This wild land is too close to Silverymoon, and sometimes things come out of it that threaten the city. As long as it stays unclaimed, it will be a danger to all the surrounding lands. My family is in Silverymoon, so... Arm shrugs, I guess I just want to keep them safe. It's what I used to do in the militia; this is just a different way. More challenging and more unpredictable, but it still needs doing. He looks at Keyyra; You don't need to tell us anything you don't want to. And I won't ask questions, I promise.
Otwald perks up at arm’s comments. “Ah, protecting your family. Sacrificing oneself for the benefit of others. The Broken God will look down upon you favorably. I too am here to protect my family. Ya’see I only had daughters. They had some sons, good thing to pass down the family name. The clan was chosen to partake in this expedition. Should’ve been the boy, but he is still young and spends all his tine with his nose in books, not outside workin’. I elected myself to give him more time until he’s ready, hopefully I’ll still be around to see that day.”
‘I'm looking to expand on my family’s business. Establish a Balfour's Rest anywhere a weary traveler may need to rest their head.’ Lying to strangers sitting around after the evening's meal comes as naturally to Balfour as breathing.
‘If that means clearing out some wolves, or worse, I’ll be eternally grateful to those of you with the large arms and broad axes. You’ll never find your mugs empty at Balfours!’
As he says this last bit, Balfour begins cleaning up his cooking supplies - using the activity as a cover to slip away and settle into his bedroll for a full evenings rest - leaving the watches to those more suited to such work.
You spend you last hours of light talking and making ready for the evening. From where you are, you can see the lonely fortified farm down in the valley. A fire is burning, coils of silver smoke escaping from the chimney and shedding some light through the windows. Hopefully tomorrow night you will all sleep in a real bed.
The night proves uneventful and in the morning you all get up as the first rays of the sun appear. You are eager to cross I to your new domain and after a quick snack are ready to go.
To Savanah's Home.
Once more and almost ceremoniously you all step as one over that imaginary border you k'ow is here.
It takes about 8 hours to arrive in front of the fortified walls. The gate stands open and you can see that even closed from the state of. The wooden palissade defenders wouldn't least very long. It s obvious that someone is trying to make it better and several wooden shafts amhave already been replaced but the place is far from finished.
The farm and adjoining building are on the other hand very well maintained and you can see a teenager working near what appears to be a stable. A large woman with raven black hair tied in the back stand before the entrance of the main building. She comes toward you clearly surprised by the mixity of the group in front of her. You can all see the boy sweeping his broom over the same spot in an attempt to catch a glimpse of you.
"Hello strangers. My name is Savanah and this place is mine." her last words are almost challenging but deep down the have the smell of fear. It doesn t show on her face as she continues. "We don't to many adventurers here but new faces are always welcome. If you are looking for some food and lodging I ll make sure you have what you need. If the guest house isnt big enough will manage with the stables."
For those of you who wish it roll perception DC 14 or insight DC 12.
Perception. You notice another boy about 14 hiding with a crossbow behind the door of the main building. He looks scared.
Insight. You take a quick stock of the situation and the place should be more alive. You notice that there are no livestock and that seems strange for a household living alone Ina secluded place.
I added the map so that you all have a better idea of the place.
If you want to write some more about the first night just use the heading First Night like I did. We Will do this from now on in case I move to fast.
Really enjoying reading your posts. They are very good. Thanks for that.
As Toonary and his master stood infront of the doors into the Council room his master quicly moves off and speaks with an other dwarf, she then returns with him, and introduces Toonary to Oltwald and says "Friend".
After Oltwald gives Toonary the rock Toonary gets up, grabs an other rock and gives it to Oltwald and says "Not get too comfortable" The rock is about the size of an apple.
After hearing some answers to Eso question Toonary adds in "Master says temple no safe when she gone, need new safe."
Good day, ma'am,Arm responds. Food and lodging would be welcome indeed. He makes a point of not looking directly at the crossbow-wielding boy, but keeps a friendly smile on his face.
Balfour smiles at their hostess and sketches a half bow, 'Many thanks gentlewoman, and many blessings on your establishment, humble as it may be, it is still a welcome respite to these weary travelers.'
