The Spellweavers tale – Musings of Tamarin the Mage
Waterdeep Day 1
When one arrives somewhere, it is usual to take a moment and contemplate a plan.
A plan invariably helps structure the events and can avoid waste of time and effort, or more importantly, risk to life and limb.
The new adventurer’s guild seemed a logical starting point and their new ‘matching’ option would ostensibly provide a reasonable (if expensive) investment. I had of course already seen the notice board and had been advised that a licence was needed to trade as an adventurer within the city limits.
Forms, psychometric profiling, and a variant of a truth spell provided an interesting diversion.
After several hours I met with a number of aspirants. All it seems having completed the forms and awaiting ‘placement’.
A young halfling dressed in his PJ’s seemed intent on his lack of fiscal perspicacity and soliciting various creamed cakes into a satchel.
A human barbarian type appeared to be of above average intelligence (for his type) by way of conversation but his experience may be in question (a shield?).
The wood elf surprised me briefly with his cool contemplation of the scene, he made no issue of his larcenous skills, I greeted him silently with a sign shown to me by a former comrade.
The other human was a pleasant surprise, and probably the best dressed druid I have ever seen! I admit my experience with druids relates more to elven practitioners, who tend to the scruffy, sticks in hair, and moss on cheeks variety and are normally crawling with animal pests, so the more upmarket version was a blessing.
The guild representative finally arrived just as the halfling was stuffing his face, pockets and clothing with food from the buffet. He seemed unfazed and slightly smug when advising the group that we were in fact paired… with a 47% chance of survival. Looking at my ‘comrades’ with new eye, I could guess where the other 53% percent was as the cream squirted slightly out of the halfling’s pocket.
The guild rep, went on to note that a cleric and a warlock were to join us but were currently being subjected to additional testing. I found myself thinking this probably involved some form of colonic irrigation as that was the only test they hadn’t administered to the rest of us.
First mission
The Halfling is mildly irritating, he seemed intent on starting a fight with other adventurers. I had to intervene to prevent further issues. However, we have a job. Meet a man in a local tavern for a quick quest that may lead to more work. Interestingly, the method of recruitment appears to be magical in some way. The note on the notice board was addressed to us. The rogue had a quick leaning experience as a harmless puff of magic exploded as he opened the note.
Despite my initial concerns, the note revealed that the patron ‘S’ was someone of repute (our fellow adventurers were helpfully forthcoming), and my misgivings further subsided when we reached the tavern for the meet. The Principal appeared competent, the mission clear, and the instructions very specific. Travel to a vacant house, enter ONLY the kitchen and the cellar, acquire some mushrooms using the silvered daggers provided, and return. Nothing else. The fee, 20gp per person, payable on completion.
We agreed to the quest, and followed the directions provided, a short 2 hour journey interrupted by my need to check the daggers to see if they were safe for us to use, (interesting crafted items with several use once enchantments protecting the user, but nothing potentially harmful).
The same cannot be said for the Mansion we approached an hour later. The long dirt track appeared to be used only occasionally. The fields either side were planted with crop, and strangely scarecrows stood like sentries on the road. To be fair to the halfling, he did suggest this was a bit strange, but the druid decided to detect for magic on the stationary scarecrows… we simply continued on.
The scarecrows were anything but stationary as the barbarian decided to prod one. It and several others leapt to attach with strange claws as hard as they shredded the barbarian, the rogue and the druid in short order.
Interesting that the halfling (a monk) proved very resilient. Even more interesting that no one bar me appears to have a ranged capability… a learning point to be sure.
Note to self. Human physiology is peculiar. When dying plugging the wounds isn’t sufficient, they require some form of internal stimulus… thankfully a mage hand sufficed…
It occurred to me that burning the other scarecrows was a good idea. However, the druid was convinced it would only mark our presence, irritatingly he appears to be able quench my fires.
Making our way to the mansion, we encountered gypsies. The rogue, and the druid decided to engage them in conversation. Apparently, they are itinerant and stay here for short periods. They have a password to get past the scarecrows but showed no inclination to share it. I let them ramble on but it became clear that a different tack was required. I claimed to know Gabriel Vistani family the gypsies around Evermeet, and used this to illicit some trust. The password and somantic
components were forthcoming, I believe we now have a measure of acceptance.
Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, we made for the kitchen and the cellar as instructed. Then druid recieved his instuction by triggering the trap on the back door. but we entered the mansion after attempts to pick the lock failed and the barbarian applied a few well chosen blows. sticking to our instructions we entered the kitchen and found the cellar. The druid was a little unlucky fall for the second trap of the day by breaking the stairs (obviously requires further reinforcement of lessons. I belive that our brief conversation whilst rigging a rope in respect of 'letting the rogue go first' may have sunk in, but you never know!
Once in the cellar, a shadowy monstrosity attached immediately. The fact that I am able to write this indicates a measure of success. I am unsure if the creature was bowed by our ineptitude or my use of the somnolence weave, it fled leaving no trace.
A moaning voice within the mansion requesting rescue may bear further investigation, it offers all sorts of riches… and is therefore obviously a trap. Research on the mansion required.
Note to self: research shadow form creatures.
We obtained the mushrooms, unusual variety with sporacyst nodules. The silvered blades nullified any effects. (1 mushroom retained for study).
Summary of day 1
Preliminary results indicate that the group functioned well enough. The druid may be a liability if he wonders off by himself. Roles within the group need to be defined and some basic tactics established. At the moment 47% is looking generous.
