1. Specularum

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tumblingdice
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1. Specularum

#1 Post by tumblingdice »

Day 1, Black-Heart Lily Tavern, North End of Specularum, early evening

A steady spring rain beats down upon the city, turning to mud the dirt alleys that pass for streets. Inside the common room of the Black-Heart Lily, the crowd busies itself with dining, drinking, boasting and good cheer as it prepares for the evening's show. Noblemen and commoners alike put down their tankards when Yolanda of Luln takes the stage for a ballad.

There's a good mix of people tonight. A stern-eyed warrior keeps watch at the bar, eyes out for trouble, hoping for a second chance. Tucked away in a corner, another man spends his leisure in much the same way he spends his working hours, hiding in the shadows, looking for opportunity. A Thyatian mage and his low-rent Traladaran companion sit themselves at a table by the fire, in silence, enjoying the din of the crowd as they nurse their drinks. A host of other faces: day laborers, soldiers, escorts and adventurers join the revelry.

The front door burst open, and three figures, their cloaks dripping with rain, hurry inside. Two dwarves, jabbing fingers in each other's faces and cursing, and one human caught between them.

Actions?
These are ghouls. They hang out in graveyards, they have long tongues, and they eat people.
"Oh, well, that could be helpful!"
--my five-year old daughter

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Bloodaxe
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Re: 1. Specularum

#2 Post by Bloodaxe »

Syrus Once-dark fighter

Syrus keeps a watchful eye out, scanning the taverns patrons. He moves away from the bar and chooses a set with a view of the room, his back against the wall, so none can approach him unaware. He listens intently to the gossip and alcohol fueled babble.
He raises his hand to signal a server....and waits.....

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greyarea
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#3 Post by greyarea »

The low-rent Traladaran watches peripherally. He pretends not to take interest but his dagger finds itself in his hand Zatoichi style to keep it hidden and he shifts in his chair, ready for action.

He nudges the mage oh so slightly to make sure he's on the same page: Yolanda has entranced him before.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#4 Post by connivingsumo »

HILDEBAD: Dwarf
The waterlogged Dwarf looks for an open table, or hearth, large enough to layout the vellum so it can dry. Once a suitable place is procured, she respectfully puts down her crossbow within reach, and sets her shield propped upright at her feet. Then Hilde lays the vellum flat placing crossbow bolts on the pages to hold them from sudden breezes.

Looking at the nearest tavern keeper or wench, regardless of distance, she blurts through a forced smile, "ALE! And keep'em comin fer this one'eer!" pointing a chubby finger at Gristle.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#5 Post by Craigers07 »

Blercer - Thief

Blercer sits at the end of the bar and keeps to himself. He studies the dwarves and human who just walked in.
Last edited by Craigers07 on Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#6 Post by badams30 »

Gristle - Wet Dwarf

Gristle scowls at Hildebad, shaking his head. He sighs and sets his things behind his chair, removing his dripping cloak, he hangs it on the chair. Then he pulls a well-worn large tankard from his pack, slamming it on the table to get the attention of the server. When one glances his way he shouts "Hey there! Good evening to ya!" And pointing to Hildebad with an exaggerated gesture he says "Listen to this grumpy gal here! And she's right, keep the ale flowin' into me tankard, eh? And a word of wisdom to ya - give that gal plenty of ale too... she's much more pleasant when you ply her with the sauce. HAR HAR HAR!" He winks at the dwarf and smiles, hoping his jest doesn't earn him a whack in the skull.

Gristle sits observing, giving a wave and a "Howya doin?" to anyone who glances his way. In the course of his observations, he takes special pains to look for any attractive ladies in the establishment...

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spanningtree
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Re: 1. Specularum

#7 Post by spanningtree »

Soldath - Mage

Nodding with his tankard still at his lips, he keeps an eye on the folks just coming through the door.
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin

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Rattler45
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Re: 1. Specularum

#8 Post by Rattler45 »

Hanequin sees that the dwarves are preoccupied, the vellum seems to be in good hands for drying. Therefore, leery of a new, strange environment and crowd he will scan the room for eyes, faces (threatening, shady, and friendly alike).

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tumblingdice
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Re: 1. Specularum

#9 Post by tumblingdice »

Luthier ambles over, helping you off with your cloaks, and motioning his barmaid to fill your tankards. Soon everyone is in a much better, and relaxed mood. Yolanda of Luln entrances the audience with her ballads. After a dozen songs or so, she leaves the stage for a well-earned break. The more gregarious among you start to make conversation. It's at this point that Hilde glances over at the vellum parchment, drying before the table near the fire. Her eyes go wide with surprise. The once blank parchment is now covered with writing!

Cue the lengthy exposition cleverly disguised as a player handout of a ship's log...
Image

And, as promised by Barbarosa, right on the next sheet of parchment is the map...
Image

Nice of him to include hexes, wasn't it? :)

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These are ghouls. They hang out in graveyards, they have long tongues, and they eat people.
"Oh, well, that could be helpful!"
--my five-year old daughter

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spanningtree
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Re: 1. Specularum

#10 Post by spanningtree »

Soldath - Mage

Soldath will wander over to the table and read the text and look at the map between swigs from his tankard. Hmmm... built a wall instead of just leaving. Strange. He will say to no one in particular. Looking around the room he will nod at those he does not know with a wide smile: At least we know where treasure may lie!
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin

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greyarea
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Re: 1. Specularum

#11 Post by greyarea »

Tret agrees. Seems to me that they took the cowards way out. Good for us because that means we can claim it for ourselves.

