Re: Adventure #6 - The Lion of Vilderoy

[Malazek]

Jeremiah will pay the extra silver for hot bath water. When the woman returns, he will have her assist with his bath. At the end of the night, before he heads to bed, Jeremiah will compose another letter to his father and brother.

OOC: What does the letter say?

"Yeah, a four. A four in the eye of a sitting wolf, okay? And not on my thigh. How about here, on my arm?" Elodie rolls up her sleeve and exposes her forearm.

The tattoo artist gets to work. It hurts less than Elodie expected, but then again, maybe her life of adventuring has made her resistant to pain? An hour later, when the artist is done, Elodie has a vibrant image of a sitting timber wolf with a small number four in one eye.

Gumphrey is next. He gets the image of a ziggurat on his left shoulder, with a keyhole in the face of the ziggurat. The ziggurat's shadow looks like the number four, inverted.

Talmut is next. (OOC: What does Talmut's tattoo look like?)

In the end, the process takes almost three hours and costs one silver piece each. It's much, much later than you anticipated. (OOC: Off to bed?)

[Glitz]

Elodie thanks the artist and pays him. She sits with Gumphrey and Talmut, occasionally running upstairs to fetch another drink, until everyone is done. After everyone is inked, she will say goodnight and head to bed.

[Swifthand]

O.O.C.1: A square and compass (ala the freemasons), with a frontview (triangle) of the Arx in the center.  The compass will rest on the "4" on both axis of the square, to signify the band.

After the tattoo (if it is any good), Tal will tip the artist a gold and then head off to bed.

O.O.C.2:  "DM -  Elodie, Gumphry, and Talmut, you all need to make a Con roll vs. Hepetitis C." lol

[Malazek]

The next morning ...

You wake up to the sound of other guests screaming at each other in the hallway. You haven't had quite enough sleep, but the damage is done. Still, by the time you drag yourself from the bed, the ruckus is over with. Still, you're up now.

As the fog of sleep clears, you remember that you got a tattoo. So, you take a moment to examine it and are pleased to discover that it looks amazing (even now, when you're no longer drunk). The artist here is clearly a master of his craft. Your skin is still tender under and around the artwork; it will probably take a few days to heal.

- OOC: Make a note on your character sheets describing these tattoos. They are Masterwork tattoos, so you'll get a +2 bonus on any roll where that fact matters (for example, if dealing with someone who holds body art in high regard ... such as the Mamalik of Talmut's homeland).

Eventually, you wonder down to the common room and find that the menu board has been replaced. Now, they are serving breakfast (and only two options for that).

THIRSTY HAYSTACK MENU
Breakfast (Eggs, Toast, Coffee) ... 1 sp
- with Rashers ... 3 sp

[Alpha Omega]

Strolling down to the common area, Jeremiah will order two helpings of breakfast and a cup of coffee. He will then square up with the Thirsty Haystack on his tab.

When he pays...

"Is the tattoo artist still in, or does he only work the night shift? Also, do you know of any messengers in town who can deliver a letter for me?"

[Malazek]

"Uh no, the tattooist won't be back 'til later. He's very good, though; you should come back and see him. As for a messenger, you can prolly find a page near the gate; always a lot of young persons hangin' 'round the gates, lookin' to make a quick coin. For that matter, you can prolly get some vagrant to do it; starvin' folks'll do just 'bout anythin' to eat."

[Glitz]

Elodie will gather her items, re-braid her hair, and wander downstairs to eat breakfast. She keeps her sleeves rolled up, to show off her new tattoo. "I'll be just outside the gates," she informs Jeremiah and anyone else who is downstairs eating breakfast. She asks for some extra sugar from the bar, fetches Egan and heads outside, spending some time gathering her strength and refreshing her powers for the new day. She allows Egan to snack on the sugar during this time.

[Swifthand]

Talmut will bathe and then join the others in the common room to order his breakfast with rashers.  Seeing Elodie showing off her new tat, the wizard will roll up his sleeve to do some of the same.

"The chap was quite proficient in his art.  As a matter of fact, I need to ask the barkeep the artist's name - I plan to recommend him to the Mamiluk and get more work done myself!"

Talmut will then go inquire as to the artist's identity.

[Malazek]

"Xamos. The artist's name is Xamos Sanderholt."

[Malazek]

And so ...

The heroes set out again, early the next morning, dressed in their warmest clothes and riding toward the royal city. The cold air stings their lungs, proof that winter is well on its way. Even the horses, dressed in their winter blankets, are complaining about the weather.

The day is more or less uneventful ... just mile after mile of road. You pass countless farms and a few small villages along the way. The downtrodden and destitute seem less common in the smaller villages, if only because there are fewer people there to be destitute and downtrodden. Along the road though, you almost manage to forget about them. You pass many simple folk along the road, many of whom seem to be working a job of one sort or another. The further you get from Skirmish, the more common travelers along the road become.

