Marcel Gerard Desrosiers
The wizened friar grips his morning star beneath a fold of his cloak and stands ready to aid Moriartus if the dwarves should prove hostile.
Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar waits to see the reaction to Moriartus' hail.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
9.45am. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
The dwarven mule train comes to a halt just yards from you. The greybeard looks at Moriartus as he greets them. "Hail, strangers, and well met! We offer friendship, are you in need of assistance?"
Greybeard, looks solemnly, "We have nothing to rob off of us. Barely all that I have has been taken from me already by the cursed Moor and its denizens. Behold my sons."
Two younger dwarves reach out with their hands to touch those close by, bandaged, blindfold and bloodied, seeping blots of crimson from still open wounds.
The travois scrapes a deep rut in the soggy trail, weighted down by the stretchered body. Uncovering the blanket reveals a deathly pale face, the dwarf ashen and rigid.
"We left as seven but come back as three.
Niguel I buried upon the Moor, his cairn made of stones cut from the tombs. Stavro was taken by a winged beast. His death cry was all we heard and the torch he dropped the only memory left behind, that and his blood pooling on the ground. Malcor we lost in the mist, Moradin bless his soul."
The dismal group has obvious needs. But the question is how you address them if indeed you do. For Fydmar and Marcel Gerard, the decisions are more poignant.
Rickford and Duval keep watch as you discuss and make decisions. Actions please.
9.45am. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
The dwarven mule train comes to a halt just yards from you. The greybeard looks at Moriartus as he greets them. "Hail, strangers, and well met! We offer friendship, are you in need of assistance?"
Greybeard, looks solemnly, "We have nothing to rob off of us. Barely all that I have has been taken from me already by the cursed Moor and its denizens. Behold my sons."
Two younger dwarves reach out with their hands to touch those close by, bandaged, blindfold and bloodied, seeping blots of crimson from still open wounds.
The travois scrapes a deep rut in the soggy trail, weighted down by the stretchered body. Uncovering the blanket reveals a deathly pale face, the dwarf ashen and rigid.
"We left as seven but come back as three.
Niguel I buried upon the Moor, his cairn made of stones cut from the tombs. Stavro was taken by a winged beast. His death cry was all we heard and the torch he dropped the only memory left behind, that and his blood pooling on the ground. Malcor we lost in the mist, Moradin bless his soul."
The dismal group has obvious needs. But the question is how you address them if indeed you do. For Fydmar and Marcel Gerard, the decisions are more poignant.
Rickford and Duval keep watch as you discuss and make decisions. Actions please.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
Steps into the light.
Rob another dwarf? With Moradin as my witness I will do no such thing. You and yours have suffered, but you are almost to the safety of Helix if you keep on. Do you have coin for food? Perhaps we will meet these creatures and exact vengeance. Tell us more of this winged beast so that our odds of doing so improve.
Steps into the light.
Rob another dwarf? With Moradin as my witness I will do no such thing. You and yours have suffered, but you are almost to the safety of Helix if you keep on. Do you have coin for food? Perhaps we will meet these creatures and exact vengeance. Tell us more of this winged beast so that our odds of doing so improve.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed come out of the shadows back into position and lowers his sling.
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Quonundrum
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus solemnly nods and steps over to the travois, taking a perfunctory look at the body. As he walks back to the front, he pats one of Greybeard's sons on the shoulder and momentarily grips it to reassure the young dwarf. He listens as Fydmar emerges from the shadows and lights a cigar from his tobacco pouch. He stops in mid puff when the subject of the winged creature is broached.
"Indeed Mr. Greybeard, as Mr. Fydmar has stated, we are no bandits, nor do we share tables with such. We will be alert to any signs of Mr. Malcor. If he yet lives, we shall return with him if it be in our power." He nods to Dougal as he alludes to searching for tracks. "Please do tell of this winged creature, though. I have a ... particular interest ... in the winged beasts of the Moor."
Moriartus solemnly nods and steps over to the travois, taking a perfunctory look at the body. As he walks back to the front, he pats one of Greybeard's sons on the shoulder and momentarily grips it to reassure the young dwarf. He listens as Fydmar emerges from the shadows and lights a cigar from his tobacco pouch. He stops in mid puff when the subject of the winged creature is broached.
