Synopsis
The crew makes its way to the manor and is tracked by a shadowy figure in the forests; Vartis makes a snap decision; an unnatural fire lights the evening
Story
Act One
It is a still night as the group winds its way north up the road. A soft snow has fallen and the woods glisten beneath the waxing moon. The wagon is packed with goods and Kevin is driving it. Sascha sits in the passenger side and Anniselle sits in the wagon amid the sundry items. The prisoner is lashed to his horse and guarded by Dela and Tasker. Anniselle immediately becomes aware of the presence of the mysterious stranger from the tavern. As Antagur rides point with Captain Fred he notices a figure in the woods who is shadowing the group, and he quietly alerts Fred. Fred signals his team and they quietly move into a combat formation. Vartis shakes himself out of his mental shock and leaves Dela and the prisoner; he fails an attempt to intimidate the prisoner.
Fred waves the caravan to a slow crawl while Antagur dismounts his horse and creeps into the forest. Vartis moves alongside Fred and they both move to a small path that will lead them towards the stranger. Fred spots the stranger but Antagur loses sight of him (CRIT FAIL) for a few seconds. Vartis suddenly grins at Fred and spurs his horse into a full charge at the stranger -- he is followed by Fred, but Jesswick's horse panics and bucks. As the horsemen ride past him, Antagur spots the stranger again and runs towards him.
The forest suddenly lights up as two fireballs spiral out of the mysterious man's hand and staff and arc towards the wagon. Anniselle deflects the fireball aimed at her and the wagon but the second one slams into the prisoner, engulfing him and his horse in flames and killing them instantly. Dela is thrown clear and wounded by the blast. (Sean: "Oh ssSSHIT, our prisoner!" Frank: "Well of *course* our prisoner!"). Kevin controls the wagon horses and pulls them to a halt, but Tasker lowers a crossbow at him and commands him to maintain his pace. Anniselle shouts at Tasker to clear the way.
When Vartis gets within sight of the stranger he recognizes him as a Belosian Firelord -- he sweeps past the mage, swinging his sword but missing him. Antagur races back to the party to give aid to the wounded; on his way back he fights off a surge of panic. When he makes it back to the wagon he calms everyone down and urges Kevin to make his way to the manor. Fred dismounts his horse and runs at the Firelord with his weapon drawn while Vartis takes another pass -- his charging attack is dodged.
Antagur reaches Dela, who is wounded and stunned; he attempts and fails a Healing roll (CRIT FAIL) and is convinced he healed her. The Firelord slams his staff into the ground and from that point a glowing white egg quickly grows and hatches a 9' coiled salamander that burns blue/white with heat -- it immediately charges through the woods towards the wagon. At Antagur's urging, Kevin whips the horse to a run and Tasker and Jesswick ride alongside it. Items begin tumbling and spilling out of the wagon and as Anniselle attempts to climb out of the wagon she is tripped up and smashes onto the ground (CRIT FAIL); she breaks her arm and blacks out. Antagur races to her and heals her and she awakens.
Captain Fred deeply wounds the Firelord with his sword and the mage stumbles backwards, a fine mist of blood sprays from his chest. The Firelord strikes Fred (CRIT), destroying his armor and wounding him. Fred strikes a fatal blow, cleaving the mage in two; as he crumples to the ground the salamander dissipates. Vartis arrives and sees Fred, wounded and dripping blood. "Watch him," Fred growls as he indicates the Firelord. He strides to his horse and returns to the wagon, leaving his mortified lieutenant to guard the corpse.
Act Two
Antagur notices that Dela is still speaking deliriously and lying prone -- he asks Tasker for assistance and the warmage realizes that Dela hasn't been healed. He runs to her with his kit and begins pouring potions on her. Antagur attempts to explain his failure and Tasker replies, "You fucked up, kid -- happens to us all. See to the boss, will you?" Fred calls the all-clear to the group. Antagur approaches him and heals his wound. Kevin stops the wagon and the group begins rounding up the horses, collecting the undamaged goods and piling them back onto the wagon. Fred asks Tasker and Antagur to inspect the body; and on their way Tasker explains his own healing failures. They arrive and see Vartis standing near the body, looking chagrined.
"How's the Captain?" Asks Vartis. "The captain will live to fight another day, Vartis; I'm not sure about you," says Antagur.
Tasker asks for permission to speak freely and Vartis grants it. He asks his lieutenant, "From the looks of this guy we were lucky to walk away with our hides. Did you know what you were doing?" He informs Vartis that the prisoner was killed and that Dela was injured but healed. Tasker inspects the Firelord's items and passes them to Antagur to put in a leather bag. (1) After inspecting the items, Antagur returns them to Tasker for safe keeping. Vartis elects to bury the corpse but Tasker corrects him: Belosians set their dead alight. Before they ride off Antagur says to Valrick, "The tapestry of your web is sewn hastily and crookedly."
Anniselle decides to walk to the manor alone but as she moves further away from the wagon, the dimmer and fainter the manor lights become until they fade away. She returns to the wagon and helps the servants and soldiers pack up the wagon. When the wagon is loaded, the group makes its way to the manor and Vartis meets up with them after burning the Firelord on a makeshift pyre.
(1) items: three rings, a collection of parchments. A scroll tubes, locked magically, obsidian surface with silver detail filigree, warm to the touch, a small amber gemstone set in the center. Beneath the Firelord's bishop's collar he discovers a tattoo of the Red Daggers.
Meta
Game Notes
- played on Dec 04 08
Points Awarded
- 2 points
Season Pool
- 7 points