A fun filled dungeon crawl looking to devour four or five savory morsels.
The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let
Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. “Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?”
At this point, the mayor pauses to let you five come forth to accept your mission. He signals to Hessiel who is to have the honor of carrying the lantern and hands it to him, "Use this to bring the fire back to Kassen."
He then hands each of you a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin, the Trail Map that leads from Kassen to the Crypt of the Everflame.
In addition, the following are handed out:
50 feet of hempen rope - Mordack
A box containing tinderand three tindertwigs - Leb
One potion of cure light wounds - Cazithiel
One grappling hook - Gitman
The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk. “I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.”
With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
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Hessiel blinks his huge owlish eyes at the lantern, before offering Mayor Uptal a small bow, "We shall see it done. Kassen is in good hands I assure you."
Carrying the lantern upraised in one hand Hessiel bows to the gathered townsfolk and then strides boldly south moving to the outskirts of town before he consults the trail map for more detailed direction.
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Giving his comrades a wan half smile Hessiel addresses his new companions, "I hope we shall all work well together, our previous introductions were brief at best so allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Hessiel Linger, I joined the Society after the death of my wife, and I am a Magus, though my blade skills are still somewhat atrophied."
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The tattooed elf graciously accepts the tools and potion, and joins in the introductions with his companions.
With a bow, he says, "My name is Cazithiel. I come from far away, all the way to Tian Xia, and was liberated from a life of slavery in the rice paddies by intrepid members of the Pathfinders. I am here, seeking a new life, new experiences, and shall travel in the name of Count Ranalc, who has guided me a lifetime ago as I traversed the Forest of Shadows."
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"My friends, I am truly honored to be among such company! I am Giltman Pennywhistle, tallest of the gnomes! May Nivi Rhombodazzle grace us with the protection of our respective communities on our journey!"
Edit: He notices Leb. "Especially well-met, my good sir! It is good to see other gnomes continuing the fine gnomish art of blowing things up!"
Giltman is an obviously human young man who has dyed his hair and eyebrows a bright green color like those of some gnomes. He is a chipper young man, obviously fresh from some sort of clerical academy or school, and he wears heavy banded mail which is also painted in bright colors. The well-made wooden holy symbol around his neck bears what looks to be a six-sided die. On his waist are several hammers, and he carries a shield forged of cold iron.
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Leb looks at Hessiel. "I think I know what you mean. I've seen bad things happen to older gnomes; they don't seem to care about anything. And not caring about things seems to make them age. It's kinda like a vicious cycle. But you're out here, experiencing new things, so you ought to be all right. Hang in there!"
After Hessiel shakes Jacob's hand, Leb takes it in both of his and shakes it vigorously. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Jacob. Spellcasting is nifty. What kind of spells do you like? I like spells that make fire (and blow stuff up, of course)!"
Without missing a beat, he then turns to follow Hessiel, yelling "Of course it won't light itself! We have to start a fire!"
The first few hours of your trek is uneventful, a sunny romp through a moderately familiar forest. The birds are chirping and a light breeze brings fresh spring smells...yet as you travel further into the forest the path narrows and the trees begin losing their leaves....
The narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bereft of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.
The closest green bad guy takes an MM in the chest causing it to growl in pain, "GRRRRRR"
Green baddie moves meanacingly forward and attacks Giltman!
...and nearly levels him!!!! Giltman reels after the remorseless attack but amazingly stays standing!
The green monstrosity howls in evil pleasure! "yay."
Green baddie 2 moves forward readying his greataxe for lethal dmg and number 3 stays where it is yet throws it's javelin at Hessiel, skewering him soundly through the big toe!
Orc 1 - 3
Orc 2 -
Orc 3 -
When the Orcs move you realize they are illusions.
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** spoiler omitted **
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You did pass the will save requirement so go ahead and read the spoilers that I wrote to the DM, I'm giving you automatic success on my bluff rolls towards me, just try not to ruin the surprise before it happens, if it happens, assuming the other PCs didn't already ruin the surprise themselves by secretly reading spoilers.
Hessiel swings his blades viciously creating a bloody mess of one of the orcs...it sizzles as it falls to the ground.
Leb starts drinking?
Giltman, the green haired human, quickly heals himself then immediately smashes the head in of the second orc! "Unghrnd," it mumbles as it falls quickly to the ground.
Cazithiel leaps through the underbrush and strikes the remaining Orc in the belly, blood oozes from this mortal wound and then...POOF!
All Orc corpses and wounds suffered during the encounter immediately disappear.
After the encounter with the illusions the day is relatively event free, following the map with ease.
You notice that night is quickly approaching and need to set a camp soon.
Due to Cazithiel's savvy camping skills you are able to create a comfortable site surrounded on three sides by thicket.
The sun disappears over the forest and a cold night descends eerily. You realize you are on your own and for some of you, this is the first sleep deep into Fangwood forest. A desolate quiet descends upon your camp stilling your attempts at warm humor.
Hessiel and Leb hear wolves howling in the distance! Your troupe hears howling closer now and over the next hour, the howling seems to grow ever closer then nothing, no howls for the past ten minutes...
Mordack catches movement from the corner of his eye. Wolves!