I'm sorry for your loss Vayelan.
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I've been kind of avoiding this for a while, I knew about a week or so back I really should get around to it but kept finding excuses to push it off one more day. For the last half a year or so I've just been floundering and then playing catch up every month or so. I hate abandoning groups but continuing as is isn't fair on people either. I'm going to be dropping out of all of the games I'm playing in (bar the one I've been playing in the longest) and most I am GMing except two which are near the end. The last year has thrown me out of routine with the games, the pandemic is bad enough but there's some personal stuff that looks like it's coming up that'll be making things more awkward. I've enjoyed GMing and playing but it's just not something I can do right now. Thank you for all the great times and I'm sorry I can't see it through to the end.
"It sounds like someone mimicking an animal sound... might even be the gillman so lets not be too reckless." Inconnu moves forwards with the others.
Inconnu casts light on his wooden shield to aid his weak human eyesight.
"Micheo's got legal authority and this looks to be against the law. As civic minded fellows we back him up in this investigation... just saying to cover our rears in case it's somehow above board!"
"Gillmen are a sentient species. Keeping someone chained up in a secluded spot like this doesn't lead me to think this mysterious fellow is one we should trust. Slavery or at best presumably false imprisonment at work but if they can best a particularly tough bear they know how to fight."
Christmas is always tough at work, this year doubly so. Sorry I haven't been about as much as I'd like. On the plus side I finally got to cast commune with birds.
"Before we go in give me a moment to gather some local knowledge so to speak. I'd like us to be forewarned if there is any local predators or unnatural creatures." Inconnu purses his lips and lets out a series of low whistles.
"There should be a hill near Riverford with the Old Bridge Tower on in. A bit squat for a tower but it's the armoury for the local militia and more importantly the Eagle Knights keep a commander and a few soldiers here to keep the militia sharp." "It's not just important for it's position either, almost all of it's grain, produce and cattle is purchased by Almas. Hopefully that means extra care was taken in the selection of the Eagle Knights here. That said we're deep in territory where the Lumber Consortium has a presence. I doubt anything as overt as Falcon's Hollow but best to keep a low profile, the best move is just to keep our heads down. Aleksey's public display of Iomedean iconography hopefully will help sooth any concerns if we attract attention but if they're vigilant perhaps not. Anyone could theoretically wear such equipment but you do seem well settled in."
"Well what you've heard is true in the broad strokes. We've largely stayed out of the commonly travelled areas. Just to be clear we do think it likely those fellows who are rowing away enthusiastically are river pirates but we've scared them off. We're having to restrain ourselves from meddling in everything as we travel this time due to the significance of our mission." "We have indulged a little just so you don't think too little of us. We cleared out an infestation of horse sized, acid spitting, burrowing insects that were besieging a village not long ago. Let's consider those gentlemen given a warning to consider their sins. When things are less pressing we might just sail these waters again in disguise and if needed dole out a sterner lesson."
Inconnu smiled "A moments pause before you come aboard." He turns towards Ulark "Is his soul darkened?" Once Inconnu confirms the man isn't outright evil he urges Aleksey forward. "If you don't mind we'd like to examine the letter. Any such evidence were it to exist would need to be carefully guarded, I'm sure you'd appreciate that. While we do that perhaps you could tell us more about yourself Aleksey?"
Inconnu looks towards Ulark and then back at the men. "Of course, once you show us proof of your position... you never actually identified yourselves. I've heard troubling tales of pirates playing these waters with so much of the navy keeping an eye on Cheliax to the west. So, I'm sure you'll be able to produce the paperwork to assuage our concerns before we hand over this toll I've never heard of... and we'd like a receipt."
Inconnu peers at the strange figure moving up behind them before turning his attention to the burly man before them. "You might be wary of smugglers and devil worshippers but I've never seen you before. You could be bandits or worse. Unless you have legitimate authority and can prove it to our satisfaction you'd be wise not to set foot on our vessel. At best an unwelcome intruder would end up going for a swim. I'm not trying to make threats just making things clear. If you have no such authority then let us be on our way." Inconnu doesn't put his hand on his sword but rest his hands on his best beside it.
