[Game Thread] III. The Silver Cornucopia

[mountainbound]

Morose and brooding as ever, Silas begins crunching through the snow, south and away from the hacked-apart canoe. Fahd, contemplative and somber, turns to follow him in kind, with the thick-coated Lynx spirit at his side. Only Dan remains standing, staring after his brother's irreparably broken canoe.

"So..." the mage begins. "You think there is another stalker here in Archeebald? And... you're going to just march away south? Maybe I'm just an idiot, but aren't stalkers dangerous? Bloody hell - gaakc--" At that moment the wind whips up off the nearly frozen river, sending Dan's plaid scarf flying about his face and stealing his breath.

Fahd had only known the young wizard a day or so, but could already tell that Daniel Heina liked a bit of comfort. It was a trait that the more trail-experienced Silas knew well. Perhaps it was a longing for another night in a feather bed, or perhaps it was true concern for the residents of Archeebald that made Dan hold his ground.

"I mean, Constable Aldus -- or whatever it was -- tried to steal the Mayor's bloody wife and eat her beneath the effing bridge. Now we're thinking that Aldus wasn't the only stalker in the town, and are ready to just march the eff away, not even warning anyone." He shakes his head. "It just don't seem right."

Of course, he had just entered into a business agreement with the proprietor of Barrett's Pub, securing his Dad a lucrative wine trading contract, and himself free drinks in Archeebald for the rest of his life. It wouldn't do to return to a ghost town because of some demon-spawn stalker who suddenly got hungry. Dan looks first to Fahd, and then turns his gaze on Silas. "It don't seem right," he repeats.

DM's Note I want to put out there that Dan is open game for either of you to use to your own ends. If you need to begin a conversation or interject some comic relief, feel free to take control of Dan.

[Tangler]

Current HP 12/12, Spirit Healing 6/6 remaining
AC16, AC12 flat-footed, AC16 touch, Fort/Ref/Will +6/4/5status and defenses

Fahd continues to rub the fur between Lynx's ears as Dan expresses his disbelief that they are considering moving south when they suspect that a Stalker is hiding in Archeebald. Fahd takes a moment to consider his own feelings on the matter. He doesn't like the idea of giving the Stalker free reign in Archeebald either. Balanced against remaining are two factors. First, perhaps selfishly, is his desire to see the ruins of the Ancients. Second is the fact that he's not entirely sure how to determine who the Stalker is. Fahd had not, after all, been aware that the constable was a Stalker.

"If we stay to find the Stalker, do you know how to recognize him? Or her?" Fahd asks. The shaman tries to remember any little details that might provide a clue, such as someone refusing his healing services, or someone acting unusual toward their spouse, or someone who had gone missing for a time then shown up.

Memory check to see if he can think of any clues

Dice Int:

d20+1

(18)+1

Total = 19

roll

[Krimchee]

Silas took in Dan's words with a frown. That's precisely why I'm ready to get out of this place, he thought. Bloody stalkers! "I have to agree with Fahd. How do we recognize them before they decide to chop us up for dinner?

He looked at Dan, running the fingers of his right hand through his brown wavy hair and tightening the band that held it back. He definitely didn't like the idea of leaving Stalkers to chomp on anyone else either. Silas shivered with remembered revulsion from the last time he'd seen one. "Plus we don't know how many of them there are." Silas's hand went to his sword hilt, unconsciously gripping it. "Unless you've got some kind of hocus-pocus up your sleeve Dan, it might be wise to push on and find Isaiah. He seemed to know quite a bit about them." He bloody told us they were hunting me, he thought wryly. Silas definitely preferred to do the hunting. But how to stalk a prey you can't identify? "What if there is more than one? The last one nearly thrashed us."

[mountainbound]

Dan rolls his eyes. "That's just it -- nobody can recognize a stalker. But at least we know there's another stalker in Archeebald, and that's a start. Those other people, they don't even know, and I'd say they're in a lot more danger because of it." The wizard rubs his shoulders, trying unsuccessfully to stave off the cold. He looks at the Lynx by Fahd's side and is clearly uneasy around the wildcat.

"I don't have any hocus-pocus like that, and you know it," he says hotly. "But somebody needs to at least be warned of the danger. If you want to go on, go bloody ahead. I seem to remember Randy saying that the Mayor paid for two nights at Barrett's Pub, and I for one would like him to get his money's worth. C'mon, the Mayor's not going to suddenly change his mind. Plus, did you see that girl making eyes at me? If I wasn't so tired last night, I might have spoken to her... but maybe tonight things would be different. Just one night Silas -- what the hell is the big hurry anyway?"

