After holding the jewels up to the light, Kajetan frowns, "Well, these are a sickly quality. To find out more information on the dagger, I estimate that I would need to use ten of the twelve pearls in our collection. Would you like me to procede once we find some wine?"
Spot 12+1=13
Listen 16+1=17
Move Silently 10+2=12
(and the one I had to reroll twice) Hide 16+2=18
EPISODE 2: THE DEVIL BOX
The town of Lichford is built on and around several hills clustered about the Pembrose River. The Old Keep dominates one hill, whilst the Artonite Cathedral sits atop another. The poorer areas of the town tend to lie in the lower parts, where flooding from the river is a real possibility. A stone wall surrounds the town, although there seem to be several gates, and in some areas buildings spill out beyond the walls. The area surrounding the walled town is blanketed with fields – except where the hills prove too steep or rocky – and dotted with small thorps and farms.
When Thuringian tribesmen first forayed into the Derth Hills region a thousand years ago, they found the area already contested by five warring groups of humanoids; dwarves, gnomes, orcs, gnolls and kobolds. After some initial hostilities, the Thuringians managed to forge an alliance with the dwarves and gnomes against the other humanoids. With the advantage of the humans numbers and their devastating cavalry, the alliance eventually achieved victory. The orcs were eradicated, the gnoll tribes broken and forced north, and the kobolds, although still to this day have not been completely wiped out, were reduced in numbers enough that they no longer posed a credible threat.
The town of Lichford was established along the Pembrose River, and the alliance stayed quite strong. Centuries later, when the Atuscan Empire invaded Thuringia, Lichford long held out against the invading legions thanks to this alliance and the rugged terrain. However, eventually the Thuringian king was slain, his heirs forced to surrender, and Lichford, along with the rest of Thuringia, became part of the Empire.
As the Atuscan and Artonite influence grew, the dwarves for the most part retreated to their subterranean strongholds, but many gnome clans, who had integrated well with human society, maintained close contact with the humans. For their part, the Atuscans realized the advantage of maintaining the alliance with the gnomes, and through them some trade contact with the dwarves, and so despite their general dislike of non-humans did little to upset the status quo in Lichford and the surrounding lands.
Today, Lichford is one of the few places in the Empire where a large population of non-humans lives in relative peace and integration with humans. A dozen dwarf families and several hundred gnomes still live amongst the humans of Lichford … but over the intervening decades, things have slowly changed. Now, the gnomes are treated more and more like an underclass, and gnomish neighbourhoods are becoming increasingly isolated from their human neighbours. Peace and integration teeters on a knife’s edge, and things could slide either way.
The Derth Hills are a lonely and desolate place. Rugged, rocky and windswept, most folk avoid the region, or at least the parts of the hills more than a day’s ride east of Lichford. Still, the place is not completely without habitation. Following the old road through the long Derthflow River valley, one might encounter several small hamlets, fortified homesteads or lone mining shacks – clustered by the river, or perched atop the crown of nearby hills, or hidden at the end of long, shadowed gullies off the main valley.
These places are easy enough to avoid should a traveler wish to do so, as they tend to be built away from the road, as if to make it clear that cold welcome will be offered to any who comes knocking. And perhaps with good reason, as few travel the road between Lichford and Barg these days, besides the desperate, fugitives, bandits, wild tribesmen and the monstrous humanoids who are still sometimes seen in the high hills.
---
The travelers from Barg encounter none of these dangers during the first few days of travel beyond the Dimwood; perhaps three mounted and armed men (and a Halfling similarly armed and mounted) do not provide a tempting enough target. There are occasional suggestions of danger though; the silhouette of a spear wielding figure atop a distant hilltop; the sight of a massive bear stalking the far bank of the river; a large shadow momentarily blocking the sun, and the cry of something that sounds too big and fierce to be a bird.
The days of travel are long and weary, the nights cold and quiet; but the travelers have company in each other, much to discuss with and learn of each other, and the days and nights pass tolerably enough.
During the journey when food is scarce, Kajetan offers up some of his rations he has packed for his trip.
