Game Thread Heart of Darkness (Part II)

Mindsiege · #1 Jan 28th, 2022, 04:58 PM

Freetime

When Boanagh returned to take care of Alysha, the darkling elder had finally done away with the traveling garb that had served him as his cover against the light that would have poisoned his body. His leather armor was now visible and his silver mask was most likely stored away for now. Some of the smaller darklings followed him as they began trying to treat Alysha as best they could, and for a few hours there was nothing else for Kosev and Jimmy to do but wait. "You have freedom to roam the camp. By now nobody will be surprised to see you." As the two male adventurers left the guest quarters behind, to this point none of the smaller darklings had even talked to them. It was likely to assume that there was some kind of tension in the air, but lost in the underground world of a different culture, Kosev and Jimmy found themselves oddly isolated.

While the adventurers had now some involuntary free time on their hands, they went mostly undisturbed when they had the time and space to roam around the large dome and the strewn about darkling camp. They didn't catch more than glances from the local population, but it didn't appear to the adventurers that they were outright hated. Just that there was a measure of careful respect that seemed to ward the adventurers from any real welcome as they stayed unapproached. There were various sights to see about how the darklings lived far differently than a human-centric city, but as foreign as their style of life seemed to be they still were similar enough to be recognizable at first glance. Down under the earth didn't seem to reign much haste, and in the darkness of this realm, the darklings seemed to have much space to go about all things at their own pace. Through mere observation, it was clear that this outpost was a border camp and many things that were lying around seemed not of sylvan make. Their spanned tarps seemed to signify something like stations, or maybe a replacement of sectioned homes, but much of the darkling life seemed to happen outside of cramped caves or isolated homes, and many things happened open to the vastness of the dome and without any walls. But that was just the majority of the campsite, and Kosev and Jimmy had already spotted that there were still enough caverns and even a few other isolated areas around that could provide some privacy if needed. Just that a lot of life still happened out in the open and it wasn't clear if any of the darklings had any fixed homes to call their own. After a bit of observation, it seemed unlikely.

purplerook · #2 Jan 28th, 2022, 08:04 PM

Kosev Kulenov, Human Fighter/Wizard

Kosev was not Wis 11, Cha 10the best with people. He was a warrior and wizard. Additionally, the Darklings seemed little inclined to interact with the War Wizard. Kosev would have closeted himself in the library studying up for the next expedition back in Westhaven. Here Kosev had spent some time in careful investigation of the Darkling village. "This village is different from human villages. These differences are environmental due to being underground and away from the elements and cultural differences. The Fae, a different race, and to be cursed as a race."

At last, Kosev decided that contemplation of the Darkling race and their village would net him little. "Already we have come close to death. Each encounter pointed out a weakness.
Mulcock - we were distracted by threats on both sides
The Dryads - betrayal by an ally
The Yeth Hounds - the lack of magical weapons
The Hobgoblin - the futility of attempting to negotiate with an enemy
The Derecho - being pinned by an enemy with superior mobility
The Bats - that I am not stealthy
Alyssa - is suffering from some mysterious disease. With her ill, we have lost anyone who can heal."

Kosev murmured telepathically to his familiar, "Keep a close watch, Scout. As they say, 'just because you are paranoid doesn't mean the world is not out to get you. Something already stalks the Darklings picking them off two by two. Whatever this evil force, if it is intelligent, it will come looking for Jimmy and me."

secretID · #3 Jan 31st, 2022, 11:57 AM

Jimmy found himself useless to Alysha’s treatment, and Kosev seemed to want to be alone, so the half-elf decided to pass the time wandering around the settlement and meeting some of the other darklings. Finally warm and dry, Jimmy was slowly regaining his usual interest in chit-chat, but he was also interested in reviewing with the common darklings some of what Boanagh had told him and Kosev. It wasn’t that he doubted Boanagh’s sincerity, but these other darklings might have had some different, direct experiences, and of course things may have changed while Boanagh was abroad.

For one thing, these darklings were gathered together in a large group, but Boanagh had said that his people were dispersed throughout the caverns. Were there still many out in smaller groups? Was this gathering temporary, perhaps a response to the crisis, or had Jimmy misunderstood the typical living situation?

And if this gathering was a response…why? During the journey here, Jimmy had repeatedly puzzled over the strangest aspect of the phenomenon: only small groups of darklings, not sole individuals, had disappeared. Strange as it might seem, the logical response would be to split up. Had Boanagh really been correct about this strange clue?

Mindsiege · #4 Feb 3rd, 2022, 07:19 PM

Sojourn in the Dark

There was a sense of foreboding in the dark atmosphere of the underrealm, the location of some mysterious deaths, and after the last few days had taken their toll on Kosev, the war wizard wasn't even thinking about relaxing. Jimmy quickly realized that at least the human noble needed some time alone after the necessity of protection along their journey had kept the adventurers perched together the last few days. Both of the two men had mastered conjured being into their service so if worst came to worst they could always have a second pair of eyes looking over their shoulders and having their backs. There hadn't seemed anything further to be done for Alysha, so each on their own the two adventurers started to familiarize themselves with this darkling outpost. While Kosev's brooding and prospering paranoia were letting him keep some distance from the underrealm's inhabitants he did not only stay idle. As he made his rounds around the camp, Kosev kept himself vigilant to look for any hidden menace and also kept investigating what he could see and learn about this strange new culture of which he had only heard from books and hearsay. Jimmy on the other hand decided not to only keep to himself. The half-elven Hexblade had regained a bit of spirit now that he was back out of the wilderness and at least somewhere akin to civilization, and so he used his conversational talents to approach the darklings which he found spread and active across the outpost. When Jimmy addressed the first small, grey sylvans in the same elven tongue that he had spoken with Boanagh the whole time, he wasn't disappointed that he was indeed understood and most of the darklings he addressed could reply to him in good elvish. The particular group of darklings that the warlock had approached first seemed still nervous around the noticeably taller foreigner, but with a few quips Jimmy managed to break the ice and they greeted him in a withheld manner. And so Jimmy began his own investigating of the outpost, for him on a social level.

