Revenant on the Trail
H01: Kultari Road
It's Ceriday, Firetide 15 16:04:21 1020. The full moon is up. The tide is high and ebbing. Towering white clouds drift slowly through the blue sky. It's hazy and hot, and the glare of the sun seems to drain the color from the landscape.
Yelrona dismounts from Erithamiel, laughing delightedly. "Gods, I have _missed_ that." She looks around. "So, like I said... over there is Josia's parents' farm," she points to a building off to the east, "and the undead lair is about two miles that way," she adds, pointing north.
Ga'Elian also dismounts, gives the griffon a friendly pat, and says to the beast, "Go on, Erithamiel. You can hunt nearby, just don't take any of the domesticated horses. I'll blast my horn if I need you, or I'll just come find you myself."
To Yelrona, he says, "Let's check out the farm first. You don't think the farmer will mind, do you? And, did your party walk from the farm to the lair?"
Yelrona nods agreeably. "He was ok with me taking Josia for an outing in the city to raise his spirits the other day, I'm sure he'll be fine with us looking around. Let's just talk to him, first, so we don't frighten anybody." As they walk, she explains "Yes. Josia actually _followed_ the graveknight, apparently... whether he was under some sort of compulsion or not, I can't be sure, but if so he doesn't seem to have been aware of it. There was a kind of entry chute to their underground lair, and he fell through it."
Ga'Elian strides along, listening. As they walk toward the farmer through the field he's currently out standing in (pun intended), the ranger leaves no trail behind. He asks, "So did you fight the wights here or at the lair?"
"At the lair," she explains. "The farm was as far as I know unmolested, although it was near here that Josia first saw the graveknight." As they approach, she waves jauntily to Josia's father, who seems worried at first, then relaxes. She introduces Ga'Elian and explains that he's the best tracker she knows, and that she'd brought him in the hopes of finding out more about the threat. The farmer is both appreciative and very, very worried.
Ga'Elian tells the farmer, "By the reports I've heard, sir, your son is a brave and valiant lad. Please let us not disturb your labors, but do try to breath easier knowing that we are taking the matter seriously, and are pretty good at what we do." He shakes hands, but speaks matter-of-factly with no hint of jocularity nor anxiety in his speech.
"Well, gods bless you both," the farmer replies effusively, pumping Elian's hand, "that's all I can say, gods bless you both! Josia hasn't slept through the night since, with the night terrors and all, and neither's his mother'n me... I mean, on account of the screamin', but also just for the worryin', so anythin' you can find you're welcome to, and... Ga'Elian, d'you say?" He blinks, surprised.
"Not _Ettin Slayer_ Ga'Elian?!?" he adds, incredulously.
"Well. Will ya look at that. I didn't know you were famous and all! When Josia was younger he would sing that song all the time, an' talk about how he was gonna slay giants some day."
Yelrona bursts out laughing.
Ga'Elian smiles at the farmer, and smirks at Rona and says, "Alright, alright." with a laugh-it-up-fuzzball tone. He adds, "Alright now. Let's see just where the lad said he saw the grave knight."
The farmer glares at Rona when she laughs, then looks worried at Elian's final comment. "It's all right, sir," she adds hastily, serious again, "we won't be bothering the boy with questions about that night... what he already told me is more than enough." She pauses, then adds "You should be very proud of your boy, sir. He was brave and clever. If he hadn't found himself a hiding place to keep out of the grasp of those beasts until help came... well. He saved himself, is what I'm saying, through his good sense and quick wits. I shouldn't be surprised if he _does_ slay giants, when he's grown. But we've taken enough of your time already... we'll find our own way, thank you." To Elian she adds "This way... I'll show you." and heads off towards the north fence.
...whistling a tune as she goes.
Ga'Elian walks along, keeping his senses alert. He holds Rona's hand as they walk together.
Yelrona allows her hand to be held, and walks in silence. After a while she lets go of his hand and places her arm companionably around his waist. "It's good to be back," she adds, quietly.
Ga'Elian smiles deeply and likewise puts his arm around her shoulders. When she ceases whistling, he picks up with it himself.
"I can't believe they still remember that silly song," she mutters, her smile belying her words.
Ga'Elian says, "Yeah. It's been a while since I'd heard it, but every now and again somebody seems to remember. Still, a lot's happened to Alexandrians since then."
Yelrona nods. "True, that. As the man said... a more innocent time." She smiles. Before too long, they've reached the northern edge of the farm, which is itself the northernmost territory of the small farming community. Beyond it is uncultivated land, rapidly growing wild. "So this is where Josia said he was when he saw the graveknight, travelling into the wildland. From where, I don't know. Of course, we only found that out later, but the lair wasn't too difficult to find... this way. But cautiously, eh?"
