Episode 9

[Bynw]

[19:41:29] * Playing 'recap.txt' to #teara-adan with 1300ms delay
[19:41:31] <~Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:41:32] <~Bynw> |      Horizon's Dawn - Episode 9
[19:41:33] <~Bynw> |      Beginning Adventure Recap
[19:41:35] <~Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:41:36] <~Bynw> | Travelling up the mountain side the
[19:41:37] <~Bynw> | apprentices discover the smell of
[19:41:39] <~Bynw> | something large and several days dead.
[19:41:40] <~Bynw> | Nearing the source of the smell they
[19:41:41] <~Bynw> | peer into the darkness just before the
[19:41:43] <~Bynw> | dawn ....
[19:41:44] <~Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:41:45] <~Bynw> | Today's Game Date: 15 Avril 464 NE
[19:41:46] <~Bynw> |       Game Time: just before dawn
[19:41:48] <~Bynw> |        End of Adventure Recap
[19:41:49] <~Bynw> +---------------------------------------
[19:41:49] * Playback of 'recap.txt' complete
[19:42:34] * +Llanth stalks towards the smell of decay with bow readied and eyes alert.
[19:42:37] <~Bynw> *the stench of whatever it is lies just ahead and to the right of the small trail the group climbs up the mountainside on in the predawn
[19:43:59] <+Regan> ::Ugg! What is that?:: regan says holding his nose.
[19:44:18] * +Llanth hisses "Silence!"
[19:44:52] <+Regan> ::"It's probably just Daine":: Regan whispers
[19:45:39] <+Daine> ::The stench doesn't seem to ruffle him in the least, he looks to Regan then to the others:: "It is the smell of death." ::he takes the lead on the trail up the mountain::
[19:45:44] <~Bynw> *the mountain just echos with the stillness of the early dawn light*
[19:45:58] <+Llanth> "Not even he or Taenor can smell that bad. Now silence."
[19:46:43] <+Daine> ::Over his shoulder:: "Regan, you do not have to come with us."
[19:46:57] * +Regan shrugs and follows Daine
[19:47:19] * DesertRose has quit IRC (Quit: Trillian (http://www.ceruleanstudios.com)
[19:47:30] * DesertRose has joined #teara-adan
[19:47:31] <+Daine> ::Stops and turns, his face stoic, but his voice shows just a hint of concern:: "These are your people, it will not be easy."
[19:47:42] * +Regan points to his own mouth and then to Llanth
[19:48:56] <+Daine> ::Glances at Llanth and then turns and continues up the trail, he draws his pistol as he walks::
[19:49:04] <~Bynw> *in the early dim light there is a large form on the ground head of them, it reeks with decay and death. it is about the size of a horse or even a bit bigger*
[19:49:17] * +Llanth stalks in behind Daine.
[19:50:46] <+Regan> ::Moving forward, Regan braces himself for the worst:: "What is it?
[19:51:04] <+Daine> ::Stops and looks and listens for carrion eaters and other birds in the area::
[19:52:07] <+Daine> roll 5df-
[19:52:08] <+BoxCars> Daine rolls 5df- and gets ( )(+)( )(+)( ) Good
[19:52:16] <+Regan> "Pray it's not Orla." Reagan mumbles
[19:52:23] * +Taenor stays close to his companion, one longsword drawn, looking about warily.
[19:53:01] * +Regan slips a throwing knife into his hand
[19:53:13] <+Daine> ::Nods to himself and continues forward, drawing close to the heap, but skirting it::
[19:53:46] <+Daine> ::he takes a look at what it is::
[19:54:14] <+Daine> roll 5df-
[19:54:15] <+BoxCars> Daine rolls 5df- and gets ( )(-)(-)( )( ) Poor
[19:55:22] <+Daine> ::waves everyone forward to huddle::
[19:56:07] * +Taenor comes closer, taking a good look at the heap before huddling.
[19:56:32] <~Bynw> *the beast is a horse, without a saddle, it is on it's side and very stiff. parts of it are ripped open by carrion and the smell is wretching
[19:57:56] * +Regan goes straight to the horse, ignoring the others and peers at it, but not touching it.
