Death House

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alhoon
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Death House

Post by alhoon »

Death House, a D&D next Ravenloft adventure by WotC

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It was an almost normal beginning...

The first day of the refugee's caravan travel out of the city of Crownfalls, called Crownhold before the glorious revolution, was mostly uneventful. The caravan, despite having over 15 carriages and with more than 120 refugees most of them old or infirm men, women and children, made good distance and reached a light forest on the banks of Yertegan river.
Towards the afternoon Captain Eshethor, the leader of the caravan and the about twelve guards it comprised of, gave the signal for the vanguard to secure the pre-approved area beyond the river that the caravan would stop. A light fog was spreading its protective blanket, limiting visibility to a few hundred yards.
The spot they would stop for the night laid less than 10 minutes away. At the time kids were playing or sitting atop caravans, mules were tethered close to provision wagons and the guards were alert as the caravan was slowly moving towards its destination.
But there was no illusion of peace. Already in the background the group could hear the thunder of the cannons. The opening stage of the siege of Crownfalls has started, the cannon-fire adding an urgency to the step of the refugees. There have been no complains about the fog, the weather or feet blisters since the cannons started.

The Sanchianados brothers held a special interest in those distant explosions; they've helped uncle Gerfindill design "precision" cannons for the Liberation Council of Crownfalls, based on screws and verniers. The council, not wanting to put untested gnomish gunpowder inventions on the walls, has commissioned three such cannons and hid them on a small hill to hit on approaching enemies as they move to encircle the town.
The brothers knew they would sooner or later listen a bigger explosion when the position of "the gnomers", as the cannons were called, was about to be over-run. The personel manning the cannons held no illusions about their fate, willingly sacrificing themselves for the cause and would not let the gnomers fall in royalist hands.

Van was on duty near the carriage of the captives. The sounds of cannonfire as the monarchists were approaching his home was understandably frustrating the man that has been born in a family fighting against the crown even before the rebellion started. But he would follow orders.

And inside that carriage Vorj and Kimber along with two other captives were waiting, their hands bound. They had nothing else to do. There was a guard, a grim-faced, unshaved rebel clad in hard leather and with a sword in his hands overlooking them. He wasn't answering any questions and didn't allow discussions. The rebels were certainly cocky; they have left the captives in their armor.
Their untidy guard's hostile gaze held no sympathy about them; it was clear what was his opinion about their fate. Yet, for all the unmasked hostility of the guards they haven't misstreated them.
In their first hours of captivity, before the decision to evacuate them was made, a rebel have approached Kimber with a leering smile and grabbed her by the arm. Before the half-elf realized what the human had in mind, before the captives could call for help, the man was yanked suddenly from behind by a big human, she has heard others call him Van, by his hair and armor. As the rebel yelped, Van carried him as easy as if he was carrying a doll and smashed his head, teeth first, on a pole. The man groaned and Van smashed his head on the pole again, and dropped the limp, twiching body on the floor. As other rebels rushed in weapons drawn, Van casually told them "Brethad slipped and hit his head".
A rebel replied "but there are two bloodstains on the pole Van!"
Van shrugged and just said "He fell twice".
Nobody tried to misstreat them since.
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Re: Death House

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Kimber sits in the wagon, listening to the sounds of distant gunfire. Precarious as her current position is, she is not sorry to be missing the siege. She has never actually participated in a siege before, but the tales she has heard of them were not encouraging. She glanced over the wagon interior, avoiding the gaze of the guard. Nothing met her gaze that had not been just the same for the last day, but in the absence of anything else to do but check her surroundings.

She was aware that orders were being shouted, but the wagon walls muffled the details. Still she could guess. Light was failing in the sky and mist was rising: they must be approaching their camping spot. She brightened at the thought of dinner time, as much for the break in monotony as anything else. She leant closer to her dour companion.

"Do you think...?"

A rustle and a glare from the guard causes her to abruptly fall silent, and she resumes gazing at the wagon wall, rolling her eyes.
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Re: Death House

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Van sighs as hearing the canons in distance, royalists are approaching the battle will be brutal.The rebelion has more members now, more people are desperate with the King and his loyals. Van smiles at the thought that if things keep going that way the might have a chance to overthrown the King and have peace again. The fighter is sure that with the rebels in charge the farmers will suffer less and live hapily.

He sees the fog in distance but he doesn't get preoccupied still he leaves his spot for a moment, goes to the caravan leader and asks:

"I'm sorry do you think that might be an ambush in there? I can go and scout ahead if you want, I can get the gnomes with me as well."
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Re: Death House

Post by Ken of Ghastria »

kintire wrote:She brightened at the thought of dinner time, as much for the break in monotony as anything else. She leant closer to her dour companion.

"Do you think...?"

