Kana sees the hobgoblin gladiator standing up and takes the chance to lash out with her whip.
Stensan lands two severe hits to the legionnaire despite his own grievous wounds, then as the bladebearer stands the combined forces of Stensan and Kana bring her back down with a blow to the skull knocking her just into the line of Kana’s whip. The whip opens a nasty gash in her neck which pours a gout of blood to the ground. She lays dead at their feet.
The priest cackles as he burns, proclaiming the fires only readying him for Tiamat’s divine wrath to come. He conjures a spectral dragon claw that bears down on Valen, hitting him and raking down his armor . He then conjures a divine fire over Kana, which envelops the normally dexterous rogue . The hobgoblin squads struggle against the burning webbing, and the smell of burning flesh begins to waft over the battlefield. They remain standing, but barely. The fires die as Miha sends a freezing ray at the hellhound, ending its existence.
You all feel the wind begin to whip about, originating from the brown bear just north of the squads. As it reaches its height of intensity, you see the bear squat and launch itself into the air. It’s carried by the wind in a spinning gale of teeth and claws. The first squad ducks just clear of the slashing claws, however the second is brought down collectively by the combined injuries of fire, claw, and thunderous buffeting from the wind. The priest cackles in the maelstrom as it manages to duck free of the path of injury despite being wrapped snugly by Luanna’s vines.
The priest calls out to the lone surviving hobgoblins in the goblin tongue, ”Death holds no candle to the eternal flames that will bathe any coward that flees Her holy crusade!!”
Luanna will make the vine whip attack the priest again.
Xulgag moves cautiously towards the priest, keeping close to the treeline.
A second set of vines whip out and forcefully wrap around the priest. He is injured by the impact, and is just bloodied. The remaining squad is burned by the now extinguished webbing, but remains undeterred and is bolstered by the priests. They seem ready to fight to the death.
Xulgag inches closer to the priest.
"Jumax uka jaqinakarux jisk’acharaktawa. Ukajj jumanakan tʼunjatäpjjätawa." The words come from the bear form, spoken in Goblin.
Seeing that the priest seems to be bolstering the remaining hobgoblin's courage, Sten snaps his staff back into a longbow and fires off two arrows to silence the creature.
Attack:
Damage:
Attack:
CRIT Damage: x2 =12
Seeing that the priest seems to be bolstering the remaining hobgoblin's courage, Sten snaps his staff back into a longbow and fires off two arrows to silence the creature.
Attack: 1d20+8
Damage: 1d8+4Attack: 1d20+8
CRIT Damage: 1d8+4 x2 =12
As the priest begins formulating his surely charismatic response to Luanna, an arrow buries itself in his throat as Stensan draws his hunter’s instinctive aim towards the robed hobgoblin. His retort falls unspoken and the color drains from his face as Stensan pivots and lets the second arrow fly towards the squad. It takes one of the goblinoids through the eye, critically wounding the group.
As the dust settles over the battlefield, you are able to make out the dead bodies of nearly 25 goblinoid figures and the disappearing bodies of the hounds that are quickly burning away to nothingness. You take stock of your own injuries and those of your companions, realizing that you have survived a slaughter that few would have. Your keen senses gave you warning of the ambush in enough time to repel them.
If you take the time to search the bodies, you are able to find a motley array of usable but unremarkable longswords, bows, damaged and broken leather brigandine that is marked with a crimson outstretched hobgoblin hand, and broken splint armor that could be recovered from the legionnaire. It would require some repair to be brought back to full function. The priest carries a silver holy symbol of Tiamat, which you aren’t surprised to find after hearing his prayers and rebukes. The dilapidated building they came from shows signs of recent occupation, and there are several heaped bodies in the corner of the room. One appears to be dressed in common clothes of a laborer or farmer. Three appear to be guards of no particular allegiance and a human dressed in fine merchant’s clothes. Near the bodies is a burlap sack with 600 gold coins dumped into it.
Miha kneels down next to the two fallen guards from Drellin’s ferry and whispers softly while lightly touching their cheeks with her palm. She then closes their eyes and retrieves her bag from partially under Del’s body. She has to struggle to drag it from under his corpse, and when it finally tugs free his body rocks unceremoniously back to the ground. She stands holding her bag and looks around in partial embarrassment. She approaches you all after retrieving her bag, ”Thank you all for helping repel those monsters. Were it not for you surely I’d be sharing sweet Del and Smitty’s fate. These attacks are worse than I had heard. Surely they must have some reason for being so far out of the Wyrmsmokes. What do you suppose that it is?” Her eyes dart back and forth between you all.
