The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

The Lawmaster nods.  The escort to Bladegarden it is.  You'll be working with Captain Fray of the Crownsguard; she'll be leading the escort, and your job is to provide support and additional fighting strength if needed - and some deterrence as well.  So I would ask you to make yourselves very visible.  Walk out front, that kind of thing.  Parts of the route were prone to trouble before the war started - it's hard to know whether it will have improved or not, but I suspect not.  This mission will pay seventy-five gold pieces each, paid upon return.  

The Lawmaster is happy to answer any other questions regarding the job that you have, and when you are ready, you leave and are in the town of Felderwin.  You are free to spend the day as you wish, seeing old acquaintances or doing some shopping.  Wash is in town and staying at the Goldfiend Tavern and Lodge; you can find him there in the evening.  He's a bit cagey about what he's working on for the Lawmaster, but he won't be joining you on the mission and wishes you good luck.

At some point Silent asks the Lawmaster, Say, Lawmaster, how's the starosta? I remember he seemed a bit outta sorts back when we first... ah... volunteered for the giant job. Actually speakin' of folks who are outta sorts, any news of that little thievin' scumbag Art? 

The Starosta is doing quite well, I assure you, the Lawmaster replies.  The initial... surprise of the declaration of war has faded, and we now have a routine; there seems little chance that the war will reach us here, so we are focused on providing support to the front lines.  I have informed him of your success at Rilt, and I believe he was pleased, though his mind was elsewhere.  As for our young thief, his fate lies in the hands of the Cerberus Assembly.  I have heard nothing, and I would advise you not to inquire about him elsewhere - the Assembly doesn't like people taking an interest in their business.

Alton rocks in his chair as Silent and the Lawmaster talk, "If we are going close to the front lines, I wonder if we will run into my sister." He says more to himself than anyone in particular. "Oh, that reminds me. Since you say we are going close to the front line and into a more dangerous area. Would it be possible to get a few healing potions? Wash was really the only person in our group that could heal us if we got banged up pretty good." 

I regret that I don't have anything to spare for you, the Lawmaster says.  I know that bandages are available in the local stores, but aside from that, I'm afraid I cannot help you

At this point Silent is happy to bid the Lawmaster  farewell unless anyone else has any pressing questions.

Over the next day or so (however much downtime they have before the caravan leaves), he wants to do a really thorough search of Felderwin's smithies and shops. He's primarily looking for splint mail in the smithies, but he's also looking for anything weird or unconventional in the shops, trinkets or curios that one might not expect to find in a town like Felderwin. 

Silent, you spend the rest of the day searching through the shops and markets of Felderwin.  You find Splint in your size, for 200 gold pieces.  For other items, make an Investigation check.

(OOC: Any chance of haggling over the price with the blacksmith or offering him a trade or favour in exchange for a discount?) 

Investigation 11 

No, the smith is not interested in haggling at the moment.  They might knock a little off the price in exchange for a few days' labour, but you're not in a position to offer that.  You can of course sell your existing armour or weapons for half their marked price (e.g. a set of chainmail would sell for 37.5 gold).

You also don't find any shops that sell unusual or magical items, or any traders that happen to have any in.

You all leave the Lawmaster's office; you are to meet Captain Fray at the Crownsguard's headquarters tomorrow at noon, and the trip north will get underway.

You have the rest of the day for shopping or meeting old friends, and you can talk to Wash in the inn in the evening, assuming you want to stay at the same inn as before.

Over the night, you get a long rest and also reach level four.  Let me know if there's anything else you want to do before heading off.

Alton will follow Silent around as he shops and darts in various bakeries and other food shops; picking up some snacks to share with everyone.

Alton, deduct 2-4 silver for a variety of pastries and snacks, depending on how much you get.

Your horses are waiting for you at the inn when you are ready, and you ride off to the Crownsguard building where you are to meet. The sun is high in the sky on a fresh, cool day.

