KidCthulhu's Scarred Land story hour

[Morgaine]

In the morning, not all of the party is bright eyed and bushy tailed for breakfast. Deke and Borin are enjoying a hearty repast while Gemma has her usual meager rations. Xenia and Kalina look none the worse for the wear but Morgaine is even more harried than usual. Marja is no where to be found. No one in the group can remember her coming home with them last night. Twenty minutes later, the always impeccable sorceress meanders into the common room of the inn looking wan and tousled, in the rumpled clothes from the night before. It’s clear she did not stay at the inn last night. Thanks to the mead and ale, however, where she did bed down (and with whom) is anyone’s guess.

She does happily point out her new tattoo encircling her navel. A small green snake weaves in and out of a circlet of colorful flowers. Morgaine asks in dismay why choose a snake design and Marja’s response is that it was a compromise. In her mind, continues an ongoing argument with Garnet. “I don’t see why it had to be a snake.” To which Garnet replies haughtily, “the tattoo was not my idea. You could not be dissuaded of that. And if you’re going to have one, it may as well be attractive.” There is an momentary pause in conversation among the party members until Morgaine – the youngest and by far the most naïve of the group – blurts out “I don’t get it….what did you do all night?” Gemma silences the young woman with a stern, “it is none of your concern, girl,” as the group continues discussing the day’s plans.

Realizing she is in no shape to prepare spells, Marja spends some time in the room attempting to harness the powerful magic coursing through her veins. After meditating for several minutes, she knows she can command the few spells she mastered yesterday and hopes this will suffice. She spends the rest of breakfast making herself presentable. She removes the worn traveling outfit from the day before and replaces it with a dazzling green walking ensemble that perfectly compliments her complexion and vivid eyes. The top just barely reveals the permanent floral bouquet on her midriff. Satisfied that she is adequately primped, Marja rejoins her companions downstairs. More than one head turns to stare at the comely stranger as she makes her way into the large room. Despite feeling the ill effects of too much ale, Marja is still ravishing.

Mrs. Windlass mentioned yesterday that Gobrey’s tutor now works for the city guard as a weapons trainer. Morgaine knows Hal from their youth and they proceed on the slim chance that this association is enough to secure a meeting with Lord Duncan himself. His son, after all, is likely in grave danger and inadvertently keeping company with known Mormo worshippers. With no other connection to the hapless dandy (or the Lord of Wyndhill), the group makes their way to the fort where they hope to gain information that will help them find the only person who can clear their names.

 

[Morgaine]

The city guard barracks are located in the center of the western half of the twin city. The tall wooden stockade making up the outer perimeter looms over the small buildings neighboring it on three sides. The fourth side backs up against the Keldar Mountains, further adding to its defensible position. Built shortly after the Calastian defeat, this impregnable fortress serves now as headquarters for the city guard. As the group approaches the massive front gate, a sentry stops them, asking their business. They are led just inside the gate and told to wait. Several minutes pass before the tall blonde trainer emerges from a long narrow building across the compound.

It takes Hal a moment to recognize Morgaine but he addresses her warmly albeit with confusion. He recognizes Marja instantly, however, and greets her with a friendly smile. In fact, several of the guards also say hello to her in passing. The group quickly informs him of their quest to find Gobrey, trying to convey the urgency and danger of the situation. Hal does not seem at all surprised to learn Gobrey has fallen in with an unfavorable crowd, though he is dismayed upon hearing that the young lad has challenged Xenia and Borin to a duel. “I thought I taught him better than that. I knew that woman was a negative influence on him.”

They spend some minutes discussing possible places Gobrey went with Cosette. Hal informs the group of a hunting lodge belonging to Wyndhill where Gobrey took Cosette before leaving town without a word. He also fills the party in on the well-known secret that Gobrey and his father argued over his involvement with the older woman. This further indicates to the group that Gobrey is under some charm or spell of Cosette. They press Hal for a letter of introduction with Lord Duncan and he agrees but confesses he doubts it will be of much use. The lord refuses to hear his son cast in a pejorative light. They decide to explore the hunting lodge before speaking with Duncan, hoping to garner more proof of the danger in which his son inadvertently finds himself. Kalina mentions meeting Thomas, a local scout, at the bar last night and they opt to hire him as a guide.

