Forest Forensics Part 1 - 25/08 - A Kavel Perspective
Aug 26, 2021 12:28:55 GMT
Ian, Varga, and 1 more like this
Post by Andy D on Aug 26, 2021 12:28:55 GMT
After a few weeks working construction and fighting at the pits, my muscles were overdue for an adventure - a real world test of strength.
As I descended the stairs of the Dragon tavern for some breakfast, a winged fellow waved me down to sit with him and his companion.
A disappointingly weak handshake from the one called Tayz. But, I did note, his claws are likely more dangerous than my large fists - respect.
Tayz’s companion, Sorrel, gave me quite the warrior greeting with fist upon heart - much respect!
Not soon after, my comrade Derthaad from the mountain escapade joined us, and so too did another fellow named Angier, who came with a note advertising for researchers - some infestation in the Angelbark Forest.
We were all under qualified to apply for the job. But with good spirit we decided to try anyway. As far as I was concerned, when is strength never not useful?
With my comrades, new and old, we ventured along Portal Plaza to the Daring Heights Academy in search of Professor Archiebald Tumblefood - the man who wrote the notice.
Tayz decided it would be best during introductions with the professor that he make his appearance inconspicuous due to an unappreciated former time where he carried the professor in flight.
The doorman recognised my companions and let us in.
We found the professor by himself in the library, nestled in books, distant from other library-goers. He was cursing the name of somebody called Glint for not being around when needed. The professor also had a complaint about the service here. I remarked that his character lacked strength.
The professor had a sharp mouth. Much too sharp for someone who doesn’t have size to fallback on, but I did not mind since he held the keys to an adventure. Comrade Tayz did mind - and not for the last time on our journey.
Our lack of qualifications, though apparent and disparaged by the professor, did not affect our hiring.
We set off with the professor to Angelbark forest by way of Bloody Creek.
We covered some hilly terrain on our path. Everyone was making themselves useful with their own skill set; survival, foraging, orienteering. So, I resolved to do the same - I volunteered to carry bags - I know my strength, and it is strength.
Professor Tumblewood rejoiced at the “pack mule” he had found in me - his words. He removed his small bag and passed it to me. To my surprise, I dropped the bag on my foot! It hurt. The bag was surprisingly heavy. I remarked to my companions, “the professor is deceptively strong.”
Sorrel conversed with the professor. They talked about a Corpse Flower. It appeared all my companions had previous experience with him and this forest.
We arrived at Bloody Creek.
Comrade Derthaad conversed with a man called Father Johnathan of the Chauntea faith. The cleric reported no further monstrosities had been seen, but when Tayz asked how the harvest was going, Jonathan remarked that the fields seemed fine, but there had been less game in the forest.
The professor was getting impatient with us as we split up.
Most of us went to the Sauerkraut Tavern. Derthaad and Sorrel went to speak to the guards.
At the tavern, Angier asked me, since my size gives me great presence, to get the patrons’ attention so we could ask them a question all at once. I saw this as efficient, so I obliged. I stood tall and announced, “if I could have everyone’s attention! We wish to make enquiries about the forest!” Satisfied with my work, I considered my announcer job completed and looked to Angier. He froze.
He then stood on a bench to ask about the strange goings-on in the forest. Not much response. Tayz put forth a similar question to the patrons, but with more flowery language - this did not improve the responses.
Fortunately, a dwarf called Zenith who runs Almosta Ranch here offered us information; some of his goats and sheep had gone missing. It turns out Derthaad and Sorrel, when they joined us at the tavern, gained the same information from a Corporal Lance at the guard post.
Professor Tumblewood was keen to set forth into the forest, but Sorrel had the idea of talking to the Almosta animals. I thought for a second that this was a wind-up. A joke to frustrate the professor. But, it turned out that this was a magical skill of Sorrel’s.
