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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 9:21:09 GMT -6
Chapter 1 Forged in Fire
The smell of burnt hair and flesh assaults your nostrils, forcing you to wake up. The next sensation is that of being wet and of lying on the ground in something wet and sticky, mud.
Looking around there are bodies lying scattered around and among the remains of the half dozen wagons that made up the caravan that was heading to Rivers Edge, now the wagons are burnt wrecks and the animals either gone or dead.
The rain that the caravan master was trying to make it through has now turned to a light snow and the ground and mud have begun to freeze. Listening you can hear the sounds of moaning and the voice of young man calling out the name Erimus.
The darkness is being staved off by the burning of the wagons but it is deep and Shuney is partially hidden behind the snow clouds. In the distance there is the baying of a wolf and an answering call....
((Ok this is our beginning, beats the typical met in the bar kind of idea. I believe only Kib has equipment still that needs to be determined but most of what he needs can be taken from the dead. Any questions can be handled in the OOC area or PM if need be...as I say at my table Game On!))
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Post by chicagowiz on Dec 28, 2010 10:05:10 GMT -6
"What the..." thinking to myself. I feel myself and check around me for my gear, my weapons... my limbs. Hopefully those are still attached.
How many people are around me? Are they all caravan members?
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miked
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 51
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Post by miked on Dec 28, 2010 10:19:09 GMT -6
Laric comes to with a start. He quickly checks for his bow, as without it he feels useless. "What in the name of the gods has happened" he says as he sees others about him coming awake.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 10:51:05 GMT -6
"What the..." thinking to myself. I feel myself and check around me for my gear, my weapons... my limbs. Hopefully those are still attached. How many people are around me? Are they all caravan members? Doing a quick check of body parts, indeed you seem all there except for the very nasty ache on the left side of your body...that seems to feel like one large bruise.... The image comes to you, walking on the edge of the caravan keeping your head down as much as you could but trying to keep an eye out for scouting. Then the cry, at first you thought someone had slipped again but then hearing the sounds of metal on metal you knew the caravan was being attacked. Turning towards the sound you cursed to yourself and brought your eyes back around to see on your side man sized and shorter than man sized figures rushing you! Drawing you cut one of the shorter creatures down but then the brigand, human for sure, stepped up and the fight was give and take until at the right moment your footing gave and he hammered you on your left side spinning you to the ground.In the shadows dancing across the battle scene you can make out at least two people moving, one is crying out the name Erimus...your pretty sure that was one of the guards of the caravan hired as you were BUT he seemed very religious. Another shadow is moving now but you cannot make out who it is....though it is man sized not smaller.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 10:59:40 GMT -6
Laric comes to with a start. He quickly checks for his bow, as without it he feels useless. "What in the name of the gods has happened" he says as he sees others about him coming awake. Grabbing reflexively at your leaf and acorn symbol of the "Hunter", you see your bow lying on the ground broken...no not broken just appeared that way for a moment. Though you see that your quiver lies empty on the ground.... It all started when that d**n caravan master wanted to push through...wouldn't listen to the fact that you were still a good three days out of Rivers Edge. Knew more about the land than you did he said...fat pompous bastard. Then the attack, sitting next to the driver on the second wagon you could almost smell the goblins before they attacked but couldn't get a warning off, they ambushed one of the scouts and then as the guards shifted the real attack came from the other side. The goblins were falling to your shafts but they were not the ones giving the orders that was the humans dressed in head to toe camouflage, it was one of them that used some type of chain/claw thing to drag you down from the wagon, falling underneath probably saved your life...you don't remember crawling out but the wagon burns still. The blood dried on your right forearm and wrist.... There is a boy crying out for Erimus, one of the guards, he helped with the spiritual matters for the caravan with the cleric Fennick. There appears to be someone else standing on the edge of the burning light...
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Post by Professor P on Dec 28, 2010 11:27:43 GMT -6
By Sarenrae, what happened?
