Search Posts
AllenDM, Sorry to hear that, but RL always wins in this case. Still I am glad to hear you're keeping with the Saltmarsh campaign as I am really enjoying it! I did enjoy this campaign immensely, as the whole farmhouse/cabin scene was very immersive and really gave the setting the proper flavor. Please mark this game as Inactive when you get a chance.
Putting aside the quarrel concerning Perri for now Harry motions to the trees around them. "What sorts of beasts have ye seen 'ere Feremon?"
Harry turns to face the warpriest with an odd look on his face. Keeping his hands in front of him he responds slowly in an eerily calm voice, "Well, if'n it be I be still claimed by the same demons that assail our boon companion 'ere," he indicates Perri, "Then me words be the same uttered by me as those by me...master." Now looking into his eyes he continues softly, Yet I still see doubt in yer face Bynoth. If'n ye be certain that I be a demon now, then ye would have already struck me down as obeisance to yer own master!"
"Actually," Harry's voice cuts through the warpriests bluster, "I do kin yer fear. I was there as ye may recall. If you need any proof that th' demon kin be banished, look no further than me." His eyes are filled with compassion for his friend.
As the party makes their way out of the cabin Harry makes sure to post a mark of **PLAGUE** at the path leading to the cabin. Once the party sets off on the trail he lingers for a moment, spreading his hands over his chest area invoking a shimmering bubble softly glowing a faint shade of crystal blue.
"Yes those be soothin' words to hear, Feremon." Harry replies with a note of relief. "I be ready ta move on 'ere. Let's set a warning sign around the cabin indicating it be a Plague infested area. Should keep it clear methinks."
Harry speaks up quietly, "Aye you did mention all these warrin' factions dwelling in th' Marsh. Kin we rely on succor from anyone in there or are we completely on our own?"
"True," Harry nods to Feremon, "We best be off then." He turns to Maja, "Care ta help be find some food? I kin get th' water, as it be in me blood." He then moves off to the stream after gathering all the empty waterskins, heading upstream to fill them up and also seeing what sort of edible plants and fruits are growing along the way.
Harry shakes his head slightly in disagreement to his sorcerous friend, "Och, I don't think any amount of flame be burning away that!" He indicates the fouled patches of ground where the dretches met their end. "No animal be coming near this place as long as th' demonic taint lingers 'ere!"
Harry gives Thanim a warm smile, "Aye it be good ta have ye back, me friend." He glances about the cabin and the still marked remains of the fallen demons, "What should we about th' cabin? The stench of th' Plague be lingerin' here. Wouldna it be best to burn it like we did the farmhouse?"
"Aye," Harry nods slowly glancing back at the cabin, "he does. He needs ta rest 'ere fer now but stayin' here is gonna draw th' demons back...and in greater numbers." He strokes his hair thoughtfully, "If'n he not be strong enough ta walk then we kin make a litter fer 'im. Carry him ourselves if needs be."
Harry chuckles in reply to the ranger's comment, "Och, the neveah kept th' Captain from orderin' me ta check th' riggin' if'n he felt like it!"
As Harry watches Feremon head off to gather more water, and also inspect the area, he turns to face Bynoth. "We have to plan fer the worst 'ere...that th' demons will return. While some of us have recovered," he motions to Perri here, "others are still stricken." He gives Bynoth a serious look, "Even with Feremon 'ere now we are still in a bad position. While I defer to yer judgement 'ere I say we prepare as we did before. Get ready fer th' worst." He glances up at the roof of the cabin. "Since I be cured now, I kin take me place with Sylas on th' roof. Support him wit' me magicks."
Harry rubs his jaw in thought, "Aye ye kin say that. Demetrios the Sage wanted something verra valuable indeed. He believes it mebbe the key to finally puttin' an end ta this cursed Plague!"
Harry's face beams on hearing the compliments of the others, "Yer words be too kind. Guess I have a knack fer it, must be in my blood." After polishing off his portion of the trout he then turns to Feremon, "Looks like ye be well familiar with th' Marsh, much more than us certainly. I kin tell food be hard ta find there but I know food be thar. Tell me, how difficult it be ta forage in the Marsh. It seems letting us in on yer tricks may prove to be th' difference between survival and death."
Harry leans in close to whisper in the warpriest's ear, "Och, he seems like he be himself now, but...if'n I was an evil spirit I would not advertise me presence openly...not in the open anyway."
Harry nods in greeting to Perri, "Good ta see ye about me friend. The stream be verra good ta us and I expect ye to show off yer appetite!" He then moves to the porch area just outside the cooking pit, "I think it be a good idea ta clean th' fish out her ya reckon so, Maja?" Regardless he sets up a small area where he can proceed to skin and filet the trout. As he takes out his favorite skinning knife he looks up to see Thanim watching the others. Aye I be praying for ye me friend. While I cannot heal yer sickness I kin at least fill yer stomach!
Harry nods in reply, "I think yer right Maja. Even if'n we were able ta convince the town we dinnae carry th' Plague with us, there is th' matter of Perri..." his voice trails off uncertainly. shaking his head briefly he smiles "Aye we be crossing that bridge soon enough. Let me see if'n I can help ye hook some of those trout..."
