Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
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Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
As the game begins you lot have spent the last week uneventfully traveling around Therund purchasing trade goods for the journey north. You now find yourselves in the hamlet of Greenleaf, having just passed a peaceful night in the hamlet's one and only inn The Snooty Crow.
The headman of the village is an old human named Loras Oakleaf and he was friendly enough once you showed your gold and stated your business. But then why wouldn't he be? His family owns all the businesses in town. Greenleaf is built around the Snooty Crow, the hamlet's inn and tavern, a blacksmith's shop run by Loras' brother-in-law, and a general store called Lynnette's Sundries, run by Loras' wife Judy.
You have now passed a quiet and comfortable night at the inn and have awoken at first light to the smell of breakfast wafting from the kitchen. Lucky for you the inn can accommodate the whole of your party, it only took the promise that you'd be checked out good and early as Loras is expecting clients by noon. Loras runs the inn with his two daughters, Mina and Loretta. His wife owns and operates the general store next door while his son-in-law (and Mina's husband) Mert runs the smithy. Please take this time to introduce your character and get an idea of who everyone else is.
The tavern room: Loras is behind the bar getting plates and silverware ready. He's a tall and skinny man, unbowed by his 58 years of life out in the boonies of Therund. His dark brown hair is shot through with gray highlights, giving him a distinguished look despite his twice patched clothes. The bar itself is all hard woods, clean and lovingly maintained. The same fire that was burning last night continues in the great fireplace, though nowhere near as high now that the sun has risen.
Laughter and the sounds of food preparation come from the kitchen, no doubt Loras' wife and daughters cooking the morning fair.
The only other person in the bar is your fellow travel companion, Zoe.
The cheerful half-elf red head has claimed the large table next to the fireplace, no doubt trying to fight off the cold of the northern climate considering she is sitting closest to the fireplace. She'll smile and wave to any of the party she sees.
Zoe is tall for a woman, 5'10' easy, but she's also immensely graceful, likely due to her elven ancestry though Zoe herself is quick to laugh off this idea. Her favorite food is grilled salmon. Her favorite color is green. She's a cleric of Avandra, the goddess of luck, trade, and travel and by walking in the footsteps of her god, The Wanderer in the World, she can find a path anywhere, so long as no one cares about always taking the most direct or safest route.
You guys have known her for 2 or 3 years in passing, but this is the first time she's worked with you. She considers you all friendly acquaintances, except for Jojo, who she considers more of a cousin she doesn't know very well.
- Map of the Nerathi Heartlands:
The headman of the village is an old human named Loras Oakleaf and he was friendly enough once you showed your gold and stated your business. But then why wouldn't he be? His family owns all the businesses in town. Greenleaf is built around the Snooty Crow, the hamlet's inn and tavern, a blacksmith's shop run by Loras' brother-in-law, and a general store called Lynnette's Sundries, run by Loras' wife Judy.
You have now passed a quiet and comfortable night at the inn and have awoken at first light to the smell of breakfast wafting from the kitchen. Lucky for you the inn can accommodate the whole of your party, it only took the promise that you'd be checked out good and early as Loras is expecting clients by noon. Loras runs the inn with his two daughters, Mina and Loretta. His wife owns and operates the general store next door while his son-in-law (and Mina's husband) Mert runs the smithy. Please take this time to introduce your character and get an idea of who everyone else is.
- Your Lifestyle:
- There is no need to pay for room and board for the next month as you have all had your lifestyle expenses paid by the Golden River Trading Company, whom you are all employed by. You all rate a "Comfortable" lifestyle, giving you access to clean rooms, good food, and money to maintain your equipment with. You rub shoulders with merchants, skilled tradespeople, and military officers; so people who are influential and connected. Keep that in mind when playing.
FYI: So long as you continue to work for the Golden River Trading Company I'll continue to wave the normal 60gp fee requirement to maintain the Comfortable lifestyle.
The tavern room: Loras is behind the bar getting plates and silverware ready. He's a tall and skinny man, unbowed by his 58 years of life out in the boonies of Therund. His dark brown hair is shot through with gray highlights, giving him a distinguished look despite his twice patched clothes. The bar itself is all hard woods, clean and lovingly maintained. The same fire that was burning last night continues in the great fireplace, though nowhere near as high now that the sun has risen.
