11 Taking the Amulet the Trail
The Company has found amulets in Greyhawk and the Tangles. The Company believes the following about the amulets:
- About the Amulet
- the acolytes were never told any information about the amulets, but one of the acolytes was curious and inspected one.
- Fully ensorcelled, the amulets will have the following spells on it (from base to top)
- Hold Likho (Hidden)
- Sense Heal (Hidden)
- Protect from Sense (Hidden)
- Chaos (Confuse) Magic (visible)
- Cure Disease
- The amulets are not fully finished at this point in the chain
- Hold Likho enchanted
- Sense Heal encahnted
- Priests and acolytes pray for the Protect from Sense and Chaos Magic on them
- Tharizdun casts the spells
- Sense Heal is trigger: Use of Heal Disease releases Likho
- Most disturbing is that the amulets started coming through in the Winter of 1209.
- Assuming December 1209 [and excluding March], 15 months x 20 amulets/month = 300 amulets
- Assuming February 1210 [and excluding March], 12 months x 20 amulets/month = 240 amulets
Getting to the Dulsi River [16 May 1211]
Sunrise: 0245Sunset: 2120
- No Greyhawk Events today
It has been three days since the troll encounter on the plains and the Company has only seen one small village that they have had to avoid. Like the others, it was no more than a few temporary shelters grouped around a few small permanent buildings. Other than those few encounters, they have seen no one else. Even the clouds seem to have disappeared. Though a few days ago, the rain threatened them, the clouds have all but disappeared. With the throes of summer on top of them, they can’t help but compare it to the summers of Greyhawk, at least ten to fifteen degrees warmer. However, both Marky and Parnalam tell them that this is almost as warm as it gets. August will bring temperatures that will reach 90 and perhaps even 100, but it is unheard of to get higher than that. Still, the day is a quiet one and the Company has begun to believe that they will cross the barrens without any casualties—a thing that Firena can’t quite believe.
However, they are thinking that a little too soon as becomes evident later that night. The pots and pans are all but cleaned up with Nyra and Meluvia finishing the last of them; Tovish mucking the horses area (as punishment from Drathon); and Firena and Tar having their end of day meeting over a cup of coffee when one of Tar’s dogs’ ears prick up and Tar looks that direction. Quickly, he stands dropping his coffee cup and sends sends out a blanket mental call to the party, “Doo arms! Doo Arms! Fro’ da Souf!” There is confusion in the camp as the message is understood, but within seconds the soldiers have their weapons at the ready and are looking South.
The sight, accompanied by a low sound that can now be heard through the slight wind, is of 40 to 45 goblins riding wargs. They are about 400 meters out, and closing fast. As they get closer, the wind starts to become more of a wind. The good news is that as they form into three long lines, a more precise count is possible. There are fewer than originally estimated, but still 30-35 strong. Tar looks at Miles and asks, “How long?”
Miles:
Good question. If they were horse, a minute, maybe less.
Drathon:
Right. Hanar, get the wagon. Form up in front of it. Cavalry flanks. Archers behind infantry. Leaders on wagon. Plynsen get that damned tarp down.
Hanar:
You heard it, now move! Shasivin, Cust move that damn wagon. I don’t care that your gods-be-damned silverware isn’t stowed, Shasivin, move your ass! Benito, Tovish what are you two doing? Take your hands out of your pockets and pull the damned wagon.
Tar:
Cifilians, unner da wago’, whe’ iss in place!
Firena:
Oh, for the god’s sake, Yalinari will you look alive and do something useful! Get out you’re daggers and stop fingering that damned feathered thing.
Drathon:
Archers prepare arrows. Let fly when you have the shot!
Miles:
Alonso, Gustuv—left flank. Marky right flank. Orvin next to me.
Dreune:
Morven, Nyra, get prepared. Korkyn, Plynsen, protect yourself under the wagon.
Nyra:
Here’s my thought. Starting with one or more spirits. Once I’ve asked them for their services, I can set to with the bow. When they get close, my mace is better.
Dreune:
Nyra…you know what’s best for you, Morven, confiscate their weapons when they get to about 8 meters ahead of you. I’ll be doing some transforming.
Nyra:
Korkyn find out if there’s anything astral!
She then starts her chanting as Korkyn closes his eyes and gazes out onto the field.
Korkyn:
By the gods, they’ve assembled a force. I count at least 6 spirits bearing down on us!
Nyra:
Damn, damn damn.
She continues conjuring and shortly there are three hulks of dirt that form like smaller forms of what the Company saw before.
Dreune:
Aw…this could only be worse if it were raining. Nyra, should Morven and I be Astral to deal with those…things?!
Nyra (to Dreune):
This isn’t good. These spirits won’t last long, but hopefully, they’ll pare down the group. (To Korkyn) Identify them.
