No one save for Menelwen and Theamen knew what happened that night....but clearly Henry is not himself after the confrontation with his sister. No one can blame him of course...
After some breakfast, the party sets out for Red Larch. It takes a couple days with their spoils. Due to some (unforseen events), they ended up having a shopping episode while waiting for their druid to return.
Henry decided he wanted some ice cream (which does not exist in this world sadly), but would settle for cake as his birthday had just passed. Unfortunately...the bakery did not have cake. They did however, have cheese and mushroom danishes.
After some surprisingly delicious danish, and brooding over what may have to happen to Henry's sister Rosette...the party goes to sell some of their finds from Feathergale Spire. They go to the shop that Henry tried to (and failed) to lift Volo's Guide to Monsters from Endrith's store.
Vega picked a book up, read a singular page and promptly put it back. He did however, find a book in Dwarvish that, with some haggling (for the three flight suits and 5gp) they got. It was the Geneology of Mirabar- a possible help to their quest of locating the Delegation of Mirabar.
After the shopping concluded, Kaylessa (the new mayor) was more than happy to point them which way to go. To Womford, south of Red Larch.
It would take roughly eight days of travel even with horses (which thanks to being close with the mayor) they were able to procure.
They set out!
~*~
Day 1- The travel was relatively smooth, the only real bump in the road was a group of shepherds trying desperately to get their sheep across. They refused to budge.
Vega used Speak with Animals to convince them to move. "Baa....it's the same thing....every day we cross from one side to another....it doesn't matter, it's the same grass." Vega told them about crop rotation being necessary and eventually (begrudgingly) they moved.
They eventually stop and establish a watch rotation (the holds consistent throughout the travels)
1st Watch: Henry and Thok
2nd Watch: Menelwen and Theamen
Vega used Speak with Animals to convince them to move. "Baa....it's the same thing....every day we cross from one side to another....it doesn't matter, it's the same grass." Vega told them about crop rotation being necessary and eventually (begrudgingly) they moved.
They eventually stop and establish a watch rotation (the holds consistent throughout the travels)
1st Watch: Henry and Thok
2nd Watch: Menelwen and Theamen
3rd Watch: Menelwen and Vega.
1st and 2nd watch pass uneventfully. 3rd watch however...They hear shuffling. And crunching. Two ghouls appear and attack! Vega and Menelwen manage to handle them and none of the party stirred...for the entire encounter. Needless to say...they weren't too happy at not being woken.
Day 2- While traveling, they heard squabbling and saw smoke rising over the trees. Henry stealthed over to check it out. It was a group of three ogres arguing over how best to cook and eat a deer. Seeing no reason to confront them, the party gave them wide berth.
The night watches pass uneventfully.
3rd Day- While traveling, the party comes across a dozen figures moving at a much slower pace. Upon coming to them, they learn that they are traveling to the Forlorn Hills to restore a temple to Pelor. Rather friendly, they tell the party to drop by should they find themselves over that way.
Other than that, the rest of the day and the watches pass uneventfully.
4th Day- Passes uneventfully.
1st and 2nd watch pass uneventfully. 3rd watch however...They hear shuffling. And crunching. Two ghouls appear and attack! Vega and Menelwen manage to handle them and none of the party stirred...for the entire encounter. Needless to say...they weren't too happy at not being woken.
Day 2- While traveling, they heard squabbling and saw smoke rising over the trees. Henry stealthed over to check it out. It was a group of three ogres arguing over how best to cook and eat a deer. Seeing no reason to confront them, the party gave them wide berth.
The night watches pass uneventfully.
3rd Day- While traveling, the party comes across a dozen figures moving at a much slower pace. Upon coming to them, they learn that they are traveling to the Forlorn Hills to restore a temple to Pelor. Rather friendly, they tell the party to drop by should they find themselves over that way.
Other than that, the rest of the day and the watches pass uneventfully.
4th Day- Passes uneventfully.
5th Day- The party is stopped by a large man with nothing but a loin cloth, elk antler shoulder pads, and a great axe. He snarls at the party, telling them to turn around and go back from where they came from.
Naturally, they refuse. Four other barbarians came out to fight, evening the odds.
Henry shoots, Vega uses tidal wave which knocks out two barbarians. He tried to intimidate the beserker (but rolled a nat one). That...earned some attacks against him. And down he went.
Thok took on the berserker, however, it did not appear that his attacks (though hitting him) was not causing the expected amount of damage. Theamen was having a rough time, losing grip of his sword at one point. He turned after Vega fell and got hit. He snarled in pain, Hellish Rebuke triggered. The Berserker was taken out eventually by Menelwen blowing his head off with Magic Missile.
Day 6- Passes uneventfully.
Day 7- While riding, they noticed two large creatures circling over head. When they would stop, so would they. The creatures were very obviously watching the party...two in particular- Vega and Menelwen.
Naturally, they refuse. Four other barbarians came out to fight, evening the odds.
Henry shoots, Vega uses tidal wave which knocks out two barbarians. He tried to intimidate the beserker (but rolled a nat one). That...earned some attacks against him. And down he went.
Thok took on the berserker, however, it did not appear that his attacks (though hitting him) was not causing the expected amount of damage. Theamen was having a rough time, losing grip of his sword at one point. He turned after Vega fell and got hit. He snarled in pain, Hellish Rebuke triggered. The Berserker was taken out eventually by Menelwen blowing his head off with Magic Missile.
Day 6- Passes uneventfully.
Day 7- While riding, they noticed two large creatures circling over head. When they would stop, so would they. The creatures were very obviously watching the party...two in particular- Vega and Menelwen.
Not wanting to just wait around and be inevitably attacked, Vega struck first. He called down lightning and the fight (if it could be called that) began. Two rounds of Magic Missile (Thok's wand of Magic Missiles, and Menelwen's Ring of Spell Storing) and a scorching ray (from Theamen who crit both enemies) knocked them out of the sky.
Thus came the joke of Druids opening up LFP (instead of KFC) Lightning Fried Peryton. Mm finger lickin' good.
Day 8- Arrive in Bargeright! They head to the Inn (appropriately named the Bargeright Inn) and get three rooms for the night.
Room arrangement: Thok with Henry, Vega with Theamen, and Menelwen had a room to herself. Except Theamen was persuaded to stay with her...<3
The next morning....Thok and Henry hear some grunting coming from Vega's room. Thok, doesn't care "whatever you're into, I won't judge", but Henry is mortified. He insists on having a chat with Theamen when the bladesinger comes down to breakfast.
Henry pulls him aside. "Listen, I don't want to judge or anything, but I don't think having a relationship in a group is a good idea."
"Oh, you found out-" He seemed sheepish. "I guess we weren't very subtle..."
"We, Thok and I overheard you."
Theamen's eyes widened. "I...didn't think we were that loud..."
"I know about the birds and the dragons- listen, just be careful because relationships may distract you."
"We are being careful." He assured the young man. "It's a first relationship...for both of us."
"Is it just physical."
"No. Of course not." Theamen shook his head. "...It's still new, we're finding our way.And we won't let it affect our party dynamics."
"You know...you're a really handsome man...I see why people are attracted to you. I just worry with the naivete involved."
"Ah well...more mine than anyone's." Theamen sighed. "I'm rather inexperienced...and my father wouldn't exactly approve..." He looked at Henry. "Thank you for your concern. But we'll be careful before we make any decisions that may affect the party." He patted his shoulder before returning to the group.
Room arrangement: Thok with Henry, Vega with Theamen, and Menelwen had a room to herself. Except Theamen was persuaded to stay with her...<3
The next morning....Thok and Henry hear some grunting coming from Vega's room. Thok, doesn't care "whatever you're into, I won't judge", but Henry is mortified. He insists on having a chat with Theamen when the bladesinger comes down to breakfast.
Henry pulls him aside. "Listen, I don't want to judge or anything, but I don't think having a relationship in a group is a good idea."
"Oh, you found out-" He seemed sheepish. "I guess we weren't very subtle..."
"We, Thok and I overheard you."
Theamen's eyes widened. "I...didn't think we were that loud..."
"I know about the birds and the dragons- listen, just be careful because relationships may distract you."
"We are being careful." He assured the young man. "It's a first relationship...for both of us."
"Is it just physical."
"No. Of course not." Theamen shook his head. "...It's still new, we're finding our way.And we won't let it affect our party dynamics."
"You know...you're a really handsome man...I see why people are attracted to you. I just worry with the naivete involved."
"Ah well...more mine than anyone's." Theamen sighed. "I'm rather inexperienced...and my father wouldn't exactly approve..." He looked at Henry. "Thank you for your concern. But we'll be careful before we make any decisions that may affect the party." He patted his shoulder before returning to the group.
Henry walked over to the bartender and spoke with him. "Take me to the Winged Serpent." He followed the bartender back without telling the party what he was doing.
"So you got her message, she must think highly of you." The message had been slipped into Henry's pocket the night before.
It turned out the innkeeper is a spy for the winged serpent, the Zentaron- a thieves guild, the black network, the assassin's guild...whatever you prefer to call them.
They offered Henry a job. The Zentaron want to stop the cults, which aligns with the party's plan anyway. They wanted the information Henry could get them.
"Am I free to say no?" Henry asked.
"It's not in your best interest, but yes. Think though. You could have four warriors on your side...of a whole faction."
Henry considered it carefully. "I have two terms. None of my party will be put in harm's way."
"No more than they already do."
"And...I don't want gold. Just...help me save my sister."
Nalaskur, the half elf bartender agreed, handing Henry a ring. He told him to be careful what company he wore the ring in, but it would open doors for him.
They returned to the bar. Henry walked over to the group.
"So Henry." Thok pinned the young man with a glare. "Where'd you go?"
"Bathroom." There didn't need to be an insight check. The shifty gaze said it all. It took some prying, but eventually he said that "It was personal, but something that would be advantageous for the whole group."
Nalaskur spoke to Henry before they left, advising them to catch a ferry across to Womford, and ask for Dognose,
After speaking with a grumpy dwarf, they meet Dognose. Who agrees to take them across. The cost was half if you agreed to work. Vega offered but
"Have you ever worked on a boat before?"
"No."
"Then I don't want you working on my boat."
"He can swab the deck." Thok offered.
"Yeah? What does swab mean?"
"To...clean?"
"Where's the deck?"
Vega didn't know.
Henry however (because of Thok's insistence) worked.
The trip across was smooth. "Good work. And sorry about the fish guts," Dognose clapped Henry on the shoulder.
Made land in Womford.
It turned out the innkeeper is a spy for the winged serpent, the Zentaron- a thieves guild, the black network, the assassin's guild...whatever you prefer to call them.
They offered Henry a job. The Zentaron want to stop the cults, which aligns with the party's plan anyway. They wanted the information Henry could get them.
"Am I free to say no?" Henry asked.
"It's not in your best interest, but yes. Think though. You could have four warriors on your side...of a whole faction."
Henry considered it carefully. "I have two terms. None of my party will be put in harm's way."
"No more than they already do."
"And...I don't want gold. Just...help me save my sister."
Nalaskur, the half elf bartender agreed, handing Henry a ring. He told him to be careful what company he wore the ring in, but it would open doors for him.
They returned to the bar. Henry walked over to the group.
"So Henry." Thok pinned the young man with a glare. "Where'd you go?"
"Bathroom." There didn't need to be an insight check. The shifty gaze said it all. It took some prying, but eventually he said that "It was personal, but something that would be advantageous for the whole group."
Nalaskur spoke to Henry before they left, advising them to catch a ferry across to Womford, and ask for Dognose,
After speaking with a grumpy dwarf, they meet Dognose. Who agrees to take them across. The cost was half if you agreed to work. Vega offered but
"Have you ever worked on a boat before?"
"No."
"Then I don't want you working on my boat."
"He can swab the deck." Thok offered.
"Yeah? What does swab mean?"
"To...clean?"
"Where's the deck?"
Vega didn't know.
Henry however (because of Thok's insistence) worked.
The trip across was smooth. "Good work. And sorry about the fish guts," Dognose clapped Henry on the shoulder.
Made land in Womford.
~To be Continued~
No comments:
Post a Comment