Kana marches over the bodies, looking for any clues about them.
Oh look at that, they had some nice stuff!
She picks up two potions of greater healing and a spell scroll of bless.
Is anyone good with scrolls?
She waves the scroll around in the air.
Seemingly you're not good with traps and ambushes, but you are good at fighting!
Sten stumbles over to the bodies of the two guards. He drops to his knees, tears flowing down his cheeks.
"You should never have had to face such creatures...you were not ready! I swear to you now that I will not rest until I find out who is behind these attacks and make them wish they had not decided to test us! We will repel these attacks and honor your sacrifice!"
While trying to stand, the warrior wobbles and almost falls back to the ground. Blood from several wounds slowly drip from his body. He opens his healer's kit and begins to remove various tools and bandages. He quickly patches himself up and then turns to his fellow adventurers.
"Any who are wounded, please come here. I can patch you up enough for us to make it to town at least!"
Current HP: 14/44
Luanna, still in her grizzly form, surveys the battlefield, visiting the fallen guards hoping they had not yet expired. She speaks consolingly to Miha, saying "We will bury them properly soon."
Next she checks on her grandson, sniffing his wounds and immediately speaking a druidic word that activates a healing spell, which she delivers by touching her nose to a wounded area.
She inspects his wounds, gives a disappointed grunt, and repeats the process.
"I can do more, but see if you can use your own skill at medicine on yourself and our well-met friend," referring to Kana.
Luanna approaches Kana and speaks from her bear form, "Thank you for your timely aid. I am Luanna, a druid who sometimes patrols these woods. Forgive me for remaining in this form, but we may encounter more enemies, and I fight better in this form. This fine looking fellow," referring to Stensan, "is my grandson Stensan. That large one over there is Xulgag, one of our companions. We were sent this way to see if rumors of attacks by goblinoid creatures were true. We now have a lot to report. What brings you to this neck of the Witchwood?"
Xulgag walks over to Sten and sets his sword and shield down, "I ain't been hit that hard in awhile," the orc says in a matter of fact tone. He gives a nod at being introduced by Luanna.
Seeing the extent of Xulgug's wounds, Luanna delivers healing magic to him as well.
Having used up her most potent spell energies, she takes a break from healing.
When introductions are done, she begins dragging some dry brush and larger branches into a pile in an open area away from any trees. Then she drags the enemy bodies and adds them to the pile, asking others to remove their weapons and other valuables.
If there are no interruptions, she starts using her massive claws to dig into some soft earth near the house as a burial plot for the fallen guards and slain occupants of the house.
Only after the heavy work is done does she return to her normal form to hold services for the fallen and to tend to burning the bodies of the enemy, making sure the fire does not spread.
While Luanna sees to the healing of Stensan and Xulgag, Miha finds a log near the roadside to seat herself and watch. She twirls her fingers in the air and recites a short offhand incantation before you see her dress smooth itself of wrinkles and the road grime and splotches of blood from the battle are magically cleaned away. Her hair frees itself of any tangles and she pulls it to the front of her shoulder. She sits next to her backpack for the duration of the introductions and idly smooths her long auburn hair while Luanna tends to the pyre of hobgoblins.
After the burning pyre of hobgoblin bodies dies to a safe point, Miha looks at the position of the sun in the sky and speaks out to you all, ”Unless we want to spend the night on the roadside, we should probably get moving. I particularly am not keen on traveling at night after what just happened. We’re only an hour or so from Drellin’s Ferry, so still plenty of time to get to a safe place for a good nights rest. Im a bit a worried about my granny Azuna. She’s probably worried sick right now with all the commotion of the attacks nearby. After she hears of this she won’t sleep for a week”
Miha shoulders her bag and looks ready to finish the travel when the rest of you are.
Sten's current HP: 37/44
Sten, feeling much better from his Grandmother's ministrations, uses his more mundane skills to help patch up the rest of the party.
Xulgag healing:
Kana healing:
Uh, ehm, thank you! Kana stutters as Sten is healing her.
The reality that some friendly people just died is only dawning on her, and she seemingly doesn't really know how to cope or what to say.
I guess when you die here, you're really dead, aren't you?
A moment later she adds, blushing.
Probably a silly question...
Luanna shifts her form back to that of a slender Eladrin elf, her pack and weapons returning to their places on her back and attached to her belt.
Once the group decides to move on toward the town down the road, Luanna casts a spell and studies the skies for a short time.