"Indeed Mr. Greybeard, as Mr. Fydmar has stated, we are no bandits, nor do we share tables with such. We will be alert to any signs of Mr. Malcor. If he yet lives, we shall return with him if it be in our power." He nods to Dougal as he alludes to searching for tracks. "Please do tell of this winged creature, though. I have a ... particular interest ... in the winged beasts of the Moor."
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Quonundrum
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus quietly confers with Two-Birds, the cleric of Sylvanus, for a few moments. The dwarf's plight had given him pause to recall his own desperate predicament he so recently experienced . "Mr. Greybeard, sir. Please allow us to escort you to the outer woods, safely beyond the mist."
Moriartus quietly confers with Two-Birds, the cleric of Sylvanus, for a few moments. The dwarf's plight had given him pause to recall his own desperate predicament he so recently experienced . "Mr. Greybeard, sir. Please allow us to escort you to the outer woods, safely beyond the mist."
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Karaunios
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Dougal
The ranger nods at everything it's said. "We also had a pish experience with a winged... thing in a preevious travel almost tae weeks agoo. Sae, aye, we have an interest in that. Specially being a creetuir that can see through the mists.
And yer frend, we'll dae aur best tae help him return save if we faend him, ye can be suir af that."
The ranger nods at everything it's said. "We also had a pish experience with a winged... thing in a preevious travel almost tae weeks agoo. Sae, aye, we have an interest in that. Specially being a creetuir that can see through the mists.
And yer frend, we'll dae aur best tae help him return save if we faend him, ye can be suir af that."
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
16.50pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Resources are precious and conscious of the attrition that the Moor invariably inflicts upon each expedition, there is a reluctance to offer healing to the beleaguered dwarves.
'Greybeard' accepts your offer of escort to the forest fringe. While on the reverse trek, Cody, one of the surviving blinded sons shares what he knows of the encounter that took a kinsman away.
"The beast had scaly skin, a reddish-black like burning coal. The wings spread wide like a bat, webbed skin between the flight bones with a hooked claw. It flew like a dark shadow into the mist, carrying away Stavro units claws. The long tail had a large spike on its end."
The two hirelings light the way, forward and back. The extra few miles and time added to your trek but the reciprocal benefit is the goodwill of the dwarves. Reaching the main trail, you say goodbye and best regards. Greybeard, "I have not much to give. Woe is in my heart and despair. But I will offer you my axe as a blessing and thanks for your concern. May it bring you better favour than it brought me. "
Fydmar as the dwarven rep in the group you can add Greybeard's axe' to your inventory. You can tell it is finely crafted and by the deep gouges, well worn in battle.
you can all post any comments and actions here. Then, setting his face as flint with a solemn determination, the old greybeard leads the dwarven mule train on. You take a break then simply retrace your steps and carry on
Eventually you arrive in the late afternoon at the southwest corner of a huge grassy meadow which spreads out across two hundreds acres of sacred and revered land. Though you only see a portion of the unexplored vastness as the thick white swirling mist envelopes everything from view, your visibility limited to the radius of your light sources.
Right before you lies the exposed bones of a herd of elephantine creature. The bones decorated with ribbons and trinkets. Little keepsakes and notes, prayers or proverbs. The tusks long since gone but the ribcages and bones still protrude from the peat.
Rickford, "This is the usual waypoint used to enter the Barrow Mounds. Groups leave little tributes for blessing or memorials."
an action or comment from everyone please.
16.50pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Resources are precious and conscious of the attrition that the Moor invariably inflicts upon each expedition, there is a reluctance to offer healing to the beleaguered dwarves.
'Greybeard' accepts your offer of escort to the forest fringe. While on the reverse trek, Cody, one of the surviving blinded sons shares what he knows of the encounter that took a kinsman away.
"The beast had scaly skin, a reddish-black like burning coal. The wings spread wide like a bat, webbed skin between the flight bones with a hooked claw. It flew like a dark shadow into the mist, carrying away Stavro units claws. The long tail had a large spike on its end."