[19:59:16] <+Regan> Roll 4df
[19:59:17] <+BoxCars> Regan rolls 4df and gets (+)(+)( )(-) Good
[20:00:02] <+Daine> ::Lowers his voice so his voice does not carry as the others catch up:: "If we are to work together, we must have trust. Let's link our minds together for silence and so we can communicate over distance."
[20:00:29] * +Regan "I know this horse"
[20:01:14] <+Regan> "It's not mine, but Vildar's....my freinds"
[20:03:22] <+Regan> "Poor horse never had a chance..." Regan says regretfully
[20:03:53] <+Llanth> "Probably better that way.
[20:04:59] <+Regan> "I need to search the camp. Will you help me?" Regan says to his companions
[20:05:20] <+Llanth> "Patience, we need to be attentive."
[20:06:07] <+Daine> ::Looks about and just shakes his head as the others ignore his suggestion, he mutters:: "And they call me meat-head...heathens."
[20:06:16] <~Bynw> *Caime* "Master Michon wanted us to Read about the attack. I think this horse would be a good candidate for that reading"
[20:07:13] <+Daine> ::His mind stretches out to Llanth and lightly rubs at the edge of her shields::
[20:09:22] <~Bynw> *Caime comes up to horse, braving the smells of decay and death, and places his hands on its cold flesh*
[20:09:23] <+Regan> "Caime's right. I heard Michon say that." Regan says as he backs away from Vildar's horse.
[20:09:44] <~Bynw> roll 4df
[20:09:45] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 4df and gets (-)( )( )(+) Fair
[20:09:57] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[20:09:58] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets ( )(+)( )(+)(-) Great
[20:10:51] <~Bynw> *caime jumps up and backs away, puking shortly afterwards and turns back to stare at the horse*
[20:11:13] <~Bynw> "turn it over!" *his voice cracking*
[20:11:16] <+Taenor> "Caime?"
[20:11:38] * +Regan rushes in and grabs a leg
[20:11:54] * +Taenor helps his companions flip the horse over
[20:12:08] <~Bynw> *the beast comes apart easily*
[20:12:46] <+Daine> ::simply shakes his head and stifles a laugh::
[20:12:49] <+Regan> "What the...." Regan exclaims while holding up one of the legs
[20:13:21] <~Bynw> *but enough to slightly dislodge the horse ... the ground is covered in maggots, worms and other small insect vermin ... and a human arm*
[20:13:42] * +Taenor hold a piece of flesh for a moment then drops it
[20:13:50] <+Regan> "VILDAR!"
[20:14:47] <+Llanth> "Silence!"
[20:14:54] <~Bynw> *Caime* "The horse had a rider when two of those creatures attacked it. ripped both of them to shreds.
[20:18:39] <~Bynw> *Caime* "Does vildar look like this?" *he describes a man to Regan*
[20:19:39] <+Regan> "No, that must be Macden. My best friend."
[20:19:56] <+Daine> ::Looks up and about at the surrounding terrain::
[20:20:03] * +Regan kneels to the ground in greif
[20:21:08] <~Bynw> *forest surrounds the group ... good for logging ... trees for villages and fortifications. and these mountains are littered with caves as well*
[20:22:17] <+Regan> "Oh Macden. I'm so sorry. But, you bought her time my friend. Thank you"
[20:24:26] <+Daine> roll 4df
[20:24:27] <+BoxCars> Daine rolls 4df and gets ( )( )( )(+) Good
[20:28:13] <+Daine> ::kneels next to Regan:: "Regan, you know these mountains well. Is their a cave in them with a good view of the village?"
