It takes the group a day to find the next potential campsite.
Twelve dilapidated, wooden buildings huddle around what once was a crossroad. The structures creak in protest as the wind howls through their empty window frames.
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vs DC 15
"Similar settlements line the Worldwound’s border. It looks like this abandoned village was likely founded to house farmers, merchants, and tradesman required to support the construction and fortifications of the wardstones."
vs DC 20
Diazepane listens to Taarik and adds, "I can't see any evidence pointing to why the town was abandoned. Ancient tables remain set as if for dinner, the cupboards still house the threadbare remains of clothing, and there are no signs of looting or animal habitation."
Having satisfied themselves about the suitability of the second location, the party sets off for the third but...
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”Guests? Not to be concerned. If they were undead they would have attacked by now, foul demons would have revealed themselves in some way and would lack the patience for subterfuge. Likely one of the local tribes we were warmed about”
”Let us continue about our business and not pose a threat, and if we pretend not to notice them it will also keep them ignorant of our true capabilities - we should remember to feign surprise when they eventually reveal themselves”
Diazepane spots 7 humanoid figures approximately 300 feet away, obviously trying to remain hidden.
When they know they've been spotted, they split up with the largest remaining in the middle of a semi-circle.
He shouts out to you.
"Hver ert þú og hvers vegna ertu að brjóta á rauðum vetrarlöndum?"
An image of the person calling out to you is on slide 2. He's quite large, but human.
The largest man approaches closer and you can see that his left has been severed and a large, preserved bear claw has been strapped to it as a sort of prosthesis.
"Ég tala ekki eða skil ekki mjúku tunguna þína. Ef þú getur ekki talað eins og stríðsmaður verð ég að sjá hvort þú getur barist eins og einn."
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Taariik retrieves a scroll of comprehend languages.
“I will cast this spell to understand them but I’ll not be able to speak!“ he says and then will translate what they have been saying.
“Didn’t we get anything to help us here with this language problem?!“
He looks at the warriors and bows to show respect. He smiles.
The man does not seem outright aggressive but he does appear to be wary and threatening.
"Ég er að missa þolinmæðina og þú myndir ekki vilja sjá Dorok Bear's Claw þegar hann hefur misst þolinmæðina. Ég skal spyrja þig einu sinni enn. Hver ert þú og hvers vegna gengur þú inn á rauð vetrarlönd?"
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"Our man Taariik seems to be working his charms again, they don't seem like wine drinkers though - perhaps something less refined. This certainly isn't Kyonin"
"Leets see what Taariik learns from the spell and a bit of a chat"
Lance is a little more circumspect now, with the gruff nature of the locals and a person walking around with a bear claw.
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Taariik apologetically puts all his weapons down and raises his arms.
“So I understand everything he says … “ Taariik explains and translates but he also asks, “Does anyone here know this sign language stuff and is like human knowledge and emotions reader to make him understand what we’re doing here?“ he asks the team.
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"Surely everyone understands pictures"
Lance hops off Flash and picks up a small stick, and starts drawing in the dirt.
His posture is firm and erect, a man used to being in command.
He draws a stick figure.
He then points at each member of the party, counting "One, two, three.." and starts drawing a line for each party member under the stick figure.
He then points to the buildings "Shelter" and draws a roof over the stick figure.
He then puts another twenty-odd dashes next to the first dashes under the stick-figure "Pathfinders"
He then draws a big stick figure with horns and wings, before cutting a very deliberate cross through it "And we don't like Demons"
He draws another stick figure, then a crown above it. He points to the stick figure then at the Hallit then back to himself and makes a gesture of walking "Take me to your Chief"
He looks at the man expectantly.
Diplomacy
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We were given a potion of tongues.
Diazepane will offer Taarik an extract of alchemical allocation and then the potion of tongues.
The man approaches close enough to see what Lance is drawing. He looks around at you all quizzically as though trying to determine your mental capacities.
"Þessar krónur eru þér sunnlendingar mikilvægar er það ekki? Það lítur allavega út fyrir að þér líkar ekki við djöfla. Jæja, þú virðist skaðlaus og hugsanlega vitlaus. Kannski geta ættbálkaleiðtogarnir fundið út hvað þeir eiga að gera við þig."
