On the Road
11.01a
The halfling twins, Pip and Twip, continue on saying things have been stranger in Versex lately, namely the appearance of the red lightning. They also point out to the tower above the trees called the
Century Tower, but the old folk call it the
Tower of Chronovich. It sounds like an old Ustalavian name to Kelath, and Drago has heard it before, but not for the last 100 years at least. Chronovich was a top warrior in an early, many centuries ago, Ustalavian tribe that at one point rulers of the area that came to be known as
Versex. The ruler was known as
Dorum the Killer, and Chronovich was a body guard for the ruler. He led and elite band of knights known as the
Blood Guard, who were famous for slaughtering everyone in their path. They doused their armor with the blood of their fallen foes, which is how they got their name. The halfling says they always pay tribute in the tower's shadow. Supposedly they saw moving red eyes at the top of the tower.
Neferu says that the two halflings should accompany them to
Hyannis to deal with the problem there since the Lucky Lantern is already cleared out. They express their regrets that they have to sell their cheese in
Dunhob. Kelath asks for one of their cheeses, and they rummage around for a cheddar, which they seem surprised not to have.
Thus far, by all outward appearances, the meeting on the road with the halflings seemed normal, but nothing on the road to Hyannis has been normal. Kelath's usually reliable instincts and the ensuing conversation were telling him that these were merely two halfling cheese mongers heading towards Dunhob, but with everything that had happened on the road since
Carrion Hill, the Inquisitor had begun to trust nothing. When the halfling went into his bag to check his cheese inventory, Kelath impulsively grabbed the hilt of the Dragon-Winged Longsword.
"Kill the halflings before they make the first move!"
Kelath thought as he reviewed his tactics quietly in his mind, but mistakenly broadcasted his thoughts across the telepathic link with the Fellowship.
"How bout a sharp wheel of cheddar?"
the halfling queried as he continued searching for the cheese.
"Inheritor help me, I'm losing my mind,"
Kelath whispered aloud as he relaxed his grip on his sword.
The twins say they need to be going, but then ask where the group is heading, even though the Fellowship has already been told them. Kyrrn herself becomes suspicious and casts
detects magic. She senses an enchantment emanating from the halflings, but she is unsure of the exact source. Taking a chance, Kyrrn casts
dispel magic against the effect on Twip. Immediately he appears to be even more confused than ever, questioning where he is. Pip goes over to him in apparently concern, but instead there is a flash of steel as he attacks his brother with a hidden dagger.
Kelath cries out in an attempt to demoralize Pip, but to no affect. Kyrrn mentally shoves Pip away, flinging him into a tree as Twip collapses. Kyrrn strides after him as she draws a vial from her belt pouch, but it is already too late. Twip is dead. Drago charges Pip and impales him to the tree. The halfling's mind seems to clear as he looks down in surprise.
Examining their belongings, the Fellowship finds nothing out of the ordinary. There are cheese mongering tools and they do have two wheels of cheese. The halflings do not show
red eyes , but Kyrrn now thinks what was the smell of cheese has some undercurrent of a fishy smell. Neferu notices something strange on the left side of Twip's neck, a small disfiguration in the skin, like a slit or fold of flesh. Further examination reveals that it looks more like a growth than an artificial slice. Pip has one as well. Plumbing forbidden depths of knowledge, Kyrrn recalls a race of ancient, deep water beings called
alghollthu. The creatures experiment on humanoids and use them as spies. Avalon Bay is the closest large body of water, with
Thrushmoor being on its coast. The Fellowship moves the bodies to the side of the road and then continues on.
Tower of Chronovich
8.30p
After several hours of travel, the Fellowship makes it to the area of the tower that they've been seeing in the distance. It is a lone stone tower 50 feet high on a slight hill that has not withstood the test of time well. The Unworthy Soul moves forward to investigate and sees something moving amongst the branches of the tree about the size of a dog. He withdraws, but nothing presents itself. Looking up into the tree, the Soul sees the bodies of large spiders tucked in close to the trunks. The group begins moving around the tree, but sees even more spiders in others. Neferu consults with Drago, who thinks something should be done about them. Suddenly Kyrrn hears a voice within her mind,
She stops and waits, reaching out with her thoughts, but she hears nothing else.
Neferu arcs electricity at two spiders, killing one. Drago spies more and rages up the tree in a charge, smashing another of the spiders. Another spider tries to take on the Soul, but misses. Kyrrn follows Neferu's lead and arcs as well, splattering the first spider and the aggressor. Kelath strikes an inspiring stance and moves towards Drago to assist. Another spider attempts to web him and attack, but misses on both accounts.
Neferu vaporizes another and the threat appears to be over.
The Fellowship continues moving towards the tower with Drago finding a path leading around it. The ground underneath Drago suddenly begins to move. Unsure of what to expect, Kelath makes himself ready for action. Bursting out of the dirt near Drago's feet are two undead warriors clad in ancient armor. He lashes out at one with Crissaegrim, striking a mighty blow. It strikes back, cutting across his chest and then raises its shield. Another skeletal figure rounds the corner, moving into position. Kelath advances and strikes an awe-inspiring stance. Drago falls into a frenzy and moves around the warriors. They strike out at him, but he nimbly dodges away. The raging warrior drops into a flanking position and attacks, dealing a palpable hit. Kyrrn steps forward and unleashes a rending force that takes one of the undead warriors down. The Soul also advances, tearing through the creatures' armor like paper.
Two more warriors emerge, one flanking Drago and slashing at his vulnerable back. Kelath strategizes and presses his advantage dealing a grievous blow. In a whirlwind of fury, Drago strikes down the two around him and moves towards another. Kyrrn advances and flings a small ball of fire at the remaining warrior. The Soul closes in as well, clawing at its vulnerable front. It steps around, slicing at Drago and then raises its shield in defiance.
Kelath matches its step and slams his sword against its shield. Drago in his continuing frenzy smashes the undead creature into splinters.
Examining the corpses, Drago recognizes the armor they are wearing and tells the group that Chronovich actually killed Dorum's daughter, effectively ending the ruler's bloodline. Inside the tower, there is a huge moldering skeleton laying over an ancient chest. Lying amongst the debris are skeletons wearing various pieces of armor. The Soul moves into the tower to investigate. He finds nothing and opens the chest to find a rotting muck of cloth. Reaching in, the Soul finds a small, cylindrical piece of metal, a ring. He goes to Kyrrn and hands it to her. It appears to be a simple ring, kind of grimy, with a small fleck of a ruby embedded on the top of it (magical, evocation). She is a able to learn that it is connected with fire and acts like a wand of
flaming sphere.
9.00p
Neferu heals up Drago and the Fellowship returns to the road.
11.00p - 9.40a
The group stops to camp for the night, finding the remains of what appears to be a small farmhouse made of fieldstone, a single wall left standing. The party's watches pass uneventfully, save for Neferu. As the sun began to rise and Neferu notices a large flying creature crosses past the sun, vaguely horse-shaped with bat-like wings and a serpentine body.
Wealday, Gozran 26, 7411 AR
1.40p
Drago sees the creature that Neferu saw before about 125 feet up in the sky. As it is about to pass out of sight, he thinks he can make something out riding atop of it. The group decides to take more cover.
9.40p
The Fellowhip finds themselves at a natural stone bridge that crosses a dry riverbed that lies about 30 feet down. There is a sulfurous smell in the air emanating from the riverbed. Neferu decides to send the Unworthy Soul to investigate the safety of the bridge. From around the corner, a weird horse-like monstrosity appears...
Special thanks to Scott for contributing to the halfling encounter...
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