The noise stops as Ian calls out, then there is silence for a couple of heartbeats before, "We mean you no harm," a male voice calls from the darkness of the trees. "We're heading your way." The noise picks up again, and as it gets closer, the party can pick out two sets of feet marching through the underbrush. Finally, two shapes can be seen as two humans approach through the trees, appearing weary, but hopeful. As they step into the firelight, the party can see that they are dirty and disheveled: a male looking to be in the middle of their life, and another male just into adulthood. The older one appears more confident, while the younger is wide-eyed and fearful of the party. "Well met indeed," the older man says, smiling around at the party. His eyes linger on the dragonborn with slightly wolfish features, but not enough to be rude. "We haven't had a fire in a couple of nights. We ran out of flint, and I've never been any good at rubbing sticks together." He motions to his companion. "I am Elderidge, and this is my son, Mayim. If we could share your fire tonight, we'd be mighty thankful."
HDP holds out his arms, continueing to speak as he welcomes them to the fire.
Welcome, please come warm yourselves by the fire. As I said, if you are friend you are more than welcome to join us.
He motions for Ian to come out of hiding.
Ian puts his arrow back in its quiver and rejoins the group. He eyes the newcomers, suspiciously, and says
I am just as welcoming as my friend here, however I am also a bit more distrusting than he seems to be. We have met many dangers during our time out on the road, and I have no intention of getting my throat cut during the night. Tell me, what is your business out here? And if its not too much trouble, would you mind removing your weapons and placing them here next to the fire?
He says all this in as monotone a voice as he can, not trying to be threatening, just matter of fact.
With a slow ease of one who is well familiar with edged weapons, Glynquinal returns Talon to the sheath, then takes up a position near the edge of the firelight and sits down.
"Of course," Elderidge says. He removes the longbow from his back and a dagger from his boot. He places them where the rogue indicated then looks at Mayim, motioning with his head for his son to do the same. Mayim looks around at the party once again before reluctantly removing his shortbow. He takes a handaxe from his belt and lays the weapons in the same place. "We're under your protection now," Elderidge says. "But we appreciate the trust and the hospitality. Where exactly are we?"
HDP will continue chatting in his pleasant demeanor, trying to make them feel at ease. He will sit next to the fire, and say:
Well, our intrepid navigator here (motioning to Gruxx) is attempting to lead us back to Phandlin. I believe we are about a day's worth of travel from the town. Off in that direction (he points the direction they came) is a whole lot more forest, and some ruins, and some caves (he makes furtive glances to the others, but doesnt share about the dead bodies left behind in those caves). What brings you out here? Where are you headed?
"So we're northeast of Phandalin," Elderidge says, interpreting Ian's reply. He nods vaguely. "This must be the Triboar Trail," he continues, looking around for confirmation. "That makes sense." He looks at the elf. "We're from Leilon. We left just five days ago, but were planning to be back in a tenday. I'm not sure how I got us so lost." In response to Gruxx, the middle-aged man raises his eyebrows. "We sure did, didn't we, Mayim?" he says, trying to include his son in the conversation. Mayim continues to look withdrawn. "This morning, we almost walked right into a group of goblinkin — a couple of bugbears and two or three green-skins. We were in the foothills of the mountains. Saw this cave, and out walked this group. I was scared they saw us, so we ran, but I don't think they gave chase. We were lucky. Right, Son?" he asks, slapping Mayim's knee.
Thinking about what the old man told them, Glynquinal asks him, "Can you lead us back to that area? Just close enough for us to be able to find that cave again. We have some skills in eradication of such foul creatures when they can be found."
After Gruxx asks his question, the elder man begins to point, but stops short when Glyn begins asking his own inquiry. "Oh, I don't know —" he begins.
"No!" Mayim interrupts, barking the word through his clinched teeth. He looks at his father, his eyes hard. "We need to go home," he spits. As Elderidge looks at him with wide eyes, the younger man takes a steadying breath, then continues in a calmer tone. "You have been leading us in circles for days, Dad. You never want to listen when I try to help. We are lucky we found the Trail. Let's just take it home and not worry about hunting."
"I have not," Elderidge says defensively, but looking somewhat unsure. "You ... well, I ..."
Mayim shakes his head. "It's OK, Dad. You don't have to be some great tracker. You're a really excellent farmer. This was fun ... well, not really. Let's just go home." When Elderidge doesn't respond, but sort of clams up, looking regretfully at the ground, Mayim turns to Glynquinal. "I don't know why you'd want to find that cave, but it was almost due south of here. I had noticed a few small foot trails when we were close. Probably patrol routes. Keep your eyes open once you reach the foothills, and you should be able to find it. Hopefully you'll see them before they see you." He looks again at his father, appearing regretful.
