You get a wagon, and two draft horses to pull it. Soon you are following the trail the invaders left, having no trouble as you travel out across the hills of this land.
A young man walks towards you, limping heavily on his bandaged left leg. “I have been following the raiders, hoping to see where they’ve gone, but I can go no further...I’d like nothing better than to come with you, but in this condition, I’d slow you down. In the midst of all this tragedy, there’s no reason you would have heard about the fate of my master, Leosin Erlanthar, but it’s important you know. He is a monk from Berdusk. He disappeared last night, after we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore.”
The monk’s name is Nesim Waladra. After introductions are made, he continues.
“Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months. I fear that he might have tried to infiltrate their group when they retreated, or worse, was captured and carried away as a prisoner. No one understands these bandits better than he does, and his knowledge will be invaluable against them. When you find their camp, please look for any sign that Leosin is there. One of my brothers has already departed for Berdusk to bring back help, but it will be many days before help arrives. Anything you can do before then would be a godsend.”
Nesim answers the characters’ questions to the best of his ability, but he also urges them to move quickly. The monks were returning to Berdusk from the great library at Candlekeep, where Leosin was consulting the librarians and researching ancient writings on dragon folklore. Dragon cults are his special interest.
The broken staff is nothing special. The choker is a braided leather neckband with a silver dragon design chased into the leather. The ends are ragged, as if it was roughly torn off.
Taviel listen a touch feverish speech of the monk as patiently as she could master - the man has been through a lot and she was not devoid of all compassion. When he finally finished and stopped to take a breath, she smiled with concern and only mentioned one thing: "You would not slow us down a bit if you ride in the wagon. Yet, if you are with us, you could guide us better and recognise your lost master. Still, if you thing that half a mile to the town is better than riding in a wagon, at least have some water before you go."
Toc nods to Germain, "Thank you to you and your familiar for scouting for us."
Toc thinks about Taviel's comment regarding horses, "We should ride for now, especially if we're bringing a wagon. But yes, you're right, when we think we're getting close to something, we should leave them and the wagon with Nodwick."
After the group discusses with Nesim, Toc nods to Leosin, "We will keep an eye out for Leosin and do what we can." Toc asks for a physical description of the monk so that they have a chance to recognize him. Regardless of wether he accompanies them in the wagon, or limps back to town Toc speaks up as they continue on their way, "It would seem we've wandered into something larger here than a simple raid. Monks that specialize in this dragon cult. It would seem this cult is up to something significant if they're raiding in the open like this. Plus to have drakes and blue dragons on their side. They will bring down the wrath of the might of Baldur's gate, not to mention Amn and Waterdeep if they so openly begin terrorizing the countryside like this. Curiouser and curiouser what their aims could be. Let us proceed with caution friends."
He looks to the road as the group continues pursuit of the cult forces.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"We will keep an eye out for this monk." Valen confirms the words of his companions. Once they set out again, he would walk along next to the wagon, his glaive being used as a walking staff still.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Naroth nods at the man and then follows along behind the group, now actively keeping a watch out for anything amiss. Thinking, I will do anything I can to save these villages from the same fate that my village witnessed.
The monk says he will continue on to Greenest and await his fellows there.
The trail leads south about twelve miles, to a more rugged region where steep-sided, rocky plateaus replace the gently rolling hills. The land between the plateaus is largely flat, broken only by outcroppings and wandering streams in steep-sided gullies. The plateaus jut fifty to one hundred feet above their surroundings and are difficult to climb except where rock falls and subsidence created natural ramps. The crumbling sides of the plateaus are dotted with caves and tumbled boulder fields.
As you travel along you spot what has to be a cooking fire's smoke from several miles away. It is along the course the raiders appear to ahve taken, but is only a very small campfire from what you can tell at this distance.
Toc turns to the group, "I suggest we proceed until we're a mile out. Then we can reassess. Likely approach by foot and in stealth. I would suggest any of your lovely flying familiars could do some scouting for us at that distance as well. In the meantime, I think keeping them in the air above us, and above these cliffs would be smart. This is an ideal ambush location for a flying creature."
Toc repositions the quiver of arrows hanging under his arm and loosens his bow ensuring he has easy access. He rides ahead of the wagon twenty feet ensuring the group isn't a big clump, suggesting to others that they ride or walk in a staggered pattern.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Germain will return to the wagon with Vilrana and take a short nap in the back of it so as to be rested when they arrive, just in case scouting lasts into the night.
