For use new at this: Hollow's Last Hope
Game Master CaptMadJaq

It's time to make camp. The sun is down and the world cools with the darkening sky. To the North, by six hours, is the great River Foam, with a ferry that will take you to the port town of Falcon's Hollow. From the West, dark on the horizon, a storm front looms like a mountain range, high and awesome. Lightning flickers and decorates the thunderheads with multitudes of color, and thunder rumbles steadily like drums.

Survival Check please. A storm is coming...

Survival check 14+9 = 23

From the crest of the hill Gill glances occasionally at the growing storm clouds to the West, while gently stroking the soft feathers of the dappled brown owl perched on his left shoulder.

"It's approaching so quickly? You are sure of this?" The bird swivels as if to check for itself, then looks the man in the eye and trills. "Then you best be on your way, old friend. I'll try to keep these two from the worst of it, and I'll find you in Falcon's Hollow tomorrow." The bird takes flight, heading silently North, its departure signaled by a single shrill call. "No, I have no idea if there are really any falcons there, but just be a good girl and try not to create any trouble with the locals!"

Gill shakes his head, and grins. He looks down the slope to his two companions. It does look like a hell of a storm. I better make sure these two don't end up caught in the open...

"Well, looks like we are in agreement about that storm." smiles Hadassah, her eyes betraying her bravado. Persephone glides up next to Hadassah. "You are much better than I have ever been when it comes to things like this," Hadassah whispers to Persephone.

Persephone smiles at Hadassah and laughs, "Like you have to remind me, come on, lets find someplace to hunker down for this one."

Hadassah whispers a quick prayer to Desna, casting Guidance on Persephone and begins helping Persephone locate a suitable spot to ride out the storm.

1d20 ⇒ 8 +1 Aid Another, +1 Guidance = 10.

Virgil wraps the loose cap around him as he feels the cool wind bringing the coming storm. Its been a long journey so far, and he is ready to make camp for the night.

We should be quick about making camp, the storm is approaching quickly

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

"Looks like we are almost set." Hadassah looks around the makeshift camp. "I have one day's rations left, not sure how far that will go with you big folk, but I am happy to share." Hadassah rummages around in her pack for a while, then produces a small tin of dried rations. "Not very yummy, but it does the job"

"Looks like we should be to Falcon's Hollow by this time tomorrow." observes Hadassah.

"Assuming we survive" laughs Persephone, giving Hadassah's arm a playful squeeze.

The storm is coming in quickly, and Gill and Virgil find a nice slope to set up camp. The area is all grasslands, flat and without trees. If you don't have tents, you manage to get creative with a dozen of long skinny dead trees, some found large rocks, rope, and some kind of cloth(ing) or a tarp to make a short, snug shelter (like a teepee). There's only enough room to sleep and have a small fire.

The storm eventually leaves, and your camp withheld and kept upright. You're safe. However, for Hadassah, unique to her position, she was caught in the wind and rain. She enters the camp soggy.

"So, apparently Persephone is not that much better than me at setting up a camp." Hadassah pulls her blanket out of her pack and uses it to quickly dry he face and hair. She turns to Gill and asks "Do you mind if we bunk down in here? It is kind of nasty out there," as she hands the blanket to Persephone to also dry off with. Persephone shrugs and obligitorily wipes herself dry, and moves to put the blanket near the fire to dry. Hadassah flashes a quick smile at Virgil before continuing, "I promise we don't take up that much room." Clearly hamming it up for sympathy, she goes on, "Besides if I catch something," her speech interrupted by a shiver, "I am not sure how much help I will be," a small pathetic cough escapes her lips as she smiles up at her camp mates.

I'm sure we can make room

Virgil adjusts his position away from the small fire to make room for the halfling. He tries to keep the large shield at his back positioned towards the blowing wind to help shelter himself from the elements.

Since traveling together, Virgil had seen Hadassah perform many amazing feats of magic and knows her to be very accomplished, yet the heart of a paladin can't stand a lady in distress, and Hadassah probably knows that.

She's probably playing to your good nature...

The three of you get warm and get some sleep, I'll take first watch

Stoking the small fire with a stick, Virgil waves his had suggesting his companions take rest.

"Make yourself comfortable. I never make use of tents so this is basically as good as it is ever going to get. The branches keep you dry, at least, and I prefer a shelter built by my own hands. If your taste is for something a little less rustic you'll have to see what Virgil has to offer."

Seemingly satisfied with his take-it-or-leave-it offer of hospitality, Gill rummages in his pack for a while, before locating a stick of dried licorice root which he chews absent-mindedly.

"I'll sit up a while with you Virgil, if you like. I'm not really tired anyway." He turns to Hadassah, "If you think you might be 'catching something' maybe you should turn in early, eh? That's unless anyone wants to tell a story...?"

