You have spent several days on foot, making your way to the tiny hamlet of Frickley on the borders of the High Forest. Rolling plains have given way to a light forest as you follow an overgrown dirt road that wends its way through the trees. You suddenly hear shouts and cries from up ahead; rounding the corner you see an old cart perhaps a hundred yards down the road. It’s being pulled by a large draught horse and driven by a plainly dressed man and woman; there are several young children cowering in the back. Dancing around the cart, singing and whooping, are two Goblins! A third is rummaging through a chest that has fallen out of the cart in the chaos, tossing the contents over its shoulder. The creatures laugh as they jab away at the family with scimitars that gleam dully in the morning light, their joy growing in counterpoint to the humans’ terror. Even as you watch, one casually dodges a spear being inexpertly wielded by the man and neatly slices through the chair being jabbed at it by the screaming woman.
What would you like to do?
Battle Map:
Initiative order:
Goblin B
Lore
Goblin A
Zubien
Grymar
Goblin C
Lehmani
Goblin B continues to harry the man with the spear, cackling as it lunges forward and knocks the flat of its blade against the spear before hopping backward.
Lore - The Goblin attacking the man hears a rush of flame and is incinerated before he can even turn. His blackened form drops to the ground, sizzling and popping. The other Goblin is but a fraction quicker than his dead comrade, managing to get part of his shield between him and the flame, but even still he screeches loudly as he is badly burned.
Goblin B is DEAD.
Goblin A whimpers and staggers away from the cart, stumbling as quickly as he can into the woods to the east and out of sight.
Zubien - Your arrow streaks across the battlefield and slams into the remaining Goblin as she tries to stand. The goblin crumples to the ground, a small sack of coin falling from her lifeless fingers and spilling in the grass.
Goblin C is DEAD. Combat has ended.
All - The forest clearing falls quiet but for the heavy breathing and sobs of the family you rescued. The man eyes the corpses and gingerly jabs at them with his spear before turning to console his wife. You see three children peeking over the edge of the cart, eyes wide, taking in the carnage. The woman hurries over to them and holds them close, burying their heads in her bosom as she continues to sob. The man walks over to you all, spear still in hand and eyeing the goblins as he goes, "Hail and thank you all for your help... I..." He stops and rubs his neck, still seemingly in shock, "They came outta nowhere, screaming like devils and swinging their swords at us." He turns and points to a large, downed tree blocking the path, "I think they did that. To ambush us. Can't move it by myself." He looks at you all sheepishly, "I don't suppose... I could count on your help again?"
Grymar scratches his head, a grizzled dwarf who had pulled out his warhammer, he leans on it for a moment and regards the situation. “Quite a spot. Glad we came along, eh? Where you headed.? You be needed our help with movin that log?”
Lehmani - None of the family appear to be injured as you approach, more frightened than anything. The woman turns to you and says between sniffles, "We're okay. Thank you for your help! Gods, I was so scared! I didn't know what to do... I just knew I had to keep them away from the kids." She turns back to her children, two boys and a girl, and hugs and kisses them each again. The young girl stands and holds her arms out toward the man, opening and closing her hands while saying, "Da... Da.. Da..." The man walks over and lifts her out of the cart with a smile. He then ruffles the hair of the boys and says, "You two did good staying in the cart and watching after your sister." The woman hugs her husband, then strangely, she begins to giggle then laugh in earnest. The man steps back with an eyebrow raised, "Nathra...? Are you..." Nathra points at something laying in the grass and you see it is the two halves of the simple wooden chair she was using to fend off the Goblins. Between bouts of laughter she manages to say, "Randur... Did I... Did I wield a chair?" Randur looks to the chair, then his wife and smiles, "Yes, I believe so my dear."
