Dorin joins Siann and Kuiper by the unlit fire.
Seems t'me that these Orcs were pretty organized under that chieftan o'er there. I agree with Siann, can ya pick up the trail o'yer were-boy?
Oleanne just nodded at Kuiper's comments before pointing south deeper into the woods and saying some jumbled words as she spoke. She then turned to a nearby tree where an owl was perched. She waived her hand in a gesture and said some more unintelligible words and seemed to begin communicating with the bird.
"Hmmm, interesting. Why would orcs be carrying silvered weapons." he said as he thought for a moment as the rain continued to fall.
"They were not hunting us. They were hunting the boy. The werebear. That would explain the silvered longswords they were carrying. We just happened to be in the area." he adds.
Once Oleanne is finished talking to the owl she moves over to Kuiper and they seem to have a heated discussion about something in the strange tongue that Oleanne speaks. Once they finish Oleanne goes over and starts packing up her gear.
Kuiper explains the situation to the others "With the rain, I will not be able to track the orcs, but Oleanne was able to determine from the owl that the orcs came from the south and the dark heart of the forest. Oleanne is going to head from which they came and try to find out more about them, she has asked that we not accompany her as we will never be able to keep up with her in the heavy undergrowth. I have informed her it is against my better judgement for her to go alone."
With a heavy sigh he continues "Fortunately, the trail left by the werebear-a heavy, clumsy animal-is still visible, and I would rather us follow these tracks rather than go orc-chasing." he shoots a sharp eye in Oleanne's direction.
"Those orcs would surely have inflicted serious casualties on your group had it not been for my and Oleanne's presence. I do not want to tangle with more of them right now." he adds as the first glint of the morning light comes over the horizon.
Looking down at the orc bodies "The brooch may be valuable so someone might want to hold on to it. But remember we are to subdue the boy and not harm him."
Current Map: None
Athelwyn begins the ten minute ritual to detect magic in the local area, upon completion she scans the area. The brooch while valuable doesn't detect any magic but the plain looking shield that the orc leader was carrying does radiate a aura of enchantment as does Kuipers longsword, dagger, leather armor, ring and a item inside his belt pouch.
The shield is a uncommon item.
Uncommon Items (Concentrate On Them During a Short or Long Rest - INT Arcana Check DC 15) or (Identify Spell - Requires a pearl of 100gp value NOT Consumed on Use.)
Since we are taking a short rest Athelwyn can make a Aracana Check on the shield to identify it. She will have advantage if another player that is proficient in Arcana assist her.
Also if anyone is taking any of the items then please do so now.
Fronar used 1 first level spell slot. (0 of 1 slot remaining.)
Her eyes go wide a bit as they take in the various pieces about Kuiper's person, but Athelwyn allows her attention to remain primarily on the shield.
"Pass me the chieftain's shield while we make preparations. It seems silvered weapons are not the only unexpected thing the orcs were carrying. This is enchanted." She spends several moments going over out-of-practice formulae in her head—and some under her breath—before eventually piecing together what, exactly, she was looking at.
Arms crossed, Siann watches at Athelwyn examines the shield, before turning to Kuiper, "Where the boy-bear is headed, are there any other dangers to be aware of?" she asks, fully cognizant of her own lack of knowledge of these parts.
Current Map: None
Oleanne leaves the camp and heads south deeper into the darkwood and is soon lost to your vision in the underbrush. Kuiper spends a few minutes reacquiring the tracks of the werebear in the pouring rain and looks back at the rest of you as if ready to go.
After completing her examination of the shield Athelwyn can determine that the shield has a +1 enchantment bonus and looks to be very old. A relic of a past war perhaps.
Fronar used 1 first level spell slot. (0 of 1 slot remaining.)
"If any of you want one of them silvered swords or that shield that the mage is looking at, then get it stowed. We will move out once everyone is ready to do so." he says as the morning light is now upon the group.
