[5e_One Shot] Baptism by Fire

Aridrish nods to the captain. Not being from Unther the dragonborn was unimpressed with the list of titles. At the expectant look Aridrish turns the nod into a more formal bow.

"Well met Captain. I am Aridrish."

Aridrish expression darkens at the mention of the missing patrol.

"Another patrol has gone missing? Was this only the second or have there been others?"
 

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FitzTheRuke

Legend
"Nae secretive, no." Mardoc explained to Fern, "But we shoold be careful who we speak tae, an' who is nearby when we speak. Most folks're trustworthy, t'be sure. But somethin' is oop t'be surer an' oor master still has many enemies from his time in power."

For a dwarf, Mardoc wasn't much of a drinker. He took a pull from his beer and made a face, then continued, "There won't be much t'discover here, I expect. But along th'way to the fort, we ooght t'keep an eye oot. As to a plan, well. I ken we shoold start by speakin' to the officer what sent oot that patrol. After that... we will see."
 

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,


"I'm sure our contact Lorella knows a thing or two."

Fern lowers his voice to a whisper,

"By the way, I noticed that she and the Captain were talking some kind of double-speak. I don't know what they were saying but it wasn't what it seemed they were saying....if you know what I mean..."


 


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,


Fern was surprised Mardoc would be unconcerned that their contact might be a smuggler. On the other hand, Delenir had entrusted Lorella to help the group on the mission. Fern relaxed, adding to Mardoc's plan,

"We probably want to talk to those grey-skinned gnomes but, if they're not around, Delenir said the Knight was on a one month patrol in the mountains. I imagine we should find out their route was and follow it and track down the gnomes. Maybe we'll see what they stumbled upon. What do you think, Darrok?"

Fern thinks for a minute,

"We'll probably need tents and rations...do you think we need a donkey to carry supplies for that kind of trek? Maybe we can take our horses. The Knight probably had a horse. We should find that out too. Oh...and maybe warmer clothes? Will it be cold in the mountains? I've never been camping before...unless you count a public park... Do you think I'll need better armour?"

Mardok, If we get a donkey, can I pick his name? Although, I suppose he'll already have a name. Do animals have their own names that people don't know? Like, maybe he will have a person name and a donkey name?"



 
Last edited:

FitzTheRuke

Legend
"Aye, it will be cold in the mountains," said Mardoc, trying not to sound like he thought it was a stupid question, "An' we shoold be fine with horses, as long as we doon't take a wagon along."

As the boy blathered on, Mardoc did his best not to get annoyed. He picked something from the rant that he could focus on and replied, "Aye, animals have their own names. Ye won't ken them, though. They don't think in words, y'see. They think in smells; tastes; noises. They can't speak each oothers names, nor e'en their own, but they ken them."
 

Helmsman01

Explorer
Aridrish nods to the captain. Not being from Unther the dragonborn was unimpressed with the list of titles. At the expectant look Aridrish turns the nod into a more formal bow.

"Well met Captain. I am Aridrish."

Aridrish expression darkens at the mention of the missing patrol.

"Another patrol has gone missing? Was this only the second or have there been others?"
"No, no Aridrish." Captain Torngrim says in ernst. "It's the same patrol. Their destination was Fort Wheelan, and I was just asking the Lord Commander if there was any word."

Belrion looksing serious his smile gone says. "Nothing from the short patrols I sent out. And no one from the original patrol has come down the pass. They are a tenday late so I expect none are alive to return."
 

Neurotic

I plan on living forever. Or die trying.
Amil joined the boy, the artificer, and the dwarf after he extricated himself from the workers. He caught the end of the conversation about the animals and preparation for the mountains.

"Even if we go with the horses, a mule or some such beast of burden could be useful if we're going to carry tents and stuff. You'll know better what we need, Mardoc. I have complete faith in your abilities. And yours too, Darock. Fern, I already know to be capable, no faith required."
He stops for a moment, meditating and then delivers something in a sing-song, sounding as part of a mass rather than normal conversation.
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
He finishes with
"We are stronger as a group."

"Also, Fern, you're thinking too small. EVERYTHING has a name. This table has a name, it is combination of the name of the tree it was made of, it's purpose and position. There is a whole dogma about sooth ounn, or true naming things."
 

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,


"Even if we go with the horses, a mule or some such beast of burden could be useful if we're going to carry tents and stuff. You'll know better what we need, Mardoc. I have complete faith in your abilities. And yours too, Darock. Fern, I already know to be capable, no faith required."
Fern smiled with pride but said nothing.
"Also, Fern, you're thinking too small. EVERYTHING has a name. This table has a name, it is combination of the name of the tree it was made of, it's purpose and position. There is a whole dogma about sooth ounn, or true naming things."
"That may be true but Mardoc can't talk to tables....." Turning to Mardoc, "You can't talk to tables, right?"