[Tangler]

Current HP 12/12, Spirit Healing 6/6 remaining
AC16, AC12 flat-footed, AC16 touch, Fort/Ref/Will +6/4/5status and defenses

"I understand your desire to be away, Silas. Visiting a ruin of the Ancients... it is something I have desired since I was told of them. Nor am I happy at the thought of having to fight something which created the injuries the two of you suffered. Even so, I believe we should at the very least return to Archeebald to warn the townfolk. If it came to a fight, while I do not consider myself a warrior, I have some skill with the The aklys is a short throwing club, usually of wood or bone, attached to a 20-foot-long cord. Fahd's aklys appears to be a human femur.aklys, and I would hope that after revealing the Stalker for what it was the townspeople would help to defeat it, or defeat them if there are indeed more than one of them."

Fahd looks at his spirit companion. "Lynx might be able to identify the Stalker by scent, but she does not trust strangers and will not enter Archeebald."

[Krimchee]

Silas eyed his two companions as if seeing them for the first time. He could not leave them if they would stay and fight. Not when they were bloody well right about leaving a stalker in town in disguise. Be like letting a fox into the chicken coop, he thought gravely. He looked at Dan, meeting his eyes. There was passion there, and determination. Another night. He took in Lynx and rubbed his chin consideringly. If the cat can identify the stalker.....But how would they get the stalkers away from the town? Silas thought about it for a few seconds, the shattered remains of Dan's brother's canoe at their feet.

Suddenly Silas grinned. He walked over to Dan, clapped him on the arm and then Silas draped his arm around Dan's shoulders, leading Dan toward town. "You know, you're right. Another night might be just the thing. The suspicious frown on Dan's face almost made him chuckle. Dan was remembering the last time Silas had put his arm around Dan like this--It meant that Silas had a plan. Dan eyed Silas's grin warily. The last time Silas had a plan that made him grin like that hadn't turned out well. Silas had conviced him that it would be a good idea to sneak a few rotten fish into Old Millie's washing basket for a lark (and a bit of revenge for scolding the boys for eating her hazelnuts). They'd gotten caught of course, and when Dan's father found out.....

"I think it's time you go buy your brother a new canoe," Silas said emphasizing the you. After seeing Dan's dubious frown, he continued. "We need bait you see. The last canoe drew them out, maybe a new one will as well." Silas looked around the clearing, scanning for a good place to hide and set up an ambush. "At least this way Lynx will have a chance to suss the flaming underspawn out." Silas paused. "Unless you guys have a better idea?"

Silas let go of Dan and turned to Fahd. "While Dan's in town, what do you say you and I set up a little welcoming party in case we have a guest?" Silas hoped it was not more than one, though the footprints suggested it might be otherwise. As Dans started walking towards town, Silas called, And don't forget to book another night at Barrets while you're there.

Silas liked the idea of turning the hunters into the hunted very much. After all, hunting was what he was good at. Silas began looking around the riverbank to check out the terrain so that they could plan out their ambush.

rolls perception check Dice Roll: 1d20+9 (11)+9 Total = 20 Profession check Dice Roll: 1d20+6 (14)+6 Total = 20

[Tangler]

Current HP 12/12, Spirit Healing 6/6 remaining
AC16, AC12 flat-footed, AC16 touch, Fort/Ref/Will +6/4/5status and defenses

Fahd feels a pang of loss when he sees Silas putting his arm around Dan's shoulder, bringing to mind as it does the loss he experienced in his youth. Ibram, his best friend since he was a stripling, whose death had led to Fahd becoming a shaman. Though he has come to terms with the loss, and though Ibram has never entirely left him, Fahd still misses the camaraderie he shared with Ibram, and a shadow passes briefly over the shaman's face. Lynx feels the emotion through the link they share and turns her head to lick Fahd's hand with a rough tongue. Fahd looks at his hand for a moment, then smiles at his companion, if a bit sadly.

Silas's idea for drawing out the Stalker is clever, though a few problems with it occur to Fahd. The first is that a canoe may simply not be available for sale in Archeebald, as that seems like the sort of thing that even under the best of conditions has to be made on request. Even if one is available, they have to hope that the Stalker hears about the purchase. Finally, though, the plan relies on the Stalker not thinking it suspicious that Dan is returning to Archeebald alone. The Stalker may well guess that Silas and Fahd are waiting in ambush, and based on the behavior of the former constable and the canoe vandals, Fahd suspects that direct confrontation is something the Stalkers avoid, at least until they have an advantage.

