Hoid says, “Olar, for the most part, you are correct. But I must correct you on one point. Craddick was a coward. He attacked from the shadow and then ran from us on numerous occasions, until we cornered him, as only a coward would do.”
“Wayfinder is more valuable to you, but to us it is only a tool. That is why I said what I said. But you must not give Craddick any more honorifics. That is a condition of a peaceful transfer of Wayfinder to you. It is ours by right, but you will make better use of it. Swear to me that you will denigrate his name if you ever speak of Craddick again. Swear it now, call him a coward and then take Wayfinder in peace.”
Olar examines the device offered up by Starker, "I have not seen anything like this before. What purpose does it serve?"
In answer to Hoid, "Very well, Hoid. I will honor your request. The Coward he shall be named from this point forward. But, Wayfinder is not mine to bear. I invite you to return to Barder Ranch with you newly found treasures. My men and I can travel with you for the security of numbers. Now that the menace of the walking dead has been destroyed, our journey home should be much less harrowing than the journey here."
Starker: “It allows the secure, lossless, encryption and decryption of messages. Having only one allows keeping a diary perfectly secure provided you don’t leave the key lying about in an easy to find place like the first two characters on a page or embossed on an ivory tablet in a well to the north of a dead sweet-sapped maple.”
When time permits, Hoid will study the enigma using his blacksmithing skill to try to determine whether the enigma is a purely mechanical construct that could be replicated.
“We accept your invite and hospitality Lord Barder, maybe with a brief stay, you can help us unlock more clues around the Deep Wave mine. It will be a welcome respite as we head back to Shalecliff to check on the townsfolk, gather supplies and head to find this mystery. Lead on please!” Kragen bows deeply.
Olar speaks with his sergeant. Both agree to keep news of the finding of Wayfinder amongst themselves. They ask that you do as well until you arrive at Barder Ranch. Olar plans to defer to his father about how to proceed from here. He suggests wrapping the sword in a blanket for the journey.
The books on magical research, the historical tome, helmet and golden stand for the sword are gathered from the vault. (( Will you leave the vault door open or locked? ))
The next morning is clear. The air is crisp with Autumn in the air. The trees have already begun to change for the season. It is a beautiful day for travel. The forest is coming back to its normal self with small animals and large animals seen again amongst the trees. It is a journey of just a few days that passes without incident. Gohumbee practices his martial skills with new sparring partners of Olar's men. For the first time in a while a sense of peace is upon your group.
The steading of Barder Ranch comes into view after you leave the shore of the Bright river. Two of Olar's men ride ahead to announce your return. There is joy and happy faces to greet you as you ride up to the gatehouse. Grooms take your mounts to brush them and feed and water them. Olar's father is expecting you in his council room. Olar looks to you and nods for you to bring the blanket wrapped sword with you.
Ullar greets you in his council room. One of the elders is there with him. Ullar rises to greet you and welcomes you back to his home. Seats are provided. Cold, fresh water and wine is set about with cheese and bread with freshly picked apples. "Olar sent word ahead that you have something important for us to discuss. At the risk of rudeness, is this something of urgency to jump right into?," Ullar addresses you. His eye is caught by the blanket in your hands.
We don't necessarily need to 'leave no trace' cleaning up undead bits and tentacles but we should probably reseal the door. If it is easy for an unseen servant or day laborers/ranchers/Chadwick to quickly put back the excavation site around the tree and paving stones, that could cover more evidence.
We don't know who else might have a copy of the poem. There is a run on maps to long missing places and other folks besides the Spider could end up here looking for this as well.
“Lord Barder, well met! Thank you for sending Olar to support cleansing the area of the evil that persisted at Rastagnas Tower. As we were returning from business in Granitestead, we observed signs that a feel evil had returned to the region. we had thought we rid the region of evil after dispatching Craddick the Coward and the Drow Spider, however We detected otherwise and returned to the Tower grounds. We were set upon by the walking dead including Craddicks visage. We were able return the undead to their graves and uncover more secrets that Rastagna had hid. During our investigation, Mage Starker was able to uncover another clue and decipher the code. There we recovered what the Great Rastagna had hid. The Legendary sword Wayfinder.
Kragen reverently presents the wrapped sword on the table in front of Ullar. Then backs away quietly.
”in addition, recovered were a history of his people, a magical Helm and several tomes with Arcane script.”
Ullar's attention is dominated by the sword Wayfinder lying upon his desk. He is speechless for a long minute. "You understand the importance of this relic to us?," he asks quietly.
Chadwick steps forward, his armor gleaming and hair flowing a solemn look on his face. He bows respectfully before Ullar and speaks with a voice full of conviction and honor.
