*Hold*

*Hold*

Loradove Tallheart

Player:  Kari - Karifur

Name: Loradove Tallheart of the Timbers clan. Also called Squeaky, Timber, Chipmunk, Sprout, and probably lots of other things because apparently gnomes love names and have lots of them.

Race: Forest Gnome

Class: Ranger

Archetype: Beast master

Languages: Common, Elvish and Gnomish

Age: 42

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Height: 3’ 2”

Weight: 35 pounds

Strength – 9  (-1)

Dexterity – 16  (+3)

Constitution – 12  (+1)

Intelligence – 18  (+4)

Wisdom – 16  (+3)

Charisma – 13  (+1)

Saving throws: advantage on wisdom, charisma, intelligence

Speed: 25

Hit points: 21

Armor class: 14

Minor illusion cantrip

Darkvision

Speak with small animals

Fighting style: archery

Natural explorer, favored terrain - forest

Background:  Outlander, Guide

               Skill Proficiency – Athletics, Survival

               Musical ability – flute or pipes

Spellcasting: Cure wounds and Detect poison & disease

Skills: animal handling, athletics, perception

Advantage on wisdom Survival checks

Armor: Leather

Equipment: 1 short bow (d6+3?) With 20 arrows (as a ranger I'm supposed to start with a longbow, but I'm only 3.5 feet tall so I think a short bow is probably more realistic),

1 dagger 1d4 piercing, finesse, thrown (range 20/60)

1 hand axe  1d6 slashing, light, thrown (range 20/60)

explorers pack

handmade recorder/flute

Bogart Bartholomew

Bogart Bartholomew

Player:  Sarah - Mrs. S.

Dragonborn Paladin

Lawful Good

Str:  20                 +5

Dex:  8                 -1

Con:  17               +3          

Int:   9                  -1

Wis:  13               +1

Cha:  18               +4

HP:  24

AC:  16

Height:  6’7”

Weight:  320

Age:  24

Languages:  Draconic and Common  (+2)

Description:  Bogart is a huge member of the dragonborn race – big even by the standards of this large race.  His heritage is golden, so he bears a resemblance to his gold dragon heritage.  He clearly looks draconic with golden scales – viewed directly his golden heritage and coloring is obvious.  But viewed at an angle or with light shining on him his scales reflect a brilliant metallic color almost giving the impression that he is limned with light.  His “hair” is more long, thin, almost feathery scales than anything people would call hair.  His eyes are a brilliant purple, although they are so reflective of light that it can be hard for others to really see what color they are.

Background:  Acolyte

Skill Proficiencies:  Insight and Religion

+2 languages

Shelter the faithful – you and comrades can expect to get healing at a temple to your god.  You (not comrades) will be supported by the faithful to a modest lifestyle if possible. 

Personality trait:

Ideal: 

Bond:

Flaw:

Armor

Chainmail

Weapons

Greatsword   2d6  Slashing

Longbow     150/600    1d8 piercing

               20 Arrows

Daggers (2)         1d4 Piercing

Equipment

Explorers Pack (backpack, bedroll, mess kit, tinderbox, 10 torches, waterskin, 50’ hempen rope.) 

Holy symbol

2 blocks of incense

10 candles.

Grappling hook

Iron Spikes (10)

Galydan

Player - Matt J. - Talynthar

High Elf Wizard - 2nd level

Chaotic Good

Str:  12   +1

Dex:  16   +3

Con:  14    +2

Int:  17     +3

Wis:  16    +3

Cha:  16    +3

Passive Wisdom (Perception)  15

Height:  5'11"

Weight:  160

Age:  175

Description:  A moon elf - fairly alabaster skin slightly tinged tan from many years researching magical properties.  Hair is long silvery blonde and eyes are blue like shimmering ocean with flecks of gold.

Background:  Sage

HP:  14

AC:  13  (Base 10 +3 Dex)

Speed:  30'

Personality Trait:  I am used to helping out those who aren't as smart as I am.  I patiently explain everything.

