Readying 19, a Morning Hunt for Deathwalker Slaves

Other than dealing with the unsavory topics of human slavery and humans as food, this post may be read by other player characters without giving away any secrets.

Drago sleeps like a log in his tent after the doings of the day before. In the morning, he is summoned once again to see Shaman G’ruk. When he enters the tent he sees that Igusadon, Iguanosuth, and Kopusuth are there with two additional lizardfolk warriors armed with atlatls (javelin throwers) and clubs as well as turtle shell shields. They are introduced to Drago as Atraboros and Marvorax.

“You helped us find the Keolanders yesterday, but due to carelessness,” he glances at Igusadon who stiffens, “you were sighted and had to flee. The Keolanders left, for the gnoll patrols could not find them last night after scouring the city. It is believed they returned to the jungle. They are no longer my concern. King Stronghoen can worry about them now. In the meantime I have another mission for you. I require two human slaves for something I am working on. I want you to help Igusadon. Go with him to spy upon the Deathwalkers until a band of hunters enter the jungle. Follow the hunters and bring at least two back alive. You will be provided with nets and rope for this as well. Now go and bring me what I need. Good hunting!”

“As you wish, Shaman G’ruk,” replies Drago.

Igusadon leads them once more to the surface. When they get above ground Drago sees that it is still an hour before dawn. Fog wreathes the ruins and it is hard to see, but Igusadon knows the way and leads them without incident back to the swamp and then south to the edge of the jungle where they can spy upon the Deathwalker’s villa. Igusadon makes sure that Drago, Kopusuth, and the two warriors hang back as they are not as good at hiding and keeping still as the expert hunters and trackers.

Eventually a party of five Deathwalker hunters in leather armor, with shields, spears, and shortbows leave the villa and head into the jungle. Igusadon and Igunanosuth follow them at a distance with Kopusuth, Drago, and the 2 warriors kept back as they are not as stealthy.

Igusadon feels confident that he knows what trail they are following and so leads the six of you by another way to get ahead of them in order to set an ambush. Igusadon and Iguanosuth are going to use their nets to catch two of them, while the rest of you kill the others.

And so Drago lies in wait for his prey. Drago is not comfortable with the idea of slavery, but he doesn’t mind killing them. They are only human after all. Deathwalkers for breakfast. Yum!

What follows is quite brutal. As the Deathwalkers come up the trail, Kopusuth whispers to the spirits of the green and within moments the vines and bushes and even flower stalks and grass are reaching out for the hapless humans and twining around them. Outside the area of entanglement, Igusadon and Iguanosuth jump out from behind the trees they were hiding behind and cast their nets over the first two Deathwalkers. The warriors cast darts from their atlatls and strike the last two while Drago spits acid at the one in the middle but unfortunately misses. Drago realizes that he really has to do something about his lousy aim.

The first two Deathwalkers ready their spears, though hampered by the nets and the vines and foliage wrapped around them. They strike out at Igusadon and Iguanosuth who in turn try to get a hold of the two and pull them to the ground. This does not go as well as had been hoped before long Igusadon and Iguanosuth, having been poked and stabbed, are roaring in rage and tearing and biting at their captives until they stop moving.

The last Deathwalker in the line manages to tear through the grasping vines and moves off the path into the brush to get at one of the atlatl casting warriors. He succeeds in stabbing Marvorax through the chest, and as that lizardman warrior falls he moves to attack Atraboros. The second to last in the line also pulls free, though it takes him longer, and he too moves into the brush to attack Atraboros, who is soon hard pressed to defend himself, though he drops his atlatl and resorts to lashing out with his claws and snapping at them with his fanged maw.

Drago also moves in to engage the middle Deathwalker with his own teeth and claws, claws that are now enlarged and razor sharp like a dragon’s. Kopusuth is at his side using his spear, and it doesn’t take long to bring him down.

Drago and Kopusuth move quickly to assist Atraboros. Kopusuth even abandons his spear to rip into one of the Deathwalkers from behind with his own claws and teeth. Soon, the two fighting Atroboros are down as well, though Drago and Atraboros both bear bloody wounds from the fight, though they are but flesh wounds thanks to their own shields and thick hides.

Atroboros is the first to reach the side of the fallen Marvorax. He quickly begins binding his wounds. Kopusuth sees that they are not a moment too soon as Marvorax was within seconds of dying. He gets out one of his two healing potions and pours a little into the comatose warrior’s mouth. Within moments he awakens and is able to drink the rest of the potion. His life is saved.

Igusadon and Iguanosuth come down the path to inform the rest that they all the Deathwalkers are now dying unless they choose two to bind their wounds. This is soon done. Igusadon then directs that all but Kopusuth will carry back one Deathwalker. The two who are alive are tied up and carried by Igusadon and Iguanosuth. The others, being corpses now, are carried back for food.

Back under the ruins of Thracia, Drago is witness to an argument between Igusadon and the gnoll guard captain at the final guard post before they reach the underground river. Neither of them speaks Common fluently at all, so their communication is a pidgin made up of Common, Gnoll, and Draconian and a lot of sign language and growling. From what Drago can make out, the gnolls are demanding one of the human bodies as tribute before they will let the lizardfolk pass.

After much bickering, more growling, baring of teeth, and mutual attempts at intimidation Igusadon signals to Marvorax who then hurls the body he carries to the floor of the filthy guardpost in disgust. The gnolls then allow the lizardfolk to pass but not without some snickering. The lizardfolk warrior’s hands tense on their weapons but that is their only response.

Once they are past the stairwell (and its spyhole) and heading down the passageway leading to the cavern, Igusadon mutters in Draconic, “How long will we have to put up with them!” He sighs.

Kopusuth says, “Do not worry. Once we find the Immortal King we will no longer need them. Not even King Stronghoen will be able to withstand the Immortal King. Be patient.”

Drago grunts agreement, “Nasty, vile beasts.”

Shaman G’ruk is very pleased when they return with the two, still unconscious, captives and two corpses for the lizardfolk larder. “You have done well Drago. I see that you have felt the tip of their spears. Hmm, just a scratch though. You’ll feel much better in a couple of days. It’s nothing we should waste healing potions on.” He then looks over the wounds of Iguanosuth and Atraboros and determines that their wounds also will heal in a few days time. He does, however, given one of the healing potions from Drago’s bandolier to Kopusuth who had to use one of his own to save Marvorax from death. “I trust you don’t mind if I continue to dispense the bounty that you have brought to our tribe?”

Speaking humbly, Drago says, “All that I have is yours, Shaman G’ruk.  However, may I have one of each to carry with me as well?” “Most certainly. In fact, I’ll give you two of each.” G’ruk does so.

Drago now has two cure moderate wounds potions and two gravesbane grenades.

“Now go get some rest. There will be more for you to do, but for today rest and then join us for the feast we will have later.” He looks over at the Deathwalker corpses.

“Thank you, Shaman G’ruk,” Drago says appreciatively.