SESSION 286: What’s the News in Newville? (Season’s Beatings Pt. 1)
Winter comes out swinging and we have to go for a hike.
Continued from Session 276
Day 236 – 240 (Helix): They awoke to a fresh blanket of snow and Mother Nature was far from done. The heavy snow would last for five days before respite. The treasure hunters were a little disappointed but saner folk would have hunkered down for the season. So the gang more or less spent the time lounging about the Brazen Strumpet as Jack Frost raged outside. Bollo the barkeeper was happy to have them as the weather had exaggerated the new quieter norm caused by the defeat of Barrowmaze. On the eve of the third day Muzzah rolled in demanding drink and a service from our mob.
“You! Favour mooches keep my glass full and heed my words. This early storm has created a headache that you are going to resolve. You are at least partially to blame anyhow. With the coming of Winter Solstice I send supplies to my friends in Newville, a small mostly halfling village residing under the shadow of Mount Strumpet about four days to the north of us. I can see Billworth asleep in the corner so the Silver Standard Merchant Caravan are out to lunch and you are Osen’s only occupants of the merc guild barracks…So you will conduct the delivery and check-in errand and you will depart as soon as this storm breaks. Here take this cookie compass. The single chip always points at Newville. No I am not going to field any questions.Now get me another drink”.
The sagely wizard did not leave an opening for negotiation so our mooks just rolled with it, “Sure Muzzah whatever you need” came from our usually looking for something for nothing green cleric.
“Another drink and a bowl of Bollo’s Winter gruel”, was Muzzuh’s retort.
The thick blanket of snow now exceeded two feet in depth and was still going strong. They would be walking to their destination. Bunny an Carla had ideas about strange implements to ease the travel. How these thoughts came to be we cannot say but they earned more than a few scoffs and gaffahs.
Day 241 – 246 (Helix-Wilds): ..And on the sixth day the weather grabbed a break. The clouds were no longer dumping just a constant light snow. The storm however would return. Hopefully not before the gang had completed their errand for Muzzah. The sage had a stack of goods outside his tower with a note to deliver and not bother him. Bunny opened up the portable hole and Charles, Dolec and Lester loaded in the assortment of barrels of wine, cheese wheels and salted meats. The trek northish began.
This could have taken four days but distractions arose with greater frequency the deeper into the pine wilds.
They made good time for the first three days and then the distractions started kicking into gear.
Late morning of the third day a giant owl quietly watched the hobos pass by. It wasn’t until Saff absent mindedly flew past the strigiform turned her head and freaked out was the giant revealed. Saff divebombed into the folds of Bunny’s heavy winter hood. The owl quietly watched amused, curious or something else it was hard to tell. Carla called forth the ability to speak with animals and began hooting at the raptor. It seemed that the owl was trying to get some sleep after a successful evening hunt but our travellers were nothing but a source of racket. The cleric apologized and then was able to pull some information from the bird before its curiosity held back its rest. A hunting party of hyena-men were moving west across the forest, a cave bear was oddly active and no giants had been seen so far this season. After this the topic of conversation was not enough to stave off sleep. The owl hacked up a large pellet of fur and bone and closed its eyes. They pressed on.
On the fourth day the team intersected the gnoll tracks now partially filled with snow. A prolonged period of deliberation occurred. For some reason Bunny seemed to be channelling Ding-We and saying very Hop-A-Long type things like “We must follow the tracks and eradicate the gnolls” even if tracking was not in their wheelhouse and that they were in the middle of running an errand for an irritable sage. Carla did her best to channel their lost friend Lenardo and use the power of ‘Science!’ to assess the freshness of the tracks. She concluded that the tracks were one to three days old. We would not find out, “Maybe we should do the task at hand before trekking across the wilds” was Bimbles input. He was not keen on a wild gnoll chase through the vast wilds especially in-between major Winter storms.
On the morn of the fifth they were ambushed by the cave bear. It was sleeping under a snow drift and was awoken by plodding malcontents. It was hungry, probably always hungry, and brought Lester to the ground nastily opening his neck. Blood began spraying all over the once lovely pure white snow. Saff charmed the beast but could not communicate with it so they agreed to be friends. The bear went straight back to trying to eat a hobo. The fight culminated with a plan to skin the fifteen foot carcass. This wasted the rest of the day. That evening they narrowly avoided having their camp trampled by a herd of mammoths on the long haul away from undesirables to the west. Yup, those damn gnolls again.
Now on to the sixth day, the journey stretched even further in duration. Again the hobos were surprised. This time four humans with very cat-like characteristics sorta just appeared from behind some trees as the mob worked their way through a denser mixed stand of trees. “Mmmm
what do have here my siblings?” came from the female of the group.
“Waaaaaghhh.”, was Bimbles response.
“Little poppets why aren’t you behind closed doors being warmed by the fire. It winter when the wild things roam”. The gang began spilling their guts to these four with feline characteristics. The four struggled with their innate curiosity and present disinterest in our goof troop. It did not take long for the folk to bore of the gabba-gabba. “If you stay in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise”, they began to fall back into the forest. Their voices was all that remained for a few more moments, “If you stay in the woods today, you’d better be in disguise….”.
