-Episode 17-
-Threshing 1st-(Continued early evening) (Threshing is a wartime month, Invasion, d4+1 villages targeted, rolled Kiddimir, makes no sense, rolled…Westhold got hit again! Axdull, Bold Glaim and Goodwill are now completely abandoned, Allsfair was hit hard, and is now at 50% between this raid and the previous invasion, Hamstrung lost 20% of its population as well, both lords survived, 2 more countryside hexes razed)
-Cool, Clear Skies, Steady Wind-
-Immersion-Sound of wind blowing
Ep 17: Scene 27: Long Trek-Threshing 1st (Cont)
Chaos Factor: 5-Expected Scene
With Warren and Princeling trailing behind me, I approach the small fortified village of Long Trek. Once I pass this village, I’ll be farther from home than ever before! The light is beginning to fade and the wind teases my hair and whispers in my ears. As i draw close, I try to come up with a name…who shall I be?
Q: Am I stopped at the gate? Very Unlikely (Random event, NPC Action towards Princeling-Action is feeble and harsh) (generate the guard)
I walk up to the village gate and a tall guard about a decade older stops me, “Ooh, what a mangy little cat you have there,” he coos, “and such a foul smelling dog! You can’t bring your animals inside the gates, so I guess you’ll just have to spend the night outside this evening. Good thing orcs don’t come around too often.” He grins malevolently.
-Persuasion 24-
I sigh, “A tenpiece to let us in?” He holds out his hand, I pass him the coin, and he lets us enter.
Q: Is there a caravan parked at the inn? Likely (generate caravan-food, generate caravaneer)
I wander into the small village and soon reach the village square. I quickly spot an inn, easy to identify from the height of the building and the half dozen large wagons laden with sacks of trade goods outside. But the mercer’s shop across the square is what catches my eye. I make a beeline for it.
Q: Does Sudir ask about me? Likely (Persuasion 9)
Stepping inside, I am assailed by the aroma of pipeleaf as the proprietor is smoking. I smile, and begin walking around the shop, looking for what I need. The proprietor just watches. I find a backpack to carry supplies, a blanket, a night tunic, a good set of travelling clothes, and then a heavier set of winter clothes. Then I pull aside several days worth of food for the road, jerky, nuts, dried fruit, hard tack and hard cheese. “Ten crowns?” I suggest.
“Eleven,” he counters.
I put back some of the food “Ten crowns.” I state. He nods, and I load everything into the backpack, then carry it outside before slinging it over my back to visit the inn regretting that I’d started with a fair offer for the goods I needed.
-Domicile Descriptors-Full, Neglected-Q: Is there any entertainment? Unlikely (on Sunday) No Q: Is a second caravan here? Likely
The inn is rather old and dilapidated, with fading paint and a roof that sags in places. Going inside, I see that it is very crowded, and then I realize, there must be a second cluster of wagons parked out of sight. The men are mostly speaking Kardashev, and though I know the tongue, I rarely hear it aside from Othna cursing at her maidservant…or Severon.
There is an ancient looking man sitting at the bar, who barely looks up at me as I enter. A young woman hustles from one table to the next carrying tankards, while a second carries a pot out to refill people’s bowls with stew. Turning to the old man, “Is lodging available tonight?”
Q: Does he have a room? Likely No
“A tenpiece to sleep in this hall here after everyone’s turned in. Or now if you can stand the noise,” he laughs.
I shake my head, “I’ll just have a seat then. Pay you when it winds down if there is room for my bedroll.”
“Suit yourself,” he replies, and I look around for space on a bench.
-Persuasion 17-
“Mind if I sit?” I ask a group of armed men who I take to be caravan guards.
“Our guest,” the one at the end replies and scoots over a bit o make a little more room for me. The wench quickly brings me over a bowl and tankard. I pay her in pennies to lighten my purse.
“Pepper,” the younger guard says.
I shrug, “Don’t have any.”
Pepper and the older guard laugh, “No! Pepper’s my name,” he grins. His companion who moved for me introduces himself as Destrus. He is half again older than me and has thick, wide teeth like Mother Madeline.
