Gutbur’s Grand Adventure: Session #008

The Adventure Continues…

[DM]: When you awake in the High Shaman’s tent you can see that daylight has risen, you are unsure of quite how long you were asleep but at the very least it is the next morning. You no longer suffer from exhaustion. The tent is currently empty.

[Gutbur]: I’m alone in the tent ?

You can surmise that being an observer the process was likely less strenuous on the high shaman.

Or perhaps she just has a stronger mind than you.

[Gutbur]:
I will collect my things and leave the tent.

[DM]: Your gear is undisturbed. Upon exiting the tent you see Bertram outside waiting for you, which makes sense because a tribe member isn’t going to do it. You can see that the combined Elk tribes are currently full of activity, dividing resources, packing for travel, etc.

“Oh dear, you surprised me. The lady said you wouldn’t wake up for a few more hours. Your horse has been fed and tended, and the high chief has invited you to his tent. I can lead you.”

[Gutbur]:
“Lead on, then.”

[DM]:
He leads you on, but does not speak unless spoken to.

[Gutbur]:
Placing my hand on my stomach, I might absently remark that “I’m hungry enough to eat a halfling.”

[DM]: “Oh goodness me… the high chief’s tent is the third on the left… I will get you some food.” (he points out the tent, which is slightly larger than the surrounding but otherwise unassuming)

Then he scuttles away.

[Gutbur]:
I’ll have my little chuckle and proceed to the chief’s tent.

[DM]:
There is a guard outside who announces “The Last Blood Hawk” before you enter. That seems to be your name here.

[Gutbur]:
“I pray I am not the Last.” I say, entering.

[DM]:
The chief overhears this and as you enter says “Perhaps ‘The Last Free Blood Hawk’ would be better?”

[Gutbur]: “I pray that also will not be true much longer.”

“Great chief, I have brought a gift for the people of the Elk, will you receive it?”

[DM]:
“Knowledge of the alliance between the Red Tiger and Fire Giants is gift enough. What more have you?”

[Gutbur]: “That gift comes from Friynaf, or the gods, or both. This is mine to give …”

I produce my old battleaxe and set it on the floor. “This is a weregild, won from my enslaver in the combat that purchased my freedom. It has served me in many battles and defeated many foes. It was blessed by your ancestor, Chief Javor, who lies in Red Larch – his blessing aided me when my company faced a dragon. It no longer carries the Great Chief’s blessing, but I thought it should come to his kin. “

I’ll be looking around the tent to see if I can catch the eye of either Fennor or Padraich.

[DM]: Neither is there at the moment.

“Thank you for that gift, it may see blood sooner than we’d hope. We are breaking tradition and sending a war party to moot.” His voice is weary. “Whatever the Red Tiger has planned, we will not allow it.”

[Gutbur]:
“I had a vision amount this moot that has given me a thought, Chief – if you will take my counsel and do not mind a deception.”

[DM]:
“Speak your piece.”

[Gutbur]: “My thought was to slay a Red Tiger, either under the guise of a Black Lion, or leaving their weapons and armor to implicate them, hoping to sew conflict between them. “

(Talolan): (dinner time)
Well, an hour of cooking time.

(Lasarian): :thumbsup_tone1:
I’m wrapping that up as we speak

[DM]: “I think that plan would likely work, although I’m not entirely sure it will be necessary. As high chief of the Red Hawk, I’d like you to accompany me.”

“Because we are only sending war parties to moot, we are not all going to arrive at once as that may incite a response. I’d like you to travel with my tribe, who will be first to arrive.”

[Gutbur]:
“I will gladly go, but I am no chief. Even you call me the Last Blood Hawk- my tribe is dead or enslaved. Who do I lead?”

DM]: “Many things that should not be, simply are. Friynaf sees greatness in you, and it would do my old heart well that the Blood Hawk should roam freely again. By right, as the last free Blood Hawk, you are high chief, whether you have something to lead or not. While many tribes of Uthgar distrust the Blood Hawk, as the orcs have long been our greatest adversary, the Elk do not forget that the Blood Hawk rose from of our own. At worst we are distant cousins, at best we are brothers.”

“Ah, I see the defiler has come with some food. Eat quickly, we’ll be leaving not long after high sun today.”

You see that Bertram is entering the tent.

[Gutbur]: I nod in agreement. “You speak truth, even if I am slow to hear it. If it is the will of Uthgar that I am chief, it will be so.”

I glance at Bertram, grinning. “I may have suggested I might eat him.”

I’ll take my food and then take my leave of the chiefs tent- and go out into the camp looking for HIS horse

[DM]: You pack up your horse easy enough, you can see that the chief’s tent was one of the few still standing, but it quickly comes down. The youngest and oldest warriors are staying with the children, weavers, smiths and other craftspeople. They will remain at Flint Rock.

The warriors divide into 10 groups of around 20 people each. Your group includes the High Chief, high shaman (despite being blind), and both Fennor and Padriach, among others. Bretram is tasked with leading with Friynaf’s horse.

[Gutbur]: I was hoping to deliver the chiefs horse to him … riding it :-).

I have no faith Bertram will not panic and abandon Friynaf at the first sign of trouble- I’ll keep half an eye on her wherever we go.

[DM]: It’ll be several days of riding to get to Beorunna’s Well. The 10 parties are taking different paths with staggered departures, so they arrive over the course of a whole day, rather than all at once.

At this point you get the first indications that Friynaf is actually blind, outside the comfort of her meticulously arranged tent.