Fern waives shyly at the pretty elf as a way to invite her to the table


 
Last edited:

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,


She has a genuine smile on her face but some you are sure she is sizing the lot of you up.
There's young boy with them. Maybe he's someone's page? He is about 4.5 feet tall and thin - around 70lbs. He's wearing traveling clothes and, with some difficulty, is carrying a backpack that's stuffed full. He's sporting a freshly quaffed head of brown hair and everything he owns is new: new bag and new cloak, new boots. Underneath, you get the glimpse of (new)leather armour. Everything he wears fits 'with room to grow'. On his hip, he carries a new rapier that has a red gem in the hilt. It hangs awkwardly low and, when he walks, he's constantly pulling it up or tripping on it.


Sorry about the double-post. It's early in the morning and I don't have to be a work for a couple of hours yet and this is too fun.

For the record, I made a deception of 24 to make Fern look even more useless than he is.
 
Last edited:

FitzTheRuke

Legend
"No. I cannae talk with tables." answered Mardoc, "But Amil has the right of it: They all have names. Each an'every rock was once part o' a primordial who used themselves t'shape the world. Some of 'em still remember it."

Seeing Fern wave at the elf, Mardoc nodded and changed the subject, "Aye, 'tis time we spoke with oor 'contact' an' see if oor plans need adjusting."
 

Lorella picks that moment to sit down at the table with a mug of beer in hand and says, "So, what is your plan? What exactly did Delenir tell you?" She takes a drink.
 

Helmsman01

Explorer
"This lot do be ridin' in blind." Captain Scrinner smirks. "From their talk on the boat they need a good hand ta guide them." He downs his beer in one long pull, and then wipes his face with the back of his sleeve.

"Right now they are to join the caravan to supply the forts out west. I believe the arch-mage magikin' some message to the commander at Fort Silan to tell them this lot were coming. After all that I have no clue what they be up to nor do I wish ta know mores."
 

FitzTheRuke

Legend
Mardoc went over the story in full, with Fern providing details both important and unnecessary. He concluding, "Once we have oor horses in the morning, we set oot for the fort. We'll be lookin' oot for trouble on the way, but we don't expect t'find any."
 

Helmsman01

Explorer
Captain Scrinner nods along as the tale of the Delenir's missing son and the strange recovery of the amulet is told. At the end he lets the group know, "The caravan master, he have your horses, after me boys loads dem wagons the lot of you will head out as extra guards fer the supplies. Lorella going with you. First to Fort Wheelan than Fort Silan where the knight's body was brought to. You all should find all you need to travel the mountains, and the men there will have more to tell of the patrol route and such."
 
Last edited:

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,


Fern was happy to contribute to the conversation. Once all the details had been determined, he decided that he’d find his room and work on his Epic. He had so many ideas. He turned to Loretta,

“I look forward to working with you. “

He lowers his voice slightly,

“Mardoc says you’re a smuggler, is that true?”


 

“Mardoc says you’re a smuggler, is that true?”
Lorella was about to take a drink when he says this. The mug only pauses ever so slightly on its way to her lips. She drinks and puts the mug down. "That's an interesting accusation," she says lightly. "Never been accused of smuggling before. Personally, I prefer an open second story window." She once again appraises the young man. "How old are you? All humans are young to me but you seem younger than most carrying a sword at their hip."
 

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,


Fern eyes went wide as he misunderstood the second story comment as a threat of bodily harm but relaxed again as he figured out the innuendo. Fern was speaking quiet enough that his voice wouldn’t travel beyond their table.

“Oh, it wasn’t an accusation. Just a question. I’m twelve. It was my birthday this week. I recognized some of your double-speak… I mean, I didn’t understand it but I recognized it. Lots of folk I used to know - some were nice and some were really bad - would talk like that around me. But I wasn’t stupid, I knew what they were doing.

Anyways, I’m the Wizard.”


Fern hadn’t actually ever met a burglar, if that’s what she was implying, but he’d heard stories that they were professional ghosts.


 

"Twelve? Twelve years is nearly a significant amount of time." Lorella's voice also dips to a whisper. "Lad, I'm sure you are very precocious, being a wizard and all. But a little advice: sometimes being smart means not telling people that you know stuff."
 

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,


Fern instantly liked Lorella. She was smart. He’d gotten some information from her but she’d deflected his line of questioning quite tactfully.

“That’s true. I was more careful back in the old days.” He says like an old man reminiscing, “In any case, if we are working together, I figured it’s better if we know each other’s talents.”

He pauses, caught in some kind of internal conflict. He just wanted to scream,

Mardoc can turn into a mouse!


Instead, he takes a sip of his drink.


 

Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition Starter Box

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