The story so far... (Thread remade because once a poll has been added to a thread, it may never be removed)
After being rendered homeless in a surprise attack by the city-state known as the Skell Hold, a group of six youngsters made their way to the closest neighboring walled city of Guiston for shelter after their home village fell. There, they worked odd jobs and trained to gain the strength and skills they would need if they were to have any hope of either spearheading or joining an effort to free their families from the Skell and their unprecedented mass mind control. Hard work and a few lucky breaks saw the group become acquainted with some individuals that held some sway in Guiston's political arena, but before a rescue plan could be formulated, the Skell attacked Guiston using the city's corrupt ruling class and infrastructure against it.
Rescuing the people the youngsters had come to care for gave them an unexpected boon to make a stand as they fought to end the attack and avoid further tragedy. Though the losses were great, Guiston survived the attack and the youngsters managed to foil the Skell's plans to harvest a dangerous magical substance far beneath the city. Though the city was weakened badly and would need time to rebuild before they would have the resources necessary to launch any kind of rescue mission to help the youngsters and their home village, the grateful Guiston offered the group the teachings and training they would need going forth to set out on their own. A powerful ally also offered a solution to at least keep the people from harm until the group could find the necessary support to free the captive population, giving the youngsters at least some peace of mind as they quested for a means to save their home.
Meanwhile, a small escort caravan is checking on an outpost for another large settlement that they had lost contact with. The caravan has a number of paid mercenaries simply performing escort duties and have discovered that the outpost is under siege by a force that hasn't been seen before and are working to evacuate the survivors, and have no idea that their fate will soon be joined with the survivors of Hon those months ago.
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
(Sorry again. Ugh! I'm just trying to get my feet under myself. Since everyone except for Hyre is caught up, I guess we'll just keep rollin.)
Berker and Erich have some difficulty keeping track of the trail that leads them to the cave system where the creatures are believed to be launching their attacks from. The terrain is quite rough around here; it must have been a quarry or mine of some sort in the past because there's no grass to be seen, and the ground is pitted quite severely, possibly the remnants of a shipping hub long forgotten. There aren't many places to hide for cover, either, aside from some sparse vegetation and some old fallen trees. The caves themselves are quite wide with a low ceiling, no higher than 7 feet. The cliffs above the caves are very steep and bare, extending some 10 stories above the gaping mouths that descend into darkness. There are 4 cave openings in total that all likely tie into one another, and as the small band catch sight of the caves, they become aware of a horrible din coming from within as the creatures await their chance to once again begin their attack. It's just a horrid screaming and wailing, like the collective wailing of Twitter all shrieking their complaints at once and trying to out-scream the others. Truly a terrifying sound. There is still some sunlight left, but the group will have to act quickly before the creatures will have freedom to move.
Meanwhile....
The group has convinced the scavengers to assist them in gaining entry to the old outpost. They seem especially wary of Kallista and Lazlo, but the promise of goods to make the trip out worthwhile is too much to pass up over their prejudices. The scavengers are all human. "Hey, beastman..." the leader of the scavengers addresses Lazlo. "You mentioned healers in your number... we got ambushed by some kind of animal a ways back. We'd appreciate a little help with our wounded as a show of good faith." he says, speaking as though his group would be a match. He must be talking about the shovelhead that the group encountered. The wounded men are sporting severe bruises and puncture wounds; the flesh around which is bright red and swollen.
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
“Kallista here is more versed in the healing arts than I am… perhaps between the two of us we can give your wounded some small comfort.” ooc: Lazlo will perform the help action to give Kallista advantage on her role.
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Fleabag Fleabane-Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Aelar stares at the leader of the scavengers, a hard stare, his sudden fury firmly contained except for the stare.
"That's 'Lazlo' to you, pal, not beastman. What if he called you 'apeman'? Haven't you ever seen a satyr before? If not, what about common courtesy? Considering you're asking his help. And, as Lazlo said, her name is Kallista. She's a tiefling and the best person I know." He speaks as calmly as he is able considering his feelings. He then moves to the door to examine it.
