DARKSUN: RUINS TO DESTRUCTION

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 007
ADVENTURE TWO: RAAM
12/08/16

190 KA- DESERT FURY 4TH DAY OF 5th MONTH

The adventure begins once more at Tembo’s Ten Teeth in Urik…..

Delphia and Balik sit back drinking fermented kank honey ale. Torruk is careful stepping over a body of another drinker whom has had one too many. “More drink.” He rumbles as he sets down two more for them and two for himself.

They listen to rumors and tall tales that include undead, gith armies and rogue defilers in the desert. The normal stuff. What you do not hear is the reason the city gates are closed.

Then someone comes through the door. A man walks in with a fine leather armor with an emblem of two crossed scimitars on a white backdrop. Even his black cape seems brand new. “I am Nado Stevens of House Stel. I am looking for hard workers to replace some of my crew. Is there any interest?”

Low murmurs begin and most fear the possible cause of replacements while thinking about the closed gates. “By working for me, you will receive a Silver ceramic per day along with food and water. You would also leave the city gates with no questions asked.”

That caught a few people’s attention. Delphia and Balik speak up first. The half-giant also goes with them.

“WHOA” is all they can say when they meet Nado at the caravan just outside of the gates. The two story tall cart is being pulled by a mekillot. These gargantuan creatures are well known for their strength but also their appetite. They are warned to stay away from the front. The beast will snag you with it’s tongue and swallow you whole before anyone can stop it.

There are ten human guards, four that ride crodlus, and the psionic beast master that does all she can to control and direct the mekillot. There is also one other surprise. An aarakocra flies over head also. He is very shy of people and has just joined the team today also.

6th DAY OF 5TH MONTH
One guard member, Mallak, has befriended Balik and Torruk. Delphia has “suggested” to Nado that she can help the most by riding the wagon and watch from a window. Her flirtation doesn’t persuade him but learning she is a cleric does.

Though about 110 degrees with a still air the group doesn’t mind it much. There is water on the large cart that is kept somewhat cool being in constant shadow.

They are going to Raam and Mallak warns the new recruits to be watchful of the Black Water Walkers and Zombies. Delphia, knowing of the undead threat asks what the difference is between normal undead and the Black Waters Undead.

With a rotted tooth grin, Mallak laughs. “First time to Raam? There is an oasis near a city ruin that is cursed. The water carries the curse. If any drink from its water you slowly become a savage and barbarian zombie. There are two facts about these that are unsettling- how you slowly and painfully become one and the sheer savagery of them They can move like an elf and strike like a half-giant. Some use weapons…. Others claw, club and bite at you. It is most likely you will see one or the other on this trip. With the grace of Hamanu, only a small grouping.”

“How many are small?”

“Small groups are maybe six or seven. Seen groups over fifty before. You run for your lives if that happens. Guessing that’s why you get treatment lil’ lady. You being a cleric and all.”

Balik is not impressed with the lecherous leer he gives her .

They restart after a short break and Delphia tries to befriend the bird man. He ignores her as he circles around the trade ship.

Suddenly she spots something to the right. A column of sand and earth rises out of the ground and strikes a crodlu rider. As the crodlu goes down also the column becomes a large rocky hand connected to a large earth elemental. She calls out even as the crodlu is now killed also by the crazed elemental.

The large elemental makes short work of another guard on a crodlu before the recently hired guards take action. Strange as it sounds, Delphia summons up smaller elementals to combat the larger as Balik calls out “The Burning Mace” and finishes off the creature.

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 008
ADVENTURE TWO: RAAM
12/08/16

8th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

Shortly after crossing the gorge Delphia and Turulkhan spot something in the distance. Figures walking in a group up the road. They watch closely as ten people slowly walk directly at them. Nado has the mekillot stop and the riders to come in closer.

“Black Water Walkers.” Is all he has to say to the psion beast master. Via nods as she mentally calms the beast to a stop. The caravan master walks down the steps and joins Balik, Torruk and a few guards. Delphia watches safely from the top with mild interest. Turkulkhan soars overhead watching for further possible threats.

