OOC: I'd like to get some confirmation from Smoke, Rogram and Thia that there are no remaining discussion to be had with Leosin or the prisoners before moving us forward.
Smoke will react to the information on the nursery. More chromatic dragonshe says Thats bad news.. bad news indeed.
Imagine multiple dragons like Lennithon roaming the land. Perhaps enough to actually summon Tiamat.
Smoke paces around for some time before laying down on his bed. Trying to get some rest but finding it difficult to get much sleep. Smoke will try to rest untill his watch begins.
Rogram is still pouting and says he'll take first watch. He has a long imaginary (and silent) conversation with his mother about the predicament his father has found himself in and what Rogram's obligation is. Unresolved and still feeling helpless and frustrated, when it's the next person's turn at watch, the half-dwarf lies down and falls asleep easily enough, but is fraught by troubling dreams.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM Screen:
14
Sleep comes in fits throughout the night, even for the weary prisoners. For the first few hours, Thia can hear a distant shout or phrase carried on the wind into the small encampment, but as the black of night gives way to brighter skies, the relief of silence finally arrives. The morning is quiet enough that a last watch proves unnecessary. Leosin, despite his injuries, is awake early and meditating a few dozen feet from the others.
OOC: Characters have each gained the benefits of a long rest. Removed 1 day of rations from each character's inventory. It is up to the party whether any rations are given to the eight prisoners and Leosin, or whether they will carry a level of exhaustion into the next day.
For rescuing Leosin, each character has received 250 XP. For bringing eight prisoners out of the camp alive, each character has received 200 XP. In addition, each character has earned 25 XP for learning each of the following pieces of information on your own, before speaking with Leosin:
This is a camp of the Cult of the Dragon.
The camp is fed by hunters who bring in large game from the grasslands. The cultists eat most of it, but some is taken into the large cave in the back of the camp.
Prisoners are used for manual labor, and are overworked and undernourished.
Each step toward Greenest seems to lighten the mood. By the time the plateau is out of sight, the dwarves are in high spirits, chatting at length with their former fellow captives. Through the course of the conversation, it becomes clear that three of the prisoners are not even from Greenest, but from earlier raids against hamlets and small farming villages to the south and east. The day is calm, and quiet. Clouds cover the sky, but the sun peeks behind them on occasion, warming the afternoon and evening. The sun is still a couple hours away from setting, however, when the comforting sight of Greneest's keep emerges on the horizon.
OOC: Feel free to include your character's feelings and activities during travel, as well as any conversation they would like to have, in your next post. We have returned to Greenest! Where is the party heading first?
Thia's mood brightens as the group approach civilization. Never one to be comfortable in the wilds, her bookish nature rebels against rough living and a lack of access to reading material. How long till I get to return to a nice library with a warm fire? I don't think I'll be lucky enough to find one here in Greenest, even with the village no longer under siege. And what in the Nine Hells has happened to Talis? I need to start focusing on her, and stop getting too distracted. Still, hopefully this place has a decent inn with a good bottle of red and a chance to restock some apples. She subconsciously twirls a stray lock over one upswept ear as she marches on, listening to the banter of the dwarves and enjoying the warm sun on her upturned face.Perhaps things will settle down now and Talis will be waiting for me in the inn...
Rogram will share rations with anyone who needs one up to the nine he has left.
The next morning, Rogram seems resolved, though slightly frustrated by it. His voice is calm, and his words are positive, but he has a lingering crease between his thick eyebrows. He sits with his family and chats quietly about their experience since the raid, what the new day might bring, and how good it will be to get back to Greenest. When Dorgol asks about the caravan trip and how it went, Rogram is caught off guard. That seems like forever ago! The half-dwarf's partial scowl disappears as he thinks back to the days on the road and how he had actually dreaded returning to his father's side at the forge. How selfish he had been. How ungrateful. How short sided and ignorant. "They were good," he finally says, feeling ashamed. When Daniel puts her hand on his arm, he looks at her and shakes his head. "I've been such an idiot. I wanted to be my own man, and I forgot to be thankful." Turning to his uncle, he continues, "You and Pa lost your family. Then Pa lost Mom. I'm not sure what I really wanted, but I know now. I'm going to get you all back home and then convince ... no, demand Nighthill to give me an army so I can go back and rescue Pa."
