] An hour ago, you arrived via portal in the foothills of The Starspire Mountains close to The Trade Way. One of your teachers in the Song Moon Temple has asked you to journey to the Treyvigg Monastery to replenish his supply of Summertide Wine. While you are there, a monk named Elder Arrodonn will spend time with you – teaching you martial defensive tactics, which the monastery is renowned for. You are riding in a flat bed wagon being pulled by two horses, one black, one khaki in color. The day is early still and this section of The Trade Way has seen little traffic. Summer is in full affect all around you and the blue sky cheers you as the sun warms your skin. About a league to your left you can see the coastline of Firedrake Bay and even large portions of the forested Dragon’s Neck Peninsula.
] The roadway has curved up and down and turned left and right for the past 10 miles. You are just reaching the crest of an upward slope and you can see the Trade Way starts a long and straight downward stretch. About a half mile ahead of you, you see a small caravan of 3 wagons being pulled by a team of what appear to be oxen. The lead wagon is a wide and tall box carriage. Off the left of the Trade Way, the hillside down to Firedrake Bay steepens – nearly to becoming cliffs. To the right of the roadway for as far as you can see, there is the thick forest of The Wealdath.
] Before you start on the download slope, you notice the caravan ahead has pulled to a stop about 2000 feet ahead of you. There are 4 bandits standing in the roadway in front of the lead wagon. Yisi – you can see that they are all half-orcs with crossbows in their hands.
Yisi] “Bandits!”
Valea] “Already? This one thought the trouble still a day or two away.”
Yisi] “I see 4 of them, but there may be more in the forest. The wagons surely have some guard right? Should we try to help or wait back?”
Valea] “If we don’t help, we will be the next in line to be victims. Better… Valea thinks… to join against bandits yes?”
Yisi] “Agreed” We urge the horses on towards the hold-up.
] As you close to the downhill distance to about half, the action starts up in front of the lead wagon. A large Bugbear has jumped down from the front of the wagon and two other fighters have joined him from the trailing wagons. One falls with two bolts in his chest before he can even engage, the other has drawn a longsword.
Yisi] I pull our horses in behind the last wagon and draw my weapons. “Watch for fire from the right – there should be more than four of them.”
Valea] I also ready weapons and run to join the combat along the left side of the stopped wagons.
[Initiatives]
| Init Roll |
Character |
| 20 |
Guard01 |
| 20 |
Guard02 |
| 19 |
Valea |
| 16 |
Bandit03 |
| 16 |
Bandit03 |
| 09 |
Yisi |
| 08 |
Bugbear |
| 05 |
Bandit01 |
| 05 |
Bandit02 |
] The female guard with the longsword attacks the first Bandit (01) which fired on the other guard [()] but she swings in anger and fails to get through the half-orcs defense. As you approach, you pass by the guard that was felled. He appears to be alive but has two bolts protruding from his chest.
Valea] I join the other guard in attacking the same bandit.
1d20 Attack 15 +7 = 22 [Hit] | Dmg 3 +5 = 8
1d20 unarmed Attack 8 +6 = 14 [Miss]
] You rush in and make solid contact with your Basto Stick, but the attempt to follow-up with a spin kick falls short. The other bandits both focus their crossbow fire on you and the guard. [()] You hear the mechanism of the crossbow and easily dodge the attack, but the guard took a hit, the bolt glancing off of her.
Yisi] I go after the second Bandit (2) on the left side and attack with my Trisula
1d20 Attack 11 +7 = 18 [Hit] |Dmg 4 +7 = 11
1d20 unarmed Attack 16 + 6 = 22 [Hit] | Dmg 3 +6 = 9
] You surprise the Bandit (2) with your speed of movement which puts the half-orc just slightly off balance – which is plenty enough for you to target vulnerable targets with your needle daggers. The tendon connecting his torso to his hips and legs is damaged, causing the huge enemy to double forward. You spring up with a knee to the falling forehead, snapping his neck backwards. The Bandit falls into his death.
