DM Kathy Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 8:20:15 PM
Dirt City, a place where it's dangerous to be one of the good guys. Fortunately, our heroes are about to get some help with that.....
[OOC note: please post only your DM-approved "first adventure" in this scene. If you still need to do test posts, please make use of the Loot&Booty or Giggling Ghost.]
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:9/9; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:16] - CMTC Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 9:02:10 PM
(OOC: I have written Toston's History / First Adventure as a first person narrative, so this first post will be in the 1st person. I promise to follow the rules w/ the rest of my posts and write them in third person.)
I had heard that a grubber named Raffles had just extorted money from Mort Nundoon, a simple apothecary, husband and father of 4 at the behest of one of the houses. I had also heard that Raffles likes to visit a particular bordello located between Ward's Ward and Backstab Alley on a regular basis. I knew that Raffles would most likely not have turned the money over to whoever hired him yet and he likely would spend some of that same money on the "entertainment" he had planned for this evening. I would cut him off at the pass as it were and lie in wait for him to get close to the brothel.
I found a place to hide out near the house of ill repute and waited for my quarry to arrive. Sure enough the footpad showed up. When he got near I broke out from cover and hit him with my stunning fist. The blow landed true and he was stunned, dropping the ill-gotten coin purse he was carrying. I followed up the first blow with a flurry of blows that knocked him out cold as I had chosen to do subdual damage. He crumpled to a heap. I looked both ways to see if anyone was watching, and found no one. I dragged his unconscious form out of the middle of the street. I left a note to accompany his headache when he woke up, A word to a wise, leave the common folk alone. I will be watching. A. Friend
I then made my way sneakily to the apothecary's shop. I knew that if I was caught out at night topside it may go poorly for me as I was violating curfew. I made it to Mort's shop without drawing attention. Luckily for me his shop doubled as his home so I knew that if I pounded on his door loudly enough I would get someone. I kept pounding till I heard movement behind the door then I left the coin purse on the stoop and disappeared. I watched from a safe distance to make sure that Mort got the money then went on my way.
The very next day I was getting ready to take Paul Fisher out on his fishing boat when he handed me a letter. He said, "Toston, I hired you to be my crew, you did not hire me to deliver your mail. Next time have your friends choose other delivery methods."
When I had a chance to read the letter it contained the following:
Dear Mr. Lotor,
Greetings and Salutations. We at the Crescent Moons Trading Company are interested in offering you a position with our company. We know your time is valuable as you are working two jobs, but if you meet with our representative we will make it worth your time. We hope this will be the start of A. long and prosperous Friendship. If you are interested in our offer please meet with our representative, one Mr. Abel Boggs. Abel will waiting for you at The Handsome Devil Tavern tomorrow from mid-afternoon to early evening. He can be easy to miss so look for the middle age human sitting alone with a yellow flower pinned to his lapel.
Sincerly, The Crescent Moons Trading Company
My first thought was that it was a trap. The reference to the fact that I had two jobs and the emphasis on A. and Friend in the message suggested whoever the Crescent Moon Trading Company was knew about my run in with Raffles. If they knew however, why go to the trouble of setting something fairly elaborate up when it would be easier just to ambush me to or from Paul's boat since they obviously knew I worked for him.
If on the other hand, they did not wish me harm, but perhaps agreed with what I had done maybe they had their own reasons for being cautious and this indirect communication was for their protection as much as it was my own. I pondered this while I went about my task of acting as Paul's crew.
I decided that I would learn more if I could before making up my mind with regards to the meeting. Late that afternoon I made my way over to the neighborhood where the Handsome Devil was located, wearing my explorer's outfit and hat of special magnificence but leaving most of my weapons besides my siangham and sling. I also took my smokestick in case I needed a diversion. The siangham I hid in one of the pockets of my outfit and the sling I strapped to my back. I didn't expect any trouble but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared.
When I reached my destination I found a place where I could safely loiter out of the way and observe the comings and goings at The Handsome Devil. It seemed to be a fairly popular place receiving a lot of foot traffic to and from the establishment. It did not seem a likely spot for an ambush, but I decided I would go in anyway just to be sure. The meeting was scheduled for the next day and I was planning to wear my more nondescript outfit to that one.
I took a seat at the bar and ordered a snifter of ale and some fish sticks. I pretended to drink the ale but ate the fish sticks. The Handsome Devil seemed to do a lot of business. People of all sorts came and went, talking, laughing, eating and drinking. When the bartender was free I asked him if he had ever heard of an Abel Boggs. "Never heard of 'em." he replied, and then said, "Are you going to order anything else? if not you should settle up and leave as I need the seat." I looked down noticing that my plate was empty and my ale while mostly untouched had been ordered at least an hour past. I settled the bill and left, having at least gleaned that The Handsome Devil was not the best place to set up an ambush in and that if the bartender was to be believed Abel was not a regular.
The next day I set out early intending to find the location of the Crescent Moons Trading Company. I wore my more nondescript outfit, taking my siangham, smokestick and sling again. I did not want to go in but it wouldn't hurt to observe it for a while. After figuring out where it was located I realized it was in the vicinity of where I had my run-in with Raffles right across the street from the Brothel he was on his way to. That certainly explains how they could have found out about that and the note. I had acted out in their backyard. I noticed a small meat pie shop went in and ordered, then took a seat by the window so I could eat my food and observe. The Crescent Moon Trading Company did not look like much. It was a rather shabby, single-story building. A few people came and went but no one really interesting or unusual. I left the meat pie shop after I had finished my meal and set out for The Handsome Devil. I wanted to get to the rendezvous ahead of Abel Boggs so that I could hopefully observe him a while before deciding to leave or approach.
I was in luck. There was a table in the corner facing the door. I could sit there and observe people as they entered. I took a seat at the table. The hood of my cloak was up somewhat obscuring my features. When the serving girl came I ordered a bowl of stew, some crusty bread and some juice. I had stopped at a tobacconists on my way to the meeting and had purchased a pipe and small measure of tobacco. I figured a hooded figure seated alone smoking a pipe could be construed as somewhat imposing and hopefully discourage anyone from getting curious. I don't normally smoke, but I was able to deal with the pipe without coughing and giving away that I'm not a smoker.
Sure enough around mid afternoon a middle aged human with a yellow rose on his lapel entered the Tavern. He took a seat at a table near the front. When the serving girl came he placed an order and then he calmly waited. I observed what the serving girl brought him and didn't know what to make of it. It was a plate of fish sticks and snifter of amber liquid (potentially ale). Did his order signal that he knew I had been here yesterday and was in fact watching him now or did he just like fish sticks and snifters of whatever the amber liquid might be? He didn't seem threatening so I decided to take a chance. I hoped that his reasons for going to this trouble was that like me he wanted to establish meaningful change and make people's lives better but in order to do that here one had to be careful.
I extinguished the pipe's flame, then left it and enough money to cover the meal on the table. I approached the man seated alone wearing the yellow rose and said, "Abel Boggs, I presume."
"You must be Toston Lotor," he said, "You are a cautious one I will give you that. Have a seat."
I sat and asked "You were watching me?"
