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Topic: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents (Read 589787 times) previous topic - next topic

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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1225
"Some thirty years, next month," I reply.  "I enlisted at sixteen, of course, and have remained since.  Although I am accustomed to commanding rather larger groups, these days; this mission is certainly proving interesting."

  • Teshi
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1226


You push the mounts hard on the well-maintained highway.  The terrain grows increasingly rugged, and the foothills of the Icetops begin to become more prominent,  but the road itself is smooth and straight, and you reach the edge of Irontown by late evening. 

Unlike most walled cities in Khorvaire, which feature sprawling farming, industry and villages beyond their edges, the country leading up to Irontown is largely devoid of civilized activity, other than the occasional placer mine or roadhouse.  The town's stern stone walls loom tall, the land edging them scrupulously cleared of brush and buildings even now as it would be during wartime.  You note that rather than using Lake Dark as a natural barrier and incorporating it into the town's defenses, the encircling wall separates Irontown from the waters.  A curious choice, given the expense and difficulty of building and maintaining such a barrier, when nature could do the work for the defenders.  Mists from the lake lick against the wall in the deepening gloom of the falling night.



Despite the forbidding exterior and surroundings, the highway gate is thrown wide open, lit by welcoming torches.  Bored-looking national soldiers man guard points and local militia weave among the trickle of entrants, keeping traffic orderly and chatting with drovers about travel conditions, but no one moves to stop or question you as your steeds wearily work their way into the town - it is peacetime, after all, and your appearances are nothing to excite consternation. 

Your immediate impression of the town once inside is one of somber order.  You hear the faint clank and rumble of industry, but the forges appear largely quiet at this hour, and with deliveries largely done for the day, the streets are open and easily passable.  Modest stone buildings, most two or three stories, tidily line the streets, the warm glow of lamps showing through curtained windows - you take as a sign of prosperity that most of them sport glass panes, not wooden shutters or oilcloth.  The friendly smell of woodsmoke reminds you of the prospect of a comfortable hearth and a warm dinner.  The occasional clusters of Karrn pedestrians, in thick wools and furs, bustle along the sidewalks, going visiting, making for neighborhood taverns, or heading home for the night.  You do notice that few seem to be walking about alone.

[All right, friends!  What's next for your group?  What are you looking to do here in Irontown?  Are you looking for lodging?  Are they any points of interest you are keeping an eye out for?  Are those of you who are comfortable in darkness going to continue your explorations overnight?  Let me know!  Throwing in a Streetwise check has the potential to get you more detailed leads as well.]
  • Last Edit: August 01, 2016, 04:50:58 AM by Teshi

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1227
"Corporal, inquire about as to a decent inn," I order, deciding he is more likely than Palatinate to share my view of what may be considered decent.  I survey our surroundings as I add, "One with a private dining room available.  Ghost..."  I sigh.  "You are entirely too conspicuous.  Have you no way of disguising your nature?"

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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1228
Indeed, Mari is attracting some furtive fearful stares, though it seems being accompanied by a group treating her as nothing odd somewhat mitigates the impact of her spectral appearance.

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1229
"Corporal, inquire about as to a decent inn," I order, deciding he is more likely than Palatinate to share my view of what may be considered decent.  I survey our surroundings as I add, "One with a private dining room available.  Ghost..."  I sigh.  "You are entirely too conspicuous.  Have you no way of disguising your nature?"

"I could tell people I'm not a ghost," I reply helpfully. "Other than that, nope. Oh, speaking of disguises, did you forget this is supposed to be a secret mission? Names, not ranks."

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1230
I half-turn to my three subordinates and raise an eyebrow at them in question.  "What is this of which she speaks?" I ask calmly.  "And why am I only hearing of it now?"

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1231
I raise an eyebrow at my new superior.

"We should probably discuss that later when we're not in the street. I'll see what sort of lodgings I can find. In the meantime I suggest that you be a businessman, I'll be your valet and the others can be servants. Mari can be a soothsayer or summat.

"Although I'm not sure how she's going to throw the bones seeing as how she has none," I grin at the ghost.

"Do you have funds for lodgings? I gave money to Astra but seeing as how she is gone..." I shrug, "I doubt that I'll see that again anytime soon."

[I look around for a suitable lodging:

Streetwise: 8 + 7 = 15

Perception for anything nasty: 6 + 8 = 14]

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1232
I half-turn to my three subordinates and raise an eyebrow at them in question.  "What is this of which she speaks?" I ask calmly.  "And why am I only hearing of it now?"

I raise an eyebrow.

"Huh," I think to myself.

