Ghosts in a Cold Rain - Summary and Pictures

The Arena Expedition
Sponsored and Led by Cal's Emporium

Monday, Feb. 12

   Having obtained valuable lore and histories of the Exiled Lands from within the Unnamed City, the Emporium turned its attention eastward, to smaller but equally important sites of interest. First on the list, the Arena.
   Once home to ritual blood sport and entertainment, the Arena lay buried beneath the sands of the high desert, only accessible through the slave entrance in the nearby canyon wall. It was here the Emporium planned to enter the ruin.
   Gathered outside, the expedition readied arrows and sharpened their blades, eager to confront the horrors within. Eager for fame and fortune.

Expedition Roster

Callisis 'Cal' Kemtep, of Cal's Emporium. Captain and leader of the expedition, trade prince, shield-maiden.
Kris, of the Aquilonian Empire. Adept tactician and archer.
Lynch, an independent adventurer. Expert scout, flanker, and deadly archer.
Tyberiuss, of the Watchers. Hardened veteran, swordsman, and quartermaster of the expedition.
Zanjil, of House Asshuri. Famous mercenary, brewer, and pikeman.
Hanwell Soot, of the Watchers. Porter, entertainer, and man who thinks pants just get in the way.
---
Posted below are a few highlights of the expedition. Story synopsis to follow in time.

A mysterious storm, centered above the Arena, spits forth a cold rain.
---


The expedition gathers in a small camp outside the Arena entrance.
Back, left to right: Lynch, Tyberiuss, Hanwell Soot, Kris, Zanjil
Front, in pink: Callisis 'Cal' Kemtep
---


Ghosts appear to the expedition as they set foot in the Arena. Ancient gladiators, humans of an unknown culture.
---


The bones stirred, and in a flash of light the sands erupted, revealing a horror of necromancy from ages past. The expedition opens fire at the creature from their vantage points.
---


Hundreds of arrows and a few brave strikes brings low the undead horror. Victory for the expedition!
---


The undead dragon dissolves, revealing the bloodied corpse of an unidentified man.
---


Do not re-post without permission.
Photos courtesy of Cal's Emporium Expeditions Company, LLC.

Popular posts from this blog

Food for the Garden, Part One

I. The Rumor of Hope    The word of an Exile carried little weight in those days, but even the rumor of hope was enough to send men to their deaths in the terrible desert beyond the shores of paradise.    The Sentinels' River, named as such for the twin stone colossi that guarded the river, was a fertile plain that stretched for miles. Kappa turtles nested in the shade of banana trees, gazelle grazed on the teeming sea of vibrant berry bushes and grasses, and cassowaries in their colorful plumage honked and strutted up and down the cerulean river.    After surviving crucifixion and the haunted dunes of the Broken Highway, the Sentinels' River seemed a perfect sanctuary. Who would want to leave? Game was plentiful and fat, the water was clear, and the days were peaceful. Exiles, dirty and beaten and far from home, were more than happy to band together and build a new life here free from the horrors of the past.    Most of them, anyway...
Read more