Welcome welcome please come in and warm your bones by the fire. Greet each other as comrades in arms as that is what you certainly will be. You find yourselves at the Wayside Inn, which lays just South of the TriBoar Trail that runs East from the High Road, with others on their way North to Neverwinter as Lord Neverember has put out a call for those willing to join his banner.



A thick fog has settled in around the inn and he evening has started to grow into night.

A woman sits in the corner at a lone table, poring over records and watching the business. She says, "Can I get you something to eat and drink perhaps? Think it best you stay here the night. Might be hard to travel in this fog"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:30, Tue 07 July 2020.

A young dwarf steps up to the bar. Dressed in old leathers that smell vulgarly like old fish, but that may well be the fish bones in his beard.

"I'll have any Dwarven ale you may have lass"

A young elf enters the 'establishment' and looks around with utter disdain.  She looks at the woman in the corner, to the dwarf and back to the woman.  Then sighs heavily.

"Some bread, I think would likely be the least objectionable fare you could be expected to provide.  My thanks."  She says brightly while seating herself at the bar a reasonable distance from the dwarf.  She carefully leans her spear up against the bar.  After a few moments of visible straining to not converse, she turns to the dwarf and says in Dwarven.  "Odd weather we seem to be having.  How lucky are we that this rustic establishment was open and accepts patronage of those that smell of fish, in addition to civilized persons like myself.  Where are my manners, Gaelin Morfir, pleased to make your unkempt acquaintance."  She sits on the bar-stool with hands pressed together waiting eagerly for any response.

An older human walks in and thanks the lady for the food and water. He takes it to a chair near the fire and says a quick prayer as he holds his amulet. He quietly finishes his meal and enjoys the calm of the fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Tue 07 July 2020.

The woman sees that all of your food and beverage needs are taken care of and then settles back into the corner and begins to pour over her books. You cant tell if she is excited about the months revenue or displeased.

In walks a male elf with dark hair and olive skin, wearing exotic-looking clothes that make it clear he's traveled a long way. He looks around the tavern bright-eyed, awestruck by the sights and sounds of the scene. "The human world will never cease to amaze me," he says happily to himself, though loud enough to be heard by several patrons near the entrance.

He finds himself an empty chair, not caring if it's next to someone who wants his company or not, and starts to people-watch, lost in his thoughts.

A middle-aged gnome walks into the bar with welder's goggles atop his head and screwdrivers and other tools sticking out of various pockets. He sits down at the bar, asks for a drink and surveys the room, casting a disappointing eye at the human palming his amulet in the corner.

The woman hops up from her books and quickly grabs more drink and food. She looks around and says, "I doubt we will have anymore joining us this evening given the hour and our local. More travelers these days than usual but I doubt more could be out there in this fog. What all has you on the High Road these days anyway?"

Gaelin had visibly wilted when her earlier attempts didn't result in any conversations, and had returned to picking at her bread loaf.  When the woman speaks she once again brightens and response quickly.
"I, myself, am on a journey of personal tests of my spiritual and physical growth.  At least that is what my Sensai told me when he strongly suggested I leave the monastery and travel the earth on my own.  It's quite unusual for a the Sensai to determine a disciple has nothing further to learn at the monastery having been there for as few month as I, but, well, I am a very smart person.  I do miss my fellow disciples, we had such wonderful conversations and discussions that lasted for hours on end.  I do hope you are wrong about more joining us, this whole traveling on my own is quite lonely and I would thoroughly enjoy having more people to talk with.  Even about their exceedingly trivial lives.  It is not their fault their lives are boring and they are mired in ignorance."

The woman replies, "Yes others lives are quite trivial aren't they. Here I have a started an Inn out in the middle of nowhere and am having troubles but like you said trivial. I have a roof over my head and I can feed myself. What about these other fine folks here do you think any of them would be willing to travel with you? Seems like everyone is heading North at the moment."

Fenlen snaps out of his reverie for a moment when hearing the woman's question. Seeing an opportunity to hear some interesting tales from the taverngoers, and share some of his own, he joins the conversation.

"Elves are collectors of experiences. Memories. I've traveled from Evermeet to get here. I intend to wander the world of humans for a time, to see what it has to show me. I'm 'going in the direction the wind blows,' as they say."

Gaius finishes his prayer, stands up and heads over to Gaelin.

"I too am headed North. When are looking to leave? Should our timelines cross I would be honored to accompany you North."