We all looked on as Sorrell conversed with a magnificent goat. Sorrel told us that the goat, Hieronymus, was king here. I would have thought if anything, Zenith who runs the ranch is the king of the goats, but I did not query this out loud.
Hieronymus told Sorrel that the river we were to follow into the Angelbark forest was infected by necromancy.
The professor’s words both conveyed joy at the information gathering, but also displeasure at our perceived time wasting.
Tayz objected to the way the professor spoke to us. A new argument between the two followed whereby the professor outlined his qualifications at the University of Neverwinter where he read in; biology, geology and dangerous fauna and flora. This seemed impressive. I wanted to ask if there were qualified individuals in strength and conditioning at the university, but chose not to.
Arguments aside, or presumably paused, we ventured into the forest.
My comrades, though deficient when it came to firm handshakes, demonstrated more useful skills for our adventure.
Tayz was able to conclude that if we got to the source of the river, he may be able to end the necromantic influence. Angier was able to confirm a source of necromancy with his nose… strange, but useful.
The sun was sinking.
We marched through the forest.
I tried to apply my strength towards clearing my comrades’ path of debris. It was hard going. I must be losing my strength. The horror!
Tayz flew to try and see ahead.
Angier seemed busy tracking.
Dartheed also appeared to be investigating for things he has seen here before.
Sorrel, whatever she was doing, she was doing quietly. I swore I could not hear her feet touch the ground.
Tayz tasted the water and concluded something upstream was polluting the river - something dead.
I stood tall to impose my size on any potential enemies. Alas, only trees surrounded us for now, my presence wasn’t intimidating anyone.
More investigation from Angier and Derthaad, while Sorrel went on ahead, and as I tried to clear my ears; yet again, despite her now darting around, I still can’t hear her!
We hear a noise up ahead. Something big!
We hurry to join Sorrel. In doing so, I discovered that Tayz’s chainmail is quite loud.
A dinosaur was being attacked by what appeared to be these Corpse Flowers the others were talking about. However, they appear not to have heard our approach.
Sorrel alerted us to the fact that the dinosaur was a comrade of hers.
Enemies were attacking my comrade’s comrade. Combat would ensue. So too would the application of strength!
As I descended the stairs of the Dragon tavern for some breakfast, a winged fellow waved me down to sit with him and his companion.
A disappointingly weak handshake from the one called Tayz. But, I did note, his claws are likely more dangerous than my large fists - respect.
Tayz’s companion, Sorrel, gave me quite the warrior greeting with fist upon heart - much respect!
Not soon after, my comrade Derthaad from the mountain escapade joined us, and so too did another fellow named Angier, who came with a note advertising for researchers - some infestation in the Angelbark Forest.
We were all under qualified to apply for the job. But with good spirit we decided to try anyway. As far as I was concerned, when is strength never not useful?
With my comrades, new and old, we ventured along Portal Plaza to the Daring Heights Academy in search of Professor Archiebald Tumblefood - the man who wrote the notice.
Tayz decided it would be best during introductions with the professor that he make his appearance inconspicuous due to an unappreciated former time where he carried the professor in flight.
The doorman recognised my companions and let us in.
We found the professor by himself in the library, nestled in books, distant from other library-goers. He was cursing the name of somebody called Glint for not being around when needed. The professor also had a complaint about the service here. I remarked that his character lacked strength.
The professor had a sharp mouth. Much too sharp for someone who doesn’t have size to fallback on, but I did not mind since he held the keys to an adventure. Comrade Tayz did mind - and not for the last time on our journey.
Our lack of qualifications, though apparent and disparaged by the professor, did not affect our hiring.
We set off with the professor to Angelbark forest by way of Bloody Creek.
We covered some hilly terrain on our path. Everyone was making themselves useful with their own skill set; survival, foraging, orienteering. So, I resolved to do the same - I volunteered to carry bags - I know my strength, and it is strength.
