Listening intently to Breecha and Kryinor both, Titus stands "yes this complicates matters, it seems we are being pulled in many directions. We should talk more of this later, after I think, Lets celebrate our victory first and plan the morns adventures after. Come friends drink!"
Later that night after the guest have left.
Titus returning from his lodgings after retrieving his map case strides over to the cleared table and begins rolling out his map. "Come lads its time to plan our next mighty soiree into the unknown! "
Once gathered around the table Titus places a candelabra on the map illuminating it with wildly dancing lights and playful shadows. Placing a sinewy finger on the map at Thundertree
"My dear fellows it appears we need to look at this objectively. The way I see it, our Druidic brothers seek our help some 3 days travel to the north, what they are facing we know not other than it is dire."
Shifting his finger from Thundertree and sweeping his hand eastwards down the Triboar Trail and arriving with a fist at Wyvern Tor
"We have confirmed reports of orcs to the north east within 1 to 2 days travel, we still have lesser greenskins skulking around the immediate environs of Phandalin."
Placing his wine glass from his left hand on the map north of Wyvern Tor
" Here, we have suspicious activity relating to the undead. Old Owl Well."
Picking his wine up from the table and taking a sip Titus looks around the table at his friends. Sighs and again speaks
"We can't be at all places at once. We must seek out that which we can influence directly and that which is the more pressing issue. Thundertree is the most distant, of unknown issue."
Looking in turn at both Breecha and Kryinor
"I know gentlemen you have faith in your friend, but he tells us not what he fears. The Orcs are both closer and a known element. We have lesser greenies in the area to assist them and the good people of this town are in no way of the requisite skill to repel an orc attack, even with the training and preparations currently underway. Old Owl Well may or may not be associated with the Orcs, but that is also unknown and should be of a lesser concern at this time. Surely our most pressing concern is for this town and its people, including Gundren? Should we not tackle these orcs first and then go to assist your Druid friend?"
Taking another sip of wine and whilst speaking pointing to the map around Phandalin and Wyvern Tor and then placing his hand at Neverwinter
"Would that not be the prudent way? I say the Orcs are closer, are a known threat and should be dealt with first. Let us strike a further blow against the greenskins, rout them from these environs and give some time for these good folk to make something here. We can attend to your friend then, see what aid we can supply, let it not be forgotten that Thundertree is a mere days travel from the mighty jewel of the north, Neverwinter herself! Surely aid is most likely enroute to provide succor to your friend from her mighty bastions already! We have hard work to do here friends, we must supply aid to these people and ensure a real opportunity for them and Kargans kind. I agree we can deal with Old Owl Well later if needs be. We should patrol the Triboar Trail as far as Connberry. If we see Orcs we push to Wyvern Tor and end their threat. No Orc sign, then I will guide us through the wood coming out within a half days march ofThundertree"
"Ach, tha' wine must ha' gone to ye head elf, yer talkin' sense for once!! Of course the Grobbi must be our top priority, I can guarantee the green skinned devils have some evil scheme in the works, their cursed lot always do, and its up to us to put a stop to it with blade and bow!!"
Kryinor sits at the table looking from the map to Titus and back, when titus has finished Kryinor leans back in his chair and furrows his brow his mind obviously working hard to weigh up the options in front of him. He breathes a big sigh before looking to Breecha and then to Titus and Kargan.
" I cannot refute your logic Titus and I trust your judgement. We have many threats to deal with and we are stronger together as one pack, together we can deal with most threats, if we split up we will be inviting our enemies to take advantage of our weakened state. I will follow you and Kargan to deal with the orc and suspected undead threatening the triboar trail as quickly as possible. So long as we agree to make haste to Riedoths's aid once those threats have been quelled. I just have a bad feeling about Thundertree"
Zaxx looks up from a moldy tome that he is idly thumbing though.
"My friends, I would follow you unto the breach of the Abyss (particularly if it meant I could stumble upon something mysterious). And Titus I would follow three-times as far and twice as deep."
At Kargan's rallying speech Mr Skittles scuttles out from under Zaxx's hat and let's out a squeak as if to say, "Bring on the orcs!"
Well before dawn two days after the feast at their subterranean refuge, Titus leaves his meditative trance and walks out fully kitted into the wain starlight.
Nilsa and Carp stand on the shadowed verge of the path back to town. Nilsa raises one eyebrow, and Carp winks to the elven ranger in greeting.
