Chapter 1: A Peaceable Kingdom

[Jeff]

Goran identifies booted feet (of three or more people) as well as the prints of what might be large, birdlike talons. The booted feet trail off in the direction of the gravel road, while the talons linger in the area, then disappear altogether.

It only takes 10 minutes for Goran to be sure: the people who made these tracks joined the road, where the tracks disappear amidst the mud and the prints of other travelers. So long as they stayed on the road, it will be impossible to follow them any more than just walking the road—which runs parallel to the conductor stones, southwest and northeast.
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Goran's Survival check (for tracking) = 22
Knowledge (nature) = 13

[Lara]

After the others leave to inspect the source of the smoke, Pellorien pulls Gurend's book from her bag, nudges the gnome, and quietly says, "Have a quick look at this. What do you think it will take to open it?"

[Jeff]

Fenwolt, looking miserable in the rain, frowns. "Yeah, I...all right, I could give this a try now. But if I get this thing opened, and you don't want the pages to get wet, we need some cover."

Pellorien hands over a small metal-bound book—for those who hadn't glimpsed it—and Fenwolt tries his best to shield himself from the rain under the nearest cloak. "Where'd this come from, miss? Might help me to figure out how to open it, and...just in case, what to avoid. It's definitely magicked tight!"

[Lara]

Sense Motive check=16

[Jeremy]

(Jeff, don't forget Goran lent his cloak to Fenwolt)

---

Goran swiftly returns to Cutter and Kal, telling them everything he has seen, and strongly suggests they get back to the main group as soon as possible. Assuming there is no disagreement, that's what they do. Once back, he tells Grafth what he has found.

[Jeff]

Pellorien doesn't sense anything dishonest in Fenwolt's words.

The group is rejoined. Everyone is together again.

Beneath Goran's borrowed cloak, Fenwolt mumurs an artificer incantation over one of the tools in his harness. After a couple of minutes of enspelling it, he uses the metal small, weirdly shaped prod like some sort of unlocking wand. He taps the metal lock of the book without needing to insert anything into its chambers. There is a soft metal clicking sound, and the latch pops open.

"Least I could do, miss," he says, offering Pellorien the book back. His eyes follow it carefully, obviously intrigued. "Mind you, the magic lock isn't gone for good, it's just suppressed for a short while. So don't let that latch close up again, or it will renew the magic."

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Now what? Where will you all go? Who will lead, and in what rough marching order?

[Ed]

Oss nods at Pellorien. "Let us know what that says. In the meantime, we need to keep moving."

Oss looks to Goran and Grafth and says, "Lead the way toward Fairhaven, gents. I'll follow you."

Oss looks back to Goran for a long moment before moving to stand near Kalarian.

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Oss will follow Kalarian in the marching order.

[Darren]

"Agreed. You two seem to be good out here in the wilderness. I trust you to take us safely back to Fairhaven. Once there, I'll take you all to the Deneith leadership there and we'll see if they can't shed some light on what's going on." He gives Grafth a smile and a wink and says, "At the very least, we can get a hot meal out of them."

Seeing Oss come up beside him, Kalarian gives the half-elf a friendly smile. "Seems we have a bit of a trip ahead of us. Might be a good time to get to know eachother. I'm not even sure I've gotten your real name..."

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Kal will stay near the back with Oss and Tangat.

[Jeremy]

Goran wipes his dagger blade clean, nods to Oss and smiles at Kal.

"We would do well, I think, to all get to know each other a bit better."

Turning to Grafth, Goran points the way ahead, presumably towards Fairhaven.

"If we stay little further ahead of the group, but within sight, we can both lead the way. What do you think?"

If Grafth agrees, Goran bades the group gather themselves and, once prepared, leave.

[Jeff]

As the others have inspected the smoke plume (which only Kal, Goran, and Cutter know anything about now), Pellorien is able to skim through the book.

It appears to be a journal of arcana and it looks pretty complicated—to those standing nearby it looks like a lot of gibberish. As the group travels, she can take a look through it more thoroughly.

Presumably Goran and Grafth are leading the way.

Just as you start off northeastward, the rain starts to let up. Will Goran/Grafth lead the party through the grasslands or on the road? (Again, you can try to stay out of sight on the grasslands, but it will take several hours longer to reach Fairhaven that way; if you take the road, travel is swifter but you will inevitably pass regular "traffic.")

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If anyone would like to summarize (or better still, detail) what they'd like to do or say while the party travels, now's a good time to say it. In other words, several hours will be passing: so let me know what your character is up to during this time.

