"Vampires? They are worthy enemies, and I look forward to slaying them with my lance and your help. We should find them and destroy them as soon as we can!"
Toki seems unfazed by the flying womans appearance, focusing on the idea of real fighting soon.
Koldur's eyes narrows as he hears about an cult of Undead vampires.
Stepping forward, he addresses the harpy woman Amerilari.
"We have had many an unpleasant encounters with the undead and it seems in this respect we share a common enemy. Can you tell us more of your home, when did this attack occur and why would you come to us?" he crosses his brawny arms as he waits for her answers.
What does Ingvarr know about Harpies, Vampires, and the Blood of Vol cult?
Have they turned any of your number into Vampire spawn?" Alembic asks, suddenly very curious. "Not that I know of but very likely eventually."
this is to see what I know about vampires.
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
You know of vampires and the rumors that surround them. Garlic, mirrors, holy symbols, running water, burning them, staking, beheading, and burning. You also know they are true.
You know they are an undead scourge that burn in the daylight. If defeated they will turn into gaseous form and return to their coffins, where you must finish the job otherwise they will heal.
"Word has passed along those who live in the Stolenlands still and we know the names of Koldur the Axe, Johanna the Merciful, and Sable Soren Blademaster. You are the only true force that could stop them as the others hide. My home is a hard night's flight so maybe two days ride. We make nests in the marsh trees above so many."
What does Ingvarr know about Harpies, Vampires, and the Blood of Vol cult?
[dice=Knowledge Nature: Harpies]1d20+10
[dice=Knowledge Religion: Vampires]1d20+12
[dice=Knowledge Religion: Blood of Vol cult]1d20+12
Harpies are often viewed as vicious and corrupted creatures, while ultimately savage and without remorse for their actions, a number of harpies live close to humanoid societies and enjoy parlaying with creatures that they see as potential meals. Harpies always reek with the stench of consumed victims. Harpies are cunning and vile creatures, an amalgam of feral human woman and bird. They have wings and claws, and often have feathers and down across their bodies, but are otherwise humanoid. The plumage of harpies differs by environment and tends to match local bird-life.
You know of vampires and the rumors that surround them. Garlic, mirrors, holy symbols, burning them and staking. You also know they are true. Souless undead that are evil and drink the blood of all who enter their path.
Blood of Vol cult: Is a secretive cult. They are known for appearing in many places and creating other cults to do their dirty work. It is said that a great female vampire leads them. Only those worthy become true vampires. Though there is a stronger version of the vampire spawn that they have been perfecting known as the vampire thrall.
Ingvarr rides over to Sable and says, “She seems unusual for a harpy, and the undead are certainly our enemy...Indeed I have by chance recently done some investigation into the Blood of Vol cult—nasty business, that.” Explaining what he knows (feel free to read the spoiler above), Ingvarr suggests, ”For my part, I say we should help, General; I await your orders.”
She quickly says thanks and flies down the road. The caravan wagons move at 30 per move but could get up to 40 if needed. Most of the mounts move 60, so moving 40 won't be too taxing on your mounts.
You cross the river and soon realize the wagons will likey not make it at the pace you are aimed at.
"We will take it slow and explore this area today. Should we encounter any major problems we will flee. Then likely return home. Though if we are successful we will meet you on the coast in the South of this region. Go, your mounts are trained for combat and to come to your calls. We will be alright, unless the vampire spawn catch up to us!" He points out and jests with the last line.
|
He nods to Ernost and leads the Expedition Force South along the rocky coast following Amerilari.
"I will watch with Hundor for the first and last shift. Arcane spellcaters get the sleep you need. Three men teams for watch should work fine." He states as the setup camp. "Did anyone else bring a tent?"
Amerilari picks up some speed as you can keep up with her better at her full speed now.
You get through 40 and 47 with 8 hours of riding. You choose to make camp before going into the Marsh and let the mounts rest.
She tells you, "At this pace we can get to my home in a few hours, , thank you for trusting me and coming at the call. We should have extra eyes watching in shifts, spawn could be around."
As the party turned south and journeyed deeper and deeper into the heart of the Narlmarches, Seraphina's usual ebullience began to fizzle away and her face tightened with concern.
