Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

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Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#1 Post by AleBelly »

After a week, Galan rejoins the group after training. During this time they learn the road to Strod is 21 miles. It can be done in a day, and is the recommended way. "We don't run into much trouble with the patrols these days, but you got to be careful anyhow."

Arnulf, looking guilty, sees them to the city gate at daybreak. A mist hangs in the air, the remnants of an overnight rain.

Will the party take the road east to Strod? The road offers much faster travel, which should enable the group to reach town at dusk.

Date: 24 Culling, Year 44
Time: 05:00
Conditions: 50F, misty
Known Spells in Effect:
Light bearers: sun
Intended Direction of Travel: Road to Strod
Injury Status: None

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#2 Post by Zhym »

Sure, let's take the road.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#3 Post by onlyme »

Sounds good... Also, any chance or usefulness for a magical spell from Arnulf as we depart? one "wasted" invisibility or other spell?
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Halfpint - female halfling badgirl wannabe (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#4 Post by tkrexx »

I'm on that.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#5 Post by Tamerlaine »

The road...please tell Figgis there is a cart or wagon involved in this trip

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#6 Post by enn.in.me »

Road is good. Short legs on the move!


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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#8 Post by AleBelly »

And the party departs on the misty, gloomy morning. As they make ready to depart, an owl alights from the eave of a nearby roof and perches on Kamblambicus' shoulder. It hoots at him

They make good time past the farms and homestead, and are happy to see the road in good condition past the old boundaries of Alleborg's 'safe zone.'

They plunge headlong into the woods, making good time. The gloom from the morning rains clings to the forest. Previous encounters in the wilderness aren't far from our adventurers' minds as they continue swiftly along the road. They reach the
Image
Figgis groans from time to time. He didn't exactly sign up for 20 mile death marches. He looks forward to the day when his fortunes enable him to purchase a mount.

Despite the gloomy surroundings the party makes it to Strod without note, except encountering a couple of patrols. The last patrol, near the town, accompanies the party to the gate after nightfall. The wooden town walls have still not been fully repaired from the humans' assault on the former orc city, and the moat surrounding the town is fetid. It will be some time before Strod is returned to its former glory.

The guards initially meet the motley group of gnomes, humans, and dwarf with skepticism, but this evaporates once they see Jobin's letter their disposition changes. They are warmly greeted and escorted to spartan but clean barracks. The town is a model of decrepitude, though rebuilding is happening from place to place.
Image
"Rest well tonight, friends. We'll take you to the entrance of those pig fuckers tomorrow" growls one of their escorts. "Wish I could go with you."

There was talk earlier of casting a spell of invisibility or something similar. This would be possible tonight and would still enable memorizing new spells the next day. Let me know what you want to do and I'll get you to the entrance of the stronghold tomorrow.
Last edited by AleBelly on Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#9 Post by enn.in.me »

this is the town that had the hanged bodies and the church with the attic and something under the floor?

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#10 Post by CAI4 »

Chet is exhausted after the long day. He immediately climbs into one of the beds, a worried look on his face. Just before he drifts off, he says to the others "I sure hope Tempest comes out of his adventure okay."

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#11 Post by AleBelly »

enn.in.me wrote:this is the town that had the hanged bodies and the church with the attic and something under the floor?
No, this was the city that was previously the "Orc City." During your two years away the folks from the Sambord fort and Alleborg liberated it. Strod was the old name for it back in the times of the empire. Here's a link to the map. Strod is where you are - town no go is the town where you found the hanging bodies.

viewtopic.php?f=176&t=4667#p235833

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#12 Post by enn.in.me »

Cool. Thanks.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#13 Post by onlyme »

Dandelion looks over the potential this town has, knowing it can skip over the horrible blues and brown fashion trends of just a few years ago and proceed to the bolder reds and greens.
She offers to stand a watch if the others feel they still need one in these fairly safe quarters, though she is certainly tired enough to sleep through the night.
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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#14 Post by enn.in.me »

Yenny will walk around the house as possible first with Detect Traps and then with Detect Magic, 'cause you just never know what might be left over.... She is happy to take one of the dark watches.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#15 Post by Zhym »

Angus nods sagely at Dandelion's and Yenny's precautions. "Might as well keep watches," he says. "Can't say as I'd sleep like a newborn knowing there's orcs just under us. Or maybe I would. I hear tell newborns ain't exactly sound sleepers."

