Greetings. Welcome to the first session of /mlpol/'s first running of the classic third edition d&d campaign Red Hand Of Doom.
On this adventure, our heroes, currently three strong, will encounter dozens of trials that will test their strength, cunning, and friendship as they face an army of goblins.
If you'd like to join, there's still room for more in the party. Don't be shy to ask.
Our story begins in Elsir Vale, with our three heroes on the road to the town of Drellin’s Ferry. The three are seasoned adventurers, and exated heroes to boot. Having fought many battles together before, they are confident in their strength. Legend has it of a vast treasure in the Vault of Vraath Keep, hidden deep in the Witchwood; our heroes, have journeyed all this way to seize the vault for their own.
Despite that, they all have their own motivations to travel to Drellin's Ferry:
Sir Whiskers, a cunning and charismatic Tibbet Jester, is travelling to meet up with an old friend of his: Princess Princess Bagel Jennifurr Fluffykinz the fourth. He hasn't met his old friend since he was a kitten, and he's eager to meet with her again. She has arranged to meet up with him in Drellin's Ferry, and to accompany him on his adventure.
Sir Brozal, a mighty Orc Crusader of Pelor, has received a mission from a high-ranking Cleric of his order has received a powerful vision of war descending on Elsir Vale under the banner of a clawed red hand, and has sent Brolaz to the far reaches of Elsir Vale to avert impending disaster... Brozal isn't exactly sure if the vision was real, or if his master just wanted to get rid of him for the year, but he never turns down a good crusade.
Brother Chad, a wise and powerful Druid, has chosen to accompany his companions on their hunt for the lost treasure in the Witchwood. Sir Whiskers requested his aid because Chad is the most experienced woodsman he knows. Chad is wary of this region, for he's heard that it is ruled by a fierce and territorial Druid, but he embarks upon this jouney nonetheless, the secrets of the Witchwood too tempting to ignore.
...So tempting that he seems to have drifted off somewhere with his horse; probably fucking it again or something. Stupid hippie.
And so, let's begin:
>The afternoon sun beats down on you; the air is hot and still. The sparsely settled lands of Elsir Vale are starting to grow monotonous, with a seemingly endless line of dusty flyspecks of towns. The town of Drellin’s Ferry lies a few miles ahead of you. It’s a settlement hard on the borders of the Witchwood, and the best place from which to begin exploring the nearby forest.
This is the part where the players ask obvious questions that I thoughtlessly ignored in the first post, as well as implore about their surroundings.
1970 replies and 82 files omitted.
>>134345sighsOkay, just try not to split the party.
Where does everyone want to go first?
>>134347"Awww, too bad. Lucky man you are with a horse like that." The sergeant says as you trot away
>>134346>>134347Whiskers nods his little cat head before looking at Chad, awaiting his predictable move of going to the marketplace and sell the stuffs.
(Come on, mister human. I know you want those shiny cylinders.)
So, you guys wanna go to the market first?
>>134351That's what Whisker's pushing for, yes.
>>134348I think we should sell the stuff first.
>>134349"Until we meet again, i bid you adieu." as Chad turns to give his goodbye with a raised hand.
>>134351>>134352>>134353Yep.
Time to meet the market merchants.
Okay.
You're just strutting about the market, looking for anyone eager to buy your looted weaponry, when you hear a call from across the bazaar. Across the market stand a tall, balding man of about fifty and a capable-looking swordswoman. “Sorry to trouble you, travelers, but I’d like a few minutes of your time,” the man says.
“My name is Norro Wiston, and I’m the Town Speaker for Drellin’s Ferry. This is our guard captain, Soranna. I’ll get right to the point: We’re in a lot of trouble, and I was hoping I could persuade you to help us out.” He says, eyeing the bags of looted swords and your bloodied armor.
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>>134356"We are here to kill goblins. There is no need to pay us."
>>134356>>134357Having once again taken the position on Misty's back, Whiskers, in catform still, nods at the approaching entourage, yet lets Brozal do the talking this time for now, remembering his desire to speak with these two recently.
“Our town is under attack,” the speaker begins.
“Hobgoblin raiders have been harrying our lands for several days now. They’ve attacked and killed people in the outlying homesteads, and they’ve been waylaying travelers along the Dawn Way.”
Captain Soranna adds, “We’ve had some trouble with them before—a quick raid on homesteads on the west side of the river, usually not that bad—but this is different. It looks like a large, aggressive tribe has moved down out of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains. Frankly, I fear they might be numerous enough to sack the town.”
