This world is rather new. The elemental forces that shaped it still manifest themselves in various ways, such as Elementals, Mephits, and Genesia. But the most legendary and powerful of these being Giants and Dragons. Long before any of the current race inhabited the world, these two colossal forces went to war over who would rule the world. It is told that the clash was so devastating, that both races were driven back into the deepest, darkest reaches of the world, leaving room for other creatures to inhabit it.
The Elves inhabited the forests, perfecting the art of magic. The Dwarves dug themselves into the core of mountains, working the stone and metal found their. The Halflings didn’t settle in one place, but instead created great caravans and moved from place-to-place. The Gnomes decided to stay to themselves, tinkering with clockwork machines and various alchemical substances wherever they could. The Orcs were far more brutal than the other races, and picked up the tradition of raiding other settlements on the plains and badlands of the world. Humans did not stay to one place, but were able to live anywhere in the world, due to their adaptability and diversity.
By the time our story begins, it has been thousands of years since the War of Giants and Dragons, yet they can still be found in the world, but only a fool would try to seek them out. The newer races have founded great civilizations, still young and developing.
Many people have taken up the act of adventuring, going to distant lands in search of treasure, danger, and glory. These adventurers are all over the world, but our story begins in the North. Also known as Savage Frontier, the North is a brutal, untamed place, mostly covered in ice and snow. Almost untouched by civilization, most people live by hunting, fishing, and foraging, but there are a few settlements that take advantage of the little land warm enough to grow sufficient crops and livestock. Outside of the town of Nightstone, we find four adventurers…
You have been traveling along the High Road for days. As evening approaches, you spot a wooden signpost next to a trail that heads north into the hills. Nailed to the post are three arrow-shaped signs. The two marked “Waterdeep” and “Daggerford” follow the High Road but point in opposite directions. The third, marked “Nightstone”, beckons you to follow the trail. If memory serves, Nightstone is roughly ten miles up the trail. As your paths converge at this road sign, it seems that you are all going to the same place, perhaps for different reasons.
DM: Please take this time to introduce and describe your characters. I have PMed you your character's reason for coming to Nightstone.
As Faene arrives at the start of the trail marked Nightstone she elects to pause on the road, it has been a long day of travel and time for a much needed rest. The tall, powerfully built half-orc sits on a rock to the side of the road opposite the signpost, placing her spear and bow on the ground and gets out her waterskin to drink. She runs her hand through her long brown hair and looks up the road. In the distance she sees other travellers approaching as she quenches her thirst. Pulling her simple farmers cloak around her tightly she takes in the sharp northern air and watches the figures as they draw nearer.
Jark is a kobold rogue, raised under the boot of a dark wizard where he learnt to fight and assist with alchemy. Since Jark managed to kill his old master or more accurately finish him off when he slipped unconscious from blood loss and free his kin he has become a hero or at least likes to think of himself as one.
Jark is ...to be frank a mess, his armour and clothing are battered and scavenged, he has burns, scars and is missing part of his left ear. While thin, weak and almost sickly looking he appears to move with agility and purpose. When he talks it’s with utter conviction that he is destined to be a hero and that he will not fail no matter how badly beaten he is, out numbered or impossible the odds may be. He has no idea that his fighting style and methods are considered dirty, dishonourable or just outright appalling.
As he makes his way along the trail to Nightstone, he stops by the orc female “well met traveller, by chance have you seen any goblins around?”
Ery walks along the road talking to seemingly no one, ”Well yes but...ok but...what if...” She seems to notice a couple travelers ahead stopping at a sign post for the first time. ”Shutupshutupshutupshutup,” she begins saying in a hurried whisper, getting a bit tense as she sees the other travelers. She pauses as she takes a deep breath and visibly relaxes a bit as she draws closer and puts on a timid smile with a polite “Hello“ with a nod as she reaches the signpost.
The travelers see a female half-elf with flowing brown locks and smiling brown eyes with flecks of gold. She is wearing leather armor covered by a blue coat with various pockets. She is wearing very simple jewelry with a bright orange gemstone on a necklace.
Strepit strides up to the road sign with confidence and purpose, All three feet of him, taking no notice of the other travelers. He seems rather the worse for wear, clothes diirty and slightly torn, smudges of soil on his face, sticks in his hair, and carrying what seems to be an impossibly large backpack for someone his size. Several pots and pans are loosely tied together, small bells affixed to the straps, a wind chime hanging from the bottom, all making the most incredible cacophony as he approaches the cross road.
