Against the Shadows IV - A Faded Glory Story Hour

Session 3 (Part One)

When we last left our intrepid band, they had buried two of their own and met two new companions, the Bros. Scipio - Quintus and Sextus. Venturing back into the mines, they discovered a hidden tunnel, then a hidden ladder leading down to a fairly well-carved chamber. Cautiously entering the chamber, they were confronted by four skeletal archers with glowing crimson eyes who raised decrepit short bows and prepared to launch bone arrows at our heros...

Session 3 (Part One) - How Many Skeletons in the Closet?

Recoiling from the sight of the skeletons, Rowan, thinking quickly, reached back through the ranks and grabed Lew, hauling the priest forward to where he could see at least some of the skeletons. As the rest of the party jostled for position, two of the skeletons launched arrows into the tightly packed group, but they shattered harmlessly on the wall.

Lew presented his holy symbol and called for the power of Osirian to rid the them of the skeletons. A shimmering wave of bluish-white light rolled forward from Lew and two of the skeletons turned and cowered in the far corners of the room.

(DM's Note: Lew could only see 2 of the 4 skeletons, his view of the other 2 was blocked by walls, due to their location. Therefore they had "full cover" and were immune to his turning effects.)

With that, Rosë rushed into the room to engage one of the remaining skeletons. He suffered a bone arrow in the back, causing a minor wound from one and then the skeleton he moved to engage attempted to fire at him from point-blank range. He lashed out with his sword, knocking some bone chips from its shoulder and spoiling its aim. Sextus raised his crossbow excitedly to fire at one of the cowering skeletons and promptly fired a bolt into the floor in the middle of the room.

(DM's Note: Rolled a "1", no fumble.)

Quintus surveyed the scene and bided his time.

Rowan slipped around the corner and engaged the skeleton that shot Rosë in the back, drawing a point-blank shot of his own, which he deftly avoided. His return blow sent pieces of bone flying and staggered the skeleton. Rosë hacked away at his skeleton as it again attempted to fire an arrow, but it managed to avoid both that blow and his follow-up attack. Sextus re-loaded his crossbow and, overcompensating for sending a bolt into the floor on his previous shot, sent one into the ceiling instead.

(DM Note: Another "1", no fumble.)

Lew continued to present his holy symbol and Quintus prepared to cast a magic missile at anything that might come out of to door.

Rosë and Rowan both sent their opponents tumbling into a heap of cracked bones and both moved to engage one of cowering skeletons. Sextus, remembering that he failed to "tune-up" his crossbow before setting out, spent the next few moments adjusting the sights and tightening the prod, mumbling angrily to himself. Both Quintus and Lew slowly advanced to the center of the chamber, warily eyeing the door.

As Rowan and Rosë ganged up on one of the skeletons, Sextus re-loaded and fire once more at the unengaged skeleton. The bolt clipped through the ribcage, damaging it slightly and he grinned in satisfaction. Just then, a previously unseen slot, about eye height, slid open in the door and a quavering voice called out, "W-w-what do you t-t-think you are d-d-doing? S-s-stop this at o-o-once - m-m-my m-m-mistress will be very d-d-displeased!"

Thinking quickly, Quintus replied, "Your mistress will be even more displeased that your incompetent guardians have assaulted us! Cease this attack at once and open the door immediately - I command you!"

Rowan sent the skeleton he and Rosë were facing flying into a dozen different pieces with a powerful blow and Rosë, not missing a beat, curled around Rowan and ran at the door, leaping into the air and attempting to kick the door open. Unfortunately, he struck only a glancing blow and the door refused to yield. Rosë, meanwhile suffered a "stinger" to his foot and dropped to one knee, cursing.

The stuttering voice called out again, "F-f-for the l-l-last t-t-time, y-y-you b-b-better c-c-cut it out a-a-and g-g-go away!"

Quintus, continuing his banter, moved up to stand beside the door, "And for the last time, cease this attack at once and let us in or your mistress will go hard on you!"

Sextus follows his brother's remark with a booming pronouncement, "Fool! Do you know who you are dealing with?! Quintus Necromantus, Black Lord of the Northern Wastes, Warlord of the Skeleton Hordes, the one the gnolls call He Who Drinks From Skulls, he who has played chess with the demons from the pit ... "

(DM's Note: I don't have the actual text for what Sextus said, but that was the general gist, it was very well done and we all busted up after he said it. If Steve, Sextus' player, has it all written down, I will post it later...I have updated to correct quote above.)

Everyone paused for a moment and looked at Sextus in suprise!

Lew saw what appeared to be the head of a large, dark-colored bird poke through the slot, look left, right and straight ahead, then withdraw quickly.

The voice issued forth again, "Y-y-you were w-w-warned!"

Quintus heard low chanting on the other side of the door and recognized the incantation as one designed to create great fear in those affected. Across the room, Sextus felt a wave of momentary panic wash over accompianied by an overwhelming desire to flee the area. With great effort, he steeled himself mentally and shook the feeling off. Quintus stepped directly in front of the door and sent a magic missile screaming through the slot, right between the two eyes he saw dimly through the opening.

"O-o-o-o-w-w-w-w!" came a pained retort and the slot slammed shut.

Rowan moved to engage the last remaining skeleton while Rosë backed up a few paces, gathered himself, dropped his shoulder and ran full-tilt into the door. The iron-bound wooden door proved to be tougher than the barbarian, who stumbled backwards on wobbly legs, then sat down heavily, shaking his head. Quintus, listening intently at the door, heard some muffled curses and a "cawing" sound, then silence.

While Rowan finished off the remaining skeleton, Rosë staggered to his pack and retrieved a large sledge that was strapped to the frame. Motioning everyone to get out of the way, he charged forward and visciously assaulted the door. After several minutes, the fiendish door gave way to the barbarian's relentless attack and the top hinge broke away, sending the door crashing open and hanging drunkenly on its one remaining hinge.

The band quickly advanced into the next room, finding a large chamber with six stone sarcophagai, a small pile of bones and another stout door on the far side of the chamber. A cursory search of the room showed no signs of habitation - living or otherwise - so they continued forward to the next door. Sextus attempted to slide the slot in this door open, to no avail, so Rosë shouldered him aside and started swinging with his sledge again. Quintus readied another spell and waited.

After several mighty strokes, the slot slid open. A crackling beam of greenish-black energy issued forth, striking Rosë full in the chest and bathing him in an sickly green light. He gritted his teeth and fought through the chilling power that attempted to sap his strength. With a mighty heave of his shoulders, he shattered the effect and continued to swing the sledge. Both Quintus and Sextus identified the magic as that designed to steal the victim's strength.

Quintus stepped forward and spoke another command word before the slot closed, attempting to render their as yet unseen adversary unconscious. He heard cursing from the other side of the door and assumed that his own spell had been unsuccessful.

Sextus and Rowan readied their crossbow and short bow, respectively as the door began to sag under Rosë's blows. The door finally tore lose from its hinges and crashed to the floor with a resounding boom that echoed through the chamber. Flickering lamplight revealed a long narrow chamber with a door at the far end. In front of the door stood a tall, lanky figure in dark gray robes, a belt made of large metal rings with numerous pouches dangling from it and pointy-toed slippers. Several paces in front of him, to either side, were a pair of skeletal archers, which launched bone arrows through the doorway at Rosë. Like a swarm of angry hornets, the arrows buzzed towards the barbarian. Amazingly, they all failed to find their mark!

Low moaning on either side of the doorway betrayed the presence of undead miners, complete with rotting flesh, glowing crimson eyes and heavy pickaxes. They crowded into the doorway in an attempt to overwhelm Rosë, who quickly discarded the sledge and drew his blade.

Rowan stepped back and sent an arrow winging towards the shadowy figure, it went wide and shattered against the wall. Sextus fired quickly, sending a bolt into the door frame. Quintus gathered his will and sent forth another spell, determined to rid them of the spellcaster. Again the enemy mage resisted the effects of his sleep spell. Quintus cursed and readied his crossbow. Rosë stepped forward and cleaved into one of the zombies with all of his strength, sword slicing through collarbone, lung and heart before coming to rest on the sternum. The blow drove the undead miner to it's knees, but the unholy magic that knit the creature together did not fail and it climbed back to its feet, moaning loudly.

Rosë was stunned for a moment, since his blow was struck with enough force to fell two ordinary warriors!

Lew manuevered to where he could see the four zombies and a pair of the archers. He reached deep within himself and called upon Osirian for his greatest miracle, focusing his holy power to completely destroy the unnatural undead creatures. A wave of blue-white light rolled forward. It washed over the zombies and coninued on, engulfing the two skeletal archers, which flared brightly and exploded into fine ash. The glow around the undead miners, however, sputtered and disappated, leaving them unharmed!

The undead miners pushed forward, pickaxes swinging. One struck Rosë with a crushing blow, battering through his defense and injuring him seriously, although he avoided several other blows. Sextus and Quintus both fired crossbow bolts into the mass of zombies, striking true, but failing to slow them down. A pencil-thin beam of ice shot from the upraised hand of the figure in gray, narrowly missing Rosë and Rowan launched another arrow toward the figure, determined to bring it down. His shaft again went wide.

Lew dodged around the melee and moved to support Rosë, calling upon the might of Osirian and channeling the power of the Lightbringer into his friend, partially healing his grave wound. Somewhat refreshed, the barbarian's blade flashed forward again, tearing through the damaged zombie and sending it crashing to the floor.

The remaining ones swarmed forward, however. A vicious swipe tore into Sextus' chest and he dropped to the floor, bleeding profusly. Rosë was struck by another powerful blow and barely maintained his feet. He gritted his teeth and raised his sword again. Quintus dropped to one knee beside his brother and desperately tried to stem the flow of blood from his brother's wound, to no avail. Lew, now able to see the other two skeletal archers, along with the three remaining zombies, called forth the power of Osirian once more. This time, his prayer was answered completely and the zombies and undead archers all turned to flee. Rosë struck one as it fled past him, staggering it but failing to bring it down. The shadowy figure opensed the door behind him and started fumbling around in one of his many pouches.

Rowan sighted carefully over the heads of the fleeing zombies, took a deep breath and loosed. His blue-fletched shaft flew true this time and buried itself in the gray-robed figure, just below the breastbone. The enemy spellcaster flew backwards into the chamber beyond and landed with a meaty "thud". The slippered feet twitched once and were still.

(DM's Note: Rowan rolled a critical and hit for almost max damage!)

