1.1 Map and Hexcrawl

Lord Aldori's covers areas in the Narlmarches and Kamelands, the Staglord has a base of operations in somewhere in these regions.

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/golarion-chronicles-dimitris/map/488a643e-2d1b-4386-aa84-bf0feaa3b13a

You start the campaign in the city of Rostland in kingdom of Brevoy. Brevoy is a politically turbulent land full of byzantine intrigues and generations-long feuds.

Date: Pharast (March) 2nd

Location: Olegs, Rostland Hinterlands

Known LocationsBrevoy
Restov - the nearest big city
Nivakta’s Crossing - BV2 - a village on a river
Rostland Hinterlands
Oleg’s Trading Post - a wilderness trading post
Crooked Falls - RL4 - A large waterfall on the Shrike River
Greenbelt
Thorn River Bandit Camp - GB7 - An abandon bandit camp

Date: Pharast (March) 3rd
Weather: Fair, mild
Location: Olegs Training Post, Rostland Hinterlands



The stolen lands are wild and untamed, travel through this realm is slow and dangerous. Getting around we will use the Hexploration subsystem. Let me know the direction you want to head (eg South, southwest) and what you want to do in the hex

With your horses you all will have a speed of 40(-5)ft, which translates into 2 hexploration activities per day

SW is a forested hex, so difficult terrain. Travel would cost 2 group activities. For "search signs of the supply routes" that would be Reconnoiter for another 2 activities.

For 'set up an ambush', that will be similar to fortify camp (1 act) but with a survival or warfare lore check, assuming you find something.

Also Zoomed map, in case you were looking for the hex with the thorn river bandit camp.

Let's go sw past the bandit camp. Perhaps follow the river through the greenbelt on the logic that the bandits likely use it for transportation given that they lack roads.

So, go SW twice to hit the Bandit camp and search the area?

Are you bringing everyone?

Is Kessle secure enough in the cell to leave behind or do we need to leave a guard?

You mean the makeshift cell from the storeroom, I am sure it is fine.

Which of the npcs wants to volunteer for guard duty?

Ralf got roughed up pretty bad last outing and wants to stay. Similarly, Jaethal is indignant about getting muddy last round and would stay. The others are keen to get out.

Then we ride to victory! But without wagons and stuff because that would be stupid.

Date: Pharast (March) 7rd
Weather: Fair, mild
Location: Thorn River Bandit Camp, Greenbelt


There is no issue while traveling. Please give me rolls to "search for signs of the supply routes", survival or relevant lore skill

I'm searching diligently and Filbert is being "helpful". (My roll got me to 15)

Dalia rolls for finding the bad men

On entering the territory near the old bandit camp you split into to groups to cover more ground. Linzi, Harrim, and Valerie into one group, team Superfriends as Linzi (and only Linzi) calls it, and a group with Silene, Dalia, and Octavius (name pending).

The non-Superfriends group targeted the old bandit camp as this was would be the central point for bandit activities. On approaching the camp you notice tracks from a pack of small predators. Cautiously approaching the Thorn river camp you hear a combination of growls, hisses, and gaping threat-yawns.

If we can search the area without bothering the animals let's do so. It's fitting that nature retakes this area.

"Hmm it would seem that, some animals have been attracted to the carnage we left behind. While normally I would be for leaving them alone, I would like to take a second look for Svetlana's ring. It would bring her such great pleasure to have such an important symbol returned to her. "Whispers Dalia"

On Octavius's shouting there is loud cracking of twigs and branches, then the camp becomes deafly silent. Probing forward you can hear no trace of any beasts.

Filbert and I will also carefully search the camp for the missing ring but I get distracted by all the cool plants growing nearby and keep on trying to identify the animal tracks. And ooohhh look at this cool rock. (I rolled an 8)

On securing the bandit camp you find it is a central point for several well trodden paths throughout the region. The camp is located on a ford for the Thorn River. Along several of the paths the team is able to find ambush bluffs, most seem to be designed to strike travelers making use of the river.

We definitely need to follow the river

Date: Pharast (March) 9th
Weather: Fair, mild
Location: Greenbelt, along the Thorn River

You are reunited with team Superfriends, between the two of you are about Reconnoiter and Map the area around the old bandit camp. The team follows a bandit hunting trail south east, the weather holds as you travel.

In this area the Thorn River winds through a 20-foot-deep gulch here, nestled between a pair of rocky hills. An old wooden bridge spans the gulch, allowing passage over the river—provided not too many creatures attempt to cross it at once. After reconnoitering the wilds you don't find anything else too interesting.

