The next few days pass uneventfully. News spreads quickly of the death of Sister Gwendelon at the hands of Malik, and the heroes are (for the most part) smiled upon for bringing him to justice. Even Kevril Moonstone believes that Malik was the mastermind of the evil plot to invade the village instead of just a lackey of the true hooded man.

The mayor begins his search for a new constable, appointing Enoch to the position in the interim, much to everyone's (including Enoch's) chagrin.

The mayor does his part on behalf of the heroes, covering their room and board for a week's time, and while the general population is cordial to the four strangers, they still treat them as outsiders. Therarak, Celador, and Lazaret are the only Svirfneblin, Elf, and Tabaxi in town, and while there are a couple other Westbank halflings, Thorfire's general behavior makes him at least as suspicious as his companions in the eyes of the Westbank population. On the plus side, the characters have made many allies in town, including the Moonstones, the Livingstons, Mattis Bumbleford, Mrawk (who is occasionally spotted outside of town), Kathel and her security team, Tyus, the Mayor, Bobbin Glenfellow, and his good friend Cornelius.

Nights are spent at the Trollip and Troll, where the four have become regulars. One night as they share drinks, Lazaret notices that Zelgor, the strange old man who he met his first night in town, has returned to his post in the back of the tavern. As before, he observes the room silently while blowing rings of smoke from his pipe.

OOC: Sandbox here. There are a few hooks laying around from previous chapters - a note from Vhurraun Baenath (from the orc cave on the southern road), unexplored passages in the cave of the hooded man, the old pipe smoking man, a list of rumors you stirred up a few chapters ago (Chapter 8, msg #23). If none of those are appealing, I'll drop one in your lap in a couple days!

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

Lazaret once again watches the smoke rings and barely resists the urge to jump and paw at them. He walks over to the old man and sits down.

"Zelgor. Where are my manners? We were interrupted the last time we met. The Moonstone boy and all." Lazaret catches himself once again staring the pipe.

"You were telling me of great mountains and dwarven tunnels. Please. Tell me more."

"Fire Star of the Lazaret," the old man starts while motioning for the Tabaxi to sit down (even though Lazaret already has). "It's been a noteworthy couple weeks for you and your friends, from what I hear. From town outcasts to accused murderers to heroes of the day."

He blows another ring of smoke before continuing. "Well I'm happy you've cleared young Kevril's name. It would've been a tragedy if he were to swing from the gallows as Sister Gwendelon had planned.

"The mountains? Oh yes, we were talking about the mountains, weren't we." The old man expels a heavy sigh. "And since we're on the subject, I wonder if I might be able to retain your services for a journey... an errand, really... into the mountains."

In reply to Zelgor (msg # 3):

Lazaret's eyes grow wide. He leans in toward the old man.

"You had me at journey." He glances over at his friends then back to the old man's pipe. "But my friends will scoff at the errand part. They will insist that the retaining of our services is accompanied by some sort of monetary remuneration. But I am still listening. What sort of journey? What kind of errand?"

The old man inhales a lengthy pull from his pipe then sits silently for a long moment as he thinks. Finally, he exhales a ring of smoke that grows softly as it floats into the rafters. He watches the rings for a time, mumbling something to himself as if in a dream.

Then in an instant, his focus shifts entirely upon the tabaxi. "A journey northward. To the village of Cathid, then into the mountains from there. I'd have you retrieve a certain tome if you were up to the task."

In reply to Zelgor (msg # 5):

"Oh, we are up to the task. Have you not heard of our latest exploits? We are quite the heroes actually.

So Cathid? It's not another litter box like Westbank is it?

And tell me of this book you need. And of the gold you are offering."

...uproarious laughter erupts from a group sitting at a nearby table...

"...and that, dear Geoff and George, is simply how one escapes from an elven jail, with hands tied together, wearing only a nightshirt!" Celador's voice carries above the chuckles and guffaws.

After a couple slaps on the back and few knowing nudges, Celador looks around to see that Lazaret has struck up conversation with the man known as Zelgor. He moves over to an empty seat at their table.

"I hope my friend Lazaret isn't boring you with yet another tale of his heroic battle against the necromancer Malik. I bet he left out the bit about how that funny little deep gnome kept bringing him back to life with his peculiar tasting potions." Celador takes a seat.

Zelgor examines the elf carefully as he approaches evaluating him silently for a moment. "Yes, your friend has done a fair job of describing your heroic exploits against the evil necromancer..." he stops for a moment, smirks, then continues. "...Malik. I'm sure he was quite the adversary. And thank goodness for Westbank you've stopped him.

"As for the book, Lazaret, it's locked away safely (at least I hope it is) in a tower northeast of Cathid. I have a contact there who can guide you to it. Until that time, it will be in your own best interest to know less of its location. When in Cathid, ask for the one known as the Caribou Shepherd. Tell him you were sent by Geomund the Seer and he will guide you from there."

He stops to let those facts set in before continuing. "Gold? I haven't a lot. It does less here in the Northlands than it does in the south. But you are mercenaries, and for that I suppose I should expect that a payment is required. I can offer you each 100 gold for your trouble. Half up front and the balance upon return of the book."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Mon 21 Aug 2023.

Celador raises an eyebrow at the old man's comments.


22:26, Today: Celador Qiris rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Perception. Does Zelgor know about the 'good' sister?

In reply to Celador Qiris (msg # 9):

Lazaret gives Celador a knowing look. Then turns back to the old man.

"Yes. Malik. The necromancer.

"Gold is good. Magical items or shiny curiosities are also acceptable to us. Well, me anyway."

