The reception of the Honeyclaws was as boisterous as expected, and the feasting and sampling of mead went on for a few hours after your arrival. after all beekeeping and mead making was hard work, and any excuse to knock off early and have a party was welcome. Still the elders of the clan, particularly Petunia Honeyclaw kept glancing at you from time to time, obviously not as excited by your arrival as the others. After a couple of hours, she excused herself and headed towards the main house. She looked at you and beckoned you forward with a glance.
Alorea can carouse with the best of them. Once Petunia departs and gives her "the look," the priestess swiftly finishes her last glass of mead. "Oh, would'ya look at the time? I best be off to rest me weary feet. See you all in the morn, aye?"
She heads off, but circles back to follow Petunia into the house.
Lillanith spins a story for Kloy and any of the others that might be present.
"Many years ago there was a boy, a young man who lived in a village by the sea. Like most of the people in the village, the sea was the source of both his sustenance and his livelihood."
"Now, the sea is both lovely and dangerous, but unlike the rest of his people, this boy never gave offerings to the sea, the winds, or the gods when he came through danger. "It was my skill that saved me." he would say. Or "I am the lord of the Ocean, it obeys my commands."
"One day he was caught in a storm and swept far out to sea, days from any land that he knew how to get to. He commanded the winds to fill his sails, and the currents to carry him home. But the winds were calm, and there was not even a ripple in the waters. He never returned home."
"It is said, in my village, and others like it, that on the darkest nights, when the waves smash against the shore during storms, his voice can be heard, begging, pleading, to come home. But, to this very day, he has been unable to make the waves and winds bear him back to shore."
With that, she sits back to eat her rabbit.
The Woodsman sits back and claps his hands with glee. "Well done. You have shared a story of your people with me with a beginning, a story and no end. I guess it's up to whoever hears the story to come up with their own ending. Well, done indeed. Every culture shares such a story".
He then rises gracefully to his feet, and motions to the pallets. "Take your rest. You will be safe for the evening, and in the morning, I will have Moki, and Luci lead you along a path to Raven cutting off much time from the trip.
The next morning two wolves one white with dark grey markings and one dark grey with white marking silently lead you on a concealed trail. They travel fast, and as the evening begins to darken you begin to smell the tell-tale signifiers of civilization. The wolves make eye contact with you, look east, then patter off silently into the forest. Walking beyond the next ridge, you see a small village sprawled out in front of you and alongside a slowly flowing river. Looking to your left you are startled by a rock formation extending from the cliffs to the North of the town, that in the setting sun looks much like a raven perched to attack. Easy to see where the town got its name.
As you approach the town you see a group of people taking and pointing. As you approach you see two of them in the Raiment of clergy head towards a bare island in the middle of the river. Another acolyte leads a obvious Dromaar towards a large inn facing the river, and a shirtless young man hustle towards another part of town. The Acolyte and Dromarr disappear into the Inn.
Petunia leads the way to a small but comfortable looking hut a little away from the main house and buildings. Standing at the door she motions the young cleric in.
"Let's cut to the chase, shall we? I've been around long enough to know that when priests come visiting out of the blue, they're after something... usually money. You have picked a good time I might say. Our coffers are healthy this time of year, and the bees are motivated to make fine honey. The clover fields outside of town impart a particularly nice aroma to the honey".
She then takes a small kettle off the stove and pours two cups of steaming tea. "I like mine with a dollop... or maybe a bit more of fresh honey. Please try it".
"I will be happy to recommend that we send funds to your church... but I must ask a favor or you in return. Two days ago, two of our own teens, and two more from the town decided to go into the caves around the raven on an adventure. I had to torture the information out of another of their friends, but nobody else seems concerned. Youths often do this, as there isn't much excitement in the town... but I've got a bad feeling about this. Perhaps you could recruit a few others to take a quick journey up into the cliffs tomorrow... just to ensure that they are safe. If you do so the Honeyclaws would be indebted to the church of Mick O'Delving".
She then sighs and stands walking about the one room shack rubbing here hands in worry.
