Plateau City At Last! Monday October 20th, 2014 7:01:28 PM
In the aftermath of the fight, Evaris waits for everyone to return to the ship, then channels energy to restore 8 hp each to all. [OOC to Evaris ... with the Wold's policy of rerolling 1s on healing dice, you might want to roll each d6 separately. Just sayin'.]
Lowell and Zero are exuberant in victory!
Zero heals himself further with magic berries.
Emrys takes a berry too.
Yeshua and Grell cannot wait to get under way again -- so that they can get back to port and then to Plat City as fast as possible!
Ariach agrees, bringing the captain back on deck and urging him to bring the ship home.
The sailors also seem eager to see the last of Dragon Bay -- what with the storms, the sea monsters, the damage inflicted on Bray, and then the attack by the elementals, you get the feeling it will take a large pay boost to set sail into these waters again any time soon!
The journey takes about another day, and you end up in South Port. The magical Teucri road whisks you to the edge of the great plateaus, and the busy giant elevators at the cliff-faces get you up and up and up in no time.
Soon you are standing at the gates of Plateau City! Home at last.
Well, home to some of you, but not to Yeshua and Zero! How will these country-boys react to entering the Greatest City In the Wold?
Evaris Monday October 20th, 2014 7:58:09 PM
Evaris is anxious to return to the town house, to see how Roel and the kittens managed in the group's absence. Still, duty calls.
"We should try to get in to see the Lord Mayor," he says, "so we can update him on the situation. We need to be ready for whatever Draco is planning next."
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 38/40, AC 19/13/19, Monday October 20th, 2014 9:25:12 PM
Lowell gets a huge grin on his face when they finally arrive at the gates of Plateau City. "YEAH! Finally we're back! It feels like forever since we were last here!'' Hearing Evaris, Lowell nods. ''Oh yeah! The High Lord Mayor would probably like to hear hat happened!"
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Monday October 20th, 2014 9:43:16 PM "It is good to be home! We should probably clean ourselves and make some effort at being presentable before we meet with the Mayor."
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Monday October 20th, 2014 10:29:22 PM
"If this is the greatest city in the Wold, give me a swamp" Zero mumbled.
The smell, the crowds, and the affluence was more than the dwarven Forest Gypsy could bear. He didn't need a drink, he needed twenty.
"Where does a dwarf go to wet his whistle in this hornet's nest?"
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Tuesday October 21st, 2014 4:51:15 PM
Ariach is also glad to be home again. He invites Yeshua and Zero to come with the Vanguards. "You can rest at our house. We have enough space to welcome you two. You can clean yourself and prepare for the meeting with the High Lord Mayor."
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Tuesday October 21st, 2014 5:52:28 PM
Yeshua and Truman, both a little unnerved by the new environment, appreciates and accepts Ariach's offer of rest and a safe place to meet the mayor. He has a distant relative Thar who briefly lived there and remembers the stories his cousin shared of the massive city... He needs to buy a new set of clothes for the trip and something for Truman to gnaw on while they rest and recuperate...
(OOC - DM, do we assume normal healing too from the extra day of travel on the sea to Plateau City?)
Evaris Tuesday October 21st, 2014 8:41:28 PM
[Evaris would have used all his healing to make sure everybody is at full HP]
"To the town house, then," Evaris agrees. "And perhaps we can send a messenger to the Lord High Mayor requesting an audience."
Grell Tuesday October 21st, 2014 9:10:04 PM
Thrilled to be home again, Grell shows Lowell all the rooms in the townhouse and makes sure he finds one near his own room do his twin can be nearby. Removing his armor, Grell heads straight up to the kittens and checks on them. He's very anxious about there safety since the last time he left a kitten he ended up gone for months and she had run away.
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Tuesday October 21st, 2014 9:44:34 PM
Lowell is thrilled when Grell shows him around, and is even happier when Grell helps him find a nice room near his own. However, he isn't as happy when Grell goes to see the kittens. Grell hates dogs, and Lowell highly dislikes cats. Truman is fine, but little kittens.... Well, you never know when one of them could scratch you! At least dogs are predictable, and always loyal! Lowell follows his brother to the cats since he really doesn't know what else to do, but he stays back, just watching. He has to admit, it is nice to see how much Grell cares for those kittens, but still! Lowell just doesn't like them very much, especially with how small they are..... They are probably plotting his downfall right now!
Plateau City At Last! Tuesday October 21st, 2014 10:19:03 PM
OOC: Everyone is healed up to full hp.
Evaris leads the group to their townhouse -- Zero and Yeshua discover that it is in a gloomy part of town, filled with narrow alleys, squint-eyed street merchants peddling charms, gloomy inns and run-down taverns -- of special interest to Zero -- and ... tourists taking in the sights?
Well, your greystone townhouse is nice enough, at Number 2 Raven Crescent. And Evaris's pal Roel has been taking good care of things ... including Grell's kitties. Grell is eager to give Lowell the tour, and everyone is welcome, of course.
