This adventure is played using Tales of Argosa playtest v5 which you can download for free (have a look at the ToA kickstarter for details and don’t forget to back it while you are there).
I have gone back to using a simple d6 Yes/No oracle and random verbs from randomlists.com but thats mostly because the old laptop that I use when playing my games struggles with the digital version of the the bones and deck of signs.

Betrayal of the Dragon Queen.

The Characters.

XP gained from last session.
Each character gains 5xp for their part in the rescue of the elf maiden, I also award each of them 1xp for gaining a horse apiece. Derowen and Peran get 1xp each for defeating a cultist while Hedrag defeated three so gets 1xp, I also award him and Peran 1xp each for defeating the cult leader. Hedrag gains a further 1xp for taking the ornate dagger from the defeated cult leader, so…
Hedrag – Fighter, XP 10, HP 19, Level 2.
Peran Freeshadow – XP 8, HP 17 (currently 13hp), Level 1
Derowen – XP 7, HP14 (Currently 10hp), Level 1
Morwen – XP 6, HP 15, Level 1

Hedrag has levelled up to level 2, the other are not far behind and will probably catch him up this session.
Finally, true to his word, the merchant pays the party 200sp, (a very nice amount), for the rescue of his elven friend so each character gains 50sp each.

NPC’s

Theobald the Merchant.
Crusina the Elf Maiden.

A long rest in Blackgrave.

The Merchant. afraid that something else may befall him and his even companion, asks the party to accompany him to Northgate. Although keen to get to going, the party agree and are happy to wait until the elf maiden has recovered enough to travel.
It takes the elf (1d6+2) 5 days to be well enough to continue their journey. This seems enough time for Derowen and Peran to fully recover from their injuries and they are now both at full hp, (14 & 17 respectfully).
Derowen tries to acquire a replacement for her lost longbow. There is a armourer in the outpost who may have one for sale.
Question. Does the armourer have a longbow he is willing to sell? d6 roll =2. Yes.
The outpost armourer has a few longbows one of which he is willing to part with for 50sp. Darowen knows that is the usual asking price but she is reluctant to part with every silver she has just earned so tries to haggle for a better price. Cha(Per) check, needs to roll 11 or less. d20 roll = 18. Terrible Failure. The armourer is both offended and outraged that Darowen would not be prepared to pay 50sp for such a fine bow and refuses to sell her it at all. Darowen has no option but to walk away longbowless.

After five days of inactivity in Blackgrave everyone is rested and ready to hit the road for Northgate. Theobald the merchant and his companion Crusina along with Morwen and Derowen stayed in the Red Wyvern Tavern, Hedrag and Peran stayed with the horses and the merchants covered wagon. At the end of the five days Travis the owner of the Wyvern presents Morwen and Derowen with the bill, he has been kind enough to reduce his tariff for them and Theobald is so grateful to the PC’s for rescuing Crusina that he pays for their board and lodging.

The journey from Blackgrave to Northgate.

Notes on the journey to Northgate. I am using the Midlands Hex Map and I know that Blackgrave is situated at the foot of the Sunstone range of mountains to the West of Northgate. I randomly determine that Blackgrave is 5 (1d4+2) 20 mile hexes distant from the city. To keep things simple I make it that the party can move through 1 hex per day so it will take 5 days to reach their destination. Also, I feel that Theobald the merchant will have travelled this route on numerous occasions so it is very unlikely the party will lose their way.

Day 1.

Early morning on the day of their departure to Nortgate and the group saddle up their horses. Theobald walks beside his wagon which is empty of any goods allowing Crusina the chance to rest in the back of the wagon and fully recover, Theobald also thinks its best for Crusina to remain out of site.

