[5e_One Shot] Baptism by Fire

[Helmsman01]

River Alamber

The past two days on the river have been uneventful, you spend time watching the sailors work the oars and lines and spend your evenings moored near the shore. Captain Scrinner is as stand-offish as he is rude. So long as his men look like they are working he only yells at them once and moves on. Should he find them slacking off, well the tirade goes on for an hour or more, with a bit of grumbling at the end.

It is almost full dark on the second day and the boat continues on its trip the oars slapping in the water. Although the sun is fully down the sky ahead is alight with a deep orange and red glow. The light is so good that as you stand on deck you can see everyone and everything as if the sun were behind a dark cloud. The muted light casting everything in dark greys and blacks.

______________________________________________________________________

Aridrish's camp

Following the wagon train a mile or so the dragonborn turns off north to the hills, towards home. His gaze always drawn to the mountains which loom beyond. The rumors and bits and pieces of information he overheard at Fort Silan nagging at his mind. What could destroy a seven-man patrol? Why didn't the grey gnomes bring back others or proof they had found others, dead or otherwise? Is what ambushed the patrol still out there? Was it just a skirmish between Tymanther and the Untheric? The knights back was burnt and the barbarian knew first-hand that could mean another dragonborn. To many questions, he would just need to be more watchful during his hunting.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Fern (Mini-Sheet)

HP: 18/18 AC: 14 (Leather)	Bardic Inspiration: 3/3 (1d6)	Skills	Spell Slots: 1st: [ ] [ ] [ ]
Pass Perc: 13 Pass Inv: 12 Pass Ins: 11	SPELL SAVE DC: 13	Arcana: 4 Deception(race); 7 Disguise Kit: 5*	Cantrips Minor Illusion; Vicious Mockery
STATS: STR: 8-1 DEX: 16 + 3 CON: 12 + 1 INT: 14+2 WIS: 12 +1 CHA:16 +3	SAVES: STR: -1 DEX:+5 CON: +1 INT: +2 WIS: +1 CHA:+5	Performance: 5 Persuasion: 5 Perception (feat): 3 Slight of Hand: 5* Stealth: 5* Thief Tools: 5*	Known Spells 1st Animal Friendship Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Heroism, Sleep,

---

The first day of the trip was exciting and the river landscape was a wonder to Fern but, by day two, Fern was bored. Everything looked the same and, ironically, Fern wished he'd brought his History book along - at least he'd have something to do.

He'd read his birthday poetry book cover to cover four times. He'd even taken his penny whistle out and played some songs, which was a hit to the crew at first. The problem was Fern hadn't played since he'd lived on the streets five years ago and he only knew six songs. After the first hour of playing, Captain Scrimmer, not-so-politely told Fern to stuff the whistle someplace that Fern had never heard of. Fern had to ask Amil the definition. Fern was pretty sure the whistle wouldn't fit there.

What he really wanted to do was spar with his new rapier but there was no room on the boat. Instead, he was sitting in the dim light, watching some sailors playing cards.

I could take these guys for all their money, he thought.

But he resisted the temptation to try any of his old confidence games: he had nowhere to run away.

Instead, he went to the back of the boat and started rummaging through the chest. Summoning an illusion of a candle to light the contents of the chest, Fern grabbed the first companion to happen by,

"Hey, maybe we should split this stuff out before we get to the fort. Like, split up the money and hand out the potions and stuff. This candle is really neat. It lights up and can't go out, even under water! I'm a wizard so I could use those scrolls...and there's this neat amulet. I mean, what if we have to leave the boat in an emergency? We'll lose all this stuff."

---

Spoiler: OOC

Throwing this in here in case.
perception: 1D20+3 = [7]+3 = 10

List of stuff:

• 220gp
• two potions of healing (2d4+2)
• scrolls invisibility, knock, and detect magic
• candle of the deep
• clockwork amulet

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Aye, would be best for us to stow the best of it on our persons." agreed Mardoc.

OOC: He'll happily take one of the two potions. What's the amulet again? The son's thing? Mardoc will take that too if no one objects.

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Aridrish's steps slow as he walks back into the mountains. His mind turns, going over the information he discovered in Fort Silan. Could it be his kind, back to raiding and killing on the border. Using the turmoil to enrich themselves and dishonor his people. He realizes that he has stopped and turned back listening to the clop of the horses hooves as the soldiers continue on the path to Fort Wheelan. He curses knowing he could not live with himself if he did not follow them.

