D&D Solo Sessions Part 3
Chat log started at 30.5.2007 / 21:19:55
The sound of a door closing loudly rouses you from your sleep. Looking around you remember that you're in a simple room within the temple of Oghma (and Lathander, at the insistence of Garret Arahnrod the town leader). A small writing desk lies open with several books strewn about, the topics ranging from the history of Oghma to the discovery of ancient arcane artifacts. Your holy symbol and longsword lie by your bed along with the rest of the equipment you carry with you haphazardly arranged underneath. A single door in your room leads to the private quarters of the temple where Sintilya resides and where she keeps the temple's rather diverse collection of knowledge.
Ranja yawns
You can just barely hear the bustle of people outside.
Ranja mutters to herself and rolls over, pulling a blanket over her head.
You fall asleep for a bit longer, eking out what rest you can.
And then you hear a knocking on the door to your room -
Sintilya Foxblood: Hello? Ranja? Are you in there?
Sintilya Foxblood: May I come in?
Ranja sighs.
Ranja sits up and tries to shover her hair into something a little less rumpled.
The door opens a little and a head peeks in -
Sintilya Foxblood: Hello? Oh!
Ranja: Yes?
Sintilya Foxblood: There you are - still sleeping, I see?
Ranja smiles sheepishly.
Ranja: Well, I was.
Sintilya Foxblood chuckles softly.
Sintilya Foxblood: I'm very sorry to bother you, but I'm creating some poultices with what herbs I have left, and found I was missing one that I needed.
Ranja: Oh?
Sintilya Foxblood: While I finish in here, do you mind checking about town and seeing if that shipment I was expecting ever came in?
Contrary to what her name might suggest, Sintilya Foxblood is a kind, reserved individual who serves as the town's herbalist and primary advisor to Garret Arahnrod. She is responsible for keeping records of important happenings in the town, and has been for many years. Her appearance is that of an older half-elf with fair skin and long blue-black hair tied back into a pony tail. Her hazel-green eyes are surrounded by small wrinkles and her mouth is lined by small laugh lines.
Sintilya adventured with Molly Arahnrod many years ago and knows more about the history of the town than anyone else. Sintilya is also responsible for teaching anyone who's interested, particularly reading. She pays respects to Oghma daily, though she's never shown any aptitude for clerical magics. It's said that when she adventured in years past she held mighty arcane energies at her command, but noone has seen anything to suggest that this was true.
Ranja glances at the pile of books.
Ranja: Well, I'd planned on doing some reading today, but I suppose I could spare some time to go get the shipment for you.
Ranja smiles
Sintilya Foxblood: Wonderful, thanks dear!
Ranja: They say fresh air is good for the body, and I could use the time to stretch my legs.
Sintilya Foxblood: You might check with Markham at the Bit of Shade Pavillion - he was supposed to keep an ear open for me.
Ranja nods.
Sintilya Foxblood chuckles.
Sintilya Foxblood: You certainly *could* use a bit more sun!
Sintilya Foxblood: Even I don't spend as much time in here as you do.
Ranja rubs one arm.
Sintilya Foxblood grins.
Ranja: I'm not *that* pale.
Ranja stands up and stretches, lacing her fingers together and stretching them over her head.
Sintilya Foxblood: Not yet, but if you keep at it...
Ranja grins
Sintilya Foxblood: I'll let you get ready. I'll be making some other poultices if you need anything!
Sintilya Foxblood waves cheerily and steps out of your room.
Ranja shuts the door behind her, then quickly stips out of her nightdress and pulls on some fresh clothes.
Ranja glances at the pile of books again, murmurs to herself 'Well, one couldn't hurt.', then picks one off the top of the stack, and, with her nose stuck firmly in it, opens the door with one hand leaves her room.
As you enter the reading room, the smell of parchment assails you and you acknowledge it like an old friend. The library here is quite comprehensive and you've been known to spend hours sitting at one of the desks or plopped down on a cushion just reading through books that caught your interest. You continue through and into the worship area.
