We start in the city of Auremarch! The golden border - a prosperous trade city, at the edge of the lowlands.
Marlowe is with the king, having an intense discussion, tasked with an important mission, hard to know just how dangerous it will be, but Marlowe is certainly the right person for the job.
Marlowe is an elf, very tall and slender, but a frail appearance. She is the royal mage of king Emeris (sp?), dressed in Elegant white robes. Very dark blue eyes and everything she wears is shades of blue and silver to help her eyes POP. Silver thread hem stitch. Her outer appearance says: ROYAL MAGE. Her missions are for the crown, always. There are rumors of how ruthless she can be, in the city.
King Emeris is ill at ease, holding a small package, but next to his table is a larger box, a safe, with some glyphs on it. Designed to carry smaller packages, and sealed shut until it reaches it’s intended recipient, who would open it with a corresponding spell. The king looks at Marlowe, and tries to impress how important this package is for the city of Hush. Without it, the villagers would be in grave danger. Marlowe has been tasked with taking this mysterious package to Hush. Marlowe has gathered her own soldiers to help in the mission, who she trusts to help her implicitly. The King’s Guard takes the package and puts it in the safebox, and another guard puts it on a trolley to start moving it outside to load onto a carriage for her. Two steeds, and enough rations for the journey to Hush. The people of Hush know they’re expecting the package. “Whitefire Arcanist” is the recipient (she/her). She knows messengers will arrive in Hush in a day or two. The king gives her a map with the best route through the Sablewood forest, and impresses on her how important it is to not stray from the path. She promises the mission will be fulfilled.
The Sablewood marsh is known for certain things…
Marlowe has traversed the forest before, but mostly at the outskirts, and it’s been a long time!
DC 20 knowledge roll - Marlowe rolls a 14 w/hope.
Garrick arrives to the entrance hall, summoned by Marlowe. The entrance hall is huge, made of marble with streaks, massive white columns scattered across it. The king would sometimes stand at the top of the staircase you can see from here to address his servants and soldiers. Intricate stone reliefs on the walls, of the Sablewood Forest and creatures you can find here. The Auremarch thrives on businesses, and on its trades with the outside, and you can see that reflected in the hall. He’s sitting on a NICE bench, NOT uncomfortable. Not a lot is happening, especially since Garrick arrived early. His hands between his legs, man-spreading, finger steepled, resting on the hilt of his sword.
He looks outwardly like a fool, floppy hat, brightly coloured doublet in harlequin colours, silks and rough hessian. All sorts of various fabrics and colours, but mostly red/orange/yellows but some splashes of blue. Some ale and gravy stains as well. A beer belly, bright amber eyes, black hair. Currently he’s eyeballing one of the guards, he remembers having an altercation with the night before, a slight sense of professional grievance. An arm wrestle that got outta hand, and some punches were thrown. He’s not eyeing him aggressively, but practicing his genial smile, teasing the soldier with a look.
A servant approaches him, and offers him refreshments, he is rejected his request for ALE and instead is offered an Elderflower drink, as he has an important task ahead of him. Alcohol DENIED. The king’s orders. She was maybe new to the job, and Garrick’s rizz was too much, so she leaves in a tizzy. A guard comes over instead, and apologizes for the servant, and instead says he’ll EVENTUALLY get ale and elderflower wine, but right now he needs to be SHARP. Waiting for two more people; then the king or the emissary will arrive to explain everything. Garrick throws an arm around the guard, “fellow, you don’t know me, I’m a very competent person, and with a beer in me or not, I could fillet anyone in here with this blade.”
(15 fear)
The guard’s like, chill dude, if you’re here we know you’re capable. Just yano, when the king gives an order, we gotta follow it. And slowly moves his hand off of him. Then goes back to his station. At the other side, another guard enters with Khari, and points to Garrick and says that she should join him.
Khari is quite tall (around 7’+???), very imposing but very intimidated by the surroundings she’s not accustomed to. NOT used to being INSIDE, but least of all somewhere so FANCY. Her clothes are sturdy but worn, ridgeboard warrior garments. She doesn’t seem insecure by how she enters, long legs and quite a gait, you can hear her coming. She doesn’t know how to make herself quiet or small, but feels out of her depth. She isn’t immediately sure where to go, confused by the customs of outsiders, and looking around at everything, nodding like she understands, and looking at stuff and touching things until she’s not allowed.
