To The Steading

[spanningtree]

Your group forms up behind Modlin as you head out of town to the west. The road is dirt but packed very hard. The terrain is low rolling hills of farm land. Mostly wheat by the look of it.

Modlin raises his hand and turns around in his saddle to face all of you.

If you have and questions I am at your service.

He will then turn back around in his saddle.

-------------------------------------
Cathedra, Elf Thief 11, AC:2 HP:42

Joven, Half Elf Ranger 8, AC:1 HP:71 Rex, Dog HP:6 AC:10

Master of Dragons, Human Monk 8, AC:4 HP:23

Fergus 'the Bear", Human Fighter 9, AC:-5 HP:84

Duvli, Dwarf Cleric 9, AC: 0 HP: 60
Spells: Bless, Command, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Evil, Resist Cold, Sanctuary, Augury, Hold Person
Know Alignment, Resist Fire, Silence 15' Radius, Spiritual Weapon, Continual Light, Dispel Magic, Prayer
Cure Serious Wounds, Neutralize Poison, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Flame Strike

Vacarxia, Half Elf Magic User/Thief 8/9, AC:-1 HP:36
Spells: Change, Distract, Gnats, Moan, Mute, Scratch, Spider, Unlock, Enlarge, Magic Missle x2,
Sleep, Invisibility, Strength,Web, Blink x2, Fireball x2, Lightning Bolt, Charm Monster, Polymorph Self

Moreeth, Elf Fighter/Magic User 8/8, AC:0 HP:38
Spells: Detect magic, Feather Fall, Magic missile x2, Mirror image x2, Acid arrow, Fireball, Minute meteors
Haste, Polymorph self, Fire shield

Wilryn, Gnome Illusionist, AC:0 HP:28
Spells: Chromatic Orb, Hypnotism, Phantom Armor, Wall Of Fog, Blindness,Improved Phantasmal Force,
Mirror Image, Paralyzation, Spectral Force

Saphrax, Elf Mage 10, AC:1 HP:59 Zephi, Pseudo Dragon HP:11 AC:2
Spells: Magic missile x 4, stinking cloud x 2, web x 2, fireball, lightning bolt x2, fire shield, polymorph other, cone of cold, hold monster

[Mant72]

Cathedra:

Responding to Modlin's invitation for questioning, Cathedra inquires, "Do you know what types of giant-kind we are going to be facing? I know there to be many varieties."

[badams30]

Fergus - Human Fighter

Fergus says to Modlin: "Might we want someone to scout ahead? If word has been sent out that gathered us, there might be a chance whoever is behind this knows of our mission and is laying in wait. Just a thought."

OOC: Maybe being paranoid, but if the flyers requesting aid were seen by us, prob a good chance some bad guys have seen them too. For what it's worth.

[spanningtree]

Modlin carriers on.

The giants all appear to be of the hill variety. I also spied some orcs and goblins, they appeared to be slave labor. Two scouts have already been sent ahead of us. We should meet them at our campsite for tonight unless there is an issue. The giants appear to only move at night.


-------------------------------------
Cathedra, Elf Thief 11, AC:2 HP:42

Joven, Half Elf Ranger 8, AC:1 HP:71 Rex, Dog HP:6 AC:10

Master of Dragons, Human Monk 8, AC:4 HP:23

Fergus 'the Bear", Human Fighter 9, AC:-5 HP:84

Duvli, Dwarf Cleric 9, AC: 0 HP: 60
Spells: Bless, Command, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Evil, Resist Cold, Sanctuary, Augury, Hold Person
Know Alignment, Resist Fire, Silence 15' Radius, Spiritual Weapon, Continual Light, Dispel Magic, Prayer
Cure Serious Wounds, Neutralize Poison, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Flame Strike

Vacarxia, Half Elf Magic User/Thief 8/9, AC:-1 HP:36
Spells: Change, Distract, Gnats, Moan, Mute, Scratch, Spider, Unlock, Enlarge, Magic Missle x2,
Sleep, Invisibility, Strength,Web, Blink x2, Fireball x2, Lightning Bolt, Charm Monster, Polymorph Self

Moreeth, Elf Fighter/Magic User 8/8, AC:0 HP:38
Spells: Detect magic, Feather Fall, Magic missile x2, Mirror image x2, Acid arrow, Fireball, Minute meteors
Haste, Polymorph self, Fire shield

Wilryn, Gnome Illusionist, AC:0 HP:28
Spells: Chromatic Orb, Hypnotism, Phantom Armor, Wall Of Fog, Blindness,Improved Phantasmal Force,
Mirror Image, Paralyzation, Spectral Force

Saphrax, Elf Mage 10, AC:1 HP:59 Zephi, Pseudo Dragon HP:11 AC:2
Spells: Magic missile x 4, stinking cloud x 2, web x 2, fireball, lightning bolt x2, fire shield, polymorph other, cone of cold, hold monster

[GreyWolfVT]

Joven eagerly volunteers if a scout is required "I'm a Ranger so if you want me to scout or track I'll be honored to do so."

