18th Day of Eaiwe in the year 1031 of the Northern Calendar, Late Morning

For the last three days, you have been travelling through the devastated remains of what once was the proud and mighty Duchy of Ten.

While you haven't met neither friend nor foe on your way, you've seen the burning and smouldering ruins of farmhouses, and found many faceless burned corpses spiked on Afrihdian warlances as paled into the ground as wayside decorations.

This country is at war, and you can smell it from every corner, and at night, the ghosts of the fallen haunt you in your dreams.

After your farewell from the mercenaries, two days pass without any - any - further disturbance or event, and not even animals or winterbirds cross you path.

Dirty, wounded and hungry, you still find a way to survive in this dead countryside.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

With the dawn this morning, you have entered the cold open fields, that during the winter are said to lay frozen. You feel more and more like if you're leaving the civilisation you grew up with behind and now enter the lands of the savage wild men of old tales.

On the barren field, between the brown bluffs, you are surprised to perceive something anachronistically familiar.

Out there, in the bare landscape, a huge lance crowns what appears to be a fresh battlefield of a bloody ambush. In the midst of a bulk of blood-stained corpses, A shining white and blue flag flatters in the wind.

Even from far, you can tell that this is nothing else but the emblem of Baron Bascomb Ungulian, the Dark Knight, the defeater of the Egg of Coot, the Baron of Glendower.




Image




But how in the world can this be?
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
gsvenson
	
Post subject: RE: Grim Winter II, Chapter I: The Crusaders  PostPosted: May 19, 2006 - 01:04 PM
Baron of Newgate
<b>Baron of Newgate</b>


Joined: Feb 06, 2005
Posts: 305
Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
	
First, scan the area to see if we are in danger of being ambushed ourselves. If it seems safe, move cautiously and quietly toward the battlefield scaning for signs of life, constantly checking the horizon for any signs of our own possible ambush. How long ago did the battle occur? Hours or Days?

"We should see if there are any survivors. We may learn something about what is going on."

As we get closer, I will try to identify the bodies (Afridhi, Brotherhood, Tenian, Blackmoorian, Thonian, or irregulars?). Do I recognize the noble houses represented (by coats of arms on banners and shields etc.) other than the banner of the Baron of Glendower?

[Am I aware of any plans for the K. of Blackmoor to send forces to the D. of Ten outside of the Thieves Guild?]
-Sven
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Glgnfz
	
Post subject: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 19, 2006 - 03:37 PM
Blackmoorian Merc


Joined: Apr 30, 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Germany (near Koblenz)
	
first i stay close to the prince. Rolling Eyes


when we approach the battlefield itself i will move in a semi-circle to the right, to scout and perhaps save a few lives.
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
djaykix
	
Post subject: RE: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 19, 2006 - 10:15 PM
Adventurer


Joined: May 30, 2005
Posts: 141
Location: Michigan
	
Erdath glances around the area, cautious of what may lay in wait. Moving along with Sven as quiet as possible.

_________________
Erdath Stargloom
Theron Ard
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Desdichado
	
Post subject: Re: RE: Grim Winter II, Chapter I: The Crusaders  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 07:25 AM
Adventurer


Joined: Jun 15, 2005
Posts: 651
Location: Würzburg, Germany
	
gsvenson wrote:
First, scan the area to see if we are in danger of being ambushed ourselves. If it seems safe, move cautiously and quietly toward the battlefield scaning for signs of life, constantly checking the horizon for any signs of our own possible ambush. How long ago did the battle occur?


The field is barren and empty, except for the corpses that lie around the banner. There is no vegeation near the banner or the dead, so the possibility of an ambush from the ground seems relatively low...

There are many footptints of men and horses alike on the ground. They seem like half a day old and point westwards...

gsvenson wrote:

As we get closer, I will try to identify the bodies (Afridhi, Brotherhood, Tenian, Blackmoorian, Thonian, or irregulars?). Do I recognize the noble houses represented (by coats of arms on banners and shields etc.) other than the banner of the Baron of Glendower?


As you come closer to the dead warriors, you get the chance to look at their lifeless faces. Most of the people that lie before you, are bearded and tatooed, simple leather clothes and animal skins on them.
These are, with no doubt, the fearsome Afridhi, the merciless warriors that keep tormenting then Tenians for so long.

