Post by Rule Hound on Nov 18, 2016 22:25:25 GMT
Several months after the failed attack within the mountains wolves are once again being seen within the borders of Lombardy. Sightings range from all corners of attacks on farms and livestock. Reports of outlying farmers holding up in their cellars while they await the wolves to move on. Only the fastest riders seem to be getting through to Tridentine or Castle Bassano to report to the Lord or his vassals. Unfortunately none are within reach, only the steward who dispatches some of what remains of Bassano's forces to aid those of the Duchy in seeking out and destroying this threat.
Only a short two days after the fleeing riders come barreling through the gates a truly huge and fearsome looking red haired man dressed in furs appears on the road slowly walking towards Castle Bassano right as the sun sets. The guards not thinking much of this simply maintin their position. As he reaches the edge of the woods at the range of arrow-shot he raises his arms, lowers them and leans his head back and lets out a undulating howl. The woods around him literally come alive with silver fur. Two wolves the size of horses come forth and join the man while a good half dozen the size of ponies rush the gate which is just starting to rise. Several dozen other regular sized wolves following behind.
Reaching the drawbridge they flow over in a ocean of silver fur. Snarling, howls and screams can be heard echoing down the valley putting fear in the inhabitants of Tridentine. Metal striking stone, wounded animals and men.
One survivor is said to have seen the red haired man (descriptions sound like the one called Donahue) again lean back and howl. Calling even more of the horse size monstrosities from the woods and to have seen even more wolf forces shimmering at the edges of the woods. No clear count could be made but hundreds if not thousands looking on. The newcomer giant wolves split into two forces taking the pony sized and smaller wolves with them. The larger of the two groups heading towards town and the lesser towards the mine entrances.
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In the Mines, the screams and howls of the dying take a little time to be heard. Heading up to the entrance it is discovered that the guards normally posted are missing. At the entrance the miners who came to see what was happening look up to see dozens of wolves heading their way as a last act before they are overwhelmed they manage to ring the danger collapsed tunnel bell.
Ringing through the tunnels the first miners to respond encounter the wolves in a long corridor and with picks and hammers manage to hold the tide at bay. At least long enough for others to realize what is happening and begin to set up defenses.
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Tridentine itself was attacked by the largest pack of wolves. The town itself has been decimated in population. Most of the able bodied men took up arms to defend their homes and families were slaughtered, followed by their wives who took up cleavers to protect their children. What remains is the old, the young and boys who are just to young to be considered young men. Suspiciously several locations that appear to have avoided battle are simply empty, the women and children missing. Rumors of slavers have been making the rounds. It is unsure at this time if some just fled into the woods but to substantiate that some are missing a girl of 8-10yrs has miraculously returned telling tales of neighbours taking her and dozens of others. Taking them deep into the woods heading for the old forbidden places before she escaped.
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In the aftermath it is discovered that a brave soldier of Castle Bassano thinking quick on his feet managed to pull together the castles defenses to turn aside and defeat the great threat.
At the mines many tunnels are collapsed to slow down the wolves and eventually force them to fight from one direction only. It is suggested that a woman was seen within the tunnels and where she went the very earth itself would rise to smite wolves or that the fires of the earth come to her call, burning all in their way. A good third to half the men ended up full sealing themselves in a large cavern by collapsing all entrances. It is yet unknown if they are alive. Work continues to free them before air runs out.
The Carcasses of over a hundred wolves have so far been tallied. Of the animal carcasses only eight pony sized ones (four from castle Bassano, one from the mines and three in the city) and no horse sized ones have been found. Most of the wolf dead number in the smaller regular size wolves.
As for the general populace, it will be sometime in recovering.
Only a short two days after the fleeing riders come barreling through the gates a truly huge and fearsome looking red haired man dressed in furs appears on the road slowly walking towards Castle Bassano right as the sun sets. The guards not thinking much of this simply maintin their position. As he reaches the edge of the woods at the range of arrow-shot he raises his arms, lowers them and leans his head back and lets out a undulating howl. The woods around him literally come alive with silver fur. Two wolves the size of horses come forth and join the man while a good half dozen the size of ponies rush the gate which is just starting to rise. Several dozen other regular sized wolves following behind.
Reaching the drawbridge they flow over in a ocean of silver fur. Snarling, howls and screams can be heard echoing down the valley putting fear in the inhabitants of Tridentine. Metal striking stone, wounded animals and men.
One survivor is said to have seen the red haired man (descriptions sound like the one called Donahue) again lean back and howl. Calling even more of the horse size monstrosities from the woods and to have seen even more wolf forces shimmering at the edges of the woods. No clear count could be made but hundreds if not thousands looking on. The newcomer giant wolves split into two forces taking the pony sized and smaller wolves with them. The larger of the two groups heading towards town and the lesser towards the mine entrances.
------------
In the Mines, the screams and howls of the dying take a little time to be heard. Heading up to the entrance it is discovered that the guards normally posted are missing. At the entrance the miners who came to see what was happening look up to see dozens of wolves heading their way as a last act before they are overwhelmed they manage to ring the danger collapsed tunnel bell.
Ringing through the tunnels the first miners to respond encounter the wolves in a long corridor and with picks and hammers manage to hold the tide at bay. At least long enough for others to realize what is happening and begin to set up defenses.
------------
Tridentine itself was attacked by the largest pack of wolves. The town itself has been decimated in population. Most of the able bodied men took up arms to defend their homes and families were slaughtered, followed by their wives who took up cleavers to protect their children. What remains is the old, the young and boys who are just to young to be considered young men. Suspiciously several locations that appear to have avoided battle are simply empty, the women and children missing. Rumors of slavers have been making the rounds. It is unsure at this time if some just fled into the woods but to substantiate that some are missing a girl of 8-10yrs has miraculously returned telling tales of neighbours taking her and dozens of others. Taking them deep into the woods heading for the old forbidden places before she escaped.
------------
In the aftermath it is discovered that a brave soldier of Castle Bassano thinking quick on his feet managed to pull together the castles defenses to turn aside and defeat the great threat.
At the mines many tunnels are collapsed to slow down the wolves and eventually force them to fight from one direction only. It is suggested that a woman was seen within the tunnels and where she went the very earth itself would rise to smite wolves or that the fires of the earth come to her call, burning all in their way. A good third to half the men ended up full sealing themselves in a large cavern by collapsing all entrances. It is yet unknown if they are alive. Work continues to free them before air runs out.
The Carcasses of over a hundred wolves have so far been tallied. Of the animal carcasses only eight pony sized ones (four from castle Bassano, one from the mines and three in the city) and no horse sized ones have been found. Most of the wolf dead number in the smaller regular size wolves.
As for the general populace, it will be sometime in recovering.