Still trapped in Restenford, Aegon and the Troupe still have only rumours as to the troubles plaguing the town. They decide to travel to the farm in the east, in the hopes of learning more of the problems in the area, and finally resolving them so they can return to the Sword Coast.
We decide to follow the road east along the cliffs. On the way we meet an elf around my own age outside of a cave.
We don’t lose anything by not seeing him, so we walk into the cave and climb the stairs, emerging next to a log cabin. Outside we find Amos’ father.
Rose: Not just now, thanks. I do have a few questions if you please?
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Since you know the area well, what can you tell me about the land around Restenford?
Almax: Which area in particular?
Rose: South of Restenford.
Almax smiles.
Almax: South would be the sea itself. I assume you mean the land southwest near the old guard house?
Rose: Yes, that’s the area.
Almax: Not much to say really. The guard house was burned down several years ago by a badly built fire in the fireplace. Another barracks was built closer to the west gate. The old one was never torn down. I have heard stories about rats in the area but they shouldn’t bother anyone.
Rose: Actually, we already looked into that story. We found some giant rats and some undead in a cave below the barracks.
Almax: Amazing! I didn’t know such a cave existed. You destroyed the undead too? Wonderful.
Rose: I have a few more questions.
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Since you know the area well, what can you tell me about the land around Restenford?
Almax: Which area in particular?
Rose: West of Restenford.
Almax: If you follow the road out west past the abbey, it will take you west and then south to Garotten. A foul and nasty town that supports thieves, harlots, and other debauchery.
Directly west will take you to the Kelman Woods and then on to the Dead Forest. Nothing unusual there. Northwest will take you to Pebble Hills and Tri-Top. That area seems to have a large gnoll population. Normally not a problem, but lately something is causing them to raid Restenford. That is why we built the wall along that part of town.
Rose: I have a few more questions.
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Since you know the area well, what can you tell me about the land around Restenford?
Almax: Which area in particular?
Rose: North of Restenford.
Almax: The two rivers, West Resten and East Resten flow south and merge just below the Dweomer Forest and Xerbal mountains. It then runs down to the sea at the point where Restenford was built. There is an area, just north of here, called Bald Hill. We have problems with bandits hiding out in those hills. Normally, Sir Billybob takes some of the younger soldiers up there to train them to hunt down the bandits.
Rose: Sir Billybob?
Almax: Yes, an old half-elf that lives near here. He is retired now and works on his farm.
Rose: Why does he take the younger soldiers out to hunt? Why not take the more experienced ones?
Almax: Because, then no one would be here to protect the baron! Besides, he always casts spells on the guards to protect ’em from harm. The soldiers learn to fight and see if they are really cut out for war, the bandits get what they deserve, and the road is safe for travellers.
However, he has been busy lately and I have heard we are missing some goods that should have arrived by now. Some of my supplies are drying up also. Perhaps you should talk to him more about the bandits.
Rose: Yes, we could do that.
Almax: Good.
Rose: I have a few more questions.
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Since you know the area well, what can you tell me about the land around Restenford?
Almax: Which area in particular?
Rose: Any other locations you can think of that we should look into?
Almax: Of course, the Reddy Forest, just north of Bone Hill, and west of Tri-Top.
Rose: Reddy Forest?
Almax: Yes, not much there. Might be a good spot to rest between adventures. Another group of druids was working on building a shrine there but I don’t know if they’re still working on it or not. The problems with the gnolls have blocked all my communications with those druids.
Actually, now that I think of it, if you are going near there, please check on their status please. You should meet with Martin, he is a ranger. He is young and inexperienced, a little rash, but this is good training for him.
Rose: I have a few more questions.
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Since you know the area well, what can you tell me about the land around Restenford?
Almax: Which area in particular?
Rose: Any other locations you can think of that we should look into?
Almax: Of course, the Reddy Forest, just north of Bone Hill, and west of Tri-Top.
Rose: I have heard Pelltar mention Bone Hill. What do you know of that area?
Almax: Bone Hill is a name for a hilltop just outside the Dead Forest. Long, long ago, it was the fortress to protect this area. Many battles over the years have battered it down to an old ruin. I’m sure all sorts of lost souls wander the halls of that place.
Stories from travellers suggest the dead are walking again out there. Undead can disrupt the balance of nature. Please do what you can to correct this.
Rose: I have a few more questions.
Almax: Of course. Just ask.
Rose: Nothing right now thank you.
A long conversation, but it has given us the lay of the land and the surrounding areas. Rose says we should meet this “Sir Billybob”, but first we welcome ourselves to Almax’s home and get to meet his wife.
Rose: We are looking for him, thanks. Could I ask you some questions?
Felwin: I suppose.
