Markas touches the ailing Louis and imparts a large surge of healing magic into the sick man. Any and all cuts and wounds are mended on Louis, however the ill pallor and likely the underlying illness within the man remains. Dark grey sunken eyes, ashen grey patches of split raw skin, shakes, fever, chills, aching bones all continue to plague Louis. With no other healing magics that he could spare Markas offers a warm smile to console his friend and leaves his side. Taking up his mace and war hammer the cleric exhausts himself upon the brass and ivory circlet in the middle road leading to the farm for nearly a half hour. All manner of strikes land upon the item to no visible effect, at least as far as the sweating, sore, and exhausted Markas can see. Markas spends the rest of the afternoon resting his tired and defeated body after carefully putting the headdress into the damp backpack without touching it.
Timerious:
Hanging from the pulley in front of the equipment barn Timerious watched with growing anger the spectacle of Markas' fury and then exhaustion.
'The fool Markas just spent a half hour tiring himself out hammering on Perrin's crown for no apparent purpose or reason. The idiotic fool must be going mad! These imbeciles think me mad, string me up like a side of beef, and say I'm a slave to that man? NEVER! Perrin, the Black Knight, and now these fools have inflicted horrors upon me. ME! The, the.. right hand of Halav! I must escape this latest trial and fulfill my destiny.' The warrior thought to himself, unfortunately besides when Markas provided him with broth none would come close through out the day for him to even have a chance at somehow escaping.
After sunset the questions of Louis' father remain unanswered by the exhausted Markas and Louis. The cleric and fighter remained too tired and foggy minded to provide the farmer with any answers. The man left the men to rest, not wanting to pursue answers that did not appear to be forthcoming to his questions from the armed men.
Loius:
Louis takes 1 hp of damage at night fall from the illness and is at 10 hp
The resting group is awoken by lights in the main cabin a half hour before sunup. Louis' mother and youngest sister bring four plates of eggs and potatoes that are quickly devoured by the men staying at the equipment barn. Markas then prays for and receives all of his spells that morning.
Exhaustion levels are reduced by 1 for both Markas and Louis since the group rested, both are at exhaustion level 2 in the morning.
Louis:
Louis takes 3 hp of damage at sun up from the illness and is at 9 hp
Markas notices that Louis continues to lose health and so he imparts healing blessings upon himself, Louis, and the rough looking Timerious this day.
CLW on Louis:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 CLW on Markas:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 CLW on Timerious:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Feeling is returned to the exhausted frame of Timerious allowing for pain sensations to develop anew. Those feelings return to numbness all over again throughout the day as he hangs. The group continues to rest and recover through the day leading up to the meeting with the families of Hawk's Hill.
Exhaustion levels are reduced by 1 for both Markas and Louis since the group rested, both are at exhaustion level 1 in the evening.
Louis:
Louis takes 1 hp of damage at sun down from the illness and is at 10 hp
Markas & Louis:
Starting a half hour or so before sunset the wagons and carriages of the families from Hawk's Hill begin to arrive at the Mon roi de Dunis farm. The wagons and their occupants are guided to an area at the front of the house, out of sight of the equipment barn with the ill tempered Timerious hanging there. Markas does his best to try and greet the families as they arrive, most have little to do or say to the cleric beyond being minimally polite. When it appears that all have arrived Louis' father climbs atop his wife's white painted wagon and calls everyone's attention. Markas climbs aboard the wagon, meeting the disgruntled stares of many family heads and members. He begins with asking everyone to bow their heads for a short prayer to Petra, most do so hesitantly more out of respect for a deity rather then being actual followers of Petra. After the prayer Markas informs the hamlet's residents of what has been occurring in the southern part of the Thunder Rift valley at the keep of the Black Knight. The cleric stresses the banditry defeated and the return of both Gertie and Adrianna safely to Hawk's Hill. Markas allows a few moments to pass, and the crowd appears to be warming to him. Louis makes his way onto the bed of the wagon at this point with his pack in hand. From it the fighter produces four silver statues and holds them aloft for all to see. "Our founder's statues. Somehow taken from us and held by the Black Knight in his keep. We defeated that danger and return these to Hawk's Hill and its families. We are looking out for the safety of all of you by our actions and we will continue to do so! Listen to what we have to say and what our offer is with open ears, it serves to strengthen and protect our community and the Thunder Rift." The demeanor of the gathered families takes a drastic turn for the worse, no one seemed to be aware that the statues had been stolen. Accusations fly between families as Markas thanks his friend and tells the people of Hawk's Hill about the small and goodly aligned tribe of ogres who have sworn to protect the citizens of the southern Thunder Rift for a full year from all manners of foes. "The ogres would like to visit Hawk's Hill occasionally to barter and trade for items they can not make themselves or sell those things they have no need of. One of the ogres is a profound blacksmith and another is a spell caster of some power, the rest are fine warriors. All have families just like you do and they have lost kin to the dangers of these lands and are willing to protect it alongside of us. Will you trade with them and help to build lasting alliances with our allies?" Markas finishes talking and he goes silent, he and Louis wait for the community to come to a consensus as all start speaking at once. Curiously both men notice as the discussion between families becomes heated that one completely empty wagon begins to sag downward as if under the weight of several hundred pounds but neither man can see anything. "Come to hear for yourself if you and your brothers will be welcome here Gruulin?" Markas calls out over the roar of the crowd towards the oddly tilted wagon. "Indeed chosen of Petra!" A familiar to voice to Markas and Louis replies from the back of the wagon yet nothing can be seen of its source. Several moments go by and the crowd slowly begins to quiet during that time as they too look about for the source of the loud voice. A firefly takes flight, a moment later a couple more do the same, and yet more and more appear and take flight over the crowd. The crowd and children especially enjoy taking in the unexpected sight of hundreds of twinkling fireflies over the next minute or so. The ogre magi Gruulin appears to all suddenly with a warm smile taking in the spectacle of the fireflies just the same as they were. "Murlsan's daughter used to love these tiny things when I'd conjure them for her. Seems that hummie's little ones like them as well. We'll bring no harm to your families and farms. From time to time we'll stop by to buy or trade things is all. Any problems with that agreement?" In the intimidating presence of the ogre-magi beneath a living light show there appeared to be no farmer brave enough to speak up and deny the request for trade with the ogres. Gruulin got up from his seat upon the back of the wagon and leaned on his quarter staff while looking upon all of the citizens of Hawk's Hill beneath the living light spectacle he had conjured. "Splendid. Here's our first order and payment for it. I'll stop by right here in a couple of weeks for delivery. Here you are princess, this will allow you to summon these little bugs once more." Gruulin waved his large hand through the swirling glowing cloud of fireflies, gathered one tiny insect in his hand before placing it in the tiny hands of Louis' youngest sister as he walked past the wide eyed girl and into the night. On the back of the wagon bed was a sizeable bag of coin with a rolled piece of paper sticking out of it.
With the trade agreement struck between the citizens of Hawk's Hill and the ogres Markas, Louis, and Latovius make their way back to where they had been resting at the equipment shed as the meeting winds down. Upon the ground in front of the equipment shed was the lifeless body of the Mon roi de Dunis farmhand that had been tasked with watching Timerious during the meeting. One of the families notice that the horse that had been tied to their wagon is missing at the same time the three at the barn notice that Timerious, his belongings, and Markas' pack were nowhere to be found at the moment....
