] You arrived yesterday in Last Shadow at the Treyvigg Monastery. A Grand Master of your order at Song Moon Temple sent you here to train with their teachers and learn their famous defensive tactics. Also… replenish his supply of Summertide Red wine. It is early waking and the stars are still visible in the sky.
] Joloobo – you continue to sleep in a tree on the back side of the monastery grounds. Yisi you are sitting in meditation on the small bed provided for you. You hear Valea shifting awake. Others in the longhouse are still sleeping around you. Valea – you open your eyes and consider doing as you said, sending off the Wwaldyr siblings
Yisi] “Good waking Valea” I whisper
Valea] “Good waking. Valea will be back soon. Will see off the Wwaldyrs” I creep quietly out.
] Outside you cross the large courtyard to the gates. One side is open far enough to walk through. As you enter the large yard area to the stairs, you notice large person, nearly a small giant, with long white hair standing with her back to you looking out over the magnificent landscape of the Umar foothills below and into Tethyr. You see on the ground near her, red and blue robes and you realize she is quite naked. Her entire body is covered in a fine white fur. She shifts her stance to one you recognize as a Bow stance, and then she is still again, peaceful in the dim light of waking.
Valea] I recognize she must be doing her stance training. Rather than interupt or distract, I enter a stance to match hers.
] You didn’t realize it last night, but from here you can see over the entire Wealdath forest to the Starspire Mountains – where your own home at Song Moon Temple is hidden. You notice just the slightest portion of the peaks of the Starspires are glimmering with the new days sun. The white giant shifts into right bow stance, her head turning towards you. If she was not aware of you before, she likely is now… thought she makes no indication.
Valea] I shift into a right bow stance.
] The long haired woman is very still, almost like she has become part of the surrounding cliff walls. After a seemingly long time, she shifts again into horse stance, facing straight forward. Slowly her arms rise up in front of her and then drop from the elbows. Her hands circle a ball and then push it slowly down. She repeats these simple arm movements several times, moving more slowly with each iteration.
Valea] I try to copy her stance and her movements. It is not at all like the forms training I have learned. We learned punches and blocks, but these movements do not have any apparent martial application.
] The naked monk continues, her arm movements becoming more intricate and yet, even more graceful. You feel somewhat mesmerized by her flow. Something about her solid posture and the gentle stream of her movements connects very deep inside you. Your many years of martial training suddenly feels very basic, immature even. You feel like you are again just a beginner.
Valea] Awkward as it may look and feel, I try to keep up with the monk, imitating her movements, her pacing… the strength in her stance.
] You continue to practice until you notice your own shadow on the ground. The sun has fully appeared in the sky over the vast Wealdath forest and what felt like brief moments to you was actually over an hour of form practice. To your left, a figure steps out of the open gate. Aide Camarie smiles at you but sees you are in forms practice and steps backwards quietly. Dawndra must have noticed her because she steps into closing posture. She sweeps her long arms out to her sides and up over her head and then brings her hands down, slowly in front of her, pushing the breath out. Twice more she performs this closing breath movement and then places here hands together and bows forward, to no one in particular, or perhaps to everyone. She then turns and starts to walk towards you. With one of her feet she hooks her robes from the ground and in a slow sweeping forward kick, lifts them up into the air in front of her and she almost walks right into them.
] “Good waking Aide Camarie.” She says to the woman behind the gate door. “Is it time to get started?” As you walks closer, you get a better look at her features. She is over 7 feet tall, perhaps closer to 8. Her build is large and unnaturally muscular. Her face is very human in shape but like yours, is covered in fur, fine white fur.
Valea] As she approaches, I copy her earlier movements, placing hands together and then bowing.
] “It is rare for me to have a student I have never met.” She says softly, not exactly smiling.
] Aide Camarie “Guide Dawndra. Good waking to you as well. I was hoping to introduce you to our visitors after our meal. This is Valea Syh. She is visiting from Song Moon Temple along with two others who I will locate next.”
Valea] “This one is very pleased to be here and to greet the guide Dawndra. Valea is spellbound… never has she seen such flowing movement. To watch and try to follow your forms was greatly pleasurable. Valea thanks you for allowing it.”
] Guide Dawndra “Elder Arrodonn has asked me to share some defensive tactics with your and your school, but I don’t mind teaching flow forms if you have the interest.”
Valea] “Great interest has Valea. Teacher Solomvar has told Valea she must find a balance to martial skills. Valea did not know where to look but she has found.”
] Guide Dawndra “There is much more to flow forms than can be seen on the outside, much more. The practice requires years and mastery of it is forever ahead of the practioner… but I would be delighted to get you started. Most new students have no interest… ‘it is too slow’ they say… ‘it is too dull’… I would delight in a student hungry for the practice.”
] Aide Camarie “Waking meal is being served. Afterwards, I will bring our visiting students to your courtyard for lessons Guide Dawndra.”
] Guide Dawndra “Indeed. Good waking to you Valea. See you at lessons.”
] Aide Camarie walks you back to longhouse to gather Yisi. Meanwhile in the backyard of the monastery, Joloobo is awakening in a high branch of a tree. You smell the food from the refectory.
Joloobo] I climb down and go find the others.
] Yisi, Valea, and Aide Camarie are just exiting the visitor resident quarters as you arrive. They are walking your way, toward the waking meal.
Joloobo] “Whatever it is that’s cooking… it smells delicious!”
] Aide Camarie “Our meals here are simple and mostly the same everyday, but if you can get past that, they really are delicious. Waking meal is a porridge made from grains and roots and seeds. Everything served is from our own lands here. If you have a preference for eating meat, you can go hunt your own in the valley. The small forested area we call the “Backyard” behind the monastery will open out to a large valley that extends few miles into the Small Teeth. We call it the Vale of Caefri. I understand there is plenty of game out there because it is largely protected from hunters from the cities. Occasionally other creatures find there way into the valley so be on your guard. We had reports of a fire troll in the Vale just a tenday back. Terrible sight I’m told.”
Joloobo] “Fire Troll? I’ve not encountered such a troll before. What makes them be called ‘fire’ trolls?”
] Aide Camarie “You are asking the wrong person on that topic… but I was told they reside in molten caverns. We had believed the Small Teeth to be dormant… but apparently the sighting of a fire troll suggests otherwise.”
Joloobo] “I was wondering what I might do why you guys are doing your punch and kick thing… I just might explore the Vale of Caefri.”
] The three of you are led to the dining house. The entire place is silent except for the sound of stone spoons scraping the insides of clay bowls. After you have finished eating you have an hour before lessons.
Joloobo] “I will see you back here later, I’m going hunting for a fire troll!”
Yisi] “I would like to visit the Temple of Dunea.” I say. “Will you join me Valea?”
Valea] “Where goldie goes, so does Valea.”
] You cross the courtyard t the large temple structure. The front entrance is raised several high steps to a stone portico with tall square pillars. The pillar faces have carved images that appear to tell stories. The entire front of the temple is open, no doors or a front-facing wall. Stepping inside you notice the floor is made entirely of soft white sand. There is a small line of sandals along the outer edge and it seems apparent you must take your shoes off to enter. The main chamber of temple is fairly small as temples go. You estimate it is maybe 40 feet wide and 60 or 70 feet from front to back. In the back you see a simple clay statue of a female elf. She is standing in a front bow stance raising two hammers overhead. There are several others in the temple area. They are all sitting cross legged with a straight spine, in meditation. A barefoot elf in red and black robes approaches you.
] “Welcome visitors. May we offer you strength for the day?” The wood elf says quietly.
Yisi] “While we do not know what the day holds… surely a gift of strength would not go wasted.”
Valea] “What cradle-tongue here means is, yes…. We would appreciate temple services.”
] The monk slides softly down into a seated position on the sand. “Please, sit with me. Close that I may reach you. Quiet your spirits. Close your eyes and feel the pull of the ground stabalize you, center you. Breathe in… slowly… breathe out… again… breath in… and out… Now hold an empty chest.” Yisi, you feel his fingers cup the underside of your chin… “Slowly… breathe in…” There is a deep smell of copper coming off of his hands. You feel your body charge with the inhale. “Now hold a full chest… a moment longer… Now breathe out…” [Yisi recv’s 11 temporary hit points and +4 to Constition while any of those temporary hit points are available]
] The monk repeats the same, this time with his open palms under your chin Valea, you feel an internal surge in energy and strength [you recv 8 temporary hit points and +6 Con while the temporary hit points are available]
] “Go in strength friends.” the monk says
Yisi] “Much gratitude we return. I am Yisi and my favorite feline maiden here is Valea.”
Valea] “This one bows to you.”
] “I am Elder Ysthorn. You are the visiting students sent by Teacher Solomvar?”
Valea] “This is true. Teacher Solomvar did not prepare us for the beauty of the monastery here Elder Ysthorn. ”
] Elder Ysthorn “Treyvigg Monastery is indeed a beautiful place. It is also a good home to us. I hope it be so to you while you stay. I can offer additional services next waking, please come and see me. For now, I return to my duties. Go in strength.”
] Your hour is just about over and Aide Camarie arrives to attend you to the training courtyard. When you arrive, there are nearly twenty other students in the courtyard performing various warmup exercises. With one exception, they all wear the monastery student robes of red and green. The one without student robes is a male centaur who looks to be quite young. Many of the students are human or possibly half-elf. Valea – you notice the tabaxi woman you saw the night before in the dining hall. She is performing the same soft flow forms that Dawndra was doing this morning. Others are stretching or squatting or swinging their legs to loosen up. Yisi, you notice a very young dragonborn girl. Her scales and hide are entirely the purest white and she has a thick tail with a spike on the end. Your attention is captured because you have never seen such a creature. You have heard of the dragonborn, and thought you knew what they should look like, but this girls appearance is far from your expectations of what a Dragonborn would look like.
] Guide Dawndra arrives and calls out “Hearken students. Lesson begins.” Everyone turns to face her and they put their hands together in a salute and bow. There is no orderly formation, everyone just keeps a certain space around them.
Yisi] I follow as I see others doing.
Valea] I follow as well.
] Guide Dawndra runs the students through stance practice, kicking drills, jumping drills, punching drills. Hours go by and you have not learned anythign new, but you have had a good workout. Dawndra walks over to a small round arena marked by round stones. It is filled, like the temple interior floor, with a soft white sand. She sits cross-legged. Even seated on the ground, she seems incredibly tall.
] Guide Dawndra “Todays text… The Book of the Heart… Passage one. When the heart is full of things, the body is constrained. When the heart is empty, the body is boundless.”
] All of the students repeat Passage One aloud and then there is a silence that lasts several minutes.
] Guide Dawndra “When the heart is full of things, the body is constrained. When the heart is empty, the body is boundless.”
