DundjinnMasta |
...Darkness has fallen over poor, suffering Krynn. Thus it has been since the great Cataclysm, when the old world fell. Curse the High Priest of Istar, whose pride caused him to give orders to the True Gods! For the Gods punished Krynn for this blasphemy, and much was forever lost. Lost were the great cities, the accumulated wisdom and knowledge of many generations. Lost as well was all knowledge of the True Gods, and mankind sank into idolatry. Priests lost their power, and mankind lost hope for its salvation.
But hope always spring from the most modest of causes, and so it was that events in Langtree began the salvation of Krynn.
Although weary, I must keep watching. I shall return to my golden chair, once again gaze into the crystal globe, and let my spirit join these events...
----From the lconochronos of Astinus of Palanthus, Lorekeeper of Krynn, in the 351st year after the Cataclysm.
Before the Cataclysm, the days were calm and ordered; nothing was unexpected. Now the world is changed; its change has taught two great lessons. First, no beauty is safe. All the riches of the past could not protect the ancient peoples. Gold has no value in the world now; it is too soft for swords and armor. Steel is the most valued metal of all, though each small kingdom has its own currency and exchange.
Secondly, no magic last forever; true clerics cannot be found, nor have clerics with miraculous powers been known to exist since the time of the Cataclysm - nearly 300 years ago.
There are a great many rumors flooding from the north of war, and it has pretty on edge. Everyone is looking for a miracle, a sign, a truth, anything to give them hope for the future. You were sent from Langtree to the western foothills of the Khalkist Mountains, to the ruined temple just southwest of Hope's End... What did Ivor of Langtree want to find here? What did the Mad Baron seek... Something has drawn his curiosity.
You have been travelling with each other for a short time now. It is about 4 days travel to the ruined temple. You were dispatched by Ivor and I will leave your connection to Ivor up to you and reasons he would send you on such a task up to you.
Torbin Juventus |
Finally! A chance to prove myself to the Baron. I may not be a warrior like my father but I will prove my worth by keeping these warriors in one piece.
Torbin will look to Raldor assuming him to be the scout based on his dress and his earlier interaction with the Baron, "Know you whether this trek will take a full four days the Baron predicted it would Ranger?"
Marik Irondale |
"A little less. We'll be there for lunch the fourth day, rather than dinner," says Marik, answering in Ral's place. The dark-haired knight had been spending a good deal of time with the half-ogre, content to scout ahead of the main group in something resembling silence.
A Knight-Postulant of the Solamnic order, the slim warrior had arrived in Langtree a few weeks before, having lost his armor and most of his belongings in a shipwreck. Clad in leather, he still carried his shield, decorated with the sigil of the Crown Knights.
"With all the talk of war, I'm surprised we haven't seen any raiders. But all the tracks we've found have been at least a week old, if not more. We'll see if our luck holds," Marik says, before turning his eyes back to the ground ahead.
Galahad of Haven |
Galahad was singing to himself softly, a song of goings. He was seemingly lost in thought, the road ahead ever vanishing beneath his feet. It always feels strange to be working for a man who built an army out of mercenaries, such men and women are not of my kind. Folk influenced by coin are fickle and dangerous. However, I have known Ivor to be an honourable and just man, and if this task of his is truly for the good of Krynn I will carry it out with aplomb. Still... Galahad looks around at the others of his party and can't help but feel many of them look a little rough around the edges. But they were his allies in this task and he can't help but smile at them, not noticing his voice raising higher in song as he did.
Duncan Esteros |
Still unsure as to why the Baron sent him on this expedition, Duncan stays with the main body of troops. He lets the scouts do their thing without interfering and watches the others for reactions. Training the Baron's troops for the last few years has given him an eye for talent, and so far all these soldiers have talent, but can they work together....well that has yet to be seen.
Salmoryn Starpeak |
Keeping to any trees or cover in the area, a shadow darted with its wary gaze on their surroundings. It wasn't that he was eager to scout for the party, who already had a competent scout. He did not exactly trust their company, or the whims of the Mad Baron. His stealthy behavior was as much to gather information on the group he "worked with" as it was to ensure their safe voyage.
Theran Silvermane |
I knew I shouldn't have asked about the baron's library. I wonder what he suspects. Well, at least I can find out more about this man who says he is a member of the Knights of Solamnia. Perhaps he knows more than old stories.
Theran is trying to remain quiet as he marches on, but the slap of his armor always seems louder than the rest of the group. It doesn't help that he has this subconscious habit of tapping his fingers to his thumb in sequence on his off-hand. It can be rather irritating when wearing reinforced gauntlets.
Has anyone heard anything about this ruin? I wonder how the Baron heard of it?
DundjinnMasta |
And totally forgot these. I am just going to leave them right here...
These temple ruins were once known as the Celestial Forge, but after the Cataclysm and the disappearance of the old gods it was abandoned to the ravages of time.
The Celestial Forge was once a holy site dedicated to the god Reorx.
Torbin Juventus |
I grew up around these parts and these ruins were one of the first things I learned about in my talks with the Baron.The ruins were once known as the Celestial Forge but after the Cataclysm and the abandonment of the Gods, the people abandoned these forges as they were a holy site dedicated to Reorx, God of the Forge. As to why the Baron has become interested in them now I am not sure. Perhaps he thinks we will find an abandoned cache of weapons. If rumors of war in the north are true we may well need them".
Raldor |
Raldor continues his scouting, staying ahead of the party far enough so their presence doesn't alert anything he might come across. Staying just within the treeline, and moving gracefully and surprisingly stealthily for someone of his size. At regular intervals he circles back to the rest of the group, alerting them of anything he's seen. He growls a bit when Marik answers the question directed to him, but holds back any further retort.
