You've been traveling north along the Coast Way toward Baldur's Gate and you've still a few more days of travel ahead of you before you reach the city. Though the Coast Way is a fairly well traveled route and generally considered one of the safer paths to travel, this leg of your journey takes you between two large stands of woods, The Cloakwood to the west and the Wood of Sharp Teeth to the east. Both are renowned as haunts for bandits and hungry beasts, which is one of the reasons you've just recently decided to travel in a group with other travelers you've met along the Coast Way. The other reason being reports of a black dragon sighted in the area.
Your approximate location is indicated by the blue circle on the map above.
It is midafternoon and, in a few hours, you will have to start looking for a place to make camp for the night. But for now, it is a nice afternoon to let the road pass underfoot and to get to know your traveling companions. Your ad hoc party consists of a half-elf woman, an eladrin man, a half-orc man, a kobold, and a shadar-kai man. If you're going to be spending the night with these folks, it's better to know now which ones are weirdos before folks start laying out their bedrolls and claiming sleeping spaces, right?
Please describe your character and what they are doing. I encourage you all to role-play and interact with one another as you like. I will move the narrative along after everyone has had a chance to post at least once.
Walking the road north towards Baldur's Gate with light steps is stunningly beautiful half-elf of obvious calishite descent. She wears a blood red cloak over dark brown calishite style robes and high soft leather boots. She wears a ring inset with a small ruby that sometimes seem to flare up with a fiery light. She also carries a backpack and a two curved daggers of calishite design. "Gentlemen, my name is Yasmina, I am travelling north to Baldur's Gate. Will you all be going there too? Will I have the pleasure of your company all the way?"She turns and says with distinct Calishite accent, looking at the other travellers in turn with a polite smile.
(Yasmina would have Raz sent out invisible to patrol above for threats, particularly from the Cloakwood.)
So theres I was, all set for the biggestest thing ever and I nutted meself. I failed everyone, I failed momses, dad just grunted, bro laughed for days. So I left I did, and it's no going back until I redeem myself.
So I'm going to Baldur's Gate to sell myself to slavery. I deserve nothing less. *sniff*
At least dads let me take dis old war stuff so I can bash things for glory.
The ranger joined the group on the trail shortly after noon,, appearing from the woods along the side of the trail. Wearing a cloak mottled with greens and browns over well-worn leathers, he left no sign of his passing and the casual observer would look right by without noticing him. But his hazel eyes notice everything, searching for any threats along the road as they move forward. His skin has a reddish, gold tinge and his hair is a fiery orange under his hood. He wears the season of autumn on this day, matching his current mood of peace and goodwill.
“The pleasure is all mine, my lady” He gives a small bow of his head with a mischievous glint in his eye “I am Thelan. I am traveling that way and hope to accompany you and your friends as far as the city. There is safety in numbers after all.” He gives the glum half-orc a wary look “Cheer up, friend. No matter what happened, it can’t be that bad. Look up and live in the moment!”
Walking behind, remaining silent for much of the journey, is a slim elvish looking male in leathers carrying a shield. His eyes flit from person to person, constantly listening. Friendly when approached and answering questions in a straightforward manner, Sinak is mostly an observer of all things. He tries to make sense of what the half orc is saying, tilting his head. "What did you do? I'm not understanding. I'm sure it is not so bad.... is it?" He appears to be more comfortable at night, as the afternoon wears on and darkness approaches, he seems more relaxed.
As he is walking, quiet again lost in thought. Indeed, safety in numbers. "My name is Sinak. I am headed to Baldur's Gate as well. I've been there the last few years. I've heard that a black dragon has been sighted nearby. Do any of you know any more about this? I wonder why the wyrm has been drawn to this area... it is good to travel in a group in these times." He becomes silent again, frequently observing each of you.