"Well, you were only gone a few days," Roel says.
Lowell and Evaris are eager to see the Mayor.
Ariach and Royston want to clean up before heading over to the Mayor's palace.
Yeshua finds it easy to find a shop that sells clothes ... but everything in this shop is in black. And adorned with decorative chains and studs. That shop right next door to the block of ruins.
Welcome to the Nightmare Quarter of Plateau City.
A messenger brings a note at dusk -- evidently your arrival was noted -- Tomorrow you are rquested to a meeting at the palace.
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Tuesday October 21st, 2014 10:34:35 PM
Emrys gives a sigh of relief as he passes over the treshhold of their townhome. He offers his new friends all the comforts his home affords and retires to his room for a much-deserved, hot bath.
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Tuesday October 21st, 2014 11:20:44 PM
"Appreciate the offer Ariach. I'll take you up on it. As for cleaning..." Zero said as he spat in each of his dirty hands. "All I need is a spit shine, eh"
Zero looked very much out of his element as he walked down the street. He was filthy, tattered, wild, and completely overwhelmed by the sights and sounds around him. Then he saw the local tavern.
"You go get your clothes" he said. "And I'll get me some liquid courage."
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Tuesday October 21st, 2014 11:46:29 PM
Sir Royston follows the lead of Emrys, and scrubs the muck of adventuring from his hair and skin.
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 3:38:54 PM
Back home Ariach enjoys the little privacy of his own rooms. He takes a bath, trims his mustache and changes his clothes. After he has cleaned and polished his armor, his shield and his weapons, he goes down to meet the others.
Plateau City At Last! Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 7:17:55 PM
Emrys is happy to he safe and clean at last!
Zero feels -- contrary to the evidence of your noses -- that he needs no bath. He just needs to bathe his kidneys in good dwarven ale ... something he can indeed find in the neighborhood, although the pub he ends up at charges about ten times what he would expect, and the best in the house is called "Bloody Dwarves Bloody Ale Of Death" -- at a place that has a decor scheme best described as "Dark Fantasy Goth."
Royston does avail himself of the bath, but his hands, stained as if with fresh blood, remain so.
Ariach also cleans up and spends the evening in the company of those who are too restless to go right to bed.
In the morning, you show up at the Palace at the appointed hour, a bit of a long walk from the Nightmare Quarter, on the east side of town, to the High Lord Mayor's Castle, near the center of the city, in the Merchant Quarter. You recall -- and maybe explain to Zero and Yeshua -- that Mayor's Castle is where the Mayor runs the country, but there is also a King's Castle, sometimes called Outcast Castle. No one lives there now, though, since the last king died without heir. Sometimes grand events are held there though, since it is far larger and more stately than the Mayor's Castle.
Anyway, you meet with the minor bureaucrat, Marline, who met with you before. But you are not led through the Hall of Heroes this time. Instead, you are invited into a smaller conference room with a table sufficient to seat maybe a dozen. There are pitchers of water for you, and a scribe sits at the ready to take down your words.
"Please," says Marline, "Each of you please tell the story of what has transpired."
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 9:11:19 PM
Yeshua decides against any of the odd black and studded wear, and is content with finding something along the way to the palace. He's never been concerned about looking nice, as that's never mattered in the jungles and forests... Of course now the duo will have to learn to be experts in this urban terrain...
He doesn't say much to this Marline character, and lets the others report and he merely adds a detail or point here and there to clarify any questions...
Grell Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 10:06:05 PM
Grell makes a big deal of showing Lowell around the castle, helping hims settle in. He even consents to a ever so brief bath before the night is over. Happily snuggled in with all the kittens, Grell rises before the others, bright and chipper and heads out on his morning run. Then he heads back and hastily changes into his "go to meeting" clothes. As he travels about the town, he cocks his eyebrow as they are not led through the Hall of Heroes, but holds his tongue.
When asked to tell the story, Grell, in his usual manner, keeps it brief. "We met with the Dragon, it issued a warning. It came back a few days later to destroy the town. We beat it in battle and finished it off. That Draco guy didn't like that much. Mater of fact, he didn't like it so much that he sent a bunch of water elementals to come and attack our ship out on the water. We finished those off too. Now we're here." Grell looks at Marline as if to say "Well, what else do you want?!"
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 10:32:03 PM
Lowell tries to recall the stuff that happened with his battle. "Hm.... Yeah! So, the Scourge gave us this warning, and it came back a couple days later to attack the village. We managed to defeat it,,,,,, and then we finished it off. It was kinda sad.... But anyways, Draco came and...... said some stuff. Or,.... maybe he didn't? Anyways, then we ate some food, and then we came home! Yeah, so that's what happened." He nods, happy to give an explanation, even if he didn't do a really good job of explaining things.
