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Recently, an alarming missive was received in Lastwall: An urgent plea for aid from the rural settlement of Arwyll Stead.
It seems that there has been an unusually large amount of orc activity in the area recently, as well as an increasing number of devil sightings.
Not having the manpower to both defend the settlement, and investigate the hinterlands (especially with harvest time almost being upon them), a blanket request for hale and hearty adventurers has been sent out, offering a substantial reward to whomever can work out what is going on.
plagued by horrors from the Hungry Mountains to the east.
The man who answers the call is the sort that a casual glance would not think much of - dressed in comfortable, mud-splattered leathers, with a fully-loaded pack on his back, he looks more like an itinerant peddler, than an adventurer.
However, closer inspection reveals a well-crafted bow, and a dizzying array of quivers, full of arrows, festooned about his person. There is also something about his eyes... a hardness, born of a deep-seated pain, suggesting that he is not a man to be trifled with. There is also a scar on his left cheek, vaguely in the shape of a bow and arrow.
By his side rests an almost-grown wolf cub.
"Come on little one - it sounds like we have some devils to slay."
Nothing can ever bring back my family, but every devil that I send howling back to Hell fills the void in my soul that little bit more...
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The first few days' journey are uneventful. However, about half a days' travel from Arwyll Stead...
The clang of metal on metal and the shrill whinnies of frightened horses can be heard from up ahead. As the dusty road curves around the hills, a scene of battle comes into view some hundred feet away. Panicked horses bolt past, and corpses litter the ground around the road—some are recognizable as human guards or fallen horses, but others are twisted, winged, horned monstrosities with fiendish features. All of the combatants have fallen, except for two of the flying yellow monsters attacking a lone, wounded half-orc woman wielding a bow.
Upon spotting Basil, the devils let forth screeching whoops of delight, and charge forward to attack a fresh foe!
Both devils manage to skewer Basil, delivering suprisingly painful wounds.
Making the most of her reprieve, the orc woman then takes a shot at one of the devils...
...but fatigue causes her shot to go wide.
Round 1: G(-18,-18), v(-18), Basil(-9)
With a snarl, Basil steps back, and quickly douses his bow in a golden-coloured oil.
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Tittering, the devils flap forward, and unleash Hell upon Basil!
The first one only manages to lightly claw him, but the second stabs him straight in the gut, twisting the spear as it does so. To add insult to injury, it then scratches him.
Meanwhile, the orc does her best to help...
...but once again, proves thoroughly ineffective.
Round 2: G(-18,-18), v(-18), Basil(-24)
Damn it! Gaavs!
Now feeling a bit worried, Basil frantically tries to drop one of the devils.
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Although Basil's first arrow goes wide, the second punches straight through the Gaav's torso, causing it to drop to the ground.
The other one shrieks in fear, and casts a spell, causing it to disappear.
With the cessation of hostilities, the half-orc woman uncertainly moves over.
"Human, thank-you. Me, Vegazi."
A look of sorrow crosses her features.
"Watching humans", she says, gesturing to the corpses around her. "Devils attack; me help. Too late."
She then gives Basil a hopeful look.
"Help Vegazi take bodies to human town?"
Basil breathes a sigh of relief when the second devil flees.
I am not sure how much more of that I could have taken!
He listens politely to the half-orc woman, before responding:
"I may be human, but my name is Basil - like the herb? Yes, I will help you. First, though, I want to inspect the bodies."
Basil then moves to inspect the fallen .
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"Okay, Basil-like-the-herb. Me get help."
The half-orc then moves off to scout, whilst Basil searches the bodies.
In total, he finds seven rapidly-disintegrating Gaav corpses (each of which has a small-sized MW spear), an orc-descended tiefling with thin
horns curling from her brow, a mane of crimson hair, and knobby, undeveloped wing stumps on her shoulders (three magical feather tokens attached to a necklace of black feathers worth 15 gp for its ornamental value alone, as well as a Scroll of See Invisibility).
Additionally, there are a total of four humans - two dressed in studded leather, with longswords at their sides; one in a chain shirt with a shortbow and longsword, as well as a silver holy symbol around his neck, and a flask of holy water at his side; and the fourth (clearly the leader), carrying a masterwork longsword, a masterwork mithral chain shirt, and a masterwork heavy mithral shield. He also wore an obsidian arrowhead necklace around his neck worth 45 gp and a silver signet ring worth 150 gp. In addition, in a pouch on his belt are a carefully-labelled Potion of CMW, and a note.
The equipment of the leader is emblazoned with a crest depicting a badger, whilst that of the other men is emblazoned with a mesa-and-sunburst insignia.
The attacks on the borderlands around Arwyll Stead have obviously become more frequent and purposeful. I fear what the orcs of the Hell's Fury tribe are plotting - it can't be good, judging by their diabolical company.
