In the morning, you take the Dessarin Road south and head to Summit Hall. The Order of The Gauntlet delegate intended to have a knight buried there along the way, which Carrhae knew about well.
THE ROAD
The Dessarin Road leads south through the barren Sumber Hills. You don’t meet any other travelers this day, but you find evidence that the trail supports traffic — wagon ruts and mule droppings prove that people come this way on a regular basis. You find nothing else until you are about fifteen miles south of Beliard, when you spot a cloud of ravens and vultures circling a mile or so west of the trail.
SOMETHING AMISS
In a small dell a mile off the road, you find the remains of a battle. A dozen dead soldiers lie on the ground, dressed in black surcoats bearing the emblem of a red axe. Most appear to have died from battle injuries, although some lie in small craters or jumbles of broken rock. Abandoned and looted wagons lie nearby. A couple of broken trunks sit on the ground by the wagons. Two rock cairns — one large and one small — stand atop a hillside nearby.
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically. DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: ??????
WAIT. THERE'S MORE.
It is very plain to see that a large cairn nearby contains the bodies of five dead bugbears. They are dressed in black leather armor with a strange triangular symbol on it. The small cairn also contains the body of a human woman in monk’s robes, with a strange golden mask shaped like a snarling gargoyle face. The mask is made of gilded tin and not particularly valuable.
It was fortunate that the day's travel had been uneventful, as Carrhae was distracted, still thinking of the conversation she had the previous night when the group set out. How can anyone find Strife to be an abomination? The way she works with words in her songs and poems is absolutely divine. It's their loss I suppose. I hope that what I said was of some comfort to her. She was pulled out of her thoughts when one of the party pointed out the remnants of a violent scene. "Gods, what happened here?" As she walks over she stops to examine the dead bodies. These soldiers. Have I seen someone dressed like them before? What were they doing here?
History:18
Survival: 19
OOC: Is there a check we can roll for the dead monk woman or the symbol that the bugbears are wearing?
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes. Mirabarrian soldiers. May they rest in peace. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically. DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: a large group of about thirty (Medium) humanoids wearing boots headed west into the hills.
And to know the symbols on the dead monk or the bugbears would require DC15 of Intelligence (History).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"These soldiers are from Mirabar, just like the woman in the cairn that we encountered at the Sumber Hills. It also appears that thirty or so people headed west towards the hills. If they're coming from this battle, I don't feel too terribly inclined to follow them at this moment."
History:18
OOC: Boom! Back-to-back natty 19s on one of Carrhae's worst skills.
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes. Mirabarrian soldiers. May they rest in peace. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically. (Still up for grabs) DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: a large group of about thirty (Medium) humanoids wearing boots headed west into the hills.
WAIT. THESE MARKINGS...
DC15 of Intelligence (History): Identifies the markings on the dead bodies. (Earth cultists!)
The mask of the dead monk are worn by members of the Order of the Sacred Stone - you remember the stories from your childhood. You've heard of them before. The bugbears symbol is a marking of the Cult of the Black Earth. Both spell very bad news. These are elemental cults that worship the power of Earth. And not for the greater good.
"This monk right here was a member of The Order of the Sacred Stone. These bugbears bear the sign of the Cult of the Black Earth. I heard stories about both of these groups when I was a young girl in the monastery. They're cultists who worship the elemental power of Earth, but not in a good way. If this monk is the one that was spotted in Beliard, then I believe that we should head to Womford immediately to conclude our investigation."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Earlier, in Beliard:
"Oh, my thoughtful and loving Carrhae, you know just how to cheer this girl up! That's very sweet of you to say, and I thank thee. You yourself are a great wordsmith, so much so that I can say with conviction you would make a superb bard. If that's something you ever wish to pursue, Trini and I would be delighted to mentor you, though I caution you I am first in line for her dance lessons.
