Game On!
|
Johann comes in fiddling with an odd looking device stuck into a vial of black liquid, and jotting notes in a dog-eared book.
"Oh, it's you lot! What a pleasant surprise! I had the most ridiculous time in Absalom recently -- devils, sea-tunnels, and another so-called Alchemist who seemed more interested in dousing our fellow pathfinders with acid than actually accomplishing our mission! But where are we going now? I hope it's not up a mountain -- I've had my fill of mountains for quite a while! Oh this? It's a sample of Devil's blood, taken from the creatures I defeated not long ago. I'm running tests on it."
Mendev’s Pathfinder lodge in the capital city of Nerosyan is housed within Starrise Spire, a defensive tower in the outer wall whose pinnacle glows with celestial light that shines out like a beacon, simultaneously giving comfort to Nerosyan’s defenders and acting as a warning to any who might wish the city harm.
Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury calls a short meeting on a covered balcony overlooking the city. A middle-aged Mwangi man with greying hair, he closes the door to the spire’s interior and takes a seat in one of the set-up camp chairs, gesturing for his guests to do the same.
"We Pathfinders of Mendev," he states, making a sweeping hand gesture that encompasses everyone present, "have our own agendas, but these must sometimes give way to the greater need: the protection of this land and its people from the horrors that dwell in the Worldwound."
"We are here by the grace of her majesty, Queen Galfrey of Mendev. Without her support, we would surely be run out of town by Hulrun’s more fervent followers. Our agreement with her states that all Pathfinders are required to volunteer some of their time in the defense of the realm. As relative newcomers, I’ve recommended you to take part in a minor military mission under the command of a veteran crusader named Sir Ilivan of Erages. Although he is not a Pathfinder, you would be wise to follow his advice, as he has been fighting the Abyssal spawn longer than some of you have been alive. I expect you will give him the respect he deserves."
Venture-Captain Jorsal stands and opens the heavy wooden door leading back into the lodge, revealing a tall half-elven man clad in heavy plate armor, wearing a red tabard typical of the Mendevian Crusaders, and carrying a cavalry helmet in his left hand. He gives a professional nod to Jorsal before striding to the front of the group, surveying everyone with poorly disguised disappointment.
"Pathfinders," he barks in quick staccato without further preamble, "our mission is simple. The recent attacks on the wardstones have compromised our defenses, and the enemy presses its advantage. We have received word of attacks on Fort Portolmaeus to the north, but the crusader leadership suspects that other parts of the line may have been breached as well. We will proceed to Fort Portolmaeus tomorrow morning on horseback to assess the damage, using the passphrase 'That the Black Prince might be redeemed' to permit us entry. On the way there, we will scout for enemy movements and other signs of demon activity. Once we have completed our assessment, we are to return to Nerosyan and you will be relieved of your obligations to the Crown. Do you have any questions?"
|
Dimitra enters the meeting room, more then fashionably late. It is obvious she has been shopping since her last assignment. A brand new cloak is draped around her shoulders and she also wears a shining, mithral, chain shirt.
"My apologies Venture Captain, I got delayed on the way to our meeting. Your lovely town has too many distractions!"
She sighs dramatically and winks to Walter. Then she looks at Naurin and whispers: "What are we supposed to do?"
The knight raises an eyebrow and turns to Walter.
"Nothing is simple this close to the wound."
"We are not sure what has caused the Wardstones to fail at this time, but we strongly suspect demonic scheming"
The wardstones are magical menhirs of tremendous power first built during the Second Crusade. They project a powerful field capable of destroying all but the most powerful demons. Built near the banks of the West Sellen and Moutray Rivers, they stopped the expansion of the Worldwound until very recently.
The wardstones recently failed, coinciding with a large attack on Nerosyan. No doubt the demons are at least indirectly responsible.
Even though the demons of the Worldwound have no central leadership,
their most powerful current warlords are the balor Khorramzadeh of Iz, also known as the Storm King, and the marilith Aponavicius, who controls the former crusader city of Drezen far to the north.
Sir Ilivan was a smuggler on Lake Encarthan before joining the Mendevian Crusades, a fact he is not ashamed to admit.
