Fydmar
Rapid withdrawl it is!
Didn't see anything that wasn't covered in the DM description.
Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Marcel Gerard Desrosiers
"Agreed. We need not waste our strength here." He says a quick prayer for the poor lost souls as he retreats with his companions.
"Agreed. We need not waste our strength here." He says a quick prayer for the poor lost souls as he retreats with his companions.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
17.40pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Moving quicker than the horde of decayed humanity, the group retreat, following their footsteps back westwards, past the partly sealed barrow and then over the mound with the skeletal hand. Intent on exiting the mounds area, the group turn southwest and once more come into the area of exposed mammoth bones.
For the first few minutes the zombies follow but once past the second mound you can lose them in the fog. Despite straining with your ears, you cannot detect any low moans and groans hit in your heels. You may have evaded them, but for how long and what other dangers are hidden in the mist. Hunting wyverns, vulpine sirens, acolytes of the cults that war in the labyrinths, trolls and members of the Red Fang tribes?
"Where to now Sir?" asks Rickford.
discuss any strategies, questions, actions.
17.40pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Moving quicker than the horde of decayed humanity, the group retreat, following their footsteps back westwards, past the partly sealed barrow and then over the mound with the skeletal hand. Intent on exiting the mounds area, the group turn southwest and once more come into the area of exposed mammoth bones.
For the first few minutes the zombies follow but once past the second mound you can lose them in the fog. Despite straining with your ears, you cannot detect any low moans and groans hit in your heels. You may have evaded them, but for how long and what other dangers are hidden in the mist. Hunting wyverns, vulpine sirens, acolytes of the cults that war in the labyrinths, trolls and members of the Red Fang tribes?
"Where to now Sir?" asks Rickford.
discuss any strategies, questions, actions.
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Quonundrum
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3639
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:57 pm
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus strikes steel against flint to light a fresh cigar. He takes several long drags, slowly exhaling the smoke between pursed lips. He gestures with his staff, pointing directly north from their position. "We still need to find a suitable barrow to encamp ... very risky out on the open Moor at night." He scans the surrounding sky, searching for obscured enemies. What little he could see from the blanketing mist, that is. "We head north and follow the western edge of the meadow." He states, finally.
Moriartus strikes steel against flint to light a fresh cigar. He takes several long drags, slowly exhaling the smoke between pursed lips. He gestures with his staff, pointing directly north from their position. "We still need to find a suitable barrow to encamp ... very risky out on the open Moor at night." He scans the surrounding sky, searching for obscured enemies. What little he could see from the blanketing mist, that is. "We head north and follow the western edge of the meadow." He states, finally.
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Karaunios
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 4272
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:56 am
- Location: Cervantes' hometown & The Black Forest
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Dougal
Dougal nods an does scouty things.
Dougal nods an does scouty things.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed
Cadeweed walks in the second rank with his sling and bullet in hand watching at the end of the light radius for trouble.
Cadeweed walks in the second rank with his sling and bullet in hand watching at the end of the light radius for trouble.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
He will carry his X-bow with a bolt readied.
Going underground sounds like a good plan to me, within embracing earth and stone. And out of this accursed mist.
He will carry his X-bow with a bolt readied.
Going underground sounds like a good plan to me, within embracing earth and stone. And out of this accursed mist.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
18.00pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
With the consensus being not to camp in the Mammoth graveyard but to look for a suitable mound to use for overnight security (and deciding the mound with the broken door was unsuitable), the group set off after escaping the clutches of the zombified figures.
Sticking to the western fringe, the leading duo head north, searching through the twilight and mist for any tumuli or ancient barrow. It is bleak and eerie, the stony ground echoes hollow like an empty arena, sound distorted on the wind as much as your vision is shadowed to two tone greys and smoke. After a few minutes, perhaps a little more than 400 yards you halt. A small stone cairn has been set up. About three feet high, a little pyramid of loose stones. Several of the stones seems to have been knocked out of place for they lay a few feet away. An upturned one has been scratched, probably by a dagger blade for it is etched with a letter 'N' and half coloured in red chalk.
you can examine this cairn and area more thoroughly if you think it might have any meaning and value or continue on exploring while you skirt the barrow.
18.00pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
With the consensus being not to camp in the Mammoth graveyard but to look for a suitable mound to use for overnight security (and deciding the mound with the broken door was unsuitable), the group set off after escaping the clutches of the zombified figures.
