Gilead's Horn, part 1
Log Info
- Title: Gilead's Horn, part 1
- Emitter: Aftershock
- Characters: Zapolklnex, Shara, Ezil, Shin, Faranmidahn, Cryosanthia
- Place: At Sea
- Time: Friday, February 07, 2020, 7:49 PM
- Summary: A priest of Gilead has tasked the adventurers with capturing a priest who has stolen Gilead's Hunting Horn, and is fleeing to Charn by sea. As they catch up with the merchant vessel that carries him, the ship puts into a nearby port and sailors attack the town, slaughtering all they find. The party quickly puts ashore, and choose to save the townsfolk over investigating the merchant ship, immediately joining battle. In the ensuing battle, Cryosanthia and Mirai, Shin's tiger, are wounded, while all acquit themselves well. Their foes, the sailors are strangely silent throughout the battle and impossible to take alive. During the fight, the merchant vessel sets sail, sinks the party's ship, and a haunting sound from it calls after them, leaving them standing on the docks staring after it.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Zapolklnex 4'5" 115 Lb Shadow Elf Male A darkly dressed traveling Mul'niessa man Shara 5'2" 120 Lb Dawn Elf Female Red haired Elf w/green eyes Ezil 5'11" 175 Lb Human Male An armored man with dark skin, and grey-blonde hair. Shin 5'0" 130 Lb Human Male Short, stocky Xian human with a tiger. Faranmidahn 3'3" 35 Lb Halfling Female Albino Lucht woman in black leather armor with a BIG spider Cryosanthia 6'7" 245 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, lithe white lizardgirl with tattoos. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The priest you talked to about this particular mission was one of the higher ups of the temple of Gilead. She was furious, but barely containing herself and her decorum. You could tell by her clenched fists and the fire in her eyes that she was barely holding onto her anger. "It's not complicated. You see some years ago the Gilead's Hunting Horn was stolen from the hands of his faithful and we thought it lost forever. Then we got some news that the horn was found being /misused/ by some priest of /Thul/." This then, is clearly the source of her anger. "The priest escaped into the mountains, evading the adventurers who brought back news of the Horn. Now, we hear that the horn is being taken to Charn."
Which is how you have ended up on a small quick ship toward Charn. Because you're trying to catch up to the merchant vessel that carries the horn before it reaches its destination and makes its way to those lands which will certainly not welcome you. So far the weather has been entirely against you, thus you are already nearly where the ship will make landfall. You can already see the shore from where you are and a few more minutes will see you there.
Zapolklnex drops his hood over his head, and folds his arms together, getting completely covered. "I cannot believe I am being put on a ship back to Charn, so soon after coming north. I warn you all, I will not be captured, and will use any means necessary to preserve myself, should agents of Charn or of the Shadow Council attempt to put me back under their control." On his shoulder rests a large black bird.
Shara is playing a somewhat upbeat little ditty on her lute the entire time they are sailing, so it doesn't seem TOO hopeless. Once they're in port though, her lute is slung back and she begins to hum...almost oblivious to the danger they're walking into. But for the observant...she has a quiver and a bow.....
Ezil looks to Zapolklnex from where he had been resting against the railing, sighing as he stands and steps that way. "I have been lucky enough to not have been to Charn, but we will do what needs be done to return the horn." he notes, beginning a check of his belongings before they make landfall. "I am sure many feel as you do. Do not worry."
Shin, meanwhile, is settled down against the white tiger companion, in armor, and with his spear resting against the deck. The tiger gives a small growl at him, and Shin chuckles, "Oh, come on, Mirai, you get to eat some priest of Thul if we're lucky. Barring that, you at least get some good fish off of this." He looks to the others, then to Zapolklnex in particular, "Ah, that is the life of an adventurer, though. I'm lucky I don't have a guard shift for a while, else I would not be able to do such a thing. My lady will miss Mirai for a bit, but she understands that this is helping us both to grow and be stronger to protect her by gaining world wide experiences."
"I will not alow that to happen." The little Lucht knight assures the defiant Mul. She stands on tiptoe, managing to get her eyeline over the rail of the ship to view the impending land, shrouded in her spiderwebbed cloak. Her mount, a rather large glossy spider, is already saddled up in the hold awaiting it's mistress. While an oddball and chatterbox, more active when the sun is down for her skin most likely, as it nears time to get to business, she is more thoughtful and comparitively terse.
