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

[Redclaw]

Larian listens intently and then nods his thanks. You have given me much to think on, Lady Starsinger. I will take your words to my companions, and likely to the leaders of Brindol. Please rest assured that we will take no action without carefully considering the consequences. However, if the Ghostlord is that dangerous, that is all the more reason for us to attempt to keep him away from Brindol during the battle to come.

Once again, I thank you for your hospitality. You have made a difficult endeavor less so.

 

[Herobizkit]

Pender awoke with a start, fearing that he had slept too late. He leapt out of bed, then groaned loudly. Pender found that his muscles were very stiff, particularly in his lower back and rump... the owl-riding had taken quite a toll on his normally earthbound body. He (slowly) donned his armour and (tenderly) slung his sword behind his back, wincing all the while.

Pender joined the group not long after Tyrla. He grinned at her colorful comment. "There is no greater path through this miserable bog than through the air..." Pender watched his own hand as he swept his arm low, then curved it upward toward the sky, "... but I have my doubts that the elves would so readily lend us their feathered friends."

 

[Creamsteak]

The road that leads you back south to Witchcross is the same as it was when you last passed. There are numerous signs of evacuation along the main road, various different sorts of travelers and pilgrims making their way north. When asked where they walk to, they often give cryptic answers related to their destination. 'Blackmore' they say, or 'Harlin's Scar' or even 'The Crags'. All places far to the north, well past the Giantshields and deep into civilized lands. The roads are notorious for dangers, both mundane and monstrous, but most feel confident that should they make it North, they can avoid the war coming to the Vale.

It takes some time to reach Witchcross, the city that has refused to evacuate. It seems many more travelers have taken up homes in this city. The people of Witchcross firmly believe that the horde will try to sack Brindol, and that Bridol's defenses will hold. They are confident that they are far enough north to avoid the fighting. The crowds, however, swell the city with activity that they did not originally anticipate. The sick, the elderly, and the weary are all especially happy to believe in Witchcross's theories. The thought of traveling to Brindol only to be sieged, or traveling dangerously north do not appeal to those who can't fend for themselves. Others stay because it's convenient, believing that they will return to their homes once the Horde is stopped, and recover their land and possessions with ease.

 

[Pinotage]

Avril - Human Druid - AC 18 - hp 49/49 - Spot +13 - Listen +13
Mandla - Riding Dog - AC 25 - hp 45/45 - Spot +5 - Listen +5

The night of rest at the elves had been most welcome, and even the semi-quiet journey back had been more restful than she had anticipated. That and the fact that Mandla was back with her gave her a lot of mental and physical comfort.

Arriving at Witchcross, she turned to her friends, "I looks like Brindol hasn't been attacked yet. Or at least I don't see or hear anything about refugees or escapees coming this way. That at least is good news." She looked around a little bit more. "What we really need right now is some intelligence. Something that will tell us where the horde is and what they're up to. Let's try and find somebody around here that might know." She started moving forward, muttering as an aside, "I still can't believe these stupid people have evacuated."

[SBLOCK=OOC]OOC: Avril has fashioned a collar for Mandla to wield the Amulet of Mighty Fists, while she will wear both the bracers and her old armor.

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, Faerie Fire, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Level 2 (4): Barkskin (2), Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace
Level 3 (3): Call Lightning, Cure Moderate Wounds, Spike Growth
Level 4 (1): Flame Strike

Avril's Character Sheet [/SBLOCK]

 

[pathfinderq1]

Tyrla nodded in weary agreement at Avril's cynical aside. "And if they haven't been convinced yet, nothing we say can change their minds. I only hope that what we have done so far, and what we will do in the coming days, may turn things enough that these folk do not all perish here." She looked around the "city", such as it was. "We ought not linger here- while we may find information, it may that we find too much of it- too many tales, with no way of learning which are true, and which are false, or merely rumor grown in a hundred retellings. Brindol is not far, now that we have reached a solid road. Let us push on..."

 

[Redclaw]

Larian's concerned eyes work to take in as much information as possible about those seeking refuge in Witchcross' walls. They live such short lives, how can we expect them to understand how drastically those lives are going to change? It is no fault of theirs that they have been untouched by the ravages of war. It is up to us to work to keep them from being so affected.

[sblock=spells]Spells Memorized
0--Mage Hand, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Detect Magic
1--Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Magic Missile, Protection from Evil, Color Spray, Enlarge Person (Trans)
2--See Invisibility, Knock, Bull's Strength (Trans), Scorching Ray, Scorching Ray
3--Dispel Magic, Fireball, Mass Resist Energy, Haste (Trans), Fireball (from Rary's ME.)
4--Greater Invisibility, Greater Invisibility, Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer (Trans)

Spells in Effect
Mage Armor--14 hours from breaking camp

Metamagic Rod of Extend--2 uses left
Pearl of Power--available
Disspelling Chord--5 knots[/sblock]

 

[Arkhandus]

Warren adds "Right, by protecting the fools.... I don't much care to stick around here, so let's hoof it back to Brindol soon. If we stop any gobbos from comin' here by killin' 'em around Brindol, then so much the better for these chumps. Otherwise, it's their own fault. We got better things t'do than babysittin' bumpkins."

 

[Herobizkit]

Pender shakes his head. "Bumpkins or no, these people deserve to live just as much as any other honest, hard-working folk. Anything we can do to help would be a blessing, I'm sure."

Pender looked around with a pained expression on his face; he wondered just what kind of help he and the others could provide that would be of any real use.

 

[Creamsteak]

After passing through Witchcross the group continues on to Brindol. The roads are empty heading this way, devoid of both travelers and refugees in both directions. A day later, you arrive on the outskirts of Brindol. The city is overflowing with people in various states of disorder. Refugees, travelers, merchants, locals, soldiers, priests, and adventurers travel back and forth along the interior roads. The gate waits, wide open, welcoming the waves of carriages and pedestrians that make their way to the walled city...

The large open-air market where you first arrive is full of business and confusion at this hour. The Thirsty Zombie tavern and Red Magic Sundries signs distinctly mark their locations on the south edge of the market square. Roads head off in various different directions through Brindol.

Pender:
[sblock]You know your way around the city fairly well, having lived here before. There are various different locations on the map of varying significance. If you're looking for anything particular, just ask.[/sblock]

 

[Redclaw]

We should probably report to the city's leaders, and make sure to inform them of the elven assistance that will be arriving shortly, Larian says. Of course, resupplying ourselves would be prudent as well. Shall we all approach the keep, or shall we divide and address different missions?