Chapter 1- The First Expedition

[Blaeringr]

Continued from: Introduction (or New Beginnings)

The group has met with Neil, and now left the small building acting as the Bronze Horn Hold's embassy. Back out into Carisport, but where from there?

---

what's next?

Players: it's up to you where you want to go from here. The title of this thread assumes you are heading out to look for the "vermin's" lair, which would mean about a 3 day journey mostly North, or half that if you acquire horses (2gp per horse, 1cp/week for feed, 8 sp per harness).

But you could also put this contract off and pursue something else.

It's up to you guys now.

 

[daltar]

%5Bfieldset%3DMaybell%20Springfield%5D%5Btable%3D2%2C1%5D%0A%5Br%3D1%2C1%5D%5Bimg2%3D150%5Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FF9acM1T.png%5B%2Fimg2%5D%0A%5Br%3D2%2C1%5D%5Bcenter%5D%5Bb%5D%5Burl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.myth-weavers.com%2Fsheets%2F%3Fid%3D2839749%5D%5Bfont%3Dpalatino%20linotype%5D%5Bsize%3D4%5D%5Bcolor%3DSienna%5DMaybell%20Springfield%5B%2Fcolor%5D%5B%2Fsize%5D%5B%2Ffont%5D%5B%2Furl%5D%5B%2Fb%5D%0A%5BI%5DGutsy%20Halfling%20Bard%201%5B%2FI%5D%0A%5Bb%5DHP%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%2015%2F15%0A%5Bb%5DAC%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%2017%0A%5Bb%5DSpell%20Slots%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%202%2F2%20L1%0A%5Bb%5DFocus%20Points%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%201%2F1%0A%5Bb%5DHalfling%20Luck%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%200%2F1%0A%5Bb%5DClass%20DC%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%2017%0A%5Bb%5DStatus%3A%5B%2Fb%5D%20Normal%20and%20Healthy%0A%5B%2Fcenter%5D%5B%2Ftable%5D%0A%5Bspoiler%3DStatblock%5D%0A%5BCENTER%5D%5Btable%3D3%2C1%5D%5Br%3D1%2C1%5D%5BURL%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myth-weavers.com%2Fsheets%2F%3Fid%3D2839749%22%5D%5Bsize%3D%224%22%5D%5Bb%5DMaybell%20Springfield%5B%2Fb%5D%5B%2Fsize%5D%5B%2FURL%5D%20%5Br%3D2%2C1%5D%20%5BB%5DFemale%20Halfling%20Bard%201%5B%2FB%5D%20%5Br%3D3%2C1%5D%20%5BB%5DNeutral%20Good%20Entertainer%5B%2FB%5D%20%5B%2Ftable%5D%20%5B%2FCENTER%5D%20%5Btable%3D2%2C1%5D%5Br%3D1%2C1%5D%5BB%5DSTR%3A%5B%2FB%5D%208%2F-1%0A%5BB%5DDEX%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2014%2F%2B2%0A%5BB%5DCON%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2012%2F%2B1%0A%5BB%5DINT%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2014%2F%2B2%0A%5BB%5DWIS%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2012%2F%2B1%0A%5BB%5DCHA%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2018%2F%2B4%0A%5Br%3D2%2C1%5D%5BB%5DSaves%3A%5B%2FB%5D%20For%204%20Rex%205%20Wil%206%20Per%206%0A%20%5BB%5DSpeed%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2025%0A%5BB%5DAC%3A%5B%2FB%5D%2017%0A%5BB%5DLanguages%3A%5B%2FB%5D%20Common%2C%20Elven%2C%20Dwarven%2C%20Halfling%0A%5B%2Ftable%5D%5B%2Fspoiler%5D%20%5B%2Ffieldset%5D

Maybell Springfield

Maybell Springfield Gutsy Halfling Bard 1 HP: 15/15 AC: 17 Spell Slots: 2/2 L1 Focus Points: 1/1 Halfling Luck: 0/1 Class DC: 17 Status: Normal and Healthy

 

Statblock

 

Maybell Springfield

Female Halfling Bard 1

Neutral Good Entertainer

STR: 8/-1 DEX: 14/+2 CON: 12/+1 INT: 14/+2 WIS: 12/+1 CHA: 18/+4

Saves: For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 Speed: 25 AC: 17 Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling

 

