|
You’ve been traveling along the High Road for days. As evening approaches, you spot a wooden signpost next to a trail that heads north into the hills. Nailed to the post are three arrow-shaped signs. The two marked “Waterdeep” and “Daggerford” follow the High Road but point in opposite directions. The third, marked “Nightstone,” beckons you to follow the trail. If memory serves, Nightstone is roughly ten miles up the trail.
Each of you were notified by your respective factions that they wanted you to check out Nightstone:
"Companions, Nightstone is closest, being only 10 more miles up the road. Does anyone feel strongly about going to either Waterdeep or Daggerford?"
The elf that introduced himself as Sliver is fairly average example of wood elves. He dresses in forest green with a hooded cloak and a well kept, well used bow on his back.
You notice a hooded figure just up the trail toward Nightstone. The figure is clearly humanoid though would be short for most races and tall for the shorter ones. Upon further glance the black cloak covering it seems to be hanging off its almost spindly body. It has a backpack on its back that appears prepared for a long trip, or maybe is on one. Though, with the size of the pack, it is a little surprising that this figure hans't toppled over. Regardless, it maintains its seeming vigil.
"Any place that lets me wet my whistle is fine by me," replies Oghren.
A massive inscrutable Goliath walks alongside the Wood elf, his Emerald Enclave contacts had put him in contact with Silver, and now he travels with the elf. Aukan is huge, nearly 8 feet tall and he weighs as much as a small horse. Like most of his race, he has no hair. The patterns of his skin trace subtle lines across his face.
We go to the Nightstone Elf-Friend Silver. Aukan rumbles
May looks tired, and often looks worried. Saying she was a Harper got her some valuable information on the whereabouts of her lost friend, Rand, so when she caught wind that some Harpers were going to Nightstone, she signed on. Figured they might actually let her into their secret society if she proves she can be one first. Probably not how it works, but it's gotten her this far. Nope, I'm good.
A tall medium built cat woman standing next to Mayberry smiles at Silver. "I believe ourrr destination rrremains the same Silverrr." The elf's name rolling softly from her toungue. "Let us make forrr Nightstone and perrrhaps sleep in a bed this night."
Snow wears a forest green robe, with red trim along the high collar and seams. It comfortably covers a loose fitting set of common clothes. On her waist, a silk sash belt pulls the robe in tightly. Her bow shouldered and quiver tied loosely to her backpack. A flute protruding from the quiver as well as a full compliment of arrows. Pristine leather gauntlets cover the Tabaxi's hands while she comfortably holds a quarterstaff. The gauntlets show no sign of wear or dirt from traveling.
Looking ahead "There is anotherrr trrravellerrr ahead. They may want to join us as well. Therrre is safety in numberrrs on these roads. " Snow moves ahead quickly to catch the distant traveler motioning for the others to keep up.
"Ok, then. Let's get moving. I like the idea of sleeping under a warm roof and in a comfortable bed."
Upon approach, the hooded figure's head slowly turns in the direction of the Tabaxi. As the face crests into view, the first thing seen is a wide, toothy grin. The skin on the face is excessively pale, almost matching the white of the teeth. It is creased around the mouth as if in the shape of the smile constantly. It's eyes are sunken into its head and are staring at Snow.
It's body begins to shake in silent laughter. Silent for all but Snow, who hears an echoing laughter, a mixture of maniacal and giddy, that seems to match up with the rhythm of the figure's shaking. It echoes as if in some kind of cave. Several moments after the shaking begins it ends, though Snow continues hearing the laughter, albeit a bit more muted.
"H-hyelloh," the figure says with a voice and intonation that sounds both hesitant and excited. "I am to join jou on jour journey. I am called Eeerie. I know not why." His eyes dart to Snow and the echoing laughter ceases instantly. "My apologies," he says with a slight bow.
Cursing under his breath about the Tabaxi's longer legs, Oghren slowly catches up in time to hear the traveller's name. "Well met Eeerie, I'm Oghren. We're heading to Nightstone for some rest."
Well met, Mr. Eeerie. Let's head on to town, the prospect of a decent night's rest and a hot bath are calling, she says with a hopeful smile.
