As the loot is being divided, Epos tells the group: "I have no need for these things... Please let my share be our common stash, to be used by the group as needed..."
Epaminondas is glad to receive help from the dwarf and goes about his tasks wary of his surroundings.
He asks the dwarf "Mithrokk.... Hmmm, did I pronounce that correctly? I think I made your name sound like the troupe name of Heavy Iron Minstrels. Was the water cold? I have not had a bath in weeks... I see you've noticed..."
OOC: Is there anything on the bodies which would connect them to the Chill?
Investigation Check: 11
Xel wearily sits down near the fire and warms his hands. The previous encounter has for the moment put thoughts of sleep aside though he know he should get some rest soon.
He examines his hands, noticing that calluses have begun to form. He inwardly chuckles that these may be the least of the inconveniences he will need to bear.
He pulls out the map they have found and looks for the number and location of the remaining caches. While examining the map, he talks to Mithrokk in Dwarvish: I believe this would be the best time for introductions. I apologise for not introducing my self earlier. I am Xel-Thoth Pallorean of Candle Keep. I do not wish to give insult but I think it would be best to speak in the Common tongue for the time being given that my companions mastery of Dwarvish is non-existent. Let me know if you have a hard time understanding me.
Xel then begins to speak in Common. It seems that Tymora's blessings shine upon us all tonight. Now that you have your freedom, where shall you head to?
Xel sets the map aside for a moment and fishes out a ration from from backpack and hands it to Mithrokk. This is the best we have at the moment.
Epos, I've been going over the map we've found and I think we can make it to the other caches and acquire their contents. For what its worth, this will at least put these resources to good use rather than be used by the The Chill for whatever they do. I think the Cult of the Dragon has been momentarily defeated but it will surely resurface. And in doing so it would probably require monies which these caches represent. If we get them now, while they are in disarray, we stand a chance that these caches will still be there for us to loot.
I will be frank and I need what is in these caches to further my research. I need gold and much of it. But I cannot do it alone.
OOC: The party can take a long rest after this encounter. Press the long rest button on your character sheets.
The adventurers greet the new day with more prospects and more confidence.Previously considered unemployable even as caravan guards, they have proven themselves against numerous foes, and have the coin to prove it. They now face the momentous decision of what to do next.
Based on the map provided in the Cult of the Dragon cache, they can use their new found river transport (the boat) to travel north and reach another Cult of the Dragon cache within three days. Beyond that, another cache can also be reached by traveling the river.
Or they can choose to take the boat south and reach the town of Phandalin UP the river within two days (Phandalin is actually closer than the first cache, but you'll spend more time traveling because you'll have to row against the current.
Or they can choose to strike inland: the map says they can reach another cache in the Elfcloak Woods, and another one beyond that in the Blackroot Mountains, within a week or two of land travel.
OOC: Talk amongst yourselves, maybe ... I don't know, SHARE INFORMATION ... then tell me what you want to do.
Treasure is split 4-ways - each character receives 12 GP. The share of Epos will go to the Common Party Pool.
OOC: Guys, what's the plan? My initial thoughts are to go first to Phandalin to see if we can buy some horses and/or a pack mule and provisions. We can then travel North and acquire Caches 1 and 2. After then we can travel inland to the Elfcloak Woods for Cache 3 then to the Blackroot Mountains for Cache 4. I don't know if the travel times will be the same if we travel by land and not the river.
What I want to avoid is going after Cache 1 and 2 then doubling back for supplies then going after Cache 3 and 4 which would be adding additional time. And at a certain point, we will not be able to use the boat which would lead us to walk the rest of the way unless we pass by a town where we can buy horses.
OOC: How do I determine what Xel knows about the town of Phandalin (and what it offers in ways of supplies), the Elfcloak Woods and Blackroot Mountains (to determine what sort of supplies they should stock up on).
OOC: There are 5 caches marked on the map, including the one you just looted. Xel, make a Charisma check to determine if you've heard any rumors or local knowledge about the places mentioned (one roll for each place).
