Chapter 30: The Horror at Hookhill

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo is completely disgusted by everything he see. No parks, no trees, no grass to walk upon. Of all the horrors he has seen in his long life, this might be the worst.

"Don't these wretched people have anywhere else they could go?"

He aids the shorter members as he can, trying to locate any buildings that resemble a tavern where they wont be as crushed by the masses.

[Inferno]

Hookhill, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. Dusk. Saturday, December 24th, 576 CY
Cold, overcast







The doomed heroes push their way through the fetid crush, Jerome's horse and all.

Ajax moves to secure his coin pouch, that he had openly shown at the western gate, and finds it gone! (-25gp!) The half-orc's smoldering eyes glare around murderously but can discern no obvious culprits.

Darkness slowly devours the sky as the strangers to Hookhill follow the towering stone wall on their left, toward the fleshpots and workhouses of the decaying old city.

The crowds grow thinner the deeper they walk into abject squalor.




More of the alarming notices are posted here:





On the rancid, filthy streets of Hookhill's sprawling slums, all eyes are on the adventurers, and none more than those of the nigh-feral children that follow them for blocks, staring curiously at the gnomes.

They pass a slaughterhouse whose thick crimson effluent chokes the gutters. Mercifully, the newcomers can no longer smell anything.

They hear three city guards clubbing a man to death in a dark alley. "Move along. Nothin' to see here."

Prostitutes, some nursing infants, call to them from doorways. "Come back, love. We won't bite!"

A dismal public house slouches before them, The Rose and Crown. A block further on is another, The Cross Keys.


Actions?!


Behind the DM Screen:

Pick Pockets: (35%): [1d100]=9

PC Status:

Ajax, Half-Orc Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 36/36
Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 22/22
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 23/23, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 37/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Seeing the first tavern come into view, the cleric urges the group to keep going to the next a little further down the street. We should avoid the very first place we come to, as that is where everyone else is likely to stop. The Cross Keys should be good enough for our purposes.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Hadn't thought of that. Lead on, Ingrid," says Telkis, though somehow he suspects either tavern would be equally unpleasant. He keeps an eye out for thieves.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome says nothing, but follows. He keeps one hand on Ayanja's bridle, and the other on the hilt of his sword.

I'm not used to having a horse available- the little folks in the party could probably all ride, so they wouldn't get trampled or lost.

[OGRE MAGE]

What about the old man?

Bo agrees with the logic of Ingrid, though he too believes that either tavern would likely be equally unpleasant for them.

He keeps his leather purse in his hand, hoping to protect his final few coins from being liberated by the locals.

He ignores the urchins as best he can and continues towards the tavern.

[Paladin]

Ajax

Ajax discovers his purse gone and scans the crowd around them, eyes flat and emotionless. "Feast tonight, cutpurse," he says under his breath. "For who among us knows what tomorrow brings?" The half-orc smiles faintly before walking on, securing weaponry and possessions as best he's able.

He heads for The Cross Keys with his companions.

[jemmus]

Seeing the police clubbing the man makes Faron want to try his hand at picking some rich person's pocket, just to spite them. Rose and Crown.
That's a pretty ambitious name for that dump. He follows along to the Crossed Keys, hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser shrugs at the suggestion. "I'm sure the ale is shit in both places. What have we got to lose.." He furrows his brow at that and clutches his coin purse tighter then he was. He scans the crowd to see if his own experiences can help prevent further larceny of his comrades.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur moves along with the others. He tries to read the notices regarding the murders in town as they walk on.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome holds what seems to be a conversation with his horse. For Ayanga's part, it's whinnys, snorts, and head tosses- but apparently, Jerome can understand.
No, I don't have the coin to put you in a stable...

This doesn't look like the sort of town that has public parks.

And what if you hurt the wrong person? The town watch looks like they'd be glad to destroy a 'dangerous animal'.

This conversation goes on until the group reaches the Cross Keys. Or until I decide how to handle the situation

[Inferno]

Hookhill, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. Evening. Saturday, December 24th, 576 CY
Cold, overcast







The doomed heroes descend into the wretched slums of Hookhill as darkness overtakes the city.

Urdur examines the posted notices:



GHASTLY MURDER!

Dreadful Mutilation of a Woman.

A fourth young misfortunate has been savagely mutilated and murdered by the Hookhill Ripper! The latest unspeakable crime against Men and Gods was committed the night of December 21st in Devil's Acre, the same neighborhood as the others. Women and children should keep indoors at night. Anyone with information as to the identity of this diabolical madman is urged to come forth immediately! Let us pray this villainous blackguard is soon brought to justice!

Urdur's companions enter a public house at a crossroads, The Cross Keys.

The dim, dilapidated structure leans unsteadily on its weakened foundations, making the angled floor a challenge even when sober. Time-worn beams support a sagging, water-damaged ceiling. The place stinks of beer and its rowdy, brutish clientele grow quiet when the strangers enter.



Outside, beggar urchins in filthy rags approach Jerome.

"We'll watch your horse for ya, governor! Just ten silver pieces!"




Actions?!





PC Status:

Ajax, Half-Orc Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 36/36
Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 22/22
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 23/23, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 37/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[jemmus]

Faron
Hmm, even better than expected. I've heard they serve exceptional gruel, but the porridge and swill aren't recommended.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo thinks the man staring at them as they enter looks familiar, wondering if he has seen him somewhere else before. Back in Briarsgate, perhaps?

He walks up to the bar and takes off his pointed hat before speaking.

“What have you got that won’t kill a man after a few too many?”

He looks around the room again and says more quietly. “What do you know about these horrible murders?”

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric looks around before finding a table where the patrons are getting up to leave. She sits down and when the barmaid comes over, she places her order. Uh, something to drink, please. Not too strong, and cheap, please. When her drink arrives, she asks one question. Would you be so kind to tell me how to find the Temple of Tritherion from here?

[Paladin]

Ajax

Ajax finds a seat with his back to the wall and a clear view of the door. "Lend me coin for a drink?" he asks his comrades.

If anyone offers, he'll order a mug of cheap beer and sit back, observing the local fauna rather than drinking. He also listens to snatches of conversation.

[jemmus]

Faron gives Ajax a gold piece and 20 silver. Sorry, it's not much, friend. But we'll find a way for all of us to get some coin before long. No choice in my case, I have to.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser too follows and stands near the bar - trying to look seedy like the rest. He reads the notice of the murder and tilts his head toward it as he mentions, "Ingrid, best watch your self. Seems women have more to fear here than the usual dive..."

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome sits with the others, trying not to stare at the mugs of ale and wine around him.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur takes a spot with the group, trying to stay out of the way. He listens to the other patrons for any information regarding the murders.