Evaris Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 10:36:14 PM
Evaris gathers his thoughts. "Well," he says. "Shortly after we left our meeting with you, Your Lordship, we were approached by a very odd-looking gnome woman calling herself 'Doctor Shrubgrass.' She claimed to have some kind of second sight, and indeed she must have, because she directed us to the village of Bray, which is where the confrontations took place. She also told us to be on the lookout for more heroes who would arrive across Dragon Bay, which is what led us to Yeshua, Truman, and Zero." As he mentions each of his new companions, Evaris gestures in their direction. "As well as other companions who elected to go their own way after the battle."
"Almost immediately, the fishing-boats in Dragon Bay came under attack by the Scourge. The Scourge did not attempt to directly harm any of the fisher-folk, though the destruction of their boats left many in a percarious situation. We helped them as best we could, and attempted to speak with the Scourge. It claimed it had come to 'deliver a message,' which message was, it would seem, the destruction of the fishing fleet. Having delivered it, the Source left, but not before delivering scores of turtle shells to the village. A message was carved into each shell: STURTEVANT! MEET MY TERMS OR YOUR PEOPLE WILL SUFFER!"
"Knowing that another attack would come soon, we began to plan and make preparations. We set up defenses on the shore, and loaded several flasks of acid into a boat, in the hopes that the Scourge would attack the boat and take damage. This worked, to an extent, but it mostly made the Scourge angry, and....well, I don't remember the rest of that battle very well. I took some damage. Rather a lot of damage actually, but we pulled through. The melee fighters were splendid."
Evaris clears his through. Best not to mention the little dust-up at the end of that fight; what's done is done.
"Emrys was able to use magic to speak with the dead Scourge, and find out more about this Draco. Apparently, Draco has a lair of some kind under Dragon Bay. We did not have long to ponder this, however, as Draco himself approached us at that point. We attempted parlay, and Emrys did some truly outstanding work, but Draco was upset by the death of his...pet, I suppose, and would not speak with us."
"And then, during our return to Plateau City, our ship was attacked by several Water Elementals. We defeated them as well, but it is clear that Draco is not finished with whatever he is planning."
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 d20+15=24 ; Wednesday October 22nd, 2014 11:13:48 PM
(Sorry for the brief post, I'm just so very tired.)
(Perform [spoken word]: 24)
Emrys sits down and gives a detailed and stirring tale of the events that took place with both the Scourge, Draco and eventually the herd of water elementals while aboard the ship. Not a dry eye remains after completing the story and a short moment of silence.
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Thursday October 23rd, 2014 5:00:47 PM
By courtesy Ariach waits until the others have finished. Right after he has listened to the stories of Evaris and Emrys he regrets his decision. How is it possible that both remember the events of the past few days in every detail.
"I have nothing to add to the explanations of my friends" is all he says.
Plateau City At Last! Thursday October 23rd, 2014 8:03:11 PM
Meline looks over a sheaf of notes. One piece of parchment is selected, removed from the pile, and handed to the group.
"Just to clarify, did you get a copy of this note via archon from the Mayor?" A couple phrases have been underlined by a bold hand. The note reads (DM Post Aug 20):
To the Vanguard Group of Adventurers and the heroes new-come over Dragon Bay, welcome, by the grace of Sturtevant, Lord High Mayor of Plateau City and Guardian of the Realm of New Elenna.
I am depending on you to defeat this threat to the town of Bray and to do so with whatever force is required. The magician known as Draco will employ his minion or minions against you, but will surely not appear himself. Defeating his creatures will impress him, so do so if possible. If you can defeat them by nonlethal means, or through an offer of quarter, then excellent, but do not hold back any force or neglect to use any means necessary. Your priority is to turn back this attack. Use all your powers to do so, with the grace of the gods.
Meline coughs gently. "Because from your tale, there was no mention of trying nonlethal means or of giving quarter first. Did you even try?"
The minor minister pauses to give each of you a chance to respond.
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Thursday October 23rd, 2014 8:38:26 PM
"Didn't Evaris say that? We tried to stop the Scourge from attacking the fisher ships, but it wouldn't listen despite our best efforts. We told it to stop, but it wouldn't. We tried to get it to listen to reason, but it destroyed all the boats! Those fishermen lost their boats. As far as I can tell, we did our best. If it had stopped, maybe we could have negotiated." Lowell states, wanting to make it very clear that they did all they could, but the Scourge would not listen to to the group, not even the negotiators like Evaris.
Evaris Thursday October 23rd, 2014 8:52:43 PM
"Um," Evaris looks uncomfortable. "Um. Yes, we did try nonlethal means. But....but some of us were very upset, and I'm afraid we lost sight of the long-term goal."
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Thursday October 23rd, 2014 9:15:20 PM
Yeshua frowns at the envoys words and explains, "Yes, we did our best to keep it peaceful and parlay with them. Several of our members put themselves in harms way to seek a peaceful resolution. However, it chose to be the aggressor and we had to defend ourselves. " he's not about to let some minor paper pusher accuse them of failing to do their best and barely keeps his disgust for this fool in check... For now he'll let the others fill in more details...
