Mark's Campaign

Encounter: Outside Triela

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When the group is about 40 miles outside of town (on that night, random watch) the group will be ambushed by thieves. A pair of the men will make some suspicious noise a few hundred yards away (loud whispers, arguing) and when they are sure that someone is coming to investigate, will cover themselves in a camouflage tarp (+10DC to stealth 8) and wait, only appearing if they are discovered and they will run away from the camp.

Meanwhile, 5 more thieves will sneak into the camp and take off with anything of value (horses, backpacks, sacks, armor, etc.) One of the thieves has a silence spell which will cover the area near the horses (20’rad) and mask their own noise.

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6 Human Rogues (L3), 1 Human Brd (L4) – see attached

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Downpole – the small town of Downpole is a mixture of tired laborers, fresh backs looking for work and all the stores, inns, bunkhouses and brothels to support them. This little town does not see much action, but if the town is investigated, there is a chance (DC12 Diplomacy) that someone has heard of a raid on a logging camp outside of Agerton by “evil elves”. Notable establishments – Hardon’s Pole (Inn), Miss May’s (brothel), Barreltown (tavern with barrel chairs, tables, bar)

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Demin’s Hollow – On the Taldor side of the river is a dreary little burg called Demin’s Hollow. The town is named after Demin Urstalt, an unfortunately named logging chief who employed many people from the Lumber Consortium on the Taldor side. He has been dead for 25 years but his name remains even though the merchants would like to change the name since most people think of it as Demon’s Hollow. Notable establishments – Imp’s Tongue (tavern), The Crooked Smile (inn and tavern run by a comely half-elf named Sindra who is known for her rare wines, ales, beers and entertainment – currently an obscene halfling barbershop quartet)

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So bugger off, you bastards bugger off (Fuck you!)

Bugger off, you bastards bugger off (Fuck you!)

Like a herd of bloody swine who refuse to leave the trough

You’ll get no more this evening, so you bastards bugger off

 

Well you’ve been a splendid audience, but now the time is passed

So don’t you all be letting the door hit you in the ass

You’ve been a lovely audience, but enough is enough

We’d take a drink kindly if you’d all just bugger off

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Here’s to barkeep and waitresses been serving you your beers

They’ve put up with your noxious breath and stupid drunken leers

Be leaving all your gold on the table when you go

For all you’ll have a throbbing head and nothing else to show

 

Here’s to all the lovely people who might be waiting for the band

And thinking one of them might make a charming one night stand

Please don’t be offended, this song’s not meant for you

And we’ll be happy to oblige you when this nasty job is through

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So you’ve been promising the ladies a night of loving bliss

But truth be told you’re far too drunk to stand up straight and piss

So give it up you bloody sots, you’ll not be getting laid

And the sooner that you’re out the door the sooner we’ll get paid

 

Agerton – A typical waypoint for loggers and barrelers, Agerton is on

the edge of the forest frontier and has of late, been on edge due to some

‘strange happenings’.  

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Notable locales: Three Legs (tavern), Weeping Cyclops (inn and tavern)

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• One week ago, a couple of moonlight lovers (Miri and Liam) were accosted by an unknown force who changed their clothes into biting insects

• Five days ago a farmer was butchering some hogs when he noticed that his pig pen had 4 new animals. That same day, someone reported 4 loggers late for work. A travelling cleric was able to remove the curses over a couple days’ time, but only 3 of the men were recovered, one was breakfast.

 

Encounter: While in Agerton, the group will see a small creature (brownie) running through one of the marketplaces knocking over stands and scattering vegetables everywhere. As people are watching the little thing scurry away, they will notice that 4 large insects are starting to gnaw on vegetables and bystanders alike. The brownie will use ddoor to escape the immediate area after causing as much havoc as possible.

 

2 Giant Bombadier Beetles (10’ long)

1 Giant Mantis (15’ long)

1 Giant Scorpion (8’ plus 8’ tail)

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Once the party defeats the creatures, many people are really rattled and about half the town is preparing to head south out of the dangerous area. The group can attempt to reassure them, but to do so may tip off their plans to the wrong people who would be more than willing to sell info to the fey to stop the attacks.