Ideals:  The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge

Bonds:  I've been searching my whole life for answers to a certain question

Flaws:  I am easily distracted by the promise of information

Abilities

Darkvision

Fey Ancestry

Trance

Arcane Recovery

School of Abjuration - Arcane Ward

Spell Save DC = 13

Spell Attack modifier = 5

Cantrips

Firebolt

Dancing Lights

Shocking Grasp

First Level

Detect Magic

Disguise Self

Find Familiar

Magic Missile

Shield

Burning Hands

Languages:  Common, Elf, Halfling, Goblin, Orc

Equipment:

Quarterstaff  1d6/1d8 bludgeon

Bottle of Black Ink, Quill, small Knife, letter from a colleague posing a question I can't answer yet, common clothing

Scholars Pack - backpack, book of lore, ink, ink pen, Parchment (10), little bag of sand, small knife

**Arcane Focus - what shape?

Trinket:  An ornate scabbard that fits no blade you have found so far

Ghiberti Velander

Usually know as Ghibs

Player:  Ian - Wordcandy70

Tortle Druid - 2nd level

Str:  16  +3

Dx:  8    -1

Con:  17  +3

Int:  13  +1

Wis:  17  +3

Cha:  11  

Treasured Token - 6" stone statue

HP:  22   (2d

AC:  17 (19)

Speed:  30'

Weapons

Claws  d4+3

Quarterstaff  d6 +3  - One handed

Quarterstaff  d6+8  - two handed

Druid Spells

O Level - Druid Craft, Poison Spray

1st Level - Goodberry, Entangle, Thunderwave

Tordek Dankil 

Player - Randy - Wolfram

Tordek Dankil is a Hill Dwarf Druid. He has come to Botkinburg to investigate the strange natural imbalances in the area. He has lived mainly as a loaner in the region of the Great Rift since he joined the circle of the land.

STATS: Strength 13
Dexterity 12
Constitution 16 (14 +2 Dwarf bonus)
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 16 (15 + 1 Hill Dwarf bonus)
Charisma 13

Height:

Weight:

Age:

Appearance:

Background:

Speaks Common, Dwarvish, and Druidic
Has Dark vision and Advantage against Poison and is resistant to poison damage
Hit point 15
Skills: Insight, Medicine

Equipment: Studded Leather Armor 45 gp
Mace 5 gp
5 daggers 10 gp

Druid Spells

70 GP remaining

Player - Jason

Piq Litefoot

Chaotic Neutral Halfling. 1 level Rogue (Thief subclass when the time comes) / 1 level Warlock (sort of)
      Warlock stuff = Archfey Pact (w/ Devils Sight, Syl the Familiar – Pixie.), 1 Spell; Expeditious Retreat. That’s it for Warlock

Str = 8  (-1)
Dex = 16  (+3)
Con = 12  (+1)
Int = 13  (+1)
Wis = 10
Char = 16  (+3)

HP = 16

AC:  14

Height:  3'

Weight:  40lb.

Physical Description:  Piq is a little over 3ft tall and weighs about 40lbs with an athletic but not overly muscular build. He's 22 years old has pale skin with very dark brown hair and eyes.  Piq has a personality akin to that of a 5yr old human.  He is completely without fear and exceptionally curious.  He likes to 'acquire' odd objects such as his treasured jade frog.

Character background:

Shortsword
Shortbow (20 arrows)
Leather Armor
Dark cloak w/ hood
Pouch
Backpack (thieves tools, backpack, 10 pitons, 50ft hemp rope, hooded lantern, 5 candles, 2 flask oil, hammer, crowbar, waterskin, tinderbox)

Jade Frog

**This is the gmae thread for the Little Big Wars Gaming Group**

I have the basic books and a couple of supplements.  If you want to do something beyond the Players Handbook for anything, please clear it with me first.  It may be possible, but no guarantees. 

Character Creation Basics:  We will be starting at second level – a low level starter campaign, but up one level to improve survivability. 