Lew dropped to the ground beside Quintus and said, "Let me show you how this is done!" He quickly patched up Sextus and stopped the bleeding.

Assured that his brother was out of immediate danger, Quintus followed Rowan and Rosë into the chamber. The latter two quickly cornered the cowering skeletons and battered them to pieces. The zombies, appartently, had disappeared through the open doorway. The trio find themselves in some type of workshop.

There are several large casks, a huge chest, a long work table with all manner of beakers, glass containers, mortar and pestel, jars with various colored powders and other sundry items stacked upon the workbench. Two closed doors are in the side walls of the room and a heavy brown curtain was drawn across an opening in the far corner. A large brazier burned in a near corner, lighting most of the room.

After a hasty conference, the group decided to withdraw. Rosë drug the body of the fallen spellcaster from the doorway, leaving a broad smear of blood across the labratory chamber enroute to the sarcophagai room. Quintus hefted the chest and followed, while Rowan acted as a rearguard. Meanwhile, Lew expended several minor miracles to get Sextus back on his feet. They quickly searched the dead body, stripping off the metal belt, from which hung six pouches - they find nothing else.

Dragging the large chest behind them, they retreated all the way to the mine entrance before halting and examining the chest. Several well-placed blows by Rosë opened it, revealing four velvet lined trays, but otherwise empty. Quintus surmised that it was used to transport the lab materials.

They quickly decided that Lew would accompany the badly injured Sextus and Rosë back to town to tell Kyndalyn and Father Thomas what they have found and seek additional medical help, while Quintus and Rowan kept watch on the mine entrance. The two that remained behind found a good vantage point while Lew, Rosë and Sextus departed for the hour-long journey back to town.

The trio arrived just before Evening Vespers and the closing of the gate. Even though it was Restday, the streets are nearly deserted. They went to the Abbey and discovered that Father Thomas was not there. Drusan, one of the Aspirants, told them that almost the entire town was at a meeting in the Council Hall.

They made their way there and found several hundred people crammed into the hall - standing room only! Rosë received several dark looks as they pushed their way inside and the reason soon became apparent. Kyndalyn the Younger was telling the gathering that several large barbarian warbands had crossed the river, heading East, and Glynden seemed to be their target. He implored the people to return to their homes and prepare for the defense of the town, as the barbarians were no more than three days away!

Sextus, Lew and Rosë looked at one another in dismay! What of Quintus and Rowan?

To Be Continued...

Next: Session 3 (Part Two) - Another Hole and a Zombie

Old One

Session 3 (Part Two)

Another Hole and A Zombie...

Lew and Sextus pressed through the throng rapidly exiting the Council Hall to speak with Father Thomas. They passed a grim-faced Calian Cassuvius, surrounded by armed retainers and hustling out. Rosë decided he was hungry and headed over to Nan's Tavern for some roast mutton and an ale. Finding the door locked, he sat down, back against the wall, and waited.

As they neared Father Thomas, Sextus heard a sharp whisper in his ear, "Where is your damnable brother, Scipio? He and I aren't done yet...you tell him that I am looking for him!"

Sextus turned to see the pock-marked face of Ned Gallway, the lanky overseer of the Braithwaite Mining Company, leering down at him. "He's still out looking for the missing kids," Sextus replied evenly, returning Ned's gaze. "I will see that he gets the message."

"You do that," Ned sneered, before he turned away and disappeared into the thining crowd.

"What was that all about?" Lew inquired.

"Oh nothing, just a little family business," Sextus replied, a wane smile touching the corner of his mouth. "There's Father Thomas."

They quickly briefed Father Thomas on their findings thus far. He stopped them when they started talking about the skeletal archers and zombie miners - suggesting they retire to somewhere more private. Several turns of the minute glass later, they were comfortably seated in his small study. He sent an aspirant to fetch Rosë and listened with growing alarm to their tale of undead and associated magic users.

When Rosë showed up, Father Thomas called upon the miracles of Osirian to return he and Sextus to full health. He encouraged them to rest, then return to the newly-discovered complex and continue searching. He also provided them with a small wooden box that contained three healing draughts and three vials of water blessed by Osirian, which he indicated could be helpful against undead creatures. With that, he excused himself, saying Kyndalyn was expecting him, and departed.

The trio stopped by the tavern for a late meal, found it nearly deserted, and retired. Sextus' sisters and mother, alarmed at his blood-covered clothes, quizzed him until early in the morning about his adventures. Sextus also discovered that Abrigail, Quintus' "friend" had stopped by looking for him earlier in the evening.

The next day dawned chilly, with a fair amount of low-laying mist. They trooped out of town at first light and met back up with Quintus and Rowan, who had spent an uneventful evening watching the mine entrance. The only thing they had seen was a large, dark-colored bird that exited the mine just before dark and flown North. Quintus had searched the dead mage's pouches and discovered various spell components, a large sum of solidii and denarii, along with a strange golden amulet. It was about twice the size of a solidus, with a skull and dagger imprinted on it, along with some runic script. Quintus, Lew and Sextus all attempted to decipher the script - with no luck.

They ventured back through the mine, the secret passage and into the carved out chambers. They spent some time examining the "Tomb Room" - opening each of the sarcophagai and searching them thoroughly, finding nothing. The body of the mage, slowly ripening, lay were they had left it. They stepped over it and moved into the "Laboratory Room".

They assumed a defensive array, then tried the right-hand door. It revealed a 5 pace by 10 pace chamber, hung with burgundy and black wall hangings. Along the center of one of the long walls was a low table, with several small, gold vessels atop it. Shortsword at the ready, Rowan moved cautiously into the room. He heard a low humming noise fill the room and a moment later, a crackling crimson beam leapt from the table, striking Rowan full in the chest and dropping him to the ground, smoking and popping!

Rosë reached through the doorway and pulled Rowan to safety. A quick check by Lew showed that Rowan was quickly fading, so he called forth the power of Osirian to heal his friend. Several miracles latter, Rowan was back up, although his hair still stood on end. They decided to leave the burgundy and black chamber alone for the time being and moved to the door on the left.

Rosë forced the door open and they found a narrow chamber stacked high with crates and boxes. In one corner, Rosë noticed two small forms, bound and gagged, laying amid over-turned pewter bowls and cups. He advanced cautiously, blade ready. The lantern-light revealed what looked like two wild-eyed children. Rosë called Quintus forward.

He rushed into the room and discovered his cousins, Meikos and Wynda, scared and hungry, but otherwise unharmed. Wynda began crying immediately, but Meikos started babbling excitedly about the "Mean Man" and the "Pretty Lady" and the "Icky Men". They were able to determine that the dead mage was the "Mean Man" and that a dark-haired "Pretty Lady" was nice to them and made sure they had food. Wynda's crying intensified when she saw the dead body of the "Mean Man" - so the band decided, after a quick conference, to take the children to town, then return.

They returned to find Glynden busily preparing for the anticipated barbarian incursion. After a tearful reunion between parents and children, the party went to see Father Thomas. They showed him the strange medallion they had discovered on the dead mage. After consulting a dusty tome, he indicated that it was the symbol of the Cult of Ashai, an ancient sect dedicated to a minor servant of Azrael-Arhiman.

Father Thomas seemed very disturbed by their find, but did not elaborate in great detail. They all felt that he might be holding something back from them, but decided not to press the issue further. When they asked how to deal with the chamber that contained the wall hangings and the alter, Father Thomas indicated that Lew could pit his holy power against the wardings of the chamber, much like he would when channeling the power of Osirian to repel undead. He warned his acolyte against taking such an action, however, since he could be seriously injured should he fail. The group decided, with Father Thomas input, to return to the complex and finish searching it.

Lew stayed behind to talk to Father Thomas for a few moments, since the burgunday and black hangings reminded him of the nightmares he had about his parent's deaths. He had a small crises of faith, unsure whether he could return to the complex. Father Thomas talked quietly with him for a few mintues and Lew, feeling better, emerged from the study to join his companions. Father Thomas' parting words was that they should be back no later than midday the following day.

The return trip was uneventful and they found the complex undisturbed since they last foray.

They examined the crates and boxes from the storage chamber, finding a large amount of preserved food and various mining and stone-working implements. Behind the heavy brown curtain they found a privy - no one volunteered to examine it closely!

They cautiously moved through the doorway that the enemy mage had fallen in. Beyond the threshold, they found what appeared to be living quarters, with two beds, a table and several stools. On the table they found writing insturments, what appeared to be a journal, written in a flowing script, and a crude map. Half-hidden by the covers on one of the beds they found a note, written in the same hand, to someone named Luc, who they surmised was the mage they had killed. Searching the room throughly, they found a hidden stash of coin, including over 150 solidii - more money than most of the group had ever seen in once place before!

(DM's Note: I will post the contents of the journal and the note a little later.)

Another heavy brown curtain covered the only obvious exit from the room, so the group moved forward cautiously to investigate. They discoved a narrow, rough-hewn passage behind the drapery and advanced, single-file. They kept a careful watch, since they had seen no sign of the undead miners that Lew had driven away the previous day. After 10 or so paces, the passageway turned to the left.

Rowan, in the lead, failed to hear a faint metallic "click". He did, however, notice the floor dropping away under him!

He desperately sought to catch himself on the edge of the pit as a section of the floor, hinged on one side, fell away. His lantern and short sword dropped into the pit, followed shortly by Rowan as his hands failed to find purchase. He dropped about 10 paces, landing heavily. Pain shot up both of his legs and he was greeted by a low moaning sound.

His lantern had hit and tipped over, spilling out oil which ignited, throwing off a dim light. He saw the horrid visage of an undead miner, swinging a rotted fist at him. Underneath the feet of the miner were the broken bodies of two more...he had found the missing zombies!

To Be Continued...

Next: Session 3 (Part Three) - How Many Adventurers Does It Take to Kill One Badly Wounded Zombie?

Old One

Interlude - Note and Journal Entries

As promised, here are the note and the journal entries discovered by the PCs:

NOTE

Luc –

Continue with the Greenstrake experiment. Darkclaw and I are going to examine this new development in the 5th shaft. Prepare the new materials and don’t forget to feed our guests something.

-R.

JOURNAL


14 Meresworn – Luc and I, along with our companions arrived at our destination. As C. indicated, it is truly a forsaken place. Have encountered several of the Blessed and set them to watch the upper mine and expanding the lower living quarters for a proper lab.

20 Meresworn – Preparations complete. We have set up the first titers for the Greenstrake experiment. Have located several more Blessed in the halls and bent them to my will. Luc is getting on my nerves – how I miss my home!