(After all, a lost child is uncomfortable dealing with others, especially non-tigers and non-1/2 elves...)
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Thursday October 23rd, 2014 11:17:14 PM
"The death of the Scourage was most regrettable. The failure on my part was my lack of assertiveness. I learned that diplomacy is a battle with two fronts. A lesson I learned at a great price. For that the High Lord Mayor has most sincere apologies."
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Thursday October 23rd, 2014 11:34:07 PM "Ms. Meline, as the note clearly states, "If you can defeat them by nonlethal means...". Our initial contact was diplomatic, peaceful, and entreating. Despite widespread destruction of property, we were reserved in our use of force. It was only when it was plainly obvious that violence was the only means of protecting the town that we engaged in combat." Sir Royston smiles, folding his arms across his chest lightly. His blood-stained hands resting comfortably. "We did what was necessary, and Good prevailed."
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Friday October 24th, 2014 12:36:33 AM
When the Minister asked Zero for his account he spoke plainly.
"All this talking is making me thirsty. The words on that paper is starting to make my head hurt. Probably would have got me killed had I read them before that battle. Fancy words have no place on the battlefield."
"Truth is, that beastie liked breaking stuff more than it liked talking. Didn't like the way it all happened at the time, but these fellas did the best they could. Sure, mistakes were made. Hands were dirtied, and not all of it will wash off. They'll have to live with that."
"What happened, happened. End of story."
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Friday October 24th, 2014 4:20:31 AM
With a glance to Sir Royston Ariach says "We negotiated with the scourge, but it didnīt listen."
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Friday October 24th, 2014 10:04:09 PM
ooc: check
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Friday October 24th, 2014 11:12:14 PM
Emrys checks ... a few items on his To Do list.
Grell Friday October 24th, 2014 11:14:29 PM
Grell sighs sighs at the paper pusher, trying to explain things like he would to one of his little brothers. "Look, we tried tob reason with it and it smashed every boat in the town. We set up a decoy when it came back and it smashed that up and then went straight into attacking us. I'm pretty sure Scales over there tried to talk to it a couple of times, but I don't speak Dragon, so you'd have to ask him. We tired nice a bunch of times and it almost got us killed. Eventually the time for talking comes to an end. We didn't want to kill the thing, but it darned near killed the lot of us and it never showed any signs that it was going to surrender, so we had to kill it. "
When you have all spoken, the official nods at you and smiles. Looking over the notes brought to the meeting, Meline next asks, "The Mayor went to some trouble to arrange for Doctor Shrubgrass to advise you. How did you interpret her advice and use it in the challenges you faced?"
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Saturday October 25th, 2014 10:54:54 AM "The Mayor's efforts in securing divinatory services are most appreciated, as are all of his contributions in leadership, wisdom, and material aid in our endeavors. We are most honored for the opportunity to work with him and his assistants. Of the aid rendered in our efforts to combat the Scourge, the services of Doctor Shrubgrass were perhaps of less utility than under different circumstances. I have no doubt that her services will be quite valuable in the future."
Evaris Saturday October 25th, 2014 12:23:47 PM
"It was a hint from Doctor Shrubgrass that sent us to Bray. Without knowing the specific name of our destination, we would have wasted valuable time trying to track down the Scourge."
Plateau City At Last! Monday October 27th, 2014 3:19:33 PM
Meline nods as the scribe once again takes down your account.
"Hmmm," the smooth-cheeked lesser official says. "That sounds important. But nothing else? I think the Mayor expected her to offer even more insights."
Meline and the scribe wait for any final statement you might want to offer.
=========
"Well, that about wraps it up," says Meline. "The Mayor of Plateau City thanks you for your service and for taking on this dangerous job. He has asked me to award these tokens of thanks to you."
Each of you is handed a small pouch containing about 100 coins.
"Thank you, and please do not worry about Draco sending enemies against the city or nation. The Mayor has obtained the help of a more experienced group of adventurers to solve this difficult dilemma. You are free to go! Good by!"
Evaris Monday October 27th, 2014 6:06:04 PM
Evaris accepts his pouch with a little bow. "And thank you, Mistress Maline," he replies. It's a little disappointing, not being able to see this through, but Draco is clearly too powerful for this group to handle. At least for now.
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Monday October 27th, 2014 7:18:17 PM
Ariach refuses the tokens. "First, i didnīt do it for the money. Second, we didnīt fulfill the task. Accept my apology that we have dashed the High Lord Mayorīs expectations."
He says goodbye and leaves with a disappointed expression on his face.
Grell Monday October 27th, 2014 8:16:28 PM
Grell takes the offered money with a frown. Thick as the warrior is, he didn't miss the jab about Draco and needing a more experience group. Still, Grell's not stupid...he knows that sometimes it's best just to keep your mouth shut. Elbowing Lowell and Ariach, Grell bows to Mistress Maline. "We are always ready to serve Plateau City. Thank you for your time."
