Day 2
October 20, 2012 23:16
Xankul, Drex and Traughnan enjoy the Blue Boar Inn. It’s got a good reputation and it’s run by Ashley Crinz. A well to do lady that knows her stuff.
(Subtract any coins for food and drink and lodging. 7 sp 5 cp for the night, wine by the pitcher 3 sp 5 cp, beer by the gallon 7 cp, Dwarven ale 1 SP by the gallon, meat for one meal 2 sp 5 cp).
Xankul explains his order sent him here. A seer in his order believes there is a lot at stake here. He does not know why but he will make sure it stays safe. Drex is a monk looking to learn more of the world.
Timbus heads out side the gates and finds a sheltered elm about a mile or so from the city. The drone of the city at night can still be heard slightly but it is less crowded. Timbus makes camp and prepares to settle in for the evening.
Traughnan will enjoy a pitcher of wine, a meal, and conversation with Xankul and Drex. He’ll explain he heard about the gig via word of mouth. “I’ve had some runs before with treasure hunting. Ruins and the such are kinda like my specialty.”
He turns to Xankul and Drex. “Whaddya two know bout this place?”
Before bed he’ll set a wizard lock on his room door. In the morning, he’ll restudy for the spell before he heads out.
Xankul tells Traughnan during the evening meal, “The ruins have long been haunted. It is surrounded by the LLuirwood to the West, the Toadsquat spine to the North/Northwest and Estagund desert to the East. There is a river, let me think for a minute. Ah now I remember it the Liontongue river that runs along it and the ruins sit near a waterfall if I recall correctly. I don’t know of any survivors that have ever been there and come back to tell tales of it though”.
Xankul orders stew with meat and platter of cheese and fruits to share. He buys a dwarven ale for himself and some wine for Drex.
Drex pipes in, “Thank you kind sir. I am concerned that the shy one does not seem friendly. A tall individual they are but I did not feel threated by his presence”. Maybe they will offer more outside the gates.
Xankul asks Traughnan, “So what’s up with the tall shy one? Do you know them at all”?
“We will have our work cut out for us my friends. I will see these undead put to rest and serve Marthammor Duin as best I can. If they are truely stronger types of undead we must learn what we can and ride the ruins of their foulness”.
Timbus has a uneventful evening and falls off to sleep. A dream comes to him in the night. His Grandfather speaks of a clash between bad demons and good demons. It doesn’t make much sense but the pieces are being fought over. The two forces seem to explode sending the three pieces in different directions.
Timbus rest easy after the dream and wakes up. He gets his stuff together and looks for signs of the caravan. About a quarter of the way back to the city is the caravan forming up.
When Timbus spots the caravan, he will activate his Tribal Tattoo and shift into bipedal form. He will then re-don his cloak and join the group, making sure whoever is leading the caravan has acknowledged his return. He will maintain a bare minimum of contact with the other caravan members and of course, keep an eye and an ear out for the goings-on around him.
Traughnan replies to Xankul. “No clue, never seen em’ before.”
During the journey, Traughnan will discreetly cast detect evil and scan everyone/everything in the caravan.
Are we walking, riding, or on wagons?
Traughnan does not detect any evil. All notice 6 mounted individuals and 18 on foot. 4 wagons attached to 1 horse each. 2 of the wagons carry supplies and the other two are empty.
Capt. Trevor greats the four heroes and says, “Welcome, He looks at each and says you must be, Xankul, Drex, Traughnan and Timbus. There are two empty wagons for your loot from the ruins that you can ride in. Broke ey, not able to afford your own mounts”. Well if you survive these ruins you might have enough afterwards. My men are here only to get you too and from the ruins and keep the caravan safe until we return". It will take us about 3 days to get there.
These are my lieutenants and sgts. We have supplies for the duration of the trip and cooks. We are supported by a wizard and priest.
Climb aboard or you may walk at your preference. Capt. Trevor gives the word to move out once everyone signals ready.