May, btw, is fairly well dressed for an adventurer but her fine clothes are well worn. Her gear still has that new backpack smell, though it has seen some wear as well. She does her best to fit right in and keep up a positive attitude, which she clearly does to boost her own spirits as well.
|
|
You continue on, and after following the trail for ten miles, you hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. A river flows around the settlement, forming a moat. The village itself is contained within a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings. Apart from the ringing of the bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade.
South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shaped, flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed.
EDIT: The link to the map is updated, and you can see the overlay of the town. You are coming up North up the road...
It's awfully quiet. Who's ringing the bell?
"Probably worship time. Hope the Inn bar isn't closed down," Oghren replies gruffly.
Snow pauses when the “man” turns toward her and cocks her head curiously. She then springs back falling into a defensive crouch as though she knew something the others did not. ”Explain yourrrself.“ She seems to be reacting to the creature’s shaking as if expecting the thing to become aggressive. The creature speaks and when it apologizes to the Tabaxi, she visually relaxes her guard. “Earrrie you say? Wherrre is it you come frrrom and how is it that you knew we werrre to be herrre?” She keeps a wary distance from the stranger but accompanies him to Nightstone. Probably more for keeping an eye on the stranger than any kind of comradery with him.
Arriving at Nightstone, the ringing bell alone was enough to put a spring in Snow’s step. It’s constant toll usually used in remote towns like this to signal warning or calls for militia. Seeing the town with her eyes did not aleave those concerns. ”I think something is wrrrong. “ She can’t help but glance over to Earie as she voices her thoughts.
The sound of chain mail from the prest walking.
Not sure if it is church bells or warning alarm, we need to proceed to find out.
As Dalron continues to walk forward.
|
|
Nope, no smoke or fire at all...
Nightstone is a motte-and-bailey fortification built on the Ardeep River. The bailey is surrounded by a 15-foot high wooden palisade built of logs with sharpened tips and marked off by watchtowers every 50 feet or so.
As you approach, you pass by the motte, the keep high on the hill, the moat that surrounds it, murky and slowly flowing South...
The bell just continues, Dang-dang! Dang-dang!
EDIT: As you approach the drawbridge, Sliver, you catch it first. Being the major thoroughfare, you expect to see tracks but being an expert tracker, you see the distinct footprints of goblins!
The fleeing tracks are spaced further apart as if they were running. The size of the area leads you to believe that there were perhaps several dozen human-sized people and children in that group.
While sniffing the air and unsheathing his greataxe, Oghren says, "Looks like goblins and wolves went in and humans ran out. Odd to not hear the wolves and goblins."
Dalron quickens his pace to the ringing of the bell.
***************
Eerie responds to Snow simply, "M-my lord told me to be here, nothing else. Can be cryptic at times."
***************
Eerie claps his boney hands together excitedly as he bounces up and down, "I love good murder!" After several moments he adds, "O-oh, and meesteree.." He then rushes into the village to look around.
|
|
As you rush across the drawbridge, you can easily tell that the church is immediately to your left (#5 on the map) but as you run between the two West towers, the first thing you notice are a pair of giant wolves, nasty and ugly, that are fighting over something.
The bell continues to ring, Dang-dang! Dang-dang!
Seeing the two wolves fighting, Eerie quickly stops and crouches down, curling into an almost fetal position with his elbows resting on his knees and his head being cradled by his hands. He then just stays there and watches them fight, his face beaming.
...If Snow is close by she hears Eerie's voice whisper in her head excitedly, "Shhh. They are eating dinner." During these short words, the echoes of laughter can be heard quietly in the background.
Snow moves across the bridge heading for the ringing bell. Seeing the wolves she pauses to see if what they are fighting over. Hoping it wasn’t an innocent, she decides to continue heading for the bell ringing.
The Tabaxi melts into the townscape. Once past the wolves she will turn and wait for the others to make it by.
Oghren wonders why Snow is running the opposite direction of the wolves! He bites his lip and sticks to the group.
|
|
As Snow moves quietly, like the wind, Oghren steps on piece of clay pottery that seems to have been dropped by the fleeing townsfolk making a loud crunch!
The wolves' ugly heads snap up and look in your direction! With a howl, they prepare to charge!
Initiative Order:
Mayberry, Sliver, Snow, Oghren <= Up!
