Fantasy World Creations

With nothing pressing to attend to you remain in Aite Aerd for next month, though the time is not spent idly. The court of the Righ is much more active than Thedrin's initial impression and has no shortage of intrigue... and parties. Quite a few parties. As a hot subject and guests of honor within the court, your group is invited to more than one soiree hosted by a variety of lords and ladies including one by your previous benefactor Bhenneit MacMhata.

Thedrin's constant elbow rubbing at these events provides both amusement and valuable insight into the politics of Aite Aerd. When not doing his best to bed tactfully chosen maidens (nobody too important so as not to end up in trouble), he manages to learn which minor lords are more aligned with the Righ's political nemesis Uisdean MacArtain. Important people to avoid in his pursuit of the crown's good graces.

Cecilia spends a good portion of her time pouring over various tomes and maps housed in the Righ's castle. Knowledge gleaned from the court wizard gives her a lead on the potential location of a long forgotten shrine that may be worth investigating.

Rhenri and Scathach for their part, spend much of their time in the lower rings among the common folk. Avoiding as best they can what Scathach refers to as "stuffy, stick-up-the-ass hobnobbery".

At the end of the month of Saedre the Feast of Athair Cairdeas comes and goes, its yuletide celebration the last major feasting holiday of the year. Minor gifts are exchanged, elaborate feasts are eaten, and merriment is had by all. It is a bright light to hold on to in the coming days.

The morning after the last day of Saedre, the sun does not rise in the east. The Dark Time has begun, and for the next fifteen days the world remains in darkness. Your thoughts may wander at times to the well being of those you know back in Telan, but remember that the militia is bolstered this year by Captain Maddox's men. Here in the capital the thick walls of the city protect from the roving monsters and the time passes in a tense peace.

At last the first day of Ius arrives and with it the Feast of Light's Return is celebrated, honoring the new year and a new start. Though it seems that a new year, brings new problems...

---

Location: Aite Aerd
Date: Ius 14, 796
Time: 1700

Your party has been invited to the keep for the annual reports from the towns and villages of The Steppe. Every year, representatives from the major holdings in the various regions of the country come to Aite Aerd to deliver news of the realm's well being. Caer Mog and Telan bring tidings of a mild Dark Time, and hopeful prospects for the coming year. The news from Baile Fada is much more dire... or rather, there is no news at all.

After waiting most of the day for a rider from the west, it becomes evident that something has happened. After some deliberation, it is decided that a small group should make for the western frontier to investigate. Due to Thedrin's incessant probing for "glorious quests" your party is selected to make the trip...

     Finally glad to have an actual quest suitable to his skill, Thedrin set about getting provisions and asking about the region they were headed for. The life at court had been passable but all the fawning over their party's valiant defense of Telan eventually wore on Thedrin as he began to realize that his official standing was still little better than that of a favored mercenary and the prospect of something that might earn him a real title energized him, especially after passing the dark time in the city. He had been a little morose when he realized that the first dark time he would have spent as a knight back in Albion hunting monsters on the shores of the lake was instead being spent titleless wining and dining as the celebrity of the day.


[info]Shopping list
60 gp - 30 days of elven rations[/info]
[info]Diplomacy to get information about Baile Fada and the western frontier[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 20 + 9, total 29[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Thedrin's Diplomacy:
Baile Fada is the westernmost major settlement on the Great Highland Steppe. Despite the designation as a major settlement, its population really only makes it a small town. The town proper serves as a hub for nearby satellite settlements to the north and west that mine the hills and mountains. Ore and coal extracted from the mines is transported to the town proper where it is processed and then shipped to the capital.

Extra information from a high roll:
Transport of the raw materials is facilitated by a fascinating new invention purchased at great expense from Valtz. Something called a "steam engine" which burns coal or wood to power its movement completely free from the use of horses.

The western frontier of the Great Highland Steppe is much like nearly everywhere else in the region. Flat, relatively arid, and expansive. The foothills that trail off the western mountain range are known to be populated sparsely by ogres and the occasional clan of wildling savages which rarely venture down from the hills; largely in part because the steppe nomads kill any of their kind that they cross. Still, travelers to Baile Fada are advised to keep an eye out for trouble when the road passes near the hills.[/info]

---

[info]Bought and consumed during the month in Aite Aerd:
Basic rations x30, 5s each

For the next 14 days:
Basic rations x14, 5s each
Blunt Arrows, x19, 2 gp each[/info]

With travel preparations complete you depart from Aite Aerd the following morning, riding east. Seven largely uneventful days brings you to Caer Mog and it is from here you move into new territory for your party.

---

Location: Road East of Caer Mog
Date: Ius 24, 796
Time: 1200

Two days ago you left along the eastern road from Caer Mog, it will be another five days yet before you reach your destination. The trip has been unusually peaceful. Though it stands to reason that monster attacks near the roads would be uncommon because of patrols, you have yet to meet a single soul traveling westward.

The air this afternoon is sharp with winter's chill. It is a dry cold, the altitude of the steppe means that it does not often snow here and when it does it is little more than a light dusting. Never the less, winter finds other ways to make your trip uncomfortable. The wind bites and leaves exposed flesh raw and aching, when it does not numb completely.

With the monotony of travel dulling even the sharpest sense, it stands to reason that you barely noticed the seated figure on the roadside before you were merely feet away.

It is an elderly man clothed in thin black furs trimmed with what looks like crow feathers. He sits by the road, a gnarled walking stick across his lap and a few black plumed birds scratch at the ground nearby or perch on his shoulders. As you ride closer he calls out to you with a voice that sounds like a whetstone on steel, thin and grating.

"Spare a coin or food for an old man alone on the road?"

     Thedrin barely noticed the man and tossed a gold coin at him on reflex, forgetting that his purse was far lighter than he was used to and tossing a coin at the man like he had to so many beggars on the streets of Albion. Stopping, he looked around the plains and then back down at the man. "Uh... Why are you sitting out here in the middle of nowhere?"

The old man caught the coin in one hand without looking up then made a fist and rolled it across the top of his fingers, flipping it fluidly between the gaps in his fingers between the first and second knuckle before flicking it into apparent nonexistence with a small flourish.

Peaking up from under the slouching brim of his hat you notice that a dirty bandage is wrapped over the left half of his face. "Travelling and my legs got tired" he says with a grin. "Are you heading east? I'd be careful, wicked things happening out that way."

     "Nothing a knight errant of Albion can't handle" Says Thedrin smugly. "We have been personally dispatched by the Righ. Neither measly ogre nor oafish giant could stand against us."

"With such a bold declaration I'm sure you lack not for skill and the roads are safer for it." The old man replies, appraising your group with his uncovered eye. "I suppose I have rested these bones for long enough" he continued, and rose slowly to his feet with a grunt. The few crows gathered nearby ruffled their feathers and cawed sharply. "'Afore we part ways however, I have a small token for you. A good turn in kind for your own."

Raising his gnarled hand upwards he held his hand with fingers outstretched, just level with his head. With a look of concentrating he then snapped his hand shut as if snatching some unseen object from the air before him, then turned his fist over and opened it once more. In the palm of his hand was a coin much like the one Thedrin had tossed him minutes before, though this one was bronze and dun. Those close enough to see it noticed that rather than being any form recognizable currency it bore the image of a rook, wings outstretched. The man held the coin forward for someone to take.

     Thedrin took the coin and looked at it. "Hmmm... who did you say you were again?" He asked as he looked up from the coin.

"Just an old man traveling the roads..." The old man said with a smile, before his face took a more serious countenance. "A day's ride out from Baile Fada, leave the road and turn north. There will be a copse of trees there. Within you will find a shrine, long forgotten. Take this coin there and you will find answers to questions you did not know you had. Do not delay, for time is ever the enemy of good."

After giving his mysterious instructions the man turned and began to leave without further explanation, walking slowly with his gnarled stick.

     Thedrin looked down at the coin in the palm of his hand and let out a sigh. "An old coin and a dirty hobo... It's supposed to be a beautiful lady and a magic sword in all the stories." He pocketed the coin and turned to the others. "Well the quest awaits. Guess we should get moving again."

As your group turns from the man and begins down the road once more you hear the flapping of a great many wings mixed with a cacophony of crow calls. When you turn to look the man and his birds have vanished from sight, leaving naught but the echo of caws and a single ebon feather.

"Well. That was right ominous" Scathach remarked dryly, scanning the landscape.

     "Well it's either that or some horrible enchantment. Sir Ebonwall the Ferocious began his quest to slay the Lich of the Wailing Keep when an elven princess granted him a boon before ensorceling him to wake each morning deaf until the noon sun reached its zenith. Surely you've hear the tale or a similar one?" Replied Thedrin as a matter of fact as they headed onward. "I was hoping more for something like Sir Horje's quest to smite the Hag of the Lergbog. He was drawn into a fey queen's hidden castle to receive the Hagsbane blade before getting to bed her and her thirteen daughters."

"Right... I do guess that would be something you'd look forward to." Scathach answered before turning her horse back west.

---

Location: Road west of Caer Mog, Near Baile Fada
Date: Ius 28, 796
Time: 0900

Several days after your strange encounter with the old man, you find yourselves about a day out from Baile Fada. You have not seen another soul the entire trip, and even monsters seem to have avoided you. Suddenly Scathach stops her horse short.

"About here is where that odd geezer said to turn north. Are we going, or should we keep on to Baile Fada?"

     "As unseemly as the old man might be, he did set us up for a quest. There might still be a boon in this yet I think. The truly great tales usually have several sidetracking quests. I don't see why this one would be different."

---

"We can spare a bit of tiyum. I say we go." Rhenri said agreeing with Thedrin.

[info]Continued in Book 1 - Chapter 5.1: Dark Wings, Darker Deeds (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/index.php?topic=2180.new#new)[/info]

Back on the road after your encounter with Krakefar and your acquisition of a powerful artefact, you travel on unhindered to Baile Fada.

---

Location: Baile Fada Outskirts
Date: Ius 29, 796
Time: 0800

When you finally arrive at the outskirts of the town, the sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon. Immediately you can tell that something is wrong. Though it is a small town with a modest population there should be people out attending to morning chores, but the few pastures around the village are empty even of livestock. No smoke rises from the chimneys, and you can't even detect the faint chatter of morning market crowds.

"That silence is eerie." Scathach says, looking at the town.

     "Indeed, not a peasant in sight..." Remarked Thedrin as he looked around.

[info]Perception to see if there's any signs of recent activity[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 1 + 2, total 3[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Thedrin's Perception:
The town seems completely empty from a distance.[/info]

"Nobody moving about the houses either... Should we go in and take a closer look?" Scathach asks, shielding her eyes from the glare of the morning sun as she watches the village for a moment.

     "I suppose we have to." Answered Thedrin as he unsheathed his sword and lead the way into the village.