Stats:  You are welcome to simply roll up your character on your own.  I’ll trust your rolls.  Or I will be around the store all weekend and we can do the rolls then.  I want to give you some flexibility on the character you want.  Remember, race will modify these somewhat.  There are two options to get your stats:

1. Roll 4d6 a total of 6 times.  For each, drop the low number.  You may put the results in whichever stat you want. 


2. If your results are not to your liking you may also use the numbers offered in the PH: 15,14,13,12,10,8. 

Money:  You can have the max for your class – Plus an extra 50gp for being second level.  Not much, but a tiny bonus.

Hit points:  Take the max at first level, but then roll for second level.

Classes:  This adventure will have a little town stuff (possibly more long term if the game lasts) and lots of outdoor and dungeon stuff, so any class should work.  Feel free to talk to each other to make sure you have a variety of skill types.   

An Introduction to my GM style and the Blacktooth Ridge Campaign

GM Philosophy:  The GM/DM is god.  Blunt enough?  What I mean is that while I will certainly be using the rules and running things according to the dice rolls and preplanned game-plan, in the end what I say happens is what happens.  You are welcome to let me know how the rules play – I’m decent with 5E but certainly not an expert.  But ultimately, I want to keep things moving and make for a good game.  I also reserve the right to do things like change monsters, magic items and other such things.  You may think you know what an Ogre is like, but it is my ogre, so be careful.  Honestly, I don’t change that much.  But I might.  Baloth’s showed up in my last campaign.  This really just a long-winded way of saying rules-lawyers aren’t likely to get the judgement they want.  Not all the time anyway.  The goal is a good game.

               With that goal in mind I want to remind you that death is possible.  I’d rather the characters not die, but if you make foolish decisions (Or the dice gods truly hate you) you will suffer the consequences.  The Blacktooth Ridge is a dangerous place and there are things there that are much stronger than you when you start out.  Be careful.

               Dice rolls once the game begins:  After talking to several people who run games at the Red Dragon Inn site I have decided that it will be easiest if I handle the dice rolls.  You tell me what you want to do in your posts and I will tell you the results.  If people would rather do their own rolls we can make that work as well, but I don’t think there was a strong opinion on this and I believe it will make things easier. 

(For those who have not played D&D before, the Gm is the ‘Game Master’ or Dungeon Master’ – the one who guides the game for the players.  In this case, that is me.)

An Introduction to Assault on the Blacktooth Ridge

               This is a partially pre-fab campaign.  The rough outline and a bunch of basic locations are ready made.  However, a lot of the area is left blank.  A lot of the details are missing.  So, there is also a lot that will be my addition to this rough outline.  Below is some starting information that might be useful as you consider your character.

This campaign is set in the Blacktooth Ridge – a corner of the Forgotten Realms.

The town of Botkinburg lies far from the settled lands of the south and the fabled kingdom of Outremere.  It sits upon a bend in the Hruesen River in the shadows of the slopes of the rugged hills of the Blacktooth Ridge, in a land known as the Barren Wood.  However, it was not always referred to in such dour tones.  In happier days this land was a wild, forested country named the Hruesen.  The forest was of an exceedingly large expanse filled with many beasts as well as the settlements of man, halfling, and elf.  The great ridge offered hunting aplenty and was called by men the Highlands and by the elves the Avishean Ridge.  There was peace in the country and little troubled the folk who lived there.  But the world’s ages turned, and so with them the fortunes of those in that wondrous wood.

               Long ago, beyond the memory of most in the Barren Wood, a power arose in the north and the whole part of the world fell under the rueful eye of a great evil, the Horned One.  He turned his armies loose on the lands of the Hruesen.  A great many orcs and goblins issued forth from the foul pits of Aufstrang and laid waste to the lands - driving the inhabitants south into the sea, enslaving them and scattering wide the free peoples that had been living there.  His evil emptied the forests and laid waste to the towns and cities.  For centuries the region lay under the Horned Ones evil shadow.  The ridge now stood forth from the wasteland as a black scar, as the orcs occupied it and made it a fortress of sorts. They tunneled beneath it and built squat towers upon it.  The ridge was renamed the Blacktooth Ridge, as it devoured all who entered it, and the lands about were renamed the Barren Wood. 

