Episode 0: Dahyrst

[dmw71]

Dahyrst
A dwarf, elf, tabaxi, dragonborn, and half-orc.

The lot of you make strange companions, but perhaps that is what united you in the first place? While your personal reasons have not yet been shared, you each feel a compulsion to travel to the small town of Greenest, and are en route to that very destination.

Traveling from the north, with only an hour or two of sunlight left, you decide to stop for the night in the small, sleepy fishing town called Dahyrst, nestled alongside River Chionthar; just south of Berdusk, and maybe a days travel northeast of the Green Fields, inside of which Greenest, your end destination, is located.

Dahyrst.jpg (149.61 KiB) Viewed 5894 times

You're directed to a cozy, two-story inn called the Sleepy Salmon, where Madame Hily, a stout and officious halfling, runs the establishment with her two daughters. Briez, her youngest daughter, leads you to your second-story room and excitedly shares with you details about the breakfast they expect the following mornings, which includes freshly made wildberry jam on warm biscuits. “My sister and I picked the berries ourselves,” she says proudly, while sweeping her long black hair out of her face.

"You look weary," Briez continues, growing embarrassed at how she's rambling on about breakfast when, by all appearances, you all look interested in only a soft place to bed down for what you hope will be a restful night of sleep. "Sleep well," she starts. "Don't let the salmon snip your toes." Realizing her nerves are getting the best of her, and her words are not really making much sense, she quickly departs.

A few short minutes later, you hear a light rapping on your door, which slowly creaks open. Briez nervously peeks her head into your room. “Pardon my interruption,” she says. "Again."

"But, a chap just came into the common room downstairs and asked me to fetch you. Something about some coin needing to change hands for an easy job.”. She plays with her wavy raven hair nervously.

"Shall I send him away? I mean, I tried, but he insisted."



---

Okay, let's get things started.



Actions?

---



Date: 07 Kythorn 1489
Time: 20:14

• Sunrise: 05:56
• Sunset: 21:03

Moon: Half
Temperature

• Low: 55°
• High: 71°

Conditions

• Precipitation: None
  Wind:

Light Sources

• None

Known Conditions

• None

Spells in Effect:

• None

---

Character Status

• drpete | Oskar Loderr | Dwarf (Mountain) | Rogue (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 11 | AC: 13 | SP: 25' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• ravenn4544 | Brenzavur Fyrebrand | Dragonborn (Brass) | Sorcerer (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d6) | HP: 9 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
  • Passive Senses
    • Perception: 9
    • Investigation: 9
    • Insight: 11
    Languages: Common, Draconic
    Spells
    • Spell Attack: +3
    • Save DC: 13
    • Slots: 2
      • 1st: 2
      • 2nd: --
    Spells Known: 2
    • 1st: Burning Hands, Magic Missile
    • 2nd: --
    Cantrips Known: 4 ( Fire Bolt, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation )
    
    Features:
    • 1st: Sorcerous Origin: Draconic Bloodline
      • 1st
        • Draconic Ancestry
          • Breath Weapon: 1 ( DC: 12 | AoE: 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) | Damage: 2d6 ( Half on successful save) | Recovery: Short )
        • Draconic Resilience
          • Damage Resistance: Fire
      • 6th: --
    • 2nd: --
    Background: Acolyte
    • Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
      • You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells.
• Rex | Strega "the Pale" | Half-Orc | Druid (1) | Alignment: Neutral Good | Gender: Female | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 10 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Gerrin | Tannaris Vethykos | Elf (High) | Fighter (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d10) | HP: 12 | AC: 14 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Monsieur Rose | Rumbling "Rumble" Mountain | Tabaxi | Barbarian (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Neutral | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d12) | HP: 15 | AC: 17 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No

[drpete]

Oskar Loderr

Looking up from cleaning his boots, Oskar's eyes light up. "Not a problem, missy. We'll get that taken care of."

Oskar gathers up his various tools, and gets ready to go downstairs to take care this "easy job".

