Welcome, everyone. we'll get started soon
Can't wait!
.
Excellent.
Sounds good
it is evening (about 1800), and you are all in chillhollow. it has a small market, where collectors, researchers, and mages come to buy the remnants of Wrey. It also has a small residential district, and the Flaming Kookaburra Inn. where is everybody?
Morr grumbles to himself as he bounces atop his slow moving Donkey, Grumps. He could not recall when he had named the Donkey...but it he just knew it it was a grumpy and ornery creature.
Damn animal is probably just as old as I am! No wonder he's so grumpy!
He rides on, searching his memories for anything else he could remember about Chillhollow.
I tell ya Grumps, this little town seems familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it...
Morr grumbles to himself as he bounces atop his slow moving Donkey, Grumps. He could not recall when he had named the Donkey...but it he just knew it it was a grumpy and ornery creature.
Damn animal is probably just as old as I am! No wonder he's so grumpy!
He rides on, searching his memories for anything else he could remember about Chillhollow.
I tell ya Grumps, this little town seems familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it...
Astora returns to the Flaming Kookaburra after trading boar meat and pelts at the market. Mostly for the benefit of the townsfolk, as the cold of Chillhollow no longer seems to bite as it once did. An upside to her enkindling.
She spies Din purring lazily by the hearth and decides to leave him be for now; well fed from their recent hunt, to say nothing of the table scraps patrons inevitably sneak him. Glorified housecat. Astora mutters under her breath.
Approaching the barkeep, she stares them in the eye before scattering a a small bag of boar tusks on the bar counter. "I'd hardly call a feral pig a 'monster'. One of Jod's got loose again I expect." She takes a seat by the bar "You tell the farmers to mend their fences instead of spreading rumours over their ale and we'll all...."
She takes a deep breath, before getting herself worked up, and instead decides to change the topic "So, what news in Chillhollow?"
Reno has had a bad night. He just spent the past five hours or so gambling away the best of his most recent adventure's spoils, and so the explorer was comforting himself with drink. He isn't too drunk to overhear Astora, asking about recent business. Adventure tended to follow that elven ranger, and he intended to ride the wave.
Astora returns to the Flaming Kookaburra after trading boar meat and pelts at the market. Mostly for the benefit of the townsfolk, as the cold of Chillhollow no longer seems to bite as it once did. An upside to her enkindling.
She spies Din purring lazily by the hearth and decides to leave him be for now; well fed from their recent hunt, to say nothing of the table scraps patrons inevitably sneak him. Glorified housecat. Astora mutters under her breath.
Approaching the barkeep, she stares them in the eye before scattering a a small bag of boar tusks on the bar counter. "I'd hardly call a feral pig a 'monster'. One of Jod's got loose again I expect." She takes a seat by the bar "You tell the farmers to mend their fences instead of spreading rumours over their ale and we'll all...."
She takes a deep breath, before getting herself worked up, and instead decides to change the topic "So, what news in Chillhollow?"
Reno has had a bad night. He just spent the past five hours or so gambling away the best of his most recent adventure's spoils, and so the explorer was comforting himself with drink. He isn't too drunk to overhear Astora, asking about recent business. Adventure tended to follow that elven ranger, and he intended to ride the wave.
"The usual, Some thing is ranging farther out of Wrey, and of course the unhallow still lingers over the ruins. And adventurers are still swarming this place every time a new "Cure" for it is discovered" He nods over to where din lays " By the way, do you allow your... cat, to drink ale?" He says, pointing out a patron that is allowing him to lap the brew from his tankard.
What do you do?
[dice=Spout Lore]2d6+1
The town is familiar. you know that it was built as a suburb of Wrey. For whatever reason, it was spared the unhallow, and as such, it is the normal launching point for expeditions into Wrey.
As for what to be on the lookout for, you know that there was recently a surge of expeditions into Wrey (a new map was found, a secret tunnel leading to the armoury). This means that soon there will be a surge of unhallowed cults in the surrounding area
Astora turns around and rolls her eyes before shouting to the patron "Careful, friend. He's an angry drunk." she then shouts to Din rebuking him "O jhajia valaes, shi cali eidaesalaer sai caer! Get over here!"
Turning back to the Barkeep, "A 'thing'?"
