt.
Jaer, wounded and confused, sees Goldi loom into view and screams.
The rest of the group, along with a drunken priest, Gram, is heading to Kassen from Fort Trefon, another small town, a week's travel to the east, hoping to join the party usually held at the end of the quest. They hear screams from the forest and - hopefully - go to investigate.
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Goldi had been traipsing through the woods, Truffles by her side listening to her the whole way.
Why Truffles? I mean am I that much of a screw-up. She was going to put me in then she back away. she picks up a stone and tosses it at a tree, She then turns to Truffles, Yeah I know there was the time I made all her apple trees turn to poison Ivy, but really, that was not my fault. Of course I may be a little clumsy at times, but hey who isn't. You saw the look on Pa's face, I was afraid to go home after that.
she picks up another stone and tosses it int the woods and plops down on the ground. honestly, maybe they are right. I'm not ready..
She barely finished her thought when she heard movement nearby. thinking it just a chipmunk or something Goldi ignores it.
But Truffles perks up, starts sniffing the air. He quickly starts nudging Sugar.
No Truffles, I'm in no mood to play. she says trying to push him away.
Truffles gives a few snorts, SNORT...SNORT as he continues to nudge Goldi.
Finally He grabs her scythe in his his mouth and starts to run toward what he was smelling.
Hey Truffles, what are you doing. Goldi yells chasing after Truffles.
it isn't long before Goldi sees what Truffles had been smelling.
Truffles had stopped when he saw Jaer and dropped the scythe.
Goldi caught up and grabbed her scythe off the ground.
truffles that was not very nice, you should know..... Goldi stops when she sees Jaer lying there bleeding.
oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.... Goldi rushes over to see if she is still alive.
looking to Truffles, Truffles, guard us, who or whatever did this might still be around
Jaer, what happened? she asks as she starts to make sure she is gonna survive
Jarif jerks his head at the sound of a scream. What was that? he asks nobody in particular... and thus everybody. He sees the priest leading their group respond with barely a shrug. Piece of work, that guy. Sarenrae he said? Looks more like Cayden, and the worst of that kind.
Should we go check that out? Jarif drops his hands to the hilts of the two swords he carries, and scans the trees, trying to be sure of the direction of the scream. He looks to the rest of the group, clearly interested in investigating.
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"'should we go check it out?' A scream in the middle of the woods this far from the border? It doesn't take my genius to suspect that someone might be in trouble, I'd have thought even you could work that one out old man. Or have you joined the drunks?"
Without waiting for a response Ehlers heads off in the direction of the scream, using his staff to part foliage before him.
Haska liked walking. He always had. His clan had often told him that he liked walking too much. So as long as he was walking, he didn't mind the prattling priest or the arrogant elf. He found them as easy to tune out as every other obnoxious person he had ever known. Which was most of the non-dwarves he had known.
The scream, though, was not easy to ignore. Upon hearing it, he quickly muttered a prayer and then changed the direction of his walk to move toward the sound.
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Well, I don't know, maybe we're a#$~#@!s? I haven't been around in a few decades; how am I to know? It's been a while since I've lived in a place where helping out was the thing to do....
Jarif shakes off the brash insult and follows the rest towards the sound.
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Robilar walks with the rest, mostly silently observing them and their whereabouts This sure is a loud lot... I have to get used to people talking so much, Master didn't like to chat
When they hear the scream, his hand instinctively go for his crossbow and he runs after the rest.
"She's bleedin' all over the place... but we can fix this. Hang on, little lady..." he says mostly to himself as he starts closing over where the body is laying, when he sees the angry boar "Eh.. pardon, but is this thing yours or an aquintance of you? I am a doctor, and I can help."
Jaer stares through bloody eyes at Goldi. "Goldi, am I seeing ... Ah, hell this hurts"
Goldi manages to successfully stabilise her fellow halfling as five figures rush through the forest towards them.
Gram manages to arrive first, notices the boar and skids to a halt, taking in the scene. "Er, madam, if this is your boar, please have it back off. I'm a priest, and my colleagues here can help. I have a number of potions here ..."
He holds up a couple of flasks, to try and demonstrate good faith (in several senses).
