The Chronicles of Bael

The Chronicles of Bael Part 16

Windsday, Illusion Week, Sea Season, 1600

We spent the morning on the road to the Godstead Inn. Godstead Inn is a bustling way station, lying on the Tarsh road, directly between Tarsh and the free kingdom of Sartar. To the north runs the only road into the Stinking Forrest, this road reputedly runs all the way to The Golden Grove. The result of this favoured location is a motley of travellers, traders, groups of warriors and even a few Elves. Many of these traders come to the Godstead Inn to trade for artefacts and magical items that are recovered in the Hollow by groups such as ours.

Gorath decided that we shall remain at the Inn for the remainder of the day before travelling to Dwarf Ford. We should arrive at Dwarf Ford in the early morning, and from there we will travel along the north shore of The River. Dwarf Ford marks the beginning of Snake Pipe Hollow. During the Lesser Dark this vile valley, surrounded by high cliffs on three sides was created by the destructive earth magic of mortal men designed to trap the hordes of Chaos. The Chaos hordes were then routed at the I Fought We Won Battle, but it forever tainted the valley.

We spent the remainder of the day training as a group in a field behind the Godstead Inn. It was good to swing my sword, but the notion of organisation for Storm Bulls is somewhat misplaced. My experience of battle has repeatedly demonstrated to me the importance of working as a cohesive group in combat. An organised few may often overwhelm a poorly coordinated many. The one exception to this rule is the worshippers of the Bull, who so readily descend into fits of magic induced fanaticism or a Chaos inspired berserk. This berserk state, which will quickly throw a group of Strom Bulls into a completely disorganised state, is nonetheless devastating to its foes in combat. It is quite literally the art of attack with complete disregard for defence. It can get quite dangerous to be around a group of Storm Bulls in this state, for they are often incapable of discerning friend from foe in their zealous condition.