Grymar/All - The man sets his daughter down and turns to you with his hand outstretched, "Yes, quite. Thank Lathander you all were here. We come from Scorton, a little village about seven leagues back that way. Born and bred there, both of us. Best little place in the world… well, it used to be. About a week ago we had a giant come to the village. An honest-to goodness giant - must have been a dozen feet tall! Fat too, like you have never seen. Told us his name was Yegor Bonecruncher. Said we had two days to bring him all the food in the village – every last scrap. If we didn’t he’d find another way to fill his belly…" Randur lowers his voice steals a quick glance over his shoulder at his family before continuing, "And we were pretty sure we knew what he meant by that. Well, we were in a right fix. Some folks wanted to leave, some wanted to fight, and some wanted to just give him the food and hope he went away. ‘Twas the last crowd that won out. We spent the next day gathering every scrap of food in the village. Cows, sheep, chickens… all were slaughtered. My grain was milled and turned into bread, and all the fruit and vegetables were harvested too – ripe or no. It made quite a pile outside the village when the giant returned. He sat down, smiling like a babe, and he ate. And ate. And ate. Took six hours but he ate the lot. He then stands up without so much as a thank you - and here’s where things get bad..." Randur again lowers his voice and says, "Suddenly he pulls out an old sack, and quick as a flash plucks four of the fattest farmers out of the crowd and squashes ‘em in there! Then he strolls off, as if nothing in the world was happening! Well… as you may expect we didn’t exactly feel safe in Scorton no more, and with no crops or animals left we didn’t have a reason to stick around. Most of ‘em headed over to Triboar, but my brother Andel lives in Frickley so we set off on our own. Seemed like a good idea too until we ran into those disgusting Goblins…"
Zubien - Nathra shudders and turns away from the Goblins as you begin to look them over. The first is little more than a tangle of scorched bones and whatever filthy skins the Goblin was using as armor, the fused mass offers no clues as to its clan. The female Goblin you killed looks to be older, with greying hair and a lifetime's worth of scars and wrinkles. You spy a few faded tattoos that might have been clan markings at one time, but it is too difficult to discern their meaning. You do not find aught of value on her person, the armor and weapons too crude and ill-maintained. As for the Goblin that fled, it appears to be long gone by now. Randur accepts the coin from you with a thanks and a smile.
Zubien approaches the family, and bows to them, holding his hand vertical before his chest. "You have suffered much but prevailed against grim odds. That speaks much of your spirit, it will carry you on through these troubling times." He then turns to the party, "Shall we accompany these good people to make sure they get safely to Frickley?"
Lehmani looks to the woman and says with all the reassurance she can muster,"I would be honored to travel with you and ensure your protection."
She can't help but glance back down the road in the direction the family traveled from. "Is there no one left in Scorton who might still require aid once you are delivered safely to Frickley?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae(L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk -Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
Zubien nods, "This giant is beyond honorable, he had ill intent from the very beginning. He enjoyed the anguish he caused making the people give up their food, then still taking the five men. We must be on guard as I believe they can range far, and we may still be where he is hunting. We must spread a warning to others to be on the look out."
Lehmani - Nathra shrugs and says, "I'm not sure... They may some folks too mule-headed to leave, but if that Giant comes back, well... Let's just say I wouldn't want to be the only thing around when he comes back.
All - After helping Randur move the fallen tree, you all continue onward toward Frickley. Both Randur and Nathra ask you all the following questions:
Where are you from?
What do you do for work?
Where are you headed and why?
Also, feel free to use this time to interact with one another. I will move the narrative along tomorrow morning.
Zubien explains his travels as a monk, helping those in need and collecting histories. He tries to explain the spiritual nature of Ki, of focus and the balance of life. He pulls out his flute, and plays a melody he hopes to take what the children saw off their minds.
Lehmani enjoys Zubien's tune as she feels Randur and Natha's attention turn to her, waiting for her answer. She tucks her hair behind her horns as she speaks about her past... the only tell she has that she feels some level of vulnerability talking about her origins.
"I was born in Elturgard, a realm far to the south..." Lehmani says quickly changing gears, "But I spent most of my life near Baldur's Gate."Her expression shifts, curling into a smile as she reaches into her side pouch. "That's where my father built his business and instructed me in his trade... Here..." Lehmani pulls out the glass bird crafted by her father and holds it up to the light, allowing the children to delight in the spectrum of colors it casts. Colored glass within the bird's form show interlocking gears that seem to turn when held against the light a certain way. "This is his work. Quite beautiful, isn't it? I have talent of my own, but none of his simple heartfelt elegance and raw personality..."
Lehmani lets the children take the bird while she turns her attention back to the parents, and her companions, continuing to answer their questions."He nurtured in me a great love of artistry and craftsmanship... A love that brought me to the faith of my Lord, Gond, the Wonderbringer... Patron of craft, and smithing and mortal inventiveness... I've dedicated my life to beholding the crafted wonders of this world while protecting and nurturing the creative spark in others. You can call it a pilgrimage of sorts... a joyful one."
She smiles watches Zubien playing the flute for the children, as they explore her father's glass bird. "It's a miracle how such simple little things." She says to Zubien, nodding her head toward his pipe. "Are capable of a greater sort of magic than the most powerful arcane objects."She explains. "The ability to lift a child's spirit after a brush with mortal peril creates a small ripple of grace which can grow to a swell of goodness that can snuff out evil across countless lands."
