Chapter 1: A Peaceable Kingdom

[Lara]

Pellorien snatches Fenwolt's wand and moves to stand near Kal. She gestures with the wand in the direction of a soldier.
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Assuming any soldier is still moving by her turn, Pellorien will use the Color Spray wand (15-foot range in a cone-shaped burst). Otherwise, she won't waste a charge.

[Jeff]

Lara: Looks like our posts timed funny. I must have clicked Save before you did. Of course, Pellorien won't discharge the wand since the enemies are all down.

[Lara]

Pellorien removes Fenwolt's possessions from his body and adds them to her things. She holds the ring for a long moment, trying to determine if it has magical properties. Then she stands and says to Goran, "You're right. We should get away from here, and quickly. I have his things, but I don't know how long I can carry...." Her voice breaks, and she raises a hand to wipe across her eyes.
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Detect Magic on the ring.

[Lara]

admin said:

Lara: Looks like our posts timed funny. I must have clicked Save before you did. Of course, Pellorien won't discharge the wand since the enemies are all down.

Fine.

[Jeff]

Now that the battle has ended, all is quiet again, save for the heavy breaths of your own wounded party. Grafth no longer hears the horse; it’s far off now. You’re left staring down at the soldiers and the raiment they wear. The man Kal felled appears to still be alive—possibly the only one who is. He will need stabilizing if you don’t want him to bleed to death.

From recent memory, Goran obviously recognizes the colors—and more especially, the distinctive helmet—the men wear. But even the rest of you soon realize some of the implications. Upon the tabard of the lead soldier is the symbol of a green claw.

The Order of the Emerald Claw: Once a chivalric order that served King Kaius I and his successors during the Last War. The order was outlawed years before the war’s end for its extremist activities, and it is known that Karrnath’s current king, Kaius III, has gone to great lengths to try and stamp it out. Yet the order continues to remain active in the shadows of Karrnath and beyond, but is now seen as a terrorist organization.

Kal only knows a little more, as a Deneith heir and a man who’s spent a great deal of time in Karrnath: The Emerald Claw exists in force but also in great secrecy, a society of mercenary terrorists with many interests of their own. Most members of the order are Karrns, but such is its secrecy that few know its true size and members anymore. The problem in dealing with the Emerald Claw is that any given member does not always know the bigger picture; they follow orders along a strict hierarchy of command. The Order is a many-headed entity, and it’s fearfully assumed that it has agents among many societies and governments. House Deneith included.

That the Order is affiliated at all with the undead is news to you. Of course, the Emerald Claw is historically tied with Karrnath, which is known for its use of the undead during the war.

Pellorien speaks the words of a simple spell to assess the ring she has taken from Fenwolt. The aura that appears in her sight indicates magic, and shortly thereafter she determines that the ring radiates a faint aura of abjuration magic. The wand, of course, radiates magic but she is unable to determine the aura; it is irrelevant, of course, as she already knows what spell the wand contains. She does not know, however, how many charges remain in the wand.
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Kal’s Knowledge (history) = 4, Knowledge (local) = 9

[Josh]

Grafth stands wearily up from his crouched position and scowls. The scene layed out before him is unbelievable.

He moves to where Kal and Oss now stand and says, "I heard another- a rider- fleeing the scene. Whoever set this up knows that it failed, though they won't know the outcome- how many of us are left alive.

"We should leave, quickly, and probably move off the path for the night. We need rest."

He looks back at the fallen solders. One, a charred heap. The other with a slowly growing puddle oozing from underneath him. "Do you think someone will come looking for these men? Like last time?"

He doesn't wait for an answer, proceeding slowly back toward the wagon and retrieving his shortspear and any other belongings he may have shed during the battle.

[Lara]

Whispering over Fenwolt's body, Pellorien says, "I'm sorry this didn't help you more than it did."

Placing the ring on her own hand, she stands and steps slightly away from the body.

"Let's get away from here."
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[Jeff]

When Pellorien places the metal band at her fingertip, it increases in size ever so slightly to accomodate her finger. When she slips it on, she doesn't feel any different. For now.

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Information about the gnome's identification papers can be found in Pellorien's character sheet thread.

[Ed]

Oss shakes his head at the scene around him.