Aridrish turns and cuts accross the path he was on to meet up with the column of soldiers.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

After taking the clockwork amulet and a potion from the wizard's stash, Mardoc watched in horror as Fern began to publicly divide a large sum of gold into four parts. The greedy eyes of sailors were on them, and there was a good chance that someone would try to murder them and throw their bodies overboard.

"Let's move someplace quiet, lad." and shuffled the boy out of sight of the sailors, who he hoped hoped had been too busy to notice. He didn't want his share of the coins, but he took them anyway.

"Gold does terrible things t'folks." he instructed the youngster while shaking his head, "Murder, slavery, an' war might nae be such trooble in the world were it nae for greed."

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Fern (Mini-Sheet)

HP: 18/18 AC: 14 (Leather)	Bardic Inspiration: 3/3 (1d6)	Skills	Spell Slots: 1st: [ ] [ ] [ ]
Pass Perc: 13 Pass Inv: 12 Pass Ins: 11	SPELL SAVE DC: 13	Arcana: 4 Deception(race); 7 Disguise Kit: 5*	Cantrips Minor Illusion; Vicious Mockery
STATS: STR: 8-1 DEX: 16 + 3 CON: 12 + 1 INT: 14+2 WIS: 12 +1 CHA:16 +3	SAVES: STR: -1 DEX:+5 CON: +1 INT: +2 WIS: +1 CHA:+5	Performance: 5 Persuasion: 5 Perception (feat): 3 Slight of Hand: 5* Stealth: 5* Thief Tools: 5*	Known Spells 1st Animal Friendship Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Heroism, Sleep,

---

"Gold does terrible things t'folks." he instructed the youngster while shaking his head, "Murder, slavery, an' war might nae be such trooble in the world were it nae for greed."

Fern had been so focused on the magical items that he hadn’t even considered the money and, truly, it was more money than he’d ever seen in one place. Inwardly, he scolded himself for his stupidity.

Mardok’s words struck straight to the truth: Fern had lost Blind Bart because of thugs who beat the old man to death for his money. He also remembered a time when he had pulled a knife on an older boy who had tried to take money from one of the kids Fern had worked with. It was the first time Fern had to use violence to protect someone.

His eyes welled with tears at the memories,

“I…I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

He recovered and, wiping his eyes quickly so, hopefully, the dwarf wouldn’t notice, "I don’t think anyone saw. I’ll leave it to you to make sure everyone gets their share.

---

Spoiler: OOC

@FitzTheRuke you can choose if Mardoc notices Fern’s reaction or if he understands the meaning of it. His insight is certainly high enough

 

[Helmsman01]

Catching up to the slow moving convoy is easy for the dragonborn. As he approaches, two knights turn off to intersecpt him before he gets within a quarter mile of the first cart. The stop and stay astride thier warhorses, weapons undrawn.

The older of the two raises an empty hand and shouts out, "Peace! Peace of the mountains be with you."

The other armored knight looks angry and growls to his companion. "Its the same Tymantite that followed us most of the day."

 

[Helmsman01]

Aboard the boat Mardoc and Fern separate the coins from the chest into four small sacks. As they do any eyes that follow them or wonder away from their tasks gets a quick cuff to the back of the head. "You slackers! You want to spend another night in a hammock? Or do you want to get yer jobs done so we can dock at Firetrees! And sleep in a warm taproom. You good fer nuthin' Troll-d*cks! Can't believe an hour from our destination and now you decide to slack and risk swamping us! No I do believe it! Get to work! All of youse!"

While the duo finishes their division of the gold, they notice no more eyes on them, and the sailors giving them a wide berth.

Turning a bend in the river the village of Firetrees comes into view. The silhouette of the buildings outlined in a bright red glow that reflects off the water.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Mardoc could not miss Fern's sudden sadness at his words and mistook it for his having been too harsh in his scolding. Mardoc had never been good with children (or people in general if he were honest). Unfortunately, his anger at himself for hurting the boy's feelings only served to make him more standoffish. He took the gold with a grunt and moved off to find a place to hide and split it into shares, which he doled out privately to the others. All the while he inwardly seethed at himself and at the metal objects which so many of his people stereotypically loved so much, to their misery.

He regretted scolding the lad even more when he discovered that the captain ran a tightly disciplined ship, and the sailors turned to their duties.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Darrock is happy for the magical items to be distributed among those who want to carry them. He is surprised, however, to see Mardoc and Fern sorting through the chest that he had been carrying for the group, without them asking first.