She raises her eyes at Zubien. "Not to put you on the spot, dear sir." She says with a smile.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae(L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk -Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
As Zubien plays, he listens to his comrades tell their tale. He alters the tune into it is accompanying their tales. He lowers his flute, giving a slight bow to Lehmani. "While I am of a militaristic order of Monks, I learned from a Monk named Kane that life is a cycle, light versus darkness, good versus evil. We attune ourselves with the life around us, drawing it's essence into ours, our Ki. That energy can be used to heal," he holds up his flute, "or fight." He clenches his hand into a fist, you can hear the slight tone of the tightening of bone and ligament, and tendons that have been hardened. "Beauty and perfection is what we strive for, oneness with our world, and with our weapons. This is why I seek knowledge against evil and the darkness, so I may perfect my art to protect those in need like these good people."
Giving a slight smile, he returns to playing a tune that reminds you of birds soaring on the wind.
All - The children are enraptured by Lehmani's clockwork bird and the melody from Zubein's flute, the terror of the Goblin ambush now long-forgotten. Randur and Nathra listen to your stories as the road passes underfoot. After a few hours it is mid-day and you have left the woods behind. Ahead you can see the village of Frickley. Nathra and the kids begin to cheer when suddenly the cart rocks as it drives over a pot hole, then a few seconds later, another. You all notice a serious of similar sized depressions in the road, leading to Frickley. You hear Randur curse and Nathra gasp about the same time you realize that the pot holes are foot prints. Very large foot prints. The kids fall silent again, looking anxiously at their parents and their surroundings. You see that the doors to Frickley's main gate hang awkwardly on their hinges and appear to be held shut by a length of rope. Randur unties the rope and moves the cart inside before turning back to the gate. He holds the rope in his hands, just staring at it for a few moments. You see him look out toward the road and the giant foot prints and hear him mutter under his breath before he reties the gate shut. The dirt streets of Frickley appear to be deserted for the first few blocks, but then you see a few people making their way toward what appears to be the sole inn in the village, the Blue Duke. As you near, you hear the sound of raised voices coming from within.
"Lord Maker..."Says Lehmani, clutching her holy symbol. "The Giant has already struck."
Seeing the crowd moving toward the inn, the tiefling looks to her companions. "We should head to the inn, right away. Find out what needs to be done..." Then, remembering her promise to deliver the family, she turns to Randur and Nathra. "Unless you'd rather continue onward. We said we'd offer protection, and I mean to do that until you feel you are safe."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae(L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk -Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
“Ye can’t just keep runnin and keep runnin. At a certain point, one must stop to make a stand. From where I sees it, we are at that point now.” The stout, odd dwarf speaks up finally, having listened kindly and observed each of you in turn, at times nodding vigorously, at other times distractedly pulling out a piece of dirt or a beetle from his beard, he now chooses to join in and make his feelings known. “I came from a place near Silverymoon, not sure if you’ve heard of it… Citadel Adbar. Cept I not be one of those delvin dwarves, nor hammerin, smeltin, dealtin dwarves. I hear different tunes, you see. Different certainly than yon lad done done.” He reaches down and pulls out a couple of bees that buzz and fly around his hands. He catches them and sticks them back in his pocket.
“I hears the rhythm of nature, the buzzing and droning of insects. I know ya might think me crazy, but the sounds of nature have taught me more than any man or dwarf has. That didn’t fly over so well with me mom and pop though. But.. back to it. Alls I’m sayin is - - sometimes the big bully needs a right smart smack in the nose to stop pesterin ya. Well, maybe that time is now.” He reaches down again to the bee in his pocket, saying “Or a good sting, isn’t that right my love… you knowzz it. Heh!” Grymar looks up at all of you, like he just spoke truth, clear as day.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zubien looks about the town, taking in the damage to see if there is a true sign of damage that may have been caused by a giant, or perhaps it did the same tactic of demanding food then leaving. (Perception: 6) He is looking to see if the giant tracks appear to have come and left, or have gone in a different direction.
"We may learn more from what is being discussed in the inn," Zubien comments, then turns to the family. "I hope your relations are in their, or at least there are townsfolks there."
Lehmani - Randur eyes the number of riding animals hitched outside the inn. He points to a mule with a faded yellow bandana tied around its neck, "That's my brother Andel's mule, Daisy so I reckon he's here at the inn." Randur then turns to you and offers his hand, "And thank you again for your help. You've done more than enough for us, all of you. More than we could ever repay, but if there's ever anything I can do to help you, please let me know." He then helps his wife get their kids out of the cart and says, "We're going inside to find Andel and find out what's going on. You're welcome to join us."
Grymar - Randur and Nathra have been polite, but have certainly kept their distance. You've heard their children openly exclaim, "Mummy! Mummy! e's got bugs on 'im!" While Nathra shushes and rebukes them under her breath. Randur does agree with your sentiments about how to handle a bully, "That's what I've tried to teach the kids, don't go looking for a fight, but if a fight comes to you, don't back down." He gives a half-hearted chucke then sighs and continues, "My family has farmed in Scorton for generations, fending off raiding orcs, replanting after terrible storms, and weathering droughts... I feel like a coward running away from all of that, but I guess any old patch of dirt can be home as long as I have my family. And, who knows, Gods willing mayhap we'll be able to return to the farm and rebuild."