[ravenn4544]

Brenzavur Fyreband (Breath Weapon: ready ; Sorcerer Points: 0/0)

Bren considers the request and is certainly suspicious of callers in the night, so to speak. He thinks, It is odd that he would appear the same time we did? Certainly he has a motive we should be very cautious about or he would likely do the job himself if it was so easy? Or is this a sign from Blessed Bahamut to aid me on my course to resolve the sins of my father?

Struggling with balancing the need for information and the need to discuss it with an unknown he unconsciously wrings his hands where fire seethes at the edges begging to be unleashed. He sighs and the fires subside.

"Perhaps it would be helpful to speak to this man and learn something about the comings and goings of Greenest. It couldn't hurt to simply listen..."

[Rex]

Strega

"I think it best we at least hear him out, strange things are a foot as of late and aid may come from any quarter." With that Strega rises, gathers her things and heads downstairs.

[drpete]

Oskar Loderr

Oskar grins at the others as they head down, poking around in a tool kit. "Don't think ya need ta worry. Maybe they need someone ta patch a boat?" Then he looks at the little halfling girl, shrugs and says "...or reach a high shelf?" As they go, he asks the little girl "This a 'man', missy? He one a yer neighbors?"

[Gerrin]

Tannaris Vethykos

Tannaris watches as his companions gather their things.

Agreeing about the strangeness of a visitor at this late hour Tannaris reaches for his weapon belt.
He stands and sheaths his shortswords.
As the others head downstairs he hurries to catch up, casting a suspicious glance down the hall as he makes his way downstairs.

[Monsieur Rose]

Rumble

Concerned that the door will keep opening if they don't deal with this, Rumble uncurls himself from his resting position and stretches. "If nobody minds, I'll be by the fire, sleeping. Scream if you need something killed."

Rumble lags behind when everyone goes downstairs.

[dmw71]

Hooded Stranger
Apparently apprehensive about how the group would take the news, Briez huddles her shoulders and almost attempts to hide her face in her long black hair. "Not a problem, missy." Oskar starts, his eyes beeming. "We'll get that taken care of."

The young halfling, who's likely only in her early teens, appears to loosen up a bit once her message is met without resistance.

"I think it best we at least hear him out," Strega agrees. The pale half-orc draws a nervous look from Briez, making it abundantly clear that the lass has limited -- if any -- exposure to individuals with orcish blood, much less those lacking the normal pigmentation. The druid, probably accustomed to that sort of reaction, disregards the reaction -- from a child. "Strange things are afoot," she says as she begins to gather her things. "Aid may come from any quarter."

"Perhaps it would be helpful to speak to this man," Bren agrees. "Maybe we can learn something about the comings and goings of Greenest?" he adds.

Tannaris watches as his companions gather their things and reaches for his weapon belt. He casts a suspicious glance down the hall before descending the stairs.

Normally, something like this would probably require a 'Perception' roll.

However, since you won't notice anything unusual, I'll simply point this out as a learning opportunity for those new to 5e.

"Scream if you need something killed," Rumble says, opting to lag behind by the fire.

"Maybe they need someone ta patch a boat?" Oskar says as he begins to exit the room, en route to the stairs. "...or reach a high shelf?" he quips as he passes Briez, who barely comes to his waist.

The halfling host closes the door behind everyone, and shares that the mysterious stranger kept his hood pulled low, and she's never seen him before. "He was definitely a man, though!" she says proudly. "I could tell by the voice."



As the group begins to make their way down the creaky wooden steps to the common room downstairs, the pleasant smell of garlic, butter, and freshly baked bread wafts through the air. "Mom is baking up some of her famous loaves," Briez whispers from behind the group, keeping pace.

As the group nears the bottom of the stairs, they find, at this hour, that the common room is empty... except for a hooded figure sitting alone at a large table.

The figure motions to them to join him as they reach the floor.

"Please, sit." the figure speaks in a low voice, obviously disguising it.




---



Actions?