The group soon comes across a small kobold that is intently trying to engage in conversation some other travellers on The Coast Way. They refute her efforts and she quickly turns her attention to you. Those more perceptive of you would notice that her shiny brass scales are actually thick brass paint, scratched away in parts to reveal blue scales beneath. Around 3ft tall, she is weighed down by a travel sack, but her red eyes are intent on your group and she hurries over to greet you.
"Hello! I am Neela. What are your names? Where are you going? Wow those are some cool daggers, where did you get them? Oh what does that crest on your shield mean? Hey how did you get your skin to go that gold colour? Why are you so sad? Can I come with you guys? Any of you want to learn Draconic? I could teach you."
The barrage of questions comes out in a single breath before Neela stops, falling in beside as you walk and looking expectantly at each of you.
Yasmina gives the half-orc a curious look, wondering what he meant by buying him. Was he simply a mercenary?
"Well nice to meet you Thelan." She says, giving the ranger a small polite bow. "Yes, quite, safety in numbers." She agrees, giving him a small smile.
"Nice to meet you too Sinak."She says to the slim elvish looking male. "It is the first time I travel these lands but I too heard about the black dragon being sighted in the area. I've never encountered a dragon before and I hope it will take some time still before I have the pleasure. If we do I doubt our numbers would suffice."She adds with a quick smile.
She gives the brass-painted kobold a curious glance and a smile as she approaches them. "Nice to meet you Neela, I am Yasmina. I'm travelling to the city of Baldur's gate to the north. And thank you Neela, these blades are made in Calimport, a great city in the south from which I hail." She says, patting the curved daggers at her sides. "Of course you can come with us, and I would be happy to be taught the language of dragons, after all, that would be our only real hope should the dragon find us." She says to the kobold with a polite smile.
"We should perhaps stop and rest soon?" The dark-skinned half-elf then suggests, looking at the others in the group as she continues to walk with light steps.
And my story of shame is that when I was performing my ceremonial coming-of-age battle with a dire wolf I managed to nut myself, fell over and hit my head on a rock.
The shame I brought to my family is an endless pit of despair for me
Looking down to the tiny kobold - "I thought your lot only dug tunnles and built traps all the time, what are you doing out in the sun?"
Looking over to Sinak - "What is the city like? Is there a place where someone buys good slaves?" ( If those ravens are real ) - "You know you have two shitting birds on your shoulders right?"
Looking over this small group - "Have any of you eaten anything lately? You all look like just skin and bones! HAHAHAHA, puny beings... But me moms always said power comes in many sizes"
Sinak looks up at Krugh with a straight face and says “The city is… diverse. You can buy or sell virtually anything there. There are all manners of ..arrangements there. I would think again before selling yourself into slavery. There has to be another way.” He looks over to Yasmina and says “Yes, we should look for a good camp site. I only require four hours of rest and I can see pretty well in the dark. I will take a turn to stand watch if you wish..”
"That is very kind of you Sinak."Yasmina says with a polite smile to slim elvish looking male, then turning to face the half-orc. "Who in their right mind would offer to be a slave. I thought your kind appreciated freedom more than most?" She says with a small frown on her face. "If it is guidance and purpose you seek my friend I'm sure it will find you in time."
"Kragh must find way to redemption, thinking starting at lowest standing as slave would help" Kragh looks to his fellow travellers "I can stand any watch, and protect you with what strength I have, perhaps this is a start." A genuine hint of a smile and glint in his eyes. "Protecting the weak"he says without a hint of disrespect or disdain in his demeanor.
Would you like some rations? I have plenty to share, you all need a little muscle to stay healthy!
"Wow, you guys are so interesting! I want to learn allll about you. What's in Baldur's Gate for each of you? Krugh is looking for slavers. What about you Yasmina? Also, people tell me I ask too many questions. If I ask too many questions, you should just tell me also. But I just can't help it, there's so much to learn!" she is skipping along trying to keep up with the taller folk, her pack bouncing and the little hand drum on her hip making a dull *thonk* noise with each step.
