A local official of Shiredale wanders around Jastrey seeking help.
Story Notes
Lead in to Court of the Ebon Rose: Part 3 (Adventure).
Adventurers will travel to Lower Metsar to Shiredale in search of what has been causing trouble for the usually idyllic town.
Shiredale lore from Lower Metsar Geography Page: Shiredale is a sleepy region in the northeastern corner of Lower Metsar. Ruled by Dragon's Crest to the south and far removed from Wraithwood, its forest is safe enough to boast a small population of sylvan. A statue in the town square celebrates an angori hero named Kodo who slew a hydra in one blow.
Creeper Keep lore from Lower Metsar Geography Page: Somewhere east of Shiredale lake lies an abandoned castle known as Creeper Keep, so named for the malevolent plants that infest it. One story goes that a trader from a far-off land gave a gift to the local lord, a rare and fragrant seed pod. One day, the lord’s young son knocked the pod from its pedestal and ate it. The plant devoured the boy from the inside out, enslaving his corpse and spreading itself throughout the rest of the castle.
ELITE: ELITE monsters refresh as an EPIC does, but are not immune to effects. They have twice their normal listed Hits, but take damage as a normal monster, not an EPIC.
Monsters
Plant Hounds (Phyto-undead | Brute) [swap Ruin for Charge (Free)]
Floral Knight (Phyto-undead | Barbarian)
1.1 - A plea from Shiredale
Narrative
A human dressed in fairly simple but well-made clothes clutching a sealed scroll in one hand approaches the Shady Corners tavern.
[OFFICIAL:]
“Um, excuse me. I’ve been told this is Jastrey and that some adventurers may be able to help me?”
[OFFICIAL:]
“Um, excuse me. I’ve been told this is Jastrey and that some adventurers may be able to help me?”
Scene Notes
OFFICIAL - RP NOTES:
You are a local official from Shiredale.
{SHIREDALE?} Lower Metsar’s ShireDALE. Not Tarkalsys’s Shirelan or Nastal’s Shirelan.
{DRAGON'S CREST?} Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and enjoys more peace and quiet than the rest of Lower Metsar because of it.
{PEACE?} Shiredale is traditionally largely free from the effects of The Wraithwood.
{QUIET?} Noises of hunting horns, riders, and hounds can be heard coming from the forest to the east of the lake.
{NOISES?} The noises started a few mests ago.
{LAST NIGHT?} Last night, some of Jastrey ventured with you back to Shiredale to investigate. They encountered some form of monster too close to town for comfort.
{THE HUNT/RAVENING?} Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and protected by the gentle winds of Ivelis’s Haven. The Ravening hasn’t made it that far in living memory.
{WRAITHWOOD?} Oh no, the Wraithwood is to the south. These noises are coming firmly from the East past the lake
{REWARD?} Dragon’s Crest would certainly pay for the assistance.
After RP dies down, GO TO SCENE 1.2
You are a local official from Shiredale.
{SHIREDALE?} Lower Metsar’s ShireDALE. Not Tarkalsys’s Shirelan or Nastal’s Shirelan.
{DRAGON'S CREST?} Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and enjoys more peace and quiet than the rest of Lower Metsar because of it.
{PEACE?} Shiredale is traditionally largely free from the effects of The Wraithwood.
{QUIET?} Noises of hunting horns, riders, and hounds can be heard coming from the forest to the east of the lake.
{NOISES?} The noises started a few mests ago.
{LAST NIGHT?} Last night, some of Jastrey ventured with you back to Shiredale to investigate. They encountered some form of monster too close to town for comfort.
{THE HUNT/RAVENING?} Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and protected by the gentle winds of Ivelis’s Haven. The Ravening hasn’t made it that far in living memory.
{WRAITHWOOD?} Oh no, the Wraithwood is to the south. These noises are coming firmly from the East past the lake
{REWARD?} Dragon’s Crest would certainly pay for the assistance.
After RP dies down, GO TO SCENE 1.2
Narrative Effects
Insight (Easy): The official is being truthful.