There lie about 30 dead warriors in a circle around the flag, and it becomes obvious that they were put there after they had been killed. - None of them bears any weapons, armor or anything of visible value, and they are dirty and seem like having been bathed in blood, but the eyes of most of them are closed, and their arms are crossed over their chests...

Only one flag was hanged over the cadavers, and that is the coat of arms of Glendower.

gsvenson wrote:

[Am I aware of any plans for the K. of Blackmoor to send forces to the D. of Ten outside of the Thieves Guild?]
-Sven


[No. This is as surprising for you as it is for the others.Wink ]



-------------------------------------------------------------------



Suddenly, as you come about five meters near the banner, you perceive a movement among the fallen corpses that lie directly under the flag...

Two brown, and bushy ears pop out under one of the dead warriors, followed by a rusty battleaxe being risen into the air...

What the hell is that!?
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Glgnfz
	
Post subject: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 08:54 AM
Blackmoorian Merc


Joined: Apr 30, 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Germany (near Koblenz)
	
can i see this from my position?

was i able to save a few lives in the meantime? i don't care which side they were on.
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
gsvenson
	
Post subject: RE: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 09:30 AM
Baron of Newgate
<b>Baron of Newgate</b>


Joined: Feb 06, 2005
Posts: 305
Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
	
[Approximately how many Afridhi dead are there?]

"Erdath, do you think that there is any magic at work in this place of death?"

Seeing the ears and battleaxe, I will go over to the pile of bodies and help the fellow out. Is it a halfling? Dwarf? Docrae?

"It's ok, the Afridhi are gone. We are friendly. I am Sven. From Newgate. And these are my companions. Who are you? What happened here?"
-Sven
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Fido
	
Post subject: RE: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 10:40 AM
Adventurer


Joined: Nov 28, 2005
Posts: 170
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
	
Path stands a bit back and looks around. He walks around the pile of dead bodies, swallowing hard with disgust, and checks the ground for footprints.

Path walks up to Sven after that and leans in close to his ear."They went West...", he mutters. "Men and horses, half a day ago."
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
gsvenson
	
Post subject: Battlefield  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 02:54 PM
Baron of Newgate
<b>Baron of Newgate</b>


Joined: Feb 06, 2005
Posts: 305
Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
	
Fido wrote:
Path walks up to Sven after that and leans in close to his ear."They went West...", he mutters. "Men and horses, half a day ago."

"Thank you for your keen observation. Are you a tracker, then? We still need to help this hairy fellow with the battleaxe."

"We also need to know if the Baron's body is in this grissly pile or, as I fear, if he has been taken by the Afridhi. There may be other survivors, too. Some may have fled from the battlefield during the fighting."

"Also, banner's are usually taken as battle trophies by the victor, so I am surprised to see his being left here, especially since everything else of value has been taken. Perhaps it is bait to suck us into yet another trap on the road ahead."

[I had taken our discovery to have been early in the morning. Is that true? If so, then the battle happened yesterday evening. So the victors could have travelled away to the west during the night or they could be camped very close to us licking their wounds and perhaps torturing the Baron for entertainment. Another question, in our culture would it be manditory for us to bury or cremate the dead before we push on?]
-Sven
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
groundhogg
	
Post subject: RE: Battlefield  PostPosted: May 21, 2006 - 09:50 PM
Adventurer


Joined: Nov 13, 2005
Posts: 173

	
Jigimy surveys the bloody battlefield, disappointed that so many young lives were lost. Upon seeing movement near the circle of bodies, I hurry over to help if possible.

[Bardic Knowledge on the Baron whose flag was left. Iif there is some significance to the bodies placed in the manner they are. Anything that may concern us or dictate certain actions.]

_________________
Jigimy - Halfling Bard
Cal - Human Paladin
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Glgnfz
	
21 	Post subject: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 22, 2006 - 01:17 AM
Blackmoorian Merc


Joined: Apr 30, 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Germany (near Koblenz)
	
upon seeing movement i ready my sword!
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Desdichado
	
Post subject: Re: RE: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 23, 2006 - 04:50 AM
Adventurer


Joined: Jun 15, 2005
Posts: 651
Location: Würzburg, Germany
	
[Sorry if I wasn't clear about the following:]

The battlefield is covered with dead and mutilated bodies - but you find no civilised people among the victims. It seems like if a group of Afridhi had met with their merciless and cruel avenger...

