Our home has fallen to darkness.
You may recall it, a village of simple means and kind people. A place untouched by the evils of the world.
Doom comes to us all however. It has been ten years now since the shadows have taken hold of our lands. The forests wilt and rot, the sea cliffs are overcast by storms and gripped by the grimy claws of those from the depths. The moorlands and hills are rampant with bandits. The dead no longer remain as such. Our lord's manor house has fallen to fiends and eldritch abominations. Our goddess is gone. As you can see, light no longer shines in the Hollow.
I implore you family. Return to Raven's Hollow. Aid us in our hour of need. We beg of you.
You have been gone for quite some time. Thoughts of your ancestral home flood your mind as the Sea Devil navigates through the storm-tossed reef surrounding the cliffs of Raven's Hollow.
The captain bellows orders to his crew, promising them damnation if the Ravenholdts drown in these waters. His words bear weight, and the crew obeys.
Half an hour later, the ship makes anchor at a weather-beaten jetty. The captain is paid and the Scions step onto the dry land once again.
As the Captain begins to make preparations to sail off once again, you all begin your ascent. The Plumes are treacherous and the way is perilous. Luckily, the stone staircase is solid and after a weary climb, you reach the top.
Not five minutes walk down the beginnings of the Hollow Road, a carriage awaits your presence. The driver, a gruff young man who does not provide a name invites you to embark.
Your belongings are placed on the carriage's roof and room is made for everyone to either squeeze inside or sit beside the driver.
The carriage begins its ride along the road, and an hour later you see the Ravenwood, dark and foreboding. Your memories betray you, for the Raven's Hollow in your mind was not so dark and accursed as this.
The driver speaks.
"Be mindful my lieges. Bandits have run of the road of late. Words will be meaningless, so be ready."
The driver's words are almost ominous, for a quarter of an hour later, a fallen birch blocks your path. As the carriage slows to a halt, cloaked men step out from the underbrush.
"Easy now strangers. Would'na want to hurt your pretty faces. Leave the gold and valuables and pray we don't take more."
You succeeded in spotting the ambush before arriving and have one round to either cast a spell or prepare an action before the battle begins.
Combat Directives
The active map will always be in the Campaign Header at the top of the page.
You may choose any square adjacent to the carriage as your starting square. Vanessa will begin on top of the carriage with the luggage. It will take a move action for her to disembark.
When performing your actions, I do not require posting to be in initiative order. Once all actions are submitted, I run the combat to the best of my knowledge. If one of your actions becomes invalid I correct it to the best of my abilities. This is for ease of fluidity. Combats are major time sinks in PbP.
Furthermore, every 24h is automatically a new round if we haven't yet moved on. Failure to post a combat round means you skip that round. No GM automating, this is still a horror campaign so we can assume your character simply failed to act.
Please aid me by tracking your hit points and uses of abilities, conditions, etc. I am currently compiling your stat blocks into what is essentially a bestiary/npc statblock format and will put them up in the Campaign tab as well.
On the Subject of Statblocks
Please make sure all information is there, and that all Feats and Abilities are explained or linked. It saves me a lot of time.
Ivan has sat quietly in the middle of the seat to avoid any draft from the window. He is bundled up in a think fur coat and hat. I fear I will not be warm again until I return to the academy.
When the wagon stops he will move to a window on the side of the wagon where the bandit is speaking.
Cast magic missile at the speaker and then load his crossbow
'sigh' Randy laments in his head, glancing at all the members of his family
'calm yourself randy,...they are your family, they won't dismiss you or look down on you' Randy look up at everyone in the carriage and starts
"so-" but is cut off when the carriage stops.
Randy would start on J,4
Heiron stared out at the looming trees, avoiding eye-contact with his family members. He had gone ahead to meet the, and perhaps defend the driver, should it be neccesary. The bandits must have watched them as they passed, and laid this ambush for their return. His relatives were not what he had been expecting - especially the elf.
He had a vague memory of a great-great-great-uncle or something to that effect, who was supposed to be an adopted elf... Perhaps this creature was his son, or maybe grandson?
