-Episode 14-
-28th Threshing-(Sylvia’s Birthday it turns out)
-Cool, Cloudy, No Rain-Gentle Breeze-
-See something edible through a gap-
-Pay 28 gp for general expenses and restock supplies-
Scene #91:
We spend the next day exploring the village of Bleakband. We manage to get some of our equipment repaired at the blacksmith, and between his shop and the carpenter’s, I am able to craft some replacement arrows. There are more than enough caravaneers around, and we are able to restock some supplies through their wares, though most are carrying hides, grain, or fabric in their large wagons.
-Village enounter-Farmer’s children-reaction—20!-Q: Does Lisith want to play? NO
As we circulate around the village, taking care of business, three of the local children begin following us about and in spite of language barriers, they seem eager to play with Lisith, but the girl, uncertain in this environment, clings to us instead and I send the kids away with a smile and a shrug.
Q: Will the village lord receive me? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Language barrier? YES Q: Does word arrive from Firth? Unlikely-EXCEPTIONAL YES
We stop by the manor house and I ask to speak with the village lord, but the guard doesn’t seem to understand anything I am saying and angrily sends me away.
That evening, sitting in the Bard and Bottle, I see two young men wearing Feldholm livery but only light armor enter the tavern. They look worn out from the road as they approach the bar. I tell the barkeep we’ll take their tab and ask the men to come and join us. “What news from Feldholm? Is Firth still in goblin hands?”
Q: Will they tell us? NO
“What do you know of Firth’s recent woes?” asks one of the men warily.
“I know that we in Rabbit’s Fall barely repelled a goblin assault, and when I went to Firth for help, the banners were struck and there were ogres manning the watchtowers,” I offer with a shrug. “And the city seemed to be taken without a fight. Do you serve its new hobgoblin warlord?”
Q: Do they take offense? Likely-YES
The messenger stands up, enraged, hand on his blade, “I’m no traitor! And where were you when we retook the city? When women and children bled in the streets as we drove out that vermin!”
-Persuasion 11-
I lean back in my chair but do not stand, instead, holding out my hands, “I was commanded to leave by Lady Agnes of Rabbit’s Fall, and called a traitor by King Jon. It did not seem my fight any longer.”
Q: Does he soften? Unsure-YES
“A traitor to the traitor king?” the two men glance at each other, then smile a bit, “Then you must have been a friend to his father.”
“Saved his daughter’s life, twice, and fought to save his, but we were outnumbered by his assassins,” I explain.
Q: Do they tell us now? NO
“Saved Princess Jenn’s life? Then you are no enemy,” the man relaxes and sits back down. I ask what news they have but they are tight lipped, saying only that they must return to the road as soon as they eat and get fresh horses.
“Tell me then, does Sir Jon Small still live? What of Lord Hevran? When the three of us parted company, they spoke of seeking out various lords of the land,” I press.
Q: Will they answer? EXCEPTIONAL NO
They regard me warily, and then take their meals to another table.
Q: Do they want to go back? YES
I look at my companions, particularly at Tor and Terra, “What do you think?”
“If the city is retaken, there is hope. I would rather build a new home in Thorn than wander north as a stranger in a strange land,” Tor states plainly.
Terra nods her agreement, “Feldholm is our home, even if Rabbit’s Fall has turned its back on us.”
Q: Have they heard anything? Unlikely-NO
I nod in agreement, then head over to talk to some of the caravan masters, but they are wary of either pressing forward or returning home. They still await news from Feldholm.
-Taproom event-everyone seems to leave-(discussion topics-contacts)
We continue to relax as a company, talking about people we’ve known over the years, common friends Ronan and I have shared, people who looked out for Sylvia when she was a kid on the street, folks that Terra and Tor often sell meat and hides to. But as we talk, we notice people starting to get up an leave in spite of the early hour. Soon, we realize that we are nearly the only patrons remaining in the tavern.
I look around, “That’s odd. Any idea what just happened?”
Terra regards the place with suspicion, “No idea.”
Sylvia grins and offers, “I bet there’s a fight outside!” as she eagerly jumps to her feet and heads outside to watch.
She returns a few seconds later as the rest of us are still getting up to say, “I think maybe everyone just went home.” She shrugs in disappointment.
I sigh and suggest that perhaps we had all just better turn in, and we can perhaps head back to Firth in the morning.
-29th Threshing-
-Pleasant, Heavy Rain in the afternoon-strong wind-
-Immersion-sound of singing-
Scene #92:
Our second morning at the Bard and Bottle, Ronan and I awken to the sound of singing, it’s Tor’s voice from the next room over that he shares with his daughter. Some old love song it seems. Ronan rolls over and pulls the pillow over his head while I get up.