A rustle and a glare from the guard causes her to abruptly fall silent, and she resumes gazing at the wagon wall, rolling her eyes.
"Do I think... what?" says Vorj. "That all will be fine soon? That we'll be fed and well cared for?"

Image

He chuckles - an odd sound, coming from him, like a dog's bark underwater - and he looks over at the guards. "Certainly," he continues, staring at a guard. "I have no doubt. I'm sure our meal has been planned as well as they plan anything around here."
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Re: Death House

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GNORRIC Sanchianados eyes the prisoners in their cages. The ugly little gnome frowns, an expression that deepens the furrows in his root-like, gnarled face.

He seeks out Van.


When he finds the human soldier, he tells him,
"It's not safe to leave those royalists in their armor. If we are attacked, if they escape...You big 'uns do what you think best. Heh. But I say strip 'em."
The gnome chuckles, a ghastly rattle. "I'd tell the Captain, but you are better at talking to people."
Last edited by ewancummins on Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Death House

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ewancummins wrote:Gnorric Sanchianados eyes the prisoners in their cages. The ugly little gnome frowns, an expression that deepens the furrows in his root-like, gnarled face.

He seeks out Van.


When he finds the human soldier, he tells him,
"It's not safe to leave those royalists in their armor. If we are attacked, if they escape...You big 'uns do what you think best. Heh. But I say strip 'em."
The gnome chuckles, a ghastly rattle. "I'd tell the Captain, but you are better at talking to people."

Bhunder follows his brother, having come to the same conclusion. He doesn't like being around people, but nuts it up. "Van" he says half seriously, we could also maybe leave some surprises withj teh prisoners. I can detonaate them if they don't behave,,,, I promise it won't hurt them ...much."
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Re: Death House

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steveflam wrote:
ewancummins wrote:Gnorric Sanchianados eyes the prisoners in their cages. The ugly little gnome frowns, an expression that deepens the furrows in his root-like, gnarled face.

He seeks out Van.


When he finds the human soldier, he tells him,
"It's not safe to leave those royalists in their armor. If we are attacked, if they escape...You big 'uns do what you think best. Heh. But I say strip 'em."
The gnome chuckles, a ghastly rattle. "I'd tell the Captain, but you are better at talking to people."

Bhunder follows his brother, having come to the same conclusion. He doesn't like being around people, but nuts it up. "Van" he says half seriously, we could also maybe leave some surprises withj teh prisoners. I can detonaate them if they don't behave,,,, I promise it won't hurt them ...much."
GNORRIC goes into a fit of cackling at his brother's suggestion.
After he calms down a bit, he rubs his hands and mumbles about "bomb yokes'' and ''needles in the neck."
Last edited by ewancummins on Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

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Re: Death House

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Gnorric goes into a fit of cackling at his brother's suggestion.
After he calms down a bit, he rubs his hands and mumbles about "bomb yokes'' and ''needles in the neck."
"Hee hee. Honestly it wouldn't hurt much. Maybe they need to be tested more." He looks with a smile at Van.
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Re: Death House

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Van smiles at the two gnomes that always have their mind in bombs!

"Guys, guys, they are prisoners! You know my opinion about the royalists! I don't like them even a bit. But the big guy in the wagon has saved my life in past."

Van sighs as recalls the past.

"I don't know if I have told you that but few years ago I was escorting a caravan as usual. We have been ambushed by goblins, these nasty little devils! They are small but canny and when they hit they can deal significant damage. They managed to kill the first guard before we manage to even see them! So I was left alone to fight them. I was surrounded and was fighting badly injured for my life. As a miracle this man in wagon appeared, Vorj. He helped me kill the rest of the goblins and he healed my wounds. I owe him my life. It's too bad that now he is a paladin of a Church that is siding the King."

Van sighs one more time.

"But alas I have to look after him. That's why he is here now and not already killed...I tried to have him ransomed or to change him with our guys that these royals scums have captured. That's why he is in armor, for protection...I cannot be everywhere. You saw what what happened to the half-elf woman before. If I wasn't there she would have been probably raped and maybe even killed...Guards are fools sometime. Anyway I trust Vorj, he will not try to escape he is an honored man."

Pointing the extra sword Van smiles:

"And even if he does I have his weapon."

Turning to Bhunder he says with a smile:

"Don't worry my friend we will have plenty of time to test your bombs! But this time I want to know it beforehand that something will explode! My head is still hurting!"

Pointing at the fog Van gets serious again.

"I don't like this fog, even not so fit someone could have set an ambush there. Do you want to come and check it out? or better way here since we are just 10 minutes away from our camp?"
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Re: Death House

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Kimber glances suspiciously at the guard and lowers her voice to a whisper too low for his ears.

"No, I mean do you think we should be planning our escape? We're out of the city and these guards are all townsmen. If we can get clear of the camp we can lose them in minutes..."

