Avalon Campaign-1st Day of Heyday (generate 6d6X10 xp for Ronan and Garrick based on experience, the other two characters are young and green)
Ronan, Marlowe and I arrive at the town of Firth, having crossed the western sea from Karameikos, a10 day voyage by sail, and avoided trouble along the pirate coast. On board the ship, a young stowaway was found, a girl named Sylvia. I paid her passage rather than see her scourged, so now she owes our company 55 gold crowns.
“She’ll not pay you back, you know,” scowls Ronan. “She’s a vagabond. Look at the way she eyes every purse she sees, and that bow, she doesn’t know how to carry it. I am guessing it’s stolen.”
I shrug. “A chance worth taking. For some reason, she was eager to sail to Firth, hoping to seek her fortune like we are. Like Marlowe wants. Perhaps she will prove useful. Time will tell.” I reply to my more sober companion. He snorts and shakes his head as we gather our things and follow Marlowe into the docks, the girl following behind.
The docks bustle with sailors unloading their cargo, fishwives hawking their husband’s catch. This bleeds into a larger market square filled with farmers selling their produce and merchants their wares. People from every walk of life looking to see what can be found. Marlowe nods ahead, towards a buildng with a Yellow Toad on its sign. Ronan nods and pushes his way through the crowd, “Watch the girl,” he warns.
-Picking pockets, DC 12, rolled 5 after modifiers, roll 13 for failure result, escaped but notoriety increases by 1-
I turn too late, there is a cry from an angry man, and I spot Sylvia dashing quickly out of the square. “Damn it,” I mutter. Ronan scoffs that he warned me about her.
Opening Scene:
Scene #1 (Negative Alteration):
We are seated in the Yelllow Toad Inn, when a merchant and two members of the town watch enter. The merchant points at us, “They were with her!”
“Here we go”, mutters Ronan, “You better handle this” I take a deep breath.
“What seems to be the problem?” I ask smiling as I gesture for them to join our table.
The guards shake their heads, “There was a girl in the market that tried to rob this man’s stall. He says she was with you coming off the boat.”
“The stowaway?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “She owes me fifty-five crowns I paid the captain not to flog her when he found her. If you catch the little whelp, bring her back here would you. I’m going to need a torch bearer when our company is exploring old ruins. You wouldn’t happen to know of any near here would you?”
-Persuasion 5, failure-
“Nah. If she comes around, let us know,” the guard chuckles. “and stay out of trouble. If she decides to pay her debt by robbing people, we’ve got our eyes on you,” he warns.
I nod, “Duly noted friend”
Ronan leans back in his chair after they leave, “That girl better be worth it when push comes to shove.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I assure him.
Marlowe chimes in, “If she has light enough fingers, she could come in handy. And she was able to slip onto the ship unseen, stay hidden for six days, and then escape the market. She will be useful. She just needs a worthwhile alternative to petty theft.”
Scene #2:
The Offer: A merchant joins us at our table, and makes a proposition
-Immersion, enemy orders my sidekick-
As a serving girl brings us our meals, a well dressed merchant comes to our table, “Thin man, move over!” and pulls a seat between Marlowe and Ronan, joining our table.
Marlow raises an eyebrow in frustration, but says nothing.
The merchant addresses Ronan and I, “My name is Timmus. I am a wine merchant. You two seem the sort who can handle yourselves in a fight. I need a few good swordsmen to guide my next wagon up to the Lost Crow Inn. If I overheard you just arrived from ship, I reckon you are in need of some coin, and local friends. It’s a three day journey there, three days back. Fifty crowns for the job.”
“A hundred crowns,” I counter. (persuasion vs DC 15 fails)
“Fifty. You are strangers in town, so I am taking a chance trusting you with this, but if you do a good job, there may be more lucrative opportunities in the future when I tell my friends you are reliable.” He insists.
I look from Ronan to Marlowe. Ronan shrugs his shoulders, Marlowe nods his assent. “Very well. In the morning then? Tell us where.” He tells us how to find his warehouse, and bids us a good evening.
Q: Is the rest of the day uneventful? YES Q: Does Sylvia join us by nightfall? YES Q: Are we able to get the two double rooms? EXCEPTIONAL YES
By dinner, the inn is filled with locals and visitors, but we have already secured a couple of rooms for ourselves. Sylvia slips in behind us as we start to head upstairs.
“Miss me?” she asks with a grin.
