Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

As soon as the very large and smelly troll came into view, Wakka unleashed a flurry of downward chops on the creature's arm trying to knock it out of commission!

• Attack: Hit- 24/ 16, Damage- 11 Slashing + 3 Cold Damage (using (1) charge of Axe)
• Extra Attack: Hit- 28 (NAT 20!!)/ Damage- 18 Slashing + 9 Force Damage (Using (1) Psionic Energy Die)

Keeping back from melee range, Manfred hurls a small flaming sphere at the troll… (24 to hit, 24 fire damage)

’Eww! This one seems nastier than the others we just killed…’ he says

(Nature check - 23)

Rot Troll Dex Save against Cordon of Arrows: 6

• The troll rushes through Perkas' cordon of arrows, taking all four magically propelled bolts while both of Perkas' bolts from her crossbow strike true.
• Penumbra's and one of Droop's attacks successfully hit from their hidden position.
• Wakka jumps in and twice strikes, causing massive amounts of damage to the rotting giant!
• Manfred sends a flaming sphere to wash over the troll - the smell of rotting flesh burning away sickening all that are near!
• Somehow the monster survives the onslaught and retaliates against Wakka, biting and clawing at the fighter. Luckily, the waves of rotting energy flowing from the troll was disrupted by Manfred's fire spell!
  • Bite Attack: 13 Damage: 8 piercing + 23 necrotic
  • Claw 1 Attack: 25 Damage: 10 slashing + 3 necrotic
  • Claw 2 Attack: 13 Damage: 8 slashing + 8 necrotic

Perkas :: Penumbra :: Droop :: Wakka :: Manfred :: Rot Troll(-131)

Barely blocking the Troll's onslaught with his axe and floating shield, Wakka tiredly retaliated with some blows of his own!

• Attack: Hit- 16/ Damage- 8 Slashing 
• Extra Attack: Hit- 11/ Damage- 9 Slashing

(If the trolls not down yet....holy simoleons we did a lot of damage. :)  )

Perkas feels the bile rise in her throat from the burning stench. She gags a bit before spitting the stomach acid sharply out the side of her mouth. Her eyes never leaving the target, quickly fires two more bolts from Lil bess.

Bolt 1  to hit: nat 1...halfling luck reroll to 23    damage 12 +4(hm) =16

Bolt 2 to hit: 27  damage 12+1(hm)= 13

(Man - you guys rocked this and didn't even take any damage! I don't think it would be all that much fun to slog through this twice more, so we're going to collaboratively write up the epic hunt and take down of the remaining two rot trolls. You find the same skull-shaped marking on each of them that you saw on the zombies that attacked the Wayside Inn on your initial way to Leilon...obviously some kind of connection. This and the three lightning bolt symbol on the water-related knights in Leilon indicate a larger threat to the region! The four  merchants offer a total of 500 gp for their rescue, and you also lead the soldiers back to Leilon. You can strike a deal with the lizardfolk tribe, maybe convince them to move closer to Leilon, where they can establish a mutual defense pact, trade of goods and food, or some other beneficial and peaceful coexistence. So...take a swing at whatever you'd like. You guys are awesome!!)

The party finishes off the troll, burning the body to ensure it doesn't regenerate. It is easy enough to follow the path of death and rot back to the troll's base of operations. With an exceptional amount of planning, cunning, and sheer destructive force, you destroy the other two rot trolls, although this time they put up more of a fight. (1=Manfred ; 2=Penumbra ; 3,4=Droop ; 5,6=Wakka ; 7=Perkas)  6 & 3 take massive damage from the rot trolls' strikes and bites in the fight, and possibly infected by the rot troll's necromantic energy. (Make a DC11 Con Save or see the spoiler below...)  You find the same skull-shaped marking on each of them that you saw on the zombies that attacked the Wayside Inn on your initial way to Leilon...obviously some kind of connection. This and the three lightning bolt symbol on the water-related knights in Leilon indicate a larger threat to the region! In the rot trolls' lair you find a pile of humanoid bones - potentially an explorer who was captured and eaten by the monsters. In the refuse pile you also discover a feather token in a pouch!