"I am far more interested in traveling in the company of such remarkable companions than any specific departure time frame.  I am traveling with a destiny, not a destination, as my Sensai said before I departed the monastery.  Maybe we can take some of this quite passable bread for eating on the road.  Since it already tastes stale, spending days in a backpack will not decrease our enjoyment any."  Gaelin replies with exuberant hand gestures and accidentally hit the woman with a small piece of bread that flies off of her loaf.  It is obvious that she can barely contain her excitement at having someone to talk to for the long, long miles ahead.

If you are all going north, i'd be obliged to travel along with you all. numbers are better in lands I haven't been in, but i hear there is good fishing, and plentiful nature.

Fenlen raises his hand and calls out, "If you've need of company and a comrade-in-arms, I served in Evermeet's defenses for some time. I can be of use to you."

He stands up, putting his hand on the shoulder of a patron sitting next to him. "I think this will be exciting. I was looking for something to keep me busy for a while. We elves live a long time, you know."

Aye, even longer than us, but i'm always glad to have company, as long as yea know how to keep quiet when a line is cast

Morbek then lets out a large boisterous laugh

Chomski raises his eyes from his tankard to size up the group forming around Gaelin.

"Headed north, you say? I've been meaning to check out my brother's lab at the university near Neverwinter. I suppose this is as good an excuse as any to finally make the trek. Count me in."

"Evermeet?"  Gaelin squeaks as she jumps to her feet.  "I've never met anyone who has actually been to Evermeet before.  My parents plan to go there right before they die, but did not have any details to share on the kingdom itself.  You must tell me everything.  They said my uncle moved to Evermeet when I was young, turns out he actually moved to Baulder's Gate and became a bard, much to their embarrassment.  I was never allowed to take harp lessons after he left.  Thanks uncle."

As our party swaps stories not too late into the evening one by one they find a warm corner to hole up and drift off to sleep.

When morning arises there is a small spread of meat, cheeses, ale and breads. The small band eats and packs up some of the food for the road.

As they step out into the day they find it gloomy and it appears to get thicker to the North.

They all start the trek together toward Neverwinter. They are not on the road long when the fog becomes thick and it is difficult to see very far around them. However those that are familiar with the area seem to think they have traveled farther than where they expect the Triboar Trail should be.

You press on and start to see black pools of water standing like dark mirrors in and around the muddy roadway. Giant trees loom on both sides of the road, their branches clawing at the mist. There shouldn't be trees on the western side of the road should there?

You press on into the fog as it spills out of the forest to swallow up the road behind you. Ahead, jutting from the impenetrable woods on both sides of the road, are high stone buttresses looming gray in the fog. Huge iron gates hang on the stonework. Dew clings with cold tenacity to the rusted bars. Two headless statues of armed guardians flank the gate, their heads now lying among the weeds at their feet. They greet you only with silence. You know for sure there are not supposed to be any structures of this type here on the High Road.


This message was last edited by the GM at 02:28, Wed 08 July 2020.

I'd like to roll perception to see if I see anything moving, or any religious runes.
OOC: 1d20+1 (17)

Gaius approaches the huge gate to take a closer look there is a terrible screeching groaning sound. You all grab your weapons in anticipation of some horrible creature about to bound from the fog but realize it is the hinges of the huge gate as it starts to swing open on their own.

You stand there in disbelief and look through the open portal. There appears to be more road with encroaching trees and thick fog as your companion on the other side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Wed 08 July 2020.

"How strange," Fenlen says, looking at the statues. "Is it normal for humans to decapitate their own statues?" He looks at the gates in the distance, feeling uneasy.

Gaelin relaxes after realizing it was just the gate, peeks her head out from behind her companions and lowers her spear.  "Humans seem to do all sorts of random things.  But whoever decided to take these heads off of these particular statues was very determined.  They also seem to have built a keep in the middle of the road."  She says quietly.  Then bites her lower lip.  "Should we go in?  Someone, thing, has issued us an invitation."  She says, not moving any closer to the gate.

Gaius, realizing everyone's hesitation tells the group to move forward and moves to the gates while keeping a watchful eye for traps and creatures.

OOC: Perception roll - 1d20+1 - 9

The Group moves forward. AS you move through the gates towering trees, whose tops are lost in heavy gray mist, block out all but a death-gray light. The tree trunks are unnaturally close to one another, and the woods have the silence of a forgotten grave, yet exude the feeling of an unvoiced scream. Even though there is silence around you you feel as though the noise you make is amplified for anything that may be listening.

As you continue down the muddied and gloomy road you catch the scent of death on the air. It is close and seems to be coming from the right hand side of the road.

