Dark Paths and Wandered Roads: Mysterious Tides #4

2023-07-27

Mysterious Tides #4 - Nilas

A retelling of Bay of Spirits #4 from Callast Nilas Orkan's point of view. On-going GURPS adventures set in the beautiful and evocative Bay of Spirits setting by Randy M. at Roan Studios.

GURPS: Mysterious Tides
Session 004 - Nilas

A Bump In The Night

230724

Callast Nilas Orkan, Brother Robert the monk of Enibria and the young cleric Carmel of Enibria had just thwarted a minor attack of sea-zombies created by some crab-like swarming critters that came from the dead giant sea serpent that washed ashore. After taking down the zombies and trying to scatter the swarming death-crabs, Nilas and his companions rushed back into the village of Piper's Quay calling for help in the form of torches, oil and other means to quell the problem.

As the villagers were assembling, a more astute man stood above the rest in the crowd and he was calling out directions for everyone to follow. The man is the son of the Laird of the area, Taber Sinann. Taber introduced himself to Nilas and his friends and thanked them for their service for Piper's Quay. They filled Taber in on more of what was actually happening.

It was evident to Nilas that Brother Bob dislikes the nobles. It also seemed that Taber had some previous interaction with Carmel and either looks down upon her, or in Nila's thoughts, perhaps more like they may have had an affair at one point and he no longer has "use" of her. Nilas just played the diplomatic role and noticed that Taber also is a follower of Calla. Nilas asked him for an audience later once this death-crab situation was settled. It was also at this time that Carmel of Enibria was able to heal his wounds suffered from the battle with the zombies.

While Taber and his men were handling the rest of the situation around the shoreline with the dead serpent, Nllas and Brother Bob had reunited with Ragnar and Jens. The group was making their way back to the Windbreak Inn when Nilas had caught movement out of the corner of his eye in the area of the Shirne to the Sea. He told his friends he was heading over to the shrine, thinking that Callast Zale may have returned and that he would meet them at the Inn later.

Nilas was curious though, because things have been a bit unusual lately. He started to approach with caution and whatever light was being used inside, a candle or lantern, was suddenly extinguished. Nilas was on alert and cautiously moved to the entrance when a red-hooded assailant came at him with a knife!

Surprised, Nilas jumped back into a defensive stance and put his spear out before him. The attacker was definitely not a servant of Calla. Nilas pointed his spear at the hovel and called to Calla for a Thunderclap (spell). The blast echoed out of the doorway and though deafening, did not seem to phase his attacker. As the hood shifted, Nilas caught the glimpse of a sneer as his attacker smiled.....and was a woman. The attacker also asked him for the token, and where it was. Nilas could only assume the attacker was referring to the metal coin that Brother Bob found back at the Widow's place.

She lunged at him again and kicked him right in the groin and the pain radiated into his spine, causing him to cough, but he stood his ground. Very upset and angered at such a cheap-shot, Nilas lost his temper and let the fury carry him. He charged down after the attacker and ran his spear into her back, impaling her hard. The assailant gasped for breath as Nilas's three-pronged spear struck her and she continued to try to get away, squeezing between two buildings close together.

Nilas stepped up again and this time threw his spear. His anger made his aim true and again the hooded assailant was struck. As the attacker tried to get away, Nila's spear fell, and then collapsed on the other side of the structures. Nilas was prepared to stop her with a Command spell,, but when she succumbed to her injuries, he restrained himself.

As people started coming around, the Laird's son Taber and his guards arrived. Nilas had knelt down to his attacker and called upon Calla to heal her wounds so that she would not die. Calla must have favored this moment, because Nilas's hands flashed a blue-white light and the woman's injuries were completely healed. Before the assailant could even think about trying to attack or escape, the Laird's guards took her into custody.

Nila's companions showed up. Apparently there were more assailants waiting for them on Jen's ship.

There is much to ponder here and Nilas wants to get a good look at his attacker before they take her away. He just hopes it wasn't Maddie the Pirate booty girl from the Windbreak Inn.

Session Notes

Here is an in-character retelling of the events from our 4th session of the campaign. I offer players bonus points for writing up in-character session logs, and here is the first one of the campaign! Thanks Mike!