Dubhaine Family/Moira/Roleplays/2017/July

July 2nd

Xerus clung to the north bank of the river, a den of smugglers and thieves growing rich on the trade between Thalmarkin and Fronen whilst owing allegiance to neither.

Moira had trekked here long years ago disguised as a purveyor of degenerate antiquities, her caravan marching overland from Fronepu to Qrelg and then by smuggler's charter across Lake Salaman. She was hot in pursuit of the undying necromancer Kerreth-Torg, known far and wide as The Butcher of Rengo where he'd led a successful insurrection against Ar Agyr.

The Champion of Via and one-time Supreme Justice of fallen Fontan had never forgotten her calling, carrying humanity's law first to the Zuma-infested lands of Dwilight and then to the Daimon-blight of Beluaterra. That alone would have been enough to justify her quest and she had slain monsters for much less. But this was more personal, for Rengo had been the demesne of her great-granddaughter Aibhlidhn and many of those slain she had counted good friends.

It's the nature of evil that had Kerreth-Torg known his mistake in making war on House Dubhaine he'd probably still have made it, and now the two hung in death's balance with the scales heavily weighted in Moira's favour.

The town of Xerus had been different back then, the well maintained waterfront still flying the fading colours of some deposed lordling or other, but the passage of the Daimon horde so close brought many a wicked heart secretly to that nameless cult which had sat like a canker beneath the veneer of respectability since time immemorial, and to the ears of one who knew whispers all too well, rumour of Kerreth-Torg came almost too easily.

By the careful sale of certain ancient tomes, arcana of such maddening imprecision and overblown import as to hint at secrets mankind should never understand, she gained privileged access to the highest reaches of the coven and came within a hair's breadth of her quarry. A desperate battle ensued in that very star-cursed fane where Kerreth-Torg had established his command post, Moira and her swordsister Reia carving a gruesome path through the ruined flesh raised against them as the necromancer fled by hoary paths to the river bank and thence to his masters in Iknopata.

To her dying day neither she nor her companion would not speak of the horrors they endured pursuing him into the heart of the Daimon horde - not even she who had stood in single combat against Haktoo of the Zuma and lived to tell the tale! - for there are forces in the High Firmament of which no mortal words can tell. Beings whose very nature defies reason, and against whom mankind must ever face ruin.

Mighty Lords in their castles speak their names in hushed tones and think they know of what they tell. But they do not. For they have seen but the stain of flesh which such malice motivates, and even then they quake in terror and remind themselves of their strong walls and brightly caparisoned soldiers for to face the utter hopelessness of war against the eternal would rend their very souls. And so the war falls to those in the shadows, men and women easily forgotten and yet who by their selfless deeds hold the darkness at bay. Even if but for a brief hour.

Know only that years passed as days within that hellspawned encampment and the lands beyond. Years during which the world of men continued to burn as the armies of the Nether pillaged and defiled, and when Moira and Reia emerged victorious they felt far from triumphant.

Xerus - Day

After 3 hours, you finally find an organized undead army.

Because you are close to home and familiar with the lay of the land, you are able to use the terrain to your advantage.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 9 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

And find nothing.

Your continual performances have finally paid off. You gain one point of honour.

July 4th

Ossmat - Day

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold, 4 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

Some fool's gold. Not very valuable, but useful if you want to make something look golden.

After 1 hours, you finally find an organized undead army.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold, 1 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

And find nothing.

Report from Moira

Message sent to everyone in "Northern Alliance" (5 recipients) My Lords,

Please forgive the intrusion of a low-born warrior but my errand is urgent.

I am Moira, a ranger of the northlands, and I pursue the agents of the Nether wherever they may be found. Rumours abroad in Xerus - where I've disrupted more than one cult during my adventures - have brought me to Ossmat where I've found evidence of a necromancer's plans reaching fruition. An army is massing in the tunnels beneath the city, fell flesh reanimated by hellish arts and an ancient foe who wields rimefire and deceit as you might sword and shield.

With your permission I intend to bring this foul demiurge to justice!

Moira

Candidate of Northern Alliance

Letter from Osgar Dacara

Message sent to everyone in "Northern Alliance" (5 recipients)

Feel free to rid us off these foul creatures.

Sir Osgar Dacara

King of Thalmarkin

Royal of Thalmarkin

Duke of Sandefur

Margrave of Sandefur

Commander of Northern Alliance

Letter from Moira

Message sent to everyone in "Northern Alliance" (5 recipients)

Thank you your Majesty.

Moira

Candidate of Northern Alliance

Ossmat - Night

Found twice:

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold, 6 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

An expensive-looking amulet.

Your experience allows you to skip the less interesting undead and start at group #2.

After 2 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

You fight with zeal and strength - but the undead are unimpressed. They feel neither pain nor fear, but you do. Lots of it.

Then you give up trying to defeat them and you only try to get away - but you find yourself surrounded! You fight on, desperately trying, and they beat on you without end. After what seems like eternity, you manage to break through their ranks. Exhausted and bleeding from many small cuts, you escape. A little rest and you will be ready again.

After 2 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 11 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

The severed hand of a thief who was caught and, well, punished.

After 3 hours, you finally find a large and organized undead group.

You fight with zeal and strength - but the undead are unimpressed. They feel neither pain nor fear, but you do. Lots of it.

Then you give up trying to defeat them and you only try to get away - but you find yourself surrounded! You fight on, desperately trying, and they beat on you without end. After what seems like eternity, you manage to break through their ranks. Exhausted and bleeding from many small cuts, you escape. A little rest and you will be ready again.