Walking into the village proper you find it truly empty, and from the look of things it has been that way for several weeks. Market stalls sit unattended with food beginning to rot despite the winter temperatures. Strangely it seems as if one day everyone in town just stopped what they were doing and left town.

With a quick scan of the town square and surrounding buildings you find that some houses have been left with their doors open.

[info]Perception requested.[/info]

[info] Perception[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 10 + 2, total 12[/blockquote][/info]

---

[info][blockquote]Perception 1d20+7 : 6 + 7, total 13[/blockquote][/info]

[info] perception
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 7 + 2, total 9[/blockquote]

There is a quick flash of movement in your peripheral vision, a shape you couldn't quite get a read on flits quickly through the open door of a nearby house. Near the doorway, a half rotten apple rolls along the ground a few inches as if it had been dropped in haste.

"Did you catch that...?" Scathach whispers, eyeing the house and slowly drawing her sword. "Something just ducked in that house."

     "Perhaps one of the villagers... You there! Come out! We come under the orders of the Righ." Shouted Thedrin at the doorway.

From inside the house you hear a shuffling sound as if someone just moved a kitchen table, you also hear several voices arguing with each other not nearly as quietly as the speaker should be. It sounds like children speaking.

"Aww Duny, look what you done now you daft fool. I told you not to go out earlier!" came a girl's voice.

"Shut it Eeada! Moira needed food, we all needed food! Plus they ain't wearin' those robes, maybe they really is from the city." responded what sounded like a young boy.

"Or they took 'em off you twit. Maybe if we stay quiet they'll leave..."

"Too late for that" Scathach said loudly. "Come out, we know you're in there. Ain't going to hurt you."

"Fucking... Fuck!" the girl swore.

A moment of shuffling later, two small figures appear in the doorway. It is indeed a pair of children, a boy and girl no older than ten or eleven years old. The boy shakily holds a shortsword that is clearly still too heavy for him, and the girl has a spear at the ready that seems to have been snapped off to be more manageable for her frame. They look tired and on edge, as if the last few days have been particularly stressful.

"Th' fuck are you? Stay back or I'll stick you!" The girl, Eeada says with the forceful bravado of someone that clearly knows they have no chance of winning a fight. Behind the pair is a third child, another girl maybe six or seven. She cowers in the dark near a small shelf, peaking around the corner timidly.

    "I doubt that." Replied Thendrin as he appraised the children. "You have the stance of a half-drunk sailor still walking on his sea legs and can barely lift that half-spear."

Eeada scowls at Thedrin's remark. "Fuck do you know aye? You one of those bastards in the robes, back to finish what you started? You'll have a hard time of it!"

"Y-yeah!" The boy, Duny chimes in weakly.

     "I know more than you, that's for sure. They had me start practicing my swordsmanship before I was your age. Standard upbringing for a knight." Bragged Thedrin to the child with a hand on his puffed out chest. "Now, we're here under the banner of the Righ. As his subjects you must aid us and tell us what happened."

"Braggin' to kids, really?" Scathach said quietly, bringing her palm to her face.

"You's come from Aite-Aerd? For true?" Duny asked, hopefully.

"Don't buy it, could be lyin. You got proof?" Eeada replied, suspicion in her eyes.

     "The word of an honorable knight is all we need. Our cause is just and we need not deceive anyone. Surely even children can understand that." Replied Thedrin haughtily. "But if you truly need convincing, allow me to recount to you the tale of how we came into the service of the Righ. You see it was a dreary fall evening back in the town of Telan..."

[info]Diplomacy to try and convince the children[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 20 + 9, total 29[/blockquote]

If no one stops him, Thedrin is fully prepared to begin recounting the details of the entire campaign so far to the children.[/info]

"Ok, ok we get it. If you wanted to hurt us you would have done it already instead of talking our ear off..." Eeada said, lowering her spear and motioning Duny should do the same with his sword.

"Good choice," Scathach said with a relieved look on her face. "You get him started about glory, honor, and duty and he never shuts up."

"Come in and we'll tell you what we know." Eeada continued, looking around the area cautiously. You could tell plainly that these children had been in a very high stress situation for the past week. Dark circles under their eyes indicated a lack of sleep, and a slight sallow complexion coupled with a gauntness of the cheeks told you they had not been eating well.

Once inside the house, you found a seat around a kitchen table while Eeada hopped up onto a countertop to sit. Duny went to comfort and reassure the younger girl, Moira, that you weren't a threat. "Couple weeks ago, right after the end of the dark time they showed up in the village. Bunch of guys in robes carrying a big box on a cart. Watch must have been too busy dealin' with the cleanup after the dark time to check them proper. Came right into the market and started casting spells, you know... zappin' folks with lighting and stuff. Lot of people died right away, but they didn't stay dead. Box started glowin' and the folks that got zapped all stood up and started attackin' others."

"They was zombies! I know it, sawr a picture of one in the alderman's book once." Duny added.

"Yeah" Eeada continued. "We were helpin' me mum and da set up the stall in the market and they told us to run and hide. Passed some members of the watch as we ran and then we heard a big boom. Turned around and somehow an ogre was there in the middle of the square tossin' people round like dolls... We booked it for the nearest open door and hid. Couple hours later and the screamin' and fightin' stopped. Peeked out real careful and saw them leave the town with all the... zombies and the ogre. Heading north to the mines. Took that big box with 'em too. Been hiding since, scrounging for food and whatnot. Gotta be careful though since they come into town every so often. Dunno what they're lookin' for, nobody left but us. Mum and Da never did come find us like they said they would..."

     "An ogre you say?" Inquired Thedrin offhandedly. "Now that would be a more suitable knightly challenge. And you say they have an army of zombies they took to the mine? How nefarious... Perhaps the cultists are looking for a labor force? What ore does the mine produce?"

"If by army you mean the whole town then yeah." Replied Eeada.

"Not so much to the mine as... around the mine" added Duny. "Like they's guarding something. If you get up in the tower at the town hall and look out you can see 'em with a spyglass. Alderman let me do that once..."

"Mostly iron and some coal." Eeada continued, in regards to the contents of the mine.

     "An army..." Murmured Thedrin, clearly only selectively hearing the child's words. "Then I guess we should go up that tower and have a look. Get an idea of how to approach the mines." He said as he looked around for the tallest building in the village.

As with most towns on the steppe, the tallest building was usually the town hall which typically sat at or near the center of the settlement. The hall featured a tower, housing a large bell used as a warning signal in the case of incoming threats to the town. The surreptitious nature of the cult's attack obviously prevented it from being used effectively.

The tower was nearly forty feet at its peak, and provided a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. Through a combination of steps and a ladder, the uppermost level could be reached where the aforementioned bell took up a measure of space. Also in the area were a few chairs and a table where lookouts probably spent their time on watch. On the table, was a spyglass.

     "Well let's see what these cultists are up to." Says Thedrin as he takes up the spyglass and scans the lands for the cultists.

[info]Perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 7 + 2, total 9[/blockquote][/info]

Thedrin peered out over the steppe through the spyglass and saw nothing but the open flat plains for miles around. That is, until a gentle tap on the shoulder from Scathach interrupted him.

"Mine is that way." she said flatly.

Reorienting to a new view, the army of undead townspeople comes into focus. Several miles away the mine entrance is seen, an opening into a hillock that descends into the earth where the town extracts vital resources. Light gauge mine track can be seen coming out of the entrance and it snakes a small distance to an open air processing facility. The entire area swarms with the stumbling undead, the amount of walking corpses is practically uncountable.

Next to the processing facility is another building, long and roofed, it has open sides and a raised platform. Several lifting mechanisms line the platform and next to it are what look like more minecart tracks, though they are somewhat larger. Following the track as it leads away from the long building it eventually comes to a stop at another building identical to the one near the mine. However, stationed at the platform is a large construction of black iron. It is as wide as a large caravan wagon but about twice as long and from its top a large pipe extends. Along its base it has several sets of wheels that seem to keep it on the tracks. Attached to the... thing... are a few large carts that trail behind it much like a snake.

     "Ahem... of course..."  Replied Thedrin a little flustered. "Hmm... plenty of undead and some kind of mechanism. No sign of any of the cultists or this ogre that was mentioned though." He said as he peered though the spyglass before lowering it and handing it to Scathach. "While I have no doubt we can smite the undead without issue, I'm not sure we can do so and not also provoke the cultists to overwhelm us as we cut our way to the mine entrance. Do you see an alternative approach?"

Scathach gave Thedrin a look of disbelief. "'Smite the undead without issue'?" she said indignantly "There is a literal horde of walking corpses between us and that mine and they're thick as porridge, I stopped counting at ten score! We'd be dead or exhausted of spells and healing long before we could cut through that." She pointed over at the long building where the strange machine was located. "What's that wheeled thing over there on the track, some massive mine cart or something?"

[info]Thedrin is at least somewhat aware of the fact that the machine is the 'steam engine' he learned about at the capital. He knows that it is a vehicle and that it burns wood or coal to move along the track. It is up to him if he has shared this information with the rest of the group.[/info]

     "It must be that train we heard about back in the city... if I recall, its supposed to carry goods from the mine. How well guarded does it look?" Asked Thedrin.

Scathach shielded her eyes from the sun and looked closely at the building where the steam engine was. "I don't see anything moving near it, and those kids said the village is abandoned except for them."

     "Maybe we can sneak... I mean maneuver... through the train building as cover and avoid alerting the undead." Suggested Thedrin with a point towards the train. "The train itself should then be able to convey us to the mine. Supposedly it's not based on any magic so we should be able to make it work."

"Certainly easier than fighting a swarm of zombies. Worth a try?" Scathach asked, turning to Cecilia and Rhenri.

After climbing down the tower of the town hall, and crossing the village you arrive at the long building where the massive vehicle sits on its tracks. Up close you can see that the steel behemoth has a compartment toward its rear behind the pipe that could easily fit four people. Behind said compartment is a large bin that contains an ample amount of coal.

The interior of the compartment houses a dizzying array of gauges and levers the function of which you cannot begin to fathom. At the front of the compartment is a furnace of sorts, which is currently unlit and cold. Nearby on a small shelf is a leather bound book.

Cecilia couldn't help but poke her head into the compartment. The book caught her eye, and if any of them were to figure out how to get the train running that would be the best place to start. She grabbed the book from its place on the shelf.

"Give me a moment, I'll see if I can figure this out."

She began reading.

The book was indeed an instruction manual for the steam engine. After spending about twenty minutes thumbing through the pages detailing the devices operation Cecilia was able to grasp the gist of what was presented therein.

The firebox would need to be lit and stocked with coal from the bin behind the compartment, the heat of the flame would boil water in an internal compartment and produce steam, which through some mechanical wizardry would provide power to the wheels. A certain lever, now easily identified would tell the engine to run forward or in reverse. All in all a simple matter provided you pulled the breaking lever before you ran out of track.