Looking around the interior of the fortlet, Balfour does a quick estimate of beds, chairs, tables and quickly realizes that their little party will outstrip the capacity of their hosts. Someone will indeed be sleeping in the stables this evening. Not Balfour of course, but someone.
'A hot meal and a soft bed are just what we need to set us right.'
Turning aside to look at the rest of the party, Balfour follows Keyyra's eyes to the boy with the crossbow. Smiling, he turns back to Samantha and gives a quick approving nod. 'Glad to see we can sleep safely inside these walls tonight with a stout and cunning guard like this one'
"Well enough," she says with a shrug " but not nearly as well as he thinks and certainly not enough to put down all of you with one quarrel or others when they show up." She says that last part a little louder for everyone to hear.
She shrugs once more and says. "Come inside to wash the dust of your faces and hands. I'll get the meal ready for you and get the boys to make the beds ready. You can leave our packs here, it's not like someone else will turn up." Both boys scamper at her words, hurrying to do what she asked.
The inside of the main house is cozy and well maintained. She points the water buckets to you in the adjoining room and says." I'll do the cooking but if anyone wants to help they are happy to do so. For the others, once you are clean you can take the beds in the guesthouse and prepare the fire outside and wait. The place is yours to roam and explore. We have nothing to hide so make yourself at home. I'll ask you to respect our privacy and not invade our home. .. please. "
You can do only one of those.
Investigation DC 14 in the house for a quick glance. On success read,
The place is well made and there is no sign of any man living in the house. It would be hard for anyone to live here but managing that and raising the two boys is a feat. The place seems empty of any valuables.
Investigation DC 16 outside. On success read,
The whole farm is rather well maintained but needs a few more hands and more money to become safer. Still, it's easy to see the work that has been done. The feeling you have is this. Simple and effective.
Perception DC 14. On success read;
A man is trying to hide in the bushes outside the fort. He seems old and poorly dressed but as an intelligent glint in his eyes. ( This man is a hermit who lives in the forest. If you want you can make a description and give him a name. He isn't threatening in any way. Just scared. )
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Listening to the woman and watching her child rush about, Otwald begins to look around.
12
Just as suspected, just a nice young mother with her two children trying to start up in a new land. He thanks them for their hospitality while dropping his pack at the door to go wash up.
Balfour volunteers to help with the cooking and chats with Savannah about his time growing up in his family's Inn. 'A real education your boys will get working here - seeing the world pass through these gates, meeting folks from different lands, all while safely under your watchful eye. Life in an Inn made me the Halfing I am today!' Balfour takes the opportunity to question Savannah about the details of the homestead, how often do they see visitors, when was the last time they had any, what normally brings people out here. He carefully avoids questions about her background and why she is living in this homestead with two young boys in the middle of the wilderness.
As they begin to prepare the evenings meal, Balfour remembers some herbs he saw growing wild in the fields outside the main gates and ducks out to gather some to spice up the rather plain stew their host is preparing.
Perception Roll: 19
Once back inside the gates, Balfour flags down Otwald, Esso, and Arm - 'I spotted a man in the bushes at the edge of the forest. He's watching this place carefully, but he doesn't look like a threat - more like a hermit than a bandit. Still, I don't think we should just leave him out there to watch us without checking him out.'
'I was worried I'd spook him if I approached him directly, so I'm thinking we should tackle this as a team. Arm and I can slip through the woods behind him to cut off his escape route and then the two of you can walk out the main gates to confront him directly - sound like a plan? I don't think he's a threat, but I'd like to be sure of that before we lay our heads here for the night. It also couldn't hurt to know who he is and what he knows as we plan our exploration of the area.'
Rolls if needed:
Stealth roll for the sneak: 27
Intimidation roll to keep the Hermit from running once the encounter starts 8
OOC: These rolls are perfect - never see him coming, but don't care once you do :)
Eso places her pack alongside the others before she slowly walked the grounds, not offering to help cooking as no one should suffer that punishment. Admiring the basic formatting and design of the farm. In a few more years, a bit of labor, and a great amount of coin this would be the pinnacle of frontier living, and for the time being it should hopefully work out as a base of operations for the group. Seeing Balfour attempt to get their attention she joins the group in listening to him and his plan.