He pauses for a moment. Moistens his finger and checks the wind. Then begins the process of looking in each direction, mumbling to himself, weighing his options. Still oblivious to the fact that he is not alone.
Faene watches curiously as the ragged Kobold approaches her. It was strange, he was clearly confident walking out in the open acting like nothing was wrong. Perhaps kobolds were viewed differently here in the north she wondered to herself. As he greeted her she eyes him warily, before noting the approach of the half elf woman whom she looks upon much more warmly than the Kobold. “Well met fellow travellers.”She leans down and takes hold of her spear before standing up to her full six foot seven inch height. ”Not seen any goblin-kin on the road these last few days no. Is there trouble about?” As she talks she tightens her grip on the shaft of her spear, her muscles bulging even beneath the loose fitting simple farmers clothes she wears. It is obvious that this young half-orc lacks nothing of confidence in her own abilities.
As she finishes the rattle and clatter of the strange halfling draws her attention away from the conversation. She shakes her head perplexed at the sight of him not even sure what to think. There is a lot about the Savage frontier she has to learn she thinks to herself.
At Faenes words the the Jark looks towards Nightstone resolutely "Ah no matter, it may have just been rumours perhaps.", Jarks shifts his weight discreetly, as he sees Faeruns movement and the others arrive trying to maintain his calm at the unexpected social gathering. "Where are you all heading?" Jark says with suspicion.
Eying the noisy halting as he declares his destination and sets off before turning back to the Kobold Faene says “What rumours are these? If there is word of goblins afoot I would know of it, especially if they pertain to Nightstone as that is my destination.”
Ery slightly startles at Faene’s words. She had been slightly spaced out slowly drifting back out of the conversation towards the path on to Nightstone, half-listening. “I’m sorry, but you said you were going to Nightstone? Are you coming because of Lady Velrosa Nandar’s request as well?”
Jarks ear pricks up on hearing Lady Velrosa Nandar " There are rumours of goblins causing trouble in the region, I have come to hunt them down and stop them, My name is Jark." Jark edges towards the road side to cover his movement more as he walks.
DM: is there anything we can see as we look towards Nightstone? is there any cover, trees, etc
Faene looks to the nervous half-Elf: “I know nothing of a Lady Nandar, though perhaps she is one of the nobles I have heard hunters might find work for as that is why I am here.” Turning back to the kobold curious at his words she continues “Trouble in Nightstone I have not heard of however...it is worrying to hear of this. And you are here to stop them Jark?” A look of incredulity crosses her face, clearly not convinced by his words. With a shake of her head and a shrug of her shoulders it is clear whatever internal debate over trusting these strangers has come to an end. ”I am Faene Wheatstep and it seems regardless of our intentions we are all headed to Nightstone. Perhaps it would be wise to finish our journeys together if there are goblinkin about?” With that she puts her waterskin away and lifts her bow from the ground and lifts it over her shoulder before checking the rest of her belongings are secure.
Jark straightens up and puffs his chest out trying to look like the heroes he has seen in paintings. " Nice to meet you Faene, Yes I a here to thwart this goblin menace and bring peace, fear not I will keep us safe!" Turning to look at Ery "I have heard of this Velrosa, she gives reward for hunting the goblins." looking calculatedly towards Strepit wandering toward Nightstone "...it would appear we have a distraction if there is an ambush ahead..." Jark mutters half to himself.
“I had not heard about issues with the goblins. Lady Nandar also sent a request out for mediators to help resolve their conflict with the elves up in Ardeep Forest.” She pauses “Nightstone seems to be a busy town. I suppose we should all be getting on our way now if we are to take care of our various duties.”
After following the trail for ten miles, you hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. A river flows around the settlement, forming a moat. The village itself is contained within a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings. Apart from the ringing bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade.
South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shape flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed.
Ery’s eyes go wide as she spots the damage to the bridge and keep. “Um not to state the obvious but I think something went wrong here,” Ery says to the others and then under her breath “Selûne, please protect us now.”
"With goblins afoot that does not bode well I fear." Hefting her spear gently to find its balance it is clear that Faene is preparing herself in case of fight. "Our half-elven friend is most likely right, I know nothing of you fellow travellers but perhaps it is better that we approach together?" Faene looks around hoping to catch sight, or sound, of the noisy halfling that had set off just ahead of the trio at the crossroads.