"It profits me nothing to cling to my resentment of those who judge me, and therefore I would be wise to accept your apology on their behalf, but alas, wisdom often eludes me, and this would be one such case. But you embody the very best of what Sune worshippers should aspire to."
Strife was caught completely off guard by Mercy's appearance. "Mercy! This was a private conversation we were having, and I was sharing personal things intended only for Carrhae! You would spy on me? Eavesdrop upon one who only wishes you well? For shame! And now you dismiss my experiences, which you know perfectly well are true because you cannot have been spared from the very same treatment, and you disparage my words as horseshit?! Then prepare yourself for what I am about to say, because I'm not censoring my remarks to spare your feelings: I love you too!"
Strife burst into great laughter, nearly rolling off the bed in her mirth. When she managed to catch her breath, she said, "As for Trini and myself, we are here to see this through to success, so you are entirely welcome, though I feel we owe you at least as much gratitude for all you do. I am awed by the way your scoundrel's moral compass points every bit as true as our lovely paladin's here. But I would strongly counsel you to never EVER study to be a Bard!"
Later, in Sumber Hills:
Strife was enormously grateful to be traveling in the vigilant company of Sune's champion. Though the band of thirty was far out of earshot, Strife still spoke softly out of caution tinged with fear. "Excellent work, Carrhae!"
To identify craters and rocks (DC 15), Arcana (+3): 22
To recall any prior research mentioning The Order of the Sacred Stone, Arcana (+3): 16 History (+3): 22
To recall any prior research mentioning The Cult of the Black Earth, Arcana (+3): 4 History (+3): 16
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
'Ahhh' Daewen thinks, 'a pitched battle has been here! But why would the invaders, who obviously took off that way, bury the dead of their enemy before retreating from the attack? Curious behavior indeed.'
Before the carriage came to a complete stop, she jumped out the open door and scrambled around the battlespace, wanting to inspect the footprints before they were trampled on by the rest of the crew (Investigation: 22 / Nature: 16). She would then follow the retreating path of the invaders back into the wood somewhat, trying to discern more about their number, skill, and where they were heading back to.
After traveling mayhaps 100 yards into the thick woods, she would double back to the site of the attack, and see what the rest of the group has discovered.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Evil cultists, this certainly isn't a good sign." She hopes that they find someone alive at this point, but that hope is looking more and more grim the more they find in their investigation. She supposes the least they can do is bring back the manuscripts, but that seems like very little in the scheme of things. As Mercy made clear, the dwarven rep had a daughter, and Trini would love for Mercy to be able to bring her some good news, and not the remnants of his work left behind.
Trini is going to move to check out the trunks and the wagon, as the others are looking at the rest of the scene. Investigation: 10
To recall anything on the cults mentioned. (I can roll separately for each group if necessary) Arcana: 11 History: 21
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
(Since everything else has been more or less identified:)
Strife: The craters and rock definitely appear to be damage and evidence of earth based magic, as if someone or something used spells to literally pound these people to death. You don't recall much of the Order of The Sacred Stone, but upon hearing about the Cult Of Black Earth, you get a bit worried. Your information matches what Carrhae said a moment ago. This is not good news.
Daewen: You can agree that it's about 30 humanoids who went into the hills. (Not a forest. This area is all mountains).
Trini: HAS EARNED THE ACHIEVEMENT: FIRST NAT1. The trunks are empty. You recall that these are not cultists, but travelling circus performers who journey in a colorful caravan every three months from Waterdeep to Neverwinter and back. You even kind of recall watching them perform, if you're not mistaken. Quite the show!
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Letting the better-educated members of the party do their thing, Mercy hung back to talk to Zephyr. “Hey. Everything okay? You seem a little...distant.”
“These craters along with the stones we see here are the debris left in the wake of some powerful earth element magicks. You can see many of these bodies were bludgeoned to death by the rocks. What a disturbing mess,” Strife pronounces, her voice still softened in alarm.