"If you travel to McGill's along the river, you might be able to find others to help you out. I noticed you flirting with young Telurion as he emerged from the river. If I was a hundred years younger, we might have to fight over him... but he's always looking for adventure and is strong if a bit naive. You might start with him".
Alorea sips the offered tea. "Mmmm! It is quite tasty, mum," she says with a smile.
When asked to investigate the cliffs, the priestess nods. "O' course, mum. I'd be happy to check out them caves for ye."
She laughs when Petunia mentions her flirting. "Mum! A wink and a grin is a far cry from seduction! I was just being cheeky, is all. But... ye saying he's single, then?" She chuckles again. "He's a strappin' young lad, isn't he? He'd be a boon companion. I'll seek him out at McGill's, as ye've suggested!"
Once their business is concluded, Alorea bids Petunia good night and heads out along the river...
"This must be Raven, and even if it's not, there will be an Inn or Tavern, or something. Come on, Caks, let's find a place to stay for the night. Lill says to Caks as they walk along the banks of the river.
"Anywhere that is safe is good with me! That old man and his wolves, even though they were somewhat nice, still scared me! Looks like plenty of normal people in this village."
... then
As you walk along the river you come across a half barrel hanging from a chain with a sign that says "McGills" from the boisterous sound emitting from the open door this is a good probable destination. As you watch the young priest who had escorted the orc inside comes out, and nods to you with a smile.
Âdayil is already inside. The bar was full, so the young Acolyte found a table for her, after showing her to the small room the church of Thyr provided. The small room had space for a cot, a washstand with a picture and bowl, and a small trunk at the foot of the cot with a key in it. That's it.
Telurion Goes home to wash up a bit, and put a shirt on then will rush to the tavern to join her for dinner.
Alorea Will arrive shortly to begin recruiting for a small side quest.
Let the games begin.
"This looks to be a nice place to get a meal and maybe a place to stay the night...what do you think Lill?"
The ratgirl looks up to her companion to see her response.
Adayil has never been more ill-at-ease in her life. Chased by gnolls to the point of starvation and death from exposure and fatigue? Typical. Treating with otherworldly entities who gift you strange powers and a shell-friend? Unusual, but understandable. But this? This tavern?
Adayil has no idea how to comport herself. This dark, smelly place, a mix of aromas from the outlandish to the…delicious. A gathering of folks, all of whom can’t help but…stare…or cast sidelong glances. And although the acolyte helped her to order food and drink it was….deeply awkward - the acolyte trying their best in an obviously trying situation. “Mash”. “Peas”. “Gravy”. Adayil could at least understand what the meat portion was.
The server had just placed a steaming plate of…things in front of Adayil when Krutk tapped her on the neck. Adayil looked up to see Telurion heading toward her table. Beyond him, a slightly odd pair, at least seemingly for Raven, are coming in through the door - an airy waif and a ratfolkess…
Telurion approached with an ale in one hand a plate in the other - "Good, I see you are already getting started" - he smiled, putting the food and drink on the table and pulling up a chair - "I'm starving!"
It takes a moment for Adayil to recognise the vernacular employed…that Telurion is not literally starving.
She smiles.
”Yes, it is good to eat. Your god Thyr is most generous…” Adayil watches carefully as other diners employ far more dexterity and it must be said, more cutlery than her rudimentary knowledge of knife, spoon and two-tined zhek. The young orc strives to follow suit.
"It does look that way." Lill agrees with Caks. "Let's see if we can find a place to sit. It looks pretty packed." Lill then does just that, and if need be flags down a server to see how seating works here.
It takes a moment for Adayil to recognise the vernacular employed…that Telurion is not literally starving.
She smiles.
”Yes, it is good to eat. Your god Thyr is most generous…” Adayil watches carefully as other diners employ far more dexterity and it must be said, more cutlery than her rudimentary knowledge of knife, spoon and two-tined zhek. The young orc strives to follow suit.
