Hollow's Last Hope

Game Master Obeythegods

From this post on everything placed here will be in character.

The small village of Falcon’s Hollow is a wild place. Nestled in the shadow of Droskar’s Crag, the people of Falcon’s Hollow are hearty and stern. Theirs is a life of hardships, broken only occasionally by a handful of festivals and the infrequent merchant caravan.
They face constant adversity from both the wilderness and the wiles of man. Wolves nip at their heels and cutpurses ply at their pockets. It is a testament to their strength that they even manage to survive at all

After a last weary day of travel, you are greeted by a small crippled young human guy at the front gate of Falcon's Hollow:

Great, more travelers (deep sigh) He speaks as though he has done this a thousand times already: Welcome to the village of Falcon's Hollow, please state your name and business.

Please roll a Knowledge Local check

KL: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"I be Khaz, o' Clan Dourblade. I be here to spread the word o' Torag, the forge father. Also here to heal the sick an' whatnot, ye ken?"

'Ah, a young man willing to do whatever is available, his parents must be proud.' Sariel gives a toothy smile, and a quick bow. "I am Sariel, a humble servant of Erastil. I had heard there was plague and I felt I may be of some service."

Seeing the dwarf walking ahead of him, Sariel nods to the young man again and hurries forward to speak to the Dwarf. "Master Dwarf, may I have a word? did I hear right? That you are a servant of the FAther of Creation?"

No knowledge skills, but once we settle in somewhere Sariel will use diplomacy to gather information ;)

Local Knowledge: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Greetings good Sir, and well met. My name is Arun, Arun Swithson, an itinerant blacksmith and minor prestidigitator traveling this region, looking for opportunities to hone my skills and broaden my view of the world! But how rude of me, talking only of myself - who are you, and why the weary sigh? Can I assume you are here to warn us of the plague I hear has beset your town? Maybe your visitors today" Here he pauses to glance at Khaz and Sariel by his side "could be able to assist your fellow townfolk in this regard?

Arun rolls out his best charming patter on the crippled young man:
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11

Having passed the knowledge local roll, I assume Arun would have shared this information with the rest of the group as we approached Falcon's Hollow. He's a talkative fellow, and not known for keeping his thoughts, opinions, or observations to himself...

Avogadro and Arun are going to have a lot of fun!

The half curtsy half bow that Avogadro throws himself into infront of the young man is a thing to behold, all limbs and elbows.

"I am Avogadro the Astounding! You have no doubt heard of me and have been awaiting my arrival but please, no escort is required. I am quite capable, to an indefatigable degree no less. But, alas and alack my mouth runs away once more, your town is plagued..."

Avogadro draws (Prestidigitates) a handkerchief from within his jacket, pulling with it a chain of coloured silks tied at the corners. Holding it to his face the rest of his words are muffled by the silk.

"Fortunately there is no ill that the cheer and mellifluous laughter I bring cannot lighten"

A white bird sitting some 10ft away on a fence post opens its mouth and a guttural clicking issues forth.

"ሁሉም ሞኝነት ነው. እንዲያውም በእኔ መረዳት አይችልም."

A towering figure with close-cropped black hair, and deep chestnut-colored skin, clad in scale mail, and with an enormous sword strapped to his back nods.

"This one is Jean-Pierre. It has been brought to his attention that there are some problems plaguing this area, and he was sent to investigate, and hopefully 'fix' them."

Flan nudges his canine mount forward to join the adventurers gathering around the small, crippled man. He puffs on an intricately carved, wooden pipe and listens patiently as the other introduce themselves. After the large, well armored man introduces himself, he takes his turn to speak up "I am Flanagan and this guy here...<motions to his mount>... is Nanook. I had a dream a fortnight ago that an unnatural evil was plaguing this village. We have come to offer our assistance." His voice is high pitched and it cracks periodically as a male human's voice does in adolescence.

Nanook pants as his rider introduces them. He sniffs in the air, taking in the new, unfamiliar smells.

