"Maybe a health potion or two? I know they can get pricey, but maybe you can cut a deal with a vendor. I'm going to check with some contacts to see if I can get us a ride to the caves to the north."
Rad goes off to speak with some contacts about a passage to the caves or the possibility of renting a wagon.
Rad finds a turnip farmer named Joss from Havehollow who just delivered goods to Farrin and is on his way back in the morning. "You're welcome to come along and ride in the wagon as long as you protect us from any dangers on the road. Should get back by dinner time tomorrow."
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Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"Thank you very much for the offer. I'll let the others know and we'll be back." Rad promises the man. He then leaves to meet up with the rest of the party. "I've found us a ride, all we need to do is help protect his cart in exchange for free passage."
(Just to move us along, I'm assuming you decide to go with the farmer to Havehollow on his wagon the next morning after sleeping at the inn.)
The trip to Havehollow is uneventful and you make it to the largest and oldest building in the small town, the inn, right around dinner time. You have few complaints this night as you rest in the common room of the Crooked Crow Inn.
The village of Havehollow is typical for this part of the realm. Livelihoods are made from farming and livestock with a few merchants and the Inn catering to travelers along the road. You are surrounded by good folk who know that hard work is what’s needed to make it through harsh times.
As you finish your meal, you notice a raven-haired woman walk to the front of the common room with a lyre in hand. She plucks a few practice chords and then breaks out into song.
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
One is the spirit of Astabar
A mage who traveled wide and far
A collector of items of magic lore
Seeker of secrets from times of yore
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
For Astabar, a dragon was an easier foe
Than defeating his own pride and ego.
Certain he was greater than any magic force
He set to unravelling the eldritch source
Of a wand most strange and chaos bound
That the mind of the mage it did confound.
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
Astabar would not be denied
With all his power he’d turn the tide
Against the want that refused to break
Even if wisdom he did forsake.
Upon the wand he cast all his might
Eldritch light dancing in the night
And the wand’s power was unleashed
Its chaos and fury was released
Power beyond his control
The wand consumed the manor whole
Sheathed in radiant magic fire
Astabar was consumed on the ethereal pyre
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
Once she is finished, the bard walks around to a few tables. No one offers her a single coin, or even looks at her, however. She eventually arrives at your table.
“Somebody must have put Otyugh spit in their wine, eh?” The woman laughs as she approaches your table, “Not that I’m surprised. The story of Astabar is not a popular tale in these parts. My name is Rivana Greywyre and the tale of Astabar is true. His manor is but an hour’s walk north of the village and has been abandoned for many years. Fortune and magic await those bold enough to risk it. I plan on heading there in the morning. You folks look like a pretty capable group of adventurers, perhaps you would be interested in joining me?”
Twigs eyes glint with curiosity and she nods, looking to her companions. “I think the Underdark can wait a day two. I’d like to see anything left behind by this collector. And the traps. There must be excellent traps for this manor to still have anything of interest. And if there are excellent traps, then I think we will find interesting things indeed,” she smiled, eyes dancing.
"Well if the story is true, and he was a collector of magic, there may be a few interesting items that haven't been looted. I don't think it would hurt to poke around and see what we find." Garth looked at his companions as he spoke.
"Where should we meet you tomorrow?" He asked Rivana.
"Excellent!" Rivana exclaims, beaming. "I'll meet you folks right outside tomorrow morning. We'll head out at first light!" With that said, she spun around and skipped out the front door into the night, throwing a rude gesture at the patrons who hadn't given her a passing glance.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"If you think this will be a boring stroll to some ruined old house, I think you'll be mighty disappointed. Sorta like when my cousin Flin thought money grew on trees after I convinced him to bury his inheritance." He slapped the table and let out a loud laugh.
Twig chuckles at Garth’s antics, shaking her head. “I’ll be just a moment,” she says to her companions, while walking to the inkeeper.
“What was that all about?” Twig asks the innkeeper, nodding towards the door the bard exited. “I’m sure you know we aren’t from around here. Why did everyone avoid even looking at that bard? And can you tell us anything about that song?”
The innkeeper looked at the retreating Twig like the crazy cat lady she was and shrugged before going back to the stereotypical innkeeper activity of wiping down the already clean countertop.
