Chapter 23: Genesis of Evil

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis looks the barkeep over. He can't tell if he's an honest man or not, but given the nature of their task, he sees sense in the man's words.

"All right, sir, you've been straight with us so I'll tell you what - here's 40 gold. You hold onto that for a month, if we're not back in that time, you use it as you see fit. Keep in mind that if we do come back by then, that means we didn't die defeating the evil and we're the heroes we said we were," he says, letting the implication sink in before handing over the coins. Deducted.

As soon as the man leaves, he'll kneel at the hole in the wall and tap tap tap scratch softly in the way of mice greetings, in an effort to get a response from the occupant.

[SocraticLawyer]

The invisible Urdur is nearly out of funds, with only a single silver piece to his name. So he does not contribute yet. After the man leaves, Urdur promises his companions he'll repay the 2 GP after the 1st .

Urdur awaits the villager's response regarding herbs and wolfsbane.

[Inferno]

Banemourne, Beneath the Dark Mountain, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Nineteen. Dawn. Wednesday, November 30th, 576 CY
Cold, clear.







Dawn breaks cold and grey, and the heroes make donations to the needy of Banemourne before departing the modest hamlet for certain death.

The barkeep is touched by their generosity. "Ta," he says with sincerity and humility as he lowers his hood and then his head. "Me name be Tulach."



Tulach tells Mouser that food and lanterns can be purchased (at one half PHB prices). Also firewood (1sp per 5lbs. Please update encumbrance).

Long Bo asks after mistletoe and wolfsbane. Tulach replies: "T'is said that all th' witch herbs graw upon th' mountain tha na one dares go."

After Tulach leaves, Telkis kneels by a mouse hole and raps softly at it. A brown mouse pops out and exclaims excitedly in a language known to Telkis and Urdur: "I say! Who is that knocking in the ancestral knock of mice?!"






Replies? Actions?


Map:

The heroes are at Banemourne.
The red X marks the supposed location of an ancient shrine; the source of the evil that plagued Briarsgate.






PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 16/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Invisibility x2 (Urdur): Targets: self and Rudolf.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[wolfpack]

Brevos lays down 100 gold (deducted) for rations, blankets/furs, food, 1 lantern (already have 1), oil, wood.

Whether I return or not your village can keep whatever gold is left after you deduct for supplies.

Looking to Bo

You and I will need to keep an eye out for the wolfsbane along the journey then

[ChubbyPixie]

Crouching, Telkis tips his helmet and introduces himself. "Hello, good sir. I am Telkis, friend of Jenkins. Have you heard of his exploits fighting evil in the land south of here? A hero among mice. Or perhaps news doesn't travel so far. What do they call you, sir? And how do you fare here? Any news?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo nods solemnly at the words of Brevos before going outside to see if he can track down the owl guide he spoke with the day before.

[SocraticLawyer]

Invisible Urdur says naught to Tulach or the mouse, not wanting to scare either of them. He does listen to the conversation between Telkis and the mouse.

Urdur offers his last silver piece for firewood, which he carries (if a visible member of the party will purchase it on his behalf).

Char sheet updated

[Urson]

Jerome
The young/old paladin has already donated all his cash. If we can make some sort of easily-dropped harness, I will be glad to haul a large part of the load. It would be foolish for me to face combat with a bundle of firewood on my back.

[rredmond]

Rudolf quietly (so as not to scare anyone - what with him being invisible, and with him actually parting with a gp) offers up two gold for his share, and prepares to leave.

[ravenn4544]

Jerome
The young/old paladin has already donated all his cash. If we can make some sort of easily-dropped harness, I will be glad to haul a large part of the load. It would be foolish for me to face combat with a bundle of firewood on my back.

"That is an excellent suggestion," Mouser says, "a harness or a rope tied to a sled would make easy work of hauling that wood - which we know we are gonna need. Maybe we pull two just in case.."

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

I will go speak with Tulach to see if there may be a sled or two of some sort we may purchase. That would make hauling supplies much easier. With that, the cleric goes to see the barkeep.

[Inferno]

Banemourne, Beneath the Dark Mountain, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Nineteen. Dawn. Wednesday, November 30th, 576 CY
Cold, partly cloudy







Long Bo steps out into the frozen, lonely village and sees, high in the branches of a snow covered tree, an owl. Completely out of place in daylight, the nocturnal avian favors him with another imperious look.

Inside the rented shack, the mouse squeaks to Telkis, "I am Tucker! At your service, sir! I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance! Very pleased indeed! No, I've not heard of Jenkins. There are no heroes here, I'm afraid. It's dreadfully dull in these parts, especially since the onset of winter. How I long for excitement and adventure! Like a real hero of old! Say, you wouldn't have any cheese, would you?"

Nearby, Jerome and Mouser, the paladin and the rogue, agree that a sled could help them pull their firewood up the towering dark mountain. Ingrid goes out to find Tulach who will sell her a large sturdy sled for two pieces of gold.


Replies? Actions?


Map:

The heroes are at Banemourne.
The red X marks the supposed location of an ancient shrine; the source of the evil that plagued Briarsgate.






PC Status:

• Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 3: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 4: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 22/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl and 4/4 2nd lvl
  Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Long Bo, Human Druid 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 30/30, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 2/2 3rd lvl
  Rudolf Rassendyll, Halfling Thief 4: Move: 9", AC: 3, HP: 16/16
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl and 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

• Invisibility x2 (Urdur): Targets: self and Rudolf.

Player Resources:

• Tale of Terror (the story so far)
  A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
  Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
  Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Ingrid carefully counts out one gold and ten silver pieces from her meagre savings to pay for the sled. She will then return to the others and inform them of its location.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome fetches the sled and begins loading supplies. He'll also rig something to pull it with.

[wolfpack]

Brevos gets ready to depart

[SocraticLawyer]

After listening to the conversation between Tucker and Telkis, invisible Urdur helps get the sled ready, and make whatever other preparations are needed before heading out.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Ah, Tucker, pleased to meet you, sir. Yes, adventure. You seem to be a brave sort - I wish we could take you with us, I'm sure you would be a great help - however, I am afraid it's just not possible, given the nature of our task," says Telkis remembering another brave mouse who was needlessly put in danger. He is momentarily wracked by guilt.

"You should organize a patrol of this town, and be on the lookout for danger. If you spot some, take note of it and report to me when I return. Do not put yourself in harm's way! Your job is to observe. And regretfully, I currently lack cheese, but I in turn, shall be on the lookout for that and will report back to you, sir."

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo nods at his avian guide from the doorstep, looking back to the gnomes, he can’t help but think of a hot meal for his new friend.

“Your little morsels could be helpful in more ways than simple information, if any of them are willing.”

The druid tightens his gear and heavy clothing, helping the others prepare for the journey. He silently wonders if the sled will be used for a different purpose on their return. If they return at all.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser gathers his furs and food and helps load some wood onto the sleds.

"What else are we forgetting for snow travel? What about some of those funny shoes that I've seen from time to time? I figure it's better to be over prepared than the alternative..."

[rredmond]

Rudolf eats his share when none of the villagers are looking and prepares to leave with the others.