"You learn anything? Are we ready to go?" asked Scathach.

"We should be able to make the train work just fine, the book was instructions, we need to light the fire and put a bunch of coal inside to power the train."

She gestured towards the firebox and bin of coal.

"Let's get on and get started."

Following the instructions from the book your party begins the process of starting the train. Once the fire is going, it is only a short while before the water in the internal tank begins to boil and steam forms in the chamber. A gauge in the cabin indicates that the pressure has reached the correct level to engage the engine, and once the proper lever is thrown the mechanical marvel begins to chug and groan against its weight.

Slowly and with a great squealing the iron wheels of the train grind against the track, eventually finding purchase the train starts to move along its predetermined path. It takes a minute or two to reach speed, but once it does the plains begin to whip by at a generous clip. The train is significantly faster than even the most well bread horse, and its momentum is almost frightening.

After a short while, you can spot the hoard of zombified villagers growing steadily larger as you approach. The ones on the track do not present a problem however, as the massive metal behemoth begins to plow through them without so much as slowing down. The ones that are not instantly crushed to a sticky pulp under the wheels are tossed a considerable distance from the track by means of a large scoop shaped construction on the front of the train. Scathach lets out a yelp of appreciation for the destructive power of the vehicle.

Eventually, as you near the end of the track, one of you disengages the engine and throws the break. The train begins to screech to a halt and eventually comes to a stop at the end of the line, though there is a moment where you feel as if it might not halt in time.

Dismounting quickly, as the noise of the train is likely to attract any zombies in the area you hurriedly make your way to the entrance of the mine. Passing through its entrance you follow a narrow path until it opens up into a chamber. Within, you find a pack of zombies who notice your arrival and turn to shamble in your direction...

[info]Roll initiative.
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)[/info]

[info] Initiative [blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 2, total 2[/blockquote][/info]

---

[info][blockquote]Initiative 1d20+8 : 1 + 8, total 9[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Initiative: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 16 + 6, total 22[/blockquote]

Reacting quickly to the presence of the undead villagers, Scathach knocks and fires two arrows in rapid succession. The first whips past her target by a hair, but the second sinks itself into the rotting flesh of the zombie's chest.

[okay]Scathach shoots Zombie 3 twice, hits once, 4 damage.[/okay]
[info]Cecilia to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll 20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Scathach, Cecilia, Zombie 1, Zombie 2, Rhenri, Thedrin, Zombie 3
Round 1:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 4 damage[/spoiler]

Scatchach loosed her arrows, and Cecilia drew in a deep breath along with her will. A word, barely more than a whisper escaped her lips and she felt the familiar comfort of her magical energies shielding her from harm. Then moved up behind Thedrin to support him from range.

[info] Cecilia casts Mage Armor. Moved 10 feet.
Spells Prepared: Level 1: Mage Armor, Color Spray, Grease
Level 2: Summon Monster II, Web
[/info]

As Cecilia's magic coalesced around her, two of the zombies shambled toward Thedrin with surprising speed. At the end of their charges, they brought both arms down in a clumsy smash that was easily blocked by the paladin's shield.

[okay]Zombie 1 charges Thedrin, miss[/okay]
[okay]Zombie 2 charges Thedrin, miss[/okay]
[info]Rhenri to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll 20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Scathach, Cecilia, Zombie 1, Zombie 2, Rhenri, Thedrin, Zombie 3
Round 1:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 4 damage
Cecilia casts Mage Armor
Zombie 1 attacks Thedrin, miss
Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, miss[/spoiler]

---

Rhenri took a deep breathe as she quickly drew arrows from her quiver and began to fire at the incoming zombies.

"I reckon they're fixin' to get themselves kilt twice."

[info]Current Stance: Leaping Spirit Dance
Swift Action: Change stance to Stance of the Piercing Rays
Free: 5 ft. step SW.
Full attack action: Point-Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot
[blockquote]attack 1 1d20+7 : 17 + 7, total 24[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 4 + 1, total 5[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote][/info]
[blockquote]attack 2 1d20+7 : 11 + 7, total 18[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 5 + 1, total 6[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote][/info]

Rhenri's arrows slam into the zombie and the smell of burning flesh fills the area. The wounds are sufficient enough to de-animate the walking corpse and it crumples to the ground lifeless once more.

[okay]Rhenri shoots Zombie 1 twice, 22 damage total. Zombie 1 is dead.[/okay]
[info]Thedrin to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll 20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Scathach, Cecilia, Zombie 1, Zombie 2, Rhenri, Thedrin, Zombie 3
Round 1:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 4 damage
Cecilia casts Mage Armor
Zombie 1 attacks Thedrin, miss
Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Rhenri shoots Zombie 1, 22 damage[/spoiler]

     Thedrin deflects the Zombie's grasping hands with a bash of his shield followed up by a sideways chop at its torso with his sword. "Take down the further one. I have this fiend right where I want it!"

[info]Standard action: Attack Zombie 2[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 2 + 7, total 9[/blockquote]     Damage (Slashing)[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+3 : 1 + 3, total 4[/blockquote]
Move action: Combat Advice to give Cecelia +2 to hit Zombie 3[/info]

Thedrin's chop fell short of its mark by inches, leaving the zombie unscathed. The third corpse shambled forward in a rush clawing at Cecilia, piercing the warping forcefield surrounding her and slamming heavily into her shoulder.

In retaliation, Scathach fired off another two arrows striking the zombie that attacked Cecilia. The first planted itself in the creature's chest doing little harm, but the second pierced its rotting eye and drove deep into the brain ending the magic that reanimated it.

[error]Thedrin attacks Zombie 2, miss[/error]
[error]Zombie 3 charges Cecilia, 8 damage[/error]
[okay]Scathach shoots Zombie 3 twice, hits twice, crits once. 2 and 14 damage.[/okay]
[info]Cecilia to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll 20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Scathach, Cecilia, Zombie 2, Rhenri, Thedrin
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 4 damage
Cecilia casts Mage Armor
Zombie 1 attacks Thedrin, miss
Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Rhenri shoots Zombie 1, 22 damage
Thedrin attacks Zombie 2, miss
Zombie 3 attacks Cecilia, 8 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 16 damage[/spoiler]

Cecilia felt relieved when the arrows struck true and threw an acid dart of her own at the final remaining zombie.

[info]Acid dart thing.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 12 + 3, total 15[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d6+1 : 3 + 1, total 4[/blockquote]
[/info]

Cecilia's dart splashed onto the shambling corpse, searing away dead flesh with a bubbling hiss. Undaunted, the zombie swung its limbs once more at Thedrin, and caught him unprepared. The blow fell heavy on his collarbone, bruising him heavily despite the armor.

[okay]Cecilia shoots Zombie 2, 4 damage[/okay]
[error]Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, 9 damage[/error]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll 20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Scathach, Cecilia, Zombie 2, Rhenri, Thedrin
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 4 damage
Cecilia casts Mage Armor
Zombie 1 attacks Thedrin, miss
Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Rhenri shoots Zombie 1, 22 damage
Thedrin attacks Zombie 2, miss
Zombie 3 attacks Cecilia, 8 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
Scathach shoots Zombie 3, 16 damage
Cecilia shoots Zombie 2, 4 damage
Zombie 2 attacks Thedrin, 9 damage[/spoiler]

---

Although Thedrin was in the way of a clear shot, the archer focused her ki to offset that potential cover. It would be just for the first shot, but Rhenri hoped it would be enough.

[info]Current Stance: Stance of the Piercing Rays
Swift Action: Active Eye of the Needle
Free: 5 ft. step N.
Full attack action: Point-Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, Eye of the Needle (first short only)
Used Maneuvers: Eye of the Needle

Did not apply any cover/soft cover penalties.

(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
attack 1, eye of the needle 1d20+11 : 18 + 11, total 29
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
piercing 1d8+1 : 6 + 1, total 7
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
fire 1d6 : 4, total 4

(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
attack 2 1d20+7 : 15 + 7, total 22
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
piercing 1d8+1 : 5 + 1, total 6
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
fire 1d6 : 3, total 3[/info]

[spoiler=Eye of the Needle Reference]Eye of the Needle
Tempest Gale (Boost)
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: One round

For most archers, an enemy engaged in melee is a difficult target at best, for a disciple of the Tempest Gale, a smaller target only presents greater opportunity.  After you initiate this boost, your next ranged attack roll this round gains a +4 bonus if the target of the attack is engaged in melee.[/spoiler]

Rhenri's arrows pierced the zombie with a thump and sizzle and the creature crumpled to the floor inanimate.

[info]Encounter over, everyone receives 200 exp.[/info]

"Three zombies down, but no sign of the cultists yet." Scathach said, keeping her bow at hand.

Now that you had a chance to look around the chamber, you spot two doors on the western wall, presumably leading further into the mine.

     Thedrin brushed the flecks of zombie fish that had caught on his scale mail away and imbued himself with some healing energy before moving on to heal Cecelia as well. He looked to the two sets of doors. "Onward, if this is the best these cultists can muster then this ogre should be no problem."

[info]Lay on Hands self[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 4, total 8[/blockquote] Lay on Hands Cecelia[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 1, total 5[/blockquote][/info]

     After a quick look around the room to see the nearest door, Thedrin heads for the closer of the two and opens the door with his weapon at the ready.

Moving swiftly through the door and into the next area reveals a cavernous space where a fair amount of mining must have been done. The walls are scarred with marks from pickaxes and hammers. There are also several large crates that the eerie anti-light glow of dark essence pulses from. Most importantly though, are the three cultists and their ogre. Clearly they heard the brief commotion you made while fighting the zombies and were waiting for your arrival. The ogre, a towering and rank smelling creature takes a heavy step in your direction as a cultist raises his hand to point.

"C'mon boys, get em!"

[info]Roll for initiative[/info]

[info]Initiative[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 15, total 15[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Initiative [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 5 + 6, total 11[/blockquote]
[/info]

[info][blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 17 + 8, total 25[/blockquote]

[info]Rhenri to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
Round 1:
[/spoiler]

---

[INFO]Current Stance: Leaping Spirit Dance (+2 AC and Reflex Saves, as long as Rhenri moves 10 ft.)
Swift Action: Activate Murderous Insight
Ki: 3 points remaining
Standard attack action: Attack Cultist 3 (making the assumption this one looks like the least armored of the enemies, if not, will go for another Cultist), Murderous Insight (4 rounds remaining)

[blockquote]Attack 1, roll 1 1d20+8 : 4 + 8, total 12[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Attack 1, roll 2 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d8 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]

Move: Move 20 ft. East, through the entrance we came in
Current AC: 21[/INFO]

[spoiler=Murderous Insight Reference]Murderous Insight (Su):

The stalker designates his combat senses towards ending the lives of his opponents and gains momentary flashes of insight in how to best accomplish this. By spending one point of ki as a swift action, the stalker makes an attack and rolls twice for that attack and uses the better of the two results due to the stalker's precognitive abilities. This art has a duration of 1 + the stalker's Wisdom modifier in rounds.[/spoiler]

Whipping past the bulky ogre, Rhenri's arrow digs into the shoulder of the robed cultist, drawing blood. Undeterred, the same cultist moves forward gesticulating wildly while muttering an incantation from his sleeve he pulls a wad of some kind of material and tosses it at Thedrin's general direction. Upon landing, the wad melts across the floor forming a slick pool.

