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?”
Jeny tells the story of why she left home and whys shes in daggerford (found in her character bio page)
Although with a very grim look on her face she doesn't add why shes just left Daggerford.
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?”Jeny tells the story of why she left home and whys shes in daggerford (found in her character bio page)
Although with a very grim look on her face she doesn't add why shes just left Daggerford.
"Ah," Kessel says over hearing the conversation, "You would have left home just after I left for collage. That explains why we never met before. Where did you get that huge axe?"
"I agree with Kells let us rest where we are, Kells you and I can go find some deadfall and the rest of you get settled and unpacked for the night when we get back I take first watch." Zereta says "Its best Darie, Khadath, Kessel and Jeny get rest this eve. Tobin, Kells and myself can keep watch and keep the fire going till morning. When morning comes we will continue on to the cairn. I suspect we will have a long day ahead of us tomorrow so get as much rest as possible." with that Zereta removes her pack and adjusts the strap of her bastard sword and scans the nearby woods for the most likely place to find some deadfall
"I agree with Kells let us rest where we are, Kells you and I can go find some deadfall and the rest of you get settled and unpacked for the night when we get back I take first watch." Zereta says "Its best Darie, Khadath, Kessel and Jeny get rest this eve. Tobin, Kells and myself can keep watch and keep the fire going till morning. When morning comes we will continue on to the cairn. I suspect we will have a long day ahead of us tomorrow so get as much rest as possible." with that Zereta removes her pack and adjusts the strap of her bastard sword and scans the nearby woods for the most likely place to find some deadfall
"Zereta, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but the reason it's called the whispering cairn is because of the spooky sounds that can be heard emanating from it. I'm not saying it's haunted, then again I'm not saying it isn't, but what I am saying is that I'd rather not camp at the mouth of this cave."
"My good friend Khadath has made the best suggestion of the night, let's just take a quick look around, then find some place safer to rest."
search, track (1d20 2=9, 1d20 2=15)
Darie, finally having composed herself a bit, nodded. Feeling she now had something to prove, she added "Besides, there are probably no ghosts, ghuls or flesheating treants about. We'll be more at risk traipsing through the woods.
Zereta chuckles "Kessel, my old friend were not exactly at the mouth of the cave. I would rather camp where we are that way we can keep an eye on the cairn's entrance tonight. You know to make sure the likes of Auric, Tirra and Khellek don't try and sneak up here while we sleep." shrugs "sides it is not exactly a quick walk back to the mine house, its a distance back as far as I remember, so lets just make camp here like Darie said, its not like there are ghouls and goblins about and even if they're were we would see them long before they showed up thats why I figured we would set watches anyways."
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?”
Jeny tells the story of why she left home and whys shes in daggerford (found in her character bio page)
Although with a very grim look on her face she doesn't add why shes just left Daggerford.
"Seeing as we are about to rest anyways, does somebody have the energy to heal my wounds please?"
”Your wound seemed minor and that wrapping will keep it clean till it heals on its own. I suspect come morning you’ll have forgotten all about it and there’ll just be a rough scab in its place, and that will fall off in a day or two. I’ll check it once more before settling down for the night. You can let me know then if it’s troubling you more or not."
if the whole bandage thing was overlooked in my previous post then Khadath will simply heal Jeny’s wound with a Minor Healing spell.
Turning to the others on the subject of where to camp he adds
”I am by no means a strategist, but camping out in the open when its not necessary does not sit well with me. Jeny here is evidence of the fact that there are many predators in these hills. I do not doubt any of your combat prowess in the event we are attacked during the night but Lathanders bestowed healing powers onto me are limited. I for one would get a much better nights sleep knowing we camped at a more defensible location. I shall adhere to, and leave it those of you whom are more familiar with such matters, and as well know the general area and of the creatures herein to decide what’s best.” Khadath smiles softly as he takes a few steps in a random direction. He figures this is just another step toward the group knowing how to function with one another and truly being to trust in each other as well.