"Damned Karnaathi bastards," Oss says. "You're right, of course. We need to get the hells out of here. But, there might be something on these men that tells us why they were after us. Search 'em all, but make it quick."

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Oss will search any unsearched bodies. I will post several search results here. Use them in the given order and disregard any leftovers. He will go in order of proximity to the corpses.
Searches:
9
23
18
13

[Jeff]

Oss sets about searching the bodies of the fallen.

None of the soldiers carries any coins or identification papers, which leads you to suspect that they were part of a larger, or perhaps stationary, group somewhere else. Pellorien has heard that Emerald Claw agents sometimes carry false identification papers, but these men have none at all.

Two sunrods can be found among the bodies, one of which has already been claimed by Goran. The soldier who was burned by Oss's spell has a different device, superficially resembling a sunrod but whose green-wrapped tip also appears alchemical in nature—it has a strong alcoholic scent to it. It appears to be flamable, but Oss's spell had not discharged it.

If anyone intends to stabilize the one man who isn't clearly dead, now is the time. He will be dead soon. What of Fenwolt's body? And what of the metal tool that the gnome had placed a light spell upon? It lays in the road still, glowing. It is superior to a torch in illuminating the gloom, and may help you find a place to camp for the night and rest. Oss, Pellorien, and Kal know a light spell like that will last only for a short while. Ten minutes to an hour, perhaps.

[Josh]

Grafth moves toward Goran, noting that he can now see the entire party for the first time since the battle began, inluding the fallen gnome.

"Is he dead?" he asks in a way that gives no impression as to whether he cares. "I'm not sure what our next move should be, but getting off this path quickly and for the night may be our best choice. What say you? Perhaps between the path and the river?"

He squints into the, now, near-darkness. "As long as we get away from this stench, that will be far enough for me."

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If Goran agrees with the idea to move laterally from the scene of battle, to find a place to set camp for the evening, he will assist in leading the others to a good spot to rest until morning.

[Ed]

Oss moves to the fallen enemy and tries to stabilize the man. "A little help, here!"

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Oss gets a bloody 2 on a heal check. bleh!

[Darren]

As though he suddenly realizes he's been hurt, Kalarian staggers with pain. He moves to assist Oss. "Yes, I have a few questions for him." Seeing the faces of his companions, he smiles through the pain. "Don't worry, I don't intend to kill this one." Turning to Oss, he says, " For the record, *I* am a 'damned Karrn'..."

---
kal is helping Oss on his heal check.

sorry for the lack of color. I'm posting from my phone. I'll write more later.

[Paul]

"Never mind him" snaps Cutter, indicating the dying man. "Can someone give me a little help here?"

[Jeff]

Though the man is slowly dying, Oss is able to keep trying to bind the soldier's wounds. With Kal's help, they use tatters ripped from the man's own tabard to bind the worst of his wounds. He's firmly out cold and in bad shape, but he'll live.

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Kal's Heal check = 12
Oss's second Heal check = 15 + 2 (Kal's aid) = 17

[Darren]

"We all need some help," Kalarian says, cleary in pain. He staggers over to retrieve his pack and his sharrash, leaning heavily on the latter. He looks to Grafth. "Can you carry him?" he asks, indicating the unconscious soldier. "We need to talk to him, but we can't wait for him to wake up."

He looks around at the group. "I think we can all agree that we need to move, and we need to rest. Let's get off the road and fix ourselves up." He sways for a moment, as though he is about to black out. "Quickly, please."

Kalarian walks past the wagon, looking briefly inside. He retrieves the fallen light source that Fenwolt had provided, then he moves to Pellorien and says, loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Perhaps later we can discuss how you seem to have collected the belongings of everyone we've met so far..." Kalarian limps to the side of the soldier once again, waiting for Grafth to pick him up so they can move on.

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Searching the wagon to see if there's anything in there.

[Jeremy]

Goran shakes himself out of the combat and pain-induced stupor, and looks over towards Oss and Kal, seeing that they have the man stabilized. 'Good', he mumbles. 'I'll want a word with him,'

He looks around the scene one last time, sheathing his sword.

"Yes, Grafth, let's get off the road now. I think our friends will probably be back soon. Well, here's one they won't have for their army of corpses." and he picks up Fenwolt's body, slumping it over his shoulder. He points to some trees and cover in the distance (Jeff? Is there anything suitable? A hill they could get behind would be better).