               After centuries the fortunes of those lands finally changed with the passing of the great evil in Aufstrang.  The Horned Ones armies scattered and the region around the Hruesen River was given a respite, although for many years it remained barren and empty.  In time, people began to move back into the region and found both the lands and the river fertile.  But so too arrived remnants of the horned Ones armies; for the Blacktooth Ridge lies in the shadow of Aufstrang and the fell pits of that place are a never-ending source of foul creatures.  The ridge itself, riddled with caves and ruins, is a wild land filled with evil creatures.  In it’s shadow along the river and in the woods civilization has begun to take root.

               The town of Botkinburg is one of the settlements that has been built along the river.  Over the last 50 years it has grown into a community of several hundred and boasts a keep built by Lord Clement Botkin.  Recently something seems to have stirred up the creatures of the Ridge and they have experienced a series of goblin raids.  Messages have been sent out seeking adventurers willing to search the ridge and discover the source of these new raids and put an end to them.  You have arrived in Botkinburg in response to this summons and now find yourself at the town’s tavern:  The Bent Hook, known locally as Ortolf’s House of Sludge. 

Character involvement in Botkinburg:

You may decide for yourself what specifically brought you to Botkinburg.  Where did you first hear of the problem?  Are you from near or far?  Perhaps you are simply a treasure hunter, for legends of the ridge speak not just of dangers but of rewards.   Did you know the other members of the group before arriving in town, or do you all meet at Ortolf’s?  You can make a detailed or simple background - I’m happy to provide more information as needed. 

This campaign is set in the Blacktooth Ridge – a corner of the Forgotten Realms.

The town of Botkinburg lies far from the settled lands of the south and the fabled kingdom of Outremere.  It sits upon a bend in the Hruesen River in the shadows of the slopes of the rugged hills of the Blacktooth Ridge, in a land known as the Barren Wood.  However, it was not always referred to in such dour tones.  In happier days this land was a wild, forested country named the Hruesen.  The forest was of an exceedingly large expanse filled with many beasts as well as the settlements of man, halfling, and elf.  The great ridge offered hunting aplenty and was called by men the Highlands and by the elves the Avishean Ridge.  There was peace in the country and little troubled the folk who lived there.  But the world’s ages turned, and so with them the fortunes of those in that wondrous wood.

               Long ago, beyond the memory of most in the Barren Wood, a power arose in the north and the whole part of the world fell under the rueful eye of a great evil, the Horned One.  He turned his armies loose on the lands of the Hruesen.  A great many orcs and goblins issued forth from the foul pits of Aufstrang and laid waste to the lands - driving the inhabitants south into the sea, enslaving them and scattering wide the free peoples that had been living there.  His evil emptied the forests and laid waste to the towns and cities.  For centuries the region lay under the Horned Ones evil shadow.  The ridge now stood forth from the wasteland as a black scar, as the orcs occupied it and made it a fortress of sorts. They tunneled beneath it and built squat towers upon it.  The ridge was renamed the Blacktooth Ridge, as it devoured all who entered it, and the lands about were renamed the Barren Wood. 

               After centuries the fortunes of those lands finally changed with the passing of the great evil in Aufstrang.  The Horned Ones armies scattered and the region around the Hruesen River was given a respite, although for many years it remained barren and empty.  In time, people began to move back into the region and found both the lands and the river fertile.  But so too arrived remnants of the horned Ones armies; for the Blacktooth Ridge lies in the shadow of Aufstrang and the fell pits of that place are a never-ending source of foul creatures.  The ridge itself, riddled with caves and ruins, is a wild land filled with evil creatures.  In it’s shadow along the river and in the woods, civilization has begun to take root.

