The first leg of the journey begins easily enough. Eventually the road branches and you continue along the High Road running to the West of the southern Sword Mountains. By evening, Banjo delights the travelers with his simple illusions and they are soon asking for their favorites. On the third evening, however, spring storms roll in. The deluge is enough to slow things along the road and you are forced to make camp early for the night.
The rain abates as the morning comes. The road is soaked, but thankfully still passable due to the high degree of rock in the ground. Camp is broken and the wagons roll on.
Late morning the caravan is subjected to a lighter rain. It is Banjo who notices the movement on the slope above the road. A second later, Serena hears the sound of the hill rolling down toward the road - a mud slide!
Fortunately, you give the wagon enough notice to stop as you watch the detritus from the slide cover the road ahead.
You see Zanemo leap from her wagon and run up to inspect the road. She is joined by the wainwright, a skilled craftswoman named Baveva. The two discuss for a while, pointing alternately to parts of the road and parts of the rubble.
Following the direction of their gestures, you guess that they discussing the difficulties of passing two challenges. The first is a large oak tree which was swept down the hill, roots and all. Combined with rocks and dirt, it blocks about two thirds of the road. The western side of the road is another matter; more correctly, WAS another matter. Having taken the brunt of the larger boulders which preceded the tree as well as the slicked run-off, about ten feet of the western third is completely washed out. All that remains is a very steep run down a ravine and to the shore, far too steep for the wagons to pass.
Zanemo and Baveva's discussion seems to be which would be faster and less risky to attempt - to clear the tree and try to squeeze by without pitching into the ravine below, or to try to shore up the road with rocks from the slide to allow them to pass around the tree.
You jump as you suddenly hear Sneeze from behind you (where did he come from?) "Well adventurers, what will you do to help?"
“Well, I can help with moving rocks, moving the tree, or even burning the tree, if you want. Just tell me what you want me to do” Tresvar says .(She can try to move the tree with someone’s help- I’ll go ahead and roll an athletics check if that is possible)
17 athletics, with advantage.
(One of the things that speeds up pbp play I’ve found is anticipating checks and rolling early when i can- that way I’m not holding up the group waiting for my check. Dm rolled initiative also speeds things. Feel free to use my athletics check for moving rocks instead if that’s what the group decides)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In the evenings Serena can´t resist joining Banjo in entertaining the travelers with tales of adventure and heroics, spiced up with minor illusions of various monsters and treasures, real and imagined. She also sings some old folksongs from back home about young tragic love, hopefully accompanied by Banjo on his viol. Performance: 25 (Hoping for help from Banjo, otherwise go with first roll.) When the rain comes Serena again tries to take care of Livia offering her cloak for protection.
"That was close." Serena says to no one in particular as the mud slide stops. She studies the discussion from afar, pondering solutions to their quandary. She was no stranger to chopping up wood, as she used to help out with such chores back at the farm. "Oh, Sneeze, didn´t see you there." She says and smiles. "We´ll take care of this, right?" She says looking at the others. "Come with me." She adds and walks up to Zanemo and Baveva.
"Excuse us, may I suggest we chop this tree up enough to move it aside. Get us a couple of axes and me and Tresver will take care of this in a jiffy." She confidently says to the caravan master. If axes are available Serena gives help action to Tresver, chopping up the tree enough to drag it out of the way. "Keep a look out." She says to Livia and Banjo. "Even though this mud slide was due to natural causes, we are in a vulnerable spot for a bandit attack."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Livia is grateful for the cloak she receives from Serena. Her clothes were not fit for the rain, and the white cotton starts, to Livia's surprise and embarrassment, to become transparent. The extra layer of clothes is much appreciated.
Livia watches the others act in response to the fallen tree. If she were alone, she'd probably be stuck here trying to think of a solution, but they came up with one - even if a simple one - within mere moments. Livia silently nods in response to Serena's command and searches for bandits in the area.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Banjo takes a moment to admire the breathtaking power of nature. All that mass... rocks, trees, boulders, earth... pouring down the mountainside. He shakes his head to focus once Sneeze appears. "Yes, of course Mr. Naarbig... er Sneeze."