On the journey, Rogram takes his usual place at the rear of the group, trying to keep an eye on their flank. He also continues to work on his swordplay and trying to get used to wearing a shield. He makes a crazy discovery! While he has grown up using his right hand as his dominant hand, he happens to realize he can put a little more power behind his swing if he holds his longsword in his left hand only. Maneuvers he has tried to master also come more easily when holding his sword in his left hand. Huzzah!
Yevele will be willing to share her last ration with anyone who needs food.
Catching glances of Rogram practicing with his sword, Yevele felt a slight pang of jealousy. When she left her monastery to come to the aid of Leosin, the young woman had enquired about getting a sword to aid her in the quest. But Rirvis, the weapons master, had been clear 'You haven't earned your sword yet. When you earn your sword, I will be more than happy to give you one.' Yevele wondered if she had done enough to earn one yet. But, no other monk had seen her feats yet. Would they believe her?
As the monk started thinking about the monastery, her thoughts went to her friend Davice Proudfoot. Yevele hoped the halfling was doing well. And, was she learning how to make bows and arrows now? Miakrana had promised to show them how to make their own bow and arrows, something Yevele had been looking forward to. But, it might be awhile before she returned to House of the New Moon. The young woman had promised to help Rogram find and rescue his father, and, Leosin clearly wasn't finished with investigating the Cult of the Dragon. She was already committed to helping him in that quest.
Once they arrive back near Greenest, Yevele looks around, somewhat startled at how quickly they got back here. Looking back at the others in the group, she says "We probably should go check in with the Governor. I'm sure he will want us to provide him an update on our findings as soon as possible. Will he still be in the keep? And, the healers there can look after anyone who was injured at the camp."
In the morning Smoke will gladly share his food with those in need.
During the journey he will be in the middle trying to make small talk with the former prisoners to keep their minds of what might be behind them. He tries to keep an eye on what could be behind him but often glances into the air. Unsure if he might see a blue form in the distance.
Thinking about the information they gathered and received from Leosin he takes out the lock of hair in his bag when he feels their safe. Pondering upon what the cult might be planning next and what role he could play to stop them.
Focussing on finishing their current task Smoke turns to lift the spirits of the prisoners with talks of food and ale waiting for them in town. He wont tell a grand tale but instead keep things short almost on automatic pilot. Only his companions might know him long enough to see he is a bit distracted and has other things on his mind.
If it weren't for the occasional fire-scarred building, one might think the siege of Greenest had never taken place. Life in the quiet town seems to be largely back to normal. Farmhands work the fields outside of Greenest proper, while inside the men and women of the town move about on daily chores and errands.
The party's procession of rescued prisoners quickly disrupts this, however, thanks in no small part to the drinking song that Dorgol and Daniel start belting as the keep draws nearer. A small crowd of twenty or thirty villagers has gathered behind you by the time you reach the keep gates. "Well I'll be..." Escobert the Red, the dwarven castellan of the keep, exhales from the ramparts. "Open 'em up! Fetch the governor!" he barks out. The gates are quickly opened, allowing access to the inner courtyard, which seems much more spacious without the bulk of the town huddled within it.
"Roderick!" A cry arises from the crowd behind you as a woman pushes forward into the courtyard. One of the men rescued from the camp, eyes welling with tears, drops to his knees with her as she dashes forward and wraps him in a hug.
"Get them to the infirmary as quickly as possible. Miria will tend to them," the voice of Governor Nighthill commands as he emerges from the keep's tower. The man still looks beleaguered and weary, but the bandage on his head has been removed and he somehow manages to look dignified more than disheveled as he addresses the party.