24 Meresworn – Luc is an idiot! I specifically told him to wait for 5 turns before mixing in the zombie powder. First titers are ruined. Darkclaw just returned from C. – more supplies should be coming soon.

2 Earthturn – Attended the Greengrass festival in that poor excuse for a town a couple of days ago. What a bunch of hicks! Did pick up some much needed supplies – soap and a washbasin among them. Some snoopy Caeldyn questioned me for a few minutes – but I made eyes at him and he left me alone.

10 Earthturn – Interesting! Darkclaw informs me that a bunch of strangers have occupied the 5th and 6th. I will have to see what they are about after we run the next titers tomorrow. No further word from C. about the additional materials I requested. Well, maybe Luc does have a brain in him – he captured two sweetlings. They may come in useful in our experiments. I will have to examine them more closely when I return.

10 Earthturn – Just what we need, a bunch of kilted idiots from some unwashed clan in the highlands! Perhaps we can turn this to our advantage. I just hope Luc doesn’t destroy the place while I look into this.

Stay Tuned...

Old One

Session 3 (Part Three)

How Many Adventurers Does It Take To Kill One Badly Wounded Zombie?

Rosë, who was directly behind Rowan, used his sword to jam the trap door over the pit open as it swung shut. He managed to stop it just before it closed, but couldn't see what is happening below. The others crowded forward to see what was happening. Rosë used his foot to shove the well-oiled door back open, but forgot to hold onto his sword. The large blade plummeted into the pit and narrowly missed Rowan!

Down in the pit, the badly injured Rowan took a feeble swing at the zombie miner, but failed to connect. The undead creature's return hit slammed the ranger up against the wall of the pit with stunning force. Bones buckled and Rowan dropped in a heap, bleeding from internal injuries.

Rosë saw his friend fall, snatched up a small hammer, grabbed the end of a length of rope and leapt into the pit, attempting to land on the zombie and crush it! Unfortunately, he missed everything and landed on the only spot that did not contain a zombie or a companion, wrenching his leg in the process. The zombie greeted him with a stunning attack that left the barbarian reeling.

Above the pit, Sextus, Quintus and Lew milled around for a few moments in confusion before deciding on a course of action. Rosë and the undead miner traded blows, with the barbarian missing badly and the zombie scoring another hit, leaving Rosë teetering on the edge of consciousness! Meanwhile, the spilled lamp oil from Rowan's lantern had ignited the rotted clothing of the two zombie bodies, creating clouds of acrid smoke. The fire crept dangerously close to the prone form of Rowan, whose condition was rapidly deteriorating.

Lew stepped forward, raised his holy symbol and used the power of Osirian to banish the zombie to the far wall of the pit. Quintus tied a rope around a healing draught to send it down to the barely conscious Rosë. The barbarian fumbled for a waterskin and attempted to put out the fire, but he did not have the strength to make the effort.

Quintus swung the healing draught into Rosë's hand and the failing barbarian gulped it down. Somewhat refreshed, Rosë quickly squirted water onto the leg of Rowan's trousers, which had just ignited from the burning oil. Then, coughing and wheezing through the increasingly dense smoke, he tied a rope around Rowan's pale form and called for the others to haul him up.

The ranger's limp body slid over the lip of the pit. Lew, fearing his friend was dead, dropped to one knee and detected a faint pulse. He quickly called upon all of his orisons and the minor holy power returned some color to Rowan's face. Quintus and Sextus hauled Rosë from the hole as the remaining zombie caught fire, moaning pitifully. The smoke was so dense that the group decide to beat a hasty retreat after administering another healing draught to Rowan. The potent liquid returned the ranger to wakefulness.

(DM's Note: Rowan stabilized at -9, just before Rosë tied the rope around him to haul him out! He has not CON bonus, so he was 1 HP away from Deathsgate...still alive and kicking though.)

Since they had expended two of their healing draughts, Lew was completely exhausted and both Rowan and Rosë were badly injured, they wisely decided to return to Glynden. They made it back to town without incident, reaching the gates 15 turns of the minute glass before they closed. They made straight for the Abbey to inform Father Thomas of their finds.

To Be Continued...

Next: Session 4 (Part One) - Dead Man Walking

I haven't finished doing the XP yet, but I think there will be enough for almost everyone to level for the next event. The way I work leveling is that training is required if:

1) A new feat is gained

2) A new spell level is gained

3) A new skill is chosen

4) A new class is taken

If the character is improving skills already known, gaining additional spells for spell levels they can already cast, etc - then training is not required. New hit points, saves, BAB bonus, etc. are obtained as soon as they level.

Old One

Session 4 (Part One)

When we last left our intrepid band, they had successfully rescued the missing children, Meikos and Wynda, and discovered a den of foul necromancy - filled with alchemical materials, zombies; skeletal archers and necromancer named Luc. After dispatching Luc and his menions, they found an unholy alter (which almost killed Rowan with a bolt of black, crackling energy) and information pointing to someone named "R", who seemed to be in charge of the operation. They also discovered symbology pointing to the involvement of an ancient assassin's group with ties to undeath - The Cult of Ashai.

An impending barbarian attack on Glynden forced the party to take cover within the stout walls of the town, their investigation incomplete...

Dead Man Walking

The barbarian warbands milled about Glynden and the surrounding area for over a week, but never even got within ballistae range of the town. Scouting expeditions by Kyndalyn the Younger and Josephus of Bremerton indicated that the tribesmen seemed to be searching the area...looking for something or someone.

Constant false alarms caused many sleepless nights and as the forced confinement continued, nerves began to fray and tempers grew short. "Boss" Brathwaite complained continuously about the amount of money he was losing due to the mines being closed and several fistfights erupted between miners and militia members.

During the forced inactivity, the party continued their research on the Cult of Ashai and discovered the following:

• Ashai was once an angel, but rebelled against Osirian during the Sundering and is a retainer of Baelzar
• The cult is known for its female followers and use of undead assassins
• There are several old prophecies from the Cult of Shadow that refer to Ashai as a “path” or a “way”, but the context or meaning is unclear

Father Thomas’ information on the cult and Ashai are limited. He did relate that a shrine dedicated to the cult was reported to be located in the Lost Northern Provinces, but has no idea as to the exact location. He suggested that the Bishop’s library in Oar, which was much more extensive than the one in the Abbey, might hold more information.

Quintus and Sextus invited everyone to dine with his family on several occasions and he arranged to have his sister, Maxima, serve Rowan each time. On one occasion, the shy but levelheaded Maxima left Rowan a garland of flowers. Quintus was quite pleased by the smiles exchanged by his friend and sister!

Less pleasing to Quintus was that Ned Gallway (Brathwaite's foreman) dark looks followed him whenever they were in proximity. Quintus informed his companions that Gallway had forcibly prevented him from trying to search for his missing cousins and that he (Quintus) had escaped his confinement in the mine and stolen something very valuable and potentially very embarrassing from Gallway during the escape. He related the story because he was worried that Gallway might use the cover of a barbarian attack to stick a knife in him. He did not discuss the exact nature of the item, saying instead that it would be better for them if they did not know (for their own safety). In addition, his one-time lover Abrigal was missing. Quintus feared that she had fallen prey to either her own unhealthy interest in Necromancy or the machinations of Ned Gallway.

Sextus composed a song about the party’s exploits in defeating the undead and rescuing the children. He sang it at Nan’s Tavern several times, usually to a good response. One particular night, however, one of the miners starts making fun and Sextus takes offense. A scuffle ensued and Sextus was left with a badly wrenched back. Father Thomas recommended several days of bed rest, so Sextus did not accompany the group on their next foray.

(DM Note: Steve, who plays Sextus, had an emergency trip to the vet with his dog as was unavailable to play.)

The parents of Meikos and Wynda prepared a fine dinner for the party in thanks. Meikos also took to following members of the party around everywhere, proudly proclaiming to all that he too would be an adventurer someday – just like his brave uncles, Sextus and Quintus! Although it is flattering at first, the lad’s attention soon became rather cloying.

Rowan got Lew to teach him the basics of healing – bandaging, splinting, applying ointments and salves so the party would have some additional skill in that area.

Lew had a disturbing dream one night. He saw a lush green field and spotted a small figure approaching him. As the figure got closer, he realized that it was Garrick, wearing a broad smile. As Garrick got closer, Lew noticed that the look on Garrick’s face turned from happiness to concern and the halfling started running towards him – waving his arms, pointing behind Lew and screaming wordlessly. Lew was unable to turn around, his vision remained fixed on Garrick. Just before the halfling reached him, he saw a large curved sword blade reflected in the halfling's luminous brown eyes and the scene went blood red, then faded to black. Lew awoke in a cold sweat.

After ten days, no more was seen of the barbarians, so the Council of Elders released the townsfolk and miners to be about their business. With Sextus confined to his bed with a bad back, the party beseeched Father Thomas to accompany them to the underground laboratory and shrine to help them dispel the foul magic that so badly hurt Rowan. After some consideration, he agreed and joined them clad in ring mail armor and bearing a two-handed morningstar. They carefully retraced their now familiar path through the 2nd mine trace and reach the compound.

They noticed immediately that the body of Luc and the other undead they killed before were gone. Advancing cautiously, they found - much to their dismay - the entire workroom had been cleared out. In addition, the storeroom and sleeping chamber were also empty. The door to the shrine was closed, but Father Thomas detected some type of malevolent magic around the door. Father Thomas instructed everyone to prepare themselves, while he and Lew matched themselves against the magic. He called upon the power of Osirian and a pulsating wave of shimmering blue light washed over the door like the ocean against a rocky coast. Crackling black energy surged against the blue and the two forces contended against ear other for several moments. Suddenly, without warning, the door shivered and then exploded into a thousand fragments. Father Thomas and Lew were pelted with wooden splinters, but sustained no real injuries.

Beyond the ruined door, the shrine chamber remained intact – walls covered with alternating crimson and black vertical hangings, a low table and three vessels. Father Thomas gathered his will once more and called upon the favor of Osirian. Waves of blue force emanated from the priest’s outstretched hands and rolled into the room. The images within shimmered for a moment, then dissipated, revealing skeletal archers and rotting zombies. Four arrows sliced through the open doorframe and both Father Thomas and Lew were grazed. Lew raised his own holy symbol and called upon his most potent power against such creatures, Greater Turning. He felt the power of Osirian grow strong within him and sent the gathered strength hurtling towards the enemy. The waves of blue force washed over the skeletons and zombies, then a black flash issued from the chest of one of the zombies and the power of Osirian was shunted aside, leaving all of the undead unharmed. Lew noticed that the black flash had originated from the zombie formerly known as Luc. Father Thomas attempted to repel the undead, with equally poor results.

