DM Mothman |
Eljoy leads the way down the hill and off the road towards the ugly sawdust strewn camp. He weaves his way past tents and split-log shacks and buildings towards the building he indicated earlier. The distant *thwack* of axes and the occasional crash of falling timber can be heard distantly above the nearer sound of sawing, people and animals. You pass a few burly looking lumberjacks, dressed in rough but warm looking homespun clothing and carrying large axes slung over their shoulders. Most give you suspicious or surly looks as they pass. Most of the workforce here appears to be human and male, but there are a few women and a few people who look like they may have some elvish or orcish ancestory.
Once you reach the sturdy, split-log foreman’s office up on its low tree stump perch, Oliver moves past Eljoy and climbs awkwardly up the three rough-hewn timber steps to knock at the door and call out.
After a moment the door swings inwards, held by a massive bear of a man dressed in forester’s garb, much of his face obscured by his bushy black beard and heavy dark eyebrows. His right arm is held in a crude sling.
The man looks down at Oliver for a moment, his expressive eyebrows raised in surprise, taking the crippled oracle in with piercing blue eyes. After a moment he speaks in a deep but not overly loud voice. “Payday’s not here. You looking for work?” He shakes his head slightly, then, not waiting for a reply, turns and calls into the building. “Jarlben! Strangers to see the boss. Wanna see them?” A grunt that may be of assent comes from within the building, and the big forester steps aside to let you pass.
DM Mothman |
You step up into the darkened interior of the wood-walled shack. It appears to be divided into two rooms – a small ante-room filled with clutter, and a larger office, its walls hung with badly taxidermied heads of wolves, bears and deer, and with a small window looking north, letting in the sounds and smells of the camp outside. A broad-shouldered balding man, run somewhat to fat, sits behind a roughly made timber desk, making marks on a piece of paper with a quill. Several wooden chairs sit in front of the desk. The large, bearded man with the arm-sling follows you into the room and sits down on a chair in the corner.
The man behind the desk looks up at you with narrowed eyes. “Boss Teedum isn’t here,” he says shortly. “What do you want? Skinner, is that you? You’re not here chasing phantom pay again are you? Or come to ask for your job back?”
Eljoy:
Jasper Eleventoes |
Jasper's in his normal head-on-a-swivel mode, but he refrains from waving or chirping at the lumberjacks they pass, giving them a nod if they look at him, but otherwise trying to be like Eljoy and act like he's been here before. Other than the looking around....
When they enter the office, he finds himself standing near the knee of the man wearing the sling and can't help looking and wondering what ill fortune befell him.
Eljoy Skinner |
There's tension in Eljoy's shoulders and neck. He sniffs or snorts, a rustling frisson of mucus, and nods before replying levelly. "Trooks. I'm not here for any of that. Doing a little job for Sheriff Baleson, guidin' these greenhorns in the woods. I was hoping we could get bunks and chow for the night, and a good start in the morning. Before you decide, listen to Oli here. He talks real purty."
Diplomacy, aid another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
Got you off to a good start there.
Oliver Hoffman |
Oliver nods weakly at Eljoy in thanks for his attempt at a proper introduction, "Yes, well, as he so plainly put it. We are indeed looking for a place to bed down, and would also appreciate a warm meal, if there is one to be had. The task that brings us out this way could possibly directly combat the illness that has struck much of the town. Now I know it has not hit the loggers as bad as the town itself, but think how bad things could get if it continues unabated. Though it isn't here yet, if we do not find what we seek, it will only spread, and before long it will hinder even you all out here on the fringes of the woods. All we ask is for a nice spot to rest and a meal that may give us the strength we need to help the whole community, and stop this outbreak before it reaches your door as bad as it has the town."
Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
If I failed by 5 or more, let me know. My racial trait allows me a second roll within a 24 hour period.
Jasper Eleventoes |
Jasper pipes up from where he stands by the injured man, "Yes, it would not be good for the loggers to get sick because then they would not be able to work."
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
DM Mothman |
Diplomacy 1d20+7
If I failed by 5 or more, let me know. My racial trait allows me a second roll within a 24 hour period.
He is currently unfriendly to you, your diplomacy check needs to change his attitude to at least indifferent before you can make requests of him. Prior to any ‘aid another’ checks you have failed by 5 or more, so can re-roll if you like. I will let ‘aid another’ checks apply to your second check.
DM Mothman |
At Oliver’s mention of a place to stay and a meal, the man behind the desk snorts loudly. “What does this look like to you, a hostel? If you want a bed and meal, there’s an inn in town. If Skinner’s taking you into the woods, try not to get killed or stir up trouble.” He picks up the piece of paper he was looking at and begins reading, seeming to ignore what Oliver adds to his speech. But at mention of the illness, the other man, the big bearded one, looks up sharply, looking at Oliver intently.
Oliver Hoffman |
Oliver nods, seemingly accepting of the decision, but continuing anyways, "I understand your stance. This is a large and important logging camp and cannot always be troubled to attend to visitors." He dips his head low as if in resignation, "But, when you look at the grand scheme of things, where will you be when the word comes down that a cure was discovered, and the townsfolk grateful? Will the tales tell of the Consortium being the cold and uncaring company that wasn't even willing to offer the most minor amount of assistance toward the discovery? Reputation goes a long way when it comes to business, and there is no greater reputation than that of the tales that precede us. Do you hear bards sing of either those that help or hinder the cause, or of those that just stood by?" He asks the whole thing in an almost faux ponder, as if he is more thinking aloud than trying to persuade them.
Second Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Glancing at the big bearded man, he cocks his head, "Where are my manners? I fancy myself a bit of a healer, and I have been completely remiss in offering any aid I can to the injury it looks like you bear. Would you mind if I had a look at it? How did it happen?"
DM Mothman |
With Jasper’s Aid Another bonus, that is enough to change his attitude to indifferent. More diplomacy checks will be required if you want more out of him.
The man at the desk throws down the piece of paper in exasperation. “Are you still talking? Fine! Find an empty tent or two for the night if it will shut you up. Don’t expect to be fed, and be gone by dawn. Staying here will help with a cure, what rot …” His voice trails off in a mumble. He then looks over to address the bearded man. “You let them in Milon, you can go and find them somewhere to stay.”
The bearded man heaves himself out of his chair. “Broke it,” he answers Oliver laconically in response to the question about his arm. “It’ll mend. Coming?”
DM Mothman |
The big man, Milon, leads you out of the foreman’s shack, back down into the dirt and sawdust of the camp. Unless you had anything else you wanted to say to the foreman.
While he waits for you to untie your donkeys from a nearby hitching rail, he clears his throat loudly, then speaks. “How fares the town with this Taint? I heard they found the Blackscour growing in Brockman’s Well … you said something about having a cure …”
Eljoy Skinner |
"Yeah. It's Blackscour. Laurel the herbalist has a recipe that might cure it, but she doesn't have the ingredients. We're looking for them. If this doesn't work, you better keep the boys out of town or this camp will look even more like a cesspool."
Adalwin MacFaine |
Adalwin follows Milon from the shack, still unsure if it was beneficial or not to gain the beds for the night.
"It's bad in town - already people are dying, and the numbers are only going to increase as time goes on. Lourel, the herbalist, believes this cure we seek is the only chance for those affected. No help will arrive in time from outside. Do you have any family in town?"
Jasper Eleventoes |
"Oh! We're going to have to explore a bit. We know what to look for and where, but not exactly where, you know? One of them is the Eldest," he looks at the others, "the oldest tree in Darkmoon Wood. I think that's the first one we hope to find. Have you seen it?"
Eljoy Skinner |
Eljoy's willing to pick up where Jasper left off. "We've got the find the witch o' the woods too. She's got magic rat tails or knows where they can be found. And then there's Ironbloom m'shrooms. Could be a load o' crap. But if it's not then we'll save some folk maybe."
DM Mothman |
Milon does not immediately respond to questions or comments put to him as he leads the group through the lumber camp towards a trio of mildewed tents on the outskirts of the camp. Eventually he runs the fingers of his good hand through the tangle of his bushy beard and speaks. “There’s a giant darkwood north of the Droskmere, biggest by far I’ve ever seen. Spoke to a druid once who said it was the oldest tree in Andoran. The fey of the forest hold it sacred – best they don’t see you there, more so if they take you for loggers. We sent some lads scouting out that way a week ago – they ain’t come back yet. Fey got ‘em maybe, or the serpents. Heard of the witch. Black hearted and twisted, they say, but I’ve not heard of anyone who’s actually seen her in years. You can stay in these tents, but don’t linger come morning. If there is a cure to the Taint, find it before it takes my nephew.” He looks from one to the other of you with his piercing blue eyes.
Adalwin MacFaine |
Adalwin starts to ask how old the boy is, but stops himself, deciding he is better of not knowing. "I will do all in my power to get the ingredients of the cure back in time. Is their anything else you can tell us that may speed our return? What are the serpents you spoke of? And what kind of threat do the fey hold?"
DM Mothman |
Milon indicates a nearby hitching post for the donkeys and a cold fire pit not far from the trio of tents. “Her name is Mila,” he answers Jasper. “The fey of the forest … they have all sorts of tricks. Best thing is to stay away from them – or try not to look like loggers otherwise. They’ve no love for the Consortium. The serpents near the old darkwood have arms and a foul breath. I don’t know whether they are pets of the fey, but they seem to guard the place.”
He nods farewell and starts to walk away, but pauses and turns at Eljoy’s question. “If you head due north from the camp you’ll meet the lake nearer its eastern shore than its western – I’d go around it to the east.” He nods again and strides off back in the direction of the foreman’s office.
The shadows lengthen as the sun sinks in the western sky; a couple of hours remain until sunset.
Settling in for the evening?
Eljoy Skinner |
Eljoy helps unload the donkey. Then he sheds his armor and lays aside his ax.
"Last safe night for a while. We won't have any trouble here if we don't stir up the jacks. Might be best to keep a watch though. Some of these fellows are so poor that we look rich. I wouldn't put a midnight requisition past some of them."
Sometime during the evening he corrals Oliver.
"You did good with Trooks. We could have done far worse here."
And a little later in the evening, he nudges Reekis.
"I know some boys who might have a little taste, if they're in camp. We could take a look."
Jasper Eleventoes |
Jasper follows Anor and leads Percival (his mule) to the hitching post. He's not sure why she doesn't like him, but he's pretty sure she knows what she's doing, so he watches as she cares for her animal and tries to follow suit with Percival.
Due to his size, he has to get Adalwin to assist him with the unloading process, but he tries to handle the rest.
In a small voice, he asks her a few questions as he works,
"Am I doing this right?"
"Do you do that every time?"
"Is it better to do it like this?"
Apologetically, he volunteers, "They didn't let me work outside. This is all new." He grins and whispers, "and exciting."
Eljoy Skinner |
"Not beer exactly. They usually brew it from pine needles. Kicks like a mule."
Oliver Hoffman |
Oliver nods his thanks to Milon, sympathy on his face. "I'll do what I can to return with haste so that no one loses any more loved ones to this taint. I appreciate the assistance you have offered."
He is actually surprised by Eljoy's sign of approval, "Oh, uh, thank you. I am just trying to do all I can to make up for whatever burden I may cause from the limitations my leg causes me."
He sets about with the others, helping how he can in setting up their spot for the night, and unloading the mules. In spite of his bad leg, it doesn't slow him down in regards to working with the others in getting ready for the evening. He is stopped, however, when Eljoy asks Reekis to go find a drink, "Oh, I think not. I hate to have to put my good foot down, but the best thing for Reekis right now is not a drink. I need to try and prepare what Laurel gave us, and aid how I can to help him overcome this illness."
Heal to treat disease on Reekis 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Does the thing from Laurel give a bonus at all?
Anor |
In a small voice, he asks her a few questions as he works,
"Am I doing this right?"
"Do you do that every time?"
"Is it better to do it like this?"Apologetically, he volunteers, "They didn't let me work outside. This is all new." He grins and whispers, "and exciting."
Anor answers his questions as he asks them, then continues "Is this your first donkey then? They don't take too much care, I'm sure you will pick it up soon.
"I'd try not to tell too many around here about our plans though. Most of them can't be trusted, and may try to get to the places we are after to cause us trouble, or get the things first and sell them on. I hope you didn't think I was being too grumpy back there."
Jasper Eleventoes |
He nods, happy that she doesn't seem to be upset or frustrated with him. "My work was inside. They didn't want me to get hurt in the field, I think. I've seen them, of course, but I never took care of them. I want to take good care of Percival, here."
He listens to her suggestion, "Oh, I see. I never thought of that..." It's pretty obvious that he holds no grudge against her. After a moment's thought, he says brightly, "It's nice to be doing a good thing with friends. Thank you, Anor!"
He turns to the donkey and attentively checks it over, murmuring calming words to it.
Adalwin MacFaine |
Adalwin bustles around the area, trying to be useful but mostly just getting in the way. He is restless. "I hate waiting" he mutters to no one in particular.
Adalwin is about to chime in, asking Eljoy if he can tag along with a trip through the camp, but then stops as Oliver admonishes the pair. Instead he stutters into silence, caught between not wanting to displease Oliver and a way to alleviate his boredom
Eljoy Skinner |
...
He is actually surprised by Eljoy's sign of approval, "Oh, uh, thank you. I am just trying to do all I can to make up for whatever burden I may cause from the limitations my leg causes me."
The scowl resettles on Eljoy's face. He shakes his head and turns to other tasks.
He is stopped, however, when Eljoy asks Reekis to go find a drink, "Oh, I think not. I hate to have to put my good foot down, but the best thing for Reekis right now is not a drink. I need to try and prepare what Laurel gave us, and aid how I can to help him overcome this illness."
...
"Hey, I reckon a drink of, uh, pine needle whiskey might be just what I need. Hey, what, you want me to drink that, now?"
"This rotgut might eat the 'scour that's eating Reekis. And you. It's that strong. Maybe you should try it with Laurel's. More medicine is better."
Adalwin bustles around the area, trying to be useful but mostly just getting in the way. He is restless. "I hate waiting" he mutters to no one in particular.
Adalwin is about to chime in, asking Eljoy if he can tag along with a trip through the camp, but then stops as Oliver admonishes the pair. Instead he stutters into silence, caught between not wanting to displease Oliver and a way to alleviate his boredom
Eljoy's eyes drift til they fasten on the young fighter. He tips his head quickly toward Oliver and back upright. Then his eyes snap back onto the healer.
Anor |
He nods, happy that she doesn't seem to be upset or frustrated with him. "My work was inside. They didn't want me to get hurt in the field, I think. I've seen them, of course, but I never took care of them. I want to take good care of Percival, here."
"If you keep thinking like that, you wont go wrong."
DM Mothman |
The group sets up camp and chats as the afternoon transitions to twilight. As the last rays of the sun dim on the western horizon, the logging teams and their guards come trooping back to camp, making for their tents or bunk houses and from there to what you take to be (and Eljoy can confirm) a large timber mess hall. Those that pass near to your tents give you curious looks, or make rude comments amongst themselves, or in a few cases nod curtly to Eljoy.
Oliver spends some time preparing Laurel’s remedies and doing what he can to help Reekis.
Oliver, your Heal check will enable Reekis to gain a +4 bonus on his next saving throw against the affliction, during the night. Laurel’s remedies don’t gain you any further bonus – they ease or suppress the symptoms, such as pain and coughing, but do little if anything to actually slow or reverse the course of the Taint. Oliver can also make a Heal check to treat his own disease if he wishes.
Are Eljoy, Reekis or anyone else going to try to seek out some rotgut and drinking companions in the camp during the evening? Is anyone doing anything else apart from sleeping and taking a turn at watch?
DM Mothman |
During the night, Reekis and Oliver both need to make a DC 16 Fort save or take 1 point of Constitution damage. The benefit of a successful DC 16 Heal check to treat disease will gain you a +4 bonus to this saving throw. If you get a good night’s rest of at least 8 hours (which should be achievable here in camp unless you decide on a night of hard drinking), you will have 1 point of Constitution damage restored. This may offset new damage you take as a result of a failed save, or bring your Constitution score back up to full if you make the save (but will not cure you of the disease).
Eljoy Skinner |
"City boy," Eljoy mutters sourly, but unleashes no more scorn than that.
"I'll be back," he announces to the party at large. He catches Adalwin's eye and jerks his head toward the camp.
Yeah, Eljoy's drinking. In his view it's what men do. Adalwin is welcome to come along.
Jasper Eleventoes |
As Eljoy (and possibly Adalwin) walk off, Jasper watches. To Anor, with a gesture at his tiny body, he smiles, "I don't handle alcohol well." He continues, pointing at his face, "However, I do all right in darkness. Better than bright light, actually. Since it happened, I've been able to see into shadows, so maybe I should wake up and watch when it's darkest?"
Eljoy Skinner |
Adalwin looks from Oliver to Eljoy, not sure who he wants to please more. After a moments dithering he shakes his head, cheeks going slightly red as he mumbles a reply. " We should probably get some sleep so we can be off early tomorrow."
"I thought so." Eljoy's frown deepens to a scowl.
"Suit yerself."
The big man shrugs and marches into camp.
That was fun.
DM Mothman |
While most of the group find their bedrolls, discuss the watches or tomorrow’s path, Eljoy heads out into the camp, looking for some of his old drinking buddies.
As the moonshine flows, the forest’s dangers grow; not only fey, but giants, talking wolves, dragons, walking corpses, swans that can transform into seductive but deadly maids, strange spirits of ice and cold.
Eljoy can hold his liquor, but this moonshine is strong stuff, and unpredictable – the strength varies from batch to batch, and it’s been a while since Eljoy’s sampled any. If he sticks to one drink he’ll be fine, but will reap accusations of not being a real man from his fellow drinkers. If he consumes any subsequent drinks, he must make DC 12 Fortitude saves, with a cumulative -1 penalty per drink after the first. Failing any save will leave him sickened for a number of hours equal to the number of drinks he consumed.
For the rest of the group, the night passes with little incident. Although there were no guards posted to the camp perimeter during the day, a pair of guards walk the perimeter at semi-regular intervals throughout the night. Once most of the camp has settled in to sleep, the distant rustle of leaves and creaking of branches can be heard from the woods to the north – it must just be the trees being blown about by that cold northern wind, but in the dead of night it sounds somewhat sinister, like barely heard whispers or things stalking the night. At one point the distant howling of wolves can be heard from somewhere to the north.
These things (and Eljoy’s return at some point during the night) aside, the night passes with little incident. The camp begins stirring before dawn as the eastern horizon begins to lighten.