Lost Mine of Phandelver - IC

[Vidrina]

"Meet me in Phandelver, I'll be expectin' ya..."

The dwarf's last words to you linger in the air as he sets off with his warrior companion, leaving you to tend to a supply wagon. Gundren Rockseeker had asked for your assistance in making sure the cart's supplies made it safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin, and offered to pay for your service.

Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely. He seemed to be in a rush, insisting on leaving before you claiming that he had business to attend to.

You look around, finding yourself among other acquaintances and friends of Gundren... You recall him mentioning that he had hired others for assistance, and they seem to be quite the characters – they would have to be for the journey ahead.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

"Well," Kriv mused to himself, "That little pinchcopper's obviously found himself a haul and gets me onboard for the price of a pan flute! Little devil, and I thought I was a hustler." The sun-burnt warrior checks over the cart, making sure supplies are properly secured in case he ran into trouble. Looked sound enough. Once he reached Phandalin, Kriv considered renegotiating his farthing for extended work on whatever windfall Rockseeker was nursing there. He smiled at the prospect of a fresh start in a new town with new, shiny coins in his pocket.

After his inspection of the cart, Kriv looked over the crew. Another dwarf, of course. That race was tighter than wet and water. A female no less, but she had the look of the field rather than caves. Hmph, probably Rockseeker's spy. "Careful with her", he thought.

Then, the horned one. Tiefling. Kriv had a history of combat with Tieflings: they were outcasts in so many places, armies were often the only place they found acceptance. All swords the same, all fire the flame. Unlike most, Kriv had no reservations about most people, to include semi-devilish spawns of two worlds. Hell, he was pretty sure a Tiefling of two had saved his life more than once. As long as people weren't cowardly brigands, everything might work out.

But, the tails were always funny.

And an Elf. A weaponless Elf. Probably a magic-wielder, as was their line. All this one had was a staff and dagger, so yes, had to be a wizard of some sort. Curious bunch, wizards, but they could be handier than a climbing kit usually. With all those magicks and all. Kriv wondered how much older the Elf was than he. Centuries?

He knealed to check a cart wheel and met the she-dwarf,

"Aye! That's a heavy hammer you have there, good lady dwarf. You a kin to Rockseeker?"

[Irish Musician]

Torma Hammerstrike (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=60232), War Cleric of Kord
Torma walked along side the cart, not being one to control them all that well, and wanted to be ready for action if anything were to jump out at them. She kept a weary eye out all around them to make sure she didn't see anything suspicious in the forest around them. This is nice, she thought to herself, Kord knows it has been a little while since I have seen some action. Combat or otherwise.....Maybe some little goblins will attack us, or some kobolds. That would make the trip more interesting. But she knew that most likely this trip would be just a boring "let's walk the cart from here to there" kind of mission. No matter, they could find something to fight later.

Torma then took notice of her traveling companions. A human, most likely some sort of fighter or soldier based on what he was wearing and what he carried. An elf, who had no weapons but whos hands looked quite worn in from something. So Torma didn't automatically go to some sort of wizard, but maybe a fighter who only used their hands? She was not sure. And then there was the Tiefling. Torma had not really known them much before she ventured into the world by herself. There were none of their kind in her kingdom so she had no real interaction with them. But Torma was not one to judge on appearances, though theirs was very different and a little evil looking. She soon figured out that Tieflings were just like any other race around....some good, some bad. She just hoped she walked with a good one.

Then the human spoke up, to her of all people, and asked her about her hammer. "Oh this thing!, she said, giving Kriv a "little" push (which seemed to him to be fairly hard), "Yeah, this is the hammer I use to deal out Kord's Word. I am also a blacksmith, so the hammer only seemed fitting for me to use in combat. If you can break an opponent's bones, you can take 'em out of a fight. Also helps to smash their heads in." Torma gives a giggle and keep walking along. She then turns to Kriv and gives him a shocked and appalled look"And what?! You think just cuz we are dwarves we are related?!

After a few moments of letting that hang, Torma starts to giggle again, "I am just pullin your chain!" And she gives him another shove that almost puts him into the cart. "I met him myself just recently and he asked me to help out a fellow dwarf. We aren't related, but we dwarves like to help our own, even if we aren't related. How about you, and the rest of our new friends? What are you doin' here and where do you hail from?" Torma ends with a smile, and looks in the forest every now and again still looking for any enemies following them.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: -
Condition: Normal

Standing and slapping dirt from his hands, he looked over the party,

"I am Kriv of Neverwinter, formerly of the Great Army and not to be trifled with. I mean to see this cargo to Phandalin and gather what further Tempus would have for me there. Ho, Elf! You and the other stranger, come forth and be met, if you mean to make way with the dwarf and I."

