Dornin politely declines the refreshments as he spends much time looking around the rooms. His High-Elven mother used to tell him stories growing up about monarchies and political groups as people who were to be well-respected, but perhaps not so easily trusted. He sits down at the table with his new friends and gets the chance to listen to their stories and how they came to be here. When it gets to Dornin's turn, he talks about his life back in Phandalin, how it is such a quiet village where the people are fair and welcoming. He tells story of his Elven mother, who is a powerful sorceress and the village sage and taught him everything he knows.
In reality, Dornin never get his mothers gifts from her bloodline, he only chooses to make it seem this way to mayor Masonce and the rest of the group. He figures he would come off untrustworthy if he told anyone how he really got his powers. (Deception: Nat1 for trying to convince everyone he's a sorcerer)
Dornin listens to the proposal from the mayor, it sounds pretty reasonable for a group like ourselves and not overly complicated. He will agree to the task if the rest of the group is up to it. Whenever theirs a moment, Dornin speaks up, "We have some additional matters to tend to in the city as well, one of them being the water issue. It may help speed up the process if we had some access to your administrations office to get some maps and such."
Ceridwen smiles as she listens to your questions, “Please one at a time if you will”, Her gaze settles on the Dwarf, “I can see your interest, please do help yourself, it is quite refreshing.”
“What I am about to say is quite sensitive, I expect you all to be discreet. The woman's father is a prominent, and successful member of the council.” She pauses for a few minutes considering her answer. “I don't believe it has anything to do with Barnabas and ‘the Rats’, it is politically motivated. Whispers in the court speak of using her for leverage. Rumors heard that a member of Ibn Altair was seen in the halls of Neverwinter castle speaking with a direct rival of her fathers.” She searches your faces for understanding, before continuing. “Ibn Altair is an association of Assassins based far to the South, they have been making inroads into the Northern sword coast over the last few years.”
Looking directly at Dornin, “This has nothing to do with the water issues affecting the town, while I feel that is of importance, I am aware of the tragedy that has occurred, but there is no time to delay. You will need to leave immediately if at all.” Again pausing to consider her answer, “If you choose to decline and pursue other endeavors I would still thank you for your time, and appreciate the assistance within the town. The Captain would be willing to provide you with what is needed.”
Dornin notices the true importance of this mission, clearly this is a priority. He is willing to take this on if the rest of the group agrees. " We can bring her back to Abiershire, we have some problems here, but at least we can keep a proper eye on her"
Kallith thoughtfully scratches the clipped side of her head and sips on her drink during Ceridwens explanation. The sweet-sour concoction still leads to her making various faces, but she nonetheless seems to be enjoying the dram.
The firbolg nods to Dornins words and adds: "If she is in urgent danger, the matter is settled for me. The only thing worse than assassins are the people that pay for their services. I've got a mind to enter politics myself, just to give them a kick up the arse."
She has an empty glass in front of her and looks hopefully around for a chance to refill it.
“We would be bodyguards for less then a week possibly dealing with assassins. Her current whereabouts are known. I would hope to be paid well as the danger sounds quite serious. Are there any safe houses we could use to lay low?”
Chandle seeing the firbolg drinking the lemonade, tries a small sip… then another. ‘Wow, this is good’ she thinks to herself.
“Her name is Isbiel. Again I must ask you to be discreet, there are very few in this world who are aware of this information.” She glances out the window at the failed light of the darkened sky. “Let me be brief, it is already late and I expect you to head out no later than the morn.” She pauses briefy, a subtle smile creeping across her lips. “She has been living at a smallholding just South of Oakhurst, about 25 miles from here. What is needed is to go, retrieve her and bring her safely to the Northern watchtower, I will meet you there in three days.
Ceridwen gets up from the table, heading to the desk she opens a drawer and retrieves several documents, returning to the table, placing them atop its surface. “The first is a map to help guide you to the village and then back to the watchtower, the second is a sealed writ of introduction, without it, Isbiel and her keeper Bombataa will not accept you. Success will deliver a safe and healthy Isbiel to my care in three days. For this I can offer you 100 Nobles each.
She stands, “Ibn Altair are resourceful, stealth, subterfuge and deception are their methods, be wary. Are there any questions before you leave?”
Dornin excepts the documentation and distributes it amongst the rest of the group, he has never been a man of maps and navigating them, he hopes someone in the group is better at using them than he is. He stands from the table and offers a formal handshake to the woman and speaks up. " We can handle this with the upmost discretion, I'm sure of it." He turns to the group and says " It is a good idea we get all the rest we can, perhaps it is best we leave before first light."