Traughnan will study to regain the spell in the wagon and then most likely lounge there afterwards if it’s an uncovered wagon. If covered, he’ll keep pace and ask questions to the Capt. and any men who’ll speak with him regarding the terrain there, the destination, and Mizeer. He’ll be interested in any info any can provide while staying alert to the surroundings, possible bandit attacks, etc.
**The wagons are covered to keep any loot from the elements.

Along the way Traugnan chats with the everyone as do Drex and Xankul. Everyone believes Mizer to be a good person and he is well respected in the city. He is an accomplished wizard. Capt. Trevor and his crew were hired out from the city troops. The do not have any information about the mission specific to what the Heroes were hired for.
Capt. Trevor stops the caravan to rest the horses and everyone else. We will ride for another 4 – 5 hrs then set camp for the evening. He shows the heroes a map of the area and the route they are taking. Just to the right of the river is the trail we are on. We should make it to just before the bend ahead. They unhitch the horses and take them to the river for drinks. Most of he men post guards but take breaks for water and rations themselves. After about 30 min they reform the caravan and start north again.
Drex and Xankul approach Timbus and offers to sit and rest together. Drex ask Timbus, "How are you fairing sir? We are close to the desert and it is pretty warm are you cold? I’m Drex by the way. Are you from around here? What kind of skills do you have?
Xankul pipes in, "We are in this together friend and we need to know we can count on you in a fight lad. Can you tell us who you are an why you’re here?
‘Wow!’ Timbus thinks ‘alot of gold was spent making this caravan and its cargo, hero or otherwise, effective despite any circumstances that may prevent that. These fragments must be very important and I wonder if they had to do with my dreams’.
Timbus greets Drex and Xankul:
“Timbus is how I am known, friend dwarf. In my tribe, I was a medicine man and a warrior. That same tribe now lies as bones and dust scattered through the Anauroch” a sad wistfulness passes over his face like a heavy storm cloud, then clears “..but their spirits are free, as shall be ours one day. Take to heart and hear me: I am an honorable soul, so yes, feel confident that my aid would be forthcoming when called upon, either by circumstance or subscription.”
Timbus is comforted by the caravan’s proximity to the desert and as wafts of dry air scintillate his nostrils, he has the urge to break away from the caravan and run free in his native environment.
Xankul pats Drex on the back and says, “See I told you he wouldn’t bite, laughing a bit at the monk”.
The cooks prep some vegetables and spices in a caldron of sorts with some seasoning and herbs in one of the supply wagon while the move up the trail. It is a clear day and the weather is warm with a slight breeze.
Capt. Trevor circles the caravan from time to time as do the LT’s. The pace is steady but not to taxing on the fighters who are walking.
The second half of the day is nice and easy. The caravan makes it almost to the bend in the river on the map. Capt. Trevor has the men set up for camp. The horses get grazed and watered near the river and tents are set up for everyone that has one. The horses are tied off to the wagons which are in a line just off the trail closer to the river. The cooks start a fire and start fixing the meal.
Capt. Trevor tells the heroes, “I will post my guys for watch so you can rest up”. A LT, Sgt and 5 fighters per shift for 3 shifts until sunrise.
Everyone enjoys the stew the sound of frogs and crickets are noticable during the meal. It is slghtly overcast during the eveing and its a half moon tonight. Everyone settles down for the evening as the frist watch keeps an eye on things. The first watch is uneventful and the second watch takes over.
An hour into the watch the fighters notice the horses getting restless. Then they catch a smell in the air. Then they notice movement to the north. They call the camp to arms. The LT on duty starts to get the men organized.
Everyone to the north of the wagons he yells.

Yeah that didn’t turn out like I wanted it to. You heroes are around the double campfires. One squad on each of the other campfires. Horses on the two south wagons.
Traughnan will approach the capt and offer his assistance in scouting the on-comers.
If accepted, he’ll cast invisibility on himself and move silently to the north east of the strangers and detect evil on the line when within range.
