Driven from lands farther north by more powerful dragons, a young white dragon named Cryovain has descended upon the Sword Mountains, claiming the snow-capped range as its domain. Typical of its kind, Cryovain is dim-witted and cruel. The dragon patrols the skies around Icespire Peak, surveying its territory while hunting for food and easy treasure. With each passing day, the dragon’s domain grows as it ranges farther across the land, preying on anything it can catch with its claws or freeze to death with its icy breath. Sightings of the dragon are becoming more common, as are its attacks.
A crumbling fortress on the northeast spur of Icespire Peak serves as the dragon’s lair. Cryovain seized the icy fortress from a tribe of savage orcs, killing the orc war chief and forcing the tribe’s survivors to flee into the foothills and forests. Enraged by the death of their war chief, the orcs have called upon ancient allies — evil, shapechanging, half-orc spellcasters who bless and advise them. These half-orcs worship Talos, an evil god of storms, and many dwell in the dark depths of Neverwinter Wood. In stormy weather, they gather on remote hilltops to summon Gorthok the Thunder Boar, a primal entity that serves Talos. Like the god it serves, Gorthok delights in destruction.
The orcs aren’t the only creatures thrown into upheaval by Cryovain’s sudden arrival. A manticore driven from its mountaintop nest by the roaming white dragon has migrated to the foothills and begun terrorizing folk living on the outskirts of the mining town of Phandalin. Other monsters in the region have been similarly displaced.
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
The warforged stood at the entrance to the town, methodically scanning each building. As people walked by they gave the strange being a wide berth, its metallic face a little off putting for the lack of a nose or mouth. The amber colored eyes tracked each pedestrian as they passed.
"Greetings, I am C14-5H3R, you may call me C14. Can you direct me to an establishment in need of guard or policing assistance?"
A mother encircled her arms around her three children and hurried past the large automaton. The amber eyes following her as she walk/ran down the street. A burly man walking past came closer to inspect the creature.
"Greetings, I am C14-5H3R, you may call me C14. Can you direct me to an establishment in need of guard or policing assistance?"
The man stepped back a pace, surprised at the deep but metallic voice coming out of the creatures face.
"Um, ifen its a job you are looking for mister you should take a look at the board, outside of the hall, right down thata way."
"Thank you for your assistance citizen. Also, I am not a mister." "Oh, beggin' yer pardon ma'am." "Also not a ma'am. Thank you."
Without another word C14 turns and heads in the direction indicated towards the hall to examine the job board.
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
A human man walks up to the job board. He wears woodland garb, with a crossbow at his hip. His black hair is shoulder-length, and his gray eyes are astute as he reads down the job listings.
"Come to check out the jobs?" He asks as the warforge comes over to the board. "Name's Michael Dawn, what are you called?"
Walking slowly and leaning in a quarterstaff, V'rekh enters Phandalin. The walk from the coast has been mostly uneventful and he is tired, but thinking about the few coins in his pouch he decides that rest can wait until he can find a way to get some money.
He has seen humans before, but the strange appearance of the warforged catches his eye. He walks up to the job board and introduces himsef "Well met. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one that doesn't look like everyone else. My current name is V'rekh". He speaks common with a strong accent that is not from this part of the continent. "Would you know a good place to rest around here, or maybe a way to earn money for lodging?"
Written in swirling handwriting, adventures written in Common cover the board:
Dwarven Excavation Quest. “Dwarf prospectors found ancient dwarven ruins in the mountains southwest of here, and have been working an archaeological dig seeking treasure and relics. They need to be warned that a white dragon has moved into the area. Take the warning to them, then return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 50 gp"
Gnomengarde quest. “A clan of reclusive rock gnomes resides in a small network of caves in the mountains to the southeast. The gnomes of Gnomengarde are known for their magical inventions, and they might have something with which to defeat the dragon. Get whatever you can from them. If you bring back something useful and don’t want to keep it for yourselves, Townmaster Harbin Wester will pay you 50 gp for it.”
