Pretty much!
Lyntel approaches the old man's body and says a short blessing. It is to the most common god in these parts, asking to watch over the souls of the departed.
She stands, and looks around the devastation with shock. We should check in on the dwarven sisters.
Pretty much!
She stands, and looks around the devastation with shock. We should check in on the dwarven sisters.
"That's a truth. Gods know what they must be thinking after watching that demon fall out of the sky like that.
Dhice looks at the chaos around them and slips into a meditative state, moving rocks and clearing a relatively safe path from the bottom of the sewers up through the broken rubble of the roof to the surface above, thinking to avoid any hazardous climbs for the group.
As he does so, Lyntel notices something odd out of the corner of her eye. Dhice is moving a large chunk of jagged rock, and as he does so he seems to flicker a little, as if he blinked out of existence for a moment and reappeared a couple of inches to the left. He appears completely unaware that anything odd has happened.
With Dhice's help, you manage to climb out of the sewers and back to the street level without much difficulty. The ruined city of Tollerhelm has been made even worse, if that were possible, by the attack of the Pit Lord. His thrashing and the blasts of energy from his mouth have scorched the earth and crushed the ruins, destroying much of what remained from the Skaven attack. Where once this city still stood, even de-populated, now it resembles Hiroshima after the nuclear bombs struck. Flattened buildings and crushed structures lie in rubble everywhere.
It's difficult to navigate the ruins and pick your way across all the destroyed buildings' rubble piles to get to the dwarf sisters' house, and what you find when you get there makes your hearts sink. The house has been levelled. There's still a first floor...kind of... but nothing above the first story remains except the shell of a roof and a barely-there floor. What do you do?
Archepex darts forward and Mule soars skyward. He lightly crosses the rubble in search of any sign of the sisters.
Archepex, you are slightly encouraged by the fact that you find no bodies. However, that doesn't rule out the possibility that the dwarf sisters were vaporized completely into ash. You try not to think about that too much though, and are glad to find a trail leading out of the rubble heading eastward. The trail is inconsistent and difficult to follow over the hard stone and broken rocks of the town's broken buildings, but with Mule's help and your own elven eyes and years of tracking, you manage to piece together a trail.
With Wicks, Emma, Dhice, and Lyntel following you, and carrying the broken Mirror of Erised carefully, you make your way out of Tollerhelm. Far off in the distance, near the edge of the horizon, you can make out the city of Saint Agnes, the capital city of this country, Valetto. There can be found President Coghammer, who has promised to reward you for the bounty you bear...and, too...the trail of the dwarven sisters.
You lose the trail after a few hours of walking over broken buildings near the outskirts of the town, but as you look over the great plains land and hilly territory between here and St. Agnes, you see something. It looks like a caravan of wagons, difficult to say how many from here, and seemingly heading east, away from you.
It's nearing the end of the day - approximately 5 PM - and you've been hiking all day after your fight with the oozelins and the pit lord. You're standing on the outskirts of Tollerhelm, where there are still the skeletons of a few buildings standing with their windows and doors burned out and the stones blackened by ash. What do you do?
Archepex updates the group on their progress and suggests that we make camp here. We aren't catching that wagon train today anyway, and may not for several days depending on how fast they're moving. It would be wise to hold up and start again fresh tomorrow.
Dhice agrees, and sets to the task of making camp. He tries to experiment with some rocks nearby to see if he can use his power to heat them up and cook on them, but it doesn't work. With that behind him, he goes to build a cookfire and get some warm food into the group.
Indeed you do, Dhice. I can link the moves to you all, or you could just check them out here.
Having escaped any significant physical suffering on the day, Dhice volunteers to take one of the less desirable middle watches for the night.
After dinner, when he finds an opportunity, he approaches Emma. "I wanted to thank you for coming to my aid when the Pit Lord started strafing the city back there. I thought I was going to be burnt alive there. Or worse..." His gaze goes far away for a moment, then returns.
"But what of the pitiful old man we tried but failed to rescue? I don't understand why you'd come to my aid, while all but ignoring him. The act of helping another is a boon to the spirit, Emma. Doubly so when there's nothing in it for yourself."
The lanky young man clams up at that point, stubbornly waiting for Emma to say something.
