ic Ghosts Come Home to Roost?

[Sorithar]

The active game thread.

 

OGMW thread found here.

Edited January 2, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

With Udbul secured and everyone in agreement, you make your way back to the small crack in the masonry wall of the ancient corridor and through the small battleground littered with kobold and giant bee bodies to the steep incline of dirt you had descended to arrive in these caves. It takes some focus and effort, but you manage to clamber up the ramp with Udbul in tow and soon find yourselves in the welcoming cool air, surrounded by an early morning mist, the Dale's very namesake, that all but obscures your sight beyond several tens of feet. 

Before you can even really take your bearings, Arli halts you and warns of soft footfalls. You have but a moment before a small figure emerges from the mists. A halfling by the looks of him...

 

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Torch - 20' illumination, 40' shadowy illumination (30 minutes) - Talfen

Spell Effects:

Status:
 

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MAP

[Sorithar]

Arli's warning has Drace immediately on edge. Had they escaped the hive that threatened to be their tomb only to run into an ambush? The fog that she had first hoped would let them slip away unnoticed from the Roost now potentially hid a half-dozen blades intent to do them ill.

Still, Drace opens with a greeting, hoping conflict can be avoided. By the grace of the Smiling Lady, this meeting would not end in conflict.

"Well met traveller. What brings you this morning to Galrath's Roost?"

AppearanceClad against the autumn chill, much of Drace's face is obscured by a knitted hat of russet wool and a thick scarf wrapped about her neck. Her fur mantled cloak is slung partially over one shoulder, the better to keep the arm holding the lead of her donkey free. A quiver of arrows hangs off her belt, half the fletching dyed a dark red.

Edited January 2, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

“If only that bloody Owlbear hadn’t shown up." 

 

The halfling had never known he could run that fast. But where he had to dodge and weave, the beast just crashed through the bushes. Think. Think! Realising his only chance would be to outwit the hulking brute, Joaquin cut a few straight corners, like hares are want to do when chased by predators, searching for a suitable tree. There! With a final sprint he jumped up towards a lowhanging branch and pulled himself up. Swiftly Joaquin climbed further up the tree till he found a suitable perch. Even though owlbears, like their non-feathered brethren can climb, they are limited by their mass. All, the halfling now had to do was wait till the beast got bored. Unfortunately that took the better part of the evening, leaving him with the choice of climbing down and stumbling through an unknown part of the forest in the dark and possibly encountering Lathander knows what or - remembering the baying of a wolf pack nearby - staying up high and dry in the tree. 

“I just need a bigger branch." 

Joaquin climbed a few feet down, till he found a branch thick enough to sit comfortably upon and with his back against the trunk, Jaoquin pulled the hood from his cloak up and settled in for the night. 

“Not the warm and comfy bed I was hoping for." 

Soon the halfling was snoring softly but as the night progressed and temperatures dropped, he woke a tad drowsily and with a few tries even succeeded in pulling his bedroll out of the backpack.

 

In the morning Joaquin was not really his cheerful self. His back was sore and his mouth tasted as if a spider had crawled in there to die. A few mouthfuls of tack rinced away with cold water were all he allowed himself before trying to make his way back to Rauthauvyr’s road. “ Adventures are overrated.” Off course, the mist did not help his orientation at all. He had the feeling he had been going in circles for the last half hour. So when Joaquin emerged from between the trees and found himself facing a small group of people, he felt some relief, and a bit of wariness. Rumours had been going around that it was dangerous in these parts of the woods. Still, it never hurt to be polite. The halfling pulled back the hood of his grey-green patched cloak, revealing a thin face encircled by brown-blond hair, kept in a ponytail. 

”Greetings, milady. Would you believe a foul-tempered owlbear brought me this way? Galaith’s Roost? Could you point me to Mistledale.?" 

Joaquin noticed the bound Half-orc. 

“And what did this charming fellow do?"

 

Edited January 2, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

Slightly suspicious of the newcomer, Maximilian keeps an eye on the halfling, but remains cordial. He's a tall, slender young man with slightly tan skin and the brown hair and eyes common among Chondathans. His clothing is simple and understated, but very well-tailored and well-made. He wears a high-collared, brown woolen overcoat over a white frilled-collared shirt, though it's currently got blood stains around the neck.