               The town of Botkinburg is one of the settlements that has been built along the river.  Over the last 50 years it has grown into a community of several hundred and boasts a keep built by Lord Clement Botkin.  Recently something seems to have stirred up the creatures of the Ridge and they have experienced a series of goblin raids.  Messages have been sent out seeking adventurers willing to search the ridge and discover the source of these new raids and put an end to them.  You have arrived in Botkinburg in response to this summons and now find yourself at the town’s tavern:  The Bent Hook, known locally as Ortolf’s House of Sludge. 

Bory looked around the bakery’s cellar.  It was a pretty plain cellar – just what you would expect in a bakery.  His eyes also took in the group of people apparently summoned by Lys and couldn’t prevent the thought that this was NOT what you would expect in the cellar of a bakery.  An elf blade.  A human rogue.  A half-orc gladiator.  An agent of the Arcaren!  And, of course, a gnome druid.  He shook his head slightly at the mystery of it all. 

The rogue, a human named Karos he had met upstairs.  He seemed like a good young man with an interesting and impactful background.  Bory saw hope for a true friend there.  Whatever his origins on the streets, it was not hard to see how he had ended up here.   The others he simply didn’t know yet.  And the agent?  That was weird.  He was here to help, but how much would he be able to do so if he was unable to use his magic?  He was not registered.  Yet Lys knew who he was and had chosen this stranger.  Why?  Mysteries . . .

But it was a mystery that that would not be answered right away.  When Girta’a encouraged them to introduce themselves, he decided there was no reason to delay.  He moved to the table and jumped up on one of the chairs and turned towards the others.  “I’m guessing we are all here for the same reason.  Our lovely young hostess urged us to introduce ourselves, so let me begin.  I am Borborybodboddynock.”   He paused, enjoying the reaction his name always created.  He loved his name.  “I will leave it short and spare you the rest of it for now.”  At least a couple of eyebrows were raised and he laughed.  “But you can call me Bory.” 

It seems that I am going to get a chance to DM my first game here at the Inn.  Most Friday evenings I wander down to my local game shop to do a Magic the Gathering draft.  In the words of a friend, the place has become my very own Cheers Bar.  Minus the beer, I suppose.  Now I am hoping to get that group to branch out and I am going to run a D&D game for a bunch of those folks here at the Inn.  It should be fun and has the added bonus of bringing another half dozen or so avid gamers to the Inn.  Who knows, I first arrived here with a group looking for a site to host a game and have stuck around.  

Anyway, I have never GM'd a game in a format like this and was wondering if those of you who have had any suggestions.  What do I need to be sure to do or not do? 

There are a few questions I know I am wondering about, but am open to any advice you might have.

1.  What is the best way to handle dice rolls?  I have been in games that handled this in a variety of ways.  What would you recommend?  Why?

2.  I've seen people having trouble posting pictures.  But I also think this got updated recently.  Is there anything I need to know about this?

3.  How many threads can you have for one game?  Most seem to have a game thread, a Q&A thread, and frequently a recruitment thread that later goes dormant for obvious reasons.  Is it easiest to just post character sheets at the top of the Q&A thread?  

4.  I've seen many GMs reserve the top 10 or so slots of the Q&A thread.  Are there specific things you do with these or are they 'just in case' slots?  

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.  

I assumed Castle had Wifi, hope that is ok.  I just can't imagine that he wouldn't.  

Likewise - his family home was part of the orginal writeup and since it is a family home on the oldest street in town it seems like a couple spare bedrooms would be a given. Let me know if I'm wrong.  

Castle nodded at the others at the table. 

