"Better to have someone to fight than being stuck in this hollow of a village!" Roared the huge half-orc, known by his tribe, his enemies, and even a dwarf as Korak, Drainer of Tankards, Consumer of Cheeses and awe-insiring Smasher of Doors.

The Usher whispers: Everyone please roll for initiative! (1d6 + Dex bonus)

The sky was clouded over and seemed to be growing darker. The clouds were dropping and with them the threat of rain. The season was that wonderful time between the ending of summer and the beginning of autumn when the daytime temperatures no longer had the sweat-inducing heat, but the nights were still warm and breeze-less. As if in response to the fierce Korak's declaration, a peal of thunder boomed in the distance. Following nature's signature a gust of wind came rushing from the northwest carrying with it the wafts of smoke from the burned and ruined village. There were other smells in that wind, but the folks sitting around the half-orc were doing their best not to think of them.

Bodric was about to take his last bite of the stale biscuit he had been, like the others, trying to choke down without any appetite, when he froze and cocked his head as if listening. He reached a gnarled hand down and held it flat against the earth. He remained in that position for just a moment before his eyes flew open, wide and alert. Dropping his last bite he stood to his feet and hefted his axe.

The others, lost in their own thoughts and still partially in shock from seeing the burned carnage that used to be their home village, were instantly alerted to the dwarf's sudden movement.  Each, in their own way, quickly readied themselves, likely out of instinct for it was done without thought. Among them were Maksim Munzuk, one of Gilgamar's few resident gnomes, the Autumn Cleric Durgon, also of the now ruined village, and Lady Agelia Redstart, the priestess of Luno travelling on a pilgrimage of devotion.

It was only a few moments later that the others heard what the dwarf had somehow felt through the ground, the sound of rapid hoofbeats coming their direction! Rounding a corner of the road on the edge of town to the north of the ruined Inn came charging a single rider. The horse was dark of color and slick with the shimmer of sweat. Its rider seemed to be dressed in dark earth tones and had a large axe in one hand, held low to one side.

The Usher explains: The rider is about a hundred yards away riding hard in your direction... There is not much cover, the village has been smashed and burned. You are standing at the base of a large maple tree that had been growing next to the Inn, it is mostly burned as well, in fact it is still smoldering. There are a few other partly burned trees along the street and some various rubble left from burned out buildings. Check the Game Map.

Please make a Wisdom check for me as well. (1d20 + Wis bonus)

And... what is your pleasure?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:57, Mon 30 Sept 2013.

Durgon saw the dwarfs actions and alerted immediately. He still felt the anger burning inside him for the sights he has seen. He saw the rider heading towards his group, "Lady Autumn be praised, be it friend or foe anything is welcome now!" he raised his shield and his mace and prepared for battle in case diplomacy failed.

01:32, Today: Durgon rolled 13 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 12. Wisdom Check.
01:32, Today: Durgon rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6. Initiative.

This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Mon 30 Sept 2013.

Sensing Bodric's movements more than seeing them, Maksim turned and leveled his bow at the charging rider. Holding his aim and following the approach Maksim, calls over to Bodricand the others, "I have a shot, do I take it?"

---

09:31, Today: Maksim Munzuk rolled 6 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 4. initiative.
09:31, Today: Maksim Munzuk rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15. wisdom check.

At the sight of the oncoming rider, Bodric dropped his war axe to the ground and switched to his throwing axe. The rider would have to get much closer before he would let fly, but he was ready. His fingers found their spots on the smooth, gently curving and weighted handle. He held it just as he had been taught by the Training masters at the Arena, a proven technique that had improved his throws significantly, even if it differed slightly from the traditional dwarven style. He planted his feet firmly into the earth, becoming almost an extension of it, as only a dwarf is able to do. His mind though, was having difficulty putting together any kind of strategy.

OOC:
_{Bodric Battlebelly rolled 4 using 1d6+1 ((3)). Initiative.
Bodric Battlebelly rolled 2 using 1d20+1 ((1)). Wisdom.}

The Usher murmurs: There are a few loose ends at the beginning of this play. This may help tie them together... no one likes a sloppy beginning.

