Town of Otari on the Isle of Korthos
3 days before the Winter Solstice
The bells atop the Temple of Sarenrae toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Otari. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square in front of the library, in anticipation of the upcoming event. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the chilly, hard ground. After a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Oseph Menhemes, patriarch of one of three local lumber companies, pass through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.
As you look around, most of the 1200 people who inhabit Otari are present.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Menhemes stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk in a somber voice. “Once again, the coming winter winds blow through Otari, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. As is our tradition, every four years, we need brave heroes that will venture out to the tomb of our first ever Mayor, Lord Kassen, and retrieve the flame to keep this town safe during the next four winters? Who will step up and honor our traditions and save the town?" The mayor pauses, breaks character, and smiles, "If no one is willing, I have your names so we will resort to the lottery system. What say ye?”
Serenllys chews slowly and thoughtfully through a cheese and spinach turnover. Thoughts of a lean winter do little to dampen her spirits and she considers the four yearly festival.
Has it really been four turns around the sun already?
She wonders if anyone here even knows what the abandoned crypt might hold. She doesn’t…exactly, so isn’t surprised when she realises she has stepped forward.
”I will journey…to the crypt…and return with the flame…of course!” she begins slowly, then finishes more strongly, in case her intentions were in doubt.
Kamau positions himself as near to the mayor as he can, tilting his head so the mechanized hearing aids can send the man's words through a series of vibrations that allow him to hear. He scowls a bit as the devices pick up nearby chatter, drowning out some of it, but he is familiar with the custom, so doesn't need to catch every word.
Seeing Serenllys step forward and volunteer, Kamau steps forward to stand next to her, holding his starknife aloft. He nods up at her in solidarity.
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Marietta was no far, in fact she was at the temple and was at the square in no time, she wasn't around the last time so she's quite interested now that she is elegible and capable for this task.
Immediately Kamau catches her attention, as a champion of her deity Marietta looks up at him so she she didn't hesitate in stepping forward and join Seren and Kamau
"Allow me to accompany you, it'll be an honor to perform go on a journey with you all"
Kelri's been waiting impatiently for the Solstice celebrations for a few weeks now. She's wanted to examine the tomb of Otari's founder for a while, and this is her chance.
Playing along with the spectacle Kelri calls out "I will answer Otari's call for heroes and help save my home!" as she steps out of the crowd. She grins up at everyone in excitment as she joins them.
Luc was leaning against a stone column, bored out of his mind, trying to stay warm, in his town guard uniform, watching the crowd for troublemakers - how ironic! - and pickpockets. Well, if you could call a tabard a uniform, really? Here he was freezing his ass off in this hick town, seeing his youth slip by a day at a time. True, he was only 20 years old, but still every day mattered. He smirked as he thought how 4 years ago as a teenager, he would have killed to go find the flame but he was too young to be entered into the lottery. Yes, four years ago, back when he cared.
Now, he was a disillusioned town "slacker", who was appreciated by the ladies for his lean figure and muscles () than for anything of substance. He so wanted to leave town, but with 5 gp in his coin purse, he doubted he could get far. Maybe as far as Absalom, but he was sure, given his reckless nature, he would be broke within a week. He was good at bluffing in cards, but not that good. So, until he came up with a better plan, he was stuck in Otari, the hick town where the most excitement he ever had was breaking up tavern brawls. And his side hustle of looking for valuable treasures in the ruins in the region wasn't exactly paying off - he had yet to find anything of value. So what was his plan? He daydreamed of the Roseguard whom he had read about in the library: off on adventures defeating the evil sorceress! Now, that was exciting! Luc gave the crowd another glance - yep, same bunch of townsfolk he had seen for the last 20 years of his life. Sure, some died off, but they were replaced with more doppelgangers, speaking about the wondrous benefits of lumber!