Ga'Elian nods. He is all business at this point. Undead aren't funny. He says, "Thanks. Now let's find the tracks. Feel free to assist if you'd like. I gather you've learned some tracking skills yourself."
Yelrona nods. "Not by comparison, but yes, I'm happy to help. The entrance to the lair is..." she thinks a bit, "...just a little to the left of that forked tree over there," she adds, pointing to a spot a little distance away.
GAME: Vaalyun has arrived.
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Survival+4+4+2+2+5: (12)+24+4+4+2+2+5: 53
GAME: Yelrona rolls survival: (9)+12: 21
<OOC> Yelrona says, "To aid."
Yelrona at least knows enough to avoid getting in the way, and even points out a footprint or two he might have missed.
Mostly, though, she is watching a master at work.
Yelrona nods when Elian points out the strangely ephemeral trail. Even with it pointed out to her, she can barely make it out.
Ga'Elian roots around moving the wild flora north of the farm's northern boundary with his hand. After a while of close inspection, the ranger tells Yelrona, "It looks like a host of the fell creatures have been wandering this ground for a while. Still, they generally seem to be moving between here and," he stands upright and points, "over about where you said the hole leading down to the lair is."
He stoops down again to resume his efforts, moving at his normal speed and leaving no trail himself despite his efforts to follow the general trend of the tracks back to a common source. He notes where the groundcover seems to feel sick, as if from the passage of foul beings.
Yelrona nods. "So they're not new arrivals, then? That means Josia probably wasn't their first victim. I'll ask around later, see if there are other reports of missing persons in the area."
There is a spot a bit further along where there are clearly signs of a man walking. Then running. A farmer's hoe has been dropped and rolled, broken at the shaft, into the cover of some underbrush. A man's running stride, followed by crawling on hands and knees. Then, it stops and he's on his back. The undersides of the leaves are marked with arterial spray. Heavy, armored footprints lead up to the spot, and the tracks all end.
<OOC> Yelrona says, "Is there a farmhouse nearby?"
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Not right next to it. There are, of course, farmhouses around."
When Ga'Elian reaches this place, he first stops and looks around, fixing the location in his mind. He moves a little further, stoops down and picks up the broken pieces of the hoe. He says, "Looks like a farmer might have been suspicious and came out here to get a better look. He was walking there, then started running. There, he dropped to a crawl." He moves again and says, "It looks like he perished here, lying on his back. See? The plants are bloody on the undersides of their leaves. I'd say he was taken by a bladed weapon, and... THERE. There his attacker stood, his footprint heavy with armor." He stoops down at the spot and pulls a pinch of some white powder from his haversack. He speaks a lengthy incantation and probes the armored footprint with his fingers.
GAME: Ga'Elian casts Residual Tracking. Caster Level: 18 DC: 14
_That_ trail, even Rona can read. "Well. At least one missing person, then. Though if there wasn't a report, it may have taken the whole family." She explores the area while he casts his spell, then adds, more puzzled "But where did it go, after? I don't see any sign of where the creature went, or its prey. Do you?"
When Ga'Elian casts the spell, he can see a tall, plate-armored man standing before his skeletal steed. He wears blackened, etched armor with the symbol of a long-vanished Kingdom on its chest, and carries a greatsword that was of an ancient make before Alexandria was even founded. His helmet has a nasal, and the rest is blackness, save for two baleful, hating red eyes that seem to stare directly at the ranger before the image dissapears.
<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Knowledge/History to recognize the symbol?"
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Sure, go for it."
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Knowledge/History: (6)+2: 8
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "It's clearly ancient. You can't identify it."
"That sounds... horrifying," Rona echoes as Elian describes it.
Once the ranger's spell has done its magic, he stands up and begins to describe the scene in vivid detail, taking especial care to describe the symbol. At very least, there can't be many of these foul beings around, and this one's image is etched into Ga'Elian's mind sufficiently that he'll know the knight should he see him again. He describes the sword, too, but reverts to a song from the elder ballads of his tribe to convey the horror of the knight's gaze. The tune is morose with lamentation in a way that elfsong is uniquely able to convey.
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Perform/Sing: (17)+19: 36
Yelrona 's eyes widen at the ranger's performance. It is one of the few things that has ever left her truly speechless.
Ga'Elian casts his eyes about again and asks, "Well, my dear, would you rather follow the farmer's tracks back to his source first and learn what happened there, or continue to follow the knight and his minions to wherever they lead, presumably this lair you and your fellows visited when you battled the wights."
Of course, all that singing attracks something. There is a moaning in the bushes a few yards away. And then something bursts forth. It might be the farmer. But he looks dead. And hungry.
Yelrona is torn. "The longer they are allowed to operate unchallenged, the more death and destruction they will cause. But..." she struggles internally before continuing "the more we know about the threat, the better a chance we have of --" She is interrupted by the creature's attack.
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "He looks, in fact, like a very angry revenant."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Vaalyun has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Vaalyun to instruct you further.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "range to target?"
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "30 feet."
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 30.
It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Yelrona is next!
GAME: Corona has arrived.
<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "Okay, so I'll use my move action to retrieve my bow from the quiver, and take a shoot the revenant as my standard action."
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA: aliased to Weapon13+2-5: (13)+35+2+-5: 45
<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "versus touch AC (pinpoint targeting)"
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Yeah, you hit him."
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Okay. Damage."
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d8+2+2+2d6+10+2: (6)+2+2+(8)+10+2: 30
<OOC> Ga'Elian thinks that's everything. 1d8+Str+enhancement+holy+deadly aim+favored enemy
<OOC> Ga'Elian says, "So bypasses DR for good and magic"
<OOC> Vaalyun nods. "Okay. You hurt him pretty bad.
At the sudden appearance of the poor, unfortunate soul, Ga'Elian immediately draws his bow and shoots it, with severe effect, perhaps, but it isn't dropped in his single shot.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Yelrona's turn! Revenant is next!
<OOC> Yelrona says, "5'step away, draw bow (free), Bane: undead (swift), full attack (2 arrows), finally getting the hang of pathfinder actions!"
GAME: Yelrona rolls ranged+2: (16)+6+2: 24
GAME: Yelrona rolls ranged+2: (11)+6+2: 19
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Okay, you hit twice."
GAME: Yelrona rolls 5+2d6+1d8: 5+(8)+(1): 14
GAME: Yelrona rolls 5+2d6+1d8: 5+(5)+(8): 18
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "It is now spouting some arrow plumage, but it's still up. Looking, err, close to more dead-er?"
"BANE OF UNDEAD!!!" Rona shouts. It isn't necessary, but she likes how it sounds. Elian's arrow is quickly joined by two others, damaging the creature further, but not enough to bring it down.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Revenant's turn! Ga'Elian is next!
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Okay, it takes a swipe at Yel with it's bony, ichor-coated, disgusting claws, since she hurt it more."
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+14: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d8+7: (7)+7: 14
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "It also gets to give you a big hug as a result."
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+17: (11)+17: 28
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Okay. You roll your CMD."
GAME: Yelrona rolls cmd: (10)+cmd: 10
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "It's fine. 10 is enough to break you away."
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Something something defense. You got a 30 to his 28."
Yelrona hisses as the creature rakes her with its claws, but manages to squirm her way out as it attempts to grab her. Good thing her blood is slippery!
The revenant is a creature of anger and pain, and so it is no surprise that it shouts unintelligably and closes in on the Inquisitor who last wounded it. Bone claws as hard as steel rake out, striking Yelrona and ripping into flesh and muscle. The creature tries to grab her, but she manages to pull away, wounded, but not caught up in its foul, rotting, stinking (and did we mention foul?) embrace. No handsies on the first date!
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 30.
It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Yelrona is next!
<OOC> Ga'Elian full attack with rapid shot, manyshot, deadly aim, and boots of speed
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1: (9)+35+2+-5+-2+1: 40
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1-5: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1-5: (2)+35+2+-5+-2+1+-5: 28
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1-10: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1-10: (3)+35+2+-5+-2+1+-10: 24
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1-15: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1-15: (3)+35+2+-5+-2+1+-15: 19
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1: (12)+35+2+-5+-2+1: 43
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow+FavEnemy-DA-RapidShot+1: aliased to Weapon13+2-5-2+1: (14)+35+2+-5+-2+1: 45
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "Surprisingly one of them missed."
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "But I'm just going to say you kill him."
<OOC> Vaalyun says, "He was down to like 20hp."
Ga'Elian sends a hail of arrows now into the Corpse that Shouldn't Walk. As the creature falls, he says, "TOUCH HER NOT!" in an unusually deep voice. Then, looking vaguely skyward, says, "Farmer, wherever thy soul hath gone, know thou that we have vanquished the evil that did profane thy remains. We will see to it that they are properly attended to." He turns now to Yelrona and asks, "Are you alright?" even as he mutters a prayer to Eluna for her healing.
GAME: Ga'Elian casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 18 DC: 15
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d8+5: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Vaalyun removes the timestop.
Timestop by Vaalyun has left.
"I'll be fine," Rona replies. "Boss, I think we can both agree that bloodstains are Not Funny, right? So... can we take care of this?" She gestures to her remaining wounds, and a healing glow seals them.
GAME: Yelrona casts Cure Moderate Wounds. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
<OOC> Yelrona says, "Thanks for the scene! Dinner calls my name, so I need to bounce. Should we treat this as a GM-run scene or as on-grid RP?"