As the remainder of the party readied themselves, four zombies plowed through the doorway and engaged Father Thomas, Lew and Röse. Three were swinging mining picks and one, the undead form of Luc, bore a long, curved knife with a serrated edge. The battle that followed was brutal. One zombie was quickly felled, but the other three landed punishing blows on Lew and Röse. Zombie Luc struck Röse again and again with the evil looking knife. The barbarian felt an unearthly coldness each time the knife struck, but was able to fight off any untoward effects. Röse, badly rattled, could not connect with Zombie Luc. Quintus, however, pump bolt after bolt into the body from just a few paces away. Rowan, using his superior aim, sailed several arrows into their foes until his bow broke unexpectedly with a resounding “crack”!

(DM’s Note: Critical Fumble by Rowan.)

The powers of the two priests of Osirian, normally very effective against undead, were useless. Each time they attempted to turn or dispel the creatures, a black stone amulet on a thong around Zombie Luc’s neck flared with crackling energy, counter-acting their positive force. In addition, after landing a mighty blow, Röse was stunned to see the stone flare and the undead flesh begin to knit back together! Quintus noticed this as well and continued to fire into Luc’s undead form. As Rowan discarded the remains of his bow and moved forward with his trusty shortsword, Lew called upon the power of his God to temporarily imbue Rowan’s blade with magical power. Another zombie was quickly dropped, but the gap created in the enemy line now allowed the skeletal archers to fire at the party. Numerous bone arrows started cutting through the air and several found their marks.

A powerful blow from Röse finally sent Zombie Luc crashing to the floor, after it had sustained enough damage to kill seven normal men. Quintus, waiting for just such an opportunity, leaped forward to tear the black stone pendant from Zombie Luc’s neck. Unfortunately, as Quintus grasped the stone, black crackling energy surged through him, seriously injuring him and forcing him to release the talisman. A moment later, a bone arrow struck the sorcerer in the chest and he slumped to the floor. Lew rushed to his friend and found him barely conscious. “Use the power of Osirian to banish the others,” Quintus mumbled through gritted teeth, fighting to stay awake.

His faith in his ability somewhat shaken, Lew instead chose to use an orison to heal Quintus and allow him to act. A sword thrust from Rowan finished the last zombie and Father Thomas stepped around the doorway and felled a skeletal archer with a powerful blow of his morningstar. Another bone arrow grazed Lew while Quintus struggled back to his feet. Röse struck around the corner at another skeletal archer but missed. The hair on the back of the barbarian’s neck started to rise as he heard a scuffling sound at his feet – Zombie Luc’s flesh was knitting back together and the undead horror lunged forward, trying to bury its knife in his flesh! Desperately, he slashed down with his sword, but was unable to make contact. A crossbow bolt from Quintus and slash from Rowan’s blade felled Zombie Luc again and an audible “pop” was heard as the creature collapsed. Black smoke drifted up from the unmoving body…the black stone amulet was no more!

Seeing an opportunity, Father Thomas presented his holy symbol once more and called upon the power of Osirian to blast the skeletal archers into oblivion. This time, there was no dark magic to protect them and the three remaining archers burst into dust in rapid succession. Röse, furious at the damage Zombie Luc had done to him, proceeded to hack the head, hands and feet from the corpse and array them on the empty work bench. They also noticed that the other three zombies all wore gray, rust and green checked tunics and they appeared to be fairly “fresh” – unlike the desiccated ones they had encountered before. After pausing to rest and heal for a few moments, the party pushed on to the tunnel past the sleeping chamber.

They used wood from the workbench and abandoned beds to bridge the pit where Rowan had nearly come to grief on their last foray and soon found well-worn shallow steps leading up, which ended before a blank wall. Röse quipped that he understood why the steps were so worn, “People walk up the steps, see wall, walk back down…then repeat!”

A quick search yielded a concealed slot. An inserted dagger later, a door swung open, revealing a rough-hewn corridor that opened into a slightly larger natural passage with smooth, irregular walls. Quintus indicated that it was probably an old underground stream or riverbed. They followed the dry streambed for about an hour, before deciding to return to Glynden. They speculated that a feature on one of the maps they had found might be the underground riverbed. They discussed their options with Father Thomas. They speculated that “R” had attacked the mining operation of Clan MacGlown and/or might be setting up operations in one of the more remote mines. They resolved to rest, re-fit and attempt to track her down.

Just as they were entering the town, Rowan noticed a large black crow watching them from a tree. When he turned to look fully at the bird, it disappeared into the woods.

To Be Continued…

Next: Session 4 (Part Two)- Röse’s Past Rears Its Ugly Head

Old One

Session 4 (Part Two)

Röse’s Past Rears Its Ugly Head

That evening, they all gathered at the Scipio house for a chaotic meal. The oldest Scipio girl, Sebrina, is moping because she has been under "house arrest" since the kissing incident with Orsen Jucadius. Maxima, however, seems quite taken with Rowan (although he has spoken to her very little - his eyes and shy smile indicate he may be interested as well). Sextus remained firmly entrenched in his bed, even though several of his sisters whispered to Quintus that he was just malingering! Before departing, Rowan placed several pressed flowers from the garland Maxima had given him under his plate for her to find as she cleaned up after dinner. Quintus beamed to himself, "One down, six to go!"

Father Thomas took Lew aside for a few moments after he returned to the Abbey from dinner. "Lew, I want you to be very careful in your pursuit of the Cult of Ashai. The magics we encountered today are quite powerful. Do not be afraid to retreat if you are over-matched...I have already lost your brother and I can ill-afford to lose you as well!"

Lew mumbled that he would be careful, then stumbled off to bed, praying fervently to Osirian for a dreamless night. He awoke the next morning feeling alive and refreshed.

They set out early the next morning, into the teeth of a chill breeze blowing from the north, bound for the 5th and 6th mine traces. Heavy dew covered the ground and shadowy tenidrils of mist drifted down from to foothills. Rowan, as usual, scouted ahead, alert for any signs of passage. After they passed the 2nd mine trace, the ground became much more broken and rocky. The path wound back and forth between huge boulders, rocky outcroppings and patches of scrub brush. About two turns of the hourglass out of Glynden, Rowan came across clear signs of a good-sized group (4-8) of human-sized creatures that had crossed the trail moving from west to east.

After a brief discussion, the party decided to follow the trail. Weapons were readied and they cautiously continued on. After another quarter of an hour, the rising sun began to burn off the dew, making it more difficult for Rowan to follow the trail. They soon came to a ridgeline, below which they could see the trail they had been following earlier. Several of the sharper-eared members of the band heard some faint noises ahead. Rowan crept forward to investigate.

He inched up one side of a large boulder and peeked over the top. There, not half a dagger throw away, the bearded visage of a tribesman stared back at him. The barbarian's face was well-tanned, his hair was coiffed in elaborate braids and several feathers were woven into his hair. They stared at each other for a moment, eyes wide with suprise, then both dropped down their respective sides.

Rowan alerted the others to the prescence of the tribesmen and a moment latter, gutteral shouting could be heard on the other side fo the ridgeline. The party clustered indecisively for a moment, trying to determine the best course of action. Several heartbeats later, three barbarian warriors charged over an adjacent hill, clad in leather armor and bearing large wooden shields and javelins. Their advance slowed for a a grain or two, then they saw Röse, broke into a chorus of warcries and sprinted forward. Lew and Quintus had some training in Gallic, the language of the tribes and clearly heard shouts of "Traitor"!

At ten paces, the barbarian hurled their javelins, then split up, seeking cover among the boulders. Their javelins tore into Röse with telling effect and blood gushed from two wounds. Recovering from their suprise, the party leapt into action. Rowan and Röse snapped off quick shots with their readied arrows and each grazed a tribesman. Quintus ducked behind a large rock and prepared to cast a Sleep spell. Lew called upon the power of Osirian to close some of Röse's wounds, but was able to channel only a small amount of his God's power.

The inner power that Röse had struggled to keep in check for the past several moons burst forth and the barbarian, in a cold rage, flung his bow aside, pulled his mighty blade and charged towards the nearest tribesman. Rowan's arrow buzzed past Röse's ear, drawing a thin line of blood across the enemy tribesman's scalp just before Röse reached him. A mighty two-handed blow cut through the tribesman's arm just above the rim of his shield, completely severing the limb before lodging in the ribs. The tribesman collapsed in a bloody heap - dead!

(DM's Note: Not a critical - but a max damage hit while raging...ouch!)

Quintus stepped around the boulder he had been using for cover and sent the other two tribesmen into a dreamless slumber with his arcane power. Just then, another trio of tribesmen broke cover and charged directly towards Röse. The two flanking warriors were accoutered like the first group. The one in the center, however, stood well over three paces high and bore a massive two-handed axe. He bellowed in anger when he saw Röse and began to froth at the mouth. Lew and Quintus both heard him shouting, "Where is she, traitor, what have you done with her?!?"

Röse's rage-dimmed mind sparked in vague recognition of the blond giant, although he couldn't place the name. Another javelin struck home as they closed with him and he barely avoided the deadly arc of the huge battle axe. Even in the depths of his rage, his wits were not totally gone and his brain screamed that he was doomed if he stood his ground. Röse leaped back and sprinted back up the hill towards his companions.

Lew took one look at Röse's bloodied form streaking up the hill, then he too turned and bolted. Quintus and Rowan looked at each other, then at the axe-wielding giant charging up the rocky slope towards them and reached an unspoken agreement to join the retreat!

"Turn and fight, softlings! You run like a woman, coward! Turn and face me, Traitor!"

Paying no heed to the epithets that followed them, the four companions raced back in the direction they had come. They succeeded in outpacing the two tribesman, but the blond giant gained ground on them with each step. Finally, Röse, slowed by wounds and feeling the adrenaline of his rage leaving his veins, could run no more. He ground to a halt and turned, wearily raising his blade and awaiting the onslaught of his enemy. The other three skidded to a halt and prepared to give battle.

Lew called the blessing of Osirian down upon them and everyone felt their limbs and spirit strengthen. Röse fired at the charging barbarian, who shrugged off the arrow strike and continued forward, axe held high. Quintus prepared another Sleep spell and commanded the two trailing tribesmen into slumber.