Boanagh had always seemed to act forthcoming in providing the adventurers with all the information he knew, but Jimmy understood well that every living being had their own perspective, and the more positions you heard the better you could understand the whole picture. While trying to keep the conversation casual in the beginning, Jimmy was able to confirm the majority of what Boanagh had told him about the colony as true, and although this outpost was one of the bigger ones among the Dubh Catha, the whole darkling population was indeed spread out across a large cave system under their domain and many more campsites within them. The colony as a whole was counted as settled area, but a large majority of the space was not housed or even supervised in any sense. The outposts on the borders of the colony ensured that the population of creatures inside the colony were controlled existences and the colony at large was considered safe enough that the darklings let their younglings roam free within the domain, though typical still not too far from the group that their parents were with. The living situation inside the colony was for the most part flexible and anybody went wherever they pleased, but usually this still meant that the dubh sidhe would naturally drift to areas of interest, mainly the border outposts, the silver mines, the mushroom farms or the cave spider habitats. Travel between campsites through the system had never been a worry, but Jimmy quickly realized from the dour mood that this was no longer the case. And he also noticed quickly that the darklings knew exactly why he was here, though they didn't raise the topic themselves.

Eventually though, even when the darklings didn't seem entirely comfortable, Jimmy drifted the conversation to the strange deaths that had started plaguing the colony before Boanagh had even left the colony to recruit adventurers in Westhaven. And although the topology of the colony made news travel slower and nobody was informed of everything going on at all times, there was a clear understanding that the process had not stopped since the darkling elder had donned his silver mask and braved the West Marches. Though at this time it was at least a few days since the last confirmed death, the subject was clearly not easily discussed in this group, so Jimmy left it at that. Still, there had been something bugging Jimmy for the whole duration of his journey, so through gentle prodding, he finally inquired with the crooked dubh sidhe what they knew about the eccentric pattern of how the deaths had happened. And though it took him quite a bit of ingenious coaxing and asking multiple people to get there, Jimmy eventually learned to reevaluate Boanagh's strange tidbit from the context of his new understanding about the colony. The victims of whatever was occurring in the underrealm had at all times been groups, but to be exact always entire campsites or families within the heart of the colony. Lone travelers had not appeared targeted, though some might have gone missing, the darklings weren't sure. But most interestingly it had always taken groups that had been known to have gathered in different places across the cave system, but usually those that had been there for a while. Migrating across the colony was commonplace among the darklings, but roaming bands of dubh sidhe had not been attacked, only camps that had been static for a while. Considering the large number of camps across the colony where nobody really knew who was doing what except for in the most obvious places, there had been no rhyme or reason which groups had been claimed. Most notably though, non of the border outposts had been hit and in the time of Boanagh's and the parties journey, more darklings had thus made their way to gather in those bigger outposts, though with how difficult it was to spread information about the colony the call would still not have reached everybody yet. That was something the elders were coordinating still. Either way, against something that seemed to kill only inside the heart of the colony, rather than splitting up, the darklings were unanimous that banding up around the elders was the best way to remain safe. It was difficult to confirm, but just because there were no reported lone stragglers that had been lost somewhere in the cave system, nobody was going to take that as an indication that being alone was safe at all. And rumors and fears spoke more towards the opposite.

Jimmy also learned in a roundabout way that most of the darklings indeed hoped that his party of outsider adventurers could solve the mystery behind the deaths, though given the circumstances and that Westhaven was unknown to most, doubt, mistrust and skepticism was also on most minds when they looked at Jimmy's group. For a while the warlock assumed that the insular dubh sidhe might just be a people that were intrinsically mistrustful against non-fae races inside the West Marches, but when Jimmy made the right off-handed comment to the right chatty darkling, he was told that this was not it. Or at least not everything. For the first time Jimmy got explained that Boanagh had left the colony before any unity among the elders had been reached, and while Jimmy had not been talking to any elders all the while, it was clear that the promise of all the silver that he had made to the adventurers that had brought him back here was now well known by every darkling and the mouthy fae that was telling Jimmy this let shine through that the whole matter was now a topic of contention and possibly something that bred conflict within the colony. Their silver was coveted for many different reasons, and the Clan Dubh Catha seemed to have a closer relationship to the metal than merely viewing it as a trading tool. But when Jimmy asked about it he didn't get a clear answer about it, it didn't seem a religious practice in nature and more of a cultural thing. And that's where that conversation ended because someone spotted the darkling talking to Jimmy on his own, making him bolt off before he could be recognized. To Jimmy it was now clear, although the help that his party was offering was appreciated by a plague-stricken people, but in some way or form, Boanagh had stepped out of line when he had brought his quest to Westhaven. And it was likely a bit sensitive from the darklings' perspective.

