Red Hand of Doom 5e (IC)

[Amnestic]

Day 5 - 7(?) Days until Drellin's Ferry

You find a secluded spot off the beaten track without too much trouble. Thanks to Gaks' protective spell you are unbothered by monsters in the night. Some approach at times, peering at the strange dome, sometimes tapping on it, but eventually lose interest and head off in search of new prey. The night is alive with the sounds of the wild - birds, beasts and bugs in a seemingly never ending variable symphony, though if it's played to a key it's none Freya is familiar with. Sleep may come difficult given the noise, but the safety of the bubble means you can at least sleep without fear of ambush.

The noise lessens as dawn approaches and a new day begins. Though you are faced with more clear skies, the painful heat of yesterday is replaced by merely uncomfortable warmth, which is a marked improvement. There's a moment of tension as the dome dissipates but it passes quickly when it becomes clear no one has been lying in wait.

Taking the main road back to town you see none of the goblinoids that Aetus sensed previously - presumably they're in hiding, awaiting the main horde to arrive. It's shortly before noon when you arrive on the west side of Drellin's Ferry, barely half a week since you left and looking remarkably similar, though you can see another farmstead on this side of the river has been burned in your absence. The raids continue, even without Koth directing them. The guards, what few there are, give you a welcoming (if not particularly professional) salute to welcome you back to town.

Spoiler

Show

Party gonna split? Party got a first destination? The town's open to you. Doesn't necessarily need discussion if you are gonna split.

[DigoDragon]

Freya

Freya looks longingly over at the tavern. A bath. She would slay two dragons for a bath, and yes she's quite aware of how plausible such an encounter could happen in her near future. Still.

She turns to her companions. "Unless you have need of my skills to convince the town leaders of what transpired, I will have a bath and food and song at the tavern. In that order."

Freya will give them a moment to answer before she heads off to unwind after the long trek in the heat of this valley.

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Happy to be back in town, Zuri eagerly goes with Freya.

"That sounds amazing Freya. I'll go with you. I could use a bath and a good meal and I always love your singing. Should we all get cleaned up and then try to find Norrow or Soranna to make plans for the upcoming attack. While we bought them time, the horde will likely go around the gorge, delaying only a few days."

[WhismurWanders]

Roswyn addresses the guards quietly and discretely. "Try to dissuade people from casting off unless they can defend themselves. There's a horde of hobgoblins on the march, and we're on our way to notify your captain. Don't want any traders setting out just to get slaughtered."

[stack]

"I will make a preliminary report directly. I expect the speaker and captain will wish to speak with everyone after. Get what refreshment you can, I expect the town will be in quite a state soon." Beorn gets a guard to lead him to the captain.

[Xihirli]

Gaks was hovering indecisively before "get what refreshment you can." She went with Freya and washed herself militarily, but her mind turned to this Sertieren in the haunted house they'd heard of. Once Roswyn was done, she addressed her halfling friend. "Would you come with me to see Sertieren? He's the town wizard."

[WhismurWanders]

Gaks was hovering indecisively before "get what refreshment you can." She went with Freya and washed herself militarily, but her mind turned to this Sertieren in the haunted house they'd heard of. Once Roswyn was done, she addressed her halfling friend. "Would you come with me to see Sertieren? He's the town wizard."

Roswyn nods. She was similarly filthy and probably as much in need of a bath as the others, but she was a sailor. She could weather being slightly uncomfortable a little longer. "Aye, we can do that. Think he can help with what's going on?"

[Xihirli]

"I'm not sure." Gaks sniffed, smelling days of travel on herself. "But I think we should approach him in a state that would not insult him." She resumed washing.

[WhismurWanders]

"Fair enough." Roswyn prepares to wash herself enough to be presentable, but didn't want to take too much time. Things were possibly moving too quickly for a thorough cleaning.

[Amnestic]

Sertieren the Wise

After washing themselves and cleaning up the worst of the grime and grit that has accompanied you on your 4-day round trip up and down the Witchwood, Gaks and Roswyn head to the old manor-house owned by Sertieren. It's on the north edge of town, a little way away from the eastern bank with a nice crop of trees on one side and the flowing Elsir River on the other. Despite its age you can tell the building is in a fine state and could stand for years to come. You find Sertieren on the porch of the manor, sat puffing away on a small pipe with his bespectacled face stuck into an enormous tome. He hears your footsteps crunching up the gravely path and lowers his book onto the table with slight smile. A halfling of middling years, his slightly wrinkled face is bordered on all sides by a disheveled mane of white-gray hair. He's dressed in what could be a scholar's robe. Though its colour has faded with age and sun the threading is still intact indicating it's been taken care of and repaired over the years. Whether he's been told of Gaks' appearance or simply look past it, he greets you warmly.

"Hello there! What can this old bag'o'bones do for you fine young ladies?"