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#16 Post by Bluehorse »

Kablamicus

Walks out about 5 minutes past fashionably late, wearing a hat that is obviously new and ridiculously big with an extra wide brim and vertical stripped designs of alternating bright and dark blue that are sure to make even the least fashion savvy in the group cringe even as they realize that particular monocle has passed on their new companion. It doesn't get any better for their new companion as the owl fleets down onto his shoulder and the mage begins to speak to it.

"Ah! Sophmore, about time you showed up. I expect my familiars to be prompt! Remember that! What? What's that? No...
no! I don't care that you are tired... No, no, no. You work for me now. You must get used to holding more reasonable hours. No more of this Nightowl... oh.. Well, you will have to adjust. I don't care what you call natural! Bah! A few days and you will be adjusted just fine! You infernal bird! Listen to me! I am up each morning before dawn, and I expect you to be ready to begin work then. Go to bed?!
Are you insane?! No, you simply must get used to daylight hours! End of discussion................. What did you just call me?! I'll have you know I spent a goodly amount of resources on you, I can send you back! You would would you? Well, want in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first!........................... You. Wouldn't. Dare.... No, hear this you half cooked poultry dinner, I am a respectable mage of the tower and you should feel privileged, PRIVILEGED! to be my familiar. Now, act like it.


Unfortunately, their new mage companion spends most of the morning arguing with his new pet like this until he realizes he is speaking to a sleeping bird, and apparently has been for about the past hour while lecturing it. Grumbling something about a fine strew with lentils he continues on somewhat silent for a while until they come to within sight of their destination.

"Ewwwrr... Ugly... I hate it."

Once they are inside their accommodations, he begins arguing with Sophmore again and eventually allows him to fly out the window, grumbling about good help and pouting in his seat a bit with his spellbook.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#17 Post by tkrexx »

Kablamicus Walks out about 5 minutes past fashionably late, wearing a hat that is obviously new and ridiculously big with an extra wide brim and vertical stripped designs of alternating bright and dark blue that are sure to make even the least fashion savvy in the group cringe
Da fugizzat, Hyde wonders aloud as he arranges items in his satchel.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#18 Post by onlyme »

Dandelion remarks to their new traveling partner how wonderful his new hat complements his personality. She quietly notes to herself that he must be at the forefront of new trends, and she must certainly pick up a similar garment before returning to town.
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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#19 Post by Zhym »

Angus chuckles. "I see we ain't got to worry about being less colorful without Arnulf around," he says.

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Re: Chapter 15 - To the Liberated City of Strod...and Below

#20 Post by AleBelly »

With an abundance of caution, the party sets up watches throughout the night. But nothing disturbs them - the quiet within town is a stark contrast from the revelers that can often be heard enjoying Alleborg's nightlife.

They are met the next morning by a trio of guards, who treat them with some deference. All steal glances at the mage's very large hat. One unsuccessfully tries to stifle a smile.

They are led through muddy streets, swollen with the cold rain falling about you. Still, a half dozen half-orc children clad follow the party...timid, but admiring Hyde and Dandelion from afar. Their threadbare clothing is plastered to their sinewy bodies by the precipitation. A half-orc girl struts, mimicking Dandelion's walk, fixing her hair as she does so. A half-orc boy teases her. Further emulating her idol, she knocks him flat to the ground.

The mood soon turns serious. They reach the threshold of the orc stronghold. A large sign -

DANGER
Poisonous vapors
Keep out!

A ramp, watched over by four more guards, descends a few feet into the ground, where an ornate, but quite scuffed, wooden door blocks further passage.

The lead guard, a middle-aged man, addresses the group.

"Here's where I leave you. I wish I could join you. Them pigs took the lives of good men and women. But my duty's up here.." The battle scars on the guard's face leave you with the impression that his words are not false bravado.

"If you need to retreat, you'll find safe harbor with us. Good luck."

With that, he leaves with his small retinue to guard the muddy streets, ensuring none of the townsfolk see you. The door stands before you.

Actions?

Date: 25 Culling, Year 44
Time: 07:00
Conditions: 39F, raining
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: sun
Intended Direction of Travel: At the door of the orc stronghold
Injury Status: None

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