Any food or drink Caswell may have partaken in evacuates from him stomach at the sight of the boys wound. After he gathers himself he examines the shape of it and through near wretches he says "I think... I... may have seen this... symbol in the book about demons... I found.
  Caswell spouts lore using bag of books.

20:56, Today: Caswell Blackhart rolled 10 using 2d6+3.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Wed 24 Aug 2016.

Goran grips the pommel of his sword and remains vigilant, but, otherwise, he doesn't have much to add to the current situation.

Caswell closely studies the runes and confidently translates them as:

Nergal, lord of plague, master of pestilence, gives you his blessing.

As Caswell reads them aloud there are murmurs of panic among the villagers. Many of them gather any belonging they have brought and leave the Gobi. "Danst, Lorn, help him to my hut" Forick the herbalist says to the two men that carried Klude in.

Once Klude is carried out, most of the remaining patrons leave. The Bar maid that had attempted to poison the party steps up and says "Oi me lords. 'at ol nasty fing put a damper on tha evnin. The inn keep says we'v gotta shut down for tha night, else Ea be angry wiv us. Funny how no one speaks o' tha gods unless'in sumfin like this 'appens. Any way, have a pleant evnin me lords."

With that, the party retired to their quarters for the evening.

[Please feel free to post any other interactions or anything else you did during that encounter]

The next morning the party has regrouped at the Grinning Gobi to discuss last nights events. As the bar maid scrubs blood from the table that held Klude (Strange she didn't have that nasty cough last night), Forick the herbalist enters the inn. "I Was hoping you might be here. Master Keenan, Master Goran, Master Caswell!" he says pale faced. "Klude is showing symptoms of plague!"

What do you do?

Goran watches the grim display surrounding Klude and then retires to his room for the night, taking a clay jug of wine with him. Before he gets into bed, he sharpens his weapons and polishes his armor; they don't need to be pretty, but they need to be effective. Once they're battle-ready, he helps himself to one more snack of fresh mushrooms and smoked cheese and then goes to sleep.

The next morning, Goran gathers with his two comrades-in-arms for breakfast. He's wearing his full armor once again, with his shield strapped across his back and his sword on his belt. He also has his hair pulled up into his usual mohawk, looking like he's ready for some action. He has a simple plan, but one he promotes passionately: to gather as many men and women as possible and take the fight directly to the acolytes of Nergal, confronting the survivors at Dunmorrow Keep. He even suggests sending word to nearby settlements, asking for assistance, especially from those who can spare clerics and other holy warriors.

However, things change when Forick rushes in and informs the party of Klude's illness. He stands from his seat and devours the rest of his "breakfast ale," slamming the empty steel mug down on the wooden table. "We're gonna have to quarantine the village, and keep everyone here separated from each other. Someone needs to let Rowin Vern and the council of elders know about this right away!"

After the events at the Gobi, Keenan did not retire to his room. He tells his companions, "I'll be back by morning." Then he leaves the inn and stealthily makes his way back to the cultist's keep. Once there he hides in a tree and stakes out the area to see if he can gain any clues as to what the cult has been doing this past week.

As he swiftly moves trough the forest with the full moon over his head, Keenan reflects on how good it feels to back back in the wild. He's spent too much time in a soft bed, more than enough time around civilization in general...

Keenan Arrow-Eye rolled 14 using 2d6+2 ((6,6)).

What happened here recently?
What here isn't what it appears?
What here is valuable to me?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:41, Wed 24 Aug 2016.

   Caswell goes immediately to the library where he has been staying more often than not. He's nearly read every book the small library has to offer and feels doubts there is anything useful in the books that remain. Eventually he falls asleep at a reading desk.
    In the morning at the Gobi he is surprised when the Dwarf is one step ahead of him on every thought that is about to leave his mouth. He thinks to himself "I need to start sleeping better."

08:51, Today: Caswell Blackhart rolled 8 using 2d6+2 ((5,1)).

"Plague makes sense from a demon. Demons are chaotic by nature vs their devil counterparts who are Lawful. While Devils enjoy the torture of one or a few. Demons feed off hysteria, mass woe. The more people effected the better."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Wed 24 Aug 2016.

What happened here recently?

Keenan is able to find signs of something large being moved, either into the keep or out away from it.

What here isn't what it appears?

It looks like someone has attempted to make the keep look like there has not been an increase in activity, but Keenan can tell that there has been alot of foot traffic to and from the keep.

What here is valuable to me?

Keenan is able to scout and setup several sniper nests around the keep. [Each one will give you a +1 to volly once, then you must move on]

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Goran listens to Caswell's expertise in these matters, curious to learn more; the last demons (and their worshipers) were cast out from Unduzur centuries ago, and Goran has never encountered one personally. None have ever tried to return in the time since, because of how numerous and powerful Unduzur's priests are. They're actually too numerous and powerful, in Goran's opinion, which is one reason he now makes his living on the surface.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:37, Thu 25 Aug 2016.

After napping in a tree, Keenan swings down to the ground and makes the trek back to Tono. He enters the Grinning Gobi just as Forick the herbalist is informing his ally's about Klude's condition.

"The Nergal cult has been busy," Keenan adds as soon as Forick is finished. "It appears our interference has forced their hand. From what I could glean, my guess is the cult may have moved to a new lair. Forick, can your knowledge cure this plague?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 12:16, Thu 25 Aug 2016.

Forrick's expression does not look promising. "The only poultice I know that may be able to remedy this affliction is made from the bark of the lichwood, but I fear the task is to grave. No one who has ever left seeking the lichwood has ever returned!"

What do you do?

