D&D 5E (IC) Scourge of Daggerford

[FitzTheRuke]

"Two birds indeed," agreed Sir Darfin, approving the plan to track the orcs northward, ensure that they were no longer an active threat, and then proceed to look into the gnolls.

As promised, he shared what he had learned from his interview with his sister Shalendra, saying, "I have never seen her so low, and I suspect your friend Titus may feel the same. It seems that they willingly chose to serve a Titan named Sing-Axe, who promised them various boons in exchange. Unfortunately for them, this Sing-Axe is not, I think, what he claims. I have some suspicions, that I will need to look into while you are gone. At any rate, it seems that whoever Sing-Axe is, he is in league with agents of Thay, who in turn, are stirring up some of the more troublesome peoples of the sword coast."

He shook his head and continued, "I said they willingly chose to serve, but upon choosing, she struggled to maintain agency. Shalendra says she felt a compulsion to obey. She did not know that she would side against us - she thought that Sing-Axe would be on our side. She had control of herself in how she would proceed, but struggled with her overall actions. I do not know how I should judge her, or your friend."

 

[jmucchiello]

"I don't mean to disparage Shalendra or Titus, but Sing-Axe seemed very... sketchy when he visited me," Escella says. "He asked me to serve him without explaining what such service would include, offering power and immortality. When I asked for details he boomed 'you dare question me' at which point I knew he was bad news. The clincher was the last thing he said, 'Begone, you are of no use to me.' Sing-Axe is a user, probably an abuser, and must be made a loser. He left me with a huge headache as well.

"Who is Sing-Axe? No idea. Though he did not like it when I compared him to Vecna or Gruumsh.

"They made a foolish choice. Maybe Sing-Axe learned to be a better manipulator from my questioning his motives. Did they say when the vision came to them? I only encountered him after the end of the guard house fight. Were they contacted after that or before?"

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"You may have been lucky; It seems your involvement was rushed." said Sir Darfin, "Shalendra says that she has been speaking to him regularly for nearly a decade, building trust. This is the first time he had asked anything of her. From what I understand, she spoke to Titus last evening, and found that he recently made contact in Waterdeep, after having a reawakening in Julkoun, but apparently had been bound to serve at birth. His uncle (a wizard), I understand, had apparently mistrusted his patron and had warded him against contact. Some mischievous fey had damaged those wards. In the end, Titus convinced his uncle to remove them and allow him to carve his own destiny. I suspect this was an act that they both will regret."

 

[Kobold Stew]

Tommi listens to the discussion. He is sorry for them both, Titus and Shalendra, but also disappointed in them. He had admired them, and been in awe of her, and it may be that he was enamoured in the same way that she had been. He does not offer his thoughts. He thinks about warlocks and the deals they must strike to maintain their power. Are all of them in this same situation? He does not know, and in truth he does not want to know.

He is pleased to learn of Escella's resistance to the temptation, though, and he says so: "You must have been very strong, Escella. That is truly admirable."

 

[jmucchiello]

"Sing-Axe mentioned I had been 'prepared' for meeting him, presumably by the gnoll shaman I spoke of before," Escella says. "That preparation may have just been flawed for all I know. I do not wish to take credit for something that may not have been my doing. But I thank you for your belief in my willpower."

 

[Kobold Stew]

"My mom used to tell me, 'Many of the challenges each of us face, / It's how you embrace them that show you your place.' Everyone in Daggerford thought she knew what was what."

 

[KahlessNestor]

Angis Honack
Floshin Estates/Dining Hall
Morning
Round 0

“Sounds like the gnolls know somethin’ o’ t his Sing-Axe. Might be worth askin’ ‘em a few questions,” Angis mused, slurping on his ale. “I’ll get the crossbow remounted t’night an’ we can move on when ever’one’s ready.”

***

Spoiler: Mounted Crossbow Stats

Mounted Crossbow: +6 2d6+Dex 100/400
Bolts: 55
Bolts used:

Spoiler: Quests

Marauding gnolls (Ardeep Forest, noble hunting party hostage)
Orcs in the north (Harpshield Castle, Floshin Estate, Newfield)
Lizardfolk with steel weapons and armor (Rock Tower, Crom’s Hold)

Spoiler: Angis’ Actions and Rolls

Save:
Move:
Free Object Interaction:
Action:
Attack 1:

Attack 2:

Bonus Action:

Horde Breaker:

Reaction: Opportunity Attack

Hunter’s Mark, if applicable:
Concentration:
Conditions:
Inspiration:

Spoiler: Mini Stats

Initiative: +1
Perception: +5
Speed: 30
AC: 14/15 (dual wield)
HP: 58/58 HD: 5/6d10+2

Bolts: 50
Bolts used:
Handaxes: 2/2

Spells
1) 4/4 Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Hunter’s Mark
2) 2/2 Pass Without Trace
Primal Awareness (cast each spell once per long rest): Speak with Animals, Beast Sense
4/4 Boon of the Elk. Can cast Knock four times (without the loud sound) as an Action. Until he uses the last one, non-good aligned Fey count among his Favoured Enemies.

Spoiler: Party

Vairar - elven cleric
Tommi - human rogue urban bounty hunter
Dandin - halfling bard guild merchant
Angis Honack - dwarven ranger outlander merchant
Lionel - halfling rogue folk hero
Escella - Human sorcerer

 

[MetaVoid]

"I still think it is a mistake to leave the orcs to organise again. We hit them hard here, we could try and root them out for good while they're still reeling. I will do as Lord Darfin says, of course. It is just my opinion."

Vairar is not happy the orcs will not be destroyed completely. Who knows how many prisoners or slaves they're holding in the fort right now. And what they're going though. On the other hand, gnolls may be worse with their sacrifices and eating the sentients.

"If you can spare the men, or maybe organise the humans, lord, keep the pressure on the orcs. I'll send a dispatch to The Rain - you may expect more help before the season's out."

 

[Prickly Pear]

Lionel is unsure about both the gnolls and the orcs. He would rather stay here in the manor and enjoying a bit of peace and quiet. The food is very good, much better than when they are out on the road. Rations should stay rations and not be eaten! That's my opinion, he thinks. Aloud he said I...I think that talking to the gnolls sounds good. He did not want to appear cowardly and fearful again.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Tommi understands Vairar's concerns about the orcs, and agrees that in terms of urgency there may br advantage in going after them first, while they are broken and before they can recover. The gnolls are fresh, and not obvioulsy weak at this time.