Korkyn:
It’s a mix. Three , um, how do you call them, Sky spirits and three of the Earth. All coming this way!
Nyra (to her spirits):
Go, kill them!
Dreune:
Nyra…Morven and I still need some direction here. Kinda determines the outcome of the group.
The three globes of dirt disappear beneath the ground.
Nyra:
Huh? What? Ummm …. We’re too slow going astral. Sky Spirits are almost impervious to our weapons. On the other hand, they can’t affect us all that well either. Let’s wait and see what the Eostre do.
Dreune:
Just tell Morven what to do about it when you finally figure it out. I’ll only hinder you astrally. (to Morven) Wait for directions from Nyra.
Korkyn’s elvish eyes watch as the three earth spirits form up and head toward the six opposing spirits. The three air spirits have taken up a spot about 5 meters before the goblins, while the three earth spirits move to intercept Nyra’s spirits. The battle is intense as the three pair off and the sounds of battle can be heard from Korkyn’s spot. Though two of Nyra’s spirits are locked in a deadly embrace with their opponents, one of the opposition has gained the upper hand and has landed a telling blow to the side of the third spirit. It isn’t long before it is able to beat that one into submission. The victor glances to its left at the two wrestling for position, and can see that one of its confederates is losing the battle against one of Nyra’s tenacious spirits.
It launches itself at Nyra’s spirit, knocking it off its opponent, but not before it deals a heavy blow onto its own opponent. The spirits stand, one heaving heavily, its life force all but gone. Nyra’s spirit attacks again and is able to overcome its opponent just before being hit hard by the interloper. Ferociously it attacks the creature, but the two are pitted equally and neither can gain an advantage. Neither spirit can see the other battle, which still involves two spirits locked together in an even match, although Nyra’s spirit’s energy has started to wane. Somehow, however, it understands the peril that its conjurer will be in if it loses and summons some extra courage from somewhere. Savagely it fights back and soon it is standing over the slowly fading body of its enemy.
It glances over at its friend, which is still locked up with its opponent. Fortunately for Nyra’s spirits, it is able to attack the lone attacker without being seen and is able to weaken it sufficiently for the other to land the killing blow. Breathing heavily, if one can actually say that spirits breathe, they stand proudly—just in time to be tackled by the two air spirits. It doesn’t take long for the two untested spirits to kill Nyra’s last two spirits.
As that battle is raging unseen by most on the field, Ladbrooke and Shasivin are readying arrows. When they are at Ladbrooke’s extreme range he fires his first shot. His arrow rockets into the sky and hits its apex and starts to come down. He knocks another and lets this one fly. As this one flies, the people watching can see the first arrow start to wobble and soon the arrow is caught into an updraft and falls harmlessly away. The second arrow does the same as Shasivin looses his first arrow.
Nyra:
The spirits have expired. However, they took with them the other Eostre and one Taranis. There are two of them left, though.
Dreune:
Options?
Drathon [to the archers]:
Cease fire—for now. Try again at long range.
Druene is still unanswered from Nyra…he hopes that this will not become a trend in battle. Nyra, saddened by the deaths and at a loss to figure out what to do next replies, growling:
When I think of one, I’ll let you know!
William:
With those winds, I don’t think it will matter. At the end of its flight the arrow is nearly at its fastest.
Drathon:
Best guess. When you can get enough speed behind it, fire at will.
Dreune:
I’m assuming that you’re not powerful enough to take care of them yourself? What about conjuring more spirits?
Nyra:
I already have. I have nothing left!
Dreune:
Damn.
Still the goblins on their worgs continue to come closer. 250 meters, 230 meters, 210 meters…
Dreune:
Nyra, will they nullify my spell?
Nyra:
They’ll try. They can’t keep up the winds and attack the spell though.
Still, they get closer. 190 meters
Drathon:
Dreune, piece of advice. Battlefield’s the place for orders. Not conversations.
Dreune:
Hard to give specific orders on you only know the begins of. I see your point though. I’ve been trying to learn astral for a while. They’ll be dealt with…I hope! (to Nyra) Get your mace ready. Morven, confiscate the weapons when they get close
Nyra (Nearly yelling):
I have nothing. I don’t know how to get rid of them! ... Wait! maybe this will work. If I can’t overpower them, maybe I can outnumber them.
Morven nods, but Nyra starts to dig in the dirt and makes eight little mounds and then starts to chant. Dreune can swear that he can see the ground roll, much like when one sees heat rising from the ground on a summer’s day. Nyra can see the disembodied spirits form around the mounds. First one greets her and agrees to help her, as does the second and third. The fourth, however, refuses her and leaves. Nyra can feel herself weaken and realizes that she is on the brink of exhaustion. Besides, she’s running out of time! She summons one last spirit, who agrees to help. Well, OK, four on three. let’s see what happens!
