The four heroes of Stormhaven were not at peace, with themselves, or even with each other entirely.  So many unanswered questions, so many options, fate was as usual a mysterious and sometimes cruel mistress.  A grudging majority, with time ticking on how long it would be before someone came to question or arrest them for the attempted assassination of the Lord Mayor adding pressure, it was decided to listen to Drusilla, and seek out Ingelbern.


In the days and weeks that followed their disappearance, many stories and clues were uncovered.  Half a dozen people swore they saw them leaving by a main gate, sadly, for the investigators, it was every gate leaving the city.  The gate guards themselves, swore no one left by their gates.   All searches led to nothing, no real evidence, no reliable witness, neither magic nor legwork led to any idea as to how or where the four suspects had gone. Some friends, some magics, some luck, may have been involved.


The real story is less amazing.  Heading to Peryn's Crag, the best direction was through the Witchlight and the Glades and out into the swamps.  An area where many friends were, and ones who did not like to share much with the city.  In dark night, on a skiff, they slipped through the swamps far beyond they'd gone before, until the water became too thick and brackish to push through.  Then they slugged through the muck until the land began to rise, into the very base of the Forlorn Hills.

Here, to turn east, would lead to rising hills and the Demonstone, and Calvrix's Keep even, but to the west of the these hills, they would follow hills, rising to great mountains, and beyond into unknown lands.

Whatever lie behind, a new adventure lie before....

The four adventurers find a certain relief to being on the move, outdoors but away from the many recent mysteries that have cropped up in their city.   Knowing though they might be followed, and despite a master Ranger's abilities to cover their tracks, the group presses on the whole of the next day.  Following on the western side of the low foothills, staying to the rocky paths, across boulders and scree wherever possible to leave little trace of passing.  By nightfall, the hills are growing higher.  The first night is spent in a little natural shelter formed by three large boulders, they help block the wind that sweeps in from the coastland, bringing with it the occasional whiff of saltwater, and the  promise of storms.
The first night is quiet enough, and dry, and rest comes easy.

On the second day, the trail becomes more distinct, man made and easy to follow although it rises and falls along the base of ever growing mountains.  By early evening, the mountains are so large they begin to cast shadows across the landscape, and you get the sense, you will be walking on those dark shadows for much of the rest of your march to Pyrin's Crag.  It is here that the trail splits, one way heads down, perhaps towards the sea, or just to follow more along the base of the mountain, the other rising in a series of steps following a rise in the mountain.

There are runes written on a stone at each path entrance.

Does anyone know dwarvish?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:21, Fri 08 Nov 2019.

These first days out of Stormhaven, Rath tromped along uneasily, though without complaint. He frequently turned to look behind them, in the general direction of the city, even after it was invisible in the distance. Even more frequently, he took out that infernal compass and eyed its needle. His dark thoughts were a cloud behind his eyes.

Among the rocks, at camp that first night, with the ocean smell and the quiet, he poked at the fire. "Damn few in Stormhaven whose opinions I give a rat's-ass about," he announced. "They wanna call me assassin ... well, what they call me don't change what I am. Rose won't believe it, anyway. Hells, she wouldn't believe it even if it was true." He gave Marissa a sorry look. "But it's gonna be rough waters for you and your mama, I think. And Musfara ... it just pisses me off, is all, that they muddied you with this." (It wasn't that he forgot about Inas. Rath just figured the ranger was in Rath's camp -- uninterested in public opinion and honor, though perhaps for very different reasons.)

"Still, I'm thinking about Ben's mama and her brood, for some reason. Wondering what they think of the accusations."

---

Rath had no knowledge of dwarven runes, and the magic to decipher them was still out of his reach. "What do you make of those?" he asked his companions.

By the time of the first nights camp, Rath checks the compass and it is now facing due east.

Mari's mostly been silent during the start to their sojourn. When Aldo brings up her family, however, she laughs.

"No worries on my mother's account," she said with a proud grin. "She can take care of herself. Before me, there was her riding the high seas. She's got a trove of weapons at her disposal hidden throughout her clothing. I pity anyone who might try to close with her."

"As for me, well, I'm currently in good hands with boon companions and my spear. What more does a lady need?"

Although Inas does not speak dwarven, a close look at the runes reveal he has seen these before on roads and paths before in his vast travels.  They generally mean, free path  and  toll road .     The lower path is marked free.

"Nothing free is easy," Rath observed. "Well, some things are. But, anyway, I say we take the toll road." Obviously, he cedes to Inas' opinion, as the ranger is much better at making a judgment when diverging paths are concerned.

