The Road to Taggun Hold

[Blick]

 

Merrick sat his horse calmly, as the wagons rolled along the road.  In truth, he was getting a bit bored.  His calling, as it had been explained to him by his mentor, Brave Horace, was to guide and encourage those who doubted themselves or were merely not ready for the trials of adulthood.  In his mind, it meant he should lead by example, show courage, where it fled other men.  It was hard to do so when there was no great danger confronting him or those around him.

Instead, he busied himself with listening to the banter between Master Prall and Brumec.  He had taken it upon himself to offer the boy. even though he was not much younger then he, words of wisdom to help prepare him for manhood.  At least he was accomplishing something along the tiresome road.

---

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Blick (see edit history)

[coreal]

The journey had been a long one.  And one filled with new acquaintances.  It would be hard to go through this much time under the stress and burden of the dangerous trip and not start to form a bond with the traveling companions.  Even if this journey ended with a pouch filled with profits, it wasn't going to end in the most hospitable of lands.  Another journey anywhere would be best with a few reliable compatriots. But that's thinking ahead, and the path still has a ways to go.  Eyes back to the tree line Dek, popped into his head as he reminding himself that it was his woodcraft that got him this job, to keep them from being jumped by goblin ambushes or bandit waylays.   Not too much longer though and musings about what meals might be had in the dwarven town in their future start to slip into his head.  He recalls some of the stories he'd heard in the past of hearty dwarven meals, and weighs the indulgence of experiencing one.

 

[guitarist]

 

           
 

Trusty Tankard. That’s what he calls it.

 

His tankard, that is, a drinking vessel forged of pewter. Somewhat luxurious, most are made of wood for the common folk. Common folk, like our chelaxian veteran. The tankard was one among a few items Valeros carried with him, from his family farm, when he made out in the dark of night. It was his father’s, and who but maybe the Drunken God knows where his father got it. But now it’s his.

 

Valeros, Val to friends, lashes Trusty back onto his belt. Keeping one gauntleted hand firmly on reins of his horse. Our chelaxian veteran looks straight ahead, as the caravan presses on. Then, hazel eyes gaze back at his companions. Val hasn’t said much during the journey, keeping martially-minded attention on task at hand. Most of his idle chatter occurs during stops and rests, particularly if ale is involved. Apart from all that, he’s thusly maintained silently-stalwart stoicism. Finally, he breaks silence to utter towards his companions, lightheartedly, and to no one in particular,

 

“Are we there yet?”

Mapping: En route to Taggun Hold.  Closer than further.

Edited March 16, 2023 by guitarist (see edit history)

[StevetheNPC]

Elowyn the Elf Magic-User  (AC6 | HP 3 | MV 12")

Elowyn reached forward with one outstretched arm to rub and pat the muscular neck of his steed. "There now, old friend. It shouldn't be much longer until we get to rest." His horse had been becoming more visibly agitated for the last mile, likely due to being an older horse and not being as fit as the other horses in the caravan. It's once bright white hair and mane had begun to show the tell-tale grey hairs of aging over the last several years. "And we'll get you a snack, okay?" The horse responded to Elowyn with a snort and a quick upward snap of the head, as if to show that it understood what he had said. And that it intended to hold him to his word. 

The elf adjusted his position on the saddle to relieve the pressure on his bottom, causing his white and blue robe to flutter in the wind. Riding was never one of his favorite things to do. Everyone thinks that all elves love to be outdoors all of the time, but Elowyn was not one of those elves. He definitely prefers the comfort of a soft arm chair next to a warm fire in a study while reading a book to... this. 

Elowyn turned toward Valeros and replied, "That's what I was going to ask you, my friend! It feels like we've been on this road for an age. Can you check that map of yours and figure out where in the hells we are?"
 

Edited March 17, 2023 by StevetheNPC (see edit history)

[rauhric]

Hall Thorormsson

CG, Ulfen Human, Thief [0 XP] | AC 5 HP 3

---

The tall, blonde northerner looked to his childhood friend and said, "You know what Val, I thought adventuring would be more ... adventurous. Sure, we were hired for guard duty, but this has been pretty uneventful. The scenery has been different than home, but I am ready for something new." The young pup had no idea what was in store for him and his friend, but he assumed that something exciting would have happened by now. Life seems just as mundane as it did back home. "When does life get good?" he thought to himself.   

Character Sheet

Hall Thorormsson
CG, Ulfen Human, Thief (+10% XP) [0 XP]

AC 5 HP 3

Abilities:
17 STR +1 hit, +1 dmg
12 INT +3 languages (--,--,--)
09 WIS
16 DEX +1 reaction/att adj, -2 defense adj
10 CON
11 CHA 4 max henchmen

Saving Throws:
13 Paralysis, Poison or Death Magic
12 Petrification or Polymorph
14 Rod, Staff or Wand
15 Breath Weapon
16 Spells

Thief Abilities:
30% Pick Pockets
30% Open Locks
20% Find / Remove Traps
15% Move silently
10% Hide in Shadows
10% Hear Noises
85% Climbs Walls
--% Read Languages

Thieves' Cant
Backstabbing +4 hit from behind (surprised) x2 dmg (level 1-4), x3 (levels 5-8), x4 (levels 9-12), x5 (levels 13-16)

