Erbert takes his pony and gets comfortable astride it, readying himself for the journey. “Thank you for this, perfect for me. Here’s to our hunting success!” Erbert is ready to go. ((Don’t know if he found any scrolls of interest in the prior setting..))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Olar waits for you all to saddle up and get settled on your mounts. He then leads you out the main gate and heads north at a brisk pace. The horses are lively in the early morning hours. The dew evaporates into a fine mist as the sun comes to shine on the valley floor. Fresh air from the mountain peaks is generating a gentle breeze down the mountainsides. It is a peaceful and serene ride north to the farmstead.
The scene there is a stark contrast to your early morning. The dying embers still smoke from the remains of the main barn burnt to the ground. Stone foundations are all that remain. The carcasses of killed livestock and horses dot the field. Farmhands are working to maintain the routine of the farm, feeding the animals, moving them to pasture from their paddocks and cleaning then pens.
Your group is greeted by two of the farmhands. Each is armed with a long dagger in addition to their field tools. Olar is greeted and waved on to the main house. He rides up to the house and dismounts, tying his horse to a post. He waits for each of you to do the same. "Come, let's go speak with Geldyn. See what he and his men were able to discover last night," Olar says and turns for the house. A middle-aged man emerges before you get to the door. "Olar! Welcome back. What news do you bring?," he strides over the Olar and clasps hands with him. "My father offers his condolences for your losses. He will follow later today with hands to help with the necessary work," Olar responds. "I have with me an adventuring group who arrived last night. They told me of the smoke from the fire. We are here to track down the goblins who did this, and, hold them responsible," he says grimly. "This is Kragen, Trolkarl, Erbert, Gneuman, Hoid and Chadwick. If you have news to share, please do. We hope to find their trail and pursue with haste."
Geldyn turns to you, "I am Geldyn Bright, Elder of this farmstead. My thanks to you for alerting our neighbors to the south. You are welcome here." He says to Olar, "My men have found their trail. They are not trying to hide it. Due west, into the mountains." He then has a concerned look, "Olar, they took two young farmhands. Boys really. 13 and 15 Summers only." He looks Olar in the face and implores, "Do whatever is necessary. Bring them back to us." Olar looks him in the eye, "The Treefather willing, we will."
They both then look to you. "What would you know from me?," Geldyn asks.
“Geldyn, we have dealt with the cowardly half-orc leader of the goblins before but he always flees before we can dance the blades with him properly. We would put an end to his pillaging and cowardice. We have generally slaughtered all in his command at each of our prior encounters but then he flees. Hence, we have branded him The Coward. Either he must be increasing the numbers under his command or his stupidity. You said their direction, but what were their numbers? Were there only goblins? He has also worked with hobgoblins and bugbears recently.”
"Hoid, was it?," Geldyn confirms. "It is unclear from the chaos of the fight exact numbers. There were goblins using wolves as mounts. There were bugbears. And, they were coordinated in their attack by a half-orc." He stops to think for a moment, "From what was said 5-10 wolf riding goblins and a similar number of bugbears." He seems to be done with his answer and then adds, "Oh! The half-orc was riding a huge wolf as well."
Olar reacts to the numbers that Geldyn talks about. "That is a strong raiding party," he says. "Especially if led by a wizard. I can find them if they are out there. Maybe even without them knowing. Are you up to facing that?," he asks. "If so, we should make haste. They have a large lead on us and we want to find them before they have time to do something terrible with those boys."
“Olar, your desire for haste is well founded; however, The Coward is no wizard. He is a warlock, and our group is intimately familiar with the likes of warlocks and wizards. The Coward is dangerous, certainly, but he is no wizard. Those under his command are likely the bigger danger, but we have dealt with similar sized forces affiliated with The Coward in the past. Stealth and surprise are likely to be our best course of action. Unless my unusually quiet compatriots have any questions for Geldyn, we should make haste as you suggest.”
I fear also for those boys, we should keep moving.
After the party heads out...