10 yards north of the wagons is Capt Trevor’s men. Fighters in first row with sgts and lts in second row. Xankul is on left side and caravan cleric in middle with Timbus on the right side second row. Drex on third row left side with caravan wizard right side and capt Trevor in the middle.
Traughnan is in front of that be 20 yards near a tree on the right side scouting. Traughnan spots the advancing zombies in the first row. A mix of dwarf, human and elf zombies in 2 groups 9 left and 9 right about 10ft between groups. Behind them are 4 huge zombies giants of some sort and 4 other types of zombies alternating between the tall ones. They are about 30 yards from Traughnan. The smell is awful and it takes a bit to keep your dinner down.
Traughnan will hustle back and relay the info to Capt Trevor. He’ll then ready his bow but stay invisible.
Timbus is way disgusted by the smell that he has the pleasure to dissect at an almost molecular level with his intense olfactory sense.
Using the words of an ancient wemic prayer that causes the very plant essence of the surrounding area to bend to his will, he snarls and hisses a prayer that attempts to hold the undead firmly in their place before they get any closer and make him totally lose his lunch. [He casts Entangle]
Capt. Trevor orders a huddle and the Caravan Cleric and Xankul to cast Bless using both clerics to cover 2 50 ft cubes enough to cover the entire group. Timbus recites is spell and the right side first two rows become tangled up and immobolized. The Lt’s bark orders at the fighters to hold their ground as the Sgt’s reinforce the men by keeping them focused on the task. The caravan wizard cast Web anchored on the two trees just ahead of the shambling groups. Capt. Trevor gives the order to ready bows as the fighters get ready.

The advaning zombies that avoided the web and entanglement reaches the front line of the caravan’s fighters and Capt. Trevor has the men switch to melee as there was no time to get a volley off. While the zombies didn’t move very fast they were closer than he thought. Traughnan’s timely report allowed him to get his men switched to melee just in time. About a 1/3rd of the zombies are entangled in vegetation and 1/3rd are caught in the web. Those in the web won’t be stuck long as the Large Zombies are ripping the webs with some effort. The other 1/3rd made it around and are face to face with the caravan forces.

Timbus, disgusted and spooked by the undead, begins to back up slowly. He notices that the zombies in the WEB are struggling to break free so he attempts to (if he can do so without distraction) casts another Entangle right where the WEB is or directly in front of it.
Traughnan will move around the line of skirmish and put his bow away. He’ll move into position and attempt a backstab with his sword one of the larger undead. He’ll draw his sword just before attack so that he maintains his invisibility.
Fighter #5 (F5) swings on the Hill giant Zombie (HGZ) in front of him and misses and almost pisses himself. F9 swings on the HGZ in front of him and misses and lets out a oh shit. F4 attacks the zombie in front of him hacking off an arm but it stays up. Drex moves up next to F1 an swings on Z1 but misses. F11 swings on J2 and misses. Xankul truns undead and the chanting and summoning the power of his god forces the first 3 zombies to turn and retreat. The HGZ and the other zombies seem unaffected by his chantings. As they do the fighters take attacks of opportunities. F1 takes the head off Z1 and F2 hits Z2 and as he does something wierd happens the Zombie vanishes in smoke and a Skeleton (S2)appears in it’s place. F3 misses Z3 as it turns and F4 takes it’s head off. LT2 move to flank HG1 and hits slicing across its left leg. F2 swings on S2 now but misses completely surprised by the transformation. The Caravan Wizard (CW) cast a spell and a loud pop sounds as a fiery orb sails overhead toward the webbed undead centered on H4. It explodes completely vaporizing 2 of the zombies and scorches 2 of the J zombies and H4. Capt. Trevor Moves up on H1 slices into his chest. LT 1 moves up and swings on the now S2 and destroys it. The Caravan Cleric (CC) cast entangle now the web is burned up by the fireball on the zombies to the left of the smoldering area entangling those now in the fireball radius. F7 and 8 move up on H2 and both slice into it good. F1, 12, and 3 all miss their targets. Timbus sees that the CC has the zombies tangled aleady and the fireball burned the vegitation around the others so he holds his action. Sgt3 moves around H2 an attack it from behind. Sgt1 moves behind but trips along the way and misses his target. F10 misses H2 and L3 moves up on J2 and scores a hit to its left side. Sgt2 and F6 both miss H1. Traughnan invisible moves up on H1 for a back attack and hits but notices that along the way they seemed to notice him and while his back attack normally would work it didn’t since there were now vital organs to take advantage of. He was still able to inflict massive damage against H4 as it struggles to even move now.

