Ruins of the Lady

-Episode 8-
Great Harvest 23rd
warm-Light rain-All night, negligible wind
Immersion-See something valuable on the ground

Scene #51:
After breakfast, my companions and I head into the city to see about selling the crown to Shira, and perhaps spending some hard earned coin, or at least trading the ancient elven pieces for a more current mint.

“Damn, always the sun in my eyes,” Edwin mutter, “Always so hard to see where I am going when it’s bright out.”

I shake my head, “Have you talked for Father Jon about this. I can’t see anything wrong with your eyes, but this isn’t normal. Worse than a goblin almost.”

Sylvia laughs at that, “Too tall for a goblin!” she teases. Edwin scowls.

-Morning Encounter-None en route-
“Ooh, hey, what’s that!” Sylvia gasps as she scoops something off of the street. “An earring!” she beams, holding it up next to her ear. It is silver, in the shape of a crescent moon. “It’s fate!”

“Or fortune,” I reply.

“Or misfortune,” scowls Ronan, “If the woman who lost it sees you wearing it.”

Sylvia quickly puts it in her pouch, “Good point.” Then she smiles again, “I’ll wear it outside of town! I should get my ears pierced!”

We soon arrive at the Blue Tree alchemist shop, and Edwin and I lead our companions in. “Madame Shirra,” Edwin begins, “We found something in the ruins of Morn that you might, perhaps, be interested in, as it seems the sort of thing your friends in Silvenar like to keep tabs on.”

The elf raises an eyebrow, “You’ve piqued my curiosity, Master Edwin,” I set the crown on her counter, and she picks it up, admiring it closely. “Elven made, but worn by a duke of Thrum. Five hundred crowns.”

“A thousand,” I counter immediately, knowing nobody ever offers more than half of what something is worth.

-Persuasion DC 15, fail-
She chuckles and purses her lips, “Now Master Garrick. Yes, I know your name as well. I am not some common trader who seeks to swindle her customers. I’ve made a perfectly fair offer, and you won’t find a better in the city. Five hundred crowns.”

I nod, beaten, “Please forgive if I offended you.”

Edwin shakes his head, “That was entirely unnecessary. Do you have coin here, or shall we return to make the exchange later?”

Q: Does she have coin handy? NO
“I will give you a receipt to take to the money changer. He shall pay you from my account.” She smiles, writing a note of credit and placing her seal upon it. She then hands it to Edwin, accepting the crown in return. “I pray all of your ventures into the wilds are so profitable for you!”

We thank her, then head towards the money changers shop near the docks.

-No Encounter-
We soon arrive at “The Balanced Scales” and on entering the shop, immediately notice the two rather intimidating guards in mail armor. One is a half orc, the other a rather sturdy looking man. Ronan sizes them up as we enter, then nods towards each of them, impressed how they carry themselves and their weapons.

Edwin steps up to the counter where a rather short, curly haired halfling greets him. “Ah, what’s this I see here? A note from Shirra Bluetree, let’s see…oh!” the halfling gasps in surprise, “That is quite a tidy sum. Are you sure you don’t want to leave it in an account with me? Your money is quite a bit safer here than weighing down your purses!”

Sylvia gasps, “No, no, no! We want our money!”

Edwin raises his hand, “Let’s discuss interest rates and access.” Sylvia looks back and forth between them confused, and I pull her aside.

“How this works is that we only draw out the money we need right away. That way, no cutpurse can take it all from us at once,” I explain to her. “This is something wealthy merchants do all the time. But this may be a first for the rest of us, except for perhaps Edwin. He seems to know what he’s talking about.”

Sylvia takes a deep breath, “Okay. I’ll trust you.”

I nod, then remind her, “You still owe me for the feast clothes, and that wager with the prince!” She starts to object and I continue, “Only half on that wager though, I’d have bet him too if I’d thought of it.” She smiles.

Edwin gives each of us 50 gold crowns, but after Sylvia pays me back on her debts, she has less than half that. My own purse is still a good deal lighter than Edwin’s and Ronan’s, but that’s alright. Then Edwin opens an account for the rest of the money, and asks about changing the elven coins we have found.

-Persuasion 5-
“I’ll give you eighty percent of weight value,” the halfling, Tibbit, tells us. I object, but then he counters, “Or maybe only seventy-five percent, and donate the difference to the church?”

Edwin interjects, “Eighty percent was on the table. We’ll take that.”

The halfling nods, then his eyes widen as he sees how much coin we have. “Adding to your account, I hope?” Edwin nods, “Evenly between our company account, and a separate account for each of us. Garrick, you’ll keep track of Sylvia’s funds so she doesn’t…” he glances at Tibbit, “Lose track of what is rightfully hers.” The halfling smirks a bit. Edwin continues, “And what of golden candlesticks, and ancient jewelry, what do you offer in exchange.” Tibbit asks to examine the pieces, then makes us an offer at about a quarter of what Edwin thinks they are worth, so we take those items back for now, and head back to the merchant quarter.

-Encounter-Hag Begging-
As we head towards the marketplace, we pass by an old woman holding out a clay pot, “Feed an old woman! Just a few pennies and I will live to see the morning.” she pleads. Sylvia fishes a couple of silver tenpieces from her purse and drops them into the woman’s bowl. I do the same. Ronan shakes his head. Edwin didn’t even seem to notice. “Thank you! May Freia bless you’re generous souls.” the old woman calls after us.

Sylvia has a fresh spring in her step, “I’ve never been able to do that before!” she beams excitedly. “I’m rich! We’re rich! Can you believe it!”

I shake my head, “Easy come easy go. And be quiet, don’t show off. You know why.”

Then she collects herself, “Oh, yeah, right…now I’m the mark.” Suddenly serious, her former wariness returns.

We arrive at the Shining Crown, the city’s jewelry shop, just off the market square. On looking up, the clerk commands, “The two armed men, stay out. Skinny man, girl, you may enter.” I note the two armed guards and the large hound resting beside the jewelry case. I hand the loot satchel to Sylvia, who hoists it over her shoulder with some effort.

A few minutes later, she and Edwin come back out. “That went well enough. Ronan and I will take the coin back to deposit in the company account. Sylvia, split the gemstones. We’ll just hold onto them for later.”

Sylvia and I then head towards Dwarven Arms where I purchase a suit of studded leather armor and have it properly fitted. It costs twice what I was expecting, but Drum Wildmane assures me that dwarven armor craft is far superior to that of men, and that I won’t regret the purchase. He also reminds me he is the only armorer in town, so a general merchant with inferior goods is my only other option. I relent and hand over several gemstones to make up the difference and purchase a scabbard for the new blade as well. Sylvia follows my example and also purchases some studded leather armor from the dwarf.

-Encounter-Beggar, Thief, Urchin-bump, no theft-
Weaving through busy streets towards the castle, a ragged looking man bumps into me. I quickly check my purse as I glare at him. “Watch where you are going, friend,” I caution on seeing everything is still in place.

Q: Does he argue? NO
The man mumbles an apology and stumbles on down the street.

Q: Quick study? YES
Back at the keep, I give Sylvia one of my shortblades, show her how to wear it on her belt, and begin teaching her how to fight with it. She is a quick study and easily grasps the basics so we can begin some proper sparring practice.

Great Harvest 22 to 28 (Downtime)
We spend the next week hanging around the castle. Edwin reports what we discovered at the Ruins of Morn, and Ronan turns in the cultist pendants for a bounty, as the king has instructed his guards to compensate us for them. This is between us and Sir Jon Small, however, so as not to make any more people aware of the situation than is absolutely necessary. We also reported the panther sighting at Littleshir and heard that the prince went to hunt it down.

I spent my week working at Fenwick’s shop and my evenings trying to teach Sylvia proper swordplay. Ronan found some part time work at the Scuffed Cuff making and repairing shoes. Edwin, I didn’t see much, but in the evenings he would tell us about things he read in the court library, and discussions he had with Morrus and the wizard’s niece, Enid.

Q: Does he learn anything valuable? YES E: Remote Event: the Vengeance of Trials Q: witch? NO
Edwin tells us about a local legend regarding the a man called Varlan the Red. Ninety-two years ago, he was convicted of murdering his own brother in an attempt to usurp him as rightful heir and ruler of Kinmire. Instead, he was hanged, and his sister inherited the village. It is said that his spirit has haunted the region ever since, sometimes appearing under the dark of the new moon in the woods where he murdered his brother, or near the market square where he was hanged. Legend also has it that he has cursed the Kinmire line, jealous that his sister’s children possess what he never could.

As the week rolls on, it seems that some sort of flu spreads among the king’s men and guard. Soon the barracks are full of sick people with regular visits from Father Jon and the other clergy to treat them. I stay away, since the church physicians are better equipped to handle this matter than I, but it strikes me as odd that very few servants fall ill, nor is there any outbreak among the townsfolk. Just among the guards.

Edwin investigation-19, Q: poison? EXCEPTIONAL YES Stealth-7 Persuasion-20
Edwin suspects the guard is being poisoned and asks Sylvia to bring him some of their mess so he can know for sure, but she gets caught in the kitchen, chastised, and assigned to clean the keep’s privies and wash dishes. She is able to bring back some leftover food, which Edwin studies. He even consults me to examine it as well, but we find no trace of poison.

–Begin “Ruins of the Lady” which explains that the poison is not medicinal, but arcane in nature, and Edwin didn’t think to cast Detect Magic on food!–

Great Harvest 29
-Warm, Clear Skies, Steady Wind-
-Touch something squishy-

E: Negative for Goblins: the Domination of Animals

Scene #52:
The king summons Edwin and the rest of us to his great hall. Only a couple of his men are present, as most are sick and confined to their quarters, but the King, is wife, and his wizard are all three present. The steward and Sir Jon Small are absent. “My guests. Friends, if I might call you that. I need your help,” begins the King. “Moruss tells me that the two of you,” gesturing towards Edwin and Sylvia, “also believe that my men have been poisoned.”

Edwin replies that he can find no evidence of that, though it was his suspicion.

The wizard Moruss explains, “It is not a natural poison, but one of arcane origin. Vile sorcery is being used to weaken our defenses, even as the goblin threat grows.”

“As do other, threats, which you seek to address for me,” the King adds, causing Moruss to raise an eyebrow. “I have asked Father Clovis for aid, but is not to be found, and this ailment is beyond Father Jon’s knowledge. But Moruss believes he can craft a remedy, but for the lack of one ingredient.”

Moruss continues, “I need a pitcher of water from the Ruins of Minthoith-Tor, or in our language, the Ruins of the Lady.”

“What is so special about the water from these ruins?” Edwin asks, intrigued.

The wizard explains, “According to ancient elven texts, there was once a great fountain there known for its invigorating properties. Such water would strengthen the concoction I’ve already developed so that it does not just lessen the fevers and coughs, but breaks them altogether. The ruins are four days north of here. Please let me show you the location on your maps.”

Edwin and Sylvia unroll their maps, and Moruss points out the ruins on Edwins, and where they would be on Sylvia’s as well, marking her map with ink. Edwin nods in appreciation, “Very well, we will set off immediately.”

“That’s a long ways!” Notes Sylvia, then winking at me with a grin, “Maybe you should give us a mule to carry our supplies, since it is deep in the woods and not along the roads?”

Q: The king agrees, yes? NO
“Girl, have I not paid you quite enough in bounties already? And in hospitality? Surely, you can obtain a mule in town without taking one of mine.” his majesty replies matter of factly.

Chastised, Sylvia purses her lips and retreats from the table with her map.

“Truly spoken, generous patron,” bows Edwin, casting me a sideways glance. “Our company is fully capable of provisioning itself for this task.” The king nods in agreement as we are dismissed.

Q: Does Sylvia complain? NO Q: She smile? YES
Out in the hall, Sylvia pouts. I put my hand on her shoulder to encourage her, “Nice try.” She glances at me, and smiles.

Edwin shakes his head, “But unnecessary. We can make the trek without a mule.”

I nod in agreement, but point out to him, “We can certainly carry enough food there and back, but we don’t know how long it will take to explore the ruins, and I don’t want to be carrying jugs of water in a fight. Water gets heavy fast. A mule is a good idea. The girl is thinking ahead.”

Edwin looks at me, then back at Sylvia’s expectant face, then Ronan, who nods his agreement. Then the wizard shrugs, “Perhaps you are correct. This is why I hired you, after all. You and the girl should find us a mule and whatever other provisions you think we might need. Ronan and I will meet you at the city gates.”

I nod, then Sylvia and I head into town.

Scene #53:
Sylvia and I head into town and soon find a good mule that will serve our needs. Then a bridle and pack saddle for it, which we start loading with supplies. We purchase a pick and shovel, four clay jars and some wax to seal the lids in place. Three quivers of arrows and crossbow bolts. Additional food, and a few bottles of cheap wine for good measure.