“Sometimes, I forget you were a soldier, lazy bones,” I taunt the man.
Ronan groans, “Not a soldier anymore, and besides this is a warm bed! Send up a woman and some mead and I’d stay here all day!”
I laugh, “You’ll need to find your own on both accounts.”
-Survival checks, two pass-
Soon, I am downstairs joining the rest of the company for breakfast. Ronan comes down a bit later. “have you been outside?” Terra asks, “I think it’s going to rain today.”
I get up and step out onto the porch, study the sky and smell the air, and quickly agree with her, “Yeah, best to wait another day before returning to Feldholm. I want to get Lisith back to her parents if we can.”
Lisith’s eyes light up, “Do you mean it? I can go back home?”
I smile down at her and pat her shoulder, “I hope so.”
-Encounter-Village children-hostile-
While we wait around in town talking to caravaneers to find out how long they will wait for news, four children come up and start teasing Lisith
Q: Does she take it well? NO
She is soon sobbing and clinging to my leg. I yell at the kids and they run away.
Q: Any further word? NO
-30th Threshing-
-Pleasant-Cloudy-Strong winds-
-Unusual silence-
Scene #93:
Our third morning at the Bard and Bottle, I wake in the predawn stillness. Quietly dressing, I slip out of my room, and then onto the front porch of the tavern.
Q: Is anyone else up? NO
I study the village square as sun slowly climbs over the horizon and the farmers begin to wake up for their morning chores. Eggs are gathered, heifers milked, and men head out into the fields. Eventually, I hear breakfast being served and the smell of fresh bread assails my nostrils. With a smile, I return to my companions and we share a meal. “We leave today.” I inform them.
Q: Will any caravaneers come with? NO
As we pull our packs over our shoulders, I ask the caravaneers we’d met if they are coming along, but to the man, they decide to sit tight and wait awhile longer. With a shrug, I lead my company back out into the wastelands.
-Morning-No Encounter-
-Afternoon-Small game-
We travel throughout the morning and into the afternoon with little happening of note. We pass by a nest of prairie dogs who duck into their burrows as we draw close, but otherwise the journey is uneventful.
-Evening-Racoons get into the gear-
As we set our evening camps, I hear Ronan yell as a large racoon grabs his pack from where he set it down and attempts to run away with it.
Terra puts an arrow through the animal. I laugh, “Well, I know what we’re eating tonight.”
“Thank the goddess!” Sylvia grins, as she starts looking for some good sticks to serve as spits. I soon have the animal skinned and gutted so she can roast the meat.
-Night-No Encounter-
31st Threshing
-Pleasant-Heavy Rain in the early morning, gentle wind-
-immersion-see something valuable that cheers me-
Scene #94 (Positive Alteration):
In the predawn hours, a drenched Sylvia peeks back into our tent. “I did not sign up for this! Can you stand watch instead?”
She looks looks like a drowned rat, but there is something charming about the young woman, wearing that half moon earring she found in the market that one day. I shake my head in feigned annoyance and relieve her, standing watch through the early morning rain while she tries to dry off our tent.
“Thank you,” she says with a wink.
After the storm passes, I wring out my garments as best I can and start getting the animals ready for travel. My companions wake at dawn, we eat a cold meal of dried meat, raisins, bread and hard cheese and then continue our trek east.
-Morning-wolves-8-they just attack-(animal handing rolls, only Terra passes) (roll raid target between dog, mules, and Lisith)
As we continue our journey, I notice a pack of wolves trailing us. First one, then several. Terra warns, “Look at their ears. They’re thinking we’re lunch.”
Suddenly, the animals rush towards Sylvia’s dog. It is over in a flash! One of my arrows strikes a rushing wolf just as it sinks its jaws into the dog’s foreleg, the dog bites back but a second wolf sinks its jaws into the poor animal’s neck as Terra’s arrow finished the first wolf. Two other wolves start dragging the dog’s body away as Sylvia scream in rage and her arrow and Tor’s takes another wolf. The rest of the pack vanishes into tall grass with Sylvia’s dog.
“I’m going to get him back!” Sylvia fumes.
“And what? He’s dead,” I remind her.
Q: Does she insist? YES
“And now they are too!” the young woman insists, as she starts after them.
“Payback,” grins Terra.
I shrug and tell Ronan, “Stay here with the girl.” Then glancing at Tor, “You too.”
Q: Does Tor linger? NO
The old man hesitates as he was going to come with, but then he follows me anyway.
