Taurba - After Action Report 4

Our group headed out through the desolation once more in search of our acquaintance Gvint and his home village, Trosk. Our journey to the north yielded rewards of the spirit after a few days. We started to experience other living things. The badlands had an end. Quinn informed us what these strange things we encountered were. Grass, plants and trees started sparsely but eventually became commonplace across the landscape.

Our journey was filled with wonder but was uneventful until we came into the vicinity of Trosk. It was here that we made contact with the Chakta, large dark feathered flying creatures. Quinn called them birds. The creatures greeted us with their voices projected into our minds! This was a most amazing and also disconcerting experience. We traded food with the birds for information about the area. They were very helpful and provided confirmation that we were on the correct path to reach Trosk.

On the outskirts of Trosk proper, we encountered a garden with an open-air structure. The place was clearly marked with the trappings of the Passion Jasprey. Words of welcome in every language greeted us. There was fresh food and water. We decided to partake and wait for the villagers to make contact.

We did not wait long before a contingent from the village came to meet us. There were six villagers; 3 dwarves, an elf, a t’skrang and a human. Their leader, a dwarf named Harvel greeted us on behalf of Trosk. We returned their greeting with thanks and asked after our friend Gvint. We were informed that he was not currently present and were invited into the village.

We were introduced to the other members of the greeting party. They were Tamvir, a female dwarf, Janair, a female human, and Terranius, a male elf. They were all residents of the village and followers of Jasprey. The remaining members of the party were K’Ryndar, a male T’skrang, representing House K'tenshin and Comnar, a male dwarf, who was a trader from the kingdom of Throal. Both had business interests in the village.

Trosk was a puzzlement to me. It appeared to be a peaceful community positioned on the Serpent River. Lush fields with crops and livestock surrounded the village and a grove of trees. Nowhere to be seen were defensive fortifications nor signs of a guard or militia. Our group was invited to explore the fruits of the town and we were invited to a gathering and meal later in the day. We each took the opportunity to explore as our sensibilities dictated.

At the meeting, we dined and were welcomed again. This provided the opportunity to get to know the people better. We learned that Terranius was from the Theran Empire and he was a believer in slavery. He is a follower of Jaspree but is not well liked by many. Comnar is interested in opening trade with Kaer Uqbar. We had some initial conversations but did not come to a definitive agreement.

We were informed that Gvint had a dream of portent about espagra, a sort of flying lizard, and he left to investigate. He was believed to have traveled to another town called Safeway. It was located to the northwest on the other side of the Serpent River. Our arrival was seen as a sign by the village elders and they agreed that we should be sent to help Gvint. We would travel to Safeway to help him complete his task. Preparations were made. Comnar agreed to take us up river in his ship to another town called Portage from which we could travel on foot to Safeway.

After the meeting, a place was made for us to spend the night. The village elders moved the very trees to form a shelter for us to sleep within. The mighty plants moved into a circle and formed a wall with their trunks and a roof with a canopy of branches. The shelter was sound and should have been comforting but it seemed more like a cage. It was them that I understood how the defenses of Trosk were effected; the magic of the elders and the power of Jaspree.

Minis for the Rest

Possible Taurba Mini

What do you all think? Should I get a custom mini for Taurba? My biggest hesitation is the cost. This one would be $30.

Taurba - After Action Report - Supplemental 3

The journey home was thankfully uneventful. The growing sense of dread which had built up as we traveled immediately lessened when we found the kaer whole and unbreeched.

After performing the greeting ritual, we reported in and delivered our detailed reports to the Heresiarch, Melancha and Mir. We told them of our mission and specifically discussed in detail the message from the horror, directed at the Heresiarch. We asked who they thought “the boy” was and provided our suspicions that “the boy” was in fact Anneal FarTraveller. No consensus was reached.

[Redacted]

We did not feel that we received satisfactory answers during our report and collectively grew suspicious. The threat of the horror was serious business and we felt that it was our duty to get to the bottom of things; especially if it might help protect the kaer.

After the meeting, we given some down time which we put it to use investigating mysteries. We started by tracking down Anneal. We found him drinking orkish rotgut. The boy has fortitude but I fear he is not quite right in the head. He truly believes he is an ork and does his best to be the best one that ever lived. He also believes that his late father, William FarTraveller, was a great man and that he was murdered. Other than his belief in foul play and a conspiracy, Anneal was unable to provide any real details.

To continue the investigation, we decided to splint up. I decided to ask around the barracks and talk with my mentor, Tamesna, about the death of William FarTraveller. All I learned was that he had been killed in a training exercise and that any further detailed records would be housed at the library.

