Deathworld D&D 1

	Staffen	FOR A HUNDRED CENTURIES, THE WORLD HAS BURNED...
	Staffen	The Principality of Anatia has emerged from the ashes of the old Gardekkan Empire. In the forge of a sprawling, feudal bureaucracy, the Anatian nation stands as a paradox -- a mutt of two-score peoples and ways of life. War and corruption have haunted this land since time-immemorial.
	Staffen	But perhaps what defines Anatia best is its wealth of forgotten treasures; old forts, lost keeps of pretender-kings, and ancient labyrinths pepper the countryside. For centuries the destitute and the ambitious have sought to make their wealth and fame from these tombs and ruins.
	Staffen	Such it was with your group.
	Staffen	Early in the cool morning, upon the eve of the Fifth Crescent Moon, your group arrives at Stirov -- a crossroad-village in the lowlands of County Kein. The roads are littered with soldiers; the Principal Guard is mustering not far off. Farmers who would have stopped to watch your passage are no longer concerned with the coming-and-going of outsiders; and so your entry into the hamlet is
	Staffen	paid little mind.
	Staffen	Rumors of ruins brought you here. And so begins your hunt.
	Mizzo_Arbor	cocks an ear thoughtfully and listens for the singing of birds as he steps lightly upon the earth
	Edric_Haart	pats his leather-barded courser on the neck, as the animal comes to a stop.
	Edric_Haart	"I think we could all use some rest."
	Sanjai_Geben	"Agreed, my Lord."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I find walking to be rather invigorating actually." he says, smiling
	Edric_Haart	"I'm sure Mr. Gelihad won't mind scouting for a suitable watering hole." Edric says with a smirk.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	agrees with a simple half-asleep nod. He yawns audibly while stretching. "Anymore riding like this and my ass will have sores for weeks."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Rafiq clicks his tongue as he guides his horse forward and looks for the hamlet's inevitable tavern/inn.
	Mizzo_Arbor	Inquires on the health and mood of all of the horses, speaking directly to the animals
	Edric_Haart	dismounts with a grunt, and begins to walk, leading his animal forward.
	Staffen	A modest, two-storied inn stands at the hamlet's square. Not far from the entrance, a man in a Guard-stamped breastplate leans heaving from a horse post, clutching a spilled mug.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Rafiq quirks an eyebrow at the sight of the guard, he approaches closer giving the place a once-over before turning back to the group. He slows "Croaker" his horse to a trot before stopping in front of his group.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Two-storied place, looks quaint, if you count the sick-looking guard out front."
	Edric_Haart	"Good enough," Edric replies, continuing forward towards the building.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Rafiq gives a wry smile at that.
	Staffen	The soldier raises his hand -- stumbles slightly before regaining balance. "I'll be alright!" he says, before dropping his precious mug and hobbling away.
	Edric_Haart	"Out of the way, drunkard..." Edric commands with disdain in his voice.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Uh... Is this a common occurrence?"
	Sorel_Draven	sighs at the sight of the guard "Fantastic, more time wasted amongst the hill-folk."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	shrugs. "Where you find humanity, you'll find booze." As if to add to that, Rafiq takes a swig from one of his flasks before getting off his horse and leading it by the reins.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I see, when I was staying with my Master he Forbade intoxicating substances."
	Sanjai_Geben	enters the strange inn.
	Edric_Haart	Tying his horse to a post, Edric makes his way into the building.
	Sorel_Draven	dismounts his horse and enters the inn.
	Mizzo_Arbor	strolls into the inn, more curious than everything else
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Following the lead of everyone else, Rafiq ties his horse up before following them inside.
	Staffen	Inside the inn, a trio of maids rushes drinks and plates to and from tables. A group of soldiers -- better-dressed than the one outside -- sits at a table, breaking fast over a game of cards.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Everything is so quick for you humans."
	Sanjai_Geben	"George and Alfried, tend to the Lord's and Gelihad's horses. Squire stay close."
	Staffen	Ser Geben's retainers obey; Alfried and George slink back outdoors. Young Jacob obediently keeps by his master's side -- looking more like a willow in a zephyr.
	Staffen	"Welcome," calls the innkeep. "How many for your group, then?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	"How much alcohol does one need to ingest to become intoxicated?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	asks the barkeep, ignoring his question
	Edric_Haart	removes his fine riding gloves, "Six of us."