“Lord Ullar, we understand the importance on the surface level, but I doubt we can fully appreciate what it would be like being reunited with a relic of this magnitude of our own faith. It's not just a symbol of your lineage but a beacon of hope for your people. We felt duty bound to ensure its return, and we are honored to have fulfilled this quest. May it bring peace and prosperity to your realm once more and aid you in you continued fight against the darkness.
Ullar returns the bow from Chadwick. "Your deeds and service on our behalf will be told and retold, Chadwick Paladin of Tyr. As will all of your names be recounted by the followers of the Tree Father! It is a joyous day. We must make celebration for the return of Wayfinder, just in time for the Harvesttide. Please remain as our guests of honor for the celebrations," Ullar asks of each of you.
Ullar's description may have underrepresented what is to come. The Harvesttide festival is a celebration of the successful harvest and a year's work to prepare for it. This lasts over several days culminating on the equinox. The followers of Sylvanus have a religious ceremony under the starlight on this night to pray for protection and warmth in the upcoming dark days of Winter. This is a big event for this religion. You noticed many tents and encampments in the lands surrounding Barder Ranch on the way in tonight. This explains it. You are to be the guests of honor for the entire event and are feted throughout the days. There is much to eat and drink during this time. Contests of strength and agility both on foot and on horseback are held. The prizes are a small purse and wreath of laurel for the winners. Men and women compete and the attentions of the victors are sought out by many afterwards. There is a reason mid-Summer is a busy time for the midwives....
Chadwick participates in the tournaments. There are games of horsemanship, bowmanship, point combat with wooden weapons and foot races. His loyalty to Tyr is respected by the people of Barder Ranch so no internal strife is seen on his beautiful brow.
((Any other activities you want to accomplish during the festivities or at your stay here?))
Hoid says, “Olar, for the most part, you are correct. But I must correct you on one point. Craddick was a coward. He attacked from the shadow and then ran from us on numerous occasions, until we cornered him, as only a coward would do.”
“Wayfinder is more valuable to you, but to us it is only a tool. That is why I said what I said. But you must not give Craddick any more honorifics. That is a condition of a peaceful transfer of Wayfinder to you. It is ours by right, but you will make better use of it. Swear to me that you will denigrate his name if you ever speak of Craddick again. Swear it now, call him a coward and then take Wayfinder in peace.”
Olar examines the device offered up by Starker, "I have not seen anything like this before. What purpose does it serve?"
In answer to Hoid, "Very well, Hoid. I will honor your request. The Coward he shall be named from this point forward. But, Wayfinder is not mine to bear. I invite you to return to Barder Ranch with you newly found treasures. My men and I can travel with you for the security of numbers. Now that the menace of the walking dead has been destroyed, our journey home should be much less harrowing than the journey here."
(( so unfair ))
Starker: “It allows the secure, lossless, encryption and decryption of messages. Having only one allows keeping a diary perfectly secure provided you don’t leave the key lying about in an easy to find place like the first two characters on a page or embossed on an ivory tablet in a well to the north of a dead sweet-sapped maple.”
When time permits, Hoid will study the enigma using his blacksmithing skill to try to determine whether the enigma is a purely mechanical construct that could be replicated.
Rolled 8. Not sure if any modifiers apply.
The device is beyond Hoid's ken. Likely the product of an expert gnome craftsman.
Gneuman looks at the device. "Not THIS Gnome!"
/plans?
“We accept your invite and hospitality Lord Barder, maybe with a brief stay, you can help us unlock more clues around the Deep Wave mine. It will be a welcome respite as we head back to Shalecliff to check on the townsfolk, gather supplies and head to find this mystery. Lead on please!” Kragen bows deeply.
Olar speaks with his sergeant. Both agree to keep news of the finding of Wayfinder amongst themselves. They ask that you do as well until you arrive at Barder Ranch. Olar plans to defer to his father about how to proceed from here. He suggests wrapping the sword in a blanket for the journey.
The books on magical research, the historical tome, helmet and golden stand for the sword are gathered from the vault. (( Will you leave the vault door open or locked? ))
The next morning is clear. The air is crisp with Autumn in the air. The trees have already begun to change for the season. It is a beautiful day for travel. The forest is coming back to its normal self with small animals and large animals seen again amongst the trees. It is a journey of just a few days that passes without incident. Gohumbee practices his martial skills with new sparring partners of Olar's men. For the first time in a while a sense of peace is upon your group.
