Session 3 & 4: "Paladins rush in, where others fear to tread".

 18 June & 25 June 2024

4th Day of May to 17th,  1492 (4th to 7th, nights of the full moon)

Weather: Cloudy.

High Temperature: 17 degrees Celsius.

Low Temperature: 6 degrees Celsius.

Mission:  Tracking Kobolds

Campaign:  Forest of Wyrms

Location(s):  Whispering Woods Village, Forest of Wyrms.

Present: Elysande, Barlyn, Dameun, Tenver, Zinalla.

Remaining: Brielle, (Seraphina), & Stuffantle.

4th - Recap.

Zinalla: "Are those 'snake people' the Yuan-Ti, the same ones that are rumoured to have killed the Paladin Patrol all those years ago? Surely it was just a myth?"

Baelin: "No myth, fact. But they haven't been seen in the Forest of Wyrms for longer than I can remember. We have a number of unanswered questions now:

1. What are the strange lights.

2. What is causing the strange lights.

3. Are the Yuan-Ti back in the Forest of Wyrms.

4. Why were Kobold tracks around Mara's hut and the ruins.

You have answered one question and that is what is disturbing the spirits in the forest, it's the lights. If you feel up to it I/We need more information. I will leave it up to you what you do and how you do it. I have sent word to the Primus that I require your aid awhile longer. I can't order you but I hope/wish you will all agree. A long shot but the small town of Serpents Cowl, deep in the forest, may provide answers to the Yuan-Ti. If you do decide to go there you will have to be extra vigilant and careful. Zinalla you will have to make sure your shield is not emblazoned with the Orders Sigil."

Zinalla showed his shield to Baelin and the superficial damage caused by the Acid Bug. It had removed the Sigil of the Order of Companion Paladins completely.

Baelin: "Mara will be unconscious for quite some time, it would be beneficial if Brielle could stay and oversee Mara's recovery."

Brielle: "I would be honoured to assist in any way I can. I may learn some skills from Mara once she is awake. I would love to learn how to prepare healing potions".

5th 

The group spent the day recovering, buying essentials. There was a bit of haggling over a sling and some slingshot but between the owner, Elysande and Barlyn they sorted out an amicable arrangement. Barlyn would buy the sling and get Elysande to make some 'bullets' out of rock (Elysande like crushing rocks, he was getting very good at it). Elysande would make some for Barlyn at a price and more for the leatherworker who made slings. 

Brielle was committed to assisting in the recovery of Mara. The others decided that they would head out tomorrow and track down the Kobolds. Tenver was shown by some Woodsmen how to turn the roots and leaves into a healing paste. He was able to make 6 healing pastes.

Some woodsmen under Baelin's direction had sketched out a rough map for the group to use.

6th

They left early and soon Tenver was leading them towards the ruins where they found Mara. As soon as they entered the woods they were back in the eerie,  shadow infested under canopy with very little daylight escaping through. The 'whispering woods' were aptly named for the trees seemed to whisper but no words could be made out. When they stopped to listen it was as if the trees knew they were listening and the whispering noise stopped too.

Tenver: "Not good, not good. Kobolds don't fight or do anything well in sunlight, they prefer to be underground or in some condition like this, under the trees in the shadows."

He said this to no one in particular but they all heard.

Tenver suddenly stopped and pointed to tracks that crossed theirs. They were leading away from the ruins to the south east but they were Kobold. Tenver could not make out how many there were as they seemed to be walking in each others footsteps, but there was more than 1. Tenver pushed on and followed the Kobolds tracks.

Without warning arrows were flying out of the shadows. Barlyn and Zinalla were struck before they could take cover. Tenver stealthily hid behind a tree scanning left and right back the way they had come.

The others followed suit as Elysande was struck by an arrow. Elysande threw himself down into the dirt and tried to 'cover' himself with his shield.

A guttural, language could be heard from all around them but no one could understand what was being said.

Another arrow thudded into the ground near Elysande's head. Hiding as best they could they could make out the Kobolds running between the trees, they were attacking! As Elysande was the only one visible the Kobolds were all centred on attacking the prone Goliath. Zinalla stepped out of hiding and engaged 2 Kobolds. Tenver took aim and let an arrow fly, dropping the Kobold running past his hiding place. He quickly moved to another tree to hide in case his arrow had alerted Kobolds to his position. 

Dameun firebolted another, it's charred body hitting the floor dead. Elysande stood up and enraged slammed his battleaxe down and split a Kobold in 2.  Barlyn, hand axe and shield in hand killed another as Elysande killed a 3rd. Zinalla dispatched the 2 in front of him. The battle was over. No more arrows flew out of the shadows but none of the dead Kobolds had bows! Their weapons and armour on inspection were just bits of sharpened metal tied to crude lengths of sapling to make crude spears. Other bits of rough, rusting metal were crudely tied about them to act as 'armour'. 