Carrhae is certainly disturbed that the group continues to stumble upon these scenes of violence and even more so to find out that not one, but two sinister cults are involved somehow. Like Trini, she was getting increasingly concerned about the delegation. She was hoping that they would find some good news about the delegates in Womford. At the very least, she could help the Harper agents find the books that they're looking for. "If we've gathered all that we can from this location, I believe that we should carry on to Womford and gather whatever information we can about the delegation. Perhaps it might explain why we keep coming across these scenes of violence and how these cultists are involved."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Zephyr didn't bother too much with investigating the scene further than it already had been, the girls having picked the place clean for clues, and instead had done a quick prayer for more of the souls lost. "May the Traveler guide you home." He would say to himself quietly, having finished up the sermon. The time Mercy had approached him, he was adjusting the straps of his armor, his eyebrows raising in question at the tiefling.
Oh damn, was it that obvious? Zephyr thought about lying to her at first but, as it was just them two, felt that there wasn't too much of a need. He wanted to make friends with them after all. "Sorry about that, it's just, uh, a little awkward being the only man among women." He rubs the back of his neck a bit awkwardly. "Little lonely too, I suppose, finding myself unable to connect with any of you, but that's not too much to worry about, yeah? Nothing new to me anyways." There was a nervous laugh and his hand started fiddling with the straps of his bag. "Any other man in my position would be in heaven, I think! Lots of pretty ladies here, I'm kinda jealous--" He winces at his own words. Just. Stop. Talking."Sorry, I must sound like an idiot."You are an idiot. He clears his throat and lets the silence settle between the two of them, not making any effort to continue the conversation out of sheer embarrassment.
((idk if crispy is gonna be the one to say it! but zephs being as honest as possible about his feelings here))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
Zephyr: You're doing great! This is fantastic, all of you, the role playing!
SUMMIT HALL
Travelling on, you arrive at Summit Hall late afternoon. This small stronghold stands on a hilltop in the southern region of the Sumber Hills. It consists of a stone hall surrounded by a fifteen-foot wall with a sturdy wooden gate. Stables, a tower, barracks, and storage buildings are enclosed within the protective wall. A banner flying an emblem of a crossed torch and sword flutters overhead.
Summit Hall is home to about a dozen Knights of Samular, an order of long-suffering Tyr worshipers who have been re-energized by their god’s return. They host another dozen young aspirants-in-training, and about fifteen servants and artisans to help maintain the place.
Upon entering the hall, you meet the most senior knight, a human woman of sixty years named Ushien Stormbanner, an ally of the Order of the Gauntlet. Ushien is happy to meet you all, and she is especially happy to see Carrhae. When introductions and small talk have settled down, she pulls Carrhae aside and tells you that the delegates from Mirabar never showed up at Summit Hall, and that her warriors searched the area and didn’t find them. You can tell she is telling the truth.
Before they continue on, Daewen will take out a piece of parchment and make a drawing of the various symbols arrayed on the dead bodies (i.e. the Cult of the Black Earth), for later possible reference. She’ll also grab the mask from the dead monk (the Order of the Sacred Stone) and put it in her pack. Both may come in handy in events to come!
"And that is what brings use here before you. My companions here are Harper agents working to recover the missing delegates and I have been sent by the Order to make sure that our fallen brother's corpse is returned here so that he may be buried with honors. We're passing through here on our way to investigate some leads in Womford. Yesterday we were at Beliard, which is where the delegates were last seen before they went missing. This morning when we were coming this way on the Dessarin Road, we saw the aftermath of a battle between some Mirabaran soldiers and members of the Cult of the Black Earth and the Cult of the Sacred Stone, as well as tracks that indicated that a group of about 30 individuals were heading in a westward direction. Did any of your warriors come across this during their search?"
THE DESSARIN ROAD
MORNING
In the morning, you take the Dessarin Road south and head to Summit Hall. The Order of The Gauntlet delegate intended to have a knight buried there along the way, which Carrhae knew about well.