The leader glances sidelong at Aelar, then back to Lazlo. "Satyrs are rare in these parts. In most parts, really. ***** caravans used to come by... bout the only free trade there was going, till they all up and ran out on us 'bout twenty years ago." he comments. "My pappy's only damn livelihood up and disappeared on us. Not a word, just poof, gone. Anyone not payin' to live behind a wall ends up like us... so, forgive me if I come off as a little gruff. We're not some well to dos like the wallers. Why else would we risk our necks out in the damned wilds to scavenge..." he says, arms folded. ((It's up to Lazlo if he's heard of a satyr migration/disappearance or not.)) He does not, however, apologize to Kallista, and his eyes remain wary as he watches her from a distance. The wounded however, seem much less picky about who helps them. Grimbuld, for his part, makes no effort to help the men. Whether he's unwilling because he's allowing Kallista to work or because he doesn't think they deserve help for speaking ill of her is anyone's guess.
Aelar is able to see that the door lock is less about traditional pins and teeth than it is pure mechanical force. The mechanism isn't keeping the lock shut but holding the doors closed, much like the one at the mill. Likely the same dwarven craftsmanship. In theory, if enough strength is used, the lock should be able to simply be forced. The scavengers had been trying, unsuccessfully, to jam their simple spears into the lock to try and turn it like a screwdriver, but the spearheads aren't wide enough to make contact with the components that seem to need to be turned together.
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DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
ooc: I don't remember talking to the Satyr siblings about it. I'm going to say he does NOT know about it (unless it'd be revealed in learnign about Carrie's group).
"It.. It's ok Aelar- I've been called much much worse... and sometimes the names were even true"He laughs. The Satyr gives his friend a meaningful nod of thanks for standing up for him. Turning to the hunters, he says ""I wandered inside the walls of a city as a small child... I know my family was taken by some beast or group of beasts but like you I've only recently seen more of us. You can imagine my relief when I saw there were young ladies of my kind. I know not why the Satyrs dissapeared but you can see how information like that would be very dear to an orpan and a foundling like me. You mention your 'Pappy'...Family seems important to you, eh? Anything you can remember? Rumours? Things they left behind? Strange behavior? It'd be more information than I have now..." The Satyr sighs and sets about using the HELP action for Kallista to make her medecine check.
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Fleabag Fleabane-Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Aelar nods back but settles for a mumbled, "It's not alright," before focusing on the door. After studying it a bit more, he says, "Hyre, this is more your thing, than mine. Whatcha think?"
ooc: I know Firecat's got his school to do right now but I wanted to include his character. Doesn't feel like the team without all of us.
(Actually, as I've mentioned already, I'm here. Schedule just a little unstable, but not as busy as it was. Might get busier in the next two weeks, but just assume I'm here.)
"I don't know. I don't have the tools to pick locks on me. Didn't expect to pick locks in the woods." Hyre shrugs and takes a closer look at the lock. "We could break in with enough force, but if the city wants to use this place, they'll have to fix it later. However, this doesn't look like a normal key that must match to turn. I could be wrong, but if any of you have some similar key, or can conjure one with magic or something, maybe it would suffice. Maybe."
While he waits for the others to confirm whether they can do as he suggested or not, Hyre looks for any openings in the outpost, as were in the previous one. If nothing else, maybe they'll ask Kallista to open it from inside again.
Aelar listens carefully to Hyre. "I don't have any spells like that, but maybe I can make or find something." He rummages through his pack but, finding nothing, starts looking around for a piece of wood roughly the right size and shape. He can always carve something.
ooc: Aelar is proficient in Carving so is looking for something to use his wood carving tools on to shape into something that will get the job done.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Erich glance at Fintreun with sharp eyes. His being focused on the mission on hand. "You'll join the first bombardment. Blow as many head as you can, Fintreun. Wish me luck on the close range combat later on." He whispers as he turn his gaze back to the entrance of the cave. Erich exhale softly while his eyes flickers around to look for any scouts or wandering creature of nightmare that they might have missed.
Perception: 4
He turns to look at the other soldiers and mercenary that came with them, "Be steady. Not only our survival are on the line tonight but also everyone beyond the wall. if you are to go down, bring down as many as you can with you but don't forget to fight death till the end until we got to you." Habit from his youth were hard to shrug off, Erich habitually gives a small speech to increase the morale of the soldiers before combat.