“Tobin, about how far did you say we are from that shelter?” he adds as he begins to inspects a bush nearby
Jeny seems impartial to the talk of the others, she sits down and starts rummaging through her pack, producing some dried meats, bread and water.
"Would anybody else like some?" She says gesturing to the food.
"Well you'll see when we get there, I don't doubt that I'll be the only one wanting to camp as far away as possible."
“Tobin, about how far did you say we are from that shelter?” he adds as he begins to inspects a bush nearby.
"It's less than an hour's walk, Khadath," Tobin replies. "We can get there before it's dark!"
“Tobin, about how far did you say we are from that shelter?” he adds as he begins to inspects a bush nearby."It's less than an hour's walk, Khadath," Tobin replies. "We can get there before it's dark!"
"Let's do that then," Kessel says, "we'll have a quick look at the cairn, to satisfy everyone's curiosity," Kessel quickly adds glancing at his rasher friends, "and then have a look at this shed, it might be nice to have a home away from home, a place where we can stay without worrying about the rent. In the morning we officially start our new lives as heroes.
"You can join our camp if you'd like Jeny and then I guess we can perhaps help you decide what you're going to do from there."
Between you you easily find the entrance to the cairn. The entrance yawns before you and is a little intimidating.
Natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. it must just be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.
Natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. it must just be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.
"Yes," Kessel says nervously rubbing his arm, "this is most certainly the spot, and pretty much how I remember it. Let's give the area a quick search and then find someplace to camp."
"Yeah, it is quite impressive, but i wonder... how deeply does it run into the hillside?" Darie thought out aloud, while peering into the dim light of the cave.
"If we can find some old relics, we'll probably find out a bit more about the place. And if we know what we are selling... prices are going to be better." Smiling, she added. "No merchant who volunteers to take the charming, but completely worthless baubles off our hand" for us."
The area around the mouth of the cairn is an overgrown tangle of plants, slowing you down and making the tomb hard to see from a distance. Just inside the cairn those peering in notice that the walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at roughly waist level. In places the bands reveal startling detail, but in others they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of old paint cling to the walls in places and a thin coat of dust lies on the floor.
The area around the mouth of the cairn is an overgrown tangle of plants, slowing you down and making the tomb hard to see from a distance. Just inside the cairn those peering in notice that the walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at roughly waist level. In places the bands reveal startling detail, but in others they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of old paint cling to the walls in places and a thin coat of dust lies on the floor.
Kessel will have a look at the dust.
"If we can find some old relics, we'll probably find out a bit more about the place. And if we know what we are selling... prices are going to be better." Smiling, she added. "No merchant who volunteers to take the 'charming, but completely worthless baubles' off our hands for us."
Tobin smiles at Darie. "Ah, you're a canny lass - I knew it! I feel better knowing we won't get short-changed. I'm sure you'll want to have a closer look at those patterns on the walls tomorrow, when the light's better." He steps away from the entrance, and addresses the assembled group. "Has everyone seen enough to whet their interest? If so, let's look for somewhere with four walls and a roof to spend the night!"
Kells puts the torch and fire making equipment back in his pack, shoulders it, and takes up his hammer as everyone mills around the front of the cairn. He wrinkles his nose as he listens to the continuous low wail. "So does it look like anyone's been around recently, Kessel?"
Track (1d20 2=15)
Kells puts the torch and fire making equipment back in his pack, shoulders it, and takes up his hammer as everyone mills around the front of the cairn. He wrinkles his nose as he listens to the continuous low wail. "So does it look like anyone's been around recently, Kessel?"
Kessel squats down and examines the fine dust with his fingers.
"Children," Kessel says as he squints at the floor, "running in and running out, likely to prove their bravery, but that's it as far as I can see. Nothing recent and nothing regular . . . which means that there's likely nothing living within . . . unless there's another way into this place.
