The man steps a bit closer, just to the edge of the spells effect. He looks you over, head to toe, his head cocked oddly, his features not visible beneath his shadowed hood. I am he, yes, or rather I am all that he has been, is, and will ever be. Jaroo Ashstaff is my name, though for my title that is but a simple and altogether unrealistic sentiment. You feel something odd in the back of your mind, tickling at your thoughts. Tell me the message you were sent to deliver.
The wolf in the grove is also caught up in the spell's effect, and ripping at the ground around it to be free. the beast seems emboldened by the appearance of the other man, more fiercely determined to be free.
DM:
Once certain of this, he will relax and trance.
"I am unable to retrieve the message unless you withdraw these lovely plants that are holding me. I am no threat to you."
Morning comes far to soon after the previous days strenuous travels and excitement. The rain appears to be holding off, but several clouds have grouped up in bundles and roll slowly overhead, gray and heavy, foreboding.
Hiram the smithy sets up shop a little after sun-up, not his normal time admitted, but he appears to be suffering the effects of a late night bender. He nods to those passing and lets his tenant sleep as long as sounds allow.
Ostler Gundigoot is likewise dragging a bit, the meeting apparently lasting late into the evening. Molly and the staff seem used to such occurrences, and quickly, quietly pick up the slack, setting up breakfasts for the tenants and additional platters for those villagers and caravan travelers who stop by to break fast in a public, inviting environment. Many older villagers clump around a few tables, gossiping and gawking at the new arrivals, reminders of other places dormant over the winter months.
Meridosen is hard at work cleaning up the bar, her eyes dark but a rosiness to her cheeks, a sly glint in her gaze.
Behind the bar, waiting for one of your merry band, is a hand drawn map annotated by Zert, as discussed. He entrusted the map to Meridosen to deliver to whichever person is willing to buy the lady a round, a bit of hair of the dog as it were.
Jocasta emerges from her room just as she's putting on her hat. She closes the door behind her, hauls her pack onto her back again, and heads to the front room to return her key and receive her orb in return. As she waits for her confederates, she sips at a warm tea concoction. Her eyes flicker back and forth across the patrons - the farmers and locals, the barmaid, the warrior.
Since she missed the discussion with Zert last night (having headed to her room before it happened) she notices the map near the barmaid Meri, but doesn't know its significance - yet.
The warrior is not present in the dining hall, Jocasta has no idea where he is at this time.
Meridosen seems slightly annoyed and guarded. She watches the crowd but always returns her gaze at you, and once they arrive, your companions.
Waking with the rising of the sun, Cedryk watches the blacksmith as he readies is forge for the day. He finally gets up and approaches the man.
"If I can I will help.", is all he says to the man before leaving. He heads over to the grove once again and waits to speak to Jaroo.
Hiram looks to Cedryk, a bit of embarrassment, fear and confusion on his face. Have we met young lad? I am sorry, my mind seems to wander these days, I am forgetful of my nights, foggy in my days. Jaroo mentioned he offered you refuge in my home. My nest is welcome, my water is yours, my feed your nourishment. He appears to be setting up for a busy days work, several iron blanks laid out for forging, the fires already stoked and glowing red.
Cedryk catches the druid as he is leaving the grove, chasing off a black crow perched near the roadway. So, what do you make of the clouds today, young ovate? I am off to tend to some of my outlying congregants. The faithful gardener is ever watchful of the weeds and briars which might choke out his bounty.
The man has a large rucksack over his shoulders, and a large bear languidly following along behind him. Do you have time to join me? We should be back by nightfall. I can show you some of the better spots in the area to commune with creation and it's wilder things.
"Of course I will help. Here also is the message from my teacher. I am at your disposal but must warn you that I specialize in tending plants. Animals are, well, a bit beyond me...oh, and this is my friend Hedgewyk, a leshy from the Bramblewood."
