26/11/24
11th - 15th Day of Abrior (February) 1355
Weather: Clear. Cold.
High Temperature: 7 degrees Celsius.
Low Temperature: 3 degrees Celsius.
Mission: Greendale
Campaign: Hunt the Bandits, Goblins and Whatevers
Location(s): Open road, Greendale.
Present: Thia Lathalas, Hugh Greendale, Sora, Thaumat, Alto and Kyrrha.
From the Personal Recollections of Kyrrha
11th
The journey begins. I spend the day under the canopy of the second wagon, hidden from the merciless sun. It’s not kind to me—never has been. The human ranger, Hugh, postures endlessly about his skills, claiming he’ll hunt for the convoy. Oh, joy.
The so-called “father and son” reveal themselves to be something entirely different: a female human and a halfling. The woman, Thaumat the Black, carries herself like one of those earth-worshippers—draped in foliage, as though that makes her significant. Her halfling companion, Alto, is an irritable little thing. A tracker, no doubt. What use are two rangers?
Hugh, predictably, regales the newcomers with tales of his hunt for Two Stripes, the gnoll who killed his father. A noble quest, perhaps, if he weren’t so insufferably loud about it.
The canopy's shadows, my daytime refuge, remind me of darker places—the Underdark, its twisting passages and constant peril. My flight from home was not a clean escape.
I remember the ambush. Narrow tunnels. Footsteps growing louder. The loyal hounds of House T'sarran were close, snapping at my heels. I had barely stolen Sshamath'enil from the temple when I was forced to navigate through a trap-laden crevasse. A wrong step would’ve meant death. Or worse, capture.
The final chase remains vivid: crossing a frail stone bridge. Behind me, they roared in pursuit, their boots striking the rock. Ahead, freedom. But the bridge collapsed. I didn’t hesitate. The drop into darkness should have killed me. Instead, I landed in the rushing underground river, escaping into the unknown. Survival was a gift I earned—scarred and vowing never to be hunted again.
12th
Rabbits for dinner, courtesy of Hugh. I’ll give him this: he can hunt small game. I remain awake through the night, adding my unseen vigilance to the camp’s watch.
13th
Venison today—Hugh’s growing bold. Thaumat complains there are no herbs to be found. I offer her some advice: look harder, dear. I smirk as her glare cuts across the camp.
The night remains quiet, though the feeling of unseen eyes prickles my senses.
14th
The ranger announces tracks. Ratkin? Out here in the wilderness? They are vermin of the cities. Unlikely, yet not impossible.
We find a massive oak tree along the way, and Thaumat—the tree-hugger she is—throws her arms around it, muttering what I assume are sacred rites.
I stay awake again during the night, and my suspicions are confirmed. Small figures, Ratkin, observe the camp from a distance. I keep my discovery to myself. By dawn, they vanish westward.
15th
At breakfast, I mention what I saw. No one else had noticed. The rangers investigate but find nothing. Blind or foolish—likely both.
Not long after setting off, the wagon jolts to a halt. Voices rise. Danger.
I keep low, blending into the shadow of the wagon, using the driver as cover. Goblins appear, accompanied by human brigands. Odd allies. From the chaos comes the shout: “For the Dark Gauntlet!”
I loose a bolt. A goblin falls. The fighting intensifies. Another shot—miss. But the distraction lets Hugh finish the creature. The wagon jerks as the driver struggles with the horses.
Sora casts her magic, illuminating the battlefield with a shimmer of arcane power. I loose sight of Sora (I later find out she went down in front of the lead wagon) Four attackers swarm Thea, overwhelming her defences. I leave the wagon, firing again, but the sun—bright and oppressive—weakens my aim. Another miss.
I see Garrick, the wagon master, fall. It seems we are losing. But then, without warning, the attackers retreat. Goblins and brigands scatter, leaving their dead behind. Why flee when they held the upper hand? Curious.
I retrieve a bolt from the goblin I killed. Its body bears a dark brand—a left gauntlet. Strange. Something linked to Abaddon, perhaps? The mark troubles me.
Garrick and the wounded are loaded onto the wagons. The decision is made to press on to Greendale. I will watch, as always, and wait for answers.
The surface is strange, its dangers more chaotic than those below. But chaos is opportunity, and I will seize it when it comes.