One of the cultists that looks more heavily armed quickly ducks behind a rock formation, breaking line of sight between himself and your group.

[okay]Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage[/okay]
[warning]Cultist 3 casts a spell.[/warning]
[info]Cultist 1 Moves[/info]
[info]Thedrin to make a reflex save, then go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
[/spoiler]

[info] Reflex save[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 2 + 5, total 7[/blockquote][/info]

As soon as the slick puddle spreads under Thedrin's feet, his boots suddenly lose all traction. A simple shift in his weight while standing was enough to send his feet from under him and deposit his rear solidly on the floor.

     Thedrin carefully picked himself up from the floor and used his tail to retrieve from one of his pouches the vial they had picked up previously. "Your trickery is not enough to fell a true knight! Come at me like with honor!" He yells as he sprinkles the oil across his shoulders.

[info] Move Action: Stand from prone

Swift Action: Retrieve Oil of Enlarge Person

Standard Action: Use Oil of Enlarge Person on self[/info]

Immediately the enchanted oil began to take effect. The metal groaning audibly from the sudden enlargement Thedrin's armor, weaponry, and most importantly his body began to swell in size. When the effect had completed, he now stood at an imposing height matching the ogre across the room.

"Oh now you're right fucked!" Scathach called out, taunting the cultists before letting fly with two arrows aimed at the nearest one. The second arrow found its mark, sinking into the cultists gut causing him to slump to the floor.

[warning]Thedrin is now Large and gains the appropriate size modifiers.[/warning]
[okay]Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage. Cultist 3 is unconscious.[/okay]
[info]Cecilia to go.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
[/spoiler]

Cecilia stood with her brow furrowed in concentration. She got into her pouch and fiddled with some components and spoke in a measured tone. A moment later, a giant spider appeared out in front of the grease trap.

[info] using full round to cast summon monster II, for a giant spider: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/vermin/spider/giant-spider/summoned-creature-giant-spider

I put a teal circle or whatever where it is supposed to spawn on roll 20, lasts for 4 rounds.

[/info]

The spider, materializing out of nowhere, immediately scuttles upon its spindly legs towards the nearest cultist. Stopping out of arms length it swung its backside towards the human and sprayed a sticky web from its spinnerets. The cultist now trapped, attempted to wrestle free but was unable to slip his sticky bonds.

Striding into melee range with heavy lumbering steps, the ogre approaches Thedrin brandishing its greatclub. With a mighty swing the club hummed through the air and caught the paladin full in the side with a crushing blow, denting armor and cracking ribs.

[okay]Summoned Spider webs Cultist 2[/okay]
[okay]Cultist 2 attempts to escape from the web and fails.[/okay]
[error]Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/error]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
[/spoiler]

---

Changing her stance, Rhenri let loose two flaming arrows from behind Thedrin.

[INFO]Current Stance: Leaping Spirit Dance (+2 AC and Reflex Saves, as long as Rhenri moves 10 ft.)
Swift Action: Change stance to Stance of the Piercing Rays
Current Stance: Stance of the Piercing Rays (+1d6 fire damage)
Ki: 3 points remaining
Free: 5 ft. step.
Full-round action: Attack Ogre, Murderous Insight (3 rounds remaining), Rapid Shot, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, no soft cover penalties applied

[blockquote]Attack 1, roll 1 1d20+7 : 4 + 7, total 11[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Attack 1, roll 2 1d20+7 : 9 + 7, total 16[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 3 + 1, total 4[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]

[blockquote]Attack 2, roll 1 1d20+7 : 2 + 7, total 9[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Attack 2, roll 2 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 8 + 1, total 9[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]

Current AC: 19[/INFO]

Rhenri's arrows, traveling at an oblique angle in an attempt to shoot around Thedrin zip past the ogre and plink harmlessly against the ceiling of the mine. Meanwhile the cultist behind the pillar emerges with a hand-axe drawn and stalks toward your group.

[error]Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss[/error]
[info]Thedrin to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
[/spoiler]

     Thedrin Took the blow from the ogre and retaliated with a swing of his own. "Slay the greater beast and we can deal with the cultists after." He Says as he expends more of his power to heal the damage from the ogre's club.

[info]Standard Action: Attack Ogre[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 18 + 7, total 25[/blockquote]     Damage (Slashing)[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+4 : 9 + 4, total 13[/blockquote]
Move Action: Combat Advice to give Cecelia +2 to hit Ogre

Swift Action: Lay on Hands self[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 3, 1, total 4[/blockquote][/info]

Thedrin's attack cut a wide slash across the ogre's chest, cleanly slicing its flesh and producing a figurative waterfall of blood. The beast roared in rage and defiance.

Scathach hopped out from behind her enlarged comrade and quickly fired two attacks, both sticking the ogre, but its thick hide stopped them from penetrating very deeply.

[okay]Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage[/okay]
[okay]Scathach attacks Ogre twice, 3 damage total[/okay]
[info]Cecilia to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage
Scathach shoots Ogre, 3 damage
[/spoiler]

Logic dictates that a human can only be hit by a giant club so many times, even if the human is as stupid as Thedrin. Thinking it best to disarm her foe, Cecilia attempted a magic trick. She coated her fingers in a bit of butter somehow stashed in her reagent pouch, and focused on the ogre's great club, picturing it covered in grease.

[info] Using grease on the ogre's great club: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/g/grease/
Reflex save of DC 15, if failed immediately drops the club, club will be slippery for 3 minutes.

Spells Prepared: Level 1: Mage Armor, Color Spray, Grease
Level 2: Summon Monster II, Web

[/info]

With a thick coat of slippery grease suddenly manifesting on its club, the ogre struggles to retain control of its weapon. Through much effort however, it is able to keep its grip.

Elsewhere, the conjured spider sets upon the imprisoned cultist with its fangs, however despite his bindings, he avoids injury by merit of his armor alone. Continuing to struggle against the web, proves futile however and he remains stuck fast.

The ogre, enraged by Thedrin's savage cut, lashes out with another crushing blow from its greatclub. The force of the strike once again slams Thedrin like a charging bull causing a small trickle of blood to escape his lips with a cough.

[error]Ogre evades grease[/error]
[error]Spider attacks Cultist 2, miss[/error]
[warning]Cultist 2 is still trapped[/warning]
[error]Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/error]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage
Scathach shoots Ogre, 3 damage
Cecilia casts Grease to no effect
Summoned Spider attacks Cultist 2, miss
Ogre attacks Thedrin 12 damage
[/spoiler]
Round 3:
[/spoiler]

     Thedrin continued to swell with righteous fury as the ogre smashed through his guard once again. "Poacher, put an arrow through this brute's throat!" He yelled before swinging at the ogre's knee.

[info]Swift Action: Lay on Hands self[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 1, 1, total 2[/blockquote]
Move Action: Combat Advice to give Scathach +2 to hit ogre

Standard Action: Attack Ogre[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 2 + 7, total 9[/blockquote]     Damage (Slashing)[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote][/info]

---

Seeing the damage Thedrin took, Rhenri focused her ki again.

[INFO]Current Stance: Stance of the Piercing Rays (+1d6 fire damage)
Swift Action: Activate Horizon Wind Lancet (extra 1d6 damage on first attack only)
Maneuvers Used: Horizon Wind Lancet
Ki: 3 points remaining
Full-round action: Attack Ogre, Murderous Insight (2 rounds remaining), Rapid Shot, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Horizon Wind Lancet, no softcover penalties applied

[blockquote]attack 1, roll 1 1d20+7 : 11 + 7, total 18[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 1, roll 2 1d20+7 : 12 + 7, total 19[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 2 + 1, total 3[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
[blockquote]horizon wind lancet, piercing 1d6 : 2, total 2[/blockquote]

[blockquote]attack 2, roll 1 1d20+7 : 13 + 7, total 20[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 2, roll 2 1d20+7 : 17 + 7, total 24[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 7 + 1, total 8[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]

Current AC: 19[/INFO]

[spoiler=Horizon Wind Lancet]HORIZON WIND LANCET
Discipline: Solar Wind (Boost)
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instant
The tenets of the Solar Wind have taught the disciple how to place more force behind his attacks. The initiator inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage on a single ranged attack he makes this round. If the initiator is making multiple attacks in this round, this bonus applies to the first attack the initiator makes.[/spoiler]

This time, Rhenri's arrows struck true, and deeply. The fiery streaks plunged into the ogre's chest and throat and it coughed up a gout of blood before tottering to the side, dead.

The cultist that was moving from behind the pillar broke into a desperate sprint, waving his axe in a wild charge toward Cecilia heedless of the wider reach of Thedrin's enlarged sword.

[okay]Rhenri shoots Ogre, 22 damage. Ogre dies[/okay]
[warning]Cultist 1 charges Cecilia...[/warning]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage
Scathach shoots Ogre, 3 damage
Cecilia casts Grease to no effect
Summoned Spider attacks Cultist 2, miss
Ogre attacks Thedrin 12 damage
[/spoiler]
Round 3:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, 22 damage
[/spoiler]

[info]Attack of Opportunity[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 17 + 7, total 24[/blockquote]     Damage (Slashing)[blockquote]Rolled 1d10+4 : 1 + 4, total 5[/blockquote][/info]

Thedrin caught the cultist with a quick backswing, cutting a gash in his arm as the man charged Cecilia. The wound was sufficient enough to slow the fighter's momentum and prevent his axe from piercing the shimmering barrier surrounding Cecilia.

[okay]Thedrin attacks Cultist 1, 5 damage[/okay]
[okay]Cultist 1 charges Cecilia, miss[/okay]
[info]Thedrin to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage
Scathach shoots Ogre, 3 damage
Cecilia casts Grease to no effect
Summoned Spider attacks Cultist 2, miss
Ogre attacks Thedrin 12 damage
[/spoiler]
Round 3:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, 22 damage
Thedrin AOO Cultist 1, 5 damage
Cultist 1 attacks Cecilia, miss
[/spoiler]

     Thedrin swung his sword in an overhead arc down at the nearest Cultist hoping to use his temporary bulk to smash through the fighter's guard. "We need only finish off these remainders!" He declared as he swung.