Upon your successful return, the lizardfolk release the human prisoners and explain what caused this trouble. Recently, the relatively peaceful lizardfolk tribe living in the vicinity of the High Road was forced to relocate when a group of rot trolls attacked their home. This attack pushed the lizardfolk to move closer to the High Road, putting them into conflict with travelers who assumed that their appearance was an attack. (The merchants confirm this - they thought the lizardfolk were hostile and attacked them immediately.)  The lizardfolk defended themselves, taking human prisoners, including the four soldiers from Leilon. The lizardfolk planned to use most of the prisoners as a means to keep the rot trolls away from their traveling village. Prisoners were going to be left tied up in cages, then the lizardfolk move in the opposite direction, hoping the trolls would leave them alone in favor of the offering. 

The four merchants offer a total of 500 gp for their rescue, and you also lead the soldiers back to Leilon. You can strike a deal with the lizardfolk tribe, maybe convince them to move closer to Leilon, where they can establish a mutual defense pact, trade of goods and food, or some other beneficial and peaceful coexistence. 

Droop Con save: 8

Rolling to determine how long the infection takes to manifest symptoms: 8

Penumbra is deeply disturbed by the plight of the lizardfolk. She suggests to the leaders of the lizardfolk that they could benefit greatly by cooperation with the people of Lelion. As a tielfing who might be seen as a neutral party between the lizardfolk and the people of Lelion she volunteers herself as a liaison. Droop and Penumbra would stay at the Lelion chapter of the guild helping both with guild business and to help the lizardfolk and people of Lelion adapt to living closely and cooperating with one another. "Not only could you call on the help of your neighbors in Lelion if you are in danger but you could trade for food and other resorces. In time word will spread about this place and other races will learn that lizardfolk arent enemies and instead of attacking you or running from you when you find them on the road they will greet you as friends."

When Droop begins showing symptoms of the rot Penumbra becomes very concerned, upon returning to Lelion she finds a place to rest and makes Droop a hearty meal as well as making sure he has plenty of water. Though the little goblin insists that he is fine, just a little tired, he eventually gives in to Penumbra's doting and lays down to rest after eating. Once Droop is resting Penumbra heads out to begin asking around amongst both the lizardfolk and the townsfolk to find any cleric of doctor who might be able to take a look at Droop.

Merrygold Brightshine, the outgoing young female halfling priestess you met previously, meets you in the shrine to Lathander, god of light, and offers council to any who pray at the small stone altar to Lathander within. You also know that she conducts services at the shrine each day at dawn.

Merrygold offers several healing options, for a small donation to the temple, of course... Merrygold can cast cure wounds and lesser restoration.

Seeing the skull marking again awakes a bit of unrest in Perkas. Something bigger is happening and for the sake of the region and it's people, something has to be done.

One of the children in the circle of wagons that caught her eye that day of the Rot Troll, she's just never been able to shake her from her mind. As for the girl, Perkas watches her from afar. She see's the warrior the little girl wants to become. She looks up to the other warriors and that little girl has the attitude to match what she wants to be. The way her father treats her is tough, but fair and reminds her of her own father. She's not sure why, but she trusts her gut with the connection.

With the guild chapter Perkas will do what she can to help Penumbra set up that bit of a solidarity. She would be helping and working with local shop keeps and blacksmiths like Zana Taylish to stock the guild with what they need for armor, weapons, spell components and such. Getting to know them and really trying to work on her people skills. A great and neutral trading post between the lizard folk and the townsfolk of Lelion. Perkas' goal would be to help the locals (both sides) have some more lasting financing to keep all their trades going, finding ways to bring both sides together and create some unity. Maybe a lizard folk vs Lelion fishing competition, or some kind of field day with events for kids to elders. (kind of filling a marketing position in a way to keep everyone connected) [Taking a skill increase of +2 Charisma for all the people interaction]

In her downtime she would be trying to find out anything she could about those symbols, listing to anyone who comes in mention anything like it and cornering them about it when they do. She spends time with Merrygold Brightshine and often asks her about the symbols and tries to learn the most of what she can from her. After seeing what happened with Droop and that sickness, it only makes sense to her she learn how to combat that in the future.  [Taking lesser restoration spell] 

Manfred see's Droop's affliction, and - giving Merrygold a firm look of disapproval - uses his connection to those notes of creation still echoing through the world to draw out the illness... (He has Lesser Restoration, and casts it on Droop)

In the meantime, following a victorious campaign to destroy the remaining trolls with fire, he too joins the efforts to make the Lizardfolk a part of the local community - ensuring that  the Lizardfolk's leader learns the wisdom of not leaping to size-based judgments of people's prowess. He also continues his learning of the Elvish language, when time allows...

...

