Dragon of Icespire Peak - Campaign 1

Setting Up Camp
How far are you moving away from the mine?
Are you just setting up anywhere randomly or will you search for a specific type of area? 
Anyone else taking watch? Dark is taking first watch, Auric middle.
Is Auric still planning to do what he wanted too?

Fetch
Should you Kaemgen, send the twins off, please include your note, direction to them and when you plan to send them off.

Dice
Roll any applicable skills to your role in setting camp, watch and sending word to town. 

Roll Call: All

Auric:

Auric suggests we get at least an hour away from the mine and fine a nice defensible place to camp, and perhaps someone could lay a false trail or something too.  Auric will help with Survival and lighting their way, plus do his own perception to see if they are being followed.

Perception:  19

OOC:  YES!

     At least an hour sounds good.  And we should try to cross a stream or two - try to mess up their tracking that way as well as try to hide our tracks.

     "You say magical or silvered weapons are needed to hurt them?  Do spells work?  Or drowning?  Or fire?" Kaemgen asks... And then remembering the twins adds "Or teeth?"

     Kaemgen would of course take a turn keeping watch and suggest that whoever is on watch stay close to the wolves.  "They're always easy to rouse from sleeping. They may be cranky, but that could only help."

Nature/Survival check to try to cover tracks:  3

Perception check to try to sniff out a waterway to cross to throw off any scent using trackers: 9

     During the night, after camp was set but before drifting off to sleep, Kaemgen would carefully write out the following letter:

Greetings, this note comes to you from a band of warriors running errands for the Townmaster of Phandalin.  In the course of our duties we have learned that the Mountain's Toe Gold Mine has been overrun by hostile were-rats!  It is urgent that this news reach Don-Jon Raskin.  He must be warned before he returns to the mine unprepared.  Our duties do not allow us to return and give this warning ourselves just yet but we send this message with this trustworthy companions in hopes that it reaches the new overseer in town.  Enclosed is a small gratuity for delivering the warning, there shall be more when we return in person. Your faithful servant, Kaemgen McScáth

     The note will be folded and tied around 5 gold pieces.  This packet will then be wrapped in a bit of Kaemgen's cloak that he cuts away, so as to protect the paper from any weather or splashing across waterways...  In the morning, at breakfast (assuming we get there...) the note will the be tied around Castor's neck.  They're the more reliable of the two.  Kaemgen will explain to them both that they need to return to Phandalin and gently and calmly get the attention of someone there.  "Make sure they see this," Kaemgen says slowly and sternly. "Let them take it from you."  Kaemgen will do his best to try to instruct them to get the attention of an adult woman, though he finds trying to explain to the pair what a woman is... difficult.  

     "Adabra!" Kaemgen finally says in a bit of a Eureka! moment.  "Someone who reminds you of Adabra..."  Perhaps I should just send them to her, Kaemgen thinks.  But there may not be time for them to go the extra distance and then for her to...  But she is a resourceful woman.  And the pair are likelier to find her than Phandalin and someone willing to read a note born by a wolf.

     "Nevermind, never mind..." Kaemgen says and unfolds the package and starts over with a new piece of paper.

     Adabra, the note reads this time. I hope the twins find you quickly, but more importantly I hope they find you well.  I would return and check in on you personally if I could but it seems our jobs are not yet exhausted and there is more work to do.  I wish this were but a social letter, and that I was more flowery of word and phrase if it were.  But I need a message delivered and I cannot do it myself and I knew nobody else I could be sure the twins would seek out.  In Phandalin there is a new overseer of the Mountain's Toe gold mine by the name of Don-Jon Raskin.  Last we knew he was looking for an escort to return to the mine.  He must be stopped from returning, if possible.  The mine is overrun. Were-rats.  We would love to clear the place of the vermin but unfortunately lack the proper gear.  If there is any way you could get a message to this Raskin before he heads to the mine you would be saving a life...  But even now it may be too late.  Do what you can, just as I will do all that I can to return for a visit as soon as I can.  Thank you.  The note ends with a single initial:  K

     Refolded and protected and tied around the neck of Castor, Kaemgen will instruct them both:  "Go find Adabra!  Quickly.  As quick as you can.  Adabra.  Protect each other and take care...  And take care of Adabra."

