Crossed Paths - Part I

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis appears shaken by Ecgthow's comments and stares at him as if seeing him for the first time. Recovering his composure he averts his eyes and mutters under his breath, "It seems I have much more to learn about these humans and their Gods than I realised."

After a long pause, deep in thought, Ehldannis speaks to his companions, his voice laced with apprehension, "Is Ecgthow the only one who feels this way?" Then with more surety, "Regardless, I will return to Sevastopol. I have sworn a duty and will do my best to fufill it, with or without your assistance." After a few nervous moments looking to see if any of his companions will return with him Ehladannis turns and begins walking back the way they have come.

 

[Manzanita]

Brioc, Octar, and Nathaniel will follow Ehldannis back to town.

 

[Manzanita]

Those who return to town arrive at about midnight. Their room at the Inn is available. The innkeeper smiles, "The guard found the bodies you killed! Good work. You deserve a nice rest - I'll keep visitors out!"

Go ahead and submit your 3rd level stats. We'll stick with 3E for now. I'll send out emails w/experience, but you've all acheived 3rd level at this point.

 

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis happily locks himself away in his room when they return and his companions see or hear nothing of him until the next day, excepting the occassional curse or cheer in elven. He feverishly pores over his spellbooks and tries to apply what insights he has learnt to the advanced spells in his repertoire. At last though, Ehldannis emerges from the whirlwind of study and practice, exhausted but very pleased with himself.

 

[ErichDragon]

"I plan on watching these creatures and learning what I can of their movements and habits. I suppose that the others will be after their precious 'Greek Fire' soon, so we had better work quickly."

Ecgthow will go about setting up a stand to watch the Wendol from a distance, using his Hide, Move Silently and Wilderness lore to the best of his abilities.

 

[Manzanita]

Ecgthow can still level up, and I will email you with your situation. For the rest, you sleep soundly for about 12 hours, until noon of the next day. Ehldannis, needing much less sleep, has spent some of that time researching new spells. Octar and Nathaniel have become sick. They assure you they will be fine, but want to continue to rest. When you come downstairs to assuage your famished bellies, you find several of the town notables eagerly awaiting you.

They all seem pretty cheerful, Burne (the mayor), Rufus (the wizard), and a servant.

Angrinion lifts his ever-present mug, and shouts "Three cheers for the Wendol slayers!"

Rufus continues: "We saw the dead bodies. Was that all of them? Are we safe? We've had no more attacks since."

 

[Jarval]

Brioc has been somber since the discovery of the Wendol encampment. He spends little time in the town after returning with his companions, instead taking several hours to investigate the woods and fields around the town, contemplating on nature and the gods' works. With his wondering comes greater understanding, and he returns to inn with a little more peace of mind.

The following morning he makes his way to the common room, looking gloomily at the assembled townsfolk, not wishing to be the one who will break this joyous mood.

But such is your duty. He thinks sadly to himself. And you may yet save these people, give them a future that could all to easily be wiped away by those creatures. He holds his hands up, indicating that the crowd should quieten.

"We did indeed kill several of the Wendol, and we tracked after the survivors. But what we found proved to be far from the end to the danger of the Wendol that we all prayed for." He looks gravely at the crown, lowering his hands. "We found what seemed to be a Wendol town. Many hundred, perhaps even thousand of the creatures must live there, enough to need an army to scour them from your lands.

"I know this is ill news, but we may yet be able to aid you. If we are able, we will return with an army, as many brave souls as will aid you good folk. And my companions and I search for a secret, one which could turn the tide of any battle.

"And I am sure you will ask 'What good will this do to me? It may be my family who must face these creature next.' These words, I fear, may ring true. However, there are tactics which may keep the threat at bay. After dark, or when the fogs start to rise, any outside of the city should group together. Many do no fall as easily as few. And use the skills of any scouts in the area. Stealth and a good knowledge of the lands may give you some victories over your foe.

"This is all the advice I can give you, along with my word. We will return to the town, and we will return with men and arms to wipe away the corruption of the Wendol. May the gods watch over you in this dark hour."

Brioc falls silent, watching the reaction of the crowd closely. There is still hope, there has to be...

 

[Manzanita]

The date is September 28. It seems like more than a week since the party first met at the Inn of the Green Griffin on the Danube.

Khen - are you still with us? You haven't posted in over 2 weeks.

The tavern breaks into conversation as Brioc finishes speaking. There is much argument and discussion of what to do.

 

[Inez Hull]

Ehldannis looks for an opportunity to speak to Brioc out of earshot of any of the townfolk. "We are committed then to our original task, but what path will that take us? And what will our delay mean for finding those we seek?"

 

[Manzanita]

September 28

Brioc, feel free to respond to Ehldannis, as you can have a brief discussion, but I'll carry on.

Tula the merchant-ranger enters the tavern, followed by a well-dressed male Dwarf. After observing the scene for a minute, she leads the dwarf to the table where Rufus, Angrinion and Burne sit. They confer briefly, then Angrinion waves the PCs over to join them.

“This is Thorvald Ironsplitter, “says Tula, and introduces him to the PCs in turn. “He is from the Dwarven Colony of The Hold. “

Thorvald butts in at that point. He is balding, and grey haired, but seems sturdy and decisive. “I’m a trader, and no bard, but I believe we Dwarves have fought this ‘Wendol’ of your before. I have no desire to see this settlement wiped out. I think you all should accompany me back to The Hold, and see if we can figure out how to destroy or drive off these creatures.”