Once clear of the Mayor's office, Grell growls something under his breath about "Stupid quill pushing no good politicians." Still, all in all, it has been a good day. Everyone is still alive and well, and considering all the close brushes with death they have had, that is reason enough to celebrate! "Alright folks...I'm heading down to Short Shanks. I'm STARVING, and I've been itching to cook up some brazed beef! Anybody got any requests? Better let me know now, because it's gonna take a few hours to get everything set up." Grell scratches the whiskers on his chin. "Oh, and after I get dinner set up and maranating, anybody want to go down to the gladiator school and check up on Felix and his wife? Maybe we'll even be able to catch a match."
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Monday October 27th, 2014 9:10:36 PM
New to all this bureaucracy, Yeshua thanks the mayor for the gift but says little more. He's interested in learning more about this place and Is interested in scouting it out... He'll join the others for a meal after his brief tour...
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Monday October 27th, 2014 9:36:49 PM
Lowell puts on his biggest, most charming looking grin. "Thank you very much, Mistress Meline! We are very thankful for the money, and we look forward to working with you again!" He takes his pouch of money and bows. Then, he leaves with the rest of the group.
Once he is away from the office, Lowell rolls his eyes. "Man, she sure was a pain! We did our best.... Hey, do you think we might get another chance to fight Draco in the future? We might be able to 'redeem ourselves' in the Mayor's eyes, since we obviously did such a horrible job. Then again, we might not be strong enough to win." Lowell can't think of any requests when his brother asks, so he doesn't say anything. However, he does remember Felix when his brother mentions the big cat. "You want to go see that.... cat? Well.... If you're going, I'll go." He faintly remembers battling Felix, and is very reluctant about seeing the great cat again.... but, Grell just seems so excited!
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Monday October 27th, 2014 11:07:29 PM
Zero accepted the coins and thanked Mistress Meline before departing.
His first instinct was to go back to the tavern to spend his earnings, but then he remembered how much drinks cost in this city. He may have had a slight drinking problem, but like many dwarves he also had a spending problem.
Instead he made his way to the dwarven forest. Hopefully it would be wild enough to give him some peace. Maybe he'd even find some wildberries to replenish his goodberry stocks.
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Monday October 27th, 2014 11:16:00 PM
"Well, the dear doctor divined that Draco wouldn't harm dragons. And he was quite distraught about the demise of Scourge. However, Draco had no trouble putting dragons in harms way. Not all her insights were gems, but we shouldn't expect them to be. I certainly understand the difficulty of the art. I've dropped the divining bowl more than once. "
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Tuesday October 28th, 2014 10:14:37 AM
Sir Royston accepts the pouch with a respectful bow from the waist. "Service is a pleasure, and we accept your thanks with gratitude." Outside, he sighs. "I am going to retire to the house to rest and meditate. Please let me know if anything else arises."
ooc: I'm going to update my character sheet ASAP.
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Tuesday October 28th, 2014 12:39:41 PM
Emrys, being quite thankful for the gift, reserves his true reaction until he has a chance (after they leave) to see what kind of coins are in his small pouch. Anything less than gold would be a definite snub by the Lord High Mayor. Platinum, however, will restore his warm smile.
Plateau City At Last! Tuesday October 28th, 2014 6:33:15 PM
"Well, Vanguard heroes, you have been patient with me, and I thank you," says Meline. "And your humility well becomes, you, Sir Ariach, with your kind indulgence, we will donate your reward to help the indigent of the city."
The official makes a bow and leaves you to find your way out.
Yeshua, does your DM understand correctly that you wish to explore the castle of the mayor? Any particular direction? Upstairs, downstairs, big rooms, small rooms, etc? Are you being stealthy (roll stealth checks), and is Truman with you? You might also make some other skill checks as you see fit.
Grell is intent on preparing a meaty feast! Who else wants to sup on beef? Yeshua hopes to be back for this great food after his "tour." Maybe tomorrow morning bright and early would be a good time to visit your Dire Tiger friends.
Speaking of animal friends, has Grell thought about using the wreaths of animal communication invented by his father?
The prospect of seeing those tigers again pushes all thought of food from Lowell's mind.
Zero, choosing to miss both food and drink, finds that the small forest in the city is a bit over-gardened compared with the raw wilderness with which he is acquainted. He does find many wild berries growing -- indeed, they seem cultivated for passers-by. A mother and her two children, dressed in threadbare garments, are gathering berries too.
Royston meditates at home. Will the delicious smell of Grell's feast inspire him to take a break for dinner?
Emrys sees that the reward IS in platinum, 125 pieces each, actually. That makes him smile.
OOC: Friends, feel free to continue RPing and doing things in the city. Refer to the wiki freely. Do not neglect training, crafting, and any other busy-nesses. Also feel free to improvise if I post anything that strikes a chord.
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Tuesday October 28th, 2014 7:25:26 PM
Ariach feels worthless when he leaves Meline and the offered money doesnīt make it better.
