Unanswered Questions

As the morning sun rose in the sky, Fe'male's heart sank. The scout had not returned.
As unwise as it was to venture forward into the unknown dangers ahead, maybe they could sneak in and figure out what happened. The human seemed especially opposed to the idea, but he followed along as the only alternative was to be left alone in the woods.

They slowly crept through the forest as quiet as possible. The human jumping as each branch cracked under Fe'male's foot. Finally they heard the sounds of a camp. Carefully they approached and tried to flank the area, looking for any sign of Lume the scout.

As they scanned the camp, she saw a familiar face. Fe'male's face must have looked ablaze, the bronze scales shining with anger. The tiefling was sitting on a bench with his hand on the back of their companion, Lume.  He was laughing.

Fe'male stood tall and entered the camp, taking the hobgoblin guards slightly by surprise. She bounded towards the tiefling. Luckily, the paladin spoke first with remarks of relief for Lume's sake. Fe'male stood by his side and did not take her eyes off of the tiefling. She heard little of the explanation of how Lume came to be so drunk or how the tiefling had arrived before them. Her head swam with rage.

She forced her emotions to subside just in time to hear the paladin agree to the hobgoblin's generous offer of staying the night, but just a single night. They were given directions towards the nearest town, only 2 days walk from here. If the innkeepers family had been in trouble out this way, it is likely that they would head for that town to seek aid.

Fe'male found time before they retired to sleep to make mention of her distrust for the tiefling. During the day the party was witness to mourners who lamented over a lost boy. Fe'male could only assume it was the same boy that the tiefling was 'nursing' to health. Why would he come and not mention the boy? What plans did he have for the hobgoblins? for themselves?

Second-Guessing

They sit in the woods in silence, waiting for any sound. It had only been hobgoblin youngling splashing in the river, but where there are youngling ...
Fe'male suggested they send a scout. Lume, the half-elf, was the lightest on his feet so he took off into the forest as the sun began to set. Fe'male watched him weave through the trees until she lost sight of him.
In battle Fe'male would have sent a scout without hesitation. She was not these men's commander. Instead, she was an equal and did not feel that ordering a man into the forest to face a war party was her command to make.
The paladin took the first watch.


Fe'male saw her brother. He was right in front of her. 
He was yelling orders, but she could not hear his voice. All was silent. 
She was on the shoreline, surrounded by dragonborn soldiers. 
She turned to her brother again. He was clad in battle-ready armor, weapon raised.
He faced ahead and made the call to charge.  Something was wrong.
He ran ahead. Fe'male tried to keep up. 
She struggled to run but everything around her moved forward faster.
Fear and anxiety washed over her as the army began to enter the mountain pass ahead.
The entire army had entered the pass and she was still struggling to run.
Finally she entered the pass but to her horror all she saw was slain dragonborn.
She ran past them searching for her brother.
In the distance, she saw his armor leaning against a tree. His back was to her.

"It's your watch" the paladin woke Fe'male.
It was not hard to stay awake. Her heart was pounding.
The scout had not returned during the paladin's watch. Surely the camp had not been very far. The youngling group would not venture out too far from camp. Fe'male tried to decide if the anxiety she felt now was truly about the scout's well-being.

Wasting Time

Perhaps it was fate that these four were at the inn when it became obvious that the lady innkeeper was in a bit of trouble. The paladin, Roland, would say it was Avandra looking over them.  The human, Merghast, would say he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Fe'male believed that while this was a diversion from her main task of returning to her own family, that reuniting this family in need was a worthy diversion.

Now, faced with the grim discovery before them, had the whole thing just been a waste of effort?

However, this was just one body. If it truly was the innkeeper's husband or son, where was the other? Surely the only need to separate would have been injury. The survivor should have headed back to the inn for help. After a quick but thorough search of the surrounding woods, it was decided that they would have to continue searching. Perhaps there is another close house that could know what came of these men.