Drathon:
Dreune, we need those wind spirits gone. They’re stopping our archers. Do something fast.
Dreune to Drathon:
Nyra’s trying something. I’d get the archers ready.
Drathon grimly:
You have one shot. Then the archers become infantry.
Dreune:
That’s all anyone from magic will ever need. Nyra will pull it off.
Nyra watches are her four spiritlings scamper off toward the three larger spirits, one of which keeps up the nearly invisible cyclone moving in front the horde. Those on the ground can start to hear the roaring of the winds and they are starting to get edgy. Drathon intercedes at this point:
Infantry, Cavalry, hold the line. No one charges without my say so!
Nyra’s spirits, unaffected by the winds, clamber onto the two much larger spirits opposing them. One swats a spiritling which dissipates quickly. Nyra groans and wonders what will happen. Even though they are larger, Sky spirits are less prone to stick with any one thing long, while the Prairie Spirits live for nothing else but being obstinate and it isn’t long before the three remaining spirits overwhelm the two larger sky spirits. Clearly happy, Nyra’s three spirits run toward the center of the whirling cloud of air.
The cyclone of air stops moving as the Spirit prepares to defend itself. Nyra can tell that her overeager spirits will win, but the victory will be short lived. She can see the astral turbulence of more spirit being pulled into existance. She hopes that it will give them enough time and focuses her attention on the battle field. The worgs are a mere 90 meters off when Nyra yells, “Now, fire!”
Dreune:
Clever woman!
Drathon:
All archers, fire!
Ladbrook, Nyra, William, Edmund, and Shasivin all fire, but without direction they each aim at the worg in front of them. Drathon shouts at them to concentrate fire and Edmund points out the lead worg at the tip of the cavalry line. Once again five bows twang and the arrows find their mark.
Drathon:
Fire in rotation, change targets as necessary.
Ladbrook, the last of the five to hit his target, fells the first worg, causing it to fall, dumping its rider. The arrows continue to fly and worgs continue to fall. By the time they are in Dreune’s range, three more worgs are down, felled by Shasivin, Nyra, and Edmund’s bows. Only William has not scored a kill yet.
At twenty meters, Dreune yells:
Almost in range, Morven. Let’s make this ugly.
The mages jump into action, Dreune blowing on a chunk of dirt in his hand as he throws it before him. Morven makes a reaching motion with one hand and starts to chant:
Sword and Cane, Dagger and Bow. All weapons around, Fly and begone!
As she yells “begone”, she waves her hand with a flourish and flings it behind her. To the Company’s horror the goblins’ spears come flying out of their hands toward the Company. As many are starting to drop behind shields, the spears fall to the ground near Morven’s feet. Meanwhile, the ground under the goblins starts to waver and become red. Grass starts to wilt and catch fire. Within milliseconds a large 17 by 12 meter area of formerly hard-packed earth is now semi-solid magma. Instantly, 9 worgs rear up in pain and the heat starts to burn the pads off their feet, but the rest keep going.
Drathon:
Infantry, cavalry, prepare to defend! Archers continue firing!
The archers continue to fire. The attack, however, is much less effective than it was as they are forced to fire on different worgs. Suddenly, about half of the remaining worgs yelp in fear and start to turn around, panic in their eyes. Three, soon to be six, soon to be eight worgs are on top of the Company. Miles orders the cavalry up to wall them off from attempting a flanking maneuver, while Drathon orders the infantry up into the gap. The archers continue firing towards the enemies in the center as the hand-to-hand battle begins.
At first contact, worgs leap for the throats of both Alonso and Marky’s mounts. Bearing down on their horses, throats, the mounts fall to the ground throwing their riders to the ground as well. By that time, Miles has killed one of the worgs, forcing his opponent to the ground. More arrows fly and more yelps of pain can be heard. More worgs bearing goblins bear down on the Company and thigns are beginning to look bad. Things get worse when William calls out that he has no shot, the infantry are in his way.
Drathon curses himself and wonders why he didn’t put the archers in the wagon and the leadership on horseback. Edmund acknowledges William’s plight and orders the archers to fall back to the wagon. Drathon repeats the order and looks toward Firena and Tar:
The right side. We may be overwhelmed. We need you’re swords.
The pair nod and start running to the right flank; Tar more slowly than Firena. As the infantry prepare to defend, a worg latches leaps toward Gustuv’s horse. He kicks the horse into a quicker run and the worg must be satisfied with a full rump instead of a weak and vulnerable throat. This move cause the top of the worg’s head to be fully visible to William, who makes the most of it. His arrow pierces the eye of the worg, who falls dead to the ground.