Q: Caravan Guards? Nearly Certain Yes
“Delia,” I reply with a smile. “Where are you from? Caravan guards, right?” I ask.
“You drink?” Pepper asks with a grin. I tap my tankard and raise an eyebrow. He clarifies, “I mean, after that, care to sit and drink a bit longer?”
I laugh, “Already? You haven’t even answered my question.”
“Cragfall,” Destrus replies. “Forgive the lad, he has a thing for drinking, gambling, and squandering his wages on young women like yourself.”
I laugh and shake my head, “Not tonight. I hope to find a caravan heading north. To get on the road tomorrow.”
Q: Is there a northbound caravan here today? Unlikely Exceptional No
“Well we passed two on our way in yesterday, and one the day before, then Lenquist’s our boss, and Muster is here, both heading south. So…of the dozen or so caravans that come this way, I can tell you five won’t be through her in the next four days or so. Maybe longer, depending on the exact routes people follow.”
I nod, “Thanks. That…puts things in perspective. A week? Maybe more.”
“Why you heading north?” Pepper asks, eagerly.
“Fresh start. I hope, perhaps, to one day see the great elven woods of the north, but for now. I just want to get away from…my past,” I shrug.
-Destrus Insight 8, Pepper 9-
“Wanted criminal?” Destrus furrows his brow.
-Deception 7 vs Insight Destrus 14, and Pepper 7-Q: Do they call me on it? Likely No (My insight 15, their deceptions 11 and 5) Persuasion 11
I laugh,”No. Sorry, no bounty for finding me!” I let the smile fade, then tug at my overly short hair, “Widowed.” Looking at them, I realize neither one of them bought the lie. “Not buying it?” I grin.
“No,” Destrus shakes his head with a pleasant smirk.
“Way too young! Not enough weeping,” Pepper concludes.
I nod, “Well, I just don’t want to talk about my past. Sometimes, that stops the questions.”
“Why not?” asks Pepper. I think Destrus kicks him under the table, from the sudden grunt from the young man.
I try to stifle a laugh. “Where should I go for work and lodging when I get to Cragfall?” I ask the older man.
(generate the three inn names in Cragfall) Q: Does he know anyone hiring right now? 50/50 Yes (Generate Common job-leather worker)
“The Silver Snake and Gilded Starling are both nice establishments. But I usually save my coin and go to the Rose Pony, which has clean dry beds and decent food as well. As for work? I know Barris the Saddler is hiring. We were talking when he was helping one of the outriders with his horse.”
-topic treasure-deception 14 (roll a taproom event)
I nod, “Well, if a pair of hands is all he needs, I can do that,” I shrug. Then we continue chatting for a bit. The men start talking about work, and I learn that they normally make a crown a day each, but they get double for crossing the Lonefields. So they are often a bit flush with coin. I manage to avoid a lot of questions about my skills and income, but they already know I don’t want to talk about myself too much.
As we talk, my eyes are consistently drawn to the corner of the hall, where a young couple are passionately kissing. Eventually, Pepper turns to see and then looks back at Destrus and I, “Can you believe that?” Then he looks back. Destrus slaps the back of his head, and the youth yelps while I can’t help but laugh, “What was that for?” he asks.
Destrus replies, “Give them the privacy they won’t claim themselves. Eat your dinner, then get some rest. A long road tomorrow.”
“Fine, fine!” he agrees, but takes another quick look just the same.
As soon as they are done, I have bit more room to spread out, but instead, I go outside, let the dog and cat lick clean the inside of our bowls, before setting them back on the table. Then I pass the old man a tenpiece, and wait for people to retire so I can get some rest.
Q: Does anyone trouble me? Unlikely Yes, Random Event-PC Negative (Destroy Fame!) (who could be here….roll her disposition, neutral positive)
“Talia! Or is it Merida? What’s your name this week? And what happened to your hair? It looked bad before, but now you’ve cut it? And bleached it? Ugh!” I hear a pale woman wearing studded leather armor call to me as she sits down with a bowl and tankard. “Can you believe this place doesn’t have any rooms at all?”