My scouts and I have still not been able to locate the squad that went missing last week. As we discussed, I will continue searching along the banks of the Path River for any sign of our missing comrades before rendezvousing with you in town tomorrow morning.
Terrin
P.S. We are not alone in our search. I spotted an elusive hunter tailing my party for the past few days, though she is clearly benign, since she has had ample opportunity to kill us in our sleep. She hasn't made her presence known in a little while, and I would not be surprised if you spotted her as well.
Yeah, I got nothing...
Basil quickly itemises the loot, frowning when he spots the insignias everywhere.
That will make it difficult to sell. Ah, well...
He then waits for the return of the half-orc.
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A short time later, Vegazi returns with four horses, clearly the mounts of the unfortunately scouting party.
She helps Basil put the bodies onto the horses, tying them in place, before leading the purposefully, dragging two horses along behind her.
It takes several hours to reach Arwyll Stead, but eventually, the town becomes visible in the distance.
Rising above the red stone wall that circles Arwyll Stead, the tops of various buildings are just barely visible from the foot of the steep, rocky cliffs that draw together to form the mesa on which the town sits. A sloping ledge on the southwest side of the town and a set of steep switchbacks on the northeastern edge allow entrance through the settlement’s heavily fortified wooden gates.
News of Basil and Vegazi's arrival spreads quickly, and almost as soon as they pass through the main gate, a crowd of locals begins to form, muttering darkly. Shortly thereafter, a sweaty man wearing a golden chain of office, with a paunch and complexion that reflect his stress-fueled life and encroaching middle age, hurries forward, accompanied by a pair of guards wearing the same mesa-and-sunburst-emblazoned gear as the unfortunates that Basil encountered.
The man's face blanches when he sees the body of the leader, and he becomes visibly shaken.
"By the Gods! Wate! Phazia too! This does not bode well..."
He then issues some instructions to the guards.
"Take the bodies to the Estate."
He then turns to Basil and Vegazi.
"I am Mayor Darrel Proum. Thank-you for bringing their bodies back. I want you to tell me all about what happened, but I can see that you have still quite injured - fell free to call in at the Chapel of Iomedae, where the acolyte will heal you, free of charge. I would then appreciate it if you came up to the Estate, to tell me everything."
He then nods to another of the guards.
"Jeb here will escort you."
Jeb nods.
"Thank-you. That would be much appreciated."
He then follows the guard to the local temple.
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The guard leads Basil and Vegazi to a simple, red-brick church, where they are met by a young man with mousy-brown hair, and kind, light brown eyes, dressed in a flowing robe, who introduces himself as Acolyte Ovir Radan.
Upon learning that Wate and Phazia are dead, his face becomes suffused with grief.
"Oh Gods! What are we going to do!?"
He then quickly moves to heal Basil and Vegazi's wounds.
"Would that I could do more, but you have exhausted my healing reserves for the day."
Basil smiles.
"That's quite alright; you have done more than enough."
He then follows the guard to the Estate.
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When Basil and Vegazi arrive at Arwyll Estate, Mayor Proum answers the door and ushers them past the foyer and into the humbly decorated parlor room. The adjacent dining room has been outfitted as an impromptu morgue, with the bodies of Wate and his comrades laid across the sagging wooden table and covered in white linens.
Along with Proum are two militia members, an elderly woman with wrinkled skin and a head full of curly gray hair, and a tall man in his late forties. Proum introduces the woman as Shovann Orda and the man as Gallus Crevac, noting that they were friends of the late Wate Arwyll, and together with the mayor, the four of them served as an informal governing council for Arwyll Stead. Now, just the three of them remain.
Shovann—the elderly woman—has a shrewd gaze and enjoys wearing vibrantly colored clothes that were in style when she was young. A large owl named Faydor perches on Shovann’s shoulder, and looks as ancient as his master.
Gallus wears well-groomed red robes and keeps his graying mustache and beard immaculately neat.
"So... tell us; what happened!?"
Basil shrugs.
"I was coming up from Lastwall - I had heard tell that this town wanted some mercenaries to investigate the recent orc and devil troubles. A few hours from here, I came upon the tail-end of a nasty skirmish - all four of your townsfolk were dead, and Vegazi here," he says, gesturing to the half-orc, "was fighting two Gaavs - nasty little buggers otherwise known as 'Lesser Host Devils'. I managed to kill one of them, forcing the other to flee. Vegazi then asked me to help her bring the bodies back here, and the rest, you know."
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Shovann frowns.
"I see. Your words have the ring of truth to them... but what was 'Vegazi' doing there? She certainly isn't one of ours..."
Vegazi then interjects:
"Saw Orcs in area. Smelled Devil-stench too. Wanted to help, but unsure how welcome me being, so watched from safe distance. When battle started, ran to help - but too late."
