"Sounds good. I'll be sure and get us some rope before we leave. Wouldn't want to have to carry you fellas up a hill or something." He slaps Kalsgrim on the shoulder as he smiles a big Kriger smile.
Davor and Janku, any opinion on spreading the wealth, or extra items you want kicked into the group treasure for sale?
As Kriger is readying the horses, he notices Kalsgrim walking up. "Mornin', Kals. I've nearly got us ready to move. I'd of had us ready earlier, but these horses here need their sleep. Where's the rest of the fellas? Don't they know we need to get a move on."
Janku will finish his prayers at his shrine, and if the others don't show up in a minute, will go and find them.
"I have been researching monsters, preparing for our next excursion into these lands." he says as he looks to the group, standing there with his sword strapped to his back.
!4th of Rova, 4711
Led by Kalsgrim, the group heads out, on a misty morning, on the road to Restov. Their horses fresh, they come within sight of Fort Serenko by day's end.
The wooden fortification has stood for years on the southern border of Brevoy. Yet, as you approach, you see no guards on its battlement. The closer you get, the clearer it gets that the fort is abandoned.
"Aye." Kriger dismounts and leads the way. "Let's hope the local militia is just taking a bit of time off." He shrugs, as he draws his axe for good measure.
Davor thinks deeply for a moment and turns back to the group as they're travelling.
"Sounds like the best idea, but I cannot think of what might have happened to this city. What do we know about it?" he asks curiously as Davor seems concerned about these strange goings on.
Kriger scratches his beard. "Well, fellas, it appears those that were here left of their own accord. And in quite a hurry. No idea why. I'd have to guess they were needed as reinforcements, seeing how this place still stands. But whatever the reason, we'll be good to camp here for the night."
15th of Rova
The group spends an uneventful night along the battlements of Fort Serenko, its emptiness a reminder of the political tensions in Brevoy.
The next morning, you follow the road to Nivakta's Crossing. The village itself is surrounded by a wooden palisade and is set on the northeastern bank of the Shrike River. A low bridge allows access over the river here to the wilderness to the south, and Varnhold. You can see manned guard towers around the palisade.
Noticing the guards, "At least this place hasn't been abandon. That's good. Maybe they can tell us why the fort we just left was deserted."
1d20 + 6
Noticing the guards, "At least this place hasn't been abandon. That's good. Maybe they can tell us why the fort we just left was deserted."
"Be careful." Davor warns "We don't know what has happened and we can't suspect these guards are as they appear or enchanted somehow."
"Just ask the fellas, Davor. They'll tell you ol' Kriger here is the epitome of careful." He gives a wink as he smiles wryly.
"The locals don't always trust 'southerners,' but trade with us nonetheless. Let's try not to do anything to rouse their distrust, or make it harder for our folk to trade with them..." Servayn says.
Ember ruffles his wings, clearly itching to fly again, but leashed by the nature of the summoners bond, and waiting for the evening, when Servayn will unfetter him for a time and allow him to take to the skies.
You approach and see movement in the towers, but nothing threatening. You near the West Gate of Nivakta's Crossing, where four guards in light armor, carrying swords and spears, with yellow round shields, gesture softly for you to stop. One of them, the oldest, walks up to your horses: "Well Meet strangers. On your way to Restov? You should make it before nightfall if you hurry. Take the road around the palisade instead of crossing through, okay?"
The guard is taken aback: "S- South?! You know Varnhold has vanished, right? Nothing but death lies south... Why would you choose to go there?"
The guard doesn't seem to have ulterior motives.
"And can you tell us why Fort Serenko has been abandon? Did they travel here or continue through?"
To Kalsgrim, the guard looks more and more incredulous: Investigate? Aaaah! You're mad is all! Ahahah! Well good luck to y'all. Refugees? Naah! They vanished is what I heard. One day there, one day gone. Some say it's the Nomen who killed them all... Or worse..."
Turning to Kriger: "Serenko? Ah yest, a few days ago they passed us, heading north I believe. Trouble between brothers. They say we'll soon be at war, with our kin..."
"As if there is not hardship enough for us on the frontier's edge, without brother fighting brother." Servayn mutters, "Be safe out here."
"Milani's blessings on you all soldier". "We'll have some answers for you soon enough".
The road splits in two, leading South to Varnhold or East to Restov. You head South, your horses moving swiftly as the sun moves ever closer to the horizon. A few minutes later, you reach the bridge that crosses out of Brevoy. You are back in the wilderness.
Very quickly, any sign of recent passage on the road disappears, and it seems as though wildlife is holding its breath in your presence.
Nightfall is upon you an hour later...
"How far are we, do you think, from the Varnhold?" Servayn asks Kriger. "I would not wish to come across the town during the evening, if it is but a short distance ahead."
Kriger knows that Varnhold was established much further inland. There are still at least two days to go.
"No need to worry about that, Servayn. We're still a couple o' days out. Let's find a place to set up camp off the road. One of you can take first watch. I'll take the rest." He winks.
"I'll take the last watch". "I need to get up early to say my prayers anyway".
"I'll take first, then." Servayn says, as Ember has already been urging him to do. He casts a spell and alters the bond between himself and the impatient Eidolon, and Ember promptly takes flight and spends the next hour soaring over the area, purportedly 'scouting,' but really just reveling in the sensations of flight and freedom.
"Works for me. Kalsgrim? Davor? You fellas want a watch or just want to sleep on through the night?" He asks as he sets up camp.
The night goes quietly, replaced by a blazing sun that quickly turns from red to orange to yellow as it climbs over you.
The road keeps south, with mountains west and plains east. The road joins a river that Kriger identifies as the Kiravoy, leading to Fort Serenko.
By the end of the day, you reach a bridge going over the Kiravoy. It looks quite new.
After discussion, Kriger decides to spend the night with Davor, Kalsgrim and Janku, doing most of the watch using his ring of sustenance and keeping company to the others.
The bridge still stands before you.
Davor seems to be in deep thought as he goes on watch. Something about the report of this vanishing seems to have gotten him thinking.
Davor seems to be in deep thought as he goes on watch. Something about the report of this vanishing seems to have gotten him thinking.
"Somethin' on your mind, Davor?" He asks the half-orc who appears to be lost in thought.
As they come upon the bridge, Kriger looks around for any sign of trouble. "It's mighty quiet around here. Too quiet."
The quiet is quite normal, as far as Kriger can tell. Will you spend the night there? On which side of the river?
"Seems alright. Let's go on and get across."