Trying to recall if he's heard anything about these places ... Xel realizes that he didn't really spend a lot of time of talking to people along the road. He hasn't heard a thing about these places ...
OOC: If you guys have questions regarding locations, just place them here. You're on the Sword Coast region, with Neverwinter to the north and Waterdeep to the south. Don't expect it to jive exactly with the online maps, though, since I am making modifications to place names and geography here and there.
OOC: Not knowing if we will encounter any settlements to the North, assuming we travel by river for three days and find the first cache, then travel further down (number of days - unknown) for the second cache, we may possibly have enough food to reach the second cache. Unfortunately, we may not have enough food to travel on the way back all the way to Phandalin.
I would want to buy enough rations in Phandalin for possibly an extended trip North and have enough on the way back. Xel is no forager and cannot create food or water.
OOC: Mike, would we be able to estimate from the map how many days it may take from the first cache to the second cache. From the map, it is three days by river to the first cache and then still following the river north to the second cache.
If we went to Phandalin which is 2 days south by river, we can buy supplies for the trek North. After the second cache, depending on supplies and the route inland to the Elfcloak Woods, we can either go back to Phandalin to resupply or head to Elfcloak Woods. In this case since we are leaving the river, we may need to invest in horses.
Xel feels refreshed after his rest. His mind which had grown weary was once again sharp. He spends some time finishing his notes in his spell book on some spells which he had been studying in the library. He feels he has sufficiently mastered the various gestures and incantations to cast them.
He approaches the rest of the party who have already awakened.
I was thinking what would be the best route moving forward. Unfortunately I am not familiar with this area and other than Phandalin, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep, I do not know if we can easily find towns and villages along this river. Let's face it, none of us knew a few days ago that we would be trekking up and down the Sword Coast. I don't think we have enough food for the journey North to find the two caches marked on the map and to make it back to Phandalin. I therefore believe we should go to Phandalin to buy supplies and then head North. After finding the two caches we can then decide on how to travel inland to the Elfcloak forest and subsequently to the Blackroot Mountains.
OOC: Sorry for the radio silence guys. Nacho just got back from Durham for the summer so was a bit preoccupied. (@Mike - you will be happy to know he is an English Lit & Philo major :-))
MIthrokk responds to the human in Dwarfish: “Greetings, Xel-Thoth Pallorean of Candle Keep. I am glad to meet you on this wretched evening.I am Mithrokk Hammersong of the Clan of the Swinging Axes, warrior of Clanggedin and Iron Guard of Citadel Adbar. Thank you for your food, your fire, and your overall hospitality. I shall try to speak your tongue but have not spoken this since my days at the academy well over eighty years ago. Please bear with me as I get used to this again.”
After hearing the elf address him, Mithrokk wonders about what the elf said and how to respond. The words sounded like a jumbled mass of sounds that he was still trying to work out. “Olvmer, friend, happy to meet you,”was all he finally got out, with an awkward smile that looked a bit like a half-face twitch, and still clearly struggling with the common tongue.
Turning again to the human in Dwarfish: “I believe their weapons will be of use and I am able to wield such things. Suggest we keep those. I was overcome by these villains or their ilk - for they all look the same to me - in Phadelin. I should like to return there and learn more about their kind, so if you would like to return there for supplies, Mithrokk will accompany you there. These red robes seem quite established in that region - I overheard them speak of a mine called Phandelver where they enslave innocent men and women and wrongly profit off the strength of their arms and backs. I should like to provide them with Claggedin’s blessing and see an end to this evil.”
OOC: Um, Mithrokk recalls that the Redbrands he tangled with wore red-dyed leather armor, not the nondescript brown and gray robes of his later captors. You might want to ask Khial about the latter.
Khial tells his companions what he knows about these men. He tells them how he was part of an bloody assassin's guild. The members of that guild, however, were forced to make a blood oath upon joining: To never leave upon pain of a slow, cruel death. He shows an X-shaped scar on his forearm, "Each of us were made to sign with our own blood. Even my closest friend, who had joined the guild with me."