"Yes, I know about your night work and that you visited here yesterday. I also know that you were outside our offices earlier today."
"What is all this about? I mean if you meant me any harm you probably could have done so already countless times over since you seem to know much about my comings and goings. I don't think you do but then you have sent me indication that you know what I did to Raffles and I would have to imagine he might have friends. Plus I would think whoever he was collecting for wouldn't take to kindly to not receiving their payment." I leaned in and whispered.
"Relax, I do mean you no harm, in fact as the letter states I have a job offer. I know that you are a monk and sailor and that you also want to do right by the people of this city. The last part is something we both want. I am assembling somewhat of a team of like minded individuals, people with certain skills who see that the current system is wrong and have done something to try to correct it. I want you to be on that team. I feel many can accomplish what one acting alone can not. In fact it is dangerous to go alone, take this." He whispered back and then handed me a small purse. "This is reimbursement for the meal you ordered here yesterday, the meal you ordered here today, the meat pies and the pipe and tobacco. You will find that it matches exactly what you spent. I must be going but if you are interested in helping this city, doing good and joining my team be at the Crescent Moon Trading Company office in the morning three days hence." With that Abel dropped some coins on the table, enough for his meal and a generous tip, bowed slightly to me and then left.
DM Kathy Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 10:23:35 PM
When Toston opens the purse, he finds not only a small quantity of coin, but also a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, neatly labeled.
Toston, please take 200 XP for your first adventure!
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:9/9; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:16] - CMTC Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 5:06:41 AM
(OOC: I have updated my sheet with the xp and the potion. I only did the thing with the coin purse because I didn't feel like figuring out how much all the food and drink and pipe would cost, but that is cool. I put the potion in the backpack for now, but I need a handier place for it in case things get dicey. I was going to put it in my pocket but I am not sure if I have too many things in my pockets. Do I have too many things in my pockets to fit a potion?)
Wilford Grimly (Introduction) Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 10:18:54 AM
Each family has an enforcer and they enforcer has favorite methods. For the Dart family that enforcer is Aborth, a powerful wizard.
Aborth, tends to use dogs. Large magic creations that are bond only to Aborth.
The Grimly family has long been a sword-point for the Dart organization. They have long tried to extinguish any existence of the family. There for many members of the Grimly family have changed there names. Once such family is the Dutch family.
Alfred Dutch is a shop-owner, along with his wife and four children. Through an investigation from whatever methods the Dart family felt necessary the Dutch family was deemed dangerous and was initially pressured using extortion and oppression but soon Alfred's older son Thomas became enraged and lashed out at three grubbers send from the family. Aborth, sent out the dogs to destroy the family.
Will was aware of the contract and stood ready for the attack. Three Death Dogs, thin, bony creatures that snarled viciously as they stepped from a portal near the corner of the Dutch store. The dogs appeared suddenly, causing the family to panic. The youngest son fell first then the mother. Will fought valiantly and defeated the creatures but not before being pushed out a glass front window and into the street. Will wrestled the last dog till killing it with a dagger that had fallen on the floor. Alfred attempted to compensate Will for the defeat of the dogs but Will refused. Will additionally petitioned for a protection spell from one of the Dart elders. Will has several connections within the family.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 2:11:27 PM
A few days later, Wilford finds himself meeting a stranger in the Blue Eel tavern near the docks.
The meeting is the result of several cryptic messages, exchanged with someone who signed his name "a friend" at first, and later as "AB." Both Wilford and AB had been very cautious in their messages, reluctant to commit too much to paper, but they had finally come to an understanding and Wilford had agreed to the meeting. Now he surveyed the interior of the bar, wondering how in Wardd's name he was supposed to recognize this AB person.
Wilford steps to the bar and orders a bowl of fish stew--today's special. Almost immediately, he feels somebody slide up to the bar beside him, and hears "I'll have the same." In a lower voice, the man says, "Mr. Grimly, I'm Abel Boggs. Come, let's find a table."
Abel Boggs is a human man of around 40, medium height and medium build, thinning medium-brown hair, unremarkable brown eyes, and a very forgettable face. He gets right to the point. "Mr. Grimly, I represent an organization that seeks to do right for the common folk of Dirt City. Of course, to the outside world, we are simple merchants." He slides a card across the table. The words "Crescent Moons Trading Company" are imposed over a stylized crescent-moon brand. "We'd like you to join our organization."
Wilford has questions, of course, but Boggs answers them and in the end, you agree to work together.
"Aborth is a problem," Boggs remarks at one point, "but he's not your problem to solve. We'll keep an eye on him in the meantime. Oh, and I almost forgot." He slides a small pouch across the table. "You wouldn't accept payment from Mr. Dutch, but perhaps you'll accept this. We'll be in touch."
Inside the pouch, Wilford finds a Tanglefoot Bag.
[OOC: Also, please take 200 XP for your First Adventure!]
Gilmek (First Adventure) Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 3:21:36 PM
"And with his blessed sword in hand and a prayer on his lips, Gilgamese charged the vampire." Gilmek said quietly, making his audience lean in closer, anxious to hear what happened next. It was a small crowd. A couple of human children and their parents (at least of the ones who were not pickpocketing the adults), and some elves that had taken interest in the blue gnome. Gilmek was sure his appearance also kept their attention. It wasn't every day people saw a blue gnome after all. "What happened then?" a human girl asked eagerly, no older than eight, completely focused on the gnome. Gilmek glanced at the child and smiled. Suddenly with energy not expected, Gilmek leapt up, imitating the actions he was saying "Gilgamese's god found favor with him. As the vampire brought up his sword to block, Gilgamese's own blade glowed a holy light and knocked the vampire down. Gilgamese struck again! And again! And again!" With each 'again', Gilmek struck down towards the ground, and stamped his feet onto the street. While it didn't make the booming effect he would've desired, it still made noise. The crowd backed away for a moment, surprised by the energy bought out by the gnome. "Soon, the vampire's blade was knocked aside, and before one last blow, Gilgamese cried out, "For Gargul and for my people!" And with the finishing stroke he struck the foul being's heart. Thunder struck in the air as the vampire shrieked in pain as death reclaimed him. He twisted and contorted, biting, clawing and gnashing at air, but he fell lifeless soon enough. Gilgamese had won." The crowd nodded in approval. "But what about the daughters?" the human girl asked. Gilmek, who stood just as tall as the girl, walked up to her and grabbed her hands gently, smiling as nicely as he could. "They were spared from undeath. With Count Darklus destroyed, they became human once more. They lived long lives, and bore many children. The eldest herself tried to be wed to Gilgamese, but Gargul called him elsewhere. " "Where?" Gilmek shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he sailed the seas to this land. Or maybe he went back to his homeland. That was the last time anyone saw Gilgamese." For a moment, the girl looked sad. Gilmek tried to cheer her up and lifted her chin. "But that's why I tell this story. You see, he lives as long as we talk about him." Gilmek could feel the elves looking at him puzzled. He backed up and addressed everyone. "Gilgamese believed that stories are the most powerful thing in the world. They can inspire armies or