"I am no handler, but I believe that the horses are tiring. We are barely eating enough. I believe that the horses are surely undernourished at this point, and we have been pressing them hard. Maybe we could sell them to an out of the way farm for some food stuffs and extra coin. This could give us extra supplies for our longer journey since we would be walking. Besides, out here the horses might go more unnoticed than in a city. Especially with the churches brand. Any other suggestions?"
Throught the journey across the rugged hills I remain especially jumpy, ready to look for cover or draw steel at the slightest hint of danger.
When we stop to discuss the situation of our horses I hand out some of the dried meat and fruit in my pack, saying "I'm afraid its not much more than snack to you big folk."
I eye the horses contemplatively for a moment, saying "I doubt we'd get much coin for them in thier current state. They're in too bad of condition; they'd require some investment and effort for a farmer to get any use out of I imagine."
After another moment of contemplation I slowly say "Laithe, how much faster could we go if we didn't have to stop and look for food along the way?"
Throught the journey across the rugged hills I remain especially jumpy, ready to look for cover or draw steel at the slightest hint of danger.
When we stop to discuss the situation of our horses I hand out some of the dried meat and fruit in my pack, saying "I'm afraid its not much more than snack to you big folk."
I eye the horses contemplatively for a moment, saying "I doubt we'd get much coin for them in thier current state. They're in too bad of condition; they'd require some investment and effort for a farmer to get any use out of I imagine."
After another moment of contemplation I slowly say "Laithe, how much faster could we go if we didn't have to stop and look for food along the way?"
Laithe appears somewhat distressed having let the horses reach the current state they are in. "I agree with Alton, I don't think the horses would fetch a great price if they were to sell at all, given their condition and the church brand on their sides."
Perhaps we could find a hamlet or farm and buy horse feed and food for ourselves. If this is enough to keep the horses on the road then I suggest we continue with them. Otherwise perhaps we could barter then for some food, and then travel the rest of the way on foot, but avoid the delay of foraging?
Horse! It's what's for dinner!
I’ll assume you notice the horses’ conditions begin to deteriorate around day 2, and begin using Goodberry from then on, which keeps them in fine shape for the rest of the trip – no need to sell or eat them (unless you want to…)
Laithe’s suggestion of feeding Goodberries to the horses much reduces the strain – and time – on he and Keildrithe foraging for food for the group. With Laithe often ranging out to hunt in his faster wolf form, and Keildrithe looking out for food closer to the trail, the pace is kept relatively brisk despite the foraging.
Laithe’s suggestion of feeding Goodberries to the horses much reduces the strain – and time – on he and Keildrithe foraging for food for the group. With Laithe often ranging out to hunt in his faster wolf form, and Keildrithe looking out for food closer to the trail, the pace is kept relatively brisk despite the foraging.
"Oh, excellent idea Laithe! I was thinking we could eat one or two of them but that's a better solution anyway." I say, grinning. "The faster we get to Lichford and out of this desolate place the better."
It is the fifth morning after leaving the Valley of Snails - a cold, cloudy, blustery sort of morning indeed – and the consensus of the group is that Lichford must surely be a day or so distant, two at most.
The current stretch of road seems more forbidding than some. The path here runs directly beside the river, separated from the cold, swift flowing water by a crumbling stone ledge and a drop of some ten feet or more. With the river to the left, the gaunt, rocky hills press close to the path on the right hand side, with the occasional narrow and shadowed gully between the heights. Only a fairly narrow, boulder and rubble strewn stretch of land separates the trail from the steep hills.
Suddenly, the chuckle of running water and the mournful sound of wind blowing through the crags and gullies is broken by an undulating howl that echoes across the hill-tops.
Kajetan and Laithe:
Laithe:
The hill is tall and steep, difficult to get to and difficult to climb by the looks of things.
Pharris:
This area of the World seems lonely and desolate, filled with jagged rocky hills and old ruins. You wander aimlessly for some time … it seems that some humans and other creatures live here, but nothing about this land strikes you as friendly, and you decide for now to give other beings a wide berth, until you have gotten your bearings.
You come upon a long, narrow, winding valley carved by a swift flowing river, a worn path beside the river. To follow it to it’s source or it’s destination? Upriver for now, to see what can be seen…
At a bend in the river, on a narrow stretch of land, you spy something precious and bright in the lee of a tall boulder. Carefully, quietly, ghost-like, you approach, crouched low. A tiny, beautiful flowering plant grows beside the tall grey boulder, sheltered by it’s stony companion from the harsh wind and the eyes of predatory goats.
As you crouch, silently marveling at the flower, a hunting beast howls in the distant. You shiver and look around – and freeze. There is something close to hand …
"Oh, excellent idea Laithe! I was thinking we could eat one or two of them but that's a better solution anyway." I say, grinning. "The faster we get to Lichford and out of this desolate place the better."
Laithe laughs nervously, assuming, yet unsure whether the diminuative figure was joking about killing and eating the horses.
Laithe laughs nervously, assuming, yet unsure whether the diminuative figure was joking about killing and eating the horses."Oh, excellent idea Laithe! I was thinking we could eat one or two of them but that's a better solution anyway." I say, grinning. "The faster we get to Lichford and out of this desolate place the better."
"What? They're not that different cows or goats or even pigs if you think about it. Only real difference is that most people aren't as used to the idea of eating horses."
Laithe pulls his horse to a halt and focuses Northward, scanning the terrain for further movement. "I heard a howl and caught a glimpse of something off the trail roughly 100 yards that way" he says to the party, gesturing towards the rocky slopes to the North. "Be on guard".
He delves into his pack and withdraws his sling and loads a bullet into it.
Laithe pulls his horse to a halt and focuses Northward, scanning the terrain for further movement. "I heard a howl and caught a glimpse of something off the trail roughly 100 yards that way" he says to the party, gesturing towards the rocky slopes to the North. "Be on guard".
He delves into his pack and withdraws his sling and loads a bullet into it.
"Damn. Bandits maybe?" I ask quitely as I string my bow and nock an arrow, looking around for the possible threats.
Although the group carefully scan the terrain in the direction that Laithe thought he saw something, nothing further is revealed but the lonely hills.
DM Mothman
Pharris listens unmoving then, thinking quickly of all the lessons and experiences she's been through already.
Her mantra follows under her breath, "I am the blade, the blade is me. I strike quickly, before the enemy strikes. I am alive, the dance is death."
Pharris' confidence returns in full measure with each word.
Kajetan lifts his loaded crossbow and searches the area, prepared for an attack. "Shall we stay on the trail, in sight, and face whatever this is, or should we find cover and let whatever it is come to us?" Kajetan asks. "If it is a fight upon us, we should pick favorable ground."
"Damn. Bandits maybe?" I ask quitely as I string my bow and nock an arrow, looking around for the possible threats.
"Shall we stay on the trail, in sight, and face whatever this is, or should we find cover and let whatever it is come to us?" Kajetan asks. "If it is a fight upon us, we should pick favorable ground."
Alton's and Kajetan's questions makes Laithe realise that they might not be dealing with just one creature here. He draws his eyes away from the now seemingly empty Northern slopes and looks ahead and behind them on the trail. He looks for signs of other danger, cover close to the road where an ambush could be laid, and spots where the party might get some cover themselves.
Looking about, Laithe sees no evident signs of danger – either wild creatures or bandits – although his wary (perhaps paranoid) eyes note several potential opportunities for ambush.
The path ahead and behind seem clear, but the river valley is quite narrow here, and the land north of the path begins to slope up quite steeply to the rugged hills after only a short distance. The good thing is that the walls of the valley are almost cliff like at this point, meaning that if there is something on top of the hill it won’t be able to get down here quickly … unless it can fly of course. There are several gullies between the cliff-like hills visible from this point – these darkened recesses would make good hiding spots for ambushers, and potential points for creatures from the hills beyond to make their way down more easily into the valley – however, the steep and rocky terrain between the gullies and the path would slow down any potential attackers; anyone running or charging across that ground would likely break a leg.
There are numerous boulders and rocky outcroppings strewn about in the area, ranging from halfling sized to twice-man sized; more potential hiding places for ambushers (or wary travelers), and some of these closer to the path and through less difficult terrain than the gullies.