Glynquinal attempts to calm the young man down, "Rest easy. Difficult task like ridding the area of goblin kind are best left to adventurers such as ourselves. Friend Gruxx here can track for us to where you saw that cave I'm sure. We'll take care of things from there. Thank you for the directions."
HDP will pipe up "Do you need us to escort you home? Gruxx here has proven himself to be an excellent tracker. We could ensure you arrive home safely. Or we could send you on your way, go find that cave, and figure out just what those goblinkind are doing here."
"There is no time for an escort. While this goblinkin hideout is active all of the area is in danger. We must strike immediately. Let us be off at first light.. Thank you for your directions and get some good rest under our security tonight.'
Glynquinal's brow furrows with some concern, for the safety of the two traveler's, "Friend Gruxx is right. While there may be some danger from bandits and such on the trail home, goblinkin represent a larger threat. Our efforts there must come first."
Elderidge doesn't hold onto his sullen demeanor long. And now that Mayim has voiced his frustrations, he is open and quite friendly toward the group. The two travelers talk a little about their farm near Leilon. They grow some crops, but mostly raise animals. They have five at home waiting for them — Elderidge's mother, Elderidge's wife, and Mayim's three sisters. This hunting trip was what Elderidge hoped to be the first of many. He had received the bows as partial payment for an order of meat and proposed an annual tradition for him and Mayim. Turns out the trip didn't go as well as they had hoped, but felt the weapons would still be valuable when protecting their land from predators. Except for his previous negative opinion of his father's tracking abilities, Mayim speaks highly of his father's skills.
At last, the group decides to bed down and experiences no problems overnight. The next morning, after a quick bite, Elderidge and Mayim set out southwest on the Triboar Trail toward the High Road, their weapons returned to them. He bit the party good-bye and thanks.
The party leaves the trail, heading south toward the Sword Mountains in search of the cave.
Gruxx, as tracker extraordinaire, roll five survival checks with advantage, please.
Rock will ready his great axe and stand by HDP.
Gruxx draws his glaive and leans on it... Waiting...
The noise stops as Ian calls out, then there is silence for a couple of heartbeats before, "We mean you no harm," a male voice calls from the darkness of the trees. "We're heading your way." The noise picks up again, and as it gets closer, the party can pick out two sets of feet marching through the underbrush. Finally, two shapes can be seen as two humans approach through the trees, appearing weary, but hopeful. As they step into the firelight, the party can see that they are dirty and disheveled: a male looking to be in the middle of their life, and another male just into adulthood. The older one appears more confident, while the younger is wide-eyed and fearful of the party. "Well met indeed," the older man says, smiling around at the party. His eyes linger on the dragonborn with slightly wolfish features, but not enough to be rude. "We haven't had a fire in a couple of nights. We ran out of flint, and I've never been any good at rubbing sticks together." He motions to his companion. "I am Elderidge, and this is my son, Mayim. If we could share your fire tonight, we'd be mighty thankful."
HDP holds out his arms, continueing to speak as he welcomes them to the fire.
Welcome, please come warm yourselves by the fire. As I said, if you are friend you are more than welcome to join us.
He motions for Ian to come out of hiding.
Ian puts his arrow back in its quiver and rejoins the group. He eyes the newcomers, suspiciously, and says
I am just as welcoming as my friend here, however I am also a bit more distrusting than he seems to be. We have met many dangers during our time out on the road, and I have no intention of getting my throat cut during the night. Tell me, what is your business out here? And if its not too much trouble, would you mind removing your weapons and placing them here next to the fire?
He says all this in as monotone a voice as he can, not trying to be threatening, just matter of fact.
With a slow ease of one who is well familiar with edged weapons, Glynquinal returns Talon to the sheath, then takes up a position near the edge of the firelight and sits down.
"Of course," Elderidge says. He removes the longbow from his back and a dagger from his boot. He places them where the rogue indicated then looks at Mayim, motioning with his head for his son to do the same. Mayim looks around at the party once again before reluctantly removing his shortbow. He takes a handaxe from his belt and lays the weapons in the same place. "We're under your protection now," Elderidge says. "But we appreciate the trust and the hospitality. Where exactly are we?"
Rock will take first watch, as he sharpens his axe and claws, in full view of the newcomers.
HDP will continue chatting in his pleasant demeanor, trying to make them feel at ease. He will sit next to the fire, and say:
Well, our intrepid navigator here (motioning to Gruxx) is attempting to lead us back to Phandlin. I believe we are about a day's worth of travel from the town. Off in that direction (he points the direction they came) is a whole lot more forest, and some ruins, and some caves (he makes furtive glances to the others, but doesnt share about the dead bodies left behind in those caves). What brings you out here? Where are you headed?
