The Campaign Builder's Guild

I had to make sure I did not fall behind any further, since Steel Island plays tonight.

8:30 eastern time.

tonight was a good session... poor hamish is looking bad, though help might possibly get to him in time... rampan has already fried two gnolls and max gave another one an arcane concussion. Wurnik and Simon are on their way too... will be exciting to see what happens.

Why do these things keep happening to Hamish? I think it is time to return to town, like right away.

Hamish is a bit of a leader type, getting in the front ranks all the time.  
Finding yourself trying to fighting a delaying action against 6 gnolls in a 5' corridor....ouch.

Let it be known that kellik is acting like he is because he is annoyed by not being able to go even a few hours anymore without something trying to kill the group. He's decided if killing everything in sight is what it takes to get him a couple days of rest, then he'll kill everything in sight. As for hamish's stuation, kellik isn't very wise (he told a Carchedin to guard someone against six gnolls).

More from Session 10.
--------------------------------------------
Up on the roof, the hissing ball of flame rolls over the omwo~ archer again, who cries out in agony, and then the cry is cut short...
Simon tries to impale the hobyt in front of him, spearing the hobyt through the right side of his stomach, going through and removing blue, white, and red intestine on the way.
[note] [20:36] <~kellik> ooc: ouch[/note]
He falls down, and shudders heavily in his death throws.  Now only the burnt omwo~ remains
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin bellows a mighty roar while twirling his shamsheer over his head dramatically and uselessly before landing his blow.  the shamsheer goes over the breastplate, and cuts off the omwo~'s chin in a gout of blood.

Silence and hard breathing is all that remains, that and the victors.
[note=yuck][20:40] <Hamish_Haldane> ooc: this fight is like something out of an anime, blood and body parts everywhere.
I tend towards graphic description.  It reminds the players that combat is not an antiseptic set of rolls, but a messy, horrible thing.
 [/note]
Wurnick comes running, stooping at Hamish.  Blood is all over the young Human, and his chest is especially damaged.
kellik throws down his rapier.  'bah no fun for me.'  kellik notices wurnik and turns to see hamish on the ground.  He goes dead silent.  
Wurnick puts his hands on Hamish's gory chest.  He closes his eyes again, and mutters a few words, variations on the 'Blessing of the Miracle'.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin kicks the corpse of of the burnt human distractedly.. and then notices his chain mail armour. A familiar Carchedin glint lights in his eye.
Hamish_Haldane's hand moves suddenly'¦' Wurnik... *gasp*  That.. better not have been...'
kellik rushes over to Hamish and the Omwo~ archer.
' ...one of your arrows..', finishes Hamish.
kellik thumps hamish on the head with an open palm.  'what are you thinking going off and trying to die without my permission?'
Hamish_Haldane coughs.   'seems to be a bad habit I picked up.    The ambush worked though.'
wurnik grunts, and gets out his kit, as kellik retrieves his rapier
Wurnick removes the deep arrow.  'Ugh'¦', grunts Hamish.  Kellik frowns.
Simon nods to Hamish  " Yes, they followed Kellik, allowing us to fall on their flank"
Kellik  says, ' oh yea... tons of fun for you and mister sentient fire pit.  me... all I get is one measily lick in.'
Hamish_Haldane looks up and groans, as Wurnick finishes.  ' More of those damn cultists, I want a skull trinket this time.'
kellik pouts a bit

' So, how many did we get?, ' asks Hamish, as  Rampan strolls up, sniffing the air
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin is busily relieving the burnt corpse of its possessions
Hamish_Haldane  looks to his friend.  ' here Kellik, give me a hand to stand up>
' oh so now I'm a crutch eh?', kellik grins and helps hamish up.  Hamish_Haldane grins weakly