The people before them walk stiffly but are not undead. Nado refers to them as Black Water Walkers. Being poisoned and cursed to slowly become undead and the worst of it all- be fully aware of it.

The leader, an old man, steps forward even as the others look to the mekillot. They look with longing and desire.

“I am Delok and these are my family and friends. We are here to warn you against drinking from the Black Water Oasis. Consider yourselves warned.”

The cursed people wander away into the desert. Delphia has walked down out of curiousity. “What will become of them?”

Nado, with little emotion on his face answers. “In time they will decompose further and die in agony. Then they will open their eyes as a crazed undead zombie that is very quick and savage. They will charge across the desert destroying anything in their path. Sometimes they come in small groups of six but sometimes in near small army sizes exceeding a hundred strong.”

“Pathetic. Why don’t they just kill themselves?”

“They cannot. Some think it is part of the curse and others say they have hope for a cure.”

She looks at them as they leave and frowns. With a snort of disgust, she begins to release her psionic energy and destroys them from behind. They do not attack her nor flee. They accept the destruction.

Nado silently looks at her. He is uncertain on her motives and cares less to know.

10th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

Though the temperature exceeds 110 today, the caravan continues onward. Delphia continues to ignore the aarakocra whom is shy but seems to want to talk. Too bad for it.

Late evening, just before setting up camp Turulkhan signals that he has spotted something. Nado looks out to the horizon and sees a cloud of dust. Something is coming at them at high speed on the ground. Spells are prepared, powers charged and weapons readied as it appears to be a group of humanoids.

Then as they get to be about hundred feet away Nado recognizes the threat for what it is- Black Water Zombies!

Two dozen of the creatures charge and overwhelm guards on crodlus. Some go after the mekillot even. It surprises them how fast these undead are for being zombie undead. Balik and Torruk work together trying to stop the undead from reaching the caravan. Several get past them and begin to climb up the wheels. Nado and other archers begin to shoot at them. Delphia summons small elementals of earth to try to stop the charging Black Water undead.

The mekillot becomes enraged which makes it difficult for the caravan beast master to control the beast. It tramples four of the undead and begins to drag the caravan off the trade road into the desert. Some of the undead grab the edge of the wheel to be brought up while another if thrown back to the ground nearly being driven over.

Guards and a crodlu are overwhelmed and taken down. The undead take a few bites then switch to attack the two warriors. The birdman flies above trying to shoot the undead as they race around the caravan side. Delphia begins to use her psionic powers now blasting at the undead as they try to climb from the top of the slowly rolling wheels to the caravan cart balcony where Nado and others are.

The sun begins to set as the last of the undead are destroyed.

The Earth Elemental attack

The Cursed Black Water Zombies attack!!!!

From left to right- Dan, my son-in-law, Cathy, my daughter, Larry, they adopted snaggle-toothed pup, and Tim my son.

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 009
ADVENTURE TWO: RAAM
12/15/16

14th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

There are few guards left. Two that were traveling within the caravan using a bow and of course, Mallak whom fought with Balik and the half-giant. They set up camp once more and begin to trade stories. Mallak is very gullible as Balik has convinced him that he was involved in the death of Kalak in Tyr many years ago.

During these tall tales Torruk realizes the guards on watch have not come by in quite some time. Fearful of another zombie attack, they search for them while being wary of possible threats. The aarakocra finds one guard. He is unharmed by standing away from the caravan in a daze. He lands and tries to awaken him. He doesn’t.

The birdman alerts Nado and the others of the situation. Nado fears Belgoi. He asks the birdman to make a wider circle. He does and spots the other guard face down behind some cacti. Fearing the guard succumbed from an attack from the plant decides to let the others know instead of landing.

Balik checks on the body. The guard is dead. He has many small bite marks and injuries suggesting he was nibbled on before being found. Then it happens. Balik hears a bell but ignores it. Torruk doesn’t. dazed… he begins to wander away from the group.

Turkulkhan spots the cause- a belgoi. Balik zeroes in on it as it tries to also control him but fails. Everyone begins to attack the lone belgoi. No one spots the second belgoi whom sneaks away. The one belgoi that was seen is taken out.