Cryosanthia is standing beside the railing as well. One of her hands gripping it tightly and she's been holding on for some time. She hasn't blinked in about as long either. "Yes. I've been there. Well I escaped once, I'm sure it'll be possible again."
GAME: Zapolklnex rolls perception: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Shara rolls perception: (12)+10: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (10)+0: 10 GAME: Shin rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10 GAME: Faranmidahn rolls perception: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Ezil rolls perception: (2)+2: 4
Elvensight has it's benefits. Even more so when a bard is extra observant. Shara says, "this...isn't good. the ship made landfall at a small town and...they're going after the inhabitants. I think we'd better rescue them...."
The ship captain makes landfall a few moments after this announcement and now you can all see what Shara saw. The ships crew must have started violently attacking the unsuspecting dock workers because there are bodies of sailors littering the docks. Your own crew makes a few motions to ward off the evil of the sight they behold and quickly lay out a gangplank for you to disembark with. Heading out onto the docks you can catchsight of a few of the ships crew stragling behind the rest who are quickly headed into the village.
There was no sign the merchant ship they were following were pirates. It was by all accounts an ordinary merchant vessel.
"Sure! Sounds good!" The white-scaled sith-makar says, wrenching her hand off the railing. She stares off, trying to spot the town, seeing very little. "So are we scuttling their ship so they have no way to leave, chasing them through town? The priest, we have a good description? Is our plan, get those guys?"
She's pointing at the stragglers. She looks ready to move.
Ezil takes out his shield, and holds it ready. A hand on his blade's grip as he looks to the others with him as he prepares for the plank to drop. "This isn't going to be a good encounter. I will try an hold attention and go first. Anyone else want to support me?" he asks, his tone solemn as he looks at the corpses littering the dock. "We can't help them until the threat is put down, but it seems there are already casualties."
Shara is already stringing up her bow and humming a song. "Go...I know you must. I shall be there with you, but I have my own way of fighting." She then smiles to Ezil. "Go."
Zapolklnex re-folds his arms. "I will follow, but I cannot lead in a fight against armed men such as these. But we must makes ure as well to save our strength for finding the Horn."
Faranmidahn scurries belowdecks to get Torrent, and it is shortly thereafter that the spider, with the little knight astride in her peculiar saddle, emerges ready to take up the trail, "I will try to flank them and support you from above."
Shin growls as fiercely as his tiger companion does once he moves to stand, picking up his glaive. Which he slings across his back before pulling his green steel greatsword instead. He looks to the others, "Horn or not, I will not leave these people to be prey to pirates." The Xian man takes off, with the tigress in pursuit as they both charge for the nearest stragglers. And everyone thought the Paladin was going to be the trouble.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2: (8)+4: 12
"Ezil, this is being a distraction, c'mon!" Cryosanthia clearly wants to take out her anxious energy in action and launches down the gangplank. She rushes towards the stragglers, whipping out her rapier and going for the nearest to her.
A clear miss.
She tries hurtful words. "You're a horrible person! You're going to be stopped."
Shara starts to run down the gangplank herself, but rather than sprint for the fight, she begins to sing...while slowly drawing an arrow. "As long as you believe in me...it's all I'll ever need!" She then hums a few bars before... "Siiiiitting on Top...of the world! For a little while! Sittting on top of the world! We've got GIVE it all we've got!"
GAME: Zapolklnex rolls perception: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Zapolklnex casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
Zapolklnex looks to his raven, who then spreads his wide, dark wings, leading feathers pointed out wide as he takes off and into the sky , moving over the enemy ship. Meanwhile he points his finger, and emulating the gestures of one Merek, fires two magical bolts at the nearest attacking sailor.
GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Sailors rolls 2d4+4: (6)+4: 10
The sailors attack. Cryo and Shin are narrowly missed. Shin's tiger, takes a horrible blow.
GAME: Ezil rolls weapon4+4: (11)+5+4: 20 GAME: Ezil rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3+2: 10
Ezil charges in as Cryosanthia tries to lead, his shield brought to bear as Shin tries to leave the party behind. His sword is drawn as he runs, the momentum carrying his blade through the man's neck and severing his head from his shoulders. It's a clean blow, and quick, taking up his shield and looking to the other pirates. "Behind me, White-one." his words for the Sith-Makar.
