D&D 5E Talls S&H adventure

[TallIan]

As the fire burns low the villagers start to drift back to their homes, Eowyn tends to some of the injuries from the fire. There are a few minor burns and some grazed knees where people have tripped over in the dark, but no one is seriously hurt.

As the first hint of dawn breaks over the horizon something seems to be happening in the town square as a crowd starts to gather. As you approach you hear a voice giving an impassioned speech. "...let this go unanswered. The brutes will be gone before Sir Pelleton even gets back to the village. If they are raiding our village it is only because they fear our numbers. We need to raise a posse and chase these vermin down!" Standing on a barrel Carroc beseeches the villagers to follow and attack the orcs to rescue Pinna and his fine words are beginning to gain traction. There are a few affirmative cheers and a few of the men are even beginning to turn up with scythes and pitchforks, even one or two crossbows.

 

[JustinCase]

Saarthax is now in his armor and together with Bertold he is trying to help out the villagers, when he hears the speech from the town square. Moving closer, he manages to catch the last few sentences before the crowd really gets into it.

Exchanging quick glances with the others who went after the orcs, the dragonborn decides to act.

"Evil dwells where good people do nothing," the paladin calls out in response to Carroc, moving closer to the center of the square, very aware that his fully armed and armored appearance can be impressive.

"So I am very pleased to see so many of you ready to act. Myself and these good people--", he motions vaguely towards Orin, U'Tempei, Arcata, Eowyn and his friend Bertold, "--had already decided to go after these orcs at first light, so I welcome any who would help in this endeavor. I must warn each of you, however, that this is a dangerous mission!"

He looks around at the villagers, wondering who would volunteer, then fixes his gaze on Carroc. Saarthax' draconic visage is impossible to read and could be interpreted as either an invitation or a challenge by the wealthy villager.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Eowyn Rosebud
Early Morning
Gravesford
Round 0

Eowyn frowned as she returned to the village center and heard Carroc rousing the crowd into vengeance. She feared the people would be hurt. She looked over at Saarthax as he joined in the encouragement. Pinna was a friend, though, and well liked by the people, so she understood, but these were not soldiers, and those orcs had been formidable warriors.

[sblock=Eowyn’s Actions]
Save:
Move: To Orin
Free Object Interaction:
Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction:
Conditions:
Concentration:
Inspiration:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Mini Stats]
Initiative: +2
Perception: +4
Speed: 25
AC: 16
HP: 34/34 HD: 5/5d8+2

Spells
Fey Energy Pool: 5d6 dice of healing +1 thp/die spent
Cantrips: Druidcraft, Magic Stone, Resistance
1) 3/4 Cure Wounds, Faerie Fire, Healing Word
2) 2/3 Enhance Ability, Healing Spirit, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Pass Without Trace
3) 0/2 Dispel Magic
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party Loot]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Goals]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party]
U'Tempei !Nothen - human eldritch knight
Arcata Dulat - human divination wizard
Saarthax - dragonborn paladin
Orin - warbred mastermind rogue
[/sblock]

 

[TallIan]

OOC: If no one wants to add anything more to scene with the gathering townsfolk I'll move things along tomorrow.

 

[Shayuri]

Arcata watched the mob with a stirring of trepidation. Something about the whole situation felt off to her. The fire in the hut...the attack, which was powerful but rather small after all. What had the orcs hoped to achieve? That hadn't been a raiding party.

She goes over to Saarthax and looks up at him, trying to catch his eyes. When he glances at her, she says, "A word?" quietly, so as not to attract too much attention from people other than him.

It wouldn't do to interrupt his speech, but she didn't want to involve villagers yet. There were too many unknowns to lead a pumped-up crowd of farmers and craftsmen into the swamp to face orcs in combat.

A voice from behind her cleared his throat, and Arcata looked back to see Gavien there. She nodded at him and held a finger up to let him know she'd be with him momentarily.

 

[JustinCase]

Saarthax still waits for Carroc's response when Arcata tries to get his attention. After a few seconds of ignoring her, he finally gives in.

Taking the human woman aside, Saarthax seems eager to get it over, glancing at the crowd every now and then to see what's going on.

"What is it?"

 

[jmucchiello]

U'Tempei wonders about the man stirring up the crowd to vengeance. She is unsure of local customs but his attempt seems out of place. These villagers are not warriors like those of her tribe. She looks at the faces of those she recently fought with and many of them seem concerned, as well. She is not sure if it is her place to speak out against a plan to seek revenge.

OOC: Motive check on Carroc: Insight [roll0]

 

[Shayuri]

"It's premature to stir these people against the orcs," Arcata says forthrightly. "We don't know what's going on yet. Our next move is to scout the orcs, see what they're doing and who they're doing it with. What happened here today was not normal orc behavior, Saarthax. Raising a mob could be playing right into our enemies' hands."

 

[TallIan]

Carroc stiffens when Saarthax talks but pointedly ignores the dragonborn. Instead he takes the encouraging words and tries to turn them to his own, glancing nervously at Saarthax from the corner of his eye every few heartbeats. Carroc's relief is clear when Arcata pulls Sarrthax to one side.

The crowd grows slowly, attracting mostly young men armed with farm implements, but there are one or two with small swords, a bow and a few slings. Roughly a score of villagers are supplemented by half a dozen dogs. Some of the women start to bring some basic provisions as well; bread, salted pork, a few caged chickens and even a pig.

U'Tempei watches all this and is struck with the realisation that Sir Peleton promised a knighthood and considerable gold to the person who deals with the orcs. Even a rudemntary understanding of feudalism would suggest that all these people are not going to get a knighthood, most likely only the leader - Carroc.

 

[jmucchiello]

U'Tempei

U'Tempei calls out. "I am a simple traveler so this is none of my concern. But I do hate to see good people throw their lives away for the benefit of others. If all of you go take care of Sir Peleton's Orc problem as a group, which of you do you think he will grant the status of knight? Are you risking your lives for the town or is this loud gentleman attempting to get you to fight for his promotion? All of you will not survive battle with the orcs. Is what you will gain proportioned to what you might lose?"