In Search Of Issachar

MISSION:  In Search of Issachar TYPE:  Challenge, Kingdom PLAYERS :  1 DESCRIPTION: Agela has called a secret meeting to discuss a recent event.  The one called Issachar has not returned after a month of travel and she is worried.  She needs a brave soul to try and discover the mystery behind his dissappearence 

Agela waited in her office.  She seemed nervous, looking over her paperwork, oganizing things .. but her mind was definitely preoccupied by recent events.   She had summoned Kellen to her office to discuss a matter of great importance.  

Kellen enters the office, looking concerned about leaving the town to handle the Nolax situation without him.

Agela looks up from her desk as Kellen enters.  Hey . ... So I am concerned about something .. well .. let me get to the point.  Issachar was sent out to scout an area to the southwest for me .. I had reason to believe there was a tribe in that area based on reports as we searched further away from the safety of town.  I asked him to do a reconnaissance mission .. the fewer the better and report back without alarming the town as to the presence of what might be a rather large force of humanoids within a few days travel.  He was supposed to use his stone to return but he never did.  I don't want to jump to any conclusions about what happened to Issachar but I think you may be the next best tracker we have .. and also one of his only friends . . She looks directly at Kellen before continuing.   We need to find out what happened.  Head out .. investigate and report back.  If he needs to be rescued, don't try to do it alone.  I don't need 2 people captured without getting any important information for a rescue mission.  If he is in immediate danger, of course, use your best judgement.  Is this a mission you are willing to take on?  I would consider it a personal favor if you would keep this mission a secret, at least not to ensue panic among the rest of the outpost.

This is grave news indeed, he was the best of us out in the wilds, but he was always quick to rush into danger. If he was dead, his stone would have brought him back... I will take this task, and it will be kept a secret from all but those i share a bond with. It would go against my code not to inform them, but they will not spread the word. Kellen sighs heavily, stretching his legs a bit, If i see him in serious danger i will intervene, and i need the town to be ready for the repercussions of such actions. You can keep in contact with me through Jared. He will be keeping reports on my actions and locations available in the library once the conference is over.

Right .. Are you able to use healing magic?  Like a scroll?  Agela motions to the back room.  I would like to send some resources with you if you feel you might want them.  If Issachar is wounded or in some horrible condition I would like you to be able to restore him quickly which might aid in your escape.  Best to be prepared for such an event.   Agela removes a small item from her cloak.   I also have a this snapleaf I can spare.  You can attach it to your cloak and if you are in a sticky situation you can activate it to become invisible in an instant.  Its magic also allows you to fall from great heights but lets hope you do not need it for that particular situation.

I have no skill with complex magics, but if you have anything simple like a potion, i'm sure it will come in handy. I will take this item, and hope too that I wont need it. Healing myself is no problem, and i doubt they have many that can match my skill, even if large in number. I will leave in the next few days, after discussing my plans with my companions.  He ruffles through the back room for simple healing items, extra survival supplies, and trail rations to take to issachar.

Along with the snapleaf, Kellen takes some extra rope, rations and 3 cure moderate wounds potions, a potion of lesser restoration and some miscellaneous mundane supplies.  Agela stops Kellen on the way out.   Stay safe. Iomedae's light will bring both you and Issachar home to us .. I know it!

Dont worry, I WILL bring him back.  Kellen nod's grimly at Agela, and then turns down the hallway, heading towards his home. Once there, he meets with his three companions, and explains that he will be leaving. after an hour or so of preparation, he sets off in the night, planning to sleep during the days when most humanoids are active.

Kellen is able to make good time, pushing himself to press on across the plains to the west.  He stops only to refill water at small fresh springs and to hunt the occasional game.  By the end of a couple days he has made it to a field with a sign planted firmly in it.  Nolax  ... The other words in goblinoid.  This must be the edge of their claimed territory and exactly the direction Issachar was heading.  Deeper into Nolax territory.

Kellen sends a message back to Jared and Agela via the FMS, and then continues into the woods, beginning to hide his trails and follow the shadows of the woods.

Perception, Stealth and Survival Checks From Kellen.

Stealth of 56 perception of 25 survival of 21

Kellen moves like a quiet wind through the forest .. spotting a small shack off in the distance.  A stream of black smoke rises up from the fireplace and into the woods and above the canopy.  He must choose whether to stop and investigate or press on.  There are signs here of recent activity and movement of groups in large numbers through the area. 

Kellen will stop to investigate the shack, trying to discern the direction of the moviment of large groups.

The movements of the group go in both directions on the path and some even lead up to the shack itself.  The shack is a simple structure that looks like it would only have a couple rooms.  The land around the shack looks like it may have once had a garden that has gone to the weeds.  At one time the shack may have been a quaint cottage but some time and wild growth have overtaken it recently.  

Kellen will approach the shack from the back, listening for movement within. Moving around the sides, he tries to get a look at the inside of the structure. (perception 38)

Finding several places around the shack where the boards were spread apart enough to view, Kellen makes a mental map of the entire layout of the place.  What were once nice cabinets and counters have become used and worn.  Several cabinets have no door on them anymore.  Dishes lie broken or stacked carelessly about.  There are signs that the place has been used recently but not by anything civilized.  After a ten minute survey of the rooms he determines there is a kitchen, bedroom and a living area.  Each at one time would have been cozy but are in disrepair.  Where a bed once was, there is just a pile of rotting fabric covered in animal hides.  Kellen pauses for a moment as she hears a group heading towards the shack from the south.  He estimates it will be there in about a minutes time.  Their low voices are hard to make out from this distance but they don't seem to be speaking the common tongue.  

Kellen will back away from the house, heading for the woods to the north and keeping an eye on the group from the south. 

Perception, survival, stealth, knowledge nature and knowledge local.

Kellen slips into the treeline, examining those that approach the house. Preception: 35 stealth: 48 Knowledge nature : 10 Knowledge local: 8