In the end, each by themselves had spent a few hours roaming the darkling outpost, but eventually both Kosev and Jimmy got notice from darkling messengers after which they all met Boanagh near the underground lake that Kosev had already found during his brooding paces across the dome. The darkling elder reported to the two adventurers that Alysha was now stable, but with how inexplicably fierce the fever had taken her, she still needed much care and was not yet responsive. In her half-awake state she had mumbled something about the spirit toad, and how the long arduous journey to get here had taken her magic to heal herself of the illness, and with just the means that Boanagh had to himself he didn't know how to help her better. The darkling elder had concluded that Alysha wasn't contagious, but to give her more rest he suggested that Kosev and Jimmy should switch to another guest cave for the time being. As an elder, he would leave his darkling brethren that he trusted to guard the elven shaman's condition and also to leave someone with her who could at least call upon him or another elder at any time. Boanagh looked slightly exhausted as his body still remembered all the marching of the past days, but in lieu of Kosev's dented plate armour he had gathered the adventurers here by the barely flowing water. The lake came from a spring which had created a pool of water that seemed to escape into an underground river, and Boanagh took the time to explain that this was one of the places where his clan would work their silver, also stressing that it was the main specialty that his clan used to trade with outsiders. Since the dubh sidhe couldn't withstand the light, the colony was bereft of any light sources or open fire, but Boanagh quickly explained to Kosev that his cause of repairing the plate armour wasn't hopeless. Behind the pool was a small cave complex that was heavily veiled by the same dark fabrics that Boanagh's sunscreen had been made from, and there Kosev was shown furnaces that had been supplied for guests that had come to work with the silver in the past. "Use these facilities freely, Ser Kosev. I will find the materials to provide your work so that you can rearm yourself." After the briefest moment of hesitation he concluded. "After meeting the yeths at the Heart Tree, we should prepare to meet them again. In our colony, we've silvered many of our weapons, or at least those of the elders. If you tell me what you'll need, I think I might be able to arm you thusly as well."

purplerook · #5 Feb 5th, 2022, 03:06 PM

Kosev Kulenov, Human Fighter/Wizard

The sight of the forging material shook Kosev out of his lethargy. Perhaps it was something familiar amongst the strangeness of the West Marches, or maybe it was the realization that they were about to be plunged into a fight with unknown forces.

Pavel sighed and looked at Boanagh and Jimmy, "It's not enough. We only have the vaguest idea of what we face. The Yeth hounds might be a part of it, but they are not attacking. The attacks are happening within the Central portion of the Darklings domain."

"Right now, all we know of the enemy is what they have attacked. We need to look at these attacks - a timeline in which they occurred, location, the number slain in each attack. Are we sure that everyone dies, or perhaps some were spirited away? What else might be missing from the scene of the attack - on the Darkling's person or at the location. Could this attack have come from below - deeper in the Earth? Could this attack be from another plane, Perhaps creatures traveling on the Etherial or Astral planes?"

"For now, I need to focus on repairing my armor and crafting a weapon that will be effective against the Yeth Hounds. However, I need you two to gather as much information as possible on the attacks. As well, ask people what has changed since the attacks began - it could, on the surface, appear unrelated."

Kosev turned to the forge. First, he needed to repair his plate. It had been invaluable in combat so far. Then Kosev took some silver from the Darklings and began coating his longsword with the silver.

secretID · #6 Feb 5th, 2022, 06:26 PM

"Yeah...right," agreed Jimmy, and turned to Boanagh. "I woulda thought that with all this goin' on, you elders and whatnot woulda...I dunno - done some kinda study or somethin'. Maybe that ain't your style? Do you akchully know who is missin', an' who's not? Whaddabout just how many are missin'?"

Jimmy rubbed his chin. "How 'bout a map a' this place - got one a' those? Or can we make one? Then maybe figger out who disappeared from where. I guess that might take some, ah, interviews, but it's seems like an important start."

Kosev's reference to the hounds reminded Jimmy of something. "Y'know," he said, "we never saw that hound - or hounds - that Loch said was followin' us here." He looked toward the cave entrance. "I guess they won't be comin' inta here," he opined. "If only - it would be an easy fight."

Mindsiege · #7 Feb 16th, 2022, 11:31 PM

The War Council

There was a mixture of feelings on the darkling elder's face, but as the two adventurers explained their view to Boanagh he furrowed his brows until he had let them say their piece. He then tried to be helpful as always but his tone was slightly dejected. "A timeline you say? Do the numbers of my fallen brethren truly matter? Yes, I've known some of them personally and I'm sure we can make something like a science out of this, but I thought I had already shared what matters of interest appeared to me and the other elders before my departure." The grey-skinned fey's features were undoubtedly noble and sylvan, but the travel to Westhaven and back combined with the constant worry that he carried with him had left him slightly harrowed. Still, he regathered his composure and then tried to reply as earnestly as possible. "As you know I have been gone from the caverns for quite some time and so possibly some of my knowledge is outdated. I'm sure if the precision you are asking for can yield us any results, the knowledge should in some manner be spread about my people. If I understand correctly you will need some more time to replenish magic and equipment, so if you'll help me organize how we might go about interviewing everybody, we might fill some of the gaps." From his expression it was clear that he didn't truly believe in the method, but he seemed determined to leave no stone unturned. "I also figure that we'll be able to create a semblance of a map, but here is what I had assumed as true so far. Whatever is happening at the Heart Tree might be connected to our plague, as the happenings have started about the same time as the deaths inside the heart of the colony. No survivors or missing dubh sidhe are known; they all burned up when their life was taken. We didn't have any means to truly determine the cause because of our Dubh Catha curse there were no bodies left. The burn marks of our corpses are clear enough evidence though. I know of no looting, and there are no known passages out of the colony that aren't blocked by our border outposts. I only know of the feywilds and the shadowfell, but the ethereal or astral plane are new to me. If there is evidence of attacks coming from there, I don't know what evidence I'd be looking for."