“What the hells, woman!” Ronan scowls. I raise a hand for him to calm down, as Marlowe shakes his head no.
“You caused us a bit of trouble with the town watch. We won’t protect you if you cause us trouble here. Stick with us, you’ll find greater wealth than what you might steal.”
“Or end up with an axe through my head?” she scoffs with a grin.
“Better than dancing a jig ‘neath the gallows,” I reply, “I losing your hands to the headman’s axe.” She nods, pursing her lips. “We have two rooms, four beds,” I explain as we reach the second floor. She follows me into mine. Ronan shakes his head and he and Marlowe take the other.
(Roll d6 for Sylvia, 1-3 with Marlowe, 4-6 with me, rolls a 4)
I raise an eyebrow. “You talk to me,” she shrugs, “Besides, you know how to use a bow. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.” I nod as we turn in for bed.
Q: Is she talkative tonight? NO
Soon, we both drift to sleep.
Heyday 2
-Immersion-touch, enviroment-scratchy-
Scene #3:
I wake the next morning itching. The blanket was a bit rougher than the one I normally use. “Sylvia, get up! We have a job to do today.”
E: Action by Lords: the Carrying of Danger
We all dress and gather together for breakfast before setting off to the merchant’s warehouse. At the warehouse, we are greeted by the wine merchant. There is a heavily laden wagon loaded with barrels, and an old driver checking the tack of his oxen as we approach. A knight stands nearby talking to the merchant. Sylvia shelters behind me as we approach.
“Good morning, Timmus” I greet the merchant. “Is this the cargo?”
“Good morning. This is Sir Jon the Small, commander of the King’s Guard.” The merchant bows as he introduces us to the noble. “He has asked that you escort back a bandit who was captured at the inn.”
I raise an eyebrow, “And in return?” Sir Jon tells us the bounty of 250 gold crowns will be shared between us and the huntsman that apprehended the man, adding that the hunter’s share of the coin has been deposited in the drover’s cash box, our tenth will be paid when we bring back the captive. We agree to the task. Then Timmus gives us 10 gold crowns as an advance on our wages.
Ronan climbs up onto the wagon next to the drover, whose name is Michael, and readies his crossbow. Then Marlowe and I lead the wagon out towards the northern gate, with Sylvia trailing behind to ensure nobody tries to steal anything from behind.
(1st Day’s Journey-Encounter on 16+, roll a 17, Encounter an…Important person…Zernth and the Knights of the Stone Table? reaction 13-1=12 or Neutral)
On the road, I spot four horsemen approaching. Two men and a woman wearing tunics bearting the symbol of falcon perched on a great stone over their mail armor, and a halfling in colorful raiment riding a mule.
“Well met, travelers,” I smile in greeting. My companions look on warily as the woman rides ahead of her companions.
“I do not know you,” she says flatly, looking me over with a studious gaze, then turning her eyes towards the wagon, “Timmus’ wagon?” I nod. “Hired swords? New to the kingdom?” I nod. “Follow the righteous path lest the stone table be forced to test your mettle.”
Q: Does Ronan answer back? Unlikely: YES E: New NPC: a Betrayal of Benefits
I smile back, “No need for conflict or threats, friend”
Ronan dourly chimes in, “But if it came to blows, you’d find we can match yours one for one.” I wince.
Marlowe speaks, “Nobody implies we cannot hold our own, nor do we mean any insult to the Stone Table. Please forgive the harshness of my proud companion. I am Edwin Marlowe, a scholar seeking ancient knowledge. These are my bodyguards, and yes, we are doing a favor to Timmus while we seek clues to ancient lore.
-Conversation focus-Allies-
“My name is Zern, Priestess of Freia,” the woman replies. “Sir Robert the Tall, Sir Bart the Small, and Gustavor the Eloquent are my companions. You have given your name, and I have met Michael before. What of your companions?” her keen eyes upon us.
Marlowe speaks, “Garrick Hale is my scout, Ronan Vale my bodyguard, and back there…somewhere” he looks around, “is Sylvia. She helps carry things, and cook our meals.” He smiles.
“Interesting,” Zern trails off, “Well met. Until next time.” She spurs her horse past us, and her companions follow, eying us as they pass by.
About an hour later, Sylvia suggests, “That’s the Green Fox Inn up ahead! We should stop and eat, you know, before we really get going in earnest.”
“What do you know of the Green Fox Inn?” I ask skeptically.
