[Adolph is late, but otherwise its a full house! He comes in soon enough, and we get the treat of a full Bomrek personality foible]
12:14 Gandalf G.: yup. we’re just missing lil’ hitler then?
12:15 Ken (GM): yeah and he gave me the heads up his shift ends around now, so he’ll jump in when he can in about an hour or so. As long as you guys dont burn down the universe by then he should be good
12:15 Fiss: I make no promises on the universe-burning
Still in the green arrow. Very little travel
12:16 Ken (GM): SPEAKING OF WHICH, you guys had cleared the cavern and temple, freed the slaved elves, burned ALL THE DRUGS and were now prodding suspicious gold, yes?
12:16 Gandalf G.: yes. and Suðri got disarmed :V
12:16 Ken (GM): Falkirk had the spear, Syviis was on watch with crispy Suðri, Bomrek Grey and Falkirk were prodding
12:16 P.P. A.: No, the other way round
12:16 Ken (GM): prodding/looting/being paranoid of the big shiny statue
12:17 P.P. A.: Suðri was prodding, Bomrek was engaging in interracial BDSM
Gray went full Nacey Regan on that cave of drugs
12:17 Gandalf G.: I did have the spear tho. since spears work as staffs
12:17 Ken (GM): oh I see, bomrek on guard (racism suspicions) and Suðri poking with gray
Gray thinks a moment, then ask Falkirk. “Magic seems extremely powerful. Is there some way for us to defend themselves from something like the witch?”
12:19 Ken (GM): a little lightning-shy after last session’s dwarven BBQ?
Falkirk pauses and scratches his chin
12:20 Falkirk: “An astute question, considering…”
Falkirk pauses with a furrowed brow
12:20 Falkirk: I paused twice in a row gg
Gray nods grimly. “That won’t be the last witch we face.” He paused to consider that.
Falkirk cycles through multiple expressions, as he seems to decide on the best angle to approach the issue
12:22 Falkirk: “Defending yourself from a magic attack generally depends on how the attack is taking place. There are two distinct types of attack and each requires a distinct method of defense, see.”
Suðri Skornbrekker listens closely.
Gray tries to follow the complicated reply, listening intently to the wise old man that seems to lean on his new spear. The towering brute kneels, examining the pond and snake now that it seems the area isn’t trapped.
12:24 Falkirk: “Say I were to conjure a ball of flame and hurl it. While it was magic that I called forth and shaped the ball, once it’s on its way, it’s no different to any ball of phlogiston. You’d want a shield that won’t burn. For lightning, galvanic armor would do you well.”
Falkirk seems to be lost in his own lecture and is smiling softly
12:24 Falkirk: “Those are the easy ones. The other way a magician can attack you is to apply the magic directly on yourself. A mental assault or an attempt to seize power from your body. For that one needs an iron will to fight back. I’ve read of special methods to consciously resist these applications of magic, but they are always vague and elusory… Of course, as with anything, the fastest way to stop someone from being able to attack you is by being on the closed end of a cannon.”
Gray tightens his jaw, nodding to the wizard. “No easy charms or superstitious rituals. It’s good to know, though. Thank you.”
Suðri Skornbrekker nods.
Falkirk shakes his head gently, as if waking from a nap
12:27 Falkirk: “Now, quite enough on the nature of the aether. We were doing… something.”
12:27 Suðri Skornbrekker: “So, in short: there are elements conjured through magic, but otherwise behaving as they would in nature; and magic that tries to twist the mind.”
12:27 Ken (GM): [nodding intensifies]
12:28 Fiss: [maximum overnod]
12:28 Falkirk: “Not just your mind. With a moment’s application I could freeze every muscle in your body and your only recourse would be to reject the magic from your being. But aye, having a strong mind will protect you against almost anything that a good shield and armor will not.”
Gray tries to keep from growling at that. “Such power. I would trust few men with it.” It’s intended to be a complement, even if the very idea of magic that can invade a person’s mind leaves a bad taste in the brute’s mouth. “Is this real gold?” He gestures to the fountain.
Falkirk has already glossed over, seemingly deep in reflection of his own words
Ken (GM) within the cool rippling water lies many golden objects; goblets, rods, scepters, and some strange items that look like a shirt or tabbard, scaled with squares of the precious metal as well. Each of the objects shines bright and clear, even in the dim light here
12:34 Ken (GM): …
you guys still not doing anything to the pool of water and shiny gold?
12:34 Falkirk: I am but just a sec. finding my sheet
12:35 Joush M.: I want someone else to grab it. I’ve still got two arms..
12:36 Ken (GM): lol >such paranoia, much careful
Gray at last decides to lean over the pool, the mist from the snake’s mouth wetting his face as the grim brute reaches into the water to take up the golden shirt to start, lifting it from the pond. He expects, in some way, this to be a trap.
Ken (GM) the water is cold, and the feel of it is shocking as you plunge your hands into the water
Ken (GM) but nothing immediately terrible happens
Falkirk brings his hands together, loose sleeves meeting together and murmurs a few quiet syllables
Falkirk then separates his arms out, as a tiny wisp of light hovers in midair, lighting a 10yd radius around
Gray speaks to the others. “No trap yet. The water’s frigid. Like melt from a glacier.” The massive bestial man draws back, setting the tabard on the steps up to the fountain. His mouth waters a moment. Cold water sounds like a fine thing, but he’s too careful to drink from it.
Ken (GM) the garment comes out of the water easily. It is heavy and sodden; it is a shirt of some chain links of a heavy bronzed metal, with plates of gold the size of a man’s palm linked across it. It seems to be an armored shirt of some kind, but decorated with flowing geometric swirls on all the bars of golden brassy metal
12:43 Falkirk: I’d like to see if I can recognize it with a relevant skill
12:45 (GM to Falkirk): It definitely looks like Old Gorgoth religious attire; they had high priests adorned in the script of the demon princes, and the design on the armor fits
12:46 (GM to Falkirk): more specifics if you roll vs hidden lore(demonic)
12:46 (From Falkirk): 8v11
Falkirk leans heavily on his new spear as he frowns examining the clothing
12:49 (GM to Falkirk): They are definitely priestly robes, considering the adornment and placement, these are quite sacred to the worship of the princes. The finery and bits in the pool would be blessed here, washed clean of the blood of sacrifice, left here to remain untouched until donned for a rite. You’re looking at a very important robe here. Equivalent to say, a modern cardinal’s sacred items
Gray reaches again into the water, taking up other items, a scepter held in a massive hand then setting it aside carefully. He’s never really understood what those are for.
