"Yeah, it's pretty sparse between here and the mountains. A few farms that are either self-sustaining or selling crops to Lovilra. I think there's a place a bit east that sells to the dwarves. I've heard of a few issues with bandits further south, but I think they tend to avoid crossing the mountain range, so they seem to be a problem along the southern shore and up to the outskirts of the city." The father pauses and slurps a bit of stew. "As for work, only thing I can say is that I'm going to need to rebuild that barn as soon as possible. Animals can't hang around out in the open, eating our crops and feeding the wild animals 'round here. Can't pay much, but can offer warm meals and a roof over your heads for a couple of days if you'd be willing to help."
You hear some coughing from the bedroom, and a few moments later the mother emerges with her youngest son. He looks about as haggard as a small child can look, but he perks up a bit when he sees you all around the table. "Wow." He pulls a stool up next to Brask and sits down, looking up as the minotaur towers over him and chews on some stew-jerky.
"As for the mountains, I'd say they're about another two or three days on foot. What do you all want with that place anyway? Damn cold up there."
Brask gives a loud snort at the suggestion of repairing the barn. Yeah, nah, gonna pass on that one, friend. My talents lie elsewhere,and he pats his maul's handle. I'm sure you'll find someone around here to give you a hand. Mountains are a good place to go hunting, or so I hear. He buries his grin in his soup, which he is drinking from the bowl after the minotaur fashion if that's not the local custom.
"If we had time, I would be happy to help you rebuild. Sadly though we must continue as soon as we can. Either to prevent this 'dragon' from doing any more harm, intentionally or not, or onwards with our quest. Thank you kindly for soup and jerky though, it is cooked well." Burik eats well of the food provided, telling the boy of a few of the nicer tales from the mines.
In response to Effort, "Indeed, the gold dragons are usually 'good', but the environment they grow up in can turn even the brightest soul dark if it's corrupt enough..." He ensures the boys are unable to hear the end part.
Whenever the conversation wanes, Burik's gaze drifts to the direction of the mountains. The gaze is not hopeful or longing, but more wary.
Effort defers to her companions' decision, silently agreeing with them while finishing the rest of her meal. When the farmer's children are no longer in earshot, she approaches the parents, trying her best to remember good human manners. "Perhaps you might be able to help us on our own quest before we leave," she says to them. "We are searching for any information at all about a series of kidnappings plaguing the entire eastern coast. Have you perhaps heard any rumors, disturbing or otherwise, that you could share with us?"
The father's face gives away that he's disappointed to hear everyone so quickly dismiss his suggestion of helping rebuild the barn. He seems to accept it, though, and continues eating and chatting. "We haven't heard anything about kidnappings. Honestly, we don't hear much out here. We have some family on the edge of the city, and a few farmer friends, but that's about it." He pops the last piece of venison jerky into his mouth. After chewing for a few moments, he continues. "I'm going to put these boys to bed. If ya'll are interested, you're welcome to set up in that room over there, or out in the horse stalls, or wherever you're most comfortable."
G'night, kid, says Brask as the younger boy is led away. He drains the last of his soup. Good stuff,he says to the farmer's wife. Beats trail rations, that's for sure.
He looks at the others. We going dragon hunting or what? Sounds like we got a lost, scared little dragon baby just waiting for some big brave heroes to take it home. And I could use having a massive golden mama dragon owe me a favour, you know?
Effort begins to collect her things to set up in the room in the farmer's house - there's no way she's going to be bunking in a horse stall if she doesn't have to. "I also think we should hunt down whatever that flying golden tinderbox was," she says as she works. "If it was a dragon, it's going to lead us straight to a bigger problem that we should probably know about before it gets out of the mountains. If it's not a dragon, then it is the problem. Either way, I'm with Brask on this one."
"I agree, finding that 'dragon' needs to be our main priority at the moment."
Before going to sleep, Burik will unsheathe the axe, and putting it down beside him. The flames flicker in the dark, but give off no heat. "This fire cannot burn" He explains to the family, "It's creation is magical and I use it as a light and a comfort." He demonstrates the safety of the flame by holding a piece of parchment in it for a bit, after nothing happens for a while he puts it away again.
You all settle down in your respective places, and slowly fall asleep. It's been a long day traveling east, and saving the boys from the barn really took a lot out of everyone. The rest is certainly welcome.
Brask, roll a perception check.
Burik:
Your mind floats in and out of dreams through the early party of the night, with nothing particularly memorable happening until a faint glow appears in the distant dark. Your dreams all fade to black, and the glow takes on shape and color. It's green - emerald green - something you've seen before in your dreams. As the glow approaches you, it starts to take shape. It's...geometric...almost hexagonal or gem-like in appearance. It gets bigger and clearer, and eventually reveals itself to be a brilliantly cut, faceted green gem. It glows incredibly brightly in this black void, but eventually the void begins to fill up. Rocks and boulders and tunnels. A mountain forms around the gem, but the green glow never ceases.
