AAR: [4M] Coil Clean-Up (2021-02-23 23:59 GMT)

The current version of the Earthdawn West Marches Discord campaign, effective Jan 1, 2020

Moderator:etherial

Serespar
Posts:215
Joined:Fri May 18, 2018 3:53 pm
Re: AAR: [4M] Coil Clean-Up (2021-02-23 23:59 GMT)

Post by Serespar » Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:30 pm

Coil Clean Up
From the Journal of Strats, Obsidiman Gauntlet

In the aftermath of the attack on Kampung Gaja, my friend R’edtarian the human warrior asked myself and several companions to provide some adept assistance. We were joined by Barag the dwarven elementalist, Calina the elven wizard and Truck the windling warrior.

He had identified three areas where we could help ease things for the survivors.
  • Survivors trying to locate and gather up what worldly goods could be salvaged were finding that looters had been there before them, taking everything.
  • A team of bridge repairmen was missing / overdue.
  • Scattered refugees were apparently still out in the wilderness after fleeing the attack; some of them were ill suited to roughing it and were thought to be in trouble.
We discussed priorities and decided to look into the bridge team first (since it involved missing lives and was at a known location), while keeping an eye out for refugees that might need assistance (or looters for that matter).

We traveled to where the bridge was to be repaired and found the bridge crew about a half day’s journey this side of the bridge. They described a strange cold area that was freezing the bridge and the area around it. They were in no danger, just delayed, as they waited out the inclement weather. Barag said the elements were all out of balance on the river and we decided it would be prudent to investigate rather than just wait to see if it cleared on its own.

Arriving at the bridge, we discovered a large boulder of air-infused stone from the airship that had attacked Kampung Gaja. The boulder had fallen and taken out part of the bridge. Veins of True Air were mixing with True Water in the river and causing the freezing effect. The cold area had attracted several packs of Ice Flyers (frozen flying baboons). In order for the repair crew to do their work safely, we would need to remove the boulder that was the root of the problem and get the Ice Fliers to leave.

We watched the Ice Fliers for a while, and determined that there were two packs fighting to be “King of the Ice Boulder”. We let them howl at each other til one pack won and the other left the area, flying toward the Throal mountains.

I moved forward to draw the attention of the remaining Ice Fliers while the others attempted to remove the boulder. While I was successful in the distraction for a short while, eventually the Ice Fliers caught on and attacked. I punched them.

We discovered the boulder still retained some of its flying enchantment and carried the huge thing back to Kampung Gaja. The image of the windling towing the huge boulder was quite amusing and seemed to lift morale in the recovering city. The bridge crew began repairs and is expected to complete the work soon.


Next we tracked a large group of refugees to where they had taken refuge with their wounded on an island in the river. Their leader was the t’skrang elder El’laj Nokku Galah. Truck spotted a large underwater predator coming towards us as we ferried the wounded back to shore, so that we could guard them on a return trip to the city.

Chengoro Shivoam turned out to be a giant, ancient crocodile. It attempted to eat my leg. I punched it. I was gentle tho since the refugees said it was a sacred animal (the River’s Grand-daughter). After we knocked it unconscious, we marked the area as one to be cautious of on our maps and helped the refugees get back.


Lastly, we followed reports about where the looters had been active. We found their camp. There were curtains. Barag taunted them about breaking their boat to get them to come out of hiding. We got the arrows out of Barag after I punched them. The river pirate leader, Naboz the t’skrang, came out of hiding and sliced Calina open. I punched him. He ran away. One of the dwarf pirates surrendered. I stopped punching him. We brought him back to town.

redwraith
Posts:147
Joined:Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:12 pm

Re: AAR: [4M] Coil Clean-Up (2021-02-23 23:59 GMT)

Post by redwraith » Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:48 am

After the attack on Kampung Gaja, I decided to stay in town to offer my assistance to the survivors. I spent the first couple of days wandering the ruins to provide security and assistance to the survivors. Most of the time I just helped people who were injured during the attack. The townsfolk were very happy to see me patrolling around town as they needed the feeling of security I provided. Many nights were spent sleeping with survivors to provide that security and medical aid in case they needed it during the night.

After the first couple of days I started to make house calls to the outskirts of town as most of the physicians in town weren't comfortable with traveling on their own. During this time I was often approached to assist with some small task for the town. It's now almost two weeks after the attack and I have been approached to investigate several possible issues along the Coil river, a bridge repair crew has gone missing, rumors of survivors along the river banks and finally some scavengers collecting debris to sell on the black market.

I reached out to several of my friends to assist me, Barag, Turk, Strats and Calina all agreed to assist my investigations. Some more willing than others. After meeting at a local tavern to discuss the tasks we decided to head to the bridge and figure out what happened to the repair crew. Well I must say the last thing I expected was to come across the repair crew playing cards and relaxing several miles from the bridge. Apparently the area around the bridge is too cold for them to work. It's a typically warm day so I don't understand why they can't be working on the bridge.