12:50 Falkirk: “I could tell you what they are and what they’re used for. Not sure it’ll be much use to know though.”
12:50 (GM to Falkirk): Very likely this is a bronze/gold metal too. The armor could be worn effectively as heavy chain armor and still be serviceable. Its a bit heavy but its strong
12:51 Falkirk: “That being said, if you want to use the mail, you wouldn’t be amiss. Looks solid from here.”
Ken (GM) the scepter is a rod of dense metal, about as long as a man’s forearm. Its covered with the swirling geometric designs, and topped with a six-pointed flange, like a crown on the top of the rod.
Gray nods. “Seems wrong to use that mace. It’s so richly decorated.”
12:54 P.P. A.: what was that statue of the king called again?
12:55 Ken (GM): The statue of horns (named for the battle of horns, where he slew the horned King in battle so many years ago)
12:55 P.P. A.: thanks
12:55 Ken (GM): np
12:55 Suðri Skornbrekker: “Say,” Suðri ask Falkirk, “if my memory does not betray me, you took that statuette we found at the Statue of Horns, did you not?”
12:56 (GM to Falkirk): The demonic snake thing in your inventory sheet 😛 Yeah you have it, and it looks exactly like these statues here
Gray goes to recover the rest of the items, thinking at last there won’t be a trap here.
12:56 Falkirk: “Aye, the little snake one. What of it?”
12:56 Suðri Skornbrekker: “Didn’t it look like these big statues in this room?”
Falkirk reaches a gaunt hand into his grubby robes and rummages for a moment, before producing the small statue
12:57 (GM to Falkirk): Apep, Lord of Darkness, Demon Prince of Lies
Falkirk holds it out to the dwarf, clearly not willing to throw it for effect
Suðri Skornbrekker stores the pistol in his belt and takes a closer look at the statue, and compares it to the big ones.
Suðri Skornbrekker waits for the DM to tell him if they’re the same or very similar
12:59 (GM to Falkirk): In this dark place, you see the gleam of magic twinkling in the statuette’s eyes. The aura of malevolence amplifies in the statue as you hold it out here, exposed in the temple
12:59 Ken (GM): Nearly identical, excluding scale. a hooded cobra, coiled upon itself, looming with glimmering red eyes
1:00 Falkirk: “I’m… not sure we should stick around for much longer.”
1:00 Suðri Skornbrekker: “The resemblance is striking,” he muses as he returns the statuette to Falkirk. “This hall, however, is ancient indeed, and the statues are not much younger. Do you think that the folk we encountered found the little one in this room and—” he interrupts his line of thought at Falkirk’s comment. “Something wrong?”
Gray looks up at the snake. “It’s attractive, at least. Well made… Do we take these things?” He asks about the wet treasure, collecting it. “It looks valuable.”
Suðri Skornbrekker glances at the large statues suspiciously.
Falkirk frowns at the small statue
1:02 Falkirk: “I’m getting a wee bit of a bad feeling. Let’s hurry it up.”
Suðri Skornbrekker nods.
1:02 Ken (GM): 😀
1:02 P.P. A.: (What is love? Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more)
1:03 Suðri Skornbrekker: “If you can tie up some of the treasure in a blanket or something, I can help you carry,”, Suðri proposes to Gray.
1:03 Ken (GM): so between the two of you, hauling it outside?
Suðri Skornbrekker can at least shoulder a bag.
1:04 P.P. A.: aye
1:04 Ken (GM): doable; Heaped into a wad, the trinkets are a bit heavy but you guys can manage getting it out of the temple without much issue
Gray expects Falkirk would have warned them if the stuff was terribly cursed. He collects them in a blanket and carries it with the dwarf, heading outside.
1:06 (GM to Falkirk): you as well?
1:06 (GM to Falkirk): or dwelling in the dark place?
Falkirk turns to join them, spear clacking on the hard stone
SO, Syviis/Chris, the elves are exhausted, and a bit anguished from the ordeal of hearing their craven blood syrup is now destroyed
1:06 Syviis Adjeon: She’ll begin talking to them, trying to get a bit more information not only to what happened to their scouting party, but also information about the area if she can
1:06 Ken (GM): Bomrek is a bit miffed at all the elf speak
Gray ask the others. “I don’t like turning back so soon, but should we deliver the elves and this pile of treasure to the outpost?”
1:07 Fiss: Darn elves, they took all our JERBS!
1:07 (GM to Fiss): They tell you they were headed South into the forbidden lands as a forward scout; they had orders to locate settlements or villages the army should be aware of beyond the border picket line, mapping possible holdouts or forts
Syviis Adjeon starts writing down notes from their tale to share with the party / reference later
1:09 (GM to Fiss): When they came across the village, it was already deserted; they headed in (unwisely, with hindsight) and were ambushed by the witch. She hit them all with black lightning that paralyzed them and wracked them with terrible pain. They fell unconscious, and came to in shackles, being dragged to the temple
1:10 (GM to Fiss): That was the day before last; they were fed the syrup and each succumbed to the stuff near instantly. They were given a small cup, and if they refused, it was put to their lips. Within minutes they were begging for more
Bomrek’s eyes alight as the sight of shimmering golden treasure left in the sun; he immediately hands his prisoner rope to Syviis, and heads to the pile to prod and wonder
Falkirk hobbles to a rock to sit and rest more
Syviis Adjeon writes down “Seems they too wanted to investigate the source of the ravaged town. Day before last they were captured and force-fed the syrup.”
Syviis Adjeon writing “The witch ambushed them with a paralyzing black lightning…something we’ll have to be sure to watch out for.”
Suðri Skornbrekker turns to Falkirk again once they have set down the loot.
1:11 Suðri Skornbrekker: “As I was musing earlier: the statues in that hall are ancient, but the mess we encountered at the Statue of Horns must have been much more recent. Do you think the folks of this place found the little statuette in the ruins and they or their witcher friends started using it for their rituals? There is no way that the cult that erected these statues survived into present times, or is there?”