As the travel weary and emotionally exhausted party sprang to their feet to face the approaching horseman, they glanced about for the other search party that had not yet returned. It had been made up of Chase, son of the Golden Toad's proprietor, Dennid and the dwarf Ferston, the bard Wexenwendle and they presumed Tuar, the dark-clad wizardling who had been last seen mourning at the threshold of his mother's home. Bodric risked a nervous piercing whistle from the gap of his missing front tooth, but got no response. They had little time to wonder about it though for the rider was fast approaching.

OOC:
This is just a narrative fill-in... Time has not advanced and I'll wait a little longer for the others to post their initiative rolls before anything "happens".

Korak, weary, his expression of time and space haulting for a bit, makes out the hazy horseman and he looks up in a confused manner.

Korak rolled 1 using 1d20 ((1)). <-- Ha! Even Bodric beat that! Ok, so only by one...)


[Private to Korak: You can't tell anything more than what I've described and you think the rider is a dire threat!]

The Usher chides: tsk... tsk... You botched that one my friend, try 1d6+DexMod for Initiative, then stop checking out the pixie chick in the front row, get back in your seat and pay attention to the play... ;-)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:14, Tue 01 Oct 2013.

The clouds which had been dropping in elevation and growing in both volume and darkness seemed to accellerate in both. A breeze came up from behind the rider coming at them, which was not unusual for this time of the year, but the intensity of the initial gust rocked the party back a little. Several burned timbers crashed downward within their charred husks where houses and buildings used to be. The sickening smell of burnt flesh and hair became strong as the wind whipped up the embers in the ruined village of Gilgamar.

OOC: I can't hold back the storm forever! ;-) I need initiative from Agelia and Korak so I can move the story forward. Also Ms. Redstart I'd like a Wisdoooom check if you choose to check out the rider. If I don't get them by tomorrow night, I'll  roll for ya and then we can (or perhaps not) brace ourselves for impact...

Agelia stares intently at the rider, trying to figure it out.  The stench and sudden change in conditions making things somewhat less favourable for the priestess' senses and decision-making processes...but she nonetheless refrains from reaching for her weapons, for now.

She wrinkles the corner of her mouth, and sniffs.

03:10, Today: Agelia Redstart rolled 3 using 1d6-1 with rolls of 4. Agelia Initiative.

03:12, Today: Agelia Redstart rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18. Agelia Wisdom Check.

The grip of the axe feels good, its leather a reminder of the wondrous smell of iron and blood.

OOC: Korak rolled 5 using 1d6 ((5)).

The sound of the first thunderbolt hitting not far away ripped through the smoldering ruins of Gilgamar. The companions were at the ready and a dark clothed rider raced toward them as if fleeing from the coming storm. The rider carried a large bearded axe, almost as big as the tribal relic carried by Korak. The beast under the rider was flecked with sweat, its legs churning toward the survivors.

OOC:
Initiative Order:

• Durgon
• Maksim
• Korak
• Bodric
• Rider
• Agelia

You may yell, holler, speak, etc. anytime, but actions are restricted to your turn. And Durgon, your're up!

Various PM's

[Private to Agelia Redstart: Nice Roll! So you can tell that the earth tones of the rider's clothing is actually mud or dirt and possibly blood. Beneath that you can see he is wearing a deep burgundy cloak and chainmail armor. The horse looks like it's at the point of exhaustion and is covered in mud and blood as well. The axe the rider is carrying is bloody as well. Also... he looks as if he is running from something, not necessarily attacking you. You also smell rain and have the feeling the coming storm is not quite natural.]

[Private to Durgon: Durgon, you have the feeling that the coming storm is not of natural origen. The rider coming towards you is covered in mud and blood as is his horse. Your holy symbol has grown warm against your skin.]

[Private to Maksim Munzuk: Maksim, you can see that the rider is covered in mud and blood as is his horse. He (you can tell it's a male) is riding hard toward your location, but you cannot ascertain his intent at this point.]

Bodric, feet set, swayed back and forth, waiting for the rider to get within range of his throwing axe. "Take'im down Maksim! Let fly!" Bodric yelled to his friend the gnome. He, like the giant half-orc beside him, was ready to exact some revenge for his ruined hometown.

"Brother of the Axe!" Korak says lifting his weapon. "State your will or DIE!"

