"They should be back defending the camp! We'd have been there too, but...well, Inkit and me," he nods at the shy girl, "we'd taken some of the others out to fish at the lake. I guess the undead must've attacked while we were gone...we got caught by them on our way back to the camp and had to hide in the cave," he explains, looking chagrined. "But if you're with us then I'm sure we can make it the rest of the way back. Come on!"
Once everyone is ready Dron and Inkit lead you back to the Twinhorn camp, which consists of several tents made of thick animal hides. A 10-foot high partial palisade runs around the core of the camp, functioning as a windbreak and as a means of making the camp easier to defend. The area around the camp is littered with the bodies of the risen dead and Twinhorn alike but at the moment seems to be clear of danger.
As you stride into camp, Dron directs your attention to a large tent located in the center of the camp. "That's where our council of elders meets. They're probably in there right now, working on how to best defend the camp. You should go and speak with them."
Drawing near to the tent you can hear the sound of raised voices coming from inside and you suddenly recognize that one of them belongs to Medda.
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"It used to be a bear cave I think, but we've not found any bears wintering in it for at least two or three years now," Dron explains, looking at the dwarf a bit strangely. "Sometimes we store extra supplies in here before we pick up and move on in the spring, so they'll be here when we return in the winter. That's why we've got that wooden barricade."
As best as Arbiscar can tell, the group of teens are being honest about why they were out and what lies within the small cave.
_______
For lack of a better option, the group steps inside the large command tent. The thick hide walls of this large tent muffle the sounds from outside. Iron spikes pin down an enormous map in the center of the tent. Wooden carvings of warriors and monsters lie strewn about the map, marking the location of fighting warriors and the encroaching undead. Medda is here, speaking to two others - a massive middle-aged looking man and an old, wizened woman.
"And you want us to just walk away and leave it all behind!?" Medda exclaims. "This is our ancestral wintering ground!"
"Not to mention you would have us abandon our sacred pledge to Ivvora," Anok rumbles from nearby. "Do you truly think that to be the best course of action here, Kragr?"
The man, Kragr, pounds his fist on the table, sending carvings flying in all directions. "Of course I do! Our forces have been decimated; to stay would be lunacy! There are other wintering grounds, ones where we don't have to worry about bloodthirsty orcs and cursed undead!"
"Are you some of the brave warriors Medda has told us about?" the older woman asks, having spotted the group first as you entered the tent. "If so, then please stay and speak with us, for it may be that we find ourselves in need of your wisdom and guidance. I am Jala the Patient." She gestures to the tall Kellid man. "Kragr Bloodhand. And you already know Medda and Anok."
She turns to the group and beckons them to sit. "Make yourselves comfortable, but then we must speak. We are at a decision point."
It is now Round One - what will you do?
Marcus eyes Kragr, sizing him up. This massive Kellid stands a head taller than most humans and wears a dire polar bear cloak from a bear he personally wrestled, pinned, and strangled during a year he spent traveling the Crown of the World. The many scars on his body suggest a life of physical conflict and perseverance.
Noticing Marcus staring at him, Kragr snorts. "If you have something to say to me, you'd best say it instead of standing there gawping like a fool."
Marcus already knows from listening to some of other Twinhorns talk on the journey to the encampment that Kragr is the primary hunter of the Twinhorns and is most comfortable outdoors. He has had experience in skirmishes with other followings and orcs from the south, but he usually fights his foes directly. He has wanted to abandon the traditions of Vildeis and Ivvora for years, feeling there are better places to spend winters with more game and fewer orcs. He clearly sees no value in remaining.
Based on how Kragr conducts himself, Marcus suspects that the man is much more likely to hear words from the strong and hearty than those who he considers to be weak. More importantly, it's likely that he does not wish to be considered a coward. Some sly insinuation might make him more likely to stand and fight, but directly calling him out as a coward could backfire spectacularly.
_______
Seeking Aid Tracker
Discoveries Made: 1/3
Medda Influence: 0/?
Jala Influence: 0/?
Kragr Influence: 0/?
Marcus - Discovery Made
Arbiscar
Leepo + Scritch
Dekion
Esh
Katswiri
Arbiscar, Leepo + Scritch, Dekion, Esh and Katswiri all still have a skill check to attempt for Round 1!
Jala’s age may have wrinkled her skin and clouded her vision, but she still wears her leather armor and longbow proudly. Regular exercise has kept her body strong, despite her old age. She is silent for a long moment as if weighing her words carefully.
