Two new friends have a conversation over some drinks and then defend the down from a strange swarm of zombie-creating vermin emerging from a giant, dead eel. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.
GURPS: Mysterious TidesSession 003
What Drifted Ashore
230709The group of four friends head back toward the shoreline after talking with the widow Naaj and an informative neighbor, Ingmar.
Callast Nilas says, "Perhaps while Jens starts getting the ship ready, we should look in on Liam, as well as those mysterious men who came into town, and I guess 'Crazy Joe' as Brother Bob had put it."
Jens nods and heads toward the Kittiwake to make preparations to sail to the Middle Bay.
Brother Robert D'Nagien replies, "Sounds good. I'm not sure who to talk to about the strangers though. Although Maricia might remember someone that day or the next”
Ragnar nods, "Well, we could go check out where they came from, the neighbor Ingmar said she saw them coming in from the woods up on the rise just out of town, I might be able to track them."
Callast Nilas says, "That may be worth a look"
"Though it's been a while, might have camped up there, it's a long shot, but who knows. I could go up there and scout it out while you two check around town?" the Ranger says.
Callast Nilassays, "we could cover more ground that way. Ragnar, do you think you will be okay on your own in the woods? I mean, you do seem like you are at 'home' or experienced in these parts"
The Ranger shrugs, "Bout lived my whole life out there on my own."
 |
| Bro Bob |
He heads off to check his gear and makes his way out of town with plans to check back in later.
Brother Robert D'Nagien nods, "He'll be better off than any of the rest of us"
Callast Nilas looks at Brother Bob. shrugs. "Okay, I guess it's up to us to do the investigating in town"
Callast Nilas says, "where to start? Liam, Joe, or mystery guys?"
Brother Robert D'Nagien says, "Maricia - ask about Liam and the mystery guys"
Callast Nilas says, "Good point. To the Windbreak"
Nilas and Bro Bob head back to the Windbreak Inn. It is much more crowded than it was earlier in that morning before heading off to see the Widow Naaj.
Callast Nilas says, "So.......Robert....Bob,.....what do you prefer to be called?"
Nilas and Bro Bob head back to the Windbreak Inn. It is much more crowded than it was earlier in that morning before heading off to see the Widow Naaj.
Bro' Bob looks around for an open table
He sees a barrel in the corner with two stools that looks like it makes due as a table when needed.
Nilas says, "Definitely busier at this hour. Maybe we will get lucky"
Nilas looks around the crowd for anyone that could possibly fit the description that the young maiden mentioned"
Bro' Bob heads to the barrel
Clearly the lunch crowd is where it's at for the Windbreak. It seems that most in the town are a part of the fishing industry, while many of the fisherman are currently out to sea, the shore crew is gearing up to receive the first catch of the day, first by eating some lunch (or breakfast for some late risers) at the local tavern.
Nilas does not see Mattie. Maricia is busy moving from table to bar to fireplace to table. There is another young pretty girl helping her tend to the customers as well.
 |
| Callast Nilas |
Nilas looks at Bob. "Guess we should ask Maricia about Joe?"
The young woman comes over and asks what you'd like to order.
"You all are new in town, I'm Carmel. Nice to see ya, " the server says.
Bro' Bob replies, "Just ale please," then add,s, "I'm back visiting family after a few years away"
Nilas says, "Yes, I was looking for someone else new...a.couple of fellows dressed in black who may have come in this way recently"
"Ahh, I see. Oh, are you Enibrian?" she says to Bro' Bob. "I'm Enibrian as well!" she pulls out a pendant of a cluster of grapes-on-the-vine.
Bro' Bob smiles and nods, "Brother Robert D'Nagian" and adds as an afterthought, "Junior"
Carmel answers Nilas, "Lots of strangers these days, but can't recall anyone dressed all in black. No, wait, about a week ago, saw a couple of fellows in here talking with the leatherworker Svent Varem. They were Southerners, like me, though I didn't know em, of course."
 |
| Carmel Montfort |
Bro' Bob asks, "What, you don't all know each other?" and winks
"What Abbey are you out of? I hope to visit all the Bay Abbeys, well once I get enough money to get out on the water again, anyway. I studied at Bergenshire, in the south, but currently on sabbatical, you know, out to see the world. Had me a team, was going to do some adventuring, then Wreckers took down our ship near Windward Island. Washed ashore down the sand bar a bit from here, lucky Im alive.