The worship area is a round wooden room with a stone altar in the center decorated with two symbols: a silver tome and a golden sun. An enormous window points to the east, letting in the morning sun and through it you can tell it's only a few hours before noon. Several cabinets lie along the side behind a large desk that Sintilya uses while she sits in the temple area.
Ranja maneuvers her way throug the temple, barely looking up from her book.
Stepping outside into the cool air of late fall, you notice that the snow that was around yesterday (you saw it briefly during a break from reading) has now melted, leaving the ground wet and muddy. That hasn't stopped the market from coming to life, though. The square is abustle with farmers and vendors, and even a few merchants from out of town are here. Across the square you can make out the Bit of Shade Pavillion and to the north the Chamber of the Sun.
Ranja smiles and takes a quick break from reading to relish the feel of the cool breeze ruffling her hair.
As you're doing so, someone bumps into you from behind. *Thunk!*
Ranja: Eep!
Ranja whirls around.
Aaron: Oop! Sorries!
Ranja: Oh, hello, there.
Ranja smiles.
Ranja: Good morning, dear.
His red hair always bobbing near his brother, Aaron is much shier than William. While William is always near trouble, Aaron is usually the one *in* trouble. You've become acquainted with the Ruhlin's due to Michael's visits into town for supplies and their kids are almost always underfoot - even in the Temple.
Aaron: Hullo Ranjuh!
Aaron rubs his hand across his face, wiping his nose.
Ranja: Ah, handkerchief? I'm sure I've got one somewhere.
Ranja rummages throug her pockets.
Aaron: Mooorning? I've been up forever!
Ranja blinks and peers up at the sun.
Aaron: My dad made me clean clothes with my mom...
Aaron: 'cause Kate ran off...
Aaron sighs loudly.
Ranja tries to hide a smile.
Aaron: Whatcha readin'?
Aaron stands on his toes to try to see your book.
Ranja shows it to Aaron.
Aaron: Ohhhh...
Aaron furrows his brow, deep in concentration.
Aaron: So... does it got any pictures?
Aaron clearly cannot read the book.
Ranja: It's about the stars. It's got some very interesting diagrams.
Aaron: Ooooooh. I've always *liked* stars...
Ranja flips through the pages, and shows one to Aaron. It's a complete mess of lines and dots.
Ranja: They're pretty.
Aaron furrows his brow, his tongue protruding slightly from his mouth as he tries his best to make sense of the picture.
Ranja: And very interesting, you see.
Ranja babbles for a bit, but trails off at the blank expression on Aaron's face.
Aaron: It's a neat book... but... I think the sky's a bit better.
Aaron nods emphatically.
Ranja nods, but doesn't look entirely convinced.
Aaron looks around as though he's forgotten something.
Aaron: Oh!
Ranja: Oh?
Aaron: Sorry Ranjuh, I've gotta get back! My dad tol' me to get'm some oil while he went inta see Garret, and now that I've got some... I'd better head back!
Aaron reaches into a pocket and pulls out a flask of oil, holding it proudly in the air!
Ranja: Oh, of course. Be safe, dear.
Aaron gives a big grin, his front two teeth missing.
Ranja smiles at Aaron, clearly remembering a scrape or two he'd gotten into.
Aaron waves and scampers off.
Ranja: Now where was I?
Ranja finds her place in the book, and continues off on her mission.
You walk through the crowd, casually avoiding obstacles that try to hinder your literary efforts.
You reach the opposite side of the square and step into the Bit of Shade Pavillion, the local place to eat, drink, and be entertained. More of an open tent than a true building, the Pavillion also serves as a great place to get information.
As you step inside, someone slides a glass of milk to you across a table.
Ranja glances up, startled from her reading, but smiles as she recognizes Markham.
Markham Grintz: Hiya lass! What can I do ya for?
Ranja: Oh, good morning sir.
Markham is the halfling owner of the food and drink stand at the Marketplace. Though not a lot of travelers pass through Sundown, the people get together every day to discuss events, trade goods, and enjoy each other's company. Markham is also responsible for organizing entertainment should any performers pass through the town. Normally he keeps his ear to the ground (made easier by his height, people like to point out), which makes him the go-to guy for the goings on of Sundown.