Laughter and the sounds of food preparation come from the kitchen, no doubt Loras' wife and daughters cooking the morning fair.
The only other person in the bar is your fellow travel companion, Zoe.
- Zoe:
The cheerful half-elf red head has claimed the large table next to the fireplace, no doubt trying to fight off the cold of the northern climate considering she is sitting closest to the fireplace. She'll smile and wave to any of the party she sees.
Zoe is tall for a woman, 5'10' easy, but she's also immensely graceful, likely due to her elven ancestry though Zoe herself is quick to laugh off this idea. Her favorite food is grilled salmon. Her favorite color is green. She's a cleric of Avandra, the goddess of luck, trade, and travel and by walking in the footsteps of her god, The Wanderer in the World, she can find a path anywhere, so long as no one cares about always taking the most direct or safest route.
You guys have known her for 2 or 3 years in passing, but this is the first time she's worked with you. She considers you all friendly acquaintances, except for Jojo, who she considers more of a cousin she doesn't know very well.
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Class: Red Mage
Race: Elf
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Carlos yawns as he makes his way to the bar. He blinks a few times as he looks around, stroking his epic beard, then decides to join Zoe by the fire.
"¡Ah, buen dia, Zoe!" - he greets, still a bit drowsy - "¿Mornin' chill always the mood killer, eh?"
"¡Ah, buen dia, Zoe!" - he greets, still a bit drowsy - "¿Mornin' chill always the mood killer, eh?"
K- Posts : 3138
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Kathryn Amblecrown walks down the stairs and slowly drags her feet to the table Zoe and Carlos are sitting at. A quick look at her face is enough to infer that she dislikes having to wake up so early in the morning, and if it wasn't for Loras' condition for their stay here, she would still be sleeping. She has somehow managed to put her chainmail armor on, but that feat alone usually takes at least fifteen minutes, which must be why her long white hair is still disheveled; she just can't be bothered to put on her clothes and worry about her appearance. Not at this hour.
Her thin human frame might fool a few people, but any swordsman with an experienced eye would quickly figure out that she's got quite the musculature underneath that shell of metal. She might look intimidating to some right now, if she wasn't so tired. She makes her way to the table where some of her party members are seated, plops down next to Zoe, rests her head on the cleric's arm and closes her eyes.
"Hi..."
Her thin human frame might fool a few people, but any swordsman with an experienced eye would quickly figure out that she's got quite the musculature underneath that shell of metal. She might look intimidating to some right now, if she wasn't so tired. She makes her way to the table where some of her party members are seated, plops down next to Zoe, rests her head on the cleric's arm and closes her eyes.
"Hi..."
- Kathryn Amblecrown:
Last edited by Zeiss on Sun Mar 05, 2017 1:24 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Howdy friends. So, can't ya hide how raring to go ya are, being up so early eh?", Joshua scratches his thin-bearded chin with a confident smile while he light jests with his fellow travelers for their sleepy faces. His rough speech is usually reserved for those who are more familiar to him, as the party has seen him speaking perfectly good and polite Nerathi and Elven before, and he's known for his dwarven jokes from time-to-time.
"To tell ya'll the truth, couldn't get much a sleep last night. The moment we leave this village and go north, this Jojo will be the furthest from home he's ever been.", confessed the blue-eyed merchant, grabbing a stool and briefly testing it for stability before moving it closer to the fire and sitting down himself. He takes off his traveler's hat and slowly passes his hand through his shoulder-length black hair while crossing his legs in a classy manner, almost as if he's showing off his rugged good looks to someone, but the party knows from experience that's not the case: he's feeling a little nervous right now and this involuntary act seems to be one of the ways he has coping with it.
"To tell ya'll the truth, couldn't get much a sleep last night. The moment we leave this village and go north, this Jojo will be the furthest from home he's ever been.", confessed the blue-eyed merchant, grabbing a stool and briefly testing it for stability before moving it closer to the fire and sitting down himself. He takes off his traveler's hat and slowly passes his hand through his shoulder-length black hair while crossing his legs in a classy manner, almost as if he's showing off his rugged good looks to someone, but the party knows from experience that's not the case: he's feeling a little nervous right now and this involuntary act seems to be one of the ways he has coping with it.