He rifles through his pack and pulls out a journal. Flipping through pages furiously, "Let me see... mud mephits... mudslinging... mud... wrestling? Oh by Rill's Spectacles, 'Ella...". He closes the journal. "Well. Nothing on 'mudslides. No matter as I'm sure we can figure this out as we work together as a team."
The proposals made thus far make sense. Banjo definitely agrees on posting a watch. He has some misgivings though... squeeze wagons along a sliver of road? Shore up a destroyed road with loose rocks alongside a cliff? Both sound... ill advised, though the nature of their predicament demands some action and perhaps those are our best options.
Banjo ponders this a moment. (Perhaps an intelligence 'save' to see if one of these ideas is clearly more dangerously reckless than the other? 15)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
You find some axes easily enough and through Tresvar's sheer strength, aided by Serena, you make impressive progress into clearing the tree.
Banjo and Livia keep a keen lookout for any additional danger.
Some of the others from the wagons assist in clearing the wood as you break it up. It is hard work, but over the course of a few hours, the tree is cleared. Banjo suggests that if we clear more of the rocks it might be safer yet. Much to everyone's amazement, Tresvar continues and begins to clear some of the rocks as well to widen the road. Other's inspired by your work, join in.
Eventually, the road is clear enough for the wagons to pass safely. It is now a few hours past mid-day.
Zanemo thanks the party, "Well, we're running late, but could not be helped. Indeed, you prevented us being caught in the slide and you cleared the way faster than I figured we would get it done. Well done. Sneeze, good group."
You continue on, the remainder of the last couple days of the first leg pass without issue. On the fifth day, you clear this first part of the Sword Mountains. Through the day, the Mere of Dead Men looming to the West. The musty stench of the mere keeps the wagons and animals well on the road. As the day draws to a close you arrive at Thornhold, a dwarven fortress along the southern edge of the Mere.
You reinvigorate with a good meal and some rest. As evening comes on, Sneeze joins the group again.
"Well done, thus far adventurers! This next leg will be a bit more grueling. Zanemo has decided to make the three day press non-stop. We will travel steadily day and night to avoid stopping near the Mere - so rest up and best decide who will take watch for which shifts... two of you by day, two by night. Zanemo says you can sleep in the lead wagon when you are not on your shifts."
((decide on shifts and then roll a Perception and a Wisdom check.))
"I suggest Tresvar and Banjo take the night shift, as Banjo should be better than the rest of us spotting threats in the dark. I will keep Livia company in the daytime. In case of trouble, hurry and wake the ones sleeping. Would that be ok with everyone?" Serena says to the others as Sneeze finishes. Perception:15 Wisdom: 10
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Serena, I like the way you think. Sound security through strategic thinking and preparation. I daresay this adventure has a rock-solid foundation!"
As the group is depending on him for his darkvision (60ft), Banjo is sure to take extra special care with his night-time guard duties. The tiny bit he read about the Mere in 'Ella's journal was enough to get him to slam the book closed with a shudder. Still, he could not pass up the opportunity to converse directly with his new dragonborn companion. "How do you measure our performance thus far, Tresvar? I think things are going just swimmingly." He adjusts his cap and proceeds, "I must confess... a hole in my education remains the history of your people and how they came to be. What papers I have skimmed through curiosity have been more conjecture and biased speculation than reasoned science or fact. I would be delighted to hear of your experiences direct from the source. That is, of course, if I am not being overly prying or boorish."
Perception 19
Wisdom 22
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
During the days Serena takes Livia to the front of the caravan trying to practice spotting dangers, mainly to the west from the Mere of Dead Men. "You slowly sweep the treeline with your gaze, back and forth." Serena explains. She also takes the opportunity to instruct Livia on the use of her crossbow, how to load swiftly, how to take a steady aim and which shots to take. "By the time we reach Neverwinter you will be an experts marksman."She says encouragingly to the seemingly not so confident Livia, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I´m from there you now, Neverwinter. My family has a farm just north of the city. Perhaps you will meet them some day." She says smiling to Livia "What about you though Livia, tell me about yourself. I´m sure we will find your true talent soon."She asks curiously as they march north by the Mere of Dead Men.