"Well then, gentlemen, lady! Now this was a very interesting meeting. How's everyone standing? Ready and eager for the road or do you need time to make preparations?" asks Maybell, quite helpfully hoping up onto a nearby railing to stand a little bit taller and closer to eyesight level with the rest of the party "For my part, I'm quite inclined to follow on this job... this is my first time meeting with members of the goblinoid kin and his story is quite intriguing. The financial incentive... well, it's not bad at all, I didn't even feel like driving a bargain, would have felt most rude" says the halfling lady as she scratches her little chin with a look that certainly sung how appealing the reward sounded "Must admit, we don't know much of what we're dealing with... but seem to be a not too large group of afflicted goblins. I think we have a reasonable chance at it, given all of your very impressive personages coming with me. If you all agree, then there's just the matter of preparation. I have basic traveler supplies with me, so I can depart at any time. Walking is fine by me, got no boots in need of new soles~" She playfully says, kicking her little furry feet with the strong soles for which halfling are known for "But if we want to travel faster with steeds, that is certainly an investment... if we want to prepare further, I'd make use of the time researching some more about these vermin and countermeasure to take... but that may take a while"

[Dr Jackal]

 

 

Hakaja Kek

HP: 22/22 ~ AC: ?? ~ Speed: 25
Fort: +5 ~ Ref: +7 ~ Will: +6 ~ Per: +6
Sheet link

 

 

"I need to buy a few items," Kek says, "and then I can leave immediately. In truth, I would prefer to leave immediately. This plague upon the goblins ... it concerns me greatly. In my mother's time, there was a great sickness among the sparrows one season. By the score, they fell dead from the trees, and the incautious gathered them and ate them. The next season, the great sickness fell upon my tribe. Many elders died, and some children."

He touches the healer's kit on his belt. "There are many worlds that have drawn together here, and each no doubt brings with it many plagues. I fear what might arise if we are incautious."

[daltar]

[fieldset=Maybell Springfield][table=2,1] [r=1,1][img2=150]https://i.imgur.com/F9acM1T.png[/img2] [r=2,1][center][b][url=https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749][font=palatino linotype][size=4][color=Sienna]Maybell Springfield[/color][/size][/font][/url][/b] [I]Gutsy Halfling Bard 1[/I] [b]HP:[/b] 15/15 [b]AC:[/b] 17 [b]Spell Slots:[/b] 2/2 L1 [b]Focus Points:[/b] 1/1 [b]Halfling Luck:[/b] 0/1 [b]Class DC:[/b] 17 [b]Status:[/b] Normal and Healthy [/center][/table] [spoiler=Statblock] [CENTER][table=3,1][r=1,1][URL="https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749"][size="4"][b]Maybell Springfield[/b][/size][/URL] [r=2,1] [B]Female Halfling Bard 1[/B] [r=3,1] [B]Neutral Good Entertainer[/B] [/table] [/CENTER] [table=2,1][r=1,1][B]STR:[/B] 8/-1 [B]DEX:[/B] 14/+2 [B]CON:[/B] 12/+1 [B]INT:[/B] 14/+2 [B]WIS:[/B] 12/+1 [B]CHA:[/B] 18/+4 [r=2,1][B]Saves:[/B] For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 [B]Speed:[/B] 25 [B]AC:[/B] 17 [B]Languages:[/B] Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling [/table][/spoiler] [/fieldset]

Maybell Springfield

Maybell Springfield Gutsy Halfling Bard 1 HP: 15/15 AC: 17 Spell Slots: 2/2 L1 Focus Points: 1/1 Halfling Luck: 0/1 Class DC: 17 Status: Normal and Healthy

 

Statblock

 

Maybell Springfield

Female Halfling Bard 1

Neutral Good Entertainer

STR: 8/-1 DEX: 14/+2 CON: 12/+1 INT: 14/+2 WIS: 12/+1 CHA: 18/+4

Saves: For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 Speed: 25 AC: 17 Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling

 

"Oho, a most judicious and altruistic decision. This is certainly something that should be picked in the bud... and certainly quite concerning for the goblin communities. It sounds quite serious so I wonder why they have not made a bigger fuss about it... then again, given what we heard today, I have the impression that they wouldn't want to lose face with other populations or show any vulnerabilities" speculates May with a little thoughtful posture... however she soon adds "However, if I may add something of my own observations, Mr Kek... As he described the illness something tugged at my memory. I don't know how it works, but this sounds to me like it is a supernatural disease. I've heard of similar cases in which... peculiar people study and bring about new diseases. It's just a hunch, but it sounds to me that more than a natural plague, there may be a perpetrator here. Of course, this is just a hunch... We'll need to see the situation with our own eyes to verify the nature of this case"

[farothel]

Chelia Gremaris Elven Fighter 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (19 with shield) | speed: 30 | hero: 1/1 Perception: +6 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +4 conditions: none

 

Chelia had been looking at the map

"The easiest way I think is by ship to Adpine and then further on following the river," she said, "there have to be ships going and it's easier if we don't have to walk that part. And I don't have the funds to buy a horse at this moment."