Timerious:
Sunset on the end of the second day arrives as Timerious continues to hang from his rope. Timerious' anger has boiled within him for a day and a half, all he wanted was his rightful freedom and to be away from these f**&ing torturers. Halav heard his prayers finally with Louis, Markas, and Latovius leaving to meet with the ass backwards bumpkins of this shit hole in the middle of nowhere. The fools, they left some damned dim-wit farm hand to tend to him! It took little effort to trick the man into lowering him down by claiming he needed to take a shit. It didn't matter at all to Timerious when the man's neck snapped while he was trying to choke the farmhand out for this foe stood between Timerious and his rightful freedom! Dropping the body to the ground Timerious went to his pack and used the Black Knight's sword to sever his rope bindings. Timerious gathered his pack and Markas' since it contained Perrin's headdress. He left the body and circled quietly in the darkness behind the gathered crowd, there were several horses tethered to wagons back here! Timerious took one and walked it a couple hundred feet away from the gathering before getting on it to ride away. Timerious and the beast traveled on the darkened country roads in the direction of Overton and the cleric of Halav that awaited him there.
This is where we will pause the game and potentially return to it at some point in the future. Thank you for playing along to this point.
Moving things along, please check for emails on state of game.
The bed is brought to the equipment shed and setup under the building's side overhang behind the wagon when the team of horses that had pulled it are unhooked and are returned to their stable. The group is allowed to rest for the remainder of the afternoon either in the bed(Louis), in the bed of the wagon (Markas & Latovius), or hanging around(Timerious). Starvation is barely kept at bay when Louis' mother brings the group a pot of vegetable broth which is mostly vegetable flavored water. Markas is forced into being the one to feed his slave as no one will approach the wild man. Thankfully the task is an easy one for Markas consisting of pouring his share of the meal into Timerious' mouth at a rate not to drown the man.
Towards dusk Louis' father returns from working the fields and animals with the families' other farm hand. The head of the family is quickly is caught up on the reason for the four men resting under the roof of his equipment shed. He visits his ailing son before having eaten anything, he says little and keeps his distance from his ill son. A half hour after nightfall Louis' other brother returns and informs everyone that the other families would arrive the next evening for the town hall meeting that had been requested. "Why have you requested such a meeting take place? The last one went so poorly and that has cost us dearly! We are no longer on good terms with the other families in these parts. I don't mind standing up for my kin when they are in the right, I pray that whatever this is about that we're in the right." Louis' dad fretted in the darkness as he took out a simple pipe and filled it with tobacco.
what do you say or do next? Exhaustion levels are reduced by 1 for both Markas and Louis since the group rested, both are at exhaustion level 3 at the time of this conversation.
Timerious could do little beyond turning himself around to avoid watching and listening to this little altercation unfold between Markas and Latovius. You can determine how your character feels, what they try to do, and what they say.
Louis remained alongside his frightened mother and watched the exchange between Latovius and Markas unfold. Now that the immediate threat of Timerious had been dealt with he could hear her sigh with relief. The bailing hook in her hand fell to the floor of the barn.
Hawk's Hill Tongue:
"What have you brought back here with you? This illness you have. This madman you travel alongside. None of it is any good. You should give thought to staying put now that you have returned to us. There's worse out there for you if you leave again!" The woman quietly pleaded with her ill stricken son, tears started to well up in the corners of her eyes and she raised a shaky hand to wipe away the tears.
Markas gets no immediate response to his question as he walks within five feet of Timerious and stops there to look at the man hanging before him from the rope and pulley attached to the beam extending from the front of the equipment shed.
Timerious is up. Timerious' hands are securely lashed together and are fully extended above him at the end of his arms which are being pulled toward the above beam's rope and pulley. His toes are the only parts of his feet that are currently on the ground supporting whatever of his armored body weight that he doesn't use the strength of his arms to alleviate. The bracket where the rope is tied off is unreachable, almost a full twenty feet away. What does Timerious say or do? This is likely to resolve the need for turn by turn combat ordering, so turns will likely change to normal in short order.
Timerious Variance Roll:1d4 ⇒ 1 Markas Variance Roll:1d4 ⇒ 4
To move action along I'll take Louis' turn for him.
Louis worried for his family, rushes to the side of his mother. As he passes Timerious he receives a back kick from the suspended and restrained man. Louis is unsure if it was intentional or not.
Hawk's Hill Tongue:
"Mother are you ok? What is going on?" Louis asks with concern on his face.
"As soon as the mad man is restrained I shall feel better. I was told that he's attacked all of you on several occasions. Why have you allowed one such as him to come here Louis? Your youngest brother and sister could be in danger from one such as him." His mother explained while keeping a white knuckled grip on the bailing hook. Louis knew well that his mother would do whatever it took to protect her children. He hoped for Timerious' sake that he didn't so much as spit towards one of them or Timerious would soon be able to see what his insides looked like.
Latovius hurriedly ties off the rope on the bracket, a quarter of an inch of slack is returned to Timerious and he is no longer standing just on the tips of his toes but it will still be quite uncomfortable in short order.
Markas is up next
Markas:
Please add this to your character sheet.
Quirk: • Evasive = Your character has a faster then average set of reflexes and receives a -2 modifier on all DEX checks.
Markas will collect his and Timerious' items putting the headdress (without touching it) back in his slimy bag and putting Timerious' items and Markas' items including the war hammer in Timerious' bag. Markas will carry both bags.
I'll get back to you on the results of those rolls
Please give me 3 saving throws versus poison and 1 saving throw versus spells when Markas picks up the headdress.
Standing near the wagon bed he had been resting on Markas turns and reaches into his backpack, the container is still very damp to the touch. Reaching inside he quickly finds the only thing remaining in there and pulls it free. The burlap sack that had been used to pick the headdress up previously falls from around the item and lands upon the ground. With a great heave he flings the headdress far away from the group, it lands on a bare patch of the road that leads to the main farm house and rolls for a bit. Markas takes several steps towards Latovius intent on stopping the thief from tieing off the rope that held Timerious at attention.
Markas is about 15 or so feet from Timerious at the end of his turn.
DM rolls:
X Quirk:1d139 ⇒ 9 Timerious Init:1d6 ⇒ 2 Latovius Init:1d6 ⇒ 3 Woman Init:1d6 ⇒ 5 Markas Init:1d6 ⇒ 3 Louis Init:1d6 ⇒ 6 Girl Init:1d6 ⇒ 6 Boy Init:1d6 ⇒ 1 Farm Hand Init:1d6 ⇒ 6
The man who had been carrying the bed along with the boy stretches out his back as the bed rests on the ground. The young girl retreats into the shed. Louis is up next
Timerious attempts to lower his center of gravity to get more onto his feet from his tip toes and bring down his arms. The physics of the situation are stacked against him and he accomplishes nothing. Remaining suspended by his tip toes with his hands strongly tied above his heads at the top of his reach, the rope through the pully and taught around the tie off bracket one time.
The man and boy who had just exited the farm house carrying a bed frame between them cover another twenty feet of ground towards the barn where the action is currently taking place. The bulkiness of the bed appears to be causing the boy difficulties carrying the item, he fidgets and sets his end down on the ground after covering that much distance. The young girl in the barn looks to Louis and then cowers behind her mother.
Timerious is up next
Timerious flexes against the knotted rope as he demands his rightful freedom from those around him. The work that he had just done to untie the knot on the wagon's rail was apparently good enough. The rope comes free from the railing leaving a small amount of slack in the rope between his bound hands and the pulley above. The middle aged woman had started to take a few steps towards Timerious but at Louis' warning and seeing the sudden slack in the rope she changes direction and quick steps into the barn away from the bound man.