Malachi walks through the streets of Chillhollow, slowly, looking around with a critical eye. 'How strange that this place should be spared.' He thinks. Stopping by a market, he looks at some of the trinkets that people have brought back from inside the walls.
Pausing for a moment, he picks up a framed photo. Turning it in his hands, he can see it move slightly. 'Ah, what can't magic do.' he thinks with a smile, which quickly fades as he realises that the people in that picture are probably dead, and that no one would be coming to buy it. He places the photo down gently.
Stepping away from the market shop, he lights a hand-rolled cigarette and takes a drag, once more surveying the area. 'Lots of people coming through.' He thinks. 'They would do well to stay out of my way.'
Astora turns around and rolls her eyes before shouting to the patron "Careful, friend. He's an angry drunk." she then shouts to Din rebuking him "O jhajia valaes, shi cali eidaesalaer sai caer! Get over here!"
Turning back to the Barkeep, "A 'thing'?"
"Aye, A thing. one of Wrey's myriad monsters. This one is apparently bigger than a horse, can fly, and likes making off with lone villagers. it ambused a search party in the night, only Daniel survived. if Ye want a better account, 'haps ye should ask 'im. 'e's in he barracks three streets over"
Malachi walks through the streets of Chillhollow, slowly, looking around with a critical eye. 'How strange that this place should be spared.' He thinks. Stopping by a market, he looks at some of the trinkets that people have brought back from inside the walls.
Pausing for a moment, he picks up a framed photo. Turning it in his hands, he can see it move slightly. 'Ah, what can't magic do.' he thinks with a smile, which quickly fades as he realises that the people in that picture are probably dead, and that no one would be coming to buy it. He places the photo down gently.
Stepping away from the market shop, he lights a hand-rolled cigarette and takes a drag, once more surveying the area. 'Lots of people coming through.' He thinks. 'They would do well to stay out of my way.'
You hear someone in the distance shout "Call the guard! Unhallowed!". a commotion is starting on the other side of the market, what do you do?
Standing up too quickly in response to the distant cry nearly makes Reno stumble, but he rights himself by clutching at the bar. "Unhallowed outside! Come, Astora! They'll be needing our help!"
And picking up his whip and crossbow, Reno pulls his hat slightly further down on his head to steady it, and tosses a few coin pieces at the bar on his way out. He tips generously, despite his bad night of gambling.
Vulcarr is following Morr into the town of Chillhollow. As Vulcarr surveys the town, he notices the villagers hiding in their homes and bracing themselves at the sight of the big fiery golem that's taking a stroll in the street.
He heard his master, Morr, mumbling about an inn up ahead. As they approach the inn, Vulcarr hears shouting a little ways of and sees some of the townsfolk lock their doors. He turns to see a barren and quiet street. Master, did you hear that? I think the towns in danger. Vulcarr ponders at the idea of helping people. If we aid the villagers in whatever trouble they're in maybe they will not be so frightened of me.
Morr, what should we do?
Morr turns his head and shrieks, startled at the giant fire golem following behind him.
Ack! A demon!
His arms flailing wildly, he topples unceremoniously from his Donkey, hitting the ground in a sprawl.
Oh! It's that damn golem again. That thing still followin me around?!
Bah! Help me up ya giant flaming...*mutters* Wait..dont help, just burn..*mutter*..
His joints pop as he uses his Cane to pull himself back on his feet, grumbling the entire time. Finally, he turns towards Vulcarr
Trouble again? Damn youths, to be sure. Always runnin around causin a ruckus..damn youths..well, come along Vulcarr, come along. Lets get on and see what all the hubub is about...
He gestures ahead and slowly makes his way to the market
Astora looks over toward the explorer, "Jackson?" She says, squinting at him"And what help will a drunk explorer offer?"
Astora nods to the barkeep before stringing her hunting bow in a flick of her wrist, she slings it over her shoulder. Din senses the urgency in her moves and follows close behind, ears pricked and alert.
After leaving the inn, Astora finds a vantage point as high as she can, looking in the direction of the commotion.
"Are you sure you'd rather not sleep this one off Jackson?"
Malachi takes another drag as he hears the cries for help. He'd heard some tales of the Unhallowed, but nothing concrete. They sounded like fairy tales to him, things parents made up to scare their children, keep them behaved. Cursing, he puts out the cigarette with one hand and pulls out the staff strapped to his back with the other. "May as well see what the fuss is about." He grumbles to himself, following the sounds of commotion.