] Again the students all repeat the passage. Without another silence, Guide Dawndra goes on. “Passage Two. When the heart is obessed with base lusts, principles are forgotten. When the heart is set on high desires, principles guide the way.” The students repeat Passage Two of the Book of the Heart and then are again silent for a period. Guide Dawndra repeats the passage, the students repeat the passage. This continues through a dozen more passages, and Guide Dawndra finishes with “Passage Fifteen. When the heart is full of illusion, reality becomes a cruel master. When the heart seeks reality, the world submits to the master of mind and body.”
] Afterwards, Guide Dawndra releases the students to their chores. She walks over to you Valea and gives you a respectful salute. “Shall I see you again on the overlook next waking?”
Valea] “Valea is eager to see you on the overlook.”
[A Note on Notes]
Purpose of this scene
Mostly a tour of the Treyvigg Monastery. Meet Aide Camarie who will show the party around – the guest quarters, the Aide quarters, and from a distance, the Elder quarters. Also the training grounds and the temple.
The Temple is for the worship of Dunea.
Dunea is an elemental deity of the earth and ground.
Dunea always keeps an upbeat attitude even if a little drinking helps her do this, and because of this she is seen as the beacon of hope during darker times.
Dunea is a Strong willed goddess who gives it her all in fights not in offence but defense. In a fight when she does attack she does so boldly using a giant hammer to knock away those she faces. Although usually kind people who act rashly annoy her to no end. She has a close connection to her priests and warriors and will often come to help them if they are in trouble.
Dunea is seen as a dark skinned woman with curly brown hair and almost always smiles.
Her symbol is two giant hammers crossed in defense.
The Treyvigg Monastic traditions are known for prioritizing defense postures and tactics. The great cliff wall and the inner wall are symbolic of this defensive positioning
Feats taught at Treyvigg
Also… read up on Wine in the realms. Treyvigg Monastery is a winery and maintains great pride in that fact.
Notable Vintners
Arlho’s Fine Flasks: Brewer and vintner located in Ashabenford.[33]
House Foxmantle: A family of Sembian nobles.[34]
Monastery of the Yellow Rose: Known for their blueberry wine.[35]
Ondal: A wizard who lived in the Heartlands prior to the spellplague.[15]
Oraundas Haeltower: Tethyrian winemaker noted for his table wines sold throughout the Sword Coast.[7]
Find opportunity to take jabs at Oraundas.
A “budget” vintner from Tethyr.
He who was best known for producing drinkable but rather unexceptional table wines sold throughout the Sword Coast. His wines kept well and were a favorite among innkeepers and shopkeepers. His vast vineyards lay northeast of Vineshade in the Purple Hills region of Tethyr. Although Haeltower’s wines were transported in wooden casks, many buyers bottled the wine in glass bottles for resale.
For some fun and flavor, bring in Thaola – Now Elder Thaola.
From Elves of Evermeet: Thaola’s Wineshop. This soft-spoken elven woman sells fine elven vintages here. She has a single bottle of wine from ancient Myth Drannor, generally considered to be beyond price. Thaola has been saving it for a special occasion, but nothing in her life has struck her as special enough yet.
A hundred and thirty years later, the bottle remains sealed. She is a grand master in the monastery and also a grand master vinter now. Summertide Red is actually her creation. She is LG and remains soft-spoken and meek, yet is a tier 4 monk. She is also the posesser of an Elfrune – given to her by Queen Amlaruil before she disappeared. Whether the ring is still capable of contacting Amlaruil, Thaola has not said. Can it transport her back to Evermeet? Now that Evermeet is in the Feywild? Maybe…
Maybe Arrodon is also from Evermeet?
Both Arrodon and Thaola are Moon Elves. Why not…
Maybe… perhaps… Elder Arrodon is actually Prince Lamruil Moonflower? Son of Queen Amlaruil? Bold addon… but sounds like fun to play with… rich history – tons to work with.
Perhaps his quest to find his human bride, Princess Maura, ended in frustration after many years and he returned to Evermeet, in shame, under a different name – Arrodon. Perhaps he turned to the bottle for comfort and that is how he meet Thaola – in her wineshop. The two decided on a new life. Treyvigg Monastery was soon founded. I like it 🙂
] You, Yisi and Valea, have spent the past 3 days traveling from your home Song Moon Temple to Treyvigg Monastery. Along the way you met some new fellows, including the Gnome Troll Hunter, Joloobo. You have arrived at Treyvigg Monastery and you are parting ways with the three guards from Titans Fist Protection Company – the Wwaldyr siblings, Argathen, Ariola and Tolvathir.
] Tolvathir “Thank you again Valea, for the astonishing gift. My feelings would not be hurt if you came to your senses and wanted it back.”
Valea] “Live long and fight strong pup. That is all Valea should want from you.”
] The sun is still glinting off of the peaks of Small Teeth, but the rest of the foothills are shadowless. You finish your goodbyes then the three of you begin the stairs leading up into the cliff wall. The elevation gain is a steep 1400 feet. The steps are carved into a narrow crevasse the entire way with the exception of 2 resting areas – larger openings in the rock where benches have been carved out the face of the cliff. The air is cool and even wet in parts as water seeps through cracks in the rock. Eventually the stair way opens out into a small valley between more steep cliffs. You see an open grassy area which is still getting sun though shadows are stretching. There is a high stone wall constructed between the two side cliffs and a small wooden gate at the center, about 200 feet straight ahead from where the steps finished. Carved into the gate is the symbol of two crossed hammers.
Joloobo] “Whew! Legs such as mine were not made for such a climb. I am near exhaustion.”
Valea] “This one feels energized by the step rocks. How lucky they must be – these monks can walk that everyday!”
Yisi] “I’m with Joloobo on this one longtail. That was exhausting…”
Valea] “Maybe Valea will run down in the morning and say another farewell to the Wwaldyrs… just to get the exercise yes?”
Yisi] “Give them a travel blessing for me then. Shall we go find Elder Arrodonn?”
] As you approach, they slowly open and a human woman walks through them towards you. “Welcome friends, to Treyvigg Winery. I am Aide Camarie. I am here to help make your visit pleasant. It is late for the tour and tasting, but we serve you a meal small if you are hungry. We have tour at noon tomorrow for you to join.”
Valea] “Greetings from Song Moon Temple. I am Valea, this is Yisi. Teacher Solomvar has sent us to meet with Elder Arrodon. Oh, and wine. We are to replenish his wine. What did he call it Goldie?”
Yisi] “Summertide Red.”
Valea] “Yes yes, Summertide Red.”
] Aide Camarie “Greetings to you. I was informed you would arrive this tenday. Oh, I belive you mean Summertide Rose. Elder Arrodon was looking forward to greeting you himself. Unfortunately, he has been called away on dire matters. I am to see to your comfort and connect you with one of our martial trainers. Please… follow me to the refectory.” She turns and walks inside.
Valea] We follow her.
Joloobo] “I like the carving on your gate. Is it just decoration or does it have meaning?”
] Aide Camarie “The Crossed Hammers is the symbol of Dunea. We have a temple to Dunea here if you are in need of services.”
Yisi] “Forgive my ignorance, but I’ve not heard of Dunea.”
] Aide Camarie “Easily forgiven… Not many in the realms have heard of the elemental deity Dunea. She is the goddess of the terra, that is, of the soil and ground. Her spirit is bright and her smile provides a beacon in dark times. Dunea, and her crossed hammers, informs our martial techniques as well. We believe in a strong defense as inspired by stories of Dunea. Strength comes from a strong stance and a strong stance comes from being rooted with the ground. But I am hardly qualified to teach these things. Guide Dawndra will surely be a better resource of such knowledge.”
Valea] “Guide Dawndra? That is who will teach martial skill?”
] Aide Camarie “Yes. She is one of many teachers here. She can be a little, well, initimidating… to new students… but I am certain you will like her… yes, you will see.”
Joloobo] “There was an… Uh… incident. Out in the fields as we were arriving here. A young man was killed. Is there someone we should inform?”
] Aide Camarie “Dreadful! Another murder?”
Joloobo] “Not exactly. He was killed by a flying beast. An oddity called a Peryton by most. We heard there were rumors about a previous death. I thought we should tell someone so the fear can stop.”
] Aide Camarie “Yes, I am aware of the rumors. You are confident the death of Vyralla was not nefarious then?”
Yisi] “We did not get her name. A young woman was found mutilated with her heart missing. If this was Vyralla, then yes… it was the doing of the beast. Apparently the male of the species likes to present hearts to his mate as a breeding ritual of some sort.”
] Aide Camarie “And these flying beasts have taken our mountains as their home? We must protect the workers from further attacks.”
Joloobo] “One of them is probably nesting nearby. The male, however, is joining the loam as we speak. The female remains dangerous, maybe more so now, but I expect their mating ritual has ceased.”
] Aide Camarie “I will inform our elders. It sounds like we owe you some appreciation.”
Valea] “This one certainly would not mind that meal… moggies paunch mumbles and grumbles.”
] Aide Camarie leads you through a large courtyard. The monastery is surrounded on two sides by towering cliff walls and behind it you see the small valley elevate further up into the peaks of Small Teeth. On three sides of the courtyard there are long buildings, similar to the ones you saw in the workers village below, but these are far more refined in appearance. The foundation structure is stone but instead of thatched roofing, there are roof tiles made of red clay. As she walks, she points out the training halls and the training courtyard behind it on the right. On the left are students quarters. On a ledge behind them is another line of longhouses which are the quarters for Aides and Guides. She points higher up to a single longhouse up on a cliff edge. “The Elders quarters are there” she says. The beauty of the place is almost overwhelming.
] Aide Camarie “On the far side of the courtyard is our temple to Dunea. Within you will find priests and healers should you have need. And if you are training with Guide Dawndra, you will be having need.” She smiles, apparently amused with her own comment.
] She takes you all the way to the far end of the courtyard and thru a stone paved walk. Behind the temple is the refectory. You are arriving in the middle of the forenight meal. You can smell the food before you even enter the longhouse. As you, you see the room is filled with people all eating in silence. Everyone is dressed in similar clothing, simple red robes like you saw the workers wearing. Some are red and white like Aide Camarie’s, some are red with side lines of green or blue. You estimate there are maybe 100 people here. Many are human or half-elf but you see several other races as well. Valea – you notice there is another like you sitting in silence at a table, her long black tail swishing the floor behind her.
] Aide Camarie whispers to you as you enter “We eat our meals in silence here. Please do your best to observe our tradition while in the refectory?”
Valea] I nod, but I really want to go talk to the other tabaxi, even more than I want to eat. Still, I decide to wait.
] Aide Camarie leads you to a long table where there is room. Within moments, two others dressed in the same colors as Aide Camarie arrive with flagons of wine and clay goblets. They leave and return with large clay bowls full of a thick vegetable stew for each of you. No words are spoken by any the entire mealtime.
] After forenight meal, you are directed to one of the longhouses on the courtyard level. Inside there are many partitioned areas – not really individual rooms, but short walls around a simple bed and a table with a chair – enough to have just a small privacy. There is quiet chatter among others in the longhouse, but everyone generally speaks in whispers.
