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According to rumor...
Rogahn the Fearless and Zelligar the Unknown are legendary figures. You have heard parts of the story before, but never enough to know all of it, or even what is true and what is only legend or speculation. No one knows what occurrences brought these men together, but tales tell of their meeting and forming a strong bond of friendship, a union that would last for the ages.
As legend has it, the two men virtually disappeared from the view of civilization. Stories occasionally surfaced about a rumored hideaway, built deep in the wilderness, far from the nearest settlement, away from traveled routes, and high upon a craggy hill--but no one seemed to know any more than that, or where this supposed hideaway really was located if indeed it even existed. No one knows for sure, but some say their motives were to pursue the common goals of personal greed and some kind of vague (or chaotic) evil. In any case, they jointly led a hermit life with but a few occasional forays into the outside world to add to their own reputations.
Many years passed, until one day a great orc invasion came from the North, threatening to engulf the entire land. Just when things seemed the darkest, Rogahn the Fearless and Zelligar the Unknown made their unexpected, yet welcome reappearance. Joining their powerful forces, they and their band of loyal henchmen met the orcish army at a narrow pass in the hills and decidedly turned back the invasion. Rogahn slew a horde of orcs and Zelligar's powerful magic put their army to flight. It was a great victory and a grateful populace rewarded the pair and their consorts with considerable treasure. After that, the two heroes returned to their mystical hideaway, and rumor has it that the spoils of victory were spent to further its construction, although some of it may yet be hidden somewhere.
Some years ago, perhaps a score or more before most of you were born, Rogahn and Zelligar apparently decided upon a joint foray into the lands of the orcs. Taking their henchmen and associates along with them in a great armored band, the two personages, it seems, disappeared into the forbidding North on a great adventure which some say may have been asked by the very gods themselves.
Word just reaching civilization tells of some great battle where the legendary Rogahn and Zelligar met their demise. This rumored clash must have occurred some years ago as there are few details and no substantiation of the story. The only thing certain is that, if all of this is true, Rogahn and Zelligar have been gone far too long.
Over time, the Keep was founded and the old stronghold, or what is believed to be the stronghold, was located nearby. Many have entered and sought the treasures rumored to be within, but those few that have returned have been empty-handed. It would seem that if Quasqueton is indeed the lost stronghold of Rogahn and Zelligar, then its secrets may be destined to remain lost.
Theo listens intently as Zdravko recalls what lore is known regarding this ancient stronghold. The mention of evil magic quickly grabs Theos attention. It is, of course, his sworn duty as a servant of Mystra to destroy any perversions of her Art. If Zelligar had been a practitioner of such perversions, Theo will need to be sure his work is destroyed or properly sealed away.
"Hmm. It seems my curiosity regarding the hermit will have to wait.", Theo says, thinking aloud. "If there are arcane secrets to record or vile magics to be dispelled, I am duty-bound to see it done. Clearly, such work is needed in both the caves and this stronghold. Seems I shan't have time to wander about the woods.
Based on what we have heard thus far, it seems the locals find these 'Caves of Chaos' to be the most pressing concern. Based on this, I would suggest we also prioritize the caves."
Theo leans back and gives some thought to the potential journey ahead. Trying to make a mental list of pitfalls novice cave dwellers could encounter. As well as a short list of must-have supplies.
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" So does every one have camping gear? Ore, do you have something to light your way in the caves? The rest of us can see in the dark, I believe.
Ya'Bo begins glancing in his pack
"I have enough supplies for me to be out in the wilds for at least 5 days. I think that should be our time frame for coming back and getting new supplies. I am sure this Keep would be most interested in what we come across."
Looking at the rest of the party
Should we plan on getting what we need and a good night sleep, then head out in the morning?"
looking for the server
"Excuse me, what does a room cost here?"
"I think I will follow our friend's example and retire for the evening.", Theo says to the remaining group.
