This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
22 - G1 Stealth
21 - G2 Stealth
7 - G3 Stealth
17 - G4 Stealth
In the city of Neverwinter, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker asked you to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days’ travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found “something big,” and that he’d pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen’s Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Sildar Hallwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to “take care of business.”
You’ve spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you’ve just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You’ve encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
It is 17 Eleasis and the sun is high in the midday sky on this hot, cloudless day as it beats down upon your brows and shoulders from high above. The oppressive humidity makes exertion feel almost unbearable as breathing the thick air leaves your chest feeling tight. The five of you are escorting Gundren’s wagon laden with mining supplies and food. This includes a dozen sacks of flour, several casks of salted pork, two kegs of strong ale, shovels, picks, and crowbars (about a dozen each), and five lanterns with a small barrel of oil (about fifty flasks in volume).
The wagon will need to be operated by at least 1 PC and can potentially hold all five of you inside of it. Please let me know who is currently helming the cart operation and where everyone else would be located. Also, please post a link with a picture you would like to use for your avatar for the maps. I will be putting up a link in the Campaign Notes section with a link to our maps! For the link you can either PM it to me, post it here, or post it to the OOC message board. Either way, just please make sure to do that. Feel free to do a little RP among yourselves while everyone gets sorted and situated.
Zanigur sits on the back of the cart, quietly composing a song on his lyre. Calling over his shoulder to the front, he says, “Don’t suppose we can make it to Phandalin by lunchtime? I’d like to get paid and get a drink, preferably in that order.”
Grimm gently holds the reins of the horses pulling the wagon. She hears Zanigur's question and pointedly ignores it. She mutters under her breath, "Not nearly as daunting a battling hordes of orcs.... but at least the pay is good and I'm seeing more of the world."
----------
Flashback to just before the group pushes out if Neverwinter. The question is asked, "Who's going to be driving the wagon?"
An awkward pause ensues. Eventually, Grimm relents, offering, "I can drive it - I've had to do some of that in the military."
She sighs and settles into the driver's seat of the wagon, looking on expectantly at ty others to either climb aboard or get walking.
Zanigur's sweating fingers preclude fine motor skills like plucking the lyre, so he eventually gives up and stows the instrument, while at the same time loosening his shirt at the buttons. "Grimm, did you hear my question earlier? Could do to get out of this heat."
Puck is seated next to Zanigur, facing backward on the back of the cart with his feet up, his head buried in his notebook and his quill working furiously.
"I'm with this guy!"he shouts without glancing up from his book. Puck continues to flesh out his notes about the trip so far and his companions using his own shorthand, but all the while keeping an ear to Zanigur's lute to get a sense of his skill and style. The tip of his tongue begins to slowly peek the corner of his mouth as he writes.
Puck closes his book and tucks his quill behind his ear.
"People always readin' books, amazed by the crazy stories from the past. What they don't realize is history is happenin' all 'round us, all the time. Who knows--this very trip could be someone's favorite bedtime story someday. So, I write. It may not all get published--but I always have my notes just in case."
“Some bedtime story,” smirks Zanigur, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back against a sack of flour. “The daring and fantastical journey from Neverwinter to Phandalin, fighting against the sweltering heat and braving the bumpy road. Truly worthy of an epic.”
Grimm moves her head slightly back at Zanigur, finally responding, "We'll get there in the time it takes us to arrive. Everyone gets to where they end up eventually."
When Zanigur mentioned the heat, Kara merely recited a piece of scripture in response in a soothing and pleasant tone, "Cry not when the flames touch your skin, for Illmater cries for you. Pain begets power, and power begets freedom. Endure, for it is only in Ilmater's wisdom that we will be saved."