I didn't want to bring this up around their farm, but I do wonder about the size of the force used to capture a couple of young men. Seems like overkill. Or are they actually training for something bigger? Or maybe they just enjoy the chaos. Sadly I fear they've been taken for sacrifices, so hopefully we can catch them before the dark deed is done.
Chadwick seems much more somber than usual since leaving the compound. Previously he had always seemed excited and giddy while adventuring, now he's just grim and determined.
Chadwick your fears are sound. The new moon is a time when blood sacrifices to the fiends are most potent. The race against time puts these boys in grave danger.
Drawing Darkbane, Trolkarl holds the sword aloft.
Together we are more than a group of adventurers. We are a force for good, standing against the encroaching darkness. Let our deeds shine brightest in the time devoid of the moon's light. We will find the captives, bring them back, and thwart whatever foul ritual these enemies have planned.
Trolkarl raises his sword high. The rising sun catches the edge of the blade in a brilliant spark of light flashing from the hilt to the tip. Kragen joins him with the Judge raised. Olar has a grim face and acknowledges your readiness, "Mmmm hmmm." He turns his mount and heads west, into the mountains. The trail is not hard to follow. These goblins are not trying to hide themselves. Olar says they feel strong so are not attempting to hide. He is able to follow the trail from horseback for most of the day so your group is able to cover much ground during the daylight. Meals are taken quickly while the horses get water at streams and you press onwards. You are deep within a maze of valleys and gorges by then end of the day. Olar looks to the sky and frowns, "Selune should be up by now. Perhaps tonight is the new moon." The trail has become more difficult as the ground has given way to rocky scree that leaves little sign of passing. Olar arrives at a divide in the canyon. There are three paths to take and he is unsure of where to go.
As he is examining the trail and the sky you see him become rigid and stop moving. His gaze is up towards a stand of trees on the mountain side. There you see a tall, thin figure of a man with the head of a great, antlered stag standing motionless among the trees. Everything seems to stand still for a moment. The trickle of water from the rocks, a bird tweeting in the distance, the rustle of a gentle breeze through the pine needles, the scrabble of an insect across the stones of the path are all that you can perceive. The figure raises its arm and points to one of the paths. You look in that direction and back to the figure, who is now gone.
Olar makes a gesture of reverence and quietly says, "Herne the Hunter is guiding us. We must continue." He then leads his horse through a narrow passage in the stone. The night is dark by the time you exit that ravine into another valley. Down below, you see a large bonfire and a smaller fire. Humanoids can be seen moving about the fires. It is a long distance off at this point. "Our quarry is ahead," Olar states.
Olar readies his gear and unloads unnecessary items to his saddle bags. He pulls out a strip of jerky from the pack for himself and offers some around. Chewing on it he asks, "What are your thoughts? That looks like them. Helpful for them to lit up a huge fire," he grins.
“Olar, do you want to participate in this fight? If so, how do you believe you will be most useful? We are happy to have you tend the mounts if you prefer to avoid the battle.”
“Olar, instead of taking offense, perhaps you could answer the question. What skills do you have in combat? For reference, I prefer this big ******* silver sword you see me lugging around everywhere, which requires me to dance closely with the enemy. But I am reasonably skilled with this big ******* bow too. But if you find keeping score more important than figuring out how we can all best contribute to getting YOUR neighbors out of here alive, tell me the rules for keeping score. If you please.”
“And I am expert at burning them up. Or making them shatter ! So please, once you two figure out who’s sword is longer, let’s move forward and take them out!” Erbert looks on with a wry grin and readies himself for battle, casting mage armor on himself.
I am humbled by your generosity (with a slight bow from the saddle).
Hopefully our hunt will be as successful as your hospitality.
Erbert takes his pony and gets comfortable astride it, readying himself for the journey. “Thank you for this, perfect for me. Here’s to our hunting success!” Erbert is ready to go. ((Don’t know if he found any scrolls of interest in the prior setting..))