Celador studies the old man and gets a strong feeling that he knows the truth about Sister Gwendelon, but is respectful of the Mayor's plan to keep that truth under wraps for the sake of the village.

"So you like trinkets, do you," Zelgor continues, while fishing into a pouch. "Then perhaps you'd prefer these instead of the up front gold." He places four small stones on the table. "These are called Beads of Force. Throw them at an enemy and it will entrap a small room full in a force sphere. In my adventurous days, I found them handy when in a bind. So the choice is yours, 4 of these or 200 gold."

In reply to Zelgor (msg # 11):

Thorfire sits down with his companions and quietly grabs the stones without any one noticing.  Turning to his friends, Well boys, when are we leaving so we can kill stuff?!?

18:38, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 21 using 1d20+7, rerolling ones with rolls of 14.  Sleight of Hand.

Celador picks up one of the beads and rolls it gently between his fingers, "Interesting. This could come in handy."

"So, you'd like us to go and pick up a book and bring it back for you. Sounds simple enough. If we bring this book back you will give us 50 gold each? How do we know you are not another necromancer in disguise and that this book won't raise an undead army to destroy us?" he directly addresses Zelgor.

"We are just and honorable adventurers," he shoots a sideways glance at Thorfire, then looks back to Zelgor, directly in the eyes, "What assurance can you give us that you are who you say you are and this book is not something you say it isn't?" Celador briefly looks confused at trying to follow his own logic.

"Your cautions are well founded," the old man concedes. "And I'm afraid there is little I can do to guarantee my promise. But look around you. These are the Northlands. There are no guarantees here." He eyes Thorfire suspiciously (the halfling suspects that he is looking for the beads). "Just like there are no guarantees for me that you won't take my down payment and disappear.

"So what will it be? Do you accept my offer or will I have to pin my hope upon some other party of capable heroes (if there are any)?"

In reply to Zelgor (msg # 14):

"Very good, Zelgar. We will take your beads and then your gold.

Gentlemen, we have a book to retrieve!"

Lazaret grabs one of the beads and heads for the door.

"Lazaret!" Celador calls after the tabaxi, "can we at least wait until the morning?"

Against Lazaret's protests, the heroes spend one more night in Westbank and make their departure for the north the following morning with little fanfare. The first day goes by with little of note and the party reaches the bridge where Kevril first spotted the hooded man with a little daylight to spare. They press on for another hour before setting up camp.

They continue for the second day, reaching the bend in the road where the northern trail (and the nearby Misty River) bends to the northeast. While not a thick forest, there is a spattering of trees on either side of the road, and the party finds a suitable spot to set up camp.

Well into the night, during Therarak's watch, the svirfneblin hears a stirring in the woods. Even with his darkvision, he cannot spot the sound, but he suspects it more than his imagination.

00:05, Today: DM rolled 3 using 1d4. Who's watch (1- Cel, 2 - Laz, 3 - Tk, 4 - Tf)?

In reply to DM (msg # 17):

Sensing something might be amiss, Therarak strains his hearing,wakes up the party, and prepares himself for battle.

09:11, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

In reply to Therarak Gemfinder (msg # 18):

"Wha? What? Oh hell!"

Lazaret sprints up the nearest tree to get a better look at what might be coming for them.

09:51, Today: Lazaret rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

Therarak scans the darkness for the source of the eerie sounds, but cannot spot anything. After he wakes the others, Lazaret scurries up a scraggly pine nearby. From his vantage point, he spots two monstrous beasts circling their camp from opposite sides. They resemble large muscular bears, but their movement seems anything but natural.

Before he can sound a full alert, the beasts rise to their hinds legs and charge toward the campsite with screech.

OOC: Post round 1 actions! Players are at the center of the camp with two monstrous bears charging, one from 3 oclock and the other from 9 oclock. Both are 50' away.

In reply to DM (msg # 20):

"Big bear! Big bear!"

Lazaret extends his hand toward the bear at 3 o'clock and points his finger. A bolt of fire materializes at the tip of his claw and flies toward the bear striking it in the chest.

20:29, Today: Lazaret rolled 12 using 2d10.  Fire Bolt Damage.
20:28, Today: Lazaret rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Fire Bolt .

In reply to Lazaret (msg # 21):

Seeing the fire bolt slam into the bear, Thorfire slides into the shadows just outside the fire light and is ready to assassinate the bear charging from 3 o'clock.

22:31, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 23 using 1d20+10, rerolling ones.  Stealth.


22:33, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 21 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling ones with rolls of 14,8.  Rapier Attack.
22:35, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 7 using 1d8+4.  Rapier Damage.
22:36, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 14 using 3d6.  Sneak Attack Damage.

As a bonus action, he will hide in plain sight behind the bear.

22:39, Today: Thorfire Shortankard rolled 27 using 1d20+10, rerolling ones.  Stealth (Hide in Plain Sight).

In reply to Thorfire Shortankard (msg # 22):

Therarak grabs an acid vial and throws it at the damage bear (The bear must make a DC16 DEX save).

22:53, Today: Therarak Gemfinder rolled 7 using 3d6.  Acid Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Tue 07 Aug 2018.

Celador is abruptly woken from his trance and, seeing the charging creatures, quickly picks up his sword and shield, reading himself for the approaching conflict.

Action: dodge

sorry for holding things up, it has been a crazy couple of weeks and I am out of town again until Monday. @DM if you want to t roll for me I would be fighting melee with the bear creature with two attacks. Don't forget that I get +2 for attacks while holding a weapon in one hand (dueling fighting style)