On the right flank, Orvin is mounted attacking an unhorsed goblin who is cowering behind his large shield. He has little luck and Miles glances to see what is occuring in front of him. He smiles as he sees the worgs in front of him fleeing to his right. As he follows that direction he can see four worgs bearing down from the right and another two goblins on the ground. His smile fades as he realizes that they will overwhelm the small force. He has to assume that Gustuv and Alonso have the left flank covered and turns to circle Orvin.
Suddenly, he hears a cheer from behind him, but he cannot turn and look to see what is going on behind him. had he done, so he would have seen Morven beaming. As Hanar, Tovish, Alonso (unhorsed), and Nyra prepare for three more worgs bearing down on them, they hear a shrill whistle of many sling stone flying over their head at a great deal of speed. Three stones hit two worgs in the head, while another three stones hit their riders in the head. All four crumple to the ground. At nearly the same time Edmund’s arrow finds the thoat of the last worg. Where there were four worgs seconds ago, there are none. Where there where four goblins, there are now two. it doesn’t take Hanar long to dispatch one, while Edmund takes the other out with his bow.
As quick as the attack occured, the left flank has noone attacking it. One lone goblin is still running towards the Company, but the look on his face is priceless. If the lava field wasn’t enough, his enemy has just killed 7 of his friends in less time that it takes to breath. This is no enemy that he wants to stand against. Meanwhile, Ladbrooke and Dreune fire their arrows. Ladbrooke killing the animal attempting to take down Orvin’s horse, while Dreune unseats another goblin.
By this time Firena and Cust are almost in position on the right flank and Orvin is still hammering away at the gblin’s shield. Facing them will be a worg and the goblin that Dreune unhorsed. Though, they probably can take the Goblin out, tar siezes the opportunity to control what he can. He reaches out to the Goblin’s mind and pushes the thought of the lava flaming up and him caught in it burning. The goblin decides that this is not where he wants to be and starts to back up.
Miles has finally made the turn around Orvin and shakes his head at the lad’s attempts to kill the Goblin. He plants the lance and sends the horse into a run. Of course, the horse can’t accelerate that fast with such a tight turn, but Miles can see another worg bearing down on his exposed left flank. He wants some speed to get past the worg so he can turn and rush in from the side. But first, there are some matters to deal with. His lance, expertly aimed beneath the upheld shield of the goblin pierces the small creature’s body. Unfortunantly, his lance is now in the goblin. No matter, he drops the lance and reaches for his sword. Before him is an unhorsed Goblin for him to run down.
As Miles’ horse spurs forward to the standing goblin, the goblin riding down Miles has a clear view of the battleground from the flank. Of the ten or so worgs and goblins that have contacted the enemy, only one remains in comabt and if the cavalrymen itnent on him has any say, there will be none left in combat. He decides that this battle is not one in which he wants to participate anymore. As he begins to turn his worg and follow two of his fellow goblins already fleeing the field, he can hear his commander calling for them to retreat.
Seeing this action, Drathon calls for the Company to continue to fire at those fleeing, whilst his Captain proceeds to cause the goblin that he is pushing thoughts too to lay down his arms. Grinning inwardly, he knows that this will do him little good in the end, but the Company may be able to find somehting out from them. Firena looks around to see the extent of the Company’s injuries. Pleased, she see’s only Orvin sporting any injuries. Two horses lay still on the field, while teo more, Gustuv and Orvin’s, have significant damage done to their hindquarters.
As the twang of arrows continues, Tar surveys the field and decides that there is little to gain wasting arrows and sling stones and calls for his Company to cease fire. Drathon looks askance at him, but repeats the order as does Edmund. In that time, Miles has killed one goblin, William 1 worg, Edmund 2 worgs, Shasivin 1 worg, and Morven 1 worg and 1 goblin. The final toll is as follows:
- 20 Dead worgs;
- 11 dead goblins;
- 2 worgs still on the field, crawling away;
- 2 goblins limping away; and
- 1 goblin surrendering.
Tar then calls for the goblins to be brought to him for questioning and the rest of the worgs to be dispatched. Drathon nods and calls for Miles. Miles smiles and tells Alonso and Marky to mount up. He looks over at Orvin, about to say something to him when he notices the young man off his horse and starting to tend to the horses wounds as best he can, a tear falling down his face. Miles contents himself watching the boy and looks over at Gustuv, similiarly treating him animal. He then leans down and tells Orvin to see him when he is done. Nodding his agreement, Orvin continues to calm the horse.
While Miles heads out onto the plain, Drathon next tells Hanar to collect the goblins and tie them up; the Captain wants to speak to them. Hanar agrees and sends Tovish and Nyra to collect those limping away. Cust gets the one on the ground before Tar.