As he works on his art in the spare moments of time left, he finds himself more and more obsessed with one of the songs learned amongst the Elves, and over the course of a week almost works his fingers raw playing it to perfection on his lute. This experience leaves him strangely affected by an increased closeness with the Feywild... ((Manfred now has the 'Fey Touched' feat...))

‘What do you think of my new song…?’ asks Manfred of Wakka, also with an eye to some new people in town to gauge their reactions..

He strums his lute, settles into a conspiratorial performance pose, and begins…

‘In the deepest marshes, walked the mighty heroes,

In search of lost guards, and mysteries many,

Battles many on their way, snakes, trolls, all defeated,

Finding the lizardfolk, under pressure, the proud bard steps forward,

Forging alliances, quickly met, the Rot Troll came.’

(chorus)

‘The rot troll, the rot troll,

Stinking, and slinking,

The rot troll, the rot troll,

Not doing much thinking.’

5 minutes later…

’And then there were none….’

Manfred finishes with a final strum, and waits for his audience to react… 

Three weeks have passed peacefully since the brave band of intrepid adventurers triumphantly returned from the Mere of Dead Men with hostages and the potential for a pact with the lizardfolk. Most of the townsfolk know them by name, but all recognize them as the mighty champions of Leilon. The Guild Hall is mostly complete - Grizzelda Copperwraught, a gruff female dwarf tasked by Lord Neverember with overseeing Leilon’s construction work, had several people refurbish one of the less damaged manor houses in the center of town. Penumbra and Droop decide to stay and tend to the business of the Guild for a season, establishing a regular correspondence with the main chapter in Phandalin through a pair of sending stones. Perkas informs the group that she needs to visit her family for a while. Luckily, two new adventurers have found the Guild and want to join!

(Time for Sa1nt_Pat and Aelas to introduce your characters. Please write up a paragraph or two on the initial meetings - JorvikDave and Zoldier feel free to interact to develop the start for this group!)

The party is greeted by a Verdan.  He has green skin and stands just under 5 ft tall.  He is dressed in a chef coat with an apron and chef hat on.  He has a wooden spoon tucked in the string of his apron and a pair of gauntlets on his hands that extend up his forearms.  

"Hi everyone!  My name's Bubulae Tallow but you all can call me Bub or just Tallow. It doesn't really matter to me.  You may have heard of me.  I'm a bit famous.  I may be interested in joining your guild.  Let me tell you a bit about myself and I'll let you decide if you think I would be a good fit."  The small verdan smiled cheerfully and shifted a bit from side to side while wringing his hands a bit nervously.  He hands over a letter of introduction from the Chef's Guild.

"You may know that my people haven't been around long.  We were all created by That-Which-Endures in an explosion of Chaos Magic.  Somehow in that rebirth, I was given two gifts.  The first is the ability to harness Wild Magic.  The second is being the finest chef you've ever come across.  I lived in the company of Gnomes for several years when I first arrived, learning the basics of the culinary craft.  They had me working as a butcher skinning and dressing whatever the hunters brought in.  I worked my butt off and moved up the ladder and was able to join the Chef's Guild as an apprentice.  They taught me everything I know.  I moved up the ranks farther and farther until I was a true chef.  I don't like to stay in one place for too long and get bored easily.  In my travels, I have met many people.  I've cooked for royalty and common-folk alike. 

When my Wild Magic began manifesting, I had a hard time controlling it.  I'm better at it now but it still can sometimes get away from me.  Not everyone likes that and so I move on.  I think if you let me join your group, I can help you in your adventures.  I can do some amazing things with it.  You don't seem like the types of people to be scared of a little chaos, right?"

A few moments pass when an elf walks in. Of average height, having a slender but athletic build, his blonde hair is shaved on the sides and tied in a ponytail by some hempen twine. He bares a scar across his forehead, just above his left eye and wears a scout's uniform, not so different than that of the Neverwinter Soldiers, but modified to suit his own personality. Prepared for future combat he wears his bow on his back and two shortswords on his side, one of which is wrapped in a rather vibrant and peculiar cloth.  He walks up with a slightest of smirks on his face, piece of straw hanging from his lips. 

"Ermh hello there, I've heard this guild is getting up and running and.. uh.. I'd like to join, if you'll have me. The name's Genren, Genren Rothenel of the Neverwinter marine division. I've been assisting the town with it's defenses for the past couple of weeks and was looking for some sort of new challenge. I'm more of a mobile fighter, a scout of sorts so staying still for too long isn't my strong suit. Perhaps this could be a good fit?" 