When you ask what worries her, she tries to smile but you can see that it's forced. "I have never been this far into this forest. In some ways, a wood is like a living creature, in and of itself. This wood is very dark and wild. You can grow to understand and even bond with such a creature, but it takes time and patience. We are strangers here and it is as if I can hear it snarling at our approach."
Her eyes flickered to the treeline, watching for threats.
That evening over a nerve settling glass of honeyed wine. Sera sought out Koldur.
"You have fought vampires before. What tactics should we employ against them?" she asked the old weapons master.
"Is there anything I can craft that will help us?"
DC is 10, increased to 15 for accelerated crafting. 125 gold in crafting materials consumed, 275 remaining.
"Our main concern with vampires and their spawn is that they will attack at night. I'd recommend that we have a large fire, so that we have torches handy for those who can't see in the dark."
At the break where the party pushed forward from the caravan, Alembic collected a dozen branches thick enough to make wooden stakes from, and began carving. When the group next stopped for a break, he passed the completed ones out and explained their use while putting people to work making more:
"So, this is a stake. You'll want to shove it into their chest and pierce the heart. That will stop them from moving. Additionally, anything with the touch of the Gods of light will harm them. I have a an explosive spell that should decimate them. As a precaution, should you not cleave to the side of light, you will want to stay out of the area of said spell, as at a minimum it will blind you, and should you have strayed too far from goodness, it will burn your skin. I often used it to deal with evil outsiders, but it works just as well on undead."
"Also, positive energy is your best bet barring stakes and silver weapons; should you have blessed water on your person, that would work quite effectively as well."
"Finally, do not let them grab you, as if they do they will sink their fangs into you and drain your life essence, with the potential to turn you into one of them. Should someone here get grabbed, that person's vampire is the priority."
Johanna had spent much of her days with the people of the city and her husband. She went and trained daily with Soren and the new soldiers. Expressing her gratitude for those willing to train to defend their new home. She also trained with the Princess as she used to and refocused herself.
She listens to the Harpy and of course, is interested in helping like the others.
"Silversheen would be most helpful Seraphina. Here all help me set up the tent. We can all stay in here so we are not separated."
"If you could silver some of my arrows Seraphina, that would be most helpful," says Ingvarr. "Vampires tend to try and influence the minds of those who oppose them. My music should make you more resistant to that effect, should you choose to accept the battle rage when the time comes," adds the Skald, raising the horn to his lips and relaying the General's orders. Engaging the quick march tempo, his steady voice aids the strike force in covering the ground rapidly.
"My lance is wood, with a steel tip. Will that work for this whole "stake them in the heart" trick? If not, Wartooth and I will simply charge them and slay them with extreme force. If they get back up or are gonna, one of you foot soldier types can do the staking thing to keep them down."
"Silversheen would be most helpful Seraphina. Here all help me set up the tent. We can all stay in here so we are not separated."
"Good. I will make some tonight. Is there room enough, do you think, Johanna, for Meir as well? I don't want him to be far from me on a night like tonight and a place like this."
"If you could silver some of my arrows Seraphina, that would be most helpful," says Ingvarr. "Vampires tend to try and influence the minds of those who oppose them. My music should make you more resistant to that effect, should you choose to accept the battle rage when the time comes," adds the Skald, raising the horn to his lips and relaying the General's orders. Engaging the quick march tempo, his steady voice aids the strike force in covering the ground rapidly.
Seraphina nods along as Ingvarr speaks. "Yes, I agree coating projectiles is likely our best bet. It seems most of us here carry some kind of ranged weapon, I can distribute 20 worth to those who want them. If only I could scrape up some more time I could make more. I have a spell that will bolster our defenses against such creatures as well. Fortune favor that together, it will be enough."
"It will not. The part the pierces the heart must be made of wood."
"The pavilion holds ten or so comfortably. Yes, Seraphina there should be room for all to wedge in. Everyone try and get some rest."
That evening over a nerve settling glass of honeyed wine. Sera sought out Koldur.
"You have fought vampires before. What tactics should we employ against them?" she asked the old weapons master.
"Is there anything I can craft that will help us?"
"Our main concern with vampires and their spawn is that they will attack at night. I'd recommend that we have a large fire, so that we have torches handy for those who can't see in the dark."