As the trap is sprung, Heiron wastes precious seconds trying to untangle his greatsword from where it is leaned against the wall of the carriage. He disembarks last, and the close quarters leave him little choice but smash the crossguard of his sword at the nearby bandit's head.
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Cyrus springs from the carriage using his lightning fast reflexes he draws his elven curve blade and brings it down on the bandit now flanked by Randy and him.
"I am Cyrus Ravenholdt, The Fey Prince, and I WILL NOT! be waylaid in my own lands! Nor will any Ravenholdt!"
"Be Forewarned, the Scions have returned. Your hold on this road has come to an end. Throw down your weapons and live to spread the word of our return . . . or stand and die to a man! Your heads lining the road will tell your tale."
Randy hops out of the carriage, lands with a grunt and glares at the nearest bandit
"GET OFF MY FAMILY'S LAND, YOU DIRTY SKAGLICK!" he then rears back and takes a mighty swing at his opponent.
As the pup says. Your kind do not belong here. Leave. Now.
After his threat doubtlessly fails, Servius hops out of the carriage slightly to Randy's right and swings his greatsword at the nearest bandit.
Arthorius steps out of the cart and gives a big sigh, signaling for Vanessa - which immediately jumps down to his side.
You dare attacking the Ravenholdt? - he yells - So it shall be your doom. Your chances to flee our lands are slipping through your skinny fingers by the second!
That said, he points the bandit near him. Vanessa growls menacingly, 5-foot steps and attacks him.
Arthorius finishes his action by going into total defense as a standard action.
Vera had been surprised to see so many of her family waiting at the pier, having expected more time to brace herself for the initial meeting.
How quickly they all leap to dispatch the threat with blades! she muses as her companions lay into the bandits. It would be awkward indeed if these turned out to be our family's retainers...
Preferring to keep to the shelter of the coach, she will target any bandits who do not fall in the onslaught with a sleep spell (DC 16 will negates)
The bandits do not attack on their turn. Some of the bandits take 4 foot steps to get closer. Their leader speaks.
"Tyras, Crune, check the carriage for medicine and food. That's the most importan..."
His words are cut off as the player's begin a lightning fast onslaught.
Randy leaps furiously besides one of the bandits and with a single stroke, cleaves a bloody path through his chest. The bandit at falls.
Arthorius steps up and orders his tiger to strike.
Servius assaults the nearest bandit but his powerful swing is met with only air as the bandit manages to dodge out of the way.
Vanessa, Arthorius's tiger companion, lunges forward, claws gouging into leather but nothing more. I allowed the additional five foot step this time, but please check above. I had said that it would take a move action to descend the carriage, and I believe you cannot 5 foot step and move in the same turn.
Ivan remains within the carriage but through the opened windows, launches a magic missile at the speaker, blasting him for some amount of damage. He then reloads his crossbow.
Cyrus swiftly darts out of the carriage and moves to flank with Servius, having seen Cyrus fell his opponent. He dodges an attack of opportunity and lands a graceful blow to his opponent. The bandit stumbles, blood gushing from the wound, but does not fall.
Vera sees two wounded bandits and a dead one, with three remaining bandits. She attempts to put the bandit beside the leader to sleep.
The bandit's eyes droop for a moment before dropping like a stone to the ground.
Heiron moves forward and finishes off Cyrus's target with a tremendous blow, smashing the bandit's face into a mess of snapped bone and crushed flesh. The bandit falls.
"Damn you!" The bandit leader is evidently displeased.
Two bandits have fallen, one is asleep and the leader is damaged by the spell.
[larger]ROUND 2[/larger]
The leader moves to attack Heiron.
The one besides the leader is still asleep.
The one at remains there and attacks Vanessa.
The other leftmost bandit moves to and attacks Arthorius.
Randy rushes past Servius and stops next to Heiron
"I said..LEAVE!" he roars in fury as he swipes at the bandit leader.
Does every carriage ride through Ravenholdt lands involve so much blood anymore? These are not the lands of my childhood, to be sure.
If any bandits survive her companions' blades in Vera's sight, she will daze them, humming a few bars of lullaby and flicking a tuft of wool from her spell pouch.
Only once all visible bandits are down, whether dead or asleep, will she step out of the coach to .
