Chapter 1 - Goblin Raid
It was a late summer morning when Octavia woke up in her bedroom, alone. Her older sister, Hallie, and her younger sister, Annissa, had already awoken and gone to do their chores. Tavi realized she had slept in again and missed breakfast.
Times had been tough in the small nation of Gontoria. Years ago, long before Tavi was born, this nation was quite prosperous. It had good trade relations with its neighbors, like Tramilar to the south. The village of Sturnheim was quite important in that regard, as it was something of a crossroads between all the larger nearby cities. But that all changed forty years ago.
A large merchant caravan, which included a gold shipment composed of much of Sturnheim's money in its cargo, disappeared. The gold had been sent away for an investment. The disappearance occurred on the road in the eastern edge of the foothills. Outraged at this loss, many merchant guilds of the surrounding larger cities collaborated and organized different routes, by passing the unfortunate village.
Determined to restore Sturnheim's honor and reputation, a band of eight adventurers combed the hills looking for traces of the caravan. Tavi's grandfather, Roland, was among them. He died, along with three others, in the process. The other four returned home failures.
Shamed by their defeat, two of the survivors left town. Of the two who remained behind, one eventually went mad and fled town, and the other stayed in Sturnheim despite the ridicule and dislike showered upon him by the villagers.
Tavi's grandmother, the now widowed Lillian, was unable to handle it. She never even knew how her husband died, and was too grief-stricken to deal with the shame and dishonor piled upon his name. She took her daughter, Aubrey--Tavi's mother--out into the country and tried to scratch out a living there.
Life was hard. It was made all the harder by the constant raids from brigands and goblins. Because Sturnheim was no longer important, the king never sent many troops to patrol the roads and keep the people there safe. One day, a soldier turned mercenary happened by and saved the ranch from such a raid. The soldier, Lindsay, fell in love with Aubrey and he decided to settle down and help her and her mother protect the ranch.
Although her parents have survived here, barely, life had not been easy. They now have three daughters and cannot marry them off as the only men nearby are from Sturnheim, and even after all of this time, there is much stigma tied to the family.
It was because of all of this that Tavi hoped to one day find a way to restore her family name and earn enough gold to keep the ranch afloat. But she'll never do that at this rate. Her mother won't even let her visit town. She's never seen anything of the world outside of this ranch.
Tavi went to the dining table and was served a cold breakfast by her grandmother, who warned her about her mother's wrath about her sleeping in. Tavi refused to take responsibility for this, claiming it was her older sister's fault for not waking her (she suspected accidentally ruining her dress might be why Hallie neglected to do so). Hoping to make up for things, Tavi went to sweep out the barn.
Before lunch, Tavi found her father and asked him to put in a good word for her to her mother. He wasn't thrilled by this, but easily succumbed to his daughter's charms and agreed, but only if she helped him out with the horses later.
During lunch, Hallie tried getting Tavi in trouble by 'casually' bringing up her sister's late awakening. Tavi again tried to push the blame for this on Hallie for not waking her. Their father intervened, by bringing up the idea of taking the three girls into town (Sturnheim) tomorrow. This stunned all three girls, who had never seen the world outside of their home.
Their mother was dead-set against it. Everyone was against her, though, so she consented to at least 'think about it' which was more of a victory than the girls could have hoped for.
Tavi went out to help her father with the horses. They only had two left, a stallion and a mare, and were hoping to breed them. The rest of the horses had long ago been sold away just to make ends meet or slain/stolen in goblin/bandit raids. But, the mare was pregnant and going to deliver today.
However, they discovered the foal was stuck. Tavi attempted to calm the mare while her father tried to pull the foal out. But Tavi failed to do so (failing both animal handle checks). Her father sent her to go get her mother to help, but by the time Tavi did so, it was too late. Both the mare and her foal had died.
The loss cast a dark gloom over the family for the rest of the night. Without those horses, the family was all but doomed. That night, Tavi sneaked into the barn where her father kept his old adventuring gear in a trunk. This includes his old long sword, light crossbow and bolts, studded leather armor, waterskin, footman's mace, medium shield (with the family crest on it; a black winged horse on a white background), rope, and backpack. She also found 12 gp squirreled away, long forgotten. She grabbed some food from the pantry, left 10 gp on the table, and then took a lantern and headed off into the night.
Her goal was to head to Sturnheim and make her fortune, so she could return and use that money to save the ranch. She didn't even make it to the main road, though, before she heard two people arguing and wrestling in the brush. Investigating, she discovered it was a pair of goblins. She tried speaking to them, but they quickly attacked. Drawing her sword, she quickly cut them both down.
As she looted their bodies for coin, she suddenly realized that it was unusual for two goblins to be out here on their own. It occurred to her they were scouts or possibly lookouts. Hurrying, she ran back home only to find the place was on fire and under attack from a much larger force.
She killed another goblin, who had been distracted by the flames. She heard her father's voice in the barn, but her sister's screams in the house. Deciding her father could take care of himself, she went in the house (forgetting that she had stolen all of her father's gear, including his weapons and armor).
In the living room, she found two more goblins torching the place. She cut down one, but the other smacked her pretty hard in the face (critical hit). She then cut that one down, and switched to her crossbow as she entered the bedroom.
Inside, Tavi found her grandmother lying face down in a pool of her own blood. Meanwhile, her little sister was tied up and being shoved through the window by some goblins. Tavi shot a goblin in the back, but it wasn't a lethal blow. Outraged, the goblin stabbed Tavi in the chest with his spear. Then she collapsed, darkness taking her.
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Chapter Summaries
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Re: Chapter Summaries
Chapter 2 - Night Stalker
Tavi awakened in pain, lying in total darkness in a dank room, upon a stone slab. Calling out, Tavi heard her older sister's voice in the next cell. Hallie explained that Sparrow was with her and that Tavi had been unconscious for two days now. She claimed a female goblin visited their cells everyday with food and water and to change Tavi's bandages. Hallie was also concerned that their parents were most likely dead.
Tavi decided to pretend she is still unconscious and wait. Eventually, the female came with more bandages. When the guard let her in, Tavi surprised her by grabbing her by the neck. She threatened to kill the female goblin if the guard tried anything. The guard responded that if she did not let the goblin go, she would be the one who dies.
She pumped the guard for information, learning that the goblins apparently were planning to sacrifice Tavi and her sisters if they were 'pure' and make them into slaves if they were not. Realizing that the goblin woman's life was of no value to the guard, she released her. The female, terrified, immediately left. The guard closed the cell and locked it, claiming that the shaman will want to know Tavi is awake so the preparations for the sacrifice can begin.
Once they were gone, Tavi tried in vain to physically bend the bars to escape. Then nothing happened for a couple of hours, before more goblins arrived. There were three guards, well-armed, and a fourth one that was wearing robes, a fancy headdress and lots of jewelry. He also had coal black skin. Tavi guessed he was the shaman, and learned this was the case when he spoke to her (in perfect common) and even healed some of her worse injuries.
The shaman explained that humans had long oppressed the goblins, but now their god had given him a vision to reunite all of the splintered clans and come together to take back their lands. They will be given a powerful weapon, but it requires a maiden's blood--all of it. Tavi argued that the shaman has no idea if she or her sisters are virgins, so the shaman asked. Tavi claimed she didn't know, so the shaman countered he would just sacrifice all three of them, to be safe.
Tavi quickly changed her tune, admitting she was a virgin. The shaman used some kind of spell that seemed to let him know she was telling the truth. He agreed she would be the sacrifice that night, and her sisters would be spared.
Hours later, more goblins arrived, these ones even better armed than the last group. They gave Tavi an outfit to put on, which was fairly skimpy. After she did so, they led her elsewhere, but as it was pitch black, she had no idea where they were going and could not mentally map out the area as a result.
They brought her to some kind of shrine, where the shaman waited. Earlier in their conversation, the shaman had mentioned someone or something called the 'Night Stalker.' Tavi chose now to ask him about it. He claimed it was a human warrior who hunted their kind exclusively, slaughtering men, women and children without mercy. So Tavi offered him a deal. If he released her, she would find and capture the Night Stalker in exchange for her and her sisters freedom.
After some persuasion and negotiation, the shaman eventually agreed to this. But he explained, the sacrifice had to be made within the week. If she failed to bring the Night Stalker in before then, he would sacrifice both of her sisters instead. Tavi was then given back her gear, tied up and blindfolded, and escorted back to the surface, far away from their base.
The goblins dropped her off at a gnarled old tree and told her that when she needed to contact them, to return here and they would find her. She asked where the Night Stalker was last seen, and they pointed her to the south, to the Red Talon camp that was recently destroyed by the Night Stalker.
Tavi headed south for awhile, then decided to bed down for the night. She woke up a little later to the sound of a twig snapping. She found herself face-to-face with a rather angry worg. She attacked and managed to slay it just as someone came running up to her rescue...just moments too late.
After lighting her lantern, Tavi saw that her would-be rescuer was a man a bit older than her with a goofy grin, rusty chain mail, cornflower blue eyes and hair the color of wheat. He explained he was a goblin hunter named Barlemus Wharfman. Tavi asked him if he was the Night Stalker, and he wasn't sure. He liked the name, though.
Tavi explained her situation to him, which knocked him for a loop. He knew of the clan she spoke of, the Shadowbite Clan. They were the biggest clan in the area, but Barl was never able to find their hideout. But he agreed to help her if he can. Tavi was overjoyed and flung her arms around his neck in a hug. Embarrassed, Barl offered her his sleeping bag and agreed to keep watch for the night while she rests.
Tavi awakened in pain, lying in total darkness in a dank room, upon a stone slab. Calling out, Tavi heard her older sister's voice in the next cell. Hallie explained that Sparrow was with her and that Tavi had been unconscious for two days now. She claimed a female goblin visited their cells everyday with food and water and to change Tavi's bandages. Hallie was also concerned that their parents were most likely dead.
Tavi decided to pretend she is still unconscious and wait. Eventually, the female came with more bandages. When the guard let her in, Tavi surprised her by grabbing her by the neck. She threatened to kill the female goblin if the guard tried anything. The guard responded that if she did not let the goblin go, she would be the one who dies.
She pumped the guard for information, learning that the goblins apparently were planning to sacrifice Tavi and her sisters if they were 'pure' and make them into slaves if they were not. Realizing that the goblin woman's life was of no value to the guard, she released her. The female, terrified, immediately left. The guard closed the cell and locked it, claiming that the shaman will want to know Tavi is awake so the preparations for the sacrifice can begin.
Once they were gone, Tavi tried in vain to physically bend the bars to escape. Then nothing happened for a couple of hours, before more goblins arrived. There were three guards, well-armed, and a fourth one that was wearing robes, a fancy headdress and lots of jewelry. He also had coal black skin. Tavi guessed he was the shaman, and learned this was the case when he spoke to her (in perfect common) and even healed some of her worse injuries.
The shaman explained that humans had long oppressed the goblins, but now their god had given him a vision to reunite all of the splintered clans and come together to take back their lands. They will be given a powerful weapon, but it requires a maiden's blood--all of it. Tavi argued that the shaman has no idea if she or her sisters are virgins, so the shaman asked. Tavi claimed she didn't know, so the shaman countered he would just sacrifice all three of them, to be safe.
Tavi quickly changed her tune, admitting she was a virgin. The shaman used some kind of spell that seemed to let him know she was telling the truth. He agreed she would be the sacrifice that night, and her sisters would be spared.
Hours later, more goblins arrived, these ones even better armed than the last group. They gave Tavi an outfit to put on, which was fairly skimpy. After she did so, they led her elsewhere, but as it was pitch black, she had no idea where they were going and could not mentally map out the area as a result.
They brought her to some kind of shrine, where the shaman waited. Earlier in their conversation, the shaman had mentioned someone or something called the 'Night Stalker.' Tavi chose now to ask him about it. He claimed it was a human warrior who hunted their kind exclusively, slaughtering men, women and children without mercy. So Tavi offered him a deal. If he released her, she would find and capture the Night Stalker in exchange for her and her sisters freedom.
After some persuasion and negotiation, the shaman eventually agreed to this. But he explained, the sacrifice had to be made within the week. If she failed to bring the Night Stalker in before then, he would sacrifice both of her sisters instead. Tavi was then given back her gear, tied up and blindfolded, and escorted back to the surface, far away from their base.
The goblins dropped her off at a gnarled old tree and told her that when she needed to contact them, to return here and they would find her. She asked where the Night Stalker was last seen, and they pointed her to the south, to the Red Talon camp that was recently destroyed by the Night Stalker.
Tavi headed south for awhile, then decided to bed down for the night. She woke up a little later to the sound of a twig snapping. She found herself face-to-face with a rather angry worg. She attacked and managed to slay it just as someone came running up to her rescue...just moments too late.
After lighting her lantern, Tavi saw that her would-be rescuer was a man a bit older than her with a goofy grin, rusty chain mail, cornflower blue eyes and hair the color of wheat. He explained he was a goblin hunter named Barlemus Wharfman. Tavi asked him if he was the Night Stalker, and he wasn't sure. He liked the name, though.
Tavi explained her situation to him, which knocked him for a loop. He knew of the clan she spoke of, the Shadowbite Clan. They were the biggest clan in the area, but Barl was never able to find their hideout. But he agreed to help her if he can. Tavi was overjoyed and flung her arms around his neck in a hug. Embarrassed, Barl offered her his sleeping bag and agreed to keep watch for the night while she rests.
Re: Chapter Summaries
Chapter 3 - Trollbane
The following morning, Barlemus and Tavi discuss how they should proceed. Tavi suggests that she pretend she has captured Barlemus and take him back to their cave. Then the goblins will lead them inside, and they can attack. Barlemus points out that the goblins will probably disarm and tie up both of them, if they do that. Plus, neither of them has any idea where the caverns are in the first place.
So first, they need information. Tavi suggests they capture and question a goblin. Barlemus sets up a trap using a net, some rope, and a hunk of meat from the worg she killed the night before.
Tavi complains of a lack of bath, and Barlemus mentions a nice pond in a clearing he knows of that they can visit. They take turns bathing for privacy's sake, Tavi going first. While Barl is bathing, Tavi spots something moving in the trees. A dryad emerges, speaking in Elven, and asking for her help. Barlemus arrives moments later, confused as he cannot speak Elven. (He's also a tad putoff that Tavi can, as it turns out Barlemus doesn't like elves at all.)
The dryad, Petal, explains that a troll has been harassing her recently, so her friend went to go face him in his lair. But he has not returned, and she is worried. She overheard the two talking about goblins, and is sure her friend would help them if they aid him. They agree, and head out, following the dryad's directions to the troll's cave.
Upon arriving, Barlemus decides he'll try and draw it out, and Tavi can attack it from behind. They do so, but Tavi starts to have doubts when she sees the hulking beastman. During the battle, a cloaked stranger in a tree drops down and starts firing arrows into the troll's leathery hide. The three of them, working together, fell the troll. The stranger then sets it ablaze with some lantern oil before it can regenerate.
The stranger turns out to be a blond, blue-eyed elf named Arvinoathalas (or 'Arvin' as the two humans come to call him). He is quite arrogant, certain he didn't need help in defeating the troll. He is even more aghast that Petal would send two humans to help him.
While Barlemus loots the cave, Tavi explains to Arvin the situation and why she needed his help. Arvin recognizes the ritual sacrifice the shaman spoke of, and sheds some light on the subject.
It turns out, a long time ago, this happened before. The goblins summoned a terrible demon called the White Terror that took an entire human army to put down. It caused massive devastation and killed a lot of people. Arvin can only conclude that is the shaman's goal. Furthermore, he blames all of this on the 'Night Stalker,' Barlemus. When the clans were small, they fought each other. But Barlemus has wiped out the smaller clans, causing the survivors to band together for protection--hence the Shadowbite Clan. Now that they have consolidated their power, they are going to try and summon the White Terror again.
Realizing the danger involved, Arvin agrees to help them. The three head back to Petal's grove and she rewards them with a Potion of Healing. She also offers them poultices to help speed up the healing process.
Arvin and Tavi have a long conversation about humans, elves, and their relations. She attempts to mediate between he and Barlemus. After a fruitless argument, she decides to get some rest. Tomorrow, they plan to check the trap to see if it has caught anything.
The following morning, Barlemus and Tavi discuss how they should proceed. Tavi suggests that she pretend she has captured Barlemus and take him back to their cave. Then the goblins will lead them inside, and they can attack. Barlemus points out that the goblins will probably disarm and tie up both of them, if they do that. Plus, neither of them has any idea where the caverns are in the first place.
So first, they need information. Tavi suggests they capture and question a goblin. Barlemus sets up a trap using a net, some rope, and a hunk of meat from the worg she killed the night before.
Tavi complains of a lack of bath, and Barlemus mentions a nice pond in a clearing he knows of that they can visit. They take turns bathing for privacy's sake, Tavi going first. While Barl is bathing, Tavi spots something moving in the trees. A dryad emerges, speaking in Elven, and asking for her help. Barlemus arrives moments later, confused as he cannot speak Elven. (He's also a tad putoff that Tavi can, as it turns out Barlemus doesn't like elves at all.)
The dryad, Petal, explains that a troll has been harassing her recently, so her friend went to go face him in his lair. But he has not returned, and she is worried. She overheard the two talking about goblins, and is sure her friend would help them if they aid him. They agree, and head out, following the dryad's directions to the troll's cave.
Upon arriving, Barlemus decides he'll try and draw it out, and Tavi can attack it from behind. They do so, but Tavi starts to have doubts when she sees the hulking beastman. During the battle, a cloaked stranger in a tree drops down and starts firing arrows into the troll's leathery hide. The three of them, working together, fell the troll. The stranger then sets it ablaze with some lantern oil before it can regenerate.
The stranger turns out to be a blond, blue-eyed elf named Arvinoathalas (or 'Arvin' as the two humans come to call him). He is quite arrogant, certain he didn't need help in defeating the troll. He is even more aghast that Petal would send two humans to help him.
While Barlemus loots the cave, Tavi explains to Arvin the situation and why she needed his help. Arvin recognizes the ritual sacrifice the shaman spoke of, and sheds some light on the subject.
It turns out, a long time ago, this happened before. The goblins summoned a terrible demon called the White Terror that took an entire human army to put down. It caused massive devastation and killed a lot of people. Arvin can only conclude that is the shaman's goal. Furthermore, he blames all of this on the 'Night Stalker,' Barlemus. When the clans were small, they fought each other. But Barlemus has wiped out the smaller clans, causing the survivors to band together for protection--hence the Shadowbite Clan. Now that they have consolidated their power, they are going to try and summon the White Terror again.
Realizing the danger involved, Arvin agrees to help them. The three head back to Petal's grove and she rewards them with a Potion of Healing. She also offers them poultices to help speed up the healing process.
Arvin and Tavi have a long conversation about humans, elves, and their relations. She attempts to mediate between he and Barlemus. After a fruitless argument, she decides to get some rest. Tomorrow, they plan to check the trap to see if it has caught anything.