As they ventured forward they could hear a strange sound on the wind. It sounded of splashing water and voices. Fe'male smelled something on the air.  She would have to stay as the rest ventured quietly ahead to scout it out. Merghast chose to stay as well, so she wouldn't have to stand alone. He was definitely not afraid of the unknown possible stampede of strange animals ahead.

Keep your enemies closer

They left the tiefling's home after a night's stay. Fe'male didn't really get any sleep.  The place was dark by the time they made it to the tiefling's house. He requested they not linger in the morning. Fe'male had already decided to leave as early as possible.

The tiefling assured that the Deeza men never made it to him. Despite his assurances, the party still believed they could be out there and were determined to move deeper into the forest in the morning.

In the light of day, a small huddled bundle was discovered in the corner of the tiefling's home.  A small hobgoblin. The tiefling claimed to have found it hurt in the forest and was restoring it before returning to its people. The party paid this little mind as it was in no condition to question about the Deezas.

Moving forward they were lucky to miss another attack as they stumbled upon a small cave. This must have been how those kobalds got around so fast. They had a network of tunnels throughout the forest.

Nearby they also found some human remains: scraps of clothing and bones.  The party looked looked at the remains and thought the same thing, but none spoke it. Could this be the end of their journey?

The Best Way Out Is Always Through

They all look around, trying desperately to see through the thick woods surrounding them.
What 'herald' means, none could be for sure. Scout is what the others decided, preparing for the worst.

I can't believe I didn't smell the scoundrel on the approach. The stench of battle and my new travel companions must have masked it. The tiefling topped the hill as we prepared to move onward. He commented with an air of superiority his surprise that we even ventured in this section of forest. Pointing out the strange configurations of sticks and bones lining the treetops the tiefling pointed out the warning signs to ward off trespassers.  We had seen them, but chose to ignore them. Did the innkeepers family do the same?

If not for the tiefling's offer to assist us with information for our quest, it would have been easy to find a reason to dispatch one of his kind. It would be a disservice to the innkeeper to allow old traditions of hatred between my kind and his to cloud the mission at hand, but trust will not come easy.

We followed him back to his home.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. - Robert Frost

Fe'male jumped into a group of the kobalds. They looked different than the kobalds she was used to seeing back home and on the docks at Devils Bay, as if the pigment had been washed off their scaly skin. These creatures seemed a little off, crazed. She swung her halberd wide and strong. 

Battle was the perfect way to get to know her fellow travel companions. It was the easiest language for Fe'male to understand. The paladin, Roland, glowed with holy light and used his hammer to smite the kobalds that ambushed him. The secretive half-elf, Loom, darted to and fro stabbing and slashing with speed and cunning. The human, Merghast,  cowered by a large rock.

The battle proceeded with a lot of hacking and slashing and a few moments of teamwork. However, Fe'male was taken by surprise when she was cornered by a couple of kobalds. She was not surprised by their strategy, but that the human stood up confidently, pointed at one while whispering and the thing just took off.  Loom quickly dispatched it and Fe'male took care of the other.

One kobald had barely survived this misguided attack.  He lay dying in a pool of his own blood. Coughing he tried to speak. He did not call out for mercy, but spoke a single word repeatedly. The others in the party looked at him in confusion. Fe'male listened carefully to this things dying words. It was speaking Draconic, an old dialect.

Fe'male spoke aloud. "Herald"

The Path Less Traveled

They all gathered outside of the inn. Looking down the path before them, they realized that it was far too treacherous to bring the horses. Fe'male looked to the young boy and paid him enough to feed her horse till they would return.  She stressed that he tend it well. She hoped that he could handle this responsibility as she still owed money on the horse and it would be a shame to loose the key to swift completion of her mission.