Timerious has his hands bound at this time. The knot on the wagon rail might be mostly un-done as far as he can tell. From that knot to Latovius the rope is tight and is through a pulley above. The rogue appears to maybe be distracted with speaking to the funny talking lady that had interacted with Louis. Hope that helps with your turn.
Hearing Timerious curse and feeling the man jostle the wagon right behind him Louis worries about his safety and that of his family. The sick man pushes himself out of the back of the wagon and falls to a knee on the ground. Speaking loudly in his native tongue he warned his family members to stay clear of the prisoner.
A man and a pre-teen boy emerge out of the main farm house carrying a bed sideways. Louis recognizes the pair as one of his families two farm hands and his youngest sibling.
Timerious untrained Escape Check with modifiers and penalties applied 16:1d20 - 2 + 1 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 1 + 3 + 5 = 15
Timerious walks up to the wagon's rail that the tied off eight foot section of rope between his hands and the wagon is lashed to. There is a strange set of knots in the length of rope keeping it attached to the rail that Timerious has never seen the likes of before giving him pause while trying to undo them with both of his hands firmly tied together. While Timerious begins to work on the knots to release the rope from the wagon railing using just two or three finger tips he can feel his anger rising as he makes solid progress. Latovius walks to the side of the wagon and grabs the other tail of the rope. Apparently ignoring what Timerious was doing and what he had to say the rogue walks with his section of the rope to a block and tackle that he has lowered from the beam at the top of the building. He threads the rope through the equipment and hoists it upwards taking up the slack between the far end of the rope and the wagon rail. "Ma'am, could you come here and do me a quick favor?" The funny talking lady sets down the armload of empty burlap sacks and steps to Latovius. The rogue bowed his head downward and whispered something to her, the woman nodded her understanding as to what had been said.
Markas watches silently from his seated position in the back of the wagon as Timerious gets up from the ground. He walks over to the wagon's side rail where the rope that is attached to his hands is still knotted behind the prone form of Louis. Timerious seemed to be having a difficult time using just a couple finger tips, since his hands were still tightly lashed together, to try and undo a rather odd looking knot. Given the temperment of Timerious Markas assumed it would be just a short while before the man's anger boiled over and he would fly off the handle. Timerious spoke up about his current state in the world and Latovius appeared to ignore him as the rogue took out the slack from the other end of the rope and the equipment suspended from the barn's overhanging beam. Damage seemed likely to something or someone...
DM rolls:
Timerious Init:1d6 ⇒ 4 Latovius Init:1d6 ⇒ 2 Woman Init:1d6 ⇒ 4 Markas Init:1d6 ⇒ 3 Louis Init:1d6 ⇒ 6 Girl Init:1d6 ⇒ 1 Boy Init:1d6 ⇒ 4 Farm Hand Init:1d6 ⇒ 4
Going into combat initiative here as it seems a sensible way to try and resolve actions/turns. Louis is up first.
Timerious remains kneeling in the dirt behind the wagon trying to catch his breath after being forced to run behind the wagon for close to a half hour. Sweat pours from the fighter as he wheezes with sore ribs during his recovery. The funny talking people seemed quite busy, the two that had rushed into the main house had yet to return. The young girl went to work moving things and clearing room in the equipment shed while the older woman who had driven the wagon did the same. Latovius had gotten out of the wagon and the thief spent a few moments looking at the top of the building. A timber with a pulley and rope system extended from beneath the roof, likely to aid in loading and unloading wagons and the equipment used around the farm. Timerious felt uneasy at what might be going through the man's mind.
Markas sat up in the wagon and saw Timerious kneeling several feet behind the wagon, still tied to it and sweating profusely. The wagon was partially parked under an overhanging roof attached to a 10' x 20' farm equipment shed near to a larger barn and a pair of ranch style houses that have obviously been added onto over the years. The doors to the equipment shed as well as the main house were wide open, a young girl and the woman who had driven the wagon were busy moving things with the equipment shed. Louis was unable to answer Markas, the man's teeth chattered involuntarily while he shook violently under the warm clothes the man owned. Dark grey black rings hung heavy under the ill man's hazy eyes and a trickle of blood flowed from his left nostril. Markas looked around again and saw Latovius standing on the ground near the wagon, the man was looking upward at the roof of the building the wagon was parked underneath.
Louis awoke when he heard Markas speak and noticed that the wagon had stopped moving. Above him he saw a wooden roof and over the sides of the wagon he could see the sky and that was it from where he laid. The chills and shakes had not subsided during his all too brief rest, and what sounds he was able to make were unintelligible. Louis closed his eyes and prayed to return to sleep as he pulled his clothes closer to him.
Markas is still at an exhaustion level of 3, the rest was barely long enough for him to stop sweating profusely. With the additional sleep and skipping of spells in the morning and this short siesta he's gotten about 3 additional hours of sleep then normal. Having successfully used his Endurance skill to carry 2 other people's full load of equipment for close to an hour will soon put him at level 4 exhaustion should he not get adequate rest to recover. Additionally there are other factors such as adequate food(no one has eaten anything in 2+ days) and clean water that will play a roll in each character's exhaustion levels in very short order. The answer to what Markas sees with his quick scan will have to wait on Timierious' turn.
Both exhausted men stretched out in the back of the wagon, their feet hanging off the back while they began to fall asleep. Words spoken in the tongue of Hawk's Hill lingered in their thoughts as they were drifting off to sleep. Neither man paid them any mind.
Timerious:
Neither Markas nor Louis appeared to have an issue with Timeirous riding up front next to the woman who spoke funny. So he flipped the eight foot section of tied off rope over the head of Latovius and took a few strides towards her. The woman's eyes went wide as she flinched at his approach; she raised the riding crop threateningly as if to lash out at him. She spoke more nonsense words as Timerious took another step forward to prove he was not afraid and would ride at the head of this wagon as the leader of this group should! Timerious halted as the narrow tip of a dagger slid through the bands of his armor protecting his back on a level that would surely pierce his lungs. The blade did not go much deeper than the surface of his skin while a left arm wrapped around his chest and pressed him backward. Latovius whispered in Timerious' ear, "She don't like you slave and neither do I. You run behind the wagon or get dragged to your death, I care not which it is." Timerious was guided back behind the wagon with the dagger still firmly pressed into his back. The dagger was removed and Timerious spun around instantly to see Latovuis deftly hop into the back of the wagon barely jostling those sleeping there. The woman sets the horses and wagon in motion, guiding them across the prairie following the route that had been taken to cross paths with Louis, Markas, and Timerious. Latovius moves into the seat alongside of the woman with grace and then urges the lady to hurry for the sake of Louis, whose condition is rapidly becoming worse. As the wagon picks up speed the thief looks back at the trailing Timerious being pulled along now at a three quarters run or faster at times. Timerious strains and struggles to keep up the pace in his banded armor, aching ribs, and a laundry list of maladies that he did not recall where they came from. Latovius chuckles and enjoys watching the man labor to avoid being dragged behind the wagon.
A well-kept and rather busy farm eventually comes into view, the woman stops the wagon near one of the outbuildings that had an overhanging roof. A teenage boy and younger girl with similar appearances to Louis hurry out of the livestock barn as the wagon comes to a stop. Timerious collapses to his knees spent and weary from what he had just been put through. From a different outbuilding that was likely a chicken coop a middle aged man emerged and quickly closed the door behind him. He set down a basket half full of eggs; the woman atop the wagon saw him and barked orders at the three who had started to hurry towards the wagon. The young boy and the man changed their courses and hurried into the main house, leaving the building's front door open behind them. The woman quickly got out of the wagon and opened the door to the building they were stopped next to. Various pieces of farm and daily living equipment were parked within or sat on crowded workbenches and shelves.
Louis & Markas :
Your characters awaken to being under some partial shade cast by an overhead wooden roof while sunlight comes in over the sides of the wagon. There is hustle and bustle heard nearby as well as some distance from the wagon. The sounds do not strike you as a ones of conflict necessarily.
The tone of the middle aged woman tending to Louis' voice changes quickly after Louis speaks with her. The familiar tone of a mother scolding a child is heard by all within earshot.
Hawk's Hill tongue:
"Louis <middle name?> Mon roi de Denis! Don't you dare lie to your mother! I've raised four children, toiled hard my entire life, and cared for more ill friends and family then I can count. Look at your hands! God's, look at yourself son! I've seen dead that have more color and vigor to them then you. March yourself into the back of my wagon and lay down this instant!" Louis' mother pushes the water skin and cloth she had been using to clean and treat him into his hands. Louis notices that around the bases of several of his finger nails there was some sickly small yellow black bruising. The skin on the back of both of his hands and forearms had very small grey discolorations scattered here and there.
Pulling the warm blankets that reeked of sweat closer to him, Louis shakily walked over and sat down on the wagon's bed. He took a sip of the water skin the woman had given him and by the god's did it taste amazing! Cool and clean with no musty earthy taste at all, the fighter tilted his head back and drank deeply.
Louis:
Louis realizes at this moment that the water from the water skins that have been shifting from person's pack to person's pack have all tasted the same for the last several days. He had assumed it was due to the quality of the water they had been able to locate the last few days on their travels. Without Markas' purification ritual performed daily all of the water has taken on a musty plant based aroma and earthy taste. Maybe by coincidence that is about when everyone's latest symptoms of illness had begun to manifest. Though Louis is the only one to manifest these particular symptoms from what he can see.
Timerious' eyes must not have cleared much for upon refocusing them he found himself looking at the neckline of the exquisite black leather armor Latovius wore instead of what he had assumed would have been the man's face. Looking upward from the neckline of the armor he realized for the first time that Latovius was nearly as tall as he was and not much slimmer of build. Timerious' eyes were drawn back down to the leather armor Latovius wore, whoever's hand had produced it was a master craftsman or the set was enchanted. It was near mid day with few shadows about, however Latovius was standing in some cast by the bed of the wagon. Maybe it was a trick that his newly cleared eyes were playing on him but those scant shadows seemed to be darker around where the rogue stood.
Latovius tied off the rope from Timerious to the back of the wagon, leaving the bound man about eight or nine feet of slack. The rogue stood between the maddened fighter and the wagon after finishing his task. Looking up from where he stood Latovius smiled at Markas and said, "Louis shared with me how upon finding and releasing your slave from his cell that he thought the bear was a mule or a dog for quite sometime. I'd wager five gold that it was either the jailing or his family tree is just full of crazies. Not sure how we could find out for sure who is right, can't take that maniac at his word afterall."
The wagon's bed has been loaded with the packs and equipment Markas had been carrying. Markas feels that he has really exerted himself and knows that while he has been able to stave off the exhaustion for the moment it is sure to come soon. Louis is laying down in the wagon's bed occupying some of the free space. There is room for one person comfortably to sit or lie down with the equipment, two could fit uncomfortably. The woman Louis had been interacting with has taken a seat on the wagon's bench and gathered up the horses reigns. She is waiting not so patiently for you to finish things up. There is a seat next to the woman on the wagon's bench. What do you wish to discuss or do next? Who tries to ride and where on the wagon and who walks?
Louis attempts to respond to Markas' questions but he is interrupted by a coughing fit which ends in him spitting up a bit of blood along with the phlegm that was choking him. Several moments pass before Louis is able to catch his breath, the ill-stricken fighter manages to indicate the direction they should head. "My families' home is that way, maybe an hours walk. Hawk's Hill is off that way a bit, probably about the same distance." Louis pauses and allows his fevered mind to think for a few moments."It may be a bit quicker to head for Hawk's Hill." Louis looks to ground at his pack, armor, warm clothing and blankets strewn about, then down to the rope in his one hand and the club in his other. His body aches and shakes with the chills of the fever that he has been suffering from for the last several days. Looking to Markas with beads of sweat rising from his brow Louis tried his best to smile and appear strong when he felt anything but.
Louis CON 14:1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 4 = 5
In Markas' weakened state the cleric finds himself taking on the role of a beast of burden. His equipment, Timerious' equipment, and much of Louis' equipment makes its way onto the overburdened cleric as the group leaves the ruins of Gertie's house abruptly after Timerious' last outburst. With a quick prayer to Petra and a mighty grunt the cleric is off to lead the three to Louis' family farm.
Markas Endurance 16:1d20 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) - 2 + 3 = 14
Timerious walks ahead of the slowly moving Louis, hands bound and the rope trailing behind him to the ill man holding onto it. Timerious looks about the rolling and lightly wooded plains and sees no dwellings or signs of farming. His ribs ache and as he looks down on his armor he sees dents where his aches and pains are. Timerious realizes that if he wanted to he could likely bolt away from Louis if he wanted to.
A half hour into the trek the trio is still unable to see any signs of a farm or livestock. Louis has fallen several times and has added a few new cuts and scratches to his growing list of ailments. Markas is sweating profusely under his burden and is fatigued, each step comes with a groan but yet the cleric muscles on while his massive strength will bear him. It is Timerious that catches first sight of the approaching white carriage or wagon, though he tells no one of its approach.
A white painted wagon pulled by two horses alters its course and as quickly as the terrain allows makes its way to the group. A middle aged woman with greying black hair pulled back into a pony tail drives the rig with skill while familiar black leather clad rogue holds tight to the seat. The wagon barely comes to a stop before the woman leaps from it and races to the side of Louis.
Hawk's Hill tongue:
"Latovius tells me you are ill Louis? What's the matter? What hurts? What do you need? MY GOD!" Your mother exclaims when she first catches sight of the gruesome scar parting the side of your scalp, down your cheek, and part of your neck. Tears run down her cheeks, the first ones you have seen in years. "By the gods, what have you gotten into! What have they done to you? What, what is this illness you have?"
The tone of the woman's voice goes from concerned and caring to shock and scared, tears begin rolling down her face towards the end of when she stops speaking. Latovius gets down out of the wagon a bit gingerly and begins to relieve Markas of some of his burden placing the equipment in the back of the five foot wagon bed. "I see you got your boy tied up now. Gave you some trouble did he?" Latovius asks of Markas while gathering up the coils of rope Louis had dropped when he started being accosted by the strange woman. He leans in close to Timerious and whispers, "You'll walk the way back to the farm looney. So you don't wander away and get lost again I'll just tie this rope they got on you to the wagon. Saves us all a lot of searching and worrying about you this way." The rogue speaks up so that Louis might also hear some of what he had to say between the woman's wiping his head and neck with a wetted cloth. "Louis' mom sent his oldest sister to call on the other families of the hamlet, probably be a big meeting tonight or the next. You both left an awful lot of bad feelings behind after whatever you said at the last one, you'll have your work cut out for you at this next one. That's for sure."
It appears that the majority wishes to move out at this time. I'll pause the action here. Fire off all your questions, responses, and stated actions.
Timerious is a little worse off physically then he was a couple of minutes ago, he is at 4 hp.
After awakening and speaking to Louis Timerious quickly discovers that his hands are currently bound with rope while the rest of his body is unrestrained. He finds his feet easily enough though his ribs ache as if he had been pummeled in a fight. Louis graciously gives him about 7' or so of slack in the long coil of rope that was used to tie his hands. Timerious pauses and watches silently as Markas uses a war hammer to push the headdress of Perrin into a pack.