"Maricia was kind enough to take me in, letting me work the bar when she's busy, helping me get back on my feet, she's a true gem, she is!" Caramel says.
Bro' Bob answers, "I studied at Dove's Crest, then finished training at a few abbeys. These days I mostly work as a courier between abbeys"
She smiles, "That sounds like fun, get to travel around, not stuck in one place. That is what I hope for once I return South."
"I would hate to be stuck doing administrative work. I don't mind brewing, but honestly, and don't tell anyone, I'm not a great brewer," she says quietly.
Bro' Bob smiles back, "It's educational," and tries to meet her eyes for a moment before glancing quickly away
Bro' Bob chuckles, "Neither am I. I know a lot about flavoring for brews and spirits, though."
Nilas says, "I know how to drink them"
"Really, what I WANT to do, is be a wine procurer and sommelier. That's why I came to the Bay, and to adventure. I love wine and hope to find some new flavors here in the Bay. Of course, I've had Icewine, but I know there has to be more, smaller independent bottlers around!"
Nilas says, "Cheers to Enibria"
"Cheers. Let me go get your drinks and food, I'll be right back", she smiles and walks away
Bro' Bob continues, warming up to the subject. "The juniper berries growing around here can give a nice, crisp sort of dryness to. . ." and tapers off as she leaves
Nilas says, "ooh, i'm sorry....that was on me"
Bro' Bob shrugs, "She's busy. . ."
The whole of the Windbreak is abuzz with the lunch crowd.
Nilas says, "She said that these guys were at the leather smith?"
"Perhaps we walk around here quickly and scan the Inn after lunch and then make our way to the leathersmith?"
Bro' Bob nods, "I agree"
Just then, a cry goes out from somewhere outside, "It's beached! It's washed ashore. The serpent! It's beached!"
Nilas says, "Oh this can;t be good"
A din arises in the Windbreak and everyone jumps from their chairs and heads for the door.
Bro' Bob looks puzzled, "The Serpent's huge! I wonder what could be wrong."
Nilas looks at Bob. "Well, let's see what all of the fuss is about"
Nilas grabs his gear and heads outside
Bro' Bob follows, thoughtfully
It seems like everyone in town, or at least everyone from the Windbreak is heading over the nearest dune beyond the Windbreak. A long stretch of beach can be seen, many tables and firepits are set up to process the catch. Several boats are bobbing in the water just off shore, and some are beached on the sand. About 100 yards down the beach, a large dark shape can be seen coming up out of the water onto the sand.
No one approaches the thing
Nilas looks at Bob. "What do you make of this?"
It appears to be some sort of giant black serpent. It actually looks like an enormous eel beached. There is clearly a mouth and one closed eye visible. It is not moving.
 |
| Giant, beached eel-like creature |
Bro' Bob shrugs, "Seems like an ill omen, but this one's squarely in your purview, not mine"
The fishermen and townsfolk look to each other, not knowing what to do.
Nilas frowns. knowing that Brother Bob is right. "Okay, let's see what Callas will is today"
A nearby fisherman looks in Nilas direction. "A Callast! What is this ill omen, Callast? What is Calla's will?"
Nilas walks up towards the creature.
Bro' Bob adds, "Just to be sure," closes his eyes and takes a long drink from his mug, then pauses in contemplation. "Nope, Nothing from Enibria"
Nilas will close in to 10 yards and attempt to cast aura
Nilas says, "ugh! I think I have to get closer to get a better read on it."
Nilas approaches carefully, spear out defensively
Nilas says, "Bob, watch my back"
Bro' Bob follows the Callast, scanning about the crowd for a couple of "dark strangers"
Nilas walks up closer, "I am a Callast of Calla.....I am here to help"
A small knot of tougher looking fishermen follow several steps behind Bob, who follows several steps behind Nilas.
Bro' Bob shifts his drink to his left hand and draws his broadsword
Nilas will get to 2-yards of the creature and cast Aura again
As Nilas and Bob get closer, it is clear that the thing is dead. It's giant, black eye is glassy and unmoving. It's mouth hangs open slightly, and it has a powerful stench of death. Nilas has never seen or heard of anything like this before, though the sea holds much wonder and mystery.