Luc sighed. It seemed the gods had conspired against him and he would probably die in this town. He stopped his self-reflection to pay attention to the mayor. The mayor had just reached the part of the speech where people volunteered to go to the crypt. He debated raising his hand just to be able to get off work and leave the town for a few days, but really, how exciting could an abandoned crypt be? Luc decided against it and was about to walk away when he saw her: the elven lass of his dreams, Seren something or other. He could never quite get her name right, but those eyes of her just captivated him since the first time he saw her. Sure, she had rebuffed him time and again and laughed at his pathetic attempts to woo her, but still.... It was their courtship. He was sure he would win her over eventually. Hold on! Wait, did she just volunteer to go to the crypt?! A big smile crossed Luc's face. Maybe if she saw me in action...He cleared his throat, as he heard two others volunteer also and a dwarf step up.
Luc moved quickly and dexterously to the group. He then announced in his most suave voice, "And of course, as representative of the Otari Guard, I, Luc Theriot, would be honored to accompany this band and retrieve the flame." He formally bows and smiles at his new friends, like the cat that killed the canary.
The crowd gathered in the square applauds when Serenllys volunteers first, followed by Kamau, Marietta, and Kelri. A few people groan when Luc makes his announcement and Captain Longsaddle, present in the crowd, just throws up his hands at the gall of one of his guards volunteering, and even more so, without asking for permission first. But all in all, the party of 5 receive a warm celebration and gratitude from the persons gathered.
The mayor approaches the female elf and hands Serenllys the silver lantern that he was previously carrying. "For being so brave, you shall have the honor of carrying it. Use it to bring back the flame from the crypt. We will eagerly await your return. Now, the town has contributed some supplies to the cause." The mayor directs the party to the wagon. "Please distribute as you see fit." On the wagon, you find:
50 feet of hemp rope with a grappling hook
3 days’ worth of rations for each of you
A small tent
A winter blanket
A Trail Map containing the path to the crypt
A box containing tinder with three tindertwigs
A labeled Healing Potion (minor)
Three torches
2 sunrods
Small bottle of local brandy
After you take the items, the mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk. “I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire.” With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb.
Kamau looks at the supplies. He slips loose a couple of straps and pulls his backpack off, letting it slump onto the ground. He deftly straps the tent to the backpack.
He holds up the rope and grappling hook. He already has one on his backpack, but if no one takes it from him, he'll happily tie the other rope onto the other side since there's plenty of room. He adds his rations into his pack, as well.
When he's done loading, if no one has claimed any of the other items, he'll shove them into his bag for storage.
Upon hearing the crowd and Captain Longsaddle's reaction, Luc gulps, Guess I'm on suspension when I get back. This elven lass better be worth it! "So, Seren, fancy meeting you here. First, the tavern, then the ruins, and now here. You're not stalking me, are you?" Luc chides himself for the awful joke. C'mon man, get it together! "In all seriouness, that was quite brave of you volunteering first, you too Marietta. I couldn't let you ladies", he nods at Kelri, "and the quiet dwarf venture without me. It'll give us a couple of days outside of this town. A change of scenery will be nice."
Luc smiles and rubs his hands together when he sees the goods on the wagon. He takes both of the sunrods, his rations, the winter blanket, and the bottle of brandy. Rubbing the bottle, Luc smiles, "This will definitely keep us warm at night."
The elf gives Kamau a wink out of professional courtesy, and listens as the town…person says…things. She isn’t really aware of the formalities, but then has a silver lantern thrust at her that she accepts somewhat awkwardly. She quickly hands it to Kamau.
Need my hands free…and I see pretty well in the dark…
Seren’s smile at Luc’s introductions most definitely does not reach her eyes.
”Luc.” is all she says in reply. She takes the rope and grappling hook, again out of professional courtesy and the trail map. She then throws a quip over her shoulder:
”Hold the bottle tight Luc, it’ll be the only thing warming your bed at night…!”
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"Hehe, thanks Luc I'm glad we have you with us, mister captain doesn't look too happy I must say" chuckled the cleric as she points out the commical reaction of the captain.
"Kamau, Kelri it's good to have you both along and Serenllys, this is our first adventure together I'm sure we'll have fun" Added Marietta to her companions being Seren the one she has shared less time.