Falkirk nods slowly
1:12 Falkirk: “the statues were one in the same, I think.”
1:12 Falkirk: “A Demon Prince, Apep. And the things in the fountain were Old Gorgoth. It’s all very old.”
Gray shrugs, the questions hard for him to consider so he turns to instead focus on something he might be able to do. nodding to the elf as he carefully, slowly reads what she’s written, the massive Beastman standing back from the captives and the ‘young’ ranger to keep from looming. “I spoke with the wizard. A shield can block some spells. For others, we can only make our minds a fortress”
1:14 Falkirk: “Perhaps this is an old cult rearing its head anew. Perhaps there’s more to it. I feel this is all part of one big puzzle.”
1:14 Bomrek: “Bloody stars and stones of the forefathers; this stuff is all plated with GOLD. We’re RICH!” Bomrek has equal measures of excitement and wonder in his voice, incredulous to everyone else’s disinterest
Gray grins a touch at Bomrek’s excitement. “Seems like we’ve had some luck there, yes.” Better to talk of that then puzzles. He’s lost, trying to understand the cults and magic of this land.
1:14 Syviis Adjeon: To the Elves: “We are charged with a fairly urgent mission, but if you require we could provide escort for some of the way back. We may want to let you wait for a bit longer to ensure your addiction is manageable.”
1:18 (GM to Fiss): The high scout Alelraas (grey skin, white hair) seems a bit somber “We failed in our duty to the elder in our task. We should face his judgement alone in our report. Attend with us to recover the fallen brothers back at the village, then part ways with us there. There is a road South from the village you might use to continue your own task for Him”
1:18 (GM to Falkirk): The high scout Alelraas (grey skin, white hair) seems a bit somber “We failed in our duty to the elder in our task. We should face his judgement alone in our report. Attend with us to recover the fallen brothers back at the village, then part ways with us there. There is a road South from the village you might use to continue your own task for Him”
Falkirk addresses the elves, surprisingly, in elvish :V
1:22 (From Falkirk): “We’re on a mission of utmost importance and time is of the essence. If any of you have any scouting information for a journey to the southwest, we’d appreciate it immensely.”
Syviis Adjeon nods and bows her head. “Failure will only be if you cannot grow stronger and assist in the fight against the darkness you now know intimately.”
1:25 (GM to Falkirk): He seems apologetic, bowing his head “All we know is there is a road leading South beyond the village we were ambushed in; it looked well used and could lead deeper into the cursed lands. Likely easier than foraging in the wild black”
1:25 (GM to Fiss): He bows in the apologetic form, posture pleasding for forgiveness, addressing Falkirk “All we know is there is a road leading South beyond the village we were ambushed in; it looked well used and could lead deeper into the cursed lands. Likely easier than foraging in the wild black”
1:25 Syviis Adjeon: She continues to write notes, about the road South from the village, and asks their help with a map of the area
Ken (GM) The scouts converse back and forth with Falkirk and Syviis, elven speech burbling throughout
Ken (GM) The scout helps Syviis jot down some details, indicting the road continued for some distance South, and was well used, likely a cart-path or horse-road
Suðri Skornbrekker tells Bomrek of the hall where they found the treasure.
Bomrek turns to Suðri, his face severe and all business “Brother, youre sure this is all of it then? No lost baubles in the pool there?”
1:28 Suðri Skornbrekker: “Pretty sure that was all. It should be enough anyway, shouldn’t it.”
Gray turns to the work of preparing for travel, the brute ready to carry the weight and cleaning his sword after the battle inside.
Falkirk withdraws from the conversation, apparently trusting Sylvis enough to deal with the elf situation. He bows his head in meditative rest.
1:31 Syviis Adjeon: “Do you trust yourselves enough to be freed for the hike back to the village? I have no desire to lead you like prisoners, but I understand if you wish to have temptations removed.”
1:34 Falkirk: [Before we let them go, I’d at least like to try to ease their symptoms. I’ll need some rest before I can, though]
1:35 Syviis Adjeon: “Perhaps rest is best advised, then. Thank you, Falkirk, let me know if you require anything, I’ll do my best to help, but I’m afraid my own magic might not be of much utility in this case”
1:38 Ken (GM): The elves assure, they will be better with time, and Falkirks healing is welcome, but the group should not dwell here by the ruins. The plume of Bloody smoke is tempting enough, and the Elves would appreciate making headway before the end of the day
1:38 Syviis Adjeon: [relaying intensifies]
1:39 Ken (GM): [that sound agreeable to the party? Pack up from here, head back to the burnt out village today, letting falkirk rest a bit and dealing with things there?]
1:39 Joush M.: Sounds good to me
Suðri Skornbrekker nods.
1:40 Syviis Adjeon: nods
Suðri Skornbrekker starts packing his stuff on his horse since it’s going to take longer than usual
1:40 Falkirk: mhm
Gray lends a hand to getting Suðri packed up. Though he dose understand if the dwarf wants to do it himself.
Suðri Skornbrekker also asks Bomrek if he can keep one of his pistols on him for the near future
1:41 Ken (GM): “Absolutely Suðri! Think nothing of it Brother! You need to be armed appropriately ” 😀
puns
Suðri Skornbrekker rolls eyes but smiles.
Falkirk approaches the somewhat armless dwarf after a brief rest, clasping a glass jar of water. Small brownish wormlike creatures seem to be swimming around in it. “That wound is going to need desanguinating or it’ll unbalance your humours. Open wound in an area full of blood.”
Suðri Skornbrekker glances at the jar briefly and averts his eyes. “I’d rather not see the worms feed on my dead body parts before I’m dead and in a coffin, but do your worst.”
1:46 Falkirk: “Aye well. It’s leeches while you’re alive, or maggots after the fact. I take it you’ll make the wise choice.”
Falkirk produces a small metal pair of tongs, fishes a squirming leech out and gestures to expose the wound, and begins the process of applying leeches
Suðri Skornbrekker cooperates
Gray scents the air and prowls the camp once they are packed and ready to travel. He’s hunting, watching for anything creeping up on them.
