Chapter 2.2: First Encounters in the Dim

Arya was already awake and fully armored, her morning prayers concluded as the first rays of dawn painted the sky. She is in great condition, her eyes beaming as usual. Though her preference leaned towards Orlane, she offered no objection, prepared to move onward with the earliest light.

Jonel Steele

KidEnnui

Apr 19, 2025 2:31 am

Jonel rises and gathers all his things. He misses having a mule. Trekking for miles and miles with a heavy load isn't really his strong suit.
"Zombies, zealots, and bloodthirsty savages. What a trip this is turning out to be. Kinda makes you miss rounding up drunks and pickpockets."

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Apr 19, 2025 3:30 am

Aanbo normally would meditate as the sun's light brightened the horizon, but he instead chooses to apply the bandages and salves from his healing kit to his own wounds. There is a long road ahead, and it's as if he can feel Bradley's impatience with getting underway.

Looking at Chase and Theran, Aanbo offers some of his diminishing supplies, wordlessly helping to change soiled dressings.

As the rest of the camp rouses, Aanbo approaches Rosemary. "If you would like, I will see to those injuries," he says, gesturing to the wounds. "May I help?"

OOC:

Aanbo has 4 applications of his healer's kit remaining, which should help himself, Chase, Theran, and Rosemary with spending Hit Dice.

Rolls

2 Hit Dice - (2d8+4)

(47) + 4 = 15

Myrtha

matmaisan

Apr 19, 2025 6:47 am

Myrtha chuckled silently at Jonel’s comments about preferring thief-catching to the adventurer’s life in the wild. She prepared her gear meticulously, taking extra time examining her shield and sharpening her blade as Aanbo went around fixing everyone’s wounds. Hers were little more than scratches now, thanks to mother Arkon. She then busied herself with making sure Reptile’s body was as clean as possible, and tightly held in the travois.

After the morning preparations, she was ready to resume the trek back to Hochoch.

Manthis

WanderOne

Apr 19, 2025 7:36 am

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ce/ae/dd/ceaeddfa938824e65b2ebf5522a05c7c.jpg

Eventual riser Manthis is quick to don his armor. Being entirely fit he isn't in need of any healing services. Confirms with others that it isn't far now to Hochoch. He takes little to no effort to deal with any of his gear other than to don his armor. Besides helping to break camp he makes sure the travois for the gear is secured as he will be hauling it again today. He does let others know that he has a full healer's kit on him. Just hasn't had the need to use any of it.

Last edited April 19, 2025 7:38 am

Apr 19, 2025 12:29 pm

Chase will gather everybody around and tell them"The cultists seemed to be systematically looking for something when they wander over our trail. They were coming from the west and I am just assuming they are connected to the cult of Orlane since they had the spirals. As for the undead I have no idea what that is all about since two groups of them have been encountered. There is definitely something going on in the dim." After reporting he will suggest"Now that it is light maybe I should go back and try to make some more sense of this."

OOC:

Arya healed me after the fight with the cultists so I should be full on hp.

Last edited April 19, 2025 12:59 pm

Arya Arkon

Nebula

Apr 19, 2025 1:05 pm

"Can I to accompany you, Chase?" The gracious priestess offered with a warm smile. Definitely, investigating the undead is more exciting than going back all the way to Hochoch.

Apr 19, 2025 1:15 pm

Chase will look at the priestess" I appreciate the offer but I move better, faster, and quieter on my own. I hope there is no offense."

Arya Arkon

Nebula

Apr 19, 2025 1:59 pm

"None taken at all. If that's your preference, we'll see you later then."

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Apr 19, 2025 3:48 pm

"More information is always welcome, but I don't know if it's worth the risk for you to travel alone," says Aanbo. "Since you appear set upon this path, maybe having a deadline will soothe my fears? Shall we say, a day? Before you return to Hochoch, where we expect you?"