Louis watches Timerious carefully as the crazed man gets up and stares at Markas as the cleric puts away the headdress he had been trying to strike. Louis's grip on the club tightens as parts of Timerious' body shake while he observes Markas. Louis risks a look to his equipment, armor, and warm clothing that lie somewhat scattered about the immediate area. The ill fighter simply wanted to rest his aching and shivering bones and not deal with Timerious and his antics.
Markas finishes with bagging the headdress, rises, and turns around. Timerious stares directly into Markas' eyes, the fighter's right eye twitches while his muscles tense and twitch. Markas feels a bit uncomfortable by the twitchy fighter but since the man's hands are bound and the rope held by the sick and swaying Louis he addresses the ladies without being able to see them. Gertie and Adrianna are nervously keeping watch on the three of you from the other side of the ruined house and make no moves to get any closer. Markas then speaks similarly to Latovius as he cannot currently see the man. He gets no answer from the rogue who is still nowhere to be seen after Markas speaks.
I will stop the post combat action here to allow for character to character dialogue if you wish to do so. If not let me know and I'll advance the story by having you pack up and start walking to Hawk's Hill or doing whatever else it is you wish to do next.
Timerious' eyes open and he finds himself on his back with the mid day sky above and just at the top of his vision he could see Louis staring down at him while clutching a wooden club.
Timerious is awake and has a the remainder of his turn available. He is no longer raging. After Timerious' turn Markas is up.
Louis drops the 35' length of rope still attached to Timerious' bound hands and takes a few steps to retrieve his club from the ground. He returns armed to see that Timerious is still asleep.
it takes longer then a 10 second turn to put on a full suit of chain mail armor. You are welcome to stop what you are doing and begin putting on armor once you retrieve it, that will take your full focus and I'll let you know when you are done. Just let me know what you wish to do next turn. For the record, please let me know if you want your character to "attempt" to sleep with armor on and I'll let you know how that goes.
In frustration Markas tosses his mace several feet away and hurries to his pack to retrieve the war hammer that was within. Angry at his futility he grabs a hold of the weapon's handle and violently pulls it out of the pack throwing its contents across the ground. He rushes to take the several steps up to the head dress and he brings the hammer down upon it.
Markas Warhammer Attack:1d20 + 3 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 3 - 1 = 31d6 + 3 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 3 = 4
The hammer connects with the brass circlet on the ground and for the third time Markas can see no signs of his weapon strikes on the object. The item flips into the air, spraying a few water droplets about from the dark maroon cloth that hung off the back, before landing on the ground a couple of feet away.
Gertie and Adrianna move around the corner of the ruined home away from the three men. The sorceress calls out, "Time is running out you two fools! The mad man could awaken shortly and make good on his promise to kill all of us!" Round 6 complete
DM rolls:
Louis Init:1d6 ⇒ 5 Markas Init:1d6 ⇒ 2 Timerious Init:1d6 ⇒ 4 Adrianna Init:1d6 ⇒ 5 Gertie Init:1d6 ⇒ 3
Markas flails weakly at the brass and ivory headdress on the ground. His blow barely connects and also has little strength behind it. There is no visible damage on the item from both of Markas' hits.
Louis stands upright with a grunt straightening his back after tying the hands of Timerious. The fighter loses himself in thought, uncaring that he was unarmed and his club was several feet away. He notices that Adrianna is starting to look more concerned as the moments tick by.
Round 6 up next, what do you say or do in this round?
Loius Dex Save 13:1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (14) - 1 + 4 = 17 Loius Random Direction If Needed:1d10 ⇒ 11d2 ⇒ 1 Loius Dex Save 13:1d20 - 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) - 1 + 4 = 9
Markas tosses the 40' of remaining damp coiled rope at Louis. In his severely sickened state he loses control of the club in his hand while trying to catch the rope, the club falls behind and to the right of where he was standing. A blast of wooden needles embed themselves in the ground beneath the head of the club. Louis gently but securely ties the hands of Timerious together with one end of the rope. The man remains sleeping, undisturbed by Louis' actions.
After tossing the rope at Louis and stopping to see the fumbling of the man's weapon Markas advances on the headdress. He lines up a solid enough strike but his blow is weak. Markas wonders if he would have even left a bruise on a foe with the pittance of strength he put behind his swing as the headdress skitters a couple of feet away from him with the impact.
Round 5 up next, Markas forgot the -3 to damage due to fatigue. What do each of you do or say next?
Adrianna pauses when Markas and Louis disagree with her, she looks to her mother. The old seer lowers her elevated hand, a brightly glowing pulse of energy held within dissipates. "Be quick about it then. Take the mad one and be gone from my sight immediately. I will not allow him to cut down my precious daughter in one of his fits." Gertie sighed and shook her head, a look of sadness upon her face. She moved to collect the few items she had on the ground while Adrianna moved between her mother and the prone Timerious with her blade still pointing at the sleeping fighter.
The sorceress asked of the two fighters who had just stood up to her. "Does that make it three attempts by Timerious to kill you Markas? Why, he just threatened to kill all of us a moment ago! Not just you this time! His uncle went mad and Louis allowed him to pass on, why should he continue to live?" Adrianna paused but a moment, "I make my home in Overton, when I return to it should I learn that your lunatic slave has harmed someone there I shall see to it that you two remain on the run for the rest of your lives. You’re a fool Markas, a damned fool!"
Timerious is not bound currently. He has been asleep for 30 seconds (3 turns) at this point. Markas removed the Black Knight's sword from Timerious' limp right hand and tossed it several feet away just before Adrianna initially ordered all of you to leave. Louis has grabbed up his club and is close to the sleeping Timerious at this time. What are your character’s actions in the next round? If it is an attack post the rolls (remember your fatigue modifiers) and let me know the targets and weapons used. Your next post will take that 4th turn up.
Markas takes the Black Knight's sword from Timerious' slackened red hand and tosses it several feet away. The unhinged man remains asleep on the ground. "Do not touch that headdress! It is cursed. I had planned to destroy its evil back in Melinir. I fear that is what was causing Timerious' rage." Markas warns the others as he ruffles through the contents of his nearby pack. The burlap sack that the headdress had been in is open now, empty, and wet with a slimy off smelling liquid. In fact most of the contents of his pack are damp or wet and similarly off smelling, the odor reminds Markas slightly of rotting vegetables. He finds the shortened remains of his rope in the pack and prepares to cut yet another length off to once again bind Timerious when he sees Adrianna advancing with her dagger still drawn."Leave now with your mad dog slave or I will kill him."
Louis finds several large stones from the ruined foundation of the home. Grabbing up one he heaves it at Timerious' head.
Thrown stone:1d20 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -11d2 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 - 4 = 0
The stone actually travels in the reverse direction from where Louis intended it to go.
I don't have any daggers on Louis' character sheet. Are you sure he has one or more? Timerious is up next and he needs a save versus spells.
Markas rises to his feet with his mace in his hand while ordering Louis to stand down from the enraged Timerious. Louis is all too happy to take a few steps away from the maddened and armed Timerious.
Adrianna speaks a few arcane words of power and a pink burst of energy flies forth from her hand, it strikes Timerious in the armored chest. Immediately upon its impact with Timerious all hear the crystal clear sound of a single musical note being struck. Adrianna appears to take no notice at this seemingly odd musical occurrence, her focus remained squarely on Timerious.
With Louis a bit farther away Adrianna next raises her hand and speaks some arcane words at Timerious. Gertie's hand remains skyward as the glowing ember cupped in it intensifies.
