Chapter 1 - The LostHollow

You find yourself in the small village of Losthollow, a prisoner housed in Losthollow keep. You've been captive in Losthollow for about 3 months, having been transferred from the larger city of Falkirk to alleviate a prison over crowding issue they had there. Shortly after your arrival in Losthollow you noticed things became very strange. For the past two months the guards have seemed on edge. Over time, you noticed that it seemed the guard was growing understaffed; guards you once saw regularly you haven't seen in months.

Two weeks ago things changed. The guards stopped showing up. First it was for half a shift, then a whole shift, then handfuls of days at a time. It has been 3 days since the last time a guard checked in on you and the other prisoners. You are starving. You have a small metal cup in your cell that you have sit between the cell bars of a window on the exterior wall that you use to collect rain water.

From the cell next door you hear a voice call out "Psssst. Can you spare some water?"

A dirty Elf woman reaches over to grab the metal cup and takes a swig before passing the remainder over to the prisoner next door. "Don't hog it all" She drawls, starvation eating at her

The prisoner is a thin man with dusty grey hair despite his youthful look. You can discern from his slight pointed ears and his high, arched eyebrows he is likely of elven kin. You figure some sort of half-elf.

He reaches out his hand, takes a small sip of the water, and immediately relief washes over his face. He hands the cup back to you and says: "Thanks friend. I don't think we've officially met. I am Theraine. What is your name?"

Theraine:

The elf woman replaces the cup to its original place on the window to continue gathering water "Sharia. I would say 'well met' but given the circumstances I find the phrase out of place."
Sharia

He looks at you with the best grin you expect one can give you who is imprisoned. He leans in and asks: "So what are you in fire"?

I shake my head "Not quite sure, they weren't exactly forthcoming when they stole all my belongings and threw me in this cell." I take a closer look at the cell around me

You look around and you see yourself in a stone room. You estimate that it is about 8ft in both length and width and about 10 feet in height. The walls, floors, and ceiling are a thick and dense stone, though the floor is covered in straw. In your cell is a wooden cot with no bedding or pillows. There is a small grate in the middle of the cell that leads to the sewers below; it is essentially your chamber pot. There is a very small barred window and a portcullis for a door. You can look through the grates of the portcullis and see other identical cells. You estimate that there are about 20 cells in total. All are occupied. By reaching through the portcullis you were able to exchange the metal cup with Theraine and if you press your face upto the grated door you can see into his cell.

I look through the barred window to try and determine how high up the cell block is before peering out to identify the source of the shouting

The best you can tell, it looks like you are on the 5th floor of this keep.

Realizing this, I will turn to the door and begin testing the lock, hinges etc to see how sturdy they are

You shake the portcullis.

With a short grunt and a immediate followed cough Bo woke up after realizing someone was yelling his name. He was a tall well built Tiefling, rough hands and knuckles, scars about his writs from years in shackles. He scrached his eyes and blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the light.

Bo raised up his head a few inches, "Who needs what?!" He yelled back, not leaving his cot. He took a whif of the air around him.

[/quote]

Sharia shakes, shimmies, and pushes the door with all of her might. However, the door is sturdy and well constructed. With all of her strength it doesn't seem like she could move the door off the hinges.

Bo, having just woken up hears the frantic clanging of Sharia's door. He realizes she's trying to look for a way to escape, which is of course something that all of the prisoners have done on many occasion.

Just then, from down the hall, you both hear the sound of a mechanical clank. You recognize it as the unlocking of the door to the prison level. Someone is coming in from outside.

not being a fan of this cell, I reluctantly quiet down, the idea of being fed is better than freedom for the moment
"They can't keep me in here for long, I'm getting out of this dungeon."
I whisper

Bo rested his head back down, not hopeful of the possibility of being fed. Morelikely a beating or a new prisoner he thought to himself.

Bo inspected the ceiling from his cot.

The cieling itself looks like a plain, stone slab. However, Bo notices a spider has been building a web in the corner of the of the ceiling. It looks intricate and must have taken some time to build. He wonders why he hasn't noticed it before.

