Thunderfist storms up to the cart and pushes the old man off the food so he could get the first pick of the food, still keeping an eye for danger... and a turboman doll.
Tibor is sent flying from the cart as Thunderfist shoves him out of the way, then lies crying on his back next to the cart: "Owwwww I fell on my keys you maniac! What is my brother even paying you for? And now you're eating our food? I hope it binds you up and you can't go for a week!"
Elfa steps up onto the cart as well, scanning the rest of the camp. She sees that the ruins in the middle include a fireplace that stands intact and might harbour loot - or monsters. The south east camp site has a campfire that is still smoldering and bears the same track marks and blood splashes that Elfa saw at the north east campsite.
Tibor dusts himself and harrumphs in the closest he is likely to get to a conciliatory tone. He climbs back onto the cart while you explore the rest of the camp.
You head over to the ruins and search around the fireplace. At first you think you have seen another of the insect creatures but it turns out to just be a discarded shell where a BEAST has SHED its skin to grow.
The only thing of interest that you find is a totem buried in the debris: thirteen tiny, androgynous stick figures dipped in blood, inscribed with tiny lightning bolt symbols and tied together in a bundle with hair.
You remount the cart and head back to Phandalin, abandoning the logging camp to the insect-like monsters.
The two-day journey back to town is uneventful; pleasant even. Tibor eats from the supplies and encourages you to do the same: “No point it going to waste” he says through mouthfuls.
During the two-day journey Tibor recounts the story of how the camp was suddenly attacked one day, how the monsters erupted from the ground and dissolved some loggers with their acid jets, dragged others screaming underground.
“Once we worked out they were tracking our footsteps, five of us ran for the cabin to try and get off the ground; I was the only one who made it”
You notice that he has a haunted look to his face and that he has seen things he will take to his grave.
When you arrive back in Phandalin it is getting late, time to turn in. Tibor takes Vincent and the cart, saying “I will take what’s left back to Barthen, he may as well sell what couldn’t be used”
He hands you a receipt for the goods with a sad smile, turns and leads the beast away, leaving you standing in the road.
Cackie took to his usual seat at the inn, inviting anyone who wanted to join him and worked on his latest party trick - spinning a jug of ale ontop of his toe nail slicer. The ale would cascade out of the jug and Cackie would collect it inside his sippy cup, so he had one ready for bedtime. He could have just poured it, but after years of drinking, he had to find new ways to get excitement in his life.
Thunderfist still felt bad upsetting Elfa earlier so joined her to look at the stars. He used to look at the stars when he was younger, his favourite constellations were the ones that looked like gruesome murder scenes, he hoped that Elfa would enjoy these as much as he did.
Cackie and Lei-Tana partake of the Stonehill Inn's warm atmosphere, knocking tankards with the locals who are grateful for the safe return of their heroes, and Tibor at least. There is a definite sense, however, that news of the camp's destruction is quite a blow to morale and that they are overcompensating by celebrating the return of a single logger.
Still, they listen intently to your tales of the large insect-like creature that could fit a whole goliath's head in its mouth. An elderly man in the corner springs to life at the story and exclaims "Sounds like an ankheg! Terrible burrowing creatures, but rare in these parts. I wonder what could have brought them to the camp?"
Outside, Elfa and ThunderFist lay in a field and stare at the stars in the night sky while diplomat snores gently beside them.
***
In the morning you head to the inn's common room for breakfast and find Mayor Wester waiting for you. He manages a smile as he says "I settled your bill for the night, as thanks for bringing Tibor back. It's a real blow to lose the camp though, I can't risk sending more loggers there until the camp is clear of those monsters. That would take soldiers I just can't spare right now. Still, my brother is alive and I have to arrange burials for fifteen families who can't say the same"
His head drops a moment before he composes himself and raises it again, forcing a smile: "Still, you did the job as specified - took the goods to the camp. So here's ya pay"
He drops a bag of coins on the table in front of him - 100gp, 25 each.
"Now, not to keep you rushing around or anything but we still need help with the fallout from our dragon problem. Orcs have attacked Butterskull Ranch, five miles east of Conyberry along the Triboar Trail. Travel there with haste, assess the damage, and help any way you can. Ranch owner Alfonse “Big Al” Kalazorn is a retired sheriff who can reward you for your efforts. If he’s dead, return to me with proof of Big Al's demise and I'll compensate you to the tune of 100 gp.”
(Everyone add 25gp to your character sheets please, and process a long rest)
Stonelynn sidles over to the awkwardly hanging high 5 whilst eyeing the pouch of gold tucked hastily into Elfa's waistband. Finances were uncharacteristically low and she could use getting in on that Butterskull Ranch action she'd overheard Mayor Wester talking about...
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(Anyone want to do anything else before leaving?)
Thunderfist storms up to the cart and pushes the old man off the food so he could get the first pick of the food, still keeping an eye for danger... and a turboman doll.
Gonna case the joint
14 perception check
Tibor is sent flying from the cart as Thunderfist shoves him out of the way, then lies crying on his back next to the cart: "Owwwww I fell on my keys you maniac! What is my brother even paying you for? And now you're eating our food? I hope it binds you up and you can't go for a week!"
Elfa steps up onto the cart as well, scanning the rest of the camp. She sees that the ruins in the middle include a fireplace that stands intact and might harbour loot - or monsters. The south east camp site has a campfire that is still smoldering and bears the same track marks and blood splashes that Elfa saw at the north east campsite.
"Thunderfist... stop it. Stop being so mean. I'm almost starting to not like you. It's also making me sad so stop"
Elfa persuades Thunderfist to apologise to Tibor and help him up
14 persuasion
OK... I think we should go and investigate that fireplace.