Tresvar replies to Banjo when they are alone on watch. “Dragonborn were created by the good dragons to merge the best aspects of dragonkind and mortals, and afterwards- by the evil chromatic dragonkind out of jealousy. That was long ago. Now we live in communities of our own, or spread amongst the races. Some, like my ancestors, breed only with other gold Dragonborn, to keep our line pure back to our gold dragon ancestors from ancient history. Other Dragonborn breed with other races, or other dragonstock. My people live in Tymanther, I was sent to waterdeep as an emissary and representative of the best of the good Dragonborn”- (she says this with some degree of pride, voice almost cracking). to counter what my people believed was superstitions and fear spreading about my kind. The Grey Hand saw fit to send me with this noble excursion, and so I am here. “she smiles a big toothy grin.
The three day endurance march around the marsh begins quietly enough. Serena and Livia walk with the wagons, getting acquainted and fine tuning their skill as guards. The morning is warm and clear. When late afternoon approaches, however, cold air accompanies a dense fog which begins to spread from the marsh to the road. Livia and Serena help light lanterns on the wagons as Tresvar and Banjo awaken to take their place. The four share a walking meal for a bit before Livia and Serena make their way to rest in the lead wagon.
Tresvar and Banjo begin to settle into the now cold, damp march. The fog carries with it the smell of decay. The marsh seems to liven with the endless song of frogs, almost imitating the creak and croak of the wagon wheels. They see Veted briefly, reminding guards and wagons alike to stay on the road. The fog is now so thick it is only just possible to see the lamp of one, maybe two wagons ahead.
It still being early in the watch, Banjo is surprised to be accompanied by another halfling that he only remembers briefly seeing as part of the day watch. The halfling introduces himself as Imnachar stating to Banjo, "Can't seem to sleep yet. Think I'll just walk along with you for a spell. Say, tell me a bit about being part of Volo's Adventurers. It must be a grand life."
Livia is glad to receive Serena's tutoring. She struggles a bit with the loading moment, which requires a lot of strength, but she proves a natural talent when it comes to aiming the crossbow. It seems that years of practising her handwriting made her hands especially steady and her movements are all subtle. Though Livia does not believe so herself, Serena can quickly see the woman is almost as good as her.
In response to Serena's question, Livia goes silent at first. But, after considering all the help Serena gave her, she decides to open up a little. "My story isn't an interesting one. The greatest thrill I had in the past nineteen years was leaving my house for the first time. My family... my parents, I'm their only child; they were a bit overprotective. I was kept inside our house, never allowed to go outside. I had nearly everything I could ask for, inside, but all I truly wanted is to go outside and view all the things I read about in legends. I wanted to know how rain feels, to smell new flowers..." She stops for a moment. For her, disobeying her parents - even for the sake of her own freedom - seemed wrong, even now. She feels a little uncomfortable continuing. "In the end... in a moment of impulsiveness when I saw a chance... I ran away from home. I thought, maybe if I go outside and prove I can do stuff on my own, prove the outside is not as dangerous as they said it is, maybe I'll be able to get their permission to stay outside." She goes silent and looks down, almost expecting to be reprimanded for her rush, self-risking behaviour.
"You did the right thing Livia, your heart told you to leave for the road, and you should always follow your heart." Serena says smiling, putting a comforting hand on Livias shoulder. "It´s only natural for parents to try to protect their young ones. One day when you had enough the life of an adventurer you will go home to see them again, and they will see that you made the right choice. I too ran away from home in a sense although for a whole different reason. It´s complicated but suffice to say the ruler of Neverwinter had some issues with me liberating wealth from him and other nobles, redistributing it to poor farmers such as my parents. Anyway, perhaps a letter could be sent to your parents when we reach Neverwinter to keep them from worrying too much." Serena says and nudges Livia politely.
Tresvar and Banjo begin to settle into the now cold, damp march. The fog carries with it the smell of decay. The marsh seems to liven with the endless song of frogs, almost imitating the creak and croak of the wagon wheels. They see Veted briefly, reminding guards and wagons alike to stay on the road. The fog is now so thick it is only just possible to see the lamp of one, maybe two wagons ahead.
It still being early in the watch, Banjo is surprised to be accompanied by another halfling that he only remembers briefly seeing as part of the day watch. The halfling introduces himself as Imnachar stating to Banjo, "Can't seem to sleep yet. Think I'll just walk along with you for a spell. Say, tell me a bit about being part of Volo's Adventurers. It must be a grand life."
