![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
In my D&D game one story hook we've discussed is "There's still that band of hobgoblins that ambushed you on the road." It became more timely during our gaming session last weekend as the group was traveling back across the same road. ...Not that there was much fear of the hobbos attacking again. The group determined that the attack was not random or opportunistic; it was because evil people from their city organized and paid the monsters to attack. But still, the monster were out there, and they were a threat to everybody.
Of course, the first challenge to solve in "What should we do about those hobgoblins?" is "Where are the hobgoblins?" This is a question I've been hinting Herran should take the lead on, as it fits the ranger's class abilities. Herran's player has been a bit reluctant to step up into the spotlight, though. I don't know if it's because she's unconfident about her familiarity with the game mechanics, or she's uncertain how powerful her character is and thus is playing conservatively, or something else. But this past session she took one of my prompts and ran with it.
"The hobgoblin ambush occurred well outside of your 'home territory' as a ranger," I explained. "In fact it occurred at least two patches over, so you're not even sure who might be in the area as a druid or ranger. You could network through contacts of your faith/profession and find who's active there. You could also use your animal affinity and Speak With Animals spell to see what forest creatures know about the situation."
Herran chose the Speak With Animals route and went hunting. She found a golden eagle who was also hunting. over the broken hills and rolling grasslands. With her skills and spell she attracted the bird's attention. It flew down to communicate with her.
"The furry two-legs live in a burrow, underground," the bird said.
"Where's that?" Herran asked.
"I smell rabbit! Do you have rabbit?"
"Yes, I caught a rabbit. I'll share meat with you," Herran offered.
"You're a good hunter, for a hairless ape. Furry two-legs are north of here, in the forest."
I wasn't sure where Herran, or the group, would want to go from here. I expected they'd file away that info, complete their current mission— they had a wagon of trade goods they were taking to Durendal, another 2½ days east— and then decide whether to come back to hunt the hobgoblins or find something more important to do in Durendal. Instead Herran, having just gotten some spotlight time, decided to keep it going.
To be continued....
Of course, the first challenge to solve in "What should we do about those hobgoblins?" is "Where are the hobgoblins?" This is a question I've been hinting Herran should take the lead on, as it fits the ranger's class abilities. Herran's player has been a bit reluctant to step up into the spotlight, though. I don't know if it's because she's unconfident about her familiarity with the game mechanics, or she's uncertain how powerful her character is and thus is playing conservatively, or something else. But this past session she took one of my prompts and ran with it.
"The hobgoblin ambush occurred well outside of your 'home territory' as a ranger," I explained. "In fact it occurred at least two patches over, so you're not even sure who might be in the area as a druid or ranger. You could network through contacts of your faith/profession and find who's active there. You could also use your animal affinity and Speak With Animals spell to see what forest creatures know about the situation."
Herran chose the Speak With Animals route and went hunting. She found a golden eagle who was also hunting. over the broken hills and rolling grasslands. With her skills and spell she attracted the bird's attention. It flew down to communicate with her.
"The furry two-legs live in a burrow, underground," the bird said.
"Where's that?" Herran asked.
"I smell rabbit! Do you have rabbit?"
"Yes, I caught a rabbit. I'll share meat with you," Herran offered.
"You're a good hunter, for a hairless ape. Furry two-legs are north of here, in the forest."
* * *
I wasn't sure where Herran, or the group, would want to go from here. I expected they'd file away that info, complete their current mission— they had a wagon of trade goods they were taking to Durendal, another 2½ days east— and then decide whether to come back to hunt the hobgoblins or find something more important to do in Durendal. Instead Herran, having just gotten some spotlight time, decided to keep it going.
To be continued....
