DDAL05-01.1 - Treasure of the Broken Hoard

Oct 4, 2018 2:44 pm
One of the most famous treasure hunters in the Realms, Veradda Stoor, has put out a call for assistance in tracking
down caches of treasure hidden by the now-defunct Cult of the Dragon in the Greypeak Mountains. Through luck, skill,
and the intervention of your faction, you have been chosen to assist her. You were told to meet her in a clearing along the
Black Road, east of the village of Parnast.

Your trip along the Black Road showed signs of goblin presence, but has otherwise been uneventful. Other travelers
you met claimed to have seen evidence of giant activity: runecovered boulders, huge footprints, and missing livestock. You
saw none of that evidence, however. Maybe it was just the overactive imagination of scared farmers and merchants?

When you reach the rendezvous point, Veradda Stoor is nowhere to be found. Countless footprints of various sizes,
and lots of bloodstains, mar the ground. A search of the area ultimately turns up the body of your would-be employer,
several-hours dead from a variety of wounds.

What is left of her equipment is scattered around the clearing. A large tome holding her notes is open on the ground
near her body. The last several pages have been torn out.
Oct 4, 2018 3:21 pm
Nikos kneels by the corpse, her sword stuck in the ground as a prop. Having seen no-one else around for the time being, she remains on guard, wondering if it was one of the hired hands, like her, that did this to her in a bid to secure the spoils for themselves. "So much for a legendary treasure hunter..." She mumbles to herself solemnly, before looking out over the carnage. She surveys the area for any tracks or signs that might lead to the woman's attacker.

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+2)

(16) + 2 = 18

Perception - (1d20+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Oct 4, 2018 5:43 pm
Thrune spots the stranger as he arrives in the area. He calls out to avoid the chance of startling her as she is searching the ground. "Greetings! My name is Thrune. I am here to meet Veradda Stoor."

Thrune continues as he gets closer and sees the body on the ground. "You don't match the description, but she does. I may be able to help her. Do you know what happened?" He rushes over but realizes there's nothing he can do.
Oct 4, 2018 5:57 pm
Not far behind on the path is Ruby, softly playing her flute as she follows the path. Spotting several figures, she waves out to them "Hello there! I'm looking for the treasure hunter! Are you with the- oh..." Running up to meet the two, her voice becomes soft as the gruesome scene reveals itself.
Oct 4, 2018 6:39 pm
"Naught to be done, I'm afraid." Nikos stands up straight, shaking her head. She sheathes her weapon and folds her arms, appraising the two newcomers. "So far, I've no idea what happened to her. I'm looking for anything that might give us an idea of her attacker, though. I suppose you two are here looking for the cult's remaining spoils as well, then?"

She steps forward to Thrune and offers her hand in welcome. "An honor to meet you. They call me the Raging Waves, though Nikos is considerably less of a mouthful." She chuckles and looks to the halfling. "What about you, traveler?"
Last edited October 4, 2018 6:41 pm
Oct 4, 2018 7:04 pm
Good day.. Claims the human clothed in loose fitting garb, walking with his weapon(halberd) like that to a walking stick. I've come to claim this treasures.
Noticing the others. Well then, i guess i'm not the first, or only one here. Seeing all the mayhem, Say, what gives here? Rizak slowly lowers to ready his weapon.
Oct 4, 2018 8:27 pm
Rivas watches as the others meet and greet one another before slowly approaching. Without a word, he walks past the gathered adventurers and examines the ground around the corpse of his would be employer. He frowns as he studies the footprints and depressions in the earth.

After a moment he turns his gaze to the tree line and near horizons. Following a quick scan of the region, he faces his fellow adventurers. "Rivas Braloch; Paladin in the service of the Red Knight."

After the briefest of pauses, as though his announcement should have meant something, he adds, "I have no idea whether or not it is a pleasure to meet any of you. I'll find out soon enough. Whoever or whatever did this can't be too far off, and the opportunity for us to learn more of each other will present itself when battle is joined."

"In the meantime, I suggest we are better off working together rather than apart."

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+2)

(10) + 2 = 12

Perception - (1D20+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Oct 4, 2018 8:34 pm
"I'm Ruby, last name Tealeaf. I was told to meet here for a treasure-hunt." She pulls out a piece of parchment, at the top reads "ADVENTURERS WANTED" and stashes it back into her pack. "I'm looking for a dragon, or information about their whereabouts and I figured a cult of dragons -gone or not- can help."

Approaching the scene she takes interest in the tome, examining the contents. "Does this happen often with treasure hunting? Finding dead bodies of your employer?" She asks earnestly while shaking her head faintly.
Last edited October 4, 2018 8:35 pm
Oct 4, 2018 8:45 pm
It can young one, Many peoples in search of treasures. Rizak says still holding his weapon at the ready.
Oct 4, 2018 8:48 pm
Searching about you eventually discover several scrolls on the body of Veradda. Here are the notes that you are able to put together based on your scouring of the scolls.

The First Cache. The first treasure cache was hidden by the Cult of the Dragon in an abandoned cave at the base at
of the southernmost mountain in the Greypeak range. While it was thought to be the smallest of the caches, it is also
not thought to be protected by any traps or magic. The caves and tunnels of the complex, according to my sources,
are not very structurally sound. Goblins are known to inhabit the area.

The Second Cache. My sources confirmed that one cache was buried beneath a unique structure: a pyramid of
stone resting on a flat field of stone in the middle section of the Greypeaks, directly between the two highest
mountains of that section of the range. The area was once rent with volcanic activity, making the flat stone field
difficult to navigate. My sources could not tell me who or what built the boulder pyramid.

The Third Cache. The source I questioned about this cache said that it was carefully hidden behind a secret
entrance in the wall of a green-sided mountain. There is only one of those in the Greypeak range, according to my
research. The source also said that the cultist who hid the treasure was an expert in magical curses.

The Fourth Cache. This cache was secured in an abandoned dwarven outpost used for treating ore that was being
prepared for use in weapon-smithing. My sources implied that the place had been overrun by something terrible and
immortal, causing the dwarves to leave it centuries ago. Subterranean volcanic activity has been reported in the area
regularly over the years.

The Fifth Cache. At the top of the tallest summit of the Greypeaks, one contact told me that there is an abandoned
shrine once revered by giants. Dragons used the area as a perch since then, and a cache is going to be hidden there.
Someone also told me that occasionally, when the wind is blowing in just the right direction, a pealing of loud bell
can be heard from there.
Oct 4, 2018 9:06 pm
Well, then. Rizak lowers his weapon. It seems we may all be after the same thing. I'm Rizak former City guard turnt treasure hunter. Rizak drops his "formal" accent and goes back to his more Southern Twang.

Now, y'all rekon we should be just go down the list thurr, have a start that them there first un' and just work a'way down? He goes back to the position of using the weapon as more of a walking cane.
Oct 4, 2018 9:30 pm
OOC:
Not to gripe, but would it be possible to fix the formatting on those posts in future? Makes it kinda hard to read.
Nikos looks quite taken aback by the sudden and great shift in the man's accent, but shakes her head of it. She then turns back to the halfling woman behind her. "You're... Looking for a dragon? I hope you've a very good reason... Anyways." She looks at the book and scans down through the notes. "Judging by her description, the first cache would be the nearest. So, yes. I believe it would be best to start there... Although, we should take care not to meet the same fate as our employer here. I imagine her attacker may still be around."
OOC:
Did Rivas and I find any clues as to her attacker?
Last edited October 4, 2018 9:30 pm
Oct 4, 2018 9:47 pm
Nah, i recken by the way them foot paths all over the place, they ain't be coming back round anytime shortly
Last edited October 4, 2018 9:48 pm
Oct 4, 2018 10:08 pm
"In the absence of any other information, it would be foolish to assume the perpetrators are not still nearby. We should've care in our movements not to be caught off guard."

Rivas nods at Nikos, "The closest cache makes the most sense. We should start there."
Oct 4, 2018 10:24 pm
Thrune addresses the group. "It is an honor to meet all of you. I am Thrune Drummson, priest of Sharindlar, Lady of Life and Mercy. We were chosen for this mission -- I agree that we should complete it to honor Veradda Stoor's legacy."

"If anyone would like a some divine assistance with their examinations, please let me know. Meanwhile, I need to check our unfortunate employer to see if I can determine how to honor her deceased soul before we bury her."

Thrune checks for holy symbols or other clues while he tries to remember rituals from other faiths.

Rolls

Respectful search through clothing (Investigation) - (1d20+1)

(11) + 1 = 12

Searching memory for burial rights (Religion) - (1d20+3)

(18) + 3 = 21

Oct 4, 2018 10:30 pm
OOC:
How close is the first cache? Is a town where we could bring the deceased on the way?
Oct 4, 2018 11:12 pm
Unfortunately, searching the area doesn’t provide you any additional clues as to who may have committed this crime. The tracks are clearly humanoid of various sizes but little else can be determined. They lead off to the West back in the direction of Parnast.

Thrune finds no indication as to Veradda’s religious affiliations. After careful thought you feel as though you could either bury Veradda here and try to get word to her next of kin via messenger or take her body back to Parnast and let it be taken care of there. In either case you feel you should explore the Cache locations as she would have wanted.
Oct 4, 2018 11:47 pm
OOC:
The first cave is southwest of your current location. While not a direct route it wouldn’t be crazy for you to travel to Parnast first then south from there.

As far as formatting goes could you provide any more feedback? I’m not sure what you would want changed in order for it to be read easier?
Oct 5, 2018 3:22 am
OOC:
Regarding the formatting: in my Chrome browser i am seeing what appears to be hard returns after about 150 characters.
Oct 5, 2018 3:27 am
Thrune again addresses his new companions. "Friends, we should not allow such an esteemed person as Veradda Stoor to suffer the indignity of a crude burial. I suggest we go the Parnast, where she can be treated properly, then onto to the first cave. Perhaps we can find useful information in Parnast as well. Of course, we need to keep our destination a secret."
Last edited October 5, 2018 4:01 am
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