After much back and forth discussion the party had agreed to move to deal with the Orcs of Wyvern Tor and the mystery of Old Owl Well. Checking the map of the local area he had drawn and added to over the last few weeks noting the new made mark to the North of Connyberry where the Sister had indicate they might Find the Banshee and her book. Titus rolled the map up again and secured it in his pouches.
The three moved like misty wraiths in the predawn countryside. The youngsters impressing Titus with their careful stealthy movement. It was clear that they had both been practicing.
Weaknesses however were plain to Titus' eyes. Carp needed to be more aware of his environment, and Nilsa was far to confident in her movements and seemingly impatient to get where they were going or come to grips with potential foes.
The run to the agreed meeting spot went smoothly, Nilsa and Carp acquitted themselves well and learned a thing or two. As the first rays of the Sun began to shine down on the rough country around them they observed the rest of the group making their way east along the Triboar trail.
Leaving their place of concealment the three joined the four and greetings were exchanged and good byes too.
Nilsa and Carp moved off into the rough scrub and back to Phandalin with stern instruction from their mentor and a gleam in the eyes.
Company of heroes reunited progress was made towards the east and the rising Sun.
Two hours later and dark winged shapes are spotted circling above the rough trail a mile or two more in the direction of travel. Something was a miss on the Triboar this morn...
Kryinor's Sharp yes see Ravens circling in he near distance.
Cautiously moving up on the ominous sign the party top a small rise in the trail revealing several wagons with what looks like bodies strewn around on the ground by them.
The ravens dart in now and then, snapping up a tender morsel and then take flight.
No movement or signs of life are noticeable at this distance. [About 300 feet]
"If any of them still live i will give them my aid. But this has not just happened, the ravens were drawn by the smell. Be vigilant for other, more serious predators."
Kryinor will check the bodies of all, if any are still alive he will use his healers kit to stabilize them.
With Titus and Zaxx breaking left and right off the road the rest of the group take the direct path lead by Kargan to the wagons.
Kryinor and Kargan begin earnestly searching the still bodies for any signs of life and are saddened to find none. All are men, traders by the looks of them. They have been dead many hours and all the corpses have been roughly looted.
Strangely the the cause of death is not obvious, the only signs of harm being a redness around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
The wagons are in disarray, many trade goods are still there, but anything of true value, and easily transportable, is gone. Stranger still, all but one of the horses and oxen are gone. The last a huge broad horned beast lies at the front of the train bloody froth on its lips and nose.
Titus moves with silent precision through the low scrub on the edge of the trail and notes the tracks of some few goblins and orcs moving off to the south east. He estimates that they take a direct route to the Tor that is the parties destination.
Rounding a thicket he sees a man in rugged worn traveling clothes propped up against a small outcropping of rocks. His eyes are closed but his chest rises and falls in shallow sporadic movements.
Both Ranger and Druid also feel a faint sting in their nose from some heavy acrid odor that clings tot his place.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Titus moves towards the injured human, paying close attention to his condition and smelling the air for clues as to what has happened here.
"I say can you speak my man?"
Titus scans the scrub, then the mans clothes and immediate surrounds for any other clues whilst stowing his bow and retrieving his medical kit from one of his belt pouches.
15 - Arcana
19 - Investigation
22 - Perception
as he starts aiding this poor fellow he loudly whistles a sharp note to alert the others.
(ooc) out of sequence - Breccha writes a letter to send to the Druid explaining our urgent situation and that we will come to them as soon as we can. He pays one of the local lads to deliver it.
Listening intently to Breecha and Kryinor both, Titus stands "yes this complicates matters, it seems we are being pulled in many directions. We should talk more of this later, after I think, Lets celebrate our victory first and plan the morns adventures after. Come friends drink!"
Later that night after the guest have left.
Titus returning from his lodgings after retrieving his map case strides over to the cleared table and begins rolling out his map. "Come lads its time to plan our next mighty soiree into the unknown! "
Once gathered around the table Titus places a candelabra on the map illuminating it with wildly dancing lights and playful shadows. Placing a sinewy finger on the map at Thundertree
"My dear fellows it appears we need to look at this objectively. The way I see it, our Druidic brothers seek our help some 3 days travel to the north, what they are facing we know not other than it is dire."