Together with Boanagh the adventurers discussed a few more logistical matters of their forced rest at this outpost, and while Kosev hoped to get to smithing as quickly as possible, assuming his craft had to be adjourned when Boanagh received a message from one of the smaller darklings that there were other elders that had gathered without his knowledge and were now expecting him and the adventurers to join in their council. A small look of worry passed over the elder's face, but then he nodded firmly and officially invited Kosev and Jimmy. "The other elders might have more answers than I. And maybe their answers would even differ. Come, we will settle our further plannings later. I just hope that we will be able to set out as soon as possible." Under Boanagh's lead the trio of men left the subterranean lake behind and walked to a more central location within the dome, an unassuming cave entrance that the adventurers had simply walked past before. The inside of the cave was spacious and left room for far more people than the guest housings that they had slept in, yet when they descended into the grotto there was just a group of six lean and tall sylvans that appeared evidently of the same stature as Boanagh. Including their guide and quest-giver, it were two female and five male darklings, and as Jimmy and Kosev joined their open circle without any seats or tables, their expressions ranged from hopeful to doubtful, but disconcertingly even unveiled anger on one of the males. Boanagh swiftly introduced Kosev and Jimmy, but afterwards he was quickly interrupted before he could introduce the other elders.

"So it is that you've managed a safe journey at least, Boanagh. I suppose that means we heed your hired aids welcome then, strangers." One of the male elders who was wearing thick robes gave a respectful nod to both Kosev and Jimmy as he addressed them in elvish. "We've already discussed the matter of paying these foreigners in the amount of silver that you offered them amongst ourselves before you arrived here, and it will relieve you that there was a small majority and we're going to proceed with your wilfulness as you have started it." The other elder had spoken to Boanagh directly and nobody else interrupted though the same mixture of feelings was still present while Boanagh kept himself neutral. Then the robed elder addressed the adventurers again. "My name is Airleas, and so we've accepted your help in this dark matter. We are grateful that you've already risked your lives and are still willing to do so, and so we will extend you all the courtesy that's usually reserved for all friends of the fae." Something about his statement suggested that this circle of friendship didn't include Kosev and Jimmy, yet he continued without pausing or explaining this. "We've also heard of your elven companion that has fallen sick, and as you fight for our sake we will do our utmost as she is in our care." He gestured over to one of the females that had a mostly hopeful expression and was already standing up. "Eaon will use all that she knows about medicine to ease the elf's suffering and combat what ill has befallen her. You may know her safe at this outpost, though eventually we might send her to the border in the south as we presume that you'll be leaving the colony in that direction." His words had an undertone of 'if you're going to leave, that is'.

The one addressed as Eaon seemed to have only waited for her introduction before she excused herself with a few welcoming words and then rushed away to find her new patient. Airleas seemed to not be of a particular higher position than everybody else, because after Eaon was gone another more cynical-looking darkling raised his word without a cue. "We let this matter with freely spending our silver be bygones for the sake of stopping whatever plights our people. Boanagh, you were gone and so you might hear this for the first time, but we've determined that there hasn't been an incident during the last few days. Or if there was, we haven't yet learned of it. By now many families or groups have heard of the happenings, yet everything moves slow and not everybody has reached the outposts. Or so we assume." He clicked his tongue and continued with furrowed brows. "There is no unity about anything of this having anything to do with the dryad enclave, in fact, it's quite a while that we've heard of them. They did let us know that they are as of yet unharmed, so even if we welcome your guests, there is no majority on your side in this, Boanagh." There was reproach in the other elders voice, and then the angry-looking darkling finally burst out. "A matter that we need to understand ourselves first, and here you are and shift the burden of your duty onto greedy sellswords!" He spit on the floor in the direction of Kosev, but quickly shut up as he earned unwelcome looks from the other elders. And then the last remaining female spoke. She wore a smile but as she regarded the adventurers it wasn't entirely friendly although she was by common standards pretty. "Whatever threats we still don't know to find out there, you adventurers will not remain here at the outpost. You need rest after exhausting yourself at the scenic route, yes? If so, do let us know how we can enable you the quickest to dispatch now that you're due the gifts of our colony."

It was at those words that Boanagh finally interjected himself. "If you haven't heard it yet, we were forced to choose another entrance. The Heart Tree is besieged by so-called yeth hounds and they are murderous dark fey that were too many to breach past. So yes, while we want to keep recuperation to a minimum, it has been made a necessity by whatever evil has found its way into this corner of the West Marches." Now the adventurer's hirer was the one to furrow his brows again. "As it stands, I think we have not been introduced. What's your name, elder?" And just when the female returned Boanagh a challenging look, Airleas interrupted and explained instead. "Glynn has joined our ranks around the time that you've left us, Boanagh. She dared the ritual because of the obvious need for stronger hearts and stronger bodies in these trying times. She will do well though to keep any animosity at bay." Glynn straightened up at the rebuke keeping her features neutral as she looked away from Boanagh and back to the adventurers. Then yet another of the elders spoke. "I hope that you've been explained everything about your quest by Boanagh. He was one of the first to be best informed. I am saddened to inform you that we are none the wiser about why our brethren died. Or when there will be more deaths. For now we've called to evacuate to the border outposts and reinforced those camps that we desperately need to sustain ourselves in the future. There are still no witnesses and no pattern of attacks, if that's what's been happening. Our infrastructure or what little we have of it is yet intact, although we might receive news at any moments that make my words lies." He coughed and then looked at the adventurers more firmly. "What is your wisdom for moving forward? If our minds hadn't been bested by the circumstances, we'd not have entertained your involvement as Boanagh has contrived it.Yet now you are at our behest to help us in this hour of need. Through your magic or skills, what is your council on how we can identify and stop this threat?"