1:48 Ken (GM): gnarly; Falkirk A roll against treatment (physician) and gray, Observation/perception
1:49 Falkirk: 9v12
I’m getting solid rolls yo
1:49 Gray:rolling 3d6(5+3+5)=13
1:50 Joush M.: vs 14 Perception. Pass. mods are +4 to scents and ignore up to -5 from darkness
1:51 Ken (GM): nice, so Falkirk’s treatment gets most of the char cleaned, the worst bits cleared and the whole thing properly bandaged.
Falkirk finishes the bandaging with a promise he’ll have the arm working by sunset tomorrow
Suðri Skornbrekker thanks him for his efforts.
1:52 Ken (GM): Gray the ever watchful assures there are no hidden sentries or ambushers, that he can see, at least. You do find there were lookout spots on the top of the hill, but no Beastmen are left alive in these parts to man them
1:53 Ken (GM): so, Suðri’s arm is safe and bandaged; the work also drops 1d-1 HP returned to Suðri (which should still be down 6HP from the attack, if I recall)
1:54 P.P. A.:rolling 1d6-1
(3)-1=2
(or does Falkirk need to roll that?)
1:54 Falkirk: I think we can just roll with it as-is
Gray waits at the top of the hill a moment, watching around, hunting though the afternoon and satisfying himself there’s no immediate dangers around them.
1:55 Ken (GM): woo, 2hp!
1:55 Ken (GM): so, packing up your bits and things, Bomrek ensures all the remaining guns are cleaned and loaded before you all head out
the treasures pack nicely, and he makes sure they’re nicely wrapped before loaded into saddlebags
The elves, free of their bonds, re-arm themselves with what they can from the bits you recovered in the ruins. They retrieve their fallen comrade from the pit outside, and clean him before stowing his body, wrapped in a blanket from inside
1:58 Ken (GM): anything else you guys wanted to show onto the horses before heading back to the village?
1:58 Joush M.: We checked the tents in the snake room for stuff, right?
2:00 Ken (GM): ah, yeah a few baubles there as well! the priestess and one other (likely the bald scarred man who died near-instantly) each had some finer things in their tents. There’s a few large heavy rugs, finely crafted and designed.
2:00 P.P. A.: We’ll take these with us too, naturally. Unless there’s any unidentified stains on them
2:00 Ken (GM): as well as fine cots with down-stuffed bedding, and miscellaneous trinkets. Mostly brass personal basics, small baubles really
2:02 Ken (GM): The priestess had a rather nice setup; everything was scented with some exotic incense, but was immaculate. She had a fine mirror, and some other vanities. Including a finely wrought hairbrush and a polishing brush. It seems shes packed lightly, but she had a sack of fine clothes. Soft silken dresses and such things
Suðri Skornbrekker half-jokingly proposes giving these to the elves
Gray is wary of getting overburdened, but willing to help out. He continues the adventure with a rug rolled and over a massive shoulder. At least it should make a good camping mat, if they don’t mind using it up.
2:04 Ken (GM): all told, the rug is about 30 pounds, and the various trinkets are 10, in a sack
Gray lets someone else carry the trinkets and clothing, if they chose to.
Bomrek wastes nothing: this is the first loot he’s had eyes on all game, hes looting
Gray watches around them, as ever the beast alert for danger.
2:08 Ken (GM): alright, so, nothing else pops from the shadows, and Bomrek finds nothing else left worth taking from the heaps inside. The elves are good to litter carry their fallen brother.
Ready to set out?
2:09 Syviis Adjeon: yup
2:09 P.P. A.: Hai
2:09 Joush M.: Always ready
2:10 Ken (GM): cest bon
Ken (GM) The group departs, elves in tow, treasures heaped on horses. The smoldering ruins a blasted hole behind them
2:10 Ken (GM): [map transition!]
2:10 Joush M.: Time to put on the overworld music
2:11 Adolf S.: Ayy
2:11 P.P. A.: https://youtu.be/LJnhYhL2-fM
Hi there
2:11 Adolf S.: What’d I miss, where are we, how’s Bomrek.
Ken (GM) The sun beats down in the dusty hills as you trek back to the village. The bloody streaks on the trail dried to a crusty black. The going is limited to the speed of the hiking elves, but they keep a respectable pace, even with a new addiction and dead body carried between the four of them
2:12 P.P. A.: Bomrek is happy because we have loot now
many shinies
also rugs
2:12 Adolf S.: How many shinies.
2:12 Ken (GM): much golden loots, so very wow
2:12 Adolf S.: How’s Suðri’s arm
still misplaced?
Gray moves ahead and scents the air like some kind of animal as he watches for danger. The beast carrying a rug as he stays in the lead. Occsionaly looking back to the others, checking on the elves.
2:12 Joush M.: He’s got a spare
2:12 P.P. A.: yeah, but now it’s been sucked dry by leeches
The doc says this is a good thing
2:12 Adolf S.: How’s he been handling that? And how long has it been since his arm got fucked?
2:13 P.P. A.: Only a few hours at this point
2:13 Adolf S.: How’s Suðri doin’ considerin’ that
2:13 P.P. A.: He borrowed one of Bomrek’s pistols for now, hope that’s OK
He’s taking it in stride, although it’s awkward
2:13 Adolf S.: They’re shit pistols, he doesn’t mind.
Alright. So… High spirits? Low Spirits? Middle-spirits? As far as general group atmosphere is right now
2:14 Ken (GM): im sure bomrek is quite satisfied with the pounds of golden relics from the pool
Suðri Skornbrekker hasn’t vocalized it, but he’s been feeling uneasy since he feels like he’s becoming a burden, unable to reload firearms, pack his horse on his own, etc.
Suðri Skornbrekker hopes the doc will fix it and that it won’t just be leeches again
2:15 Bomrek: Did we rescue the slaves? How’re they?
2:15 Syviis Adjeon: The Elf scouting party is decimated, but the survivors are planning on coming back to the village with us, then we’ll part ways.
Bomrek gets a pocket full of the smaller bits of golden loot, assuming we’ve yet to divvy it up, and idly toys with it with his free hand as he rides, humming contentedly and doing the occasional slow, calm, whistled tune.