"I could return to Dunmorrow Keep and try to track the cult to it's new sanctum, but succumbing to plague during the hunt would accomplish little. We may have no choice but to seek out this remedy first."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:05, Thu 25 Aug 2016.

"The elf's right, we're gonna need to treat this plague quickly. Where can we find this lichwood, and why is getting some so dangerous?"

"The grounds are reportedly stalked by undead and other vile creatures," Forrick replies " but you are right I do not see any other option." He notices the local area map that Caswell found in the keep unrolled on the table. "All my sources tell me the lichwood is located here." he says as he marks it on the map. "Hurry my lords, I fear this plague will spreed faster then we realize."

What do you do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:15, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

Caswell says "Well, the good new is 9 out of 10 times local reports are extremely exaggerated but in the 10th occasion the report are typically  downplayed.  Chances are it's just a dark, creepy place that locals avoid.

 I'm trying to play Caswell more to his stats with lacking wisdom while trying to keep him reluctant and scared
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

"Most myths sprout from a seed of truth. I suggest we ready ourselves for a perilous journey ..."

Keenan will quickly eat breakfast, but otherwise he's ready to go

Goran's already dressed for adventure, and he heads to his room to recover his traveling gear. When he returns, he (politely) commands Forrick to go to Rowin Vern and the other elders, to let them know of the party's plans and the necessity of enacting a village-wide quarantine.

Caswell looks uneasy after Keenan's comment. He stares at his boiled eggs and salted pork but seems uninterested in eating any longer.  You can't tell if he is going to be ill or if he is trying to hide his fear. Maybe a little of both. Caswell abruptly stands up and says, "We better get moving now or I can't guarantee I would be able to propell my feet to move forward."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:14, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

Keenan places a comforting hand on the wizard's shoulder, "Have heart Caswell. This is a dangerous path you walk, but you do not walk it alone." He then directs his attention to the ceiling. "Zyph, to me!" From his hidden perch in the rafters the hawk obeys his master, swooping down to land on Keenan's shoulder. "We must make haste, time is our greatest foe."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:46, Sat 27 Aug 2016.

The party sets out on the perilous journey, heading east towards the lichwood.

[Time for a perilous journey roll. Who will act as trailblazer, who will scout ahead, and who will quartermaster?]

This plague will spread faster then what our heroes realize.

[Tono is now set with 25 HP. Each time you are delayed, I will roll 'damage' to see how the plague has ravaged the village in your absence.]


Once you know who is taking on what role, please make your rolls. [They are all +wis]

12:02, Today: Goran rolled 6 using 2d6

Goran is more worried about getting the job done than preparing for a long, drawn-out journey, so the party has to consume a ration on their way to the Lichwood.

Along the way, Goran has a conversation with Caswell. "So, kid, I've been meaning to ask ya... What did you do with those capsules you took from the Keep?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:50, Sat 27 Aug 2016.

Thanks to Keenan's trailblazing, the party is able to make the days journey to the lichwood in just over half a day.

Caswell's scouting got you to the lichwood without running into trouble, but he also did not gather any valuable information to give you any advantage.

Goran was more concerned with getting the party to the lichwood then conserving food, so each member must consume 2 rations

[Since Keenan got the party to the lichwood so quickly, i will only roll a 1d4 to see how the plague as spread in Tono. 06:53, Today: The Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d4 ((2))]

As the party nears the lichwood, the surrounding area becomes an overgrown swamp. They are slogging through ankle deep muck and fighting chest high weeds and scrub.

[To move things along I will make a roll for everyone, roll+wis
06:59, Today: The Dungeon Master, on behalf of Keenan Arrow-Eye, rolled 8 using 2d6+2 ((1,5)).
07:00, Today: The Dungeon Master, on behalf of Goran, rolled 4 using 2d6 ((3,1)).
07:00, Today: The Dungeon Master, on behalf of Goran, rolled 4 using 2d6 ((3,1)).]

With little warning, two pink tendrils shoot out of the tall scrub and muck, entangling Goran arms and legs and leaving Keenan and Caswell helpless to prevent it.

WHAT DO YOU DO!?

Goran growls in surprise and slashes his sword at the most vulnerable tendril.

06:21, Today: Goran rolled 14 using 2d6+2 ((6,6)).

Goran will risk a counterattack in exchange for dealing extra damage.

06:22, Today: Goran rolled 18 using 1d10+1d6+1d4+1 ((10,5,2)).

Goran deals 18 damage, severing one tendril completely from whatever it's connected to.

Caswell was startled by Gorans sudden yell and swings his staff with out much thought.


17:30, Today: Caswell Blackhart rolled 7 using 2d6

Surprised with himself Caswell connects with a trendril

17:32, Today: Caswell Blackhart rolled 3 using 1d4 ((3)).

Keenan readies an arrow,and pauses to asses this threat while he waits for a better target to present itself...

Keenan rolled 9 on discern realities and asks what here is valuable or useful to me.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:34, Mon 29 Aug 2016.

Goran, surprised my the tendrils begins slashing with his sword and frees his entangled arm, only to have two more sets of tendrils snake out and wrap up both his arms.

Caswell - not quite knowing what else to do - runs to Goran's aid and begins beating on a set of the tendrils with his staff to little effect.

Keenan knocks an arrow and studies his prey closely. He sends out Zyph to quickly survey the area. The way they move, the way they creep up out of the brush and muck. Keenan realizes he has encountered these creatures one other time, one other place.

CREEPERS!!  [Keenan, take +1 forward acting on this knowledge]

It is now clear that 3 creepers have Goran wrapped up in their intestinal tendrils and are now rising up out of the overgrowth and slime.

WHAT DO YOU DO?