You hear the rythmic clank of someone walking in full armor. The sound gets closer and closer to the cell. A cough, as a man clears his throat. Then turning the corner, you see a man in a full suit of armor. His hair is grey like granite, he has a faded scar running across one eye; he's a soldier but he looks old and warn. You look at his face but this is not a soldier you have ever seen guard the dungeon.

"ATTENTION PRISONERS! My name is Warden. I've been sent here by the town of Losthollow to inform you that we are under state of emergency. A fortnight ago, as the town lay in slumber, a powerful magic was put on our town. The town of Losthollow and the wilderness surrounding have been cut off from the rest of the world. A magical barrier separates us and the rest of Tela`ria. No one knows what caused it. No one knows how to end it. What I can tell you is that it has stirred the local tribe of orcs who live in the forest surrounding our town.

The guard has put up a noble effort to defend us but most of the guard has fallen. As I am sure you have noticed you have had very little care given to you over the last few weeks and for that I do apologize. However, with our forces stretched thin you have not been priority. That, however, will all change. Effective immediately, all crimes both future and retroactively are considered capital crimes and are punishable by swift and immediate death."

Bo burst into laughter, "you're going to kill us?!" He stood, and walked to the spider in the corner. Bo did not like spiders, but it was the only thing 'new' he had seen in months. Still watching the spider and the web, " you would kill us, for our crimes?......" He scratched the stump of his sawed off horns.

"Becuase you can't find a better use for us? One less thing to worry about?" He turned his gaze to the bars of his cell, at the bringer of bad news. "On who's authority?"

"Hold your tongue Demon-kin. I am acting on the authority of the people of Losthollow. Supply lines are cuts. There are no trades. There are no supplies. At best we have another month of food rations. The orcs have raided and killed our people. Fact is, they outnumber us 3 to 1. It is simply not prudent to share our rations with criminals. Making all crime capital offenses is a mercy. Its a mercy to those who would otherwise rot in a cage and starve. It is a mercy to the innocent people of Losthollow. However, I agree with the Demon-kin. We have found a better use for you."

The soldier spins around and looks at all the prisoners in the dungeon before he begins to yell.

"PRISONERS OF LOSTHOLLOW KEEP, TODAY IS A DAY THAT FATE HAS SMILED UPON YOU!!! While it is true that all crimes are now capital crimes, I am here to offer pardons to anyone who wants one. However, it is conditional. We are in need of a militia. Any prisoner who agrees to join as a soldier of the Losthollow militia will receive a full pardon for all previous crimes."

The soldier turns around and looks directly at Bo, grins, and says: "How's that for for a 'better use', hell spawn?"

Bo spat. "It'll do...I do enjoy a good sort." His belly groaned. He gazed back at the spider. 'Food' he thought. He looked passed the guard into the other cells as best he could and spoke to his captive brethren.

"But a good minute soldier can't fight on an empty stomachs can they!!" Bo rubbed his concave stomach.

The old soldier looks at you and laughs. "Dont worry Devil Spawn, we have a breakfast cooking downstairs for anyone who joins the militia. That is assuming you eat eggs and ham and not the flesh of sacrificed babies or something like that."

The withered man waits for a moment to see if he gets a reaction out of you with his last comment before proceeding to say:

"I'll give you all a few moments to think about your choice. However, know this! All crimes are capital offenses. Including future ones. This town has not the supplies or the tolerance to divvy out our resources to those in wanton violation of the law. If you are pardoned and caught committing a crime between now and the time that wall comes down, you will be put to death without remorse.

The man does an about face, and marches over to the door from which he entered. He turns back to face the room of cells and says:

"Now then, I'll give you all 5 minutes to make your choice. If you choose to join the militia, stand in front of the door with both arms through the holes in the portcullis. If you choose the mercy of death, stay laying in your bed."

I move to the door eagerly and put my arms through the portcullis

Bo did not respond to the ignorant man's insult. He cracked his knuckles and smiled on his way to the portcullis. He put his arms through the bars.

A few moments later the man walks back in the room lugging a heft sack. You hear the sound of metal clanking around in the bag. At first, he stops in front of Sharia. He pulls out a braclet from the sack. He looks at Sharia and says "You first my dear".