Toruk wakes before dawn and begins his obediences to Fharfalaghn. As the others in the common room begin to stir, he makes his bead, dons his gear and heads down stairs.
At the bar, Toruk sees Meridosen working. "Good morning, my lady. Black tea please, if you have it."
He then spies the map behind the bar. "Well, it appears that Zert is a man of his word." He slides over several silver orbs to Meridosen. "Zert has been most helpful. Would you say that we can trust him? I would appreciate your honest opinion." He slides several more silver orbs over.
Toruk then brings the map to Jocasta's table and unrolls it. "Let's see what we have here."
Jocasta tips her hat back and glances at the map, then says to Toruk, "Who had this information, now?" She looks back over her shoulder at Meri, then back to Toruk.
Meri shrugs frowning at the coins handed over, seemingly less than she had expected. He is fair enough, he pays his bills and he does not run up a tab. He has not been here long, a mercenary or something I overheard. I do not know him well but I believe he would not steer you wrong.
Toruk senses the barmaid is being evasive and less than honest, though he can't place his finger on why.
Jocasta notices the maiden continues the occasional glances she spied earlier, but the girl does not seem close enough to hear their conversations, as long as the group remains less than boisterous.
Toruk looks Jocasta in the eye as he stirs his tea. ”The map was provided by the sell sword Zert. He says it is a map to the hobgoblin lair. I don’t trust him or the barmaid. We should be wary of using the map.”
He motions for the others to come look at the map.
Jocasta shifts and makes sure that her back is to the bar, then says in a low tone to Toruk, "This town seems like a hotbed of people interested in our arrival. I've been following some rumors of increasing amounts of bandits and problems in the area - I'd keep our plans to ourselves, just in case. You never know who's on what side. Low-key - we can just present ourselves as travelers, like anyone else, who're seeing what there is to see in this village, and then we'll be on our way, no rocking the boat, no boisterous boasts, no telling everyone what we find."
"If we're going to be here a while we may want to see about meeting some of the town leaders, maybe the druid and the priest at the temple of St. Cuthbert, maybe the folks building that tower on the hillside overlooking everything, so we at least know who's trustworthy."
Musami rises from his pallet to hear the dull ringing of someone working the forge. A smile crosses his lips at the familiar sound. He straightens his bed, folds his blankets and heads to the main room of the tavern. Taking some time he puts his beard and hair in order, not in the interest of vanity, but in the interest of keeping it in order and out of the way.
He heads to the main room, greeting the employees and his companions. He breaks his fast with his companions. Wnen he is done he heads over to the smithy.
Approaching the smithy Musami waits to be noticed as the smith works. Once noticed he greets the smith.
Good day sir. I see you have a fine forge. I myself work with the hammer and the anvil but I humbly ask to be allowed to work in your forge for a while. I seek to always learn new techniques and, if you would have me, I would value any teachings that you could provide.
The smithy seems a bit flustered at the question, looking around to see if anyone else is nearby. He is a bit guarded and withdrawn, cheeks flushing somewhat beneath his rough, bearded and ill-kempt appearance. Ordinarily good dwarf I would be honored to have you share my fire and join in the song of the stone and steel. Alas though I am a bit, umm, under the weather. I fear I will be poor company for the next few days while I recuperate. He gestures to the small pile of blanks laid out near his anvil, Had I not these shoes which need done today I would be resting in my bed. But a deal is a deal and I have my reputation to uphold.
The man sets his hammer down and wipes his hands off on the backside of his leather apron, then holds out one large, calloused hand to Musami. Brother Hiram Smythe of Hommlet, Ovate of the Grove and tender of this small hearth of flame. Would you be agreeable to working together later in the week, once I have had time to find myself better spirits?
As the pair shake hands the dwarf notices the man's hands, while leathery and thick from a life at the forge, are also deeply cracked and cut, as though he'd been breaking rocks between his fingers.