take down kingdoms. Why, with mere words, one can turn a rally into a riot, cowards into cavalry and idiots into infantry. A Hero can come from a heretic, when the words of a god inspire him. Gilgamese believed this, and by telling his story, he lives on in us, inspiring revering boys into holy battalions." Gilmek looked at the human girl at this point. "Tell this story, and he will continue to live within you as he lives within me" The crowd clapped, to which Gilmek bowed. Holding a small pan out, the people threw in some coins, for which he thanked them graciously. It was a good day. He earned enough money to feed himself for a few days at least. Maybe if he could earn some more money later, he might actually get a nice hat, or something to keep his ears warm during the night. "That was a nice story you told there" a voice suddenly said. Gilmek looked up from counting his money to look at the two elves that were around earlier. Gilmek smiled and bowed. "It was something from my homeland. It's always my favorite one to tell." "Reminds me of the one my serving boy told me once" the other elf said, placing a few coins in the pan. "But he wasn't as good as you. He couldn't pronounce the names quite right due to his lisp. And he's SUCH a good serving boy." The elves laughed at this sarcasm. Gilmek's ears suddenly perked up at this. "Really? A serving boy with a lisp?" The elves looked at him puzzled. "Ya. Why?" "It's just um, I never expected for a fine elf such as yourself to buy a boy with a lisp for serving" The elves looked a bit more relaxed. Gilmek smiled inside, knowing how vain some elves could be. "Yes, well, I didn't know it at the time, and he's too weak to pull lumber. I really should've chased that slaver down when I bought him, get my money back. Now he's impossible to find, that little halfling" "Would this slaver's name be Flints?" The elf that was talking looked genially surprised. "Ya that's it! You know of him?" Gilmek bowed. "I've met him before. I've also seen him around the Dancing Cat some days." This was true. Gilmek once wandered into the Dancing Cat to hide out for a while. He had gotten out of that tavern as quickly as he could once he saw the one-eyed halfing who was responsible for bringing him to this world. "Really? Heh, thanks gnome. I'll stop by there tomorrow. You aren't bad. Here, take this" the elf then dropped a couple of more coins in Gilmek's pan, to which he bowed graciously. "Brother, we really should get back home. " The elf turned back to his brother. "Right, right. Good playing gnome. Maybe we'll meet again." "Indeed" Gilmek said to himself. As the elves began to move off, Gilmek quickly stepped away, grabbed his pack and his pan, and began to follow a short distance behind them. Moving swiftly, Gilmek disappeared into crowds, keeping his eyes focused on the elves. Talking amongst themselves, the elves didn't even notice their stalker. He couldn't believe what he was doing. He didn't even have a plan. But he knew he needed to follow these elves. He needed to find this boy. He had a feeling it was Herald, a small human who Gilmek had first befriended on the slave ship, the Wilddog. He was a kind boy, innocent. And he still looked relatively nice, at least, Gilmek thought so. He wasn't too chubby, but he wasn't thin as a twig either. His black hair he understodd humans usually found attractive, so he wasn't surprised to hear he was a serving boy. As he followed the elves, Gilmek had to be careful not being noticed by too many people. He had to keep reminding himself he wasn't a free gnome. His old master was possibly still alive. Gilmek chewed his lips in nervousness, remembering the short, fat human. He could recall the times when he was whipped for not being quick enough with the drinks. Gilmek could still hear the whip coming down to... Gilmek shook himself. He couldn't dwell on that. He needed to focus on Herald. For a moment, he panicked, thinking he had lost the elves, but he quickly found them again. Stealthily, he followed the two to another part of town, through clean and dirty streets, until they came to a small mansion. The elves went inside, after momentarily speaking with a elf guard outside. Gilmek stopped and looked at the mansion. It wasn't a huge one, like the one he used to work in. No doubt the elves worked for some minor crime lord and got the estate as a gift for doing something favorable. There were lots of shrubbery, and a little stone wall to persuade common people to keep out. The distance from the guard and the door he guarded to the gate of the front wall was a couple of meters. Gilmek scratched his chin. Sneaking in would be difficult. He looked at the guard from the distance. He wasn't the brightest looking fellow. Probably the same crime lord who gave them the estate probably gave him, if anything, it was cause the guard was stupid and/or annoying. Gilmek began to hatch a plan. Sneaking over to the side, staying out of sight of the guard, Gilmek went over to right side of the gate, peering across the way. He reached into his bag and pulled out a candle he often used when traveling at night around the city. Taking some of its wax, he began to mutter of couple words in Sylvan, the language of the fairies he revered so much. The wax became hot in his hand, to which he threw across to the left side of the gate. Instantly, voices began to come from the wax. The screaming of a human woman and the roaring of a man came from it. The effect was just what he wanted. The guard, curious, came to the gate, opened it, and turned to where the noise was coming from. Seeing nothing, the guard became even more curious. Just a few more steps Gilmek thought to himself. The blue gnome whispered some more Sylvan, trying not to be heard by the guard. The noises became softer, as if they were moving away. The guard rushed forward a few steps, seeing if he could spot where the noises were coming from. This was what Gilmek wanted. However, just before Gilmek ran forward, Gilmek glanced to the side and noticed a cloaked being watching Gilmek with interest. With a split second, Gilmek had to decide whether or not to call off the attempt, in case the human would notify the guard what was happening. But his feet were already moving, and Gilmek dashed inside. With just enough space, Gilmek slipped past the guard through the gate, and towards the large door. Gilmek was happily surprised when he found the door unlocked. Quietly he slipped in. The mansion was just as he expected: With lots of space. The elves had used their money to buy many pieces of artwork, but there wasn't anything too remarkable. There was one staircase that Gilmek didn't doubt that it led to the elves study rooms, since elves never slept, or so it seemed. Gilmek heard voices. He quickly darted away from the door into another room. It was a kind of sitting room. Nobody was in there, but Gilmek realized he had found a dead-end. Turning around, Gilmek came face to face with a human woman, carrying a stick with numerous feathers, and what Gilmek thought only could be a half orc, carrying some firewood. No doubt, this was a maid, about to dust off the furniture and a servant about to light a fire. For a moment, the two just stared at Gilmek and vice versa. Then, the half-orc dropped the wood and jumped forward. Gilmek tried to jump away, but the half-orc was quicker, pinning the gnome down. Gilmek struggled, but the half-orc had the height advantage. "Ok! Ok! I give! Uncle!" Gilmek cried. "Go get the master." The half-orc told the maid. Before she left though, Gilmek cried "No!" He then began to talk in Sylvan. He told a story. It was a the story of a fairy girl and a gnome in love. It was short and sweet, no more than a few rhymes. But it did the trick. The two stared at the gnome mesmerized. Gilmek smiled inside, knowing his hypnotism spell worked. Then, in perfect common, he spoke a request. "Go to Bed. You look tired" The half orc stood up and nodded. "I'm getting a little sleepy. I'm sure an early nap won't hurt me at all." "Nor me!" the maid suddenly said. And with that, the two turned and started walking out. Gilmek picked himself up and followed them into the entrance room he came in. The two went into another room just as another being was coming out. A being Gilmek instantly recognized. "Herald!" Gilmek yelled, despite trying to be not detected. Herald suddenly stopped where he was. He hadn't changed much. Just a bit taller than Gilmek remembered, (about 4 and a half feet) but here he was, in the flesh. He was limping when he came in, due to what Gilmek guessed were recent injuries. He was carrying what looked like a large metal pot of hot tea on a tray. "Gilmek?" Herald asked, not believing his