"Thank you!"

Almost before you have finished accepting, Hadassah produces a bedroll and begins placing it in an out of the way spot inside the shelter.

"and please do! I love stories!"

There is a brief tussling under the blanket of the bedroll, then Hadassah hands her wet clothes to Persephone who neatly arranges them near the fire to dry before returning to Hadassah's side.

Her head barely poking out from under the bedroll blanket, Hadassah asks, "So Gill, you are newest, why don't you tell us a story of how you came to us?"

"Alright, I will start then..." Hadassah takes a moment to study the shadows darting across the ceiling.

Before I start though, I need to know if either of you has noticed a tall elven woman, about twice my height, auburn hair, and violet colored eyes. She usually has a small scorpion around her left wrist?"

After waiting a moment hoping for an affirmation regarding the woman in question, Hadassah shrugs, "Probably silly to keep looking after all this time, I should have started sooner."

Hadassah sighs and continues, "At any rate. Long ago, near the headwaters of the great River Foam, there existed a small halfling tribe. The head of the tribe was a strong willed woman named Miriam, and her Husband, Hector, ruled at her side." A wistful smile crosses Hadassah's lips as she reaches out to stroke Persephone's hair.

"Hector and Miriam were overjoyed with the birth of their daughter, and the entire tribe celebrated for seven days and seven nights, platters of fine wines, fresh fruits and smoked fish were passed around, and the entire tribe reveled in their good fortune"

"For several years, the Matriarch and her husband watched their daughter grow into an amazing young girl. At times they worried about her diminutive size, being small for a halfling is small indeed," Hadassah laughs quietly to her self as if this were some kind of inside joke and continues, "One afternoon, when the rushing highland waters had warmed enough, the young and precocious girl took it upon herself to learn to swim. So off to the river she ran, and in she dove. After a moment or two of splashing and frolicking in the shallower water, her courage had built up, and she dove headlong into the deep slow waters mid stream. down to the bottom she sank, and with a quick kick against the riverbed she rocket to the surface!"

"Full of spirit and completely lacking in common sense, she made a game of sinking and popping back up. Unfortunately, on her second or third attempt, her foot stuck in a tangled root, and her kick to the surface gained her naught. She struggled there for a while, her mind reeling in fear, screaming out for help. . . But when her mouth opened no sounds came out. Just rushing cold water from the river rushing in, filling her lungs." Hadassah sighs again and shrugs.

"However long later, the girl awoke on the banks of the stream, coughing, sputtering, and confused." Hadassah reaches over and takes Persephone's hand in hers. "looking down at the girl was an almost invisible naga girl. She shushed the halfling before fading from sight."

"I am sorry, I think I am too tired to tell the rest tonight, perhaps another time?"

Hadassah pulls the blanket around her a little tigher, and pulls it up to cover her face as Persephone defensively coils around her. A faint "Thank you" is whispered from the halfling's bedroll, but it is difficult to guess who spoke.

"I'd appreciate the extra eyes tonight Gill. There is something in the air tonight...maybe just the storm.

Virgil found the sound of the halfling's voice soothing, but he only caught bits of the story as his attention was focused the darkness quickly falling over them.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

I'm not sure if the roll was appropriate as it wasn't asked for, but I thought maybe I'd just stick it in to demonstrate that Virgil was taking his watch seriously, and not getting too distracted by the story.

Fantastic story btw!

"I am not much good at keeping watch, but if you wake me in a couple hours, Persephone does great. . . And I mean that. . . Not to be confused with her ability to set up camp. Please wake me in time for last watch." Hadassah playfully nudges Persephone and winks.

As Hadassah drifts off to sleep Persephone places her crossbow and bolts near Hadassah's bedroll, and carefully folds Hadassah clothes and extra blanket, nicely dried by the fire, into a pillow which she slips under Hadassah's head before she fades from existence.

"I'd appreciate the extra eyes tonight Gill. There is something in the air tonight...maybe just the storm.

Virgil found the sound of the halfling's voice soothing, but he only caught bits of the story as his attention was focused the darkness quickly falling over them.

[dice=Perception]1d20+1

I'm not sure if the roll was appropriate as it wasn't asked for, but I thought maybe I'd just stick it in to demonstrate that Virgil was taking his watch seriously, and not getting too distracted by the story.

Actually, it's very appropriate. You are keeping watch, so if Gil would roll that would be great!