Yisi] “Rest well you two. I will not fully sleep tonight and will keep a light watch.” I whisper.
Joloobo] “I’ve heard elves don’t need sleep. Must be nice. I doubt I’m going to sleep much either. In fact, I saw some decent sized trees about behind the place… I will probably be more comfortable sleeping there. I will be back with first light.” I slip out of the longhouse and go find a tree to sleep in.
Valea] “Valea will sleep just fine. Right here and right now. See you at waking darkeyes.”
Yisi] I practice calligraphy at my table for a while, and then enter trance.
] You are traveling East along the Tethir Road to your destination – Treyvigg Monastery. Last night you slept among the caravan wagons in a field outside Trademeet. Early this morning, you parted ways with Nim and Norli Bragos and the rest of their caravan. They continue their way North to Baldurs Gate. The three Wwaldyr syblings accompany you to your destination, which you expect is only hours away now. The Forenoon hours were uneventful. You have not even seen another traveler along the way.
] Tolvathir stands in the back of the cart, watching the skies. Argathen and Ariola are walking alongside but occasionaly have rested by sitting on the back of the flatbed cart. Where are each of you?
Yisi] I am sitting in the drivers seat of the wagon, holding the reigns. I kept watch last night while other slept and my Trance period was not as peaceful as it usually is.
Valea] I sit alongside Yisi. I notice he looks a bit tired. I grab the reigns out of his hands. “This one will make horseys go a while. Rest now my black-eyed prince, Valea will watch for grape fields.”
Yisi] “So, after all, we may in this life, rest in a true friend”
Valea] “Knife-ear should keep this line – Valea thinks it is good and would like to hear it again.”
Yisi] I climb into the back of the wagon to lie down for a rest.
] As you turn, you see Joloobo standing on the wagon. He smiles awkwardly and waves.
Joloobo ] “Greetings ‘knife-ear’! Sorry, I forgot your name already. I think the human here was Ariola, and her brothers were.. Well brother names of some sort I suppose.”
Yisi] “Joloobo! I really I needed a surprise today, but how did you know?” I say with a bit of a snark in my voice.
Joloobo ] “Surprise? But I didn’t know… should I have known? But how would I have known? I don’t think I could have after all.”
Yisi] “I was making jest Joloobo. I am as pleased to see you as I am surprised. But I thought you had a troll to hunt?”
Joloobo] “Oh yes, that is done. Rayni was very please with the harvest! The blood of three Forest Trolls is enough to make a hundred healing potions. Oh, that reminds me…” I dig aroung in my satchel and pull out 5 potion vials. “These are for you. They are very powerful healing potions [Superior 8d4+8]. Rayni sells these for 500gp each! But since you helped bring down the Trolls, I told her you should share in the rewards. Drink them when its dire, or sell them if you need the gold instead.”
Yisi] “This is quite generous Joloobo. Our many thanks! ”
Joloobo] “I thought we might also meet that green dragon today. I would not dare hunt it on my own, but I got to thinking… you all just might encounter the beast today, and if you did, well… if you do and we can bring it down… well that would make us all wealthy beyond imagination. Even though it is a young dragon, I can harvest enough of its blood for several hundred potions – each worth a thousand gp apeice. ”
Valea] I turn and interject “Yes… or dragon gets a light snack in the afternoon.” I chuckle as I amuse myself.
Yisi] “I can see why you hunt trolls, but I agree with Valea, a dragon might be a thing to first run from. ”
Joloobo] “Oh, well yes, you are probably right. As I said… never would I think to take one on by myself. But just in case you need my help, can I ride along and watch the skies for you? I can be pretty handy whether we face dragons or orcs. Besides, Rayni will be travelling for a few Tendays. ‘What will you do with yourself while I’m gone?’ she asked me. I just didn’t know the answer so she gave me one… she told me to find my new friends. So here I am friends, if that is ok. I don’t take up much room after all, and like I said, I can be pretty handy in a scrap.”
Valea] “This one thinks Joloobo is welcomed. Here and at grape farm.”
Yisi] “Indeed. Welcome friend. We have only a few hours of travel left until we reach our destination. I would suspect that the monks will have room for all of us.”
Joloobo] “Monks you say? Grapes?”
Yisi] “Yes, the monks at Treyvigg Monastery. That is our destination. We are going there to purchase some wine, and perhaps train with their martial teachers for a while. We ourselves call another monastery our home. We don’t see many visitors in our mountain temple, but I understand Treyvigg often entertains outsiders and provides lodging to them.”
Joloobo] “I don’t really need a room and bed… I can’t remember the last time I used one. Just give me a solid tree with a thick canopy and my comfort will be great.”
Valea] “The wee one sleeps in trees? Like a squirrel yes?”
Joloobo] “Most all my life. Never had much use for walls and doors. Doesn’t it just feel weird to step into a box where you cannot see the sky or the ground or anything?”
Yisi] “The soul has no need of box, the spirit no need of a cage, the breath lives in a light breeze and dies in a still coffret.”
Joloobo] “Uh… yea… I suppose you would be right, in some weird way… but who am I to say anything be weird. ”
] As you are traveling the roadway, you notice up ahead a small structure off the side of the way. It appears to be shrine. As you get closer, you see there is a walkway of paving stones from the roadway up to a rounded alter and a large table in front of it. The table is overflowing with coins and gems and other items of values. You estimate there must be near a thousand in gold pieces alone. The overall wealth just sitting out here must be ten times that.
Joloobo] “What’s this now? Who left all this gold just lying about?” I walk closer to inspect it further.
] You see markings around the arch-like surface of the shrine. They appear to be carvings of several different types of language, some are just pictograms.
Joloobo] “Looks like an alter of some kind? But who would let all this wealth go to waste. Look here, this gem must be worth several hundred gold.”
Valea] “Strange place for an altar yes? But this one thinks it is bad mojo to touch the offerings of another.”
] Argathen “I’ve seen these before, they are all over the wilderness places but occaisionally they are found roadside. Travelers Blessings they are called.”
] Ariola “I remember our nanny telling me stores of Travelers Blessings. Clerics of a long ago temple in Tethyr enchanted dozens of Shrine Stones with powerful magic. The presence of all this wealth is a fairly sure indicator of the power of the stone. Let us see.” Ariola walks over and tosses a single gold piece to the mound. There is a warm glow of light around the stone which rises and hovers for a moment before it zips towards Ariola and flows into her torso. She receives 9 Temporary HP and the Boon Guidance. “Ahh, that feels nice.” She says. “See, this one is still working.”
Yisi] “What a wonderful thing! I’ve never imagined such a marvel. Does it matter how large your offering?”
] Argathen “Just judging by the items left as offerings, I’d say that is a likely bet.”
Yisi] I dig out 20 gold pieces and offer them on the shrine
2d8 Temporary HP = 7
1d8 Blessing = 5
] Again, there is a warm glowing light that lifts from the Shrine Stone and plunges into your chest Yisi. Floating in front of you are 3 small stones. The hang there for a moment and then drop to the ground.
Yisi] “Curious. Look – it gave me three pebbles… I wonder what they do?” I reach down and pick them up.
] Upon contact, you instantly know what they do… These stones can be thrown up to 60ft as a ranged attack. It does not require much strength or accuracy. If you can see the target, the stone will hit it and deliver 2d6 Bludgeoning dmg. The magical charge of each stone renews daily.
Yisi] I explain aloud what suddenly and magically know about the stones.
Joloobo] “Wow! How much did you offer? I’m going to double that, no triple it… and see what happens!” I put 60 gold down at the altar.
2d8 Temporary HP 12
2d12 Blessing table 3 9 Magic Vestment) & 9 (Bears Endurance)
] Again the warm light floods you. You have advantage on Con checks for 24 hours and your AC is raised by +1 for 24 hours. A magical candle appears floating in front of you Joloobo. It hangs for a moment and then drops.
Joloobo] I try to catch it.
1d20 Slight of hand 11 +4 = 15 [Success]
] You catch the candle successfully. As soon as you touch it, you know it is a Candle of Invocation with 4 hours of burning time. It’s alignment is Lawful Good.
Joloobo] “Wow! What a boon! Remind me to light it if we get into a scrap.”
Valea] “This one shall see what the stone wishes her to have.” I put 50 gp on the altar.
2d8 Temporary HP 16
2d12 Blessing Table 6 (Sanctuary) & 12 (Owl’s Wisdom)
] A warm glowing light rises and fills you with vital energy Valea. In front of you, a golden shield appears and hovers for a moment.
Valea] I take hold of the shield.
] You instantly know this is a Spellguard Shield. Its value is beyond anything you can imagine ever possessing (60k).
Valea] “A Shield! And a fancy one at that… Now Valea will just have to learn how to use it. Valea’s mind tells her it is a Spellguard Shield. Very fancy no?” I look over the youngest Wwaldur sybling. “Hey pup… have you had fighting practice with a shield?”
] Tolvathir “Well yes. I may not be a very good teacher, but I can try to show you what I know.”
Valea] “Later pup… you show Valea later. For now, you carry heavy shield. If dragon attacks, I watch how pup fights with it yes”
] Tolvathir “I would be honored to carry it into battle.”
] Argathen “Well you should be Tolvathir. That Spellguard Shield is worth 50, maybe 60 thousand gold in any market. I imagine Valea would be able to sell it for 80 or 90 in Waterdeep.”
] Tolvathir “Oh! That is heavy. I dare not get a scratch on it then. Valea, I fear to carry such a valuable item for you. Perhaps it would be best if it stays with its owner.”
Valea] “This one agrees with you. Shield best stay with its new owner now…. Tolvathir. Valea will still watch you fight with it yes?”
] Tolvathir “You cannot be serious! You are just giving me this shield?”
Valea] “Valea did not even know she had a shield just minutes ago. She will not miss one now. But a pup who knows how to fight with a shield will fight better now yes? Fight well pup and you will deserve fancy shield.”
] Ariola “The Wwaldyrs will not forget your generosity. I hope you will not regret the gift.”
Valea] “Valea has not learned this thing… regret. Neither should she wish to learn. ”
] The six of you continue traveling East on the Tethir Road. After several hours you begin to see what looks like farmlands up in the hills. There are many sections of the land where you can see vines hanging on tressels. Before long, you come across a small turn-off and a sign which reads “Treyvigg Winery and Monastery”
Yisi] I halt the horses just after turning into the lane. “It appears we have arrived friends. ” I say to Argarthen, Ariola and Tolvathir. I give them the remaining 50 gold pieces. “The remainder of your payment, as agreed. I expect you could likely stay at the monastery if you so desire, or however you wish to proceed. We consider the job done.”
] Argathen says “It seems silly taking another 50 gold after you gifted Tolvathir with so much.”
Valea] “Tolvathir was not included in the original agreement, and so the gift has nothing do with that no?”
Yisi] “Agreed. Tolvathir was a guest on the journey, not a paid guard. Paid guards should be paid for a job well done.”