"It pleases me to see your safe return, and the return of some we may have thought lost," he says. Most of the rescued are escorted into the infirmary, though the dwarves stubbornly push away the guards that attempt to usher them inside. The governor is interrupted by a shout from the crowd. Three humans wearing similar garb to Leosin rush forward to him, holding him up as much as hugging him. The half-elf limps with them into the infirmary, then the governor addresses the party again, "Come with me to the tower. You can rest your legs while you tell me your findings."
When they get to the tower, Yevele will step up and say "We found the answers to some of your questions, but, not all of them. We found their camp. It is located in a canyon on a plateau south of here. They have a large army there, with around 40 tents present in the camp. Their leaders consist of a half-black dragon called Rezmir and Cyanwrath, another half-dragon. She is the one who fought Thrax the night the siege took place. They were apparently here to get loot, but, we don't know where they plan on striking next. They are a dragon cult, and Smoke thinks they may want to bring back Tiamat. Some of the people who came back with us may have more information. Did I miss anything?" Yevele asks as she looks around at her companions.
OOC I got the 40 tents from the map, but, I don't know if the number of tents depicted on the map is accurate.
"Governor Nighthill," Rogram says, looking determined, and ready to get right to the point. "They still have my father. Perhaps other prisoners. Allow me to take an army back with me to lay waste to their camp and end them where they sleep."
Thia stops what she is doing and her head raises up to regard Rogram at his forthright request. She looks from him to the governor, clearly curious to know what his response will be.
Hearing Yevele's answers Smoke will add Do not forget about the dragon eggs. Leosin mentioned Rezmir plans to hatch dragon eggs.
With Rogram requesting an army Smoke looks around seeing whats left after the last siege. They attacked many towns for not just treasure. Strong prisoners are kept as workers. The ones we brought back are likely but a fraction.
The governor sits as he takes the information in, digesting it all carefully before responding.
"This is much bigger than I had hoped," he mutters. His hands return to rubbing his temples as he thinks. "Our guards are not an army, Rogram. Escobert has trained them well, but they are trained to defend this town and its keep, not for war." He sighs, clearly not pleased with his own answer. "I have already sent word to Baldur's Gate. I will send another follow-up today. If we are to get an army, it will come from them."
"You are all exhausted," he says as a matter of fact. "Take the day to rest, once you have provided me all of the details. This battle will not be won in a day, and you have done well. I promised you payment for your information, and you will have it."
"What can we tell you? I think a military attack on the canyon would be quite effective. Because of the shape of the canyon, an army could march up to the mouth and establish temporary barricades to keep the horde in the canyon, while archers come from the opposite direction and pick off the army fairly easily." Yevele will quietly wait for questions from the governor and answer them to the best of her ability.
Smoke ponders after hearing the governor's question. What else can we tell.. ask away..he says
He paces a bit mumbling We dispatched a trailing group and defeated a rear guard that was lurking in the hills.
Taking a few more steps, the camp we covered.. to little time to get to know.. he stops himself turning to the governor and waiting on his questions before rambling on.
OOC: Governor Nighthill will bring in a scribe to take detailed notes on everything that you are willing to tell him. We don't have to RP every detail because I want to keep us moving, but do let me know if there is anything you would like to exclude. Otherwise I'll assume you bring him fully up to speed.
At this point it seems like nobody is outright objecting to taking Nighthill's advice and resting. This can be an opportunity for the party to freely RP with one another if you would like. Everyone has a reason for coming to Greenest, and this is the first true moment of downtime that the party has had. Greenest has a small inn in town, or the party could stay in quarters at the keep as well (not to mention Rogram's family home) so I will leave it in your hands before I set the scene.
Once you have had a chance to RP, or if you would like me to simply advance us forward, let me know if there is any Adventuring Gear, weapons, or armor that you would like to purchase now that you are back in town.
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OOC: I'd like to get some confirmation from Smoke, Rogram and Thia that there are no remaining discussion to be had with Leosin or the prisoners before moving us forward.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OOC: Thia is done and ready for bed/watch duties.