“Oh, I just heard it was a good way station,” she chirps.
I shake my head, Ronan replies, “We keep going. It is too early for a lengthy stop.”
Marlowe adds, “This close to town? Why would anyone stay here, unless…”
I nod, and Sylvia blushes and casts her eyes down. “Let’s hope we don’t end up kicked out of the city then,” I chastise.
We keep going.
As the day grows long and evening falls, I suggest making camp, but Michael objects, “A few miles more and we’ll reach the Tree Stump Inn. It is best we rest there. Less danger”.
I nod and we press on. Eventually, we see lanterns up ahead and come to an isolated inn surrounded by a low stone wall. Two youths greet us, “Welcome travellers! Michael! Good to see you!” The drover guides his wagon into the compound and the youths help him with the oxen while my companions and I enter the inn. There are four other wagons already there, loaded with sacks and barrels.
Q: Is it crowded? YES (Reaction roles for the Inn staff, for some reason, quiet and wary Myra is friendly, but her father, the innkeeper, is unfriendly…a crush?)
The inn is surprisingly busy, with a well dressed merchant, four men who may be his drovers, and a trio of apparent hunters already occupying tables.
As we make room for ourselves at the last empty table, the serving girl approaches, “Good evening travelers, you are here for lodging and good meal?” she asks as she sets out bowls of thick stew and a basket of bread before us. She smiles at Ronan. “I am Myra. Welcome to the Tree Stump Inn”
Ronan grins back, “Pleased to meet you, Myra! Tell us about this place.”
Marlowe chimes in, “Wine first.”
“Ale!” demands Sylvia with a grin as she eagerly grabs a loaf of bread.
Myra grins, and quickly retrieves four tankards and a goblet from the bar, where the man watches us with sour eyes as she then sits alongside my companion. “You are from Firth? No! The empire? Well, the Tree Stump Inn is the finest inn along the north road, of course!” she boasts with a wink, “And people say, it sits on what used to be the heart of an ancient elven kingdom! That stone tree stump out front was the great sacred oak of the elves, and it turned to stone when their great king breathed his last!” She shrugs, “Or so the legend goes.”
Marlowe them begins plying her for more legends of the place and of the old elven kingdom. He learns that elves have largely left the area, though there is a village called Silvernar along the coast west of Firth, though Myra has never been there.
-Generate Topic-Topic flaws-
Myra answers Marlowe’s questions, but keeps turning her attention back towards Ronan, asking about his past, and learning about his experience fighting in the Imperial Army. “So now, you just fight for coin? No higher call? Just…you’d kill a man for money?” she asks, a hint of disappointment and fear in her eyes.
“No different than a caravan guard, and I wouldn’t serve a man who I demands I kill innocents. I am a soldier, not a murderer.” Ronan insists. She wonders what the difference is.
Sylvia giggles at his discomfort. I change the subject. renting the room with two beds and two cot spaces in the loft. “I call dibs on a real bed!” chimes in Sylvia. Marlowe shrugs, as he will get the other bed. Ronan and I will end up on cots.
“Hey! What’s going on there?” Sylvia exclaims as she hears the sound of dice clattering on a nearby table. “Give me some of those coins from this morning! I get a share, right?” I hand her two gold crowns which she changes with Myra for some silver and copper coins before joining the gamblers at their games of chance.
-Gambling outcome rolled a 1 on d100, this is bad!-
An hour or two later I hear, “Cheater! You little trollop, these dice are loaded!” And one of the men grabs Sylvia, picking her up over his shoulder as she kicks and screams trying to get away.
Edwin moves to intercept, but I grab his arm, “She’s got to learn”, I whisper. Ronan shakes his head in disgust as two other men follow their companion outside.
I start to follow when I hear Edwin clear his throat, “Are those your winnings?” He asks the man who stayed behind, and is sweeping the supposedly loaded dice and all of the coins on the table into his purse.
“Heh, heh,” he chuckles. “They are now! Best go help your friend lest she get worse than a beating!” and he makes a dash for the back door.
Ronan and I leap for the man, stumbling into each other, but he slips away as we clamber back onto our feet. Edwin shakes his head and races out the front door to rescue Sylvia.
“Your friend stole all your money and left out the back door! Let the girl go!” He demands, his hands now sparkling with electricity.
(Intimidation 10 vs what I assume would be a target 15)
“What’s this?” demands one of the men, turning back towards the tall, scrawny wizard, drawing a knife from his belt.