THE ROAD
The Dessarin Road leads south through the barren Sumber Hills. You don’t meet any other travelers this day, but you find evidence that the trail supports traffic — wagon ruts and mule droppings prove that people come this way on a regular basis. You find nothing else until you are about fifteen miles south of Beliard, when you spot a cloud of ravens and vultures circling a mile or so west of the trail.
SOMETHING AMISS
In a small dell a mile off the road, you find the remains of a battle. A dozen dead soldiers lie on the ground, dressed in black surcoats bearing the emblem of a red axe. Most appear to have died from battle injuries, although some lie in small craters or jumbles of broken rock. Abandoned and looted wagons lie nearby. A couple of broken trunks sit on the ground by the wagons. Two rock cairns — one large and one small — stand atop a hillside nearby.
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes.
A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically.
DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: ??????
WAIT. THERE'S MORE.
It is very plain to see that a large cairn nearby contains the bodies of five dead bugbears. They are dressed in black leather armor with a strange triangular symbol on it. The small cairn also contains the body of a human woman in monk’s robes, with a strange golden mask shaped like a snarling gargoyle face. The mask is made of gilded tin and not particularly valuable.
It was fortunate that the day's travel had been uneventful, as Carrhae was distracted, still thinking of the conversation she had the previous night when the group set out. How can anyone find Strife to be an abomination? The way she works with words in her songs and poems is absolutely divine. It's their loss I suppose. I hope that what I said was of some comfort to her. She was pulled out of her thoughts when one of the party pointed out the remnants of a violent scene. "Gods, what happened here?" As she walks over she stops to examine the dead bodies. These soldiers. Have I seen someone dressed like them before? What were they doing here?
History:18
Survival: 19
OOC: Is there a check we can roll for the dead monk woman or the symbol that the bugbears are wearing?
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Carrhae:
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes. Mirabarrian soldiers. May they rest in peace.
A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically.
DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: a large group of about thirty (Medium) humanoids wearing boots headed west into the hills.
And to know the symbols on the dead monk or the bugbears would require DC15 of Intelligence (History).
"These soldiers are from Mirabar, just like the woman in the cairn that we encountered at the Sumber Hills. It also appears that thirty or so people headed west towards the hills. If they're coming from this battle, I don't feel too terribly inclined to follow them at this moment."
History:18
OOC: Boom! Back-to-back natty 19s on one of Carrhae's worst skills.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Wow! Look at them rolls!
Carrhae:
A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check will be needed to identify the dead soldiers in surcoats with axes. Mirabarrian soldiers. May they rest in peace.
A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies the craters and rock jumbles more specifically. (Still up for grabs)
DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to reveal: a large group of about thirty (Medium) humanoids wearing boots headed west into the hills.
WAIT. THESE MARKINGS...
DC15 of Intelligence (History): Identifies the markings on the dead bodies. (Earth cultists!)
The mask of the dead monk are worn by members of the Order of the Sacred Stone - you remember the stories from your childhood. You've heard of them before. The bugbears symbol is a marking of the Cult of the Black Earth. Both spell very bad news. These are elemental cults that worship the power of Earth. And not for the greater good.
"This monk right here was a member of The Order of the Sacred Stone. These bugbears bear the sign of the Cult of the Black Earth. I heard stories about both of these groups when I was a young girl in the monastery. They're cultists who worship the elemental power of Earth, but not in a good way. If this monk is the one that was spotted in Beliard, then I believe that we should head to Womford immediately to conclude our investigation."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
(OOC: Half asleep. I’ll do a real post when I get up.)
Arcana: 8
Earlier, in Beliard:
"Oh, my thoughtful and loving Carrhae, you know just how to cheer this girl up! That's very sweet of you to say, and I thank thee. You yourself are a great wordsmith, so much so that I can say with conviction you would make a superb bard. If that's something you ever wish to pursue, Trini and I would be delighted to mentor you, though I caution you I am first in line for her dance lessons.