Apr 19, 2025 4:03 pm

"A day sounds good. You guys keep traveling toward town. Use the road it will be quicker. I will find you." Chase will look to Aanbo"Relax my friend this is what I do. This is my element. If you were stealthy enough I would invite you along but stealth is a priority. Also will you take my bow and quiver? I will not need it for this." Chase will take a few moments to do some quick camo. Some mud here a few twigs there some grass to break up the outline and then be off spear in hand.

Myrtha

matmaisan

Apr 19, 2025 5:24 pm

Myrtha looked at Chase as he explained his plan, and her demeanour began to show that she did not like the idea of the ranger going by himself.

"Don’t think this is wise. One of ours is dead, another has been taken, and now you head off by yourself. Last time you ran into these shuffling bodies. What if you run into a band of cultists, or an angry bear?" she purposefully only mentioned possibilities they had been forced to face in the last few days.

"We left because our strength was not sufficient, and because Olpert needs to know how grave the situation is. You’re your own man, you do what you want. But I think it’s foolish. When we return, we know where we must go: either the Temple of Merikka or the warrrens beneath the Golden Grain. We don’t need more information now; not, at least, if it is at the cost of the life, or capture, of one of our own."

Saying all that took some effort, so Myrtha just shrugged and got ready to head back to Hochoch, with the ranger or not, as he chose.

OOC:

Also I believe we need training, though I’m not quite sure how this is handled in the fantasy.

Last edited April 19, 2025 5:27 pm

Aanbo Earthshaker

CancerMan

Apr 19, 2025 6:00 pm

Aanbo adds, "Chase said those bandits came from the west, similar to how we found those troglodytes and Bradley. If we can find how far they've traveled from Orlane, that could help us form our defenses."

The monk is struck with a thought. "It feels like they're coming further and further out to kidnap people; maybe we need to move the Jarls out of their reach.

Jonel Steele

KidEnnui

Apr 19, 2025 6:28 pm

Jonel is a bit apprehensive about one of the group travelling alone with critical information that could be obtained, but the one who fashioned himself the leader of their band seemed to have an adequate grip on the situation. The one named Myrtha seemed to have a more tactical mind than any of them. The loss of the scout would no doubt be a major loss to their cause considering that no one else seemed to possess that skill set.
"Not knowing the numbers of our enemy and the fact that we have encountered undead twice now leads me to believe that the quicker we can withdraw, the better."

Last edited April 19, 2025 6:32 pm

Manthis

WanderOne

Apr 19, 2025 6:58 pm

"My be prudent to not pursue as we all should stay together on this retreat."

Apr 19, 2025 7:38 pm

Chase will look to Myrtha"I understand and appreciate your concern but this is my job. When I was a boundary warden I spent months in the woods track criminals, hostile bands of orcs and goblins. Intel is important. They were searching for something and wouldn't hurt find out where these undead are coming from. Evading undead is easy and I have made a living evading all forms of others. I am the woods. I will be fine." Looking at Aanbo "That is a good idea. You should at least warn the Jarls if the won't leave." Chase will then turn and move out.

Theran Naïlo

MaJunior

Apr 19, 2025 10:17 pm

A look of concern plays across Theran's face as Aanbo mentions the Jarls. "At the very least, make them aware of what we've learned and give them our recommendation. I would not force them to leave their home, but all things considered I would certainly encourage them to do so," Theran replies.

OOC:

Theran would have declined a use of the Healer's Kit, content to make the trip as he is.

spaceseeker19

Apr 20, 2025 6:35 pm

Chase, covered in twigs and mud, skulks off into the woods and quickly disappears. The rest of the Dungeon Busters - Theran, Rosemary, Myrtha, Manthis, Jonel, Arya, and Aanbo - leave, heading west on Cecily's Road.

OOC:

Where are you all going: straight back to Hochoch for training and to report to Olpert, back to the previous camp to retrieve the rest of the undead's gear, back to the Jarl homestead, or to someplace else? Hunting the owlbear, perhaps?

Manthis

WanderOne

Apr 20, 2025 7:41 pm