GAME: Faranmidahn rolls weapon2: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Faranmidahn rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2+2: 8
Seeing the villains at work, and her companions well into sharing their disapproval with the brigands, Faran slaps her visor down and kicks a little on her mount's shell with her right foot. The massive Huntsman, glossy limbs flailing with dazzling speed, begins to sidle along at a brief diagonal at a rather stunning speed for such a creature, then, she kicks with her left and then once with both feet and cries, "BASE VARLOTS, HAVE AT YOU!" as gets her lance into the cradle. Almost at once at a full gallop, the little albino and her spider consume the distance and the impact buries the lance into her target, the impact nearly pulling her from the saddle before she twists at waist and shoulder to yank the weapon free.
GAME: Shin rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27 (THREAT) GAME: Shin rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16 (THREAT) GAME: Shin rolls 1d4+2+2: (1)+2: 5
Raising his voice, Shin calls to the others as he turns to the last sailor, "Fear not this plague of pirates, my fellows! We will take them down with our courage and bravery!" Then Mirai, already wounded by one, claws the hell out of it. Growling from the injury causes Shin to look and check on his feline companion.
"I can't fight beside a shield Ezil, I need room to move." The white sith-makar answers. Nothing is near. There's another group, close. She doesn't stop to think, "C'mon!"
She runs up to the next group, dropping into a ready pose, weapon pointed. She shouts, "Take on someone that can fight back, you blaggards!"
GAME: Shara rolls weapon1+2: (5)+7+2: 14 GAME: Shara rolls 1d6+1+1+2: (1)+1+1+2: 5
The song changes as they move to the next group. "You got the touch! You got the powaaaaaaaaah...YEAH!" And at yeah...Shara looses an arrow that manages to hit one pirate in the shoulder. Yeah, she's not the best archer.
GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19 GAME: Zapolklnex casts Grease. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (1): 2 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (2): 3
Zapolklnex gets an unpleasant feeling from Crax, and pulls the bird back to his shoulder. "There's something unpleasant on the ship. Could be prisoners, or even torture." He then repeats his casting gesture at a sailor, while keeping far back from the others, not advancing as they did.
Two sailors advance on Cryo who's the only one in range of them at the moment, the rest break down doors and go about bloody buisness.
GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Cryosanthia spends ONE point of PANACHE. (1 remaining) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+2: (14)+4+2: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2+2: (12)+4+2: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls damage2+2: aliased to 1D6+2+2: (5)+2+2: 9 GAME: Sailors rolls 2d4+4: (4)+4: 8 GAME: Sailors damaged you for 8 points. 7 HP remaining.
The sailors turn and attack Cryosanthia, to the death of one of them as his attack is met with a mean reposte that leaves him wide open to retaliation which is swiftly dealt. The second takes this as a chance however to attack himself, cutting the white scaled sith-makar with his weapon deeply.
Ezil walks up to the Tiger that shin keeps company with, a hand taken from his shield as he runs it down the beast's back. "You did good." letting what little healing he can offer soak in to that injured flesh before moving to join the party, though not as quickly.
GAME: Faranmidahn rolls weapon2: (9)+4+3: 16 GAME: Faranmidahn rolls 1d6+5: (3)+4: 7
As the first group of scoundrels is laid low, Faran barely has time to take stock of the situation before her allies surge forward once more, enemies in sight. She again imbues her lance with arcane energies and wheels her spider about for a new charge, taking the pirate under the arm to much the same effect as her last.
GAME: Shin rolls 1d20+4+2+3: (6)+4+2+3: 15 GAME: Shin rolls 1d6+2+2: (3)+2+2: 7
Shin nods his thanks to Ezil, "The battle isn't over yet." He takes off, followed by Mirai who seeing a companion in trouble, takes off faster and literally pounces the sailor who just wounded Cryosanthia, biting his neck out and then giving a growl as she looks for more, tail swishing furiously. Shin looks at the tigress, then calls, "I'm not helping you clean that out!"
GAME: Cryosanthia casts Snapdragon Fireworks. Caster Level: 1 DC: 14 GAME: Sailors rolls 1d20: (8): 8 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (1): 1
"Gnnnng!" Cryosanthia takes her hit deep in the side, cutting leather, drawing blood. Her grunt turns into a growl. She flips her fingers through an arcane gesture, and a little fire dragon zig-zags away from her hand to explode near a sailor, causing a small singe but not much else. "I'm not moving up. Come on over here and fight or get another!"