Q: Does Alfred flirt with Sylvia? (Persuasion 21) YES E: Remote Event: the Movement of Opposition (Adjust local Farmland encounter table, flexible “Crisis” slot is now occupied by “Goblins”)
At Timmus’s shop, young Alfred attempts to flirt with Sylvia, causing her to blush bright red and bite her lip as she listens to him. I am too far away talking with the boy’s father to hear exactly what he says, but she has a spring in her step when she rejoins me packing the animal.

“What as that about?” I ask the girl.

“Oh, nothing,” she lies, red in the face. I shake my head. Then suddenly, after we leave that street “Do you think I could become the respectable wife of a wealthy merchant one day?”

I look her up and down, furrow my brow, study her features as she starts to look incredulous, then I smile, “Only if the merchant in question were very lucky. And a good deal older than Alfred is today.”

She blushes once more and punches me lightly on the shoulder.

-Encounter-Scout Looking for work-(Generate motivations and update a scout template for Terra, human female scout)

Nearing the gate, a woman about my age and wearing leather and hides approaches us, looking us up and down. “Heading north, I take it?” then scanning our weaponry, “Not merchants though. And judging from the supplies on that mule, not planning to follow the roads from inn to inn. Heading to the deep wilds?”

I nod, “Yes. You’re a hunter, yes?”

She smiles, “Yeah, I know the North Woods like the back of my hand. Perhaps even better than that. Filled with ruins and ancient legends. If you need a guide…”

“Do you know Minthoith Tor?” I interrupt.

-History 5-
Her eyes flash at the interruption, then she smiles, “Of course. I’ve been there before, but don’t know much about them. It means Tears of the Lady. Which lady, not sure,” she shrugs. “I’ll guide you there for a crown a day, there and back.”

“An extra bow could be handy with all of the goblins about. You fight?” I ask.

“Goblins? My pleasure,” she smiles cruelly.

I nod, “Welcome aboard. I’m Garrick, this is Sylvia, the tall man heading our way is Edwin, and the soldier, that’s Ronan.”

The blonde huntress introduces herself as Terra of Rabbit’s Fall.

“A local guide?” Edwin raises an eyebrow, lifting his head slightly so he can see her from beneath his cowl

I shrug, “An extra set of eyes could come in handy, works cheap enough and she says she knows the territory.”

Edwin slowly nods, his eyes watering. Ronan shrugs and falls in behind us as we head out of town.

-Afternoon Encounter-Big cat- Q: Did Jon bag the puma? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Several miles out of town, following the road north, I spot a large cat in the nearby pasture, licking itself. I nudge Sylvia as I draw an arrow. “Shouldn’t be here in farmland. Probably the same one that was stalking Littleshir.”

Sylvia nods and Terra follows our gaze. Soon the three of us are on the move, stalking towards it while Edwin and Ronan wait with the mule.

-Stealth checks pass-
The three of us form a half circle approaching the cat, moving up through the fallow, and soon are in position to take the animal. Sylvia’s first arrow and mine both fly wide, but Terra’s hits the mark. The puma bolts for the treeline, but Sylvia’s and my second arrows both strike true. The animal is bleeding badly as it ducks out of sight, Terra’s second shot strikes a tree instead. I race after the animal, the other two hunters on my tail.

-contested Survival with advantage for terrain and bloodtrail vs stealth-we successfully track the animal, but fail our stealth-
We soon track down the creature to where it is licking its wounds by a small stream, but it hears our approach, and bolts again.

-contested Survival with advantage for terrain and bloodtrail vs stealth-we successfully track the animal, and pass stealth-
We continue tracking the wounded animal, and after an hour or so find it again. Sylvia shoots wide, but my arrow strikes true. Soon, we are skinning the animal as proof of the kill.

-Encounter-None-
We head back to where we abandoned our companions, to take off after the cat, but they are nowhere to be seen. “That did take longer than expected,” I note dourly.

Terra smirks, “But a cat that will come into the fields is one that will take a child or a goat. Best to put it down.”

I agree, as Sylvia starts heading back south down the road.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Green Fox Inn. That’s where I’d go to wait for us if you left me alone on the road for a couple of hours,” the girl suggests. We follow her, and sure enough, find out companions enjoying a hot meal.

Ronan looks up at me, “About time. I thought you were a better shot than that.”

Edwin regards us with annoyance, “I trust your little detour was worthwhile?”

-Survival 11-skinning check passses-
I hold up the great cat’s pelt, “Worth enough”

The wizard nods as we pull up chairs and join them for dinner.

-taproom event-
Suddenly, a man cries out, “Thief!”

Sylvia instantly stiffens and looks around. We see a black bearded man backing away from a patron at the bar, but another man grabs him. The yelling man accuses blackbeard of trying to lift his purse. Then he and another patron drag the man outside.

Q: Is there a guard present? YES
Sylvia takes a deep breath. Two other men, in king’s regalia, get up and follow the trio outside to the inn’s courtyard.

“I thought most everyone is sick,” observes Edwin.

Q: Do I figure it out? NO Q: Does Edwin? YES
I nod, “Not everyone, it seems. At least a few still out on patrols.”

Edwin leans back in his chair, then lifts his hand up to his eyes. “You can’t see anything wrong with my eyes, and the treatments you’ve offered haven’t worked. Do you suppose…my vision problems might be arcane in origin as well?”

Letting out a slow whistle, I shrug my shoulders. “I suppose that would explain a few things. But why you?”

Q: Does he remember the event? YES
Edwin bolts upright, “The grey haired woman with the jam!”

“What?” I ask, incredulous.

“In the market a few weeks ago. I bumped into an old woman and knocked her jars of jam to the ground. I offered to pay for them, she refused my coin but threatened that I would pay. I think she cursed me!”

Q: Does Terra know who she is? YES
“Your crossed Granny Greytongue?” Terra asks incredulously, then laughs, “Oh, you poor fool! You’d best find out what she wants if you ever want your eyes to heal. She is not one to trifle with.”

“Why not?” a guarded Edwin inquires.

“Because she’s a witch, and everyone knows it. Why the church doesn’t arrest her, I’m not sure. I don’t think they have the balls. She and her sisters…everyone’s afraid of them.” Terra explains.

“Where do they live?” I ask.

Q: Does she know where they live? NO
Terra is about to answer, when the words seem to leave her mouth. She looks confused for a moment, then admits, “I have no idea. You’d think I would. Everyone knows Granny Greytongue, but I have no idea where she lives. She’s just…around. Whenever you don’t expect her, but she’s very hard to find when you go looking for her.”

-Arcane roll of 8, no red flags for Edwin-
Edwin leans back in his chair, “Well, we’ll have to keep an eye out for her.”

“Maybe the temple can help?” I suggest.

Edwin nods, “When we return from the Ruins, we’ll have to ask.”

After dinner, we hire rooms for the night, retire to bed. Sylvia and Terra take one room, Ronan and I the second, and Edwin gets a room to himself for once.

Great Harvest 30-
-Warm, Clear Skies, Gentle Breeze-
-Immersion-Memory, Song or Joke-Sylvia-

Scene #54:
I wake to the sound of Sylvia and Terra laughing in the hallway. Ronan groans, “Just what we need, two of them!”

I shake my head, as I dress, “You know you love the girl as much as I do.” He glares at me as he gets dressed, but doesn’t deny it.

In the hallway, heading down to breakfast, Sylvia turns to us, “So back in Kardon, there was this big, fat merchant named Dulworth. And one day, Dulworth came home from the games to find his fiance, Elsbeth, naked in his bed with some skinny young man. So Dulworth challenges this man skinny man to a duel and says that whoever wins will get her and her dowry. The skinny man doesn’t want to fight, because he knows that Dulworth is so rich, he can hire any champion he wants. To convince the man to fight, Dulworth insists that he’ll forego a champion and meet the challenge himself, man to man, boasting that he’s twice the man the skinny guy is. So the skinny guy says, “Twice the man I am? Man for man?” I agree. The day comes, and the skinny guy shows up with his second at his side, a champion wrestler, but when Dulworth enters the arena, so do the skinny guy and the champion. Dulworth goes “what is this?” and the skinny guy says, “you said you are twice the man that I am, so man for man, I’ve got another guy to help me weigh as much as you!” Well of course, Dulworth red as a plum lost the match. But when the skinny man took Elsbeth to marry, Dulworth demanded she marry the wrestler too. The magistrate who judged the duel had no choice but to agree, so the skinny man, Dulworth and the wrestler too, all got cucked, through and through!” She and Terra both laugh at the story.

Ronan and I look at each other, “You have got to be kidding, right?” I ask.

“No! I swear, it’s true!” Sylvia insists.

Edwin comes out of his room and asks what she is laughing about, and she repeats the story, but it isn’t any funnier the second time around. Instead, of listening to it again, Ronan, Terra and I head down for breakfast while Edwin picks apart Sylvia’s tale with points of law about marriage and dueling. By the time she joins us, she is clearly exhausted from hearing why no magistrate would ever make such a ruling.

-taproom event-
While we are eating, I hear resounding slap, and look up to see the curly haired serving girl yelling at a man who is rubbing his cheek, much to the amusement of his companions at table. “Don’t you ever touch me again you oaf!” she yells. The heavyset innkeeper glares as the youth as we return to our meals.

On the road, we travel north as Terra assures us she will know when to veer off into the woods, and that it will faster to follow the woods instead of trying to go directly to the ruins.

-Morning-Pilgrims heading south to return home-
As we travel north, we see a group of men and women walking down the road towards us led by a priest. “Greetings traveler’s, may Freia’s blessings be upon you!” offers the priest.

“And upon you as well,” I reply having drawn close. “Where are you coming from?” I ask the leader of the small group.

“From the Temple of Healing Light. Have you ever been?” asks the priest.

“It’s in Windhold, six or seven day journey if the gnolls don’t get you,” Terra mutters beside me.

“No, I have never been. Is there a miracle worker there?” I ask.

The priest nods, “Freia’s devotees perform many miracles, and yes, the faith shines brighter in the Temple than it does in Firth.”

“Why is that?” I ask the man.

The priest shrugs, “Cities are busy places. Very much of the world, and very little for prayer. With schools and orphans, feeding the poor, addressing the daily needs of men, it is hard to focus on matters divine.”

“Isn’t serving the poor and needy what Mother Freia calls on her followers to do?” I ask.

The priest nods, “Of course! And it is a noble endeavor, but sometimes, one must take time to pray and remember why she demands this, lest one get so lost staring at individual trees that one forgets they dwell in a great forest, and that forest is part of an even greater land.”

“So are you part of the temple in Firth?” I ask.

“Oh, yes, forgive me. I am Brother Mereth,” he extends his hand in greeting. “Where are you heading?”

“Minthouth Tor. The Ruins of the Lady,” I reply. “We seek miracle, since Father Clovus is not to be found.”

-History 3–
The priest shakes his head, “I am not familiar with the place. Where is it?”

“About two days northeast of Tree Stump Inn,” Terra responds.

-Since the mission will fail without a cleric, I ask Q: Does he offer to join us? NO-
He nods, “May the goddess bless your endeavor. Travel safely, my friends.”

We then continue on our way and they on theirs.

-Afternoon-No Encounter-
-Evening- Farmers-
As the light wanes and we draw closer to Tree Stump Inn, we catch up to a pair of farmers leading a trio of hogs ahead of us.

“Greetings fellow travelers,” I hail them as we approach.

-Reaction-Positive-
They look back, and seeing as we are an armed company, raise up their hands, “Hey friends,” they smile, “We don’t have any coin! Just taking some hogs to the Inn up the road, that’s all. Is that your destination as well?”

I nod, “Tree Stump? Yes, may we walk with you? I noticed the tracks ahead of us some time ago. You make good time. From where?”

“Rabbit’s Fall,” smiles Terra.

On seeing her, the men’s faces light up, “It’s been months, how have you been?” Soon, she falls in alongside the two farmers, and they are discussing recent events in their home village, and the chaos the goblin raids have caused.

Not an hour later, we arrive at the Tree Stump Inn.

Q: Are we unwelcome? YES

Seeing us, the stable hands shake their heads and refuse to accept our mule. One of them rushes inside. The innkeeper soon comes out and looks us over. “No prisoner under escort. No king’s men to ensure you don’t disturb the peace. I’d rather you keep moving.”

Terra raises an eyebrow, “What happened?”

“They killed three men in a dispute over a card game. They aren’t welcome here,” the innkeeper replies.

Ronan objects, “We defended one of our own, falsely accused of cheating.”

The innkeeper shrugs, “So goes everyone’s tale. Please, keep moving.”