You find six Crownsguard gathered in the yard, along with eight large wagons piled high with crates and kegs. There are twelve civilians joining you, all halflings; they are busy checking ropes and canvas coverings to make sure everything is ready for departure.

The leader of the Crownsguard, Captain Fray, nods as you approach. She is a halfling in her late thirties, with short hair and a helmet she's carrying in her hands. Morning, folks, she says, then looks at the sky. Afternoon maybe? We're glad of the company, and we'll be setting off in just a few minutes. She has a friendly manner, slightly unusual for a guard in the rest of the Empire but not that strange for a Felderwin halfling. She looks at Alton. Hey, you. Wildcloak, right? My ma says she knows your ma, from the Kentel market. How's she doing these days?

(Kentel is a large village near your home village, and your mother often visits the market there to buy and sell livestock.)

(OOC: Silent will choose to keep his chain mail, grumbling Lousy Empire smiths ain't willin' to dicker... on his way out of the smithy.) 

Silent keeps a bit of distance from the Crownsguard, offering to help the civilians ready their wagons while Captain Fray speaks with Alton. 

Alton's ears twitch as he checks the gear on his horse. He turns to face Captain Fray, "That's right, Alton Wildcloak. She does go to the Kentel market pretty often and she was doing well the last time I saw her; though it has been awhile. I think I should pay home a visit if I get some downtime when we get back. My older brother, Balto, is keeping my ma and pa company while I'm out adventuring and my sister is fighting for the Empire. How about your ma?" 

Aye, it's good to see family, and bad to be apart too long, Fray replies warmly.  My ma's doing fine, she's not as active as she used to be, but my brother and I look after her now that she's living in town with me.  I'll be glad when this war is done, but grateful I'm not on the front lines.  Load of...  she seems to catch herself before saying something she shouldn't, and shrugs, slightly embarassed.  Anyways, best be off.  You lot ready?  she calls over to the civilians.

Silent, as you offer to help, there is a flurry of activity as a small wall of halfling hands, bodies and words seek to interpose themselves between the lumbering half-orc biggun and their carefully-wrought rope fastenings.  No, sir, thank you kindly, we've got everything in hand, you can trust us.  You are gently led several feet away from the wagons where you cannot do any damage.  Ready, one of the halfings calls back in response to Fray's question.

And off you go.

The red dots mark your planned route.  You'll be heading east from Felderwin along country roads, past the Felderwin Woods and through farmland until you reach the main road between Bladegarden and Talonstadt, then turning north to Bladegarden.  The wagons move more slowly than you would normally travel, so you expect to move 3-4 dots along the way each day, and reach your destination in about twelve days.

On your way out of Felderwin, please each make a Perception check.

I'm hoping we won't have too much trouble, Captain Fray says as she rides next to you.  From what I hear, the war's far away, but there's always things coming down from the mountains, even in the best of times, and now I think something's stirring them up.  Lots of minor problems here and there.  Maybe the enemy's making trouble for us.  I don't know.  In any case, stay close and vigilant, and we'll be in a tavern in Bladegarden in no time.

You ride past empty farmland, harvest being well and truly done by now.  The road takes you through a few villages, and people greet you and wave you on with their typical friendly manner.  You encounter no trouble and make camp at the end of the day.

Please give me a watch order for the three of you (first, second and third), and each roll a Perception check, with advantage because one of the Crownsguard will be sharing watch duties with you.

11

(You are the blue dot.)

Perception on the way out of Felderwin: 14 

Silent offers to take the first watch. 

Perception 19  

While leaving Felderwin, Perception: 11

As they camp Alton will provide some entertainment by telling the story of his first adventure. Where he and his friends tracked down an escaped criminal in Hupperdook and defeated her. The story might sound a bit more embellished than the last time. He will also offer to take up the second watch .
Perception: 21

Balassar just nods understanding that he has the last watch.

OOC:

While Leaving: 22

On Watch: 21

I'm not able to see those rolls.  Could you please edit the post, or make new rolls below?

Edited