The smithy then asks somewhat timidly, as though embarrassed, Are you friends with a young druid visiting Hommlet, Cedryk by name I think? He has worked a deal with our Jaroo to impose on my home this week. The man then fumbles, thinking perhaps he spoke out of turn. I mean to say my forge has become more popular this week than in many months now, no disrespect intended...
I do indeed know the druid of which you speak. We are travelling as part of the same caravan, and likely will stay around a while. I believe he has his own business here, and i do also. I have travelled all over in an effort to perfect the art of smithing. I have other business for the next couple of days myself so later this week is fine with me, but would you like assistance with these shoes before I go about my day?
The druid/smithy seems slightly uncomfortable and hesitant, but seems to reach a decision to give the dwarf a chance, his complexion showing a slight pallor and his sweating not entirely from the forge fire. I do have a few hours work here yet ahead of me, if you wish to spend a few working on these I suppose it is only fitting I accept the assistance. Gesturing to the anvil and kiln, Do you prefer to man the bellows and tend the coals, or do you wish to ring the song from these lumps of iron?
I will man the bellows and tend the coals. I will prove i am worthy of swinging a hammer in your forge before i do so.
Musami spends some time with the smithy, working the bellows and keeping the coals bright as the man attempts to shape the raw iron blanks into useable horseshoes. The process is not as fast as some the dwarf has studied with, but the man's technique is sound and he does seem to have a grasp of how the metal wants to be folded and smoothed out with each turning of the piece.
Try as he might you cannot figure the man out. He is a good smithy, he has skills and probably a secret or two to share, but he is distracted, unwell, and for whatever reason, has lost the edge and desire to ring out the songs of steel.
Toruk nods slightly and whispers to Jocasta while scanning the room. "That is wise. Why would this sell sword just give us this map? Could it be a trap? What exactly were the town leaders meeting about and why in the middle of the night? Let's pass our suspicions onto the others."
Toruk takes a long sip of tea and stares at the gathering clouds through the window. "We should be on our way soon. The longer we wait, the more difficult the tracks will be to follow."
Musami finishes his work at the forge and heads back to the Welcoming Wench. He meets up with his companions again, catching the end of Toruk's words. What are our plans? Shall we venture out?
Fil rises early as planned, and, in the cloudy dawn hours he makes up his pallet, eats some simple oatmeal and honeycomb for breakfast, leaving the silver noble on the table as he moves out back to begin the back breaking work of chopping wood.
As he does this, and especially once the others arrive to do so, he'll ask if there is a fletcher in town.
DM:
I also updated my funds in my profile.
Jocasta nods in agreement to Toruk. "Let's round up every- ah, there's Musami now." She finishes her tea and stands. "Musami, we were just going to get the others."
When Fil asks Alison and Molly regarding a fletcher, he easily elicits a response. Hommlet doesn't have a fletcher per se, but we do have a cabinet maker, Will Skings, who also makes bows and arrows on consignment. He may have some on hand, his home is over by the Melubb's lending exchange across the river. Look for the three orbs then follow the path to the tabard painted like a chest of drawers.
An older villager overhears the exchange and scoffs at the recommendation. Bah, yous wants good fletching, speaks to ol' Black Jay up by the Kirch. Ornery cuss, but he makes gods awful good arrows. Might have to worm him up a bit, he's crotchety 'ere since his Maggie... well, just takes him some of Molly's combs and an apple pint, yous'll gets him ta deal.
I can see the original author's point, a man working iron and steel in a responsible manner, trading only with eco-friendly miners for ore, and seeing to it the coal and wood he burns serves a greater purpose, while also preserving those resources as a druid. He's kind of like an environmental advocate without all the superfluous stuff tacked on.
Hiram works on orders as needed, keeps only a small stock of finished products on hand, and as the module states donates everything over a living stipend to other needy causes in the community. The module does allow though that due to his profession he will not be allowed to rise high in the ranks of the druidic order, which in 1st ed. required a trial by combat against a ranking druid to achieve upper class levels.
Braggi enters the dining room with sticky eyes and crazy hair. "Wow, no one woke me up..." He asks for some breakfast and join the others. "Are you all ready to go? I'll be fine in 5 minutes. No need for a bath, I took one last month, even if it wasn't due. Hahaha!" he jokes, quite unsuccessfully.
"No sign of Cedryk," says Jocasta. "Braggi, have a bite to eat first. We may be walking for a while. Best to fill up before we do. Though that walking might be wandering around in circles in this village trying to find the others."
Toruk finishes his tea and then goes back upstairs to the common room. Seeing Braggi still in his bunk, he rouses the barbarian. "Braggi, we're getting ready to move out. Meet you downstairs in 15 minutes."
He likewise notifies Fil before returning to Musami and Jocasta. "I would prefer to wait for the druid, but the tracks may be completely lost if we wait another day."
Jocasta goes outside to try to find Cedryk. When there's no sign of him, she looks very unhappy, then goes to gather up Toruk, Braggi, and the rest.
"No idea where Cedryk went. I guess the people weren't that important to him after all. But they need our help and we just can't spare any more time. I say we try to go find them."
After a short delay Jaroo returns and together you head east out of town, into the woods about an hour's walk. You talk with Jaroo as you do so about the bear and it's behavior. He indicates the bear has been his companion for many long years and is slowly failing in health, both in mind and body. While I should release Boron from my care and let him pass peacefully, I have not found the courage to do so just yet. Patting you on the shoulder, he adds Maybe you will be able to help me do so, when the time is right.
As you continue your journey the area starts to meld into a swampy mix, Jaroo telling you that many areas were poorly affected by the original temple nearby, the elements colliding incorrectly and some seepage occurred across the lands. The people of Hommlet appreciate nature, but they seldom see this too is beautiful and right. The harsh and wild elements are just as much a part of the natural order as those leeches swimming out of sight, that crow calling overhead, or the myriad other gnats, midges, and flies seeking to spread the marshes embrace outside these confines.
Jaroo takes you on to a darker point in the marshlands, nearer to the river, a place where the trees grow thick with moss, the sky mostly shielded by overarching limbs, and the drone of insects much much louder. This area here is the site of a deep pool, touching on the elemental, and within, an ancient gar, scarred and marred by repeated attempts by men to catch him. He follows a small rift here out into the larger river and from time to time upturns barges who stray too close. The druid stops, his bear shuffling forward a bit to lap at the water's edge. I ask you son, is that beast not as deserving of those meals as the men who fish these waters for his lesser brethren are to theirs? At this point Cedryk senses his feelings had been too slow, Jaroo shifting from the image of Jaroo, features melting away to smoth gray clay, taking on another form. The creature gives the charmed bear a push, knocking it into the swampy water. As the bear struggles you see a splash across the pool, the gar Not-Jaroo mentioned. Who or whatever this thing that stands before is, it's attempting to feed the bear to the beast. Cedryk watches in horror as the druid shape-shifts into a large gray crow, flapping up into the air, joining the same crow Cedryk witnessed early, on more than one occasion in fact.
The gar makes a straight charge at the splashing bear, long sharp jaws snapping around the ursine beast as it struggles in the water, breaking out of it's charmed state. Blood and viscera cloud the already murky waters as the gar holds tight to the bear, struggling to drag it under the surface. As the birds rise higher overhead you hear a voice, not aloud but inside your mind, Hommlet shall fall to the forces of the elements. Those who do not drown in blood shall burn in the cleansing fires of our might, to be trampled into dust upon the winds of our rising master.
plus modifier
-2 circumstance
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edited for the last roll of the bear's grapple. Darn site crash.
Jocasta and the team make their way back along the roadway, pushing hard considering this time they do so on foot, without the ease of a wagon to make the passage. After about two hours brisk walking they reach their destination.
The group arrives to where they posted the pole and scarf Kalizar loaned them yesterday, finding it knocked over from the rains but otherwise as they left it. They spend about half an hour's time looking over the area again before heading into the woods on foot, hoping to find tracks from the previous wagons' passage.
After roughly two hours tracing and tracking through the woods the group finds the tracks break out across the open plains, and actually a bit easier to follow. The tracks lead away from the woods moving north by north east, reaching what Zert's map called the main roadway after about two miles. The tracks follow the main road for another mile before they separate, one set of wagon tracks heading east by southeast off-road, the rest continuing onwards along the roadway.
The time is now roughly 3:30-4:00 in the late afternoon, early evening. If the collection of wagons stay on the roadway they will likely either continue on to the hobgoblin valley Zert mentioned, or continue on to Nulb and points east. The lone wagon heading east/south-east would likely intersect the old roadway, which according to Zert could travel to Nulb, back to Hommlet, or even on to the abandoned moathouse.
Modified by +6 for a total of 26
Musami scratches his beard, unsure wyick set of tracks to follow. Given the late hour he is inclined toward following the trail back to Hommlet.
During the course of our journey, far away from the wandering eyes of Hommlet, but once we reach the clearing.
"Who might we have gotten that map from? Our shaking friend and what worries me at this point is that we are searching using his map. Sadly, while in the commons room our friend and one of the barmaids had a 'jolly good time,' I believe is the colloquialism, but after had a discussion "[b] Fil will indicate which barmaid.
[b]"After this, the pair had a discussion. I was able to make out the words map, next week, report, and 'lareth.' I am unsure of what or who this lareth is, but map and report are both clear to me. The map is going to likely lead us into a trap or even a snipe hunt, I fear. I believe it best we arm ourselves now if we plan on taking this path."
Making his point, Fil prepares his bow and knocks an arrow. Fil will be especially aware of high points in trees, as that is how everything appeared in the ambush before, as well as watching for foxholes in the ground for them to jump out of.
Surprised by the turn of events, Cedryk reacts by casting the same spell the fake druid had used against him the night before, calling the local flora to side up and bind the imposter. At the same time, Hedgewyk throws a seedpod at the not-Jaroo trying to keep it off balance.
The fake Jaroo pushed Boron during the surprise round, then acted in the first round before you, taking a standard action to transform, a move action to fly upwards, which would have taken it out of the AoE, and a free action to give a short mental speech. Just to be fair, rolling saves.
Note: The seedpod require a Ranged Touch roll, modified by 10' range increments.
While out in the deep forest Musami takes the opportunity to speak to his companions about the smith. The smith, Hiram, seems to be out of sorts. He says he is unwell, and I believe him. His hands looked to be damaged as if he has been using them to break rocks or something. I think there may be something going on, but I cannot puzzle it out. Cedryk is staying with him, I believe so I may ask his opinion, but if you see him please let me know how we can help him. He seems to have lost his love of the forge, and that must be remedied.
"Braggi, any thoughts on these tracks?" asks Jocasta. "If the captors were hobgoblins, they may have taken people into the valley... or to the old moathouse on this map. Assuming that the map is in any way accurate."
"I don't fully trust this Zert fellow and his barmaid - and they certainly were paying a lot of attention to us - but we might as well find out for ourselves if this is a usable lead or not," she adds. "I doubt the people were taken to Nulb... unless by slavers. But we have to decide which way to go to try to find them."
Seeing his quarry already out of his reach, Cedryk turns to the bear and gar. Calling to the water lilies and water-weeds, he attempts to tangle the creature to allow the bear to escape.
"Bufff... I really don't know." Braggi seems worried. "I would say that, given the attackers weren't human, they wouldn't want to follow the main road for too long, since they could be recognised. It is a vague detail at best, but it's the only thing that comes to my mind."
"Worth a shot. Shall we check for this valley of hobgoblins that we heard about, then?"