Dragon of Icespire Peak - Campaign 1

Mr.Dark hands the wand over to Auric. "All yours bud." 

Mr.Dark glances over at Kaemgan and the wolves. "Let's get going. We don't know whats going on there, and a couple of hours might make a difference." 

Confirm Route:                 Rabbit +1 vote
Attention:                          Surroundings, and safe travel and camping, and trying to stay stealthy while he scouts.
Marching Order:               He'll lead and scout ahead a bit.

Survival roll (someone else can use Auric's help) : 15
Perception roll : 18

Nature roll: 2

Bonus Stealth roll: 25

It was agreed to make haste and be prepared to camp for the night.

Mr. Dark and Auric pour over the map, being sure to prepare a route that would be easy enough for Kaemgen and companions to follow. Together their sense of direction would be able to get them through the hills without much trouble, but they couldn't deny that the fine details of Halia's map made it practically fail safe. The group would be able to navigate an otherwise difficult terrain as if it were a known trail. There was plenty of confidence that they'd make good on their time.

Briefed with very simple and easy to follow instructions, Kaemgen takes the lead with both wolves in tow. Xenophon was close behind, Auric then Marble, while Mr. Dark weaved in and out of a scouting position to provide updates along the way. And having burned a lot of their excess energy from their training with Kaemgen, Castor and Pollux were fairly calm and kept pace, watching the sides. Though, that didn't stop their curiosity from poking their nose around their surroundings. The hooman was doing it and he didn't seem to have any idea what he was looking at... but Kaemgen was very aware of his surroundings.

There was a little chill in the air and things were quiet. Like, really quiet. On every follow up, Kaemgen continued to confirm with Mr. Dark that there was nothing. Their path was completely clear sailing and nothing but beautiful skies of a sun setting amongst the mountains.

A low ridge rises to your right, beyond which you see the Sword Mountains scrape the darkening sky. But closer in, something is strewn across the rocky ground ninety feet ahead. Checking his instructions, they were still approximately five miles from where Mr. Dark and Auric marked to begin looking for camp. That's when Dark would pop out from his scout ahead. His passive investigation found six orcs corpse, estimated to have died the day before yesterday.

     “Seems we’re not the only ones hunting orcs,” Kaemgen chimes in, stating the obvious.  He kneels down to scruff the fur of his wolfie companions and think a moment.  “Some other group had beat us to the gnomes… could be the same group beat us here.  I suppose we are too close not to check in on this job but we may need to skip ahead if we want to be the trailblazers…”

Auric:

Moving up to the bodies but not too close so as to disturb any traces of evidence, Auric asks Mister Dark, “Do these recently deceased orcs bear aught that might identify them as the miscreants who assaulted the farm we go to investigate?  Doest thou see any evidence of the manner in which they were exterminated, or does the ground bear any trace of passage from those who hath killed them?”

MrDark looks like he is in a bit of pain and has to concentrate really hard when listening to Auric. A moment after Auric is done MrDark looks like he’s still processing.  “Uuuuhh, right. Good questions. They looked like dead orcs. I did take a moment to look over them a bit and search for clues. Let me think….”

investigation roll : 16 

The orcs are clad in hide armor, and their greataxes and javelins litter the ground around them.

Taking a Closer Look
(For those taking a closer look)

Medicine Check: DC12

 Survival Check: DC12

 Survival/Investigation Check: DC15

(DM/Player Crosspost :3 Will accept the investigation roll to clear the Survival Rolls above. Med check would still be preferred for the cause of death.)

Mr.Dark Medicine check : 13

Mr.Dark fills Auric and the group in on the details.  (above)

Auric:

"Excellent work, Mister Dark," replies Auric with a smile, adding, "Hmm...'Mountain Toe' seems quite the unusual moniker."

History for 'Mountain Toe:  20

     "Extreme cold like they got lost without a fire and died of natural cold... Or like they were affected by some cold blast from a wizard or such?" Kaemgen would ask curiously, not really expecting anyone to be able to tell for sure.  Not paying much attention to the orcs at all - Dead is dead, he figures.  And hopes. - Kaemgen will instead investigate the area for cover.  If orcs died from the elements out here, they would likely prefer camping inside if possible, or at leas have something to break the wind or such...

