2. Please, help us travellers!
General Summary
Written by Ellri Brooir.
The Company of the Broken Banner, who made it to Sage's Rest over a week ago, picked up a few new mercenaries along the way: Rok, the brutish no-nonsense Orc; Dr Maulk, the gloomy 'doctor' who is always just a tad too keen if someone needs a stitch; and Aldan Brokkr, the beady-eyed fighter whose love for his hammer is only topped by his love to smash with his hammer. The Broken Banner, now under the unofficial lead of Auryeon, established themselves on a barge heading north up The Dancing River towards Dol Gadmen.
As the sun crossed its peak, casting a warm glow over the early afternoon, the Banner navigated their barge upstream, the rhythmic splash of oars blending with the whispering breeze through the Golden Sea. Roknar, who was sitting at the front - still and meditating on thoughts unknown to the rest - heard indistinguishable shouts from the Thousand Mile Steppe riverbank. Towards the east, Rok saw two figures: one adult human male and one small human boy—well, kind of human. The boy's skin was entirely red with small horns running back down his scalp. Whether irked by their presence or cautious, Rok loaded up his pipe, ready for action. After a brief discussion between Lola, the Banner's bard, and Auryeon, a decision was made to head across the river to see what the yelling was about, after wrangling up the nearest members of the Banner: Ellri Brooir, Roknar, Pluto Trellman, Dr Maulk, and Aldan Brokkr.
Crossing the river, the pair identified themselves as Atlas and Chulainn a retired member of the Dawn Guard and his ward. The pair asked the Banner to investigate a recent attack they witnessed on a local herder community and advocated for their help in assisting the group. The group decided to chase down the herders to ask about the details of the attack, with Pluto in shock partly due to his admiration of the Dawn Guard and his confusion that such a high-standing individual would be associated with a monster like a tiefling (mainly influenced by his sudden racist streak imparted by a revelation).
After catching up with the herders, who had only five left in their group, the Banner were informed that earlier in the day, the herders were attacked by a huge bear-like creature which tore both the herders and their Rondo apart. The remaining herders requested the party trace their steps, as Flip, a herder boy, went back to try and find his parents. Heading into the Golden Sea, made up of three-foot-high golden grass, followed by Atlas and Chulainn after the begging of Chulainn to see what was happening, the party walked for three hours until dusk set into night.
Finally the sea broke into a flattened-down clearing of the grass where the herders had set up camp. However, instead of the hustle, bustle, and noise expected, corpses, human and Rondo alike, were spread all across the clearing. With the sun well hidden from sight, the only light available was that of torchlight flickering and dancing off the blood-stained grass, leaving a less warm but ominous glow. Planning not being the party's strong suit, they split up and looked around the clearing. Aldan, taking the lead, walked with a torch in hand into the clearing. Whether this move was done through bravery or lack of experience, the party did not know. What is known, however, is that as he approached the middle of the clearing, he was met with the whimpering and coughing of a child but also the gleaming, round eyes of an owlbear, which had been awoken from its sleep and lunged at Aldan.
Chaos ensued. Blood, attempted disembowelment, a burning caravan, a marathon sprint away in fear, a hammer lost to the abyss of the Golden Sea and a pitching arm like that of a finely tuned catapult - to say the least.
Through the assistance of Toffonir, the cursed centaur arriving late, Maulk slew the owlbear with a nail bomb pitch from heaven. With the beast slain, the party's only job was to stabilize Flip, the caravan boy who was on his last dying breath. With a doctor, multiple health potions, and numerous healing kits, surely the party had it handled...
As dawn rose on a new day, the party all arrived back on the barge, continuing to head north, leaving sheepishly as the group of five herders prepared a funeral for one more.
Report Date
21 Jun 2024
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