"Oh, don't worry Neela, there may be things I'm not prepared to share with you yet as we just met, but I won't be offended just by you asking." Yasmina says with a soft laugh, briefly laying a friendly hand on the kobolds shoulder while she skips at her side. "I'm honestly not sure what to do when I reach Baldur's Gate Neela. Look for a way to earn some coin I guess." She says with a smile and a shrug.
Thelan does his best to hide an impish grin at the image Krugh describes in his coming of age ritual, then takes on a somber tone as the half-orc describes his plan “Slavery is not a path toward redemption, friend. They take everything away from you and break you. I recommend you seek your glories elsewhere.”
Thelan looks over at Neela “Well met, my little friend. There is no such thing as too many questions, they open the door to true knowledge. What do you seek in Baldur’s Gate?”
“A Black Dragon you say?” he meets Sinak’s gaze “I have heard the stories as well, their presence rarely goes without notice and gets the very forest itself talking. But I do not know what brings them here.” Thelan looks up at the sky “Yes, we should find a place to rest soon. I can take a watch as well, to even the burden among us all.”
All - You wind onward down the road as the day winds down to an end and the conversation inevitably turns to making camp for the night. There are open fields on either side of the road here for quite a way, so any camp would be easily seen from the road. It would be about another hour of travel to reach the edge of the woods and any real sense of shelter or privacy, but you figure you have about two hours of day light left if you so choose.
Sinak, Thelan, & Yasmina - You all hear something further down the road from you. It sounds like... Yelling, arguing, pleading, then... Screaming. You can't see the source of the sound due to a rise in the road ahead. Neela is jabbering endlessly at Kragh who receives each rapid-fire question with a look of child-like consternation plain upon his face. You would swear you could see the boulder crushing CLUNK of his mind switching gears to answer each new question and neither he nor Neela seem to have heard the noise. What would you like to do?
Yasmina messeges Raz to fly ahead invisible and report to her what he sees, even taking use of his senses briefly perhaps if he reports anything interesting. "Seems like trouble up ahead."She says grimly to the others, having no hurry herself to get there it seems.
Raz takes flight and spies a group of people roughly a half mile (800m) ahead. He sees what appears to be three elves; two men and a woman on the backs of two large elks. The woman shares a mount with one of the men and as Raz flies closer he can see that all appear to be wounded. The man riding alone has a bloody piece of cloth across his face, covering his right eye and holds his side as he uses the other hand to make placating gestures at the woman. The woman appears to be the most grievously wounded, covered in blood and missing an arm. Even still, she shouts and struggles against the men trying to calm and restrain her. The man riding with the woman desperately tries to keep both he and she from falling from the back of the elk, offering quick responses between grunts of pain and exertion. Their elk mounts stand placidly near the edge of the road, snorting and pawing occasionally despite the drama atop them.
You've been traveling north along the Coast Way toward Baldur's Gate and you've still a few more days of travel ahead of you before you reach the city. Though the Coast Way is a fairly well traveled route and generally considered one of the safer paths to travel, this leg of your journey takes you between two large stands of woods, The Cloakwood to the west and the Wood of Sharp Teeth to the east. Both are renowned as haunts for bandits and hungry beasts, which is one of the reasons you've just recently decided to travel in a group with other travelers you've met along the Coast Way. The other reason being reports of a black dragon sighted in the area.
Your approximate location is indicated by the blue circle on the map above.
It is midafternoon and, in a few hours, you will have to start looking for a place to make camp for the night. But for now, it is a nice afternoon to let the road pass underfoot and to get to know your traveling companions. Your ad hoc party consists of a half-elf woman, an eladrin man, a half-orc man, a kobold, and a shadar-kai man. If you're going to be spending the night with these folks, it's better to know now which ones are weirdos before folks start laying out their bedrolls and claiming sleeping spaces, right?