Timbus reconsiders repeating his Entangle [ooc:thx] and while still attempting to maintain some distance and still spooked a bit by the unnatural creatures, pulls his Javelin of Lightning and throws at H2 (if a clear shot presents itself). He may reposition to get a better vantage point (aiming between F11 & F12); he will also keep one eye out and try to keep some proximity to CC and CW in case any undead make it close enough to physically threaten them. He definitely feels the HGZ’s are most important to be rid of ASAP as they have the most destruction potential, but is made queasy by all such abominations in general [OOC: as per the racial kit].
Timbus moves up diagonal to H2 and notices J2 is right in line for a shot. He hits J2 with the Javalin and a flash of light burst forth with a buzzing sound charging the air around it striking J2 and H2 as a lightning bolt springs forth while missing the fighters, and Sgts in the vacinity. The javalin returns to Timbus’ hand seconds later.
The undead begin their assault. J1 and H1 both swing on the fighters but miss. H2 still smoking from the lightning stroke swings his maul down on F8 and completely crushes the fighter. F8 collapses and blood is dripping from his helm. J2 strikes at F12 and connects slicing into his side. J3 moves up from the fireball area and swings on Traughnan but misses as Traughnan dodges the blow. H4 swings on S2 and connects with his maul smashing into his chest knocking him back a few feet. J4 swings on S3 and the sgt duck to avoid the monster just in time.

Traughnan will cast Web on the group ahead of him. He’ll try to anchor as many undead to the hill giant as possible.
Taylan after hearing about this opportunity from the local thieves guild sets out to track this caravan and join up with the heroes so she can cash in herself. It was easy enough to track and she forgoes a nights rest to catch up to them. Just before about an hour and a bit before midnight she catches the noise of large skirmish taking place. She sneaks up near he horses of the caravan and the stench hits her like a wall. She can see the outline of the Carava fighters and the heroes and as she gets a bit close she can see the zombies as well. She makes it up to just 20 ft behind the others.
Timbus will, if he can get another clear shot, repeat the same Javelin of Lightning toss to finish off the hulking H2.
Taylan sees the zombies and raises her eyebrows, Wow, in trouble already, eh? Better see if I can help. Uchh, hate these things.
Taylan will come up around the left side, bypassing the front line, and run up on J3 attacking with Bone Biter and Li’l Buddy (Should get 2 attacks, then 3 next round if I understand it correctly.)
She calls out in a cheerful voice as she runs up, “Hey guys! Need some help?! You didn’t get very far before gettin’ attacked, huh?”
Her dagger, Bone Biter, extends to a shortsword in her hand as she swings it at J3.
I’ll post later tonight at work.
F5 and F4 both attack H1 slicing into the torso and then the head. F9 swings on H2 and connects slicing through the body and leg killing it. Drex advances up to J3 and does a eale strike to the creatures midsection. Drex’s handwraps seem to glow as it hits J3 and kills it. F11 stumbles backwards and pees on himself. Xankul moves up to F8 who has fallen and cast CLW which stabalized him. LT2 puts his longsword through H4 and pulls it out as the giant staggers a bit. F2 swings on J1 but misses his target. CW cast on H3 and 3 orbs of light shoot from his hands striking the giant. Capt. T flanks J1 and slices into the zombie.
Capt. Trevor yells, “Keep it up boys we’re kicking ass”.