Zubien - Amid the tension in the air and scattered conversation around you, you calmly observe your surroundings, letting information come to you rather than seeking it out. You see the foot prints heading toward Frickley from hills to the east. They march through the front gate to the center of town, then back the way they came. You don't see any further damage beyond the front gate. You do notice that there appears to be a cart or two outside some of the houses and places of business, laden with all kinds of items. You also see houses that have the beginnings of simple spiked palisades being constructed around them while others have neither carts nor palisades, but you see that their gardens lie bare with not quite ripe produce overflowing from crates and barrels stacked around the perimeter. It seems the people of Frickley are split in how to handle the giant threat.
All - The din of raised voices builds as you approach the doors to the inn and breaks like a wave over you all when Randur pushes them open. The inn is filled to capacity with worried villagers. You see a good majority of people shouting over one another, banging on tables for emphasis, while others sit in dejected silence. A few of those not actively shouting notice your arrival and begin pointing and whispering. The more vocal villagers notice the disturbance and stop shouting to turn and see what's going on. The inn suddenly falls quiet as the whole of the village turn to look at you all. After a few seconds of awkward silence, a voice calls out, "Randur! Nathra!" You see a man push through the crowd and embrace Randur, their familiarity and psychical resemblance leading you to believe it's his brother Andel. Folks begin whispering again while Randur fills in Andel on what has happened in Scorton. Andel says loudly, "The Giant's been to Scorton!" The whispers turn to gasps and curses and the conversation begins again with renewed vigor. Andel continues to give sudden spurts of news, "He ate their fields and pastures barren!" You hear a group of villagers immediately react to this news, "See!? I told you! If we feed it, it'll just keep comin' back! We have to fight it off!" Andel shouts again, "Quiet! QUIET! That's not the worst of it!" The inn falls silent again for a few seconds and Andel quietly confirms with Randur before shouting, "He ate all the food they gave him, then snatched up some of the good folk of Scorton and stuffed 'em in a sack!" At this horrifying revelation, the inn explodes into shouts, cries, curses, and prayers. Chaos reigns for a few minutes before you all hear a high pitched whistle and what sounds like pots and pans being banged around. The inn quiets again and through the crowd you see a halfling standing on a table in the middle of the room. He is older, with fluffy white hair ringing his head and a ruddy complexion with blue eyes. He calls out to all, "Friends, I appreciate the weight of the situation, but I'd also appreciate it if my inn was still standing at the ends of this." Half-elven woman with red hair and arms crossed snorts and says, "If we don't knock it down, the Giant will. You heard Andel's brother, the Giant didn't stop after they gave him all their food. It came back for more and it will continue to 'til there's nothing left to eat. It's nature." She pauses for a moment and begins again, "I'm sorry, but nature has come to claim Frickley and we should just let her have it." You notice this woman has a longbow on her back and a few knives in her belt. She wears leather armor and clothes that appear simple but well-made. A group of similarly dressed people stands behind her, nodding in assent as she speaks and hissing or booing when an opposing opinion is voiced. On the other side of the tavern is a human man in work clothes similar to what Randur wears with his own group of supporters at his back. The man gestures with one hand while the other stays crossed over his chest, "I've lived here my whole life, my family has farmed these lands for as far as we can trace. We all have." The group of farmers behind the man nod and murmur in agreeance, each standing stubbornly in place like a boulder in a field. The lead farmer continues, "We can tell the damned brute we'll feed him this once, but no more. Hopefully it'll buy us time before Waterdeep can send help." Shouts of derision and booing erupt from the opposing side and the arguments resume. The halfling man whistles and bangs his pots again, and the inn quiets again, though not as quickly this time. "I say we do neither. I may not have the generational ties to this land as some of you, but I have come to love it in my own way. I say we stay. We stay and we fight." The red haired woman rolls her eyes and says, "No offense Pello, but most the folks in this town couldn't swing a sword without lopping off their own foot. You expect to scare the giant away with your pots and pans?" The farmer says, "I don't think we should antagonize it. Just make it clear that this is the only time-" The rest is lost as both sides begin arguing again in earnest. The town of Frickley appears incapable of reaching a decision on their own.
