Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

[hedgeknight]

"The Lionshields is a merchant company based in Yartar. They ship finished goods to Phandalin and other small settlements throughout the region." Sildar says, standing gingerly, bracing himself against a large stalagmite."That cargo was probably destined for the Lionshield Coster in Phandalin. My guess is the master of the post, Linene Graywind, would be much appreciative of its return."
"That's where I intend to go myself, and I'd be willing to pay for an escort." He says, gingerly touching the cuts on his face and head.
"I'm glad to hear about Klarg. Now, if we can just find my partner, Gundren. He had a map of Wave Echo Cave, but the Black Spider..."
His voice trails off as he realizes all of you are gaping at him like he has grown a third eye.

Sildar chuckles, winces a bit from cracked ribs, and says, "Let me fill you in on a few things."

So, as you gather your gear and begin the long process of hauling out the stolen goods, along with Baer's body (this may take a 2-3 trips, but the distance back to the wagon is not far.), Sildar offers the following information:

> The three Rockseer brothers (Gundren, Tharden, and Nundro) recently located an entrance to the long-lost Wave Echo Cave, site of the mines of the Phandelver's Pact. More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.
A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.

> Klarg, the bugbear Kelton killed, had orders to waylay Gundren. The goblins spoke of someone named the Black Spider, who sent word to have Gundren brought to him. Sildar doesn't know who or what the Black Spider is.

> But Gundren had a map showing the secret location of Wave Echo Cave, but the goblins took it when they captured him and Sildar. Sildar believes Klarg sent Gundren and his map to a place called Cragmaw Castle. He is not sure where that is, but thinks someone in Phandalin might know.

> Sildar's contact in Phandalin is a human wizard named Iarno Albrek. The wizard traveled to the town two months ago to establish order there. After the Lords' Alliance received no word from Iarno, Sildar decided to investigate.

"So, there you have it. I need to get back to Phandalin, but I don't think I can make the trip alone...not in my current state. Fifty gold to you when I get there safely...and I imagine some more coin when you return the goods to the Lionshield Coster. What say you?"

[burlyjr]

"So then we shall get you back safely and return the goods to the rightful owner. We should get everything ready to move out and rest up and leave in the morning."

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton nods along with the words of Sildar.

Well, guarding a caravan of stolen goods back to its rightful owner isn't exactly heroes work but, I'm game if everyone else wants to do it.

[hedgeknight]

Triboar Trail > Preparing to Move Out

As the group hitches the draft horses and helps Sildar into the wagon, two strangers appear on the eastern trail > one is a muscular human while the second appears to have subtle elven features. Both approach the wagon cautiously, not knowing what type of reception they will receive.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alright fellers > Computer +1 and ybn1197 are in the game!
Feel free to post about your characters > time to interact and meet your new companions.
Also, make sure to update your character sheets with XP from the completion of the Cragmaw Hideout rescue mission!

[ybn1197]

The more lithe of the two (the one with elven features) cautiously peers about trying to get a quick "gut" feeling for the group before him. He spies the body of one man and the rough shape another is in and approaches a little more quickly, a little less cautiously. "Is anyone here in need of help?" he says pulling out a medallion featuring a sunrise.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton stands and moves his hand to his axe hilt.

Hold on there stranger! How do we know you are not out to harm us instead?

After realizing that his intentions are good, Kelton relaxes his glare at the elf and looks to the others to judge their reactions to the newcomers.

Sildar, do you know these folks?

[Computer +1]

Kael has been walking along lost in his own thoughts. He wrestles with what to do next and where to go. Being in hiding has not been easy for him as he always prefers to stand out in the open rather than sneak around.

He glances over at his walking companion whom he barely knows at all. A nod as they both walked along the trail in the same direction was the greater part of their communication so far. On another day Kael may have picked up the pace to show his athletic superiority but today it felt better to walk with someone rather then race to nowhere.

Seeing the wagon ahead Kael's pace slows a bit as he and his walking partner approach. Not knowing what to say Kael is glad when his partner speaks first although the reveal of the medallion surprises him a bit. When the man who must also be a fighter puts hand on the hilt of his axe Kael does the same.

I ain't here to harm nobody that don't want to do harm on to me.

