4 Kelen, 718
Real-Time: 07/17/98 Game #4

THE LONGEST DAY

4 Kelen, 718: 1st Watch (Midnight to 4am)
It began to rain. About mid way through the watch a messenger (looking very much like a drowned rat) knocked on your door. The tenaci rose and met up with its counterparts in the courtyard.

The patrol headed out towards Geishteil found two turned over carts and a horse. They brought one cart back with the horse. But the Quartermaster, the other horse and his men, were no where to be seen. Fobin I:I was sent out in the rain as a search party.

No one seemed too happy about that.

They arrived at the site of the overturned cart about an hours fast walk in the rain. The road was slippery, and even Manus Phillipus' horse choose to walk on the surrounding turf. The cart had a broken wheel and the supplies it was carrying (mullet, flour and eggs) were beaten into the ground around it.

The party found four tracks leading into the woods, the first of which seemed to come from the woods down to where the cart lay. The grass around the cart was torn up and covered with deep footprints now filled with water.

One of the horses was found still treading water - its bridal attached to a downed tree. Fobin I:I:I rescued it, and Phillipus set it beside his horse. Corneilus recognized it as a unicorn. He also saw a strange purple glow around the overturned cart. The glow was faint - as if magic had been used in the area to do something; but what he could not figure out.

FobinI:I:II went up river about 150' when Fennelisa fell into a sink hole. She used her shield to stay afloat. With Caius and Corneilus's help, she managed to extract herself. Caius dug about in the sinkhole and came up with a strange brass-looking helmet. Caius planted his steak at the top of the bank in a direct line with the sink hole. He then planted Corneilus's steak on the other side of the road - in line with the first.

Then Corneilus heard a strange rumble. It took only a few seconds for everyone to realize what it was. They scrambled up the bank and raced back to the rest of the Maniple. They got everyone out of the water just in time for the flash flood to wash by. No one was caught in it.

4 Kelen, 718:2nd Watch (4am to 8am)

They got back early in 2nd watch and went straight to the baths where Phillipus ordered hot cakes and honey and sib served to everyone. Getting towels was a bit of a problem (as most of them were in the laundry) but the group managed.

In the bath - Fennelisa tried on the helmet and began speaking in a slightly different voice. She doesn't remember what she said; and those around her said later it sounded nothing like her. She thinks she removed the helmet - but Corneilus did actually. When Corneilus put it on he felt as if someone was standing directly behind his shoulder. But when he turned, no one was behind him. The helmet would not fit Caius's head and he didn't want to bend it so he gave up.

Caius went off to speak to a friend (Nigen - an architect still at work in repairing and rebuilding Fobin.) Nigen acknowledged that the helmet was not made of brass. Nigen could not read all the script around the helmet - but he thought it might be Azeriani. The message said something about trust, promise, and protection and mentioned a proper name, but that was all Nigen could decipher. Nigen said it was obviously someone's life work because it was so finely crafted he could not find even a hint of a seam.

The helmet was a 3/4 helm without nose guard. The engraviture had either worn off over time or was done deliberately faint. It can only be seen when the helmet catches the light. There was once some kind of plume attached to the top - but it was soldered on, and did not initially pierce the helmet. The indent of where it lay is still visible at the top of the helmet.

When Fennelisa and Corneilus returned to their quarters Caius had not returned, but his wet clothes were by the door in a basket. Fennelisa hung up a line and laid out the tenaci's still wet clothes on the line to dry. She then began cleaning the mud from her armor. Corneilus changed quickly and departed.

Using second sight he discerned that there was a practitioner of the art in the area, and went there (I'll omit where, but he should remember…) The practitioner and he discussed the helmet, the unicorn and general goings on in Fobin. The practitioner told him about black market activities and wondered aloud if the unicorn could have been meant for them. Corneilus and he transacted other business (which I shall omit - but I hope he remembers what was said…) and then headed back to the barracks.

By then Caius had gone back to the room and dropped off the helmet. Fennelisa was still cleaning her armor.

Caius then went to the temple. He tossed two of his taburi onto the alter with a coin and prayed to Halea for protection. He got luck. He then prayed to Peoni and received protection. (There were jokes about him having a neon sign that was shorting out in the rain… bzz. Luck bzz. Protection. Bzz…) And he had a vision.