GAME: Shara rolls weapon1+2: (6)+7+2: 15 GAME: Shara rolls 1d6+1+1+2: (3)+1+1+2: 7
Shara is still humming the ditty before she looses another arrow to a pirate that was closing in on Cryo. the Pirate slides to a stop only a few feet from Cryo. yet, Shara is still moving forward.
GAME: Zapolklnex casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
Zapolklnex is content not to chase after burly humans. So he speaks the arcane, does his best Merek impression again, and takes down one of the ruffians from afar, instead!
The sailors have cleared off the streets, you can hear though the sounds of yelling from inside buildings as the massacre continues. Meanwhile back at your ship the merchant vessel has taken off from the harbor, sailing back out of the port and firing one shot off at your ship. The resulting boom you can feel in your stomach, but not nearly so much as the sickening crunch that follows.
GAME: Ezil rolls 1d6: (1): 1
Ezil catches up with Cryosanthia, a hand touching her shoulder as he tries to channel his divine energy. It's that explosion from their ship that keeps his touch brief, only able to give her the barest of healing. "Our ship's disabled. They're leaving their men behind." turning to the others. "We need to wrap this up quick." the thoughts of his blood covered blade no longer dwelling on his mind as there are many factors to worry of now.
Faranmidahn looks back over her shoulder at the distant boom and crushing sound of their ride home taking damage. The screaming tears her back to the now and she leads her mount to one of the houses being invaded and she draws rein, discarding her lance in favor of her longsword and traveler's knife, "Stand fast, brigand!" as she rushes into the home.
GAME: Shin rolls weapon7: (10)+8: 18 GAME: Shin rolls 2d6+6: (8)+6: 14
Shin heads for the next building... and barely waits before he swings the green steel greatsword and cuts a sailor in half. Literally! Mirai, meanwhile, sticks by Cryosanthia as Shin calls back, "Mirai, guard!"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2: (20)+4: 24 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls weapon2: (19)+4: 23 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls damage2: aliased to 1D6+2: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls damage2: aliased to 1D6+2: (1)+2: 3
Cryosanthia feels the brief divine warmth. It eases her pain, slightly. "Thank you, Blessed one."
A little louder the sith-makar calls to the party, "We were fooled! Save who we can."
She rushes into a building. The white tiger follows the white lizard lady. Immediately inside, Cryo finds a sailor and takes out her frustration on him, ramming her rapier through his chest to the hilt, the blade coming out his back. "Just! DIE!"
Starting to run after the group, Shara continues her song. She doesn't draw another arrow as of yet, but her song is more than enough. "After all is said and done...you never and never run, YOU'RE A WINNER!!!'
Zapolklnex finally moves. Having seen the ship depart, unfortunately. Since now he'll never know what was inside that was so bad. But he follows the others into the villag,e now that it's clear to do so. Not wanting to face a ruffian alone, he approches Ezil to follow along.
It isn't difficult for you to round up the last of the sailors, but the ruins they leave in their wake isn't pretty and you manage to take none alive. Many of the villagers in this area are dead, and you can't be sure you caught all the sailors. Meanwhile your ship is in the harbor slowly sinking while the merchant vessel gets away. In other words it's not a good day so far. You can hear the oddest song in the distance calling you. A beautiful haunting tune that sounds like a hunting horn calling the calvery back in. Calling, calling for you to follow it. It's a hard thing to resist, and you find yourself on the edge of the docks looking out at the sea where the merchant vessel is slowly sailing off.
End of Part one
Dramtis Personae
Zapolklnex
A mul'niessa is not large, but this one carries presence. Despite being a mere 4'5", he has the ability to draw attention in any room he is in. Love him or hate him, people look.
Fortunately he doesn't look terrible either. His body is fit and trim, born of much travel and exploration, both above and underground. His silver hair is kept close cropped, quite practically, with his long, dark ears sticking far above the fuzz. His face is lean, jaw square, nose peaked, white eyes almost glowing in contrast with his dark skin.
He dresses as a traveling man, with black robes covering virtually his entire body, including a hood often over his head.
Shara
Standing 5'2" tall, this woman has red hair that goes down to her shoulders. She has large green eyes that are framed by red eyebrows and high cheekbones. She has an angular face and pointed ears, marking her as an elf.
She has a slender, yet full figured body. She usually wears a shirt and a bodice, along with a comfortable pair of pants and long traveler's boots. Usually, at her hip, there is a rather lovely looking rapier, and there's usually some sort of instrument upon her...somewhere.