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Olar waits for you all to saddle up and get settled on your mounts. He then leads you out the main gate and heads north at a brisk pace. The horses are lively in the early morning hours. The dew evaporates into a fine mist as the sun comes to shine on the valley floor. Fresh air from the mountain peaks is generating a gentle breeze down the mountainsides. It is a peaceful and serene ride north to the farmstead.
The scene there is a stark contrast to your early morning. The dying embers still smoke from the remains of the main barn burnt to the ground. Stone foundations are all that remain. The carcasses of killed livestock and horses dot the field. Farmhands are working to maintain the routine of the farm, feeding the animals, moving them to pasture from their paddocks and cleaning then pens.
Your group is greeted by two of the farmhands. Each is armed with a long dagger in addition to their field tools. Olar is greeted and waved on to the main house. He rides up to the house and dismounts, tying his horse to a post. He waits for each of you to do the same. "Come, let's go speak with Geldyn. See what he and his men were able to discover last night," Olar says and turns for the house. A middle-aged man emerges before you get to the door. "Olar! Welcome back. What news do you bring?," he strides over the Olar and clasps hands with him. "My father offers his condolences for your losses. He will follow later today with hands to help with the necessary work," Olar responds. "I have with me an adventuring group who arrived last night. They told me of the smoke from the fire. We are here to track down the goblins who did this, and, hold them responsible," he says grimly. "This is Kragen, Trolkarl, Erbert, Gneuman, Hoid and Chadwick. If you have news to share, please do. We hope to find their trail and pursue with haste."
Geldyn turns to you, "I am Geldyn Bright, Elder of this farmstead. My thanks to you for alerting our neighbors to the south. You are welcome here." He says to Olar, "My men have found their trail. They are not trying to hide it. Due west, into the mountains." He then has a concerned look, "Olar, they took two young farmhands. Boys really. 13 and 15 Summers only." He looks Olar in the face and implores, "Do whatever is necessary. Bring them back to us." Olar looks him in the eye, "The Treefather willing, we will."
They both then look to you. "What would you know from me?," Geldyn asks.
“Geldyn, we have dealt with the cowardly half-orc leader of the goblins before but he always flees before we can dance the blades with him properly. We would put an end to his pillaging and cowardice. We have generally slaughtered all in his command at each of our prior encounters but then he flees. Hence, we have branded him The Coward. Either he must be increasing the numbers under his command or his stupidity. You said their direction, but what were their numbers? Were there only goblins? He has also worked with hobgoblins and bugbears recently.”
"Hoid, was it?," Geldyn confirms. "It is unclear from the chaos of the fight exact numbers. There were goblins using wolves as mounts. There were bugbears. And, they were coordinated in their attack by a half-orc." He stops to think for a moment, "From what was said 5-10 wolf riding goblins and a similar number of bugbears." He seems to be done with his answer and then adds, "Oh! The half-orc was riding a huge wolf as well."
Olar reacts to the numbers that Geldyn talks about. "That is a strong raiding party," he says. "Especially if led by a wizard. I can find them if they are out there. Maybe even without them knowing. Are you up to facing that?," he asks. "If so, we should make haste. They have a large lead on us and we want to find them before they have time to do something terrible with those boys."
“Olar, your desire for haste is well founded; however, The Coward is no wizard. He is a warlock, and our group is intimately familiar with the likes of warlocks and wizards. The Coward is dangerous, certainly, but he is no wizard. Those under his command are likely the bigger danger, but we have dealt with similar sized forces affiliated with The Coward in the past. Stealth and surprise are likely to be our best course of action. Unless my unusually quiet compatriots have any questions for Geldyn, we should make haste as you suggest.”
I fear also for those boys, we should keep moving.
After the party heads out...
I didn't want to bring this up around their farm, but I do wonder about the size of the force used to capture a couple of young men. Seems like overkill. Or are they actually training for something bigger? Or maybe they just enjoy the chaos. Sadly I fear they've been taken for sacrifices, so hopefully we can catch them before the dark deed is done.