Arrival in Greendale
The town is quaint—simple wooden structures, cobbled paths, and the scent of fresh earth. Nothing like the grand, oppressive cities of the Underdark. The people are a curious mix—humans, elves, and hybrids of sorts. I notice the villagers casting sidelong glances at the convoy, as if measuring us up.
We are greeted by a ceremony. Later, I learn it’s a burial—the late Mayor, Eldor, laid to rest. The living cling to ceremony, as though ritual wards off the inevitability of death. The new mayor, Rena Faulern, seems competent enough. We shall see.
Sora’s Connection
Sora reunites with another of her kind—a Dragonborn whose mother owns the local store. This lizard seems amiable, though I keep my distance. Two Dragonborn in one town? Peculiar.
The Winking Treant
The inn is inviting enough, though the name reeks of tree-hugging sentimentality. It’s an odd mix of a tavern and woodland charm, with intricate carvings of leaves and branches adorning its walls.
Two serving wenches catch my eye. One is human, plain and unremarkable. The other... she is something else entirely. Her presence seems to radiate light, a subtle glow that makes her stand apart. My eyes, still adjusting to the infernal sunlight, might be playing tricks on me, or perhaps it’s something more. Either way, I keep my hood low and my gaze guarded.
In my corner of shadow, I produce my flute. A piece from the Underdark—a slow, mournful tune meant to echo through the caverns of home. Here, among the surface-dwellers, it’s ill-received. They prefer their songs lively and bright. Pah. Let them laugh. They cannot comprehend the depth of the music.
Sora speaks with another, but the sunlight spilling into the common room makes it hard to see. A mine is mentioned, along with something unknown within. Curious. A potential thread to follow.
The local militia catches my attention next. Two appear human, but the other two are Tieflings. Their horns gleam in the light, and their presence here is unexpected. Strange alliances, perhaps, or simply circumstance. The guards prattle on about parents and a burnt field. Mundane concerns, but I listen nonetheless.
Sora, ever the benefactor, covers my expenses yet again. She even ensures I have a private room. Easy pickings, this one.
As the inn empties and the others retire, I linger in the common room. Watching. Waiting. When the time feels right, I ascend to my room. After entering, I scatter caltrops in front of the door and the single window. This is a strange town, and I cannot afford to let my guard down. Danger may lurk everywhere.
My companions, my weapons, are close at hand. Let us see what tomorrow brings.
This surface world is a labyrinth of its own—a different kind of darkness, masked by the sun. But even here, shadows thrive. I will find my place among them.
___________________________________________________________________________________
"Thia's Secret Scrolls"
Present:
- Mandy: Thia Lathalas (¼ staff)
- Chris: Hugh Greendale (Sword and shield)
- Paul: Alto Uccello (Bow)
- Neil: Kyrrha (Sleeping)
- Dean: Sora (¼ staff)
- Andy: Thaumat (¼ staff and shield)
- Garrick: Wagon Master
- 2 Guards: Accompanying the party
Day 1:
The journey begins, with Hugh at the front of the caravan alongside Garrick, who drives the second wagon. Kyrrha remains asleep for much of the day, while Alto and Thaumat stay alert, observing the surroundings.
Hugh's Introduction to Alto:
Hugh approaches Alto Uccello, introducing himself with a smile.
Hugh: "My name is Hugh Greendale."
Alto: (With a grim tone) "I’m Alto Uccello, and I’m always angry."
This introduction hints at Alto's troubled past but provides no further details, leaving Hugh with more questions than answers.
Garrick and Sora Collect Firewood:
As Garrick and Sora head off to gather firewood, Hugh decides to speak to Garrick.
Hugh: "Is there a problem?"
Garrick: "No, no problems. I just wanted to mention that I'm adept at finding safe paths and catching game. Alto here is also skilled in those areas. Just let us know if you need any help."
Hugh: "Thanks, we’ll keep that in mind."
Hugh and Thaumat's Conversation:
Garrick then approaches Thaumat, offering his own introduction.
Garrick: "Good evening, if I can be of service, my name is Hugh Greendale."
Thaumat: "Pleasure to meet you. I am Thaumat the Black."
Hugh: "I’m from Greendale, and I’m searching for a Gnoll leader with two white stripes. Have you encountered anything like that?"
Thaumat: "Not that I know of."
Hugh: "Keep your eyes and ears open."
