Wandered Roads 19

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 19
January 26, 2013

Campaign Timeline

I'd Like to 'Axe' You a Question

Oathday, 13th of Lamashan

The party headed back to Thistletop in search of Ehlyna’s missing axe and hoping to end the existence of the evil demon creature residing in the lower levels. The trip there and the delve to the lowest level of the ruins was uneventful, though Leela was excited for the opportunity to see and map a new ruins. Outside the immense metal door with the 7-pointed star engraved on it, the group took a moment to magically prepare itself and establish some tactics.

With all their magical effects in place, the group charged through the door and engaged the

Demon defeated!

beast. Their greater numbers, magical enhancements and greater skill proved to be more than what the beast expected. It immediately went on the defensive, and even though the battle drug on for a while, eventually the heroes won out and the demon was reduced to a bubbling pile of black ooze. Ehlyna was the only one to take serious injury and thanks to Kallin’s magic and a healing potion, she was back to fighting strength quickly. Ehlyna recovered her axe, some magical burning candles were found and a silver box filled with white sand contained some sort of magical ring.

How Ehlyna Got her Axe Back

After that, the group decided to explore the one last remaining area of the ruins they had not gotten to before. The secret hallway and steps led to a collapsed treasury of some sort with ocean water coming in. The wall depicted a great city of spires in the mountains overlooked by a high  peak carved with the visage of a stern man.

A huge golden helmet, at least 5 feet across, lie submerged in the water, surrounded by silver and gold coins. When the party went to gather up the treasure, the helmet lurched forward, revealing a giant hermit crab living inside. The creature tried to catch Daellin in its grasp, but stumbled backward down a slippery stone block and missed. Everyone jumped back and Daellin was able to use his Elf magic to calm and speak to the creature, who agreed to let the party gather the treasure in return for food. Those members carrying rations quickly threw them into the water and the crustacean gathered up a few bites and scuttled into deep water. Several thousand silver and gold coins, along with a pouch of jade and a magical jade amulet were recovered over the course of the next half hour.

The  party then retreated to the upper levels, planning on sending some folks back to town for the mounts and food so they could camp the night and allow Leela to map the ruins. Once back to the surface, the group surprised a Kobold in the main hallway, who squealed and immediately fled. With quick thinking fueled by hatred, Leela brought her loaded crossbow to bear and shot the fleeing Kobold in the back, though he was able to continue running.

What's goin on here?

Several members of the party gave chase to the Kobold to find that he ran to an adjacent hallway that had been turned into a camp for a handful of the the tiny draconic beings. They immediately cowered in the corner, throwing down their weapons when Leela, Ehlyna and Daellin burst into their camp. Ehlyna demanded their surrender, which they noisily agreed to. Suddenly the whole room shook as a heavy weight crashed down upon the wooden roof. The shoddy construction held, but visibly sagged. A large hole was then ripped through the roof and a large Troll stuck large fanged head in demanding to know what was going on?

A brief parley between the Troll and Ehlyna ended with the group retreating and leaving Thistletop without encounter with the Troll and his Kobold minions, much so several peoples surprise. The group, weighed down by their newly recovered treasure, made their way back to Sandpoint by mid-afternoon.  After a meal and a rest, Vexeron got right to work on analyzing the magic items and everyone else discussed what else to do with the other loot. Seeing as none in the group had the skill to appraise the jewels or silver box, they had to decide what to do with them.

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

Oathday, 13th of Lamashan

Leela and Daellin plot to return the next morning to Thistletop. Daellin is concerned that the Troll and Kobolds could spell future trouble for Sandpoint while Leela still wants to map the ruins. They convince Vexeron and Calina to go with them. Vexeron is interested in recovering as many of the Thassilonian artifacts and books that were discovered in the ruins and Calina just enjoys any opportunity to get out of town.

Ehlyna gets herself healed up at the cathedral, Leela does some baking, Daellin speaks to the Sheriff, Vexeron spends most of the evening identifying magical items. Some loot is sold and the proceeds go to funding some camping equipment as the group plans to stay at Thistletop at least overnight one night.