Ronan and I arrive as the man lunges for the wizard, who crumples to the ground with a knife in his gut. I draw my blades and Ronan his sword as we move to save our companions.
One of the men slashes as me, cutting lightly across my arm before I send him crumpling to the ground with two quick knife thrusts. Ronan gives the other a hard blow before I finish him with another twist of the blade. Sylvia is fighting for her life as the man guarding her decides to try and cut her throat, but a blade concealed in her sleeve opens him up first.
“I’m sorry! So so sorry! Is he okay? I swear, I wasn’t cheating! I don’t know what happened!” Sylvia pleads, bleeding from a light wound to her neck as I tend to Edwin’s wounds, ignoring her.
Myra, the barkeep and the other inn guests rush outside with the stablehands yammering about what they saw. Inspecting the fallen me, Ronan announces, “They’re dead. Three men, dead. Over a dice game!” He spits at Sylvia.
The merchant that was with the drivers starts to yell at us, “What have you done! Murderers!”
“They were going to kill a girl because they thought she was a cheat! Where is the other man? And all of their money? They got played and now three men are dead because of it!” I yell, standing up.
-Persuasion-4-fail-
“They should be arrested!” demands the merchant.
“By who? Exactly?” demands Ronan as he stands up and looks around. “There are only two soldiers here, and we just put down the men who tried to kill us. Cool down.”
-Intimidation-23-success-
The bartender speaks up, “Arnold, Mayvis, wrap them men in their bedrolls so they can be hauled to the cemetary in Firth, or back north wherever you lot came from,” he then looks to the merchant, “my boys will drive two of the wagons, you and your other man can drive the other two. You can hire new men in Firth.” Then he looks to us, “Leave in the morning. I never want to see the four of you again.”
I nod. “Understood”
-Perception 22-
As I go inside, I hear one of the stable hands tell the innkeeper that Tierney’s horse and tack are missing. The innkeeper nods, unsurprised. I ask Sylvia, and she says that’s the name of the other man they were playing dice with.
–
Heyday 3
-Immersion-Hyperawareness-
-Recovery Check-Medicine fails, Constitution Passes, 9 days to recover, permanent injury, ruptured organs, every night for the next four weeks, must pass a DC10 Con check or permanently lose 1 hit point, unless magical healing is received.
Scene #4 (Positive Alteration):
It is a restless night, sleeping in a common room alongside a man whose friends we killed, knowing Marlowe wavers on the edge between life and death. We eat in silence. Then the innkeeper speaks, “It wasn’t your fault.”
I look up at him in surprise.
“Tierney is a bad seed. Whenever he comes around, bad things happen. I wasn’t sure. Someone is always accused of cheating, but it never gets out of hand like it did last night. I think, perhaps, he always slips away with some extra coin in the confusion. But your friend caught him in the act, and Weylan’s men were too hot tempered, unwilling to listen. Sorry. It’s a bad sight all around. Tell your girl to keep away from gambling with strangers though. Games are for keeps around here.”
I nod, “Thank you. We’ll be back in about four days to bring the wagon back to Firth. Is that okay?”
The innkeeper shrugs, “I don’t like it, but this is the only inn on the road. I won’t lock you out.”
We gather our things, I check Marlowe’s wounds, he winces in pain as I help him onto the wagon. Then we set off on the road once more.
-Encounter roll 4, DC 16, no encounter-
The day passes uneventfully as we travel in silence. The canopy hangs over the road, often blotting out the sun. Occasionally we catch sight of deer or rabbits, a lot of squirrels, or an eagle passing overhead. We spotted a fox once, but nothing worth slowing down for.
At night, we made camp near the site of many past campsites, quickly gathering wood for a fire and making good use of a nearby stream. We sleep under the stars. “We need a tent,” I mutter as I bed down after my watch comes to an end.
Heyday 4
-Immersion-See something round in front of us-
-Marlowe passes his Constitution check and retains his 6 hit point max-
Scene #5 (Positive Alteration):
After refreshing Marlowe’s bandages, we set off towards our destination. As we get underway, I spot a wagon wheel by the side of the road. It seems to be intact.
“Well, look at that!” I grin as I check it out.
“Lash it to the side,” suggest Michael. “Never know when it might come in handy.”
“But why is it out here, I wonder?” I muse, looking around. I think I catch a glimpse of someone in the treeline, but cannot be certain.