You have spent several days on foot, making your way to the tiny hamlet of Frickley on the borders of the High Forest. Rolling plains have given way to a light forest as you follow an overgrown dirt road that wends its way through the trees. You suddenly hear shouts and cries from up ahead; rounding the corner you see an old cart perhaps a hundred yards down the road. It’s being pulled by a large draught horse and driven by a plainly dressed man and woman; there are several young children cowering in the back. Dancing around the cart, singing and whooping, are two Goblins! A third is rummaging through a chest that has fallen out of the cart in the chaos, tossing the contents over its shoulder. The creatures laugh as they jab away at the family with scimitars that gleam dully in the morning light, their joy growing in counterpoint to the humans’ terror. Even as you watch, one casually dodges a spear being inexpertly wielded by the man and neatly slices through the chair being jabbed at it by the screaming woman.
What would you like to do?
Battle Map:
Initiative order:
Goblin B continues to harry the man with the spear, cackling as it lunges forward and knocks the flat of its blade against the spear before hopping backward.
Lore is up! Followed by Goblin A, then Zubien.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Lore - The Goblin attacking the man hears a rush of flame and is incinerated before he can even turn. His blackened form drops to the ground, sizzling and popping. The other Goblin is but a fraction quicker than his dead comrade, managing to get part of his shield between him and the flame, but even still he screeches loudly as he is badly burned.
Goblin B is DEAD.
Goblin A whimpers and staggers away from the cart, stumbling as quickly as he can into the woods to the east and out of sight.
Bonus Action: Nimble Escape (Disengage)
Action: Dash
Zubien is up! Followed by Grymar, then Goblin C.
Map:
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Seeing the family in distress, attacks Goblin C: Attack: 14 Damage: 10
Zubien - Your arrow streaks across the battlefield and slams into the remaining Goblin as she tries to stand. The goblin crumples to the ground, a small sack of coin falling from her lifeless fingers and spilling in the grass.
Goblin C is DEAD. Combat has ended.
All - The forest clearing falls quiet but for the heavy breathing and sobs of the family you rescued. The man eyes the corpses and gingerly jabs at them with his spear before turning to console his wife. You see three children peeking over the edge of the cart, eyes wide, taking in the carnage. The woman hurries over to them and holds them close, burying their heads in her bosom as she continues to sob. The man walks over to you all, spear still in hand and eyeing the goblins as he goes, "Hail and thank you all for your help... I..." He stops and rubs his neck, still seemingly in shock, "They came outta nowhere, screaming like devils and swinging their swords at us." He turns and points to a large, downed tree blocking the path, "I think they did that. To ambush us. Can't move it by myself." He looks at you all sheepishly, "I don't suppose... I could count on your help again?"
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Lehmani moves to the family, checking to see if anyone has injuries that require tending. "Of course. But first, are you all well? Did they harm you?"
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae (L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk - Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
Grymar scratches his head, a grizzled dwarf who had pulled out his warhammer, he leans on it for a moment and regards the situation. “Quite a spot. Glad we came along, eh? Where you headed.? You be needed our help with movin that log?”
Zuibien also moves to check on the family. He then checks the goblins, trying to determine their clan or affiliation (Perception: 10).
"What shall we do with them? Search them?" Zubien starts to collect the coins to give to the family.
Lehmani - None of the family appear to be injured as you approach, more frightened than anything. The woman turns to you and says between sniffles, "We're okay. Thank you for your help! Gods, I was so scared! I didn't know what to do... I just knew I had to keep them away from the kids." She turns back to her children, two boys and a girl, and hugs and kisses them each again. The young girl stands and holds her arms out toward the man, opening and closing her hands while saying, "Da... Da.. Da..." The man walks over and lifts her out of the cart with a smile. He then ruffles the hair of the boys and says, "You two did good staying in the cart and watching after your sister." The woman hugs her husband, then strangely, she begins to giggle then laugh in earnest. The man steps back with an eyebrow raised, "Nathra...? Are you..." Nathra points at something laying in the grass and you see it is the two halves of the simple wooden chair she was using to fend off the Goblins. Between bouts of laughter she manages to say, "Randur... Did I... Did I wield a chair?" Randur looks to the chair, then his wife and smiles, "Yes, I believe so my dear."
