Chapter 5

The next day I woke up and broke my fast with my two knight companions. The plan was just to hang around Winterfell for the next few days as I really had no plans on what to do currently. I had said my piece to Ned Stark so now it was just a matter of putting my money where my mouth is and figure out how to get the Dornish to side with the north.

After breakfast we went into winterfell with no problems from the guards meeting up with Jon, Theon, and Rob. I don't know what I expected but turns out the Northerners live a pretty dull lifestyle and when we arrived all we did was run some more training drills from dawn to dusk. After two utterly boring days of this I decided to speak up.

"Don't you guys do anything other than spar and train?" I asked, looking toward Theon.

Theon put a bit of a thinking face on before he called over Jon and Rob "Our guest here is bored. I have just the activity to liven us up , let's all go on a hunt in the Wolfswood"

"Yes that sounds great ,we haven't been on a hunting trip in a while. Let me go ask my father" said Rob quickly disappearing.

"Well then how about a side bet. Let's split up into teams you and Rob versus me and Jon". I said putting my arm around Jon.

The two seemed surprised at my suggestion "Oh really I'll have you know i'm a pretty good shot , us IronBorn are known for our skills in archery after all" Theon said preening.

"I'm not the best shot myself so the team seems a bit unfair" said Jon awkwardly.

"It's no matter Team 2 Johns is sure to win the day, I'll have you know I've even hunted bears on my own" I said boasting. This wasn't exactly a lie as I had hunted before just with an actual gun. It'd be interesting to see how my skills translated to just hunting with a bow.

Theon rolled his eyes at my boast "As if you could take on a bear by yourself, I'll believe it when I see it"

It only took a couple of minutes for Rob to come back saying he had gotten permission from Lord Stark to go on the hunting trip. I looked up to the second floor and saw him nod down at me before he walked off. The only reason he probably let us go unsupervised was Kristoff and Eric , see when we first arrived both of them were called to the Great Hall without me. When I asked them what it was about later they simply said that Lord Stark wanted to know what kind of man I was and that they had answered truthfully.

With that we filled Rob in on the teams and gathered our supplies taking 10 arrows each and our swords. The Wolfswood was not too far and an hour later we set foot in it. We rode until we got to a clearing and then left our horses tied to a tree.

"Ok we will meet here just before it gets dark, I promised father we would be home by nightfall as these woods can be dangerous after dark" Rob said.

"Good luck you two you're gonna need it," I said over my shoulder as we disappeared in opposite directions into the forest.

I let us get a few minutes into our hike before speaking up "So Jon Snow, guess you're another noble bastard like me then?".

"I am" he said in a gruff voice, as if I had insulted him.

"Hey now no need to get offended i'm a bastard too but what of it who cares?" I said as I shrugged my shoulders.

"What do you mean who cares. Have you no honor or shame?" he said angered

"I do , but what does that have to do with us? The sins of the father should not fall on the son "I said. This shut him up for a second and he quieted down in thought. Meanwhile as we trudged along the woods I noticed something on the ground.

Survival 13

In the ground was a hoof print that seemed like it was from a deer or stag. I wasn't the best at tracking so I motioned for Jon to look at it for a second opinion. Jon confirmed and we quietly made our way down the trail keeping an eye out for the stag. The tracks were probably a day old so it shouldn't be too far.

As we walked Jon finally broke the silence "Does it truly not bother you how people look and speak to you knowing you're a bastard?"

"Pfft as if I care what anyone has to say about me. Besides you shouldn't either a wise man once said 'A wolf does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep' and you may not be a Stark but you still have wolfs blood in you" I said

Charisma: 24(Nat 20)

"You know what, maybe you are right," he said, considering my words. With that Jon opened up more joking around with me as we walked through the woods.

It took about 2 hours of hiking through the woods but we finally came upon the Stag and thankfully we were downwind of the creature. "Well then bear slayer take the shot". He whispered as we crouched behind a tree.