As they walked, Fe'male glanced behind her analyzing the party.  She took the lead as she was born for the role. The paladin took up the rear position. The shady half-elf swung out to the side to do cursory scouting. He quickly disappeared into the trees. If not for his faint trail on the air Fe'male may have questioned if he was still out there or on his way back to the Hurry. The human stayed between Fe'male and the Paladin and jumped when twigs would snap under Fe'male's heavy stride. She wondered how he could even walk straight when his hands were covering his eyes every few minutes.

After walking for quite a while, nearly half a day, the party approached a steep hill. Fe'male was instinctively wary of hills as they would give an opponent the advantage in battle. The scout returned as they eased up the hill. The forest was dense surrounding this place. As they reached the top of the hill and continued forward, Fe'male realized they were now in a bowl of earth. A most unsavory fighting position. She drew her halberd and looked around. The smell of these humans was no match for the stench of what approached.

The paladin drew a mace. The other half-elf drew a sword. The three stood looking at the circumference of the hillside as they became silently surrounded. The only sound that could be heard over your own heartbeat was a faint whimper.

Two Paths Diverged in the Woods - Part 4

The innkeeper sobbed. Her little boy tried to console her. She explained how that huge sword on the mantle belonged to her  husband, but he had been gone for so long. He and her eldest son had left to go hunting. The meat had become scarce, so she expected them to be gone for longer than usual. However, now months had passed and she feared the worst. Also, with her husband gone so long, her husband's brother who leads a band of thieves up and down the Hurry was trying to recruit her youngest son by force.

It was a sad story. All staying in the inn felt concern for the lady and probably a little proud for helping her keep her son and drive off the gang of miscreants. But all hesitated when the innkeeper continued with "Would you all help us? Would you go out and bring back the truth of my husband and son's condition?" Fe'male was on a very important personal mission of her own. She was sure that each of these other patrons were as well. This didn't seem a real tourist attraction on its own.

Fe'male quickly reflected upon the two paths that lay before her. On the one she could leave this place and head north on the road to her destination and continue her path to honor. On the other she could venture into the forest to track down half of a family and potentially save a young boy from a life of crime. Fe'male envisioned herself looking back on this decision and how there was only one truly honorable way to proceed.  She will get back to her mission soon, but chose to help make a difference now.

Two Paths Diverged in the Woods - Part 3

Fe'male surveyed these thugs with dragonborn reflexes. She had been trained to evaluate a band of warriors quickly and determine strategy for their defeat in moments. However, she was not with a team of her own.

The leader of the band of hooligans demanded the young boy. He pointed to the large sword above the mantle and spoke about family.  Fe'male could not understand most of what this man was talking about, but the face of the innkeeper spoke volumes. The bandits struck the lady. With that the shiny paladin that had been sitting beside Fe'male sprung into action. With her doubts came lost opportunity.

He pushed a couple of the weaker followers out of his way as he made for the leader. It was obvious to this thug that he was looking at his better and he made a cry for support.  Fe'male now stood, ready to ensure a fair fight for the paladin.

Fe'male wanted to strike fear into these men quickly. Her halberd sank into the first opponent deep and she let out a fierce battle-cry.  She turned to her side and inhaled deeply. She opened her mouth and expelled a piercing breath of ice that hit two other men.  Looking past their frosted faces, Fe'male smirked as she watched a man run from the inn in pure terror.

Looking around, the breakfast table was empty. The entire inn was fighting for this lady. Whether it was the honor of protecting a damsel in distress or just blood-thirst, none were sitting it out.

The battle wrapped up and the last of the band was thrown outside. Fe'male smiled as she wiped her blade clean, pleased to know that despite current setbacks her ice breath was still as strong as ever.

Two Paths Diverged in the Woods - Part 2

The stairs creaked with her weight as she descended back into the eating area.  Fe'male could smell the food being prepared. She reached the bottom of the stairs and quickly glanced around to see most of the others tenants were already sitting, ready to eat.

Fe'male entered the room and began to survey for the safest table for herself, but mid-glance the owner made her way through with a large pot and sat it on the long center table. Her young boy followed her with bowls and spoons that he placed beside the pot.  "We're all going to eat here like civilized folk" she said gesturing towards the large center table.