He makes exaggerated gestures for you to follow him, the same you might make to get a child to come with you.
He pauses often along the way, obviously checking for tracks and other signs but soon enough, you come upon the Red Winter tribe.
The camp is little more than a handful of yurts set up in a vaguely circular yet defensible arrangement partially surrounded by a crude palisade. A few open spaces create communal work areas where two large animal carcasses lie ready for butchering. Nearly everything in the camp is derived from the local megafauna, from the yurts’ woolen felt to the cooking meat to the bones used to create various tools, supports, and decorations.
As you enter the camp, you observe the fierce, scarred hunters break out in smiles, joke about the day’s events, and join the rest of the tribe in carving up the carcasses. Cautious curiosity replaces mirth in the presence of strangers, two of the tribe step away from the dead aurochs to meet with visitors. They motion for their guests to join them in the largest yurt and take a moment to clean their hands before speaking. The structure is modest, containing only a few wooden and earthenware containers, a neatly folded stack of bedding, and a few furs that serve as seats.
A tough-looking warrior in his early thirties seems to be leader. His face is stern and commanding, and only seems to to convey neutral intensity to you strangers.
"I am Bloodspeaker Velka, this is Thanock Sundered Bear" says a middle-aged woman in Common. She dresses in furs and wears an elaborate, elbow-length gauntlet threaded with spiritual talismans and terminating in a trio of sharpened ivory spikes on her left arm.
"Dorok must have had a good reason if he brought you here instead of running you off from our lands. Why are you here?"
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"Esteemed Elders, we represent a benevolent group - The Pathfinder Society - that seeks to establish a small settlement within these territories. We encountered Dorok whilst surveying a small abandoned hamlet nearby as a potential site for a settlement. We understand that some of the areas we have been considering may fall within what may be considered your settled areas - so it is good we may now speak. We have formed warm relations with Tolguth, and wish that this extends to the red Winter tribe"
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Taariik nods at Lance and smiles.
“My companion Lance is correct! We are honored that you are welcoming us here in your town! We see that you have been suffering from the aggressive acts of the demons! We understand that allies might be needed!? We are here because we belong to a group called Pathfinders which are trying to find a way into the realm of the demons to fight them and find something of worth to us! For that, we need a base of operations in your territory, and we would very much appreciate it if you would allow us to use locations that appropriate!“ he says and nods at the other Pathfinders.
Velka is kind enough to translate what you say to Thanock. At least you assume that's what she does. He watches you intently as she talks at first then begins talking to her in Hallit.
The discussion continues for some time, growing intense but not heated and with regular glances toward you. Finally, they seem to reach some sort of agreement.
"Thanock does not like the idea of sharing our lands with outsiders," she begins and lets the words linger.
"But, we do like the idea of having a powerful ally.
"If you can prove to us that Pathfinders are such powerful allies who are brave and capable enough to kill demons, we will allow you to claim a camp in our lands."
She looks at you all slowly and Thanock's keen gaze cuts into you as well for several long seconds.
"If you will go into the Worldwound, slay a powerful demon and bring us back proof, we will agree to your proposal."
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Lance hears the offer, and likewise shares Izlins feeling "A sensible bargain, and one we are interested in striking. No doubt upon learning that we are strong allies you would be keen to ensure we are well situated in your lands in a way that we can be engaging in mutually beneficial dealings with your tribe - not spending our days fending off dangers and threats needlessly due to being sited in a poor location, so you would certainly be keen to help us identify a good and suitable piece of terrain to occupy"
"Where are these demons that need killing then and which way to the Worldwound? Perhaps you could provide us the use of one of your trackers too - this would help us get to where we need to get to without wandering into some sort of sacred area or cause you offence, and should the demons dissolve leaving scant 'proof', then the tribesman can bear witness to our deeds and satisfy you that the job is done"
Velka answers. “Two types of demon threaten our lands. The first and lesser of the two we have come to know as the corruptors—beast demons. They spread their taint through the animals, twisting their spirits. We have put down many a corrupted calf and the wild herds grow thin. These beast demons walk on the legs of a horse, and attack with claw and barbed tail, but most frightening of all are the human faces between their pincers. The second and far more powerful is a floating, disease-ridden ball of fat and filth. Where the beast demons corrupts, the filth demon kills, spreading disease and infecting the land. You need only bring us proof that you have killed one of these.”
She then translates for Thanock. “The beast demons range not far from hrungara, often crossing the border to corrupt healthy herds. We know how to identify signs of their passage and can show what to look for. As for the filth demon, we know one lairs in the remains of an ancient burial ground two days’ journey from here.
"If you must have more of our assistance in finding our enemies than this, then you are not worthy to be our allies."
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"If you must have more of our assistance in finding our enemies than this, then you are not worthy to be our allies."
Lance raises a suspicious eyebrow "We will clear out these demons, let's just be clear though, a group that can handily achieve such feats is not a sensible one to double-cross, and further, might be worth considering the manner in which one addresses them" he rebuts, clearly starting to bristle at the insolent and high handed attitude of what is starting to appear to him as a bunch of big talking, low achieving cave dwellers.
"Come Taariik, we have some demons to vanquish - I would prefer killing these corruptors since they seem to be harming the animals, and on behalf of my mighty steed Flash, this mockery walking around on equine legs. It rankles that elven part of me badly. I do say it is a tough decision, my heart wants glory, but it also wants justice for our the kingdom of the animals"
Velka sighs before translating what Lance has said.
Thanock's eyes narrow and his nostrils flare. He speaks intensely in return for quite some time, though his voice does not rise.
"We would remind you that the difference between what makes a guest and a trespasser can be small but how they are treated is often large," Velka finally replies.
Early in your exploration of the Worldwound, you encounter no dire threats; the ground occasionally ripples as if it were convulsing flesh, sickly grasses sometimes snatch at ankles, and the sky often takes on a sickly, alien hue, but nothing actively attacks them. You occasionally glimpse an aurochs with pure white hair and horns to the east. This animal watches you from afar and gallops away in the direction of your travel if they get approach within 500 feet. Using the undulating terrain of the steppe for cover, it disappears from sight only to reappear on the next rise.
Early on the second day, you come upon a battlefield where a Kellid raiding party made its last stand against rampaging demons.
Gigantic blackened bones protrude from the ground and break up the otherwise monotonous, barren landscape. Giant rib cages lie exposed to the stinging winds, forming strange avenues and tunnels, while enormous mammoth skulls, with tusks still intact, stare vacantly across the open steppe.
As you traverse near the graveyard, the restless dead rise up from the ground to relive their final moments. Mammoth skeletons pull themselves upright while ghostly armed and armored Kellids materialize mounted atop their skeletal mammoth steeds. The warriors let out a haunting wail, reminiscent of a mighty war cry, as a second group of apparitions—ghostly demons—appear a short distance away. Within seconds, the two sides collide in a spectral skirmish, but as they do one rider points over at you and calls out to his comrades in Hallit.
In a terrifying display of massive, rattling bones, the mammoth skeletons charge, driving their still sharp tusks at the Pathfinders.
Three of them hit Lance, Taariik and Izlin while the fourth jockeys for position.
Opting to match size for size, Kal begins to grow in stature while turning to face these undead creatures
Lance demonstrates why his opponents should not have given him room to run. His weapon passes largely through his target though the magic in it sparks and passes through the veil to affect the rider. In fact, it affects him enough to shove him off his mount.
He hisses and glares up at the hateful sun as he hits the ground.
His second attack strikes the ribs of the mammoth skeleton and while it glances off at first, it shatters one of those bones.
Meanwhile, Kal'Ryon begins to embiggen.
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Forgotten Trick (Ex): A ninja with this ability can recall one trick taught to her by her ancient masters. When she uses this ability, she selects one ninja trick (not a master trick or rogue talent) that she does not know and can use that ninja trick for a number of rounds equal to her level. She must pay any ki costs associated with the trick as normal. Using this ability expends 2 ki point from her ki pool, plus the ki cost of the trick she chooses.
Shadow Clone (Su) (Ultimate Combat pg. 15): The ninja can create 1d4 shadowy duplicates of herself that conceal her true location. This ability functions as mirror image, using the ninja's level as her caster level. Using this ability is a standard action that uses up 1 ki point.
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Taariik suddenly realizes that charging this beast will provoke as AoO but he still moves forward!
"You are big!! But your power will not scare me!" Taariik says softly.