[Jeremy]

Goran will stay on point, with Grafth, for most of the trip, barring any unforseen meetings along the road, et al. Occasionally, notifying Grafth, he will circle to the back and drop back thirty or forty feet or so, making a move silently check each time, to see if anyone is following them. During these times he will have an arrow nocked on his bowstring.

Otherwise, he and Grafth will be keeping an eye on the road, such as it is, ahead. As they all move out, Goran will cast around for a group vote on whether to take the straight and swifter road, with its attendant danger, or the more laborious but surreptitious pathways. Personally, his vote is for the path, keeping the road in sight from time to time.

If they meet anyone, Goran suggests that he, Pellorien or Oss do the talking...polite, but restrained, no facts offered unless necessary. They are a group of hired guards and healers going to Fairhaven to meet their new client, whose name they of course cannot divulge. They were not on the Rail, and most certainly no one is to mention the farm where they stayed. He suggests to Kalerian that he should continue to keep his identity secret as surely word has gotten around that a noble member of House Deneith was on the Rail when it was destroyed, and it would not do for anyone to make that connection yet with the group, until they were safely at their destination.

While at the front of the group, Goran will keep all his weapons stowed.

[Darren]

Kalarian nods at Goran's suggestion. "I don't think anyone from the house knew I was there, necessarily, but certainly my presence might draw some unnecessary attention. Consider my lips sealed."

Seeming to tire of walking near the mostly silent Oss, Kalarian moves forward to speak with Grafth. There's something about the shifter he likes. "Thank you for your help, my friend. You remind me of a friend I had during the war. He fell in battle on the Plains, but he had that same strong, quiet manner that you have. Did you serve during the war? You said you had things to do...where were you headed?"

[Josh]

Grafth looks warily at the road ahead. "For the time being, this road seems serviceable enough. However, we're very easily seen here as well- if it becomes necessary, I agree with Goran, we should make our path in the wilderness- perhaps following the river."

As Kal walks along side the shifter, he stays alert, but seems to be relaxed by the demeanor of the group. "I have obligations, as I'm sure we all do, that require me to travel to Passage. A rather trivial matter of business, but I gave my word and so must fulfill my task.

"As for the war..." his eyes grow distant, but only momentarily, "I was drawn into the needless battle on the edges of the Plains, not out of any loyalty to leaders or love of the hunt... merely an attempt to keep the bloodshed away from my home. A misguided attempt, I often feel.

"I assume you spent much time on the Plains, then? I must admit, I've never seen a sharrash crafted at that scale before. A fine weapon, indeed."

[Darren]

"Yes, it is. I was quite taken with it when I saw the halflings wield it. I was honored to have one of their artisans craft one for me." Kalarian remains silent for a moment. "Do you live on the Plains, then? What business are you in that takes you so far from there?"

[Lara]

Engrossed in examining Gurend's book, Pellorien slowly nods then turns her attention to what has been said around her. Looking about, she says, "The road will definitely be faster, but I agree that we should stay alert and try not to run into anyone. I also want to look at this --" she indicates the book "-- more closely, while we have light. "

To Fenwolt, she says, "Thank you for your assistance with the lock. Some of this looks complicated. I might need your help again in making sense of some of the writing. Would you mind?"
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What checks do you need? Knowledge (arcana)? Spellcraft?

[Jeff]

Now that the rain has let up, Fenwolt offers Goran's sodden cloak back to him. "Thank you, Reacher." He winks.

Fenwolt keeps pace with Pellorien and occassionally asks her for the book when she looks particularly confused. They speak in quiet tones about the book. At one point, a scrap of paper slips from the book—which Pellorien quickly snatches in the air to keep it from falling in the mud.

Goran and Grafth lead the party on. It's easy to maintain a northeastern course, between occassional glimpses of the line of conductor stones and even, when cresting a small hill, the Aundair River a ways to your right. You find travel on the road, despite the mud, much easier to manage. Whenever you are able to, you move off the road when other travelers come into sight. The few you aren't able to avoid simply pass you by with the weary but friendly greeting of Aundairian commoners. Kal—with his fine (if wet) clothes and gleaming war-scythe (sharash)—and Grafth seem to draw the most stares from passers-by, but nothing overtly suspicious or unfriendly.

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Pellorien's findings will be in her private thread...

[Josh]

"I never consider anywhere to be too far from home- the wilds are always of interest to me," says the shifter, turning his head up as the clouds suddenly break and then reform their dominance of the sky.