     And with that, Kaemgen will send the two off in the direction of Adabra... He hopes.  Truthfully, he's not that great with directions.  Hopefully the wolves have a better nose for that kind of thing than he does.

Xenophon will take last watch. "I don't know much about magic and enchantin' wolf teeth, Kaemgen, but I don't think that we can put silver on these wolves' fangs. But we definitely need to find some magic weapons or get our weapons silvered. Do we have a bunch of silver that we could melt and cover our weapons with?"

Perception:15

Scott does his best on the groups check away from the mine to confound their trail at Auric and Kaemgen’s suggestion. 

Survival: 18 (if in a grassland an extra +2)

He then does his best with Auric’s kind and reassuring words to find an easily defensible, and easy to withdraw from, campsite should the wererats decide to follow. (I assume a second survival check with advantage from help. If in grassland it would get an extra +2)

Setting up camp/finding a good spot(survival): 21

     “Enchanting teeth is a humorous idea,” says to Xenophon with a chuckle, “I was more just wondering if perhaps natural attacks, animals and such…  Surely even cursed beasts such as they are have some kind of natural predators?”

Mr.Dark nods, "Silvering our weapons is an excellent idea. When we get back to town I shall certainly have a good number of my crossbow bolts silvered for such an occasion." 

Perception for his watch : 7

With Scott’s expertise and Auric assisting him with light and map, the group safely navigates further along their route through the darkness of night. While they lead the front, Kaemgen and twins cover the rear. They proactively cover tracks and make the suggestion to cross a stream instead of follow along it. Although it may not be perfect, it was methodical effort and effective enough to throw off their scent. Only a superior tracker could nose the difference.

In continued care of their defence, the group sets their sights out for a defensive location. And it appeared no one challenged following them either. Finding a bit of high ground with rock at their back and tree cover ahead, the group is able to set up camp. It could be a little cramped with all of you but it’d shield you from any poor weather. 

Taking first watch from seclusion in a tree, Mr. Dark settles in. The air was getting cooler as the moon grew high in the sky. All was silent. Just him and his thoughts. 

Eventually the group breaks their silence and discuss their options ahead. While Kaemgen mused some thoughts out loud, the twins would side eye the man when they’d be accused of being the cranky ones when woken. While discussions continued around silvered and magical weapons their ears would perk. Their teefs? Pollux would go cross eyed trying to look down their snout while pulling back his jowls to try to politely present his pearly whites. Castor would groan placing a paw over his nose as if in embarrassment before correcting his posture and presenting his teeth with a little more grace. Then when Kaemgen would say the Dragonborn was silly for engaging his earlier idea the pair would whine and backpeddal all over Kaemgen’s feet, then sit on them. The pair would lick their chops, chatter their teeth and present them once again to Xeno and Auric.

Second watch eventually comes around. Dark would have nothing to report upon shift change with Auric.

(Kaemgen: All noted. The twins will be sent off come morning.)
(Auric: Your watch begins and as mentioned, you may do what you would like to do.)

Auric:

All is quiet.  The moon rises to its apex and seems to shine with its own silvery radiance, not the pale imitation of the sun’s brilliance.  Auric stares at the silvery orb above, then the golden one in his hands.  First, he sees flecks of silver in his golden orb, then he sees flecks of gold in the moon above!

Staring at the moon in astonishment, Auric gasps aloud as the flecks of gold above coalesce into a tiny, winged figure and detaches itself, descending closer and closer.  As the figure draws nearer, it resolves into a perfect, tiny miniature golden dragon.  Sitting perfectly still, Auric stops breathing as the pseudo dragon alights on his shoulder.  An unfamiliar sensation presses against his psyche, and he hears as clear as a bell in his mind one name…Fuego.

((Oh, just a familiar... I thought Auric was totally going to kill us all in our sleep...))

Dragon and psudodragon alike roamed the skies that night, though Auric only had his eyes set on one. He welcomes a new member to the team during his watch.