Weather starts at ‘mostly fine’. At least the weather seems to be improving as they start their journey. The snow has, apart from the odd little flurry, stopped although it is still very cold.
Question. Is there a travel event? d6 roll = 2. Yes. Travel Event roll = 5. Forgotten Ruins beckon. A montage is called for to see if the party find anything of value and the party get 6 successes and 1 failure.
Morwen, Derowen and Hedrag roll on the Carry Loot ‘B’ table and find a set of platinum eating utensils (value 100sp), 56 gp & 94sp respectively. Peran rolls on the Trinkets & Curios table and finds an iron wrought rose of spectacular craftsmanship (value 100 sp).

It is getting late in the afternoon and the party decide its a good time to stop for the night. Theobald says he knows the location of a long abandoned outpost where they should be able to camp safely. Once there the PC’s, ever inquisitive, decided to explore, searching the old buildings well into the dusk.
Morwen enters an old house where she finds on some rotting shelves a Folk, knife and spoon. She recognises from the dull patina that they are made from platinum. Realising them to have some value she pockets them.
Peran too finds an object of value. In the grounds of the old temple he spots an iron wrought rose of amazing craftsmanship.
Hedrag is lucky enough to stumble upon an old bag which contains 94 silver coins, a nice find to bump up his coins.
Darowen is the luckiest, she finds a small rusted iron box which she forces open to reveal a treasure of 56 gold coins which she pockets throwing the rusty old box away.
Whilst the others are keen to show their finds with the others, Darowen decides to keep quiet about her gold, at least for now.

The night passes quietly with all of the party taking a turn at keeping watch. Morwens sleep is broken once again by disturbing dreams of a dragon weeping and dying. In the morning she talks to the others about her nightmares.

Question. Have any of the others has similar dream? Unlikely, Roll roll d6+2 = 4. No, but…

Darowen, Hedrag and Peran tell Morwen that her nightmares were nothing, just bad dreams and that she should for get them but as the party are preparing to continue their journey Crusina takes Morwen to one side.

What does Crusina know? Random verbs, Shrug – Suspect – Discover.

“the dragon queen, she talks to you through your dreams”, Crusina tells Morwen.

“but why me, what must she want from me”?

Crusina shrugs, “that I do not know, she tries to tell you something important but what that and why you is something you must discover and soon I fear”.

Day 2.

Weather. Much wetter. The party set off early knowing they have a long way to travel and the sky looks ominously black”.
“More snow”? Peran asks to no one inparticular.
“No”, replies Derowen, “rain I fear, we are going to get wet”.
As if in answer to Derowen heavy rain starts to fall, Peran pulls his hood over his head, “I think I would have preferred snow”.

Question. Is there a travel event? d6 roll = 6 No, and…

The day passes without incident, the heavy rain must be keeping both men and monster at home. By the time it comes to make camp for the evening the rain eases and they are able to find a sheltered place in which to spend the night. They are able to light a fire by which to both cook and dry themselves off.

Day 3.

Weather. Hotter. Dryer. Another early start and Peran is very glad that not only has the rain has stopped apart from the odd shower now and again but it is also warmer however as they make their way ever closer to Northgate the snow on the ground turns to mush and then mud making the going very heavy for the horses and for Theobolds wagon.

Roll for Travel Even = 5. No.

A second day passes without the party seeing anyone or anything. Hedrag comments to his companions that Theobald seems to have a knack of finding routes which avoid contact with people, he would expect to meet someone as they get closer to Northgate. Morwen is rather pleased that they have avoided contact with people.

Once again Theobald is able to find a sheltered and secluded place to camp for the night, Darowen asks him, “you travel this route often then, you seem to know it very well”.

“Indeed, Crusina and I travel this route often, trading with the outpost”.

“Yet your wagon is empty, do you not take goods to Northgate to trade” Derowen asks.

“There is little to be had from the outposts that would turn us a profit at Northgate, better and safer to travel back empty” comes Theobalds reply.

Derowen is intrigued by the merchant and his elf companion, she wants to find out more about them, in particular Crusina and why she was taken by the cultists and how she knows so much about the Dragon Queen (Cha check d20 roll = 12, fail) but Theobald refuses to talk any further saying he must attend to his horses.