A golden ball is thrown up into the air. Flying gracefully - pulled off course by a thousand pelting drops of rain that fell from a clear blue sky. Thunder cracked, and the ball slowed its flight, and began to fall. Suddenly a great black hand reaches out, and a clawed fist snatches the ball from the air.

When he returned Corneilus was back and they all compared notes. (Fennelisa was cleaning Caius's armor…what luck!) The three of them collected the helmet and went to visit the Peonian riverside chapel. There they met Jarrel.

He invited them in and gave them a place by the fire. He fed them warm bread fresh from the oven and lots of honey and butter. He listened to their concerns about the helmet, and the vision. He told Fennelisa she had special abilities (Psionics) and that she probably should not wear the helmet again. (This confirmed information said by Nigen and the practitioner.) He apologized for not being able to help much - and suggested they head off to the Halean temple, since gold balls seemed better suited there, than in a Peonian riverside chapel. He gave both Fenelisa and Caius a blessing - and reminded Caius that he now owed Peoni a favor.

The Halean temple was in the midst of a revelry. The Solari at the door eyed Fenelisa appreciatively and asked if she…erm…they were here to join the festivities. They declined, and asked to speak to a priestess in regards of a vision. They were ushered past a few noisy rooms to a waiting chamber. On the side board were a dozen imported foods and delicacies. Corneilus enjoyed the food while the other two looked around.

The room had about a dozen pillows and its brick walls were hidden by billowous cloths and silks hung from the ceiling. After a few moments a young woman entered and asked if they were joining in the festivities (she was looking at Caius - but asked everyone.) Again they declined. The woman appeared confused - took their coats and wet things away to dry and told them someone would be with them shortly.

Another woman, slightly older than the first arrived and sat with them in the center of the room. A discussion ensued as to what the gold ball could represent. While gold is the color of Halea, it's coins she favors. Three gold balls together make the crest for the merchant's guild; but none of the party present could think of a personal crest that had even one gold ball. She sent them home with warm, dry clothes, and two bags of sweets and goodies. Her fussing over their appearance left each of them with a warm, comforting glow.

When they got back, they realized they were carrying enough food (bread and sweets combined) for most of the cohort. Dinner promised to be more than just the standard fare.

4 Kelen, 718:Third Watch (8am to noon)

And on the Third Watch they slept.

4 Kelen, 718:Fourth Watch (noon to 4pm)

The tenaci (I:I:I and I:I:II) awoke, and groggily made their way to the rain drenched, fog encrusted walls. As Caius was watching the river - he spotted something swim by. About the same time Corneilus spotted something about the size of a dog moving around in the fog.

When no one was looking he used a spell to see through the fog. "Vlasta!"

Men were called to the walls from their dry beds and everyone watched in utter dismay as the Vlasta approached the walls and tried to jump over them. One Milities was bitten by a Vlasta who took a running jump at the wall. The Vlasta's grip was weak, and it plummeted to its death. Caius called out that some of the vlasta were swimming below and between the pylons that held up the south tower (upon which he stood.)

Phillipus stepped into the nearby privy as two Vlasta jumped up - out of the well. Archers from the walls made quick work of the beasts. Fenelisa managed to kill at least two with javelins from the wall tops. Caius was not so lucky. Corneilus managed to kill four, and wounded a black one that kept running along the wall, staring up at the soldiers atop it.

Near the end of the watch - the Vlasta retreated. No one envied the Milities who would have to go out on the next patrol.

4 Kelen, 718:Fifth Watch (4pm to 8pm)

The party stayed on the wall until 6pm, when they were called down to dinner. Standard fair was accompanied by fresh baked bread and goodies. Dinner conversation was brief, and glum in part because of the weather, and in part because of the food. Midway through the meal Caius received a message from the legion's messenger. It read:

Caius, Milities Linari -- Fobin.
2 Kelen, 718TR

Citizen,

Though the trial has been long - I have at last received word as to the translation you requested. Unfortunately it has generated more interest than even I could have perceived. We shall have a copy of the information ready for you at your arrival in Geishtei.

Sincerely,

Krintos -- Save-K'norian priest.

Caius tucked the message away for later reference.

The rest of the watch was spent in performing camp duties.

4 Kelen, 718:Sixth Watch (8pm to Midnight)

And on the Sixth Watch - they slept.


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