GM Michael's Falcons Hollow Chronicles

Game Master Dread

At Cathoris' mention of perhaps making the shrunken head necklace a gift for Jarlene, a slight blush rose on Thal's cheeks even as a smile crosses his lips. "I'll just hang onto it for now, I suppose," he said, tucking the odd necklace away in a pouch.

As the Half-Orc and wolf approach, Thal quickly glances over the humanoid, then his eyes fall on the beast. After Helgash introduces himself and Tark, Thal responds, "Oh my gosh he's so cute! Can I pet your wolf? Is he friendly?" and the lapses into baby talk as he coos, "Who's a cute wittle guy? Who's just the cutest wittle thing?"

Thal is tough and cool and you can't convince me otherwise ;=)

The wolf bristles and snarls at the man's approach, teeth bared in a threat.

"Cute?" - Helgash looks at Tark - "I am not sure I would call him cute. And usually the only strangers he allows to touch him are children"

Will not try to convince you :D

'Oi! Thallin! If you wanna stay pretty for Jarlene I'd stay away from fangs and claws lad, at least intentionally,', Straug says eyeing the snarling wolf. 'Awful convenient for you to show up now, Helgash. You definitely look the part though dont you? Not sure those Zon-Kuthon plonkers could get it so dead on, and who would send a half-orc as a spy?' He sniffs the air a bit, pauses and then smiles. 'You certainly got the smell right!'

'Alright boy-o, I'm ok if you tag along for now. I dont trust anyone until I've spilled blood with them, and theyve spilled blood for me. You do look like you can do your fair share. Angradd knows we can use someone capable of violence, this here is a right mess and this lad hits them with a tea kettle.'He gestures over his shoulder with his thumb toward the others. Straug's half grin gets serious. 'We're bonded by spilled blood, both our own and our enemies. We expect more of it before this is done. Anything done to one of us, as far as youre concerned, is done to all of us. That goes for your pet there too. Know thats the way of it...until youve earned trust and are one of us. If thats agreeable to you and to the others then help us setup camp, I'm bloody tired after wrecking the kitchen in there!'

Straug stomps off a little ways from the hut, purposefully walking toward and then past Helgash and Tark, and begins camp preparations.

Falkwyn looks over The Half Orc, and said Strange. The Queen came to see me that night after we left, said she needed me to go off on a spy mission for her. I told her I couldnt leave my friends short handed. She said shed seen a portent, that an ally was coming to fill my place. Strange. Friends I think this is my cue. Quinn has been following us. Ive seen him a few times. I think Im going to go do this mission for her. Dont know why I was chosen. Nor what it is yet. But I do think Quinn and I are going to be close friends now. Ill see you again in the future. Cathoris please dont think ill of me for not going further. Something tells me this is the right course. with that The Woodsman leaves heading into the woods, here you see Quinn come out and nod in your direction before heading out with Falkwyn.

Thal listens and watches as the scene unfolds, then waves awkwardly as Falkwyn and Quinn run off together and then mutters. "Falkwyn. Quinn. Falkwyn. Quinn? What are the odds?"

He then looks back at the wolf and mutters, "One day, I will pet that puppy!"

At the sight of the half orc, Cathoris pulls his staff to the ready. Eyeing the wolf, he has flashbacks to their encounter at the lumber camp, back when their task was only a business investigation. His face reveals his skepticism as Helgash introduces himself.

He doesn’t relax until Falkwyn speaks. Surprised, he responds, I... I will miss you, Falkwyn. You helped to make me feel like part of this group. I am sad to see you go. If you say this newcomer is a friend to us, then I will make him feel as welcome as you made me. He awkwardly approaches Falkwyn and hugs him, patting him on the back. Take care, and I hope to see you back in Falcon’s Hollow soon.

Turning to Helgash, he holds out a hand. Welcome! I’m Cathoris. We are happy to have the help. Umm. Nice... wolf? He pauses looking down at Tark. Sorry. As a shepherd, that’s going to take some getting used to.

Im happy to let the meeting go as long as you want. when youre ready sy youre bedding down for the night. once 4 have said that, I will advance to morning. rolling an encounter.

'Alright boy-o, I'm ok if you tag along for now. I dont trust anyone until I've spilled blood with them, and theyve spilled blood for me. You do look like you can do your fair share. Angradd knows we can use someone capable of violence, this here is a right mess and this lad hits them with a tea kettle.'He gestures over his shoulder with his thumb toward the others. Straug's half grin gets serious. 'We're bonded by spilled blood, both our own and our enemies. We expect more of it before this is done. Anything done to one of us, as far as youre concerned, is done to all of us. That goes for your pet there too. Know thats the way of it...until youve earned trust and are one of us. If thats agreeable to you and to the others then help us setup camp, I'm bloody tired after wrecking the kitchen in there!'