“They were an odd lot. Wonder what they meant”, came from Charles. We would find out shortly.
The snow picked up and they trudged on with Bimbles making regular complaint about the cold be bad for his skin.
It was not long after lunch when they heard the first howl and then response. Wolves and it sounded like they had encircled us and were kind enough to be tightening the loop and keeping us abreast of it. Then things went quiet. In like the whole forest. Just the sound of frozen branches creaking with the building winds. “No wolf would be foolish enough to attack a band such Metal Warriors as ourselves”, confidently stated Lester. “Ugh. That is the kinda talk that gets us into trouble new guy” was Dolec’s point was he adjusted his hand on the hilt of his blade.
The wolves pondered this for a few minutes before launching their ambush.
Giant canines with stunning white and icy blue coats that perfectly blended into the frozen landscape. Six winter wolves, far more formidable and wicked than a pack of wolves four times their number. Leaping forward they blasted the hobos with freezing breath before they simply began tearing into our mooks with wicked bone crushing jaws.
Bimbles screamed out “Don’t wreck those pelts they are worth stacks of gold! Flats and blunt!”. The blade wielders were bummed by this but the prospect of riches always gets our team on target. The fight was extended in duration due to caution and this resulted in more spilt hobo juice than necessary. One of the wolves escaped and then the rest of the day was spent harvesting three pelts. The trip would once more be delayed. Camp was set.
Even in the cold there are creatures with keen senses able to zero in on a kill from leagues away. This evening it was a giant wolverine.
Wow. What a foul temperament. It came in full of murder. Blasting into the camp messing up everything and then it hit Dolec with a spray of disgusting musk. The fighter was blinded, retching and his clothing was disintegrating. Even though giant and possessed with wickedness the mustelid could not hold against a hobo huddle.
The camp was in ruins and had a god-awful stink to it, so did Dolec. It was the dead of night moving camp any more than fifty or so feet would be a major headache and potentially attract more unwanted attention. Dolec was stripped of most of his (stinking) armour and sent over there as the rest of the gang spent the remainder of the evening over here on the other side of the fire.
Day 247 (Wilds - Newville): The camp stunk and Dolec stank. With a new day the group were not feeling well rested (again). The clouds were getting real thick and real black the storm break would be ending soon. Bunny figured an hour or so after lunch they could get to this Newville if there were no more distractions. She was correct. The great Mount Strumpet stood before them wrapped in Winter’s great black clouds. They came over a rolling hill to see the forested valley under the shadow of Mount Strumpet. A large clearing where the village of Newville sits surrounded by endless banks of twinkling white snow in the light of the winter afternoon. The icy tranquility of what would otherwise be a breathtaking view is marred by thin tendrils of smoke rising from various cottages and buildings that are visible even from this distance. Quickening their pace down the last ridge and into the valley of the village proper- destruction has been visited upon this idyllic rural community. Several corpses lie in bloodstained snowbanks, and the wails of villagers wracked with pain and sorrow break even the snow-muffled silence of winter. Something far worse than a bad fruitcake has been visited upon this winter
wonderland … Before them the eastern fields, a thick blanket of snow pockmarked by blood and dirt covers this long, low valley. Making their way toward the village, they observed small huts that were undoubtedly homes to the farmers who tend these fields in the warm season. Most now lie in ruin. Collapsed houses and crumbled stables are all that remain of most of these simple and welcoming homes. Several humans and halflings are sullenly and futilely dragging the corpses of their fellow villagers from the snow or attempting to repair their broken homes. “To the village don’t look around there is a giant tree. That is where we wanna be! We can’t help the dead”, was Bimbles the Not so Benevolent’s direction. Strangely, there was no dispute. I guess the cold had frozen all their hearts. Into the village.
A massive pine tree covered in candles of bright wax, wrapped in strings of nuts, candied fruits, and lovingly polished apples sits in the center of the tiny village of Newville. It is a forty-foot testament to unwavering holiday cheer crowned with a twinkling silver star. Several News mill about the tree, halfheartedly singing cheerful songs that sound all the more mournful for their attempts. Among the crowd of a dozen or so, one New stood out: A halfling woman with an exceedingly round face, wild golden curls,
and eyes as bright and shining as the winter sky. She trundled up, wiping the tears from her eyes and took a moment to obviously compose herself before putting on a bright and innocent smile. “Lucinda New, Mayor of Newville! Welcome to our village — and merry Wintermass!” holding out a sausage-fingered hand in greeting.
Carla explained that they had been sent by Muzzah to deliver goods, for the solstice celebration and do a wellness check. The consensus on the latter task was – not so good. Lucinda New explained that while the village sang around the Wintermass tree the previous evening a wicked creature known as Orcus-Claws, and his Crueltide Elves visited a tragedy upon their joyous little village. She directed them to come to her house so she could tell the tale over dinner without causing further distress for the locals moping about.
They were about to move along when a small halfling boy on tiny crutches approached, holding out one hand covered in a frayed glove. “Please spare a copper or two good travelers. What with it being Winter Festival and all” came from the wee cripple as he coughed pathetically.
