5 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The expedition from Eding had traveled up to the capital. Lady Iris tagged along, as promised.
Rolf Wolfsblood: Bald-headed barbarian from the Plains of Galmar
Ashe - highly skilled elven ranger, still recovering from being half-eaten by a dragon.
Maloran Alberhold - human fighter, ladies man sans charisma.
Talis Makolin - a rakish bard avec charisma
Velandro - pious priest of Akana w/ his kobold acolytes left at home. Possesses Bell of Chardastes
Wrath - Young Holy Warrior with a an ego bigger than his ability.
Kannex (NPC): Mysterious Fire Sorceror from an even more mystrious land.
Lady Iris(NPC): A Red Knight of Crosedes, and recently rescued from the clutches of the spider-people
Rolf was nearly giddy as he got his first view of the city. The King's castle was larger than any town he had ever stepped foot in, and that was dwarfed by the sprawling urban mass spilling out of the city gates. As they crossed Main Bridge, an architectural wonder of multiple stone arches that was wide enough for fifty men to stand without touching shoulders, Rolf would peer over the side, and drop a copper piece down to the river below.
Nearing the city, Ashe raised his hood to cover his heritage. The party proceeded to a bar where they met a friendly drunk man who resembled the barbarian in stature, but for a full head of greasy locks of hair. Brutus, a struggling gladiator, welcomed them with open arms (and the hope for cheap booze), recommending the crew try attend the gladiator games in the city. Despite a propensity to mispronounce every one's names, the party found him clueless, but non-threatening.
Heading towards an inn for the night, a young thief attempted to steal from Rolf! She was easily caught, yet his looks and charm won the party over somehow, and Babette was taken in, much to the barbarian's chagrin. He was no long enamored by the sparkling civilization, now noticing the filth and disease in every corner.
6 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Rolf, still clutching his papers from William, and the rest made their way to the castle and their audience with King Nevin.
Seated right beside the king was... Archbishop Adolphus??? It appeared that Archbishop never left the city, and would send body doubles to oversee events.
Velandro gave to the Bell of Chardastes and Adolphus was quite please, rewarding each member in attendance one thousand gold pieces (including Babette!)
Upon reading the scrolls from William, King Nevin announced that William would be granted the title of Baron of Eding, until such time as the King could find a viable candidate of Crosedean blood to oversee that small corner of the Kingdom. Despite the needs of the newly established barony, Lady Iris would stay in Hydincall to assist the king and the Knights of Crosedes to investigate and eliminate both the Spider-Person problem, and a growing sect of Akana worshippers claiming the return of the King of Light was nigh.
The trip back to the inn was filled with many stops, as everyone stopped to spend some of their earnings and random magical devices, potions, or just luxury items.
Talis noted that Maloran's luck with ladies seemed to improve in the city, almost rivaling his own consistent streak. Upon the compliment, Maloran paused a moment and declared the group was moving to another inn for the following night. Everything but the drinks would be free!
7 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Everyone traveled to the Hydincall Magic University in the morning. Kannex immediately gained credentials on the spot and was invited to study in the library. The others spent a few gold to get magic items identified by the students. They left Kannex at the University and crossed town to the coliseum to watch the gladiators fight.
That night, they picked up a pleased Kannex from the University, and proceeded to move their belongings from the inn to a different inn Maloran simply called "My Cousin's Place." Indeed, the inn was actually owned by Duane Alberhold, one of Maloran's cousin.
It was also a brothel, as a very pious acting Wrath physically escorted one the employees out of his room.
Talis determined getting chicks at the brothel was too easy, so he went out to a different bar. The bard didn't score with any ladies, but did get a date with a girl who seemed awfully familiar....
8 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The party secured their valuables at the brothel and everyone except Kannex went back to the coliseum for a day of amateur fighting. Ashe did not fare well, but Rolf won his group. Wrath was disqualified due to Talis trying to impress his date. Seated in one of the nobleman's boxes, he tried to cast spells to aid Wrath, but the magical detection installed around the arena caught his act. He was immediately detained and escorted away... The rest of the party was in general seating, and Velandro spied Talis' female companion...
"Isn't that the girl from the Temple of Alasku? With the bright pink bedroom in the middle of a dungeon full of undead? What was her name... Celeste? What in the battlerage of Farmesk is she doing here?"
Talis was immediately labelled a magic cheat and branded on the forehead with a magical rune that only appeared within the limits of the city. He was released outside the arena to hail of curses, sputum, and rotten vegetables. Hydincall liked their gladiators fighting clean.
