The Hunt for Calvin Cooper
The adventurers were hired by Merkin via a young lady whose name was never asked by the adventurers. Firble was hesitant, but since the plan came from Merkin, what could go wrong?
Merkin’s Plan
By researching trial transcripts, written accusations and complaints on the regional level, Merkin located a lone werebear, down on his luck. Calvin Cooper is a true-born lycanthrope, his curse known since first breath. The target of hatred from the populace, he was eventually framed for murder and exiled. Last reports so as to his fate, brought by somewhat uncaring scouts, place such in the High Forest, wandering the paths alone. Send an able group to locate Mr Cooper and convince him to voluntary give a gentle nip to carefully picked commoners; People that would strive to do good and push back against the encroaching darkness. Gather a fair few. Gather an army.
Merkin would not dare do so with werewolves or similar, but the natural instincts of the werebear predisposes one to follow order, law and seek the benefit of the community. People so afflicted, if unwilling to remain as werebears beyond such a time they are needed, shall be cured en-mass by Merkin. Those who choose to embrace the change have a home in Merkin's keep, to live in general luxury and act as retainers, bringing along their families and loved ones if they wish.
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The adventurers made their way to Beliard, the city where Calvin Cooper was from, and they asked question around town to learn more information about Calvin Cooper and found the following:
- Calvin Cooper was accused of murdering someone from the Town and there was a bounty for his capture.
- Another group of adventurers wanted to capture Calvin Cooper and get the bounty for themselves
- Calvin Cooper was rumored to have a camp in the High Forest, and after some more questioning, they learned the approximate location of the camp.
The adventurers set out to find Calvin Cooper as fast as possible, knowing that their time was precious. As they arrived at the camp, they found the same group of adventurers they had seen earlier and tried to parley with them. They ended up paying them a good amount of gold so that they’d let them get Calvin Cooper.
As this was going on, Firble noticed a man that fit the description of Calvin Cooper running away. He chased him down, but Calvin ran over a pond that was frozen. When Calvin stepped on it, some gnolls rolled logs on it and the weight made the ice crack, and Calvin fell in the freezing water.
Firble single-beardedly saved Calvin from the icy grip of a lake, while the Count of Winter’s bite stalked towards the group. He crawled across the ice, away from the yipping pack of gnolls, as a blizzard of javelins fell upon him.
After returning to the shore, Firble set his back to his friends and began to fend off the countless attackers. He fought valiantly, but was struck down by The Beast. As his vision dimmed, he saw Calvin escape to the East, and could then die, knowing that at the very least, he could be a hero to one person.
And unbeknownst to him, he was a hero to many more.
See the rp in Boldersong Keep.
The fight was hard, and they almost all perished, but when it seemed like everything was over, they were able to slay the Beast. A mist of cold covered the area as the Beast, Count of Winter’s Bite lost its mantle. Maddening laughter coming from the gnolls without a leader was heard as they scattered throughout the forest. When the mist dissipated, the body of a gnoll lay on the ground. The Gnoll was wearing a bag containing a journal and a Hawthorne Badge.
It was the body of Rotfang.
Rotfang’s journal: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/r1mPAdol04
Having to bear the weight of this discovery, the group managed to find Calvin Cooper and convinced him to meet with Merkin.
Their mission was a success, but one paid with a harsh price.
The Dread Empire is marching towards Secomber, some adventurers from Lerwick have been trying to find ways to help, but time is running out. Will this be enough?
@G E N E Firble (13)
@Rakah John Constance (12)
@Loric | William Loric (14)
@Fenrir Zairissia (14)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k9ZSD5AQhNfUwHrwm0C4wkz4_kWSMk3Z20RbF0X8z9c/edit
https://discord.com/channels/308324031478890497/343418646300852225/590013140742307842