Trading a bandit problem for professional assassins wasn't exactly a comfort for Dornin, he is nervous, a potentially deadly quest with people he had only just met is daunting.
Kallith gratefully accepts Octos drink and happily sips it while the rest of the details are given. A shame that lemons were expensive up in Hartsvale, she could get used to this. Concentrating with some difficulty back to the task at hand, she glances at the documents provided.
Upon mention that these Ibn Altair relied on subterfuge, she makes another face, this time not induced by the drink. This promised to be a difficult task. Dornin is promising discretion, Kallith has hardly ever heard of the word. But she nods along anyway.
100 nobles now we’re talking, 3 days for a 50 mile round trip. “Any carriages or horses about town? Yes leaving predawn is an excellent plan.” Chandle looks at the map, there’s always a direct route, but is there any other travel options?
Chandle tries using sleight of hand to flavor her waterskin with the lemonade… rolled 20 in log.
The Map of the Surroundings showing Oakhurst, a small dirt road branch's from the Trade Way. By road and trail, Oakhurst is roughly 25 miles from Neverwinter, but only 20 miles by the crows flight. Overland may appear shorter but presents different challenges and dangers, after an hour or so outside the city the last farms and patrolled civilization is left behind. Before The Wastes, the Trade way was patrolled daily, as far as Port Llast, this has reduced to weekly making the road increasingly dangerous as well.
The small red dot above Neverwinter is the location of the Watchtower, an hours walk from the City.
Ceridwen looks to Chandle, "I could supply horses if that is what you need, at market value of course, however I would consider it prepayment of our terms." She looks to the Minotaur and Firbolg, "Considering the size of these two, I am not sure horses would be any faster."
A Riding Horse with saddle costs 90 Nobles
Unless you have other questions or concerns. Ceridwen rises from the table, plucking a lemon from a bowl behind her, "I can have my assistant put you up for the night, there is lovely little Inn just outside The Keep, you can head out from there.'
Chandle
As you pass Ceridwen at the door, she quietly places the lemon in your pack. None of the others would have noticed her deft, skillful hand even though it was quite obvious to you.
Travel along the Trade Way and trail will take 8 hours, or 6 with Horses. Heading straight through the wilderness may take less time (6 hours with or without horses), as long as you don't get lost. speed
Please decide which direction and mode of travel, and describe what if any actions you would take during your travels. Wilderness travel will require a navigator survival check every 4 hours to remain on course.
Octo says "I'm fine with no horses and walking the Trade Way. It’s a bit longer but seems a bit safter. Better to keep our resources available for any Ibn Altair instead of random monsters in the wild?If we do want to go the direct wilderness route, I am very skilled in keeping us on track to our destination.”
The firbolg grins at the size comment from Ceridwen, adding "I much prefer not using horses. Most that I talked to here don't seem to be in the best spirits."
As for the route, Kallith chimes in lightheartedly with "Roads are boring. Nothing interesting ever happens on them. If time is of the essence and Octo is as good as he says, overland may be preferrable."
Dornin only ever used roads to travel, but if his team can navigate the road less travelled, he trusts the adventure. " Right then, I am exhausted, I will meet you out front before dawn"
In contrast to the last two weeks, this day dawns bright and clear, blue skies without a cloud in sight. Your group grabs a quick bite of stewed vegetables and porridge. (2 Nibs) Heading out the gates and off into the wilds toward Oakhurst. The town has already begun to wake, newly arrived merchants arguing with the guards over access to Neverwinter, citizens sleepily filling buckets of water to trek back home, shops throwing the shutters and sweeping the steps clean for another day.
Octo takes the lead, at first the traveling is easy, farms and small holdings are scattered here and there, not close but within sight of each other. The thin roads and trails lined with stacked stone, cleared from the fields over years of use. Farmers watch as your group travels past, gawking at the Minotaur and Firbolg. After an hour or so the landscape changes becoming rocky, exposed stone and scattered boulders interspersed with scraggly trees and scrub.
Octo
Since you are navigating please make 2 survival checks DC 11. If the first fails you wander about for 2 hours before getting your bearings. If both fail you are lost.
Kallith
Following Octo you keep an eye on the horizon. After 2-3 hours you spot a group of wolves in the distance, nothing out of the ordinary. After 3-4 hours you spot another (the same?) group of wolves behind you.
Kallith wanders along in good spirits, leaving the tracking to Octo and instead scanning the landscape. Having taken her boots off as soon as the group left the road, she is very relaxed and enjoys the northern sun. Passing a farm, she waves to the residents in greeting.
