After a half a day spent creating a campsite, building a smoker, and a successful hunt the party settles in to ease their aching bones, nurse their injuries, and actually enjoy some fresh meat that did not feel like chewing leather. Once again, watch rotation was established and it seemed like the night was going to pass without incident until Anari's watch. About halfway through the watch, Anari notices what appears to be some glowing red eyes that blink in and out of apparent existence. With a squint Anari realizes that the eyes are attached to a shadowy body that the darkness of it stands out against the black if the night. The next the eyes vanish a few more pairs appear in its place before one of these shadowy creatures appear right next to Anari! With a yelp and almost tripping into the fire to create space from the creature Stephonocles is woken from the sleep as makes haste in rousing the rest of the party as everyone starts to stumble out of bedrolls and tents in all manners of undress.
The shadow creatures attack and the party responds in turn but it does not take long for the party to realize that the creatures vanish and reappear to avoid ranged attacks. This new found realization causes the parties strategy to change and the battle ranges on until dawn, the sun seemingly causing the remaining shadow creatures to vanish.
An exhausted party consults of the maps in the first rays of sunlight and decides to travel as fast as possible on the main to road to a farming village called Arduin. The party reaches the village as evening falls and they are met with suspicious looks as people of the village quickly enter their homes and the distinct sound of bolts being thrown to lock doors and windows almost echo throughout the streets. The party quickly decides to head to the general store but find in closed and Helenista points out appearent claw marks on some of the doors and the sides of some of the buildings as everyone starts to head to the Inn.
Stephonocles knocks loudly on the door and is met with a loud voice explaining about how there are monsters that come out of night that take people away and devour them. The voice on the other side of the door gets into an argument with Stephonocles about being an Orc and how do they know that this is not a trick to let the monsters inside for a midnight snack. The argument becomes more heated as the voice yells that the monsters are probably werewolves and can look like anyone, even orcs. Prince Claren finally has enough of this nonsense and in a powerful commanding voice declares himself as prince that included Claren's long list of titles and a sampling of the history of Claren's bloodline.
After a long pause, the party hears the sounds of multiple locks being unlocked and the dooris finally cracked open revealing a short portly fellow with a ridiculous and unkempt mustache. This portly fellow quickly ushers the party inside and spends time locking every bolt before turning to face the and apologizing profusely as the Arduin would never ignore royal orders or hinder the duties of the Prince of Rylos. During the subsequent discussion, the party learns that the attacks started four or five months ago and at first it was just livestock vanishing but then then people started to notices scratches on doors, carts, buildings, etc. Then about two months ago, people started to vanish.
The party is offered free room and board as well as baths and to laundry their clothes. The party smiles and makes some jokes as this has been their best treatment since leaving Rylos.
________
PLAYER NOTES: Alright, this session was brutal. The combat with the shadow creatures took almost three hours! Between their abilities and the ire of the dice Gods, it was atrocious. Though after that, it was a huge relief to reach the village and the argument and role play between Stephonocles and the Inn Kepper was top notch. It was also really cool to see the prince announce his royal status and use it as leverage. This is the first time it happened in game and I think it saved the day. Without it, I do not think we would have been welcomed in the village until dawn and it would be a rougher welcome. The villagers paranoia and fear is sky high and the sense of dread in the village was felt. Good job on the Dungeons Master's part for sure.
No comments:
Post a Comment