] Ariola “Thank you. Whether we might have a roof tonight does not matter… we shall accompany you the rest of the way to the gates of the monastery. It would appear to be some distance still. ”
] You continue North through the Umar foothills. The sun is shining brightly on the peaks of Small Teeth just in front of you. The land you are crossing is varied. There are large sections of forest that appear to be well groomed with walking trails winding through them. There are also large areas of grassy fields. You notice that some of the areas have curious swaths of red grass among the green and browning. You begin to see more an more tressels supporting large grape vines and a number of workers among them.
Yisi] “A poet once wrote: ‘ I bring an unaccustomed wine To lips long parching, next to mine, And summon them to drink.”
Valea] “What kind of wine is that?”
Joloobo] “A very special kind I’m sure…”
Yisi] “yes, I suppose that would be right”
] You being to see a lot more workers in the field. Most are human or half-elves. There are a few elderly but mostly younger men and women. They are tending the vines, tilling soil and other such farming activities. Some of the notice you and give a wave or a nod – it seems no surprise to have strangers riding through. As you are passing near by a small group loading empty crates onto small cart, suddenly a huge shadow passes just overhead. Valea, you notice something odd about the shadow, something the others do not notice, but before you can place what is odd about it, a large winged creature lands talons first on one of the workers. It has immense wings still spread out as it drives it antlers into the chest of the human man it crashed down upon. It is goring him, apparently trying to open his rib cage.
Joloobo] I pull out my blowgun and rush to get within range behind the winged beast.
2d20a Attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 3 +1 Force
] The Peryton seems to not notice the attack but keeps at the poor victims chest.
] Tolvathir runs behind you and attempts to attack the winged monstrosity with his scimitar [()] and is successful, doing 5 damage. The Peryton turns and attacks Tolvathir [()] He expertly blocks the slashing talon with the golden shield but leaves himself open to be struck with the birds antler. (9 /2 = 4 damage)
[Initiative]
Yisi] I use a bonus action to inspect the strange creature for any vital point vulnerabilities
1d20 Medicine (DC 18) 18 +3 = 21 [Success – you have advantage on your next attack]
Yisi] I think I see nice spot to slide my Trisula in and slow the beast down.
2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] 5 +5 = 10
] The winged stag bellows with a piecing howl [()] it turns towards you Yisi but it does not take flight. Tolvathir circles to flank and attack. [()] and does another 4 damage. Argathen releases an arrow [()] and does 3 damage.
Joloobo] I use both of my psychic blades, throwing them from my current position
1d20 Attack 3 +4 = 7 [Miss]
1d20 Attack 16 +4 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 5
] Your first blade flies overhead but the second sinks into the feathered stag and then disappears.
Valea] I take the other flank and unleash every attack I’ve got
2d20a Attack 9 +7 = 16 [Hit] Dmg 5 +5 = 10
2d20a Attack (Flurry) 13 +7 = 20 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11
2d20a Attack (Flurry) 19 +7 = 26 [Hit] Dmg 6 +5 = 11 + flowing fury bonus 7 +5 = 12
] Your Basto stick blurs as you strike the Peryton over and over with graceful ease. It crouches for a jump away but you bring your final blow down into its skull and it collapses to the ground in a spit of feathers.
Valea] “Help, over here!” I run over to the worker who was attacked. “Does he live? Yisi look, does he live?”
Yisi] I inspect the victim of the Peryton.
1d20 Medicine 6 +3 = 9 [Fail]
] There is a large amount of blood and the workers chest has been severly damaged. If he yet has any life in him, you cannot tell. The other workers have started to gather around.
Yisi] “I can find no life in him. I don’t know how to help him now.” I look to those around us.
] One of the workers says. “I know his brother. I will take his body to him.” Another thanks you all, especially the cat lady with the long tail and the deadly stick in her hands. A third also thanks you and mentions that this was the second victim this tenday. Just a couple of days ago, a woman was found dead with her chest ripped open and her heart missing but since no one saw the actual attack, there have been outrageous rumors flying around the farm about a vicious killer among them. “Now we know…” They say, “this beast must have taken her heart and her life from her.”
Joloobo] The event, and the mention of a missing heart sparks something in my memory [Nature Check DC 13]
1d20 Nature 13 +6 = 19 [Success]
Joloobo] “I recall something about a beast like this. When their mate is ready for, well, mating… the sire attempts to impress the female with a bloody heart. I suppose she turned down the first one, or maybe she liked it so much… the male thought to repeat the performance. I don’t know if their blood is of any value but I will harvest it anyway just in case.”
Valea] “Gnomey is saying this killing was just animal instinct then?”
Joloobo] “This here be ordinary animal… so probably no ordinary instinct.”
Yisi] “Joloobo is right, this is no beast and no bird, but some twisted concoction of both. Destruction is warranted. So Joloobo… do you think there is another close by then?”
Joloobo] “Likely yes. And if my memory is strong the females are the larger and stronger of the strange species.”
Valea] “This one is anxious to speak with Elder Arrodonn of these things.”
] You leave the workers and continue your way up the windings hills towards the monastery. A mile or two later you see a village on your right. It is made of six longhouses arranged in a circle. The longhouses are stone structures with thatched roofs and likely sleep about 40-50 people each. You see a few people among the long houses, all dressed in the same red and brown clothing as the workers you saw earlier. Another half mile uphill and you come to a cliff wall where the trail end. There is a large stable at the base of the wall. There are a few other wagons and half-a dozen horses being cared for by workers in red and white garments. One of them runs up to you as you halt your horses.
] It is a young looking half elf with black hair and brown skin. “Greetings visitors. I am Aide Skylen. Allow me to care for your horses? You can continue up the monastery just through there.” he points to a crevasse in cliff wall. “It’s a bit of a climb, but the way is safe.”
Yisi] “Before we go, can I ask about lodging for our friends here? We hired them as guards to protect us and I would see them sleep well tonight. Elder Arrodonn was only expecting two of us.”
] Aide Skylen “Of course. We have plenty of room in our village quarters for overnight guests. You can share our forenight meal and if you feel the need, there is a warmspring where you can wash off the road. Allow me to secure your horses and I will get you settled.”
] Argathen “We extend our thanks Skylen. I’m certain my sister here will delight in a bath, and she would probably be happier if I did as well.” He turns to you. “Yisi, Valea – it has been a pleasure to be your protectors. I hope your time here is well spent.”
[A Note on Notes]
Almost there… to the destination of the first adventure. Only took me 5 scenes to do it… but I had to introduce the characters, bring Joloobo into the party, give the PCs some magic stuff, set up some things… etc
In this scene, Joloobo catches up with Yisi and Valea and rewards them with superior healing potions made from the blood of the trolls they had fought the day prior. Joloobo makes some excuse about wanted the blood of the green dragon he had told them about previously, but then admits that his Sprite girlfriend Rayni (well, at least he likes to think she will one day be his girlfriend) told him to go make friends. I would have preferred to wait out her return in his forest of solitude, but the wishes of Rayni are the only law his heart knows.
Introduce a roadside shrine. There are probably many of these in the area, but as a minor encounter and possible boon, drop one here, a few hours west of Treyvigg Monastery. The shrine is teeming with gold and gems. Gifts made over the years just sit here – evidence that the shrine is legit perhaps. Otherwise the wealth would surely be stolen.
I wonder… if Cyrics Cudgel kidnapped someone to steal the wealth… obviously the victim would suffer the negative boon… but would the hand that forced the theft also pay a price? Dice say no.
Well, our party may want a blessing. For now, let that be the extent of the shrine. Later, perhaps, they find a body, or rather maybe, a suffering someone, who was kidnapped by Cyrics Cudgel to rob the shrine and suffer the curse.
Then on to Treyvigg’s.
One question I have is about combat encounters… Do I really need combat in each and every scene? Won’t it begin to feel stale and forced if I always have some combat in every scene? I think as long as I have 2 out of the 3 pillars, it qualifies. So far, we have Joloobo joining as a social encounter and the shrine as a discovery/exploration encounter (are these two really the same?)
Fast forward from the shrine a few hours to where they start to see fields of grape vines lining the foothills of the Umar Hills. There is a small sign with an arrow pointing North and marking the Treyvigg Monastery Trail. The monastery is still an hour away – further up into the mountain, though they will see several storehouses and press buildings along the way. The operation is fairly grand with nearly a hundred acres of grapes spread out across many hundreds more acres of land. There are large swaths of red grass, much like Ghallar Knoll to the west but small, and not quite so spectacular a red.
Ghallar Knoll:
An interesting spot in the western Small Teeth, Ghallar Knoll is a low, perfectly round hillock covered by grass of a brilliant scarlet hue. Legends say that eating two blades of the grass makes one 10 years younger and removes all poisons in one’s body. Legends also hint that the hill is the home of its protector, the Ghallar, about which no one knows anything at all since no one has returned to describe it in many years
What is not commonly known is that the red grass is a sign that somewhere underneath is a pocket of Red Tear gemstones. If this were known… the area would be crawling overnight with miners trying to strike it rich. The Red Tear is a precious gem, typical specimens have a base value of 1,000 gp. Even the dust has values however.
These gem stones served as a substitute for all material components used in any healing spell that didn’t require specific construction. Powdered red tear was an ingredient for making the magic ink for creating scrolls of spells that mended broken objects.
Anyway…
As party is traveling the winding trail through the lands of Treyvigg Monastery, they see workers in the vineyards, tending the vines, carting things around, tilling soil etc. They see somewhere around a 100 workers, and might safely assume there are a hundred more. Before entering the actual monastery, they see a small village made 6 longhouses. The longhouses are stone with thatched roofs. Each are large enough to sleep ~40 workers. [This needs a name?]
But before they see the village… perhaps they need another opportunity to be heroes? Why not enter the monastery right on the heels of a brave encounter? So what will the danger be? Something flying makes sense… not yet the green dragon though.
The Peryton.. Seems a perfect monster to be giving the vineyards trouble. There is actually a pair of them nearby in the mountains. The female is nearing reproductive cycle and the male is hunting for fresh humanoid hearts to feed her.
As the party passes by one of the sections of grape vines, there are several workers packing crates of grapes onto a wagon. A peryton strikes from above, lands on top of one of the workers, pins him down and starts tearing at his chest with his antlers.
NPCs for the Treyvigg intro
Elder Arrodonn – the friend of Teacher Solomvar – who Yisi and Valea were sent to see. We don’t know much of Arrodonn yet. Only that Solomvar called him a “young friend”. That would seem to say Arrodonn is long lived, an elf perhaps.
Aide Camarie – a female human and assistant to Elder Arrodonn
Dawndra Norlandr – not an NPC exactly, well, not eventually.. But for this cycle, she is essentially an NPC. Valea will be inspired by her forms practice and just may “find her art” here. But maybe Dawndra need not enter until next scene… perhaps just mentioned here.