Harry glances back at the cabin, only just now realizing how claustrophobic it felt. While he had been too sick to notice, or care, before now the interior felt oppressive and threatening. "I be right behind ye Maja!" He ambles up to her and gives her a reassuring smile, "Aye 'tis been a rough journey so far yet even the largest storms cannae blow ferever! We jes need to stay the course here and make fer calmer waters." As the two walk along he adds "I be willin' ta trust both Thanim and Bynoth's judgement 'ere, but I dinnae believe th' town of Burle holds the answer fer Perri. Could be th' Hool Marsh is the only place ta go."
@ALLENDM: I will see if I know of anyone who would like to join us!
Congrats!
Harry approaches the hobniz with a worried look on his face, "Aye, this not be good. I know I have magicks that can subdue him...ye remember the ball o' water I conjured before right...if'n it comes to that, but like Bynoth says how kin we be expected ta venture into the Marsh and survive if'n we cannae depend on each other?" He runs his hands through his hair while glancing back towards the cabin, "I think Bynoth called it...what was it...the Esprit du Corps, the Spirit of the Body."
Once Feremon has left the area Harry glances back to see that Perri is still asleep and Thanim is still engrossed in his prayers. He then addresses the hobniz and the warpriest in a soft voice. "Dinnae question me courage! I not be afraid ta venture into th' Marsh yet only a fool sails into th' eye of the storm with a crippled ship 'n crew! The cloud that hangs over Perri...I dinnae know how to free im, and taking him into the Marsh would surely lead to his death...and ours as well."
Harry moves up behind Bynoth his voice soft, "Aye, if th' Hool be whare this plague be comin' from then headin' there be suicide. We need ta rest here then." As the other man's words sink in, a chill runs up his spine. "What 'ave ye seen around th' marsh. Foul things from other planes?" He asks, recalling the demons from the night before.
Harry nods resolutely as the man Feremon seemingly proves his true intentions to the group. Och...I dinnae think we kin risk stayin' here another evening. Th' demons know where we are... He moves up next to the warpriest and also bows in respect, though his tone is wry. "Ye do us th' honor in riskin' you and yer kin in finding us. Rest assured we had every intention of travelin' to yer abode yet when we ran into signs of th' Plague, we all agreed we couldna risk it spreadin' any further. We did what we could..." here he shrugs and points out himself and the others who still show signs of the Plague, "yet we were careless. Knowin' we couldna travel further we holed up 'ere. The rest of th' tale ye gathered already." Giving Thanim a pointed look he adds "I believe we kin travel wit' ye...stayin' ere be unwise. Ye have seen signs of...th' demons no?"
As the man who claims to be the guide Feremon the group was sent to find announces himself, Harry feels a sense of unease. This be too pat...too easy...What if this man be possessed like Perri be...? Doubt and confusion wars on his face as to whether to take him at his word. Let's give' 'im some rope 'ere...
Harry rouses himself from his cot and moves to just inside the doorway of the cabin. He hears Maja announce herself to the man but holds his tongue for the moment, turning anxiously to see how Perri would react. We need ta keep 'im away from the others until we kin break th' demon's hold on im!
Harry stares at Perri with a stunned look on his face when the warrior's reaction to Thanim's care shakes his body and soul to the core. THAT...be what I felt earlier...I be certain of it! He rests back in his bed and gratefully accepts the spell cast upon him. "I...dinnae know if we could survive this without ye. Are ye well me friend?"
Harry found himself awake long after his usual time for stirring, understandable considering the disease still ravaging his body. Slowly rising to his feet he glances about him noting the presence of the others, while paying close attention to Perri. I need ta watch 'im closely, until we kin break the possession...somehow. His attention is drawn to Thanim, now contracted of the Plague himself. Knowing he would be of little assistance here he instead calls out quietly, "Be thar anything ye need me ta do fer ye?"
While Harry feels sleep tugging on his body the conversations around him kept him from completely surrendering to slumber. Groaning softly to himself in irritation he raises his head for a brief moment. "Perhaps the one we seek...Feremon can offer us guidance on how to handle this. Demetrios did say th' Plague mebbe related to what we seek in the Hool Marsh. The Black Flame."
On hearing Bynoth's declaration Harry simply shakes his head in disgust, "That may take a while...this Plague be haunting the lands fer a while now and it be related ta th' demons who harry us even now!" He gently places a hand on Perri's shoulder and guides him to the bed. "Rest up me friend. Th' demons will be back, and we need to regain our strength to meet them again." He begins to motion for Thanim before realizing the plague still was in his blood. "Watch closely over us now my friend, I fear the battle is not oveah yet," he implores as he climbs back into his own bed and awaits the dawn.
Harry's gaze lingers upon the Rhennee warrior, a look of concern on his face. "Aye Master Bynoth, this be but a skirmish like ye said. The foul spirits be driven off yet not defeated. Still we all need ta rest 'ere Maja. Th' plague still lingers in me blood..." As he glances outside back at the area where the possessed dogs fled he adds uncertainly, "Can ye be sure they are not lurking beyond, waiting fer us to get our guard down?"