[info] Standard Action: Attack Cultist 1[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 8 + 7, total 15[/blockquote]      Damage (Slashing) [blockquote]Rolled 1d10+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote]
Move Action: Combat Advice to give ive Scathach +2 to hit Cultist 1 if he survives or Cultist 2 otherwise[/info]

Thedrin's overhead smash caught the cultist in the shoulder, digging in but not enough to be fatal. The man was bleeding profusely but refused to die. Hopping quickly back into a better position from which to fire, Scathach drew and fired twice yet again. The arrows pierced the cultist neatly in the chest and throat; he was dead before he hit the floor.

Elsewhere, the entangled cultist flew into a blind panic as his cohort died around him. Still bound, but flailing wildly, he swung at the giant spider and through sheer luck struck a potent blow spraying bright yellow hemolymph over everything in the immediate area.

[okay]Thedrin attacks Cultist 1, 8 damage[/okay]
[okay]Scathach shoots Cultist 1 twice, once critically, 15 damage total. Cultist 1 dies.[/okay]
[error]Cultist 2 attacks Summoned Spider, a critical hit, 12 damage[/error]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler=Combat Log]
Roll20 Link (https://app.roll20.net/join/5769518/PNxYsg)
Initiative Order: Rhenri, Caster, Fighter 1, Thedrin, Scathach, Cecilia, Fighter 2, Ogre
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Rhenri shoots Cultist 3, 5 damage
Cultist 3 casts a spell
Thedrin enlarges
Scathach shoots Cultist 3, 7 damage.
Cecilia summons a spider that webs Cultist 2
Ogre attacks Thedrin, 12 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, miss
Thedrin attacks Ogre, 13 damage
Scathach shoots Ogre, 3 damage
Cecilia casts Grease to no effect
Summoned Spider attacks Cultist 2, miss
Ogre attacks Thedrin 12 damage
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 3]Round 3:
Rhenri shoots Ogre, 22 damage
Thedrin AOO Cultist 1, 5 damage
Cultist 1 attacks Cecilia, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 1, 8 damage
Scathach shoots Cultist 1, 15 damage
Cultist 2 attacks Summoned Spider, 12 damage[/spoiler]
Round 4:
[/spoiler]

---

[INFO]Current Stance: Stance of the Piercing Rays (+1d6 fire damage)
Maneuvers Used: Horizon Wind Lancet
Ki: 3 points remaining
Full-round action: Attack Cultist 2, Murderous Insight (1 round remaining), Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, no softcover penalties applied

[blockquote]attack 1, roll 1 1d20+6 : 18 + 6, total 24[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 1, roll 2 1d20+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]

[blockquote]attack 2, roll 1 1d20+6 : 20 + 6, total 26[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 2, roll 2 1d20+6 : 1 + 6, total 7[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8 : 8, total 8[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]

Current AC: 19[/INFO]

[info][blockquote]crit confirm 1d20+6 : 16 + 6, total 22[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 2d8 : 1, 5, total 6[/blockquote][/info]

A quick and accurate barrage of flaming arrows launched from Rhenri's bow made quick work of the thrashing cultist trapped in the summoned spider's web. The sizable arachnid twitched its pedipalps in what could only be construed as glee and made to sink its fangs into the freshly made corpse to drink its innards. However, at that moment the magic which bound it to this plane ended and with it the spider vanished from existence with an audible pop.

A few moments later, the enchanted oil Thedrin had spread on himself wore off and he slowly returned to normal size.

"Well, that could have been worse" Scathach remarked looking at the dead ogre. "I think that one might still be alive though." She pointed to the cultist which had created the pool of grease early in the fight, who though unconscious was still moving and groaning quietly. "Question him or finish him off? It looks like the mine continues around that bend across the chamber."

[info]Encounter over. 666 exp each.[/info]

     Thedrin took a moment to heal himself with his wand now that the battle was over. [info] Expending 2 charges of Wand of Cure Light Wounds (35 renaming)[blockquote]Rolled 2d8+2 : 1, 8 + 2, total 11[/blockquote][/info]

---

With the prisoner, Rhenri couldn't help but remember her time in Valtz Zitadelle, still mentoring under her old master who taught her the skills and arts she now used. She never mastered the art of interrogation, the only time she was allowed to try it, she was sure she seemed more like a bumbling idiot than a threatening assassin. The entire memory turned her off from interrogations since then, preferring to focus and hone her skills with the bow.

"I'm no good with tryin' to tawk em out of somethin'. I'll help with the searchin'." Rhenri said presenting her compromise. She did make it a point to first go over to the unconscious caster, and take anything that looked like it could be used for spellcasting. With that done, she went through each body, looking for anything out of the ordinary or valuables.

[info]Go to unconscious person, strip off anything like weapons, or reagents.

Afterwards, loot each body. Cursory 6-second search once on each body, she'll call out what items are on each, then go through a nat 20 for each if time allows.

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 12 + 7, total 19[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 18 + 7, total 25[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 3 + 7, total 10[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 6 + 7, total 13[/blockquote][/info]

The equipment of the cultists proved to be nothing special, mundane hand axes and chainmail hauberks on the bruisers and normal traveler clothing on the mage. Their pockets, once rifled through, contained a a handful of coins and a vial of pale yellow oil but nothing else of significance. The stinking carcass of the ogre proved to hold nothing of significant value, and its massive weapon would prove too unwieldy to be worth taking.

On the right hand of the unconscious mage however, was an interesting bauble: a signet ring. The gold band bore an enameled seal showing a black wolf's head on a red field. The image was familiar.

[info]Obtained 41 gold and a Vial of Pale Yellow Oil.
A perception check to identify the oil may be made.[/info]

     Thedrin tended to Cecelia with his wand before turning to the captured mage. He took off his gauntlet and then his soft leather underglove. Crouching in from of the tied up mage he slapped the mage with the underglove. "You there, awaken!"

[info] Wand of Cure Light Wounds on self [blockquote]Rolled 1d8+1 : 6 + 1, total 7[/blockquote]Cecelia[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+1 : 2 + 1, total 3[/blockquote][/info]

The cultist woke with a start, having been the first to fall in combat he looked around the chamber in confusion at his slain comrades and the hulking corpse of the ogre.

"Ahhh fuck" he groaned, realizing he was now metaphorically in neck deep shit.

     "As you can see. You are at our mercy."  He stated as he stood. "You bear the crest of his MacArtain. Are you a member of the house or merely sworn to their service?" He said as he held up the ring with a mildly interested look.

[info] Diplomacy[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 14 + 10, total 24[/blockquote][/info]

The cultist blanched at the sight of the ring. "Awww light preserve me... I shoulda taken it off and stashed it..." he grumbled quietly. Realizing there was nothing he could do, and you may kill him if he didn't answer he looked down at the floor and mumbled an answer.

"Aye... I serve for my lord."

     "A pity... A member of the clan would have been a better ransom and a more glorious feat." Said Thedrin, continuing to look at the ring. "Well then, what is your purpose here? Are you the one who raised the dead? Where did the ogre come from? Is your house allied with some ogre tribe? Under the code of chivalry I promise you no harm as long as you answer us truthfully."

The cultist looked at Thedrin silently for a moment, measuring the truth of his promise that he wouldn't be hurt. He did not believe him, but his aversion to pain loosened his tongue anyway.

"The ogre was ensorcelled. Dominated that is. I dunno where it came from, just that we were told to take it and use it for protection. Them dead villagers were for the same purpose. Kill 'em and raise 'em to protect the mine. As for what we's doing here..." He trailed off, looking over at the crates containing the Dark Essence and started to sweat.

"We... we's under orders to... Say, is it getting hot in here?" The cultist interrupted his confession with a question. You hadn't noticed any change in temperature, in fact the mine was quite cool due to it being underground, however the cultist had begun to sweat excessively. Unnaturally in fact, his face had also begun to turn a bright red hue. "Oi, it's hot! Why is it so fucking hot! I feel as if I'm aflame!"

As it were, the man more than "feeling" aflame, actually had caught fire.

The robes he wore, adorned with the same emblem as the ones you fought at the Crow Father's shrine suddenly and violently ignited in an intense flash of heat. The smell of burning flesh, hair, and tallow infuses the air with its rankness as the man begins to scream and thrash wildly.

     "Water!" Shouts Thedrin as he draws his wand to try and prevent the man from succumbing to the flame.

Wand of Cure Light Wounds on Cultist[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+1 : 2 + 1, total 3[/blockquote]

Cecilia conjures water, creating a mass of water above the burning man and letting it cascade down onto him in her attempt to put out the fire.

[info] gonna conjure as much water as needed to put this guy out, can make 6 gallons at once.

also whenever this is resolved and good Cecilia will look at the vial of liquid, since i'll probably be at work.
perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 15 + 3, total 18[/blockquote]
[/info]

A large globe of water swirls its way out of nothingness above the flaming cultist, before splashing down and effectively extinguishing the fire. Simultaneously Thedrin makes use of his wand attempting to keep the man alive.

Alas, it is for naught. Though the fire has been put out the cultist has succumbed to the flames and is left as a smoldering corpse, his blackened body grimly contorted and devoid of life.

"Well shit, now what?" Scathach asks. "What caused him to catch fire like that you think?"

[info]The vial is found to contain Oil of Light, functioning as the Light cantrip.[/info]

     "Not sure... some kind of enchantment perhaps that ensures their servants hold their tongue? Such things were popular in Albion a long time ago when the noble houses were less civilized and direct assaults by armsmen were more common. I wouldn't be surprised if such barbaric spells were still in use here."  Said Thedrin with a frown at the charred corpse. "Perhaps there is something in the crates." 
[info] Perception to check the crates and the room in general, taking 20 if possible.[blockquote]Rolled 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote][/info]

A careful examination of the crates shows they hold large quantities of the dangerous Dark Essence crystals. Whatever the cultists were doing here they either required a significant amount of them or had been creating them somehow. The unexplored northern passage of the mine beckons and may hold more secrets, or perhaps answers.

     "More crystals... well judging by the minion's knowledge and skill, I think the one that dominated that ogre is still at large. I say we look deeper into the mine to find them and maybe some more satisfying answers. If everyone is ready?" Asked Thedrin as he raised his shield and motioned to the further passage.

Your party moves on from the carnage of the previous battle, the lightly steaming corpse of the cultist still radiating the stench of burnt flesh and hair. At the north of the mine, is another opening where it looks like the cavern continues on. As you round the corner however, you find that there wasn't much else to explore as what looked like a passageway was more of a small natural alcove.

More importantly however is what, or who is occupying that alcove.

A chill runs up your spine and crawls into your brain like a hundred electric spiders made of pure fear. Standing as still as a statue in the center of a large binding circle is a gaunt and skeletal figure. Its skin is stretched tight over its pronounced skull, forming a disquieting rictus grin full of yellowing aged teeth. A silver diadem rests on it's brow inches above a pair of softly glowing crimson lights that pierce you with a gaze set far back in long emptied sockets.

It casually sweeps its "eyes" across your party, lingering for a moment on Thedrin's longsword; the one he received from the skeletal knight in the barrow.