 

[Morgaine]

Before taking their leave of him, Hal offers to give Borin and Xenia a few pointers to use in their duel with Gobrey. Borin rebuffs his overture, indicating his axe as the only advice he needs. Deke, however, nonchalantly accepts weapon training to increase his skill with the rapier. Hal is impressed with the rogue’s handling and offers suggestions to increase his finesse, which Deke quickly absorbs and demonstrates. Once done, Hal suggests Deke return when he has more time. Deke feigns indifference but secretly looks forward to the opportunity.

As the party makes it way back through town, the same eerie feeling of someone watching them causes several party members to look around cautiously. Deke notices something just off to the left of them, above their heads. Barely visible in the bright sunlight is a shimmering eye focused on the entire party. It radiates with divination magic and Morgaine immediately realizes that someone (probably Dobberick) is spying on them. Deke shakes his fist at the oculus, taunting their unseen observer, “why don’t you come out here and face us yourself, you big wuss!”

Suddenly, from beyond the horizon, Morgaine, Deke and Gemma hear a loud buzzing noise progressing closer to the group. Unable to discern its source, the group scans the skies and surrounding buildings for clues. Seconds later, a dozen giant bird-like creatures appear in the sky a hundred yards off. As the flying creatures draw near, the party catches a glimpse of the elongated beaks and iridescent wings and realizes these are not mere birds. Rather, they are some kind of enormous cross between a bird and a mosquito. The party members quickly ready themselves for a battle as the first wave aims straight for Deke.

 

[Piratecat]

Ah, yes. This would be the first wave of stirges.

Heh, heh, heh.

 

[Nightfall]

You like Stirges don't you PC? Ever though of using maybe Bloodflies?

 

[Piratecat]

Saw 'em too late, darn it.

 

[Morgaine]

Twelve giant mosquito-birds zoom through the morning air, stingers pointing at Deke’s body. Gemma immediately knocks two arrows and lets them fly at the one closest to the elf. They find their mark perfectly and bury deep into the body of the creature. Unfortunately, the wounds are not fatal, and three of the bloodsuckers bury their probes into his skin. He feels his blood being drawn from his veins. Deke flails helpless at the giant creatures attached to him, managing to knock only one to the ground. Fergus grasps his great sword and dispenses with the other two but not before they drain enough blood to make the elf visibly ashen

Morgaine, fervently they hoping they are a magical construct, whips the scroll of dispel magic]from her scroll case and utters aloud the strange words. As she reads the symbols, they burn away the parchment, iridescent smoke rising into a ring above her head. At the final command word, this variegated cloud whisks to the spot she indicates and expands in a brilliant flash. Five of the buzzing creatures disappear into the cloud with a fizzling sound. Xenia and Borin take out one each with crossbow bolts, blood splattering on the ground when they explode then disappear. Kalina uses her avalanche sling-shot and splatters another just before it attacks Deke. Gemma’s arrows destroy the last one messily.

No sooner has the party begun to catch its breath when they hear the same buzzing once more. Twelve more creatures appear on the horizon, closer this time than before. Marja quickly conjures an ice knife and pierces one with a freezing dagger. Slowed from the cold it stabs at her with its stinger but she is able to duck away in time. Two magic missiles send it into oblivion, much to her relief. While casting, however, Marja is unable to evade the other one targeting her and the creature feasts on her blood.

Borin takes down another with one shot of a crossbow. The bolt pierces through the creature and buries into a building across the street, showering blood everywhere before it vanishes in a hiss. One more attaches itself to his back in the process, causing him to become delirious with anger. While he battles with this one, two of the creatures attack Kalina and two more attack Xenia. Morgaine casts sleep into the last pack of four but only two are affected. They stop mid-air and fall to their deaths. Gemma gets two arrows into the third, then takes off to find a temple or shelter. The fourth attacks Marja, who is beginning to pale.