[20:28:43] * +Regan moves near the horse and raises his hand towards it and closes his teared eyes and concentrates
[20:28:54] <+Regan> roll 4df
[20:28:55] <+BoxCars> Regan rolls 4df and gets (+)(-)( )(+) Good
[20:29:46] <+Regan> ::The horse begins to drag away from Macden
[20:30:23] <+Regan> ::After the horse is clear, Regan kneels by his dead friend
[20:32:02] <~Bynw> *macden's body is in bad shape ... parts of his body are missing and he has been clawed up badly by the beasts that attacked the logger's camp*
[20:32:06] <+Regan> ::TO Daine::"Yes there is just up and to the left about 200 paces"
[20:33:39] <+Regan> "I need to bury my friend." Regan say sobbing
[20:33:46] <+Daine> ::Nods to Regan and turns to Caime:: "Follow me. I have a hunch I want to check on."
[20:34:46] <+Daine> ::To Llanth:: "Call me with mind speech if you need us."
[20:35:04] <+Llanth> "Fine."
[20:35:42] <+Daine> ::To Taenor:: "You...try to find a use for yourself heathen." ::snorts at Taenor::
[20:36:04] * +Regan starts diggin with his hands, not thinking of anything else.
[20:36:06] <~Bynw> *Mark* "Where are you going"
[20:36:13] <+Daine> ::Turns and begins moving up the trail towards the indicated cave, pistol in hand::
[20:36:27] <+Daine> ::Stops and turns::
[20:37:18] * +Taenor scoffs at the infidel and tries to see if anybody has hidden themselves and might have survived in the village.
[20:37:26] <+Daine> "If I where leading an attack on this village, I'd likely be up in one of those caves. I'm going up to take a look, I might get lucky. Coming?"
[20:37:59] <~Bynw> *Mark nodds in agreement* "You will need someone who can Read the area anyway"
[20:37:59] * +Regan takes his throwing knife and starts digging with it uselessly
[20:39:22] <+Regan> "Too many damn rocks!" Regan cries as he stabs the ground in despair
[20:39:46] <+Daine> ::Glances at Regan and shakes his head, mutters to himself in Valmari:: "Perhaps it's something in the water this side of the Maine that makes these heathens crazy."
[20:39:48] <+Llanth> "Regan, there is nothing you can do for him."
[20:40:42] <+Daine> ::Waves Mark onward and resumes walking towards the cave::
[20:41:11] <+Regan> "I know....I knoww! He just doesn't deserve to be left like this." Regan says while looking up at Llanth
[20:41:32] * +Taenor searches what little remains of the village.
[20:42:08] <+Llanth> "You must conserve your strenght, there may be need for it later on."
[20:42:40] <~Bynw> *Caime* "We could put him in one of those caves or light a funeral pyre"
[20:42:56] <~Bynw> *the remains of the village is not much. it has been completely sacked.
[20:43:32] <~Bynw> *bodies of other men and horse are abound and the place smells almost as bad as the horse found on the trail*
[20:44:03] <+Regan> "Forgive me my friend." Reagan whispers as he clears his eyes with back of he hand. "Forgive me."
[20:44:25] * +Regan stands and takes a deep breath
[20:44:29] <~Bynw> *even the simple machines used by the loggers have been destroyed*
[20:45:55] <+Taenor> *to the rest of the group,mentally*"We don't have time to bury Macden, and we can't spare the strength or time when carrying him back home to bury him there. The most we can do is pray for his soul. His body is gone as it is. Leave him, and let this hopefully be made fruitful with his passing."
[20:46:09] <+Regan> "No, no fire. It burns the man's soul away. "
[20:46:29] <+Regan> "Here he shall lay"
[20:47:13] <+Regan> "Goodbye my friend." Regan says as he joins the others
[20:48:42] <+Daine> ::A short time later he leans against the rock at the mouth of the cave Regan indicated and takes a moment to rest. He uses a small portion of his strength to concentrate. A moment later a circular globe of purple handfire sprouts into being in front of him. He extends his will and the globe floats off into the cave while Daine watches from cover at the mouth of the cave::
[20:51:20] <~Bynw> *the handfire floats down cave ... no sound comes out of the cave while the light floats down it*
[20:54:48] <+Daine> ::Waves Mark over and lowers his voice:: "Take a look tell me if you sense anything. If anyone did lead the attack from here they would have stood in a place to keep an eye on the village not in the back of the cave."
