https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wEt6Is4dsg7VMJ-UP0UNGTwZdJTFqDHHNsdjpJR3Nfg/edit#heading=h.po5r4lpdo120
Who: Rakit, the naga
Where: Crestwold Barony, Dunstrand
When: 9164
What
A Naga is behind the turmoil and strife. This young hunter has recently left its nest in The Deeping to come hunt on the surface, rising through the Somerlams Mere. The nest had long laid dormant in the darkness, and the empty corridors left little enticement for any to stumble upon it. Elancil’s evil voice called to it and woke it up. It had been twisted and corrupted by the time in The Deeping. Once on the surface, he quickly assessed the situation to find sacrifices to the Great Worm, Mog Creoch. He is currently in the process of making a Pestile (pestilence infested burrow) so it can summon the worm god and complete the feast of corrupted flesh ritual.
Day 1: Black Clouds Gather Over the Somerlams Mere – the Storm Queen’s presence arrives (no one really notices)
Day 4: Baby goes missing from the Somerlams farm
Day 7: Baby goes missing from Frenan.
Day 12: Baby goes missing from Makitmo.
Day 14: Baby goes missing from Norover. Evidence of infected people spreading the disease, accelerating it the farther the victims get from the mere.
Day 16: Baby goes missing from the Mareshead farm. Quarantine. Late evening, ___ goes to PCs and asks them to intercede and see if they can find out what’s happening (knowing it’s sure death if they fail).
Day 17: PCs arrive in area, early. Baby goes missing from the Goldwin farm.
+1: PCs have 6 days to find a solution!
+2
Dry smell, corruption in the desert
Word reaches Torrelsons Ford of multiple infant abductions in hamlets and on farms not more than hours away in Yarans Vale. The thief comes in the night, in the last 2 weeks over different nights, taking children from surrounding areas. Fear is stalking the streets of every settlement nearby. The sky has been filled with black clouds and a deluge of cold rain, and people are venturing out far less. Everyone mutters of evil omens and the fog of fear hangs over every dwelling in the countryside – and even in Torrelsons Ford itself. Another night passes and the rumors get more dire – families dead, crops dead, flocks dead. Not unexpected, one of the White Sisters approaches you, asking if you have heard of the rumors. They are true, they say. The Barons forces have mobilized, but are slow to respond, as usual. Having a reputation of not shirking from strange happenings, she asks if you could try and find the cause for all the fear, and assess what is actually happening – the rumors must be an exaggeration, but to what magnitude? The pay is 200 silver crowns, and the usual replacement of any mundane goods – and a good word to the Baron, Earl and Duke that their bannermen are doing their duty.
[ i ] > This might be the first time the threat of reputation has been used.[Any character of faith may also receive a sign that the task at hand is desired by their faith, if appropriate.]
Your dreams have been troubled. In them, a pale hand holds a puppet’s strings above a stage wreathed in black storm clouds. Thunder rolls, accompanied by a soft cackling, as a puppet version of the Baron fights a shadowy, serpent like form.
A lot of wary glances are cast in your direction as the baron’s soldiers bring the supplies out. Some officials are there, and make a big deal of personally seeing you off. “An escort is being provided – we want to get you there fresh, without having to face anything. Keep your resources reserved for the problem at hand, and let the escort handle the rest. The first steading is about a 4 and a half hours ride.
The escort consists of 4 veteran cavalry (lead by sira Stern), 4 veteran scouts (lead by David), 2 mounted crossbowman, 2 groomsman, and a priest of the Green Church named Birchwald.
[i] DC 10 Insight: This seems like a bit much for a simple escort.
You have been riding for a few hours now, when the riders in front report an encounter. Four cavalrymen form up and ride forward, over a rise. The scouts turn you to one side and scout a new route around whatever lies ahead. The 4 cavalrymen return 20 minutes later, looking grim. “Highwaymen.” Says their leader. “Looking to exploit panicked locals. We killed one and drove the rest away – about half a dozen total.”
[ i ] DC 15 Perception; The cleric and the cavalrymen exchange looks, and there’s something unsaid between them.You rest for a bit, then resume your journey. After an hour, the scouts halt the party. There’s a discussion that you cannot overhear. Sira Stern sides up to you and point forward. “The first steading is only a half hour ride that way. You can see the marker stone ahead. This is as far as we go, there certainly does not appear to be quite the menace we were told we might face – hopefully this is just a milk run for the likes of you.” He looks up, “You have a couple more hours of good light left, things may be different at night.” He pauses for a moment, looking at you, “Watch your backs, and don’t trust these sheep-fuckers much.” He hands you a scroll tube, saying there is a rough map of the settlements inside, but to just follow the markers to the next one. He says it’s written on paper and wont weather well, so save it until you need it. He is then replaced by Birchwald of the Green Church, “Yea, well, uh, these sheep-fuckers pay their taxes and are entitled to the Baron’s protection as much as the townsfolk. Look, we don’t know exactly what’s going on, but may the healing touch of Gaia bless you in this endeavor.” He makes a few passes over your group, and tosses you a small satchel, “Since we did not encounter anything on the way here, take this. It’s a few elixirs and birch tea, fortified with.. Gaia’s health. Go with the love of the goddess, and may you find a quick end to these troubles.” The riders ride back the way they came, slowly and in no hurry.
Player Map
10 Birch tea healing packets (8 healing in 8 hours); Gourd with 14 doses of 1 hour water breathing; Heroism and Invisibility. Briarwood Ash Pouch – 6 pinches detects disease and poison.
[i] If the PCs watch, the riders stop a few times and turn back to see what the PCs are doing. They will get out of sight and make camp.
The PCs will be attacked if they venture beyond the marker stones and try to come back. If they have to, the cleric of Gaia will tell the PCs they are infected and cannot return.