Sensing Doliver's unease, Mikos smiles. "Honestly, I agree. Wizards are a nasty lot." He gives Ben an innocent look. "Shall we?" He follows the dwarf over to the woman and they make introductions.
The cloaked figure stirs as you approach. "You fellows clearly aren't with the local authorities," a melodic woman's voice speaks from under the hood.
She sips her tea and pushes back the hood. An elf with long dark hair and darker eyes looks up at you, smiling wryly. "Iliara Starcloak," she introduces herself. "What can I do for you?"
Mikos gets to the point, "Seems that you and Ben here have a mutual friend, Abernard, and he said we might be heading in the same direction, the Emerald Spire. He mentioned that two of your companions were last seen heading there. We're hunting goblins and there's some thought that they be thick around there."
"Fellow folk missing on the path of adventure! It would be our honor to aid and assist them! Some might say, a divine right!"
Bruno comes over with the remaining half of the wine carafe he is drinking straight out of, eschewing the need for a glass.
Iliara flashes a warm smile. "Ah yes, Abernard. He is an old friend, a good man. I'm glad he sent you to me."
"Two of my guild mates, Tiawask and Jharun, set out from Thornkeep several weeks ago. They haven't been seen since. They were researching the archaeology of the area, specifically places tied to Nhur Athemon, the Azlanti who ruled in this region millennia ago. After they didn't return, I set out to find them, but their trail has gone cold. They haven't been seen here or Fort Riverwatch, and the last person I could find that has was at Alejia's Crossing, two weeks ago, but they couldn't say if they were coming or going." The elf sighs, frustrated. "I've run out of time and I need to get back to Thornkeep. I suspect they may have run afoul something at the Emerald Spire or another ruin, but I obviously can't say for sure."
"If your travels take you that way, please keep an eye out for any clue of their fate. If you actually find them, I'm offering a significant reward for their return -- alive or otherwise."
Mikos smiles at the mention of a reward and nods his head agreeably. "You're from Thornkeep? The way the locals talk, you'd think it's nothing but goblins and bandits."
"Rewards are always great! Let's go find Peeflask and Jarhead!" Rodi adds, excitedly.
Iliara nods to Mikos with a chuckle. "Yes, we have those. But we're not all bad. Like Fort Inevitable, there are a mix of all kinds, scrupulous and not-so-much. I have some neighbors I'd rather not be associated with, but I prefer the uncertainty of freedom over the constricting noose of security."
"You are more than welcome to visit. Despite Thornkeep's reputation -- somewhat skewed in these parts -- we have merchants and all the normal trappings of civilization, albeit a hair provincial. Come by Goldenfire Tower, especially if you find anything about Tiawask and Jharun."
"Oh, you did mention a reward so I'll be certain to do that." Mikos chuckles. He turns to his companions, "Sounds like we're heading for the Spire first thing tomorrow so take it easy on the booze tonight, Keg. I've got to go get some supplies so I'll meet you back here in a bit to make final plans before we get some rest."
The warrior hits up the innkeep for a good place to pick up wilderness gear: pack, dried food, bedroll, etc.
|
Ben frowns at these plans.
"Are we not already committed to hunting goblins? Does going to Emerald Spire not violate the terms these hellknights have set? And the Crusade, if you'll remember, still calls to us. I am all for finding your lost friends, but let us be aware of the bridges we burn doing so."
Bruno spits on the floor, Hellknights and their rules. Just let those of us who know what we are doing, do it."
Turning to Mikos, Bruni nods in agreement, Moderation as you request, good sir. No more than 6 bottles tonight, I swear by Cayden Cailien"
Mikos laughs out loud at Ben's concerns. "Are you afraid that the Worldwound will lose its taste for fools' souls? No Ben, I think you've got little to worry about there. And any bridges left in Sarkoris are already burned, if not worse. I can guarantee that there are no bridges standing in lost Storasta. Let's hunt goblins. You can always risk your soul later."
"As for the Hellknights, it sounds like we've got some leeway as long as we're killing goblins though I don't exactly trust the metal leeches not to trump up something to deprive us of any coincidental wealth accumulated. I don't mind if you get their little license for us. In fact, I'll pay you back after we see the Abadarian's upon our return."
Doliver refers Mikos to a shop a short ways down Juliver Way. "Braddon's General Store will probably have what you're looking for," he explains.
Nursing a hangover headache in the morning with his wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes, Bruno still smiles broadly as he meets his companions to set off, "Shall we?"