"Let's go find that those mine buildings to camp in. Having walls, roof, and a floor will make camping that much easier. Easier to defend as well."
"Has everyone seen enough to whet their interest? If so, let's look for somewhere with four walls and a roof to spend the night!"
"Let's go find that those mine buildings to camp in. Having walls, roof, and a floor will make camping that much easier. Easier to defend as well."
With this Khadath gives a humble smile and walks over to the mule and waits for the others.
"I'm ready to depart"
"As am I" Kessel says as he stands and wipes his hands clean, "I think I'll seep better once we're away from this . . . sound. Perhaps I'm the only one unnerved by it? I had nightmares as a child let me tell you."
Zereta picks up her pack and follows the party as they head for the mine house "it matters not to me where we sleep this eve but I will go with whatever the group votes"
Darie nodded her assent. "Same goes for me. I would think this Mine office to be safer, but i am quite willing to go with any reasonable suggestion." The fact that the whispers and half-heard words were quite... intimidating.
Taking another long look at the geometric patterns and arrangements, she prepared to leave the Cairn - for the time being.
Giving Yorick an affectionate pat, Tobin leads the mule away in the direction of the abandoned mine buildings, whistling a cheery tune as he goes.
Jeny follows along with the group, ever nervous about... everything.
Kessel seems lost in thought for most of the journey to the abandoned mine offices. Over the years the cairn had haunted his dreams, but now, facing the darkened cave as an adult, the cairn didn't seem quite as horrible as he remembered. It was still unnerving to be sure, but it wasn't quite the horror he remembered, and exploring the whispering cairn didn't quite seem the impossible task anymore.
It seems as though one of his childhood monsters was being destroyed.
After about an hours travelling you come across the abandoned mine. One building stands out as a perfect possibility for a place to rest. The modest dwelling squats upon the crown of a small hill. While the
rough stone walls of the first floor look mostly intact, the second floor has completely collapsed. A half height wall rings the house, but it too is in a state of severe disrepair. Rubble and dense weeds choke the yard.
Behind the building, a stone well rises up out of the weeds. Although the bucket is gone, the water is clean, if a bit brackish. In the back,
the remains of a wooden outhouse lie in an unrecognizable heap.
Inside the building small mounds of debris litter the floor. Loose stones, dead weeds, and grime cover virtually every surface. Paintings must have once adorned the place as indicated by the particular stain patterns marring the walls. The only light comes from thin shafts sneaking in from outside illuminating clouds of dust dancing through the stale air.
Stopping at the gate, Tobin turns to face the others, a mock-serious expression on his face.
"Behold! The new home of the Daggerford Delvers!" he announces, flinging his arms wide. "Well," he continues, in a quieter voice, "I suppose it was a bit much hoping to find a hot meal and freshly turned-down beds waiting for us. But I'm sure it'll be homely enough once we've tidied it up a bit."
Leaning against one of the walls, Darie wiped the small beads of sweat from her face, and smiled. All in all, despite her being a bit hungry, this day had not been so bad. They had seen their mark, noone had got hurt. So when she said "Well, i think its a toss if this or the cairn is in better shape" there was no mistaking the comment for anything other than a joke.
"Oh well... Let's just clean out the worst-smelling junk, and get to bed. I'm sure once we have sold a few relics, we can make ourselves more comfy."
Kells nudges Tobin's shoulder jokingly "Boy, take the carraige 'round to the livery and have the steeds brushed down. I'll go check with the night clark to assure our suites are prepared."
He bends down and picks up a fist sized chunk of what was the upper story "Graces! I see our pillows have been fluffed!" Hoisting his arm back he sends the chunk spiralling off into the gloom of the yard. "Eh, t'will do for the time."
Kessel takes the packs and saddles off of Yorick, sees to his food and water, and then, while the loyal mule eats, Kessel brushes him.