"My skills are a bit rusty, how about we both shoot at the same time lest it get away" I suggested. Thankfully he listened and we both knocked an arrow and I steadied myself and said "Loose". My arrow did manage to find its way to the target striking the Stag on its torso (14) but it was not enough to put it down (4 dmg). Jon however had much better luck as his arrow landed not even a second after mine hitting the beast straight in the neck (24). The hit was right in a critical part and the beast went down from the arrow (12 dmg). I clapped Jon on the back "Good shooting".

"Hah was a lucky shot" he said as we approached the stag. It was a decent sized stag probably being a young adult or something. With that we unpacked to start gutting the stag but were interrupted by a twig snapping to our right. I spun around sword at the ready but from the brush walked out Theon and Rob.

"Shit" swore Theon when he spotted the Stag dead on the ground "We've been tracking this bloody thing for miles".

"Well I guess we've proved to be better hunters," I said smugly.

Rob let out a sigh "Fine we admit defeat I guess the Johns win the day".

"Well then it's only fair for the losers to gut the Stag, wouldn't you agree John?" Said Snow with a smirk as he held out the knife for Theon to take.

"Alright give it here" said Theon, snatching the knife from his hand and began to gut the Stag.

I of course did my part and helped by using my ukulele to play some songs. About 30 minutes later the stag was gutted and Rob spoke up "So which 2 of us is going to carry the Stag back".

I eyed the Stag and it didn't look that heavy "No need I can handle it on my own" I said carrying it over my back like a back pack. It encumbered me quite a bit but I could still walk just not run with it on my back. After about an hour of walking we found our way back to the clearing but what we saw made me throw the Stag to the ground immediately as I went to draw my ukulele.

30 feet away from us in the clearing feasting on the corpses of our now dead horses were 2 large black tiger creatures, it looked like a mother and a child based on the size difference. "Shit shadow cats" Theon screamed as he fumbled to take out his own sword.

Quest: Survived the Wolfswood

Seems like the wolfswood is home to more than wolves good luck surviving.

The two turned to look at us but thankfully I was quick enough to still surprise them and began strumming the instrument to activate my Bardic Performance and use Thunder Call. The sound of thunder filled the area originating from the Cats position and I saw both of them flinch from the sound hurting them (7 dmg).

Dc: 16

Cat 1: 10 Fail

Cat 2: 18 Pass

The blast seemed to stun the bigger one with it dropping to the floor, ears bleeding. The second looked stunned from the blast but would recover any moment.

Initiative

Rob:22

Theon:19

Me: 18

Jon: 15

Bigger Cat:12

Big Cat : 9

With that the battle for our lives began. "Draw your bows until they come closer and prioritize the bigger one" Rob said as he shot an arrow toward the downed Cat (11). The arrow found its mark striking the beast on its side just barely sticking into it (4 dmg). Theon let loose his own arrow next and true to his word he was a damn good marksman. The arrow he shot hit the beast in its side (20) leaving another deep gash (6 dmg). Jon's arrow rang true as well (18) hitting Big cat in the leg (4 dmg). I also contributed by strumming my ukulele to cast Thunder Call once more.

Dc:16

Bigger Cat:17

Big Cat :16

The sound of thunder filled the clearing once more (7 dmg) but this time it didn't seem to stun either of them with the first cat flinching again but beginning to stir from the ground. The second Cat shook off the sound wave and wasted no time charging forward attempting to bite me with its powerful jaws (19). I was unfortunately too slow and Big Cat chomped my arm ripping right through my buckler (8 dmg). I felt as it tried to lock its jaws and hold me (Grab: Nat 1) but thankfully I was able to wrestle my arm away from it. "Circle it" I screamed through the pain.

Rob drew his sword and moved to my right, striking out toward the beast in front of us (19). The blow caused a deep slash across the creature's torso(10 dmg). Theon moved to flank the creature from the side slashing out with his own longsword (22) but unfortunately his blow was not strong enough causing only a small gash on the Cats hide (4 dmg). Jon moved to my left completing our encirclement as he slashed out (5). The Big Cat however was not a sitting duck and moved out of the way of the blow snarling angrily.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

I could tell the Big cat was already on its last legs but I wanted to finish it off before it could pounce on one of us, unleashing both its claws and bite something I'm not even sure I could survive. I summoned my Tattoo sword and thrust forward attempting to stab it (18). The beast was distracted by all the threats and I was able to stab it in the eye (9 dmg) causing it to fall to the ground limp.