Reno takes a deep breath of the fresh air outside and feels a little revitalized, some of the worse effects of his drunkenness already starting to fade away thanks to his years of tolerance.
"Nonsense, I..." he begins, in retort to Astora's barb, but she's already run off in search of a high vantage point. He scoffs and waves a hand at her retreating backside, admiring her as she runs for a half-second before refocusing on the task at hand.
Turning to his left he sees Morr and Vulcarr approaching with their donkey cart.
"Stay back, grandfather!" he warns him, casting a hand in his direction for emphasis. He's slurring his words a little bit. "It's dangerous up ahead! There's Unhallowed..." he trails off as he gets a good look at Vulcarr.
"Pfwoar, you're a big one! Sir, did you make this guardian golem yourself? Extremely impressive! How did you...but no, there's no time for questions. Can I make use of it to help the people in the other side of the market?" he gestures behind him, at the sounds of battle and commotion over there. He's still looking at Vulcarr in amazement as he addresses Morr, admiring the fire golem like you would admire a high-end sports car in a Ferrari dealership.
"It looks like it could send the Unhallowed packing! I promise to return it when I'm done as long as it follows me. In good condition!"
Morr looks up as the strange man in the funny hat addresses him
Danger? Bah! Probably just some damn youths again young man. I'll have you know..*mutters* dragon, and his horde of false gold..*mutters*..was a bad idea, to be sure..regardless! These unhollowed ain't no threat to Old Morr!
He cackles wildly, before a fit of coughing overtakes him for a moment. After spitting out a glob of phlegm, he settles down and gestures to Vulcarr
Oh, the Golem there? Damn things always followin me around. He might be useful too I guess...*mutters*..set the whole damn thing on fire like last time..No matter, no matter. I'm sure he will be useful. Anway!
He points his cane at the man
You plannin on helpin us drive off these youths? Well, come along then young man. Best we don't dawdle!
He cackles one more as he slowly continues on towards the marketplace
Oh damnit, he's senile...
Reno flashes a wide smile at the strange ramblings of the old man and nods in false understanding before turning back toward the commotion. "Well, good to know...I'll just go investigate the disturbance then!"
Reno, Astora, Morr, and Vulkarr
You arrive at the western edge of the market to see a grey man standing on a crate, shouting "Do not run from me! You cannot run from the wrath of lord Kelos". 4 other grey men step out from behind him, daggers in hand, and advance on the small crowd that hasn't already fled the madman's ravings "If you will not face the truth, you will die!"
What do you do?
Malachi
one man stops you before you can get across the market. "I saw what you did, you're one of those freaks, aren't you?" he is raising his voice, and people are staring. what do you do?
Morr frown as he takes in the situation before him.
Kelos eh? I've heard that name before..
Damn cultists! Always causin' a ruckus! Come along Vulkarr, I think it's time we teach these goons a lesson!
He slowly makes his way towards the grey men, pointing and shaking his fist as he tries along, muttering
Morr frown as he takes in the situation before him.
Kelos eh? I've heard that name before..
[dice=Spout Lore]2d6+1
Damn cultists! Always causin' a ruckus! Come along Vulkarr, I think it's time we teach these goons a lesson!
He slowly makes his way towards the grey men, pointing and shaking his fist as he tries along, muttering
You have no doubt encountered your share of the unhallowed, and they all seem to worship the strange god Kelos. They are all mutated and strange, and they use dark magic. you also remember that they greet each other with the phrase "The sightless watch over you".
There are definitely more cultists in the area, the children of Kelos never travel in small groups. and in fact, there is a group of people in cloaks (not uncommon in the chilly weather) who aren't reacting to the commotion.
Malachi frowns at the man. "I'm afraid you must have mistaken me for someone else..." He replies calmly. "What freaks do you mean?"
Astora, from atop a nearby roof ledge takes an eagle eye view of the area. She shoots a look to Din, and with a few Elvish signals Din starts circling and prowling the outskirts of the crowd.
She spots Vulkarr and immediately is taken aback, on further inspection, along with interaction with the old man, she decides to leave that mystery for another time.
She can easily see the four men with daggers, the preacher, and the group of cloaked people. Taking stock of the area with her keen Elven senses, and experience in the wilds, she attempts to identify the threats in this situation, watching for sudden movements.
