DM Corvus |
Splendid.
Just to clarify the party's current position (until i can arrange a map of some sort). The path between their camp and the village runs a little more than 3/4 of a mile. The path runs straight east from the camp, over the bridge (half mile from camp), and then takes a 90 degree right to the south, for a few hundred feet to the village itself.
The party is currently half-way down the path to the bridge.
Razan Tresh |
Razan urges Sandstreak forward, mentally asking Elreem to move ahead as he makes for the bridge only coming to a halt if the eidolon spies something, otherwise pulling up just before the bridge.
If nothing is seen at that point Elreem cautiously crosses the bridge, staying within his requisite hundred feet of Razan.
How long is the bridge?
DM Corvus |
Please find this very rough map of the general area here. Each square is about 200 feet, just so everyone gets an idea of the area.
The party moves down the path to the bridge, Natasha's moving lights providing some idea of the general area as they do. The only sound in the oppressive silence of this place their own steps along the rough path.
Ajkanir: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Khol: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Natasha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Zahur: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Razan: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17
Elreem: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
They come to bridge, a twenty foot span over one of the many small tributaries into the Turvanar river. It is made of solid, unadorned stone, and completely unremarkable.
Beyond, the path turns toward the village, still far off and shrouded in darkness.
Zahur al Kinasi |
While waiting to see what Sand has to say, Zahur pauses and makes similar inquiries of Salt, a series of clicks and low vibrations in sharp contrast to the language Natasha uses with Sand. Of the rest he asks, "Are you all in agreement that we should continue and see what is wrong?"
Razan Tresh |
"Aiiiieee, I'm getting bored with this, how's about we just charge into the village whooping? I'm not big on subtle, its so tedious, aieee." Razan says conversationally.
Muttering Elreem crosses the bridge cautiously.
Natasha Mournglory |
"Aieeee, promises, promises, you aren't always this stuffy are you? It's so much more fun to be bold, or idiotic if you prefer. You see anything Elreem?"
"You are eager for me to tread on your fleshless skull, then, are you?" Natasha asks, absent-mindedly.
"My loyal companion tells me that the scent of death is gone, gentlemen. Whatever happened here... has happened. It was wise not to enter this fly-speck, after all."
"Hand up some pebbles," Natasha says after a moment of thought. "Our foolhardy friend here can enchant them to glow, and we can lob them around to increase our line of sight."
Razan Tresh |
"Aieeee, so fierce! You need to enjoy life a little lady try opening something other than a book, repression makes people grumpy. In any case, what do we do now, check out the houses?"
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
"Khol, I'll join you. I can move quite quietly as well, and two will be safer than one."
DM Corvus |
stealth1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
stealth1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Khol and Ajkanir dart over the bridge, and are quickly enveloped by the pervading darkness.
The path the the village is easily traversed. Upon arriving, It is plainly abandoned. Somewhat recently, it would seem. Maybe a dozen small huts, mostly made of crocodile hides surround a few larger stone buildings, all of them are equally empty and unmoving. Several livestock pens are open and empty as well. There are no bodies.
There was a struggle in the town square. There is a great deal of dried blood spread over the area.
Humans of various sizes were herded into a group in the town center. Drag marks lead from the site to the water line. Whatever dragged them was well over ten feet tall, probably a giant of some kind. This creature also herded livestock of the village south into the mountains
Among the human footprints, there are markings from several hyenas, as well as donkey hooves.
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
With rolls like that, aren't you glad I came along, Khol?
Khol Karis |
Khol shook his head at Ajkanir, "You'll be blind out here. Just stay close and watch for movement," he said as he undid the straps on his breastplate and dropped it into the sand.
"Keep an eye on that for me," and with that Khol was off.
Stealth Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
"Stop and let me have a look around," Khol hissed to the human
Perception Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Survival Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
"Not good, go back to the others. I will bring up the rear and make sure nothing follows us."
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
Based on those rolls, I'd say he is not seeing. I forgot you asked about light sources - let's say he's following behind Khol in the dark, with a sunrod in hand ready to light and drop in case of a fight.
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
Ajkanir will stay back and guard the spellcasters...
Khol Karis |
Khol returns out of the darkness, calling out well before entering the range of any jumpy spellcasters, "It's me!"
"The situation is bad, looks like the villagers were rounded up and killed or led away. More hyena prints, so gnolls might be involved. They had something big with them too. Looks like some bodies were dumped into the lake. I want to see if I can haul one out. I'll need a hand with that."
Natasha Mournglory |
"Perhaps you will not need help at all," Natasha says as she dismounts and approaches Khol.
She chants a brief spell -- "Gloria Tauri" -- and touches the tiefling on the arm. Immediately, Khol can feel an incredible rush of strength flow through him. At the same time, Natasha directs her lights over the lake.
Natasha casts Bull's Strength on Khol, increasing his Strength to 22 for five rounds. Make it last, it's fading fast! ;)
Razan Tresh |
Razan shakes his head sadly, "Aiiieeee, those poor people. We should rest while we might and then go after these beasts in the morning, yes? I'll help you with the bodies Khol. How about I have a couple of merfolk do it so we don't need to get wet?"
