Malnival shakes his head. "You are a skilled fighter Kelda, but not all elves are dandies or book worms. Some of us are trained warriors!"
Attack:
Damage:
Kelda takes another hit from Mal, and you can see this one makes a difference. She counters with a well-aimed swing, but is just too slow to get there in time. She circles around Mal, biding time while trying to regain some energy.
Malnival moves in for the kill, swinging his staff in an atempt to bring the match to an end.
Attack:
Damage :
Malnival comes in swinging, and Kelda tries to parry but is a fraction too slow, and takes a hard hit across the ribs. With a groan, she falls to her knees, coughing. "Yield," she gasps.
"Good show! So close," Sandru applauds the fighters. He turns to Harlan, counting out five gold coins in his hand. "I keep making wagers like that, and I'll be begging before long," he jokes, handing them over.
Malnival switches the quarter staff to his left hand and reaches out to Kelda with his right to help the Ulfen warrior to her feet, "By the gods, you hit as hard as a blacksmith's hammer! This match was too close, a strong wind could lay me low now." Sweat poors off the Magus and he breathing comes in gasp as he waits for the barbarian to accept his hand.
"Well done, Mal ... thought she had you there for a bit. That new armor of yours is both flexible and strong. I am impressed!"
Turning to Harlan, Parity bows slightly, "And thank you, friend, for allowing me that moment of freedom, but it is time I return to the darkness," and with a wave of his sword, Parity ends the spell, a faint hint of dismay passing across his face as he does so, sighing.
Kelda takes Mal's hand and stands up shakily. "I had a few lucky hits; it was probably closer than it should have been."
"A little fighting, some bruises... alvays clears my mind. Thank you. Perhaps again, sometime?"
** spoiler omitted **
Maeve shakes her head and pulls out her own gold. "That really should have been a sure thing. Mal's good, but he put himself at a few disadvantages there for the sake of fair play."
Malnival luaghs a little uneasily."Not any time soon I fear. After that I may ride in one of the wagons for a week."
He pats Kelda on the back and turns towards Parity, "Yes, my new armor definitly kept me from getting badly beaten there. I have never seen armor like this before but it is truly a work of art. "
As he limps away he places a hand on Harlan's shoulder and gives him a smile more of pain than mirth, "Thank you for the confidence my friend. It was touch and go at the end."
"I think my path is clear: I have to go to Minkai to try and set things right. But... it's going to take me a while to come to terms with it all. I'm glad to know you'll be standing with me." She lets out a large sigh and gives you a brave smile.
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"Oyster? Too bad this journey is by land then, though to be honest I prefer it to the sea. I have never been on a long journey by sea. I find the thought even more harrowing than our proposed journey over the top of the world! We cannot know how all this will end, but I am glad we are sharing this journey, Tata." Heng pats Koyas hand and finishes his tea.
Heng congratulates the winner, "Well done, Malnival. You were quite closely matched. To be honest I wasn't sure you would overcome Kelda's ferocity, but your skill and training saw you through. Perhaps I will ask her to spar as well. Practice makes perfect although I feel I may have too great an advantage in the sphere of unarmed combat to make it very interesting."
"That was a close one. Let me help you two recover!"
"I'm sorry Parity, if I could give you new eyes I would."
A look of sadness crosses Harlan's face, uncharacteristic for one who is usually so happy.
Route: Lands of the Linnorm Kings (Losthome -> Skalsbridge)
Distance: 160 miles
Weather: Clear and cool late summer
Special Encounters: The Watcher, Stranded Travelers
The weather continues to be clear as you continue your way up the trade road towards Losthome. The road drops out of the highlands and into the shadowy boughs of the Grungir Forest. Low hanging mist and strange echoes make the grim stories of the place seem all too real, but you exit the wood a day later without incident, looking across the Thundering River valley at Losthome. Despite your short supply of foodstuffs, you enter the town with even a little to spare.
After a day of repair and resupply, you press on, following the road paralleling the raging river to the north-west for three days before it joins the larger Rimeflow heading west.