Malachi frowns at the man. "I'm afraid you must have mistaken me for someone else..." He replies calmly. "What freaks do you mean?"
"I saw you use arcane power, your one of those freaks who can summon the power of the void!" he pushes you "I think you should get out of here". What do you do?
Astora, from atop a nearby roof ledge takes an eagle eye view of the area. She shoots a look to Din, and with a few Elvish signals Din starts circling and prowling the outskirts of the crowd.
She spots Vulkarr and immediately is taken aback, on further inspection, along with interaction with the old man, she decides to leave that mystery for another time.
She can easily see the four men with daggers, the preacher, and the group of cloaked people. Taking stock of the area with her keen Elven senses, and experience in the wilds, she attempts to identify the threats in this situation, watching for sudden movements.
[dice=Discern Realities, Commanding Din to scout]2d6+1+2
What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is not what it appears to be?
Who’s really in control here?
You should be on the lookout for the group to the north, who are moving to flank, and pen in the group
The preacher is not unarmed, he has some kind of death spell tattooed onto his right palm, in red ink.
If you don't act right now, they will be, because they are about to pen you in, and start the slaughter.
What do you do?
Astora takes stock of the threats, and identifies the north flanking group as the biggest threat. No different to wolves and deer she thinks to herself. If she loosed an arrow at the Preacher, or the obvious threat, the trap would still be loosed and with greater chaos...
Instead, she dashes atop rooftops whistling a piercing bird-call of a sparrowhawk, that Reno will recognise as her signal for 'It's a trap!'.
Din will hear the call too, and having scouted the flanking group, meets with Astora to cut them off before they form the flank.
Din will use the moment to try and herd the flankers into a narrow street, away from the crowd and forming a trap of their own with Astora on the other end, bow drawn at the ready.
Astora takes stock of the threats, and identifies the north flanking group as the biggest threat. No different to wolves and deer she thinks to herself. If she loosed an arrow at the Preacher, or the obvious threat, the trap would still be loosed and with greater chaos...
Instead, she dashes atop rooftops whistling a piercing bird-call of a sparrowhawk, that Reno will recognise as her signal for 'It's a trap!'.
Din will hear the call too, and having scouted the flanking group, meets with Astora to cut them off before they form the flank.
Din will use the moment to try and herd the flankers into a narrow street, away from the crowd and forming a trap of their own with Astora on the other end, bow drawn at the ready.
I'm open to however you want to DM that!
I'm open to however you want to DM that!
Astora, coordinating with Din, shepherds the danger away from the crowd and towards her. She just hopes that Reno got the message, and that he's bringing help.
Vulcarr sees the people cowering in fear from the Grey men coming at them with daggers.
Maybe...they won't run from me if I save them.
Astora, coordinating with Din, shepherds the danger away from the crowd and towards her. She just hopes that Reno got the message, and that he's bringing help.
[dice=Defend, +1 forward from successful Discern Realities]2d6+1+1
Well, you get them to you, and the half-dozen unhallowed are comming at you. In an alley. din also got injured in the chase. what do you do?
Vulcarr sees the people cowering in fear from the Grey men coming at them with daggers.
Maybe...they won't run from me if I save them.
[dice=Defend Townsfolk]2d6 + 1
you step forward, and assume a threatening pose, to intimidate the unhallowed. the townsfolk scream "DEMON! FIRE DEMON! RUN!". you also realize too late that your left leg was dangerously close to a stall, which has now caught fire. What do you do?
Morr shrieks at Vulcarr as the nearby stall begins to burst into flame
Damned Golem! Get back, before ya burn the entire village to the ground!
This is a mess, we need to turn this around, before it gets too out of hand!
Morr eyes take in everything before him, studying the battlefield...
Pay attention, folks! Those troublemakers look like they mean business, and they are coming right this way!
"I saw you use arcane power, your one of those freaks who can summon the power of the void!" he pushes you "I think you should get out of here". What do you do?
Malachi lets the man push him, and then walks closer to the man. But instead of pushing back, Malachi gets close to his face and whispers quietly, such that others can't hear him. "If I am what you think I am, then you should be a lot more afraid of me." It comes out almost as a challenge, and as Malachi leans back, his eyes appear to flash purple around the irises, for just a moment.