At the break where the party pushed forward from the caravan, Alembic collected a dozen branches thick enough to make wooden stakes from, and began carving. When the group next stopped for a break, he passed the completed ones out and explained their use while putting people to work making more:
"So, this is a stake. You'll want to shove it into their chest and pierce the heart. That will stop them from moving. Additionally, anything with the touch of the Gods of light will harm them. I have a an explosive spell that should decimate them. As a precaution, should you not cleave to the side of light, you will want to stay out of the area of said spell, as at a minimum it will blind you, and should you have strayed too far from goodness, it will burn your skin. I often used it to deal with evil outsiders, but it works just as well on undead."
"Also, positive energy is your best bet barring stakes and silver weapons; should you have blessed water on your person, that would work quite effectively as well."
"Finally, do not let them grab you, as if they do they will sink their fangs into you and drain your life essence, with the potential to turn you into one of them. Should someone here get grabbed, that person's vampire is the priority."
"My lance is wood, with a steel tip. Will that work for this whole "stake them in the heart" trick? If not, Wartooth and I will simply charge them and slay them with extreme force. If they get back up or are gonna, one of you foot soldier types can do the staking thing to keep them down."
"It will not. The part the pierces the heart must be made of wood."
The aged dwarf waits as the others explain their tactics.
He nods as he looks far into the horizon.
"Alembic speaks true for that is what Sable and Myself encountered as we fought off a great many of them. Greatly weakened we barely managed to buy enough time for the others and ourselves to escape. Back then, decapitation worked as well but then again our prowess were far greater then they are now. These are creatures of darkness as evil in their name as their deeds and I would happily end them all if I could. Seraphina if you could, share out what Silversheen you could to our ranged warriors. It'll greatly aid them. This old dwarf is better suited for going toe to toe with them then to pelt them with my axes from afar."
"Sounds like Wartooth and I must charge and slay them fast as can be, then you arrow boys and girls can use your magicked weapons to keep them dead-dead."
"If you are going to just attack them, then a weapon made of alchemical silver is the way to go."
"The weapon needs to be silver and magical to have full effect on vampires. But massive damage will bring them down in time."
"Okay, sounds good. Charge them, smash them, stake them while they're down, then cut their heads off. That's sort of like fighting demons or trolls, I mean, except the whole wooden stake thing. Does burning work? Because I like to see burning enemies run from our charge. Does a goblins heart good for that."
"Vampires don't have an inherrent resistance to fire, but many of them are spellcasters, so they could protect themselves from fire."
"Thank you Rognar. With my healing abilities by the blessings of Iomedea I can stand and fight a long time now. My new blade is magical so with Silversheen I can get through their resistance without smiting. I can only do that once each day. My new ability to parry that I picked up training with the princess should help to avoid their touch and drain. If we get attack do not get separated. Focus and bring down one at a time to the best of our abilities."
She pulls out her blade, she sharpens, cleans and oils it as they wait and chat.
"Mithral weapons if we can get some works fine as well." as Koldur slips on the rings, he nods at Rognar.
"i'll try my best not get too hurt."
"As for you master Toki, you should not go charging after them if they run; they'll only lead you off, surround you, and then bite you and Wartooth and turn you; instead, we'll want you to do something much more dangerous; we need you to be our outflanker. Once our front line engages them, we'll need you to go to the other side to make sure we're flanking them so we can wipe them out."
"Oh yeah, we do that on the regular. Pick off the stragglers, let them bleed out and wheel around to take the other side of the herd. Wolves are great like that, you know. Plus, we can charge past and strike, and continue on the line like were at one of those competition things human knights like. I think its gonna be great once I can spear one of these undead blood drinkers properly!"
Tokis face is a very wide grin of pointed teeth, under his steel helmet. Wartooth also growls in menacing anticipation of the combat everyone's talking about.
With strategy on your mind and fore front of your discussion the night wears on. Even as you stay vigilant on guard you don't hear much. Luckily the few things you hear are the animals of the night and insects. If you didn't hear that.... well that would be bad.
The next morning you find yourselves well rested. A fine stew is being brewed by Olivira. The harpy seems figity though still sitting and enjoying the stew.
In the morning after finishing his memorization, Alembic summons his armor around himself and then summons his mount and is prepared to start the day.