Grymar/All - The man sets his daughter down and turns to you with his hand outstretched, "Yes, quite. Thank Lathander you all were here. We come from Scorton, a little village about seven leagues back that way. Born and bred there, both of us. Best little place in the world… well, it used to be. About a week ago we had a giant come to the village. An honest-to goodness giant - must have been a dozen feet tall! Fat too, like you have never seen. Told us his name was Yegor Bonecruncher. Said we had two days to bring him all the food in the village – every last scrap. If we didn’t he’d find another way to fill his belly…" Randur lowers his voice steals a quick glance over his shoulder at his family before continuing, "And we were pretty sure we knew what he meant by that. Well, we were in a right fix. Some folks wanted to leave, some wanted to fight, and some wanted to just give him the food and hope he went away. ‘Twas the last crowd that won out. We spent the next day gathering every scrap of food in the village. Cows, sheep, chickens… all were slaughtered. My grain was milled and turned into bread, and all the fruit and vegetables were harvested too – ripe or no. It made quite a pile outside the village when the giant returned. He sat down, smiling like a babe, and he ate. And ate. And ate. Took six hours but he ate the lot. He then stands up without so much as a thank you - and here’s where things get bad..." Randur again lowers his voice and says, "Suddenly he pulls out an old sack, and quick as a flash plucks four of the fattest farmers out of the crowd and squashes ‘em in there! Then he strolls off, as if nothing in the world was happening! Well… as you may expect we didn’t exactly feel safe in Scorton no more, and with no crops or animals left we didn’t have a reason to stick around. Most of ‘em headed over to Triboar, but my brother Andel lives in Frickley so we set off on our own. Seemed like a good idea too until we ran into those disgusting Goblins…"
Zubien - Nathra shudders and turns away from the Goblins as you begin to look them over. The first is little more than a tangle of scorched bones and whatever filthy skins the Goblin was using as armor, the fused mass offers no clues as to its clan. The female Goblin you killed looks to be older, with greying hair and a lifetime's worth of scars and wrinkles. You spy a few faded tattoos that might have been clan markings at one time, but it is too difficult to discern their meaning. You do not find aught of value on her person, the armor and weapons too crude and ill-maintained. As for the Goblin that fled, it appears to be long gone by now. Randur accepts the coin from you with a thanks and a smile.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Zubien approaches the family, and bows to them, holding his hand vertical before his chest. "You have suffered much but prevailed against grim odds. That speaks much of your spirit, it will carry you on through these troubling times." He then turns to the party, "Shall we accompany these good people to make sure they get safely to Frickley?"
Lehmani looks to the woman and says with all the reassurance she can muster, "I would be honored to travel with you and ensure your protection."
She can't help but glance back down the road in the direction the family traveled from. "Is there no one left in Scorton who might still require aid once you are delivered safely to Frickley?"
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae (L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk - Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
Zubien nods, "This giant is beyond honorable, he had ill intent from the very beginning. He enjoyed the anguish he caused making the people give up their food, then still taking the five men. We must be on guard as I believe they can range far, and we may still be where he is hunting. We must spread a warning to others to be on the look out."
Lehmani - Nathra shrugs and says, "I'm not sure... They may some folks too mule-headed to leave, but if that Giant comes back, well... Let's just say I wouldn't want to be the only thing around when he comes back.
All - After helping Randur move the fallen tree, you all continue onward toward Frickley. Both Randur and Nathra ask you all the following questions:
Also, feel free to use this time to interact with one another. I will move the narrative along tomorrow morning.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Zubien explains his travels as a monk, helping those in need and collecting histories. He tries to explain the spiritual nature of Ki, of focus and the balance of life. He pulls out his flute, and plays a melody he hopes to take what the children saw off their minds.
Lehmani enjoys Zubien's tune as she feels Randur and Natha's attention turn to her, waiting for her answer. She tucks her hair behind her horns as she speaks about her past... the only tell she has that she feels some level of vulnerability talking about her origins.
"I was born in Elturgard, a realm far to the south..." Lehmani says quickly changing gears, "But I spent most of my life near Baldur's Gate." Her expression shifts, curling into a smile as she reaches into her side pouch. "That's where my father built his business and instructed me in his trade... Here..." Lehmani pulls out the glass bird crafted by her father and holds it up to the light, allowing the children to delight in the spectrum of colors it casts. Colored glass within the bird's form show interlocking gears that seem to turn when held against the light a certain way. "This is his work. Quite beautiful, isn't it? I have talent of my own, but none of his simple heartfelt elegance and raw personality..."
Lehmani lets the children take the bird while she turns her attention back to the parents, and her companions, continuing to answer their questions. "He nurtured in me a great love of artistry and craftsmanship... A love that brought me to the faith of my Lord, Gond, the Wonderbringer... Patron of craft, and smithing and mortal inventiveness... I've dedicated my life to beholding the crafted wonders of this world while protecting and nurturing the creative spark in others. You can call it a pilgrimage of sorts... a joyful one."
She smiles watches Zubien playing the flute for the children, as they explore her father's glass bird. "It's a miracle how such simple little things." She says to Zubien, nodding her head toward his pipe. "Are capable of a greater sort of magic than the most powerful arcane objects." She explains. "The ability to lift a child's spirit after a brush with mortal peril creates a small ripple of grace which can grow to a swell of goodness that can snuff out evil across countless lands."
She raises her eyes at Zubien. "Not to put you on the spot, dear sir." She says with a smile.