Lyntel approaches Archepex while the others make camp. What you did today was amazing. Thank you, and not just for that. She pauses. I'm writing a song about you. I know you don't care about fame, but people will be singing about your legend a hundred years from now. I promise. Her voice takes on a more serious tone. We must make haste to the elven lands, before it is too late. Her hand subconsciously drifts to the side of her head nearest the Behelit.
Alignment +1: Used my songs to aid wicks.
Notable enemy +1: pit lord and outwitted rat queen
Learning +1: Danger in the elf lands
Loot +1: The broken mirror and forest jar
Bonds:
Resolving absent player bonds +2
Archepex, I'd like to resolve the bond about writing a song about you. I have enough material at this point. I'd like the new bond to be: Archepex deserves to be famous. I will make it so.
Dhice, I'd like to resolve the bind that you see me as weak and helpless. I don't think that is true. I'd like new bond to be: Dhice will show me how to command the elements like him.
Do these work for everyone? Assuming yes to both that puts me at 4.3 and leveling.
Archepex, ...
With Wicks, Emma, Dhice, and Lyntel following you, and carrying the broken Mirror of Erised carefully, you make your way out of Tollerhelm.
Is Grigor not there?
Alignment +0: Did not help a creature of tree would thus session
Notable enemy +1: pit lord levitation
Learning +1: Danger, Elf Robinson
Loot +1: The broken mirror and Substantial Chalk
Bringing me to 11, meaning I level to 4
When she thinks she can get a moment alone with Dhice, she approaches the channeler. I've been focusing on you while you channel, and I think I am beginning to get a feel of how you are doing it. Would you mind working some simple tricks while I study you?
Lyntel watches intently as Dhice moves small rocks and creates a few gusts of air. That's it! You just ... Her voice trails off as she walks over to the fire and begins studying her spellbook in earnest. Anyone within earshot will hear, So the mage enforces his will upon the element, overwhelming its natural inertia ... on into a nigh unintelligble mumbling about the mysteries of the arcane.
After an hour or so of dedicated study, she stands, puts out a hand, and shouts Urulóki! A giant ball of fire erupts from her fingers and explodes against a boulder just outside of camp. She runs back to Dhice, and can't hide her excitement. Did you see that!
Alignment: nope
Notable enemy: Pit Lord +1
Learning: Elf lands in danger +1
Loot: the mirror +1
Bonds: +3 (maybe +4, I'll deal with that later)
- +1 for Hjalmar, +1 for Bathilda, +1 for Archepex
New XP Total: 18, spend 10 to level to L4.
Lyntel approaches Archepex while the others make camp. What you did today was amazing. Thank you, and not just for that. She pauses. I'm writing a song about you. I know you don't care about fame, but people will be singing about your legend a hundred years from now. I promise. Her voice takes on a more serious tone. We must make haste to the elven lands, before it is too late. Her hand subconsciously drifts to the side of her head nearest the Behelit.
Archepex looks very sceptical of this song business when it is mentioned, but the topic quickly shifts and he shares Lyntel's somber mood. I agree. Our people are still strong, but time is usually our most constant ally. We may not have that luxury anymore. I just hope we can get this business with the Company sorted quickly.
Emma scowls her traditional scowl as you confront her. "If being criticized is my reward for saving your neck, I'll let you burn next time. I don't answer to you, whelp. Leave me be." She whirls around and sits at the far end of your makeshift camp, her back to the rest of you.
Wicks looks thoughtful as he helps to prepare the fire. After a few hours of idle conversation and quiet silence, as the day gets darker and darker, he proposes something. It's about 10 PM, very late - the only light source now is the campfire you built.
"I've been thinking about what you two have said, Archepex, Lyntel. This business with Skaven infiltration of the Elven lands...if it's true, it worries me. The elves are among President Coghammer's staunchest allies, and they collectively stand watch over the Devil's Cauldron, that pit of hellspawn, to the north. If their vigilant watch over that hellish place were to waver, or fall..." the halfling shakes his head.
"I think you all should make all haste to the elven lands. Leave dealing with Coghammer to me. I can bring the Queen to him inside that mini-prison that Lyntel holds, as long as you tell me how I can find someone to open it when I reach Valetto. I'll also work on recruitment to rebuild Mousetrap Company, using the property that we're awarded to help."
He looks up from where he had been staring at his clasped hands, to the rest of you. "What do you think?"
