Eli cautiously looks around for his own shadow, then finds himself checking on it multiple times while they peruse the area. He follows after the group, one eye on his shadow, and the other looking for signs of the lost party.
Nissa raises an eyebrow at Craven's suggestion that everyone has secrets, but again, offers no comment. She's going to pay special attention to when/if the Nodder party diverges from our shortest route to Firewatch.
There's... a problem. The trail continues on toward the main road. You crest a hill, and Thornbuck's ears perk up. He leaps atop a boulder and shields his eyes from the afternoon sun. "They're up ahead, our boyos. If we run, we can catch them in two hours, no more." As you begin to hustle, though, Nissa spots something. Two sets of paw prints veer away eastward from the others. There's no sign of struggle, but... Something isn't right, you see no evidence that they ever reconvened with the main party.
Do you continue after the main party and forget the others? Do you split your own group? As you consider this dilemma, there's one more wrinkle: a peal of thunder. Looks like a summer storm is blowing in...
Nissa looks up at the thunder. And shrugs. "Rain will make tracking difficult, impossible if it is a significant storm." She looks at the two sets of tracks heading eastward. "These two are no longer headed towards Firewatch, their fate is their own now. Let us catch the others."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
(You resisted the siren's Keeper's song. Well done! I'm sure nothing will come of this...)
You march up the path. The trail continues to rise, occasionally requiring you all to scramble up stone steps to advance, but (stoic mice that you are) you manage to keep stride with Thornbuck and his long legs, regardless. You see a settlement up ahead where the trail meets the north road once again. It's humble, but there's an undeniable (if severe) beauty in this remote place. It's clear that the creatures here have made this a home. This is, of course...
The Settlement of Enhara
There are plenty of creatures (mice, shrews, and more than likely a lone hare somewhere...) going about the business of their lives. There are even a few squirrels walking through the center of town, their bright red fur gleaming like burnished copper.
(As always, part of the role of world-creation falls to you all! I encourage you to split up to find what you're after; no need to forever clump a la 5e!)
Nissa will stride into town, noting and approaching an old mousewife sitting outside her whitewashed cottage, bundled in a striped blanket. "Nan," she addresses her with deference, "A small part of mice and shrews came this way not an hour ago, can you tell me whereon they went?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
The old mousewife briefly touches her forehead (an old-fashioned sign of respect to the guard). Without looking up from the chair she's caning she responds, "Eve'ya, Stormcrow. Sky and Stone witnessed a pack of young lowlanders bustling into Enhara an hour back. There have been many coming up the slopes, and the little town is filled near to burst." She has a wry smile on her face; clearly even this small number of out-of-towners is unusual here.
Eli, not far behind Nissa, hears the old mouse woman's words. "Your information is appreciated. Can you speak to where we might find them? Have they taken residence in an inn or other place of rest?"
The mousewife looks up at Eli's voice (which we haven't really discussed... He's a big fellow- loud and booming? Surprisingly quiet?). She takes in his northern garb, the heavy club (very unorthodox for the Guard), and cocks her head to the side. "I can speak to a great many things, but not so many as you, Master." Her arm extends in your direction (strong and unwavering) with a paw pointing behind you and up the slope. "You'll find them aways near the trading post, I would wager. Assuming they haven't dropped dead, that is."
The mousewife looks up at Eli's voice (which we haven't really discussed... He's a big fellow- loud and booming? Surprisingly quiet?). She takes in his northern garb, the heavy club (very unorthodox for the Guard), and cocks her head to the side. "I can speak to a great many things, but not so many as you, Master." Her arm extends in your direction (strong and unwavering) with a paw pointing behind you and up the slope. "You'll find them aways near the trading post, I would wager. Assuming they haven't dropped dead, that is."
Eli nods his thanks, and wastes no time making his way to the trading post.
Mazer doesn't see a need for all of them to stay together to catch up with the stragglers. "I will report to the guard post, and see what they know." Assuming Eli and Nissa go to the trading post, he invites Craven to come with him once Haul is stabled.
Mazer (and any others that join him) makes his way to the guard post, and introduces himself. He gets to the mission immediately. "We have been sent to investigate the light on Firewatch. What do you know so far?"
Craven speaks up, “Do you know where stable is? We need to get Haul to rest, yup yup.”