The rest of the afternoon and evening pass without event. You are able to purchase any last minute supplies before heading out of town. When you are ready, you head out the North Gate...
Mikos makes a quick trip to the General Store for wilderness supplies. He purchases a back pack (1), small tent and roll (8.1), 50' silk rope (10), flint and steel (.5), lantern (10), 4 pts oil (.4), waterskin and a week of rations (4). Also, some sacks that are definitely not to be used for hauling loot...
Mikos makes sure he gets the full first breakfast treatment and then stuffs his pack with his new supplies looking a little sheepish as he heads to the North Gate with the others; there's nothing that screams adventurer more than an overloaded pack. Good thing he passed on the ten-foot pole. At the gate, he takes note of the rising sun and points to the distant forest to the northeast. "I got the impression that the Spire is that way."
The Keg will add a small tent, week of rations and some caltrops to his gear.
No, but Sefurd's Potions & Reagents does.
"Yay!" Rodi buys some rations, but he is excited to get going as soon as possible!
click >>and perhaps some pastry.
That’s fantastic.
You leave the road and cross between the scattered farms and pastures surrounding Fort Inevitable, reaching the edges of the Echo Wood before long. The rolling hills of the surrounding lands continue to rise and fall into the forest, creating ridges and deep, narrow ravines. Navigating the wood often requires zig-zagging along the ridgelines to avoid getting stuck in the ravines. The forest is comprised of tall pines and a mix of deciduous trees. The ridges are mostly clear, while the ravines are usually choked with brambles and moss-covered rocks. Clear, cool streams run through the ravines as well, heading downhill and generally east or west.
Once you are a short ways into the Echo Wood, it reveals the source of its name. Sounds take on an unusual clarity and behave oddly. A woodpecker hammers, loud as fireworks, and the leaves seem to whisper words though you can't quite catch the meaning. Your own footsteps come back to you sounding like you are being followed or surrounded by foes. In all, the effect is unnerving and disorienting.
Between the back-and-forth along the ridges, and the off-putting sounds, it doesn't take long before you lose all sense of direction. Rodimissimo, however, hardly seems fazed, perhaps due to his sylvan nature. He keeps you on track heading north-east.
About mid-morning, while crossing a rare forest clearing, you spot some movement from the trees on the far side. Three men in leathers, wielding bows and boar spears, emerge from the thicket. They stop at the edge, eyeing you warily.
"Hello people I can see and people who are trying very hard to hide behind that tree there" He points, "And that tree there! I'm Rodimissimo, but you can call me Rodi! How are you doing? Are you tree-people? I always wondered if trees could make people! I mean, people make new people all the time and it's fun and easy and I thought trees might want to get in on the fun! Look everyone, tree people!"
Bruno's eyes narrow as he spies the additional folks, "Ye seem like friendly local types, not at all road bandits trying to waylay dangerous armed to the teeth adventurers. Certainly not. I'm believing you are wishing to ask us to share a pint and hear about what news comes from the south! Amirite?"
Bruno reaches for the mug he wears on a chain around his neck to indicate he is pouring.
Mikos just smirks. "How's the hunting?"
has changed. We’ve received frequent feedback that trained
and better characters weren’t far enough ahead of untrained
characters, so we’re making the untrained value equal to your
level minus 4 instead of your level minus 2. This will definitely
create a more noticeable difference at 1st level. We want to
see whether it feels more natural than the previous value, and
whether it causes a major difference in the way people allocate
their skill increases.
One of the men, apparently the leader, waves the others forward. He gestures to the two hiding and they also emerge. They step forward into the clearing, still cautious but clearly less on edge.
"I'm Jeck. We're out of Thornkeep, but we ain't bandits. Hunting is... slow. We're having to range farther from home than we'd like."
"Odd for you to be passing through here, miles from anywhere. Are you lost?"
"Mikos. Despite some rather odd ideas about trees, Rodi knows his way around a forest. We're hunting goblins. Have you seen any?"
Jeck nods, "We heard you from some ways off. You were scaring off the game, but we could tell you weren't goblins." He spits, making a bitter face. "Good that you're hunting those vermin... one of their clans has a lair in the Pit o' Chains, a few miles north-west o' here. Sadistic bastards, the lot o' them." The other hunters make grunts of acknowledgement. "I'd keep away, though, unless you got a wand o' fireballs. They'll swarm you like a riled up nest o' yellow jackets."