Song Moon Temple has Teachers and Stewards and students, Treyvigg has students and Elders and Aides. A Steward and an Aide are very similar, but anyone of any age can can apply for residence at Treyvigg. If they do not become a martial student, they become an Aide. Aides work in the winery and sometimes in the vineyard. Most of the vineyard workers are hired labor however. Aides and Elders recv a portion of the winerys profits but generally speaking they do not keep much of the profit for themselves.
Dawndra Norlandr, a side NPC character I made up some time ago, is becoming one of my favorites. She is unusual looking even in Faerun… 7 and half foot tall, built like giant (likey because she has some giant blood) and white. Her hair is long and white and covering her entire face body, a fine white coat of fur. If you had to guess, you might suspect she was part giant and part polar bear, and you would be right. Except that if you asked her to confirm your suspicion she would be unable.
Dawndra is an “Arktikos” – a word I made up to give the feeling of arctic zone origins. She spent most of her life in the Moonshae Islands living among the Firbolg there. She was not exactly like them, but she felt more at home among the Firbolg than the Ffolk.
In this opening scene, Dawndra is making her way North – far North… beyond the Spine. Her martial skill is in need of challenging if she is to gain mastery and the Frozenfar Fray Games promises to do just that. I had lots of choices on where to begin this adventure… should I start in Treyvigg Monastery? Elder Riandyl needs to encourage her to join the games and I need to draw a line of connection between Riandyl and Tey Emberjaw, sister of Marlowe Emberjaw, head dwarf at the Wardens Guild of Heroes Gate. But that can be done in a recap. I thought about opening mid-way through the games but then the recap would becoming unwieldy and I would miss opportunity for some character development.
So I would start somewhere along the way between Tey Emberjaw and Icewind Dale. I want the Emberjaw’s to remain mostly in shadow until Cycle Three so there is that pleasure of connection when it happens. Without Tey Emberjaw, the journey from Small Teeth to the Spine would take months so magic is an answer. This leads me to consider how portals actually work in world I am “mastering”.
Portals in Toril
Portals are a high level arcane spell so they require a high level wizard. I believe the official version of the spell just requires some visualization. This is weak – imo. So for portal spells to be cast, the caster needs to have been to the portal destination and have marked it magically in order to use it. There is some sort of magical longitude and latitude that gets recorded.
There are also semi-permanent portals, similar to worm holes, that remain in place but closed. These require an even higher level magic user to create initially, but then can be operated by anyone with the knowledge of how to open the portal. This kind of portal is like a door with a key. Someone has to create the door and the locking mechanism but then can give the key to whomever they like.
So then the basic rule.. Teleportation only works to location the caster can see or has previously seen and intentionally marked as a destination.
Tey Emberjaw specializes in portal magic (though she has several specialities) and she knows a lot of people around Faerun. She is rarely at home in Athkatla it would seem – always off to some party or gathering. She has a dear friend in Ravens Bluff with whom she has tea with several times a tenday. For her, traveling between Amn and Luskan is like walking through a door. Though the particular example is poor… Tey Emberjaw has not been to Luskan for some time now.
In any given scene, I expect I should be developing either the plot or the characters (or both because really they are connected). A way of developing characters without directly developing plot is to challenge them with random encounters. I suppose the random encounter can be overdone, and that some might say don’t do it at all… but I think there is value in them if done well. A random encounter should provide some sort of challenge to the character – and I don’t mean they need to be slugfests where only 2 hp remain afterwards. By challenge, I mean finding some aspect of the characters personality, bonds or flaws, and challenging it.
Dawndra does not see herself as a hero – far from it… While she is Nuetral Good, she has also spent her life isolated from common folk. What exactly does “Good” mean? What are some ways to challenge it? The “Good” Samaritan story provides a help… some poor guy gets the ugly end of the ugly stick. Two people who would call themselves “good” walk around the poor guy and then walk away. Another walks by and helps him, dresses the wounds and gives him a place to rest and restore. The moral is simple – only one of the three walkers was truly good, although they all had a G on their character sheet. The poor guy in the ditch is the challenge. What will a character with a G actually do when that goodness is called upon?
Challenging Dawndra’s “G” does not need to advance the plot. The poor guy in a ditch does not need to be a recurring character (although if she helps him, that is always in the pocket for later). And this is why I decided to start with a scene in Luskan rather than Fireshear or along the Ten Trail.
Maybe this is a good time to give Dawndra not only a challenge, but a temptation… hmm….
[RECAP] You are traveling to the Treyvigg Monastery for some Summertide Wine. Along the way you met the halfling Bragos twins, Nim and Norli, along with Tronk, when there were held up by a group of bandits calling themselves Cyrics Cudgel. After defeating them on the road, they assaulted the entire camp at Drovers Field in Mosstone as vengeance. They were yet again defeated and the leader of their group destroyed by Tronks hammer. You hired two guards from Titans Fist Protection Company who are to meet you at the Drovers Field gate, along some with extra provisioning.
] The dark night has just begun to fade when you cross the field to the gate into town. Standing there are 3 half-elves, two female and one very young male.
Valea] “Bright Skies. Might these be from Titans Fist?”
] Arathen “Bright Skies to you. Yes, we are guard from Titans Fist. Are you the ones heading for The Small Teeth?”
Yisi] “Yes we are, but we hired only two guards.”
] Arathen “Ah yes. Special deal today, three for the price of two. This is actually our younger brother, Tovalthir. He will be sitting in and observing… mostly. We are training him for his sanctioning with Titans Fist. I am Arathen Dwaldyr and this is my sister Araola.”
Valea] I hold my clawed mitt to my breast and bow slightly “Valea is pleased to share the days with you. Gold-face here is called Yisi. ”
Yisi] “We could use the extra help I think… Given the events of last night the Trade Way may be molten with angry bandits today.”
Valea] “This one thinks bandits stay home, lick wounds today no?”
Yisi] “May ‘Tel Aes’tar so aim.”
] Araola “We were at Oak Fathers when we heard the field was being attacked. By the time we got here, the bandits had been run-off. We carried water for the fires and saw the death on the ground. We did not hear the truth of the terror however. It sounds like you may know why they attacked?”
Yisi] “Vengeance. At least their leader said so just before we saw her brains fly from her head. They were part of some cult… Cyrics Cudgel. All of them were Half-Orcs as well, which I cannot explain. We first encountered them on the Trade Way to the south. They attacked us with very few numbers and defeating them was easy. But one ran and obviously shared news of our victory over the fools, so they attacked Drovers Field just to avenge three nits. Cult-heads… I hope to never met with another…”
] A young human arrives with a cart carrying your provisions. You point him to your wagon and he goes to load it with your goods.
] Araola “We have our mounts waiting for us at the north stables. If you are all set to go, we shall meet you at your wagon shortly.”
Valea] “Valea is ready.”
Yisi] “Nim Bragos looks to be ready and waiting on us to get started. We will join their caravan as far north as Tethir Road. We shall head east to Treyvigg Monastery and they will continue on their way to Baldurs Gate.”
] Arathen “That will work for us. Many shall stand where few would fall.”
] The 5 of you join the caravan as it pulls out of Drovers Field and follows a pathway which circles back to the Trade Way. The Tethyr Forest on your right grows closer and thicker as you travel north.
Yisi] “The Forest King rules a deep dominion, and silent citizens praise his throne. From the shadows of life he bears one weight, the waking of wonder among his own.
Valea] “This Umber Cat would like to meet this king and have her wonder awakened too.”
Yisi] “I dare think we have become his citizens by passing so close to his kingdom.”
] Araola “The Wealdath will grow thicker and deeper yet. A few hours ahead, we must travel right through as it flows over into the Dragons Neck. We have often met with trouble where the Way North grows dark with wood.”
Valea] “This one has not been further than Mosstone… at least, not in memory. Do tell a story?”
] Araola “We have encountered Gnolls a few times. There are several gangs of them hunting these woods, and they do love the hunt. Our first encounter was fairly easy because their numbers were small, but they learned quickly not to overestimate travelers on the Way North. Last time, we were overpowered and had to flee to save the lives of our Defended. A shipment was lost but no lives. ”
] Arathen “It may be best to save these stories until after we have passed through the dark parts of Way North… ”
Yisi] “We are unwilling to be frightened, but I do appreciate the care. What else have you seen? ”
] Tolvathir “Tell them about the time the Ogre got crushed by the Treant!”
] Araola “We were ambushed on trip by an Ogre and a large band of goblins. We were holding our own but getting tired, and the Ogre was a heavy bully… over 11 foot tall and chaotic with his cudgel. It was sending strong fighters flying, along with his own goblins. Suddenly, roots snaked their way around its legs and pulled it back into the forest. We lost sight of it but heard the ground shaking with terrible blows. We were still fighting off the remaining goblins when the thousand pound corpse fell out of the canopy and splat! Right on top of several gobbies. The thing feed the birds and beasts of the forest for weeks. Last time we came through, its bones were still there.”
Valea] “A Treant did this?”
] Tolvathir “What else? There are rumors that they patrol the Wealdath. The Druids in this area all but worship them. I have heard other such stories too… merchants being protected by the very forest itself.”
] Arathen “I have heard just as many stories of merchants being killed by the forest itself… but it is true, Araola and I were saved by trees that day. And I give offerings to them in thanks. ”
] The half-elf guards share more stories from the 3 years they have been escorting clients up and down The Trade Way. Most of their contracts have such a story, they tell you. Arathen stops the talk with a warning to keep quiet and keep watch as the forest begins to grow on your left side as well. You are entering into what they called “The Dark” of the Way North. As the canopy overhead thickens, it begins to feel like nightime, even though Darkstar Sleeping is still hours away.
] Araola “We have made good time. We should be through the Dark in about 3 hours and then we can set up camp on the other side – before we get too close the Tethir Road. The crossroads there can present a different kind of danger. Bandits love the crossroad… and I would too if I were a road bandit. The Trade Way drops down into a sharp ravine. The Tethir Road crosses it in this ravine where the walls are steep and 20 foot high. It is an ideal pinch-point with lots of traffic.”
] The air within “The Dark” has a cold chill to it, even though it is a warm High Sun day. It has been dark as a moonless night for nearly an hour now. There is a stench in the air which is difficult to describe as it is unlike anything. It burns your nostrils and your eyes begin to water. Up ahead in the darkness you hear a horrifying screech.
] Arathen “Hold up! I recognize that sound. An owlbear is hunting… and it is close enough that we may be what it is hunting. Let us stand at the ready here. We will take the front. ”
Yisi] I follow Arathen, Araola and Tolvathir to the front of the caravan.
Valea] As do I.
] Tronk has already climbed down in front of their oxen and has his war hammer at the ready. There is no sign of Nim or Norli. Guard Vedette and Guard Varannt Each take position on either side of the caravan near the back to guard against other attacks. [()]
] As you all hold still and at the ready for attack, Valea notices off to the left side of the road, an odd grouping of dark foliage. Nothing apparent is moving, you just notice something about the dark shape of nature seeming unnatural.