Continue to follow the river after not falling off bridge

Date: Pharast (March) 11th
Weather: Fair, mild
Location: Greenbelt, along the Thorn River

The team travels South Earth along the river. The wilds are oddly calm and the weather remains fair. The Thorn River grows unusually shallow here. The resulting ford is never deeper than 3 feet.

Does the tail continue on the other side of the ford? If he's follow it.

You are in an area with the Thorn river flows into the Shrike river. You can cross the Thorn to go SW, but the Shrike would make traveling SE difficult as there is no natural crossings in this area. East along the Shrike, or into the woods (West and NE) are still options.

You can follow the Shrike river Southwest towards the Tuskwater Lake (which has the stag lords fortress on it, aldeidly)

Date: Pharast (March) 13th
Weather: Storm brewing in the distance, but currently calm
Location: Tuskwater, Fort

As you approach Tuskwater lake, you notice a large wooden fort looming in the distance. Cautiously scouting you confirm the fort sits on a large hill near where the Shrike river meets Tuskwater lake. Signs of bandits are prevalent in this region. Luckily you seem to have missed any patrols or detection.

Date: Pharast (March) 13th
Weather: Storm brewing in the distance, but currently calm
Location: Tuskwater, Fort

As you approach Tuskwater lake, you notice a large wooden fort looming in the distance. Cautiously scouting you confirm the fort sits on a large hill near where the Shrike river meets Tuskwater lake. Signs of bandits are prevalent in this region. Luckily you seem to have missed any patrols or detection.

I can definitely try and speak with the forest spirits. They did communicate with me via dream for help. Perhaps they will be helpful here.

You have several close calls as bandits and moving in, out, and about of this area. You can inspect the fort or seek out fey. However give me a appropriate sneaky roll to avoid the bandits. That is stealth or survival, deception if appropriate

I will move into the deep woods off the beaten path avoiding bandits with ease as I seek the fey in their home territory (with Filbert accompanying me of course). I am becoming one with the woods as I did in my past slipping into old habits with ease.

Silene easily moves through the area, avoiding any active or inactive bandits. From your connection to the deep primarily forces of the first world, you can assert that no fey make there home in the shadow of the Stag Lord's fort.

Seeing Octavius' laughable attempts to move stealthily Linzi steps in to help. She pulls him aside and dresses him in a cloak taken from the captured bandits "Come I'll guide you, I promise to stop laughing". This is further aided by Silene's pervious trailblazing of the region.

Luckily the bandit fort is not hard to scout, sitting on top of step hill overlooking the lake. A narrow path of hard-packed earth winds up the hillside approaching the Stag Lord’s fort—this path is 30 feet wide, 300 feet long, and provides no cover. The remaining hillside surrounding the fort is devoid of shrubbery save for isolated thorny vines, but a few large boulders provide cover for a stealthy approach. The fort itself is a rough wooden palisade built overtop of stone ruins.

About four to eight guards stand watch by the forts gates, with a pair making the rounds on the walls every half hour or so. Interestingly, it the guards who stand at watch don’t seem to keep much of an attentive eye on the hillsides. Bandits come and go from the fort, bringing wood, games, and other supplies. There are also tracks a larger group leaving the fort recently.

When you regroup Valerie opines "We should be careful, assaulting this fort would be difficult at best. Maybe we should gather information then withdraw to gather strength"

From before:
Silene easily moves through the area, avoiding any active or inactive bandits. From your connection to the deep primarily forces of the first world, you can assert that no fey make there home in the shadow of the Stag Lord's fort.

New:
Silene can guess that the Fey have fled from the area immediately arround the fort. When she was deeper in the wilderness she did see Fey-signs

From the odd patterns of stone and plantlife, Dalia is sure that the hillside that surrounds the fort contained a extensive graveyard near the base. Obviously not tended or cared for.

New map

Activities in the fort wind to a close, the valuable loot in loaded onto the horses, and the dead are laid to rest. Harrim, Linzi, and Valerie volunteer to secure fort and the heavy trade goods that need to be moved by boat or wagon until proper logistics channels are established.

Make you way back to Oleg's? Ie travel north east?

Back the way we came makes the most sense as we will be establishing a trade route with Oleg's post. Look for more effective ways of travel along the way.

While questioning (& torturing?) the ignorant & uninformed bandits about Svetlana's ring, Silene gets a otherworldly flash of a image. A giant tree stretching to consume the sky. The surviving bandits did not have information of the Thorn River camp's activities.

Do I have any idea with that image means or am I just haunted and freaked out?

You have been getting visions like this ever since some mysterious nature entity gave you magical powers & introduced you to Filbert. They come across as surreal memories that you don't remember remembering.