Shifting his finger from Thundertree and sweeping his hand eastwards down the Triboar Trail and arriving with a fist at Wyvern Tor
"We have confirmed reports of orcs to the north east within 1 to 2 days travel, we still have lesser greenskins skulking around the immediate environs of Phandalin."
Placing his wine glass from his left hand on the map north of Wyvern Tor
" Here, we have suspicious activity relating to the undead. Old Owl Well."
Picking his wine up from the table and taking a sip Titus looks around the table at his friends. Sighs and again speaks
"We can't be at all places at once. We must seek out that which we can influence directly and that which is the more pressing issue. Thundertree is the most distant, of unknown issue."
Looking in turn at both Breecha and Kryinor
"I know gentlemen you have faith in your friend, but he tells us not what he fears. The Orcs are both closer and a known element. We have lesser greenies in the area to assist them and the good people of this town are in no way of the requisite skill to repel an orc attack, even with the training and preparations currently underway. Old Owl Well may or may not be associated with the Orcs, but that is also unknown and should be of a lesser concern at this time. Surely our most pressing concern is for this town and its people, including Gundren? Should we not tackle these orcs first and then go to assist your Druid friend?"
Taking another sip of wine and whilst speaking pointing to the map around Phandalin and Wyvern Tor and then placing his hand at Neverwinter
"Would that not be the prudent way? I say the Orcs are closer, are a known threat and should be dealt with first. Let us strike a further blow against the greenskins, rout them from these environs and give some time for these good folk to make something here. We can attend to your friend then, see what aid we can supply, let it not be forgotten that Thundertree is a mere days travel from the mighty jewel of the north, Neverwinter herself! Surely aid is most likely enroute to provide succor to your friend from her mighty bastions already! We have hard work to do here friends, we must supply aid to these people and ensure a real opportunity for them and Kargans kind. I agree we can deal with Old Owl Well later if needs be. We should patrol the Triboar Trail as far as Connberry. If we see Orcs we push to Wyvern Tor and end their threat. No Orc sign, then I will guide us through the wood coming out within a half days march ofThundertree"
"Ach, tha' wine must ha' gone to ye head elf, yer talkin' sense for once!! Of course the Grobbi must be our top priority, I can guarantee the green skinned devils have some evil scheme in the works, their cursed lot always do, and its up to us to put a stop to it with blade and bow!!"
Kryinor sits at the table looking from the map to Titus and back, when titus has finished Kryinor leans back in his chair and furrows his brow his mind obviously working hard to weigh up the options in front of him. He breathes a big sigh before looking to Breecha and then to Titus and Kargan.
" I cannot refute your logic Titus and I trust your judgement. We have many threats to deal with and we are stronger together as one pack, together we can deal with most threats, if we split up we will be inviting our enemies to take advantage of our weakened state. I will follow you and Kargan to deal with the orc and suspected undead threatening the triboar trail as quickly as possible. So long as we agree to make haste to Riedoths's aid once those threats have been quelled. I just have a bad feeling about Thundertree"
Zaxx looks up from a moldy tome that he is idly thumbing though.
"My friends, I would follow you unto the breach of the Abyss (particularly if it meant I could stumble upon something mysterious). And Titus I would follow three-times as far and twice as deep."
At Kargan's rallying speech Mr Skittles scuttles out from under Zaxx's hat and let's out a squeak as if to say, "Bring on the orcs!"
Well before dawn two days after the feast at their subterranean refuge, Titus leaves his meditative trance and walks out fully kitted into the wain starlight.
Nilsa and Carp stand on the shadowed verge of the path back to town. Nilsa raises one eyebrow, and Carp winks to the elven ranger in greeting.
After much back and forth discussion the party had agreed to move to deal with the Orcs of Wyvern Tor and the mystery of Old Owl Well. Checking the map of the local area he had drawn and added to over the last few weeks noting the new made mark to the North of Connyberry where the Sister had indicate they might Find the Banshee and her book. Titus rolled the map up again and secured it in his pouches.
The three moved like misty wraiths in the predawn countryside. The youngsters impressing Titus with their careful stealthy movement. It was clear that they had both been practicing.
Weaknesses however were plain to Titus' eyes. Carp needed to be more aware of his environment, and Nilsa was far to confident in her movements and seemingly impatient to get where they were going or come to grips with potential foes.
