Orcs of the High Mountains – 001

You have been traveling for two days through the foothills of the High Mountains after leaving the city-state of Cretia. You have stopped in the small village of Leaf’s Hill to resupply before attempting the long trek through Rockhail Pass.

After you purchase some food and drink for the weeklong journey ahead, an elderly couple approaches. They are wringing their hands and have the look of desperation on their faces. They explain that they’re worried about their niece, Graentel, who went out yesterday to pick wild flowers and has not been seen since. Salmanno, the old man, tells you that he went to look for her and found many booted tracks and signs of struggle, including a torn piece of Graentel’s kerchief. He is certain that a tribe of mountain Orcs have taken her. They have been kidnapping people, and those taken are never heard from again.

Everyone in town is afraid of the Orcs so no one will go after his niece. He and his wife are not wealthy, but they can muster 50s if you will rescue their niece. The can afford to pay you 20 up front, and 30 upon the safe return of their niece. You feel compassion for the couple, so you accept. The couple weeps with gratitude and tells you where to find the tracks leading off into the mountains.

Unless you have TRACKING (017), you must hire the local tracker, Aspur the Luprian (003).