Markham stands at almost 3' tall with curly black hair. He has an easy smile that makes him a lot of friends, but which also conceals a shrewd business sense that often results in customers spending more than they bargained for. Nonetheless, Markham has always been very fair to everyone and has a reputation for honesty that makes him a boon to the town.
Markham Grintz: Mornin'? Hmm... sorta, I guess.
Ranja blinks and peers up at the sky again, struggling to see the sun through the clouds.
Ranja shrugs.
Ranja: Ah! There was something I was supposed to ask...
Markham Grintz: Oh?
Ranja quietly murmurs 'Oh dear' to herself.
Ranja: Ah, Sintilya asked me to ask you something.
Ranja frowns to herself.
Markham Grintz: Hmm...
Markham Grintz wipes a glass as he ponders the possibilities.
Ranja: Oh yes. She asked me to ask you if there have been any shipments lately. Of herbs or somesuch. For her poultices, you see.
Markham Grintz: Was she... lookin' to...
Markham Grintz: Ohhhh!
Markham Grintz: Right!
Markham Grintz: She'd asked me ta keep an ear t'the ground for her.
Ranja smiles and nods.
Markham Grintz: And, y'know, now that y'mention it...
Markham Grintz: A fella came in last night, one'f the locals, and said that he'd spotted a wagon making camp by the side of the road, maybe... 6 hours north of here by foot.
Campaign saved.
Markham Grintz: Probably they didn't wanna risk getting caught without having made camp, so they hoped t'come in this morning.
Markham Grintz: But... well, it shoulda been here by now I guess.
Ranja nods.
Ranja: I wonder what happened.
Ranja frowns.
Markham Grintz shrugs noncommittally.
Markham Grintz: Though... if y'find out, pass the word on to me! I can always use a good story.
Ranja grins.
Ranja: Of course
Markham Grintz: Unless it's just a slipped wheel or somethin'...
Markham Grintz: That's not much'f a story...
Ranja sighs.
Ranja: I suppose I should go report back to Sintilya. She'll want to know.
Markham Grintz nods.
Markham Grintz: Tell her those merchants she was talkin' to yesterday are still plannin' on leaving early tomorrow, too, will ya?
Ranja: Of course.
Ranja mumbles her new message to herself a few times.
Ranja nods.
Ranja: Good, ah...
Ranja glances up at the sky.
Ranja: Afternoon?
Markham Grintz: See ya later!
Ranja waves.
Markham Grintz picks up the glass of milk he'd slid you and gulps it down as you walk off.
Ranja starts off back to Sintilya's temple.
Sintilya Foxblood is looking through bottles of herbs, trying to find something in one of the cabinets behind her desk.
Sintilya Foxblood: I just... can't... find any!
Sintilya Foxblood sighs loudly.
Ranja: Can't find what?
Sintilya Foxblood: Ah! Any word on the caravan?
Ranja: Hm?
Ranja: Oh!
Sintilya Foxblood turns around and gives a half-smile.
Sintilya Foxblood: The herbs I need... unfortunately, I really need that shipment in if I want to finish these poultices.
Ranja: Oh, yes, there's word that it was seen making camp last night maybe a quarter day's walk off.
Ranja: But no one's heard from it since.
Ranja ponders.
Ranja: Oh, and the people you spoke with yesterday are planning on leaving Sundown tomorrow morning.
Sintilya Foxblood throws her hands up in the air!
Ranja thinks hard, trying to remember if she left anything out.
Sintilya Foxblood: Well, burn a book... I was hoping they'd stay a bit longer.
Sintilya Foxblood frowns.
Ranja blinks.
Sintilya Foxblood taps her fingers on her desk in a frustrated staccato.
Ranja looks rather horrified.
Sintilya Foxblood: The poultices are for them - I'm selling them a set of first aid kits.
Ranja: Burn books?
Sintilya Foxblood looks surprised as she realizes what she'd said.