"Understood" - Helgash nods - "Tark is not my pet, he is my friend" - the half-orc adds.

As Falkwyn leave, he stares for a few moments, then turns to Cathoris.

Turning to Helgash, he holds out a hand. Welcome! I’m Cathoris. We are happy to have the help. Umm. Nice... wolf? He pauses looking down at Tark. Sorry. As a shepherd, that’s going to take some getting used to.

He offers also his hand in a greeting - "Well met Cathoris. And yes, Tark is a wolf - he usually minds his own business, and I do not think I remember him ever eating a domesticated animal... I think he prefers to hunt"

I am good also to move along. I guess any further RP can be retconned. These 'introductions of new characters' are usually a bit odd, since you know we will eventually walk together, even if the characters do not connect right off the bat :P

EDIT: Helgash usually casts Keep Watch, to maintain guard overnight.

Alex eyes the knew comer carefully. He watches for signs of mistruth in him as the others speak with him. His eyes and body language never really gave any as he could tell.

Well... welcome Helgash, As long as we aren't on the hunting menu I think you and your wolf are welcome. You can call me Alexander.

"It seems our hunting menus are the same" - Helgash greets the half-elf - "So we have no quarrel"

Kronk holds for moments, looking around, but finally sheathes the sledgehammer and goes to embrace the newcomer.

Well... In this case, more allies are always welcome! - he says - I am Kronk... Kronk the cook, and it's a pleasure to meet you!

The chubby, greasy, almost middle-aged cook has an easy smile and is the latest person you'd imagine to be adventuring but... Times ask for it, so the unlikely hero is right where he belongs.

Without anything else, Cathoris heads out to the clearing to bed down for the night.

The group beds down for the night The Half-Orc Hunter tells them He has magic that will make a watch easier. He can partner up with each during the night and his magic will alert him if theres a threat.

Early in the evening 3 gigantic crows as big as a halfling, landed in the trees nearby and watched the group, making noises. They didnt attack though...just watched.

Kronk was on shift when they landed. Helgash was leaning against a tree. He opened an eye and looked at them and looked at Kronk. Tark sat up, staring at them but not growling.

encounter for the night 10%: 1d100 ⇒ 9
encounter: 1d10 ⇒ 2
shift: 1d5 ⇒ 3

Helgash observed the crows from afar for a moment.

Crows that big aren't normal, right? (Nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

They look and act like normal crows. However can anything be called normal in the Darkwood, truly? They do not appear to be hostile whatever they are.

Cathoris looks at the crows suspiciously, then puts his hands together and casts detect magic on them. Better safe than sorry.

Cathoris looks at the crows...

Alexander rolls over in his bedroll. Then you hear the soft sound of very light snoring. Something that most assuredly he would hate to know others heard.

"They are definitely big, but are not showing any signs of aggression" - Helgash comments to Kronk.

I thought only Kronk was on watch with Helgash?

Straug is snoozing pretty hard, feel free to wake him up if you expect trouble.

I’m sorry. I thought it was morning and the crows were still there, not still while we were asleep. We can just move on.

In the morning the crows are gone, As strange as it was, the group has seen stranger. Breaking camp they head away from the witches hut, towards the woods edge and Droskars Crucible. The trek winding through the woods, is easy enough. The sunlight peaks through the tall trees. Birds chirp, squirrels can be seen in branches eating acorns and watching the group. If not for the recent events and seriousness of the mission, it would almost be a pleasant day walking in the woods.

Late afternoon finds the group looking for a campsite again. They have another day of walking before they reach the monastery ruins.

encounter chance 20%: 1d100 ⇒ 62

"I think another day of walking should bring us to the old ruins" - Helgash comments - "Strange things are afoot in these lands, but there is no denying the beauty of these wilds" - he adds, staring at the setting sun.

"What is the reason to for the trip to that abandoned place?" - he asks flat out, turning to the group again.

Ironsoot mushrooms. Cathoris rattles off, his mind otherwise lost in thought. Hearing his own words draws him back to reality, however, and he realizes that their new friend could use a bettet description.. It’s the last ingredient for Laurel’s cure. We retrieved some moss first from the elder tree, and then special rattails from the witch’s cottage. Has anyone you care for contracted the taint, Helgash.

