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First Watch
Second Watch
Third Watch
First Watch
During first watch, Garrace hears nothing, paying attention to giving Kaden tips on using his scythe. However, Kaden hears twigs cracking in the woods around the camp, seeming to switch sides every time that he steps over to look.
Second Watch
Second watch is very quiet for Ansira and Simon, with them not seeming to hear anything out of the ordinary at all.
Third Watch
During the third watch, Carrol doesn't hear anything amiss. While Carrol is looking at their spells, Ravant hears a faint whisper, as though someone is behind his shoulder. As he looks towards it, he hears twigs cracking in the opposite direction, but is never able to find the source.
As third watch ends, the rest of the caravan starts to rise, however the day has broken with a think fog, one that seems to cover everything around you. Arek and Andri pass out a quick breakfast of wrapped cheese sandwiches, and encourage everyone to load up so that they caravan can keep moving forward. Sadly, the scholar and the farmer still seem to be on terse terms, choosing to not communicate directly as much as they can avoid it.
Once on the road, everything seems to be okay, at least for the first few hours. Then, suddenly Kisaya calls out, "Stop! Don't you hear that? The child out in the forest... she crying for her mother, and we need.. we need to help her!"
What is it?
However, everyone but Garrace is certain that they heard nothing in the woods. Since Garrace is the only one that seems to believe her, she sits closely next to him, asking him to please protect her from the scary things in the fog.
As she is going on with him, you all feel the wagon suddenly jerk and Arek call out for you to come up front to help. "The bridge ahead seems to be washed out! We need to either find a way over this ravine, or around it, cause just going down the embankment and back up again seems to be a very bad idea..." He looks to you for ideas on how to help fix the bridge, while the rest of the passengers just huddle in their spots.
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"These are the people that you must trust to have your back when evil threatens to overwhelm. Save your ire for those that deserve it."
Garrace returns Simon's gaze, but says nothing. When the "old man" turns to leave, the younger one prepares to take his watch.
Once on the road, everything seems to be okay, at least for the first few hours. Then, suddenly Kisaya calls out, "Stop! Don't you hear that? The child out in the forest... she crying for her mother, and we need.. we need to help her!"
"I too hear something in the woods," Garrace says in an effort to comfort and quiet the woman. "But, the cry is most likely some trick of an intelligent undead--most probably a drekavac or an attic whisperer. We had best stick close together."
Besides, any child alone out there would most likely not survive long enough for any sort of rescue, Garrace further ponders, but decides it best not to share his conclusion with the woman.
"The bridge ahead seems to be washed out! We need to either find a way over this ravine, or around it, cause just going down the embankment and back up again seems to be a very bad idea..."
"I was certain that I had heard some threat in the woods! Yet, you all would not believe me. And now, this!" Garrace declares, pointing to the damaged bridge with a feeling of vindication. "This threat is now attempting to trap us here, undoubtedly so that it may feast upon us. We had best find an alternative route. It would not do well for us to remain here for long."
With speed and desperation, Garrace begins looking around. Using the stars and the traits of the geography, he seems determined to find some passage around the failed bridge.
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Carrol looks at what remains of the bridge to see if it would be possible to craft a patch to get the wagons across. Barring that, he looks at the possibility of creating some sort of rope swing/sling that could be used to swing the wagons across.
Additionally, Carrol could (maybe?) spend some time changing out his prepared 1st spell to Ant Haul to help us more easily unload/reload the wagons.
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With speed and desperation, Garrace begins looking around. Using the stars and the traits of the geography, he seems determined to find some passage around the failed bridge.
Though Garrace is determined, he cannot see enough through the fog to be able to navigate, much less find an alternate path around the ravine.
Ravant will examine the area around the bridge looking for either an easier way down the embankment either at the bridge or near enough that we could cut a path through the woods.
Ravant also has trouble with finding an alternate path, finding instead many roots - finding them with his feet as he trips over them, realizing that this wouldn't be a safe way for the horses to travel.
Carrol looks at what remains of the bridge to see if it would be possible to craft a patch to get the wagons across. Barring that, he looks at the possibility of creating some sort of rope swing/sling that could be used to swing the wagons across.
Blast it! I knew I should have bought that repair kit when I had the chance. Maybe I can help Carrol with the heavy lifting.
Ansira looks at the damaged bridge and tries to direct Carrol and Simon, working as a team to repair it.
Carrol takes the time to inspect what is there of the bridge, and is easily able to find where some patching could be done to repair it. Looking at where Carrol is indicating, Ansira is able to give clear direction to Carrol for advice on the best way to do so. While the two of them discuss the particulars, Simon is able to listen and place the heavy timbers where they tell him, holding them in place while the others nail them steady. Working together, they are able to get the bridge stabilized, and when Garrace and Ravant return the caravan is able to head back on its way.
The rest of the day seems to pass uneventfully, but the other passengers are on edge, jumping at every wisp of wind or snap of a twig. When the wagons finally pull to camp in a small clearing, they work to pitch their tents quickly, then take the roasted potatoes and chicken that Andri makes and retiring for the night. Arek comes over and hands yours to you, asking if you are planning to keep the same watch positions for this night?
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Ansira spends some time with the rest of the people, mostly listening with a few gentle conversational prods. She is particularly interested in anything that would be pertinent to their current situation, though she also tries to soothe those jittery nerves.
The halfling also makes sure to thank both Andri and Arek for the food, reassuring the latter that they will be vigilant overnight.
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First Watch
Second Watch
Third Watch
First Watch
For the second night, Kaden is alert throughout the shift, hearing what sounds like scratching coming from the trees to the south, though they see nothing. Garrace is also on high alert, and hears the sounds of moaning on the winds from the east.
Second Watch
Second watch is again very quiet for Simon, not seeing or hearing anything of concern (though they do spot a small raccoon sneak into the camp with the intent of taking the leftovers from the night before. However, Ansira hears more of the scratching that Kaden decribed when handing off the shift.
Third Watch
Third watch seems to be quiet, and Ravant and Carrol don't hear any of the noises that the others did. As dawn is breaking, the rest of the camp arrises, eager to head on their way, knowing that if they move quickly the group could reach Caliphas by noon.
What is that in the distance?
As everyone is packing up, Kaden again hears the noises coming from the southeast, and this time Carrol is also certain that they hear the sounds of bones scratching together coming from the south. At the same moment, they realize that something is approaching the camp from the south, giving them time to alert the others to draw their weapons as the undead start their approach!
ROUND 1
Kaden
Carrol
Ansira
Ravant
Simon
Garrace
For this round, you can go in any order. You have the equivalent of one round worth of actions to prepare for the approach of whatever it is that Kaden and Carrol are hearing approach from the southeast. There are two paths that approach from that direction, but the fog is so thick that anything 20ft or further away has concealment.
You can move to anywhere within the camp (outlined in white) on the map, as well as draw weapons or ready actions as you wait for them to appear.
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Despite his animosity earlier, the possibility of undead approaching causes Garrace to recite a short prayer to The Lady of Valor, though he does so quietly in the hope of not drawing any attention.
Spying Simon rising to the occasion, Garrace draws his own sword and raises a shield. Unwilling to the be seen as following the "old man", Garrace begins to venture alone into the fog. His apparent confidence more a result of determination than bravery.
Nevertheless, he is careful not to venture so far as to completely lose sight of another ally.
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Carrol picks the path closest to him and squares off. He grabs a pebble from his pocket, casts light on it, and tosses it into the fog in that direction. He knows it won't clear the fog, but we should get a silhouette before it clears the fog, giving us a precious extra second or two. He then gives his staff a quick swing and cracks his neck in preparation for battle.
"Hold the line, focus your attention on the lead targets!"
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Ansira moves forward, peering into the fog with her keen eyes, seeking to detect the approaching foe. She is holding one of her precious alchemical preparations, thinking that the defence of others is the appropriate time to use it. "Stay behind us and stay safely out of the way," Ansira instructs the members of the caravan.
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ROUND 2
Skeletons
Kaden
Carrol
Zombie
Ansira
Ravant
Simon
Garrace
Out of the fog, the undead appear!
Striding up to Simon, Yellow and Purple look, snap into attention. Yellow attempts to swing it's scimitar twice at Simon, missing with both. Then Purple comes up next to them, also swinging twice, the first glancing off of his shield, and the second going wide.