Essoje- Posts : 1136
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Class: Fighter 6/ Dragoon 1/ Green Aberrant 1
Race: Fairy(?)
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Indeed, Carlos. Ningún lugar en la vida es más triste que una cama vacía," Zoe sighs and shivers, "But fire will do and it's less hassle and more reliable besides."
She welcomes Kat with a hug, happy at the chance to siphon off some of the northern woman's heat even as she gives her a place to lay her head. Not a bad deal at all.
Zoe waves one hand excitedly at Jojo, happy that he has decided to sit next to her. "Yes Jojo but think of all the new people we'll meet and the new places we'll see! And the money we can make! And not even Algus has been this far north in 20 years or more. I've got a good feeling about all this."
She welcomes Kat with a hug, happy at the chance to siphon off some of the northern woman's heat even as she gives her a place to lay her head. Not a bad deal at all.
Zoe waves one hand excitedly at Jojo, happy that he has decided to sit next to her. "Yes Jojo but think of all the new people we'll meet and the new places we'll see! And the money we can make! And not even Algus has been this far north in 20 years or more. I've got a good feeling about all this."
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Class: Red Mage
Race: Elf
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Zoe wrote:"Indeed, Carlos. Ningún lugar en la vida es más triste que una cama vacía,"
"Ay niña, corazon me duele." - he acknowledges with a sad smile, then sees Kat come in and nestle in with Zoe, and can't help but slump, one arm placidly supporting his face - "Oy Katita, that just not fair. ¿How's a poor ol' dwarf to ever get the will to get up and hit the road now?" - he teases amicably in a low voice - "Even Jo's starting have second thoughts." - he lightly jabs his nervous companion - "¡And he was so excited before, you'd think he'd hop onto a catapult and launch himself all the way to The Stonemarch!"
K- Posts : 3138
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Hah! Take this Jojo is no fool or coward, for he's going to make some good honest coin from this trip, with a pinch of adventure on the side. The bother here is Flaming Lips' condition, see?"
Jojo brings his right hand to his face to hide it as his posture changes as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, his tone shows he's holding himself from openly crying, "Poor bastard never looked so tired as yesterday, and there's the long road ahead north. These eyes tear up just thinking about it... His eyes looking at me, as if asking... 'Hold! What you are doing to me is wrong! Why do you do this thing?' Oh, Flaming Lips! Please forgive this greedy, foolish man..."
Jojo brings his right hand to his face to hide it as his posture changes as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders, his tone shows he's holding himself from openly crying, "Poor bastard never looked so tired as yesterday, and there's the long road ahead north. These eyes tear up just thinking about it... His eyes looking at me, as if asking... 'Hold! What you are doing to me is wrong! Why do you do this thing?' Oh, Flaming Lips! Please forgive this greedy, foolish man..."
Essoje- Posts : 1136
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Class: Fighter 6/ Dragoon 1/ Green Aberrant 1
Race: Fairy(?)
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
As you begin talking among yourselves, you all see Hunter enter the commons in his casual uniform on top of his leather. Alert and flashing a morning grin to all of you before he serves himself some food, he momentarily glances down at something small and shiny in his hand before shoving it into his pocket - gently. His boots and vest are fastened with clasps or buckles and lined with fur (of a rich brown), and a belt is looped in his trousers to hold them taut.
He sits down briskly at the same table as the rest of you and blows on his hands to warm them with his breath. Although the tiefling's not one to get a chill in temperate weather, he nevertheless feels winter's breath on the land same as the rest of you.
"Friends, good morning. Are we awake yet?" he asks, getting in a mouthful of food to start him off while you respond. He looks like the mirror opposite of Kathryn.
He sits down briskly at the same table as the rest of you and blows on his hands to warm them with his breath. Although the tiefling's not one to get a chill in temperate weather, he nevertheless feels winter's breath on the land same as the rest of you.
"Friends, good morning. Are we awake yet?" he asks, getting in a mouthful of food to start him off while you respond. He looks like the mirror opposite of Kathryn.
Rory- Posts : 4063
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"I'm getting there, but unhappily. Jojo was just telling us of the plight of Flaming Lips. Truly a sad tale of a lazy mule's life interrupted by greed most vile." She smiles at Jojo's absurd scenario.