The bloodtrail is easy to follow, and a salvo of arrows panics the animals, but only my target went down.
Q: Do they abandon their prize? YES
The wolves, now followed by hungry pups, abandons their prize and flees from us, having lost three of their pack for nothing.
I look around, “Satisfied?”
Sylvia stands over the dog’s partially eaten carcass, tears in her eyes, “No, dammit. They killed my dog!”
I put my hand on her shoulder, “Let’s go now.”
Q: Lean in? EXCEPTIONAL NO
She shrugs off my hand, and after a few minutes, finally returns to the mules with the rest of us. Then we continue our journey.
-Afternoon-No Encounter-
-Evening-Small game-
That evening, we finish our march near another prairie dog burrow.
-Night Encounter–Survival-Passed-
Sylvia is dejected as we sit around the fire, having found a place sheltered from distant view where we can light one. She looks up at me, “Why did they come after the dog? I mean, we’re a large group. Why didn’t they run away like wolves usually do?”
“Hungry, I guess. Haven’t had any luck hunting,” I shrug.
“But we’ve seen game! All the time! Why’d they take my dog?” Sylvia protests.
I shake my head, “That’s the nature of things. We’ve seen plenty of food, maybe they had worse luck. They certainly lost a lot taking the dog. The pack had to be desperate is all.”
She is still pouting as the company turns in for the night.
-32nd Threshing-
Pleasant, Clear Skies, Gentle Breeze-
-Sound-Hissing-(settle some attack rolls)
Scene #95:
The morning after we lost the dog, I wake to the feeling of something sliding across my thigh. At first, it is a pleasant thought then I remember it’s just Ronan and I in the tent at this hour. I open my eyes, and there is a large viper on my chest! I throw it aside as I grab my knife! The thing hisses and strikes but I block it with my blanket, then cut it’s head off with a clean stroke.
Ronan sits upright, “What the hells?”
“Shit! The damn thing was crawling up my leg!” I exclaim.
“Here inside the tent? Damn it all,” he curses as the two of us check our gear for more snakes and dress. “Not a pleasant way to wake up, I’m sure.”
I chuckle, “Yeah, but not as unnerving as my first thought.”
He looks at me, in confusion, but I don’t elaborate, nor does he press.
-Morning-Wild Cattle-
“There! Right there!” Sylvia exclaims angrily, “A whole herd of freaking cows! How can we find these things and a pack of wolves not!”
Terra rolls her eyes glancing at me, and I shake my head, knowing that no words of comfort or logic will do any good right now.
-Afternoon-More Wild Cattle-
“I’m telling you! The highlands are thick with them!” Sylvia continues ranting.
-Evening-No Encounter-
We eventually follow the road as it curves southward into the Northwoods and soon find ourselves outside the Last Crow Inn
Q: Have people returned to the inn? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Inbound? YES
The inn bustles with activity as we enter the place. A large number of wagons are in the courtyard, dwarven traders and guards are everywhere inside. The inn guards are out front, and tankards clash and plates are passed around within. The three serving girls move swiftly between the tables, while the familiar looking innkeeper is at the bar.
“Welcome to the Los Crow,” one of the girls says, “grab a seat if you can find one, we’ll bring plates over in a minute.”
“Lodging?” I ask.
Q: Rooms available? NO
The girl laughs, “Bedroll in the common room upstairs on the floor between bunks, or use the stable loft” The girl shrugs, then grins, “It’s nice to be full up again.
Ronan walks over to the bar, “We were here a few days ago. Place was abandoned. We took some food. And found this.” He pulls the massive blade off his back and unwraps it from the old bedsheet we’d wrapped it in.
Q: Does he recognize the blade? Very Likely-NO
The innkeep looks at him in confusion, “The bedsheet? Yeah, I knew we were missing one, thanks for bringing it back.”
“No, the sword,” Ronan states, confused.
“That’s not…mine. Where did you find it,”
Ronan looks over towards Sylvia, “Hey girl! Where did you find the sword?”
Q: Does he take it back? Very Likely-NO
Sylvia walks over and slips behind the counter, showing the innkeep where the slat came up for her. He is surprised at the revelation. Then looks up at Ronan, “Well…thank you. But…keep it. I don’t need a sword. Thank you for telling me though. It’s a nice looking weapon.”
Ronan smiles and nods in agreement, “I concur”.