July 6th

Ossmat - Night

After 2 hours, you finally find a large and organized undead group.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 11 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A well-sized piece of high-quality leather. Excellent material for armour.
• A statuette carved from wood, depicting a local deity.
• A bar of soap. You have no idea what that is for.
• An expensive toy for the children of a noble or wealthy merchant.

Ossmat - Day

After 3 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

Because you are close to home and familiar with the lay of the land, you are able to use the terrain to your advantage.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 7 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A sword, broken and battered in many battles. It is of no use in combat, at least not in this condition.
• An expensive-looking amulet.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large and organized undead group.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 3 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A statuette carved from wood, depicting a local deity.
• An expensive toy for the children of a noble or wealthy merchant.

July 8th

Ossmat - Day

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold.

You search for common items among the loot:

• Strands of hair from a maiden who died without ever knowing a man. Rumoured to be useful to some witches for love potions.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold, 2 silver.

July 9th

Ossmat - Day

After 2 hours, you finally find a small group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 4 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of very fine silk.
• An old and rusty signet ring with an unknown (to you) insignia.
• An expensive toy for the children of a noble or wealthy merchant.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold, 4 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of rope.
• The severed hand of a thief who was caught and, well, punished.

July 10th

Ossmat - Night

After 3 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 5 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• The skull of a strange animal, unlike any you have ever seen.

After 2 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

Because you are close to home and familiar with the lay of the land, you are able to use the terrain to your advantage.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 11 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A set of bandages and alcohol, not to drink but to clean out wounds. This will improve your chances of healing from serious wounds, but will be used up in the process.
• A sword, broken and battered in many battles. It is of no use in combat, at least not in this condition.
• An empty carrying case for scrolls or maps.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

You fight with zeal and strength - but the undead are unimpressed. They feel neither pain nor fear, but you do. Lots of it.

Then you give up trying to defeat them and you only try to get away - but you find yourself surrounded! You fight on, desperately trying, and they beat on you without end. After what seems like eternity, you manage to break through their ranks. Exhausted and bleeding from many small cuts, you escape. A little rest and you will be ready again.

July 12th

Ossmat - Night

Your experience allows you to skip the less interesting undead and start at group #3.

After 3 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A set of bandages and alcohol, not to drink but to clean out wounds. This will improve your chances of healing from serious wounds, but will be used up in the process.

After 3 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 9 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• Strands of hair from a maiden who died without ever knowing a man. Rumoured to be useful to some witches for love potions.
• An expensive-looking amulet.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 6 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A set of bandages and alcohol, not to drink but to clean out wounds. This will improve your chances of healing from serious wounds, but will be used up in the process.

After 3 hours, you finally find a large and organized undead group.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 2 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of rope.
• A small but clear and perfect diamond.

July 13th

Ossmat - Day

After searching the area for 1 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a few monsters.

The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee.

In the lair of the monsters, you find valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 silver.

After searching the area for 2 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a small group of monsters. The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee. In the lair of the monsters, you find valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 silver.

July 15th

Ossmat - Day

After searching the area for 1 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a few monsters.

The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee.

Report from Moira

Message sent to everyone in "Northern Alliance" (16 recipients)

My Lords,

The necromancer has been driven from the Ossmat undercity and the local militia have taken charge of the known tunnel entrances. I'm hot-foot on its trail having heard reports of fell men mustering in Junohep and will provide a full report of the action in Ossmat as soon as I have time to set out the details in full.

Moira

Scout of Northern Alliance

Kell - Day

After 1 hours, you finally find a few disorganized undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 silver.

After 1 hours, you finally find a small group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 4 silver.

After 3 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 5 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of honey, you can use this to regain a bit of fatigue.
• Several pieces of a battered and broken armour. Whoever was wearing it at the time it suffered this beating certainly did not survive. No use as armour, but maybe a smith can use it for raw materials.

Kell - Night

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 7 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of rope.
• The hide of a wolf, enemy of deer and sheep.

After 2 hours, you finally find a large group of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 4 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A piece of honey, you can use this to regain a bit of fatigue.
• A large piece of quartz.

July 16th

Kell - Day

Your experience allows you to skip the less interesting undead and start at group #2.

After 2 hours, you finally find a few disorganized undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• Something you thought would be valuable, but it turned out to be just a random piece of junk.

After searching the area for 1 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a few monsters.

The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee.

In the lair of the monsters, you find valuables and treasures worth a total of 3 silver.

You search for common items among the loot:

• The hide of a bear, useful as a blanket.

After searching the area for 2 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a warband of monsters.

The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee.

In the lair of the monsters, you find valuables and treasures worth a total of 7 silver.

After searching the area for 1 hours, following trails and noises, you finally encounter a large group of monsters.

The battle rages, you against the monsters. Your blows land true and you strike most of them down, while a few manage to flee.

In the lair of the monsters, you find valuables and treasures worth a total of 1 gold.

You search for common items among the loot:

• A globe of crystal glass.
• Some bee's wax.

July 17th

Junohep - Day

After 1 hours, you finally find an organized unit of undead.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 5 silver.

After 2 hours, you finally find a small undead army.

The battle rages, you against the undead. Your blows land true, shattering them to dust left and right.

From the remains of the undead, you gather valuables and treasures worth a total of 6 silver.

After 2 hours, you finally find an organized undead army.

You fight with zeal and strength - but the undead are unimpressed. They feel neither pain nor fear, but you do. Lots of it.

Then you give up trying to defeat them and you only try to get away - but you find yourself surrounded! You fight on, desperately trying, and they beat on you without end. After what seems like eternity, you manage to break through their ranks. Exhausted and bleeding from many small cuts, you escape. A little rest and you will be ready again.