Please describe your character and what they are doing. I encourage you all to role-play and interact with one another as you like. I will move the narrative along after everyone has had a chance to post at least once.
Walking the road north towards Baldur's Gate with light steps is stunningly beautiful half-elf of obvious calishite descent. She wears a blood red cloak over dark brown calishite style robes and high soft leather boots. She wears a ring inset with a small ruby that sometimes seem to flare up with a fiery light. She also carries a backpack and a two curved daggers of calishite design. "Gentlemen, my name is Yasmina, I am travelling north to Baldur's Gate. Will you all be going there too? Will I have the pleasure of your company all the way?" She turns and says with distinct Calishite accent, looking at the other travellers in turn with a polite smile.
(Yasmina would have Raz sent out invisible to patrol above for threats, particularly from the Cloakwood.)
Kragh walks with his head hanging down.
So theres I was, all set for the biggestest thing ever and I nutted meself.
I failed everyone, I failed momses, dad just grunted, bro laughed for days.
So I left I did, and it's no going back until I redeem myself.
So I'm going to Baldur's Gate to sell myself to slavery. I deserve nothing less.
*sniff*
At least dads let me take dis old war stuff so I can bash things for glory.
Do you fellas want to buy me?
=================================================
A nearly 50 years old lifetime role-player and gaming nerd
=================================================
Level 5 Half-Orc Barbarian Krugh in Warriors of Sehanine by Dylanthalas
Level 1 Half-Drow Warlock Qin'Tar T'Saria in The Shards of Miranos by PinkPygmyPuff307
The ranger joined the group on the trail shortly after noon,, appearing from the woods along the side of the trail. Wearing a cloak mottled with greens and browns over well-worn leathers, he left no sign of his passing and the casual observer would look right by without noticing him. But his hazel eyes notice everything, searching for any threats along the road as they move forward. His skin has a reddish, gold tinge and his hair is a fiery orange under his hood. He wears the season of autumn on this day, matching his current mood of peace and goodwill.
“The pleasure is all mine, my lady” He gives a small bow of his head with a mischievous glint in his eye “I am Thelan. I am traveling that way and hope to accompany you and your friends as far as the city. There is safety in numbers after all.” He gives the glum half-orc a wary look “Cheer up, friend. No matter what happened, it can’t be that bad. Look up and live in the moment!”
Sinak :
Walking behind, remaining silent for much of the journey, is a slim elvish looking male in leathers carrying a shield. His eyes flit from person to person, constantly listening. Friendly when approached and answering questions in a straightforward manner, Sinak is mostly an observer of all things. He tries to make sense of what the half orc is saying, tilting his head. "What did you do? I'm not understanding. I'm sure it is not so bad.... is it?" He appears to be more comfortable at night, as the afternoon wears on and darkness approaches, he seems more relaxed.
As he is walking, quiet again lost in thought. Indeed, safety in numbers. "My name is Sinak. I am headed to Baldur's Gate as well. I've been there the last few years. I've heard that a black dragon has been sighted nearby. Do any of you know any more about this? I wonder why the wyrm has been drawn to this area... it is good to travel in a group in these times." He becomes silent again, frequently observing each of you.
Emblem on the front of his shield :
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The group soon comes across a small kobold that is intently trying to engage in conversation some other travellers on The Coast Way. They refute her efforts and she quickly turns her attention to you. Those more perceptive of you would notice that her shiny brass scales are actually thick brass paint, scratched away in parts to reveal blue scales beneath. Around 3ft tall, she is weighed down by a travel sack, but her red eyes are intent on your group and she hurries over to greet you.
"Hello! I am Neela. What are your names? Where are you going? Wow those are some cool daggers, where did you get them? Oh what does that crest on your shield mean? Hey how did you get your skin to go that gold colour? Why are you so sad? Can I come with you guys? Any of you want to learn Draconic? I could teach you."