Proficiencies:
Weapon [2] +1/4 levels
Dagger
Longsword

Non-Weapon [1]
Painting

Equipment:

Starting Gold 100gp -76gp

Daggers (2) - 4gp
Longsword -15gp
Studded Leather - 15gp
Hat -7sp, Cloak -5sp, Girdle -2gp, Belt -3sp, Belt pouches (2) -30sp, Boots -1gp

Backpack -2gp, Sack -16cp
Wineskin -15sp, Rations (1wk) -3gp
Thieve's Tools -30gp, Tinder Box -1gp

Current Gold 24gp, 8sp, 4 cp

+50gp (for sharing a backstory with another player [guitarist])

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by rauhric (see edit history)

[Leonidas1789]

Jocelyn of the Dawn

LG Human Paladin, AC: 2, HP: 7

---

Jocelyn mainly kept to himself. Something about the turn of events did not sit well with him; what had started as a brave, worthy quest to locate a powerful artefact had turned into a common mercenary job. The reward was significant of course - enough coin to change one's life or perhaps start a new one. But to the young paladin, that was no real incentive - he had followed Elowyn hoping for a great, heroic quest - not for self-profit. As a result, he had spoken less and less with the elf in the previous days, unsure if there was cause to blame him - or anyone - for the strange and unexpected turn of events.

And then there was the matter of his horse, Spring; whether the poor creature would be able to continue carrying a knight in full armor for much longer was anyone's guess. Jocelyn had done his best to take good care of Spring, feeding and watering the horse whenever the caravan would halt. But that was not enough, and the paladin knew it - indeed, it did not fully compensate for the long days carrying such a heavy load.

Jocelyn sighed and muttered a short prayer to Iomedae, begging the Inheritor to give strength to his mount - and to help the expedition reach its goal quickly, so the paladin could refocus on his long-term quest with Elowyn.  

Edited March 18, 2023 by Leonidas1789 (see edit history)

[Excior]

Gabriel, trudges along at the rear of the caravan in silence, the hulking north-man was use to long hours traveling on foot from one place to another, It had taken him several months to travel from his home tribe in the north to the city he currently called home. It had been months since he had even been there, truth be told Gabriel was a wanderer traveling from place to place selling his sword to the highest bidder, he did not make friends easy and those he found in his company on this trip were much the same. the barbarian keeps his eyes out for trouble as they trudge along the road. 

[Jedaii]

Menador Mountains, afternoon, 50° F, light breeze

 

As the caravan makes its way over the rugged trail, a quartet of armed Orcs walk from around a mountain-side path and are startled by the party! Now standing directly in the trail blocking the caravan the Orcs raise their war-axes in anger as one of them shouts something in Orcish! 

[StevetheNPC]

Elowyn the Elf Magic-User  (AC6 | HP 3 | MV 12")

Elowyn joking calls out, "Oh goodie. It sounds like they only want our horses," and prepares to leap into action.

[guitarist]

 

           
 

“Well, our horses and all our stuff too.  
 

“I came to get paid, so ain’t no orc taking anything from me without a fight.  Assuming rock paper scissors is out of the question, which it probably is.  
 

“Most likely.  I mean, I’m pretty sure.”

Mapping: En route to Taggun Hold.  Closer than further.

Edited March 20, 2023 by guitarist (see edit history)

[Blick]

 

Merrick's eyes widened as the group of Orcs revealed themselves in the path of the caravan.  The menacing brutes were a bit intimidating; but it only took the young priest a glance at the others he was guiding to refute any feelings of fear.

Pulling his flail, he prepared to provide an example of courage and calm in the face of danger and combat.

---

[coreal]

Sliding off his horse as he draws steel and shifts his shield forward, Dek narrows his eyes at the orcs and prepares himself to laugh when they run off in fear.  Or more that is the laughter at facing the impending risk of life and limb that he keeps buttoned down under a moderately fearsome scowl.

 

[Jedaii]

Menador Mountain Pass

 

The lead Orc grunts, then raises his war-axe and shouts a battle-cry as he charges - quickly followed by his three comrades! The leader charges and attacks Dekmal! Another charges and attacks Valeros! Hall is charged by an Orc who attacks! The fourth Orc sprints up to Merrick and attacks!

The horses all panic and flee running back down the trail the caravan just came from, but the wagon drivers manage to control their horses! 

Edited March 21, 2023 by Jedaii (see edit history)

[guitarist]

           
Val surely dodges or ducks beneath orcish axe well enough.

If only he wasn’t also momentarily distracted, as he watches the party’s horses run away in panic!

“Oh…just, great.  That was my ride,” he exclaims at his assailant, as he brings his trusty bastard blade to bear!

Mapping: En route to Taggun Hold.  Closer than further.  May be a long walk, though.

Edited March 21, 2023 by guitarist (see edit history)

[coreal]

Dekmal was ready to dance with the orc, yes he was.  A left, a right, swing high, block low.

The orc however was of a mind to go with something a little more up tempo with a swing from the side that led to a much more painful blow rattling off of Dek's ribs, the sound of a few pieces of his scale armor rattling in ways it wasn't supposed to be rattling after the force of the impact and the wheeze of breath from his lips. At least his insides aren't spilling out all over the road, but he's going to have to do better than that if he's going to avoid that fate.