I grin and accept the bracelet, more concerned about a good meal than the bracelet at this point

He snaps the bracelet onto your wrist. He walks to the next cell and does this again to the next willing militia volunteer. The prisoner, after getting this snapped to his wrist asks: "What are these things"

The soldier looks at the prisoner and says: "These are the Binders of Orcus. Our town sage crafted these for us. These bracers contain a powerful enchantment. Every five days the spell has to be "renewed" by our town sage or else the enchantment will be unleashed and kill the wearer instantly. Also, our sage has an incantation that will unleash the effect of the bracelet on command, killing the wearer with no warning. This is to ensure that those who volunteer don't do anything that puts our town at risk.

As he finishes speaking, he approaches Bo's cell to place a binder on Bo's wrists.

Bo held his wrists still, and winked at the man after he was clicked in.

The man unlocks the cell doors, he opens the exterior door to the stairwell to the lower levels, and then announces: "Breakfast will be served shortly. Assignments will be handed out after breakfast. Please feel free to check-in with the armory men on the 3rd floor. Each soldier will be issued 100 gold worth of armor and weaponry as well as 50 gold worth of pocket money. Be on your way.

"Ah, I was wondering if I would be paid." Bo took another glance at the spider in the cell. "Don't stay here mate, they'll kill you." He chuckled on his way out.

You move down to the ground floor of the keep. It is a large, open feast hall with long oaken tables. Pots of scrambled eggs, breakfast pastries, and cured meats are on the table. Other prisoners have already made their way to the tables and begin gorging themselves on the food. The aroma is mouth watering and your stomach causes you a bit of physical pain as hunger is begging to be quenched. Your eyes land on table with a few open seats and some pots of eggs that are still full to the brim.

Ignoring any pleasantries I grab a plate and begin to elbow my way through the others and grab as much food as I can
"Move it rats, I'm hungry" I snarl as I go

You both eat until your bellies are full. And then, you eat some more. You are full to the gills with eggs and you both think to pocket a few handfuls of cured meats.

You lean back in your chair enjoying the feeling of fullness. You close your eyes just for a moment when you hear the gruff sound of someone shouting. You turn to see a dwarf, holding a clipboard in one hand and an axe in the other. "Listen up ye maggots! I be about ta read off some names. If ye hear yer name make yer way over ta me presently. Sharia!.......Bo!.........Vyndiri! Git yer arse over here now."

Bo stood and tucked some meat in his rags then made his way to the dwarf. He looked at the other two. He attemped to take a peak at the clipboard.

"Ye were transferred here from Fallkirk. I dinna think that yer personal effects wou' have been transferred with ye. However, if ye make a list of items, I'll see what I ken dig up for ye."

The dwarf then rips a blank piece of paper off of his clipboard and hands it to you.

The dwarf grunts and nods at you approvingly.

"Aye! Ole Rend Splitter here hasn't seen any blood in practically a week. She's thirsty and needs a drink.

The dwarf raises his axe and kisses it gingerly across the blade."

Did you go to the weapons master on the third floor? We cant get going until you've armored up. Unless of course you plan on fighting in your skivvy's.

The dwarf sees you trying to peer at his clipboard. He snatches it close to his chest and fusses at you saying:

"Ye report ta me prisoner and I dinna take kindly ta me subordinates tryin' ta stick their fat noses where they dinna belong. Now, if you have filled your gullet, get up stairs and get your equipment on. We have work to do."

Bo bowed his head. " will you be providing anything other then a budget? Or will you issue me armour?"

"The weapons master up on 3 will issue each person 100g worth of armor and 50g of petty currency. I'd suggest getting up there before all the equipment is gone."

He points at the stairs, looks down at his clipboard, and walks off.

Bo goes to the third floor to see the weapons master.

You walk up stairs to the 3rd floor, wander around the halls for a few minutes looking for any signage of the armory. However, you see none. What you do find in the first few rooms your peek into are barracks. All are unoccupied. The items within are covered in a fine layer of dust and cobwebs are thick in the corners and dark places. It looks like there hasn't been much action in the keep in several weeks. However, after some navigation you peek into one last room and see:

"Hello? " Bo considers what he may be worth stealing.

Back from the corner of the room you hear a man with a gruff voice shout:

"Yeah, what do you want?!"

