Grokar stands quiet and surly listening to the task at hand. As if in a trance he says little and is instead thinking of how funny it is that they seem to be caught up helping the fey, but hey it it pays he doesn't mind cracking some skulls. "sorry ma'am, I am Grokar Shaman of my own tribe. I will help." the words come out choppy as if he is unsure of himself as he speaks.
"Grokar Shaman, thank you for helping in this investigation." She addresses the group "I know that you adventure for glory, but mostly for the rewards. I am certain Syntira will reward you with all she can, as will I. The church is not wealthy, as you know, but I will come up with what I can."
Cirthana leads you out back. Jardregg and Kibbo are trying to do something with a dark brown pony, who is just standing there ignoring them. It is saddled and bridled. Cirthana puts some hay in the saddle bags. "There. Rhen Vemsa, your mount awaits you. Gentlemen, please excuse me as I have duties to attend to. May Iomedae be with you."
Rhen mounts the Pony and sets off when everyone is ready.
After hours of travel, you enter the woods. The light in Darkmoon Wood is dim under the thick forest canopy, and an eerie mist blankets the damp forest floor. A humble cutyard fills this manmade clearing. Thick darkwood stumps cover the ground and the scent of sawdust lingers in the air. Two rows of tents line a central path strewn with abandoned axes, saws, chains, and coils of rope. Over the unnatural silence of the forest, sounds of terrified screaming and ripping canvas carry from the far side of the camp. Two lumberjacks are behind the wolves on the ground and not moving.
roll initiative
Grokar
Mox
Bulgard
Rhen
lumberjack white
lumberjack red
lumberjack green
lumberjack black
lumberjack blue
lumberjack grey
dire wolf plague zombie
dire wolf plague zombie red
Round 1
Rhen <====
Lumberjack grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Grokar, Mox, Bulgard and Khador, Lumberjack red, lumberjack red, lumberjack green, lumberjack black,
dire wolf plague zombie
lumberjack blue, lumberjack white
Rhen moves into the grass to the right, hoping to disappear from sight and allow his companions to draw their attention.
A lumberjack moves to the huge zombie wolves. He swings a greataxe at the first wolf.
He cleaves the second wolf
The wolf attempts to bite and slam the logger
Grokar, Mox, Bulgard and Khador, Lumberjack red, lumberjack green, lumberjack black <=======
dire wolf plague zombie
lumberjack blue, lumberjack white
Mox strides forward, pulling his crossbow from his belt. He positions himself against a stump and scans the group of combatants with his Soul Seer ability.
Mox senses nothing near death within 30 feet of him. Three lumberjacks (red, green, and black) flee into the woods. Bulgard moves to get a clear shot the forward wolf. Khador moves into a position to protect Bulgard. Bulgard lets two arrows loose.
Grokar is up.
Grokar runs forward to aid the lumberjacks, but is too slow to get all the way to them as he charges he raises his Becky and screams "We kill them all!" Not the most unique battle cry, but it does the job every ally within 30 ft receives a +1 to attack and damage rolls.
A wolf bites and slams at the lumberjack in white.
The lumberjack in white goes down stained in blood.
The lumberjack in blue flees into the woods.
Round 2
Rhen <====
lumberjack in grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Grokar, Mox, Bulgard and Khador
dire wolf plague zombie
lumberjack white
Rhen slinks towards the doctor, keeping just behind Grokar.
The red zombie wolf moves 5 feet, flanking the lumberjack in grey. He bites and slams the prone lumberjack in white.
Pieces of the lumberjack in white fly in every direction.
The lumberjack in grey swings his greataxe at the red wolf
He misses the wolf
Round 2
Rhen
lumberjack in grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Grokar, Mox, Bulgard and Khador <====
dire wolf plague zombie
Mox aims his weapon and fires at the undead wolf.
As if one, Bulgard and Khador move closer to the undead targets. You notice that the husks of these wolves have been stuffed with bright red flowers.
A bolt and two arrows miss their targets.
Round 2
Rhen
lumberjack in grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Mox, Bulgard and Khador
Grokar <====
dire wolf plague zombie
Grokar steps forward and bellows swinging Becky in a huge arc down at the red wolf.
His battle cry stays in effect and all who hear it continue to be bolstered.
Grokar removes a good portion of the red zombie wolf.
The other wolf attacks the lumberjack in grey.
The wolf fails to penetrate the lumberjack's armor.
Round 3
Rhen <====
lumberjack in grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Mox, Bulgard and Khador, Grokar
dire wolf plague zombie
RHen continues his slow moving upwards towards the wolves
The lumberjack swings his greataxe with deadly intent at the farthest wolf.
He takes a 5 ft step. The wolf is in tatters.
The red wolf takes a 5 foot step and attacks the logger
The lumberjack takes another 18 hps of damage
Bulard lets off two more rounds
As the second arrow hits it, the red wolf explodes, leaving a cloud of white dust. The adjacent logger is engulfed and the cloud quickly dissipates.
Round 3
Rhen
lumberjack in grey, dire wolf plague zombie red
Bulgard and Khador
Mox, Grokar <===
dire wolf plague zombie
You kill good the half orc exclaims moving forward again and swinging at the creature.
