IC II

[shaidar]

Newton

"You have a point. How about we send a smaller number, say four? Unless you think they'll be fine on their own?"

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Twentysecondday
The Road North

The bulk of the party heads north. Around early afternoon, as the adventurers estimate they should be approaching Draea, they espy a column of horses approaching from the north. It turns out to be led by Valru, the ironskin scout who had accompanied them to hunt the orcs, and she hails the adventurers. "We were worried about you," she said, "when you did not return immediately, but I told the Baron not to fret, that I was sure our new friends had not forsaken us. I am glad to be proven right."

Random Encounter (1-2):: 1d6 1
When does the encounter occur, what is the encounter, are the PCs surprised, what is the reaction, how far away (x5, in yards):: 1d8 6 1d8 7 1d6 4 2d6 7 4d8 17

Fifthmonth, Twentysecondday
The Road South

The adventurers reach the relatively safety of Pont by late afternoon, and are greeted by the guards standing watch over the rebuilding settlers. "Back so soon?" one of the guards calls out, as the adventurers approach, "what happened to the rest of youse?"

Random Encounter (1-2):: 1d6 3

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"Valru! It is good to see thee again! No, we were delayed a little by other things. Making sure the Baron's daughter was introduced to the correct people was one thing. Also, that pesky shadow village south of us was something we needed to take care of before the caravan coming north got to it. So, was the Baron getting nervous that I wasn't coming back for our sparring match?"

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

"Valru! It is good to see thee again! No, we were delayed a little by other things. Making sure the Baron's daughter was introduced to the correct people was one thing. Also, that pesky shadow village south of us was something we needed to take care of before the caravan coming north got to it. So, was the Baron getting nervous that I wasn't coming back for our sparring match?"

Valru

"I don't think so," she says, "the Baron doesn't get nervous about that sort of thing. I've been running patrols since you left, and no sign of orcs. Took a long patrol out the way we went, didn't see anything." She pauses. "Oh, I get it. You were making a joke about the Baron getting nervous."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

"Been quiet then? Good. Some of our number had to return to Alice over concern with the village Gardo mentioned. We ride to route the orcs soon."

I still would like to collect the magic sword that was left with Telemachus before he left the game. How would you like to play that out?

Goshawk

Goshawk greets the man. "They continued northward to Draea. We were tasked with escorting Ribar here to the Temple of Manifest in Alice. Please pass along the following message to the Powers in the city and the guard - Any travelers heading North, including caravans, should for now avoid the abandoned village not 2 days north of here. It is a place of evil and Chaos. I do not believe it is a threat to this city."

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus

"Been quiet then? Good. Some of our number had to return to Alice over concern with the village Gardo mentioned. We ride to route the orcs soon."

I still would like to collect the magic sword that was left with Telemachus before he left the game. How would you like to play that out?

Goshawk

Goshawk greets the man. "They continued northward to Draea. We were tasked with escorting Ribar here to the Temple of Manifest in Alice. Please pass along the following message to the Powers in the city and the guard - Any travelers heading North, including caravans, should for now avoid the abandoned village not 2 days north of here. It is a place of evil and Chaos. I do not believe it is a threat to this city."

I'll be running Telemachus as an NPC. In addition to the blade I want to make sure you guys retain the information that he gleaned from the Baron's library. He'll hand over his notes and the blade, and you'll have the opportunity to recruit Casfrea, as well, if you'd like.

[shaidar]

Ribar nods at the guards "I seek guidance from the church on how we can remove the taint of chaos from the village. It is our belief that travellers should be safe as long as they stay outside of the boundaries of the village. We were expecting to see the caravan come through by now, have there been any problems?"

[thirdkingdom]

Ribar nods at the guards "I seek guidance from the church on how we can remove the taint of chaos from the village. It is our belief that travellers should be safe as long as they stay outside of the boundaries of the village. We were expecting to see the caravan come through by now, have there been any problems?"

Guards

"Maybe they were delayed? No problem that I know of."

[PresGas]

Sumer will be following the bulk of the group. I was not clear with direction the majority was going. N or S?

[thirdkingdom]

Sumer will be following the bulk of the group. I was not clear with direction the majority was going. N or S?

They're going north, to the Barony of Draea, inhabited by a strange race of iron-skinned warriors. Here's the party's original encounter with them: viewtopic.php?p=437090#p437090

and another post: viewtopic.php?p=437140#p437140

and meeting the Baron: viewtopic.php?p=437305#p437305

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Twentysecondday
Draea
Early Evening

The adventurers reach Draea shortly afterwords, and immediately rendezvous with Telemachus. The mage is unusually quiet. "The priest, Odos, has identified the blade. It possesses a moderate enchantment, making it more likely the wielder will pierce the defenses of an opponent and, when they do, inflict more damage. Here are the notes I have taken from the Baron's library, as well. There may be some things of use to you there."