"It's a bad sign, when everyone starts thinking only as individuals," he says. "It's something you learn quickly when you have as many siblings as I do," the Harengon explains. "This is a sign of mistrust, and you will end up costing everyone more."

He looks at the child, and knows he is simply acting as a child will. The dwarf should know better. "If this is the way you want it, fine. Give me my portion, and it will be done. Unless you are wiling to work together, we shall not recover this boy successfully."

Darrock doesn't know what to say, but he will start carrying his bag with him at all times. "Everyone should take the items they wish to claim now." He takes the bag of gold, and goes off on his own for a while. Darrock is angry at the mistrust he feels that has been shown.

OOC: There are four of us on the boat? According to this post, that means 220/4=55 gp each (do we know of the fifth person at the camp? If so, should it be 44?). The Sending stone listed there is not group treasure; it is something the harengon has made himself (and is listed on his sheet). I presume that the other was given to the Arch Mage in person, as requested. That leaves: two potions of healing (2d4+2) -- one with Mardoc? scrolls invisibility, knock, and detect magic -- all with Fern? candle of the deep -- with Fern? clockwork amulet -- with Mardoc? If that's right there is only one healing potion left, which Darrock will carry of no one else takes it. As an artificer, he is interested in the amulet, simply because of its mechanism, but (now) Darrock won't admit that, and will not carry anything else.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Fern (Mini-Sheet)

HP: 18/18 AC: 14 (Leather)	Bardic Inspiration: 3/3 (1d6)	Skills	Spell Slots: 1st: [ ] [ ] [ ]
Pass Per: 13 Pass Inv: 12 Pass Ins: 11	SPELL SVE DC: 13	Arcana: 4 Deception;7 Disguise :5	Cantrips Minor Illusion; Vicious Mockery
STATS: STR:8- DEX:16+3 CON:12+1 INT:14+2 WIS:12+1 CHA:16+3	SAVES: STR:-1 DEX:+5 CON:+1 INT:+2 WIS:+1 CHA:+5	Perform: 5 Persuasion:5 Perception:3 Sl of Hnd: 5 Stealth: 5 Thief Tool:5	Known Spells 1st Animal Friendship Comprehend Languages, Detect Magic, Heroism, Sleep,

---

"It's a bad sign, when everyone starts thinking only as individuals," he says. "It's something you learn quickly when you have as many siblings as I do," the Harengon explains. "This is a sign of mistrust, and you will end up costing everyone more."

He looks at the child, and knows he is simply acting as a child will. The dwarf should know better. "If this is the way you want it, fine. Give me my portion, and it will be done. Unless you are wiling to work together, we shall not recover this boy successfully."

"Oh," says Fern, a bit confused. He follows after the Harengon "Corporal Darrock, Corporal Darrock, wait! Would you prefer we just keep it all in the box? We can keep it all there - it's for expenses, after all, and we can vote on what we need to pay for. You can be the treasurer if you want ... but I'd personally vote Amil as treasurer. I'd trust him with anything! But if you want to do it, I won't complain! I just thought that a potion of healing is useless in a box because in case someone gets hurt."

He holds his book up in the air as he runs behind Darrock,

"Our contract, according to the minutes...which I have here," he frantically points at his book, "didn't stipulate who got which items. That's why we came to ask you but....Mardoc was worried that someone would see all the money" he winces, "I mean, see all the money - and take it. That was kind of my fault, so we ... we divided it before anyone could see...please don't be mad!"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Fern doesn't really need the candle. Other than the dwarf, I'm not sure who else can see in the dark but if we light a candle, any enemy will see it so I'm not sure it matters who has it. Maybe @Neurotic 's character can have it. I have plenty already. The amulet is useful for anyone who has it but I don't really see fern making lots of attacks. It'll be mostly saving throws so it will be way less useful for him.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Mardoc was often terrible at making himself understood in social situations, but he was much better at observing when others where doing the same. He saw that they had harmed the harengon's sense of trust, and he quickly added to Fern's explanation, "You have oor reasoning for splittin' the coin all wrong, Darrock. 'Tis to nae leave the 'eggs in one basket', nae as any slight to you as oor porter. Nor was it meant t'keep us apart; but instead meant t'share the load. We didnae ken we'd be stepping on yoor toes."

 

[Kobold Stew]

Darrock shrugs. "I've got it wrong. That's fine. The money is divided, and it can stay so."

He looks down at his oversized feet, which are never comfortable in boots in any case, but decides that Mardoc does not intend another sleight.