11 investigation
"Mr Tibor, I'm very sorry for our rude friend. He truly means we'll. He's just got some learning to do"
Thunderfist began to feel strange, he was feeling guilty that he'd upset Elfa.
"Sorry Elfa" he mumbled, hoisting the old git to his feet.
"Let's check out the firepit" he said in an attempt to cheer her up. This was a strange day for Thunderfist.
Tibor dusts himself and harrumphs in the closest he is likely to get to a conciliatory tone. He climbs back onto the cart while you explore the rest of the camp.
You head over to the ruins and search around the fireplace. At first you think you have seen another of the insect creatures but it turns out to just be a discarded shell where a BEAST has SHED its skin to grow.
The only thing of interest that you find is a totem buried in the debris: thirteen tiny, androgynous stick figures dipped in blood, inscribed with tiny lightning bolt symbols and tied together in a bundle with hair.
11 Nature check
"Don't worry Thunderfist, it's all good! my god look at this"
Thunderfist boots the shell across the firepit and then inspects the totem before making a decision on if he should boot it aswell.
Investigation: 13
You are both at a loss as to why the totem is here; the iconography does not match any deity you are aware of, and the craftsmanship is not familiar.
Back at the cart, Tibor stands up and shouts across to you "Hello! Can we go back to Phandalin soon? I don't want to be here anymore!"
"Alright, let's head off everyone"
Elfa went over to to Tibor to assist him
"Diplomat come and help please"
"Button it you old git or we'll leave you here"
thunderfist decided not to boot the totem and try and flog it instead.
You remount the cart and head back to Phandalin, abandoning the logging camp to the insect-like monsters.
The two-day journey back to town is uneventful; pleasant even. Tibor eats from the supplies and encourages you to do the same: “No point it going to waste” he says through mouthfuls.
During the two-day journey Tibor recounts the story of how the camp was suddenly attacked one day, how the monsters erupted from the ground and dissolved some loggers with their acid jets, dragged others screaming underground.
“Once we worked out they were tracking our footsteps, five of us ran for the cabin to try and get off the ground; I was the only one who made it”
You notice that he has a haunted look to his face and that he has seen things he will take to his grave.
When you arrive back in Phandalin it is getting late, time to turn in. Tibor takes Vincent and the cart, saying “I will take what’s left back to Barthen, he may as well sell what couldn’t be used”
He hands you a receipt for the goods with a sad smile, turns and leads the beast away, leaving you standing in the road.
Cackie took to his usual seat at the inn, inviting anyone who wanted to join him and worked on his latest party trick - spinning a jug of ale ontop of his toe nail slicer. The ale would cascade out of the jug and Cackie would collect it inside his sippy cup, so he had one ready for bedtime. He could have just poured it, but after years of drinking, he had to find new ways to get excitement in his life.
Edit - 69 posts...nice...
Lei-Tana can't help but feel extremely sorry for Tibor, and wonders how things may have panned out if they had arrived earlier.
"I'll take you up on that offer Cackie... i need a drink after that story!"
She watches mesmerised as Cackie spins his ale..
Let's go for a nap and look at the stars Diplomat. Thunderfist looked lonely.
Want to come with us?
Thunderfist still felt bad upsetting Elfa earlier so joined her to look at the stars. He used to look at the stars when he was younger, his favourite constellations were the ones that looked like gruesome murder scenes, he hoped that Elfa would enjoy these as much as he did.
Cackie and Lei-Tana partake of the Stonehill Inn's warm atmosphere, knocking tankards with the locals who are grateful for the safe return of their heroes, and Tibor at least. There is a definite sense, however, that news of the camp's destruction is quite a blow to morale and that they are overcompensating by celebrating the return of a single logger.
Still, they listen intently to your tales of the large insect-like creature that could fit a whole goliath's head in its mouth. An elderly man in the corner springs to life at the story and exclaims "Sounds like an ankheg! Terrible burrowing creatures, but rare in these parts. I wonder what could have brought them to the camp?"
Outside, Elfa and ThunderFist lay in a field and stare at the stars in the night sky while diplomat snores gently beside them.
***
In the morning you head to the inn's common room for breakfast and find Mayor Wester waiting for you. He manages a smile as he says "I settled your bill for the night, as thanks for bringing Tibor back. It's a real blow to lose the camp though, I can't risk sending more loggers there until the camp is clear of those monsters. That would take soldiers I just can't spare right now. Still, my brother is alive and I have to arrange burials for fifteen families who can't say the same"
His head drops a moment before he composes himself and raises it again, forcing a smile: "Still, you did the job as specified - took the goods to the camp. So here's ya pay"
He drops a bag of coins on the table in front of him - 100gp, 25 each.
"Now, not to keep you rushing around or anything but we still need help with the fallout from our dragon problem. Orcs have attacked Butterskull Ranch, five miles east of Conyberry along the Triboar Trail. Travel there with haste, assess the damage, and help any way you can. Ranch owner Alfonse “Big Al” Kalazorn is a retired sheriff who can reward you for your efforts. If he’s dead, return to me with proof of Big Al's demise and I'll compensate you to the tune of 100 gp.”
(Everyone add 25gp to your character sheets please, and process a long rest)
"Let's get ourselves to see Alfonse everyone!"
Elfa was elated with the thought of another mission, she went to high 5 the rest of the gang to see if anyone other than Diplomat would respond!
Stonelynn sidles over to the awkwardly hanging high 5 whilst eyeing the pouch of gold tucked hastily into Elfa's waistband. Finances were uncharacteristically low and she could use getting in on that Butterskull Ranch action she'd overheard Mayor Wester talking about...