GM instructionsI had fun delivering a bit more narrative about the cast of darkling elders, but unless you have particular points that you want to have IC responses to we can move over the bigger points of what you want to do with your time and how to approach your quest from this point on in more of a summary style. Boanagh and the other elders have an idea how they would let you proceed if you have no idea yourself, but I'd rather leave this steered by the adventurers. So in this case Jimmy.

In particular anything forensic doesn't need to be inquired directly from the elders in this scene. We'll see how far into detail we'll be able to go with that approach because the darkling population should certainly know more details than I've shared yet, but I also don't want to decide what of it is important or not. The overarching theme is that they weren't able to see a clear pattern. And I'm sure if I go to the effort of creating a timeline and including exact numbers of deaths and incidents, you're unlikely to see a pattern either. For that particular question, the darklings should be able to spot any pattern better than foreigners and I'll reveal that it's also not a player puzzle. So the interviews will be able to gather the exact details that I might narratively just gloss over, yet the method or motive are not to be found by analyzing hearsay, unless you figure out to ask about something that I'm not thinking about currently.

You can figure that Kosev is still part of this scene as an NPC, but although his character would probably have a lot of input I'll leave deciding on how to proceed in player hand.

Adventure Doc: here
Rolls: here

Initiative

Character

AC

HP

Status

Action

Position

Character	AC	HP	PP	PI	Movement	Conditions	Resources
Jimmy	17/15	34/43	14	15	30'	-	Hexblade's Curse 0/1; Favored by the Gods 1/1; Spells I. 0/2 II. 0/2; Short rests 0/2; HD 0/4 1/1
Kosev	21/19	22/30	12	16	30'	Active Darkvision spell, Inspiration	Arcane Recovery 0/1; Second Wind 0/1; Spells I. 2/4 II. 0/2; Short rests 1/2; HD 1/1 3/3
Boanagh	15	16/32	16	10	30'	-	Darkness 0/1; Short rests 0/2; HD 4/5
Scout	11	1/1	13	6	5' / 60' (fly)	-	-
Tink	13	10/10	11	10	20' / 40' (fly)	-	Short rests 2/2; HD 3/3

secretID · #8 Feb 23rd, 2022, 06:13 PM

Jimmy looked around at the expectant darkling faces with some visible discomfort. Then he cleared his throat. "Ahright," he began. "Yeah, just...ah...leave it to us experts. Lessee what we got here. You don't know who's attackin'...assumin' it's an attack. You don't know how they're attackin', though it sure doesn't seem like they're comin' in straight across your borders. You don't know nothin', really, 'cept they like ta hit the smaller, interior camps.

"Seems t'me you only got a few choices here. We can go back inta the Heart Tree, maybe with a little more muscle, try an see if that's where your problem's comin' from. That's a lotta work, basically on a hunch. Maybe you're better off tryna talk to Big Daddy Tree; maybe you can get somethin' more useful out him. Personally, I'm done with that guy.

"You could just wait an' see. That's not the worst idea, now that you've gone to the mattresses, so things are probably a little safer for ya. But who knows how long that's gonna take? I don't know 'bout your lifestyle an' all that - I ain't no anthropologist - but from what I hear you guys prefer ta spread yourselves out a bit more than this.

"So that brings me ta the third option," Jimmy said. "We set up in one a’ these small camps that are still out there. Hopefully, only one. Or if there ain’t one, we make one.” Jimmy considered his idea a little further. “You’re gonna wanna way ta get the, uh, civilians outta there quick – leave things to us professionals.”

Mindsiege · #9 Mar 2nd, 2022, 04:46 PM

Plans and Plotting

The elders woefully nodded at Jimmy's summary of the current progression of events within the colony, but when he mentioned the Heart Tree one of the elders couldn't withhold commentary. "You're well to call it a mere hunch. Even if we don't comprehend what issues the enclave faces at the same time as us, there's no indication that it bears any relation to our own plight." And then the angriest sylvan added on top. "In fact, these friends of ours would never mobilize if we were to ask of them what you are proposing, cousin." The general animosity his stance accompanied was clear to everybody in the cavern. "For such reasons, we've not even bothered to appeal to them for aid, nor should we have done so for you!" The last comment earned a row of silence from the other elders, yet though none of the elders openly reproached the last speaker, Jimmy could at least feel that this opinion had no consensus. "Proceed. " Airleas offered the word back to the warlock with an encouraging gesture.