With that he nods to Elreem, who bows to the group before Pavro cracks relaity again and the eidolon leaps nimbly through the hole, looking almost as if he is sucked inside. The summoner then points to the lake and calls fortha single mermaid, tuts and points again and the one vanishes and three appear,
"Hey ladies, aieeee, I'm afraid I'm not summoning you for the usual, could you drag as many bodies as you can out of the lake please?"
They should last for five minutes.
1d3 ⇒ 11d3 ⇒ 3
Merfolk CR 1/3
XP 135
Merfolk warrior 1
N Medium humanoid (aquatic)
Init +1; Senses low-light vision; Perception +3
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 9 (1d10+4)
Fort +6, Ref +1, Will –1
OFFENSE
Speed 5 ft., swim 50 ft.
Melee trident +4 (1d8+3)
Ranged heavy crossbow +2 (1d10/19–20)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 13 (can't be tripped)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +3, Swim +15
Languages Aquan, Common
SQ amphibious
Natasha Mournglory |
"And that, boy, is why you have zero chance with someone like me," Natasha says in a casual tone of voice. "A smart woman knows better than to tangle with a teenager who summons fantasy harems for his own amusement. Disappointment is the only possible outcome for all concerned."
No OOC hatred! I just figured Natasha wouldn't let what Razan said about 'the usual' pass for ten gold and an illuminated scroll. ^^;
DM Carpe |
Razan grins impishly, "Aieee, you are so easy! They are only here for five minutes, plus they are half fish! I may be a female enthusiast, but that does not extend to female fish. Aiieeee! Plus summons have to obey you, that would just be... Aieee, yuck."
His voice sobers as he glances out over the lake, "But they ought to serve well for this grim task, aiiiieeee."
Natasha Mournglory |
"As if a boy would have a use for any woman past five minutes," Natasha scoffs. "Don't think I'm fooled, either. The half that is woman could easily keep you 'entertained'."
The Mage glances out over the water, and her already less than cheerful expression sours further. "Befouling water in the desert... Whoever did this must have a true love of evil, indeed."
Razan Tresh |
"Aieee, yes what a terrible crime it is to enjoy life, I am a devil, aieee! Please somebody find me a stick so I might insert it to attain the poe faced conceit of prudish disdain, I am sure judging other people's fun is sooooo much more enjoyable than having it." Replies Razan happily, enjoying his new game bait the wizard.
Natasha Mournglory |
"I have fun, boy," Natasha says, still gazing out over the water. "Just not with you."
Her expression shifts from sarcasm to something softer, more like grief. "Whatever was here wanted this village dead. Corpse-poisoned water means no one will be able to live here for a long time."
Khol Karis |
Khol stripped down to his undergarments and waded into the water so that the merfolk could pass him the corpses as needed, the magic was not really necessary but he supposed it would help, all while muttering something disparaging about the various breeds of mages and their wand measuring contests.
Zahur al Kinasi |
As the grim work of retrieving the bodies begins, Zahur goes to take a good look at the prints, drag marks, and other signs pointed out by Khol. He also looks for any evidence of magic auras in the area. Casts detect magic
Perception 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Knowledge (Arcana) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Knowledge (Local) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Knowledge (Planes) 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
DM Corvus |
Stone Giants are known to populate these mountains, and could certainly be the owners of such large footprints. however, they are relatively non-hostile toward humans, so long as they are left alone. They are known to keep herds of livestock and tend toward a solitary existence.
well-played Razan, a very smart tactic.
The merfolk take to the lake, and disappear beneath the surface for several moments.
One at a time they reappear and move back to their summoner.
"Land-lords, there are few traces of the bodies. The water remains untainted too. To the south-west, the waters extend away, but the shallows contain many crocodiles. Perhaps they fed on the carcasses."
Natasha Mournglory |
Natasha wanders over to Zahur and glances at the tracks as well.
"Hmph," she snorts. "Big."
Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Knowledge (history) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Knowledge (nature) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Knowledge (planes) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
Ajkanir joins his companions in the study of the large prints, thinking back on his own experience and studies, to see if he can shed any light on the situation, or on Natasha’s question.
Knowledge (dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Razan Tresh |
Razan inclines his head to the merfolk,
"Aieeee. My thanks, I hope my call did not disturb you to greatly, your efforts are greatly appreciated. Luck be with you."
Natasha Mournglory |
"Well, this has been very jolly, but I would like to go back to camp, clear out whatever snakes or rodents have crawled into the tents and sleep," Natasha says. "No chance of bedding down here; this place is not protected by my wards and it has already been plundered once."
Ajkanir al-Atabiyah |
Ajkanir nods as Natasha is speaking, "I could wish we understood better what happened here, but wishes are worth less than a few hours' sleep before we set out tomorrow. I am puzzled, however, by the fact that these tracks lead to the water, but we find very little sign of anything in the water. Is it possible that the bodies were put onto a boat or otherwise carried away?"
It's unclear to me how big the body of water we're next to is, or whether its outlet is big enough to be navigable.
Razan Tresh |
"Aieee, well I'm going to sleep, maybe it'll be clearer in the morning," Razan says heading back, unsaddling Sandstreak and throwing himself down on his bedroll.
DM Corvus |
The body of water is a sizeable lake, the area the party is exploring is the southeastern tip. It expands south and to the west a good ways, though it is far more shallow and marsh-like. When the floods come in a month or so, it will be even larger. Remember, the merfolk that Razan summoned put forth that the crocodiles may have consumed the corpses. Whether or not that's true...?