Turning to Siann "The tracks move east, lets hope it didn't turn south. This part of the woods is supposed to be fairly safe, but obviously someone didn't tell those orcs that. We will need to warn others in the area to stay clear of Hog Branch when we get back, at least for now. Maybe Oleanne will have some answers about those orcs for us soon."
Athelwyn offers the shield up to any one that can make use of it, explaining the magical properties of the object briefly before doing so. She quickly bundles the rest of her belongings in relative silence, shifting between apprehension and excitement at the thought of delving further into a woodland possibly teeming with orcs.
Current Map: None
With everything ready Kuiper heads off following what is left of the trail in the rain "Come on, everyone."
After a half day of tracking the creature the rain finally lets up a moment. As Kuiper motions for the group to stop he points to fresh blood that appears on some leaves in the brush beside him and points ahead. All of you can hear something large moving in the trees ahead. "Ready yourselves and the nets. I will approach it and draw its attacks. Stay hidden. Once I have its attention then use the nets and try to hold or capture it. Only use weapons in self defense and then only use the flat of your blade."
With that Kuiper stoops low and moves forward toward the sound....
What do you do?
Fronar used 1 first level spell slot. (0 of 1 slot remaining.)
Dorin moves forward with his maul in hand, as he attempts to hide in the brush.
Athelwyn retreats behind cover of the thickest trunked tree in the immediate vicinity. That there is blood along the trail is a bit troubling, but she elects to trust in Kuiper's s savviness in the matter at hand.
Current Map: None
As you come within sight of the creature in the clearing ahead you can see that it has already been wounded, probably from the orcs that attacked the camp earlier. Kuiper moves faster than the werebear and quickly engages it and lures it into attacking him while he is fully dodging, staying out of range of its blows. Because it isn’t used to its animal form, the werebear flails around clumsily and ineffectively at Kuiper. The rest of the group are about twenty feet away and have formed a circle around the combat trying not too draw its attention toward them.
Round 1 Initiative
Grommund
Kuiper
Werebear
Athelwyn
Dorin
Siann
Names in shaded text have already went this round.
* = Action already posted, just waiting on others that go before you to post up.
This will be a Theater of the Mind combat with no map needed.
Grommund, you are up before the Werebear.
On you turn you can use your action to assist another giving them advantage on their next attack roll. No roll is needed, this is automatic if you spend your action doing it.
A Large or smaller creature hit by a net is restrained until it is freed. A net has no effect on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) also frees the creature without harming it, ending the effect and destroying the net.
Restrained
The creature's speed becomes 0, and it cannot benefit from bonuses to its speed.
Attacks against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attacks have disadvantage.
The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
A net has a range of 5 feet or 15 feet with disadvantage. Please state how close you are when throwing the net. It is a strength based attack roll.
Picking up a net can be done as a manipulate action so it is free to do as long as you don't manipulate another object in that same round.
We need both nets to restrain it at the same time to completely capture it.
None
Grommund dances about, distracting the bear, making it an easier target for Dorin to hit with the net.
Current Map: None
Grommund dances about, distracting the bear, making it an easier target for Dorin to hit with the net.
Kuiper continues to dodge in front of the bear trying to keep its attacks against him. Holding a shield out in front of him.
The werebear slashes at Kuiper with its sharp claws and cuts a nice grove across the shield that Kuiper is holding but missing the man. Kuiper calls out "Quickly, the nets."
Round 1 Initiative
Athelwyn
Dorin
Siann
Names in shaded text have already went this round.
* = Action already posted, just waiting on others that go before you to post up.
This will be a Theater of the Mind combat with no map needed.
Athelwyn, Dorin, Siann and Grommund are up next.
On you turn you can use your action to assist another giving them advantage on their next attack roll. No roll is needed, this is automatic if you spend your action doing it.
A Large or smaller creature hit by a net is restrained until it is freed. A net has no effect on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) also frees the creature without harming it, ending the effect and destroying the net.