Dameun had moved over to the prone body of Tenver thinking him injured.

Tenver: "More pride than anything else, bloody bowstring snapped mid pull and the effect threw me backwards, lost my balance that's all."

Dameun headed back with Tenver to the others. Dameun cast a cure wounds on Elysande, who thanked him. 

Barlyn: "At least they didn't hit you in those butt cheeks Elysande, pity to ruin those.....!"

Barlyn skipped away before Elysande's playful grab.

Tenver applied half of his healing paste to fix up other wounds mainly caused by Kobold arrows.

Tenver scouted the immediate area and indicated that he had found individual tracks converging on a point and heading away to the south east.

Zinalla: "Lets keep after the buggers, some of us still have a score to settle with those archers!"

Barlyn: "Oh goody, might get myself a bow........and some arrow of course".

Zinalla: "Yes, a bow might come in handy at that".

Some 4 hours of tracking later and Tenver, leading, slowly stopped and moved into the cover of a tree. He pointed forward.

Zinalla moved forward and throwing caution to the wind shouted:

Zinalla: "I am a member of the Order of Companion Paladins, I order you to surrender, throw down your weapons".

2 arrows zinged passed Zinalla. He moved forward and could now see the full extent of the Kobold camp. He again repeated his order:

Zinalla: "I am a member of the Order of Companion Paladins, I order you to surrender, throw down your weapons".

The others moved to the left and right taking the opportunity of the cover whilst the enemy were preoccupied by Zinalla's unexpected move.

Suddenly more arrows rained down on Zinalla, he was struck twice. Dameun cast firebolt and missed, an arrow struck him in the arm for his troubles. Zinalla surged forward and attacked a Kobold.

From where Barlyn had moved he could see a line of Kobolds moving to outflank the group on their left. Taking his sling he whirled, took aim and let fly, the lead Kobold was fatally struck.

-----------------------------------------

Seraphina, although she had indicated that she would remain in the village to assist Brielle, had actually slipped out of Whispering Woods and was stealthily following the group. She just knew the 'boys' would get into trouble and would need her assistance.

Coming across the scene of the ambush, Seraphina smiled to herself and thought perhaps the 'boys' would do ok after all.

The noise of shouting from up ahead spurred her on and seeing the group fan out, she moved over to the right, taking up a position to the right rear of Tenver.

 She could see Tenver and Barlyn but had lost sight of Elysande and Dameun. Of Zinalla there was no sign but she had a good line into the Kobold camp and saw a number of Kobold being directed by a strange, humanoid creature with a snake like head. She took aim.

Tenver was surprised when an arrow whizzed passed him. Looking around he saw a human hand sticking out from behind a tree with the hand in a clenched fist and the thumb pointing upwards.

Tenver: “Glad you could join us Seraphina, looks like Zinalla is in a spot of bother, circle left and help out, I’ve got the right covered.”

Seraphina: “Dunno what I hit but it had the head of a snake and was walking on 2 legs, holding a bow!”

Tenver: “Damn, it is one of those Yaun Ti, Baelin mentioned them last night!”

But Seraphina had already disappeared, moving from tree to tree, hiding from sight.

Elysande charged forward and brought his battleaxe down onto a Kobold. The blow nearly cleaving the shocked creature in two. Zinalla dispatched one of the two Kobolds facing him as Barlyn charged forward. Two Kobolds mounted on snakes moved to intercept Zinalla and Barlyn.

Dameun kept up his arcane cantrip fire bolt shots, intermingled with Sacred Flame. He was struck twice more by arrows for his efforts but kept up a distant barrage of these two spells. Barlyn dispatched the snake riding Kobold but for every hit he was hit with a burning, fiery liquid that took it’s toll.

Elysande was about to tackle another Kobold but looking down saw it had already fled.

                                    

 Tenver moved closer to the camp and attacked an archer, killing the Kobold instantly.

                              

Tenver was taken aback when a brave Kobold charged him and leapt into the air with two daggers swinging down to stab him. Quick as a flash he parried the blow with the Kobold twisting in mid-air, landing on his feet and stabbing backwards with 1 of his daggers. Tenver dodged this blow. Zinalla dispatched the 2^nd Kobold facing him and charged the two remaining archers. Elysande fought off the Kobold mounted on a snake that had moved to attack Zinalla, it looked like flames where coming out of it's mouth, and the end of it’s tail. The Kobold wielded a wicked looking lance like weapon with a vicious hook at the end. Again everytime he struck the snake he was showered with fiery liquid but eventually the Kobold and Snake where slain. 

