Drake goes to the table.
<Raises his paw.> Rowr.
Then, he goes back to the sunny spot in the corner to resume his nap.
"Oh, hello there! Why you're just a big kitty!" says Leo. He slowly moves from his chair and hunkers down, letting the big cat get nose to nose with him.
Ameiko smiles at Derric, and gives Drake a pat on the head. "Enjoy yourselves. Food and drink are of course on the house."
"Daichi you can help in the kitchen if you feel you must. Those dishes need washed." Ameiko heads to the kitchen to grab another order for a table across the room.
Daichi chuckles. "You're too modest Ameiko-dono." He nods to the rest of the group and heads back to help her.
Derric eyes Daichi a bit. He's not sure if he should be jealous or not.
"If you like Ameiko, I could help as well!"
"Or I could play on my samisen some. I've been practicing!"
"I'm sure there are more than enough dishes to keep three people busy, Derric. We can have some music after the chores are done. Speaking of which, how can I help out?" says Leo.
Kazariah takes out a book she picked up about Ancient Thassilon, and curls up in a seat by Drake and starts to read.
A few days later Leo, Kaz, Derric, Kiko, and Jayna receive a message for Ameiko. Daichi is already at the Dragon in the kitchen preparing the lunch.
Please join me for lunch in the back room of the Rusty Dragon. I have a proposition for you all.
As each hero arrives they notice they aren't the only people invited to lunch. Sitting at the table with Amieko is the elf ranger Shalelu Andosana, the
Varisian caravan master Sandru Vhiski, and Koya Mvashti, the Varisian cleric of Desna.
Ameiko stands up and greets everyone one. "Take a seat. Daichi will bring in lunch in a couple of minutes. I think you know Shalelu, Sandru, and Koya. I have an exciting proposition for all of us."
Once everyone takes a seat. Daichi arrives with lunch, and takes the last remaining seat. Ameiko begins to talk while everyone enjoys lunch.
"I've been reading and reading that letter you brought me. There's a family legacy to be found I just know it. I don't have much family left, and I'm ready to go on one more adventure and find out what happened to my ancestors."
"I'm putting together a group to go to Brinewall Castle, and help me find this family legacy. Sandru, Kova, and Shalelu have all agreed to join me already. We're going to be traveling by Sandru's caravan north to Brinewall."
"It's going to be dangerous, but all good adventures are. Will you think about joining me?"
Seeing that Shalelu is going, Kazariah doesn't hesitate.
I don't need to think. I'm coming. I was only waiting around to convince Shalelu to travel with me anyway, so whatever the task and the danger, I'm in.
She grins.
Plus, I don't think I've ever been to a castle. Sounds fun.
"I hardly think that's a question that you need to ask me," Daichi says as he sets out lunch for everyone. "I was left behind once when you left home, I will not allow you to go out undefended a second time."
"YES!"
Once upon realizing that he had just shouted at the top of his lungs the moment Ameiko had asked if they were coming along, Derric quickly cleared his throat.
"Ahem...I mean, yes, I'll come along. I wasn't with you the first time you left home, so I'm not going to let you go without me. Let's make sure we have the necessary supplies available and once that's finished, we'll head on out."
Leo's been at leisure about town for a few days. When Ameiko assembles her A-team in her restaurant, he seems a bit surprised, then a wide grin splits his face.
He moves up to offer a handshake to Sandru.
"Of course I'd be happy to help," he says in response to Ameiko's request.
Jayna greets Shalelu. She laughs at the serendipity of the situation. "Shalelu, you did say I needed to get out of town before things got worse between myself and those jerks. Yes I'll go with you Ameiko."
The Varisian male laughs as he greats Leo.
Sandru grins at Jayna and Kazariah.
Ameiko looks very pleased with the answers. "Wonderful. We'll give Sandru a few days to get everything ready, and we'll head out with his caravan. Are there any preparations you want to make? We can talk while we finish eating." She digs into her lunch with good appetite.
The group has taken to meeting during the afternoon to talk about plans to head to Brinewall Castle. Sandru has been gathering supplies, and Ameiko has been giving orders to Bethana Corwin, and the head server on how to run the Rusty Dragon in her absence.
The group leaves on the caravan in two days. Last minute purchases are being made, and repairs to broken weapons are being requested.
Excitement is filling the air around the Dragon. The locals are sad to see Ameiko heading off for another adventure, but they are sure she'll be back soon running the Dragon like always.