Restrained
The creature's speed becomes 0, and it cannot benefit from bonuses to its speed.
Attacks against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attacks have disadvantage.
The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
A net has a range of 5 feet or 15 feet with disadvantage. Please state how close you are when throwing the net. It is a strength based attack roll.
Picking up a net can be done as a manipulate action so it is free to do as long as you don't manipulate another object in that same round.
We need both nets to restrain it at the same time to completely capture it.
None
Dorin drops his maul, and grabs the net, moving to close range before tossing it onto the were-creature.
Following Grommund's lead, Athelwyn attempts to distract the creature from Siann to give her a better opening to exploit. She beams a small candle into its flank, but doesn't stray too far from the relative safety of the nearby tree trunk.
Round 1
As they followed Kuiper, Siann moved the net from side to side, getting a feel for it.
Confronting the were-boy, she watched Kuiper gracefully avoid the clumsy creature, noting his smoothness of motion and strenght, "This one knows what he's about, I should ask after his training..."
Her thought were brought up by Kuipers call for action with the nets.
Stepping out of the brush, Siann waited for the right moment, then dashed forward to lay the net out into the air where she thought the were-bear would be in the next instant....
Move to within 5 feet.
Current Map: None
Following Grommund's lead, Athelwyn attempts to distract the creature from Siann to give her a better opening to exploit. She beams a small candle into its flank, but doesn't stray too far from the relative safety of the nearby tree trunk.
Dorin drops his maul, and grabs the net, moving to close range before tossing it at the were-creature with Grommund's help. The net went over and around the werebear restraining it but another net would be needed to capture it.
Stepping out of the brush, Siann waited for the right moment, then dashed forward to lay the net out into the air where she thought the were-bear would be in the next instant.... and just like that the werebear was caught in both nets.
The werebear's own struggles against the nets just tie it up worse and after a few moments it collapses to the ground, panting and still.
Kuiper kneels down by the trapped bear and talks to it, calming and pacifying the terrified creature. He then lays his hands on the creature healing some of its wounds that it has suffered. The bear then breathes more regularly and easily, slowly accepting its situation.
Kuiper stands, looking around the group "Good job everyone."
None
Dorin retrieves his Maul and steps towards the creature with a wink to Siann.
Ne'er brought down a biggun' like this without me hammer.
Kuiper removes the nets from the now soothed werebear, and the bear now shambles along behind the party.
"We should return to my farm with all haste. Is everyone ready to go?"
Aye, lead the way, ranger.
"The faster you get meh out o this bloody wood, the better. Got brambles lodged in every corner of my soft dwarvenly bum," the dwarven criminal mutters, itching irritably.
Siann seems satisifed with her efforts, standing over the bundled were-bear as Kuiper tends to it.
She shakes her head a bit, having the thought that killing the boy would be a better mercy, then shrugs.
She offers a small smile to Dorin's wink.
"These nets...they are effective. Kuiper, may I keep this?" she asks, holding one of the nets in her hand.
Then as they prepare to leave the grove, she takes a position beside Kuiper, asking him directly, "Kuiper, you show much grace and skill, especially in avoiding the boy-bear. What do you call your training, who was your master?"
"I think I'm as ready to depart as I will ever be. And well done with the nets, everyone—far less difficulty than I'd expected." Athelwyn falls into line as they begin their trek back to Kuiper's stead.
Current Map: None
Kuiper nods to Siann when she ask about keeping the net "Sure" and as Siann takes up a position beside him and ask about his training he responds in kind "Use to be a bunch of us, Swordsman, Rangers, actually called ourselves adventurers. Once Garyld got his leg permanently injured and we lost another then we all kind of settled down out here. Most of us still patrol the area in one way or the other. I settled here on the farm, Garyld settled in Milbourne and there was a few others of us that are still around if needed. I aid the area when I can. Looking for lost traveler's mostly, much like the girl you now seek."
With the werebear in tow the group heads back toward the river and to Kuiper's raft to take them back across to the farm. The journey had been uneventful right up to they were just a few minutes away from the river that they could already hear the sound of when suddenly about sixty feet in front of the group stood a brown bear, at first Kuiper thought it might be Oleanne returning but quickly realized it was not her.
Kuiper quickly responded "It's a she... It might have been attracted by the scent of the boy." he said as he patted the werebear across its head trying to keep it calm. "I'll stay here with the boy but you all are going to have to take care of that other bear somehow."
Round 1 Initiative
Siann
Athelwyn
Grommund
Dorin
Brown Bear
- Names in have already gone this round.
- Names with a * have already posted actions for this round and they will be processed as they come up in initiative.
This is a theater of the mind encounter. (No Map Needed)
The bear is about sixty feet in front of you so you can't get into melee with it in the first round but you could reach it by dashing if you wanted to engage it next round.
None
Sian holds the net loosely in one hand and moves slowly about 10 feet bUT off to the side of the direct line between the brown bear and the were-boy.
Sian will Ready and attack with her net if the bear charges...
Athelwyn has no wish to attack the bear up unless necessary, so attempts a distracting tactic instead. She summons an illusion of one of the orcs they had faced the night prior next to the bear's right flank. It is an immobile reproduction, but aimed only at holding the animal's attention until others can formulate a more worthwhile strategy.
Current Map: None
Siann moves closer in and readies her net if the bear comes her way.
Athelwyn conjured up an image of an orc to the bears flank hoping to distract it for the moment.
Round 1 Initiative
Grommund
Dorin
Brown Bear
- Names in have already gone this round.
- Names with a * have already posted actions for this round and they will be processed as they come up in initiative.
This is a theater of the mind encounter. (No Map Needed)
The bear is about sixty feet in front of you so you can't get into melee with it in the first round but you could reach it by dashing if you wanted to engage it next round.
Grommund and Dorin are up next.
None
Dorin moves up 25 feet off to the opposite flank of Siann, and he readies his Maul to attack the Bear if it comes within range.
Grommund draws out his bow, and fires an arrow at the bear.
Current Map: None
Grommund draws out his bow, and fires an arrow at the bear. The arrow lodges in its side, drawing its attention from the static image.
Dorin moves up 25 feet off to the opposite flank of Siann, and he readies his Maul to attack the Bear if it comes within range.
The brown bear charges toward the group focusing on Grommund who had shot it. It runs right by Siann and Dorin who were waiting on it. Siann whipped the net in front of the creature catching it in the net and stopping its charge. Dorin immediately responded by bashing it with his maul in the side of its massive body. The brown bear tore at the netting that had trapped it with its claws. Shredding the net and destroying it as it again came free.
Round 2 Initiative
Siann
Athelwyn (Minor Illusion up)
Grommund
Dorin
Brown Bear
- Names in have already gone this round.
- Names with a * have already posted actions for this round and they will be processed as they come up in initiative.
Siann, Athelwyn, Grommund and Dorin are up next.
Brown Bear takes 6 hitpoints of piercing damage from Grommund's bow.
Brown Bear takes 11 hitpoints of bludgeoning damage from Dorin's maul.
Brown Bear has taken a total of 17 hitpoints of damage.
Net takes 10 hitpoints of slashing damage from Brown Bear's claws.
Net has taken a total of 10 hitpoints of damage.
Net is destroyed.
Siann please remove the net from your inventory.
Brown Bear has taken a total of 17 hitpoints of damage.
Dorin lays into the bear again with his Maul.
"Well. . . s&*#," Athelwyn curses to herself as the bear rouses to anger. Extending her right hand before her, she intones "" A small orb of flame takes form and streaks towards the bear advancing towards them from the ruin of Siann's net.
Not wishing to be caught under the animal's advance, Athelwyn then retreats behind those more likely to survive a swipe of its deadly claws.
