Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

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hedgeknight
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Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#1 Post by hedgeknight »

Neverwinter > 1488 DR > Flamerule 11th

The Driftwood Tavern is a bustling place tonight.

Madame Rosene and her regulars have filled the inside of the tavern with bric-a-brac, curios, and relics of Neverwinter before its fall. The statue from a favorite fountain stands in a corner. A wineseller's planter boxes, filled with flowers, brighten the walls. A knob and a knocker from a noble's estate are attached to the privy door. Ornate doors pulled from the wreckage make fine tables, and unbroken panes of stained glass hang overhead as chandeliers, lit by hundreds of carefully placed candles. Though the decorations have been salvaged from all over the city, the tavern does not feel junky, and no one thinks Madame Rosene is taking advantage of Neverwinter's fall. Quite the opposite- the Driftwood is considered a monument to old Neverwinter, like a dusty painting of a beautiful girl hanging above the deathbed of an aged noblewoman.

Prices for room and board at the tavern are high. The atmosphere is one of quiet reflection, rather than boisterous merriment. The Mintarn mercenaries stay away, preferring to eat and drink at the Moonstone Mask or some other cheaper place. Visitors to the city stop at the Driftwood to marvel at the museum of objects, or to learn about old Neverwinter from Madame Rosene for the (expensive) price of a drink and a meal.

All of you have heard stories of Neverwinter's downfall which began in 1372 DR when the wailing death struck its citizens. A little over a decade later, in 1385 DR, the Spellplague struck and its effects lasted for nearly a century. And then about 30 years ago, Mount Hotenow erupted, devastating much of Neverwinter. Lord Nasher Alagondar died during the Spellplague and now, Dagult Neverember, and Open Lord of Waterdeep, has named himself Protector of Neverwinter.

Much has happened in the past few years of your life, but you survived it and now sit in the Driftwood, having a cold ale. Looking for work, looking for an excuse to leave the city, looking to put a few coins in your purse, you answered a call fromGundren Rockseeker. A hard-working dwarf, Gundren asked for men to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple days travel southeast of Neverwinter.
Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin.
He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort and his trusted companion, Sildar Hawkwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business."
Madame Rosene.jpg
Madame Rosene.jpg (56.79 KiB) Viewed 1134 times
"Can I get you lads another round? A bite to eat? Got a fresh catch of clams and squid in this afternoon! Or perhaps some cold mutton with fresh bread and honey? You'll need all your strength if you are following after Gundren on the morrow."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alright fellers > this game is officially on! Feel free to post and introduce your characters, talk amongst yourselves, order food and drink, and ask questions. Most of you have been in the Driftwood Tavern on several occasions...enough to where Madame Rosene treats you as regular patrons...which says a lot. You will be leaving the next day for Phandalin. If you need to purchase any extra supplies for the trip, post it here and we'll make it happen.
Here we go!!
Winter is coming...

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scbeachbum
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#2 Post by scbeachbum »

Kelton acknowledges Madame Rosene, "well yes ma'am, I would like to try those fresh clams." Kelton looks at his new companions, "why do you think he has asked for all of us to accompany the shipment? don't get me wrong, the money is pretty good and the adventure may be even better. I've been looking for a reason to go to Phandalin, here's my chance." Kelton will sit back and listen to the others opinions and wait for his food.
Dreys is still alive....

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Belkregos
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#3 Post by Belkregos »

stitches nods to madame "the clams sound good, i'll have some more ale with it"
then turns to his companions i've seen you here but am not sure if we've actually met, my memory seems to fade after a gallon or so of ale, I'm Simon Stitches, and hope next time we lift our mugs our pockets will be a bit heavier with gold" takes an long drink of ale and then continues
"there's a lot of bandits in phandalin and if anything the dwarf should have hired more guards although i guess he went with quality over quantity" he smiles
Stitches:- 1st lvl Halfling-Rogue: basics HP:9, AC:14, init.:+3, Sw/Bow: +5 to hit/1d6+3 dam +Sneak attack!

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burlyjr
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#4 Post by burlyjr »

Clams sound good. Ill have some as well. Aslaan Cartier, I dont belive we have meet. Aslaan says to the others as he offers his hand to shake.
As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#5 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Ioriston responds: "Clams and Ale... sounds like very pedestrian fare but wholesome enough. I'll have some as well. Could you please tell me, Madame Rosene, does the dwarf and his companion patronize this establishment frequently?"

Ioriston's thirst for information is not limited to only the arcane facts written in the dusty tomes of a bygone era. History is in the process of being written and Ioriston doesn't want to miss out on the latest volume.
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)

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scbeachbum
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#6 Post by scbeachbum »

Kelton reaches out his hand, "nice to meet you all, Im Kelton."
Dreys is still alive....

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mordechiyoel
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#7 Post by mordechiyoel »

"Whatcha mean, dwarf and his friend ?" Baer gives a baleful glare when he hears mention
of a dwarf.
"Me name is Baer Battlehammer, ma'am" he says as he turns to the matron.
"Ale and clams, yes ma'am, me tanks !" the dwarf says with a wide smile.
Baer looks up and down each of the party at the table and snorts.
"Wot a motley bunch," he says to no one in particular.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#8 Post by hedgeknight »

wordoftheoracle wrote:Ioriston responds: "Clams and Ale... sounds like very pedestrian fare but wholesome enough. I'll have some as well. Could you please tell me, Madame Rosene, does the dwarf and his companion patronize this establishment frequently?"
"Aye, that they do, lad. In fact, they were in here yesterday afore they headed out for Phandalin. Gundren was all a titter about something he and his brothers had discovered. Couldn't wait to get to it, he said. You want me to bring around something else besides ale? Got some white wine in the back."

