Iadenveigh, situated a mile west of the turbulent Dagger River, is one of the largest settlements in southern Numeria. The Dagger River Road winds from north to south through Iadenveigh, wrapping around a rocky hill the locals call the Brow.
The town of Iadenveigh was founded in 4649 AR by a group of Molthuni exiles who were discontent with the course of the newly independent nation’s government. Unwilling to side with the rebels who would eventually form the nation of Nirmathas, these pious devotees of Erastil traveled to the far side of Lake Encarthan, eventually settling in southern Numeria where they founded their own new home. Here, they found that crops grew strangely well, quickened by some strange quality in the soil. In the decades that followed, the townsfolk of Iadenveigh grew increasingly insular and intolerant of Numeria’s advanced technologies. Today, such technologies are all but outlawed from the settlement
From the town of Torch, the most direct route to Iadenveigh is via a dusty road leading west toward the Gorum Pots at the headwaters of the Dagger River, and then down along the river’s banks. This is a trip of approximately 140 miles.
The rules for hps as posted on the campaign tab. D8 HD use 1d5+3 instead, then add con bonus
Ahhh.....Ok, campaign specific.
Razorend spends some time sifting through the collected gear, weapons and valuables. He sets aside a few items that he knows would draw trouble from the Technic League. "If no one plans to use these, we should break them down for parts, or outright destroy them. None in Torch will buy them from us."
"A town of luddite elves, great. Shall we drive out there and say hello?"
"We should get rested and craft some supplies, and then head to Ladenveigh. It is a pretty long ride, so we should make sure we are ready for it."
Ridic is waiting for the items to be crafted
; belt
; belt
; Wand Pro vs Evil
; Wand Invisibility
Urgeon purchases rations and other basic supplies.
"Let's head out for Iadenveigh at once. I suggest we take the road west toward the Gorum Pots, which is the most direct route. I fear we have little time to waste."
"That sounds like a good idea, should we take that wheeled thing that moves quickly?"
Razorend nods to Ridic. "Meyanda, is the rover in condition to make the trip? You feel like driving with us?"
Purchases, sales, and crafting complete, the party gets together with Meyanda who has been working on the buggy while you guys have been studying and crafting.
"Look here, this battery was trashed, but I took the power relay you guys stole ... I mean ... acquired from me and converted it into a working battery. You can still travel on the solar cells, but the battery should provide enough power to travel when the sun is down or you could use it to power any battery operated device using the power cable you found in Kulgara's gear. I've also mounted my laser rifle in place of the junk Smiler crossbow. I can't recharge it, but its useable from its mounted position by whomever wishes to sit in the turret."
Meyanda hops into the driver's seat and the party heads out west, zipping quickly and although a bit bouncy, you find a comfortable rhythm to move along at a speed of roughly 20 miles an hour turning a several day trip into potentially a single long day.
You shoot out west toward the Gorum Pots and you spy the bubbling geothermic mud and smell the sulfur releases as you approach. Meyanda skirts to the north and you look to the west and south as you circle. The mixture of heated water and volcanic ash and clay belches and pops as the thick, muddy slurry forms a series of stinking, colored pools and geysers.
Passing the mud pits, Meyanda follows the river dodging wide around various farming villages as you progress, the largest of which is identified as Marstol on your map.
Continuing your day through the bright afternoon and into the early evening, you see the rise of the Brow ahead of you as Meyanda pulls up the buggy near some scrub brush.
"How do you wish to approach? Don't think they'll take kindly to this vehicle or even .." she waves her hand at herself and Razorend in a collective manner.
Oskar begins to get out of his seat, stretches, and says "I guess we should walk from here. Should we try to hide the buggy? The lass can stay and guard it, if we can find some cover for her."
Ridic looks at Meyanda "That is a good point. Maybe we should go ahead and check out the settlement, and come back for you two once we have a grasp of the situation" Ridic then gets out and stretches..
"Let's get walking, make sure we are humble when we enter....no need to start a fight on our first night, after all."