“Gross. Dolec give it a coin!”, Bimbles is nothing but consistent.
“What? I haven’t been paid in months ya lump!”, Dolec was more than a little irritated from the journey for stinking reasons.
Nara stepped up with a couple of gold coins. Where they came from, only Carla’s pouch will ever know. “Oh thank-you. A merry Wintermass to you all”, he then tipped his ragged cap and hobbled away with a weak smile on his face. Lucinda explained that the boy is “Small Sam.” Without shelter or resources and given the current developments in Newville, the boy likely will die of his crippling illness.
“Quick get us to dinner before more villagers come a limping”, Bimbles putting an arm around Lucinda and pushing her towards where he thought her home may be.
The CBB-Team: Carla, Bimbles, Bunny, Saffron, Charles, Dolec, Nara & Lester
ROLECALL
Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 356271 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III
Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm
Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C10) 320506 xp +5% <400001> CRT 1d12/III
+2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)
Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 326064 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V
Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)
Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 233287 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV
Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)
Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)
Missing thirteen teeth
Raul the Voyager (MD9) 272840 xp +10% <360000> CRT 1d12/III
Fezzi-Gig (Neut: XXXX) Sword
Serious wound: permanent loss of CHA -4,
Removed one of his own nostrils.
Boris the Dwarven Lord (D9) 374765 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d20/IV
Serious wound: permanent loss of CHA -3, carved up face
Wound: Bad leg (-5’ MV)
Multiple Injuries: lost 25 teeth (7 remaining), drools a lot CHA -1
Serious Injury: Brain Drain -2 INT
Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)
Ding-We the Peg-Legged Wizard (W10) 515312 xp +10% <620001> CRT 1d10/I
Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)
Bunny the Thief! (T10) 312116 xp <400001> +10% CRT 1d24/II
Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand
Ramrod the Cloned Magsman (T9) 181946 xp +5% <280001> CRT 1d20/II
Serious wound: Bad Back (-1 stone CC)
Scars: Neurological damage to hip, noticeable limp (-5’ mve)
Missing eight teeth talks with a lisp
The Henchmen
Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 198080 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III
Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen
Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts
Sloth the Bopper (L8) 203454 xp +10% <390000> CRT 1d20/IV or 1d6/G (vs. s, m)
Missing ten teeth
Nara the Nearly Naked Purple Swami Girl (PS7) 112609 xp +5% <125000> CRT 1d16/II
Wraith Drained: -1 CON
Biff Bartley the Half-Orc Blackguard (HO7) 102620 <120000> +5% CRT 1d12/II
Sasha Plasha the Warden (R7) 128163 xp +10% <200000> CRT 1d10/III
‘BOB’ the Deadly Shade (N7) 64817 <90000> +5% CRT 1d16/II
Felix Ignatius Hemlock the once skeletal Sleuth (I7) 47017 <80001> +5% CRT 1d16/II
Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 78549 <100001> CRT 1d10/III
Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 86207 <120000> +10% CRT 1d20/IV
Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword
Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON)
Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)
Gurn Hammerhand the Dwarven Swashbuckler (D5) 32851 <36000> +5% CRT 1d12/III
Wendul the Magician (W6) 54599 <80000> 5% CRT 1d8/I
Dolec Da the Hero (F7) 71196 xp +10% <120000> CRT 1d20/IV
Missing five teeth
Camillus the Myrmidon (F6) 57780 <64001> +5% CRT 1d20/IV
Willy the Reformed Burglar (T6) 32987 <40000>10% CRT 1d14/II
Agolloch the Eye of Purity (Lawful; XXXX) Sword
Chung-Li the Myrmidon Warlock (E6) 103411 xp <120000> +10% CRT 1d8/II
Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F6) 37745 <64000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV
Lester Flanders the Guardian of Oceana (P6) 48456 xp <95000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV
Katre Elf-Girl and Swordsman Conjuror (E3) 13040 xp <16000> +0% CRT 1d8/II
Lady Versamage Knight Errant (K6) 62883 xp <85000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV
Herbert the Gnomish Trickster (G3) 12276 xp <12000> +5% CRT XXXX
Skull-Crusher (A3) 5850 xp <6000> +5% CRT XXXX
Brett & Jermaine Kobold Cooks & Eavesdroppers Extraordinaire
RESERVES
Elapsed Campaign Time
(702 b) days at beginning of session
676a (from Session 264) (also applies to recuperation)
Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Eighty-Seven when we ask the questions:
Orcus Claws…..?
Crueltide Elves?
What happened to all the News in Newville?
What ails wee Small Sam?
Did the vandals really take the handles?
Tale of the Tape
After a bunch if mucking about they did reach Newville!
They dodged (navigated?) around calamity with a giant owl, herd of mammoths and a four-pack of strangely feline human(oids).
Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.
Elapsed: 53 days (from A-Team calendar) -INTERRUPTED-
Potion Brewing 42 days (started Day 194): Elapsed 33
KILLS
Cave bear 450
Winter Wolves 2500
Giant Wolverine 450
LOOT
Winter wolf pelts (3) quality good (not great) and well outside urban area therefore 3000 gp per