Then she says, "We need some eyes in the sky. I'll fly above and ahead on the road, watching for trouble."
If others wonder how she can fly, they don't have to puzzle long, as Luanna begins to shrink and ends up with the body of a bloodhawk. Her feathers contained blood red feathers mixed in with brown and grey feathers. Her beak was sharp and could be used as a dangerous attack.
Valen once the battle is over immediately sheaths his blade with odd haste. He surveys the carnage of the battle with grim sadness. Taking a deep breath he can’t help but feel sad for the poor guards caught up in all this. He helps how he can with dead and taking care of them.
“Well we should get ready to be off I think. Everyone has gotten a chance to heal and we have a scout ahead. We can continue our conversations on foot.”
Over about an hour or so you all manage to utilize both the magical and mundane abilities to heal your injuries as best as can be expected on the roadside. You see to the bodies of the marauders by burning after scavenging all that can be salvaged off of them. Likewise you see to burying the bodies of the hobgoblins’ previous victims.
As Luanna goes to bury Del and Smitty, Stensan it would most likely occur to you that the young guards’ families would prefer to have their bodies returned to town for a proper burial. As close to town as you are, it wouldn’t be inconceivable that the town guard could send a wagon or a few of their number on horseback to retrieve the bodies if they were wrapped well and stowed in the dilapidated house. The door is mostly off it’s hinges but your collective efforts could contrive a way to stave off scavengers for a few hours to get to town and send a contingent out to retrieve them.
Once your roadside preparations and tasks are complete, you all set back off to finish your trek to Drellin’s Ferry. Luanna morphs her body into that of a blood hawk to keep watch overhead, and get a sense of the lay of the land. It all seems clear to her sharp eyes, and while circling ovehead her Druidic attunement to nature gives her the sense that the following day would be similar to this day and the previous. It will likely remain hot, especially in the afternoon, although there remains a chance of a brief reprieve in the form of a light afternoon rain.
Before two hours travel on foot, you come into sight of the town of Drellin’s Ferry. It’s best described as a frontier town, being mostly removed from the civilization of the eastern Vale towns and cities like Brindol or Dennovar. Stensan is intimately familiar with the sight, and the most striking difference is the increased guard presence at the gate. Ordinarily only one guard and an officer would be present at the gate to screen visitors, but today no less than a half dozen are present, led by a burly mustachioed fellow that Stensan knows by the name of Sergeant Hersk. Before he recognizes any of you individually, he raises his hand while you are well away from the gate and shouts out.
”Ho there!! I’ll be having yer names and yer business before ya come innae closer. Been a rise in mischief ‘round ere of recent. At best your unawares and would be best to turn yaselves around and head back the way ya came. At worst your intendin’ on causing’ more of it, which we aren’t in a position to tolerate.” He makes no motion to draw blades, but the tension is quite high amongst the guards. A few of the younger number nervously finger the triggers of heavy crossbows pointed downward.
Luanna will fly down to the group as they get within sight of the town and no enemies can be perceived. She transforms back to her elf form before getting to within hailing distance of the town.
Luanna will fly down to the group as they get within sight of the town and no enemies can be perceived. She transforms back to her elf form before getting to within hailing distance of the town.
Sgt. Herks...it is me...Stensan Freyson. This is my Grandmother, Luanna and the others are companions met on the road"
He takes a moment for the sergeant to recognize him before continuing.
"I, unfortunately, bring dire news. We were attacked by a force of hobgoblins on our way here. We had just met up with Del and Smitty when it happened. We were able to defeat the beasts, but both Smitty and Del fell during the conflict. Their bodies are awaiting retrieval at the old ruins about 2 hours down the road. You must gather the militia and prepare for a possible siege!"
It is now that he looks beyond the guards to see the town proper and the changes that have been made.
"I see that you are already preparing...how can I help!"
Kana hops forward, a bit too merry for the dire occasion, but then steps closer to the Sergeant and lays a hand on his shoulder in a consoling gesture, making a serious face.
Sergeant Herks, Stensan here is right, we bring dire news. Smitty and Del had their bodies destroyed here in the waking, a bad event, by hobgoblins none the less! And now those hobgoblins - not the same, mind you, we took care of that, but others like them - are likely coming here, to plunder your town and do evil things. You should really listen to Stensan.
Luanna lets Sten do the talking. It's been a while since she last visited the town and she doesn't recognize anyone.
If there is time and an appropriate place in or near town, she'll spend some time locating healing herbs.