"Understood" - Helgash nods at Cathoris - "We are not friends, but I know Laurel - she has once given me a poultice to help heal Tark" - he adds - "She knows her business" - the half orc comments.

"Anyone I care?" - he seems surprised with the question - "I... Am doing this for the folk in the Hollow. No one in particular"

Alex thinks back to the fey kingdom when Helgash speaks of beauty and chuckles.
Yes, I agree with you on that, though I suspect we may be talking about something a little different.

Alexander smiles when Helgash starts stumbling his words slightly.

Well, if there was someone you cared about, I'm sure they would proud and happy at what you are doing. He gives Helgash a friendly clap on the back.

Now, lets find a place to rest.

feel free to continue to rp things, Ill post the evening set up and check for a night encounter

the group settles in for a the night and set up the watch schedules. Of course Helgash casts a spell and lays down next to Tark, as the night before. He seems to be entirely aware of what goes on around camp even throughout his sleep. The evening passes without threat. Morning comes and everyone is well rested.

encounter 25%: 1d100 ⇒ 44

Bolstered by divine magic, the ever watchful Helgash is up and ready very early, so he makes sure to forage some fresh breakfast for him and his companions.

Survival?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

He wakes up Kronk first - "Managed to catch a rabbit, and eggs from a wild hen - it is not much, but makes a better breakfast than dry rations" - he comments to the cook - "What do you think? Can you prepare something for us?"

Taking some liberties here - hope it is ok GMMichael.

Cathoris thanks Helgash as he shares the breakfast. He looks at the rest if the quiet group and wonders if their minds are all on the same thing. [b] We should reach the monastery today, I think. What do you think we’ll find there? [b] he asks the group genuinely curious. [b]And how are you feeling about this, Straug?[b]

Straug is still rubbing his eyes and scratching from a restful full night of sleep. He looks at Helgash appreciatively.

I think I'm supposed to not like his kind for some reason, I guess because half of his blood runs orc? I dont really get it I guess. Maybe a benefit of being a stray from my kind.

He nods at Helgash in a quiet thanks, trust between them growing.

A somber mood descends on him during breakfast as he hears Cathoris words and realizes they are true. He takes some time to think before he responds to his question.

'How do I feel about this? I think this monastery is the place I was born. I think my old life as short as it was began and ended in that place. My parents, it seems, were followers of Torag there but the place was tainted by the followers of Droskar for some time after that. I'm not sure there is anything left of my family or my life before. Going to a ruined home I've never seen is a strange circumstance to be put in. Further, Angradd, brother of Torag, has seen fit to gift me with some small amount of his power. Why was it not Torag? Does his brother seek retribution for him? This needs some meditation and thought.'

Straug scratches at the dirt with a stick and kicks at the ground a bit. Then looks up and gives a wry smile and claps Cathoris on the back.

'Then again since meeting you lot I've been lowered down wells, been attacked by cultists, and had to put down kitchenware! So today seems pretty much normal!' He lets out a loud laugh. Dont worry, lad, Straug has your back no matter how much of his dark history gets dug up!'

Morning came and as usual the group went about breaking camp and then started towards the Monastery Ruins. The day started out great. Everyone was well rested. It was a sunny day. The shade of the trees provided ample cooling from the heat and travelling was fairly easy until the ground started to rise. Then it became a trial, moving through the forested hills It was far more trying.

Birds chirped. Small animals could be seen. Insects buzzed...and then everything went quiet. It was like a veil was drawn over the area....

encounter chance during day travelling 25%: 1d100 ⇒ 15
encounter: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"Up there" - Helgash warns the others - "Past them trees" - he whispers - "Hide..." - then tries to find a spot where they can hide from being spotted by the creature above, Tark close on his heels, growling softly.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cathoris looks to the trees but sees nothing. He ducks down with Helgash, and he stares at him and shrugs his shoulders. What’s going on?

perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

With a glance, Alexander's eyes widen and he mutters a curse before darting towards the nearest large bush to hide in/under. He curls up, bringing his arms and legs in close so his cloak covers most of him and hopes that is enough.

after a few moments the threat passes, and thoughts turn from this is a pleasant walk in the woods to there are real threats out there.

Its a few hours before dark and you reach a trail that heads up towards the Monastery. Its mostly overgrown with weeds and bushes, but theres still enough to tell it is a trail.

