The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent frowns for a few more moments before breaking into a grin of his own. You're a good man, Alton. Rough situation we're headin' into, but I'm glad we're allies. Here's hopin' I'll have some more opportunities to repay the favour. 

You all collect your horses, including Silent's newly purchased mount, and set off along the road towards Rilt.  The road is well-used and you can easily ask directions; many folk are on the road, some returning home after spending Harvest Close in Felderwin, others returning from visiting relatives or friends for the last time before the winter sets in.

Your first day of travel is peaceful, even pleasant; people greet you readily and are happy to chat; a few travellers are headed in the same direction as you, though none to Rilt itself, and you are rarely alone for the day.

As the evening approaches, the road passes through a small village with a tavern; you could rest there, or set up camp in a nearby field as you like.  If you are keeping watch, please give me Perception rolls for first, second and third watch.

9 1

Silent is in favour of camping. Been sleeping under roofs for too long back in Felderwin, if you ask me. 

(OOC: I think we all have the same Perception bonus so I'll go ahead and have Silent take the first watch in case we agree to camp out.) 

Perception 19  

Alton looks at his other two companions, "I wouldn't mind camping out. It appears to be a nice night for it." When everyone settles down to rest, Alton will make sure to keep his backpack within sight or just hold onto it; either using it as a pillow or just hugging it when taking watch.

Perception: 8 (OOC: Alton will take second watch if we camp, rolling with dis due to not having darkvision.)

Balassar just nods "Camping sounds good. Maybe we could grab some food in town to cook though and at least have a decent meal?"

OOC:

If no one wants to stop for food he'll be okay with that and during camping he'll take third watch

perception check: 12

The night is clear, the weather pleasant for the late autumn, and you are not disturbed.  The horses are grazing quietly in the fresh morning as you wake, having completed a long rest.

14

The next day's journey is pleasant enough, though you are getting higher and the air is growing chillier.  In the middle of the day you reach a crossroads, and one path winds up into the hills; some local labourers are sitting having their lunch and greet you; they point you along the path to Rilt with grins and warnings of fairies and trolls from every tale you can imagine.

It's late afternoon when your horses, tired but not exhausted, bring you into the village of Rilt.  Around forty small houses set around two large circles.  You see a tavern with a stable, a small smithy, a general goods store and not much else besides farmhouses and granaries.

What would you like to do?

If we're gonna figure out whether these giants are real monsters or just some snotnosed kids, we should probably start askin' around, yeah? Think the tavern might be the place to do it. 

"We can also talk with the people who live in the farmhouses. I think the Lawmaster said something about animals being stolen."

Balassar just nods "Tavern might be a good place to also check. Good place to look gather information."

Silent heads to the tavern with the others. 

Alton follows behind Balassar and Silent to the tavern looking around at their surroundings and the mountains. "I bet what we are actually looking for is a Forest Ape. You guys ever hear of those? I've heard tales that they live in the mountains and large old forests. Stories say that Forest Apes are hulking monstrosities that stalk mountains and forests in a ceaseless hunt for food and that their fur makes them almost impossible to see and hear. Stories also say that if you hear one or more howling it is too late to run."

Silent raises an eyebrow. Too late to run... you reckon the four of us would be able to take one in a fight? That sounds like trouble... 

The Tall Tale has a large common room which is already busy; folk look up in surprise to see your group enter, but they seem friendly enough.  All the patrons are halflings, except for a single pair of copper dragonborn seated in the corner playing a game of cards.  

At the bar, a young halfling woman waves you over.  Welcome travellers, what can I get you?  She invites you to talk at the bar, but there is a table free if you prefer and she will come to talk to you there; she appears to be the only one working at the moment.

Some ale and your time, if you've got any to spare. Silent sits down at the bar and pays for a round of drinks for everyone. Been chasing some rumours all the way from Felderwin - I reckon you hear a lot of them in your line o' work. 

Alton takes up a seat at the bar as well and settles in letting Silent do the talking.

Silent, that's a silver and six copper for four mugs of ale.

Aye, I do that, the halfling replies with a smile.  We've rumours to spare round these parts.

Any o' those rumours about sheep-thievin' giants? We're on business from Felderwin's Lawmaster, he sent us out here on the request of one Hatta Croom. 

Balassar just sits next to Alton as he waits to order a drink, letting Silent take the lead.

Ah, now.  Is that so?  Well, then, you're welcome here, friends.  From Felderwin, is it?  That'll be Hatta's doing.  You'll be wanting to talk to her, and to old Gunit the Herder - that's him over there.  She points to a rather elderly halfling seated with three others at a table, drinking and talking in what appears to be a serious conversation.  Hatta will be along in a while, no need to go look for her.  As for me, all I can say is that I'm glad you've come.  She frowns, and looks at you all.  Hatta says there's war, and we're to look out for dark elves and whatnot.  You heard anything about that?

Balassar just nods "Wars at our doorstep. Better pray it ends quick." he says standing up and looking in the halflings direction "Guess we are talking to him." he says ordering two drinks. He walks over and sets on next to the halfing taking a seat "Some drink for information friend? Wanna know about these supposed giant attacks that have been happening."