Aelar and Hyre can combine their skills together to try and make the component that will allow the lock to turn, certainly. They have the tools needed with them, at least, and plenty of materials. Unfortunately, Kallista can't fit through the firing slots that line the top of the outpost tower, though she at least could look through them and report what she sees. As she works on the wounded, she's able to patch them up so their injuries won't get any worse, at least, though they're still in pain. She's able to determine that the venom from the shovelhead won't be fatal, though it'll make the men feel sick for a few days. Seems like it's more to slow prey down than it is to kill them outright. At least one of the men thanks Kallista, though the leader still shoots her distrustful glares every now and again. "Well... suppose if she meant any harm..." he mutters before he regards Lazlo. "So you were left behind?" he asks, then looks to one of the other men. "That doesn't seem right..." "Always heard that the goatfolk had tight bonds with one another... ain't never heard of them abandoning a kid." one of the wounded men comments. "Kept a close eye on their own, they did." "I was very young when we last saw the caravan... now that you mention it... this could just be my old mind playin' tricks, but I remember them seeming like they were in an awful hurry to get going. Not impolite, mind you, just rushed." the leader says. "Tell you what... we make out with something good, I think there's a place fairly close by that might give you a clue where they went and why." he adds
Meanwhile...
As far as Erich can see from the group's distant vantage point, all of the creatures are inside the caves, waiting for the sun to set. They're just close enough to the entrance to get a decent look at the monsters; they appear to be vaguely human in shape and size, but their bodies seem like their skin has been replaced by a black, glossy tar-like substance. They're utterly charcoal black except for their teeth and eyes, like burnt-up corpses. However, they don't move or act like any undead that either of them have ever heard of. There is a fury behind their movements. Violent and untethered. When undead attack, they fight with a singular purpose or out of a basic instinct to hunt... these creatures seem consumed by an unrelenting rage to kill whatever is in their path. There's another detail too that all of them seem to have around their necks, but they're too far away to get a really good view of it.
"Aye, we're all in this together. Fight as one, watch each other's backs, we'll be all right." the captain says, eyeing the creatures. "Least, that's the hope... there's an awful lot of those bastards. I count 40 that I can see. I don't think they've seen US yet though." he adds. "Where do you want the cannon?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
The story so far...
(Thread remade because once a poll has been added to a thread, it may never be removed)
After being rendered homeless in a surprise attack by the city-state known as the Skell Hold, a group of six youngsters made their way to the closest neighboring walled city of Guiston for shelter after their home village fell. There, they worked odd jobs and trained to gain the strength and skills they would need if they were to have any hope of either spearheading or joining an effort to free their families from the Skell and their unprecedented mass mind control. Hard work and a few lucky breaks saw the group become acquainted with some individuals that held some sway in Guiston's political arena, but before a rescue plan could be formulated, the Skell attacked Guiston using the city's corrupt ruling class and infrastructure against it.
Rescuing the people the youngsters had come to care for gave them an unexpected boon to make a stand as they fought to end the attack and avoid further tragedy. Though the losses were great, Guiston survived the attack and the youngsters managed to foil the Skell's plans to harvest a dangerous magical substance far beneath the city. Though the city was weakened badly and would need time to rebuild before they would have the resources necessary to launch any kind of rescue mission to help the youngsters and their home village, the grateful Guiston offered the group the teachings and training they would need going forth to set out on their own. A powerful ally also offered a solution to at least keep the people from harm until the group could find the necessary support to free the captive population, giving the youngsters at least some peace of mind as they quested for a means to save their home.
Meanwhile, a small escort caravan is checking on an outpost for another large settlement that they had lost contact with. The caravan has a number of paid mercenaries simply performing escort duties and have discovered that the outpost is under siege by a force that hasn't been seen before and are working to evacuate the survivors, and have no idea that their fate will soon be joined with the survivors of Hon those months ago.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
Aelar here
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Erich here~
Kallista is Present
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
found it- here.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
((Awesome! I'll get to postin' today. Work got a bit ahead of me so I need to catch up a bit))
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
(Sorry again. Ugh! I'm just trying to get my feet under myself. Since everyone except for Hyre is caught up, I guess we'll just keep rollin.)
Berker and Erich have some difficulty keeping track of the trail that leads them to the cave system where the creatures are believed to be launching their attacks from. The terrain is quite rough around here; it must have been a quarry or mine of some sort in the past because there's no grass to be seen, and the ground is pitted quite severely, possibly the remnants of a shipping hub long forgotten. There aren't many places to hide for cover, either, aside from some sparse vegetation and some old fallen trees. The caves themselves are quite wide with a low ceiling, no higher than 7 feet. The cliffs above the caves are very steep and bare, extending some 10 stories above the gaping mouths that descend into darkness. There are 4 cave openings in total that all likely tie into one another, and as the small band catch sight of the caves, they become aware of a horrible din coming from within as the creatures await their chance to once again begin their attack.
