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”Kind of seems that Samhain must have known something of this[...]”
Mayor Uptal presents Taliesin with the lantern. He then hands each of you a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin, and a piece of the Trail Map that leads from Kassen to the Crypt of the Everflame. In addition, the following items are spread out among your backpacks;
- Craggor - 50 feet of hempen rope
- Ferabras - a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs
- Krestin - a labeled potion of cure light wounds
- Lini - three torches
- Soran - a small bottle of local brandy
- Taliesin - a grappling hook
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.
Meanwhile, children break the solemn tone of the event, emphatically telling tales to one another about what happens during the quest. Some even claim that there have been a number of deaths over the years.
Some adults remain closeby, as if they want to say something, but are holding back.
Or if you prefer to sneak about and listen in on some hushed conversations...
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You leave town and, after 2 hours of trekking, come to a narrow path that 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.
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Ferabras manages to approach closely enough to some of the adults and inquire if they have something to say. Once he hears their whispers, he shares what he's learned with his companions on the trek out of town. "The folk in town told me that there's really no big danger, and little to worry about in our quest. I hope they're right, but I wouldn't bet on it. Then again, I'm not much of a betting man."
When the orcs ambush them, Ferabras draws his blade and moves up to them, ready to strike if they attack! "Stand down or die!" he cries.
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Krestin, being ever so helpful, tries to ask around about the trial, but is quickly hushed and sent back to the group. "They don't like Krestin, even though he tries to help..." Once Ferabras starts to inform the group though, the sorcerer's eyes widen. "You good at talking with people! How do I get strangers to like me too?"
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Grabbing his pack from the Mayor Craggor checks through the contents personally. He slings it over his shoulder and starts on the road with his companions. He isn't surprised to see the orc raiders.
Knew there be a catch
"Wastin your bredth Fera!" Craggor qips as he is readying for battle. "Those ain't roses they be holding."
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Talisin lifts her spear into the air, and the banner of the Pathfinder Society unfurls and ripples in the breeze.
"Great things away you this day! To arms, brave Pathfinders!"
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Ferabras moves up and readies a strike against the orc while Taliesin awaits to see what happens.
The orc with the pink headband strikes at Ferabras, dealing a solid blow!
Ferabras retaliates, sending the orc falling backward over the log.
The other two orcs advance of the tiefling, growling and snarling their curses as they swing their greataxes.
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Ferabras steps up to the next orc and cries out, "Friends, these are no orcs! They are illusions!" He thrusts his red-skinned hand through the chest of the orc before him, saying, "Do you see how my hand goes right through it? And his attack did me no harm! Do not fight them, just look through them!"
Once he's said this, he looks around for whatever has summoned this illusion and says to the others, "The real threat is still out there somewhere!"
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Krestin points at the orc and it is successfully dazed!
Soran puts an arrow in the same orc. Normally, the blow would fell a lesser being, but orc are indeed known to be resilient in battle!
But then Ferabras relays his claim to the party, so all may attempt a Will save by either interacting with it (standard) or studying the orcs (move, since that's what a Perception check it, essentially).
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Krestin looks at the orcs and shakes his head vehemently. "Those be bad people that hurt friend Febabras! Krestin knows they are real!" The kitsune was awed by the paladin's statement. The orc obviously attacked him, and he hit another easily, felling it in one blow! No, he would not be fooled by their tricks. He will save his friends.
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Bolstered by seeing everyone think the mean orcs aren't real, Krestin tries his best to believe that the orcs are not real either. As one of the orcs swings its axe at Ferabras, the sorcerer notices that the axe just slides through his friend. "No fair!! Krestin wants to learn tricks like that! But tricks like that are scary..."
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The orcs all disappear fully once everyone has disbelieved them. From somewhere around you, you hear a small chuckle and a *pop*, which you recognize as a sign of someone teleporting away.
You are free to explore the clearing (which has nothing of value) or press on, talking to your companions about what just occurred.
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Soran scowls at the illusion's end, and retrieves his arrow, checking it for damage before returning it to his quiver.
Well, now we know there is something around here that enjoys mind games. We should be more careful.
He starts looking around the area for tracks, to see if he can tell what was casting the illusion.
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After dealing with the illusionary orcs, you are able to travel for the rest of the day in peace. Following the map is relatively easy.
After you have followed the map for most of the day, the sunlight begins to fade and a cold wind begins to rattle through the leafless forest. There is now no sign of civilization in sight.
You must find a place to hole up for the night, as your joints start to ache and your bodies start to become exhausted.
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Taliesin smiles at her companions as they continue toward their destination.
"You all did such a good job back there! Clever illusions are no match for you!"
She tries to help Soran find a good place to camp.
"Can we find somewhere with lots of pillowy ground cover to camp on? I guess that's as good as anything if we can't be in our own beds!"
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Soran is quickly able to find a suitable campsite. The ground is smooth, so you will not have to worry about a fitful night's rest.
As you set up camp, the light of day turns almost too quickly into a dark night and the temperature drops suddenly. The howl of a wolf can be heard in the distance. Indeed, during the next hour or so, the howls continue and seem to be getting louder before...
A dead silence falls over the camp, broken only by the crackle of your campfire and your own voices.