Fireday, 14th of Lamashan

Daellin, Leela, Vexeron and Calina, accompanied by Paka, as usual, head out early the morning of the 14th. Eventually, they arrive back at the Goblin fort of Thistletop. A quick search of the area reveals that the Troll and his Kobold minions have since moved on their way though a disturbing scene is found in what looked to be a privy near the rear of the complex. The back wall had been opened to reveal a small secret area hidden behind. A ripped womans evening gown and a handful of copper and silver coins lay in a drying puddle of blood. Some bloody Kobold tracks were present, but not enough to follow. A perplexing scene, though no further clues to what had happened could be found.  

As everyone gets down to business, Daellin attempts to secure the bridge in order to bring

Bridge over Troubled Waters?

the horse and wagon across, but manages to accidentally release the bridge, causing it to fall, swinging and crashing into the far side of the cliff face. Undaunted, Daellin flies across the chasm and magically transports the cart over to the fort side, then drags it slowly inside. Vexeron fills his time sorting through the artifacts, trying to determine which ones are worth saving. Meanwhile, Leela and Calina spend some time bonding and telling personal stories while Leela gets working on her maps. The ground floor and first underground level are mapped out fairly quickly

Starday, 15th of Lamashan

The next day, Leela gets the next lower level done while Vexeron finishes up loading the books and artifacts for the trip home. Everyone then ponders how to get back across with the bridge out. With some clever thinking, magic and knot tying, the bridge is secured again, and they are able to get the heavy cart back out and get on their way back to Sandpoint.

Meanwhile, earlier that day, Ehlyna busies herself doing some shopping for for the long trip to Magnimar. She also picks up a few things for Ameiko as well, trying to pay off some of the debt she feels she owes to the tavern owner for putting them all up for as long as she has.

Kallin manages to have himself some different kind of adventures, as he somehow gets tangled up in the world of Sandpoints underground fighting competitions. He is roped in by Sandi, one of the Iron Carnival Mercenaries who wants him to cheat and secretly heal her as she fights. Unfortunately, Sandi's plan fails and they are beaten and locked up by those in charge of the fights. Eventually, Kaliln is let out of the closet he has been locke in by none other than Ellie, who just so happens to be snooping around the place. She lets Kallin out and as he makes his escape, he sees Samad and several other Iron Carnival mercenaries dealing with those that had held him captive. Kallin quickly high-tails it back to the Rusty Dragon, looking for his friends.

The Thistletop group finally makes it back to town and they are approached by Vorvashali Voon, the local enchanter. Hearing they were preparing to leave for Magnimar, he asks them

Vorvashali Voon

if they would take his wagon and deliver it to some of his associates who were to bring back some items for his shop. Seeing as how this would work out for everyone, they load their gear in the wagon and are ready to head of of town in the morning. Before parting, Voon takes Calina aside and gives her a magical pair of boots as a gift. The group heads to the Rusty Dragon for one last night amongst their Sandpoint friends.

Session Notes

This continuing story went for 34 pages and we accomplished a lot. It is worth the time to go through and read.

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
Leela Cardnool, Gnome scout, cartographer and Illusionist - played by +Lisa Smith
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

Wandered Roads 18

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 18
December 29, 2012

Campaign Timeline

The Skinsaw Man Cometh No More

Toilday, 11th of Lamashan

Once again the band of heroes has gathered to plan a trip to the haunted mansion of the Foxglove family, hoping to put an end to the murders and ghoulish menace that has cursed the good town of Sandpoint. While eating an early breakfast in the Rusty Dragon, the sheriff arrives. Immediately the gathered companions sigh, knowing he is bringing some other chore or bad news...

He greets them dourly and informs them that another murder has taken place. Olmur Davankus, the Halfling who runs the Grocer’s Guild Hall just around the corner from the Rusty Dragon. He is concerned that it will be difficult to keep the details of this murder quiet as Olmur was a very visible citizen. It is also of great concern to the sheriff that many in town know that Ehlyna has no love for Halflings and has even been seen publicly threatening to ‘kill’ her own companion, the Halfling Ellie and ‘eat her toes!’ He shares the details of the murder, which are nearly identical to the other ritual murders, down to another note addressed to Ehlyna. 