Sintilya Foxblood: Oh!
Sintilya Foxblood blushes.
Ranja: But... but why?
Ranja clutches her book protectively to her chest.
Sintilya Foxblood: It... it's just something I picked up from an old friend who also served Oghma... I... he...
Sintilya Foxblood looks flustered.
Sintilya Foxblood: I *know* I shouldn't curse... but I hate to break a promise, and the money was going to be so useful!
Ranja frowns.
Ranja: Isn't there someone that can go check on the caravan? To see if those people are alright, and to bring the herbs?
Sintilya Foxblood ponders briefly, her eyes finally settling on Ranja.
Sintilya Foxblood: You know... there was a book we were expecting on that shipment, too...
Ranja looks at Sintilya, her eyes wide.
Sintilya Foxblood: About 50 years old, perhaps a bit more, on the fauna and flora of the area at the time - before the founding of Sundown.
Sintilya Foxblood: I was going to use it to look into those footprints that have been appearing in the forests, to see if I could categorize them.
Ranja: Oh, how exciting that sounds! And so very interesting... You'll let me borrow it, won't you?
Sintilya Foxblood: But... you'd be welcome... oh, yes! Of course you could, dear.
Ranja beams.
Sintilya Foxblood nods, a happy smile crossing her lips.
Ranja: Then someone certainly should go check on the caravan. Such a valuable book in it.
Sintilya Foxblood: If it's not too far out, you could probably make it back today... and if I work through the night, I should have the poultices ready before the merchants leave!
Ranja stares off into space, and you can practically see the gears in her head turning.
Ranja: I suppose I could, at that. If I left right now.
Ranja nods slowly to herself.
Sintilya Foxblood smiles happily.
Sintilya Foxblood: In fact, you can have a book from the library if you'd be so kind as to help me out.
Ranja: Oh, how kind of you!
Ranja launches herself at Sintilya and catches her up in one of her rare hugs.
Sintilya Foxblood: Well, Oghma's clearly given you His blessing - you cl- eep!
Sintilya Foxblood hugs you back.
Ranja: Oh this is so exciting. Like an adventure!
Sintilya Foxblood: Well, hopefully not too much. It should be an easy trip, dear.
Ranja: Of course, of course.
Ranja: But, it's still rather like an adventure, isn't it?
Sintilya Foxblood: Of course.
Ranja smiles.
Sintilya Foxblood: But... it had best be an adventure that starts soon, if you're to make it back by tonight!
Ranja murmurs to herslf, 'Just think, my own adventure! Goodness!'
Sintilya Foxblood hides a smile.
Ranja: Of course! I should go gather some things. I'll need.... Ah, water, and a bit of food.
Ranja ponders.
Ranja: I believe that's all.
Sintilya Foxblood: Oh, of course! Here, take my lunch - I can get something from the Pavillion a bit later.
Ranja accepts the small package.
Ranja: Thank you very much!
You walk out of the north gate of town, sticking to the main road as you travel north.
Ranja turns the final page of her book.
Ranja: Oh bother.
Ranja tucks the book into the package with her food.
As you're contemplating the book you make out the sound of something rustling through some of the foliage to one side. Whatever it is, it sounds small - maybe about the size of a child.
Ranja blinks.
Ranja: Hello?
Ranja peers into the bushes but can't make out any… wait...
Peering through the leaves you make out a small form, about three feet tall, and swaddled in a large green cloak that obscures its features. All you can make out is the dark-green... skin? of its hands, which even then are wrapped in a dirty white cloth.
Ranja stares.
Ranja peers at it curiously.
Ranja: Ah, hello?
The mysterious green-skinned thing starts suddenly and stumbles about, trying to regain its composure.
The mysterious green-skinned thing chitters loudly.
Ranja squeals and jumps a step back at the sudden movement, but curiosity has her inching forward again.
Ranja tries to recall if she'd ever read about anything like this before.
GM: Actually, local knowledge tells you that this *could* be the source of the mysterious footprints about town...