Quinn and Cetharel went to talk to P'shel Blirgroth, Anneal’s “mother”. Once we started to question things, it was obvious that the ork woman could not possibly be Anneal’s birth mother. Since we never got a straight answer from Anneal, we figured that the best way to get information was to talk As I understand it, the direct approach did not go well and Cetharel is lucky to still have arms.

Ermin and Oren went to the library to see what else we could learn of Anneal’s parentage. Mir did gave some more insight into the situation surrounding Anneal’s situation. He confirmed that Anneal was adopted after his mother, Bethany FarTraveller died, in child birth and his father remarried P'shel Blirgroth.

Collectively, we finally had a conversation with Melancha. With the promise that we would let the issue alone, she helped to fill in more details regarding the death of William FarTraveller. It appears that Anneal was not completely wrong. There is some sort of cover-up regarding the incident. It was made clear to us that there was some sort of personal drama between William FarTraveller and the Telemses Longspear. It  concerned an accusation that William had an affair with Telemeses’ wife, Mamour. It seems that there was a confrontation between the two which lead to a fall from the defense works and FarTraveller’s death. There may or may not have been some indiscretion but it did not sound like murder. The incident was labeled a training accident to preserve the reputations of all involved.

We will keep our word and remain silent but I think the situation bears monitoring as it seems to play into the machinations of the horror. I suspect that the Heresiarch knows more than he is willing to say and I fear that Anneal may do something foolish that could put the kaer in danger.

[/Redacted]

After being unable to find anything useful at the library, Ermin took the magic daggers found in the graveyard to Cotonou the Weaponsmith. The troll was able to use item history to discern secrets regarding the items and identified them as Dalis’ Daggers: Izzy and Derech. Each is a magic weapon in its own right but apparently together the daggers grant the wielder a synergy of powers. Ermin has decided to bond to these weapons. It is good to see that he is flexible and can embrace other fighting styles other than the “Dragon Tornado Style” that he is constantly extolling.

As before, we gave our report of our last mission to the gather populace. It was not a happy tale but it gave hope in the fact that we had experienced hardship and continued to persevere. After our tale was done, in a solemn ceremony, before the statue of Ouro Preto, the Heresiarch announced the addition of the names of Urmann Bey and Vivake Mandal to the Wall of Honor.

We were given another few days for down time and preparations. After being unable to find any leads regarding possible nearby kaers or other places the hoor might be hiding, iIt was decided that our group would seek out Gvint in the village of Trosk. Our hope was that the Purifier would be able to help us locate and put an end to whatever afflicts the badlands. At the very least, the Obsidiman might be able to help us locate the horror that has recently plagued us and provide a chance to rescue or put to rest our missing companions.

Before setting out, the Heresiarch made another surprising and exciting announcement. Based upon the explorations of the world by groups 1 through 4 so far, it was decided that the kaer would be officially opened. Works would begin immediately to build fortifications and plant crops upon the surface. Soon Uqbar would be ready in mass to meet the world. Our mission expanded to become ambassadors for the kaer in addition to seeking to vanquish dangers in the surrounding area.

Before we said our farewells, the Heresiarch revealed one last, humbling surprise. He presented me with the first Ouro Preto Combat Medal of Valor. I was shocked and honored beyond words. I am not sure that I am deserving of such honors and praise but I will do all in my power to try to live to the standard that this trust represents.

Updates made

I have posted all the current character sheets that I have received. I believe I am only missing the 3rd circle version of Oren.

I am working on multiple Taurba journal updates (likely 3). I expect to get those posted before our next session. If all goes well, I will get caught up to where we are now.

Painful Noise

Added a link for the Graveyard Discussion Audio file uder the Useful Links - https://sites.google.com/site/zombiehomepage/Home/jon-s-earthdawn-game/Graveyard%20discussion.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

Taurba - After Action Report 3

We traveled from the Kaer to the site of Uqbar City. Following the path laid out by group 2, we arrived at our destination in about a day’s travel.

The remains of Uqbar City were not much to look at. Bones of countless name givers surrounded the bones of the city. The tent, gear and cart left by group were found where they said they would be. No signs of Urmann Bey or Guarani were at first found. We searched the city for signs of the missing members of groups 2 and 3. This search was successful in another way. We located a hidden chamber under one of the ruined buildings in the northwest section of the city.

Within we found a refuge that could be used as a shelter. We also found the long dead remains of a name giver. Cetharel experienced its death. He died in defense of the city gently succumbing to his wounds within the shelter.

We also examined the central well. Oren and Ermin physically traveled the shaft and I scanned it with my vision. Nothing was found.