Kaz helps out by casting mending to repair people's weapons and armor whenever they request it, but is unable to repair the broken wakizashi.
Daichi spends most of the next few days packing and setting things in order in town. While the trip shouldn't be too long, it's always better to make sure they're prepared just in case there's some sort of delay.
Derric had already said his goodbyes to his adoptive parents who were a bit worried about what he might find in Brinewall.
He had already gotten Blaze ready for the trip, and his mount was already anxious to get going.
"Blaze is sure ready to start this adventure, and I can't blame her."
Derric told the others at the Rusty Dragon.
While other folks are packing, Leo is busy loading supplies onto Sandru's wagons. He seems familiar with the horses as well, and even helps to drive the carts to pick up various crates and foodstuffs.
Derric finds Das Korvut at the Red Dog Smithy. The three large mastiffs that live at the forge growl loudly at the Kitsune when he arrives.
Das hears the growling and comes out of the back room. He gestures at the dogs to lay down. "What ya want boy? I don have time to chat. You got buziness for me?" He scratches his belly. His clothing smells of metal and old alcohol. He does good work which is probably the only reason the people in Sandpoint allow him to stay in town.
He takes a look at the Whispering Shrike. "Nice weapon. You didn't steal this did you boy? 600 gold pieces to fix it." He shrugs like he really doesn't care if you did or not. "I'll send a message to you when it's done."
Six days later Derric receives a message at the Rusty Dragon that Das finally was able to repair the weapon. It's entirely possible he was drunk for the first five days.
I can't believe I rolled that low.
The caravan sets of for the Castle with the party members, Sandru, Koya, Shalelu, and Ameiko. Everyone is in high spirits.
The journey to Brinewall takes the caravan from Sandpoint up along the Lost Coast Road, passes through the villages of Galduria and Wolf ’s Ear, cuts through the northeastern reach of Churlwood, and eventually reaches the northern town of Roderic’s Cove. The caravan follows an old track north of Roderic’s Cove that skirts the southern Stony Mountains, then winds up into the Velashu Uplands, following the river northwest to a low pass in the mountains and then due north into the Nolands and, eventually, to Brinewall.
The caravan has been traveling twelve days of what they think will be a sixteen or seventeen day trip. The farther north this route goes, the more disused the roads become. By the time the caravan winds through the Velashu Uplands, the road is little more than a track. The wagons rock back and forth so much that those riding have taken to walking.
The group sees a lot of very thick webs across the track. Sandru asks the party to check ahead and check it out. As the party moves up to check it out, Daichi, Derric, and Jayna see two spiders in the trees on either side of the road.
Map is Updated
Derric: 19
Kazariah: 16
Leo: 16
Jayna: 13
Spiders: 9
Daichi: 7
Kaz attacks the spider on the left.
She also tells Drake to attack.
Drake moves forward and attempts to climb the tree to attack the spider.
If he is successful , he then attempts to bite the spider.
Derric never did care much for Das Korvut, but it was mainly because of his constant drinking habits that always put the kitsune off.
He quickly paid for the repairs, hoping the group would have enough money left over for supplies.
"Yeah, Sandru is right about that: traders and merchants had to use a sea route after Brinewall fell to whatever happened to it, especially if said merchants were travelling to and from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. But again, Sandru is correct: while travellers do use this route, they try to stay away from Brinewall, due to the rumors of it being haunted, cursed, or both."
Upon seeing the spiders, Derric quickly and cautiously moved forward before hurling his shortspear towards the spider on the right, as he didn't want to hit Drake.
Leo pulls the reins in on the horse to bring the wagon he's driving to a halt, and hops down from the driver's seat to the ground. As he stands from the jump, he pulls his sword and shield into position.
Jayna is excited about the trip. I'm getting out of Sandpoint finally. What a relief. She spends her time messing with her old adventuring party and doing some shopping. She buys some magic items and potions from the merchants in town.
She spends the trip on the caravan flirting with Sandru, and helping with the cooking and cleaning up.
"It was going so well, and now. Spiders! I don't like spiders." She casts magic missile at the other spider. "Go Blake"
Derric: 19
Kazariah: 16
Spiders: 16
Leo: 16
Jayna: 13
Daichi: 7
Derric throws his shortspear at the spider in the trees to the left. The shadows in the trees confused the Kitsune and his aim was off.
Kaz activates some of her Hunter powers making herself more dexterous, and Blake more monkey like. She fires into the concealing leaves. Her aim is upset by the shadows in the trees just like Derric.
The book says climbing a tree is a DC 15 climb check so he didn’t make the climb, but he didn’t fall and hurt himself.
Climbing is also at one quarter speed unless you do an accelerated climb. He would have made it about five feet up the tree.
He would also lose his dexterity bonus while climbing. Climb SRD
Blake tries to climb up the tree. He jumps but just misses digging his claws into the tree bark, and slides back down leaving large gouges in the wood.
The spider on the left side of the road spits a web at Blake. The web hits and he's entangled.
The spider on the right climbs out onto the webs leaving the concealment of the trees and spits a web at Derric. He is entangled in the web, and will need to break free.
Leo climbs out of the wagon he was driving, and waits for the spiders to come to him weapon at the ready.
Jayna decides to attack the spider on the right. Her Magic Missile hits and does some damage, but not much. The spider chitters in anger when he is hit.
Daichi stands in the back of the wagon and vaults over the edge and down to the ground. The instant his feet touch the earth, he slams his foot down and sends a large chunk of rock hurtling into the trees.
Drake growls, trapped in the web.
Kazariah attacks the spider on the left.
Derric: 19
Kazariah: 16
Blake: 16
Spiders: 16
Leo: 16
Jayna: 13
Daichi: 7
Daichi sends a rock flying at spider on the left. It flies harmlessly past through some leaves in the trees. Several leaves fall onto Blake.
Drake remains trapped in the web.
Kaz's arrow also misses the spider due to the shadows and leaves in the trees. Her arrow slices through a leaf cleanly.
Derric almost manages to break free, but at the last second his strength gives out and he just can't manage it.
The spider climbs down the tree to right above Blake, and takes a bite. His mandibles sink into the back of the neck of the Tiger.
The spider on the right climbs down the webs and moves up to Derric.
Jayna fires another magic missile at the spider attacking Derric. She takes a step back.
Daichi clicks his tongue as his first strike goes wide. He shifts his stance, transforming the blunt rocks into large stone spikes before firing another barrage at the spiders.
Derric: 19
Kazariah: 16
Spiders: 16
Leo: 16
Jayna: 13
Daichi: 7
Drake manages to shake off the poison. Derric sends another large rock flying at the spider above Blake. This time the rock strikes true, and causes a large dent in the spider.
Jayna sends another Magic Missile at the spider attacking Derric, and does better damage than last time.
Leo moves to assist Derric.
"On your right!" he shouts as he tromps heavily across the dirt track toward the spider.
Looks like another miss. No need to roll damage.
Derric: 19
Kazariah: 16
Spiders: 16
Leo: 16
Jayna: 13
Daichi: 7
Leo’s attack connects solidly with the spider next to Derric.
Drake remains trapped in the web, but he manages to brush off the poison effect.
Kaz seems concerned about Blake being wrapped in web and her aim was slightly off.
Derric still can't manage to break free on his own.
The spider above Blake takes another bite at Blake and misses.
The spider on the right climbs bites at Derric again, and misses.
"It it isn't broken don't fix it." she sends another Magic Missile flying at the spider on the right.
Seeing his companions having a bit of trouble getting free from the webs, Daichi focuses on finishing the more injured spider off as quickly as possible. Getting close enough to cut them free would also put him near the spiders. He'd rather not go into melee range with creatures that could bind him as well and make the situation worse.
Kazariah shoots again, berating herself for being such a poor hunter, especially in front of Shalelu.
Leo plants his feet, keeps his shield up, and slashes again with his long sword. The steel blade flickers in the dappled forest light as he brings it sweeping sideways against a foe that does not have the good fortune to have a shield or sword of its own to counter his strikes.
Everyone's strike hits, and both spiders go crashing to the ground dead.
The group helps Drake and Derric out of the webs. They clear the road, and move forward with the caravan.
The track they’ve been following all this time passes about half a mile east of Brinewall, continuing north and crossing the Steam River into the Nolands over a weathered wood-and-stone bridge.
An old signpost about a hundred yards south of this bridge reads “To Brinewall,” and points down an overgrown trail that winds through a forest.
This track quickly fades away entirely into the undergrowth, and further progress toward the ruined village must be made on foot.
"Nearly there. Hopefully we'll meet no more trouble on the road before we reach our destination."
Ameiko, you look a little pale. Are you okay?