Rickton inquires if there are any halflings in the area.
"I do not know," says Jannae. "Lets find out together."
When they get to the two, she buys a local map and star chart.
And places them in her pack.
After buying rations, Hedrak does some sightseeing with his traveling companions.
Van will buy some iron rations (5 days worth) along with a Quarterstaff that can function as a walking stick in addition to a weapon. Van will also acquire a compass, while Lirillith will be critical in navigating, Van wants to make sure he knows which way is which in case he gets separated from the group for some reason!
Lirillith after walking about the town with her fellows, at the food market gets some meat off cuts for Taff, and heads to one of the stalls that has seats and tables. Sitting she orders simple fare, practicing her common. Fresh soft Bread, olive oil, hard salty cheese, and ale. While Taff sits and tucked into his meat off cuts. She was a good looking elf and a few of the traiders gave her looks. But she paid them no heed. Talking her curved elven from her boot She cut slices of cheese, dipped the bread in the olive oil eat them, wishing at down with the light ale.
She took her time, she was in no hurry. The weather was mild, and it seemed this town was safe.
Now she was with others, she had enquired about adventuring and been told one needed a document and to pay 20% to the crown of all earnings. Which would be taken at point of sale ro collection of any loot or bounty.
It seemed fair, the country was in a poor state, The Raven wars had been hefty to fund. And to many farmers sons and daughters had headed off to make a name for themselves and never came back. Human towns where full of kids and the old. Mind you they breed so fast it would not be long before their numbers would be up again. The elves had lost more then a few souls but it would take a 100 years or more to make up the numbers again. She would let her sisters do that task.
Sitting back she looked over the market. Simple folk living simple lives. It was worth trying to help them. With Armed and skilled fighters lost to the war. Wild beasts, Bandits and Monsters where on the rise as well. These caves of chaos would have been dealt with by local troops. But with the war, well there in was a opportunity for Adventures to make a good living while doing some good for the locals. She was not one for gods, god or bad. Nature was far simpler, but she did not like to see others hurt.
She thought this has she saw some human children playing.
She waved the the serving lad and asked for another ale.
When he came over to full her mug he looked at the lang covered blade by her seat. She have him a grin as she paid for the ale.
Another lad think of high adventure, Probably the 1st time he had even seen an Elven curved blade. Her family where not poor, and when she set out her mother gifted her a fine pair of matching blades, and her spier.
Taff she had raised form a cub. The rest of her things she had gotten over her travels. She went over to Taff taking out her map case. Going back to the table she pulled out the map she had paid for erler and unfeld it on the table. Looking at the local area.
Well now lets see...
Ardulanth is a human town, and it was a crossroads. As it has a blacksmith, an armor smith, and all the amenities that has been listed before. Lirillith wanted to explore the open market, and there were a few things on market that could keep her warcat fed. Unlike the cities, which had a lot of folk, Ardulanth had two chapels. One dedicated to Pelor, and the other devoted to Heironeous.
However, one of the chapels is closed for renovations. That would be the Hieroneous chapel. The Pelor chapel is close to a hospital, where people can seek healing from the sun. Also, there are mainly farmers here. The town keeps a militia at the grace from the local lord.
After visiting the vendors, Van stopped by the chapel of Hieroneous, taking a knee at the shrine and donating silver to assist with the renovations. Thereafter, he sought out Lirillith to continue assisting her with brushing up on her common skills. For the road translations between the comrades were fine, in a dungeon surrounded by foes it could be a liability so getting everyone communicating would be helpful if not downright lifesaving!
Lirillith had got Van a Ale when he showed up, and shared her food with him. As he wanted to help her learn common she was repeating what he said.
"Attack, stand, fall back, run...Attack, stand, fall back, run"
She nodded understanding.
"I good you us helping me, Van, thank yous"
She liked Van, for a human he was good looking as they can be sometimes, and his eyes twinkled. He was caring and took time over her learning, which spoke volumes about him as a person.
"You mage?, Tall-halfling says"
Hedrak strolls through the open market with easy grace, hands tucked into his sash, quietly observing the flow of townsfolk and traders. When Lirillith and Van are spotted at a stall, he approaches with a warm nod, catching the end of her repetition.
"Good words to know," he says, smiling faintly. "Useful ones, too."
He leans against the edge of the table, eyes flicking to Taff, then the map.
"Looks like we're gathering our tools, our food... maybe time to look for purpose next."
Van nods to Lirillith, "Yes. Rickton is correct though I seek to fuse the arcane and the divine, but time shall tell whether such a conjoining is possible.
I must confess, I have never met a tall halfling before!"
As Hedrak approaches Van smiles, "Yes, I think that an audience with my cousin and a discussion of the menace of the caves makes sense. Assuming that you seek more than simple wandering of course for that path forward is fraught with danger".
She is lost for a few words but follows for the most part.
She calls over the surviving boy and indicates more food and another mug of ale, slipping him a silver.
DM:
Are you ready to travel through the Gamboge forest?
It's a forest where elves dwell. It's a big forest, and it will take you five days to reach the Keep. Also, it's a place that has monsters.