Timerious:
Perin smiles but remains unmoving as serious pain is inflicted upon Timerious.
Token adjusted, make a saving throw against spells
Louis throws off much of the warm clothing he was buried under and lunges at Timerious in an attempt to grapple him. There is a very brief blue flash from the stone on the necklace Louis wears around his neck as he leaps forward towards Timerious. Louis stumbles in his clothing and winds up a step or two past his intended target.
DM rolls:
Direction:1d10 ⇒ 9
Timerious:
"I'm going to kill you too!!" Timerious cries out as he brings the Black Knight's sword downward with all of his surging strength. Unexpectedly at that very moment Perin is there! Standing not far from where his blow had just struck something, there he was! The vile tormentor smiled wickedly at him as he had done for countless hours! Hours of Perin smiling while carving and crushing Timerious only to cruelly heal him of some of the damage that he had just inflicted in the name of his dark god Orcus. Timerious shook as he advanced on Perin, "I'll crush you!".
Markas & Louis:
"I'm going to kill you too!!" Timerious cried out as he slashed his sword in a downward arc where he stood, missing Louis. The tormented fighter took several deliberate steps while remaining exactly where he was. He yelled "I'll crush you!".
Gertie rose to her feet and extended her hand towards the mid-morning sun, a small bit of light gathered in the palm of her hand as she held her hand up with the palm facing the heavens.
Markas is up next and then Louis after him and then others in this round.
Louis Init:1d6 ⇒ 1 Markas Init:1d6 ⇒ 2 Timerious Init:1d6 ⇒ 6 Adrianna Init:1d6 ⇒ 1 Gertie Init:1d6 ⇒ 6
Timerious is up first in round 2, then others, then Markas, then Louis, then others. Timerious what do you do next? Louis lunged at you but missed grappling with you.
Timerious gains the following quirk: Steadfast: Player can reroll a failed saving throw versus fear once per day. Please add it to your character sheet, I have it on my copy now. Also I need you to make 3 separate saves versus poison before any other actions are taken.
Timerious gains 4 temporary hitpoints, putting him at (5 current +4 temp) 9. I will adjust the token on the map accordingly. Any attack and damage rolls will be at his new strength modifier which is +4/+4.
Well done with the character post
In his banded mail armor, with the Black Knight's sword held skyward in his red right hand, the headdress aloft in his left, and a look of pure ecstasy upon his face Timerious sent a chill down the spines of those around him. The stained dark red cloth attached to the back of the brass and ivory circlet held aloft in Timerious' left hand dripped something liquid onto the ground from his grasp. The enraged fighter's unbridled fury blinded him to this fact as his glassed over eyes now started to dart about his surroundings.
Louis is up in the order of actions in round 1, he would be unarmed and wearing no armor given the state of his current illness and only having a sword and a club in his possession. His equipment and armor would be with his pack somewhere near to where he was resting. Given his illness he would have to make a DEX saving throw (remember to add a +4 penalty due to fatigue level) to get up, get a weapon from the pack, and attack. Failing the saving throw would have him get up and get a weapon but be too tired and clumsy to get an attack in this round. Of course he could stand up and try to smack Timerious with a fist without having to roll the DEX check(Damage is (1 + STR Damage Modifier) - Fatigue Penalties. Remember that any attack rolls would be a -4 to hit and damage(due to fatigue level) so adjust your rolls accordingly if you get to attack.
Water is provided to all currently by the well near to Gertie's home. There has been no food for a day and a half at this point. Exhaustion due to lack of food will begin to kick in sooner rather than later.
Louis:
Adrianna takes a water skin from Markas's pack that was partially sticking out and made haste to the side of the very ill Louis. In doing so she disturbed a burlap bag that had been in the pack and some of its contents spilled part way out of the pack. A brass circlet with ivory inlays on it now stuck out of the pack and the bag that it was once in. She knelt down next to Louis and offered him some water while straightening his warm clothing about him, "What can I do for you? What do you need?". Timerious shortly emerged from the ruins of Gertie's house with a dented and charred bucket. The fighter slammed the pail down near the well and filled it with water; not bothering to clean or empty whatever debris might have been inside. Once the sorry looking bucket had water in it Timerious stomped towards him, Adrianna let out a little moan and retreated several steps behind Louis. Timerious tossed the pail to the ground near Louis, some of the contents sloshed out from the force of the impact.
Timerious:
Timerious had seen a dented metal pail in the interior of the ruined cottage while he was on watch. He retreated and spent what seemed like forever trying to find the blasted thing; all the time wasted just pissed him off even more. On his way out of the ruins he kicked the remains of an already broken cup sending them against the half wall to shatter. The noise it made brought him the briefest of smiles. Timerious stopped at the well near the home and splashed some water into the charred and dented bucket for Louis. He walked over to the fighter who now knelt and held a water skin in his hands while he tried to keep the rest of himself covered in filthy clothing and blankets. On his way to Louis, Timerious' eyes lingered on the Black Knight’s sword that was still attached to Markas’ pack. His vision caught a glint of something metal, a brass circlet with white inlays partially stuck out of a burlap sack from the interior of that pack. He had seen that circlet somewhere and it preoccupied his mind while he took several more steps forward. Timerious tossed the pail of water to the ground near Louis and then looked up from the kneeling Louis to see Adrianna standing several paces behind the ill fighter looking him in the eyes.
Louis & Timerious:
"A slave is something I'll never be. I was a prisoner once and slew the man that imprisoned me. The same fate will hold anyone that attempts to enslave me so remove that thought from your little head." He gestures to Gertie; he would have said more but is cut off just then by the sorceress.
"So, by your own words you plan to kill us all? You really are a soulless insane butcher!" Adrianna snapped at Timerious as she drew the dagger from her waist and held it with a shaky hand pointed at Timerious.
Timerious:
At this moment Timerious realizes that the brass circlet with ivory inlays of broken bones sticking out of Markas' pack is the exact same one that Perrin the evil cleric of Orcus that tortured him for weeks or months on end wore! Give me a WIS check; I'll treat this moment as if you were in combat with a non-human.
"TO ARMS! MARKAS'S CHARGE PLANS TO KILL US ALL!!!!" Adrianna cries out a warning, awakening those who were asleep, while she keeps her eyes and the point of her dagger focused on Timerious who stood tall over the kneeling and very ill Louis.
Louis has taken 2 hp of damage overnight from the illness (6HP), he is still at fatigue level 4. All tokens have been correctly updated with spell counts and HP. Adrianna used her turn in round 1 to call out the alarm. Timerious is up next in round 1 and then Louis. Markas and Gertie have no actions in Round 1 as they are just waking up, but they will be slotted correctly into the action in round 2. Timerious could grab the sword, move, and get an attack in yet this round if that is what he chooses to do(NOTE - he might not have much of a rational choice). Map updated.
Timerious approaches the pair of conspirators without trying to stifle his approach. Adrianna's head snaps around and she flinches instinctively while jumping back a half step from Timerious' as he strode forward towards the two. Latovius crosses his arms across his chest and steps in front of the sorceress, partially shielding her from Timerious. Timerious boldly asks of the two whisperers in a commanding tone while pointing at them. "What do you two have to say to each other that the others and most importantly myself should not overhear?"