"We can look now for a good place to hide," Fahd agrees, "though I think that once we choose a spot we should return to town. I think it unlikely that they will return here until they have reason, and it will seem suspicious that Dan returns alone. If Dan is able to obtain a canoe we can bring it back here, return to town and draw attention to our return, then sneak back out and go to our chosen hiding spots when it begins to get dark. Until that time, perhaps we could keep an eye out for anyone leaving town in this direction."

"Lynx will not, as I said, go into town, but she can remain in the area ready to rejoin us to check anyone who come out to see whether they smell human."

[mountainbound]

Fahd and Silas spend time looking about the area, trying to determine the best spot to sit and wait. As the shaman speaks a bit about his link with Lynx, Silas uses his nature-lore to devise a way to cover tracks left in the snow, and get a good vantage at the opening in the trees where the two sets of tracks led. If the Tamarack tree spirit was correct, they would use the form of men when they returned. If they returned. But which men? It seemed that Lynx might be the boys' only hope in identifying them.

Three hours slide by, and by that time, both Silas and Fahd are chilled to the bone, moving about near the river to keep warm on the wintry afternoon. Finally they hear the crunch of snow, and see Dan walking down the embankment from Archeebald to the icy riverbank, using his staff for balance. Two gruff-looking men are walking behind him, carrying a flat-bottomed boat. At first glance, Silas can tell it's not an ideal vessel for river travel -- much better for ponds or still lakes, but Dan begins speaking before the ranger can say anything. "Got a great deal on it. There are no "Canoe Shops" you know, so I had to spend some time back at Barrett's Pub, asking around if anybody knew anybody who wanted to sell a boat. Trotch here was the only one. Hic!" The wizard's cheeks are flushed, and you would guess that he probably had a glass or two (or three or four) of something to take off the chill while in the pub.

The man Dan referred to as Trotch was large of stature, with a wide forehead and a woolen cap tied down under his chin. His cloak was made of the same wool -- and had the haphazard look of something he tried to sew himself. The other man was grim and silent, dressed in dark brown leathers and wearing a raccoon-skin cap. Dan merely said, "And that's Jeb," in reference to the other fellow.

"You thinking of leaving today?" Trotch asks. "Mighty cold to be out on the Yakawanna." Neither he nor Jeb seem to want to linger, and soon depart back to Archeebald.

Dan looks to Silas, "So I got us a boat. Hic! This plan of yours better be worth the twenty gold I paid for it. By the way, Randy from the pub has tapped Dad's wine and said it's on the house for us, anytime we fancy a glass. 'Heroes drink free,' he says." Dan was clearly pleased at the attention, and his meaning was clear -- he was hoping to stay for a while, and put off all this business about stalkers for as long as possible. "What do you say we go back and get warm?"

DM's Note Feel free to RP an interaction with Trotch and Jeb if you like. Otherwise, your characters can be sure that, since Dan had to ask around, many people now know that your intent is to go on the river again. Whether they'll try and stop you in the same way again remains to be seen. Having spent the past several hours in the same spot, you're cold and hungry.

[Tangler]

Current HP 12/12, Spirit Healing 6/6 remaining
AC16, AC12 flat-footed, AC16 touch, Fort/Ref/Will +6/4/5status and defenses

As they wait for Dan's return, Fahd kneels in front of Lynx, his eyes staring into hers. "Tamarack told me that the creatures who destroyed the canoe looked like men, but were not men. My hope is that they do not smell like men," he tells her, knowing that if it is not true it will be much more difficult to identify the Stalkers, if Stalkers they were. He believes Tamarack's assertion that they were not men, but calling them Stalkers is Fahd's interpretation of the words of Tamarack, and the tree spirit had not actually named them such. "Learn their scent, beloved, so that you can identify them should we encounter them again." It is once again unclear whether Lynx understands the words, or whether the communication occurs on a deeper level, though there is intelligence in the cat's eyes that one would not expect from an animal. Lynx moves over and starts Survival (untrained but with Scent ability) to identify and remember any non-human scent

Dice Survival:

d20+1

(7)+1

Total = 8

sniffing around the debris of the canoe.

***

"Ghost!" Fahd whispers urgently to Lynx at the sounds of approaching footsteps, his arm pointing into the forest at a tangent to the direction the noises are coming from. Instantly Lynx bounds off into the trees in the direction Fahd is pointing, her padded feet and sheathed claws making little to no sound as she moves. It might just be Dan returning, but if so he is making a lot of noise, suggesting that someone else comes with him. Fahd decides that it might be useful to hide her existence from potential enemies until she is needed.