The three older men at the table smelled strongly of sheep, and they all looked up at the unusual-looking person at their table. One spoke up with a bit of a chuckle after he recovered from his shock at seeing the Tabaxi, "Closest thing we got to a hard 'round here's old Shep, here," he said, clapping another man in the shoulder, "he gets up and sings a tune while dancin' a jig after a few too many. And the time his woman ran off with a travelin' merchant. Never seen 'im happier! Ha! But last time we had a proper bard was... some time last year. Pretty young thing, if'n I recall correctly."
The old man looks at his fellows for a moment before shrugging. "Sounds 'bout right. Think her name was Raven or some such. Not a great singer, but great smile."
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Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"That's it!" he replied jovially. "She was probably one a dem venturin' folks headin' to the manor. Only reason those venturin' types come 'round here... Say, you wouldn't be headin' that way, yerself, would'ja? Bad business, that. I steer clear a magic, 'n it steers clear a me. Be gettin' in the way of an honest man's work, it does. Why, I remember..." the old man goes on to tell stories about ''the good old days" for quite some time, the other men chiming in and everyone more or less forgetting you were there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10) League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"I agree, something doesn't seem quite right about her. Seems odd that she would show up at the inn on the night we happen to be passing through. To be honest, I'm still tempted to go with her. Who knows what kind of magical items we may find if her song is true." Garth said to his companions.
He turned to Rad and said, "I know you have some magic that was helpful against those zombies. Any chance you've got something that could help against spirits?"
"Aye, any kind of undead should flee when I channel my deity's might. Not all of them are hostile though, if she was a ghost and wanted us to go to the manor, there's probably good readon for it." He responds.
Twig nods. “Alright then. I am glad to continue on as planned. I’ve never met a ghost before....” She grins, anticipation visible in her twitching tail.
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"Maybe a health potion or two? I know they can get pricey, but maybe you can cut a deal with a vendor. I'm going to check with some contacts to see if I can get us a ride to the caves to the north."
Rad goes off to speak with some contacts about a passage to the caves or the possibility of renting a wagon.
Rad finds a turnip farmer named Joss from Havehollow who just delivered goods to Farrin and is on his way back in the morning. "You're welcome to come along and ride in the wagon as long as you protect us from any dangers on the road. Should get back by dinner time tomorrow."
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"Thank you very much for the offer. I'll let the others know and we'll be back." Rad promises the man. He then leaves to meet up with the rest of the party.
"I've found us a ride, all we need to do is help protect his cart in exchange for free passage."
(Just to move us along, I'm assuming you decide to go with the farmer to Havehollow on his wagon the next morning after sleeping at the inn.)
The trip to Havehollow is uneventful and you make it to the largest and oldest building in the small town, the inn, right around dinner time. You have few complaints this night as you rest in the common room of the Crooked Crow Inn.
The village of Havehollow is typical for this part of the realm. Livelihoods are made from farming and livestock with a few merchants and the Inn catering to travelers along the road. You are surrounded by good folk who know that hard work is what’s needed to make it through harsh times.
As you finish your meal, you notice a raven-haired woman walk to the front of the common room with a lyre in hand. She plucks a few practice chords and then breaks out into song.
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
One is the spirit of Astabar
A mage who traveled wide and far
A collector of items of magic lore
Seeker of secrets from times of yore
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
For Astabar, a dragon was an easier foe
Than defeating his own pride and ego.
Certain he was greater than any magic force
He set to unravelling the eldritch source
Of a wand most strange and chaos bound
That the mind of the mage it did confound.
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
Astabar would not be denied
With all his power he’d turn the tide
Against the want that refused to break
Even if wisdom he did forsake.
Upon the wand he cast all his might
Eldritch light dancing in the night
And the wand’s power was unleashed
Its chaos and fury was released
Power beyond his control
The wand consumed the manor whole
Sheathed in radiant magic fire
Astabar was consumed on the ethereal pyre
Seasons come and go
Moons wax and wane
Time seems so slow
To the spirits of Havehollow
Once she is finished, the bard walks around to a few tables. No one offers her a single coin, or even looks at her, however. She eventually arrives at your table.
“Somebody must have put Otyugh spit in their wine, eh?” The woman laughs as she approaches your table, “Not that I’m surprised. The story of Astabar is not a popular tale in these parts. My name is Rivana Greywyre and the tale of Astabar is true. His manor is but an hour’s walk north of the village and has been abandoned for many years. Fortune and magic await those bold enough to risk it. I plan on heading there in the morning. You folks look like a pretty capable group of adventurers, perhaps you would be interested in joining me?”