Despite, or because of, the sweltering sun, Kara wears her heavy equipment and walks beside the cart near the rear. She knows this is nothing compared to the pain of others, and so she does not complain. She knows that if she can endure this suffering, then she will be that much closer to Ilmater.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Grimm's ears perked up at Zanigur's Kara's sermonizing. After a thoughtful moment, she responds, "Pain. That reminds me of a proverb of sorts... Although only loosely related."
Still facing forward, eyes down the road ahead, she says, "Life asked death, ‘Why do people love me but hate you?’ Death responded, ‘Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth."
She flicks the reigns lightly, encouraging the horses forward.
Just for clarification purposes, the cart is actually being driven by two oxen. Also, anytime the reins are released, the oxen will stop pulling. The oxen are not particularly skittish, but they are also not animals trained for battle. You all would have figured this out in the few days you've been traveling.
As you all discuss the hopeful possibility of making your arrival in Phandalin this night the oxen continue their slow, but steady path along the Triboar Trail which you've been on for about half a day now. You all begin to notice the trail begin to cut into the rise of the surrounding lands as opposed to moving along with the natural contours and creating a steep embankment on either side which are flush with dense thicket. The cart enters a slow bend in the trail as the forest begins to press in very close along the ten-foot wide trail, choking out any possibility of a refreshing breeze to bring relief from the offending humid air around you. One of the oxen sniffs heavily and shakes its head with a snort, but continues moving forward. The cart finishes round the bend and suddenly... about 60' ahead of you is some sort of obstacle, blocking the entirety of the trail with a strange, hazy cloud hanging above. You quickly realize that the cloud is a swarm of flies buzzing around the arrow-riddled body of two horses, clearly dead by the miasma that is now starting to reach your nostrils...
Confirming.
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Excellent! I'll change this to Private and after wrapping up a few more questions with you guys I'll get this thing moving shortly!
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
22 - G1 Stealth
21 - G2 Stealth
7 - G3 Stealth
17 - G4 Stealth
In the city of Neverwinter, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker asked you to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days’ travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found “something big,” and that he’d pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen’s Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Sildar Hallwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to “take care of business.”
You’ve spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you’ve just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You’ve encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
It is 17 Eleasis and the sun is high in the midday sky on this hot, cloudless day as it beats down upon your brows and shoulders from high above. The oppressive humidity makes exertion feel almost unbearable as breathing the thick air leaves your chest feeling tight. The five of you are escorting Gundren’s wagon laden with mining supplies and food. This includes a dozen sacks of flour, several casks of salted pork, two kegs of strong ale, shovels, picks, and crowbars (about a dozen each), and five lanterns with a small barrel of oil (about fifty flasks in volume).
The wagon will need to be operated by at least 1 PC and can potentially hold all five of you inside of it. Please let me know who is currently helming the cart operation and where everyone else would be located. Also, please post a link with a picture you would like to use for your avatar for the maps. I will be putting up a link in the Campaign Notes section with a link to our maps! For the link you can either PM it to me, post it here, or post it to the OOC message board. Either way, just please make sure to do that. Feel free to do a little RP among yourselves while everyone gets sorted and situated.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Irena is at the front of the cart, next to the driver, where she can see around.
She stays quiet at first, trying to take the measure of her companions.
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Zanigur sits on the back of the cart, quietly composing a song on his lyre. Calling over his shoulder to the front, he says, “Don’t suppose we can make it to Phandalin by lunchtime? I’d like to get paid and get a drink, preferably in that order.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Grimm gently holds the reins of the horses pulling the wagon. She hears Zanigur's question and pointedly ignores it. She mutters under her breath, "Not nearly as daunting a battling hordes of orcs.... but at least the pay is good and I'm seeing more of the world."
----------
Flashback to just before the group pushes out if Neverwinter. The question is asked, "Who's going to be driving the wagon?"
An awkward pause ensues. Eventually, Grimm relents, offering, "I can drive it - I've had to do some of that in the military."