The tenants reluctantly grabbed their belongings and moved towards the table. Fe'male took a seat towards the end closest to the door but took up enough room that none could sit too close to her and still eat comfortably. Surveying the room she could smell human, but also a hint of elf.  A very dark figure sat at the other end of the table and was obscured by his coat and top-hat, but definitely smelled like a half-elf.  The man beside him looked almost afraid to eat and was dressed in a bright robe. Between this cowering human and Fe'male sat a large half-elf in shiny armor.  He seemed a little over-dressed for breakfast, but Fe'male commended his preparedness.

Yet again, a light meal. The innkeeper apologized for the lack of meat, but her apathetic tone was of one who had repeated this apology for many mornings. Fe'male wondered if she would ever eat a full meal again and whether these light meals would impede her mission.  She would have to test her endurance soon to make sure.

Towards the end of breakfast, but before any had finished, there was a loud ruckus outside and a band of men entered the inn. They strutted into the place like they owned it.  Fe'male glanced back towards the innkeeper and her face showed both anger and fear.  Fe'male's opportunity would come sooner than she anticipated.

Two Paths Diverged in the Woods - Part 1

Fe'male looked around the outside of the inn. Little Choice was indeed a fitting name for this place. It wouldn't have been her first pick of places to stop, but there was no other choice.  A young boy approached and Fe'male allowed him to take her horse and feed it.  She entered the establishment to get a room. It had been a long ride and now the day was growing dark. Fe'male felt more at ease in the dark over here. She felt as much an outcast here as she did at home before leaving on this mission.

She made her way to the bar and was served a stew by the lady of the inn.  This place had no meat, a great disappointment.  She was not used to such light meals.  There were very few in the inn and, like Fe'male, it seemed they wished to be ignored. She finished her meal and was showed her room. It was small but she only needed it for the night.

Fe'male saw her brother standing right in front of her. He was yelling, but she couldn't hear what he was saying. She looked around and the beach shore was packed with dragonborn. Her brother was battle ready, leading an army of dragonborn soldiers. He was in slow motion as he began to run towards the mountain pass. Something was wrong though. Fe'male felt immobilized. She tried to run, to catch up. She struggled, fear and anxiety welling in her chest. They had all made it into the pass ahead of her and she strained to see any of them now. 

Fe'male awoke in the morning heart pumping, but could not remember why. She made ready to depart. She put each piece of her dragonborn chainmail armor back on. It fit perfectly after years of wear. She pulled the bag of black shells from under the pillow and tied them back to her belt.  She readied her sack of belongings and her halberd and carried it all downstairs.

A Great Deal on a Horse

Fe'male entered the inn and spoke with one of the smaller men but it seemed all of these horses were far out of her price range. Most were too small to even carry her and she had a feeling they weren't excited to see a dragonborn ride one of their quality work horses.

Finally a larger man came through and wanted to strike a deal. The price was more reasonable even though it was almost all she had. The horse was a perfect size for her and black as the shells at her side.

The man allowed her to pay most of the cost now and to pay the rest when she returned the horse. She agreed and as she rode away she was very pleased to think that this town had at least one nice man who knew an honorable dragonborn when he saw one.


She rode up the Hurry towards Banda Cate. The Hurry was the only road that lead from Devil's Bay up to Banda Cate. That's the next stop for her journey, but it's a few days ride away. Fe'male rode hard and this horse could handle it.

As the first night approached, Fe'male slowed her pace as she saw something large in the distance. It turned out to be the remnants of a raided caravan. The bandits that frequent this road had destroyed or taken most of the cargo. Fe'male placed a couple of the statues scattered about in her bag.

The next day she had made it to Little Choice Inn, the halfway point on The Hurry. It wouldn't hurt to have a decent night's sleep and some meat in her belly before carrying on.