Inconnu looks uneasy for much of the journey, he's well used to traveling by his feet mounts and wagons but the strong currents and cold water below them leave him unsettled. He peers at the coming boats. "Hopefully they mean well but we can't be sure. They could be waiting for us specifically even. Dugan can I bolster your abilities with magic before they close?"
"You can dictate to me if you'd like but at the very least I can relay that you're proud of her. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from you."
Sounds good, we're less than two weeks shy of the anniversary of Joanne's last post so I think it's safe to say they're not coming back. A shame but I still like our little group. We've gone well off the beaten path intended in the mini adventure path at this stage.
"My thanks. That is so generous of you. As a Varissian I don't see myself as bound by lines up mans and letters of treaties but I've met some fine people in this country so it is a great honour to be held in such high regard." "Our travels will be taking us in the direction of Almas, if you wish me to bring a letter to your great granddaughter I could deliver it to her personally!"
"I guess Sarenrae really is looking out for us then. I'm afraid the last part of this tale wasn't all that exciting. Once we figured out where they were it was mostly standing around and digging."
"It'd start with small game... then the goats and children Ulark. They're not evil, just doing what comes natural to them. You've seen where that leads when it's too close to a settlement. These villagers weren't able to handle them." "Lets head back to tell them the matter has been put to rest. We should get back on the road after we've washed some of the soot off and had a meal. It was right to stop but it gave time for anyone pursuing us to close the gap."
Inconnu does his part in clearing out the nest but does his best to avoid their mouths... wary of how soon they might develop that acidic spit.
"Right lets try smoking them out. Still we can set up around the area and fill in some of the other exits to speed things up."
"They go through a larval stage after hatching and are unable to hunt. That doesn't last but we wouldn't be able to lure them out if they're still at that stage. Give me me a chance to try to lure them out while you find some shovels... if nothing crops up by then we are digging. Or gathering firewood to smoke them out." Inconnu gets out a bag and puts a few small bits of detritus in it before casting unseen servant and having it trail along the ground near the small hill Dugan points out.
DM Vayelan with Inconnu's previous checks would he know if ankheg young would hunt suitable prey... say something the size of a rabbit? I'm thinking unseen servant dragging the bag again with a lighter load to lure them out.
"It's unfortunate this is giving time for any pursuers to catch up but this little village wouldn't have survived if we hadn't happened by. Perhaps someone took notice when we passed by the Shrine and made sure to guide our path."
Inconnu briefly considered heading out in the rain... with how hard it was coming down it would no doubt disorient the creatures but it would be a miserable affair and they'd get lucky if only a few of them got sick... and after this village they still had their mission to achieve. As they sat in miserable conditions Inconnu decided to tell the locals the tale of the Kidnapping Kobold King and the Dwarven Ghost that was not all as it seemed! ... with a few ommissions.
Inconnu does his best to get people to take the safe option. "Listen to me, I'm glad you are taking the turn of events positively but although it is likely that is all of them, it's not guaranteed. Until we search the grounds of Akens and Froats to deal with the nest it's not safe to return home." "The work is not fully done yet. We'll head straight there at dawn, after that if all goes well only a few more hours before you can return home with confidence and we'll continue on our way knowing the threat has been dealt with."
"At the very least the carapace around the head could form a rather fearsome pauldron!" Inconnu responded much more relaxed. "Ankhegs migrate and it's not well understood how but it can be along long routes. Twenty years isn't so long that it's not possible for them to be doing what is natural to them, either coming through here or near enough to here so as to be attracted by your herd animals. The good news is I've never heard of a group bigger than six adults and often less than that." "The bad news is they've probably laid eggs somewhere, tomorrow we should search here and the nearby farms. They're not as dangerous as an adult but livestock or children might be in serious danger- not that it would be safe for an adult either. But the threat is greatly reduced compared to a few hours ago."
