Wandered Roads 14

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 14
August 25, 2012

Campaign Timeline

Harvest

Fireday, 7th of Lamashan 

Grayst is returned to Sandpoint and placed under the care of Father Zantus and his acolytes at the Sandpoint Cathedral. They say he is in serious shape, but think they can help him. After leaving the Cathedral, the heroes hear a commotion coming from the nearby gate that is being closed for the night. The Sheriff goes to see what is going on, with the heroes following close behind. 

An old farmer, Grump, from one of the nearby farms, has come to town with a harrowing tale. He is terrified, exhausted, dirty and drunk, but the Sheriff listens to his tale of missing people, walking scarecrows and murder at the Hambly farm, some 6 miles south of town. He shifts in and out of lucid conversation and singing the words of an old Varisian nursery rhyme:

Mumble Mumble Scarecrow

Alone in the Maze

Sleeping in the daytime

A stitched man he stays

But when the moon she rises

Up Mumble Gets

He shakes his hands at first

And moves his feet the next

And when the dog is snoring

And when you’re fast asleep

Mumble Mumble Scarecrow

Will find you good to eat

The Sheriff says he will send a detachment of mercenaries to the southern farms in the morning to check out the story and asks if the heroes would accompany them. Several of the more impulsive heroes debate whether they should head to the Hambly farm that night, but in the end it is decided to head out at first light.

Starday, 8th of Lamashan

The heroes gathered along with some of the new mercenary guards from Magnimar. Their new friend, Samad the Foxtooth, led a group of 3 mercenaries: Philis the Red, Torque and Thad. All seemed brave and eager young warriors. Calina and Daellin brought their mounts, though Ehlyna refused to ride if she didn't have to. Kallin also chose to walk, but only because he was more comfortable relying on his own two feet. Vexeron was not feeling too well that morning and decided to stay in town and Ellie was off getting into who knows what sort of trouble elsewhere and she also did not accompany the group as they headed south out of town.

The party decided it would be a good idea to stop at a few of the farms on their way down to the Hambly place to get some more perspective on what was going on. The first few farms they stopped at had heard some mention of strange things going on further south, but no one seemed too worried about it. Once the Soggy River was crossed, though, the sentiment changed dramatically. Folks were scared and worried about the scarecrows and missing farmers. The last farm before the Hambly Farm was seemingly abandoned.

When the Hambly place was finally reached, the trek through the fields was fraught with peril.

Ghouls in the Fields!

Almost immediately, several ‘scarecrows’ leaped from their poles and attacked while several Ghouls emerged from the crop fields nearby. Calina accidentally shot and killed a trapped farmer who had been bound and dressed like a scarecrow and placed up on a pole. The unfortunate soul had been apparently bitten severely and it was concluded that he had contracted Ghoul Fever, a deadly disease that causes those it kills to rise up as undead Ghouls. Several more Ghouls were encountered while passing through the field and a captured (and also bitten) farmer was rescued. He was deep in the throes of Ghoul Fever and escorted by Torque and Thad, the Iron Carnival mercenaries that were sent by the Sheriff.

Eventually the Hambly homestead was reached. The place was eerily quiet and still. The nearby barn and animal corrals were silent and empty. The group entered the barn to scout it out. Samad climbed up into the hayloft and the rest of the group entered through the main doors. Inside the barn, a pack of Ghouls immediately attacked, but were eventually

The Hambly Barn held a grisly sight...

dispatched. The group found the barn to be the grisly site of horrible murders of not only farmers but of the livestock and farm pets as well.

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

Again, no movement on the Continuing Story thread. Maybe next time.

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - played by +Greg Grady
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - played by +Jodi H
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder
Ellie - Halfling Finder of Things - played by +Megan McCarron

and +Jason Woollard as the DM