Aranwen wakes to an empty room. The sounds of a comotion in the hallway and downstairs reaches his ears. Knocking sounds and screams can be heard. Memories of what happened between she and Davena quickly run through her mind. But inside the room is silent, Davena is nowhere to be seen. 

What is happening? No time to ponder.

Shaking her head to clear the cobwebs, Aranwen rushes into action. She quickly puts on her clothing, after finding them strewn about the floor. Strapping her belt and scabbard about her waist, she heads for the door, leaving her leather armor behind. As she opens the door and steps out into the hallway, Aranwen draws her blade and heads for the stairs, listening intently as she goes, trying to ascertain the situation below. 

I like retro. Count me in. I'd like a copy of that pdf too.

I don't know anything about Dungeon Crawl Classic, but it sounds interesting, and I'm always willing to learn.

Sorry about that. It seems like everything was happening at once. Back to school, wife's birthday, work, etc. I didn't have time to sit down and post. But now I should be back to normal.

I have no problem with your post from earlier. It's fine with me how that went down...

Aranwen will put on some clothing, grab his sword and head downstairs. He will not take the time to don his leather armor.

Hahaha! No worries, Eol. I know you're just having fun. I'm having fun with this too.

I've been a little busy lately, with school starting soon. My daughter is in middle school. Open house was yesterday and school starts tomorrow.

I'll be posting real soon.

Seeing the change in Davena's mood, Aranwen attempts to reassure her. "I apologise, my lady. I did not mean to imply that I wished you any harm, or that you were somehow responsible for those attacks. I am merely puzzled, and trying to figure out the purpose of these events. I fear for the residents of this town and the surrounding areas, for surely they have not seen the last of these attacks."

Aranwen frowns at Davena's explanation as to why they escaped attack from the undead on the roads to the west. "Indeed, it seems a strange happening, one group of travelers beset 4 times, while you remained untouched."

When Davena changes the subject to his abilities as a Bladesinger, Aranwen smiles at her flattery. She wonders if perhaps she is trying to distract her from pursuing her line of questioning about the undead attacks. "I thank you for your kind words. The bladesong is a truly remarkable technique. I have studied for years, and still have yet to unlock many of its secrets." Glancing over at Garn, who is studiously ignoring the conversation, then back to Davena, she adds "What about you two? I know nothing of the two of you. From your dress, you are adventurers as well. You mentioned some business in Tenimere..."

Thank you for the compliments, guys. I really appreciate it. I have just been following your examples, so you guys should take the credit.

I am really enjoying this format of role playing. I look forward to lots of great adventures.

Very good. I just wanted to clarify before making my response. My post is up...

Entering the Inn, Aranwen notes the contrast of atmosphere from the streets of Crandel. The streets were quiet and dark, but the Nicked Shill is brightly lit and bustling with activity. However, the din of activity seems to die down as she and her companions enter the room. Conversations stop and heads turn as the common people of Crandel see these strangers arrive. When their gazes settle on Ch'dau, the looks of curiosity turn to outright hostility. The Silver Cat takes it all in stride, seeming not even to notice the looks and comments directed at him.

The patrons' comments get bolder and bolder. The atmosphere at the Inn seems about to erupt in violence, when finally, a large, bearded man steps forth and quiets the crowd. Aranwen assumes this man is the owner of the Nicked Shill. He commands an air of respect from the patrons, especially when he reaches behind the bar and picks up a nasty looking cudgel, which he casually leans against, suggesting that his prowess is known by all. Suprisingly, he seems to know a good deal about the Kazari, and is not afraid to treat him as he would any other customer.

Soon enough, conversation picks back up around the room, though people seem to alternate between outright staring at Ch'dau and the party or pointedly ignoring them.

At the innkeeper's request, a young maid greets the party warmly, and directs them to one of the few open spots - which is in a corner table unoccupied by locals. "Welcome to our inn, travelers," she speaks in an accent very similar to the gate guard's. She proceeds to tell the party about the food and drink available to them. Aranwen orders some of the fall wine which she mentioned, along with some good bread and cheese. After taking the orders from the rest of the party, she leaves.

Looking around, Aranwen notices the two other travelers seated at the table. Both are humans, one is a man dressed in leather armor and a brown cloak, wearing a sword at his belt, the other is an attractive blonde woman dressed in form fitting black clothing under a purple cloak, a broad-bladed knife in her belt and a silver pendant at her throat.

The man's eyes narrow as the party sits, his hand drifting closer to the handle of his blade, though he seems to relax after a few moments, nodding in the party's direction. He sits easily, though his eyes remain watchful, sweeping the room for signs of trouble.