He maintains the lead, watching Goran circle the party every now and then. "We're making good time," he calls back to the others, "If we try to set up a camp at dusk, we should be able to make it into Fairhaven by late morning."

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Grafth continues to walk, senses alert. At dusk he will again urge the party to find some semblance of shelter or seclusion for the evening.

[Paul]

Cutter moves forward so that he is walking behind Pellorien and Fenwolt, wondering what the two are whispering about. He won't get in their space, but he will try and catch any words he can. At the same time he keeps his eye on the surrounding countryside.

[Ed]

Oss remains quiet as they journey. He seems tempted to speak many times but rarely does. He stays close mostly to Kal, occasionally checking in on Pel and Fenwolt.

[Jeff]

Hours pass as you journey toward Fairhaven. Though you are weary, the late summer rain has made the land feel clean.

Eventually, the daylight begins to fade.

With the oncoming night, it becomes clear to Grafth and Goran that you’ll need to make camp soon—probably off the road to avoid any night-time travelers from happening upon you. There are some trees scattered about for some limited shelter. You'll even need a light source or two soon if you're going to establish a camp.

Just as you begin to talk about precisely where to set camp, Goran and Grafth both spy something as the road wends around a low hill. There is a small cluster of wild bushes and a few trees and rocks—almost resembling a natural oasis of sorts amidst the otherwise empty grassland. Overturned in the middle of the road here is a farmer's wagon, two of the wheels obviously crushed as though the conveyance had been tossed over by something with great strength.

As you get a little bit closer, Tangat's ears perk up. He stops, then woofssoftly at Kal. Cutter, in turn, just barely picks up the distant whinny of a horse, though there is no such animal still attached to the wagon. He turns his head and determines the sound is coming from somewhere in the thickening gloom off to the right.

Grafth's eyes turn naturally to the thick bushes and boulders that litter the area ahead. This place looks like the ideal stopping point, the type of spot where traveleres would take a breather and drink some water. And, from all Grafth has ever seen and heard, an excellent place for an ambush...

There are many places to hide in this area. He finds it all suspect. Perhaps if it weren't getting so dark...

Tangat begins sniffing the air. He looks anxious, and Kal can tell something has unnerved him...

Then Grafth sees movement. There, amidst the wreck of the wagon, a figure stirs and a soft moan of pain can be heard.

"Oh, Sovereigns, not again..." Fenwolt mutters. He produces a metal, adjustable wrench from his tool harness and speaks an artificer's infusion. The tool suddenly glows with bright white light, which helps to push back the dim twilight.

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Spot checks: Kal’s & Oss (5), Goran (17), Grafth (21), Pellorien (9), Cutter & Tangat (14)
Listen checks: Kal (16), Oss & Goran (10), Grafth (5), Pellorien (15), Cutter (16), Tangat (23)

[Darren]

Kalarian sighs. "Not again is right. Everyone, shield your eyes!"

As before, Kalarian makes a gesture and speaks some arcane words, and a bright flash of lights sparks over the wagon.

"Quickly, my friends, move to the wagon!" Drawing his longsword, Kalarian moves forward.

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Kalarian is casting Flare, centered over the wagon to hopefully stun anyone nearby.

[Jeremy]

Goran draws his sword and whispers to Grafth, or Oss, or Cutter, whomever is nearest.

"You go ahead to the wagon, I'm moving into the thickets nearby to see if anything is waiting for us there."

With that he slips into the darkness, in the direction of the horse's whinny.

---

Move silently check please, also, Track feat if applicable. If Goran spies an enemy who is still at a distance, he will switch to his bow.

[Ed]

Oss nods to Goran and moves behind Kalarian as the man advances forward. His eyes scan the area before them.

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Oss gets a 7 on a search check to notice anything unusual (specifically, anything moving).

[Lara]

"Oh, good grief," Pellorien mutters.

To Fenwolt she says, "I'm not staying here to be a target. You might want to avoid standing near him." She nods in Kalarian's direction. "He tends to attract danger, it seems."

Shoving Gurend's book into her pack, she moves off the road.
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Move Silently check = 8
Hide check = 23
Pellorien also arms herself with a wand.

[Paul]

Cutter draws his blades and also heads into the bushes, but circling wider than Goran. Not much wider than Goran. Say, and extra 15 paces out.

[Josh]

Grafth runs forward as the others pass him, and moves swiftly around to the northern side of the carriage, drawing his handaxe as he races forard.