Sir Ilivan rose from the ranks of the enlisted to become an officer and was knighted by Queen Galfrey.
|
Naurin recounts what she knows of the history of the crusades and the wardstones - highlighting the church of Iomedae's involvement - though she reserves information about Sir Ilivan, despite its innocuousness, until the group is alone again. "If a smuggler could do it, perhaps I could, too, despite my ... birthright?"
|
|
"So, this fort is under attack? Do we have any intelligence? Is it demons? Cultists? Undead? Undead demon cultists? Has anyone studied the alchemical properties of demon blood, the way that diabolists make use of devil's blood? " Johann patters off a series of questions as soon as they occur to his wandering mind.
{ooc]Sir illivan as excused himself from the room to prepare for tommorrow's journey.[/ooc]
V-C Jorsal chuckles quietly under his breath at the irrepressible gnome.
"We honestly are not sure. It's probably been attacked, but we'd like you to find out for sure what's happened there. It is a very straightforward assignment, but as Sir Illivan here said, there are always many potential dangers so close to the Worldwound. Stay on your guard at all times. Things may not be as they appear. And please respect Sir Illivan's advice. He's been at this for decades now. And no, we haven't had the chance to study demon blood but I'm sure a few of our Society would like to give it a try..."
"Please, if there are no other questions make your preparations and meet Sir Illivan at the north gates after you break fast."
"Of course. Please see him in the side office off the foyer. He can see to any cold iron weapons you might need."
"Yes, you will be given mounts and all necessary provisions"
With that the group takes their leave. They rest for the night and meet Sir Illivan at the appointed spot.
The party mounts up and follows the River Road northward. Sir Ilivan turns off of the River Road onto a small, overgrown path that cuts through drooping evergreens. He informs you that there is a long-abandoned village ahead, and that the enemy has used it as a staging ground in the past. He dismounts and ties his mare to a tree, motioning for you to do the same.
He leads you as quietly as he can up a nearby hill dotted with gnarled apple trees. Just before reaching the top of the hill, he motions for you to drop prone and crawl the rest of the way. Once you reach the crest of the hill, you see this:
An abandoned village lies at the foot of the hill on the banks of the West Sellen River, its decaying structures slowly melting back into the landscape. Between the hill and the village proper lie flooded fields sectioned off by raised, earthen walkways that converge on a larger, dry area.
A group of six Mendevian commoners have assembled on the larger, open dry patch in the middle of the fields. Two lie on the ground in obvious pain, while the rest stand in a circle, holding threshes, spades, pitchforks, and other farming implements. A small heap of bodies — dead by all appearances — lies near them.
|
|
Naurin dismounts awkwardly and ties up her horse, following Sir Ilivan's lead. She scans the fields and the faces of the commoners, trying to get an understanding of what is happening, but waits for Sir Ilivan to give the go-ahead before moving closer.
She has a better feel for people, something she has been working to improve, than for the little details of things.
Dimitra, Walter, and Mal move closer to the group of people, while the rest of the party watches them go. sir Illivan speaks to Gunther and Naurin:
"Get your friends back to the horses! These lot are obvious cultists here to perform some obscene ritual! We'll leave them be."
As the advance party reaches the tip of land closest to the people, one shouts: "Inturders! Kill them!" Five individuals move your way. Walter can see that three detect as evil!
Round 1:
Malfeas
Naurin
Johann
Walter
Gunther
Dimitra
bad guys
|
Walter grins as he moves forward to block any easy position from the enemy (Q22).
Beware, for Abadar has shown some of them evil!
He readies his long spear for an enemy's advance (10' reach).
As a swift action, Walter pronounces judgment on his foes!
By the scales of Abadar! Make way!
As Mal's arrows speed through the air, Naurin and Walter get a sick feeling in their stomachs. The evil creatures are actually vermlek demons, who have the ability to inhabit the body of other creatures! Only cold iron or good weapons harm them fully.
Both arrows strike the lead vermlek, but it plods on ahead! Walter takes up position and Dimitra's wand fizzles. Johann, Gunther and Naurin move in.
Now the monsters and their human "allies" take action.
The enemies move towards the party! The lead commoner triggers Walter attack!
Walter runs the man completely through with his spear, and the man falls to the ground bleeding.
The others get closer. Then the three vermleks begin to chant a spell, all three releasing waves of dark energy! Two are able to strike at Walter, Dimitra and Mal, while one reaches only Walter and Dimitra.