The warrior smiles as Meira catches up to him though he doesn't break stride. "You are wise beyond your years Ms. Meira." He says in response to her. In his mind he adds, 'Though I wouldn't call this wandering.' refusing to say the words out loud.
"Felagispotted a pack of wolves on the outskirts of town. Be ready to drive them off if need be." Though Zephyros doesn't believe the wolves to bother them, he warns his companion of the danger anyways.
After a five minute walk to the southern outskirts of Conyberry, you see a lone cow still grazing on tall grass. The air is cold, though the wind from the east has died down some. Several crickets chirp all around and you both hear a wolf howl in the distance. The cow raises its head at your approach. It eagerly follows Zephyros' lead as he slips the lasso around its white and black spotted neck. The cow bell jingles with every step taken as you both begin your journey back to the tavern. The cow even gives Zephyros a few loving nudges, the rope slack between you. You arrive back at the tavern without incident and rejoin the company. You even find a barn of sorts behind the tavern that is perfect to house and protect the animals now in your care.
Zephyros,
Felagi informs you there are 5 wolves in total. That they have halted their advance when they noticed you and Meira claim the cow, and that they are now watching from a distance and keeping pace with you, not closing the distance. After a couple of minutes they appear to lose interest and veer off instead of follow you into town.
You settle in for the night and take turns watching for danger. No danger arrives and the night passes into morning peacefully. Sunlight begins to creep into the tavern though various places and you awake rested and rejuvenated. The day is yours. What would you like to do?
Zephyros,
While resting, you dream about your ship crashing against the rocks and breaking apart. You fall into the water with your wife, Silvara, a beautiful Sea Elf. While sinking into the ocean, you see the ship crew being carried off by several merrow. One such monster attacks you. Before you lose consciousness, you see Silvara throw a trident at the monster, killing it.
In the next scene of your dream, you wake up on the beach alone amongst the rubble of your ship that was torn apart, and several dead bodies you recognize as your former crew. As you lift your head, you see a trident lying next to you, your wife's trident. The trident that she used to save your life. You grab the trident. Gripping it tightly, you rush to your feet only to feel faint and fall back to the ground. A moment passes as your head spins. You look around... your wife nowhere to be seen. You look up and see dark clouds swirling above you unnaturally. The focal point is a nearby lighthouse.
Lightning begins to strike the top of the lighthouse over and over again every few seconds from the roiling mass of clouds. You see a figure atop the lighthouse, ghostly, unnatural, and yet familiar. Your vision goes hazy and you lose consciousness again.
After returning with Meira and the cow, Zephyros is grateful the wolves hadn't bothered them. He takes the horses and cow and secures them in the barn and asks Felagi to keep watch over the area and alert him if anything comes near.
Back inside the tavern, the armored warrior walks over to Lyra. "If I may, Ms. Lyra, I have some skill with mending. I may be able to repair your garment." If allowed, Ironheart helps mend her tunic that was torn by the dragon.
Zephyros takes his turn on watch and once again, wakes in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. Under his breath, he mutters, "Will these nightmares never end?" Clambering to his feet, the bull of a man storms out into the morning air outside, paying no heed to the poison Ivy growing over the door. and tearing a large chunk of the plant down as he goes. He paces outside until the rest of the group awakens and is ready to depart.
His quiet demeanor returns the next morning as the group prepares to finish the journey to Butterskull Ranch.
Meirais up early, but evidently not earlier than Zephyros. She ducks outside to join him, avoiding the ivy. Stepping quietly, she takes a moment to observe pacing man. "You look like you rested well," she quips with a quirky grin. "You seem ready to get moving. Think we should bring the animals with us to the ranch? Or scout out first then come back for them?" She pauses. "I'm sure the fact the animals made it all the way here bodes ill for the residence of the ranch. But if there were orcs still there, don't you think they would have gone after the animals?"
Back inside the tavern, the armored warrior walks over to Lyra. "If I may, Ms. Lyra, I have some skill with mending. I may be able to repair your garment." If allowed, Ironheart helps mend her tunic that was torn by the dragon.
