D&D Act Three Scene II - The Quiet Country

Fourier

Another lazy morning in the shire. Children play, birds chirp, about as idyllic a place as one can get.

Ekbard rises to some scones, rolls and a mug of ale placed at his bedside.

Also in the room are about thirty halflings. A young girl anxiously speaks up.

"Are you gonna see tha master today ser?"

sKeith

Ekbard ponders the question, then says, "I will for sure be going to see the Master as soon as I can, but I seek a few things before I dare make the journey. Maybe you young lass, can tell me if your village has a doctor or a medicine supply. I have injured myself and need some fixing up before I am able to travel."

Fourier

"Ay mister there's a doctor in the next village over, only two miles."

A group of four halflings, all with pipes as long as their arms in their mouths, step forward.

"We'll take you to the doctor Mister Ravenseye. There'd be nowt as much an 'onour as ta see the Master again.

sKeith

"thank you good sirs. I'll be ready to go once I pay last nights drinks bill." Ekbard removes the 2000GP worth of treasure from #13 and places 100GP worth of the treasure on the bar. "Okay, I'm ready, off to see the Master, the wonderful Master, off! off!"

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"thank you good sirs. I'll be ready to go once I pay last nights drinks bill." Ekbard removes the 2000GP worth of treasure from #13 and places 100GP worth of the treasure on the bar. "Okay, I'm ready, off to see the Master, the wonderful Master, off! off!"

The bar tender looks down in awe at the amount.

"Thank you Master Ravenseye" he says bringing his cap to his chest.

Ekbard and the group of halflings head to the nearby village to see the doctor.

"The master is in the village after this one" they say as they reach the doctor's office, which looks more like a converted home than a true practice house.

"Oh a human, I'll need a bit of help with this" says the doctor as they enter. He reaches for a textbook on human physiology on his shelf.

"It's the arm I imagine, we have some treatments for that" he quickly gets to work.

An hour or so later he seems happy with the arm.

"I think the frostbite is gone my friend, but what is this growth on your left shoulder?"

OOC:
Shire Map:


02.04 Chesterfield (Ekbard arrival point)
03.07 Red Hawk
04.05 Pinnella Pass (Ekbard current location)
06.06 Woodhurst (Goodie current location)
06.08 Helmfirth
09.07 Kameeraska
09.09 Hollyhead
10.04 Tarmsworth
10.11 Bradfordshire
11.06 Windermere
14.12 Source of Chaotic Magic
14.15 Darport

Tigger

I sit in a nice field beside the doctors house and a lake and scry

Fourier

A bunch of halflings follow Goodie to the lake.

"Can you tell me what will happen to my geese master?"

"My son's infertile master!"

"Look at these boils master!"

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

A bunch of halflings follow Goodie to the lake.

"Can you tell me what will happen to my geese master?"

"My son's infertile master!"

"Look at these boils master!"

Ok, you goose man and you not a grandad you line people up over there buy that tree and explain that I will need to meditate and onece I have I will see them all in turn. For this I will help your geese and your son.
Boils need a hot compress of salt water boiled up with seaweed followed by a swim in the sea every 5 minutes for an hour do it now and every day till next full moon. Then on the full moon boil up ablution of hazel bark and willow bark in the seawater and use that to rinse the books ever day till the next full moon
Do this and you won’t have boils again

I continue scrying

Fourier

"Wow, thank you master."

The front line kneels and bows.

The next set come to the fore.

"So, my hill has two houses lord master, but the equity...."

Requests like this go on for a while until two hours later all are gone and Goodie can scry in peace.

OOC: Any particular target for the scrying or just doing it in general.

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

"Wow, thank you master."

The front line kneels and bows.

The next set come to the fore.

"So, my hill has two houses lord master, but the equity...."

Requests like this go on for a while until two hours later all are gone and Goodie can scry in peace.

OOC: Any particular target for the scrying or just doing it in general.

Ook how does it work

sKeith

Fourier wrote: »

"I think the frostbite is gone my friend, but what is this growth on your left shoulder?"

"I have no idea, you're looking at it, and you're the doctor, shouldn't you be telling me.."

Tigger

sKeith wrote: »

"I have no idea, you're looking at it, and you're the doctor, shouldn't you be telling me.."

Ook too late

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"I have no idea, you're looking at it, and you're the doctor, shouldn't you be telling me.."

"Well let's see" he reaches for a scalpel and prods a bit. Ekbard doesn't flinch.

"That didn't seem to affect you, odd"

He prods again and there is a small squeak.

"Very unusual, but perhaps a common human ailment. Anyway the frostbite is gone, so you should be free to go"

sKeith

"What was that squeak? Is there anywhere in the shire I can acquire healing potions? Is there anybody in the shire who can read the magic?"

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"What was that squeak? Is there anywhere in the shire I can acquire healing potions? Is there anybody in the shire who can read the magic?"

"Well we're not the best at that to tell you the truth, magic is more a human thing. Aside from the master o' course, but he draws his power from long passed heroes or so I'm told.

Must be just a squeaking boil."

sKeith

"okay, thank you for your services", ekbard leaves the doc 100gp of treasure.

He then addresses his traveling companions, " quick ale then, before we head onwards? "

Fourier

"Aye, sure thing Mister"

They head to the village ale house which is surprisingly busy for this time of day.

The barkeep hands out five pints, one watered down for Ekbard.

sKeith

Ekbard asks the assembled crowd if there is anybody there who wants to go adventuring. He'd make it worth their while.

Fourier

The crowd muse and ponder.

Two small young halflings step forth.

"We would like to go adventuring Ser, the possibility of a tale of wonder would be so romantic."

sKeith

Ekbard looks at the two youths, "Do you need to get permission from your folks?"

Tigger

Goodie decides to cast locate on Othergirl

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

Ekbard looks at the two youths, "Do you need to get permission from your folks?"

"We're over our eleventh and twentieth birthday Ser, aye young in halfling years, but adults."

The barkeep, who has lived in mannish lands, whispers to Ekbard, "late teens in human terms Ser."

Fourier

Tigger wrote: »

Goodie decides to cast locate on Othergirl

Goodie connects with the dirt of the Shire which speaks out to the rest of the planet.

He feels himself moving over the southern continent, until he sees Othegre atop a tower of some sort with some skeletons. Suddenly the vision is interrupted by a dark presence who speaks "Who spies on my lands? Your magic is foreign and unknown to me."

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

Goodie connects with the dirt of the Shire which speaks out to the rest of the planet.

He feels himself moving over the southern continent, until he sees Othegre atop a tower of some sort with some skeletons. Suddenly the vision is interrupted by a dark presence who speaks "Who spies on my lands? Your magic is foreign and unknown to me."

Hi I’m Goody the Master Sherrif I’m looking for my friend the Vampyer

sKeith

Fourier wrote: »

"We're over our eleventh and twentieth birthday Ser, aye young in halfling years, but adults."

The barkeep, who has lived in mannish lands, whispers to Ekbard, "late teens in human terms Ser."

"I'd be glad of your company. What shall i call you, I supspct you do not want to be addressed as #14 and #15....#1-#13 dont speak much so havent complained yet about what i call them."

Fourier

Tigger wrote: »

Hi I’m Goody the Master Sherrif I’m looking for my friend the Vampyer

"An honest response. I'll tell you then, she is currently attempting to climb into the keep which belonged to a trio of dark magicians, two necromancers and a vivimancer. normally I would say it was a fool's errand, but her vampiric nature leaves her immune to most defenses."

He describes to Goodie the exact location, or rather leaves an impression of same in his mind.

"May we speak again"

Goodie spans out of the vision, the world spinning slightly before he gains his senses once more.

OOC: Othegre is at 43.30 on the map

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"I'd be glad of your company. What shall i call you, I supspct you do not want to be addressed as #14 and #15....#1-#13 dont speak much so havent complained yet about what i call them."

"Lahorn and..." says one "...Linbul" says the other. They smile quite pleased at each other.

OOC: They are Level 2 Halflings. AC: 7, with bows doing 1d8 damage.

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

"An honest response. I'll tell you then, she is currently attempting to climb into the keep which belonged to a trio of dark magicians, two necromancers and a vivimancer. normally I would say it was a fool's errand, but her vampiric nature leaves her immune to most defenses."

He describes to Goodie the exact location, or rather leaves an impression of same in his mind.

"May we speak again"

Goodie spans out of the vision, the world spinning slightly before he gains his senses once more.

OOC: Othegre is at 43.30 on the map

Ook was that locate ?

sKeith

Fourier wrote: »

"Lahorn and..." says one "...Linbul" says the other. They smile quite pleased at each other.

OOC: They are Level 2 Halflings. AC: 7, with bows doing 1d8 damage.

Ekbard finishes his drink. "Okay, Lahorn and Linbul, lets go, these 4 gents are bringing us to Master Goodenuff"

Fourier

Tigger wrote: »

Ook was that locate ?

OOC: Yep, note all your magic is much stronger in the Shire. Outside, this would extend 120'

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

Ekbard finishes his drink. "Okay, Lahorn and Linbul, lets go, these 4 gents are bringing us to Master Goodenuff"

Ekbard and the six halflings head across to the next village, the cosy hamlet of Woodhurst.