Professor Tumblewood rejoiced at the “pack mule” he had found in me - his words. He removed his small bag and passed it to me. To my surprise, I dropped the bag on my foot! It hurt. The bag was surprisingly heavy. I remarked to my companions, “the professor is deceptively strong.”
Sorrel conversed with the professor. They talked about a Corpse Flower. It appeared all my companions had previous experience with him and this forest.
We arrived at Bloody Creek.
Comrade Derthaad conversed with a man called Father Johnathan of the Chauntea faith. The cleric reported no further monstrosities had been seen, but when Tayz asked how the harvest was going, Jonathan remarked that the fields seemed fine, but there had been less game in the forest.
The professor was getting impatient with us as we split up.
Most of us went to the Sauerkraut Tavern. Derthaad and Sorrel went to speak to the guards.
At the tavern, Angier asked me, since my size gives me great presence, to get the patrons’ attention so we could ask them a question all at once. I saw this as efficient, so I obliged. I stood tall and announced, “if I could have everyone’s attention! We wish to make enquiries about the forest!” Satisfied with my work, I considered my announcer job completed and looked to Angier. He froze.
He then stood on a bench to ask about the strange goings-on in the forest. Not much response. Tayz put forth a similar question to the patrons, but with more flowery language - this did not improve the responses.
Fortunately, a dwarf called Zenith who runs Almosta Ranch here offered us information; some of his goats and sheep had gone missing. It turns out Derthaad and Sorrel, when they joined us at the tavern, gained the same information from a Corporal Lance at the guard post.
Professor Tumblewood was keen to set forth into the forest, but Sorrel had the idea of talking to the Almosta animals. I thought for a second that this was a wind-up. A joke to frustrate the professor. But, it turned out that this was a magical skill of Sorrel’s.
We all looked on as Sorrell conversed with a magnificent goat. Sorrel told us that the goat, Hieronymus, was king here. I would have thought if anything, Zenith who runs the ranch is the king of the goats, but I did not query this out loud.
Hieronymus told Sorrel that the river we were to follow into the Angelbark forest was infected by necromancy.
The professor’s words both conveyed joy at the information gathering, but also displeasure at our perceived time wasting.
Tayz objected to the way the professor spoke to us. A new argument between the two followed whereby the professor outlined his qualifications at the University of Neverwinter where he read in; biology, geology and dangerous fauna and flora. This seemed impressive. I wanted to ask if there were qualified individuals in strength and conditioning at the university, but chose not to.
Arguments aside, or presumably paused, we ventured into the forest.
My comrades, though deficient when it came to firm handshakes, demonstrated more useful skills for our adventure.
Tayz was able to conclude that if we got to the source of the river, he may be able to end the necromantic influence. Angier was able to confirm a source of necromancy with his nose… strange, but useful.
The sun was sinking.
We marched through the forest.
I tried to apply my strength towards clearing my comrades’ path of debris. It was hard going. I must be losing my strength. The horror!
Tayz flew to try and see ahead.
Angier seemed busy tracking.
Dartheed also appeared to be investigating for things he has seen here before.
Sorrel, whatever she was doing, she was doing quietly. I swore I could not hear her feet touch the ground.
Tayz tasted the water and concluded something upstream was polluting the river - something dead.
I stood tall to impose my size on any potential enemies. Alas, only trees surrounded us for now, my presence wasn’t intimidating anyone.
More investigation from Angier and Derthaad, while Sorrel went on ahead, and as I tried to clear my ears; yet again, despite her now darting around, I still can’t hear her!
We hear a noise up ahead. Something big!
We hurry to join Sorrel. In doing so, I discovered that Tayz’s chainmail is quite loud.
A dinosaur was being attacked by what appeared to be these Corpse Flowers the others were talking about. However, they appear not to have heard our approach.
Sorrel alerted us to the fact that the dinosaur was a comrade of hers.
Enemies were attacking my comrade’s comrade. Combat would ensue. So too would the application of strength!
, but hope you have fun!)