-Encounter-Enemy, he spots us, we don’t spot him so cannot engage. He slanders our reputation though-Notoriety 3 already!-
By evening we arrive at the Lost Crow Inn.
-Generate reactions-
Michael greets the three men, one in armor, that meet us outside the inn, “Renn, Darrick, tell your old man his wine is here. We can unload in the morning.” One of the unarmored men heads inside while the other looks over the cargo.
“I heard there was some trouble at Tree Stump Inn. That fellow, Tierney, was here. He said your friends killed three of Weylan’s drovers in cold blood.” the man glares at us.
The guard snorts incredulously, “And you believe everything that Tierney tells you? How much coin have you lost to him? Don’t you think it’s suspicious his purse never leaves any lighter than when he arrives. Drinking, gambling and staying the night, and always making money in the end? He’s a swindler.”
“Is he here?” I ask the guard. He shakes his head and tells me the man came through about two hours ago, but pushed his horse onward after a short rest an meal. That he seemed to be in a hurry. I nod, “Better ride fast if he doesn’t want an arrow from me.” The guard laughs. The other man scowls.
Q: Is it crowded? YES Q: Is a musician present? EXCEPTIONAL YES (generate bard, a dancer!)
Half a dozen wagons are parked outside, and when we go inside, we see the inn is very crowded, not just with drovers, but with armed guards as well. There is a man beating a drum while a woman in a gossamer dress dances to the delight of the crowd, bells on her ankles and timbres on her hands.
“Don’t leave my side, girl.” I warn Sylvia. She agrees to stay close as we sit down, order food and hire lodging. Many in the crowd eye us warily, no doubt having heard the lies about us. That fear is concerned when I see one of the men from outside whispering and pointing our way.
Michael asks around, and talks to a tall huntsman, giving him a pouch of coins. The huntsman glares at us then walks over. “You are the ones taking my captive back to Firth? Why? From what I hear, you should be in shackles too!”
-Persuasion 6-
“Self defense. What is your man’s crime?” I reply, calmly.
“Murder. Two hundred fifty crown bounty on his head. Hundred crown bounty on his head,” I raise an eyebrow. “That would be seven fifty on the four of you. Remember that.” He leans in threateningly.
-Persuasion 19-
“Perhaps it should be a bounty on those who attacked us then.” I reply, coolly.
He smirks, “The man is locked in the wine cellar. Michael has the key. Don’t let him escape. Or do. I don’t care. I’ll just catch him again, and collect the bounty twice.”
I nod and turn to the food that a serving girl has brought us.
“Pleasant man,” mutters Sylvia with a shudder. Ronan shakes his head, unamused. The four of us eat while Michael talks to other drovers and merchants he knows.
-Taproom event-(singing from the cellar)
While we eat, I hear the faintest sound of singing wafting up from down below, a nonsense song that matches the beat of the drum. Marlowe manages a grin, “Our captive is a music lover”, then he coughs a bit. Sylvia rubs his back.
After a time, we retire the two rooms we hired. Ronan and I in one, Sylvia and Marlowe the other.
Heyday 5-
-Immersion-smell of incense-
-Recovery Fail, Marlowe permanently reduced to 5 hp max-
Scene #6 (Positive Alteration):
As I bandage Marlowe’s wounds, I smell incense and hear someone praying in the adjoining room. “If that is a healer, would you mind knocking on their door once they finish morning prayers,” Marlowe suggests between coughs.
I nod, “Sylvia will do that. Ronan and I are going to help get the wagon unloaded”
Ronan and I head downstairs and are soon helping the two men from last night roll the wine barrels down into the cellar while a man tied up in the corner watches in amusement. “Easier ways to make a living, lads!”
“Hear you’ll be swinging from the gallows in a few days,” I answer back.
“Never have to work another day in my life then, eh?” he laughs.
-No Encounter-
Q: Is that a healer next door? YES,
“Excuse me, I could not help but hear your prayers. We have a companion who is badly injured. Can you help him?” Sylvia asks after knocking on the door.
-Reaction-Unfriendly-
The cleric opens the door, he is a gaunt man, sour faced, wearing the falcon symbol of the goddess. “You are with the killers from last night? And your man a fellow murderer, no doubt? May the goddess have mercy on his soul, if that is her will.” He closes the door in her face.
Sylvia passes DC 10 difficulty Persuasion check
Stunned, Sylvia bangs on the door and pleads with him, but her cries fall on deaf ears.
