Re: Deceiver Activity Sabotaging House Mikul Trade Route Near Throal
To whom it may concern at the Great Library,
I met with my friend Mal the elven archer, who had a lead on a job; to investigate the mystery of some supply caravans that had not arrived as scheduled at Clear Creek Crossing [CCC]. We were joined by Jarok, the orc weaponsmith, Killian, the obsidiman warrior, Juniper, the elven Shadow, and a new companion, Bloodbeat the t’skrang Nethermancer.
Mal had heard that the Elders of CCC had reported a couple of missing caravans and needed adepts to look into the matter. So, off we went.
Travel along the road from Throal was uneventful. When we arrived at CCC, we found the town Elders were building a sort of passport control office outside the palisade, and demanded that anyone who wished entry perform their Greeting Ritual and strip, as there had been incidents involving doppelgangers with some sort of stinger hidden under their clothing.
We complied with this unusual request, and learned that two caravans, each consisting of two wagons, had gone missing. The first was due in just over 3 weeks ago, and the second was due about a week ago. After the second caravan was late, the Elders sent a pair of local scouts, Umikas, a dwarf and Josehorn, an elf to see what was going on. Jose carried a summary of what had been ordered, so that the two would know what to look for if needed.
The two scouts found where the caravans had been attacked, just off the road and up in the hills a few hours north of the town, about ten minutes travel from one another. In both cases, the bodies of the waggoneers were left where they fell in a fight. At one of the sites, a number of items from the manifest were found, but notably, all building supplies were missing. The two scouts improvised a funeral pyre out of a damaged wagon, gave what rites they could to the slain, and returned to CCC with their report. We asked the Elders if one of the scouts could show us the location, and Jose was assigned to accompany us.
[NB, subsequent cross-checks with caravan companies in Throal revealed that the trade route is operated by House Mikul. A copy of this report with the available details was provided to the dwarven merchant house, so that next of kin could be notified and a review of security provisions for the trade route completed. The caravans were outward bound and not expected back for several weeks, so House Mikul operations was unaware of their loss and the new danger on the route. They thanked the adepts for their assistance.]
At Site #1, there was evidence of a fight, but little could be found after over 3 weeks. Jose the scout pointed out where broken vegetation and other signs of passage marked the route taken by two wagons. The tracks connected to those of the single wagon from Site #2, see below.
At Site #2, one of the wagons was apparently damaged in the fight. The attackers dumped most of the cargo out of the undamaged wagon, taking only building supplies. The two sets of wagon tracks from Site #1, and the single set of tracks from Site #2 converged about 15 mins to the east, and the combined path continued east.
Bloodbeat performed a physical and astral analysis of the two sites, and noted that it was unusual that both caravans were off the road before the attack. Details from her analysis suggested illusion and other magics were being used to redirect the wagons off the road and into excellent tactical locations for ambush. A high fly-over revealed that the area was under surveillance by at least two individuals, one human-ish sized, and one dwarven sized, but the two spotters quickly vanished into the underbrush in a fashion that appeared magically augmented.
The party posted warning signs an hour’s travel on either side of the area, and will spread the word of the attacks in both Throal and CCC.
Cross country travel to follow the tracks is more taxing than the road, and we were set upon by a pack of wolves whose hunting territory is in the hills to the east. We killed several and drove off the rest, but any group following up on the Deceivers should be aware of the hazard.
As we approached a box canyon <insert map location and geographic details>, pollution in astral space began to spike. We were set upon by a group of Strawmen and Twisted Falcons who appeared to be operating off of rote instructions to defend the area – they were not particularly interactive outside their instructions. Other, not on guard, Strawmen had apparently been tasked with some sort of digging activity further up the canyon. They stayed focused on their tasks, and only reacted when we got too close.
The fight is a very bitter note in this report. The tactics of the Strawmen were straightforward and we were able to handle their threat with our usual competence. The Twisted Falcons however had the ability to perform vastly powerful diving attacks with hyper maneuverability. Our new companion, Bloodbeat, was tucked up against one side of the box canyon. One of the birds came diving out of the sky and snapped her neck in a single strike, as tho she was a rabbit and not a powerful t’skrang Nethermancer. Even through the astral pollution, I sensed a sort of… …death curse? energy? anger? from Bloodbeat as her body slumped to the ground. There was a chilling echo on the astral of “I’ll be baaaaaaaaaaaaak” that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck to this day….