Gray isn’t happy a friend was hurt and he has little better idea how to defend them from magic then he did before, but otherwise he’s fine. He’s patient with the elves. They represent a delay and a distraction from their mission, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
2:18 Ken (GM): so I’d say the party’s at like 7/10? give or take
2:18 Bomrek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bByo7gLGml8
Falkirk packs up quickly, having scarcely unpacked, and spends the remaining time perched on a small stone quietly reading
2:22 (GM to Bomrek): The baubles you find yourself ogling are small bowls inlaid with precious stones (jade? turquoise? ruby?) as well as several small ornate knives, a few odd measuring tools you dont recognize the purpose of, and some small things with geometric designs that remind you of brain teaser puzzles (star and cube shaped things of precious metals
Ken (GM) the trip back to the village only takes marginally more time than before. You return to the heaps of burned out tents, arrow-struck huts, and the charred mass of horses consumed by alchemical fire
2:23 Bomrek: Did we ever find out who’s camp this was exactly? The Beastmen’s, or the Elves?
Falkirk takes a moment to silently mourn the loss of his last bottle of fire
2:24 Ken (GM): this was some small Beastman or Scorned village; the residents were gone when the elves had come to investigate it themselves
Ken (GM) the elves immediately make for their fallen brother on the far side of the village. Finding he is full of the black rot, they are stricken with woe and sadness
Falkirk barks a warning in elvish not to get too hands-on with the corpse
Gray looks around the ruined place, a frown on his face as he scents the air before he nods to the elves. “I’m sorry about your loss.”
Ken (GM) After a few moments mourning their brethren, they see the char-pile of burned horses; they seem aghast at the charnel pit
2:28 Gandalf G.: [shiiiit gonna have to split /again/
I’ll be back in like 40 mins]
2:28 Ken (GM): [kk]
Bomrek’s eyes glance over the Elves and their actions, and moves his hand once more to cup the treasures he has on his person, still looking content despite what he’s seeing.
2:28 Ken (GM): They look about the pile and their leader speak in elven at Syviis
Gray has no confort to offer as they confront the horrors here. He simply stands by out of the way and keeps alert for dangers.
2:29 (GM to Fiss): “What the fuck happened to our horses?!”
Ken (GM) they seem quite irate about the horses
Bomrek moves his horse a tad closer to Suðri and says in Dwarven [Aye, good spoils today… Should make for a good recompense for all this.. How’s the arm?]
((“We were going to eat these, why the hell didn’t you put them in the fridge??! Now they’re spoiled!”))
Syviis Adjeon clears her throat. “The horses… we’re not sure.”
2:32 Bomrek: Is that in common or Elvish.
2:32 Syviis Adjeon: *elvish
2:32 Bomrek: Mmm.
2:33 Suðri Skornbrekker: [Dwarven] “I’d prefer feeling pain to not feeling my arm at all, to be honest. Falkirk said he would have another go at fixing it later, let’s hope for the best…”
2:34 Suðri Skornbrekker: “And how are you? You got hit pretty bad as well.”
2:33 Ken (GM): Their leader seems quite angry about the horses, and addresses Syviis in a curt and angry tone
2:34 (GM to Fiss): “We will do without the healers touch; as our horses have been desecrated by dark magics, and our brethren felled by plague, we may as well strike North immediately. Do your brothers a duty by burning them to cinders in a proper pyre, please”
Gray walks closer when the tone shift, standing behind Syviis in a show of mute support for the elven woman as she’s confronted by the elf’s leader.
Ken (GM) the Elven scouts retrieve their fallen comrade, and make ready to depart North, in a huff
Syviis Adjeon sighs and nods, waving them off with [insert elvish good traveling phrase]
Ken (GM) The elves salute curtly back to Syviis, and strike North, back to relative civilization
Gray wants to ask Syviis what the anger was about, but there’s little reason to ask her to write something down just to satisfy his curiosity.
Syviis Adjeon turns to the party and mimes “Fire / Pyre for the horses…” if needed, she’ll write down the details of “dark magics have desecrated them. The Scouts were understandably upset.”
Suðri Skornbrekker watches her gestures.
2:38 Suðri Skornbrekker: “You want to cook the horses? They don’t look edible any more, really.”
Gray nods and doesn’t require the more detailed explanation. Burning the bodies seems wise, given the situation here.
Syviis Adjeon laughs at the thought of cooking them for food, shakes her head and writes down: “I think we’d all be healthier if we starved.”
Suðri Skornbrekker chuckles.
2:40 Ken (GM): you people and your horse-cooking
you make your steed nervous as hell
2:40 Fiss: Gotta recover all those Negative Horse Points somehow!
2:40 Ken (GM): so! Burning out the plague then?
Syviis Adjeon begins gathering some more firewood
Gray collects tinder and wood and whatever else is about, setting about makeing a horse pyre.
Ken (GM) The small trees here in the hills are long dead or nearly so; withered fruit hangs on the branch here and there, and the logs you find about the dusty earth are dry and punky. Plenty of good wood to burn a massive heap, but its disconcerting the amount of rot you find searching the immediate area
Gray frowns to the earth here. “The corruption is intense. This is a despoiled place.”
2:43 Bomrek: Remind me, some sort of lightning bolt thing, right?
2:43 P.P. A.: Yeah, it hit the two of us
I forgot where it hit you but you were knocked off your feet and IIRC lost more HP than Suðri did
Falkirk quickly patched you up though
2:44 Bomrek: Bomrek shrugs in the Dwarvish way, and says “I can’t exactly say it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before, but I’m feeling alright.” in Dwarvish.
2:45 Ken (GM): yeah you took a torso hit, shrugged of the HT roll for a major wound
Falkirk hit you for 8 Hp right after, healing you up.
so milling about? setting up for the night? It will take a few good hours work to burn a pyre, and this place is defensible enough, considering
2:47 Bomrek: Tents n’ such I ‘spose. Bomrek certainly won’t be sleeping in any disgusting Beastman tent.[spits]
rolling 3d6(2+4+2)=8
2:49 Ken (GM): 8 versus “camping“?
