Sounds like you get the bastard sword as your free melee weapon, Bryn =)
Doc - non-core god is fine. I'm not too hung up on that aspect of Pathfinder!
Breggel - not so much lose as replace. At the end of the day you're still a 1st level character.
Thanks for sticking with me on the class thing, folks! I've learned my lesson and won't be doing that again (if I ever GM another Ordinary Heroes campaign, that is!!)
The first day of training Bryn took the sword with him as his grandfather told him too. He regretted it almost immediately. When the Seiver the Dukes swordmaster saw the sword strapped across his back his face red in fury and he came straight for Bryn.
Who told you that you could bring steel on to my parade ground boy! Seiver was three inches shorter than Bryn and whipcord lean, but the grizzled swordmaster had a fearsome reputation. Bryn looked into Seiver's icy grey eyes and swallowed.
My grandfather told me to tell you that "Jorry says his grandson needs to learn how to use a real sword." Bryn said to the swordmaster just as his grandfather instructed him too. And now he is going to kill me. he thought as he waited for Seiver to react. The swordmasters reaction was not what Bryn expected. Seiver threw back his head and laughed out loud.
So your that old bastard Jorry's grandson are you? Seiver asked. The icy fury in his eyes the moment before was gone replaced by a mischeivious spark. He probably never told you that I was almost your grandfather instead of him. Seiver grinned at Bryn. Remind me to tell you that story later. . Jorry put you up to bringing that sword with you didn't he. Well you won't me needing it today puppy. Give to me I will hang on to it for you until you are ready for it.
Yes sir. Bryn replied. He quickly removed the sword and gave it to the Swordmaster. Seiver took the sword and pulled the blade a hand span from the scabbard.
It is your grandfathers! I thought it might be but the hilt is different, so I wasn't sure. Your grandfather wants you to learn to use his blade so I will make sure you do, but you are a long way from being ready to carry this blade puppy. Don't worry though boy I will make sure you get there. . . either that or kill you.
The next three months were hellish for Bryn. Little sleep, little food, and the constant demanding physical training made him wish he were back doing easy work like digging clay for the workshop. He thought of quitting often but then he would remember how his father had insisted he was wasting his time and the pride in his grandfathers eyes when he showed him how to arrange the restored bastard sword to ride across his back. Quitting would mean admitting his father was right and would disappointing his grandfather. He couldn't do either one. He thought Seiver being a friend of his grandfather might save him some of the pain but Seiver actually when out of his way to make things harder on Bryn. Bryn was punished for mistakes that were over looked on others. He was given the heaviest loads to carry and give the worst watches to stand. He ended up sparring with Seiver more often that he did with other trainees.
Two and a half months into the training. . .
Faster mudboy![/b ] Seiver barked and bashed Bryn on the head with the weighted wooden practice sword. Bryn and the sword master were sparring in the yard with practice swords weighted to be heavier than real swords. The other trainees were sparring in pairs around them. [b]You will never touch me with your sword let alone beat me if you don't move faster. Seiver growled and struck Bryn twice in the ribs with his own sword. Bryn saved his breath and tried to keep the heavy wooden shield strapped to his left arm between himself and Seiver's blade. He wasn't successful and the old man thumped him on the back and then on the elbow and knocked the practice sword from his nerveless fingers.
Boy if you want to survive as a fighter you have got to be faster. Seiver said as he leaned on his sword. Bryn was gratified to see that the old man was at least breathing harder than he was before they started. you've got the power to swing your grandfathers sword but you're too slow. Pick up your sword. We begin again. Bryn groaned and retrieved the heavy practice sword from the dirt and raised it to the guard position.
The last day of the training was spent cleaning and storing away the equipment. Bryn was hanging up the newly washed padded armor used in training to dry, when Seiver came to see him. He was carrying Bryn's grandfathers sword with him.
You've done well boy. he said. I know you think I treated you unfairly, and your right. I was harder on you that I was on any of the others. If my opinion is worth anything to you, you have the potential to be one of the best swordsmen in Daggermark. Here. Seiver held the sword out towards Bryn. Take it you have proven yourself worthy of your grandfathers sword.