But how rude of me, talking only of myself - who are you, and why the weary sigh? Can I assume you are here to warn us of the plague I hear has beset your town? Maybe your visitors today" Here he pauses to glance at Khaz and Sariel by his side "could be able to assist your fellow townfolk in this regard?

The man doesn't seem at all interested: "Oww I am of no interest to you, and yes there is a large blackscour taint outbreak but I think it is under control, our herbalist Laurel is pretty talented in my opinion. Just make sure you do not touch any sick people, they look ill."

After this sidenote he falls back into his rhythm: "You do not seem to pose a threat to this town, please come in and please don't make any ruses"

The man opens the wooden palissade and let you in, he closes the gate behind you and you hear him mumble: "Ahh if those adventurers are like them all, they will try to help and just fail miserably like always"

Thank you all for replying so quickly, now let's really get started with this adventure, and be sure to converse between players too.

"The Herbalist's name is Laurel? Perhaps we should check in with her. Where can she be found?"

Flan thinks back on his studies of disease to see if he can remember what blackscour taint is...its causes and cures.

Heal Skill: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Not sure if the follower of Torag heard him, Sariel continues unabated, "I myself am a follower of Erastil, there appears to be more folks coming in behind us. Shall we stop and wait for them?"

Slowing so the gaudily dressed stout man can catch up, Sariel smiles, reaching out to grasp hands with the traveler. "I'm Sariel, It's a pleasure to meet you!"

You remember reading something in an obscure book about the fungal disease of blackscour taint,

Blackscour taint is a fungal disease, contracted by ingesting any part of a blackscour mushroom, or drinking water that these mushrooms were growing in.After ingesting tainted food or drink, an infected person would seem normal for anywhere for 1 to 3 days. After this time, they develop a hacking cough that quickly turns bloody if the disease left untreated.

"Well I'm pleased to meet you too, Sir Cornelius. Master Dourblade and I observed you behind us on the road, but it appears we all share the same destination, and perhaps the same purpose. Dread contagion can pass swiftly through these small villages, " here dark memories pass through his thoughts, but he quickly recovers himself "...and I for one would seek to do all I can to aid them."

Turning to Flan, he says, sotto voce, "Did that young man say they were treating the blackscour taint with laurel? I am no herbalist, but that tree is better used in a ornamental garden than as a medicament, surely?"[/b]

To all [b]"My vote would be to make our way to the nearest tavern - we can better establish to state of the town from there. And wet our throats from the dry road, too. Unless of course the sickness is in the beer..."[b]

Turning to Flan, he says, sotto voce, "Did that young man say they were treating the blackscour taint with laurel? I am no herbalist, but that tree is better used in a ornamental garden than as a medicament, surely?"

Flan giggles a bit at the man mishearing the old man. "No...not the tree. Laurel appears to be an herbalist here in town who is working to end the plague."

He turns to the group and speaks. His high pitched voice cracks a bit as he explains the disease. "Blacksour Taint is a fungal disease which comes from ingesting a blacksour mushroom. It can even taint water it grows in or near. It takes a few days to show up once you have ingested it though. I'd recommend not drinking the water or eating any mushrooms. All the more reasons to have the ale or wine here instead! At least, that is what I remember from my studies with my mentor. I have never treated it before."

Sariel bows to the portly man, "Please just Sariel, Cornelius was my maternal grandfathers name, and I am no sir, I was raised in a smithy and learned to serve Elastril there. It was only through his grace that I was trained in the sword. But enough about me."

Bowing to the mounted Halfling and his canine. "Greetings master Halfling" Smiling at the comment about 'ale or wine instead' "Your knowledge of flora and fauna will be very useful. And you speak wisdom concerning drinking Ale and wine, as long as it is in moderation, of course."

Avogadro follows the conversation with swiftly diminishing interest until...

"My vote would be to make our way to the nearest tavern - we can better establish to state of the town from there. And wet our throats from the dry road, too. Unless of course the sickness is in the beer..."

"A tavern! The gentleman speaks in most perfect unison with logic and self evident truth. To a tavern we must go!"

Without waiting for further discussion Avogadro strides off towards the centre of town, arms swinging wildly.

Okay, we have two votes to go to the tavern only one left, or if you want to go somewhere else, three person rule was a fantastic idea.

I should have been clearer, Sariel said "You speak wisdom concerning drinking ale and wine, as long as it is in moderation, of course." I assumed that would count as a vote for going to the tavern, I will try and be clearer next time ;)

Sariel nods his head, Yes on to the tavern."

Flan watches as the eccentric man marches away. Wow. Some of these jokers are more impulsive than half the fey I know. Should be fun! I definitely think we should visit Laurel at some point, but what is the harm in getting to know each other and the locals better first? Flan nudges Nanook and the wolf turns to follow the men who have started to walk off. Flan strikes a small flint and lights his pipe once again. He takes a puff and enjoys the ride, taking in the sights of the village. He reaches down and pets the wolf's neck affectionately.

Oww okay, no problem I did notice it but I wasn't really sure.

When you cross the first corner of the street, you already hear the sound of a bustling tavern, while you walk towards it, slowly the smell of cooked deer approaches you.

Above the Tavern hangs an old wooden duck, and above it stands "The Sitting Duck".

Inside it doesn't seem to be as full as you might have thought, there are only a few people inside, an Elven ranger quietly reading a book near the fire where a deer is slowly cooking, two lumberjacks sitting across eachother and they seem to be talking loud and disruptive about what the right way is to hold an axe, lastly there is a half-elven sheriff drunkenly enjoying a conversation with the female barkeep and an educated looking woman with small concave glasses.

What do you want to do?

You can make a nature check for flavor if you want to.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

on the way
Sariel nods his head in agreement with Flanagan, "Yes it is always good to get to know the people you are with, and if nothing else someone in the... He squints a little to see the sign, "The Sitting Duck, I believe, will know where Laurel lives."

in tavern
'The roasted deer smell wonderful' Opening the door and stepping in Sairel sees the five or six people inside. "Shall we sit here?" Einar points at a table near the bar large enough for more than everyone who just walked in. "What way if anyone wants to join us there will be room."

Leaning over to the towering dark haired man who introduced himself as Jean-Pierre, "Jean-Pierre, the man talking to the barmaid, the emblem on his chest, did that Identify him as the sheriff? Maybe we should introduce our selves to the local constabulary."

Sariel is a servant of Erastil without a bow and a zero for perception. I'm playing him as a little near sighted :)

Know: Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Avogadro is about to open the doors to the tavern when they spring open of their own accord (open/close) scowling slightly he steps through.

Once in the bar area he quickly assesses the 'audience' with a keen eye. Striding over to the bar as Sariel picks a table he produces (Prestidigitates) two, rather tatty, roses from his jacket.

"Ladies."

With a bow he pushes one bloom each into the unexpecting hands of the barkeep and the spectacled lady

"you look simply liquidescent in this light. And sir, you must be in charge around here, it radiates from you like an aurora."

He pumps the man's hand like a well handle.

"Fresh venison - delightful! And stuffed with onions with a fennel sauce, marvelous! My good lady, " this addressing the barkeep, "I fear I must press you for some of this food before my rather outsized friends strip the carcass to the bone!"

Reminded of the hulking barbarian and the dwarf he arrived with, he turns "Where are they? They were here a moment ago..."

Arun will make conversation with the barkeep and the educated lady, whilst playing wingman to his more extravagant companion. Simultaniously, he assesses the health of the customers - are any of them obviously suffering the effects of this fungal infection?

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Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

You know not really anything.

Know: Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

The deer hanging above the fire is special, It's a Dunlied indigenous to this region, A particularly stout breed of small-antlered deer, often trained by foresters as mounts.

Once in the bar area he quickly assesses the 'audience' with a keen eye. Striding over to the bar as Sariel picks a table he produces (Prestidigitates) two, rather tatty, roses from his jacket.

"Ladies."

With a bow he pushes one bloom each into the unexpecting hands of the barkeep and the spectacled lady

"you look simply liquidescent in this light. And sir, you must be in charge around here, it radiates from you like an aurora."

He pumps the man's hand like a well handle.

The barkeep can't contain a small chuckle and the other woman's face quickly turns into a small smile, while she smiles you can clearly see deep worry lines etched into her face.

The sheriff introduces himself while giving a very firm handshake: "Good day to you sir, I'm Deldrin Baleson the local enforcher of law, but don't worry I'm not that strict."He gives a quick wink."So you look like an eccentric man, do you have any tales worth sharing?"

"Fresh venison - delightful! And stuffed with onions with a fennel sauce, marvelous! My good lady, " this addressing the barkeep, "I fear I must press you for some of this food before my rather outsized friends strip the carcass to the bone!"

The barkeep still in a mild state of laughter says: "Sure just take a slice of meat and pay me when you have tastet it, I hope it's not too warm."

Arun please make a perception check for that, just a general tip, make a guess for when you have to roll so you can do that in your first post instead of a response, that speeds things up a bit, thanks in advance.

No problem
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Arun takes particular care to check that the venison is not in a black mushroom sauce...

No problem Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Arun takes particular care to check that the venison is not in a black mushroom sauce. But looking at that dice roll the smell of the freshly carved meat on his platter distracts him somewhat from other concerns...

Flan dismounts Nanook. He turns to the wolf and makes a hand gesture.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 4 = 28

Nanook immediately lies down next to the doors and sighs. Flan bends over and pets the dog's neck. Good boy. I know you'd rather be out in the woods. Be patient." He sets out a bowl and casts a spell Create Water. The wolf begins drinking. "I'll grab you something tasty inside."

Flan follows the others in and sits at the table with Sariel. He enjoys the food that is brought, but stores some away for his companion.

Nanook sighs deeply as the others enter the tavern. He finishes his bowl of water and yawns before lying down with his chin on his crossed paws.

"So you look like an eccentric man, do you have any tales worth sharing?"

"Tales? Tales sir are for children and the infirm! And animals I suppose, many animals have tails don't they. What I have sir is realities! Tales indeed. If it is tales you require I believe Mr Smithsiston here has a tail..."

A crude, mangey, fox's tail sprouts from Arun's rump as he stands beside the venison.

'The Sitting Duck'? That... is an unfortunate name.

Jean-Pierre shrugs in response to Sariel's question.

"By the look of it, this one would tend to agree with that supposition."

Once the party moves over to chat with the locals, Jean-Pierre interjects with all the charm of a rutting bull:

"Actually, this one is here to see if he could help with the current problems plaguing the area... Profits are down, and some of the merchants back in the big smoke are becoming nervous..."

Nodding in agreement with Jean-Pierre, 'Ah he is the local authority, I should introduce myself. Sariel walks up to Deldrin, smiling, grasping the mans hand and shaking it vigorously. "I am Sariel, a servant of Erastil, and I am here to help."

After introducing himself to the sheriff Sariel will roam the bar trying to gather information about the plague.
hours spent: 1d4 ⇒ 1
diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"My good lady, this really is quite fine. Quite fine. How much do I owe you, for food for myself and each of my companions? Oh, and the dog, too, I suppose..." Arun looks over at the wolf laid out on the floor by the door, mournful eyes fixed on the spitted deer.

In all this excitement, he totally fails to notice the fox tail sprouting from his rear DC14 Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4. Although Nanook catches sight of it and eyes it suspiciously.

Over the coming period of time, Arun exercises his Knowledge: Local skill 'cos everywhere is local, right? to get an understanding of the local area from the villagers, and Knowledge: Nobility to understand who is the local baron/ landowner. Arun wants to know whether this person has done anything to help the village.

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Knowledge: Nobility: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Dotting to remove the thread.