Valea] I take a closer look to the left side. Basto Stick held strong in front of me
1d20 Perception 18 +4 = 22
] You see that the unnatural shape is not actually trees and moss and foliage but a creature. It unfolds and launches at you in aggression. [()] A misshapened claw at the end of an unnaturally long arm swipes out at you and rakes your furry flesh (10dmg). A second claw follows from the dark wood [()] but misses you. The face of the creature becomes clear as it lurches in to bite you. [()] Your Basto Stick successfully keeps the mangled teeth from reaching you.
] On the right side of the roadway, another earthy green creature leaps out at Yisi [()] You see the first claw coming but the speed of the second swipe is amazingly quick and draws blood (7dmg). It leaps out onto the roadway and you can see it is some sort of troll.
[Initiative Order]
] Valea has first attack
Valea] I use my Basto Stick to attack the hideous creature (Troll02). And follow up with a Flurry of Blows
1d20 Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] Dmg 5 +5 = 10
1d20 Attack 7 +6 = 13 [Miss]
1d20 Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] Dmg 5 +5 = 10
] You jab the butt-end of your staff into chest of the troll. It sinks in strangely but makes solid connection ultimately. You pull back as you turn and swing. Your first swing misses but you allow the momentum to sweep you around and strike the head of the thing solidly.
] Guard Argathen steps in to assist you with the troll (02). [()] He turns side to side, sweeping a scimitar gracefully until within range and the curved blade circles up, seperating troll flesh across its torso. A foul gas releases from the sliced warts on the troll.[Roll Con Save] [()]
Valea] “Nastiness!” I turn my head and hold my breath
1d20 Con Save 16 +7 = 23 [Save]
] Tronk yells something in Goblin as he stomps in with his maul raised overhead. [()] He brings it down on the skull of the troll (02) with a critical strike. The bones within the beasts head are heard cracking. The troll drops down, its long arms brace against the ground. It sinks and then springs up teeth first against Tronk [()] which misses. It makes unnerving growling sound as it swipes to slice Tronk with its claws. [()] The first attack rips open bugbear flesh but the second misses. Tronk’s face becomes grim with the pain.
] Guard Ariola has gone to the right of the roadway against the troll (01) that has leaped out of the forest. She appears to be dancing as she steps in to attack with her scimitar [()] but misses. Her younger brother follows her example in attack [()] and also misses.
Yisi] I use a bonus action to try and identify any potential vital points on this creature.
1d20 Medicine [Giant DC 18] 12 +3 = 15 [Fail]
] The troll towers over you, its arms so long it could scratch its toes while standing up straight. You see no indication of any vital points within your reach.
Yisi] I attack with a best guess. “Bend down here so I can poke out your eyes!”
1d20 Attack 20 [Crit] Dmg 8 +5 +7 = 20
] You plunge the long needles of your Trisula deep into it lower abdomen area. If feels like spearing a large wheel of cheese. The giant reacts with a growl of pain as you circle out and withdraw your weapons from the beasts belly. It swipes a giant claw at you [()] and gashes your shoulder [7dmg] and then brings the unnaturally long claws other unnaturally long arms against you [()] and misses as you duck and roll.
] Guard Varannt fires a crossbow at the same troll (01) from one of the caravan wagons [()] and the bolt buries itself into the chest of the giant. Guard Vedette has the same tactic, firing on the other side (troll02) [()] successfully.
] Top of Round
Valea] “Watch out for the stink sacs!” I yell over to Yisi and the others. I deploy another round of attacks, trying to be mindful of the scum spitting boils on the beast (troll 02).
1d20 Attack 11 +7 = 18 [Hit] Dmg 4 +5 = 9
1d20 Flurry 6 +6 = 12 [Miss]
1d20 Flurry 11 +6 = 17 [Hit] 2 +4 = 6
[Does Valea’s attack strike a muskwart boil? [()] no.]
] Your weapon batters the giants rib cage and you manage to avoid breaking open any boils.
] Guard Argathen continues his attack. [()] His blade is blocked by a claw but it scrapes up into a long finger, coating the sharp edge with troll blood.
] Tronk brings his Maul of Terror to bear once again (troll 02) [()] but fails critically, opening himself up for an opportunity attack. [()] The troll retaliates with bite attempt but misses.
] As the giant winds up to swing a claw at Tronk, a thin glowing net drops down on it from a tree above and drapes the troll in a green glow. Then a long thin dagger of bright light shoots down and spears through the torso of the troll and then dissipates as it exits its chest. The trolls face shows anguish and fear for a moment before the body drops to the roadway.
] “Its blood is mine!” You hear a gravelly voice say from trees.
] On the other side of the roadway, Ariola is attacking the other troll (01) [()] Her longsword lops off one of its long arms at the elbow. Tolvalthir flanks the giant [()] and gains a critical hit on it. His scimater opens up a huge chunk of troll flesh and noxious fumes spit out at everything within 10 feet. Roll Con Save. Tolvathir is poisoned. Ariola is poisoned.
Yisi]
1d20 Con Save Throw 11 +2 = 13 [Save]
Yisi] I step in beside Tolvathir and attempt to take advantage of the open wound.
2d20a Attack 20 [Crit] Dmg 8 +4 +7 = 19
] With the insides of the troll exposed, you gain a critical advantage with your needles. The giant falls dead but is still for only a second. The exposed insides gurgle and you can see the flesh starting to repair itself. From its prone position it strikes out with its remaining hand at [()] Tolvathir but misses. It lurches and attempt to bite [()] Ariola who manages to step back far enough. The hand she cut off just previously, however, is crawling towards her. [()] The claws wrap around her calf and clinch down on the armor but fails to draw blood.
] Guard Varannt yells “We need fire!” and he attempts to plunge his longsword down into the troll [()] successfully. A gnome dressed in green and brown forest colors jumps in and, seemingly from the palm of an empty hand, throws a thin green net over the corpse of the troll. The flesh sizzles for a moment before the net dissapates into a gel and then disappears. The troll remains still and silent. “Its blood is mine!” The gnome says. “I’ve been hunting these three for over a tenday now… I claim rights.” He looks down and sees the troll forearm clinging to Ariolas calf. “You got something on your leg there…. Hand me that torch. Quick like!” He burns the still squeezing hand and pulls it away.
Yisi] “You are welcomed to whatever you want from the corpse… I only desire some distance from it. Wait… you said three…” I step back into ready stance and search the forest for another.
] Gnome “Right, three is what I said.”
] Ariola “Where is the third then?”
] Gnome “Oh… right… it still needs killing. I will get to it as soon as I harvest these.” From the small satchel hanging at his hip, he pulls out a large tube shaped device. It is at least 4 feet long – taller than the gnome himself – and about a foot in diameter. Up the length of one side, there are several vials inserted into the device. One end has three needle sharp prongs which he plunges into the troll corpse. You see a green viscous liquid begin filling up the vials. As they fill, the gnome swaps them with empty vials, placing the full ones into the small pouch.
Valea] “This one is new in these parts… what could anyone want with the nasty’s blood?”
] Argathen “Poisons most likely.”
] Gnome “Yes, poisons. Also potions. Very good potions that heal very good.”
Yisi] “You have been hunting these trolls? Three of them? By yourself?”
] Gnome “Yes. Well I found them all together at first. That did not go well. Taking on three at a time is ill-advised. Lucky for me you came along.” He yanks the device out of the troll and then walks over to the other and plunges it in, filling up even more vials. “But the blood of three trolls is a huge payday for me. Rayni will smile at me for hours. She will also pay me some gold, but for the smile of Rayni I would go against 6 trolls! 7 Maybe!”
Valea] “Valea thinks she sees grand love in the little brave.”
] Gnome “Valea?”
Yisi] “Yes, her name is Valea. I am Yisi.” I introduce the others standing there. “Well met brave one.”
] Gnome “I am called Joloobo. I already forgot your names. You is a lot of people.” He yanks the device out of the second troll and somehow slips it back into the small pouch. “I should get after the other one.”
Valea] “How is Joloobo so sure there is another here?”
Joloobo] “I heard it. So did you… that Owlbear screech? That was the third troll. See they are not real smart, but they figured out that their prey was too often aware of them by smell long before sight. I have no idea how they came up with the idea but I’ve seen other troupes of forest trolls use the same tactic. The mimic’d Owlbear screech puts you on alert right at the time you start wondering what the awful smell is. The sound of danger far off distracts you from the danger right beside you. They keep their bellies full with the trick. Still… they must a learned it from something smarter than they are. Say… speaking of something smarter… which way are you heading?”
Yisi] “We travel North to Tethir Road and then East toward Brost.”
Joloobo] “Glad I asked then. There is a new dragon hunting along the Tethir road, a young green dragon. I’ve seen caravans your size wiped out recently. If you have anything shiny in your wagons, cover it up… I suspect it is just as concerned with building its hoard as it is with filling its belly. Watch the skies friends. And now… I away to finish of my own prey.”
] The gnome jumps off into the forest and disappears.
Valea] “Well that was exciting. Everyone okay?”
] Just as you ask the question, Tolvathir erupts with vomiting. His sister looks like she was just holding things together until that point, and turns towards the forest and begins vomitting herself.
Yisi] “We should rest a little while… but perhaps we can move ahead and get upwind of the troll smell eh?” I feel a brief inspiration strike. “Green nasties lie in wait, they trick my ears, my flesh to taste, but then a brave in forest style, bottles nasty blood for the price of a smile.”
Valea] “Knife-ear should keep working on that one… but it was exciting, and strange. How, this one wonders, did he that large thing in and out of such a small bag?”
] Guard Vedette “I’ve seen such things in Calimshan. In fact, Norli might be able to make them. The are commonly calls ‘Bags of Holding’… something about pocket dimensions or some such thing. I don’t understand it, but I’ve seen it.”
] At the mention of Norli’s name, Tronk scrambles back to their wagon “Norli okay? Nim Okay?” you hear Nim confirm they are both fine.
[A Note on Notes]
Our party hits the road north from Mosstone with three new guards added to their caravan. Along with Nim and Norli (and Tronk) and their two guards, our party is quite large at the moment – a full tenperson – if that were a thing. One of the fun things about DMing, and writing, is that I can just say… a “tenperson” is a thing. It means a group with a nice even number of ten people. I recall Roman military units had similar names. A “Centurian” was called so because they commanded a certain number of soldiers – a “Centuria” or a nice even 100 soldiers.
But all that matters not.
I want to use this scene for several purposes… some social interaction to start. The new guards have traveled the Trade Way North from Mosstone many times (or at least … several) and they have some stories to tell about it. The youngest, Tolvathir, has heard the stories but this is his first time out.
My first draft of this social interaction feels a bit empty. Draft 02 should beef it up, expand it a bit. Display more of the characters of the Wwaldyr Syblings. Maybe Tolvithir is a little too ambitious or gets carried away. Maybe Ariola thinks he is still too young to take on the task but Argathen, the elder brother, is pushing to get him experienced and strong. Perhaps Ariola made a promise to their parents (who still reside somewhere in Tethyr? Probably in the capital Darromar? I imagine they are wealthy with some influence. Perhaps they have a nice estate on the River Ith? )
Perhaps (and I know I say maybe and perhaps a lot in my DM notes… it is my way of brainstorming without commitment… all this stuff is fluid. ) they are nobles of their culture and as such place high expectations on their children. But then why would their children become hired guards? Not sure any of this really matters… they are fodder NPCs most likely. But maybe it does matter, even if I never bring these details to the surface in game.