"The toll road'll be better traveled.  Not sure we want our whereabouts known, but doubt that it'll do much harm this far from Stormhaven."

The ranger shrugs.  "Six to one, half dozen to the other.  If you prefer the toll road, that's as good a reason as any to take it."

The party takes the high road, moving up stairs and even a few switchbacks, but the path is wide and smooth, excellently constructed.  Once it has risen about 200 feet above the valley floor, it levels out, becoming a real road.   You could run a horse and carriage along it.  For next few hours, the party makes excellent time as they move along the edge of the mountainside.  After two hours, an arch of stones of some great size comes into view.  Beyond it, from this distance, you can see the road continues on, but also splits and rises even higher into the mountain.  After another fifteen or twenty minutes of walking, you can see figures standing beneath arch, armored dwarves.

Inas notes the dwarves' presence, and continues to the arch.

The dwarves stand pretty resolute as the party approaches, seeming to take little note of their progress until you are only a dozen feet away, at which time one steps forward and speaks in dwarven in a deep voice.

Close up, the three dwarves are all dressed in heavy armor, and carrying large axes on their backs.  They have deep red beards, and are stout strong looking men.

Getting no response in dwarven, he tries again in common,

"Welcome travelers, what is your business and destination upon the Western Road?"

"We seek the other side, guardian," Mari said with quiet dignity. "We are looking for a friend and were told he came this way."

The dwarf nods, and pulls out a leather bound book,

in a thick accent, "Five gold ducets each, for full passage along the low road.  Follow the signs that look like this..." He holds open the book to a page that has a symbol with an axe with three slashes across the blade, "..if you make haste, you'll reach the low shelter by dark, the toll includes safe passage and a bed and fresh water at the shelter.  Sign in here, coins first, if your friend came this way, the name will be in this book".


ooc:  Assuming you pay, and sign, a quick look at the book does indeed reveal, on the page before, two names you recognize,  Inglebern, and Derien, the Doorwarden for the Wizards Guild, signed in one after the other.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:25, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

Inas points at the names of greatest interest to the party.

"Do you have any idea how long ago these two passed through?"

The dwarf squints at the names, and then turns and talks to his two comrades for a moment, "Best guess is about two months ago".

When everyone has signed and money turned over, the dwarf takes the book back, glancing at, then frowning,  he hands each person back their coins.

"Next time, announce who yeh are, your money is no good here, you are always welcome in the Mountain Home.  If you are in a hurry, I could have some stout hill country ponies waiting for you at the shelter"

"Well, an unexpected courtesy," Mari said. "You have my thanks, at the least, though I'd be glad to supplement your pay. Still, I know there's pride involved, and reputation, so if thanks will suffice you have it in more than spades."

So saying, she bows to the gatekeeper in the formal way of dwarves as thanks.

Rath had been about to drop the coins, despite the offer of free passage. He had more than a life-time's worth of wealth, after all. But when a dwarf turns down gold, you listen to him, because it's about something more important than gold, and, for a dwarf, that's pretty damned important.

So he nodded his thanks. "We might be in a hurry. I won't forget your help."

He waited until after they were on the move again to ask Saliq. "Any idea why the Doorwarden came this way? Got to say, that bothers me and I can't say why."

As predicted, the road is smooth and well made, and makes for easy travelling.  You pass several paths heading down and a few stairs and few roads heading up, but each is marked and it is easy to follow the axe with three slashes.  It just about dusk when a large stone house comes into view, built just a few yards off the roadway.  There are already lights inside.  To one side is a small stone stable with a wooden roof, and four stout ponies are hitched up inside, poking their heads out the open half doors.

Inside, there are 20 beds, only two of which are occupied by tall slender elves.  There is a well in one corner, full to the rim with cold clear water, and several tables with comfortable chairs.  The two elves are seated at one table enjoying a meal and drinks.

there is a small staircase leading up to a closed loft, and from there a dwarf emerges.  "Ah, you are expected, I have hot stew, and beer.  There is another well around back if you wish to wash up before settling for the night.  Pick any beds you want.".  She speaks near flawless common.

"Many thanks, sister," Mari replied. "We are tired, and hungry." So saying, she heads to the well outside to wash her arms and face. When she returns, she'll have whatever's on the menu.

Saliq shook his head at Rath's question. 'No, unfortunately not. I've been more often away from the Guild than present... I admit I'd hoped to build up more of a presence there but that seems unlikely at the moment. I'd advise caution until we can find out more.'

