Hairy Minotaur
Explorer
The Band of Four (The Hamlet of Thumble)
After persistent clamoring from my players to do one of these, I have broken down and written their trials down in a more permanent form. We had a long break prior to GenCon and only restarted the campaign after GenCon was over. The players were on the road and I had a small town with just the bare bones fleshed out. I got The Hamlet of Thumble at GenCon and inserted it as this small town. After making some adjustments to fit the storyline. This is their story.
Alriand - is a female elven rogue, whose greed is only overshadowed by her loyalty to the gnome, and fear/respect of the 1/2 orc.
Bimbar - is a male gnome fighter, what he lacks in strength he makes up for in annoying his enemies in a fight. (deceased)
Rebrey - is a male human fighter, the quiet one of the group is also the most dangerous.
Tharhack Bonepounder - is a male 1/2 orc Cleric of Kord, who loves his muscles and his name, and loves showing people how he got that moniker.
Gothmog - is a male grendal fighter, lacking in intelligence, but wise beyond his simple speak.
The party had been traveling for five days after leaving the town of Innscord. Taking a little used road to the East, the party hoped to avoid regular patrols and organized bandits. They hear the river long before they see it. Up ahead along the South side of the road they see three small children playing, thinking them far too young to be playing in the open with no obvious supervision, Tharhack approaches the children. He finds, to his shock that although size wise they seem like human babies, they are in fact much more mature than that. Two boys and a girl, the tallest boy introduces himself as Owecyrr, who is awed by the biggest person he's ever seen. Upon hearing those words Tharhack breaks into his "showy" routine of displaying his muscles. Owecyrr mightily impressed asks if he's here to see Opeeindy the mayor. The party decides they'd like a break from the road and agree to follow Owecyrr to the mayor's house.
Walking along for twenty minutes the party learn that the children are halflings, and they they've never seen an elf or a gnome for that matter, they tease Bimbar about the size of his nose and Alriand about the size of her ears. They ohh and ahh over the size of Tharhack. This doesn't sit well with Alriand and she makes an effort to learn the locations of each child's home (for later use). They reach a bridge spanning a nice sized river that seems to be flowing rather quickly. Two halflings stand on guard as the party approaches. They seem very weary of the 1/2 orc and ask that the party halt in the middle of the bridge. Bimbar converses with the guards. He tells them about their travels and about meeting the three children who are escorting them to the mayor's house. The two guards still don't like the looks of things so Bimbar offers in good faith to let the guards hold onto his longsword and shield (this is a favorite tactic of Bimbar as he is proficient in neither and uses neither in combat) this gesture finally brings the guards to a more friendly attitude. They tell the party about some trouble the Hamlet has been having recently with some annoying creatures who come in the middle of the night, yapping like small dogs. They steal, and set small fires and cause the whole town much grief over the loss of sleep. The Hamlet has dubbed them "yappies" and would like nothing else than to be rid of them. They urge the party to see the mayor at once.
Bidding the two sentries farewell the party is led past two house on the left. The first house looks to be the hamlet's carpenter, the second structure appears to be the jailhouse. The gnome makes sure he remembers that house, in case he has to bail Alriand out. Tharhack appreciates the presence of might in this small town and makes a note to investigate the jailhouse later. The party then makes a left after the jailhouse and stops at the only house on the right side of the block. Owecyrr explains that this is the elder's house, the mayor of their town. The party knock on the door and are greeted by a balding older halfling. After pleasantries are exchanged he invites the gnome and human in but is distrustful of the elf and 1/2 orc. Bimbar asks Opeeindy, who asks that he be called Opee as he likes that sound of it better, about this "yappy" problem. Opee tells him that they have been coming for almost two weeks now but in the beginning it was once every 2 or three days. However for the last three nights they have come and caused some minor damage and stolen small things here and there. No one knows where they come from and no one in the Hamlet has been able to engage any of them, so they do not know who they are or what they might be. Opee mentions that they might get more information from the sheriff Rillkep, and that a girl named Cora claims to know where the "yappies" live but no one in town believes her. Bimbar asks for directions to Cora's house and for a warm place to stay the night. Opee says that Bimbar and Rebrey may stay in his house, but that the giant and the elf might find better accommodations elsewhere perhaps Daigren's house. Bimbar mulls over this news and tells Opee that they party will look into the "yappy" problem for him.
