Of Victory & Defeat: Chapter 1 - Berries and Bad Tidings 2.4.21

Noises in the Dark

After setting out for Summershaw and the fate they know they await, the Minstrels camp for the night at the foot on the Long Mountains. Steel gray clouds obscure the stars and beyond the crackling of their fire, Araphant and Roderick perceive muffled voices. They move to investigate, swords at the ready as they negotiate the thick brambles, berry bushes, and dense spring foliage.  

Sickness with a Cure

A brief encounter follows and the party nearly comes to blows with a Barding foraging in the woods. Once the misunderstanding is resolved, his name is revealed to be Torwald Fjolnir, and he and his partner Ulf Hallgrim, were traveling from parts beyond to return to Dale and rejoin the people of their kin now that Smaug has been defeated. Unfortunately, Ulf has become very ill and Torwald does not know how to help him. It is later revealed Torwald may have inadvertently told Ulf the local berries were in fact not all poisonous.  

Race Against Time

Eschelon assess the sick man's condition and ascertains he does not have long to be fed a concoction to help him. The good news the current campgrounds likely has all of the ingredients needed to help him. The bad news is the remedy will take a long time to create and at least part of the party will need to work through the night, even if they are able to find the right herbs. The party spreads out, picking berries and foliage, using their skills in nature and lore to hope they are in fact picking the right greenery while also rushing to complete in time.  

That Hit the Spot

Hurrying back to Ulf's side, the adventurers pile their findings in front of Eschelon who was then tasked with seeping the broth and creating the drink which would hopefully help the man in obvious agony. At the expense of exhaustion for himself and his watchman Araphant, Ulf drinks the remedy and before long starts to feel better. As payment the group tells Ulf and Torwald they hope the two Bardings will come and fight alongside them in the current battle to save Summershaw. They agree, give the honor bound word and head off. The party's spirits are lifted, but before long the rain begins in earnest and the dark sun bleeds away their shadows and what little cheer they had left as the summit the mountain and encounter more trials.