Servius loops around outside the bandit's reach to almost flank with Heiron. and swings mightily at that one.
Cyrus gives a curt nod of approval to Herion after he cuts the bandit he wounded down.
"Well placed and with a family heirloom no less. A splendid example of strength and tradition applied."
"You are Heiron, correct? It has been years, I see you have not neglected your drills."
The bandit leader strikes his great grand nephew, Cyrus pivots and moves to flank with a spin, lunge and draw cut in response.
"A grevious mistake, you dare injure my kinsman after I give you opportunity to flee with you life!?"
"No!---Touch Ravenholdt cloth --- go to jail!"
"Tear Ravenholdt cloth --- go to hospital!"
"Rend Ravenholdt flesh?! --- Your death!"
Heiron reels from the blow. "Heiron, yes." He says, concentrating on the fight at hand moreso than chatting. He didn't quite understand how the elf could concentrate on doing both at once. Maybe it was because he was an elf.
Heiron brings down his sword on the bandit leader, wordlessly.
Heiron hops up on the coachdriver's footplate, crosses over, and brings down his sword on the bandit on the other side of the coach.
Ivan exits the far side of the carriage and attempts to make his way to the sleeping bandit.
"Let them live. I have questions for them." He shouts to the others.
Arthorius 5-foot steps to H5 and touches Vanessa, using Cure Light Wounds at his pet tiger.
Vanessa continues attacking the man by her (at F5) and in case he drops, she will 5-foot step to G6 and continue her attack at the one at H7.
"Ha ha ha! They must have completely missed that we had a tiger with us. Then again, I am not sure any of these men have ever seen one before. I would love to hear how you came into such an exotic beast sometime Authorius."
One by one the bandits fall, cut down or tore apart by bestial claws.
You stand among the corpses now, a stillness in the air makes you shiver as a chill runs down your spine.
The final lingering ringing of steel fades away and all that remains is the whispering of the wind and a distant raven, cawing out.
A brief but thorough search of the bandits reveals the following treasures, if one were to call them as such.
As you gather the spoils of your victory the driver urges you to clear the roadblock and make haste.
Ravenholdt is quite near.
Cyrus bends low to read the ground.
but the earth is torn up and does not seek to reveal any, but the most basic of information he already knows from the encounter with the bandits.
He looks at the macabre digit on the string.
What manner of creature is this from? and why would this man keep such a fetish on his person?
"Authorius or Vera, could one of you check these items for auras?"
The elf's large almond shaped eyes scan the scene with an intelligent yet somehow detached manner.
"I suppose we should gather their arms and armor, otherwise someone else may take them up against us."
"Curious they should mention that food and medicine were their primary concern . . . Driver, has plague come to these lands?"
"Ivan, what do you intend to do with your prisoner?"
Cyrus bends low to read the ground.
What manner of creature is this from? and why would this man keep such a fetish on his person?
[dice=Know Nature]1d20+5
The finger's race eludes your knowledge.
|
Randy pulls out a rag once the fighting is over and proceeds to clean his blade of the bandits blood, frowning at the body's of the bandits.
"has there always been these kind of unsavory folks in the homeland?" he asks, a clueless look on his face "I've never seen what the homeland actually is like, so please, forgive my ignorance"
Looking around, his gaze stops on the lone sleeping bandit "what will we do with him, there is little honor in killing, even less when they can't defend themselves" he says as he moves his gaze to Ivan.
Heiron rolled his shoulder to relieve the soreness of his muscles and aching joint. The armor had taken the worst of the blow, but he'd probably be feeling the aftereffects for a week to come.
"Bandit have always been here, as far as I know. They've been getting worse with the years, though."
As far as Heiron knew wasn't that far back in time. The difference, to him, between ten years and 'always' was academc.
He looks over the elf's shoulder at the morbid necklace. Perhaps the trinket was of some demi-human he was familiar with?
Arthorius cures Vanessa once again with his touch.
He keeps petting the tiger and smiling, and finally convinces her to go back to her place of travel and stop eating the bandit.
I particularly could care less about their health, young Randy. - he says, slowly and with the difficult of a man of almost a century years old - They attacked the Ravenholdt, so they probably should expect their necks to be cut off.