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Well that certainly was...direct.
Twigs eyes glint with curiosity and she nods, looking to her companions. “I think the Underdark can wait a day two. I’d like to see anything left behind by this collector. And the traps. There must be excellent traps for this manor to still have anything of interest. And if there are excellent traps, then I think we will find interesting things indeed,” she smiled, eyes dancing.
"Well if the story is true, and he was a collector of magic, there may be a few interesting items that haven't been looted. I don't think it would hurt to poke around and see what we find." Garth looked at his companions as he spoke.
"Where should we meet you tomorrow?" He asked Rivana.
"Excellent!" Rivana exclaims, beaming. "I'll meet you folks right outside tomorrow morning. We'll head out at first light!" With that said, she spun around and skipped out the front door into the night, throwing a rude gesture at the patrons who hadn't given her a passing glance.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
"If you think this will be a boring stroll to some ruined old house, I think you'll be mighty disappointed. Sorta like when my cousin Flin thought money grew on trees after I convinced him to bury his inheritance." He slapped the table and let out a loud laugh.
Twig chuckles at Garth’s antics, shaking her head. “I’ll be just a moment,” she says to her companions, while walking to the inkeeper.
“What was that all about?” Twig asks the innkeeper, nodding towards the door the bard exited. “I’m sure you know we aren’t from around here. Why did everyone avoid even looking at that bard? And can you tell us anything about that song?”
To Twig:
"Huh? What are you talking about?" the innkeeper responds, looking confused.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Twig nods to the inkeeper and turns to the table nearest where the bard was singing.
“Sorry to interrupt, but when was the last time a bard performed here?”
For Twig:
The innkeeper looked at the retreating Twig like the crazy cat lady she was and shrugged before going back to the stereotypical innkeeper activity of wiping down the already clean countertop.
The three older men at the table smelled strongly of sheep, and they all looked up at the unusual-looking person at their table. One spoke up with a bit of a chuckle after he recovered from his shock at seeing the Tabaxi, "Closest thing we got to a hard 'round here's old Shep, here," he said, clapping another man in the shoulder, "he gets up and sings a tune while dancin' a jig after a few too many. And the time his woman ran off with a travelin' merchant. Never seen 'im happier! Ha! But last time we had a proper bard was... some time last year. Pretty young thing, if'n I recall correctly."
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
“Too bad, I do love a bard. You say that the last one was young. Was she female, raven haired, played the lyre?”
For Twig:
The old man looks at his fellows for a moment before shrugging. "Sounds 'bout right. Think her name was Raven or some such. Not a great singer, but great smile."
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
“ Rivana? I met her a little while back. Any idea which direction she headed in from here?”
For Twig:
"That's it!" he replied jovially. "She was probably one a dem venturin' folks headin' to the manor. Only reason those venturin' types come 'round here... Say, you wouldn't be headin' that way, yerself, would'ja? Bad business, that. I steer clear a magic, 'n it steers clear a me. Be gettin' in the way of an honest man's work, it does. Why, I remember..." the old man goes on to tell stories about ''the good old days" for quite some time, the other men chiming in and everyone more or less forgetting you were there.
Pit of Vipers: Watl Wiggins - Halfling Rogue(10)
League of Improbable Adventurers: Alan Quatermain - Human Fighter(3)
Twig plopped down at the table with her companions.
“I have come to the conclusion that the bard earlier is a ghost or spirit of some sort”
Twig recant everything that has just happened. (Read the spoilers!)
”What do we want to do now?”
"I agree, something doesn't seem quite right about her. Seems odd that she would show up at the inn on the night we happen to be passing through. To be honest, I'm still tempted to go with her. Who knows what kind of magical items we may find if her song is true." Garth said to his companions.
He turned to Rad and said, "I know you have some magic that was helpful against those zombies. Any chance you've got something that could help against spirits?"
"Aye, any kind of undead should flee when I channel my deity's might. Not all of them are hostile though, if she was a ghost and wanted us to go to the manor, there's probably good readon for it." He responds.
Twig nods. “Alright then. I am glad to continue on as planned. I’ve never met a ghost before....” She grins, anticipation visible in her twitching tail.