Durgon looked at the rider the best he could.  He suddenly had a feeling this rider may be running from something else. One rider after all did not cause this damage before him he thought.  He saw the storm in the distance and yelled to the rider "Who are you and what do you want? Speak now or I will attack!" he said as he pulled his mace back ready to swing if the rider showed any aggression.

Agelia opens her mouth to speak several times, but Durgon's words match the ones she wishes to speak enough that she merely keeps quiet.  Well, for now.

The rider did not slow, he got to within sixty yards, then fifty, then forty, continuing to kick the horse to move faster, but the horse had nothing left to give.

"Flee! Flee!" he shouted in a raspy voice. "Flee for your lives! You will all die!"

He was now close enough for everyone to see he was covered in mud and was bleeding from several nasty-looking wounds. It looked like he still had bits of chainmail on as well as a tattered burgundy cloak. The horse as well had been wounded. There was bloody foam coming from its nostrils and sweaty lather covered its front end and back legs. From somewhere behind the rider came a low rumbling sound as of thunder but growing instead of fading.

OOC: Round 2, starts with you Durgon!

Maksim heard his friend's words to fire on the rider but something stayed his hand. Then hearing the rider's words the gnome looked to the apparent storm, "Thunder didn't cause those injuries... RIDER! WHAT COMES?"

---

OOC: Maksim holds his shot for whatever is chasing the rider trusting his friends to deal with the rider if he proves a threat.

"Flee? flee to where? From the looks of it you have been fleeing yet it still comes." Durgon yelled at the rider. "What is this unnatural thing that gives chase perhaps the lot of us can help stop it?"

As the rider closed to within axe-throwing distance, the rider's horse, which had obviously borne him as best as it was able, faltered and it's front legs wobbled and could no longer keep up. The creature gave one last valiant effort to stay afoot, but alas, it was spent and beyond. It had tried as valiantly as it had been able and now it fell with an equine scream of frustration at having failed its master and also... it was a whine of terror.

The rider tried to shift his weight backwards and support the faltering horse's head. It was not enough though and the horse went down in the narrow road that made its way as the main avenue through the small town of Gilgamar. The rider, perhaps prepared for this eventuality only not expecting it yet, tried to roll clear of the horse. The road would not allow it and he slid on his chest and dented helm to within ten yards of the party. Somehow he'd kept hold of the bearded axe and slowly brought himself to his feet. He did not look like he was in any better condition than his horse. Without a word he turned to the downed animal and with a mighty swing of his axe, ended the animal's misery. When he turned back to the party there were streaks running down his cheeks through the mud.

"May my horse's blood buy us a few more minutes of life," he declared, "We must try to find a place to make a final stand! Quickly now, make haste!" The rider, terribly worse for wear, began running in the direction he'd been previously traveling, ignoring the threats of Korak, Bodric, Maksim and Durgon. He went right past Agelia, running as fast as his broken body could carry him and urging her with his eyes to follow as best as she was able.

Then the crashing of trees and the building, oncoming rumble reached its crescendo as two enormous creatures burst forth into view at the end of the road leading into the ruined village.  [To Be Continued]

OOC: sorry gang, I'm falling asleep and wrote the same words about six different ways in that last paragaph and can't do it. I'll post tomorrow night after my 2nd day of class.

[Private to Agelia Redstart: Your holy symbol just went from warm to hot as the creatures left the cover of the forest and began running towards you!]

[Private to Durgon: Your holy symbol just went from warm to hot as the creatures left the cover of the forest and began running towards you!]

"There is something unnatural about them!" Durgon yelled to the others.  "The Lady Autumn has laid upon my heart a warning of great importance! Be wary of these two." Durgon raised his equipment and tried to get a better idea of what the creatures may be as he began to prepare for a clash.

[...Continued.]

The Usher: There are stories told around the fire at night to frighten the children or rookie recruits. They tell of nightmarish creatures, aberrations with extra limbs or deadly abilities. The reason these stories are scary is due more to the atmosphere and skill of the storyteller than from much truth of such beasts truly existing. The beasts that stepped forth on the far north end of the small isolated town of Gilgamar were stepping right out of a nightmare into the companions' reality...