The old mouse didn't bat an eye at the large red millipede (though a number of smaller children have begun playing a sort of game of chicken, seeing who can get the closest to the monster before darting away). "Couldn't tell you about any stables- only riding beast here is an old rock ackie what the captain of the guard tamed some seasons a'past." She does stop working on her chair when yet another rumble of thunder rolls down from the sky. "The storm will be a washer- your bug friend will be safer here than anywhere else. I could use someone to eat through all the old leaves in the back..."
Mazer (and any others that join him) makes his way to the guard post, and introduces himself. He gets to the mission immediately. "We have been sent to investigate the light on Firewatch. What do you know so far?"
The guardhouse is a circular stone tower at the settlement's entrance gate. Traditionally run by a small contingent of Bannermice, a town's guardhouse is a combination police station, post office, and watchtower. Mazer barges into the whitewashed structure and announces himself in his traditionally direct fashion. Unfortunately, this guardhouse is all but deserted. A single tenderpaw (a young apprentice guardmouse) is slumped over the paper-strewn desk, fast asleep in a sunbeam. She snores softly, a metal cap slipped fully over her eyes.
She doesn't stir in the slightest.
---
Eli, you have slightly more success insofar as you encounter conscious people. The trading post is near the top of the high staircase/avenue that runs through the center of Enhara. The people of this town are busy, moving quickly to prepare their homes and businesses for the coming storm. On your way to the trading post, you notice a small shrew in the corner of your eye. He's hiding something large and bulky under his shirt. Noticing your gaze, he steals a nervous glance at you, then dashes down a side alley.
(What's the game, Eli? After the shrew child, or onto the trading post?)
Craven shrugs, “Leaves, woods, dead bodies, he not picky.” He hops down and whistles poorly. He then points around back, “Go, being staying stay.”He whispers to Haul, “Be keeping engine running,” then pats its shell.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Nissa looks over the old mouse's handiwork. "More visitors than usual? Besides those we come for, and us?"
After her answer, Nissa unlimbers her pack, and pulls a small package out of it, wrapped in a bit of hide and tied with grass. "You'd do me a favor to unburden me of this," she says, handing it to her. "A little dove down and some iris petals. I could not leave them behind," she says, a little twinkle in her eye.
As they part, she says to her, "Days keep you, Nan."
As Nissa and Eli climb the street afterwards (along with Thornbuck?), Nissa offers to her friend, "Nan was a Ranger in her day. They called her 'Nan Smallpockets' as she'd never return from patrol without her arms full of rocks and beans, feathers and flowers. She used to say she could not leave such treasure behind. She's still got a keen eye, and a sharp memory, and anyone that passes this way would do well to sit a spell with her."
If Eli peels off to investigate the shrew child's doings, Nissa will glance after him, but keep on her way (with Thornbuck?), trusting him to handle his business.
Eli will make a note of the dress on the child, and the direction they are traveling, but he's here for the missing mice, and will continue heading in the direction of the trade post.
Old Nan gestures to the ground by her chair and makes no move to take the package. That's just her way, though- offering shelter to Haul is likely the warmest thing she's done all week. Thornbuck has gone to... wherever it is hares go when they suddenly disappear. With Mazer at the Guardtower, Craven, Eli, and Nissa make their way together up the steep road to the highest point of the settlement.
The trading post isn't quite an inn. A few shuttered windows along the ground level suggest the potential for rooms to rent, but... This is easily the largest and most spartan structure in Enhara- there won't be much in the way of amenities inside. Three young shrews are scrambling along the outside, neatly fitting boards over windows and generally preparing for the coming storm. Another peal of thunder shakes the timbers as you open the front door. Before you...
...In the low-ceiling, naptha-lit room, a party of three farm mice and a shrew sit around a low round table. Their attention is focused on something on the table between them (currently hidden from view). They look up sharply at your arrival, and a napkin is hastily thrown over the object, whatever it is. A shockingly tall, lean shrew (nearly Craven's height) steps gingerly into the main room, his hands folded neatly before him. "Good evening, master guardmice. Looking for shelter from the storm?"
Mazer grabs a wooden rod and raps it loudly on the desk, right next to the sleeping novice's head. "Atten-TION!" he barks in his captain's voice, displeased. "On your feet soldier!"
Craven, arms also folded behind his back, but with the added effect of a cape, which makes him cooler than the shrew, eyes it up, “Yess... Storms, predators, malcontents, things that go bang, crack, thrum in the night. We like shelter from such things, yup yup.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Nissa nods at the tall shrew but does not pause in the doorway, "We come seeking shrew and mice from down mountain," she says, marching up to the table mice. "One of you is Nodder?" She pulls her hood down, revealing scars and tattered ear, then reaches in and twitches the napkin aside, daring them to stop her.