"Alex Castlebrandt.  I treach medieval studies at the U."  He gave out his address.  They were welcome and he assumed that either his place or Preston's church would be the best place.  "And yes, I do have WiFi.  You are welcome."  He looked at the kid.  It was pretty clear the kid was running and homeless.  It also was becoming more clear just what he was running from.  Castle didn't think this was your normal runaway. Heck, he wasn't even sure there were any parents left to runaway from.  If what the kid said was true, he had reason to run.  But that didn't make a dumpster any better of a location to sleep or find food.  "Haze, as the Pastor said, if you want to run, I get it.  But back alleys don't offer much shelter or food.  Or protection.  I'd encourage you take the Pastor Preston's offer.   Or, if you want, I do have a spare room at my place.  You are welcome to spend the night.  It seems we are going to look into this thing, but you don't have to be part of it if you don't want to.  We might have some questions for you, but you wouldn't be forced to do anything you don't want to or stay any longer than you desire."

He glanced at the adults as people prepared to leave.  "I do have a couple spare beds and a couch for those who need it.  I'm not quite sure what this 'hunt' is going to require."  He didn't know, but he did have suspicions.  Somehow he had a feeling that he would be seeing a lot of these guys for the next while . . . however long that was.  He'd tell them about the phone when they got to his place.  If they were in, then they were in.   Glancing at Haze he wondered if the kid would be part of the group or not.  He might.  Or he might bolt at any moment.  He wondered what he should do about him.  How old was he?  Was he underage?  He looked like he probably was.  Did he need to call the authorities?  Was he putting a kid in danger?  That didn't seem like a requirement, nor did it seem likely to be helpful.  Still, a pastor might know about these things.  He'd need to ask.  The biker was a bit more of a mystery.  He wondered what a Google search would produce on him.  

Kheric looked up from his meal at Asoel.  “Go ahead and scout.  Very shortly I will also go out – and I believe our friend here already indicated his intent to do so as well.   Let us see what we find.”

Only a little bit later he and Iaka followed Wynna into the cellar.  He was a bit surprised at their accommodations, especially after the high quality of their meal.  Still, a bed was a bed and it was free and appeared clean.  It would work.  When Wynna turned to leave, Kheric spoke to forestall her.  “M’Lady.  These accommodations may pale in comparison to your fantastic cooking, but they will suffice.  You do a service to your town.”  The woman seemed very interested in dealing with this drug problem, more than just a passing interest.  “Clearly the danger in this plague is something you recognize – and something that it has taken less than a day to be impressed upon us.  Have you had previous experience with this problem?  Has the drug ever made its way into your tavern?  I don’t mean to pry, but the town and the drug are new to all of us.”

After hearing the woman’s reply, Kheric turned to Iaka.  The Ratman was interested in going out and seemed to prefer alone.  “Hmmm . . .  Yes, safety in numbers but perhaps more information together.  I think, perhaps we are better off going to the same tavern, but maybe not as a group.  Or maybe two together and one solo, but in the same place.  Essentially, we could keep an eye out for each other without appearing to do so.  I’m not sure if anyone will approach a stranger on the first night anyway.  What do you think?”

Fantastic?  

Really?!!

I was hoping for maybe good.  Or great.  Maybe an incredible.  But fantastic?!  

Wow.

But in all seriousness, post as you wish and just PM others if you have questions.  PM also works for discussing possible character actions as well for when the Lady starts throwing deadlies at us in Ghostwood.  

It is up to you entirely.  Go ahead and do the rolls if you want.

Castle listened to Pastor Preston and nodded.  He wasn't sure what he thought of the two men giving all sorts of credit to God.  It seemed to him that if God was going to get credit for the good people, that perhaps there was some responsibility for those like the teacher that lost it and Haze's parents.  But he didn't say anything.  He didn't have anything against faith, he just wasn't sure where he stood on it all.  But one thing he did know - there was more to this world than met the eye.  And some of it was bent on hurting people.  He was more than willing to work with these people even if he wasn't quite yet ready to share a pew with them. 

He was probably even willing to open his doors to them.  So when Preston asked about a place to go he spoke up.  "I have a house in Oshawa.  We can go there if you want.  It would be more private.  I'd like to start doing some research on this electircal stuff.  My university library might have some materials as well.  And, if not, I have rights with other university libraries in the area, so I can expand the search a bit."