It's just a horrid screaming and wailing, like the collective wailing of Twitter all shrieking their complaints at once and trying to out-scream the others. Truly a terrifying sound.
There is still some sunlight left, but the group will have to act quickly before the creatures will have freedom to move.
Meanwhile....
The group has convinced the scavengers to assist them in gaining entry to the old outpost. They seem especially wary of Kallista and Lazlo, but the promise of goods to make the trip out worthwhile is too much to pass up over their prejudices. The scavengers are all human.
"Hey, beastman..." the leader of the scavengers addresses Lazlo.
"You mentioned healers in your number... we got ambushed by some kind of animal a ways back. We'd appreciate a little help with our wounded as a show of good faith." he says, speaking as though his group would be a match.
He must be talking about the shovelhead that the group encountered. The wounded men are sporting severe bruises and puncture wounds; the flesh around which is bright red and swollen.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
“Kallista here is more versed in the healing arts than I am… perhaps between the two of us we can give your wounded some small comfort.”
ooc: Lazlo will perform the help action to give Kallista advantage on her role.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
Aelar stares at the leader of the scavengers, a hard stare, his sudden fury firmly contained except for the stare.
"That's 'Lazlo' to you, pal, not beastman. What if he called you 'apeman'? Haven't you ever seen a satyr before? If not, what about common courtesy? Considering you're asking his help. And, as Lazlo said, her name is Kallista. She's a tiefling and the best person I know." He speaks as calmly as he is able considering his feelings. He then moves to the door to examine it.
Investigation 24
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
The leader glances sidelong at Aelar, then back to Lazlo.
"Satyrs are rare in these parts. In most parts, really. ***** caravans used to come by... bout the only free trade there was going, till they all up and ran out on us 'bout twenty years ago." he comments. "My pappy's only damn livelihood up and disappeared on us. Not a word, just poof, gone. Anyone not payin' to live behind a wall ends up like us... so, forgive me if I come off as a little gruff. We're not some well to dos like the wallers. Why else would we risk our necks out in the damned wilds to scavenge..." he says, arms folded.
((It's up to Lazlo if he's heard of a satyr migration/disappearance or not.))
He does not, however, apologize to Kallista, and his eyes remain wary as he watches her from a distance. The wounded however, seem much less picky about who helps them. Grimbuld, for his part, makes no effort to help the men. Whether he's unwilling because he's allowing Kallista to work or because he doesn't think they deserve help for speaking ill of her is anyone's guess.
Aelar is able to see that the door lock is less about traditional pins and teeth than it is pure mechanical force. The mechanism isn't keeping the lock shut but holding the doors closed, much like the one at the mill. Likely the same dwarven craftsmanship. In theory, if enough strength is used, the lock should be able to simply be forced. The scavengers had been trying, unsuccessfully, to jam their simple spears into the lock to try and turn it like a screwdriver, but the spearheads aren't wide enough to make contact with the components that seem to need to be turned together.
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
ooc: I don't remember talking to the Satyr siblings about it. I'm going to say he does NOT know about it (unless it'd be revealed in learnign about Carrie's group).
"It.. It's ok Aelar- I've been called much much worse... and sometimes the names were even true" He laughs. The Satyr gives his friend a meaningful nod of thanks for standing up for him. Turning to the hunters, he says ""I wandered inside the walls of a city as a small child... I know my family was taken by some beast or group of beasts but like you I've only recently seen more of us. You can imagine my relief when I saw there were young ladies of my kind. I know not why the Satyrs dissapeared but you can see how information like that would be very dear to an orpan and a foundling like me. You mention your 'Pappy'...Family seems important to you, eh? Anything you can remember? Rumours? Things they left behind? Strange behavior? It'd be more information than I have now..." The Satyr sighs and sets about using the HELP action for Kallista to make her medecine check.
Fleabag Fleabane -Tabaxi Ranger | Lenny Coggins- Halfling Barbarian | Sid Shatterbuckle- Dwarf Fighter/Rogue| Lazlo - Satyr Bard in Training
"S'all right," Kallista says, setting about helping with the wounded.