She takes a sidelong glance at the cluster of Gnomes and the guard.

"and did you hear what those Gnomes were saying?"
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Re: Death House

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Before Van chatted with the gnomes
VAN wrote: "I'm sorry do you think that might be an ambush in there? I can go and scout ahead if you want, I can get the gnomes with me as well."
Captain Eshethor turned his gray-haired, scarred face towards Van. "I've already sent Trened and Operdam. They should be back any minute now." he said. Since there were no other people around the captain looked at the big man and whispered. "I need you to keep an eye on the fourth wagon, the one with the provisions, the blankets, candles, rope etc. It's not a coincidence we placed it right behind the prisoner wagon. That way guards could protect it without drawing attention.
Recently, when it became apparent that Crownfalls was exposed to an royalist attack the Liberation council decided to move half the war funds of the treasury to different location. The first quarter has been already shipped out with the previous caravan. Another quarter of the province's warchest Van, is in gold and gems hidden in double bottoms in two of the crates in that wagon."
Eshethor didn't need to say more. Van could guess that they were carrying treasure that could pay for the equipment, feeding and yearly salary of more than fifty men. Treasure worth over 30,000 gold pieces was sitting under blankets.

Back in the present
In the twilight, the gnomes and Van could see the two scouts at the other side of the river, a few hundred yards from them standing next to some bushes. Their forms distorted by the thin mist, they appeared as ghostly siluettes, illuminated by torches. The scouts gave a signal by lowering their torches and moving further appart. Strange signal...

Inside the wagon of the captives, the guard thumped his boot loudly to cut the discussion between Kimber and Vorj as he stood. "You don't like your accomodations milord?" he mocked. He gave a loud call to be heard outside the wagon. "The church lapdog doesn't want his dinner. More for us". Turning back to the captives he pointed a finger to Vorj and said "One more word out of your..."

Captain Eshethor was barking orders to drivers on how to cross the swallow river. "It is not deep and we've spread some gravel to avoid stuck wagon wheels. You'll pass orderly. A guard will guide you..."


and BOOM.
The thunder of two cannons, set and deployed on the other side of the river ended all discussions.

Momentarily there was silence as everyone in the caravan was stunned. It was followed by more than a score shouts "For the King!" coming from the woods around them.
Chaos followed in the caravan. Wails and whimpers were mixed with shouts of alarm. Old men and teenage boys were grabbing whatever tool they could find to defend themselves and their loved ones. Women grabbed kids close to their bossoms and looked for places to hide.

In the captives wagon, Vorj and Kimber were left looking the half of their guard remaining after a cannonball passed right through the wagon, killing the guard and a fellow captive instantly. The guard's sword laid beside their unlucky captor.
As the rest of the caravan errupted in chaos, a metal glimmer caught the light of the dying sun filtering through the thickening mist. Someone threw a knife within reach of Kimber's deft hands. Loyalists were hiding in the caravan...

Captain Eshethor seemed to be one of the few able to react in the confusion. "Stay LOW! Cannons can reap wagons appart!"
And then, as the first wave of the attackers cleared the woods to engage the defenders, another more alarming warning was passed down the caravan amidst the shouts. "Beware for a mage and for traitors!"

It was a warning that made sense.
With the main royalist army engaged more than a day behind the refugees, only magic could cover movement of artillery that far into rebel territory.
As for traitors, the royalists demonstrably knew exactly where the wagon would cross the river, and they knew it long enough to bring two 6-pounders with them. With the main royalist army still engaged more than a day behind them, there was no chance of coincidence that a splinter-group carrying cannons learned of their locations.
No, it was treason.
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Re: Death House

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GNORRIC grabs his brother's arm.
"Time to hide, sneak, spy. Find traitors."
He smiles and draws a finger across his throat.
"Payback."
Last edited by ewancummins on Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

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Re: Death House

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Bhunder nods, happy to be away from the rest of the crowd. If there is to be a fight, he will ready a spell for himself.
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Re: Death House

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Kimber rolls quickly onto the dagger before anyone can see it, and swiftly works the sharp edge against the bindings on her wrists. She then moves swiftly over to Vorj and cuts his bonds as well, before moving on to the remaining prisoner. She is shaking with a mixture of elation at the sudden action, and shock at the near miss.

"Come on, guys we have to get clear of this! Those maniacs with the cannon will blow us away with the rebels!"

She leans down, scoops up a club with an exclamation of delight, then crouch-walks away from the wagons
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Re: Death House

Post by Ken of Ghastria »

Vorj grabs the fallen guard's sword and helps Kintire get the remaining prisoner to his feet. "To the trees, quickly!" he says in a harsh whisper. "We'll come out when we sort out who's who." He follows Kintire out of the wagon, pulling the remaining prisoner -- Jegren von Uorben, if he recalled correctly -- along with him.
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