Dar Gremath organises cloaks or robes for the party, you get a choice of black or brown, tattered or even more tattered, and blood-stained, mud-stained or both.
The human woman who will come with you is hollow-eyed, dark haired with streaks of grey. She looks like she has had recent trauma and is functioning on a surface level. She will not take her horse in case it attracts attention. Her name is Fernie and her oldest son, only just an adult, was killed by the Iron Circle two days ago.
Esa can just wear her traveller's clothes and keep herself mostly obscured in Augustin's robes so she isn't so conspicuous. She doesn't mind travelling at night or day
Grimbald can always be presumed to scout ahead, typically just left of any trail. ready to squirrel bark. typically 50feet ahead. Passive perception 16
If outnumbered he usually will attempt to hide 18 in an attempt to flank and surprise.
You all head out of your accommodation, and find the children take time away from their chores to run alongside the party, laughing delightedly at the sight of Esa as well as Grimbald's squirrel behaviour, a little thrill at Vakiel's imposing demeanour and otherworldly looks, Stryke's eyepatch and general appearance, and Augustin's ready smile and aura of confidence, only spoiled slightly by his still crooked nose. The children stop at the barricade across the bridge.
As the party head across the bridge spanning the White River a few of those manning the barricade call out to wish you luck. You hear some referring to you as "Delvers from Harken", and some as "Heroes of Harken". Your actions thus far have given some people a little hope, at least.
Dar Gremath has taken a shine to Gnasher and is happy to look after him until you return.
The party heads down the tracks that carts travel to when they come to or from Albridge from Marl. Fernie says little and while being smaller than the other humans (and aasimar) in the party she keeps pace easily. At first, when interacted with, Fernie just gave matter-of-fact conversation, speaking only as much as she needed to. The party did not get any sense of her not wanting to be on this mission or be with them, likely just numb from recent trauma.
One time when Augustin gave one of his easy laughs when interacting with Grimbald, Fernie almost smiled, almost but not quite. Her face softened at least. She moved closer to the paladin and said "You're much like your father. I didn't see it before when you were younger, but I see it now. Same but different. You carry his sword and horn now." She pointed at the ivory and silver horn at Augustin's side. "Maybe that's what reminded me. He didn't have one of the fey folk to guide him though," the scout said, looking at Esa, who was flying nearby and using mage hand to tie Grimbald's bootlaces together whenever he stopped for a minute. "Might have worked out better for him if he did," Fernie added.
This sparked a short conversation - Fernie told her she was a scout in the Harken guard, and knew Augustin's father. She moved to Albridge to be with her partner and they worked in her partner's orchard, and had children together. Speaking of this drew a cloud over Fernie's face and she went back to not speaking much. Augustin did get that she had another son, younger, who was with his father while Fernie was on this mission. There was some silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable and Augustin remembered some buried memories.
"You used to read a lot," he said. "I remember, you borrowed books from my father."
"I still have one of them," Fernie said. "I should give it back to you. I might, if you let me borrow another. I still read when I can, I have a book in my pack now. It's a trashy romance set in the time of the Nerath Empire. It's a bit damaged, I'm worried the last chapter is missing, but I'll read it anyways and make up my own ending if I have to. My son Edwin.." she swallowed hard and paused. "My son Edwin loved books too. His brother Joel is more of an outdoorsy boy, but Edwin.. Edwin loved to read and make up stories. In different times he could have been a writer of books." Fernie looked to the ground as she walked to hide her tears. "It hurts so much," she finally whispered. "Why did he have to die? Why did he ask to help man the barricade? Why did they let him? He was just a boy."
There was nothing to say, so Augustin stopped and hugged Fernie. She cried into his shoulder and he just let her experience her grief instead of hiding it away, and the rest of the party knew to give them space.
After a time she wiped her tears and said gruffly "We best be getting on." The party moved again, and there was a difference to Fernie, a little lighter on her feet. Augustin knew the grief would come again, but now the dam was breached it would be easier for the emotions to flow through her and not be bottled up.
The party starts passing some burned out farm buildings and broken fences. Looking ahead there doesn't appear to be any smoke coming from Marl. Fernie tells you that you'll be able to see Marl (and anything in Marl can see you) when you get over the next hill.
Stryke will use wild shape to summon a wild companion familiar in the form of a fey owl to spend the next hour looking around Marl and reporting back to him before it disappears.
Anything in particular the party wants found or to be looked for or at?
The fey owl swoops over the ruined village of Marl. Some buildings seem fine, others are burnt to the ground, seemingly in a very selective way. The owl zooms through the few streets of the village and alights on the weathervane of the largest building. The village is patrolled by 5 goblins, and there another 5 in the big building the owl is perched on. There are also some lizard like creatures, lithe and muscular like scaled panthers hunting around and sniffing the ruins. Every now and then one might sniff and dart into a building, and a cat might leap out the window and run onto the roof where the lizard creature cannot follow or cannot get out of the window if it is a small one. The patrolling goblins are wary of the lizards, and if one approaches they shout at it and try to keep their distance.