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Ehlers is not one for small talk or the needs of the flesh. He stays at the edge of the group, observing the two female halflings with a detached calculation. Before turning to the one still standing
"Yes, yes, they'll fix her up, were all very concerned and all that. What happened here young lady?"
Jarif gives the boar a good amount of space as he scans the area to make sure there are no immediate threats. He says nothing more as he listens for answers.
Haska was surprised to see the priest offering to help. He's not useless after all. He decided to watch and see how things play out.
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Truffles gives warning Snort directed at Goldi then a second at the approaching group.
Goldi hears the snaort of Truffles. I think there are others here. If you can, are they responsible for what happened to you? she whispers to jaer moving enough to give her a glimpse of the others approaching.
Godi stands up and stands beside Truffles, she tries her best to look dangerous which is rather difficult what you are rather adorable and hugable halfling.
Who are you. and why are you here. she says in her most intimidating voice.
She tries to keep everyone away until she is sure they mean no harm
Goldi is pretty scared right now, and isn't doing a very good job at hiding it
Jaer winces. "Not if they're alive and have skin," she smiles, ruefully. She's still not strong enough to sit up, but her bleeding is staunched.
Gram says, more forcefully: "We're pilgrims, travelling to the festival in Kassen. I'm a priest; so is my dwarvish, um, friend here. Let us through, we can help."
That girl is a little scared.
Haska nods in affirmation when the human priest mentions him.
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Robilar stares at the boar and says with his calmest voice, which may as well be not calm at all right now "Hey, I will walk there and help that girl. You can bite me if you want, but I will help her."
Having said that he approaches cautiously before kneeling over Jaer "I am Robilar, fear not because I am a trained medic. And don't talk, you can explain what happened when you have rest and we have solved all this gross bleeding."
Alive and have skin? I don't think I like what that portends.
Jarif, having no way to contribute to healing the injured girl, continues to watch for threats.
Truffles come here, lets let them help. calling the boar to her side.
Truffles cautiously backs up to Goldi's side, but stays vigilant.
If you really are healers, Then please help her, she's my friend and I need to know what happened.
Goldi lets them tend to Jaer trying to keep an eye on what they are doing.
Gram runs to the injured halfling, bends by her and give her a sip of a potion; the colour starts to return to her face. "Don't worry, don't worry," he mumbles.
He turns to the others. "She can't be moved. We'll have to camp here for a couple of days, at least."
Jaer sputters. "But, but ... the others! In the Crypt ..."
She looks round at Robilar. "We were the questing team. The one the festival's about. It's meant to be very easy. But something's woken, in the crypt. Something not alive. And that something has woken up its very own crowd of angry undead."
She looks off into the middle distance. "The others ... they're still in there ..."
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Robilar keeps treating and evaluating her "Did I tell you to start speaking, little lady? It looks like you want to bleed all over me again." he says with a smile "Sorry, I tend to joke when I am nervous. Why don't you start telling us your name? Same goes for the boar owner over there." when he is finished he stands up and cleans his hands with a handkerchief he produced.
"As for your friends, well... that's no good, but if they are in peril somebody should help them. Maybe we can go for the town and raise the alarm? I'm not sure how far away we are from there, tho... we could..." he says with a grin, even though he doesn't realises himself.
Haska starts walking in the direction the girl seemed to indicate the crypt was in. Er... He pauses and looks at the group. "The girl will be fine with Gram. I am going to go help them."
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Jarif listens to this back and forth of information. When it becomes clear to him that there are people in the crypt that need assistance now, and that his personal plans for the day have just gone awry, his shoulders slump. I just wanted to get home; quite simple really.
If these people need help, then I guess that's what we'll do. Haska, maybe hold up a moment, and let's plan this out a bit first?
He turns to Jaer. If your doctor will allow, is there anything you can tell us about the crypt or these... undead... that will help?"
The wounded halfling smiles weakly. "My name's Jaer. That's Goldi and Truffles. Pick which is which. The crypt entrance isn't far from here, maybe an hour or so west, along the ravine - make sure you stay in the ravine, otherwise you'll have to come down. The town's at least 3 days away."