] The 9 foot tall Bugbear from the lead wagon goes after one of the right-side bandits (3) [()] successfully drawing blood with an intimidating roar. Both Bandits (3&4) focus on the Bugbear [()] and successfully strike but the giant beast seems unhurt.
] The Guard again attacks the same Bandit (1) [()] dropping him to a knee.
Valea] I use a spinning heel kick to the Bandit (1)
2d20 unarmed Attack 12 +6 = 18 [Hit] | Dmg 4 +4 = 8
] Your heel makes a solid connection to the half-orc’s skull, shaking his brains beyond recovery.
Valea] I run to the other side and attack one of the Bandits engaged with the Bugbear, facing away from me.
2d20a Attack 15 +7 = 22 [Hit] | Dmg 4 +5 = 9
] You leap into the air and bring your Basto Sticks into the backside of the half-orcs neck, snapping it into several pieces. His head flops as his body drops.
] Bandit (4) sees he is now alone and turns to run into the forest, giving the Bugbear an attack of opportunity. [()] The remaining Bandit is hurt but manages to escape into the forest. From the dark foliage, you hear him shout out “Cyrics Cudgel shall be avenged!”
] The Bugbear shakes his warhammer into the sky and roars some frightening response into the wood, then turns back to the wagon.
] Tronk “Nim alive? Norli ok?”
] A three foot tall halfling sticks his head out of the wagon box and looks around.
] Nim “Are we good? Bad guys dead Tronk?”
] Tronk “Bad guys dead.”
] Nim “Oh good. Well done Tronk.”
] The halfling man is nearly naked, wearing just a white silken loin cloth. His hair is long and bleached to bright blonde color. His skin looks sun-baked brown.
] Nim “What have we here? An elf and a cat… Since Tronk is not pulling you apart, I assume you are not with the Bandits.”
] Guard Vedette “They came in from roadway behind us and lept to our aid in perfect time. Guard Varannt has been hurt, I must see to him.”
Yisi] “Well met. My name is Yisi and this is Valea. It is true, we were on the road behind you and saw what was happening.”
] Nim “We extend our thanks. Tronk would have probably crushed them all on his own, but your help made quick work of the fools.” He turns back inside the boxed wagon. “Norli. We have an injured guard, please see what you can do?”
] Another halfing exits from the wagon, a female dressed in blue satin robes. She puts a hand down on the wagon and somersaults off and lands deftly on her little feet. Without saying a word, she goes to the injured guard and covers his wounds with some woven cloth. Then she walks over to Valea and looks you up and down. She touches the Basto Stick in the holster on your outer thigh and then turns and leaps back into the carriage. She returns with two long strips of woven cloth, brown with green knot designs. She holds them out to you. You notice that each of the strips of cloth have an emblem stamped into them that looks like a small bird carrying a weavers knot.
] Nim “Norli would like to express her gratitude with a gift. Don’t be too grateful now Norli… those fetch a nice sum back in Calimport remember?”
] The female halfling hands you one of the strips of cloth and motions for you to raise your hands. She then wraps the long strip around your waist, being careful of your tail. Then she takes the other long strip and wraps it around your back to the front, crossing over your breasts. She a moment and straightens the cloth out. It seems to cling to itself so that it need not be tied down.
] The woven material is enchanted. The top strip grants you immunity to Force damage while you are wearing it (no attunement) and the bottom strip grants you a limited version of Freedom of Movement – while wearing this cloth, you have advantage and a bonus +4 on any saving throws to avoid or escape any sort of grappling, speed reduction, restraint or paralysis. Difficult terrain will not decrease your speed.
Valea] “Valea is very grateful for your gift. These are both beautiful and valuable beyond warrant, this moggie-girl is very pleased to be so graced. Thank you Norli.”
] The halfling then walks over to Yisi and same as before, looks you up and down and touches the weapons at your side. She takes longer than she did with Valea but then brightens and leaps into the wagon, returning with a black sash. She motions to drap it over your head across your chest.
] Nim “Now that one is really far too much Norli. I could have sold that for a thousand gold pieces. And probably a lot more in Baldurs Gate ”
Yisi] “Oh wow… well I agree with Nim, this is far too costly. I can more than be repaid with just a smile from you Norli.” I start to take the sash off.
] Norli smiles at you but stops your hand. She turns and shakes a fist at her brother Nim and then turns back to you, straightening the sash and admiring how it lays across you. This is a magical sash that grants you the Haste spell on yourself once per day while wearing it. (No attunement)
] Nim “Ok fine Norli. You are right… It is yours to do with as you please.” He looks to up you and explains. “Norli is a weaver with a special talent for creating enchanted cloth. I do hope you two feel sufficiently thanked. Norli does not usually interact with others but she seems to have taken some special liking to you. There are very few like her in this world – truly she is the most precious thing you helped to save today. Please forgive my grump?”
Valea] “Valea offers her friendship to the beautiful Norli… and to the grump Nim.”
Yisi] “Any friend of Valea’s is my friend as well. I do suggest we get moving however… the escaping Bandit said something that puzzles me and I think we should remain on high alert. Only four bandits attempted to stop you – I find it odd they would be so foolish to attempt a highjacking with such small numbers. There also seemed to be no leader with them, which tells me they were being brash in what they thought was an opportune moment. Surely this “Cyrics Cudgel” will have higher numbers… and I expect they will be seeking to avenge the three we dropped today.”
] Tronk “Me throw bodies down hill?” he says looking back at Nim.
] Nim “Good thinking Tronk. First let’s gather their weapons and anything we can take to market.”
Yisi] I help loot the bodies, putting the spoils in their wagon, then start dragging the bodies off the cliff.
Valea] I go check on the injured guard.
] Guard Vedette and Guard Varannt are already back on the rear wagon. Varannt appears to be healed but a bit a sluggish.
Yisi] “We plan on making it to Mosstone by nightfall and then the rest of the way thru the Wealdath tomorrow. Can we join your caravan for as far as we share the path?”
] The halfling agrees, quoting some foreign proverb about safety in numbers. They are going all the way to Baldurs Gate. The caravan moves forward toward Mosstone.
[A Note on Notes]
We start with Yisi and Valea in Song Moon Temple. They have been called by one of the senior Teachers of the monastery. He has a mission for them… replenish his wine. It is a journey to the Small Teeth mountains to get the specific wine, but their teacher has something else in mind – progressing their training.
At this monastery, the first ten years of training will progress a student from Novice to Potential Adept. In 5E character terms… Levels 1-3. At Potential Adept, students begin to take on assignments and expeditions outside of the temple, as directed by their Teachers. The Potential must face the real world and its significant challenges in order to reach Adept (5E Level 5).
Each Potential must also begin exploring their creative calling. The martial skill must be balanced in the Potential else they fail to progress, or worse, fall into a brutal character. The savage Potential will not progress to Adept until they can balance out their aggression with art.
Yisi has known for some time that wordplay would be his art. At some point he developed a love of beauty and became fascinated with Sune. He has not, and would not turn his back on Tel’Aestar as the source of life and love, but the Lady Firehair has his attention as the source of beauty. Yisi’s intent is to become a poet, exemplifiying beauty through the written word. There is a trap for him however… he will be tempted to fall into a vain character, which may be worse than a brutal one.
Valea on the other hand, does not know what art she would pursue. She tells her teacher that her “martial prowess will be her art”. Yet she must find balance there. Valea will develop her own forms (like Whispering Fang) that appear as dance and yet have martial application. So she is not being stubborn… “martial prowess” is indeed the creative calling to offset the savage within.
I feel Teacher Solomvar needs more attention. I want him to be a very endearing character. Authoritative and exceedingly wise, but also humorous and light-hearted. Perhaps he is the teacher of Flowing Force – it fits with the idea I have for him.