My Author Page: www.peterjblake.com
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour, Okoth's War and Callindrill
Smoke will react to the information on the nursery. More chromatic dragons he says Thats bad news.. bad news indeed.
Imagine multiple dragons like Lennithon roaming the land. Perhaps enough to actually summon Tiamat.
Smoke paces around for some time before laying down on his bed. Trying to get some rest but finding it difficult to get much sleep. Smoke will try to rest untill his watch begins.
Rogram is still pouting and says he'll take first watch. He has a long imaginary (and silent) conversation with his mother about the predicament his father has found himself in and what Rogram's obligation is. Unresolved and still feeling helpless and frustrated, when it's the next person's turn at watch, the half-dwarf lies down and falls asleep easily enough, but is fraught by troubling dreams.
DM Screen:
14
Sleep comes in fits throughout the night, even for the weary prisoners. For the first few hours, Thia can hear a distant shout or phrase carried on the wind into the small encampment, but as the black of night gives way to brighter skies, the relief of silence finally arrives. The morning is quiet enough that a last watch proves unnecessary. Leosin, despite his injuries, is awake early and meditating a few dozen feet from the others.
OOC: Characters have each gained the benefits of a long rest. Removed 1 day of rations from each character's inventory. It is up to the party whether any rations are given to the eight prisoners and Leosin, or whether they will carry a level of exhaustion into the next day.
For rescuing Leosin, each character has received 250 XP. For bringing eight prisoners out of the camp alive, each character has received 200 XP. In addition, each character has earned 25 XP for learning each of the following pieces of information on your own, before speaking with Leosin:
Each step toward Greenest seems to lighten the mood. By the time the plateau is out of sight, the dwarves are in high spirits, chatting at length with their former fellow captives. Through the course of the conversation, it becomes clear that three of the prisoners are not even from Greenest, but from earlier raids against hamlets and small farming villages to the south and east. The day is calm, and quiet. Clouds cover the sky, but the sun peeks behind them on occasion, warming the afternoon and evening. The sun is still a couple hours away from setting, however, when the comforting sight of Greneest's keep emerges on the horizon.
OOC: Feel free to include your character's feelings and activities during travel, as well as any conversation they would like to have, in your next post. We have returned to Greenest! Where is the party heading first?
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Thia's mood brightens as the group approach civilization. Never one to be comfortable in the wilds, her bookish nature rebels against rough living and a lack of access to reading material. How long till I get to return to a nice library with a warm fire? I don't think I'll be lucky enough to find one here in Greenest, even with the village no longer under siege. And what in the Nine Hells has happened to Talis? I need to start focusing on her, and stop getting too distracted. Still, hopefully this place has a decent inn with a good bottle of red and a chance to restock some apples. She subconsciously twirls a stray lock over one upswept ear as she marches on, listening to the banter of the dwarves and enjoying the warm sun on her upturned face. Perhaps things will settle down now and Talis will be waiting for me in the inn...
My Author Page: www.peterjblake.com
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour, Okoth's War and Callindrill
Rogram will share rations with anyone who needs one up to the nine he has left.
The next morning, Rogram seems resolved, though slightly frustrated by it. His voice is calm, and his words are positive, but he has a lingering crease between his thick eyebrows. He sits with his family and chats quietly about their experience since the raid, what the new day might bring, and how good it will be to get back to Greenest. When Dorgol asks about the caravan trip and how it went, Rogram is caught off guard. That seems like forever ago! The half-dwarf's partial scowl disappears as he thinks back to the days on the road and how he had actually dreaded returning to his father's side at the forge. How selfish he had been. How ungrateful. How short sided and ignorant. "They were good," he finally says, feeling ashamed. When Daniel puts her hand on his arm, he looks at her and shakes his head. "I've been such an idiot. I wanted to be my own man, and I forgot to be thankful." Turning to his uncle, he continues, "You and Pa lost your family. Then Pa lost Mom. I'm not sure what I really wanted, but I know now. I'm going to get you all back home and then convince ... no, demand Nighthill to give me an army so I can go back and rescue Pa."