A knowledge Local check will reveal what kinds of elves dwell there. A good check will reveal what kind of monsters that the elves have to deal with.
Rickton, are you ready? Or would you like to Roleplay some more in Ardulanth?
The halfling will inquire in the town to see if there are any other halflings in the area. He will also buy some more food, 5 days of rations. He will also try to get a quarterstaff in case he needs something to bonk a baddy on the head.
Finally, he will see if the temple of Pelor needs assistance in healing.
The halfling will inquire in the town to see if there are any other halflings in the area. He will also buy some more food, 5 days of rations. He will also try to get a quarterstaff in case he needs something to bonk a baddy on the head.
Finally, he will see if the temple of Pelor needs assistance in healing.
The temple of Pelor says it has enough healers already. And there are halflings in the town, but they have their burrows in another part of the town. They are mostly hairfoot halflings, but a few are tallfellow halflings.
Knowledge Local - Gamboge Forest - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14, an ok roll.
You know that the forest has high elves, but it also has Grugach (wild elves) deep inside it. However, you don't know what sort of monsters inhabit the forest close to the Rakers.
She knew of Gamboge forest and the Elf communities there, The Grugach could be problematic, so it was lucky she was with them.
Yep, he might know something, make a roll, DC 16.
DM: Yep, raises her total score to 28.
History of Gamboge: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Your recollection of events during these three early migrations are sketchy at best, since they happened during the Bronze Age. The elf kingdom of Gamboge became a client state of the Great Kingdom after treaties were signed. The kingdom collapsed at Aerdy's height, and the elven kingdom split into three groups: the Grey, the High, and the Wild Elves. The Grey elves migrated west to what is now Celene.
The High Elves were the smallest of the three groups and maintains a small political kingdom in the Gamboge until Nyrond was founded. The Wild Elves returned to the Stone Age, and now form a tribe. The High Elves are in the southwest of the forest, and the Wild Elves occupy the Northeast of the forest. The rest of the forest returned to wilderness before Nyrond achieved independence from the Great Kingdom. It's been claimed by the Duchy of Gamboge, something the high elves chaffe at.
After telling the others what they knew, she came rode on.
Once they got to the woods she rode up to the front taking the led.
Taff sniffs the air for anything off.
Hedrak shares a bit of history with his companions as they move along.
The halfling will make sure to equip his shield in case it is needed.
When they stop she creates some water, refilling their water containers.
A short hunt and she has some rabbits, and is soon cooking them for the party. Over a fire pit she had made.
Elven: "This rabbit stew is ready"
Common: "Food"
She then laddles it out into bowls, handing it out with a hard-tack biscuit.
Taff sniffs the air for anything off.
There was nothing off for the Warcat.
After telling the others what they knew, she came rode on.
Once they got to the woods she rode up to the front taking the led.
What was odd is that the forest was, unusually, quiet.
As she feeds everyone, she says
Elven: "The woods seem very quiet around here, I could only find just these Rabbits. But Taff did not smell anything off"
Van nods in appreciation at the stew, but he frowns at the news,"An unusually quiet forest is disconcerting".
Van nods in appreciation at the stew, but he frowns at the news,"An unusually quiet forest is disconcerting".
You are two days away. And Nyrond is about as big as Texas.
According to Anna B. Meyer's map of the Flanaess, there is a road through the Gamboge forest.
That would be a good idea. There is a caravan heading on its way to Vygnolis Keep. It's behind you.
Van nods to Hedrak, "Excellent idea my new friend, perhaps if we were more seasoned adventurers this would be palatable, but with our inexperience it may be a bit too dangerous with the dangers that are here. Not just rumored to be here!"
The next morning Lirillith once again, provides food, with a breakfast, of Oatcakes and bacon bits. Once everyone is fed she then goes front,
of the the Caravan. As the others join it. Setting of she scouts ahead.
Lirillith
Taff
The next morning Lirillith once again, provides food, with a breakfast, of Oatcakes and bacon bits. Once everyone is fed she then goes front,
of the the Caravan. As the others join it. Setting of she scouts ahead.** spoiler omitted **
You find wolf tracks. And they're fresh.
She signals the caravan to stop and heads back to tell the party,
Eleven: "I could follow or we keep going, with eyes open for them"
Hedrak smiles at Lirillith, and shrugs apologetically - "Unfortunately I do not understand your words... Personally I have nothing against wolves, or any other animals" - Hedrak remarked - "But perhaps we should be extra attentive during our watches - hungry wolves will probably not hesitate in attacking us. What do you think?"
Van translates in both directions and adds, "I think we keep going as well, but alert for danger".
She goes back to leading the caravan but this time just some 60' in front.
Trying to keep up with the group, the halfling states, May Lirillith's wolf can tell us if there are other wolves here or if maybe we find them, he can let them know that are the not going to hurt them?
Van shrugs at Rickton, "Certainly an interesting idea, I've no idea as how animals interact is something I know very little about". He calls to Lirillith to translate the suggestion into Elven.
GM: Yes, it's a war cat.
I think you're ready for your first encounter.