15th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

They are nearing Raam. They should reach the fields surrounding the city-state the next day. It is a repeat of the prior night. Short on guards, they do longer watches and they must work in groups of two or three.

While the mul gladiator and half-giant warrior begin to attack two begoi they discover two more nearby. The half-giant is feeling the pain of his strength being drained. Arrows from Nado and psionic blasts from the elven wilder bring the other belgois down.

16th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

They reach the outskirts of Raam.

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 010
ADVENTURE TWO: RAAM
12/15/16

16th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

Much like Urik, the paranoia and security is high. Slaves work the fields while being watched by whip handlers. Unlike other city-states however, Raam is a city under near civil war conditions. Nado talks to the team about the city of Raam. Albeche-Re was the ruler. She cared little for the people. But when she disappeared a few years ago the templars seized control. This control didn’t last for long once others learned the templars had no magic anymore. Overnight, there were new factions gaining power and over throwing the templars. Some templars, ones with the better alliances or had magic powers beyond what was given to them by their ruler, held onto some city blocks and the palace. Merchants took power. Generals took power. Even elves of the Night Runners clan seem to have established some power within the city.

For the most part, the people see little change however. Slaves are still worked and whipped. Veiled Alliance factions still skulk in the shadows. But there is also another new power unlike any other. There is a half-giant that promotes peace.

The remaining guards and the others remain behind to guard the caravan wagon while arrangements are made to empty and reload the caravan. Nado also hopes to hire more guards also.

Within the first two hours, the Mellikot consumes one slave that wanders too close to the creature and teaches the others, slaves and slave drivers alike, to give lots of distance and respect to the creature.

Walking slowly but wide of the mekillot, a young woman guides an elderly blind woman. As they pass Balik and Torruk, the old woman stops. Leaning heavily on her cane, she begins to speak.

“Curse lifters travel thru the storm. They witness the old and new powers in conflict. It is how it begins.”
She seems to age further as she nearly swoons . “Granda-Mah!” the young woman calls out as she steadies the old woman.

Nado returns shortly. He has made arrangements with his house to unload the caravan. They will leave the next morning.

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 011
ADVENTURE THREE: BLACK FLAMES
12/15/16

17th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

The caravan moves slowly across the hot sands. They pass the same fields as before and try not to judge or pity the slaves as they pick and harvest the low food yield that exists here. Delphia sits up high scanning for distant threats. However, in truth she is thinking about ways to better herself. Caravan work is hard and that is not what she wants her life to be like. Balik walks along protecting the caravan and his source of security- the elf. He knows she is using him, much as the slavers use the people in the fields but he is okay with that. Turkulkhan soars high up to look everywhere. He doesn’t truly understand why people feel they are free if they are not flying. Here, in the air, soaring on the warm thermals and soft winds he has true freedom. But that is why he is here after all- to explore. Torruk lumbers along without much concern. He has water and food. He has companionship. Life is good.

Nado is uncertain. He has hired another 15 caravan guards. Will that be enough? He lost eight traveling here and the sky still seems dark in the distance. If he can just make it back to Urik….

18th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

The sand shifts and tumbles gently in the increased wind. The birdman sometimes finds himself flying higher or further away than he had intended. This may not be so bad today however. He spots something rising and falling in the sand and earth….. something coming their way. He calls out a warning to Delphia whom passes on the warning to Nado as an Earth Elemental dreadnaught rises and pounds a crodlu and its rider into the ground.

They move forward quickly to save whomever they can. Nado begins to loose his new caravan people quickly as Torruk and Balik come around the caravan. Balik takes several hard blows (a crit) and Torruk can’t seem to get a good shot on it. The elven Wilder cleric summons up her own earth elementals but they cannot stop the larger and much stronger one. Crystalline spikes deflect Nado’s arrows and many of the caravan’s attacks. Balik receives a second devastating blow (2nd crit- near max) and he turns to look at his beloved… the reason he exists. Before he can call or motion to her he is killed by the Dreadnaught. Torruk pounds at it and Delphia in anger blasts at it with her psionics until it seeps back into the ground.

Balik is dead.

