Welcome!  I'll get some maps and stuff up shortly.  In the meantime, if you could all choose a posting colour I would greatly appreciate it.  I like to use RED for my NPC's.

I may goof up a bit at the beginning; it's been a while. I know the campaign really, really well though and had a great time DMing it previously. I like to focus more on storytelling than strict rule interpretation.  I am happy for all constructive criticism or tips on things I miss/get wrong, but I rarely change a decision.

Dessarin Valley

Red Larch

Hello all! 

I will be using green, excited to get started :)

Quote from Goliath7723 >>

Is this public?

 Sorry no, wrong tag

Randall Foote will be posting in dark gray.  Pleased to be here!

(Image stolen off the web approximating Randall's appearance)

Hi all! Melchor Syllestri will be using midnight blue…

Hello to all! Fr'reona shall use Purple!

I have a hard time doing different colors, so I'll try and separate dialogue as much as possible

You find Fr'reona making her way towards the next town. Along the road you see her doing some sort of strange dance. As you watch from distance you notice her movements are reflecting her words.

"Hop, Hop, Hop! Step, step, step! Spin, twirl my hair and smile. Meow!, Meow! Meow!"

A pause happens

"Hop, Hop, Hop! Step, step, step! Spin, twirl my hair and smile. Meow!, Meow! Meow!"

This pattern repeats itself over and over. As you watch you gather there's probably more steps then that or at least one might hope so anyway.

Greetings everyone, Olaerys is glad to be here!  His photo shows him with a mace but he is carrying a battle axe, wearing chain mail, and has a shield.  He will be maroon.

(oh, the pic on my character sheet is almost exactly what I envision for Frail. She tries her hardest to never expose more skin than necessary because of her compromised immune system)

Steam comes off the pavement in the hotter than normal spring day. Normally Red Larch would be celebrating it's annual Flower Festival but a lack of rain and a prolonged heat wave have left the town looking a bit barren. Citizens seem dour and preoccupied, with the exception of a peculiar 'Cat'. The Tabaxi's animated dance captures attention simply by being out of step with the town mood.

"Hey! Daft kitty!", barks a tall, well armoured human who seems to have some authority. "Have you not heard of all the bandits? If you go hopping out town like that you'll get skewered for sure, and I don't need more trouble on my plate. There's a lair of the miscreants not a mile from here down that road who will have you for breakfast!"

Lurking near the edge of town, Panga had been keeping an eye out watching the activity in town before entering.  After hearing this man call out she makes her way over to him, seeming to step out of the trees as she appears near him. "Bandits you say? With hippogriffs?" 

The elf that appeared next to this man is fairly average appearing for a wood elf. Tall, thin, and with copper skin that seems to reflect the green color of trees or shrubbery. Her light brown hair and olive green clothing all come together to make her very hard to see if she is standing near greenery. The man can see hints of lines on her face, indicating that she must be very old for an elf, or at the very least have spent a lot of time out in the sun.

"Twirl my hair and Smile!"

She stiffens up suddenly stopping in her tracks hearing the voices around her. She focuses in on the human who called her out as she gets taken back for a second

"Hey?" she say as she touches her chest indicating that word was directed at her

"My name is not Hey! It's Fr'reona And I would apricate it if you would address me as so. Now if you would ever be so kind and tell me your name sir then we can talk about these bandits you mentioned." 

A butterfly starts to slowly come into her view and her instincts take over as she swats at it with her paw. The butterfly moves away as she blinks refocusing

"And sir I'm not trying to be rude but if you don't want anymore trouble with these bandits then why haven't they all ready been caught and sentenced properly? That way new innocent folks such as myself" as she lifts her head slightly 

"Who were minding there own business can peacefully Hop, Hop Hop! into town." 

She turns towards the female elf standing next to the human and smiles

"Hello!" she says in elvish

A half elf in chain mail standing near a wagon perks up at the unusual interaction.  He is roughly 5'10" and has a shield slung over his back and a used looking axe at his side.  He is rearranging things in the wagon and starting to sweat.  He walks over to the tall human in charge, interjecting himself into the conversation.  "We just pulled into town."  He points back at a grouping of 3 wagons in the road.  "Which way is this bandit lair that you mentioned?  My name is Olaerys, nice to meet you.  Is it always so hot here?  What is going on with the weather today?"  He pauses and looks over at the tabaxi, with an odd amused look on his face.  He starts pulling at his chain mail and shirt.  "Ye gods, where is a tavern, I could use a nice mug of ale inside out of the sun right about now!"

A dark haired man with a full beard, arms and face covered in in soot, emerges onto the street.  He removes a smith's apron and tosses it over his shoulder.  He smiles to the travelers as he shields his eyes from the sun with a dirty hand.  "Don't take offense at Harburk; he can be a touch over-serious.  But you'd do well to mark his words.  You've come to Red Larch at an ill time."  To Olaerys, "The name's Randall.  Randall Foote.  And I was just about to clean up and head over to the Swinging Sword for a pint, myself.  If you head in, ask Kaylessa for a table.  Once I get the grime off the day off myself I'll join you and tell you all there is to know about our troubled little town."  Though his words suggest rough times, he has a pleasant demeanor and you would get the impression Randall himself isn't deeply troubled by just about anything.

A figure in the shadow of an ally slinks off toward the mentioned tavern

Following Randall's gaze, you see a three-story stone structure, crowned by a steep slate roof that bristles with many chimneys. A signboard juts out over the door, hanging from chains. It’s a ten-foot-long carved wooden scimitar emblazoned with the inn’s name in red paint on both sides. An inn yard with stables and outbuildings lies behind the building. (This is #2 on the map)

Stunned by the barrage of questions and sudden activity, the man called Harburk looks blankly at the 3 newcomers before settling on Randall and tugging his armor. " Thank you, Randall. I'm a busy man as you know.". Looking now at Olaerys, he continues: "Not sure or id have done as the cat suggested and cleaned them up. I know they must have a hideout about a mile or so from here down the Cairn road."

Moving his gaze finally to Panga, Harburk pauses. "Hippogriffs carrying bandits? That's just what we need. I haven't heard of any but Elminster knows what those idiots at Feathergale Spire do in their spare time." Harburk shakes his head. "Sorry if I was rude, but it's troubling times and I'm busy. Anything Randall can't tell you, Kaylessa at the inn can"

Panga looks concerned for a moment, but simply nods at Harburk. Looking around at the others that have gathered she attempts to smile, but it’s not much more than a flex of her cheeks that flashes across her face. When she speaks it is in a friendly enough manner, “Well met, it seems as though we might have a mutual interest in helping these people with their bandit problem. I shall see you at the Swinging Sword.” She gives a quick nod to those listening and departs without hesitation.