Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

“Yer not wrong son,” says Big Al to Connak. “I don’t doubt there’s treasure to be had at any number of places ‘round here. I think some folks just want to have the best story whilst they sit around the tavern with their mates. Or maybe want to know if a legend is really true or not but are afraid to go find out for themselves. And others got a bit of a mean streak in ‘em who delight in sending some poor fool off to their deaths just because he’s holding a sword and calling himself an adventurer...” Big Al pauses for a moment as if experiencing a painful memory, but then shakes it off to continue:

”...but then there some folks who for reasons unknown - call it fate, or the hands of the gods at work, or whatever - those folks have some bit of lore or legend that they are destined to share...with the right group of individuals at the right time, who then pursue those legends and in turn, become legends themselves through the heroic deeds they perform and marvelous things they come to possess.” Big AL lets those words sink in for a moment, then adds:

”Besides, since when is any treasure worth having just lying about with no one claiming or defending it? And if’n ye do find something like that, I’d wager that the last owner left it behind for good reason....” Big Al gives Vaxis a sly wink. “I’ll say this though - them orcs that came here? That’s not all there is...that big nasty fella was mean for sure, but he was no leader. There’s more. Somewhere.” 

Vaxis looks with concern to Connak and Big Al.

"Then your life is in danger. Allow us to take care of these orcs while you go to safety. At least until we've dealt with them."

Tabesha'l, who'd indeed been lost in the study of her new arcane compendium, now approaches the group.

" If there are more of these beastly creatures about, we would do well to learn about their numbers and strength, as well as find out their exact location before we decide of a plan of action. Same goes for yon mysterious altar: a little research into its history and related tales and legends concerning Holy Savras may be in order. Thuniviel is not wrong: there is no reason to throw ourselves into hazardous and maybe deadly perils just for an ephemerous bout of glory, or drawn by the glint of dwarven gold... yet, I feel we do have a certain responsibility to help the people of this land, to the extent of our humble capacities."

She watches the old farmer for a moment, then adds: " Al Kalazorn, would thee not be privy to information about yon haunted Lighthouse, the one they calleth the Tower of Storms ? I have good reasons to think a... person dear to me may have gone into its depths, and I would much appreciate anything thee couldst tell us about said-location." 

“Lighthouse...hmm, not ringing a bell, I’m afraid. I keep well inland of the sea, so I’m not much use when it comes to coastal geography. Luskan and Neverwinter are dens of thievery and criminal enterprise...not exactly the sort of place an officer of the law - even a retired one - is likely to do well. I do know that Phandalin’s success since it was re-founded has encouraged similar ventures in other places in the region. Heard stories that Neverwinter is looking to revive Leilon...that’s pretty close to the coastline, so you might have luck asking someone there about your lighthouse.” 

“As far as orcs go, they like to den up in underground strongholds in mountainous terrain whenever possible. When they can’t do that, they’ll settle for somewhere deep in the forest, but they are less likely to stay there for long periods. There’s a gold mine back towards Phandalin that could serve as an orc encampment...plenty of miners back in town that can show you where if you wanted to check it out. There’s also a logging camp deep in the Neverwinter Wood run by Harbin Wester’s brother. That would also be an easy target for orcs, should they know how to find it. If you’re not looking for fabulous wealth, then maybe you could do some orc hunting.”

Connak shrugs, "The last few days have been very odd, like something is moving us about like pieces of a game.  I'm wary of these 'legendary' places that have untold riches... especially when they remain legendary.  There are plenty of greedy people in the world... " Connak looks a bit embarrassed saying this, "... so if it was easy, it wouldn't stay legendary.  But hunting orcs is what I was trained to do.  I'm fine with that, as long as we remain the hunters.  But I'm curious, if this something pushes the rest of you a certain way, I'll follow to see what happens."

Ando speaks up. “My ultimate charge is to defeat the dragon terrorizing this land. Perhaps one of these treasure troves would give us the power to do so?”

He looks around at the others. “However, without a clear lead on where they reside, I too would be interested in pursuing the orcs as the more immediate problem. I’ve heard a little of this logging camp in Neverwinter Wood. A visit there to see how far the orcs have ranged would be useful information."