On the journey, Rogram takes his usual place at the rear of the group, trying to keep an eye on their flank. He also continues to work on his swordplay and trying to get used to wearing a shield. He makes a crazy discovery! While he has grown up using his right hand as his dominant hand, he happens to realize he can put a little more power behind his swing if he holds his longsword in his left hand only. Maneuvers he has tried to master also come more easily when holding his sword in his left hand. Huzzah!
Yevele will be willing to share her last ration with anyone who needs food.
Catching glances of Rogram practicing with his sword, Yevele felt a slight pang of jealousy. When she left her monastery to come to the aid of Leosin, the young woman had enquired about getting a sword to aid her in the quest. But Rirvis, the weapons master, had been clear 'You haven't earned your sword yet. When you earn your sword, I will be more than happy to give you one.' Yevele wondered if she had done enough to earn one yet. But, no other monk had seen her feats yet. Would they believe her?
As the monk started thinking about the monastery, her thoughts went to her friend Davice Proudfoot. Yevele hoped the halfling was doing well. And, was she learning how to make bows and arrows now? Miakrana had promised to show them how to make their own bow and arrows, something Yevele had been looking forward to. But, it might be awhile before she returned to House of the New Moon. The young woman had promised to help Rogram find and rescue his father, and, Leosin clearly wasn't finished with investigating the Cult of the Dragon. She was already committed to helping him in that quest.
Once they arrive back near Greenest, Yevele looks around, somewhat startled at how quickly they got back here. Looking back at the others in the group, she says "We probably should go check in with the Governor. I'm sure he will want us to provide him an update on our findings as soon as possible. Will he still be in the keep? And, the healers there can look after anyone who was injured at the camp."
In the morning Smoke will gladly share his food with those in need.
During the journey he will be in the middle trying to make small talk with the former prisoners to keep their minds of what might be behind them. He tries to keep an eye on what could be behind him but often glances into the air. Unsure if he might see a blue form in the distance.
Thinking about the information they gathered and received from Leosin he takes out the lock of hair in his bag when he feels their safe. Pondering upon what the cult might be planning next and what role he could play to stop them.
Focussing on finishing their current task Smoke turns to lift the spirits of the prisoners with talks of food and ale waiting for them in town. He wont tell a grand tale but instead keep things short almost on automatic pilot. Only his companions might know him long enough to see he is a bit distracted and has other things on his mind.
If it weren't for the occasional fire-scarred building, one might think the siege of Greenest had never taken place. Life in the quiet town seems to be largely back to normal. Farmhands work the fields outside of Greenest proper, while inside the men and women of the town move about on daily chores and errands.
The party's procession of rescued prisoners quickly disrupts this, however, thanks in no small part to the drinking song that Dorgol and Daniel start belting as the keep draws nearer. A small crowd of twenty or thirty villagers has gathered behind you by the time you reach the keep gates. "Well I'll be..." Escobert the Red, the dwarven castellan of the keep, exhales from the ramparts. "Open 'em up! Fetch the governor!" he barks out. The gates are quickly opened, allowing access to the inner courtyard, which seems much more spacious without the bulk of the town huddled within it.
"Roderick!" A cry arises from the crowd behind you as a woman pushes forward into the courtyard. One of the men rescued from the camp, eyes welling with tears, drops to his knees with her as she dashes forward and wraps him in a hug.
"Get them to the infirmary as quickly as possible. Miria will tend to them," the voice of Governor Nighthill commands as he emerges from the keep's tower. The man still looks beleaguered and weary, but the bandage on his head has been removed and he somehow manages to look dignified more than disheveled as he addresses the party.
"It pleases me to see your safe return, and the return of some we may have thought lost," he says. Most of the rescued are escorted into the infirmary, though the dwarves stubbornly push away the guards that attempt to usher them inside. The governor is interrupted by a shout from the crowd. Three humans wearing similar garb to Leosin rush forward to him, holding him up as much as hugging him. The half-elf limps with them into the infirmary, then the governor addresses the party again, "Come with me to the tower. You can rest your legs while you tell me your findings."