L1 moves up on H4 and misses. CC moves up and Cast CLW on F8 which brings him to around. F7 swing on J4 but misses and F8 recovers a bit with no action. F1 pukes all over J1 as the stench becomes to much for the man. F12 swings on J2 and barely slices his arm. F3 jabs his longsword into J1. Timbus seeing H2 drop advances up to be in line with H4 and J4 and throws his javalin. It misses just behind J4 and returns to his hand. S3 swings on J4 and misses. S1 swings on J1 and misses. Taylan moves up seeing J3 killed she gets behind H4 attacks with Bone biter first and she carves the giants to pieces killing it.
F10 pukes too, L3, S2 swing and miss. F6 moves up to J4 and swings but it glances off the zombie. Traugnan is the last to act sees H3 and the zombies to the north are almost free and there are just a few in their midst. The other zombies to the north look like the are still stuck for one more round. Traghnan can clarify his orders for this round.

Traugh cast web on the group near H3 and anchors them all between the tree and H3.
“Wow, you guys got some weak stomachs, huh? That’s ok. These things are pretty gross!”
Taylan flips and twirls over to J4 and attacks with both weapons.
“Crap!” Timbus yells in Wemic as his shot misses (…though it sounds more like Snorty-Hisss)
Noticing the tiny Taylan for the first time and watching the little doll-like gnome (in leafy attire) wreaking havoc right across the faces of the abominations and displaying unfettered bravery, Timbus feels inspired and throws off his cape and activates his Tribal Tattoo, morphing himself back into his almost 7’ quadruped form. He then leaps forward 30’ toward H3 to attempt to align a shot with the Javelin of Lightning.
Noting H3 and the zombies to the north, Traugh will cast his web on that group.
J1 swings on F2 and slices into the mans gut. -8hp. J2 attacks F10 and cuts him so bad he drops to his knees but no further. -11hp. J4 attack F7 and guts the man pretty good causing him to collapse completely. -15hp.
Taylan gets her second attack and decides to throw lil’buddy and hits solid with it and in a second the dagger returns to her.
Capt Trevor yells out,"Finish the three off quickly and then fall back into ranks men. Whoever you are Missy thank to you.

Taylan is already moving toward J4 as soon as she’s thrown Li’l Buddy. She will melee attack J4 with both weapons (twice with Bone Biter if I get to choose). If J4 is already slain, she will move on to J2.
The little stalker answers the captain as she moves, “Oh, no problem, Cap’n! You are the captain, right? I figured since yer givin’ orders an’ all. I’m Taylan. We can talk more later, though. Need to concentrate, you know?”
Tayln is a quick little gnome and goes fist. Doing a cartwheel back flip and landing right behind J4 she shifts her weight slightly and easily drives her bone biter into J4 and drops the zombie. Just as she drops J4 she hears the pack of zombies starting to break free. F4 swings on J1 and misses while F12 swings on J2 and cuts off its arm. S2 moves on J2 and misses it. F7 continues to lay there and bleed for the moment. F9 moves in behind J2 and decapitates it. F11 moves up into the ranks. Timbus shifts into true form nearly as big as H3 and leaps then positions himself diagonally to H3 which lines up all the zombies except Z9 in the web and strikes with the javalin. As the javalin hits H3 it sparks into a stroke of Lightning shockin H3 and frying Z4-z8 and the energy burns the webbing off H3 and Z9. F3 and F5 miss J1 and F8 is too weak to do anything this round. The CW sees Timbus’ situation and cast web on the zombies behind him that are starting to break free. The CC sees F7 is down and moves up and cast CLW and brings him back to conciousness. Trauhnan move behind J1 and cleaves it in half doing massive damage killing it. With H3 on the ropes an only 8 zombie that convert to 8 skeletons left. Capt. Trevor rallies whats left to go still and the Caravan easily finishes off the remaining undead.
The Clerics gather up the wounded and begin healing them up the undead had no loot on them worth taking. Traughnan noticed that the undead were somehow silent until just after he noticed them at which point they seemed to make sounds again.
The rest of the night is uneventful as the caravan fighters continue their watches. Everyone is surprised by Timbus’ transformation but most of the caravan has seen a wemic before but it has been a while.