Maybe… the father was a military commander in the Tethyr Army. He poured a great deal of expectations into the eldest, Argathen. Something happened which brought shame to the commander and he lost is rank and standing. Maybe they still have wealth and a nice little place on the river but their social standing is toast. Argathen had a future in his fathers footsteps, but all that was lost when his father fell (or was pushed… who knows). At any rate, Argathen is compelled to leadership and strength and valiant behavior. Joining the Titans Fist Protection Company might have been seen as small first steps, but many months later they are still here.
Ariola was never interested in a military lifestyle, but she was always scrappy and loved to mimic her brothers fighting techniques while he practiced. She is loyal to their mother and shares a mothers concern over their youngest brother.
So there be the social pillar. The stories told will add to the discovery/exporation pillar because they are about the Wealdth.
And then we have trolls… Forest Trolls…
These things stink to deep-planes. They are stealthy hunters. But their stink and their stealth will conflict… so they learned the art of distraction. As prey gets close enough to the hidden trolls to smell them, they are often alerted to their presence. The trolls came up with a surprisingly smart tactic… diversion. As a party approaches, two trolls lie in wait to ambush while a third mimics the sound of an Owlbear somewhere nearby. This puts the prey on alert, but not for the forest to come to life on either side and eat them. Unless there is high passive perception, the trolls get the first round.
Before the trolls are dead (and because they have regen, it is unlikely they will die) we will bring in Joloobo the Gnome Soulknife. He has been hunting these three particular trolls for a tenday. He knows their tactics. He even had an early combat encounter with them but was overpowered and ran. He lost them for a while but is just catching up as the party is fighting the trolls on the dark roadway.
Their blood is mine
Joloobo is hunting trolls to harvest their blood.
He hates their presence in “his” forest… but aside from that… he makes a good amount of gold selling their blood to a sprite he knows (and secretly loves). She is an alchemist and makes potions with the troll blood (among other things) and some pretty dangerous poisons as well.
Who is this Sprite?
Rayni Honeywing.
Assuming the combat goes in their favor, Joloobo harvests the trolls. From a small satchel drapped over his small frame, he pulls out a large device of some kind – a little taller than he is even. He plunges it into the corpse of the trolls and the party will see the blood fill up bottle after bottle. Each of which he places carefully back into the satchel of holding.
Joloobo has spent a lot of time alone in the forest. His only social contact is with Rayni, and even it is often awkward. Joloobo is fearless in combat and survival, but timid and shrinking socially.
He asks the party where they are going. If they answer with anything about the Small Teeth or the Tehir Road, he warns them about a young green dragon which has been trying to make a name for itself along the southern side of the Small Teeth. This is important to the next scene… Joloobo finishes off his extraction with some comment about how much gold it will bring. Then he wishes the party well and vanishes into the forest
Next Scene… Joloobo returns when party is somewhere early along the Tethir Way. It occurred to him that the blood of a Green Dragon – especially a young one – would be worth thousands to him. He would like to tag along.. If they get attacked by the green dragon, they all stand better chances fighting together. Maybe some weird comment about their fighting skills be impressive – something awkward though.
[RECAP] You are on your way to Treyvigg Monastery to replenish a supply of Summertide Wine for one of your favorite teachers at Song Moon Temple, where you have lived since you were children. You will spend some extra time there to develop your martials skills with Elder Arrodon. At daybreak today you left temple grounds by way of a magic portal which put you, a couple of horses and a flatbed wagon in the foothills of Starspire Mountains near The Trade Way. As you were traveling North, you witnessed a caravan ahead of you on the roadway being stopped by bandits. You rushed to their aid and fended off the group of Half-Orc bandits calling themselves “Cyrics Cudgel”.
] You arrive in Mosstone later than planned. The lights of the town are already glowing against the night sky. You and the three other wagons you have been traveling with for a better part of the day head straight to Drovers Field – a large enclosed field where caravans can park their wagons – for a small fee of 2 gp a night. The caravan field is patrolled by three attendants, members of the town guard, to help prevent theft. As you arrive, you pay the 2 gp to a Half-Elf attendant and join the others on the far end of the fenced in field. Nim and Norli and Tronk are content to stay with their wagon. The two human female guards say they will go into town to restock some supplies.
Yisi] “We planned on hiring some extra guard here in Mosstone for our travel east along the Small Teeth. We hope to find a room in town for the night, but should that fail, we will camp here. Regardless, we shall see you at first light to continue North?”
] Nim Bragos agrees and wishes you a good night before vanishing within their wagon. As you walk into Mosstone you see many of the shops are closed for the day but Drovers Drink is lively. They have recently expanded the main tavern area… it used to be just little more than a narrow hallway with a bar and a few closet-sized rooms in the back. As you walk by, you see a large number of people within, 30… maybe 40.
Valea] “This one smells a fine mead she must surely try… but first, our business.”
Yisi] “Agreed. Oak Fathers may be a good option too. I could use a helping of Fathers ‘Boon Stew'”
] Because Mosstone is frequently travelled by caravans, much of this north-eastern side of town is setup to meet common needs. The main Mosstone market is on the west side of town, but there is a market square here with all the basic provisionings set close to Drovers Field. There are also booths setup of protection companies where you can hire guard from established groups rather than taking your chances in Drovers Drink. The first booth you happen upon which actually has someone to talk with is a protection guild called Titans Fist Protection Company. The human in the booth introduces himself as Tyneos.
Yisi] “Well met Tyneos. We are looking for two guards for the rest of our trip north and then east along the south side of The Small Teeth. We expect 3, maybe 4 nights to get there.”
] Tyneos “Certainly. We can meet your need. We have several sanctioned defenders available. Will you staying at your destination or will you need protection for your return as well?”
Yisi] “We will be staying at our destination. We need your service to help get us there only.”
] Tyneos “Understood. Standard cost is 10 gold per day per certified guard for active protection. They also need to be paid for their time returning which is half-cost.” He does a little math in his head… “4 days travel and let us say 2 days returning, times 2 guards, that will be 100 gold. Half now, half on your successful destination.”
Valea] “This one is surprised! Such cost?”
] Tyneos “It is standard pricing these days. You could spend more if you want specialized guards such as magic users or healers, but for guards that are handy with a sword or an axe, and are sanctioned, 10 gold per day is common. You might be able to find a lot cheaper mercenaries in Drovers Drink, but you have no guarantee they won’t rob you while you sleep and leave you alone in the wilderness. Titans Fist Protection Company ensures its guards are upstanding and guarantees your satisfaction.”
Yisi] “He does have a point Valea… we came to a business for this very reason. ”
Valea] “Of course pointy-ear… Moggy may want job here someday, that is all.” I smile at Tyneos. “Struck deal yes?”
] You pay Tyneos 50 gold and arrange to meet your guards at the gate into Drovers Field at first light. While in the market, you arrange for some extra basic provisioning, water and rations etc to be delivered as well.
Valea] “Drovers Drink? Or Oak Fathers Boon? This one thinks we are right here and so is Drovers Drink…”
Yisi] “Drovers it is.” I say smiling
] You cross the market square and enter Drovers Last Drink. The tavern is crowded and noisy. Many appear to be locals. Mostly humans but you notice some others as well, several half-elves and dwarves. There is a group of about 8 halflings gathered in the back playing some sort of game with small sticks on a table and there is a loud group across from the bar gambling in a game where they throw a handful of stones against the wall and bet on the result.
Valea] I go to the bar. “This one smells mead she would like to try.”
] Kliosa the Barmaid “That would be Ursa’s Bee Hive you smell. Local to the area. We keep it simmering here – it is best served warm.” She looks to Yisi, and her eyes seem to linger a bit as if attracted to you. “Two Ursa’s?”
Yisi] “Please.” I smile at her, but then turn to look over the room.
] Kliosa “We don’t often see folks with tails in Mosstone. You from across the sea? Maztica I think I’ve heard? Strange stories I’ve heard… like the whole land vanishing for a hundred years… is that really true? They say it just reappeared a few years back. I guess there are stranger things in the realms. Where did it go? Were you there when came back? Oh… And I love your wrap, is that a Calishite design?”
Valea] “This one does not know. Tethyr has been home since I can remember, but yes, I have been told that my kind came from jungle worlds far across sea. Someday Valea would like to…
] As you are speaking to the barmaid, a man runs into the tavern yelling “The attendant is has been killed! We need the guard!” He goes on to explain that he saw several half-orcs in the field and they had just killed one of the field attendants. They were heading towards the wagons, probably to loot them.
Yisi] “Quick! To Nim and Norli!”
] You race out into Drovers Field. Along the way to your own wagons, you witness several others that have been set on fire and groups of half-orcs killing man and beast. As you near your own wagon, you see Tronk trying to combat a group of 6 marauders which have not yet gotten to the wagons.
Valea] I rush in to help Tronk
Yisi] I attempt to cloak myself in shadow to gain some advantage against their numbers.
1d20 Stealth 17 +6 = 23
] You are hidden and can engage your Shadow Shroud
[Initiative]
| Init |
Char |
| 1 |
Valea |
| 2 |
Tronk |
| 3 |
Bandit04 |
| 4 |
Bandit05 |
| 5 |
Bandit06 |
| 6 |
Yisi |
| 7 |
Bandit01 |
| 8 |
Bandit02 |
| 9 |
Bandit03 |
] Tronk attacks one of the half-orc Bandits (5) with his hammer [()]
Valea] I attack one of the Bandits (6) which is behind Tronk to protect if I can.
1d20 Attack 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 4 +5 = 9
1d20 Unarmed Attack 13 +6 = 19 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 + 4 = 7
] You barrage the half-orc with blows, pulling his attention away from Tronk and to you.
] One of the Bandits (4) attempts to smack Tronk with a maul [()] but misses critically and trips over some uneven surface, falling prone. Another (5) attempts to return Tronks damage [()] but also fails to connect with the giant bugbear. The bandit (6) facing Valea strikes [()] but fails to hit.
Yisi] I decide there is no better time to try my new magical sash – Haste. Then I use a bonus action to hamper a Bandit (1) with Serpents Hiss.
[()] Bandit (1) is deafened and poisoned for 3 rounds
] Bandit (1) looks confused as he lifts a crossbow and aims toward Valea [()] he misses critically, sinking a bolt into the Bandit (6) attacking Valea. Another Bandit (2) about 15 feet from Valea attempts to fire their crossbow at her as well [()] and is successful.
Valea] I use my reaction for Deflect Missiles.