Minsys slams his fists on the table.  "Dragon!  There's a dragon in these lands?  Splains why everything's so messed up."  He goes quiet for a moment.  "Me thinks we not ready for a dragon, but Orcs...Always ready for Orcs."

"Perhaps the orcs left clues upstairs that could point us in the direction of their camp. After all, if the big one had this map then they're not being too careful." Ando will head upstairs to look for any other evidence the orcs may have left.

Connak watches Ando march up the stairs and says to the others, "I don't think the orcs drew the map.  They're just intelligent enough to understand what a map is, and that it could have value, hence why they didn't burn it."

Vaxis nods in agreement.

(Sorry...I don't really have anything helpful to add here.)

Upstairs, Ando finds a hallway lined with several bedrooms which lets out into a spacious parlor. A pair of card tables have been overturned and the floor is littered with three-dragon ante cards and dragonchess pieces. He finds no clues concerning orc activity outside of the mess they have made. At the other end of the hallway is a small office. Under a stack of ledgers and papers, Ando finds a small sack of coins containing 65 gp, 145 sp, and 220 cp.

Minsys asks, " So the plan is we kill orcs?  When should we leave and what direction we go."  He pats his weapon and continues saying, "my blade is getting thirsty."

It is currently about 4pm in the afternoon and the light coming through the farmhouse windows is beginning to wane as the first signs of dusk begin to shade the valley as the sun slowly dips behind the hills to the west.

" Mmmh... I doeth wonder about the location of the 'X' on yon orcish map..." Tabesha'l muses as she gets a closer look at the rough scribblings they found on Urzul's remains.

" Methinks if we doeth meaneth to go after yon orcish horde, we wouldst do well to investigate this-here X-marked spot as well. Carefully. 'Tis on the highest ridge of yonder Swords Mountains, spot in the midst of yon orcs territories, unless I should be mistaken ?"

Minsys scratches his head and nudges Vaxis, "Uh... I got X, Orc territory, and Sword Mountains.  I didn't get the rest."

Connak shakes his head at Tabesha'l.  "Lets go to Conyberry and ask around there about that map.  If that is indeed orc territory, would be wise to not naively walk right into it."

Ando will come back downstairs. "There's a mess upstairs, but nothing of interest for us."

Big Al sheepishly replies to Ando’s comment: “Sorry about the mess friend, haven’t quite got the upstairs yet. I’m not sure if those filthy orcs was rolling around in the bed linens or not, but there’s 5 beds up there that your welcome to if’n ye decide to stay the night. The privy is about 30 yards off the northeast corner of the house...pretty sure that’s still ok...I’ve never known an orc that’s needs privacy or solitude to take a crap,” his eye catches Minsys’ glare and he quickly adds: “...er, present company excluded, of course....I hope...” satisfied that he had sufficiently sterilized his inflammatory remarks in the cheerfully racist manner that people of earlier generations are often prone to do.

Completely unaware of his social gaff, Big Al continues to inform the party on what his ranch has to offer: ”There’s water in the well and your welcome to anything you find in the cupboards or the orchard, if there’s anything left of it. Plenty of pigfish in the pond too...got poles and bait downstairs, if you don’t have your own. Good for a meal or just a relaxing catch and release. I’d caution you not to stay out too long after dark...wolves tend to prowl these parts and uh...oh dear...” the man suddenly stutters, “...with my barn burned down, where will I house poor Petunia?”

“Well, let me go get you folks that letter I promised,” and Big Al again disappears up the back stair presumably to his office to draw up the correspondence the party would need in Triboar.

Connak looks at the stairs, "There's no point heading out at this time.  I'd rather leave when we have a full day to travel."

"Stay here the night?" Minsys questions.  "Hmm... does that mean a cooked dinner as well?  If so agree with Connak, stay the night."  He greedily finishes the meal and stands about to head outside before stopping.  "You worry of wolves but fear not for the night.  I'll take some of the orc corpses further out and leave them for the wolves.  With easy meat, they should leave the animals alone."