“Beyond the immediate threat to our homes, the road is our lifeblood,” the Speaker continues. “If the hobgoblins make the Dawn Way impassable to the west, trade won’t come this way, and we’ll be ruined. Not only do we need to repel the raiders from our town, but we’ve got to keep that road open. Can you help us do it?”
>>134357The old man looks thrilled.
"Oh really? You’d be helping a lot of people if you could deal with this problem.”
>>134359The kitty is less than thrilled about the prospect provided without going too far as to reject Brozal's entire purpose of being here. "Do you happen to know how many are there in this tribe?" he reluctantly asks, still in his cat form.
>>134360You can still bargain, or even ask about your current quest in the witchwood.“We’re not sure. A hundred warriors, maybe...?" He pauses
“There have been at least three different warbands around our lands at the same time, each about fifteen to twenty strong, so fifty at the minimum."
>>134356>>134359"I am willing to assist you in this trouble but we cannot do it just yet, we have come here to sell, not to fight, just yet."
"So let us ponder whether or not we are capable of handling this, if we are sure that we can help then we will."
>>134361"We will have decide if this is a size that we are able to deal with, will you be able to come with us Soranna if i offer you some weaponry?"
"Will there be anyone else with us?"
"Do you have any knowledge of the witch-wood, Norro?"
Forgot to mention about a dozen or so guards with spears, standing some distance back behind the captain.
>>134361Assessing danger first.Whiskers quickly stands up, jolted into attention by the sheer numbers.
"Wo-hoah there," he answers, shocked "that is a lot for three of us to handle. Do you have anything to counteract their numbers?"
>>134359"Point me in the direction of the goblins. We can go right now."
>>134365Whiskers quickly turns to Brozal, looking remarkably afraid at his eagerness. "H-hey, no need to rush this. We can go all together and squash them good later."
>>134365"I do not think i am capable of doing this right, i have sleep that is waiting for me and i can't be late."
"And we have to prepare for the coming fight, we still have things to be sold from our previous encounter, if we go into this without selling the equipment Misty will be weighed down and not fit for fighting."
>>134362>we have come here to sell"We're short of arms as of now. Perhaps I could take those swords and bows off of you? I can pay for that up front. I could give you more after you return." The speaker says
>"Do you have any knowledge of the witch-wood, Norro?" “I know little of the woods myself. I've heard of an old ruined castle nestled in there." He says
>>134365"I can tell you how to get there though. Cross the river and follow the Dawn Way west. The road goes all the way through the forest. Or you could strike north and take the Witch Trail, but not many people go that way.”
>>134364"We've tried... “We tried. We sent a dozen guardsmen west on the road to find out where the hobgoblins were lairing, but they got cut to pieces a few miles inside the forest..." he says
" “The hobgoblins are using fearful monsters and evil magic against us. Until you showed up, we haven’t had any heroes here who could stand up to them.” he says
>>134362>will you be able to come with us Soranna"...My men need me here. It's been enough trouble fighting off the raiders with the men we have..."
Roll Sense motive (1d20+5)
>>134362>"Will there be anyone else with us?">"Do you have any knowledge of the witch-wood, Norro?"Soranna speaks up at this
"... “If you’re going to be wandering around in the Witchwood, I would advise you to seek out Jorr. You can’t fi nd someone who knows the woods better. His cabin is out of the way, but it could be worth the walk. If you take the Witch Trail, go left at the first big trail crossing; Jorr’s cabin is about seven miles in. Or, if you’re on the Dawn Way, take a right on a trail about nine miles from the forest edge. Jorr’s cabin is near the Blackwater.”
>>134368The cat shakes his head at the disheartening response, feeling even further troubled if his hair standing on end wasn't enough to signal that. Nonetheless, the cat sighs. "Before I agree to set off towards certain death," Whiskers starts "I'd like to know if you've seen Princess Princess Bagel Jennifurr Fluffykinz the fourth around these parts. She's a dear friend of mine."
>>134368"Hmm, a fair deal but i insist that we do it at the break of dawn, after we have rested, you can have the weapons now and where do you wish to meet under the rising sun?" He says atop Misty.
"I understand that you must stay"
[1d20+5 = 15]>>134369"Do you know him personally? What does he look like and can you tell us something personal so that he may trust us?"
>>134367"I would be willing to pay for a stay at the inn, if you would wish." The old man offers
"And those arms. I my troops would pay a penny for those." Soranna adds
>>134370The old man looks confused
"... Princess..? Now that you mention it, i think some people did mentions something about a 'ghost cat' lurking in the alley beside the Old Bridge Inn; perhaps that might perk your interest."
>>134371You manage to spot Soranna subtly licking her lip at the sight of one of the priceless gem-encrusted shortswords that the Red Leader dropped.
