"A fine morning for a ride up into the hills, KC," Tobin says, amiably. "Is there any chance your furry friend here might be able to carry my rope for me? In fact, it looks as though there might be room on his broad back for a little 'un...?"
"Sure thing Tobin," Kessel says over his shoulder, "Yorick here's got a real strong back a little more rope isn't gonna hurt him . . . you might even be able to climb on top of his load, but I have to warn you I'm not packing him for comfort. You'll be tossed around something fierce . . ."
"Sure thing Tobin," Kessel says over his shoulder, "Yorick here's got a real strong back a little more rope isn't gonna hurt him . . . you might even be able to climb on top of his load, but I have to warn you I'm not packing him for comfort. You'll be tossed around something fierce . . ."
"That sounds like fun! I might give it a go," Tobin laughs. "Oh, I got some of those things you mentioned," he adds, handing Kessel a crowbar and a handaxe. "We should head over to the meeting place - I'm sure the others will be waiting for us."
"Good, that's one less thing to worry about then. Well if you're feeling adventurous, hop on up, but hold on tight because Yorick here's never been trained to carry passengers and I'm sure it's going to be a bumpy ride."
DM:
How would you rule this? Would Tobin need to make a ride check? It should only be a problem in combat situations though . . .
DM:
How would you rule this? Would Tobin need to make a ride check? It should only be a problem in combat situations though . . .
No ride check required, I only ask for ride checks if you're pushing a riding beasty/in combat/trying to do something fancy :)
With the sun fully risen, Kessel leads Yorick (with Tobin ridding atop a mountain of supplies) to the inn where their friends are already waiting.
Assuming that Tobin and his equipment weighs 50lbs Yorick can carry about 40 more pounds before he's under a medium load.
Kells wakes with not problem in the pre-dawn, and gives a small, private prayer to Lliira. He quickly gets dressed and heads down to the front of the inn where he emerges just as the sun's rosy glow swells on the horizon.
Darie awaited the others with packed bags, and a wide grin on her face. "Well, well... who are your parents? I should notify them that their good-for-nothing children were tardy on the very first day of their new occupation."
Despite the words, the wide smile on her face showed she was in an exceptionally good mood. Clearly a morning person. And despite blowing her last bit of money on supplies, too.
The leaving of Faerun's newest band of adventurers goes largely without note. Auric gives the departing group a small wave as they pass him as he saddles up an impressive horse and even Tirra gives the group an amicable smile and a nod. A couple of children follow you all as far as the town gates, utterly enthralled with the interesting collection of people.
Your journey to The Whispering Cairn, whilst scenic is dull, a dusty road and a mixture of farmland and a few outlying mines. There are no travellers heading in the other direction, no ambushes, not even a small-time bandit or similar. So far your experience of adventuring isn't so exciting, you just hope the cairn holds something worthwhile.
You walk all day and the sun is starting to sink, turning the sky a deep pink. Whilst you're fairly sure you're close to the cairn, you're not entirely certain where it is in amongst the hills, the bumpy landscape covered in hedges and thick undergrowth.
Knowledge: Local - DC: 15;
"Last night, I'm not sure if it was the alcohol or something else, but I felt there was a little hostility in the air . . . things were said . . . things that were strongly biased against mules. I don't want to bring any of that up again so I'll try to start out on a better footing this morning. Darie, this is Yorick, Yorick this is Darie. I want the two of you to behave."
It has been too long, Kells remembers very little of the area. He enjoys the beautiful burgeoning morning as the group moves on, however.
"Last night, I'm not sure if it was the alcohol or something else, but I felt there was a little hostility in the air . . . things were said . . . things that were strongly biased against mules. I don't want to bring any of that up again so I'll try to start out on a better footing this morning. Darie, this is Yorick, Yorick this is Darie. I want the two of you to behave."
"A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy - he hath borne me on his back a thousand yards!" Tobin chimes in, supportively. "It seems you were right about the length of the journey, Darie. I'm sorry I didn't rise earlier - but the Land of Nod is such a marvellous place!" Tobin's eyelids droop, and he seems to nod off, swaying gently with Yorick's steady gait, before suddenly sitting up with a start and looking around, wide-eyed.
"Where was I? Oh, yes - I think there's a disused mine somewhere near here. It'd have some abandoned buildings we could use for shelter, instead of trekking back and forth to town, attracting crowds. Though some of us might like that, I suppose." Tobin smiles broadly. "It's probably better than camping near that haunted cairn, too. What do you say? Shall we seek out the mine buildings before it gets dark, and then head to the cairn in the morning?"