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae (L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk - Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
As Zubien plays, he listens to his comrades tell their tale. He alters the tune into it is accompanying their tales. He lowers his flute, giving a slight bow to Lehmani. "While I am of a militaristic order of Monks, I learned from a Monk named Kane that life is a cycle, light versus darkness, good versus evil. We attune ourselves with the life around us, drawing it's essence into ours, our Ki. That energy can be used to heal," he holds up his flute, "or fight." He clenches his hand into a fist, you can hear the slight tone of the tightening of bone and ligament, and tendons that have been hardened. "Beauty and perfection is what we strive for, oneness with our world, and with our weapons. This is why I seek knowledge against evil and the darkness, so I may perfect my art to protect those in need like these good people."
Giving a slight smile, he returns to playing a tune that reminds you of birds soaring on the wind.
All - The children are enraptured by Lehmani's clockwork bird and the melody from Zubein's flute, the terror of the Goblin ambush now long-forgotten. Randur and Nathra listen to your stories as the road passes underfoot. After a few hours it is mid-day and you have left the woods behind. Ahead you can see the village of Frickley. Nathra and the kids begin to cheer when suddenly the cart rocks as it drives over a pot hole, then a few seconds later, another. You all notice a serious of similar sized depressions in the road, leading to Frickley. You hear Randur curse and Nathra gasp about the same time you realize that the pot holes are foot prints. Very large foot prints. The kids fall silent again, looking anxiously at their parents and their surroundings. You see that the doors to Frickley's main gate hang awkwardly on their hinges and appear to be held shut by a length of rope. Randur unties the rope and moves the cart inside before turning back to the gate. He holds the rope in his hands, just staring at it for a few moments. You see him look out toward the road and the giant foot prints and hear him mutter under his breath before he reties the gate shut. The dirt streets of Frickley appear to be deserted for the first few blocks, but then you see a few people making their way toward what appears to be the sole inn in the village, the Blue Duke. As you near, you hear the sound of raised voices coming from within.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
"Lord Maker..." Says Lehmani, clutching her holy symbol. "The Giant has already struck."
Seeing the crowd moving toward the inn, the tiefling looks to her companions. "We should head to the inn, right away. Find out what needs to be done..." Then, remembering her promise to deliver the family, she turns to Randur and Nathra. "Unless you'd rather continue onward. We said we'd offer protection, and I mean to do that until you feel you are safe."
DM - Origins - A Level Zero Adventure
DM - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
The Forge of Fury - Lehmani (L3 Tiefling Cleric, Forge Domain)
Wild Beyond the Witchlight - Fa'amae (L2 Shadar-kai Druid, Circle of the Spores)
Greyhawk - Tilliman Treewick Toadswaddler the First (L1 Gnome Rogue)
“Ye can’t just keep runnin and keep runnin. At a certain point, one must stop to make a stand. From where I sees it, we are at that point now.” The stout, odd dwarf speaks up finally, having listened kindly and observed each of you in turn, at times nodding vigorously, at other times distractedly pulling out a piece of dirt or a beetle from his beard, he now chooses to join in and make his feelings known. “I came from a place near Silverymoon, not sure if you’ve heard of it… Citadel Adbar. Cept I not be one of those delvin dwarves, nor hammerin, smeltin, dealtin dwarves. I hear different tunes, you see. Different certainly than yon lad done done.” He reaches down and pulls out a couple of bees that buzz and fly around his hands. He catches them and sticks them back in his pocket.
“I hears the rhythm of nature, the buzzing and droning of insects. I know ya might think me crazy, but the sounds of nature have taught me more than any man or dwarf has. That didn’t fly over so well with me mom and pop though. But.. back to it. Alls I’m sayin is - - sometimes the big bully needs a right smart smack in the nose to stop pesterin ya. Well, maybe that time is now.” He reaches down again to the bee in his pocket, saying “Or a good sting, isn’t that right my love… you knowzz it. Heh!” Grymar looks up at all of you, like he just spoke truth, clear as day.
Zubien looks about the town, taking in the damage to see if there is a true sign of damage that may have been caused by a giant, or perhaps it did the same tactic of demanding food then leaving. (Perception: 6) He is looking to see if the giant tracks appear to have come and left, or have gone in a different direction.
"We may learn more from what is being discussed in the inn," Zubien comments, then turns to the family. "I hope your relations are in their, or at least there are townsfolks there."
Lehmani - Randur eyes the number of riding animals hitched outside the inn. He points to a mule with a faded yellow bandana tied around its neck, "That's my brother Andel's mule, Daisy so I reckon he's here at the inn." Randur then turns to you and offers his hand, "And thank you again for your help. You've done more than enough for us, all of you. More than we could ever repay, but if there's ever anything I can do to help you, please let me know." He then helps his wife get their kids out of the cart and says, "We're going inside to find Andel and find out what's going on. You're welcome to join us."
