03 - Running the Daggerburg Gauntlet

[sulldawga]

If we continue would we get to Harken today?

Yes.

[shaidar]

Thea suggests they keep travelling.

[Rex]

Dagr

Agrees.

[sulldawga]

Town of Harken, Barony of Harkenwold
Thirdday, Sixthmonth 616 NF
Heavy Rain, 24 MPH winds, 55 degrees
Evening

The walk south is uneventful. The only thing of note is the number of armed men on the road. It seems like every mile there's another pair of knights on horseback. You note the red shields and figure they are the Baron's men.

Unexpectedly, as the day has been pleasant from a weather standpoint, it begins to rain. First lightly, then steadily. The party makes their way to Harken just as the sun goes down and is able to inquire about a place to stay the night before the heavens open. Nonnie's Place is small but they have rooms for rent for all of the party and a kitchen, and the alternative is going back out into the monsoon.

[shaidar]

Thea and Wick

Both are happy staying at Nonnie's Place.

[Rex]

Dagr and Senorix

Both are good staying there as well.

[sulldawga]

Nonnie's Place
Town of Harken, Barony of Harkenwold
Fourthday, Sixthmonth 616 NF
Very Cloudy, 14 MPH winds, 56 degrees
Morning

Nonnie, the halfling innkeeper, is a bit of a busybody. She's very curious to know why you're here, what you plan on doing today, and where you came from. She's also a bit of a gossip and shares all sorts of tidbits about residents you don't know (and probably don't care about).

Looking outside, you are no doubt relieved to see the rain has stopped, although it remains cold-ish and windy.

From Nonnie's place in the SW corner of the town, the two biggest landmarks are the Baron's Keep in the center of town and a tower of greenish crystal rising up to your north, just west of the Keep. It seems incongruent with the rest of the sleepy little town.

What now?



Map credit: Dyson Logos

[shaidar]

Thea

Thea asks Bonnie if she knows of a man called 'Zenil Elf-friend'.

[sulldawga]

Thea

Thea asks Bonnie if she knows of a man called 'Zenil Elf-friend'.

"Nope, never heard of him."

You would expect a nosy halfling like Nonnie to know everyone in town but I rolled a 94 on One Page Mythic and that's always a 'No', no matter the odds.

[shaidar]

Wick

"Ah, well thank you anyway. Is there is church of Pelor in town?"

[sulldawga]

Wick

"Ah, well thank you anyway. Is there is church of Pelor in town?"

Nonnie

"Head up north by the mill pond, darling, and ask for Sister Sondal. The House of Faith has shrines inside dedicated to Pelor, Moradin, Erathis, and Sehanine."

[Rex]

Dagr

"Maybe we should visit the church, they are probably a better source of information anyways."

[shaidar]

Wick

Wick nods "Agreed, she should pay our respects and ask there."

[sulldawga]

House of Faith
Town of Harken

The House of Faith is a large temple built by an adventuring cleric of yore and it looks like recent construction has improved the inside and outside. Sister Sondal, a kindly middle-aged human woman, explains that the growth in the population of the Barony has prompted a boost in fundraising. Sondal is aware of Zenil Elf-friend but thinks he travels often.

"If he is in town, you'll likely find him this evening at the Cliffside Brewery in the southeast corner of town."

She also (rather directly) inquires if they are adventurers and if they're currently on a mission. She notes the Barony's recent difficulties with kidnapping and encourages you to help.

[shaidar]

Wick & Thea

Wick smiles at Sister Sondal "Thank you sister." he looks at the others "We should consider going to see the Baron while we are waiting to find Zenil later. It sounds like the villages around here need our help."

While at the church both Wick and Thea will spend some time at the shrine to Pelor, in prayer.

[Rex]

Dagr and Senorix

Dagr and Senorix will say their respects at the shrine and then head to see the baron later.

[sulldawga]

The quartet of adventurers say their prayers and then their goodbyes to Sister Sondal. They make their way to the center of town to visit the Baron's Keep.

Baron Nazin Redthorn is not available this day for visitors but his steward, Lasrel, deigns to receive the party.

Lasrel, an athletic man with a finely trimmed beard, seems angry with you from the get-go. He rudely asks your business.

[Rex]

Senorix

"Hello Steward Lasrel. We just came from meeting with Sister Sondal and she strongly suggested we may want to visit the Baron as there have been some recent kidnappings we might be able to help with. She didn't go into anymore details than that but sent us here right away. We have some little experience as adventurers and are looking for some work, preferably some that does some good if possible."

[sulldawga]

Lasrel relaxes visibly when you mention Sister Sondal, and even cracks a smile when you talk about doing some good.

It is good that you have arrived when you did. We have been plagued with ever-increasing goblin attacks of late, and now we're seeing them becoming more bold, and kidnapping our citizens. Just today, I have gotten word that these raiders are operating under our very noses! There are caverns below the town that date to the Imperial Age, when dragonborn fought tiefling across the Vale. We thought them empty but our trackers have seen evidence that these goblin raiders are using it as a base. The Baron and his troops are occupied in the field preventing more attacks. Would you be willing to enter these caverns and clear them of any enemies?

[Rex]

Senorix

"We can certainly try. It could turn into more of a scouting mission if there are to many of them for us. But I would be willing to try."