After Dan makes his introductions, Fahd greets them. "Trotch, Jeb," Fahd says, nodding to each of them in turn. To Jeb he says, "We have not yet met. Do you live on one of the outlying farms?" Of Trotch he asks, "How is your wife?" It is a somewhat callous question, as he recalls that Trotch's wife is one of those who disappeared before Constable Aldus was revealed as a Stalker. Fahd regrets the necessity, but with everyone now suspect, he is interested in gauging Trotch's reaction to the question, suspecting that a Stalker would react differently than the man he is pretending to be.

[Krimchee]

Silas watched as Fahd "spoke" to Lynx, puzzled. Isaiah had seemed to communicate with his animal companion as well, though he wasn't sure that he'd seen him actually speak to it in the way that Fahd did. The relationship made him curious, and a bit jealous. For all his own connection to nature, Silas had never experienced anything like that. But he would like to, for sure.

By the time Dan came crunching back to the riverbank, Silas was feeling the cold. He knew that he was in no danger from it yet, but he was certainly not comfortable either. He frowned at seeing the two men with Dan, though he wasn't sure why. Of course Dan couldn't have been expected to carry the blasted thing back here by himself. When Dan suggested they go back to the inn, Silas consented. Fahd was right that it would arouse suspicion otherwise. Plus he was cold, however much his tough-guy image of himself didn't want to admit it. And the wine sounded damn fine at the moment, though looking at Dan he suspected that Dan had already had more than was prudent for planning an ambush.

Walking over help Dan with the boat he smiled. "Nice work Dan! At least now we won't have to walk through the blasted tundra on our way."
Looking at Dan's companions he said, "Apreciate the help guys. Fahd and I were just out hunting, trying to get up some fresh game before we begin our journey tomorrow, though we haven't had much luck, " he said ruefully. "What do you all say we head back to Barrets for a glass or two of that wine? Might be a while before we have another chance."

On the way back to town, Silas begins thinking about the layout of the town, and how they might make it back to this site without attracting any notice.

rolls Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+9 (15)+9 Total = 24 k geography Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (7)+5 Total = 12

[mountainbound]

When Fahd points his question at Trotch, the wide-faced man blinks several times. Snow whips about the five of you as he tries to find his voice. “My wife…” He seems unable to say more about the matter.

“Died. She’s dead," Jeb finishes hastily. "Trotch here don’t like talking about it.” The man in the dark cloak looks Fahd over, head to foot, and seems to not like what he sees. “Yeah I’m from the Far Bend, up the Yakawanna some. We don’t got fancy spiritchasers in those parts. Where I’m from, people earn a real living -- working the land, not praying to rocks and crows.”

When Silas mentions the ill-luck at finding game, Jeb shakes his head darkly, as if the news confirms the uselessness of shamans and foolish boys-who-would-be-heroes. You can only imagine the impression that Dan made upon Trotch and Jeb while in the bar. But at Silas’ offer, Jeb throws a questioning look at his dumbfounded companion.

Trotch finally speaks up, adjusting the thick woolen cap on his head. “Yeah, we… we’d drink a glass if you’re buying. I hear Randy’s got something real special up there.”

[Krimchee]

Ears picking up a sound on the wind, Silas glanced towards the green of patch of mountain laurel bordering the group. Silas stiffened momentarily as he realized what the sound was. He casually put his hand on the hilt of his sword as he turned back to the group with a smile. It was a toothy grin actually. He leveled his stance.

"You know Fahd," Silas began casually, as if talking about the weather, "I heard that Lynx is not too fond of these guys either." But which one, he thought to himself. Or is it both? He needed to be sure.

Turning to the two men, he said "So which one of you is it?" Silas drew his blade, the metal hissing softly as the scabbord released the thin, cold shaft of steel. "One of you was not born of woman. Was it you?" he asked, pointing the tip of the blade first at Trotch, "or you?" he finished as he pointed his blade at Jeb.

Silas was ready to strike. Gods, he wanted to be first and cut these suckers down before they could spit their foulness all over them! But he needed to know who first. Looking down the length of steel pointed at Jeb and watching his reaction, he was pretty sure he was about to find out.

Perception check Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+9 (20)+9 Total = 29

[Tangler]

Current HP 12/12, Spirit Healing 6/6 remaining
AC16, AC12 flat-footed, AC16 touch, Fort/Ref/Will +6/4/5status and defenses

Fahd is unsure whether the reactions of Trotch and Jeb to Fahd's question about Trotch's wife reveals anything. Fahd would have expected something more along the lines of anger to such a question, but the appearance of stunned silence that Trotch responds with may not be unreasonable. Fahd knows from the memories Jenson's spirit showed him of Silas and Dan's fight with the other Stalker that Stalkers are fully capable of speech, so Trotch's initial silence and Jeb's response isn't conclusive either way. Fahd is still trying to Sense motive

Dice Sense Motive:

d20+6

(6)+6

Total = 12

evaluate the responses when Silas mentions Lynx.