Fennick instinctively checks for his holy symbol, then his scimitar. If his scimitar cannot be found, he looks quickly for anything that could be used as a cudgel and then searches for the boy-guard that helped him provide spiritual aid.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 11:36:11 GMT -6
By Sarenrae, what happened?Fennick instinctively checks for his holy symbol, then his scimitar. If his scimitar cannot be found, he looks quickly for anything that could be used as a cudgel and then searches for the boy-guard that helped him provide spiritual aid. The symbol is still tucked where it should be though there is a rough nick in one side BUT that is probably saved your life as the scratch on your neck doesn't feel good it's not openly bleeding either. The scimitar lies a few feet away buried in the corpse of one of the goblins... The fighting had come on fast and quick the ebb and flow of the battle took you from one side unto the other. There were goblins and men who were attacking, it was just a moment but your sure you saw the men kill the caravan master and then take the female passenger...Corrine from the lead wagon. There were many goblins all wearing a distinctive red cap on their heads but the humans were wearing camouflage and were fighting with some strange weapons and speaking in tongue that was not familiar but they also spoke in goblin as well. The last blow came as you rounded the corner of one of the wagons and slew that goblin but then then the scimitar had become stuck, now turning you were struck and left for dead.Erimus one of the more pious guards had helped during the observation of many of the holy days and his "boy" Nemmet was shouting for him....in the distance two wolves howled back and forth at each other....
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 28, 2010 12:13:17 GMT -6
[IC] Liam opens his eyes and shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. He immediately checks himself over for wounds and to make sure his weapons are intact.
If all appears to be in order, he'll look around to see if anyone appears to need help and asses the surroundings to make sure they are indeed safe from any further attack.
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Post by chicagowiz on Dec 28, 2010 12:35:53 GMT -6
Galax stands up and takes in the surroundings. No enemies in sight?
If so, he retreats to the biggest group of armed caravan guards.
If not, he'll ensure he still has his weapons and look about for bodies (of enemies) and/or injured.
Are we at full HP despite the battle descriptions?
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 12:38:01 GMT -6
[IC] Liam opens his eyes and shakes his head to clear the cobwebs. He immediately checks himself over for wounds and to make sure his weapons are intact. If all appears to be in order, he'll look around to see if anyone appears to need help and asses the surroundings to make sure they are indeed safe from any further attack. Looking around from out here in the darkness you can see that the caravan is indeed a total loss, your head feels like a horse gave it a pretty good kick but you don't remember getting hit... Tobin the caravan master had confided in you that for the last few days that he felt the caravan was being followed and he wouldn't feel safe until he got to River's Edge with his cargo and lone passenger. Corrine Townsend was the daughter of Aleck Townsend, one of the senior guilds-man in Rivers Edge and a well known merchant in the Winterwoods. Tobin had asked you to hang back and out of sight perhaps giving the caravan a chance at catching a possible ambush and then the storm started. Watching as well as you could you just saw something when you were fighting for your life, your shout was all you could do as you cut down two goblins, red caps, and then engaged with one of the best skilled brigands you had ever seen. The brigand bled but just wouldn't quit and then...there was something in your face, dust...poison! Blackness... Others were beginning to move in the firelight, the boy Nemmet was shouting out for Erimus and it appeared that the beady eyed Laric was up and Fennick appeared to be stumbling around as well.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 12:40:43 GMT -6
Galax stands up and takes in the surroundings. No enemies in sight? If so, he retreats to the biggest group of armed caravan guards. If not, he'll ensure he still has his weapons and look about for bodies (of enemies) and/or injured. Are we at full HP despite the battle descriptions?The sounds of battle are absent and there is no group yet just movements in the smoke and steam from the fires. Your gear is either on you or spilled out close by, you do notice that any extra coinage is missing... Here and there are bodies of a few of goblins and guards but that is all... ((Storyteller Fiat, yes your HP are returning slowly as if they were temp damage. I do like in media res stories so much better!))
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 28, 2010 12:44:52 GMT -6
Liam, too, will start making his way to the others to start forming a group back up.
As he does so, he'll search the ground for a usable longsword.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 12:56:44 GMT -6
Liam, too, will start making his way to the others to start forming a group back up. As he does so, he'll search the ground for a usable longsword. Moving from the shadows, in the distance now you can hear a wolf howl and then a second but your pretty sure with the weather and the fires that they will stay away unless they are very hungry... Looking around as you move in you don't see anything usable other than what you carry already...there are only a few of the goblin bodies and none of the human brigands that you can see. The boy Nemmet see's you and approaches his blond hair matted with blood but he still has a few torches tucked in his belt and is carrying a lit one going from body to body. "Sir, I can't find my master Erimus have you seen him?" The boy grips his crowbar, matted with blood in his other hand.
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 28, 2010 13:11:48 GMT -6
Liam squats down by Nemmet and puts a hand on his shoulder, reassuringly.
"Nor have I seen him, lad, but we'll find him, don't you worry." He pats him on the shoulder.
A little nervous about the sounds of the wolves so close, Liam pulls out his short bow and nocks an arrow.