"It profits me nothing to cling to my resentment of those who judge me, and therefore I would be wise to accept your apology on their behalf, but alas, wisdom often eludes me, and this would be one such case. But you embody the very best of what Sune worshippers should aspire to."
Strife was caught completely off guard by Mercy's appearance. "Mercy! This was a private conversation we were having, and I was sharing personal things intended only for Carrhae! You would spy on me? Eavesdrop upon one who only wishes you well? For shame! And now you dismiss my experiences, which you know perfectly well are true because you cannot have been spared from the very same treatment, and you disparage my words as horseshit?! Then prepare yourself for what I am about to say, because I'm not censoring my remarks to spare your feelings: I love you too!"
Strife burst into great laughter, nearly rolling off the bed in her mirth. When she managed to catch her breath, she said, "As for Trini and myself, we are here to see this through to success, so you are entirely welcome, though I feel we owe you at least as much gratitude for all you do. I am awed by the way your scoundrel's moral compass points every bit as true as our lovely paladin's here. But I would strongly counsel you to never EVER study to be a Bard!"
Later, in Sumber Hills:
Strife was enormously grateful to be traveling in the vigilant company of Sune's champion. Though the band of thirty was far out of earshot, Strife still spoke softly out of caution tinged with fear. "Excellent work, Carrhae!"
To identify craters and rocks (DC 15),
Arcana (+3): 22
To recall any prior research mentioning The Order of the Sacred Stone,
Arcana (+3): 16
History (+3): 22
To recall any prior research mentioning The Cult of the Black Earth,
Arcana (+3): 4
History (+3): 16
'Ahhh' Daewen thinks, 'a pitched battle has been here! But why would the invaders, who obviously took off that way, bury the dead of their enemy before retreating from the attack? Curious behavior indeed.'
Before the carriage came to a complete stop, she jumped out the open door and scrambled around the battlespace, wanting to inspect the footprints before they were trampled on by the rest of the crew (Investigation: 22 / Nature: 16). She would then follow the retreating path of the invaders back into the wood somewhat, trying to discern more about their number, skill, and where they were heading back to.
After traveling mayhaps 100 yards into the thick woods, she would double back to the site of the attack, and see what the rest of the group has discovered.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Evil cultists, this certainly isn't a good sign." She hopes that they find someone alive at this point, but that hope is looking more and more grim the more they find in their investigation. She supposes the least they can do is bring back the manuscripts, but that seems like very little in the scheme of things. As Mercy made clear, the dwarven rep had a daughter, and Trini would love for Mercy to be able to bring her some good news, and not the remnants of his work left behind.
Trini is going to move to check out the trunks and the wagon, as the others are looking at the rest of the scene.
Investigation: 10
To recall anything on the cults mentioned. (I can roll separately for each group if necessary)
Arcana: 11
History: 21
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
(Since everything else has been more or less identified:)
Strife: The craters and rock definitely appear to be damage and evidence of earth based magic, as if someone or something used spells to literally pound these people to death. You don't recall much of the Order of The Sacred Stone, but upon hearing about the Cult Of Black Earth, you get a bit worried. Your information matches what Carrhae said a moment ago. This is not good news.
Daewen: You can agree that it's about 30 humanoids who went into the hills. (Not a forest. This area is all mountains).
Trini: HAS EARNED THE ACHIEVEMENT: FIRST NAT1. The trunks are empty. You recall that these are not cultists, but travelling circus performers who journey in a colorful caravan every three months from Waterdeep to Neverwinter and back. You even kind of recall watching them perform, if you're not mistaken. Quite the show!
Letting the better-educated members of the party do their thing, Mercy hung back to talk to Zephyr. “Hey. Everything okay? You seem a little...distant.”
Insight: 17
“These craters along with the stones we see here are the debris left in the wake of some powerful earth element magicks. You can see many of these bodies were bludgeoned to death by the rocks. What a disturbing mess,” Strife pronounces, her voice still softened in alarm.
