Among the Reeds: Episode 01

### Reddit Thread

***Among the Reeds* Episode 1** was streamed on Arcadum's Twitch channel on June 16, 2021, and premiered on Arcadum's YouTube channel on June 21, 2021.
Five adventurers gather to protect a caravan that never arrives. They find the caravan and ambush a large amount of bandits while looking for the Headman's daughter.

## Summary

*Originally written by u/Lrret1064*

It has been one month since the Mists from the Titan's Eye mountain have begun to clear up, opening the way for travelers from the west to enter the mid and eastern section of Glies. Within there is a place known as the Path of Prosperity, a centralized road leading from the middle section to the east. The story begins in a simple village along this path called Dozo. Word has been sent out for adventurers who wish to travel to the east to meet a caravan that will be stopping at Dozo for resupplies to join and protect it during travels.

The adventurers are Rattacus, a Ratfolk Jester Bard who offers to play a song in exchange for drinks. Eli Bloodbane, a Human Death Cleric. Machio Manis, an Aasimar Scar Seeker Barbarian who left his home in order to perfect his cooking. Dik "Richard" Cok, a Goblin Gregorian Rogue. There is also Kaju Magi, an Undying Warlock who flunked out of wizard school in Majital in Kalkatesh. While high on dragon weed Kaju detours from the tavern and comes across a large house. He proceeds to flirt with the Ho'ask lady who opened the door, which caused her to chase him away before he heads towards the tavern.

As everyone is gathered, the barkeeper Block announces that he has been waiting for them as the caravan master has instructed him to look out for the new guards and hands out their advance payment. While everyone is discussing the job, Richard attempts to pickpocket Rattacus. However his hands get stuck between the bells on Rattacus’s hat. In response Rattacus steals his eyepatch and says he’ll give it back after requesting a favour.

After further discussions, someone comes running into the tavern. It is a tiny fox-like creature wrapped in robes carrying a huge backpack, and it shouts asking for Block in a panicked voice. Block calms it down, and the creature explains that the caravan has been attacked. All he saw is blood everywhere with the travelers missing. Block carries the group outside and explains that the creature, Scorp, is easily excitable so the situation may not be as it seems. He says they should inform the headsman regardless and leads them away from the tavern. While they are leaving, Richard tries his luck pickpocketing Eli, however Eli feels the hands trying to go in his pocket. Eli grabs him by the neck asking what he is trying to do. Rattacus sees the commotion and walks up to confront Richard for trying to steal again. However, Block says they don't have time for this and walks off. The group warns Richard if he tries it again there will be consequences. Block walks up to the same house that Kaju wandered into asking for Headman Dozo and the same Ho'ask lady, who is revealed to be Dozo's daughter, lets them in after eyeing down Kaju a bit. Block explains the situation to Dozo who asks the group to investigate the caravan, and Dozo offers to double their payment as his other daughters are part of the caravan and the group heads out.

Along the way they come across the caravans that match the scene Scorb described. While investigating, Machio notices that the caravan were attacked by professionals and they didn't take any of the cargo. Rattacus finds a survivor that says the people that attacked the caravan took the Headman’s daughter and points them to the direction they went. Eli finds a tome about the Black Pantheon among the cargo. Rattacus and Machio attempt to repair one of the least damaged carts to use as transport with Machio pulling it.

On their way through the forest, continuing along the path that the blood trail left. The party comes up with a plan to hide in the back of the caravan covered by bushes. Machio pulls the cart advertising himself as a bush salesman. As he continues pulling the cart, some bandits jump out surrounding the cart believing that there is something valuable in the cart. As the bandits get closer, the party jumps out of the bushes catching all of them off guard. Using the element of surprise the party they gain an edge on the bandits. However the bandits outnumber the party which turns it back in their favour. In a desperate moment, Machio reveals himself to be a Titan Aasimar which allows him to increase his size. Richard saves Rattacus from being ganged up on which lets him be forgiven for trying to pickpocket Rattacus earlier. After most of the bandits are killed, the leader runs away. Machio finishes off the last bandit, and the party takes a moment to recover as Rattacus loots the bodies. He comes across a letter that fell from the leader as he ran away. The letter reveals that someone paid the bandits to attack the caravan and kidnap the Headman's daughter. After regrouping, the party heads back in the cart and follows the trail. The trail ends as they find a pile of corpses and a sword embedded in them that has the heraldry of a local Daimyo.

## Featured Characters

### Main Characters

* Dik Cok
* Eli Bloodbane
* Kaju Magi
* Machio Manis
* Rattacus

### New

* Blacksilver Bandit
* Blacksilver Brigand
* Block
* Dozo Gourd
* Dozo Koi Fo
* Scorp

### Mentioned

* Local Daimyo
* Dozo Gourd's second daughter

## References

1. ↑ Date is shown on YouTube VOD
2. ↑ Verum Weekly: Summaries of the Streamed Games of the Week (June 17th, 2021)