Turn Fifty – Day TwoIt seems longer, thinks Gervedder as he gives Gerald the Mule a generous head rub outside Crikeyface Jack’s, but it’s only the second day that the six adventuring world-savers have been on the world of Istria.
That must make it a Tuesday.
He adjusts the packs and bedroll on Gerald’s back and discreetly edges the mule away from Tackov’s naked and mangy donkey.
That stuff’s probably contagious.
Lady Foxglove is already there, keeping her distance from her scruffy looking companions, looking suitably aloof and impatient – and super-presentable.
She doesn’t have long to wait.
Her remaining companions’ arrival is announced by an inexplicable din of beating drums and wailing. Whiz is the first to be seen – in fact, he’s the only one to be seen; at least, the only one of the missing adventurers. He approaches carried aloft on the shoulders of a tall and demented looking serf, surrounded by over a dozen apparent religious fanatics, all naked except for their wild flowing hair and giant portraits of Whiz’s kind-of-handsome face tattooed across their chests. Apart from the strong one carrying Whiz, each of the demented acolytes is wailing, whirling, and beating a drum strapped around their neck and dangling at waist height, eyes totally void of comprehension.
The last serf isn’t beating his drum.
He’s dragging a large barrel on the end of fifteen foot of rope. The barrel’s followed by scores of townsfolk, apparently shouting some kind of abuse. It’s also followed by a trail of vomit. The barrel gets nearer, and it’s possible to see an extremely drunken leg poking out the top.
It’s Bukkar.
Suddenly there’s a scream, and then a shriek, and then an outbreak of determined screaming and shrieking, and then the crowd of townsfolk flinging horse dung at Bukkar’s barrel panic, and scatter, and start to flee, except one of the poor burghers is too slow, and the barely controllable ten-foot bonespider pierces him with its spear-like leg, harpoons him right through the chest and lifts him into the air towards its mouth.
The bonespider tears the man limb from limb, somehow, and swallows what’s left. There’s a giggle from on top.
”Hey guys. Erm. We should probably leave?”… … … … … …
The column moves on into the countryside outside Nirila. Peasants make themselves scarce as the demented wailing acolytes and ten-foot tall bonespider come into sight.
But it’s a nice day – not warm at all, but clear, sunny, and it’s a nice ride, for most.
In the early afternoon the six reach the outskirts of Megden.
They could probably get to Bletchley – the next village – by around midnight, at the pace they’re going.
Right. You may have noticed – I noticed a long time ago – that the inventories are getting bigger. Anyway, kind of related is my decision that mounts and followers will not get stat blocks or HP or anything because if it gets too complicated I will eventually lose the will to li- er update. So I will simplify attacks on mounts and so on. Note Errol’s mount gets HP, since he is pre-this-decision. For now.
Also all the ride acquiring rolls were rolled, but I just left them out. You can probably guess who got a 1 and who got a 6.
Oh, and if Xantalos is absent I will welcome suggestions for Bukkar.
Current Players:Name: Tackov Cedtry
Class: Level 2 Wind Mage
Status: –1 to social interaction. -1 to melee.
Health: [HP: 55/55] |
The Vomiting! |
Leprified Face! |
Severed Right Arm!Abilities: Magical Typhoon I,
Wind Blast I,
Wind Step I,
Squishy,
Sissy Slap FightInventory: Minor Mana Potion x1,
Scroll of Beginner’s Fireball x1, one memorised use of:
Gee, Mr. Whiz, You Sure Are Fast! Mouldy Wizard Hat, severed arm, severed face, Mangy Donkey.
Name: Whiz
Class: Level 2 Whiz Wiz(ard)
Status: -1 to lower leg damage. -1 to social interaction. +1 to balancing.
Health: [HP: 80/80] |
Giant Rat’s Tail!Abilities: Shield I,
Gee, Mr. Whiz, You Sure Are Fast! Gee, Mr. Whiz, You Sure Are Fast II,
Obviously a Powerful Wizard,
It’ll Make You Blind!Inventory: Crossbow, Unlimited Quiver,
Raider’s Dress of Shin Protection, 37 Yuros, Fancy Clothes,
Scroll of Beginner’s Fireball x1,
Middling Mana Potion x1, Cutlass, Three daggers,
Minor Health Potion x3, +1 Bolt of Accuracy x4, +1 Bolt of Burning x5, +1 Bolt of Paralysis x2,
Middling Health Potion x1, Carrying Serf.
Name: Medha Correo
Class: Level 2 Curse Crafter
Status: -1 to gut damage. +1 to chest damage.
Health: [HP: 80/80] |
Severed Rib! |
Severed Rib!Skull Spider Health: [HP: 25/25]Abilities: Opportunistic Attack,
Bad Luck Curse,
Curse of the Fool,
Wandering Asshole,
Curse of the Curse CrafterInventory: Dagger, Half a dress, 75 bandages,
Neckless of the Ribless, Small bottle of Mage blood, Dagger, Lock picking kit,
Iron Cuirass, unlit torch, 96 Yuros (real gold), Crossbow,
Brittle Jagged Groinbone Dagger of Good. Name: Gervedder Vietzo
Class: Level 2 Opportunistic Messenger
Status: -1 to gut/chest damage.
Health: [HP: 80/80]Abilities: Nimble Feet,
This Messenger Delivers,
Make Way for the Messenger! Important,
Stop For DirectionsInventory: Crossbow, Unlimited Quiver, 8 bandages, 2 Yuros,
Iron Cuirass, Crossbow, Gerald the Mule, Two weeks rations and a bedroll.
Name: Lady Foxglove Vainglorious the III
Class: Level 2 Ravenhaired Crusader
Status: Super-presentable! -1 to head damage.
Health: [HP: 80/80]Abilities: Silent as a Raven’s Wing,
Opportunistic,
Honeyed Tongue,
Vain,
Self-RelianceInventory: Minor Health Potion x1, Crossbow, Unlimited Quiver,
Masterwork Helm,
Fine horse, Travel supplies for several days.
.
Name: Bukkar Crangrom
Class: Level 2 Ragin' Mage
Status: Hungover 1/4 turnsHealth: [HP: 80/80] |
The Vomiting!Abilities: Rage Lazors I,
Ass of the Flaming Foot I,
Lightning Fist I,
Always Looking For a Fight,
Always HungoverInventory: Sword of Severing! Crossbow, 400 Green Farthings, large barrel and rope.