Morbek falls in line with the party, hand on his scimitar, shield strapped to his arm. he looks a the trees  and forest, wondering if all is well out there.

"Hrm, seams like something is odd here"


OOC: nature check (examine the forest in general)
1d20 + 3 = 14

Morbek peers off in through the trees. He catches a glimpse of crows fluttering and fighting over something in the underbrush perhaps that is where the smell is coming from. Off in the distance you hear the howl of a wolf. You also feel as if the fog is pushing in on you and that the shadows are watching.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:09, Thu 09 July 2020.

With the scent of death on the right side of the track, Gaelin moves as far left as the trail will allow and grips her spear nervously.  "T-T-T-This r-r-reminds me of a book I o-o-once read."  she says uncharacteristically quietly.  She then stops abruptly. "Wait now that I think about it, that book was actually about dolphins.".  Then she catches up with the group.

OoC;  Roll(1d20)+2: 1,+2 Total:3 - History check

In reply to Gaelin Morfir (msg # 28):

"i like dolphins, they tell you where the big fish are"

As Chompski bounds up to the group cursing his tiny legs, he makes a perception check (followed by an investigation after that shitty roll) and nocks his slingshot while aiming to the right of the group.

"Smart creatures, those dolphins. They'll surely outlive us 'higher beings' one day."

OOC: perception 1d20+3 (6), investigation 1d20+6 (14)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Thu 09 July 2020.

Gaelin turns to the Dwarf, as if to launch into a long explanation of the unique species detailed in the tome.  However, after she opens her mouth to talk, she quickly shuts it and turns back to the trail.  The oppressive silence of the alien forest is too much for her to break even for a discussion of rare sea mammals.

Chompski believes that whatever the stench is it is coming from where the crows are fighting and fluttering about.

"It's just a hunch, but I'm gonna guess that stench coming from where those crows are isn't a coincidence. Do we dare see what recently died, or continue down the path?"

Gaelin considers for a moment.  "Well, whatever it is is definitely dead.  Or in dire need of a bath and not overly irritated by crows.  If it is dead, whatever killed it likely move along when it died, a while ago based on the scent."  she says and wrinkles her nose before continuing.  "If the killer was still there, the crows would likely not land.  If the dead thing is still alive it would likely attack the crows.  So logically it should be safe for you to take a peek."  she pronounces, crossing her arms and nodding at her own argument.

As you approach the area the crows excitedly fly away and you find a human corpse half-buried in the underbrush about fifteen feet from the road. The stench makes your eyes begin to water and your nose begins to burn. The young man appears to be a commoner. His muddy clothes are torn and raked with claw marks. His eyes have been pulled from the sockets and his guts hang out from and open wound in his abdomen. The crows have obviously been at the  softer parts of his body, which is surrounded by paw prints. The man has obviously been dead for several days. He holds a crumpled envelope in one hand.

As you bend over to take the envelope from the clutches of the dead man movement catches your eye. On a rock protrusion over looking your position the largest Direwolf that any of you have even heard of gazes down at you. It's eyes glow and blaze red. It looks down to it's left and then to its right and wolves appear out of the fog below it.

OOC: Please roll initiative state what you do on your turn roll your attack and damage results and they will be posted in order. This cuts down on back and forth.

"Hmm.  I guess I miss calculated slightly.  Wolves don't eat crows, apparently, and crows, therefore don't fear wolves.  I'll have to compose an article on this interplay for publication.  They do seem to want to eat us, however."  Gaelin says before charging at an isolated wolf.  "There are pink dolphins!" she screams loudly as she crosses the field towards the enemy.  When arriving in front of the wolf, she faints with the spear one-handed, before grabbing it with her other hand and striking at the chest and finding the wolf's flesh.  Then, she whips the spear back to a guard position, spraying blood towards the dire wolf and her companions.  Finally, she kicks the wolf in the face for good measure.

Move action:
Move to I3

Attack Action
Roll(1d20)+5:  17,+5  Total:22 - Initiative
Roll(1d20)+7:  13,+7  Total:20 - Spear Attack
Roll(1d8)+5:  7,+5  Total:12 - Spear Damage

Bonus Action
Roll(1d20)+7:  7,+7  Total:14 - Unarmed Strike
Roll(1d4)+5:  2,+5  Total:7 - Damage

Total Damage - 19
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Thu 09 July 2020.

"So much for it being safe! I say we work from left to right on the little guys."