You spend that second night at an inn, called the Iron Stein, located in a town called Flusshausen. That night, you witness a soft glow along the horizon. The innkeeper tells you it is from Sturmgard. You are pretty sure he's wrong, though, because Sturmgard is still half-a-day's ride from here.



On the third morning, the heroes set out again, figuring they are making good time. The roads are noticeably more crowded; where you might have seen another traveler every few miles yesterday, now you are seeing dozens of people on any given stretch of road. The road itself follows a wide river that is full of fishing boats and cargo ships.

Before lunchtime that day, the City of Sturmgard finally comes into view. It is far greater than you ever imagined, stretching for miles. The buildings are so tall, you wonder how they don't topple over. (Of all of you, only Talmut has seen cities quite so grand, and none of them were as a large ... though the Jeweled Spires of Aggad are certainly more beautiful). Gumphrey can hardly believe it. "Is that all one city?"

Even after seeing it, you ride for another two hours before reaching the city proper. Even before then, the sheer number of people on the road is mind-boggling. How can so many people live so close to one another? When you finally pass through the city gates (which are unmanned), you notice that many of the tallest buildings are outfitted with copper rods, running from the tallest points to the lowest. Vagrants and vagabonds flock to your side, asking for charitable handouts.

As you try to push your horses through the crowd, a lightning bolt strikes the tallest building in the middle of the city ... very strange considering there isn't a cloud in the sky. Even stranger, however, is the fact that nobody except you seems to notice it.

[Glitz]

"Is that...normal? Do any of you know anything about that?"

OOC: Does Elodie recognize the lightning as being natural vs. manmade? Also, does anything happen to the building as a result of the lightning strike?

Knowledge (Nature) +15
Perception +24

[Malazek]

OOC: Does Elodie recognize the lightning as being natural vs. manmade? Also, does anything happen to the building as a result of the lightning strike?
Knowledge (Nature) +15, Perception +24

Elodie is pretty sure that bolt was not natural. Lightning in this weather just doesn't happen. It was probably magical. Nothing happens to the building itself, but now the copper rods are glowing faintly.

"Is that...normal? Do any of you know anything about that?"

One of the beggars answers her. "Normal? The lightning? Nah, wasn't anything normal about it ... but it happens all the time. Folks say it's the Duke's doing. They say he's up there 'lectrifying the criminals."

[Alpha Omega]

Jeremiah will push his way through the crowd and start to look for a stable. If he sees a guard or a pedestrian, not a vagrant, he will ask...


"Where is the best place in town to put up for the night?"

[Malazek]

Jeremiah will push his way through the crowd and start to look for a stable. If he sees a guard or a pedestrian, not a vagrant, he will ask...
"Where is the best place in town to put up for the night?"

The man opens his mouth to speak, takes a second look at Jeremiah, and then says, "Well, there are several fine inns in this city, but you'll want to stay at Meg's, up the road ... best mead in the Realms and a fine menu to boot."

[Swifthand]

Talmut will add his insight into the strange electrical phenomenon and follow Jeremiah's lead as to where to stay the night.

+24 to Arcana, History, Nobility, Religion; +28 Planes, Engineering.  Talmut will reference all his knowledges for anything applicable to the phenomenon, the copper rods, and the Duke allegedly responsible.

"Perhaps a visit to this Duke would prove en-lightening, yes?"  Talmut flashes a rare grin at his pun.

[Malazek]

Talmut will add his insight into the strange electrical phenomenon and follow Jeremiah's lead as to where to stay the night.

+24 to Arcana, History, Nobility, Religion; +28 Planes, Engineering.  Talmut will reference all his knowledges for anything applicable to the phenomenon, the copper rods, and the Duke allegedly responsible.

"Perhaps a visit to this Duke would prove en-lightening, yes?"  Talmut flashes a rare grin at his pun.

Talmut has read quite a bit about Duke Aric von Eldridge IV, actually. Not only is he descended from Odo II, but is also a powerful sorcerer in his own right. He is known to rule with an iron hand, but still many of his subjects think he should make a play for the royal throne (often referring to him as "Kaiser," instead of Duke). Whether the Duke himself has such ambitions, or not, is largely a matter of conjecture.

The city of Sturmgard was once a simple storm shelter, built to protect the folks of the surrounding villages. Over time, however, it has grown into the bustling metropolis it is now. Some of the greatest colleges and libraries in the Five Realms can be found right here in Sturmgard. It is even rumored that there is a secret magical academy (called the Zaubereigarten) hidden somewhere in the city. Whether that's true or not, the Duke has always demonstrated support for learning and the arts.