Dates: 11-14 Rova 4711
As you leave the Nolands and enter the hills, a number of ravens begin to shadow the caravan, following in the hope of finding scraps to eat. Each day further, the number increases, and your journey is accompanied by the continuous quarking of the black birds.
*
Date: 19 Rova 4711
As you near the confluence of the Thundering and Rimeflow rivers, you come upon a group of five travelers huddling in a camp. They look miserable, and you can see they have only one pack mule, but a large stack of trade goods.
As you near, one of them - a heavy-set Ulfen man with a long gray-streaked beard - stands and waves you over.
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perception
Heng watches the growing flock of ravens with curiosity. He points out the big one to Shalelu and the others. "Have you ever seen a raven so large? It is big enough to give Prugk a time. Keep your eye on it, Harlan."
Know nature
Heng notes, "They have far too few pack animals for that load. Do you think they have lost some of their mules? Surely they need some assistance."
Parity would like to pick up a few things, what's available in Losthome?
"Ravens ... blackbirds. That bodes ill for our travels which to date have been remarkably smooth."
"Careful Heng, your description makes them likely victims of a bandit attack but they could just as easily be desperate attackers. See if you discern anything out of the ordinary. On the other hand, if they are victims, the attackers may still be near ... luring other merchant caravans like ours in close.'
Maeve jumps off her horse and races towards the missing travelers, heedless of any danger. "Hey, looks like you could use a hand there. Problems up the road?"
Maeve turns her attention to the raven and starts to stare at it closely. Well, as closely as she can from hundreds of feet away.
Maeve jumps off her horse and races towards the missing travelers, heedless of any danger. "Hey, looks like you could use a hand there. Problems up the road?"
Sighing, Parity grumbles, "Seriously? She's going to get us killed one of these days."
Malnival looks at the large raven pointed out by Heng and calls Valwen to him. Valwen is fierce, but ravens such as that can kill foxes, best we mind those and steer clear.
Malnival shakes his head at the wreckless bard and prepaires a spell incase of an ambush.
"That's a big bird! Heng if it tries to carry me or Prugk away we'll have to jump on it. You don't think it's mad about all the dire corbies we fought?"
"It will be worth helping them Parity, they can tell us valuable information about the road ahead. Doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful of course..."
"Sandru we're doing well, we have the space for a few more on board, we might consider another cook and a few more scouts. Hopefully we can make some money in the next town with these trade goods we've been carting."
The Ulfen man looks down at Maeve, nodding grimly. "Three days out of Trollheim, and some bloody rot infects our mule train. One lived, but the others are dead and burned." He nods to the pile of goods. "All this stuff is a write-off, or worse if some thugs came up instead of you. You have any room? All I can do is pay you for some help to the next town."
Sandru smiles at you, "I like what you've done so far in managing the caravan. We've made uncanny progress, and avoided some potential trouble spots. A lot of that is due to your organization; makes it easy for me!"
"I've never really gone out this far from Varisia. Of course, none of us have. I have no idea what to expect," he adds on a thoughtful note. You can tell he's troubled, but keeping a brave face.
Shalelu peers intently at the large raven. Now that it has been singled out, you can mark it within the flock quite easily.
"Look closely," Shalelu says. "It has a crimson red pinion feather."
The town of Losthome is an important nexus of lumber flowing from the Grungir Forest to trade ports down the Thundering and Rimeflow rivers. The town has no king of its own, but is instead governed by a mayor appointed from Kalsgard. The town hosts a large garrison, keeping a close eye on Irrisen to the east.
"Anyway, I couldn't stand it. I had to get out and see things, meet people... explore! I ran away from home, away from all that security and comfort nonsense, and went to find adventure. It didn't turn out so well, but I learned to appreciate those things I ran from. Learned to never take anything for granted... especially friends and family."
Knowledge Arcana
"Red pinion feather, oh! It's ummm ... nope, thought I had it, but it's gone." Parity shrugs.
"Sure Harlan, you guys are the ones that are built to be kind and helpful, I'm the one made to do the things no one else likes to ... it makes me suspicious about people who are like me. Just be careful, little one. I like you, and don't want to see you hurt by someone abusing your charitable nature. Just let me know where I can help with loading boxes or what have you."