Sticking to the western fringe, the leading duo head north, searching through the twilight and mist for any tumuli or ancient barrow. It is bleak and eerie, the stony ground echoes hollow like an empty arena, sound distorted on the wind as much as your vision is shadowed to two tone greys and smoke. After a few minutes, perhaps a little more than 400 yards you halt. A small stone cairn has been set up. About three feet high, a little pyramid of loose stones. Several of the stones seems to have been knocked out of place for they lay a few feet away. An upturned one has been scratched, probably by a dagger blade for it is etched with a letter 'N' and half coloured in red chalk.
you can examine this cairn and area more thoroughly if you think it might have any meaning and value or continue on exploring while you skirt the barrow.
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Quonundrum
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3639
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:57 pm
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
While Cadeweed checks for traps, Moriartus examines the other loose rocks for similar etched lettering.
While Cadeweed checks for traps, Moriartus examines the other loose rocks for similar etched lettering.
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Karaunios
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 4272
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:56 am
- Location: Cervantes' hometown & The Black Forest
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Dougal
Dougal patrols around the group to avoid nasty surprises from coming at them unawares.
Dougal patrols around the group to avoid nasty surprises from coming at them unawares.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Marcel Gerard Desrosiers
Gerard, his curiosity piqued by the small cairn, approaches to discern what, if any, religious or ritual significance the structure might have. He examines the stones and the etched lettering, prodding here and there with his morning star, careful to touch nothing unless strictly necessary.
Gerard, his curiosity piqued by the small cairn, approaches to discern what, if any, religious or ritual significance the structure might have. He examines the stones and the etched lettering, prodding here and there with his morning star, careful to touch nothing unless strictly necessary.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
Will keep an eye out for zombies or other dangerous things. Probably a recent burial marker for one who didn't make it.
Will keep an eye out for zombies or other dangerous things. Probably a recent burial marker for one who didn't make it.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Moor, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.
18.10pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Those investigating the small cairn soon realise it was purpose built, the coloured stones slot one on top of another. With some trail and error, it is rebuilt and you can clearly make out that the N indicates North and an two etched arrows point east, each must represent some measure of distance. A bowshot or just to the edge of your vision? A last stone has an arc over an 'x'.
Fydmar and Dougal get the jitters. Though you cannot discern in the fog, you have that unmistakable feeling that someone, something trails you. The cairn has no more secrets to offer but in rebuilding it you have traded time for information. But what the information means can be interpreted in different ways. 'X' marks the spot or don't go here?
With grated sounds and a wind blown groan echoing from the south and the west edged by the long grasses of the moor, you can choose north or east in your search for security.
I will update with three picks for the same direction.
18.10pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
Those investigating the small cairn soon realise it was purpose built, the coloured stones slot one on top of another. With some trail and error, it is rebuilt and you can clearly make out that the N indicates North and an two etched arrows point east, each must represent some measure of distance. A bowshot or just to the edge of your vision? A last stone has an arc over an 'x'.
Fydmar and Dougal get the jitters. Though you cannot discern in the fog, you have that unmistakable feeling that someone, something trails you. The cairn has no more secrets to offer but in rebuilding it you have traded time for information. But what the information means can be interpreted in different ways. 'X' marks the spot or don't go here?
With grated sounds and a wind blown groan echoing from the south and the west edged by the long grasses of the moor, you can choose north or east in your search for security.
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Quonundrum
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3639
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:57 pm
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
"Interesting. This was obviously constructed as a reference point and crude map. The north indication appears superfluous with the arrows, unless the precise direction of north is important. Given this persistent, damnable mist though, any course deviation would certainly be amplified in severity."
He lays his staff across the top of the cairn such that it is perpendicular to an invisible line through the red lettered stone. He then points east along the axis defined by his staff.
"The arrows imply distances, but with no scale, a third reference is required ... or, this other stone with the arc superimposed over an 'X' is the reference. A tumulus, perhaps? The simplest interpretation is the second mound due east. It could also refer to the a mound between the first and third?"
He picks up his staff and gazes north into the dense, impenetrable mist. Blowing out one final puff of smoke from his cigar, he tosses the butt with a slight grunt of frustration.
"We have already marched a few hundred yards north, with no sign of a mound and night rapidly approaching. This cairn obviously points to something ... unless anyone has a better idea, directly east is my suggestion."
"Interesting. This was obviously constructed as a reference point and crude map. The north indication appears superfluous with the arrows, unless the precise direction of north is important. Given this persistent, damnable mist though, any course deviation would certainly be amplified in severity."
He lays his staff across the top of the cairn such that it is perpendicular to an invisible line through the red lettered stone. He then points east along the axis defined by his staff.
"The arrows imply distances, but with no scale, a third reference is required ... or, this other stone with the arc superimposed over an 'X' is the reference. A tumulus, perhaps? The simplest interpretation is the second mound due east. It could also refer to the a mound between the first and third?"
He picks up his staff and gazes north into the dense, impenetrable mist. Blowing out one final puff of smoke from his cigar, he tosses the butt with a slight grunt of frustration.