“No, I can’t,” I reply, relieved that Destrus and Pepper didn’t hear my former name being used, “You’re the treasure hunter? Tried to use darkwater to explore a crypt? What’s your name again?”
“Hesta! You’ve got a good memory,” she grins, “Though, I try to leave an impression.”
“You seem in a good mood, I take it you’ve had some good luck then?” I raise an eyebrow.
Q: Did she just plunder something? Likely Yes
She gives a cryptic smile, “I won’t go thirsty for a few nights, that’s for sure. Where’s your sister?” she asks, looking around.
-Deception 21-
“Oldenstone still. Handling the shop. We had a…falling out,” I reply.
“Oh! Sorry to hear that. So that’s why you’re so far from home?” she asks.
I nod, “Yeah. What about you? Why are you this far north?”
Q: Is she heading to Cragfall too? 50/50 No
“Just looking for old ruins. Heard about some up this way, and poked around a bit,” she shrugs, “Got lucky.”
“As long as you don’t get poked back,” I smirk.
“I’ve got a little trick up my sleeve if that happens,” she grins.
“Pray tell?” I ask.
Q: Does she? 50/50 No
“Never tell one’s secrets,” she winks.
-Persuasion 12-
I nod agreement, “True, so please don’t call me Talia, or Merida.”
“What should I call you then?” Hesta asks.
“Friend? I hope. Are you going back to Oldenstone?” I ask.
Q: Is she returning to Oldenstone? Likely No
She shakes her head, “No…not for awhile yet.
Q: Does she volunteer where she is going? 50/50 Yes
“I’ve got some business in Taprun. Heard they found some old dwarven mine or something. Figure…maybe it’s worth checking out?” Hesta shrugs.
-Persuasion 9-
“Could you use an extra set of hands? Someone to watch your back? Carry a torch maybe?” I offer.
“Ha, ha, ha!” she laughs, “Your funny! I’m doing just fine on my own, and extra hands means smaller shares. No thanks!”
I nod, “Well, good luck to you. And if you see my sister when you get back to town, tell her she’s right about love,” I wink.
Q: Does she ask what that means? Likely Yes
“What does she say about love?” Hesta asks
“That it never lasts long,” I shrug.
Q: Does she press? Likely Exceptional Yes
“Oooh! Tell me more!” she leans in, “Who was he?”
-Deception 11 v insight 6-
“A handsome young knight named Karstag. He swept me off my feet, paraded me through town and then…had his way with me. And I thought it was the greatest thing! A dream come true! But no, it was just a fling for a wealthy man, and he cast me aside as the flower fades,” I sigh.
“Ouch! I can’t believe you fell for that! Of course a knight is going to cast you aside! Common girls like us aren’t for anything other than a roll in the hay to them! Besides, I’m shocked he picked you with your hair like it was,” she teases.
“Ouch!” I reply. We talk through the rest of the evening until the crowd retires to their rooms. Then Hesta, myself and four of the caravan drovers or pack handlers roll out our bedrolls on the floor of the tavern hall and eventually drift off to sleep.
-Threshing 2-
-Pleasant, Clear Skies, Heavy Wind-
-smell-Sour milk-
Ep 17: Scene 28: Threshing 2nd
Chaos Factor: 5-Expected Scene
I wake early as caravaners begin rolling into the hall eager for a meal before they hit the road. Hesta, myself, and the other overflow lodgers quickly roll up our bedrolls, and claim seats on the benches for breakfast.
The serving girl brings us out some barley porridge that…looks a little too yellow and smells of soured milk. I turn up my nose in disgust. “I think the milk has gone off,” I object.
Q: Does she bring me something else? Unlikely
“That’s what we’ve got! Eat it or go hungry!” snaps the serving girl, who isn’t much older than me.
I take the bowl out front and let Warren and Princeling share it though, though…Princeling turns his nose away in disgust. Warren gladly licks the bowl clean. I take it back inside, and leave the bowl on the bar. The old man has hobbled downstairs and sits there, looking up at me. “Good stuff, eh?”