Maeve tilts her head in a rather bird-like response to the raven's movements. It would take someone very familiar with the girl to realize that she's even suspicious at all.
Maeve's smile is wide and welcoming. "I'm reasonably sure we can come to some arrangement. If nothing else, we might at least be able to buy some of these extra goods off you to lighten your load so you can get back to town on your own. but letting you come along should be doable."
As the caravan is pulling into town, Maeve has been looking a bit troubled. What could it possibly be? Well, as they start to set up for the day/night, Maeve finally grins and approaches Sandru. "You know, I don't think we ever thanked you properly for getting all this set up. Why don't we go get drunk at, say, that tavern there?" she says brightly, pointing at the nearest establishment. "On me?"
"You know, I don't think we ever thanked you properly for getting all this set up. Why don't we go get drunk at, say, that tavern there?" she says brightly, pointing at the nearest establishment. "On me?"
Sandru looks around at the others, an eyebrow raised. When Koya gives an amused eye roll and head nod of 'parental approval', he grins. "Sure thing, lass!"
After a few more twists of her head, Maeve shrugs. "Looks like a bird to me."
"Great! Anyone else!"
After a few more twists of her head, Maeve shrugs. "Looks like a bird to me."
"Great! Anyone else!"
"Yup, I'm in ... someone has to show this crook how to drink." Parity thumbs his hand at Sandru.
Perception:
Knowledge Arcana:
Malnval stands next to the elven ranger, shading his eyes against the sun as he tries to make out the red feather on the raven, "By the gods Shel, your eyes are a wonder, they are as useful as they are beutiful! I can not see the feather, but from what you describe that is called a blood-feather raven. It is considered an evil omen by some and thought to be in the service of dark powers. I would asume it to be simular to Valwen here, except in the service of a fell magic user."
Malnival luaghs loudly at Parity's remark, "Its funny becuase it's true! He is a Scarzani after all, I am suprised he has not stolen us blind and sold us into slavery yet!
The elf chuckles again and shakes his head before continueing. " I guess there is honor among thieves...at least so far."
"Great! Anyone else!"
"Oh, definately!" Ameiko adds. "I know its only been a few weeks, but a nice tavern right now would be perfect." She grabs her samisen and joins Maeve.
Shalelu follows silently, a wistful smile on her face.
Malnival luaghs loudly at Parity's remark, "Its funny becuase it's true! He is a Scarzani after all, I am suprised he has not stolen us blind and sold us into slavery yet!
The elf chuckles again and shakes his head before continueing. " I guess there is honor among thieves...at least so far."
Sandru scowls, but his eyes still enjoy the joke. "The only Sczarni I have is my left ass cheek! Perhaps you'd like to kiss it, else it might sell you for your ears."
Malnival smirks at Sandru and raises an eyebrow, "Your left ass cheek? Is that where they branded you, so that if you ended up in prison some where the other criminal would know who they had as a cell mate?"
"We'll do well brother, we always do."
Harlan beams at the praise from his older brother.
"I don't know what to expect, but the others are very capable, I think we can handle it."
"Trollheim? Where is that? Are we three days from it?"
"You're right Parity, but that's why we have you, you balance me out."
"We have the room to cart your goods, if the payment is fair I think we can come to an agreement. How many of you are there?"
Malnival smirks at Sandru and raises an eyebrow, "Your left ass cheek? Is that where they branded you, so that if you ended up in prison some where the other criminal would know who they had as a cell mate?"
Sandru's eyes harden, and he looks at Malnival askance. "Be careful with your words, Mal." He turns to Shalelu and comments, "Your student may have slept through your lesson in manners." He grunts and leaves you to join Ameiko.
"Trollheim? Where is that? Are we three days from it?"
"We have the room to cart your goods, if the payment is fair I think we can come to an agreement. How many of you are there?"
"Trollheim is to the east, a hundred or so miles and past the Thundering River."
"It's just the five of us," the Ulfen trader replies, his features showing great relief. "And our goods, of course. Thank you, sir. You won't regret this!"