"We are but travelers, meaning no harm" - the half orc offers a greeting in return - "Well met! I am Garrosh!"
"And I am Belle. We were attacked by Wraiths a day ago and not all of us survived. The safety of a caravan sure sounds good. Where are you headed?"
Tony never one for pleasantries trudges forth, "Do you have ale, and unhealthy hatred for the undead!
He turns to wink at Belle,that'll win them over. His scarred mind already making strange jumps in logic.
The man lowers his sword, but the other guards keep their bows at the ready, with arrows nocked, but not pointing directly at you. The speaker approaches until he stands maybe 6 paces before you. He looks you over in silence for a long moment before sheathing his sword. "Aye, we have ale, and wine, and a warm fire. Wraiths you say? That sounds like a tale for this evening. I'm sure the children will sleep well after that. C'mon." He motions for you to approach, noting Garrosh's burden. "Name's Rehann. We're headed south. If yer headed that way, you'd be welcome to travel with us. Could use some extra swords, what with all the bandit activity."
Putting a hand on Garrosh's arm, "I be sorry for your loss, but I must ask that you leave your burden outside the ring of wagons. And, I am going to have to validate the deceased."
Rehann is a middle aged man with greying hair braded close to his scalp, and a couple days of stubble on his chin. His chain shirt strains tight over his pot belly, but the size of his arms and the way he held the blade made it clear that he wasn't anyone to trifle with.
The caravan consists of five wagons loaded with supplies. Several men tend to the horses hobbled nearby, while a few women work on cooking a meal over the fire blazing in the middle of the wagons. A couple children play under one of the wagons but stop and stand to watch you, mouths agape, as you walk into camp. A dozen or more guards can be seen, some atop the wagons looking out into the dusk, with bows at hand. Others sit around the fire eating, eyeing you suspiciously.
"Maris, we have guests. They're welcome to share the sup, if they're willing to take a watch," Rehann addresses a middle-aged woman at the cook fire, and then turns back to you. "So, Belle and Garrosh, who are your comrades? Let's get some ale and hear this tale you have."
"Tony is the thirsty one. We found him when he was being chased by some ghouls and we were battling some gargoyles. We lost Tessai to the gargoyles and Magnus to the ghouls. The big guy is Raynaud. Nice guy to have around since he tends to throw himself in the way of all kinds of danger. Not sure why he's still alive to tell you the truth, but more of us would have died if not for him. The quiet dwarf over there is Brodin - a monk of sorts. HIM we found in a heated exchange with some wererats and their inevitable smaller stinky friends. No vow of silence or anything, just a bit on the suspicious side I'm thinking. He lost a friend in that battle. He shoots arrows faster than you can blink. The one over Garrosh's shoulder was Agyen. The wraiths got him yesterday... Yea, we have some stories to tell - a good way to honor the dead I say. I bet we sound pretty stupid to you for wandering about around here, but we each have our reasons."
I'm not an easy one to kill. I'll take a watch. If you'll permit.
With strangers again, Reynaud is back to his initial quiet ways.
Can't be scaring the children, now.
"I'm a night owl. I'll help you out."
I'll be drunk for it, but I'll be there
Tony follows along a spring in his step.
"If you guys don't mine, I have a little catching up to do with some tasks.
Belle will be working on art and crafting some scrolls.
Belle would like to create the following scrolls during the stay with the caravan:
2x Color Spray, CL 1 (25 gp)
2x Monkey Fish, CL 1 (25 gp)
1x Glitterdust, CL 4 (100 gp)
Leaving her with 50 gp of art/scroll materials. The scrolls will feature lots of illustrations from their adventures.
Brodin, Tony and Reynaud agree to stand watch, while Belle sets to scribing some scrolls. She knows she'll need to get some sleep tonight, or she won't be rested enough in the morning to prepare her mind tomorrow for a full compliment of spells.
Shortly after eating and laying their gear out to rest, Garrosh notices a boy hiding around the edge of a wagon, peering out at the half-orc. The boy ducks his head back when he sees Garrosh looking his way. But the lad's curiosity is up, and when he pokes his head out again, Garrosh growls, "What?"
The boy gets at look of fear on his face, but when the half-orc just stands there with his arms crossed, he emerges from behind the wagon and approaches. He can't be much more than 10, which was about the time Garrosh left home, but he is scrawny, with a smattering of freckles across his face. "Are...are you adventurers? H-have you b-b-been to the M-mouth of D-d-doom?"
Rolls to identify the bracers and the brass bottle...
After she sets up her bedroll and gets some of the sup, Belle sits down with the bottle and the bracers, looking their auras over again. But they are complex, and she is not able to determine their purpose.
So Belle asks,
"Where are you headed anyway. We were headed for the nearest town but I don;t know of anything near by to the south."
Tony after knocking back a few pints, starts asking around for a priest.
The mouth of Doom? Never heard of it, kid.
Putting a hand on Garrosh's arm, "I be sorry for your loss, but I must ask that you leave your burden outside the ring of wagons. And, I am going to have to validate the deceased."
"Very well" - Garrosh nods - "It is your caravan, and your rules" - the half-orc agrees.
Brodin, Tony and Reynaud agree to stand watch, while Belle sets to scribing some scrolls. She knows she'll need to get some sleep tonight, or she won't be rested enough in the morning to prepare her mind tomorrow for a full compliment of spells.
Shortly after eating and laying their gear out to rest, Garrosh notices a boy hiding around the edge of a wagon, peering out at the half-orc. The boy ducks his head back when he sees Garrosh looking his way. But the lad's curiosity is up, and when he pokes his head out again, Garrosh growls, "What?"
The boy gets at look of fear on his face, but when the half-orc just stands there with his arms crossed, he emerges from behind the wagon and approaches. He can't be much more than 10, which was about the time Garrosh left home, but he is scrawny, with a smattering of freckles across his face. "Are...are you adventurers? H-have you b-b-been to the M-mouth of D-d-doom?"
"Reynaud is right kid - never heard of such a place, so it would seem you know more than we do" - the large half-orc chuckles - "What's your name by the way small one? I am Garrosh"
Rehann replies to Belle, "Headed to Bard's Gate. I wouldn't exactly call it nearby. Endhome is closer. But that's where I get paid." He looks at Belle, and glances at the wrapped corpse Garrosh had carefully lain outside the wagons. "Nearest town is Zelkor's Ferry, 'bout four days northwest through trackless, bandit-filled wilderness. Or you can make for the river and hope for a boat to take you there."
The woman who served up the stew to Tony, a half-elven woman named Elowen, pushes a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. It's impossible to tell how old she is, but there is some grey in her mousy brown hair. "A priest, you say?" She glances over to a man wrapped in a hooded cloak, and gestures with her chin. "That one joined up with us to go to Bard's Gate. Not safe for a solo traveller in these parts. Not sure if he's a priest, but he's got a holy symbol around his neck. The Dawnflower. Says his name is Sier."
The boy looks between Reynaud and Garrosh, and then over at the woman by the cookfire speaking with Tony. He motions them around the side of the wagon,out of her view, where he begins talking in hushed, but excited tones. His eyes go wide with excitement as he speaks, "Karmon said there is a dungeon around here called the Mouth of Doom. A wizard built a tower there many years ago, but the tower is now abandoned. Somewhere near Zelkor's Ferry. Karmon said it's full of all sorts of monsters and treasure. Karmon said a clan of dwarves went there a couple months ago. Only one of them returned, claiming the air was bad in there and half the clan died in their sleep. Karmon said to beware of the hand, whatever that means." He stops himself as his voice started to rise in excitement. "When I'm older, I'm going to go to Zelkor's Ferry and find the Mouth of Doom."
Rehann replies to Belle, "Headed to Bard's Gate. I wouldn't exactly call it nearby. Endhome is closer. But that's where I get paid." He looks at Belle, and glances at the wrapped corpse Garrosh had carefully lain outside the wagons. "Nearest town is Zelkor's Ferry, 'bout four days northwest through trackless, bandit-filled wilderness. Or you can make for the river and hope for a boat to take you there."
"We were headed towards Zelkor's Ferry, but with the damage the wraiths did we need to get to some place with a decent priest. How far away is Bard's gate and what size town is it?"
Rehann looks at Belle oddly. "Bard's Gate the biggest city for thousands of miles. From here, it's another 15 days travel, given we don't have any incidents."
The boy looks between Reynaud and Garrosh, and then over at the woman by the cookfire speaking with Tony. He motions them around the side of the wagon,out of her view, where he begins talking in hushed, but excited tones. His eyes go wide with excitement as he speaks, "Karmon said there is a dungeon around here called the Mouth of Doom. A wizard built a tower there many years ago, but the tower is now abandoned. Somewhere near Zelkor's Ferry. Karmon said it's full of all sorts of monsters and treasure. Karmon said a clan of dwarves went there a couple months ago. Only one of them returned, claiming the air was bad in there and half the clan died in their sleep. Karmon said to beware of the hand, whatever that means." He stops himself as his voice started to rise in excitement. "When I'm older, I'm going to go to Zelkor's Ferry and find the Mouth of Doom."
"Good for you lad" - Garrosh nods at the kid - "Keep one thing in mind though - you will need to work hard, learn hard, and do what you are told. Discipline keeps many adventurers alive, more than you would expect. So, make sure to listen to your mother, if she is around" - he offers, wanting to keep the boy in check.
"Now tell me two things - why are we hiding behind the cart? And who is this Karmon?"
Reynaud nods along with Garrosh.
Keep yourself strong. Make sure to say your prayers every night and morning.
The boy, Riven, glanced out from around the edge of the wagon, toward the cook fire, "Elowen doesn't like us making believe we're adventurers. She says only fools go searching for adventure." He then pointed to the top of one of the wagons. A man stood there, with a crossbow in hand. You had seen him watching you as you approached the wagons earlier. Younger than Rehann, but bearing many scars on his face and bare arms. You had noticed him oiling his chainmail and taking a whetstone to his sword earlier. Now, he looked out into the darkness. "That's Karmon. He tells great stories. I bet he was an adventurer before he became a caravan guard. I don't know why anyone would give up adventuring to be a caravan guard."
Rehann looks at Belle oddly. "Bard's Gate the biggest city for thousands of miles. From here, it's another 15 days travel, given we don't have any incidents."
"I'm from Tien and haven't been here long. I don't know the area that well - in fact just the two locations near here."
Tony scarfs down the stew like a dying man's last breath. Happy to eats something more then rations and fear for the moment.
"Thanks, El. The meal is like the supper of the gods. Now I got go see a holy man." He tips Elowen a silver for her troubles and directions, and walk back through the camp.
Tony spies the "Dawnflower" in question, and swaggers forward to meet him. "Hey chief, I here around here you may be a priest? Names Tony, your Seir, right?"
The boy, Riven, glanced out from around the edge of the wagon, toward the cook fire, "Elowen doesn't like us making believe we're adventurers. She says only fools go searching for adventure." He then pointed to the top of one of the wagons. A man stood there, with a crossbow in hand. You had seen him watching you as you approached the wagons earlier. Younger than Rehann, but bearing many scars on his face and bare arms. You had noticed him oiling his chainmail and taking a whetstone to his sword earlier. Now, he looked out into the darkness. "That's Karmon. He tells great stories. I bet he was an adventurer before he became a caravan guard. I don't know why anyone would give up adventuring to be a caravan guard."
"I can think of many reasons for that" - Garrosh ponders - "Sometimes adventuring isn't as charming as you may expect Riven, and can bring about a lot of pain - or do you think those scars did not hurt" - he winks at the boy - "So for the most part your mother IS right" - the half-orc nods.
"Though... I will say you can sometimes come across some of the most amazing things, and forge some of the strongest bonds in this world" - Garrosh chuckles - "I will have a word with Karmon later on about this Mouth of Doom" - and ruffles the boys' hair playfully.
As Garrosh says, it is dangerous, and children must obey their parents. Know how you intend to adventure, too. Work hard, find some skills, and wait until you're old enough.
Reynaud follows Garrosh.
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Brodin eats wearily and warily, his bow ever to hand. He does relax towards the end of the evening and ends up entertaining everyone with a traditional Dwarven song. You are surprised by the rich baritone that comes out of his mouth, not having shown any sign of musical talent previously. He goes to his bed shortly after and wakes only when it is time for his shift as a sentry.
Belle hunts down the others and intercepts Reynaud and Garrosh before they get to Karmon.
"I found out that the caravan is headed for a City called Bard's Gate. Supposedly a well known and large city but a good 2 weeks from here. That seems like a long time, but, on the other hand, there is a good chance they will have what we need there and the passage should be safe. What do you think?"
"Belle, that means a month just of travelling" - Garrosh snorts - "Do we really need to do that?"
She just shrugs and says nothing, waiting for more opinions.
Later that night, after everyone has fallen asleep, Garros approaches the one named Karmon. The man does not turn when Garrosh, and any others who don't want to sleep, gets up on the wagon with him. "I noticed the direction you came from when you reached the road. You are either very brave, insane or very foolish to be exploring so close to Rappan Athuk."
You and Karmon talk for a while. Garrosh learns the man had grown up in Zelkor's Ferry and had entered the Mouth of Doom as a young man, with a group that needed another strong arm. Of the six that entered, only two emerged alive; Karmon and a half-elf wizard. There experiences were sufficient to make them realize the life of an adventurer was not for them.
When they reach Karmon, Belle responds to his overture with, "We all have our reasons. Indeed we have all chosen to visit the site. Some of us for religious reasons, some for more personal reasons. I doubt my sanity too."
"I was told that in order to produce true art, I needed to experience... well, that a visit to this place would change me to the better. You will have to judge for yourself. Art is always like that, you know. I must admit, my work has more depth of late, though it is also much more dark. The personal cost is high, but isn't that so for any great calling?"
Karmon responds, "An artist? I have heard that trouble and tribulation makes for great art. You should be the world's best artist after experiencing that place, from what I hear."
Belle replied, "That would be my goal. Life so far has been very simple. I was told my art lacked depth and needed to experience the darker side of life. Advice was given and taken and I journeyed across the ocean to Endholme. From there I found a group that also intended to visit Rappan Athuk.
"I am constantly questioning myself. If I die, what was the point? Will any of my art survive me and will it be good enough to matter?
"Perhaps I'm just being a meglomaniac, hoping that this experience will one day produce in me something worthy of Daikitsu.
Karmon says "There are always those foolish enough to think they can reach Orcus' throne and defeat him. If you fall, I am sure another will find your notes. I do not wish you dead, but if you do, I pray your journals help them escape.
Belle replied, "It is not my goal to reach a throne or defeat a demon. I am here for one purpose, art. Though now I feel a sense of responsibility for my companions. If I were to abandon this quest, and they should die, I would never forgive myself. The again, they die anyway. I just don't know." Pausing, the arcanist begins again, "Enough of us. What can you tell me about your aborted venture?
His face darkens, "That was a long time ago, and I have tried to forget. Twenty years can change a place. But what I can tell you of the Mouth of Doom, is where it can be found. South of Zelkor's Ferry, on a hill, a crumbled ring of stone is all that remains of the wizard's tower. A stair descends into the darkness. A room with six trapped doors. When we entered, the first several level were held my warring factions of orcs and bandits. and an occasional stirge. The third level was the worst, and where most of our companions perished. Diseased zombies, demons bearing plague at their touch.
He continues, "But rumors are that there is a passage beneath there that leads for miles, directly to Rappan Athuk.
Belle commented, "The underground passages are extensive. I'm not surprised they connect. We had to drag ourselves through endless rat tunnels once we made our way into the warren as they way back magically sealed itself. Perhaps, if we could clear the way, your avenue might afford us less unpleasant access. Though still unpleasant, I'm sure." Karmon shrugged, but Belle persisted, "What of the traps? What can you tell us of them? Tony would be interested I'm sure.
The grizzled guard replied, "Pits' portcullises that divided the party, poisoned needles and darts, a room and hall coated with an adhesive impossible to remove. Most were an inconvenience, unless you were being chased by something. And then there is the air. There are many places where the air is bad."
Belle nodded and replies, "That will surely help us prepare if we care to try that route."
Garrosh had listened to the exchange in silence, growling his approval every once in a while - "Witnessing or causing death can change a person" - he nodded - "My life was filled with it for quite some time as I grew up - kill or be killed. It changed me, and not for the best" - he nods - "After a while there were those able to find a center for me, discovered a path I would actually want to follow - they are dead now, and I was powerless to do anything about it" - the half orc produces a low snarl.
"Their loss prompted me to... I don't really know what to... Revenge? Reckoning? Understanding why? I'm not sure, but I want to follow it through. But it could have prompted to many other things, probably the smartest one would be to simply drop it and move away" - Garrosh looks at Karmon - "So believe me I understand where you are coming from, as well as I understand your choices"
Turning to Belle he continues - "That being said, you are absolutely correct - the fact such defiled place stands so close to Zelkor's Ferry should be enough for us to at least look into it" - the half-orc agrees - "And yes, it may prove an invaluable avenue for safe access into Rappan Athuk, if such thing is even possible"
Turning back to Karmon again - "The information you have provided may well mark the difference between success and failure for us. Thank you for that, and know that there will be room for you, if you ever will to join the 'foolish ones' - he chuckles.