"I understand the value of seeing if we can gain more intelligence from the locals, but I do wish to recommend a slightly more polite approach once we have him surrounded. You catch more gray-flies with sugarwater than with vinegarette. If we work with individuals on a frequent basis then a positive relationship will return a better yield in the long run. But yes surrounding him sounds like the best chance we have of confronting him if he does try to run away."
"I do not wish to bother him, I am going to explore this area for the meantime, see what things we will be dealing with here considering the length of this families defenses." Keyyra says as he goes to Savannah "You have a great deal of defenses here, what is it exactlythat these protect from"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
P: The Traveling Ward: Natural Napalm Enthusiast. (AURYN: The Hunt For The Last Unicorn.)
During the hour it takes you all to settle down Savannah reveals a bit more about their lives here.
It is clear that it is a hard life but it offers much freedom. The dangers of the surrounding wild are a daily threat but the bonds the loose community that has grown around Savannah's Farm/Fort as brought some kind of stability to the region.
"We have several trappers and merchants traveling and coming here from time to time." She chuckles.
Bellow is the Charter you received.
Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Council of Silver,
acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Council, has granted the right of exploration
and travel within the wilderness region known as the Savage Belt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east
and west and sixty miles south of Savannah’s Trading Post.
The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered.
The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope.
So witnessed on this 24th day of Calistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Silvermoon, and the Dwarven Kings and authority granted by Lord Feril Moonflame , current Regent of the Council of Silver.
Taking advantage of our DM's invitation to build out the hermit as an NPC, I'm going to tackle that encounter here and flesh him out a bit. Hoping I don't screw anything up :)
Balfour slides quietly through the bushes and the underbrush, swinging wide to slide in behind the hermit unseen and unnoticed. Unfortunately, Arm isn't nearly as quiet - stumbling over an unseen root just as he gets into position to cut off the Hermit's escape to the West.
The Hermit spins on the ball of his foot and stares directly at Arm, tensing his body and freezing in place like a deer spotted by a predator. His reaction is feral, instinctive but not aggressive. Seizing the moment, Balfour breaks from cover raising both of his small hands in front of him and patting the air soothingly.
'Whoa there - we mean you no harm - just curious why you're crouching here watching this nice family here? Who are you? Where did you come from?'
The hermit looks around, sees a rugged dwarf and a towering Dragonborn behind him, quivering he begins to stammer, 'I am Olman, I watch these lands, I watch these people. This is who I am, this is what I do. I see many strangers approach these lands, many strangers with weapons, strangers with horns, strangers with scales, strangers who come into the home of Olman.'
Olman - as in Old Man, which is the name he's picked up from Savannah and her kids. He's a high-level druid, but one with no control or even real awareness of his powers. He lives free on the land and he makes Savannah's harvest possible, effectively keeping the little family from starving. His very presence also helps the worst of the denizens of this land at a bit of a distance, giving the fortlet enough of a buffer to keep them alive and in place. He does all this without any conscience thought - he's more like a terrain feature than an active participant in the daily struggle for survival.
Arm will sit willingly with Olman, listening to whatever tales he has to tell, and reassuring him that he is welcome in their company. Thank you for protecting this family, sir. We have come to make this land safe and at peace, if the Gods will it he says in his quiet voice. Sometimes terrible things come from this land - well, not exactly here, I suppose, but nearby. Dangerous creatures, and sometimes undead things. You are brave to survive and stay in this place.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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This wild land is too close to Silverymoon, and sometimes things come out of it that threaten the city. As long as it stays unclaimed, it will be a danger to all the surrounding lands. My family is in Silverymoon, so... Arm shrugs, I guess I just want to keep them safe. It's what I used to do in the militia; this is just a different way. More challenging and more unpredictable, but it still needs doing. He looks at Keyyra; You don't need to tell us anything you don't want to. And I won't ask questions, I promise.