“Not as good as a loaf of bread would have been,” I shake my head, then start to head out as others begin to do the same.
Q: Is Hesta leaving too? Likely Exceptional No Q: Had anyone ellse heard how she greeted me? Unlikely No
Spotting Pepper and Destrus as the group of wagons they guard start to form up, I greet them, “Safe travels, friends. Perhaps we’ll meet again in Cragfall.”
“Safe travels, Delia!” grins Pepper, “When we do, you’ll come drink with me, yes?”
“Absolutely,” I laugh at the youth.
Destrus observes, “We’ll be back by the end of the week. If you’re still here, you’re welcome to travel with us. The master won’t mind. Safety in numbers and all.”
“Thank you! I’ll just have to see what happens. Who comes through today,” I shrug. “Safe travels!”
-Encounter-farmer’s wife-generate-
I then start walking around the village, pack slung over my shoulder, as the settlement slowly wakes up. Farmers are starting to head out to their fields to winnow their wheat.
I hear a familiar tune on the air, and notice a tall woman, about a decade older than me, sitting on the porch of her cottage playing a flute while two children play nearby. A third child is in the adjacent garden trying to stomp out some bugs.
I walk over to the musician. She pauses her playing to look up at me, “A traveller? Waiting for a caravan north I take it?”
I glance back at the train of wagons slowly heading towards the south gate, then nod at her, “Yes.” Then I glance at her children, “Lovely children.”
“Thank you,” she smiles. “I’m Elisa.”
“Delia,” I reply. “Do you know much about the road north?”
Q: Does she know about the road north? Likely Yes
“I hear it’s a three, maybe five day journey to Cragfall. There are two forts along the way, so nobody has to sleep under their wagons. Every spring, Baron Pond sends a company of sellswords to man the forts. It’s pretty rare for the same number of men to return the following spring,” she shrugs, “But I guess if you live by the sword, you’ll likely die by one as well. Or an orc’s axe at least.”
I nod, “Do orcs trouble Long Trek?”
She shudders a bit at that, “Not often, but…” she looks towards the palisades, “walls are thin and orcs are many.”
I nod, and let the subject drop. I give the kids another look, “Beautiful children,” I smile, then start to walk away.
Q: Does she call to me? Unlikely Exceptional Yes
“Want to hear a tune?” she calls out suddenly.
-Performance 20- Q: Do I know the song? Unlikely No
I beam with excitement, “I’d love to!” and then I eagerly sit beside her as she plays. Warren wanders over and one of the children throws a stick for him, which he eagerly chases and brings back…soon, both of the older children are playing with him while Princeling curls up in a sunny spot on the porch while Elisa plays her flute. I listen, transfixed by the sound. She is very good, especially for a farm wife and not a minstrel.
I slowly sway to the rhythmic tune that is written to dance too. It is neither cheerful, nor melancholy, but it is one designed to help keep a cadence and I recall the many dances of my youth. I smile. As the tune comes to a close, I say, “Thank you! I’ve little coin to spare, but perhaps…” I pull out a pouch of Willowabark tea, “You’ll accept this gift. Willowbark tea, it soothes minor aches and pains. Just let a spoonful steep in a pitcher and drink it throughout the day.” I offer.
Q: Is she surprised? Likely Yes Q: Is she offended? Unlikely Yes
“I…I was just playing,” she confesses, “Not for coin. Just to play,” she scowls
-Persuasion 13- Q: Does she stop me? Unlikely No
“I’m sorry. I am often in towns where people play for their bread. I didn’t mean to offend,” I put the pouch back in my satchel. “I’ll be going. Sorry.” Rising to my feet, I call for Warren and Princeling to come along. Bag slung over my shoulder, I head towards the north gate and out of the village. Then, walking stick in hand, I set off northward, across the Lone Fields, with Warren and Princeling as my sole companions, and my wards as my sole defense.