Yes, Castle's PhD is essentially medieval studies.  I can give you the title again if you want.    (Wow!  That is a lot more emoji then we had available a few weeks ago!)

Lets make that role for the old friend who worked for the electric company - how do you want to handle the rolls?

*Also - On my last post I assumed that since Castle is an associate professor at Durham College that he probably had rights at all of the local university libraries - like the Univeristy of Toronto.  In my experience most colleges have such regional agreements, but I can obviously change that assumption if it proves incorrect in Canada.  

What!  DMs are allowed to improvise!???  How scary . . . 

Loved the start.  And you can rely on Kheric to continue to throw curveballs at you if I have anything to say about it.  

I think Eol expressed it all pretty well.  I generally don't put words in the mouth of NPCs unless it is very simple, obvious and irrelevent.  For example, in this case I put the young lady at the counter and gave her a few words that seemed appropriate for what we had seen of her before.  This didn't seem like a critical interaction.  And then I stopped as soon as she needed to say anything would actually drive the story - for example, telling me which sister it was.  I didn't ask ahead if this was ok because it seemed pretty harmless, but I'd be willing to change it if the GM wanted anything different.  I think it is also significant that this is really just an intro post.  As the game goes along I'd be less likely to do this.  In the future I could easily see putting Bory into converstations with locals at a tavern, but not much more.  

As for your writing, do what feels right for you.  I like to write and that is one of the reasons I love this site.  I get to scratch that itch.  But different people write different amounts.  Don't feel that you need to be as long winded as I am (or Eol) - just do what you want.  

Kheric watched as Iaka yelled at the guard and stomped out.  Great, he thought, a rat with a temper.  But at least he is willing to do something. He turned to the rest of the group as they all pondered the corpse  in front of him.  

"I wouldn't want anyone I cared about on that stuff.  That was a pretty nasty way to die."  He nodded after Iaka and continued. "Our rat friend is right about one thing at least, this lead is stone-cold dead.  It seems that the time has come to head out and look for leads tonight.  While he seems to want to head out on his own, I would prefer to work as a group.  My hunch is that we will need to have someone act like an adict to try and buy some.  Whoever gets that role would be better off with some backup."

He took a step towards the door.  "That seems like night work to me.  Right now I'm headed towards the inn to get settled.  If your interested, perhaps we should meet in the common room to plan?  Maybe our eager companion will join us there."

As he stepped past the guardsman he offered some sympathy.  "It is a nasty mess to clean up, but that is why you get the big bucks, right?  If you guys find another poor victim of this crap and they actually can hear and see, let us know.  You don't want to see that again."

He arrived in the late afternoon.

And thanks for the compliment - I'm loving Bory so far! 

“My dear young friend, you are a hard gnome to track down! I trust this letter finds you well and happily enjoying the journey you have set out upon. It is my hope that you've found bot fun and knowledge, and maybe made a few friends along the way. It's easy to lose yourself to the beauty of nature, and friendship is good for the soul.

Speaking of friends, I recently learned of the passing of an old friend, and her sister asked my help in learning more about the sad strange details of her end. Of course, i wanted to but, you know age. Well, you will, at any rate. While I had to decline for myself, not giving this young lady a hand sits badly with me, and I feel of anyone, you might be best able to give her the help she's asked for.

Consider it a favor, my young friend, because it would settle my heart to know what happened to my old friend and how she met such a terrible end. But more to the point, you could finally learn what's at the heart of the terrors happening to the creatures out by Ghostwood. the animals speak of such awful horrors i can hardly believe them myself. Maybe you can puzzle out what;s really going on there? Head to Watertown, to Halfred's Bake Shoppe and speak to Girta'a. She'll set you on the right way.”