"There's little to tell just yet. Our band was only just organized and this is our first assignment together. I can say I am most impressed with the organization. Volo has pulled no punches in putting together a top notch product, with book to field to reporting all rolled into one. For those looking for a leg up into the adventuring life, I cannot think of anything they have left out that could make the experience any more user friendly." He looks out over the Mere. "With the fog and the frogs and the sounds of nature, it is almost peaceful. Its easy to forget this is one of the most dangerous stretches of road anywhere along the coast." He looks back to the halfling. "I'm Jebeddo Thunderdiggles, by the by. I didn't catch your name. Are you with the guards as well? What awaits you in Neverwinter?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tresvar and Banjo begin to settle into the now cold, damp march. The fog carries with it the smell of decay. The marsh seems to liven with the endless song of frogs, almost imitating the creak and croak of the wagon wheels. They see Veted briefly, reminding guards and wagons alike to stay on the road. The fog is now so thick it is only just possible to see the lamp of one, maybe two wagons ahead.
It still being early in the watch, Banjo is surprised to be accompanied by another halfling that he only remembers briefly seeing as part of the day watch. The halfling introduces himself as Imnachar stating to Banjo, "Can't seem to sleep yet. Think I'll just walk along with you for a spell. Say, tell me a bit about being part of Volo's Adventurers. It must be a grand life."
"There's little to tell just yet. Our band was only just organized and this is our first assignment together. I can say I am most impressed with the organization. Volo has pulled no punches in putting together a top notch product, with book to field to reporting all rolled into one. For those looking for a leg up into the adventuring life, I cannot think of anything they have left out that could make the experience any more user friendly." He looks out over the Mere. "With the fog and the frogs and the sounds of nature, it is almost peaceful. Its easy to forget this is one of the most dangerous stretches of road anywhere along the coast." He looks back to the halfling. "I'm Jebeddo Thunderdiggles, by the by. I didn't catch your name. Are you with the guards as well? What awaits you in Neverwinter?"
Banjo says the last, casually, yet, as he turns toward the halfling with his final words, the halfling is not there!
SQUISH! His foot sinks into swampy water. Tresvar and Banjo have left the road... a while ago...
Realizing this he looks for the road, but doesn't see it... there is a patch of fog that is a little less dense, through which Banjo sees what looks like a wagon lantern, maybe 50 feet from where the two adventurers are. How could they have gotten so far following another wagon? Did the driver get lost?
Banjo looks up toward the light they had been following just in time to realize that it is no longer a wagon lantern, but a glowing orb of light, bobbing in a perfect imitation of the wagon lantern's swaying rhythm.
The orb of light glows brighter, then turns a green color and moves toward Tresvar and Banjo. It is sentient?!?
The first leg of the journey begins easily enough. Eventually the road branches and you continue along the High Road running to the West of the southern Sword Mountains. By evening, Banjo delights the travelers with his simple illusions and they are soon asking for their favorites. On the third evening, however, spring storms roll in. The deluge is enough to slow things along the road and you are forced to make camp early for the night.
The rain abates as the morning comes. The road is soaked, but thankfully still passable due to the high degree of rock in the ground. Camp is broken and the wagons roll on.
Late morning the caravan is subjected to a lighter rain. It is Banjo who notices the movement on the slope above the road. A second later, Serena hears the sound of the hill rolling down toward the road - a mud slide!
Fortunately, you give the wagon enough notice to stop as you watch the detritus from the slide cover the road ahead.
You see Zanemo leap from her wagon and run up to inspect the road. She is joined by the wainwright, a skilled craftswoman named Baveva. The two discuss for a while, pointing alternately to parts of the road and parts of the rubble.
Following the direction of their gestures, you guess that they discussing the difficulties of passing two challenges. The first is a large oak tree which was swept down the hill, roots and all. Combined with rocks and dirt, it blocks about two thirds of the road. The western side of the road is another matter; more correctly, WAS another matter. Having taken the brunt of the larger boulders which preceded the tree as well as the slicked run-off, about ten feet of the western third is completely washed out. All that remains is a very steep run down a ravine and to the shore, far too steep for the wagons to pass.
