Bad Rap - DM Zachary Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 12:45:46 AM
Acting like hardened criminals used to be arrested the party prepares to surrender to the deputies, for who knows how long with the sheriff tied up in the meeting of the town leaders. As they are about to be led off an elven woman pushes her way through the crowd. She is tall and lean, but carries herself with confidence. She is clad in a simple tunic and sandals but is holding out a badge with battlemented tower and runic letters.
She calls out, "Wait a moment, I saw the whole thing. These people were acting in self defense after the gnome assassin killed old Sloe. I will vouch for them." The deputy's eyes go wide at the sight of the badge and they immediately defer to the elf. "Yes, ma'am. If you can just bring them by later to sign a statement." With that they manacle the gnome and with the help of some volunteers from the crowd haul off the unconscious thug and the dead thug.
The elf turns to you and introduces herself, "I am Khol Akoka, I saw you talking to poor Sloe, if you're still interested in helping the town I may have a lead if you'll come with me." With that she beckons you to follow her.
Everyone gains 500xp!
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 8/9 Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 1:50:29 AM
Snark follows along with the others, grateful she vouched for us. But his eyes go wide at the sight of the woman's badge. That was a WLA badge!
"That was kind of ya, Lady Akoka.
"Beggin yer pardon maam, but that's a Woldian League of Adventurers' badge! My pap had a badge like that. His name was Loxim Swifthand, though some just called him Swift. Did you know him? I'd sure like to join like my pap did. If they'd have me that is."
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 8:16:16 AM
Gore'Thum eyes the woman curiously. He has no objections to skipping a long interrogation, but he wonders who she is to command such respect. Snark's comment provides some enlightenment. "It seems we're entangled in this mess regardless of our desires. We might as well see it through. Lead the way." he tells her.
Teddy is still a little lost, having missed the entire conversation with the fortune teller he's not quite sure what this is even about. For now he just follows along quietly and tries to figure it out from context clues.
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP16/16 - AC17/13/14 - CMD 17 Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 11:04:53 AM
(fatigued for 4 more rounds)
Einar has a puzzled look on his face... it seems there's more to this whole matter. He takes up his blade and wipes the blood. Assuming the others will also follow this Elf he joins her. Selene eyeballs the Elf lady... her eyes clearly saying "he's mine"...
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:15 | CMD:21 | HP: 9/9 Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 7:45:25 PM
Kristoph bow's to the voice of reason, in this case the elf and is content to follow if she thinks anyone can make a difference. "keep your face towards the sun and the shadows will always fall behind you" he reminds himself in a strange accent. Maybe he's mimicking someone he once knew?
Tangled in the Mess - DM Zachary Tuesday August 3rd, 2021 10:56:35 PM
Akoka leads you to the side of the Sanctuary of the Sea Chapel, where she has a small camp build against the side of the temple. As you walk she answers some of your questions, "I am very far removed from most other members of the WLA, so I'm afraid I don't know anyone by that name Sir Gnome. As for joining I've been trying to find people around here interested in doing some good around here, strange things have been going on."
On the outer wall of the temple is a half finished mural of 7 figures supported by many other smaller figures. She runs a hand across the group and sighs, "There used to be a mighty group of adventures in these parts, but they're all gone now. And nobody to fill their shoes, unless...", her voice trails away as she looks over all of you.
"But on to why I asked you here. What did Sloe tell you? Even before the fish went missing somebodies been taking over the shady side of business around here but I can't get anywhere, too well known. But I can probably point you all in the right direction or answer any questions you have."
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:15 | CMD:21 | HP: 9/9 d20+7=12 ; Wednesday August 4th, 2021 5:52:12 AM
"Sorry I've not heard of your organization, nevertheless if people here are being manipulated and preyed upon, I am at your service."
Kristoph leans his back against the Sanctuary of the Sea Chapel and keeps watch for anymore would-be killers, people paying too much attention or even shifty individuals in the shadows, etc. Fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me. He wasn't about to let the elf get assassinated too.
(Perception:12)
"Sloe spoke in riddles. He said a team of people took the fish, that it was in mysterious water, or waters, whatever that means? He said there was a hidden mastermind and he mentioned a rule breaker who's heart was in the right place and may know something. None of that makes any sense to us as newcomers.
Please start at the beginning lady Akoa?"
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Wednesday August 4th, 2021 8:15:59 AM "The Gnome. A lead, if he will talk." Gore'Thum comments.
