The Crucible of Freya (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Sam joins Lannet in the morning and gives him a concerned look.

He speaks to their polite innkeeper.
"Ma'am, can you have Lannet's things moved here? We would prefer them to be looked after. Lannet is much too trusting, but we know there are those who do not respect other's property rights."

He is very careful to have a big breakfast.
"Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day!"

Boards ate my post from yesterday... will get something up later today

Jerrid eats sparingly, but asks for the warm biscuits and hard cheese tobe wrapped for later. The rest of the honey bread he offers to Lannet and Samduc and waits for the little halfling to reply to Glarian. The deep gnome hands over enough silver for two breakfasts, his and Lannet.

Damien offers Glarian a nod, "Don't worry ma'am. So long as he fulfills his end of the bargain we'll bring him back in one piece."

Vhillish rises early, shaves and then waxes his moustache, before dressing and polishing his boots and armour.

The veteran then re-checks his equipment from the night before, then satisfied that he is ready for deployment he heads downstairs for breakfast.

"Morning All. By Jove! Good spread indeed. If someone could pass the biscuits please..."

The serjeant eats his fill, accepting a hot beverage if offered before addressing Damien.

"Lieutenant... What's the plan sir? We escorting the ne'er do well now?"

Sam approaches Lannet:
"Since you are not shackled, it looks like you have earned trustee status. What materials would you get for the road? We can ask our innkeeper if she has some. It appears we are not stopping to shop at the market."
Sam gives Lannet a necklace with a whittled holy symbol of Freya around a simple leather thong.
untrained craft: 1d20 ⇒ 3
"For luck!"
The necklace is not one of Sam's better efforts. The lack of accurately carved fine features make it hard to distinguish it from any other holy symbol. Only by being told it is a Freya holy symbol can you see any resemblance to the iconic symbol of Freya. The thong has been crudely tied and does not allow the symbol to move freely on it.

"I did not see an ambush waiting outside this Inn. Where's Janna?"

Janna is the last to come down to eat. apparently she insisted to get her hair absolutely perfect today for some reason.

sorry I'm late, I was just going over some details concerning our destination.

she goes to see Glarian, is there a way to send a letter to a friend in Bard's Gate? She smiles, He probably would be easy to find, if he isn't already in jail he probably would be among the most wanted. adding jokingly.

Lannet gives Samduc a meaningful look.

"I tried talking about preparations last night but your friends didn't want to hear it. You've been decent enough to me I suppose...

The trouble with the Tradeway is that the Waystations are spaced with merchants and soldiers in mind. Unless we can match their pace we'll be faced with camping outside the protection of stockades.

Even if we reach the Waystations each night, they don't call it the Stirgewood for nothing. The stockades won't keep the bloodsuckers out. You'll need good, sturdy tents.

Well, now you know. I doubt your thick-headed leader will listen to reason though."

Sam smiles at Lannet:
"I think you misunderstood. Damien is not our leader. Janna is our leader."

He points to the military types: Damien and Villish and does a passable imitation of Villish for Lannet and Janna as he approaches Janna's table

Sam points to Lannet and clears his voice before speaking clearly and quickly:
"Janna, there are stirges in the stirgewood and Lannet says we need thick tents. Probably capable of keeping stirge beaks out for us nonmilitary types. Damien doesn't want to stop in the market for equipment, but I think we should. Stirges are no joke."

Stuffing his face full of delicious goodies that he's not used to having the pleasure of eating, Astor attempts to speak up. "I futh one woulth lige tho have a tenth!" Large pieces of biscuit fly from his mouth hitting unsuspecting bystanders in every direction in front of him.

Kevezyat asks the priestess "Do you have any knowledge of the path we travel?"

Janna has a lite breakfast. just remember that this meal is paid for.

listening to Sam she gives a little smile trying keep much her amusement inside for now.

tents would be beneficial considering that stirges are in the stirge woods. Janna looks through her coin pouch I will return as soon as I can and she goes to head out probably headed to buy the necessary gear for the trip.

Damien scowls around a mouthful of biscuit. Swallowing, he holds up a hand to stay Janna, looking at the halflings "Had plenty of bloody time to go shopping on your little excursion yesterday. Might have mentioned it then."

He sighs, annoyed at not having considered the local hazards himself, "Still, we'd best get the damn tents..."

He looks at Glarian, "It'll be another couple hours before the market opens, no?"

Turning back to Janna he comes closer, speaking more quietly, "I'd rather not sit around here waiting for someone to come looking for Lannet. The bulk of our party should head out now, wait an hour or so out of town while a couple of us get the tents."

"We also have to consider how we're going to carry the damn things. A pair of big ones should suit our purpose but they won't be light, or cheap for that matter."

Shandril tells Kevezyat she knows the wizard and his party took the Tradeway into the Stirgewood, but left it at some point and entered the trackless woods.

Jerrid listens to the interplay and decision making then gets up and looks at Astor feeding. "I am going to the shrine. Meet you there? Maybe Shandril can help with us against those stirges. She may know of an oil or aroma to keep them back."