eyes. Gilmek rushed forward and hugged the young boy, who hugged back, dropping the tray in the process. "Gilmek, what...what are you doing here. The Master, if he catches you, he'll" he started, his lisp very strong. "Herald, I'm here to get you out. I got free, and now I'm getting you out of here." Before Herald could even say anything, one of the elves showed up. Appearently he had heard everything. "Stop them!" the elf cried with a loud voice that could be heard across the mansion. "Ah nuts" Gilmek muttered. The half-orc returned in an instant. Gilmek knew his hypnotic effect no longer would help him, so he did the next best thing. He kicked the hot pot Herald at dropped. It didn't exactly have the effect Gilmek had hoped. It had sailed through the air towards the half-orc, the Half-orc caught the pot with his hands. However, the hot liquid poured out onto the hands, forcing him to drop the pot in pain. "Come on!" Gilmek cried, pulling the boy with him. He pushed open the door and rushed out, the elf rushing down the stairs, yelling the whole time. For a moment, Gilmek thought they would be able to get away. He actually thought they would be free. But then there was the guard. Gilmek crashed into the dwarf and fell over backwards onto Herald, knocking him down as well. Gilmek looked up in horror. The dwarf looked down at the gnome with annoyance. With a snarl, he held up a large sword to cleave his head into two. Gilmek screamed, holding up his hands. He thought this was the end. But the blade never came down. Gilmek opened his eyes when the blade didn't come down. He was surprised to see the cloaked stranger standing behind the knocked down the dwarf. Gilmek and Herald stared at the dwarf and the stranger with awe, who had stunned the dwarf with his fist.. "Come on!" The stranger yelled, suddenly throwing something out from his cloak over the gnome's and the human's heads. Behind them the elf screamed in pain. They didn't need telling twice. Herald and Gilmek picked themselves up and rushed after the stranger. The three didn't stop until they were a good distance away from the mansion. The man then jumped into an alleyway, pulling Gilmek and Herald in when they nearly missed it. Gilmek breathed heavily. He hadn't ran like that for a long time. "What in the world were you doing breaking into a place like that on your own?" The stranger suddenly demanded. Gilmek practically jumped in fright at the sudden harsh tone. "I....I was rescuing my friend! Honest!" Herald nodded when the stranger glanced at him. "You weren't just trying to get some quick coins and happened to get an innocent slave-boy to tag along with you?" Gilmek's blue face paled a bit. "No sir! I was a slave myself, and that's why I had to rescue him! He was on the same slave-ship as me!" The stranger gave Gilmek the harshest glare he had ever seen. "Talk," he commanded. Gilmek then began to tell his entire story, from when he got kidnapped from back home, to the slave ship, to being sold, to getting out, and eventually how he had overheard that a boy with a lisp bought from the same ship was a slave somewhere. He even pulled out a couple of papers that he had written the stories he had acquired from the other slaves. The stranger looked through them quickly. Gilmek wasn't sure if the stranger believed him. "It's true sir! He's saying the truth!" Herald piped in at times when he was present. Herald suddenly winced in pain and leaned against the wall, clutching his leg. The stranger suddenly looked concern, and forced him to sit down. He rolled up the boy's pantleg to reveal several nasty looking wounds. "Hmmmm.....I'll have to take you to a friend of mine. He'll bandage you up." Gilmek sighed in relief. "Is it far?" "No, its close. But that's not where you're going." Gilmek paled again. "What?" "You're going somewhere else. That is, if you want a job, I know someone who'll want you." Gilmek was both confused, but excited. A job? Like a working job? Not slave work? "Um, uh, where do I go then?" The stranger turned to Gilmek once more. "Be at the Handsome Devil Tavern by the end of the hour. Ask for a man named Abel Boggs and don't forget that name. That's Abel Boggs. He's expecting me, so when you see him, tell him what you told me and tell him that Erick sent you. He'll have some use for you." Herald again winced in pain. Erick looked at the boy, and helped him up, allowing him to lean on the monk's body. "But, he'll never believe me!" Gilmek said. Erick glanced at Gilmek and then handed him a small bag. "That'll be proof enough. Now get going!" and with that, Erick and Herald went away. Gilmek was tempted to follow them, but he didn't dare anger the monk. So he turned and went the opposite direction, towards where the Handsome Devil Tavern was. Gilmek held on tight to the bag the entire way, and repeated the name "Abel Boggs" the entire time.
Gilmek (First Adventure) Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 3:23:23 PM
OOC: Sorry about the last post, how the paragraphs weren't spaced like I thought they would be. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. When I copied the story from my word document, i thought the indentions also worked. Again, sorry about that.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 5:59:24 PM Gilmek keeps his appointment at the Handsome Devil. [OOC: Careless of Boggs to meet recruits in the same place twice! I shall have to have a word with him.]
Boggs is startled and somewhat suspicious at first, but the bag from "Erick" wins him over at last. He listens to Gilmek's tale, then says, "Erick is excitable perhaps, but his judgment is sound. Give me a couple of days to look into this. Meet me at the Slippery Salamander in three days' time."
When Gilmek keeps that appointment, Boggs is noticeably friendlier. "Your story checks out," he says. "And I've heard some more interesting things about you. I'm putting together a team of people with special talents. We're going to try to help the common folk of the city as best we can." He slides a card across the table. The words "Crescent Moons Trading Company" are imposed over a stylized crescent-moon brand. "Officially, of course, we're just merchants. Are you interested?"
When Gilmek agrees to join the group, Boggs nods and sets a small vial on top of the card. "Take care of yourself. I'll be in touch," he says.
The vial proves to be a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, neatly labeled.
[OOC: Please take 200 XP for your First Adventure!]
Wilford Grimly (Introduction to Wil's ghost) Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 8:31:02 PM
Wilford sits within the Blue Eel tavern. Mr. Boggs left before Wil could thank him for the TangleFoot Bag and disappeared within the crowd. The bartender sets down a bowl or fish soup for Wil and another for Mr. Boggs but stands silently when he realized the patron had left. "Who's going to pay for this?" He asked. The gruff man stared at Wil dangerously. "I'll take care of it," Wil said automatically and paid the man a couple extra silver. Doubts rose within his mind. He wasn't really upset about the extra bowl of soup. It was a delicious treat but he wondered about this new adventure he was about to take part in. He had spent a lot of time alone, hiding from the very families he worked for. He wondered if Mr. Boggs secretly worked for the Darts or maybe the Knives. It wouldn't be unheard of. Paranoia soon overwhelmed him till the amulet that hung from his chest warmed. His mother spoke softly within his head. She whispered, "Hi, Wil. I don't think Mr. Boggs intended to leave that bowl." Wil turned from the bar and put his head down. He tended to move his lips when he spoke to the spirits that visited. "I'm not worried about the bowl, mother." He said silently, "I don't really trust anyone." "I know that, son and you have valid reasons but you will have to trust someone. Mr. Boggs is a good man. I've known his family for years." "I have no idea what to expect, mother. I've never been at beck and call for anyone." "Wil, you are an errand boy for the Darts, Knives and any other thug that can pay your fee. You have been at the beck and call for dirty men. It's about time you pick a side and stick with it. I insist you stick with this and you will see I'm right." Wil laughed loudly. The bartender looked at him and grumbled. "Still want to be right, mother even after death," Wil spoke louder then he intended too which again drew the attention of the bartender. "Sorry, about that. I will be gone soon. No worries." Wil smiled and noticed the pendant upon his chest went cold. He could still feel his mother's warm presence but could no longer hear her. The spirits didn't normally hang around too long.
