Written by Peter Weilnböck
Published on: 2023-05-02
The group starts their adventure hungover in Maidenholm
In the new group we started to play for earnest. Since it was the first session, I decided to start with a rather basic, stereotypical plot, that also feels familiar to people more used to computer games.
But first a few details needed to be clarified. Some of the players wanted to do a bit of shopping with their starting money before we start. And I wanted an explanation on how they ended up on the island.
After rejecting the idea that they arrived with their own galley laden with gold, they pieced together a story:
The were hired by a coastal trader that Percival knew, as protection and help on the travels. But when they had helped unloading at Maidenholm, the trader decided, that it was cheaper to get them drunk and leave them behind, than to pay them.
All of them woke up severely hung over on the mud-crusted paths in Maidenholm, a small hamlet on the island of the same name, on Stillday, the 32nd of Springrise in the year 1165 AS.
Severely dehydrated from the heavy consumption of alcohol the night all of them immediately decided to drink from their water rations, with Hröd and Vivirva completely depleting it, and Percival and Solga also getting down to the dregs.
Looking to refill their water skins, they were hoping to find a well. However, Maidenholm is built on stilts over brackish marshes. The ground below coloured by the blood-red algae brought in by the tides. The houses connected with wooden walkways, there was no well to be found.
The inhabitants of the small hamlet lazily came out of their homes, enjoying some respite from the hard work on the Stillday (other than regular household chores of course).
Asking one of the elfs passing by, Percival found out that the elfs and half-elfs living here mostly drink ale brewed by the publican Bleinalla. She probably gets the water from the burn feeding into the marshlands from the west.
The vague direction was not enough for the group, so they decided to ask directly at the source.
Entering the Tavern, they were greeted with a friendly “Good Morni…”, cut short when the Bleinalla spotted the Orc, the Goblin and the Wolf the Goblin was bringing into her establishment. Therefore the friendly greeting turned into a reprimand, that no animals are allowed in this tavern. Grumbling Solga took her riding wolf Groms out, but decided to stay out with him. She did not have a lot of social inclination and not money to spend anyways.
Hröd ignored that the publican had meant him as well, and strut in confidently.
Percival took over the talking and found out that Bleinalla usually gets her water from the Spring in the old ruins. However, she stopped doing so because she is afraid of the Monster that has started to haunt the area. The village elder would have a bit more information. Percival already was a bit ashamed for pushing the publican, but he decided to seize the opportunity for some coin, and offered to fetch some water for a price.
Bleinalla agreed to offer 1 silver for each barrel of water returned full, 3 barrels being currently empty in her brewing operation.
Hröd quickly convinced the others, that 3 silver is a perfect amount to split between them - Solga being outside and not knowing about the deal.
They quickly found the village elder, a young looking woman that could have been considered beautiful, had it not been for the extremely sour expression on her face. She was sitting on a small bench in front of the nicest house in the village, overgrown with blooming vines, and spring flowers growing below the windowsills. She frowned at the group getting closer to them, but also seemed disapproving of the small group of children nearby.
While she was clearly unhappy that “this sort of kind” was soiling her village, she confirmed that the temple ruins no longer were deemed safe. A creature, like a furred walking bird, the size of a human with claws instead of wings started to nest nearby. She had put out an award of 10 silver for whoever manages to kill the beast. Since the cleanest source of water was at the ruins, she grudgingly extended the same award also to the outsiders.
Percival, quick to seize any opportunity to press out a bit more money of people in need, haggled the reward up to 15 silver, as long as they bring proof of the deed and make sure that there are no other creatures of the same kind around.
By now the morning was over and they decided to use the height of the day to travel to the ruins.
Out in nature, Solga clearly was more in her element and quickly took the lead, finding the best path to take through the bog. The land quickly became more solid, and they were able to follow the burn feeding the bog and gurgling down from the hills.
After a few hours of travel, they reached ruins of what was once a beautiful temple, or maybe a mansion, set picturesque between the hills. While the buildings had crumbled by know, it was still easy to see, how well it harmonised with the surroundings. Some now ancient trees seemingly once being an integral part in the architecture. They have found the spring, being set into an exquisitely crafted stone basin.
Percival was already preparing to fill the first barrel, but luckily Hröd still was vigilant and noticed a creature sneaking up on them just before it was able to strike. Shouting a warning all of them quickly sprung into action.
Percival, quick in mind and body, jumped closer and successfully put the barrel over the monsters head, effectively restraining it.
Vivirva managed to throw one of her knives into the agile body, and Hröd struck it with his sword, before the beast managed to free itself.
Solga thrust at it with her spear so powerfully, that the weapon shattered in her hand.
The creature only managed a single attack, before succumbing to the onslaught. It screeched and doused the whole group into a rain of acid mucus, burning through their skin.
Vivirva succumbed to the burning sensation and collapsed screaming onto the ground.
Hröd quickly started to patch up the half-elf. Since it was already evening, and therefore getting dark, they decided to make camp in the ruins. Solga, as the only one with real wilderness experience quickly started to work on it, while the others started to take apart the bird. Only being used to caring just for herself and Groms, Solga continued to fuss around, not sure how comfortable the others needed it to be. She pushed herself so hard, that by the end she was a nervous wreck. The camp was nice and cosy, but Solga really needed to be jeered up by Vivirvas acrobatics, before she could be of any use for anyone again.
Nobody being able to prepare proper food, they diced to just quickly grill pieces of the acid spitting bird over the camp fire and eat those to spare their rations. Unfortunately they had to find out, that the monster was also poisonous. The meal completely paralysed Hröd and Percival, while Solga and Vivirva only felt a bit stiff afterwards. Since night was upon them anyways, they decided to simply sleep it of, Vivirva keeping watch.