 

She looked at Kek while thinking if she had ever heard the description of the disease that their employer had mentioned.

"Any information about that sickness would be good. I'm trained a bit in medicine, although mostly to deal with wounds while digging through old ruins, but sometimes those got infected. The fact that this disease doesn't kill but keeps its victim like the guy described makes me think it's not a natural disease but rather something created."

 

OOC

none

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by farothel (see edit history)

[Blaeringr]

 

[Blaeringr]

Booking passage on a river boat is also definitely a possibility, and traffic in the river northward is definitely starting to pick up for the year. It's about 50 miles to Aldpine, more because the river isn't straight. A boat will go day and night, unless there's a scheduled log drive downstream. The map is in 12 mile hexes, I'm going to multiply winding river distance by 1.5 (18 miles per hex of river travel), but lake travel will be faster and straight so I'm cutting that in half. So by that method, Carisport to Aldpine is about 60 miles. At 4 cp per mile, that's 2 gp and 4 sp per passenger to Aldpine. That leaves about 30 miles, plus searching time to your destination.

Riding horses can be bought at 8 gp, or rented at 1 sp per day.

[omegoku]

Khaine - Human Monk 1 HP: 21/21 | AC: 19 | Speed: 25ft | Hero: 1/3  Perception: +4 | Fort: +7 | Ref: +9 | Will: +6  StatisticsStr +2 Dex +4 Con +2 Int +0 Wis +1 Cha +0 Languages: Common, Elven Attacks: -Powerful Fist: +7/+3/+1 1d6+2 Bludgeoning • Agile, Finesse, Non-lethal, Unarmed -Tiger Claw +7/+3/+1 1d8+2 Slashing • Agile, Finesse, Non-lethal, Unarmed, Bleed on Crit -Dart +7/+3/+1 Damage: 1d4+2 Piercing &Bull Agile, Thrown 20ft Ki Spells: Ki Strike | Equipment Consumables: Wooden Shield Darts (10) Elixir of Life, Minor Smokestick, Minor Adventurer's Pack: -Bedroll -10x Chalk, Flint &Steel, Soap, Waterskin -Rope (50ft) -5x Torch -Climbing Kit -Grappling Hook Coins : 5gp 8sp 10cp | AbilitiesClass: -Ki Spells (Divine) -Powerful Fist -Flurry of Blows -Ki Strike -Tiger Stance Ancestry: -Natural Ambition Skill: -Assurance: Athletics Other: -Toughness | SkillsAcrobatics: +7 (T) Arcana: +0 Athletics: +5 (T) Crafting: +0 Deception: +0 Diplomacy: +0 Lore (Farming): +3 (T) Intimidate: +0 Medicine: +1 Nature: +1 Occultism: +0 Performance: +0 Religion: +1 Society: +0 Stealth: +7 (T) Survival: +4 (T) Thievery: +7 (T) Conditions :

---

 

Khaine scratched his head.

"I don't mind walking. It is how I got here in the first place. And if there is a caravan going that way, we could hitch ourselves to it and maybe make some coin and gain some protection as we walk. I don't know if we can afford to pay our way on a boat, as much fun as it would be to try one out."

He realised he was showing his inexperience again and tried to move on.

"Do you have any ideas what herbs might help with that? It sounds almost like a curse, rather than some disease. I certainly wouldn't want to end up that way!"

[farothel]

Chelia Gremaris Elven Fighter 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (19 with shield) | speed: 30 | hero: 1/1 Perception: +6 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +4 conditions: none

 

"I have no idea," Chelia said to Khaine, "I was thinking of getting some herbs to combat the symptoms and maybe some that generally help with fighting off disease. That's all we can do anyway, except praying that we don't get it."

 

"I would try to get there as quickly as possible though. The faster we nip this disease in the bud, the better it is. So we can join a caravan for sure, but not if it takes much longer. We should be able to move cross-country if needed."

 

OOC

none

 

[Orgoth8]

 

  WEYLIN "The Drake" RYDER
Half-Orc Sorcerer (Bronze Dragon) CG
HP 16/16 AC: 15  Speed 25ft
Fort 5 Ref 5 Will 6
Class DC: 17 Spell Slots: 3  Focus points: 1/1
Str 10 Dex 14 Con 14 Wis 12 Int 10 Cha 18
Status: Hungry and Ready

---

"The faster we get there, the less chance that more goblins become these creatures. That can only help us in the..." He clears his throat uncomfortably. "extermination of this problem." The sorcerer shifts a bit, in truth the whole situation felt quite troubling, especially if Maybell's hunch was right, and this was a supernatural disease or curse. The mystery, the unknown of it was both exciting, and terrifying. He shakes off the moment of weakness, running a hand through his hair before speaking up. "I have always been partial to boats, but again, whatever the crew decides together as a course of locomotion is acceptable. In truth, I'm most excited to get a better look at the wilds here." He gestures to Khaine, "A way to earn coin whilst working on this job would also be most helpful, especially if we decide to stick together long term, and want to start about building a reputation. Caravaners and merchants talk, word of mouth is most powerful."

[daltar]

[fieldset=Maybell Springfield][table=2,1] [r=1,1][img2=150]https://i.imgur.com/F9acM1T.png[/img2] [r=2,1][center][b][url=https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749][font=palatino linotype][size=4][color=Sienna]Maybell Springfield[/color][/size][/font][/url][/b] [I]Gutsy Halfling Bard 1[/I] [b]HP:[/b] 15/15 [b]AC:[/b] 17 [b]Spell Slots:[/b] 2/2 L1 [b]Focus Points:[/b] 1/1 [b]Halfling Luck:[/b] 0/1 [b]Class DC:[/b] 17 [b]Status:[/b] Normal and Healthy [/center][/table] [spoiler=Statblock] [CENTER][table=3,1][r=1,1][URL="https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749"][size="4"][b]Maybell Springfield[/b][/size][/URL] [r=2,1] [B]Female Halfling Bard 1[/B] [r=3,1] [B]Neutral Good Entertainer[/B] [/table] [/CENTER] [table=2,1][r=1,1][B]STR:[/B] 8/-1 [B]DEX:[/B] 14/+2 [B]CON:[/B] 12/+1 [B]INT:[/B] 14/+2 [B]WIS:[/B] 12/+1 [B]CHA:[/B] 18/+4 [r=2,1][B]Saves:[/B] For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 [B]Speed:[/B] 25 [B]AC:[/B] 17 [B]Languages:[/B] Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling [/table][/spoiler] [/fieldset]

Maybell Springfield

Maybell Springfield Gutsy Halfling Bard 1 HP: 15/15 AC: 17 Spell Slots: 2/2 L1 Focus Points: 1/1 Halfling Luck: 0/1 Class DC: 17 Status: Normal and Healthy

 

Statblock

 

Maybell Springfield

Female Halfling Bard 1

Neutral Good Entertainer

STR: 8/-1 DEX: 14/+2 CON: 12/+1 INT: 14/+2 WIS: 12/+1 CHA: 18/+4

Saves: For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 Speed: 25 AC: 17 Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling

 

"Ehehe, as expected of a fellow entertainer, the Drake knows what he's talking about. Making new friends is never bad, specially if you give reason to your new friends to talk well about you" chuckles the little halfling a little bit mischievously about the idea of making sure they get word of mouth going for them. She certainly appreciates someone else in the crew having such perspective.

 

Clapping her hands together to draw attention to herself, something she is terribly accustomed to, she then declares "Well then, seems like we are in accord about the need for haste and coin both. Lets find ourselves a caravan to join in with, maybe in the meantime if our good healer Kek can find any supplies to ward against disease for us, it would be good to stock up on them. I'll contribute some of the coin if needed. With that said, lets get going!"

[Dr Jackal]

 

 

Hakaja Kek

HP: 22/22 ~ AC: ?? ~ Speed: 25
Fort: +5 ~ Ref: +7 ~ Will: +6 ~ Per: +6
Sheet link

 

 

At the bazaar, Kek heads directly toward the alchemists' stalls. "A primer on alchemy and a brewer's kit please," he says, then chuckles to himself. "This is hardly what I expected when I left Hakaja," he says, before realizing he spoke out loud. He seems amused by the sidelong look from the alchemist.

"A set of manacles as well," he adds, as if daring the merchant to say something.

[Blaeringr]

People disperse from the plaza eventually, all going about their own tasks, or retiring somewhere more comfortably to discuss their future ventures. As merchants return to the plaza, setting up their stalls, caravan masters can be found there now as well arranging their own matters. Music picks up with performers taking over the stage in the center.

Your group is able to find a caravan departing early the next morning where payment is negotiated.

---

Players: please roll 1d20 + your class modifier (should be +7 for all of you which comes from your proficiency bonus +3 and your class stat bonus +4) three times. The result will inform the wage you negotiated with the caravan master and his impression during the trip, possibly modifying the end amount.

[farothel]

Chelia Gremaris Elven Fighter 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 (19 with shield) | speed: 30 | hero: 1/1 Perception: +6 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +4 conditions: none

 

Chelia gets some more rations and then starts asking around for a caravan they could join that goes in the right direction. As she has done caravan work before, she knows some people there and with the 'I know someone who knows someone' method she managed to get a caravan heading the right way. Now they just have to negotiate wages.

 

OOC

buying 1 week of rations for 4sp

One average, one natural 20 and one crappy roll.

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by farothel (see edit history)

[daltar]

[fieldset=Maybell Springfield][table=2,1] [r=1,1][img2=150]https://i.imgur.com/F9acM1T.png[/img2] [r=2,1][center][b][url=https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749][font=palatino linotype][size=4][color=Sienna]Maybell Springfield[/color][/size][/font][/url][/b] [I]Gutsy Halfling Bard 1[/I] [b]HP:[/b] 15/15 [b]AC:[/b] 17 [b]Spell Slots:[/b] 2/2 L1 [b]Focus Points:[/b] 1/1 [b]Halfling Luck:[/b] 0/1 [b]Class DC:[/b] 17 [b]Status:[/b] Normal and Healthy [/center][/table] [spoiler=Statblock] [CENTER][table=3,1][r=1,1][URL="https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2839749"][size="4"][b]Maybell Springfield[/b][/size][/URL] [r=2,1] [B]Female Halfling Bard 1[/B] [r=3,1] [B]Neutral Good Entertainer[/B] [/table] [/CENTER] [table=2,1][r=1,1][B]STR:[/B] 8/-1 [B]DEX:[/B] 14/+2 [B]CON:[/B] 12/+1 [B]INT:[/B] 14/+2 [B]WIS:[/B] 12/+1 [B]CHA:[/B] 18/+4 [r=2,1][B]Saves:[/B] For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 [B]Speed:[/B] 25 [B]AC:[/B] 17 [B]Languages:[/B] Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling [/table][/spoiler] [/fieldset]

Maybell Springfield

Maybell Springfield Gutsy Halfling Bard 1 HP: 15/15 AC: 17 Spell Slots: 2/2 L1 Focus Points: 1/1 Halfling Luck: 0/1 Class DC: 17 Status: Normal and Healthy

 

Statblock

 

Maybell Springfield

Female Halfling Bard 1

Neutral Good Entertainer

STR: 8/-1 DEX: 14/+2 CON: 12/+1 INT: 14/+2 WIS: 12/+1 CHA: 18/+4

Saves: For 4 Rex 5 Wil 6 Per 6 Speed: 25 AC: 17 Languages: Common, Elven, Dwarven, Halfling

 

 

Well, Maybell knows what she can and cannot contribute to a caravan. Pros! She takes little space. Half as much space as anyone. She's funny and cheerful, but then again, most people don't get jobs for being pleasant to have around. That said! She can perform to lifts the spirits of the caravan and while that isn't necessarily an official job she's tagging along with the rest of her very useful and strong companions. Odd jobs are not hard for her either. The longer you have May around the more you notice how useful she is! Hopefully. This is why the first day she wasn't as appreciated as the last ones. The cons to having her around... well, if you want silence or not have your life probed into that's going to be impossible. Furthermore, while she takes half as much space as everyone else, the same doesn't go for how much food she takes in. Girl has a healthy appetite to fuel all the energetic performing she does. Nonetheless, Maybell would have a fun time, trying to get to know everyone, trading tales, singing during the march and more. Plus, on the downlow, she's constantly using a little spell to detect magic as they go along.

 

 

CaravanRoll1

CaravanRoll2

CaravanRoll3

Edited October 24, 2023 by daltar (see edit history)