"Nissa is not a familiar," in case it was not clear before explained Taviel stroking snakes scale. "And sad I am you are not, sweetie!" she kissed the snake. "She can fight a bit, but not scout."
"Don't you think that smoke is too small for an army?" Taviel kept just a bit ahead of the wagon as to avoid dust clouds raised by the wheels.
Germain will laugh a bit at the familiar comment, “If anything, I am Vilrana’s familiar, not the other way around,” the pseudodragon perched on his shoulder will nod emphatically.
When they stop, Germain will hop out of the wagon and move forward with Vilrana flying close to help.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
I would assume we followed Toc's advice: in a mile from the smoke wagon and horses are left for Nodwick to watch for, and we all are go on foot, relatively stealthy.
Perception: 6
Stealth: 6
Taviel warned she was not exactly stealthy. But should others be concealed, a lone figure on the road should not alarm anyone, dragon or not.
Naroth advances slowly about 20' form the rest attempting to sneak through his surroundings to get a look at the camp and see if he can find any tracks that lead to or away from the camp.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Toc nods in satisfaction as the group dismounts. He hands Felix's reigns to Nodwick, giving the horse a rub on his neck. He whispers in elven into his ear which twitches to listen. He then turns, adjusting his gear once more, ensuring the arrows are secured and the bow is tight to his body, he follows Taviel, hoping Valen stays with the two of them as well, letting Naroth and Germain advance further ahead of them. As they go he points out to Taviel, "If you would like some advice on stealth, I can provide some. If not...that is fine too, we two will remain behind the scouts so as not to ruin their approach."
Taviel could not help but to smile - Toc did blended a little bit better to the background but it could be as well due to his clothes. "Are you sure your advice will help? It's Ok, some of us are meant to stand out. Eventually you get used to it"
You get a wagon, and two draft horses to pull it. Soon you are following the trail the invaders left, having no trouble as you travel out across the hills of this land.
When you are about a half-mile from the town...
A young man walks towards you, limping heavily on his bandaged left leg. “I have been following the raiders, hoping to see where they’ve gone, but I can go no further...I’d like nothing better than to come with you, but in this condition, I’d slow you down. In the midst of all this tragedy, there’s no reason you would have heard about the fate of my master, Leosin Erlanthar, but it’s important you know. He is a monk from Berdusk. He disappeared last night, after we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore.”
The monk’s name is Nesim Waladra. After introductions are made, he continues.
“Leosin has been investigating these raiders for months. I fear that he might have tried to infiltrate their group when they retreated, or worse, was captured and carried away as a prisoner. No one understands these bandits better than he does, and his knowledge will be invaluable against them. When you find their camp, please look for any sign that Leosin is there. One of my brothers has already departed for Berdusk to bring back help, but it will be many days before help arrives. Anything you can do before then would be a godsend.”
Nesim answers the characters’ questions to the best of his ability, but he also urges them to move quickly. The monks were returning to Berdusk from the great library at Candlekeep, where Leosin was consulting the librarians and researching ancient writings on dragon folklore. Dragon cults are his special interest.
The broken staff is nothing special. The choker is a braided leather neckband with a silver dragon design chased into the leather. The ends are ragged, as if it was roughly torn off.
Taviel listen a touch feverish speech of the monk as patiently as she could master - the man has been through a lot and she was not devoid of all compassion. When he finally finished and stopped to take a breath, she smiled with concern and only mentioned one thing: "You would not slow us down a bit if you ride in the wagon. Yet, if you are with us, you could guide us better and recognise your lost master. Still, if you thing that half a mile to the town is better than riding in a wagon, at least have some water before you go."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Toc nods to Germain, "Thank you to you and your familiar for scouting for us."
Toc thinks about Taviel's comment regarding horses, "We should ride for now, especially if we're bringing a wagon. But yes, you're right, when we think we're getting close to something, we should leave them and the wagon with Nodwick."
After the group discusses with Nesim, Toc nods to Leosin, "We will keep an eye out for Leosin and do what we can." Toc asks for a physical description of the monk so that they have a chance to recognize him. Regardless of wether he accompanies them in the wagon, or limps back to town Toc speaks up as they continue on their way, "It would seem we've wandered into something larger here than a simple raid. Monks that specialize in this dragon cult. It would seem this cult is up to something significant if they're raiding in the open like this. Plus to have drakes and blue dragons on their side. They will bring down the wrath of the might of Baldur's gate, not to mention Amn and Waterdeep if they so openly begin terrorizing the countryside like this. Curiouser and curiouser what their aims could be. Let us proceed with caution friends."
