Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Nov 13, 2025 9:45 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Lord Carman nods in satisfaction, as the group seem to be taking him up on his offer.

Darius Carman

"I wouldn't know much more about the situation. After all, that's what I'm paying you to find out about, I don't care how you do it as long as you do come up with something useful. Suppose Garyld is the man to ask for guidance, he is a man of the woods after all and a former adventuring type himself. As for supplies, I won't be fronting any money, but I can provide you with a writ to confirm your employment. You should be able to purchase supplies in Milborne by presenting that, my name bears enough weight that any merchant would offer you provisions now and come to me with the bill. I shall be deducting that from your final pay in the end, of course."

In saying that, he moves to his office to get a quill, ink and some paper. There's a bit of pause, or dramatic flourish there; at first you think it is as if he's waiting for your permission to proceed, but with his next words, you realize he's more likely basking in his own power and what he can provide to you at a flick of his wrist.

"My family run the mines and the local smithy, so you should be able to use this document for your purchases at the Smithy too. And of course, it could come in handy in a few other social situations too if you're smart about its use. Open doors, make people bend to your intent, that sort of thing."

Theobald

Dominic Inactive for 18 days

Nov 14, 2025 5:58 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

The lad doth cast a gaze of true wonder upon Lord Carman, and then to the others.

"With such aid as this, should we not then achieve the finding out of more tidings of Jelenneth far more quickly?"

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Nov 17, 2025 7:40 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

Unless anyone wants to have any further discussions here, between themselves or with Lord Carman, the next step is preparing for the scouting mission. Few suggestions would be to get provisions and/or upgrading gear at the smithy as mentioned. There's also other places, like the local temple for healing potions, scrolls etc or Garyld's carpentry shop for things like arrows. Garyld might also have some useful knowledge of the area, or you can ask around at the Baron of Mutton.

Devon Kane

DrifterDwarf Inactive for 18 days

Nov 19, 2025 10:29 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

I have nothing more to ask of the lord.

As the left the lord, "Seems we have some preparation to do. I would suggest we speak with Garyld first to see what he can warn us about. No reason to shop for supplies until we have a better idea of what we might need. Travelling multiple days into the marsh could leave us in a bad situation. We've been lucky so far to be able to fine allies and safe places to stay."

Constantine

THAC0 Inactive for 18 days

Nov 19, 2025 11:07 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

ready to go

multiple days?
Constantine thinks.
in a marsh?
bad situation?

good thing there's a giant pile of gold waiting for them when they're done...
his mind drifts off to the splendours he will buy.

Hanzel

wizard11 Inactive for 18 days

Nov 20, 2025 3:17 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

I have nothing more to ask of him either.

Hanzel's mind wanders for a moment. The wilderness is a dangerous place, but the key to all this must be out there somewhere. He just hopes they can find it in time.

"Trying to get some information first makes sense," he says, agreeing with Devon. "We wouldn't want to head out without knowing what we're dealing with."

Theobald

Dominic Inactive for 18 days

Nov 20, 2025 9:28 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

A small lad which follows the nice guys. ;-)

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Nov 23, 2025 7:34 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

After accepting Lord Carman's job offer and saying their goodbyes, the party are handed a document with Lord Carman's wax seal and signature, proving their employment and requesting that all good folk of Haranshire try to assist the bearers in their quest. Next stop is Garyld's place, in front of which he is busy training his two massive hounds when he is encountered.

Garyld

"The New Mire, eh? Well, it's about time someone did something about that, the Denfasts are the last in a growing list of people who had to abandon those lands. And the worst part is, Cutter Brook has not flooded, nor does the water in it seem foul or bad to drink, yet the affected area has almost doubled its size since last year. The Mire was, until two years ago, good farming land. That's why it's called New, you see. The first year, the soil grew waterlogged, until the roots of plants rotted in the ground. This year, the problem is even worse, the waters are expanding at an alarming rate and it doesn't seem natural."

OOC:

Putting up a map of the area, for your ease of reference. Feel free to ask him about any other place that's named on the map, if you'd like to.