Between Agerton and Greenbough Ford, the forest canopy is thick, but the road is well-travelled. Along the way, the group will spot (Per DC12) a trail of footprints leading to the west into the forest. With a successful tracking roll, it appears that 2 people were dragged off by 6 elf-sized humanoids at the road here about a day ago. If the party follows the trail, they will find a small clearing about 20 feet in diameter. Near the center are two figures tied back to back to a thick 6’ stake in the ground. The figures are not moving (they are actually leaf-stuffed manikins) but the sounds of moaning seems to be coming from them.  If the party approaches, they have a chance of falling into one of three spiked pit traps.

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A small band of nighshade wisps have set this clever trap, using stealth, tracking and the previous victims as lures. DC 25 to identify their tracks.

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Inside the trap are three travelers who came to investigate, but fell into the pit instead. One has died from the spikes, but the other two are alive (barely). Frath and Korbel were on their way to Evenshore to gain employment (Cm1, HP5 – currently at 2)

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Greenbough Ford – This small town is a welcome resting point within the forest proper with some old, well-established businesses (Digger’s Smithy, Lakeview Supply, Greenbough Rest). The inn is run by a 1/4 elf named Henly Miralon who has been in this location for over 50 years. He is on good terms with both the people of Taldor and Andoran, as well as the local fey who he secretly feeds information to keep his town safe. The travelers through the town do not know why they are so safe here, but it is a well-known haven for all. If the group talks about their mission in front of him, he will make sure that the right people find out. If they ask for his assistance, he will tell them that he heard that a guerrilla group of fey has been spotted a couple days ago near Blackstone. He also says that Nymar has been attacked by unknown “dark elves” recently and that the further they go north, the more dangerous it could be. He has not heard of Harwyn, but does know of Lyana, who patrols the frontier of Andoran from Fusil to Bellis.

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Approaching Black Stone – A group of Nightshades have set a watch on the road south of Black Stone to alert their fellows of possible trouble in approaching Black Stone and the lake. About 5 miles outside of the ruins, a post of 6 Nightshade Wisps watches the road. When the group appears they will send 2 of their band into hiding to assess the relative strength and tactics of the group, while the other 4 begin an assault with poisoned javelins from the nearby trees. These will fight as long as possible from range but will drop to the ground and into melee when they are closed upon.

4 Nightshade Wisps each have a mwk longspear, 6 normal javelins, no armor (leafy skin-scales), one of them has a yellow feather (bird token).

Black Stone – The ruins of Black Stone are what remains of an ancient town, whose name has been lost to the ages. The prominent feature is what remains of a stronghold tower, a 30 foot tall melted mass of smooth black stone in the vague shape of a cone. The seams between the stones can still be made out, but there are no discernible cracks, openings or holes. Many travelers use the surrounding area as a camping spot, but most just pass through due to the rumors that an ancient evil still inhabits the stone remains and seeks revenge on those who wrought its destruction.

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Recently, a troop of Nightshade Wisps have taken up the task of intimidating passersby to disrupt travel through this portion of the forest. The group will allow one or two survivors to escape, ensuring that their terror campaign is relayed to other towns.

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If the two scouts from the earlier road encounter have had time to inform the troop, they will be prepared for the party by hiding in underground pits, springing up as the group passes nearby. If not forewarned, the Nighshades will attack the party’s flanks as they pass by (DC25 to detect footprints).

5 Nightshade Wisps – each carries what is listed above, but they have also stashed a small booty nearby underground (DC25 search to find) containing: 725gp, 1122sp, 834cp, 16 gems x 15gp, 2 gems x 120gp, +2 leather armor (human sized), +2 dagger, +1 light crossbow, mwk chainmail, mwk quarterstaff, 6 rough blocks of jade (650gp total), 2 potions of haste, 1 potion CMW, 2 potions detect secret doors, ring of mage hand (as mage hand item).