Chadwick seems much more somber than usual since leaving the compound. Previously he had always seemed excited and giddy while adventuring, now he's just grim and determined.
Chadwick your fears are sound. The new moon is a time when blood sacrifices to the fiends are most potent. The race against time puts these boys in grave danger.
Drawing Darkbane, Trolkarl holds the sword aloft.
Together we are more than a group of adventurers. We are a force for good, standing against the encroaching darkness. Let our deeds shine brightest in the time devoid of the moon's light. We will find the captives, bring them back, and thwart whatever foul ritual these enemies have planned.
Olar, please lead us on with haste!
Kragen raises “The Judge” along with Trolkarls gesture.
”Let us make haste! May Tyr bring justice to the deserving and light are path to those in need!”
Trolkarl raises his sword high. The rising sun catches the edge of the blade in a brilliant spark of light flashing from the hilt to the tip. Kragen joins him with the Judge raised. Olar has a grim face and acknowledges your readiness, "Mmmm hmmm." He turns his mount and heads west, into the mountains. The trail is not hard to follow. These goblins are not trying to hide themselves. Olar says they feel strong so are not attempting to hide. He is able to follow the trail from horseback for most of the day so your group is able to cover much ground during the daylight. Meals are taken quickly while the horses get water at streams and you press onwards. You are deep within a maze of valleys and gorges by then end of the day. Olar looks to the sky and frowns, "Selune should be up by now. Perhaps tonight is the new moon." The trail has become more difficult as the ground has given way to rocky scree that leaves little sign of passing. Olar arrives at a divide in the canyon. There are three paths to take and he is unsure of where to go.
As he is examining the trail and the sky you see him become rigid and stop moving. His gaze is up towards a stand of trees on the mountain side. There you see a tall, thin figure of a man with the head of a great, antlered stag standing motionless among the trees. Everything seems to stand still for a moment. The trickle of water from the rocks, a bird tweeting in the distance, the rustle of a gentle breeze through the pine needles, the scrabble of an insect across the stones of the path are all that you can perceive. The figure raises its arm and points to one of the paths. You look in that direction and back to the figure, who is now gone.
Olar makes a gesture of reverence and quietly says, "Herne the Hunter is guiding us. We must continue." He then leads his horse through a narrow passage in the stone. The night is dark by the time you exit that ravine into another valley. Down below, you see a large bonfire and a smaller fire. Humanoids can be seen moving about the fires. It is a long distance off at this point. "Our quarry is ahead," Olar states.
Bugbear Camp
Olar readies his gear and unloads unnecessary items to his saddle bags. He pulls out a strip of jerky from the pack for himself and offers some around. Chewing on it he asks, "What are your thoughts? That looks like them. Helpful for them to lit up a huge fire," he grins.
Chadwick says "more like dead ahead." Then giggles at his own joke, seeming to be more his usual self with the quarry in sight.
What direction are we approaching the camp from?
“Olar, do you want to participate in this fight? If so, how do you believe you will be most useful? We are happy to have you tend the mounts if you prefer to avoid the battle.”
Olar looks at Hoid like he has three heads. "I did not come all this way to 'tend the mounts', dwarf," Olar retorts. "Shall we keep score?"
(( You are currently west of the camp ))
(( Gneuman and Erbert to join the Bugbear Camp room still. ))
“Olar, instead of taking offense, perhaps you could answer the question. What skills do you have in combat? For reference, I prefer this big ******* silver sword you see me lugging around everywhere, which requires me to dance closely with the enemy. But I am reasonably skilled with this big ******* bow too. But if you find keeping score more important than figuring out how we can all best contribute to getting YOUR neighbors out of here alive, tell me the rules for keeping score. If you please.”
"I am skilled with the sword, bow and spear," Olar says flatly.
“And I am expert at burning them up. Or making them shatter ! So please, once you two figure out who’s sword is longer, let’s move forward and take them out!” Erbert looks on with a wry grin and readies himself for battle, casting mage armor on himself.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“Erbert, your juvenile quips do not help the situation.”