Her commitment to leading the town guards seems solid though. You sense a deep worry in her eyes.
>>134372The cat reels back at the usage of 'ghost cat' without any pretext, puffing his cheek in outrage yet relents, exhaling swiftly. "Humans," he mutters before blinking softly "what else can you tell me about the Princess Princess?"
>>134371"Jorr prefers to keep to himself, nobody really knows him... We don't even know how old he is." she trails off.
"He's a lean woodsman, tall. He loves his dogs, and hates goblins with a passion."
>>134372"That would be kind of you, we will set out in the morning, what do you say Whiskers, should we rest or attack them at the rising of the moon?"
"What would they be willing to pay for these? And what about this sword with the red gem?" He says with a smug smirk.
"Are you sure that we are capable of standing up to these goblins? Do you think it would be better to let them come to us? Or should we take them by surprise now? Or should we rest first?"
"What do you have to say Bro?"
>>134374"I wouldn't know. It's just a rumor. There's been a lot o' stray cats lurking around there lately. Perhaps you might find someone you know." The man says, not quite sure how to present himself
>>134376Whiskers turns to Chad with a tilt of his head, thinking it for a bit. "I can definitely see in the night, but I am not sure if they can do the same," he answers "or you and the green human, for that matter."
>>134376"We should attack at the crack of dawn and send a warning that we're coming. They won't be able to stop us, and this will demoralize them."
>>134378Brozal has light blue skin
>>134377The cats spares a thankful nod at the man in question.
>>134379>>134380I totally meant to butcher his color.Whiskers arches his back in shock before looking sternly at the orc. "If we are going to go that route, we must actually have the numbers to scare them," he retorts "or at least pretend we do:"
>>134381The orc leans in with a blank stare and takes a knee to get lower to the ground. "With the light of Pelor, we can crush an army of any size."
>>134376The man eyes the equipment.
"... I could manage to give you 500 gold for the swords and bows, looking at their condition." He says
He eyes the shortswords and the armor
"... Hmmm, now that's craftsmanship. I'd have to have 'em appraised before I made an offer, but perhaps you could barter them at Morlin’s Smithy. He's always hammering out blades that none can ever afford to buy..." The man continues, trailing of with a bit of a frustrated grumble.
"And, as for your reward.." The man says, checking his notes
"I could offer you each 500 gold upon your return."
>>134384"Protecting those in danger is reward enough. Just give us something to eat."
>>134378"It would be preferable to attack at dawn then"
>>134379"Let the sun guide us to the fight, i will cast a divination spell to see the outcome when twilight comes, if the attacking force is doomed then we must defend ourselves."
>>134383"I will have to check in with the smith first as only he can give a definitive answer."
>>134384"Seems to be a reasonable sum of gold cum"
>>134382Whiskers barely opens his mouth in a failed attempt to reply, yet he remembers how he tanked all that damage before he threw his shiny cat liter at the goons, finding a semblance of truth for a second.
Nonetheless, the cat shakes his head. "Alright, fine," he answers "we did take down those goons and you did manage to get out without dying back there, but this may need more planning than simply rushing the enemy down. Can you see in the dark without your torches?"
>>134385>>134384Whiskers is a tad uneased by accepting the money, too, feeling the villagers will most likely need it themselves for the short term.
>>134386"If you can't see at nightfall, sure," he answers.
>>134388"These torches are so I may spread the light of Pelor everywhere I go. I do not need them."
>>134385>>134389"Hmmmm.. You're a knight of Pelor, aren't you? Brother Dernymight want a word with you."
>>134388"Very well then. Feel free to make yourselves at home at the Old Bridge Inn. Tell Ol' Shadowbanks that it's on my tab."
>>134389"I... see," Whiskers answers, looking at the torch suit before licking his paw abruptly for a bit.
(It's to safely meet your friend, it's to safely meet your friend.)
>>134390Stopping at the offer, the cat nods. "I am most thankful," he answers solemnly "I do wish to inquire about any sort of items that can harm multiple opponents at once. It might prove invaluable for the quest."
>>134390Brozal goes to the Hamlet's local church/temple of Pelor.
>>134390"Where may i keep my horse for the night?"
https://youtu.be/cj2HvGPv0XMThis is what we're about to do
Okay, so the troops give you 500 gold for the scavenged weapons. You're offered a free stay at the inn.
You can elect to take the mastercraft weapons to the smithy to have them appraised, if you wish.
>>134392"Hmmm, you might want to try asking Sertieren the Wise; the local Wizard. His wares may be pricy, but they'll get the job done."
>>134396Brozal rejects the gold and tells them to distribute it evenly to the homeless and poor of the town.