He then casts Detect Magic on the collected items. The greedy old man was clearly more worried about their profit at that moment.
Vera looks to the coachman, "Do you have some rope we can use, sir? As the good Arthurius notes, this man is likely to be executed as soon as we've got him back to the village, but I've been away long enough I wouldn't want to presume. Besides, there's value in ceremony where such things are concerned."
Turning to address the young fighters, "No, Randy, it's not always been this way. I've not seen this place since I was your age, but being accosted this way on the road would have been highly remarkable back then."
Vera's words are true. Bandits were never a problem before. As for the finger, it remains a mystery. Perhaps its former owner knew...
"Yes. Autum has come to these lands. In the Summer no bandits dared roam the hallow."
Cyrus begins collecting the swords and armor.
"Heiron, what is the state of the militia?"
Cyrus bends low to read the ground.
"Curious they should mention that food and medicine were their primary concern . . . Driver, has plague come to these lands?"
"Plague, disease, famine and worse milord. We were leather and cloth masks these days when we venture for long periods of time beyond the walls of Ravenholdt."
A grim look mars his face.
"And sometimes we wear them within the walls, when the poisonous smog hangs low. These days, even our Goddess seems unable to protect us adequately."
He looks at the bodies.
"I do suggest burning the corpses. Who knows what ails them."
Perhaps Winter then, but Spring can only come after Winter. Pray for Spring days to come.
"Yes. I suppose burning would be the best option with disease is a factor."
Too risky to leave them rot lest they rise again to walk in death.
Ivan will help with the bodies. As they burn he speaks to the coachman.
"There must be rumors as to why this is happening to the land. What have you heard?"
At the word plague, Randy looks at Vanessa, almost in a panic
"Will she be alright, she did eat that man?" he gestures to the mutilated body of the bandit she ate.
He looks relieved at your responses
"that is good, I was wondering if my father forgot to tell me some important facts like that" And with that he rubs one of the horse's snout and steps back into the carriage
In all likelihood, he will be executed, but that's not our decision to make on the road, long as there sits a properly appointed Ravenholdt, and none of us are they. I agree the bodies ought to be properly attended to, however, and their gear as well. Make it unusable, but not risk catching anything ourselves. Allow me to give them their due as dead folk, please.
Servius walks over to the corpses each in turn, clasping his hands in prayer and picking up some small stones and pebbles and placing them on their chests in a loose pile. He then nods to the rest of the group.
Does anyone have a torch?
Vera surveys her kin, bloodspattered from the battle. plague? Perhaps these bandits ought have been dispatched with less...mess, in that case. I suppose we'll soon see what I'll effects they might have been carrying?
"A torch, yes," she fetches one from her pack in the carriage and hands it to her brother.
Ivan will help with the bodies. As they burn he speaks to the coachman.
"There must be rumors as to why this is happening to the land. What have you heard?"
"I know not milord. Doom has come to our lands. That is all we know for sure. Speak with your family at Ravenholdt, I have a feelin' they'll know much more than I."
Arthorius looked around to the other family members while he was adjusting himself to follow. He gave a smile to Randy, about Vanessa, but didn't answer directly. He knew the tiger was still stressed with the attack, but probably somewhat fed now.
Anyone else needs a healing touch? Did those morons manage to hurt anyone else?
"The leader landed a good hit on me." Heiron says.
"Heiron, did you hear my question?"
Cyrus turns one of the captured longswords over in his hands.
Arthorius moves and touches Heiron, trying to heal him at least a little bit.
Here, my boy. How are you feeling now?
Ivan sits quietly for the rest of the trip thinking about the events that had just unfolded and how his homeland has fallen this far.
Maybe someone at home knows and maybe we can fix it."
In any event, we shouldn't dally here. We aren't likely to get our answers out on the road.
"True Servius. If you are finished with your ministrations I think we are packed up to go. Although this armor may be soiled, I am afraid we may be needing it. These swords as well."
"I wonder if these men were bandits by choice or out of desperation. Not that it matters much now, nor does it excuse their attempted robbery. Strange though that they would press their attack against such an obviously superior force when offered a chance at escape. Perhaps death was the escape of misery they sought unknown to themselves."
