Dark Paths 29

Dark Paths of Riddleport
Session 29
May 12, 2013

Something Bugging You?

Map Tool Chat Log

Session Summary

Running low on supplies

After determining that their supplies were running low, the Crew decided it was prudent for some for some of them to spend the morning out on the island hunting and foraging for food and searching for a source of water. Paal, Aragon, Bodi and Guy all used their survival skills to hunt up some grub for the group. Several small springs were discovered nearby and their 7 water barrels were refilled.  Guy even manged to take down one of the islands many wild dogs with one of his psionic projectiles. Paal attempted some hunting as well, but was not as lucky. A good supply of nuts, berries and other edible vegetation was found as well. 

While the hunters were out, Aethel decided to do a little aerial scouting of the island. He flew down to the far eastern end of the island to check out the lighthouse reported to be there. He found the lighthouse with no problems and it appeared to be in decent shape on the outside, though, upon looking inside, it was clear that time had taken its toll. All the interior walls and floors had rotted and for the most part fallen away. There were no signs of any recent habitation to be seen from Aethel's vantage point so he moved on along the southern edge of the island, following the ridge-line up toward the top of the island. 

Beautiful beachside property... not!

A mile or so along, he came upon the the location of the plume of smoke that had been seen rising from the forest since the Crew had arrived on the island. It was coming from a large bonfire at the center of a fairly good-sized camp. 

The entire camp stands in a wide forest clearing just off the western side of the trail and about 200 feet south of two partially collapsed buildings. One massive tent dominates this encampment, with three lesser olive-green tents to the south and a line of relatively small canvas tents along the north end. Ahead of the massive tent and between the lines of the others slowly burns a huge bonfire, creating a tremendous plume of white smoke. Sections of high palisade walls offer minimal protection around the edges of the camp, although stacked tree trunks and lines of narrow, deep trenches indicate the palisade is meant to eventually engulf the entire camp, it is far from finished though.

Four or five people can be seen moving about in the camp doing various light duties.

Not wanting to engage them or get himself spotted, Aethel kept near the tops of the trees and headed in a roundabout fashion back to his own camp.

Back at camp, Snargash had spent the morning tending to the wounded Cyphermage, Harik, who is finally feeling a bit better. Once the others arrive, they eat a quick lunch and decide to head out and do a little more exploring of the island, though instead of heading toward the camp Aethel found, Aragon suggests that they go the other direction and look for the other lighthouse that was supposed to stand on the western tip of the island. Instead of hiking up the hill back to Witchlight and then back down, the Crew decided it would be best to follow the north coastline around to the lighthouse. This possibly took a bit longer, but was easier and afforded the protection of the nearby surf, which seemed to be a good deterrent to the strange creatures inhabiting the island.

Eventually, after several hours of hiking, they made it around to the lighthouse, which sat on a small

Abandoned lightouse.. or is it?

island just off the tip of the main island. An ancient wooden bridge spanned the shallow water dividing the two islands. The wood of the bridge bowed and creaked, but held up under the weight of those passing over it. The tower looked to be in a bad state of disrepair. It showed signs of having sustained a fire at one point and some signs possibly pointed to the fact that the tower had never been finished being built.

Aragon and Paal approached an opening in the side of the tower and peered inside, only to discover serveral enormous centipedes, each nearly 6 feet long with blood red back segments and black legs. The creatures quickly scurried out to attack. Aragon did his best to master his fear of the bugs and was able to engage them, though clearly he was visibly shaken. Paal quickly jumped back just outside the door with his axe ready to smash the first one that exited the structure. Bodi flung a knife from out on the beach that struck one of the creatures while it was still inside.

That's a big bug!

 Two more centipedes approached the gathered companions from outside and joined the fray.

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

The battle rages on with the monstrous, red-backed centipedes, but within a few more moments, all of the giant vermin have been dealt with. Aragon stabs his blades into the sandy ground in front of him and lets out a gasp as his whole body shakes. He quickly composes himself and sheaths his blades. Luckily, no one had sustained any injury in the fight. Looking west across the wide sea, the sun can be seen quickly descending toward the horizon. If they don’t leave soon, the Crew realizes that it will likely be after dark before they get back to their camp and supplies.

Paal lops off a few choice bits of the defeated critters, particularly anything that is edible or poisonous, being careful to keep the two separated and says “these could be useful” as he wipes his knife clean and sheaths it.

Aragon looks around.  “We are here.  It will take us just as long to get here tomorrow.  I say we should at least check it out.  The *shudder* creatures are dead.  We are all still fit.  Why are we hesitating?”

While Paal finished up butchering the enormous bug carcasses, Aragon tentatively takes a step back inside, looking around for anything interesting and watching out for more bugs. Near the center of the tower, he steps on a thick bed of leaves and thousands of tiny centipedes come rushing out in all directions.

Aragon freezes as the horrible creatures scuttle this way and that across the floor.  If any of his comrades could see his face, they might notice a lot more whites to his eyes than usual.  His breath catches as they scurry over his boots.  After a few moments to swallow and get under control, he carefully steps backwards to the door and exits.

Striving for nonchalance, he says, “Of course, if I’m the only one who feels that way, we can always come back another time.”

Paal says, “No, this is as good a time as any. If there is a reason to come back, we probably shouldn’t leave yet.”

 “I agree, we’re here now let’s make the most of it while we can”, Bodi says as he sheaths his main-gauche.   He keeps his rapier out, occasionally using it to steady himself as he walks around the broken ground.   “Just keep your eyes open for any more signs of danger as we make our way along.”

Besides more of the little centipedes, the ruined tower contains nothing but mounds of wet and partially decomposed vegetation inside. A quick search of the surrounding area in the fading light reveals nothing as well. A decision has to be made as to whether the Crew is going to camp out here for the night, away from their supplies or try to hike back, knowing now that it will probably be dark before they make it back.

“Well, that was disappointing.  Let’s get back to camp.  Paal, how is your nightsight?  Would you like Aethel or I to lead?”  The Northman shrugs, so Aragon leads off back the way they had come, hoping to get back to camp for a late dinner.

Cast of Characters: 

Aethelarian "Aethel" Flitterseed (257 points) - Noble Elf wizard played by +Daniel White 
Aragon Whisperwind (262 points) - Elven Bladedancer played by +Arne Jamtgaard 
Bodil "Bodi" Jantzen (255 points) - suave and smooth swordsman played by +Mike Biancone 
Guy Greystone (251 points) - Gnome telekinetic played by +Gren Drake 
Paal Ulfsun (253 points) - Northman Human ranger played by +Ben Zittere 
Snargash Windblown (262 points) - Half-Orc monk played by +Amergin O'Kai 
and +Jason Woollard as the DM