"It's a honor to go on this journey, I'll not let you down, as a follower of Mighty Ragathiel I take this as my duty no evil will haunt our home!" Said Marietta to the crowd no missing the chance of mentioning her deity.
"I suppose I must thank you for putting yourself in a bad position with both your boss and your crush to protect us." Kelri says to Luc with amusement. She greets Marietta warmly "It's always good to travel with a friend."
Packing away her share of the rations Kelri sees Serenllys pass off the lantern and asks "Could I take the lantern? I'm studying this tradition and want to examine the lantern as part of that."
Kamau nods, passing the lantern to Kelri. He points to his dwarven eyes and shrugs, suggesting that he doesn't really need the light anyway. He smiles pleasantly in response to Marietta's kind words, then hefts his backpack where it belongs and tightens the straps.
He glances up at the midday sky, then looks around at the others. He motions toward Serenllys' hands and the map, then points in the direction that he knows adventurers in the past have gone when lighting the flame.
The elf gives Kamau a wink out of professional courtesy, and listens as the town…person says…things. She isn’t really aware of the formalities, but then has a silver lantern thrust at her that she accepts somewhat awkwardly. She quickly hands it to Kamau.
Need my hands free…and I see pretty well in the dark…
Seren’s smile at Luc’s introductions most definitely does not reach her eyes.
”Luc.” is all she says in reply. She takes the rope and grappling hook, again out of professional courtesy and the trail map. She then throws a quip over her shoulder:
”Hold the bottle tight Luc, it’ll be the only thing warming your bed at night…!”
Luc mutters under his breath with a smile, ”For now…” He then clears his throat, ”As the good dwarf signals, time to get this party on the road, unless someone needs to do any last minute things to do. I just need to drop off the tabard at the garrison on our way of of town.”
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Seren looks at the assembled group.
Well, I guess fate has a way of smiling on each and everyone of us. From time to time.
She smiles, again the perfunctory grin of a hard task ahead.
”All ready? Marietta, I imagine you might be able to bang us back into shape if things get violent. Luc, I’m sure you’ll be providing most of the violence with Kamau. Kelri and I aren’t exactly built for combat, so make sure you look out for us.”
Seren takes a look at the map.
”You’re right Luc, no point waiting around, let’s see how far we get before sundown…I’ll take point.”
Kamau nods with a smile to Seren and offers a hearty thumb's up. He begins to move cautiously, alert for danger, but is clearly moving slower than the rest when doing this. Seeing as they're close to town, and Seren is taking point, he quickly abandons this plan in order to keep up with the group. He does have his shield strapped to his arm and is holding his starknife in the other hand, though, ready should danger arise.
He takes a position on the opposite side of the road from Luc, seemingly so a warrior is available on each flank. The astute observer, however, might notice occasional irritated glances in the other warrior's direction when the human's chain shirt gets particularly ... clanky. At one point, he sheaths his starknife long enough to reach up and casually turn down the hearing aid in the ear pointing toward the chainmail noise.
He glances toward Kelri and makes a hand motion as if flipping open a book, a sign that she would know from past encounters means he's asking her what she's reading or studying these days. He positions himself so that he can hear her response in the ear that still has the active hearing aid.
Kelri takes the lantern from Kamau with a nod and says "Thanks Kamau, I'll examine it properly when we rest since Serenllys is right about us needing to make the most of the light". She attaches the lantern securely to her backpack.
As the group sets off Kelri waves farewell to her family and friends among the crowd and takes a position beside Kamau as they walk. With his invitation to share what she's learning she quickly starts chattering "I've recently read a paper from Absalom discussing how local traditions develop and the purpose they serve in community building. I thought it would be interesting to examine our Solstice traditions in that framework and volunteered so I could do so directly." Kelri chatters for a bit longer about the details of the paper before saying to the group "It would be quite useful to understand why everyone decided to volunteer, if you're all willing to share?"