Throughout the day the firbolg notices wolves and tells the party: "Best keep together. There are wolves about, but they're rarely desperate enough to attack a group of folk."
"Wolves!?" Dornin yelps as his pace picks up to stay even closer to the group.
As he walks along this rocky landscape, his robes keep getting snagged on roots and rocks making even more tears than there were previously. "Awe Hells, by the time this journey is complete, I will be lucky to have any robe left" as he gets caught on another bush. "I think a new robe will be my first purchase with my share of the reward when we return to Abiershire. I have had these ones for far too long and wish for a set that make me look like a proper mage. What about the rest of you? Any plans for your share of coin?"
Midday greets you, the Sun directly overhead beats down heating the rocks, and making the air stifling as you sweat from the excursion. . A warm stiff wind begins to blow as a few large clouds appear, scudding across the sky. Octo directs you up a ridgeline to get a better view. Off in the distance, to the North, thin trails of smoke wind upward. The hearths of Oakhurst now close enough to show the way, still about an hour's hike and several miles to go. The town is unseen, hidden below the hills. Between you and the town are small lakes, and ponds, dotting the landscape and only partially hidden by the rough timber that surrounds them.
From this vantage point you can see for miles around, on the next rise to the West, a short decrepit tower stands prominent against the sky. You could easily reach it in ten to fifteen minutes.
Kallith has been watching the wolves for the last hour, appearing on the hilltops before disappearing into the scrub. It has become clear that it is one pack with its members spread out to the East and South, they are hunting the land you travel in. A wolf appears on a hill to the North, as its packmates emerge from the trees behind it you realize, it is no wolf, it is a Worg. The size of a horse, it puts its head to the sky letting out a long mournful howl. Seconds later another howls to the East, then the South as the wolves trailing you join in the chorus. The howl changes to barks and nips as they begin to run down the hills toward your direction. Still a mile or so out, it will only take a few short minutes before they arrive.
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Dornin politely declines the refreshments as he spends much time looking around the rooms. His High-Elven mother used to tell him stories growing up about monarchies and political groups as people who were to be well-respected, but perhaps not so easily trusted. He sits down at the table with his new friends and gets the chance to listen to their stories and how they came to be here. When it gets to Dornin's turn, he talks about his life back in Phandalin, how it is such a quiet village where the people are fair and welcoming. He tells story of his Elven mother, who is a powerful sorceress and the village sage and taught him everything he knows.
In reality, Dornin never get his mothers gifts from her bloodline, he only chooses to make it seem this way to mayor Masonce and the rest of the group. He figures he would come off untrustworthy if he told anyone how he really got his powers. (Deception: Nat1 for trying to convince everyone he's a sorcerer)
Dornin listens to the proposal from the mayor, it sounds pretty reasonable for a group like ourselves and not overly complicated. He will agree to the task if the rest of the group is up to it. Whenever theirs a moment, Dornin speaks up, "We have some additional matters to tend to in the city as well, one of them being the water issue. It may help speed up the process if we had some access to your administrations office to get some maps and such."
Ceridwen smiles as she listens to your questions, “Please one at a time if you will”, Her gaze settles on the Dwarf, “I can see your interest, please do help yourself, it is quite refreshing.”
“What I am about to say is quite sensitive, I expect you all to be discreet. The woman's father is a prominent, and successful member of the council.” She pauses for a few minutes considering her answer. “I don't believe it has anything to do with Barnabas and ‘the Rats’, it is politically motivated. Whispers in the court speak of using her for leverage. Rumors heard that a member of Ibn Altair was seen in the halls of Neverwinter castle speaking with a direct rival of her fathers.” She searches your faces for understanding, before continuing. “Ibn Altair is an association of Assassins based far to the South, they have been making inroads into the Northern sword coast over the last few years.”
Looking directly at Dornin, “This has nothing to do with the water issues affecting the town, while I feel that is of importance, I am aware of the tragedy that has occurred, but there is no time to delay. You will need to leave immediately if at all.” Again pausing to consider her answer, “If you choose to decline and pursue other endeavors I would still thank you for your time, and appreciate the assistance within the town. The Captain would be willing to provide you with what is needed.”
Dornin notices the true importance of this mission, clearly this is a priority. He is willing to take this on if the rest of the group agrees. " We can bring her back to Abiershire, we have some problems here, but at least we can keep a proper eye on her"
Kallith thoughtfully scratches the clipped side of her head and sips on her drink during Ceridwens explanation. The sweet-sour concoction still leads to her making various faces, but she nonetheless seems to be enjoying the dram.