However, I think we'll need more than the two of us working this job, Soldath. I didn't learn sailing in the Barony. We could use ourselves a party of like minded individuals. Preferably those not dependent on the moon for sanity.

Oh, and a boat.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#12 Post by badams30 »

Gristle - Dwarf

Gristle squints as he reads the map, pausing to say "Isle of dread? DREAD? What kind of name is that?" He shakes his head and rolls his eyes as he glances at Hildebad "Oh boy... let me guess... you want to go here, don't you? You KNOW I don't like boats. Why, I've told you a hundred times... if only my friend Sod was here... he knows boats. Ah, old Sod. I kilt a dragon with him, I did." Gristle slugs his tankard in a single pull and stares reflectively into it's empty depths, his thoughts wandering.

The he raises a bushy eyebrow and a sly smile spreads across his broad face and he says just above a whisper "Mmmm... did that say something about a big pearl? Heh heh heh... yeah... pearl...."

"HOWDY THERE! FILL ME CUP, WOULDYA?"


Gristle smiles and pats Hildebad on the back, then shouts at Hanequin "Waddaya think, Hanny my friend? I'm thinking riches... maybe even naked women! Har har har... yeah... women." His daydreams of naked women quickly fade from his thoughts as he glances over to see Hildebad glaring at him...

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Re: 1. Specularum

#13 Post by Bloodaxe »

Syrus Once-dark Fighter

Syrus walk over to the group and looks at the map.
Walls can keep things in , as well as keep intruders out. You will need warriors on your quest. I would like to join you.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#14 Post by greyarea »

Tret jabs a thumb dwarfward and stage whispers to Soldath, Warning, dwarf on the edge. I'm pretty sure we'll be able to rely on him running headfirst into battle, drink, and women.

And rely on the women to run screaming away
, he concludes with a wink.

He then turns to Gristle and Syrus, as if he said nothing, and smiles. You two wish to go to the Isle? Perhaps we can work together.

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Re: 1. Specularum

#15 Post by Rattler45 »

Hanequin - Cleric

Momentarily shocked, looks at Gristle and then his glare melts into a smile. Gristle, someday a woman will be slow enough for you to catch her and you won't know what to do with yourself. That woman will make an honest man of you, he says as he jabs him with an elbow.

I am intrigued by this message and by the town which was once greater than it is now. The treasure could go a long way toward furthering our campaign. To the folks who have gathered to see this message, I believe your interest was piqued because it is your calling to join us with your respective talents to venture to this isle of dread.

With a firm clap on the back of Hilde, What say you, my dear?

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Re: 1. Specularum

#16 Post by connivingsumo »

Hildebad: Dwarf

Hildebad strokes her beard, as she often does when thinking, "Well, Gristle, seems you were right suggesten we take this Vellum in payment." she says to her brother.

Suddenly, Hildebad's expression turns a bit grim as her attention shifts to the number of strangers suddenly nearby taking interest in her payment for their work on the Gnomish caravan... "Ahn'luke at the likes of yews! I'd say we could send them cannibals a runnin if'n we werk tagether. If ya'be true'n not scoundrels!" she says looking them onlookers up and down.

Over her shoulder... and a bit upward, she says to her Human companion, "Hey'a there Han-Hun, maybeh yoo could do that thing were yea know if'n they're evil'doers (Detect Evil), and know'n they're intentions... thing?" (Know Alignment)

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Re: 1. Specularum

#17 Post by Craigers07 »

Blercer - Thief

Blercer quickly gets up and walks over to the map after hearing the word treasure. He reads through the entire document.

"Treasure in the middle of the Isle of Dread?"

He laughs a little to himself.

"Well, if anyone is looking for a boat, I'm a local merchant and may be able to help."

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Re: 1. Specularum

#18 Post by spanningtree »

Soldath - Mage

Whispering, in response to Tret's comments: Of course, they always do... may leave more treasure for us though. Yes, let's see if we can work up a team to take closer look at this island. Never know, may turn into the vein we've been looking for.

Responding to Blercer's comment: Yes, a boat will be needed. Not really crazy about water myself, to much chaos... but, rare pearls and treasure could make a pirate out of me. Any idea what the costs involved might look like? Do we charter or buy? I don't know about you but I don't know the first thing about boats...
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin

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Re: 1. Specularum

#19 Post by Bloodaxe »

Syrus Once-dark

After scanning the crowd to see if they are being listened in on or spied upon, Syrus orders another ale and lets the others make preparations for the voyage.
He stands guard warily.

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#20 Post by badams30 »

Gristle - Dwarf

Gristle nods approvingly at the haphazard band assembled and he glances sideways at Hildebad, then Hanequin. Gristle saunters over to Tret and Dieter and says "You boys look like you've seen some action! I'd be happy to toss me lots in with ya, but you've got to promise to not scare off the ladies... I'm a regular natural when it comes to puttin' the women under my charms, don't you know..." He then pauses and points a finger at Syrus and says a bit loudly "SAAAAAY.... you look kinda familiar. You any kin to Cecil Hopwood? You kinda look like him. You know what we used to call Cecil? " Gristle doesn't pause to allow an answer...
"We called him ol, 8 Toed Cecil! HAR HAR HAR! You know why? He only had 5 toes! On this here foot! (Pointing to his right foot) HAR HAR HAR HAR!"

Gristle chortles merrily, smiling at his new companions, hoping to stimulate some wild conversation, and of course - always looking to find some eligible ladies nearby...

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