"Last night, I'm not sure if it was the alcohol or something else, but I felt there was a little hostility in the air . . . things were said . . . things that were strongly biased against mules. I don't want to bring any of that up again so I'll try to start out on a better footing this morning. Darie, this is Yorick, Yorick this is Darie. I want the two of you to behave.""A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy - he hath borne me on his back a thousand yards!" Tobin chimes in, supportively. "It seems you were right about the length of the journey, Darie. I'm sorry I didn't rise earlier - but the Land of Nod is such a marvellous place!" Tobin's eyelids droop, and he seems to nod off, swaying gently with Yorick's steady gait, before suddenly sitting up with a start and looking around, wide-eyed.
"Where was I? Oh, yes - I think there's a disused mine somewhere near here. It'd have some abandoned buildings we could use for shelter, instead of trekking back and forth to town, attracting crowds. Though some of us might like that, I suppose." Tobin smiles broadly. "It's probably better than camping near that haunted cairn, too. What do you say? Shall we seek out the mine buildings before it gets dark, and then head to the cairn in the morning?"
"Sounds good to me Tobin" Zereta looks around "Any idea in which direction it is?"
"Yes, it's just over here aways," Tobin replies, gesturing with his arm and hoping that Yorick will get the message somehow.
"Sounds good to me Tobin" Zereta looks around "Any idea in which direction it is?"
"I'm in agreement as well. Though i have no objections with at least actually finding the Whispering Cairn before making for the shelter you speak of Tobin. I must admit that I'm a bit eager to at least see it before settling down for the night." Khadath adds.
Kells frowns at first not wanting to be detoured from the proposed adventure, but then nods. "Well, I hate to slow down from the progress we're making towards this cairn, but... It does make sense to orient to it from the place if we're going to use it for shelter. It's more likely to save time and effort when we need the rest."
"The Cairn isn't much to look at, looks pretty much like a cave, it's the sounds coming from it that makes it unique, and if it's not giving off it usual ghostly sounds it would be pretty easy to miss . . . especially in the dark! You want to see the cairn though we could go see the cairn tonight . . . I'd rather set up camp while there's still light though, and if we're to have a fire we'll need to gather wood."
Darie, despite the long march and prospect of going hungry soon, had wolfed down her days rations on the way, and really had little intention of stopping before it became absolutely necessary. "Which is closer, the Cairn or that abandoned mine? If the former, it makes no sense running around in circles, we can take care of the mine when we've had our first look at the cairn proper."
"I guess the cairn is a little closer," Tobin admits to Darie, "but I wasn't sure if we wanted to go poking around it at night. Also, it might be harder to find the mine buildings in the dark. After all, if the cairn's waited all these years for our arrival, I expect it can wait a few hours more..."
Darie smiled at Tobin, her good mood from earlier still not entirely dispelled. "Well, that certainly is true - on the other hand, any hour wasted is an hour Auric has to catch up on us, and "give us a hand". Additionally, i honestly feel we have a problem here... i mean, if we wanted to play everything safe, we should have gone and gotten ourselves a lease to a farm of our own."
Rubbing through her somewhat sweat-tinged hair, she sighed. "Also, aren't you excited about this at all? I'm burning to see what the Cairn is really like, and maybe even get some first bits and pieces of treasure. We'd probably waste hours traveling to and fro, without really seeing anything. Come on, its also a longer walk doing it the other way around." Amazingly enough, her voicing her excitement had her blush, as if that was as awkward as about anything.
Darie smiled at Tobin, her good mood from earlier still not entirely dispelled. "Well, that certainly is true - on the other hand, any hour wasted is an hour Auric has to catch up on us, and "give us a hand". Additionally, i honestly feel we have a problem here... i mean, if we wanted to play everything safe, we should have gone and gotten ourselves a lease to a farm of our own."
Rubbing through her somewhat sweat-tinged hair, she sighed. "Also, aren't you excited about this at all? I'm burning to see what the Cairn is really like, and maybe even get some first bits and pieces of treasure. We'd probably waste hours traveling to and fro, without really seeing anything. Come on, its also a longer walk doing it the other way around." Amazingly enough, her voicing her excitement had her blush, as if that was as awkward as about anything.
"Ah, well that's the problem," Kessel says, "Tobin and I have seen the cairn, and that's the problem, neither of us is particularly excited about seeing the mouth of a cave, a vertical hole really, and even less excited about being around a possibly haunted cave after dark."
"How long has it been that either of you have been to the cairn? The landscape may appear different to younger eyes and your perspective of the area will likely be different than it was then. There is also the added undergrowth, brushwood, and shrubbery that have grown since you’ve last been there."