The non-guard Strawmen were… …digging? gardening? feeding?... …three shallow graves? It’s hard to describe. After dispatching the Strawmen we unearthed what can only be described as unhallowed ground infused with magic and being used as a nursery to grow Deceivers. Their partial form is… …disturbing, to say the least. After we had used fire to cleanse the screaming, writhing proto-Deceivers in their shallow graves, I looked around at the hills and wilderness, and wondered how many such nurseries whoever is behind this has started in these largely unpopulated woods, and what they needed all those building supplies for… Also, if they had twisted the falcons into such formidable forms, what were they doing with the other wildlife in the area?.... We were unable to carry Bloodbeat’s body back, but I think it is somewhat fitting that we spread her ashes in benediction over that cursed canyon where she died. I just have a feeling that she protects us from the Horrors still….
I have penned a note to be delivered to House Syrtis to let them know of her passing, and included a copy of this report. I just hope it brings some comfort to her kin.
Statistics:Posted by Serespar — Mon Aug 17, 2020 10:35 pm
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Word had come through from Clear Creek Crossing that supply caravans had been lost and some Adepts were needed to solve the problem. I figured that I know a few people who are always up for adventure so I rounded up Nib , Jarok , Killian , and Juniper. Before we left, a T'skrang named Bloodbeat overheard us talking and asked to join. I have no problem picking up strays as I usually am one, so the six of us headed to Clear Creek Crossing to get details on their problems.
After 3 days of travel we get to the outskirts of Clear Creek Crossing (which I will refer to with CCC from now on) and are greeted by a group of nervous individuals who ask us kindly for the greeting ritual and then to get naked. Juniper got them to explain that second part by them telling us some doppelgangers with stingers have been taken out recently after the 2 supply caravans were robbed. We stripped down, got the OK, and got more information about the situation. After the first caravan didn't show, they sent for another, when that didn't show, they sent scouts to try and track them down. The scouts found 1 of the 4 wagons that was too damaged to move a ways off the road. All the building supplies had been taken and all the rest of the supplies had just been dumped. They also found the bodies of both caravans. They tracked the stolen wagons headed into the hills but wouldn't be able to safely follow any farther. They burned the bodies and reported back to CCC. They will send one of their apprentice scouts, Josehorn Ravahana, with us to lead the way tomorrow morning.
We head out the next day and are attacked by wolves. They got in a good hit to Bloodbeat but we were able to take them out with only minor injuries. We camped then headed to the problem site. It looks like there was probably some illusion magic involved with getting the caravans off the main road and then ambushed. While checking out the area, Bloodbeat noticed movement in the distance. Nib flew up and saw an average-sized namegiver and a shorter, possibly dwarf, figure but lost them behind some hills. We ended up following the same tracks the scouts did but we continued on into a canyon. We went into one of the side sections and were attacked by 4 strawmen and 4 twisted falcons. The falcons flew up and then dived to attack. I was able to seriously wound one before it could attack but they were fast and could really cover ground. The strawmen were easily being taken out by Jarock and Jillian. Then a horrible thing happened, one of the falcons dives down striking and killing Bloodbeat. We finished off the rest but Bloodbeat was gone.
After taking a moment, we checked out the area and found 3 small mounds. Buried under the mounds were beings that looked like they were growing there. This must be a growing ground for doppelgangers. We looked around and found more strawmen who looked to be protecting these small mounds. We cleared out the areas and burned the bodies but we did not find any clues as to who was controlling everything. We collected all the notes we could to take back to CCC and Throal. We made sure to burn Bloodbeat's body and will notify her house of her passing.
Statistics:Posted by Rathan01 — Mon Aug 17, 2020 1:02 pm
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Another job, this time heard it from Mal. Caravans ambushed enroute to Clear Creek Crossings. Straightforward and simple. Should be easy work.
Arrived at Clear Creek. They required us to undress to enter. No signs of the attacks on the way. Scouts knew where the ambush sites were. Juniper comfortable stripping in front of strangers. Strange elf. Professional experience? Found scouts. Led to ambush sites. Fought wolves. Nib scouted from the skies. Found perpetrators. Followed, but lost the trail. Found Twisted Falcons and Strawmen. Similar to the Circle K Ranch?
Killian, Juniper, and Bloodbeat are to be commended for their combat prowess. Impressively effective. Wolves did few injuries to party. Held line. Killed the ones who attacked our spell slinger. One got to Bloodbeat, minor injuries. Killian took on two of them at once. Minor injuries. No further casualties. It was a good team. Against the Falcons and Strawmen, Bloodbeat was killed. No solution to the Falcons, relied on our ranged warriors. Juniper did outstanding. Bloodbeat fought valiantly, slaying two on her own with one attack. Killian and I mopped up the Strawmen easily.
Perhaps these Strawmen were not related to the Scarecrows in the Circle K Ranch. They were far easier to dispatch. We need a better defense against flying enemies. May encourage Nib to take a more aggressive approach than his normal support role. Still need to investigate the city southeast of the Circle K Ranch. Still need to look into the K'tenshin. May have to find the source of these Strawmen. Vralino spoke of similar constructs near the Tower of B'Shon. May have to find source. Must speak to Thorkell about this.