Talanthrel Thursday December 4th, 2014 10:54:30 PM
Talanthrel's First Adventure
Talanthrel wandered the streets of the City Above as early evening darkened towards night. He had arrived in Dirt City 2 weeks ago and in that time had managed to find a decent inn. Since finding the Inn he was staying at he had been wandering the area getting to know his surroundings and the people. Surprisingly give Dirt's reputation a good percentage of those he had met over the last couple of day seem to be fairly decent people. Then again they still seem to be outnumbered by those who just set his teeth on edge and had him grasping the hilt of his weapons tightly, wanting nothing more then to draw and end their existence.
After two weeks of getting to know the area and the people, Talanthrel was heading out to see what type of face the City Above displays at night. He found his answer less than 3 blocks from his inn it was still a hour till nightfall and the streets were already erupting with violence. A commotion a dozen yards ahead drew his attention as what seemed to be a Grubber moved swiftly up behind what appeared a father and daughter on there way home and beat the father over the head with a sap, knocking the father to the ground and unconscious.
The Grubber snatched the now struggling girl and started dragging her toward an darkened alley a few meters in front of Talanthrel. Eyes blazing with anger, a seeing that the street had emptied of witnesses Talanthrel pulled the hood of his cloak over his head to further hide his features and darted like a silent shadow into the darkness of the alleyway the thug was heading for.
Once there he waited listening, A smirk flitted across his face as he realized that his prey had not noticed him, being too busy with the struggling girl. The look was washed away and again replaced with a look of rage as he could now hear what the thug was saying to the girl. The would be rapist was braggin as he dragged her along about how most girls do not survive their time with him and that those that did survive he sold into slavery.
The Grubbers monologue was abruptly cut off as he tried to enter the alley, swift as a striking snake two powerful hands seized him from the darkness. One wrapped around the thugs throat and the other grabbed his free hand. Startled the Grubber barely had time to drop the girl and start reaching for the hand at his throat before he was spun and slammed with smashing force into the wall of the alley. Stunned by the blow he was unable to respond before he was slammed into the wall two more times and was quite unconscious when the hands finally dropped him to the ground.
Talanthrel looked up from the down Grubber and grimaced as he realized the girl was just a child maybe twelve years old. And he knew her, her name was Anna Nums which means that her father wa Markus Nums. They own and run a small bakery about a block from his Inn. She seemed to be staring in shock and the downed form of her assailant.
Clearing his throat Talanthrel said "Child?"
Her head jerks up in surprise at the sound of his voice.
"Is your home nearby?" She nods her head shakily as she stares at the dark shadow in front of her.
He tries again "Are you able to get your father home?" Again she nods her head only to start as she realizes what he had said. She turns and starts to run from to alley only to stop and turn back hesitating. "My father would want to reward you."
She shivers at the dark humor in the shadows reply "Child some actions are there own reward. Now get on with you."
Talathrel watched from the alley as she returned to her father only to shake his head with dismay as he realized they were assaulted on their very doorstep but their neighbors had not lifted a hand to help them against one thug. Once they were safely inside he then turn to the knocked out brute at his feet "And now for you."
Hefting the thug onto his shoulder Talanthrel moved deeper into the alley, once he was far enough away from the the street he again dropped the tug to the ground and swiftly searched him. The Grubber did not have anything on him except a note. It said :
" Alek
If you want to be paid more for the girls you bring to us then they have to be in better shape. The last one die only a couple of hours after she got here. Damaged merchandise means less pay."
There was no signature but there was some type of symbol at the bottom. Talanthrel studied the symbol intently if he saw it again he would definitely recognize it. Once he finished memorizing the symbol he returned it to the pouch that he found it in. Now it was time to get rid of the trash.
Looking around Talanthrel found just what he needed, one of the buildings on the alley had a set of rickety stairs. It only took three times of throwing the Grubber down them to get him to break his neck. After checking that brute was indeed dead and policing the area for any evidence he was there, Talanthrel returned to his Inn making sure to take a roundabout route home.
A week later Talanthrel was sat at a small table near the fire nursing a mug of ale. He was just looking up to signal for another round from the barmaid when a middle age human with the most unremarkable features dropped into the chair across from him. The human gave him a wry grin and stuck out his hand
"Abel Boggs and you would be Talanthrel."
DM Kathy Friday December 5th, 2014 11:01:16 AM
During that first, somewhat startling meeting, Abel Boggs explained that not everyone in Dirt City was a criminal, and that some of the non-criminal types had an interest in helping the common folk. "In much the way that you did," Boggs says.
He says nothing more during that first meeting, but in subsequent meetings--always in different places--Talanthrel learns of the Crescent Moons Trading Company. "You're new in town," Boggs says, "so you're a bit of an unknown quantity. Nevertheless I'm inclined to take a chance. I'd like to recruit you for a team I'm putting together."
There is more discussion, of course, but in the end, Talanthrel agrees. Boggs welcomes him aboard, and leaves.
Some time later, Talanthrel discovers a vial among his gear. He's not sure how it got there. The label says: Potion of Shield.
[Please take 200 XP for your Fist Adventure!]
Talanthrel (Paul) [HP 11} Saturday December 6th, 2014 12:26:41 AM
Talanthrel looks cautiously at the potion and not knowing who it is from marks it with a question mark and puts it in his belt pouch.
TK (The Unnamed) Saturday December 6th, 2014 7:23:58 PM
It has been months since fire took Avin's home and guilt has driven him to Dirt City. Perhaps he hopes to redeem himself, or perhaps he decided he's no better than a criminal and this is to be his new home. Avin Fellows himself can't rightly recall the truth of it. Either way he still ended up here in the back of another tavern cleaning mugs for another night of fitful sleep. Avin sets another polished mug on the dingy table and puts a wet hand to his forehead as a migraine creeps in.
"Too long," he mutters, "like stagnant water."
With a quick lurch to the doorway, Avin peers through to the center room. Its dark and not even moonlight peeps in through the windows. All the patrons must have either gone home or been kicked out by the owner hours ago. Content with the cursory inspection Avin closes the door and cracks his knuckles. The stiffness in his fingers is even more telling of his neglect for magic than the migraine. Briefly, Avin lets his mind wander as he stretched his fingers. Did other wizards get migraines as well if they kept spells wound up in their heads too long? Did they feel the same tensions of magical energy that seemed to thrum with the desire to leap into the world even if it might disappear moments after doing so? Supposedly magic in itself had no will but Avin always thought otherwise. One could feel it when they unleashed a spell. There is a sense of satisfaction that accompanies it, as if the spell was simply happy to have its purpose and to fulfill that purpose. Avin cannot help but crave that feeling.