You look up and see a man with a long red beard that matches his receding red hair. He is donned a smiting smock and is attending a small forge in the corner of the room that illuminates him in a faint red glow. You can smell the perfume of the wood from the fire and the room is much hotter than the hallway you just came from.

"Suppose you're hear for gear. Name's Quinton. Look around. Bring everything you want to the counter when you are done.

He takes a moment, inspects the equipment, and gives you a nod. He writes a hand written receipt.

"Some I made, not all. But I care for all the weapons here. They are oiled regularly and sharper than a surgeon's steel. Now, will this be all for ya? Rope? Rations? Torches?"

Bo wondered about the room, unsure of what to grab. He looked at the other two, "they are ging to need something to hide behind," he whispered to himself. He picked up a greatsword and a chain shirt and put them on the Smithy's table. "And a dungeoniers pack. Oh and my thieves tools should be around 'ere someplace."

Quinton looks down at you seemingly unimpressed. And grunts: "S'pose so".

You all place your items on the counter. Quinton sorts through the pile of equipment. Picks up one of the weapons and inspects the quality. Then looks to the group and says:

"Is this all of it then?"

Bo smirks, "don't forget our change."

Just as Sharia gets to the door, a new face pears through the open frame.

"D'is de armory? Redbeard downstairs be saying I'm in da group with'a biiiiiig scary demon-man."

Stepping through the doorway is an attractive looking human woman, with ebony dark skin and her hair in badly tangled dreadlocks. She's dressed in rags, but stands straight, and has a wide toothy grin adorning her features. At the corners of her mouth you can see a Glasgow smile. The woman speaks with a thick accent, so that occasionally you might have to think to understand what she says.

"Chou be lookin' like h'im." She nods towards Bo.

Bo winks at the human with his golden eye. "I must be the deamon he spoke of." He turns back to the smith. "This sword is impressive, but it better not be just looks. So help me I will come back for you." Bo holds his hand out waiting for his change.

Quinton comes back to the counter with a coin purse for each player.

"Your weapons have been signed out to you. Here is 50 gold per person in discretionary coin. This is not your salary. Town Guards make 10 gold pieces a week. This money is to be used in the service of LostHollow. Make sure you get a receipt for any and all purchases made with this money. Any frivolous spending or failure to get a receipt will result in a deduction of your weekly pay. Warden can provide you with Travel and Expense forms at the usage of any of these purchases."

"There being only one me." Cantrice promised. "Prolly for da bess."

Bo pulled his chain shirt on and strapped on his greatsword to his back. Taking his purse from the smith, "Well now that we are all familiar and done with the pleasures of first impressions." He moved to the door and opened it, bowed slightly and gestured out, "shall we?"

Into the room walks the red bearded dwarf that you saw before.

"Quinton. I trust ye took care of me troops here. Be they all armored up and ready ta fight?"

Quinton looks over at the dwarf and flashes a small smile saying:

"Garrik, my friend. You know I will always take care of anyone serving under you."

Garrik turns to the party, stands up just a little straighter, and says

"Alright men. Do anything you need to in the next 5 minutes and then meet me downstairs. We are going to discuss our mission"

"Does anyone here speak Orcish?" A loud, raucous bellowing comes from Cantrice, sounding rather inhuman.

Bo follows the group in the rear. "I want more eggs."

You try to listen but the cavalcade of prisoners are boisterously laughing and talking. You do, for a moment, catch the words of one of the few guard left:

"I don't know how much longer were going to make it. The orcs have been come incensed since that damn barrier went up. I don't know what kind of god damn magic created it but we have to find a way to bring it down and soon or else no one is going to make it out alive."

As your group congregates near the eating hall downstairs, Garrick approaches:

"Alright lassies. I hope ye found some nice weapons because ye're going hunting. Earlier today one of the village storehouses was raided by those dirty orcs. They took a month worth of supplies and we've been assigned ta get them back. I've got a map for ye and a few days of rations. It's about a days walk ta the settlement where we think they took the supplies. Bring back the supplies ta the village and I will see ta it that ye get properly rewarded."

He hands you the a rolled up scroll of parchment from his backpack, looks at the groups and says:

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. A good militia always needs two things. One is a name to be feared. The other is a leader. What do ye what to call yerselves and which one of your ruffians are going ta lead?"