"My, isn't this a surprise?" the creature says, its mouth unmoving. The whispering sound of its "voice" is both nails on a chalkboard and a rumbling bass that reverberates in your ears long after it finishes speaking. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

     Thedrin scrutinized the being and held his sword at the ready. There was something familiar about it that he was trying to remember. He focused his attention on the creature, then its diadem, and finally the circle surrounding it.

[info] Knowledge (Religion) to try and identify the lich. (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+4 : 14 + 4, total 18

Detect Evil in the lich, it's diadem, and the circle[/info]

[info]Knowledge: Religion
Thedrin racks his brain for any relevant information, but the most he can come up with is that he is definitely looking at a lich.[/info]

Thedrin's alignment detecting magics returned immediate results. The diadem around the lich's forehead held not even the faintest of evil aura's, nor did the binding circle the lich stood in. The lich however, radiated a strong evil, the nature of which he could not be sure.

"If you stare that intently you'll make me blush" the lich said with a soft dry chuckle. It raised one of its skeletal hands, the taught skin like leather creaking softly, and poked a boney finger toward the outer bounds of the circle. Surprisingly, or not depending on how one looked at it, there was a slight tapping sound as if one was drumming on a window pane. "As you can see, I am going nowhere quickly. Shall we talk? I do enjoy good conversation, and I so rarely get the chance for it. My previous company was so unpleasantly rude... What became of them do you know?"

     Thedrin was struck with the memory. "You're a lich! Just like in the story of sir Ebonwall." He looked at the circle and noted the effect it had on the lich. "And... You're trapped aren't you?"

"Very observant" the lich replied. "Yes I am unable to leave this circle. At the moment."

     "What are you up to then?" Asked Thedrin, not lowering his guard at all. In all the stories, the heroes had some magic weapon to use against such a fell creature and his old sword, while well made, was surely mundane in origin. Meaning that their heroic band was likely no match for the beast. "Are you the one that controlled the ogre? What do you need with the magic crystals?"

The lich scoffed. "Clearly I'm standing here bound against my will in a dank mine in the middle of nowhere. Did you think I'd done this to myself?" It waved its hand dismissively before continuing. "The ogre whom I assume is dead, bravo by the way, was under the thrall of those robed miscreants. I'm not sure how exactly they came about accomplishing it, judging by the meagre skill of their mages. I would assume perhaps someone dominated the thing for them."

He paused for a moment, assuming it had been a 'he' in life, and you could swear his eyes were once again lingering on Thedrin's sword with mild interest. A moment later though he continued. "Those crystals" he began, and the hint of anger was detectable in the unpleasant scraping sound of his voice, "Were manufactured by those miserable hooligans by way of an advanced ritual, again I stress that it was magic beyond their capability and they must have been instructed in its use. The ritual in question forcibly removed a not insignificant portion of my own magical essence."

The lich tapped at the boundary with its finger once more, probing. "One of a minor few reasons why I find myself confined in such a manner... Rest assured though, I will make my escape eventually in time. I do have so very much time"

"But of course... if you are inclined we might be able to come to a bargain regarding that." He spread his arms before him, palms upturned in a gesture that was probably meant to be reassuring.

     "A bargain? Why would we bargain with you? You're villainous to the core I'm sure. How else did you get trapped in here in the first place?"

"Villainy is a matter of perspective" the lich replied wagging a bony finger. "Is it a crime to seek knowledge? To pursue improvement? My quest required more time than the fleeting lifespan of a human, and so my path has lead me to the immortal form you see before you." He folded his hands in front of him in a neutral gesture. "The price was heavy and sacrifices had to be made, as with any great work. All things considered though, I'm sure in the eyes of a goblin you are every bit as villainous as I to you. I have no love for wanton chaos, all things must serve a purpose. Cogs in the divine wheel so to speak."

"Let me be clear, I was brought here after being imprisoned. I imagine by whatever master those fools you dealt with serve. I was minding my own business, in a place far from here, when suddenly I was blindsided by potent magics and found myself bound in this cavern."

The lich gestured at the binding circle at his feet. "Which brings us back to the topic of bargains. Outside this cave is an extraordinary number of undead" he paused for a moment as if thinking "I estimate a horde of at least ten thousand, give or take. These retched husks are doing one of two things, converging upon your location as I am certain you alerted them to your presence; or wandering off as a group in search of warm flesh elsewhere. Do you see where I am going with this?" He held out his hands palm up as if they were a scale to weigh his proposal. "Free me, and I will negate the magics that animate these corpses. Then I will leave, to return to my seclusion and studies."

---

"Youa askin' a mighty lot from us to trust ye'd just leave. If we happen ta free you, we'd be at youa mercy. Nothin' stoppin' you from doin' us in. Now, for regular folks, they have an inklin' of guilt, not ta mention most of the tiyum they'd rather not be chased by them authorities. If it comes to it, potential victims can try ta defend themselves, too, or make a ruckus to call for help. Out here, there's none of that. And defendin' ourselves against someone who requires strong magic to keep them in check? I reckon that's suicide. So, that leaves us to trust you to youa word."

"The difference between them zombies out there to you, is that I know the zombies want to kill us, but we still have the tiyum to potentially run and escape. But if we were ta free you now, we wudden have that option. I cain't speak for my companions, but me puttin' my life in someone's hands iden something so easily given."

"How do we free you anyways?" Rhenri asked, trying to think of a solution to the potential problem.

"Very pragmatic of you. An admirable quality" the lich answered with a slow nod. "It is true, if I desired I could kill you with a thought. Less than that even, truly. You are right to be cautious. As I said though, chaos does not serve my disposition. A bargain struck is sacrosanct, for what is someone worth but their word alone?"

"So I give you my word, an oath, upon my name Ialdukas. If you free me, I will dispel the undead horde surrounding this location and leave in peace." The lich placed a pale skeletal hand upon his chest and bowed as low as his confinement would allow.

"The enchantment binding me can be most easily removed by breaking the outer circle of this diagram." He pointed to the largest surrounding line in the magic circle.

     "An oath?"  Inquired Thedrin with a narrowed gaze. He was unsure how honorable a lich might be and instinctively distrusted the vile creature but... even the most notoriously nefarious houses of Albion were afforded the right to swear a binding oath. He sighed and relented. "I guess we have no choice. As loath as I am to trust this creature, an oath made under parlay is to be respected and honored. No matter who, or what makes it. So then... who wants to do it?" He finished on a somewhat apprehensive note and looked to the others. Even with his mind made up he was deeply unsettled at the idea of freeing the lich.

     No other volunteers stepping forward, Thedrin looks back to the lich. "Now remember, you made an oath." He said as he edged forward up to the outer edge of the circle. Never taking his eyes off the lich, he scratched away part of the ring with the tip of his sword.

"Of course" the lich replied, observing Thedrin closely as he approached the diagram and drew his blade across the outer ring.

When the binding ring was broken there was a soft but noticeable rush of air as the magic barrier surrounding the lich fell away. The powerful undead was still for a moment, and then stretched languidly. "Ahhh... You don't know how good that feels. Now about our bargain..."

The lich raised a hand, slowly, and the tension in the small alcove reached an unbearable thickness. For an agonizing moment it became apparent that perhaps freeing him was a terrible, terrible, mistake. The sharp pop of his bony fingers snapping quickly was enough to make Scathach jump and let out a quiet squeak. "There, done. As promised all nine thousand four-hundred and fifty-two villagers from that charming nearby hamlet have been de-animated. Which is to say that the enchantment has been lifted and they are now ordinary corpses. Regrettable I know, but such is... life."

The lich turned away from your group and waved a hand in front of him. From nothing a brilliant portal of shimmering light burst into existence with a great rushing of air. "And now I will take my leave. Our meeting was most pleasant, but I do hope that was our last. Incidentally, that sword you carry, how did you come by it?" he asked, eyeing Thedrin's sword once more as he stood before his magical doorway.

     "It was won in combat with its original owner." Replied Thedrin with a continuing look at the lich.  "An undead that fell before us." Replied Thedrin with a little extra punctuation. "Now, you've held up the first half of your bargain... The second?" He said, with a motion to the portal as if to urge the creature along.

The lich chuckled softly, "I'm sure he fought bravely."

Turning once more to the portal, the lich passed through its glimmering outline and out of sight, the door snapping shut to a single point of light and then vanishing completely. Nearby Scathach let out an audible sigh of relief. "Fuck me, that was something."

     Thedrin also let out a breath, not having realized how long he had held it in waiting for the lich to depart. "A horrid and treacherous creature. We're lucky it kept up its end of the bargain. Such beings are quite difficult to slay if the stories are to be believed. Sir Ebonwall had to use an ensorcelled blade that was said to be its only weakness to vanquish the lich of the Wailing Keep. We lack anything so powerful." He said, looking at the now inert circle. "I guess we should go outside and see if any of the zombies escaped the lich's spell."

Departing the mine as a group, you come back out into the sunlight and fresh air and it is immediately apparent that the lich made good on his promise. Not too far from the entrance of the mine you are able to see the collapsed and immobile bodies of the nearest section of the zombie horde. The villagers have been released from the curse of undeath, and have once again become regular corpses. It is a bittersweet victory, but the outcome was likely unavoidable.

"Well, we know what happened, we've dealt with it, and learned something important in the process" Scathach said, looking at the bodies ruefully. "Should we head back to the village and find those kids before going back to the capital?"

     "I supposed so. We can probably find an orphanage or something for them back in the capitol." Replied Thedrin a he looked at the bodies littering the fields outside the mine. "We best hurry before the zombies start to decay now that no foul magics are preserving them. This whole town is about to smell like a butcher's offal pile"

"If wild dogs don't get them first" Scathach said, flatly. "Damn shame."

Taking the train back to town is a trivial matter of repeating the process that got you to the mine, but flipping a lever to send the vehicle in the opposite direction. When you arrive back in the village, the children are sitting on a low stone wall near the station awaiting your return.

"You get the bastards?" Eeada asks, the half spear resting on her lap.

     "The cultists and their ogre are dead." Replied Thedrin. "Now come along children. There's nothing left in this town for you but the dead. We'll find you some form of guardianship back in the capitol." He said with a snap of his fingers

"Good" The girl replied without emotion and spat.

"Got an uncle in Caer Mog" Duny piped up. "He might take us in. Runs an inn there, the something Diamond I think."

"Either way we're going to need a cart. I don't fancy riding double for a week." I'll go take a look for one while the kids pack up what they can.

Roughly half an hour later, Scathach returned with a small cart easily drawable by a single horse. The three children piled into the back with the belongings they couldn't do without and you left Baile Fada behind, heading east to Caer Mog."