Dhice is more than happy to help Lyntel, and in fact it's this practice session during which he really discovers and then masters his teleportation ability. "did you SEE that?!" he exclaims in amazement. After a few humorously awkward blinks where he reappears upside down and lands on his head, Dhice gets it down. In the end, he combines his ability to disappear into the Elemental plane with his ability to sheath himself in energy armor .
Lyntel grasps the gem tightly in her palm. Is the reward dead or alive?
Wicks turns to address Lyntel.
"The award for the head of a Rat Queen? Coghammer promised a manor to anyone who could do it. The fact that she'll be alive when she's presented to the President could ingratiate us even further, net us a bonus maybe. I was planning on using the manor as a headquarters for the entire Mousetrap Mercenary Company...it'll be a big, lonely estate all by myself for the first few weeks, but I'll be using it as a launchpad to recruit a new company of warriors. We can stay in touch using these communication-coins." the halfling takes his own coin out of his pocket and flips it before pocketing it again.
Dhice reacts very positively to Wicks' suggestion that we part ways, with the core group heading towards Elven lands. The raw wonder in his eyes is a bit charming.
This is a family heirloom Wicks, but I agree we need to split up. It would be safer to have you just travel with the queen's head. I'm not sure anyone else would be able to deal with her treachery.
She turns to the group.
It's not ideal, but I'd hate to make her someone else's problem. We can't risk her escaping. We have her confession. A trial would be a foregone conclusion. Perhaps it's best to remove her as a threat now.
I agree with Dhice. Wicks can deliver the queen without us. We should head towards the Elven Lands.
The queen is safe within the gem. As long as no one is stupid enough to open the thing Wicks should be fine traveling alone. We need to solve this problem with my people sooner rather than later.
This is my mother's gem we are talking about. It stays with me and I'm going to the Elven lands as soon as possible. Whether the rat queen stays inside, travels back with Wicks whole, or in parts, doesn't concern me. I need to rest.
She declines Archepex's offer to share the necklace with her, turning her back to the group. If you listen close, you might just hear the young elf whisper, Precious, before she falls asleep.
As soon as the family heirloom status of her gem becomes clear, Dhice is immediately and firmly on Lyntel's side. "Heirlooms carry the honour and traditions of a family. We can't let Lyntel be parted from it. It would go against everything my family stands for to make such a suggestion."
Wicks, what came would there be in delivering the queen alive?
Wicks shrugs. "Nothing firm, really. Coghammer stipulated that the head of a warlord is as good as a living rat. Skaven breed like, well, rats, so she's likely to be replaced sometime within the next few weeks. I need to turn her head in quickly while she's still valuable."
The halfling nods at Lyntel when she suggests he take the head. He's battle-hardened, so he manages to suppress how queasy the thought makes him, mostly. "So, er, well, tomorrow morning when we get up, I suppose one of us ought to decapitate the witch and put her head in a bag. I'll hustle back to Valetto on my own."
Their planning done, the Mousetrap Company sets in for a rest.
Lyntel, what form does your dream take when you fall asleep? What goal are you trying to accomplish to escape the demons' grasp?
I am a grieving daughter seeking peace and closure within her dreams. I am trapped in my place of torment. I seek only my mother's guidance, that I may know what to do in the waking world. My dreams have brought me once again to the entrance of the mines of Tollerhelm, inhabited by Skaven, demons, and worse. My goal is to pass safely through and free my mother.
You, my friends, play the world. Your goal is to see me to my doom, instead of safely on my way. You're allowed only to directly answer my direct questions, though, so you might not be able to do it.
The rules:
1. Only answer my questions.
2. If you don't already know the answer, make something up.
3. Keep your answers short.
4. I have to go with the first answer somebody gives.
I have the voice of the elven gods within me, and a vast and deadly patience.
Let's begin.
I have awakened on top of a pile of rotting corpses. Humans, elves, dwarves, and the faces morph into the faces of my friends. The smell threatens to overwhelm me. I quietly climb to my feet and peek over the embankment. I see the mine's entrance and it looks unguarded.
Something warns me of approaching danger. What warns me?
Anyone should answer.
The next morning:
Lyntel wakes with the sunrise, stretches and approaches Bathilda. Sister. I have something important to ask of you. Stay with Wicks. Help him rebuild. Protect him. We will return soon.