Lyra's eyes go wide, and she nearly bounces in place when Zephyros offers to mend the tunic. "Really?! Oh, thank Tymora, yes please! I'm hopeless at sewing! If I tried, it'd end up looking like one of those abstract paintings nobody understands." She holds the torn fabric out toward him, grinning ear to ear as if the mending spell were the greatest miracle she'd ever seen.
The next day, Lyra strolls along in her perfectly mended tunic, the shadow of the dragon all but forgotten. She lingers a few steps behind Meira, tilting her head skyward as if utterly absorbed by a passing cloud. In truth, her attention is fixed on Meira and Zephyros talking ahead. The cleric hopes he'll open up to her about his restless sleep—because from what Lyra remembers of the commotion in the fighter's room back in Phandalin, he hasn't been resting well at all.
Ironheart's shoulders tense as Meira joins him outside. The warrior goes rigid while answering, "Yes, quite well rested... thank you." Unsure what to say. "Oh, uhh... yes... the animals. We should definately bring them with us." Happy for the distraction and change of subject.
"I'm sure the fact the animals made it all the way here bodes ill for the residence of the ranch. But if there were orcs still there, don't you think they would have gone after the animals?"
Zephyrosresponds, "Indeed it does. Hard to say what those blood thirsty monsters would do. Perhaps the Ranchers let them loose just before the attack. We should proceed with haste."
The bull of a man stays quiet the rest of the journey, unsure of how to share his nightmares with the others. In truth, he remembers this event in his mind, but doesn't understand why it continues to haunt him. He asks Felagi to scout ahead and warn them of any dangers in advance.
You continue your journey to Butterskull Ranch with three horses and one cow in tow. The cowbell continues to ring with each step. The sun is almost overhead as you arrive at the outskirts of the ranch. You feel its warmth through a light cloud cover, and it's a nice contrast to the cold breeze blowing in from the southeast.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Several pigs can be seen wandering around the ranch foraging for food. As you get closer to the farmhouse, it becomes evident that there are several bodies scattered between the burnt barn and the farmhouse. Flies are buzzing around the remains of two orcs and five humans. You hear quite the raucous coming from inside the farmhouse.
The farmhouse is a two-story log building with a pitched, shingled roof and a stone chimney. Its wooden doors have iron handles and hinges, and its windows have wooden shutters that are all open at the moment.
Eldrin slows as the ranch comes into view, eyes moving over the ruined barn and the bodies strewn between farmhouse and ash. He speaks evenly, “A fight was waged here. The land is scarred, yet the livestock still feed. Life persists, though the hands that kept it have fallen to orcs by the look of it.”
The noise from the farmhouse draws his attention. His expression narrows, though his voice remains measured.
“There are voices, or at least movement, within. It may be the victors celebrating or survivors clinging to hope.”
He draws his wand, slowly, as in preparation for the inevitable.
“The evidence outside tells us rushing in would be unwise. Best we proceed carefully, as we still have the element of surprise."
"I'm going to name you… Daisy! How do you like it?" Lyra says to the cow as they make their way to Butterskull Ranch. Just as she finishes, she turns to the three horses, thinks for a moment, and continues, pointing at each in turn: "And you'll be Larry. And you… Barry. And you… hmm… how about Harry? Yeah, that sounds about right."
The halfling dusts off her hands with a satisfied gesture, as if she’s just finished some tremendous labor. But as she turns to look at what's in front of her—rather than the animals they’ve been leading from Conyberry to Butterskull Ranch—she realizes they’ve finally arrived!
Lyra stops next to Eldrin and, considering the wizard’s words, thinks about approaching the farmhouse to listen more closely to the voices inside. Normally she would have rushed in without a second thought, but perhaps it’s better to proceed carefully, just as the elf suggested. This time, she calls on Tymora’s favor, weaving her guiding magic over herself to sharpen her hearing and catch what might otherwise be missed.