Grymar - Randur and Nathra have been polite, but have certainly kept their distance. You've heard their children openly exclaim, "Mummy! Mummy! e's got bugs on 'im!" While Nathra shushes and rebukes them under her breath. Randur does agree with your sentiments about how to handle a bully, "That's what I've tried to teach the kids, don't go looking for a fight, but if a fight comes to you, don't back down." He gives a half-hearted chucke then sighs and continues, "My family has farmed in Scorton for generations, fending off raiding orcs, replanting after terrible storms, and weathering droughts... I feel like a coward running away from all of that, but I guess any old patch of dirt can be home as long as I have my family. And, who knows, Gods willing mayhap we'll be able to return to the farm and rebuild."
Zubien - Amid the tension in the air and scattered conversation around you, you calmly observe your surroundings, letting information come to you rather than seeking it out. You see the foot prints heading toward Frickley from hills to the east. They march through the front gate to the center of town, then back the way they came. You don't see any further damage beyond the front gate. You do notice that there appears to be a cart or two outside some of the houses and places of business, laden with all kinds of items. You also see houses that have the beginnings of simple spiked palisades being constructed around them while others have neither carts nor palisades, but you see that their gardens lie bare with not quite ripe produce overflowing from crates and barrels stacked around the perimeter. It seems the people of Frickley are split in how to handle the giant threat.
All - The din of raised voices builds as you approach the doors to the inn and breaks like a wave over you all when Randur pushes them open. The inn is filled to capacity with worried villagers. You see a good majority of people shouting over one another, banging on tables for emphasis, while others sit in dejected silence. A few of those not actively shouting notice your arrival and begin pointing and whispering. The more vocal villagers notice the disturbance and stop shouting to turn and see what's going on. The inn suddenly falls quiet as the whole of the village turn to look at you all. After a few seconds of awkward silence, a voice calls out, "Randur! Nathra!" You see a man push through the crowd and embrace Randur, their familiarity and psychical resemblance leading you to believe it's his brother Andel. Folks begin whispering again while Randur fills in Andel on what has happened in Scorton. Andel says loudly, "The Giant's been to Scorton!" The whispers turn to gasps and curses and the conversation begins again with renewed vigor. Andel continues to give sudden spurts of news, "He ate their fields and pastures barren!" You hear a group of villagers immediately react to this news, "See!? I told you! If we feed it, it'll just keep comin' back! We have to fight it off!" Andel shouts again, "Quiet! QUIET! That's not the worst of it!" The inn falls silent again for a few seconds and Andel quietly confirms with Randur before shouting, "He ate all the food they gave him, then snatched up some of the good folk of Scorton and stuffed 'em in a sack!" At this horrifying revelation, the inn explodes into shouts, cries, curses, and prayers. Chaos reigns for a few minutes before you all hear a high pitched whistle and what sounds like pots and pans being banged around. The inn quiets again and through the crowd you see a halfling standing on a table in the middle of the room. He is older, with fluffy white hair ringing his head and a ruddy complexion with blue eyes. He calls out to all, "Friends, I appreciate the weight of the situation, but I'd also appreciate it if my inn was still standing at the ends of this." Half-elven woman with red hair and arms crossed snorts and says, "If we don't knock it down, the Giant will. You heard Andel's brother, the Giant didn't stop after they gave him all their food. It came back for more and it will continue to 'til there's nothing left to eat. It's nature." She pauses for a moment and begins again, "I'm sorry, but nature has come to claim Frickley and we should just let her have it." You notice this woman has a longbow on her back and a few knives in her belt. She wears leather armor and clothes that appear simple but well-made. A group of similarly dressed people stands behind her, nodding in assent as she speaks and hissing or booing when an opposing opinion is voiced. On the other side of the tavern is a human man in work clothes similar to what Randur wears with his own group of supporters at his back. The man gestures with one hand while the other stays crossed over his chest, "I've lived here my whole life, my family has farmed these lands for as far as we can trace. We all have." The group of farmers behind the man nod and murmur in agreeance, each standing stubbornly in place like a boulder in a field. The lead farmer continues, "We can tell the damned brute we'll feed him this once, but no more. Hopefully it'll buy us time before Waterdeep can send help." Shouts of derision and booing erupt from the opposing side and the arguments resume. The halfling man whistles and bangs his pots again, and the inn quiets again, though not as quickly this time. "I say we do neither. I may not have the generational ties to this land as some of you, but I have come to love it in my own way. I say we stay. We stay and we fight." The red haired woman rolls her eyes and says, "No offense Pello, but most the folks in this town couldn't swing a sword without lopping off their own foot. You expect to scare the giant away with your pots and pans?" The farmer says, "I don't think we should antagonize it. Just make it clear that this is the only time-" The rest is lost as both sides begin arguing again in earnest. The town of Frickley appears incapable of reaching a decision on their own.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey