Waylayed by Goliaths - Mapping the Hex pt 11

Scene 10 - A New Day - 2nd Day of the First Blade - 7am - Day 2

Denckash continues on exploring through the province, but making his way to Filopi.

CL=3, Chaos Roll 1d10=7, no modifications

Weather: Normal for the season (Spring), no wind with light rain.

Hex: R-2

It wasn't nearly as cold as it was the day before. He decided to keep the cloak on but felt the gloves weren't necessary. A light rain drizzled in through the canopies of the trees. Before heading out, he needs to look for water.

Forage: Survival (Wis) DC10; d20+3=15, success! (+5xp)

He is able to find a water source nearby and fills his waterskins.

Is it a river? Likely 50%, d100=94, exceptional no!

Like the creek near Cokree, this is also a small creek. He wondered where it led. Before his natural inclination to follow water kicked him, he shook it off and continued on his way.

Due to the light rain, we must take a -2 on our navigation check

Navigation: Survival (Wis) DC10, d20+3 (Wis Mod)-2 (weather)=18, success (+5xp)

Wait a minute…he thought, There wasn't a creek nearby since Cokree.

He noticed that, when he looked around he saw moss on one side of the trees trunks.

Does he know what kind of trees they are? Survival (Wis) DC15, d20+3(Wis)+2(Prof from Herbalism check)=24, Success! (+5xp)

He instantly recognized the trees as oaks and maples on the one side of the hills. From his training, he recalled that deciduous trees grew on the southside of hills and mountains and if he were heading east, he wouldn't really notice such a cluster of these types of trees or the placement of moss. He came to the conclusion he was lost. What he thought was the distant sound of the ocean was just the running stream going through the area. Knowing he was lost, following the stream would give him the best chances of making it back to the coastline. From there, he will go back on his original course.

Per the rules I am running on (link below), if I am following a river there is no need for a navigation check. I have the map handy so I know I will cross into a new hex before

Random Encounter: d6=6, No encounter

Denckash followed the stream uneventfully, once having to maneuver around an overgrown fence that surrounded a broken down mill. He considered taking shelter there if it should be needed.

Entering Hex P-2 - Time 10am

Denckash continues to follow the river.

Random Encounter: 1d6=6, no

As he walks along the river, taking in the sights and listening to the sounds of the running water.

Can he see or hear anything? Perception (Wis) DC13, Passive Perception 14, yes!

About 70 ft away, he sees an encampment of large humanoids, about 7 to 8 ft tall with tribal paint on their faces. They had a fire going and carts and giant packs laid about. They weren't few in number, he counted at least 50, though more could be hunting or gathering firewood.

Are they friendly? Likely 50%, d100=46, yes!

Do they notice Denckash approaching? 50/50 25%, d100=6, yes!

The sounds of the deep, throaty language of the inhabitants.

Does he recognize the race? History (Int) DC12, d20+1=11, no

They look familiar to him, but he cannot place them.

Does he recognize the language? History (Int) DC12, d20+1=2, No

He has never heard a tongue like that before. The encampment is unavoidable and would be to be walked through so he prepared to interact with this group. As he began towards them, a few members stood up and had their weapons at the ready.

"What are you? Stop!" One of them shouted

"Just a traveler, looking to pass by, is all…" He stated with caution. "May I pass?" 50/50 25%, d100=39, no!

Lady Goliath: State your name!

Denckash: Lancatrixican Denckash. And you?

Does she know of Dragonborn? 50/50 25%, d100=57, no

Lady Goliath: I am called Gae-al Boughsplitter. I have never seen your kind before. I cannot tell if you are friend or foe.

Denckash: Well, I am neither, technically. I can prove friendly if you allowed me to pass by

Gae-al: Very well, prove yourself useful and you may pass

Denckash: How shall I prove myself useful?

Situations: devour, deliver, inspect, earn.

The above ideas were pulled from the Situations list in TSAT1 and they can be used to help fill in the gaps when there isn't a good yes/no question to ask. There were far too many for Denckash to even think of fighting, and he didn't really see a way to go around them either.