---



Date: 07 Kythorn 1489
Time: 20:17

• Sunrise: 05:56
• Sunset: 21:03

Moon: Half
Temperature

• Low: 55°
• High: 71°

Conditions

• Precipitation: None
  Wind:

Light Sources

• None

Known Conditions

• None

Spells in Effect:

• None

---

Character Status

• drpete | Oskar Loderr | Dwarf (Mountain) | Rogue (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 11 | AC: 13 | SP: 25' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• ravenn4544 | Brenzavur Fyrebrand | Dragonborn (Brass) | Sorcerer (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d6) | HP: 9 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
  • Passive Senses
    • Perception: 9
    • Investigation: 9
    • Insight: 11
    Languages: Common, Draconic
    Spells
    • Spell Attack: +3
    • Save DC: 13
    • Slots: 2
      • 1st: 2
      • 2nd: --
    Spells Known: 2
    • 1st: Burning Hands, Magic Missile
    • 2nd: --
    Cantrips Known: 4 ( Fire Bolt, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation )
    
    Features:
    • 1st: Sorcerous Origin: Draconic Bloodline
      • 1st
        • Draconic Ancestry
          • Breath Weapon: 1 ( DC: 12 | AoE: 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) | Damage: 2d6 ( Half on successful save) | Recovery: Short )
        • Draconic Resilience
          • Damage Resistance: Fire
      • 6th: --
    • 2nd: --
    Background: Acolyte
    • Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
      • You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells.
• Rex | Strega "the Pale" | Half-Orc | Druid (1) | Alignment: Neutral Good | Gender: Female | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 10 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Gerrin | Tannaris Vethykos | Elf (High) | Fighter (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d10) | HP: 12 | AC: 14 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Monsieur Rose | Rumbling "Rumble" Mountain | Tabaxi | Barbarian (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Neutral | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d12) | HP: 15 | AC: 17 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No

[Rex]

Strega

"I am Strega, your name is?" Strega continues to stand, positioning herself where she can act quickly if she needs to. She also attempts to assess the hooded figure.

Insight [1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18 and Perception [1d20+4] = 13+4 = 17

[drpete]

Oskar Loderr

Oskar smiles at the little girl and asks "Are they almost ready...?"

As he comes down, he will give the room a once-over, and peek into the kitchen, to check how the bread is coming.

He'd like to do a perception check on the room, looking for signs anyone is lurking about hidden...

Perception: [1d20+5] = 19+5 = 24

[ravenn4544]

Brenzavur Fyreband (Breath Weapon: ready ; Sorcerer Points: 0/0)

Bren hangs back and studies the stranger.

He mentions to the girl with what passes for a smile for a dragon born, "those loaves smell lovely"

[Gerrin]

Tannaris Galanodel

Standing quietly at the foot of the staircase Tannaris watches the windows, doors and shadows.

Perception roll [1d20+2] = 9+2 = 11

[dmw71]

Hooded Stranger
"I am Strega, and your name is?" the half-orc says bluntly, standing at the ready while waiting for a response. The figure keeps his head tipped down, but the druid can feel the gaze from a pair of eyes, like pools of liquid silver, peering out from beneath the head covering. "Please, sit..." the man says; his voice unnaturally low in an attempt to disguise it.

"All of you, please --" he says, motioning to the empty seats at the table. "I mean you no harm, and simply have a proposition for you."

The stranger does not respond with a name, or remove his hood, and simply waits. Strega studies the man, and believes she gets a good read on him, and does get the impression that the man's request is genuine.

Briez remains at the base of the stairs, behind Tannaris, who remains positioned there, keeping diligent watch over the windows and doors for any hint of the unexpected... which never happens. Bren remains near the stairs as well; close enough to the young halfling girl to flash a dragonborn smile. "Those loaves smell lovely," the sorcerer says, sensing that his toothy maw may have frightened the lass. "RIght, let me go check on those," she says when Oskar inquires as to their readiness. The young halfling host takes a wide route around the strangers table en route to the kitchen. The dwarven rogue follows her path, giving her course a once-over, and feels confident that the area is safe.