Q: Does Edwin interject? NO
I shrug, and we continue down the road another mile before setting up our camp.

-Survival 23-No Night Encounter Checks-Party Activity-Philosophical Discussions-
As we sit around the campfire, Edwin observes, “The Temple of Healing Light. Always a source of hope and inspiration, yet rarely do men witness a true miracle. And what they see can often be replicated by magic. More truly, the priests of our lady are actually common physicians and not vessels of our divine majesty.”

Ronan objects, “I’ve seen a battle priest in action. A holy man who called down divine fire upon a company of goblins. I’ve never seen you do anything like that. And you claim to be a wizard.”

Edwin shrugs, “I am but a novice. I’ve seen wizards conjure flame, and even creatures from Infierno, made of flame, or Zephyr, and made of wind.”

“But I’ve heard the patriarch in Kardon can raise the dead,” I offer.

Edwin shakes his head, “But have you seen such a miracle? A necromancer can raise the dead, but it is a mere puppet. No longer possessing a soul. Does the patriarch restore the soul to a corpse?”

I shrug, “It is said that he does.”

“People say lots of things, does that mean everything said is true?” Edwin offers.

“The church sometimes feeds people who live on the streets. I’ve never seen the Iron Scholarium do that,” Sylvia interjects. Edwin shrugs.

“The church says goblins have souls. That’s a bold faced lie!” Terra snaps, “Priests say you can’t kill them in their cradles and you must show mercy to their women. They don’t deserve it. The creatures are utterly vile and deserve nothing but an arrow through the eye!”

Ronan and I glance at her, then at each other, “Well, on that note. It would be very unwise for a goblin to cross our path tonight,” I suggest, then Sylvia and I retire to our tent, while Edwin retires to his and Ronan’s.

Ronan tells Terra, “Go with Edwin if you want to use a tent. I’ll take Garrick’s at the end of my watch, then he’ll trade off with Sylvia at the end of his. You’ll get a good night’s rest. Edwin doesn’t snore, and he doesn’t have a watch.”

Terra nods in gratitude and we turn in for the night.

Great Harvest 31
-Warm, clear skies, steady winds-
-Immersion-I point at NPC-

Scene #55 (Positive Alteration):
I wake the next morning, crowded by Ronan in our small, shared tent. “Hey, move over. I’ve got to get up.”

Ronan shifts to the side, “Yeah, sorry about that.”

We climb out of the tents and dress. Sylvia smiles at us, with a fresh rabbit over the fire, “Caught something nice for breakfast. You two sleep well? It was really weird waking up next to Ronan in the middle of the night. His arm was draped across me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear,” she teases.

Ronan snorts.

“He did the same thing with me. Go figure,” I reply with a wink.

“Hey!” the soldier protests.

Edwin, perplexed, “He’s never done that laying beside me.”

“Jealous?” teases Sylvia. Edwin’s eyes widen in shock.

Terra grins, “Seems I’ve stirred up some hidden passions?”

I laugh, “No, no, we’re just teasing Ronan. It’s usually he and Edwin, because Ed is skinny as a rail, and me and Sylvia, because she’s small too. It’s just a bit snug with two larger guys in a tent. Old times.”

-Morning Encounter-feral cats-
We travel throughout the morning, Terra leading us away from the highway through the deep woods towards our destination. Edwin pulls back the cowl of his cloak as his eyes do not hurt as much in the deep shadows of the forest. In addition to the occasional bird or squirrel that scampers away from us as we approach, we spot a small cat enjoying its morning prey. Looks to be a mouse from the silhouette as the animal darts away with its prize on seeing us come near.

-Afternoon-Deer-
As we take our midday rest, we are surprised to see a small herd of deer moving through the undergrowth fairly close to us. But as the wind shifts briefly, they catch our scent and bolt away.

-Evening-Blackbirds seem to follow us-
As the miles fade behind us, I note a flock of blackbirds seem to follow us, leapfrogging ahead, waiting as we pass, then flying forward once more. But their numbers seem to dwindle as we go until it finally grows late enough that it is time to set camp. At that point, only one bird remains, and it flies away the moment I set down my pack.

-Survival-6-Camp events-do their own things-
After setting the wards and sharing a meal, Sylvia sits by the campfire, staring into the flames, lost in some unspoken thoughts, while Ronan stands away from camp, lost in his own reverie. I’ve seen that look before, when he is remembering those brothers who fought and fell beside him. Terra has wandered off to hunt, and Edwin has pulled me aside to talk.

-Topic-History-
“Do you know that Feldholm is only 300 years old? And the Free family has only ruled it for the last sixty years?” Edwin asks.

“Is that what you wanted to talk about?” I raise an eyebrow.

The scholar nods, “And before that, no men live in this region for nearly two thousand years, from the time Thurm fell to the Lich King until Johan Firth of Kardashev claimed the region for the empire.”

“So how come Feldhome has a king, and is not a barony?” I ask.

“Ah, because Sir Aldric Weiss, of Kardashev, fled here after the fall of Draumark, and arrives in the midst of a goblin war. He and his men unite the local human settlements in a way that Firth’s descendants had been unable to, defeats the goblins, and has them declare him lord protector of the land.” I raise my hands, expecting more. Edwin continues, “Then Aldric, having kidnapped and married the daughter of Duke Evenforth, repels the Duke’s army when he arrives to rescue the girl, captures the Duke, and holds him ransom until the emperor recognizes Aldric as king of an independent nation. That is when he takes the name of Aldric Free, and his family has ruled the region ever since. Gerald Free is his grandson.”

I nod, “So, the Frees are a bunch of usurpers?”

“Precisely,” Edwin smiles, “In a land ripe with opportunity for the ambitious to carve out their own state, or the knowledgeable to discover ancient secrets.” Then pointing at Ronan, “And that is the sort of man that could be named king one day, if he were bold enough to claim it!”

I look towards Ronan, then back towards Edwin, and shake my head, “You don’t know him like I do. He could never be king. It’s not in him to send others to die in his name.”

“Is it in you?” Edwin raises an eyebrow.

I shrug, “I wouldn’t wish that burden. But I wouldn’t falter if it were mine to carry.”

Soon, we turn in for the night.

-Encounter-First Watch-Wild dogs–
As I lay in the tent beside Sylvia, we are awakened to Ronan’s shouts. “Get out here you damned mongrels.”

Sylvia looks at me, her eyes nearly shine in the dark with what little light passes through the tent flap. “Do we get up?”

I lay still and listen a bit longer, then the shouting stops and I hear Ronan’s heavy footsteps outside the tent again as he mutters something about stupid dogs. I shake my head and tell Sylvia to go to sleep. I do the awakened to trade places with the soldier for my watch.

Great Harvest 32
-Hot, clear skies, gentle wind-
-Immersion, sense of being watched-

Scene #56:
As we break camp, Terra says that she expects us to reach the ruins by nightfall. But I get the strange sense that we are being watched. I look around, “We are deep in goblin territory, aren’t we?”

Terra nods with a smirk, “With any luck, we’ll take a few ears before we are done.”

I nod towards Sylvia, “The drumming we heard a couple of weeks ago, this is about how far away the might have been.”

Sylvia looks around nervously as well, then tugs the mule’s bridle, “Let’s get going,” she whispers in the animal’s ear as we set off.

-Morning-No Encounter-
-Afternoon-Minor Annoyance-Fleas-
-Evening-Strange Wind-

We travel through the say, with eyes sharp as I watch for danger, just stuck with that uneasy sense that we are being followed. Sylvia seems to feel it too, but Terra seems eager, a hungry bloodlust in her eyes as she looks for some trace of goblins. Edwin seems unconcerned, lost in his thoughts as he often is, following closely behind Sylvia and the mule, with Ronan warily watching our rear, crossbow at the ready, shield slung over his back.

Midday, I hear Sylvia exclaim, “Ow! A shit! There’s another one!” I look back towards her, confused. “A damned flea bit me. They’re all over the damned mule!”

“You have been brushing him down, right?” I ask.

“Huh? Um, no. Was I supposed to?” Sylvia asks.

I chuckle and shake my head, “Every morning, every evening. I thought you were doing it when the rest of us were gathering water and wood for the camp and I just hadn’t noticed. Sorry, I should have told you.”

“Well, um, yeah. I mean, I’ve never owned a mule before. Or any animal really. Except for a pet mouse I once had,” Sylvia stammers.

I nod, “We’ll brush her down good tonight. For now, keep going.”

Some time later, there is a roaring sound in the woods, then a sudden gust of wind tears through, leveling nearby saplings and stripping leaves from the lower branches of nearby trees as we are nearly knocked to the ground by the sudden gust.

I quickly stand straight and draw an arrow, scanning for the source of the wind.

Edwin’s eyes light up, intrigued, “What was that?”

“The dragon,” whispers Terra, at once terrified and fascinated. “The emerald dragon of Northwoods.” She whispers in awe.

“A dragon?” stammers Sylvia, fearful.

Ronan coolly surveys our surroundings, eyes narrow, searching for his foe. “If it was a dragon, it’s gone now. Wasn’t hunting us.”

“How can you be sure?” Sylvia asks, quietly.

“If it were, we’d be dead,” Ronan shrugs. “Nothing we could do to stop it, if that was it merely passing by.”

I grin and chuckle softly, “He’s got that right. Lead on, Terra.”

Our local guide then presses forward.

We arrive at the remains of an ancient stone structure collapsed in on itself some time just before nightfall. While Edwin sets his wards and Terra and Ronan set up the camp, I instruct Sylvia on how to pick fleas from a mule and keep it properly brushed, and how to check it’s hooves for damage. She pays close attention as I walk her through each task.

-Survival 13-Check for Night Encounters-None-

Great Harvest 33
-Sweltering heat, Clear skies, gentle wind-
-Memory, 5 years ago-Garrick-
Scene #57:
I wake early and join Sylvia as she rekindles the fire to cook breakfast. She smiles up at me, but I struggle to return it, instead walking towards the edge of the camp and staring up into the light that barely peeks through the forest canopy, catching the dust in the air, and remembering a morning much like this, so many years ago.

“A penny for your thoughts,” offers Sylvia, stepping up beside me, “I even have one, don’t you know.” She laughs. I smile back with a half hearted chuckle.

“I’m just thinking of a time, seems a lifetime ago,” I drift.

“The initials carved in a tree? Who was she?” Sylvia asks.

“My fiancé,” I blink back tears.

Sylvia presses against my side, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I’m sorry,” she says, kissing my shoulder.

I put an arm around her and pull her next to me, “Thank you. I’m alright. Go tend the mule.”

She nods and offers a feeble smile before returning to camp to tend the animal and finish cooking breakfast.

A few minutes later, Ronan is standing next to me. He puts his hand on my shoulder, as he is want to do. Nods, then returns to camp as well, leaving me to my thoughts.

-Morning-Game Fowl-
After breakfast, we survey the surrounding ruins and can discern the footprint of an ancient temple. Shattered columns still reach toward the sky, but fail to even lift over the head of man. The old roof has collapsed, and carved reliefs of dragons and elemental spirits are nearly worn away to nothing from centuries of rain. Then we find what appears to be a stone filled passage to what might have been ancient catacombs beneath the temple.

“Here,” Edwin nods, “If we are to find anything of value, it will be here, beneath the ground. Start digging.”

I look at it the crumbled stones blocking the passage and shake my head, “This isn’t shovel work. This is hauling stone.”

Edwin nods, and replies, “I’ll keep watch.”

The rest of us set to work beneath the blazing sun, the thick canopy providing only limited relief from the heat. Armor is cast aside, as Ronan and I work bare chested, Terra and Sylvia in their tunics.

Terra complains, “I was hired to guide you lot, not dig.”

I pay her the four crowns we owe her to bring us out, plus the four coins for the return trip. Then ten more. “Your labor will be appreciated,” I smile.

Q: Does she agree to help? YES
She accepts the coins and gets back to work.

As we work, a family of pheasants wander past our camp, but my bow isn’t close enough to quickly grab and shoot one, so we have no fresh fowl for dinner.

-46 strength working on the task

-Afternoon-No Encounter-
-Evening-No Encounter-

At the end of the long day, the four of us are exhausted, and there seems to be no end in sight. “Are you sure this is the right course?” I ask Edwin as we rest around camp.

He nods, “If Terra is correct about this being the site, there is no other place to search.”

“This is Minthouth-Tor,” insists Terra. “But I don’t know what you expect to find in some old hole in the ground. And if it was sealed goddess only knows how many years ago, there must have been a reason.”

“We are looking for some ancient spring, fountain or other source of water. Nothing else is here,” I explain.

The scout shrugs, “Good luck then. I’ll stay for as long as you’ve paid me for.” I nod my acknowledgment.

-Night, this camp is unsecure-No Encounter-Camp Activities-Play a game-(Wisdom challenges)
After dinner, Sylvia pulls a small pouch from her pack, “Let’s play a game!” she suggests, scraping a patch of dirt clear on the ground and using a stick to draw a circle for us. Then she dumps out a pouch full of clay marbles. Soon she and Edwin are in the midst of their game while Ronan and I challenge them to take riskier shots. Edwin beats her, then faces Ronan, who is crushed in no time. Then Terra faces the wizard, but cannot best him either. Finally, I go against him, but in the end, none of us can topple the champion. He turns in to bed undefeated as Sylvia packs up her marbles and we all leave the camp to Ronan’s watchful gaze.

Great Harvest-34th-Harvest Festival (46 of 200 dig points)
-Hot, Clear Skies, Gentle wind-
-Immersion, smell of leather-

E: Negative for Serpent Cult: a Haggle over Success

Scene #58:
“Wake up, sleepy heads!” Sylvia urges us in the morning, “It’s harvest festival!” I yawn and stretch as Ronan and I climb out of the tent, looking around.

“Huh, kind hard to tell here in the middle of a forest. No feasting, no parades, just us, deep in goblin infested woods,” I observe.

-survival 11-
Sylvia holds forth a bowl of fresh plucked fruit, “But there is plenty of harvest even here in the wilds.”

Looking at her offering, I take the bowl and spill it onto the forest floor, “Please tell me you didn’t eat any of those.”

She looks down at the spilled fruit, “No, but I thought the would be safe to eat. The mule likes them.”

I nod, “A mule would. We aren’t mules. Foxberry will tear up your stomach. Nice if you need to spit up some poison, but not so appetizing otherwise.”

“Sorry. I didn’t know,” Sylvia replies.

“It’s alright. I’ll find us something to celebrate with,” I assure her, dressing and then taking my bow into the woods.

-Survival 16-
Not half an hour later, I return with two squirrels and cap full of blackberries to sweeten our morning porridge. Sylvia smiles in gratitude as our company quietly celebrates the blessing of Freia in this harvest season. Then we get back to work, once more stripped down for the heat, though it is not nearly as bad as the day before.

-Morning Encounter-None-
-Afternoon Encounter-None-
-Evening Encounter-Ogre-(Stealth 14 and 18)
As the sun wanes, Sylvia suddenly perks up, then I hear them too as Terra also reaches for her bow.

“What?” Ronan demands as he grabs his shield and hammer.

“Ogres,” comes Edwin’s answer as his hand is wreathed in flames.

On seeing the ogres, who we hear and smelled before they came into sight, our arrows riddle one as it crashes through the undergrowth charging Ronan in incredible rage, only to be killed at his feet. The second one reaches Terra unscathed, but she drops her bow and slashes at it with her dagger as she tries to duck beneath its club, but it knocks her backward with a fearsome blow even as Ronan and I move in on it while Sylvia and Edwin wield bow and flame against it. Against our counter attack, it soon falls as well. Terra kneels down as it struggles for breath, and cuts deep through its jugular. “Good riddance, rubbish,” she snarls. Then she stabs its mate a couple of times for good measure.

“A little excessive, don’t you think?” I ask.

She glares at me, “Just big goblins. They’re all cut from the same cloth. Thieves and murderers, every last one.” She spits.

Sylvia looks at me, the fear evident in her eyes. Ronan simply nods, “Well, these two are dead. Won’t rob or murder anyone,” he shrugs.

“Sylvia, take a look around, see if there are any others nearby,” I tell her as I check the corpses for any valuables while Terra cuts off their ears.

Q: Did they have anything else of value? NO
Between the two ogres, I find fourteen old copper coins. “Not very successful robbers and murderers.” I note showing what little they had between them. Terra scoffs.

We drag the corpses some distance away from the camp, then Ronan, Sylvia and I resume our work.

Terra, on the other hand, dresses for battle.

“Where are you going?” I ask as she starts to leave the site.

“Hunting! We better find out where they came from,” Terra declares.

I look to Edwin, he shrugs his shoulders, “There is a certain logic to that course.”

“If you find a camp nearby, don’t engage, come back and let us know. But the sooner we clear the debris, the sooner we can leave the area,” I tell her.

Q: Will she obey? NO
“We’ll see what can be seen,” she replies as she heads out.

-Survival 25-Q: Are these ogres part of a goblin tribe? NO Q: Are they part of a larger ogre gang? YES (2d4(4)-2=2 ogres remaining at the lair), 1d6=6 miles away-Stealth 13-Q: Is she a total idiot? NO -Night encounter-porcupines wander near camp-

Great Harvest-35th-Harvest Festival (87 of 200 dig points)
-Warm, Clear Skies, inconsequential winds-
-Immersion-feel something bumpy on my skin-

Scene #54 (Positive Alteration):
In the morning, I am pleased to see Terra sitting by the cooking fire with Sylvia. I am less pleased to notice bumps on my left forearm and quickly realize I’d gotten chewed up by chiggers pretty bad during the night. I beat out my bedroll and move the tent, then apply some aloe to my arm to soothe the pain. “What’d you find out?” I ask Terra.

She smiles, “Small camp of ogres. Two there last night, I think. About six miles from here. We can take them by surprise!” The eager bloodlust shines in in her eyes.

“Six miles? And they haven’t come looking for their fellows? And you covered your tracks? I say, leave them be,” I instruct. She scowls.

Edwin nods his agreement, “We aren’t here to fight ogres. We need to find some sacred spring.”

“Then we capture the ogres and make them do the digging!” Terra suggests.

Ronan laughs, “Capture an ogre and force it to do…anything at all? We don’t have enough men to guard one or chains to restrain one.”

I shake my head, “Had the two that attacked us parlayed, we might have been able to hire them. But two whose mates we killed? Not a chance. If we meet them, there is only death.”

“Then let’s kill them! Take them by surprise!” urges Terra.

“Why?” demands Sylvia. “Why risk a fight if we can avoid it?”

“What? Are you a bunch of cowards? Men with swords and magic and you are going to let ogres run loose, killing and raiding? What good are you?” Terra demands.

I sigh and shake my head, “Death comes quick to those who revel in it. I don’t know if you seek revenge, or maybe just glory. But your bloodlust is going to take you to an early grave.”

Q: Does she leave? NO
She fumes, anger flashing in her eyes. “Cowards,” she spits as she heads back over to the pit and starts moving rocks. The rest of us get to work as well.

-Morning-Gnats-Q: Does she continue to complain? YES Q: Does she explain herself? NO
Working through the morning, it is only a little cooler than yesterday, but the gnats are twice as thick, getting in our eyes and nostrils as we struggle to pull out the heavy stones that have been heaped on top of an ancient stairway. This only adds to our general irritability.

“You treasure hunters from overseas have no idea what a threat goblins and ogres really are in Feldholm. They steal animals, murder shepherds, and rob travelers. It’s not like where you come from, where you don’t have to worry about goblins hiding behind every bush or watching from the shadows. You people from Kardashev have it easy. You sleep behind thick walls, and don’t have to worry about facing a goblin when you go out to check your hens in the morning. If you would spend a season in a Rabbit’s Fall, you’d see I’m right!” Terra drones on throughout the morning.

Ronan and I just glance at each other, roll our eyes or shake our heads.

Q: Does Edwin defend us? YES
Edwin eventually tires of her noise, and interjects, “You do realize you are trying to convince two men who faced the legions of Gorad Mir and the hordes from Brindlechain that they don’t know anything about goblins, yes? These aren’t soft city men you are talking to, nor are they simple thugs who’ve only bullied children. These are soldiers who held the line against goblins and hobs alike. You should be mindful that they have seen things that no man ever should.”

Persuasion 2 Q: Does this stop her? NO E: Negative for A friend in Town: a Delay of an Investment
“Pah!” Terra scoffs, “Then why are they afraid of a couple of ogres. Cowards.”

Ronan and I simply tune her out as we continue our labor. Eventually, even she grows tired of the sound of her own voice.

-Afternoon-No Encounter
-Evening-Wolves-Survival 14-Stealth 24-
Hours pass, but as evening draws near, we hear a wolf call from near where we left the ogre’s corpses. Gathering my weapons, I sneak over to investigate and discover a small pack of the beasts are tearing at the corpses. I slip back away to let them enjoy the spoils of battle, a well fed pack of wolves is no threat.

-Night Encounter-Black Bear-Party Activity-Tall Tales and Legends-(Sylvia)-Performance 10-
As we gather around the campfire for dinner, Sylvia passes out our bowls and grins, “In Kardon, there is a massive cemetery. A veritable maze of crypts and mausoleums a city of the dead where people like me sometimes hide from the watch or take shelter from storms, but where most decent people fear to tread. Well, even people like me to like to linger long, for whenever Fate and Fortune are both hidden from view, it is said the dead wake from their slumber, and seek to change their place with one among the living!” Edwin smirks, Ronan raises an eyebrow, while I smile and nod encouragement, eager to see where this story leads. “The worst of these spirits is the Maiden of Pearls, so called because of the pearl necklace she wore in life, the very necklace her jealous husband used to strangle her with!” Sylvia’s eyes gleam with excitement, while Terra’s skepticism is clear. “Two months ago, hiding from the watch, I was alone in the dark shadows between two crypts. And as the watchman passed by, I felt a cold chill run down my spine, as though I was being watched, but the watchman had his back towards me. I listened and waited as I heard him slowly walk away, and then I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Spinning around, I saw a ghostly figure reaching for me! She had a pearl necklace in her hands and was reaching to put it around my neck! I jumped up screaming, and ran for my life! The watchman heard me and took of after me. But then I heard him screaming as well! I didn’t look back. I just kept going.” At this point, we are all hanging on her every word. “The next morning, I heard whispers on the street that a watchman had been found murdered in the cemetery. Strangled to death! The killer was never found, but I know who it was. That’s when I decided to sneak aboard a ship and get out of Kardon once and for all!” Sylvia finishes with bright eyes and an excited grin.

Edwin raises an eyebrow, “Maiden of Pearls? How have I never heard of her having studied in Kardon for as long as I have?”

Sylvia furrows her brow and pouts, “Maybe because students in a magic school never come out and talk to people living on the streets.”

“She’s got you there,” I note with a grin.

Edwin shrugs his shoulders, “Local legends”

Terra scowls, “You’d do well to listen to the locals. We know our lands, legends and the truth behind them better than any scholar or ancient book.”

“I think it’s a great story,” I say, “Is that really why you left? Or are you just making up a tale to entertain us.”

Q: Does she stand by it? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Does Ronan? NO
“Of course it’s true! I wouldn’t lie about something like that! Come on!” Sylvia insists.

“Then I believe you,” I nod. Ronan glances between us, and subtly shakes head.

As we retire to our tents, I hear a bear roar and the yipping of wolves as they retreat from their find. I suppose that is the way of things, even with two ogres to go around, local hunters are loathe to share.

Threshing 1st-(133 of 200 dig points)
-Cool, Clear Skies, Steady Wind-
-Immersion-see something fragile that I want-
Scene #55:
On our fourth day of digging, we uncover a small glass vial that had been interned among the stones. i pick it up and see there is a rich red liquid inside. It looks like a trollblood draught. I show it to Ronan and Sylvia who are working by my side. Ronan smiles, for he has seen them before, but to Sylvia I explain, “Trollblood can mend a wound faster than a week’s rest” She grins in fascination.

-Morning Encounter-Deer
-Afternoon Encounter-Skunks
The day is devoted to our continued efforts to clear the stairway. Edwin keeps watch while the rest of us labor. When Sylvia returns from watering the mule and refilling our skins from the nearby stream, she tells us she saw some deer foraging nearby. Later in the day, a trio of skunks wander near the camp, but we respectfully keep our distance from the animals.

-Evening Encounter-Mysterious Frost
Near the end of the day, something strange happened. As we pried a great stone loose, we were suddenly hit with a blast of frigid air, and the stones remaining in the stairwell were all covered in a thin sheet of frost. It melted quickly in the summer sun, but it was a shocking surprise.

“We must be getting near something,” Edwin notes when we tell him what happened.

I don’t know if this was necessarily a good sign, but it assures me that our efforts might not be fully in vain.

That night, after dinner, we play Sylvia’s marble game again. Sylvia gets her revenge by beating Edwin in the first round. But I knock her out in the second. Then Terra beats me and Ronan as well, ending up the champion of tonight’s game.

-Night Encounter-None-
After the game of marbles, we all retire to bed. As usual, Ronan takes the first watch, then me, and finally Sylvia who also starts breakfast as the end of her watch draws near.

