The Badger hums along the road, with Shiaran behind the wheel. Several times the armored car has gone off the road entirely to avoid massive craters. The craters themselves were old enough to have plant life springing up on the edges, and had collected deep pools of rain water. Darius presumed the group was getting close to the trenches of the eastern front of Fildegarne. Darius explained that at one point in time the PCA had pulled a bold maneuver, driving a wedge of troops between Langon and the Argonette. This had effectively cut off supply trading and most forms of communication for months. Along the way, the group notices large patches of grass that are blackened, as if burnt. "PCA resurrection sigils", he explains. "The land carries the taint of the foul magic still, even though the sites haven't been used in around 3 years now".

"If I'm recalling the road correctly, we should only be a few miles from Midway Garrison, where we can get information and stretch our legs for a bit. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm ready to get out of this steel can".

The party left their "camp site" just before dawn, and by Rebort's reckoning of his internal chronometer, it is nearing 15:00 (3PM). The trek has taken far longer than the four hours Kallium had estimated. Recent rains have made the roads slick and muddy, and in several areas the dirt has washed away enough that navigating around it took members of the party getting outside of the Badger and spotting for Shiaran.

Rebort also discovered that by a simple manipulation of the hinges that held the side entry hatches, they could be removed entirely and stored on the small flatbed areas on back of the vehicle. While this left the driver and front passenger exposed, it's done wonders to alleviate the heat that builds up inside the car's cabin. Fildegarne being on the cusp of Autumn, was still experiencing quite a bit of warmth in its day, despite chilled nights and evenings.

The next few miles go as smooth as one could hope, and soon the garrison looms on the horizon. Concrete walls, shorter than the Langdon Navy Yard by half the height, line the perimeter. A guard shack sits next to the gate with a black and yellow striped boom bar sticks out from the shack, drooping all the way to the ground.

As you get closer, you see the walls are heavily pock marked from ordinance and small arms fire. The walls have gun slits in them every 5 foot or so, and many have been blasted nearly open.

As you near the gate, it becomes apparent that the gate is unmanned. The smell of death fills the passenger compartment of the Badger as the car comes to a halt just shy of the guard shack. Carrion eating birds shuffle away from the gate post, and more are spiraling overhead.

"This isn't good. This isn't good at all".
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:53, Tue 11 July 2017.

The morning after leaving the city under siege, Shiaran wakes to find a rolled up parchment by her head rest. There is a small message written on the outside.


R.E.B.O.R.T. is already up and alert as the others begin to rise, and reports nothing of interest passing through the night. Later, as the Badger slows to a halt at the abandoned guard shack, he moves to one of the viewports to see what's going on.

Sypher rouses himself from a night of haunting dreams he can't quite remember now.  He rubs bleary eyes and uncurls himself from his sleeping position.  He says his morning prayer then does a quick equipment check.

Once the morning rituals are completed, the young warrior looks out the windows.  He cannot help but let loose a heavy sigh.  "Is there nothing left of the living on this island?"

Shiaran stretches noisily as she wakes.  Her hair is a study in chaos from the night, but she seems well rested.  She looks around at the others and then out the window and lets out a particularly nasty curse.  From her pack she pulls out a brush and takes the time to straighten her hair.  Once that is done, she pulls it back into a loose ponytail with two separate braids hanging below the low-hanging band.

"Is this even worth stopping for?  This looks like a potentially major delay now, not a place to stop.  We should see to fuel and move on."  Her usually bossy voice seems tempered this morning, almost differential.

"I am merely a passenger and guide on this venture. I will say though that this is unexpected. The garrison is normally well defended, and judging from the birds, it was only recently attacked. If you feel this is worth bypassing though, I won't protest. There may be additional fuel and supplies overlooked though. The choice belongs to the four of you".

"Since we didn't really have a proper chance to gather supplies on the way out, it may be the best opportunity to do so now." He looks around at the destruction. "Plus, we may find a survivor or two."

Shiaran nods and offers no objection.

Upon closer inspection, the guard shack is devoid of life. There are both bullet holes and blood stains marking the inside. Whoever was here was shot at point blank range, and eventually carried off. The pool of blood on the floor has a thick black crust over the top of it, most likely sealing in the worst of the smell so long as it remains undisturbed. A single chair facing out of a window overlooking the road, and a bed for sentries to take turns sleeping and watching the gate are the only objects in the room.

Through the open gate up ahead, the path is crushed rocks. To the immediate left are large artillery pieces. The path continues forward through rows of trees, or veers right towards a long building.

Current position: Approximately T-16 on map
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:50, Fri 19 May 2017.

"We are too exposed out here.  Aegis vlíma."  A shimmer of force surrounds the young woman as a small turtle shell disappears into an arcane mist.  She throws back the flaps of her trenchcoat and draws her pistols, looking around for shooters.  "Let's resupply and get out of here."

]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Fri 19 May 2017.

Sypher draws his sword and ignites the flame.  "Where is the fuel, Master Grintome?"

R.E.B.O.R.T. steps forward, rifle at the ready. He takes a moment to observe his surroundings and see if they have any company of the undead variety.


Anything on the 'undead or magic' radar?

Darius hobbles behind the group. "There was usually an armored car, similar to ours parked around here somewhere. My guess is the fuel cans would be around it. Keep your guard up".

Neither Sypher's detect evil nor Rebort's detect undead are registering any presences

Beloc releases his shield and unsheathes his blade. He falls back behind Darius to protect the flank.