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When they get to the tower, Yevele will step up and say "We found the answers to some of your questions, but, not all of them. We found their camp. It is located in a canyon on a plateau south of here. They have a large army there, with around 40 tents present in the camp. Their leaders consist of a half-black dragon called Rezmir and Cyanwrath, another half-dragon. She is the one who fought Thrax the night the siege took place. They were apparently here to get loot, but, we don't know where they plan on striking next. They are a dragon cult, and Smoke thinks they may want to bring back Tiamat. Some of the people who came back with us may have more information. Did I miss anything?" Yevele asks as she looks around at her companions.
OOC I got the 40 tents from the map, but, I don't know if the number of tents depicted on the map is accurate.
Thia absently looks around for any apples or books in the room they've been ushered into, only half-listening to Yevele's recounting the tale.
My Author Page: www.peterjblake.com
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour, Okoth's War and Callindrill
"Governor Nighthill," Rogram says, looking determined, and ready to get right to the point. "They still have my father. Perhaps other prisoners. Allow me to take an army back with me to lay waste to their camp and end them where they sleep."
Thia stops what she is doing and her head raises up to regard Rogram at his forthright request. She looks from him to the governor, clearly curious to know what his response will be.
My Author Page: www.peterjblake.com
Novels Published: Reynard's Fate, Kita's Honour, Okoth's War and Callindrill
Hearing Yevele's answers Smoke will add Do not forget about the dragon eggs. Leosin mentioned Rezmir plans to hatch dragon eggs.
With Rogram requesting an army Smoke looks around seeing whats left after the last siege. They attacked many towns for not just treasure. Strong prisoners are kept as workers. The ones we brought back are likely but a fraction.
The governor sits as he takes the information in, digesting it all carefully before responding.
"This is much bigger than I had hoped," he mutters. His hands return to rubbing his temples as he thinks. "Our guards are not an army, Rogram. Escobert has trained them well, but they are trained to defend this town and its keep, not for war." He sighs, clearly not pleased with his own answer. "I have already sent word to Baldur's Gate. I will send another follow-up today. If we are to get an army, it will come from them."
"You are all exhausted," he says as a matter of fact. "Take the day to rest, once you have provided me all of the details. This battle will not be won in a day, and you have done well. I promised you payment for your information, and you will have it."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"What can we tell you? I think a military attack on the canyon would be quite effective. Because of the shape of the canyon, an army could march up to the mouth and establish temporary barricades to keep the horde in the canyon, while archers come from the opposite direction and pick off the army fairly easily." Yevele will quietly wait for questions from the governor and answer them to the best of her ability.
Rogram's brow furrows, clearly not happy with the governor's response, but can't reason any way to argue, so he's left to pout silently once again.
Smoke ponders after hearing the governor's question. What else can we tell.. ask away.. he says
He paces a bit mumbling We dispatched a trailing group and defeated a rear guard that was lurking in the hills.
Taking a few more steps, the camp we covered.. to little time to get to know.. he stops himself turning to the governor and waiting on his questions before rambling on.
OOC: Governor Nighthill will bring in a scribe to take detailed notes on everything that you are willing to tell him. We don't have to RP every detail because I want to keep us moving, but do let me know if there is anything you would like to exclude. Otherwise I'll assume you bring him fully up to speed.
At this point it seems like nobody is outright objecting to taking Nighthill's advice and resting. This can be an opportunity for the party to freely RP with one another if you would like. Everyone has a reason for coming to Greenest, and this is the first true moment of downtime that the party has had. Greenest has a small inn in town, or the party could stay in quarters at the keep as well (not to mention Rogram's family home) so I will leave it in your hands before I set the scene.
Once you have had a chance to RP, or if you would like me to simply advance us forward, let me know if there is any Adventuring Gear, weapons, or armor that you would like to purchase now that you are back in town.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!