Nimly's Adventures

Chapter 4 - Bonds and Blows

2nd of Mirtul, 1492

With the light of the enchanted rock still glowing softly in his pocket and the giant rat’s keen senses guiding them, Nimly and his loyal mount set off through the Whispering Woods to the south, making steady progress on an indirect route that gives the pair a chance to get used to their bond before encountering the bustle of other travelers. The forest around them is alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls. Nimly feels a sense of purpose and determination bolstered by the recent success of his quest and the presence of his new companion. 

As they travel, Nimly remains vigilant, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or opportunity. The journey to Everlund may still hold challenges, but with his companion beneath him, Nimly is ready to face whatever lies ahead. 

As Nimly rides through the Whispering Woods on his giant rat mount, he feels a deepening connection with the creature. Nimly realizes that the bond between them, strengthened by Grahl’s magic, might allow him to understand the rat on a more profound level. Curious about whether his mount has a name, Nimly decides to delve deeper into their bond to uncover it. He closes his eyes and focuses, attempting to connect with their thoughts and emotions. Nimly decides to use his innate magical abilities to aid in his task, drawing on his warlock powers to communicate with the creature. He rolls a 15 Arcana check.

Nimly feels a warm, subtle connection forming as he reaches out to the rat with his mind. Images and sensations begin to flow between them, painting a picture of the giant rat’s life and personality. 

Nimly sees the rat as a small, ordinary rat, navigating through the dark, twisting tunnels of an underground burrow. He is surrounded by a larger family of other rats. He has always been a bit different - more curious, more daring.

One day, he ventured farther than ever before, down by a strange, otherworldly scent emanating from deep within the earth. The scent led him to a cavern filled with glowing crystals. Mesmerized by the light and energy, he touched one of the crystals with his twitching nose, and in an instant, everything changed. 

His body grew larger and stronger, infused with the power of the crystals. The once ordinary rat became something extraordinary - a giant rat with a keen intellect and a mysterious connection with the earth. This transformation caught the attention of an earth elemental named Grahl, who saw potential in him as a loyal companion for their warlock servant. 

Nimly’s vision shifts to the moment the rat first encounters Grahl, feeling the elemental’s presence and sensing a new purpose. Grahl bestowed upon the rat a name that resonated with the power and resilience of the earth. Thorn. 

Nimly opens his eyes, the vision fading, but leaving behind a deep sense of connection and understanding. 

Thorn twitches his whiskers in acknowledgment, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. Nimly feels a surge of warmth and camaraderie, knowing they are bound not just by Grahl’s will, but by mutual respect and every shared experience in store for them.  

The air is filled with the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, chittering squirrels, and the occasional distant howl of a wolf. As they travel, Nimly encounters a series of natural obstacles. Fallen trees, dense thickets, and rocky outcrops occasionally block their path. Nimly and Thorn navigate these carefully, using Nimly’s knowledge of the wilderness and Thorn’s natural agility to find the best routes. They roll Survival and get an average of 16.

Nimly expertly guides Thorn through the forest, finding the safest and quickest paths. They make good time, and the journey is smooth. Nimly even finds a small, bubbling stream where they can stop to rest and refill their water supplies. 

Further into their journey, Nimly and Thorn come across a clearing where a group of deer are grazing. Among them is a majestic silver stag, its coat shimmering like moonlight. The stag looks directly at Nimly, and for a moment, there is a sense of understanding and connection. Nimly does a Perception check and rolls an 8.

Nimly is captivated by the beauty of the stag but he is unable to discern any deeper meaning from the encounter. Nevertheless, he feels a lingering sense of awe and inspiration as he continues on his way.

As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows through the Whispering Woods, Nimly decides it’s time to find a suitable spot to make camp for the night. His keen eyes scan the forest, seeking a place that offers both safety and comfort.

Nimly and Thorn come upon a natural alcove formed by a large, overhanging rock. The rock juts out from a small hillside, creating a sheltered area beneath it that is dry and protected from the elements. The ground is covered in a soft layer of moss and fallen leaves, providing a natural bedding that is both comforting and insulating.

Nearby, a cluster of tall, sturdy trees forms a protective barrier around the alcove, their thick trunks and dense foliage offering additional cover. A small, clear stream runs just a few feet away, its gentle babbling providing a soothing backdrop and a convenient source of freshwater. Nimly finds a variety of edible plants and berries, as well as some medicinal herbs that might come in handy. 

The camp is soon a cozy and inviting haven. The fire crackles merrily, providing warmth and place to cook a simple meal. Nimly uses foraged herbs to brew a soothing tea, and he shares the fresh berries with Thorn, who nibbles contentedly on his portion. The stars begin to twinkle overhead, visible through the gaps in the tree canopy.

Nimly lays out his blanket roll and a few feet away, he raises his emerald arcane focus, glittering in the firelight, and begins to cast Mold Earth, scooping out a contoured depression in the earth. Clay rises from the ground below and forms a smooth and even layer. “Thorn, will that suit you?” He gestures to the makeshift bed.

Thorn sniffs the freshly molded clay bed, his whiskers twitching in curiosity. He steps onto the smooth surface, testing it with his paws. After a moment, Thorn settles down on the clay bed, curling up comfortably. He looks up at Nimly with a contented expression, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. Thorn gives a slight, approving chitter, indicating his satisfaction.