'Hamish,' says Wurnick, ' I'm going to try to heal you again.'
Hamish_Haldane nods.  ' Alright'
' I have to use a different spell, 'says the healer.
Hamish_Haldane shrugs.  ' Do your worst, Wurnik.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin seesm put out as he rifles pockets.  ' These curs. How dare the mongrel dogs contest our passage? The very notion is disgusting.'
Kellik says, ' well they won't be contesting much any more.'  Wurnick murmurs a different variation on a curative spell, and there is a light green glow on Hamish's chest.
Hamish_Haldane says, ' Hmmm, I miss Toden more than ever. We could definetly use another person with healing ability.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin comes over.  ' I have some small skill with the care of wounds.. of the mundane variety of course. perhaps I could take a look and see.'
[note-healing]
 01[20:48] <GM_Vreeg> (OOC--guys...the 1/hawaak rule?  Hamish has had all three of wurnicks)  
[20:48] <Hamish_Haldane> ooc: sweet
[20:48] <~kellik> ooc: don't get shot again
this is in reference to  one of the purposeful idiosyncrasies of the celtrician game.   Lower power healing spells can only be cast once per 8 day week on a person.  Even medium power ones can be cast once per day, and this includes the scroll or potion versions.  So not only is a low HP world, but there comes a point where a player starts having trouble getting healed.  This is also a very present threat in the live Igbarian game. [/note]
wurnick nods at max.  "any help we can get!"
kellik says' I say we take a look at the ruins.'
[Hamish_Haldane nods.  ' Ok, lets also check out what these folk contributed to our cause.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin examines Hamish's closing wounds with a careful eye while reaching for the healing kit.  Hamish is still injured.
wurnick hands it over.   Max uses the bone needs and gut thread to sew up hamish's wound.

Now that hamish can stand kellik goes over and starts searching the defeated, rifling through their equipment and possessions.  He notes that Rampan and Max already did some of that difficult labor.
 ' Many thanks friend max', says Hamish
<Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin beams.  ' You are most welcome. I have not treated wounds in quite some time.'
Hamish_Haldane walks over to the female cultist he killed, and grabs the small silver skull pendant. 'Cultists again!'
kellik holds up a couple of the pendants  in his hands...
[note=loot]
5 silver skull pendants
> 360 silver Children
90 Goodwives
26 gold horn
10 elongated gold pieces with a strange face (label 30)
3 suits chain leath, 3 suits silk
I suit burnt human chain mail, I omwo scale mail
1 falchion, made of a blackish metal, label 11
a vial with a grey liquid (label 12)
and the black armor dude had a book with strange scrawlings (label 13) and a thich crystal vial with a clear liquid (label 14, we 25
[/note]
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin idly wipes down his shamsheer on a piece of torn cloth.
Simon scouts on the east side of the building
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin sits on the folded set of chain mail, as if laying claim to it.  Can anyone of us read these strange scrawlings?', he says as he hefts the book in his hand.
'Rampan, think its a spellbook?', Says Hamish, as he peer over Rampan's shoulder.
'rampan giggles and laughes'¦"Yes, this is spellbook"
Hamish_Haldane attemps to decifer the spells in this book.  He does not make much sense of it.
wurnik looks at the vials
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, ' I can read magetongue, I shall attempt!'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin peers at the magish runes..  His eys become focuses and intense.  ' This spell book has spells in it..'