20th DAY OF THE 5th MONTH

Temperatures are high, above 110. Torruk is keeping more distance than usual from the caravan. Shortly after Balik died and was buried, Delphia began to flirt with him. It made him very uncomfortable so he has decided to distance himself from her.

She collected most of his belongings as he was “owned” by her so it was her rite. No one, even Nado, disagreed.

Flying high up, Turkulkhan spots dust in the distance. He is uncertain if it is a dust storm or something coming. If it is something coming it is either very big or has many individuals causing it. Delphia has spotted it also and scans for a closer look. Nado spots it before either call to him. He calls for the caravan to stop and hold steady.

In time a lone figure is seen running down the road. Nado scoffs at the thought that this person is raising this big of a dust cloud. They wait. The dust the figure is raising covers the real cause of the much larger cloud.

A lone man appears running. He appears to be running for his life. When demanded to stop he doesn’t. Instead he calls for protection. Nado will do no such thing without knowing what is happening. “Undead….. fast…. Dozens…..destroyed my….. caravan….” Nado thinks not so much about protecting the new comer, he thinks about dealing with the undead and picking the bones of the destroyed caravan. Profit is profit, no matter how one comes across it.

“Defensive line!” He calls for as the first of the undead can be seen. The caravan guards are not happy about this. Delphia spits out a bit of sand in disgust. “Black Water Undead….. great.”

Over four dozen Black Water Undead stream forward down the road directly at the caravan. Whether it is for the survivor or a new target is unclear and doesn’t really matter.

The defensive line holds as caravan guards, Torruk and small earth elementals rise to face the charge. A few guards do falter and these are quickly overwhelmed by the rush and taken down.

The battle is not short. Torruk goes down to be revived at one point. Nado’s arrows protect the flanks along with Turkulkhan’s efforts. Again, the undead foolishly attack the mekillot whom is still injured from the dreadnaught attack (he took several hits also).

In the end, only eight caravan guards survive and most of them are injured. They are forced to stay there for the night. Delphia does what she can to heal the brutish Mekillot and when forced to- the guards.

The new member is Tanis. He is a soulknife lacking courage. He is picked on by survivors as he ran and tried to use the caravan cart and the Mekillot as a shield.

All during this, Nado watches the dark sky…. The year of Desert’s Fury is living up to its namesake.

The undead of Black Waters chases Tanis

DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 012
ADVENTURE THREE: BLACK FLAMES
01/01/17

20th DAY OF 5TH MONTH

“What do make of it?” asks the psion beast master.

“Powerful storm. Maybe magical.” Answers Nado as he covers his eyes to better stare at the distant dark clouds.

“Steer the mekillot to the left.”

“I will but is that wise?”

“I am testing a suspicion. A suspicion I hope I am wrong on.” Nado watches the storm clouds with a stern stare.

“The clouds are moving to intercept us.”

“Stop the caravan. Get everyone sheltered.”

Turkulkhan lands on the caravan roof. “The winds are growing dangerously strong.” Before Delphia can answer Nado calls for them to get to safety.

Torruk squeezes under the caravan. Tanis also works his way under the caravan. The other guards try to also fit there or at least on the sheltered side of the wagon with the crodlus that have thus far survived the undead and other hazards of the desert.

The wind begins to build quickly. The mekillot leans into the winds with its head down. One crodlu begins to howl as the sand is blown into its exposed body. Sores develop on its thick scales and hide.

Delphia decides to cover up within the cargo. As she moves to do so, the caravan begins to shudder. Even as she begins to curse in elven…. She feels the wagon rock. Extreme dark then light happens as lightning can be seen. Blue lightning streaks side to side in the sky…. Not down from the clouds.

Torruk calls out as he suddenly feels exposed. The winds are lifting the wagon off the ground!!!!! Delphia shrieks as she is thrown out of the wagon as it lifts and begins to move in a circular motion. Turkulkhan is also thrown out a window. He tries to fly with the winds but finds they are too violent.

The sky turns black. Though it is first thing in the morning, it is completely dark. People find their lungs emptied of air and skin treated like sand paper.

Then everything goes black.