The howling tribesman's first stroke shaved the stubble from Röse's face, but left his skin untouched. In return, Röse slashed into his opponent's leg - the power of Osirian's blessing helping him past the raging barbarian's guard. Rowan took careful aim and fired again, but his shot sailed wide. Quintus added to the enemy's pain with missile of mystical force that burned into his chest.

The enraged barbarian slashed at Röse again. Somehow, he managed to stagger out of the way and the whistling axe blade cut nothing but air. The mad tribesman continue to shout curses at Röse, but his muscles are starting to quiver with exhaustion. The companions press their advantage in numbers and a sword blow and arrow later, the hulking tribesman lays at their feet...blood rapidly draining away.

(DM's Note: My now infamous "dice luck" completely deserted me on this encounter. Depsite significant bonuses to hit plus raging, the barbarian leader missed Röse on every attack...all four of them. Boo Hiss!)

Quintus, thinking quickly, instructed Lew to save the barbarian before he is completely gone. Lew looked at his friend in suprise but complied. Rowan and Röse quickly trussed up the two closest sleeping tribesmen and stripped them of their gear. Röse recognized them as being from the Allmani and the Nervii tribes. They found curious fetishes around the tribesmen's necks - made of feathers, animal claws and intricately wrapped string. Röse was uncertain as to their origin or meaning.

After a short, but heated debate, they decided to take the unconscious barbarian with them and retreat before any more tribesmen arrived. They decided to make for the 2nd mine trace first, see if they are pursued, then return to town. As they departed, Lew and Quintus demanded that Röse tell them what was going on and how the barbarians knew him.

Röse remained tight-lipped for a moment, then relented.

Röse's Story

"Seven or eight moons ago, I went to a great Gathering of the Tribes - an event that happens but once every five or six winters. While there, I met a beautiful young woman by the name of Asralla. She was as taken with me as I was with her and we lay together...many times. Unknown to me, she was the daughter of Talorc, Warlord of the Allmani - who are the sworn blood enemy of my people, the Brigantes.

Her father's warriors caught us together and we were hauled before the Council of Warlords. Not only was she the daughter of Talorc, but she was promised to the son of the Warlord of the Nervii, Kothric, and it is he that we now carry! Vercinox, Warlord of the Brigantes, sentenced me to die at the hands of Barag, the great bear - totem of the Allmani - to prevent open warfare at the Council.

My mother, however, helped me to escape and I fled. Vercinox and his warriors pursued me to the Bridge of the Steel Men and I attempted to leap across it's broken span. I nearly made it, but fell instead into the Great Water. I was swept away and thought I that I was dead. Wingstrom, the Great Eagle - totem of the Brigantes - did not want me to die.

He sent the old witch to save me. She tended my wounds for many days and many nights and taught me to speak the words of the Steel Men. Then she turned into an eagle and flew away, heading east. I followed her path and eventually came to the huts of the Steel Men.

The only thing I can think of is that he is seeking Asralla, but I do not know why he would. She is only a woman and I have already taken her flower! I cannot believe that the Nervii and the Allmani would send a warbard after her...although she is beautiful enough to warrant it!"

Quintus was incredulous. "You mean to tell me that this is a chief's son AND you stole his woman AND we have defeated him in combat?"

Röse nodded mutely, suddenly quite embarrassed. They arrived at the 2nd mine trace and entered, setting Rowan to watch for pursuit while the continued to discuss their options. Lew indicated that they needed to get the prisoner to some "proper" medical facilities or else he might still expire. Quintus was torn between killing him outright and trying to use him as a bargaining chip. In the end, they decided to return to town, with Kothric, and present the dilemma to the Council of Elders.

They returned to Glynden without further incident, although Quintus noticed a large crow atop one of the towers as they entered the gates. The bird cawed jeeringly at him, then winged its way north.

They quickly gathered Father Thomas and Kyndalyn and explained what had transpired. They made Röse relate his tale again and both were clearly concerned. Kyndalyn departed to find Josephus of Bremerton while Father Thomas called upon Osirian to close the most serious of Kothric's wounds. The tribesman regained consciousness and immediately began railing at Röse. Then, taking note of his surroundings, he clamped his mouth shut and refused to say more.

A combination of diplomacy, bluffs, threats and intimidation did not elicit any further verbal responses, although his reactions to Röse's taunts led the party to believe that he was indeed searching for Asralla. Responding to queries on the subject, Röse indicated that returning him to his people would not guarantee the safety of Glynden, since he was not taken in honorable individual combat, but by many against one. He did seem to think that holding the son of the Warlord of the Nervii would all but ensure an attack.

Kyndalyn and Josephus arrived during this discussion and since Josephus seemed to know more about the tribesman than anyone except Röse, they asked for his advice. Quintus bluntly asked him if the drugs that he was using to poison, er...treat Quintus' father with would be of any use. Josephus bristled at Quintus' thinly veiled accusation and defended his aid for the elder Scipio. Quintus let the matter drop and they returned to the matter at hand.

After cutting off a huge chaw of raw tobacco, Josephus indicated that the best course of action was to take Kothric part-way to the Thunder River and leave him for his people to find after lighting a fire. While not assuring the town's safety, Josephus indicated that continuing to hold him was not a good idea. Kyndalyn and Father Thomas agreed and the Constable bluntly asked the party to accept the task.

"I will provide a buckboard and team...can you leave at first light?"

Quintus, acting as party spokesman, agreed, but placed a condition upon the agreement.

"I am concerned about the proximity of my family's dwelling to the walls. If I...we agree to this, will you agree to find a suitable dwelling for them closer the center of town?" He was desperate to get his family out from under the thumb of Ned Gallway and "Boss" Brathwaite.

Kyndalyn agreed to look into the matter, as did Father Thomas. Josephus looked at Quintus, a sly gleam in his eye and fished a small glass vial, filled with green liquid, from his pouch and handed it to the sorcerer. "Here'n ya go, this may come in helpful. Just a coupla' drops now...not too much...it should keep him quiet!"

Quintus nodded wordlessly and accepted the vial. They all agreed that they would gather at first light and depart. Röse suggested that Kyndalyn exchange the ropes for manacles. Looking down, the Constable was shocked to see that Kothric had already chewed his way through the topmost rope. He hastily agreed and the party, subdued and concerned, departed to turn in for the night.

That night, Lew had another bizarre dream. This time, Marcus Tiro approached him across the same field that Garrick had. Marcus, however, was covered in blood and had a score of barbarian javelins protruding from his body. His eyes were closed, but as he drew close to Lew, he opened his eyes and mouth and bright red blood came gushing out. With each step, Marcus Tiro left a huge puddle of blood. As before, Lew's vision went blood red before fading to blackness.

The band gathered at the gaol early the next morning and prepared to depart. A chill wind blew from the north, quite unusual for that late in the spring. Their cargo, awake but bound and gagged, was loaded into the buckboard. He glared at them with hatefilled, bloodshot eyes that seemed to burn right through them! Shaken, they prepared to depart Glynden with the son of the Nervii Warlord.

To Be Continued...

Next: Session 5 (Part One)- Barbarians, Dire Bears and Diapers…Oh My!

Old One

Interlude - Quintus' Log

Greetings All!

The following is the log for Quintus (played by Corey) from our last adventure. It is written from the PCs perspective and gives his thoughts on many of the "plot hooks" that are dangling out there!

Enjoy!

Quintus' Journal

When the barbarian tribes crossed the Thunder River, I feared they had finally decided that to rid the north of civilization's remaining stronghold. I was relieved when they withdrew after more than a week of inexplicable activity.

Certainly their puzzling behavior needs further investigation, but I remember my grandfather, Tribune Antonine Scipio, using his few sober moments to tell me to stay focused on one objective. Currently, our objective is to investigate the activity apparently being conducted by the Cult of Ashai in Glyndyn's western mine traces.

However, my grandfather never mentioned that several problems might all demand my attention at once.

These problems, as near as I can sort them in my own head, include:

• My corrupt former boss Ned Gallway wanting me dead for stealing information that could compromise his illegitimate activities
• My former fiance Abrigal is missing
• My crippled father, emotionally ruined mother, irresponsible brother and six younger sisters may be thrown homeless into the street at any moment
• The eldest and most foolish of my sisters is obsessed with one of the town thugs
• Some crazed woman has established an alter to an ancient necromantic deity
• And now the barbarians are playing mind games with us.

Trying to sort all that out makes my head hurt!

During the barbarian troubles I had Sextus, my less than responsible brother, compose a song about rescuing our cousins. He lacks direction, but is a fine singer. This admittedly weak ploy achieved my purpose of calling positive attention to our band. I feared a fight with the barbarians might be excellent cover for Gallway to put a knife in me. I hoped the attention the song brought to us meant Gallway could not exploit my relative anonymity in Glyndyn to have me quietly thrown down one of the town wells.

I also invited my new friends to dinner to informed them of the situation with Gallway. They also helped to ensure my safety. I also used the dinner to introduce Rowan to my sister Maxima. They seemed to get along and perhaps in a few months that could mean one less sister as my direct responsibility. Rowan has shown himself to be a fine and responsible man.

For several reasons, returning to the Ashai alter seemed the best course of action after the warbands left. This allowed me to honor Father Thomas' request that we continue to investigate that situation. Plus, it meant I might locate some information on Abrigal. Her interest in necromancy, the issue that led to our split, might have drawn her to the temple. Finally, I find being out of town helps ease the crawling feeling I get between my shoulders when I see Gallway or his cronies.

With Sextus "injured" at home ensuring our sisters' safety our band enlisted Father Thomas' aid and returned to the mine traces. Outside the mine entrance Rowan located a woman's footsteps going in and then coming back out. I strongly believe that it may have been Abrigal. Inside, as I had assumed, the mysterious woman behind the kidnapping of my cousins had cleaned the place up. I did not expect the trap she set for us.

As Father Thomas attempted to remove the evil of the alter, it disappeared - leaving several undead attacking us. I expected Lew and Father Thomas to deal with the creatures quickly, but a pendant around the now undead neck of the wizard Luc, who we had killed on our last visit, seemed to absorb the power of Osirian. From behind a door I fired bolt after bolt into the zombie. Each time that pendant around his neck flashed black and undid some of the damage I had done. When our band's barbarian felled Luc, I immediately rushed in to cast the pendant into another room. With the pendant's evil removed from the area, I assumed our hard pressed clerics could then turn the remaining undead.