Once we get closer to the bridge I now understand the issue as the weather drastically changes from our typical warm weather to snow and freezing temperatures in the span of a couple of feet. Something magical is effecting the weather. Barag doesn't know what could be causing it so we have to head into the cold to investigate. Barag and Turk have cold weather gear while Calina looks very upset about the cold. I offer her my cloak to help her with the cold. My mother drilling good manners into me during my childhood is coming to good effect.

Once we approach the bridge we notice a huge stone has smashed the bridge and about a dozen flying monkeys on the bridge. We stay a distance from the bridge as we analyze what is going on. Barag suggests that the stone feel from the flying citadel and that the true air in the stone is reacting to the river, thus causing the change in temperature. The rest of us discuss using our rope and chains from our climbing gear to drag the stone out of the river. While we are discussing this the monkeys were having a fight for dominance and one group has left. The remaining monkeys seem to be settling into their new turf.

Strats starts to walk towards the monkeys and offers them a peace offering of an apple while Turk fly's our rope out towards the rock to lasso the rock. While this is going on the monkeys start a yelling contest with Strats for some reason or another. Then I hear a faint whisper which causes me to spin around but I don't see anything other than Calina standing beside me. I guess the cold is getting to me. Then Calina leans in and asks me what I know about these flying monkeys and do I think they have magical abilities. Calina was talking...to me...she was talking...I didn't think she could talk, at no point has anyone indicated that she could talk and we have spent several days together during our various adventures and now today she can talk.

During my moment of stunned confusion the monkeys have had enough of Strats and start to attack him. I must say it was amusing to watch them flay away at him. With quick work from my axe, Turk's sword and Strats fists the monkeys decide that this new frozen bridge isn't worth it. But before they leave one of them throws some ice at me which wraps around me and restricts my movement. I try to free myself but at first I was unable to free myself. Calina reaches over and lightly touches my cheek and the ice melts away. I don't think cast a spell but whatever I'm thankful to be free.

We quickly drag the stone from the river once we realize that the true air makes for a very light boulder. We carry the stone back to town passing the bridge crew letting them know that they can now start to work.

After spending the night in town and a warm bed we continue down the river searching for any survivors. We come across a battle and some bodies on our way to the river's edge. Once there we find a band of survivors who are stranded on an island in the river. Turk fly's over to provide the injured and malnourished with food and medical aid. The rest of us start to figure out the best way to get the survivors to shore. During the rescue Turk notices something entering the water from the other bank.

The T'Skrang start talking about Chengoro Shivoam a huge river crocodile that the T'Skrang revere. We gather along the shore waiting to see what Chengoro will do. Well she decides to take a bite of Strats leg and attempt to drag him into the river. Strats stands his ground and we all start to beat on Chengoro and we eventually knock her unconscious. We then take that opportunity to escort the survivors back to town.

Once back in town we are praised as heroes and everyone wants to buy us dinner and a drink. Turk has more food in front of him than he weighs in short order. Calina turns down the townsfolks hospitality, what is her story? She seems very well mannered but why has she spent all of this time not talking to just start talking to me earlier. Very curious.

The next day we take some time looking at the map to figure out where these scavengers might be located. We pick some likely spots for them to be and head off. Eventually we come across a boat and a small campfire with some items dragged from the river. Seems like we might of found our scavengers.

We approach cautiously but we don't notice anyone and Turk fly's ahead to see if he can find anyone. After a couple of minutes Barag shouts out that we were going to burn their boat. Well they must of really liked that boat as all of a sudden a female T'Skrang appeared behind me and stabbed poor Calina in the back. Two more T'Skrang jump out of the forest and two dwarves appeared as well. The dwarves fired arrows at myself and Barag. I took a minor wound but Barag and Calina have taken some serious injuries from the ambush. Strats charges the female T'Skrang and pummels her with his fists.

After taking a look at poor Calina, I charge the two male T'Skrang hoping that Strats will deal with the female. Turk is maneuvering behind the two archers. The two I charged flank and attack me while the female takes a look at Strats and flees. Apparently stabbing an elven female in the back is as much courage as she can handle. The two archers continue to attack Barag and Calina. They both take another injury. Strats charges the T'Skrang behind me and caves in his skull.

I continue to attack the T'Skrang in front of me as Turk attacks one of the archers from behind while Calina and Barag take cover. At this point the remaining three scavengers either flee or surrender. Luckily neither Barag or Calina die during this ambush.

We return to Kampung Gaja with the missing items and prisoner. The townsfolk are very happy with all that we managed to accomplish during the last couple of days. Now that we are all back in town my questions about Calina only intensify. Why doesn't she talk? Why did she talk to me? What is her story? I think I will send her a letter to get these answers.

I'm going to spend some more time here in Kampung Gaja maybe even a couple of months as the people here will need my help more than the people in Thoral will.

Post Reply