The night in the Whispering Woods is peaceful, the natural sounds of the forest creating a soothing backdrop. Nimly lies back, staring up at the stars twinkling through the gaps in the canopy, feeling a profound sense of connection to the world around him and the faithful companion at his side.

 As sleep begins to overtake him, Nimly reflects on their journey so far and the adventures that await in Everlund. With Thorn resting comfortably and the camp secure, Nimly allows himself to drift off, confident and ready for whatever challenges the next day might bring.

3rd of Mirtul, 1492

As dawn breaks, the soft light of the rising sun filters through the dense canopy of the Whispering Woods, casting a golden glow over the camp. Nimly wakes refreshed, the fire reduced to glowing embers. Thorn, sensing his companion stirring, lifts his head and stretches, ready for the new day.

Nimly packs up their camp, ensuring everything is secure. He retrieves his enchanted rock, the soft light providing enough illumination to check their surroundings. After a quick breakfast, Nimly mounts Thorn, and they set off to the east, quickly making it to the main road between Silverymoon and Everlund.

The journey starts smoothly, the forest gradually thinning as they approach more open terrain. They see no travelers this early on the packed and pitted dirt road. Birds chirp overhead, and the morning air is crisp and cool.

As they travel on the road, Nimly fails a Perception check. His senses do pick up subtle signs of a disturbance ahead: broken branches off to one side of the road and an unusual silence among the wildlife. Realizing something is amiss, he slows Thorn and dismounts.

As his boots hit the ground, a group of rough-looking bandits spring from the underbrush, weapons drawn. Caught off guard, Nimly and Thorn are forced into an immediate confrontation. 

The bandits, numbering three in total, encircle Nimly and Thorn. Their leader, a burly, scarred man, steps forward with a sneer. “Hand over your valuables, and we might let you pass unharmed.”

Nimly sighs and says, “"I've dealt with worse underground. Try me, and you'll regret it." He readies his weapons and rolls initiative.

—-

Round 1

With a menacing grin, Bandit 1 lunges forward, his scimitar gleaming in the dim light. The blade strikes Nimly, but his magical defenses absorb some of the blow, leaving the gnome with a mere scratch. Bandit 2, flanking from the right, seizes the moment to strike, his scimitar adding another wound to Nimly's growing tally.

The bandit leader, moving with practiced precision, closes in from the left and delivers a powerful slash, leaving Nimly gasping in pain as he absorbs a significant blow. "Oof!" Nimly squeaks, his small frame shuddering from the impact.

Thorn, sensing the dire situation, turns and sprints back the way they came, using his speed to create distance. Nimly, always quick on his feet, steps inside Bandit 2's reach, spins on his heel, and casts Rockslide. The very earth trembles beneath him, and he skates across the rocky ground, quickly catching up to Thorn sixty feet away. As Nimly hops onto Thorn, he glances back to see Bandit 2 knocked prone, though the other two remain on their feet.

Round 2

The bandits are momentarily disoriented by Nimly's unexpected maneuver, but they quickly realize their quarry is attempting to flee. Bandit 1 and the bandit leader charge forward, determined to close the gap, while Bandit 2 scrambles to his feet and joins the pursuit, still lagging behind due to the Rockslide.

Nimly, riding on Thorn's back, turns and fires an Eldritch Blast at Bandit 1, but the shot goes wide, missing its mark. Thorn, not wasting a moment, dashes another 45 feet away, putting more distance between them and their pursuers.

Round 3

Bandit 1, undeterred, pushes forward, closing the gap to 15 feet from Nimly and Thorn. Bandit 2 and the bandit leader also move closer, but they couldn't quite match Bandit 1's relentless pace. Nimly, seizing the opportunity, unleashes another eldritch blast. This time, the blast strikes true, slamming into Bandit 1 with a force that sends him sprawling to the ground, lifeless.

Thorn continues to retreat, carrying Nimly another 60 feet away, their enemies now a distant threat.

Round 4

The remaining bandits hesitate, glancing at their fallen comrade with uncertainty. They move to the side of the road, seeking cover behind a tree as they reconsider their approach. Nimly and Thorn, now 75 feet away, halt their retreat and circle back. Nimly raises his hand, green light swirling around his arm as he casts Shatter.

The spell erupts with a deafening crack, sending needles and debris showering down. The bandits are caught in the blast, their cries of pain silenced as they crumple to the ground, defeated. With all three bandits vanquished, Nimly and Thorn survey the road ahead, clear and safe for their journey onward.

—-

Nimly pats Thorn's side, a triumphant grin on his face. Nimly and Thorn approach the bodies with distaste and satisfaction. He searches the closest one for items and any sort of identification/insignia. When he’s done, he directs Thorn to drag the body off the road so they are out of sight to most travelers. He continues with the second and third corpses.

After searching the bandits, he finds:

3 scimitars

3 sets of leather armor

12 silver pieces

3 iron badges with a snarling wolf symbol (identification/insignia)

A small pouch with basic supplies

A crude map showing a nearby hideout

A half-eaten piece of bread

A basic healing potion (2d4 + 2 healing)

A locket with a faded picture inside

With the bandits dealt with and their bodies hidden, Nimly and Thorn are ready to continue their journey. They now have some additional resources and information, including a map to a possible bandit hideout.

May your rolls be critically high or dramatically low, adding flavor and excitement to your campaigns!