Brian:

Do the feast happened (I don't think that much important happened to either of you there), and then shortly after Cerim talked to you about going east to find out where the black swords came from.

SyRaX:

I guess I have a replacement for my commerce stuff while I'm gone?

Brian:

Most affairs can handle themselves. You aren't quite rich enough to have a full staff under you, but you can have an eldest child to manage the family buisness if you desire.

Brian:

Uhh, I assume double the age that humans are normally doing it, which in this culture would be late thirties.

Brian:

But they would be fertile from 30, with men never really dieing out.

SyRaX:

ehh is it okay to let a 5-10 year old girl handle a whole business?

Brian:

You know what, you probably have a living wife. Probs a better idea.

Brian:

ok, but do you also have a daughter? Children are much more likely to still be young enough to be adventuring in future campaigns.

Brian:

Cool, name her at some point. In the mean time, are you buying supplies Adam, or are you begging someone for them?

Brian:

Eryson will give you each 20 days rations, but I wanted to know if you had the sense to ask.

Brian:

He is in charge of the army, and so has some access to a stock of supplies.

Brian:

There might be another official if you want to ask around...

SyRaX:

Is it more like "everyone gets it" or "well, if you need it, you can get it"?

Brian:

It's, "Hey, I'm sending you on this mission, it would kind of suck if you starved to death on the way..."

Cerim Potter:

Captain, have you still got that black sword under lock and key?

Brian:

Eryson would have asked that you keep them at the palace just in case.

Captain Erwin:

We haven't had an incidents that called for violence yet.

Cerim Potter:

It's believed that swords like that one are what cause the dead to rise. One of the reasons, at least.

Cerim Potter:

I would ask that you relinquish it to me for the safety of the town.

Captain Erwin:

You've been a good man, Cerim. Never known you to lie.

Brian:

He goes takes the sword off the rack (it was never locked up), and hands it back to you

Cerim Potter:

Apparently the Lord Commander of the Army had use for a small town guard. Once he runs out of use for me, I will return home for good. Hopefully then I'll be able to tell you the story in greater detail. With any luck it'll have a happy ending to boot.

Cerim Potter:

If you find any more swords like this one, I advise you to keep them secured. Send them to the capitol, even.

SyRaX:

while we go to the next stop or whatever I want to ask Cerim if Tinsboro is his home town

Cerim Potter:

Yes, it's my home town. I serve as a lieutenant in the guard there. It's a largely quiet town, so most of the job is patrolling, scouting, and escorting particularly intoxicated individuals home. The only notable thing about the place for an outisder is the fact that it's a mining town. Tin is the chief export, obviously.

Aaron:

Makes sense ... Do you like it there? Or do you prefer the city life?

Cerim Potter:

I prefer the calm of the village. There's no strife. It may not be exciting like the city, but there's more to life than excitement.

Brian:

. Aaron's contact spoke of going to Eastmark as the first stop in finding the swords. It's a small village, mostly used as shelder for the various ranchers in the far eastern hills of Damriel.

Brian:

As you approach, one man, in what would be lowly trader's garb in the capital, but by far the richest-looking man here, approaches you.

Gearic:

Ohh, we fear they aren't rumors. We just had a man come through and tell us just how real the walking dead are.

Gearic:

We sent word to the Lord Commander a fortnight ago, and I started to fear no knights would come.

Aaron:

That might be under-selling our value, but yes, we are no knights. However, we are trying to help you get rid of this ... problem.

Gearic:

We only have one knight in town, and he is beyond his better years.

Aaron:

You spoke of a man that has seen these creatures, is he still here?

Gearic:

No. He left for the south a couple days ago, said he has urgent buisness and won't be back for some time.

Aaron:

Oh, alright. Is there anyone else who can provide us with information about this incident?

Gearic:

I've heard that a huge army arose in Glenswood, with many who saw it.

Gearic:

We have been lucky so far to have not had a sighting until very recently

Cerim Potter:

What's to the south that your man might have gone to?

Brian:

Very little. She just said she knew a guy in Eastmark that might be able to arrange a trade with Gorewood.

Cerim Potter:

What of this knight who's been staying here? What's his task?