Inconnu moves towards Micheo and releases some positive energy to heal him. "We should retreat. We have magic to heal, dangerous though they are they are merely beasts. Lets not wait around to be ambushed. Gather the ammo and projectiles. Lets withdraw for a time. Our hubris might be more dangerous than their current numbers alone.""
"There's another one coming from the east!" Inconnu calls out amongst his encouragement as he flung the last javelin.
Inconnu keeps cheering on the others while casting a spell on Ulark... who found himself covered head to toe covered in a film of grease. With a smile on his face he prepared his last javelin.
Inconnu kept circling around and cheering on the others as he flung another javelin... but this one clattered to the ground.
Inconnu kept calling out encouragement. He drew out another javelin as he crossed the bridge and hurled it at the insect creature that had spat at Dugan. "Don't get cocky, if we kill one maybe two more it's a great days work. We don't have to get them all."
Inconnu starts cheering on the others as the trap is sprung.
Inconnu puts a few bits of useless material into a sack and gets ready to starting using it as a lure to attract the tunnel monsters. "Everyone ready?"
"With peoples permission when we are ready to start luring them in I'll cast heroism on Ulark and Duggan, it's got a pretty long duration so that shouldn't be a problem. I can have my unseen servant spell start bringing back javelins and things to us as well though it'll take time as it will be ferrying them back one at a time."
"Sounds like an idea, the hardest part will be the first one or two. I've been thinking and maybe I might be able to attract one using unseen servant to drag a bag of rocks or something about. I'd need to be within thirty five feet but that's close enough to be moving something around under the bridge. Not enough to trick them into thinking it's a person but a small dog or something just maybe."
"I have a few javelins but I doubt enough to put it down but I sus[ect Dugan would put them to better effect than me."
"If it was just one... but a few of them might be tough."
"It's what about a hundred feet to the towers entrance and we can't be sure if the door is locked." "If someone appeared on the bridge would they notice as quickly I wonder? The bridge might be in range of the ramp and with a little bit of magic I could tether a rope to it for someone to shimmy along. The bridge to the tower would be a short bolt but I didn't see anywhere low down to attach rope to." "Does anyone else have any other ideas, my schemes are bit rough and could use some refining."
"How many have been seen at once? Is there any access to the roof? One of us- our band not you don't worry-" Inconnu puts up a hand before anyone starts objecting. "Right so one of our band could lure one out while the rest of us rain down a few arrows from on top of the roof. They might see us once they surface but I'd bet they wont be able to til then." "The main advantage we have is magical healing, in a war of attrition... the downside is we don't have infinite ammo."
Inconnu chooses to focus on covering the ground quickly... and is very glad he's not slowed down by armour or a short stature.
“Run for it? Running’s not a plan! Running’s what you do once a plan fails.”
Inconnu makes a snap decision and breaks into full sprint towards the man at the windmill and the ramp leading up to it.
"The watchtower should be defendible. I'd hate to be caught of guard by whatever it was so we should make do if we can't discover and root out the threat before the deluge comes. I saw we clear the tower first unless someone has a solid lead."
"This time of year I'd be wary of rainstorms, they've been known to cause flash floods. But I'd suspect we're not far off running into a few small hamlets I'd suspect."
"We're in the northern reaches of the Carpenden Plains now. The bad news is due to overlogging there is little protection fromt he elements. Temperatures can be quite high around noon, best to keep our eyes peeled around then for shelter. At the least we should take a long lunch around then, quickly pitch the tents to provide some shade if we haven't found any. The night will be bitterly cold and the mornings will come with dew so the tents will be sodden. Even then the weather can change quickly." "On the plus side even though there's no tracks it's damn near impossible to get lost so long as we follow the rivers course. We should stay alert for hazards and changes in weather."
Inconnu does his fair share of work to get across before the raft could capsize. "We should lift the raft in a little while once we catch our breath, make sure it's out of sight from the far shore. If someone is tracking us we shouldn't make the task easy for them."
"We can finish this up tomorrow, if someone falls in I don't want darkness hindering their rescue."
Inconnnu sets down some passable traps... but somehow manages to select exclusively areas where animals are unlikely to go...
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