Luc smiles at Kelri's question, "Adventure and possibilities of course." After dropping off the tabard, he moves to the group's flank and uses Sense Direction to make sure the party is following the map correctly.
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"Worry not, I can fix us if we happen to get hurt but my blade can prove to be just as useful if danger arises" Adds the cleric as unsheaths her bastard sword.
"I've been training, my martial prowess have dulled a little since the last time I actually fought" She said, a little nostalgic remembering the days she spend training and learning her way with her deity's weapon back in Lastwall.
"That being said... Do you think we would actually use force in this journey?" Wonders Marietta aloud before turning her attention to Kelri
"I want to be useful and put my skills to test, I fear I've lost my edge so I've been training in order to get back in shape, in body, mind and spirit, I know my calling, I've always knew"
The party begins its trek south, following the map along the western coast of the Isle of Korthos, within 100' of the Inner Sea's waves crashing on the shore. The temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit at its warmest with expected drops into the 30's at night. With the eastern direction safe, the party only has to worry for dangers from the north, south, and west, which makes the travel easier.
After four hours of travel (around 4:00 PM), the party is halfway down the coast, when Serenllys scouting ahead of the team, first sees signs of a camp clearing 50' up ahead: tent, blanket, and fire pit. However, it seems abandoned. The party catches up and sees the same scene.
Seren smiles to herself at Kelri’s study.
”Put me down as “mysterious; not applicable”. That should make someone squirm in an ivory tower somewhere…”
”Hmm, an abandoned campsite. By the look of the ash-bed, I’d say about a week old. No sign of whoever made it though…”
Luc stays on the lookout for danger, silently cursing to himself that they have to follow the coastline south instead of moving inland through the forest. Sure, the forest may have its dangers, but at least he wouldn't feel the constant wind chill on his face from the sea breeze.
When the party finds the camp, Luc helps Seren investigate the camp and look around for clues.
Luc kneels down to the fire pit and investigates, "Actually, Seren, I would say more like 6 days, given the amount of times this pit was used. And since the winter snow has not yet arrived, these tracks lead me to believe..." Luc stands up facing the shoreline, "I'm not exactly sure if it's our camp friend, but I think I see a corpse on the shoreline. We should investigate. Marietta, your skill may be needed to determine cause of death." Luc arches his eyebrows, proud to show the party his skills. He draws his longsword and dagger and approaches the corpse carefully, hopeful the party will follow.
Kamau listens to the description, and squints over toward the direction that Luc indicates there is a corpse. He shrugs, unable to make it out, but heads in that direction cautiously, his starknife and shield at the ready.
Luc stays on the lookout for danger, silently cursing to himself that they have to follow the coastline south instead of moving inland through the forest. Sure, the forest may have its dangers, but at least he wouldn't feel the constant wind chill on his face from the sea breeze.
When the party finds the camp, Luc helps Seren investigate the camp and look around for clues.
[dice=Perception]1d20+6
[dice=Survival]1d20+5
Luc kneels down to the fire pit and investigates, "Actually, Seren, I would say more like 6 days, given the amount of times this pit was used. And since the winter snow has not yet arrived, these tracks lead me to believe..." Luc stands up facing the shoreline, "I'm not exactly sure if it's our camp friend, but I think I see a corpse on the shoreline. We should investigate. Marietta, your skill may be needed to determine cause of death." Luc arches his eyebrows, proud to show the party his skills. He draws his longsword and dagger and approaches the corpse carefully, hopeful the party will follow.
: Luc can also see very faint signs, almost invisible to the naked eye, that there were actually 4 persons staying at this camp for a couple of days, before 3 of them headed south.
Kelri notes down the responses to her question and thanks the group for their answers. She offers her paper and pen to Kamau so he can write down his answer if he wants to.
While initially curious about the abandoned camp when Luc mentions what he sees Kelri says "A corpse, that's terrible, I hope it's not someone from Otari." and begins sticking close to the others, following behind them as they go to investigate the body.
”I said “about a week”. That’s near enough…” Seren mutters under her breath, becoming even more annoyed by Luc.