Listening to Jimmy's further assessment, there was another row of nods which validated his perception that the dubh sidhe generally spread out rather than assembled. The proposed method to wait and see didn't seem entirely welcome, because for a lack of other options it had been the prominent pattern since the first deaths had come to light. Accordingly, the group of darkling elders perked up when Jimmy offered that he could see a third option for them to move forward. There were one or two doubtful looks when the half-elf explained that he planned to present himself as bait, yet no initial disagreement. Boanagh first among the elders was interested to learn more of this venture. "Hmm, there are indeed a few ways we could go about this. Truthfully, if we knew of groups that had a specific location, I'd assume that we would have already warned them to move to safety in the outposts." He looked to the other elders which earned him some nods before he continued. "We've not established how the attacks happen and how we could bring the threat to us, but since time has already progressed and the frequency of incidents lowered I think we stand a good chance to draw attention." He visibly contemplated the idea before offering more advice, then looked back at Jimmy. "Obviously, I'd volunteer to undertake the venture to create a campsite deep in the colony together with you and Kosev. I'm sure we'll be able to find a map and determine a suitable location. Either a well defendable position, or maybe we'll visit one of the locations that had been attacked?" The elder that had spoken last during the introduction raised his brow at the suggestion. "Nobody has reclaimed one of the sites where deaths had happened. We have no way to tell if a revisitation could happen, or if what is occurring only targets our clan. Maybe outsiders would be avoided intentionally." Having raised the concern, the elders turned back to look at Jimmy and Kosev. The half-elf warlock felt himself pushed in the spotlight again as he realized that his human companion was still as broody as he had been before they arrived here and kept himself unusually quiet.

secretID · #10 Mar 6th, 2022, 05:36 PM

“Yeah, them tree people,” Jimmy commiserated, “can be real frustratin’. But they do have their good qualities.” The half-elf seemed briefly lost in reverie.

“Anyways,” he continued, “looks like we got a plan. Or part a’ one. We just need ta pick a spot?

“I like the sound a’ ‘defensible,’” said Jimmy. “So that map is a good idea. Maybe a single tunnel spot – only two approaches, but without us being trapped?

“I dunno ‘bout using a spot that’s already been hit. Maybe these guys are lookin’ for something? – so they wouldn’t go to the same place twice? How ‘bout a camp that was just left behind recently? You could just ask around ta some a’ these refugees.”

Mindsiege · #11 Mar 12th, 2022, 04:42 PM

Strategy

While Jimmy proceeded to lead the conversation with the council of darkling elders, Kosev curiously kept his opinion to himself. His silence was taken as assent and after Jimmy had offered his best course of action, the gathering fell into a few more back and forth talk about how to best realize the excursion. "To learn of the recent movements of abandoned campsites, we'll have to confer with those of our brethren who are aware of them. I recall that it shall take you adventurers some time to restore your magic and equipment and I as well would prefer to rest a day or two. But no longer, I do not trust the current peace even a little. Too many have died already." Boanagh took a firm stance that was not different from how he had led the quest since the beginning and the other elders didn't seem to have any open disagreements. "If that is what it will be, this attempt will stay under your supervision Boanagh. Seeing as we don't need the presence of all the elders that have come to your arrival this quickly, I will make my way back into the eastern segments. We still assume that there are those who haven't evacuated, so my time in this circle is wasted. Farewell." And with that the most antagonistic elder of the group rose to his feet and left the cavern in a strut. Airleas let out a sigh, and then explained to Jimmy. "I do not need you to excuse Darce's behaviour. He is not keen on outsiders to our clan, but his opinion will not sway us from accepting your help in return for the agreed payment." The remaining elders seemed to be conform with this viewpoint, and after a pause Airleas continued. "Very well. Assuming that our brother Boanagh will stay with you to guide you and that we'll acquire you a map and the required information to choose a location for your plan, what else do you need from our kind in preparation for this challenge?"

secretID · #12 Mar 20th, 2022, 04:18 PM

OOCI think we left it that I'm not leveling him up, so the rest will just get him HD and spell slots, etc. He'll buy a few more sets of Find Familiar components, and 4 bags of flour, too.

Jimmy watched Darce stalk off, but not idly. Tail that one, he telepathically told Tinkerbell. He’s prob’ly just grumpy, but let’s not skip the obvious. You don’t wanna be caught, but risk it if you hafta to eavesdrop. You got this, buddy.

“Yeah – uh…gear,” responded Jimmy, conscious that others were now watching him stare at the empty entranceway. “A map, for sure. We shouldn’t need any shelter, or…wait – I guess you don’t even use shelters. But whatever this-n-that we need to make the place look occupied an’ normal an’ all that.” Jimmy snapped his fingers. “Some a’ your normal clothes, that’ll help. ‘Specially for you, double-K,” he said to the somewhat garishly garbed noble.

“While I’m here,” Jimmy added at the end, “you have any traders? I might be interested in a local souvenier.”

Mindsiege · #13 Mar 30th, 2022, 09:17 PM

A Long Rest

Tink left to follow Darce, grumbling mentally about being the one to risk his neck, but in the end he was a dutiful familiar and thus he flew invisibly as he was instructed. It didn't take long for him to fly out of his master's telepathic range, but unfortunately he missed the timing to make a last report of where he was leaving to because he lacked a visual of Jimmy to accurately judge the distance. Losing the mental connection just as he was talking to his present company, the half-elven adventurer stayed behind together with Kosev as he did a little bit more logistical planning for the excursion into the heart of the colony that now was before him. When he suggested to the human noble that they were to dress as the darkling elders, Kosev gave him a bit of a dark look and then spoke in a distant manner. "No thank you. I will rather stay within my plate armor." Seemingly in disregard that he had proposed for Jimmy to lead the party before, instead of awaiting a reply he merely stood up, the dented metal around his body making a loud creek as if to accentuate his point. "Then. Are we finished? I will be going... to fix my armor as soon as possible." And just as soon as the gathering with the elders that had come together in this outpost concluded, Jimmy and Kosev split up, each going about their business which for a large part included finally taking the time of rest that they required after the arduous journey which had led them here into a colony of fey beings who desperately needed their help, even as nobody knew what exactly what they needed saving from.