[Jeff]

Kal sends a burst of light exploding just left of the wagon, which dissipates as quickly as it came. You can see the injured man curled in a fetal position right up against the wagon. You glimpse a great deal of blood, which looks dried, but little else. He looks...bad. Then Kal strides forward toward the man—presumably dropping his sharash in favor of movement. Tangat bounds forward to join his master.

Goran draws his own blade and moves quietly off among the thickets on the right-hand side. While the bushes obscure sight, they wouldn't block it entirely—except that in this twilight, it's even harder to see far. Goran's half-elven eyes do vaguely detect the movement of other people beyond the bushes, however, perhaps twenty-five or thirty feet away. He pauses, with sword in hand and his bow in the other; ready to switch weapons, if needed.

Oss follows a few paces behind Kal, scanning the dim area. Yet he can see only the injured man stirring. Grafth shoots past both of them, read with axe in hand at the far side of the wagon. Something foul catches his attention in the air even as he passes...something putrid and rotting.

Pellorien produces a wand and moves off the road as quietly as she is able, finding a concealed place among the nearest thicket.

Cutter draws out his exotic blades, moving out into the thickets on the right-hand side. Several long strides past Goran, he can just make out a man attempting to hide beyond the bushes, twenty feet straight ahead. He catches the slightest glint of metal armor...

Fenwolt, seeing that most have abandoned the road and realizing that he holds the light source like a loan beacon, yelps and tosses the glowing tool forward on the road. It lands just behind Kal, illuminating almost 40 feet around him. Then the gnome scrambles off the road opposite Pellorien.

Just then, Tangat stops sharp, barking loudly. Kal recognizes the sound, the feeling, of the dog—alarm and fear. And revulsion. Kal looks down, to see the injured man reaching up to him for help, moaning in great pain. A horrid stench accompanies the gesture, a wave of unclean air, of rot and carrion. The figure gets to its feet, standing only a few paces from Kal with arms reaching out. The Deneith heir finds himself looking upon the face of a man who appears several days dead. His lips and most of his cheeks have rotted away, revealing dark teeth and oozing gums.

Though all of you have heard the stories, few of you have actually faced the living dead.

At the same time, Grafth also sees another figure lurking behind the thickets in front of him. With all the bushes all around and the boulders strewn about, it seems likely there are more still.

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Cutter's Spot = 14

COMBAT HAS BEGUN!

Reminder: Everyone roll their initiative, then declare what your action is this first round. Again, 1 round of combat will be 24 hours of real time, or until everyone posts their action.

(Oss and Kal both have to drop a backpack or a large weapon in order to drop to a light load and be able to move more freely.)

[Jeremy]

Oh-ho-ho. Goran HAS faced the living dead before. Yes indeed.

Flaring up in sudden wrath, terrible and yet calm with a deadly focus, the half-elf darts through the brush, towards the rear of the wagon, yelling at everyone to stay clear of the undead, and not to initiate combat unless they have to.

Goran himself will see what can be seen on the road behind the upturned wagon. Presumably Grafth will already be there. He will not hesitate to strike with his sword and full fury if there is the slightest provocation. At the same time, he yells to anyone who can hear...

"Cutter, are you with me? Let me hear your voice! Oss! Kal! Beware, don't let them touch you!"

---

Jeff, can you roll initiative for me? Thanks. I'm about to sack out here. Goran will attack if given any reason to do so, but he will also make an effort to keep the group together. If there is no immediate crisis behind the wagon, he will return his attention to the bushes either side of the road (now where is that horse they heard?)

[Darren]

A look comes over Kalarian's face as he staggers back a step. It could either be disgust or fear. He quickly drops his pack from his shoulder, steadies himself, then raises his hand and points it towards the creature. A streak of light flashes from his hand and strikes directly into the undead.

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Kalarian is backing up a bit outside of the undead's reach (5 ft. move action, no attack of opportunity), dropping his pack (free action) and casting Magic Missle (standard action).

[Lara]

Hearing Goran's shouts of warning, Pellorien wonders just what the group finds themselves up against now. Through the gloom of twilight, she watches the actions of the others for a moment before deciding to take action herself.
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Initiative = 6
Pellorien will move forward 20-25 feet (just to the other side of the thicket where she has taken cover), and she will use the Ray of Frost wand on the target at the wagon.

If the target is destroyed before Pellorien's turn in the initiative comes up, she will not discharge the wand, but she will still move. (Her action then would be movement + Hide.)