Ancient Blood in Tuflim

Part of the Ancient Blood Campaign > Ancient Blood in Tuflim – in the Riverdan of Tuflim

Author: Kelly Berger 2023 / System: Incarna i20

Tuflim Riverdan

Assumes the PCs are coming from the Riverdan of Bondeau

Arriving from East Torbin

> Entering Tuflim > Arriving/First Glance reference

Along the road from East Torbin you have seen an Inn, or what was left of it, and a village that had nothing more than a ramshackle general store and parcel service – though children play out front. Here the road seemed to end. The place is called East’s End – home of the Murtaugh extended family and their business. The proprietor, Eamin Murtaugh, sold you some local grog his family makes and butter and bread and told you that the road south to the capital of Spiremount Manor is mostly gone. Its nothing more than a broken trail used by few travelers. He said that 10 miles west-southwest is the best place to camp between there and Spiremount – the Caitlin farm. Its more of a hamlet really, he says. They serve as a safe place to stop and rest, and will let you water and feed beasts cheaply. There are run-down buildings to stay in for the night, maybe not the safest, but dry.

Caitlin Farmstead

> Entering Caitlin Steading > Arriving/First Glance reference

A pair of spear-armed young men meet you and ask basic questions. They seem not to care really about your comings or goings, but keep you at a distance and for 5sc says you can feed and water your beasts and set up for a night. For 10sc, they will be happy to share their meal in the farmhouse barracks.

Sharing a Meal

Its good food and local mead. The group is actually about 50 – three families. The Caitlin family, Rubary family, and Corleigh family. The Corleighs still run the mill on the far side of the rise the farmhouse is on, at the convergence of 2 streams. The Rubary family has lots of land to the north, but have really just abandoned it because its easier to pull resources here. They are distantly related to an ancient Nanberry family that used to be The Warden of Tuflim – the champion of the Vongleur ruling family in Spiremount Manor. When the wardenship actually mattered. The meal is filled with constant conversation. Finally, Tivea Caitlin the eldest mother speaks up as the children begin to clear the table… “What be the word from the farther ‘Dans strangers?”

PCs should roll for a general Reaction check. ++ Track Reaction result total. ++

The Quake!

A violent quake wakes you from the depths of sleep! Fortunately you are camped outside a simple farmstead and not in a large inn – nothing falls on you but leaves, thatch, and dust. Immediately you can hear the livestock and dogs… you realize they had already begun to make noise before you even woke. You quickly kick dirt over the fire and calm your animals. The farmhands and Caitlin family are streaming out of a lit doorway to take care of the animals and check for damage.

The barn partially collapses. If the PCs stay 2 days to help; DC 12 Strength (Athletics)
> Track Reaction result total +1
Grain bin busts open, and rats and mice fleeing the fields find refuge. 1 day to empty with risky fire and fix; DC 10 Intelligence
> Track Reaction result total +1
Sheep have gone missing – the dogs have recovered most. 5 sheep fell into a earthen gap; 1 day to find Perception and help Strength
> Track Reaction result total +1
One of the farmers’ families has gone through a weakened floorboard and torn their foot open.
If the group can help with herbalism/medical kit they get an Inspiration.
> Track Reaction result total +2

Preparing for the Road to Spiremount Manor

If the PCs helped significantly (Reaction result 2+)…

Tivea Caitlin the eldest mother speaks… “There are many bandits between here and Spiremount. Do not follow the old river route, they prowl that waiting for easy marks.” A man holding the hand of Mia Rubary
says “Go do south across the plains until you hit the remains of the old Spiremount Road, then parallel it east to the city. Do not follow it directly – there are usually bandits on the road itself.”

If the PCs have a total Reaction result 5+

His wife also speaks, “Its not important, but if you do run across any Nanberry family, tell them their Rubary cousins in the Caitlin Steading send greetings. Its been too long, but tell them there is a wedding this winter, and ‘All be well with the mill and fields.'”

Spiremount Manor

The journey is the most uneventful you can imagine. The hardest part is not just wandering off into the countryside to explore the remains of old steadings, hamlets and villages as you parallel the Spiremount Hills to the east. The road is virtually non-existent. After a few hours of travel, you can see the town in the distance.

> Entering Spiremount Manor > Arriving/First Glance reference