Plates of hot food for the rest of party are brought to the table by Mina and Loras--scrambled eggs, toast, and two kinds of sausage one hot and one sweet. Loras asks, "Can I get any of you tea or some warm apple cider?"
"I'll take the tea, two lumps of sugar thank you."
Plates of hot food for the rest of party are brought to the table by Mina and Loras--scrambled eggs, toast, and two kinds of sausage one hot and one sweet. Loras asks, "Can I get any of you tea or some warm apple cider?"
"I'll take the tea, two lumps of sugar thank you."
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Take advantage of Loras' hospitality," he replies warmly. "You'll be right back to normal after a hearty breakfast."
"Make it up to him, Joshua. A little sugar will go a long way. Just as long as it's 'a little'."
"Tea for me, one lump." Hunter answers before biting a hot sausage. He proceeds to make an egg sandwich with two pieces of toast.
"Make it up to him, Joshua. A little sugar will go a long way. Just as long as it's 'a little'."
"Tea for me, one lump." Hunter answers before biting a hot sausage. He proceeds to make an egg sandwich with two pieces of toast.
Rory- Posts : 4063
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Sugar, eh?", considers Jojo, already between bites of his toast and egg serving, his worries vanishing just like that. Or maybe that was a just tall tale and he's a good actor? Probably a mix of the two.
"I'll have to remember that. Sugar. Huh. Ah, Mister Loras, do you have a little bit of cinnamon I could have on my cider?"
"I'll have to remember that. Sugar. Huh. Ah, Mister Loras, do you have a little bit of cinnamon I could have on my cider?"
Essoje- Posts : 1136
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Kathryn finally let go of Zoe's arm, groans a little, and stares at the plate of food that is sitting in front of her. This seems to wake her up a little. She happily grabs a fork and starts to dig in, starting with one of the sweet sausages, but one mouthful is enough to make her wince; the white-haired woman then moves all of her sweet sausages over to Zoe's plate. She prefers the spicy ones a lot more.
"I'll just have some water, thanks."
"I'll just have some water, thanks."
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Loras nods after memorizing each order. "My wife enjoys pumpkin pie in the fall and I believe we should still have a supply of dry cinnamon. Back in two shakes of a lamb's tail." The party has barely returned to making small talk before Loras and his daughters start setting down the drinks. The process is orderly, efficient, and above all accurate, easily the kind of service you'd expect from a high end inn servicing the nobility and rich merchants in a much larger community. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Carlos smiles amicably - "So long as the fire keeps crackling, señor, i'm one happy dwarf."
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Mmm-hmm," acknowledges a pleased Loras before walking back to the bar. Villagers start coming in while you guys eat, saying their greetings to Loras and his family before buying a plate of food and drink and sitting together in ones or twos carrying on hushed and tired early morning conversations.
"I was asking Loras about what kind of trouble we can expect up ahead. He said the usual trouble from Daggerburg with goblin-mounted warg patrols, wolf packs, and the occasional bear or owlbear but he also said we'll have to watch out for some crazy druids and the Harken Treants. He said we should be fine if we don't light any torches or cut any trees."
"I was asking Loras about what kind of trouble we can expect up ahead. He said the usual trouble from Daggerburg with goblin-mounted warg patrols, wolf packs, and the occasional bear or owlbear but he also said we'll have to watch out for some crazy druids and the Harken Treants. He said we should be fine if we don't light any torches or cut any trees."
- Hunter and Kathryn:
- The crazy druids that Zoe just mentioned are the Harken's Heart druid circle. In Harkenwold they are known as elven extremists when it comes to the woods, so much so we'd call them eco-terrorists in modern times. It is rumored their activities are limited to the woods due to a curse.
- Hunter:
- The Harkenwold Rangers spend much of their time trying to contain and limit the Harken's Heart druid circle and the Harken Treants mischief beyond the borders of their woods, though the rangers are nominally allied with both groups against outside threats like the Daggerburg Goblins.
The origin of the curse as your uncle told it is this: A millennia ago war broke out between the Treants of the Winterbole forest and the Treants of the Harken Forest. The Harken's Heart druids joined the fighting on the side of Harken Treants but the group's ruthlessness and its central and violent role in the conflict shocked the Vale's other druids. After the war ended, a powerful druid master named Eyton cursed the Harken's Heart druids, severing them from their primal power source.