[info]Perception checks required.[/info]

[info] Perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 1 + 2, total 3[/blockquote][/info]

[info] perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 16 + 3, total 19[/blockquote]

---

[info][blockquote]Perception 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote][/info]

A few days out of Baile Fada, about halfway to Caer Mog, Scathach turns in the saddle to address the group. "Don't look now but I think we're being followed."

Cecilia had also noticed the group of riders that had been shadowing your party for the better part of the day. They had stayed far enough from the road to avoid all but the keenest eye, yet close enough to ensure they could chase you down if need be. It is unclear what their intentions are, but most likely they are far from good.

"Do you want to make a run for it? If we're lucky we could lose them entirely, at the very least put enough distance between us that we get to town first."

Caer Mog was still two days away, and the children you were escorting would need protecting if the mysterious group caught up with you.

     Thedrin looked back at the pursuers. "Mere bandits? Or perhaps allies of the cultists we killed? Regardless, I'm sure they're up to no good. I say we confront them. If they have any sense they will surrender to us or die by our righteous judgement." He said as he tried, mostly in vain, to try and get a solid count of the other party.

"Do they ever surrender?" Scathach asked rhetorically. "We have kids to protect, should we really be picking a fight we can easily avoid?"

     "Then they will fall before us. We can prepare for their attack. I'm sure the wizard has some spell that can disable enough of them to turn the tide in our favor. If they're from the MacArtain clan we might be able to capture another prisoner, hopefully one that isn't enchanted like the last one. Physical evidence is quite useful but a cunning aristocrat will have prepared some alibi to account for this. A live prisoner would do much more to prove our accusations."  Replied Thedrin.

Your group halts on the road, waiting, watching the other party. The mysterious pursuers come to a halt soon after you, from this distance you still can't get a good read on who they might be but you aren't left in suspense for very long.

A lone rider approaches from their number. It takes a few minutes for them to get close enough but eventually you can see it is in fact a man, very lightly armed, and wearing nothing one might consider protective gear. He reins in his horse about a hundred feet from you, and the air bristles with the anticipation of violence. Eventually he speaks: "Uhh hey there... Travelers? Where are you heading?" The man glances nervously at your weapons, and the children in the cart.

     "We are on an important mission for the Righ. And where we go is none of your concern." Replied Thedrin, giving the group a good looking over. "Who are you? And why are you following us?"

[info]Perception check to try and get a count of the enemies numbers and any threats they might be trying to conceal.[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 11 + 2, total 13[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Thedrin perception:
It seems the group is comprised of about six people if you include the rider that approached your party. Unfortunately at this distance it is difficult to tell how well armed they might be.[/info]

The man shuffles nervously in his saddle, somewhat intimidated. "Urrr.. right I suppose it ain't really." He glances over his shoulder at his group. "Well its not so much that we're following, as it is we're going in the same direction I expect. We're heading to Caer Mog, escaped the village when everyone started getting turned into zombies and hid outside for a couple days trying not to get eaten. When all the zombies dropped we thought it would be safe to leave and that's when we saw your group. You're pretty well armed and you've got those kids in the cart so we wasn't sure if you were bandits or some such and kept our distance."

     "Other survivors..." Repeated Thedrin as he tried to take a gauge of the supposed villagers. "Children, do you recognize any of these people?" He asked, not turning his back on the other party.

[info]Sense motive to try and gauge the truthfulness of the villager's story [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 6 + 4, total 10[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Sense Motive: The villager appears to be telling the truth.[/info]

Eeada sat up from where the children had hunkered down expecting violence and scrutinized the man. "Oh, that's Keelan Ryan! The butcher's eldest son. You made it out? We thought everyone was dead."

"Eeada? That's a shock, where's your mum?" Keelan replied.

"Dead." Eeada responded flatly, looking away.

"Ah... right... Sorry."

     Thedrin took one last appraising look before taking his hand off the pommel of his sword. "Then I suppose we're headed the same way after all." He said as he turned to get back into the cart. As he got up to the driver's bench he was struck with a thought. "Tell me... what did you see if the cultists? Did you manage to catch anything that might have identified them? A banner or mention of their leader perhaps."

"To be honest, I was paying more attention to getting away from zombies than looking to see how was making them" Keelan replied. "Though maybe one of the others got a better look." He turned in the saddle to the group of villagers in the distance and waved animatedly, indicating they should come down.

A few minutes later, the other group had joined yours. Keelan asked the others the question you had posed him, and though most had replied similarly about trying to escape, a young woman mentioned she had overheard something that could be useful.

"Before the zombies started attacking folks I overheard one of those robed fellows talking about reportin' back to a Peadaran L

     "I see... well then let us continue on our way. We have business in the town. You can come with us as long as you wish." Said Thedrin as he drove the horses.

The villagers express their thanks for allowing them to travel with you, there is safety in numbers after all.

Location: Caer Mog
Date: Fabri 6, 796
Time: 1800

After a few days of relatively uneventful travel you once again find yourselves in the town of Caer Mog. The group of villagers depart from your party with thanks, off to seek a way to pick up the pieces of their lives. Meanwhile Duny points the way to his uncle's inn, The Unbreakable Diamond.

Duny's uncle it so happened, is an absurdly muscular gentleman. His heart proves twice as large as his muscles though, and agrees readily to accept guardianship of the children. He offers his sincere gratitude for protecting his nephew and provides you with free room and board for the night.

The following morning you arise and make preparations to continue to the capital. As you leave the inn Eeada, Duny, and little Moira meet you at the stables.

"Thank you, again, for punishing them. I know our parents ain't coming back... But it helps to know it won't happen again" Eeada says, watching you gather your things in the cart. There is a haunted look in her eyes that will take some time to fade, but perhaps your efforts will have started the process. Duny nods in agreement, Moira clinging to his side.

---

Location: Aite Aerd
Date: Fabri 13, 796
Time:1200

Arriving once again in the capital, you have a moment to decide how to proceed.

"Straight to the Righ then? Or should we try to arrange a private audience to report? If MacArtain really is responsible for what happened in that village it might be a good idea not to tip him off he's been discovered, and surely he'll be at court."

     "About that..." Thedrin said as he looked around the apartment granted to them by the Righ and going over to open the curtains and look out the window to the street below on the off chance some cunning rogue was clinging to the wall. "As a bunch of commoners, I doubt you would understand the complexity of our situation." He said, after closing the window and blinds and pulling back towards the interior of the room.  "Supposedly these MacArtains are a quite powerful house and we don't quite know who might swear to them in court. If enough of the court is allied to them, a mere signet ring will easily be explained off as either stolen or forged without its bearer available for interrogation and in the worst case we might be imperiled with counter-accusations of trying to sully their clan name. Unfortunately the word of an honorable knight seems of limited use in this backwater so my pedigree will not aid us here. We need to keep what evidence we do have as secret as possible until we can strike a decisive blow..."  He said as he held up the signet ring.
     "We need to figure out where loyalties lie and who we can trust before we expose the MacArtains at court."  He continued as he returned the signet ring to a secure inner pocket of his doublet. "I'm not sure that going straight to the Righ, even in privacy would be wise. He's too powerful a figure to not have a housemaid or dozen employed as spies that would note our arrival and possibly surveil our meeting. I think we should continue our investigation of the MacArtains and build a support base at court, letting the Righ in on our endeavors only once everything is in place."

Scathach narrowed her eyes at the suggestion that she was incapable of understanding the obnoxious intricacies of court intrigue, but let the comment slide.

"Ok then. To that end, what do you suggest we do?"

     "Well first we will need to report that we were successful in our quest. We will do so in front of the court but omit any mention of the MacArtain clan. If we chalk the incident up to the machinations of some cult we were unable to identify it will hopefully throw off any suspicions of what we truly uncovered. After that we will need to follow up on that name the villager mentioned and find this Peadaran the cultists were supposed to report to while we rally support at court."

"Alright. And who are we planning to convince first?"

     "When in doubt look for the oldest allies. The clan Foirbeiseach was apparently a stalwart friend to the ruling clan in their civil war and one of the more influential houses. I think they would benefit most from ruining the MacArtains and would be most likely to assist us."

"If that seems like the best way to do it, alright. Should we go report then?"

     "Yes, let's."  Answered Thedrin. "From now on we must be very careful. We can't openly discuss this matter. Keep an eye out for any eavesdroppers or spies. Now, onward to the court."

Arriving at the keep a short walk later, you check in with the guard who leads you down the now familiar corridors to the audience chamber. After a brief wait at the doors, you are announced.

As usual, the gallery and lower level of the audience chamber has its fair share of high society types and Righ Marr is seated on his throne.

"The champions return! What news of Baille Fada?"

     "Grim news my lord." Replied Thedrin with a bow. "The town was attacked by cultists that were trying to make more of those dark crystals. They massacred most of the townsfolk with the assistance of an ogre and had raised them as undead by the time we arrived. We slew the cultists and their ogre but only a few in the town have survived."

The righ's countenance darkened immediately, his right hand clenching into a tight fist on the arm of his throne.

"Bastards! Nearly the entire village slaughtered!? You say the cultists were creating more of those crystals there? How? To what purpose were so many lives lost!?"

He turned to the nearest guard. "Send a runner to the west garrison, I want a battalion out to Baile Fada to investigate further... and to honor the dead."

The guard left the chamber with a salute, and the righ returned his attention to your group. The murmurs of the gallery were animated, but low enough you couldn't distinguish any individual conversations. "Give me every detail, starting with how these cultists were producing more crystals..."

     "We do not know exactly how the crystals are created. The only cultist we were able to interrogate expired before we could get more information and no survivors actually witnessed the creation of the crystals." A statement that was ultimately true as far as Thedrin was concerned. The lich having supposedly been inconveniently unconscious when the cultists were working.  "We found evidence of some ancient evil creature that we suspect was involved in the process but we still are not sure how it all works. The creature has left the town and we unfortunately are not sure where it might have gone. We would like your highness's permission to pursue this lead."

"Of course, and should you need anything to assist in your investigation do not hesitate to ask. I'll furnish you with a writ that will allow you to procure any supplies you may need from the guardhouse stores. What manner of creature was it do you believe?"

A few moments later a page appeared bearing a rolled parchment in a document tube bearing the royal seal, handing it to whomever was close enough to take it.

[info]Obtained Writ of Investigation
This royal decree gives the holder the ability to requisition supplies from various stockpiles around Aite Aerd and other settlements around Thuinich. Generally mundane and sundry goods, occasionally these supply stores will have more useful things stashed away. The writ is both temporary and limited, once your investigation is over it will no longer be usable. [/info]

     "We believe it was a lich." Answered Thedrin as he took the writ from the page. "Thank you my lord, I'm sure this writ will be of great use to us." Thedrin continued with a look up to the galleries. "As well as I'm sure that the many clans of Aite-Aerd would also be willing to assist us by allowing us access to their libraries so that we might be able to research this ancient beast. Surely with the generous aid of such mighty houses we will have no problem tracking down the creature."