Urgeon comments on the Gorum Pots as they pass. "The area also holds rich iron deposits, which cause the mud to take on a slightly bloody rust color. Considered sacred to Gorum, the Pots aren’t fit for bathing, as the mud’s temperature and acid content are too high for comfort. Gorum Pots are also a breeding ground for zhen worms, a hostile vermin unique to this area whose mucous is used as a preservative for various medical applications."
He also remarks on the town of Marstol. "The small town of Martsol is one of the many settlements found on the shores of either the Dagger River and the Seven Tears River. The farms are managed by Kellids who are too old to fight, actively rearing children, or unable to travel with their tribes for some other reason. The towns divide their produce and livestock between the participating tribes on a seasonal basis, and any surplus is sold to traveling merchants and crusaders."
As the group approaches Iadenveigh, Urgeon dismounts and joins Oskar and Ridic. "You both speak wisely, let us approach the town on foot and let us keep the technology hidden. We can't risk leaving Razorend and Meyanda alone - we need to stick together always."
He smiles grimly at the androids, "Keep your faces hidden under your cloak hoods until we know what we're dealing with here."
Urgeon then leads the way into town.
Razorend, who no longer wears his old mask, wraps a scarf across his face and pulls down his hood. "I'll do my best to keep a low profile. As for Meyanda and the buggy, well... it might be wise to dump off any tech items with her. She can keep a distance out of town and drive away from any trouble."
Meyanda agrees to hide the vehicle and indicates a copse of trees,
"If anything discovers me, I will try to leave some indication that I had to leave in a hurry ... if I have the time."
She sets to work covering the vehicle with brush.
The party heads to the eastern side of the town, cutting across the forest to intersect the road aways out. You approach the southeastern gate and are greeted by cautious, but friendly guards. After a quick discussion with the leather clad warriors, who appear more hunter and less watchful guardian, they determine that you are neither a simple traveler or trader and indicate you should head to High Home. The point to a sprawling wooden building perched near the top of the rocky hill known as the Brow.
"Talk ta Redfang, he runs the place. He can put ya up for the night and see to whatever it is ya need."
Heading up the road to the center of town, you cut north on a steep path cut into the hill heading up to the longhouse.
Winded once near the top you find the door to the building open and a red-haired man outside gripping a woodcutter's axe he is about to use to split a log. From the pile next to him, he's been at it a while. He looks at you and smiles grimly, baring bright red crimson teeth ... a startling discrepancy in an otherwise near perfect human specimen.
His eyes are brown and warm, but lined with deep crow’s feet, although he appears to barely be thirty. He’s a gruff, barrel-chested man with shoulder-length red hair, a bushy red beard, and well-muscled arms that end in large, calloused hands.
He stops swinging the axe and lets it fall to his side, his hands clenching unconsciously at the shaft.
"Well met, travelers. What brings you to High Home this day?"
Urgeon nods at the man. "Greetings Master Redfang. I am Urgeon and these are my friends Ridic, Oskar, Razorend and Kovax. We come from Torch seeking artifacts that we have reason to believe are in the Iadenveigh area. Would you be kind enough to recommend a local inn that we may stay the night?"
Razorend keeps quiet, eyeing the man to gauge his response.
"Artifacts, eh? What kind of artifacts ye be hunting?"
The man's friendly look doesn't change, but a note of something cold creeps into his voice.
Urgeon smiles affably at Redfang. "Items of significance to the people of Torch. Now, where can we find that inn?"
He looks to say something to Urgeon's vague statement, but changes his mind, "You can stay here, at High Home, with me. But if you want more help than that, especially with your artifact search ... you got to understand, it has always been hard for us to extend trust to outlanders. We are a self-sufficient settlement—we have no need for trade, and can take care of ourselves. It’s the safest option, as I know you understand. It’s difficult to tell who you can rely on, but there are two things you could do to earn the trust of the Deadeye Council, those folks who run this place. First, I need some help in solving a problem with one of our more... colorful residents. Second, there’s an issue with a possible traitor in our midst that I've been struggling with how to handle. It is fortuitous that you are, since outsiders would be particularly well suited to intervene.”
He thumbs his hand over his shoulder, "Either way, you're welcome to throw your stuff inside and take any available bunk. No one else staying here at the moment."