Q: Do we learn details aabout what happened? EXCEPTIONAL YES
As drinks flow we learn details about the battle. How Sir Jon Small and Paulla’s Wild Women led a team inside the keep and nearly killed the hobgoblin warlord. How when the Free banner was raised over the keep, the common folk rose up as goblins and ogres panicked. And how Lord Hevran lead his army over the walls and in through the gates, slaughtering the invaders without mercy. We also learned that King Jon was no more, Queen Rebecca also died, and that Queen Jenn now rules the land with Lord Hevran as her steward managing affairs until she grows into the role. We also learn that Lady Tabith of Thorn, Lord Hiram and Lady Lucretia of Red Claw are declared traitors, and that Red Claw as given to Paulla on her knighthood.
“See! If we had snuck in like Terra and I wanted to, we could be lords of our own village!” Sylvia exclaims.
Terra sighs and glares at her, “Nearly killed the Hobgoblin warlord. They failed and still got a holding. We’d have done it right.”
Ronan raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. I return to my drink as well.
-33rd Day of Threshing-
-Pleasant-Cloudy no rain-Gentle wind-
-Immersion-Sense of confusion/anxiety-(randomize)
Scene #96: E: Resolution of ‘Goblins decimated’: the Assistance of an Illness
Suddenly, there is a yell and I jerk awake. Ronan is on his feet, hammer in hand looking around in confusion and fear. The dwarves in the bunks around us are reaching for arms. I stand and say, “It’s alright! Hey, Ronan…I’m here. Your safe. We’re here…together. In an inn.”
Suddenly, Ronan swings his hammer at me, the blow glancing my shoulder. I tackle him, pinning him to the ground, but he struggles. Fortunately, even though he is bigger and stronger than me, I manage to hold him in place as I whisper, “Calm. Deep breath. You’re safe”
Slowly, he seems to come to his senses, “What the hells? I thought…” He looks at me and at the faces of concerned dwarves all arounds us, whispering to one another. “Well, good to see you, but you can get off me now.”
I laugh and stand up, rubbing my shoulder, “Glad you aren’t a better aim.”
He shakes his head as I help him up, “Me too, I think”
After breakfast, we join the dwarven caravan going south.
-Morning-No Encounter-
-Afternoon-King’s Patrol-(randomize-Fredor is in charge of it!-
Around mid-afternoon, we encounter a patrol of king’s men and some laborers along the road. The laborers are tying goblin corpses, taken from the back of a large wagon, up alongside the road, binding the corpses to the trees on either side of the road. I recognize the sergeant from twice before, Fredor, who has a fox hunt embroidered into his uniform.
“Good day, Sergeant Fredor,” I call out on recognizing him, “Grisly work.”
Terra is grinning, “Nice! Show the damned things not to come around anymore!”
Fredor nods in agreement, “That’s the intent. Still think they should have all just been burned.”
Terra shakes her head, “Nope! This is better. Finally put the bastards to good use!”
Q: Is Lisith sickened? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Lisith looks at the corpses, and I can see a hint of anger in here eyes. When Terra spits at one, Lisith does the same, “Bastards good use!” she repeats.
Terra grins at the girl, “That’s right!” and pulls her close, “A girl after my own heart.”
“Hey, Fredor.” I pull the sergeant aside, “I need to know. Am I…a wanted man in Feldholm?”
Q: Am I wanted? NO Q: Has Jenn asked my fate? YES E: Positive for Tor: the Communication of a Rumor
He shakes his head, “No,” then he laughs, “I heard the Queen ask about you though. Where you were. I also heard that you, your man Ronan, and I guess that old man there, Tor is it? You lot saved Rabbit’s Fall. Way Sir Jon Small tells it, if you hadn’t sprung Hevran and Small from prison, we might be in shackles today.”
I smirk, “Wasn’t sure they got away after we split up. Glad they turned things around.”
Fredor nods his head in agreement, “So’s my sister. She was terrified when those…hobgoblins…marched through town. They took one child from every house as a hostage into the great courtyard. She thought she’d never see her son again. If you hadn’t gotten our men out, they wouldn’t have been able to rally the army, then sneak back in. Thanks.” Fredor closes his eyes and puts his hand on my shoulder.
I smile and return the gesture, then I continue on my path, soon catching up to the wagons and the rest of my company that had not lingered.
-Evening-Pilgrims-
As the sun begins to set, we pass by a small group of pilgrims heading north, once more led by Brother Mereth. As it is close to the end of the day, we all set camp together for greater security.
“Good Brother Mereth! Another pilgrimage I take it?”
The cleric nods solemnly, “Yes. People wish to pray for souls of their loved ones. There is a lot of grief in the land right now.”
I nod in agreement, “Understood. Anyone here from Thorn?”
Q: Anyone from Thorn? YES Q: Lisith’s parents? NO Q: Are Lisith’s parents alive? NO
“Yes, over there. Jannick and Sera,” Mereth indicates.
I walk over to the couple with Lisith. Their eyes fill with tears on seeing her, “I’m so sorry!” the woman says on seeing the girl, “So…so…sorry!”
The man looks at Lilith in shock, “By the goddess! How did you escape?”
“Where’s momma and papa?” Lisith looks at the woman, tears now streaming down her face as she understands. The woman wraps her in her arms, and the two sob together.
Mereth looks on as the scene unfolds, “I take it you found her in the ruins of Thorn.”
I nod solemnly, “Yes. We took her to Oldfall with us when we thought the kingdom was lost, and when we learned it wasn’t we decided to bring her back. Hoped to find her parents.”
Mereth shakes her head, “I can bring her with us. Jannick and Sera lost both of their children. If they won’t take the girl in, I can leave her at the Temple of Healing Light. They’ll raise her in the church. She’ll be safe there.”
I nod in agreement, “Alright. I’ll tell her.”
I let Sera and Lisith have their moment, then as Lisith lets the woman go and turns back towards me, I lead her off a aways, kneel down and explain to her, “I am sorry about your parents. I think you should go with Brother Merrick. With Jannick and Sera. They will take care of you.”
Q: Does Lisith agree? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“No! I want to stay with you!” the girl cries out.
-Persuasion 17-
Sylvia looks on in dismay as the girl’s heart breaks. She kneels down behind the child, “No. You need to go with them. They’ll give you a good home. A warm bed. Food every night. A place to belong. Something we don’t have. But something everyone needs. We will come visit. And we will never forget you!” she smiles as the girl slowly stops crying.
“Promise?” Lisith looks at me with pleading eyes.
I solemnly nod my head, as Sylvia turns the girl’s face back towards her, “Of course.” She smiles, then pulls the Page of Cups card from her pouch, “Keep this to remember us…always.” She smiles with whistful tears in her eyes as the girl takes the card from her.
Q: Is Lisith adopted? YES
34th Threshing-
-Pleasant, Intermittent Rain all day and night, good stiff wind-
-sidekick touches something engraved-
(generate a legend real quick?)
Scene #97 (Positive Alteration):
When I join the rest of the camp for breakfast, the pilgrims, the dwarves, and my companions, I see Ronan showing his greatsword to two of the dwarven guards, tracing his fingers across the etchings in the blade, “So what do these mean?” he asks.
One of the dwarves raises an eyebrow and suggests, “Trollmaul Sirenslayer. A name and a title. But it’s in the old style, not like modern runes. It’s an old weapon. What do you want for it?”
Ronan chuckles, “Want for it? What do you mean? It was given to me by the innkeeper who owned it.”
“But it’s a dwarven weapon. Belongs to this Trollmaul’s kin,” objects the dwarf.
“Are you one of his kin? Do you know where they are?” Ronan asks.
Q: Does he? NO
“Um, well, no. But it is a dwarven weapon, and not crafted for human hands. Let us buy it from you,” the dwarf presses.
Ronan considers, “What are you offering?”
Q: Are these weapons traders? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Do they have the money for fair purchase? NO Q: Do they personally own masterwork weapons to trade? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“We have a wagon loaded with fine statuettes, flatware, jewelry, a range of items. We will have our captain show you,” the dwarf suggests.
“I don’t think so,” replies Ronan. “If our friend Fenwick still has his shop in Firth, perhaps I will trade the weapon to him, and then he can trade it back to you. For now, I will just keep it.”
Q: Do the dwarves get upset by this? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“Fair enough,” the dwarf relents. “I can see why you won’t trade. Men like us live by the blade, and that’s the kind that won’t let you down.”
Ronan nods his agreement, “Thank you for telling me what it says.”
As the companies start to get underway, Jannick and Sera exchange farewells with Mereth, then come over to me, “We are going to head back south. The goddess has given us more than we could have ever hoped,” she says, pulling a smiling Lisith close, “We need to return to Thorn and rebuild. Winter is coming. It was foolish to think of leaving this close to the frosts, but…perhaps it was the goddess’ way of guiding us into her blessing?”
I smile, “I think it may have been. Come with us, Tor is going that way as well.” And with that, we are on the road alongside the dwarves once more.
-Morning Encounter- No Encounter-
The morning passes uneventfully, except for the occasional spatter of rain. We go back and forth between pulling cloaks up and letting them dry. It doesn’t slow the caravan, but it is a bit of nuisance throughout the day.
-Afternoon Encounter-Raccoons in backpacks again!
While we are stopped to eat, I hear one of the dwarves yelling, “Get out of here!” and a pair of racoons scamper away with a sack from their mess wagon.
Terra smirks, “Not us this time.”
“Not us,” I agree.
-Evening Encounter-Farmers working-Q: New Management? NO
We draw close to the Tree Stump Inn and see some men repairing the wall and gate that should have protected it. On seeing us, one of the farmers said, “Inn’s closed. Keep going.”
“Who’s rebuilding it?”
Q: Does he answer? NO
The farmer smirks and looks around, “We are.”
“Alright, who owns it now?” I clarify.
The farmer shrugs, “Mayor Tommus hired us to come get the inn back in good shape. Bury the bodies out back. I think he’s going to sell it to someone.”
I nod, “Any survivors?”
The farmer shrugs, “Assume not. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here now would we?”
The company rests outside of the Tree Stump Inn. We still aren’t welcome there.
-Night-No Encounter-
-35th Threshing-
-Pleasant-Heavy Rain at Night-good stiff wind-
-Immersion, touch something firm-
Scene #98 (Negative Alteration):
Waking up after along night’s sleep, I have a crick in my neck having accidentally rolled on top of a hard stone that pressed into my shoulder much of the night. No wonder I couldn’t get comfortable! I am rubbing my neck as I join the rest of the company.
Q: Do the farmers agree? YES
“Hey, Tor. We can cut through the woods from here to get to Thorn faster,” I suggest. The old man agrees, as do Lisith’s new parents, realizing that our little company is unafraid of the things that dwell within the North Woods.
-Morning-No Encounter-
We easily, and quietly slip through game trails and along creek beds and are soon at the village of Thorn
Q: Is reconstruction well underway? NO
There are only a handful of villagers here working to rebuild their homes. The sawmill is running, but the people seem dispirited. I look around, “Were there really so few survivors?”
Q: Does he know why? NO
Jannick shakes his head solemnly, “I hear that half of our community was lost. We never had a chance.”
I nod, then lead our company up to the manor house.
Q: Is Thorn still in charge? EXCEPTIONAL YES
A woman I recognize as Baroness Thorn is directing a couple of carpenters regarding how to arrange new homes and which area of the village to clear first. She looks up at our small company.
Q: Does she know Tor? YES (Baroness Perception 3, My Insight 19) Q: Is Tor Welcome? NO
“Jannick, Sera! I thought you had abandoned us. Your hands are needed if you want your homes rebuilt before the first frost.” Noticing Lisith, she smiles whistfully, “At least you found your missing daughter. That is something.” I notice Sera cringe a bit at Thorn’s misunderstanding. Then the Baroness looks at the rest, “And some trouble makers. What are you doing here?”
-Persuasion 15-
Tor explains, “I was hoping to build a new home here. I am no longer welcome in Rabbit’s Fall, but these woods. This region is my home. I’d like to stay around here.”
Q: Will she accept him anyway? YES
The distaste in her eyes is plainly visible, but she has lost too much to turn anyone away, “Welcome, Tor of Thorn. We’ll find a place for your new home.”
Some of the hunters who had helped us at Rabbit’s Fall have noticed us, smile and abandon their work for a bit to welcome there new neighbor and show him where he can set the tent we’ve given him.
I look to Terra, who is smiling for her father. “What about you?”
Q: Is Terra staying? Likely-EXCEPTIONAL YES
“I have too,” she chuckles with a shrug of her shoulder, “My people need us.” Then she clarifies, “My people need my father and I, and he needs me.” Then the smile falls from her face and she holds my gaze, “Thank you for standing with us. The smart play was to cut and run. You didn’t. I won’t forget that.”
Q: Does she pull away? Unsure-EXCEPTIONAL NO
I put my hand on Terra’s shoulder, “If you ever need us again, send for us. I don’t know where we will end up. Likely north, but you have been a true friend to us, and we’ll be glad to fight by your side, or have you at ours.”
Terra grips my hand briefly, smiles and then steps away, “Eyes sharp Garrick. And never trust a goblin!”
“Just because the church says they have souls doesn’t mean I’d trust one,” I shake my head.
Q: Does Lisith wave goodbye? NO
I take one last look at Lisith, now happily greeting a couple of children she knew before. The kids quickly start playing with a barrel hoop they found before their parents call them back to help load debris into a trash wagon. The girl never looks back.
Ronan, Sylvia and I head out of Thorn following the road southeast to Firth. Just the three of us, we now make much better time than when we had a child and a second mule alongside.
-Afternoon-No Encounter-
-Evening-Farmers at work-
The dark clouds that have been gathering overhead eventually decide they are full enough of sorrow and begin pouring out their grief on the world. Our cloaks do little against such a torrent, we pass by a number of farmers taking shelter beneath ancient boughs, hiding from the storm. But we press on and soon arrive at the Green Fox Inn.
Q: Slaughtered? NO Q: Does she recognize us? YES
The inn is open for business and we quickly take shelter inside. The curly haired wench quietly brings us our tankards and bowls. The man behind the bar seems somewhat subdued as well. After setting down our meals, the wench gives us a second look, “You were here with that so-called wizard once, right?” she looks around, “Where is he? Where is a wizard ever when you need one?”
I shrug my shoulders, “We lost him. He may be in the Keep. He might be dead.”
The woman sighs, and muttering, walks away, “So many dead.”
-Taproom Event-
There is a shout from across the tavern from near the hearth, and a man jumps up, his cloak seems to have caught fire.
Q: Does someone else help him first? NO Q: Is he badly hurt? YES
While most of the patrons stare in shock or recoil from fear, I leap to my feet, pin him to the ground and start rolling him, covering him with my cloak to smother the flames. Soon, the fire is extinquished, but his legs are badly burned.
Q: Is a physician present? NO
The serving wench fumes, “You can’t let your cloaks hang over the hearth! Idiot!”
The innkeeper and his wife start fussing over the man, but it is clear they don’t know how to treat a burn, so I step in and pull some aloe and lavender from my kit for a compress and loosely wrap the wounds. “Let the curate look at this. It will take awhile to heal,” I tell the man and one of his more sober companions.
Q: Is lodging available? YES
After our meals, we retire to a couple of rooms upstairs. Sylvia grins, “Private room!” Ronan and I shake our heads and retire to ours.
1st Vinetread
-Pleasant, Clear skies, sturdy breeze-
-Immersion-I make a deal with a sidekick-
Scene #99:
Leaving Green Fox Inn, I tell my friends, “If our money is still at the Balanced Scale, and if we aren’t arrested and thrown in jail, I’m buying the drinks tonight, and they won’t stop flowing!”
Ronan laughs, and points out to Sylvia, “He only says this because he knows I can’t drink a lot.”
Sylvia looks him up and down, grins and suggests, “So little old me could likely drink you under the table? I’ll take that as a challenge!”
I laugh, and remember how when we first came to this land they could barely stand each other. Yet now, we are like family.
Q: Does the guard recognize me? NO Q: Joyful? NO
We quickly arrive at the city gates and the guard waves us inside, not bothering to ask our business. The streets bustle with activity, but there is an unusual earnestness in the air today. “I need to see if Alfred’s okay,” Sylvia starts to race away, but I hold her back.
“Let’s check the Balanced Scales first, arrange lodging, then you can go talk to Alfred. I need to see Fenwick. Ronan? I guess you want to check in at the Scuffed Cuff, right?” The big man nods. “So, let’s just wait a bit before we split up.”
Sylvia shrugs and follows me.
(finally take the time to generate the Yellow Toad staff)
-Street Encounter-Work Gang-
“Hey, look at the heroes!” I hear a man call out to the guffaws of his fellows. A gang of laborers looks up from where they are unloading cargo from a group of wagons. “We didn’t see you around when we drove out those goblins!”
I shrug and ignore them and their continued laughter and insults.
Q: Rooms available? NO
At the Yellow Toad Inn, Tapper, the slender blonde serving girl, is at the bar as there is little traffic in the morning. “Hey, fellows.” she looks up from the counter she is polishing, “Lunch will be ready in another hour. I can pour you a tankard if you want.”
I shake my head, “No. We need lodging”
“Sorry, can’t help you. All full up! Lots of people on the roads these days it seems.” She shrugs.
I nod in understanding, “Alright then. Thank you.”
We leave, “Where is that other inn?”
Sylvia grins, “The Vulgar Wagon? You won’t like it.”
“Why not?” Ronan and I look at her.
She shrugs, “We have money. They don’t like people like us there. It’s for the down and out.”
I shake my head, “Alright, change of plans. Maybe Timmus can put us up for the night in a warehouse or something”
-Encounter-Thief bump-(sleight of hand 8 vs perception 13-
As we are jostled in the crowded street, I feel a hand against my purse, and grab it tight around the wrist, “Best not do that again, lad!” I warn the youth.
Q: Does he deny it? NO
“Yes master,” he stammers out, fear obvious in his eyes. The boy looks to be around fifteen years old. I push him away, but not hard enough to hurt him.
Sylvia shakes her head, and tosses him a gold crown, “Let us be, but get some food.” She shrugs.