Angered by Eyton's actions, yet fearing the intense power required to accomplish the severing, the Harken's Heart druids appealed to the goddess Melora for aid. If Melora heard the call, she only partially acceded to the druid's pleas. The spell was altered and became known as Harken's Curse. While within Harken Forest, those of Harken's Heart retain their full powers, including their ability to defend themselves and their forest. However, their powers quickly decline when they leave the forest's boundaries, and dissipate completely a league outside it's borders. To this day they seek to end the curse.
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Class: Red Mage
Race: Elf
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Of course." Hunter shakes his head and rolls his white eyes behind closed lids. "We'd better make sure we have enough food to last us through the forest. I can find out if there are any rangers passing through who can join us."
Rory- Posts : 4063
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Well, just make sure to be nice to madre natura." - Carlos muses between bites of his yummy breakfast - "And no need for torches when we got mis ojos."
K- Posts : 3138
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
- OOC:
- Are there any other actions people want to take before we move along?
So far we have:
1. Try to make contact with a local ranger for support.
2. Buy enough rations to cover the journey. Assuming absolutely nothing goes wrong you are looking at a 10 day trip.
Kolson- Posts : 2790
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Wait," says Kathryn. "If we use their forest like a bathroom, will the druids consider this like some sort of vandalism?"
She seems genuinely worried.
She seems genuinely worried.
- OOC:
- Oh, nothing comes to mind. I'm good to go.
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Carlos freezes, then his fork holding arm falls dead on the table. His casual cheery mood effectively murdered.
- ooc:
- Good to go here too.
K- Posts : 3138
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Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
"Uh...what? No. I would assume that anything goes as long as it's something an animal would do in the wild, aside from disturbing nature, using fire or hunting animals. Still, best tread lightly."
No joking or attempt to spook anyone, Hunter is complete serious-face.
"They call themselves Harken's Heart, and they're not the only druids in Harken Forest. They sided with the less-crazy treants of the forest in an ancient feud against the Winterbole Forest treants once upon a time. If we could convince one of the not-Heart druids to journey with us through the forest, that would be more helpful if we run into the Harken's Heart."
[Yeah, I'm ready.]
No joking or attempt to spook anyone, Hunter is complete serious-face.
"They call themselves Harken's Heart, and they're not the only druids in Harken Forest. They sided with the less-crazy treants of the forest in an ancient feud against the Winterbole Forest treants once upon a time. If we could convince one of the not-Heart druids to journey with us through the forest, that would be more helpful if we run into the Harken's Heart."
[Yeah, I'm ready.]
Rory- Posts : 4063
Join date : 2013-02-12
Age : 33
Location : Iowa, US
Character sheet
Elemental Affinity: Earth
Class: Barbarian Pugilist(5/3)
Race: Human
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Joshua continued to drink his cider through the whole thing, although his face showed he could have continued his meal better without Kat's comment, "Leaving them details to ya, Hunter. Ye the best skilled man for what we trying this next step of the trek. Just know this Jojo has yer back when needed, just say the word."
As if noticing something, he continues talking, "Right, right. Forgot to get some extra grub for a small trek once and had enough for the journey. Some soldiers on the road 'just doing their work' made this Jojo and Flaming Lips work on a empty stomach for the next 3 days. Never again. Gonna grab about thirteen days of supplies before we leave, I reckon you beauts do the same."
As if noticing something, he continues talking, "Right, right. Forgot to get some extra grub for a small trek once and had enough for the journey. Some soldiers on the road 'just doing their work' made this Jojo and Flaming Lips work on a empty stomach for the next 3 days. Never again. Gonna grab about thirteen days of supplies before we leave, I reckon you beauts do the same."
- OOC:
- So yeah, 13 days of supplies pls.
Alright, sheit hit the fan IRL, new GFX card arrived but my monster PC broke a few hours before arrival, very sadface. I'm stressed and don't have much as much free time because work is back.
So the heads up is that I'll try to keep posting regularly but the posts are probably going to suffer until I have all this solved (ASAP hopefully).
Essoje- Posts : 1136
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Class: Fighter 6/ Dragoon 1/ Green Aberrant 1
Race: Fairy(?)
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Excusing himself, Hunter leaves the group to make contact with what he hopes is the local ranger.