The woman, on the other hand, looks at the party with more interest. While she doesn't truly smile, her expression is not unfriendly. Looking more closely at her face, Aranwen notices that her left cheek bears several silvered scars, one of which begins at the corner of her mouth and ends right next to her blue eye.

The food and drink is brought out to the table, and Aranwen digs in along with the rest of her companions. Though by far it is not the best food she ever tasted, it is a welcome change from the rations and stale water of the road. By this point, the locals seem to have grown more or less bored with the novelty of the party, and conversation around the room appears to be in full swing again.

The woman at the table moves as if to speak a greeting; the man seems about to object, but she silences him with a glare. "Well met, fellow travelers," she speaks politely, her accent leaving no doubt that she is no local. "I do not recall seeing you on the road, so I would think that you did not come from the west. Have you any news from the road to the east?"

Aranwen answers her "Greetings to you as well. Indeed, we have have been traveling the roads to the east. The way has been miserable, the weather as hot and wet as ever I have seen it. The strange mists surrounding us seemed to be playing tricks on the eyes and ears, making us see and hear things that weren't there. However, about 2 hours travel from town, we were beset by a group of undead fiends that were intent on adding us to their numbers. We managed to dispatch them without too much trouble, but it makes us wonder if there are more of those creatures about. Have you had any trouble on the roads to the west?"

The lady at the Inn is asking us about the road to the East of Crandel, assuming we came from that direction. However, at the beginning, it said we were on the road to the southwest of Crandel. Did we come in from the East or West?

Two hours on the road to Crandel, darkness has fallen, and the obscuring mists completely surround the companions as they trudge down the track. The odd sounds and fleeting shadows are abundant. Even the sound of maniacal giggling can be heard, setting Aranwen on edge as they near the town.

Suddenly, a wooden palisade seems to materialize directly in front of the companions. A lone guard stands at the gate, lantern at the ready. "Right, then!" he calls, hand nervously clenching a spear. "Who goes there? State your business!"

Aranwen quickly speaks up "Good sir, we are travelers, weary from the road, and in need of shelter from this god forsaken weather."

(OOC- Aranwen will use her Etiquette skills in dealing with the Guard)

Satisfied with the response, he lowers his spear and examines the group. "Fair enough. Ye may enter the town of Crandel, but cause no trouble.  The road toll is a falchion each..." his gaze fixes on Ch'dau and he pauses and murmurs under his breath.  "Sweet Mother Miellyah..."  The guard swallows nervously.

"The road toll for normal folk is a falchion each.  The beast will pay five falchions, and agree to keep 'is blades in peace knots while inside these walls." He grips the spear tighter.  "Do we understand one another?"

Aranwen moves over to Ch'dau and says "Beast you say? There is no one I would trust with my life more than this beast, as you call him. He is honorable and true. The town is safer because of his presence. However, I would be careful not to trample that honor. He will not forget such transgressions."

Aranwen nods in agreement "That is understandable. Of course, we would never intrude upon your order's sacred ground." Turning back in the direction of his companions, she adds "This may not be an issue at all, since our path is not yet decided. We very well might be parting ways at this point. You will have our decision shortly."

Returning to his companions, Aranwen reports to them what was said "It would seem that the town of Crandel is, or at least was, under no immediate threat from these monster attacks. The pilgrims did not enter the town, but passing by, saw that the palisade was strong, the guards seemed unconcerned, and the merchants outside the walls were operating as normal. The pilgrims would not object to our protection on the road, however they are concerned that we keep our distance from their Holy Shrine."

Looking around at each of her companions, studying their reactions, Aranwen says "I know the mind of a few of you on this matter" she smirks at Ch'dau "Now I would like to know everyone's opinion on the path we should take. Do we accompany the pilgrims as far as they'll have us? Do we head directly to Crandel? Is there another option that we have not yet considered?"

Listening to the pilgrim leader's response, Aranwen is somewhat put at ease. "Thank you, my friend." she says to the pilgrim, "I need to speak with my companions about where our journey will lead us next." After a moment's thought, she adds "If it so happens that our paths align with yours, would you be willing to have us accompany you as far as the Shrine?" 

Listening to the advice and comments from each of her companions, Aranwen is unsure of what to do. Just like the weather, the proper course they should take is foggy, unclear. Each path is troubled, potentially dangerous. The pilgrims are in desperate need of protection, however, the path ahead of them MAY be relatively safe. The entire town of Crandel may be in danger, possibly fighting for their lives right at this very moment...