Carrhae is certainly disturbed that the group continues to stumble upon these scenes of violence and even more so to find out that not one, but two sinister cults are involved somehow. Like Trini, she was getting increasingly concerned about the delegation. She was hoping that they would find some good news about the delegates in Womford. At the very least, she could help the Harper agents find the books that they're looking for. "If we've gathered all that we can from this location, I believe that we should carry on to Womford and gather whatever information we can about the delegation. Perhaps it might explain why we keep coming across these scenes of violence and how these cultists are involved."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Nicely done. On to Womford!!! Soon!!!
Zephyr didn't bother too much with investigating the scene further than it already had been, the girls having picked the place clean for clues, and instead had done a quick prayer for more of the souls lost. "May the Traveler guide you home." He would say to himself quietly, having finished up the sermon. The time Mercy had approached him, he was adjusting the straps of his armor, his eyebrows raising in question at the tiefling.
Oh damn, was it that obvious? Zephyr thought about lying to her at first but, as it was just them two, felt that there wasn't too much of a need. He wanted to make friends with them after all. "Sorry about that, it's just, uh, a little awkward being the only man among women." He rubs the back of his neck a bit awkwardly. "Little lonely too, I suppose, finding myself unable to connect with any of you, but that's not too much to worry about, yeah? Nothing new to me anyways." There was a nervous laugh and his hand started fiddling with the straps of his bag. "Any other man in my position would be in heaven, I think! Lots of pretty ladies here, I'm kinda jealous--" He winces at his own words. Just. Stop. Talking. "Sorry, I must sound like an idiot." You are an idiot. He clears his throat and lets the silence settle between the two of them, not making any effort to continue the conversation out of sheer embarrassment.
((idk if crispy is gonna be the one to say it! but zephs being as honest as possible about his feelings here))
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
Zephyr: You're doing great! This is fantastic, all of you, the role playing!
SUMMIT HALL
Travelling on, you arrive at Summit Hall late afternoon. This small stronghold stands on a hilltop in the southern region of the Sumber Hills. It consists of a stone hall surrounded by a fifteen-foot wall with a sturdy wooden gate. Stables, a tower, barracks, and storage buildings are enclosed within the protective wall. A banner flying an emblem of a crossed torch and sword flutters overhead.
Summit Hall is home to about a dozen Knights of Samular, an order of long-suffering Tyr worshipers who have been re-energized by their god’s return. They host another dozen young aspirants-in-training, and about fifteen servants and artisans to help maintain the place.
Upon entering the hall, you meet the most senior knight, a human woman of sixty years named Ushien Stormbanner, an ally of the Order of the Gauntlet. Ushien is happy to meet you all, and she is especially happy to see Carrhae. When introductions and small talk have settled down, she pulls Carrhae aside and tells you that the delegates from Mirabar never showed up at Summit Hall, and that her warriors searched the area and didn’t find them. You can tell she is telling the truth.
Before they continue on, Daewen will take out a piece of parchment and make a drawing of the various symbols arrayed on the dead bodies (i.e. the Cult of the Black Earth), for later possible reference. She’ll also grab the mask from the dead monk (the Order of the Sacred Stone) and put it in her pack. Both may come in handy in events to come!
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
(scribble and yoink!)
"And that is what brings use here before you. My companions here are Harper agents working to recover the missing delegates and I have been sent by the Order to make sure that our fallen brother's corpse is returned here so that he may be buried with honors. We're passing through here on our way to investigate some leads in Womford. Yesterday we were at Beliard, which is where the delegates were last seen before they went missing. This morning when we were coming this way on the Dessarin Road, we saw the aftermath of a battle between some Mirabaran soldiers and members of the Cult of the Black Earth and the Cult of the Sacred Stone, as well as tracks that indicated that a group of about 30 individuals were heading in a westward direction. Did any of your warriors come across this during their search?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More