The early afternoon sun beats down upon a small group of weary travelers, trudging northwards toward the edge of oblivion. The comforts of Bard's Gate have been left behind for weeks now, and even the small village of Taverlan is but a distant memory. Now, there is only the hard dirt remnant of what once was a road, wending its way through the parched scrubland. Each traveler has set out upon this stark journey for reasons of his own, but the company has been a welcome, if not vital, part of the trek...for who wouldn't go mad of loneliness in this gods-forsaken place? Far behind lies civilization. Ahead lies the desolate history of the greatest, most costly war the free world has ever known. Stories and memory suggest that The Camp lies near ahead, and with it, the last chance for rest and supplies before the horrors of the Desolation. This is where our tale begins.
Rasina glances at the road behind them and then turns her gaze towards the Camp. She thinks, Such a strange journey this has been, and still many miles to go before it is finished.
Glancing at her companions, she notes Shen and wonders about the whimsy of the Gods which brought their paths together like this. She wanted to believe Shen would be a loyal companion, but dealing with power had the tendency to corrupt those who partook of such gifts. Still, she had been someone to talk to...
"Shen, what do you think of this place? Not very forgiving, if you ask me."
Walking along with the others, Alexander keeps his gear in as impeccable shape as himself. The heavy armor and shield he wears polished carefully and his sword given almost obsessive care. His well trimmed mustache and immaculate black hair pulled back in a ponytail gives the same impression as his almost rigid walk, the strict lifestyle of a career soldier. Still the warmth in his grey eyes is welcoming as is his regular smile.
As the group travels along at a steady march, his one hand remains sitting comfortably on the butt of his sword, the relaxed posture belying his readiness as we enter more dangerous territory.
He flashes a small grin towards Abigail's comment, raising a brow. "Your dream is for mouthfuls of dust and to be baked in your armor? I've no doubt Freya wishes all prayers were so easy. Perhaps though with your coming, some of her gaze will turn to this place and help it become bountiful again." He chuckles a moment and shakes his head at himself. "Speaking of 'Tall order' prayers..."
With that said he turns his attention towards the conversation between Rasina and Shen, simply listening. He hasn't said anything to the others, willing to give one with a noble goal the benefit of the doubt, but it doesn't take much to sense the taint on the wizard and it does make him wary. Not so blind as to turn away an ally, especially one so knowledgeable on an undertaking of this, his concern more is in method of achievement than in betrayal.
Shen glances sideways at Rasina, smiling wryly. "If what I believe I have learnt is true, about what lies ahead of us, then perhaps we may come to view 'this'"(she sweeps her arm around in an arc)"as a paradise. I think it may be wise for us to stop and take in what may be our last few hours of civilisation, before we are consumed by the darkness that surely lies ahead. You have read the texts Rasina. You know as well as I do that we are almost certainly on a road to our deaths."
Shen stops for a moment and places both her hands on Rasina's shoulders. "Listen to me, dooming our journey before we have even begun. Look into my eyes. Trust me. If we support each other, we may just get through this...We will get through this. We have a strong and, I think, a reliable group around us" She turns and picks up the pace. "Come my friend, our destiny awaits, and with it...answers!"
Rasina smiles weakly at Shen's proclamation. It seemed like they always have this converation every hour, or so it seems. She had to admit to herself she was not nearly as driven...no wait...that was not true... it was nore like her urges were coming from another source, an outside source.
She remembers finding out of her Celestial blood manifesting in her, and the many hours cursing the change. she never asked for this to happen to her, but railing against Fate was a useless gesture she learned long ago. She knew there was a part of her that resented the change, and also knows this is why her faith is not as strong as Shen's is. Ironic, in a sense.
"Don't worry about me, Shen. I swore to walk with you on this journey to the end, and that has not changed." Still, the words sounded hallow to her ears. She wondered whether they would ever mean as much to her as they did to Shen, and she knew she was afraid to discover the answer.
Still listening to the discourse, Alexander makes a show of wetting his mouth against the dusty air. "And I thought we had our last glimpse of civilization days ago. I have no doubt that we walk into a land of darkness, though I don't know if that undercuts the... emptiness of this place."
He takes a moment, looking around to the rest of the group and echoing Shen's reassurance, still hoping to help Rasina find faith in herself and comfort in the power she has. "Shen speaks true. We have a mighty team. Strength, skill, intelligence, one who speaks to the gods and one who was blessed by them. You have been given a powerful gift, there is much ahead of you, don't fear the road you are on we will make it through supporting each other."
"Well said Alexander. You are of course correct, Rasinas gift is a powerful one. And I fear that in the end, each other, is all that we shall be left with" Shen walks closely past Rasina, and whispers "Gods! Listen to me. Agreeing with a paladin. If you'd have told me I'd be doing that a week ago I'd still be laughing about it now! But seriously...I apreciate your support. It means a lot to me. I've not felt this close to anyone since ...well, since my sister was taken from me. Thanks."