Speaker and Captain

Beorn's escort leads across town to Soranna, who leads him to Norro, who agrees to sit down with you to hear it all in full. He proposes that you sit down in the inn again before going into details. On the way back though, they curve around and gather Delora, the stablemaster who Roswyn and Zuri met and bartered with on your first pass through town. The small group now four strong - three locals plus Beorn - they return to the inn in time to find Zuri and Freya freshly...freshened. Norro has a few words with Kellin and they begin to evict the few local boozers to give you the room to yourselves. Now a party of six sat around the table, a fresh round of drinks in front of each person ("On the house", so Kellin had said), Norro urgently asks "Well? What happened? What sort of trouble are we in for?" His concern is practically visible, while Soranna and Delora are more stoic and calculating. For now, at least.

[Xihirli]

Nobody had ever called her that before, and Gaks took several moments deciding what he meant by it. In the end she simply lifted her spellbook. "It is my understanding that we both work the same art. It was my hope that we might enrich one another's minds by sharing the knowledge we have... and we were also wondering what you know of the Red Hand. We've encountered them, and would happily try to answer any questions you have about them."

[WhismurWanders]

Roswyn greets the elder with a brief nod and the tipping of an invisible hat, and lets Gaks do the talking. Seemed like the hobgoblin had everything under control, and the halfling woman had no head for magical discussions.

[DigoDragon]

"Well? What happened? What sort of trouble are we in for?"

Freya sees an opportunity to try out some of her works. She breaks out the dulcimer and begins a musical number to answer the question.


"We trekked north where Hobgoblins have gotten nasty
They weren't kidding when they wanted to start a war
We fought a minotaur war band
Battled squads of the Red Hand
Slayed a dragon, a commander, and much more
True? Yes
And luck fortunately gave a little blessing
For our talents saw us through this little test
Dear captain, please don't fret
We bested them but yet
They are thundering the war drums for their quest

They call themselves the Red Hand
They march, they shrill
We have delayed them a few days
Smashed a bridge they cannot use
But can we stop them?
Yes, we will
We'll cut the wrist of the Red Hand
With luck, with skill
We can thwart their grandeur plans
Shouting, "Today, Tiamat fails!"
And it shall be
Quite a thrill "


Performance (1d20+7)[25]

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Zuri applauds Freya's masterful performance. Even though she had been there for the exploits, Zuri waited in anticipation for each new verse, the smile on her face growing as the song reached its crescendo.

When the song is over, she asks Norrow and Soranna a question before turning to Beorn, "Did your guards receive either of the messages I asked the birds to deliver? Beorn, are you still carrying the map we found?"

[Amnestic]

Sertieren the Wise

"Red Hand..." He looks thoughtful, trying to place it. "The Thayan extremist sect who were wiped out around 300 years ago? No, no...that was the...Red Fist? Red Eye?" He trails off in thought, scratching his chin idly. "Well I can't say I'm familiar with them I'm afraid, but I am happy to talk craft with a fellow arcanist and scholar of course." He gestures for you to take a seat at his table before pottering inside and returning a few minutes later with a pot of what smells like herbal tea and three flower-pattern teacups to match. He pours you both a cup, and one for himself and sits back with a gentle sip. Should you drink the tea it's a spicy ginger blend, with what tastes like a hint of lemon mixed in. An odd mix for a warm summer's day.

"Did you have any subjects in particular? I'm no master mage but I get by well enough. I'm happy to open my spellbook for some mutual consultation." He pauses for a moment before blushing.
"Ah, no, that's...poorly worded, I apologise." He takes another long sip of tea to cover his embarrassment.

Speaker and Captain

The assembled host, including Kellin at the bar, give a round of applause for Freya's performance, though it's hard to miss that their expressions don't quite match the enthusiastic clapping. As it dies down, Norro is the first to speak. "That was wonderful, but...I'm sorry, if this was artistic license. Did you say you destroyed Skull Gorge Bridge? But..." The colour is draining from his face. More importantly," Delora figuratively steps in to cover for Norro, "They really did have a dragon? And there's more?" "How many?" Soranna adds to the questions, pressing for details. "We saw the map you sent, but I'd like to hear your impressions directly. Can you really hold them off?"

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Zuri's smile fades as she gets back to the discussion at hand.

"We destroyed the bridge. It seemed like it would slow them down and give you time to evacuate or consolidate your forces. I'm sorry if that was not the right strategic decision, but our group will not be able to stop them on our own. We had enough trouble with the bridge guard and and the young dragon. Our friend Aetus went to try to recruit the giants to our cause, but I suspect even that won't be enough. An army with a fully grown dragon would be way too much for us.

I suspect Drellin's Ferry will fall. I think your best course of action is to evacuate this town. Take what you can carry, burn your growing crops, and go east finding a strong keep or castle to help defend or just keep moving for those unable to help.

Perhaps we could stay behind and wage a guerrilla war on them as they advance, disrupting their supply lines. They say an army travels by its stomach and all." She looks at Beorn with that last statement, knowing he is the military commander.

[stack]

Beorn remains stoic throughout the song; he is familiar with the perils of traveling with bards and minstrels. At least this one was useful. When the discussion turns to it, he weighs in. "The first matter is to get word to others. Brindol is the nearest fortified city, no? Warn other towns on the way, but mobilizing a significant force takes time. Holding here will not be tenable. We do not have a count of their numbers, but any force that can afford to have the number of patrols that have been seen, garrison the old keep with a monster and a mage, and spare a dragon for guard duty must be assumed to be significant. If you wish to see evidence of the dragon, I believe some of my companions collected a few scales and a tooth. Destroying the bridge bought us time, let us not waste it."

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Zuri opens the backpack full of green dragon scales.

"Is there an armorer or tailor in town who could turn these into a suit of scale mail for me? Preferably before you go or perhaps take this with them and work on it once they get to a stronger castle. I'd be grateful and would of course pay them well for their work."

[Xihirli]

Gaks sipped her tea, confused. "I refer to the Red Hand, a group of hobgoblins serving Tiamat. They are currently raiding and leading an army toward this very town."
"I'm a tr... I'm a tra..." Gaks choked on the word for a moment, then laid a hand on the table. She transformed a section of it into silver for Sertieren to see, to answer his question.

[WhismurWanders]

Roswyn bites her tongue to not make a joke about 'solo consultation', but attempts to help Gaks when her vocabulary fails her. "She can turn stuff into other stuff, among other talents. From what I hear, mages call that trans-combob-ultation, or something like that."

[DigoDragon]

Freya lets her companions take over the discussion. She strums her instrument, providing something calming. She is looking upwards in thought. Listening to the conversation and to her muse. "It is easier to raise a bridge, than raise the dead... now they march around the gorge, the Hands in Red."

[Amnestic]

Sertieren the Wise

"Ah, a transmuter!" He claps his hands with a giddy glee. "Not my area of expertise personally but always nice to see one. You know I had a lovely fellow back when I was a student who followed that path. Said that changing the world would help him change himself." The scholar waxes nostalgic for a moment, basking in the glow of fond memories. "But you didn't come to hear an old man talk about loves long since lost. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the hobgoblins. I'm happy to help out the town of course, but I try not to get involved in every problem that sweeps our way. Still, if it's brought you here then I'm supposing it's not a small problem is it? Oh they'll probably be calling on me before long." Again, he seems quite excited by this. For the second time he hops out of his chair and wanders inside before coming out a few minutes later with another large thick tome in his hands, balancing a small glass pot of black liquid on top of his head as he does so. He sets the book down and slides it across to Gaks, along with the pot.

"Probably enough left over in there for one minor spell for you to make note of. Jarett at the sundry store should have more on hand if you need it, though it'll cost you." He turns to Roswyn. "Now, pray don't be offended miss, but you don't strike me as a student of the arcane arts. I fear I might be out of my depth but is there ought I can help you with?"

Spoiler: Sertieren's Spellbook

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Alarm
Mage Armor
Burning Hands
Charm Person
Arcane Lock
Alter Self
Blindness / Deafness
Blur
Counterspell
Dispel Magic
Animate Dead
Bestow Curse
Blink

There's enough ink to scribe one 1st level spell on its own.

Speaker and Captain

Norro says nothing for a moment, then abruptly drains the full pint of ale in his cup. All eyes are on him as he loudly gulps down the fruity, hoppy liquid before slamming the cup down with a loud sigh and rubbing any remaining liquid away with a now-stained sleeve. "First. Payment." He tugs a bag of gold from his belt and drops it on the table. "250, as promised. We'll see what we can do to gather a bit more up since you've gone above and beyond but for now...I need to talk to the other town elders, but one last question - do you know how much time we have? The map wasn't clear." He's sweating heavily, and his hands are twitching. It looks like he might have a panic attack any moment.

Drelora leans over to Zuri. She doesn't look happy, but she's at least not panicked like Norrow. "Morlin has a smithy down the way, I don't know if he's ever worked with dragonscales before but he's your best bet unless you want to trek to Brindol."

[Xihirli]

Gaks nodded her appreciation. "No need to apologize. I suppose... that is why the path called to me, as well. My teachers were far more focused on the path of evocation." She briefly looked through the spells. "You strike me as an abjurer." She produced her own spellbook to let him look through it. "If I were to purchase additional ink, where might I go?" Then a thought occurred to her. "Oh, I've been rude. I am called Gaks, and this is Roswyn."

Spoiler: Gaks's Spellbook For Ease of Access

Show

Find Familiar (R)
Comprehend Languages (R)
Detect Magic (R)
Identify (R)
Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Fog Cloud
Shield
Absorb Elements

Flaming Sphere
Web
Invisibility
Spider Climb

Leomund's Tiny Hut (R)
Hypnotic Pattern

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Zuri closes the backpack and looks at Norrow, planning to visit Morlin after this conversation ends.

"Could be 4 days, could be 8, depending on how hard it is to get around the Skull Gorge. Does that look right to you, Beorn, Freya? Norrow, what can we do to help you now."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

When we are done here, Zuri will go talk to Morlin about the armor.

[stack]

"A large body of infantry will take time and requires support. They have already shown raiders and patrols out this far and if there are more dragons...I could not say how quickly a smaller force could get here. I would not send a dragon unsupported, having lost one already, but we know too little of what we face to give an accurate estimate. I would expect you have several days, but messengers must go at once."

[WhismurWanders]

He turns to Roswyn. "Now, pray don't be offended miss, but you don't strike me as a student of the arcane arts. I fear I might be out of my depth but is there ought I can help you with?"

At first Roswyn opens her mouth to say no, but something comes to mind. "None taken, elder, I'm here to make sure people don't mistake my matey here for one of the enemy." She gives Gaks' shoulder a hearty clap in camaraderie before continuing. "When I first came to town, Delora the stable-lady told me to mind the 'halflings at the old bridge', said they have sticky fingers. Don't suppose you'd know which clan raised some mischief makers? Times like these, sometimes a sneaky -" She wanted to say 'sneaky git', but didn't want to give the old halfling a heart attack either. "A sneaky halfling with plenty of bravery to spare could be mighty useful."

[DigoDragon]

Freya

"It is difficult to wager how much time we have... thus, I believe my brave companions and I should travel back out into the vale and find out," Freya says with a thoughtful 12% of a plan in her mind. "There are still raids, yes? We should seek out the raiders and trace them back to their camp. Camps must have ways to communicate up to the main army."

[Amnestic]

Sertieren the Wise

"A pleasure to meet you both." From his chair he can't do much of a bow but he does incline his head in a semblance of one. "Ah, Delora. Good for a laugh and good for a..." He takes another long sip of tea, the red tint returning to his cheeks. "Alas, she spoke true. Kellin and his family have a reputation for preying on travelers who come to town and relieving them of their coin through any number of means. As long as they don't target the locals it's been overlooked. I think if you may be hoping for bravery though you'll be disappointed. Unless these Red Hand are looking to spend money on ale and gambling in a tavern, they're likely less use to you than a straw fireplace."

He gives a long sigh and pours another cup. "I don't mean to disparage others, but I think if you're relying on them then the town's already lost." He turns to look up at his manor, almost as a preemptive farewell.

Speaker and Captain

"A week...maybe less..." Norro runs a hand through what little hair he still has as he mumbles, before abruptly standing to leave. "I will find you later...or tomorrow. Soon. Please stay in town until then. There is much to do." Soranna silently follows him. Delora stays for a moment, giving a roll of the eyes but speaking with a gentle tone. "Knows what he needs to do, can't bring himself actually do it." She follows soon after leaving the three of you in the bar with most of the day left to yourselves.

Later, at the Morlin's Smithy

The dwarf is astounded to see dragon scales in the flesh, and unfortunately confirms he has yet to work with them himself. Still, he gives a tempting offer - one batch of scales as payment to turn another batch into armour, with the third as a 'backup' in case his first attempt is...less than successful. It'll take him the better part of a week, he estimates the better part of a week, maybe two to get it done depending on how it goes. It's not hard to see that he's excited to be working with the material, but not entirely confident in his own skills.

Spoiler: OOC

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Level Up! 6th level beckons.

Unless you're going to start getting into rando bar fights there's a level up at the next long rest as we start into Chapter 2 of the campaign, so I'm happy for people to update their sheets now accordingly.

Free time in the town for supplies, scribing and RP and the like for the rest of the day.

If you're looking to sell or buying anything in particular throw it in the OOC thread, I'll try to keep on top of it to not slow stuff down.

[Bobthewizard]

Zuri

Zuri accepts Morlin's offer, looking around his shop for anything else interesting.

"If you can get mine done before you evacuate, I'll give you an extra 50gp. But don't stay here and risk your life just to get it done. If you need to leave, take the scales with you and I'll meet you in Brindol. Good luck with this project. If you need any help, let me know. Find me if you need anything or when you are done. Thank you for doing this."

She stays long enough for him to get her measurements and then returns to the rest of the party. Thanking him again non her way out.

[stack]

Not trusting the speaker to act with necessary swiftness, Beorn seeks out Captain Soranna again a short while after the meeting to inquire about sending a message to the other towns.