The jolt of raw power that surged through me when I grabbed the foul pendant was more painful than anything I can remember. I was trying to gather my wits when another undead beast shot me with an arrow. My knees gave out and I fell hard to the floor. I remember Lew coming to me, but using very little of his power to heal me.

In fact, it was just enough to let me get up and weakly stagger away from the combat area. He argues that by then the situation was in hand and he did not want to misuse the healing force of his deity. I maintain that I am useless to my companions flopping around on the floor nearly unconscious. Our disagreement aside, our party did survive the trap and Father Thomas healed my injuries.

More searching of the area led us into a tunnel that my experience in Braithwaite's mines told me was carved by an underground river. We followed it a short way, finding signs of someone recently passing through, but gave up the trail after an hour.

That night I again inquired around town about Abrigal, but found no good news. Roget Crow, the leader of my mining team, kindly provided information about the other mine traces we needed to investigate. I invited Rowan to dinner. Maxima and he seemed pleased to see one another. Sextus remained in bed, but Luella and Chastina tell me he is merely enjoying being waited on. I should be mad but for some reason, I can never be angry with Sextus.

My father, of course, was intoxicated on that cussed painkilling herb Josephus of Bremerton is always providing. Part of me wonders what motivates Josephus. I have tried to stop him, but mother always insists that it is for the best.

The next morning Rowan, Lew, the barbarian and I headed out of town to begin investigating the 5th and 6th mining traces. Quickly, Rowan spotted recently made tracks crossing the trail we were following. When he identified them as a barbarian warband my heart sank.

I wanted to continue on our way to the mines and report our find to the militia later. The others all wanted to follow the warband. I bowed to their consensus.

We followed the tracks for only a short time before Rowan hissed us to a halt and pushed forward to scout the area alone. His very rapid return and the obvious danger it implied threw us into momentary confusion. I heard barbarian voices shouting. Figuring to use our barbarian to confuse them I shouted a greeting in their own language, which I had learned from some fellow miners. The ruse worked just long enough for them to see our barbarian. I was able to pick the word "traitor" out from the curses they hurled his way. Their foul oaths were rapidly followed by well aimed javelins.

Then they split up. I saw a couple moving to flank us and positioned myself to deal with them. As the initial rush of violence passed my mind started working, trying to assess our situation. We had no idea how many barbarians were concealed in the rocks around us. Certainly, their reaction indicated that violence was the only way they would resolve this situation. I made a decision.

It was time to run.

I spotted the two barbarians who were trying to flank our party. I hit them with the sleep spell Abrigal had taught me. They both dropped in their tracks. Turning to my party members I yelled, "Run!"

Being called a traitor had a significant effect on our barbarian's mood. His face went red and his whole body gathered itself like a coil. He exploded in the direction of one of his fellows who had appeared from behind a rock. Rowan grazed the enemy warrior with an arrow just before Rose reached the man. Rose's rage and charge combined into a mighty swing that instantly severed the man's arm from his body. The dying man collapsed his face displaying complete shock.

Agreeing with my sentiment, Rowan and Lew moved to extract themselves from the fight. Slaying the warrior seemed to restore some reason to our barbarian and he too decided to flee.

Behind us the pursuit began. One barbarian in particular seemed fueled by his utter hatred of Rose. He pulled ahead of our other pursuers and rapidly gained ground on us. Seeing that he would soon catch us, I worked out a quick plan with the others.

We stopped and I cast my sleep spell again. It failed to penetrate his rage and he slammed into us. I think Rowan may have hit him with an arrow before he did so. While the other three took on this monster of a man I watched for his comrades. As soon as two of them appeared I dropped them with a sleep spell and then turned back to their now very outnumbered leader. He was directly engaged with Rose and Lew while Rowan stood back and spiked him with arrows. I blasted him with a magic missile and Rose finally landed a blow that overwhelmed the raging barbarian leader.

Knowing he could provide much useful information I had Lew bind his wounds while Rowan bound his limbs. Rowan also tied up the two sleeping barbarians. We argued over a course of action but ultimately agreed to return to the mine trace we had previously explored and see if we were pursued.

On the way I began to grow angry. Perhaps it was Rose they had been searching for. Certainly, the barbarian elicited a strong reaction from the other tribesmen. Had Glyndyn, and my family, been threatened with eradication by this barbarian who choose to keep secrets?

As soon as we were safe I challenged him with these concerns.

The tale he told us, well edited I believe, boiled down to irresponsible drinking and womanizing. He had demonstrated admirable morality in helping to rescue my cousins. However, with this nonsense he completely reinforced all the stories of barbarians passed to us from our great-grandfather, the heroic Senior Centurion Manlius Scipio. I remain convinced that the Northern Provinces need the return of imperial Emorian stability.

Recognizing that this situation was beyond our meager experience, we elected to return to Glyndyn and turn our prisoner over to our betters.

It shocked me when Kyndalyn left me to question the prisoner. My experience with such matters is limited to posturing for tough miners seeking to intimidate, fool or coax them into doing tasks they would prefer to avoid. I tried everything I could and failed utterly to extract any information. On prodding from our barbarian, the warleader, Kothric, did give away that the tribes had been searching for a woman named Asralla. This was the same woman our barbarian had flung himself upon and who was
supposed to marry Kothric.

Kyndalyn, Father Thomas and that pig Josephus conferred on a course of action. They decided, on Father Thomas' recommendation, that my companions and I should take this Kothric to a place where other tribesmen can retrieve him, thus averting a possible attack on Glyndyn.

This additional problem caused my head to ache more.

I know Kyndalyn and Josephus are friends. It is a relationship that concerns me, since Kyndalyn's father is well known to have been an honorable man. I tried to discredit Josephus a little in Kyndalyn's eyes by asking about the poison he keeps my father sedated with. Josephus of course blamed it on my mother and Kyndalyn elected silence.

We agreed to undertake the task, but I placed a condition on our aid. I asked both Kyndalyn and Father Thomas to aid me in finding new housing for my family. I need them out of a residence controlled by Ned Gallway. The two men agreed and knowing my situation my companions kindly remained quiet about my seemingly odd request.

So tommorow, we will take Kothric away from Glyndyn. Josephus gave me some of his vile liquid to keep the warchief sedated, but I chucked it as soon as I could. Tonight, I will reflect on the missing Abrigal and the odd crows that seem to be watching our movements recently.

~Quintus Scipio

Session 5 (Part One)

When we last left our intrepid band, they had returned to the underground temple of Ashai, only to find it abandoned and trapped with some very persistent undead. After defeating them (with the help of Father Thomas), they decided to examine the 5th and 6th mine traces to see if the operations of “R” had moved there and to discover the fate of the miners from Clan MacGlowan. Enroute, they encountered a small mixed band of Nervii and Allmani, led by Kothric – son of the Nervii warlord. After a tough fight, they captured Kothric and discovered that the tribesmen were searching for Asralla, Kothric’s betrothed and Rosë’s lover! After consulting with the Council of Elders in Glynden, they decided that holding Kothric was too dangerous, so they resolved to transport him partway to the Western Wilds and release him. Sextus finally rose from his sickbed and joined the rest of the group just before they departed.

Barbarians, Dire Bears and Diapers…Oh My!

The first four and a half days out of Glynden were fairly uneventful. They traveled south for a day, then turned west until they reached the Thuringian Wood. Their plan was to travel along the north side of the woods, following the tree line as it turned southwest, then release Kothric at the western most edge of the woods. The weather was mostly clear, with a couple of brief rain showers and the temperatures were comfortable. The Council of Elders had provided a buckboard and team to make transport easier and the standard marching order was Rowan ranging out ahead, Lew driving the team, Sextus guarding Kothric (who was manacled in the bed of the buckboard), Quintus walking beside the buckboard with a Sleep spell at the ready and Rosë guarding the rear. Numerous times, they noticed large crows watching them, although there didn’t seem to be any pattern. The birds were careful to stay several bowshots away and Rowan thought that at least two different birds were keeping tabs on their movement. In addition, all the companions felt that they were being watched from time to time during the journey, but they were unable to locate any spies.

During the journey, Quintus and Sextus worked hard at gaining Kothric’s confidence. For the first day or so, their efforts were rewarded with nothing but snarls and silence, but gradually the two charismatic brothers wore the barbarian chieftain down. By the third day, Kothric was laughing at Sextus’ jokes (even though the diminutive bard spoke little Gallic and Kothric’s Tradespeak was abominable). Quintus also spoke with Kothric at length about the dangers of the Shadowlord and his menions, trying to impart upon the barbarian the common dangers that they all faced and find some common ground. Despite his best efforts, he discovered that Kothric had a very simple world view – there were good totems and evil totems. Barag – the bear totem – was a good one, strong and brave. Others were not so good. Quintus produced the medallion they had found with the symbol of Ashai on it and tried to get Kothric to take it…so he and his people could be on the lookout for such things. After all of Quintus’ talk of evil and spirits and demons and the Shadowlord, the overwhelmed barbarian vehemently refused!

One morning, Kothric let slip that Asralla had taken the Artosiak, a talisman sacred to Barag, when she fled and that was the REAL reason that so many tribesmen were searching for her. Talorc, Warlord of the Allmani, and his shaman swore that Rosë had crossed the river in the dead of winter and stolen the girl and the talisman away. The companions countered that Rosë had been in Glynden all winter and spent much of the time sick in bed, so it was impossible that he had been responsible for the girl and the talisman’s disappearance. At first, Kothric did not believe him, but Quintus, Lew and Sextus all swore that it was true. Troubled by the revelation and the absolute certainty of the party, the barbarian retreated into thought, emotions clearly playing across his face. By the following day, even Kothric’s denunciations of Rosë lost most of their venom and the huge warrior seemed to be struggling with numerous thoughts and emotions.

On the fifth day out of Glynden, as they were skirting the northern edge of the Thuringian Wood, the pleasant weather turned threatening. Rosë and Rowan agreed that the large thunderheads building in the sky to the North meant a significant storm before the end of the day. The party hatched a plan to try and snare the “ghost” that had been following them. They decided that Rowan would use the cover of the storm to double back and try to locate whoever it was that was following them. Unfortunately, the violence of the storm made the endeavor impossible. Tremendous winds and torrential rains cut visibility to half a spear’s throw and the party, minus Rowan, decided to hunker down and wait the storm out. After wandering blindly about for an hour, Rowan reached the same conclusion. After several hours, the rain slackened somewhat as the worst part of the storm passed. Somewhat disoriented, Rowan spent several hours traipsing about the woods before he located the remainder of the party. Wet through and through, cold and dispirited, the companions slept fitfully on the soggy ground.

