L:1 Lost Boy

Starring: Dario, Thaddeus, Tarralon, Nict, & Wolfdale
Guest Starring: Colonel Major; The boys (Dennis & Simon, Bobby, Jake, Greggie, and Noric); Roy and Mabel (parents of Dennis & Simon); David (father of Greggie)
Challenge: Tracking the lost boy Timmy; undead monsters in the Inn; huge undead creature in the streets (Assybah's handmaiden)
Location: With Caravan going to Macita; Pendarguin (town)
Date Played: 24 July 2011

Caravan travel

Dario: Caravan travel has thus far proven to be more mundane that I had hoped, though I am glad that nary a bandit has bothered our slow-moving city on wagon wheels. The heart of this city is the Colonel Major, who despite his drunken (but not lecherous) ways, has seen fit to purchase goods for the war effort out of his own purse.

One night by the fire the Colonel sets to telling stories we've heard all the nights before and a woman, one kind to the eye, whispers in his ear. After the stories have all been spent he confides in me and those who continue to sit around the fire. He tells us that the woman, Rachael Mancari, has a son by the name of Timmy who has been missing all day. We are tasked with finding the boy.

We question his friends and discover that Timmy was the king of hide and seek—he was never found.

Belt buckle in a bear trap

Dario: Provided horses, we travel through the night to where the boy was last seen. Taralon uses his gift to divine the direction of the boy and we make our way sloooooooooowly. I attempt to scout ahead but am told not to, as my tracks will obscure the boys.

Eventually we come to a spent bear trap, twenty feet 'round and deep. We search the area, turning up new tracks, presumably belonging to hunters who have taken the boy. Knit heads back for our horses and I do a throughout search of the pit. I find a belt buckle forged by the boy's parents with his house upon it. I also find a smooth white stone that is cupped easily in the hand.

To the sight of Taralon and Thaddeus the stone has an aura of necromantic energy. Before I destroy it they cry out that it also radiates conjuration and abjuration. I have little idea what they are talking about but apparently it is not an object that is wholly evil.

Enchanting evening

Dario: We follow the trail of the boy for days, hunting, sometimes poorly, as we move along. We lost the trail at the edge of the river and Thaddeus declares the tracks gone through magic. Taralon is a living map and guides us to the nearest town, Pendarguin.

Entering the town we hear enchanting music coming from the single Inn the town has to offer. The women of three, a troupe of no small renown are playing and all are transfixed.

After two hours of encores, the ladies retire for the evening and we go about questioning the locals, trying to find the boy. All roads lead to nothing and we turn in for the night.

Burning down the house

Dario: I hear the sound of a sword being drawn and I awake instantly. Like a lion pouncing on prey I draw my greatsword and disembowel the vile creature that was formerly the innkeeper. Wolfdale has forced open the door to the room holding the women of three, only to discover that one of them is eating the other two. Wolfdale runs in fear. I charge.

I fend the transformed occupants of the inn while everyone else makes their way to escape out the window. With a dramatic flare I dive out the window, not thinking of how the landing might be. I quickly attempt to dodge the ground and am rewarded as I descent slowly to the ground. I'm not sure which of my companions helped me, but I am grateful.

I get to my feet, wipe off some mud, and move to see what everyone cowers from. Around the corner of the inn is a horror that stands as tall as the nearby buildings. It has three screaming faces in it's chest, one of which is Timmie, the boy we seek. I feel fear, just like other men do, but while it stops others it just fuels my actions. I walk across the cobblestones, sword pointed right at it. I'm ready to save some lives.

The battle moved quickly. The divine blessings of Venal saved me more than once, as did the courageous work of my companions.