Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 59- Vaadj

[Navarre]

The Shadow War

Chapter 59
Vaadj

You notice the drop in available light before anything else. Everything grows dark, as if the sun were setting on the day. Then the world forms around you.

For a quick second as you adjust your eyes you think you may have somehow shifted through time again, if only a short ways. Instead of the bright Eye blazing overhead you find a dim shadowy landscape everywhere you look.

At first you think it might be the heavy canopy of the many trees about you. But then you realize something is literally sucking the light from this place.

Turning your eyes upward, you see the southern moon of the Ravager. It hangs in a steady orbit farther south, appearing larger and higher now that you are closer to it.

The light of the world is being sucked away by this ebony moon. A black corona surrounds it, making it look much like a single peering eye...or a drawing mouth.

Large and ancient trees jut irregularly from a terrain that is nothing but mud and dark water. Where you are used to seeing oaks and elms, or maybe lone pines, you now see only cyprus, tupelos, and the few other types that can grow in this environment.

Vines, large and small, hang from the trees. Some swoop between branches while others slowly swing like hangman's nooses from above.

You hear things moaning and creaking in the distance...and not so far away. Something moves in the water but you cannot see what it is from here as it swims farther from you.

The black water is everywhere, as is the smell. The stench of old mud and stagnant water cause all of you save Aphra to reflexively gag. Aphra, you have smelled far worse. You have even lived in it when necessity dictated.

Faerun, even you find yourself caught off-guard. Though you do not need to breath, you still do by habit. You have to remember to stop that here to prevent the wave of naseua that hits your comrades.

As Moira covers her nose and mouth you hear a creaking sound coming from below you. The wagons, transporting directly into the swamp, are far too large and heavy to be supported in the shifting mud beneath them.

With a lurch, the wagons separate and begin falling in different directions, overturning.

{Balance check (DC 20) to stay on any soon-to-be horizontal surface of the wagon, Reflex save (DC 15) to hang onto the wagon instead as it falls, or Swim check (DC 10) to allow yourself into the water.}

[Web.Metz]

{weren't the wagons tied together? Does that change things?}
Balance (1d20+7=26) | {A long shot, but I decided to be fancy. I mean, a Reflex of d20 roll of 4+ was way too easy to hit. )

[Navarre]

The wagons are tied together yet they strain against the ropes that bind them as they shift. Though Rachel's ability to tie a secure knot is almost beyond question, the likelihood that the ropes can continue holding the weight of the differently shifting wagons is highly suspect.

[Web.Metz]

{Was there supposed to be a tribe here or something?}

[Navarre]

Faerun, you quickly scramble over the edge of the shifting wagon, climbing it in a fashion as you attempt to maintain on any horizontal plane. The wagon falls sideways then catches itself against the leverage of the wagon tied next to it.

Those two wagons begin a valiant war against each other, each falling in a different direction yet bound at this time by the ropes. You hear the strain of rope and wood beneath you. This won't hold.

You quickly look for anything to help you get your bearings. This is where Odren's clan should be, according to Drade's description. Yet you see nothing.

[Web.Metz]

"I don't see Odren's clan anywhere. Drade, do you want to search for it or should we leave for Shrine Island with you."

[sab39]

"Drade, will you be okay if Faerun gets the rest of us out of here? Faer, if so... get us the hell out of here!"

[Navarre]

Drade, seeing the dramatic shifting of the wagons, jumps into the water. His massive weight was already exacerbating a bad situation.

The wagons ease a bit, although the sudden change in weight distribution still threatens to throw everyone off who did not jump into the water. Vinnrog is the only other member of your team to so far jump into the water besides Drade. Hearing your inquiry, he grabs onto the side of the wagon closest to him in case you make a sudden jump.

Drade draws his axe and stands in the water, his large cloven feet finding security in the mud beneath him far easier than any of you could have.

"Our mission takes precedence. We must gather the loyal Vaadjori and my own people to our cause."

"Go, my friends! I will see you soon in Union Point."

Drade turns in the water, his long mane slinging water over you, as he sees something large slithering his way. His massive muscles bulge, flexing the blood-red Brands of Ages covering his arms and torso.

Despite the obvious danger in which he finds himself, and his normally gentle demeanor, somehow the minotaur seems to be in his element.

Faerun, you realize if you shift right now you can still make the jump with everyone before they must balance or hang on as you have. If you do not, then they must.

{Faerun, your choice first: Shift now or not?}

[Web.Metz]

Shift now.

[Gaumer]

"Oi, Vin, that stuff be makin' an mighty stink. I not be thinkin' it to be washin' out too easy either, mate."

And AWAYYYY we go

[sab39]

"Farewell and good luck, Drade!"

[Navarre]

Vinnrog takes a sniff of himself and gags, holding onto the sideboard of the wagon. Drade gives you one quick nod of good luck but then jumps forward through the dark water as a large crocodile rears its head.

His axe flashes high through the air, drawing blood and brain from his quick strike. The crocodile roars, splashing around to try and latch onto his heavy legs as the universe disappears.

{End of Chapter 59}