She sighs and settles into the driver's seat of the wagon, looking on expectantly at ty others to either climb aboard or get walking.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Zanigur's sweating fingers preclude fine motor skills like plucking the lyre, so he eventually gives up and stows the instrument, while at the same time loosening his shirt at the buttons. "Grimm, did you hear my question earlier? Could do to get out of this heat."
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Puck is seated next to Zanigur, facing backward on the back of the cart with his feet up, his head buried in his notebook and his quill working furiously.
"I'm with this guy!" he shouts without glancing up from his book. Puck continues to flesh out his notes about the trip so far and his companions using his own shorthand, but all the while keeping an ear to Zanigur's lute to get a sense of his skill and style. The tip of his tongue begins to slowly peek the corner of his mouth as he writes.
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
"What have you been writing there?" Zanigur asks Puck, obviously just trying to make conversation.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Erm, everything, really."
Puck closes his book and tucks his quill behind his ear.
"People always readin' books, amazed by the crazy stories from the past. What they don't realize is history is happenin' all 'round us, all the time. Who knows--this very trip could be someone's favorite bedtime story someday. So, I write. It may not all get published--but I always have my notes just in case."
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
“Some bedtime story,” smirks Zanigur, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back against a sack of flour. “The daring and fantastical journey from Neverwinter to Phandalin, fighting against the sweltering heat and braving the bumpy road. Truly worthy of an epic.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Grimm moves her head slightly back at Zanigur, finally responding, "We'll get there in the time it takes us to arrive. Everyone gets to where they end up eventually."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Zanigur smiles satisfactorily and gazes up at the sky without another word.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Want to give everyone a chance to post at least once before we move onward! I'll LaRue another day or so before we move on.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
When Zanigur mentioned the heat, Kara merely recited a piece of scripture in response in a soothing and pleasant tone, "Cry not when the flames touch your skin, for Illmater cries for you. Pain begets power, and power begets freedom. Endure, for it is only in Ilmater's wisdom that we will be saved."
Despite, or because of, the sweltering sun, Kara wears her heavy equipment and walks beside the cart near the rear. She knows this is nothing compared to the pain of others, and so she does not complain. She knows that if she can endure this suffering, then she will be that much closer to Ilmater.
Sorry nearly forgot to include this image.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Puck leans in to Zanigur and mutters quietly out of the side of his mouth, "Yeesh, who brought chuckles over here?"
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
Zanigur rolls his eyes and shrugs.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Grimm's ears perked up at
Zanigur'sKara's sermonizing. After a thoughtful moment, she responds, "Pain. That reminds me of a proverb of sorts... Although only loosely related."Still facing forward, eyes down the road ahead, she says, "Life asked death, ‘Why do people love me but hate you?’ Death responded, ‘Because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth."
She flicks the reigns lightly, encouraging the horses forward.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Just for clarification purposes, the cart is actually being driven by two oxen. Also, anytime the reins are released, the oxen will stop pulling. The oxen are not particularly skittish, but they are also not animals trained for battle. You all would have figured this out in the few days you've been traveling.
As you all discuss the hopeful possibility of making your arrival in Phandalin this night the oxen continue their slow, but steady path along the Triboar Trail which you've been on for about half a day now. You all begin to notice the trail begin to cut into the rise of the surrounding lands as opposed to moving along with the natural contours and creating a steep embankment on either side which are flush with dense thicket. The cart enters a slow bend in the trail as the forest begins to press in very close along the ten-foot wide trail, choking out any possibility of a refreshing breeze to bring relief from the offending humid air around you. One of the oxen sniffs heavily and shakes its head with a snort, but continues moving forward. The cart finishes round the bend and suddenly... about 60' ahead of you is some sort of obstacle, blocking the entirety of the trail with a strange, hazy cloud hanging above. You quickly realize that the cloud is a swarm of flies buzzing around the arrow-riddled body of two horses, clearly dead by the miasma that is now starting to reach your nostrils...
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
At the smell of death, Zanigur quickly sits upright and looks around to the front.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM