The journey isn’t long, but it feels somehow immense. You sailed from Riggarth yesterday morning and now, a day later with evening drawing in, you feel as if you’ve entered another more dangerous world. Here in the north the sun sets late in the summer and although it’s late, the last shreds of sunset still blush the sky.
Pharoe isn’t a long way off. You’ve heard of it, of course. Like many isolated places, there are odd stories about it and as far as you know, nobody ever goes there. Those stories frightened some of you when you were children, although as you’ve grown up you’ve largely dismissed them. Now your childhood memories are returning as light begins to fade and tendrils of fog wind their way into the ship’s rigging.
You’ll be landing on Pharoe tomorrow morning and the Curlew will wait for you to finish your task just off the coast. She can’t sail into the only landing bay because there are tricky reefs. You’ll have to row there yourselves. Once you’ve finished tracing the runes on the ancient stones, you can signal the Curlew and she’ll make ready to sail back to the familiar town you’ve just left. Riggarth isn’t a major centre of anything much, but right now, it seems like a point of light in the darkness surrounding you.
As you sit around the table after the evening meal, conversation falters a little. All of you are remembering your final meeting with Hroaldr. The historian is a fixture in Riggarth. He is a little more than a slightly comical historian, and has links with a mysterious order dealing with the balance of nature. He seldom speaks of his concerns and it was something of a surprise when he arranged this quest. At your briefing with him in the Fruitful Bloom tavern, his flow of anecdote pauses and he looks at you all seriously over his tankard of cider.
“You’re young and able. You’ve all been recommended one way or another and I’m sure you can manage this small task. All you need to do is find the rune-stones on the island. Trace the marks on them and bring them back to me. There is a certain urgency in the matter though, and I’d be misleading you if I didn’t tell you that I have some misgivings about the stones and their purpose. That’s the reason I’m sponsoring such a large party. I don’t know for certain what you’ll find. I can only tell you that the stones are powerful and I’d be surprised if I was the only person interested in their secrets.
They are ancient things. I believe they contain wisdom from the old gods of the north themselves, but without tracings I can’t be sure. Godly wisdom should be treated with respect. With caution too. Their powers are unknown to me. History only offers hints, nothing more. My order thinks I’m a fool to send so many on such a small quest. All I can say is that I am trusting my instincts.
I will give you parchment and charcoal so you can take accurate tracings of the markings. I can’t offer much gold. 50gp each on your return, 30gp now for expenses. Transport is provided. May your deities guide you.”
“You’re young and able. You’ve all been recommended one way or another and I’m sure you can manage this small task. All you need to do is find the rune-stones on the island. Trace the marks on them and bring...
Vel sips her drink, then sets it down. "You have not given us enough information, Hroaldr. Are these stones the size of a fist, or the size of a house? Will they be concentrated in one place, or will we have to traipse around the whole of the island to find them all?" She looks at the historian steadily, awaiting his answers.
Captain Bifrost sticks his head around the cabin door.
"Hroaldr asked me to give you this with his compliments" he says. "Don't waste it on the gnoll."
Laughing at his own humour, he dumps a small keg of what can only be Fruitful Bloom cider on the table.
"I hope some of you greenhorns can row a boat. Sink and if we're in range we'll throw you a rope. But I'm not risking Curlew on the rocks."
He pauses.
"What happened to hospitality? Nobody going to ask me to join you for a drink?"
“You’re young and able. You’ve all been recommended one way or another and I’m sure you can manage this small task. All you need to do is find the rune-stones on the island. Trace the marks on them and bring...Vel sips her drink, then sets it down. "You have not given us enough information, Hroaldr. Are these stones the size of a fist, or the size of a house? Will they be concentrated in one place, or will we have to traipse around the whole of the island to find them all?" She looks at the historian steadily, awaiting his answers.
Hrolaldr told you all this
"The stones are large. Probably about eight feet high and heavy. As far as I know, they'll all in one place. They're sacred, so they'd probably be at the top of hill. Very likely in a grove of trees. You see why I need the tracings. They can't easily be moved. Even if they could be, I think it would be inadvisable."
Captain Bifrost sticks his head around the cabin door.
"Hroaldr asked me to give you this with his compliments" he says. "Don't waste it on the gnoll."
Laughing at his own humour, he dumps a small keg of what can only be Fruitful Bloom cider on the table.
"I hope some of you greenhorns can row a boat. Sink and if we're in range we'll throw you a rope. But I'm not risking Curlew on the rocks."
He pauses.
"What happened to hospitality? Nobody going to ask me to join you for a drink?"
Gobi gets an expression of relief on his face, "Ah, now I won't have to drink the cider I've kept in my flask just yet! Please, join us indeed. So tell me, how did you come to be our captain? you knew the druid as well?" Gobi says to the captain. He glances beyond the side of the boat, slightly excited of the sight of the sea though doing his best to maintain a serious composure if only for the sake of seeming brave rather then childishly inquisitive.
Captain Bifrost sticks his head around the cabin door.
"Hroaldr asked me to give you this with his compliments" he says. "Don't waste it on the gnoll."
Laughing at his own humour, he dumps a small keg of what can only be Fruitful Bloom cider on the table.
Upon hearing Captain Bifrost's insult, Anarak leans over towards Whiteclaw from across the table, locking eyes with the gnoll. He maintains his firm stare, bidding her silently to hold her fury.
He ignores the captain's request for cider and replies in a gruff voice, "We will row. Now we must discuss our final preparations. We depart at daybreak."
Anarak grimaces as Gobi invites the captain to join them, but slides over to make space for him at the table, making sure to position himself between the captain and Whiteclaw.
Whiteclaw makes a little laugh at the captain's words, which sounds a little like a hyena's and then grins at him - showing off her teeth as she does. She then waves a hand dismissively "It's alright Anarak, I wasn't insulted at all. I do agree, though, that we should be rowing as soon as we can."
Anarak grimaces as Gobi invites the captain to join them, but slides over to make space for him at the table, making sure to position himself between the captain and Whiteclaw.
Gobi shrugs at his dragonborn friend and shrugs while quietly saying, "sorry mate, he brought the cider. You know me, can't resist the stuff."
He returns his gaze to the rest of the party "He's right though, Let's discuss our preparations over a drink."
Kia seats herself at the table with the others, barely noticing what a varied party they are. Then the captains words reach her.
Gnoll? Oh yes, there is a gnoll! Now I wish I had listened when the names were given out. But she probably has a different view of things and I must talk to her about her deities. I've never had a chance to talk to a gnoll before.
She leans over and taps her finger on the table in front of the captain.
"We'll be alright, don't you worry. We're all fit and I'm sure we can row as well as the next man - or woman. It shouldn't take us long to find the stones and I'll have a mug of the cider too please."
She looks around pleasantly, nodding and smiling at Vel.
Captain Bifrost snorts derisively at the claims of rowing ability as he plonks himself down.
"Glad to see you've got confidence in yourselves. I'm setting you down at dawn. It's the safest time for the currents with the tide going out and you've a better chance of seeing the reefs. Look out for the longboat wreck. She ran aground years ago, but she's your marker for a safe landing spot."
He nods at Gobi.
"Trust a dwarf to have decent taste in drink. That's what my dad always said. Can't say I know Hroaldr as such, but I've run the odd errand for him before now. Carried some cargo, that kind of thing. Mostly bits of rock and papers."
Leaning back and scratching his beard he surveys the group again, his eyes sizing you up shrewdly.
"Yes. I've carried some odd things for him in my time. Reckon you lot are the strangest though. What's he up to this time and why are you going to that gods-forsaken island?"
Leaning back and scratching his beard he surveys the group again, his eyes sizing you up shrewdly.
"Yes. I've carried some odd things for him in my time. Reckon you lot are the strangest though. What's he up to this time and why are you going to that gods-forsaken island?"
"He's paying you to get us there and back, not to pry into his business," Vel says coldly. Then, as an afterthought, "Thank you for bringing the cider," she adds, less than graciously.
Bifrost grins at Vel, giving her an unlovely view of his battered teeth.
"Don't get clever with me girl. My crew won't sail for you. I know wizards. Fine flames and fancy talk don't make a sailor."
He doesn't seem offended so much as amused.
Vel looks as though she is about to reply, glance at Kia, then remains silent, attending her drink.
"She is correct." the gnoll says with a nod of her head towards Vel. "Our task on the island is our task and if you were meant to know if it then you would have been given those details."
Hrolaldr told you all this"The stones are large. Probably about eight feet high and heavy. As far as I know, they'll all in one place. They're sacred, so they'd probably be at the top of hill. Very likely in a grove of trees. You see why I need the tracings. They can't easily be moved. Even if they could be, I think it would be inadvisable."
"Old friend, how long have you known that these stones are out there, and why need you these runes traced now? Why do no members of your order accompany us on the journey, if it is so important?"
Baldrech stands by himself on deck, watching the last rays of sun fade beyond the horizon as the wind whips through his black mane. The somewhat ferral-looking man breathes the brine in deeply while losing himself in private thoughts. Hroaldr, what have you up your sleeve, you crazy old fool? And am I the greater fool for having accepted to come on this journey, with a crowd of strangers? And why was Whiteclaw entrusted to that walking lizard... have I given you cause to lose faith in me?"
"Old friend, how long have you known that these stones are out there, and why need you these runes traced now? Why do no members of your order accompany us on the journey, if it is so important?"
Baldrech
He came to see you in the woods. Not that unusual, but he told you about the stones then.
"It's an instinct Baldrech. Something I'm sensing and can't place. Yours are good - better than mine. Take a look for me, hunt around. The order. Hah. Listen, they're good lads, good scholars. But they'll need a bit more than my re-reading of old folk tales and a funny feeling to go with me."
He looks at you very directly and goes on.
"It may be a wild goose chase. It may not. I don't know Baldrech, but I need you to be my eyes and ears in the wild."
Hroaldr told everyone in the Fruitful Bloom
"Those stones crop up in dwarf and human stories. It's said that Perun the father of the northern gods forbade their making. Who knows why."
"She is correct." the gnoll says with a nod of her head towards Vel. "Our task on the island is our task and if you were meant to know if it then you would have been given those details."
"Hah. You're as close-lipped as the wizard, furball. What about scales here?" Bifrost looks at Anarak.
"Or do you think it's good plan to keep me in the dark as well? Seeing as I'm the only one who can get you away from that place unless you're planning to row."
Bifrost laughs again and downs his cider.
"I'll not pry. But if it's information you're wanting, you could do worse than ask the only captain to have been near these waters in ten years. I don't know Hroaldr well, but he's never sent me on a fool's errand."
"Hah. You're as close-lipped as the wizard, furball. What about scales here?" Bifrost looks at Anarak."Or do you think it's good plan to keep me in the dark as well? Seeing as I'm the only one who can get you away from that place unless you're planning to row."
Bifrost laughs again and downs his cider.
"I'll not pry. But if it's information you're wanting, you could do worse than ask the only captain to have been near these waters in ten years. I don't know Hroaldr well, but he's never sent me on a fool's errand."
"Now, I do not get the hostility here. We've got some fine cider, some fine companions from all walks, the cool breeze from the sea. let's be civil here mates."
Gobi speaks up
"Let's not argue over why we're here but rather, let's enjoy being here eh?"
he takes a hearty gulp of his drink and raises his glass towards his good friend Anarak and then to the captain.
"What is your take on this whole thing captain? is there something for us to be worried about on that island?"
Bifrost leans over and refills his tankard.
"Could be. I know Pharoe. Never landed there mark you, but I've sailed past it often enough. Now then, there's been no sign of life any time in ten years and longer that I've ever heard.
Then at the turn of this year, on my way back to Riggarth I saw smoke. Worse, I heard voices. There's someone there alright. Or there was. I'm not a fanciful man, but those voices weren't human and they scared the bejabers out of me. Wailing up into the night sky.
Told old Hroaldr about that when we landed. Could be that's why he's got you lot together. Mighty curious fellow Hroaldr."
Whiteclaw makes a little laugh at the captain's words, which sounds a little like a hyena's and then grins at him - showing off her teeth as she does. She then waves a hand dismissively "It's alright Anarak, I wasn't insulted at all. I do agree, though, that we should be rowing as soon as we can."
Anarak eyes the gnoll carefully, but eventually leans back in his chair, satisfied. Perhaps this mission won't be so difficult after all...
"Hah. You're as close-lipped as the wizard, furball. What about scales here?" Bifrost looks at Anarak.
"Or do you think it's good plan to keep me in the dark as well? Seeing as I'm the only one who can get you away from that place unless you're planning to row."
Anarak raises his mug to Gobi and downs half of it in one gulp. He then turns to the captain. "If my companions do not think it wise to share, then I will honour their wish."
He sets his cider on the table and continues, "How will we signal you when we're done?"
Then at the turn of this year, on my way back to Riggarth I saw smoke. Worse, I heard voices. There's someone there alright. Or there was. I'm not a fanciful man, but those voices weren't human and they scared the bejabers out of me. Wailing up into the night sky.
Anarak shrugs, "Not human, eh? Well, neither are we...for the most part."
Anarak shrugs, "Not human, eh? Well, neither are we...for the most part."
Vel gives Anarak a look, but says nothing.
Kia considers.
"So there may be people there and they may not be human. So we may not be able to speak their language if they are still there. If they are gone, we should probably try to figure out what they were doing there and if they are still there, we should probably try to figure out if they are going to be friendly. Quickly. So we will need somebody to keep watch while we try to land the boat."
"I thought I asked for a mug of cider. I don't see one in front of me. If you could be so kind to fill one for me, I will quaff your good health, all of you."
Bifrost absently pours another tankard of the cider and pushes it towards Kia.
He expression is serious as he says
"I've seen and heard most of the human and humanoid shapes in my time. This sound wasn't like that. It wasn't just inhuman, it was unearthly. Something in agony. And before you ask, I know what that sounds like."
Whatever he's thinking about, it's clearly a bad memory. Shaking his head he looks at Anarak.
"When you're done, send up a flare. There's a couple in the skiff. If you're all bent on keeping mum, I'll be off. See you at dawn."
He drains his tankard and leaves.
"Well, I think we're off to a good start then." Gobi chuckles slightly.
He looks to the rest of his party as he pushes his glass away from him,
"I suppose we should have our wits about us. in cast that bitfrost or what have you is telling the truth. He seemed a little shaken up eh?"
"I suppose we should have our wits about us. in cast that bitfrost or what have you is telling the truth. He seemed a little shaken up eh?"
"I shouldn't imagine Hroald would have hired so many of us had there not been a significant risk. This is nothing new."
"If there was no risk the trip would be rather boring. So, we can only hope there is a little risk. But we should rest, soon, so that we are ready at dawn."
"If there was no risk the trip would be rather boring. So, we can only hope there is a little risk. But we should rest, soon, so that we are ready at dawn."
"Aye, She's right. We'll need our strength."
Gobi nods his head to the others and heads off to get some sleep.
Anarak breathes in heavily and looks around the table at this motley group of would-be explorers. He snorts, "Shall we discuss tactics before heading off to bed? Baldrech, Hroaldr mentioned you would be coming, and spoke highly of you. Kia and Vel are unknown to me."
His deep blue eyes seem to stare through his female companions as he continues, "Do you either of you possess any skill in scouting or battle? If dire situations present themselves, we should know where our assets lie...and our liabilities," he adds after a momentary pause.
Anarak breathes in heavily and looks around the table at this motley group of would-be explorers. He snorts, "Shall we discuss tactics before heading off to bed? Baldrech, Hroaldr mentioned you would be coming, and spoke highly of you. Kia and Vel are unknown to me."
His deep blue eyes seem to stare through his female companions as he continues, "Do you either of you possess any skill in scouting or battle? If dire situations present themselves, we should know where our assets lie...and our liabilities," he adds after a momentary pause.
Gobi stops in his tracks and turns to partake in the conversation.
Vel answers, "Yes, good idea. I am skilled in battle -- my arcane arts let me hamper opponents for the more . . . physical . . . of my allies to take advantage. And I am educated in many areas, which I'm sure is why Hroald hired me."
Vel answers, "Yes, good idea. I am skilled in battle -- my arcane arts let me hamper opponents for the more . . . physical . . . of my allies to take advantage. And I am educated in many areas, which I'm sure is why Hroald hired me."
"Hmmm, a wizard..." Anarak remarks, "Yes, that does seem useful."
As Gobi returns to the table, the dragonborn continues, "How should we proceed once we get to the island. Whiteclaw, Gobi, and I will make a fine battle unit, but," he adds, glancing at the imposing figure of the armored gnoll, "we might be a little lacking in the stealth department."
"There's something to be said for sticking together considering the reports we've heard." He looks from Kia to Baldrech, and says, "You two seem like the most likely candidates. Should we send someone to scout ahead, or is that too risky?"
"Bah.." says the gnoll as she leans against one wall. "..I think you're worrying too much. And putting too much concern on the superstitions of the captain. We row in, go to the stones, let Vel make the copies since she's likely the person who will do it best, and leave. If something gets in the way, we smash it."
Baldrech, Hroaldr mentioned you would be coming, and spoke highly of you. Kia and Vel are unknown to me
Kia looks at Anarak, challenging him to doubt what she is about to say.
"I will not be an unknown quantity to you for long my friend. I have experience in battle and I was a leader in the recent troubles my people had at the hands of some very greedy men. I have studied well how to help my comrades to achieving their best and I can fight too. You will not be sorry to have me along."
"If you wish to know why I am here, it is to help study the stones as they seem of great interest to me. I would call myself a scholar of the history of civilised folk and am drawn to the arcane."
"As for a plan, Whiteclaw here mostly has the right of it. We find the stones, copy them and come home. But if we can find out a thing or two about those noises our captain heard, I say we investigate as that is good knowledge too."
He looks from Kia to Baldrech, and says, "You two seem like the most likely candidates. Should we send someone to scout ahead, or is that too risky?"
"Our druid friend thought it wise to send a large party. I think we should accept his wisdom for now and be just that party. We should not split up until we see a good reason to do so."
As Gobi returns to the table, the dragonborn continues, "How should we proceed once we get to the island. Whiteclaw, Gobi, and I will make a fine battle unit, but," he adds, glancing at the imposing figure of the armored gnoll, "we might be a little lacking in the stealth department.""There's something to be said for sticking together considering the reports we've heard." He looks from Kia to Baldrech, and says, "You two seem like the most likely candidates. Should we send someone to scout ahead, or is that too risky?"
Baldrech, who had been standing alone on deck during most of the discussion, enters the cabin as Anarak looks from Kia to him. One longsword hangs at his waist, another is sheathed on his back. The black-maned man gazes at his assembled comrades with a strange look that suggests a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "Fear not, lizard, for I have the stealth you're wanting... I'm fast, and I'll gladly scout ahead... ALONE..." He speaks in a a quiet voice, emphasizing only the last words as he eyes Kia defiantly.
Anarak laughs at the gnoll. "I'll be glad to help you smash things, Whiteclaw. Though I prefer to cleave. I was more curious to see how our other friends would fit into the plan. But they also seem confident in their abilities, which is a good sign."
"If you have experience in these matters, lead on Kia Rubarka. A scout is an invaluable resource, and I am more than happy to defer that responsibility to our hairy friend here. I don't think scouting constitutes a party split, do you?"
"Well, at least we know we are not a shy party. I'm sure such all-round confidence is a good thing. My view is that the plan should be to land there first of all and then see what needs doing. Then we use the best person or people for the job."
"Now I need to think on matters. I will be on the deck if you need me."
She goes out to the deck and settles into her trance state.
At dawn Captain Bifrost lowers the six oared skiff into the water.
"She's all yours. Watch those reefs and aim for the wrecked longboat. Take care. It's not called the Bay of Lost Souls for nothing."
He watches as you climb into the waiting skiff, pausing briefly to catch Balrech's eye.
"Sorry mate. Slipped my mind. From Hroaldr." He passes the rugged shifter a small scrap of folded parchment.
Baldrech
The note is in Hroaldr's familiar crabbed handwriting.
Old friend. I need your eyes and ears free from the distraction of watching our dear Whiteclaw. Forgive my mild duplicity.
Skill challenge
Vel, who has made a study of such things, is able to identify from the current patterns where to guide the skiff to avoid the reefs.
Whiteclaw sits near the middle of the boat rowing, and trying to adjust to any disrections Vel gives.
Using Athletics to try and help row and all. And since I defaulted my rolling to Rosey, I'll wait to see how I do!
Whiteclaw has some difficulty understanding Vel's clipped accents, but she masters her oar with ease.
Whiteclaw: Init and athletics (skill challenge) (1d20 2=9, 1d20 6=17)
Baldrech takes Bifrost's scrawled note, looks at it briefly, then grunts his acknowlegement to the captain. He takes his place at an oar, and having little experience in small crafts at sea, does his best to follow the instructions given by his comrades.
.
Feeling that she ought to be calling the strokes rather than trying to row herself, Kia does not immediately get into the swing of things. But, once she has the oar in her hands, her experience with rowing boats asserts itself.
Gobi happily obliges and begins rowing with everyone else, though still feeling the effects of all the cider he drank the previous night.
Feeling that Whiteclaw and him will do the bulk of the pulling, Anarak sits opposite the gnoll and begins to row with all his strength, determined to fight the currents, and allowing others to handle the steering.
HEAVILY EDITED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF MY MIS-READING OF THE ERRATA.
There is no init order now for skill challenges - apologies. You'd still need to roll again however, due to Gobi's mishap.
Whiteclaw's round to skill check: (1d20 6=18)
Despite Gobi's oar missing the water completely, the group are manage to negotiate the tricky waters. You can now see the wrecked longboat Captain Bifrost told you about and steering towards it, your combined skills allow you to land about 50 feet away. In the distance, you can see Curlew. You are on a small crescent shaped beach.
Pharoe is a forested island. There only seems to be one path leading from the beach, and it lies almost directly in front of you.
Once the boat is up and on the beach, Whiteclaw will guard the trail while Anarak gets his armor on.