Zanemo and Baveva's discussion seems to be which would be faster and less risky to attempt - to clear the tree and try to squeeze by without pitching into the ravine below, or to try to shore up the road with rocks from the slide to allow them to pass around the tree.
You jump as you suddenly hear Sneeze from behind you (where did he come from?) "Well adventurers, what will you do to help?"
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
“Well, I can help with moving rocks, moving the tree, or even burning the tree, if you want. Just tell me what you want me to do” Tresvar says .(She can try to move the tree with someone’s help- I’ll go ahead and roll an athletics check if that is possible)
17 athletics, with advantage.
(One of the things that speeds up pbp play I’ve found is anticipating checks and rolling early when i can- that way I’m not holding up the group waiting for my check. Dm rolled initiative also speeds things. Feel free to use my athletics check for moving rocks instead if that’s what the group decides)
In the evenings Serena can´t resist joining Banjo in entertaining the travelers with tales of adventure and heroics, spiced up with minor illusions of various monsters and treasures, real and imagined. She also sings some old folksongs from back home about young tragic love, hopefully accompanied by Banjo on his viol. Performance: 25 (Hoping for help from Banjo, otherwise go with first roll.) When the rain comes Serena again tries to take care of Livia offering her cloak for protection.
"That was close." Serena says to no one in particular as the mud slide stops. She studies the discussion from afar, pondering solutions to their quandary. She was no stranger to chopping up wood, as she used to help out with such chores back at the farm.
"Oh, Sneeze, didn´t see you there." She says and smiles. "We´ll take care of this, right?" She says looking at the others. "Come with me." She adds and walks up to Zanemo and Baveva.
"Excuse us, may I suggest we chop this tree up enough to move it aside. Get us a couple of axes and me and Tresver will take care of this in a jiffy." She confidently says to the caravan master. If axes are available Serena gives help action to Tresver, chopping up the tree enough to drag it out of the way. "Keep a look out." She says to Livia and Banjo. "Even though this mud slide was due to natural causes, we are in a vulnerable spot for a bandit attack."
Livia is grateful for the cloak she receives from Serena. Her clothes were not fit for the rain, and the white cotton starts, to Livia's surprise and embarrassment, to become transparent. The extra layer of clothes is much appreciated.
Livia watches the others act in response to the fallen tree. If she were alone, she'd probably be stuck here trying to think of a solution, but they came up with one - even if a simple one - within mere moments. Livia silently nods in response to Serena's command and searches for bandits in the area.
Perception: 7.
Varielky
Banjo takes a moment to admire the breathtaking power of nature. All that mass... rocks, trees, boulders, earth... pouring down the mountainside. He shakes his head to focus once Sneeze appears. "Yes, of course Mr. Naarbig... er Sneeze."
He rifles through his pack and pulls out a journal. Flipping through pages furiously, "Let me see... mud mephits... mudslinging... mud... wrestling? Oh by Rill's Spectacles, 'Ella...". He closes the journal. "Well. Nothing on 'mudslides. No matter as I'm sure we can figure this out as we work together as a team."
The proposals made thus far make sense. Banjo definitely agrees on posting a watch. He has some misgivings though... squeeze wagons along a sliver of road? Shore up a destroyed road with loose rocks alongside a cliff? Both sound... ill advised, though the nature of their predicament demands some action and perhaps those are our best options.
Banjo ponders this a moment. (Perhaps an intelligence 'save' to see if one of these ideas is clearly more dangerously reckless than the other? 15)
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
You find some axes easily enough and through Tresvar's sheer strength, aided by Serena, you make impressive progress into clearing the tree.
Banjo and Livia keep a keen lookout for any additional danger.
Some of the others from the wagons assist in clearing the wood as you break it up. It is hard work, but over the course of a few hours, the tree is cleared. Banjo suggests that if we clear more of the rocks it might be safer yet. Much to everyone's amazement, Tresvar continues and begins to clear some of the rocks as well to widen the road. Other's inspired by your work, join in.
Eventually, the road is clear enough for the wagons to pass safely. It is now a few hours past mid-day.
Zanemo thanks the party, "Well, we're running late, but could not be helped. Indeed, you prevented us being caught in the slide and you cleared the way faster than I figured we would get it done. Well done. Sneeze, good group."