kellik shucks his old armor and pulls on the snug fitting chain leather
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin scratches his head dumbly
'ARG', says Hamish_Haldane. 'this book tells me nothing.'
 Rampan turns the book upside down, and a tear rolls down his face
Hamish_Haldane shrugs.  ' Well, we've got two unknown spellbooks'  we're bound to get some good cash for them.'
rampan..." I cannot wait to get back to town.  2 friggin books...!"
simon comes back around
Hamish_Haldane asks ' Find any statuary friend Simon?'
simon shakes his head.  " no, but there are some sleeping areas and a small satchel I found"
Hamish_Haldane says, "hmmm, interesting."
kellik smiles..." ah good a place to get out of the weather for a change?"
Simon nods, " well ,inside the ruin"
kellik puts out a hand.   "do we hide the stiffs. or leave them out as a message?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "I wager friend Hamish needs rest. Perhaps we should waylay ourselves for a spell."
kellik grins wryly
Hamish_Haldane seems pretty energetic after Wurnick and MAx' ministrations.  " We should just stack em a ways away."
Rampan's eyes light up.   " we could burn them?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods.  "Capital idea, Rampan.  Burn the dogs."
Hamish_Haldane agrees,  "the last thing I want is some demonic rat looking for a snack"
Simon looks askance at Rampan, " Aye, a signal Pyre, wise idiot."
Hamish_Haldane and Wurnick both laugh at that.
Hamish_Haldane says, " lets just stack them for now."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " The smoke would hardly be visible in this enveloping fog."
Hamish_Haldane pats Max on the shoulder.  "we can burn them when we leave."
rampan the red Hobyt  pouts.  
"fair enough," says Kellik,  "come on simon"
Hamish_Haldane says, " So, we have death cultists crawling all over this part of Steel Isle." as Kellik and Simon start to go to work on the bodies. Hamish comes over to help.
kellik  says, " lets get these deadweights out of sight. "  He drags the hobyt over behind a tree
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin watches glumly as the corpses are removed

the first floor is mainly still enclosed, and out of the weather.  It is L shaped, the larger section maybe 70' by 30', the smaller 30' bt 30'.   There is a courtyard to the south, creating a square with the l of the building.   There is a smashed statue on the south-west corner, and another pile of rubble.  to the west of the building, the ruined road continues south.  The late-afternoon light fights to get through the trees.
Hamish_Haldane says, "Rubble.. a good place for hidden statuary>"
He searches the pile of rubble, slowly to make sure he find everything
Wurnick  looks at the human critically.  " I like the idea of resting for Hamish.  Can we set watches?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin idly polishes his sword.
kellik nods. " sure...I'll take the first one."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks up frolm his sword.  "Friend Hamish, best not strain your wounds so soon. Take a rest.  I will the second."
Hamish_Haldane looks like he is going to protest, then thinks the better of it.   "Anyone mind if I skip taking a watch this night?"
simon brings over the leather sack.  "No, my friend.  Rest."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin shakes his head." I do not. Sleep."
kellik stares hard at his friend.  " hamish not only don't we mind but if you try to take a watch all beat up like that...I'll knock you out."
Simon nods " The third watch shall be mine."
Hamish_Haldane says, " I can agree with that Kellik"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin lowers himself into a light slumber
Hamish_Haldane> Let me take a look at this satchel, Simon
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin mumbles in his sleep. You think you can make out the words.
kellik walks into the ruins and takes a look around
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin mumbles in his sleep.  " Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? No, says the man in Hagenos, it belongs to the college! No, says the man in Argus, it belongs to the emperor!.... No, says the man  in Steel Isle Town, it belongs to the Sceding Tree!"
kellik figures that up top where the archer was will make a good lookout point and heads up
Simon hands the satchel to Hamish, frowning
Hamish_Haldane  looks up at the Bone Knight.  "Hmmm, anything wrong Simon?"
Simnon.  " Nay, friend hamish.  Or better put, much worries me out here amidst the fen and ruin around us, and I wonder at the armed defenders of these ruins.  But I find the company well suited to such an investigation."
kellik  whispers loudly down the stairs, in Sotto Voice.  'I'll be up top if you need me.'  kellik draws his cloak about him and walks up into the elements
Hamish_Haldane rifles through the satchel, finding some items of interest.
[note= items]GM_Vreeg> finds some dried herbs (label 190
a lg lantern made of grey hammered steel, made for oil. (label 110), we 35
109 oblong electrum coins, the electrum has a face on the front and a gryphon on the back
2 oil flasks (we 15@)oil [/note]
Hamish_Haldane puts the satchel by the donkey.  'Good night everyone'
simon motions for the wineskin, as  Hamish_Haldane removes his soft leather armor.  Hamish tosses Simon the wineskin
rampan is snoring, his armor next to him, andsinmon gratefully drinks
Hamish_Haldane wads up a spare silk armor as a pillow
* Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin rolls over in his sleep, clinking in his new mail.
wurnick's armor is off, he is asleep
Hamish_Haldane says, ' hopefully we can find some statuary tomorrow'.  Then he falls asleep, the night noises of bird and beast around the group, and the Wind all around Kellik above.

and we should be on tonight around 8:30 eastern time.
The group continues their battle vs the gnolls under the Venolvian pyramid...

Some more session 10, and most of session 11.

Wherein the group picks their way through the Venolvian Ruins in the Moorsih swamp, and discovers more questions...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kellik's watch goes without incident up above the others, on the second floor of the ruined mansion.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin wakes with vigor in his eyes and a spring in his step, slightly before his watch is due, as kellik walks back downstairs
kellik sees max
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin asks, " How does the watch?"
"your turn", says kellik, " not much cept a few lizardmen.  they didn't notice us."
the night is chill, but not frigid, as kellik slips max a wineskin
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, " Lizards, hmph."
kellik passes the wineskin.  "... for the cold."  Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin takes it gladly
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin perches atop the post in a lotus position, and max goes upstairs and watches for a good 2 hrs without incident.
 the chill arounds him increases, and the fog grows.  Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin shifts uncomfortably.  Both moons are chased by clouds.  It is 6 hours since the group finished fighting for this building, close to the midnight Hour.
Max  suddenly is confronted by a transparent human, male, with a sorrowful gaze and a huge gaping chest wound.  He moans at Max.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin eyes widen.  He whispers in astonished fashion, "What trickery is this?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin rushes back down the stairs to wake his companions, making a horrible racket
the wind rises, and the fire below is dimmed.  Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, "There is a spectre above!"  and all awake, jumping up.
Hamish_Haldane runs over.  "  Max, is this really the best thing for a wounded ally?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks wide eyed at his friends.  " I swear to you!"
Hamish_Haldane asks, " A spectre?"
<Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods again    'A spectre waits up yonder stair!'
" Nuts of Madrak!", exclaims Rampan, as he gathers himself.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin cautiously begins ascending the stairs again.  'Just once, I would like a night uninterrupted by super-natural forces'¦', mutters Hamish from behind him.
' yes that would be most excellent, 'agrees Kellik sourly.


Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin peers over the lip of the stairwell'¦the groups goes upstairs following...naught is there for Max to see'¦The wind is still chill, the clouds still fly by, but the image of the dead man is gone.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin scratches his head dumbfoundedly.
Kellik syas, ' ugh if this is some kind of prank.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin  looks all around.  ' I swear it.. it was right here.'
Hamish_Haldane barks aout a little laugh.  'Well done Max, spectre of the mists!'
kellik glares at max.  Rampan. Turns around, grousing" 'SWEATY balls of Madrak, omwo~ freak..."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin opens and closes his mouth without saying anything
' Perhaps you fell asleep and dreamt it.', says Hamish consolingly.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin resumes his watch grumpily  and the rest of the night passes without incident

vindak, Tokush the sixth, and red Tribin starts the dialy race, bathing the Moorish swamp in a red-tinger light.  Many light wounds have healed, gashes have scabbed over, sore muscles replacing the wreched and pulled feeling from the day before.




Hamish_Haldane stretches,   'I feel surprisingly healthy this morning, Wurnik, you truly are a miracle worker.'
Wurnick thumbs over to the Omwo~ coming down the stairs." Thanks Max's sewing skills"
' See anymore mist spirits Max?, says Hamish_Haldane grinning widely.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin feels as healthy as an ox on a crisp autumn day.  'It was there. I know what I saw.'
 the building is very, very old in the morning light.  There is a courtyard to the south and ruins right beyond, and  to the east is more swamp
kellik stretches before tugging on his armor.  He looks over to Max.  'you been drinking too much wine.'
Rampan smiles at the book in his hands.   " Spell books weigh less than statuary.  May we keep finding them"
Hamish_Haldane says, ' May we find one we can read.'
Hamish_Haldane puts the extra loot onto the donkey, keeping a couple spare silk suits in his pack

the ancient road the group had been moving down continues south, hardly more than an occasional flagstone or curb.


Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks over to Rampan and Hamish.   'Are these THE ruins?'
Hamish_Haldane and Rampan both nod.  
'Praise be to the InBetweener, ' says Wurnick as his eyes go upward.  'I'd begun to think Chorbit got his jollies sending innocents on hare-chases.'
Hamish_Haldane snacks on a bagel and some dried meat, and Wurnick snags a bagel as well.  
Hamish_Haldane says, ' Lets get this damn statuary hunt over with.'
Wurnick says " But Hamish, you still have some skin left unscarred."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin munches on slices of dried apple he had concealed on his person
Hamish_Haldane laughs.  'haha, true enough Wurnik.  maybe I'll find a nice spike pit to fall into,
or some scalding acid.'
'I'll be sure to be ready.', says Wurnick.
Kellik and Max lead the way, followed by Hamish leading the donkey, with Rampan next to him, and Wurnick and Simon in the rear.   The morning birds are loud, and in the far distance is the roaring of competing  draggonne.   The undergrowth is choking, and the group can barely see a few feet in front of them, as the ambient light starts to turn more yellow.  The start slowly and carefully south.

Hamish_Haldane says, ' Kellik and Max can you lead the way please.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, ' As you please.'
" Asses following asses, " intones Rampan.  Hamish_Haldane snorts
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin turns backward and lays an icy glare on Rampan, and kellik scoops up a pebble and chucks it back at rampan out of annoyance

' So, we've run into quite the number of magical foe, ' says Hamish to no one in particular., as Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin whittles a sauroid with his cousin's dagger as he walks. It's fairly mediocre.
Hamish_Haldane continues, 'Death Cultists but no undead, thank the fates.  That is something I can be thankful for. I could go the rest of my life without seeing another undead'

After only 50' south, the group sees the road continuing south through ferns and fen.  On the left rises a large building made of grey marple, large, with 30' tall walls left in some eareas, some 50' across.  It is another 40' ahead south.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, ' That looks significant.'
As the group continues carefull, they see on the opposite side of the road, a wooden pallisade, burnt to the ground, across from the large building.  The Palisade is set back another 60' from the road.  Further to the south, there are a few ruined spires masquerading as trees.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin takes in the grand ruin
Rampan says," great.  all roads lead to ruin"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, 'So.. now that we're here... what do we do?  Shall we investigate?'
" Aye", says Rampan.
Hamish_Haldane says, ' We were commissioned to find some statuary, so that's the best thing to look for.'
the explorers continues another 60' south, into an area where the trees completely canopy over the remnants of the road.  There are foot prints all over the place here, which even the least skilled can detect.  To the left is a grey marple building, with tall walls remaining, broken wooden doors in front of it.  To the right, back 40' from the road, is a wooden pallisadde, mainly ruined.  The front of it is littered with bodies.  To the south of the marple building a is a totally ruined round building, barely a foundation,

Hamish_Haldane surveys the scene, and says.  'Hmmm, we should check out those bodies. See if we can figure out what killed them.'
the explorers turn west, towards the ruined palisade.  In front of it are decaying naked gnolls, lizardmen, and a strange dog-man.  Eleven Gnolls, and six Lizardman.
Hamish_Haldane says, ' ach, beastmen'¦'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks perplexed.  'What could have happened here?'  he starts looking over the decaying, ripe bodies.  The flies and bugs are disgustingly apparent.  Many of the clothes and items have been stripped already.
Hamish_Haldane sniffs and almost gags.  ' Naked beastmen, lovely'  Rampan turns and goes back to the road, his face greening.
Hamish_Haldane continues his search.  'Any sign of who was inside the palisade?'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin cautiously steps through the destroyed gate.  Burnt logs and former defenses are blackened and asunder.
' Looks like these things attacked the palisade and got killed off.', observes Hamish.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin agrees.  ' It seems so.'
Inside there are many, many more bodies, stripped hobyts, humans, omwo~  and a few more gnolls, as well as a single ograk, almost eight feet tall, spitted with arrows and missing a foot.   The body has 2 huge, while centipedes, over a foot long, feasting on the carcass.

Hamish_Haldane turns toward the road.  ' Rampan, you ever hear of anything like that dog-man?  It reminds me of gnoll, but not.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin says, ' Shall we follow the trail, so to speak?'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin grins wryly
Rampan, still nearly sick, rasps,  '...No, strange..."[note]Goesi is the name for the 60 day months of Celtricia. [/note]
Hamish_Haldane sighs.  The walls have been burnt and ruined at the pallisade'¦ a grand battle was fought here within the last few goesi.
Hamish_Haldane counts all the dead bodies.  All told, some sixty or more.  'Ok, hopefully whatever two groups were fighting it out are long gone.'
Wurnick is helping Hmaish  "What in the name of the balance has been going on here?"
Any buildings inside were all burnt down.  Some stone foundations are beneath the wooden wreckage.
' Ok, we know of one group that loiters around these ruins, and Chorbit said they were newly discovered, 'says Hamish speaking to all.  'So, the group inside the palisade we're probably more Death Cultists.'
Rampan giggles sickly " New to him..."
Hamish_Haldane continues, 'the attacking group seems to be mostly made up of these weird animal-men.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks at Rampan suspiciously.  'Anything about these cultists you'd like to tell us?'
 Simon finds a rusting broadsword " A grand battle, and one that is perplexing, so far from civilization.  Whose world are we intruding on?"
'Snakemen, Gnolls, this dog-man thing, and seems they had an Ogre.', remarks Hamish.  'so uncivilized Ogrillites'¦ The band of attackers are probably just the usual things that live far from civilization.'
Rampan says, " Shall we try the other building, across the way?'
Hamish_Haldane looks out to Rampan.  'Lets check out the broken down building to the south first, see if there's any clues.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin does not disagree.  The group leaves the Palisade, and moves south slightly, to the ruined foundation just south of the Palisade.  The odors of decay lessen slightly.  The twin suns are moving towards the noon hour.   The group finds 2 gnoll bodies there, with bows, with steel bolts through their chests
Hamish_Haldane checks the quality of the bows, and rips out the bolts.  The explorers note the foundation walls are low, and the rubble is very large, as if this building has had more than one level collapse.
Hamish sees the bows are horrible.  However, there one of the bodies has 20 more of those elongated electrums, with the gryphn and man's head. [note=money] It may not seem like a lot, but that 20 electrum is 20 days of unskilled labor worth of coin, and a hawaak's salary for a craftsman.[/note]
Hamish_Haldane smiles waste not want not, I guess the victors never checked these gnolls.
and a silver sax dagger with a spider on the hilt.
[note=dagger] it is a sax, a very large dagger, and it is the blade that is silver.  We 35 Labelled 114[/note]
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin examines the dagger before slipping it into his pack.  'Strange, I have never seen the like.'
Hamish_Haldane admonishes, ' Max, that's two silver weapons you have.  The Gladius and the Sax'
Rampan muses  "It is old.  These ruins have provided some picking already, and some items are clearly Venolvian."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin asks, ' Would you like one?'
Hamish_Haldane says, ' my rapier is silver, but someone else could possibly use one.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin holds up a hand.  ' I merely carry the burden, as I have a strong back.'
Hamish_Haldane turns.  ' Anyone here proficient with daggers or a gladius?'
Rampan says " I could use the sax.  Heavy, but I'll manage"
Hamish_Haldane says, ' Alright.. spider symbol'¦'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin tosses the dagger to Rampan.  Rampan actually catches it, and tucks it in the sash of his red robe.
Hamish_Haldane nods.  ' Better safe than sorry, we've ran into our fair share of weres. And we're likely to meet more.'
Both of the gnolls wear old scale leather, very old and in poor condition.

Might be late tonight, I have a business dinnner I cannot skip.

If that's the case we can go ahead and cancel for this week. I can't do it if the session is late and I don't want to rush you.

Can we at least see how late it is going to be? I mean worse comes to worse we can play a tiny bit (no combat) and move out of the ruins towards town possibly? No need to rush Vreeg, you'll get there when you get there. But no need to jump the gun IMO.

The issue is that my time for today has already gotten cut down. At best it already would have been just a very short non-combat session for me even if vreeg wasn't obligated to go to the dinner. If you want you're welcome to do a non-combat session without me, just get me up to date later.

Updated page on one of the main neghborhoods of Steel Isle Town.
The Upper Hill of Steel Isle Town
This is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Steel Isle Town.

We play tonight, 8:30 eastern, in #Celtricia.

new players are welcome to drop in and take the part of one of the pregen characters, or a new character can be created to start next week.

I think we are up to session 14 or 15.  The explorers have found an entrance (by chasing something) on the top of an old Venovian pyramidal dias into some chambers inside.  They are trying to extricate themselves from the area as they just fought a major 2-front battle.

More session 11

The explorers find better ruins, and try to parley by imitating the deadly enemy of the people they are talking to.
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4:20 PM, red Gerin has whipped around Tribin and is now chasing the larger sun.  The temperature in the swampy ruins is dropping back into the thirties.  The shadows lengthen, as the group finishes pillaging the dead gnollic archers.

Kellik stretches a bit  ' I'll be glad to not have to deal with these oafs'¦damned cultists.'
Hamish_Haldane holds up one of the skull pendants they have taken off of the cultists.  ' hmm Kellik, I think we should display our trophies a bit, in case we run into more of these oafs'

To the left and behind the group is the ruins of the larger buildings, and still wafting from directly North is the smell of roasting flesh
Kellik says, ' I was thinking of perhaps decorating my armor with them... the whole skulls of my enemy thing would make a great motif.'
Hamish_Haldane says, ' at best we can avoid a fight or surprise them, I mean you, Simon and Wurnik are all wearing cultist armor.'
Kellik grins a wolfish grin and chuckles  ' it would also piss them off.'
Hamish_Haldane puts on one of the talismans
rampan   "Kellik is not wrong, nor  is Hamish"
Kellik pulls his out of his pocket and places it on his neck. ''¦ finally making sense, rampan.'

Hamish_Haldane says ' So, all those gnolls and junk outside, the dog thing and what not>'
Rampan  nods to Hamish.  'Probabilities diverge, but there is agreement in a few vectors."
Kellik looks over at the hobyt   'Ok.   You just lost me again.'
'Don't worry about it.' says Hamish, 'So, spider symbols on the daggers and skulls for the cultists. Nice folk in these parts.'
Kellik says, 'yes... but enough talk... personally I want to see about those statues.'
Rampan ssems to be in his own world, "The FratreCanis is a figure of some worry, and his obvious leadership position recommends caution."
Hamish_Haldane looks back and down at the red haired and red-robed magician.  ' FraterCanis?  That's the dog-man, then?'
Rampan noda absently.  "Aye, a creature of the Venolvian mad archevault"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin has a far-away look in his eyes, and doesn't seem as if he'll be very loquacious in the near future
'Mad archevault eh?, ' Hamish purses his lips in thought.  'We can talk while we explore, into the ruins! Statuary awaits.'
' exciting', yawns Kellik.
Rampan goes on, seemingly oblivious to Kellik.  "in the height of their wealth and power, an artificer school of some note gained great power in Venolvia."
Kellik looks unexcited.  Simon also seems antsy.  'come on I'm with Hamish', says Kellik.
Hamish_Haldane says, 'hmmm Artificer School... I like the sound of that'¦'
Kellik says, ' lets get moving.'

The flagstoned road  continues south, into more ruins.  Shadows leer through the trees above, and birds complain loudly about the chilling air.
Simon says , "this place is full of strange Mystery."
Hamish_Haldane says, 'The usual formation, Kellik and Simon out front, I'll take the donkey with Rampan and Max and Wurnik as rearguard?'
Wurnick says, '  Spread it out a few feet today...."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin slides into formation dumbly, it almost appears as if he is not moving his legs.  simon unlimbers his demilune
Vreeg_GM> Simon and Kellik face the group south, and get back onto the road
Behind the exploreres to the left is a huge shell of a library, picked cleaned and a sad testimony to what was once a literate, educated populace.
Behind them to the right, a broken, wooden stockade build on the foundation of some old stone building.  This still smoulders, the wreckage of a battle, litterered with bodies of tribal humanoids and armored humans, stunatu, and omwo~. The smell of burnt bodies comes from that place.
 
In front of the group is a road, leading past other ruined buildings, and down the road, the explorers can see steps leading up to another ruined building, less covered in vine and leaf than the others.


 

Kellik idly chats with simon as they walk, and Simon welcomes the chatter.  He sees a large set of steps some 70 feet south, at the end of the road.

Hamish_Haldane frowns.  'Steps... this is going to be a complete pain for moving statuary.'
Rampan says, " Hmm.  I detest moving towards an elevated position."
Hamish_Haldane nods.  ' Something we can agree on my friend.'
Simon is looking side to side as the group moves south
Kellik halts the group, and Simon stops.
Kellik points over at a structure to the South and motions to be quiet   'looks like guards, or something', he whispers.
Rampan says,  "cultists, or their enemy, one wonders?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin is being killed by the suspense
Hamish_Haldane looks at Kellik.  ' Think we should try and bluff them? with the talismans?'  If its their enemies were in for a fight ether way.'
Kellik draws his rapier.  'Best be on our guards either way.'
Rampan  whispers, "perhaps a bowman and a fighter to the side, here?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin 's talisman is displayed prominently upon his chest.
Hamish_Haldane nods to Kellik.   'Ok, I'll try and bluff them.'

the building is some 80' wide, the stairs are centered and are 20' wide
Rubble abounds, fallen statues, former walls, and it looks like there once was an enclosed structure at the top of the structure, whereas now, only a few stone supports remain.
Kellik  says, ' I'm going with you though.'
Hamish_Haldane says, " Sounds good."
" as danger prone as you are, "Finishes Kellik.
Hamish_Haldane says, " I'll save my magic for later, these are just some guards.  The rest of you guys hang back a bit, we'll signal.'
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin thinks we should all go together, it would look less suspicious, he refrains from mentioning this, however.
Hamish_Haldane begins to walk towards the figures, with Kellik.  The rest hang back.  Wurnick has his bow out.
Kellik walks at hamish's right
" Hail and well met!", calls Hamish.
Kellik has his rapier out but is holding it in an unthreatening manner
Kellik and Hamish get about 20' from the stpes (40' ahead of the rest), when a hissing voices squeals a warning.  In the fading light, they see movement from above.
Hamish_Haldane stops dead, and Kellik stops, sheathing  his rapier.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin stops looking dead, but only for a moment
Max , simon and the rest see scaly figures throwing 3 sides daggers down at Hamish and Kellik...