Ranja: Initiative [1d20+1 = 7]
The mysterious green-skinned thing starts flailing its arms at you, and looks like its about to charge at you with its fists, if you don't do something first.
Ranja draws her sling with slightly shaking fingers.
Ranja: Sling (Attack 1) [1d20+1 = 15]
Ranja: Sling damage [1d4 = 4]
With a shaking hand, you load the sling and swing it over your head, releasing the bullet at the creature!
The mysterious green-skinned thing falls backwards at the blow, which pegs it right in the side of the head!
The mysterious green-skinned thing reaches into a pocket and pulls out a rock, which it throws at you as hard as its little arm can throw!
The mysterious green-skinned thing: [1d20 = 10]
The rock flies harmlessly by your side, your previous hit having thrown off the thing's aim!
The mysterious green-skinned thing chitters once more before diving into the surrounding foliage, trying to get away!
Ranja steps forward through the bushes to get a better shot, then prepares to sling another bullet.
The mysterious green-skinned thing: Hide [1d20+6 = 23]
Ranja: Spot [1d20+3 = 16]
Try as you might, you can't figure out where the little beastie has gone.
Ranja scratches her head and peers about her.
Nothing seems out of place, until... you see the hem of the thing's cloak stuck to some bushes nearby.
Ranja moves to the bush and picks up the cloak, inspecting it closely.
The first thing you notice is that it smells *terrible*. Aside from that, you notice a few dried... scales maybe?... that are stuck to the inside and a pocket full of rocks.
Ranja wrinkles her nose, but peers closely at the scales.
They're tinged with green, but otherwise aren't particularly remarkable as far as you can tell.
Ranja drops the cloak by the side of the road, intending to take it back with her for further inspection on her way back to Sundown.
After trekking along the road for a few more hours, you finally (because without a book, it's slow going!) spot a wagon to the side... but...
An overturned wooden wagon lies among the trees, its wheels pointed to the sky. The bodies of several humans lie in the dirt surrounding the wagon. None of them appear to be moving even in the slightest, and you notice some have long shafts sticking out of their bodies.
Ranja: Oh, mercy...
Ranja moves from body to body, checking hopelessly for signs of life.
Camilo: Can you do... Healing, Spot, and Listen?
Ranja: Heal [1d20+3 = 14]
Ranja: Spot [1d12+3 = 10]
Ranja: Listen [1d20+3 = 4]
The bodies don't show any signs of life, and appear to have been dead for several hours at least, possibly more.
The bodies which lie scattered around the wagon are gruesome. The wounds on most of the bodies appear to be clean and precise, though a few seem to have had bites taken out of them as well. A few of the corpses still have javelins lodged inside them, their tips probably lodged in bone.
Ranja frowns and glances at the wagon, clearly torn between searching the wagon for what she came for and then running for help, or leaving right this second.
Ranja glances at the bodies, then edges toward the wagon.
Ranja: Ah, hello? Is anyone in there?
From above you can't really make much out - if any of the cargo is left, it would be... underneath...
Ranja: Listen [1d20+3 = 18]
You can just make out a soft flapping sound coming from underneath the cart.
Ranja edges the tiniest bit closer.
Ranja: Hello? Is someone stuck under there? Are you alright?
You hear....
Nothing.
Ranja swallows hard and glances at the bodies again.
Ranja: Please, if you're trapped I can try to help. Can you hear me?
The wind picks up, blowing your hair about a bit, and rustling the grass... but still no response.
Ranja stares hard at the wagon.
Ranja holds her breath, then slowly eases herself to her knees, ducks down and peers beneath the toppled wagon.
You just make out the corner of several boxes and... maybe... yes... a book! But, too...
Kneeling on the wet grass, you duck your head and look underneath the cart. You don't see anything unusual, jus... and as you're thinking that three bat-like forms fly out from the shadows. As you leap back, you notice the nasty creatures seem to be a cross between bats and mosquitoes. Each has membranous bat wings, a short furry body, eight-jointed legs that end in sharp pincers, and a needle-like proboscis.
Ranja screams!
END SESSION