Seashells by the Seashore

Fe'male roams the street trying to shake off the previous night. The cot had been so small it was hard to decide which was worse: the night in jail or the nights at sea.

She heard a man peddling maps. This man proved truly knowledgeable about this town and its surrounding areas. He also suggested visiting the money exchanger as she paid for the map and information he provided.

Fe'male walked down the beach. Waves licked the shore. She stared out to sea. She knew it was impossible to see her homeland from here and she almost laughed at herself as she surveyed the horizon.

She took a knee and picked a handful of black shells out of the sand. She placed them in a small drawstring sack and tied it to her belt. The first assignment of the journey completed, she sat for a short time watching the ships but knew she must be moving on.

As Fe'male entered the heart of town she smelled something wonderful and heard the growl of her stomach.

She quickly made her way to the money changer. They negotiated and she received a handful of coin. She rubbed her finger over the last draconic coin and placed it back in her bag. This one she will keep.

Now to follow that smell. She entered the bakery. Stepping out with a fresh loaf, she tried it. It wasn't meat, but it was delicious compared to what she's been eating.

After her fill of bread Fe'male made her way to the north. Just outside of town she walked into the stables. She would be travelling far on this continent and a horse would make it quicker.

A Free Night's Stay

Looking down the dock, this place was bustling with commerce. Men running around hauling ropes & nets. Kobolds hauling crates back and forth.

Fe'Male decided to take a quick stroll down near the docks just to get a feel for this new place. She caught a few words in Draconic from the kobolds and was just a little more homesick. She did not know how long this journey would keep her from the home she loved.

She was on her way back up the dock when she heard a familiar tone of garbled gibberish. Looking ahead she saw her friend from the boat with two men. This time he had one arm in a sling. However, the other pointed at her.

Fe'male tried to ignore these men and go on her way, but he had other ideas. As these new friends approached, they drew weapons. With a sigh, Fe'male reached onto her back and drew her halberd to defend herself.

This was just a small misunderstanding, no need for bloodshed. Fe'male, skilled with her weapon, easily took these two to the ground leaving only a few bruises. Then, from behind came the one armed man's attack. Fe'male quickly dodged and grabbed the man by the forearm. He struggled, wide-eyed; Fe'male tilted her head and smiled just a little as her grip tightened. A familiar sound for them both.

Clang! The guards had been quick to take the halberd. Then, they got Fe'male into the jail cell as quickly as possible. It all felt a little unfair. The men that attacked her were left free while she spent the night in jail over a couple of broken arms. Now all she could smell was fear.

I'm on a Boat

The ship swayed closer and closer to the shore. They had made the call that signalled sighting of land minutes before. It was mid-afternoon and the sun shone through the cracks of the planks separating the decks. Fe'male had been most comfortable when it was darker. In the dark, she could see her fellow travellers better than they could see her. It was during afternoons like this one that they took turns surveying her while passing the time on such a long time at sea.

It was during afternoons like this that some passed the time by drinking too much and did more than survey from afar. Fe'male tried to keep her head down, but she stood a head taller than anyone else aboard. She reminded herself of the reason she was in this situation, the mission at hand. But the smell was almost blinding. These humans smelled and the ones that drank smelled the strongest.

This human was all Fe'male could smell. The stench filled her long snout. She could taste it the length of her tongue. She worried the stench may stick to her scales.

He garbled, but she only caught a few words: can never tell. She stood unwavering as he reached towards her. But, as he grabbed the chest plate of her dragonborn  chainmail armor, he had gone too far. With trained reflexes, her talons had grasped both his arms, pulling him off. She had dealt with this particularly odorous man the entire trip, but he had not been so bold to attempt an assault before now. Even still, if they had not been ready to disembark or if her gentle defense had persuaded him to end this, she wouldn't have tightened her grip.

A snap and a scream were the next sounds Fe'male heard. She was able to quickly slide past the man as he was preoccupied with his broken arm. As her eyes quickly adjusted she walked down the ramp onto the dock of Devil's Bay.