Having killed 1 of the archers the 2^nd threw down it’s bow in front of Zinalla and surrendered. Zinalla accepted the creatures surrender. Elysande moved around behind the Kobold camp to cover the rear.

                             

Seraphina kept moving her position and let fly arrow after arrow at whatever enemy she could see. At long last the last Kobold fell. Elysande said 1 had run off, Seraphina could not find the Yuan Ti body and informed everyone that it must have left too.

The group searched the bodies and the main tent, the other tents, if you could call them that were just animal skins crudely thrown over some tree branches.

Barlyn and Zinalla claimed a shortbow each, they divided the arrows between them and gave the odd one to Seraphina. Elysande kept the tent. It was large enough only for himself but it would do. A large amount of coin was found within the tent, some 3,702 copper pieces were divided between them.

Zinalla: “My apologies for my rather rash and hasty move attacking the Kobolds.”

Dameun: “Think nothing of it. But we are sorely hurt and we need to take some healing.”

Seraphina: “Yes, and I advocate we head back to the village to fully rest up, get what information we can out of that (pointing to the Kobold prisoner).”

Healing was doled out and Zinalla laid on hands. With some healing the group pushed on with all speed back to the village. Arriving back just before early night.

Baelin was pleased to see they had returned, not so pleased to hear that a Yuan Ti had been with the Kobolds.

Baelin: “I fear you will get little from the Kobold, none here speak Draconic and from what you tell me neither does anyone in the group. He will probably be able to understand very basic Common, if that. Keep your questions short and simple.”

Zinalla: “Would you kindly send word to the Primus that the group have volunteered to remain in the village until we have gotten to the bottom of what is going on.”

Baelin: “Already done so. I’ll send word to ask if there is anyone in Boareskyr Bridge who can speak Draconic and is willing to travel here to assist”.

Zinalla: “Thank you, I appreciate that”.

Baelin offered the group some training if they would stay and rest for a tenday. It would take at least 4 days or more for a reply or answer to the request for a Draconic speaker to arrive back. If the group stayed and assisted with the erection of the palisade then he would pay them for their time with free training.

The group decided to take him up on that offer.

7th to 10th 

The palisade build was going well, the woodsmen had already cut enough logs and they only needed digging in, raising and fastening together. In between Baelin trained the group.

The group managed to find out from the Kobold that his ‘home’ was to the south. There was the ‘boss’. Inadvertently Dameun had asked was the arrow, that he retrieved from Mara’s hut, a Kobold arrow; the Kobold just shook his head and said Boss. They now knew the Boss was a Yuan Ti.

Baelin offered a shed in the village which was secure to lock the Kobold up in. The Kobold did not like being in sunlight and thought the dark shed was perfect.

11^th

Baelin received word that a Draconic speaker had been found and for a fee would do as the group asked. That person was named Glepper and would arrive in 5 days.

13^th

Mara finally awoke. Brielle had assisted another woman trained in the use of herbs and learned quite a bit about how to treat poisons, their effects and 2 local herbs to keep an eye out for when travelling, one was a general antidote for most poisons and the other specific to the most virulent snake venom, Black Viper Poison.

During the tenday in the village Tenver had grown restless, he needed to be on the search for the Displacer Beast he hunted. He had heard rumours that a ‘white beast’ had been seen in the south. He told the others he was leaving, wished them well and departed on the 13^th, taking advantage of the transportation of water barrels to Boareskyr Bridge. The return of which would bring Glepper, the Draconic speaker to Whispering Woods Village.

14th to 17th

The group were slapped on the back wherever they went, their reputation and standing in he village was second only to Baelin. Such was the gratitude of the villagers for returning their healer, Mara, back to them alive.

Each member of the group was presented with a Token, upon which was carved the symbol of Mielikki. Baelin informed them that if they needed to return to the village they only had to break the token and they would be transported back to the shrine over the river. Zinalla was given a metal medallion with the same symbol on it. Baelin told him that if a token was broken at the shrine then that person would be transported near to whomever wore the medallion.

17th

The group waited for the return of the party delivering barrels of water to Boareskyr Bridge, and the arrival of the mysterious Glepper.  Training completed, Baelin had proved to be quite adept in his techniques. He kept referring to an old military training manual, The Manual of Puissant at Arms Skills. Baelin had also confided in them that he was the previous Primus Paladinus and had left in disgrace when the Yuan Ti slaughtered the missing patrol of Paladins. Zinalla thought to himself that Baelin must be some age to be that Primus.

PLAYER INFORMATION:

Copper held by each player:

Experience total after session 4:

BAELIN'S TRAINING EACH CHARACTER MAY CHOOSE 1. (Not Brielle).