[tumblingdice]

Duvli smirks at Joven's offer to scout. "Better you than me," he grumbles.

"Goblin and orc slaves," he muses. "Maybe these giants aren't so bad after all, eh?" The dwarf chuckles. Seeing his joke fall flat, he catches up with Fergus. "A pull from your flask?" he ventures.

[badams30]

Duvli smirks at Joven's offer to scout. "Better you than me," he grumbles.

"Goblin and orc slaves," he muses. "Maybe these giants aren't so bad after all, eh?" The dwarf chuckles. Seeing his joke fall flat, he catches up with Fergus. "A pull from your flask?" he ventures.

Fergus smiles at Duvli and hands him his flask as they ride along. "Be my guest, friend. It's always full and always hits the spot." Fergus rides along, making small talk if anyone is game for some conversation.

[greyarea]

Master of Dragons waves his hand in a forward motion as if to say to Joven, "Be my guest." He meditates on his prayer beads as they travel and declines any invitation to chit-chat with a smile.

[GreyWolfVT]

Joven chuckles at Duvli's joke "True enough good Duvli, though personally I prefer orcs and goblins dead."

[Darkmane]

Moreeth rides by Fergus, chuckling a bit at the jokes, but beginning to scan the horizon over the fields of golden wheat. Upon his horse, the elf seems more comfortable and ready for adventure.

He drops back and finds the other spell casters saddling up next to them, I'm used to adventuring alone, but in a company this large we may want to coordinate our spell casting somewhat to conserve our magic. What do you say?

[spanningtree]

Modlin smiles at Joven and replies: I think we have it covered for now. As we approach the valley The Steading is in I may need your help depending on the time of the day. If it's late we may need to scout our entry to Toofs Mine in an effort to not disclose our arrival.

By the time the sun is almost at it's apex Modlin slows down: If we were to continue on this road it would take us to the ruins of Moolen. We are going this way though.

He points to the right (north) and there is what can only be called a trail through the grasslands the width of a standard cart. It obviously gets use but not a lot.

The ruins of Kannet are this way. He kicks his horse back up to a trot.

You take in the scenery as you move and there is nothing very exciting for several hours. On the horizon you see what looks to be several structures and as you close distance you can see they are burned out. It was once a grouping of about ten houses, four barns and a granary. All severely damaged and covered in black soot. Getting even closer you spy two horses tied off to a small tree. There are two men managing a pile of what looks to be wood. They are dressed very similar to Modlin, grassland camouflage cloth over armor.

That will be Mrynn and Nate. The scouts I mentioned. Modlin says as he waves to them and they return the gesture. As your group comes closer your horrified to realize that the pile of wood is a pile of bodies and skeletal remains. Its hard to say but probably thirty souls worth. The smell is abyssal as the sun is pretty hot. The mounted group comes to a halt in front of the two morbid stackers.

Speaking to Myrnn and Nate, Modlin says: Good to see you two, this is the group. Myrnn and Nate salute the entire party.

Myrnn stays silent but Nate says: Good to have you here. As you can see they are savages the lot of them. Modlin, should we burn them or leave them for now.

Modlin stirs in his saddle. I'd like to burn but were getting close to the hills... looking at Duvli: Will last rights be enough to get them to Torm's gate?



-------------------------------------
Cathedra, Elf Thief 11, AC:2 HP:42

Joven, Half Elf Ranger 8, AC:1 HP:71 Rex, Dog HP:6 AC:10

Master of Dragons, Human Monk 8, AC:4 HP:23

Fergus 'the Bear", Human Fighter 9, AC:-5 HP:84

Duvli, Dwarf Cleric 9, AC: 0 HP: 60
Spells: Bless, Command, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Evil, Resist Cold, Sanctuary, Augury, Hold Person
Know Alignment, Resist Fire, Silence 15' Radius, Spiritual Weapon, Continual Light, Dispel Magic, Prayer
Cure Serious Wounds, Neutralize Poison, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Flame Strike

Vacarxia, Half Elf Magic User/Thief 8/9, AC:-1 HP:36
Spells: Change, Distract, Gnats, Moan, Mute, Scratch, Spider, Unlock, Enlarge, Magic Missle x2,
Sleep, Invisibility, Strength,Web, Blink x2, Fireball x2, Lightning Bolt, Charm Monster, Polymorph Self

Moreeth, Elf Fighter/Magic User 8/8, AC:0 HP:38
Spells: Detect magic, Feather Fall, Magic missile x2, Mirror image x2, Acid arrow, Fireball, Minute meteors
Haste, Polymorph self, Fire shield

Wilryn, Gnome Illusionist, AC:0 HP:28
Spells: Chromatic Orb, Hypnotism, Phantom Armor, Wall Of Fog, Blindness,Improved Phantasmal Force,
Mirror Image, Paralyzation, Spectral Force