Just as Briez nears the kitchen, the swinging pair of wooden doors separating the kitchen from the main common area swing open and Madame Hily backs her way through them. She passes one of the two trays she's carrying to her daughter and makes her way to the large table featuring, at the moment, just the hooded stranger. "Enjoy," she says, smiling at the stranger, then turning back to the open area where the group is currently positioned and simply shrugs her shoulders. Briez follows suit, placing her tray of bread on the table, opposite of where the stranger is sitting. She, too, shrugs at the group and quickly shuffles over to lock arms with her mother, and the pair return to the kitchen through the swinging doors, which gradually come to a stop.


"Don't make me eat this all by myself," the stranger says, picking up one of the loaves and tearing off a slice and immediately bringing it to his mouth. "M'mm," the man moans, shaking his head, strongly indicating the taste matches the smell, which is extremely enticing.


"Especially you," the stranger says, tearing off another piece of bread and extending it in Oskar's direction. "Please, come near... I'd like to have a closer look at you."



---



Actions?

---



Date: 07 Kythorn 1489
Time: 20:18

• Sunrise: 05:56
• Sunset: 21:03

Moon: Half
Temperature

• Low: 55°
• High: 71°

Conditions

• Precipitation: None
  Wind:

Light Sources

• None

Known Conditions

• None

Spells in Effect:

• None

---

Character Status

• drpete | Oskar Loderr | Dwarf (Mountain) | Rogue (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 11 | AC: 13 | SP: 25' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• ravenn4544 | Brenzavur Fyrebrand | Dragonborn (Brass) | Sorcerer (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d6) | HP: 9 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
  • Passive Senses
    • Perception: 9
    • Investigation: 9
    • Insight: 11
    Languages: Common, Draconic
    Spells
    • Spell Attack: +3
    • Save DC: 13
    • Slots: 2
      • 1st: 2
      • 2nd: --
    Spells Known: 2
    • 1st: Burning Hands, Magic Missile
    • 2nd: --
    Cantrips Known: 4 ( Fire Bolt, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation )
    
    Features:
    • 1st: Sorcerous Origin: Draconic Bloodline
      • 1st
        • Draconic Ancestry
          • Breath Weapon: 1 ( DC: 12 | AoE: 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) | Damage: 2d6 ( Half on successful save) | Recovery: Short )
        • Draconic Resilience
          • Damage Resistance: Fire
      • 6th: --
    • 2nd: --
    Background: Acolyte
    • Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
      • You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells.
• Rex | Strega "the Pale" | Half-Orc | Druid (1) | Alignment: Neutral Good | Gender: Female | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 10 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Gerrin | Tannaris Vethykos | Elf (High) | Fighter (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d10) | HP: 12 | AC: 14 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Monsieur Rose | Rumbling "Rumble" Mountain | Tabaxi | Barbarian (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Neutral | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d12) | HP: 15 | AC: 17 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No

[dmw71]

Bren hangs back and studies the stranger.

This would normally require an Insight check. However, as Strega provided very high insight and perception rolls, I was able to use hers.

Consider this just another friendly reminder to reinforce the need in 5e to provide rolls when you're attempting to do something that offers the potential for risk or failure (however slight).

[drpete]

Oskar Loderr

Oskar moves over by the man, sits down and picked up some bread.

"Alright, Stranger. Let's break bread. What brings ya in onna night like this?" And with that he starts chewing a piece of bread, looking curiously at the hooded man.

Oskar will try an investigation roll to see through the disguise as he sits down next to the man...

Investigation: [1d20+4] = 4+4 = 8 Meh!

He'll insert into this speech a short question in Thieves Cant, which wouldn't mean anything to a non thief, checking to see if the man is a thief, and "what's up?"