The two hirelings light the way, forward and back. The extra few miles and time added to your trek but the reciprocal benefit is the goodwill of the dwarves. Reaching the main trail, you say goodbye and best regards. Greybeard, "I have not much to give. Woe is in my heart and despair. But I will offer you my axe as a blessing and thanks for your concern. May it bring you better favour than it brought me. "
Fydmar as the dwarven rep in the group you can add Greybeard's axe' to your inventory. You can tell it is finely crafted and by the deep gouges, well worn in battle.
you can all post any comments and actions here. Then, setting his face as flint with a solemn determination, the old greybeard leads the dwarven mule train on. You take a break then simply retrace your steps and carry on
Eventually you arrive in the late afternoon at the southwest corner of a huge grassy meadow which spreads out across two hundreds acres of sacred and revered land. Though you only see a portion of the unexplored vastness as the thick white swirling mist envelopes everything from view, your visibility limited to the radius of your light sources.
Right before you lies the exposed bones of a herd of elephantine creature. The bones decorated with ribbons and trinkets. Little keepsakes and notes, prayers or proverbs. The tusks long since gone but the ribcages and bones still protrude from the peat.
Rickford, "This is the usual waypoint used to enter the Barrow Mounds. Groups leave little tributes for blessing or memorials."
an action or comment from everyone please.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed
Cadeweed's attention is always on the the edge of the light, when the group gets to the elephant skeleton, the short halfling will to the place of the most memorials and knell for several second of silent reflection.
Cadeweed's attention is always on the the edge of the light, when the group gets to the elephant skeleton, the short halfling will to the place of the most memorials and knell for several second of silent reflection.
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Karaunios
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 4271
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:56 am
- Location: Cervantes' hometown & The Black Forest
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Dougal
Dougal doesn't feel that well since he can't help the dwarves heal their wounds and what he bought was something for himself. They are headed back to town and will be able to rest there anyway while he and his group will probably need some means of curing their wounds in the following days.
The ranger looks with respect the bones and trinkets left from the many people that have come here before him. Many of them probably never left. He decides to take an instant of silence, reading the notes on the bones, and leaves a single gold coin in the eye cavity of one of the elephantine creatures' eye-cavities.
-1 gp
Dougal doesn't feel that well since he can't help the dwarves heal their wounds and what he bought was something for himself. They are headed back to town and will be able to rest there anyway while he and his group will probably need some means of curing their wounds in the following days.
The ranger looks with respect the bones and trinkets left from the many people that have come here before him. Many of them probably never left. He decides to take an instant of silence, reading the notes on the bones, and leaves a single gold coin in the eye cavity of one of the elephantine creatures' eye-cavities.
-1 gp
Last edited by Karaunios on Wed Nov 03, 2021 3:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
When Greybeard gives the axe, Fydmar is at a loss for words.
Later, while heading toward the elephant skeleton...
Looking obviously stressed, he mutters....He gives me his axe as a blessing. But unlike most dwarves, I'm no good with an axe. So what am I to do? Is that a bad omen? Gotta keep this blessing from turning...
What kind of axe is this? Hand, battle, ornamental?
When they get to the skeletons, Fydmar asks, "The USUAL waypoint? Are there other entry points then?
When Greybeard gives the axe, Fydmar is at a loss for words.
Later, while heading toward the elephant skeleton...
Looking obviously stressed, he mutters....He gives me his axe as a blessing. But unlike most dwarves, I'm no good with an axe. So what am I to do? Is that a bad omen? Gotta keep this blessing from turning...
What kind of axe is this? Hand, battle, ornamental?
When they get to the skeletons, Fydmar asks, "The USUAL waypoint? Are there other entry points then?
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
It is a hand axe but finely crafted. The shaft is slightly curved, made of Ash wood with a cast iron head etched with dwarven geometric designs.What kind of axe is this? Hand, battle, ornamental?
Like this:
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Quonundrum
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus pauses while Greybeard prepares to depart, the old dwarf's sons suddenly reminding him of Ben and Jake, the Bennerjake twins. A moment of indecision is etched in his demeanour, which is quickly resolved when he steps forward to the dwarf again. He reaches into a belt pouch and retrieves something hidden in his palm. Taking one of Greybeard's wrinkled hands, Moriartus presses the object into it and states, "Please take this, Mr. Greybeard. I too have lost friends in the mist, yet bravely have you lead your sons from perdition. May Moradin guide you safely home."
...