"I don't see anything yet that should slow us down, four days is a conservative estimate, but I still think we should be wary, as always."
Perception check while scouting ahead: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Theran Silvermane |
KO history: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Yes, I had heard the same, I guess I was hoping for some information a little more recent.
Theran smiles at Torbin to show he doesn't intend this as a slight.
Marik Irondale |
"No, I have been away from home for a very long time," Marik says. "In truth, this sigil can be dangerous to bear in some places ... in the Seeker lands, it largely brought me disdain. But some still respect the old order. The captain whose ship took me from Crossing did, though his respect did not save him when the ship was wrecked off the New Coast."
He seems about to say more but thinks better of it, wandering off to the group's flank to scan for tracks and look for game.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Renagir Onselmin |
Ren sticks to the middle of the group and walks as though it was a simple hike, trusting his fellows to warn him if anything happens. He walks along using his quarterstaff as a walking stick and with a noticeable limp in his left leg.
"Bah, it's possible there are weapons here, but the fools probably just satisfying his fascination with the Gods. Whatever his reason, let's just get this over with. My legs aren't what they used to be."
Duncan Esteros |
Overhearing what the warrior had to say, Duncan gets up from where he was resting and walks over to the man.
"Excuse me sir, but having been with the Baron all these years, same as me, you should know better then to question his orders, sir! Might I suggest that this is the pain in yer leg talking and not yer true feelings, sir?."
Raldor |
Raldor continues to scout, doing his best to live up to his mentor. The duke dispatched a message to the home not too long ago, asking for his mentor to lead a group to some ruins. Raldor figured he'd honor the last request, so found himself here now.
He made his way back through the brush to the bulk of the group, "We can slow the pace if it will help the warrior. Perhaps that's why the estimate was for four days?"
Renagir Onselmin |
Ren speeds up noticably putting more weight on his staff to push himself along. Not wanting to be responsible for slowing the group down. He turns to Duncan and States that;
"No, it he baron has given me more orders I can't understand the motive for than ones where I can. But they always have a purpose, I trust this one will too. And my leg is my problem, I'll deal with it."
DundjinnMasta |
The high grass of the plains between Langtree and the ruined temple make for easy travel, but they can be dangerous hiding beast and bandit alike in peaceful times. With the rumors of war in the North who knows what trouble could be hidden by the plains...
The journey remained uneventful and now you are nearing the final day... the forward scouts should be able to see the ruined temple at this stage.
You put eyes on the ruined temple which has been claimed by the natural growth of the plains as while as something that has made its home on the surface of the stone. You see things lurking in the gaping and ruined doorway to the main structure.
Torbin Juventus |
Torbin pauses for a moment and stretches his back.
"Well soon we will arrive it seems. I wonder what dangers we will find at this place. Ancient ruins have a way of attracting creatures who would seek shelter from the elements this desolate area would not otherwise provide at least that is what most legendary tales would suggest!"
Marik Irondale |
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
"We're here," Marik says, pointing out the ruins amid the natural growth of the plains to the less keen-eyed in the group. He loosens his sword in its sheath and checks the arrows in his quiver."And we're not alone."
He'll check first with Raldor, then call Salmoryn forward. "I can just make out something moving at the gate to the main structure. Half-elf. What do your eyes see?"
Salmoryn Starpeak |
Unused to be calling 'Half-Elf', Salmoryn bristles at the name, but he looks in the direction of the temple nonetheless.
Perception
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
"No more than you do, for the time being. Though we should probably be wary of bandit activity. This tall grass is a good place for an ambush."
He unstraps his bow from his backpack and ensures that it is strung correctly.
Renagir Onselmin |
Ren changes his hold upon his quarterstaff, moving it into a position ready to fight. He looks around at the rest of the group and says;
"If anyone thinks they can get any closer and get a good look at it that would be well appreciated, I don't think it's wise to go in not knowing what it is. But it would be far worse if someone got caught out alone. Any other ideas?"
Raldor |
Raldor comes back from scouting ahead and listens. He nods at Renagir, "I can move forward and check." He nods to Salmoryn, shaking his head a bit at listening to Marik making the racial distinction, "The archer and I can spot, and hit from a distance if we need to." Raldor puts a slight emphasis on the word archer.
stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Marik Irondale |
Prickly, both of them, Marik thinks. And here I thought 'half-elf' sounded better than 'half-human.'
"I'll go, too," he says, ignoring the awkwardness and readying his bow as he advances into the tall grass.
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
DundjinnMasta |
You begin to hear the shrill voices as you draw closer to the ruined temple.
"Where is it, Where is it? Have you found it? Have you found it? Bonesnasher will kill us if we don't find it. Don't tell him, don't tell him!" the shrill voice says.
You hear the clattering of items as if someone is searching through them with no care to their value or age. There is a handful of grunts that seem to agree with whoever the loudmouth is.
Raldor |
Raldor will move closer keeping an eye out for goblin tracks, till he sees what is making the noise, readying his bow to fire if they are goblins or worse. best guess, given the high pitched voices
stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
track goblins: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
bow shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Torbin Juventus |
Torbin will move at a snails pace sticking to cover as best he can, staying the farthest back out of the group.
Not sure if doing anything as deliberately as I am describing gives me a stealth bonus but here goes... I am also staying well back of everyone else.
Stealth 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
DundjinnMasta |
After careful inspection of the tracks in the area you have identified several goblin tracks, quite likely eight of them. A quick vision search reveals that they have been tramping around the ruins for awhile now. It seems likely to be several days at this point...
As the rest of the group gets closer but is signaled by Salmoryn to keep quiet they can now make out several high pitched voices, which has gone from talking to arguing in a guttural language of goblins. Several of them sound angry with each other... of course... goblin always sounds vile and angry.