(CSRHoD) Creamsteak's Red Hand of Doom [IC]

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Pender, Male Human Fighter 7

Pender keeps his head bowed in respect for the elves' loss. He waits for one of the more charismatic party members to tell a story of some sort.

 

[Redclaw]

As the elves look on expectantly, Larian smiles at Avril's kind words and stands up. The annals of history are filled with those who seize life and make it their own. I have known some people of just this nature, and everything I have heard today makes it clear that I have lost out on meeting another. I mourn Lanikar's death, not only for the loss to your community and the Blackfens, but for the loss to myself and my companions. There are few enough such individuals, and each one is a treasure unto himself.

While I have no tails of Lanikar, I would honor his memory by relating a tale of how my companions and I came to travel together, and of the fall of another great warrior. With that, Larian launches into the story of the ambush outside Drellin's Ferry, making sure to describe the difficulty of fighting against archers on higher ground, and the early struggles to keep the party fighting together rather than scattered. He plays up the horrifying feeling of being held helpless by the hobgoblin cleric's spell while the battle rages around him and he is unable to help, knowing that he will be finished off if those around him fall to the hobgoblins (yes, he is trying to influence them, but hoping to be subtle about it). Eventually he builds to Avril's use of the very plants beneath their feet to entrap the hobgoblins.

He then relates their newfound companionship and journey to Vraath Keep, skipping past their stay in the village and escape from the hydra. He tells of the manticore and the force of hobgoblins in the keep, stressing the brutal nature of the bugbear sorcerer and his lack of concern for his troops, and also the alliance they had with both manticore and minotaur.

Finally, he relates the tale of that fateful night when the ghosts of the past came to the Keep, and the skeletons rose against them, killing dwarf and wolf alike. He also describes in glorious detail the ghostly savior that came to their aid, detailing their gratitude to one who helped them in their time of need.

[sblock=ooc] Well, I hope that works.
Sorry it took so long for me to get it posted. I needed to find a good chunk of time to write.
Anyway, it's all backed up with an untrained perform (storytelling) check at a grand total of +1. Roll well, Creamsteak. [/sblock]

 

[pathfinderq1]

Tyrla stood quietly by as the elves went through their rituals- their ways were strange to her, and she did not know if they might take some offense from her heritage, but the process was fascinating. As Larian told their tale, she nodded in agreement- she was glad to have such talented companions on this arduous journey...

 

[Creamsteak]

Larian's story seems appreciated, and it holds the attention of a fair number of the elves. Killiar, however, seems less impressed and doesn't stay through the entire telling.

Once the funeral and strange form of public eulogy is finished, it is only a few hours past noon. Sellyria Starsinger (the older woman) comes to the group to provide a much needed weather report.

"Travelers, I feel compelled to warn you. A storm approaches from the north. There will be much rain this week. I am not certain how this might affect your adventures, but I pray that this is in some way to your benefit, however, I suspect that you will find the swamp difficult to tread in such weather."

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 15 - hp 49/49 - Spot +13 - Listen +13
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 45/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

Avril glanced at Sellyria Starsinger as she approached, and then heeded her warning. "Thank you," she responded. "We've prepared as well as we can for the swamp and the water. We also have a boat available, a magical one." She frowned for a moment. "I suppose we would need to rely on your hospitality a little bit more. Our horses might not survive long in all this water, and certainly not in a boat. Lady, how far would your owls be able to carry us towards the Ruins of Rhest, if at all possible?"

[SBLOCK=OOC]OOC:

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Spells Prepared (Normal 6/4/3/2/1, Wis 0/1/1/1/0):

Level 0 (6): Cure Minor Wounds (3), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (5): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Entangle, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Barkskin (2), Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm
Level 4 (1): Flame Strike

Scroll of Freedom of Movement
Scroll of Protection from Energy
Scroll of Water Breathing
Pearl of Power (2nd)

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[pathfinderq1]

"While we have one boat available to us, more might be helpful, even without the horses. I don't suppose you know where we might find or buy more- we cannot afford to waste a week..." Tyrla's worry was evident in her voice- despite the solemn occasion, a night in relative comfort had pushed their dire errand from the forefront of her mind for a brief moment. Now the importance of their journey was renewed, and she almost regretted even a single night's delay...

 

[Creamsteak]

"Our owls could, perhaps, help you get closer to Rhest, but such a trip would be one way. I'm afraid that we could not risk having our owls wait that far into the swamp, nor could we send multiple forays into the swamps to try to find you. If, given that, you're still interested... I will have Killiar take you as close to Rhest as we safely can, and leave you off."

"We do not have any horses here. We have little use for them, as you can see. I'm afraid I do not know if you would have more luck in any human settlements this far north."

 

[pathfinderq1]

"Perhaps my speech was a bit unclear," Tyrla said quietly, bowing her head in an attempt at respect. "It was not more horses I wanted for our journey, it was another boat or two- either here, or the knowledge of where one might be found. Our magical boat only functions for a limited time each day, and a more reliable, if mundane, craft might be an asset in a swamp this size..."

 

[Creamsteak]

"We don't keep any boats or rafts here, though we have built them as needed from time to time. The lizardfolk that populate the swamps near Rhest will have rafts of some sort available, but I doubt they will be easy to persuade into cooperation. They have been hostile to us ever since our first foray into the swamp."

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 15 - hp 49/49 - Spot +13 - Listen +13
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 45/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

The news that the elves would be prepared to carry them closer to the Ruins of Rhest was most welcome, though hopefully not close enough to be discovered by whatever was lurking there. "Thank you," she said again, "You owls will be very useful. If we can get close enough, Tyrla," she turned to the tiefling, "then perhaps we won't need to boat for that long. The ruins will hopefully have some shelter." Turning back to the older elf, she said, "Do your people know about the ruins? It's history or layout? If that is where the swamp will take us, then the more we know the better. Are the lizardfolk native to the ruins?" She glanced down at Mandla, wondering if taking the powerful dog along in the swamps would be such a good idea.

[SBLOCK=OOC]OOC:

Spells and Abilities Active:

Spells Cast and Abilities/Items Used:

Spells Prepared (Normal 6/4/3/2/1, Wis 0/1/1/1/0):

Level 0 (6): Cure Minor Wounds (3), Detect Magic (2), Guidance
Level 1 (5): Cure Light Wounds, Enrage Animal, Entangle, Faerie Fire, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Barkskin (2), Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Sleet Storm
Level 4 (1): Flame Strike

Scroll of Freedom of Movement
Scroll of Protection from Energy
Scroll of Water Breathing
Pearl of Power (2nd)

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]