The steading of Barder Ranch comes into view after you leave the shore of the Bright river. Two of Olar's men ride ahead to announce your return. There is joy and happy faces to greet you as you ride up to the gatehouse. Grooms take your mounts to brush them and feed and water them. Olar's father is expecting you in his council room. Olar looks to you and nods for you to bring the blanket wrapped sword with you.
Ullar greets you in his council room. One of the elders is there with him. Ullar rises to greet you and welcomes you back to his home. Seats are provided. Cold, fresh water and wine is set about with cheese and bread with freshly picked apples. "Olar sent word ahead that you have something important for us to discuss. At the risk of rudeness, is this something of urgency to jump right into?," Ullar addresses you. His eye is caught by the blanket in your hands.
We don't necessarily need to 'leave no trace' cleaning up undead bits and tentacles but we should probably reseal the door. If it is easy for an unseen servant or day laborers/ranchers/Chadwick to quickly put back the excavation site around the tree and paving stones, that could cover more evidence.
We don't know who else might have a copy of the poem. There is a run on maps to long missing places and other folks besides the Spider could end up here looking for this as well.
Concur with sealing the vault. Could be handy for future loot or storing evil artifacts.
Barring any disagreement from the group.
“Lord Barder, well met! Thank you for sending Olar to support cleansing the area of the evil that persisted at Rastagnas Tower. As we were returning from business in Granitestead, we observed signs that a feel evil had returned to the region. we had thought we rid the region of evil after dispatching Craddick the Coward and the Drow Spider, however We detected otherwise and returned to the Tower grounds. We were set upon by the walking dead including Craddicks visage. We were able return the undead to their graves and uncover more secrets that Rastagna had hid. During our investigation, Mage Starker was able to uncover another clue and decipher the code. There we recovered what the Great Rastagna had hid. The Legendary sword Wayfinder.
Kragen reverently presents the wrapped sword on the table in front of Ullar. Then backs away quietly.
”in addition, recovered were a history of his people, a magical Helm and several tomes with Arcane script.”
Ullar's attention is dominated by the sword Wayfinder lying upon his desk. He is speechless for a long minute. "You understand the importance of this relic to us?," he asks quietly.
Chadwick steps forward, his armor gleaming and hair flowing a solemn look on his face. He bows respectfully before Ullar and speaks with a voice full of conviction and honor.
“Lord Ullar, we understand the importance on the surface level, but I doubt we can fully appreciate what it would be like being reunited with a relic of this magnitude of our own faith. It's not just a symbol of your lineage but a beacon of hope for your people. We felt duty bound to ensure its return, and we are honored to have fulfilled this quest. May it bring peace and prosperity to your realm once more and aid you in you continued fight against the darkness.
He finishes with a formal bow.
Ullar returns the bow from Chadwick. "Your deeds and service on our behalf will be told and retold, Chadwick Paladin of Tyr. As will all of your names be recounted by the followers of the Tree Father! It is a joyous day. We must make celebration for the return of Wayfinder, just in time for the Harvesttide. Please remain as our guests of honor for the celebrations," Ullar asks of each of you.
Chadwick gets cleaned up and changed into his nice cloths for an evening of feasting, libations, and dancing.
Ullar's description may have underrepresented what is to come. The Harvesttide festival is a celebration of the successful harvest and a year's work to prepare for it. This lasts over several days culminating on the equinox. The followers of Sylvanus have a religious ceremony under the starlight on this night to pray for protection and warmth in the upcoming dark days of Winter. This is a big event for this religion. You noticed many tents and encampments in the lands surrounding Barder Ranch on the way in tonight. This explains it. You are to be the guests of honor for the entire event and are feted throughout the days. There is much to eat and drink during this time. Contests of strength and agility both on foot and on horseback are held. The prizes are a small purse and wreath of laurel for the winners. Men and women compete and the attentions of the victors are sought out by many afterwards. There is a reason mid-Summer is a busy time for the midwives....
Chadwick pre-apologizes to Tyr for any laws he is about to break before diving head first into the games and revelers.
Freya seems to also enjoy herself both on and off the field, with ribbons twined in her mane matching Chadwicks.
Chadwick participates in the tournaments. There are games of horsemanship, bowmanship, point combat with wooden weapons and foot races. His loyalty to Tyr is respected by the people of Barder Ranch so no internal strife is seen on his beautiful brow.
((Any other activities you want to accomplish during the festivities or at your stay here?))
Starker will ask if there is a wizard around and if there is will see if that wizard knows and might teach him Indentify (for an appropriate fee).
He will also try to buy long thick leather gloves and tweezers with a very fine point suitable to pick up and manipulate individual grains of sand.