Saphrax, Elf Mage 10, AC:1 HP:59 Zephi, Pseudo Dragon HP:11 AC:2
Spells: Magic missile x 4, stinking cloud x 2, web x 2, fireball, lightning bolt x2, fire shield, polymorph other, cone of cold, hold monster

[badams30]

Fergus - Fighter

Fergus shakes his head and says "Animals. When did this happen?"
If we are stopping here, Fergus will dismount and stretch his legs, looking for anything of interest or clues to the makeup of the attackers (other than giants)

[Mant72]

Cathedra:

The normally stoic elven thief is sickened by what she sees, "These people were simple farmers and everyday laymen. They were not warriors and in no way deserved to be slaughtered in such a brutal fashion." She remains silent, and turns her head to look out at the horizon.

[GreyWolfVT]

Joven "I know we're pressed for time but I agree with Modlin I only think it right to take the time to burn the bodies. But I'll too defer to good Duvli's judgement." the half-elf ranger dismounts and stretches his legs, taking the time to pat Rex's head. "I''ll help with the scouting and tracking you you need me going back to our prior conversation Modlin. If we do decide to burn the dead then I'll pitch in it will go faster if we all help."

[badams30]

Fergus - Fighter

Hearing the talk of burning the bodies, Fergus nods sadly. "How close are we to this steading? Will smoke draw attention?" He then smiles and says "Maybe that isn't such a bad idea. I'd like to see some of them that did this."

Fergus stews over the sight of the dead, and he'll help in whatever course of action the group deems appropriate.

[tumblingdice]

Duvli scratches his beard. "I'm no priest of Torm," the dwarf admits, "and we dwarves always bury our dead. But there is no time to bury them all, and we can't leave them here for carrion feed. I will give them Clandeggin's blessing, and then we will burn them. If the giants come, we'll be ready."

Duvli begins intoning prayers for the fallen.

[greyarea]

Master of Dragons looks on grimly, fingering his prayer beads.

[spanningtree]

Modlin responds to Fregus's question:

Yes, they may see the smoke. We have never seen them but we would assume they have scouts of their own... maybe we give them to much credit. He'll say with a shrug.

Hearing Duvli's response: We would appreciate the rites and I do feel that we should burn them. I would have wanted the same for myself.

Modlin dismounts and turns to the group: Why don't all of you grab supper over there. He points toward the edge of the town, away from the pyre area. We'll get the bodies alight (gesturing to Myrnn and Nate) and from there we will pitch camp about an hour north of here after a short ride.

Modlin, Nate and Myrnn make work of putting wood recovered from the buildings and dry grass on the pile of bodies.

After dismounting, Fregus starts to look around at the tracks in the area. The giant tracks are pretty obvious, as well as the humans that lived in the village. There is a single set of prints that are smaller and narrower than a humans though, even a human kinder.

-------------------------------------
Cathedra, Elf Thief 11, AC:2 HP:42

Joven, Half Elf Ranger 8, AC:1 HP:71 Rex, Dog HP:6 AC:10

Master of Dragons, Human Monk 8, AC:4 HP:23

Fergus 'the Bear", Human Fighter 9, AC:-5 HP:84

Duvli, Dwarf Cleric 9, AC: 0 HP: 60
Spells: Bless, Command, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Evil, Resist Cold, Sanctuary, Augury, Hold Person
Know Alignment, Resist Fire, Silence 15' Radius, Spiritual Weapon, Continual Light, Dispel Magic, Prayer
Cure Serious Wounds, Neutralize Poison, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Flame Strike

Vacarxia, Half Elf Magic User/Thief 8/9, AC:-1 HP:36
Spells: Change, Distract, Gnats, Moan, Mute, Scratch, Spider, Unlock, Enlarge, Magic Missle x2,
Sleep, Invisibility, Strength,Web, Blink x2, Fireball x2, Lightning Bolt, Charm Monster, Polymorph Self

Moreeth, Elf Fighter/Magic User 8/8, AC:0 HP:38
Spells: Detect magic, Feather Fall, Magic missile x2, Mirror image x2, Acid arrow, Fireball, Minute meteors
Haste, Polymorph self, Fire shield

Wilryn, Gnome Illusionist, AC:0 HP:28
Spells: Chromatic Orb, Hypnotism, Phantom Armor, Wall Of Fog, Blindness,Improved Phantasmal Force,
Mirror Image, Paralyzation, Spectral Force

Saphrax, Elf Mage 10, AC:1 HP:59 Zephi, Pseudo Dragon HP:11 AC:2
Spells: Magic missile x 4, stinking cloud x 2, web x 2, fireball, lightning bolt x2, fire shield, polymorph other, cone of cold, hold monster

[GreyWolfVT]

Joven "Even though I am no priest I could pray to Mielikki for safe travel in the afterlife if that helps."

[spanningtree]

Modlin nods at Joven: Yes, please. Anything that can help.