Ingvarr wakes up early and does his meditations and prayers to Shelyn--in this case, mostly involving preparing a small book for Amerilari. Over stew in the morning, he presents her with the gift, though he attempts to do it at a time when not many may be watching.
The book seems to be a small journal, well-made, with a poem on the first page written in beautiful calligraphy under the title "Amerilari".
The curse of death upon the land,
The Blood of Vol may rule,
Sisters of Voth seek helping hand,
Ere blood begins to pool.
Amerilari is her name,
Harpy fair to behold,
Jasmine aroma wafts the same,
Khorvian heroes bold.
To battle do the heroes ride,
New allies to defend,
Harpies and heroes side by side,
This deadly threat to end.
Yet will the Blood dead heroes make,
The kingdom held in thrall,
Or will the vic’try heroes take,
Grant peace upon us all?
Seraphina hurried to make ready that morning, hoping that the day's journey would not be troubled.
She also noticed that she wasn't the only one feeling anxious. She approached and said to Amerilari, "I never feel like eating much before battle. I believe you said we were only a few hours from our destination. Perhaps I could follow you there so that we might arrive before the cavalry? If I could have some time to work before sunset, I can double our silvered ammunition. And I'm sure you want to get back as quickly as possible to check on your kin." She gave her a slight sympathetic smile.
"Hundor, could you ride along with me? I'd feel much safer if you and Meir were both along to guard me while I work." She asked her halfling friend if Amerilari was agreeable to her idea.
"Ah yes, that is true, that would be good." She says seeming a bit flustered at the thought.
She scratches her large talons on the ground in enjoyment, "Ooooh! Thank you, wait the words tell of our tale? Very nice!" Her face is of pure happiness.
"Yes..." He looks over to Sable to confirm, then with a nod from him, the halfling confirms again, "Yes, I can ride with you."
Koldur looks up from his weapons practice as he observes the harpy.
"Calm yourself. We're already moving towards your family. If fate sides with us we should get there before those vampires get their hands on your family." with that said the dwarf continue with his own personal weapon drills before stopping to refresh himself and break his fast as well.
Regardless of the time needed for construction, a caster can create no more than one magic item per day. This process can be accelerated to 4 hours of work per 1,000 gp in the item’s base price (or fraction thereof) by increasing the DC to create the item by 5.
Amerilari tells the group, "if you travel South West by about an hour, then travel West for 2 hours you should get to the nesting grounds. Taking that route should avoid most of the bogs. Seraphina and I will be going ahead, if anyone else can fly they are welcome to come as well."
I need three survival checks to not get lost.
They are not openly hostile but not friendly either, the leader shouts at the harpy that brought you, "Amerilari what is the meaning of this?" Not knowing if everyone can hover she quickly says, "They are here to help, let us land and I will explain." The leader nods and makes a high pitched screech before wheeling away. The other ones go out making the same noise.
After you land you see dozens of harpies fly over head. Many of them begin hovering around you. Each of them has a bow or other ranged weapon in hand. Amerilari explains, "These four are the scouts of a larger force from the land of Khorvian. Among their number Johanna the Merciless, Koldur of the Flesh grinding Axe, and Sable the Slaughterer. Yes none of them are with us now but they are soon to follow. Only an elite force meant to eliminate the vampires and protect us from more spawn."
Another apparent leader lands, she wears no armor or clothing but you can see the scars from many past battles over her body. She carries a large quiver of javelins over her shoulder and a long spear in her arms. With a sour looking face and a gravelly voice she shouts, "Amerilari, you have been banished! And now you bring outsiders too! Well you are lucky we are at war. You will be on the front lines with your allies when darkness comes. Ground walkers should position yourselves on the first row of steps." Then she flies off again, not worrying about being overheard, "I don't like it but any help is better than not!"
The first leader you met lands and makes no attempt at amending what the other harpy said. She has leather armor on chackrams at her sides and a halberd that glows faintly purple on its head. With a steady voice she states, "That was The'Lic'Tar our war chief. I am Lear'Dol'Bear, guard captain of the spire. Most other harpy will not speak with you. Perhaps the young ones. As The'Lic'Tar said you should stand ready at the steps of the spire." Then she looks to Amerilari with sadness in her eyes, "It is not safe for you here. Stay with your allies at the stairs, otherwise we cannot protect you. You know that many of the others would love to clip you." She waits to answer any questions then flies off and the other harpies disperse.