After a hard day’s work, unloading the wine casks and then loading bushels of grain that had been left in the barn for us, the wagon is ready for the return trip in the morning.
-Tavern Event-Story Teller-
During dinner, I can tell that Marlowe isn’t doing well. He has no appetite and his complexion is even more pallid than normal. The dancing girl and three of the wagons from the night before have departed, and a new traveler has arrived. He is an old man who regales the tavern guests with the story of The Widow’s Lantern.
“Before there was a harbor,” the old man begins, “Firth was a cliff and a prayer. Fisherfolk lit fires on the headland to guide their kin home through the fog. One night, so the story goes, a great storm swept in — blacker than ink, thunder shaking the stones. A woman waited for her husband’s ship, and when the bonfires were blown out she lifted her lantern high and swore she’d keep it burning until he returned. They say she did, though no man ever saw her again. When the sea is rough, folk still glimpse a pale light drifting beyond the breakwater — the Widow’s Lantern — and no ship that steers by it has ever foundered near Firth. But the old hands say you must never follow it inland, for it leads not to the docks, but to deep graves beneath the cliffs.”
Hearing the story, Edwin manages a feeble smile between coughs, “Perhaps I should be buried in a deep grave beneath the cliffs.”
“No friend,” I put my hand on his to assure him, “When we get back to Firth, we’ll find a surgeon. You are bleeding inside. If I had the tools, I could patch you up myself, but we’ll get you set up.”
“What do we need?” Sylvia’s ears perk up. I tell her, but admonish her not to steal anything lest we all end up in trouble.
Q: Does anyone have a healer’s kit for sale? Very Unlikely-YES (Persuasion-Rolls an 8)
She filters from one table to the next, talking to people and eventually returns. “Found one, but he wants ten crowns for it.” She offers with eager trepidation.
As I reach for our purse, Ronan nods his head in agreement. I hand her the coins and a few minutes later she returns with a well stocked healer’s kit. “Alright then,” I tell her, “get us a pot of hot water and some towels, then met us upstairs.” Ronan and I help Marlowe back up the stairs.
“Well, at least the story was good. I doubt I’ll enjoy the after show,” the ailing wizard says as we lay him on the bed.
I begin my work.
-Medicine, rolled 14 vs DC20-failure-
“I think I’ve stitched you up properly. Time will tell,” I inform my companions as Marlowe drifts off to sleep in a wine induced stupor.
-Heyday 6-The journey home begins
-Immersion sound of horses-
-Marlowe fails another Constitution check, reducing max hit points to 4. The medicine check to heal him had failed-
Scene #7:
Edwin looks more pale than ever as we gather for breakfast. But he tries to put on his best face. He isn’t fooling anyone. Afterwards, Ronan goes to the cellar with Michael to collect our captive while Sylvia and I help Edwin onto the wagon.
“Get up there man,” I urge as I lift Edwin up onto the bench. He is joined a few minutes later by Michael, having already hitched up the oxen with the help of the tavern men. Nearby horses are whickering nervously, which puts me a bit on edge, but we need to return home.
Ronan tether’s the captive to the rear of the wagon, “Watch him. If he tries to escape, kill him…and call for help.” He warns Sylvia, who nods solemnly, then swallows hard at the gravity of her duty.
With that, we start down the road. Ronan and I near the front, Sylvia near the back with the captive who continuously sings one bawdy song after another trying to get the girl to laugh or blush.
-Encounter-The Peddler- Reaction Neutral-
Around midday, we spot a lone figure with heavy pack on his shoulders and an overladen mule by his side walking towards us. “Greetings fair travelers!” he calls out. “Oh, hello, Michael! Are these your friends? I am Doreth Leatherfoot, seller of wares, and cutter of hairs!” He taps the shears hanging from his belt.
-Persuasion 19-
“A professional barber? What do you know of deep cuts? Our friend is bleeding deep inside, but I couldn’t stitch him up properly.” I implore.
Doreth nods in concern, “Let me take a look.” We get Edwin down from the wagon and start laying out blankets for him. “Not bad stitching, but yeah, I doubt if you pushed deep enough to stitch him up right.” The man gets to work while we get Edwin drunk on the cheap wine he carries.
-Medicine check, with advantage, Rolls a 14, fails-
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see anything you didn’t already address,” he laments as he patches our drunk companion back up. “It’s in the hands of the gods now.”
I nod solemnly, and we help Edwin back onto the wagon. We pay the man ten crowns from our dwindling purse, and continue on our way.
Having dallied on the road, we travel well after dark to reach the common campsites
Q: Is someone else there? EXCEPTIONAL NO
We set our camp in deathly quiet darkness.
Heyday 7
-Immersion-Sense-Loss of Balance-
-Constitution Pass, no hit point loss today-
Scene #8:
The air feels electric and heavy clouds darken the sky. “We had best move quickly,” I suggest as I help Edwin onto the wagon. He slip briefly, but Ronan and I catch him lest he fall.
“Thank you, friends,” he coughs, bleary eyed. “I should not have drank so much.” he laments as he tries again to climb onto the wagon. Soon, we are off.
-Encounter-Kings Guard-
As rain pours down, and our oxen struggle to pull the wagon down the muddy road, we spot a group of eight riders coming our way. They wear the livery of the king of Firth.
“Is that you, Michael?” One of the guards calls out as they halt us. Then he looks us over, “A bloodthirsty gang you are, I hear.”
“Self defense,” I protest.
-Persuasion 18-
“I’m keeping an eye on you lot,” he scowls. Then he notices the prisoner, “Is that Silus?”
Sylvia speaks up, “Yeah, we are delivering him to…Sir Jon the Small, I think. Some sort of murderer we are told.”
“We’ll take him from here,” the captain insists.
Ronan speaks up, “We were promised twenty-five crowns to deliver him. If you have the coin, maybe we’d consider it. But even then, we don’t know you and Sir Jon doesn’t know us. I’d rather prove our worth to him lest or reputation remain sullied” he glares at Sylvia. Sylvia looks down at her feet, face burning.
Q: Does he assign two men to join us? YES
The captain nods, “Very well. Carry on then. Marcus! Reynard! Accompany them. Make sure their captive doesn’t escape.”
The two men fall in behind and Sylvia rushes to join Ronan and I up front while the sergeant talks to Michael for bit, them moves his company off, signaling for us to proceed.
By nightfall, we arrive at the Tree Stump Inn with our captive and extra guards in tow. Several wagons are in the courtyard and the inn is packed!
Q: Does the prisoner attempt to escape? NO
-Immersion-Memory-Joke or Song-
-Taproom Event-Customer vomits-
Scene #9 (Positive Alteration):
As we open the tavern door, a man rushes past us and falls to his knees, puking his guts out. “If you can’t hold your liquor you gotta be quicker!” grins Sylvia. Edwin manages a feeble laugh between coughs.
As we shake off our cloaks and hang them by the fire, we inquire about lodging, but all of the rooms are full. The guards are able to lock the captive in the cellar, taking turns at watch, while the rest of us will sleep in the barn loft.
“Hey, what was that guy eating?” Sylvia asks Myra, pointing out the door. Hearing it was the same porridge everyone else was having, we opt to stick with bread and cheese.
Q: Is a healer present? NO
While my companions eat, I look over the crowd and ask around to learn if there is a healer or physician present, but I have no luck. Harrod, the barkeep, tells me that Vircos the Solemn, a wandering holy man, had come through the day after us, travelling north, and that perhaps we just missed him.
After eating and drying out as best we can by the fire, we retire to the barn for sleep.
Heyday 8
-Immersion-Sense of Horror-
-Constitution Fail-3 max hit points-
-Kings Guard-No- Random Encounter-Yes, rolled King’s Guard, but I’m going to reroll that because of the first check, and encounter-Strange Travelers- Paladin-Reaction-Negative, so…he’s a rival
E: Negative for Tierney the Gambler: a Betrayal of Misfortune
Scene #10:
On what we hope is the final day of our journey, we come across a man in plate armor emblazoned with a Soaring White Falcon on a Blue Field standing over the still twitching “corpse” of a man who looks like he’s been dead for weeks.
“What the hells?” I mutter as we approach, now on greater guard.
“Vile necromancy is what!” proclaims the holy warrior. Then seeing Marlowe’s pallid expression, “Is this your doing, necromancer?”
“Marlowe is no necromancer. He took a deep knife wound four days ago, and we are taking him to Firth, hoping to find a healer for him.” I explain.
The holy warrior approaches, eyeing our company warily, and then taking note of the king’s men and our captives. “If you say he is innocent of THIS crime, then I will…believe you. For now. But I can tell from his look, that he dabbles with arcane powers, and will ultimately be corrupted by them!”