Clearing the wistful thoughts from his mind he mentally dusts off his opening and closing spell which gives a weak mental flicker in response. Closing his eyes to seal out the world around him he coaxes life back into the spell, feeling the other incantations buzz with an excitement as he did so. Satisfied the spell is ready he sets himself upon a tall-stool hands raised. With a magical word of command and a wave of his hand the door to the main room opens itself. The sense of accomplishment that accompanies success vanishes almost instantly as another person rushes into the room with a wild mane of white hair trailing behind. Surprise topples the unsuspecting Avin from his perch.
"Hide me," a soft voice hisses. "Anywhere! They can't find me!"
Still dazed, Avin accepts the help of a dark hand as he stands from the heap he made on the floor and finds himself staring into the eyes of a drow. A beautiful drow he mentally corrects, blushing.
"Ah, yes. Go to the corner and stay still a moment." He tries to command while fighting off a stutter and composing himself mentally and praising Flower mentally when she does so without comment. Dragging another spell from hiding, Avin has the inkling suspicion that he lacks the time he gave the first spell. Luckily its already abuzz in the wake of the previous casting. With a brief incantation accompanied by a a few practiced thrusts with his hand, the wizard casts out the reduce person spell upon the woman. As she gives a brief squeak of surprise he cannot suppress a slight grin.
"Forgive the smell." he whispers carefully setting the tall stool over her newly shortened height.
Ignoring the first look of confusion he grabs his cloak from the table where he had cast it off and drapes it over the stool to obscure her form. A squeaky floorboard in the next room is all the warning Avin receives before a much grim pair of men swoop into the room almost as silent as ghosts. The first is a half-orc man wearing more daggers and other blades over a set of form-fitting leather than than one would care to count. The second, a halfling with a plain black hood and mantle atop otherwise normal clothes, has no apparent weapon and somehow that frightens Avin even more than the half-orc's blades. Without even a grunt of acknowledgement towards Avin the pair breeze through the room with no more than a quick cold glance before opening the back door and continuing their search into the alleyways behind the tavern.
Avin does not waste a second before closing the door behind them and gasps for breath, realizing he had held it unconsciously as the two passed him by. Shaken by the instinctive belief that both could have killed him in the span of a breath Avin picks up his cloak from the stool and uncovers the drow hiding beneath.
"The spell won't last much longer and I'm leaving, "the wizard states grabbing his backpack with the rest of his meager possessions inside from its place in the opposing corner. Apparently understanding Avin's motives the drow makes no comment and lead the way to the front of the building as the wizard snuffed out the lamplight. "Please don't tell anyone I can use magic," the wizard pleads. The drow shrugs, "Tell no one I was here." Unable to see the woman's face in the dark, Avin extends a hand, "I'm Avin."
Nothing reaches back in the darkness and the soft sound of retreating footsteps informs the wizard of the woman's departure and not for the first time, he wishes that he possessed the darkvision of other races.
DM Kathy Sunday December 7th, 2014 10:55:51 AM
Avin had almost put the incident from his mind when a man comes into the Hagfish Tavern right before closing. He is a remarkably unremarkable human man: medium height, medium build, thinning medium-brown hair, brown eyes, forgettable face. He chooses a seat near where Avin is sweeping the floor. It seems deliberate.
"I've heard it said," the man remarks idly, not even looking at Avin, "that somebody who helps a drow will help just about anybody." He glances at Avin, then away. "You don't have to sweep floors, you know, if you don't want to." He places a card on the table and stands up. "The Stag at Sunset. Tomorrow night. I'm buying." And then he is gone.
Avin looks at the card. It says "Crescent Moons Trading Company" over a stylized picture of a moon brand. Avin isn't sure whether to trust the stranger, or what sorts of things he wants that don't involve sweeping floors. Still, a free meal isn't something to turn down.
So he meets the stranger at the Stag at Sunset Inn--a rather nicer place than Avin has been frequenting. He gets his free meal, and more. The stranger introduces himself as Abel Boggs, and explains that he is looking for people interested in helping the common folk of Dirt City. And, after a couple more meetings, Avin agrees to join the Crescent Moons Trading Company.
"Excellent," says Boggs. He hands over two small objects. "I know you play it pretty cagey, but I think you may have use for these," he says, and departs.
The small objects are scroll cases. Inside one is a Scroll of Comprehend Languages. Inside the other is a Scroll of Protection from Evil.
[Also, please take 200 XP for your First Adventure!]
First Adventure Tuesday December 9th, 2014 11:05:45 PM
Though the haze of pipe smoke and ale, Var steadies himself and focuses on the target. With one fluid flip of his wrist he lets a dagger fly at the target. His opponent howls in defeat. The surly human frowns and slaps a stack of coins down on the table in front of Var and angrily stalks away. Throwing daggers isn't the most profitable game in town, but its one that Var knows he can win at. After an unproductive week of tracking down Grubbers who ended up getting killed by someone else has left Var broke and without the coin to pay for his tab.
A stern looking man approaches Var as he finishes his drink at the bar. "I see you tryin' to make some money, friend. Maybe I can help you make a bit more? Strong fellow like you can earn more than a few silver at daggers, if you knew the right people..."
Var considers the man, and realizes pretty quickly that this is a setup. There are dozens of variations on the theme of a rigged arena fight, a few of which Var has fallen for in the past, but something something makes him nod in agreement to the stranger. Something about the money changing hands between the bartender and rough looking characters who exit out the back of the tavern has made Var suspicious that there might be something unpleasant going on - even for Dirt City.
Neither the barred doorway with a secret knock for passage, nor the basement with the dirt floor arena are surprising to Var, who has seen setups like this in various seedy taverns all over the Izen peninsula. What is surprising to Var is the insistence from the stern man that this stay "just between friends" and how he "wouldn't want to attract attention" to the arena. An unlicensed fighting ring...Var wonders to himself what the House of Knives and their heavy-handed leader Fexel would have done to the owner of the tavern and the fight organizers if they found out. Robbing the wrong minor official bought the Feral Brothers a grisly death, so Var figures the punishment for these folks would be much worse.
"Come on friend, lets get you read to fight, eh?" The stern man says, leading Var though the crowd. "We have a special arrangement going, yeah? You'll be going up against a mark, another friend of mine, you'll see I've got all sorts of friends. This other friend of mine? He'll put up a good fight, but he'll go down in the fifth round, you just have to make it look good, see? Nothing too hard, then you get your share of the gold, yeah?"
Var nods along with what the man says, scanning the crowd for guards, little more than armed thugs. The back room is sparse, a table with a few mismatched chairs and just one bored looking thug standing guard over a dwarf in chains. Var starts putting things together in his mind: An confidence man running an unsanctioned fighting ring with possible ties to slavery, too. A slow smile spreads across Var's face, he was kind of hoping something like this might happen, after losing his bounty he's been itching for a fight.