Chompski pops the slingshot out from his wrist and lets loose a shot at the left-most wolf.

OOC:
Initiative 1d20+3 (17)
To hit 1d20+5 (10)
Damage 1d6+3 (6)
Left being on the overhead map, vs our in-character left...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Thu 09 July 2020.

Fenlen turns away from the body and faces the wolves, then draws his sword and shield. He rushes towards the wolves and slashes with a quick flourish.

OOC:

Initiative: 22:21, Today: Fenlen rolled 18 using 1d20+3 ((15)).

Movement:
Move to H10

Action:
Target: Wolf @ I11
Scimitar - 22:22, Today: Fenlen rolled 25 using 1d20+5 ((20)).
Scimitar damage - 22:24, Today: Fenlen rolled 13 using 2d6+3 ((5,5)).

"I hate when wolves have the blood lust, it's a shame to put down such pleasant creatures"

Morbeck moves in behind the elven fighter, targeting the same wolf (if it's still alive at the time, if not, i'll double move to the wolf at k13.

OOC:
Initiative 1d20+1 (10)
To hit 1d20+3 (13)
Damage 1d6+1 (2)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Thu 09 July 2020.

Gaius draws his greatsword and runs to the closest wolf shouting "For the glory of Helm!"

OOC:
Initiative: (1d20-1) 9-1: 8 - Initiative
Move: H11 (attacking I11)
Attack: (1d20+6) 15+6: 21 - Attack
Damage: (2d6+4) 1+3+4: 8 - Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Thu 09 July 2020.

With a Martial display of weapon and fist Galin moves in on the flank of the pack and lays low one of the wolves. Her attack sprays blood onto the red eyed Dire wolf which does not flinch at the blood spattering but seems to give Gaelin a Smirk of some sort.

One of the wolves closes with Gaelin and rips at her with feral intensity that you have never been shown from normal wild beasts..

OOC: Gaelin is hit for 5 points of damage.

A wolf charges at Gaius almost hurling him to the ground as it thrusts it's body into him. The gnashing teeth however miss completely.

The last remaining wolf rushes at the dwarf and seems almost hesitant before it lunges at him. That hesitation gives Morbek all the time he needs to avoid the attack.

Chompski lets loose a bb at the wolf attacking Gaelin but it goes wide.

Fenlen slashes at the beast attacking Gaius and brings it low freeing the large human to focus on other attacks.

Morbek hits the wolf in front of him but the attack seems to have little affect.

OOC: Wolf takes 2 damage.

Gaius moves around behind the wolf attacking Morbek and slashes at it with his weapon inflicting grave wounds however the beast still stand.

OOC: Wolf has taken a total of 10 damage.

You all notice that after this initial attack the Dire Wolf surveys the group and the wolves left. It seems to exhale heavily from it's nostrils turn with a red glow leaking from it's eyes and disappears down the overlook and melts away into the fog.

With the Dire Wolf gone the wolves that remain seem less ferocious than their initial attack but seem to want to finish the fight.

22 Gaelin<----
19 Wolves
17 Chompski
15 Fenlen
10 Morbek
8 Gaius


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:30, Thu 09 July 2020.

Gaelin recoils slightly from the attack favoring her wound.  She recovers quickly and lashes out at the wolf with disciplined attack to match the ferocity of the wolf.  "Was that your left or my left?"  she responds to the gnome.  With the success of her first attack, she strikes out with the spear in a two-handed grip, then kicks the wolf in the flank.  The pain from the wound causes her to wince during the attacks and she doesn't follow through fully.

Attack action:
Roll(1d20)+7:  16,+7  Total:23 - Spear attack
Roll(1d8)+5:  2,+5  Total:7 - Spear damage

Bonus action:
Roll(1d20)+7:  13,+7  Total:20 - Unarmed strike attack
Roll(1d4)+5:  1,+5  Total:6 - Unarmed damage

Total damage - 13
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Thu 09 July 2020.

Gaius swings his greatsword at the wolf standing in front of him intending to finish him off.

Advantage Attack: 1st roll: (1d20+6) 6+6: 12
2nd roll: 15+6: 21
Damage: (2d6+4): 4+6+4 - 14 Damage

If that wolf is already dead by my move dash to I5 to get advantage on bottom wolf.

Despite her wpund Gaelin swiftly brings this second wolf to an end.

The wilf trapped between Gaius and Morbek whiles on Gaius but his teeth fail to find purchase.

In return Gaius slices the head clean off the beadt.

You all stand panting with the bodies of the wolves around you.