Bomrek resists the temptation to drink, even though it’d probably help him sleep through the remaining pain from the battle. He sets up his tent and sorts out his treasures onto a mat, humming to himself and letting the others mess about with their Elvish tradition.
2:49 Ken (GM): ahhh
Gray considers that an acceptable idea, but looks to the others. When they settle in he helps, unpacking the horses and brushing them down as other horses burn on the pyre.
2:50 Ken (GM): allrighty then, camping time 🙂
Bomrek’s spirits are rather lifted despite the situation, and he happily hums to himself. He also spends his time trying to assist Suðri as needed, offerin’ him drink as well. “Ought to help blight the pain some”
Suðri Skornbrekker gladly accepts the offer. “Now that’s a burning feeling in my throat that I don’t mind.”„
Ken (GM) The day wanes on; the pyre burns hot and high, the clean ash flying up into the hot air among the other ruins here. It quickly and intensely reduces the remains to a husk. As dinner cooks and is eaten, the smell of death all but disperses, and twilight crawls to steadily on to full dark night
2:54 Bomrek: “Smells like overcooked, unseasoned BBQ” Bomrek comments, holding his nose and wafting away the smell until it’s replaced with something at least a little more palatable.
2:55 Bomrek: In reference to the horses, that is.
Gray nods to the others. “We did well today. Let’s get some rest and eat. I’ll take your watch tonight, Suðri. Let you rest that limb.”
Suðri Skornbrekker takes a good whiff of the open bottle to drown out the smell of burnt, desecrated horse.
2:56 Suðri Skornbrekker: “Thank you, Grey.”
2:56 Ken (GM): alcohol is good for that 🙂
2:56 Bomrek: Dwarven gas mask – two open whiskey bottles strapped to your face.
2:57 Ken (GM): hahah
oh! and falkirk is sure youre all wearing a plague mask while the pyre burns, just to be sure
you each have one, he insists they get used
so! Night falls, and camp is made
Gray is gonna watch tonight, Anyone wanna split the shift with him?
2:58 Syviis Adjeon: The Elf volunteers
2:58 Ken (GM): alrighty, its a long shift, but youll both end up with some sleep
so! night falls like a drunk dwarf off a horse
but..
sometime into the dark eve…
2:59 Joush M.: Remember, if it looks like everything is soft focus, and there’s 80’s soft jazz playing, it’s a dream sequence!
Ken (GM) The night sky is alight with stars; the blackness is pierced with a billion twinkling lights. As the quiet warm earth cools below you, the soft breeze pulls dust this way in that; eddies with a susurrus of soft noise. Embers from the campfire alight here and there, sheltering the party from the cool of the dark, warming you in a deep comfort.
3:01 Ken (GM): As Gray and Syviis transfer the watch, she is awoken and Gray reports nothing of consequence passing the hours
but
Suddenly! From the darkness steps a figure; no sound betrays her stride, and no vision betrays her movement. It is as if she has stepped from the darkness of the night itself, suddenly veiled in the low campfire light!
Who could she be???
Syviis Adjeon stands and draws her rapier. “Who goes there?” elfspeeks
3:03 Ken (GM): She is an elf, clad in finely wrought chain links and scales of shimmering silver. Head to toe in the armor cloak, her gauntleted hands are open at her sides in a gesture of diplomacy “Good evening travelers; what do you think you are doing here?”
3:04 P.P. A.: Are the rest of us asleep?
Bomrek’s probably asleep in a pile of gold cups and ash trays and shit, does he wake up to this?
Suðri Skornbrekker has the Deep Sleeper advantage, and won’t wake up unless it gets really loud or someone is persistent about waking him up
Gray had turned to go to the camp, planning to get some rest… then pausing, turning to the elf woman. Her stance suggests nonviolence, her equipment exceptionally fine. “We travel deep into the ruined lands on a mission for Grayhold, Ma’am. I am Gray. This is Syviis, servant to the Elven Elder.”
Syviis Adjeon lowers her sword
3:05 Ken (GM): Her eyebrow perks up at that, and a sly grin hits her face
“Oh, under the high elder eh? How fine for you to be an acolyte of the council, Syviis” she says, mirth on her tone
Syviis Adjeon raises an eyebrow and bows her head slightly. “It is not without its duties, of course, but I find satisfaction in my work.”
3:08 Ken (GM): She frowns at those words “Oh bother; you’re one of those Word-sworn arent you? trapped in the high speech among the low peoples?”
Syviis Adjeon shrugs “A simple promise to my family. May I ask who you are, or are you simply passing through the night?”
3:09 Gandalf G.: [and back]
Gray frowns. How much depends on how much the elf woman used elven to say that last part about low people.
3:10 Ken (GM): [oh, shes speaking in common throughout. Only Syviis is stuck on Elvish]
3:10 Gandalf G.: am I asleep atm?
3:10 Bomrek: ^
3:10 Ken (GM): [yus, you and the dwarves so far]
3:10 Gandalf G.: ok
Gray suddenly turns, watching the dark and scenting the air. Like an animal. The attractive woman in shining silver is distracting. Distracting means trap.
3:10 Gandalf G.: (I call wang)\
3:11 (GM to Gray): Perception!
3:11 Fiss: Someone once told me “wang” meant Elf in chinese. They may have been full of shit, but I still smirk whenever I hear it
3:11 Bomrek: A man sleeps better on a bed made of gold bars than one of downy feathers. I feel like that would be a Dwarven proverb about the goodness of wealth over comfort.
3:11 Ken (GM): HAH
3:11 Gandalf G.: so named because with an elf you can never tell
3:12 Fiss: This is true.
3:12 Gray:rolling 3d6(6+5+5)=16
3:12 (From Gray): AH! Darn it
3:13 (GM to Gray): You see no movement in the dark, hear no noises betraying ambush, but one thing you do notice; she stinks of brimstone. Its probably subtle on the air but it just pours out of her
3:14 Ken (GM): She plunges on with the conversation, despite Gray’s immediate sniffing of the air, and sudden looking about
“Well you’ve no worry from me highborn. I’m just a traveler out here tonight, crossing paths with you and your troupe.” She smiles again, baring teeth in the dim light of the fire
Gray turns to the elf. Watching her, sniffing the air and speaking a moment. “You smell like a daemon.” A more clever man might have thought of another way to say that.