	Staffen	The innkeep nods. "'Course, m'lord. Give me lasses a few minutes and we'll be ready for you."
	Edric_Haart	simply nods in response.
	Staffen	He seemingly ignores Arbor's inquiry.
	Mizzo_Arbor	stares at the inn-keep, then turns to the Lord Edric with a shrug
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I guess i'll just find out for myself."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	folds his arms and leans on the wall next to the door while waiting on the innkeep.
	Sanjai_Geben	"The wild man has no manners, my Lord."
	Sorel_Draven	takes a seat at one of the tables.
	Staffen	After a few minutes, a a pair of tables are cleared and placed beside one-another for the group.
	Mizzo_Arbor	looks to the Paladin "Really? because I've found that I've been the most civilized person in this establishment." he says huffily before sitting at the table
	Edric_Haart	Having one quick glance outside to his horse and belongings, Edric takes his seat.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Rafiq takes a seat at the conjoined tables across from the rogue.
	Sanjai_Geben	takes a seat at the table. He says "I was referring to the drunkard stalker."
	Edric_Haart	"His talents are elsewhere, Ser Geben" Edric dismisses the Paladin's concerns.
	Staffen	One of the maids hurries by with a pitcher and a tray of mugs. "Water for m'lords," she offers.
	Sanjai_Geben	"I suppose wild man suits you well, Elf."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I'd love some of your intoxicating beverages."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Ale," Rafiq says simply.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Wild is free my friend." he says quietly
	Edric_Haart	"Water is fine, thank you."
	Staffen	The maid nods, to Mizzo, then pours the pitcher for all the party's members.
	Sorel_Draven	"Water will do."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Ranger, I have yet to inquire on the well-being of your master. How is he?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	she*
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"She's a right bitch. So swell." He says after drinking from the water-laden mug.
	Edric_Haart	"A curious troop, Lieutenant?" Edric says out loud, looking at no one inparticular as he puts his mug back down on the table.
	Staffen	Soon after, the innkeep comes to the table with a stein of frothy ale. "Here you are, laddy," he says, placing it before Mizzo,
	Mizzo_Arbor	lifts the mug with a wild grin before taking a long pull
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Careful Mizz." Rafiq warns the Druid.
	Mizzo_Arbor	wrinkles his face before setting the drink down and pushing it away "I...I'd rather not."
	Sorel_Draven	"This should be good."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	looks back at the table full of soldiers before looking to Edric, a momentary glance before reaching for his mug again.
	Mizzo_Arbor	stares disappointingly a the mug of ale "Is this really all?"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Are you going to drink it or not?"
	Staffen	The innkeep swings by again with a replacement stein for Mizzo.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I was expecting something less...atrocious."
	Mizzo_Arbor	hesitantly takes another drink, to the same reaction
	Staffen	The innkeep grunts, and returns to the bar.
	Edric_Haart	"Civilize yourself, Mr. Arbor."
	Sorel_Draven	"If you're dissapointed maybe you should try something stronger."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Innkeep!"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Where's my ale?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Civilized? what actions have I undertaken to prove I was anything other than civilized?!" he says
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Another story must have cropped up about you and the dryads again, Mizz."
	Staffen	The maid from earlier hurries by with an ale mug for Rafiq. "Sorry for that, ser, pardon."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	stops the maid before she can leave. "Tell me, any strange rumors going around? Like say why those lot over there," he nods his head at the soldiers "look spooked?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Druids are wonderful creatures, but one would not lower itself to converse with a student as lowly as myself."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Could be a couple of coppers in it if you're willing to spill," he then whispers.
	Staffen	The maid stammers something, and quickly retreats with a flurry of apologies -- for one of those soldiers has just stood and is approaching the party's seats.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Pah." He eyes the soldier as he's walking over before going to town on his mug of ale.
	Sorel_Draven	grips his crossbow.
	Staffen	The soldier wrings his gauntlets testingly, and stands before Haart -- at the appropriate, courtly distance of two meters. "Lord Haart," he greets, wryly.
	Edric_Haart	Edric rises, and faces the man. "Lieutenant Vangrid."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	downs the rest of his mug before his face goes 'oh boy here we go.'
	Mizzo_Arbor	continues to brood in his chair, every once in a while re-trying his ale
	Staffen	The Lieutenant nods. "I pity the circumstances which bring such rabble into the employ of Baron Albyrt's scion," he says, "but could you please control the foulness drivelling from your knife-ear?"