"Kragr and Medda both have compelling reasons for choosing as they do," she responds, turning her eyes - surely once a brilliant blue but now misted over with age - towards Katswiri. "But they are both proud, stubborn individuals, letting emotion cloud their judgement. I think that the wisest answer is the one reached with a clear head and an honest heart."
Katswiri can easily recognize that Jala is more likely to consider sound, reasoned arguments for staying rather than impassioned pleas that hinge on emotional manipulation.
Medda bites her at her lower lip, frowning. "Yes, but...Kragr is right, there are so many dead. Even with the aid of yourselves and the other Pathfinders, could we really stand against the forces of darkness?"
She shakes her head. "I...I am not so sure if we could."
_______
Discoveries Made: 2/3
Medda Influence: 0/?
Jala Influence: 0/?
Kragr Influence: 0/?
Marcus - Discovery Made
Katswiri - Discovery Made
Leepo + Scritch - Discovery Attempt
Arbiscar
Dekion
Esh
Arbiscar, Dekion, and Esh still have a skill check to make!
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"Jala, if we stand here together we can properly prepare. While if we leave now, we would be an easy target one after one" Arbiscar shows the golden key on his neck "The gods are with us. We will fight undead or orc as we have done so far, but this time we know what we face and can do it even better"
Jala considers Arbiscar's words and nods. "What you say has merit. Retreating now means retreating while the forces of darkness nip at our heels all the way. Who knows how many more lives might be lost?"
"Though I still harbor doubts, your words are wise, warrior of the First Vault. I will think on them."
_______
As Esh draws himself up to his full height to stand before Kragr, the Kellid gives him an appraising look. Though it isn't necessarily a look of approval, neither is it a look of derision.
"Your words are strong but lest you forget - we Twinhorn have wintered here for generations. Every winter, we must face the orcs and other creatures that roam these harsh lands. Every winter, we have prevailed," he seethes. "Until now. The arrival of these forsaken undead have shifted the balance. Throw enough foes at anyone and they will eventually weaken and be overwhelmed!"
Although it might not seem like Esh's words have had an effect, Kragr does seem to have cooled his temper a bit.
_______
Of all things, both Dekion and Scritch put their heads together and patiently piece together what they know of Medda through their time traveling with her. They know that when she was 11 years old, Medda accepted the responsibility of sheltering Anok’s phantom, as had her mother before her. She had been presumed to be a boy up until that point, and accepting the heavy family burden helped her find the inner strength to acknowledge her true self. Her revelation pleased the elder council, for “evening’s daughters” — daughters who revealed themselves later than most — were presumed in Kellid culture to posses incredible willpower and tenacity. Once bound to Ivvora’s hilt and Anok, Medda developed considerable psychic magic, which she honed through many adventures and spiritual trials in the 15 years since. Medda is a wise councilor, resourceful healer, and time-tested leader for the Twinhorn following.
Medda has a lithe build, especially by Kellid standards, and wears her auburn hair tied in a tight braid. She wears a breastplate over her furs and carries a longspear into battle. As a devout follower of Vildeis, she wears a bloody bandage as a symbol of her own sacrifice, giving some of her own life force to sustain the phantom of Anok. Small scars featuring celestial runes peak from beneath her clothing.
Both man and eidolon realize that perhaps reminding Medda of her devotion to Vildeis - as Leepo had tried to do - will be enough to convince her to stand her ground and carry on.
_______
Discoveries Made: 3/3
Medda Influence: 0/?
Jala Influence: 1/?
Kragr Influence: 1/?
Arbiscar
Dekion
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
Marcus
Katswiri
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Arbiscar touches the golden key he has shown to Jala, it the glimmers and the dwarf words become even more inspiring.
He turns to Medda after Dekion and Scritch make their discovery "Aye, I see the symbol of Vildeis in you. You sustain the life force of Anok phantom" Arbiscar nods reassured while placing his silver earthbreaker ready in front "The gods are with us, they would not like us to run in this ill time. Let's join our weapons and we will be invencible"
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Esh nods at Kragr's answer and goes to face Medda. He however chooses another approach.
"Medda, you're the chosen bearer of Ivvora's hilt. You are the holy arm of Vildeis! A task no one else can endorse. You cannot fail! She even sent Anok to help you in your quest!" says the ganzi, smiling at the woman.