Siann frowns as the bear shreds her net, then calms herself, dancing forward, shortsword bared.
Any who watches carefully, can see some influence from her observation of Kuiper, her movements a bit more graceful than before.
Grommund fires another arrow at the bear.
Act 3: Lured Into Darkness
Scene 1: Creeping Along Hog Brook
Active Maps: ---
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
As the bear shredded Siann's net, she danced forward into a combat stance, she swung her shortsword wildly at the creature causing it to dodge out of the way, but the distraction allowed her to land a solid kick to its underbelly causing it to howl in pain.
Dropping her illusion, Athelwyn cursed in anger. Quickly switching tactics she raised her hand and called forth the magic weave and a small orb of fire shot forth from her hand toward the enraged bear, exploding against its side in a flash of fire and flames. The smell of burned bear fur now penetrated the area like the scent of a skunk who had just sprayed an enemy.
The now severely injured and burned bear was easy prey for Grommund. The extent of damage to the creature was great and it was time to put it out of its misery. Grommund raised his bow, knocked and arrow and fired. the arrow struck the bear right in the eye, entering into its brain and killing it instantly as it slumped to the ground.
Brown Bear takes 7 hitpoints of bludgeoning damage from Siann's martial attack.
Brown Bear takes 6 hitpoints of fire damage from Athelwyn's Firebolt.
Brown Bear takes 8 hitpoints of piercing damage from Grommund's arrow.
Brown Bear has taken a total of 38 hitpoints of damage.
Brown Bear is dead.
None.
Once the bear had been defeated Kuiper walked up and knelt down by the creature and rubbed it on its head "Sorry girl, wish we didn't have to do that."
He then stands and turns to look at the group "Well done. Wish we could have done it without killing her. Wasn't her fault she was here. None the less it was effective and no one got hurt."
"Let's get on down to the raft and make our way across." he says looking back at the bear.
"Leave her, nature will take care of it. By her death other creatures will live." and with that Kuiper heads out toward the raft with the werebear in tow.
The werebear finally manages to change back to human form just before the party returns to Kuiper’s farm, and the ranger has a long, private talk with the youth once the group is safely back at the farm. Once the talk is over Kuiper returns to the party with the boy in tow.
"I am not certain, but I believe from what the boy is telling me that his great uncle was a werebear and the trait just might run in the family." Kuiper says with a sigh.
"It’s something he will have to learn to live with." he says plainly.
"Anyway, it’s not bad being a werebear," Kuiper observes dryly. "How many orcs did you kill?" he ask the boy.
Young Maxim admits "I slew four and drove about six more away."
"Not something you could do as you are now?" Kuiper points out.
The boy smiles. "I had not thought of things in that way before."
Kuiper then turns to the rest of you "Sorry we didn't find any trace of the girl you seek. Me and Maxim will rest here for the remainder of the evening and I will head out with him in the morning to take him home. I will need to smooth things over with his family and neighbors. You all are welcome to stay the night if you like. Safer than the road I guess?"
"On another note, the events with the orcs and Jelenneth's disappearance trouble me." he says as he looks back in the direction of the river from which they came.
"I would ask that you carry word of what has happened back to Garyland in Milborne, he in turn can help get the word out as well. Don't need no innocents traveling around Hog's Branch at the moment, and the town needs to be prepared if our new orc friends decide to wander further out from the wood." he says.
"So can you do this for me? No need to leave out this late in the evening either. Lets have ourselves a good dinner and you can give me an answer in the morning. What do you say?"
“We’ll be headin’ back there anyway, we can carry your message, aye.”
Addressing Grommund "That's great, and while you are in Milbourne you might be able to find a buyer for that brooch that the orc leader had. That is if you don't want to keep it as a souvenir." he laughs.
That be soundin' fairly right, Ranger, but I'm a bit worried that we didna' search enough for the lass? I feel like we be headin' back empty handed.