"Take whatever you wish to carry. Use them as you see best. I have no desire to assume responsibilities before one of you, and certainly not to be your accountant. We have too far to go to worry about that now."

He looks at Fern. "You are right, nothing was stipulated. Take the scrolls now if they mean something to you. We will each carry our load."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Mardoc nodded. He wasn't sure if Darrock had been mollified or if he was just trying to drop the issue. Either way, Mardoc knew that discussing it any further would just create room for more misunderstandings. He left the subject alone as the Firetrees came into view as the riverboat rounded a bend.

"There's a sight to behold t'be sure." he said to Darrock, trying to make small talk.

 

[Neurotic]

"We are still getting to know each other." Amil comes to the group, finally getting up from his books. "Corporal, with no pun intended, don't jump to conclusions as to motivation of the people in the group as we are all individuals with our own experiences. We are not soldiers and you, with your background, might find less regulated group somewhat undisciplined." He looks at Fern then.
"You are the youngest here and may gods give you time to learn not to act upon each and every impulse that crosses your mind. Think it through, talk it through, before acting. In a fight, there may not be time for that, but here...discussion could have prevented this...misunderstanding. This is all it is. No mistrust is implied, corporal, and please everyone, don't start isolating yourself on account of real or perceived slights. We have enough problems without that. Those sailors saw us divide the content of the chest. I would advise we keep together because once they have a drink or two and spend their money, they will remember this and there won't be a captain to hold them in check."
Mardoc gets his own advice
"Even if you think you'll hurt someone, truth is better than things being unsaid. It might have consequences more serious than hurt feelings."
Finally for himself
"I know much, and I know very little. First is academic knowledge, the other of the real world. I tend to ramble on..." he smiles motioning at himself right now "...as you can see. Feel free to stop me if I get to irrelevant details. What I wanter to say is, we are here for a good cause. It is worth some adjustment of our personal ways to work better as a group."

He takes the money and whatever is left from the items in the chest. Then he loads the chest with the content of his duffel bag. "This is better for the books. And may even surprise would be thieves if they think heavy chest holds the treasure."

Raising his voice just very slightly so nearest sailors can hear
"Now, take only as much money as you need and return the rest to the chest where it is safer."
While whispering "This is only for interested ears. Don't really return the money."

OOC: @Helmsman01 Deception +3 if it becomes relevant, feel free to roll as needed

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Aridrish raises his hands and attempts to look as nonthreatening as possible.

"Peace of the mountain with you as well."

Aridrish glances between the older knight and the youth. The second knights demeanor was understandable given the history between their people. Aridrish ignores it and focuses on the older knight.

"I mean no harm, the people of Fort Silan know me. I live in these mountains and sometime get hired as a guide and escort. I heard of the attacked patrol. I felt that it was my duty to lend my assistance."

The dragonborn looks to the other knight.

"My camp is in the foothills north of here. I was on my way there when I decided to help. I apologize for startling you. It was not my intent."

 

[Helmsman01]

The older knight seems to ponder the barbarians words a moment. "Yes I have heard of you. They say you are honorable and trustworthy. My name is Captain Torngrim, and this is Squire Olms." he says with a half bow from the saddle. "Your knowledge of the area would be of great value. But first we must escort some much needed supplies back to Fort Silan. Once we get back to the fort, I hope to send out a search party."

Squire Olms looks sheepish as he accepts your apology and his superior's decision.

"Join us now, all help is welcome."

 

[Neurotic]

Amil gives one potion to Darrock and Mardoc. "These healing potions are my creations, I'll have two of these most of the days. They will lose potency at dawn tomorrow. So, spend them in preference to permanent ones we got from the chest."

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Aridrish nods to the man.

"Aridrish at your service."

The dragonborn falls in step behind the knights and follows them back to the wagons.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"We are still getting to know each other." Amil comes to the group, finally getting up from his books. "Corporal, with no pun intended, don't jump to conclusions as to motivation of the people in the group as we are all individuals with our own experiences. We are not soldiers and you, with your background, might find less regulated group somewhat undisciplined."

Darrock grunts when Amil addresses him, and shrugs again.

Later, when the others are not about, he will say, "Anyone could have asked for the chest. As it was, I took the chest when we were all together, and others found it and began dividing it up when we weren't. You wouldn't appreciate anyone going through things you were carrying. Or so I suppose. Regardless, it's done, and the money is divided. And we become individuals with a common purpose, but not a group working together."