Gaelin feels a bit light headed at the sight of her own blood now that the adrenalin is subsiding.

"such a shame'

Morbek says quietly, wonder what would cause nature to turn so cruel at such a time.

"this is why i prefer fishing"

Nature check to see what i know about dire wolves
Roll d20+3 (18)

Morbek knows that Dire Wolves on average are about the size of a horse. This one was about half again that size. Although there is much myth about the creatures you know for a fact they do not have growing red eyes typically. Morbek deduces that this is some sort of special Dire wolf. Strange that it did not attack with the regular wolves and that it also just left after watching events for a short while.

Gaelin gingerly move back to the bulk of the group, covering her wounds with one hand.  She sits down unceremoniously on the ground and looks around at her surroundings.  "Where did the big one go?  Are there any more?  The glowing eyes were quite interesting, I've never seen anything like it.  Very, Very scary, but interesting."  She asks, looking around from side to side.

Gaius cleans his sword and mutters a prayer thanking Helm for protection as he puts the sword away.

Gauis then looks up and comments

"Well it appears that fate may have made us more than just travel companions. Shall we continue down the path or follow the big one? I leave the decision to you all."

You look around and see nothing else but the dead wolves and the corpse of the man with the letter.

The gnome retracts his weapon and sighs. "And this is why I stick to mechanical dogs" he says as he checks the bodies of the wolves for anything interesting or of value.

Chompski then makes his way over to the corpse. "Let's see if this tells us what that was all about first." He investigates the corpse and then pulls the letter out of its hand and reads it to the group.

OOC: Investigation 1d20+6 (17)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Thu 09 July 2020.

Chompski doesn't see anything out of the ordinary with the dead wolves. He then wrestles the envelope from the dead mans grip and opens it. The letter is composed in common and Chompski reads aloud to all.

"Hail thee of might and valor,

I, the Burgomeister of Barovia, send you honor – with despair. My adopted daughter, the fair Ireena Kolyana, has been these past nights bitten by a vampyr. For over four hundred years, this creature has drained the life blood of my people. Now my dear Ireena languishes and dies from an unholy wound caused by this vile beast. He has become too powerful to conquer.

So I say to you, give us up for dead and encircle this land with the symbols of good. Let holy men call upon their power that the devil may be contained within the walls of weeping Barovia. Leave our sorrows to our graves, and save the world from this evil fate of ours.

There is much wealth entrapped in this community. Return for your reward after we are all departed for a better life.

Kolyan Indirovich"

Chompski rolls a history check on Barovia and the Indirovich family.

OOC: History 1d20+4 (11)

Chompski does not recall any information nor has he ever heard of Bavoria on the Swors coast. He also knows  nothing of this Indirovich family.

Gaius reads the letter and is visibly upset.

"Vampyr you say? If I am not mistaken, the only way to kill a Vampyr is to remove their head, similar to those statues we saw earlier."

OOC: Religion check on ways to kill a Vampyr.

1d20+2: 8+2 = 10

Gaius knows that vampires are undead creatures that keep a warped sense of their former selves and can also shape change. He does not recall how to slay one but discerns they should be susceptible to holy forms of attack.

OOC: holy forms would be radiant damage.

“If I can offer my opinion on next steps, mayhaps I could rest here for a short time. At least until the bleeding slows. I’m in no shape to chase a large wolf through a dark forest, and may never be. Perhaps, if we continue on the trail we will find someone, or thing, that can fill in the gaps in our current understanding of the letter and our surroundings.”  Gaelin says in a clipped voice as if every word caused a small amount of pain.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Thu 09 July 2020.

"I believe resting here would be a bad decision. There is much death in the air which will bring many predators. Instead I say we press on down the road and I shall offer you aid."

Gaius performs Lay on Hands and restores 5 HP to Gaelin.

Gaelin looks a little unsure at first, be watches in amazement as the bite marks close. "Why, thank-you! More than just traveling companions indeed, you sir are my very good friend from this moment forward.  I do so hope the rest of the journey down the road is uneventful.  In the last five minutes I have killed my first creature, acquired my first serious wound and been magically healed for the first time.  Might be the first time I have had a spell cast on me, if you don't count the gentle breeze my sister could call and use to annoy or embarrass me.  I don't think I can take much more excitement."  Gaelin says rising to her feet.  She awkwardly tries to wipe the wolves blood off of her spear onto the grass, giving up after a few attempts.  "It was never this hard to get the straw off after attacking the practice dummy."  She says numbly and starts down the road with her companions.