This however was not cause for celebration as the Bigger Cat finally recovered and upon seeing me kill the small one let loose a vicious roar as it charged forward solely focused on me ignoring all the others. The path it charged down took it right next to Theon who struck out attempting to capitalize on this opportunity (17). The slash cut the creature on its side (5 dmg) but blinded by rage it continued forward. The revenge driven beast came forward and pounced onto me ripping into me with teeth and claws alike (14 dmg). I felt as claws ripped open my leather armor leaving deep gashes on my chest. Worse still was it also managed to lock its jaws on my arm successfully keeping me in a grapple (20 vs 15 cmd).

"Fuck kill this thing before it kills me!" I yelled in terror as I struggled to pull my arm free.

Rob swung down on the creature screaming as he attempted to fell the beast and save me (16). The creature was too distracted by maintaining the grapple that it did not have the mobility necessary to dodge the blow causing another gash to form on its thick hide (5 dmg).

Theon followed attempting to put the beast down once and for all (6) but this time the beast used its paw to swat the blow away.

Jon followed suit bringing down his long sword for a stab (15). His blow impaled the beast in the side (5 dmg). The beast however did not go down and I could see as it tensed preparing itself to finish me once and for all meaning if my next attack didn't kill it I would die.

The creature opened its jaws as it readied itself to chomp down on my head for its next attack. I screamed as I threw my head upwards forward for a headbutt , willing the tattoo sword to form from my forehead. "Die you overgrown housecat" I screamed (17). In the same moment as the creature's mouth came towards me the Tattoo sword appeared from my forehead stabbing through the creature's mouth and into its brain killing it instantly (8 dmg).

The creatures lifeless body fell onto me and I heard the rest of them yell my name "JOHN"

"Get the bloody thing off of him" yelled Theon.

The grand weight of a fully grown tiger lifted off of me and my companions threw themselves at my side "The wounds are deep we need to get him back to winterfell now" yelled Jon.

"Give me a moment" I said, closing my eyes and focusing using my Channel Positive Energy. A burst of positive energy emanated from me (+4 hp) but it was not near enough to heal me.

"Cure light wounds" I croaked, still spitting up a little blood (+6 hp). This last spell allowed me to at least sit myself up groaning in pain as I did "Ok i'm at least not in danger of bleeding out now but just give me a few more moments" I said to them. "Cure light wounds'' (+8 hp). "One last time just for good measure "Cure light wounds" (+5 hp). With that I spit out a bit more blood and looked toward my 3 companions who looked at me with shocked faces. "What?" I said feeling self conscious from their gazes.

Theon spoke up first "What the seven hells do you mean what." he yelled exasperated. "First you commanded a storm to boom down on the Shadow Cats and now you recovered from wounds that should have been fatal in seconds".

"Lethal wounds? Wait, that's right that thing almost killed me. If it had survived that last attack I would have died," I said, beginning to laugh out loud.

Jon crossed the distance between us and grabbed my shoulders "Get a hold of yourself man".

That was enough to snap me back "Sorry sorry just existential dread of almost dying you know. But what's so surprising I showed you all my magic the first night I came to Winterfell" I said to them.

"You showed us mere charlatan tricks compared to this," Rob said looking around at the corpses in the clearing.

"Oh ho ho do you finally see my true and awesome power now. Please feel free to kneel at my feet" I said in a haughty voice

Perform Comedy: 33

The three of them let out chuckles at that. "Well he's not a demon, doubt a demon would have such a silly sense of humor" said Theon rolling his eyes.

I let out a laugh of my own as I looked around the clearing eyeing our now dead horses. "So what do we do now that our horses were killed? It would take us way too long to get back to Winterfell on foot, especially in the cold and darkness".