Umbrage Hill Quest.“The local midwife — an acolyte of Chauntea named Adabra Gwynn — lives by herself in a stone windmill on the side of a hill a few miles south of Phandalin. With dragon sightings becoming more common, it’s not safe for her to be alone. Urge Adabra to return to Phandalin. Once she’s safe, visit Townmaster Harbin Wester to claim a reward of 25 gp.”
"I was wondering what had all of the beasts moving around." Michael says as he reads the postings. "A white dragon in the area would explain much of that. Suppose warning these dwarfs and the midwife would be the first priority..." He glances to the other two. "You two want to travel together for this, probably not a bad idea to have company if a dragon is around..."
V'rekh reads the notes on the board and nods in agreement at Michael's words. "You are most certainly correct. I would say that warning the midwife may be more pressing, as the others are in groups that can spot the dragon by themselves, but she lives alone. What do you say, mr. See Fourteen?"
He takes a look around trying to see if there is someone around to ask for more clear directions to the windmill.
"Indeed. Protection of defenseless biologics must prioritized. This unit recommends seeking out the acolyte woman first as she is likely most at risk. Will either of you require rest or sustenance before we set out?"
(GM, what time is it right now...if it is later in the day we should probably wait until morning.)
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Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
"I am good." Michael says with a smile for the warforge. "We do need to get some more information though, since I am not sure where the midwife actually lives." He glances around as well for someone to ask.
(DM: Michael has traveled around this area for some time, does he have a working knowledge of where things are around the area?)
Built on the slope of Umbrage Hill is an old stone windmill surrounded by an iron fence. A large winged monster with a spiky tail is trying to knock down the windmill’s front door. A woman appears in a second-floor window, waves at you, and yells, “A little help?!”
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Guess what, there's a dragon.
Anyone else here? I put the link in the campaign...
I am but I was waiting for you to post something to kick things off.
OOC: Same...generally the GM starts with a set piece. Where are we, what is happening, etc. etc.
Quote from Phantasmix >>
From this post it almost seems like we could be instantly appeared in the dragon's lair, in which case sure to die I assume.
Need a bit more to get things started.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Sorry...
Driven from lands farther north by more powerful dragons, a young white dragon named Cryovain has descended upon the Sword Mountains, claiming the snow-capped range as its domain. Typical of its kind, Cryovain is dim-witted and cruel. The dragon patrols the skies around Icespire Peak, surveying its territory while hunting for food and easy treasure. With each passing day, the dragon’s domain grows as it ranges farther across the land, preying on anything it can catch with its claws or freeze to death with its icy breath. Sightings of the dragon are becoming more common, as are its attacks.
A crumbling fortress on the northeast spur of Icespire Peak serves as the dragon’s lair. Cryovain seized the icy fortress from a tribe of savage orcs, killing the orc war chief and forcing the tribe’s survivors to flee into the foothills and forests. Enraged by the death of their war chief, the orcs have called upon ancient allies — evil, shapechanging, half-orc spellcasters who bless and advise them. These half-orcs worship Talos, an evil god of storms, and many dwell in the dark depths of Neverwinter Wood. In stormy weather, they gather on remote hilltops to summon Gorthok the Thunder Boar, a primal entity that serves Talos. Like the god it serves, Gorthok delights in destruction.
The orcs aren’t the only creatures thrown into upheaval by Cryovain’s sudden arrival. A manticore driven from its mountaintop nest by the roaming white dragon has migrated to the foothills and begun terrorizing folk living on the outskirts of the mining town of Phandalin. Other monsters in the region have been similarly displaced.
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
Begin!
The warforged stood at the entrance to the town, methodically scanning each building. As people walked by they gave the strange being a wide berth, its metallic face a little off putting for the lack of a nose or mouth. The amber colored eyes tracked each pedestrian as they passed.
"Greetings, I am C14-5H3R, you may call me C14. Can you direct me to an establishment in need of guard or policing assistance?"
A mother encircled her arms around her three children and hurried past the large automaton. The amber eyes following her as she walk/ran down the street. A burly man walking past came closer to inspect the creature.
"Greetings, I am C14-5H3R, you may call me C14. Can you direct me to an establishment in need of guard or policing assistance?"
