Roland Silver was more than a little restless. His small estate, while nothing to brag about was still his. His people lived a better than decent living under his care and the rumors of zombies being confirmed by friends elsewhere in the fens only serve to create fear and unrest amidst his peoples. For the most part, his servants were goblinoids, but it didn't mean that their fears should be dismissed.
They followed him because they believed in him, mostly as a result of a few minor heroic excursions he'd performed on their behalf as he tried to establish himself in the Fens. Compared to the headaches and bitchings of the nobles in Andor, bringing down a gang or two of brigands was an enjoyably simplified changed of fare.
Regardless, they were loyal and to it'd be a betrayal of that trust to just blow off his people's concerns over undead rising all around them. As such, it was quite the blessing that Taylor Kane had been passing through with a friend. He'd seen Taylor's performances in Andor, but more importantly, the positive reputation he had with the people in the area meant that asking him to handle the undead would surely give the people confidence.
Almost without hesitance, Taylor accepted the request.
Edwin Broadbeak, a bugbear and local religious leader near Roland's compound had been specially requested to serve as a guide for the mission. Since the outbreak started, Edwin had been tracking the rise of the monsters to several patches within about 20 miles of the Roland's compound.
Edwin has informed the group that although the undead have begun spawning up there, he finds it unusual that they've not moved. Regardless, from reports from the faithful, there were too many undead for Edwin to handle alone, as such, working together in this matter is quite the perfect way to keep everyone happy.
It is currently dawn on Sunday. The group has assembled outside of Roland's compound, a large, wooden house with a small, stone bridge that passes over a dry moat. Several of the goblin followers are prepping the animals and assisting with any of the other group's preparations.
Joseph is tending to George, his ape companion, trying to get him to relax, it seems the beast is looking forward to the adventure. Edwin is evaluating his map, seemingly trying to get his bearings. Tyler, Roland, and Jon are discussing things.
Joseph was fiddling with one of the straps that wrapped around the giant ape. Every single time he went to fit the saddle around George, the stupid thing seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. "Come now George, stand still and have you put on some weight lately? That's it no more before bed chow for you." He grinned as he kept on fiddling with the strap trying to lock it in place. The giant ape snorted at the comment of his weight, but kept still all the same. The two of them had found themselves wound up in an adventure. He'd been hired on to help put down the evil that was congregating within the Fens. He'd noticed it the past few weeks himself. More and more of the rotting corpses could be seen stumbling around, even in the day.
He wasn't here for the money, though it would help feed him. He was here out of duty. It was his rightful job to rid the world of such dark menaces. Along with picking up ape shit. Finally he finished preparing George for their departure. Stepping back he examined the mass of fur, muscle and leather. "This time how about not getting all worked up and flinging me off you again." He winked at the ape before turning to check on the others. There were a few others who'd been hired or volunteered to help.
He only knew of Roland from a few months past when he'd traveled through stopping to heal the ailments of a few of his servants. Overall these people were still mysteries to him.
"Thanks once again for the assistance with making the magic items," Tyler says to Roland and Jon. "Should turn this into a standard issue undead bitchslapping. Will you be joining us for the trip, Jon, or hang back and maintain order here?"
"As much as I enjoy traveling with him, Jon's going to be staying behind on this one. Given the threat, I'd like to make sure someone's here at the mansion to protect it should things go to hell while we're gone," Roland says to Tyler, but loud enough that Jon can hear.
"No worries, sir," he says obediently. If anything comes along I can't handle, I'll get the servants out and send you word."
"Thanks, Jon. Do me a favor and fetch riding horses for the party, everyone save Joseph," Roland orders noticing that the Druid seems intent on using the non-conventional mount. Time seems to be a matter of importance to Edwin, so the less time spent walking the better."
With a nod and but a few moments, Jon returns with light horses for the party, complete with bit and bridle.
"Ah, excellent," Edwin declares with a smile. This will certainly be adequate. Shall we get a move on?"