The barrage of questions comes out in a single breath before Neela stops, falling in beside as you walk and looking expectantly at each of you.
Yasmina gives the half-orc a curious look, wondering what he meant by buying him. Was he simply a mercenary?
"Well nice to meet you Thelan." She says, giving the ranger a small polite bow. "Yes, quite, safety in numbers." She agrees, giving him a small smile.
"Nice to meet you too Sinak." She says to the slim elvish looking male. "It is the first time I travel these lands but I too heard about the black dragon being sighted in the area. I've never encountered a dragon before and I hope it will take some time still before I have the pleasure. If we do I doubt our numbers would suffice." She adds with a quick smile.
She gives the brass-painted kobold a curious glance and a smile as she approaches them. "Nice to meet you Neela, I am Yasmina. I'm travelling to the city of Baldur's gate to the north. And thank you Neela, these blades are made in Calimport, a great city in the south from which I hail." She says, patting the curved daggers at her sides. "Of course you can come with us, and I would be happy to be taught the language of dragons, after all, that would be our only real hope should the dragon find us." She says to the kobold with a polite smile.
"We should perhaps stop and rest soon?" The dark-skinned half-elf then suggests, looking at the others in the group as she continues to walk with light steps.
I am Krugh
And my story of shame is that when I was performing my ceremonial coming-of-age battle with a dire wolf I managed to nut myself, fell over and hit my head on a rock.
The shame I brought to my family is an endless pit of despair for me
Looking down to the tiny kobold - "I thought your lot only dug tunnles and built traps all the time, what are you doing out in the sun?"
Looking over to Sinak - "What is the city like? Is there a place where someone buys good slaves?"
( If those ravens are real ) - "You know you have two shitting birds on your shoulders right?"
Looking over this small group - "Have any of you eaten anything lately? You all look like just skin and bones! HAHAHAHA, puny beings... But me moms always said power comes in many sizes"
=================================================
A nearly 50 years old lifetime role-player and gaming nerd
=================================================
Level 5 Half-Orc Barbarian Krugh in Warriors of Sehanine by Dylanthalas
Level 1 Half-Drow Warlock Qin'Tar T'Saria in The Shards of Miranos by PinkPygmyPuff307
Sinak looks up at Krugh with a straight face and says “The city is… diverse. You can buy or sell virtually anything there. There are all manners of ..arrangements there. I would think again before selling yourself into slavery. There has to be another way.” He looks over to Yasmina and says “Yes, we should look for a good camp site. I only require four hours of rest and I can see pretty well in the dark. I will take a turn to stand watch if you wish..”
(There are no ravens on his shoulders. :)
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"That is very kind of you Sinak." Yasmina says with a polite smile to slim elvish looking male, then turning to face the half-orc. "Who in their right mind would offer to be a slave. I thought your kind appreciated freedom more than most?" She says with a small frown on her face. "If it is guidance and purpose you seek my friend I'm sure it will find you in time."
"Kragh must find way to redemption, thinking starting at lowest standing as slave would help"
Kragh looks to his fellow travellers
"I can stand any watch, and protect you with what strength I have, perhaps this is a start." A genuine hint of a smile and glint in his eyes.
"Protecting the weak" he says without a hint of disrespect or disdain in his demeanor.
Would you like some rations? I have plenty to share, you all need a little muscle to stay healthy!
=================================================
A nearly 50 years old lifetime role-player and gaming nerd
=================================================
Level 5 Half-Orc Barbarian Krugh in Warriors of Sehanine by Dylanthalas
Level 1 Half-Drow Warlock Qin'Tar T'Saria in The Shards of Miranos by PinkPygmyPuff307
Neela watches the conversation back and forth.
"Wow, you guys are so interesting! I want to learn allll about you. What's in Baldur's Gate for each of you? Krugh is looking for slavers. What about you Yasmina? Also, people tell me I ask too many questions. If I ask too many questions, you should just tell me also. But I just can't help it, there's so much to learn!" she is skipping along trying to keep up with the taller folk, her pack bouncing and the little hand drum on her hip making a dull *thonk* noise with each step.