Date: Pharast (March) 17th
Weather: Fair
Location: Thorn River Ford

You prepare for the journey, packing the valuable trade goods, and head north east. You cross the Thorn River with little issue.

Onward towards Olegs unless something shiny falls from the wilds

Date: Pharast (March) 18th
Weather: Fair
Location: Greenbelt - Thorn River "Bridge"

You trudge northwest through the heavy forests of the Greenbelt, following the coarse of the Thorn River. As the day nears an end you are approached by a distressed dog. The dog is not hostile and comfortable around people, however is clearly very anxious. The dog continues to bark at you, getting in the way of your horses, and running back towards a side trail before stopping to look longingly at the group.

Will attempt to make friends with the puppy via snacks and soft words

The dog approaches you. While he glances at the snacks, he is too focused to eat. He tugs on your sleeve trying to pull you along, before running back down a side trail while barking.

I say we follow the Lassi puppy and see who has fallen down a well.

You follow the anxious dog down the trail, after about ten minutes the dog leads you to a body hidden between two boulders. It appears to be some sort of ranger, severally injury, unconscious, and covered in makeshift bandages. The dog rushes to the man's side and nervously licks his face.

Dalia will be preceptive and also lend aid to the poor fellow.

I will also ask Filbert to look for danger

Silene puts an ear to the ground. She can hear the sound of something large but distant crashing through the underbrush and periodically bellowing in anger. "Danger" Flibert points in that direction*.

Dalia take a moment to heal the ranger, oblivious to any looming danger. As her treatments take hold the ranger sputters blood and comes to. His eyes wild, he scrambles back while fumbling for a hatchet on his belt. "Who are you. Identify yourself!" he wheezes.

I'll ask the ranger if something big and angry attacked him because I can still hear it nearby.

Easy now my dear Sir, I would hate to see you re-injure what the goddess saw fit to repair. Tell us what is wrong and mayhap we can render further aid

The ranger holds his hand out to quiet, pausing, sniffing the air he goods stiff. "Kargadd" he whispers, as if the quiet would hide his hate. "A troll ... he is hunting, but I will hunt him"

Filbert reacts to the ranger "Oh no, Trolls eat people"

Trolls are fairly common in this region. While intelligent and it is possible to converse with them, the general sense is that trolls are hostile.

OK we should stop the troll. Filbert can you sense where it is?

The ranger gives Silene a slight predatory smile "We should stop all troll" the ranger says softly. Looking the group up and down he reluctantly says "Against my better judgement, I am going to trust you. Trolls are tough, and this one has almost bested me already. They regenerate, but that can be shut down with elemental energy. Usually, fire or acid, but this one ..." he pauses to spit on the ground "Kargadd. Needs cold or sonic to end it" With a frown, the ranger picks up a damaged bag full of potions, many broken, and begins sorting thought selecting a few alchemical bombs. "Do you have ways to add sonic or cold? I have a few bombs left" he say determined.

The trolls position is quite obvious, to the north west. It is moving closer.

While elemental energy is not my fortay , I am sure I will be able to find something to do in the upcoming fight that will be advantageous.

I have the Thunderstrike spell. It will hurt him.

The ranger hands each of you a lesser frost vial and them grimly looks towards the noise.

Let's find and frost the troll!

Date: Pharast (March) 18th
Weather: Fair
Location: Thorn River Ford

You prepare to move after a long day hunting a nasty troll.

Date: Pharast (March) 18th
Weather: Foggy
Location: Thorn River Ford

You follow the Thorn river NW for 2 days with little event. As you pass the Thorn river ford Ekon remarks that another group has been through here recently, traveling NE. "A group of about 10-20, a bunch of them must be walking in chains. They are traveling slow, with efforts to mask their trail." Ekon mumbles "Slavers, most likely"

I must concur with Octavious, this cannot be allowed to pass. No one should be Forced to wear chains and do degrading things unless they choose to. Ekon do you think you could follow this trail?

Date: Pharast (March) 23rd
Weather: Fair
Location: Thorn River Ford

It takes 4 days of tracking to find the slaver's camp. The group was stealthy and lost you in thick woods of the Narlmarches. Doubling back you found the group traveling north west in the clearer terrain. As evening falls you approach a camp that has placed itself up against a shallow cliff. "What is the plan?" Ekon asks.

We will use stealth to determine the number of slaver scum verse the victims. Then cause a commotion to draw them away to an ambush, where we will slay the villains before returning to deal with the remaining guards and finally freeing those poor unfortunate souls.

Filbert can use his sneaky plant skills to go in and scout for us again. He is pretty good at that.

Give me a stealth roll for Filbert (+8 I think)

Filbert can do the sneaky?