Devon Kane

DrifterDwarf Inactive for 18 days

Nov 28, 2025 4:37 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Devon had some experience with farming from his father's place. "It does strike as odd that land would change so quickly. Where does all the water come from if not for excessive rain or flooding I wonder."

Looking at Garyld, "We met a druid a day or so back. Are there any local nature wardens who have investigated the changes?"

"Other than stray groups of orcs which seem to be about now, are their any other changes in the wild life we should be wary of. Mires typically have large number of reptiles. Have any creatures appeared withe the rotting of the land?"

"Where do you suggest we might start? Perhaps where the most recent farmers just left and work our way from there? If we are to find the source, we will need to work our way toward the center. Do you have any information on which farms were impacted first?"

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Nov 30, 2025 8:56 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Garyld nods as Devon asks his question, then scratches his chin as he clearly tries to get his thoughts in order to respond.

Garyld

"The flooding doesn't seem to be due to any natural cause, so magic's the best alternative. Haranshire used to be full of lizardfolk before it got cleared out and settled, but that was several generations ago. If they're back, there hasn't been any sighting I'm aware of."

"Location-wise, unless you wanna go blind into the Mire and slosh around hoping you stumble upon a clue, you're best off starting with a visit to Harlaton. The locals there might be able to guide you better. Maybe ask around for Shiraz. She's the ranger patrolling the entire western half of Haranshire, if you manage to talk to her she's probably your best bet. Don't think she's got a permanent home you can go to, I use ravens to send messages to her myself. I'm kinda stuck in Milborne, bad leg and all that. Then there's Kuiper who keeps an eye on the Great Rock Dale and the eastern half of the shire, concentrating on the Hardlow Woods, Howler's Moor, and the northern margin of the Thornwood. Used to have Jeremas and Talyan in our ranks too, but they're now deceased. They patrolled Blessed Wood, the Halfcut Hills, and the Shrieken Mire, but these areas have been somewhat neglected of late, if I'm honest."

"Speaking of deceased, there used to be an elderly seclusive druid in Thornwood, but they're believed to have died a long time ago. I don't suppose that's the one you met. Are you sure it was a druid? Legends abound of the Wild Woman in the Woods; some say she's feral, or even not totally human."

Theobald

Dominic Inactive for 18 days

Nov 30, 2025 9:17 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Theobald's eyes did widen like saucers at this talk. He clapped his hands together with great cheer and did hop upon the spot in his excitement.

"The Wild Woman in the Woods! O, a true legend! That is far better than a usual druid, truly! Not human, say ye? Such a grand thing! We must needs go there! I wish to meet her and see her magic with the living things!"

Hanzel

wizard11 Inactive for 18 days

Dec 1, 2025 7:04 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Hanzel listens to what Garyld has to say, his fingers tapping idly on his staff. He recognises some of the names; he thinks he's crossed paths with them a few times while attending to his duties.
"You might get your wish," he says to Theobald, smiling slightly at the boy's enthusiasm. "Depending on whether our paths cross with hers or not."

Devon Kane

DrifterDwarf Inactive for 18 days

Dec 1, 2025 7:50 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

The warrior nodded, "The woman we met had two wolves, Oleanne I believe was her name. Kuiper knew her. I assumed druid, but wild woman would certainly fit the description."

"Seems we have our first destination then, Harlaton to speak with the locals and perhaps find this ranger Shiraz."

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Dec 3, 2025 9:34 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

After grabbing some supplies for the trip to Haralton and the New Mire, the party head out south of Milborne. Despite Constantine's best efforts, his gnomish stride means the others need to slow down and match his pace. Between the morning meeting with Lord Carman, the chat to Garyld, shopping for provisions and the trek itself, it's near sunset when Haralton's few buildings appear in the distance. Quickening their step in anticipation of a drink, a hot meal and a night's sleep, the group climb up a short hilltop only to come up to a grisly sight: three feral-looking canines are in the middle of a meal, feasting on a carcass right by the side of the road. Both sides notice each other a moment too late to avoid contact; not a second later, the wild dogs shift their attention from their dinner to the newcomers and snarl at the travellers.