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1233
[Perception to look for likely places of cover if suddenly we are ambushed from the root tops: 1D20+13 = 11+13 = 24]

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1234
"While you are correct to say that we should postpone any discussion of the details, you will continue to address me respectfully, Valenae," I say softly, after taking a moment to unclench my jaw.  "Master Karlach or sir will suffice, for the moment.  And I will, of course, handle any necessary expenditures."

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1235
Hells, Otto.  Master Karlach.

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1236
"Of course sir." I head off down the street looking for a likely inn.

Master Nasty Accident if he keeps that up.

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1237
"Mari," I state, turning to the ghost as we wait.  "That is your full name?"

  • Teshi
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1238
[I look around for a suitable lodging:

Streetwise: 8 + 7 = 15

Perception for anything nasty: 6 + 8 = 14]

You spot two likely inns right away - one, creatively called the Irontown Inn, is right near the highway gate, its large sign, broad frontage and prominent location making an obvious play for the out-of-town traveler.  You also spot a more subtle place, the entrance tucked between two shops, the neatly painted sign depicting a fox going to ground, no particular name listed, just a bland subtitle:  "room and board."

You don't see anything more threatening than your own group, with the exception perhaps of the looks on a few passer-by faces as they pretend not to see Karlach's traveling aura or Mari and Fluffy's ghostly appearance.  Most Karrns are quite good by now at pretending not to see certain things but not everyone is a brilliant actor.

[Perception to look for likely places of cover if suddenly we are ambushed from the root tops: 1D20+13 = 11+13 = 24]

You could readily duck into one of the taverns along the street, or beneath the broad awnings where it appears street vendors may set up during the daytime hours. 

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1239
Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour I approach the more subtle of the two inns.

I walk into the taproom and look around.

[Perception: 12 + 8 = 20]

  • Teshi
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1240
Deciding that discretion is the better part of valour I approach the more subtle of the two inns.

I walk into the taproom and look around.

[Perception: 12 + 8 = 20]

The interior is homey, with a crackling fire, but quiet; the handful of patrons sit in twos or threes, or alone, most nursing mugs of dark beer.  Behind the bar a florid middle-aged human man polishes glasses in the traditional pointless barman's activity. He nods to you as you enter; no one else spares you more than a glance.  You notice that most of the clientele seems rather well-dressed, a bit surprising since the inn itself is nothing fancy.

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1241
[Insight: 3 + 5 = 8 lol]

I go up to the bar.

"Good evening. My Master," I emphasise the capital M, "requires lodgings with good food and a private dining room. Can you accommodate him?"

  • Teshi
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1242
[Insight: 3 + 5 = 8 lol]

Probably everyone is just shy and modest!

Quote
I go up to the bar.

"Good evening. My Master," I emphasise the capital M, "requires lodgings with good food and a private dining room. Can you accommodate him?"

The bartender nods.  Almost lazily, he inquires, "Does your party require any special accommodations?"

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1243
I look around trying to discern his meaning.

"I'm sorry, it's been a long day. I don't get your meaning."

[Diplomacy: 11 + 12 = 23]

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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1244
I look around trying to discern his meaning.

"I'm sorry, it's been a long day. I don't get your meaning."

[Diplomacy: 11 + 12 = 23]

"That's a no, then," the bartender replies, and quotes Val the surprisingly reasonable price of one galifar per night, meals extra, plus a nominal fee per board of steed or servant.

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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1245
[Hello?]

Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1246
I scan the rooflines looking for likely spots for sniper nests.

Where would I want to be if I needed to shoot everyone coming out of the tavern?

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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1247
I scan the rooflines looking for likely spots for sniper nests.

Where would I want to be if I needed to shoot everyone coming out of the tavern?

You would need to be across the street.  You'd also need to take into consideration the wooden awnings along much of the street, which could be used as cover if a person were moving too fast for you to get them right as they exited. 

The rooftops are fairly sharply angled, the better to shed snow, and are currently slick from late-autumn precipitation.

  • Aden
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1248
I look around trying to discern his meaning.

"I'm sorry, it's been a long day. I don't get your meaning."

[Diplomacy: 11 + 12 = 23]

"That's a no, then," the bartender replies, and quotes Val the surprisingly reasonable price of one galifar per night, meals extra, plus a nominal fee per board of steed or servant.

"Um. Great.  Thanks. " I'm completely nonplussed. 

"I'll get my Master."

  • Teshi
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Re: D&D Campaign Thread: Winter of our Malcontents
Reply #1249
"Um. Great.  Thanks. " I'm completely nonplussed. 

"I'll get my Master."

The bartender gives Val a very deadpan thumbs-up.