Noticing Adayil's attempts at managing the eating utensils, Telurion looks at his own greasy hands - "You are better at using those than I am" - he chuckled - "Thyr... He provides to those who try to provide for themselves or for others who are defenseless" - he commented in-between bites - "Or so I have been taught"
Shortly after the others have all taken a seat, Alorea steps through the door to McGill's. The halfling scans the crowd, lighting up when she spots Telurion at the table. She smiles and waves as she makes her way over to him.
"Hello, there, River Boy! Blessings of Mick O'Delving to ye and yours. I came here to find you. Got a job offer for ye, if ye're willin' to hear me out." She looks from Telurion to the others at the table and makes a broad gesture with her arm. "The rest of ye are welcome to come to, if it suits yer fancy. The more the merrier, eh?"
Telurion blinked once, then twice, staring dumbfounded at the halfling he had seen earlier that same day - "I saw you today... By the geysers..." - he said, blushing slightly - "But we do not know each other. Do we?" - he seemed confused - "Are you sure you are looking for me? I am Telurion... And this is Adayil" - the man added, introducing his newest friend.
"We haven't met yet, but Petunia Honeyclaw recommended ye," Alorea says. "She's asked me to check out the cliffside caves tomorrow to ensure they're safe for her wee ones who've started exploring them. If there is danger lurking about, I wouldn't want to be caught there by meself. Care to assist me? If there's anything valuable to be found there, I'd be sure that everybody who comes along gets a fair share."
"Petunia recommended me? That's nice of her - I will definitely join you" - he jumped at the opportunity to do something different - "The caves huh? Yeah, kids around here will do anything for a bit of excitement. Need to check in with Father Grimble first time in the morrow, but we can go after I think" - the man added and continued eating, then stopped - "Hey, do you want something to eat?"
DM Screen
Caks
Lil
As the new arrivals scan the room they can see a table with a couple of empty seats. A halfling, a Orc, and a Human seem to be getting acquainted.
Caks slyly gets closer and overhears them discussing a rescue meeting. Perhaps this is the kind of adventure that Lil craves, so he shares what he overhears with her.
"Lil..they are looking for people to help check out some caves or something. Maybe we can earn a bit of coin to help us get back to the city. What do you think?"
She keeps looking over to the group and then back to her companion.
Lill has never been shy, and so she leads Caks over to the table. "Hi. I'm Lillanith, and this is Caks, and we've just arrived, do you mind if we join you?"
She leaves it vague if she means to eat, to explore caves, or both.
Adayil is constantly surprised by this Raven place. While life in the folks-camps was eventful enough, with the constant threat of raids by other tribes (or of other tribes) and the ever present threat of gnolls and other foes, life was for the most part…predictable - driven as much by the elders traditions as it was by the steady march of season, sun and star. But this place - It seems as if multiple threads of various tapestries vie and wind and weave together without an overarching frame to hold them together. Humans. Halflings. Other folk, sharing in each other’s lives.
It was confusing. But also, she had to admit…refreshing.
So, when Alorea joins them, Adayil is pleased, if a little shy, to introduce herself to the halfling, and to the newcomers also. She searches Telurion’s face for signs that she can trust these people as she trusts him. And agrees, despite her long fatigue, to join them.
”The youth are the future, and without them, there is no hope.” she murmurs.
And as ever, Krutk is there, ever present, caressing her neck, sending her messages.
"Hey, do you want something to eat?"
"Sure, if you're buyin', River Boy," Alorea says with a wink. She pulls up a high chair to sit at the table comfortably.
When Lill and Caks come over and ask to join, the halfling shrugs. "There's safety in numbers, aye? Provided ye're no afraid of a li'l danger!"
It looks like we have a consensus of the small group to meet first light tomorrow to look for the lost youths. As the evening progresses the Innkeeper offers free rest in the common room for those helping rescue the youths for the evening, and a discount on common rooms if you want your own.
Word spreads about your brave endeavor, and several rounds of drinks are purchased by the tavern occupants. Finally, the activity dies down a couple of hours after dark, as the citizens have to work tomorrow.
If you need to make any further preparations please feel free to do so. I'll need a marching order as you leave Raven and head for the hills behind the city.