"We should each make a short-list of essentials tonight and regroup at the shop first thing in the morning. Gearing up together will prevent any overlap, and will make sure all of our bases are covered"
"As ready as we will ever be given the somewhat limited information on our mysterious destinations, I suppose," Sand, having finished with his purchases, replies to the gnome.
Theo rose earlier the next morning. Per usual, he begins his day with prayer and silent contemplation.
Theo greets his friends as he approaches the shop later that morning. He takes stock of the supplies the group has already purchased and adjusts his own lists appropriately.
As he counts out the proper coinage, Theo inquires with the shopkeep about a map of the surrounding area. Theo doesn't see one on display, and won't be surprised if no has been able to successfully document the geography of these wild lands.
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The shopkeep can make a simple map for you. As he hands it to you, he remarks, "Dunno how much use it will be, but I've heard that an ogre dwells in the caves and will come to the aid of inhabitants."
Remember people some of us don't move as fast as you lot, Theo do you know if anyone remembered to try to get a map?
"Indeed I do, Ya'Bo.", Theo says. "The shop keeper was kind enough to draw a rudimentary map of the area. Hardly surprising that no one has properly documented these wilds"
Theo fishes out the map and hands it to Ya'Bo.
"Perhaps we can update the map as we go along."
"It seems to agree with the information Ore gathered at the tavern earlier," the elf concurs as he takes a look at the map. "And actually adding to the map as we go is definitely a good idea."
So then, friends. We take the main road, yes?.". Theo asks as Ya'Bo returns the map.
If we head south from the Keep at a steady pace, we should reach the fork that breaks to the east in a bit over an hour. The long-haul to the caves will likely take more than half a day."
As the group moves along, Theo starts to have this nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Something he has said to the group was somehow...off. "This will drive me mad long before we reach the caves. What am I missing?"
He digs into his pack and pulls out the shopkeeper's map. He studies the hastily scrawled directions carefully. After a moment of silent contemplation, Theo suddenly gasps and strikes his forehead with his palm.
"Mystra as my witness, a misplaced decimal will be the death of me.", Theo announces to the group - clearly exasperated with himself. "Fortunately, this mathematical mishap has a happy ending. Our journey shouldn't take even a tenth as long as predicted. With a brisk pace and some luck, we should arrive within the hour."
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An hour-and-a-half of travel later:
The forest you have been passing through since leaving the road has been getting more dense, tangled, and gloomier than before. The thick, twisted tree trunks, unnaturally misshapen limbs, writhing roots, clutching and grasping thorns and briars all seem to warn and ward you off, but you have forced and hacked your way through regardless.
Now the strange growth has suddenly ended - you have stepped out of the thicket into a ravine-like area. The walls rise rather steeply to either side to a height of about 100’ or so - dark, streaked rock mingled with earth. Clumps of trees grow here and there, both on the floor of the ravine and up the sloping walls of the canyon. The opening you stand in is about 200’ wide. The ravine runs at least 400’ west to where the western end rises in a steep slope. Here and there, at varying heights on all sides of the ravine, you can see the black mouths of cave-like openings in the rock walls. The sunlight is dim, the air dank, there is an oppressive feeling here - as if something evil is watching and waiting to pounce upon you.
There are bare, dead trees here and there, and upon one a vulture perches and gazes hungrily at you. A flock of ravens rise croaking from the ground, the beat of their wings and their cries magnified by the terrain to sound loud and horrible. Amongst the litter of rubble, boulders, and dead wood scattered about on the ravine floor, you can see bits of gleaming ivory and white closer inspection reveals that these are bones and skulls of men, animals, and other things...
You know that you have certainly discovered the Caves of Chaos.
"Woooooooowwwwwweeeeee..." Ore says quietly, exhaling in awe at the state of the ravine after leaving the dark thicket. "Caves of Chaos, indeed. I can see why the borderfolk are put off by this place."
As he talks, Ore pulls a torch from his pack, though he holds off lighting it just yet. Still though, one couldn't be too prepared in a place like this.
"So where do we start?"