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"It is more than just the immediate threat of the forces of darkness, Jala. Far more dangerous is what we may face in the future if this evil is not contained." Katswiri's eyes are unfocused, as she trembles slightly with the power of her oracular visions flooding her mind. "I can see great danger, Jala, though my vision is clouded to specific events. Eshimka may have been slain long ago, but death means very different things to creatures of darkness from beyond our world. I greatly fear that this being may not have been destroyed, but instead simply exiled, banished to the dark plane from whence it came. If I am right, this ritual likely was given to you to keep this evil bound away from this world." Katswiri's eyes refocus, locking her gaze on the woman with a worried stare, letting a momentary pause linger in the air before quietly continuing. "I fear that it will not be pleased with its jailers should it break free."
Medda considers Arbiscar's words for a moment and then shakes her head. "Perhaps they wouldn't wish us to run, no...but neither would they want us to throw our lives away for a lost cause! Would it not be better to withdraw now and regather our strength?"
At this point, Esh steps forward and delivers his own viewpoint of the situation and something in Medda finally seems to shift. She straightens her shoulders and stands a little taller. "You are right...Vildeis did entrust this task to me and she surely did send Anok to my mother's side and then to mine. If we were to turn away now...I don't know that I could hold my head up high ever again. Even if the odds are great, a glorious death would be preferable to a life of shame!"
_______
Discoveries Made: 3/3
Medda Influence: 1/?
Jala Influence: 1/?
Kragr Influence: 1/?
Jala's expression grows grave as Katswiri envisions a dark future, one where Eshimka runs free across the Material Plane. "Yes, yes, you see it was this very thing that I have been grappling with myself," the elder woman nods. "The legends speak of Eshimka as being a terrible, petty creature, just the sort of being to bear - and nurse - a grudge. If such a thing were true, it would be very likely that Eshimka would hunt us to the last."
_______
Discoveries Made: 3/3
Medda Influence: 1/?
Jala Influence: 2/?
Kragr Influence: 1/?
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Feeling somewhat useless in the discussion, Dekion tries to tap into Kragr's warrior spirit.
"You look like you know how to handle some orcs and I can't imagine some undead bother you. They were dead once, it's not that hard to make them dead again. Besides, real combat helps us fighters stay sharp. Too much downtime makes us rusty."
Kragr stares hard at Marcus but there's no anger in his expression. Instead, it's almost a look of disappointment. "Why do you fling insults like a child? You are strong, you are hearty, I can tell just by looking at you. Words like that only diminish your presence and standing in the eyes of others."
To Dekion, he gives a more approving glance. "It's not that I doubt my own skills or the skills of the remaining warriors. But you do make a good point...you must continue to flex your muscles to keep them strong. Sitting idle in quieter lands would spare lives in the short run but in the longer run...would it make the Twinhorns weak?" He seems to be seriously considering Dekion and his words, but isn't quite ready to concede the point...
_______
Discoveries Made: 3/3
Medda Influence: 1/?
Jala Influence: 2/?
Kragr Influence: 1/?
Arbiscar
Dekion
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
Marcus
Katswiri
Leepo still to go! Don't forget, you can always try to Aid someone that's already made a check...*whistles*
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Feeling that his argument with Kragr probably did not help their goals, Marcus moves on to try a new tact. He moves to Jala, seeing that she is the most reasonable one, and begins laying out some maps of the area, and explaining the defensibility of positions, and why these lands make better wintering lands than any nearby alternatives.
"You don't say?" Kragr replies to Leepo, warming towards Dekion a bit more. "Good to know you have the muscle to back up your words! Very well, you do speak sense; if the Twinhorns seek an easier path then it might weaken us in the long run. That's something I hadn't thought of before."
_______
Adding on to the words of Arbiscar and Katswiri, Marcus pulls out his maps and begins to lay out a comparison of the current Twinhorn wintering grounds and other potential areas in the region. Though one area has slightly more convenient access to fresh water and another features more forest for hunting, the current wintering grounds are clearly the choicest - which is likely why they have to compete with the local orcs for them.
With that, Jala stands and looks at the group. "At first I believed that voting to leave these grounds would be the best choice for what remains of the Twinhorn, but now I see that I was mistaken. You have convinced me, wise Pathfinders - I will vote to remain."
_______
Discoveries Made: 3/3
Medda Influence: 1/?
Jala Influence: 3/3
Kragr Influence: 2/?
Arbiscar
Dekion
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
Marcus
Katswiri
Arbiscar, Dekion, Esh, Leepo + Scritch, and Katswiri are UP! Jala has been swayed to your side, but Kragr and Medda still need some convincing.