Harry strains to pick up what is happening outside the cabin, yet the chaotic sounds of the battle noises coming from his companions made it impossible to determine what other foes were lurking out beyond the camp perimeter. Trying to keep the frustration out of his voice he motions to the other side of the encampment. "Kin ye see anything out thar?" He yells out to Sylas.
Harry feels a wave of fatigue pass over him reminding him in no uncertain terms he was still quite sick. Still he knew the remaining hounds were out there somewhere... "'ey! Let me know if'n ye see any more hounds out there! I 'ave jes th' spell fer them...especially if'n they cannae swim!"
I second your opinion AllenDM. I would set the BAB requirement to +1 which allows the fighter to start the build at first level while still excluding rogues and monks to picking it up at second level.
Harry shakes his head in resignation as the headstrong fighter heads out to deal with the demonic foes. Moving slowly to the doorway he peers through it to get a better sense of the situation. Even though the dretch demon was being occupied by his companions, he also could still hear the baying and howling of the possessed hounds. The sight of another demon just outside the fiery pits fills his heart with dismay, which he quickly fights back. He knew of a spell which would...occupy the demons but he hesitated to cast it here, as his aqueous orb would extinguish the flames which were keeping the hounds at bay. Bringing the words and gestures to the tip of his tongue he prepares to open a tiny conduit from the elemental watery plane....
Seeing Cerilis recover from the onslaught of the clouds, while giving thanks the elementals managed to disperse the rest of the clouds, Harry turns his attention back to his fellow warrior who he can see is struggling against the demons...
Harry nearly staggers back physically from the assault on his mind and it is all he can do to maintain his focus here as the voice seeks to appeal to the chaos flowing in his veins. AHHH....CONCENTRATE...!! Moving to the doorway, while holding his breath as long as possible here to avoid breathing in the noxious vapors, he calls upon the the watery magics in his veins...soon a small bubble of heavy water vapor appears floating around his hand. With a gentle motion he pushes the ball of air over to where the elf warrior struggles to gasp for air.
Once the task is done he looks over to Perri screaming, "GIT up ye daft fool! Th' voices kinnae hurt ye if ye do not let 'em!!"
Harry weaves his way around his companions to the other side of the cabin mindful to keep his distance from the others due to the plague he carried. "What be 'appenin! Do ye need any help now? I kin ward you from these noxious gases if they overwhelm ye!"
Harry struggles out of the bed, his nostrils catching a faint whiff of the noxious fog. Fell magicks wielded here! He shudders briefly before moving to the window next to Perri. "Och...this nae be good..." he murmurs aloud to himself before peering out the window...
He notes the various clouds of billowing noxious fog yet also sees the pack off nearby the privy awaiting...something. Perhaps I kin slow them down 'ere... Reaching into the wellspring of his sorcerous blood he points to a spot just outside the privy and soon a bank of pale fog billows out from that point encircling the two pack dogs.
Not sure which group is group 3, but throwing a web spell on the ledge between the path and the ravine (in the NE corner of the map) seems a good call to me.
Harry jerks upright as he hears the wolves baying outside the cabin. As he listens to the wolves call he feels a wash of terror as the arcan sounds assault his ears.
Harry lays in his bed, the blanket pulled tightly around his body. Try as he might sleep would not come to him. Every time he closed his eyes he could FEEL the shadows pressing all around him. Sighing softly to himself he decided to lay up starting at the ceiling, unwilling to break the silence that has engulfed the cabin inside.
Harry allows himself to be guided back into his bed, albeit reluctantly. As he settles into get some more rest he gives Thanim a wan smile, "Aye that be a promise upon me mother's grave. Wake me th' instant ye needs me help, OK me friend?"
I would be OK with Harry being tied up, if the shoes were reversed then I would take the same position. There are so many unknowns here with this Plague and the effects then caution is indeed called for here.
Harry stares outside at the scene that lay before his eyes still feeling weak and groggy but, more crucially, afraid here. The fear felt like it was oozing from his veins. Despite the fact the flames from the burning firepits causes the sweat to practically drip from his pores Harry stands at the doorway to the cabin responding to Maja, "Nay my friend. They will strike...strike when we are most weak, most tired. We must resist as best we can." His words sound hollow to his own ears.
Harry glances about him and sees his companions are awake. Rising slowly to his feat careful not to tax his strength here he sees the preparations taking place outside. "Aye they are comin' fer me...fer US all!" He intones somberly. The news that Thanim has succumbed to the Plague produces a shake of his head. "'Tis ill omens around this place! We should neveah 'ave come here, neveah 'ave accepted that damned fool sage's offer!" The frustration in his voice barely masking the concern for his fellow here as he clenches his fists in frustration. Finally he calms down enough to add, "I see ye have prepared well, and I am ready to lend me efforts 'ere. Where did ye want me?"
Looks good Thanim. I like the escape route to the SW, easy for us to wend our way to the stream, yet tough for the wolves to follow.
I have had a family emergency come up. My posting will be sporadic for a while. Please Bot Harry here thanks! |