[20:55:53] <+Regan> Regan turns towards Macden and states "May Nature cradle you in her arms, and may the Heavens bear you soul to Peace"
[20:56:07] <~Bynw> *mark nodds and extends his senses into the mouth of the cave*
[20:56:33] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[20:56:34] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets ( )( )(+)( )(-) Good
[20:56:34] <+Daine> ::Looks down at the village and surrounding terrain::
[20:57:37] * +Regan turns to his companions and asks "Shall we see what Lunkhead has found?"
[20:57:51] <+Daine> roll 4df
[20:57:52] <+BoxCars> Daine rolls 4df and gets ( )(-)( )(+) Fair
[20:59:44] <~Bynw> *Mark* "I dont sense anything unusual"
[21:01:06] <+Taenor> "I guess we should make sure he hasnt killed himself. Not that it wouldnt be a shame."
[21:02:05] <~Bynw> *Caime* "We need to futher investigate the village. I still have bodies to read .."
[21:02:54] * +Regan rolls his eyes and mumbles at Taenors comment "I just can't wait to hear these two's wedding vows."
[21:03:24] <+Daine> ::Sighs to himself:: "Worth a try, but I think it's a dead end."
[21:03:38] * +Llanth reaches out to Daine's mind.
[21:03:57] <+Llanth> @@Have you found anything?@@
[21:04:17] <+Daine> ::Takes one last glance into the cave, and suddenly stiffens as he feels Llanth touch his shields. He lowers them to allow the contact::
[21:04:40] <+Daine> @@"No. My hunch is either wrong or this is not the place."@@
[21:05:09] <+Llanth> @@"I think that we should procede to search the rest of the village, and it would be best were we all together."@@
[21:05:50] <+Daine> @@"I'm on my way back with Mark now."@@
[21:06:15] <+Llanth> @@"See you when you get here."@@
[21:06:26] <+Daine> ::Waves Mark to follow him:: "Let's return, there's nothing here."
[21:06:32] <~Bynw> *Caime checks some more bodies*
[21:06:47] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[21:06:48] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets (+)(-)(-)(-)(+) Fair
[21:07:08] <+Daine> ::Returns to the Village::
[21:10:18] <+Daine> ::Holsters his pistol as he enters into the village, In Cana:: "Nothing up there. As I said to Master Michon, Caime and I searched the village. There's nothing new to find here."
[21:10:37] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[21:10:38] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets (+)( )(-)(+)( ) Great
[21:11:45] <+Taenor> "Guess we should head back, unless your brain is small enough that it cant comprehend back and home, infidel?"
[21:13:58] <~Bynw> *Caime* "I dont get anything new ... just those creatures that butchered everyone"
[21:14:31] <+Daine> ::Sneers at Taenor:: "Oh your great wit disarms me heathen." ::he says with sarcasm to spare::
[21:14:37] <+Daine> ::To Regan, in Cana:: "Perhaps your people logged the wrong stretch of forest and one of the local druids took exception to it. It might be as simple as that."
[21:15:41] <+Regan> "No, this village has been here for years"
[21:15:46] <+Regan> roll 4df
[21:15:47] <+BoxCars> Regan rolls 4df and gets (+)(+)(+)(+) Epic
[21:16:15] <+Regan> roll 4df
[21:16:16] <+BoxCars> Regan rolls 4df and gets (+)(+)(-)(-) Fair
[21:17:52] <+Daine> "Bah, who can understand the thinking of Druids. They make love to animals and trees."
[21:19:17] * +Regan walks a few paces and bends down and picks up a feather off the ground and then spies a shoeless foot print just ahead
[21:19:18] <+Llanth> "At this point is there anyrhing else that we can learn from this place?"
[21:19:44] <+Regan> "Um, guys? You want to take a look at this?"
[21:20:00] * +Regan points to the print
[21:20:19] * +Llanth looks at the print.
[21:20:32] <+Llanth> "That'll do."
[21:20:41] <~Bynw> *the print is of a man ... barefoot*
[21:20:45] <+Daine> ::Takes a look at the print::
[21:20:49] <+Regan> "It's shoeless. Can't be from any of the villagers."