Bryn took the sword , and was suprised by how light in his hands it felt now. Thank you swordmaster Seiver. he said. Seiver smiled at him and clapped him on the shoulder.
Your still too slow. he said and then left Bryn to finish his work.
He returns to Daggerfall with everyone who came to the cookout and wishes them the best with there training. Digging into his books seemed familiar and calming. Flipping through his almost empty spell book a note from his father written in Elven fell from the pages.
"Elerossë Súrion, your human side always proved to be a challenge I could never cope with without your mother. Her passion for life was also yours and you so reminded me of her every day we woke.
I divined that one day these books would be a great help to you. I know as a youth you could never truly adapt to the elvish school of learning but maybe in these human lands you will find a teacher who can keep the pace you require.
I will always love you.
Eöl Alcarin.
The note brought tears to Mikes eye's and he didn't look at his books again until his schooling started the next day.
After returning home and getting back into the routine of working at the forge, Breggel started to truly think about his future. It felt good helping people and it stirred something inside of him.
A few days after returning, he went to the militia barracks to speak with Sherlyn Spearslayer about infantry training. The militia commander sends him off to Sergeant Keel at the main barracks, and soon Breggel was enrolled in advanced combat training.
As the weeks went by, work at the forge and training with the guards keep Breggel very busy. He still has time to meet with his brother over the evening meal, and hears all about his clerical training. Again this struck a chord in the dwarf, and he started to ask more and more questions about their own revered deity, Torag. After a week of pestering and questions, Ulan decided to take Breggel to his religious tutor, Brother Silas. Given the basics of religious doctrine, Breggel started meditating, like his brother, at the small alter dedicated to Torag at their forge.
The final revelation came to the dwarf a few weeks later. His brother had taken over most of the forge, working day and night on some special project. Each night he fell asleep with the ringing of the hammer in his ears, and awoke to the same. His dreams started to take on the same sort of cadence, like they were building to something, although by morning he could scarcely remember them at all. It was on the night his brother had finally completed the project he had worked so hard on that Breggel had the most startling and vivid dream.
He found himself, not surprisingly, in a great forge. But it was not armour and weapons that the great smith was creating, but rather dwarves! A great line of dwarven people stretched as far as the eye could see. The smith, himself looking like a giant dwarf, would select one of the waiting bodies, and then place it on the anvil. He would then select a hammer from the waiting rack, and strike the dwarf. The person was unharmed by this violent act, but it would make a sound, like when a smith is tempering a blade, or strengthening armour. Sometimes one strike was all that was needed, and other times the smith used several hammers until he got the pitch just right.
Fascinated by this process, Breggel scarcely noticed that the smith had stopped his work and was looking at him.
”YOU HAVE COME TO TEST YOUR METTLE. A TRUE CHILD OF THE STONE, YOU WISH TO BECOME A PROTECTOR RATHER THAN A SHAPER. STEP FORWARD SO THAT I MAY ADJUST YOUR TEMPER.”
Knowledge finally catches up with the dwarf, and he realizes who the smith is. The steps forward and is picked up by Torag and lain on the anvil.
”IF YOU ARE TRUE, A SHARP EDGE I CAN MAKE OF THEE, BUT IF YOU ARE FLAWED, THEN A BENT TOOL YOU SHALL BECOME, AND I WILL HAVE TO REFORGE YOU. SPEAK NOW MY SON, DO YOU WISH TO TAKE THIS TEST OF YOUR FAITH?’
Unable to speak, Breggel simply nods his agreement.
”SO BE IT!”, intones the deity and his great hammer slowly falls towards the waiting dwarf. A great, but pure sound is the only sensation Breggel feels.
”YOU HAVE PASSED MY SON! SPREAD GOODNESS FAR AND WIDE. A LORD OF STONE YOU SHALL BE, AND THE HERALD OF MY MIGHT!”