3:15 Ken (GM): hah!
3:16 (GM to Fiss): You notice a stink of smoke and brimstone on the air, but you didnt notice until he said anything out loud
3:17 Ken (GM): She looks at you with that perpetual smirk “A daemon? Really? I dont know what to think of that, coming from a half dog like you. Something twig your nose tonight shaggy?”
Gray ask in that deep, rough voice of his. “I’d like to know why.”
3:18 Bomrek: ((“L-L-Like, Zoinks scoob, something’s fishy about this lady”))
3:18 Gandalf G.: ((ruh roh))
Gray dosn’t seem to mind being called a half dog. The towering brute’s bright eyes watching her. He could go for a scoobie snack.
Syviis Adjeon takes a step forward. “I’d also like to know why. Perhaps an exchange of words instead of insults, though.”
3:20 The Woman: “Well, the highborn has a proud streak; fine enough little Syviis. I wont insult the big guy here if he resists telling me I stink. Fair?”
3:21 (GM to Falkirk): Roll on IQ to wake? The noises are a bit out of the ordinary from a normal watch change
3:21 (GM to Suðri Skornbrekker): Roll on IQ to wake? The noises are a bit out of the ordinary from a normal watch change
3:21 (GM to Bomrek): Roll on IQ to wake? The noises are a bit out of the ordinary from a normal watch change
[all of us, of course, forgetting the bonus to waking from Combat reflexes… –Ken]
3:22 Bomrek: rolling 3d6(3+1+2)=6
Suðri Skornbrekker turns in his sleep 12v12
3:22 Gandalf G.: 7v12
Syviis Adjeon nods calmly. “More than fair, thank you.”
Falkirk snores loudly and shuffles on his bedroll rousing slowly
Ken (GM) about this time, the conversation is loud and out of place enough that the group are waking from their slumber.
Gray explains in that low, rough voice. “I don’t mind the smell of yellow stone. But few elves smell of it” He resist the temptation to deliberately rouse the others and to put them on alert. The woman hasn’t really done anything, and he can’t spot any dangers creeping up on them.
Syviis Adjeon sighs and smiles. “Since it seems we’ll have an early morning, perhaps we can continue this conversation over some breakfast”
Suðri Skornbrekker rouses from his sleep, unusual as he tends to be a deep sleeper.
3:24 Ken (GM): [its roughly 2 in the morning, fyi]
3:24 Syviis Adjeon: *er…late snack/tea then?
3:25 Bomrek: Bomrek rouses from his slumber, grabs one of his pistols, and hazily climbs out of his tent. “Oy, what is this [Particularly strong dwarven curse word]?” and looks around.
Suðri Skornbrekker wearily opens his eyes and looks around.
Suðri Skornbrekker spots an unknown elf.
Suðri Skornbrekker gets up and reaches for the gun he borrowed from Bomrek, just in case.
3:25 The Woman: “Oh dear, I dont have the time to sit down and make nice tonight. I simply must continue on my way. There are dark things about, and I must get out of their way”
Falkirk slowly sits up, rubs his eyes and claps his hands together [invoking his magic light]
3:26 Falkirk: 16v12
Crap, nothing happens
3:26 The Woman: “After all, the important part is out of the way. Introductions have been made”
Syviis Adjeon shows a calm face to the waking party, then turns to her. “What dark things are afoot?
Falkirk swears under his beard and claps harder
3:27 Falkirk: 13v12
Falkirk just…just lies back down
The Woman winks and bows in a flourish “Why, only the Lords of Night” and she steps back into the darkness
Bomrek stares at the Elf woman, eyes squinted, a look of hazy, tired confusion on his face. [Dwarvish] “What?”
Ken (GM) She slips back into the enveloping darkness, out of the firelight, her shadow blending in with the others of the long dark
Ken (GM) the blackness envelops her
Gray watches out after the woman a moment, then ask in that deep voice. “Was that a vampire?”
3:28 (GM to Gray): She disappears; literally off your radar after a few steps into the dark. The scent trails off and her footsteps vanish too.
Suðri Skornbrekker steps outside, catching one last suspicious glimpse before the elf disappears into the night—suspiciously fast too; he could swear he could usually see farther at night.
3:29 (GM to Suðri Skornbrekker): She stepped back into the shadows, and then just disappeared into them! Like she was made of it! Spoopy
3:29 Bomrek: “What the fuck is this shit?” Bomrek says with an even, but still sleepy anger. He fires a round into the dark where she was. BOOM
3:29 Bomrek: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee
[Bomrek is a huge fan of tinnitus for others, at this point –Ken]
3:29 Suðri Skornbrekker: “…did she do anything?”
Suðri Skornbrekker is a bit startled by the sudden shot.
3:29 (From Syviis Adjeon): any spooky secret knowledge about the Lords of Night?
3:29 (GM to Fiss): The name isn’t spoken often, when it is, it refers to the mages who waged the last war for the Elven part of the alliance. Knowledge check for more!
3:29 Suðri Skornbrekker: “Careful with that, Bomrek. You might hit something other than an elf.”
Gray scents the air, walking ahead to where the woman was, kneeling down and studying where she went. “Freighted me. A rare talent. She casually displayed enough power to vanish in full view.”
3:30 Ken (GM): The gunshot rings off throughout the hills, louder than thunder, echoing back and forth.
Gray shakes off the echoing concussion and blinks away the flare from the burning powder afterimage.
3:30 Ken (GM): The sound of some falling stones in the hillside is all that rings back
Bomrek is unusually angry, and it shows on his features. “Was that another gods-damned-wizard? Why the hell didn’t you say something?!” he looks toward the Elf and half man.
Falkirk sits up suddenly red in the face and cursing through multiple tongues
3:31 Falkirk: “Keep your LIGHT-DAMNED gunshots to the daytime!”
3:31 Syviis Adjeon:(to GM) rolling 3d6(6+6+5)=17 vs elf knowledge
3:31 (From Syviis Adjeon): lol
3:32 (GM to Fiss): MAAAAAN FUCK I DUNNO SHES A FUCKING DRAGON MAN, GODDAMN WHO KNOWS?!?!
