Mission: Camp

The adventurers met each other for the first time, as they found themselves in this new and unknown world. They encountered a group of good-hearted humanoids who had been displaced, and joined up with them to help them find a new home. They were set upon by gnolls and their pet hyenas, but with the party's leadership and combat prowess, they survived. The party joins with the group and establishes the first settlement of this world (name TBD).

Report: Founding of Farhaven (by Rheinhart)
Dearest Sophia,

I have been on my quest for over a month and it has taken me much farther afield than I have expected. I am currently camping at the edge of a swamp when

It has been a few days since arriving in this strange land and helping to found Farhaven. I find myself with a bit of free time to write about my strange circumstances. This parchment was being used to write to my princess whom I had accepted a quest to perform which was apparently the last thing I was doing before being found lying in a clearing in midafternoon by a talking, singing, playful monkey named Chappy. He shared something called a “banana” with me. It was pretty good; I wonder if they grow here, too? With everything being scarce, no point letting writing material go to waste. A small chest has been set up in the small cave to contain these “reports” in case people were interested in the history of this place. I may prove useful someday.

I come from a place where talking monkeys, centaurs, and magic are nothing but myth and legend. Stories to entertain people. Listening to the stories these people tell, these walking myths, it seems these stories are far more real than I’ve ever imagined. Maybe my former life was the dream? I don’t know anymore, my memories are quite hazy but the reality here is that people come from all kinds of strange places, one even claimed he died right before coming here and now has strange powers like snapping flame out of thin air and shooting deadly light from his hands. There’s even rumors that the dead themselves are not quiet here. Hard to believe I’m not travelling in the Underworld hearing about such things.

Chappy and I encountered Koristos the centaur (who’s rage is fearsome to behold) and Takeda who claimed to have died and been transformed here into someone that can wield deadly magic and Ryn, a mer-woman wielding a mighty trident like the god Neptune himself. We had all been transported to this Land of the Lost at roughly the same time -- something we later learn is quite unusual, but is now occurring more often.

Ryn and Koristos heard “the earth groan” and with no real reason to head any other direction, we followed them to the source of the sound. After a day or so of walking, we discovered a medium sized camp ruined by a recent landslide. After a tense introduction, we joined forces with them to head to a new site to start again. The dwarf, Igor, knew of a small cave by a small, fresh water river which might be a great place to start up a new settlement. Sounded like a great idea. Not like I would know any better, I’ve lived in a city my entire life where most of my survival was guaranteed by the life of luxury my family maintained. I never liked how they treated the common folk as I felt they took them for granted. Now that I’m forced to live life as not only a commoner, but as one struggling to survive in a hostile, unfarmiliar, and wild environment, I can guarantee my old family are idiotic snobs that know nothing of the real work needed to live.

At one point, we had to cross a decent sized, fast flowing river. Koristos tried to cross at the point we found the river, lost his footing, and was being swept away. Ever tried to pull a full grown horse out of a river? With it’s burly rider? The three of us struggled with the rope being used to pull him ashore while Ryn swam out and helped push him. After that, it was decided to keep going downriver to look for a better place to ford -- found after the rapids, waterfall, and beginning of a small lake. Shallow enough and slow enough to ford across without issue.

We encountered wild hyenas as well as mangy hyena-men called “gnolls” on the route to what is now Farhaven. I may have impressed some with my skill of the large blade I carry, but I found myself surrounded by those mutts that would have eaten me alive had it not been for Chappy’s magical song to grant me the strength to survive. Several of the others in the caravan didn’t make it and I said a small prayer for them, but I don’t really know if mein gott can hear me here. I pray anyway in the hopes that he does hear me and someday I find my way back to my princess Sophia. I am fearful that I cannot remember her or why I was on a quest or even explain my desire to return. It makes me wonder if I am more like Takeda than I’d like to think. Perhaps I am in the afterlife and this is just some elaborate struggle to cross the river Styx. In the meantime, the struggle continues and Farhaven is what we now call this new settlement. May landslides, gnolls, and their ilk stay far away as we create a haven for those determined to live a civilized life rather than join the brigands and monsters that roam this Lost Land.

Koristos Camp Report (by Koristos)
Camp

A Transcript of Koristos' attempt to commune with his ancestral spirits.

Pray, ancestors listen to my tale and continue to watch over me.

I awoke from meditation in a strange land. The geograghy is foreign, and much of the flora and fauna is alien to me. Much is also familiar, however, and the climate seems to be mild and not far gone from the plains of home.

Not long after I awoke, I encountered several bipedals who also seemed surpised to find themselves in this land. I eventually came to know them as:

Rheinhart, a human clad in opulent armor who revealed himself to be valourous, and very fleet of foot for a bipedal.

Chappy, a primitive primate gifted with speech. Tricksome and frivolous, I don't expect him to last long in the wilds.

Takeda, an ignorant human who seems to know nothing outside his limited human experience. He has some skill with his polearm, and magical abilities. I do not know if they are god-given or corruptive.

Ryn, an temperamental bipedal with marine features. She wields a trident with some level of skill.

Not long after we encountered each other, I heard the land groan in the distance. Wishing to learn more about this place, I set off towards the sound and the rest followed. We came upon a modestly sized camp of bipedals, who were foolish enough to camp next to loose earth. The earth had fallen upon them and their possessions, which explains the sound that drew me there.

A brief conversation ensued with the apparent leader of this herd, Alice. She detailed the strange phenomena and it was decided that they would make for shelter near a river. I agreed to travel with them, as did the four with me. Once I learn all that I can from them of this strange land, I will decide if I will stay with them or not.

A strange land it is indeed, if Alice is to be trusted. She speaks of individuals appearing in the area randomly, claiming that, like I, they have suddenly been transferred here from their home lands. The eldest amongst them has survived here for 11 years, with their numbers swelling and fading as people arrive and perish. Their group is not the only who walk these lands, it seems creatures and savages of all types roam this place, and it wasn't long before we encountered them.

Twice before arriving at our destination we fought them. Large packs of gnolls and hyenas, as vile here as I remember them from home. I revelled in sending them to their foul afterlives, and the four who arrived with me fought competently. Rheinhart stood out above the rest, moving with great speed and felling many enemies with a single blow. Perhaps I will spar with him, lacking any other centaur.

Our herd lost some number of individuals, but many made it to our destination and have decided to attempt a settlement there. Farhaven, they have named it. Appropriate. Have you guided me to these people to shepherd them? I hope more is revealed soon.

I give humble thanks for your guidance and protection. May the day be near or far, in this strange land or on the plains of our people, I fear not my time to join you.

Hope (by Chappy)
I woke up in a starage unfamiliar land yesterday. The forest was full of strange trees that looked out  of place. I came across a few others that had showed up without knowing how or why.

We greeted each other before Koristos had heard a loud far off noise. We ventured towards it. It took us a day or two but traveling together we learned more about one another. I learned that Koristos does not like fun.

He is a serious centaur with a dour face.

Eventually we came across the source of the noise. There was a land fall, rocks and debris had destroyed a camp others had set up here. We spoke with their leader at great length and we decided that would should

join them and try to set up a new camp. The group travelled together, fighting off some hyenas and gnolls along the way multiple times.

Finally, a good spot was found next to the river and camp was made (but not before Koristos alomst drowned himself trying to ford the river. Not a good swimmer)

The  only thing left was to Name the new camp. Farhaven was the popular choice. Oh my, what a beautiful thought. I still don't know why I'm here but I have a feeling everything is going to be ok now...