"Yes Grell, thatīs a good idea. Take a big steak for me too, please. And donīt forget the ale. And one more thing. I really want to enjoy the feast, so donīt let us talk about damned Draco. Letīs focus on our future. We have to discuss if it is an option to invite Yeshua and Zero to the Vanguards."
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Tuesday October 28th, 2014 7:51:47 PM
Yeshua admires the money (before heading out on his recon) and thanks the man for the gracious gift. He wonders what he could use it for and how best to boost up him and his sibling...
He smiles at the lady and her child, and Truman gives a friendly purr, trying not to scare the child with his strength and bulk...
_________ DM Cayzle, to double check, I need to update Yeshua to: 66K xp. I only have 31.4K gp, so what should his final gp (including the platinum) be?
Evaris Tuesday October 28th, 2014 9:56:57 PM
Evaris is happy to return to the town house and have a heart-to-heart with Roel. He asks about the kittens, and looks for clues about how much his friend has been indulging in drink.
He also puts some thought into making a wand, but makes no decisions yet. [OOC: In a hurry, need to get a post in, no time to look up wands. Maybe tomorrow.]
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Tuesday October 28th, 2014 11:14:59 PM
Lowell smiles a huge smile when Ariach speaks. "Have Zero and Yeshua join the Vanguards? Oh, that would be awesome! I mean, if they wanted to join as well."
Pondering to himself, Lowell tries to decide what to do in his spare time. "Hey, Grell, can I tag along? You know, help you out with getting the food and cooking it up! I just think that it would be nice to spend some time together just relaxing, what do you think? I mean, it's not like I have anything better to do." He grins.
Grell Wednesday October 29th, 2014 6:39:30 AM
Grelll grins at Ariach. "Sure, no problem. I'll pick up an extra couple of packs of steak." Slapping Lowell on the back, Grell grins at his twin, anxious to get into a little bit of mischief. "Yeah, c'mon! You can handle the veggies. Lessee...how about some grilled zucchini and squash...maybe add in some of Mom's famous broccoli salad?"
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Wednesday October 29th, 2014 10:19:17 AM "Well, of course they can join! Provided, of course..." his eyes glow red and a dreadful shadow crosses his face. "They pass the initiation." Sir Royston leans in close to Zero and Yeshua, his voice hard and flat. "Are you prepared? Are you prepared to..." His voice drops to a whisper. "Buy drinks for everyone?"
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Wednesday October 29th, 2014 10:21:12 AM
Sir Royston cloisters himself in his room at the house. A bizarre cacophony of noises issues from his door as he toils and sweats in his magical crafting. After several hours, give or take, he emerges having upgraded most of his equipment. "Ah! There we are! Fit as a fiddle and ready for trouble." He joins the companions downstairs, and offers to help Grell and Ariach with the cooking.
ooc: Per emails with Cayzle.
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Wednesday October 29th, 2014 2:45:14 PM
Glad for the distraction Ariach takes a seat and watches Grell preparing the meat. It seems that Grell doesnīt enjoy only eating bulks of meat, he enjoys cooking as well.
Ariach then goes for some glasses and a good bottle of wine. He offers a glass to everyone who joins the feast.
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Wednesday October 29th, 2014 8:46:56 PM
Yeshua laughs and smiles at the offer to join this group of stalwart friends. Looking at Truman, the two have a silent conversation and then looking up, he says, "Very well, we'd be honored to join your team and yes, we'll buy the first drinks!"
Evaris Wednesday October 29th, 2014 10:21:26 PM
Evaris considers his options and decides to craft a wand of Lesser Restoration. Accordingly, he sets off to find the necessary ingredients.
[OOC: There was talk at some point about crafters needing to buy their supplies in the Catacombs--does Evaris need to visit the Catacombs? Or can I just deduct the amount from his character sheet?]
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Wednesday October 29th, 2014 11:02:21 PM
Emrys decides that he needs to commune with nature and consider his many options. He walks to the the Druid quarter and finds a pleasant spot amongst the many trees. There he takes on the form of a tree and becomes one with the root.
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Thursday October 30th, 2014 12:01:26 AM
OCC: meant to say Druid forest, not dwarves forest in my last post.
Zero hates the city, but he does find comfort in the Druid's forest. He spends his day harvesting berries, and exploring the forest in various animal forms.
"If I had to live here, this is where I'd want to stay" he muttered aloud. "A Forest Gypsy could make a life here, even if it's a bit too neat for my tastes."
Zero relieved himself on a tree. At least hopefully it was a tree.
Plateau City At Last! d100=32 ; Thursday October 30th, 2014 11:30:08 AM
Really sorry friends. Lost the post to a crash. Working to rewrite it after I get my work work done! Ugh!
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Thursday October 30th, 2014 6:38:53 PM
check
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Thursday October 30th, 2014 7:20:43 PM
ooc: check
Plateau City At Last! Thursday October 30th, 2014 7:47:00 PM
Yeshua examines his coin pouch and notes that there is a pearl in there too -- worth 2,000 gp.