Sergeant Hersk squints in the late afternoon sun towards the familiar voice. As he recognizes the face of the speaker his guard lowers and he saves his hand behind him to stand down the nervous guards behind him. He waves you over along with your group.
“Sten ma boy. I was told you had been away for a spell visitin some kin. When your lass Jil came into town after the attack on the ranch, I dinnae have the heart ta ask if you were among the number left behind.”
When Kana pulls the sergeant closer to speak to him, the burly man leans over almost doubled at the waist to put his ear next to her. After listening to her comments he responds, ”Oh I’ve a mind to believe it. Seein’ you lot all roughed over, especially Sten and tha big fella over there, I can believe ya had a tussle to write home about. I’m glad to hear they’re good an’ dead, but we’re well aware there are plenny more where they come from. We’ve got the militia called up and have shored up where we can.”
He leans in closer to you Stensan to speak a little more quietly, [b]”To be honest I’m more than glad to see ya about. Word around town has it that you’ve a sharp eye with a bow, an’ we’ll need every able person to stand with us. Ya look as if you got worked over prettae good earlier, but a nights rest’ll do ya some good. Pity about Del and Smitty. They were good hands. We’ll see after gettin ‘em home and a proper burial. Your words good ennae for me to let your companions in. I will be takin’ down some names and ya business in town though. Part o’ the job ya know.”
He turns towards his guards and shouts out at them, pointing towards four in particular. ”Two of our boys are out there, dead by goblin hands. I’ll see em home before sundown and the scavengers get too hungry. Grab a horse each of ya and see em home. Don’t get yerselves killed in tha process, but get about yer business and ya might see dinner before nightfall. Go on now!”
He ushers you and the group in through the gate to the frontier town of Drellin’s Ferry, taking down the names of each of you that pass through the gates as well as your stated business in Drellin’s Ferry in a small leather bound notepad.
For Drellin’s Ferry:
Stensan 2
Luanna 1
Kana 1 (limited to the underlings of the Shadowbanks clan of Halflings out of the Old Bridge Inn)
Valen and Xulgag 0 (assuming most of your business has been on the eastern end of the Vale and your prestige is much higher in Brindol and surrounding larger towns. This will play out later in the adventure)
I won’t restate prestige, it’s found in Chapter 7 of the Adventurer’s Guide starting on page 433. It’s in the “Between Adventures” section of that chapter after the downtime activities. The pdf is in the campaign description as a drive hyperlinked as Level Up A5E PDF’s.
"I am Luanna Raumolossë. I am a druid and so my business, first and foremost, is protecting the natural places of the area. As I have relatives and friends in this area, I also seek to protect the from these hobgoblin incursions and if possible to repel them." As she mentions hobgoblins, a dark aura of menace enters her eyes, as if contemplating their destruction brought to her mind a grim pleasure.
Once inside, Luanna says to her companions, "Sten, let us locate your fiancé and her family. Then we can locate a place to stay."
To Kana, Valen, and Xulgag, she adds, "Fate has thrown us together, perhaps for a reason. I think we should remain together, at least until we have a good reason to separate. Once settled, I would like to learn more about the attacks, see if there is a pattern. I can fly above the city to spot trouble while it is still far away. Perhaps then we can take the fight to them." Again, the dark gleam returns as she speaks of attacking the enemy.
Valen is quiet and lets the others do the talking, he’s never been here and with how things are he can sense the tension.
Once inside he listens to Luanna speak. “Well I’m amenable to working together. I’m more or less just venturing on my own. Just a word to the warning though, I have…. A ally of a special type. I can speak to them somewhat regularly, and he’s pretty reliable with questions on what to do. I could do it now if we have any questions of what we should do?”
As each of you pass through the gate, Sergeant Hersk has a short conversation with each of you about your stated business in Drellin’s Ferry and takes down your name, likeness, and what you state to him. As Miha passes through she responds to him with a bright, disarming smile and a cheerful voice, Miha Serani is my name Sergeant. I’m visiting to check in on my granny, Azuna Coyne. I was being accompanied by your two guards Del and Jonny. They were so valiant in defending me from those monsters. It’s only because of them and these other heroes that I was able to make it here. Please seek me out when the burial service is, I’d like to pay my respects to them. I’m sure you know Azuna, I’ll be staying there for the time being.”