Eli cautiously looks around for his own shadow, then finds himself checking on it multiple times while they peruse the area. He follows after the group, one eye on his shadow, and the other looking for signs of the lost party.
(You're in the clear, Eli. Everyone's shadow is where it should be)
There's... a problem. The trail continues on toward the main road. You crest a hill, and Thornbuck's ears perk up. He leaps atop a boulder and shields his eyes from the afternoon sun. "They're up ahead, our boyos. If we run, we can catch them in two hours, no more." As you begin to hustle, though, Nissa spots something. Two sets of paw prints veer away eastward from the others. There's no sign of struggle, but... Something isn't right, you see no evidence that they ever reconvened with the main party.
Do you continue after the main party and forget the others? Do you split your own group? As you consider this dilemma, there's one more wrinkle: a peal of thunder. Looks like a summer storm is blowing in...
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Nissa looks up at the thunder. And shrugs. "Rain will make tracking difficult, impossible if it is a significant storm." She looks at the two sets of tracks heading eastward. "These two are no longer headed towards Firewatch, their fate is their own now. Let us catch the others."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
Mazer nods, his eyes on the mountain. He follows the path onwards.
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
(You resisted the
siren'sKeeper's song. Well done! I'm sure nothing will come of this...)You march up the path. The trail continues to rise, occasionally requiring you all to scramble up stone steps to advance, but (stoic mice that you are) you manage to keep stride with Thornbuck and his long legs, regardless. You see a settlement up ahead where the trail meets the north road once again. It's humble, but there's an undeniable (if severe) beauty in this remote place. It's clear that the creatures here have made this a home. This is, of course...
The Settlement of Enhara
There are plenty of creatures (mice, shrews, and more than likely a lone hare somewhere...) going about the business of their lives. There are even a few squirrels walking through the center of town, their bright red fur gleaming like burnished copper.
(As always, part of the role of world-creation falls to you all! I encourage you to split up to find what you're after; no need to forever clump a la 5e!)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
OOC > Okay, you said to make stuff up...
Nissa will stride into town, noting and approaching an old mousewife sitting outside her whitewashed cottage, bundled in a striped blanket. "Nan," she addresses her with deference, "A small part of mice and shrews came this way not an hour ago, can you tell me whereon they went?"
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
The old mousewife briefly touches her forehead (an old-fashioned sign of respect to the guard). Without looking up from the chair she's caning she responds, "Eve'ya, Stormcrow. Sky and Stone witnessed a pack of young lowlanders bustling into Enhara an hour back. There have been many coming up the slopes, and the little town is filled near to burst." She has a wry smile on her face; clearly even this small number of out-of-towners is unusual here.
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Eli, not far behind Nissa, hears the old mouse woman's words. "Your information is appreciated. Can you speak to where we might find them? Have they taken residence in an inn or other place of rest?"
The mousewife looks up at Eli's voice (which we haven't really discussed... He's a big fellow- loud and booming? Surprisingly quiet?). She takes in his northern garb, the heavy club (very unorthodox for the Guard), and cocks her head to the side. "I can speak to a great many things, but not so many as you, Master." Her arm extends in your direction (strong and unwavering) with a paw pointing behind you and up the slope. "You'll find them aways near the trading post, I would wager. Assuming they haven't dropped dead, that is."
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Craven speaks up, “Do you know where stable is? We need to get Haul to rest, yup yup.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Eli nods his thanks, and wastes no time making his way to the trading post.
Mazer doesn't see a need for all of them to stay together to catch up with the stragglers. "I will report to the guard post, and see what they know."
Assuming Eli and Nissa go to the trading post, he invites Craven to come with him once Haul is stabled.
Mazer (and any others that join him) makes his way to the guard post, and introduces himself. He gets to the mission immediately. "We have been sent to investigate the light on Firewatch. What do you know so far?"
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
The old mouse didn't bat an eye at the large red millipede (though a number of smaller children have begun playing a sort of game of chicken, seeing who can get the closest to the monster before darting away). "Couldn't tell you about any stables- only riding beast here is an old rock ackie what the captain of the guard tamed some seasons a'past." She does stop working on her chair when yet another rumble of thunder rolls down from the sky. "The storm will be a washer- your bug friend will be safer here than anywhere else. I could use someone to eat through all the old leaves in the back..."