The deep gnome leaves.

The central market is quiet and empty as Jerrid crosses the sleepy town. He see's Glarian coming from the Tower of the Guard. She nods towards him but doesn't stop or question him.

Sam looks at Jerrid and claps his hands.
"What a great idea. Some animals coat themselves in mud and the flies leave them alone."

He thinks and asks: "Or, can we get some blood from a butcher and leave it out at night in bowls to attract the stirges and keep them away from us?"

"Anyway, yesterday Lannet and I were interrupted from doing any shopping and marched straight back without any discussion. If Lannet, the one who knows the most about local conditions, is frozen out of any discussions, it is apparent the mission will suffer. We should probably not do that anymore. He probably needs a full share in this endeavor to encourage cooperation."

Lannet waves his hand theatrically in appreciation of Sam's commentary, a comical expression of vindication stretched across his face.

The veteran snorts, "Right because you both need a formal invitation to open your mouths. I'd have thought not being handed over to the authorities for crimes he's already admitted to would have been encouragement enough. Though if a full share will keep me from worrying about you wandering off you're welcome to it Lannet."

He gestures to Janna, "Provided of course our benefactor here has no issues hiring on a pick-pocket..."

Janna is a bit nervous with the responsibility, she never realized how much was hers.

look, this whole venture is new to me, I tried to act the veteran and all, when I brought you all in, but to be honest, I was really counting on you guys to help me along.

thinking things over for a bit.

all my life, before the Academy, I had to steal to survive, dodging authorities, or angry merchants, I was always on somebody's bad side. I know what it's like needing to steal to survive, wondering when your next meal would be coming, and if you would live long enough to see it. I don't have a problem hiring a pick-pocket, I used to be one. Janna is a mix of pride about who she is and a touch of shame fro what she once was.

Janna looks to head to the marketplace, lets get some tents and be on our way.

It's still too early to head to the market, do you want to hang around here or do you want to take Damien's suggestion?

Vhillish mutters an aside to his fellow veteran at Lannet's brazen demand;

"Blighter will get a full share of good old fashioned 33rd steel if he tries any of his light fingered proclivities around me sah!"

Damien blows out a long breath, "I should think a lot of us had rather miserable starts to life. Personally, I don't remember "stealing to survive" covering posh meals every evening. Still, it's your call."

He nods at the Sergeant's comment, "Just keep an eye on him"

Sam smiles at Lannet:
"You heard it from 'Whiskers'. You get a full share, but that includes some good military discipline. You may have to avoid cooking food in the field to make sure it don't taste to good and you won't eat too much, but you gotta take the bad with the good."

He punches Lannet playfully on the shoulder.
"We will work on practicing our marching on the road. It is all good fun. Now, until you and I pass our training, no carrying of any heavy loads. That is only for the regulars. You need to have a light pack until you are ready."

He smiles at Janna:"Thank you for sharing ma'am. If we had all shared more in the beginning like you, some of us would have felt better about sharing our secrets."
Sam give Janna a big wink.

So who leaves early with Damien and who stays to go to the market?

Janna smiles back then when given the chance she whisper to Sam

Janna will go to the market to help get the tents.

in conversation with Damien As long as well still are in possession of the amulet, Vortigern does not have access to the the keep. so long as the stories hold true. Lets take what time we need to get well supplied.

Janna goes through her money pouch now dwindling in contents. I only hope there is enough to get what we need. Its been a long time since I had to do street magic for coin she says a little jokingly and a little serious.

Shandril tells Kevezyat she knows the wizard and his party took the Tradeway into the Stirgewood, but left it at some point and entered the trackless woods.

Kevezyat nods at that tidbit, responding "And can I assume that Eralion's keep lay within the Stirgewood as well? "

There is a long, breathless pause when Kevezyat asks Shandril about the keep.

She seems to get a far away look in her eye whenever Eralion is mentioned.

"You can assume anything you like, blessed daughter. That freedom is ours."

Jerrid arrives at the shrine and bows to the stag carved on the altar, making a brief prayer while the drow and priest are present.

He goes over and waits for an opportune moment to join their conversation, listening to the to and fro of chit chat. Then he asks, "Shandril, do you know of a way of making stirges not want to attack us? Maybe an oil or unguent they dislike?"

The deep gnome fingers his sickle's handle delicately and looks around to see whether the Crucible is left out - professional curiosity.

Shandril smiles at Jerrid, relieved at the change of subject.

"What a delightful question master gnome! Yellow Thimbleweed is just such a thing. I will draw it for you."

The crucible is in plain view on a simple shelf beside an ornamental sword with a handle made of horn.

"Well, I'm sure that someone will need to help carry these things," as he says this he looks around to the mostly small party, "so I'll hang back and be ready for that."

So it sounds like Janna, Damian and Astor stay to get tents, everyone else gets outside of town with Lannet now?

Sounds perfect.

Damien sighs, clearly still getting used to the lack of a quartermaster, "Where there's a will...we still have some coin left from the farmhouse. Lets put it to good use."