Sergeant Hersk smiles wide at Miha, with the tips of his waxed mustache touching very near his eyes. ”We’re gonna miss the two. But I’m glad ta hear they went out with their spears deep in the belly of a hobgoblin defending tha road. Smitty’s wife’ll be devastated ya hear of it, and Del’s favorite tavern wench Delilah will be sad to see tha flow of coin get a little lighter now that he’s gone. Hell I’d bet she had even started to like the lad by this point. I’ll be sure and get ya personally so you can let the survivors know o’ their deeds. Good day ta ya Mrs. Serani.
She chuckles and lightly swats at his elbow playfully, ”Please Sergeant. It’s Miss Serani. And thank you for your service to this town. I’m sure my granny Azuna is comforted greatly knowing she has such strapping and dedicated folks defending her.”
Those of you who haven’t been here would be struck by the sight of a quaint community that you estimate would otherwise be mostly quiet. The town square is a bustle of activity, with an increased guard presence in the town interior. Most of the guards seem to be wearing ill fitting leather brigandine or padded cloth and hold spears as if they are unfamiliar with their operation. Most of you can surmise after witnessing the fortifications at the gate that a militia has been raised and that most of the people here armed have never been so in their life.
The town looks complete with a few inns, a smithy, a general store that has most basic items an adventurer would need within reason, and a temple to Pelor. Those of you curious about the town’s name are quickly clued in by the river that runs through the city and the set of thick ropes strung across it. The ropes are affixed to a large wooden capstan with a pair of draft horses hooked to it. Another capstan on the opposite side of the river is in operation today, running a second Ferry due to the increase in traffic. Next to the ropes are a set of very old stone pylons where a bridge obviously once stood and has long since fallen to the river floor. The ferry makes several trips across it in whatever time you observe, bringing fleeing farmers and ranchers along with the few possessions they escaped with. By sundown the ferry stops and you have a few hours before that to do any shopping you need. The Old Bridge Inn has a few rooms available, although it is a bustle of activity much as the outside commons are.
There is a shrine to Pelor run by Brother Derny. He predictably has divine spell scrolls for sale. Similarly Sertirien the Wise is the resident arcanist. He has arcane spell scrolls and a few minor wondrous items for sale out of his house, although he has a reputation as somewhat of a recluse. There is a Druidic grove tended by another half-elf named Avarthel (perhaps a mentor of yours in your younger years). Jarrett’s Sundries is run by Jarrett Nurth, a rather chatty middle aged human woman who deals in most adventuring supplies. Similarly Sterrel’s Provisioning supplies items like mounts, tack, saddles, ropes, and other hard goods an adventurer might need.
After passing the guards at the gate, and waiting for Sergeant Hersk to finish his questioning, he approaches the soldier.
"Sergeant...my Jilyian and her people are supposed to be here! Where can I find them? Once I have seen her and settled, I will report to you to help with the militia training if you wish."
After passing the guards at the gate, and waiting for Sergeant Hersk to finish his questioning, he approaches the soldier.
"Sergeant...my Jilyian and her people are supposed to be here! Where can I find them? Once I have seen her and settled, I will report to you to help with the militia training if you wish."
Sergeant Hersk responds, Aye my boy they’re in town. Last I heard they were bein’ put up at the Old Bridge Inn with most of the others fleein the attacks. We’ll be busy with training them a while yet. No sense of when we might expect an attack ya know. Go see ta ya bride to be lad. We’ll be here training when yer ready. Couple of the lads have a knack with a bow from time huntin’ game. They’d be decent pupils.”
As Xulgag passes by the Sergeant, "Xulgag, and it seems by business is killing hobgoblins currently..."
Walking through the village and taking measure of the fortifications and militia, "have none of these lads held a spear before?" he asks with a hint of concern peaking through his stony persona.
Luanna accompanies Stensen as he locates his fiancé. Once situated, she excuses herself to do a few other things before day's end.
Luanna looks up Avarthel, an old druid she knows from past visits. "Greetings of earth and sky, Avarthel. Peace be with you. I'm Luanna Raumolossë. We've met before although perhaps you don't remember."
She shares what she just experienced and asks if he has any news from the Keepers of Eth, any information from the woods themselves.
After getting caught up, she visits the Old Ones, the circle of menhirs Avarthel keeps up. She meditates a bit there and then spends an hour before sunset looking for medicinal herbs.
dried yewclaw bark
She returns with some bark that can stimulate mental processes for a time.
As night falls, Luanna explains to her friends she does not need to sleep and prefers to spend her trance time in nature rather than indoors. So long as the weather is not stormy, she will seek out a bit of forested land, settle under the oldest wisest tree she can find and goes into a trance for part of the night and spends the rest harmonizing her mind with the forest. If any animals stroll by, she greets the and asks them to share something of what they've learned about what is going on in the area. She does the same with the trees, using her ability to converse with plants. She does not expect any significant intel, but it is her way.