This world is rather new. The elemental forces that shaped it still manifest themselves in various ways, such as Elementals, Mephits, and Genesia. But the most legendary and powerful of these being Giants and Dragons. Long before any of the current race inhabited the world, these two colossal forces went to war over who would rule the world. It is told that the clash was so devastating, that both races were driven back into the deepest, darkest reaches of the world, leaving room for other creatures to inhabit it.
The Elves inhabited the forests, perfecting the art of magic. The Dwarves dug themselves into the core of mountains, working the stone and metal found their. The Halflings didn’t settle in one place, but instead created great caravans and moved from place-to-place. The Gnomes decided to stay to themselves, tinkering with clockwork machines and various alchemical substances wherever they could. The Orcs were far more brutal than the other races, and picked up the tradition of raiding other settlements on the plains and badlands of the world. Humans did not stay to one place, but were able to live anywhere in the world, due to their adaptability and diversity.
By the time our story begins, it has been thousands of years since the War of Giants and Dragons, yet they can still be found in the world, but only a fool would try to seek them out. The newer races have founded great civilizations, still young and developing.
Many people have taken up the act of adventuring, going to distant lands in search of treasure, danger, and glory. These adventurers are all over the world, but our story begins in the North. Also known as Savage Frontier, the North is a brutal, untamed place, mostly covered in ice and snow. Almost untouched by civilization, most people live by hunting, fishing, and foraging, but there are a few settlements that take advantage of the little land warm enough to grow sufficient crops and livestock. Outside of the town of Nightstone, we find four adventurers…
You have been traveling along the High Road for days. As evening approaches, you spot a wooden signpost next to a trail that heads north into the hills. Nailed to the post are three arrow-shaped signs. The two marked “Waterdeep” and “Daggerford” follow the High Road but point in opposite directions. The third, marked “Nightstone”, beckons you to follow the trail. If memory serves, Nightstone is roughly ten miles up the trail. As your paths converge at this road sign, it seems that you are all going to the same place, perhaps for different reasons.
DM: Please take this time to introduce and describe your characters. I have PMed you your character's reason for coming to Nightstone.
As Faene arrives at the start of the trail marked Nightstone she elects to pause on the road, it has been a long day of travel and time for a much needed rest. The tall, powerfully built half-orc sits on a rock to the side of the road opposite the signpost, placing her spear and bow on the ground and gets out her waterskin to drink. She runs her hand through her long brown hair and looks up the road. In the distance she sees other travellers approaching as she quenches her thirst. Pulling her simple farmers cloak around her tightly she takes in the sharp northern air and watches the figures as they draw nearer.
Jark is a kobold rogue, raised under the boot of a dark wizard where he learnt to fight and assist with alchemy. Since Jark managed to kill his old master or more accurately finish him off when he slipped unconscious from blood loss and free his kin he has become a hero or at least likes to think of himself as one.
Jark is ...to be frank a mess, his armour and clothing are battered and scavenged, he has burns, scars and is missing part of his left ear. While thin, weak and almost sickly looking he appears to move with agility and purpose. When he talks it’s with utter conviction that he is destined to be a hero and that he will not fail no matter how badly beaten he is, out numbered or impossible the odds may be. He has no idea that his fighting style and methods are considered dirty, dishonourable or just outright appalling.
As he makes his way along the trail to Nightstone, he stops by the orc female “well met traveller, by chance have you seen any goblins around?”
Ery walks along the road talking to seemingly no one, ”Well yes but...ok but...what if...” She seems to notice a couple travelers ahead stopping at a sign post for the first time. ”Shutupshutupshutupshutup,” she begins saying in a hurried whisper, getting a bit tense as she sees the other travelers. She pauses as she takes a deep breath and visibly relaxes a bit as she draws closer and puts on a timid smile with a polite “Hello“ with a nod as she reaches the signpost.
The travelers see a female half-elf with flowing brown locks and smiling brown eyes with flecks of gold. She is wearing leather armor covered by a blue coat with various pockets. She is wearing very simple jewelry with a bright orange gemstone on a necklace.
Strepit strides up to the road sign with confidence and purpose, All three feet of him, taking no notice of the other travelers. He seems rather the worse for wear, clothes diirty and slightly torn, smudges of soil on his face, sticks in his hair, and carrying what seems to be an impossibly large backpack for someone his size. Several pots and pans are loosely tied together, small bells affixed to the straps, a wind chime hanging from the bottom, all making the most incredible cacophony as he approaches the cross road.
He pauses for a moment. Moistens his finger and checks the wind. Then begins the process of looking in each direction, mumbling to himself, weighing his options. Still oblivious to the fact that he is not alone.