Inspect Evil (Easy): Not evil.
Track (Easy): You easily follow the tracks of the official back through the span to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
Explore (Easy): You easily discover a span back to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
Locate (Easy): You locate the span to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
Inspect Evil (Easy): Not evil.
Track (Easy): You easily follow the tracks of the official back through the span to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
Explore (Easy): You easily discover a span back to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
Locate (Easy): You locate the span to Shiredale. The official is confused as to why you aren’t just following them. [GO TO SCENE 1.2]
1.2 - In Shiredale
Narrative
Passing through the span, you arrive in Shiredale just as the sun is setting. It appears to be a quaint sleepy town, primarily of farmers and tradespeople. While you see no immediate signs of distress or damage to the area, you notice that the townsfolk are quickly shuttering their windows and going indoors as darkness approaches.
[OFFICIAL:]
“Here we are Jastreians. Everyone is going to be trying to get indoors, but we have a little time while its still safe. The villagers may be able to tell you more of what we’re dealing with”
[OFFICIAL:]
“Here we are Jastreians. Everyone is going to be trying to get indoors, but we have a little time while its still safe. The villagers may be able to tell you more of what we’re dealing with”
Scene Notes
OFFICIAL - RP NOTES:
<Refer to previous scene.>
VILLAGER RUMORS:
The noises started a few mests ago.
When night falls, you can see strange lights in the woods.
You’ve heard the sounds of hunting horns and braying hounds.
You’ve had livestock go missing, but no people yet.
The smell of dust, rot, and flowers comes with the noises.
Hoofprints, pawprints, and bootprints have all be seen around where livestock have gone missing.
It always comes from the East.
{THE HUNT/RAVENING}: Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and protected by the gentle winds of Ivelis’s Haven. The Ravening hasn’t made it that far in living memory.
{WRAITHWOOD}: Oh no, the Wraithwood is to the south. These noises are coming firmly from the East past the lake
IF PLAYERS FINISH RP AND DO NOT TAKE NARRATIVE ACTIONS, GO TO SCENE 2.2
<Refer to previous scene.>
VILLAGER RUMORS:
The noises started a few mests ago.
When night falls, you can see strange lights in the woods.
You’ve heard the sounds of hunting horns and braying hounds.
You’ve had livestock go missing, but no people yet.
The smell of dust, rot, and flowers comes with the noises.
Hoofprints, pawprints, and bootprints have all be seen around where livestock have gone missing.
It always comes from the East.
{THE HUNT/RAVENING}: Shiredale is under the protection of Dragon’s Crest and protected by the gentle winds of Ivelis’s Haven. The Ravening hasn’t made it that far in living memory.
{WRAITHWOOD}: Oh no, the Wraithwood is to the south. These noises are coming firmly from the East past the lake
IF PLAYERS FINISH RP AND DO NOT TAKE NARRATIVE ACTIONS, GO TO SCENE 2.2
Narrative Effects
Insight (Easy): The official/villagers are being truthful.
Inspect Evil (Easy): Not evil.
Track (Medium): With some difficulty in the mess of tracks the villagers have created throughout the day, you identify tracks that match what the villagers have described. Hooves, paws, and armored feet coming from the east. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
Explore (Medium): With a little difficulty, you wander far enough East from town that you start to locate trails too large to simply be from wild game. You believe you have located trails that the unknown riders have been using. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
Locate (Medium): You locate the hunting party. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
Inspect Evil (Easy): Not evil.
Track (Medium): With some difficulty in the mess of tracks the villagers have created throughout the day, you identify tracks that match what the villagers have described. Hooves, paws, and armored feet coming from the east. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
Explore (Medium): With a little difficulty, you wander far enough East from town that you start to locate trails too large to simply be from wild game. You believe you have located trails that the unknown riders have been using. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
Locate (Medium): You locate the hunting party. [GO TO SCENE 2.1]
2.1 - Into The Woods
Narrative
As you make your way into the darkened woods outside of Shiredale, it doesn’t take long for you to hear and smell what the villagers described. You hear hunting horns and braying hounds in the distance. As you move towards the sounds, or they move towards you, you begin to here galloping hooves and the clink of armor. Suddenly, the smell of charnal flowers, florid but tinged with dust and decay, reaches you.