You make your introductions and after an hour or so of talking and eating, you come to realize you've probably crossed paths a time or two before tonight. Madame Rosene knows all of you, of course, as she makes it her business to get to know all her regular patrons. Folks come and go in the Driftwood, and you catch snatches of conversation from other patrons in the establishment. A lot of talk is about Lord Neverember and his plans to rebuild the city. There's also talk of the opposing Sons of Alagondar, the latest news from Waterdeep, and whether Mount Hotenow will erupt again.

All in all, it's a fairly relaxing evening among new companions with a common goal. A goal which you can't help but wonder about. What exactly does Gundren Rockseeker have up his sleeve...and why does he need you?
Winter is coming...

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#9 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Ioriston turns to the group: "Well, my compatriots... how shall we proceed?"
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)

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burlyjr
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#10 Post by burlyjr »

We should start getting some rest. It's only a two day journey but you never can tell what we will meet along the way. I'm sure we can expect the unexpected. Time for me to turn in for the night. Till the morning. Aslaan will pay for his meal and exit to rest for the night and prepare for the road that wait for him tomorrow.
As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#11 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Ioriston replies: "If there is no more knowledge to be had, I think that resting before proceeding with such a potentially arduous task would be beneficial. I will prepare myself for the task ahead... as should all of you."

After the food has been paid for, Ioriston retires to prepare four spells with a focus on what he may need for the journey to Barthen's Provisions in Phandalin:
  • Mage Armor
  • Detect Magic
  • Burning Hands
  • Sleep
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)

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burlyjr
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#12 Post by burlyjr »

Aslaan will spend time before sleeping to check his weapons and provisions to make sure everything is in good shape.
As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#13 Post by hedgeknight »

Assuming the rest of the group, follows suit, the rest of the night passes uneventful with perhaps some restlessness during your sleep, since you are eager/anxious/nervous/excited about the upcoming venture on the morrow.
Morning dawns and you smell fried ham and eggs in the common room and that gets you up and moving.

After tucking under and paying your tabs for room and board and food (deduct 5 gold), you walk to where the wagon and horses are already waiting on you. Two young lads have everything rigged and loaded.

Does anyone want to do any last minute shopping before heading out? Each of you have a few gold coins left if you want anything.
Winter is coming...

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wordoftheoracle
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#14 Post by wordoftheoracle »

Ioriston is good. No shopping needed for me.
PC History:

Ioriston Erudleaf - Level Three Elven Wizard, Hedge's Adventures in the Realms (5e)
Loche - Level Three Pict Thief, The Lost City of the Pharaohs (1e)

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Belkregos
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#15 Post by Belkregos »

Stitches finishes his ale and continues the nigh trying to score some company,
in the morning leaves a few coins for his escort and joins his companions a bit late in the morning trying to recover from the nights activities,
he makes sure to buy some tobacco and other smoking herbs for the ride, checks his gear and is ready to ride
Stitches:- 1st lvl Halfling-Rogue: basics HP:9, AC:14, init.:+3, Sw/Bow: +5 to hit/1d6+3 dam +Sneak attack!

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#16 Post by hedgeknight »

Will wait to hear from the other three before moving out.
Winter is coming...

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mordechiyoel
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#17 Post by mordechiyoel »

Baer grumbles as he sees the others the next morning.
"Buncha light weights !" he huffs and then smiles as the thought of adventure crosses his mind.
"Well laddies, I am reddy ta go and may Marthammor smile upon us !" Baer says to the group.

OOC:
He prays for:

Cantrips: Light, Sacred Flame, & Thaumaturgy

Prepared spells:
Bless
Cure Light Wounds
Detect Magic
Protection from Evil
Sanctuary
Shield of Faith

Spell slots: 2

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burlyjr
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#18 Post by burlyjr »

Aslaan is ready to go.
As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

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Belkregos
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#19 Post by Belkregos »

Stitches looks at the gathering group around the wagon "i'll make sure that everything well secured" then climbs on and looks for a shaded spot to take a nap
Stitches:- 1st lvl Halfling-Rogue: basics HP:9, AC:14, init.:+3, Sw/Bow: +5 to hit/1d6+3 dam +Sneak attack!

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hedgeknight
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Re: Chapter 1 > Road to Adventure

#20 Post by hedgeknight »

With everyone ready, your group leaves Neverwinter just after breakfast...and you spend the next few days following the High Road south from the city. At the intersection of the Triboar Trail, you veer east. You've encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been know to lurk along the trail.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Please give me the marching order for the group and how your characters are traveling. Who's in front, who's bringing up the rear, and who's driving the wagon? Two oxen are pulling the wagon and it is packed full of an assortment of mining supplies and food. This includes a dozen sacks of flour, several casks of salted pork, two kegs of strong ale, shovels, picks, and crowbars (about a dozen each), and five lanterns with a small barrel of oil (about 50 flasks in volume).

Talk to me...
Winter is coming...

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