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

”These eyes are usually ready, Virgil, I sleep less and less these days.” Gill straightens, then tightens his boots, but otherwise he seems unperturbed by the weather. ”We should reach the town by late morning, if all goes well. I have to admit, I’m somewhat bothered by what we’ll find there. I know you have been patient until now, accepting my guidance across country with little indication on my part as to the reason for my journey. Truth is, I’ve been wondering myself. Little signs at first, then less ignorable omens, crows gathering, unseasonal swarms of mosquitos. I can’t help but think there’s something wrong at Falcon’s Hollow. Damn it, it’s not like me to really even care that much. Leastwise, not in my younger days, but I feel more and more drawn towards aiding my fellow man as I grow older. ‘Tis a strange thing. ” He shrugs, and seems to lose the will to continue. ”We’ll see, I guess. We’ll see.”

After a few minutes of silence he glances back at the snuggling Halfling. ”I could teach you to swim, if you like? You know, just in case.”

"There is certainly no shortage of wrong doings these days. Every where I turn..evil and injustice seem to run rampant, left unchecked."

"By my sword, and the wraith of Iomedae, if your senses lead us to trouble in Falcon's Hollow, it will not go unchecked and unpunished. That I swear."

If the druid senses are keen, we must prepare for the worst. With my last breath, Iomedae's justice will be served!

Virgil relaxes a little bit after he realizes that his hand has clenched the hilt of his sword.

At the tense moment that Virgilante's fingers wring themselves over the hilt of his sword, there's a sudden slight shuffling sound over by Hadassah. That wall of the tent moves,bulging slightly inward, and then slowly rises.

"What the!..." Hadassah glances around for a place to hide as the walls of the tent bulge towards her. "Persephone! I need you!"

Hadassah grabs her crossbow and attempts to hide as far from the movement as possible.

"Can you see anything?" Hadassah whispers to Persephone.

Already tense from the notion of some sort of evil in Falcon's Hollow, hand at his sword hilt, Virgil spins around at the sound of Hadassah calling out, drawing his sword.

"What is it? Whats wrong!"

Not 100% certain if Virgil has seen the movement or not. But as he's now turned towards Hadassah, I'll assume he has seen at least the movement

"Hadassah! Get back"

Hadassah notices Persephone reacting to Virgilante's call, and shakes her head 'no' waving for Persephone to join her. As Persephone comes close, Hadassah whispers "Hide!"

Persephone does her best to hide in the confined space of the shelter.

Gill swivels in the direction of the intruder and mumbles a few short words in preparation for spell casting. He glances down and reassures himself that a spear is close at hand should it be necessary.

"Virgil! Hold your sword a moment longer, leastwise until we know what bother we have here..."

Unnecessary bloodshed would be an inauspicious event so close to our destination.

"psst!! Get back in here!" whispers Hadassah, loudly as Persephone makes for the door. "You are not going to go out there and get yourself killed, we have guides and men for more capable than us if this comes to a fight. ."

"If you must know what is out there . . ." Hadassah bows her head for a moment, focusing on the nature of the celestial dog, and the bulging tent wall. I hope you don't find anything. . .

** spoiler omitted **

The tent is really tight, there isn't any room for discretion or modesty. The moment the dog poofs into existence(making maneuverability inside the tent intolerable), you hear a young girl shriek loudly, followed by another scream from someone else. The tent wall then falls back into the place and you can hear feet splash in the mud, away from your tent. Then there's a louder wet sound and now you can hear the wails of a baby.

The door and exit are the one and the same.

"What...is going on!"
acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"What...is going on!"

[dice=acrobatics]1d20 + 2
** spoiler omitted **

A quick concentration check at DC 10, and you'll be fine.

concentration: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Hadassah and Persephone attempt to eek out past the two large folk, "We have to find that baby, they could be in need of help. It is not likly someone has a babe out in this weather in the middle of the night without something being horribly wrong."

Hadassah exits the shelter and begins calling out, "I do not know who you are, but this is no safe time to have a babe out in the wilds, please come back! We mean you no harm."

To Persephone Hadassah whispers, "See if you can spot them, they likely need our help."

"We need to get to the children before something horrible happens.." Hadassah and Persephone stealthily head off in the direction of the baby's scream, as best they can. Why do I always run off, it is probably a trap. Wonder if they would think any less of me if I just hid...

Ack! get this dog...out...hrmph..

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (8) - 4 = 4

Somebody get this thing off of me!

Virgil struggles to get out from under the dog

Oh, the fickle whims of the dice roller!

As Gil and Virgilante pick themselves up and away from the dog, Persephone slithers under the tent, nearly knocking it over.

"I see them!" she shouts back, "There's a girl, a boy, and a baby. They didn't get far. About ten meters at best, maybe a few more. They've dropped a wagon."

At the sight of Persephone the children begin screaming again.

Wait! don't run! There is nothing to fear!

Not seeing an threat, Virgil puts his sword back into his scabbard, hoping to look less intimidating. He calls out trying to sound less fearsome, while he tries to get himself out of the tent.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Virgilante and Gil, you get out from under the dog after a short frustrating moment, clamor to your feet and can move. Hadassah, There's nothing impeding your movement, except Gil and Virgil if you were to leave out the front. It would be an acrobatics check to slip by between their legs. Otherwise, you can follow Persephone unhampered.

The children are only 10 feet away, and I'm assuming you three will be approaching them?(I did say 30 feet, but I forgot that it's raining and that the grass is slick and there is mud, which is also slick.)

"Sorry," says Hadassah, somewhat abashed. Blushing to a deep red, "I was scared.." Turning to the dog, Thank you, you may go now." Dismissing spell.

Hadassah picks up her blanket and follows Persephone out of the shelter, and speaks softly to the children, "Please, calm down, I am not going to hurt you. My friends, Gill and Virgilante will be here in a moment to help us unstick your wagon. I am sorry, you scared me and I broke our shelter. You must be hungry, cold, and afraid? I think we really should get that baby somewhere out of the weather." Hadassah smiles warmly, "at least take this blanket for him."

Turning to Persephone, "Thank you dear, would you please help Virgilante and Gill find us? And take this back to camp, I don't think it is helping the kids," finishes Hadassah, handing her crossbow and bolts to Persephone.

I wish Virgilante was here, he seems much better with people than I am.

Virgil exits the tent slowly, allowing the cold air and rain to once again pelt down on him and his armor, the current circumstances probably not portraying him in the best light.

He works his way out a few feet into the mud, towards the wagon

Children, don't be frightened. Here, let me help you with your wagon, it seems to be stuck

Diplomacy again just in case its needed: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Looks like the other 2 have got a good handle on this situation, but I best remain alert to any unseen threats. Children are not really my specialism anyway.

The children are shaken, and stand there shivering from the cold and with fear. They might run, but they don't likely because they wouldn't get very far and need help. They're covered from head to toe in mud and their clothes are sticking to their bodies.

"Don't hurt us," said the girl, eventually. The boy made a whimpering sound and looked between Virgil and Hadassah.

Hadassah smiles at the girl, and holds out her blanket, "Please, the baby needs it."

Just wait a while, she will come... she just needs time to calm down.

Through a quick glance, Gill seems to communicate to Virgil that he is maintaining the watch against any surprises. Virgil gives Gill a subtle nod in acknowledgement and focuses once again on their surprise visitors.

Nobody here is going to hurt you, I promise. My name is Virgil, I am the sword of Iomedae, a Paladin. You know what a Paladin is right? We don't lie.

My RP might be a bit weak here. I'm not 100% sure if a paladin would actually refer to themselves as a paladin or not. But for sake of the conversation, assume that he refers to his title in a manner that common children would know him buy.

Please, come in out of this weather and warm yourselves closer to the fire. You'll be safe with us.

Hadassah turn to Virgil, "Please, keep the baby warm with this, I am going to help Gill fix the shelter I broke, and heat up the remains of my rations, they look hungry."

As she leaves, Hadassah pauses to whisper to Virgil, "I think they like you, they actually speak to you..."

With that, Hadassah heads up the hill, Persephone, would you help me please?

Hadassah and begins to gather up the bits of shelter knocked over by Persephone, "Not that I don't have faith in your ability, but I think Gill is much better than us when it comes to this, perhaps we should work under his guidance?"

"Gill, do you mind if we help?", Hadassah whispers something to Persephone.

The boy looks to be about eight, and the girl seems to be in her tweens. She's pretty with long brown hair, green eyes, and freckles. her brother has auburn hair and the same green eyes. The baby, well, he's just crying because he's wet and cold and not liking it.

The boy stopped crying long enough to look at his sister. After a long second she nodded and reached out to you Virgil for help to pull them out of this nasty mud. Once on their feet the boy looks up to you.

"You never lie? That can't be true. Everyone lies because everyone wants something. That's what Mother said." His sister jabbed him hard in the ribs with her elbow.

"Shh! Don't talk about her. You'll bring bad luck!"

"Don't say that!" the boy stepped away from his sister and shot her a mean look. He didn't like her hitting him like that, and he made no effort to hide it. "She's not dead! She said she was tired and needed to rest her eyes, that's all! Nothing more!"

His sister wanted to protest and opened her mouth to do so, but seeing the hopelessness in it she snapped it shut and turned her pretty green eyes down to her muddy feet. Clutching her baby brother closer to her chest her shoulders shook as she began to sob. Immediately, a sudden fit of coughing struck her and forced her to stop her crying and bend over at the waist. Three hard hacks, and then she straightened and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.