As Jimmy spent his time sojourning inside this darkling outpost, he realized eventually that there weren't any fixed sleep circles which the dubh sidhe followed, which threw a bit of a wrench into his plan to resummon Tink as soon as everyone slept. Still, after reaching a time when he felt tired himself, Jimmy secluded himself in the guest quarters that he was now solely sharing with Kosev, where he felt that he had enough privacy to summon Tink and hear his report. And despite their farewells having been cut short by circumstance, when Tink reappeared before his master he was in good shape, if not still a bit sour about things happening on this adventure so far. "So, the angry elder pretty much bolted for the exit deeper in just about as soon he left y'all. Took a few of the little ones with him, but I can't rightly say what he said to them because I don't speak ugly. He seemed curt and nobody seemed surprised that he was leaving. I've shadowed him just like you said and I don't think any of them ever noticed me. But he seemed seething the entire time as he marched. My judgment would be that he was actually holding back during your little get-together, and it's some cold anger too. I think we'll be good to have him out of our crosshairs for now, boss, I don't think he likes you."

secretID · #14 Apr 7th, 2022, 04:16 PM

OOCI think we left it that I'm not leveling him up, so the rest will just get him HD and spell slots, etc. As discussed, he'll buy a few more sets of Find Familiar components, and 4 bags of fine powder, too. He already bought the wand, in a sense. I assume that anything else needed for the fake camp will be free, but let me know.

A little time to rest, finally, but Jimmy was still a long way from Westhaven. He hadn’t seen Ma in almost a week. At least he would return with a nice pile of silver…if he returned.

Jimmy looked around the sad darkling camp once again. Not a mattress in sight. Or decent food. Or anything to drink, as far as Jimmy could tell. This adventuring life...Jimmy had heard of guys working security at big parties, or solving mysteries in town. For him, it seemed like it was all sleeping on the ground and eating rations. What did that guy say? – hours of boredom punctuated with moments of terror? Jimmy had to conclude that he was good at killing monsters, but he was good at a lot of things, since…He noticed his hand on the old dagger again, pulled it away, and fought off a shiver.

Then Jimmy noticed something surprising: one of the little darkling pods had set up a little stall, selling goods – a sign of civilization! He strolled over to investigate. The pickings were slim, but Jimmy wasn’t looking for much. Fortunately, he shared a language with the darklings, though he tended to speak it with an unusual patois. “I’m not looking to buy a thing,” he explained to the merchant, “so much as a style, an atmosphere. You heard that I’ve been hired to save the day, right? Yeah, that’s me. So I’m goin’ out inta the tunnels, an’ what I need is: make me seem exactly like you guys.” Several minutes later, Jimmy had paid very little for typical darkling clothing and miscellaneous goods, and quite a bit more for the one available item of real interest to a Westhaven sophisticate like him: a wand of magic detection.

Jimmy took his new little bundle and briefly looked for Kosev, who had wandered off saying something or other about armor; Jimmy hadn’t paid much attention. Alone, then, he found an unclaimed spot in the large cave to lay his bedroll and make a little fire. After another in a series of unsatisfying meals, he made himself minimally comfortable and eventually fell asleep, to dream of richer, easier days ahead.

Mindsiege · #15 Apr 12th, 2022, 08:03 PM

Unreliable Allies

The journey into the darkling colony had been arduous. And truly not under a good star. Of four adventurers that had started on the quest of ridding the Clan Dubh Catha of whatever plagued them, Jimmy ultimately found himself losing one comrade after another to misfortune. Glanlaniel and he had known each other from a previous expedition that they had completed together, but facing an overwhelming enemy at the Heart Tree had shown that the difference between the elf and the half-elf had been irreconcilable. While Jimmy chose to stick with his employer, Glanlaniel decided to bow out and find her way back to Westhaven on her own, now that she knew of those mostly safe tracks that the fae had left them. And while the rest of the party struck out to avoid the pack of yeth hounds, they realized far from home and hearth in the depths of the West Marches life was dangerous. Two collisions with folk of the unkindly sort and a terrible storm that would have crushed them if the mountain hadn't sheltered them had brought them to their reserves. When they finally reached the darklings they had been exhausted, yet misfortune had it that Alysha's weakened body contracted a disease, one that Kosev who had saved her in an encounter with a bat-infested cave entrance only staved off because of his peak physical conditioning. The adventurers never learned the origins of the disease or how to get rid of it quickly, but in the care of the darkling elders Alysha would at least survive, even if she was put out of action. Which left the success of their mission in the hands of solely Kosev and Jimmy.

