Heroes of Murtroth - The Lantern of Guidance

[YossarianLives]

You have just arrived at your destination, Vaulms, the last town before the empty, lifeless, wasteland of the eastern swamp. You have been traveling on the miserable, rotting cog, The Anastasia, for almost a week, and your journey has not been pleasant. Rain and wind battered the little ship on it's journey and the food and accomadations would be unfit for a prison. The sailors lower a gangplank and you, along with your companions and Joscelyn, your employer, hurry off the cog onto the docks of Vaulms. It is a small and rundown place, full of misfits, outcast, and criminals who fled from the confines of civilization to pursue a life of freedom. As you look around and begin to take in your surroundings, Joscelyn turns to you all and speaks for the first time in two days, the ship was rocking so much that he was overwhelmed by illness for most of the journey. "We should spend the night here in Vaulms and depart tomorrow morning. I have to visit an ex-colleague who is familiar with the area, hopefully he can advise us on the best route through the swamp. There is an inn located on the docks nearby, we will stay there tonight. I believe it is called "The Filthy Shoe", I'll meet you there this evening. Until then, you're all free to do as you please. Good luck."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum the Crotchety (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

The tubby mage looks around sourly, scratching at his long white beard, which threatens to dislodge it. "The Filthy Shoe? That sounds about right. Certainly won't be any clean ones in this slop. So, what is there to do in this dump until then?"

[YossarianLives]

Joscelyn waves his hand in dismissal as he walks away. "I'm sure you can find something to do. Vaulms has a wide variety of shops and businesses."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Is there a library or sage? Can any of these monkeys even read?"

If Joscelyn doesn't answer, he will accost a passerby and demand an answer to his first question. He may repeat the second if he doesn't like the answer.

[YossarianLives]

Neezum grabs a nearby fisherman and demands an answer from him.

The fisherman furrows his eyebrows and glares at him from under a massive bush of filthy black hair. "You should visit ol' Ignattus Prune at the edge of town. Likely he can help you."

The fisherman directs you to the home of Ignattus Prune, a small cottage at the edge of Vaulms.

[Space Pumpkin]

Horace will stroke his beard contemplatively.

"this Ignattus Prune sounds intriguing. Perhaps we should head to his house, I think I may have worked with him back in the old days."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Well, of course. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to investigate what passes for knowledge in this cesspool." Neezum starts in the indicated direction.

[YossarianLives]

After some time, it is rather difficult to find your way through the seemingly-random maze of streets, you arrive at a little wooden cottage built atop a small hill that overlooks the swamp. The windows have drawn curtains and it looks abandoned. A sign that reads "Ignattus Prune" in large letters hangs from the roof.

[GnollOfErathis]

Grumbling about the quality of directions he received, Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572) knocks loudly on the door.

[YossarianLives]

After about a minute a small hatch in the door is slid open revealing a set of large blue eyes staring at you.

"What do you want?"

[Space Pumpkin]

"We understand you are a scholar of some variety. I believe we have worked together before, my name is Horace."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Yes, we're seekers of knowledge. Have you any to share?"

[YossarianLives]

"That would depend." The door slids open revealing a scraggly man in dirty robes. "What can you offer me in return?"

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"My own store of knowledge." After a pause, he continues, "or coin, if that is more to your liking."

Neezum's knowledge is that of a novice magic-user, and may not be as valuable as he might wish.

[YossarianLives]

"I take it you want a look at my spellbook?" The man you presume to be Ignattus Prune nods fervently and continues: "Either you can pay me 30 gold pieces or you can do me a favour, I have a task of a sensitive nature that needs completion."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

That being more coins than Neezum could produce, he replies, "And what would that task be?"

[YossarianLives]

Ignattus laughs loudly.
"My niece, a rambunctious young brat was helping me with some research here last week. I paid her a small sum, something she should be grateful for. But instead of showing me gratitude, she stole a valuable artifact in my possession, a magical wand, to be precise. I want you to retrieve that wand. Use whatever means you deem necessary. If you are successful I'll happily allow you to look through my collection."

He directs you to a tavern on the docks where his niece apparently lives.

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Well, it's something to do. Come along, you lot." Neezum starts in the direction indicated.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Krug Axeblade (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=696714) strolls behind Neezum.

[YossarianLives]

The party sets off, travelling to the other side of the town, again. This time you manage to negotiate your way through the streets more easily and find yourselves standing on the docks outside a ramshackle tavern perched on stilts. A small rope-bridge connects the tavern to land. The sounds of exaggerated revelry drift through the air, and colourful lights glow in the moldy windows.

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Well, let's see to sorting out this den of iniquity and thieving slattern." Neezum pushes through the door, secretly glad to have sturdy companions with him. There may be more to this than just charming the wench.

[YossarianLives]

The door opens, within the small common-room over 40 people are packed around tables and the crowded bar, this looks like double the amount of people that could safely inhabit the room. Most people here look extremely shifty, gambling, cheap drink, and something to do are their major motivation in life. Your noses are greeted by the scents of roasting meat and urine, which combine into a pungent stench that fills the room and permeates its every nook and cranny.

A dangerously thin middle-aged man is bent over the bar speaking in a whisper to a young lady wearing a sword. You also notice a crowd of sailors in one corner of the tavern, over half of them salt-scoured dwarves. The others in the tavern are mostly locals - criminals, outcasts, and vagabonds. Most are spending their last remaining coin on alcohol, gambling, and prostitutes.

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572) wrinkles his nose at the stench, but leads his way toward the one woman who seems to be a customer instead of an employee.

Did we get a name or description?

[Space Pumpkin]

Horace will follow Neezum and glare at everybody nearby, attempting to look intimidating.

[YossarianLives]

You were not given a description.


Several patrons shy away from the reproachful looks of Horace as you make your way through the crowd. As you approach the bar, the woman draws away from the bartender and starts trying to appear inconspicuous. The bartender raises his eyebrows and retreats into a backroom. You could swear that you saw him smiling.

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572) approaches the woman. "Would you be the niece of one Ignattus?" He watches her reaction carefully, looking for signs of recognition, evasion or bluffing.

[YossarianLives]

The woman turns away, clearly nervous. "None of your business, who I am."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"It's been made my business.. our business. Ignattus is only interested in what you took. Relinquish it and you will be left in peace."

[YossarianLives]

"I don't know what you're talking about. Leave me alone."

[Space Pumpkin]

"don't think you can fool us! we know who you are."

[YossarianLives]

The women is clearly uncomfortable at these questions. She turns to the bartender and speaks. "Harry, could you please get these ruffians out of here. They're being very rude."

The bartender raises his eyebrows even further. "Is that so? Well, gentlemen, what do you have to say for yourselves?"

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"We have been charged with recovering the property of Ignattus from a woman living here, which we are attempting to do."

[YossarianLives]

The bartender shakes his head reprovingly. "Now, now. I can't have you harassing my guests. I suggest you leave."

[Space Pumpkin]

"We won't leave unless we get what we came for!" Horace turns to the woman, "hand it over! now!"

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572), realizing the direct approach isn't going to work, begins to tell the others to withdraw, but not before Horace speaks up.

[Cyber]

Morbad Silverfist. (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=695099)

Young 'knight' left his group for few minutes to do something... personal not long before rest of party entered tavern and because of that he got to place only when his comrades already started to interrogate random woman. And aggressively demand something. Eh, wizards. No common sense at all.
Without second thought, Morbad approached his traveling companions than put a right hand (while gripping his sword's handle with another hand) on Horace's left shoulder and loudly asked, "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. This oafs harasses you aren't they, good lady?"

[If noone else will do anything or woman\bartender will confirm 'harassing']

Morbad's voice took on a warning tone, "If that true my suggestion will be to leave this fine establishment, strangers. Or have a mug or two of nice ale, find table at other side of tavern and drink there in peace. Do you understand me, travellers?"

Engrish strong in this one.

[YossarianLives]

The woman speaks up. "Yes, thank you. I have no idea what these ruffians are talking about!"

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572) turns purple, but gets part of his beard stuck in his mouth before he can retort. By the time he has that under control, he realizes Morbad has given them an out, and only mumbles indistinctly while starting for the door.

[YossarianLives]

Your little party leaves and makes it's way along the rickety docks of Vaulms toward The Filthy Shoe.

Eventually you reach it. It looks like a huge re-purposed barn with several buildings added-on. The large doors hang open slightly and a thick stream of smoke floats out.

As you step in, Joscelyn jumps up from an empty table and walks to toward you. "At last! I was getting worried that you had gotten into trouble."

The rest of the common room is mostly empty. An elderly hobbit stands on the stool behind the bar, reading a large book. The only other customer is a man sleeping in a booth.

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572)

"Well, we're here now, and ready to hear what you have to say,"

[YossarianLives]

Joscelyn leads you over to the table on which he was sitting. It is covered in a large map detailing the area. Joscelyn jabs his finger at a line that goes through the otherwise desolate badlands.

"This is the path we must take. An old trail built by those who attempted to civilize this land a century or so ago. It was an ill-fated attempt and. We follow the path for 5 days before we reach the supposed home of the witch, Olibhia. The journey should be fairly simple but we may encounter resistance along the way, so be on your guard. I've ordered some dinner for you. Eat up and then I recommend retiring to bed. We have a long walk ahead of us." Joscelyn sighs and buries his face in his hands. He clearly regrets ever coming here.

Do you want to take any last actions before leaving town? I'll wait 24 hours before advancing the story.

[Cyber]

Morbad Silverfist (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=695099)

After a half-flirtatious, half-awkward conversation with woman to check what wizards was truly wrong about her identity, squire egressed tavern only to find out what his resentful comrades already left. Oh.

Later...

...
Morbad friendly tapped Joscelyn's shoulder, "Cheer up, Joscelyn. Think about prize what awaits you after all of this... Wait, you said ill-advised? That raises good question: what kind of resistance you inspect us to encounter: tribes of goblins? Bandits? Manticores? Old witch?"

[YossarianLives]

Joscelyn replies: "The witch, mostly. She is said to be terribly powerful. But not only that. The books I've read about the region speak of giant, man-eating plants and the stranger tales tell of mysterious floating lights that make travelers vanish."

[Cyber]

Morbad Silverfist (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=695099)

Young squire frowns slightly, "How much truth in this rumours and fairy tales?"

[YossarianLives]

"I'm not sure. Only time will tell."

[GnollOfErathis]

Neezum (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=686572) adds, "True. Such things are reliably recorded, but the wild tales of the ignorant are no less fantastic."

[YossarianLives]

You all take your rest and modest dinner in the inn. The inn isn't uncomfortable per say, but it is far from luxurious.

After a mostly restless night, you are all awaken by Joscelyn roughly shaking you awake. "Wake up, it's almost dawn! We need to leave immediately." He allows you only enough time to have a quick breakfast of watery gruel before hurrying you out the door.

Your little party climbs the hills outside of Vaulms and enters the badlands. The sea sparkles behind you in the sunrise, crows flock through the skies above you and ahead of you stretches the dark earth, pock-marked with bent trees and filthy ponds and bogs. The only sign of civilization is a narrow stone causeway that stretches ahead of you for miles. On the distant horizon you can still tall, snow-capped mountains: the supposed home of The Lantern.

You are not given long to savour this view, however. Joscelyn hurries you on your way. By noon, the swamps are burning with heat. Waves of steam rise from the mud. As you enter a small copse of cedar trees, a triumphant shout springs from the brush around you! From somewhere, you can't exactly tell, a voice shouts, "surrender your belongings, knaves or face certain death!"

[Space Pumpkin]

Horace holds his hands in the air showing he is unarmed. "Don't kill us! We hardly have anything of value!"

[YossarianLives]

Laughter seems to come from all directions.

The voice speaks again, this time from a completely different spot. "Well, drop whatever you have on the ground and walk away before we make pincushions of you."