3:32 Bomrek: “Every lesson I’ve learned from this journey so far could be summed up as” he slips his fired pistol into his belt and opens his hands wide near his head “Don’t trust magic, or foul wretches that can walk into darkness and disappear.”
Gray speaks to the dwarven man. “She didn’t do anything beyond display her power.”
Suðri Skornbrekker narrows his eyes and clutches the pistol, looking around attentively.
3:32 Falkirk: “And if not for magic, master dwarf, you’d be a smoldering corpse by now. I’m going back to sleep.”
Falkirk turns over quietly cursing in an ancient forgotten tongue
Syviis Adjeon sighs and slides her sword away, though begins scanning the woods and hills. “The Lords of Night…I haven’t heard that spoken aloud for a long time. Too long…I remember only slim fragments.”
3:34 Syviis Adjeon: begins writing down the details, mentioning [we may have dark things approaching, but sleep is equally important]
3:34 Suðri Skornbrekker: “…I’d like to say that I don’t feel like sleeping any more and want to keep watch, but I’m damn tired I’ll admit.” He looks over to Grey and Syviis: “If she shows up again please wake us up.”
Suðri Skornbrekker yawns.
Gray nods to Suðri, then looks to Syviss. he doesn’t understand what she said, but after a moment thinks to ask. “What is a Lord of the Night?”
3:36 Bomrek: “Bah” He waves a hand in the Doctor’s direction dismissively. “Next time someone walks on us, shoot first and look for answers later” He walks back into his tent, and says as the flap falls onto his back “We’re in enemy lands, when a war’s on, we can take no chances.”
Suðri Skornbrekker goes back to his bedroll and doesn’t have much time to ponder night lords before sleep welcomes him back.
3:37 (GM to Falkirk): “Lords of the Night” rings a bell to your sleep addled mind. You seem to recall they’re some kind of elven cult? the details are murky
3:37 Syviis Adjeon: Writes down / speaks as she does [They were powerful mages in the last war. They fought on the elvish ranks, but I’ll need a clearer head to recall the songs and tales]
3:38 P.P. A.: remember how Suðri talked about vampire cities a few sessions ago
:DDDD
3:39 Ken (GM): you cant be THAT excited by the prospect of becoming an undead thrall, can you?
3:39 Bomrek: >Suðri talked about vampire cities
W-what?
3:40 Ken (GM): you missed that session I think.
3:40 P.P. A.: It was a couple of sessions ago when we were trudging through the marsh. There was Bloodroot growing everywhere and we talked about whether the liquid they ooze was actual blood or just sap that looked, smelled, and tasted like blood
3:41 P.P. A.: Then Suðri joked about vampires practicing agriculture and farming BloodRoot for food
Gray nods to Syivvs. “I’ll get some rest then. Morning will be on us soon enough.” The wicked beast tells her, nodding down to the slender elf before he goes to get some sleep himself.
3:41 Bomrek: How progressive of them.
Bomrek’s pissed because this is a war zone, and now with loot in the mix, shit is serious. Got more to lose than just our lives, Gold’s on the line
3:41 Ken (GM): hah! how dwarven of him 
3:42 Bomrek: Plus, prior to this we hadn’t really been ambushed for a long time. These recent events prove that the Beastment still patrol this area, and areas in general, and they’re not just holed up in keeps.
3:42 P.P. A.: Your life is temporary, gold is eternal
Syviis Adjeon decides to find a slightly more clever place to keep watch from vs just in the middle of camp, should surprise be necessary
3:43 Syviis Adjeon: TL;DR; She’ll put some branches on herself. Roll for Camouflage? 😛
3:43 Bomrek: Your gold will shine long after your eyes have dimmed and turned to chalk. -Bomrek’s book of proverbs
3:44 Ken (GM): okay then. so back to sleep, while Syviis watches the rest of the night?
3:45 Joush M.: Bomrek’s all about a proper saying for any occasion
3:45 Syviis Adjeon: yus
3:45 Falkirk: I dont give a fuck what anyone else does. I’m sleeping
3:45 Ken (GM): lol
3:45 Joush M.: Gray’s going to try and get some rest.
3:45 Falkirk: demons bring it the fuck on
3:45 Syviis Adjeon: NIGHT ELF!
3:45 Ken (GM): gotta get that sweet FP back
alright
So, the evening continues; The great blanket of night wrapped about the world. You find her embrace cold and lonely. As dawn breaks, nothing else sinister pops from the shadows. [There was an iffy moment when you farted, but after that you were a lot less startled]
3:47 P.P. A.: [watch out, someone is throwing a giant fireball at us from beyond the mountains!]
3:47 Ken (GM): MY GOD ITS HUGE! ITS ALL ACCROSS THE SKY TO THE EAST
EPIC LEVEL WIZARDS
Syviis Adjeon yawns and stretches, then dive-dodges with acrobatics to avoid the fireball
3:47 Syviis Adjeon: or makes coffee
Gray is well used to lonely nights, rising to prepare for the day with his thought still on the strange woman in the night. He prepares his armor and checks on the horses while the elf prepares something to drink.
3:49 Syviis Adjeon:
rolling 3d6(1+5+6)=12vs COFFEE
3:49 Bomrek: Bomrek wakes up, and before leaving his tent properly, secures his treasures in his pack. He walks about the camp with his helmet on, but no other armor besides his night clothes, and a pistol tucked in his belt.
3:49 Syviis Adjeon: meh. Coffee.
Not awesome coffee.
ELVBUCKS
Suðri Skornbrekker rises. He stretches, though with one arm completely unresponsive, it feels a bit nasty.
Falkirk rises slowly, stretches and sits in his bedroll reading until food is ready
3:50 Ken (GM): alright; This should be a good place to end for the week.
3:50 Bomrek: Roger roger’
3:50 Syviis Adjeon: o/
3:50 Falkirk: fair
3:50 P.P. A.: Sure
3:50 Ken (GM): You guys looted, escorted slaves and met a spoopy elf. Good show
3:50 Joush M.: Sounds good. Nice session this week
3:50 Ken (GM): 4 points each!
3:50 Fiss: Spoooopy
[Nod count: +20…Until Next week!]
The Gaming Musings of a Mad GM 
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