On the outskirts of the village, at a small fishing lake, a crowd is forming around Goodie, at least eighty halflings are present, but the man himself is clearly visible next to the lake.

sKeith

Ekbard greets goodie. "Master now? Can you read magic scrolls? Would you like to see if you can figure out what one i have does?"

sKeith

Ekbard shows goodie the magic scroll.

Fourier

Goodie reads the scroll intently. With help from the Shire he decodes the meaning, a spell of sustained flight. Though it would require a proper Mage or an elf to cast it.

sKeith

"Linhorn, Linbul, I have a mission for you. Please go and find me 11 good quality backpacks for my little army, here is 100GP worth of treasure to suitably reward anybody for assisting you in your quest, keep the change between yourselves to acquire any provioions you require for yourselves"

Fourier

The two salute Ekbard "Yes, Ser!" and run off.

As the halflings begin to crowd Goodie with a million requests, one lone voice of dissent perks up. A very elderly halfling.

"Master my wizened hole. Sure he may have the power and been off venturin' in mannish lands..."

Some in the crowd nod.

"...be he has yet to go a questin' in service of the Shire

And more so boy, I know those features. You're a bloody Tarmsworth lad aren't ya?! AREN'T YA?"

sKeith

Ekbard watches after Linbul and Linhorn and casts a detect evil spell.

Fourier

There is no evil present within the village.

sKeith

Fourier wrote: »

And more so boy, I know those features. You're a bloody Tarmsworth lad aren't ya?! AREN'T YA?"

"Tarmsworth, what is its story, are they not nice folk there? and what questing does the shire need done?"

Fourier

"Tarmsworth...Tarmsworth...TARMSWORTH"

The words pound in Goodie's mind. He can see it as if it were yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2g3lvNkAfI

People running in the streets screaming at another murder victim found in a bakery or a shop or a house, others fighting each other out of sheer paranoia. The outbreak of Lycanthropy had hit the village two months before. By this point half the villagers were dead, killed by the werewolves or falsely accused.

Goodie himself had barely escaped with his life. After a bloodbath at the gallows, he had retreated to the old Mannish dungeon at the edge of the town. A lord and his court mage had built it two hundred years prior. He only went into the first room, where as a boy he had hidden supplies. He had narrowly avoided a lynching.

The townfolk were holding another of their perverse "votes" to see who to execute next. Poor Conyver, he was being accused over the way he said hello a few weeks prior. The game was rigged anyway, the wolves were always playing mind games pushing the villagers to kill their own.

Goodie patched himself up, blood still dripping. Soetrard, he would head there, find a group and lose himself in mercenary tasks, he was rid of this place.

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"Tarmsworth, what is its story, are they not nice folk there? and what questing does the shire need done?"

In the present the old man regards Ekbard. Goodie snaps out of whatever stupor had overcome him.

"At the human has stones. The beast in the woods must be killed"

sKeith

"Point me in the direction of these woods and i'll leave as soon at once, tell my 2 halfling friends to wait for me here."

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

In the present the old man regards Ekbard. Goodie snaps out of whatever stupor had overcome him.

"At the human has stones. The beast in the woods must be killed"

I’ll go kill the wolves Come on Ekky. Someone go get me some silver tipped arrows immediatly

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"Point me in the direction of these woods and i'll leave as soon at once, tell my 2 halfling friends to wait for me here."

"To the SouthEast lad, you'll be able to see them from the edge of this village."

Fourier

Tigger wrote: »

I’ll go kill the wolves Come on Ekky. Someone go get me some silver tipped arrows immediatly

"There isn't only Werewolves in that wood boy, but a beast far more deadly."

sKeith

"Okay then maybe I should wait until the halflings return. That'll give you time to get your arrows goodie"

sKeith

"hey old man, no riddles please, all accounts you know of the beast please, what has it done, who told you this, give us all the info you know about it."

Tigger

Fourier wrote: »

"There isn't only Werewolves in that wood boy, but a beast far more deadly."

I Scry the woods

Tigger

First I tell Ekky thatvthe scroll is a scroll of sustained flight

sKeith

"wow, good, you really are a master now, maybe you can have some luck seeing what its crystal does" Ekbard shows Goodie the magic crystal.

Fourier

sKeith wrote: »

"hey old man, no riddles please, all accounts you know of the beast please, what has it done, who told you this, give us all the info you know about it."

"The men who were old when I was a boy spoke of the cult of the Bumblebear. In an attempt to reach his plane, the eternal honey mine, the cult breed monster with monster to create one with enough planar magic to get them there.

They were undone though when their reach exceeded their grasp. By their grafting of dragon flash and that of a devil they had bound. Arcane magics brought forth a creature from that culture of muscle and tissue. It slaughtered the cult in one night."

He looks Ekbard in the eyes.

"You have seen it, haven't you lad? The Dragvil?"