Threshing 2nd-(179 of 200 dig points)
-Pleasant, Clear Skies, Heavy Wind-
-Sixth sense-heart racing/panic-

Scene #56:
Our fifth day of digging begins well enough, but the stones in the stairwell are once more covered in a layer of frost in spite of the otherwise comfortable summer day. I worry this means we may be unleashing some horrid evil upon the world by continuing to remove the stones and get a sudden vision ancient frostbitten warriors grasping and clawing at us! Then I wake up in a sweat. Ronan pulls away, “What’s wrong, Garrick?”

I sit up, “It was a dream. Just a dream. We need to be on our guard though. Something lies beneath.”

Ronan nods, “Of course. The stairway was sealed for a reason.”

-Morning-Frogs-
I nod, get up and dress, then we join Sylvia and the others for breakfast, a great chorus of frogs providing a morning symphony to entertain us. . In short order, we are digging again

Q: Are the stones covered in frost? EXCEPTIONAL NO
I am relieved that the stones are warm to the touch, already baking under the morning sun. Comforted by this fact, we work steadily and I put last night’s dream out of my mind.

-Afternoon-Brown Bear- Q: Does it wander to our camp? YES
After lunch, Edwin calls to us, “Something’s here!” I look up, Edwin is rubbing his eyes as usual, but trying to spot…a great roar echoes through the camp and I see a large bear and its cubs behind it. The beast stands on hind legs, sniffing the air and looking around.

-Intimidation 14-
I step out of the pit, and make myself as large as possible, and call to it, “Hey bear! We are over here! Go somewhere else!” Ronan mimicks my action, as does Terra. Sylvia remains in the pit, simply reaching for her bow, while Edwin steps back towards us.

The bear sniffs the air a few more times, then wanders past and towards the ogre corpses. I am unsure how much is left of them at this point.

As soon as it is gone, we resume our work and are soon clearing away the final large stones that were concealing an ancient stone door. “Edwin! We’ve cleared the stairway. Take a look.” I call to him as the rest of us climb out and start dressing for battle.

Edwin comes over and takes a look at the ancient barrier, a falcon relief carved into ancient stone. “The sign of our lady, of course.” He pulls his book from his pack, and begins reciting unfamiliar words, elven from the sound of them. I yawn and stretch a bit, enjoying the break from the physical labor.

Q: Is there an arcane trap on the door? NO
After several minutes, Edwin announces, “There are no wards on the door. I am not sure where the ice came from yesterday, but it is not from the door.” I nod and tell Sylvia to see if she can figure out the best way to open it. She winks and starts checking it out.

Q: Mundane trap? EXCEPTIONAL YES (rolled needle trap, but that would have been detected or triggered long ago, so I’m going with a deadfall, perception 17 spots it anyway, but Avalon doesn’t offer a Perception DC in random ruins traps. Kind of weird to leave that off and just use traps as unavoidable wandering damage in Ruins)
“Trapped!” she exclaims and demonstrates that there are two stone insets near the mantle above the door that need to be pulled in towards the center of the door lest the mantle come down on whoever pushes the door. With Ronan’s help, and the crowbar, she gets the inserts back into their proper places to keep from falling down on us.

E: Action by Serpent Cult: the Negligence of Lies
-Evening-Patrol-Goblins- Q: Do they arrive now? YES
Suddenly, Edwin shouts, “Trouble!” But Sylvia is already out of the pit, arrow drawn and flying towards…goblins!

There is a sudden warcry as the goblins realize they have been spotted and rush towards us. Black robed cultists are among them, one stretching her hand towards Terra, who seems to throw off whatever ill effect the cultist intended.

Ronan leaps to intercept the chargers, wounding one badly and killing another outright, I cut down another as several rush towards Terra, and then towards me as I form up beside her. Edwin steps back, hurling an arcane dart that finishes the goblin Ronan wounded, and three more at the cult warlock.

We step into the whirling chaos and I cut down a surprisingly large goblin warrior while Ronan tries to hold our flank by himself. Terra gets cut up a bit but the goblins then dash away as a cultist grapples with her. The Warlock tries to charm me, but then as more arcane darts slam into her, she comes at me in a rush and I narrowly avoid her outstretched hand.

A goblin rushes past us towards Edwin who is guarded by a blue sphere that appears when the creatures blade nearly cuts him through. Terra cuts down the cultist left behind when his goblin buddies ducked away from her, she then slips away from the melee, picking up her bow as she goes. I cut down the warlock and run after one of the goblins to open a path for us.

I am soon flanked by a second goblin, but with a loud crack like thunder, Edwin sends the goblin that attacked him writhing to the ground, sheathed in lightning. He then starts hurling arcane darts at enemy wounded as I finish another goblin, and Terra yet another. Even Sylvia manages to land a lethal shot as Ronan finishes off the last of them. When we are done, there are ten dead goblins scattered around, one who had tried to flee, and three dead cultists.

“Spectacular,” grins Terra as she rejoins our perimeter, shouldering her bow and kicking a goblin corpse. “What kind of human scum work with goblins,” she scowls, kicking and then spitting on the corpse of the cultist she killed.

“That’s what I want to know,” I add while Ronan makes the rounds, finishing the goblin dead and taking ears while Sylvia checks for coins and the cultist pendants.

“It seems that the Children of the Serpent are using the goblins as muscle. And for some reason, they came here, at this time, while we are digging in this location. Maybe it is coincidence, or perhaps, it was no accident that goblins nearly captured the king’s daughter, and that cultists intercepted us on our way to Silvenar,” observes Edwin.

“So, the prince is definitely a spy then? Trying to get his sister captured by goblins?” Sylvia asks in shock.

Ronan shakes his head, “No. Doesn’t make sense. Alive, she’s a pawn to marry off if he succeeds his father and secure an alliance. Not worth much if goblins have their way with her.”

“What are you lot talking about? The prince a spy? Children of the Serpent? What’s going on?” Terra asks, confused.

Edwin fixes his gaze on her, “Tell nobody. But the Children of the Serpent are an ancient cult of assassins that seeks to annihilate the royal family. They give blood offerings to their god. Some perverse interpretation of Krenex, the First Father. We believe the cult has poisoned much of the king’s guard, indicating a spy in the castle. But we cannot prove who it is.”

She stares at us, in shock. “Why?”

Edwin shrugs, “To honor their god, and sow chaos and despair. That is what they seek. To drag the world back into anarchy.”

“Scum,” Ronan replies.

I nod in agreement, then with Ronan’s help, start dragging the corpses away from the camp. “What do you think, Ronan? They know we’re here. I think we rest up from the fight, get inside, get the water, then leave before a second group comes to investigate.” Ronan nods in agreement.

As we finish our task, and return to camp, Edwin announces, “We need to rest. I used a lot of my power in that fight. We’ll enter the ruin in the morning.”

I glance at Ronan. He shrugs. Sylvia asks what’s going on, and I explain, “There may be a second group coming if the first doesn’t return. We’ll need to be quick in the morning. If they are based near Firth, we have time. If there is a nearby cult hideout, we might not. But we’ve not seen anyone scouting us before, so we should be alright to wait until morning.”

Q: Did she find anything cool? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Magic? YES
“If you say so,” She nods, nervously looking around. as she toys with an unfamiliar amulet.

“What’s that?” I ask, approaching her.

“Oh, this? One of the goblins was wearing it. It looked…interesting,” she holds it up. It is a silver brooch depicting a double eclipse, with the Sun hidden behind Fate hidden behind Fortune. “Interesting, isn’t it?”

I nod in agreement, accepting it from her and examining it closely. “Edwin? Is this elven?”

The wizard joins us and examines the amulet.

Q: elven? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: dwarven YES (History 9) E: New NPC: An Increase of Animals Q: fey? NO

“No, not elven. I’m not sure what it is, actually. Well made though,” observes Edwin.

“Can I keep it?” Sylvia asks, and Edwin, nodding, shrugs is shoulders. She quickly puts the item around her neck and smiles, showing it off. “I got loot!”

As she fingers the amulet, and it begins to glow bright as the sun. Her eyes widen as do Edwin, but then he blinks and turns away, as the forest canopy cannot protect him from something so close.

“Sorry, sorry. I don’t know what I did,” she stammers.

“Take it off,” I suggest, and in so doing, the light goes out. “Interesting thing for a goblin to carry.” I laugh. Ronan grins at me.

Terra winks, “Obviously stole that thing!”

“Naturally,” I reply, “Either couldn’t figure out how to work it, or…well, I can’t think of any other reason a goblin would keep something that makes such a bright light on them.”

-Generate an NPC-
“A trophy, of course,” says a voice from the edge of our camp, “A bit more civilized than cutting off your foes ears, I suppose, but perhaps the goblin did that as well,” explain as fur clad elf stepping out from the shadows. “I’ve been watching you. Studying you. What do you want from Ruins of Minthoith-Tor? It must be something incredibly valuable for you to spend four days moving rocks that were set in place hundreds of years ago.”

“Did you place them there?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

The elf shakes his head, “No, dear friend. I did not.”

Edwin says something to him in Elven, and the stranger replies in turn. I sigh and glance and Ronan, who shrugs, as the wizard continues to talk to the elf in a language the rest of us don’t understand. Then the elf chuckles and looks to me. Edwin purses his lips in frustration.

“Your scholar says you seek the healing waters of Freia here, but there is none among you worthy to claim them,” the elf grins, shaking his head. “Only a pure hearted worshiper of the goddess can be blessed with such a gift. I am afraid your trek is for naught.”

I look towards Edwin, “Is this true?”

Edwin shakes his head in frustration, “I don’t know. According to this half elf, yes.”

“My name is Ayvan,” the half-elf corrects Edwin, “And if you do not believe me, by all means, see for yourselves. I am merely warning you that there is a dangerous spirit within, not from our world, and that even if you defeat him, you are likely to leave empty handed. I just pray you can leave at all when the battle is done.”

“Great,” I scowl as Ronan shakes his head in annoyance.

“So all this time? Moving rocks? For nothing?” Sylvia groans in frustration.

Terra laughs, “Well, at least I got paid! And got to kill some goblins as well.”

Ayvan furrows his brow, “Yes, killing is always worth celebrating. Until it’s your loved ones who fall.” Terra’s breath catches, and she glares at him, a stare like ice. The half-elf just shakes his head. “I will go inside with you. Follow your. I serve Krenax, but perhaps I can persuade his daughter to help you.”

I raise an eyebrow and look at Edwin, “I thought the children of the serpent served Krenax.”

Ayvan smirks, “They might have generations ago, but these…cultists, serve Eomen. Whether they know it or not. Do not be deceived as they have been. My offer stands. You have been merciful to my friends who have come to visit your camp these last few days. So I offer this mercy to you.”

“Very well,” Edwin responds, in Kardashev at last, “We welcome your help. There are lives at stake, and if what you say is true, we cannot afford to turn down your help.”

I nod in agreement, then suggest, “Please stay with our camp tonight. We enter the ruins in the morning.”

Ayvan bows his head slightly, “Thank you.”

Soon, we are starting dinner, repairing equipment, and tending the minor scratches and bruises we endured during the fight.

-Night-No Encounter-

Threshing 3rd-
-Warm, Clear Skies, No wind-
-See something forgotten, dusty and faded with age-

Scene #57: E: Remote Event: a Struggle for Portals

Finally, we are ready to enter the Ruins of the Lady. I get up and join Sylvia, and Ayvan by the campfire as the others get ready for the day. Edwin smiles, “No to see there is to discover here.”

I look over the new members of our company and explain, “Sylvia is in the lead down below, and I am right behind her. Then Edwin. Ronan will be after Edwin, then Ayvan. Terra will bring up the rear. Sylvia, Edwin and Ayvan will all carry torches to light our way. Keep your eyes sharp.” I pull a pair of clay jugs off the mule’s pack.

-Morning-Deer-
After breakfast, Sylvia takes the mule to water, and reports that she saw a group of deer by the stream. I nod, then head everyone down below.

(Room 18)
Moving as quietly as we can down the stairs, Sylvia lets out a low whistle as we enter a vaulted chamber dominated by the statue of an armored woman looking down upon us. Bronze braziers surround the figure, stained by soot and full of ancient ash. A few roaches scurry away as the light comes near. There are murals on the wall, faded with age, that seem to depict a great battle between men and…skeletons? Half rotted corpses by the score battling men and dwarves.

(Religion rolls fail)
“Impressive woman,” I nod, admiring the sculpture.

Sylvia makes a sour face at my words, “Looks like she’s never missed a meal.”

Edwin admires the work, “Excellent sculpting. Ancient armor design. Unusual theme. I wonder if this was some renowned warrior queen.”

Ronan glances up at the image, then turns his attention towards the passage beyond, finding little about the icon to hold is attention. Ayvan dips a finger in the ash from one of the braziers, sniffs, and notes “Sandalwood, most likely.”

Terra looks up and smiles, “Bet she wasn’t afraid to face a few ogres.”

I shrug, “Probably not, given she’s wearing heavier armor than any one of us.”

-Perception 7-
Sylvia starts inspecting the statues, looking for secret panels, traps or whatever she things she might find, but comes up with nothing, so we continue forward.

(Room 15)
We proceed down a short hallway and see through a archway ahead that it open into another chamber. Drawing close, there are tables lining the walls, and skeletal remains of people unceremoniously interred here eons ago lie on the floor. But as Sylvia enters, ancient skeletons suddenly spring to life!

A bolt of flame arcs overhead as Edwin and Ronan react with Ronan rushing past Sylvia and shattering the skull of one of the ancient wretches. Two more pile on Ronan as another rushes at Sylvia who struggles to defend herself. I am quickly at her side, cutting down one of the foe. In spite of their numerical edge and lack of fear, our party makes short work of the foe with Ronan and I breaking bones with hammer and blade, while Terra, Edwin and Sylvia also get a few shots in. We are scarcely winded by the fight, and only suffer a few minor scratches for our trouble.

Coming fully into the room, Edwin looks around, “An offertory room? Sacrifices must have been prepared here. Clearly, this was part of the temple function somehow. An altar deeper in makes sense, but it could have served one above.”

There is a door ahead of us, and an open passage to the right. We proceed down the passage.

(Room -3 or 1-4)
The passage is painted with geometric patterns that seem meaningless to me, but at the end of the passage is another wooden door reinforced with iron bands. Sylvia carefully inspects the door, then leans against it, pushing it open.

The room has ancient prayer matts evenly spaced across the floor, long since decayed for the most part, ancient cloth faded and chewed on by generations of insects. The walls are painted with symbols from an ancient language that I cannot recognize. The lettering looks familiar, but off a little bit from what one normally sees.

“Wait here a moment,” Edwin instructs us and we all relax. Sylvia starts to inspect the door on the far end of the room while Edwin pulls out a book from his pack and begins chanting. Afterwards, he studies the words on the wall, “Freia the Defender? Mother of battles?” Edwin muses out loud, “Most unusual. She is not to take up arms until the final days.”

-Religion 13-
“What?” I ask in surprise, other eyes are on Edwin as well, seeking an explanation.

Edwin looks at us in surprise, “Yes, when the world draws to an end and Eomen grows powerful enough to enslave her, Freia will have to choose between slaying her brother, and killing the part of herself that loves him, or to submit to him, and allow him to destroy all of her children…mankind, elves, goblins,” he glances at Terra whose face is contorted with disgust. “But these are all prayers to Freia as a warrior. The statue in the first room must have meant to depict her in that guise.”

“But these weren’t the end times when this temple was built,” I observe.

Edwin shrugs, “It was for whoever built it.”

Sylvia pushes open the next door, “Let’s go. We don’t need prayers to a warrior goddess at the end of the world. We need some special water, and maybe a gold candlestick or two,” she grins. Ronan shakes his head.

-Wisdom 22-
We move down the next corridor, blades in hand as we continuously find ourselves in close quarters. Once more, there are geometric patterns on the walls, but I start to notice these aren’t abstract, but sylized representations of a field of wheat and irrigation canals. If there had ever been depictions of people or oxen in the scene, they have long since faded away.

The hall opens up into another room with several stone basins set into the floor, clay jars rest on ancient shelves, except where one has given way to the ravages of time, dumping a number of jars, shattered, on the stone floor below.

(Room 2-3=-1) Q: water? YES
We enter the room, and peer into the basins. There is black, brackish water in the bottom of several of them. It smells foul.

“No,” I shake my head, “Not a chance this is what we are here for.”

Edwin nods in agreement, “This was a purification room. Worshippers would disrobe and bath here.” He examines some of the clay pots, ” Some of these are for pouring water, others for oils.”

“Interesting,” I nod, noticing another hallway leading out of the room.

“So do you attend the temple services?” Sylvia asks Edwin, “I didn’t think you believed in miracles. Thought it was just ordinary magic like you do.”

Edwin scoffs, “Of course, I believe in the goddess, and her in her miracles. I just don’t believe in the local curates, and no, I don’t attend temple services. I did when I was younger, but let’s just say, I would rather spend my time reading holy texts myself than listening to a priest trying to interpret them. What about you? You said they fed you. Is that all it takes to earn your devotion? Scraps to a stray cat, as it were?”

Sylvia winces at that remark, “NO! Not exactly like that. Maybe a little. But no, I never had money for the offertory, so I would come to the soup kitchen or for bread, but never felt comfortable presening myself at prayers.”

“Wouldn’t matter,” Terra chimes in, “Father Clovis says everyone is welcome, always. Father Jon is the same.”

“I thought you disagreed with the church?” Sylvia observes.

Terra stiffens, “Only about goblins. I hope they are right about…life after. Celestia. Eternity. That sort of thing.”

“But wrong about goblins,” I add with a shrug. Terra casts her eyes down and the discussion peters out.

At the end of the next hall is another door. The corridor leading to it is decked in celestial images of people shedding canes, sores and grey hair and becoming white robed angelic beings.

-Intelligence 19-
After careful inspection, Sylvia pushes the next door open and we see wall pegs with tattered robes hanging from them. They may have once been white, but for the most part, they are yellow or brown with age, completely moth eaten. Except for one that appears to be completely new and in pristine condition except for a layer of dust on it. I walk over and take it from the peg. “Soft…what is this…silk? From Narossia?”

Edwin nods, “It would seem so. Hold it for me.” I stand as he pulls out his book and begins reciting words from it. Soon I am yawning in boredom when he finally concludes, “Enchanted. Some sort of abjuration magic.”

“I gathered it was enchanted. All the other robes had rotted away,” I observe wryly, “But what is abjuration magic?”

“Abjuration. It means protective magic.” Edwin explains.

I shake off the dust, then fold up the robe and stick it in my pack, “It will be comfortable to sleep in anyway.” Edwin shakes his head at me. I notice there are characters in gold thread woven into the design. But I’d rather not point that out to Edwin as I don’t feel like standing around holding the robe anymore right now.

There is a passage leading down some stairs to the left of this room. I nod towards Sylvia and we head down that way.

At the foot of the stairs is another room, with a second set of stairs opposite us leading upwards. To our right in the room, is another statue of Freia, but in a more traditional representation. Maternal, nursing an infant. At the foot of the statues is a large empty pool of finely crafted marble. The children standing on either side of Friea each old a pitcher of water positioned to pour out into the pool.

Edwin smiles broadly “Well, this must be…”

“A fresh meal for me,” interrupts and unworldly voice. A shadow moves against the far wall as we raise our weapons, “It has been far too long since I’ve fed on a rich, human soul. I think I’ll start with the little one. The girl, then work my way up to the big man whose steel I do not fear.”

“I don’t think so!” snarls Sylvia, defiantly, standing next to me, steel drawn, eyes tracking the shadowy figure, but losing it as it flits across the room.

I hear Ayvan mutter a prayer, “Mundane weapons are little use against spirits from Etheria” he announces, as his staff glows with a blue light.

“Right!” I stand beside Sylvia, weapons raised, trying to spot our foe.

“Shit, shit, shit,” mutters Terra as she comes down into the room, bow drawn tight, looking where we last saw the shadows move.

Ronan follows her in, standing beside Edwin, “Behind me. The corner,” he commands the mage, who ignores him, pulling the wand from his belt.

“There it is!” shouts Sylvia, rushing across the room, slashing at a shadowy figure that squeals in pain, then rakes its claws across Sylvia before vanishing once more, but this time, my eyes easily follow through the flickering light and I rush to intercept. An arrow and a trio of arcane darts slam into it even as it slips beyond my reach.

Sylvia chases after the target, which taunts, “Come to me, my sweet!” and slashes her across the neck, sending her tumbling to the ground in a pool of blood, then vanishes in shadows as it flits away.

I drop to my knees, letting a blade clatter to the ground as I pull a vial of trollsblood from my belt, and dribble a bit across Sylvia’s neck and pour the rest across her lips, “Work your magic,” I pray.

“Delicious, her soul will be!” The spirit taunts as Sylvia’s eyes flicker open.

Then it yelps as Terra’s second arrow also finds its mark, “Keep talking asshole,” she curses. Ronan charges after the arrow, and swings at the shadows there, but it is Edwin’s darts that find their marks.

“I’ll come back to you!” snarls the demon, slashing Ronan lightly as it flits away again, only to be intercepted by Ayvan’s glowing blue staff. “Bastard child! I’ll tear you apart!” the demon howls.

I retrieve my weapons and stand over Sylvia, whether this makes her bait, or I can protect her will remain to be seen. Terra’s arrows are relentless, striking the shade again as Ronan continues to chase it. Edwin backs away as the thing draws close, using his wand once more. Then calling forth an arcane shield as the thing claws at him before sweeping away again vanishing into shadow.

“Damn, where is it!” cries Terra as none of us can pinpoint its location.

“I said she’s mine!” it’s blood curdling voice is thunder in my ears as it appears over Sylvia, tearing into her flesh once more before vanishing from view. I sweep my blades down where it was, hoping to catch it before it flees. My elven blade seems to bite hard into it, and I hear an unearthly scream as the shadow rears back, and an arrow takes it in the neck.

Suddenly, the shadow takes on a solid form as it crashes to the ground, a smoldering wreck of sulphur and burning ash. I am already on my knees though, staunching Sylvia’s wound, applying the second vial of trollblood, hoping to save her life.

-Arcane fails-
Edwin and Ayvan are soon at my side, “A demon, and…it is dissolving,” Edwin is desperately trying to retrieve some sample or trophy from it, while Ayvan looks on in morbid curiosity.

Ronan is at my side, “Is she alive? Those potions you brought, can they save her?”

I glance up, “We’ll see. I think so…or at least, they’ll give her a chance.”

Terra is next to us as well, “She’s got a lot of guts charging that thing. Twice! Even when it said it wanted her. Damn, she’s got guts!”

Ayvan kneels beside me, and looks her over as well. “Let’s get her bandaged as well.”

I nod even as Sylvia wakes, weak and blinking, “I thought I was done.”

“Don’t talk. Just rest,” I caution her.

Edwin glances down at her, “You fought well. Your courage is admirable. We should obtain more trollblood at the earliest opportunity.”

-Detect Magic-Religion DC 18, pass-
I glance up at him, then shake my head as he turns his attention to the statue, opens his book and begins chanting, then he nods, “As I suspected, conjuration magic. This is where warriors defending Freia’s people sought her blessing before battle. A place of strength and healing and…” glancing down towards Sylvia, “Blood offerings. Place her in the fountain.”

“What?” I ask incredulously, “You aren’t suggesting a human sacrifice are you?” Ronan snaps to his feet, rage in his eyes, Sylvia looks up in fear.

“No! No! Of course not! How could you think such a thing!” Edwin retorts. “Place her in the fountain. If the waters come, they will heal her!”

Ayvan nods, “I concur,” then as Ronan and I lower Sylvia into the fountain, Ayvan places his hand up on the statue, and begins praying that the Mother of All bless her child.

Q: Does it work? YES (The book calls for a Paladin or Cleric to perform the ritual, but a druid devoted to the First Father seems like a logical alternative) Q: Is she enhanced? YES (I grant Sylvia +2 Con for this event, and the effects of a Heal spell. She won’t need to make the usual survival rolls for having dropped to zero health. I’ll note once per year, this fountain can restore a person to life, or grant a living person a +2 constitution, but only once per a person’s lifetime)
The pitchers soon begin to pour a warm, pristine water into the fountain. As the water level rises, I feel invigorated, as does Sylvia. I see the wounds completely disappear, and her labored breathing disappears and the color returns to her cheeks.

“Fill the pitchers!” I instruct my companions, “Terra, go get the other pitchers as well”

A few minutes later, we have all six clay pitchers filled with water from the fountain, and sealed with wax. Sylvia is on her feet, moving as though she hadn’t nearly been killed by a demon. She smiles, “That was close. I thought I was a goner. Thank you, Garrick!” she smiles, throwing her arms around me.

I hold her close as Ronan pats her back, saying “Glad you made it kid. We’d have missed you.”

I kiss her forehead a couple of times before we let each other go. “Let’s be a little more careful about charging nearly invisible demons in the future, alright?” I rub her head.

“Yeah, maybe so,” she grins. “Maybe so.”

