Before setting out everyone accompanies Asborn who leads a ceremony of worship to Orlanth. A number of his men attend skyclad (that’s naked to you and me), all are displaying their tattoos for all to see. Asborn leads by reciting the myth of Mastakos’ Westfaring which is part of the Lightbringers Quest:
- The first step was in Halikiv where the Uz live;
- The second step was the Balance Split atop a hill where Inora (https://kanka.io/en/campaign/39663/characters/724301) was nearby;
- The third step was in Wonderwood;
- The fourth step was in a vale where dancing took place to the sound of a flute;
- The fifth step was to Hrelar Amali where a funeral for Flamal (https://kanka.io/en/campaign/39663/characters/724308) was taking place;
- The sixth step was for the Outpost of Logic;
- The seventh step was the walk on water step;
- The eighth step was the Black Isle.
Asborn explains this was the first Westfaring, those that came after include Orlanth’s, Harmast’s, Sindan the Black’s and Sartar’s.
Some of Asborn’s followers pass through the the “other side” and undertake the myth as a full blown heroquest the rest, including you re-enact the quest to help them on the “other side”. As the quest is fairly straightforward you all gain a lingering benefit when travelling.
On Godsday, Fertility week, Storm season you and Gringle’s party head out. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the season the weather is fairly atrocious, although Asborn says that Orlanth’s storm will veil your travel from all enemies. You head South back the way you came over a week ago. Perhaps fortunately there are no weird Dragonewts this time and you pass alogn the now familiar track through the woods before emerging near the headwaters of the Nymie River. Mica insists on pausing here and carrying out a Goose dance and the rest of you setup a campsite whilst Mica whirls and clucks off to one side. Later she announces that the river has “blessed the geese”. Gringle looks pleased and everyone settles down for the night. Wholly surprisingly nothing happens, The Orlmarth lands are relatively safe.
The next day you press on and arrive at Old Man Village just after midday. The thanes accompany you almost as an honour guard to see the Chief. Gordangar is fulsome in his greeting of Gringle and Gringle is clearly happy to see an old friend (and the son of an even older friend). There is an exchange of gifts and a feast. At the feast there is much dismay at the story of the attack on the Pawnshop but the stock of the party (and particularly Ulf, although from a low base!) rises dramatically amongst the Orlmarth.
Piku and his family, backed by Harmast elect to stay in Orlmarth lands and setup a smithy here.
Pressing on the following day (Freezeday, Stasis Week, Storm Season) the party heads South through the cultivated lands of the Orlmarth. Night falls as the party approaches the large Lunar slave farm that lies West of Clearwine Earth Temple. . Making camp everyone is subdued, it is likely that the slave farm “hosts” family from every member of the party but an attack on the farm would be madness.
Pressing on the next day along the well-travelled path to Quackford you arrive in the late afternoon of Waterday. Here Gringle, Squinch and Quackjohn arrange passage South to Nochet City. Gringle turns to you all and formally thanks you for your help, true to his word he offers you one of the treasures:
The Eye of the Halfbird;
The Lead Grimoire; or
The Iron Cardinal’s Egg
Which do you choose?
And is there anything you’d like to do either in Quackford or would you like to just return to Old Man Village?