"Keep your wits about you, son. We won't be able to find Erimus very well if we're dead. Why don't you try to get a proper fire going there (he points to a clear area amid the mess) and we'll make sure those wolves don't get any closer. When we have more light, I'll see if I can't find some tracks so we can figure out where those bloody redcaps have gotten off to..."
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 13:32:25 GMT -6
Liam squats down by Nemmet and puts a hand on his shoulder, reassuringly. "Nor have I seen him, lad, but we'll find him, don't you worry." He pats him on the shoulder. A little nervous about the sounds of the wolves so close, Liam pulls out his short bow and nocks an arrow. "Keep your wits about you, son. We won't be able to find Erimus very well if we're dead. Why don't you try to get a proper fire going there (he points to a clear area amid the mess) and we'll make sure those wolves don't get any closer. When we have more light, I'll see if I can't find some tracks so we can figure out where those bloody redcaps have gotten off to..." "Aye sir." Nodding at you and putting his torch into the ground so he could have at least one hand to drag tinder, the other hand going white around the end of the crowbar.
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Post by chicagowiz on Dec 28, 2010 14:03:41 GMT -6
I'll do a count, walking around to see who survived. Is the Caravan Master still alive?
If so, I'd like to know his plan... if he intends on moving out on foot. How far away from Rivers Edge are we?
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 14:09:55 GMT -6
I'll do a count, walking around to see who survived. Is the Caravan Master still alive?If so, I'd like to know his plan... if he intends on moving out on foot. How far away from Rivers Edge are we?Moving into the light from the burning wagons you can see Liam has his bow ready and Nemmett seems to be moving tinder towards a small fire that has been started... Looking further you do find the body of Tobin the caravan master, there are a few deep cuts in the body and it appears that several fingers have been cut off. Looking around and getting your bearings as well as you can, it would be a close to a week before you would get to Rivers Edge...
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miked
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 51
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Post by miked on Dec 28, 2010 14:25:54 GMT -6
Laric strings his bow and gathers as many arrows as he can. Once done, he will join the group of survivors. "Bloody madness this is. We are in the thick of it now I'd say" he says to no one in particular. He will keep a watch for any new threats while others are rousted and a head count is taken.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 14:30:24 GMT -6
Laric strings his bow and gathers as many arrows as he can. Once done, he will join the group of survivors. "Bloody madness this is. We are in the thick of it now I'd say" he says to no one in particular. He will keep a watch for any new threats while others are rousted and a head count is taken. Managing to pull arrows out of bodies and from misses you are able to scrape together 20 usable arrows, you have some spare heads but shafts are at a premium. Coming over to the firelight where Liam and Nemmet are, you can see another of the caravan...Galax moving around with some purpose as well. Then there is another of those d**n wolf howls... Nemmet looks up at you, "Sir have you seen my master Erimus, I haven't found him yet?" The boy tosses another wheel spoke onto the fire and keep a grip on his crowbar.
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miked
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 51
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Post by miked on Dec 28, 2010 15:27:15 GMT -6
Nemmet looks up at you, "Sir have you seen my master Erimus, I haven't found him yet?" The boy tosses another wheel spoke onto the fire and keep a grip on his crowbar. Spitting to clear the taste of ash and blood from his mouth, Laric turns to Nemmet and says, "No kid, I haven't seen him."
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Post by chicagowiz on Dec 28, 2010 15:42:54 GMT -6
GALAX to NEMMET: "What did he look like?"
GALAX to all: "The caravan master is dead, and we are all I've seen so far. I haven't seen any horses. Has anyone seen the woman?"
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 16:03:55 GMT -6
GALAX to NEMMET: "What did he look like?" GALAX to all: "The caravan master is dead, and we are all I've seen so far. I haven't seen any horses. Has anyone seen the woman?" Looking up at Galax, "Sir he is about average height but longer hair than most and a great mustache, curled up on both sides." When you mention the girl his eyes light up. "Sir she was in the first wagon over there." Pointing. The wagon is a smoldering wreck and that is where you found Tobin's body.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 28, 2010 16:04:03 GMT -6
Erimus raises his aching head from the cold mud and hoarfrost and squints into the bleak light.
What hit me? He wonders slowly, reaching for his helm as he struggles to pull himself off the ground. Whatever it was, it must have come from behind, he judges by the dent in his helm.
He hears Nemmet crying his name, as he rises, and looks about to see the caravan in ruin.
"Over here, boy." he calls out, then sorely begins to gather up what remains of his equipment, and to surmise who and what remains of his present company...