[OOC: If anyone else is under 33,000 in total wealth, please let me know.]
In the park, the child runs to Truman, gives him a big hug, and asks for a ride. The mother is so scared she is petrified! But of course, Truman would never hurt any creature without consulting Yeshua.
Evaris sees no sign that his friend Roel has been tippling. And the kittens are well cared for as well. In fact, he has the place quite in nice shape.
He puts some thought into the design of his Lesser Restoration wand -- bone or wood or glass? Inscribed wth the comman word, or something like it?
[OOC: Evaris, please just deduct 3,375 gp from your personal wealth ... after making the DC8 Spellcraft check.]
Ariach and Grell get the feast ready. Grell "lets" Lowell help out. Brothers!
At the meal, almost everyone is gathered, and led by Royston, the Vanguard agree to officially offer Yeshua and Zero places in the group. Lowell is especially enthusiastic. Ariach brings out some wine for celebrating. Not a voice is raised in protest. Yeshua gladly agrees for himself and Truman, but Zero has not come back from his parkland soujorn. Is there a chance he will decline?
Oh, look, Emrys is absent too?
In fact, Zero and Emrys meet in the woods of the druid quarter. With so many of the Vanguard being folk who honor Mother Wold, this may become a popular part of the city for our heroes.
The next few days brings a rare chance for our heroes to relax and rest, and to catch up with old friends.
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Thursday October 30th, 2014 9:51:12 PM
Lowell, after finishing cooking the meal with Grell, looks around nervously. "Hey, where are Zero and Emrys? Are they still gone? If they don't come back soon, I'm gonna go looking for them! I worked so hard to make this food special for our big party thing! After all, this is a momentous occasion! We could very well have two new members to our adventuring group if Zero accepts our offer! Wait, do we count Truman?" He looks around at the group, then decides for himself. "Okay, three members, Zero, Yeshua, and Truman. Anyways, the point is the same! I don't want anyone to miss our party."
Evaris Friday October 31st, 2014 9:35:06 AM
Evaris of course joins the group for Grell and Lowell's feast, but otherwise the group sees very little of Evaris as he spends long hours working on his wand.
When it is finished, he shows the rest of the group. It is a simple wooden wand, perhaps a bit sturdier than most, with a leather wrap at one end to make a handle. He shares the command word with his companions, but does not inscribe it on the wand.
Royston Scalesworth IV AC 16/13/15 - CMD 22 - F+13/R+8/W+13 Friday October 31st, 2014 1:35:54 PM
Sir Royston enjoys the good food and good company. It may seem odd that he is heartily eating while his hands are stained with blood, but it does not appear to give the paladin any concern. He raises a drink in toast. "To our newest comrades and brothers-in-arms! Welcome! Can you tell us more about yourselves? Would you like to know about us?"
Ariach AC 29/15 touch/19 AC, CMD23; HP 57/89 Friday October 31st, 2014 4:25:46 PM
Ariach likes the feast. He likes the peaceful atmosphere. He likes to be at home and he likes that the Vanguards have won new members.
He knows Yeshua, Truman and Zero will increase the groupīs power. But he has no idea of fighting tactics when animals are fighting on your side.
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Friday October 31st, 2014 5:03:59 PM
(Sorry for not posting. I was slumbering due to powerful meditations and painkillers because I'm currently suffering from sinusitis, TMJ and a possible abscessed tooth ... a hat trick of pain! Will post this evening and update my character sheet. I'm not certain, but I think Emrys' total gear value is only approx. 18k. But he has a stash of cash.
Emrys ac13, hp24/37 Friday October 31st, 2014 5:10:45 PM
(Continued ... half of his gear value is from a pair of bracers that are completely useless to him, which he is planning on selling ... for half price of course. Unless you (DM Cayzle) deem that it's a work of art, due to the bracer's elaborate and intricate design. :)
Plateau City At Last! Friday October 31st, 2014 6:35:42 PM
Lowell is concerned about Emrys and Zero, but not to worry! He finds them in the wood of the druids. Right where you'ld expect.
Evaris puts some hard work into making a new magic item. And is rightly proud of it!
Royston too puts some work into refining his magic gear. But he takes the time to welcome the two newest members and to try to get a conversation going.
Ariach thinks that talking about what everyone can do is a good idea -- not only, like Royston, for conviviality, but because he knows as a warrior that an effective teammate does not offer strange surprises in combat!
OOC to Emrys ... sorry, half price for selling magic gear. But since we are in a bit of a recalibration, if your total value of wealth comes to less than 33,000 gp, let me know and we'll work it out.
Yeshua (Ken) AC 26 Truman AC 26, Joint hp pool 106/106 Friday October 31st, 2014 8:51:15 PM
Yeshua smiles at the unexpected find and considers how best to spend the funds... He has a few ideas and wonders where he can find some fang extensions for truman, maybe something that will make his claws armor piercing, etc....