Turning to Abigail and caressing her armoured breastplate with her fingers as she walks around her, flicking away flecks of dust..."So tell me...what can we expect at this...camp. You've seen it. What's it like?"
"I apreciate your support. It means a lot to me. I've not felt this close to anyone since ...well, since my sister was taken from me. Thanks."
Rasina nods wordlessly, obviously moved the the show of support from her companions. She thinks, I know Shen was very close to her sister, yet she has not told of her fate. I know it is a tragic one to be sure. I can feel the hurt Shen tries to hide, it is as clear as the green eyes on her face.
"It is your support which means everything to me, Shen. I...I want to thank you for helping me."
Aeneas rides comfortably. Not a great but a passable horseman.
He catches up to the group and slows to a canter.
"Well met travellers I am Aeneas and ... Alexander? Is that you?
Alexander looks up to the horseman, taking a split second as he cycles through memories to place the face, though it seems he still remembers every face he has served with, particularly those who went with him into that last battle, most of whom were written off as dead that day. As it clicks, his eyes widen a bit and show an emotional rush even as he smiles widely.
"Aeneas? My word." He steps forward, reaching to clasp the other man's forearm. "I thought you were lost like the others. Like too many of the others." Pausing a moment to shake his head again before giving the man a smile. "It is wonderful to see you, to know you are well. You always were a good man. What brings you out on this scenic trip?"
"Sounds like a total hell-hole, where no sane person should be heading toward...well we should fit right in. I feel like I'm heading home!"
Rasina laughs, "Well, I suspect sanity is going to be rarer than feelings of remorse in a killer! Still, it will be interesting, if nothing else."
Abigail turns and lets her gaze leave her surroundings to settle on Shen. A smile wanders under her chiseled cheekbones as a memory that washed on the shores of her thoughts: "Well, it's been so long... I remember you needed a patron to survive in my line of work. The strong and the powerful ruled; the weak and the wicked plotted to bring down the strong. Ascending met descending, creating the turmoil that was The Camp... To think of it, it probably hasn't changed much!" The last part she says with a timid laughter. Then her gaze rapidly sets back to the horizon, often checking the flight pattern of her companion Feyjr. I wonder if the small shrine has survived. Maybe Freya is still protecting the brothel...
Sounds like Bard's Gate. Or the army. Or hell growing up with five sisters.
Camp, if it's there when we arrive, is a town like any other. The rich and the strong fear the poor and the weak who envy them. The only real difference in that most towns don't get leveled quite as often as Camp.
I expect it will give the town a lovely do it yourself flavor.
Alexander raises a brow as he listens to the discourse between Abigail and Aeneas before shaking his head with a smile. "Now, now, no need for our thoughts to be as barren as this earth around us or our humor as dark as Orcus himself, hm?"
He pauses as he glances towards Rasina and Shen, grinning a bit. "You do have a point there. In listing the strengths of the party sensibility and logic weren't among them. I imagine that would be a tall order for such an outing. Aeneas, is that what brings you out to this 'paradise'? Adding a more sane outlook to our fellowship?" He dips down and scoops up a handful of the dry, infertile soil, letting it run through his fingers before looking rather displeased at the dust which sticks to his gauntlet. "I imagine if you were here to build a farm or setup a resort you still would be adding sanity to our mission with your company."
The long, dusty road from Bard’s Gate has finally brought you to your destination, a settlement on the very edge of the vast region of ruin known as the Desolation. Before you sprawls a pathetic collection of hovels that appear to be composed of whatever materials happened to be lying around. Here, a building that had an impressive beginning as a stone structure peters out a few feet above the ground where its walls become mud-daubed sticks with bunches of straw stuffed into the chinks. There, wooden poles support walls of woven thatch and roof that is little more than an old hay tarp patched in places with tar. Beyond you can make out a ramshackle wooden structure, obviously the scavenged remains of several merchant wagons as evidenced by the axles and wheels still mounted at places on the outer walls and the hitching tongue protruding above the lintel and supporting a tattered awning.
The trail you are on proceeds straight through the center of this collection of dwellings and travels on into the dusty wasteland beyond, disappearing into the shrouding haze of windblown debris. In the center of the settlement stands an old gallows hanging far askew. A dark form turns slowly in the breeze, suspended from this leafless tree. Few people seem to be out on the hard-packed streets of this village, though you can see some activity to one side at an area of pole-supported awnings that appear to comprise some sort of shaded market.
Before you a scraggly buzzard perches atop an old plank sign. Crudely painted upon this placard is simply “The Camp”.
The still afternoon is shattered by a great bellowing cry of rage. From the north road charges a massive figure. Those few people on the street quickly scatter at its approach. It is a hill giant covered in dust and blood. A great spiked club swings in its hand. Its face is a mass of recent wounds and horrible burns, perhaps caused by acid. One thing is evident, though; the look in its eyes as they focus on you is one of pure, violent insanity!