Otwald perks up at arm’s comments. “Ah, protecting your family. Sacrificing oneself for the benefit of others. The Broken God will look down upon you favorably. I too am here to protect my family. Ya’see I only had daughters. They had some sons, good thing to pass down the family name. The clan was chosen to partake in this expedition. Should’ve been the boy, but he is still young and spends all his tine with his nose in books, not outside workin’. I elected myself to give him more time until he’s ready, hopefully I’ll still be around to see that day.”
‘I'm looking to expand on my family’s business. Establish a Balfour's Rest anywhere a weary traveler may need to rest their head.’ Lying to strangers sitting around after the evening's meal comes as naturally to Balfour as breathing.
‘If that means clearing out some wolves, or worse, I’ll be eternally grateful to those of you with the large arms and broad axes. You’ll never find your mugs empty at Balfours!’
As he says this last bit, Balfour begins cleaning up his cooking supplies - using the activity as a cover to slip away and settle into his bedroll for a full evenings rest - leaving the watches to those more suited to such work.
First Night
You spend you last hours of light talking and making ready for the evening. From where you are, you can see the lonely fortified farm down in the valley. A fire is burning, coils of silver smoke escaping from the chimney and shedding some light through the windows. Hopefully tomorrow night you will all sleep in a real bed.
The night proves uneventful and in the morning you all get up as the first rays of the sun appear. You are eager to cross I to your new domain and after a quick snack are ready to go.
To Savanah's Home.
Once more and almost ceremoniously you all step as one over that imaginary border you k'ow is here.
It takes about 8 hours to arrive in front of the fortified walls. The gate stands open and you can see that even closed from the state of. The wooden palissade defenders wouldn't least very long. It s obvious that someone is trying to make it better and several wooden shafts amhave already been replaced but the place is far from finished.
The farm and adjoining building are on the other hand very well maintained and you can see a teenager working near what appears to be a stable. A large woman with raven black hair tied in the back stand before the entrance of the main building. She comes toward you clearly surprised by the mixity of the group in front of her. You can all see the boy sweeping his broom over the same spot in an attempt to catch a glimpse of you.
"Hello strangers. My name is Savanah and this place is mine." her last words are almost challenging but deep down the have the smell of fear. It doesn t show on her face as she continues. "We don't to many adventurers here but new faces are always welcome. If you are looking for some food and lodging I ll make sure you have what you need. If the guest house isnt big enough will manage with the stables."
For those of you who wish it roll perception DC 14 or insight DC 12.
Perception. You notice another boy about 14 hiding with a crossbow behind the door of the main building. He looks scared.
Insight. You take a quick stock of the situation and the place should be more alive. You notice that there are no livestock and that seems strange for a household living alone Ina secluded place.
I added the map so that you all have a better idea of the place.
If you want to write some more about the first night just use the heading First Night like I did. We Will do this from now on in case I move to fast.
Really enjoying reading your posts. They are very good. Thanks for that.
The
Flashback
As Toonary and his master stood infront of the doors into the Council room his master quicly moves off and speaks with an other dwarf, she then returns with him, and introduces Toonary to Oltwald and says "Friend".
After Oltwald gives Toonary the rock Toonary gets up, grabs an other rock and gives it to Oltwald and says "Not get too comfortable" The rock is about the size of an apple.
After hearing some answers to Eso question Toonary adds in "Master says temple no safe when she gone, need new safe."
Thom Everyman- Midgard One Shots
DMing- The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Edited the post #24. Not sure if you e'get the notice of it s not new.
Perception 14
Good day, ma'am, Arm responds. Food and lodging would be welcome indeed. He makes a point of not looking directly at the crossbow-wielding boy, but keeps a friendly smile on his face.
insight: 13
(Perception: 19 ) Keyyra nods to boy and smiles to him "How trained is he with it." Keyyra says as he shows his own without touching it
P: The Traveling Ward: Natural Napalm Enthusiast. (AURYN: The Hunt For The Last Unicorn.)
DM:
Investigation 9
First Night
Balfour smiles at their hostess and sketches a half bow, 'Many thanks gentlewoman, and many blessings on your establishment, humble as it may be, it is still a welcome respite to these weary travelers.'
