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Post by Caledonian Achilles on Jun 8, 2009 11:19:36 GMT 1
When; 13th hour, 20th day of Maitine, 3806EYM
Where; Approaching Icendia
the collection of buildings would be missed under the snow and ice if it were not for the majectic 40ft spire in the centre of the settlement. Made of stone that glistens with a greenish milky hue, the snow has thawed around 10 yards from it. It has a needle like design with a single entrance and the top is tipped by a steeple that burns with a dark green flame.
Several conduits and heavy metal cables connect this central projection to various larger buildings that also seem to have less ice and snow than the other smaller wooden erections on the periphery.
However a large blackened crater is being covered in a snow from what could be a recent explosion. Nearby huts and sheds have been ripped apart and the contents strewn across the white landscape, slowly being reclaimed by the encroaching tundra. It is clear that the explosion is not the cause of the adjacent destruction.
A couple of fur cloaked riders atop hairy horned bipedal mounts start to make their way from a guardpost towards you. There lances remain high and unready for combat.
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Post by nodaisho on Jun 8, 2009 11:38:33 GMT 1
"What in the hell happened here?" Barrend asks himself, and anyone else that happens to hear him over the wind. Raising his voice to be more easily audible, "Who wants to lay odds we end up fighting that beastie before this is over?"
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Post by Ilya on Jun 8, 2009 13:30:24 GMT 1
Kerzeme looks around, and says, "Well, at least we got here safely, as I promised you."
The sherpas have a mixed response to this remark. Most thank the arcanist for his mystical powers, some wish they had stayed in bed, and a few just want to get indoors and drunk.
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Post by achinca on Jun 8, 2009 16:14:54 GMT 1
Alyana tries to assert the situation and see if she can pick up any information about what has happened. She is second in line, behind Kurt.
when the cloaked riders approaches, she waves at them and makes her holy silver symbol of Corellon Larethian quite visible.
Spot: 1d20 +6
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Post by She-Elf on Jun 8, 2009 17:57:39 GMT 1
Glad they've finally arrived safe and sound, Taliea unties the rope and stows it away in her pack again. She chuckles quietly to herself at Kerzeme's comment, then looks up to survey the town. She wonders what caused the destruction here, but figures the guards are the most immediate concerns and that they might be able to answer any questions the party have. She joins Alyana in greeting them with a friendly wave.
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on Jun 11, 2009 15:15:32 GMT 1
When; 13th hour, 20th day of Maitine, 3806EYM
Where; Approaching Icendia
The mounted riders are protected from the elements by furs and leathers. They have lances and Alyanna notices that they are dressed for extended combat in that they have provisions, back up weapons and paraphernalia associated with a hunt.
The leader of the two is a middleaged human veteran with a greying beard
"Well met travellers but I pray that you hasten indoors with speed. The folks are gathered in the town hall where there's hot food and a blanket if you need it. Report to the Captain and state your business."
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Post by achinca on Jun 11, 2009 21:24:11 GMT 1
Alyana nods at the men "Well met. We will hurry to the town hall and reports to your Captain. By the way what is your name and why are you out as the storm is comming?"
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Post by She-Elf on Jun 11, 2009 21:35:59 GMT 1
"Well met indeed," Taliea replies to the leader of the two guards before thanking him for the kind offer of blankets and hot food. She looks to the others to follow her as she hurries off towards the town hall.
OOC: I posted earlier but for some reason it's not here. I think this is more or less what I wrote.
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Post by Ilya on Jun 11, 2009 22:20:47 GMT 1
Kerzeme doesn't need to be asked twice, he immediately heads to where he can get something to eat.
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Post by Caledonian Achilles on Jun 12, 2009 17:15:38 GMT 1
The guardsman wheels his mount around
"Now is not the time for social intercourse m'lady. The Captain will want us to send all travellers to the safety of the Town Hall."
The group might notice the second rider roll his eyes when the first mentions the word 'safety'
When the party head in to town, more militia direct the adventurers to the Town Hall. A rather sturdy looking wood and stone structure. The ice and snow has melted from the walls and roof and some green shoots of grass pokes around the exterior of the building.
Inside a collection of citizens huddle together in small groups. the stench of fear is palpable. to one side a group of women tend to men on stretchers. the casualties look battered and broken.
A man with a red beard points you in the direction of the Captain of the Watch, a thick set man with a black beard and bushy eyes. He wears leather battle armour and has a two handed sword strapped to his back. His right eye is covered with a gore soaked bandage and he uses a crutch to nurse his limp right leg.