Survival/Investigation: 2

     Spotting the tunnel, Kaemgen brings the others' attention to it.  "We may want to set up camp in there instead of under the skies..."

Familiar with all things gold, the golden dragonborn knew that The Mountain’s Toe Gold Mine is owned by a business consortium in Neverwinter. It has been troubled by recent productivity problems. The owners have even recently hired a no-nonsense overseer named Don-Jon Raskin to sort things out.

Auric, you're then quickly reminded of a quest card in your pocket.

Mountain’s Toe Quest.
“The Mountain’s Toe Gold Mine lies fifteen miles northeast of Phandalin. The new overseer, Don-Jon Raskin, just made the trip from Neverwinter to Phandalin and needs to be escorted to the mine. There’s no telling what dangers lie between here and there. Once you deliver Raskin safe and sound, return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 100 gp.”

Auric:

"Ah, my fellows, it appears we have found the destination of one of our many quests.  Cast thine eyes upon this card!  Let us mark it upon the map before we continue," remarks Auric, pulling out the map and consulting with Mister Dark.

Mr.Dark helps Auric with the map for a short time, then says, "I agree with Kaemgan, let's use the tunnel as shelter for the night. We'll see how quickly we can get to the farm first thing in the morning."

(Assuming that the color of the dragon is known to be white, which I believe that has been said. And assuming, that it’s common knowledge they breath cold. Scott would add the following)

”The extreme cold, could be from the breath of the dragon that’s recently taken up dwelling in these parts.” Looking to the people with the map, “Correct me if I’m mistaken but we aren’t far from where the creature is rumored to be living right?”

     “Good thing we didn’t stop back to Phandalin for the night.  I’d have felt a right fool forgetting to grab our escortee before we came all the way here anyway,” Kaemgen says around some chuckles.

     “It is what it is though… As for dragons, I always thought they breathed fire but til recently never thought to stick my nose into situations where I may find out,” he continues. “But breathe cold too, you say?  Next they’ll have lightning coming out of their arses and poison buffeting out their ears!”  
     Kaemgen was obviously trying to make a joke of the whole thing but also quite as uncomfortable with the idea a dragon may have swooped by and killed those orcs with some kind of cold breath.  Truth be told he always assumed the stories about dragons were greatly exaggerated, he didn’t like being confronted with the possibility they’re even deadlier than he’d heard.

Mr.Dark shrugs, "I seen all sorts of beasts do all sorts of stuff. Who knows. It does seem strange that there are no other tracks, and .....they died as a group, abruptly, from extreme cold.... so either something magical, or some sort of beast. Anyway, yeah, let's check out this cave and make sure it's a good place to rest." 

Mr.Dark creeps up to the cave, glancing inside, and goes in a way, looking around, as sneaky as he can. 

Stealth : 17

Perception : 15 

     While Mr.Dark stealths into the cave/tunnel, Kaemgen will inspect the orc corpses for loot besides the obvious.  He's not very hopeful, they're just orcs after all, but one never knew without checking.  Once that is done he's remove the armor a bit.  No need to fully strip them or anything, but just enough undoing to Castor and Pollux can muzzle in and eat some frozen food, if they're of a mind to do so.

     Whether the wolves partake or not, Kaemgen will soon suggest they all head to the cave.  "They'll catch up when they're ready," he says.  "But just in case the speculation is right, I'd feel better with something above my head."

     Once at the tunnel Kaemgen will inch in but not explore too far until Mr.Dark returns and reports.  "It's pitch black.  We could be eaten by a grue...  Mr.Dark can handle the search."

Oh yes, not being able to see in the dark, Mr.Dark tosses stones that he enchants with light spells well ahead of him into the cave.  So much for stealth!

Auric:

”Were we not given to understand this is a working mine, albeit with unspecified issues?  Shouldst we not announce ourselves and determine if we may assist?” suggests Auric as he holds up his ubiquitous glowing dragon orb to shed light for their travels.

     “I think the posting was to escort foreman, suggest the route is dangerous.  But yeah, the mine could maybe is alright?” Kaemgen answers.  “I guess we’ll see when Mr.Dark reports back…  maybe they can provide us better sleeping arrangements after all.”