Looking around the interior of the fortlet, Balfour does a quick estimate of beds, chairs, tables and quickly realizes that their little party will outstrip the capacity of their hosts. Someone will indeed be sleeping in the stables this evening. Not Balfour of course, but someone.
'A hot meal and a soft bed are just what we need to set us right.'
Turning aside to look at the rest of the party, Balfour follows Keyyra's eyes to the boy with the crossbow. Smiling, he turns back to Samantha and gives a quick approving nod. 'Glad to see we can sleep safely inside these walls tonight with a stout and cunning guard like this one'
Toonary picks up a rock and hands it to Savannah and says "Not get too comfortable."
Thom Everyman- Midgard One Shots
DMing- The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Savannah looks at the group and answers Keyyra.
"Well enough," she says with a shrug " but not nearly as well as he thinks and certainly not enough to put down all of you with one quarrel or others when they show up." She says that last part a little louder for everyone to hear.
She shrugs once more and says. "Come inside to wash the dust of your faces and hands. I'll get the meal ready for you and get the boys to make the beds ready. You can leave our packs here, it's not like someone else will turn up." Both boys scamper at her words, hurrying to do what she asked.
The inside of the main house is cozy and well maintained. She points the water buckets to you in the adjoining room and says." I'll do the cooking but if anyone wants to help they are happy to do so. For the others, once you are clean you can take the beds in the guesthouse and prepare the fire outside and wait. The place is yours to roam and explore. We have nothing to hide so make yourself at home. I'll ask you to respect our privacy and not invade our home. .. please. "
You can do only one of those.
Investigation DC 14 in the house for a quick glance. On success read,
The place is well made and there is no sign of any man living in the house. It would be hard for anyone to live here but managing that and raising the two boys is a feat. The place seems empty of any valuables.
Investigation DC 16 outside. On success read,
The whole farm is rather well maintained but needs a few more hands and more money to become safer. Still, it's easy to see the work that has been done. The feeling you have is this. Simple and effective.
Perception DC 14. On success read;
A man is trying to hide in the bushes outside the fort. He seems old and poorly dressed but as an intelligent glint in his eyes. ( This man is a hermit who lives in the forest. If you want you can make a description and give him a name. He isn't threatening in any way. Just scared. )
Listening to the woman and watching her child rush about, Otwald begins to look around.
12
Just as suspected, just a nice young mother with her two children trying to start up in a new land. He thanks them for their hospitality while dropping his pack at the door to go wash up.
Balfour volunteers to help with the cooking and chats with Savannah about his time growing up in his family's Inn. 'A real education your boys will get working here - seeing the world pass through these gates, meeting folks from different lands, all while safely under your watchful eye. Life in an Inn made me the Halfing I am today!' Balfour takes the opportunity to question Savannah about the details of the homestead, how often do they see visitors, when was the last time they had any, what normally brings people out here. He carefully avoids questions about her background and why she is living in this homestead with two young boys in the middle of the wilderness.
As they begin to prepare the evenings meal, Balfour remembers some herbs he saw growing wild in the fields outside the main gates and ducks out to gather some to spice up the rather plain stew their host is preparing.
Perception Roll: 19
Once back inside the gates, Balfour flags down Otwald, Esso, and Arm - 'I spotted a man in the bushes at the edge of the forest. He's watching this place carefully, but he doesn't look like a threat - more like a hermit than a bandit. Still, I don't think we should just leave him out there to watch us without checking him out.'
'I was worried I'd spook him if I approached him directly, so I'm thinking we should tackle this as a team. Arm and I can slip through the woods behind him to cut off his escape route and then the two of you can walk out the main gates to confront him directly - sound like a plan? I don't think he's a threat, but I'd like to be sure of that before we lay our heads here for the night. It also couldn't hurt to know who he is and what he knows as we plan our exploration of the area.'