Again the sounds of the forge surround him, but they now lack the otherworldliness of Torag’s workshop. Opening his eyes, Breggel finds himself in his own cot by the forge. Ulan looks over to him and smile, but then turns back to his work on the forge. Not sure of what to make of the dream, Breggel dresses and heads out for his training. When he arrives back home, his brother calls him into their small backroom for a pint of ale and to talk.
"We are foreigners in human lands, brother, and to some extent we always will be. I serve Daggermark, we both will, but you and I both know that we may outlive both the city and the humans that live within it. But, stone and iron persists, and that is what we are, more than mere flesh and blood"
Ulan smiles, finally getting to his point."Torag has guided me with the wisdom to make this, and you are to become one of his champions. Therefore..."
Ulan presents his gift to his brother. A fine steel chainshirt, bearing the symbol of Torag on the chest and helmet. With a smile, Ulan realising his oath fulfilled. He had made what was perhaps his finest armor yet.
Breggel is taken aback by such a gift, and he embraces his brother in a rough hug. He relays his dream and the feeling within himself.
"It feels like I know every stone and pebble on the ground, and they know me! And I can still feel the warmth of Torag's forge on my skin and deep in my bones and soul. I believe he has accepted me...us, as carriers of his word."
@Ulan - Scale would be good, and then we can work on a set for you as well...
|
After saying goodbye to the rest, Aldras returned home from his militia duty.
His parents had been a bit worried as he had been away longer than usual. Aldras told the tale of what happened on the trip to the way-inn and on the way back. He told his parents how much fun he had playing for the small crowd in the inn of Liam’s Hold 2 nights of the trip.
His father was really pleased when he heard that. Aldras pointed out that he still had a lot to learn as a musician and was wondering if he could spend the coming months practicing his skills. He thought it would be a good way to earn a bit of extra money for the family during the winter time as trade slows down a bit in that period.
When Aldras suggested going back to Liam’s Hold with the band to play for the people there his mother got a bit scared and said ”I didn’t know there were so many wild animals out there on the road and now you mention there are orcs? Without the equipment you get from the militia you won’t be able to protect yourself when you are traveling!”
”Well I do have this dagger now and with the money I got from helping the trader and his daughter I could go to the Tokador smithy and get some armor of my own”, Aldras replied.
After a bit of discussion Aldras was allowed to go ahead with his plan. Overjoyed with this he went to his friends from the band and they went to the Happy Cow Tavern to celebrate.
One week after returning home from militia duty, he went to Two Creak to take part in the promised meal of roasted boar and apple pie. He asked if anyone had an idea what the map was about that they got from Meldar. ”Breggel, Ulan, I was wondering if you could make me some armor. My mother seems to be worried if I am out travelling without some good protection. I will pay for it of course”, Aldras said to the dwarven brothers.
As planned, Aldras spends his time practicing playing the lute and playing with the band. They even wrote a new song. It’s a beautiful song about a hero who protects innocent merchant’s daughters from vile creatures on the road.
One night while playing in the Happy Cow Tavern Aldras comes to the attention of Elric, an arcanist who is part of the baron’s staff. The man told Aldras he saw in him the potential of becoming an arcanist like himself and offered to train him. At first Aldras was a bit surprised by this, but not being one to shy away from an opportunity he gladly accepted.
So the rest of the winter period Aldras split his time between practicing music, playing in the Happy Cow Tavern or the Liam’s Hold Inn with the band and getting taught about the arcane arts by Elric.
From his lessons Aldras absorbed knowledge of a broad selection of subjects like Arcana, History, Nature and the Planes. According to Elric knowledge is important in all facets of life, from doing something simple like making food to doing something complex like conjuring spells into existence. Elric even thaught him how to use and read spell scrolls.
During his studies Aldras tries to get some more information about the old map they got.
After the winter months came to an end, Aldras looked back and wondered what lies next on his journey ...
