Defending the Lady

The group yielded the road and the party passed by. A woman on horseback came running over the next hill. Then something leapt onto the horse’s neck and it fell dead. The creature was about the size of a horse with feathers, with a rune on its head that Cham recognized as the rune for Hunt. Bazyl knew that a rune animal was blessed by the pantheon.

Ezzerkash charged ahead and put himself betwen the creature and the woman. Four of the men at arms dropped their chains and readied their weapons. They shouted “Save Lady Cains Dottier!” Bazyl joined Ezzerkash between the creature and the woman. The creature clawed Bazyl twice and he went down. Cham ran up to pull the woman out of danger. Oobleck moved up with Slimy and shouted not to hurt the creature. Brynjar Magic Missled the creature, but nothing happened. The rune glowed brightly and then faded slightly. Three of the guards charged forward in heavy armor.

Ezzerkash pulled Bazyl out of the way. Bazyl cured himself. The creature leapt up and landed on Cham, clawed her head viciously, and nudged her body out of the way. Cham grabbed the woman and pulled her away. The creature snapped menacingly at her. Oobleck tried Wild Empathy, but there was no apparent effect.  Brynjar cast another Magic Missle to no effect.  The gargoyle that the party had been transporting killed two of its guards.

Ezzerkash attacked the creature.  He found a weak spot in its armor to bite, but his claws just ruffled its feathers.  Bazyl healed Cham.  The creature clawed and bit him savagely.  Cham grabbed Lady Cains Dottier and led her safety.  Oobleck tried Wild Empathy again to no avail.  Brynjar drew his sword and defended the woman.  The gargoyle killed the last guard and was free.  The other guards  advanced to protect the woman.

Ezzerkash retreated behind Oobleck.  Bazyl retreated and cured Ezzerkash.  The creature killed the guard. Oobleck tried Wild Empathy again to no avail.  Brynjar defended the woman.  The gargoyle flew away.  The guards attacked the creature, but missed.

Ezzerkash breathed lightning on the creature and the guards.  Bazyl tried to persuade the guards to stop attacking.  The creature killed another guard.  Cham attempted to get the woman to run, but failed.  Oobleck tried Wild Empathy again and the creature stopped attacking.   The guard held his sword and gave a menacing stare at the dragon.

Ezzerkash ate from the dead horse.  Zewthra moved to Ezzerkash.  Bazyl checked to see if any of the guards were alive.  The creature departed.  The woman started running.  The last guard ran after her.

Zewthra healed Ezzerkash.  Bayzl spouted a prophecy.

Success shall free and be fair upon this night

Yet it shall  serve the uncrowned prince’s might.

Cham and Bazyl searched the fallen.  Cham found some arrows.  Bazyl found some crossbow bolts and masterwork scale mail.

Black Sky Butte

The party travelled for the rest of the day.  The ground started to rise into rolling hills, leaving ghe high grass behind.  As the sun was setting, they came upon a butte surrounded by a circle of trees.  They had reached their destination, Black Sky Butte and Saviors Landing.

As they entered the Leafless Wood, a wave swept over them and they each gained a Hex.  Everything went quiet.  There was a massive stone table on the hilltop.  Oobleck heard the sound of flapping wings from the forest.  He also saw a large 3 foot tall raven roosting on the top of a fallen tree, and the sight was unnerving.  

Suddenly it started squwaking and cawing.  Cham’s Hex of Tongues enabled her to understand that the raven was asking Zewthra if she came to bond with it.  Cham replied that she was not, and approached the raven.  Ezzerkash followed after her with curiousity.

Then it asked if she was suffering from a curse.  Cham said she was.  The raven asked why Zewthra did not talk, and if the party was oppressing her.  Cham continued approaching.  Suddenly she was overcome with dispair.  Then the raven flew further away.  Cham explained what had happened to the others.

Ezzerkash was paralyzed for a moment, but shook it off and ran toward the raven.  Oobleck advanced.  Bazyl loaded his crossbow.  Cham asked Zewthra to speak to the raven, but they had never heard speak ever.  She drew her bow.  Brynjar moved closer down the path.

A second raven appeared and Cham was paralyzed.  Ezzerkash advanced to the base of the tree and the raven exchanged ineffectual blows him.  Bazyl moved closer.  Cham freed herself from the paralysis.  Brynjar attempted to use the Hex of Slumber against the raven fighting Ezzerkash.  

Oobleck summoned an eagle and attacked the first raven.  The second raven landed on Zewthra’s shoulder, and then she started  walking off.   Cham heaerd it say, “and now we will bond.”  Then there was a glow from the raven.  The first raven attacked the eagle.  Ezzerkash bit and clawed the raven.  Bazyl followed Zewthra holding his crossbow non-threateningly.  Cham shot at the raven with Zewthra, but missed.  Brynjar ran toward Zewthra.

The eagle departed.  Oobleck noticed the scene around Zewthra and moved toward her.  Zewthra and the raven moved off.  Bazyl was hit with crushing dispair, but followed them.  The raven attacked Ezzerkash.  He bit and clawed it to death.  Cham ran after Zewthra.  Brynjar followed,and then Hexed the raven with Slumber and it fell off Zewthra’s shoulder.  Cham killed it.

Ezzerkash brought the raven to the others for dinner.  He used his Healing Hex on himself.  Zewthra removed the hexes from Cham and Bazyl.  Bazyl asked what had been going on between Zewthra and the raven.  Cham said that it was trying to bind with her.  Bazyl asked if that was a bad thing…

On the Top of the Hill

There was very strong wind on the butte.  The surface was smooth and glassy, with runes carved into the non-reflective surface.  Bazyl studied the notes on the ritual.  It required a witch and a companion, whose blood must be drained out onto the surface until they were disabled.  Cham volunteered to be the companion.

Cham and Zewthra conducted the ritual with Bazyl nearby.  Oobleck watched the ritual.  Ezzerkash kept watch.  Clouds rolled in and it started to rain.  The wind increased and the rain fell harder.  Ezzerkash saw the centaur they encountered before come trotting up the path.  He alerted Oobleck, but the druid could not see him until he reached the base of the butte.

Oobleck interposed in the centaur’s path and greeted him.  The centaur greeted him as  “champion of slime.” He said that the world would suffer for releaving Zewthra of her curse, as two other centaurs approached.

The Party

  • Ezzerkash the Distracted – Cloud Dragon Wyrmling
  • Cham – Aasimar Taskshaper
  • Oobleck – Halfling Ooze Druid with Ochre Jelly companion, Slimy.
  • Bazyl – Human Oracle
  • Brynjar – Human Magus