Rasina is startled from her thoughts by the appearance of the crazed giant. The Gods seek to prove my point about sanity in short supply! That thought flashes in her mind, as she draws her rapier and dagger in one fluid motion.
She waves for Shen to follow her, "Get behind the gallows!" After she moves to the cover, she concentrates and a soft glowing light surrounds her, shifting and swirling about her.
Round 1
Initiative
"Camp may be a hovel but it has a lovely welcoming committee"
Move action.
Fast dismount, Ride vs DC 20 . Nope, normal dismount instead.
Contingent actions. Assuming the big guy is not amenable to the tea and cookies approach.
If if no party members are between me and bruno.
~Draw mace as part of move.
~Standard action. "By the eye of Nymon!" trigger boulderhead. Damage ref save dc 19 cuts this to half or 13. 10' square of difficult terrain on giant. Unless it knocks bruno over in which case the large boulder flies the full 60' and then collapses into a 10' square of rubble.
If there is no clear path for the boulder.
~Draw greatsword as part of move.
~Standard action. "Alexander to me! Just like the good old days." Fight defensively, using expertise ac 23. Attack if in range . Damage
"Thats the welcoming commitee?...ha...You'd think he would have dressed for the occasion. Rasina, I've got your back." Shen dives behind the grusome gallows, as a soft shimmering light briefly infuses her body. She runs her hand over the the gallows, whilst pulling out a dark wooden wand that glistens as if coated with oil. Looking up at the grusome body hanging above her she muses "Hmmm...nice workmanship, but I've seen better."
Init
Alexander raises a brow at the rampaging giant, muttering under his breath. "Hells, he's a big one. Looks hurt though, something might have set him off. If he gives us the choice, lets try and be gentle."
He then calls out towards the giant. "Stand down, put away your weapon. We can see you are hurt, we don't want you or anyone else killed."
Diplo(in case you feel it is pertinent)
Alexander focuses on the giant, channeling his inner strength to try and bring him down as quickly as possible so no others are hurt. He dashes towards him, drawing his blade as he goes and swinging it in a wide arc.
Attack(Base, +charge, +smite, -non-lethal)
Damage(Base, +smite)
2nd Attack(Base, +smite, -non-lethal)
Damage(Base, +smite)
2nd Attack Confirm(same)
Damage(same)
Shen and Rasinia react first to the impending threat, and the two women scramble off the road, even as they work their defensive magics.
"Rrrraaaaagggghhhhhh!!!" With an incoherent bellow, the hill giant rushes forward and smashes his greatclub down upon the mounted Aeneas, dealing a grievous, crushing blow to the warrior's shoulder and arm! Aeneas is nearly unhorsed by the mighty brute's attack, but manages to hold on somehow.
Abigail attempts to quell the violence with some magic of her own, but alas, the raging giant is too far gone down the path of insanity to be affected. It appears that this battle will not be avoided by such means, despite the priestess' best efforts.
1d20+1
1d20
1d20+24 2d8+17
Attack 1: 29
Damage 1: 18
Attack 2: 29
Damage 2: 15
Confirm: 12
Crit extra damage: 14
Hurting though he is, Aeneas manages to slide from his saddle, and retaliate with a swing of his greatsword. The blow slices open the belly of the giant, eliciting a grunt of pain. Aeneas' horse, panicked by the assault of such a savage foe, bolts away as fast as it can go.
Saradac moves to his right, confidently nocks an arrow to his longbow, and fires at the hill giant. The arrow flies with uncanny accuracy, lodging itself right in the brute's neck! The giant howls in agony.
Alexander continues the assault, slashing mercilessly with two swift strikes of his longsword. The wounded giant screams again, "Rrrraaaahhhhh!! Kiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllll!!!!"
Rasina's violet eyes glow with an eerie radiance as she taps into her celestial heritage, calling on her divine blood to sear the giant! She steps closer to the raging giant and points at the looming beast and a fiery blast erupts striking him.
Round 2. Initiative 10
Full round action.
5'step to P-9
power attack 1, Damage + sneak attack for 21hp
Confirm? . Damage
Power attack 2, Damage + Sneak attack for 22
Scrambling after Rasina, Shen dives behind a boulder and fires a dark beam of energy from her wand at the rampaging giant. A sickening feeling envelopes her for a second but passes quickly.
"Alexander! To your right, keep him spinning!"
No problem. Take it easy. We're here for the long haul. If you ever need to take a rest don't let a game stand in the way. We will still be here.
Feel better
~will
2d6+2
Despite the myriad of wounds he's taken, the giant is showing no signs of slowing down. He shrugs off the scorching flame and withering dark energy of Rasinia and Shen, then with a loud yell lays into the target right in front of him with his massive spiked club...Aeneas. Two massive blows reduce the poor warrior to a bloody, crumpled heap on the ground!