The Long Road - Game Thread

Jorin's hands rush to his weapons and the familiar feel of his battleaxe grip brings a wave of comfort over his face.

He turns to the nearest cultist and says, "A lovely day to worship the flame, and burn stuff, is it not?"

The not-blurred woman walks over and give Jorin a stare. "Things are quiet so far, but these woods have threats. Shouldn't you be with Jacobson? After all, a bodyguard needs to be ready to guard. You can give him a hand with that big box in the lead wagon."

Before Jorin leaves (so he hears this), she address the rest of you. "You are welcoming the new members, well done." (Referring to Drusk and Pascal.) "They've told you how things run around here, right? You obey Rivia, and everything will be the way it should. Everyone knows I am Jacobson's favorite.

(muted) "Don't say too much to the others. Not everyone is as loyal to me as you are. They know the caravan is headed for Mulmaster the long way, around the south side of the Moonsea to avoid Phlan and its dragon troubles. But Jacobson has not told them what we are taking, only that it’s important and given to this group by Vanifer herself after entering glorious communion with Imix!" (Imix is a primordial god, the Elemental Evil of fire.)

Ravia is very energetic, but you are also unsettled by her. Later on, Quillary and Hildigrim (high Insight) can inform the group that she is a dangerous mixture of ambition and sadism.

"Aye, praise Imix!" Jorin says as he heads over towards Jacobson...

Quillary will follow Jorin, still somewhat in her head.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

Quillary will follow Jorin, still somewhat in her head.

Ravia puts her hand on Quillary's shoulder to stop her. "Where do you think you are going, missy? He has his duty with the leader. You have your duty back here... The woods are quiet, but too quiet for my liking. Something has hunted the wild game in the area, and you have to watch so we don't get surprised.

"We should burn down the whole forest to be safe (and have some fun), but Jacobson insists that we keep a low profile..."

When Ravia is satisfied that the 4 of you will stay with this wagon, and Jorin is at the lead wagon with Jacobson, she will leave.

Quillary will meekly do what she is asked. “Yes’m.”

In a strange mixture of his own accent and Ravia's, Hildigrim laughs. "Right!" he says to Ravia. "You have always been Jacobson's favorite. He always gives you the ... best ... stuff. We're so lucky to be close to you, and by association, close to Jacobson." He chuckles. "But, um, I guess I missed the part where you told us what it is we're taking that the others don't know about?"

Pascal is about to speak, but looks up to the sky (where the voice came from), “Line?”

Quote from JcAndD >>

Pascal is about to speak, but looks up to the sky (where the voice came from), “Line?”

Ravia: "Yes, you are guarding the line of wagons. (He seemed a little dim, but I didn't think it would be this bad...)"

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

"But, um, I guess I missed the part where you told us what it is we're taking that the others don't know about?"

"And you still won't know. Don't be cheeky. This is need-to-know, which you don't. Only Jacobson and me... I mentioned it so you know that we aren't excluding you, specifically."

Meanwhile, Jorin walks to the lead wagon. (He will relate this to the rest of you later.) Inside the wagon, Jorin sees a (crystal-clear) human male of 45 years in red robes with a strange symbol emblazoned over his left breast resembling a half circle with three spokes. He is kneeling in prayer over a large box.

“Good of you to be at my side. This ... this will be in the instrument of our success. You've been told, along with the others, to keep this safe at all costs...

"We’ve been together long enough now that I feel comfortable telling you what is inside. Simply put, inside of this box is the key to our victory out here in the Moonsea: a devastation orb. Our orders from Vanifer are to set this off inside of Mulmaster, forcing attention further east. Doing so will take pressure off of our work on the Sword Coast. The factions are already starting to unite after seeing Phlan taken by that green dragon, and their interference out west could be problematic. This is an opportunity to draw their attention even further away so that Mistress Vanifer’s plan can come fully into effect.”

I like to think that the party all just pops our heads around the wagon scooby doo style to see.

Jorin is taken aback by the see-through humanoid in front of his, but listens intently before saying, "A devastation orb, how powerful is it?"

OOC > I think he is "crystal-clear" in that we can see him clearly, not blurry like the figures that are not being remembered well. Not that he is see-through like a crystal vase. Jacobson and Ravia are both clear and not dream-muddled...

Back in Shinebright's basement, Quillary's body is being swirled protectively by a cloud of spores, anyone getting near will encounter the necrotic effect of the Halo of Spores. Her face shows her discomfort in this dream.

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

Jorin is taken aback by the see-through humanoid in front of his, but listens intently before saying, "A devastation orb, how powerful is it?"

"We want to be more than a mile away when it goes off."

The entire party hears Tinker's voice. "When the orb exploded, the town of Elmwood was gone. One survivor of a town of 500... But why attack Elmwood, if their target was Mulmaster? We need to know more from this memory."

Quote from Mingofaust >>

OOC > I think he is "crystal-clear" in that we can see him clearly, not blurry like the figures that are not being remembered well. Not that he is see-through like a crystal vase. Jacobson and Ravia are both clear and not dream-muddled... 

Oooh, that makes more sense, lol.

Jorin smiles and nods, "That is quite impressive.  The carnage will be great, like a sabre cat tearing the underbelly of a mountain fawn.  Might I ask, why Mulmaster?"

"Don't exert your brain too much, that will only hurt you. Obey my commands, and there will be much glory in the eyes of the Eternal Flame."

(He just explained "why Mulmaster" at the end of post 2996.)

Sounds of fighting erupt from further back the caravan. Jacobson hustles out of the lead wagon, and is soon joined by Ravia. They rush towards the fighting, to find out what is going on. Before they go, you are told to stay there, to guard the front of the caravan.

OoC - I had meant why Mulmaster in particular as opposed to another town, but his response is understood, lol

Jorin makes to follow Jacobson, but then draws his weapons and stays put after being told to do so.

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

OoC - I had meant why Mulmaster in particular as opposed to another town, but his response is understood, lol

(Quillary is correct, Jacobson is in perfect focus and well detailed, not "crystal clear" see-thru.

I also realize that I've been confusing the Moonshae Islands (setting for modules with Baldman Games) and the Moonsea region of Faerun (setting for modules outside the Sword Coast setting). Hopefully I haven't confused you.

Short answer: Why are you questioning the orders of our beloved leader to attack Mulmaster? Maybe you are disloyal and should be put to death...

Longer and OOC reason: Looking through the wiki and the "Princes of the Apocalypse", Vanifer was based in Sumber Hills. That is to the northeast of Waterdeep. Taking the Long Road past Amphail and Red Larch will eventually lead to those Hills.

OOC continued: The Moonsea is far east of Waterdeep. Mulmaster is the only significant city in the southeast region of the Moonsea. If Vanifer is trying to draw attention away from the Sword Coast, Mulmaster is important enough to be noticed, and the farthest from the Sword Coast. Link to wiki for the Moonsea.)

Ah ha, yes i think Jorin would probably have known that and thusly not asked.  Thanks!

Everyone roll for initiative. (Then I'll post a map, after the order is set.)

Jorin has a chance to tell the others what he learned from Jacobson. Moments later, the wagon in front is slammed by an ice storm. (Yeah, the horse pulling that wagon is no more.) To the side of the trail, you see 10 hobgoblins rushing the lead wagons.

• 8 are normal troops (wearing chain mail, equipped with longsword and long bow).
• 1 appears to be the spell-caster (leather armor with staff)
• The last 1 is a buffed hob (plate, shield, longsword, javelin), yelling to the others in Goblin. (I don't think anyone in the party understands that.)

You sense that there are more hobgoblins all around the caravan, fighting with the cultists. But none of those fights can be seen clearly... only glimpses in your peripheral vision that vanish when you try to look at them. However, these 10 hobgoblins are clear and present, and they are moving towards the party.