Understandably, after their current track and in the company of an entirely different civilization, neither Jimmy nor Kosev were in any particular good mood. They planned their next step in unveiling the darkling's plague and prepared for an expedition into the heart of the colony in a gathering of darkling elders, but once that was over they split up for a while. Jimmy sojourned in the outpost, arranged a few interviews, and acquired necessities that they would need for their upcoming plan. The dubh sidhe seemed skeptical of the new arrivals at first, but as the adventurers were hirelings to rid them of their ill fate, they ultimately received the darkling's support. Jimmy was able to buy himself a rare magical item from the stocks of items that the darklings traded with friends and journeymen that would reach them in these border outposts, though at the moment the adventurers seemed to be the only foreigners around these parts. Kosev received access to a smithy that had been set up particularly for such travelers that would reach them for trading or working with the proceeds of their rich silver deposits. But lacking the time to craft such weapons himself, all Kosev could do was fix his plate armor. Instead Boanagh sought the adventurers out during their time of resting, offering the two male adventurers to replace their weapons with silvered ones. "If it will increase our odds of slaying whatever menace is behind this, the elders have agreed this is a mild sacrifice to give. You can keep these."

It would seem that after receiving the rest and preparation period that they needed to push further, Jimmy's fortune would change for the better. Yet initially, it did not. Him and Kosev found various methods to busy themselves and after sticking together for multiple days without nary a break they enjoyed the space and isolation that the outpost had for those that sought them. But rather than improving Kosev's mood, after the first two days of rest Jimmy noticed a dark change in his human companion that he had chosen to ignore, or at least not fully noticed before. But it became very clear when during the sleeping period that they shared, Kosev suddenly disappeared from their quaters. When Jimmy awoke he didn't think much at first to see Kosev not in their cave, but when he noticed his bag had gone he quickly started an investigation into where the war wizard had gone. Which was incredibly brief once he almost immediately found him in the same cave that Alysha was receiving treatment in. And there, Kosev's change was most noticeable. When Jimmy found him, the noble knight was darkly brooding, furrows crossing his young face and eyes skittering from left to right as he was sitting at Alysha's bedside with his blade drawn and wearing his full plate. At first he didn't greet Jimmy, even barely acknowledged him. Yet upon inquiry, what the human had to say was deeply concerning.

"I'm fine. Or rather, nothing is fine! This has been an ill-fated venture, and if anything Glanlaniel had the right of it. The evil master behind this outclasses us, and you are too egomaniacal to see this, Jimmy! Greedy parvenu and shortsighted buffoon that you are! I'll have none of it anymore! If it won't be a dark fey that takes your head, it will be these cursed darklings that clearly have no love for outsiders and would as soon stab us in our backs, just to get out of paying us our due. Well, I will not show my back to them. Or to you, Jimmy. A great leader you have been to us. I've decided it would be better that you lead nothing!" A look of paranoia was hiding behind Kosev's manic gaze as he directly accused all of this directly to Jimmy's face. He was a vision of dread and conviction combined, and the large bags under his eyes belied the keen mind that housed inside this wizard's head. If anything, he looked ill and physically weakened further than what the storm or any combat had taken out of him. And still worst was his glare, with eyes that sparkled with malice when they looked at Jimmy who he now denounced just as much as further following this quest.

The worrisome stance that Kosev took eventually reached Boanagh, and after this sudden change in the human knight the darkling elder and Jimmy had a moment to confer in private. Since he had doffed his mask and returned to his people, Boanagh had managed to restore some of the vigor that the trip through the West Marches had taken out of him, yet his impatience at setting out and finally resolving this quest had never left him. "This is a grave matter, Jimmy." The darkling elder shook his head grievously but then determination entered his features as he looked back at Jimmy. "But if that means you're now the only one that I can fully rely on, then I still trust you with leading this venture and making the decisions. It was good news that the killings have ebbed since I visited your city, but by no means do I believe that the evil happening in our home has disappeared. My clan needs your qualities, and if you said that this is something you and I do alone, then I would still risk my life. Though we still may find support in the colony. Either way, everything to erect the campsite has been gathered and we've settled on a location as you know. On your go, I will be able to lead us through the labyrinth that I call my home. And as I see, you have also fashioned yourself a garb that one of us elders would wear. It's still worrisome that so far no darkling elders are presumed missing, but I suppose taking the smaller dubh sidhe to erect this camp with us would be irresponsible?"

On the third day after Jimmy had safely made it to the colony, it was now solely on him to lead this mission to success. Or at least that was how it felt to him, since he at least wasn't technically alone. Not as long as Tink was with him, and maybe not even when he unsummoned his sourly familiar. Dark machinations surrounded him, his life and this colony at the least. Why it fell to him to resolve these messes was certainly a good question, but then again his relationship with luck and good fortune had been spotty at best, even before he had ever seen the masked countenance of any darkling elders. Either way, he felt rested enough and his magic was restored, and by all means there was no further reasons to delay his departure. All he could do from this border outpost had already been done, and now that he was this far north, further than he had ever been in the West Marches, there was little hope for Westhaven reinforcements. Now it was time to show his mettle. Or to die for silver and a cause that wasn't really his own. The half-elven warlock was just getting ready to get one last sleep out of the way before he would follow Boanagh into the heart of the darkling colony when he suddenly received a transmission from a voice that he had not expected to hear so soon again. "Hound returned before storm. Pack left Tree. Not your way. Dryads still abstain from entry. Hope you're fine. Do you still want my help?" The sending reached Jimmy just as well as it had the last time, and although Loch had proven himself an unreliable sort before, right in this moment of wondering about allies and how Jimmy had not shown himself handy in keeping them by his side, having Loch reach out to him was certainly the first come up that the half-elf had gotten in a good while. At least since he had started this quest. He had twenty-five words to respond with, but wherever Lock was and whatever the cocky satyr was doing, Jimmy knew that his side of things would be heard.

Are you confused and wondering what is going on here? Check out this YouTube video to get the scoop.