With the threat gone, the lumberjack drops to a knee and leans on his greataxe. Looking up at you he addresses the group. "Your timing is...I know you...Yes, I attempted to make your acquaintance at the Sitting Duck. Kitani was with you. I am Seldlron. I work for the consortium. They send me out to keep safe whoever needs protection. What in the world brings you to this cursed site? Did the consortium hire you too?"
Seldlron is sweating profusely. He has small white pustules on all of his exposed skin.
"Those flowers stuffed in the zombie wolves grow at a farm run by cultists." He takes note of Mox's appearance and shudders. "Thought I had seen it all. I reckon ye don't do so well with the womenfolk."
Knowledge local for information on the cult.
Mox strides towards Seldlron and examines his apparent affliction.
"You fought good" Grokar says a bit saddened that the fighting did not last longer. He steps aside to allow their new companion to take a closer look and spits when the masked man passes.
Seldlron grips his axe, not trusting the masked stranger. He does allow Mox to inspect him.
The disease affects charisma and constitution. It is particularly difficult to fight off, both Initially and after infection. Seldlron has ability damage to both charisma and constitution and the resulting effects, not to mention sickness. It is doubtful he will be able to fend this off without aid of some sort.
Afflictions
Mox concludes his examination.
You are infected. When did you symptoms begin?
He does not wait for an answer before striding over to the wolf that emitted the dust. He exhales heavily through his mask, invoking his Aura of Purity. Once the area around him is cleansed, he examines the corpse and the logger.
The logger was infected exactly like Seldlron before being slain by the zombie wolf. The dust left by the wolves exploding upon death is a contagion. Anyone nearby would have been exposed to the disease.
"We lost six lumberjacks to an unprovoked satyr attack on our camp. Mr. Fulch, the overseer, sent me and three others to hunt down and kill the satyrs. While I was tracking them we came upon a farm of flamebloom flowers being tended by Fiendblood Covenant followers. I know they are because they told me so. Are you familiar with them? They hide their identities as much as possible. These particular cultists are somehow emboldened, unlike those in town."
"Here, I made notes on it so that whoever treats me or finds my body will know how it progresses." He takes a parchment from under his chain shirt and reads it to you.
"Day 1 - about two hours after being in that cultist flamebloom farm we all felt the first symptoms. I felt sick and fatigued and irritable.
Day 2 - I feel better but still sick and fatigued. Not as irritable.
Day 3 - I feel my strength being drained by this disease. Getting as much rest as I can. Fulch gives me no more than 8. Work is difficult."
Mox examines the note and nods. He pulls a large leather pouch from his belt and unfolds it. The pouch opens to reveal several smaller pouches along with vials and medical instruments. He begins mixing ingredients together with quick, precise movements. He places a vial of newly created salve in a pocket and folds the kit back up. He then dispenses the salve to the two infected men.
This is not a cure, but may perhaps allow you to fight off the affliction until we can produce one. Rub it into your skin, paying close attention to areas where the pustules have ruptured.
"Thank you, sir. Are you some kind of healer? What is your name and those who are with you."
"Flame bloom?" Grokar thinks to himself, he is not exactly a learned half-orc but perhaps he knows something of this flamebloom.
You may call me Mox, and yes I am a practitioner of the healing arts. These individuals are members of your community from what I understand.
Grokar knows that flamebloom flowers are common, indigenous, and harmless. They are often used as decorations and have a pleasant odor.
"Thank you, Mox." . He applies the salve everywhere. He notices that Bulgard is beginning to search the first tent to the east. "Zender Fulch, the camp overseer, is in the northeastern tent. He does not like to be disturbed. Apparently he does not like to fight dire zombie plague wolves either."
Rhen puts his sword away, then look around the camp a bit.
"So this cult be puttin' daisies inta dead wolves and sendin' em ta attack the camp? Ye also be attacked be the Fey despite them calming their lands back? Yer consortium be a bit dum I think." Upon hearing the over seer doesn't like to be disturbed, Rhen's smile gets large and he walks over to the tent.
"Ye the Overseer?" Rhen bellows at the tent
Rhen has heard about the cult that plagues the streets of Falcon's Hollow. They hide in plain sight, usually posing as beggars on the streets. The cult is Urgathoan. Their teachings include exaltations of hedonism, gluttony, and over-indulgence which is enticing to many of the homeless.
There is no response from the tent or the overseer when Rhen calls him out.
Mox makes his way to the tent. He exhales, invoking his Aura of Purity (1 min) once again.
Mr. Fulch, I need to speak with you concerning the well being of your men.
He opens the tent and leans inside.
This tent holds only a single cot, on which Fulch’s cold, pus-covered body lies.
Mox looks to Rhen.
If you enter, stay next to me and you will be protected.
Then to the woodsman and his wolf.
Keep that beast out of here.
He enters the tent and examines the body on the cot.
Fulch has the exact same disease as Seldlron and the dead logger you examined. This must be the final phase.
Rhen looks up at the man in the mask, not giving him anything but stepping inside with him. Rhen pokes at the contents of the tent with his blade.
"What do ye see?"
The overseer is neither alive nor undead.
Rhen pokes around, but there is nothing in this tent except a cot and a dead ody.
Bulgard finds that the four southern tents each hold two cots and unlocked chests containing the lumberjacks’ personal effects—clothing, tools, and mementos of their families.
This man is dead.