Nilas says, "Calla, show me why this creature appears before us now"
Bro' Bob sheaths his sword once he sees that there's no threat
Nilas sees the creature's aura pulsing dimly. It is very dark, the aura of life only just barely clinging to the dead creature, yet, there is something else, there is something dangerous about this creature still.
"Is it dead? Is it dangerous?" a voice calls out from behind.
Nilas has never seen or heard of anything like this before, though the sea holds much wonder and mystery.
Nilas says, "Stay back, It is not completely safe to approach yet"
"Calla shows me that the creature barely clings to life, but I sense danger from it still"
Nilas sees an oily black substance seeming to come from the creature's skin, mixing with the tide.
Nilas backs up a few steps
Nilas casts detect magic as he recalls Mattie telling him and Jens about it last night at the Windbreak:
“Oh yea, an’ if you be heading back out into the Outer Bay, I heard from a few other ships that there’s been sighted a huge serpent of some kind. From most accounts, they say it’s well over a hundred feet long. It ain’t been aggressive, and I ain’t seen it myself, now, but one sailor told me it surfaced near his ship coming from Windward to Therys, about due west of here, said the thing was surfacing nearby and bumped into his ship, totally turned the ship, a 2-mast-er an all, just turned it round facing the other way. No significant damage, but the thing was so big, it just turned this ship around by bumping it. So just watch out for that one, right?”
As Nilas casts his spells, he hears some shouts and screams from just beyond the eel's massive head!
Nilas says, "Something is not right. I recall Mattie telling us a tale of a creature such as this. But there is still some kind of danger present here. I can't quite figure it out yet."
Nilas moves around, spear at the ready, looking to see what he can find
As Nilas moves he sees several fishermen on the ground near the eel's head, they are writhing on the ground, it looks like something is crawling all over them.
Bro' Bob draws his broadsword again
Nilas closes towards the fishermen
Nilas says, "By Calla's breath!"
Bro' Bob chugs the rest of his drink and holds the mug out like a buckler
Nilas sees several more fishermen a bit further down the beach, they step back as the three writhing around on the ground.
Nilas will move over the ledge and try to see what is going on with the men writhing on the ground.
It appears they are covered by some small bugs or something, very small,
Bro' Bob runs forward toward the ledge Nilas is on to circle around the creature
Nilas wants to get closer and see if he can affect the swarms
The men on the ground continue to move around, though they are no longer screaming, there are some grunts occasionally. They look like they are trying to stand back up.
Nilas gets closer and reaches out to fire off an Air Jet into the swarms on the fisherman closest to him
Some of the other fishermen down the beach call to them to see if they are alright.
Nilas prepares to cast an Air Jet spell but intones the prayer very wrong, risking Calla's wrath.
The carved stingray crumbles and falls from Nilas' shirt.
Bro' Bob continues running
Nilas sees the three figures stand up, but they do not look like normal fishermen anymore, they are gaunt and desiccated looking. They look like dried out zombies!
Nilas says, "Gah! The men......are undead!"
Bob sees this as well and is frightened by it!
Nilas calls for everyone to stay back. "The men have been infected by something, they are monsters now"
Everyone in the Bay is familiar with undead and they heed Nilas's warning and start to back up!
Bro' Bob stops, drops the mug and sheaths his sword
Bro' Bob calls out, "We need bowmen!"
Nilas does not see the swarms crawling over the men any more, they have either dispersed or possibly infected the men, causing this strange undead condition.
Nilas casts a shield spell upon himself, preparing for combat
A shout of "bows!" and "bowmen!" goes up behind Bro Bob as many of the townsfolk go running back toward Piper's Quay. He sees Carmel, the young lady from the Windbreak, sprinting toward him.
Bro' Bob adds, "And torches"
One zombie lumbers toward Nilas, the other passes in front of the eel in Bob's direction, the third heads down the beach toward a group of fishermen still standing around watching.
Bro' Bob steps forward as he readies his bow, then snatches an arrow from his quiver
The zombie swings wildly at Nilas but misses.
The 2nd zombie comes toward Bro Bob but finds a 6' rise between them.
Further down the beach, the third zombie slowly chases some frightened fishermen as they try to get their boats back into the water.
Bro' Bob takes a step back as he draws his bow
Nilas takes a step back and reaches out to unleash lightning into the creature
The blast hits the zombie and the undead abomination explodes in a spray of guts and electricity!