[info]Diplomacy[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 8 + 10, total 18[/blockquote][/info]

"But of course, anything to aid the heroes of Telan." A familiar voice rings out over the mumbling of the courtiers, turning you see the smiling face of Bhenneit MacMhata who helped you months ago when you first arrived at the city. "My considerable library is at your disposal."

"Aye, all right." A second voice replies, spurred on by Bhenneit's offer. The voice belongs to a courtier you've not had any direct dealing with, despite your stay in the capital during the Dark Time. "I'll send a courier to your apartments with an invitation."

"As will I." A third called out, this time a woman, past the years of youth but still quite comely. You recall her as Mave Ni Scurra from one of the parties you attended at the start of the year. You also recall she was particularly flirtatious and unmarried, a dangerous combination...

With no others offering the use of their libraries the court proceedings move on and eventually you make your exit back to the streets of the capital.

"Three leads, to start with. Where do you want to go first?" Scathach asks.

     "Three leads, but none of the major clans except the MacMhata. I'm not quite sure where our established benefactor stands in all of this." As they walked back towards the apartment. "I guess we will need to start with the smaller clans. MacMhata I think can wait until we have talked to the others. Supposedly they were neutral in the war but sometimes not stepping into the fight throws in as much with one side as if they had committed troops to an assault."  He mused as they reached the apartment. Once again safely inside he continued. "I suppose we actually have to research this lich if we're going to keep up the pretext to meet with the different clans. I didn't expect the Righ to be so interested in the beast but it does provide us an excellent cover... I believe Mave Ni Scurra would be the best place to start. While not the most powerful house, she likes to hold parties and might know more about where everyone stands in court."

No more than an hour later, two couriers arrive at the apartment. Each bears an invitation from their respective master, Mave Ni Scurra and Eoin Mac Canann. Presumably, Bhenneit knows you'll be arriving at some point and will instruct his housekeepers to let you in.

Having settled on visiting the Scurra household first, you set off for the address listed on the invitation. A short walk later you find yourselves outside a sizable manse with a manicured garden in front. Presenting the small card you received to the guard gains you passage and once past the garden and through the front door you arrive in the manse's foyer.

"There you are... I was hoping you'd come by soon. You made the right choice, Eoin is a bore." Mave says descending a sweeping staircase and eyeing your group lasciviously.

     "But of course. I was hoping for another chance to visit after that party you held during the dark time." Answered Thedrin with a bow. "If only we could have met under a festive occasion as then, but duty i suppose is just as good an excuse."

"Indeed" Mave replied, with a slight smile. "And as duty binds so tightly, I imagine you will want to get started in the library as soon as possible. There will be time for the pleasure of company after, if you would all do me the honor of staying for dinner."

     "Yes, I'm sure that we will have plenty of time for entertainment after we have had a chance to look through your library. Speaking of, which way was it again?" Asked Thedrin.

"Just down this hall, follow me please." Mave said, gesturing to the hall in question before beginning down it. After passing a few doors she stopped at one on your right, and opened it into the library.

The room in question contained two small tables with accompanying chairs, a pair of high backed reading chairs that looked particularly comfortable, and several low book shelves with a few rows of books on each. Covering three of the four walls were floor to ceiling shelves rising only about a story in height, a small ladder on a rail ran along these shelves to provide ease of access to the higher rows of books. The fourth wall had a fireplace and above its mantle was a large, well rendered, oil painting of a buxom woman riding a horse completely nude. There was a passing similarity between the woman in the painting, and your host.

"You'll have to forgive me, the books are not organized in any particular manner. It's never been a concern for me you see. I'll send a maid to collect you when supper is ready. I hope you find something of use." Mave commented, somewhat apologetically before leaving you to your research.

[info]To search the library for information, you must do two things:
1. Declare a general subject or specific topic
2. Make an appropriate skill roll

Applicable skills from easiest to hardest are: Applicable knowledge, Perception, and Intelligence

Each round of searches takes about two hours, divided between finding a suitable book and scanning its contents for useful (or not so useful) information. Each member of the party may conduct their own search within each two hour time frame, or assist another to help find a more useful book. Dinner is in roughly four hours.
[/info]

     Mave gone, Thedrin put his hand on his hips and looked at the bookshelves, his gaze lingering on the painting. "Well I suppose we should get started. I think we should first see if we can learn anything about the ritual the cultists are using to produce the crystals. It might help us figure out who is in league with the MacArtain clan." He said as he walked over to one of the shelves and began to look at the spines.

[info] Knowledge Religion check to research the ritual used to make the crystals. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 8 + 4, total 12[/blockquote][/info]

Cecilia worked her way through the library looking for titles that may catch her eye. Focused on the arcane, looking for clues about what the cultists may be doing.
[info] Knowledge Arcana. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 19 + 8, total 27[/blockquote]
[/info]

A few hours of browsing the shelves and reading what you find reveals the following:

[info]Thedrin:
With Rhenri's help you found a thin scholarly book regarding esoteric rituals and crystal spellcraft, emphasis on thin. The text was apparently a copy of a doctoral thesis from the mages academy in Albion, purchased by Mave presumably on a whim. What information it contained relevant to your search was limited by your own understanding of ritualistic spellcraft. None the less it confirmed that luminiferous aether, the potent energies from which spells are drawn, can be crystalized via a catalyst. These catalysts can range widely in form, and can include the life forces of creatures if the caster lacks a moral compass. In the end the thesis seems to have only lent credence to the claims of the lich that his energies were siphoned to create the crystals in the cave.[/info]

[info]Cecilia:
Considering your recent encounter with the cultists at the long forgotten shrine of the Crowfather, you decide to examine a thick leather bound tome entitled Aetherum: Mysteries of the Quintessence and the Elementalis Bestiae.
An examination of the text reveals it to be a treatise on the connection between aether and primal beasts. Despite being fairly technical and written over a century ago you are able to glean some useful information from its pages. Primal beasts, according to the tome, are for all intent and purpose sentient and sapient concentrations of pure aether. Their physical forms are coalesced by the collective unconscious of the people that believe in their existence. Simply put, they are pure magic given form by mass belief or worship. The theory is corroborated by your own experience and the words of the Crowfather, your act of "worship" by delivering his symbol to the altar gave him enough "power" to manifest properly before you. If a primal falls out of regular worship, they slowly lose their power and being until they return to the aether of which they are formed.
The treatise also posits that with sufficient aether channeled from an outside source, it should be theoretically possible to influence a primal beast in various ways. This idea though is purely academic, as primals are elusive and mercurial beings that rarely interact with mortals, thus it has never been tested. Not to mention that attempting to do so may incur the wrath of a being which exists outside the bounds of mortal power.[/info]

[info]Scathach:
Not being much of an academic, Scathach spent her time perusing the library for anything that seemed to "jump out at her" as she put it. In the end, she only managed to find a small book of genealogy regarding the nobles of Aite Aerd. The passage regarding the Canann clan was woefully scant, but there was a bit mentioning their allying with the Marr clan during the War of the Wolves.[/info]

     Thedrin set the book down on his chest as he reclined in one of the chairs with his feet up and looked up at the painting yet again. The research was extremely tedious and he found his mind constantly wandering every time he tried to get more than a paragraph into the dull books. He kept staring at the panting, wondering if it was Mave or one of her ancestors and just how accurate it must be. He let out a loud yawn before returning to the book he had picked out in an attempt to figure out of there was something special about the lich that had made the cultists choose to try and use it for the ritual.

[info]Knowledge Religion to see what would make the best catalyst targets for the ritual for crystallized aether. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 4 + 4, total 8[/blockquote][/info]

Intrigued by the primal beasts, Cecilia sought to seek mentions of similar things across the magical planes, as it might lead to a better idea of what she's dealing with.

[info]
Knowledge Planes: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 3 + 8, total 11[/blockquote]
[/info]

---

Much like Scathach, Rhenri was never well-versed with any book learnings. The few academics she was taught, if it could be called academics, were related with the various martial disciplines instead. So, just like her fellow marksman, she looked around the library looking for anything that could be of interest to share with either Cecilia or Thedrin.

[info][blockquote]Perception 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote][/info]

Your continued research proves less fruitful as time goes on, revealing nothing of note. Before long a gentle knock on the library door heralds the arrival of a maid coming to collect you for dinner.

Awaiting you in the lavish dining room is an impressive spread of sumptuous dishes as well as your host, who seems to be enjoying the fact she has company.

"Please, take a seat and enjoy. I hope my library proved useful?"

     "It was most helpful." Replied Thedrin as he began to tuck into the appetizers. "I belive we have made good progress on our research into this mysterious threat. I must say though, I'm surprised that more clans were not as forthcoming with aid as yourself. An unknown cult manages to set about on some nefarious task and yet only a few houses seemed willing to assist us."

"Dull isn't it?" Maev said taking a long drink from her glass of wine. "They're playing it safe. Politically that is. Half the clans rose to their meager levels of prominence in recent history, so they try to toe the line between supporting the Righ and arousing the ire of Uisdean and allies to his clan. Just because Thuinich isn't in open civil war doesn't mean your family can't be crushed in other ways. Financially, being turned into a social pariah, 'unfortunate accidents'... Though we haven't had one of those in quite a while."

Maev took a beat to pluck some sort of tasty morsel from a nearby plate and pop it into her mouth. After a moment of polite chewing she continued: "The fools don't realize that avoiding enemies, prevents them from making friends."

     "How shocking." Replied Thedrin, hoping to look aghast. "Just how bad is the political situation that such things can happen? What kinds of allies must swear themselves to the MacArtain's side to have cowed the lesser houses to such a degree?"

"Saoirse MacCaibe for one. She controls nearly half the trade in the city, and while I support a woman coming to power, frankly the woman is a vicious bitch and I can't stand her. She's particularly ruthless in matters of business, and I suspect the only reason she hasn't completely driven out her competitors is Bhenneit marshaling what he calls a 'trade union'. That and he's much more personable."

Maev took a sip of wine before continuing: "Regardless, Saoirse has enough financial might that she can put the squeeze on smaller houses outside of Bhenneit's union and that keeps them sufficiently out of the way in any really important matters of state. Naturally, her clan have been in bed with the Macartain's since the beginning and their interests align."

"Uisdean, on the other hand... commands something of a more forceful obedience. It's no secret his clan have been angling to usurp the throne since they lost the war. He's backed financially by the MacCaibe's, and his own clan has been playing the long game for quite some time. Marriages, back room dealing, the occasional 'accident' during a friendly duel or hunting trip; all tools he's more than happy to employ. He lacks dea-chlu, you'd call it 'honor' in the south, but here its something with more nuance. The point being, he has his dirty fingers in a lot of pies and its hard to tell which ones he left shit in."

     ["How..."/b] Thedrin stopped himself from saying barbarous. "Complex... What of the Righ? What clans still show him their support? Surely they must count some allies to their banner?"