- This is the campaign thread for the Desolation by Dragonlords homebrew campaign. Please only post here if you have been accepted into the campaign. - 

The first thing you notice when you awaken is the scorching heat. You were never asleep, more so blinded for a few moments, though you can't tell quite how long.

You were on the third day of a five day trip from Port Stonehorn to Lindora. You were a part of a small caravan, which included five other leather carriages, pulled by oxen: four for the other travelers, and one for the host of the trip. You've made your way through this lonesome, arid desert, passing only a few other bands of weary travelers on your journey. You did not know the other four main travelers when you began the caravan trip, but you have eaten meals with them, and spoken with them a few times during the trip, so everyone is somewhat familiar with each other. 

But that isn't how you ended up here, all lying on the hot cracked rocks of the desert. Just a while prior, there were people riding on horseback spotted behind the carriage. It seemed normal at first. Perhaps they were another group of travelers. But the people's faces were shielded in cloth, and unidentifiable. At some point, it was clear they were bandits, but by then, it was too late. Everything happened in a blur. One of the oxen was killed, and the caravan came to a dead stop. Before anyone knew what was happening, there were a few bangs and very bright flashes. That's the last thing you all can remember. 

Now, you are all lying on the desert ground. The sun violently beating down on you and the carriages you were once riding in are on fire from whatever it was the bandits used. The host of the caravan trip, a middle-aged dwarf, is wrestling with his remaining oxen, trying to calm them as they struggle in panic. You notice most of the chests, or boxes, or extra packages of belongings you brought are gone. You still have everything on your person, but most of everything else has been taken.  The bandits appear to be gone now. 

Two days from your destination, in a fairly unknown location in the desert, with no transportation and some of your belongings stolen, surrounded by people you barely know. What will you do? 

Cyrillus stands, immediately checking to make sure he has his bow. Finding that he does, he turns his attention to the burning caravan. He races forward and starts scanning the caravans to make sure no one is still inside.

Cyrillus is fairly tall human that is very slim. He has brown hair that is shaved on both sides and flopped to the right on the top. He also has a brown eye and his left eye is covered by an eyepatch. He wears simple leathers and wields a bow that you haven't seen leave his side.

Investigation: 20

Gorgo's nostrils flare, taking in the scents around him.  Smoke.  Charred ox-flesh.  Fear.

His gold-flecked eyes spring open.  Combat!

He springs up onto his feet, his red-orange scales flashing in the desert sun.  His spear is drawn, his eyes darting this way and that.  With no threat nearby, he lets out a throaty call, something between the barking of a large dog, and the honking of a goose.  "Braaaaaaaawwwwnk!"

He looks for the highest ground available: a large rock, the top of a wagon (not on fire, preferably), or even one of the oxen.  He scrambles up to the highest point he can reach, and surveys the surrounding countryside, seeking his foes.  Perception 17

"COWARDS!  VANDALS!  RAT HERDING GOBLIN LOVERS!  KNOW THIS!  YOU HAVE CROSSED THE WRONG FOE!  IT IS GORGO THE GREAT, CHOSEN OF ARCOLISC, WIELDER OF THE FORBIDDEN SPEAR, SCION OF DRAGONS, WHO HUNTS YOU NOW!  BY THE HOLY FLAME THAT BURNS WITHIN MY BREAST, I WILL SEEK YOU OUT AND EXTRACT RUINOUS JUSTICE UPON YOUR SOFT HUMAN HIDES!  COME OUT NOW AND FACE ME IN OPEN COMBAT, AND YOU CAN MEET YOUR END WITH SOME DEGREE OF HONOR!!!"  By the end, his voice is horse and his small chest is heaving under his mix-matched chainmail garb.  He continues to watch from his perch for several more minutes.

Cyrillus, make an Investigation check.

Gorgo, you find a group of rocks to scamper up onto, but once atop them you can't see much across the flat desert plains. With the bright sunlight flashing into your eye, you don't spot any figures or animals in the distance. 

Cyrillus, you don't see anyone inside the caravans. They appear to be empty. 

The young noble slowly gets up from the ground, gently using arcane magic to get his dark hair, grey streaks on the sides, in good in order. He then proceeds with his purple cloak, white ruffled shirt, black leather pants and high soft boots. His clear blue piercing eyes then notice the eye patched bow wielding ranger searching the carriages, the furious kobold warrior standing shouting on some rocks and the dwarf trying to calm his remaining oxen.

"Are you aware that those bandits could have had us killed if that was their plan. I don´t think it be prudent to face them again so soon considering what they just did to this caravan." He says to the kobold in a firm and stern voice gesturing at the obliterated caravan. "Thank instead whichever god you revere that you are alive and can have your revenge another day."

You remember the young noble introducing himself as Lord Darcio Heartshade when the caravan set out, not in a pompous way, just matter-of-factly. During your trip Lord Darcio have made only light convesation, but you got the sense he has been studying you as if trying to decide your opinions on the war and the chaos it has brought. Apart from that he has seemed to have conversations with his pet raven, mostly found perched on his shoulder.

"Azrael, would you be so kind as to see if there are any threats in the vicinity." He says to the raven that just found it´s way back to his shoulder.
The raven takes off and seems to scout the area from high above. Perception:6

As the desert heat is almost unbearable Lord Darcio then magically cools his cloak and searches the caravan for some much needed water.
Investigation: 5

Lord Darcio then walks over to the dwarf. "This was most unfortunate. Can I help you with that master dwarf?"

(OOC: Umm, Lord Darcio had a riding horse named Onyx that he was very attached to. Also the horse had some saddlebags with most of his equipment. Is it all lost?)

Still on the ground Brilyn wakes up as much from the hot sun as Gorgo shouting in the distance. She sits up looking around at the current situation. She holds her hand above her head to shield herself from the sun a bit. This heat was never her favorite. A few days ago her skin was still pale but having spend much time in the open sun without cover it has gotten a blush tone. Checking herself for any wounds she notices she does not have any. 

Brilyn stands up and takes her waterskin out to take a sip and to pour some on her hand to wash and cool her face a bit. Her dark hair still bundled up in a ponytail reaching to her lower back where she carries two daggers placed in her belt in the shape of an x. 

How could this of happened she thinks. She spotted the riders but was not prepared for their ambush. She shakes her head and starts walking towards the carriages. 
Her walk is noticeability less elegant then the days before, clearly her focus is elsewhere. As she walks her rapier bounces on her leg with each step as she makes big strides. Brilyn will try to remember any details she might of seen on the bandits, perhaps something to recognize them by or anything to indicate if they belong to a group. 

Coming closer to the wagons there is not much she can do to stop them from burning, specially in this heat. She keeps an eye on Cyrillus for a moment to see if he finds anyone still inside.

Brilyn closes her eyes trying to focus her mind to the present. We need to move forward she mumbles as she opens her eyes

Lord Darcio, see if your raven can spot a town or source of water. We still have 2 days on our journey, maybe longer on foot. We will need water. She says as she looks up at the sky. 

Finally she moves to the oxes as the dwarf tries to control them. Moving in front of the oxes with her arms wide moving slowly and trying to Help the dwarf to calm them

History check to remember anything about the bandits: 17

"As soon as we are clear of any immediate threat milady." Lord Darcio says while mentally informing Azreal of his secondary mission. Not used to take orders he nonetheless appreciates the resolve and determination of the eladrin woman. "Would you mind terribly sharing some of that water milady, I´m afraid my trusty steed Onyx seems to have been taken by those vile bandits." 

Brilyn glances around quickly as she hears Lord Darcio speak of his horse. To see if she can spot it and to tell if he speaks the truth. 

She will then hand him the waterskin with the words Its all i have. 

Brilyn will of had conversations with everyone in the group. Asking more questions than giving answers. And always keen to listen to others. Brilyn is not sure how to place Lord Darcio yet, but has noticed his watchfull eye on herself and others in the group. 

She will not wander away from Lord Darcio at the moment. She will stand there to ensure she gets the waterskin back as soon as he has gotten a drink. 

"Much obliged milady" Lord Darcio says as he accepts the waterskin, taking just what he needs and tries to return it still holding some water. "You seem to have the resolve to take us out of this predicament. Let me know if I can be of any further service with that milady."
Lord Darcio then looks over the remnants of the caravan. "The terrible war is to blame for this, there used to be some resemblance of law and order even in these parts, but now...something must be done about the rife unlawfulness." He says letting the statement hang in the air.

From his perch, he looks back down toward Lord Darcio and laughs.  "Bandits did not kill us because it is not their place.  Bandits could no more divert Gorgo from his glorious purpose than a rock could roll up a mountain."  His laughter fades as he slowly circles to take another look around the horizon.  Unable to see any sign of the ne'er do wells, Gorgo tilts his head to the sky and gives a last, hooting cry that carries off across the desert wastes.  Then he scrambles back down.