OOC:

It's an initiative draw! The wild dogs look like they're going to attack, so everyone declare actions and roll your dice, I'll do the bookkeeping of weapon/spell speed factors etc to resolve everything in order. @THAC0 not sure if Constantine has 1 or 4 hp, let me know which is right

Name	AC	hp	Status
Aldeera	16	5/5
Hanzel	12	7/7
Devon	15	1/1
Constantine	12	4/4
Theobald	10	1/1
Wild Dogs (A,B,C)	13	7/7, 2/2, 2/2

Rolls

Secret Roll - (2d10)

(69) = 15

Initiative (Party, Enemies) - (1d10, 1d10)

1d10 : (4) = 4

THAC0 Inactive for 18 days

Dec 3, 2025 11:47 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

it's 4, so far Constantine is unscathed. but unfortunately, the gnome's 'speak with animals' ability didn't show up until 3e!
How far away are they?

Devon Kane

DrifterDwarf Inactive for 18 days

Dec 3, 2025 11:52 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Devon drew his sword and readied his shield, he stepped forward toward the dogs to keep himself between dogs and the smaller members of his group.

Rolls

Sword Attack / Damage - (1d20+1, 1d8+2)

1d20+1 : (11) + 1 = 12

1d8+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Hanzel

wizard11 Inactive for 18 days

Dec 4, 2025 12:54 am

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Hanzel moves towards one of the wild dogs to keep its attention away from the child and swings his staff. If he can just land a solid hit, he might be able to fend it off.

Last edited December 9, 2025 2:47 pm

Rolls

Attack and damage - staff - (1d20, 1d6)

1d20 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (5) = 5

Theobald

Dominic Inactive for 18 days

Dec 4, 2025 4:06 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Theobald's eyes did grow wide with fear upon seeing the foes, yet he doth collect his courage when the grown members of the company step boldly forth.

Quickly fetching his throwing-darts from his pack, he doth begin to cast them with great care, aiming first to prick the smallest hound, and thus work his way to the greater beasts.

He doth keep far from the hounds in the mêlée, lest he strike his own companions by error.

Rolls

Attacks (Darts, 3/1, 1d20 + 0)) - (3d20)

(3820) = 31

Damage dice (1d3 each) - (3d3)

(211) = 4

Constantine

THAC0 Inactive for 18 days

Dec 4, 2025 10:46 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

Constantine's legs quiver. His knees threaten to give out completely. He looks desperately to the left and the right for somewhere to run. Those dogs are taller than he is!!

Then the real warriors step in front of him, ready to face the danger and his mood shifts.

"Bad dog" he says loud enough for the others to hear and he brandishes his staff ready to clip a mongrel across the nose.

Rolls

attack : quarter staff - (1d20)

(14) = 14

damage : bludgeoning - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Dungeon Master

DarK_RaideR Inactive for 19 days

Dec 6, 2025 7:35 pm

Chapter 2: Mired Waters

OOC:

Few things, as we wait for WhtKnt to return from Disneyland and post Aldeera's actions on the 8th.
- The dogs are some 30 or so feet away from the party, just enough for either side to move in and engage in melee in the same round.
- As the PCs were walking up the hill and thus didn't see the dogs from a distance early enough because of it, they do have the higher ground in this situation. That gives them a -1 bonus to Initiative and +1 bonus to attack rolls. Also, those making ranged attacks and shoot into opponents engaged in melee don't have the risk of hitting another target.
- In resolving the order of actions, I'll also factor in the combat speed of everyone's weapons used.
- The wild dogs will charge on their turn, which gives them a +2 bonus to their attacks and -2 bonus to Initiative. It also eliminates the Dexterity bonus to their AC and imposes a -1 penalty to it, taking down to 9 for this round.

Sorry to drop this bit after the start of the combat. If anyone wants to, they can retcon their actions based on this information.

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