IC Stuff

Veronica puts her hand to her forehead, pretending like she's about to swoon.

"A wise witch, huh?! Flattery will get you everywhere, darling! Though I wonder why you think that. Have you asked the villagers about me? Ah, it doesn't matter! Wise you call me, so wise I must be! HAHA!"

She picks up what looks like a piece of beef jerky from a dirty plate, twirling it in her hand while she thinks. Wait...is it really jerky, or a dried finger? Surely not from a human...?

Before you can determine what it truly is, Veronica tosses it across the room, much like she earlier tossed the book she'd been reading.

"As for wisdom: don't discount the Valencrests. If it ain't them specifically, I bet it's some amateurs playing copycat; there are still powerful Valencrest artifacts floating around. We've had people go missing before, but not with all this wild stuff happening on top of everything."

"And if you want me to join, wellllll...you'll have to make a pretty convincing argument! I'm loving my life of idleness!"

Then, before you can say anything:

"OK, you've convinced me! Give me an hour or so to pack up some gear, and off we go! Oh, almost forgot to ask: you got anyone else signed up for this misadventure? I don't mind, but just know that I'm...flexible when it comes to decision-making. I ain't gonna wring my hands if we gotta cut a few deals with some unsavory folks, as long as the job gets done, ya know? But some holier-than-thou folks take offense at my ways."

While she waits for your answers, she grabs a backpack and begins stuffing it with items. Quite efficiently, actually; though her home is a mess, it seems she knows where things are.

"Alright, Baxter, mommy's going out into Turlang's! Watch the cottage for me, OK? I'll leave some food out for you, but if I'm gone too long, you'll just have to hunt for rodents like a normal cat!"

In response, the cat does nothing but yawn.

I barely managed to get out a word in the whirlwind of speech and activity from Veronica, but I smile and nod as she grabs all her things and heads out the door.

"There is one other person in the party, and she seems pretty chill. However, if your choices become a problem to her, we have already agreed that she can split out on her own. We are supposed to go meet now, actually, back in the tavern." With that, we head off to meet back up with our other party member.

In short order, you're back at the Pig and Whistle. Alice stands outside, pacing back and forth.

Alice: "As requested, I purchased some items. We're lucky they had anything of value, as small as the shop is. Anyway, I bought a two-person tent, a crowbar, and a bag of caltrops."

She then scrutinizes Veronica.

Alice: "And you must be our new party member."

Veronica: "Yup! Veronica Zaun, wizard supreme. Resident of this not-so-fine town. Actually, I was planning on moving, but...ah, that's a tale for another time."

The two chat for several minutes. With Alice being reserved, and Veronica being irrepressible, it's unlikely they'll become friends for life. But both eventually give you a nod, indicating they can at least tolerate each other. And so the party is formed!

"Awesome! Looks like we have makeshift sort of party now then! Now let's go see about getting a tour guide..."

Can we head off to see Sven to ask him if he can guide us through the woods?

Veronica protests loudly upon hearing your plan, saying repeatedly that "there ain't no way he's coming," and that she knew her way around the forest as well as anyone.

Nonetheless, she leads you to Sven's office, which is basically just across the street. A sandy-haired, bearded man opens the door, looking out at the three adventurers with a perplexed expression. Veronica introduces everyone, and Sven invites the party inside...though clearly he's still confused.The office is clean and tidy, with what looks like antique logging equipment nailed to the walls: axes, saws, and the like. A friendly golden retriever ambles over as you enter, eager for pets. On Sven's desk is a disassembled clock, its many parts strewn about; apparently clocksmithing is also one of his many talents.

Sven: "Back to adventuring, Veronica? Thought you were done with that. In fact, thought you were done with this town entirely."

Veronica: "Well, our friend Lydia here begged and pleaded for me to join her. There were even tears, a literal deluge! How could I say no to someone in such dire need?"

Sven smirks and shakes his head, obviously used to the wizard's shenanigans.

Sven: "OK, seriously: what's this all about? Not that I don't mind the visit, but you----"

Veronica, interrupting: "We're going into Turlang's to find those missing people. Lydia here wants you as a tour guide. I told her you wouldn't be interested, but...."

Sven: "Tour guide?! Me?! I wouldn't go into that forest now for any amount of coin. Call me a coward if you want, but I'm no adventurer, and I have a family to think of. But I wish you the best, Lydia; these events are hurting my logging business, and I want everything resolved as much as anyone."

"I'm not surprised you won't go- sesms like most folks these days don't want anyone to do with that place. If you can't be there to guide us, is there any wisdom or help you can give us here? I'm not sure what we are walking in to, and we have limited resources."

"Well, most people think the old Valencrest hunting lodge is a good place to start. I agree with 'em. Been there plenty o' times; easy place to find. Never got jumped by any haints, but place still puts you on edge. Could be nothing there now...if there isn't, not like you've wasted much time lookin' the place over."

"Besides that, I guess just look for out-of-place tracks and other disturbances. Plenty o' trails in Turlang's; guarantee whoever (or whatever) is doing these foul deeds has used at least one of 'em. Ignoring the trails and moving through a thick forest? Maybe, but I doubt it. That's a tall task, even for the hardiest adventurer."

"Oh, and I'll give you something to help on your search. An old Decker family recipe...and it's a secret recipe, so don't ask for details. If you drink it, it'll keep your senses sharp for a good while."

He walks to the back room and returns with a small glass bottle filled with a thick green-gray liquid, handing it to you with a grin.

"Awesome, thank you!" I accept the potion and gather my crew. "I appreciate your advice. We'll be getting out of your hair now, but stop by whenever you head into town next and I'll treat you to some food.

With that we head out, having finalized our preparations.

We will head off into the forest towards the hunting camp. I will be leading at a medium speed, and I think I will ask that the witch is in the middle for protection. The goal is to walk normally as if we were on a hike until we get close to the cabin, at which time we can switch to sneaky mode.

You all enter the forest, moving at a steady pace. It's roughly two in the afternoon. The weather continues to be fair, and the forest is alive with activity. Birds flit about, squirrels chatter, and you even startle a deer, which bounds off into the underbrush. The trail is easy to follow; some parts are even graveled.

After about an hour of walking, you've covered three miles...and now the atmosphere changes. It's chillier, and there are less noises coming from the creatures of the woods. The trees, which had been swaying and rustling in a light breeze, stand still.

You hear a snuffling noise in the trees to your right, but before you can do anything, three wolves burst out in front of you!

Something has obviously corrupted these creatures: their eyes glow red, and red tendrils of magic or energy trail off their bodies. All three bare their fangs and advance, eager to rip and tear!However, one bright spot: these wolves look slightly smaller than normal ones; perhaps they aren't fully grown.

Still, the danger is real, so prepare for battle!

Init.

Current Init:

18 – Alice: AC 18, 13/13 HP
16 – Veronica: AC 10, 8/8 HP
9 – Wolf 1: healthy
9 – Wolf 3: healthy
5 – Wolf 2: healthy

Lydia: AC 17, 10/10 HP

Alice in the back sounds good. I'll add my initiative to this roll.

Looks like I'm towards the back!

Since Alice goes first, can I have her step to the front of the party with her weapon drawn? I want her to make sure none of the wolves slip past and get to everyone else.

I might also recommend that she tries to scare the wolves off. Maybe if we're a big enough threat, they'll run away.