The illusionist appears pleased with their quarters and gives a courtly bow to the dwarf lady. 'Thank you, we appreciate all this.' He can't help but reflect how the treatment contrasts with Stormhaven!

After taking time to clean the dust off, and settle in, a fine simple meal and rich beer is served.  The food is odd, spice wise, but filling.

As you finish your meal, one of the elves walks over, and nods,

"Greetings, fellow travelers, may we join you for a round of drinks before we retire?".

"Sure," Inas says. "Take a seat."

Inas is a bit wary.  He usually is, but . . . while he has a respect and appreciation for the elves (given their common interests), he has not known them to typically be outgoing.

The two elves pull up chairs, and sit down, producing a bottle of wine to share if anyone wishes some.

Their common tongue is not perfect, but they are surprisingly friendly for elves, and eager to practice the language.  They introduce themselves as Aldon and Dalyor, elves of the Great Forest.  They have paid to take the road through the Mountain Home and under the mountain, heading eventually to Wildelands to the east.  There is rumored to be an elven nomadic tribe that lives in that far land and they are seeking to confirm their existence.


A pleasant enough conversation is had (please feel free to elaborate on it or not) before they head off to rest for the night.

After a good nights rest, the party sets to leave in the morning.  The mountain ponies are already out front and are saddled, each has a small pack with an oat mix of food for the animals.   In no time at all, you are moving quickly along the road.   Although the little ponies don't run, they keep a smooth and steady pace and require very little control.   Only when you come to a split in the road, either one heading up or down, do they slow down and wait for some nudge of foot or pull on a reign to guide them.

The day is cool and clear, and the views below the mountain are beautiful.  The mountainside dropping away to a stretch of land, sometimes clumps of forest, mostly large rolling plains of grassland, and in the far distance, a deep blue sea.  You pass several resting areas with wells for both travelers and their mounts.  After midday you pass another resting home.

You only pass a few other groups of travelers and all them dwarves.  One crew in  particular looks like they are inspecting the roads.

The further you travel the more you can see a huge mass of green dominating the land to the northwest, it is the largest forest you have ever seen.

Before dark, the path begins to slowly head downward, and even as the long shadows of the mountain ingulf you.  You see an archway, and several dwarven guards.  It appears you have reached the end of the toll road.

By now, the compass is reading southeast.

The guards wave on through the gate, and you soon find you are back on a more traditional road, mostly packed dirt, that follows between the looming peaks of mountains and an ever thickening forest.  The ponies seem to never tire and you make it some distance from the gate before darkness begins to fall.  It is as the shadows of the mountain creep across the landscape that Inas quietly catches everyone's eyes, and indicates that something is following the party, staying parallel within the cover of the forest.

Inas retrieves and activates his figurine, commanding it to fly and spy.

Marissa keeps her eyes front, but loosens her spear from the holser at her thigh.

It only takes a few moments for the owl to fly up above the forest, then circle near silently down through the canopy and find what is tracking the party.   Although Inas can see it too in his minds eye, he isn't sure what is it.  Though as large and grey as a stone giant, it has few features other than basic humanoid shape, head, legs, arms.  Only one eye, and one gash that must be a mouth adorn its face.  It has only three toes and  three fingers on its huge feet and hands.   And surprisingly, it moves through the thick woods with very little disturbance.

Inas describes what he sees. "I-- have no idea what it is.  Could be an elemental force of stone . . . "

"What does it look like?" Mari asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Mon 25 Nov 2019.

"It's large and grey, basically humanoid.  It has one eye, and three toes and fingers.  It's big -- as big as a stone giant, and just as grey.  And despite that bulk, it's moving rather deftly through the woods." 

"Delightful," she murmured. "Did you happen to notice any weaponry, perhaps a maul or club of some sort?"

Rath was little concerned with the creature of stone. It was at least a tangible threat, if a threat it was, which was a relief in contrast to the machinations and mysteries they had been dealing with.

"I say we take the direct approach. It's following, not attacking. So let's go see what the damned thing wants." He smirked. "And if it wants a fight, well, I don't mind obliging."

"Let me get some directions."  He tries to ascertain direction and distance to the mysterious creature.

As the owl takes another sweep through the trees, Inas guesses the creature is about 75 feet behind the group and another 25 deep into the woods.

Saliq was looking pensive. 'I suspect I know what we are facing. I have read of Vengeance Golem, horrifically powerful constructs created and controlled by ancient Magi. They were used specifically to hunt down one target.'