- Hit Die changed from 1d6 to 1d8
- Returned the militia issued weapons and got himself a chain shirt and buckler thanks to the Tokador brothers. [AC goes up to 16. But when using my 2 hands it will be 15, due to the rules of a buckler]
- Militia issued ranged weapon : shortbow (so will only be available when on militia duty)
- learned the following lvl 0 spells : ghost sound, detect magic, read magic, prestidigitation
- learned the following lvl 1 spells : Silent Image, Grease
- Took the following extra skills : Perform(Dance), Perform(Oratory), Perception, Use Magic Device
- Got all the Bard abilities of lvl 1, of which Bardic Knowledge and Inspire courage will probably be the most important
- Updated my stat bar under my name a bit for easier overview
- Updated the names of the band members in my background (they're finally no longer nameless beings! :))
For the first week, Lambert found that he slipped back into life easily. With him being gone, the lord's grounds and gardens had begun to creep from their obsessively-maintained neatness to a more natural state. That kept him busy for the next few days as he worked to regain control. In that time, he had little else to think about but his work. He was nothing if not dedicated to his job.
As things returned to their normal flow, Lambert found himself becoming increasingly restless. It took him a while to figure out why. When he had been out on militia duty, he had only thought about wrapping the job up as fast as possible and getting back home. Now, he found his mind constantly wandering back to that journey more and more often.
It took him nearly another week until the realization finally hit him: he was bored. Bored of living the same routines day in and day out, bored of sticking in one spot, and bored of... well, just about everything.
This put his mind to work, in ways it hadn't worked in a long time. He needed a change. A change of scenery, a change of lifestyle, a change of.... well, something. Maybe put some of his mother's magic lessons to use.
Only...
Market day. Lambert hated market day. Too noisy, too crowded, and more often than not he wound up running into one of his less-than-beloved brothers. He usually avoided it, though today he had little choice in the matter. Something had to be done. And to do that, he had to meet a man that usually only appeared on market day.
Lambert arrived early, while the majority of the town still slumbered. A few of the local farmers and peddlars were out and about, setting up shop for the day's events. One look at the stalls told him all he needed to know. The man he was seeking out wasn't exactly a friend- more like an acquaintance, but one that he knew reasonably well.
As expected, Lambert found Jerry in the Happy Cow tavern, finishing his morning pancakes. Lambert strode purposefully towards him, plunking himself down in the unoccupied chair across the table from the farmer.
“Jerry. I have a favor I need to ask of you...”
It was a mild winter, and each of you had arduous training and study. But now spring has finally arrived, and like the flowers and buds growing out of the ground, so too is a new-found power and purpose growing in your souls. Last fall you were commoners. Now you are on your way to being more - to being adventurers and possibly even heroes. And so it is you find yourselves together again, standing militia duty again as a unit.
It’s a beautiful morning in Daggermark - perfect for a MarketDay. It has been either too wet or too chilly the past few months to really draw a crowd, so it seems everyone is here today!
Farmers and small merchants bring their goods to the market and sell them from temporary booths, although they have become more permanent lately and would now take a full day to dismantle. Around the market place are the permanent establishments - Farrels’ Fine Jewels and Apparel, The Happy Cow tavern, Cromach’s Smithy, and the Guildmasters’ Hall.
Most of the buildings in Daggermark are made of wood and thatch; however, since Derval Ironeater’s family brought their stone working skills to town a decade ago, a number of people have built in stone. Most of the residences in the crowded living areas are still made of wood. Placement of these wooden buildings is sometimes rearranged due to the occasional fire. Fortunately, proximity to the river allows the Watermen’s Guild to quench fires quickly.
The serenity of this clear spring day is interrupted by a rider rapidly approaching from the Caravan Gate to the south. As he passes through the gate, he falls off his horse, extending an arm in your direction as if pleading for help. You quickly rush to the man’s side and hear him gasp, “Lizardfolk . . .Lizardfolk raided Cromm’s holding . . . need help . . . please . . . ” He then collapses into unconsciousness. The rider seems to have been in some kind of battle – his peasant’s shirt is soaked in blood and you notice there are several puncture wounds and claw marks on his arms and chest. The horse was also injured in their escape. Both rider and horse are taken into the care of other bystanders.
Cromm’s holding is one of the farming hamlets surrounding Daggermark, with five families of around 20-25 people. Although it is a 30 minute ride by horseback, you are likely the nearest help. As the on-duty militia, you are tasked with responding.