The basic idea of the Way of Flowing Force is to take the common Monk feats (Flurry of Blows, Deflect Missles, etc) and enhance them. Graceful relaxed movement leads to increased power. Very Tai Chi in essence. I want Teacher Solomvar to exemplify this power from flow.
] You have been summoned to the quarters of Teacher Solomvar. You have heard that he has been teaching at Song Moon Temple ever since its founding just after the Spellplague over a hundred years ago. The two of you have been training at the temple in the Starspire Mountains for over a decade. You both began as wards of the monastery, but became novices when you reached an acceptable age. That was nearly 10 years ago now, and you have advanced through Novice ranks and both recently started wearing the colors of the Potential Adept. Potentials of the Song Moon Temple are sent on a series of assignments by the various teachers to test them and to further develop their skills and abilities. Most Novices begin their assignments with Adept-level teachers, with a final assignment from a Master-level teacher but you have been summoned for your first assignment by a Grandmaster in the monastery, which. The elderly half-elf is standing facing a shelf of books when you enter.
Yisi] Bowing my head I say – “Teacher Solomvar. We were pleased to recive a call from you. How can we serve?”
] Solomvar turns towards you and smiles. “Ah! Yisi and Valea! Just in time! I will soon be in need of more wine. I recently tapped my only remaining cask of Springtide Red and it will be a sad thing to see it dry without a resupply on the way. As our newest Potential Adepts, I think you two would be ideal candidates for the journey required to restock my favorite vintage.”
Valea] “This one would be glad for a journey. Sun is high and sky is blue, a journey for wine would seem just the thing to do yes?”
] Solomvar “Indeed! Just the thing! Your destination is the Treyvigg Monastery in the Small Teeth, nearly 150 miles away. It will require a half a tendays travel. Much of the distance is via the Trade Way… once you clear Tethirs Forest, turn East towards Brost. The monastary is about two or three days travel from there as I recall. You will see the vineyards on the foothills. Should be difficult to miss… but if you arrive in Brost you went well too far… turn around and go back a day.
While you are there… I would like you to spend some time with a young friend of mine – Elder Arrodonn. He is among their very most proficient with defensive techniques… and if you know anything about Treyvigg Monastery – defensive tactics are what they are famous for… well… after their wine. I wish we could grow grapes here in the Starspires… something about elevation prevents it I’m told… but I that is not your concern.
I want you to plan on spending at least two months with Arrodonn. Given his talent for teaching and your talent for learning, that should give you proficiency as Keen Defenders. Then you can return and share your knowledge with the Adepts.”
Yisi] “We are eager to learn, and to teach, these techniques… but that means we will be away a long while. What about your wine?”
] Solomvar “I will just have to be patient then, won’t I? But trust me… the Summertide Red is worth waiting for. Now the journey north along the Trade Way is typically not too dangerous, but once you turn east on Tethir Road, your odds of encountering trouble will increase, and two is a small number compared to what may be waiting for you. If I were you, I would hire some extra blades when you pass through Mosstone.
Now… have any commitments you need to see through before you depart?”
Valea] “Only our daily tasks. We can be ready to leave at first light.”
] Solomvar “Perfect. I was hoping you had not already been called on by other teachers. They will get their turn… but you know Teacher Solomvar is getting old… I am glad to have your first service as Potentials.
Now go see Steward Faramond about getting the portal ready to open to the Trade Way. You will need some horses and a flatbed wagon. See Steward Kymma about provisions and some healing potions in case you need any.
Oh… and you will need some gold. I can attend to that chore right now.”
] He digs in a chest in the corner and drops a heavy bag in your hands. The contents are entirely gold coins. You estimate about 300 gp by the weight of it.
] Solomvar “The wine will cost 150gp, pay them 200gp instead. Use the rest as you need to. Treyvigg will provide your lodging while you are visiting students, but who knows what other expenses might confront you.”
Yisi] “Thank you Teacher Solomvar. And thank you for opportunity to increase our martial skill. To study with Elder Arrodonn promises to be a great privilege.”
] Solomvar “Oh indeed it is. We have had a long-standing agreement to cross train our Adepts, years now we have been discussing this actually, but I was waiting for the right Potetials to send. I am confident I have found them. Arrodonn may send others back with you to train here for a time. It would be ideal timing actually, so please offer the invite when the time comes.”
Valea] “We will be certain to do so. This one has not been beyond our mountain here, or anywhere near the Trade Way since she was very young. What kinds of dangers are we likely to meet with?”
] Solomvar “That is a long list… as long as your tail I am afraid… but you both have the skills to confront most of what you may find. I probably don’t need to say it… avoid the Dragons. There are a few known to live in the Small Teeth. You may encounters beasts or bandits – be smart about engaging. You could likely take twice your number in the average roadway bandit, but there are times when the best way to prove your courage is to run away and fight another day yes?”
Yisi] “Arise my battlefield! Unless you best sleep. Face me my foe! Unless you be certain of my woe.”
] Solomvar chuckles “Yes, something along those lines Yisi. Have you ever given thought to picking up a musical instrument?”
Yisi] “Thought? … yes… but while I enjoy the sound the music, it would seem I find little joy in the making of it. I have, however, been spending time with the temple scribes to learn how to work with ink.”
] Solomvar “Ink you say… yes, I suppose verse has a place on parchment as much as on a bards tongue. There is a certain wizard I know near Waterdeep who has perfected the art of enchanting her calligraphy. Nallasa Myst is her name. She is an accomplished poet… She is also a Firbolg and largely keeps herself to herself but I might be able to persuade her to spend some time with you. She would be difficult to learn from I expect, but I think truly… enchanting your verse could become the grand art of your life Yisi. I will try to reach Nallasa in the Ardeep Forest while you are gathering my wine.”
Valea] “This one prefers to hear the fancy words of my knife-ear, they are already magic to Valea.”
] Solomvar “Oh, he would still speak them. As I understand the enchantment, the reading aloud of words written with enchanted ink is like a wizards spell scroll, except that you do not need to be a trained wizard for the enchantment to work. Much depends on the ingredients within the ink itself, and the calligraphy skill of the inker.”
Yisi] “I would very much like to learn the skill Teacher Solomvar. I am grateful you would attempt to make it possible.”
] Solomvar “Nallanemys is the name some know her by. She introduced herself to me as simply Nallasa. She had been around a long time when I first met her – and that was before the spellplague. We have maintained correspondence because we share a love of good wine. In fact, that may be all that is needed to convince her to teach you… a cask of Summertide Red. Best order 8 casks from Treyviggs… just to be prepared.” He digs another 100 gp out of a pouch and hands it to you. “Here, this should do. Please be generous with the monks of Treyvigg – they are certainly generous themselves and deserve some returned upon them.”
Yisi] “Certainly. We will ensure it. Thank you Teacher Solomvar .”
] Solomvar “Now Valea… I have been thinking about you as well. Now that you are an Potential Adept, the world outside our walls are open to you. Yisi has been developing his art with poetry, but I have yet to learn where your art may be found.”
Valea] “Valea thinks martial prowess to be her art.”
] Solomvar, smiling… “So it is my feline friend, and you have certainly pursued it as such. I trust you will continue to as well – the power of an Adept is impressive, but you have the talent to move on to mastery – you both do. Your martial ability needs to be balanced however. This will become more apparent as you progress – in fact… without some art to provide this balance, mastery often hides from one seeking it. Yisi balances the physical with his verse, but there are many ways to accomplish this in our world. I want you to think on this while you journey Valea.”
Valea] “This one will do as her teacher enjoins. She is grateful for such wisdom.”
] Solomvar “Good good. You have a long journey calling you. Set things in order and sleep long tonight – it will be a long time before you have the peace of your chamber again – appreciate it, but do not cling to it. You venture into a time where gentle peace will be elusive. Even while you board with the monks at Treyvigg, you must not relax your guard until you return home. Now off with you before I teach you another lesson you did not ask for.”
Next scene >