Darie approached Kessel, and without a word, started to help him with taking care of the mule. "He's quite well-behaved. Has he always been like this, or did you train him?"
Darie approached Kessel, and without a word, started to help him with taking care of the mule. "He's quite well-behaved. Has he always been like this, or did you train him?"
"Who Yorick here? No, one of my kin taught him, but I got to name him. I was there when he was born, for most of his training, and took him for walks and helped care for him. When I left for collage Yorick here was my only companion. We get along just fine don't we big guy," Kessel says patting Yorick's head and neck, "my people have a way with animals, some say we can speak their language, but all I know is that Yorick here has never complained once and has done almost everything I've asked him. Not to many mule owners can say that."
Kessel looks about the house, "Well it's a bit of a fixer upper, not quite four walls and a roof," Kessel says, "but it'll do."
Khadath helps in removing debris and such as best he can. After much is done he as ask "so who like to accompany me in surveying the grounds a bit just to be sure there's no animals tracks around that might indicate some wild creature likes to return during the evening hours to retire for the night? We might even find the bucket to the well back there somewhere."
Khadath helps in removing debris and such as best he can. After much is done he as ask "so who like to accompany me in surveying the grounds a bit just to be sure there's no animals tracks around that might indicate some wild creature likes to return during the evening hours to retire for the night? We might even find the bucket to the well back there somewhere."
Kessel laughs, "hands up anyone who can track," Kessel raises his hand, "anyone else? Well I guess that means I'm in, anyone else comming?"
Zereta looks the cottage over from the road and just shakes her head. "Well," she thinks "We got to start somewhere..." with that she goes inside and helps pick up some of the debris
"Tobin would you mind checking if that fireplace is usable, would you ladies mind fetching some firewood, Kells if you could barricade any of the larger holes in the walls and find something to use as a door that would be wonderful. Let's set up camp and figure out watches. Khadath and I are going to take a quick survey of the area." Kessel pulls out his signal whistle, "I'll give a toot on this if we need you."
Kessel puts the whistle in his mouth, draws his bow, and follows Khadath out of the house.
Lighting his lantern, Tobin thoroughly examines the fireplace and surrounds, peering up the chimney to see if it's clear.
Kells steps gingerly inside, tapping the walls, making sure they are stable and ready to bolt for the door at the first sound of shifting stone. If everything appears sound enough, he'll start clearing debris from the rooms to make space for bedrolls.
Kessel checks for tracks around the house and the clearing
Jeny wonders around the building collecting firewood and clearing pieces of debris over the next hour. Once finished she drops all wood collected in front of the fire place and finds herself a nice corner to resign for the night.
Darie settled down as well, unpacking a beat-up sleeping bag from her backpack, yawning behind her hand. "Oh well... sleep early, rise early, my father always used to say."
Whilst the roof has collapsed cluttering the top floor, the ground floor and the basement are perfectly stable. The chimney is also clear and you can easily get a nice fire going to keep you warm.
The search around the area turns up no tracks, you're fairly certain that you'll be safe for the night.
Zereta sets up her bedroll and drops her backpack beside it and then goes back outside. When Kessel comes back she says "I'll take the first watch the rest of you get some sleep I will wake Kells up in a few hours to take the second watch the rest of you need to get enough rest before we set out in the morning."
Kells gives Zereta a nod "Sounds like a plan to me. And I'll wake Tobin up for the dim hours. Jeny can rest through the night to let those bites continue to knit." He casually pitches his bedroll down next to Zereta's, lays his hammer within hand's reach and sets his backpack up to be the pillow. When he is sure that there are no other small camp clearing/set-up activities that need to be done he pulls some of the dried fruit out of his pack, has a few bites, takes off his armor and lays down to sleep.
Placing his bedroll at the optimum distance between the fireplace and the heavily-armed warriors, Tobin wraps himself up snugly in his blanket. Quietly humming one of his mother's lullabies, he quickly drops off to sleep.