STANDARD SPECIALTY MOVES   (All pluses to hit are halved round down)
Move	Situation	Effect	Roll
Double Damage	All	x2 damage	Modified 20
Stun	All	Damage and one round stun	Modified 19-20
Prone Target Attack	Enemy must be prone	Hit Prone Target	+2 OR +1 on spec. move
Defensive Stance	One round preparation	Additional +4 to AC or parry	AUTO (prep 1 rnd-active next)
Perfect Parry	When Parrying	Counter attack at +4	Natural 20
Missile Deflection	When deflecting normal missile	Deflects incoming missile	Deflection D20+wpn bonus => for success or                  D20+AC Shieldx2 + Prof bonus => for success
Roll with the Blow	Concussive blow	1/2 damage if success; down if fail	Acrobatic check greater than attack roll
Disarm	Target armed	Knock weapon from hands	Nat 18-20; Expert (link to add'tl action) 20.
SPECIALTY MOVES WITH A HAND HELD WEAPON   (Must be called before rolling dice) (All pluses to hit are halved round down)
Move	Condition	Effect	Roll
Behead	Head of normal (humanoid) size; edged weapon	Decapitate opponent's head	Natural 20
Heart Seeker	Heart possible to reach; pointed weapon	Stab opponent through heart	Natural 20 (Must have a heart!)
Sever Limb	Normal (humanoid) sized limb. Edged weapon.	Sever limb; full damage + lose 10 hps/rnd	Natural 19-20 (+1 smaller/-1 greater)
Disable Limb	Normal (humanoid) sized limb	Unable to use limb	Natural 17-20
Run Through	Adjacent enemies; length of weapon. Pointed weapon.	x2 damage on primary target; normal damage on secondary	Natural 16-20
Leg Strike	Enemy has leg	Damage and enemy downed	Natural 15-20
Smash Through Parry	Enemy smaller or prone		Opposed strength check
Two-Weapon Attack	User has only 1 attack; user has weapons in each hand	Allows two attacks	Each Roll at -4
Penetrate Armor	User has edged weapon	Additional D6 damage	Modified 16-20
Weapon breaker	Must have a 'breaking' weapon	Hit opponents weapon, Cause d4 breaks	Natural 17-20
Shield Down	Must have ##axe vs shield	Hook and pull shield down; use one swing; no defense; attk with remaining swings (but handaxe is occupied); opponent defends but not with shield	Mod 17-20
Shield Attack	Must have shield	Surprise opp. by attacking with shield; no parry for opp.; +4 to hit	Normal to hit
SPECIALTY MOVES WITH MISSILES   (All pluses to hit are halved round down)
Move	Condition	Effect	Roll
Bulls Eye	Vulnerable point visible	Fatal	Natural 20
Limb Crippler	Limb (Leg/Arm) exposed	Cripples limb; damage	Natural 19-20
Throat Shot	Enemy throat exposed	Damage; Victim cannot speak	Natural 18-20
Greater Shadow Shot	In Shadows+2 round prep	X3 Damage	Modified 20
Shadow Shot	In Shadows+1 round prep	X2 Damage	Modified 19-20
Pin Shot	Nearby Surface	Damage; Pin opponent	Modified 17-20
Penetrating Shot	Must be wearing Armor	Additional D6 damage	Modified 16-20
Quick Prepared Shot	One round prep	Makes next shot +4 to hit
Long Prepared Shot		Adds +1 to hit/round of prep.	Max bonus = 1/2 constitution

Brielle gains the ability to negate poison. The DC is 20, DC score of 30 permanently removes the effect of poison. (D20+Medicine bonus+Proficiency bonus+any herbal bonus). Brielle had learned about the following 2 herbs.

ALL-HEALE

Type: General Healing

Locale: Temperate Forest

Season: Autumn

Difficulty: 75%

Number of Uses: 7

Cost: 1000 cp

Description: Lichen

Preparation: 

Effects: When All-heale is applied to a wound (one application per day), the recipient will heal (1hp/hour) even if still moving as normal. Slows the effect of poison but must rest within 8 hours. With rest, the recipient will heal at three times the normal rate.

BLACK ROSE

Type: General Purpose

Locale: Temperate

Season: Spring, Summer

Difficulty: 5%

Number of Uses: 1

Cost: 5000 cp

Description: This rare rose is easily identified by its black velvety flower and long white thorns. The thorns are hollow and absorb liquids at a rate of a pint every 5 minutes. The liquid is stored in the plant's fibrous roots.

Preparation: none

Effects: The black rose's roots are often used to draw poison from wounds or, placed under the tongue, to absorb alcohol and prevent intoxication. Sometimes victims are tied down and pierced with the thorns to cause prolonged and painful exsanguination.