The run to the agreed meeting spot went smoothly, Nilsa and Carp acquitted themselves well and learned a thing or two. As the first rays of the Sun began to shine down on the rough country around them they observed the rest of the group making their way east along the Triboar trail.
Leaving their place of concealment the three joined the four and greetings were exchanged and good byes too.
Nilsa and Carp moved off into the rough scrub and back to Phandalin with stern instruction from their mentor and a gleam in the eyes.
Company of heroes reunited progress was made towards the east and the rising Sun.
Two hours later and dark winged shapes are spotted circling above the rough trail a mile or two more in the direction of travel. Something was a miss on the Triboar this morn...
"Ach, trouble ahead! No doubting it, the filthy Grobbi scum are behind this, sure as i'm standin' 'ere!"
i suspect you're right my height challenged friend.
Titus subconsciously checks his weapons and starts moving off down the trail being vigilant
I also ready my axe and shield, and scan the bushes for any signs of ambush
"An Ominous sign indeed."
Perception check to identify the black winged creatures : 24
Kryinor will get his shield ready.
Kryinor's Sharp yes see Ravens circling in he near distance.
Cautiously moving up on the ominous sign the party top a small rise in the trail revealing several wagons with what looks like bodies strewn around on the ground by them.
The ravens dart in now and then, snapping up a tender morsel and then take flight.
No movement or signs of life are noticeable at this distance. [About 300 feet]
"Ach, the Grobbi scum have been at their dirty work agin!! Keep an eye out for an ambush lads whilst I check for survivors"
I will move down to the wagons and check the bodies, keeping my shield up in case of arrow attack.
perception 6
Titus moves off the road and scans the area
Perception 16
"If any of them still live i will give them my aid. But this has not just happened, the ravens were drawn by the smell. Be vigilant for other, more serious predators."
Kryinor will check the bodies of all, if any are still alive he will use his healers kit to stabilize them.
Perception for signs of life : 17
"Ravens ...," Zaxx mutters under his breath, instantly suspicious of the sudden appearance of orcish spellcasters.
"Come, Mr Skittles! To the treeline. Let us see what we can see from the safety of cover."
With that Zaxx takes his staff and moves carefully off the road (on the opposite side of Titus).
[OOC: Stealth 8, Perception 18
Zaxx walks into a tree! :D ]
With Titus and Zaxx breaking left and right off the road the rest of the group take the direct path lead by Kargan to the wagons.
Kryinor and Kargan begin earnestly searching the still bodies for any signs of life and are saddened to find none. All are men, traders by the looks of them. They have been dead many hours and all the corpses have been roughly looted.
Strangely the the cause of death is not obvious, the only signs of harm being a redness around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
The wagons are in disarray, many trade goods are still there, but anything of true value, and easily transportable, is gone. Stranger still, all but one of the horses and oxen are gone. The last a huge broad horned beast lies at the front of the train bloody froth on its lips and nose.
Titus moves with silent precision through the low scrub on the edge of the trail and notes the tracks of some few goblins and orcs moving off to the south east. He estimates that they take a direct route to the Tor that is the parties destination.
Rounding a thicket he sees a man in rugged worn traveling clothes propped up against a small outcropping of rocks. His eyes are closed but his chest rises and falls in shallow sporadic movements.
Both Ranger and Druid also feel a faint sting in their nose from some heavy acrid odor that clings tot his place.
"Ach, we were too late to save these poor souls, but we can still ease their passing by taking vengeance on the Grobbi scum who slew them!!"
"There is something foul upon the air, cover your mouths with a rag."
Medicine check to determine is it was a disease or poison that killed them. 21
Investigation if needed : 16
Titus moves towards the injured human, paying close attention to his condition and smelling the air for clues as to what has happened here.
"I say can you speak my man?"
Titus scans the scrub, then the mans clothes and immediate surrounds for any other clues whilst stowing his bow and retrieving his medical kit from one of his belt pouches.
15 - Arcana
19 - Investigation
22 - Perception
as he starts aiding this poor fellow he loudly whistles a sharp note to alert the others.
(ooc) out of sequence - Breccha writes a letter to send to the Druid explaining our urgent situation and that we will come to them as soon as we can. He pays one of the local lads to deliver it.
(back in context)
Breccha begins to explore the wagons and strewn good to see if anything specific has been taken or indeed if anything strikes him as strange.
Perception: 7