Patron: Raurus Thane, Astronomer
Location: Secomber → Forlorn Hills
Type: Escort / Survey / Site Security
Urgency: Moderate
The Syndicate has received a request from Raurus Thane, an astronomer currently residing in Secomber, who seeks capable escorts for an expedition into the Forlorn Hills. Thane claims a recent stellar alignment has revealed the location of a forgotten site and wishes to reach it safely, conduct a preliminary survey, and return to Secomber with his findings intact.
The road into the hills is rough and not without danger. The patron is a scholar first and will require protection both on the journey and at the site itself. Those willing to brave uncertain trails, old stone, and whatever has made a home among the hills are encouraged to answer the call.
True

Starting Class: Warlock
Race/Species: Human
Background: Noble
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Starting Class: Wizard (2024)
Race/Species: Tabaxi
Background: Spellfire Initiate

Starting Class: Cleric
Race/Species: Goliath
Background: Farmer
Pronouns: He/Him
Region: The Syndicate

Starting Class: Bard (2024)
Race/Species: Orc
Background: Criminal
Pronouns: she/her


Starting Class: Bard (2024)
Race/Species: Dragonborn
Background: Charlatan
Pronouns: He/Him
Region: Loudwater
Will remove self if newer people sign up!
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
Minor Tier Magic Item Rewards - Please remember to update your character inventories with the following items: **Tapioca** - Rope of Mending **Na'ima** - Ruby of the War Mage **Fenris** - Boots of False Tracks **Loderr** - Horn of Silent Alarm **Ivor** - Mystery Key Thank you all for the great time! Don't forget you can get and additonal 1XP by filling out adventure notes for this game and then rewarding your character in Westmarches here.
We escorted Raurus Thane or whatever his name was, following the star map the gnome drafted.
An amazing place. A map to the location was drafted by me.
This was, perhaps, one of the more unique journeys I have attended in my time at the Syndicate. We were requested by Raurus Thane, a gnomish astronomer from Secomber, who said that he had a Revelation that there are 'special runes' somewhere nearby. Apparently, the 'stars' showed him this. I am not one to question someone who was willing to pay us, so I, Tapioca, Fenris, Ivor, and Loderr lead him on a journey into the wilderness.
Ivor tracked our progress with cartography tools, making a map on the road. Raurus was a rather talkative companion, describing his dreams and his life work with fervor, which made stealthing a futile effort. I didn't mind as much, until, of course, I noticed someone hiding up the road. I stopped the group, and called out to them, letting them know we could see them. A bickering back and forth between the pair, they revealed themselves and their fellow bandits, identifying as Frank, Jenny, Paul, and Kepner. This made the leader, Captain Maelis, quite upset, chastising with a, "Why am I paying you this much money?!"
Their mission was to grab Raurus, and as they enclosed on us, I offered them twice whatever she would pay. This had no effect on them, and suddenly, with Kepner's whistle, dire wolves appeared. Combat broke out, and we started to take them out one by one. We ensured to not kill any of them, except for Tapioca, who ruthlessly killed two of the dire wolves. They tried to flee, but thanks to Loderr, he held firm to Maelis, and we were able to capture an interrogate them. They had orders from one Hadrik to bring Raurus back with them. Might’ve been false, might’ve been one of several. She described him as "human, as far as I could tell. Medium height. Lean build. Kept himself covered, hood up, gloves on. Dark hair, maybe. Nothing loud about him."
We don't know much about him, but this is a starting point should we wish to investigate later.
We left them hogtied and continued to the runes. Upon a perils plateau was a massive sundial, with intricate runes around its circumference. Approaching, three harpies revealed themselves and began to sing. I managed to maintain my focus, but the rest of the party was not as lucky. The battle could have gone far worse, leading to a long drop and a sudden stop off the stoney edge. Swarms of Stirges, too, made an appearance, but we managed to slay all the creatures.
Raurus was ever thankful, assured that he made the right choice in hiring us. We explored around, and I found a Ruby of the War Mage. I kept it as compensation. The others found items of their own, but that is for them to share, as I am not claiming anything on their taxes for them. Potentially, we might return to discover the truth of this Hadrik...
Heading back home for the job, we were tasked with escorting a man by the name of Raurus Thane. He had gotten ahold of information that led him to a location nearby in the Forlorn Hills but wasn't sure what we'd find. As we traveled through the hills, we were stumbled upon a haphazard ambush set for us. Diplomacy quickly falling apart, we fought our way through the bandits with a few of them giving up. We were told their boss wanted Raurus for some reason, so we left them tied up there so they couldn't follow us even though we knew it'd only be a matter of time before they escaped the bindings. Finally arriving to where Raurus said we'd find something, we found a large stone circle with a fixture in the middle of it. Before we could investigate, harpies who had nested nearby flew down upon us. The fight was rough but victorious we were. After the fight, Raurus found a secret hidden area under one of the stones that had some items within. Happy with the find, we set back towards Secomber.