[Rex]

Strega

After looking him over Strega decides to sit and talk. "I will break bread with you nameless one." she says as she sits across from him at the table (or as close to across from him as she can). "What is it that brings you to us in the middle of the night?"

[dmw71]

Hooded Stranger
Taking the bait, Oskar settles into the seat next to the hooded man. "Alright, stranger," he starts, attempting to get a look at the man's face under the hood, but is unable to detect any additional details. "Let's break bread," he continues. "What brings ya in onna night like this?" Strega, too. "I will break bread with you nameless one," she says, taking a seat opposite of Oskar, next to the hooded man. "What is it that brings you to us in the middle of the night?"

The stranger simply stares at Oskar with his mercurial eyes, tilting his head left, then right, peering at the rogue from different perspectives. "Ahhh, yes..." the hooded stranger says, excitedly. "Yesss!" he repeats, drawing out the word and nodding affirmatively. "You'll be perfect."

"You," the stranger starts up again, clamping his hand down on Oskar's shoulder. "You bring me here, friend."

"I'm hoping I can tempt you to undertake a simple task for me," he says to the dwarf, continuing to fawn over him. "You --" he says, casting a glance at Strega, "-- are obviously welcome to join as well; as are the rest of your friends, of course."

"Please, will you hear me out?"



---



Actions?

---



Date: 07 Kythorn 1489
Time: 20:20

• Sunrise: 05:56
• Sunset: 21:03

Moon: Half
Temperature

• Low: 55°
• High: 71°

Conditions

• Precipitation: None
  Wind:

Light Sources

• None

Known Conditions

• None

Spells in Effect:

• None

---

Character Status

• drpete | Oskar Loderr | Dwarf (Mountain) | Rogue (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 11 | AC: 13 | SP: 25' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• ravenn4544 | Brenzavur Fyrebrand | Dragonborn (Brass) | Sorcerer (1) | Alignment: Lawful Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d6) | HP: 9 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: No
  • Passive Senses
    • Perception: 9
    • Investigation: 9
    • Insight: 11
    Languages: Common, Draconic
    Spells
    • Spell Attack: +3
    • Save DC: 13
    • Slots: 2
      • 1st: 2
      • 2nd: --
    Spells Known: 2
    • 1st: Burning Hands, Magic Missile
    • 2nd: --
    Cantrips Known: 4 ( Fire Bolt, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation )
    
    Features:
    • 1st: Sorcerous Origin: Draconic Bloodline
      • 1st
        • Draconic Ancestry
          • Breath Weapon: 1 ( DC: 12 | AoE: 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save) | Damage: 2d6 ( Half on successful save) | Recovery: Short )
        • Draconic Resilience
          • Damage Resistance: Fire
      • 6th: --
    • 2nd: --
    Background: Acolyte
    • Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
      • You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells.
• Rex | Strega "the Pale" | Half-Orc | Druid (1) | Alignment: Neutral Good | Gender: Female | HD: 1 (1d8) | HP: 10 | AC: 15 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Gerrin | Tannaris Vethykos | Elf (High) | Fighter (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Good | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d10) | HP: 12 | AC: 14 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No
• Monsieur Rose | Rumbling "Rumble" Mountain | Tabaxi | Barbarian (1) | Alignment: Chaotic Neutral | Gender: Male | HD: 1 (1d12) | HP: 15 | AC: 17 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +3 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: No

[drpete]

Oskar Loderr

Oskar smiles widely, charmed by the compliment.

"Well, we'll see wha we can do, young man. We're ... we're underway. I've got an appointment with Keep Scatterheart I don't want to miss. But yes, what is this job?"

Oskar will try to play it cool after being singled out by the hooded guy...

Deception [1d20-1] = 3-1 = 2

[Gerrin]

Tannaris Vethykos

Tannaris slides into a seat towards the end of the table. He subtly tries to identify the hooded stranger.

Investigation roll [1d20 +5] = 7+5 = 12

[ravenn4544]

Bren remains in the background as the others interact with the hooded fellow. He waits to catch a glimpse of the mans features.