As the stern man starts to explain the rules of the rigged fight, Var readies himself, his plan is hasty, and probably not fully thought out, but that's never stopped him before. A swift jab to the stern man's jaw is enough to knock him out, and var moves in to grapple the guard before he can draw his short sword. Reacting quickly, the dwarf knocks the guard's legs out from under him, and delivers a few swift kicks to the guard's head.
Var and the dwarf nod to each other, briefly. The dwarf begins checking the guard for keys to unlock his manacles, while Var grabs a large sack of coins off the table. The dwarf, now freed of his restraints, grabs the short sword from the unconscious guard just as another armed thug opens the door and freezes. Both the Var and the Dwarf rush the thug and send him stumbling backwards into the loose crowd of people watching the fights. A cry first of surprise and then anger goes out, and suddenly the basement is a tempest of bodies. Guards try to move though the crowd to grab Var and his fellow escapee but are hampered by the panicked stampede of the crowd as they try to flee. The two easily navigate through the crowd, as the patrons give them a wide berth, and the whole mess of them spill upstairs (surprising the customers as well as the barkeep), though the tavern and out onto the street.
The two sprint down the street and into an alley, briefly catching their breaths. "Oi!" the dwarf says, "Those grubbers'll be sorry when we get to the House of Knives! Er, that is assuming we can get there a'for Rudy's thugs catch us and break our legs."
Var listens to the angry shouts coming from the tavern down the street, they might be able to outrun them, but the dwarf was already looking worn out as it was. "Here." he says, and hands the dwarf the bag of coins. "Keep moving, I'll slow them down." Var says as he draws his handaxes.
Looking surprised, the dwarf hesitates for a moment staring at the bag of coins in his hand, but then turns and runs down the far end of the alley, turning one last time to shout "Give 'em hell!" and then disappears around the corner.
Var steadies his breathing, fixes his stance, and focuses. He can hear a pack of thugs pounding down the cobblestones towards the alley, angry shouts filling the air. Suddenly, the shouts turn to surprise, and the sound of approaching boots turns into the sound of a scuffle. Confused, Var runs around the corner to see a young elven woman in a flowing cloak sending volleys of darts and smoke bombs at the six guards, sending them running back to the tavern to regroup.
Spinning on her heel, she darts past Var, and says "Come with me!" Still confused, Var turns and tries to keep up pace with the elf as she leads him off on a zig-zagging course across town to a small, non-descript flat tucked in the middle of an empty street. "Get inside, and stay quiet, someone will come get you shortly." the elf says to him, before Var has the chance to protest she's off running again. The silence of the evening suddenly feels pressing, and Var realizes how vulnerable he is standing out on the empty street, and quickly steps into the house.
Var settles down onto the cot, but doesn't exactly relax. The night passes slowly, and while he dozes, Var never falls fully asleep. Early the next morning, there is a knock at the door. Var grabs his gear and prepares himself to either run or fight. The door opens, and a middle aged human steps in, and closes the door behind him. "Hello, Var." he says "It seems you caused quite a ruckus last night..." the man waits for Var to say something in response, but Var just shrugs.
"Ah. Sleep well? Here, I brought some breakfast." he pulls out a loaf of bread and a brick of cheese from his satchel and places them at the small table in the corner. "Please, have a seat, I'd like to speak with you."
Var considers the man, then realizes just how hungry he is, and sets down his backpack and joins the man at the table. "You know my name?" he says after swallowing a mouthful of fresh bread and cheese.
"Yes, Var, I actually know quite a bit about what happens in town. My name is Abel, Abel Boggs, and I represent a group interested in individuals such as yourself. I might have a job for you, if you were so interested."
"Might be." Var says through another mouthful of bread.
"I'd like to know, first, what you did with the money taken from the fighting ring?"
Var shrugs "Gave it to the dwarf, he needed it more than I did. People angry that it went missing?"
Abel chuckles softly "Well of course there are people angry about that, but no one who will do anything about it; if you're worried about repercussions. Now, unfortunately I must be going, I find myself quite busy these days, and have other matters to attend to. Can I count on your help?"
Var finishes his slice of cheese and nods. Abel pulls something out of his coat pocket and hands it to Var, a small business card with a crescent moon painted on it. "I'll be in touch." he says before leaving.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 10th, 2014 1:23:20 AM
"Oh, and I almost forgot," Boggs adds. "Take this. It might come in handy someday." And he hands Var a small wooden box before departing.
When Var opens the box he finds two flasks of holy water.
[Also, please take 200 XP for your first adventure!]
Broom Wednesday December 10th, 2014 8:37:32 AM
"Out. The lot of ye, grab ye stuff and get out.", a pair of menacing-looking half-orc thugs waved their clubs at the former employees of Master Nimblefeet.
His son had dismissed everyone the moment old Master Nimblefeet breathe his last. And within moments, everyone was thrown out of the house into the night. "How could he do this to us?", one of the older woman moaned - it was the chambermaid. "This is terrible. The street is not safe at night!", another younger woman cried fearfully.
"My uncle works at a nearby inn, maybe we can get some shelter at the stable until daybreak?", the young servant boy suggested. And having no better options, the servants huddled together as they walked briskly towards the inn. Broom shrugged and followed behind as he has no where to go either.
It was moonless tonight and very dark. And the group soon gotten quite lost. "Broom! You are a dwarf, you should be able to see clearly can't you?", the cook exclaimed when he noticed the bookish dwarf trailing behind. Broom nods carefully. "So why don't you lead the way earlier?", the cook moaned. Broom looked sheepishly and shrugged as if saying "you never asked me to". Giving his whiskers a tug, Broom sighed and ambled towards the front as the rest of the servants began looking nervously around - the squeaking was getting louder.
"I hope it is not rats.", the servant girl cried. "I read from the news there are giant rats in the street at night.", the elderly hafling scribe replied wisely. And the rest of the servants moans nervously. And suddenly, there was a loud screech! "It bit me! it bit me!", one of the laborer cried as he kicked at a huge rat gnawing at his leg.
And before anyone can react, a swarm of rats descended on the group. The womenfolk screamed in terror, as the men kicked and stomped at the encroaching rats. Broom lashes out with his stout broom and smashed several rats aside. The odds were overwhelming, and a few of the menfolk were down. Broom frowned deeply as he flatten more rats, before he spotted the pack leader - a giant rat as large as a dog. Ignoring the minor bites of the lesser rats, Broom stomped his way towards the giant rat and stabbed viciously at the rodent, hitting a vital spot. And before the giant rat could lunge at him, Broom broke its neck with a precision kick to the jaw. And before long, the remaining rats scattered at the death of their pack leader.
"Go now.", Broom grunted, indicating that they should leave before more rats come. The rest of the night passed uneventfully, as Broom carefully guided the group passed several packs of rats and dogs, before finally reaching the inn. "Oh thank you, Broom! You're so brave!", the milkmaid gave the dwarf a bosomful hug. And soon dusk approaches and everyone left to find their kins, leaving Broom alone again in the street with no where to go. The dwarf tugs at his whiskers and looks miserably at his tattered "hairless" broom.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 10th, 2014 5:55:59 PM
Some days later, Broom is making his careful way through the City Above when a hand lands on his shoulder. "Come, have a drink with me," a man says. "I'm buying."
The voice is friendly, but the pressure on his shoulder warns Broom that he's probably not going to be able to get away any time soon. Cautiously, he follows the man into a nearby tavern.
The human man can best be decribed as remarkably unremarkable. He is about 40, with thinning brown hair, brown eyes, and a very forgettable face. As promised, he buys drinks for the two of you. Over a foaming mug of ale, he says, "The dwarf with the broom. It's all anyone can talk about lately." Surprisingly sharp eyes assess you. "You took a risk to protect those people, and you didn't have to. Could be you're the sort of fellow I'm looking for."
It doesn't all get decided then and there, of course. You meet the man a few more times, and learn his name, Abel Boggs. He tells you about the Crescent Moon Trading Company, how they're trying to help the common folk of the city, and that he's looking to put a new team together. "Are you interested?" he says at last. "I'll even pay to have your broom repaired, or buy you a new one if you like."
In the end, you agree to join his organization. Boggs hands you a card with "Crescent Moons Trading Company" printed over a stylized moon logo. He also gives you a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, neatly labeled.
[Also, please take 200 XP for your First Adventure!]
Ashley Steward Wednesday December 10th, 2014 9:16:03 PM
Ashley's First Adventure
The sun had set upon Dirt City an hour ago, making the already lawless city even more dangerous and wild. Ashley moved through the crowds in the City Above, taller than most men, his scale mail rough, dented and scratched. His greatsword rested at his back in its scabbard, jostling with his long strides. He kept a close eye on those that he passed, and an even closer hand to his coin purse. A man could become broke, naked, and beaten within an hour on those streets if he wasn't alert, imposing, or like Ashley, both. He scratched at his beard, unclean like the rest of him from his latest smuggling endeavor. More than anything, he desired hot water to clean his body, and some spirits to rest his mind. Cutting through an alleyway, the smuggler watched as two men harassed a young looking girl. She couldn't have seen more than fourteen winters, fair of hair with a pretty face. That pretty face would have been an asset in other cities, but here, in this veritable hive, it was a source of trouble more often than not.
The two leather-armored men pawed at the girl as she struggled away from the two of them, Ashley approaching with a deadened expression on his face. His boots fell heavy upon the stones, his armor jingling as he approached the scene. His eyes noticed the short swords the men wore at their sides, but his attention was on their intended victim. The men looked up at him, their eyes narrowing at the perceived threat to their game. "Move along, mate. This doesn't concern you." One of them spoke, his mouth curling into a savage, perverse grin, revealing grime covered teeth, stained with tobacco. The girl struggled and squirmed to get away from them, but their grips held her fast. Looking down at them, Ashley shook his head, seeing that the one who spoke was trying to wrest a coin purse away from the girl. "Leave the girl be. Find your coin elsewhere." Ashley had sinned, many times, and would continue down that path, but he knew these men wouldn't be leaving the girl alone once they had her money. The other one spoke, "I think you need to turn around and walk the other way. See, Jack here has a temper, and you don't want to make him angry. I seen what he did to a man that made him angry once, and it was ugly," one hand sliding down the girl's back and out of Ashley's sight. The girl stiffened, her bloodstained, wet eyes widening. Whether he was reaching for a weapon or his hand was elsewhere, it wasn't helping the smuggler's temperament.
Ashley moved his hand up to the hilt of the large sword on his back, staring at the man who had just spoken, speaking in a grave tone, "The last man I drew this sword against ended up in two pieces, and was dumped in the ocean for sharks to eat. If you keep running that mouth of yours, and don't let go of the girl, I'll make sure the two of you are left on the street to feed the dogs." In reality, Ashley didn't feel like killing either of these men. That would take more effort than the tired fighter truly wanted to deal with right now. He was tired from the sea, but he couldn't leave this poor girl to her fate. His face grim and serious, he stared down at the two men, waiting to see what they would do. The one named Jack, who supposedly did ugly things when he got angry, had a change of heart upon hearing Ashley's words, and sizing him up once more in comparison to himself. Jack released the girl, motioning to his partner in crime, "C'mon, she ain't worth the damned trouble." Spitting on the ground in distaste, the ill-tempered man stalked off into the night, regardless of whether his companion was following. Ashley then leveled his eyes on the other man, taking another step forward, his glare leveled down at him. "I would follow your friend, dog. While you still have legs to run on." At the re-enforced threat, finally the other despot released her, taking a few steps back and responding, "We'll remember you, boy. You'd best watch your back!" With the parting words, he scurried off to follow the one he had called Jack, leaving Ashley and the girl to the alleyway.
Ashley released his grip on his sword, looking down at the girl. She flinched away from him, taking two steps back and looking up at the smuggler's bearded face as she said, "Why...why would you do that? You want me all to yourself, don't you?!" The panic in her voice was palpable in the night's air as Ashley shook his head, replying, "No, little one, I'm not going to hurt you. You remind me of my sister, whom I haven't seen in a long time. Come on, I'll walk with you to the City Below." Distrustfully, watching his every move as they walked, the girl joined him, as the large smuggler made his way down into the bowels of Dirt City, making sure his weapons were sealed as to not disturb the traditions. The pair descended through the sewers, before Ashley parted ways with her, helping her get home safely. They did not speak any further, for Ashley didn't have anything else to say to the girl. He knew that her experience tonight was not her first. The smuggler also knew that it would not be her last. Nonetheless, at least for one night, she would be spared the abuse.
DM Kathy Wednesday December 10th, 2014 10:16:37 PM
A few days later, Ashley is minding his own business in a tavern, when a very nondescript human man sits down on the stool next to him. "It may interest you to know," the man says in a low voice, "that your recent 'friend' Jack finally tangled with the wrong person. He won't be attacking any more young girls."
The man orders a drink and says nothing for a while, sipping thoughfully. "It was a brave thing you did. Brave, and worthwhile, too. I think you're the kind of man I'm looking for." He slides a card over to Ashley. "The Merry Minotaur, two days from now," he says, and is gone. Ashley looks at the card. The words Crescent Moons Trading Company are imposed over a stylized crescent moon brand.
Ashley is of two minds about keeping the meeting. Sure, it sounds interesting, but it could be a setup. And Ashley isn't feeling particularly worthwhile these days. In the end, however, curiosity wins out, and he goes to the Merry Minotaur to meet the man again.
There are several meetings with the man, who introduces himself as Abel Boggs. He explains that he is seeking to provide some help to the common folk of Dirt City, and that Ashley has the specialized skills he is looking for. Ashley remains skeptical, but in the end the opportunity to atone for past deeds is too tempting to pass up. He agrees to join.
"Glad to have you," Boggs says. "This might help you stay alive," he adds, handing you a small bottle. It is a Potion of Shield, neatly labeled.
[Also, please take 200 XP for your First Adventure!]
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