Alriand and Tharhack decide to visit the jailhouse while Bimbar and Rebrey are in the elder's house. They meet Rillkep coming out of the jailhouse. He seems very shocked to find them here and is about to call the guards, when the children who led them to the elder's house walk by and wave and say "good-bye" to Alriand and Tharhack as they pass on their way back down the street. Rillkep asks what their business is in town. Alriand explains they are going to solve the "yapper" problem themselves and he'll be out of a job. Rillkep explains that he knows this town better than anyone and it is his job to solve this mystery and he would appreciate it if they would let him do his job. Tharhack asks if Rillkep or his men have detained any of these "yapps" Rillkep advises no but they will soon enough. Tharhack asks if they've killed any, again the answer is no. Tharhack tells Rillkep that maybe his men need more training and more muscles (as he poses for the sheriff). Rillkep tells him that his men are more that capable of defending the town. Alriand then asks why the town needs defending, why can't they all just move? Obviously someone doesn't want the halflings here, they should all leave. Rillkep gets agitated at this and asks that the elf move along before she's arrested for loitering. Tharhack then tells Rillkep that he could train his men on how to best use their bodies, and purify their spirits. Rillkep asks that Alriand take the smelly one with her. Tharhack Then tells Rillkep that his "booger" frame and weak insults do not impress Kord and he (Tharhack) will show Rillkep the power of Kord when next the "yippees" attack.
Bimbar and Rebrey arrive at the end of Tharhack's statement and try to calm things down a bit. Alriand tries to wander off but notices a halfling trying to hide behind the sheriff's building and listening to the whole conversation. She sneaks around and startles the halfling. Alriand puts a blade to his throat and threatens his life. She asks what he doing and why. He explains that he knows where the "yappies" come from as he found a set of tracks leading back to the river away from the farms. Alriand eases her grip and lowers her blade. The halfling explains that his is Wilby and he is Rillkep's assistant. She asks him why Rillkep doesn't investigate his claims of tracks. Wilby explains that he did tell Rillkep and is not sure why he's chosen to ignore him. Alriand lets Wilby go and apologizes for causing him to soil himself. She walks back around to the front of the sheriff's, where Opee has joined the chaos and quieted down Rillkep. Alriand explains to Bimbar that they should get some dinner and some rest if these things attack tonight. The party agrees and Bimbar explains what he has garnered for sleeping arrangements for the evening. Alriand agrees to sleep in the barn immediately. Tharhack advises he'll patrol the streets tonight as Kord will keep him strong throughout the night. Besides someone has to do "booger's" job.
session 2 to come.........
After persistent clamoring from my players to do one of these, I have broken down and written their trials down in a more permanent form. We had a long break prior to GenCon and only restarted the campaign after GenCon was over. The players were on the road and I had a small town with just the bare bones fleshed out. I got The Hamlet of Thumble at GenCon and inserted it as this small town. After making some adjustments to fit the storyline. This is their story.
Alriand - is a female elven rogue, whose greed is only overshadowed by her loyalty to the gnome, and fear/respect of the 1/2 orc.
Bimbar - is a male gnome fighter, what he lacks in strength he makes up for in annoying his enemies in a fight. (deceased)
Rebrey - is a male human fighter, the quiet one of the group is also the most dangerous.
Tharhack Bonepounder - is a male 1/2 orc Cleric of Kord, who loves his muscles and his name, and loves showing people how he got that moniker.
Gothmog - is a male grendal fighter, lacking in intelligence, but wise beyond his simple speak.
The party had been traveling for five days after leaving the town of Innscord. Taking a little used road to the East, the party hoped to avoid regular patrols and organized bandits. They hear the river long before they see it. Up ahead along the South side of the road they see three small children playing, thinking them far too young to be playing in the open with no obvious supervision, Tharhack approaches the children. He finds, to his shock that although size wise they seem like human babies, they are in fact much more mature than that. Two boys and a girl, the tallest boy introduces himself as Owecyrr, who is awed by the biggest person he's ever seen. Upon hearing those words Tharhack breaks into his "showy" routine of displaying his muscles. Owecyrr mightily impressed asks if he's here to see Opeeindy the mayor. The party decides they'd like a break from the road and agree to follow Owecyrr to the mayor's house.
