Demonsub is Five Leagues From The Borderlands

While Kremmel joined Hands to rest and convellese from their injuries, the others checked over their equipment and supplies. Disaster, it seemed Petra’s armour was the worst for where and would have to be repaired before it could be worn again. Since the group now had a bit of gold to spend Dar set out with Petra to a local blacksmith’s with his long unused bastard sword which had been rendered unusable for quite some time.

Back at the inn while Gregnil paid for their stay, Kiri set off to study at a local library but couldn’t make any progress. She felt she was eager to learn to help Kremmel but now just didn’t seem the time.

Dar came back with his mended sword and a new shield he liked the look of. Grinning as he showed it off, Gregnil the dwarf grumbled about spending too much.

It was time to leave Shieldstown and set off with the much needed supplies for Hillsend, small fortified hamlet in the hills to the north where the party first visited when entering these lands. It would be good to see some old faces.

The journey was uneventful except when they got turned around somewhat in the deepest part of Darkaven woods and it took Dar’s bushcraft skills to find the right path.

Finally they reached Hillsend and the supplies were gratefully received which included an offer for bed and board which was eagerly accepted.

Later that evening in the inn, talk reached the party of a man who had recently visited asking for a group of adventurers as he had a task for them. He had only recently departed Hillsend so it shouldn’t be too hard to catch up with him if they leave soon and want a job. 

In the morning there was news that some of the local lawmakers had clamped down on the amount of gambling in the hamlet and this made a few of the older soldiers quite unhappy. This was related to Gregnil by the landlord of the inn they had stayed at, free of charge thanks to the supply delivery the group had made. 

While Dar helped some of the locals carrying firewood in from outside the hamlet for a small amount of gold, Hands went off to see the local healer to help with his aches and pains caused from his injuries in battle several weeks ago. This helped quite a bit and he bought a tonic for Kremmel which eased his wounds as well.

Then it was time to set off in search of the man who had work for adventures. The next day on the road they caught up with a wandering priest. Upon asking him if he’d seen anyone on the road he shook his head saying that until now he’d seen no one. The party grew despondent and, saying their goodbyes, they each started moving away when the priest paused, asking if they knew of any adventurers. To their amazement it turned out the priest was the man the group was looking for. 

He had heard of an ancient relic of the gods which was hidden somewhere amongst some ruins found to the south east of here around three or four days’ travel. Apparently the relic had some invaluable text on it which could change things up for the region. It was most important that those of good intent got to it first. 

The party agreed to do what they could and look into retrieving this item. The priest warned them that depending on what they discovered that this could lead to other adventures. Kiri was delighted, this was to be her first proper quest.

Before departing the priest also mentioned that there had been activity to the far north. Duskling barbarians had been spotted near a cave. Apparently they have been mining and have found something deep underground. He warned them to travel carefully as their enemy numbers are growing.

There was much discussion in camp that night as to the party’s next course of action. Kremmel was eager to travel back to Hillsend the next day, rest and recover, then re-visit the nearby thieves’ camp and seek revenge from them for their robbery on the group’s very first night in the place almost a year ago. 

The growing barbarian numbers were a concern and needed to be investigated as until now they were more confined to the far south and hadn’t been much of a problem. 

Then there was the quest, which excited the party. 

As it’s been thirteen turns since I first chose the miniature and started to play Five Leagues some of the characters have changed. 

Kiri, who started out as a follower and got promoted to hero several turns ago, now carries a bow and I imagine has grown more confident and learnt quite a bit. I’ve swapped her miniature (from Otherworld Miniatures) to represent her carrying a bow and looking much more capable.

Dar has suffered several injuries and now carries a shield. I imagine he’s not looking as young or carrying the huge bodybuilder physique as represented in his original miniature. Also I think he needs to wear more layers as it’s colder now. The miniature I’ve given him now (from Crooked Dice) shows him more experienced and fits in well with the others.