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Shimmervale – The hamlet of Shimmervale is a sleepy little place that primarily acts as a boarding location for the lake at the fork in the Sellen River and the Verduran fork. It consists of a mere half-dozen buildings or so and is not well stocked for passers-by. Technically in Andoran, this town is a little skittish and other than getting down to business, the residents try to move visitors along on their way and not stay too long. Very uncomfortable and expensive accommodations can be found at the Smoke Lodge (well-named) run by a surly outcast gnome called Gweech. Charges 1 gp per night on a pallet in one of four 10-person shared barracks.

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Many people seem to be very worried about a marauding band of tall fey (elves, drow, dryads?) who are terrorizing the locals and travelers alike. Many shops are closing and heading south or west to better environment. The Taldor River Guard keeps 2 ships here in their own private docking area.

A ferry leaves the town each morning for Evenshore (10 hour trip) and vice-versa from Evenshore. The cost is 50 sp per person each way, but if the group wants to visit the Isle of Arenway, it will have to be a private charter and will cost 25gp plus 2gp per person each way and is discouraged due to the security of the Taldan navy and the grumpy druids.

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Evenshore – This larger lake town is on the Taldor side of the lake and houses a part of the Taldor Imperial River Guard (6 longships, 4 barges) with the bulk at the port on the Isle of Arenway. This town houses about 1000 people combined from locals, travelers and Taldor seamen on leave or business. It is fairly orderly and there have been no incidents of the sort reported further south. If asked, the Taldor River Guard is going to start patrolling farther south, but is still ‘gathering information’ before the patrols start.

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Notable locales: The Deranged Druid (tavern, owned by former druid Trukker), Moonshine Taproom (tavern, run by Molly and Miles Silverworth), Dally’s (brothel, owned and run by Dally Ambrosia and her 8 girls – 4 humans, 2 half-elves and 2 gnomes, fees are 20sp – 2gp depending on time/services), Rockview Inn (run by Jayme ‘Rocky’ Blackstone, “no not related to the ruins”), Cooper’s Coop (Inn, popular inn run by Fineous Cooper, an entertaining half-orc/half-elf who has many hidden, almost endless talents, NG/Bd12/Sor8). Fin will be one of the best contacts the group can have as he seems to be able to get whatever they may need and is very helpful.

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The journey to Nymar is a lot less exciting than the group probably expected, but the River Guard keeps things well under control on this fork of the river and the forest draws back about a mile from the banks on both sides when within 20 miles of Nymar. The Taldor navy is working with the local rangers on this side of the border to help guard the roads and towns. If the group asks around, they will meet an elf ranger named Shandela Andosana (sister of Shalelu) who is working with other rangers in the area. She has personally had a few battles with bands of Nightshade Wisps in the area as well as gangs of ettercaps, sometimes up to 12 at a time who seem to be setting random traps throughout the forested areas. She warns the group about what to look for to avoid the traps, tells them to stay on well-traveled paths but she will help then where and when she can.

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Nymar is a well-established town of about 2300 people, mostly humans and gnomes who trade regularly with Wispil and the interior towns of Taldor. Nymar is a regular stop for the River Guard and so there is a large contingent of Taldor ships (6 longships, 5 barges) and seamen (approx. 250 in town). Harwyn is known to many of the folk in Nymar although only rumors of the happenings west are reaching the town. The following info can be gleaned with successful Diplomacy rolls:

DC12 – A group of dark elves was spotted crossing the river about 2 miles downstream 3 nights ago. No tracks were discovered however.

DC15 – A dwarf from a far away land is sending his clan to the Verduran to hunt and root out the fey

DC18 – The druids of the forest are leaving and the fey are not being held in check now.

DC20 – A powerful fey queen is using mind control magic on other fey, animals and unsuspecting humans to create her own army and take over the Verduran

DC24 – Harwyn the local druid is looking for outside help to stave off a fey rebellion

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Notable locales: Blissful Jug (tavern & inn, owned by Frulamin Goldweaver, Gnome/Bd8), The Drunk Duck (tavern, run by Wilben Hornn, H/Cm1), Spacia’s Collectibles (run by Spacia Canatha, Half-elf/S9)