Theo mindlessly rummages through his pack; passing ink, quill, and map back to Ya'Bo. Theo doesn't speak as Ya'Bo takes the items. The air surrounding, and emanating from, the Caves is so unabashedly malevolent that it's hard to breathe, let alone speak.
Theo walks in silence for a while longer. Finally gathering himself, "We have much to do, friends. Rumors of a potent evil plaguing these lands are no tall tale.", he says.
"I'm with Ya'Bo. We might as well get a lay of the land as quickly as possible. We haven't encountered any particularly dangerous wildlife or, much to my dismay, any crazed hermits. So, since nothing seems to be coming to us, it looks like we'll need to take a more head-first approach."
Never one to let life get too serious, Theo quickly changes his tone and appeals, in jest, to Zdravko's sense of adventure.
"Besides. I'm sure our worldly bard can confirm that the grandest tales seldom start with the heroes displaying an abundance of caution."
"Just a mite of caution maybe, though. There's still quite a lot at the tavern-kitchen we didn't get to sample, you know?" Ore says, with a twinkle in his eye, only mostly joking as visions of hot meat pies run through his head.
"Your appetite will get you in trouble one of these days, Ore Thornstock, you mark my words," Isandril says in an exaggerated voice, a soft chuckle accompanying the words.
"Are any of you skilled int tracking?" Morgan asks from the front.
"Well, less a talented tracker, the way I see it, Ore starts off, while lighting his torch, "I Me and my torch could either stay out front of all you dark-seers, and maybe who- or what-ever ends up spotting the light doesn't see you all and thinks I'm all alone; or I can take up the rear and stay back far enough that the torch doesn't light you all up, giving you the advantage of stealth.
Ore smiles, and adds an afterthought:
"Or I suppose we can walk in together, all lit up nicely, and introduce ourselves politely to the current residents, be they bear, bat, ogre, or otherwise.
"Admittedly, tracking skills are not something I picked up in my life," Sand says simply with a shrug. "I did not really expect that I would need them. Lack of foresight on my part I suppose..."
Do we want to investigate the dead-end or head deeper into the caves? I have found the call of adventure can blind one to things just beyond their nose. Perhaps a quick, arcane scan of the middle path will tell us if it's worth our time.
"If we aren't to investigate the middle path, which way are we heading? Do we have a preference or should I just flip a coin?"
Theo pulls out a silver and begins tossing it absentmindedly.
Tails
Heads
Heads
"As for tracking, I have no innate talent myself. However, as Ya'Bo can attest, there is no skill set beyond Our Lady's influence. With an open mind and some basic-sense, she will surely help fill the gaps in our knowledge pool.
Either way Ore you are in the back.
"I don't think it will matter much, what ever lives in dark caves most likely sees very well in the dark."
Looking at the party
"Theo , Morgan lead on."
"Well then, a nice polite line it is, I suppose," Ore says with a casual shrug as Theo dismisses his ideas rather quickly.
"Pick your poison, then: center, left or right. I imagine we'll see them all eventually." he says gesturing into the cave with his now-lit torch.
"Hmm." Theo strokes his chin as the group discusses their various skillsets, or lack there of. "Perhaps I am the most adept survivalist of our group."
Theo had never considered his journeys much more than glorified camping trips. He hardly considered himself on outdoorsman. Of course, Theo understood that such things are often relative. As seemed to be the case here.
"I generally don't make a habit of seaking out dangerous predators. That said, I suppose the signs one uses to avoid them are essentially the same those used to track them.
I can investigate the walls and floor around the two side tunnels. Look for signs of recent use, maybe even find some evidence of what we are dealing with; claw marks, droppings, etc..."
Theo kneels down, scanning the floor. He strokes the star around neck; centering his mind and drawing on his Lady's divine wisdom. Surely there has to be some evidence of the road most traveled.
Guidance:
Investigate: + 3 = 8
Guidance:
Survival: + 3 = 9
"YaBo, would you be willing to take the rest of the group to investigate this supposed dead end? Perhaps perform that arcane scan I mentioned?"