 

[Morgaine]

You like Stirges don't you PC? Ever though of using maybe Bloodflies?

No, THREE waves of stirges was quite enough, thank you very much.

 

[Morgaine]

Fang ferociously tears at one of the insects attached to Kalina. He rips it off and crushes it between his teeth. Kalina throws herself to the ground and crushes the last one, slicing it with her scimitar to destroy it. She quickly moves to help Xenia, who is hacking ineffectually at them with her crossbow. Fergus stabs the one sucking on Borin, injuring the dwarf in the process. Once free from their siphoning foes, Borin and Fergus attack and kill the two on Marja.

Badly wounded and severely drained of blood, most of the party staggers toward the nearby temple Gemma located, hoping for rest and healing. From the clouds comes the unmistakable buzz of the mosquito-birds once more. Ten more creatures appear a hundred yards away, closing fast. Realizing they cannot withstand another onslaught, party retreats around the corner at a dead run.

Unfortunately, Xenia, in full platemail cannot run as fast as the others and she quickly lags behind. Borin drops back, aiming his crossbow toward the impending invasion, taking down two before they can attack Xenia. One does land on her and begins sucking immediately. She bats it down but looks even more pallid than before. A shopkeeper ducks out of his store and fires a crossbow bolt at another then shouts for the group to get inside. He quickly ducks back into the safety of his store. Two more local merchants do the same, ensuring Borin and Xenia make it to the safety of the temple with their friends. Just as the great door slams shut, the remaining five killers pierce the thick wood with the stingers.

For several minutes, the incessant buzzing noise echoes through the anteroom of the massive temple. After some time, the sound fades away, much to the relief of the fugitives. They find themselves in a large foyer of exquisite white marble. The expansive ceiling is intricately carved, as is the ornate mahogany door through which they have just come. Hallways lead off into the temple’s interior in several different directions. There is a gilded chandelier in the shape of the Scales of Justice suspended from the ceiling twenty feet above their heads. A slight, wispy priest dressed in crisp, starched white robes approaches them and introduces himself as Elrick, cleric of the Temple of the Majestic Cudgel, servant of the Lawgiver, Hedrada.

 

[Morgaine]

Slightly nonplused to find seven bedraggled strangers standing (or leaning) in the entranceway, he inquires why the sturges were after them. Divulging as few details as possible, Fergus explains they have made some enemies in this town. He offers them healing and solace, inviting them to join in the worship services this evening. They gratefully accept his generous offer for rest and welcome the divine restoration of some of their lost blood. He disappears down the central hallway to make arrangements. Unprepared for such heavy casualties, however, Elrick returns momentarily with a golden chalice and two parchments. He is sorry to inform them that the temple only has two scrolls to restore their blood loss. Xenia is barely standing and she is the first recipient. After some discussion, Marja gets the second, though it is obvious Deke is more in need.

Elrick reads the Latin prayer easily and invokes the healing power contained within each scroll. There is a great rush of air as the goblet begins to glow with holy light pouring down through the ceiling. First Xenia then Marja drinks from the grail feeling the incredible warmth spread throughout their bodies. They glow in soft, golden hues briefly and then it is gone as suddenly as it came. Both women feel stronger and healthier than before. Elrick takes the now empty cup and walks back down the hallway, satisfied that He saw fit to grant the miracle.

The party spends the afternoon recuperating in the temple; Deke whiles away the time reading the immense law books Elrick offered as reading material. “You gotta know the laws before you can break ‘em.” Near dusk, before evening worship commences, they venture out into the street again, fairly certain their unseen enemy is no longer an immediate threat. Still, they make a hasty path back to the inn just to be sure. Upon inquiry, the inn keeper knows Thomas and sends his son to bring him back so the party can secure his services for their trek out to the Wyndhill hunting lodge. He agrees to return for them at dawn.