"Oh, don't worry Neela, there may be things I'm not prepared to share with you yet as we just met, but I won't be offended just by you asking." Yasmina says with a soft laugh, briefly laying a friendly hand on the kobolds shoulder while she skips at her side. "I'm honestly not sure what to do when I reach Baldur's Gate Neela. Look for a way to earn some coin I guess." She says with a smile and a shrug.
Thelan does his best to hide an impish grin at the image Krugh describes in his coming of age ritual, then takes on a somber tone as the half-orc describes his plan “Slavery is not a path toward redemption, friend. They take everything away from you and break you. I recommend you seek your glories elsewhere.”
Thelan looks over at Neela “Well met, my little friend. There is no such thing as too many questions, they open the door to true knowledge. What do you seek in Baldur’s Gate?”
“A Black Dragon you say?” he meets Sinak’s gaze “I have heard the stories as well, their presence rarely goes without notice and gets the very forest itself talking. But I do not know what brings them here.” Thelan looks up at the sky “Yes, we should find a place to rest soon. I can take a watch as well, to even the burden among us all.”
All - You wind onward down the road as the day winds down to an end and the conversation inevitably turns to making camp for the night. There are open fields on either side of the road here for quite a way, so any camp would be easily seen from the road. It would be about another hour of travel to reach the edge of the woods and any real sense of shelter or privacy, but you figure you have about two hours of day light left if you so choose.
Sinak, Thelan, & Yasmina - You all hear something further down the road from you. It sounds like... Yelling, arguing, pleading, then... Screaming. You can't see the source of the sound due to a rise in the road ahead. Neela is jabbering endlessly at Kragh who receives each rapid-fire question with a look of child-like consternation plain upon his face. You would swear you could see the boulder crushing CLUNK of his mind switching gears to answer each new question and neither he nor Neela seem to have heard the noise. What would you like to do?
Yasmina messeges Raz to fly ahead invisible and report to her what he sees, even taking use of his senses briefly perhaps if he reports anything interesting.
"Seems like trouble up ahead." She says grimly to the others, having no hurry herself to get there it seems.
Trouble?
Perception : 14
Sound more like a party
=================================================
A nearly 50 years old lifetime role-player and gaming nerd
=================================================
Level 5 Half-Orc Barbarian Krugh in Warriors of Sehanine by Dylanthalas
Level 1 Half-Drow Warlock Qin'Tar T'Saria in The Shards of Miranos by PinkPygmyPuff307
Yasmina -
Raz takes flight and spies a group of people roughly a half mile (800m) ahead. He sees what appears to be three elves; two men and a woman on the backs of two large elks. The woman shares a mount with one of the men and as Raz flies closer he can see that all appear to be wounded. The man riding alone has a bloody piece of cloth across his face, covering his right eye and holds his side as he uses the other hand to make placating gestures at the woman. The woman appears to be the most grievously wounded, covered in blood and missing an arm. Even still, she shouts and struggles against the men trying to calm and restrain her. The man riding with the woman desperately tries to keep both he and she from falling from the back of the elk, offering quick responses between grunts of pain and exertion. Their elk mounts stand placidly near the edge of the road, snorting and pawing occasionally despite the drama atop them.
Kragh - Neela still prattles on next to you, her voice drowning out anything you might have heard despite the distance between her mouth and your ear.
I listen carefully and answer everything she asks
"Would you like to sit on my shoulder little one?
=================================================
A nearly 50 years old lifetime role-player and gaming nerd
=================================================
Level 5 Half-Orc Barbarian Krugh in Warriors of Sehanine by Dylanthalas
Level 1 Half-Drow Warlock Qin'Tar T'Saria in The Shards of Miranos by PinkPygmyPuff307