Megan Robertson |
:)
Yes, of course you can just 'tell all' rather than go through it in detail.
She listens intently, actually making a few notes, then smiles.
"It would appear, friends, that you have successfully cleared Harrowstone of the evil spirits and haunts that were being held in check by the Warden's wife's spirit, and have enabled her to rest as well. The place poses no further threat, and the evil spirits cannot be restored, let alone released, by those who would do harm, this Whispering Way. Well done indeed!"
Over the next couple of days, the whole township takes on a lighter air. Gibs Hephenus is released from the lockup, his right mind restored, although he's very apologetic for the damage he caused despite reassurances that it wasn't his fault.
It is now time for you to honour Professor Lorrimor's final wish and make the delivery of his books to Lepidstadt, as explained to you by Kendra right at the beginning of the adventure.
However, before you set out, it is now time to LEVEL UP!!! Congratulations, and welcome to Level 4.
Tre'duinne Braeguldae |
"Kendra, how far is it we must travel, and how long will it take from your experience?" Tre asks.
"Well, if we're in for a long and rough trip there's no knowing what we'll need. I suggest we get a mount of some kind. So much easier on the feet. I mean I have a pony to carry my stuff, but a horse to ride would make life so much easier and quicker too." the elven mage says out loud as he thinks of the journey ahead. "And if we can take some medicine, if we don't have any. Perhaps we can find someone to sell us antitoxin and antiplague. You never know what dangers await on the journey. Can anyone cook, or do we have to make do with rations." he says disdainfully.
"Always so much to do, so little time."
Megan, looks like my daughter will be working in Stoke soon...
Sorin Szekely |
"I fear cooking has not been a skill I've ever picked up so unless one of you has surprise talents, I think rations it is. But while I've never managed a mount before, that sounds like an excellent idea. It was a long walk here from the Graidmere and I don't relish another of its like."
Megan Robertson |
The distance from Ravengro to Lepidstadt is about 100 miles. No journey in Ustalav is without risk, but the old Mountain Road is generally regarded as the best route. This road follows the southeastern foothills of the Tusk Mountains, passing through the towns of Tamrivena and Courtaud before following the Lesser Moutray River up to Lepidstadt.
Sorin Szekely |
That sounds like an eminently wise suggestion...
"Kendra, I am a stranger to this part of Ustalav. What can you tell us of this trip to Lepistadt and more importantly of the the town itself? Have you been? Or do you have tales from the Professor's travels there?"
Megan Robertson |
"Well, my father and I used to live there," says Kendra, "And I doubt it has changed much. The University is to the south, a sprawling campus where they specialise in what they call the "mortal sciences" - they reckon that medicine, mathematics, and the sciences are capable of unveiling wonders rivaling the miracles of magic. As you can imagine, I did not feel at home there! The student body also has a tradition of fighting duels. They congregate at an inn called the Brazen Skull. The city is governed by a council, and it is an absolute magnet for rumours - the air is thick with them. Oh, and there's supposed to be a Beast - not that anyone ever has seen it with their own eyes, it's always that they spoke with someone who did. It's said to have ten feet, to be an unholy amalgamation of evil stitched to evil, the unborn son of dead murderers, rabid beasts, and stray devils shackled in flesh by nail and needlework... if you believe that sort of thing."
Megan Robertson |
If you want supplies for your journey, the Ravengro General Store is your best bet. The forge also supplies weapons and armour. As for horses, you could do worse than visit Councilman Gharen Muricar, who has quite a herd on his farm and might be prepared to sell a few mounts.
Sorin Szekely |
Sorin will take advantage of the store to stock up on several days of trails rations and to visit the Councilman to see about purchasing a light riding horse, saddle, bit, grain, etc.
I'm going to keep my purchases in Ravengro to a minimum with hopes of being able to stock up more in the larger town.
Megan Robertson |
"Going to Lepistadt?" asks Councilman Gharen Muricar.
"At least it ought to be a bit safer now that the Beast has been captured. If you don't dawdle too much you ought to be in time to see it stand trial and burn for its crimes!" He looks as if he might fancy seeing the sight himself.
Merian Benvalla |
Merian too looks surprised at this news. "Why would you put a monster on trial?" she asks, frowning. "Wouldn't you just kill it? Trials are for thinking beings that can actually understand the laws they break."
Also, I didn't say it before, but Merian is entirely used to walking places (that is, after all, the primary activity of a soldier) and doesn't feel a strong urge to buy a mount either.
Megan Robertson |
The Councilman looks a bit baffled.
"Perhaps it turned out to be sentient rather than a monster? I know not, just that it is subject to formal process rather than to be destroyed out of hand. So, how many horses do you need? This ginger mare is rather fine..."
Tre'duinne Braeguldae |
"The least time we are travelling with the professor's treasures, the quicker and safer it is." Tre whispers to Merian, thinking she is more likely to see the sense of it.
Tre will not walk, he will ride, even if the others don't take horses, if they can't afford it, he will cast mount and ride a light horse available for 8hrs per day.
Tre'duinne Braeguldae |
Tre'duinne can't help but grumble at the stubbornness of his friends to make the journey longer than it should be. He insists on taking the books on his pony, "He was a friend to us all, but if I take the books, at least am mounted, I can at least make a quick escape if needs must. Roads in Ustalav offer plenty to bandits and the like, in fact as does all Golarion." He starts to incant some arcane power to aid him, and it takes but a few moments before a small horse appears from behind the side of the building, from the direction of the stables, it is ready to be ridden, a clean brown leather saddle and bridle. He smiles, ties the pony to the mount, "Ready" he says easily as he takes his place on the horse's back.
Casts Mount, a light horse.
School conjuration (summoning); Level sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, S, M (a bit of horse hair)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one mount
Duration 2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You summon a light horse or a pony (your choice) to serve you as a mount. The steed serves willingly and well. The mount comes with a bit and bridle and a riding saddle.
Megan Robertson |
It's a pleasant day for a stroll in the country. It has been recommended to you that you take the old Mountain Road, which is generally regarded as the best route. This road follows the southeastern foothills of the Tusk Mountains, passing through the towns of Tamrivena and Courtaud before following the Lesser Moutray River up to Lepidstadt.
The early part of the journey to Lepidstadt passes without event; you see fewer and fewer people and more and more ruins, trees, and marshes as you go. As dusk draws in on the second day of travel, you encounter a caravan of nine Varisian wagons encamped at the side of the road. The wagons are gaudily painted and depict assorted performers beneath the legend, "The Crooked Kin — Ustalav’s Greatest Traveling Cabinet of Curiosities!"
Various members of the troupe are milling aimlessly around the stopped caravan. They look worried. Two girls with abnormally small heads are crying miserably and somewhere somebody is howling. Most of the rest seem to be arguing.
Megan Robertson |
As you halt, deciding what to do, a figure emerges from one of the wagons - an albino man with red eyes and long, white hair that hangs below his knees, he wears a tall red top hat, a long red coat with gold buckles and striped trousers.
He sweeps off the top hat in a dramatic gesture.
"Greetings, fellow travellers. We are but harmless performers who have lost one of their own. We stopped by the roadside to rest earlier in the day, but one of our number, the pinhead Aleece, heard some strange noises off the trail, went off to investigate, and has not returned. We are worried that she has now been gone for several hours in a strange and dangerous place, and are desperately trying to decide what to do. Can you help us? Please..."
Megan Robertson |
"She went off into the fens over there," he says, pointing. "We are neither equipped nor, to be honest, competent to mount a rescue, but eveyone else who came by has been too repulsed by our appearance to offer assistance. I'm so grateful... we have little, but I will gift a magic dagger as well as our undying gratitude if you can find Aleece for us! The sounds she heard were screams, sounded like a young woman in mortal terror. She was off before anyone else realised, let alone could advise caution."
Megan Robertson |
It's all very clear to the trained eye, Barret. Aleece's tracks are fresh and easy to follow. They run for about half a mile as they head down into a boggy river valley, and then into a densely vegetated, midge-infested marsh... you going off down there? Who else is going?