Urgeon nods at Red Fang and then looks to the others. "I think I can speak for the group when I say that we would gladly assist you with both your colorful residents and the traitor. Tell us more about the residents and what you want done with them. How do you propose we catch your suspected traitor?"
Ridic nods in agreement, and let's Urgeon continue.
Kovax nods and listens
Oskar nods
Razorend keeps silent but listens attentively.
Redfang puts down the axe and towels off, sharing with you information on the tasks as he shows you where to bunk and the key features of the hall, a fairly basic long barracks with a bar and a single privy.
"Ya gotta haul up your own water. Recommend you use the water sources to the north and west like the rest of town. Longbitter and Badwater didn't get their names for being refreshing and invigorating places to drink or bathe," he grimaces broadly for effect and you realize he's indicating his strangely discolored teeth.
"The first problem is with Jevik. Jevik’s farm lies on the north edge of town, a location that fits well with the man’s sour nature. Jevik has few friends here in Iadenveigh. His surliness stems from a hard life filled with misfortune, so its hard to blame the man. That said, his complaints about monsters, mutants, bandits, and metal men interfering with his farming are something of a local joke, but these latest complaints to the Deadeye Council seem different to me. More plausible, if only because Jevik seemed unusually sober when he spoke to us 5 days ago."
"For the second problem, you'll need to talk with the Ealdorman, Ivik Gunnett. I can take you for an invite after we check out Jevik's farm or you can head over there yourself if you're itching to know more now."
"I'm for having a chat with the man about the Metal Men first. The other thing seems trickier, so the invitation and having more information would be nice."
"Yes, let's head over to Jeviks farm and see what is going on over there."
Urgeon nods, "Let's talk to Jevik. I'd like to see these metal men."
Kovax readies his chain and is ready yo move on Jeviks farm
"Right, let me get my gear."
After a few minutes, Redfang returns with a bow in hand wearing a fine chain mesh shirt, a green cloak and a large well-used battle axe strapped across his back.
"The farm lies on the north edge of town, fits well with the man’s sour nature."
"Jevik," Redfang notes, "Is something of a godless misanthrope who never really got along well with Iadenveigh’s locals, and so never felt comfortable living within the city’s walls. Our hunters generally keep the hinterlands relatively safe,"
Redfang pauses to reflect then continues, "Strange beasts and mutated animals are very much a danger, though."
The odor of pigs marks Jevik’s farm before it comes into view. Visible from a wide break in a roadside hedge, the house has been recently painted and sports a wide porch with several chairs. An orchard is partially visible behind the house. A few sheds and two connected pens occupy most of the side yard, but the fencing of the pen has been splintered and the earth churned. As you approach, you swiftly realize that something dire has happened here, for a great amount of blood has been splattered over the house’s front porch.
Sense Motive
Ridic will draw his weapon and run to the front porch to see if anyone is still alive.
Oskar checks his rifle, and looks around for targets.
Urgeon will cast mage armor and will then follow the others with his wands in hand. He looks over his shoulder at Redfang as he runs. "You knew about this, didn't you?"
"I suspected, but since the man cries wolf so much, no one in town would come with me. Outsiders like yourselves, trying to get in good with the town for some reason, and sporting an android trying not to draw attention to himself? Seemed like the perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone."
Redfang watches as Ridic shuffles forward, eagerly anticipating the results of his search, and nocking an arrow in the mean time, his eyes scanning the orchard line.
Razorend narrows his eyes at Iadrin, drawing his kukri but keeping it pointed to the ground. "Is this some kind of trap you set for us, then?"
"Leading you off by my lonesome away from the town where everyone would come to my aid in a moment? No, that wouldn't be the best trap to set. This is at it seems. I am worried about Jevik and needed help that I couldn't source from within Iadenveigh. Seems I was right. Let us pray to Old Deadeye that the irascible farmer is OK."
Kovax smiles at Redfang, and gestures to the group, "See, this is how you set a proper trap!"
He gives Redfang a hardy slap on the shoulder and follow Ridic up to the door
"Yeah, poor choice of words then?" Razorend asks, moving stealthily along the hedge to the right.
Oskar follows the others.