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 16:25:36 GMT -6
Erimus raises his aching head from the cold mud and hoarfrost and squints into the bleak light. What hit me? He wonders slowly, reaching for his helm as he struggles to pull himself off the ground. Whatever it was, it must have come from behind, he judges by the dent in his helm. He hears Nemmet crying his name, as he rises, and looks about to see the caravan in ruin. "Over here, boy." he calls out, then sorely begins to gather up what remains of his equipment, and to surmise who and what remains of his present company... Gathering his thoughts and equipment Erimus bends down to one knee and looks at the mercenary Gavin a broken blade stuck in his chest... Chatting with Gavin, "So really you believe that the gods are real and that they can protect?" Gavin spoke. "Of course, don't you?" Erimus replied.
The first arrow struck the wagon behind them as they walked, then there was a cry of attack from the other side of the caravan. The rain of arrows continued and then men in camouflage were among them, some of them springing up from the ground itself. "Assassins!" Erimus cried out. "Watch out Erimus!!" Gavin yelled and interposed himself as one of the assassins lunged at Erimus's back. Looking back the blade had impaled Gavin through the chest, the assassin tried to withdraw it but it snapped and then Erimus's blade struck twice knocking the assassin down. "Help!"
There was the scream from Corrine Townsend as she was dragged from the wagon by two of the clothed men, then darkness as something struck him from behind..."SIR!" Nemmet called out and then appeared from the smoke and mist. "We have a fire over here sir and some of the other men have survived."
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 28, 2010 16:32:10 GMT -6
"Goblins, eh?" grunts Kib Ostkilrud, by way of greeting.
Being somewhat conversant in the Goblin tongue, he may have overheard some of their chatter...
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Post by chicagowiz on Dec 28, 2010 16:32:10 GMT -6
When you mention the girl his eyes light up. "Sir she was in the first wagon over there." Pointing. The wagon is a smoldering wreck and that is where you found Tobin's body. GALAX to NEMMET: "Thank you." I go over to see if I can find the woman's body in the smoldering ashes.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 17:04:22 GMT -6
"Goblins, eh?" grunts Kib Ostkilrud, by way of greeting. Being somewhat conversant in the Goblin tongue, he may have overheard some of their chatter... Kib wanders into the center of "camp" looking for any sign of anything that might be good to eat or drink. The d**n redcaps were chattering about the Master being pleased and not wanting to hurt the human female or the Master would be displeased. Sitting on a nearby rock... The greenskins came in quick cutting through the sellswords quickly the murderous band bent on kidnapping the poor girl. Killing at least four of the greenskins and giving chase to them, he didn't see the exposed root and went head over hills into a patch of ice...
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 28, 2010 17:32:01 GMT -6
"The Gobs were goons for some 'Master' who really wanted the girl unscathed," shares Kib. "That's all I know."
He then busies himself about "camp" tending the wounded, stoking the fire, mending broken items, and generally making himself useful.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 28, 2010 18:17:49 GMT -6
Erimus gives his hired boy another appraising look then ruffles his hair.
"Well done, lad," he says with a grim smile. "The Lord favours us this day it does seem..."
"But not all of us," he observes more quietly, accounting for the fallen as he trudges toward where the other survivors gather.
When he reaches the other survivors, with Nemmet in tow, Erimus introduces himself more formerly.
"Salutations friends," he intones, "I am called Erimus. And this," he indicates Nemmet, "be Nemmet, my dogsbody."
"I suggest we make hasty arrangements for the departed, before wolves -- or worse -- return to defile their mortal remains."
Erimus counts the bodies of the fallen, estimating the toil to bury them properly.
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Post by Ronin84 on Dec 28, 2010 18:33:54 GMT -6
Erimus gives his hired boy another appraising look then ruffles his hair. "Well done, lad," he says with a grim smile. "The Lord favours us this day it does seem...""But not all of us," he observes more quietly, accounting for the fallen as he trudges toward where the other survivors gather. When he reaches the other survivors, with Nemmet in tow, Erimus introduces himself more formerly. "Salutations friends," he intones, "I am called Erimus. And this," he indicates Nemmet, "be Nemmet, my dogsbody.""I suggest we make hasty arrangements for the departed, before wolves -- or worse -- return to defile their mortal remains."Erimus counts the bodies of the fallen, estimating the toil to bury them properly. ((OOC: Roughly two dozen men, another half dozen goblin bodies and the remains of six draft horses, leaving two unaccounted for.))
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