21st Day of Snowmoot
The group waited as long as they could for Garet and Grog. Neither were forthcoming so they set off towards Riverguard Keep in the hope that they would both catch up.
Looking north towards the Sumber Hills
Garet and Grog both realised they needed additional healing so they had set off to find the potion seller. Chalaska had given them directions but they got slightly lost. However they found the healer and acquired what they needed. Heading back the Bargewright Inn owner told them that the group had left some 30 minutes previously. The trail wasn't hard to follow so they set off making good time.
Garet and Grog pushed on, as they crested a rise they could see the group moving round a recent battle site. Large, carapaced creatures lay still all around. Fargrim and Bandur were checking through their gear. Hagnulf was standing next to the mule, Bron was tending to his horse. Zindra seemed to be hacking at a carapace with a hand axe. Beside her stood 2 horses. They couldn't see Aerie anywhere.
A short while later after a hasty meal, Zindra miounted her horse and moved off to scout out a safer area to spend the night. She moved northwards but in a slight loop west then north, she found nothing for 30 minutes, then turned back east and south on another looping ride. After about 10 minutes she noticed an opening, a cave mouth. Alone and away from the others caution took hold and she moved quickly back to the others. She was happy to see that Aerie had arrived back. She had successfully scouted Riverguard Keep and even had time to draw a hasty map.
Leaving at midday she had followed the river keeping it in sight to her right until she could see the keep. Finding a safe place to land she observed the gate and a sentry on the walls. She moved west and flew into the line with the sun, where she hoped she wouldn't be seen. Airborne she drew a hasty map
AERIES' HAND DRAWN MAP OF RIVERGAURD KEEP FROM THE AIR
After making the map she flew in a direct line back to the battle site.
AERIES JOURNEY TO RIVERGUARD
She arrived shortly before Zindra arrived back and told them of the cave. They moved off after Grog performed a ritual prayer and healed those badly injured and the 3 horses that were in a bad way.
The group headed off towards the cave. Zindra caught movement on both sides out of the corner of her eyes. It looked like the snow rippled, following the direction that they were travelling in. Slowly loading her bow, she slowed down. Fargrim moved alongside and looked in the same directions as Zindra was looking but could see nothing. Neither could Zindra now. Garet caste minor illusion and mounted Dwarf rode out on the right of the group but disappeared after riding 30ft. Nothing was moving on either side. Zindra said she had spotted movement about 500 yards on either side. None of the group could see anything and put it down to Zindra not having had a drink (alcohol) for 24 hours.
They made the cave quickly and after a quick recce the group moved inside, lit a fire for food. Took care of the horses and put their bedding out. Zindra went outside but could find nothing on returning she fixed her tarp to cover most of the entrance but leaving a gap at the top. Grog prayed and told them he had placed an alarm prayer on the entrance that would only allow them to come and go but if anything else entered a bell sound would ring in the middle of the cave and wake them up. He then prayed to detect magic but couldn't quite get the words right and the prayer backfired leaving Bron and Bandur confused and wondering where they were. The effects lasted for a minute and wore off. Tired they went to sleep it off.
Bandur and Bron honed their weapons to a very keen edge. Happy they had done enough, they joined the others and settled in for the night. Zindra joining them. Aerie stood first watch to be relieved by Hagnulf later.
Encampment on the 21st
3 hours into setting up camp Aerie was nearly grabbed as a clawed hand came at her from the wooded slope above. She moved forward to get a better luck and two clawed hands grabbed her and threw her away from the cave entrance.
A large snow troll advanced towards her as two others rushed into the cave. Bandur and the horses were the first to be attacked. Zindra took to the air as two massive claws just missed her.
The battle was hard inside the cave as the trolls hit Bandur hard. Fargrim managed to drop 1,
narrowly missing Bandur as the 2nd was attacked by Garet, Zindra and some well placed arrows from Hagnulf. Suddenly the 2nd troll was dropped as the 3rd rushed in from outside.
Grog and Bron moved to attack it and Hagnulf supported them with well placed arrows. Garet jumped on to the 1st troll and started cutting its heart out, yelling to the others to do the same to the other two,
Bron narrowly missed two mighty swings as Grog brought the last down as the 1st troll got up and moved to attack Bron from behind. It missed and was brought down a 2nd time.
Troll bodies were dragged outside and troll hearts cast into the fire. As soon as the hearts hit the flames they melted into water.
The group settled down to rest and sleep. They awoke refreshed and ready to start the journey to track the trolls back to their lair or hopefully northwards towards Riverguard.
No comments:
Post a Comment