Rolls if needed:
Stealth roll for the sneak: 27
Intimidation roll to keep the Hermit from running once the encounter starts 8
OOC: These rolls are perfect - never see him coming, but don't care once you do :)
Investigation Outside:19
Eso places her pack alongside the others before she slowly walked the grounds, not offering to help cooking as no one should suffer that punishment. Admiring the basic formatting and design of the farm. In a few more years, a bit of labor, and a great amount of coin this would be the pinnacle of frontier living, and for the time being it should hopefully work out as a base of operations for the group. Seeing Balfour attempt to get their attention she joins the group in listening to him and his plan.
"I understand the value of seeing if we can gain more intelligence from the locals, but I do wish to recommend a slightly more polite approach once we have him surrounded. You catch more gray-flies with sugarwater than with vinegarette. If we work with individuals on a frequent basis then a positive relationship will return a better yield in the long run. But yes surrounding him sounds like the best chance we have of confronting him if he does try to run away."
Arm listens to Savanah's words, and tries to puzzle out the meaning behind them and what he sees around him inside the house:
Investigation 19
He nods in agreement at Balfour's plan. Makes sense. Best be quick though. He follows as quietly as he can:
Stealth 23
Not terribly stealthily, Arm does his best to keep up.
"I do not wish to bother him, I am going to explore this area for the meantime, see what things we will be dealing with here considering the length of this families defenses." Keyyra says as he goes to Savannah "You have a great deal of defenses here, what is it exactly that these protect from"
P: The Traveling Ward: Natural Napalm Enthusiast. (AURYN: The Hunt For The Last Unicorn.)
DM:
During the hour it takes you all to settle down Savannah reveals a bit more about their lives here.
It is clear that it is a hard life but it offers much freedom. The dangers of the surrounding wild are a daily threat but the bonds the loose community that has grown around Savannah's Farm/Fort as brought some kind of stability to the region.
"We have several trappers and merchants traveling and coming here from time to time." She chuckles.
Bellow is the Charter you received.
Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Council of Silver,
acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Council, has granted the right of exploration
and travel within the wilderness region known as the Savage Belt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east
and west and sixty miles south of Savannah’s Trading Post.
The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered.
The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope.
So witnessed on this 24th day of Calistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Silvermoon, and the Dwarven Kings and authority granted by Lord Feril Moonflame , current Regent of the Council of Silver.
Taking advantage of our DM's invitation to build out the hermit as an NPC, I'm going to tackle that encounter here and flesh him out a bit. Hoping I don't screw anything up :)
Balfour slides quietly through the bushes and the underbrush, swinging wide to slide in behind the hermit unseen and unnoticed. Unfortunately, Arm isn't nearly as quiet - stumbling over an unseen root just as he gets into position to cut off the Hermit's escape to the West.
The Hermit spins on the ball of his foot and stares directly at Arm, tensing his body and freezing in place like a deer spotted by a predator. His reaction is feral, instinctive but not aggressive. Seizing the moment, Balfour breaks from cover raising both of his small hands in front of him and patting the air soothingly.
'Whoa there - we mean you no harm - just curious why you're crouching here watching this nice family here? Who are you? Where did you come from?'
The hermit looks around, sees a rugged dwarf and a towering Dragonborn behind him, quivering he begins to stammer, 'I am Olman, I watch these lands, I watch these people. This is who I am, this is what I do. I see many strangers approach these lands, many strangers with weapons, strangers with horns, strangers with scales, strangers who come into the home of Olman.'
Olman - as in Old Man, which is the name he's picked up from Savannah and her kids. He's a high-level druid, but one with no control or even real awareness of his powers. He lives free on the land and he makes Savannah's harvest possible, effectively keeping the little family from starving. His very presence also helps the worst of the denizens of this land at a bit of a distance, giving the fortlet enough of a buffer to keep them alive and in place. He does all this without any conscience thought - he's more like a terrain feature than an active participant in the daily struggle for survival.
Arm will sit willingly with Olman, listening to whatever tales he has to tell, and reassuring him that he is welcome in their company. Thank you for protecting this family, sir. We have come to make this land safe and at peace, if the Gods will it he says in his quiet voice. Sometimes terrible things come from this land - well, not exactly here, I suppose, but nearby. Dangerous creatures, and sometimes undead things. You are brave to survive and stay in this place.