Latovius responds to Timerious' question with a shake of his head, "F##$ son! You no longer have any importance, you’re a slave! You will remain here with your resting master, those who are ill, and those who are recovering. The sorceress here will keep everyone safe while you fetch water, or fan her to keep her from getting too hot, or whatever it is slaves do." He makes a show of checking his weapons, Timerious notices that the thief carries several exquisite daggers based upon the handles that he could see. One in particular catches his eye, the scroll work and filigree on the handle was simply superb. Latovius begins walking out of camp in a north easterly direction without any further words spoken. When the thief is fifty or so yards out of camp Adrianna walks past Timerious giving him a wide berth and appearing to be very nervous at the current situation. "Keep watch from here, I shall watch mother." She quietly requests as Timerious remains standing where he was, dumbstruck by what had just happened to him.
Louis:
Louis wakes from his uneasy rest with his head spinning and his insides churning violently. He barely manages to get to his knees before he begins vomiting up the contents of an empty stomach along with some blood. With chills shaking his body uncontrollably he tries to wrap himself up as best he can. The ill man casts a very weary gaze to see who was about that might be able to aid him somehow. Markas and Gertie are still asleep nearby. Adrianna was just rising to her feet from her mother's side, drawn by the commotion he had just caused. Timerious has just stuck his head around the corner of Gertie’s ruined home and was looking right at Louis.
What do you say or do next?
Timerious:
At some point a bit later in the morning, how long Timerious could not tell for his mind was preoccupied with angry thoughts about his current state. Most of these thoughts centered around figuring a way out of his servitude that didn't include chopping the blasphemous cleric's head off and living his life on the run from these scum who dared to claim he was something “sub human”, a slave! From his lonely spot around the corner of the home Timerious heard the sounds of someone violently retching. He risked sticking his head around the corner of the home and he immediately spotted Louis on his knees near where he had been sleeping earlier. Blood and vomit now trickled down his chin and the front of his clothes. The man looked horrible with dark bags under his sunken eyes, he had a sickly pale grey hue to his skin with darker grey marks around his eyes and mouth.
Do you say or do anything?
Markas, Louis, and Gertie are allowed to go back to sleep, given their illnesses it seemed the prudent thing to do.
Timerious:
A short while after Markas, Gertie, and the funny talking one fell asleep Timerious heard whispering. Following the sound he came around the half corner of the ruined house and saw Latovius and Adrianna speaking to each other in whispers. Glancing over his shoulder to those who were resting he noticed Markas's pack was open and the Black Knight's sword and sheath were was still attached to his Markas's pack.
What would you like to do next? If what you choose is to get closer and over hear post a d100 move silently check. If it has something to do with the pack post a similar d100 move silently check and also a DEX check. If it is something else feel free to post a non weapon skill check if it would be called for.
Timerious spends the time between speaking with Adrianna and Gertie and when Brion and Erik left looking at the front of Gertie's house. The damage done to the front of the home does not appear to be as extensive as that to the rest of the building. The burned timber he had been carrying has been used to wedge the top of the door frame up and together. A few small stones fell to the ground from a crack in the foundation near his knee while he was investigating the door frame. Timerious could have sworn that the crack had been larger several minutes ago.
Adrianna aids her mother to a standing position alongside the sidewall of the ruined cottage while Timerious tries to convey his personal disappointment at not being able to complete what Gertie had asked him to do the night before. "Stomping your feet and having a tantrum didn't solve your problems last night Timerious?" Adrianna smirks wickedly as she relishes her success over Timerious. The old seer smiles and shakes her head while chuckling a bit. She leans against the ruined wall and her quarterstaff, the silver and gem encrusted ring upon her hand twinkled in the morning light. The exhaustion the strange illness had taken on her was plain to see. "Daughter, given time our angry friend here may learn a thing or two and respond to challenges with something besides a raised fist. The one who tested you Timerious has seen fit to repay his debt in an interesting manner. I look forward to seeing what it turns out to be."
Louis wriggles his hand free from beneath him and holds it before his eyes. In small spots there is an odd grey hue unlike anything he has ever seen or heard of. He quickly pulls it back into the warmth of his clothing around his shivering body and continues to lie on the ground and quake in the horrible throes of this illness. Louis thinks to himself that he could not walk very far in his current state, certainly not the whole way back to Hawk's Hill.
Markas closes his eyes and gets just 15 more minutes of rest. Morning prayers could wait as it seemed that very few of the group seemed to possess enough energy to want to get on with the day. He draws a few deep breaths of the crisp morning air and quickly falls back to sleep.
Markas and Louis are awoken maybe a half hour later, Louis had just finally fallen into an exhausted sleep about ten minutes before. Brion has placed the very ill Erik upon the group's last remaining horse, the sick man was wrapped up in warm clothing similar to Markas and Louis. A grey hue to Erik's skin was visible around his barely open eyes and along his neck. Markas and Timerious noticed that Louis had the same odd coloring that Erik had, perhaps a bit worse looking. Latovious held the reigns of the waiting horse for the two men. "I fear for Erik's life with this illness he has. We shall ride hard to Melinir and Petra's temple to find out what it is and how to cure it. I shall see to it that word is sent to Overton on how to cure whatever it is. You have our thanks Markas and Louis, the next time you enter the gates of Melinir I hope that either of us will greet you while on duty for the city watch."
there is no healer in Hawk's Hill or the vicinity. The nearest would be in Overton with Melinir being the second. Since the group arrived so late at night they stayed the night and I advanced the story to the next day after Timerious side stepped his part of the story. It is now the next morning with the state of the group being what was stated.
I'll take that as Markas' save versus poison as he was not to save versus spells
Markas awakens in the morning and feels as if the horrible illness has finally passed. He is still extremely tired and sore; his injuries have not improved much if anything from the day before. The lifetime habit of morning prayer is the only thing that forces his eyes to open from sleep. He weighs his options as to what to do with the morning and sleep is currently the most attractive. Markas is at 9 hp, fatigue level 3. No items were identified the previous night, Gertie was ill and Adrianna cared for her.
Timerious walks out of Gertie's ruined house and throws the full burlap sack at the ground near where Gertie and Adrianna had come to rest along the wall of her ruined house. Timerious could not muster words to express his sorrow at failing his good friend and his god. He angrily threw his back into the wall and had a seat. The fighter fell into a dreamless sleep almost immediately and rested until the dawn. Timerious is at 5 hp
The night for Louis was horrific, the illness became even worse and he found himself dangerously shivering for the final hours before dawn. The fighter got no sleep through the night wearing him down even more. Morning came and found Louis doubled over in pain beneath every warm piece of clothing he could find. Louis is at fatigue level 4 and is at 8 hp
The dawn brings enough light to see that the front section of the home appears to be more solid. The wooden support beam above the front door is two different pieces of wood; one small section appears to be very familiar to Timerious. The fighter looks to the seer with confusion on his face. Her daughter glares at him with a look of superiority.
Not ill Gertie & Markas. Ill - Louis and Erik. What do you do or say for the morning or the day?
Louis knows full well that should they travel to the nearest farm a half hour or so away they'd find no prepared food and would likely get a crossbow bolt to the head at this late hour. Feeling as ill as he was he shivered under as many warm clothes as he had while grasping the statues tight to him. He hoped that with the new day his illness would pass and he could present to his father the founder's statues.
Timerious sits upon the ash and debris covered floor of the ruined home and beseeches Halav for what to do. He hears only the sounds of the ill and the occasional crackle of the small fire.
Markas & Louis are at fatigue level 3. Erik & Gertie are at fatigue level 2. Louis is at 5hp, Timerious is at 4 hp, Markas is at 8 hp in the morning. For those who are ill you may make a saving throw against poison if we are progressing to the next day. Timerious you can give me a saving throw versus spell if we are progressing to the next day. What do you say or do next?
Timerious takes the sack and blunders around in the darkness buildings of the ruined interior for quite some time. No divine answer or inspiration comes to answer the request of the fighter; instead he finds himself cursing as he accidently crushes some of Gertie's pottery that was strewn about the floor. Outside the ruined single room home the flicker of firelight reaches his straining eyes. Enough ruined and burned wood had been scrounged to start a meager fire near the tallest remaining side wall of the building. With a bit of light Timerious tries to try and figure out where the foot and a half burned timber might serve some sort of use. The faster he figures it out the faster he can be done with this damned blundering about in the darkness. He thinks he could prop up the mantle above the hearth. One end of Gertie's ruined main table could be put into place with a stone or two and the piece. The piece of wood might shore up the jamb above the front door. The only counter in the house could be supported in place with the timber and a few stones. The old woman's bed might be fixed by the piece of wood as well. The last thing that comes to mind is he could just toss the blasted piece of wood into the hearth and set it ablaze to keep warm for a few minutes.
Those are the options that present themselves immediately to Timerious with no skill checks provided. By no means are these all of them, think of a burned and raided single old woman's house and what could be fixed with a foot and a half burned building timber. For the others while Timerious pokes about and gets angry you prepared to make camp, scrounged enough remains for a small fire for a couple of hours. What do you wish to do or say next?
Louis is at 7hp, Timerious is at 4 hp, Markas is at 10 hp. There are no other wounded at the start of the day.
Camp is broken a short while later in the morning and the day's travel takes a heavy toll on the two weakest and sickest members of the group. Markas and Louis rapidly deteriorate into horrible illnesses, they manage to trudge along with many illness breaks taken. Erik and Gertie fair only slightly better but travel makes both very ill and weary. Armor and weapons are distributed to all except for Timerious who remains unarmed and a cast out from the group. It is far past nightfall and for the last half hour Gertie has clung to the horse but guided the group to where her house is or was. It is as Louis recalls it being when he stopped there a few weeks ago. The ruined stone half walls, burned roof and frame, and broken items from the interior of the building welcome them to Hawk's Hill under the fairly clear and starlit sky. "Timerious, I feel that the payment has a spot somewhere amongst the ruins. Would you find that place please?" Gertie drops a burlap sack to the ground beneath the horse as she begins yet another horrible sounding coughing fit.
Markas & Louis are at fatigue level 3. Erik & Gertie are at fatigue level 2. strange illness damage Markas/Louis/Erik/Gertie:1d3 ⇒ 21d3 ⇒ 21d2 ⇒ 21d2 ⇒ 1 What do you say or do next? It is probably one or two in the morning currently as the day's travel took considerably longer with the number of ill and very ill members. The group is all but out of food currently. Do you have any questions? Feel free to make any skill checks you would like.
Louis is at 7hp, Timerious is at 4 hp, Markas is at 10 hp in the morning.
Markas' focus while praying to Petra wiavers often as he finds himself exhausted and feeling the illest that he has been in years. He is rewarded by a single cure light wounds spell for his efforts. He fights back waves of nauseua as he rises from his daily prayers. Markas is barely able to ask of Adrianna the questions that he had concerning potions, a scroll, and a war hammer after his prayers. "For me to learn the powers of the magical items you speak of would require me to cast a spell that would exhaust me. You may have seen me cast it over the last several nights and noticed the draining effect the spell has. I believe it wise to examine one item after our day's travels instead of before. As for the scroll it does seem to be a magical spell of some sort though I do not have the necessary spell at the ready to determine what it is today. Is there anything else I can do for you?" The sorceress moves away without waiting for Markas's response and she begins caring for her ailing mother while waiting for anything else the cleric might have to say.
A few moments later Timerious obliviously approaches the seer and her daughter to demand the charred timber of Halav be returned to him. The young woman flinched in fear when he commanded her and her eyes involuntarily indicated the burlap sack on the ground near the only remaining horse the group had. "Can you not see that my mother is ill? You would bother the sick over a hunk of wood? What need do you even have of it? Besides, the timber is already packed away for the day. Now, if you would just leave us rest. Mother must collect herself if we are to travel today." Adrianna scolded Timerious, no one could tell whether or not the fighter actually cared.
What do you say or do next? What are the plans for the day ahead?
After counting his earnings and placing them in his pack Markas unfolds the piece of parchment and has a look at it. The meaning behind the symbols or drawings on the sheet escapes Markas. He quickly develops a headache while staring intently at the strange markings.
Through the night Erik, Markas, Louis, and Gertie experience stomach ailments in varying severities. Little sleep and very little rest is earned by those who suffered through the night. With the dawning of the day the four are dehydrated, fatigued, and still suffering the effects of what they have come down with.
Markas & Louis are at fatigue level 2. Erik & Gertie are at fatigue level 1. If you wish to attempt regaining spells for the day post an appropriate check for your class's main ability score. Successes indicate that the spell was learned, failure means no spell. What do you say or do next? Plans for the morning and into the day?
Timerious:
Timerious, I made a mistake when you gained a level. You can now end rage at will except when it is caused by a failed inhuman check.
Louis:
You were a couple hundred behind Timerious at one point recently. What is your current XP total? Did you go through all the recent posts for the rest of your items that were identified? Your inactive periods may have missed a few items.
Louis Poison 12+:1d20 ⇒ 2 Markas Poison 11+:1d20 ⇒ 5 Louis is at 6hp, Timerious is at 3 hp, Markas is at 9 hp. All are at fatigue level 1.
Markas has repeatedly approached Gertie and offered her the parchment given to him by the ogres. Every single time the seer has stopped what it was that she was doing before his approach and she has moved away from Markas without saying anything to the cleric of Petra. The night spent gambling is a thrill for Markas. He started off red hot, then lost much of his winnings quickly before beginning to earn back his gains. A series of losses to Latovius signaled to Markas that he should quit while ahead. The cleric smiled as Petra's favor had smiled upon him as he counted 15 gold in winnings for the night.
Timerious post your roll for your character's HP gain for level 2 in the Discussions thread and then add your CON modifier to it for the maximum HP you now have at level 2. Good luck! Roll high! Also you can now choose to enter your RAGE at level 2. Being around inhumans will still require checks but should you have your RAGE for the day available you can choose to enter it.
When asked where the burned timber was Gertie warmly smiled at Timerious. "My daughter carries it currently. Should you wish to exercise your strength I do not think she would object to you bearing that burden. Thank you my friend for dotting over this old woman."
Louis has to be pretty close as well to level 2 by now. When you do make it follow the same steps outlined for Timerious.
Louis keeps to himself for the most part during the day's travel. Games of chance didn't have much interest for Louis and he found himself sitting alone staring at the clear night sky. Adrianna sat next to the fighter and the two chatted about their childhoods and growing up in Hawk's Hill. Louis fidgeted with the oddly blue shaded rabbits foot and the sorceress passed a hand over the item and spoke a three sylable word. Adrianna was suddenly very weary but before rolling off to bed she imparted to him what she had just learned.
Louis:
Rabbit's Foot* - fluorescent blue - Cast Druid spell Detect Danger pg 41 once per day. Within 5' for an hour the user can concentrate on places, objects, or creatures within range. He needs a full round(1 minute) of concentration to examine a square foot or small object, more time for larger objects. After examination the user will know whether it is immediately dangerous, potentially dangerous, or benign(from the user's point of view). This spell will detect poisons.
Per my running character sheet of Louis this is the last unidentified magic item he currently has.
What do you do or say next? What are the plans for the overnight? What are the plans for the dawn of the next day? Anything you would like to do before or during travel?