Because the populace is so well-educated, information is easily had in Sturmgard. The laws are strict and criminals are punished harshly. Travelers are well-advised to mind their manners.

As far as the metal rods are concerned, Talmut has seen metal rods on the outside of buildings before. They are typically used to protect towers and other tall structures from random lightning strikes. The lightning you saw a moment ago, however, did not appear to be random.

[Glitz]

"Perhaps a visit to this Duke would prove en-lightening, yes?"  

Elodie laughs and nods in agreement. "After all, as servants of Umbrafall, we should introduce ourselves. Shall we head that way, then?"

[Alpha Omega]

" I suggest we find a stable and head to Meg's first. That way we can shake the road off and at least make ourselves presentable if we plan on introducing ourselves to the Duke. Especially if we are now to be official representatives of Umbrafall."

[Glitz]

"Well, we're all freshly bathed from our stay last night--maybe the Duke would offer us a place to stay for the night. My vote is for going straight there."

[Swifthand]

Talmut raises an eyebrow at the road dust covering all of their cloaks.

"Perhaps Jeremiah has a point.  A bath and a chance to try out the court outfits graciously given to us be the Vicerene?"

Talmut will get a room at Meg's, stable Nakkamtu, bathe and change, and then head to the Duke's court if there is time.  If not, amend the prior statement to going to see the Duke first thing in the morning.

[Alpha Omega]

Jeremiah will also stable is horse, bathe, change clothes and see about meeting the Duke. I assume he has a chancellor of some sort that we would need to talk to first.

Nobility +1

OOC: I would vote for cleaning up and changing first tbh.

[Glitz]

"Well, I don't feel very dirty since we've only been riding for half a day, but I'll wait for you all if you want to bathe." Elodie will follow the group and sit in the bar and wait.

[Malazek]

After roaming the streets in-search of Meg's, the heroes eventually find it. Meg's Meadhall. The Meadhall is a narrow wooden building, seven stories high, with unusual windows. Comprised of seven hexagonal panes arranged in a hexagonal pattern, the windows look almost like honey combs. A broad wooden sign hangs over the door that reads "MEG's MEADHALL & INN, Best Mead in the Five Realms."

When the party enters, they see that the main floor is primarily occupied by the tavern (the rooms must be upstairs) and quite crowded. No music is playing, but the patrons are making plenty of noise on their own. There are at least five wenches and one barman serving the tables, each dressed in a fuzzy black-and-yellow striped sweater. The  bar itself is large and fills much of the space. Two female bartenders are working behind the bar, but neither is dressed like the waitstaff.

The price board is hanging behind the bar. After stepping a bit closer, you are able to read it.

WELCOME TO MEG's!

MENU
Hearty Stew ... 5 cp
Stewed Kidneys ... 4 sp
Roast Ribs ... 3 sp
Rump-steak with Mushrooms ... 5 sp
Mixed Vegetables in Broth ... 3 cp
Local Cheese ... 1 gp
Meg's Honey Pie ... 1 sp
Meg's Honey-Apple Cake ... 2 cp
MEAD (Cold or Warm) ... 6 cp
Mead, Mulled ... 8 cp
Sparking Mead ... 1 sp
Cinnamon Mead ... 1 sp
Vanilla Mead ... 1 sp
Apple Mead ... 1 sp
Mead by the Bottle ... 2 or 3 sp
Meg's Special Nectar ... 50 gp
Ale ... Go Somewhere Else!

AMENITIES
Private Rooms ... 4 gp
Hot Bath ... Included!
Soap .... 1 sp
Extra Blanket, Loan of ... Included!
Chamber Pot, Loan of ... Included!
Superior Chest, Loan of ... Included!
Fire in Room ... Included!
Meals in Room ... 1 sp, plus Cost of Meal
Stabling, Grooming, & Feeding ... 2 sp
Laundry ... 3 cp (per Item)
Tailoring ... Varies

As you are standing there reading the menu, one of the bartender ladies shouts over the din "What can I get ya?"

[Glitz]

Elodie heads to the bar to find a seat. "Hi, can I have a glass of sparkling mead and the rump-steak with mushrooms? And what can you tell me about the 'special nectar'?"

[Alpha Omega]

Jeremiah will inquire about a room and bath from the barman as well as some hearty stew. As he eats he will grab the attention of one of the barmaids...


"Excuse me, how does one go about arranging a meeting with the Duke? Does he have a Chancellor or sovereign prince that arranges all of his meetings?"

If the barmaid is clueless he will ask her if she can point him in the proper direction at least. Then after eating Jeremiah will take a bath and change into his new fancy clothes and prepare to go try and see the duke.

He will leave 5gp on the counter

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