Aranwen's face hardens with resolve. "We must inquire of these pilgrims as to the state of Crandel. If they passed through the town recently, they should know if the situation is dire. If Crandel is in danger or overrun by these fiends, or if the pilgrims are unaware of its condition, then we should travel there with all haste."

With that, Aranwen moves off to find the pilgrim leader. She finds him praying over one of his fallen comrades. Waiting respectfully for the pilgrim to finish his prayers, Aranwen then asks "Good sir, if I may inquire of you again, in your travels, did you pass through Crandel? If so, what was the state of things there? Were they under attack from the same creatures we encountered here?"

Thank you, Olan. That gives us something to think about, and discuss.

My character would be in favor or escorting the pilgrims to their shrine. However, he would defer to the needs of the party...

I have a question. Why is the party headed to Crandel?

The reason I ask is that we could consider escorting the pilgrims to their shrine, unless we have an important mission that we are already on...

Thanks Eol. I guess I'm starting to get the hang of it. I'm learning from the best.

After dispatching the last of the zombies, Aranwen takes in the carnage surrounding her. Rotting corpes are strewn about the battlefield, mostly the fallen zombies, but a few of the pilgrim victims are among them. She frowns at the senseless waste of life, wishing she had been faster, holding herself responsible for their deaths.

Aranwen sees Gib helping the surviving pilgrims, and she is satified that the warrior priest has things in hand. Turning her attention to Ch'dau, whose body was rigid from the touch of that laughing fiend, a worried look turns to relief as she sees that the big cat has only sustained a few superficial wounds. And the paralysis seems to be slowly leaving him, as Aranwen notices a slight movement and a growl of effort escape from her friend's lips. Placing a reassuring hand on Ch'dau's shoulder, Aranwen smiles and says "Don't worry, my friend, together we will battle this evil that has come forth. We will find that laughing demon and end him!"

With that, Ch'dau begins freeing himself more and more from the grip of paralysis. Gib, apparently satisfied with the condition of the remaining pilgrims, comes over and says "I realize that these past days have been stale, but, perhaps, in the future, we might at least strategize a little before rushing into battle. Like we did when bringing justice to those bandits? That would be most appreciated."

Ch'dau now moving about more and more, answers “Quite. My apologies, friend Gib. I should have known better.”

Aranwen's face takes on a more serious look "I am sorry, my friend. But there was no time to discuss tactics in this situation!" She points to the three fallen pilgrims near them "As it was, I was not fast enough to save THEM. How many more would lie dead if we had delayed when the time came for action?" The serious look on her face softens as Aranwen sighs and says "But you are right, rushing headlong into danger could have gotten one of us killed. We were lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed." 

Gib begins inspecting the wounds on his companions, cleaning and bandaging them as needed. Then, addressing the pilgrim leader, he asks  "How far is it to your destination, and will you truly be safe there?"  

The bearded pilgrim shakes his head.  "The Shrine is perhaps three days' journey from here.  Will we be safe?  Only the gods can say.  This is good country, the roads under King Jarom's rule have always been safe.  But in these times?  Who can say?  The road ahead must be safer than the road behind us.  All we can do is have faith... and keep moving."

Addressing the pilgrim leader, Aranwen asks "How long has it been since these fiends first started attacking? Have you any idea where they may have come from or what could have provoked these attacks? Perhaps something strange occurred just before the attacks started?"

After the battle, Aranwen will be checking on the status of all the injured party members, and helping the injured pilgrims, keeping an eye out for any returning enemies.

I will be posting in the morning.

Wow! Very nice.

It's all good. I'm having a lot of fun with this so far. This is my first experience with this type of role playing (pbp), so please bear with me.

After listening to the pilgrim leader talk of the "restless ones" and the "laughing ones", Aranwen is empathetic, but still suspicious of these strangers who appeared in our way after the strange mists had set in. I have seen many things in my travels, but none to fit the description of these giggling predators.

As the pilgrims make their way down the road, I hear the faint sound of laughter and at first think I'm imagining it. "It can't be" I mumble, as the first shadows close in on the pilgrim group. 

Without thought, I begin to rush over to the pilgrims, drawing my longsword as I do. I attempt to engage whatever figure is darting among the pilgrims. I put all effort into offense, hoping to dispatch them as quickly as possible, since there are innocents in danger.

Aranwen, ill at ease because of the strange mist and otherwordly feeling, calls for the party to halt. I look at the approaching travelers with distrust. They seem to be moving rather oddly. I try to take a closer look at them to see what is really going on, listening as well for any strange or out of place noises...