Short bit of text for the party: Interlude: A small respite:
It was an unpleasant quiet that surrounded the camp and thankfully the woods were quiet and free of the cries of an Ork pursuit. Giving the party time to hunker down to catch their breath, bind their wounds and plan their next steps.
Nobody seemed eager to disturb the quiet of the camp, each member of the party seemingly lost in thought, Amon doing his best to calm the horses after their hard dash away from Draken Hoff Keep. While the relative stranger Hern slowly patrolled around the camp keeping watch for any pursuing Orks or any other beast with hostile intent.
Sarin sat almost completely motionless stroking Sinister absently, who gave the occasional hoot of appreciation, staring with distrust at Hern not quite yet ready to leave their safety in the hands of a stranger. Sur Albert sits with his back against a tree so still that the others are unsure if he is meditating or just sleeping.
Tam sits cross legged in the middle gaze locked with the severed head of the Ork leader on her lap, a few tears escaping, her dress cut to tatters and drenched in the blood of both her and her foes. Tam remains almost catatonic as Durn carefully bandages her many wounds as best he can while Aurelion Sol hovers over his shoulder, one of the few creatures tall enough to do so, wondering if he knows anything about the art of healing.
The only member of the group to speak at all was Oleg One Eye as he muttered to himself constantly while cleaning his weapons until he could not contain it anymore.
“…damn fool idea… oh I know why don’t we distract the Orks BAH! You all should have listened to me and just stormed the place and slaughter half of them before they knew we were there!” he pauses just long enough to spit on the ground
“Grabthar cursed razorgors and damn squig! Do you realise how lucky we were it was but a tadpole? No? Why would you, you’re just a bunch of amateurs!” now on his feet gesturing wildly with his axe.
“At least the child had a proper fighting spirit” again he pauses on his rant and glances over at Tam “well until she broke. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, humans just aren’t cut out for real battle” he swings round to wave his axe in the general direction of Amon and Hern “Don’t get me started on Elves, where were you two when blood was spilt!” Before anyone could respond a horn sounded to the north, everyone apart from Tam reacted and held their breath. A few moments pass then a second horn sounds, also north of them but sounding fainter.
“Seems The Shortholt is blessing us this night, the Orks have found some other poor fools to slay” closing his one good eye he sighs “Either someone is doing our job for us or some unlucky travellers will be filling a Goblin’s pot.” Another third and longer horn sounds “Yep. Goblin pot it is. They won’t come looking for anyone else this night and we’re too far away to catch the bastards while they fight” and with a grin that he starts preparing a fire and getting out a snack.
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After Session Report 13/8/16.
When last we saw our heroes they were camped just north of Kracken’s Fall on their way to deal with bandits camped out in an old fort. Instead on the insistence of Sur Albert the group decided to travel south east towards Helen’s Bay to search the ship wreck that may contain Croki’s Body hidden among the Alchemists crates.
Among the road they met a merchant travelling towards Kracken’s Fall named Chadwick Hardwick Reginald the Third, a Gnomish trader who specialises in selling Tulaberry’s to make wine. He told them he had just come from Helen’s Bay and that somehow a Basilisk was lose attacking people and turning them into stone. The mere mention of dangerous monsters had Tam overjoyed and beg the party to investigate though Oleg demanded compensation as he was only hired to slay orks and the added danger was not agreed upon.
Later that day as the continued on the party saw a mounted group coming down the road after them. This bunch of very tired and dangerous looking individuals was lead by non other then Sarin’s old flame Perfect a thiefling rogue. He seemed to believe that the party had stolen dragon eggs from him and slain a hatched dragon in the sewers of Cracken’s Fall. Perfect seemed to be using some sort of mind controlling magic on Sarin so Sur Albert quickly objected and a fight broke out.
Tam quickly showed off her training as a frenzied berserker but the fight was starting to look bad then a quick wood elf appeared out of nowhere to defend Tam claiming he had been sent to watch over her. Perfect ran and was tracked down and killed by Amon while the rest of the group interrogated the lone survivor a mercenary named Mattias from the Dilgar islands.