Marlowe just told her to show up, and didn’t really tell her why. But at least Garrick is a familiar face! Garrick doths his cap! Khari tries to copy his flourish to greet but uhh…
(7 fear)
The entrance is huge and well adorned with artwork and artifacts, with a lot of historic value. One vase on a shelf that looks old and has some cracks, which makes it crazy to even HAVE in the open, but it’s here! Khari knocks it over and it turns to shards- Garrick in one swift move-
(24 fear)
-swoops in to catch this vase, with only THREE FINGERS. It’s almost supernatural. HOWEVER, the damage that was done to the vase, with its initial cracks, means the frail handle falls away but it’s PROBABLY FIXABLE. A guard and servant immediately run over to help, and they take over.
Khari sheepishly sits with Garrick on his lovely bench and tries to make herself as small as possible. The servant who ran away from Garrick before, comes over to offer refreshments, while nervously eyeing Garrick who she FEARS. Khari makes a knowledge check after getting some bubbly water
(14 hope)
something about him sticks in her head about Garrick. He stole a spiritual stone… the THIEF! A conflicting feeling in her mind doesn’t want to judge him by that one incident, but she wants to get to know him more.
When Varian approaches, it’s clear they’re uncomfortable to be here, hood up to disguise themself lest they be recognised, but they are immediately swept up in a cuddle by Khari. They’re surprised to see her here, but glad all the same. Smiling finally, feeling a little safer. Then they lock eyes with Garrick, uncertain at first. As they shake hands firmly, Varian sees scars from their claws when they were helped up out of their last encounter, and they soften at the memory.
They rudely refuse the bubbly water, I would rather die. Fuck the crown and all it stands for.
MARLOWE appears!! OMG so REGAL. She explains we have SKILLS that are needed, and since we’re all so loyal to the crown we’ll be perfect for the job. Varian SNARLS. And Garrick salutes her presumptions, and asks about money. Five chests of gold for each of us at the end of the mission. She looks at the empty space the vase once was, and calls out the BOISTEROUSNESS of the group. The guard appears and tells us the carriage is ready, the package loaded, and checks she has the map. Everything is GUARDED TO THE MAX. We head off! A decently sized carriage, Garrick is leading the horses, the other three are inside the enclosed carriage (some windows but otherwise…) plus a special compartment in the back where the safe is. Plus, the carriage is optimized for giantfolk 🙂
As we go, we learn about Sablewood Forest and what it is, by sharing information.
Animals here are hybrids, usually two known animals combined or an animal and an element. They are usually bigger than you’d expect ( a cat-squirrel, the size of an elephant, lemur-toads, etc).
Hush is known to be closely guarded by magic that prevents the creature from entering the village.
Marlowe tells us that the package is for Whitefire Arcanist!
Nut no one knows what’s inside, not even Marlowe. BUT WE DON’T KNOW THAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW.
The Whitefire Arcanist is responsible for this protective magical layer around Hush.
Marlowe (19 fear) knows the White Fire Arconist is a mage, but she’s never met her in person, just heard stories of her. She has a very kind heart, and has spent most of her life in the village of Hush, for this protection she provides. She’s not sure how it is that in the middle of the Sablewood Forest, with all of these creatures, that there is a warm and inviting village that isn’t hurt from outside.
Marlowe pulls Varian aside and basically says: hey, you’re here for a mission, even if you see some shit that connects to the Silkytigers and your family, you better not abandon us you bitch.
(Presence 7 fear)
Varian gets triggered af and mentally nopes out of the convo (+1 stress).
Garrick is driving the carriage (otherwise would have called out the manipulation)
As we enter the Sablewood forest, we start to see more and more crazy shit. Garrick notices the feeling of stratification from the levels of the trees. Not just a canopy layer, but an entire ecosystem, coming and going in the trees above. On top of that, Garrick remembers from past missions, settlers as well as creatures decided to move toward subterranean levels because it was too dangerous to stay at the ground level to survive.
At a tight corner, we see an overturned merchants cart, blocking our way. Garrick pulls our carriage to a halt.
(critical success: instinct)
Garrick SEES ALL as he analyses the situation. The horse(s) are gone, but the merchant’s body, at least part of it, is lying there. Masked by the cart itself. Fruits toppled, ale barrels crushed, a normal delivery between towns. As you look around, you see: footprints of a creature not necessarily known to you, about the size of you, could a creature the size of him actually topple a cart; but no other footprints.
Body of a wolf, face of an owl and large wings on its back, a Strixwolf has appeared from behind the cart, blood dripping from it’s jaw, still chewing the hand of the merchant. Then more footsteps, two lil strixwolf pups coming after their mother (aw).
Garrick opens the grate to speak to the party in the back of the carriage. Though no one has direct experience with Strixwolves, Varian has experience with Wolves, and peeks out the window to assess before they slip out of the carriage to deal with them peacefully. Approaches steadily, crocodile dundee.