"Come on you louts!! Act like your grannies didn't coddle you with too many sweets as a babe!! If those demons attack we're surely doomed if that's all you got!!" You hear the veteran shouting over the group of four or five of them. You've seen training like this before, where the person conducting the drill doesn't have much experience themselves, so they just repeat the way they were taught. All of the militia are putting every effort they have into the drills, but they are exhausted and frustrated with just being shouted at.
One of the younger boys slips when stepping forward to thrust with the spear. Their helmet falls into their vision and they wind up stumbling a few feet forward. They're only barely able to recover their balance, but not before nearly skewering one of their fellow militia members. The veteran starts in on him nearly immediately, stepping towards him while producing a short leather strap that looks to have a heavy weight sewn into the loose end of it. "You fool of a Darry!! You'll kill more of us than the hobgoblins before it's all said and done!! Bumbling idiot!!"
You see him raise the sap over his head as if he were going to strike the lad, and he is seconds away from doing so.
Indeed Avarthel is much aged from when you last remember him. Where the young half-elf stood before you half a century ago now stands a much older figure. His human features outweigh the lithe elven breeding. He is broad shouldered and with chestnut hair. He wears a dark brown woolen shirt that is open down to his navel. He carries a staff made from the branch of an older tree, and you can sense the life that still lives within it. Wrinkles line his weathered face. It is a striking reminder of the long lives that Elves lead compared to those of humans and half-bred elves. Perhaps it's even a fresh reminder of the fact that one day, sooner to you rather than later, even Stensan will stand before you an old man, and you will see his grave stone before you are even middle aged.
These thoughts are interrupted as Avarthel continues, "A fox happened through earlier today, bringing tidings of conflict in the wood. A great battle on the road. The kit was quite shaken from the witness. Of course it understood not what is saw, but a large bear shaking a fiendish hound to pieces in its maw is quite the scene for a creature to see." He stares off at some mystical presence known only to him, before his emerald gaze returns to you and flashes a knowing grin.
"The Keepers have been silent of late. It seems to me that I am the one with all of the worthy news to share recently. I sent a crow bearing word of these troubling footsteps through the western wood today, but none have returned yet. You'll struggle to find much in the way of useful herbs here. There is a scattering of yewclaw that hasn't been recently useful you can probably locate. I've regrettably made use of far too much of the physically invigorating plants of recent." And you do in fact manage to secure a single dose of yewclaw bark in your hourlong search.
As you take your place the shadow of one of the trees near the Old Ones, you drift down into the familiar trance. Over the next few hours your hips relax. Your outer thighs drift flat to the ground as if they sought the cool touch of the earth against your body. Much like adventitious roots grasping for the comfort of the nourishing earth the feed the body of the plant, your palms drift down to press against the molding leaves of the forest floor. You commune with the spirits of all the life around you, both flora and fauna. Even the fungal spores that float in the air carry a sense of unease about. The forest brings the din of concerned chittering and caws from the forest creatures to your sensitive ears, and the visions brought to you in your trance are chaotic flashes of lightning striking a thatched hut and lighting it afire. Next you see a swarm of rodents converging on the body of a recently dead wolf. Other wolves snap at individual rats, which scatters them for but a moment before they reconverge. The remaining wolves eventually flee, leaving their deceased pack mate to its fate.
You begin to hear the beat of your own heart drumming in your ear....BOM.....BOM....BOM..BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM and it picks up the pace, deafening you to the remaining visions that flash in a horrifying shutter of images depicting death and destruction. The wind picks up through the forest, picking up your discorporeal mental presence and flinging it tumbling back through the trees at a blistering pace towards your body......BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM.BOM....and your eyes flash open, chest heaving as your drag panting breaths into your lungs. Your knuckles are white as bone as you clench the earth in your fist, and the sound of the forest is silent under the deafening roar of your heartbeat in your ear....BOM..BOM..BOM...BOM...BOM....BOM.....BOM......BOM
As the beat slows and your grip loosens on the earth, you look down at the ground in front of your crossed legs. A single plant has sprouted in front of you, and you immediately recognize it as a fairly rare toadstool, useful in herbalism for brewing certain restorative potions. You look to the side and see Avarthel standing there, staring off into the wood away from town. "The woods cry out for help....we can only hope that her gift is enough....." He turns and departs, leaving you alone again.