The morning sun revealed a thick layer of mist blanketing much of the area, limiting visibility to a bowshot. After a brief debate, they decided to press forward, using the wood line as a guide. The heavy rains of the previous night made for slow going, as the buckboard became mired again and again. By noon, everyone was tired and muddy – but Rowan thought they were getting close to the area where they planned to release Kothric. The ranger also noticed a heavily wooded ridgeline rising out of the forest to the southeast. The group decided to halt, eat a quick meal and rest the team. Rowan conducted a quick reconnaissance of the area and noticed numerous shapes moving in the mist to the west and the north. He saw the unmistakable outlines of tribesmen separating from the mist and sprinted back to his companions. As he did, a long deep blast from a hunting horn echoed from the mist only a few bowshots away!

Thinking quickly, Quintus ordered Rosë into the woodline. Once the Brigante disappeared into the trees, he jumped up into the wagon, unshackled Kothric and pointed into the mists, “Go now, your people are there!”

The barbarian warrior looked down at his unrestrained wrists and flexed his massive hands. He stared hard at the party for a moment, looking at Quintus, Sextus, Lew and Rowan in turn before gazing in the direction that Rosë had run. An internal struggle played clearly across his rugged features, then he grinned and pointed back in the direction they had come from, “Go now,” he stuttered in broken Tradespeak. “Take funny man with you and go quickly!”

He indicated Sextus with a nod of his head and, after another brief look towards Rosë’s hiding place, jumped down off the wagon and strode purposefully towards the approaching tribesmen. With a collective sigh of relief, the companions got the buckboard turned around and hastily began to depart the area.

Rosë, who was watching the proceedings from the cover of the trees, caught a flash of movement from the corner of his eye. He glimpsed a green cloak and a moving arm, then saw an arrow sail from behind a tree several spear throws away and bury itself in Kothric’s back. As he slapped the reins to get the team moving, Lew heard a low thrumming sound and turned in time to see the arrow strike their erstwhile prisoner, who pitched forward with a cry of agony! Lew didn’t even bother to stop the buckboard – he just jumped off and sprinted to the now prone Kothric. Rowan, Sextus and Quintus looked at each other in stunned amazement, then followed Lew. They found Kothric alive, but bleeding profusely from a terrible wound in the lower back.

Meanwhile, Rosë snapped a shot at the green cloaked form, but his aim was off and the arrow sank into a tree two paces above the figure’s head. The hooded form looked briefly in Rose’s direction, turned away, shouted something in Gallic, then sprinted up the ridgeline. Rosë leapt off in pursuit and was unable to make out the words. Down below, Lew made out the words ”Kothric, death and Steel Men”. Cries of anger and outrage hurtled from the mist to the west and north – very close at hand – the tribesmen were closing in!

Lew, assisted by Sextus, worked feverishly to save the barbarian warrior’s life. He called upon the favors of Osirian while Sextus administered a healing draught. The flow of blood slowed somewhat, then Lew noticed that the area around the wound was quickly turning black…poison! Tearing into his kit of salves and herbs, the cleric made his best guess as to the source and offered up a fervent prayer to Osirian. Meanwhile, Quintus called out in Gallic that an assassin had tried to kill Kothric and they were doing there best to save him. He hoped against hope that the enraged tribesmen would hear. Kothric’s color improved as Lew’s skill bested the poison and another healing draught and prayer to Osirian closed the gaping wound. Kothric’s ragged breathing improved to the rythmic cadence of deep slumber – but he remained unconscious.

The shouts of rage continued unabated from the closing tribesmen and a clear chant separated itself from the cacophony of sound – “Death to the Steel Men!"

Rosë had already disappeared up the mist-shrouded hillside in pursuit of the green-cloaked assassin. Quintus looked at the numerous shapes emerging from the mist and converging on their location. Many were less than half-a-bowshot away!

“Run!”

Abandoning the buckboard and team – Rowan, Sextus, Quintus and Lew turned and sprinted into the woods, making for the ridgeline. Quintus lagged behind a little to cover their retreat, ready to use his magical slumber if need be. His heart sank as he saw two score or more tribesmen emerge from the mist. Several stopped to look at the prone, blood-covered form of Kothric. The rest, catching sight of the fleeing companions, bellowed war cries and sprinted forward in pursuit like a pack of wolves!

To Be Continued…

Next: Session 5 (Part Two) - Last Stand?

Old One

Session 5 (Part Two)

Last Stand?

Dodging through the mist and the trees, Rosë caught several glimpses of the green-cloaked assassin, but even his superior speed was not enough to close the gap. Suddenly, rising out of the mist at the crest of the ridgeline, the sharp-eyed barbarian spotted ivy-covered walls and the faint outline of a tower…there was a structure surmounting the hilltop. Shouting and waving frantically, he tried to catch his companion’s attention.

Lew noticed Rosë’s gestures and spied the walls looming to his right. He called to those behind him and altered course, making for the structure. Eventually, everyone noticed what looked like a very old hill-fort, heavily swathed in clinging ivy, squatting atop the ridge like a tired old man. About a bowshot away, they stumbled over the remains of a well-worn stone trail that led up to the crumbling ruin.

The rigors of the climb took their toll on the group – particularly Lew and Sextus. About ¾ of the way to the summit, Sextus could go no further and had to stop and catch his breath. The pursuing tribesmen continued to close as Quintus reached his brother and urged him to continue with all speed. Reaching deep within himself, Sextus summoned the last of his energy and gained the hilltop on leg muscles screaming with agony. The two brothers joined Rowan, Lew and Rosë before a pair of rusty iron gates that led through a simple gatehouse and into the fort. The towers flanking the gate where about 12 paces high and the curtain wall stood seven or eight paces above the ground.

Rowan and Rosë advanced cautiously into the structure, arrows notched, while Lew, Quintus and Sextus tried to get the gate shut. They found themselves in a small courtyard with eight or nine small stone buildings built against the walls. Directly across from where they had entered, they saw another gatehouse with an ironbound wooden gate that appeared closed. Rowan caught a brief glimpse of a shadowy figure in an earth-tone cloak, but it disappeared behind the remains of building before he could get a good look at it. Rowan motioned to Rosë and the pair split and circled the building, attempting to trap whoever it was between them.

Meanwhile, the rusty iron gate squealed and shuddered in protest as Lew, Sextus and Quintus threw their combined weight against it. As they strained against the gate, they could see nearly a score of barbarian warriors closing on them. With a supreme effort, they managed to push the gate shut just as the lead barbarians slammed against it! Quintus stepped forward with the beam to bar the gate, but the tribesmen heaved against the door before he could firmly seat it and it popped out and fell to the ground. Glancing back and seeing their dilemma, Rowan rushed back to the door and put his shoulder to it as Quintus once again tried to get the bar in place.

A tense, silent struggle ensued as the party and the barbarians pushed with all of their might – separated by a hand’s breadth of rusty iron. With a desperate heave, Rowan, Lew and Sextus pushed the door closed enough for Quintus to clap the crossbar into place. Exhausted, the quartet backed away from the gate and Rowan broke off to assist Rosë. Quintus noted that the ivy on either side of the gatehouse was moving and quickly surmised that the barbarians were using the ivy to scale the wall. He sent Lew and Sextus to try and open the next gate and grimly prepared to cast a Sleep spell the moment a tribesman’s head appeared over the rampart.

Rowan crept towards the place he had last seen the cloaked figure, ready to fire. On the other side of the building, Rosë peeked around the corner and saw a figure, swathed in a brown, hooded cloak crouching low and peering in the direction of the rest of the party. He grimly raised his bow and prepared to fire – then hesitated. Slowly stowing his bow, he pulled a dagger, flipped it over and moved forward, preparing to strike the crouching figure with the pommel. He was only a pace away when his foot crunched on a piece of dry ivy. Without turning around, the cloaked figure rolled to the right, through an open doorway and into the building interior. The Brigante cursed and leapt forward. Rowan arrived just in time to see the brown-cloaked figure disappear and he ran forward as well.

Several heads appeared above the parapet on the left side of the gate and Quintus loosed his magic. Most of the heads disappeared, but one tribesman resisted his magic and continued to climb. Lew and Sextus had no luck forcing the other gate. They looked at each other, nodded and started to climb. Sextus made no progress at first and Lew reached the top of the wall before a handful of ivy gave way and he fell heavily to the ground. Sextus redoubled his efforts and reached the top. Looking behind him, he saw numerous tribesmen swarming over the first wall.

Quintus continued to call forth his magic, casting spells on both the right and the left of the gatehouse. Most of his targets succumbed to the magic and one fell from the top of the wall into the courtyard. The tribesman struck the ground heavily, but the force of the blow jarred him from his slumber and he sat up groggily, trying to focus on the sorcerer. Quintus spoke in Gallic again, maintaining their innocence and pleading with the barbarians to call of their attack. The tribesman struggled to his feet – but seemed to be listening to the silver-tongued sorcerer. Just then, a black arrow struck the warrior right below the collarbone, slamming him back into the wall. Four or five of his fellows topped the wall as he crumpled to the ground and the howls of outrage began anew! Quintus, greatly angered, looked around – but quickly surmised that none of his party had launched the arrow.

Rosë and Rowan cornered their quarry in an interior room of the ramshackle stone building. A heavy bladed dagger appeared in one hand as the large hood fell back. Rowan looked down to see a dirty, but beautiful, face – framed by lustrous dark hair – gazing fearfully up at him. Rosë’s forward momentum ground to a halt as he stared in disbelief. Asralla’s full lips mouthed a single word…

“Rosë!”

To Be Continued…

Next: Session 5 (Part Three) - Lost, Found and Lost Again

Old One

Session 5 (Part Three)

Lost, Found and Lost Again

Rosë quickly recovered from his shock, reached down and hauled Asralla to her feet. He dashed from the building, dragging her with him – Rowan was right on their heels. Rowan noticed that the girl was cradling a bundle under her cloak. Sextus had managed to unbar the second gate and both Lew and Quintus slipped inside. Around the gatehouse, a dozen tribesmen formed up and charged forward, hurling javelins and swinging battle axes.

Rosë, Asralla and Rowan reached the gate a dozen paces ahead of the barbarian and squeezed through the opening. Asralla was jostled roughly as she passed and a high pitched wailing, completely out of place for the situation, issued from beneath her cloak. Quintus yelled for Rosë to stop and lend a shoulder to the second gate, but the barbarian continued forward with the girl. A smaller courtyard, enclosed by a seven or eight pace high curtain wall, lay behind the gate. A squat, two-story tower was in the center and a small building that reminded the Brigante of the Abbey of Osirian was off to the left.