"It could also give us the chance to see if we need to prepare in advance in the event we come across any signs of recent activity in the area, be it man, beast or any other nasty critter. I rather we know now of any initial difficulties, thus we could plan for it tonight, instead of coming across it unprepared in the morning. Personally, if we go now, I have no intentions other then inspecting the general area about the entrance and making sure we can find it quickly enough tomorrow."
"Do either of you believe you will have no trouble finding it come morning if we left it to that? Also, how close are we to the cairn now compared to where we will make camp?" Khadath ask while resting against the pole in hand.
Zereta stops and stands beside Khadath "I have to agree with Khadath how long has it been since you seen it last? If we are close enough we might as well continue onto the cairn and at least have a look around the mouth of the cairn before finding shelter" Zereta shrugs "Either way it doesn't matter to me just point me in the direction of the evil beasties that pop up and I will chop them to bits with me sword" motions to her bastard sword.
Nodding, Darie chimed in. "Really, there is not much to lose, Zareta is right. But i guess all these disagreements make one thing clear - we need some way of deciding such issues. I mean, we can't bicker among ourselves half the time. I'd nominate the Reverent for making such final decisions."
As you get a little closer to the cairn you see a woman up ahead hefting a rather sizable greataxe, an unimpressed expression upon her face.
Jeny:
Being at Stirgenest reminded you of the Whispering Cairn however and deciding you're better off alone for the timebeing you make your way there.
So far you've explored as far as the second set of alcoves (you've seen the bedrool and the strange apparatus) but now the sun is starting to set and you're starting to think some rest before pressing deeper would be a good plan.
As you leave the area near the cairn you spot an unlikely band of 'adventurers' heading towards you.
"Well met travelers, names Jeny"
kayotic gm
am i coming in with full hp and my rage use for the day?
Jeny:
GM
:) not a problem
Kells nods at Darie's suggestion. "That's a sound suggestion to my ears. I don't mind bowing to a bit of well-considered insight, and I'm guessing your insight is better than mine."
As they spy the figure moving closer to them, Kells waves and calls back "Greetings, if you close as a friend, Jenny. I am Kells HearthFlame. Lliira bring you joy!"
jeny is jeny... take it or leave it. what i have written up is a basic description about the girl... it does not mean every time she has a disagreement with somebody shes going to fight em... yes she is rash, impulsive, and quick to anger... so long as nobody insults tempus we'll be fine. as for reading over current information that has already been done.
you all see a young woman sitting helplessly crying quietly outside the cairn... she is covered in blood and so is her large greataxe next to her.
Darie looked at the hapless woman, and a veritable question mark formed on her face... and despite her normally reserved nature, she approached the woman "Are you hurt?" She put a hand on her shoulder from sympathy.
The question just what she was doing here was present, deep in the back of her mind, but right now, it really wasn't much of a priority.
The you girl doesn't notice you at first shes mumbling to herself... "I... I killed them all... I had too It was me or them... I mean... They would have killed me..." She soon notices your presence and jumps back a few meters screaming "AHHH BANDITS!! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME I'LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING!!"
Darie jumped back almost as much as the woman, raising her hands. "Ah... keep away from me!" she screamed, intimidated by the huge blood-covered woman... and her axe in no small part as well.
"Please," Kessel says holding up his hands, "everyone calm down, we mean you no harm, my name is Kessel Cobey, please calm down. You're hurt lady and we may be able to lend you aide."
Deciding for the minute that there not bandits Jeny relaxes slightly.
Jeny does not have her axe in her hand, its still on the ground in front of her.
"I have a small bite on my leg otherwise I am fine... My name is Jeny who are you people?"
Jeny is still shacking with fear but none of you can tell if it is because of you or the ordeal that covered her in blood.
Kells raises his hands in a placatory gesture and nods "Easy, miss! We aren't bandits, we were just wanting to exlplore this area and saw you sitting here. Are you hurt? What's wrong?"
As he talks, the young paladin tries to interpose himself between the stranger and Darie, convinced he and his armor could soak up more damage from the girl if she was crazy and attacked.
"I... I left Daggerford... I had to get away, I thought maybe I could get lost in the Stirgenest cairn, and live the rest of my life alone... I cant hurt anybody if I'm alone... but the wolves... I was attacked by wolves and I lost my temper... < Jeny starts to cry again as she relives the nightmare > There all dead... I slaughtered them all. Then standing there looking at them... so much blood... I just started running... Next thing I remember is being here crying... I guess I passed out of exhaustion... Where am I?"