I really need xp and gold to become a tad more beefier. Goliaths pride themselves in being useful and are competitive. They also base their respect on a person's contribution to their tribe. These appear to be some goliaths camping out or trying to set up a small village. So, I am using them as a blockade so Denckash and use some skills and explore a little bit more.

Denckash scanned the area, the camp was large, for a camp. There were Yurts, small tents, and a large pit in the center with a spit currently adorned with what looked like a boar. Various goliaths puttered around the camp, carrying things from tent to tent, some returning with baskets full of plants and mushrooms while others spun large lengths of twine. Not a single member of the tribe was still, each had busy hands and focus drawn on their faces. As expansive as the camp was, it didn't seem possible just to go around. Gae-al speaks in a lower tone, able to make her point without being loud. She was abrupt in her words.

I found this lovely mushroom list at https://www.dndspeak.com/2020/08/19/100-mushrooms-and-their-effects/

Gae-al: We seek a mushroom. Our best foragers have been eluded by it. Find us some and deliver them to us. If it is the correct mushroom, you may pass.

Denckash: Do you know where it can be found? Unlikely 15, d100=85, exceptional no!

Gae-al: If we knew, I wouldn't be asking you now would I?

Denckash: What can you tell me about this particular mushroom. Gae-al: It is called Wizard's Bane.

Has Denckash heard of this mushroom? Nature (Int) DC16, d20+1=16, success (+5 xp)

Denckash: I have heard of this mushroom. They grow in caverns. What do you need them for?

Does she tell him? 50/50 25%, d100=7, yes!

Gae-al: We despise magic. We feel it is not an honest way to help the tribe. However, due to this, we are unable to defend against it if strength fails. We eat them before battle to be resistant to magics against us.

Denckash: Isn't it poisonous, though?

Gae-al: To the weak, maybe.

The way back to the coast were blocked off. Denckash wasn't going to try and fight his way through, that would be silly. This wasn't the journey he expected, though he thought himself a fool if he believed it would be a leisurely walk.

This could prove fortuitous, but first he wanted more information.

Denckash: I am considering this. However, I would like to know who exactly who your people are.

Does she tell him? Somewhat Likely 45%, d100=44, yes!

Gae-al: We are Goliaths of the Northern Peaks.

Does he know where the Northern Peaks are? 50/50 25%, d100=10, yes!

Gae-al: What are you? Denckash: I am Dragonborn. What brings you down from the Peaks? Does she tell him? 50/50% 25%, d100=44, no.

Gae-al: That is our business. Return with the mushrooms I may well tell you, and then you may pass.

Denckash: Perhaps I could give you some information about where you can find the mushrooms in exchange for what brings you here? Likely 50%, d100=65, no

Gae-al: I'll say again, return with the mushrooms and we will palaver.

Denckash: Very well, have you seen any caves or caverns in your travels?

Has she seen any caves or caverns? 50/50 25%, d100=21, yes!

Denckash: Oh really? Where did you see them?

Gae-al: Our scouts reported some caverns east.

Denckash: Is it far? Unlikely 15%, d100=60, no!

Gae-al: Not particularly, the scouts say about a 2 hour journey at a slow pace.

Is it by the ruined building? Unlikely 15%, d100=60, no

Gae-al: Head east, you shall see the cave in the hill there.

Denckash: Well, off I go, I suppose.

Denckash knew not where he was going, he wasn't really sure where he was now. He was also aware he could easily walk far enough east and turn north but he could use some of these mushrooms as well. He needed better armor, or at least a shield and these would help him in the chance he faced any magics. Also, any allies he could make he could potentially rally to his cause.

End Scene CL=4

Update:

NPCs: Gae-al the Goliath (Female, woodcutter)

Threads: Add- A Goliath's Mushroom, Update- Exploring the Province

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That took an unexpected twist! Not a bad one, either! I have a notable quest that I get to generate some landscape. This is what I love about worldbuilding, I can flesh things out. I am considering making special maps for each hex and releasing them on DMs Guild. What do you think? Comment below!