"Let's head that way, unless anyone has an objection? Oss, can you and Kal bring the soldier? We don't have to move too quickly, but we will need to move now."

[Jeff]

Seeming disinclined to move any of the bodies himself, Kal takes a quick search of the wagon—aside from being empty, the entire conveyance is fouled by the zombie that once lay beside it and now does so again.

Goran hefts Fenwolt's body upon his shoulders, finding the gnome surprisingly light. Yet his wounds make the burden an unpleasant one. Oss and Grafth are evidently left to the task of the soldier. It becomes quickly clear that Grafth is the stronger and has to do most of the work.

But between Grafth and Goran, the two are able to lead the party off the road, southward, a fair distance away. At the base of a low hill and a smattering of trees, you make a crude camp. The spot affords you a distant view of the ambush scene; in the darkness you can longer see it, but if anyone with a light source travels on the road again during the night, you'll see it.

Sleep pulls at each of you...but you know someone needs to keep watch. With the walking dead so fresh in your mind, every stirring in the shadows looks in your imagination like another attack.

Oss, who is the most experienced with tending the wounded, knows that the Emerald Claw soldier's injuries are serious enough that they could become infected; he looks hurt enough to stay unconscious throughout the night. From there, it's hard to say what will become of him without further tending.

Goran lays Fenwolt's body down. The gnome looks, at least, untroubled in death.

How will the you pass the night? Of the whole group, only Oss appears to possess a bedroll among his gear, and only Goran and Grafth look hardy enough to sleep on the ground in adequate comfort.

Given your injuries, though, none of you would have a hard time sleeping—it just may not be the most comfortable place you've ever spent the night. Fortunately, it is neither too cold nor too warm on this late summer night.

[Josh]

Looking at the current shape of the group, Grafth offers up, "I'll take first watch, with Pellorien if she'll agree. The rest of you look worse for the wear, and could use the rest more.

"I have water, if anyone needs some." He hefts his skin and places it near the center of the group.

He looks down at their prisoner, a quick look of discomfort passing across his face. "These people... Emerald Claw... I have heard tales of their anger and ruthlessness, and these rumors seem valid, after tonight.

"I have a hard time believing he will be of any use to us."

His eyes scan the blackness, then turn back to the camp, pausing as they reach Kalarian.

"You may be too proud to ask, but you, friend, are in dire need." Looking to Goran, then the rest, he asks "Can anyone help heal him?"

[Darren]

Kalarian slumps down hard onto the ground, clearly exhausted and drained by his wounds. He loosens the buckles around his leg, letting all of the leather and metal fall away from him. He closes his eyes for a moment, and it seems as though he may be slipping into unconsciousness. Then he opens his eyes and looks first at the soldier and then at Goran.

"I think, my friend, that you have some skill with healing. Perhaps before we rest, we should revive this one and find out what he knows?" As he speaks, Kalarian pulls himself up on his sharrash, slowly getting to his feet. He does not move, but looks at Goran meaninfully, knowing that the half-elf wants to interrogate the soldier as badly as he does.

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Out of character discussion with the rest of the group:
It might make sense to use whatever healing spells any of us have before sleeping, so we can get the most healing we can before our spells per day reset. We also probably want to awaken and question this soldier before he dies from his wounds, and leaving him overnight may very well result in us getting no answers.

[Jeff]

Note: It will take several uses of Goran's minor healing spell to revive the soldier. Alternatively, Goran can forage for berries to use Goodberry, but that may take some time and is no guarantee.

[Jeremy]

Goran nods at Grafth,

"Good. I will take the next watch. Wake me when you can't stay awake any longer. Perhaps Cutter or Oss can take the second watch with me. Make sure no one makes a fire, or a light of any kind. I only suggest we speak only in whispers, and only when necessary. These men probably know the land well, and we neither of us had time or energy to cover our tracks to this place. Be on your guard."

He moves over to Kal and looks at his wounds, to see what he can do for him.

"I think I'll need more help than I have on hand. And I must see to my own wounds as well, but that can wait."

He stands, and drops his pack and sword, keeping his bow and drawing his dagger.

"I'm going to forage a bit, no one need come with me, I will be swifter alone."

---

Jeff, a Search check of course to find the berries. If Kal needs absolute immediate attention, Goran will tend to the wounds first, however he can. He will use his minor healing spell as often as he can over the near future.