Quintus cursed Rosë under his breath and the remainder of the party tried desperately to close and bar the gate as the tribesmen hurled themselves against it. Javelins flew through the narrow gap and whistling battle axes cut huge slivers of wood from the gate. Despite their best efforts, the superior numbers of the tribesmen began to tell and slowly, inexorably, the gate began to open. Quintus stepped back for a moment, sighted through the opening and left fly with a Sleep spell. Half of the tribesmen dropped and the remainder milled about in confusion for a moment. The companions used the respite to slam the gate shut and slid the crossbar into place.

Meanwhile, Rosë was battering against the door of the tower, with little success. Rowan, Sextus and Quintus readied missile weapons and slowly backed away from the gate – which was now shivering under the renewed assault of the tribesmen. Again and again, Rosë hurled himself against the stubborn tower door. Finally, his effort were rewarded by a resounding CRACK as the tower door gave way. Unfortunately, that noise was echoed as the crossbar on the gate splintered and the doors flew open, releasing a flood of howling tribesmen. Simultaneously, several barbarians gained the towers flanking the gate after scaling the ivy-covered walls and began hurling javelins into the party.

The party’s readied missile weapons flew into the mass, but failed to make a dent in the surging horde. Quintus and Rowan broke for the tower, but the leading tribesmen caught Lew and Sextus. Lew suffered a staggering blow and was in danger of being swarmed over. Every fiber in Sextus’ body screamed at him to run, but he merely took a step back, raised his crossbow and fired it point blank into the nearest tribesman – buying Lew a chance to disengage and stumble to the tower.

For a moment the tableaux held – the diminutive bard stood, defiant and all alone, before the cresting wave of tribesman. Miraculously, he dodged axe blow after axe blow, twisting and turning, before disengaging and racing towards the tower.

Inside the tower, the rest of the party found naught but wooden ladders leading up to a second story and then the roof. Lew and Rowan climbed for altitude and a good firing position while Rosë, Quintus and Asralla stood at the door – watching Sextus with a mixture of fear, awe and admiration. When the bard broke for the door, Asralla shoved the bundle she had been carrying – soft and whimpering - into Rosë’s hand and ran towards the charging tribesmen, tears streaming down her face. Rosë grasped desperately at her but she slipped from his grasp and was gone. His mind whirled, refusing to accept what his other senses told him to be the truth. The Brigante stepped into the interior of the tower, carefully placed the bundle in a corner and returned to his place at the door. Sextus passed Asralla and literally dove through the open doorway, skidding past Quintus to momentary safety. Vastly relieved, Quintus yelled to his brother to help Rosë bar the door and began climbing the tower. Lew paused for a moment and called the blessing of Osirian down upon his friends.

Rosë exited the door just in time to see Asralla halt before the charging mass of warriors and raise her arms. The blood-mad tribesmen did not even slow – several javelins plunged into her body and at least two axes landed with clearly audible sounds – her brown-cloaked form slumped to the ground! The barbarian wave washed over her and continued to the door of the tower. Rosë was struck be several hurled javelins as they closed. Rosë screamed in pain and anguish and felt his anger, barely held in check to that point, boil over into rage and started laying about him with his battle axe. On the battlements above, Lew and Rowan traded arrow fire for javelin tosses and lucky throws hit both of them.

Suddenly, a vibrant green flash emanated from Asralla’s slumped form and the surging knot of tribesmen broke apart with yells of terror and dismay. An enormous bear, coarse brown fur bristling, rose from the ground were the bleeding form of the girl had been, standing above the fray on two tree-trunk-sized legs – towering eight paces high. For a moment, everything stopped as attacker and defender stood stock still in slack-jawed wonder. Then an ear-splitting roar, strong enough to shake loose stones from the top of the tower, rent the air and two huge paws flashed down into the tribesmen – sending warriors and parts of warrior spattering in every direction. Asralla had activated the Artosiak!

Momentary panic seized the barbarian warriors, but a clear voice called out from beyond the second gate, “Stand before the false image!”

The power of the voice steadied the tribesman and they renewed their assault. Some launched attacks at the impossibly large bear, while others slipped behind it at rushed Rosë, pushing him back from the threshold of the door. Above the second gate rose gray vapors and they began to coalesce into the semi-solid form of another huge bear, a twin to the first. With a spectral howl that chilled all who heard it, the ghost bear leapt forward and attacked the first bear. The force of the impact sent several tribesmen flying.

Lew and Rowan retreated from the exposed roof and joined Quintus on the second floor of the tower, taking advantage of the cover provided by the arrow slits on that level to pour arrow and bolt into the tribesmen. Lew, using a bow borrowed from Rowan, proved to be particularly ineffective, so Quintus suggested that he try to find an escape route from the tower in case the battle went against them. Down below, the enraged Rosë discarded his axe, which was too big for the enclosed space and drew two heavy bladed daggers. Sextus tried unsuccessfully to wedge the door shut, then was forced to defend himself against as a warrior slipped past Rosë and lunged at him. He still held his crossbow and managed to deflect the first attack!

Out in the inner courtyard, a titanic struggle was taking place. The bear of flesh and the spectral bear slashed and roared and snapped at each other with unspeakable violence. When the ghost bear struck, it left blackened wounds in its wake. When the solid bear landed a blow, gray tendrils of smoke wafted skyward then dissipated. Below them, the tribesmen hacked away with battle axes and desperately hurled javelins, scoring numerous hits on the bear of flesh, which was soon bleeding from a dozen or more wounds. From time to time, a huge paw or the gaping maw of the solid bear dipped into the tribesmen surrounding it, usually with fatal results.

Lew discovered that a steep slope lay behind the tower and he began to secure a rope to allow the party to escape off the tower if necessary. Meanwhile, Rowan and Quintus fired as quickly as they could, with Quintus taking special care to aim for injured warriors. Rosë’s flashing daggers took one warrior and then another, but more kept taking their place and soon both he and Sextus were bleeding from serious wounds. Staggering back from a vicious cut, Sextus threw caution to the wind, gritted his teeth and slapped another bolt into his crossbow. He deftly avoided the tribesman’s thrust and fired his weapon point-blank into the warrior’s face. The bolt flew true and the barbarian flew backward – stone dead!

(DM’s Note: This was one BOLD move. Sextus, low on hit points, braved an AoO to load and fire his crossbow. It worked and he felled an enemy!)

Now bleeding from a score of wounds, the bear of flesh nevertheless scored a series of telling blows on the spectral bear, tearing great chunks of smoky essence from it – the outline of the ghostly bear began to waver. The archery of Quintus and Rowan, along with the blades of Rosë, were rapidly thinning the ranks of the tribesman. Lew yelled down from the roof to inform everyone that the rope was secure. Sextus, fatigued from his climb up the hill, bleeding from a serious wound and on the edge of complete exhaustion, let his guard slip for just a moment – but that was enough. A barbarian’s blade pierced him deeply and he fell to the floor, dying.

Quintus heard his brother cry out, crouched and looked down to the lower level. He yelled in anger and sent a missile of magical force slamming into the tribesman that had just dropped Sextus. A double-thrust from Rosë finished the man and Quintus bellowed for Lew to get to Sextus. Rowan sent another warrior crashing to the ground with a well-placed arrow.

The inner courtyard was beginning to resemble a slaughterhouse. Blood spattered the walls, bodies, entrails and unidentifiable lumps of flesh were strewn everywhere. With a tremendous effort, the solid bear lunged forward and clamped down on the throat of the spectral bear, its jaws slamming shut with crushing force. The smoke-gray form of the ghostly bear lost its coherence and faded away, accompanied by an inhuman cry of torment from just beyond the second gate. With a ghastly howl of triumph, the crimson-streaked bear of flesh swept its savage claws down into the remaining tribesmen, tearing two of them asunder.

It was too much for the remaining barbarians. Their spectral totem gone, the dozen or so that remained turned and fled out the second gate – all save one. One blood-soaked warrior stood in the gateway, clutching a huge axe. With a cry of anger and despair, he charged forward, avoiding the sweep of the bear’s paws and buried his axe in the creature’s midsection. The huge animal swayed for a moment, then slowly - like a great, hairy tree - toppled forward, crushing the warrior beneath it. The bear gave a huge shudder and went limp.

Rowan launched an arrow at the back of the fleeing tribesmen, but it sailed wide. Lew reached Sextus in the nick of time and called upon one of his few remaining miracles to stabilize the gravely injured bard while Quintus looked on worriedly. Rosë, bleeding and exhausted, staggered from the tower to find the shape of the bear subsiding in a shimmering green glow. The glamour ceased, leaving a small, brown-cloaked form – pierced by many javelins and rent by numerous cruel axe blows – in its wake. The Brigante stumbled forward and fell to the ground beside Asralla’s bloody body, fumbling in his pouch for a healing draught.

Her eyelids fluttered and opened, fixing him with her dark eyes. She spoke in a rasping voice, coughing blood as she did, “My love…I have done wrong…you must return this to my people.”

She pressed a heavy necklace made of huge bear claws, intricate beadwork and delicate green feathers into his trembling hand. He tried to pour the healing draught into her mouth, but she coughed up another gout of blood as he did so and most of the liquid fell to the ground. Summoning the last of her strength, she whispered, “Take care of our son…”

Her voice trailed off as her body gave a convulsive heave then relaxed one final time. The empty healing vial slipped from Rosë’s nerveless fingers as great, silent tears of sorrow streamed down the barbarian’s face.

Inside the tower, a pitiful wail rose from the forgotten bundle that Rosë had so carefully placed in the corner. Quintus, Lew and Rowan looked at each other in stunned amazement, then the sorcerer stepped over to the bundle and pulled some of the cloth back. He had heard that cry far too many times growing up! The fallen flap of cloth revealed the chubby face and open mouth of a two-moon old baby calling for food and comfort!

To Be Continued...

Next: Session 6 (Part One) - Sacrificial Lamb?

Old One

(DM’s Note: The players were pretty much on the edge of their seats through this entire session. You could actually feel the tension building as the PCs were pursued through the fog, made it to the fortress and then kept falling back. There were a couple of times that the barbarians ALMOST caught them – but the judicious use of sleep spells by Quintus and some good opposed rolls pulled them through. The look on their faces when they realized the twist at the end was priceless! Definitely looking forward to our next session!)