The group then gathered their gear had headed south for the haunted mansion. They

Ehlyna, by JeCorey

quickly descended to the sub-basement below the mansion and found a series of caverns and tunnels, some newly dug, that were filled with a strange, heavy breathing sound coming from further within. A handful of ghoulish guardians (a ghoulish dire bat and a group of Human ghouls) were encountered and dispatched before entering a large, cathedral sized cavern with the source of the ‘breathing’ sound. A 50 foot deep pit filled with foaming and frothing sea water was the source of the sound, and across the room, reachable by a narrow, wet ledge that spiraled around the room, was a stone door. As the group approached, they were set upon by another group of ghouls, this time several Goblin ghouls leaped from cleverly hidden spots and managed to split the party into several small groups. 

Eventually the group gets to the stone door and bursts in to find none other than Aldern Foxglove, presumed dead but very much UNDEAD. He was now a stinking, rotting ghoul, and he was waiting for them. He presented the group with a table full of various articles and items that had been pilfered away from Ehlyna over the course of the previous several weeks, items she had mistakenly been ‘found’ by Ellie, or simply misplaced. He invited Ehlyna to step forward so he could ‘bring her into the fold’ though she politely declined the offer and advanced on him with axes drawn. When the 2 engaged in melee, several more ghouls revealed themselves from dark hiding places and the battle was on. Aldern, also known as the Skinsaw Man, put his gross, leathery mask to his face and suddenly his face transformed

into Ehlyna’s visage. This enraged the Dwarven warrior and she pressed the attack. Aldern proved to be a very nimble and skilled combatant, even scoring 2 serious wounds on Ehlyna while managing to block, parry and dodge Ehlynas. After switching her tactics up a bit, Ehlyna was able to strike several critical blows which were too much for Aldern to withstand. Their foe was beaten, the other ghouls defeated and the party had won. 

The Skinsaw Man, formerly Aldern Foxglove

After the battle, Kallin was supernaturally attracted to a large patch of green and black fungus on the wall. He approached it and nearly began shoving fistfulls into his mouth, but he was able to resist. Anything valuable was gathered up from the room, including a set of keys with the Foxglove crest on it (and a large opal) and an interesting note to Aldern that was shuffled in with some explicit and erotic sketchings of Ehlyna.

The note read:

Aldern—
You have served us quite well. The delivery you harvested from the caverns far exceeds what I had hoped for. You may consider your debt to the Brothers paid in full. Yet I still have need of you, and when you awaken from your death, you should find your mind clear and able to understand this task more than in the state you lie in as I write this. 

You shall remember the workings of the Sihedron ritual, I trust. You seemed quite lucid at the time, but if you find after your rebirth that you have forgotten, return to your townhouse in Magnimar. My agents shall contact you there soon—no need for you to bother the Brothers further. I will provide the list of proper victims for the Sihedron ritual in two days’ time. Commit that list to memory and then destroy it before you begin your work. The ones I have selected must be marked before they die, otherwise they do my master no good and the greed in their souls will go to waste.

If others get in your way, though, you may do with them as you please. Eat them, savage them, or turn them into pawns—it matters not to me.

—Your Mistress, Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms

The Stalker's Mask

Also in the room was a clumsy painting of Ehlyna, apparently done by Aldern using blood and guts to paint over some other portrait in a fine frame. Brushing some of the grime away reveals it was a portrait of Iesha Foxglove, his recently slain wife.

The group thought it best to take some time and attempt to burn or destroy the green fungus, as it was somehow supernatural and linked to the hauntings of the house. After doing so, the group retreated back to Sandpoint, eager to let the Sheriff know that they had solved the Skinsaw Murders.

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

After some quick healing from the awkward Half-Orc shaman Kallin, the party glanced over the loot they had salvaged from the lower levels of Foxglove Mansion before heading back to Sandpoint. They had found a key ring with 2 keys on it. One bore the Foxglove family crest and the other was a slim and long key with the head of a roaring lion on the end of it. Leela showed off the gleaming longsword she had drug out of the caverns below. Philis the Red, one of the Iron Carnival mercenaries, looked at the sword and proclaimed that it was of excellent construction and not made of any common sword metal. They also had possession of Aldern's enchanted war razor that had recently ritually murdered several local victims as well as his enchanted arm bracer that had stopped several solid blows from Ehlyna. Then there was his mask. A horrific monstrosity of swen together flaps of flesh. While disgusting, it proved to be magical and that warranted a closer inspection. Finally, they had recovered a ring from Aldern's undead hand. This ring was jewel encrusted and also radiated magic. There were also a few bits of potentially valuable artwork that had been salvaged as well. Ehlyna snorted as they looked at these two objects again and began gathering her gear.