He enjoys the revelry with his friends, taking some time to relax...
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Saturday November 1st, 2014 1:02:09 PM
"Were you worried about us Lowell?" Zero said jokingly. "Well ain't that sweet! Anywho, no need to worry herself. As you can see we got everything we need right here. Trees. Animals. Food. Even made myself a little shelter..." Zero points to a hole dug into the side of a hill nearby.
"Turned myself into an aurumvorax and dug myself a warm borrow. Stuffed it with leaves and hay, and voila... Home sweet home! Now if I can just figure out how to make me some drink."
"If you like I can dig a hole for each of you" he said quite seriously. "Nothing like the great outdoors, eh. And the rent is cheap too!"
Evaris Saturday November 1st, 2014 2:42:53 PM
Satisfied that Roel is thriving and the Invasion of the Kittens is under control, Evaris spends the next few days familiarizing himself with the townhouse and its immediate surroundings.
[OOC: Do we have a roster of which rooms are occupied? And, of the people who left, whose rooms are being reserved for them?]
Lowell (Genevieve) HP 40/40, AC 19/13/19, Saturday November 1st, 2014 11:56:00 PM
Lowell smiles slightly seeing Emrys and Zero safe. "Sorry, I just didn't want you two to be hungry. Me and Grell made this huge feast, and I wanted you guys to have some! I saved the both of you some food so that, if you wanted any, there would be some back at home. Also, did you hear Ariach, Zero? We wanted to invite you and Yeshua to our little group! Did you hear? Yeshua said that he and Truman would join! What about you? I think that it would be just wonderful if you would join!" "Er, a hole? I think I'll pass for now, Zero."
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Sunday November 2nd, 2014 5:47:42 PM
Zero became a little misty eyed when Lowell suggested that he should join the group. Previously Zero had always been a loner, but never by choice. People just didnt like him very much. He was a Forest Gypsy afterall, and their ways didnt always mesh with more civilized cultures.
"Aye, I'd like that very much Lowell. The feast and joining your fine tribe that is."
Grell Sunday November 2nd, 2014 11:16:25 PM
Having finished up the last of the feast, Grell taps his foot impatiently as he waits for the others to join the group. If they waited too much longer, the glaze on the brazed beef would dry out! Growling, Grell pours a small amount of water in the bottom of the dish and puts it in the coolest possible area of the oven. Then he bounds up the stairs and changes into his workout clothes, eager to work off some frustration while he waits for the Emrys and the others to show up. It's not like him to show up late for a meal!
**THUD, THUD, THUD** Grell bounds up and down the stairs, working up a wonderful sweat and loving the joyous burning in his calves. Oh how he has missed the ability to just work off some of the flab that he's starting to accumulate! After finishing his warm up on the stairs, Grell takes a quick jog around the Townhouse, then heads back in. Splashing a little water on himself, Grell changes into a more comfortable adventuring outfit, and then sets the table as he waits for the others to arrive. Being orc raised, the human never really accepted the finer Elven aspects of manners he learned from K'nara, so the table is set in the traditional orcish manner of large plates of meat and one fork per person.
Jeff L Zero Androsphinx. 44/75, AC 16 (T9, FF 16) CMD 24 Monday November 3rd, 2014 3:59:41 PM
Zero enjoyed the meal with his new companions. For perhaps the first time in a decade, he declined to drink anything but water. Though he did join in on Royston's toast.
"A wee bit about me... Well I grew up a Forest Gypsy, though I suspect none of you have heard of my people. Small tribe of dwarves with a knack for shapeshiftin. Truth be told, we're not much of a tribe anymore... More like a bunch of wanderers with a love for drink trying to make their way in the world."
"Me, I make my way with my good looks" he said with a grotesque broken tooth smile. "And when that doesn't work, I just change into something big and start smashing."
"In combat a shapeshifter's best strength is flexibility. We can fight from the sky, or sea or land. We strike from far away, or close in tight and squeeze the poop out of our enemies. We can smoke our enemies with our breath... And I'm not just talking about the smell, eh... Hur hur!" He said with a chukcle.
"The greatest of my kind can even access the most extraordinary abilities of the forms we assume... Abilities that even the greatest transmuters can't mimic. Though, I'm a long way from having that kind of power."
"Long story short, I guess I'm a skirmisher of sorts. But enough about me, tell me about yourselves."
Evaris Monday November 3rd, 2014 5:54:14 PM
"I'm new to the group myself, Friend Zero," Evaris says. "But I am Evaris, servant of Pantheon. I try to stop conflict before it starts, by speaking reasonably and listening fully. And, when that doesn't work, I can heal your hurts and reverse some harmful effects." He smiles. "Every once in a while, for humorous effect, I fire an arrow in the general direction of an opponent. It very seldom hits."
He gestures to the man sitting next to him. A human man, he could give Zero a run for his money in the realm of hideous battle scars. "This is Roel, a servant of Domi. He doesn't adventure anymore, but I don't know where I'd be without him."
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