Faene watches curiously as the ragged Kobold approaches her. It was strange, he was clearly confident walking out in the open acting like nothing was wrong. Perhaps kobolds were viewed differently here in the north she wondered to herself. As he greeted her she eyes him warily, before noting the approach of the half elf woman whom she looks upon much more warmly than the Kobold. “Well met fellow travellers.” She leans down and takes hold of her spear before standing up to her full six foot seven inch height. ”Not seen any goblin-kin on the road these last few days no. Is there trouble about?” As she talks she tightens her grip on the shaft of her spear, her muscles bulging even beneath the loose fitting simple farmers clothes she wears. It is obvious that this young half-orc lacks nothing of confidence in her own abilities.
As she finishes the rattle and clatter of the strange halfling draws her attention away from the conversation. She shakes her head perplexed at the sight of him not even sure what to think. There is a lot about the Savage frontier she has to learn she thinks to herself.
At Faenes words the the Jark looks towards Nightstone resolutely "Ah no matter, it may have just been rumours perhaps.", Jarks shifts his weight discreetly, as he sees Faeruns movement and the others arrive trying to maintain his calm at the unexpected social gathering. "Where are you all heading?" Jark says with suspicion.
"Nightstone it is." says Strepit, and makes off down the path at the same pace.
Eying the noisy halting as he declares his destination and sets off before turning back to the Kobold Faene says “What rumours are these? If there is word of goblins afoot I would know of it, especially if they pertain to Nightstone as that is my destination.”
Ery slightly startles at Faene’s words. She had been slightly spaced out slowly drifting back out of the conversation towards the path on to Nightstone, half-listening. “I’m sorry, but you said you were going to Nightstone? Are you coming because of Lady Velrosa Nandar’s request as well?”
Jarks ear pricks up on hearing Lady Velrosa Nandar " There are rumours of goblins causing trouble in the region, I have come to hunt them down and stop them, My name is Jark." Jark edges towards the road side to cover his movement more as he walks.
DM: is there anything we can see as we look towards Nightstone? is there any cover, trees, etc
There are a few tree to the side of the road, but they thin put the closer you get to Nightstone.
Faene looks to the nervous half-Elf: “I know nothing of a Lady Nandar, though perhaps she is one of the nobles I have heard hunters might find work for as that is why I am here.” Turning back to the kobold curious at his words she continues “Trouble in Nightstone I have not heard of however...it is worrying to hear of this. And you are here to stop them Jark?” A look of incredulity crosses her face, clearly not convinced by his words. With a shake of her head and a shrug of her shoulders it is clear whatever internal debate over trusting these strangers has come to an end. ”I am Faene Wheatstep and it seems regardless of our intentions we are all headed to Nightstone. Perhaps it would be wise to finish our journeys together if there are goblinkin about?” With that she puts her waterskin away and lifts her bow from the ground and lifts it over her shoulder before checking the rest of her belongings are secure.
Jark straightens up and puffs his chest out trying to look like the heroes he has seen in paintings. " Nice to meet you Faene, Yes I a here to thwart this goblin menace and bring peace, fear not I will keep us safe!" Turning to look at Ery "I have heard of this Velrosa, she gives reward for hunting the goblins." looking calculatedly towards Strepit wandering toward Nightstone "...it would appear we have a distraction if there is an ambush ahead..." Jark mutters half to himself.
“I had not heard about issues with the goblins. Lady Nandar also sent a request out for mediators to help resolve their conflict with the elves up in Ardeep Forest.” She pauses “Nightstone seems to be a busy town. I suppose we should all be getting on our way now if we are to take care of our various duties.”
After following the trail for ten miles, you hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. A river flows around the settlement, forming a moat. The village itself is contained within a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings. Apart from the ringing bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade.
South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shape flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed.
Ery’s eyes go wide as she spots the damage to the bridge and keep. “Um not to state the obvious but I think something went wrong here,” Ery says to the others and then under her breath “Selûne, please protect us now.”
"With goblins afoot that does not bode well I fear." Hefting her spear gently to find its balance it is clear that Faene is preparing herself in case of fight. "Our half-elven friend is most likely right, I know nothing of you fellow travellers but perhaps it is better that we approach together?" Faene looks around hoping to catch sight, or sound, of the noisy halfling that had set off just ahead of the trio at the crossroads.
Just in case you need a skill check at all
perception:17
You are able to catch glimpse of him
Dm: ajmartino123, would you describe Strehpit is doing?