Eager to prove her innocence in the matter of the recent murders, Ehlyna takes the mask and gallops off toward Sandpoint ahead of everyone else. She gives the mask to the Sheriff and explains all that had transpired. 

At a more leisurely pace, the rest of the group heads back to Sandpoint. Once there, Vexeron immediately gets to work identifying the magical items. He estimates it will take him most of the night and possibly into the next day. Daellin goes to find the Sheriff and bring him up to speed on what had happened. Samad and Calina head to the Sandpoint Cathedral to get some healing from the Acolytes there. Kallin heads off to find somehwere to clean himself, realizing he is looking and smelling a bit more Orcish than Human these days. He asks Ameiko in the Rusty Dragon and she tells him that there are bathing services offered by the Inn, but then leads him up to her families large house just outside of town. She offers the use of the house to Kallin and the rest of the companions. He graciously accepts and gets himself cleaned up before heading out to the seaside cliffs for some meditation. 

Vexeron and Ehlyna have some drinks together and Ehlyna teaches him some Dwarven swears and curses. Leela heads to her room in the White Deer Inn on the north side of town and gets to drawing some more of the regional maps and such she has been working on for Shelia Heidamarch back in Magnimar. The head of the Pathfinder Society there had comissioned her for some detailed maps of the area, specifically with the locations of any Thassalionian ruins. While she had not discovered many of the ruins yet, she knew that this group of adventurers had intimate knowledge of several of them, and they may yet show her to them. First though, she stopped by the local bakery and bought a few tasty treats then took the longsword she had found to the local weapons dealer to get an appriasal on it. 

Drying some herbs

The group then meets for dinner and discusses their next plan. Obvious clues found in Aldern Foxgloves nefarious lair point to more evil emenating from the city of Magnimar to the south, and that was their next stop. But first, the issue of Ehlyna's axe and the demon beast still in Thistletop. It is agreed that the group will first head to Thistletop to wrap up those loose ends before departing for Magnimar.

Calina spends the night camping out of town and finds some herbs to make some herbal poultices for first aid. Vexeron continues to identify the magical items. ((Phew, writing a decent summary of a 22 page document can be tough...I highly suggest going to read the actual doc!)) The group moves their lodgings from the Rusty Dragon Inn to Ameiko's family house just outside of town at her request. 

Everyone busies themselves the following day, Wealday, 12th of Lamashan, buying potions, drying herbs, meditating, baking and eating sweets, doing guard duty, etc. Daellin goes to speak to Ilsoari Gandethus, the head of the local school, and learns some aobut the creature they were soon to face back at Thistletop. It was known as a Barghest. He learns some of the creature, its powes, its weaknesses, its history. Gandethus then asks Daellin if he could do him a favor, requiring a short trip to a nearby woods (see the 24 page Side Trek: Daellin Runs an Errand below).

Side Trek Story Doc
Daellin Runs an Errand

Ilsoari Gandathus asks Daellin to travel to Egan's Wood to recover an ancient tome that he

"I need you to get something for me"

believes lies in the ruins of Egan's shack. Learning that the Wood is known to be infested with spiders, some of immense size, Daellin visits the local apothecary to purchase some spiderbite antidote. He also agrees to bring back any spider specimens he can get his hands on. 

On his way there, he runs into a band of Desnan Pilgrims traveling north to the Windsong Abbey. He converses with a Paladin of Desna before heading on. He stops at several small communities along the way and runs into an ill fated adventurering party who had delved too deep into th Wishers Well and aroused a dangerous giant skull-scorpion creature. 

Eventually he makes it to Egan's Wood, a small tract of woods behind the Ashen Rise. He scouts through the woods and resorts to speaking to some squirells to get directions to Egan's Shack. Eventually he finds it and is accosted by giant spiders. Narrowly defeating them, he retrieves the book and also finds a well preserved Elvish bow stashed in the cottage as well. 

He makes his way back to Sandpoint, but just before he reaches the small town, night falls and he is ambushed by a pack of Ghouls. He briefly engages them, but relies on his trusty mount, Calafalas, to carry him past the pack and back safely to Sandpoint. 

