Rollohi-ep24-script

 Episode 24: The Slough of Despair

Time of night: beginning of 2nd watch 

Weather: cool, a chill w8nd set in after the storm.  

Do Ingle's directions extend north no but Eryn got some fair ones. 

"Its back on the warhorse and another night ride. But the few visible stars tell me North, and it's three leagues to something larger than a hamlet. I think the village they mentioned is on a crossroad, and it's named Taer-something" 

"Good enough" 

 

Cied and Pod are speaking very quietly to one another but Ingle cocks an ear. Does he follow what they are saying? No but catches the dissatisfied tone. 

His reaction is positive and patient: "It's less than we wanted, but maybe we have been too cocky. Each time we cause harm, there are consequences. But I swear, I do not know why that inquisitor was whipping the crowd up like that" 

"Can't be elped, but oi had me eart set on some foine garments an the loike" - Cied, placidly 

Pod stares vindictively at Ingle's back as the holy warrior rides forward again. If he only had a good dagger and a way of not suffering any consequences... 

 

As the minutes draw on, Cied speaks again: 

"Ere Umbert, we was a-hurryin loike, but seemt ta me, ya put that one great lump of a watcher down, outsoide th guild" 

"Yes Cied I certainly did, he didn't know what hit him" 

"So... four other lads all standin there elpless... were ye not worrit theyd be out fer revenge?" 

Here Pod hushes Cied: "Best not be drawin blood a they cities, pet, humans be right angry about killin even In defense" 

Cied pulls a face but grumbles to silence. 

 

The night is free of harm and free for that matter of any traveler. They begin to feel they are unanchored save for the noise the mounts and pack animals make. Until Eryn, pragmatic, says "I seem not to have eaten for some while. Can we buy something in the next place that seems to have an oven, or a hearth?" 

 

Ingle looks at her curiously. "You're a free agent Eryn. You can buy or not buy to secure your own happiness." 

 

"I meant, rather than going wide of it." 

 

"Oh I see... People! Eryn is hungry for hot food, how about anyone else?" 

 

Kylie raises a hand though she stays mute. 

 

"Jack do you see any light?" 

 

"No not at all, but I'll keep my eyes open up front" 

 

Party order: jack, xantu, kylie, ciedpod and pack beasts, then Umbert and Ingle, finally Eryn. 

 

Is the next settlement with a hot oven (or barbecue) very close? Yes. 

At the stopover, Eryn easily (05 CHA) persuades the old man whose job it is to maintain the hearth to heat what he can. It's surprisingly elaborate, stuffed olive leaves with all kinds of delicious savories. She and Kylie eat well. Eryn adds a second silver coin to the payment. Kylie nods at Eryn as though to say, I owe you. Or maybe just nodding to recall an old saying about fools and money. 

 

"Old timer, any word of danger on the road north?" 

 

"Yes lady, that there is. Apple the trader is making good coin selling salt to cast against evil sprites, who plagued her when she passed by the old slough" 

 

Kylie nods slowly, eyes lifted a little as though imagining what might lie behind that tale. Eryn moves her warhorse over to the others.  

 

"We still have the sack of salt?" 

 

Does Kylie think salt will work against hostile sprites? Yes and makes sure she has a good couple of handsful. 

 

Apple the trader must have a good beat, because the slough is just near Taer Ypt, the crossroad village.  

Although I roll no encounter I think what we have here is a setpiece.  

Are the pixies hostile to all? Yes and can only be driven off, not killed. 

The party is prepped with salt! Does it work? No and we enter melee. 

Range 30 yards. 

Inits characters 3 pixies 2. 

Can the pixies be seen? No and can go back to being invisible  

Round 1 20 pixies move and attack harnesses and saddle buckles.  The mounts require ride rolls. 

Still riding on round 2: eryn, Ingle, ciedpod and Kylie. 

Jack umbert and xantu take 6 4 and 5 damage resp. 

Round 2: pixies begin looting valuables. Salt is flung, but not specially accurately. Here, the –2 is telling. Only three of the eight manage accurate flings.  

Do the pixies flee? ML is only 7, I roll 5. OK they are angry!  

Round 3: 17 pixies are still airborne and attack at d4. Inits: characters win. As the pixies become visible those wielding swords have something of an advantage, meaning Eryn Jack and Kylie. Jack hits even with the –2, so does Kylie, Eryn misses. That's two more out. At disadvantage the daggers, axes or bashing weapons of the others: Ingle misses. Umbert misses. Cied misses, Pod misses, Xantu hits. Total of 14 attacks with d4 dagger-like weapons: only 4 land convincing blows and others lighter stabs for a total of 1 on Eryn, 6 on Ingle, 3 on Jack, 2 on Umbert, 3 on Pod, 1 on Cied, nothing on Kylie and 1 on Xantu. Other hits might get through, 50-50 to see if they attack a light-armored character. \ Health tracks:  

Eryn 3d8+0=12 means she is at 11hp 

Ingle 3d6+1=14 means he is down to 8hp 

 Jack 3d4+1=10 means after the fall and stabs he is down to 1hp (again! Poor Jack) 

Umbert 3d4+0=10 means he is down to 4hp 

Cied 3d6+1=14 means she is down to 13hp 

Pod 3d6+1=10 means he is down to 7hp 

Kylie  3d6+0=13 means she is unwounded  

Xantu 3d8+0=14 means he si down to 8hp. 

 

Round 4: Now, all pixies are left trailing off towards the slough and the characters must decide if they dare brave the slough to seize back their treasure. 

The characters get a "free hit" but still at –2. Those hit earlier by salt can be assumed to have crawled away into hiding. 

Are you kidding? Depriving an adventurer of life is one thing, depriving them of loot is quite another story!  

Who will strip armor and tread lightly over the slough? And in what do the pixies have their lair? We shall see! The characters quickly re-bind cut straps, re-saddle where they need to, and ride to Taer Ypt to heal, hire a sadler, and ready for the revenge mission. 

 

INGLE GETS +3=11 OF 14 

JACK GETS +6=7 of 10 

Umbert gets min so only 6 of 10 – he might need to sit the revenge out! But he's the one with Wand of Paralysis. [does a wand work on pixies? - it did not on a brownie] 

Cied is like Eryn, not needing the Staff 

Pod gets all back, 10 of 10 

Xantu gets 5 back, he is 13 of 14.