And then the voice begins.
"Burik. Burik Darkmine. I was hoping to find you again. I have been trying for quite some time. I am Dumathoin, protector of the dwarven dead. Patron of the shield dwarves. The Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain. For millennia, my faithful clerics have defended the mountains and the material plane from the true darkness. The darkness that spans an eternity." The voice pauses for a moment. "Now, we are again facing that darkness. You are one of the last remaining talhund, Burik Darkmine. A hidden gift within the mountain. I know of the impending night. And I know the true threat, whether the other gods believe it or not. Whether they care about it or not. I will not see our mountain home destroyed. Go, Burik. Go to the place that calls to you. You must fulfill your destiny as the dwarven shield that protects the world."
The mountains begin to fade to black, as the green gem begins to fall away from you, slowly vanishing into the dark. But this time the darkness isn't unending. Stars twinkle deep within it, and as clouds begin to roll over the sky, you succumb to a deep sleep.
You awake suddenly as a piercing pain shoots through your left leg. Sitting up with a start and looking down through the early morning darkness, you find a wolf sinking its teeth deeply into your calf.
Attack: 20 Damage: 7
A second wolf stands behind it, at the entrance to the stalls. One of the horses has woken up at this point, and is rearing up on its hind legs in a panic.
Burik and Effort, you both wake suddenly as you hear a horse braying and thrashing about in the stall outside the house. You instinctively leap to your feet, grab the closest weapon, and rush out the door. As you turn into the entrance of the wooden stall, you find a wolf biting into Brask's leg, with a second that quickly whips around and snarls at you. You also hear a growl from the middle of the adjacent crop field. You glance over to see a third wolf, just sitting up, that was keeping its distance from an enormous, dark dire wolf that is ripping out the throat of a fallen sheep. The first rays of morning light just catch its eyes as it looks up at you.
"Yeah, it's pretty sparse between here and the mountains. A few farms that are either self-sustaining or selling crops to Lovilra. I think there's a place a bit east that sells to the dwarves. I've heard of a few issues with bandits further south, but I think they tend to avoid crossing the mountain range, so they seem to be a problem along the southern shore and up to the outskirts of the city." The father pauses and slurps a bit of stew. "As for work, only thing I can say is that I'm going to need to rebuild that barn as soon as possible. Animals can't hang around out in the open, eating our crops and feeding the wild animals 'round here. Can't pay much, but can offer warm meals and a roof over your heads for a couple of days if you'd be willing to help."
You hear some coughing from the bedroom, and a few moments later the mother emerges with her youngest son. He looks about as haggard as a small child can look, but he perks up a bit when he sees you all around the table. "Wow." He pulls a stool up next to Brask and sits down, looking up as the minotaur towers over him and chews on some stew-jerky.
"As for the mountains, I'd say they're about another two or three days on foot. What do you all want with that place anyway? Damn cold up there."
DM - Above & Below
Brask gives a loud snort at the suggestion of repairing the barn. Yeah, nah, gonna pass on that one, friend. My talents lie elsewhere, and he pats his maul's handle. I'm sure you'll find someone around here to give you a hand. Mountains are a good place to go hunting, or so I hear. He buries his grin in his soup, which he is drinking from the bowl after the minotaur fashion if that's not the local custom.
"If we had time, I would be happy to help you rebuild. Sadly though we must continue as soon as we can. Either to prevent this 'dragon' from doing any more harm, intentionally or not, or onwards with our quest. Thank you kindly for soup and jerky though, it is cooked well." Burik eats well of the food provided, telling the boy of a few of the nicer tales from the mines.
In response to Effort, "Indeed, the gold dragons are usually 'good', but the environment they grow up in can turn even the brightest soul dark if it's corrupt enough..." He ensures the boys are unable to hear the end part.
Whenever the conversation wanes, Burik's gaze drifts to the direction of the mountains. The gaze is not hopeful or longing, but more wary.
Effort defers to her companions' decision, silently agreeing with them while finishing the rest of her meal. When the farmer's children are no longer in earshot, she approaches the parents, trying her best to remember good human manners. "Perhaps you might be able to help us on our own quest before we leave," she says to them. "We are searching for any information at all about a series of kidnappings plaguing the entire eastern coast. Have you perhaps heard any rumors, disturbing or otherwise, that you could share with us?"
The father's face gives away that he's disappointed to hear everyone so quickly dismiss his suggestion of helping rebuild the barn. He seems to accept it, though, and continues eating and chatting. "We haven't heard anything about kidnappings. Honestly, we don't hear much out here. We have some family on the edge of the city, and a few farmer friends, but that's about it." He pops the last piece of venison jerky into his mouth. After chewing for a few moments, he continues. "I'm going to put these boys to bed. If ya'll are interested, you're welcome to set up in that room over there, or out in the horse stalls, or wherever you're most comfortable."
