An unlikely band, gathered from wildly different backgrounds and races, but seeking much the same goal - adventure and treasure!
Your party has managed to find leads on not one, but two likely sources of wonder and riches - both to be found in the Elsir Vale, a thinly populated land on the frontiers of civilization. You've secured a map of the region, and set out to seek your fortune!
The Elsir Vale
Scale: 1 Hex = 10 Miles
The Rumors That Bring You Here...
The Goblin Fruit
Tales tell that a mysterious goblin tribe sells a single piece of magical fruit to the highest bidder in Oakhurst once every midsummer. They've been doing this for the last twelve years. The fruit, apparently an apple of perfect hue, heals those who suffer from any disease or other ailment. The townsfolk sometimes plant the seeds at the center of each fruit, hoping to engender an enchanted apple tree - but every sapling disappears before it grows enough to bear fruit. You are interested in piercing the mystery associated with how wretched goblins could ever possess such a wonder, and how they steal every sprouting sapling grown from the enchanted fruit's seed. And think what good could be done - or what riches gained - if you could find the tree that bears those fruit!
The Ancient Arsenal
Durgeddin was a master dwarven smith who forged blades of surpassing quality and power. Centuries ago, his home was sacked by orcs. Durgeddin led the remnants of his clan to the mountains north of the town of Blasingdell and established a small, secret stronghold somewhere in the trackless wilderness. From his hidden redoubt, he waged a decades-long vendetta against all orc-kind, until his enemies discovered his fortress and attacked it after a long siege. Durgeddin and his followers perished, and much wealth was carried away by the conquering hordes. But it's said that the deepest and best-hidden vaults and armories escaped the looting, and that some of Durgeddin's extraordinary blades still wait in the darkness for a hand bold enough to claim one.
The Road to Adventure
It is a week before midsummer as you enter the Elsir Vale from the lands to the West, travelling along a clearly ancient but still surprisingly intact road of carefully fitted stones - clearly of dwarven make. Several days travel brings you to the town of Oakhurst, home of the first lead you've come to seek out.
---
And so begins the adventure! You are free to proceed as you wish - but to start, please provide a brief summary of your character, and what your fellow companions know of you.
Sybileska considers herself a robin hood of sorts. She is somewhat a local hero in her homeland but this is her first adventure outward. Which makes her unsure what to expect. She is cautious by nature & currently sits back to observe the crew & current area before proceeding.
Patrick O'Malley is a very charismatic up beat outgoing halfling. He very much enjoys wearing the color green with his Ginger beard he feels it really brings out as bright blue eyes. He does have a bit of obsession with gold and tends to drink a bit of ale every now and then. Patrick is also quite fond of smoking his pipe. But all-in-all he's an all-right stand-up little guy that believes in doing what is right.
Before you stands a large and imposing figure, his hair as dark as the grim look passing across his smoothly shaven face. He is dressed in an old tattered grey military uniform and heavy chainmail is visible under his torn and bloodstained officer's jacket. He carries a large steel shield, notched and scarred from many battles. Emblazoned upon the shield is a blood red eye, designating his membership in The Watchful Order, an elite military unit dedicated to the God of Retribution. A longsword hangs in a scabbard on his hip and five javelins are strapped across his back.
Approaching his new brothers-in-arms, the Paladin says dryly, "Hail. Sir Darak of The Watchful Order salutes you."
Studying the map intently, Darak says, "So, pooling together our resources was the only way we could afford this map and acquire these leads, so I suppose that makes us partners. Which adventure sounds most lucrative?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Patrick takes a long draw from his pipe. Exhaling the smoke a pungent aroma fills the air. He scratches the scruff on his chin and says with a heavy accent, “Well personally I feel this fruit could be quite lucrative in are future. Also I would much rather deal goblins than orcs.” Taking another puff he then says, “ just saying.”
Nodding in agreement slowly, Darak says, "We are already in Oakhurst and Blasingdell is many leagues from here. If we're in agreement, let us speak to the common folk and see what they know of this fruit."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
The town of Oakhurst lies in front of you, built such that the old dwarven road runs right through its center. The town is small - probably only a few hundred people live here, and farmland stretches out for miles around a small cluster of buildings at town center, which appear humble but well maintained. A second road - this one more a simple dirt path - splits off from the dwarf-road near the town center, and heads toward the south.
A few farmers in the field, and a young man hauling water outside the blacksmith's shop, gawk at the travellers as they approach - particularly the cat-man and the fire-woman.