Cerim Potter:

Hm. Well, our next destination is Gorewood. Are there any here who can tell us something about the place?

Gearic:

If you had caught Frip before he left he would have been a good source.

Gearic:

There have been one or two orcs who have visited here. Someone around may have talked to them.

Gearic:

With the dead closing in everyone's bringing the flocks back to town.

SyRaX:

Aaron is a twitching a little when he hears Gearic talk of orcs

Cerim Potter:

Hm. Well, I guess we'll just have to ask around. Thanks for your help.

Gearic:

And...would you consider aiding us? A single man in armor would be a blessing, knight or no...

Brian:

The structure is something between a barn and an inn. Animals, travelers, and bottles of alcohol are evenly distributed throughout, with the first two categories making appropriate social noises.

Brian:

The door is clealy not locked, and the gaps between the planks make it easy to see through.

Brian:

One man, a somewhat older elf, is wearing a sigil of some kind, and he turns to you and raises his hand.

Aaron:

Good day, sir. My name is Aaron, this is Cerim *points towards Cerim*, and we came from Glenwood to investigate the undead problem. Do you know of anything that might help us?

Sir Regelgien:

I might be pretty good at that. I've been told that a good sword to the body will still destroy the things.

SyRaX:

is he offering to help us or giving us advice to attack the body?

Brian:

He was also offering to help fight them, but he might not be a perfect communicator

Cerim Potter:

We're more in the business of stopping the dead from rising in the first place, sir.

Sir Regelgien:

I've heard burning the bodies works well. Tough to find where all the dead are. The goblin wars were very scattered.

Aaron:

If there is an attack, we will try to help, but rather than fighting against the waves we want to drown out the sea, methaphorically speaking.

Cerim Potter:

We have reason to belive that the source of the problem is something or someone in Gorewood. We'd like to get there and investigate further.

Sir Regelgien:

That I could help you with. My family has dealt with orcs before.

Sir Regelgien:

They can be nice people, once you get to know them. Just don't challange thier ego.

Sir Regelgien:

The scouts are like our knights. They tend to be wary of strangers. I would advise staying calm, and maybe offering a bribe.

Sir Regelgien:

It's rare that someone comes from our side to the orcs', and the scouts know the half-dozen that do it regularly.

Sir Regelgien:

They also value steel, if you're eager to part with that nice armor of yours.

Aaron:

Is there a trader anywhere near? Like, trading elvish for orcish currency?

Sir Regelgien:

I...I don't think the orcs even use coin. Too savage for that.

Cerim Potter:

Perhaps we should go hunting while we travel. I'm sure a few hides would come in handy.

Cerim Potter:

Rumors. Sadly rumors are all we have to go on at this point.

Sir Regelgien:

This one *points to Aaron* isn't wearing armor, and you're not an elf.

Sir Regelgien:

But something made you want to save the world anyway?

Cerim Potter:

I happen to be a big fan of the world. It would be a shame to see it destroyed.

Sir Regelgien:

The king doesn't have an answer? I'm a fan myself, but I'll need to do my part in it.

Sir Regelgien:

Glistar speaks to Correlon Lorathien himself. If anyone would know how to stop this, it's him.

Cerim Potter:

The king has his own plan in place. The least we can do is try and help.

Brian:

alright. Do you remember what I made you roll for hunting last time, SyRaX?

Brian:

Either way, you slay so many innocent animals that you are forced to only take with you the choice cuts (you weren't given horses) for the rest of your journey.

Brian:

Another 3 days transpire in travel montoge, but you have enough meat to feed yourself during the last two.

Cerim Potter:

We've come to visit Gorewood. We bear a gift for the scout who would bring us there.

Brian:

In time, more scouts show up, and make a simple request that you follow them.

Brian:

with no further ado, you are brought up to the great church of Nerul, far larger than those that exist in Damriel, a far larger nation.

Brian:

It's early night when you are led in, and they tell you to stay here until a priest can come and decide if you are to be allowed to visit Gorewood.

Brian:

You don't know. Sometimes it seems like they are only barely speaking common

Aaron:

*whispers very subtley* Do you really think this is a good idea?