Gallus, who is taking notes, raises an eyebrow at Vegazi's turn of phrase, but simply states:
"A little unusual, but I suppose that makes as much sense as anything, these days..."
He is then interrupted by Mayor Proum:
"Vegazi, where did you get that ring?", he says, accusingly, pointing to the silver signet ring on Vegazi's left index finger, which bears the initials “A.A.”, below a badger motif.
Vegazi reflexively rubs the ring, before plaintively responding:
"Me got ring from a human I freed from orc tribe’s slave pit, long time ago."
Mayor Proum looks thoughtful.
"I vaguely remember old Adril Arwyll, Wate's father, Gods rest his soul, telling a story about escaping from a tribe of orcs, but that was some time ago - I reckon about the only person left alive who would know more would be Old Man Grev."
He then turns to Basil.
"Until we can sort out the matter surrounding Wate Arwyll’s death and ascertain your trustworthiness I request that you and your new friend stay put in Arwyll Stead for at least the night. I've arranged for you to have two rooms in the Blissful Badger—the town’s only inn—and I’d appreciate your cooperation with the investigation.
In particular, I wants to know more about Vegazi’s relationship with the Arwyll family; the best way to do that would be to go retrieve Old Man Grev, who lives in one of the outlying cabins, in the morning. Additionally, I would like you to meet with Scoutmaster Terrin when he returns from his latest scouting mission. In the meantime, you have the run of the town - feel free to visit any of the stores."
Basil nods.
"I can understand your reticence. I will do want I can to allay your fears."
He then takes his leave, hoping to see what is available in town, and to sell-off the spears that he recovered.
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- Reroll
- +1 Buckler
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Dragonhide Plate
- Reroll
- Rope of Climbing
- Wand of Gentle Repose
- Reroll
- Reroll
- +1 Mighty [+2] Composite Longbow
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Efficient Quiver
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Cauldron of Brewing
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Wand of Suppress Charms and Compulsions
- Reroll
- Reroll
- Reroll
- +1 Longsword
- Ring of Sacred Mistletoe
- Reroll
- Wind Fan
- +1 Bane(Orc) Mighty [+2] Composite Longbow
Searching around town, Basil finds a wide variety of minor magical items for sale , as well as a number of more exotic items.
Basil makes a note of what is available around town, and tries to make a few purchases.
Collecting his purchases, Basil heads back to the Inn, to have supper, and then call it a night.
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The Blissful Badger is the sole inn and one of two taverns in Arwyll Stead. It’s a rather remarkable establishment, built 50 years ago by the late dwarf Delest Forgemore and run by her daughter for the past decade.
The tavern’s name is a reference to Arwyll Stead at times of peace, when the Arwyll family needs not invoke “the fury of the badger” to fend off the orcs of Belkzen or monsters from the Hungry Mountains.
The building is separated into two halves connected by a broad bar area. On the western side of the building is the inn, where visitors and a few semipermanent residents stay in cramped rooms on either the first or second floor. On the eastern side is the tavern, where tables small and large dot the floor in front of a finely lacquered performing stage.
When Basil enters, there are only a few people in the main room, but as the sun sets, more and more people pour into the building to enjoy a quick supper, and possibly a round or two of ale.
Feeling warm and sated, Basil is able to retire upstairs to his room - a relatively simple affair consisting of a bed, a side table, and a window overlooking the main street. Hardly luxurious, but certainly adequate, especially after traversing the hinterlands of Lastwall.
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Midway through the night, the shutters on Basil's room's window burst open, and a pair of tiny, red-skinned humanoids with with bat wings and scorpion-stinger tails fly into the room.
From outside, come the sounds of screams, and battle - Arwyll Stead is under attack!
Round 1: Basil(-), I(-,-), Vegazi(-)
Imps. *sigh* Just what I need to ruin my day...
Muttering a curse under his breath, Basil staggers to his feet, and grabs his bow.
Basil groans as he feels the imps' poison draining the strength from him.
Incredibly, Basil manages to fight off the effects of the venom.
Narrowing his eyes, he tries to pith one of the imps.
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Basil fires a pair of arrows, which slam into one of the imps, dropping it. Its wounds, however, slowly begin to heal...
The remaining imp, uttering curses in Infernal, attempts to sting Basil once again...
...cackling with glee when it manages to find soft flesh.
Meanwhile, Basil hears heavy footsteps in the corridor outside, and then his room's door slams open, revealing Vegazi, bow at the ready.
Round 4: Basil(-11), I(-,-), Vegazi(-)
Groaning, Basil weakly fires at the conscious imp.
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Basil's arrow slams into the conscious imp, knocking it back, but sadly not dropping it.
It titters in anger, and tries to sting him...
...crowing with delight when it manages to stab him in the face.
The other imp groans, as it returns to consciousness , and shakily clambers to its feet.
For her part, Vegazi steps forward and fires a shot at the barely conscious imp...
..dropping it back into unconsciousness.
Round 5: Basil(-12, -6 Dex), I(-9, -19), Vegazi(-)
Once again, Basil manages to fight off the effects of the imp's venom.
He then calmly fires twice at it from point blank range.
"Not really, Vegazi, but thanks for asking, anyway."
Still rather shaky, Basil takes the time to heal his wounds...
...before gathering his things, casting Mage Armor, Gravity Bow, and Shield and cautiously heading downstairs to find out what, exactly, is going on.
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When Basil and Vegazi head downstairs, in the lower apartment area, they are met with a scene of devastation - doors are broken, crockery is smashed, and from two of the ravaged rooms, gush roiling waves of flesh, which surge towards Basil and Vegazi. Amid the fatty surges wriggle half-formed limbs and dripping tumorous faces.
Round 1: Basil(-6 Dex), L(-, -), Vegazi(-)
Great. More Hellish filth.
Wrinkling his nose in disgust, Basil fires upon the lemures!
With a sigh of relief, Basil hustles into the bar, arrow at the ready.
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A long bar counter covered in platters of half-eaten food stands opposite two broad wooden doors that lead out of the tavern. Numerous bottles of alcohol rest on shelves behind the bar.
As Basil enters the room, several patrons flee out the front door from the direction of the taproom, shouting about tiny flying demons armed with spears!
A cursory inspection of the bar reveals several items of interest:
Two vials of holy water, a cold iron dagger, and a sack of some kind of powder.
Vegazi spots the raven, and stares at it, fascinated, before stretching out a trembling hand to touch it, gently.
"So pretty..."
Unwilling to steal from the locals, and with more pressing matters in the adjacent room, Basil hustles forward.
"Come on, Vegazi!"
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This large, open barroom sports several tables and a large corner stage for performers to ply their trade. The ceiling of the room is twenty feet high.
Crowded into a corner are several patrons, being harried by miniature versions of the gaavs that Basil and Vegazi faced earlier.
However, upon the arrival of fresh meat, the two creatures break off their tormenting, to target Basil and Vegazi!
Round 1: Basil(-6 Dex), YG(-, -), Vegazi(-)
Grimacing in annoyance, Basil fires a pair of arrows at one of the Gaavs.
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Basil's arrows strike true, slamming into the devil with punishing force.
However, the beast weathers the blows stoically, and the pair of them then hasten to engage him...
...and incredibly, both manage to land respectable blows.
Vegazi then takes a pot-shot at the injured one...
...but the arrow goes wide.
Round 2: Basil(-7, -6 Dex), YG(-19, -), Vegazi(-)
Grunting, Basil steps back, and fires a brace of arrows at the gaavs.
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Perhaps it is the close quarters, but this time, both of Basil's arrows go wide.
The gaavs then continue to poke him with their tiny spears...
...but this time, neither is able to find a gap in his defenses.
Vegazi then does her level best to help...
...and this time, actually manages to hit; but her arrow rebounds off the devil's flank, without causing any damage.
Round 3: Basil(-7, -6 Dex), YG(-19, -), Vegazi(-)
Giving a hopeful grin, Basil continues to fire arrow after arrow.
Basil groans.
"This is getting ridiculous!"
Nevertheless, he keeps firing.
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This time, Basil nails the injured gaav through the head, before putting an arrow through the leg of the other one.
Crying piteously, the injured gaav casts a spell, disappearing from view.
The remaining patrons effusively express their thanks, before beating a hasty retreat to the main exit.
As they do so, a ruddy-complexioned dwarven woman pokes her head out of the kitchen.
"You lot - get in here! Some Gods-damned orcs came through here, and set me kitchen on fire!"
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With a nod, Basil hurries into the kitchen to render assistance.
Countertops and a fireplace with a large cauldron in it are the only furnishings in this kitchen. Exits include a swinging door to the east, a door to the south, and a stone spiral staircase to the northwest.
The cauldron has been tipped over, spilling oily residue across the floor, which is blazing merrily.
Vegazi quickly grabs a wet blanket, and tries to beat out the flames...
...successfully stopping it from spreading any further.
Basil grabs the blanket from Vegazi, and does his best to smother the last of the flames.
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Between, them, Basil and Vegazi are able to put out the flames.
The dwarven proprieter smiles, and shakes Basil's hand, before giving Vegazi a grudging nod.
"Thanks. Here, take these healing potions..."
"Now, if you wouldn't mind, there is something down in me cellar, destroying me goods! If you take care of them, you can have the contents of me special cache - I keep it hidden behind a loose stone at the far end of the cellar."