The night continues on quietly, presenting no threats. Watches change. Individuals come and go, trading off their turns. Darkness eventually begins giving way to light. The crisp morning air brings with it a light low fog on the ground. And when you would expect to see the vibrant sun breaking the horizon, it never gained the opportunity to present itself. Instead the day was presenting to be overcast and gloomy.

Xeno having taken final watch would have nothing to report to the waking group.

Having settled on his letter, Kaemgen prepared Castor and Pollux for delivery. The twins sit ready for confirmation.

     In the morning, around the note writing, discarding and rewriting, Kaemgen would occasionally ask Auric this or that about their new, tiny companion.  Simple open ended type questions like "Where'd this one come from?" and "Is it friendly?" and such.  He'd not try to be overly prying but was naturally curious about the new (to him) creature.  

     "Friend," Kaemgen would say to Castor and Pollux while he saw them looking at the winged thing.  "Not food!  Be nice..."

     As breakfast came and went and the day truly started starting, Kaemgen would know the time had come to send the wolves on with their message.  Giving the twins much scratches and pats and encouragement, Kaemgen gives another look at the others in the little band of adventurers he's become a part of.  "We are still on to the Butterskull Ranch then?  Our plans have not changed?  Need to know where to tell these two to find us again..." Kaemgen says, continuing to give the wolves some roughhouse pushes and shoves.  Assuming no change in plans, Kaemgen would reluctantly but finally send the pair off...  "Go!  Now.  Find Adabra!  Go home to Adabra!"  

Auric:

Actually bowing to the other members of the party, Auric says, "I have the great pleasure and high honor of introducing Fuego, my draconic companion Bahamut has seen to grace me with this last evening."  

The small, golden-scaled pseudodragon soars into the sky, cavorting around...The more perceptive among you might notice a familiar item in its claws as it takes to the air.  Suddenly, a bright light and loud bang detonates overhead, and the showy creature flashes through the sound and fury, flaring its delicate wings as it lands in the center of the group and begins to preen, obviously immensely proud of its performance.

The pair of wolves were of course just as curious of the flying wing thing. Pollux definitely would be caught with his mouth open wanting to try snapping at it. At Kaemgen's correction, Castor would boop his brother on the snoot. They'd both whine and drop to the ground to sulk. But it didn't take much to redirect their attention. They were easily distracted with the roughhousing pushes already forgetting what they were fussing about. Then the moment Adabra was repeated the pair would perk, pouncing excitedly, so the moment they were released to go, they went.

It wasn't a moment too soon. Auric's flashy companion rises up into the air with a bang! It was beautiful. And loud, for sensitive ears. Howling could be heard from the wolves who'd tear off faster to get further away from it.

Butterskull Ranch
(When you're ready to set off...)

Time to Check It!
(As you'd like, if you'd like, and what would fit your char.)

Survival Check: Don't forget your map bonus!
Perception Check: Anyone
Nature Check: Anyone

Mr Dark awakes in the dirt. During the night it seemed he rolled from his bedroll and his face rests on his hand in a small clump of weeds. Rolling onto his back, and then sitting up, he brushes dirt from his hair and face and spits a bit, and then pulls something form the tip of his tongue making some more spitting motions.  He absently pats his chest, where a tiny makeshift pocket holds his lucky coin. He pulls the coin out, mutters a prayer to it, then flips it in the air, catching it with a smooth motion. 

He stands up and is introduced to Auric's new companion with the rest of the group. He watches the creature with glittering eyes, the edge of jealousy there at Auric having found himself with such a glorious ally. He glances over at Kaemgen as he crumples up a note and then starts writing another. Eventually he nods to the noble, "Yes, the ranch, then town. If they can find their way there then good on them. Hopefully we meet them along the way if not."  He smiles as the wolves rough house and then are sent on their way. 