(12 fear)
Hoot howling to convince them he isn’t a threat. Another wolf jumps down and joins them, the dad. They look at the cubs then decide they’ve eaten enough and jump up to the trees above with the pups.
Marlowe gets out of the carriage and notes she can see no Strixwolves, why is everyone making a fuss. Varian points upwards at the small family watching them from the Canopy. She notes there is no reason for them to have stopped in that case, so Varian gently points out the Merchant’s cart in the way. Then approaches the body of the Merchant to pull it aside for the Strixwolves to feed from later if they’d like. They note the Merchant’s neck is slit, and the cut is neat, more likely a knife. Marlowe examines him and sees that it’s a merchant travelling from Auremarch to Hush, bringing produce in trade, judging by a small tattoo on the wrist of the merchant, normally there would be a pendant but it’s missing as is the rest of his valuables. Garrick sees the footprints in the mud that seems like there was a scuffle.
Khari pushes the cart aside with ease to clear the path, and even notices the undamaged ale barrels and resists the temptation to take one.
Marlowe is super fucking pleased with herself at how great she is to have assembled such a talented crew.
Garrick speaks to Varian as they take up the front of the carriage to continue the journey. They chat about Vicious Nine, and Varian admits they haven’t had a chance to play again since they last had, but they hope the two of them can play a few hands again soon. They both have new stories to share since the last time, their preferred currency. But then, Garrick lowers his voice and asks how Varian feels about Marlowe and her leadership. Marlowe looks torn, but admits she seems different than he remembered, (Garrick tells them she’s exactly how he remembered) and that they admire her talents, but thinks she would be better off if she wasn’t tied to the crown, and wishes better for her.
Interlocking rivers, we pass the first bridge and all of a sudden the horses come to a stop. They do not want to continue. Varian suggests they take a look around for danger, to see what spooked the horses, and hops down while Garrick informs the others. They look around (13 hope) to see if there is any danger around and right in front of the horses, they see a trap. Varian aloud pretends they don’t see any danger, or sense anything out of the ordinary, and then tap Garrick when they’re close enough to tell him there’s an ambush set up, possibly the same people who killed the Merchant.
Four Thistlefolk jump out from the bushes alongside the road, before Garrick can react. Frank, Fred, and… two others! They attack Varian first (reduce incoming damage with 1 armor, minor). Garrick attacks back with his sword, trying to put himself between Varian and the others. Varian, wanting to carry their weight, lowers to a crouch and swipes with their claws in an arc, hitting all three Thistlefolk in melee, and causing Frank to become vulnerable and prone.
Marlowe exits the carriage, telling Khari she wants to show her what she can do now, with her Magic. And a cool dagger cloud appears around her as she attacks the boss. The Boss attacks back with a serrated blade. Then Fred and Finch encircle Garrick and attack (severe reduced to major - 1 armor). Garrick starts laughing and confuses the guys who were also laughing.
Khari jumps out and whips out her battle axe to attack with Marlowe. Then the Boss bites back and attacks both of them. Khari takes the hit to shield Marlowe but they’re both knocked back across the map. The leader (dad) runs toward the carriage, spotting the box compartment and Varian calls forth the vines and roots of the forest to capture and crush him to death, to stop him from getting into the carriage. Varian and Garrick have a cool tag team up, sick flips, and kill the last two guys (crit success).
Garrick holds and sings to Fred as he dies.
The group catch up and decide to clean themselves up before heading on. Garrick and Marlowe investigate the body of the leader, after Varian releases the vines. They find the merchants pendant (Varian called it!), a handful of gold, and a small piece of paper (a note):
Note Found
“Don’t take the kids with you again, they’re still too young to learn.”
The Thistlefolk seem to come from beyond the village of Hush, deeper into the forest. Well hidden within it.
What is known of their traditions, how they honor their dead? (Marlowe)
- They take up residence where no one else dares, normally not accessible to common travelers.
- Insular and reserved
- preserve the safety of their home above all, which is why the ambushers are so far from their settlement (don’t piss where you eat);
- Those who leave the brambles protection are viewed as either brave or foolish.
- The thorns only catch those who let them;
- There is not necessarily a burial ritual, just that they have an honor among the guild, that they wouldn’t ambush merchants for no reason, there would have to be a scarcity of food/resources in the region. Which is specifically why they targeted the produce. But it went badly clearly, since most of the food was damaged.
- From all of this, we learn they didn’t even know what was inside the chest, just saw an opportunity to provide for the Brambles.
Marlowe says “you should have listened to whoever wrote you the note, at least you can take this with you” and makes some rose petals fall on the bodies to honor them.