You continue on, the remainder of the last couple days of the first leg pass without issue. On the fifth day, you clear this first part of the Sword Mountains. Through the day, the Mere of Dead Men looming to the West. The musty stench of the mere keeps the wagons and animals well on the road. As the day draws to a close you arrive at Thornhold, a dwarven fortress along the southern edge of the Mere.
You reinvigorate with a good meal and some rest. As evening comes on, Sneeze joins the group again.
"Well done, thus far adventurers! This next leg will be a bit more grueling. Zanemo has decided to make the three day press non-stop. We will travel steadily day and night to avoid stopping near the Mere - so rest up and best decide who will take watch for which shifts... two of you by day, two by night. Zanemo says you can sleep in the lead wagon when you are not on your shifts."
((decide on shifts and then roll a Perception and a Wisdom check.))
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
"I suggest Tresvar and Banjo take the night shift, as Banjo should be better than the rest of us spotting threats in the dark. I will keep Livia company in the daytime. In case of trouble, hurry and wake the ones sleeping. Would that be ok with everyone?" Serena says to the others as Sneeze finishes. Perception:15 Wisdom: 10
Livia nods silently. Guarding during the day while she can see sounded like a good idea, and staying with Serena was too.
Perception: 7.
Wisdom: 18.
Edit: Someone wrote Wisdom with an E. Surely not me, though.
Varielky
Tresvar says “nights are fine by me.”
1 perception
6 wisdom
"Serena, I like the way you think. Sound security through strategic thinking and preparation. I daresay this adventure has a rock-solid foundation!"
As the group is depending on him for his darkvision (60ft), Banjo is sure to take extra special care with his night-time guard duties. The tiny bit he read about the Mere in 'Ella's journal was enough to get him to slam the book closed with a shudder. Still, he could not pass up the opportunity to converse directly with his new dragonborn companion. "How do you measure our performance thus far, Tresvar? I think things are going just swimmingly." He adjusts his cap and proceeds, "I must confess... a hole in my education remains the history of your people and how they came to be. What papers I have skimmed through curiosity have been more conjecture and biased speculation than reasoned science or fact. I would be delighted to hear of your experiences direct from the source. That is, of course, if I am not being overly prying or boorish."
Perception 19
Wisdom 22
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
((@Tesservett - you need to close the second set of roll tags))
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
((Thanks- weird it seemed ok when I checked it after my post))
During the days Serena takes Livia to the front of the caravan trying to practice spotting dangers, mainly to the west from the Mere of Dead Men. "You slowly sweep the treeline with your gaze, back and forth." Serena explains. She also takes the opportunity to instruct Livia on the use of her crossbow, how to load swiftly, how to take a steady aim and which shots to take. "By the time we reach Neverwinter you will be an experts marksman." She says encouragingly to the seemingly not so confident Livia, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I´m from there you now, Neverwinter. My family has a farm just north of the city. Perhaps you will meet them some day." She says smiling to Livia "What about you though Livia, tell me about yourself. I´m sure we will find your true talent soon." She asks curiously as they march north by the Mere of Dead Men.
Tresvar replies to Banjo when they are alone on watch. “Dragonborn were created by the good dragons to merge the best aspects of dragonkind and mortals, and afterwards- by the evil chromatic dragonkind out of jealousy. That was long ago. Now we live in communities of our own, or spread amongst the races. Some, like my ancestors, breed only with other gold Dragonborn, to keep our line pure back to our gold dragon ancestors from ancient history. Other Dragonborn breed with other races, or other dragonstock. My people live in Tymanther, I was sent to waterdeep as an emissary and representative of the best of the good Dragonborn”- (she says this with some degree of pride, voice almost cracking). to counter what my people believed was superstitions and fear spreading about my kind. The Grey Hand saw fit to send me with this noble excursion, and so I am here. “she smiles a big toothy grin.