Mikos gives Ben a chin point. "Can you fireball?" He shrugs. "Doesn't sound like the goblins we're after really. We want the ones raiding caravans on the Crusader Road. They're better organized than usual. More calculating. I'd wager there's more than just a mob of bladderheads happening here. We heard rumors that there might be something going on at the Spire. A couple folks have disappeared there recently. Then again, I hear there's a goblin hanging around Thornkeep- Mog or Gog or something. Could be a spy."
"Yeah, that'd be Graalsk, but he's no bandit lord neither, more like a garbage picker," he flashes a grim smile. "If you seeking a spot o' trouble, the Emerald Spire is the place for you. Place is haunted, weird old magic and things that should not be prowl the woods." Jeck points towards the north, generally along the track you were following. "Right-minded people avoid the place. Because o' that, desperate bandits on the lam have tried to hide there. I know none who came back."
*
You press on from the clearing, set on your task. The forest remains disorienting but Rodi keeps you on track. About an hour from the clearing, the forest grows silent of all noises but your own and the occasional breeze rustling leaves overhead.
A loud roar breaks your uneasy quiet, followed by the creak and crash of a falling tree from a short ways ahead. There is a great commotion, another roar and the scream of some creature cut suddenly short.
"I'd hardly call us 'right-minded' so there's that. One favor, should we meet again. A sword was stolen from me recently along the road. I had a little too much to drink with Keg here. He's a bad influence. If you wouldn't mind keeping an eye out for it; it's an Aldori blade- size of a longsword, but slight curve and sharpened on the outer edge. I'd offer a reward for any information that helps me get it back."
For some reason Mikos looks to the gnome tree savant. "What the Hells is that?"
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" The Keg sings out, ready to head directly toward the noises, but awaits the others.
Rodi shrugs. "Angry trees. Sometimes they fight back, you see."
Jeck nods to Mikos. "We've all sorts o' thieves and scavengers in Thornkeep. If I hear anything, I'll send word. Where are you staying?"
*
You banter nervously. From ahead comes a chorus of crunching and chomping as whatever noisily consumes its prey. After a minute, it grows quiet again.
"Fort Inevitable. If you can stand the stink of sulfur, drop by or send a message to the big inn there- Juliver Arms or something like that."
"I really don't think that that was a tree. Should have asked those hunters what to expect around here... Is it coming this way? Maybe one of your trees will be useful, Rodi."
Mikos looks for an easy tree to climb.
Rodi shrugs. "Maybe you're right! Best to be sure, right?"
"I know the place," Jeck nods, grim-faced. He eyes you a long moment, then adds, "You seem decent folk... A cousin o' mine, fair-haired lad named Peet, is a slave there. He's indentured to a half-orc brute named Drurn, runs a tannery just outside town." He pauses to hock and spit. "Look, Peet did the crime and got caught, but none deserve that kind o' punishment. If you could do something about that, me and mine would owe you."
*
After a minute searching, Mikos finds a nearby tree with adequate handholds to climb. Going slowly, he ascends to a vantage point. Looking around the path ahead, you find the recently felled tree easily enough -- a bright spot of shattered wood amid the pallet of browns and greens. Nothing else is in sight... until you spot movement to your right! Passing between a gap in the distant trees, moving off towards the east, is something massive, bigger than the largest grizzly. You only spot its hunched back and mottled, mossy green skin, and then it is gone.
Mikos nods. "I can't give any promises other than to look into it."
Mikos shimmies down to report adding, "What say we angle more northerly for a ways?"
"Probably a good idea. Though I'd love to know what that green thing is! I bet it's very interesting!" Rodi sighs at the thought of a new beast to see.
Taking Mikos's advice, you take a wide berth around the path of the mysterious beast and continue on towards the Emerald Spire. An hour or so later, at about mid-day, you finally reach the strange ruin.
You emerge abruptly from the Echo Wood underbrush and into a wide glen, almost five-hundred yards wide, perfectly circular and centered around the ruin. The trees of the Echo Wood crowd up against this unseen border and suddenly halt — nothing larger than a sapling grows in the glen.
Ahead lies a ruined keep guarding a broken central tower, all made of smooth, green glass. It’s obvious that a grand battle took place here many years ago, and the clearing around the ruin lies barren, with sickly weeds struggling to rise from the magic-blasted earth. Melted chunks of twisted glass pepper the ground, lending a green hue to the clearing’s light.
Despite the damage, however, the glass of the keep itself seems to have avoided the ravages of time, with those pieces that survived the initial cataclysm unmarred by pitting or cracking, clean of moss and other clinging debris.
At the top of a steep dirt path winding up through the rubble, a doorway opens onto darkness, its entrance seeming to steal light into its inky depths.