Gruxx sits back down.
"Ya'll haven't seen any goblins lately have you?" he says toward the newcomers.
Glynquinal sits quietly observing the newcomers closely.
"So we're northeast of Phandalin," Elderidge says, interpreting Ian's reply. He nods vaguely. "This must be the Triboar Trail," he continues, looking around for confirmation. "That makes sense." He looks at the elf. "We're from Leilon. We left just five days ago, but were planning to be back in a tenday. I'm not sure how I got us so lost." In response to Gruxx, the middle-aged man raises his eyebrows. "We sure did, didn't we, Mayim?" he says, trying to include his son in the conversation. Mayim continues to look withdrawn. "This morning, we almost walked right into a group of goblinkin — a couple of bugbears and two or three green-skins. We were in the foothills of the mountains. Saw this cave, and out walked this group. I was scared they saw us, so we ran, but I don't think they gave chase. We were lucky. Right, Son?" he asks, slapping Mayim's knee.
Gruxx's eyes light up.
"I'm glad you all made it... Can you give me directions back to this cave? We can pay them a visit."
Thinking about what the old man told them, Glynquinal asks him, "Can you lead us back to that area? Just close enough for us to be able to find that cave again. We have some skills in eradication of such foul creatures when they can be found."
After Gruxx asks his question, the elder man begins to point, but stops short when Glyn begins asking his own inquiry. "Oh, I don't know —" he begins.
"No!" Mayim interrupts, barking the word through his clinched teeth. He looks at his father, his eyes hard. "We need to go home," he spits. As Elderidge looks at him with wide eyes, the younger man takes a steadying breath, then continues in a calmer tone. "You have been leading us in circles for days, Dad. You never want to listen when I try to help. We are lucky we found the Trail. Let's just take it home and not worry about hunting."
"I have not," Elderidge says defensively, but looking somewhat unsure. "You ... well, I ..."
Mayim shakes his head. "It's OK, Dad. You don't have to be some great tracker. You're a really excellent farmer. This was fun ... well, not really. Let's just go home." When Elderidge doesn't respond, but sort of clams up, looking regretfully at the ground, Mayim turns to Glynquinal. "I don't know why you'd want to find that cave, but it was almost due south of here. I had noticed a few small foot trails when we were close. Probably patrol routes. Keep your eyes open once you reach the foothills, and you should be able to find it. Hopefully you'll see them before they see you." He looks again at his father, appearing regretful.
Glynquinal attempts to calm the young man down, "Rest easy. Difficult task like ridding the area of goblin kind are best left to adventurers such as ourselves. Friend Gruxx here can track for us to where you saw that cave I'm sure. We'll take care of things from there. Thank you for the directions."
HDP will pipe up "Do you need us to escort you home? Gruxx here has proven himself to be an excellent tracker. We could ensure you arrive home safely. Or we could send you on your way, go find that cave, and figure out just what those goblinkind are doing here."
Gruxx raps his glaive twice.
"There is no time for an escort. While this goblinkin hideout is active all of the area is in danger. We must strike immediately. Let us be off at first light.. Thank you for your directions and get some good rest under our security tonight.'
Glynquinal's brow furrows with some concern, for the safety of the two traveler's, "Friend Gruxx is right. While there may be some danger from bandits and such on the trail home, goblinkin represent a larger threat. Our efforts there must come first."
Elderidge doesn't hold onto his sullen demeanor long. And now that Mayim has voiced his frustrations, he is open and quite friendly toward the group. The two travelers talk a little about their farm near Leilon. They grow some crops, but mostly raise animals. They have five at home waiting for them — Elderidge's mother, Elderidge's wife, and Mayim's three sisters. This hunting trip was what Elderidge hoped to be the first of many. He had received the bows as partial payment for an order of meat and proposed an annual tradition for him and Mayim. Turns out the trip didn't go as well as they had hoped, but felt the weapons would still be valuable when protecting their land from predators. Except for his previous negative opinion of his father's tracking abilities, Mayim speaks highly of his father's skills.
At last, the group decides to bed down and experiences no problems overnight. The next morning, after a quick bite, Elderidge and Mayim set out southwest on the Triboar Trail toward the High Road, their weapons returned to them. He bit the party good-bye and thanks.
The party leaves the trail, heading south toward the Sword Mountains in search of the cave.
Gruxx, as tracker extraordinaire, roll five survival checks with advantage, please.
Survival x5: 13
9
20
18
20