He invokes the spirits of Irori´s followers that can make him a champion!
Taariik swings at the creature with a powerful attack!!
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Diazepane drinks an extract of shield as a buff.
On his turn, Diazepane leaps into the air, a pair of bee wings springing from his back, and flies 30' upward, where mammoths cannot tread.
Diazepane throws a single bomb at the Blue Mammoth. It should splash the Blue rider, Yellow mammoth, and Yellow rider naturally; he will use Splash Weapon Mastery to extend the splash to the Green mammoth.
vs touch
plus DC 23 Reflex vs prone
14 splash force, DC 23 Reflex for half
One of Taarik's shadow selves is destroyed instead of the mammoth hitting him.
The same happens when it tries to gore him again as he gets close.
His sword finds purchase on the undead creature and shatters bone but does not bring the great beast down.
The riders are spectres and while they are not immune or resistant to cold specifically, they are incorporeal so force damage will be more effective. What is strange is that they are normally rendered powerless in sunlight, though these seem to be functioning without issue in the day.
Diazepane's bomb easily hits its target and sends out pulses of damaging energy to most of his other opponents, as well.
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Izlin Greymantle{Toku Kara Shi} wrote:
Well, with one round of prep, Izlin would have cast Mirror Image, but that seems a little shady to do that after the fact. GM, I will let you be the arbiter if that happens or not.[dice=Mirror Image? (CL 8)]1d4+2
Also, are the riders incorporeal? Makes a difference in what I do this round.I'll allow it.
Izlin takes a few steps to the side and takes a moment to funnel mental energy into his dagger.
Turns out, the mammoth skeleton's attack against Izlin only destroyed a false image of him.
Which gives Izlin time to prepare.
The yellow pair get closer to Kal'Ryon so that both rider and skeleton can attack him.
Both hit and Kal'Ryon feels some of his energy leaving him.
The green pair does the same to Taariik.
But only the mammoth hits, the rider destroying an illusion.
While the red rider remounts before his mount attacks the Ifrit.
And the mammoth skeleton hits.
Meanwhile, blue decides to take on Lance to demonstrate how much of an advantage size is for calvary.
The mammoth
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Feeling the creatures strike Kal, and his blood (and energy) leaking out of his body- Kal allows his armor to transfer the stored electricity back into the thing that attacked him.
The magic transforming his body finally takes hold- and he becomes a massive hulk of muscle and dragon scale. He smiles, and his vision dims. He can see all of the fate and outcomes of the battle rolling on the waves of time- he sees a favorable one and attempts to reach out and grab it....
His weapon clatters to the ground and his teeth and claws glint in the ambient light. A faint smile creeps across his face before he leaps in at the rider
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Taariik suddenly realizes that it is harder to breathe as he is so wounded!
"Arghhh! They are strong?!" Taariik says softly.
He continues to invoke the spirits of Irori´s followers that can make him a champion and activates his boots of speed.
Taariik swings at the skeleton Mammut with a powerful attack combination and will 5 ft step forward to also hit the ghost in case the Mammut drops!!
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Even with the resistance provided by being incorporeal, the blue rider is shredded by Lance's attack. It fades away with a hateful, mournful wail.
Perhaps surprising to the cavalier given his strike, his attack against the mammoth hits as well, though it looks far from being taken out of the fight.
Working with teeth claws and electricity Kal'Ryon literally shreds his opponent, it's shadowy essence dissipating from around his hands and mouth at the end.
Izlin focuses on the one that was already damaged and finishes it off.
That leaves only one rider for Taariik and, though his every blow hits, the incorporeal nature of the being blunts his blows, leaving it heavily damaged, but still active.
Diazepane finishes off the last rider with his first bomb.
It's splash cracks bones on the mammoth skeleton he is riding and the one closest. His second bomb hits the green mammoth skeleton directly.
Impressively it knocks it off it's feet.
And heavily damages the other one.
The skeletons continue their attacks, even without their riders, blue chasing Lance across the field while the others stand still and gore their closest targets.
Blue vs. Lance
Yellow vs. Kal'Ryon
Green vs. Taariik
Red vs. Izlin
Blue misses, Green and Red hit false targets and only Yellow connects with what it was trying to hit. Taariik gets an AoO vs. the green mammoth as it gets to it's feet.