Gareth smiles as Lyra names each of the animals. "Daisy is a good name. I was thinking of Daisy myself," he tells her.
His good mood is ruined, however, by their arrival at the ranch...or what's left of it. There are bodies everywhere and only two of them are orcs. He assumes that means it's the orcs he can hear celebrating inside the farmhouse. That idea makes his fists clench, and his expression hardens. These were good, peaceful people, and they were cut down senselessly by these...brutes.
"We should draw them out and pluck them off one-by-one like they did to these poor ranch folk," Gareth says in a low voice.
The armored warrior smiles for the first time this leg of the journey as Lyra begins naming the animals, but adds nothing to the discussion.
As they arrive at the ranch, Zephyros' gaze scans the ranch. His quiet demeanor turns to rage as the dead humans become evident. His face turns red and he's about to bellow a challenge to anyone inside the farmhouse when Eldrin reminds the warrior they still have the element of surprise. Still fuming, Ironheart listens as Gareth suggests drawing them out.
Ironheart tells Felagi to fly around the house and tell him how many orcs are inside and how many points of entry there are.
Perception 9
In a low crouch, Zephyros proceeds towards the house. His face red with anger. If only they got here faster, perhaps these poor souls would still be alive. He vows to himself he won't leave this place until every orc here is executed for this crime.
Meiracan't help but laugh a bit at Lyra'snaming of the livestock. "Larry, Barry, and Harry? I guess those are proper names for sturdy old farm horses? I always though horses had... fancier names! Lightning! Or something like that."
Not long after, the scene around the farm leads to less cheerful mood. Hearing the loud noises from inside the house, she listens to Garth's suggestion to draw them out and sees how Zephyroscrouches down to approach the house. "Someone over there seems to be having a good time. We ought to join them!" she says, not letting her voice get too loud. She looks around for anything that might afford her, and the others, a bit of cover as they approach the place. (Perception: 15)
The warrior smiles as Meira catches up to him though he doesn't break stride. "You are wise beyond your years Ms. Meira." He says in response to her. In his mind he adds, 'Though I wouldn't call this wandering.' refusing to say the words out loud.
"Felagi spotted a pack of wolves on the outskirts of town. Be ready to drive them off if need be." Though Zephyros doesn't believe the wolves to bother them, he warns his companion of the danger anyways.
Zephyros & Meira,
After a five minute walk to the southern outskirts of Conyberry, you see a lone cow still grazing on tall grass. The air is cold, though the wind from the east has died down some. Several crickets chirp all around and you both hear a wolf howl in the distance. The cow raises its head at your approach. It eagerly follows Zephyros' lead as he slips the lasso around its white and black spotted neck. The cow bell jingles with every step taken as you both begin your journey back to the tavern. The cow even gives Zephyros a few loving nudges, the rope slack between you. You arrive back at the tavern without incident and rejoin the company. You even find a barn of sorts behind the tavern that is perfect to house and protect the animals now in your care.
Zephyros,
Felagi informs you there are 5 wolves in total. That they have halted their advance when they noticed you and Meira claim the cow, and that they are now watching from a distance and keeping pace with you, not closing the distance. After a couple of minutes they appear to lose interest and veer off instead of follow you into town.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Everyone,
You settle in for the night and take turns watching for danger. No danger arrives and the night passes into morning peacefully. Sunlight begins to creep into the tavern though various places and you awake rested and rejuvenated. The day is yours. What would you like to do?
Zephyros,
While resting, you dream about your ship crashing against the rocks and breaking apart. You fall into the water with your wife, Silvara, a beautiful Sea Elf. While sinking into the ocean, you see the ship crew being carried off by several merrow. One such monster attacks you. Before you lose consciousness, you see Silvara throw a trident at the monster, killing it.
In the next scene of your dream, you wake up on the beach alone amongst the rubble of your ship that was torn apart, and several dead bodies you recognize as your former crew. As you lift your head, you see a trident lying next to you, your wife's trident. The trident that she used to save your life. You grab the trident. Gripping it tightly, you rush to your feet only to feel faint and fall back to the ground. A moment passes as your head spins. You look around... your wife nowhere to be seen. You look up and see dark clouds swirling above you unnaturally. The focal point is a nearby lighthouse.