Amerilari says nothing more unless you talk to her.
At the time to fly or mount up, she stands, moves away from the group and a pair of white feathered wings sprout from her back after some effort.
"I will join you at the front." She states.
Listening to Seraphina and Hundor she winks at the two of you after your conversation.
Seraphina gladly accepted Olivira's offer to join them.
Abruptly, she realized she had essentially commandeered their guide. And those who must travel aground now ran the risk of getting lost and leaving their forward advance vulnerable at sundown. Quick to think of a way to offset her miscalculation, she used her magic to create a palm-sized spherical ornament, much like a Yuletide decoration. The exterior was like a ball made of sugar-glass, thin and fragile and easily broken. But inside was filled with tiny sparkles like she had used at the parade-like meeting with the caravan. "We will do what we can to mark the trail along our way." She told the rest of the party. "Here, look for these. They should last about an hour. Beyond that look to canopy for Meir’s marks." She called as she lobbed the bauble into the air and then burst the sugar-glass like coating, sending a shower of glitter out from the explosion.
”Me and my brilliant ideas…” She muttered under her breath so only Hundor and Meir could hear. She thought it best to keep quiet and let the harpy handle her former tribe. Once they had landed, she busied herself with looking for a suitable spot to set up her work space. After the more aggressive harpy leader had gone, she allowed herself a question. ”You expect the undead to approach these steps. Is there any other direction they might attack from?” She nudged Hundor to ask any important tactical questions she was forgetting.
Once all the harpies had gone, save Amerilari, she asked gently, ” ’Clip you’, she said. I take that to mean your wings? Banishment seems punishment enough for most crimes. What caused you to be banished?” After pausing for her answer she next asked, ”If you have been cast out, how did you learn of the threat they faced?”
Soon, she had set to work, making another Silversheen, if time and luck were on her side.
With your know how and her directions you take into effect that she would not think about difficult terrain. What would have taken six hours only takes three getting you there when the harpy thought you would.
You find the last half hour of travel extremely difficult as you find all sorts of obvious hazards that you can avoid. Wooden stakes ready to impale the unwary, pit traps, a wall of sharpened stakes, razor wire, bear traps, snare traps, etc.
Upon leaving the marsh you find yourself in a wide open glade. Large nests which obviously are used by the harpies are among the tree line. Then the spire comes into view. It is massive and you can't see the top. There are nests attached to its sides going up. You see easily four dozen harpies flying about, not the mention those likely in the nests. They are all armed, some with armor as some were nude. None of them land to greet you, only a few come over to inspect you but zip off before you can get a word in. Looking around you see that Meir, the dragon, and the others are on the steps leading up to this magnificent tower.
Answering Hundor's questions, "They have plagued us for the last few months, as they got more aggressive we moved here. All of the tribes moved here. Three of the strongest tribes get to live here normally but many of us have nests here for mating season."
On the top of the steps you see several harpies that have already been clipped.
Amerilari nods to Seraphina and pulls the three of you to the side, "Yes clip me means my wings. I was banished for wanting to be more like you. Clothing, civilized, rather than the life of a crazed murderer. As you probably noticed I changed your leaderships names to meet the standards of the harpies. I still live around here, on my own. Hunting and giving offerings. It really was not so bad. But I had wanted to come to your capital to live. Fredrick was... he opened my eyes to many things. A lost merchant. He was given free reign to walk, but once the barbarians come to knew of his existence, he didn't know what was coming..."
Glad to be talking about something else she sighs and looks at Olivira, "It is not sacred, just a place for refuge. To negate my banishment I could take the trials but I am not strong enough to do that on my own. It is meant more for a tribe to take the prime seat beside the spire."
He would go collect sticks and lower tree limbs, as long as he was not attacked or intimidated. Then bringing them back he would begin sharpening their ends.
Once they were done talking she would ask, "Is the spire just a place for refuge and the trails, or is it sacred to your tribes?"
She then would go inspect the doors and slowly enter for the next few hours until the others arrived.