There are several possible places to stop and gather information -
* An inn stands near the intersection of the old and new roads, with a sign hanging out front with a painted boar's head.
* A general store is across the road from the Inn. You notice a piece of parchment nailed up to the front door, fluttering in the wind. It just has one word, painted in crude, large letters: REWARD
* There's a blacksmith's shop, with gawking apprentice out front.
* A bit further on up the road is the village hall, a large wooden building that sits closely next to the town church on one side, and a small jail and constable's office on the other.
Darak: Addressing the party, the Paladin says, "Let us split up and see what we can uncover. I'll visit the local church and also make the constable aware of my presence here."
Darak strides toward the church and enters the building.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
After waiting patiently Patrick slips a hand in his pocket and pulls out a gold piece. He flips it into the air and catches it swiftly. He then looks down the path and says, “ I’m feeling kind parched. I think I shall head down there to the Boars inn and see what I can figure out about this fruit. He then slips off.
The church is a humble, wooden building mostly taken up with a single one-room worship hall and wooden pews, and small rooms at the back for the priest. Wooden pews that are barely more than benches line the room, and a small altar stands beneath the painted golden sun of the god Pelor.
When Darak enters, a high-pitched voice calls out from the back, “Just a moment!” A few minutes later, an extremely tiny woman Gnomish woman in a robe comes out to meet him. She is quite friendly and welcoming. “I’m Mother Nackle, but most call me Corkie. What can I do for you, traveler?”
In contrast to the church, the Inn is surprisingly large and well-stocked. There are several tables, a fireplace (though no fire burns now), and a very well stocked bar. A heavy-set older man is keeping bar, and there are several customers at the tables - some of them dressed in the sort of fine clothing you only expect to see among the rich and nobility of a great city.
“Find a seat, sir hobbit! What can I get for you today?”
Sybileska: Noticing the apprentice just outside the blacksmith's shop. Wonders if in their observations they have also encountered talk of this magic fruit. She approaches cautiously, but trying to appear friendly, to the apprentice to ask about the town, any gossip they may have heard about the fruit (to see if she can at least find a lead) & if the blacksmith is also available to discuss this as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
~Ann
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An unlikely band, gathered from wildly different backgrounds and races, but seeking much the same goal - adventure and treasure!
Your party has managed to find leads on not one, but two likely sources of wonder and riches - both to be found in the Elsir Vale, a thinly populated land on the frontiers of civilization. You've secured a map of the region, and set out to seek your fortune!
The Elsir Vale
Scale: 1 Hex = 10 Miles
The Rumors That Bring You Here...
The Goblin Fruit
Tales tell that a mysterious goblin tribe sells a single piece of magical fruit to the highest bidder in Oakhurst once every midsummer. They've been doing this for the last twelve years. The fruit, apparently an apple of perfect hue, heals those who suffer from any disease or other ailment. The townsfolk sometimes plant the seeds at the center of each fruit, hoping to engender an enchanted apple tree - but every sapling disappears before it grows enough to bear fruit. You are interested in piercing the mystery associated with how wretched goblins could ever possess such a wonder, and how they steal every sprouting sapling grown from the enchanted fruit's seed. And think what good could be done - or what riches gained - if you could find the tree that bears those fruit!
The Ancient Arsenal
Durgeddin was a master dwarven smith who forged blades of surpassing quality and power. Centuries ago, his home was sacked by orcs. Durgeddin led the remnants of his clan to the mountains north of the town of Blasingdell and established a small, secret stronghold somewhere in the trackless wilderness. From his hidden redoubt, he waged a decades-long vendetta against all orc-kind, until his enemies discovered his fortress and attacked it after a long siege. Durgeddin and his followers perished, and much wealth was carried away by the conquering hordes. But it's said that the deepest and best-hidden vaults and armories escaped the looting, and that some of Durgeddin's extraordinary blades still wait in the darkness for a hand bold
enough to claim one.
The Road to Adventure
It is a week before midsummer as you enter the Elsir Vale from the lands to the West, travelling along a clearly ancient but still surprisingly intact road of carefully fitted stones - clearly of dwarven make. Several days travel brings you to the town of Oakhurst, home of the first lead you've come to seek out.
---
And so begins the adventure! You are free to proceed as you wish - but to start, please provide a brief summary of your character, and what your fellow companions know of you.
Tempest is a young, carefree and whimsical. He tries to do what's best for his friends and is currently learning about his abilities.