---
The guardhouse is a circular stone tower at the settlement's entrance gate. Traditionally run by a small contingent of Bannermice, a town's guardhouse is a combination police station, post office, and watchtower. Mazer barges into the whitewashed structure and announces himself in his traditionally direct fashion. Unfortunately, this guardhouse is all but deserted. A single tenderpaw (a young apprentice guardmouse) is slumped over the paper-strewn desk, fast asleep in a sunbeam. She snores softly, a metal cap slipped fully over her eyes.
She doesn't stir in the slightest.
---
Eli, you have slightly more success insofar as you encounter conscious people. The trading post is near the top of the high staircase/avenue that runs through the center of Enhara. The people of this town are busy, moving quickly to prepare their homes and businesses for the coming storm. On your way to the trading post, you notice a small shrew in the corner of your eye. He's hiding something large and bulky under his shirt. Noticing your gaze, he steals a nervous glance at you, then dashes down a side alley.
(What's the game, Eli? After the shrew child, or onto the trading post?)
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Craven shrugs, “Leaves, woods, dead bodies, he not picky.” He hops down and whistles poorly. He then points around back, “Go, being staying stay.” He whispers to Haul, “Be keeping engine running,” then pats its shell.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Nissa looks over the old mouse's handiwork. "More visitors than usual? Besides those we come for, and us?"
After her answer, Nissa unlimbers her pack, and pulls a small package out of it, wrapped in a bit of hide and tied with grass. "You'd do me a favor to unburden me of this," she says, handing it to her. "A little dove down and some iris petals. I could not leave them behind," she says, a little twinkle in her eye.
As they part, she says to her, "Days keep you, Nan."
As Nissa and Eli climb the street afterwards (along with Thornbuck?), Nissa offers to her friend, "Nan was a Ranger in her day. They called her 'Nan Smallpockets' as she'd never return from patrol without her arms full of rocks and beans, feathers and flowers. She used to say she could not leave such treasure behind. She's still got a keen eye, and a sharp memory, and anyone that passes this way would do well to sit a spell with her."
If Eli peels off to investigate the shrew child's doings, Nissa will glance after him, but keep on her way (with Thornbuck?), trusting him to handle his business.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
Eli will make a note of the dress on the child, and the direction they are traveling, but he's here for the missing mice, and will continue heading in the direction of the trade post.
Old Nan gestures to the ground by her chair and makes no move to take the package. That's just her way, though- offering shelter to Haul is likely the warmest thing she's done all week. Thornbuck has gone to... wherever it is hares go when they suddenly disappear. With Mazer at the Guardtower, Craven, Eli, and Nissa make their way together up the steep road to the highest point of the settlement.
The trading post isn't quite an inn. A few shuttered windows along the ground level suggest the potential for rooms to rent, but... This is easily the largest and most spartan structure in Enhara- there won't be much in the way of amenities inside. Three young shrews are scrambling along the outside, neatly fitting boards over windows and generally preparing for the coming storm. Another peal of thunder shakes the timbers as you open the front door. Before you...
...In the low-ceiling, naptha-lit room, a party of three farm mice and a shrew sit around a low round table. Their attention is focused on something on the table between them (currently hidden from view). They look up sharply at your arrival, and a napkin is hastily thrown over the object, whatever it is. A shockingly tall, lean shrew (nearly Craven's height) steps gingerly into the main room, his hands folded neatly before him. "Good evening, master guardmice. Looking for shelter from the storm?"
Imani Jones - Lv 11 Warlock of The Living City - Variant Human| Fate/False Revelation
Wick Stumbleduck - Lv 4 Lore Bard - Forest Gnome | Elustran Days
Khurah - Lv 3 Star Druid - Half-orc | Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians
Dale Swanson - User of the Sound of Silence Stand - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Sunset Investigations
Ayaci Vikerfjell - Lv 8 Rune Knight | Variant Human | Storm King's Thunder
Mazer grabs a wooden rod and raps it loudly on the desk, right next to the sleeping novice's head. "Atten-TION!" he barks in his captain's voice, displeased. "On your feet soldier!"
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
Craven, arms also folded behind his back, but with the added effect of a cape, which makes him cooler than the shrew, eyes it up, “Yess... Storms, predators, malcontents, things that go bang, crack, thrum in the night. We like shelter from such things, yup yup.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Nissa nods at the tall shrew but does not pause in the doorway, "We come seeking shrew and mice from down mountain," she says, marching up to the table mice. "One of you is Nodder?" She pulls her hood down, revealing scars and tattered ear, then reaches in and twitches the napkin aside, daring them to stop her.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me