"As I understand, Mr. Fydmar, there is an eastern trail from Helix that ends at the northern border of the meadow. That said, we will therefore most likely find unplundered burial mounds to the east. Mr. Rickford, Mr. Dougal. Please lead the way east, but stay within view of the southern edge of the meadow."
Moriartus pauses while Greybeard prepares to depart, the old dwarf's sons suddenly reminding him of Ben and Jake, the Bennerjake twins. A moment of indecision is etched in his demeanour, which is quickly resolved when he steps forward to the dwarf again. He reaches into a belt pouch and retrieves something hidden in his palm. Taking one of Greybeard's wrinkled hands, Moriartus presses the object into it and states, "Please take this, Mr. Greybeard. I too have lost friends in the mist, yet bravely have you lead your sons from perdition. May Moradin guide you safely home."
...
"As I understand, Mr. Fydmar, there is an eastern trail from Helix that ends at the northern border of the meadow. That said, we will therefore most likely find unplundered burial mounds to the east. Mr. Rickford, Mr. Dougal. Please lead the way east, but stay within view of the southern edge of the meadow."
Last edited by Quonundrum on Thu Nov 04, 2021 12:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Marcel Gerard Desrosiers
The encounter with the dwarves leaves Gerard in a decided funk. "I should've offered them healing," he mutters and scowls at his selfishness. The friar lapses into unhappy silence as they venture onward.
Upon reaching the scattered bones and mementos, his scowl softens into a look of pity for the fallen. Gerard crosses himself and kneels to offer a silent prayer.
He rises and nods once. "All right. Let us be off."
The encounter with the dwarves leaves Gerard in a decided funk. "I should've offered them healing," he mutters and scowls at his selfishness. The friar lapses into unhappy silence as they venture onward.
Upon reaching the scattered bones and mementos, his scowl softens into a look of pity for the fallen. Gerard crosses himself and kneels to offer a silent prayer.
He rises and nods once. "All right. Let us be off."
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
17.10pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
The group spend a rest among the scattered mammoth bones. The giant rib cages exposed to the elements, skulls left where they fell. Tusks though long since looted. There must be two dozen of the ancient creatures here. Did they come here to die or were they caught up in an environmental catastrophe? Many rumours circulate, Rickford and Two-Birds each give differing accounts. What you do notice is that the field has a reverent feel. Among the bones you find wreaths laid in memorial, tributes, prayers of hope and Thanksgiving, requiems for the dead.
The bones as well provide a perch for carrion creatures to lurk upon. Dark silhouettes that study your movements, unblinking in watchfulness waiting for a chance to pluck leftovers or left behinds. Dougal and Moriartus have an ominous reminder of a recent and despairingly painful encounter. On the edge of your vision, two black feathered vultures sit. Passive, unflustered as the group mill about. They stay for a short while but fly away at the first sign of a nocked arrow. Elsewhere, crickets and toads noisily chitter and croak for dominance in the dusk setting. New oil is applied to the lanterns to light your way
Following the ordered directions, the torchbearers and scouts lead the party through the gravelly meadow. There are lots of signs of recent passage hereabouts. Booted prints in the mud, paw prints of a large canine type following them behind as if stalking them through the grasses. Fresh, at least a little over a couple of hours earlier. Wary of unseen dangers, the vanguard steer clear of the southern Moor border. After a few hundred yards, a large grassy hillock looms into view to the north. The mound is a circular shape, bare of any crowning features except the weeds and grasses that cover it. To one side a large patch of the ground has been uncovered and then filled back in. Protruding from the ground is a single skeletal arm, reaching upwards'. The middle finger of the hand bent into a rude sign.
You can climb to the top of the mound but no notable features except those described are found. The burial plot on some unknown ancient seems isolated for no other mounds are visible in any direction.
actions everyone please.
just note, the hexes are 120'ft each not 50'ft.
17.10pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
The group spend a rest among the scattered mammoth bones. The giant rib cages exposed to the elements, skulls left where they fell. Tusks though long since looted. There must be two dozen of the ancient creatures here. Did they come here to die or were they caught up in an environmental catastrophe? Many rumours circulate, Rickford and Two-Birds each give differing accounts. What you do notice is that the field has a reverent feel. Among the bones you find wreaths laid in memorial, tributes, prayers of hope and Thanksgiving, requiems for the dead.
The bones as well provide a perch for carrion creatures to lurk upon. Dark silhouettes that study your movements, unblinking in watchfulness waiting for a chance to pluck leftovers or left behinds. Dougal and Moriartus have an ominous reminder of a recent and despairingly painful encounter. On the edge of your vision, two black feathered vultures sit. Passive, unflustered as the group mill about. They stay for a short while but fly away at the first sign of a nocked arrow. Elsewhere, crickets and toads noisily chitter and croak for dominance in the dusk setting. New oil is applied to the lanterns to light your way
"It is the most common route. Of course you can enter the Barrow Meadows from any direction but at least from here we know the safest trails home. The moor is ever changing each season with the ice-melt creating new furrows in the peat and the landscape reflects that with patches of big springing up where once we safely trod and thickets growing from seedlings to tangle other parts." the torch bearer guides respond to the question.The USUAL waypoint? Are there other entry points then?
Following the ordered directions, the torchbearers and scouts lead the party through the gravelly meadow. There are lots of signs of recent passage hereabouts. Booted prints in the mud, paw prints of a large canine type following them behind as if stalking them through the grasses. Fresh, at least a little over a couple of hours earlier. Wary of unseen dangers, the vanguard steer clear of the southern Moor border. After a few hundred yards, a large grassy hillock looms into view to the north. The mound is a circular shape, bare of any crowning features except the weeds and grasses that cover it. To one side a large patch of the ground has been uncovered and then filled back in. Protruding from the ground is a single skeletal arm, reaching upwards'. The middle finger of the hand bent into a rude sign.
You can climb to the top of the mound but no notable features except those described are found. The burial plot on some unknown ancient seems isolated for no other mounds are visible in any direction.
actions everyone please.
just note, the hexes are 120'ft each not 50'ft.
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Quonundrum
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus lights a cigar while they take a brief respite at the elephantine graveyard. Upon noticing the pair of black feathered vultures, he appears to blanch slightly, but relaxes when he realizes they are of the normal sort. He gestures to them with his cigar as they fly away. "Just a reminder, if you see any vultures of the giant variety ... reach quickly for your candle wax."
At the site of the first mound, he takes a casual interest in the skeletal arm, yet brushes away the disturbed earth with a dismissive wave of a hand. "We have little time for excavation before nightfall. Our first objective is locating a suitable mound to encamp." He points to the northwest. "I propose we move north along the western border of the meadow. There is recent activity here and until we identify mounds suitable for use as landmarks, we could easily get lost exploring further in."
Moriartus lights a cigar while they take a brief respite at the elephantine graveyard. Upon noticing the pair of black feathered vultures, he appears to blanch slightly, but relaxes when he realizes they are of the normal sort. He gestures to them with his cigar as they fly away. "Just a reminder, if you see any vultures of the giant variety ... reach quickly for your candle wax."
At the site of the first mound, he takes a casual interest in the skeletal arm, yet brushes away the disturbed earth with a dismissive wave of a hand. "We have little time for excavation before nightfall. Our first objective is locating a suitable mound to encamp." He points to the northwest. "I propose we move north along the western border of the meadow. There is recent activity here and until we identify mounds suitable for use as landmarks, we could easily get lost exploring further in."
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Karaunios
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Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Dougal
Dougal just nods and adds a short "Aye.", before starting his duties as one of the group's scouts. He goes slightly ahead looking for both possible landmarks and monsters, while also studying the soil and plants for signs of the passage of man or beast.
The presence of the vultures, although brief, has left an uncomfortable sensation in the ranger.
Dougal just nods and adds a short "Aye.", before starting his duties as one of the group's scouts. He goes slightly ahead looking for both possible landmarks and monsters, while also studying the soil and plants for signs of the passage of man or beast.
The presence of the vultures, although brief, has left an uncomfortable sensation in the ranger.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
Will go along with the leaders about where to start since he's never been here before.
There's always the number one skeleton to use as a landmark.
Will go along with the leaders about where to start since he's never been here before.
There's always the number one skeleton to use as a landmark.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed
Cadeweed finishes his time at the bones and move back into the rank behind the Ranger and guide walking with his sling out and bullet in his close hand.
Cadeweed finishes his time at the bones and move back into the rank behind the Ranger and guide walking with his sling out and bullet in his close hand.