Sybileska considers herself a robin hood of sorts. She is somewhat a local hero in her homeland but this is her first adventure outward. Which makes her unsure what to expect. She is cautious by nature & currently sits back to observe the crew & current area before proceeding.
~Ann
Patrick O'Malley is a very charismatic up beat outgoing halfling. He very much enjoys wearing the color green with his Ginger beard he feels it really brings out as bright blue eyes. He does have a bit of obsession with gold and tends to drink a bit of ale every now and then. Patrick is also quite fond of smoking his pipe. But all-in-all he's an all-right stand-up little guy that believes in doing what is right.
Before you stands a large and imposing figure, his hair as dark as the grim look passing across his smoothly shaven face. He is dressed in an old tattered grey military uniform and heavy chainmail is visible under his torn and bloodstained officer's jacket. He carries a large steel shield, notched and scarred from many battles. Emblazoned upon the shield is a blood red eye, designating his membership in The Watchful Order, an elite military unit dedicated to the God of Retribution. A longsword hangs in a scabbard on his hip and five javelins are strapped across his back.
Approaching his new brothers-in-arms, the Paladin says dryly, "Hail. Sir Darak of The Watchful Order salutes you."
Studying the map intently, Darak says, "So, pooling together our resources was the only way we could afford this map and acquire these leads, so I suppose that makes us partners. Which adventure sounds most lucrative?"
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Patrick takes a long draw from his pipe. Exhaling the smoke a pungent aroma fills the air. He scratches the scruff on his chin and says with a heavy accent, “Well personally I feel this fruit could be quite lucrative in are future. Also I would much rather deal goblins than orcs.” Taking another puff he then says, “ just saying.”
Nodding in agreement slowly, Darak says, "We are already in Oakhurst and Blasingdell is many leagues from here. If we're in agreement, let us speak to the common folk and see what they know of this fruit."
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
The town of Oakhurst lies in front of you, built such that the old dwarven road runs right through its center. The town is small - probably only a few hundred people live here, and farmland stretches out for miles around a small cluster of buildings at town center, which appear humble but well maintained. A second road - this one more a simple dirt path - splits off from the dwarf-road near the town center, and heads toward the south.
A few farmers in the field, and a young man hauling water outside the blacksmith's shop, gawk at the travellers as they approach - particularly the cat-man and the fire-woman.
There are several possible places to stop and gather information -
* An inn stands near the intersection of the old and new roads, with a sign hanging out front with a painted boar's head.
* A general store is across the road from the Inn. You notice a piece of parchment nailed up to the front door, fluttering in the wind. It just has one word, painted in crude, large letters: REWARD
* There's a blacksmith's shop, with gawking apprentice out front.
* A bit further on up the road is the village hall, a large wooden building that sits closely next to the town church on one side, and a small jail and constable's office on the other.
Darak: Addressing the party, the Paladin says, "Let us split up and see what we can uncover. I'll visit the local church and also make the constable aware of my presence here."
Darak strides toward the church and enters the building.
"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
After waiting patiently Patrick slips a hand in his pocket and pulls out a gold piece. He flips it into the air and catches it swiftly. He then looks down the path and says, “ I’m feeling kind parched. I think I shall head down there to the Boars inn and see what I can figure out about this fruit. He then slips off.
The church is a humble, wooden building mostly taken up with a single one-room worship hall and wooden pews, and small rooms at the back for the priest. Wooden pews that are barely more than benches line the room, and a small altar stands beneath the painted golden sun of the god Pelor.
When Darak enters, a high-pitched voice calls out from the back, “Just a moment!” A few minutes later, an extremely tiny woman Gnomish woman in a robe comes out to meet him. She is quite friendly and welcoming. “I’m Mother Nackle, but most call me Corkie. What can I do for you, traveler?”
In contrast to the church, the Inn is surprisingly large and well-stocked. There are several tables, a fireplace (though no fire burns now), and a very well stocked bar. A heavy-set older man is keeping bar, and there are several customers at the tables - some of them dressed in the sort of fine clothing you only expect to see among the rich and nobility of a great city.
“Find a seat, sir hobbit! What can I get for you today?”
Sybileska: Noticing the apprentice just outside the blacksmith's shop. Wonders if in their observations they have also encountered talk of this magic fruit. She approaches cautiously, but trying to appear friendly, to the apprentice to ask about the town, any gossip they may have heard about the fruit (to see if she can at least find a lead) & if the blacksmith is also available to discuss this as well.
~Ann