"There was no sign of her anywhere along the brook. If she had come this way we would have picked up some trail or evidence of her passing. For now the trail has gone cold." he sighs.
"But when you are back in Milborne ask old Garyld to contact Shiraz. If she is anywhere in the western part of Harenshire then he would know it." he says before realizing that you do not know who Shiraz is.
Then he adds "Shiraz is a fellow ranger of ours, he is especially friendly with the birds in the region. They would make good scouts and could cover large areas from above."
"That's not a whole lot to go on, but it's better than nothing. Thank you for the assistance, Kuiper. And for helping out the boy afflicted with lycanthropy. Not everyone would have taken such a delicate approach to dealing with such a situation," Athelwyn offers up as some measure of silver lining to the current, somewhat fruitless situation. "Milbourne's a fair shake better destination than Thurmaster, too, so there's that."
Pausing a moment she considers their dilemma. More specifically, she wonders at where the path leads next if the mystery of the girl's disappearance remains unanswered. Would everyone return to Waterdeep? She's not entirely sure that's an idea that interests her, given how poorly she managed previously. For now, she turns her attention to the prospect of an actual, comfortable room in Milbourne.
Siann frowns at the notion that thier endeavour to find the girl had been stymied for now, but nods at Kiuper's suggestion to seed out the crow-ranger.
"Many eyes in the sky might see what we cannot." she murmurs, tired despite her training, a nice meal and bed had enormous appeal just now.
Act 3: Lured Into Darkness
Scene 1: Creeping Along Hog Brook
Active Maps: ---
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The evening passes, with a good hot meal in your stomachs and plenty of ale and wine, sleep is found easily enough. The farmhouse wasn't much in the way of looks but it served its function well. As the night passes and daybreak gives way the house is already a buzz of activity with the farmhands off to do daily chores and Kuiper prepping for the trip to take Max home. You are all surprised with a hot breakfast awaiting you and rations for the trip already packed on your wagon and your pack animal having been cared for and fed. The morning conversation goes pleasantly enough and you feel you have made a good friend of Kuiper and he has shown each of you great hospitality during your stay.
Soon the goodbye's are said and you load up on your cart and head off west in the direction of Milborne. The twenty odd miles to the village meant that you should arrive before nightfall and would not have to spend any more time camped on the road and would be in a nice bed yet for another evening. Haranshire wasn't turning out to bad after all.
The trip went uneventful and soon you are within sight of Milborne as the sun is setting. Your thoughts race for the Baron and Mutton and the comfort of the inn but soon realize that you would have to relay the bad news to Andren that Jelleneth had not been found nor had you seen any sign of her. He was bound to be highly upset.
So before dealing with the inn you turned the cart toward the carpenter's building and soon are stopped and find Garyld, still in his armor and with the now familiar red feathers sticking out of his quiver he limps over to you on his bad leg and welcomes you with a broad smile.
"What's the good word my friends? Any news from Thurmaster? Any luck tracking down that girl that ran off?"
None.
"Nae. We couldnae find the lass, just a lost lad turned ursine. That and a fat lot of stinkin', filthy, good-fer-s$#+e orcs!" Grommund says, spitting into the dirt. "Make sure as sunrise you dinnae let anyone wander intae the woods, you kenn?"
Athelwyn nods at Grommund's summary, recalling the nearly lethal encounter all too well. "Most of the orcs carried the same symbol upon the fore of their shields: an axe splitting a skull with an arrow lodged in both eye sockets. I don't know if that would be of any significance to the region, or merely a new tribe staking claim on the territory."
Recalling Kuiper's instruction, Athelwyn adds, "Kuiper advised us to seek you out, Garyld. Since we found no sign of Jelleneth in Hog's Branch or Thurmaster, he suggested you put us in touch with someone named Shiraz. He reckoned the ranger's affinity with avian creatures might lend itself well to finding her."