Still, if his sword arm turns out to be as dependable as his eyes, he might be less…frustrating.
Her eyes scan to where Luc indicated. ”Well spotted Luc. You have good eyes. For a human.” Seren frowns and moves carefully toward the “corpse”.
Kamau takes the paper and pen, jotting down in blocky script, "I like to travel. Have seen some real fools over the years do this and come back safe, so we should be fine."
Kamau notices that Seren begins searching the area, so he turns his attention to looking and listening, with the help of his hearing aids, for any signs of danger.
The party approaches the corpse for a closer look. You smell the stench, as you move closer and find the decaying body of a male human lying face down, dressed in ruined leather armor, due to exposure to the elements and the sea.
If you investigate the body, you can determine the following:
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The whole scene is disturbing, a sense of danger invades Marietta as she listen to her companions review of the camp, but in the moment Luc Draws his weapons she did the same and followed him to examine the corpse...
"I got a bad feeling Luc let's proceed with caution" Said Marietta, her bastard sword already in her right hand and her steel shield in the left one.
Serenllys spends a little time examining the body. She pulls out a thong around the man’s neck with her dagger, and an upended boot drops a dagger. She looks over the wounds, calculating in her mind. Finally she sits back, one leg tucked under her, one arm resting on the other knee, dagger casually balancing between two fingers.
”Well, I can’t tell if he’s local, but he probably died 3 days ago, and if his mates killed him, they were beasts. Literally. Whatever killed him used claws…and it seems the tide has come in and out a few times and fouled all his gear. Poor bastard. ”
Serenllys looks out to sea, then down the road in the direction they are headed. She speaks into the middle distance.
”Maybe his mates left him to die alone….he still has his coins on him…”
Kelri kneels by the body and examines it alongside Serenllys.
Following up on Serenllys findings Kelri adds "I don't think he's local, the fabric of his clothes isn't like what we make around here. It's likely from Absalom, or another city."
Kamau kneels next to the corpse, stroking the fabric of the man's jacket. He shakes his head, pointing back toward Otari. The amulet around his throat then speaks, in a deep voice, "His clothing fabric is too fancy for Otari. Likely from Absalom, or another large city."
As the party investigates the corpse, thanks to Luc, Marietta, and Kamau, who are on scouting duty/looking out for trouble, the party is not surprised when a creature that resembles a mutated lobster or shrimp, with large pincers for its small body, leaps out of the sea behind Serenllys and Kelri, intent on harming you!
Round 1:
Luc warns the party as the monster appears from the sea! This is what probably killed the poor bastard lying in the sand. Luc steps over the corpse, "Excuse me ladies, we got trouble behind you!"
Luc snarls at the creature, "That's what you get for gettin' me boots wet in this cold weather!"
Kamau mirrors Marietta, taking quick steps around Seren and stabbing at the creature with his starknife.
He watches intently for the creature to strike, ready to react should it move toward any of the others ...
Luc moves in and launches two strikes at the creature! The first strike draws blood, as the sword cuts deeply in the creature's side. The dagger strike follows and misses by a centimeter, as it harmlessly bounces off its thick skin.
Marietta moves in and slashes at the creature, but she fails to find a weak spot in the creature's defenses.
Kamau mirrors Marietta's movement and strikes, drawing blood!
Round 1: Monster
While the monster is bloodied, it still lives and fights ferociously, clawing with its pincers at the enemy that caused it the most harm!
The dexterous fighter dodges the last 2 remaining pincer attacks.
Serenllys is slow to react, and slower to move from her half seated position. She gets up, and deftly moves through Kamau and into the waves to flank the creature with Luc…her rapier sings through the air in a wild stab…
◆ Stand up ◆ Move ◆ Strike
The water is pretty cold in late Autumn and it chills Serenllys to the bone, as she wades in knee high to flank the creature.
...The elf's rapier punctures it through the eye!
However, as it convulses in death, the monster uses its Death Frenzy and lashes out at Serenllys before it dies!