While players usually hew close to these default activities, there’s no need for them to memorize the exploration activities and use them exactly. Instead, allow each player to describe what their character is doing. Then, as the GM, you can determine which activity applies. This also means you determine how an activity works if the character’s actions differ from those on the list.
Caks is not very good outdoors, but once inside when can move as well as check for traps while she travels.
The early morning fog had retreated until it was only covering the river. A small crowd was gathered by the geyser Island waiting for its daily gift when the party finally started heading north out of Raven.
A fresh basket of hot croissants and a small tub of honey butter was provided by the friendly innkeeper, and their departure was delayed by the throng of well-wishers following them around.
Finally, they made their way to the outskirts of the village. Previous inquiries had informed them that it was about an hour overland journey to reach the highlands, and Adayil led the group over the ever-higher terrain, dodging small rifts, and large boulders as the sun began rose higher. The day was sunny which caused shadows to sometimes play tricks on their eyesight, but the weather wasn't unbearable, and as of yet the elevation rise was not intense.
As the group meandered higher up the slope behind the village, they could see below them the small town stretched out and noticed that the fog had finally lifted from the river. As they took a water break, they saw a sudden explosion of white steam burst forth from the small island in the middle of the river, that rained down scalding water on the barren rock for a couple of minutes filling the numerous pocks on its surface with steaming water. The crowd appeared as a colony of ants as they milled about first running from the eruption, then headed back to the riverbanks, carrying buckets of river water to be used to cool down the newly formed pools before entering.
Finally, after about another 20-minutes the cliffs suddenly rose steeply out of the surface. Looking behind you, you notice that the sun has created the shadow of a raven on the ground from the cliff overhang, and it seemed as though it would progress across the ground as the sun continued its daily tread.
GM Screen
Alorea (RK Athletics)
Lil (RK Nature)
Caks (Perception)
As the newly formed group of adventurers looked about for clues for where the youths might have climbed.
Alorea is looking for a likely place to climb, and spots what could be a possible route.
Lil looks where she pointed out, and states that this path looks dangerous, as it seems that water washes down from above during rain storms, and the footing there could be unstable.
Caks joins them in their observation and points out some fresh dislodged earth near a cave opening just to the right of two other openings.
Telurion looks up the slope - "I could maybe try to get up there, then hold the rope for you all to climb?"
Adayil looks at Caks discovery. She moves closer, falchion in hand, Krutk hiding at the back of her neck.
"The earth is fresh here. I think this is where we should look first."
As she bends to examine the disturbance she notices Telurion climbing. Krutk tentatively crawls down her arm and daintily paces about the disturbed earth.
"Telurion - tell us if you see anything from up there."
Telurion looks up the slope - "I could maybe try to get up there, then hold the rope for you all to climb?"
[dice=Climb]d20+7
Adayil carefully sheathes her falchion in its scabbard at her back, and motions to Krutk.
"Stay out of sight, Krutk."
Adayil motions to her new companions to approach, keeping careful watch on the cave opening by the disturbed earth. Krutk flattens himself, burying his strange legs into the earth and attempts to impersonate a rock.
Telurion makes it safely to the cave opening but sees no signs that the youths came this way.
DM Screen
Perception
Alorea waits for Telurion to lower a rope to help her up!
Lill studies the rock face for a moment as Telurion climbs up and secures the rope for the rest of the group. Before moving to climb, water and air start to swirl around her, something Caks has seen before. She seems to be looking at the rock face.
The water seems to vanish from the rock face, the air and water vanish from around her, and Lill moves to climb the rope.
Alorea waits for Telurion to lower a rope to help her up!
The rock face is quickly drying form the morning dew, but there are still some damp spots that are quickly dried up as Lil approaches, she is able to quickly climb the rope and join Telurion at the top. She notices a handprint on the edge of the opening about 5'up, and a small scrap of torn cloth that seems un-weathered on a rock spur.
DM Screen
Perception - Lil
"I don't see any signs of the children up here" - Telurion comments to the others - "I will try to find a place to secure the rope to, or else I will hold it myself, and then you an climb"