-Immersion-Sound-Banging-(Drums? east of the road…out across the lonefields)
Ep 17: Scene 29: Lone Fields (2nd)-Interrupt-Truce-Prison
Chaos Factor: 5
With Warren and Princeling following, I walk purposely down the ancient road. While stretches of cobblestone can sometimes be seen, the road has long since fallen apart, and even where the old pavers remain, the wagon ruts indicate the oxen no longer follow. Off, far in the distance to the west, I see a layer of mist, rising up from a swamp whose name I struggle to recall from maps I once studied years ago. Around me, and for as far as I can see to the east, the great grasslands of the Lone Field. But not the same Lonefield as lies west of my home, for the region is huge…all of the grasslands that surround the baronies are called “Lonefields” and orcs rule the land. Then..I hear the sound of distant drums. I pause and listen. Orcs are banging drums and the sound echoes for miles. “Eyes sharp,” I warn my companions…who likely do not understand anyway.
Then I see it! A man, crucified by the side of the road. But as I approach he calls out to me in a strange, gutteral tonge, and I realize, he’s an orc! I look around, wary of a trap, but then I walk towards him…
-Morning Encounter-Feral Hogs-
As we approach, Warren alerts to a group of hogs nosing around nearby, “Never mind them,” I warn, and continue down the trail towards the orc, who continues…pleading?
Q: Is he clothed? 50/50 No Q: Are his broken weapons and torn garments lying beneath him? Likely No Q: Is he still talking? 50/50 Yes (Neutral attitude) (My insight 17) (Medicine 15) (a bunch of perception rolls with advantage, highest is 19…that’s one thing this trio has in its favor) Q: Was he strung up before dusk? Very Unlikely No (2d6, 8 hours ago, so probably just before midnight last night) (Survival 17)
I stop beneath him, looking up at the naked, pitiable brute. He’s likely a good head and shoulder’s taller than me, but it’s hard to tell from this angle. He has no weapons, no clothing. Looks like he was robbed and left to die. He continues to speak to me, seemingly pleading, not begging, not angry, not fearful, just talking. I thinking asking my help. I study his condition, he hasn’t been baking in the sun for long, and he still seems to be breathing just fine. Tired, but with plenty of strength left. There are footprints around the crude crucifix…he was strung up and left by his own people? I look around one last time, and spotting no threat besides the boars, I cut his legs free, then climb up behind the orc and cut his hands free as well, letting him drop to the ground as I jump down on the opposite side.
Q: Does he try to rush me? Very Unlikely Exceptional Yes
He immediately lunges at me, and I stretch out my hand, bathing him in a jet of flame, and as he cries out in pain, Warren leaps at him, jaws around his neck, and dragging him down. The orc soon lies still. I shake my head and sheathe my knife. The acrid smell of burnt flesh stings my nose. “Ungrateful idiot,” I mutter, and continue on my way…drums still sounding in the distance.
I hear the hooves and squeals of hogs as they race away from us, undoubtedly frightened by the fire and sudden burst of violence. “Good dog,” I smile down at Warren patting his shoulder as we continue our journey.
-Afternoon Encounter-None- (Generate the mercenary company-Burnished Blades)
As the sun begins to wane, I spot a small stone and timber fort up ahead. There are two banners, Lord Pond’s of course, and also a flag depicting a trio of bare longswords.
-immersion-two npc’s whisper a question to each other-
Ep 17: Scene 30: North Watch (2nd)-Altered Overthrow Friend
Chaos Factor: 5
I approach the fort, my animals my only companions. The two men in the gate tower look at me in confusion, one whispering to the other while the wooden gate below slowly opens to allow me entrance. Two men stand inside, one holding two fierce warhounds on leash. The other, an immaculately groomed sergeant in a spotless uniform steps forward, “Who are you? And…where’s? Who are you travelling with? You don’t come here alone, did you?” the sergeant asks in confusion. “Keep those animals out of here! You can enter, but not the dog and the cat.”
-Persuasion 8-
“You’re kidding, right? I’m not leaving them out here overnight…not in the wilds. Don’t the caravans have dogs with them? Your company does,” I question him.