Some hundred or more yards ahead, the river (and the path beside it) bends north, and much further ahead than that the path is lost to sight behind the bulk of the hills. Who knows what may – or may not – be lurking round the bend?
DM Mothman
[ooc]Listen check (if needed) 18+1=19
Kajetan looks to Laithe and Keildrithe, hoping there familiarity and confidence in the wilderness will lead them to a good decision.
After several moments of silence and some deep contemplation by the scholar, Kajetan whispers to his companions, "Well, not sure if this is a good idea, but if there are bandits out there, we could shout out to them. Call them on their ambush and tell them that their pursuits with us is a bad idea. We have church branded horses. We could say we are on a mission from the church, and any interference will bring down Arton's divine wrath upon them. Just a thought, unless someone has another suggestion."
After several moments of silence and some deep contemplation by the scholar, Kajetan whispers to his companions, "Well, not sure if this is a good idea, but if there are bandits out there, we could shout out to them. Call them on their ambush and tell them that their pursuits with us is a bad idea. We have church branded horses. We could say we are on a mission from the church, and any interference will bring down Arton's divine wrath upon them. Just a thought, unless someone has another suggestion."
"Good idea; only snag I can see is that they might tell a tale of us at some point and point the Church in our direction. Could be worth the risk though. It's also possible that declaring ourselves servants of Arton might make us even more appealing targets."
"I would prefer we not declare our allegiances one way or another," says Keildrithe. "We don't know how many foes we may be up against, and should we openly declare ourselves Artonites, or allied with some other cause they are hostile towards, we may find ourselves taking on more than we bargained for (and I have a feeling that those who haunt these hills would be no friends of the Artonites). No, let us see if we can draw them out in order to observe them before deciding which strategy to pursue. I don't know if it's too late for someone -- Laithe or Alton? -- to discretely find concealment off the track and provide cover, should we be threatened. I shall start a slow rythm on my beldach, and if one of them should emerge from cover, then perhaps I will be able to capitvate its attention momentarily, long enough for us to determine who -- or what -- we are up against."
At that, Keildrithe rides at a canter to the front of the party, then brings his horse to a halt. He retrieves his hand drum from his pack and starts a slow, but non-threatening beat. "You who hide in the hills, " he calls out, "we invite you to come forward. We pledge that the sound of the drum is our banner of truce... we wish you no harm, and ask you to parley with us... to grant us safe passage through your territory... We have peaceful intent, but should we need to defend ourselves, we will not hesitate to use lethal force... and you would be wise to not underestimate us..."
After holding the jewels up to the light, Kajetan frowns, "Well, these are a sickly quality. To find out more information on the dagger, I estimate that I would need to use ten of the twelve pearls in our collection. Would you like me to procede once we find some wine?"
Keildrithe’s words and drumbeat echo around the lonely hills … but after several moments, no reply comes, and there is no further sign of movement, no second unnerving howl.
Pharris:
Then there comes a noise from somewhere to the east, it’s source unseen from your current position. A beat, perhaps from a drum, and a voice calling out, the words unclear from this distance. The lupine hunters both lean forward, pointed ears twitching, but otherwise hold their positions.
DM Mothman
1) What does Pharris know about her companions, rough distance, wolf? wolfman? worg size monstrous leviathan?
2)What is the distance from Pharris to the beating drum?
3) Can I hear or less likely see anymore around?
4)Is there an unflankable position nearby, ie a rocky corner within thirty feet?
"SHOW YOURSELVES!" yells Keildrithe with an edge in his voice, as he nervously continues to scan the area while gently beating his drum. "WE MEAN YOU NO HARM!"
"There's no cover, I'd be spotted right away." I mutter, keeping my bow at the ready and scanning the barren surroundings.
Pharris:
Difficult to tell the distance to the drum, given the moaning wind driving the sound towards and away from you, and the echoes of the canyon walls – but you would say within 100 yards or so.
You cannot hear or see anymore of the creatures … but that does not mean they are not there. You did hear a howl earlier, from a little distance away; it could have been one of these things vocalising, but it was not one of these particular two.
The canyon at this point curves the wrong way to give you a nice rocky corner – unless you get across the river to the other side. There are several boulders around, including the one you hide behind, which might give you something solid to put your back to, or higher ground if you wanted to climb atop it.
You hear a yell, from the same direction as the drums. It sounds like the human, Atuscan tongue, and the wind carries snatches of the words to you; “selves … mean … harm”.
There is no reply or response to Keildrithe’s yells but echoes. If anyone is hiding nearby, they surely know you are here, and understand your stated intentions by now - assuming they can understand you. Perhaps they are shy … or hostile.
Everyone keeps their eyes peeled, but nothing reveals itself.
After several more moments of inactivity by who or what is out there, Kajetan whispers to his companions once again, "Well, here is another thought. I could make it sound like several more horses are at a gallop behind us. We could state that we are scouts for a much larger party, and it would be wise to show themselves now before our 'leader' arrives. Any thoughts on this plan? Even if it does not draw them out, if they are a they, maybe they will be discouraged and scatter." Kajetan looks to his companions for their thoughts on his newest idea.
After several more moments of inactivity by who or what is out there, Kajetan whispers to his companions once again, "Well, here is another thought. I could make it sound like several more horses are at a gallop behind us. We could state that we are scouts for a much larger party, and it would be wise to show themselves now before our 'leader' arrives. Any thoughts on this plan? Even if it does not draw them out, if they are a they, maybe they will be discouraged and scatter." Kajetan looks to his companions for their thoughts on his newest idea.
Still watching the landscape around the area where he originally spotted some movement, Laithe considers Kajetan's suggestion. "Your plan has potential, assuming it is someone or something trying to ambush us. However, whoever or whatever it is is well hidden, and has either failed to understand, or is unimpressed with our offer of talk. I'm not sure further threats will help."
He pauses for a moment, looking at the trail ahead. "I'm inclined either to continue, cautiously, and let it show itself it it wants to, or else to head up there and see what we can see."
He pauses for a moment, looking at the trail ahead. "I'm inclined either to continue, cautiously, and let it show itself it it wants to, or else to head up there and see what we can see."
"I agree with Laithe," replies Keildrithe. "Although we may not be out of harm's way just yet, I have a feeling that if the creature or creatures spying us would have wanted to ambush us, they would have done so already... we make easy targets for archers... But who knows, maybe there is some trap or covered pit on the trail ahead of us? Perhaps we should lead the horses on foot from here on..."
"Keildrithe's right; if I was commanding them I would have opened fire or at least tried to surround us as soon as it became obvious we were onto them. Kaejatan, your plan's a good one, unless it spurs them to attack so that they don't have to deal with our forthcoming allies in addition to us at the same time. I could go a few feet ahead of everyone else, on foot, and scout for pits or other traps."
DM Mothman
"Wolfmen - come let us dance!"
She uses common unless I state otherwise
Pharris watches out for bows, in which case she is prepared to drop back behind the rock.
Of a sudden there comes a shout from the west. It is difficult to make out over the mournful wind, but it definitely sounds like words in a human tongue rather than a repeat of the earlier howl.
Looking west down the path, a tall, slim figure can be seen standing atop a boulder near the path, about two hundred feet or more away from your current position, holding a weapon of some type.
Listen DC 15:
Spot DC 20:
Pharris:
You also notice some mounted figures some distance down the road. It is hard to tell, but they do not seem to be wolfmen.
DM
Pharris sets up a weaving defense with her greatblade, and tries to make it "appear" inept and a struggle to hold the sword.
She shouts towards the horsemen, "The first one is mine, you can have the archer."
Kajetan points toward the lone figure standing on the boulder, "There! There is somebody. I can barely make out what the figure is saying. I believe that the figure speaks in Atuscan. He or she calls us wolfmen," the scholar looks at Laithe while saying this, "and wants us to dance. My guess is that this is a challenge to fight."
'Does this person know Laithe?' Kajetan asks himself. 'If not, why does she call us wolfmen?' The scholar thinks back to his studies regarding the reference 'Wolfmen'.
"So what now? Do you think this is a lone figure or just a decoy?" At this thought, Kajetan looks around the perimeter to check on movement and confirm if they are in the process of being surrounded.