Ulan grits his teeth at the news.
"Savages attacking villagers? We can't have that!"
Ulan didn't much like horses, but haste was necessary.
He places himself at the rear of the group unless someone suggests a better position for him.
"Nythys things are starting out early this tim around." Mike says to himself.
Despite his urge to rush out the gate Mike calmly positions himself at the front of the column. He might not of received any combat training in the college but he was still the best rider the group has. He notiibly shifts uncomfterbly in his one size fits all malita armor as he ensures all his tools are easily accessable from his saddle.
Bryn posted at the gate has the wounded man practically fall into his arms is shocked by the man's injuries and the amount of blood soaking his clothing. As soon as the man is taken off to get medical treatment he hurries to the town Stables to collect horses for the Militia members riding to Cromm's Holding. While he works he tries to remember anything he has heard about lizard men in the area, but can't recall anything specific.
Like his brother, Breggel is not a comfortable rider of such large beasts, but time is of the essence.
"Come, let us get to the stables and ready our gear. Find Sherlyn Spearslayer and tell her what has happened!"
He then hurries off to his home to gather his weapons and armour, then rushes back over to the stables.
Soon enough you are mounted and off at a gallop to Cromm's hold. After less than a half hour, you see smoke on the horizon and urge your mounts to move a bit faster. As you ride over a hill, you see a pillar of smoke rising from the fortified townhouse in the center of the hamlet. As you watch, a stone wall falls in, the wooden supports eaten away by fire. A few reptilian bodies lie in the dirt; they appear to have been slain as they ran away. They still clutch some of their loot, mostly cheap household items.
In the center of the hamlet, the heat from the fire is intense, but dying. The few survivors, mostly women, are mourning their dead. Suddenly, an ash-stained woman accompanied by a forlorn girl rush towards you. The woman throws herself at one of your horses. “You must help him. You must!” she sobs. “He’s gone after the rest of them, into the swamp!” She breaks down into hysterical crying and crumples to the ground, her tears tracking down her soot-stained face.
The girl steps up to explain. ”This is Piann, Cromm’s wife. Cromm and some men were out hunting when we were attacked. The Lizardfolk came on us without warning – we never saw them coming! Cromm and his hunting party returned to find the lizardfolk completing their raid. They slaughtered every looting lizard they could and then, seeing that Cromm’s only son was one of the victims, they swore bloody vengeance against the marauders and immediately set off in hot pursuit in the direction of the Lizard Marsh.” She points towards the southwest, where you can see the edges of plowed fields and the beginning of what must be a freshwater marsh.
Scanning for both lizardfolk and human tracks
Try to get any more information about the lizardfolk from the calm girl.
Looking at the courpses for cause of death and also equipment.
Mike is surpirsed at the girls calmness in such a stressfull situation. "Young lady, do you or anyone know how many lizardfolk are still roaming the swamps and also the size of Cromm's party?"
After his conversation with the girl he turns to the group and shares any information gained. "Drlesh I don't like these beasts roaming in around the hamelts and strongly suggest we go help Cromm. I think the people here can handle the town.
|
|
Aldras was shocked at the scene he saw in front of him. He had never seen anything like this before in his life. After the initial shock was gone, Aldras went to inspect the lizardman corpses.
"They seem to be wearing some form of tribal markings. Their belts and baldrics are adorned with blue feathers.", Aldras said pointing at one of the lizardfolk corpses.
"I think Mike is correct. I am not certain how many lizardfolk were in the raiding party, but Cromm and his men will probably need our help."
Mike reaches over giving Aldras an appreciative pat on the pack for seconding his corse of action.
Lambert, maintaining his usual routine of silence, rides along with the others. His expression, though it was always dour, had an unusually grim cast to it. His frown deepened as they approached the hamelet, and his gaze followed the girl as she motiomed towards the marsh.
Not that he could drudge up much about the place. It was a place he had been told to avoid for years, for reasons that were now obvious. Hmm. Like Mike, Lambert also kept a watch out for any tracks that would be of use.