The man stepped back a pace, surprised at the deep but metallic voice coming out of the creatures face.
"Um, ifen its a job you are looking for mister you should take a look at the board, outside of the hall, right down thata way."
"Thank you for your assistance citizen. Also, I am not a mister." "Oh, beggin' yer pardon ma'am." "Also not a ma'am. Thank you."
Without another word C14 turns and heads in the direction indicated towards the hall to examine the job board.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
A human man walks up to the job board. He wears woodland garb, with a crossbow at his hip. His black hair is shoulder-length, and his gray eyes are astute as he reads down the job listings.
"Come to check out the jobs?" He asks as the warforge comes over to the board. "Name's Michael Dawn, what are you called?"
"Greetings, I am C14-5H3R, you may call me C14. I indeed am seeking employment."
It turns its attention to the board, reviewing the available postings.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Walking slowly and leaning in a quarterstaff, V'rekh enters Phandalin. The walk from the coast has been mostly uneventful and he is tired, but thinking about the few coins in his pouch he decides that rest can wait until he can find a way to get some money.
He has seen humans before, but the strange appearance of the warforged catches his eye. He walks up to the job board and introduces himsef "Well met. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one that doesn't look like everyone else. My current name is V'rekh". He speaks common with a strong accent that is not from this part of the continent. "Would you know a good place to rest around here, or maybe a way to earn money for lodging?"
Michael nods to the job board. "We were just reading up on what tasks need doing around here."
Written in swirling handwriting, adventures written in Common cover the board:
Dwarven Excavation Quest. “Dwarf prospectors found ancient dwarven ruins in the mountains southwest of here, and have been working an archaeological dig seeking treasure and relics. They need to be warned that a white dragon has moved into the area. Take the warning to them, then return to Townmaster Harbin Wester to collect a reward of 50 gp"
Gnomengarde quest. “A clan of reclusive rock gnomes resides in a small network of caves in the mountains to the southeast. The gnomes of Gnomengarde are known for their magical inventions, and they might have something with which to defeat the dragon. Get whatever you can from them. If you bring back something useful and don’t want to keep it for yourselves, Townmaster Harbin Wester will pay you 50 gp for it.”
Umbrage Hill Quest. “The local midwife — an acolyte of Chauntea named Adabra Gwynn — lives by herself in a stone windmill on the side of a hill a few miles south of Phandalin. With dragon sightings becoming more common, it’s not safe for her to be alone. Urge Adabra to return to Phandalin. Once she’s safe, visit Townmaster Harbin Wester to claim a reward of 25 gp.”
"I was wondering what had all of the beasts moving around." Michael says as he reads the postings. "A white dragon in the area would explain much of that. Suppose warning these dwarfs and the midwife would be the first priority..." He glances to the other two. "You two want to travel together for this, probably not a bad idea to have company if a dragon is around..."
V'rekh reads the notes on the board and nods in agreement at Michael's words. "You are most certainly correct. I would say that warning the midwife may be more pressing, as the others are in groups that can spot the dragon by themselves, but she lives alone. What do you say, mr. See Fourteen?"
He takes a look around trying to see if there is someone around to ask for more clear directions to the windmill.
"Indeed. Protection of defenseless biologics must prioritized. This unit recommends seeking out the acolyte woman first as she is likely most at risk. Will either of you require rest or sustenance before we set out?"
(GM, what time is it right now...if it is later in the day we should probably wait until morning.)
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
"I am good." Michael says with a smile for the warforge. "We do need to get some more information though, since I am not sure where the midwife actually lives." He glances around as well for someone to ask.
(DM: Michael has traveled around this area for some time, does he have a working knowledge of where things are around the area?)
Just for easiness, I'm gonna say Michael knows the area and how to get there and that it's 7am. Now go save that midwife
Built on the slope of Umbrage Hill is an old stone windmill surrounded by an iron fence. A large winged monster with a spiky tail is trying to knock down the windmill’s front door. A woman appears in a second-floor window, waves at you, and yells, “A little help?!”