[hedgeknight]

The more lithe of the two (the one with elven features) cautiously peers about trying to get a quick "gut" feeling for the group before him. He spies the body of one man and the rough shape another is in and approaches a little more quickly, a little less cautiously. "Is anyone here in need of help?" he says pulling out a medallion featuring a sunrise.

Anyone making a Perception or Religion check of 10 recognizes the medallion as being a holy symbol of Lathander.

[Computer +1]

[1d20] = 17

Does this mean Kael recognizes it or doesn't?

[Belkregos]

Stitches clears his face and tries to toughen up from crying over Baers body
can you help him?

[ybn1197]

[1d20] = 17

Does this mean Kael recognizes it or doesn't?

The short answer: yes.

The long answer: HK asked for a Perception or Religion check of 10. Perception is a Wisdom skill and Religion is an Intelligence skill. Kael has neither skill so he would best be served to use whichever attribute has a higher bonus. Kael has a 14 in both Wisdom and Intelligence so either way his bonus is +2. HK stated it was a check of 10, also called the Difficulty Class (or DC). Your roll was a 17 and you got a +2 from your attributes giving you a total check of 19 beating the DC of 10. Had you either Perception or Religion, you would had an additional bonus from your skill to add t your roll.

Sorry to make it long but I have never believed it acceptable to know yes or no without knowing the mechanics behind it.

Stitches clears his face and tries to toughen up from crying over Baers body
can you help him?

"If he is still breathing, yes. I am afraid though that returning the spirit to the body after it has fled is well past my abilities."
Before doing anything, Gerland will quickly examine Baer's body.
Medicine: [1d20+5] = 3+5 = 8
Uh, yep. That's a body

[hedgeknight]

No need to try to heal him > Baer is graveyard dead.

[wordoftheoracle]

Religion Check: [1d20+5] = 20+5 = 25 Perception Check: [1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15

By my estimations, it appears that these two have come to assist us, and not a moment too soon! We should see if they would be kind enough to join us in our pursuits. Though would that it could be that Baer lived, but we need to keep progressing. Baer joined us for a reason and we should see this through!

[Computer +1]

With his hand still on the handle of his axe Kael looks over at the body. Seeing the halfling try to hold it together pulls at his heartstrings a bit and he moves his hand off the axe.

What kinda trouble you all run into? he asks.

[ybn1197]

Stitches clears his face and tries to toughen up from crying over Baers body
can you help him?

"If he is still breathing, yes. I am afraid though that returning the spirit to the body after it has fled is well past my abilities."
Before doing anything, Gerland will quickly examine Baer's body.

"I am truly sorry," Gerland says while placing his hand over Baer's eyes and gently closing them. "His spirit has departed this mortal coil and moved on to Lord Kelemvor's domain. His pain has ended. We must attend to those who still suffer."

[burlyjr]

With his hand still on the handle of his axe Kael looks over at the body. Seeing the halfling try to hold it together pulls at his heartstrings a bit and he moves his hand off the axe.

What kinda trouble you all run into? he asks.

"Come on and help me carry and load this stuff up and I'll show what all we ran into." Aslaan will head back into the cave to haul out the remaining stuff and to show Kael what we ran into if he follows.

[hedgeknight]

If Kael or Gerland or anyone else decides to follow Aslaan back to the goblin hideout, please look back a page or two at the completed map of the caves. If you need updating on anything, just ask.

Otherwise, make sure you update your character sheets to reflect the XP you earned for cleaning out the goblins and rescuing Sildar. Some of you have already done this, but not all.

[Computer +1]

Kael raises an eyebrow at the suggestion of seeing what killed the dwarf in person. Nah, I think I'm fine waiting here he says.

[OGRE MAGE]

Kelton smiles at the wisdom of the stranger.

Lets just say that this area is a dangerous place for the two of you to be wandering around alone in. Unless of course you like being attacked by wolves, goblins, and rather nasty bugbears.

If you lot are looking for work, why don't you join up with our ragtag troupe? He have been fairly successful, well, except for poor Baer here. We could use all the help we could get as far as I'm concerned.

He looks to the others to see if there are any objections.

[ybn1197]

Gerland looks at Kelton inquisitively. "Forgive my ignorance but what line of work are you in?"