DM - Above & Below
G'night, kid, says Brask as the younger boy is led away. He drains the last of his soup. Good stuff, he says to the farmer's wife. Beats trail rations, that's for sure.
He looks at the others. We going dragon hunting or what? Sounds like we got a lost, scared little dragon baby just waiting for some big brave heroes to take it home. And I could use having a massive golden mama dragon owe me a favour, you know?
Effort begins to collect her things to set up in the room in the farmer's house - there's no way she's going to be bunking in a horse stall if she doesn't have to. "I also think we should hunt down whatever that flying golden tinderbox was," she says as she works. "If it was a dragon, it's going to lead us straight to a bigger problem that we should probably know about before it gets out of the mountains. If it's not a dragon, then it is the problem. Either way, I'm with Brask on this one."
Assuming you're all taking a long rest, go ahead and adjust your sheets. Burik, roll me a religion check.
DM - Above & Below
Brask is more comfortable sleeping in the barn. 'Night folks. Watch out for dragons.
"Rest well," Effort tells the others, settling down for the night.
Religion 24
Burik sets up his bed inside.
"I agree, finding that 'dragon' needs to be our main priority at the moment."
Before going to sleep, Burik will unsheathe the axe, and putting it down beside him. The flames flicker in the dark, but give off no heat. "This fire cannot burn" He explains to the family, "It's creation is magical and I use it as a light and a comfort." He demonstrates the safety of the flame by holding a piece of parchment in it for a bit, after nothing happens for a while he puts it away again.
You all settle down in your respective places, and slowly fall asleep. It's been a long day traveling east, and saving the boys from the barn really took a lot out of everyone. The rest is certainly welcome.
Brask, roll a perception check.
Burik:
Your mind floats in and out of dreams through the early party of the night, with nothing particularly memorable happening until a faint glow appears in the distant dark. Your dreams all fade to black, and the glow takes on shape and color. It's green - emerald green - something you've seen before in your dreams. As the glow approaches you, it starts to take shape. It's...geometric...almost hexagonal or gem-like in appearance. It gets bigger and clearer, and eventually reveals itself to be a brilliantly cut, faceted green gem. It glows incredibly brightly in this black void, but eventually the void begins to fill up. Rocks and boulders and tunnels. A mountain forms around the gem, but the green glow never ceases.
And then the voice begins.
"Burik. Burik Darkmine. I was hoping to find you again. I have been trying for quite some time. I am Dumathoin, protector of the dwarven dead. Patron of the shield dwarves. The Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain. For millennia, my faithful clerics have defended the mountains and the material plane from the true darkness. The darkness that spans an eternity." The voice pauses for a moment. "Now, we are again facing that darkness. You are one of the last remaining talhund, Burik Darkmine. A hidden gift within the mountain. I know of the impending night. And I know the true threat, whether the other gods believe it or not. Whether they care about it or not. I will not see our mountain home destroyed. Go, Burik. Go to the place that calls to you. You must fulfill your destiny as the dwarven shield that protects the world."
The mountains begin to fade to black, as the green gem begins to fall away from you, slowly vanishing into the dark. But this time the darkness isn't unending. Stars twinkle deep within it, and as clouds begin to roll over the sky, you succumb to a deep sleep.
DM - Above & Below
Brask's Perception 4
Loud snoring comes from the barn.
Burik, Effort, give me perception checks.
Brask:
You awake suddenly as a piercing pain shoots through your left leg. Sitting up with a start and looking down through the early morning darkness, you find a wolf sinking its teeth deeply into your calf.
Attack: 20 Damage: 7
A second wolf stands behind it, at the entrance to the stalls. One of the horses has woken up at this point, and is rearing up on its hind legs in a panic.
Brask, roll initiative. Wolves INT: 20
DM - Above & Below
16
You're DEAD!!!
Brask's initiative: 9
(I completed a long rest on the character sheet, so Brask is on full health - is that right?)
Yes, this is happening in the wee hours of the morning, just before sunrise. You had your 8 hours.
DM - Above & Below
19
+3 so 22
Burik and Effort, you both wake suddenly as you hear a horse braying and thrashing about in the stall outside the house. You instinctively leap to your feet, grab the closest weapon, and rush out the door. As you turn into the entrance of the wooden stall, you find a wolf biting into Brask's leg, with a second that quickly whips around and snarls at you. You also hear a growl from the middle of the adjacent crop field. You glance over to see a third wolf, just sitting up, that was keeping its distance from an enormous, dark dire wolf that is ripping out the throat of a fallen sheep. The first rays of morning light just catch its eyes as it looks up at you.
Burik, Effort, roll initiative.
Dire wolf: 20
DM - Above & Below
Effort: 20
Cadmael: 13