Day 4.

Weather. Windier. As they get closer to Lake Argos and Northgate so the wind blowing off the vast lake get stronger but at least the weather remains dry and they make better progress. The party are eager to push on knowing they will arrive in Northgate the following day.

Question. Is there a travel event today? d6 roll =1. Yes, and… There is a Random encounter during the day and an event during the night as well.
Daytime encounter. 8 wolves led by 3 dire wolves. Eating, uncertain, cautious.
Night event Perfect campsite. Outpost.

Approaching the end of the day, the party find themselves at the river just 10 miles or so west of Northgate. They spot and are spotted by a pack of 11 wolves who are busy eating their kill. Hedrag is keen to attack them but Theobald forbids it.
“Wolves, I count eleven of them. Their fur could fetch a few silvers in Northgate. The six of us could take a few of them and chase the rest off”. Hedrag says to Theobald.
“I wont risk my horses nor myself or indeed any of you in such a fool hardy way. Not this close to Northgate. Keep a close eye on them, if they come after us we will defend ourselves, otherwise we leave well alone” Theobald replies.
Hedrag goes to argue his case further but it is Morwen who stops him, “We have come this far without trouble or injury Hedrag. Theobald is right, we don’t need to take risks now. We have silvers for supplies, a warm bed for a night and a day or twos rest is all I crave now, then we can head out in search of the city of the dragons”.
Hedrag, realising his argument it lost, huffs but stays silent on the matter.
Theobald smiles at Morwen, “a warm bed sounds the thing indeed. We will make for the outpost called Windrest, we can find lodgings for the night there”.

Question. Do the wolves attack them? d6 roll = 6. No, and… (I disregard the and).

The wolves keep a cautious eye on the adventures as they pass but are content to fill their bellies with whatever they have just killed.

Late in the afternoon the party arrive at Windrest.

Question. Is everything as expected at Windrest? d6 roll = 4. No, because…
Verbs – deserve, learn, arrest.
Question. Who is arrested? 1=a PC, 2=Crusina, 3 =Theobald, 4=Old Woman, 5/6=someone else. d6roll =3
Question. What do we learn? grubby, pinch, jealous.
Question. Does Theobald deserve to be arrested? d6 roll = 5. No.

Windrest is a walled village outpost. The party have to enter through the main gate which is guarded by (2d6) 8 guards each armed with spears and crossbows, (guards reaction roll =12, helpful).
The guards recognise Theobald and Crusina and open the gates to allow him in. They tell the outpost is quiet and they will easily find a cot for the night and stables for the horse at the Broken Skull tavern.
Theobald thanks them and hands one of the guards a small bag of coppers. “Thank you for your help my friend. A little something for you, treat your men to a drink when next you are off shift, perhaps we will see you in the Broken Skull later?”
The guard thanks him and replies that they may well see him in the tavern later.

As they party pass through the gates and enter the outpost standing in the middle of the street is an old woman in very grubby clothes. She points a finger at Theobald and screams “Thats the one, thats the man who stole my pigs”!

With that the guards from the gate surround the party. Four have their crossbows loaded and aimed at the PC’s whilst the other 4, spear armed, approach Theobald and Crusina. The guard Theobald handed the money bag to stands next to Theobald, “I am sure we can clear this up quickly sir but this is a serious accusation and I must ask you to come with us for now, your elf friend too”.

Theobald protests his innocence, “but how can this be, you know I have just arrived at Windrest, how could I have stole her pigs”?

“As I say, I am sure this can all be cleared up quickly but I do insist you come with us”.

As Crusina and Theobald are taken away he turns to the PC’s, “please, Morwen, Hedrag, please find out who stole her pigs for it was not I nor was it Crusina. Darowen, Peran, look after my wagon and horses until I return”.

To be continued.