Lightning begins to strike the top of the lighthouse over and over again every few seconds from the roiling mass of clouds. You see a figure atop the lighthouse, ghostly, unnatural, and yet familiar. Your vision goes hazy and you lose consciousness again.
You startle awake in a cold sweat.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
After returning with Meira and the cow, Zephyros is grateful the wolves hadn't bothered them. He takes the horses and cow and secures them in the barn and asks Felagi to keep watch over the area and alert him if anything comes near.
Back inside the tavern, the armored warrior walks over to Lyra. "If I may, Ms. Lyra, I have some skill with mending. I may be able to repair your garment." If allowed, Ironheart helps mend her tunic that was torn by the dragon.
Zephyros takes his turn on watch and once again, wakes in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. Under his breath, he mutters, "Will these nightmares never end?" Clambering to his feet, the bull of a man storms out into the morning air outside, paying no heed to the poison Ivy growing over the door. and tearing a large chunk of the plant down as he goes. He paces outside until the rest of the group awakens and is ready to depart.
His quiet demeanor returns the next morning as the group prepares to finish the journey to Butterskull Ranch.
Constitution save 20
Meira is up early, but evidently not earlier than Zephyros. She ducks outside to join him, avoiding the ivy. Stepping quietly, she takes a moment to observe pacing man. "You look like you rested well," she quips with a quirky grin. "You seem ready to get moving. Think we should bring the animals with us to the ranch? Or scout out first then come back for them?" She pauses. "I'm sure the fact the animals made it all the way here bodes ill for the residence of the ranch. But if there were orcs still there, don't you think they would have gone after the animals?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Lyra's eyes go wide, and she nearly bounces in place when Zephyros offers to mend the tunic. "Really?! Oh, thank Tymora, yes please! I'm hopeless at sewing! If I tried, it'd end up looking like one of those abstract paintings nobody understands." She holds the torn fabric out toward him, grinning ear to ear as if the mending spell were the greatest miracle she'd ever seen.
The next day, Lyra strolls along in her perfectly mended tunic, the shadow of the dragon all but forgotten. She lingers a few steps behind Meira, tilting her head skyward as if utterly absorbed by a passing cloud. In truth, her attention is fixed on Meira and Zephyros talking ahead. The cleric hopes he'll open up to her about his restless sleep—because from what Lyra remembers of the commotion in the fighter's room back in Phandalin, he hasn't been resting well at all.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Ironheart's shoulders tense as Meira joins him outside. The warrior goes rigid while answering, "Yes, quite well rested... thank you." Unsure what to say. "Oh, uhh... yes... the animals. We should definately bring them with us." Happy for the distraction and change of subject.
Zephyros responds, "Indeed it does. Hard to say what those blood thirsty monsters would do. Perhaps the Ranchers let them loose just before the attack. We should proceed with haste."
The bull of a man stays quiet the rest of the journey, unsure of how to share his nightmares with the others. In truth, he remembers this event in his mind, but doesn't understand why it continues to haunt him. He asks Felagi to scout ahead and warn them of any dangers in advance.
Perception 15
10
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Adventurers,
You continue your journey to Butterskull Ranch with three horses and one cow in tow. The cowbell continues to ring with each step. The sun is almost overhead as you arrive at the outskirts of the ranch. You feel its warmth through a light cloud cover, and it's a nice contrast to the cold breeze blowing in from the southeast.
Butterskull Ranch occupies a large plot of land on the north side of the Triboar Trail, nestled between two hills. Beyond a ramshackle wooden fence stand corn fields, an apple orchard, gardens, and pasture land. A path breaks off from the trail to lead to a two-story farmhouse next to a pond. West of the farmhouse are the charred remains of a barn and smithy that have been burned to the ground.