Then he will forage as long as he can manage and find some berries for his Goodberry spell. If possible, he will grab a lot so that over the next 12 hours he can use them again. One pass with the Goodberry is surely not going to heal everyone. He;ll also keep his eyes open for any plant that can be used as an antiseptic for the soldier's wounds.

Goran is no fool, however, and he will know when his strength is spent and he must return to camp. Once again, his blade is smeared with mud (old habits die hard).

[Ed]

Oss slumps down into his bedroll. "If I can just rest for a short while, I can help more after that," he says before nodding off.

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Jeff, I'll post my new spells that I'll be preparing in my thread.

[Lara]

With no specific task to occupy herself other than following the others to a place off the road that might offer some degree of safety, Pellorien becomes jumpy and restless. The darkness of the night, the sounds and smells of the countryside, the gruffness of her companions, the effects of shock coursing through her system -- all of this is very different from most of what she has previously experienced in her life.

Anyone paying attention might think she looks even younger and certainly more vulnerable than she did when they first met. Kalarian's words send a flash of confusion across her face that only adds to the impression. When Grafth speaks her name, she perks up and quickly walks over to him to stand at his side.

"Yes, please, I'll help. What must we do? Should I pick a place to sit, or do we need to walk around?" She looks around the area. "Um... what do we need to watch out for, exactly?"

[Josh]

"Just sit, and try to stay alert. If you see any signs of light, or hear anything unusual, let me know. I think most importatly, we must stay calm, and quiet. We should be able to talk quietly; our voices won't carry that way."

With that, Grafth also takes a seat, putting some of his weight on his shortspear, keeping it at the ready. He seems relieved to be on the ground.

"The rest of you, try to get some rest. I'll wake the next group after a while.

[Darren]

Gesturing towards Goran's departing back, Kalarian says to Grafth, "You will wake me when he returns?" He does not turn away until Grafth agrees to do so.

Kalarian then turns his attention to Pellorien. He begins to move towards her, but his right leg gives out on him. He barely manages to catch himself on his sharrash. He takes a moment to steady himself, and then moves slowly towards her, trying not to show how much he is leaning on the weapon for support. Standing in front of her, Kal flips the small tool that Fenwolt enchanted over in his hand, offering the handle to Pellorien. "Since you seem so fond of collecting the possessions of the dead, you might as well take this, too."

[Jeff]

None of you requires immediate attention. You're all mostly battered but none have mortal injuries by any stretch.

Goran sets out alone, searching for any type of berry to use for his spell. After a short while, however, it becomes evident he's not going to be able to find anything close by—and in his condition. He needs rest, so he is forced to return to camp without any berries.

A tentative watch has been decided upon, and you all feel as ready as you'll ever be to pass the night. All that remains is what you will do with Fenwolt's body and the unconscious soldier during the night.
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Goran's Search = 1
Goran can cast cure minor wounds (which heals 1 hit point) three more times this night, and he can even give up his three remaining 1st-level spell slots to cast three more cure minor wounds spells, for 6 in total. Who will he heal, and how much?

[Darren]

As Goran returns to the camp, Kalarian is awakened by Grafth. Kal looks up at Goran and then over at the unconscious soldier. "What do you want to do about him?" he asks. "I'd like to get some answers out of him as soon as possible. Given what happened to those other 'soldiers', if someone else gets to him first, he won't live long enough to talk to us. And if someone comes in the night to collect him, I'm not sure any of us are in any condition to stop them." He looks around to the rest of the group. "What say you?"

[Jeremy]

Goran will try to offer any healing he can to the fallen soldier.

"Well, either we leave him back on the road, or we kill him, or we wake him and ask some questions. I'm beginning to doubt that's going to do us any good, however. In my opinion, we should leave him back on the road. I'll carry him, if anyone will help me.

[Darren]

Kalarian sighs. "Dammit. Well, if you don't think it's going to do us any good, then there's no point in wasting your talents healing him, when the rest of us need it, as well. Let me offer an alternative to just leaving him on the road. Let's find a tree some distance off from where we are, and leave him tied to it. In the morning, when we are rested, if he has survived, we can try to wake him and see if he knows anything. If he hasn't survived, well, it's no worse on our conscience than just leaving him on the road."