Khial recalls what happened to his friend, which led him to leave the guild. "My friend, Q'urak, ascended uncommonly into the ranks of the guild. Eventually, he became a close adviser the the leader.....becoming one of the leader's most trusted member. But he was being used as a puppet by the leader, sometimes being ordered to kill innocent people."
"But one day, I grew weary of being in the guild of assassins. But the only way to leave the guild was to kill the leader, in the most 'assassin-way' as possible. I confided with Q'urak about my desire to leave. But it appeared that my once closest friend had betrayed me. He told the leader, and both plotted to kill me before I could fulfill the deadly condition.", the thief narrated. "They entered my quarters while I was asleep, and drove swords into my bed where I was supposed to lay. But I had replaced myself with a bunch of pillows, while I was sleeping inside a dresser. I awoke to them stabbing my pillows, and revealed myself to them. It was a good fight...except....", the thief's face showed a hint of sadness, "There was a moment that I was face-to-face with my friend, who had second thoughts about bringing me down. The leader, angered at Q'urak's sign of weakness and hesitation, stabbed my friend in the back and through the heart, instantly killing him. The leader left me there in the room with my dead friend, telling me he would return to finish the job with me. Therefore, that night, I decided to kill the leader for good. I took the blade the leader used to kill Q'urak, and stabbed him in his sleep."
Khial thinks those men who attacked earlier were bounty hunters sent by his old guild, probably because he killed the leader. These people are not to be trifled with, unless there is an elaborate plan to defeat them.
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OOC: Sorry a bit too late...
As the loot is being divided, Epos tells the group: "I have no need for these things... Please let my share be our common stash, to be used by the group as needed..."
Epaminondas is glad to receive help from the dwarf and goes about his tasks wary of his surroundings.
He asks the dwarf "Mithrokk.... Hmmm, did I pronounce that correctly? I think I made your name sound like the troupe name of Heavy Iron Minstrels. Was the water cold? I have not had a bath in weeks... I see you've noticed..."
OOC: Is there anything from the outward appearance of Mithrokk which would make it know he is a Paladin?
OOC: How does it work for Khial --let him rest and when he wakes up he'll be able to use Hit Dice to heal himself?
OOC: Tristan - so your share goes to the common fund (from the very start or starting now?).
OOC: Is there anything on the bodies which would connect them to the Chill?
Investigation Check: 11
Xel wearily sits down near the fire and warms his hands. The previous encounter has for the moment put thoughts of sleep aside though he know he should get some rest soon.
He examines his hands, noticing that calluses have begun to form. He inwardly chuckles that these may be the least of the inconveniences he will need to bear.
He pulls out the map they have found and looks for the number and location of the remaining caches. While examining the map, he talks to Mithrokk in Dwarvish: I believe this would be the best time for introductions. I apologise for not introducing my self earlier. I am Xel-Thoth Pallorean of Candle Keep. I do not wish to give insult but I think it would be best to speak in the Common tongue for the time being given that my companions mastery of Dwarvish is non-existent. Let me know if you have a hard time understanding me.
Xel then begins to speak in Common. It seems that Tymora's blessings shine upon us all tonight. Now that you have your freedom, where shall you head to?
Xel sets the map aside for a moment and fishes out a ration from from backpack and hands it to Mithrokk. This is the best we have at the moment.
Epos, I've been going over the map we've found and I think we can make it to the other caches and acquire their contents. For what its worth, this will at least put these resources to good use rather than be used by the The Chill for whatever they do. I think the Cult of the Dragon has been momentarily defeated but it will surely resurface. And in doing so it would probably require monies which these caches represent. If we get them now, while they are in disarray, we stand a chance that these caches will still be there for us to loot.
I will be frank and I need what is in these caches to further my research. I need gold and much of it. But I cannot do it alone.
OOC: Where is the location of the nearest cache? From the online maps, we are really far from the Greypeak Mountains.
OOC: From the very start :D . Did I miss any shared treasure? I didn't record anything else yet.
Epos says to Xel: "I think you are a worthy companion. I will help you get your gold."