Session Notes

This session was our first real big group i think, 7 of 8 of the players were present (and Megan has only been out recently due to some strange parasite that has been growing inside her belly, but that has resolved itself now, and we hope to see her at the table again!) The Continuing Story ran on for 22 pages this time, a far cry from the last few ones. Then Daellin wanted to do a little more adventuring, so we did a solo side trek that went on for another 24 pages.... phew, I was tired from so much typing! I really love the continuing stories and side treks we do online between the live sessions. It gives me such a chance to impart setting background and help the players flesh out their characters. Such a good 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
Leela Cardnool, Gnome scout, cartographer and Illusionist - played by +Lisa Smith
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

Wandered Roads 17

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 17
December 1, 2012

Campaign Timeline

More Misgivings

Moonday, 10th of Lamashan

More ghosts!

The group met another adventurer in the area, a Gnomish scout/ mapper by the name of Leela Caardnool. She was interested in some of the recent ruins the group had explored and asked if she could tag along and hang out with the party.

The groups next outing was to be back to the Misgivings to look for more clues and make another attempt to put a stop to the ghoul problem. Ehlyna and Ellie stayed back in town.

More of the haunted mansion was explored and more of the insidious haunts were encountered, causing horrific hallucinations, causing party members to attack one another and so forth until finally, in the basement, they found an entrance to an even lower level. When investigating it, Kallin and Leela were both overcome by a powerful image of Aldern Foxglove digging into the floor and then being surrounded and overcome by ghouls. Kallin and Leela both experienced the same vision, even developing wounds caused by the illusory ghouls! The group was then alerted by Daellin, who had been waiting outside with the horses that they should return to Sandpoint as soon as possible because he had spotted a large pack of ghouls converging on the house!

The group rode off back to Sandpoint to regroup and plan the next foray into the sub-basement of Foxglove Manor.

Session Notes

I'll punch you in the neck!

Added another new player at this session. Lisa (Carol's daughter) joined us as Leela Cardnool, a Gnome cartographer and explorer with psionic power over light energy. Lisa and Leela jumped right in and did a fantastic job of role playing with the group despite the fact that here gaming experience included only games like Monopoly and Uno. 

And regretfully this time, no  Continuing Story again. But just wait for it, I promise, its coming back around!

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
Leela Cardnool, Gnome scout, cartographer and Illusionist - played by +Lisa Smith
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

Wandered Roads 15

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 15
September 29, 2012

Campaign Timeline

Haunted

Starday, 8th of Lamashan

Vexeron

Ellie

Before continuing with their search of the Hambly Farm, the party was joined by Vexeron and Ellie, who had gotten a ride from a local farmer. Vexeron had learned some important news that he felt the rest needed to know as soon as possible. He had learned from some locals that the Misgivings, a cryptic phrase uttered by the insane Grayst Sevilla, was a nickname for the nearby Foxglove Manor, which was located a mere 3 miles to the west of the Hambly Farm.

One of the Iron Carnival mercenaries was sent back to town with the saved farmer in hopes that Father Zantus could cure him of his Ghoul Fever before it took hold and turned him into an undead menace.

With this new knowledge in mind, the group proceeded to investigate the Hambly farmhouse where they found a murdered body, most probably that of Farmer Hambly. His body was mutilated like the others with his lower jaw missing and the 7 pointed rune carved in his chest. A fork had been jammed through an eye and it was holding a note addressed to Ehlyna. The note stated that the murders were all her fault and they would continue in her name.

A Well Dressed Ghoul

As the body was examined, another ghoul, this one formerly quite well dressed,  leaped out of the bedroom and assaulted the party. The undead beast was quickly put down and a basic search showed the creature carried a fancy key with a strange crest on it. A search of the farmhouse turned up no other clues though a lockbox was discovered under the floorboards that contained numerous pouches filled with silver coins.

The group then headed west, toward Foxglove Manor, or the Misgivings, as it was locally known. A short time after entering the estate, it was clear that the place was haunted by spirits, some benign while others very malignant. Everyone in the group had some encounter or another with the spirits of the house and after a particularly nasty encounter that ended with Ellie nearly killing herself, the group retreated and headed back to Sandpoint to recover and regroup.

Foxglove Manor - "The Misgivings"

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

Sadly, the continuing story did not get any action this time. Life is full of busy for everyone it seems.

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

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