"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Main Group (Sarryx, Ares, Ryan Lester, "Jermal's PC", Donner, Esmeralda & Kyranvik)
Your company has just finished performing some mercenary work for Rance, Baron of Troilus, chasing off some Carthi raiders from the Eastern Reaches that had been pillaging his modest lands. In truth, the task was not worthy of a party of skilled adventurer such as yourselves, but the pay was good. Taking your leave of Troilus, you have been following the Sevres River southwest through the Sundered Lands of Coris, back toward Ricynd Bay and the port city of Marmion. Several days of cool, wet weather has slowed your progress along the muddy road, and as the sun sets you find yourselves still some distance from the next town, a place called Dunfield, on the borders of the County of Barovia.
It is going to be a dark night. The sky is overcast, and a constant drizzling rain falls. You can hear the river rushing by somewhere off to your right, though it is blocked from view by thickly grown trees and undergrowth. The clinging mud sucks at your boots as you press on. A flash of lightning lights the sky, and you notice a lone traveller in the distance ahead of you. He is moving slowly along the road, in the same direction as your company; likely trying to reach Dunfield and find some shelter from the damp.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Your journey has been a long and tiring one. By ship and by foot, Drelkat has travelled from the monastary in which he toiled to the Sundered Lands of Coris. And crossing these lands, his destination is almost at hand. Just ahead, down the muddy road on which he travels lies the town on Dunfield, said to sit on the border of the County of Barovia. Of course, even the weather seems to want to keep him from his goal...Several days of poor, wet weather has slowed Delkat's progress along the muddy road, and as the sun sets he presses on, hoping for some comfort in the town ahead.
It is going to be a dark night. The sky is overcast, and a constant drizzling rain falls.You can hear the river rushing by somewhere off to your right, though it is blocked from view by thickly grown trees and undergrowth. The clinging mud sucks at your boots as you press on. A flash of lightning lights the sky, and you notice a group of maybe a half-dozen or so travellers in the distance behind you. They are moving slowly along the road, in the same direction as you; likely they are trying to reach Dunfield and find some shelter from the damp.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
As the lightning flashes across the sky, a small smile creeps across Donner's face. It has been the first thing that has given him some joy in the past couple of days since the only liquid he's been drinking out of his waterskin is actually water. He takes a look at the clouds and tries to get an idea about how bad the storm will be and how long it might last. Pending that information Donner will try to figure out how long this will set the party back upon arriving to Dunfield (I love it, early skill use, +11 to Survival)
While I appricate the gentle caress of Bahari's touch, its typically best while drinking fresh mead in front of a fire. If we don't find a tavern soon, I might just drink that brew you keep boiling up in the pot, Izzy.
After the next lightning bolt flashes across the sky, Donner hold a small pendent in his hand and whispers a prayer.
Esmerelda pulls her hood up further over her head so only her bright blue eyes could be seen. "This dark night and bad weather is ominous," she says in a soft, sweet voice, "We should be cautious of the lone traveler ahead. But perhaps the stranger needs welcoming. So we should also be kind." The group had grown used to her ramblings, prophecies, sudden proclamations and odd contradictions as they had traveled together. "It would be good to get out of this cold rain."
Donner is fairly certain that the worst of the storm will pass by morning, but is likely to get worse before it gets better. More lightning and heavier rain is very likely. Judging by the weather, the condition of the road, and the maps of the area that Donner has seen, he figures the group is probably two to three hours out from Dunfield. He figures that the storm will reach its peak shortly after you reach town.
OOC: Excellent first post, Nebten!
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
"Curse this abominable weather," mutters Delkat as he wraps the cloak tighter around his shoulders.
"It appears even this land is against my lord."
It has been days since he has basked in the glory of the sun, let alone been dry for longer than an hour or two. It has come down to this -- his wet footwear has begun to take its toll on his feat, and he is running out of his curative cantrips to soothe the blisters that are forming more quickly each time.
The trek has been hard on him, but it has given his mind plenty of time to ponder his options and what he might find in Barovia.
His map shows Dunfield as his logical rest stop for the night, so he is willing his body onward for the last few miles.
He has spotted a group behind him, and although they have shown no outward malice, they are still not to be trusted -- he has already dispatched with two groups of self-styled 'highwaymen' so far in the past two days...
He would not be too opposed to bringing some of the focused rays of the sun into this horrid landscape, if only to make himself feel better.
Kyranvik slogged through the mud, drops of water falling from his hood. He marched forward, his mind set aside in a mental exercise of his. He did not mind the rain or the mud, body moved ahead as if an automaton. Though his mind was removed from his body his thoughts on other things so he felt little of the exhaustion and aches his body felt. Still he was listening and heard Esme's cautions on the traveler ahead of them.
"Agreed" he answered her.
"Are we gaining on the traveller?" he asked the group. "I am sure one lone traveller has reason to be wary of a group like us. If we gain hailing distance we should call to them."
Says Kyranvik, as he settles back into his mental retreat, water dripping into his face, boots moving mechnically through the mud, as though niether of those annoyances existed.
"Brave indeed to walk this path alone, either that or foolhardy. We should be cautious either way" Sarryx cautions, the rain dripping down his gleaming silver scales. The weather didn't bother him after all, he could survive comforatably in almost any environment, but the others seemed concerned so he had extended his protection to them. This matter with the bandits had been a minor affair and most of them had escaped unscathed, with only minor injuries easily cured by Donner's magic. He wore his darkwood shield across his back, but carried no weapon. Sarryx never felt the need to eat, nor required more than a few hours rest each night, spending the remaining time writing in his journal and keeping watch over the others. A gleaming set of chain-links were sometimes visible as his cloak shifted, revealing the armour underneath.