He turns back to the corpse, severs its head and then punts it into the trees.
“Fare thee well,” he bids the king’s men as he continues past us towards the north.
“Nice fellow,” mutters Edwin between coughing fits. He looks worse than ever and can barely sit upright. “If I were a necromancer, maybe I’d turn into a lich and devour his soul.” He laughs.
Sylvia laughs too, “A lich! Yeah, that’s like a dead wizard, right?” Edwin nods and smiles at her.
By nightfall, we have made our way back to Firth and Timmus’ shop. He looks over the cargo, and pays us our forty crowns. T
Q: Does he try to escape? NO
Leaving Edwin with Tummus for the time, when we take our captive to the keep, where one of the King’s Men informs Sir Jon Small that we have arrived. The King’s Captain comes out, examines the prisoner and then sends him off under guard to the dungeon. Then a sergeant counts out the coins owed to us.
“I hear that you lot caused some trouble at the Tree Stump Inn. The witness reports are a little unclear about what happened exactly. Perhaps you could enlighten me,” Small insists.
“Our companion, Sylvia, was playing dice with a group of men, and apparently the dice were loaded. One of the men accused her of cheating, then he and his two fellows took her outside to beat her, or worse, and the fourth man, called Tierney I am told, swept up all of the stakes, snuck out during the ensuing fight, and rode away on his horse. Edwin tried to diffuse the situation, but was knifed. So we drew steel as well,”
-Persuasion 8-
“A bunch of stupid bastards were willing to kill a girl over a dice game, and ended up dead in the dirt,” Ronan interjects
-Intimidation 17-
Q: Does he know Tierney? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Sir Jon nods at this, “Tierney, huh? Never heard of him. I might ask around. Keep your noses clean. Especially that one!” he jabs a finger towards Sylvia.
We nod, and excuse ourselves.
-Encounter-Mishap-Illness-Ronan-2 days/2 for medical care-1 day sick-
Retrieving Edwin from Tummus’ warehouse, we help him walk towards the temple. But after a short time, Ronan pauses, “Sylvia, you should help Edwin”, he commands stepping aside so that now Sylvia and I are the ones supporting our wounded companion.
At the temple, we knock on the door and wait for someone to answer.
Q: Does someone answer? YES -Reaction-Friendly-
A female novice opens the door, holding up a lamp, she looks us over. “Come inside. Your companions seem unwell.” I glance back at Ronan and realize he is also looking a bit pale.
“Yes, Edwin here took a knife to the gut five days ago. He seems to be slowly bleeding inside. I’ve tried to stitch him up, but nothing seems to work. Is there anything you can do?”
The novice leads us to a side room that is apparently an infirmary where we lay Edwin on a bed. Ronan also lays down for a bit. “Wait here,” she instructs us as she goes to fetch an older, balding man who arrives with two additional novices.
-Medicine 15-
Introducing himself as Father Jon, he examines Edwin, “Drink this,” he instructs Edwin, and after a few minutes, Edwin drifts off into a deep sleep. The priest prays, his hands glowing blue as he massages the wound, then he furrows his brow. Father opens his eyes. “This is not a mere superficial wound that the goddess will mend as a favor to men of faith, but this was a mortal stroke. You did as well as can be done, but your friend will not likely live to see another week. Perhaps…stranger things have happened, but it is best that he rest here, under our care. I am sorry.”
Sylvia’s face pales at these words. I blink back tears, lean over, and kiss Edwin on the forehead. “Be strong, friend.”
Ronan coughs, and leans back on the bed where he sits, “I’ve seen stronger men fall to lesser wounds. He is stronger than he looks, but death eventually comes for all of us.”
I walk over to Ronan, notice the beading sweat and feel his forehead. “You’ve got a fever, lay down and rest. Can he stay here tonight?” I ask the cleric.
The old man nods, “Perhaps it is for the best, in case your friend wakes up that one of you remain by his side.” I agree, and tell Ronan I will be back in the morning.
Then Sylvia and I return to the Yellow Toad Inn.
–This Concludes Merchants Guard 1. 2 Glory are added, 75 gp paid, 325 total xp gained from the Tree Stump Inn fight, the Delivery run, and the Prisoner escort. Notoriety is at 3, Glory is at 2, Arcane and Nature are each at 1. Expenses for the last week, plus equipment maintenance food replacement, inn fees all estimated at a total of 28 gp, leaving the party with 62 gp all told.
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