In that bizarre scenery, the banner in the middle of the corpse field seems to be more like a rude waysign... It certainly was left there to make sure everyone would know who had killed the warriors...

gsvenson wrote:

"It's ok, the Afridhi are gone. We are friendly. I am Sven. From Newgate. And these are my companions. Who are you? What happened here?"
-Sven


You hear something growling down under one of the corpses, then the dead body is pushed away, and Sven, Brumm, Jigimy and all others who stand near perceive a small head with big black eyes pop out from the pile of bodies, greeting you with a friendly, but somewhat naive grin.

The cuddlesome and twee little fellow, not much taller than Jigimy, pulls himself out the earth hole he obviously had been resting in, puts up his far-too-big helmet, lowers his waraxe, and then, not without a sense of pathos, gives you a military salute.

Then, the creature, resembling a wispy crossing between a bear and a gopher, sits down where it stood and keeps looking at you, with the bright, shining eyes of a little child.

Image

gsvenson wrote:

[I had taken our discovery to have been early in the morning. Is that true? If so, then the battle happened yesterday evening. So the victors could have travelled away to the west during the night or they could be camped very close to us licking their wounds and perhaps torturing the Baron for entertainment. Another question, in our culture would it be manditory for us to bury or cremate the dead before we push on?]


Yes, you stumbled over the battlefield about one hour after dawn - so, indeed, whoever did this could be near...

As to burning the bodies, it would be an honour to the dead, but it is not absolutely necessary.

groundhogg wrote:

[Bardic Knowledge on the Baron whose flag was left. Iif there is some significance to the bodies placed in the manner they are. Anything that may concern us or dictate certain actions.]


This banner belongs to the house of the Ungulians, whose latest head is noone less than Bascomb Ungulian, the Baron of Glendower, a member of the Regency Council and a close advisor to King Uther Andahar.
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
gsvenson
	
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 23, 2006 - 10:19 AM
Baron of Newgate
<b>Baron of Newgate</b>


Joined: Feb 06, 2005
Posts: 305
Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
	
"Cute. Do you want to come with us little fellow? Can you talk?"

If I have any of the meat left from the Maiden's Rest Inn, I will offer it to him.

Stepping back from the furry fellow: "It seems that I have misinterpreted the situation here. I had feared that these were the Baron's men and that he had been taken prisoner. It looks instead like he wiped out an Afridhi war band. Shall we push on, then? It is still early, perhaps we will come upon the Baron's camp on the road ahead. Path, do you want to lead the way?"
-Sven
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
Glgnfz
	
Post subject: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 23, 2006 - 10:21 AM
Blackmoorian Merc


Joined: Apr 30, 2006
Posts: 46
Location: Germany (near Koblenz)
	
I KILL THE TEDDY!!!!!!!! Twisted Evil


... just kidding.



i ignore the newcomer and take a closer look at the circle of bodies and its center! i still have my sword drawn as i wouldn't like to meet the person who has done this.


later i ask the prince if they have a special strategy for fights and what my role in this could be. if they don't have a fixed battle plan, i will try to work one out with the rest of the group.
Delete this post View IP address of poster 
 View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address  
Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Back to top
gsvenson
	
Post subject: Re: BRUMM  PostPosted: May 23, 2006 - 01:17 PM
Baron of Newgate
<b>Baron of Newgate</b>


Joined: Feb 06, 2005
Posts: 305
Location: Clearwater, Florida, USA
	
Glgnfz wrote:
later i ask the prince if they have a special strategy for fights and what my role in this could be. if they don't have a fixed battle plan, i will try to work one out with the rest of the group.

"That is a good question, Brumm. Mant is the only one here I have traveled with before the night at the inn. So, we really had nothing agreed upon before you joined us."

"When we started down the road after Rowell left us, I was thinking about setting up an order of march. But there are so few of us that there seemed to be little point and then once I got to talking about history and geography with Path, I simply forgot about it."

"Anyway, I see Path being our scout, leading the way. With you and I next some distance back and the others following close behind us. This is important now that we see there are forces from both sides out here."

"In a battle I think that you and I will do the bulk of the melee fighting with support from Path, Draussa, Mant and Jigimy. While Erdath would cast spells or use his bow in the rear. What do the rest of you think?"
-Sven