	Staffen	The innkeep steps away from the bar, gesturing to his daughters.
	Sanjai_Geben	looks at the elf before setting his attention back at the soldier.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	shoots the druid a warning glance.
	Mizzo_Arbor	eyes Rafiq and raises his eyebrow
	Sorel_Draven	gives a dry laugh.
	Edric_Haart	"Perhaps you ought to take a seat, Lieutenant. By the looks of your men, no restraint was enforced by anyone of... station of late, and you are no-doubt light headed from your night of decadence."
	Mizzo_Arbor	{Elvish}"I am concerned, what have I done to insult anyone?"
	Sorel_Draven	{Elvish} "Exist."
	Sanjai_Geben	[Elvish] "I quote thee 'Everything is so quick for you humans."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	[Elvish] "He's trying to bait you."
	Mizzo_Arbor	looks between everyone in the group, before shrugging
	Staffen	The lieutenant shoots a look at Mizzo. "What did you just say, Bodwytr? Did that concern me?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	stands, taking up his staff.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I was just on my way out."
	Mizzo_Arbor	bows before attempting to exit the inn.
	Staffen	The other two soldiers stand.
	Edric_Haart	"Ser Geben. If the sergeants move any closer, remove their heads."
	Staffen	The sergeants have begun to move towards the door... but hearing Lord Haart, they pause.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"We just got here and already we're having to deal with these rats." He mutters to himself.
	Sanjai_Geben	stands up with his hand on his sword.
	Staffen	The lieutenant turns red in the face. "I've got better to worry about than this Bodwytr shite. Lord Haart, my men and I have a right to rest before the midday's march. Let us all apologize and put this affair behind us."
	Sorel_Draven	stands as well, "You act like this is uncommon."
	Edric_Haart	"Remove yourself from the premises, and consider yourself well-pardoned."
	Sanjai_Geben	holds onto his longsword and says "You hear my lord or would you rather leave this place in pieces?"
	Staffen	The lieutenant rests a hand on his sword before eyeing Sanjai. He is silent for a moment -- then he bows. "Very well, Lord Haart. Good morn' to you. And mind that your Bodwytr not start more trouble."
	Staffen	He gestures to his sergeants, and then the three of them storm out.
	Edric_Haart	"The sorry state of the Principal Guard..." Edric says almost to himself.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I...I am unsure of what I have done." he says, troubled
	Sanjai_Geben	puts away his blade and heads toward the door.
	Staffen	The innkeep cautiously approaches. "I apologize for the disturbance to your rest, m'lord. You never ordered food -- might I rectify that now?"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	With that out of the way, Rafiq waves his empty mug in the air. "More ale, if you please."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Mizz, I know your master has told you how much elves and humans detest each other."
	Edric_Haart	"I'm afraid I've lost my apetite, Innkeeper. However, you may rectify this inconvenience by cooperating with my associate's earlier line of questioning."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I have yet to experience it firsthand, Threats of violence over nothing? I was unaware it was that extreme."
	Sanjai_Geben	peaks out from the Inn's door for a little bit and heads back towards their table.
	Staffen	"Of course, m'lord," says the innkeep. He looks to Rafiq. "You spoke to me second-born, Uldra. What was it you said?"
	Sorel_Draven	sits back down, "Some bread would be wonderful."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Rumors, going-on's, stories of old. Information really. What's there to be had in this stretch of nowehere?"
	Staffen	One of the maids soon comes with half a loaf for Sorel.
	Mizzo_Arbor	retakes his seat, but sits straight and remains silent, staring at the table
	Staffen	The innkeep scratches his head. "Aye, well, first thing's first: I should warn you to be wary headed east. Those Guardsmen there were passing through on the Marshal's orders, you see, and they mentioned they were due for some trouble in northern Ahngrin."
	Sorel_Draven	sits back and begins eating.
	Sanjai_Geben	asks one of the maids for a loaf of beard and more water.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	orders a plate of eggs with cheese and more ale.
	Staffen	"That aside," the innkeep continues, itching the small of his back, "if you're looking for pay... Stirov's having troubles with bandits in the area. They're laying low because the Guard's in the area, but the Lieutenant refuses to flush them out -- said they don't have time for it."
	Sanjai_Geben	"Squire, get a meal for yourself, Alfried, and George."
	Edric_Haart	"How much gold are their heads worth to Stirov's populace?"
	Staffen	The innkeep clasps his hands. "I'll have to ask around the households, m'lord. But I'm sure there's plenty in it -- they're making trade here unlovely to merchants. Not to mention, last we heard, they're holed up in old Pendogast's keep. So between their spoils and whatever is left in there, you're like to make good on this kindness."
	Staffen	Jacob scurries about, collecting food for his companions.
	Edric_Haart	slaps his hand on the table. "And that is where we are headed next."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Got a general direction where I can start looking, Innkeep?"
	Staffen	"Aye, Pendogast's Keep is north of here, at the end of the Aldroad. The fork in the road is marked by an old Gravestone for the Lady Linz. It's a way out thereafter."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"That's a start. Anything else of note?"
	Edric_Haart	"Satisfies my curiosity, at any rate."
	Staffen	"Aye, aye. Nobody's quite fond of that neck of forest, m'lords. Word of curses and bloodied soil. I advise you pay your respects to the Lady Linz before you pass through."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Of course."
	Edric_Haart	nods.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"If you'd be so kind, could I get my food before I go tromping around in the woods?"
	Staffen	"'Course, course," says the innkeep, and he hurries off.
	Staffen	The sun nears its zenith when your troupe sets out.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	rides ahead of the group, getting on with his job.
	Staffen	Sure enough, the group comes to the fork the innkeep spoke of. Where the paths intersect rests a worn basalt headstone.
	Staffen	Upon the marker are graved the words, "LINZ, LADY OF THE LOST MERE"
	Mizzo_Arbor	approaches the headstone and plants one of the seeds, before making it sprout using magic
	Rafiq_Gelihad	drops one of the various animal trophies he's acquired on the headstone, over his life in the wilds of the forests, in respect to this goddess.
	Sorel_Draven	apathetically drops a copper on the headstone.
	Edric_Haart	lights a candle at the base of the headstone.
	Sanjai_Geben	lights a candle at the headstone as well and leaves 5 copper as an offering.
	Staffen	A sparrow lands to rest atop the gravestone, chirps at the party, before taking off once more.
	Sanjai_Geben	says a quick prayer and touches the base of the headstone as a sign for guidance.
	Staffen	The contrast between the Aldroad and the main road is stark: the brush is dense at the northeastern divergence -- dense and dark.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I really love walking among the trees."
	Staffen	The path ahead is rough, but what's most concerning is a series of modest hunters' traps -- sprung, yet with nothing caught. Beyond this, however, it is nothing a hard hike cannot conquer.
	Staffen	The further in you pass, the less light passes through the forest canopy.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Well, well, well." He comments as he finishes examining the hunters' traps. "Something dangerous has been coming through here as of late."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Best be cautious if you want my advice."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I'd love to see it."
	Sorel_Draven	"I'd rather not."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Some things it's best you never see, Mizz." Rafiq's mind goes back to a time he never likes to revisit, but visits unintentionally anyway. He shivers momentarily before getting on with it.
	Staffen	As the path becomes rougher and the road becomes sparser, you begin to see crumbled masonry pepper the forest. The keep is close-by.
	Edric_Haart	slowly rides his horse closer to that of Ser Geben.
	Edric_Haart	He taps Sanfai on the arm, and halts his horse.
	Edric_Haart	Sanjai*
	Rafiq_Gelihad	dismounts his horse a little ahead of the group.
	Edric_Haart	"At least four of them," he begins in a hushed tone. "Do you see them, there? Pure rabble."
	Edric_Haart	turns awkwardly to his side, reaching for his lance.
	Sorel_Draven	dismounts and readies his hand crossbow.
	Edric_Haart	Resting his lance on one arm, Edric readies his shield on the other.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	readies his bow, nocking an arrow as he attempts to move closer.
	Sorel_Draven	drops down and sneaks forward.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Once he's about 20 feet away from the nearest bandit, and looses his arrow at the nearest bandit.
	Sorel_Draven	.me fires a bolt at the closest bandit.
	Sorel_Draven	fires a bolt at the closest bandit.
	Staffen	The unfortunate brigand is grabbed by brush, pulled and then filled with arrows. By the time he is dragged to the feet of Mizzo, he is a bloodied corpse.
	Staffen	The other three are taken completely by surprise. The fight begins.
	Edric_Haart	clicks his heels, and goes for a charge, lance fixed forward.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Seeing the first bandit go down in a hail of magic and arrows, Rafiq switches aim to the bandit on the right, and nocks, draws and looses on him, hitting him solidly.
	Staffen	Edric's charge thoroughly runs through the soldier, tearing him apart beneath trampling hooves and lance.
	Mizzo_Arbor	calls upon another vine to shoot out, it lashes itself around the poor mans throat and pulls him violently forward
	Staffen	Unfortunately, Draven's bolt falls limply from his hand-crossbow, the string having been improperly readied.
	Sanjai_Geben	follows his lord's example and charges the bandit on the left. He uses his Halberd and stabs the bandit in chest, knocking him over.
	Staffen	Alerted by the sounds of combat, another two bandits come rushing out of the keep.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	looses another arrow at the bandit Sanjai is trampling, killing the poor bastard in the process.
	Edric_Haart	Turning about from his charge, Edric spots the bandits coming out of the keep, and goes for a second charge.
	Staffen	A loud groan rumbles through the forest, emanating from the keep.
	Sorel_Draven	fires a bolt at the left most approaching bandit.
	Staffen	The bandit crumples over, dead.
	Sanjai_Geben	charges towards to the last bandits and swings his halberd. He embeds it into the bandit's skull.
	Staffen	With that, the last of the bandits is dead.
	Staffen	Now, however -- a plume of dust erupts from within the keep -- spitting up a fresh, mangled corpse into the forest.
	Edric_Haart	drops his lance, and dismounts, unsheathing his longsword.
	Sanjai_Geben	dismounts his horse as well.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Ahhhh shit." He mutters to himself. "This might be that beast I was on about earlier!" He yells to the rest of the group.
	Sorel_Draven	"Fantastic."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Well, at least we get to see it!"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	He then nocks another arrow and awaits the beast's approach.
	Sanjai_Geben	"Gentlemen, this will be interesting."
	Staffen	A deafening groan fills the forest.
	Staffen	From the depths, a voice:
	Staffen	"THE WATER..."
	Staffen	From beneath the torn floor of the keep, a lengthy, deformed appendage emerges.
	Staffen	"WHERE IS IT?! WHERE DID YOU TAKE IT?"
	Staffen	Half-supported upon bone-stilted arms and legs, a wretched figure emerges.
	Staffen	Its chest is a mass of broken, blood-oozing ribs, like jaws. The head is half-limp, wrapped and hidden in its own corpse-like hair. The skin is a leathery, gangrenous black.
	Edric_Haart	"What in the ten hells is that?!"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Some sort of foul ghoul."
	Sanjai_Geben	"Lord Agara..."
	Staffen	The nightmarish ghast's head cocks towards the group, and it screeches.
	Sanjai_Geben	"He has returned to this realm as a foul ghast."
	Sorel_Draven	"Fantastic."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Damn, you stink!"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	draws his nocked arrow and then looses it. He then curses himself for missing.
	Staffen	The ghast's claws extend from its rotted fingertips, and it charges for Edric.
	Sorel_Draven	fires a bolt at the ghast.
	Sanjai_Geben	pokes the ghast with his Halberd.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	looses another arrow at the ghast, hitting it solidly in the back.
	Edric_Haart	Edric strikes the ghast with his longsword.
	Sorel_Draven	fires a bolt at the ghast but misses.
	Sanjai_Geben	swings his Halberd once more and cuts off the Ghast's head.
	Staffen	And with that, the ghast is slain.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	gives the area a quick once-over before he goes to recover his arrows.
	Edric_Haart	"Right... little more than brigands, it happens." Edric sheathes his sword.
	Sanjai_Geben	"Stand still my lord."
	Sanjai_Geben	casts Lay on Hands on Haart.
	Edric_Haart	"Thank you, Ser Geben. And now, let's see what these fiends were hiding."
	Staffen	As the ghast's corpse burns, you search the area -- the corpses, and the keep.
	Staffen	Inside the keep's ruin you find six other dead brigands; torn apart by the creature, beyond recognition.
	Staffen	Between their corpses you find several scraps of armor, a few worn weapons...
	Staffen	But within the keep, your discover a small lockbox, easily broken. Within are several pieces of jewelry -- including a ring with a glowing inset.