Q: is the balanced scales unscathed? YES Q: Does he recognize us? NO
We finally arrive at the Balanced Scales and step inside, the two guards eye us warily and Tibbit looks up from his books. “Gentlemen, lady, how may I be of service today.
“We are here to collect the money your are holding for us. We’re leaving Feldholm,” I reply.
“Oh, that’s it then? And you are?” he raises an eyebrow.
“You are kidding me, right? You’ve got to be kidding me!” Sylvia objects. “I knew we shouldn’t have listened to Edwin!”
Q: Does he remember Edwin? NO
Tibbit doesn’t seem to recall Edwin’s name either.
“I am Garrick Hale, this is Ronan Vale and Sylvia Tanner. Please check you ledgers,” I suggest as Ronan and Sylvia produce deposit slips.
“Where’s yours?” Tibbit holds out his hand.
“Royal keep, perhaps. They can vouch for me,” I suggest.
The man inspect his ledgers, and starts counting out coins, “A shame to see this much money leave. Are you sure you don’t want to leave a portion here for when you return? You can always send an agent back to have it transferred.”
-Persuasion 9-
“No. My money?” I remind him.
He shakes his head, “No, I don’t know who you are…” then he finds the letter that Edwin had left for Ronan and I. He passes it to Ronan who opens, reads, and passes it to me.
I read Edwin’s note aloud for Sylvia to hear, “My studies here are complete, and I have returned home to Kardon. May the goddess guard your souls. Edwin” Sylvia makes a look of disgust and I look back up at Tibbit. “Is this all he left for us?”
Q: Now does he remember? YES
Ronan says, “He left a lot more money in my account than I remember having.”
Tibbit’s eyes suddenly widen, “Oh, that fellow. Yes, he left quite a few things, for…oh, for you, I guess.” He goes in back and returns with a small trunk, unlocks it, and I grin as I see that my blades and armor are inside. Then he fetches a longbow as well. “I was under the impression you’d be around for it in just a couple of days.”
I shrug, “Sometimes, cities get overrun by goblins and you have to change your plans.”
Tibbit nods as I begin collecting my things. Sylvia then starts selling the man pieces of jewelry she has collected in our recent travels, adding the coins to our company bag. She keeps a couple of necklaces for another day.
Afterwards, our company splits up for a time, agreeing to meet back up at the Yellow Toad. Sylvia takes off towards Timmus’ estate while Ronan and I head over to the merchant’s district.
Q: Fenwick okay? NO Q: Alive? NO Q: Is Wildmane okay EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Is Gable okay EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Is Timmus okay? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Is Alfred Okay? NO Q: dead? NO
Fenwick’s store, the Straight Shot, is boarded up, and the Dwarven Arms was apparently burnt in the fighting. Asking around, we learn both men were killed during the fighting, their stores robbed of weapons. In frustration, I then head up towards the keep while Ronan goes to the Scuffed Cuff.
—
Sylvia arrives at Timmus’ warehouse, and learns from Michael that the old man was killed on the docks as he tried to help his family escape the siege. Alfred was badly wounded as well. Sylvia follows his directions to Timmus’ house and visits her friend.
Q: Are we invited to stay? NO Q: Is he mad at her? NO Q: Still enamored? NO
Alfred smiles when he sees Sylvia. They talk about the siege and what happened, but that spark that was once in his eyes whenever he saw her is gone now. He has seen too much blood recently to find those who live by the sword fascinating. He thanks her for visiting, and she wishes him well as he assumes the mantle of his father’s business.
—
Q: Am I welcome in the Keep? NO Q: Will Helvarn see me? NO
At the Keep, I announce myself and the guard sends word inside, and the servant that returns says to turn me away. I then ask if I might speak to Lord Helvarn. The servant leaves and returns, and repeats that I am not welcome. I turn away, and head back towards the Yellow Toad Inn. There, I learn that most all of our friends are either dead, or have turned their backs on us. “Do we need to even stay the night?” I ask, “Green Fox Inn?”
Q: Stables intact? NO Q: Can we get three horses anyway? NO
My companions all agree. As we are leaving, we stop by the stables to see about purchasing horses for our journey north, but it appears that the stables were burned in the fighting and many horses were killed or stolen during the chaos.
—
Q: Lodging available? NO (6 vs 21)
That night, at the Green Fox Inn, we enjoy a hearty meal, share several drinks, and then retire to the hayloft for the night. Ronan is completely sloshed, and Sylvia, who beat him by a single drink, seems unfazed as we help him up the ladder. The three of us then drift to sleep. Tomorrow is another day.
Posts From a Long Winded Gamer 
Leave a comment