“No. The animals stay outside,” the sergeant insists.
“How far to the next fort?” I ask.
“Another twenty miles,” He raises an eyebrow.
I nod, “Thank you,” and I continue north while the guards watch me in disbelief.
-Evening encounter-No Encounter-Survival 13 (encounter chance tonight)
I continue walking until it is nearly to dark to do so. The wind whipping at my hair as is rolls across the prairie. Sun dipping below the horizon, a moonless night overhead and stars shining bright. I step a good distance from the road, about a hundred paces, I begin laying out my warning wards, then sit on my bedroll, wishing I had bought a tent, and sharing some jerky and cheese with my companions, eat our fill.
Eventually, I lay down to sleep. Princeling and Warren at my side, the three of us snuggled up together beneath my blanket and bedroll.
-Night encounter- Annoyance-Get Lost?-Hah! Not moving! but I know how to play this anyway-
-Threshing 3rd-
-Warm, Clear Skies, No wind-
-See something dusty, carved, faded with age-
(Generate morning Encounter-Ogres camp!-Perception checks-We pass all of ours, one ogre passes his Q: Do they have a lunch fire cooking? Likely Exceptional Yes 600 ft encounter distance
Ep 17: Scene 31: Threshing 3rd
Chaos Factor: 5 -expected scene-
I pack up my camp, and quickly share some food with my companions. Stretching and shouldering my pack, I head west to get back on the road, which is actually closer than I’d thought, so I start following it north once more.
The air is still, the sun warm, and not a cloud in the sky. The miles pass quickly, and I am surprised to see smoke rising up ahead as I can’t possibly have covered twenty miles already, could I? I must have made better time before the sun set last night than I’d thought.
And I notice the outline of an old stone wall, a marker in an ancient language, illegible, and faded with age. Had I any ink and parchment, I’d make a print, perhaps another day?
I quicken my pace and am surprised when I crest the next ridge to see, not a fort, but a larger ruin. An ancient, shattered keep, and…a band of ogres around a cooking fire. I throw myself to the ground, but one stood up straight, looking towards me!
Q: Does the ogre start to come my way? 50/50 No Investigation 18
I carefully peek back up over the ledge, and see that the ogre sat back down. None seem to becoming my way. And I start to puzzle things out. If ogres are camped here, a patrol would have driven them off. Or the sergeant might have warned me. Then I notice, there are no wagon ruts. I haven’t seen wagon ruts all day! I am following the wrong road! It must have turned off from the main road, and that’s why it seemed closer to my camp than I’d thought!
I carefully crawl down some distance from where I could see the ogres, then get up and hurry back the way I came with Warren and Princeling following behind.
-Afternoon Encounter-Fox!-(Perception rolls beat Fox’s stealth)
Annoyed, I head back the way we came. I really want to cut straight north, but I can’t trust myself that I even know straight north during the day, and I’m not sure what is straight north from wherever I am. The trade road is the safest path, so we walk…perhaps losing a full day of travel in the process. Suddenly, Warren and Princeling both alert. Princeling hisses and I spot a fox nearby, my companions eying it warily as it casts a glance over its shoulders, and then skulks away. “Good job, Warren. No barking, no pursuit. Good boy!” I scratch behind his ear, and then the three of us continue until we find another road with wagon ruts etched deep alongside it. Then we follow it north.
-Evening Encounter-(back to the Trade Route table, which bounced back to a Lone Field event)- (I roll 22 perception, so…if there were something, I’d see it) Q: Is a natural predator nearby? Likely Exceptional Yes (roll predatory animals until I get one that might frighten deer, 2d4=7 coyotes)
As the light fades, a group of deer race past us on the road ahead, then suddenly, shift direction, passing back the other way. I immediately drop to my knee, looking for whatever spooked the animals. Warren and Princeling also go on alert. I hear Warren give a faint growl while Princeling hisses in anger and fear. Then I see them, two shadows, dog like, smaller than Warren. Coyotes? Then I realize, there are others nearby, and the are circling us. Princeling cowers between Warren and I. Warren is unafraid. I decide…to warn the beasts, “Impetu!” I send four arcane darts out, each streaking towards a different animal. Not enough to kill a single one, but enough to warn most of the pack that we are not prey.