"You really think that we have a chance then, with what remains of our people and your own might?" Kragr responds. Though he tries to sound dubious, he seems to finally be coming around to the idea of staying to fight it out. "Hmm...it could work...though some of us would have to shoulder the work that the weaker among us cannot handle..." he mutters, pondering the map of the region.
_______
Meanwhile, Medda slams her hand down on the table. "Yes! I...no, WE must persevere! We've made it this far; our journey and our struggle is nearly at an end and I must see it to its conclusion, whatever it may be!"
Eyes shining, Medda holds her head high. "I vote to stand and fight!"
______
With Jala and Medda having been brought around, the only holdout now is Kragr. Dekion and Leepo huddle for a few moments and then approach the reticent Kellid.
"Come on...you've heard about everything that's happened on our trip up here with Medda, right? Then you know that we're not putting you on about our fighting strength," Dekion says.
"Yeah! And look, Medda and Jala have agreed to stay! Stand proud with us and your people Kragr," Leepo chimes in.
For a long moment, Kragr is silent as he gazes around the command tent. Then, his lips twitch and a smile slowly creeps across his face. "Hells, I guess I can't let you Pathfinders have all the fun now can I? Fine, fine, I'm in until the bitter end!"
_______
It took equal amounts of quick thinking and careful consideration, but you managed to rally all three of the Twinhorn council members and convince them to stand and fight against Eshimka's forces. You don't yet know what you'll find when the time comes to make the journey to the stone circle where Ivvora battled with the creature so long ago, but you know that one way or the other, your journey is very nearly at an end.
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Medda rides by, calling above the din of the raging battle, “The path is clear—we can reach the valley that holds the stone circle. Let us band together and stop the undead tide. I am concerned that some of the foul creatures had the name ‘Eshimka’ on their rotting lips. We must stand together and use all of our power to close this black portal before it’s too late!”
Fighting side-by-side, the Twinhorn following and Pathfinders have carved a path to the stone circle. This affords only a brief opening to stop the undead army, and the fighting will be difficult.
Your path clear and the final task now before you, you make your way along the river until you top a small rise. Old, worn steps lead down to a trail that winds its way through the trees and ends at a large clearing. The clearing features a circle of standing stones with a large stone altar at its center. A shadowy tear floats above the altar, so dark that what little light shines from the stars seems to become trapped inside. Eight large tendrils of inky darkness coil around the menhirs as if keeping the stones in a stranglehold. Other tendrils lick out from the shadowy rift as if tasting the air.
In addition to the strange, tentacle-like tendrils, the group can also see several skeletons and what looks to be some sort of enormous hand crawling around within the circle. Some of Eshimka's early forces, no doubt...
For every 5 that you beat the DC, you may ask for one piece of information from this list.
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Esh
Leepo + Scritch
=======
Skeletons
=======
Dekion
Marcus
Arbiscar
=======
Giant Crawling Hand
=======
Katswiri
Active Conditions: Dim Light - Everyone has concealment (20% miss chance) from those without darkvision or some other means of seeing in poor light.
Esh and Leepo + Scritch are UP!
_______
_______
Katswiri knows that the skeletons and the giant hand are undead creatures and thus immune to a multitude of magical and physical effects; in addition the skeletons also shrug off the cold with ease and fare worse when subjected to crushing attacks than other types of damage.
Resigned to a long hike, Esh moves down the stairs and towards the circle as quickly as he can go...
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Arbiscar growls "I prepared a spell that might hide us from the undeads until we are over them. Let me share with you"
The dwarf casts bless on the whole party, then hide from undead on Dekion, Esh and himself.
He then moves as fast as he can with his silver Earthbreaker readied on his hands and a great smile on his face while climbing the stairs with a blessing to Abadar and snaking through the forest path.
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"Marcus, can you cover us from here? Let me cast Light on one of your arrows. If you shoot it down near the group, it should make it easier for us to see our foes."
Assuming Marcus allows her to, Katswiri will cast Light on one of his arrows. She will then begin to follow the rest of the group as quickly as she can.
While the majority of the group hustles forward along the path, Marcus and Katswiri work together to shed some light on the situation. Marcus' arrow thuds into the ground just inside the stone circle, illuminating your foes!
As Esh approaches the circle, he can not only see the skeletons and giant hand milling about within it, but the strange, black tentacles that seem to hungrily grasp the air...
_______
Esh
Leepo + Scritch
=======
Skeletons
=======
Dekion
Marcus
Arbiscar
=======
Giant Crawling Hand
=======
Katswiri
Active Conditions: Dim Light (outside circle), Normal Light (inside circle)
Esh and Leepo + Scritch are UP!
_______