Cromm and his men can't be far. If we hurry maybe we can catch up to them.Bryn says looking towards the distant marsh. Do we try to take the horses in there or go on foot?
Climbing down from his mount, one of the last to make it to the devastated village, Breggel offers his suggestions.
"I would council on foot. Those bogs can be treacherous and we do not wish to be thrown from our mounts. Also if we do come upon the lizardmen, none of us are trained in mounted combat. And to be completely truthful, I am very uneasy in the saddle on a good road. I fear I would slow down the group if we road cross country."
Breggel makes a good point but if we have to fight the lizard folk there is a good chance some of our people will get hurt. Having the horses with us will make it easier to get them back to Daggermark. I think we should at least take some of them with us.
Byrn dismounts and looks around for anything that might be useful like weapons or sheilds dropped by the slain lizardfolk.
"Bryn, i'm going to have to side with Breggal. Horses are not made for soft ground like that. Lambert, you mastered in the natural whats your take on the situation at hand?
The tracks are easy to find into the swamp. Although the lizardfolk tracks get harder to follow, Cromm and his men made a pretty wide swath! It's also pretty obvious what caused the lizardfolk to die - deep gashes, multiple arrows protruding from their torsos, and crushed skulls and limbs tell of the grisly battle that occurred. Many of the lizardfolk are clutching poorly crafted wooden javelins or household items they tried to loot. Nothing of any value or usefulness.
The girl is only calm because she is in shock. Piann is in hysterical shock. The girl is in I'm-acting-calm-only-because-I'm-in-complete-shutdown-shock. She has no idea how many lizardfolk there are, and she thinks Cromm's hunting party had about 10 people in it...
As for the horses, there is enough dry paths through the swamp where you can walk single-file, with or without horses.
Not knowing the swamp and understanding the others concerns about taking the horses into the swamp. Having to pull a horse out of a mire would not help them catch up to Cromm and the others. So he also prepares to leave his horse behind. Bryn straps his sheild to his left arm and takes his militia issued shortspear in his right hand. His Bastard Sword is strapped across his back with the hilt over his right shoulder.
Proposed marching order:
Lambert (Druid)
Breggel (Paladin)
Drelsh (Cleric)
Aldras (Bard)
Mike (Wizard)
Ulan (Cleric)
Bryn (Fighter)
==========================================================
Into the Marsh
Entering the marsh is like entering another world. It is thick with lush vegetation and alive with the incessant whirring and clicking of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other…bigger…creatures. Reeds grow as high as a man on horseback, making long distance viewing impossible. The flat terrain is occasionally broken by a hillock which rises above the reeds or pools of stagnant water green with slime and fronds. Since Cromm was not trying to conceal his passage, you have little trouble finding and following his trail. You may easily ride the horses along the path, or you may go on foot; either way, you must move in single file.
Staying on foot Mike will lead one of the horse's behind him using it as a pack animal for critical gear. this will displace Ulan and Bryn one space. Mike keeps a watchful eye on the beast knowing it will sense danger long before he does. Trudging through the marsh is difficult and he uses his short spear as a walking stick to help disperse his weight and checking the ground for soft spots that might cripple the horse. he Leaves his bow on the horse and inaccessible. His spell book has been moved to his person and now dangles from his waist on a leather strap. His hunting knife is sheathed in his boot.
"Aldras."Mike whispers. "How the hell did we end up in this mess?
Ulan leaves his horse behind to graze before setting off with the others into the marshes. He grumbles to himself as he trudges through the mud, cautious of sinking into the bog with his weighty armour.
"Hmm, look here. Seems we got us some tracks."
He says to the group.
"Looks like boots... and probably lizardfolk. And..."
He frowns.
"No idea what these big ones are though. That's a worry."
Lambert, scowling as he found himself in the front of the line, chose to leave his horse behind for this excursion. The creature would probably be more of a hindrance than a help in the swampy environment, once he had thought about it. He went slowly along the path, ensuring that the dwarves had no trouble in keeping up. It helped him follow the mess of tracks more easily too, though they weren't exactly difficult to follow in the first place...
|
|
"Being at the right place at the right time I suppose", Aldras whispered back to Mike with a slight sarcastic undertone.