Q: Does the entire pack bolt at once? Very Likely Exceptional Yes
The pack darts away, one of the animals, hit hard, limps after the rest of his pack, whining pitiably, the others bark in fear. “Let’s go!” I urge, sweeping Princeling up int my arms and continuing our path north.
(Survival 4-So check for nighttime encounter-No Encounter!)
About an hour later, I step off the road again, and this time, carefully count 100 paces before laying down my bedroll and setting up my guardian wards. Then we eat, and lay down to rest.
-4th Threshing-
-Pleasant, cloudy, no rain, no wind-
-Smell Wood-
Ep 17: Scene 32: Threshing 4th
Chaos Factor: 5 Expected Scene
I wake with morning dew on my face, the smell of wet cat, dog, and blanket. Even my quarterstaff, clutched in hand as I slept, smells of oak. The dew brings it all out. I sit up, and am grateful that my hair is so short. Lacking a comb, it’s just as well that I have shed the illusions of beauty and grace.
I roll up my bedroll, share some food with my companions, then hoist my pack. It’s cooler today than yesterday, and in spite of the complete lack of wind, it remains a nice, pleasant day. I stare up at the sky, “Please don’t rain!” Then I count out 100 paces, find the road and wagon ruts, and start following it north once more.
-Morning Encounter- Lone Traveller (Generate the traveler) Q: Does she have a mule? Likely Yes Q: Does she have a dog? Likely Yes
Walking north, I come to a fork in the road just as another person approaches from the right fork. A woman, wearing white robes, and carrying a walking staff as I do, a large dog by her side, leading a mule laden with supplies. I smile, and walk towards her. “Greetings friend! My the goddess’ blessings be upon you!”
“Blessings upon you as well, child,” the woman calls back, though seeing her, she is not much older than me. “Where have you come from? I expected to meet none on the road south until at least midday, if at all.”
“I came from the Northwatch, but strayed from the road yesterday, barely found my way back, and have spent two nights sleeping in the wilds, lost!” I explain, “But why do you travel alone?”
Q: Does she explain? Likely Exceptional No
“A child of the goddess is never truly alone in her service, but why do you travel alone?” She asks in reply.
-Persuasion 23-
I laugh, “Well, a child of the goddess is never truly alone, at least not with a dog and a cat, wouldn’t you say?”
She laughs, “Blessings be on you, and safe travels.”
“And safe travels to you, sister. My name is Delia Thorn. In case we meet again.”
“I am Sister Cian,” she replies, “Safe travels to you.” She smiles and we each continue on our way.
A short time later, I arrive at the fort called south watch, far earlier in the day than any honest traveler should.
-Immersion Smiles-(Generate the guards, then the scene got altered!)
Ep 17: Scene 33: Southwatch (4th)-Altered Recruit Disadvantage
Chaos Factor: 5
Arriving at the small wooden fort of Southwatch, the men in the gate tower look down at me and the gate opens on my approach. Two men stepping out from within smile, “Well, well, well…what have we here?” the younger grins.
“A pretty little thing, ” the older replies.
The first then chuckles “Five tenpiece to lodge here overnight, though I’m willing to negotiate if I like you. You seem the sort that could help me out in this…cold and lonely station.”
-Persuasion 7-
I look north past the fort, “How much further till I reach the first village in Cragfall?”
The younger man scoffs, “You won’t reach it by nightfall. Best to rest here for the day, set off in the morning.”
The older one adds, “A lot safer anyway, and perhaps they’ll be a caravan along tomorrow to travel with. Stay around, share some wine with us. Relax!”
I shake my head, and continue down the road. “Hope you aren’t making a mistake!” the younger man calls out. I hear their laughter fading in the distance.
-Afternoon Encounter-None-
-Evening Encounter-Small game (unspecified/other)-
My companions and I walk steadily north, following the wheel ruts more than the remains of the long neglected road. Pushing onward as the sun begins to set, but as it does…I spot smoke rising up, the familiar haze one sees above a village at dusk. I smile, and continue onward until I reach fresh cut fields, pasture, fruit trees and fallows. The wooden palisade of a proper village looms. I smile.
-Immersion-Touch smooth skinned NPC-
Ep 17: Scene 34: Mordye (4th)-Interrupt-NPC Positive-Town Watch
Chaos Factor: 5
The gate opens back up as I approach, and two men step forward to meet me. Their uniforms in perfect order, and their armor immaculately polished. “Who goes there, friend?” one of the men demands in Kardashev. They both seem to be about the same age, but the one speaking, as I draw close, I notice has a milky left eye.
“Delia Thorn, a traveler,” I reply in their tongue, “I seek shelter for the night.”
The other man strokes his cleanshaven chin, and asks pale eye, “How’d she cross the Lone Fields alone?”
“That’s what I’d like to know?” pale eye looks me up and down. “Pray tell, friend? You must be a hell of a lot tougher than you look!”
I stretch my hand down to scratch Warren behind the ear, “Not exactly alone, Warren here took down an orc that tried to kill me. Thankfully, we ran into very little serious trouble.”
“Just an orc, that’s all?” laughs milky eye.
“Like that’s nothing? For a lone woman and her dog?” smooth face chimes in.
“Come on in, Delia Thorn,” milky eye commands.
“And you are?” I ask as my companions and I enter.
“Sergeant Salfron, and that’s Quinlan. You can find lodging at the Split Wagon, if it isn’t full already.” the sergeant offers as he pulls the gate closed behind me. Then he starts climbing back up to join his other man in the watch tower while Quinlan remains at ground level, returning to where a couple of warhounds are tethered in case they need to be let loose on something.
Q: Are caravans present? 50/50 No
“Thank you!” I reply, and walk towards the village center. The inn isn’t hard too find, and thankfully, it looks like most of the people inside are locals. I walk up to the bar and ask the sullen looking proprietor for lodging. Five tenpiece, and another for dinner. Which I eagerly pay.
“You’ll want to change your coin in Cragshall. Once you leave the main road south, Norgard coin aren’t as well received,” the proprietor warns.
I nod, “Thank you for the advice, but…how do I get to Cragshall? How far away?”
Q: Does he warn me about Brinesend? Unlikely No
“A day and a half easy, or one day hard march. Follow the north road outside of town and parallel the edge of the swamp. Don’t go in it htough,” the proprietor answers.
“Thank you,”I smile, accepting a bowl, tankard and key in exchange for my coin, then going to sit at table.
-Taproom events-Insult contest? Seriously, they are playing dozens?-Q: Does anyone approach me? 50/50 Exceptional No
While I sit and eat, some of the patrons take to mocking each other, their parentage, their ability to hold liquor, their luck with the ladies, their….questionable behavior around animals. And…it’s all rather amusing. In court, to say anyone of these things might be cause for a nobleman to be called to a duel, or two women call on champtions to fight for them. But here, there is laughter from the bystanders as though it is all one big joke. I listen with mild amusement and I eat a stew of…locusts? With claws. I look at the neighboring tables and see how the other patrons are breaking the little red bugs in half, sucking out the insides and splitting the claws for some meat that must be inside. The rest of the broth is filled with potato, carrots, onion, a bit of beans and some slightly crunchy yellow beans that are oddly shaped. Compared to the jerkey, dried fruit and hard bread, this strange stew, and the crumbley yellow bread I am given to eat with it, which I see people breaking up and mixing into the stew after fishing out the locusts, is not bad. “What is this called?” I ask the tavern girl as she brings me a second tankard.
“Crawfish,” she answers, as though this was something everyone would know.
I finish my meal, strange as it was, then retire to my room, where I stretch out, disrobe, mutter a cleaning spell to refresh my garments and wipe away the sweat from the road. Then I lay down with my faithful companions beside me. “Goodnight Warren. Goodnight Princeling” I say as I lay in bed, stroking the backs of may truest friends.
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