Bursting forth from the underbrush you see a knight on horseback and his hunting hounds. A moment later you realize that all present; the hounds, the rider, and the horse, have large patches of exposed skeleton, with vines and flowers growing out of their undead bodies.
[IF A DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider calls for the horse and hounds to stop. Pulling alongside you, he addresses the plant or fungus-based members of your party.
[IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider and hounds attack!
[AFTER COMBAT OR NEGOTIATION:]
The Knight and his hounds turned away from Shiredale, you return to Jastrey with more questions about these strange florid undead.
Bursting forth from the underbrush you see a knight on horseback and his hunting hounds. A moment later you realize that all present; the hounds, the rider, and the horse, have large patches of exposed skeleton, with vines and flowers growing out of their undead bodies.
[IF A DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider calls for the horse and hounds to stop. Pulling alongside you, he addresses the plant or fungus-based members of your party.
[IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider and hounds attack!
[AFTER COMBAT OR NEGOTIATION:]
The Knight and his hounds turned away from Shiredale, you return to Jastrey with more questions about these strange florid undead.
Scene Notes
Read the narration as appropriate; combat may be avoided depending on party composition and demeanor.
ANNOUNCE: The Knight is an ELITE MONSTER!
OPTIONAL COMBAT: Plant Knight (ELITE), Plant Hounds
PLANT KNIGHT - RP NOTES:
[You are a Knight of The Order of the Ebon Rose]
[You ride forth from Ivy Keep]
[You hunt those made of Meat at the request of your King to feed the Court]
{WHO ARE YOU?}: I am a Knight of the Ebon Rose.
{JASTREY/JASTREIAN}: Ah, we have heard the tale of this Jastrey before. A land of monsters and heroes in equal measure if one is generous.
{ORDER OF THE EBON ROSE?): My chivalric order. We maintain the lands east of Shiredale Lake.
{IVY KEEP?}: Our castle, east of Shiredale Lake.
{KING?}: King Parthenocissus the First. Lord of The Ebon Rose, Master of Ivy Keep.
{COURT?}: The King’s Court, home of The Order of the Ebon Rose.
{SHIREDALE?}: Our warren? Surely such as you would not care for the meat-made. Are these not your provisions?
{ALLIES/STOP HUNTING/FIGHT}: A pity. You could have joined The Court. Alas, you shall serve us in other ways then <READ THE IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT NARRATION>
ANNOUNCE: The Knight is an ELITE MONSTER!
OPTIONAL COMBAT: Plant Knight (ELITE), Plant Hounds
PLANT KNIGHT - RP NOTES:
[You are a Knight of The Order of the Ebon Rose]
[You ride forth from Ivy Keep]
[You hunt those made of Meat at the request of your King to feed the Court]
{WHO ARE YOU?}: I am a Knight of the Ebon Rose.
{JASTREY/JASTREIAN}: Ah, we have heard the tale of this Jastrey before. A land of monsters and heroes in equal measure if one is generous.
{ORDER OF THE EBON ROSE?): My chivalric order. We maintain the lands east of Shiredale Lake.
{IVY KEEP?}: Our castle, east of Shiredale Lake.
{KING?}: King Parthenocissus the First. Lord of The Ebon Rose, Master of Ivy Keep.
{COURT?}: The King’s Court, home of The Order of the Ebon Rose.
{SHIREDALE?}: Our warren? Surely such as you would not care for the meat-made. Are these not your provisions?
{ALLIES/STOP HUNTING/FIGHT}: A pity. You could have joined The Court. Alas, you shall serve us in other ways then <READ THE IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT NARRATION>
Narrative Effects
Inspect Evil (Medium): The Floral Knight is evil.
Inspect Magic (Easy): Necromancy, Nether.
Insight (Easy): The Floral Knight is being truthful.
Inspect Magic (Easy): Necromancy, Nether.