She winces. "There are two villagers, maybe still alive as well. Roldare and Dimira. Roldare was barricaded in on the upper level. Make sure you talk nice to him. Dimira - she's been captured, probably taken below, if she's still alive; though they've killed everything else they've found, so that could be wishful thinking."
Gram stops her. "Enough. I'll stay with the girl here, then try to get her back to town if I don't hear from you in a couple of days. Any others that want to stay, stay. I think the rest of you know what's needed?"
This is a new Gram, one you haven't seen before. Forceful and purposeful. You wonder what happened to him, to produce the Gram you've come to know.
Haska nods and starts off for the crypt.
Seeing Haska start tromping off, Jarif throws up his arms in frustration. At least let me lead the way and make sure we're not surprised by anything coming out of the crypt!. Turning to the others, he continues, Try not to be too long; it looks like Haska's going to set our pace.
Jarif sprints briefly to catch up. It's not that you're too loud, it's just that you're too loud. He continues past the dwarf until he can just barely hear him, then proceeds to move as quietly as possible, keeping an eye out for trouble.
Before Jarif goes, Jaer takes something from her tunic and tosses it to him. "This was meant for me, but I may not need it think you may need it - you can give it back to me in Kassen."
It's a pouch, containing a number of brand new pins and small tools.
Goldi goes back to kneel beside her friend. I don't want to leave you, I mean the quest is important, but not as important as you.
looking to the healer, she is gonna be alright, isn't she? a concerned look in her eyes.
When the elf point at her with his staff, pig girl? I have a name, and he does to. I think you should learn it. I might know the way, but it would seem your friends want to figure it out alone. besides, undead? I don't know if I am gonna do any good, I mean they eat your soul or turn you into zombies and stuff like that.
Goldi seems afraid to go, she is definitely not any kind of seasoned adventurer. To her all of this is new, especially when there is good chance people will die.
Gram looks directly at Goldi. Get going and join them. She'll be fine, I promise," he says.
but...but...She seems a bit hesitant, maybe its the idea of undead, or maybe its that these newcomers are a bit scary. They really never did introduce themselves or anything after all.
Haska stops and turns at Jarif's exclamations. He scratches his beard as he listens, then nods and gestures for Jarif to go on ahead.
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The party makes its way along the ravine in ones and twos. Haska and Jarif arrive at the crypt first.
It's an archway of stone, set into the side of a small hill at the bottom of the valley. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylised rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, both of which are open.
Away and slightly to the east is the remains, still smouldering of a bonfire on which the bodies of several animals, probably horses, have been burned.
After arriving at the crypt, Jarif waits for the others. He glances at Haska to see if the dwarf looks ready to charge into the crypt unaccompanied. The sight of the burned corpses by the door drives home the reality of what's happening; Jarif does not look eager to plunge into a crypt of undeath.
While waiting for the others, Jarif will study the rune above the door. Does it mean anything to him?
Eventually Goldi leaves Jaer. please take care of her. she pleads with Gram as she leaves.
come on Truffles, lets go and see what we can do.
AS they walk Goldi has a little trouble keeping up with the tall Elf, quickly becoming winded. but does enjoy the trip much more once he slows his pace to match her's.
Hello Eh..ahhh..Ell...I mean Eher Sugar stumbles with the elven name.
I'm sorry, I really am not good with elf names, but I promise to try harder. Anyway, I am Goldilocks Sugarsnap Ferrywarden. My dad is the world famous Pathfinder chronicler Fulito Ferrywarden. We live in Kassen, well I was born and raised there, but mom and dad were from the River Kingdoms. She says as an introduction.
Oh, and this cute bundle of fun here, is Lord Admiral Truffles. on account he likes Chocolate and water.
SNORT Truffles says in acknowledgement of hearing his name.
As for the others, well here is what I know...
After some walking and chatting, and Truffles running circles around them like a puppy playing in the grass, the two arrive at the Crypt.
Goldi stops as they approach, as does Truffles, Truffles sniffing the air.
Wondering what he smells, Goldi sniffs as well, I really don't like that smell. then noticing the source of the smell, Goldi averts her eyes. what is that? a look of disgust on her face.
Haska waits with Jaer for the others to arrive at the crypt. He studies the crypt, ignoring the burnt bodies.
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