1d10 Deflect Missiles 10 + 4 + 3 = 17
] The bolt is well aimed, but you are quick to expect it and bat it away, almost absent-mindedly, with your Basto Stick.
] Another Bandit (3) goes after Tronk with a maul [()] but the attack is blocked. Tronk tries to use the attack to his advantage [()] and drives his hammer into the off-balanced half-orc.
Valea] I attack the Bandit (5) flanking Tronk
1d20 Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 7 + 5 = 12
Valea] and then attempt to kick the Bandit (4) who had fallen prone
2d20a unarmed attack 16 + 6 = 22 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 +4 = 7
2d20a flurry attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 3 +4 = 7 bonus 3 +4 = 7 +7 = 14
] You repeatedly bash and smash the vulnerable half-orc lying on the ground until he stops struggling against you. As you look up from the bloody bandit, you see another group of Half-Orcs running towards you. They are yelling war cries of “Cyrics Cudgel!” as the charge forward.
Yisi] I circle in behind the Bandits (1 & 2) firing crossbow bolts at Valea and from the shadow, I attack with my Trisula
2d20a Attack 17 +7 = 24 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 7 +7 = 14
2d20a Haste Attack 19 +6 = 25 [Hit] | 2d4 Dmg 5 +4 = 9
2d20a Unarmed attack 16 +6 = 22 [Hit] | 1d4 Dmg 4 +4 = 8
] Out of a shadow, your hair-fine needles strike into the back of one of the Bandit and he drops in silence, not that the other half-orc would have heard anything anyhow as he was still deaf when you completed your shadow attack with a snapping side kick into his ear. His neck slams to one side and then bounces back to the other as if being held on only by skin and dead sinew. You see 5 more bandits (7-8-9-10-11) rushing to join the fight against you.
[Initiative Adds]
Bandits 7-10 5
Bandit Captain
] The Bugbear gets a running start at one of the charging Bandits (9) [()] and catches him solid in the hip, causing the Half-orcs body to twist unnaturally. He nearly loses his footing but manages to recover from the blow facing the opposite direction he was running.
Valea] Following Tronks charge, the Bandit he hit now has it’s back to me – I take advantage
2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 6 +4 = 10
] No sooner than the Bandit (9) recover his balance than Valea slams her Basto sticks into him, shattering his spine. Yisi, as you are watching the incoming group of Bandits, you notice one of them hangs back… and as Valea easily drops one of the chargers she begins yelling to others behind him in Orcish.
Yisi] When I see one of the Bandits calling what appear to be orders to the rest, I decide she must be carrying some authority over the marauding murderers… she becomes my next target of attack. Using the extra speed from Haste, I circle the battle area and attempt to use stealth to approach her from behind.
1d20 Stealth 14 +6 = 20 [Success]
2d20a Attack 11 +7 = 18 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 6 +7 = 13
2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 7 +7 = 14
2d20a Flurry 18 +6 = 24 [Hit] 1d4 Dmg 4 +6 = 10
2d20a Flurry 15 +6 = 21 [Hit] 1d4 Dmg 1 +6 = 7
] You manage to approach the Bandit Captain from behind and gain surprise in the round. Your Trisula sink deep into the Half-Orcs flesh beneath or though her studded leather armor. Then you crouch expecting a retaliation swing of her large curved blade but she appears briefly stunned by the sudden pain so you spring up, driving a knee into her rib cage and then coming down with an elbow into the side of her neck. As you land on your feet and prepare for her return assault, you hear a new rush of battle yells – these do not sound orcish but largely human, but you do not turn your eyes away to better understand what is happening.
] A Bandit (7) swings a longsword at Tronk [()] hitting only his armor. Another (8) attempts to flank the Bugbear and gains an advantage [()] and Tronk yells with the pain of the blow. The third (10) confronts Valea with a wild but powerful swing of her maul [()] but you see the attack coming and step forward into the swing beyond where the weapon can even make contact with you. You use the half-orcs wild energy to your own advantage and spin around behind the attacker.
] The Bandit Captain has regained enough of her senses to launch an attack against you Yisi [()] Her scimitar slices through the air in three downward strikes, pushing you back. The first draws some blood as the orcish woman’s speed surprises but you are able to block the remaining attacks with the Trisula held over your forearms.
] Tronk is returning blows to his attacker (7) with his war hammer [()] and gains a critical hit on the bandit, smashing the attacker with a spouting of blood which sprays across the battle area.
Valea] Next Bandit up! (8)
1d20 Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 5 +5 = 10
1d20 Unarmed 9 + 6 = 15
] You engaged one of the remaining Bandits and deal enough damage to stagger the large Half-Orc. You notice that a large group has charged out of the town, many with weapons, some carrying water to put out the fires that are still burning. The Bandit Captain also sees the incoming surge of townsfolk and appears to panic, losing her focus on the current engagement. She yells something in Orcish and then turns to retreat from the combat with Yisi.
Yisi] I take my reaction for opportunity attack
2d20a Attack 18 +7 = 25 [Hit] 2d4 Dmg 2 +7 = 9
] She realizes her mistake a second to late as your black needles slide between her ribs.
] Shaxt “You win. We are running.”
Yisi] I leave one dagger lodged in her ribcase and put the other to her throat. “I feel like at this moment… you are not going to run any farther than I decide to allow. Why did you attack Drovers Field so viciously?!?”
] Shaxt “Three of our fellows were killed today by merchants heading for Mosstone. We sought revenge.”
Yisi] “I killed the Bandits while protecting innocent travelers from your fellows blades. I feel like killing you now will protect even more innocent.”
] Meanwhile the two other bandits turned to run, only one of them successfully. The other has Tronks hammer is his head.
] Shaxt “Let us strike a deal. I can pay well in exchange for my life. Very well.”
Yisi] I force the Bandit Captain to her knees. “What think you Valea, is there a deal to be struck with evil?”
Valea] “Valea thinks not.” I jab my Basto Stick into her other side. “Golden-boy is right, if the innocent shall live, the evil should not.”
Yisi] “What is this Cyrics Cudgel you mongrels keep yelling? You would give The Church of Cyric back its power to torment the realms?”
] Shaxt “Cyric shall return! And Cyrics Cudgel paves his way.”
] Tronk “Tronk hear nuff.” and he swings his hammer like a miner plunging his pick deep into the ground. You are all sprayed with brains and blood. Tronk laughs mockingly in a way that only a Bugbear can.
Valea] “Ahhgg! This one needs a bath now! Moggy hates baths Tronk. She hates them. Look at the mess all over Norli’s beautiful weave. Arrghh!”
] Tronk “Me sorry. Tronk forget sometimes.” He turns towards the wagon “Me sorry Norli.”
Yisi] I pick through the corpse of the Bandit Captain to see what I can find or learn about Cyrics Cudgel.
] You find a pouch with coin totaling 174 gold and several small gems which may be worth twice that each. There is a note written in Orcish. You also find two exotic looking daggers in her belt. The markings on the hilts seem to match those of the scimitar she was wielding. The other Bandit corpses all had small amounts of coin – 143 in total. But not much else of interest.
] Nim “Is it over? Will we live another night Tronk?”
] Tronk “Nim Bragos live! Norli ok?”
] Nim “We are both ok. I would appear we owe you two some more gratitude. Were these the same group of thugs we met on the Trade Way this morning?”
Yisi] “Indeed they were. I had a feeling they would cause us more trouble, I just never expected they would attempt to ravage Drovers Field! It seems they are part of some cult wanting to bring back the Church of Cyric – I have read about them … cult heads will do some brash and stupid things… and cause a lot of death in the process. They used to be a feared and hated presence around Amn before the spellplague. Our First Teacher said that Cyric was actually involved in causing the spellplague and for that was banished from planes for a thousand years. I can’t believe we would even hear his name again, much less have to battle his fanatics.”
] Fires are put out and the bodies of men, Half-orcs, and livestock are moved to the far side of the field. Attendant Guards are doubled for the rest of the night. You sleep under a makeshift tent near your wagon.
[A Note on Notes]
I intend to write a RECAP with each scene, if only because I want to improve my skill with the recap… When reading things it may be unneccessary… I’ve never seen a writer add a recap to the beginning of each chapter… but then this is not a book. TV Shows have a recap at the beginning of each episode. Sometimes it is simply that… a summary of what has happened… but I’ve noticed that shows will often use the recap to hint that some shadow of a plotline is becoming relevant. The review of that brief dialog 4 episodes ago is a strong clue to the fact that it is coming back around in this current episode somehow. While I’m still at the beginning… I figure making a habit of the RECAP is a good thing to continue. I just have to keep it short and pointed… not tiresome.
In this scene, our party reaches Mosstone – a fairly large town on the south side of the Wealdth Forest. A caravan-stop, so it makes sense to add in a field on one side of the town where caravans can park overnight. I invented “Drovers Field” and imagine a large grassy area on the North side of Mosstone that used to be used for sheep and other livestock.
I feel like I really like Mosstone. Maybe is has something to do with the presence of the Druids, or maybe because it overlooks Firedrake Bay. Actually it is hard to tell on the map if you can actually see the bay from anywhere in town… The Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide gives me the impression that the thick forest of the Wealdath is on one side of Mosstone, and a gentle grassy slope descends from the town for a mile or so down to the bay. Much of the trade centers around caravans of merchants and travels heading either North or South along the Trade Way.
It would make sense that you could easily hired a few extra sellswords in town. I’m sure there would be an organized effort to provide trustworthy mercenaries… as least, as much as one might. If you think about it… the typical D&D scenario is… merc walks into a bar, meets with a few other mercs or maybe know each other, but probably not… and then someone comes in saying “I need to hire help, someone good with a blade.” Now let me ask the question… how many such customers end up with the mercs blade in their own gut? Hmm? Yeah – you cannot trust a bastard sellsword in a divey bar now can you… That is why organizations like Titans Fist Protection Company have had success. They certify their mercs to reasonably trustworthy… and customers pay for the assurance. I would…
The Wardens Guild of Heroes Gate (and we are still a distance from Athkatla yet) is founded on this same premise, except in the City of Coin, appearance is gold. You are just not important if you do not have an impressive armed guard on your either side. Trust is paramount because the clientele are, for the most part, insanely wealthy. Marlow Emberjaw has built a solid reputation for being able to provide capable and trustworthy protection services.
There are some in the city, including at least one of the Council of Six, which balk at the idea of a “guild” of mercenary types. Guilds are for artisans, craftsman and the like… the idea of a guild of sellswords is ridiculous in the minds of some. However… Emberjaw has created great success because he treats his protector shields like elite artists. He vets them thoroughly before giving them any important contracts. He also trains them in the art of protection. He himself was a bodyguard of a king for years… the king and himself still live so it stands to reason he knows a thing or two about the business of protecting very important people. (Nevermind that the kind in question would probably have Marlow killed if he thought it was still alive… but that is another set of notes.)
Anyway… in this scene… the party has opportunity to do a little business and have a little rest in divey bar before Cyrics Cudgel returns to gather up the vengeance they promised themselves.