[21:21:08] <+Taenor> "Agreed. From one of the beasts?"
[21:21:40] <+Regan> "No, it's human, see you can tell by the toe prints."
[21:22:11] <+Taenor> "Who, though? And even better, why?"
[21:22:14] <+Daine> "I don't mean to harp on a point, but Druids are the only people I know that run shoeless through the forest and fields of death and decay."
[21:24:25] <~Bynw> *Mark looks around the footprint* "This is the only one ... there arent any others around it."
[21:25:42] <~Bynw> *mark knees to the ground and rubs his hand up and down the print*
[21:25:44] <+Llanth> "How strange.."
[21:25:50] <+Regan> "Hey yeah, that's weird."
[21:26:02] <+Daine> "Perhaps someone should read the print?"
[21:26:09] <~Bynw> roll 5d6+
[21:26:10] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5D6+ and gets (12+=12)
[21:26:17] <~Bynw> (ack)
[21:26:21] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[21:26:22] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets (+)( )(-)(+)(-) Good
[21:26:48] <~Bynw> *Mark looks up* "Caime take a Look at this"
[21:27:47] <~Bynw> *Caime sits down next to mark also extending his Sight to the print*
[21:27:58] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[21:27:59] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets ( )(-)(-)( )( ) Mediocre
[21:28:37] <+Regan> "You know, it could be from a druid."
[21:28:57] <~Bynw> *Mark* "Anyone else want to give this a shot. I'm not getting much at all"
[21:29:10] <+Llanth> "Don't look at me."
[21:29:23] * +Regan "I'll try."
[21:29:25] <+Daine> ::Rolls his eyes at Regan and curses in Valmari::
[21:29:40] * +Taenor walks over and Looks at the print, extending his Sight.
[21:31:05] <+Taenor> roll 8df+
[21:31:06] <+BoxCars> Taenor rolls 8df+ and gets ( )(+)(+)(+)( )(-)( )(-) Superb
[21:36:17] <+Taenor> "Interesting. A man,  definatly male. long hair and it's dirty and unwashed ... and then the imade was erased. Deliberately."
[21:36:18] <~Bynw> *Caime* "He got the same thing we did. Just a very blurred out image"
[21:36:53] <~Bynw> *Caime stops in mid statement as Taenor goes through his description*
[21:39:04] <~Bynw> *Mark yawns* "This work is beging to wear on me ..."
[21:39:11] <+Daine> "A filthy Druid."
[21:39:36] <+Regan> "Bloody hell"
[21:40:01] <+Taenor> "Literally, it seems, heathen."
[21:40:34] * +Llanth rolls his eyes.
[21:41:13] <+Daine> ::Sniffs at Taenor:: "Speaking of unwashed...do you know you smell like dead horse?"
[21:41:51] <+Llanth> "CAN you two make a SINGLE STATEMENT to the other without insulting each other constantly? WHAT the hell is your problem? This is a serisous situation! In case you haven't noticed we are surrounded by DEAD PEOPLE!"
[21:42:39] <+Regan> ::Regan sniffs Taenor also:: "You right Daine, he does smell like a horse....err....horse's ass."
[21:43:15] * +Llanth throws his hands up in the air.
[21:43:32] <+Daine> ::Furrows his brow at Llanth and leans back::
[21:44:15] <+Daine> "I see nothing we can do here and this is not the first time I've stood among the dead, piled on high."
[21:44:38] * +Regan rolls his eyes
[21:45:47] <+Taenor> "Of course not, heathen. Your kind slaughters the innocent for entertainment."
[21:46:02] <+Llanth> "WHARGH!"
[21:46:27] <+Daine> ::His pistol is in his hand like a crack of lightning::
[21:46:42] <~Bynw> *Mark* "We have what we came for ... let's get going and find a place to rest"
[21:47:32] * +Llanth stands stock still jaw clenched, and eye twitching.
[21:47:39] * +Taenor has his sword at the ready in an instant.
[21:47:46] <+Daine> ::His head swivels looking about, through gritted teeth and in Valmari:: "Prepare for battle."