The 2nd zombie starts clambering up the rocky ridge toward Bro Bob but then sees Carmel approaching.
The third zombie continues to follow the sailors!
Nilas says, "Bob, if you and Carmel can handle this one, I will chase down the third one!"
Nilas sees lots of little burnt up bugs, maybe some sort of crustacean, laying in the mess that used to be a fisherman.
Bro' Bob shoots at the nearest zombie
The zombie manages to avoid the shot. The arrow flies and sticks into the face of the dead eel.
Nilas starts running after the third zombie
Bro' Bob calls to Carmel, "Don't let it close with you!"
"Ahh, what?"
It's too late, Carmel charges the zombie and it hops off the rise and attacks her.
She jumps back, barely avoiding the strike
Bob can just see the heads of Carmel and the zombie from his vantage point.
Bro' Bob steps forward, fast draws an arrow and draws his bow again
Nilas runs, yelling at the zombie. "Come after me and meet Calla's will!"
Carmel swings a mace at the zombie then steps back
The zombie tries to grab Carmel but she jumps back away from it.
The other zombie tries to pursue the fleeing fishermen in their boat but the surf pushes him back to the shore.
Bro' Bob steps forward as he aims at the zombie's head
At the edge, Bob has a great view of the zombie's back.
Nilas continues to run down the rogue zombie
A look of fear washes over Carmel's face as she realizes this is not as easy as she thought it would be!
She swings her mace at the zombie again.
She bashes the zombie again, stepping back. The undead monstrosity is reeling from the battering it is taking.
The zombie attacks and Carmel dodges back.
The other zombie turns and sees Nilas charging in
Bro' Bob shoots at the back of the zombies head
Nilas prepares to use his spear, 2 handed and engages the zombie
The zombie closes the distance and tries to batter Nilas and hits.
Nilas defends and feels the zombie's hit knock the wind out of him
Carmel says to Bob, "We should go help him, right?"
Nilas spins to the side and prepares another lightning bolt
Bro' Bob sides steps as he prepares another arrow shouting "Move right Nilas"
The zombie steps up again flailing its arms at Nilas.
and scores a hit.
Nilas is hit again
Nilas reels from the hits from the Zombie. But manages to hang onto his lightning bolt, his hands glowing with blue and white light
Bro' Bob sidesteps again as he aims at the remaining zombie
Nilas steps aside to aid in Bob's aim and lets loose his lightning bolt into the zombie
The zombie does not dodge.
Nilas 's blast aims true
The zombie falls to the ground, shaking mildly.
Bob's arrow thunks into the zombie and it stops moving. Immediately, Nilas sees several tiny crablike bugs crawling out of its mouth and coming toward him. At the same time, Carmel yells and says the bugs are coming after her as well.
Bro' Bob shouts, "Where's that fire?
Nilas calls an airbolt to his hand
The townsfolk have just barely made it back to town at this point.
Carmel runs up to the high ground with Bob, avoiding any of the tiny vermin.
Nilas calls an air jet to his hand and prepares to blast the swarm
Nilas scatters the swarm of bugs crawling out of the zombie's mouth.
Carmel yells, there are more of these things coming out of the creature. They are swarming everywhere!
Nilas calls for everyone to start fires, make torches, burn the stuff
Nilas will continue to fire blasts of air jets to kill off any others that come out near him
Carmel turns and runs back toward Piper's Quay.
Nilas says, "I am not sure I can kill off all of of them right now"
Bro' Bob slings his bow once more and looks about for the nearest bonfire that the villagers had going
Nilas will start making his way back to the village, a fighting retreat of sorts, if any swarms come near them he will blast them with an Air Jet
Nilas will heal himself once
Nilas says, "we need to fall back and regroup, this is bad....really bad"
Nilas and Bro Bob fall back toward the village where fire is being prepared.
Session Notes
Only two players were available for this session, but due to other scheduling issues, we wouldn't have been able to play for another month, so we did this one with low numbers. Typically I like to have MORE than half of the players, but with only 4 in the group and my commitments to another game every other Sunday, this one may run at only 2 PCs sometimes.Cast of Characters:
Brother Robert (Bro Bob) D'Nagien, a young Enibrian monk and archer - played by Amergin KCallast Nilas Orkan, a young priest of Calla the Storm Goddess - played by Mike B
No comments:
Post a Comment