"We are heading that way ourselves, and you're free to join us for the journey if you'd like," 

he says in a Cormyrian accent. 

"This fellow is a Zhent who found himself captured by kobolds," 

he continues, being careful not to inflame the half-orc or tip their hand too much to the newcomer. 

"We're escorting him to Ashabenford. By the way, allow me to introduce myself. I am Maximilian Spurbright, a wizard of perhaps some renown, from Cormyr."

 

[Sorithar]

“Where are my manners?” 

The halfling apologized. 

”Cathalandra would give me one of her frowns if she caught me at it.” 

He bowed slightly while keeping his heterochromatic eyes on the group. 

”Joaquin Galenus from Hap, a small village in Battledale, so forgive me if your name has not reached my ears yet." 

The thief could be quite wellspoken if he put himself to it. Eyeing the Half-orc up and down, Joaquin spat on the ground. 

“Zhents!" 

One could hear the disdain in his voice. 

“Cyric should put them all up his…" 

Luckily, he remembered his company. 

“Ehm…where the sun don’t shine.
 

I was actually traveling to Ashabenford myself before that hulking beast started to chase me. Mind if I join you?

 

[Sorithar]

Kethra raises an eyebrow at the halfling,

"Of course you may join us, Joaquin. Maxixmillian already invited you. I am Kethra Ashcroft, a Seeker of Mystra."

AppearnaceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

Drace visible relaxes as the conversation continues. A Battledarran was far less to worry about that a possible Zhent raider. Her fears now turn to what might have befallen her beast of burden whilst she was out unconscious. She offers a brief introduction out of politeness, but it is clear from her stance she is eager to get moving to the north of the ruined fort.

"Drace of Mistledale. You wouldn't happen to have passed a donkey tied up in your flight?"

AppearanceClad against the autumn chill, much of Drace's face is obscured by a knitted hat of russet wool and a thick scarf wrapped about her neck. Her fur mantled cloak is slung partially over one shoulder, the better to keep the arm holding the lead of her donkey free. A quiver of arrows hangs off her belt, half the fletching dyed a dark red.

[Sorithar]

”Nice to meet you all.” 

Joaquin nodded, the tension in his shoulders diffusing as the others seemed to be trustworthy -except the Zhent off course, nobody in his right mind would trust Zhents.

”I haven’t seen a donkey. Shall we go and find it? I could use a good meal and a hot bath."

The halfling stretched his back, that had started to become a bit sore because they were standing still too long.

 

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

With Udbul dragging his feet but marching ahead of you and your new hin fellow at your side, you proceed to make your way through the morning mists towards the ruins of the ancient bandit hold and around it to the trail that leads back to the dale proper.
Drace's donkey is found where it had been left. It had clearly tried to break away and is quite thirsty but seems otherwise unharmed. As you gather it, the mists begin to fade.
Before you can reach the tree line where the trail stretches under the dense boughs of the ancient forest however, a small band of riders, six in number, ride out from under the gloom casting canopy. At their head is a youngish looking rider with short cropped almond hair, wearing black, lacquered armor clearly emblazoned with the white horse insignia of Mistledale. This is clearly one of the famous Riders of Mistledale! Flanking him are four more men and women in chainmail with the looks of militia folk and a dark robed blond man with the same insignia decorating his robes.
The riders stop short some forty feet before you as the leader raises a hand to halt his company and then hails you.

 

"Hail and well met! I am Jarrod Rold of the Riders of Mistledale and you are within the bounds of the dale. Identify yourselves and state your business about this ruin and why this half-orc stands bound and leashed before you!"

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:

Status:

---

MAP

[Sorithar]

Drace had been fussing over her donkey, eager to ease the animal's suffering after a night left on it's own. She raises her head in delighted surprise at the approach of the Riders of Mistledale, the heroes of the dale, waving a gloved hand in obvious cheer.

"Well met Jarrod! I am Drace Ubler of Ashabenford. I'll let my companions introduce themselves, but we're a band of adventures formed in the White Hart Inn. Out to make a name for ourselves solving the trouble around the Roost."

The huntress turns her hand to indicate the group's half-orc prisoner. She can't help herself from giving the villain's leash a quick tug.

"Ubdul here, is a self confessed Zhent and mounted raider. Fell foul of the local monsters, now finds us escorting him back to town. Though maybe you can save us the journey?"

AppearanceClad against the autumn chill, much of Drace's face is obscured by a knitted hat of russet wool and a thick scarf wrapped about her neck. Her fur mantled cloak is slung partially over one shoulder, the better to keep the arm holding the lead of her donkey free. A quiver of arrows hangs off her belt, half the fletching dyed a dark red.

[Sorithar]

About the Roost

The excitement on Jarrod's face and arched brows on his company's faces at the mention of a Zhent is unmistakable.
Jarrod motions to the robed member of his company as he rides forward at a light trot, followed by the others. The robed young man rides up beside the Rider.

 

"A Zhent!"

 

Jarrod stops just short of Udbul and looks the man over before turning his attention back to Drace.

 

"If he is truly a Zhent, you already make a name for yourselves adventurers!

It has become clear to me of late that a new peril threatens Mistledale, mounted raiders seem to operate from the edges of the forest, but it was unclear who they are. They operate with too regular a frequency and too organized a manner to be simple bandits.
Where their camp might be is a mystery too, but at least one group came this way with their loot. We know because we have just come from Wolcott Manor, where a raid occurred some time ago. The trail is old, but it led here. Now, you present us with a Zhent, here on the edges of the dale. This holds some potential to unravel this mystery!

During this past moon, several dalesfolk have vanished, almost certainly abducted by the raiders. I don't have a list of names, but I do know that Zander Wolcott has lost a groom, one Walter Little, and Axel, a prized stallion. He's willing to pay
a handsome reward to anyone who brings back the pair.

Has this Zhent divulged anything to you? Have you come across any captive dalesfolk, or a stallion?"

OOC

Notes: 

1. Drace HP total is down 2 points until she can heal more Constitution damage.

Light Sources:

1. Daylight

Spell Effects:
Status:

---

MAP

[Sorithar]

Kethra nods,

"He revealed that there is a magical portal that the Zhent raiders are using to arrive in this area, attack, and then fall back to their keep."

AppearanceTall, thin and blonde; the young's woman's bone structure speaks to her proud Illuskan ancestry and the fierce warriors and sailors who founded her line. The young scholar has eyes like the sea after a storm and a fair complexion made pale by hours and hours in ivory towers.

Dressed in blue clerical robes trimmed in white and wearing a silver holy symbol about her neck, this priestess is obviously also prepared for adventure; wearing a hefty backpack and holding a light in her hands.

[Sorithar]

The arrival of the unknown horsemen put Joaquin on his guard, but when they introduced themselves as the Riders of Mistledale the Halfling relaxed a little. He bowed a bit and said

”Joaquin Galenus. I hail from Battledale."

Pointing at Udbul he continued.

“I met the others this morning when they were on route to deliver this piece of offal."

Having grown up with stories about Banites and Zhents, there was no love lost between them and Joaquin. When he heard about the bounty for the lost horse and groom and the portal, the thief quickly put two and two together.

"Haven’t seen any of them. But you don’t suppose we can try to locate that portal and find the good stablehand?"

 

Edited January 2, 2023 by Sorithar (see edit history)

[Sorithar]

Drace cannot help her spreading grin as Joaquin's obvious interest in the possibility of a rescue mission. Good to know they had fallen in with another adventuring soul. She fills in a few more details for Jarrod, eager to show how much of the mystery the group had unraveled.

"We can show you the hilltop just south of here where the portal lies. A trail of hoofprints that vanish once they cross a line in the grass. The Zhent was kind enough to tell us what little he knows of how their leader's opened it, though we've not checked if it is enough to unlock it ourselves. His information seemed too important to risk losing, hence us walking back towards the Dale. I imagine the lost dalesfolk are locked away in the cells of their fortress, together with the missing elves."

Drace directs her next question to the half-orc prisoner. A shame to think this question now, but perhaps the possibility of appearing compliant might loosen his tongue at the prospect of a less harsh punishment.

"I don't suppose you could draw us a map of what's inside the citadel Ubdul?"

AppearanceClad against the autumn chill, much of Drace's face is obscured by a knitted hat of russet wool and a thick scarf wrapped about her neck. Her fur mantled cloak is slung partially over one shoulder, the better to keep the arm holding the lead of her donkey free. A quiver of arrows hangs off her belt, half the fletching dyed a dark red.