Rose: We are looking into some of the problems that are occurring here in Restenford. Is there anything you can tell us?
Felwin: I don’t know what you are looking into, but some of our supplies have not arrived yet.
Rose: What do you mean?
Felwin: Amos and I make some of the healing potions that Almax sells. We have been waiting for some ingredients that haven’t arrived yet. The caravan of merchants that normally bring those ingredients is late. I haven’t heard anything to tell me why. Maybe that is something you can check into?
Rose: Could be a weather delay? Maybe they are moving slower than normal? Whatever, we can look into it for you. In the meantime, could I ask you some other questions?
Felwin: I suppose.
Rose: Pelltar has asked us to look into some of the recent problems this town is having. Anything you can think of that may help us out?
Felwin: You should talk to Almax. He has lost contact with Martin out near Reddy Forest.
Rose: What exactly is the problem?
Felwin: Martin is a young ranger who is assisting us in building a druid’s grove outside of town. Almax lost contact with him when all those gnolls started attacking the town. Maybe you can see if he is okay?
Rose: Okay, we will talk to Almax about it. Thanks. Can I ask you some other questions?
Felwin: I suppose.
Rose: No, I guess I have everything I can think of. Thank you.
Before we descend back down the cliff, we take a look at the shrine near Almax’s home. Mur’Neth, showing his usual disrespect for other gods, decides to take some of the gems left here as a donation.
He takes two waterstar gems.
A shandon gem.
And an iol gem.
We go back down to the base of the cliffs. Following them to the west we find a large farm. Standing in the fields is a heavily armoured knight surrounded by recently slain orcs. This is the first time I have seen a real orc. Half-orcs have visited the Keep on occasion, and there was Dorn, but I have never seen a pureblood orc.
Aegon: Er, yes I am. How did you know?
Sir Billybob: Well, besides the fact that you are obviously the new party in town that everyone is talking about, I was with Pelltar when he advised the baron of hiring you.
Aegon: I thought he was looking for any adventurers when we happened to stop by the temple he was at. I didn’t realise I was exactly whom he wanted.
Sir Billybob: Pelltar did want to hire another party instead of you, the Maulers, I believe they are called. Any, I had recommended you since Elminster said you could handle the task.
Aegon: Elminster said that?
Sir Billybob: Yes, he seems to have a strong interest in you. Actually, several of us do. But that is another issue that will come later.
What can I help you with?
Aegon: For starters, you could explain all the dead orcs all over your field?
Sir Billybob: Ah yes, another day, another group of orc bandits trying to bother my farm. You would think that they would finally realise how hopeless it is to steal from me. If wolves wouldn’t dare to bother my farm, why do orcs think they can?
Speaking of such, perhaps you have heard of some bandits around here?
Aegon: Yes, it was mentioned in town.
Sir Billybob: Good, I am glad to hear you are investigating the problems here.
The East Resten river flows down near the Xerbal mountains and close to Bald Hill where it joins with the West Resten river before heading out to sea in Restenford.
There are several roads coming out of Restenford on this side of town. The one you see just south of us, and the one just north of my farm and the apple orchards. That north road runs between the East Resten river and Bald Hill. It is the perfect spot to attack travellers because of the hills.
Normally, the town guards and I walk along that road to sweep out the nasties and make it safe for merchants. Unfortunately, with all the crops starting to come in, many people are needed in the fields right now. As you can see, my crops haven’t really started yet, but I am busy with livestock birthing and don’t have the time to clear out Bald Hill.
This is, of course, where you come in. I need you to head north of here and hunt down any more orcs, bandits, or whatever else you find is attacking the merchants. Something must be up there. We are missing some wagons and I haven’t seen some of the merchants that usually stop by here this time of year.
Aegon: Sure, we can do that.
He knows Elminster? And the infamous wizard has a “strong interest” in me? I know now that he knew my father, I wonder if Sir Billybob does as well?
And who are these Maulers? Adventuring parties all seem to have these names. Ours doesn’t have a name. We have a lot of bards in our party. Perhaps we should call ourselves a Troupe?
Before we set out for Bald Hill, our Troupe decides to investigate Sir Billybob’s home. Rose finds 16 gold laying on a desk.
There is also a chest here that is locked. Mur’Neth bypasses the lock, but misses the trap that Slows most of us down. I guess it was meant to prevent thieves from escaping?
There is an enchanted shield and a long sword in the chest. We don’t have a use for these right now so store them in our Bag of Holding.
There is also a book case here that has a locked door protecting its contents. Mur’Neth gets into this one as well, but there are no books of interest in here.
We leave the home and make our way north. We have another mission here given to us by a friend of Elminster. It’s time to clear out Bald Hill.