Soon she begins singing to herself, focusing on the gem that she has laid on the ground nearby.
7 is enough to open the gem, though it takes at least 15 minutes of concentration this time. The queen appears to be resisting the opening of her prison.
Dream:
I immediately duck down low behind the embarent and scramble closer to the mine entrance. The grunting sound gets closer. I risk peeking up again. What do I see?
Our course is not set in stone my friends. I feel nothing for this monster, but if you have doubts, perhaps we can find another option. Otherwise, who will do the honors?
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Dream: You see a hairless, twisted form with long, bounding legs like a rabbit and the muzzle of a wolf.
Wicks' eyes harden when Lyntel offers another way. "I feel nothing for this skaven witch," he replies. "I don't find any joy in it, but she doesn't deserve further life."
If nobody else protests beheading the queen and travelling to the Elven homelands, Emma will enter the gem and kill the Queen.
Dream:
Do I think the beast has noticed me?
Awake:
Lyntel turns to Emma. Be quick about it, but not too quick. And let her know her behelit has failed.
Dream: No.
Dream: Not yet.
Awake: Emma makes no acknowledgement of your words, simply entering the gem prison with her longsword drawn. You hear sounds of a quiet, murmured conversation take place between the two, followed by a brief struggle, a quiet grunt, and the sound of a heavy object hitting the floor.
Dream: I quietly work my way towards the outer wall of the mine, climb the embankment, and slink along the wall to the entrance. I tiptoe about twenty feet into the mine tunnel. I sit still and listen, is anything weird?
Awake:
Once Emma emerges, Lyntel uses prestidigitation to clean out the gem before closing it.
Thank you Emma. Wicks, Bathilda, [other inactive party members], good luck. We will return or send word if we cannot.
She joins Emma, Dhice, Archepex, and Grigor. We'd best be on our way.
Everyone follow me. I know the way. Mule screeches and flaps into the sky. Archepex slides into the role for which he was actually hired with no effort. He was a guide again.
Dream: The snufflng noise that the beast was making hasn't gone away.
Dream:[b]I continue my way into the tunnel entrance. Is the sound behind me getting closer?
Awake:
Lyntel follows into file behind Archepex, allowing the others to tend to the details of the journey. She absentmindedly rolls the gem around in her fingers within her pocket.
Dream: No, it's fading quickly into silence. Soon the only sounds you hear are your own footsteps.
Awake: Wicks frowns as he takes the grim package, proof of your victory over the Skaven Queen, and begins to head toward Valetto to claim the Mousetrap Company's reward.
Let's get a Quartermaster roll and a Scout roll from two members of the party to see how your journey to the elven lands will go! We know, thanks to Archepex, that you will get there in good time. Benefits to adventuring with a ranger.
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Dhice volunteers to manage the logistics of the journey, but his fascination with all things Elven leads him to get easily distracted. He does not do a good job...
Grigor goes trailblazing...
... and we get there in the standard amount of time.
Grigor, Archepex actually already called trailblazing, which means you're scouting.
The journey to the Sea of Trees, the colloquial name for the Elven lands to the north, is normally a four-day journey across open grasslands and hills from Tollerhelm. However, on day 2 of your journey, Dhice opens up his pack to find tiny lobster-like insects crawling all over the food and spoiling it. Each of you must consume 5 rations to make the journey, which you make in exceptionally good time despite your lack of food. You're all almost out of food by the time you reach the borderlands to the Sea of Trees.
The outer border of the Sea of Trees is defended by a powerful spell that was woven by the ancient leaders of Elvenkind, now deceased. The spell lives on, however. If you enter the Sea of Trees at any point outside of the guarded entrances established by the Elves, you will wander, lost, until you die of starvation or dehydration within the forest. As elves, Lyntel and Archepex know of this.
Sometimes it is possible for travelers that are good of heart to pass by the entrances into the Sea of Trees unhindered. However, thanks to Grigor's unlucky roll, you arrive at the Sea's entrance to find it guarded by an 11-foot-tall golem made of wood. He blocks the way in a wide stance, his arms crossed. When you approach, blue light appears in his eye sockets, and his head inclines downward to look at you all.
When you're close enough to speak with it, it addresses you in a deep voice.