"We have already marched a few hundred yards north, with no sign of a mound and night rapidly approaching. This cairn obviously points to something ... unless anyone has a better idea, directly east is my suggestion."
Last edited by Quonundrum on Fri Nov 12, 2021 11:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed
"Code and shorthand are always hard to understand when you do not have the decoder. The Barrows cloud everything, making the future impossible to understand. I think that two mounds to the east is how I would interpret it as well. Either way we need to find shelter for the night soon."
"Code and shorthand are always hard to understand when you do not have the decoder. The Barrows cloud everything, making the future impossible to understand. I think that two mounds to the east is how I would interpret it as well. Either way we need to find shelter for the night soon."
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Fydmar
For lack of a better option, I also say east.
He will keep his X-bow in hand
For lack of a better option, I also say east.
He will keep his X-bow in hand
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Barrow Mounds, southwest of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.I will update with three picks for the same direction.
18.15pm. Windy, light rain.
Light: Visibility poor, restricted to 60'ft radius. Lantern (Rickford) Lantern (Duval).
Effects: none.
With the consensus to follow the arrow directions, the group quickly head off. Rickford and Dougal abreast, a few yards ahead of others. After walking just a few minutes, counting paces, perhaps 200'ft, you see the dark hump of a grassy mound. After walking up the inclined slope you see that it plateau's out but rather than just being a flat topped hill, there is a large round stone built burial chamber.
Making a circle of it, you come to the eastern side and find that a large entrance has been excavated in the exterior. The entrance proceeds forward a few feet then drops sharply into a water filled landing. At the foot of that landing a thick stone seal bars entry beyond. There are no steps down, the descending passage has literally just been dug out of the earth and large portions of stone and masonry just fit loosely into the supporting structure.
Someone has taken a lot of labour to locate the entrance and dig down to it but yet, have not prevailed to gain egress further.
- Attachments
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- Entrance down to sealed door
- d10xxev-2649b79a-9121-470c-9a37-ebb37daf28c7.jpg (1.46 MiB) Viewed 239 times
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Quonundrum
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 3639
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:57 pm
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Moriartus
Moriartus peers down into the hole, then glances at Fydmar. "We are quite fortunate to have you with us, Mr. Fydmar. Without your expertise in stone, attempting to break that seal may prove too dangerous." He prods the loosely fitted stone and masonry to gently test its stability.
He proceeds to survey the surrounding area, gauging its strategic defensibility. "I propose that Mr. Dougal, Fydmar, Duval, and Rickford take turns with the sledgehammers against that seal. After Mr. Fydmar assesses the structure and appropriate method first, of course."
Pointing with his staff to the west side of the burial chamber, he says, "Mr. Cadeweed and Miss Two-Birds take lookout positions there. Mr. Marcel and myself will keep watch on this side. I suggest that we also toss a couple lit torches to the mound's base on either side. Hopefully, we will detect intruders early enough to take full advantage of the high ground."
Moriartus peers down into the hole, then glances at Fydmar. "We are quite fortunate to have you with us, Mr. Fydmar. Without your expertise in stone, attempting to break that seal may prove too dangerous." He prods the loosely fitted stone and masonry to gently test its stability.
He proceeds to survey the surrounding area, gauging its strategic defensibility. "I propose that Mr. Dougal, Fydmar, Duval, and Rickford take turns with the sledgehammers against that seal. After Mr. Fydmar assesses the structure and appropriate method first, of course."
Pointing with his staff to the west side of the burial chamber, he says, "Mr. Cadeweed and Miss Two-Birds take lookout positions there. Mr. Marcel and myself will keep watch on this side. I suggest that we also toss a couple lit torches to the mound's base on either side. Hopefully, we will detect intruders early enough to take full advantage of the high ground."
Re: Barrow Mounds: Under the Vulture's Shadow.
Cadeweed
Cadeweed likes any idea that does not have him swinging the sledgehammer, perhaps the spider net was not so bad, he was good at that. He can be even better though at watching for trouble and staying silent. Cadeweed will light one of his two torches to support the plan that Moriartus laid out, carefully placing the torch so that it will burn as slow as possible and then climb up on the mound and crouching down with his sling and bullet in hand watching in the direction that the group has not yet travelled allowing others to watch for anyone coming from behind.
Marked off one torch
Cadeweed likes any idea that does not have him swinging the sledgehammer, perhaps the spider net was not so bad, he was good at that. He can be even better though at watching for trouble and staying silent. Cadeweed will light one of his two torches to support the plan that Moriartus laid out, carefully placing the torch so that it will burn as slow as possible and then climb up on the mound and crouching down with his sling and bullet in hand watching in the direction that the group has not yet travelled allowing others to watch for anyone coming from behind.
Marked off one torch