Out of the corner of your eye you see Garik grinning. He seems to almost be chuckling to himself and you get the sense that he may have even asked this question just to get a rise out of the group.

Bo chuckles to himself, the elves are amusing he thought. "Whatever works, let's just get moving. We can talk about a name after we all get back alive."

Garick hands you the rolled up map. You unfurl it and see this:

You quickly begin to realize that the purple marking on the map has been drawn to indicate the magical barrier keeping everyone locked in town.

Roll was 14 +3=17

Bo inspects the map closely. Pointing at the mountains in the boundary, " what is the name of them mountains?..."

"Dinna worry thar lass. I be certainly in charge of ye group or prisoners. Its always ask me men...and er.... women ta choose a leader just ta see what kind of fightin' it will cause. Git yer way. Find those supplies and report back here."

Garrick looks at the maps, points to the waters, and says:

"Aye. Tha barrier runs deep. Ye kinna dig under it. Ye kinna fly over it. Ye kinna hurt it with any weapon in our arsenal. And in fact, it carved a path and killed trees in tha forest ta make way for itself."

"Tha mountain be named "Mount Rathegar". Nae from around here be ye lad?"

"Well, see that camp thar on tha map? That be the orc camp. Thar are rumors that thar might be more orc camps in those woods. But we think that the camp on the map is the one where are supplies might be".

He inspects the map closer. "This river, " he traces the water on the south side of the boundary," She flow to or away from the town? A month of supplies are hard to move even for orcs. I want to get to that camp," He turned to his companions," and back again as quickly as possible." Bo holds up his wrists, "we die in 5 days. What do you all plan to accomplish in that time? I plan on getting back what was taken, killing as many orcs as possible, and coming back bathed in blood and flesh of our FOE! We move as one, we think as one." He turns back to the dwarf. "And I want some god damned eggs when we get back."

Garik looks at you all and says:

"Off ye go now. Ye ain't got time ta be wasting around here."

Cantrice walks out of the keep. She marches down the street a little ways into the heart of the village. Before her, Cantrice sees a small, quaint village. People look on edge. As she walks down the streets people seem to be whispering behind her.

Bo follows Cantrice at his own pace, letting her skip along and ahead of him. He notices the looks and the whispers. Bo was used to this treatment, but why her. Sure she was different, but not enough to warrant this. He made sure to keep Cantrice in eyesight.

Cantrice grins and waves at anyone that makes eye contact with her. Despite her outward appearance, she's taking careful note of the state of the village. Do the people appear well fed? Is there food available? Are there any guards patrolling the street?

Looking around you don't see any guards. In fact, you notice most of the population on the streets are women, children, and older men. They don't appear to be suffering from hunger pains yet.

As you walk around the town trying to figure out what is going on, you hear a very guttural roar coming from the edge of town and then what hears like women screaming.

Bo grabs hold of his sword and waits to see whats going on before running off with out any clue as to what is happening. "Any suggestions on what that was?"

You hear an orcish bellow yelling "Grab the children"

On the street ahead of you, you see a small band of orcs grabbing children. Their parents fight to hang on to them but the orcs are ferociously tearing them away from their crying mother's clutches.

Standing before you, you see a crowd of orcs. Each of the orcs have grabbed one of the villagers children in their clutches. The children are crying and struggling to get away from the clutches of the Orcs. As you speak, the orcs spin around, looking for the source of these words. You can see the Orcs looking at you and almost as if the gears are grinding in their head they slowly put together that you can speak in their tongue. An orc, who looks to be the leader of this group steps forward. He gets uncomfortably close to you and lowers his face down to eye level with your face. He holds his face there for just a moment inspecting you.

He then steps back and erupts in laughter. The crowd of orcs look at him, then look at each other, and erupt into laughter as well.

"So, the pink skin can speak our tongue. Well tell your people this pink skin. You will remove the magic walls and let us out of this prison or we will continue to raid your villages and kill your kin".

He turns back to the crowd of orcs. He makes eye contact with one of the children who are crying. He lifts his hand and wipes the tear from the kids face. Then in the other hand, he raises his scimitar.

Dice roll of 16+ dex bonus of 1 =17

Bo watches, taking position at Cantrice's side, his sword fully drawn and standing at the ready. "What is he saying?"