Rob looked around himself "You're right we can't travel at night and with your armor and shirt torn to pieces the cold winds would rip right through you without the tree cover. I looked down and saw he was right. The claw marks had left severe damage in my leather armor and clothes. "Well shit let me fix this up" I said spamming Mending on myself a couple of times. By the end my armor and clothes were brand spanking new.

"Gods he can even repair his own armor and clothing" said Jon.

"That aside, we still can't travel at night. It would be too easy to get lost. Our best bet is to light a fire and wait for someone to come for us. When night falls and my father notices we haven't returned he'll surely send the guard out in force to retrieve us" said Rob confidently.

With that done we gathered the corpses and piled them up. Rob surprisingly was the one who successfully started the fire while I cursed my past self for not choosing any fire starting cantrips. We also butchered the Stag for dinner since we'd be stranded here quite a while. As the food cooked I used Smoking Image to tell some random stories.

With the food done cooking I spoke up "I have a way of making the food taste better if you guys would like" I said.

"Well I see no reason not to trust you after you risked your life to save us" said Rob to which the others agreed.

"Well then let me introduce you to the taste of Barbecue sauce" I said casting Alter Taste on the Stag. "I think it's only fair for Jon to eat first as his arrow downed the Stag" I said, cutting a piece off for him with a knife. Jon accepted the venison and his face after taking a bite was hilarious.

"Now that is good," he said mouth still full and chewing. With that the rest of us eagerly ate the venison till we were stuffed wrapping the rest back up.

I casted Simple Bed for us to give us a surface to sit comfortably on but no one slept as we awaited our rescuers to come. When night finally did hit we all huddled near the fire for warmth all exchanging stories. It was a little while later while Theon told a tale of bedding some woman that I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.

Perception: 25

Due to my dark vision I could see the edge of the clearing clear as day and in the shadows I saw multiple shadows darting around. "Shit wolves, they must have been drawn by the smell, '' I said out loud. The 3 of them by the campfire immediately went on alert

"How many and where" asked Rob looking around the clearing.

"They're over there at least 4 of them over there," I said pointing to the east. Draw your bows and wait for my signal to shoot them. Only shoot the ones that are moving".

"What do you mean?" questioned Jon.

"You'll see" I said cryptically as I continued watching them. The wolves circled for a few minutes letting out howls before 6 wolves dashed out of the woodwork.

I waited for the perfect moment before casting "Sleep" throwing some rose petals in the air .

I watched as 2 of the wolves fell to the ground asleep while the rest continued charging forward. The trio opened fire as they came in eyesight. Theon proved himself yet again, scoring a nice hit to the shoulder of one wolf (5 dmg). Rob unfortunately missed his wolf as his arrow embedded itself in the ground a few inches shy. Jon was also able to score his own hit to the shoulder of another wolf (6 dmg). When the wolves finally were close enough they dropped their bows and drew their swords.

Initiative

Wolf 1: 22

Rob:21

Theon:20

Wolf 2: 15

Jon: 14

Me: 13

Wolf 3: 11

Wolf 4: 9

The wolf Theon shot was the quickest to lash out as it lunged forward to bite him (13). Thankfully Theon had some quick reflexes and backpedaled away from it dodging the bite. Rob was also quick on the uptake stepping forward to strike out at the wolf he had missed previously (19). The sword slashed the wolf across the side as it tried to dodge causing a deep gash (8 dmg). Seeing Rob's advance Theon stepped up and struck wolf 1 (22, Crit). The strike caused the sword to embed itself into the creature's head, killing it instantly. Wolf 2 lashed out toward Rob with its teeth (6) but Rob was too quick warding it back with his sword.

Jon let out a battle cry as he brought his sword down on the one he had injured with his arrow (16). The blow caught the beast in the neck all but decapitating it as it fell to the ground dead (10 dmg).

Incensed by the cries of my companions I too let out a battle cry as I summoned my tattoo sword to try and impale the wolf before me through the eye (15). The blow struck through and I impaled the creature in the eye killing it instantly (13 dmg).