Hunter meets the party at the wagon to tell them what he learned.
@Essoje Do you mind if I NPC you for some stuff? I want to keep up our momentum.
- Making Contact with the Harkenwold Rangers:
- Mentally calling upon his uncle's training in the way of the Harkenwold Rangers, Hunter quickly identifies three spots in the landscape where a hidden cabin would likely be. Judging by the distance from town, he picks the location to the north since it would be close enough to the road to monitor it while still far away enough from town to give the ranger some privacy.
Hiking up the road with no special precautions, Hunter comes upon a flock of dire turkeys, the adults half the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, slowly and ponderously attempting to cross the road. He draws his bow and tries to make his way around them into the woods but attracts the attention of one of the males. For every quiet step he makes, his new turkey friend makes a loud gobble, gobble or crashes into a nearby tree with its enormous bulk. He finally decides to shoo it away, which works in ridding him of the beast.
Determined to not be caught at a disadvantage again, the ranger takes to stealthing his way to where he hopes the ranger's cabin is. And it is there. Spying on the cabin he sees that it's the typical ranger layout--single story, divided into two bedrooms and a kitchen/dining area. From movement in the kitchen window he knows someone is home.
Hunter walks up to the door and knocks. He is greeted by silence for the next few seconds but finally hears an old woman say to no one in particular, "Who's that knocking on my door I wonder. Are they lost? Or perhaps an orc? It's been an age since I killed an orc..." The figure within walks heavily to the door and opens it. A gray haired old woman in hunting leathers stands staring at the tiefling. Her eyes are two black orbs, like coal with no whites. Her hands are on two sharp looking short swords, still in their hooks. "Not an orc I see, but a devil. What brings you to my door red one?"
Hunter folds his arms. Just you wait, old woman. "Straight to the point, then. My friends and I are about to make our way through the Harken Forest and I'm out here looking for a Harken Ranger who will accompany us."
"He looks to walk with a Harken Ranger but does not ask to walk with her. The young, the young. Why do you seek the northern road? Tis not safe these days."
"We're going up to help out a business in Fallcrest. We're all capable. It's the druids we want to be extra careful to avoid. How about you? I assume you're out here alone because you can still handle yourself. We've not much in the way of coin, so if there's something we can do for you, name it."
"For me? He knows not my name and offers he makes, hoping for trust. But no lies do I sense in him." She hasn't said no or yes and isn't angry.
"My name's Hunter. What's yours?"
"Ludmilla ex Vistani." Her face wrinkles up as she smiles at you. "Hunter is a good name for you, you chose well. But I grow tired of talking like this. Come, join me for tea and let me ask you some more questions." The hands she held ready to her weapons disappear as an illusion spell melts away. It reveals that her weapons were in hand the entire time, ready to gut Hunter if events had shifted into conflict. She places them back into the hangers at her waist.
Hunter watches her re-sheathe her weapons. Crafty. "I suppose I could have another cup."
The layout of the cabin is just like your uncle's, right down to the smell. The only difference is in the few personal effects that the woman Ludmilla keeps. There's a massive horn as long as your arm, mounted to the wall. Strange symbols and markings have been etched into it and the faint smell of the grave permeates the area it is in. Propped against the wall is a strange kind of lute you have never seen before. It's clearly seen some use but it's well maintained.
Meanwhile Hunter wracks his brain for information about Ludmilla's name. He recalls that the Vistani are a strange people that travel about, settling nowhere. They have a reputation for knowing things they shouldn't know, and are often blamed for ill fortune or theft. Her eyes and mode of speaking also attest to this origin and yet she names herself ex Vistani, meaning she is no longer of that people. Very interesting.
Hunter takes a seat in the chair across from the old ranger. "Something smells off about that horn."
"Tis off a beast from the Shadowfell. It will never smell right."
The Shadowfell, the plane of the dead. "Who gave it to you?"
"No one gave it to me, boy. I slew the creature it belonged to!" She cackles as she pours tea for both of them. "Pray you never meet its like. It will hunt you for sport and devour your soul." She sets out the tea and takes a seat.
Hunter responds by sipping his tea. "So, you had questions for me?"
She takes a sip. "Aye. Who trained you?"
"My uncle."
Ludmilla's eyebrow climbs so high Hunter wonders if it will fly from her face and attack him. He quickly responds with his uncle's full name. "Yorenan of the Woodsinger Clan."
The old woman nods in understanding when Hunter finally mentions Yorenan. "I remember seeing you from afar back when you two were thick as thieves. I was surprised you didn't join up."
"I needed training to pursue a goal. What's with the dark eyes?"
"One is Vistani by ritual, not by blood, though there is that too. Becoming one of the people marks you as you can see."
"Why did you become Vistani?"
"I was born into it. My family was Vistani for generations." A tinge of regret accompanies those words. She sips her tea again. "Why do you believe your skills insufficient to travel through the woods? Did your uncle not teach you well?"
"What we need is a go-between for the druids. I don't want to raise hackles by stepping on an errant twig and having them show up out of nowhere demanding recompense. I figured a real ranger who makes a living policing them could be our buffer. Maybe even a treant, who knows. I don't know how likely we are to run into the crazy ones who call themselves the Harken's Heart."
"Not so likely here but more likely as you go. You won't be clear until 5 days journey and you won't be safe until you leave the woods."
"And they won't pursue us because of the curse."
"Yes, unless they really hate you. But no ranger would be that foolish, yes?"
"I don't aim to be." Hunter sips his tea.
"I cannot go with you. I'm needed here. However, I can take you part way. You'll just need to help me with a small errand."
"Okay..."
"To the east of here a great horde of gnolls attacked the dwarven fortress city of Mithralfast. The dwarves broke the heart of the horde but we are coordinating with them to catch the stragglers. As you no doubt remember from your training not one gnoll can be allowed to flee or the horde will be reborn within the year. Everyone is involved. The rangers, the druids, the treants, and the elven clans."
"So, you want to recruit me. Is that it?"
"You could say that. There's a cave network not far from here. Some, "friends," have a troop of them cornered there." The way she lingers on the word friends makes it clear she considers them nothing of the sort. "They have closed off the exits but refuse to enter on religious grounds."
"So it's only a matter of time before they break out. But why would your 'friends' let us through if they're afraid of violating the sanctity of their holy place?"
"Remember the curse?"
"Okay...I don't follow."
"The cavern complex is the last resting place of Eyton the Hierophant who placed the curse on the Harken's Heart druids in the first place. They dare not enter his sacred grove, even as they would never leave it to be despoiled by gnolls."
"Oh! Oh, I see. We might even be able to kill two birds with one stone."
"Yes, show that you are helpful and the Harken's Heart will have no reason to harry you."
"Well, I really hope we can work something out with them. I'll tell my friends, and if they like this plan, we'll pass by again on our way there. But before I go, I have another question for you."
"Shoot."
"You know my uncle, but why the interest in me? I'm doing alright by myself."
The old lady shrugs. "You are as close to being one of us as you can be without actually joining. If you ever change your mind, we are always on the lookout for accomplished warriors."
Hunter's eyes move like one moves their eyes when reading, thinking. "Thank you for the offer. And thank you for the tea."
"Of course. See you later, though sooner is better."
He nods on his way out but stops to listen within the cabin before he leaves.
"A fine young man to share tea with though only half finished. And isn't that a fine reading all its own? I can see why ye like him, Ava." A moment of silence and the old woman laughs like someone just told a joke. "I be too old for such thoughts and ye are older besides!"
Hunter meets the party at the wagon to tell them what he learned.
@Essoje Do you mind if I NPC you for some stuff? I want to keep up our momentum.
Last edited by Kolson on Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
Kolson- Posts : 2790
Join date : 2013-02-12
Age : 44
Location : California
Character sheet
Elemental Affinity: Dark
Class: Red Mage
Race: Elf
Re: Prologue: To Boldly Go Where People Have Not Been in a Good Long While!
Having also bought 13 days worth of grub, Carlos listens to the story. - "Hah, la horda piensa que puede atacar los montañeses y salirse con la suya." - he chuckles - "I wouldn't mind me a little straight up rumble tumble if it'll save us trouble in el bosque later. Nasty terrain to be at disadvantage; bad for the nervios, you know."
Last edited by K on Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
K- Posts : 3138
Join date : 2013-02-12
Character sheet
Elemental Affinity: Air
Class: Monk
Race: Human
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