After the battle and now equipped with fresh horses they went on to Helen’s Bay and spoke to the Elder of the village, Wade son of Will, he said that there was a ship wreck and that the sailors traded the goods on the ship for food and supplies to get them back to the city but when the townsfolk opened a crate the basilisk was inside. Guards belonging to Duke Ironheart were in the area despite being well out of their territory and they confiscated the rest of the crates. The party decided not to give chase to the soldiers because they didn’t care who had Corki’s body as long as it was not Corki.
They headed back north west up to the abandoned keep and it was mostly uneventful apart from coming across a Shrine to the Laughing Gnome, Sarin made a wish and as they walked away they turned back to see the Fountain had vanished.
After a bit of stealthy scouting it seemed that the keep was occupied with Orks, the mines had some goblins working them without over seers. They decided to do a distraction by lighting some fires off in the woods to lure out a patrol but sadly the party was too noisy and so a large fight broke out with Amon and Hern left running back to the group and missing most the fight. The goblins seemed to be using some strange alchemy crossbows that exploded when used and the Orks had two large Razor Gore Boars as well as a young Spell Eater Squig. It was a very close battle heavily wounding most of the group but resulting in victory. Sur Albert cut off the head of the Ork leader and held it up to the keep threatens death to any who dared face them. Then they ran down the road leaving their cart a few miles behind while so they could take a short rest with a bit more safety.
That is where we ended the session with the party reaching level 5 and in great need of a rest.
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The following bit of text was given to the players before their first session:
A small band of adventures has been gathered by the merchant Visak some offered aid knowing him well, while others required the promise of coin or the threat of punishment . Traveling with only two servants, a goliath named Bragg and an odd and completely hairless dwarf, apparently mute who's name went unspoken throughout the journey.
Once on the road away from the port city of Kraken's Fall Visak reveled the nature of their business. Around the campfire his manservant handed out a tankards filled with some truly expensive Minbari ale as Visak was finally ready to tell this strange group why he had gathered them.
"The Lady Elena, daughter and last living child of Duke Refa Blackhand, has been kidnapped and I being in high regard within the court of Blackhand am one of the few trusted with this news. Blackhand does not wish to let his enemies know his heir is missing and so undefended." He stops for a moment to let the news sink in while refilling his tankard.
"So you shall find the young lady and bring her back unharmed quickly and quietly and not only will you earn what I promised you but the Blackhand is known to be generous with those who serve him."
At this point the hairless dwarf leans forward in what looks like an extremely slow bow.
"What? Details? I hardly see that's... fine fine... The Lady Elena was taken from the taken from the keep by the Duke's own court bard. A scrawny fellow you'll have no trouble with just do not let him speak to you or one or more may fall under his spell. I don't care what happens to him but there is no reward for his head." feeling that the task at hand has been fully explained Visak stands up and turns towards his tent.
Again the hairless dwarf bows and Visak sits down once more.
"I don't see how that helps at all. You nag worse than my first two wives!" throwing his hands in the air Visak continues "I have a reliable source that saw them traveling toward the village of Fourstones where we will be in the next few days. And no I have no idea why they would be traveling east deeper into this charming landscape of trees and turnips but they are on foot and hopefully we, and by "we" I mean you that is what you're paid for, will pick up their trail and this matter will be resolved before I die of boredom out here. Oh and yes obviously there is the risk of others searching for her, know that if you don't bring her to me first you will not get paid!" Visak stands up rather forcefully and moves towards his tent before the dwarf can even move he spins around pointing directly at him "No no no it doesn't matter! I never explain to the washer woman why she must clean my robes it is enough that I pay her! Must I tell them Elena's most treasured childhood stuffed animal!? or the cost of turnips?! What possible VITAL morsel of information must I impart upon these good people before you will let me get some sleep!!!" the dwarf just remains still eyes locked with Visak. "...oh... right yes. The Lady Elena is about so high, dark of hair and freckled and has seen nineteen winters. The bard is named Sam Windsinger, bright red hair carries a flute, dresses like a fool and has seen two and twenty winters." and with that he retires for the night, as does the dwarf and Bragg.
It was an unpleasant quiet that surrounded the camp and thankfully the woods were quiet and free of the cries of an Ork pursuit. Giving the party time to hunker down to catch their breath, bind their wounds and plan their next steps.
Nobody seemed eager to disturb the quiet of the camp, each member of the party seemingly lost in thought, Amon doing his best to calm the horses after their hard dash away from Draken Hoff Keep. While the relative stranger Hern slowly patrolled around the camp keeping watch for any pursuing Orks or any other beast with hostile intent.
Sarin sat almost completely motionless stroking Sinister absently, who gave the occasional hoot of appreciation, staring with distrust at Hern not quite yet ready to leave their safety in the hands of a stranger. Sur Albert sits with his back against a tree so still that the others are unsure if he is meditating or just sleeping.
Tam sits cross legged in the middle gaze locked with the severed head of the Ork leader on her lap, a few tears escaping, her dress cut to tatters and drenched in the blood of both her and her foes. Tam remains almost catatonic as Durn carefully bandages her many wounds as best he can while Aurelion Sol hovers over his shoulder, one of the few creatures tall enough to do so, wondering if he knows anything about the art of healing.
The only member of the group to speak at all was Oleg One Eye as he muttered to himself constantly while cleaning his weapons until he could not contain it anymore.
“…damn fool idea… oh I know why don’t we distract the Orks BAH! You all should have listened to me and just stormed the place and slaughter half of them before they knew we were there!” he pauses just long enough to spit on the ground
“Grabthar cursed razorgors and damn squig! Do you realise how lucky we were it was but a tadpole? No? Why would you, you’re just a bunch of amateurs!” now on his feet gesturing wildly with his axe.
“At least the child had a proper fighting spirit” again he pauses on his rant and glances over at Tam “well until she broke. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, humans just aren’t cut out for real battle” he swings round to wave his axe in the general direction of Amon and Hern “Don’t get me started on Elves, where were you two when blood was spilt!” Before anyone could respond a horn sounded to the north, everyone apart from Tam reacted and held their breath. A few moments pass then a second horn sounds, also north of them but sounding fainter.
“Seems The Shortholt is blessing us this night, the Orks have found some other poor fools to slay” closing his one good eye he sighs “Either someone is doing our job for us or some unlucky travellers will be filling a Goblin’s pot.” Another third and longer horn sounds “Yep. Goblin pot it is. They won’t come looking for anyone else this night and we’re too far away to catch the bastards while they fight” and with a grin that he starts preparing a fire and getting out a snack.
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After Session Report 13/8/16.
When last we saw our heroes they were camped just north of Kracken’s Fall on their way to deal with bandits camped out in an old fort. Instead on the insistence of Sur Albert the group decided to travel south east towards Helen’s Bay to search the ship wreck that may contain Croki’s Body hidden among the Alchemists crates.
Among the road they met a merchant travelling towards Kracken’s Fall named Chadwick Hardwick Reginald the Third, a Gnomish trader who specialises in selling Tulaberry’s to make wine. He told them he had just come from Helen’s Bay and that somehow a Basilisk was lose attacking people and turning them into stone. The mere mention of dangerous monsters had Tam overjoyed and beg the party to investigate though Oleg demanded compensation as he was only hired to slay orks and the added danger was not agreed upon.
Later that day as the continued on the party saw a mounted group coming down the road after them. This bunch of very tired and dangerous looking individuals was lead by non other then Sarin’s old flame Perfect a thiefling rogue. He seemed to believe that the party had stolen dragon eggs from him and slain a hatched dragon in the sewers of Cracken’s Fall. Perfect seemed to be using some sort of mind controlling magic on Sarin so Sur Albert quickly objected and a fight broke out.
Tam quickly showed off her training as a frenzied berserker but the fight was starting to look bad then a quick wood elf appeared out of nowhere to defend Tam claiming he had been sent to watch over her. Perfect ran and was tracked down and killed by Amon while the rest of the group interrogated the lone survivor a mercenary named Mattias from the Dilgar islands.
After the battle and now equipped with fresh horses they went on to Helen’s Bay and spoke to the Elder of the village, Wade son of Will, he said that there was a ship wreck and that the sailors traded the goods on the ship for food and supplies to get them back to the city but when the townsfolk opened a crate the basilisk was inside. Guards belonging to Duke Ironheart were in the area despite being well out of their territory and they confiscated the rest of the crates. The party decided not to give chase to the soldiers because they didn’t care who had Corki’s body as long as it was not Corki.
They headed back north west up to the abandoned keep and it was mostly uneventful apart from coming across a Shrine to the Laughing Gnome, Sarin made a wish and as they walked away they turned back to see the Fountain had vanished.
After a bit of stealthy scouting it seemed that the keep was occupied with Orks, the mines had some goblins working them without over seers. They decided to do a distraction by lighting some fires off in the woods to lure out a patrol but sadly the party was too noisy and so a large fight broke out with Amon and Hern left running back to the group and missing most the fight. The goblins seemed to be using some strange alchemy crossbows that exploded when used and the Orks had two large Razor Gore Boars as well as a young Spell Eater Squig. It was a very close battle heavily wounding most of the group but resulting in victory. Sur Albert cut off the head of the Ork leader and held it up to the keep threatens death to any who dared face them. Then they ran down the road leaving their cart a few miles behind while so they could take a short rest with a bit more safety.
That is where we ended the session with the party reaching level 5 and in great need of a rest.
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The following bit of text was given to the players before their first session:
A small band of adventures has been gathered by the merchant Visak some offered aid knowing him well, while others required the promise of coin or the threat of punishment . Traveling with only two servants, a goliath named Bragg and an odd and completely hairless dwarf, apparently mute who's name went unspoken throughout the journey.
Once on the road away from the port city of Kraken's Fall Visak reveled the nature of their business. Around the campfire his manservant handed out a tankards filled with some truly expensive Minbari ale as Visak was finally ready to tell this strange group why he had gathered them.
"The Lady Elena, daughter and last living child of Duke Refa Blackhand, has been kidnapped and I being in high regard within the court of Blackhand am one of the few trusted with this news. Blackhand does not wish to let his enemies know his heir is missing and so undefended." He stops for a moment to let the news sink in while refilling his tankard.
"So you shall find the young lady and bring her back unharmed quickly and quietly and not only will you earn what I promised you but the Blackhand is known to be generous with those who serve him."
At this point the hairless dwarf leans forward in what looks like an extremely slow bow.
"What? Details? I hardly see that's... fine fine... The Lady Elena was taken from the taken from the keep by the Duke's own court bard. A scrawny fellow you'll have no trouble with just do not let him speak to you or one or more may fall under his spell. I don't care what happens to him but there is no reward for his head." feeling that the task at hand has been fully explained Visak stands up and turns towards his tent.
Again the hairless dwarf bows and Visak sits down once more.
"I don't see how that helps at all. You nag worse than my first two wives!" throwing his hands in the air Visak continues "I have a reliable source that saw them traveling toward the village of Fourstones where we will be in the next few days. And no I have no idea why they would be traveling east deeper into this charming landscape of trees and turnips but they are on foot and hopefully we, and by "we" I mean you that is what you're paid for, will pick up their trail and this matter will be resolved before I die of boredom out here. Oh and yes obviously there is the risk of others searching for her, know that if you don't bring her to me first you will not get paid!" Visak stands up rather forcefully and moves towards his tent before the dwarf can even move he spins around pointing directly at him "No no no it doesn't matter! I never explain to the washer woman why she must clean my robes it is enough that I pay her! Must I tell them Elena's most treasured childhood stuffed animal!? or the cost of turnips?! What possible VITAL morsel of information must I impart upon these good people before you will let me get some sleep!!!" the dwarf just remains still eyes locked with Visak. "...oh... right yes. The Lady Elena is about so high, dark of hair and freckled and has seen nineteen winters. The bard is named Sam Windsinger, bright red hair carries a flute, dresses like a fool and has seen two and twenty winters." and with that he retires for the night, as does the dwarf and Bragg.