Walking along for twenty minutes the party learn that the children are halflings, and they they've never seen an elf or a gnome for that matter, they tease Bimbar about the size of his nose and Alriand about the size of her ears. They ohh and ahh over the size of Tharhack. This doesn't sit well with Alriand and she makes an effort to learn the locations of each child's home (for later use). They reach a bridge spanning a nice sized river that seems to be flowing rather quickly. Two halflings stand on guard as the party approaches. They seem very weary of the 1/2 orc and ask that the party halt in the middle of the bridge. Bimbar converses with the guards. He tells them about their travels and about meeting the three children who are escorting them to the mayor's house. The two guards still don't like the looks of things so Bimbar offers in good faith to let the guards hold onto his longsword and shield (this is a favorite tactic of Bimbar as he is proficient in neither and uses neither in combat) this gesture finally brings the guards to a more friendly attitude. They tell the party about some trouble the Hamlet has been having recently with some annoying creatures who come in the middle of the night, yapping like small dogs. They steal, and set small fires and cause the whole town much grief over the loss of sleep. The Hamlet has dubbed them "yappies" and would like nothing else than to be rid of them. They urge the party to see the mayor at once.
Bidding the two sentries farewell the party is led past two house on the left. The first house looks to be the hamlet's carpenter, the second structure appears to be the jailhouse. The gnome makes sure he remembers that house, in case he has to bail Alriand out. Tharhack appreciates the presence of might in this small town and makes a note to investigate the jailhouse later. The party then makes a left after the jailhouse and stops at the only house on the right side of the block. Owecyrr explains that this is the elder's house, the mayor of their town. The party knock on the door and are greeted by a balding older halfling. After pleasantries are exchanged he invites the gnome and human in but is distrustful of the elf and 1/2 orc. Bimbar asks Opeeindy, who asks that he be called Opee as he likes that sound of it better, about this "yappy" problem. Opee tells him that they have been coming for almost two weeks now but in the beginning it was once every 2 or three days. However for the last three nights they have come and caused some minor damage and stolen small things here and there. No one knows where they come from and no one in the Hamlet has been able to engage any of them, so they do not know who they are or what they might be. Opee mentions that they might get more information from the sheriff Rillkep, and that a girl named Cora claims to know where the "yappies" live but no one in town believes her. Bimbar asks for directions to Cora's house and for a warm place to stay the night. Opee says that Bimbar and Rebrey may stay in his house, but that the giant and the elf might find better accommodations elsewhere perhaps Daigren's house. Bimbar mulls over this news and tells Opee that they party will look into the "yappy" problem for him.
Alriand and Tharhack decide to visit the jailhouse while Bimbar and Rebrey are in the elder's house. They meet Rillkep coming out of the jailhouse. He seems very shocked to find them here and is about to call the guards, when the children who led them to the elder's house walk by and wave and say "good-bye" to Alriand and Tharhack as they pass on their way back down the street. Rillkep asks what their business is in town. Alriand explains they are going to solve the "yapper" problem themselves and he'll be out of a job. Rillkep explains that he knows this town better than anyone and it is his job to solve this mystery and he would appreciate it if they would let him do his job. Tharhack asks if Rillkep or his men have detained any of these "yapps" Rillkep advises no but they will soon enough. Tharhack asks if they've killed any, again the answer is no. Tharhack tells Rillkep that maybe his men need more training and more muscles (as he poses for the sheriff). Rillkep tells him that his men are more that capable of defending the town. Alriand then asks why the town needs defending, why can't they all just move? Obviously someone doesn't want the halflings here, they should all leave. Rillkep gets agitated at this and asks that the elf move along before she's arrested for loitering. Tharhack then tells Rillkep that he could train his men on how to best use their bodies, and purify their spirits. Rillkep asks that Alriand take the smelly one with her. Tharhack Then tells Rillkep that his "booger" frame and weak insults do not impress Kord and he (Tharhack) will show Rillkep the power of Kord when next the "yippees" attack.
Bimbar and Rebrey arrive at the end of Tharhack's statement and try to calm things down a bit. Alriand tries to wander off but notices a halfling trying to hide behind the sheriff's building and listening to the whole conversation. She sneaks around and startles the halfling. Alriand puts a blade to his throat and threatens his life. She asks what he doing and why. He explains that he knows where the "yappies" come from as he found a set of tracks leading back to the river away from the farms. Alriand eases her grip and lowers her blade. The halfling explains that his is Wilby and he is Rillkep's assistant. She asks him why Rillkep doesn't investigate his claims of tracks. Wilby explains that he did tell Rillkep and is not sure why he's chosen to ignore him. Alriand lets Wilby go and apologizes for causing him to soil himself. She walks back around to the front of the sheriff's, where Opee has joined the chaos and quieted down Rillkep. Alriand explains to Bimbar that they should get some dinner and some rest if these things attack tonight. The party agrees and Bimbar explains what he has garnered for sleeping arrangements for the evening. Alriand agrees to sleep in the barn immediately. Tharhack advises he'll patrol the streets tonight as Kord will keep him strong throughout the night. Besides someone has to do "booger's" job.
session 2 to come.........
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