In Search of Adventure - #10 The distance between Castle Caldwell and Threshold is roughly 2 hexes away as both castles have enough distance that, technically, Clifton Caldwell could rebuild and turn his castle into a domain seat of at least the baronial level. The party is subjected to three checks per hex, plus three night checks.
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The next day was a short breakfast and another round of bread and water before the prisoners were tied off. After drawing lots, Longinus cursed his luck in having to carry and dump the Misfit and his partner’s chamber pot in the courtyard where the original wolves’ offal was located. Part of him regretted having spared the three, given the added labor, but Longinus was determined to see the matter through. The party started from the top of the plateau where Castle Caldwell was located and the party headed east using the old Halav’s Road that ran through the area. Patches of the road had been lost since the days of the old castle.
Daytime Encounters represent morning, noon (with lunch break), and evening. The results area: 2, 6, 5 - No Encounter
At no point did the party encounter anything significant. There was some wildlife in the distance, but nothing worth being cautious about. The party had lunch at noon, where they also found various bushes to squat at. Topace and Longinus worked to guard and ensure the Misfit, Hiram, and Bobby Lee had access to bread and water along with time to use the bushes, but they were always watched.
Night Encounters: 2, 2, 2
Night time saw little action. Perhaps The Misfit or his compatriots wanted to run or cause trouble, the problem is there was always an eye watching them. Even Tirnol, who at least appeared busy in driving the pony and ensuring the mule was following at a pace that was efficient, but never taxing to the poor beast. Even Tirnol’s ears seemed to crook in the direction of the three. Then there was Topace. The dragonborn was always watching, always narrowing his eyes and flaring the nostrils at the end of his elongated face. He always seemed to grip his sword or draw his breath, preparing to strike down or electrocute the three men.
After a night passes by, the party moves on towards Threshold and another set of Random Encounter checks are made while in patrolled lands: 6, 1 - Encounter: 6 - Centaur
Eventually the party reaches a small copse of trees next to a spring that had yet to be fenced off like some of the other fields the party had passed. It was clear they were getting closer to Threshold Keep and regions that were regularly patrolled. The party paused when the party spotted a figure napping at the glade. His massive equine body gracefully lowered on the ground at rest, while the broad figure of a human male, leaned forward, his eyes closed.
Surprise Check: 6 (Party) / 2 (Centaur)
The centaur opened his eyes as the party’s wagon drew close, he paused for a moment, watching as Longinus made his way to the front of the party with hands raised. The centaur did not shout or touch the bow nearby, instead the man grabbed and blew on a hunting horn that was answered by several more horns. Soon from various directions up to another fifteen centaur closed in on the group.
“What brings you here, travelers?” The centaur asked.
“For now, simple rest by the glade, friend,” Longinus said, “Last I checked no one had a claim to this glade.”
“That is true,” The centaur said.
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Q: Does the centaur recognize Tirnol?
A: 15% ≤ 65% - Yes, the Centaur does recognize Tirnol when the harengon brings the horse and mule to drink.
Quick note - As for encounters, I rolled up 2d8 - Settled Lands and got a 6 (Centaur) - Number Encountered was 16 with a Reaction of 8 - Favorable
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“Tirnol!” The centaur said, surprised when he saw the harengon wipe his hands after getting the animals to drink. The centaur stood up, holding his hand up and giving the nod to several of the centaur present. The centaur relaxed, which signalled that the group could also relax while Tirnol stepped forward and greeted the centaur.
“Vissarion, it’s been awhile,” Tirnol said, “Your herd moving through here I take it?”
“It is, we are about to return to the Hillfollow River, but decided to make one more patrol through this region so that we could give Baron Halaran an update. What are you doing around here?”
“Adventuring,” Tirnol said, “Well, I’m just acting as a guide and we’re taking some suspected brigands to Threshold. You heading that way? Perhaps we could tag along?”
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Q: Are the centaur and the party going in the same direction?
A: 68 > 65 - No, they are actually heading in the foothills near Castle Caldwell as part of their scouting.
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“I’m afraid not, we are heading east to the foothills to be scouting. We will be back by the end of the week. Are you planning to camp here?”
Tirnol looked at Longinus who shook his head and put in, speaking for the first time since Vissarion began speaking, “We plan to push onto Threshold.”
“Then best of luck to all of you. As you noted, Human, we do not own this glade. Feel free to drink from it and eat at your leisure.”
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The party took up the centaur’s hospitality in sharing the glade, which allowed them to eat, drink, and take care of any and all bodily needs with a sense of security breaking some of the tension that had settled on the group. Demelza ate with Longinus and the two briefly discussed the tenets of their faith before settling into a quiet nap next to one another on top of their bedrolls. Fengir and Topace kept up with sentry duty, keeping one eye on the Misfit, who sat quietly with his head lowered, and the other on the Misfit’s compatriots who seemed more openly dejected at their rotten luck. Branwell and Messalina at first ate, then sipped a touch of sacramental spirits that Branwell carried before the two napped on top of a blanket spread and Messalina woke cursing and swiping at a trail of ants crawling up her leg.
Eventually it was time for Vissarion’s herd to move on. Vissarion and a few others walked up to greet Tirnol and wished him well before they pressed east. As for the party, they gathered their gear and got the three prisoners to their feet as they pressed west towards Threshold.
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It is shortly around late afternoon getting to dusk when the party finally reaches the gates of Threshold and are met by the guard. Seeing as the group is escorting three tied up men, the first action was to summon the magistrate, in this case the Baron’s attendant and bailiff, Bailiff Morozov.
Topace did the talking as he gestured to the men, “Due to circumstantial evidence reported by this name who goes by the name Bobby Lee, we believe this is the infamous brigand, Wolfe the Misfit.”
“And does this man have any defense?”
Wolfe raised his head and said, “I believe you men have already made your minds or not about whether or not you lynch me, so I will deny nothing. I am the Misfit,” He gestured to the two men in his company, one was shivering in resignation, the other glared at the Misfit, “These two men and I engaged in brigandage. Bobby Lee in particular took joy in killing.”
“You dirty liar!” Bobby snapped as he tried to jerk his shoulder to free his hand from the binding rope, only for the strong hands of sentries to seize and hold him back, “Who gave us the nod to kill those people?”
“And who was the one who openly bragged about good fun it was to kill?” The Misfit asked gravely. Speaking as a man resigned, and perhaps eager to face the gallows rather than the rack of torture.
“Alright, alright!” Bailiff Morozov said, “We will have these men placed in the dungeons and we will look into this.” He then looked at Topace and said, “We’ll need to look over the letters we’ve received from the Bounty Hunter’s Guild about this. Where can we reach you in the next day or so?”
Topace volunteered the inn’s name as the Gold Dragon Inn, which, naturally, Morozov was aware of, being one of the longest living residents of the Keep.
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