[21:47:49] <~Bynw> *the forest is quiet ... not a sound can be heard*
[21:48:04] * +Regan points up back at the cave. "We could go up there for the night. And would you two STOP!"
[21:48:28] <~Bynw> *the near midday sun is close to being overhead*
[21:48:51] <+Llanth> *Spoken very quietly* "Just stop.. talking. Fools!"
[21:49:14] <+Daine> ::His eyes continue to scan the forest, and he pays no attention to Taenor:: "No! The forest. Run for the cave, we can hold them off!"
[21:50:27] <+Daine> ::Begins walking towards the cave at a quick pace, scanning the forest around them:: "Go. They will try to surround us again."
[21:50:57] * +Taenor walks quickly towards the cave, close on the heels of his companion
[21:51:00] * +Regan slips a throwing knife in his hand
[21:51:13] * +Llanth tightens his grip on his bow.
[21:51:21] * +Llanth scans the area.
[21:51:27] * +Regan backs away following the others
[21:51:32] <~Bynw> *Mark looks frightened* "I dont like fighting"
[21:51:54] <+Llanth> roll 5df+
[21:51:55] <+BoxCars> Llanth rolls 5df+ and gets ( )( )(-)(-)(-) Poor
[21:53:21] * +Taenor scans the area while walking quickly.
[21:53:41] <+Regan> roll 4df for perception
[21:53:42] <+BoxCars> Regan rolls 4df for perception and gets (+)(-)(-)(+) Fair
[21:53:57] <+Taenor> roll 5df+ for perception
[21:53:58] <+BoxCars> Taenor rolls 5df+ for perception and gets (+)(+)(-)(+)(-) Great
[21:54:30] <+Regan> "I got nothing but silence "
[21:55:06] * +Llanth checks the area but due to still being flustered doesn't see much of anything.
[21:55:20] <+Daine> ::To Mark, slowly and calmly trying to calm him:: "Stay close behind me, okay?"
[21:55:30] <+Regan> "Anyone else got anything?"
[21:55:41] <+Llanth> "I saw nothing."
[21:55:59] <~Bynw> *Caime extends his senses outward casting about them*
[21:56:04] <~Bynw> roll 5df+
[21:56:05] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 5df+ and gets (-)( )( )( )(+) Good
[21:57:10] <+Daine> ::Moves a little faster, now at a sedate jog towards the cave:: "When we came into the village the birds sang. I hear only silence now. What do you think would scare the birds away hmm?"
[21:57:56] <+Daine> "It isn't that I hear something, it is that I hear nothing that alarms me."
[21:58:01] <+Regan> "Other really big birds, like owls" Regan agrees
[21:58:03] <+Taenor> "Then wouldnt you suggest a slightly faster pace, oh companion of mine?"
[21:58:09] <~Bynw> roll 8df+
[21:58:10] <+BoxCars> Bynw rolls 8df+ and gets (+)(+)( )(+)(+)(-)(+)(-) Epic
[21:58:38] * +Regan starts running
[21:58:55] * +Llanth takes up rear guard.
[21:58:59] <~Bynw> *Caime* "I dont sense anything out there ... we are it ... as far as I can tell"
[21:59:21] * +Taenor keeps up behind Daine.
[22:00:06] <~Bynw> *a large crow lands at the mouth of the cave almost right in front of Daine* "CAAAWW"  *and the sounds of birds return in the forest*
[22:00:19] * +Regan slows to run by Llanth's side
[22:01:08] <~Bynw> *the crow pecks at a large bug crawling out of the cave and swallows it before flying off*
[22:01:21] <+Daine> ::Raises his pistol to aim at the bird, without hesitation. He stares at it ready to shoot it if it tries to fly off
[22:01:34] <+Daine> ::Takes a shot at it with his pistol::
[22:02:03] * +Llanth whips around bow drawn far back to see what Daine was shooting at.
[22:03:30] <+Daine> roll 5df+
[22:03:31] <+BoxCars> Daine rolls 5df+ and gets (-)(-)( )(+)(-) Mediocre
[22:03:40] <~Bynw> (( end session ))