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP16/16 - AC17/13/14 - CMD 17 Wednesday August 4th, 2021 10:38:12 AM
(I'm assuming Einar's no longer fatigued)
Somehow it seems Einar's being enrolled in a group of adventurers?! He has had dreams about being a well known and respected adventurer... he has seen the like passing through Hook City before but never did he think it would someday be within his own reach. With some good fortune the adventuring will pay the bills...
"I'm all ears M'lady... how may we be of service..."
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 8/9 Wednesday August 4th, 2021 5:15:33 PM
Snark is a bit surprised that this Kristoph hasn't heard of the WLA. "Why, the Woldian League of Adventurers is a pretty big deal in some parts of the Wold. I heard they try to set things to rights where it's gone sideways, help folks out, stuff like that. I was lookin' fer information to see how I could join up.
"Say, if ya don't mind my askin, what happened to yer eye?"
In reply to Khol Akoka, Snark says, "So mistress, what sorta shady business is going on? What do we need to know about? Maybe that bad gnome and his thugs are involved in this shady business."
Isaac Harker (Justin M) -HP 4/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Wednesday August 4th, 2021 8:37:11 PM
Isaac spoke up" I would love to help help you miss but I would ask you if you know anyone that can heal wounds? Also what do you mean "Shady business"? We talking kidnappings, vandalizations or something else?" Isaac grimaced from the pain talking was not the most fun thing to do with stab wound. He hadn't even had breakfast yet. Today was not looking good.
Please start at the begining - DM Zachary d6=2 ; d6=5 ; d6=2 ; Wednesday August 4th, 2021 11:26:20 PM Kristoph shares Sloe's riddles. And sees someone sneaking up on them! No, wait, just a cripple heading to the temple. Isaac offers aid and asks for healing. Teddy and GoreThum notes there may be a lead on his way to jail. Tae-Che ? Snark asks about Kristoph and how he can join the WLA Einar offers his services (you are no longer fatigued, it took a few rounds to walk here)
Akoka apologizes for not offering aid earlier and before continuing gets a cleric from the temple to attend to the wounded, the cleric calls on the Fates, and with a ward against ill fortune channels healing energy into all assembled. Everyone is healed 9 hp
The elf then ponders Sloe's words, "Heranmar has always had it's run of smugglers but recently somebody new has been moving in and snatching up the illegal operations, driving the normal folks out, and bringing in more unsavory customers. That could be the hidden mastermind working with a team to steal the fish. It's viewed as good luck and could be though of as valuable. A rule breaker with a good heart? There is a smuggler around here that has a reputation for being a kind-hearted rogue, man called Walru Gumboot. I've been trying to talk to him but he avoids me, thinks of me as an official. You could try asking after him at the docks. Any other questions I can answer for you?
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:15 | CMD:21 | HP: 9/9 Thursday August 5th, 2021 12:42:25 PM
Kristoph slides his hand inside his sleeve as he watches the cripple heading to the temple, then relaxes. "It's a start. My concern is we may draw attention, this many armed people looking for Walru.".
He agrees to tell Snark the story over an ale later.
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP16/16 - AC17/13/14 - CMD 17 Thursday August 5th, 2021 3:48:36 PM fWefve already drawn quite a bit of attention..., Einar grunts... "Canft we have him come looking for us? What would lure him out!?"
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Thursday August 5th, 2021 8:40:17 PM "Better us then others." Gore'Thum points out. Teddy looks a little scared. "I don't want to have to fight bad guys... but I don't want them to kill more innocent people either."
Isaac Harker (Justin M) -HP 13/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Thursday August 5th, 2021 9:21:17 PM
Isaac asks Akoka "Is there any thing we should be carful about at the docks? With all the rituals everyone here seems to perform if we don't follow them they may not trust us." He pauses thinks for a bit and ask "Also is there any people besides the sailors that might know where he is? family perhaps?"
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 8/9 Thursday August 5th, 2021 9:21:36 PM "I dunno. The last guy we were talking to wound up dead. We should go see this Walru guy, but we should be ready fer trouble."
Snark is ready to go ask around about Walru at the docks.
Fresh Faces - DM Zachary Friday August 6th, 2021 12:11:49 AM
The party is concerned about more violence and what Walru might do or any rituals they need to be worried about.