Kriv tried to seem polite as the strangers gathered around the cart, but 'polite' never really fit the warrior. Looking again to the dwarf, Kriv resumed,

"A blacksmith toe-smasher. Hm! Let us hope the gods guide us clear of needing your mighty hammer --- eh, you do have a name? Or did I forget already?"

[Concordance]

Aelar

Aelar smiles slightly as he steps closer to the pair by the cart. "I am Aelar," he says with a slight nod of greeting, "a woodland guide from a forest some leagues away from here."

Looking over his new companions, the human - Kriv, he had said his name was - seemed frank enough. A foot soldier, or so he seemed to be, was seldom also a silver-tongued liar - though there were, of course, always exceptions. The dwarf, too, seemed an honest sort. Kord was not a god of subtlety, and his clergy were not tricksters. The tiefling (or so Aelar thought they were called; he had only ever properly met two) seemed to be a mage of some kind. Magi were of all sorts, and tended to be tricky to judge.

In any case, they had all been hired by the same employer, so he had no reason to distrust any of them yet. For now, there were somewhat more pressing issues.

"Well, the day draws on, and if we mean to see these goods to Phandalin, there is one thing we need to settle first of all." Glancing at the pair before him, and then the tiefling, Aelar turns and gestures to the wagon. "Who can drive this thing?"

[Cyclopean]

"Well, I can give it a shot," says the tiefling as he steps forward. "I'll have to warn you, though, it'll be my first time trying." He smiles, careful not to reveal any sharp teeth.

He wondered if any of the others would have a better chance of being able to manage the cart. Probably not the elf, or else she wouldn't have asked, unless she were less straightforward than she seemed. He couldn't say for say about the soldier; he'd never gone to war himself, but in his experience those who did knew all sorts of things. Then there was the Kordite. She seemed like a bit of an odd one; he'd never met a dwarf who joked so freely without being deep in their cups. And while he noticed some apprehension from her (and a few glimpses at his more unusual features from the others), she seemed friendly enough. Seems like this could be a good group, he thought, and his smile widened. He still had no idea if she could handle a cart or not, though.

Path realized that he'd become lost in thought for a moment, and the others were clearly expecting him to go on. "Ah, forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Path, and I am an amateur wizard, hailing from nowhere in particular."

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

Kriv nodded and set a hand on the cart,

"An enlightened blacksmith, a guide, and a wizard. A fine variety of skills, then. There wont be many troubles that overcome us with such a gathering. Path, you take the reigns and I'll provide relief if you require a break. Let's be off before it gets too late."

[Vidrina]

The group set off on The High Road, heading south from Neverwinter without a hitch and without much conversation. The two oxen leading the cart moved along at a pleasant pace with little input from their driver, as if they knew the road well. The weather was mild, even with the midday sun high overhead.

The road you travel was one well-known as evidenced by the traders and other travelers you have passed on the way. All of them had pretty much avoided eye contact with the crew, usually after noticing the tiefling driving the heavily stocked wagon, though their gazes often lingered a little too long with cautious curiosity. You know you have about a day and a half's worth of travel ahead of you, and the cobblestone road is beginning to grow uncomfortable under your feet after walking for 4 hours. It's now about 3 pm, and you've considered taking a break.

Taking a Break
If you do decide to take a short break (10-30 minutes worth), there are no necessary rolls. Otherwise, you can keep moving, which would warrant a perception check.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

After hours of travel, Kriv signaled to get the others' attention,

"We should break here and rest a bit. We're making good time so far."

While rechecking the cart, Kriv looked over the area, to also check on their scout.

[Concordance]

Aelar

Coincidentally, almost as if summoned by those words, Aelar appears once more from the trees beside the road a few moments later.

"Oh," he says, surprised, "are we stopping for a while? Not that I wouldn't mind, of course. Though-" He takes a quick, slightly concerned, glance over the oxen and the rest of his companions. "...There isn't anything wrong, is there?"

[Irish Musician]

Torma Hammerstrike (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=60232), War Cleric of Kord
Torma smiles at Kriv's description of her. "Aye, a might hammer it be. But if my god is going to do anything, he will guide me to battles. As for me name, I am Torma Hammerstrike....Warrior Cleric of Kord. Nice to meet ya." Torma walks along with the others, keeping her eyes out.

As the hours pass, the others seem to tire just slightly but Torma seems to keep the skip in her step. She seems to sing as she walks, softly, to herself. At the sound of taking a break Torma laughs and speaks up, "Ach, we don't be needing to take a break! Buuuut if y'all be wanting to then I will stop with ya." Torma takes a look around the forest, making sure they aren't being followed or spied on from any baddies.

Perception [roll0]

[Cyclopean]

"I suppose we should take a break for lunch at some point, and now's as good as any," says Path as he hops off the cart. "And, of course, if anyone wants to continue resting their feet when we resume, they're welcome to take my place driving. Now, if we're going to be stopping for a while, I suppose now is as good as any for this." With that, Path briefly mutters and gestures at himself. A ghostly set of armor appears over his clothes.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

Seeing Path's magicks, Kriv's eyes widen,

"Great Tempus! What manner of incantation is that?!"

[Cyclopean]

"Ah, just a simple protective ward," replies Path, a little pleased with the attention. "Not as effective as real armor, of course, but it's all I can use and better than nothing."

[Concordance]

Aelar

Satisfied that they had not, in fact, stopped the wagon because they had run into some sort of trouble, Aelar moves over toward his backpack, which he had left on the wagon while he had been scouting out the route ahead.

Midway, he pauses at Path's display of magic, somewhat bemused. "...If you're worried about being attacked while resting, perhaps I should head back out?"

[Cyclopean]

Path chuckles. "Just a precaution, friend. This spell should last well into the night, and if we rest long enough here, I'll be able to recover the energy used to cast it."

The wizard stretches, sits down, and begins digging through his pack. Pulling out some dried meat, he looks back up to Aelar. "You haven't seen anything suspicious, right? Nothing to suggest good Torma's prayers for danger are being answered?"

[Concordance]

Aelar

"Not a thing," Aelar replies breezily. After a slight pause, he adds, "yet, at least. I imagine nightfall might draw out whatever suspicious characters are lying in wait."

After briefly rummaging through his backpack, Aelar pulls out some of his own food - dried fruits and meat - and starts to eat as well.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

Kriv watches over the road somewhat as the others take some time for themselves. He's anxious, which is unusual for the young ex-soldier. Phandalin holds the promise of a new improved life fro him. He looks over the area and drawing a few dice from his within his armor, shakes them in his hand.

"I wouldn't worry about that, Aelar. The gods are with us. I can feel it in my dice."

[Vidrina]

The group decides they want to stop for lunch, and you pull off the road a little ways; far enough to not be bothered or seen by anyone passing by, but close enough to hear the occasional passing of travelers. As you settle down to eat, you hear many loud, boisterous voices passing by.

Kriv, this is what you see as you watch the road:
As you watch, you see a large caravan of about 20 people with 3 covered carts. They look like they're having a good time, and are dressed in colorful clothing – they are probably a group of traveling performers by the logo adorning their carts.

[dream]

Kriv (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=90428)
HP: 12
Perception: 12/+2
Initiative: (+2)
Condition: Normal

As the groups cascade past the party, Kriv notes actions and possible intentions,

"Clowns. No threat here, boys. For every entertainment, a thousand years of comfort, no? Ho there, travellers!"

Running his hand over his sword hilt, Kriv saw no danger in the passing parties. He'd learned over years of war-fighting that few would rise to challenge a stranger. He nodded at the people, as if he knew their intentions before they did. The grit of blood and steel touched his tongue as he surveyed them, as they played seemingly oblivious to the greater realm around them. Kriv saw war and its jealous fires whipping around both the outside travelers and his own party.

He knew death was always a soft stroke away, moreso than most could ever fathom. The cool rub of his sword hilt brought a strength that made Kriv drink deeply from a deep breath.

[Irish Musician]

Torma Hammerstrike (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=60232), War Cleric of Kord

Torma laughs at the wizard's hope, "Haha, oh me prayers are always answered. It is just a matter of when they be." Torma clapped the wizard on the back and gave him a laugh. "Don't you worry none. Me 'n Kord won't be letting you fall to any baddies. And if ye do, rest assured we will watch over your body until we get ya back on yer feet!" Torma gave him a smirk and continued on with the others. She knew that her smile wasn't as comforting as Path wanted, much like her words.

As the continued, Kriv noticed a caravan of fellows coming towards them. He mentioned they were simply performers and were of no concern. He hailed them and the two caravans kept approaching each other. Torma didn't think they were any threat either, but she kept her hand on her mace just in cast. She had learned many thing in her days as a soldier, most importantly was never let your guard down. "Hey there! How's the road ahead of us?!"

[Cyclopean]

Path chuckles and shakes his head. "Well, I suppose that would be one way to explore the great beyond," he says, "but all things considered, I'd prefer to do that with my soul still inside my body."

The wizard looks warily at the colorful procession. "Who do you think they are? Merchants? Performers?"

[Concordance]

Aelar

"They look a little colourful for merchants," Aelar suggests. "Which makes it odd that I didn't see them coming earlier. Well, perhaps they're keeping a fast pace - but then, I wonder why?" He considers the matter for only a moment further before shaking his head and returning to his meal.