Reynaud chuckles quietly at the thought of safety and Rappan Athuk.
I wouldn't hold my breath.
Seir looks up at Tony with a smile.
"That's me. What can I do for you?"
"Well, friend. Me and my mates have been have spent the last couple of days seeing our friends gored and/or slain by a surprising variety of undead. Now some vengeance is in order in my book, but I'm a large fan of seeing another sunrise...
"So, I'm hoping you might be able to give us the rundown on exterminating ghosts and ghouls with maximum prejudice. And if your willing passing a bucket of holy water our way."
Tony's honest, but disconcerting, smile is levied at Seir in hopeful manner.
The night passed uneventfully. Those sharing the watch with the caravan guards see only an occasional animal, but none prove to be a threat. Those resting, slept well, with only minorly disturbing dreams of dark, wet places, hellish firelight and cavorting undead creatures.
Morning dawns clear, with the sky lightening to the east, over the hills underwhich lies the place named Rappan Athuk. The golden morning light is a sharp contrast to the place of death you know lies under the coastal hills.
Shortly after the sun crests the hills, there is a bustle of activity. Elowen and a couple other women hover around the fire, building it back up, and getting the morning meal ready. Others start to hitch up the draft horses to the wagons, while the overnight guards crawl under the canvas covers and are replaced by fresh guards. Riven and a couple other children run around with sticks, laughing and playing. You overhear some of their playful conversations, "I'm Reynaud! And you're an evil goblin!", "Am not! I'm Garrosh the powerful!", "I'm Belle! I cast a hex on you!" Your smile at their hero worship, is only broken by the thought of what fate lies before these would-be adventurers.
You break your fast on gruel, sweetened with honey, and rashers of cured meat. As you eat, Rehann approaches. "Your assistance on the night watch is greatly appreciated. If you wish to turn aside from your more dangerous questing, we could use a few more guards on our way to bard's Gate. I can pay you 5 silvers a day, along with meals. It may not be as lucrative as your current line of work, but the chances of dying in the dark are less." He pauses to look at you, and then continues, "If not, Zelkor's Ferry likes about four days that way,, he points to the northwest. "And Endhome lies around eight days north along the road."
With the new day Belle attempts another round of spellcraft checks.
As they travel, each day Belle will cast Mage Armor and False Life on herself when twilight approaches and again after she sleeps/when her watch begins. She will be unprotected mid-day. When/if if matters here is her roll:
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,
As dawn rises, Brodin approaches his fellow adventurers and, after helping himself to some of the breakfast, asks those present,
"So, where do we go from here? We need specialised Magic for Belle and Reynaud, and the nearest place that will have it is most probably Endholme. I suggest we head for there."
Tony converses with the cleric for a time, before taking his turn at watch for the night.
Having an actual good nights sleep, Tony is charged for the morning sun and breakfast.
Endholme. Sounds good, going to be a hard trek through bandit woods though. Think with them being weakened they'll make it?
You break your fast on gruel, sweetened with honey, and rashers of cured meat. As you eat, Rehann approaches. "Your assistance on the night watch is greatly appreciated. If you wish to turn aside from your more dangerous questing, we could use a few more guards on our way to bard's Gate. I can pay you 5 silvers a day, along with meals. It may not be as lucrative as your current line of work, but the chances of dying in the dark are less." He pauses to look at you, and then continues, "If not, Zelkor's Ferry likes about four days that way", he points to the northwest. "And Endhome lies around eight days north along the road."...
"After discussing it among ourselves, we have decided Endhome it will be Rehann" - Garrosh nods at the man - "Thank you for the hospitality, for sharing your food and your shelter - it will not be forgotten" - he extends his hand in a greeting.
---
Before they leave the caravan in their respective directions, Garrosh approaches Riven with a huge smile - "But the truth is boy, there IS magic in the world" - he crouches down next to him, producing a vial with a silvery, glowing liquid inside - "If ever you find yourself in a tough spot, under threat of attack, drink this and it may well give you a second chance to run for it, and survive - NEVER deny such a chance if it crosses your path child" - the warrior priest ruffles the kids hair, offering him the potion of Sanctuary - "Good luck to you"