Akoka answers as best she can, making a sign against evil at the mention of rituals, "The gods seem farther away to most people down here on the southern continent. Makes the people superstitious, the powers are much more fickle. As to Walru, the pier manager might know where to find him." Akoka pauses for a moment as if remembering something, "Actually there was a girl that just came in on the last ship before yours, a trader from the northern continent who was looking for some adventure, she might know Walru. Actually that's her now, HEY FAELOI!" She calls over a half-elf female.
[OOC: Please welcome our newest player, Erin.]
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Friday August 6th, 2021 8:14:33 AM
Among the odd collection of well-armed people congregated around Akoka is perhaps the oddest pair of all. A frog as large as a human sits there gazing at Faeloi impassively, with brown pebbled skin and a white belly. He isn't a humanoid frog or anything, just an average, everyday type except for the enormous size. Half hidden by one leg is a small beastfolk, an ursine one by the look of him, tiny and brown and looking intimidated by the sudden introduction of a new person. He almost looks like a teddy bear.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 8/9 Friday August 6th, 2021 3:55:52 PM
Snark is pretty happy. He thinks to himself, First I meet up with some tough folks that might help me survive this place. Then we meet a badge carrying member of the Woldian League of Adventurers. And now we have a task and a new helper! This just gets better and better!
The little gnome will trot over to this newcomer. Snark is a little over 3' tall. Clad in green robes and breeches, he has light blue hair and carries a small staff.
He looks up at her, having to reach to shake her hand. "Greetings Faeloi. My name is Snark Riverstone. I'm pleased to meet you."
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:15 | CMD:21 | HP: 9/9 d20+7=16 ; Friday August 6th, 2021 6:21:25 PM
Kristoph is an athletic 5'9" human, mid 20's with scars on one side of his face and an eyepatch. His clothes are simple loose fitting and light, no armor, no weapons. Leaning against a wall he cleans under a fingernail with a tiny pick g... Ifve heard more prayers in the last two hours than my entire voyage on the Horizon ... and they say sailors are superstitious.h
If there is indeed a new arrival he makes eye contact, nods and smiles an honest, welcoming smile.
(Perception:16 - still keeping one eye out (no pun intended) because it's habit; "look uninterested - observe everything")
Isaac Harker (Justin M) -HP 13/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Friday August 6th, 2021 8:23:19 PM
Isaac looks over at the new arrival. He himself a half elf smiled while his dark blue hooded tunic covered his head a bit of his dirty blonde hair poked out from underneath. "Hello Miss Faeloi was it? Isaac Harker at your service. You'll be accompanying us then?" He thinks a moment and then adds" Also excuse me for a moment with all the excitement entering town and the chaotic last hour it seems I should probably put on some armor." Walking over to a bench he takes off his back pack and searches though it until he finds his armor. He dons it and hurries back over to the group. (Welcome Erin. Hope you have a good time Also NOW Isaac is wearing armor.)
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 Friday August 6th, 2021 9:12:55 PM
[OOC: Sorry for not posting, spent some time away from home without being able to post]
Tae Che stands about 5'2" tall has steel gray skin and is wearing a hooded cloak of light brown, black shirt and brown pants with knee high boots. You can just see the light pink hair under the cloak. "Welcome, Faeloi. I am Tae Che. We are happy to have you join us." She says when the woman gets near enough.
Faeloi (Erin H) | AC:17 | CMD:17 | HP:11 Friday August 6th, 2021 10:57:20 PM
Faeloi Vandring wears practical travel clothes, most of which is an earthy red color. She is on the tall side for a half-elf, and about average weight. She straightens as her name is called, and she realizes she's idling twisting a strand of her greenish-brown hair, the top half of which is in a bun while the bottom half hangs loose, around and around her finger. She quickly drops her hand to her side.
Who could've guessed that one as slight as Akoka could make such a powerful noise? Faeloi had arrived in Heranmar a week or so earlier with her brother and cousins, prepared to charter a ship back to Yrth and wherever their clan had gotten to. However, Faeloi is not quite ready to be done with the Southern Continent. The trip has gone largely according to plan, and Faeloi is ready for a little more excitement. Akoka promised there was adventure to be had. Is this why she is calling Faeloi now?
Before Faeloi can respond to Akoka, a gnome appears in front of her. "Well hello Snark Riverstone. I am pleased to meet you also." To Snark and Akoka she asks, "How may I be of service?"