"No time like the present," Tyler says with a smirk as he easily hops atop the mount. With a snap of the reigns, the horse trots forwards, across the bridge with the others in tow.
"Alright George. Bend down buddy it's time for us to go." The dire ape lowered himself so that Joseph could climb aboard. Once settled in the saddle Joseph clung to the leather strap of his makeshift reins. The two of them soon were following behind the others. An odd group they were as they made their way from Roland's home and over the short cobblestone bridge.
"Let us be wary. For we four shall be a force to be reckoned with. The forces of darkness that muck up such creatures are such themselves." As he spoke, and they rode he examined his surroundings for it was never a bad idea to wary.
Roland closed his eyes and counted to five. Upon opening them, he was treated to a regretfully familiar sight. That is to say, there was an ape, loping about. A ridiculously large ape, following the horses while its "druid" master, wait no, "companion", rode in a harness strapped about its chest.
If he hadn't already spent a significant amount of time living in the fens, he would have been all but ready to break out the drinks and hope for something marginally more sane upon coming to. In all honesty, he was rather tempted to do so anyways. Which was why he'd left all the liquor back at his estate, and Jon to safeguard it - the liquor, not the estate that is. Not a good image, a drunk leader cum landlord, that.
The crew was a rather odd bunch. A questionably sane "druid", a hobgoblin, and two city boys way out of their normal stomping grounds. Well, whatever did the job was fine enough in his books, though the sooner this got finished, the better.
Then there were the horses. He didn't even know how to ride a horse. If the bandits found them instead, he'd fall right off the beast. Probably break something important too. Then again, talking to his new companions was probably a better idea than musing on the many things that could go wrong,
"So, Joseph and... George was it. What brings you around to these parts? Besides my job offer that is. Your... friend there doesn't really look like he'd be at home in the fens, what with the fur and mud and everything..."
He trailed off, unsure of how to handle the "druid".
He sighed. Way to go Roland, way to make an impression on the man conjoined to the ape with fists the size of his torso. Bravo.
__________________
The dice are trying to kill me.
The journey to the designated area on Edwin's map occurs without incident. As you approach, the canopy overhead seems to thicken as the shadows from the trees above grow darker, consuming what little light is able to make it through from the sky above. The trees themselves also seem to transform as you get closer, becoming more gnarled and twisted as you approach.
According to the map, the area is supposed to be a large lake, however, it appears as though the bulk of the area has been filled in and a plethora of overgrown trees has taken up residence. Several patches of marsh still exist. From where the group is, zombies and skeletons can be seen skulking about the area near the trees (they're about 200' away). They don't seem to notice the group.
Upon entering the area, the horses have become increasingly restless, although none have tried to bolt, both Taylor and Joseph strongly suspect that approaching the undead will cause the horses to panic.
"I travel a lot, healing others and exterminating the evil that roams our lands." He shrugged as he spoke patting George on the back with his left hand. He'd been looking around as they mostly silently made their way along until he sensed the restlessness in the horses and George gave off his "tells" that something was afoul. The land was supposed to be a lake here according to their map, but it had become overgrown. He scanned the area noticing the shambling group of undead a ways ahead of them. "Hey, anyone else see them?" Drawing his crossbow from his back he began to load it. Once he was close enough he would get off of George to fight.
Taylor calmly climbs down from his horse, tying the reins to a nearby tree. He leans down and picks up a handful of sand, rubbing it between his hands, "Hmm."
"It looks to me like this soil isn't native to the Fens. Some sort of sandy soil likely brought in from an outside source and used to fill in the lake. However, if that is the case, we can expect there will be locations where water pressure is going to bubble through in areas that weren't compacted sufficiently. Simply put, we'll need to be wary of quicksand. I recommend we go on foot from here."
The bulk of the area is high grasses (difficult terrain except for those with Woodland Stride). Circles indicate tree trunks. The green trees are normal trees for the area while the dark blue circles indicate the gnarled and twisted trees. Small characters can stand within squares that have part of the circle going through them, using the tree as cover (+4 AC, +2 Reflex save). Climbing the gnarled trees is relatively easy (DC10), but somewhat more difficult for the normal trees (DC15).