He turns to greet you if you approach.
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Post by achinca on Jun 12, 2009 20:24:11 GMT 1
Alyana approaches the captain, her holy symbol in evidence. "Karen, it looks like you could use some help. Can you tell us what has happened to you and this town. If we can be useful we will be glad to help.
She gives a side look at Kerzeme, waiting to see if he openly disagree.
I am a cleric of Corellon Larethian, so if you allow me, I could heal some of your wounds.
The Captain of the Watch is partially awed by the generosity of a stranger but smiles and waves aside her help.
"I am Captain Gershault of Icendia and have suffered less than others in the attack. Stay your healing hands and lay them on more worthy victims, m'lady."
He summons a scribe who takes down names and reasons for coming to Icendia. The customary taxes are waived in light of the current emergency.
Gershault takes you to a table to one side of the Hall and signals for a raven-haired lady with a red scarf to bring hot stew and tea over.
The Captain gestures with his fork, "Lizard"
After a few mouthfuls he explains his settlement's woes.
"Over the last couple of days a large monster has been attacking the surrounding area. First a trade caravan disappeared, the mutilated bodies were found a couple of days later by a tracker. Then the creature assualted Icendia. If not for the Patron, we would have perished for sure. It was dark and treacherous that night and it came in a terrible rage. The roaring and whistling woke us up first but we didn't know what could make such an infernal noise. Then later it tore in to some of the storage huts, ripping them apart like diaphenous veils. It was very big, bigger than anything I have ever seen but only the darkness against the inkier night. Tooth and claw it has in plenty nad we lost several good men then.
The Patron in his tower unleashes a ray of energy that drove it away and ..."
Gershault, a strong and seasoned veteran, pauses for a second as he gulps some air.
"... and I saw it briefly in that terrible flash. A creation of nightmares, no limb the same as another and a powerful head, half fleshy and half scaled. It stood as tall as a two-storey house. I was blinded by a glint below it's maw before I was knocked back and it loped away."
Kurt looks as if he is about to leap off his bench and head out in to the night with his glaive and a joyouse smile across his lips
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Post by She-Elf on Jun 13, 2009 18:26:37 GMT 1
Taliea takes a seat with her bowl of hot stew and listens to the Captain's story. A spoonful of the stew pauses half way to her mouth as he describes the terrible creature. The sight of the dead Blizzard Bears flashes in her mind as he tells of the carnage the beast wraught. She takes in his description of the creature and tries to remember if she has heard of anything of its sort before.
Knowledge of Nature 1d20+4=16
No, Taliea doesn't recall any natural creature that fits Gershault's description
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Post by Ilya on Jun 14, 2009 9:40:38 GMT 1
By the time Kerzeme realises Alyana's offer of help is his cue to demand payment for their help, it has already been refused, and the sorcerer can only stand there with a disappointed look on his face, tugging his mustache.
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Post by puffthemagicdragon on Jun 15, 2009 14:25:54 GMT 1
At the mention of hot stew and tea, Theodorre suddenly perks up. He moves closer to the fire and tries to warm himself the best he can. He begins eating the stew not knowing what it is, just thiking its hot and pretty good. As the captain informs him of his meal, he stops momentarily, but doesn't want to offend anyone so he continues on and finishes his meal.
The lizard stew is a little spicy but quite tasty, not unsimilar to chicken.
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Post by achinca on Jun 15, 2009 15:53:19 GMT 1
A look of sadness goes over Alyana's face at Captain Gershault tells the story.
"Captain, have someone bring me to the most injured and I will heal them as much as I can. My magic is limited but it is the minimum we can do. And if you do not mind, I beleive that some of us", she grabs Kurt by the collar before he leaves "are willing to help you get rid of this monstruosity. Could we talk to your PAtron first to get some possible information that will help us track and kill that thing?"
Gershault thinks for a few seconds; he is toying with a difficult decision. "Sorry m'lady but the Patron does not welcome visitors. He is a... recluse... and quite frankly, I am surprised he even intervened during the attack. I doubt he will entertain an audience with outsiders preferring to bury his beard in his scholarly lore and experiments. At least he lives within civilisation unlike the other one and keeps contact with the mundane world."
The Captain screws his face up then stands to lead Alyanna over to one of the nurses called Clarissa; a stern weathered old woman with spikey raven hair and a coarse accent. She gratefully accepts healing from Alyanna. The Captains account of an attack by a huge monstrous creature is given credence by the wounds the elven priestess has to tend.
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