02-09 to 02-12 963: It Waits in the Mist

After deciding to make their way to Sutol, the Capital, a few errands were run before turning in for an early night to start out first thing in the morning.

Dendra reached out to St. Mattathias in her dreams, asking him what he knew about Waykeys of Otiluke. Rather than answering, Mattathias admonished his charge that what is contained within the Lost Spire of Tenser the Great ought to remain lost. The reckless, power-mad mages that lived there nearly destroyed the world once, even the slightest risk of that again is too great. Anyway, he said, even if he knew where one was he wouldn’t reveal it. Dendra then asked some cagey questions about the Saint’s past, how he became a Saint and such, without putting too fine a point on it…whatever that means.

The next morning, Master Evelyn met Luci in the inn in the morning, and gave him a talking to for the events of the day before. How could he behave so recklessly? Didn’t he know that his actions reflect on her as well? After a short while of this, Luci asked if she knew the name Ullman. Of course she does! How could he not know the name of the largest noble house in Gantrick? They’ve only been the Dukes and Duchesses of Baran’tar since Baran’tar was a Duchy! Frustrated with her nephew, she wished him well with helping Sinata, told him that once they find a way to remove the curse she would be more than happy to help, and told him that he should leave the Tower sooner rather than later.

The group quickly through the sparse country along the Crown Circuit toward the Capital, past scattered farms and one-horse towns in a light, but steady, rain. On the second day of their travel, Thursday the 11th, they bedded down under Nexus’s newly-learned Leomund’s Tiny Hut in some forest just off the road. Thick mist covered made the forest Dendra took first watch to keep an eye on the horses, which couldn’t fit under the dome. Around 2 in the morning, Dendra turned to see that a massive, five-sided stone monolith had appeared just outside the dome. She woke the rest of the group, and Sinata walked a circle around the stone, noting a series of carvings on each side. First two hunters chased two deer, then they chased only one deer, next only the two remained, then only one was left. The last side featured an ominous deer skull and antlers. After some thinking, Nexus recognized the symbolism as referring to a Wendigo. He informed the group that when people lost in the wilderness resort to cannibalism, they transform into a Wendigo. From then onward, they are cursed to be forever ravenous, unable to sate the hunger that drove them to dark deeds.

Everyone quickly returned to the dome, but realized that they couldn’t bring their horses inside. Luci hopped on his broom and flew up above the canopy while Nexus set his familiar to scout out the surrounding woods. The Raven familiar flew a few circles out from the dome before Nexus, through the bird, heard Luci’s voice say that they should remain in the dome. In a moment of realization, it was decided that they shouldn’t trust anything they hear unless they see the speaker’s mouth move.

Huddled in the dome, the party waited. Watching the thick mists hide whatever dark creatures thought to make them prey. Luci returned to his broom, and from his vantage above the trees spotted some movement in the branches. In a flash, something leapt from the tree to where the horses were picketed just outside the dome, ripping out Sinata’s horse’s throat with razor claws and gnashing fangs before bounding away, back into the mist.

Dendra flushed it from its hiding spot with a lighted arrow, casting shadows of the creature stalking back and forth. In an effort to protect the remaining horses, Nexus readied Maximillian’s Earthen Grasp in case the creature tried another hit and run. By this point, the other two horses were rearing and trying to break free so they could run. Nexus’s mount tore its lead and raced out toward the road. Close behind, Luci raced after to catch the horse. He caught up after a short while and secured it out by the road. Meanwhile, the bloodcurdling screams of the dying horse were heard again from the mist. This time though, the sounds came from two different directions.

The creature leapt from the mist toward the remaining horse, but was caught by Nexus in a hand of earth and stone. Dendra rushed out, drawing Rasen, followed by Chedvah. Together they dealt some serious harm to the feral creature, now fully visible. Its emaciated body was covered in matted brown fur, with unnaturally long boney limbs. Its front limbs had long, sharp claws and its hind legs were like a deer’s. Its head looked like a deer skull with antlers and curved, yellowed fangs. Finally giving Rasen a taste of true evil, Dendra dealt solid hits, and Chedvah used her mysterious dark magics to limited effect. From behind, the other Wendigo rushed toward Chedvah, biting at her hind leg. Sinata launched projectiles from his sling within the dome, while Nexus continued to crush the trapped abomination in his stony grip and Luci rushed back from securing the horse.

As the battle continued, a rustling was heard from the mist and hearts fell from the possibility that another Wendigo lurked out in the darkness. In a final stroke, Dendra beheaded the trapped creature with Rasen. The black, congealed blood that stuck to the sword seemed to be drawn into the blade, which then began to emit a faint black mist along its length. Rasen expressed its surprise and pleasure with finally being used for its ultimate purpose. In a frenzy from the nearby prey and the blood in the air, the Wendigo engaged with Chedvah dealt a massive blow, its bite seeming to glow with a dark energy. She fell to the wound, but was thankfully revived by the quick responses of Luci and Sinata. As Dendra’s horse continued to rear and panic, the group faced down the remaining Wendigo. Uncertain of what remained in the mists, it was clear that the only way the party would get to the Capital quickly is by finishing off these creatures before they could gorge on the horses.