The three day endurance march around the marsh begins quietly enough. Serena and Livia walk with the wagons, getting acquainted and fine tuning their skill as guards. The morning is warm and clear. When late afternoon approaches, however, cold air accompanies a dense fog which begins to spread from the marsh to the road. Livia and Serena help light lanterns on the wagons as Tresvar and Banjo awaken to take their place. The four share a walking meal for a bit before Livia and Serena make their way to rest in the lead wagon.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Tresvar and Banjo begin to settle into the now cold, damp march. The fog carries with it the smell of decay. The marsh seems to liven with the endless song of frogs, almost imitating the creak and croak of the wagon wheels. They see Veted briefly, reminding guards and wagons alike to stay on the road. The fog is now so thick it is only just possible to see the lamp of one, maybe two wagons ahead.
It still being early in the watch, Banjo is surprised to be accompanied by another halfling that he only remembers briefly seeing as part of the day watch. The halfling introduces himself as Imnachar stating to Banjo, "Can't seem to sleep yet. Think I'll just walk along with you for a spell. Say, tell me a bit about being part of Volo's Adventurers. It must be a grand life."
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Livia is glad to receive Serena's tutoring. She struggles a bit with the loading moment, which requires a lot of strength, but she proves a natural talent when it comes to aiming the crossbow. It seems that years of practising her handwriting made her hands especially steady and her movements are all subtle. Though Livia does not believe so herself, Serena can quickly see the woman is almost as good as her.
In response to Serena's question, Livia goes silent at first. But, after considering all the help Serena gave her, she decides to open up a little. "My story isn't an interesting one. The greatest thrill I had in the past nineteen years was leaving my house for the first time. My family... my parents, I'm their only child; they were a bit overprotective. I was kept inside our house, never allowed to go outside. I had nearly everything I could ask for, inside, but all I truly wanted is to go outside and view all the things I read about in legends. I wanted to know how rain feels, to smell new flowers..." She stops for a moment. For her, disobeying her parents - even for the sake of her own freedom - seemed wrong, even now. She feels a little uncomfortable continuing. "In the end... in a moment of impulsiveness when I saw a chance... I ran away from home. I thought, maybe if I go outside and prove I can do stuff on my own, prove the outside is not as dangerous as they said it is, maybe I'll be able to get their permission to stay outside." She goes silent and looks down, almost expecting to be reprimanded for her rush, self-risking behaviour.
Varielky
"You did the right thing Livia, your heart told you to leave for the road, and you should always follow your heart." Serena says smiling, putting a comforting hand on Livias shoulder. "It´s only natural for parents to try to protect their young ones. One day when you had enough the life of an adventurer you will go home to see them again, and they will see that you made the right choice. I too ran away from home in a sense although for a whole different reason. It´s complicated but suffice to say the ruler of Neverwinter had some issues with me liberating wealth from him and other nobles, redistributing it to poor farmers such as my parents. Anyway, perhaps a letter could be sent to your parents when we reach Neverwinter to keep them from worrying too much." Serena says and nudges Livia politely.
"There's little to tell just yet. Our band was only just organized and this is our first assignment together. I can say I am most impressed with the organization. Volo has pulled no punches in putting together a top notch product, with book to field to reporting all rolled into one. For those looking for a leg up into the adventuring life, I cannot think of anything they have left out that could make the experience any more user friendly." He looks out over the Mere. "With the fog and the frogs and the sounds of nature, it is almost peaceful. Its easy to forget this is one of the most dangerous stretches of road anywhere along the coast." He looks back to the halfling. "I'm Jebeddo Thunderdiggles, by the by. I didn't catch your name. Are you with the guards as well? What awaits you in Neverwinter?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Banjo says the last, casually, yet, as he turns toward the halfling with his final words, the halfling is not there!
SQUISH! His foot sinks into swampy water. Tresvar and Banjo have left the road... a while ago...
Realizing this he looks for the road, but doesn't see it... there is a patch of fog that is a little less dense, through which Banjo sees what looks like a wagon lantern, maybe 50 feet from where the two adventurers are. How could they have gotten so far following another wagon? Did the driver get lost?
Banjo looks up toward the light they had been following just in time to realize that it is no longer a wagon lantern, but a glowing orb of light, bobbing in a perfect imitation of the wagon lantern's swaying rhythm.
The orb of light glows brighter, then turns a green color and moves toward Tresvar and Banjo. It is sentient?!?
Roll Initiative:
Orb - 13
Banjo - 20
Tresvar - 4
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms