Crypt of the Everflame 5e conversion (Inactive)

Game Master Koldoon

Seven Silvers

Hansyn grumbles to himself as he mulls over his meal considering to himself how the last few minutes of tonight have not gone his way. First of all, how did Jimes see him? He would have to conceal his work better next time. ”I’m surprised she didn’t say anything about me casting a spell. The last thing I want is Ol Moldy finding out I’m learning wizard magic. ” He thinks to himself. Second was that now he knew th as things about Luthos and he COULDN’T tell anyone. ”This sucks!” again to himself. And now the third and worst of all was Arnama come in and he couldn’t even admire her from a distance. This night better pick up...

"Aye. Let's travel in the morning. It would be great to share your stew tonight." Finlogan agrees with Davion.

After ensuring that everyone has a place to spend the evening and watches are clear and ready. Finlogan starts to inspect his new armor and longsword. He's careful to keep the gold coins from making noise as he transfers them to his backpack.

AT THE SEVEN SILVERS Hansyn

A ranger, one of Arnama's, comes to stand over the table. Stevan. Hansyn recognizes him, of course. He's the one who tried to follow Hansyn back after Hansyn delivered the Mayor's message to Arnama before the quest.

Idiot.

"Hey, messenger boy. Arnama has a mind to speak to you. Get a move on. Don't worry, you'll get used to eating your food cold."

Asina would throw it back over the fires for him. Hansyn had to believe that.

"Well? Get a move on, boy."

AT THE CRYPT ENTRANCE Finlogan, Aldelenna, Venssa, Cole, Rankev

Dimira spends most of her time in conversation with her brother. He seems, slowly, to be coming out of the madness, though there are moments when he loses all touch with reality, and they are frightening.

Rankev's pageboy is right about the stew. It's a bit thin, but then the only one complaining about that Rankev, and he doesn't even complain—much. In fact, Rankev is oddly quiet, so much so that even Attero, the older retainer, seems concerned.

Still, Rankev seems preoccupied. When he thinks no one is looking, he holds a cloth... a lady's favor, in one hand, tightly. His face is set, as though he is thinking deep thoughts.

The quest has shaken everyone, and even the combined light and warmth of the fire and the everflame in its lantern do little to provide cheer.

Finally, Rankev looks up. "The boy is right. We should try that brandy. Alde, you say it's some of Trelvar's finest? You know they'll want it back if we don't drink it."

Wolfhound Davion looks up at that, a grin on his face.

"And some music. Something with cheer. I'm sick to death of crypts. Surely, lady, you know a lively tune."

Finlogan remembered the brandy that Aldelenna gave him at the beginning. He digs it from his backpack and returns it to her.

"Who's got that flute, let me see if I can wrangle a tune from it?" The half elf asks.

If he gets it, he plays a happy melody that reminds them of home.
flute: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Venssa takes the time to re-connect herself to the rhythms of the land. She speaks to a few of the small beasts just outside their campfire's range, learning what has transpired since she went below ground. She returns with a variety of herbs to add to the stew giving it a much fuller flavor.

Cole reaches for the brandy.

Aye, cheers to all. A fine job, I'd say.

"Aye, of course my friends. How's about one o' the best ol' drinking songs the dwarves have ever produced?" Aldelenna says, then grabs her lute strums a few warmup chords, and then dives right into Whiskey in the jar.

Uh, query GM Koldoon. Would it be possible for us to use the enhanced tool proficiency rules presented in Xanathar's Guide? If so Aldelenna can roll with advantage on any performance where she uses a musical instrument. She can also write her own song during the "downtime" of a long rest. In this case it would be really nice for her to be able to write such a song about the group's heroics here in the tomb. Might be a good narrative element to take with her into the next adventure? If not, no worries, just thought I'd ask. :)

Seven Silvers

Hansyn looks up at the ranger. He was used to being talked down to, so the rangers words were like feathers floating in the air to Hansyn. A chance to speak to Arnama, that lifted his spirits. ”Hopefully she has a job for me.” Hansyn thought to himself.

Catching Asina’s attention wasn’t easy but he managed to stop her briefly before heading to Arnama’s table. ”Hey, I won’t tell since you said what you said but my brother has it coming. He won’t be winning any “brother of the year” awards. But can you keep my pie warm? I just got summoned and I think I might have to come back for dinner.

He heads over to Arnama’s table eagerly. Trying to deepen his voice, he goes over his greeting words and quickly settles on what to say. ”Greetings Ranger Arnama, Stevan said you needed to see me?” Hansyn stood waiting expectantly. By this time he had worked up the summons in his mind so much that he stood hoping beyond hope that this was the moment when Arnama would recognize him as more than her messenger. Possibly her trusted confidant, one of her essential persons, far more than just her messenger. That would show he is family. Let them say nasty things then. When he has the favor of Arnama, who cares what any Vargidan would think.

Then again, maybe he was looking to much into this summons. With age comes patience and Hansyn was of course, not very old.

AT THE CRYPT ENTRANCE Aldelenna, Rankev, Cole, Finlogan, Venssa

Aldelenna: yes, I'm fine with the tool proficiency expansions presented in Xanathar's Guide. I think they provide a lot of extra flavor, and those additions make a lot of sense for Aldelenna's character in particular.

Fin: Most party treasure was handed off to Rankev to hold onto, so unless Aldelenna took the flute, he would have it.

As Fin starts passing the brandy, an uncharacteristically quiet and pensive Rankev makes sure his page Davion gets a swig... but only one.

Rankev himself takes a formidable gulp, but he seems grateful enough to Venssa when she reappears with herbs to flavor the stew, and waits to savor the enhanced flavor.

Dimira and Roldare, both hungry and half-starved from their ordeal, don't bother to wait, gulping down the stew like it was some sort of feast meal. Neither take brandy, though Roldare looks tempted enough.

When Attero suggests it might help, Roldare shakes his head and grumbles, "Don't need no help seeing nightmares."

As the swigs or brandy progress around the fire (Attero produces a cup the second time the brandy reaches Rankev, and insists he uses it), the mood begins to get a little more festive.

You all did, afterall, collect the Everflame, succeeding in your quest.

Other than Roldare and Dimira, who mourn the loss of their fellows, it is Aldelenna who feels the loss hardest. While the rest of you patrolled and Rankev stood apart as Vargidan, haughty and aloof from common folk, for her the lost villagers were friends and customers... people with whom she was at least friendly.

You can all feel it... a bit of unease and desperation that seeps into the rowdy drinking song.

Still, all is safe at present. The monster below has been beheaded and burnt to cinders. Kassen himself blessed your work. And alive you have gathered to celebrate among yourselves the blessings of companionship and camaraderie.

Of course the stew is too thin for with this many, stretched too far, and tomorrow the journey will be harder than before, as along with each other, you will have to get to safety your two survivors.

But you have two survivors. And despite the intent of good folk of Kassen, you've had a true taste of adventure.

On everyone's mind, clearly on Rankev's, is what to do with that experience.

AT THE SEVEN SILVERS Hansyn, Lodric (arriving)

Hansyn notes Asina rolling her eyes, but she also scoops up his pie. She's enough of a business woman not to throw it out, so there's still hope for warm pie yet.

You've only just gotten to Arnama's table and mustered up the right words to say when the stranger comes in.

It's a tavern, and strangers aren't that uncommon, but this one has a sort of odd quality and a peculiar charisma that puts Hansyn much in the mind of his brother Zandre... who is across the hall watching even as Hansyn does.

The man is dressed in a suit, business attire of the sort that seldom sees wear in Kassen except by Luthos.

The crowd quiets. Even strangers are usually known quantities in Kassen. The man glances about. Hansyn would guess he seems nervous, but then, who wouldn't be with the whole hall getting so suddenly silent.

The man goes up to the bar and asks for Trelvar. Poor sod. Doesn't he know Trelvar is drunk by this time of day? Stranger. Of course he doesn't.

Asina is there, of course. Covering for her father. At least Asina's father has an excuse.

"Ah, young Hansyn."

Her voice is beautiful. Arnama's, not Asina's. Asina's is annoying and friendly and informative. Arnama's is stern, businesslike, short and to the point.

"Look here boy—" Everything that his father's voice isn't. Moldy is in fine form today. If Hansyn had time to place a bet, he could have won good money betting that Moltus hadn't even remembered his name until Arnama said it.

"I have a job for you." Arnama continued, her voice flowing right over his father's. Even the mayor didn't dare do that. But Arnama never thought twice about it. Hers was the voice of sense, and the wise listened.

She smiled at him. Quite possibly he was turning to goo.

Her eyes glanced, with great subtlety, but that of course was why she valued him. And she did value him. That he knew exactly who she was glancing at, even when the rest of the table might never be sure.

Hansyn looked closer at the stranger at the bar.

"I'm sorry. Trelvar just isn't—" Asina winced as she was interrupted by a very drunk Trelvar stumbling to the bar.

"Vat ish it?" Bloodshot eyes glare at the stranger.

Arnama voice was like a whisper, and no one beyond the table would hear. "He is Lodric Aegilson. Scion of one of Colbin's traders. That letter was an arranged thing. He's a child of Kassen, though he seldom lives here."

Hansyn hadn't gotten to be Arnama's favorite messenger boy by accident.

Arnama continues whispering to Hansyn. "That's right. He was meant to go on the quest with the others. Now, we're not sure what to do with him. That's where you come in...."

At the bar, Trelvar takes the formal letter from Lodric, crumpling the fine stationary in his hands. He rips it open and his eyes cross a little as he scans it. But if he has anything to say, Lodric never finds out. Reading proves too much for Trelvar, and it's all Lodric can do to dodge out of the way as weary tavernkeep spews all over the bar.

"JOCYN" screams Asina, and under her steady glare the tavern returns to a low rumble as Jocyn leaps from his seat with Arnama and the others and rushes to the bar to help Asina clean up.

It doesn't pass Hansyn's notice that she doesn't call for Jimes, who is supposed to be waiting tables.

Finlogan plays a few tunes on the flute, mostly to accompany Aldelenna who is the true performer.

Between tunes and brandy, the half elf continues to clean the grime from Asar's longsword and armor looking for maker's marks and stories of its history.

I was asking about the loot to ensure that the division is fair. For example, I think Cole should either get the longsword or armor, right? But I cannot remember the other loot.

Hansyn looks at the rest of the table to get a read on how everyone at the table were looking at the new comer. He nods to Arnama in understanding.

I’m sure Hansyn knows what she wants but I personally am a little unclear. I’m thinking Hansyn is expected to introduce himself to Lodric. Beyond that, not sure.

When Lodric removes the drunkenness from the bartender Hansyn much like the rest of bar raises his eyebrows in suprise. ”Wow, I was not expecting that!”

The room quiets again, suddenly, at Trelvar's sudden sobriety. Then there's a stricken wail. Trelvar drops the letter, which his daughter, Asina, nimbly catches, and flees the room.

Asina looks at Lodric sadly. "It was a cruel thing, what you did." She looks back at the door to the kitchen, then takes a glance at it, not enough to read it. "Colbin calling in favors for you, eh? We'll try not to hold that against you." She taps Jocyn on the shoulder. "Take him to a room upstairs. Make sure he's settled."

She watches them leave before she looks down at the right mess her father left. Curiously, she doesn't even try to clean it up, instead walking over to a young bespectacled man sitting over with some of the youth. "There's a free drink in it for you if you can clean that mess up with some of your master's magic."

But Turik sneers at her and turns away. "Fine view of your ass I'll get instead, with you on your hands and knees."

Asina doesn't even have to slap him herself. A svelte young guards woman at the same table does it before Asina can even draw herself out of shock that he'd say such a thing.

Hansyn takes all of this in with his usual calm dedication to noticing everything.

"His father cashed in years worth of favors to get him on the quest. Now he can't go, obviously. But he can still have a place of honor." Arnama's voice is quiet and hushed, for the ears of her table, and for Hansyn, who misses little.

"Soon the chosen of Kassen will return from their quest. It's been tradition for some time to send those who came closest to being selected on that duty. There were two. Lodric and Luthos."

Moltus glowers at Hansyn. "Luthos refused the duty. Said that Rankev was not worthy of honor and I knew it. He is not wrong." Moltus drinks a long draught of his brandy. "Arnama thought that if you went it would serve to put someone of Kassen with the other young man, it would give him the place of honor. She trusts you. Erastil preserve us. Besides. She assures me you know the way to the Gray Lake."

In a whisper, Arnama continues, "Colbin is always a problem, but debts to him must be paid. This is Kassen's debt. We need your help to pay it. You can keep young Lodric safe to the lake, as an honor guard for the chosen when they return?"

"I did call the armor, Cole. So, you get Asar's sword, which is nice, too." Finlogan says handing over the longsword to his companion.

"You should carry the magic signaling horn too, because I'm not going to be terribly sneaky in this chain mail. However, I'll carry my old chain shirt, just in case we need to be sneaky." Fin says.

Thank you, I will put both items to good use.

Hansyn nods his understanding to Arnama and turns to Moldy, “I’ll do my job. Don’t you start worrying about me now.” Back to Arnama, ”We should probably leave soon if we want to meet up with those coming back. Is there anything else you need to tell me befor I go get Lodric?” the boy said, still hoping for the admiration of the Ranger Captain that was on his mind when he approached.

After she's sung enough songs for the group, Aldelenna sits pensively, strumming occasionally on her lute, and for those paying close enough attention, mouthing words as she trails her fingers along the strings of the instrument. Eventually, though, brandy, and exhaustion seize her, and she lays down on her bedroll and drifts slowly off to sleep. Her dreams are vivid and intense, and some not pleasant. She wakes in the night in a hot panic, her hair dripping with sweat. Looking around, and seeing herself safe and among friends, she returns to sleep, awaiting the dawn, and the beginning of the return to Kassen.

Cruel? How is this cruel? Whatever ails him cannot be drowned with liquor. It is cruel to allow him to destroy himself. He thought this, but kept his peace.

"I understand this duty, and will gladly perform it."

AT THE CRYPT Aldelenna, Cole, Rankev, Finlogan, Venssa

Rankev takes an early watch, to sleep undisturbed later. He broods as the others sleep, his retainer Attero keeping a steady eye on him. Rankev grumbles over a cup, still savoring the brandy, or perhaps fearful to drink.

As Attero and Rankev fall into slumber, "Axeman" awakes, joining the watch. Celebrations aside, there has been too much death here to slumber with a true sense of peace.

In the morning, the boy Davion has prepared Rankev's least favorite hot meal, and yet still, it is hot and not cold rations that will lend no warmth in the fitful showers of the frozen morning... for it is Neth, and cold has come to Nirmathas.

AT THE SEVEN SILVERS Hansyn, Lodric

Arnama touches Hansyn's cheek. "Make arrangements with the young man for the morning. You will need to leave early if you're to make it to the Gray Lake. There is no easy route back that doesn't take them past southwest end of the lake."

Moltus glares. "It's bad enough to have a second failure enduring this challenge. You have a little job"—he holds his fingers a tiny space apart—"be sure you do not disappoint me."

...

Asina glares at Lodric. "What do you know!" She puts her hands on her hips and advances. "Bad enough to have lost his wife... MY MOTHER... in childbirth, but when the poor boy died too... it was his heart that died. None of your magic is fixin' that. So keep it." She turns and her hair flings dramatically, just missing his face as she grabs a bucket and begins mopping the floor.

The italics was his thought process, bold speech. Thus “He thought this, but kept his peace.”

Finlogan startled awake with a vague recollection of another awful and impending disaster, like most nights. He shrugs into his new chain mail and resets his weapons harness. He rolls up and stows his chain shirt into his backpack ready to go before breaking his fast with the crew.

After genuinely enjoying the hot meal, he helps Cole remove any trace of their camp. Then, he and Cole lead the troop home.

Cole awakes early and practice some forms with the new sword.

This is a fine weapon that will serve me well.

Cole then assists Fin in breaking camp and leading the group back to town.

While the group travels back toward town, Aldelenna spends the bulk of her time interacting with Dimira and Roldare. Knowing that Roldare still has mental and emotional scars that need mending, she does her level best to coax even the tiniest bit of joy from him. She fills the journey with casual flirtations, bawdy jokes, and pointing out the beauty of Golarion's natural world, with Venssa's help of course. She smiles, winks, tosses her hips, and talks with Dimira about memories of their childhood. In so doing she hopes to remind Roldare that there is much good in this world, not all is darkness, and the light is worth fighting for.

Venssa wanders the wilderness as the others prepare to leave. She has found her own breakfast and has already welcomed the dawn with a prayer to the gods of nature. She ranges out from the party on their trip back, and as she gets closer and closer to her home, she meets familiar animals who greet her with warmth and affection.

"This is where I will be leaving you. I must return home to make sure all is well. If you want, perhaps we can meet in the town? Maybe in a day or so..."

Her mind is already wandering back to her home, and the call of solitude is reasserting itself upon her.

Seven Silvers

If Moltus’s words were heard, there was no indication of it on Hansyn’s face. The moment Arnama caressed his cheek his world slowed and stopped as he cherished that small gesture of affection. Smiling, he nods affirmatively to the ranger captain and then he heads back toward th back of the public house as if he were going to relieve himself outback.

Letting the room normalize and get back to business, he then sneaks back in and heads upstairs looking for the room that Lodric was put up in. Listening to the doors to verify the new comer’s room. When he’s sure. He knocks.

Seven Silvers

Hearing the knock on the door, Lodric got up and quickly uses prestidigitation to smooth out and clean his clothes. It was a force of habit. He had been taught to always be as proper as possible. He then opened the door. Seeing Hansyn, he looked down. While not yet an adult himself, seeing a child Hansyn is 13, correct? he smiled.

"Hello, little one. How can I help you?"

”Heh” Hansyn sizes up the young man in front of him. ”Shelyn would be proud. He’s as pretty as my brothers.” he thinks to himself. ”It’s actually how can help you mister Lodric, son of Colbin. I’ve been sent to make sure you get to where your going. You might not know that the towns leaders want you to be honored with the Flame Bearers when they return home. So I am to escort you to them. ” Hansyn pauses to see if Lodric has anything to say or ask. If the pause becomes awkward he will continue ”So don’t get too comfy in that bed. We will set out before dawn in the morning. Don’t make me wake you up. ”

ON THE ROAD TO TOWN Aldelenna, Finlogan, Rankev, Venssa, Cole

The morning starts with some difficulty. While Attero and Rankev's other retainers have buried the bodies, Dimira and Roldare aren't immediately ready for the sight or smell of the downed ponies and horses at entrance. The smell is still strong, and while the feasting of animals have obscured the marks of the undead that killed the poor beasts, there are enough of the marks that Roldare, especially, falls into fits.

It is only Aldelenna working hard with the occasional quiet word from Venssa that brings him out of the entrance and past up the treacherous hill.

There is beauty yet in the world, but Neth makes that beauty hard to see. Fitful showers still assault the senses, and the journey is cold for all of Aldelenna's attempts to bring brightness and light into it.

Cole, nevertheless, sets a brisk pace.

Fin seems least shocked when Venssa chooses to forgo the town accolades and slip away into the wilderness. The woods and the creatures within are her friends, and only Roldare, trapped in the prison of his horrors, seems more distracted.

To Venssa the wilderness is a welcome release. Finally there are the menagerie of voices that she knows. The thump of the rabbits foot against the ground. The flitter of wings. The chitter of the squirrels and rodents.

These woods of Nirmathas are her home, and if anyone is safe within, it is she.

Despite the brisk clip Cole attempts to set, a weary Cole and Dimira, only starting to recover from their ordeal, slow you down.

In its lantern, the Everflame burns, its light an unvarnished brightness even in the daylight, and a welcome bit of warmth for the one lucky enough to hold it in the early bitter cold.

AT THE SEVEN SILVERS Hansyn, Lodric

The morning has left the usual cadre of drunkards, slumped over tables. Trelvar, had he been well, might have thrown them out, but with Jocyn and Trelvar both usually drunk, only Jimes and Asina were usually left to close up the tavern and inn at the end of the night. That meant the drunkards slept where they fell. Trelvar might be hungover, but in the mornings he was usually well enough to drag them out and dip them in the trough to wake them up, and send them on their way.

By then the poor sods had paid Jimes' sleeper's tax anyway.

That Asina paid more attention to things than people noticed was plain the moment Hansyn walked before dawn. She had a plate ready for him. Asina had been serving Zandre and Luthos for years... she knew the Vargidan taste well.

"Never did finish the shepherd's pie, you fool," she says, and she taps his cheek. "Now sit and eat breakfast, 'fore it gets all chilled."

Eggs. Lovely gorgeous eggs, all in a basket of bread, gooey and disgusting. Moltus despised eggs. Every Vargidan who had a taste for them escaped now and then to the Seven Silvers for a taste. Eggs in a nest was a house specialty. And served with sausage too. That got her assaulted with all sorts of innuendo, Hansyn knew. He heard it often enough.

Dimly he wondered if Turik had ended up with a black-eye. Not a patron had said a word about Yvette's assault, when he so crassly suggested eyeing Asina as she cleaned the floors of foulness.

Asina, herself, looked a bit haunted. But it hadn't stopped her from being present for the earliest risers.

Hansyn can't help recognize the twists of bacon rashers that only Arnama twists quite that way. Of course, he's missed her. She probably left town hours before the sun started to lighten the sky.

There was no sign of Lodric, at least not yet. Though, Asina was ready for him, too. It wasn't quite the quality of meal a Vargidan could expect, but it was hardly common fare either. Colbin was nearly the richest man in town. What debt did he owe this Lodric?

Finlogan says his traditional good-byes to Venssa and plans to see her at the Seven Silvers or where he bunks when she arrives in town.

Lodric was not used to waking up so early. Ledgers and the like always waited until after breakfast. And, without a natural alarm, asleep he stayed.

As Hansyn gets closer to finishing his own breakfast he becomes more agitated that Lodric has not shown up yet. So with his last two pieces of bacon in hand he stands and walks for the stairs. Reaching the desired room Hansyn looks both ways to make sure no one was watching and he summons forth his lock picks which float through the air to the door to Lodric’s room.

Dex Thieves Tools: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Opening the door slowly to see Lodric still sleeping, Hansyn stows the picks and walk into the room. He then plops down on the bed in hopes of waking the young man. ”You will need to be more alert when we’re on the road. If something mean sneaks up on us you need to be ready. Get up, we have to leave soon.

Groggily Lodric got up. ”I’m moving, I’m moving. I’m moving.” As much as he wanted to argue and defend himself, he knew a losing fight when he saw one.

AT THE SEVEN SILVERS Hansyn, Lodric

Perhaps Asina had predicted it might go this way, because despite the wasted breakfast—it looked like it had ended up in front of the mayor instead—she had a small bag of fresh fruit and bread to hand to Lodric as he walks groggily into the common room with Hansyn.

"The two of you be careful. Arnama said something about there being wolves about.

Hansyn couldn't help but smile... wolves about. It was what she always said because it was a danger the town could imagine. He knew Arnama was far more worried about raiding bands of orcs, of bandits and mercenaries, or logging folk less principled than Colbin, and of the fey folk of the wild. And yet all she would tell the common folk of the town was that single stock answer: there are wolves about.

But it was also a message for Hansyn: To be careful, that there was danger.

He was fast enough to dodge Asina's attempt to tousle his hair. It wasn't fair... she was taller than him. At thirteen, Hansyn still had hope of hitting a growth spurt or six.

Asina turns to Lodric. "We'll keep the room ready for your return. Quite the honor to be meeting our chosen with the lantern. Do watch for that Rankev, though. He's quite... sure of himself."

A growl from the other side of the room was as close as Luthos was getting to a polite summons this morning. Asina smiled.

"Best be off if you're to make the Gray Lake. By now they'll be leaving the crypt!"

On the road back to Kassen Aldelenna, Rankev, Cole, Finlogan

None of you are sure what it was. Maybe it was a branch, or the smell of a dead animal. But you've spent almost an hour now at the base of a tree staring up at a terrified Roldare, whose eyes are mad with worry and—well, frankly, horror. It's been long enough that Cole is ready to consider chopping down the tree as faster than talking Roldare down.

Attero has taken advantage of the time to set a small camp for making lunch, and refuses to listen to Fin and Cole's protestations that meals like that are eaten on the go when on watch in the wild.

"A Vargidan eats as a proper gentleman. You would do well to follow his example, young Finlogan. See... Davion is already back with some rabbit. It won't be much, but we'll have something hot."

Axeman is already skinning the rabbits, still healthy and fat from the summer.

"Roldare," Dimira pleads. "It's me. It's your sister! Come down from there, please!"

Seven Silvers

Lodric happily took the bread and fruit. He had never been that partial to meat. Well, in fairness, as a young child he had been. But ever since hearing the voice it had never tasted quite right.

”Thank you. We will certainly be on the lookout for wolves of any type. I thank you for your hospitality, and will look forward to our return.”

Persuasion to leave a better impression: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Leaving Seven Silvers

Hansyn looking over Lodric. ”You sure you don’t want to bring any weapons or armor? We were warned that the road could be dangerous.” Glancing at him again and grinning ”Or are you more like my brothers than I’d guessed? They all use magic for protection. I can’t believe you would have been a chosen of Kassen if you couldn’t at least protect yourself. “

Cole looks up at the stranded Roldare, and simply shakes his head.

Do ya need me to come up and get you down?

ON THE ROAD TO KASSEN Aldelenna, Cole, Finlogan, Rankev

It's finally Attero who gets Roldare down, by having Davion fan the smell of cooking rabbit into the tree.

The half-starved villager finally climbs down and looks pitfully at Attero until he's served a speared rabbit on a stick. He glances at Cole and Fin and clearly is fighting tears, but he tears into the rabbit as Dimira holds him.

"I think we'll see many scars from this trip," Rankev says, quietly, to Aldelenna.

As the rabbits finish cooking, Attero offers them up to Rankev, first, then to Cole and Fin. "Come now, growing boys need meat to grow," the old man says, then he sits with Axeman and Davion to share their portion.

You've been delayed on the road, but you think, if you can keep Roldare moving for the rest of the day, that you might yet make the Gray Lake by nightfall.

LEAVING KASSEN Hansyn, Lodric

The light of day is shining bright, which is better than the sporadic showers that have covered the woods with chill the last several days. You can only hope the rains don't return.

The start of the journey, at least, has a trail, an old and disused one. Perhaps once it led to another village, but now it sees use only by the rangers, and the chosen of Kassen, as they go each year to retrieve the Everflame.

With Neth now well-started, the chill is pervasive, especially as you enter the woods and the deeper shadow. Most of the logging, Lodric knows, is in the other direction. These trees are still old growth, casting deep shadows and keeping most of the sun from providing any of its penetrating warmth.

Wolves. Lodric has to wonder if the young serving girl was serious.

Aldelenna looks at Rankev and whispers, "Unfortunately sometimes it is the very thought of home and hearth that makes the fears one carries all the more real. It's easier to fight off the fear when home is a dream in the distance. When home is within eyesight, it makes all the fears and scars brighter, redder, more painful, because it reminds us that those fears are part of the world we hoped was safe and comfortable." She then goes and sits next to Roldare, eating her share of the roasted hare. After the meal she play a gentle medly of sweet harvest songs on her new magical flute, conjuring the illusion of dancing sprites flittering off into the woods.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Performance Advantage Provided by Tools: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Finlogan leaves Roldare to Attero and Aldelenna. Instead, he spars with Cole with their new longsword and armor.

LEAVING KASSEN

Lodric smiled at Hansyn. "Yes, I am protected well enough. If needs must." He tried his best to keep a brave face as he walked into the wilderness in a direction he had never gone before. With only a thirteen year old at his side, and the warning of "wolves" ringing in his ears.

"How about you? Are you like your brothers as well?"

Leaving Kassen

While walking, Hansyn pulls his dagger out and begins balancing it on the end of his finger. ”Nope, nothing like them. I’m better. “ He grins slyly at Lodric and tosses the dagger in the air with a flip, catches it and puts it back in its sheath on the back of his belt. ”Not to worry. We’re relatively safe at the moment. When we get further from Kassen is when we really need to be careful. ”

After a while, Hansyn looks over to Lodric to strike up conversation. ”So you chop down trees with Colbin?”

LEAVING KASSEN Hansyn, Lodric

The first bit of the trip is in the light of dawn, but as you enter the deeper canopy, you can't help but notice that the direction you travel is toward ill weather. The sky is darkening, and the rain sure to provide a chill beyond the frigid winds of Neth.

ON THE ROAD TO KASSEN Cole, Finlogan, Aldelenna, Rankev

Filled with hare, the half-mad villager seems to respond better to his sister and Aldelenna's kind words. The going is still slow, but you may yet make the Gray Lake before dusk. Perhaps.