Before we continue –

Pickpocket Press have just released an updated playtest version of Tales of Argosa. I also now have the form fillable character sheet so I can add a page for each character to the blog. As if that wasn’t enough, Pickpocket Press have also made both the Dice of Bones and the Deck of Signs available to use free online which is absolutely brilliant. Where I have used the Deck of Signs will be shown thus [Read the Signs, …]

A quick character revue.

The characters were attacked by eight wolves. As they easily beat off the attack I am treating the wolves as insignificant foes meaning no experience points are awarded for defeating them.

Derowen lost 6hp dropping her to 8. She decided not to take a short rest after the combat with the wolves but did rest overnight at the Crying Wolf Tavern so regains 2hp taking her up to 10hp.

Hedrak paid the barkeeper at the Crying Wolf tavern 3sp for rooms, food and ale. He now has 7sp in his purse.

All four characters spent the evening in the company of an old man who weaved them a tale of ancient magical dragons and their evil queen, how four mighty adventures found their way in to their city known as Diertharma and used the horn of Karagoss to destroy the Dragon Queen and her city.

Betrayal of the Dragon Queen.

I am Morwen, sister to Derowen. It is through my eyes and my voice that our story will now be told.

Scene 3 – a hearty breakfast.

I slept long but yet feel little rested. Rising from my slumber I find Derowen already dressed and ready. We make our way to the bar room.
[Question. Is there anyone else in the bar area? Yes. Who? (Read the Signs) Seen, Watching, Prophecy, Strange]
A girl, a little younger than me, is watching over a large pot hung over the fire. Hedrak and Peran are already up, sat at a table. We join them. Hedrak is the first to speak,
“odd, I have often frequented the Crying Wolf, yet I have never seen that girl here before”
Peran was about to reply but before he could the girl walks to our table somehow carrying four steaming bowls in her arms, how she managed to carry so many without accident amazes me.
“A bowl of porridge for each of you, you need this to fortify you before you go on your way”, she places a bowl in front of each of us. The porridge is hot, creamy and filling, I admit I am hungry and the bowl is welcome.
Derowen engages the girl is conversation, “Is the landlord about, we are curious about the old man we talked to last night and hoped he may know more about him”
[Question. Is the landlord about? No.]
“He will be in his cot til past midday. The fool drinks more ale than he sells some nights. Best let him sleep”.
Derowen describes the old man to the girl and asks “do you know of him, is he local”?
[Question. Does the girl know the old man? No, but…]
I watch the girl as she replies, “No, I don’t know him but I have heard of an old man, a prophet of sorts, a story teller, some say a wise man, some even say a god who wanders looking for those willing to hear him tell them what they wan to hear”.
Hedrak speaks with a mouthful off food “I’ve not seen you here before”
“You have not looked then. I have work to do now, I will leave you to your breakfast. Take care on your journey, the snow is falling again”.
I watch the girl walk away, there is something about her which seems strange but I cannot say what.

Scene 4 – the journey to Blackgrave.

We eat our fill of porridge and prepare to continue our journey. I am loathed to leave the comfort of the Crying Fox and its cosy fire for the cold and snow but Hedrak wants to push on to the little village of Blackgrave. He knows folk there who may help us in our quest.
It took us all of yesterdays daylight to walk the short distance through the snow from our home of Suffercone to the Crying Fox tavern, now the snow is falling again and we have another journey of little more than 6 miles to the village of Blackgrave. We will be lucky to reach there while there is still light.
I am the weakest of the party. I know my sister didn’t ask me to come on this journey for my fighting skills, the others are more than capable in that respect. No, I am here for my magic. I just don’t want to slow us down.
I mention my worries to Hedrak, He puts a reassuring arm around my shoulder, “Did you slow us down yesterday? No, and you fought well against those wolves. You won’t slow us down Morwen. Grab your things, stay close to me and lets be on our way”.

I have wrapped up as warm as I can, we all have warm dry boots but even so my feet feel cold as we walk through the snow. Hedrak leads the way, he knows the track to Blackgrave better than any of us but with the ground covered in snow the track is invisible. The dim light and gentle yet constant snow fall add to our problems and there is a real danger we become disorientated and lose our way. Hedrak is confident, he knows the landmarks, we wont lose our way if we follow him. He will lead us there, we just have to listen out for wolves. I doubt any wolves will bother us again, there are greater dangers in the wilderlands. I keep my hand on the hilt of my longsword, not that I am proficient with the weapon but I feel reassured by it. I notice Peran has his dagger in his hand, perhaps he too needs to feel reassured.
[Question. Does a Travel event occur? Yes. Travel Event Table, Merchant Caravan. (Read the Signs)Reaction, Cautious. Activity, Resting.]

It was around midday when we came across the merchants caravan. Two wagons of good quality, the lead pulled by two horses, the rear just one horse tethered to the lead wagon. They were stationary, we could hear voices talking in earnest as we approached. Not knowing what to expect from this unexpected situation, Peran and I agree to walk ahead and speak to whoever owned the caravan.
[Question. Do the merchants spot Morwen and Peran before they get to the caravan. Yes.]
We made no effort to keep our presence from the merchants but made sure we did not draw any unwanted attention from anything that may be lurking in the snowfields beyond the track. As we approach the lead wagons. almost as if out of the air. six (1d6+4) men armed with swords appear around us. A well dressed man steps down from the wagon, “You don’t look like bandits, if you are not then I cannot imagine what business you have out here in the snowfall nor what business you have with us”.
I let Peran do the talking for us, he has a roguish charm which he uses to good effect. [Peran makes a Cha(Persuasion) check to see if he wins the merchant over. Needs 19 or less, rolls 17.] “No my good sir we are not robbers, we are on our way to Blackgrave. My friend there”, he points to Hedrak, “has family connections there. We wished to accompany your caravan if you are travelling to Blackgrave as well. There is safety in numbers”.
The merchant softens but is still cautious, he allows us to join his caravan but we must walk beside the wagons.
[Question. Does the Merchant recognise Hedrak? Yes.] Derowen and Hedrak join us, the merchant studies Hedrak, “I know you, your Grandfarther was [Read the Signs, Guardian, Unafraid] the Blackgrave village guardian, the watchman. a great man, afraid of nothing and no one, I remember seeing you with him, a little boy you were then but you have changed little”.
Hedrak recogmises the Merchant [perc check =5] “and you brought provision to the village as I recall, is that what you are doing now”?
The merchant answers only by saying that they should get moving if we are to make Blackgrave before nightfall, we still have to walk, there is no room for us in the wagons he says.
Two of the guards walk with us, I talk to them to see if I can find anything more about what they are carrying in the wagons [cha(Gather Info) check. 13, fail] but the men give nothing away.
The rest of our journey is uneventful and we reach the village of Blackgrave a little before nightfall. Cold, tired and hungry we head to the local tavern for food and rest.

To be continued.