The light brown patches on either side of the road are patches of quicksand that Taylor points out. There may be more, but he isn't able to see them yet. While traveling through the area, players may make a Survival check (DC8) as a Move action to locate any quicksand that is within their line of sight.
The dark brown strip running up and down is the road. This is normal terrain and does not impede movement in any way.
E=Edwin
R=Roland
T=Taylor
J=Joseph
G=George
Everyone's currently on a mount, thus their size is considered large until they dismount.
Zombies and skeletons. In a way, he was glad that his peoples' fears had been completely founded in reality. In a sick, masochistic, way. There was, after all, something to be gained by fighting the undead. Fame, glory, appreciation, and respect for dealing with a foe that common, well, commoners, never could. It was something that he longed for to his very bones.
It was also a thought he would never admit, and if anyone ever asked, would deny it completely to his dying breath. Leaders were supposed to care about their people, and, probably, hope that it was the town drunks spreading the odd rumors and mutilating the cattle and creating crop circles. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
"Looks like we saw them before they saw, er, detected, us. What do you think? Skirt around them or just go right through?"
He paused to scratch at some stubble on his chin. The damn stuff was growing out already and he'd just shaved a day past.
"They don't look particularly tough to me, just, hah, bare bones and barely there flesh. We could probably ride right through the lot of them."
After he dismounted, so he didn't break his damn neck.
"I'm up for going right through them. If we go around we still leave the problem of these foul scum still shambling on my earth." The disgust in his voice was evident as he spoke. Dismounting from George he patted the side of the large ape as he readily held his crossbow in his other hand. "Today the forces of good shall look upon us with a smile my friends. For today, we shall vanquish many of these foul creatures." With that last sentence he moved a small amount to the left of George positioning himself beside Roland.
"I move when you move."
George huffed some but otherwise didn't move. He was waiting for Joseph to signal him to attack, secretly anticipation welled up inside the ape. It had been over a fort night since the last time it had gotten a taste of battle. His time was due, he was ready to crack some foul creatures skulls.
__________________
"Role-play forever."
Last edited by Kill me softly; 06-30-2010 at 05:10 AM..
"Then through them it is," Taylor says as he dismounts. Almost immediately, he raises his hand to grab at the air and hops up. As he hops up through the air, a portal to the celestial realm opens and his mount, Spectre comes through, just in time to allow the Paladin to fall into the saddle.
"I'll lead the charge," he says as he readies his lance and begins to approach the undead creatures, ceasing as he reaches the tree line of the gnarled trees. Spectre places but a single hoof beyond the edge of the tree line and almost at once, the undead creatures turn to look at him.
The undead stare menacingly at Spectre, the bold horse returning the menacing gaze, but doing nothing more than await the order of his master. "Back a little," Tayler says, the horse retreating just slightly (T20 and 21, U20 and 21). Resting his lance beneath his arm, the Paladin begins to sing a gentle song which seems to bolster the spirits of everyone, "All our times have come, Here but now they're gone, Seasons don't fear the reaper, Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain, We can be like they are..."
The undead don't approach, but continue to watch.
Behind Taylor, Edwin and Roland await. Roland's eyes seem to narrow as he focuses seeking magical auras. From where he is, however, he cannot see anything resonating magic within 60' besides the equipment of himself and his allies.
-Need actions from Joseph and George
Statuses
-Inspire Courage; +1 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls for everyone.
-Detect Magic; Roland is able to detect magical auras within 60' by concentrating.
-Mounted; Taylor is mounted and has a +1 circumstance bonus to attack rolls vs foes on foot.
-Half Movement; S1, S2, S3, Z2, and Z3 are in high grasses and can only move at half speed.
EDIT: Wow, that really didn't convert to jpg the way I wanted it to.
Light blue is Roland.
Grey blue is George.
Green is Edwin.
Red is Joseph.
Purple is Spectre with Taylor.
Chapter 1: It's Sticky (IC)
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