As the evening continues, the party sets up camp. Thaumat and Alto take the first watch. During this time, Alto opens up a little.
Alto: (Sighing) "They chopped up my family… that Hugh talks a lot."
Hugh overhears and responds solemnly.
Hugh: "A Gnoll warband attacked my village and killed my father."
The two men share a brief, unspoken understanding before the night settles into an uneasy silence.
Second Watch:
Thia and Sora take the second watch.
Thia spends the watch lost in thought, remembering home, while Sora stays vigilant but sees nothing unusual.
Day 2:
Hunting Expedition:
Hugh, Thaumat, and Alto venture out to hunt. They catch three rabbits each, which is a good haul. There’s no snow on the ground, but the damp grass makes tracking and movement difficult. As evening falls, they return to camp, where a hearty stew is made from the rabbits they caught.
Evening Hunt:
Later, Hugh and Thaumat go out for a second hunting expedition. Thaumat finds two pinkish flowers, the Widow’s Sweep berries, known for their use in healing potions.
Hugh: "Sorry, no game today, but is there any stew left?"
Thaumat: "Only the berries I found for potions, but that might help us later."
Day 3:
A Successful Hunt:
Hugh and Thaumat go hunting once again. This time, Hugh catches a venison, while Thaumat collects additional Widow’s Sweep berries and a yellow flower, which is useful for crafting antidotes. As night falls, the camp is set up without any significant events.
Day 4:
Tracking Ratkin:
After a quiet sunrise, Hugh and Alto decide to check for tracks. Alto doesn't notice anything, but Hugh spots humanoid tracks just off the road. Calling Alto over, they both examine the tracks closely.
Hugh: "These tracks... they belong to Ratkin."
Alto inspects them more carefully.
Alto: "Yeah, these are definitely Ratkin. It’s not far from the road either."
The two head back to camp and warn the others. Sora, as they approach Greendale, notices nothing unusual at first, but the sense of something amiss lingers. The caravan proceeds cautiously, with the promise of reaching Greendale the next day.
Uneventful Watches:
The night passes uneventfully as Thaumat and Alto take the first watch, followed by Thia and Sora on the second, and (Kyrrah) and two guards on the third.
Day 5:
Checking the Kit:
Thia and Thaumat inspect their gear. Everything is in order, and they continue their journey.
Kyrrah: (Pointing) "Walk that way and check the camp, Hugh."
Hugh checks the area but finds no tracks, leaving the group uncertain about the presence of Ratkin.
The Arrival at Greendale:
As they continue on the road, the village of Greendale comes into view on the horizon. In the distance, they notice a group of eight humanoid figures.
Sora: "Something feels off about this."
A battle cry suddenly echoes, "FOR THE BLACKENED GAUNTLET!" before the group is ambushed.
Combat Begins:
A fight ensues, with goblins and bandits attacking the caravan. Sora quickly responds with a Ray of Frost, while Thia casts Firebolt and Kyrrah uses her crossbow. As the fight intensifies, Sora is knocked unconscious, but the group fights back fiercely.
Greendale:
The party finally reaches Greendale, and they notice a stone structure atop a nearby hill. As they approach, they see that a banner is flying at half-mast, indicating a loss. A procession can be seen heading towards the village.
At the general store, the group meets Abyn Flamestryke, the store owner. The mood is somber, and the conversation reveals that the former mayor of Greendale passed away due to bandit attacks. The village has employed a militia to keep the peace.Winking Treeant Inn:
The party heads to the local Winking Treeant Inn to rest. Inside, they are greeted by Layla (an Aasimar barmaid) and Gayle (a human barmaid). Hugh buys Kyrrah a drink as the party unwinds. Kyrrah entertains with a tune, but Layla interrupts, urging her to stop.
As night falls, Ayron Terrilon, a half-elven man, enters the inn and serves cider. He books rooms for the party, and they retire for the night. Sora stays in the bar, waiting for information.
Dorian, Gideon, and Jerimiah:
Three more figures enter the bar: Dorian, Gideon, and Jerimiah. Sora notices two tieflings among them, with fiendish horns and ruddy red skin. The conversation turns to the Black Gauntlet and their search for something within the iron mine.Sora: "Black Gauntlet... Abaddon?"
Dorian: "That’s all we know. Your parents are well. Go and rest now."
Sora: "Goodnight, we will wipe them out."