Theon circled around the side of the already injured wolf Rob was engaged with and stabbed it through the side putting it out of its misery.

"Looks like you're the only one who needed help my lord" Theon taunted as he pulled his sword from the wolf's torso.

"Before any of that someone come help me finish off the two sleeping ones" I said walking toward the two downed forms.

Jon came with me and we quickly slit the throats of two sleeping wolves.

We dragged their bodies back toward the light and piled them with the rest. This time we did not cook anything else to not attract more wolves. A few hours later what Rob predicted came to pass with a whole mess of guards led by Lord Stark himself coming to our rescue. Eric and Kristoff even came, which was nice.

The first thing Lord Stark did when he arrived was dismount his horse and glance at the bodies of the wolves and shadow cats before leveling his gaze at us "Explain yourselves" .

My 3 fellow hunters shrunk at his gaze so I stepped up to speak. "It's a long story my lord but allow me to tell you our epic tale by the fire" I said motioning for him to sit on one of the Simple Beds. He crossed the gap and sat down before turning his head to address his retinue "We'll have to make camp here for the night. The road is too snowed. Men set up camp" he said before turning back to me. "Now then let's hear this tale of yours".

I quickly casted Simple Bed a couple more times for some of the guards to sit before using Smoking Image to start to tell my tale "It all started when me and Jon felled the mighty stag you see before you"

Perform Oratory: 25

The Smoking Image only further served to make the action packed story even more enticing and I could see I had everyone on the edge of their seats. By the time I finished telling my story all the guards let out a cheer congratulating us on our feats. Kristoff grabbed me pulling me into a noogie "Hah that's John for you does his best work outnumbered" he said as I struggled to free myself from his grasp.

Lord Stark rose to his feat and cleared his throat to gather our attention. Kristoff immediately released me and we looked at him. "You have done my house a great service today helping save not only my ward but 2 of my sons" he said nodding toward me. "Let it be known from here on that John Sand is a friend of House Stark , his enemies are our enemies".

"Aye" cheered his guardsmen and I was left stunned ."Th- Thank you my Lord. I'll be sure to keep being worthy of such a friendship" I said bowing my head toward him. With that he left toward the tent that one of his men set up.

'This is crazy I thought I'd get a knighthood or something but this was much better he basically just said if something happened he would risk it all to save me and since it was Ned stark I know it's true' I thought to myself

I let out a laugh as I turned to look over at everyone but was interrupted by a ding.

Quest complete Survive the Wolfswood

Congratulations you survived quite a long night. But that's nothing compared to the future.

6 wolves defeated 2400 xp

1 stag defeated 400 xp

2 shadow cats defeated 2400 xp

Total:5200 xp

Splitting xp among party

Level up

Level 4 (9000/15000)

'Hell yeah and a level up this is fucking great' I thought to myself. 'But wait where did my extra xp go though' I wondered. 'Whatever, let's just get to assigning all these goodies'.

First up we have my first attribute point which I immediately sunk into Charisma as it was my main attribute for everything.

The next choices came in the form of spells. First up was the one level 1 spell I got from my favored class bonus. After searching through a couple of options I chose Disguise Self. It didn't help with damage but for utility it was great , if I ever became infamous I could just use the spell to get in anywhere.

Then finally I had my choice of level 2 spells. The first I chose was Blistering Incentive. The spell was pretty damn good in my opinion. If I just made a mean joke I could possibly set everyone in 30 ft on fire. I also took up Cure Moderate Wounds so that I could heal myself quicker and not spend so many 1st level spell slots. Lastly I picked Invisibility and Glitterdust. Invisibility is pretty self explanatory but Glitterdust was basically just a burst of blindness which would be great for fighting in this world.

With my last choices filled the world resumed around me and another ding went off.

Companion xp distributed

Party Member Theon Level up: Level 2

'Huh how come he's the only one that leveled? Might be that he's older I guess' I thought idly to myself. The rest of the night drifted by with idle chatter but soon we settled down into our tents for the night. Between the chorus of snores from Eric and Kristoff I drifted off into sleep tired from today's adventure.