Not much work after we returned. Still hate journals. Weaponsmith, not scholar.
Statistics:Posted by predajey — Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:58 am
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Time: 2020-08-16@18:30 GMT
GM: Aeggy
Circle: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Player Rewards:
Jarock: 3 TIPs, 800 Legend, 200 Silver
Juniper: 3 TIPs, 800 Legend, 200 Silver
Killian: 3 TIPs, 800 Legend, 200 Silver
Mal: 3 TIPs, 800 Legend, 200 Silver
Nib: 3 TIPs, 800 Legend, 200 Silver
Journal Rewards:
40 Legend, 50 Silver
GM Reward:
Dalyor: 3 TIPs, 2,200 Legend, 375 Silver
Downtime Actions Available:
Mal: Craft Weapon (rank 3, step 10)
Nib: Research (rank 2, step 19)
Kilian: Craft Armor (rank 3, Step 8)
Juniper: Drugs, poetry slams, volunteering, romantic entanglements
Jarock: Forge Weapon (Rank 3, Step 13)
Craftsman (Rank 3, step 17)
Item History (Rank 3 step 13)
Further Information:
A farm of Dopplers has been found and cleared. More Dopplers are in the area and have not actually been found. A powerful Illusionist used his magic to lead caravans off the road, where an ambush was set up.
Bloodbeat died to the savage Claws of a twisted Falcon.
Statistics:Posted by Aegharan — Sun Aug 16, 2020 10:35 pm
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Last played: Aug 14
ECR: 3
Discipline: Weaponsmith
Notable Abilities: Tactics(3)
Downtime:
Forge Weapon (ESR 13, limit Forged Rank 3)
Craftsman (ESR 17)
Item History (ESR 13, limit Key Knowledge Rank 3)
Secondary character
Statistics:Posted by predajey — Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:04 pm
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ECL: 3
Discipline: Shadow
Quote/Unique: "Power to the people!"
Notable Abilities: Streetwise
Downtime: Drugs, poetry slams, volunteering, romantic entanglements
Last Game Played: 2020-08-10 (Unbreak the Bow)
This is a secondary character. Please prioritize primaries.
Statistics:Posted by bronzemountain — Wed Aug 12, 2020 5:08 pm
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Circle: 2
Discipline: Warrior
Unique: Hitting things hard
Downtime: Craft weapon and Armor Step 8
Statistics:Posted by iceface9 — Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:03 pm
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Circle: 1
Discipline: Nethermancer
Quote/Unique: Tsch! I made it through the Scourge and Rebirth for what?!? This?!?
Notable Abilities: I talk to dead people, and make enemies wish they were anywhere else but here.
Downtime: Alchemy (rank 1, step 8), Physician (rank 1, step 8)
Statistics:Posted by Anoush — Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:52 pm
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Date of Last Game Played: Friday, August 15, 2020 [Food Fight]
Circle: ECR 2
Discipline: Windling Wizard
Unique: A friendly flying astral sensitive and spell slinger
Downtime: Talents and Skills that other characters can use over downtime:
[Research Skill] [Step 15, Rank 2, can use karma] ) ([His background is as a page working at the Great Library of Throal. He has the Speed Reading spell with the Increase Effect extra thread for +6 to Research tests; Perception step 7 + Talent Rank 2 + Speed Reading Spell 6 = Step 15 plus karma])
Statistics:Posted by Serespar — Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:49 pm
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Last time you (player) played: 2020-08-14
Circle: 2
Discipline: Archer
Quote/Unique: I shoot arrows and I know things.
Notable Abilities: Putting holes in places there shouldn't be holes.
Downtime: Craft Weapon (rank 3, step 10)
Statistics:Posted by Rathan01 — Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:55 pm
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GM: Aeggy
Circle: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Organized by: Malonin "Mal" Tyrnith
Rumor: Supply caravans traveling to Clear Creek Crossing to help with the rebuilding have, on 2 occasions now, been attacked with a loss of all animals and namegivers. Primarily tools and building resources were taken and the bodies seemed to be completely left untouched.
A call is put out to lower circle adepts to investigate what is going on. They are to either deal with the problem or gather enough intel that higher circle adepts can get involved.
Please post your character as follows:
CODE:
[b]Name:[/b] Character name[b]Date of Last Game Played:[/b][b]Circle:[/b] Circle of your character[b]Discipline:[/b] Your character's Discipline(s)[b]Unique:[/b] What your character is bringing to the table.[b]Downtime:[/b] Talents and Skills that other characters can use over downtime: [Talent] [Step including +Karma Step if appropriate] ([Rank]) ([Further Details])Statistics:Posted by Aegharan — Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:46 pm
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