Cetharel was examining the area with astral sight when she noticed beings standing sentry by the entrance of the former keep. We approached and discovered these beings to be elf-like but something was wrong. We tried to talk but the creatures did not respond. As we drew closer, I could see Urmann Bey kneeling within the building. I cut down the first sentry with my axe. It fell easily. Erin attacked the other with a similar result. I rushed forward to attempt to rescue our companion but found that there were more of the creatures within.

To our horror, it appeared that the creatures were only faking their disablement. The ones that were felled jumped up and attacked with claws. The ones within the keep attacked with foul magics. I was knocked from my feet and suffered great injury. Ermin and Cethreal were pressed at the door and Oren was pinned down upon the roof. Quinn raced forward from the central well at the sounds of battle.

I fought my way back out to my companions. I drank my healing potion and retreated to the group. Not fooled again by their false death tactics, we killed the two at the entry and the two that I engaged within. We took what shelter we could against the keep walls. More of the creatures exited the structure and we cut them down. Ermin fell to injury but we managed to hold off the enemy. Once we had killed 7 of their number, the remaining 3 creatures ran away. We did not give chase.

We went immediately to the aid of Urmann Bey but it was too late. The dwarf unfortunately was possessed by the same horror that had recently attacked the Kaer. The thing spoke to us through our former comrade.

“One hundred plus forty eight.  I counted each one as they died.  I had to count fast.

The old man didn't send the boy.  Maybe he's worried someone's closing in on the truth. 

There are still six left.  Three orks, a human, a troll and a dwarf.  Follow the stone road south to find the dwarf.  I promise to return some of them...alive.  Trust me...have I ever lied to you?  All I say will come true.

I cannot smell my servants.  I hope you caused them pain...

Remind the old man of what I said in the cave.  Follow the road south, no more than a day, I reckon, but hard to tell, the weak move so slow.

When you go back to the kaer, do not stay too long.  I do not want you there when it happens.  You must be alive to see...an artist needs an audience.  But - this would not have happened if the old man had told you the truth.  It is all his fault.  Good-bye, for now."

With the last, the body collapsed and moved no more. We removed its head.

The remains of the elf-like monsters were gathered. We burned them all. For Urmann Bey, Cetharel performed the embalming and we said some words about our fellow name giver.

We rested for the remainder of the day and the next before heading south along the Imperial Highway. Along the road we encountered what Cetharel called a cemetery. It was a large plot of land marked with stones protruding vertically from the earth. Cetharel explained that this was a place of the dead. Apparently the ancestors choose to bury their dead rather than burn them.

Upon approach, we spotted a robed figure standing at the outskirts of this cemetery. Its back was turned to us and it did not respond to our greetings. It gave off no heat to my vision but it moved slightly so I knew it was not a statue. The group approached within close distance but still received no answer.

After that, all I can recall is pain. Never-ending pain. It is not clear how long we were tortured by the thing but it could have been lifetimes. Apparently the creature released Ermin before the rest of the group. They spoke about the T'skrang. The creature also gave him two daggers excavated from the ground, from a grave of one of the ancestors. It then left and released the rest of us from the agony.

Once we had recovered our senses, it was clear that no real physical harm had been inflicted. It had just been pain. The psychic scars would take longer than the body to recover.

We investigated the grave to see if we could learn anything further. The hole contained the skeleton of a human woman. Cetharel used a spell to experience the creature’s death. She learned that the warrior had died fighting near Uqbar City. She wielded one of these daggers. Another, a male human fought nearby and also wielded one of the weapons.

We continued our journey south and eventually came to the Imperial monument, Attar’s Gate. It was with dread that we approached. A grim sight was before us. Stretched between the massive arch was the remains of Vivake Mandal. The dwarf had been skinned alive and suspended upside down by stretched limbs. One eye was dangling from the socket. The body was affixed to the stone by daggers. Papers, pages from a book, were painted with a message written in blood. It said “Pain and Blood will bond our Patterns”.

The inscription upon the arch left by the original builders read “Attar defeated Talwor the Bastard at this place - 114. The Empire hence bestowed peace upon this region.”

I brought down the remains of Vivake Mandal. Cetharel again performed her solemn duty. It is worrisome how frequent it has been needed and how familiar we have all become with this ritual. We burned the body and the bloody papers.

We searched the area for any signs of the horror or our lost companions. The investigation took an entire day. We were unable to locate any clues on where to proceed. We will be heading back to Kaer Uqbar to seek additional information and orders. May the Passions have mercy on the missing. A clean death is the best that we can hope for at this point.