Zed notes that he has yet to see a single youngster in the small colony, which seems composed almost entirely of single adults.Male and female? Or just male?
Maybe we can send them some womenfolk...
"What pressures have you been facing? We've been fortunate so far, but know that it's only a matter of time."
Male and female? Or just male?
Maybe we can send them some womenfolk...
Varn sets his mug down on the table and leans forward. "I'm glad you asked. It's why I wanted to talk face-to-face. The centaurs are a nuisance, of course, but we can handle 'em on our own. What worries me is Brevoy."
He takes another swig.
"Now, our mutual patrons in Restov have been nothing but generous, and we've each gotten a title in the bargain. But if it comes to blows with Issia, I'm not sure it's in my interest -- or yours -- to get involved. We'll keep order down here, so their southern borders won't be a concern, but sending an army north to help Rostland feels a bit too much like doing someone else's fighting. I know what that's like; the Varnling Host's a mercenary company, after all, but we also usually get paid for our trouble."
He holds up a hand. "But. I want to know how you're feeling. If you send troops north and I don't, that makes me look bad. If I send troops north and you don't, that makes you look bad. So I'd rather put my friendship into stock I can trust. Us new nobles need to stick together."
Varn leans back and picks up the mug again, running a finger along the rim. "Question is, can I trust you?"
"Can I put stock in an alliance?"
"You can always trust me, trust us. As for official alliances, it's more complex, but not out of the question. I'm leery of entangling alliances, but know that there is strength in diplomatic accord. Our charter does not include a responsibility for the levying of troops."
The Baron sighs heavily, "I've no interest in war. I've a great interest in harmony. If they try to drag the Marchlands into a war, I'll not let us fall into the quicksand. If, however, forces compel, and I cannot say no, I promise to speak with you first."
"Ha!" Varn chuckles, nodding. "I suppose that'll do, and I'll take what I can get. My charter doesn't say anything about it either, but that doesn't mean they won't ask. And you might find yourself hard-pressed to agree."
"Anyway, my thanks. To accord and harmony between our two baronies!" Varn raises his mug and crashes it against yours, and his companions do the same with the other Huntsmen.
By this time the stars are beginning to come out, and torches lit around the stockade. "I have arranged for your lodgings at the Waterhorse Inn by the river, in its best rooms, and will furnish you with Varnhold's best provisions for your saddlebags in the morning. Hardtack gets old, eh?" He chuckles again with a wink. "You're welcome to stay up drinking with me as long as you like, and to take your rest in Varnhold as long as you need, but I know you are busy men and I don't want to detain you too long. If you're ready for some shut-eye, Miriam can show you to the Waterhorse."
You set a good table, Varn. By the by, I heard you have an armorer of some skill here. I'd like to commission something--where might I find him?
"That'd be at the blacksmith I pointed out across the river. His shop opens just after dawn, and I can personally vouch for his skill." Varn pats the blade at his hip.
Unrak heads over to the smithy in the morning. The smith, a polite and soft-spoken man, apologizes that he received no letter and it will take time to obtain the necessary material. Nevertheless, he is happy to accept the commission and promises to have the breastplate sent to Solasgaard in two months.
Taranis spends the evening trying to make an impression on Lord Varn. Once the evening is over, he retires to the space provided.
In the morning he checks first to see if there's something expected of him, or of the Marchlands delegation. "Gentlemen, let's take the time to shop, and head out tomorrow. It would do us well to show participation in their economy."
Not looking to shop, Taranis spends the day gathering information on the street.
Taranis finds Varnhold to be a fairly happy, industrious colony. Much like Augrym, he learns a great deal about who is sleeping with whom, arguments about which cows belong to which ranches, and low talk of Brevoy's politics. All told though, the people of Varnhold -- many of whom are from Varn's old mercenary company -- seem content with their circumstances and optimistic about the future.
Before prepping the return home, Taranis seeks out Varn himself, and asks for "The most efficient path to Solasgaard. It is my hope that someday this route will be a sturdy road. For now though, I'll just take efficient for us."
Varn nods. "I'd like that. Safest is back the way you came, to the South Rostland Road. Or you can go through the Tors to the west." He points to the watchtower in the distance, tiny against a mountain's shoulder. "We've made the roads safe up to the watchtower, but after that I cannot guarantee your safety. If you choose that road, be wary."
Unrak visits the smith, and gives his measurements for a mithral breastplate. He writes up a receipt, and gives half the cash now, half due when the product is completed & delivered.
Counting off the days on his fingers, Taranis concludes the date to be [color=teal]19th Sarenith[/color].
The Huntsmen elect to take the mountain pass, and follow a narrow track westward towards the peaks. The track gradually narrows to a simple footpath, winding along the shoulders of the Tors' foothills, with the ground growing steadily stonier underfoot. Though the way clearly sees little use, nothing accosts you on the first day, and towards sundown you reach the edge of Varnhold's protective reach.
The rugged Tors of Levenies dip low here, creating a natural pass from the east to the west. The Crooked River flows down to the west, cascading out of the mountains just under the pass’s highest elevation, leaving 150-foot-high sheer cliffs to the north and south. A single stone watchtower sits at the top of the pass. The watchtower is manned by a single company of Varn's soldiers, who invite you to take shelter in the lowest room of the simple tower. Venturing to the top of the tower, you are just able to make out Varnhold in the distance to the east, alright shadowed in the gathering night.
You set out the next morning, shortly after dawn on [color=teal]20th Sarenith[/color]. Only an hour further down the pass, the eerie quiet of the mountains starts to unsettle your nerves. Even in this early summer month, the wind feels quite chill this high up.
You note a sudden pattern to the wind that was not there before. A steady WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH...
Unrak jerks his head up, peering at the sky.
The wind has changed. Something is coming--something airborne.
He pulls out his heavy crossbow, fitting it with a magical bolt, eyes high.
In response to his brother's actions, Taranis casts a spell of barkskin upon himself and one of acid maw upon Toth.
The sounds of beating wings gets louder. There! Silhouetted against the blinding eastern sun, you squint at a great monster headed straight for you!
+2 if Surprise
The beast descends and lashes out at Taranis with a long stinger in a deadly fly-by. Atop the next switch-back it screeches, wheeling for another attack!
MISS
Round I
1. Kn Arcana to Identify
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
"Zed! What is this‽"
Taranis directs Toth to guard him, while he casts a spell of [ur=https://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Sheet%20Lightning]Sheet Lightning[/url].
Tap the stag help.
Zed says what he thinks it is to the group, even as he withdraws a small bit of black micah from an inner pocket. He smiles and crumbles the fragile flakes between his fingers while he utters some words of magic.
Glitterdust DC 20
Unrak looses his crossbow bolt.
<--are you kidding???
he growls in frustration at the weak hit, then drops the crossbow & pulls out his longbow
FAIL
SUCCESS
Blinded and dazzled, the wyvern thrashes about, not really noticing Unrak's bolt and certainly unaware of Augrym's.
Round I
1. Wyvern (4 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
Question 1. Where is it loot stashed?
1b. Weaknesses?
2. Resistances?
Zed recalls that wyverns have large hunting ranges, so its nest could be ten miles away or more. He also recalls that they have no known weaknesses, other than their short tempers.
Augrym recalls that wyverns are immune to sleep and paralysis, and have a poisonous bite.
Round I
1. Wyvern (4 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
Marc starts a game of pincushion. Blinded but hungry, the sparkling wyvern flies east to try to shake off the glitter.
SUCCESS
Round II
1. Wyvern (11 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
Taranis grabs a handful of stones and blesses them with a sprig of holly. He commands Toth to continue to guard him.
Unrak reaches for his arrows, and remembers he still has two magical shafts. He bellows out HEY!! Is this thing categorized as an "animal??"
Unrak reaches for his arrows, and remembers he still has two magical shafts. He bellows out HEY!! Is this thing categorized as an "animal??"
Taranis gets ready to fight at range.
Round II
1. Wyvern (11 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
At Zed's uncustomarily succinct shake of the head, Unrak reaches for a regular arrow.
Unrak's arrows sail into the mountain air, finding nothing.
Round II
1. Wyvern (11 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
Double move.
Marc scores another light hit.
Round II
1. Wyvern (19 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis
Zed, cursing his inability to bring the creature down into melee, opts for the opposite. With a quick array of words and motions casts Fly on Augrym.
Glittering in the morning sun, the wyvern swoops north for a fly-by, flashing its stinger at Toth.
HIT plus FORT vs. poison
Round II
1. Wyvern (19 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis (Toth 34/42 hp, FORT)
Taranis hurls one of his magic stones at the creature:
As the wyvern approaches, Toth bites at it. for
Taranis gives the cat an order to attack, hoping to get a solid bite on the wyvern:
for
The wyvern completes its swoop unmolested. Toth fights through the poison.
Round II
1. Wyvern (19 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis (Toth 34/42 hp)
Observing the creature is blinded, Unrak surmises that it will land & fight rather than fly blind. He drops his bow and rushes forward to join Toth, sword coming out.
double move, drop weapon, draw weapon
Unrak closes, standing by his brother.
Round II
1. Wyvern (19 dmg)
2. Augrym, Zed, Marc, Unrak, Taranis (Toth 34/42 hp)
Double move.
Chris Marsh
Frag the Fierce
Whistle Pig