ToS: ACT 1, Part 2: Relics

[Thomo]

Act 1, Part 2: Relics

Following the devestating ambush by the Gnolls, the party find themselves alone on the road. Sigismund has taken the relic to Greyspire Keep using darker paths fearing more ambushes ahead, leaving you free to do as you see fit.

A quick search of the corpses surrounding you reaveal that the Gnolls are in league with the cult of Orcus, and signs indicate that they are part of the Bloody Maw tribe. Their presence here confirms that Yeenoghu and Orcus are working together, and that situation does not bode well for the isolated community, nor the wider world.

The remains of your assailants begin to stink as the sun climbs towards it's peak. What will you do now?

RP & Skill Checks welcome

It is midday, you are at Level 5 and sitting in the middle of the road surrounded by corpses...

[nbneil]

Assuming we no longer need to check on the other items, then Aelar is fine kicking some cultist ass.

[Thomo]

Garrion did make mention of other items. It is up to you whether you would like to return to him and see if he knows of their location, or attempt to find some cultists and show them the error of their ways - either way is fine with me...

[Tondi-]

Are we near shackles? or whatever his name was. When never actually got there did we?

[Ryowulf]

Harm (4th)- AC: 20 Fort: 16 Reflex: 17 Will: 18
HP: 44/45 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 11 AP: 0 SW: 1

Harm will spend two HS's

Harm says, "We should be careful. The enemy might think we still have the relic."

[nbneil]

Aelar votes to speak with Garrion. If we are near Shackles, he'd check it out (I think we went the opposite direction). I also don't know where the cultists are, so I'm not sure Aelar has a good idea of how to track them down.

[Thomo]

Currently you are south-east of Hunter's Run - a little over a third of the way to Grey Spire Keep. In the distance to the south east you can see what looks to be a farmstead, and further beyond that are the mountains. Somewhere in between the farmstead and the mountains lies Greyspire Keep.

Shackles is to the north/north-east of your current position, in a straight line. It is quite some distance off - 2 hours of travel time approximately (an hour back to Town, and Hour to Shackles) - you could probably do it in half that if you really wanted to push the mounts. Alternatively, you could cut cross country if you wanted to go directly to Shackles, it will save a little bit of time but who knows what lies in between...

[nbneil]

Aelar votes to go back to Garrion to determine where they will be most useful.

[Ryowulf]

Garrion seems like a good place to start.

[Tondi-]

Dusk apologies for her outburst, "This business with Orcus is weighing on me. I will let cooler heads prevail."

[ShadowWalker]

Cai doesn't want to mindlessly kill cultists. She'd rather go talk to Garrion.

[Thomo]

Assuming now that you are heading back to town? And also assuming you tell Garrion about the ambush...

The party swiftly travels back to town, their steeds eating up the miles. As you ride through the main gates and onto the village green a surprised looking Garrion greets you.

"My friends, I did not expect you back so soon? Is everything ok?"

His friendly, cheerful face darkens as he hears the tale of the ambush, and a shadow of concern flashes across his features as you tell him of Sigismunds actions.

"That is ill news indeed. Still, they will arrive quickly by those paths. As he said, the cost is high and it will take him many days to recover. In the meantime, I think you should continue hunting for the rest of these relics. I have uncovered two possible sources in this region.

The first was last spoken of in the mining community of Shackles. Legend has it that some great hero from ages past fought a great battle against some form of unspeakable evil and made the ultimate sacrifice. Apparently his weapon is still there somewhere, lost deep within the mines.

The second is an unknown item, reputed to be kept by the Druid enclave nearby. They were given to guarding it from something. That's just about what I know on this one, although I will try to find out more information for you."

[nbneil]

"It seems we know more about Shackles and are prepared for what we might face. I vote we investigate there. Who knows? Maybe we'll get the jump on them."

[ShadowWalker]

Yep. To Shackles we go.

[Thomo]

"Excellent. I am unsure what you may face at Shackles, and the presence of the cultists you found lead me to fear the worst. I know that communication has been lost with them, and the Sgt Tobin sent a patrol out recently, but I don't know if they found anything. Before you go, however, let me give you this."

From inside his coat he fishes out a small amulet in the shape of a raven's feather.

"It is part of a matching pair, and I hold the other one. It has had a small enchantment put on it to help the bearers stay in contact. Use it if you need to contact me urgently, but be warned it is limited. Now, is there anything else you need before you leave?"

Item
Ravenscall Amulet
Allows the Sending ritual to be cast twice per day - no component cost - and can only be used to contact the bearer of the other amulet (Garrion).

[Ryowulf]

Harm says, "Lets ride, I'd like to limit my time in the saddle as much as possible."

[Thomo]

Shackles

The trip to Shackles is blessedly uneventful and you keep a sharp eye out as you pass the sight of the previous ambush. A grey smudge appears on the horizon, and you know you are getting close. You carefully make your way towards the community, looking for signs of anyone.

A smoky pall hangs over the small settlement of Shackles and the bitter smell of sulphur and brimstone chokes the air. The rhythmic pounding of several hammers striking metal break the illusion that the town is deserted, despite not having seen anyone or anything yet.

A rough track leads out of the settlement, towards the mine shaft and the area in which they used to keep the prisoners. An eerie silence settles over the area, punctuated only by the relentless pounding of hammers.

A layer of ash and dust cover the buildings, and several look like they have been unused for some time. Ahead on the hill, however, stands the Foundry. You stand and look into the entrance way. Dark and ominous it yawns like a gaping maw and the echo of hammers pounding is like the rhythmic heartbeat of some fell beast.

[nbneil]

Aelar will look around to determine if he can see or hear anyone beyond the hammers.

Perception

nbneil rolled [%d]:
19

+4

[Thomo]

From within the foundry itself you catch snatches of a gruff, guttural voice as it shouts and calls out instructions. Behind you the houses and buildings creak and groan in the wind, abandoned and empty.

A sharp crack echoes around the region and you judge it to be from the direction of the mining camp.

[nbjason]

Kavak goes to investigate the sound near the mine...

nbjason rolled [%d]:
18

+8

[Ryowulf]

Harm suggests, "Maybe we should visit the druids."

[Thomo]

As you move towards the mine road you hear the sound again. This time you recognise it, it is the sound of a whip cracking and is accompanied by shouted curses and cries of pain. Though you may not understand the words, the meaning is clear. Somebody is being forced to do something against their will.

You also realise that no-one is as yet aware of your presence here.

[nbneil]

"The gnolls might have enslaved these people. We should help them before its to late. Anyone have ideas? Perhaps we set a trap in the town. A few of us lead them out while the others strike from behind."

[Ryowulf]

Harm says, "Lets just find a defendable position and call out their best fighters. Setting traps or whatever takes time and if they come at us in the middle of preparing them its worse or us."

[nbneil]

"Fair enough."

Insight? to determine a defensible position

nbneil rolled [%d]:
13

+6