OOC: The party can take a long rest after this encounter. Press the long rest button on your character sheets.
The adventurers greet the new day with more prospects and more confidence.Previously considered unemployable even as caravan guards, they have proven themselves against numerous foes, and have the coin to prove it. They now face the momentous decision of what to do next.
Based on the map provided in the Cult of the Dragon cache, they can use their new found river transport (the boat) to travel north and reach another Cult of the Dragon cache within three days. Beyond that, another cache can also be reached by traveling the river.
Or they can choose to take the boat south and reach the town of Phandalin UP the river within two days (Phandalin is actually closer than the first cache, but you'll spend more time traveling because you'll have to row against the current.
Or they can choose to strike inland: the map says they can reach another cache in the Elfcloak Woods, and another one beyond that in the Blackroot Mountains, within a week or two of land travel.
OOC: Talk amongst yourselves, maybe ... I don't know, SHARE INFORMATION ... then tell me what you want to do.
OOC: Remove one ration from your packs.
OOC: The map shows 4 caches?
Treasure is split 4-ways - each character receives 12 GP. The share of Epos will go to the Common Party Pool.
OOC: Guys, what's the plan? My initial thoughts are to go first to Phandalin to see if we can buy some horses and/or a pack mule and provisions. We can then travel North and acquire Caches 1 and 2. After then we can travel inland to the Elfcloak Woods for Cache 3 then to the Blackroot Mountains for Cache 4. I don't know if the travel times will be the same if we travel by land and not the river.
What I want to avoid is going after Cache 1 and 2 then doubling back for supplies then going after Cache 3 and 4 which would be adding additional time. And at a certain point, we will not be able to use the boat which would lead us to walk the rest of the way unless we pass by a town where we can buy horses.
OOC: How do I determine what Xel knows about the town of Phandalin (and what it offers in ways of supplies), the Elfcloak Woods and Blackroot Mountains (to determine what sort of supplies they should stock up on).
OOC: There are 5 caches marked on the map, including the one you just looted. Xel, make a Charisma check to determine if you've heard any rumors or local knowledge about the places mentioned (one roll for each place).
OOC:
Phandalin: 13
Elfcloak Woods: 7
Blackroot Mountain: 9
Wow. That was kinda average.
Trying to recall if he's heard anything about these places ... Xel realizes that he didn't really spend a lot of time of talking to people along the road. He hasn't heard a thing about these places ...
OOC: If you guys have questions regarding locations, just place them here. You're on the Sword Coast region, with Neverwinter to the north and Waterdeep to the south. Don't expect it to jive exactly with the online maps, though, since I am making modifications to place names and geography here and there.
OOC: Talk amongst yourselves and decide where you want to go. To get to the first two caches mentioned, you'll have to travel along the river.
OOC: Not knowing if we will encounter any settlements to the North, assuming we travel by river for three days and find the first cache, then travel further down (number of days - unknown) for the second cache, we may possibly have enough food to reach the second cache. Unfortunately, we may not have enough food to travel on the way back all the way to Phandalin.
I would want to buy enough rations in Phandalin for possibly an extended trip North and have enough on the way back. Xel is no forager and cannot create food or water.
OOC: Mike, would we be able to estimate from the map how many days it may take from the first cache to the second cache. From the map, it is three days by river to the first cache and then still following the river north to the second cache.
If we went to Phandalin which is 2 days south by river, we can buy supplies for the trek North. After the second cache, depending on supplies and the route inland to the Elfcloak Woods, we can either go back to Phandalin to resupply or head to Elfcloak Woods. In this case since we are leaving the river, we may need to invest in horses.
Comments and suggestions.
Xel feels refreshed after his rest. His mind which had grown weary was once again sharp. He spends some time finishing his notes in his spell book on some spells which he had been studying in the library. He feels he has sufficiently mastered the various gestures and incantations to cast them.
He approaches the rest of the party who have already awakened.