After getting all that of her chest Jeny seems calmer.
Khadath steps out from between two of the other party members and he pulls out his healing kit as he approaches Jeny. ”Seems you’ve been through quite a bit. Here let me wrap that up wound for you.” Khadath motions to the wounded leg. “and were about a day out from Daggerford.” he answers her question as he motions for her to either sit down or at least draw nearer so he may tend her wound.
"I'm Khadath" he says while slipping his waterskin off his shoulder and offers it to Jeny “here, drink, it’ll do you some good. So your from Daggerford as well. You do look familiar, how long were you in the city before deciding to leave?” after giving her a moment to relax further he asks another question ”Why would you feel a need to be alone for fear of hurting another?”
Khadath intent is to keep Jeny talking to help her process her experience as well as to keep her calm and still, while he wraps her leg. Though his own thoughts are elsewhere…
and here I thought that once we were settled into the shelter, I was going to suggest that one of them take the role of leadership. From which then I could provide counsel if needed. It would seem that to be a servant of Lathander is to take on many roles. Am I up to such a task? Well, we discuss it further afterwards. First things first… he thinks as he ties off a knot.
Zereta stands back watching, she shows no emotion on her face just remains stoic all the while unsure of this new "development". After a moment she shrugs. "Well Jeny it looks like a welcome is in order, if you would like to join us we are heading to the Whispering Cairn, we would be glad to add another to the party...."
Jeny looks the entrance the whispering cairn, "Your going in there?" she says nervously. Then noticing the unknown of the open wilderness and the setting sun she quickly comes round "Yeah... good idea I think I'll be safe with you."
Jeny stands, hefts her axe and tries to clean herself as much as possible.
"I'm Khadath" he says while slipping his waterskin off his shoulder and offers it to Jeny “here, drink, it’ll do you some good. So your from Daggerford as well. You do look familiar, how long were you in the city before deciding to leave?” after giving her a moment to relax further he asks another question ”Why would you feel a need to be alone for fear of hurting another?”
Khadath intent is to keep Jeny talking to help her process her experience as well as to keep her calm and still, while he wraps her leg. Though his own thoughts are elsewhere…
and here I thought that once we were settled into the shelter, I was going to suggest that one of them take the role of leadership. From which then I could provide counsel if needed. It would seem that to be a servant of Lathander is to take on many roles. Am I up to such a task? Well, we discuss it further afterwards. First things first… he thinks as he ties off a knot.
"It looks like," Kessel says, replying to Jeny "but hopefully not tonight, I'm tiered and I'd rather not deal with ghosts and ghouls in the dark."
Kells slips off his pack and starts to draw out a torch and his flint and steel. He gets ready to ligth it, pausing before actually striking it alight.
"We should probably check out just to make sure they are all completly dead. I don't want to be camping out here and have some wounded mongrel set into us because it's half starved and two parts of three dead. I think Jeny probably killed them, but we should make sure they aren't just wounded or there aren't evidence of more in there."
Kells slips off his pack and starts to draw out a torch and his flint and steel. He gets ready to ligth it, pausing before actually striking it alight.
"We should probably check out just to make sure they are all completly dead. I don't want to be camping out here and have some wounded mongrel set into us because it's half starved and two parts of three dead. I think Jeny probably killed them, but we should make sure they aren't just wounded or there aren't evidence of more in there."
"Ah Kells?" Kessel says turning to his armored companion, "Jeny here said those wolves were in the Stirgenest Cairn, this is the Whispering Cairn, they're two completely different places. What are the chances that there'd be wolves in this cairn as well?"
Kells looks sheepish "Oh, sorry. I guess I'm just too excited about this exploration. Well, my flint and steel are out... are we going to set up a campfire? We can probably find enough deadfall to fuel a fire for the night."
"As were all getting tired it might be best to just make sure there’s no obvious sign of others in the area then make for the mine shelter Tobin spoke of."
"Jeny, did you encounter or see anything unusual when you arrived here. I'm aware you passed out, but anything before that?"
"Let’s just make sure there’s no obvious sign of others in the area then make for the mine shelter Tobin spoke of."
"Jeny, did you encounter or see anything unusual when you arrived here. I'm aware you passed out, but anything before that?"
"I believe this would be the best move," Kessel says, "I know many of us are anxious to get into the mine," Kessel can't help but glance at Darie, Kells, and Zereta as he says that, "but lets not do anything too rash, a quick inspection of the area will suffice for tonight, and then in the morning we'll explore the cairn with clear well rested minds."