Fahd's eyebrows lift in surprise at Silas's suggestion that Lynx has marked one or both of the men as an enemy. Fahd himself has seen no sign, but he acts on the assumption that it is true. "Lynx!" he says loudly. "Identify the enemy! If one of these men is a Stalker, mark him!" Fahd is not entirely comfortable with the order, for a couple of reasons. Though his relationship is actually with the Lynx spirit, rather than the cat itself, and a new cat could be called if needed, Fahd wishes no unnecessary harm to come to the cat, and the cat might become a target if it exposes itself. In addition, his relationship with Lynx is more about cooperation than command, and Fahd does not think of the Spirit as a servant. If one or both of the men before them is a Stalker, however, they need to know immediately, and Fahd believes that Lynx will respond to that urgency.

Fahd's hand drops to his aklys.

[mountainbound]

As Silas whips about his rapier, Jeb stumbles back several steps, obviously caught off guard. Falling onto his hands in the snow, he shouts at Silas: "What the hell?! Are you effing crazy?" By the look on his face, Dan is almost as surprised at the ranger's move, his jaw hanging open. Fahd has more of his wits about him than the wizard, and looks to the trees where the Lynx spirit is hiding.

The great cat bounds forward through the snow, his fir bristling. At once Trotch backpedals several feet, eyes narrow and cold. "You're in over your heads. Should have minded your own business!" With that, the man reaches down and grabs a great armful of snow, launching it up high above him. The action is strangely playful, like a child joyfully hurling leaves above his head. But there was no joy in Trotch's expression. At once, the falling snow seems to expand and multiply, creating a slow-falling wall of white between the five of you on one side (including Lynx), and Trotch on the other.

A high wail, like the cry of the wind off a desolate mountaintop, meets your ears as Trotch's cascade of snow begins to condense... Before the snow finishes falling, three figures lope forward, one coming directly for Silas, the next for Fahd, and the last for Dan. "Sh!t! Why'd you have to do that?!" the wizard shrieks at Silas, as if Trotch, the snow creatures, and Dan's imminent missing of a comfortable glass of wine were all the ranger's fault.

Standing at least a head taller than you, the three creatures don't seem to have legs, but they glide through the snow unnaturally quickly. Two great arms like ice-spiked clubs thrash about from their shoulders -- if you could say that something without a head could have shoulders. The summoned snowmen close with no warning.

Dan is slow to bring his staff around in time to ward off a heavy bludgeoning from the first of the ice creatures. He lands heavily in the snow, blood pouring from his mouth as the creature rears over him for another blow. Silas is able to deflect his attacker's first swing, an icy fist clanging against his rapier. But the moment is short lived. Perhaps distracted by the sight of Trotch quickly scaling the hill leading back toward Archeebald, the ranger is smacked back to the present by the creature's other frozen appendage.

His spotted coat standing on end, his tufted ears flat against his head, Lynx races to the shaman's side. The last of the creatures flies toward Fahd from the other direction, ice-arms aiming to smash the spirit-chaser to a pulp. For just a moment it pauses, perhaps unused to meeting an animal spirit, and then makes a tentative swing toward Fahd. The aklys is there to block the blow however.

Quickly picking himself up off the ground, Jeb draws his dagger. With no small amount of confusion he looks from the snow-demons to the three men fighting them, and then to the retreating form of Trotch.

Combat Notes Party Status Silas: 5hp damage Dan: 4hp Enemy Status Ice Creature #1: Undamaged, AC 12 (attacking Dan) Ice Creature #2: Undamaged, AC 12 (attacking Silas) Ice Creature #3: Undamaged, AC 12 (attacking Fahd) Trotch: Undamaged, AC 18 (fleeing the scene) Krimchee: Please include current/max hp and AC in combat posts. Tangler: Please include Lynx's HP and AC as well.

[Krimchee]

As Silas's attention flickered to the fleeing Trotch, Silas was blasted by one of the appendages and let out a grunt of pain. "Blood and ashes," he muttered, as much from the surprise of the impact as from seeing the fleeing Trotch. "We can't let him get away!" Still staggering from the blow, Silas took off after his quarry, franticly trying to get out his bow and fire at the fleeing Trotch.

status AC 15 HP 16/21

rolls Dexterity check to see if Silas can get his bow out this round Dice Roll: 1d20+3 (4)+3 Total = 7 If possible, attack Dice Roll: 1d20+6 (20)+6 Total = 26 damage Dice Roll: 1d6+1 (5)+1 Total = 6