I was thinking what would be the best route moving forward. Unfortunately I am not familiar with this area and other than Phandalin, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep, I do not know if we can easily find towns and villages along this river. Let's face it, none of us knew a few days ago that we would be trekking up and down the Sword Coast. I don't think we have enough food for the journey North to find the two caches marked on the map and to make it back to Phandalin. I therefore believe we should go to Phandalin to buy supplies and then head North. After finding the two caches we can then decide on how to travel inland to the Elfcloak forest and subsequently to the Blackroot Mountains.
OOC: Sorry for the radio silence guys. Nacho just got back from Durham for the summer so was a bit preoccupied. (@Mike - you will be happy to know he is an English Lit & Philo major :-))
MIthrokk responds to the human in Dwarfish: “Greetings, Xel-Thoth Pallorean of Candle Keep. I am glad to meet you on this wretched evening. I am Mithrokk Hammersong of the Clan of the Swinging Axes, warrior of Clanggedin and Iron Guard of Citadel Adbar. Thank you for your food, your fire, and your overall hospitality. I shall try to speak your tongue but have not spoken this since my days at the academy well over eighty years ago. Please bear with me as I get used to this again.”
After hearing the elf address him, Mithrokk wonders about what the elf said and how to respond. The words sounded like a jumbled mass of sounds that he was still trying to work out. “Olvmer, friend, happy to meet you,” was all he finally got out, with an awkward smile that looked a bit like a half-face twitch, and still clearly struggling with the common tongue.
Turning again to the human in Dwarfish: “I believe their weapons will be of use and I am able to wield such things. Suggest we keep those. I was overcome by these villains or their ilk - for they all look the same to me - in Phadelin. I should like to return there and learn more about their kind, so if you would like to return there for supplies, Mithrokk will accompany you there. These red robes seem quite established in that region - I overheard them speak of a mine called Phandelver where they enslave innocent men and women and wrongly profit off the strength of their arms and backs. I should like to provide them with Claggedin’s blessing and see an end to this evil.”
Epos agrees with the dwarf. "Heigh Ho! Off to Phandalin we go!"
Epos hums a dozen more "Heigh Ho's" to himself, looks from the boat to his companions, and patiently waits what else they have to say...
OOC: Um, Mithrokk recalls that the Redbrands he tangled with wore red-dyed leather armor, not the nondescript brown and gray robes of his later captors. You might want to ask Khial about the latter.
Khial tells his companions what he knows about these men. He tells them how he was part of an bloody assassin's guild. The members of that guild, however, were forced to make a blood oath upon joining: To never leave upon pain of a slow, cruel death. He shows an X-shaped scar on his forearm, "Each of us were made to sign with our own blood. Even my closest friend, who had joined the guild with me."
Khial recalls what happened to his friend, which led him to leave the guild. "My friend, Q'urak, ascended uncommonly into the ranks of the guild. Eventually, he became a close adviser the the leader.....becoming one of the leader's most trusted member. But he was being used as a puppet by the leader, sometimes being ordered to kill innocent people."
"But one day, I grew weary of being in the guild of assassins. But the only way to leave the guild was to kill the leader, in the most 'assassin-way' as possible. I confided with Q'urak about my desire to leave. But it appeared that my once closest friend had betrayed me. He told the leader, and both plotted to kill me before I could fulfill the deadly condition.", the thief narrated. "They entered my quarters while I was asleep, and drove swords into my bed where I was supposed to lay. But I had replaced myself with a bunch of pillows, while I was sleeping inside a dresser. I awoke to them stabbing my pillows, and revealed myself to them. It was a good fight...except....", the thief's face showed a hint of sadness, "There was a moment that I was face-to-face with my friend, who had second thoughts about bringing me down. The leader, angered at Q'urak's sign of weakness and hesitation, stabbed my friend in the back and through the heart, instantly killing him. The leader left me there in the room with my dead friend, telling me he would return to finish the job with me. Therefore, that night, I decided to kill the leader for good. I took the blade the leader used to kill Q'urak, and stabbed him in his sleep."
Khial thinks those men who attacked earlier were bounty hunters sent by his old guild, probably because he killed the leader. These people are not to be trifled with, unless there is an elaborate plan to defeat them.