Faeloi then notices the rather large frog nearby. She must have been concentrating rather hard on twisting her hair to have missed that. Some sort of bear-looking thing is hiding behind the frog. Since when are bears and frogs travel companions? This Southern Continent just keeps getting better and better.
A human with one eye is near the odd pair. She wonders how he came to have only one eye. It makes him look a bit intimidating, although his smile is warm enough. Perhaps she'll ask him about the eye later.
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP16/16 - AC17/13/14 - CMD 17 Sunday August 8th, 2021 5:22:21 AM "Well met..., Einar says to Erin. The human Barbarian is quite scruffy looking but it's a pair of friendly eyes that look back at Erin. Einar and his wife Selene just recently arrived in Heranmar hoping to start a new life away from Hook City. Things already don't go quite as planned...
As Akoka speaks of the superstitions and the powers of the south Einar shrugs his shoulders. "There's but the Mother and the Father. Their presence is so overwhelming there's no superstition needed to understand their doings." Obviously Einar speaks of Maab and Eberyon. Selene's was bound to become a priestess of Maab but they left Hook City before.
What to do now? - DM Zachary Monday August 9th, 2021 10:55:53 PM
The party welcomes the recommended addition to the team with open arms. It helps that she comes recommended by the WLA. After introductions are made Akoka steps forward again, "Are there any other questions you have or any other advice I can offer about the city or the region?"
Einar (StevenVdB) - HP16/16 - AC17/13/14 - CMD 17 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 6:47:06 AM
Einar looks at Erin and asks : "If Akoka is right you might know a certain Walru Gumboot? We've just recently witnessed someone getting murdered for knowing too much and Akoka thinks this Walru might be able to tell us something more. Not sure why not what we are getting involved in but seeing an innocent man being murdered does rouse my interest. As in 'we'... well... I dunno... are we a 'we'?"
Kristoph (Stephen C) | AC:16 | CMD:21 | HP: 9/9 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 7:12:59 AM "If there is nothing else you think we need to know Akoka, then maybe it's time we take a stroll down to the docks? Should we nominate a couple of people to approach the harbor master? Too many of us armed, might give off the wrong message."
Gore'Thum and Teddy Treeborn (Mitch) HP 12/12 AC 12/11/12 CMD 11 Gore'Thum HP 16 AC 12/12/11 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 8:52:45 AM
Gore'Thum sticks with the main group as a giant frog would probably distract the harbor master from their questions and the effect might be lessoned as part of a bigger group. Teddy of course stays with Gore'Thum.
Snark Riverstone (MarkB) AC13 T13 F10, CMD 10, HP 8/9 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 12:59:21 PM
Snark blushes a bit at the kind response from Faeloi.
He turns and peers up at Akoka. "Well, see'n how we're new and you know this place pretty well, I'm not sure what the right questions are. So, what do you think we should we know about the laws here in Heranmar and the government here? Who's in charge, and how do we keep from getting in trouble? Folk seem pretty superstitious - anything we should know to not offend them? How about the docks? If we go poking around to find this Walrus fellow, it might be good to not get in trouble in the process. Who's the pier manager?
"And are there any druids nearby? I grew up near some, and they can be pretty helpful if you approach them right."
Once the elf answers what she can, Snark will head with the others to the docks to find this pier manager.
"I sure hope we don't have any more fights. I used most of my spells in that last one."
Faeloi (Erin H) | AC:17 | CMD:17 | HP:11 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 1:19:38 PM
Faeloi turns to Steven and says, "I do not know Walru Gumboot, but I'd be very happy to help investigate this murder with you. Sounds exciting! It must have been rather shocking to witness a murder."
Tae-Che (Jim) HP 6/6 AC 12/12/10 CMD 13 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 7:06:53 PM
Tae Che follows along with the rest of the group, happy to have companions around her in a strange place. Well, it sounds like I'm becoming an Adventurer... She thinks to herself while walking.
Isaac Harker (Justin M) -HP 13/13 AC18/ T12 / FF 16 Tuesday August 10th, 2021 8:39:26 PM
Isaac asks Akoka before they leave "Where will you be if we need to find you?"
When snark comments that he's low on spells Isaac asks the gnome "Before we get in another situation like that fight what are your spells? If I can help distract or take advantage of a enemy so your spells do the most good for us I will need to know what you can do."
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