Meanwhile, he pulls out his small fry pan and starts to build a small fire. He pulls out a chicken egg that's been tucked into his backpack and before too long has a scrambled breakfast with bits of dried meat stirred in.  He hunches next to tiny fire doing his cooking without much thought for others, clearly inside his own mind. As the food is ready and the smell wafts through the air he glances up making eye contact with a couple folks. He glances down at his breakfast, and back up at the others. "Oh..uh...does anyone want some? Sorry, I've been by myself a lot recently.  Uh, I don't have any more egg, but you just sorta sprinkle some on whatever you were going to eat and it'll make it a bit better."  He puts a small spoonful on some dry oats, adds some water, and then stands up next to the fry pan. "Help yourselves." He stands next to it making sure that the small dragon doesn't go for it, or that the wolves don't suddenly reappear and consume it. 

With breakfast done he does a quick clean, tosses the mini-fry pan back in his pack and, when everyone is ready, takes his familiar role as scout. 

Survival (with ad) : 6

Perception : 15

     Having shared some morning rations with the twins before sending them off, Kaemgen nods his thanks but declines.  Instead he spends a long several minutes staring off after the wolves and lost in thoughts about them.  And the one he sent them off to find.

     Eventually, with a sigh and a grunt, Kaemgen pushes himself to his feet.  "Going to make a circle of the camp, make sure there's no sign of rats," Kaemgen says distractedly and then does just that.  He spends maybe 30 minutes or so walking around their encampment just looking for any signs of anything, though truthfully just running through thoughts more than anything else.  

Survival Check: 15 (He's walking around, not looking at map, so no bonus?)
Perception Check: 4 
Nature Check: 14

Auric:

Checking the map, Auric sends Fuego up to get a pseudo dragon eye’s view, using his newfound link to see through his familiar’s eyes.

Perception from up high:  23

Nature from up high:  16

Survival looking at the map:  26

Having managed to smuggle an egg in his belongings, Mr. Dark wakey wakey’s with eggs and bakeys, sorta. He cooks a modest meal with the original intention of enjoying it himself but then extends the offer to the others. So far luck is on his side as no one has yet to take him up on the offer. Heck even the wolves weren’t even lured back by the scent, thanks to Fuego’s fireworks. Once armed with a full belly, they each take their own approach to moving on with the rest of their day.

Kaemgen spends some time watching after the wolves and circling the camp. Although too distracted to search for imminent threats, he’s able to track the ground and read the sky. It was easy enough to pick out the wolves prints heading off in the correct direction and that they were going to be met with rain by the time they’d reach Triboar Trail.

Mr. Dark takes Scott with him for a quick scout. With Dark disoriented by the fog and a groggy Marblebeard who’s barely awake, it doesn’t take long for them to get lost. They’d spend a good while looking behind them rather than forward in the direction the intended to go. Eventually Dark would spot Kaemgen circling the camp, following him back to the group.

It’d be Auric who’d actually consult the map, correctly, and orient the group to head in the right direction. Tucking himself in the middle of the groups march, the golden Dragonborn searches the skies through his familiar’s eyes as they go, surveying for any threats from an advantageous perspective.

The group marches on their course, and sure enough as predicted, the rain would begin to fall. It was no downpour by any means, but it was a constant speckle that’d soak through clothes and armour as time went on. 

About 5 miles from when Auric expected the group to break out to the Triboar trail, he’d catch sight of a familiar silhouette soar the skies far off in the distance. It was just like the night the group stayed at Umbrage Hill… The dragon. It was soaring above the area they left behind, between the mine and the Hill.

Mr. Dark comes stomping up behind Auric as he's glancing into the distant sky.  Not paying much attention he's talking to Scott.  "....and then SHE says 'That's not supposed to go there.'  At that point the entire squad collapsed laughing. And STILL sarge is looking around confused. Like. 'What's goin on...' he's thinkin....oh man...."  Laughing to himself and telling the story perhaps a little overloud, Mr. Dark makes to walk right past Auric, giving him a bit of a slap on the shoulder as he walks past and turns back to Scott to continue with his reminiscing. 

Auric:

"Avoid pyrotechnics.  Dragon on the wing," thinks Auric at Fuego.  As Mister Dark approaches boisterously, Auric casts a surprised glance his way and says while indicating the skyward direction of his glance, "The dragon hath acute hearing.  Wouldst thou invite an altercation now with thine joviality?"