The elf fell silent as his eyes studied a spot on the horizon.
The 'my boy' stung, but healing was healing, and admittedly, his shoulder had been quite sore. He nods guardedly at the old man. "Thank you."
He answers Cyron. "There's not much of a militia - and those who're there are spread far too thin."
He shudders. "I don't think they knew who were inside the coach. We passed this spot on the way out, so they probably scouted us out then."
"Well they were obviously desperate, question is why?" Randy says as he sticks his head out the window of the carriage
"I must admit, I'm terrified at what might be going on at...home
The word home rolls off of Randy's tongue almost warily.
"An honest emotion Randy and one that I suspect infects many of us with the possible exception of Heiron who has been here living it everyday, but in the fear let there also be hope, for we have returned and might be what's needed to keep back the gloom that has spread over these lands."
The elf's eyes remain fixed on a location to the east.
Yes, Mr Cyrus. Servius uses the name he's used with Cyrus since he was a child.
Then he turns and puts a hand on Randy's shoulder.
I haven't been here in years. I was barely your age when I left, Randy. I'm worried too, for both the reasons you are. We'll get through this.
Arthorius shakes his head, in silence. He learned to admire his family in each of their different ways. Cyrus was the only one older than him, but he couldn't help but wonder how age had been much more cruel to himself. Yet, he liked the presence of the elf since he was a child. The other came much later - the young Heiron and Randy, for instance, were already accomplished fighters, even in their young age.
What to say about Servius and Vera? They had already four decades each and, yet, Arthorius felt like they were just about the same age as the others, since they breathed pure health. And Ivan...? He reminded him of a much younger himself, even physically.
Yet, Arthorius was there - feeling like he could die at any moment. Most of his body was frail, and even the illusions of being anything dexterous - given by his magic - weren't going to take him too long.
This was his last adventure in this life, he felt in his spine. He looked at Vanessa, now appearing a little happier than before. How much he wished he'd just live through her, in her powerful body. He sighed, remembering of the Ravenholdt lands from his childhood.
You all return to the carriage, the roadblock moved aside with care.
The bodies burned and buried, your task now carries you back home.
The Hollow Road eventually leaves the shadows of the Ravenwood and winds its way across the countryside, skirting hills and sunken marshes.
Eventually, Ravenholdt looms into view.
"There she is milords. Your once and former home. Lord Hierome and Lady Miriam bade me take you directly to their current place of residence. We'll be there shortly."
A quarter of an hour later sees you outside the door of a small but evidently well furnished house in the middle of town. Compared to the rest of the settlement, this place was almost mansion-like.
For as you crossed the town, the squalor and ruin became evident. Houses were empty and boarded up. The few citizens you crossed strode quickly about their errands, cloak wrapped and faces hidden.
The only sound was the distant roaring from the tavern, likely the only promise of relaxation in this troubled town.
As the driver helps you all out of the carriage and begins bringing down your luggage, a tall man steps out of the door.
"You've answered the letter. Praise this day, our salvation comes at last."
He looks out at the lot of you.
"My Servius and Vera. Our cherished twins come home at last. Arthorius, it is quite a surprise to see you again I must say. It is Aeneas who will be most pleased. Randy, my son told me many things about you in his letters. It is good to see you home at last. The same for you Ivan. Drago tells me that our cold weather is not your favorite. Perhaps you will be the flame to warm our hearts. Cyrus, it is good to see our sylvan prince return. It is too long since we last spoke."
Hierome seems immensely relieved.
"Hierome, thank you for accompanying your family home. I think it is time we all had a little conversation. There are many things I have refrained from telling you, and there are many things the rest of you must know. Come, let us talk with Miriam in the study."
You all join him and within minutes have found a chair or comfortable resting spot within the firelit room.
"Firstly, I believe some of you may have questions. Please ask."
Randy stares at his grandfather, soaking him in for the first time. One he finished he adopts a serious face and asks
"I believe I speak for all of us when I ask, what exactly is happening?"
Moving over to stand by the fire Ivan states, "Agreed. Things seem to have changed for the worse since I was last here. Why has the family estate been abandoned?"