You get the impression there is little left alive here, or if there are they are well hidden - most villages have old underground ruins, having being built on old existing settlements. There are no dogs or people left here that the owl can see, and the cats that remain are adept at avoiding lizards and goblins.
The owl spies movement on the edge of the village, and flies across the few houses that block line of sight. Here the owl sees five humans, one in robes, the rest armoured, loading furniture, chests, and various loot - rugs, household items, and food - you wouldn't be surprised if it all came from the Elder's house - onto a cart where a horse waits patiently to draw it. There is also one dog like creature with metal skin and glowing eyes staying next to the robed human. It looks like the Iron Circle are pulling out, leaving just the goblins and lizard creatures to occupy the ruined village.
The owl flies back within 100 ft of Stryke and keeps an eye on the village while it explains what it has seen and what it is seeing.
Grimbald says "I can't stomach the goblins staying in town. Let the humans go, remove the goblins and their scaled dog, then see if we can quickly catch the humans and return the loot"
Listening to the description Fernie says the lizards are likely to be drakes. The Iron Circle breed them down south and have brought them up here to act as shock troops, skirmishers, and for hunting people and game - it is these creatures that are often sent to attack the barricades at Albridge. They are stronger and tougher than dogs but also seem harder to control. The troops on the barricade have thrown dead sheep out into the attacking drakes and they stop to fight over them, disrupting the attack. She also says the iron dogs are used as bodyguards for the ones in robes who have some spellcasting ability. Fernie doesn't know anything else about them.
Dar Gremath shows you on the map your route. It looks straightforward, and Augustin knows the way.
Dar Gremath says that you could take a scout with you, she will ride back with any message about Marl you choose to send.
Also you could maybe wear robes over your armour and gear.
Vakiel doesn’t wear armour and probably would already have a cloak from his travels. However happy to purchase one to cover his sword if necessary
“Night or day doesn’t matter to me. As Grimbald, perhaps day is less suspicious and easier for those who cannot see well at night”
fair enough, a cloak would be useful, brown or green for Stryke
Dar Gremath organises cloaks or robes for the party, you get a choice of black or brown, tattered or even more tattered, and blood-stained, mud-stained or both.
The human woman who will come with you is hollow-eyed, dark haired with streaks of grey. She looks like she has had recent trauma and is functioning on a surface level. She will not take her horse in case it attracts attention. Her name is Fernie and her oldest son, only just an adult, was killed by the Iron Circle two days ago.
Esa can just wear her traveller's clothes and keep herself mostly obscured in Augustin's robes so she isn't so conspicuous. She doesn't mind travelling at night or day
Stryke looks around, "if everyone is ready, shall we head out?"
hes eager to get outside and ever closer to the forest. Should we leave Gnasher here or take him with us?
Who is scouting?
Grimbald can always be presumed to scout ahead, typically just left of any trail. ready to squirrel bark. typically 50feet ahead. Passive perception 16
If outnumbered he usually will attempt to hide 18 in an attempt to flank and surprise.
Initiative if required 11
You all head out of your accommodation, and find the children take time away from their chores to run alongside the party, laughing delightedly at the sight of Esa as well as Grimbald's squirrel behaviour, a little thrill at Vakiel's imposing demeanour and otherworldly looks, Stryke's eyepatch and general appearance, and Augustin's ready smile and aura of confidence, only spoiled slightly by his still crooked nose. The children stop at the barricade across the bridge.
As the party head across the bridge spanning the White River a few of those manning the barricade call out to wish you luck. You hear some referring to you as "Delvers from Harken", and some as "Heroes of Harken". Your actions thus far have given some people a little hope, at least.
Dar Gremath has taken a shine to Gnasher and is happy to look after him until you return.
Stryke thanks Dar and asks that he be well looked after and taught what a dog should be like.
Stryke also thinks Delvers from Harken is a better name than the Bullywugs gave us. Although he also imagines that Esa would prefer the Heros tag.
The party heads down the tracks that carts travel to when they come to or from Albridge from Marl. Fernie says little and while being smaller than the other humans (and aasimar) in the party she keeps pace easily. At first, when interacted with, Fernie just gave matter-of-fact conversation, speaking only as much as she needed to. The party did not get any sense of her not wanting to be on this mission or be with them, likely just numb from recent trauma.
One time when Augustin gave one of his easy laughs when interacting with Grimbald, Fernie almost smiled, almost but not quite. Her face softened at least. She moved closer to the paladin and said "You're much like your father. I didn't see it before when you were younger, but I see it now. Same but different. You carry his sword and horn now." She pointed at the ivory and silver horn at Augustin's side. "Maybe that's what reminded me. He didn't have one of the fey folk to guide him though," the scout said, looking at Esa, who was flying nearby and using mage hand to tie Grimbald's bootlaces together whenever he stopped for a minute. "Might have worked out better for him if he did," Fernie added.