"I saw you use arcane power, your one of those freaks who can summon the power of the void!" he pushes you "I think you should get out of here". What do you do?Malachi lets the man push him, and then walks closer to the man. But instead of pushing back, Malachi gets close to his face and whispers quietly, such that others can't hear him. "If I am what you think I am, then you should be a lot more afraid of me." It comes out almost as a challenge, and as Malachi leans back, his eyes appear to flash purple around the irises, for just a moment.
[dice=Parley]2d6+1
The man backs off, cowed "you... you better sleep with... with one eye open." he shouts back, to save face, before scampering off, leving you uninhibited, and able to help.
everyone dealing with the Unhallowed
They are moving in, and the main group has encircled a group of people who were distracted by the fires. astora's group, meanwhile, ismoving in, flanking her. What does Everyone do?
"Jhorael Din, tosi shas eisyl" Astora shouts, signalling Din to circle around and recoup.
Astora, seeing no sign of Reno, attempts instead to lead the group tailing her on a wild goose chase through the streets of Chillhollow. Aiming if she can to lose them by acrobatics along crates, fences, walls and rooftops, in addition to her Elven speed.
If she does so, she will attempt to gain a hidden vantage point and draw a bead on the group with a notched arrow. Waiting to unleash her attack on them.
Angered by the failure of his attack and the injustice toward the people, Vulcarr is enraged. His eyes start to eminate an orange glow, his boulders-for-hands burst into uncontrollable flames, and his arms spin in a tornado-like motion as he charges towards the Unhollow that are surrounding the townsfolk.
While Vulcarr charges in recklessly, Reno sidles around the outskirts of the combat taking place. He looks for an Unhallowed that is standing slightly apart from the others and cracks his whip as soon as he's within range!
within reach range and swing upon it like a grappling hook without Defying Danger.
You cannot Hack and Slash with your whip. Instead, when you crack your whip at an
enemy, roll+DEX. *On a 10+, choose two. *On a 7-9, choose one:
• You entangle one of their limbs, preventing them from using it as long as you
keep your whip wrapped around them.
• You avoid any retaliation or counterattack.
• You move them to any place within reach range.
• You knock them prone or off-balance, the next person who takes advantage of
this takes +1 forward.
• You make them drop an object they are holding.
I choose:
I avoid any retaliation or counterattack, and I entangle it around the neck to sort of keep it at a safe distance, like how a mancatcher works (but different, since it's a whip).
"Always do." Malachi mutters with a sigh. Relieved to be, at least for the time being, left to his own devices, he hurries in the direction that the Unhallowed supposedly are.
"Jhorael Din, tosi shas eisyl" Astora shouts, signalling Din to circle around and recoup.
Astora, seeing no sign of Reno, attempts instead to lead the group tailing her on a wild goose chase through the streets of Chillhollow. Aiming if she can to lose them by acrobatics along crates, fences, walls and rooftops, in addition to her Elven speed.
If she does so, she will attempt to gain a hidden vantage point and draw a bead on the group with a notched arrow. Waiting to unleash her attack on them.
Angered by the failure of his attack and the injustice toward the people, Vulcarr is enraged. His eyes start to eminate an orange glow, his boulders-for-hands burst into uncontrollable flames, and his arms spin in a tornado-like motion as he charges towards the Unhollow that are surrounding the townsfolk.
You lash out, sending one of the Unhallowed flying, however, the others sink their daggers into you.
what do you do?
While Vulcarr charges in recklessly, Reno sidles around the outskirts of the combat taking place. He looks for an Unhallowed that is standing slightly apart from the others and cracks his whip as soon as he's within range!
** spoiler omitted **
I choose:
I avoid any retaliation or counterattack, and I entangle it around the neck to sort of keep it at a safe distance, like how a mancatcher works (but different, since it's a whip).
the man clutches at his throat, before trying to drop to his knees to retrieve his dagger. What do you do?
"Always do." Malachi mutters with a sigh. Relieved to be, at least for the time being, left to his own devices, he hurries in the direction that the Unhallowed supposedly are.
You come across the elf first, her and her giant cat, and half a dozen Unhallowed cornering them in an alley. what do you do?
Reno takes out his hand crossbow and aims it down the whip at the man he's entangled, firing a bolt!