There sitting squat at the foot of an imposing mountain, a ruined monastery comes into view between ancient gnarled trees, Made of simple stone blocks, worn smooth with the passage of time, the stout building is falling apart. Sections of the slanted shale roof have collapsed and portions of the outer wall have crumbled. Weeds and wild thorn plants run rampant across the field leading to the place, leaving only the slightest indication of a path that ends at the ruined front doors. Beyond an overgrown yard sits in shadow.

the picture on roll20 lead page for the campaign is the monestary

Straug draws his greataxe and looks around warily, advancing to the edge of the collapsed double doors on the ground.

'This place dont feel right lads, keep a sharp eye and blade.'

Straug advances and pauses before the 2 old stone statues. The left has been worn so much that it is little more than a lump of stone. crumbled lumps of stone lay at its base. The one on the right however, is relatively intact. The 5' tall statue of a dwarf holding aloft a great hammer in both hands . A good portion of both statues are covered in moss and vines.

Not quite the reaction I expected from you, Straug, given that this was you birthplace. Cathoris says heartily. He moves closer to the doorway, while looking around. Though, I agree that something is off here. I wonder what forest dwellers have made their home here. He grips his quarterstaff tightly.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Helgash follows after his companions, and Tark seems relaxed for now. But they are both observant, watching their surroundings and looking for tracks also.

Perception Helgash: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Perception Tark: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Ok, perhaps they are not THAT observant :P

GMMichael, how would you prefer to handle Tark - shall I roll for him when I think it makes sense, or do you want to take over, and I manage him only in combat?

"These Ironsoot mushrooms, are they supposed to grow around the area?"

Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Tark immediately starts sniffing the air and follows various spoors, pausing to mark bushes in the area. Helgrash knows from past experiences that Tark has smelled other wolves in the area.

Cathoris thinks he sees movement in the courtyard, but he cant be sure. It was just something at the edge of his vision, near the far wall. and then it was gone.

Thallin is gazing at the sky lookin for the wyvern again....

No you do that. Ill add tidbits of info that I think hed notice, or give you guidance if needed.

I... think something’s in there. Cathoris says while gesturing towards the courtyard with his staff. Who wants to go in first?

Earlier-
As the creature passes, Alex slowly crawls from his hiding spot.
Well, that certainly would have countered the apparent good fortune we've had so far... still, best be cautious, and keep eyes glancing to the sky.

At the monastery-

Alex gazes in minor awe at the sight. Not due to its grandeur, but more due to its deterioration. Nature was a scary conqueror indeed. At cathoris's mentioning, Alex approaches.

I'll enter quietly, see if I notice anything. I'm fairly good at moving unseen.

He quietly approaches the entrance to the courtyard and pokes his head around to get a look in before going further.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

As the group discusses what to do, and Cathoris mentions seeing some movement, Alex volunteers to scout the courtyard out. He creeps forward around the moss and ivy covered statues, and toward the fallen gate doors and starts to sneak around what appears to be a pen for hoses looking over the courtyard

Tall Grasses and chunks of stone debris have all but overtaken this small yard. next to Alex a wooden stable has collapsed into a mound of rotting timbers and moldy straw, except a waist high part of a wooden wall.

The outer wall on the eastern side has also collapsed, leaving a ragged hole in the compounds wall. Three doors exit the yard, a pair of double doors to the west, a single door to the north and a lone door leading into a squat tower to the southeast corner.

A well pokes up from the grass straight ahead with some rope tied off to the side of it going inside. Alex's eyes pick out the skeletal body of a mansize being laying next to the well. . Its bones snapped in places. Poking out of the ruins of the stable are bones of a few pony's

Helgash nods at Alex and remains outside - he looks for a vantage point from where he can see the rogue’s approach, and keeps watch with his bow in hand.

Not seeing any danger, Alex will wave the others forward before continuing in. He would quietly make his way to the collapsed wall to the east, and peer in the building.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Helgash looks around at the remaining members of the group, then slowly moves ahead to join up with Alex.

Perception Helgash: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Perception Tark: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

the collapsed wall looks out to the forest. is Alex's vision ok on roll 20?

Apologies, I misread and thought you said the wall of the building was collapsed and went from that. He will move up to the single door at the north and try to peak in.

Straug stands outside looking at the structure, and the statues wondering...Cathoris and Thallin stand nearby.

Alex slips across the courtyard, past the well and the corpse to the open doorway and peers inside, seeing a hall running east west and a collapsed door across the hall to a room that looks to have have had the roof partially collapse on it, that appears to have bat guano covering the rubble.

Helgash takes his bow and crosses to the base of the small tower, watching Alex across the way...while Tark sniffs along the ancient stable.

Kronk comes in through the gate and hefts his hammer expectantly.