This sparked a short conversation - Fernie told her she was a scout in the Harken guard, and knew Augustin's father. She moved to Albridge to be with her partner and they worked in her partner's orchard, and had children together. Speaking of this drew a cloud over Fernie's face and she went back to not speaking much. Augustin did get that she had another son, younger, who was with his father while Fernie was on this mission. There was some silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable and Augustin remembered some buried memories.
"You used to read a lot," he said. "I remember, you borrowed books from my father."
"I still have one of them," Fernie said. "I should give it back to you. I might, if you let me borrow another. I still read when I can, I have a book in my pack now. It's a trashy romance set in the time of the Nerath Empire. It's a bit damaged, I'm worried the last chapter is missing, but I'll read it anyways and make up my own ending if I have to. My son Edwin.." she swallowed hard and paused. "My son Edwin loved books too. His brother Joel is more of an outdoorsy boy, but Edwin.. Edwin loved to read and make up stories. In different times he could have been a writer of books." Fernie looked to the ground as she walked to hide her tears. "It hurts so much," she finally whispered. "Why did he have to die? Why did he ask to help man the barricade? Why did they let him? He was just a boy."
There was nothing to say, so Augustin stopped and hugged Fernie. She cried into his shoulder and he just let her experience her grief instead of hiding it away, and the rest of the party knew to give them space.
After a time she wiped her tears and said gruffly "We best be getting on." The party moved again, and there was a difference to Fernie, a little lighter on her feet. Augustin knew the grief would come again, but now the dam was breached it would be easier for the emotions to flow through her and not be bottled up.
The party starts passing some burned out farm buildings and broken fences. Looking ahead there doesn't appear to be any smoke coming from Marl. Fernie tells you that you'll be able to see Marl (and anything in Marl can see you) when you get over the next hill.
What would you like to do at this point?
The time of day is about one hour before midday.
Stryke will use wild shape to summon a wild companion familiar in the form of a fey owl to spend the next hour looking around Marl and reporting back to him before it disappears.
Anything in particular the party wants found or to be looked for or at?
The fey owl is summoned.
Grimbald will keep low in the grass and peak over the hill. He will watch the owl and any threat towards it from Marl.
The fey owl swoops over the ruined village of Marl. Some buildings seem fine, others are burnt to the ground, seemingly in a very selective way. The owl zooms through the few streets of the village and alights on the weathervane of the largest building. The village is patrolled by 5 goblins, and there another 5 in the big building the owl is perched on. There are also some lizard like creatures, lithe and muscular like scaled panthers hunting around and sniffing the ruins. Every now and then one might sniff and dart into a building, and a cat might leap out the window and run onto the roof where the lizard creature cannot follow or cannot get out of the window if it is a small one. The patrolling goblins are wary of the lizards, and if one approaches they shout at it and try to keep their distance.
You get the impression there is little left alive here, or if there are they are well hidden - most villages have old underground ruins, having being built on old existing settlements. There are no dogs or people left here that the owl can see, and the cats that remain are adept at avoiding lizards and goblins.
The owl spies movement on the edge of the village, and flies across the few houses that block line of sight. Here the owl sees five humans, one in robes, the rest armoured, loading furniture, chests, and various loot - rugs, household items, and food - you wouldn't be surprised if it all came from the Elder's house - onto a cart where a horse waits patiently to draw it. There is also one dog like creature with metal skin and glowing eyes staying next to the robed human. It looks like the Iron Circle are pulling out, leaving just the goblins and lizard creatures to occupy the ruined village.
The owl flies back within 100 ft of Stryke and keeps an eye on the village while it explains what it has seen and what it is seeing.
Are the iron circle group on our side of the village or a different side?
Anyone know what the strange metal dog is or the lizards?
Do we clear it out or pass by?
Grimbald says "I can't stomach the goblins staying in town. Let the humans go, remove the goblins and their scaled dog, then see if we can quickly catch the humans and return the loot"
Listening to the description Fernie says the lizards are likely to be drakes. The Iron Circle breed them down south and have brought them up here to act as shock troops, skirmishers, and for hunting people and game - it is these creatures that are often sent to attack the barricades at Albridge. They are stronger and tougher than dogs but also seem harder to control. The troops on the barricade have thrown dead sheep out into the attacking drakes and they stop to fight over them, disrupting the attack. She also says the iron dogs are used as bodyguards for the ones in robes who have some spellcasting ability. Fernie doesn't know anything else about them.
If I was quick enough I could run around a tree to keep the drakes occupied while we took out the goblins.