Crossed Paths - Part I

[Manzanita]

Seven of these are the dressed in expertly sewn bearskin armor, and wield stone battle axes, primitive, but effective, as several of the party can attest. One carries more advanced weapondry, a steel longsword, a beautiful dagger, and a shirt of fine mail under his bearskin.

 

[Manzanita]

He also wears a pair of black pearl earrings. All of them are broad and squat, with wide foreheads, jutting brows and jaws, and hairy bodies. Of the party, Ecgthow is (was)severly injured. Nathaniel, brioc and Octar are also wounded. The wolf is no where to be found.

 

[Inez Hull]

"One of the beast mean, presumably their leader, instructed them to fall back to their rendezvous", Ehldannis announces as he studies the appearance and possesions of the nearest body.

After a short period of introspection crouched on his haunches he turns to his companions and musters up all his sureness of speech, "The Wendol is a mystery no more and there should be tracks leading to their hideout. I suggest we return to the town and once we are all well enough to continue travelling we do so. The townsfolk should be able to take care of things from here and we have bigger fish to.... bake.... is that the expression?"

 

[ErichDragon]

"There is more to this than meets the eye. When I was fighting the bear-men at the back of the cabin, an old crone was outside. She had a real bear and a wolf that were her companions. Why do the Wendol only appear with the mists, and why do they only come every couple of hundred years? It appears they eat their victims, so what do they do in the years they do not come to kill?"

Ecgthow winces as his broken ribs shift uncomfortably.

"I will go if we must, but I would also like to pit my strength against this mysterious and dangerous adversary. Think of the Glory!"

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(Back at last... Will be gone again August 1 - 14, however, although I may be able to sprig up internet access at that time. Email me if you want to work out a way to leave Nathaniel behind during that period, if you don't want to autopilot -- I'm happy with your job, but as a DM I know it can be that-much-more to worry about.

As far as emails, my account was down shortly -- try again, but tell me if it's still not working.)

"Perhaps like this bear it feeds til bursting, then finds a place to sleep for the winter... If this is the case, though, what sort of winter is this that lasts hundreds of years?"

"Does anyone recall if these mists are different than the others seen in nature? Which is not to say unnatural: But perhaps there is something special in the air, only there once every few hundred years -- when the winds are just right, or the sun is just right, or the stars are just right. Maybe all of them. I've known women who claim to see Fate in the alignment of the planets -- maybe the Wendol are like that, only coming out when certain factors are just right. Just right to feed..."

Nathaniel voice has grown almost clinical in its interest, but with the last line his eyes turn back towards the scene at the farmhouse...

"If we can discern these things, then maybe we can throw them out of balance. Drive the Wendol back to rest... Which would stop the killing right away, and give us time to set out a better plan to strike."

 

[Jarval]

Brioc calls out "Wolf!" once more into the night, before sighing. "We'll not find him in this mist. Gods protect him until he gets back."

He turns to look a the bodies, casting a spell as he examines them (detect magic). "Someone might wish to retrieve any gear those of us who were not on guard might have left in the house. By the sounds of things, it's getting a little hot over there."

 

[Manzanita]

No magic detected on the corpses.

I'll let you guys discuss things and make a tenative plan, or at least take some action. You've got a few hours before daylight. You're all quite tired. You all feel you learned some things, and if you had some time to reflect on them you be better prepared for the next encounter. (You've all gone up a level, but need a little rest and practice before it goes into effect.)

 

[Eldorian]

Glaucon struggles to sit up, and breathes through clenched teeth. When he opens his eyes he and sees the bear men, he points to the one armed with sword and dagger. "There is the animal that ambushed me. He was armed like that at least, it is hard to tell with these men, if men they are." He gives a weak laugh. "It is hard to fight back with a dagger and sword stuck you. Thank you, Khenemetsobek. Poseidon and your scaled lord might have some arrangement, for your healing was apt and timely. What plans do we have now?" He sees Ecgthow's wounds. "I do not think we could take another battle."

 

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis listens with interest to his companions interpretations of the Wendol's reasons for coming. "Perhaps the crone is a sorceress or even a druidess given the bear and wolf that accompanied her. What think you Brioc? I would not be surprised if she is responsible for the mists and that they are simply a cover for their attacks. Why do they come though? I know that they tried to take Glaucon away when he was unconcious and a call was made by one of them to 'bring the bodies'. Given that they seem to have left all their fallen I can only presume that they were indeed after one of us. For what purpose, sacrifice, food, magic ritual? This is indeed fascinating, but can we afford to be sidetrecked from our quest?"

 

[Manzanita]

Let me try to prod you into action. Will you return to town or attempt to follow the tracks of your attackers now? What will you take from the bodies of the fallen? If you return to town, where will you go first?