"Yay us!  I guess there's no point in trying to avoid it."


Inas readies his bow and some of his enchanted arrows.

As each member of the group turns and grabs weapons or braces themselves, the forest near them seems to shiver and then part.  The creature that emerges is a walking nightmare, some 18 feet tall, its mouth when opened shows two short tusks, and its only eye seems fixed as solid glass.  It resonates with power and strength.

"Spread out!" Inas shouts, hoping that doing so will help the party determine who the pre-determined target is (as if it matters).  At the same time, he fires a salvo of three enchanted arrows at the creature.



11:28, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 9,7 using d20+3,d6+4.  Attack 1A.

11:28, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 21,10 using d20+3,d6+4.  Attack 1B.

11:28, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 22,8 using d20+3,d6+4.  Attack 1C.

Mari tries to speak to it in Giantish as she rushes away from the others and readies her spear.

Despite Inas' command, Rath stood firm near Saliq, interposing himself between the wizard and the creature. Rath wasn't sure yet who this thing was after, if it was after any of them. He grabbed Devilsbane, his trident, comfortable with it in his grip, and leveled it toward the giant brute.

Despite Inas' testimony that the creature was moving quickly and rather gracefully through the forest, it moves now with slow steady determination.  The arrows bury deep into it with dull thuds but it does not react nor bleed, nor does it seem to hear Marissa's words,  but makes a steady path towards Saliq and Rath, to come to stand before them staring down.

ooc: The Vengeance Golem used it's turn to move into place, round two belongs to the PC's first. 

Marissa has no idea what a vengeance golem is, but it appears she's about to find out. Using the power of the helm, she calls forth a magical flame that wreaths her spear.

ooc: good for 8 rounds - damage bonus like flame tongue.

Rath looked up a the monster, staring into its one eye. His trident was in hand, but he wasn't stabbing the thing, at least not at this moment. He threw down a divine ward on Saliq -- a spell of sanctuary, to keep the wizard safe. Maybe.

With a smirk, Rath asked the golem: "You want something?"

The giant form of the golem stands steady a moment, then swings its massive and long arms out, one clubbing Rath on the head, one swooping past the warrior and slapping Saliq.  It is like being hit by the side of a mountain.  There is something so impersonal about the attacks, so cold and distant, it creates some feeling that rises in your mind.  This thing will kill you all, and there is nothing you can do to harm it.





Vengeance Golem   AC: 5   HP's:  -25/x

Rath takes 23 damage, Saliq takes 15

PC       AC    HP   AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes

Inas     2   89/89   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Rath     2   67/44   2   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Saliq    7   30/15   3   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Marissa  2   71/71   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4


PC's are up

Mari circles around and attacks from the rear...quite literally. She tries to plunge the blade of the spear into the beasty's backside.

17:01, Today: Marissa Ehridol rolled 24 using 1d20+4 ((20)).

17:05, Today: Marissa Ehridol rolled 14 damage.

Nice! Shoved her spear right up the the bastard's bum.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Thu 05 Dec 2019.

Nat 20's are max damage, the flametongue effect makes the item, even non-magical to have the same abilities as the sword of that name, and does an additional 1d6 in fire damage.

While his first salvo had no effect, Inas assumes it is due to the nature's artificial status -- the magic on his arrows should be sufficient to pierce any resistance it might have to ordinary weapons.

Inas sinks two more enhanced arrows into the creature's side.



08:59, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 19,5 using d20+3,d6+4.  Round 2A.


08:59, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 10,8 using d20+3,d6+4.  Round 2B.

Saliq retreats out of range of the golem's arms.

'If it's hunting us specifically we might be able to trick it into thinking it's done it's job,' he called out to the others. 'Keep it occupied until I see a chance.'

Rath snarled. "Occupied. Right."

Shaking off the brunt of the attack, Rath hurled himself forward, a master of the trident, putting his full strength into each thrust.

2 attacks with specialization. Hits twice (barely) for total of 24 damage.

17:01, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 12 using 3d4+4.  damage #2.
17:01, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 12 using 3d4+4.  damage #1.
16:59, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  attack #2.
16:59, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  attack #1.

Rath, Marissa, and Inas all land an assortment of brutal hits against the golem.  Only Inas, who is firing arrows, doesn't end up spending half the round tugging furiously to pull the weapons out of the monsters claylike body.  Luckily both Marissa and Rath are strong enough they manage this time to retrieve their weapons.  For its part, the creature again does not react at all, seeming not to notice any pain and showing very little actual damage from the blows.  There are some nicks on it, but the clay seems to seal up almost as soon as the weapons do their damage.