The firbolg nods to Dornins words and adds: "If she is in urgent danger, the matter is settled for me. The only thing worse than assassins are the people that pay for their services. I've got a mind to enter politics myself, just to give them a kick up the arse."
She has an empty glass in front of her and looks hopefully around for a chance to refill it.
Octo pushes his drink in front of Kallith, untouched. He is not interested in these ‘sweet’ things he’s been introduced to.
“Very well, where can we find this woman, and when will we know when she is safe and we can return?”
“We would be bodyguards for less then a week possibly dealing with assassins. Her current whereabouts are known. I would hope to be paid well as the danger sounds quite serious. Are there any safe houses we could use to lay low?”
Chandle seeing the firbolg drinking the lemonade, tries a small sip… then another. ‘Wow, this is good’ she thinks to herself.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
“Her name is Isbiel. Again I must ask you to be discreet, there are very few in this world who are aware of this information.” She glances out the window at the failed light of the darkened sky. “Let me be brief, it is already late and I expect you to head out no later than the morn.” She pauses briefy, a subtle smile creeping across her lips. “She has been living at a smallholding just South of Oakhurst, about 25 miles from here. What is needed is to go, retrieve her and bring her safely to the Northern watchtower, I will meet you there in three days.
Ceridwen gets up from the table, heading to the desk she opens a drawer and retrieves several documents, returning to the table, placing them atop its surface. “The first is a map to help guide you to the village and then back to the watchtower, the second is a sealed writ of introduction, without it, Isbiel and her keeper Bombataa will not accept you. Success will deliver a safe and healthy Isbiel to my care in three days. For this I can offer you 100 Nobles each.
She stands, “Ibn Altair are resourceful, stealth, subterfuge and deception are their methods, be wary. Are there any questions before you leave?”
Dornin excepts the documentation and distributes it amongst the rest of the group, he has never been a man of maps and navigating them, he hopes someone in the group is better at using them than he is. He stands from the table and offers a formal handshake to the woman and speaks up. " We can handle this with the upmost discretion, I'm sure of it." He turns to the group and says " It is a good idea we get all the rest we can, perhaps it is best we leave before first light."
Trading a bandit problem for professional assassins wasn't exactly a comfort for Dornin, he is nervous, a potentially deadly quest with people he had only just met is daunting.
Kallith gratefully accepts Octos drink and happily sips it while the rest of the details are given. A shame that lemons were expensive up in Hartsvale, she could get used to this. Concentrating with some difficulty back to the task at hand, she glances at the documents provided.
Upon mention that these Ibn Altair relied on subterfuge, she makes another face, this time not induced by the drink. This promised to be a difficult task. Dornin is promising discretion, Kallith has hardly ever heard of the word. But she nods along anyway.
100 nobles now we’re talking, 3 days for a 50 mile round trip. “Any carriages or horses about town? Yes leaving predawn is an excellent plan.” Chandle looks at the map, there’s always a direct route, but is there any other travel options?
Chandle tries using sleight of hand to flavor her waterskin with the lemonade… rolled 20 in log.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Octo takes a quick glance at the map, orientating himself with the compass points, and hands it back.
“Let’s go retrieve this Isbiel then. We will return her safely to you in three days.”
Octo stands up and starts heading for the door, letting out a low growl “… and let this be a warning to any Ibn Altair who gets in my way!”
He stops walking and growling, looks around the room and adds “who gets in our way!” and continues to the door.
The Map of the Surroundings showing Oakhurst, a small dirt road branch's from the Trade Way. By road and trail, Oakhurst is roughly 25 miles from Neverwinter, but only 20 miles by the crows flight. Overland may appear shorter but presents different challenges and dangers, after an hour or so outside the city the last farms and patrolled civilization is left behind. Before The Wastes, the Trade way was patrolled daily, as far as Port Llast, this has reduced to weekly making the road increasingly dangerous as well.
The small red dot above Neverwinter is the location of the Watchtower, an hours walk from the City.
Ceridwen looks to Chandle, "I could supply horses if that is what you need, at market value of course, however I would consider it prepayment of our terms." She looks to the Minotaur and Firbolg, "Considering the size of these two, I am not sure horses would be any faster."
A Riding Horse with saddle costs 90 Nobles
Unless you have other questions or concerns. Ceridwen rises from the table, plucking a lemon from a bowl behind her, "I can have my assistant put you up for the night, there is lovely little Inn just outside The Keep, you can head out from there.'
Chandle
As you pass Ceridwen at the door, she quietly places the lemon in your pack. None of the others would have noticed her deft, skillful hand even though it was quite obvious to you.