As the veteran raises the strap Xulgag interposes his large frame between the instructor and trainee, ”I don’t believe a blow to the head will make him a better warrior, do you?” he asks looking down at the at the man, trying to hold back a sneer. Without waiting for a response he continues, ”sweat is dripping down their faces, they can barely see…. They need a break, if they fall to exhaustion there will be no one to fight the hobgoblins… With that said I can help train these men, with your permission of course,” Xulgag had to suppress is anger while speaking, such training was likely not only to get the boys killed but probably everyone else also.
Once they've scattered, the veteran looks up at you again. This time you can see fear in his eyes. He doesn't look intimidated by you, but you've seen genuine fear in people's eyes before. He is terrified by the situation put in front of him. The smell of sweat fills your nostrils as you loom over him."Look fella. I've never seen you before, but clearly you are a fighter above my match. Hell it looks like you're on the better side of a tussle today." He leans in to speak where only you and he can be heard. "Truth be told is I'm terrified. I've never faced a horde of goblinoids before. Hell I bet even Soranna has only fought a handful in her time adventuring. I'm trying to put on a brave face for these youngsters, because I know if I'm scared, they're terrified. And at least if you're gonna die, it might as well be with a little courage in your heart. You know what I'm saying?'
He leans back from you and speaks a more normal volume. "If you want to try and make something out of these louts, be my guess. I've got to go meet with the Guard Captain about other matters. I'll be back to check on the progress with the recruits within a few hours. And with that he leaves, swaying a bit in his exit, and with the late afternoon sun on the back of your neck you're reminded that he perhaps is overdue as well for a water break.
Stensan heads directly to the Inn to find his fiancée. He sweeps into the common room, scanning all the people who have suddenly gone quiet. He looks and looks, but cannot see Jil. He is almost ready to call out, when the door to the kitchen opens and there she is!
He rushes over to her and gathers her into his arms. He whispers into her ear and holds he tightly as she hangs onto him and quietly cries. The two separate and move off for a more private reunion.
When Avarthel mentions the fox's tale, it is a good segue for Luanna to narrate the fight on the road.
After her heart-pounding experience during her trance, Luanna regards the mushroom but does not rush to harvest it. She needs to finish her rest and so continues to meditate on the visions of her trance and Avarthel's unexpected visit.
Once her rest is complete, she takes out her herbalism kit and a magnifying glass to study it more closely before harvesting it. "Welcome to the world, little friend," she says to it in Druidic. "What has brought you here? What have we to offer each other?"
Only after contemplating the reply, if any, does she carefully harvest the fungus, keeping its roots intact and placing it one of her herbalism kit's containers.
She next prepares her spells. First, she speaks an Eldarin invocation to grant her the magic of the storm, knowing that there will be storms to come.
She prepares a combination of spells useful in combat and spells that can restore health to injured individuals. In addition, she prepares a spell that can help crops grow more abundant.
She casts one spell right away, producing a healthy supply of magical berries that look like blueberries but with a faintly glowing violet aura. These can cure injuries a little at a time. She keeps these in a pouch on her belt for easy access.
She casts the Druidcraft cantrip to learn what to expect for weather the next 24 hours.
Then she goes purchases a simple breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit, before heading down to the river. There she turns into her otter wild shape and goes for a swim. The swim is more for information gathering than recreation although she loves playing with other otters if any are about. She communicates with any river creatures she can find to learn what may be going on along the river in either direction.
Returning to shore, she changes back to her elven form and goes shopping. She visits the crafters of vessels, such as cups and goblets. She spends 20 gp on the finest looking cup she can find as a engagement/wedding present for Stensan and his fiancé. She spends another 5 gp on a fine looking scarf to act as wrapping and which can be worn by Jilyian after its wrapping function is completed.
Stensan heads directly to the Inn to find his fiancée. He sweeps into the common room, scanning all the people who have suddenly gone quiet. He looks and looks, but cannot see Jil. He is almost ready to call out, when the door to the kitchen opens and there she is!
He rushes over to her and gathers her into his arms. He whispers into her ear and holds he tightly as she hangs onto him and quietly cries. The two separate and move off for a more private reunion.
Luanna remains at the edge of the room to allow her grandson his time of reunion with Jilyian. She reviews what she learned from her time with her husband the expected etiquette for such situations so she will not put anyone off. She takes a seat, to better blend in with the crowd, awaiting Stensan's introduction.
She gets a naughty impulse to change into one of her wild shapes just before Stensan introduces her, but only contemplates the reactions before dismissing the idea out of mind. She does however use her Druidcraft cantrip to conjure the scent of wildflowers into the area where she is sitting. She needs it after a few days journey without proper opportunities to bath.