The creature then dies.
Serenllys can’t avoid the deathstrike and cries out in pain.
As the creature emerges from the sea Kelri doesn’t quite register the danger at first, too curious about its unusual nature. Thankfully the rest of the party reacts quickly and kills it before it can cause too much damage. With the creature dead Kelri takes a moment to examine it to try to understand what it was before excitedly exclaiming ”Wow! That was incredible, you took it down so fast!”
Kamau helps Seren out of the water. He then drags the corpse clear of the water, for a more thorough inspection.
He motions toward the religious emblem on the chest of his breastplate, and holds up a hand, then motions toward Seren's wound, as if requesting permission to tend to it.
Luc comes up from behind Kamau, "Thanks buddy on that save with the pincer. I don't know how you did it but appreciate you keeping me safe. Now, since we don't know if that creature has a mate, I say we get off this beach."
Luc will pass by Seren, "Good kill, girl." He will then head back to the camp with the party.
Seren allows herself to be assisted out of the water, more because it would take more energy fending off her would-be rescuers. She nods impatiently as Kamau offers to treat her, wincing in pain and annoyed that she failed to avoid the deathstrike and now will miss examining the campsite further.
”Bloody…aquatic…thing!” she mutters.
You head back to the camp, but other than the tent, there are no valuables to find. Fresh off your first battle together, the adrenaline eventually wears off and you continue your trek south, trying to get in as many hours of daylight as possible.
The rest of the trip, thankfully, is uneventful. By 7 PM, night is upon you, and you camp right outside the woods. Anyone who is trained in Survival can find a relatively safe place to camp for the night. There is plenty of dry wood to be found to start a fire, and your rations can be cooked into a fine stew if everybody contributes his/her day's allotment.
Around 9 PM, after your meal, as you chat around the fire or pray or study your spellbook, you all hear in the distance the howl of a wolf.
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"Wolves? I think those tend to be in groups, what do you think Luc? Should we worry?" Fighting wild animals is not of her particular liking as these aren't inherently evil yet they're dangerous nonetheless, as a member of the guards Luc surely is more familiar with wolves than her or so assumed Marietta as she collect her things finishing her prayers to Ragathiel.
With Kamau's help dragging the creature from the sea Kelri is able to clearly see and identify it. "I've read about reefclaws before! They deliberately use corpses as lures to draw in prey. We should probably bury it and the stranger well past the tide mark so another reefclaw doesn't do the same." she explains.
As the group recovers she continues to chatter on about the reefclaw "Even though it's poisonous it's considered a delicacy, though it's considered intelligent enough that trade in it's meat occurs through the blackmarket."
Once camp is set up Kelri takes a seat and pulls out the tarnished silver lantern to examine it. As part of her examination she casts detect magic causing a set of gleaming, multicoloured runes to appear in front of her for a moment.
Kelri startles at the sound of the wolf howl, and looks around at the more experienced members of the group asking "That wolf isn't too close right?"
Kamau touches Seren's wound. As he does so, his hands hands seem to absorb light, turning black as night as they touch near the moon. As the healing power flows into Seren, the sound of her companions and of the crashing waves rescinds into the distance, a moment of perfect stillness and calm crystalizing in her consciousness. In that moment, her wound is mended ... and then the stillness is gone, as Kamau removes his hand and sensations of light and sound come crashing back around her.
Kamau positions his bedroll so he isn't in the direct light of the fire. Following the meal, he scouts around a bit, turning down his hearing aids and reveling in the darkness and silence of the night, far out from the city. Upon returning to camp, he pulls out his writing set and begins making marks, looking periodically at the sky, and making notes about the positions of key stars and constellations.
He tilts his head slightly at the sound of the wolf's how. In response to Kelri's question, his amulet speaks, "Not sure. I am unable to tell distances of sounds well." He looks around into the darkness as best he can. "We should set up guard watches. If there is trouble while I am sleeping, please remember to shake or tap me awake. I cannot wear my hearing aids while sleeping."