Upon finding themselves free of the trees, the two beasts stopped for a moment. This gave the companions a good look at them and set their hearts racing as frantically as anything they'd ever experienced before. Two or three more lightning strikes shattered the air around the ruined town, but the rag-tag adventurers likely did not even notice, so riveted was there gaze upon the beasts.

As of something from their worst nightmares, the beasts snorted and sniffed. Both stood taller than a Gilgamar house and both were the color of terror. The one on the left pawed the ground with a sharp hoof, sending massive chunks of earth flying in the air above it. It had the body of a boar but its head was massively deformed. Its mouth was shaped more like that of a crocodile, although it still had arm-length tusks and a blunt boar-like snout. On its head were two glowing red orbs, narrowly set eyes. It was a collection of rage and teeth which knew nothing resembling fear or self-preservation.

The other creature was perhaps even more frightening. It seemed to be dog-like only its feet were clawed more like those of a cat. It had two heads which slavered, drooled and snapped. One of them dropped to sniff the ground, obviously on the trail of the rider and his horse. The tail of the beast was perhaps two wagon-lengths long and raised itself up like a striking snake for it truly had the head of a serpent upon its end. A long forked tongue shot out and in, tasting and testing the air.

The rider was now shouting something to the others, but he could not tell if they could hear or not. For the most part though the companions were emotionally drained and where their senses should have been screaming at them to flee or shutting them down out of self-preservation, they were instead just numb.

OOC: So yes, pretty freaky and intimidating. You have no doubt that the rider was doing the right thing by fleeing these suckers. I'm going to roll saving throws for you all in the interest of time. Flame me if that doesn't work for you and I'll let you do your own next time. ;-)

Save -vs- Wave of Fear (Paralysis).
The Usher, on behalf of Bodric Battlebelly, rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.
The Usher, on behalf of Korak, rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.
The Usher, on behalf of Durgon, rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14.
The Usher, on behalf of Agelia Redstart, rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.
The Usher, on behalf of Maksim Munzuk, rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19.

Wow, perhaps you guys should always have me roll! Only Agelia is paralyzed and she only missed it by one!

PM's to follow...

[Private to Durgon: Not "unnatural" but rather "supernatural"!  Your symbol is hot and you can feel the evil spread from the creatures like a wave towards you. Horrible as they are though, there's something even more evil in the vicinity. Your senses toward that kind of thing are bolstered by your symbol. If this has ever happened before to your character, please narrate it sometime in the upcoming story, it doesn't have to be right away, perhaps if Durgon survives he could tell it around a campfire... ;-)]

[Private to Agelia Redstart: These things are pure evil and it has paralyzed you. Please narrate if anything like this has happened to your character before. You're basically unable to function for three turns... You may attempt another saving throw each round (TN14) to break out of the fear...]

[Private to Korak: So this is pretty scary stuff. Please narrate if Korak has ever experienced anything like this. Also, you notice Agelia has gone pale and isn't blinking.]

[Private to Maksim Munzuk: So this is pretty scary stuff. Please narrate if Maksim has ever experienced anything like this. Also, you notice Agelia has gone pale and isn't blinking.  You know of a place near the southwest end of town where you all might hide in the rocks, at least for a while... that is, if you can get there!]

"Unnatural? You gotta be kidding me. Why they look downright friendly..." Bodric, ever the optimist was just as surprised as the others and felt the unwelcome prickles of fear down his back. As he watched the aberrations before him, one of the dog looking heads lowered down enough to scoop up the body of one of the slain villagers and begin crunching on it. The dwarf gasped in shock and disgust, suddenly realizing that these creatures must have been what attacked Gilgamar.

Bodric looked around him. The forest obviously was no cover, they needed good solid earth or stone for a barrier. He wracked his brains trying to remember a spot in the area to fall back to, but nothing came to mind.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Wed 09 Oct 2013.

Durgon felt the heat from his the acorn he wore around his neck.  "What? Can it be? My mother told me of this happening before." He shifted his gaze toward the symbol almost in disbelief. "My mother said sometimes the Lady's Acorn would put off heat when something supernatural was nearby." He looked at Bodric. "Not unnatural, SUPERNATURAL!" he yelled to the group.