Then Aqua strides up to Kaden, looking to create a new friend. The sword connects to its target with it's first swing, cutting 7 points of blood into his flesh, but the second swing hits the ground.
Finally, the Orange skeleton approaches Garrace, it's empty eye holes looking to cut into them. However, both blows just swing past.
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Out of the fog, the undead appear!
While the purple skeleton seems to be unfazed by Kaden's glare, their reaction to his sword is a different story. As Kaden hits them with his scythe, he reaps them into a pile of bones at his feet.
Carrol then looks at the yellow skeleton, releasing a powerful blast of force in their direction that pulverizes them!
However, as the two skeletons fall, Garrace sees a large fist coming at him, but it whooshes past his head. The fist then comes reeling in for a second attempt, but it bangs into his shield, bouncing off and doing nothing.
ROUND 2
Skeletons
Kaden
Carrol
Zombie
Ansira
Ravant
Simon
Garrace
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Simon tries to remember what he knows about skeletons.
Frowning at his longsword, he realizes that his shield will prove more effective against his boney opponents. He strides to impose himself between the large fleshy undead and the rest of the party before lashing out at a nearby skeleton with his shield boss.
"Don't let the boy's success with the scythe fool you. Blunt weapons are the key to fighting skeletons."
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As Simon goes to recall what he knows, he remembers that skeletons are resistant to a lot of different types of damage (cold,
electricity, fire, piercing, and slashing) but that bludgeoning damage seems to be effective against them. Also that they heal from negative energy, and are immune to death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, and becoming unconscious. He then takes his shield to the orange one, bashing into with brute force, but even though it is damaged, it is still standing.
Ansira is able to lay to heavy fists into the large zombie, doing more damage than she thought she had!
Garrace doesn't seem to remember much about zombies, but he is able to hit the orange skeleton twice with his sword, shattering it to bone fragments with the second attack!
Ravant attempts to hurt the last skeleton, but sadly his mace goes wide on both swings.
The blue skeleton swings it's scimitar in retaliation at Ravant, striking him with the first blow for 4 damage. However, the second and third attempts to do so both go wide.
ROUND 3
Blue Skeleton
Kaden
Carrol
Zombie
Ansira
Ravant
Simon
Garrace
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Pleased at how quickly the group is taking down their foes, Carrol laughs excitedly. "You may be right about that, but force missiles are just as effective!"
Carrol spins his staff in another spell attack sequence, sending 3 more bolts forward ... one at the little foe the others have surrounded and two at the big enemy.
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Kaden watches as Simon bashes into the bones of the blue skeleton and Carrol hits them with a magic missile, but they are still standing. Carrol then sets their sites on the larger creature, pumping two more bolts of force into them.
The Zombie then takes a swing at Ansira, hitting them forcefully for damage, and pushing them back 5 feet. The zombie continues the motion towards Simon, but swings wide, missing him.
ROUND 3
Blue Skeleton
Kaden
Carrol
Zombie
Ansira
Ravant
Simon
Garrace
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Unaffected by Kaden's glare, the zombie looks from Kaden to Garrace, moaning as his long sword critically slices through his flesh. Distracted by the pain, Ansira is able to sneak up behind him and pummel him, watching him fall to the ground as she sneaks back into the foliage.
With that, the immediate threat is over. However, the passengers of the caravan are more antsy than before, and even Arek and Andri seem shaken. Arek looks to you, speaking in a quiet voice, "I think we need to get moving before anyone else comes after us." He then echoes a similar sentiment to the others, moving to quickly gather up the camping supplies and load the wagons. Others move to join him as they shake off their shock, and the camp is broken down much faster than the previous morning.
Once the caravan is packed, the group is able to leave, heading out into the fog. Though the fog remains heavy throughout the morning, the sounds of the forest quiet, and nothing more than the occasional chirping of a bird is heard.
Right before lunch, the caravan enters the bustling town of Caliphas. Once they reach the marketplace, the Graghol's pull the wagons off to the side, and Arek begins to unload. Andri comes over to you, thanking you profusely for your help, admitting clearly that they would not have survived the trip without you. She then pays you each your reward of four gold, and bids you farewell as she goes to help her brother with the wagons.