Worgs, Eeerie
Aukan, Dalron
Oghren smiles and runs straight forward 20ft and readies his greataxe for the first wolf snout!
Quickly drawing her bow, Snow tries to drop one of the wolves.
Eerie's eyes lock onto the top wolf and he begins petting the air as if the wolf were right in front of him. He also seems to whisper at the creature, "Jou are strong. Let me show jou my master.."
This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th, 11th, and 17th level.
As we journeyed to the town, May started to be less consumed by her own thoughts and more, um, unsettled by Eerie. She's met some odd fellows in her day, but as she watches him seemingly join in the wolf pack, well that's just weird. She turned to ask Snow about him but she had vanished. Turning to the dwarf at the sound of his crunchy footsteps, she sees the wolves perk up. And Eerie sort of air petting one of them...what is he doing?! He's going to get eat....it's not attacking him yet.
Assuming Eerie is perhaps trying to win the wolf's favor?, she turns toward the other wolf, points her finger, squinting, and sizzles the heck out of the creature. She looks in amazement at her finger, half expecting it to be on fire as well.
|
|
Just as Snow was about to loose the arrow, the church bell rings, throwing her aim off, just the slightest and the arrow flies off!
Oghren almost skips forward as you can clearly see the excitement as he readies his axe for the oncoming wolf!
Mayberry hurls a mote of fire that catches the wolf clear in the face! The ugly beast whines a bit and recoils, but shakes it off. It seems entirely focused on the young half-elf!
What are they eating?
Aukan growls as he sees the wolves.
Four legs. Come, we fight. We dance with steel and fang! Come! he calls out to the creatures, daring them to test him in battle.
As we journeyed to the town, May started to be less consumed by her own thoughts and more, um, unsettled by Eerie. She's met some odd fellows in her day, but as she watches him seemingly join in the wolf pack, well that's just weird. She turned to ask Snow about him but she had vanished. Turning to the dwarf at the sound of his crunchy footsteps, she sees the wolves perk up. And Eerie sort of air petting one of them...what is he doing?! He's going to get eat....it's not attacking him yet.
Assuming Eerie is perhaps trying to win the wolf's favor?, she turns toward the other wolf, points her finger, squinting, and [dice=Fire Bolt]1d20+5;1d10 [dice=crit dam woot]1d10 sizzles the heck out of the creature. She looks in amazement at her finger, half expecting it to be on fire as well.
Sliver's hopes of a comfortable bed are dashed once the goblin tracks are noticed. He readies his bow and goes into the walled town with the others.
He tries to keep from disturbing the wolves and their grisly meal.
His bow already prepared, Sliver quickly looses an arrow at the wolves.
I thought the same thing at first. It's level one spells and up. Not cantrips.
|
|
Sliver's arrow finds its mark, thudding into the side of the singed wolf eliciting a yelp!
The ugly wolves charge up as Eeerie mimes petting a dog, or one of the wolves! You all see as one falter a bit, but shake its head and continue coming toward you all!
As they charge, one goes after Oghren, while the one that was assailed charges past to the last attacker, which would be Eerie!
As it comes into swinging range, Oghren heaves his axe, catching the passing wolf drawing blood, but it does not fall!
Worg 1 leaps over Dalron to attempt an attack on Eerie!
The worg snaps and snarls but with Dalron in the way, it cannot find purchase.
The barbarian's battleaxe cleaves through the creature, laying it low...
Worg 2 snarls and snaps at Oghren!
The dwarf feels its jaws clamp down hard on his shoulder andit tries to drag him down to the ground!
While her finger is still hot, May points it again at the wolf on Oghren and hopes the sizzling continues.
Aukan swings his battleaxe as the Worg charges past
Aukan hacks at the nearby worg
|
|
The sounds of combat draw a few goblins out from neighboring houses, they notice the commotion and draw their wicked blades and begin heading towards you!
EDIT:
Initiative Order:
Mayberry [x], Sliver, Snow, Oghren
Goblins, Worgs, Eeerie
Aukan [x], Dalron
Everyone can go (Aukan and Mayberry have gone so far), then I will arrange them approximately some semblance of order.
Snow sees that the warriors seem to have the worg situation under control and shifts her focus to the goblins.
Arrow at the goblin by building 9 for