Nearer to Brilyn and Lord Darcio, he asks aloud, but to no one in particular "...Where could they have gotten to?  Oxen still spooked.  Caravan still burning.  Gorgo could not have been knocked stupid very long.  But no sign of the riders anywhere."  With obvious disappointment, he slings his spear and shield over his back and assesses, for the first time, the state of the caravan and his companions.  Brilyn is assertive as appears to be her way, giving appropriate instruction to Lord Darcio while also helping the caravan master with his oxen.  Gorgo knows how to handle beasts of burden, but that appears to be under control for the moment.  Cyrillus appears to be searching the caravans, likely for supplies which we will need in the dry wilderness. Good.  But where was the last?  The elf with the musical, honking bag?  Gorgo scampers off among the burning caravans to look for Alasse.

Lord Darcio smiles and shakes his head slowly. "Peculiar that one..." he comments to he eladrin and the dwarf "...still, he seems to have a brave heart." He adds keeping an eye on the kobold warrior. He then realizes Gorgo is looking for someone. Of course, that beautiful elven bard. Where could she be? "I´ll be back in a moment." He says and helps Gorgo search for Alasse.

Darcio, Azrael can see the outskirts of a small town about a mile away. Or at least, a small grouping of buildings that may extend further. It's difficult for Azrael to see it clearly, but there's definitely something there. Azrael also spots something moving in the desert, only about a quarter-mile away, behind a group of rocks.  It's a horse, and you can tell it may be Onyx, though they look very spooked, sprinting around in circles and shaking. Also, you find a small crate that hasn't burned in the rubble of one of the caravan carriages. It has some dried fruit and a few small flasks, probably enough for a small ration each. 

The dwarf is still struggling a bit with the oxen, though they have calmed down a bit. "Very unfortunate indeed." He then turns to Brilyn. "Thanks, miss, for the help." Dwarf Animal Handling check: 10

With the help of Brilyn, the dwarf manages to get the oxen under control. 

Brilyn, you don't remember anything very recognizeable about the bandits, or anything that stands out. They were wearing fairly standard clothes that were unmarked, and so you can't identify any group they may be a part of. 

Cyrillus, having found nothing, will return to the larger grouping of people. He seems to be having a mild coughing fit from the smoke. Over the caravan ride those that payed close attention would have noticed he does cough unusually frequently.

As he reaches the group he seems to calm this fit. "I believe I have enough food to sustain any number of us for a while. Water I have much less of, unfortunately." Cyrillus speaks in a kind of raspy voice.

"Oh, and I found this in one of the carriages" Lord Darcio tells Brilyn and the dwarf, showing them the dried fruit and the flasks.

When Azrael reports in Lord Darcio orders him to try to bring Onyx back to the camp as they are good friends by now. Azrael animal handling:8

While searching for Alasse he then speaks loud enough for the other travellers to hear him. "Azrael has spotted a settlement, about one mile away...in that direction." He points in the general direction of the settlement. "We should perhaps go there for water and supplies." He then turns to the dwarf. "Master dwarf do you know of this place?"

Darcio, Azrael calls out to Onyx, but Onyx still seems a bit disoriented. Onyx calms a bit, and starts running in the right direction, and you hear them as they start running toward the caravan, but they stop about midway and begin to walk in circles again, confused. 

The dwarf nods. "That 'tis the town of Widdlestow, I believe. I passed by it many a time on my route. It's small, but I'd be sure they've got themselves water, if that's what you be needing." 

"Well it would seem like a good idea to go there then, aren´t you coming master dwarf?" Lord Darcio asks.
"I think Azrael have found Onyx, I will go and fetch her, I will be back before long." He then says and leaves to collect his steed.

"I will be joining ye to the town, yes. I need to feed me oxen, maybe sell them now that me caravan is not useable." the master dwarf says. 

Darcio, you make your way toward Onyx. As soon as Onyx sees you, they calm down and begin to slowly walk toward you. (OOC: is Onyx male or female?) 

Lord Darcio calls out. "Onyx, come here my friend."
He checks on the saddlebags and their contents and then rides back to the camp.
Azrael will keep scouting for threats.

(OOC:A mare/female if it´s ok)

Onyx comes over, and you see all the contents of the saddlebags are still there. Some of Onyx's mane is singed, but she seems overall fine. 

(OOC: Yeah, that's fine, just wanted to know how to address Onyx in the future)