Again, almost casually, the creature thumps Rath twice more with its huge fists, rocking the solid warrior nearly to his knees.





Vengeance Golem   AC: 5   HP's:  -76/x

Rath takes 33 damage

PC       AC    HP   AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes

Inas     2   89/89   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Rath     2   67/11   2   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Saliq    7   30/15   3   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Marissa  2   71/71   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4


PC's are up

Marissa rushes to Rath's aid: Cure Serious Wounds: 12 HP of healing.

Once done, she retreats quickly.

When Marissa casts her divine spell, her hands glow and the healing magic that flows through her, crackles and spreads across Rath, but does not sink in, it fizzles upon his flesh and slowly fades away.

Upon seeing Marissa's attempt fail, Inas tries a most counter-intuitive action.

He retrieves some normal arrows -- arrows that he had not yet enhanced with the feather -- and lets a trio fly.

At first, it seems that the experiment will fail, as Inas is unable to hit the target.  But finally, his last arrow finds its way into the beast's neck.





08:45, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 5,4 using d20+1,d6+2.  Round 3A.


08:45, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 5,7 using d20+1,d6+2.  Round 3B.

08:45, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 9,6 using d20+1,d6+2.  Round 3C.

As the party seems to freeze up, unsure what to do against this force of nature, Inas tries a different tactic with his arrows, but with similar results.  Marissa attempt to heal Rath but to no avail.  And just as Rath and Saliq seem about to act, the creature moves with unusual speed, hitting first Rath and then taking a mighty step forward to hit Saliq.  Both men collapse under the weight of the assault.

It appears the creature might just kill everyone but as Saliq falls, the glass eye in the golems forehead flickers to life, and a white beam of light like from a bright lantern surveys the body before going dark again.

Immediately, the creature turns and walks back into the woods, heading back the way it came.




Vengeance Golem   AC: 5   HP's:  -82/x

Rath takes 16 damage, Saliq takes 21 damage

PC       AC    HP   AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes

Inas     2   89/89   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Rath     2   67/-5   2   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4
Saliq    7   30/-6   3   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Marissa  2   71/71   3   14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4


PC's are up

Inas groans as he commands his owl to scout -- just in case whoever controlled the golem is now on his way, believing that Saliq is incapacitated (or worse).

At the same time he rushes to Saliq's and Rath's side to check on their health . . .

Inas finds both men unconscious and bleeding to death.  Between he and Marissa though they manage to bind the wounds to stop further damage but find that they cannot heal them.

His owl scout follows the creature but it is heading south at a fast clip and does not seem likely to stop any time soon.

"Makes no sense," Mari said as she bound her companions' wounds. "A warning, do you think?






'

"Why just them, I wonder?"

He looks about.

"Where are we?  Or more importantly: what are we near that might be able to render aid?"

With the threat seemingly gone, Inas and Marissa take stock.  Luckily, they still have the stout ponies, so with some effort they should be able to move Rath and Saliq safely with them.   Peryn's Crag was their destination and judging by where they stand now, it is probably as close to them as the dwarves are that they left behind.

"Let's keep going," Inas decides.

He directs his owl to serve as a literal "eyes in the sky," monitoring to make sure nothing else approaches from behind.

Rath moaned. Or maybe that was the pony.

Inas and Marissa work together to load Saliq and Rath onto their ponies, as comfortably as they can although each moan from time to time.  Each riding one pony and leading another, the two move off in the direction of Peryn's Crag.   Knowing little of the place, they wonder why the Seneschal of Stormhaven and the Doorwarden of the Mages Guild would go there in the first place.

The evening shadows lengthen and the well worn path becomes rougher than what the dwarves maintained, however, the ponies are sure-footed and seem to know the way.  Rath and Saliq continue to moan when they are jostled along the ride, proof enough they still live but hard to listen to.

As evening shifts to night, a sky full of stars and a near full moon light the way, but it remains cold and the forest ever encroaches, sometimes engulfing the path.  In what must be near midnight, Inas and Marissa sees pinpricks of light, seeming floating in the air like a line.  As they round another bend and come out from some of the tree cover, Peryn's Crag looms before them, a small city lit up against the night sky.  Despite the hour, figures can be seen moving about the main street, it appears very active for the nighttime.


OOC: I am going to open a new thread for Peryn's Crag, so please hold off posting until I open that one up. Thx.