Travel along the Trade Way and trail will take 8 hours, or 6 with Horses. Heading straight through the wilderness may take less time (6 hours with or without horses), as long as you don't get lost. speed
Please decide which direction and mode of travel, and describe what if any actions you would take during your travels. Wilderness travel will require a navigator survival check every 4 hours to remain on course.
Octo says "I'm fine with no horses and walking the Trade Way. It’s a bit longer but seems a bit safter. Better to keep our resources available for any Ibn Altair instead of random monsters in the wild? If we do want to go the direct wilderness route, I am very skilled in keeping us on track to our destination.”
(Advantage on Survival checks to navigate)
The firbolg grins at the size comment from Ceridwen, adding "I much prefer not using horses. Most that I talked to here don't seem to be in the best spirits."
As for the route, Kallith chimes in lightheartedly with "Roads are boring. Nothing interesting ever happens on them. If time is of the essence and Octo is as good as he says, overland may be preferrable."
Dornin only ever used roads to travel, but if his team can navigate the road less travelled, he trusts the adventure. " Right then, I am exhausted, I will meet you out front before dawn"
Tarsakh 20, 1492
In contrast to the last two weeks, this day dawns bright and clear, blue skies without a cloud in sight. Your group grabs a quick bite of stewed vegetables and porridge. (2 Nibs) Heading out the gates and off into the wilds toward Oakhurst. The town has already begun to wake, newly arrived merchants arguing with the guards over access to Neverwinter, citizens sleepily filling buckets of water to trek back home, shops throwing the shutters and sweeping the steps clean for another day.
Octo takes the lead, at first the traveling is easy, farms and small holdings are scattered here and there, not close but within sight of each other. The thin roads and trails lined with stacked stone, cleared from the fields over years of use. Farmers watch as your group travels past, gawking at the Minotaur and Firbolg. After an hour or so the landscape changes becoming rocky, exposed stone and scattered boulders interspersed with scraggly trees and scrub.
Octo
Since you are navigating please make 2 survival checks DC 11. If the first fails you wander about for 2 hours before getting your bearings. If both fail you are lost.
Kallith
Following Octo you keep an eye on the horizon. After 2-3 hours you spot a group of wolves in the distance, nothing out of the ordinary. After 3-4 hours you spot another (the same?) group of wolves behind you.
Octo holds the course North, Northeast, straight as an arrow!
First:
Advantage on Survival: 17
Second
Advantage on Survival: 20 (natural)
Kallith wanders along in good spirits, leaving the tracking to Octo and instead scanning the landscape. Having taken her boots off as soon as the group left the road, she is very relaxed and enjoys the northern sun. Passing a farm, she waves to the residents in greeting.
Throughout the day the firbolg notices wolves and tells the party: "Best keep together. There are wolves about, but they're rarely desperate enough to attack a group of folk."
"Wolves!?" Dornin yelps as his pace picks up to stay even closer to the group.
As he walks along this rocky landscape, his robes keep getting snagged on roots and rocks making even more tears than there were previously. "Awe Hells, by the time this journey is complete, I will be lucky to have any robe left" as he gets caught on another bush. "I think a new robe will be my first purchase with my share of the reward when we return to Abiershire. I have had these ones for far too long and wish for a set that make me look like a proper mage. What about the rest of you? Any plans for your share of coin?"
Midday greets you, the Sun directly overhead beats down heating the rocks, and making the air stifling as you sweat from the excursion. . A warm stiff wind begins to blow as a few large clouds appear, scudding across the sky. Octo directs you up a ridgeline to get a better view. Off in the distance, to the North, thin trails of smoke wind upward. The hearths of Oakhurst now close enough to show the way, still about an hour's hike and several miles to go. The town is unseen, hidden below the hills. Between you and the town are small lakes, and ponds, dotting the landscape and only partially hidden by the rough timber that surrounds them.
From this vantage point you can see for miles around, on the next rise to the West, a short decrepit tower stands prominent against the sky. You could easily reach it in ten to fifteen minutes.
Kallith has been watching the wolves for the last hour, appearing on the hilltops before disappearing into the scrub. It has become clear that it is one pack with its members spread out to the East and South, they are hunting the land you travel in. A wolf appears on a hill to the North, as its packmates emerge from the trees behind it you realize, it is no wolf, it is a Worg. The size of a horse, it puts its head to the sky letting out a long mournful howl. Seconds later another howls to the East, then the South as the wolves trailing you join in the chorus. The howl changes to barks and nips as they begin to run down the hills toward your direction. Still a mile or so out, it will only take a few short minutes before they arrive.