He stands tall, peering at those around him, arms crossed and amused at the Chef who entered right before him. Excited to meet a different type of ally he smiles and leans against an adjacent wall as he waits for a response.

From where he was sat playing in the corner, Manfred finishes on his lute with a final flourish, and jumps up to greet the newcomers. Seeing the Verdan first he wanders over, eyes wide with unsuppressed curiosity.

’Welcome, welcome! I’ve heard of the unusual circumstances of your people’s transformation, but I’ve yet to meet one of your fellows.’ he sketches a brief bow ‘We’re a little short handed at the moment, so an extra guild member, on probation of course, would be welcome - especially if they cook better than Wakka can!’ he chuckles to himself at that last bit.

As he finishes chuckling, he sees the elf arrive, and waves him over to join him and the Verdan. ‘I’ve seen you around town Genren while I’ve been playing, or fighting of course. You seem like a capable sort, I’m pretty sure we’ll have some work that you’ll be happy with. We’re very focussed on helping Leilon re-establish itself at the moment, so there’s always more work than we know how to handle!’ he gestures both of the new arrivals over to a table in the corner of the room. ‘Set yourselves there and I’ll see if I can find a drink, or Wakka, whichever I come across first…’

Genren nods at the halfling and goes to sit down at the table. "Your tunes do sound familiar, quite pleasant if I do say so myself, though I am no expert. As for the fighting... well the men haven't mentioned much of note, but I have seen some harmless scraps pop up across town. It means the folks here are energized, and that I like... within reason of course." 

He sits down laying his bow against the table, hands folded as he waits patiently as he turns to the Verdan, "I overheard you as I walked in. A chef with wild magic? That does sound quite interesting, I can agree that a little bit of chaos keeps things interesting, but are you certain adventuring is something your interested in?" 

Tallow sits at the table and answers Genren "I have travelled all over. I have reached the heights of my culinary career.  There are people suffering and I want to help them.  Sometimes, that is with a great meal.  Other times, it is by taking care of whomever is oppressing them.   There is so much injustice and I have all of this magic boiling inside me.  It's time to poach some bastards"  

He lets out a good natured chuckle and takes a pull from the flask he takes out of an apron pocket.

Genren chuckles at Tallow's response, appreciating his spunk and enthusiasm, "Aye lad, you have an excellent mentality. It's certainly important to protect those in need when we can. I'll be sure to watch your back as my eyes don't miss much." 

He leans back on to his chair attempting to balance himself on the back to legs briefly before delicately returning his chair back to it's normal position and sits cross legged, hands on his lap as he makes himself comfortable. "I wonder what the first job we have might be, I'm hoping for some excitement myself... big and scary monsters are always a fun challenge haha." 

Over the next couple of days, the group gets to know each other a bit more.  The two newcomers are tested and then inducted into the Guild. As this is a new chapter, there isn't, but perhaps if you ever make it back to Phandalin you can visit  Sev, the Guild's warforged keeper of arms and magical items. As part of the Guild, you agree to provide 10% of any treasure found or reward paid for your services - in return you may stay in the Guild Hall, share in the bounty of the Guild, and have access to jobs you probably couldn't get as a freelance adventurer.

One beautiful, sunny afternoon, while working around the Guild Hall to fix some minor issues and generally improve the appearance of the place, one of the town's guards comes running into the place and blurts out breathlessly, "There's some kinda fuss up north - the Growler wants to see y'all!" (The Growler is the affectionate but never-used-in-her-presence name the townsfolk have for Grizzedla Copperwraught...) He escorts you out immediately and to the town square, where you see the council waiting for you.

"Ah, good, there you are." Grizzelda says by way of greeting. "Look north...can you see the storm clouds on the horizon? Don't they look like the shape of three swirling lightning bolts? Earlier this morning a group of settlers and a couple of our guards left to pick up supplies at the Wayside Inn - and that's where that storm looks to be. We want you to go investigate and make sure everybody is safe. The guard will stay here to protect the town in case there is another attack."

The other two council members nod in agreement and look at the group. Valdi Estapaar, the half-elven fisher who was tasked by Lord Neverember to oversee the fishing industry that is supposed to support the town as it is built, adds the following to sweeten the deal. "You can use the some of the Fishery horses to get you there faster - I just ask that you watch out for them and return them safely to us."