Bory looked up from the letter in his hands and then down at the squirrel in front of him.  He smiled.  “Well, little one, I had not heard, but thankfully you have brought me the news.  Haradaya will be most appreciative of your efforts, as am I.  And if you will but wait a moment, I shall provide you with a message to bring back to our old friend.”  He sat on a small rock on the side of the path in the sun and pulled out a small piece of paper, a pen and his inkwell.  He quickly scribbled out his response. 

My dear old mentor, I am so hard to track down that only a squirrel could do so successfully!  My journey so far has been worthwhile – filled with sights not previously seen and people not previously met.  I have met many people, for a funny little gnome can make many a friend over a mug of mead.  This world is filled with many interesting people.

So far my travels have been without specific directions, simply travelling where my feet might take me.  But now, it seems, I have a destination, for I would consider it an honor to represent you in this matter.  Ghostwood.  I have heard only a few rumors of that strange place.  But I shall seek to find the answers you desire.  As soon as I hand off this note I shall turn my steps towards Watertown to start along this new path.

He rolled up his small note and tied it to the squirrel’s neck where the previous note had been.  “There you go my friend.  I would consider it a great favor if you would return this to Haradaya.”  The little squirrel jumped up and down in excitement so much that the gnome was barely able to tie on the message.  As soon as it was on the creature he jumped up, yelped “I’m off!” and sped off into the underbrush.  Bory smiled at the wonderful creatures, big and small, that filled the world. 

And then it was time to set off towards Watertown.  The path he was on did not go in the right direction.  He had previously had no specific destination, but wherever he had been headed, Watertown had not been it.  He left the path, setting off at a right angle from the path into the underbrush.  He knew the general direction of the city and should be able to pick up animal paths soon.  He was excited.  He had a mission.  He’d never really had a mission before.  He could, perhaps, begin to pay back his mentor for all that had been given to him.  He bounded along the path enjoying the sun and whistling a little tune.

Watertown was both a shock to the system and exactly as expected.  He had never been in a city of this size, yet it was exactly as he had been led to believe such a place would be.  Too many buildings and not enough trees, but the town still had more than enough to keep the young gnome entranced.  At first, he just wandered around looking at everything.  The city, the temples, the taverns, the market stalls, the wagons, the children.  There were people of all types everywhere – it was almost like watching a circus, but a circus of everyday life.  He enjoyed every minute of it and talked to everyone that seemed willing to chat and a few that didn’t. 

Although he wanted to just wander and look around, he had a mission.  When he bought an apple from a stall he asked the young girl who sold it to him if she knew where a good bakery was.  She recommended the best bakery in town – Halfred’s.  He followed her directions and arrived in the late afternoon.  Even though the days baking had probably been completed hours before he could still smell the wonderful aroma even over the other pungent odors of the city.  This was a destination worth arriving at! 

He entered the bakery and was surprised to see a young half-orc working behind the counter.  A half-orc baker?  Why not?  Would there be an orc in the backroom baking cookies?  Sure, why not?  Appearances in nature are often deceiving he reminded himself, although, when he looked, the young lady simply seemed happy and pleasant.  He approached and ordered a couple of wonderful looking pastries, his mouth watering.  The young half-orc looked over the counter at him and grinned a tusked grin.  “A gnome!  Don’t see a lot of gnomes around here eating pastries!  But everybody is welcome at Halfred’s and nobody can resist Papa’s baking!”  She grinned and since he clearly had the look of a traveler added, “Have you been traveling?  You look as if you just arrived in the city and your first stop was Halfred’s!”

Bory grinned at the youngster.  She was happy and spunky and her attitude was catchy, although the gnome had never needed any help being either happy or spunky.  “The legend of Halfred’s pastries is known far and wide!  I came here straight from the road, not just by chance but seeking refreshment worthy of my travels!”  He held up his pastries as he spoke.  “But in addition to these amazing smelling foods, I must admit I also came seeking a Girta’a.”   This last line was spoken a bit quieter than the rest as he really didn’t know if any of this was secret, but since the bakery was empty at the moment he need not have worried.  He waited to see what response his words would have. 

Ok, that was gross.  

But it was something!  And now onward!