So the lizardmen sticked to the path, I thought they would have an easier time getting away from any assailants by getting into the more watery areas, Aldras thought when he heard what Ulan had to say about the tracks they were following.
"Their greed might very well be their downfall. The lizardfolk are probably still using the path to not lose any of their ill-gotten loot. If they had used the swamp waters we wouldn't have been able to track them this well", Aldras said and continued walking with renewed vigor. Although if one would closely they might notice something troubling Aldras' mind.
I just hope we will be on time to help Cromm and his men. They will have an easy time following these tracks as well, he thought.
Breggel trudges on resolutely through the stick morass. He keeps scanning the sides of the path for any signs of the missing men, or lizards.
Besides his weapons and sheild Bryn carries a waterskin,and a days worth of food with him. He takes a position at the back of the file. watching behind them to ensure nothing can take them by suprise.
"Ask a stupid question." Mike replies before letting out a sigh. His horse neighs and shakes some mosquito's off its head. "This whole raid hardly seems worth the cost in blood they are going to pay." Mike continues as he helps sooth the beast from the ravenous insects.
Massacre
After another half an hour in the swamp, carrion birds rise from the trail, frightened by your approach. Pushing through some tall weeds, you come upon the remains of a fight. Dead men and horses are sinking into the mud on both sides of the path. Across the path are the dead bodies of two brightly colored dinosaurs, about the size of a human.
The men are obviously from Cromm’s hunting party. While searching the bodies, you find Cromm - thoroughly dead and partially consumed. The men appear to have been looted after the battle, as none have weapons or armor worth keeping.
The lizardmen didn't leave here with the dinosaurs. The dinosaurs went that way. Bryn says pointing. And the Lizardmen went that way. he says pointing a different direction.
Ulan searches the battlefield, hoping in vain to find a survivor.
"The lizards and the dinosaurs both ambushed these men? Damn it all. We need to put an end to this. I say we hunt down those vile lizardmen first!"
"What on Galorian is a, dinosaur? I can tell they are carnivorous and about man sized but that's all I can get from this observation. Mike throws his hands up casting Flare in an attempt to blast away the swarm of insects that gathered around him. "You know, it can wait. I just want to get this security detail out of the way and get back to Daggermark and away from these pests."
|
|
Upon seeing the massacre, Aldras got a distraught look on his face. So we're to late to help them as well, then all that is truely left is vengeance, he thought.
After he had gathered his senses, he started pulling the men out of the mud, "We need to get them out of the mud, so they don't sink away. They need to get a proper burial after all of this is over and done."
When he dragged Cromm to a drier patch, Aldras started cursing. "Those bastards even took his wedding ring. We must get it back! Piann is already going through enough pain as it is!"
Where he had been mostly nervous up to this point, he was now visibly angry.
Bryn helps drag the bodies out of the mud and lay them out on the firmer surface of the path.
We have spent too much time here. If we are to catch up to these men's murders we will need to hurry Bryn is a little pale and his jaw is set and tight.
Breggel jumps into the marsh and starts removing the bodies of the dead hunting party, helping to lie them out on the path where they can be retrieved later.
"We cannot let this atrocity go unpunished. We must make sure the people of this land are safe from such marauders. Let us continue and hunt down these monsters and make sure they harm no one else ever again!"
The party continues after the lizardfolk tracks for another 20-30 minutes, when Breggel calls everyone to a halt. Two monstrous frogs, with moist, mottled, blackish-green skin, sit in the brackish water on either side of the path. The path here is 10' wide, so you are two abreast and staggered, and the frogs are 20' ahead of you.
Marching order
Lambert (Druid)
Breggel (Paladin)
Drelsh (Cleric) (You still with us, Doc?)
Aldras (Bard)
Mike (Wizard)
Ulan (Cleric)
Bryn (Fighter)
Round 1
>Drelsh<
Bryn
Mike
Ulan
Frogs
Breggel
Lambert
Aldras