"Thank all the gods there are that you're back Sten. I've been a mess waiting for word. Ever since the attack I've been trying so hard to keep it together for Lulu and Miska. Miska is older, and he was quick to stuff his own grief and start helping around the inn to pay our room off, but Lulu hasn't left the bed. She just stares at the wall and occasionally cries softly. It breaks my heart. They're......they're gone Sten. Everyone.....and everything..... I'm not even sure how us three got away. Dad got us to the stable, helped me get the two young ones bareback onto one of the horses. When I turned around to help get him on his, he just stood there blank faced at me. That's when I noticed the black barb of an arrow sticking from his chest. He coughed blood onto my shirt as he fell to the ground gasping. He was gone before I could roll him over. I leapt onto his horse to get the kids away." Her voice has died to a whisper and she stares blankly as she relates the tale. When she gets to the part about her father passing, she breaks down again and just sobs into your chest. She stays that way for a good 10 minutes before she composes herself.
"I've held that in for so long. I've been trying so....hard to keep up a front for the kids. These hobgoblins are monsters. They didn't even take anything. They just slaughtered and burned, happy to see it all go to ruin. I've heard the elders speak of one-off attacks in the past, but its been decades. And nothing like this." She seems to be speaking more normally now, having been able to get all of the pent up anxiety and guilt off her chest. At least for now she seems relieved and can focus on more immediate questions.
Luanna quote:When Avarthel mentions the fox's tale, it is a good segue for Luanna to narrate the fight on the road.
After her heart-pounding experience during her trance, Luanna regards the mushroom but does not rush to harvest it. She needs to finish her rest and so continues to meditate on the visions of her trance and Avarthel's unexpected visit.
Once her rest is complete, she takes out her herbalism kit and a magnifying glass to study it more closely before harvesting it. "Welcome to the world, little friend," she says to it in Druidic. "What has brought you here? What have we to offer each other?"
Only after contemplating the reply, if any, does she carefully harvest the fungus, keeping its roots intact and placing it one of her herbalism kit's containers.
She next prepares her spells. First, she speaks an Eldarin invocation to grant her the magic of the storm, knowing that there will be storms to come.
She prepares a combination of spells useful in combat and spells that can restore health to injured individuals. In addition, she prepares a spell that can help crops grow more abundant.
[dice=Goodberry, 2nd level]3d4
She casts one spell right away, producing a healthy supply of magical berries that look like blueberries but with a faintly glowing violet aura. These can cure injuries a little at a time. She keeps these in a pouch on her belt for easy access.She casts the Druidcraft cantrip to learn what to expect for weather the next 24 hours....
Valen takes the some time to walk off and see the town. He always enjoyed the small town life especially as of the last few years and his travels. He does take a few minutes to see if there is any nobility within the town, old habits die hard and maybe talking with them could yield some information that he may need.
If any are found he takes a moment to get himself some privacy. Taking a moment to look around he unsheathes the blade simply extending it from the scabbard. Looking within the slightly tinted blade he sees the glowing red eyes of the The Light Taker Issachar, the fiendish creature he was connected to.
Hearing nothing but feeling the presence with a cold sweat on the back of his neck, as the hairs stand up he thought his question to it. [i] “Will this noble be able to help us?” [/b]
One thing that you are unable to find, even if you choose to ask about, is that there isn't any form of nobility around. The closest thing you've been able to hear about is a mayor of sorts that goes by the name of Norro Wiston. Even he is only the chief among a council that meets once every fortnight to discuss town matters.
As you sit down and partially unsheathe the tainted blade of your lineage, you hear the diabolical voice enter your mind in response. The voice is both alien and familiar, like the impossible combination of a breathy whisper shouted over the din of a terrible windstorm. When you inquire about the presence of nobility and the prospect of help, the answer returned isn't promising. Help....why do you think they summoned you here.....foolish boy......you are the help.....he...he...he...he... You chose this for yourself you know....you could have been living the easy life back home....eating well at the table of a great family....choosing amongst the primest suitors vying for your betrothal.....Your father....and his father before him....they knew a good deal when they saw one....but little Valen and his mighty conscience just couldn't stand keeping up their end of the bargain....No matter....a deal was struck long ago.....and the debt has yet to be paid......You seek to run from the deal....but my contracts are signed in blood boy.....You may yet turn out to be useful though....your part is still yet to come....he.....he.....he.....he....