There is a long, breathless pause when Kevezyat asks Shandril about the keep.

She seems to get a far away look in her eye whenever Eralion is mentioned.

"You can assume anything you like, blessed daughter. That freedom is ours."

Kevezyat smiles at the priestess' response, reminding her of her friend the high priestess in Bard's Gate. Inclining her head, she retreats a few steps to allow Jerrid to continue his "Anti-Stirge" lesson.

Looking back towards the town, she can see some villagers moving about in their daily business. Also she can see some of her companions walking towards the market, while the rest appear to be making ready at the Inn.

"Leoman, Jerrid, our time grows short." she says gently to the others.

Vhillish watches Lannet like a mustachioed hawk... but at Jerrid's comments he beings to reminisce once more of his army days;

"Stirges you say? We... I say we I mean the 33rd... We once locked horns with a group of goblyn skirmishers that went my the name of Pazuzu's Stirges..."

The gnome veteran then recounts with relish how the Glorious 33rd routed the "greebo scum".

Damien grimaces at the Sergeant's retelling, "Spare me the reminiscing. Bloody foul poison those little pricks used...most of us were still vomiting blood for a week after we'd hunted down the last of them..."

Parting ways with the others, Damien goes with Janna and Astor to the market as it begins to get underway. Looking for both tents to purchase and a mule. Provided of course, Jerrid informs the rest of us about the stirge repellant.

Shandril draws Jerrid a surprisingly technical picture of the herb. It looks like it came from the hand of a botanist rather than a priestess.

"When I've come across this it was always at the foot of a tree-stump. Take it as a tea, and the creature will loathe the taste of your blood. With any luck it may disconnect and look for something sweeter."

Ok so those of you who skiddadle early, by what road do you make your way out of town? What's your route? And where are you going to meet back up?

Ok so those of you who skiddadle early, by what road do you make your way out of town? What's your route? And where are you going to meet back up?

I imagine the road in question would depend on Lannet, Yes?

You can leave it up to Lannet I just didn't want to cut-scene it without giving you a chance to have input.

Lannet starts talking to Sam about the road.

"Ok. There's two ways to get to the Tradeway on these old roads. We can go South East for about 25-30 miles, with no Waystation, or we can go back about 10 miles the way you came, which is a bit of backtracking, but at least we'll be on the Tradeway sooner, which means patrols from Waymarch and stockaded Waystations every night if we can make good enough time."

"Yellow thimbleweed. I'll take that picture, Shandril. Base of a treestump. Can I get it at the market or in the woods only?" Jerrid lets them look around and talk about the comings and goings in town.

He slips away and quietly steals the Crucible.

Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31, Sleight of hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Jerrid leaves.

DM Only

EDIT: Stealth +14 not +10, Sleight of Hand +9 not +6 as I thought.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Jerrid's theft goes unnoticed by the priestess.

Lannet starts talking to Sam about the road.

"Ok. There's two ways to get to the Tradeway on these old roads. We can go South East for about 25-30 miles, with no Waystation, or we can go back about 10 miles the way you came, which is a bit of backtracking, but at least we'll be on the Tradeway sooner, which means patrols from Waymarch and stockaded Waystations every night if we can make good enough time."

Leoven do not hold in high regard his own opinion about the ways of adventuring. But this time he say without thinking too much

I think we should go for the shortest way - But then it is like he almost regret the act of opened his mouth and is ashamed of his own words.

Jerrid waits for one of them to notice something amiss.

Janna opens her pouch and empties some of the coin in her hand.

Damien, I don't have much money left to buy many tents. Since I hired you guys to help me, I feel obligated to keep you guys safe and comfortable. Thank you for sticking with me on this venture, despite the turn of events we experienced.

she hands Damien 20 gold about half of all she has.

I need some more for another night at the Inn in case it is needed. of course I could get some more money the way I used to in my youth she offers with a shy smile.

Damien takes the offered coins, his reply low enough to reach Janna's ears alone, "Feeling less certain of the gold you promised us at the start of this little venture? No matter, the group's still some coin left, no need to revert to old habits. Be glad we've left those day behind us."

Swinging by the shrine on their way to the market, Damien raises his voice to the other three gathered there, "Last I checked, you lot should already be on your way with the others. Plenty of time to make peace with the gods when you're dead."

He eyes the crucible held in Jerrid's hands, "Are we planning on bringing the worship with us then?"

Hmm, post got eaten....

No chance of Kevezyat noticing Jerrid's sneakiness...until"

Turning at Damien's and the other's approach, Kevezyat hadn't noticed the crucible in Jerrid's hands.

Ignoring Damien's comments, she crosses her arms across her chest and waits for Jerrid's next action.

Now that they have noticed, the deep gnome walks over to Shandril and walks away.

He goes back outside to Damien and answers the man, "No. But someone else will if she does not look after it better. I was ready to leave. We aren't going without Kevezyat anyway."

"We need yellow timbleweed to protect against the stirges. It grows at the base of trees. Makes our blood taste sour."