Cerim Potter: (( I nod and hold out one of the many fine hides we have. ))

Aaron:

Yes, I am good hunter. I can show you good hunting if help us.

Cerim Potter: (( and to learn why the dead are rising in droves across the country ))

Elderly Priest:

We don't make cursed swords. We stay away from evil magic.

Elderly Priest:

Very rare. We ask our priests not to, for it frightens children and ruins the gift.

Elderly Priest:

Most do. There are rebels sometimes. Why do you ask?

Cerim Potter:

Maybe some rebel make these swords and raise dead armies.

Cerim Potter:

We want to find source of evil before more evil happens.

Elderly Priest:

Find these two a place in the scout house. Watch them.

Brian:

they take you to a large, open building that somewhat resembles an inn, with many orcs hanging about. There are cots on the second floor, and they indicate that two are for you, but you may not leave the building.

Brian:

The night passes (I assume you sleep), as does the next day, and you hear no news. Many patrons start to ask you what you are up to here, even as others chastise them for asking.

Cerim Potter: (( I'll humor them and say we're visiting and learning about Gorewood. ))

Brian:

The sleeping rooms of the place are very spartan, and don't include any doors.

Brian:

And you awaken to armed orcs right over your bed attacking you.

Brian:

does the 11 his Cerim's HAC without a shield, given a -4 for being prone?

Brian:

well, you and I both know that you know how to handle being wounded, SyRaX ;)

Brian:

also, just realized you don't have defending weapons a this point. They do a second round of attacks

SyRaX:

does picking up both short sword and parrying dagger cost 2 or 4?

Cerim Potter: (( stand (6) + grap knife and shield (3) + use shield (2) = 11 ))

Brian:

the nat 20 was the roll to hit from the guy around the corner

Brian:

they really should have gone double when they had the chance, and gotten quad attacks off.

SyRaX:

can I do non-lethal damage with a shortsword and what modifiers does that have?

Brian:

No such thing as non-lethal. Getting hit with a piece of metal is always dangerous. You may chose to self-impose a wound penalty if you want though, and trust you won't kill

Brian:

if you look around, they seem to be hiding in place rather than getting involved.

Brian:

if you can get all the way to the bottom right corner then 20ft past the stairs in one move

Brian:

two moves don't need a roll, and it would be pretty useless to try and dash

Cerim Potter: (( Drop defence (-4) + Move x2 (8) + Tackle (6) = 10 ))

Cerim Potter: (( I'm not interested in holding his hand. I want to use my momentum to send him to the ground. ))

Aaron:

*bends down* Listen here, you greenskin son of a bitch! You have exactly 5 seconds to tell us who sent you here or I'll slit your throat right here and now!

Brian:

I'm going to count that as one init from each of the two talkers

Brian:

you furiously stab the floor in an attempt to kill your prisoner

Brian:

we'll just go round by round now, since order doesn't much matter

Brian:

The scout servant tries to do first aid on Aaron, giving him a +2 on his next bleeding check

Cerim Potter: (( I'm gonna shoo him away before he heals the guy that just tried to murder me. ))

Brian:

For the record, a few scouts are in the room, and were sipping on some orcish brew when you poured down the stairs

Cerim Potter:

He'll be fine for a moment. He needs to be restrained first.

Brian:

He looks to the scouts, who storm upstairs without another word

Cerim Potter:

Three orcs walked right past you all and just tried to murder me in my sleep.

Scout Servent:

There are always scouts coming in here to sleep. How do I know you didn't start it?

Cerim Potter:

If I did, then why are their bodies laying by my bedside and why am I still in my nightclothes?

Scout Servent:

I'm checking the scouts' packs for a rope. If I tie him can I heal him?

Brian:

since you have no connection level with Aaron, and are not his leader, his next roll is in an hour

Brian:

Cool. They will definitely get healed before they bleed out all the way.

Brian:

Upon brief disussion, they decide you two should stay here under a proper guard, letting nobody in or out, until word can be sent to the church.

Brian:

Also, I'll leave it up to you guys on if you want to call this a stopping point or carry on.

Brian:

Good news is we can keep a faster cadence now that the party is split again.