Insight (Easy): The Floral Knight is being truthful.
2.2 - Shiredale Besieged
Narrative
As you move about Shiredale asking questions, you are suddenly aware of the smell of flowers, dust and decay. Soon after the sound of hunting horns and braying hounds become intermingled with the frightened screams of the townsfolk. In the distance you see a knight on horseback and his hunting hounds. A moment later you realize that all present; the hounds, the rider, and the horse, have large patches of exposed skeleton, with vines and flowers growing out of their undead bodies.
[IF A DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider calls for the horse and hounds to stop. Pulling alongside you, he addresses the plant or fungus-based members of your party.
[IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider and hounds attack!
[AFTER COMBAT OR NEGOTIATION:]
The Knight and his hounds turned away from Shiredale, you return to Jastrey with more questions about these strange florid undead.
[IF A DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider calls for the horse and hounds to stop. Pulling alongside you, he addresses the plant or fungus-based members of your party.
[IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT:]
The rider and hounds attack!
[AFTER COMBAT OR NEGOTIATION:]
The Knight and his hounds turned away from Shiredale, you return to Jastrey with more questions about these strange florid undead.
Scene Notes
Read the narration as appropriate; combat may be avoided depending on party composition and demeanor.
ANNOUNCE: The Knight is an ELITE MONSTER!
OPTIONAL COMBAT: Plant Knight (ELITE), Plant Hounds
PLANT KNIGHT - RP NOTES:
[You are a Knight of The Order of the Ebon Rose]
[You ride forth from Ivy Keep]
[You hunt those made of Meat at the request of your King to feed the Court]
{WHO ARE YOU?}: I am a Knight of the Ebon Rose.
{JASTREY/JASTREIAN}: Ah, we have heard the tale of this Jastrey before. A land of monsters and heroes in equal measure if one is generous.
{ORDER OF THE EBON ROSE?): My chivalric order. We maintain the lands east of Shiredale Lake.
{IVY KEEP?}: Our castle, east of Shiredale Lake.
{KING?}: King Parthenocissus the First. Lord of The Ebon Rose, Master of Ivy Keep.
{COURT?}: The King’s Court, home of The Order of the Ebon Rose.
{SHIREDALE?}: Our warren? Surely such as you would not care for the meat-made. Are these not your provisions?
{ALLIES/STOP HUNTING/FIGHT}: A pity. You could have joined The Court. Alas, you shall serve us in other ways then <READ THE IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT NARRATION>
ANNOUNCE: The Knight is an ELITE MONSTER!
OPTIONAL COMBAT: Plant Knight (ELITE), Plant Hounds
PLANT KNIGHT - RP NOTES:
[You are a Knight of The Order of the Ebon Rose]
[You ride forth from Ivy Keep]
[You hunt those made of Meat at the request of your King to feed the Court]
{WHO ARE YOU?}: I am a Knight of the Ebon Rose.
{JASTREY/JASTREIAN}: Ah, we have heard the tale of this Jastrey before. A land of monsters and heroes in equal measure if one is generous.
{ORDER OF THE EBON ROSE?): My chivalric order. We maintain the lands east of Shiredale Lake.
{IVY KEEP?}: Our castle, east of Shiredale Lake.
{KING?}: King Parthenocissus the First. Lord of The Ebon Rose, Master of Ivy Keep.
{COURT?}: The King’s Court, home of The Order of the Ebon Rose.
{SHIREDALE?}: Our warren? Surely such as you would not care for the meat-made. Are these not your provisions?
{ALLIES/STOP HUNTING/FIGHT}: A pity. You could have joined The Court. Alas, you shall serve us in other ways then <READ THE IF NO DRYAD OR CAREX IS PRESENT NARRATION>
Narrative Effects
Inspect Evil (Medium): The Floral Knight is evil.
Inspect Magic (Easy): Necromancy, Nether.
Insight (Easy): The Floral Knight is being truthful.
Inspect Magic (Easy): Necromancy, Nether.
Insight (Easy): The Floral Knight is being truthful.