Several pigs can be seen wandering around the ranch foraging for food. As you get closer to the farmhouse, it becomes evident that there are several bodies scattered between the burnt barn and the farmhouse. Flies are buzzing around the remains of two orcs and five humans. You hear quite the raucous coming from inside the farmhouse.
The farmhouse is a two-story log building with a pitched, shingled roof and a stone chimney. Its wooden doors have iron handles and hinges, and its windows have wooden shutters that are all open at the moment.
What do you do?
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eldrin slows as the ranch comes into view, eyes moving over the ruined barn and the bodies strewn between farmhouse and ash. He speaks evenly, “A fight was waged here. The land is scarred, yet the livestock still feed. Life persists, though the hands that kept it have fallen to orcs by the look of it.”
The noise from the farmhouse draws his attention. His expression narrows, though his voice remains measured.
“There are voices, or at least movement, within. It may be the victors celebrating or survivors clinging to hope.”
He draws his wand, slowly, as in preparation for the inevitable.
“The evidence outside tells us rushing in would be unwise. Best we proceed carefully, as we still have the element of surprise."
"I'm going to name you… Daisy! How do you like it?" Lyra says to the cow as they make their way to Butterskull Ranch. Just as she finishes, she turns to the three horses, thinks for a moment, and continues, pointing at each in turn: "And you'll be Larry. And you… Barry. And you… hmm… how about Harry? Yeah, that sounds about right."
The halfling dusts off her hands with a satisfied gesture, as if she’s just finished some tremendous labor. But as she turns to look at what's in front of her—rather than the animals they’ve been leading from Conyberry to Butterskull Ranch—she realizes they’ve finally arrived!
Lyra stops next to Eldrin and, considering the wizard’s words, thinks about approaching the farmhouse to listen more closely to the voices inside. Normally she would have rushed in without a second thought, but perhaps it’s better to proceed carefully, just as the elf suggested. This time, she calls on Tymora’s favor, weaving her guiding magic over herself to sharpen her hearing and catch what might otherwise be missed.
(Perception:
nat122 + Guidance: 1 = 23)Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Gareth smiles as Lyra names each of the animals. "Daisy is a good name. I was thinking of Daisy myself," he tells her.
His good mood is ruined, however, by their arrival at the ranch...or what's left of it. There are bodies everywhere and only two of them are orcs. He assumes that means it's the orcs he can hear celebrating inside the farmhouse. That idea makes his fists clench, and his expression hardens. These were good, peaceful people, and they were cut down senselessly by these...brutes.
"We should draw them out and pluck them off one-by-one like they did to these poor ranch folk," Gareth says in a low voice.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
The armored warrior smiles for the first time this leg of the journey as Lyra begins naming the animals, but adds nothing to the discussion.
As they arrive at the ranch, Zephyros' gaze scans the ranch. His quiet demeanor turns to rage as the dead humans become evident. His face turns red and he's about to bellow a challenge to anyone inside the farmhouse when Eldrin reminds the warrior they still have the element of surprise. Still fuming, Ironheart listens as Gareth suggests drawing them out.
Ironheart tells Felagi to fly around the house and tell him how many orcs are inside and how many points of entry there are.
Perception 9
In a low crouch, Zephyros proceeds towards the house. His face red with anger. If only they got here faster, perhaps these poor souls would still be alive. He vows to himself he won't leave this place until every orc here is executed for this crime.
Stealth
5/2+2=4Meira can't help but laugh a bit at Lyra's naming of the livestock. "Larry, Barry, and Harry? I guess those are proper names for sturdy old farm horses? I always though horses had... fancier names! Lightning! Or something like that."
Not long after, the scene around the farm leads to less cheerful mood. Hearing the loud noises from inside the house, she listens to Garth's suggestion to draw them out and sees how Zephyros crouches down to approach the house. "Someone over there seems to be having a good time. We ought to join them!" she says, not letting her voice get too loud. She looks around for anything that might afford her, and the others, a bit of cover as they approach the place. (Perception: 15)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer