Return of the Runelords, Book 1: Secrets of Roderic's Cove [IC]

[Blackhawk101]

“Who is this Kolton and how would the have information on Goblin activities?”Alandra asks the gathering.

[lostsole31]

"Even smaller towns have their unfortunates, transients, and vagabonds," laments Bořek. "Kolton is one such person. He's surprisingly charming, but a destitute wanderer all the same. It makes sense that in getting away from populated areas of town, he would find himself seeing those doing things away from more settled eyes."

[Blackhawk101]

“He sounds like a good person to visit for information. Let’s stop and see him on our way out to where the caravan was ambushed.”

Alandra turns to the two Dwarves, “Try not to worry. We WILL bring your people back to you!”


To the party she says, “All in agreement?”

[lostsole31]

The party agrees and heads outside. It actually takes only 1-1/2 hours of asking around before the party finds Kolton, mainly because Kolton was seeking the heroes as well.

"H-hey, guys," says Kolton nervously with a high voice. "I-I hear you have been trying to keep the town safe. So, some dwarves got captured by goblins ... I don't know if you've been to the armory or not, but the survivors of the attack are there. Yeah, I know how easy it can be to get lost in this region. I know better than most that monsters lurk in the Churlwood and prey upon those who travail the Chavali River. Hey, you in town a few weeks ago when there was that big fight and all? Anyway, you gonna help the dwarves?"

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra smiles at the vagrant tolerantly.“You must be Kolton! We have met the dwarves and agreed to help them recover their abducted comrades!””Dear, Could you lead us to the location where the wagon was attacked since you know that area well?”

[lostsole31]

Kolton blanches. "Not for love or money will I go back there, but I can tell you where it is," and he tells you how to get there.

[Blackhawk101]

“Well thank you for your help citizen!” Alandra exclaims.

She suggests to the group that we might get some rations, water and camping supplies just in case we get stuck out in the woods overnight.

[lostsole31]

Bořek then leads the party to Conrel's General Store, and she gives her own bit of gossip. Since its original owner (a robustly rotund man named Conrel) passed away, Varna Rigsten (female human) has been running the town’s expansive general store. In addition to typical sundries, Varna also supplies animal feed. Recently, she’s become concerned with reports from her teamsters that goblins in the nearby Churlwood have been growing bolder and have been spotted at the edge of the woods, hurling taunts, insults, and the occasional bit of rotten food.

Alandra, what and how much of what do you wish to purchase?

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra recites her shopping list: “Trail rations 5 days, lantern and oil flask, flint and steel, warm weather-proof cloak or poncho, and bed roll.”
“How does that sound? I am not really much for outdoor activities but I am all in for the cause!”

[lostsole31]

The shopkeep asks some amplifying information ... "What type of lantern? Basic hooded? Also, I see you have a cloak, do you want a traveling outfit rather than just a peasant dress?"

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra puts a finger to her perfect lips thoughtfully before replying.
“A traveling outfit sounds perfect! Do you have anything in red!”

She makes a dismissive gesture with her hand and laughs.
“I can use magic if I need light! How silly of me. I won’t need a lantern.”
”Just the other items please.”

[lostsole31]

"If'n you ain't gettin' a lantern, do you still want a flask of oil?" asks Varna.

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra shrugs. “Sure. Could come in handy!”

[lostsole31]

Alandra purchases the following for 47 silver:
5 days trail rations (25 sp)
1 flask oil (1 sp)
flint & steel (10 sp)
traveler's outfit (10 sp)
bedroll (1 sp)

There are no "fitting rooms" so she can't change over right now in her clothing.

Feiya, in her creepy way, asks, "Do you have what you need to carry fresh water?"

[Blackhawk101]

“Oh! Feiya, you startled me! Try not to sneak up on me dear.”
The beautiful woman pats the canteen on her belt in answer to the witch’s questions.
“All set!”

[lostsole31]

Feiya herself had purchased some food and a bedroll, but nobody else purchased anything.

Where to now?

[Blackhawk101]

“If everyone is agreed, let’s make haste East along the Churlwood road to find the site where the caravan was attacked. From there, maybe we can track the missing dwarves and their Goblin captors!”

[lostsole31]

Roderic’s Cove sits on the northern bank of the Chavali River, and the Churlwood borders the river’s southern bank. The Chavali averages a thousand feet wide in this area, so swimming across is not the best option. The PCs can charter a boat to ferry them across the river to the Churlwood at a cost of 2 gp for a one-way trip, or they could walk about a mile up the Chavali River to a spot where a bridge has been started and a Cove resident ferries people across for just a few coppers.

Which way do you suggest?

[Blackhawk101]

As time is of the essence, Alandra suggests spending the gold for the more expedient boat ride. She does try to sweet talk the captain for a reduced fare due to the dwarfatarian nature of their mission.

[lostsole31]

Alandra finds that no matter how golden a tongue, this is not a land of hagglers, and the party is charged 16 gold ... which can come out of party treasure. The boat is chartered and they are dropped off on the other side. Now what?

[Blackhawk101]

Well you can’t blame a girl for trying.
Alandra will gather the group and head East on the road with Borek in the lead.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

For my benefit:* Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self

[lostsole31]

It's a 2-1/2-hour walk east along the south bank of the Chavali River before the group gets to the south side of Hallen's Ferry. Here the Chavali River grows shallow for a short stretch, twin rows of mismatched wooden pilings protrude from the water. This was originally intended to be the site of a bridge that would cross the river and continue the road south along the edge of the Churlwood, but plans for its construction fell apart after the pilings were driven into the river. Yet the Covers are tenacious, and rather than abandon this handy link to the south side of the river, a resident of the cove took it upon herself to set up a ferry service that uses a barge attached to a set of ropes hung between the pilings.

There is a footpath that heads south away from the river, and farther into the Churlwood.

What now?

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra takes out the “stone house in the woods” map and shows it to the group.
“Can anyone tell if this path might lead to the stone house from this map?”
Alandra muses, “I don’t think the dwarves used the foot path so the ferry it is!”

[lostsole31]

"Hand me the map," says Feiya.

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra hands Feiya the map.

[lostsole31]

Feiya and Ranghen look at the map and discuss amongst themselves, before they mention that they will share point together with their smaller friends. Making their way through the footpaths and trails through the Churlwood, the PCs find themselves following a network of trails that aren’t quite roads. Heading straight south from the ferry, as Roderic’s map suggests, they stumble into a large clearing within which a single dead oak tree looms.

The borders of this clearing are unusual in that they are well-tended,clear of brush, and strewn with gravel to form a circular road of sorts. A single dead oak tree looms at the center of the clearing, and something silver sparkles from one of the lower branches—what appears to be an amulet hangs there. The mutilated bodies of three recently slain people wearing the armor of the town watch from Roderic’s Cove lie near the tree’s roots.

The party talks amongst themselves - especially Feiya, Ranghen, and Ziggy - about the possible ramifications of what they see. Feiya finally speaks, "If these bodies remain unburied and out of a sight of a road - these are just trails and footpaths, not roads, mind you - there is a danger they could reawaken. The Varisians call these fell wanderers pârâie slabă - trailgaunts."

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra eyes the scene warily; not sure why but sensing danger of some kind.
“The poor people deserve to be laid to rest but I don’t think the danger has passed. I will give everyone some protection from harm before we approach.”
Alandra gives each party member a moment of looking deeply into their eyes while touching their temple.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

she gives each false Healing. 1d8+5 3 hrs.
* Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger: if damage is taken.1d8+1

The party apraoches with the women in the lead.

[lostsole31]

The ground rips open as the party crosses the rounded trail. A filthy, pallid figure lurches forward as if it were not entirely in control of its twitching limbs.

Begin Round One ...

R1T20: "I don't know what that is, but it don't look friendly!" exclaims Rodrigo as he closes while taking out his pistol and taking up a fighting stance. He speed draws his katana and it slashes across the strange woman's upper arm for 9.

R1T15: Feiya steps south to screen her fox from harm and casts mage armor on herself. "Yes, it is a trailgaunt, indeed. Undead, and all that means for those who know. It has a terrifying mutter that weakens the heart and melts resolve."

R1T14: The trailgaunt begins muttering and steps to the west of Rodrigo. It bites at Rodrigo, but he does a dance step to move away. Yet, despite its brief step already it seems to step after him and swings dirty fingernails his way, but he parries each with his sword.

R1T13: Ranghen's resolve starts to wither, before she looks back at the armored warrior that accompanies them, and she regains her composure. She charges it while taking out her sickle and slashes its back for 7.

R1T11: Ziggy races to the northern treeline before facing south and spitting at the trailgaunt, hitting it for 7 acid.

R1T10: Alandra, what do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Swiftly taking a martial stance, Alandra readies her bow and fires an arrow at the undead.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

SwA: Martial Stance: Battle Mantra -attack +1
MA: Ready Bow
SA: knock and fire at the trailguant with risky strike and psionic shot
to hit - (1d20+4)[19] Does not include +1 for Battle Mantra
to dam - (1d8+3)[9] includes +1 for Psionic Shot

Mesmerist Rider:
*she gave Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Dali, Borek, and self false Healing. 1d8+5 3 hrs.
* Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger: if damage is taken.1d8+1