Sarryx was looking forward to continuing his research to reverse the effects of that enchanted mirror and return to his true form. Unfortunately, all those efforts and experiments cost significant amounts of gold and he was forced into this mercenary work. Although, the companions were not bad, they were still human, or close-to-human and Sarryx desired greatly to return to his bretheren in the sky. While they decided on course of action with the newcomer, Sarryx will try to recall anything he can about the area that might allow them to reach their destination by nightfall, perhaps an old hunter's trail or bandits shortcut.
Sarryx would cast Endure Exposure on everyone in the party at the beginning of the day, providing them immunity to his breath weapon and the benefits of the Endure Elements spell.
Last edited by renau1g; 2nd June 2009 at 03:38 PM..
Sarryx doesn't recall anything that would get them to town faster. The road is the most direct route, following along the river. Now, if you had a raft or boat of some kind, then the Sevres River would prove much faster.
OOC: Also, not last to the party. Still waiting on several players...Jemal, Strahd & Kinem.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
The evoker despised the touch of the water, the feeling of drizzle and rain. Fire and acid did it to him, raising the adrenaline in his body to higher levels, the feeling of ignition between his fingers, the dripping of acid from his palms. He gazed far, on the lone traveler that took the same route to Barovia. When the rain began to fall, an invisible magic placed his hood over his horny head. Without looking at his party friends he said A lone traveler, heading for Dunfield ... Dunfield
He rolled the name on his tongue It lies on the borders of the cursed lands of Barovia, beware ...
He said under his hood with a boo They do not like the different, they reject the aliens, and they hang witches and kill demons.
The last phrase was meant for him and Esmeralda
ooc
- Everyday Ares raise his mage armor with a use of his rod of extend for 8 hours protection.
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
Ryan pulls up the hood of his cloak and tries not to let the physical discomforts of the journey and the rain dampen his spirits. He looks forward to stopping for the night, and thinks about which tunes he will play on his mandolin. Still, he feels tired and uneasy.
"I agree, Kyranvik. Almost any traveler would prefer some company on the journey."
The evoker despised the touch of the water, the feeling of drizzle and rain. Fire and acid did it to him, raising the adrenaline in his body to higher levels, the feeling of ignition between his fingers, the dripping of acid from his palms. He gazed far, on the lone traveler that took the same route to Barovia. When the rain began to fall, an invisible magic placed his hood over his horny head. Without looking at his party friends he said A lone traveler, heading for Dunfield ... Dunfield
He rolled the name on his tongue It lies on the borders of the cursed lands of Barovia, beware ...
He said under his hood with a boo They do not like the different, they reject the aliens, and they hang witches and kill demons.
The last phrase was meant for him and Esmeralda
ooc
- Everyday Ares raise his mage armor with a use of his rod of extend for 8 hours protection.
Esmerelda cocked her head. "Who hangs witches and demons? Our destination of Dunfield?"
Esmerelda cocked her head. "Who hangs witches and demons? Our destination of Dunfield?"
Well which place doesn't? After all, its not like they have a good reputation, present company excluded. Don't worry though, cheri. I won't tell them of your talents . . . for much.
Donner gives a wide toothy grin. He then trots up ahead towards the solidary man feeling the confidence that his god with with him.
'Lo traveler! Care for some company this blissful night? They skies may be heavenly, but these roads can be hell.
Kay'el sighed - Another human. Oh well, after so many years he was used to their numerous imperfections, the common mispronunciation of his name as 'kyle' possibly one of the worst, in his estimation. "Oh very well, let us invite the strange one, I suppose one more such will make little difference in this group." The haughty elf tosses his hair out of his face while he speaks, the wet braids of silver flying back as he crinkles his nose slightly, staring at the figure they approach.
He tries his best to ignore the rain, acting as though it isn't even there, though inside he longs for civilization. Someone of his grace and standing should not be tromping about in the mud.
Well which place doesn't? After all, its not like they have a good reputation, present company excluded. Don't worry though, cheri. I won't tell them of your talents . . . for much.
Donner gives a wide toothy grin. He then trots up ahead towards the solidary man feeling the confidence that his god with with him.
'Lo traveler! Care for some company this blissful night? They skies may be heavenly, but these roads can be hell.
Donner
Esme grins at Donner's teasing but inside her thoughts wander Just one little hex will cure that attitude right up... She laughs to herself and sticks near Ky as they near the stranger.
Lightning again flashes in the distance, and thunder roars around you. Donner speeds up his gait to attempt to catch the lone traveler ahead, calling out to him. Whether he hears the priest's call is not immediately discernable.
Somewhere nearby, a wolf howls. Several other howls answer the inimical call of the first.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Esmerelda cocked her head. "Who hangs witches and demons? Our destination of Dunfield?"
No
The Evoker replies. On the other side of the border, where wolves howl at night seeking living flesh as a prey, where the trees grows thick, where twisted tree branches are perfect for burning, there ... The place where hidden magic is forbidden, where aliens are treated as lepers. Barovia ...
He let the name slide of his mouth with disgust. My own flesh screams from the cursed ground ... I was in Barovia and I fled ... this is not a place for the weak. This is a place where legends stalk the land ... oh, many legends. There are tales that creep heors, even the bravest child shakes before he goes to sleep. Do not be light headed my friends ... some of the legends may be true. Being strong and well armed is needed for those who are not welcome.
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
As if to punctuate Ares' words, another wolf howls in the distance, this one nearer than the last. Certainly it is an apt night for spooky stories.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
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