-Afternoon-No Encounter-

With the pitchers filled and secured, we left the hidden temple the way we entered, closing the doors behind us. Soon, we were back outside in our camp. Edwin pulls a couple of wine bottles from the mule’s pack to pass around in celebration, but I stop him. “As much as I’d like to rest until tomorrow morning, we had best leave quickly lest the cult or its goblin minions pay us another visit.”

Edwin nods in agreement, “Yes. I suppose that is the prudent thing to do.”

Terra looks around, “I wouldn’t mind if they did. If you lot can take down a demon, let them break against us.”

I roll my eyes, and Ronan shakes his head as he picks up the mule’s pack while Sylvia brings the animal over. The three of us begin packing up the tents and other supplies while Ayvan and Edwin speak toe ach other in elvish.

Once we are ready to travel, Ayvan turns to Sylvia and says, “It appears the goddess has favored you with a tremendous blessing. Do not squander it.” Then he turns to me, “It is right of you to keep the goblins in check, and your huntress, Terra, as well. But be careful where your friend Edwin leads you. He seeks knowledge that may be his undoing, and yours as well.”

I nod, “I take it you are not returning to Firth with us.”

The half elf laughs, “I no more belong in Firth than I do in Silvenar. My home is here in the Northwoods. Perhaps we shall meet again. Perhaps not. Follow the true path and honor the goddess and the First Father, and if Fate and Fortune allow, we shall meet again.” We grasp each other’s hands and part ways, him towards the north and us towards the west.

-Evening Encounter-Cultists-Q: Are the cultists expecting us? YES (DC 17 stealth, but Sylvia cannot be surprised, encounter distance 170 ft)
As we rapidly put distance between us and the ruins, Sylvia suddenly shouts, “Ahead!” lifting her bow, arrow knocked, and loosing it against a black robed man dodging towards some brush up ahead. The arrow strikes home and he lets out a howl of pain as he ducks for cover. Several more are following behind, rushing quickly from cover to cover to close the ground against us. It seems we spotted them before we walked into their trap!

Sylvia’s second arrow finishes the wounded man as she retreats to cover. A second black robed cultists is engulfed in flames. Arrows and another firebolt took two more as three cultists took cover, one directing the others who used crossbows to start targeting Edwin and Ronan as Ronan, Terra, and I advanced cautiously, firing as we darted forward with Sylvia and Edwin providing support.

As we get closer, one of the cultist rushes forward, hand outstretched towards me. I feel a moment of hesitation in response to whatever words he mutters, but Ronan moves to intercept, dropping his crossbow and unbolting his hammer, another cultist drops his crossbow and races to meet Ronan, and the two are quickly going toe to toe! The spellcaster goes down with two arrows in the chest, then one of the cultist, his bolts splashing against Edwin’s arcane shield, runs for it. I yell out, “Don’t let him get away!” and he falls to a salvo of arrows and flame just as Ronan finishes the man brave enough to go toe to toe against him.

“Police the dead,” I order as we take a quick assessment of the situation. I had been knicked by a couple of crossbow bolts, but Ronan’s heavy armor limited his injuries to a mild bruise. Edwin had to use some of his magic, but suffered no wounds.

-four pass survival rolls, but Q: Do any survive? EXCEPTIONAL NO-
Sylvia gathers coins, and pendants from the enemy, “Four of them have blue lips. Is that the poison they use when they lay dying?”

I nod, examining one of the corpses and smelling his breath, “Duskbane most likely. It leaves a purple stain on the lips. I’ve seen a few plants as we’ve travelled.”

“What do they look like?” Sylvia asks, and I point out one, warning her that they have lovely looking purple berries in the spring, but eating them raw will make you sick, and too many will kill her. She blanches, remembering how impulsively she went for the Wynberry fruit.

Edwin observes, “They must have been coming for us. Why else would a second group be out here?”

Ronan inspects the area where we first spotted them, “Blinds. They had planned to ambush us, had Sylvia not spotted them.” He nods towards her, “Good eye.” Then to me, “Ill equipped. They wear no armor, and only two had crossbows. Fanatics, not soldiers.” He snorts in derision.

I nod, agreeing with his asssessment, “Pray they don’t recruit and actual soldier to lead them.”

-Survival 20- Q: Any valuables in the camp? EXCEPTIONAL NO
We quickly find their temporary camp and take up residence, glad for the extra tents as we each have a bit more privacy than we’ve been used to these last few days.

“Terra, you fight well, but it seems we owe you for today and the rest of the trip home,” I note as I hand her five more crowns.

She smirks as she accepts the money, “A pleasure to put those bastards in the dirt.” I shake my head.

-Party-Doing your own thing-
After dinner, Sylvia and I sit by the fire together listening to Ronan. Sylvia sharpening her knives and shortblade, me carving a wolf out of a piece of wood I found nearby. Edwin has wandered off and is staring at the night sky, while Terra hangs on Ronan’s words.

“So my company arrived at the ruins of the village of Greystone. The hobs had sacked the place. Buildings put the torch, men butchered and their corpses strung up as a warning. Women, children and livestock stolen. And I found this kid hiding in a root cellar. The house had collapsed I guess, so the hobs didn’t notice the door. And he was scared out of his mind. He’d run and hid when his mom told him to, while she went to fetch her babe from its crib. She didn’t make it back to him. Instead, he heard the hobs torturing survivors all night. He heard their horns just an hour before we arrived. Which struck me as odd. But before I could tell the captain, they sprang their ambush. They had only withdrawn a short distance on spotting our scouts. There must have been five hundred goblins and hobs, a lot of wolves too. We lost a lot of good men. A well planned ambush is a horrible thing to endure. Thankfully, the Children of the Serpent are amateurs. The warlords of Gorad Mir would’t give their position away as easily.” Ronan relates. I nod in agreement, having heard this story before.

Sylvia listens intently, “How can you hide an army?”

Ronan shrugs, “They have their ways. Sorcery maybe? I don’t know. The Brindlechain has a lot of hidden caves and ravines. Plenty of places for goblins to hide, if they have a hob keeping them in line.”

“How many did you kill?” Terra asks bright eyed.

Ronan shrugs, “Three or four, for sure. Hard to tell in the thick of it.”

“You didn’t take trophies?” She asks in confusion.

Ronan shrugs, “The quartermaster tallies the butcher’s bill for the lord’s honor. We can claim salvage, not that hobgoblin gear is terribly valuable. Spoils from sacking a village might be worth something. One doesn’t grow wealthy soldiering.”

The evening winds down and we turn in for sleep.

-Night-No Encounter-

Threshing 4th
-Pleasant, cloudy, no rain, no wind-
-Immersion-Feel breath-

Scene #58:
After a week of sharing a tent with Ronan, I am relieved to wake up without someone breathing in my ear. I sit up, dress, and see that Sylvia has already brushed down the mule. “Wow! Everyone gets their own tent and suddenly they think they can sleep through breakfast!” she teases with a wink.

I laugh,”You could have waken us up.”

-conversation topic-power-
She shrugs her shoulders, “I don’t like being wakened early, so I figured I’d let you all sleep,” she hands me a bowl of bean porridge with a bit of sausage stewed in. We wait for the others to waken, letting them relax as well. “Remember when Edwin asked if you could ever be a king?” I raise an eyebrow. “And you said you wouldn’t seek it, but would carry the burden if it were thrust upon you. What would you do if it were?” Sylvia leans forward, her eyes staring deeply into mine, searching for something.

I break away from her gaze, then meet it once more, “I would try very hard to ensure my land is at peace. That every man and woman knows how to protect themselves, and that every village has the arms to do so. That my barons are just men, who treat their tenants fairly and do not take more than what is owed them. That my soldiers do not extort the weak, and that they are bold in battle, and their widows and orphans are well cared for should they fall in battle. And I would clear new land when villages become overcrowded, and always seek to ensure that my people are safe, their herds secure, and their fields productive. I’d need good advisors. Honest men who know about such things that I do not, and who share my goal of ensuring prosperity for all.”

Sylvia nods, thinking. Then she laughs. “I’d eat very well. I guess that’s why Edwin didn’t ask what I’d do as queen. He thinks I’m just a stray cat, and maybe”

“He’s wrong,” I interject, “And you are wrong. You’d make sure there are no homeless children living on the streets. Your palace would be generous with both silver and grain, and the poor would not hunger. You want trinkets. You want comfort. But you also don’t want others to suffer. I know this about you. The first time you had coin free and clear of any debt, you gave it to an old woman with a bowl in her hand. You are better than you realize. Better than most people.”

Q: Does is hit home? EXCEPTIONAL YES
Sylvia looks at me, blinking back tears. Suddenly, she hurls herself forward and wraps me in her arms, sobbing. I hold her for several minutes until she lets go. “Thank you,” she says. Then gets up, wiping away her tears, and goes off to check on the mule again while other members of our company rise for the day.

“Are we in a hurry?” Edwin asks, puzzled to see Sylvia saddling the mule’s packs on her own.

I shake my head, “No. She’s just eager to get on the move. As am I.” I rise and clean my bowl while the others eat. We are soon on the road again.

-Morning Encounter-Ogres digging-7 of them-(Stealth 7)-120 feet-
We continue west towards the road when I see motion up ahead in the woods. Ogres! But one is staring at me, and calls to his fellows, as I raise my bow.

Terra is quickly by my side, I hiss, “Seven of them! Hold fire.”

Q: Does she listen? YES
Terra holds her bow at ready, and I slightly lower mine as Edwin, Ronan and Sylvia form up alongside me.

The ogres rank up as well, javelins and clubs in hand.

Q: Do the ogres attack? YES
The ogres start towards us, and I give the order “Fire!” A couple of arrows and a green globe of acid strike the lead ogre as the horde runs towards us and we fall back. The lead ogre catches up to Ronan, who draws his hammer, but fails to connect with the wildly flailing ogre, who falls to Edwin’s arcane darts.

Q: Do the ogres retreat? NO (lost two of seven)
Soon they are among us, Sylvia ducking and weaving trying to escape one while firing at any chance she gets. Ronan facing down two, taking a heavy hit, but putting one in the dirt. Terra and I facing another two, she narrowly dodges a lethal blow while we put down another. Edwin sending magic darts at our foes, and conjuring his shield for defense, but staggering when a heavy javelin strikes him.

Q: Do they flee? YES (lost four of seven)
Suddenly, I hear Sylvia scream as a club sends her flying into a tree with a sickening thud. Ronan’s shield splinters from another heavy blow. I hamstring the second ogre facing Terra and I, then rush to Ronan’s help as Sylvia is too far to reach. Edwin sends a firebolt, and Terra an arrow into the ogre on Ronan, and then the one in the rear, observing the fight, hurling javelins against Edwin’s arcane shields bellows out something.

I cut down the ogre that broke Ronan’s shield and rush towards the one coming up on us, Ronan staggers up to join me in battle, but the ogre ducks away and starts to run for it. Terra sends an arrow after it as the ogre that had yelled runs away in the other direction.

“Tend Ronan!” I yell to Terra as I race to Sylvia’s side.

(Passed three death saves, failed 1 with a 1, barely made it!)
Sylvia’s breathing is slow and ragged, but she’s alive. I check her for broken bones and see where the ogre’s club and the tree’s limbs cut her in several places as she was smashed aside. I pull willowmoss from my pack, chew it up and begin applying the poultice, letting the potent juices seep into her injuries and strengthen her as I bandage her wound and brace he weak limbs.

Terra comes to my side, face pale “Is she…”

I shake my head, “No. She’ll live. Star making a sled so we can carry her.”

“No, the mule. The food is mostly gone, we can carry the water jugs and tents,” she suggests.

I nod, “You’re right. Get the mule.”

Ronan and Edwin soon arrive. “Tougher than she looks. Praise the gods,” Ronan sighs, shaking his head.

Edwin kneels down beside her and examines her eyes, then smiles when she glares at him, “I hear it said that cats have nine lives. You don’t have to test that theory, you know.” Sylvia starts to chuckle, but only tears come out with her smile.

Terra brings over the mule, and as soon as we’ve caught our breaths, and I’ve tended everyone’s injuries, I help her up onto it.

I see Terra collecting ears from the fallen, but as she raises her bow to dispatch a wounded ogre, I call out, “Spare it!” She glares at me, and I explain, “They left Sylvia for dead instead of finishing her. We do the same here.”

Q: Does she accept this? YES
She looks back down at the ogre, places the arrow back in her quiver, and simply searches it for valuables before leaving it to Freia’s mercy.

-Afternoon-hallucinogenic spores-(Terra, Ronan, Edwin effected)
We stagger back towards the road, eager to leave the goblin infested woods, and I notice the air seems a little musty…like a midday fog. Then I notice the fungal growth on the nearby trees seems to be sporing. “Hold your breaths!” I tell everyone as I wet my kerchief and bring it up over Sylvia’s mouth, then wet my cloak and wrap it around my face.