[Gutbur]: I assume her own tribe will be looking out for her, nevertheless, as I said, I will keep half an eye on her as well while we are traveling.

Once we’ve camped and I see an opportune moment, I want to thank her for the vision we shared, for showing me how my father, and his totem spirit; how my people fought back – even though they did not prevail. I would also tell her more about my travels and the Cinderlings, since she seemed interested.

[DM]:
“most people would have left them to their own devices, why did you help them?”

[Gutbur]: “I did not wish to, but I was departing that day for moot – and it seemed as if the spirits were calling me to this task. I rolled the bones and saw my father’s mark. I did not wish to begin my journey by offending the spirits or my ancestors. Against my better judgment, I helped them, though I do not regret it.”

[DM]: “Leaving your decisions in the hands of fate can be dangerous. I’m glad it worked out for you, and them.”

“How did you find yourself in that forest in the first place? I knew you were in Westbridge many months ago, and that you were coming to Flint Rock.”

[Gutbur]: “We were there to confront a dragon – a very powerful one, in the hopes of dissuading it from razing a town.”

I laugh. “Yes, we, my very, very, non-Uthgardt allies. Some I call friends. Others … not so much. I joined the company in the hopes it would provide me what I needed to free my family. For that end, I was willing to endure almost anything.”

[DM]:
“I meant no judgment. I occasionally see visions of the folk of far away lands. They do not all appear to be weak cowards hiding behind great walls.”

[Gutbur]: I shake my head. “No, not all, that is true. I don’t care for the cities and the castles and the walls much, but there is valor to be found among them. Good food. Good drink. Some make good companions. If I have learned anything, it is that cowardice and treachery is everywhere, just as bravery and faith, and it is hard to tell from which or where by the look of anyone. “

“You say you saw me in Westbridge? In Red Larch? That was … it seems like a lifetime ago. That is how your little Defiler came to be in your service.”

I look around to see if there is any sign of Bertram. “Do not trust that wretched creature even for a moment, Seer.”

[DM]: You can see Bertram is tending all the horses.

“And yes, you were in my visions of the defiled mound. Though you and your companions meant nothing to me at the time. It was only when Fennor and Pad returned that we learned of you.”

“Please don’t mistake my lack of cruelty for the betrayer for compassion. He wouldn’t make a good servant with broken bones all the time.”

[Gutbur]: “I speak only for your safety, Seer- I do not doubt your judge of character. Nor do I advise cruelty for its own sake, for I too was once enslaved.”

“He can harm you through cowardice – even if that is not his intent.”

[DM]:
Unless you have something else you want to discuss this night, we can move forward.

[Gutbur]:
No, just making conversation.

[DM]: Actually, she has questions for you.

“In one of my visions I see a great city with huge walls. The city rests at the foot of a lone mountain on a great sea. There are many tremendous ships in the harbor. Armored knights ride on gryphons. Do you know it?”

[Gutbur]:
“From your description it sounds like Waterdeep, although I have never been there.”

[DM]: “That was… The first place I saw in a vision. It was several years ago and I was still learning.”

“There were dragon cultists attacking settlements all over, trying to summon their dark goddess. I’m sure you remember.”

“I saw… a possible future… the cult succeeded in bringing their goddesses to the world. Dragons filled the skies and our lands burned. That city, Waterdeep was the last place left.”

“Before we could join the attack, the forces of civilization defeated the cultists and that future didn’t come to be.”

“One day, I would like to figure what makes that place so special… To stand up to the dragon queen.”

[Gutbur]:
“Hearing you speak of such visions, dark goddesses, dragons and other futures, I am glad for my calling to battle only. “

[DM]:
You have several more days of travel ahead of you.

[Gutbur]:
Ready to roll.

[DM]: A straight line would be much shorter, but you need to avoid the troll infested Evermoors, as horses and swamps don’t work well.

You’ll be going first west, and then north around the Evermoors.

That’s …. A long way.

[DM]: Over your travels, the high chief has further questions for you, “You were with the Red Tiger for some time. What do you know of them? Did you know them to be in league with outsiders, or Giants, then?”

[Gutbur]:
I will tell the chief everything I can remember about their habits and numbers.

[DM]:
Which, at your time with them was pretty standard Uthgardt fare?

[Gutbur]: “No, I did not know them to consort with giants or outsiders. Although, now that you ask, after gaining my freedom my company frequently battled cultists of Talos. We did encounter some wearing the claws customarily used by the Red Tiger.”

“This was only a fortnight ago or less, at Leilon.”
“I thought at the time they were frauds or imposters, but now I am not so sure.”

[DM]: “Dark times are ahead.” he then rides in silence.

Over the next few days you pass Mobryn’s Shield and Nesme without any concern for those two settlements’ inhabitants or defenses, but your movements around Rivermoot are deliberate and seem like they are intentionally avoiding contact with the town.

[Gutbur]:
Makes sense to me. I ask the chief where he intends to ford the river.

[DM]: He tells you where you’ll be crossing the river, north of the town so that you only have to cross once, not twice.

He also cautions you to avoid anybody from the town you may meet in the wild.

Make a Wisdom (Perception) check.

[Gutbur: Perception]: 1d20 (8) + 5 = 13

[DM]: About half an hour after you pass Rivermoot you see some towns folk fishing. They have two escorts with them. As they have guards, there wouldn’t be anything dishonorable about a little pillaging.

Credited Sources:

Original Discord and Avrae play sessions were
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