He pauses. "My friends," he says, "the Baron has asked me to remain here in Draea as an advisor to him, and I have decided to accept his offer. Casfrea, you are welcome to join me, or if one of my companions would like to continue your employment you should entertain their proposal."

It is a +2 sword. If any wants Casfrea she is available for offers. Here's what Telemachus learned:
viewtopic.php?p=457127#p457127
viewtopic.php?p=460533#p460533
viewtopic.php?p=461438#p461438

Note that each book has multiple posts. I have linked to the first ones.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

Feargus nods at Telemachus. "I can't say I don't understand. I saw the look in your eye when you saw the Baron's library. Is the Baron available? After cleaning up from the road, I think we'd like to plan our attack on the orcs. We've tarried long enough."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Good Luck, my friend, at least we will know you are safe, and I'm sure we shall be passing through often enough."

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Twentysecondday
Draea

It is, in fact, shortly after they arrive in Draea that the Baron sends a messenger to escort the adventurers into his office. He is seated behind his desk when they enter. "I am glad you are back," he says, "we have had no contact with orcs since you left, although we have not ventured so far as to discover the location of their camp. I hope that is what you are returning to do? I also trust that my daughter has been delivered to her destination?"

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus
"Indeed! Your daughter is now at the service of your neighbor to the south. She was well when we departed. Alas a portion of our party was sent to Alice to attempt to deal with an unfortunate situation we came across on the road between here and there." Feargus gives a fully detailed account of the shadow village. "I share this with you because it is not terribly far from Draea and in case your priests have an idea of what to do here."


======
Later, Feargus does a little asking around Draea, trying to find the most revered smith of the Barony. Once found he offers the smith his trusty mace and says, "This is my mace, my first weapon. I haven't been parted with it in at least 15 years. I would like you to create a masterwork version of this. Copy the stylings, copy the size, the weight. I recognize you are an artist though. You are free to style the flanges as you see fit. I am willing to leave this with you for the time being. What can I offer you for this service?"

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus
"Indeed! Your daughter is now at the service of your neighbor to the south. She was well when we departed. Alas a portion of our party was sent to Alice to attempt to deal with an unfortunate situation we came across on the road between here and there." Feargus gives a fully detailed account of the shadow village. "I share this with you because it is not terribly far from Draea and in case your priests have an idea of what to do here."


======
Later, Feargus does a little asking around Draea, trying to find the most revered smith of the Barony. Once found he offers the smith his trusty mace and says, "This is my mace, my first weapon. I haven't been parted with it in at least 15 years. I would like you to create a masterwork version of this. Copy the stylings, copy the size, the weight. I recognize you are an artist though. You are free to style the flanges as you see fit. I am willing to leave this with you for the time being. What can I offer you for this service?"

Baron Xelazo

"That is well," he says, "truth be told, my daughter has been itching to see the wider world, and this posting will not doubt serve her well." He rubs his hands together. "Well! I don't know what your plans are, regarding the orc village, but I will lend you Valru and a squad of five riders, if you will like. They are likely slower than you -- our horses are massive and built for the quick hammer blow, not the swift pursuit -- and I am not sure if you prefer speed over strength."

Odos
Craft-priest

The pre-eminent smith in Draea is also the priest of their religion, whom the adventurers have met before*. "I have yet to finish the weapons for your companions," he says, "but

*Here's a description of the temple of the craft-priests: viewtopic.php?p=457052#p457052

Odos also has some interesting lore drops, in earlier posts, that may be worth re-reading.

450 gp for a +1 to hit or a +1 to damage, or 900 for both.

[PresGas]

Sumer

Being new to the group, Sumer respectfully listens to the party interact with the Baron et al; taking in as much information as she can.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus
Speaking with Baron Xelazo
"We will happily take along Valru's Band. Even at a slower pace, the power of his leading thrust will be useful."

Speaking with Odos
"Do your best with it, I am willing to wait. As I remember you were working on an axe for Newton and a Scimitar for Zellar...I suppose I can accept being third in line. When are you expecting to be finished with those two...and then with mine? I will be honored to carry such a weapon."

The Group Heading to Alice
Goshawk does his best to push the south bound group forward quickly. "Move it Ribar! We have a date with orcs we don't want to miss!!"

[shaidar]

The Group Heading to Alice

"I can assure you, Goshawk, I wish to get there as quickly as you do. If it turns out that it will take time to research an answer then you and Alwen can return north without me"

[beniliusbob]

Alwen Nar

"Well, if the caravan hasn't passed through yet, we'll cross them on the road.

"Do we have business here in Pont, or shall we continue? I've a craving to reach Alice, if I'm to be honest - a bed and a drink would do me well, and be a better use of my time as long as the fat-heads aren't letting us join in the fighting with them! Ha, ha, ha!"