That’s when I notice that Terra has fallen to her knees and is sobbing, “No, no…don’t take him. It should have been me,” she bawls, “Get up! Get up!” she cries, tugging on a fallen log.

“Take that! And that you bastard!” Ronan yells, smashing his hammer into a tree, inadvertently spraying more of the spores into the air around him.

Edwin staggers behind me, a grin on his face, sparks flowing from one hand to another as he watches the sparkling lights, “Universes within my hands, the power of all eternity.”

I double my pace to get Sylvia and the mule out of cloud. Then I ease Sylvia off the mount and wait until the spore burst dies down.

Edwin staggers after us, and soon comes to his sense with a mild headache. Looking, “Where are the others?”

“Lost in their dreams, or nightmares. We passed trough some feyvine. They’ll be okay in a little while, but I’m not getting anywhere near Ronan while he’s swinging that hammer around.

Edwin looks back, and nods in agreement. “Good thing Terra isn’t near him.”

I nod back, “Yeah, if she were in danger, that would change things. But she isn’t so we wait.”

Eventually, the fog fades from their minds. Terra looks around confused, until she sees the feyvine. Then she wipes the tears from her face and pulling a confused Ronan after her comes to our side. “You just left us there?” she demands.

“You know enough to realize it is harmless, but Ronan was waving his hammer around. I figured it was safer for everyone if I just watch for danger than to try and pull you out of, well…let’s get moving,” I suggest.

She sighs, rubs her eyes again, then snaps, “Yes, let’s get out of here.”

-Evening-songbirds serenade us, only to be scattered by a bird of prey passing overhead-
We soon reach the road and turn south towards Tree Stump Inn. Even though they will deny us lodging, it is the closest landmark, and we push hard to reach it. I am grateful Terra suggested using the mule for Sylvia instead of a sled, and with one on either side of her, we keep her upright with ease.

We are accompanied by a flock of songbirds that seem to follow us, their pleasant melody making reminding us of the beauty that fills the world. Then suddenly, a hawk passes overhead and the birds scatter. Terra shakes her head, “Just when you start to forget.”

I raise an eyebrow. She nearly smiles, but looks quickly away.

We set camp outside the walls of the Tree Stump Inn, but Terra goes inside, filling our bowls with fresh rabbit stew and bringing a basket of warm bread.

-camp activity-sparring, archery-Survival 19, no night encounter-
Terra and I make a target by the side of the road, and take turns shooting at it while the rest of our companions rest and take bets on who will win. When Terra beats me, Ronan suggests we might need to trade me in for her. Edwin laughs, and Terra retorts that we can’t afford her.

Afterwards, we turn in to our tents, we have three now, and rest.

Threshing 5th
-warm, clear skies, heavy wind-
-Immersion-enemies whisper orders?-
-(Sylvia Recovery checks-Advantage due to Willowmoss-Medicine DC 10 (Pass Nat 20, 24), Con DC 10 (Pass 1, fail 1), will survive, no permanent injuries, 3d6-1=10 days to full recovery)

Scene #59:
Waking up beside Sylvia, who I monitored all night, I am pleased to see that she is suffering no fever, and pulling aside the poultice, she seems to be healing propertly already. I make a fresh fresh poultice from tree moss gathered nearby. Terra took the girl’s watch for us and has a porridge ready for us all.

“Thank you, Terra,” I nod gratefully as I take my bowl from her.

“How is Sylvia?”, the woman asks.

I smile and give a shrug, “I think she’ll be fine. The worst is over. She just needs rest. I look forward to getting her to Firth.”

Terra nods, “I can imagine. Hey, I won’t be going back to the city with you. I’ve been away from home longer than I had planned, and I need to get back to Rabbit’s Fall.”

I nod, and gesture towards the ogre ears on her belt, “We have claim to several bounties. We are heading to the keep and can collect. Two ogres, and two goblins ought to fetch you 102 crowns by my math. I’ll pay you out now and take those ears so you don’t have to go directly to Firth.”

She laughs, “Alright. I can’t say no to that if you happen to have the coin. It will certainly help get my family through the winter.

Q: Has she ever had this kind of bounty before? NO
I pull my company purses from my pack, and count out the coins. Her eyes widen, and she starts to laugh, “I…I never really imagined seeing this much gold in my life. Not in my own hands. Usually, I just guide merchants through the road, do a bit of hunting, and I’ve helped the odd treasure hunter or two, but they never find much and never share. You…you’re fair. And I can’t believe we came through those fights together.”

I nod, “We wouldn’t have if you hadn’t been with us. You’re good in a fight. I respect that. I don’t know what demons you are struggling with, but I hope you conquer them, because when you do, nothing will hold you back.”

She scowls as she takes the coins from me, “Mind your own business.”

I shrug, “My business is getting us all home safe. And I appreciate your help. Thank you, Terra.”

Q: Does she soften? Very Unlikely-YES
“Yeah. Glad to help,” she whispers, turning away and getting onto her feet to help break down the camp.

-Morning-No Encounter-
-Afternoon-Pilgrims-
We travel throughout the morning, following the road south, spotting the occasional chattering squirrel or boastful bird, but nothing to impede our journey, then once more, we spot a group of travelers on the road coming towards us. A couple of armed men, a man in white, Freian, robes, and nearly a score of men and women following them with sacks over their shoulders, walking sticks and the occasional bow or spear. Then I recognize the man at the lead, Brother Mereth!

I smile, “Greetings Brother Mereth! It is good to see you again.”

“And you as well,” the acolyte replies. “And all in one piece as well.” His eyes focus on Sylvia, “Though just barely. Grateful the goddess has protected you.”

“We are blessed,” I agree, then noting his companions, “another pilgrimage?”

“Yes indeed. The bulk of the harvest work is done, and these good souls wish to offer their thanks,” the acolyte beams.

“Of course. And why not offer it to the goddess, by conveniently leaving home just before tithing day,” I laugh.

The acolyte laughs as well, “I am certain the tax man will find their families and collect anyway. Fare thee well, my friend.”

“Safe travels, good brother,” I reply as our companies pass each other by. But as they pass, I hear a couple of pilgrims whispering to each other, casting furtive glances at Edwin. I think I hear the word warlock but I don’t catch the rest of it.

-Evening-No Encounter-
A short time later, we reach the fork int he road just north of Green Fox Inn. Terra bids us farewell, and we wish her safe travels.

Q: is the king available? YES
Shortly after dark, we reach the gates of Firth, and are welcomed inside. We head quickly to the keep and I trust Ronan to get Sylvia to her room her room while Edwin and I report to the great hall.

We don’t have to wait long for King Free, Sir Jon Small, the wizard, Morruss, his apprentice, Enid, and the Steward, Hevran, to arrive.

“I trust you have good news for us?” the King looks at us expectantly.

“Yes, my lord,” Edwin replies, gesturing for me to bring the jugs forward. “This water was taken from an enchanted fountain dedicated to Freia from beneath the ruins of Minthouth-Tor.”

Morruss steps forward and takes one of the jugs. He smiles on seeing how we sealed them tight for travel, and pulling a pearl from his belt, he mutters some incantation. Afterwards, he bows towards his majesty, “This what we needed.” He and his apprentices take the jugs and scurry off towards their quarters to complete their work.

“Where is the rest of your company?” the King asks.

“We ran into some trouble,” I toss down the belt of ogre and goblin ears, “Ronan has taken Sylvia to her quarters. She nearly didn’t make it.”

The King nods, “A surprisingly resilient child isn’t she?” Sir Jon whispers something into his ear, and the king shrugs, then shakes his head and whispers back to his champion. Then looking towards his steward, instructs the man to pay us the bounty for the ogres.

At this point, I unroll the cat skin, “This was the puma troubling Littleshir. We encountered it just north of Green Fox and took it for you as well.” The king nods his approval, so that is added to our bounties as well.

“Anything else?” asks Sir Jon.

I glance towards the steward and hesitate. Then the king nods for me to go ahead and speak. So I pull out the pendants taken from the cultists. “The Children of the Serpent were in league with goblins. They ambushed as at the Ruins of the Lady. Then there was a second ambush on our return. They must have known where we were going and why.” I fix my eyes on the steward.

Q: is the king available? YES Q: Does the king know about the stewards poison? YES
The king smiles while the Steward smirks, “I suspected you were the ones who broke into the stewards quarters, took the poisoned bottle captured from the cult, and stole Paul’s journal.”

Edwin’s eyes widen. I shrug and offer a weak smile, “We are strangers here and do not know who to trust.”

“Please forgive our indiscretion, my lord,” Edwin interjects.

The king nods, “Understood. But please respect my council’s privacy. If you have concerns, bring them to Sir Jon or myself. For now, you may retire to your quarters and a well deserved rest,” and with that, we are dismissed.

I collect our coins from the steward, then he fixes his gaze on us, “When your little friend recovers, tell her to come and see me. She’s a clever one, and I often have use for clever girls who know how to get about unnoticed.”

I regard him with suspicion, but Edwin bows his head and agrees, “We shall pass your message to her, my lord.”

Eyes locked on me, the steward replies, “Please see that you do.”

Q: Is she asleep? YES
After this, we retreat to the kitchen and as before, raid it for leftover food rom the night’s feast, and retire to Sylvia’s room. But on arriving, Ronan stops us, “The girl needs her rest,” and leads us to his room instead where we share our bounty.

(Aftermath, the Party has reached 4th level, Edwin takes Rope Trick and Pass Without Trace as his new 2nd level spells from the Wyrm’s Deceit book, and attempts to learn the unknown first level spells and gains Heroism as well, which costs him some coin to transcribe. He gains the Light cantrip, and adds +2 to Intelligence, bringing him to 18. Ronan adds a point to Strength and to Dexterity, putting those stats at 16 and 14. Sylvia puts a point in Dexterity and one in Charisma, bringing those to 14 and 12 respectively. Garrick boosts Wisdom and Charisma to 16 and 14. His stat line is very solid. Sylvia and Edwin are both deficient in Dex and Con for their needs. Such is life. In spite of the lack of actual treasure from this mission, bounties now put the group over 300 gold crowns, plus the Robe of Abjuration and the Amulet of Eclipse are undoubtedly valuable)

• Tales of a Longwinded Gamer
  • Current House Rules
  • Berick of Caravos- The Character
    • Arriving in Farwatch-A Poor Start
    • First Blooding
    • Winter Doldrums
    • A Mission for the Castellan
    • A Strange Twist
    • First Forays-Quasquaton
    • Fortune has Two Faces
    • Questionable Judgment
    • End of Quasquaton
    • The Caves of Chaos
    • A Mortal Blow
    • A New Friend?
    • Death or Glory
  • Mendy the Seeker
    • The Seeker’s Tale
    • Dangerous Roads
    • Friends and Favors
    • The Road Back Home?
    • Betrayed Yet Again!
    • Whispers in the Night
    • Who Can You Trust?
    • Home at Last!
    • Back in Coravos
    • Overwinter
    • A Day Late and a Crown Short
    • Is the Frying Pan on Fire?
    • It Was Going So Well
    • Dreams Come to an End
    • Friendship is Fickle
    • Blood and Innocence
    • Alynn’s Fate
    • Dryannor’s Tower
    • Tying Up Loose Ends
    • Ugh! Is this a Kissing Movie?
    • The Weapon of Choice
    • Setting up an Adventure-Rotten Swamp
    • The Company We Keep
    • The Race Unwon
    • The Finish Line
    • Looking for Clues
    • Not Who You Say I Am!
    • Sacrifice and Regret
    • Indebted
  • Piotr Trollscar
    • Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel
    • Trouble Brewing
    • I am not the Hero
    • Aftermath
    • The Sack of Tellog
    • Trials and Treacheries
    • Sparkless
  • Reder Fane, a Soldier
    • The Good Soldier
    • Going Rogue
    • Aimless Play and a Valiant End
  • Avalon Adventure System Campaign
    • Merchant’s Guard 1-Avalon
    • Merchant Guard 2-Avalon
    • Goblins!
    • The Goblin Nest
    • The Broke Spire
    • Foxes or Hounds
    • Ruins of Morn
    • Ruins of the Lady
  • Resources
    • Miscellaneous Maps
    • Encounter Tables
  • Kaelen Dravari- The Half Breed-GURPS
    • Rough Starts
    • New Paths
    • Orcs and Omens
    • Screams at Midnight
    • Know When to Run!
    • Murdered by Goblins is Bad
  • Ivard Jorviksson-GURPS
    • Strange Signs
    • Snakebite
    • Into the Sea Cave
    • A Dangerous Delve
    • Rest and Recovery
    • Return to the Vault
    • Enthralled
    • The Chosen of Flames