Medicine: 10
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Aelar nods back but settles for a mumbled, "It's not alright," before focusing on the door. After studying it a bit more, he says, "Hyre, this is more your thing, than mine. Whatcha think?"
ooc: I know Firecat's got his school to do right now but I wanted to include his character. Doesn't feel like the team without all of us.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
(Actually, as I've mentioned already, I'm here. Schedule just a little unstable, but not as busy as it was. Might get busier in the next two weeks, but just assume I'm here.)
"I don't know. I don't have the tools to pick locks on me. Didn't expect to pick locks in the woods." Hyre shrugs and takes a closer look at the lock. "We could break in with enough force, but if the city wants to use this place, they'll have to fix it later. However, this doesn't look like a normal key that must match to turn. I could be wrong, but if any of you have some similar key, or can conjure one with magic or something, maybe it would suffice. Maybe."
While he waits for the others to confirm whether they can do as he suggested or not, Hyre looks for any openings in the outpost, as were in the previous one. If nothing else, maybe they'll ask Kallista to open it from inside again.
Varielky | Emma
Aelar listens carefully to Hyre. "I don't have any spells like that, but maybe I can make or find something." He rummages through his pack but, finding nothing, starts looking around for a piece of wood roughly the right size and shape. He can always carve something.
ooc: Aelar is proficient in Carving so is looking for something to use his wood carving tools on to shape into something that will get the job done.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Erich glance at Fintreun with sharp eyes. His being focused on the mission on hand. "You'll join the first bombardment. Blow as many head as you can, Fintreun. Wish me luck on the close range combat later on." He whispers as he turn his gaze back to the entrance of the cave. Erich exhale softly while his eyes flickers around to look for any scouts or wandering creature of nightmare that they might have missed.
Perception: 4
He turns to look at the other soldiers and mercenary that came with them, "Be steady. Not only our survival are on the line tonight but also everyone beyond the wall. if you are to go down, bring down as many as you can with you but don't forget to fight death till the end until we got to you." Habit from his youth were hard to shrug off, Erich habitually gives a small speech to increase the morale of the soldiers before combat.
Aelar and Hyre can combine their skills together to try and make the component that will allow the lock to turn, certainly. They have the tools needed with them, at least, and plenty of materials.
Unfortunately, Kallista can't fit through the firing slots that line the top of the outpost tower, though she at least could look through them and report what she sees. As she works on the wounded, she's able to patch them up so their injuries won't get any worse, at least, though they're still in pain. She's able to determine that the venom from the shovelhead won't be fatal, though it'll make the men feel sick for a few days. Seems like it's more to slow prey down than it is to kill them outright.
At least one of the men thanks Kallista, though the leader still shoots her distrustful glares every now and again.
"Well... suppose if she meant any harm..." he mutters before he regards Lazlo.
"So you were left behind?" he asks, then looks to one of the other men. "That doesn't seem right..."
"Always heard that the goatfolk had tight bonds with one another... ain't never heard of them abandoning a kid." one of the wounded men comments. "Kept a close eye on their own, they did."
"I was very young when we last saw the caravan... now that you mention it... this could just be my old mind playin' tricks, but I remember them seeming like they were in an awful hurry to get going. Not impolite, mind you, just rushed." the leader says.
"Tell you what... we make out with something good, I think there's a place fairly close by that might give you a clue where they went and why." he adds
Meanwhile...
As far as Erich can see from the group's distant vantage point, all of the creatures are inside the caves, waiting for the sun to set. They're just close enough to the entrance to get a decent look at the monsters; they appear to be vaguely human in shape and size, but their bodies seem like their skin has been replaced by a black, glossy tar-like substance. They're utterly charcoal black except for their teeth and eyes, like burnt-up corpses. However, they don't move or act like any undead that either of them have ever heard of. There is a fury behind their movements. Violent and untethered. When undead attack, they fight with a singular purpose or out of a basic instinct to hunt... these creatures seem consumed by an unrelenting rage to kill whatever is in their path. There's another detail too that all of them seem to have around their necks, but they're too far away to get a really good view of it.
"Aye, we're all in this together. Fight as one, watch each other's backs, we'll be all right." the captain says, eyeing the creatures.
"Least, that's the hope... there's an awful lot of those bastards. I count 40 that I can see. I don't think they've seen US yet though." he adds.
"Where do you want the cannon?"
DM, professional illustrator and comic artist, suffering from severe spinal stenosis, married, middle aged, and nerdy.
ooc: What rolls do you need from Hyre and Aelar?
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric