S5E7 tHR- Cleansing the Forest of Evil

From the Beginning: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2021/06/s0e1-introductions.html

PCs: Agnes (Duane), Katja (Geoff), Venegral (Tony), Mor (Bill), Gary (Matt), Ymath (absent)

Rega was killed. A Wood-Elf (Ghost Strider) named “Mor” takes his place.

“Heroes of Middenheim” and members of ‘KITUM’ (Kommission for Inquiries into Threats Unknown to Middenheim).

Prior: Jaegar Keep proved to be the grave site of the dwarf Rega. The threat that had turned the village survivors mad was none other than a Jabberslythe (an enormous monstrosity that looked part toad, horned like a dragon, winged like a … demon) whose very visage could drive a man mad. And it did, along with the almost total destruction of the keep. The fact that the murderous Law Lord Karl-Heinz Wasmeier passed thru here days before the monster appeared… did he summon it? Was the timing of his passing thru and the appearance of the beast just coincidence?

Newest member: After erecting a simple monument to honor Rega, they turned toward their horses and found an elf calming them. Gary ready to battle for concerns of a horse-thief. Venegral too ready to release his channeled energy toward the mysterious intruder, till Agnes spoke with reason. They learned this Wood-Elf had been tracking something else within the woods and came to investigate the sound of battle. He witnessed the dwarf’s heroic sacrifice to save his allies. “He fought with such tenacity against certain death. Such an honorable act.” Surprise all around an elf spoke high regards for a dwarf’s actions. Further conversation revealed a common goal: search for a dark Pegasus. While Venegral hunted it for spell components, Mor tracked its owner (a Druchii- dark elf). They joined forces.

But first, they returned to the Keep to retrieve the survivors. Agnes explained, “We will take them westward to the other village, Gothheim, to join other humans for a fighting chance here in the wilderness.” They followed the path into the Shadensumpf swamps, buzzing with biting insects. Mor pointed out citrus and eucalyptus plant leaves, “Rub your skin with their oils to keep the bugs away.” The elf had to stop a few villagers who had mistakenly pulled poison-ivy leaves.

Gothheim: Within hours trudging thru the swamp, they came to signs of a nearby village (felled trees, scent of cooking stove). A man covered in a canvas cloth stood on the wooden ramparts protecting the village of Gothheim. The guard, Helmut, called out, “Halt! State your business. Hunting? For what? Dark Pegasus? Haven’t seen such. Seen trolls and fen-worms. Fire to deal with the first. As for the worms, just don’t immerse yourself and you’ll be fine.” He perked up at the sight of women and children in tow. Venegral explained, “Survivors from the Jaegar Keep. They’re your problem now.”

They were finally ushered inside to meet with the mayor who balked at the offered survivors, “Temporary, until the Graf sends workers to rebuild the keep. It is vital to the area.” Which reminded Agnes to ask, “Do you have messenger pigeons? We need to report to the Graf about the Keep and other transactions along our way.” With business out of the way, everyone else was drawn to the tavern. They grimaced at the taste of beer. “Brewed from peat moss?!” Katja was the first to notice the lack of women and children within the barricades. The mayor explained, “Our women and children are off with Irthiok, learning how to extend their life.” THAT stopped everyone in their tracks, “Who is this Irthiok?”

Mor took interest as that the name of the Druchii he was tracking. The mayor explained, “The elf has been coming regularly, taking a family or two at a time. We just said goodbye to the last family 3 weeks ago and await the return of those who should have completed the lessons by now. Irthiok took them west into the swamp where he leads them in rituals devoted to his god Khaine.” Agnes now worried about bringing the survivors to Gothheim. [Theology] She pulled out one of her religious books and read, “Khaine is the god of murder.” The mayor (and all within eavesdropping range) was mortified, “Ulric protect us! What have we done?! He came at night and took 3-4 at a time. Sometimes we could hear neighing in the woods and thought it just his wagon team to carry our beloved to his lessons. You mean to tell us THAT was a dark pegasi he rides?!” [Lore (Beasts)] Mor answered, “His pegasi is an evil beast with horns and wings. And the dark elf who rides him, usually sharpens its teeth the same way he sharpens his own. But it is not magical.”

Now those gathered even more worried! Agnes took the time to pray for the villagers (and survivors) [Prayer of Consciousness] to ease their troubled souls. She then conspired with Katja, “Maybe we could pose as women of the village (bait) to be led away.” But Helmut injected, “He knows he left with the last. No reason for him to return.” Which meant the group would have to go to him.

Morning: Fog hung low over the swamp, encouraging the bugs to come out in full force. They rubbed citrus leaves on their exposed skin before wrapping themselves in layered clothing to stave off the bites. They traveled deeper into the swamp, following the human sacrifice trail (trying to track a dark elf would have been impossible). The dirt path weaved around patches of swamp pools. Mor led on foot while the others rode their horses. Hours before the fog burnt off.

Suddenly, Gary’s warhorse let out a great whinny as it fought something tugging at its rear hoof. A green, ocher blob clung to its hind leg. Katja leaned in with a torch to try to drive it away, but the blob pulled harder, trying to drag it into its mirky abode. Mor spun to fire an arrow into its form. Gary spurred his mount forward, freeing it from the deadly grasp. The ocher now exposed to all out attack. Whether arrows, fire, slashes, or even bullets had effect, it melted/slid back into the stench of the swamp. They continued onward till the setting sun suggested camp. They gathered round a stand of trees and strung hammocks in its branches to get off the ground for reprieve from the crawling bugs. Sleep.

Mor was the first to hear and see movement in the night. “Up in arms!” He twanged an elf-arrow (critical bleed) into the slithering fen-worm. An easy target considering its huge size! 5-headed worm with copper teeth, as big as the Jabberslythe faced days ago. Gary jumped down from the tree onto his warhorse for best attack position. Agnes screamed to wake the snoring Katja before she too dropped to mount her warhorse. Katja loosed a bolt at the beast while Venegral channeled from his perch.

[Cool test; some had to use Resolve to pass] They steadied their aim as they battled against the fast beast already engaged with Agnes who parried [critical smash of one head] its attempted bite [99 fumble]. Gary blasted away with his Griffonfoot-pistol that destroyed another head, causing more bleed and stun to the beast. Katja snapped a flaming- bolt deep into its thick-scaled hide. But its 3 remaining heads darted in and out, snapping at Agnes. Copper teeth sank into the war-priestess’ arm. It grappled her and tried to pull her close, but Gary’s careful aim with his 2^nd pistol spelled death for the creature. More organs for the wizard to harvest as spell components.

Morning: They used the last of the night’s campfire to cook breakfast before they resumed their tracking, deeper into the swamp. [Endurance tests: days from now Katja’s failure would reveal itself as her contacted disease.]  By noon, they began to see manmade items (like windchimes). Manmade? Something intelligent, with thumbs. Mor stepped closer to inspect and recognized the human bones, “Mostly child size rib bones. A few adult size… probably the women.” Venegral began his channeling as they dismounted to lead their horses closer, pausing just on the outside of a clearing where they could see a few crude hut-type structures.

Mor stealthed (01 critical) forward as he tried to use his 2^nd-sight to detect Irthiok’s presence. But the dark-elf was already watching (exceptional perception plus having heard the noisy cavalier’s armor). Mor was just able to get his shield up in time to deflect the inbound elf-arrow. At least Katja saw movement in the trees and gave warning of his whereabouts. Venegral pulled his horse backwards toward the distant trees as he continued to channel.

Maybe Irthiok sensed the magical threat: he flew from his perch, guiding his Pegasus toward Venegral across the way. But his exposure gave Gary and Mor chance to use their ‘quick-shot’. Mor’s elf arrow sank deep into the Pegasus’ flank as Gary’s longrifle shot killed it outright. The dead Pegasus fell near the wizard, while Irthiok deftly landed in the treetops.

Agnes twanged an arrow that sank into the branch the dark-elf stood on. Katja’s bolt found dark flesh. And the wizard cast his fireball that both injured and blinded Irthiok above him. But the dark-elf retaliated with his own arrow [critical-avoided with sacrifice of armor piece] that peeled armor off the Shallya war-priestess’ right leg. Fortune that Mor’s own elf arrow found its mark, as Ithiok tumbled from the tree and splatted at Venegral’s feet. The wizard plunged his dagger into the elf to make certain him dead (and maybe to claim the deathblow?). Katja searched the body (finding 2 royal crown) while Agnes and Venegral tended the wounded. For there were many wounds from the battle.

Agnes spread oil over the dark-elf and Pegasus, ready to torch their remains, till Venegral interrupted, “At least give me time to harvest organs for the spell components that started this whole hunt.” Gary and Katja collected a Pegasus wing and dark-elf ear as evidence to show the Gothheim villagers their victory. Mor looked on with disregard as he carved another small cut across his forearm to mark another kill. Agnes checked the hut to sadly confirm no women or children remained alive. All sacrificed by the sadistic murderer.

The Return Home: Even Mor agreed to the fire set in the swampy glade. They mounted their horses for the forlorn return to Gottheim with the sad news of no survivors. The village men crumbled to the earth in tears at their losses. Agnes tried to console them with prayers, but some things just require time to heal. Unlike the keep survivors so distraught, they probably needed internment in an asylum.

Days west of Middenheim when Katja noticed her left arm numb. Probably just slept on it wrong. Venegral suggested maybe sign of a heart attack? Agnes stopped the procession to check on her newest patient.  [heal 01] And that’s how she saw the forearm ripple with movement under the skin. “Cavity worms! They must be cut out, else they crawl into your brain.” Surgery beyond the Shallya priestess’ ability. Fortune that the Jaegar Keep barber, Martha, was along for the ride. She gave Katja a stick to bite on, “Ain’t gonna lie. It’s gonna hurt.” With Agnes’ blessings aiding the surgery, Martha carved out multiple worms already 6 inches long. Martha stitched up the long cuts that made tracks up Katja’s arm. Venegral channeled and cast magical healing. While the wounds cleansed and closed, the scar left was quite nasty… impressive to those like the elf Mor who carved tribute to his kills. Katja chose to wear long sleeves instead.

Reporting in, Sir: Their horse hoofs clicked on the stone roads within Middenheim as they returned to their villa with a wood-elf in tow. The elf gagged at the stench of the city, “How do you survive?! The swamp smelled better.” They sent news of their return and waited for summoning by Marshall Shultzmann. In the meantime, Katja delivered her evidence of the Pegasus and dark-elf kill for the bounty (40 gold). Venegral got to work in his shop, using the newest components to create the magical items ordered by his allies.

They were summoned within the day. The Marshall very disturbed about news of the keep’s destruction. “The carrier pigeon arrived, but the short note didn’t tell all or how severe. I’ll send a dwarven team at once to rebuild. But in the meantime, I’ve got a pressing matter that needs your special attention. During your absence, we’ve made progress identifying and apprehending members of the Purple-Hands. If fact, one such leader, a radical lawyer named Magistar Gottfried Jarmund, is willing to tell all about the organization. On demand of amnesty and safe passage.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, a complication has arisen. I received this letter from a Low-King (mafia). He holds Jarmund and suggests 1,000 gold for his delivery to us. Bounty my ass; this is extortion! He uses Half-Nose as his intermediary. I say find Jarmund yourself. Show this ring (small woman’s) as evidence you speak for me and the Graf. He was last seen in Sutgarten. Well, what are you waiting for? And what is a wood-elf doing in my presence?!”

Next Session: https://rigglewwh.blogspot.com/2022/09/s5e8-thr-exit-stage-leftright-into.html