He looks to the road as the group continues pursuit of the cult forces.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"We will keep an eye out for this monk." Valen confirms the words of his companions. Once they set out again, he would walk along next to the wagon, his glaive being used as a walking staff still.
Naroth nods at the man and then follows along behind the group, now actively keeping a watch out for anything amiss. Thinking, I will do anything I can to save these villages from the same fate that my village witnessed.
Perception: 22
If the monk agrees to ride in the wagon, Germain will climb in and examine his wound, if not, he'll continue to scout ahead.
Medicine: 11
Stealth: 10
The monk says he will continue on to Greenest and await his fellows there.
The trail leads south about twelve miles, to a more rugged region where steep-sided, rocky plateaus replace the gently rolling hills. The land between the plateaus is largely flat, broken only by outcroppings and wandering streams in steep-sided gullies. The plateaus jut fifty to one hundred feet above their surroundings and are difficult to climb except where rock falls and subsidence created natural ramps. The crumbling sides of the plateaus are dotted with caves and tumbled boulder fields.
As you travel along you spot what has to be a cooking fire's smoke from several miles away. It is along the course the raiders appear to ahve taken, but is only a very small campfire from what you can tell at this distance.
Toc turns to the group, "I suggest we proceed until we're a mile out. Then we can reassess. Likely approach by foot and in stealth. I would suggest any of your lovely flying familiars could do some scouting for us at that distance as well. In the meantime, I think keeping them in the air above us, and above these cliffs would be smart. This is an ideal ambush location for a flying creature."
Toc repositions the quiver of arrows hanging under his arm and loosens his bow ensuring he has easy access. He rides ahead of the wagon twenty feet ensuring the group isn't a big clump, suggesting to others that they ride or walk in a staggered pattern.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Naroth moves a bit farther away from the wagon so as to not make a juicy clumped up target.
Germain will return to the wagon with Vilrana and take a short nap in the back of it so as to be rested when they arrive, just in case scouting lasts into the night.
"Nissa is not a familiar," in case it was not clear before explained Taviel stroking snakes scale. "And sad I am you are not, sweetie!" she kissed the snake. "She can fight a bit, but not scout."
"Don't you think that smoke is too small for an army?" Taviel kept just a bit ahead of the wagon as to avoid dust clouds raised by the wheels.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Agreed." Valen says. "An army's fires would be much bigger. He continues walking next to the wagon.
You get closer to the single plume of smoke rising into the afternoon sky. When you are about a mile out you pause.
Let me know how you approach the fire, and if you send a scout, flying or otherwise first. Stealth rolls and perception rolls as well.
Germain will laugh a bit at the familiar comment, “If anything, I am Vilrana’s familiar, not the other way around,” the pseudodragon perched on his shoulder will nod emphatically.
When they stop, Germain will hop out of the wagon and move forward with Vilrana flying close to help.
stealth: 21
perception, Vilrana’s: 21
stealth, Vilrana’s: 15
I would assume we followed Toc's advice: in a mile from the smoke wagon and horses are left for Nodwick to watch for, and we all are go on foot, relatively stealthy.
Perception: 6
Stealth: 6
Taviel warned she was not exactly stealthy. But should others be concealed, a lone figure on the road should not alarm anyone, dragon or not.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Naroth advances slowly about 20' form the rest attempting to sneak through his surroundings to get a look at the camp and see if he can find any tracks that lead to or away from the camp.
Stealth: 23
Perception: 18
Survival: 18
Toc nods in satisfaction as the group dismounts. He hands Felix's reigns to Nodwick, giving the horse a rub on his neck. He whispers in elven into his ear which twitches to listen. He then turns, adjusting his gear once more, ensuring the arrows are secured and the bow is tight to his body, he follows Taviel, hoping Valen stays with the two of them as well, letting Naroth and Germain advance further ahead of them. As they go he points out to Taviel, "If you would like some advice on stealth, I can provide some. If not...that is fine too, we two will remain behind the scouts so as not to ruin their approach."
Stealth : 22
Perception : 22
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Taviel could not help but to smile - Toc did blended a little bit better to the background but it could be as well due to his clothes. "Are you sure your advice will help? It's Ok, some of us are meant to stand out. Eventually you get used to it"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Valen attempts to follow the other's lead. he says a short prayer to his god before following the others though.
guidance
Stealth: 11 plus guidance of 1
Perception: 20