He was greeted back at the brothel by the cheering chorus of the Dag Family. The kobolds, along with Kane, had traveled down to the capital to reunite with Velandro. Kane filled the rest in on the growing spider-person problem.
9 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Wrath announced that he received an offer to train with a gladiator school in the city, despite Talis' actions. He packed up his belongings and bid them all farewell.
10 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Velandro announced that he received permission to take the Dag Family to a monastery in Ispatlia for formal training. A much more tearful parting took place and they left.
Talis continued to try and get magic spells or training, but the magic rune forced most sages and wizards to shun him.
11 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The remaining group, save Kannex, decided to attend an auction. A small part of the mission to the capital was to pick up some more, or nicer items for the chateau and whatever those bungalows were.
Ashe convinced the others to put together some of their earnings to buy things for the greater good of the party.
Most of the pooled money went towards a fantastic painting. It was a huge oil painting of adventurers looking a map and pointing to some mist covered mountain off into the distance. Sure it was 5,000 gold, but it would look awesome over the mantle in the Chateau's great room.
They also bought a wagon and a team of horses to haul everything back to Eding. They may have lost Lady Iris, Wrath, and Velandro's clan, but they had earned Brutus and the very clingy Babette.
12 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
In the early morning, the wagon half-packed to leave for Eding, no one could find Talis anywhere. Heading back in for more personal items, everyone was startled by explosions down the block. They staggered out to the street to find Talis nonchalantly walking back from the origin of the flames.
It's uncertain why Rolf became so enraged with the philandering bard but a chase ensued. The pair dashed through alleys, over walls, and back into the brothel. The group ran back into the brothel, to (a) catch Talis and (b) prevent Rolf from beating him into a pulp. They only managed to detain the barbarian, as Talis jumped out a window and onto the wagon.
As he turned around, hoping to see an irate barbarian, he saw the building enveloped by a strange green mist, and in an instant, the entire building was gone, only the foundation of the building remained... and a very confused Brutus coming out of the outhouse that had been behind it.
DM Notes: There you have it folks, the completion of the second story (That infernal holy bell), the launch of the spider-people storyline, and an entire brothel of adventurers (and employees) simply vanishing in one of the biggest cities on the continent.
This session ended our "big game" for the semester. Players would be heading back home for the summer, but there were still some people available The arc of episodes will cover the adventures of our Summer adventurers, a brothel, a bright blue outhouse, and a strange creature named Qually.
Three little notes:
First, the magical auction they picked up all their stuff for the Chateau was from "Going Once, Going Twice" from Dungeon #13.
Second, I'll mention him in the notes of later episodes, but I love the stupid simplicity of Brutus the ex-Gladiator. He's barely mentioned in the journal, but he's a loyal meat-shield who can almost remember names. I'm sure he'll call Talis: Ballast, Callus, Dallas, and Talcum, if they travel back together to Eding. Picture him as professional wrestler Razor Ramon.
Finally, I have a very crude map of everything that's transpired thus far, and a few hints for the future. You may notice a bulge in the river north of Eding. That's a lake and quarry that I know I made passing mentions in-game, but not one noted it. That will change after the summer story arc.
NEXT #16 - "O Brothel, Where Art Thou?"
The expedition from Eding had traveled up to the capital. Lady Iris tagged along, as promised.
Rolf Wolfsblood: Bald-headed barbarian from the Plains of Galmar
Ashe - highly skilled elven ranger, still recovering from being half-eaten by a dragon.
Maloran Alberhold - human fighter, ladies man sans charisma.
Talis Makolin - a rakish bard avec charisma
Velandro - pious priest of Akana w/ his kobold acolytes left at home. Possesses Bell of Chardastes
Wrath - Young Holy Warrior with a an ego bigger than his ability.
Kannex (NPC): Mysterious Fire Sorceror from an even more mystrious land.
Lady Iris(NPC): A Red Knight of Crosedes, and recently rescued from the clutches of the spider-people
Rolf was nearly giddy as he got his first view of the city. The King's castle was larger than any town he had ever stepped foot in, and that was dwarfed by the sprawling urban mass spilling out of the city gates. As they crossed Main Bridge, an architectural wonder of multiple stone arches that was wide enough for fifty men to stand without touching shoulders, Rolf would peer over the side, and drop a copper piece down to the river below.
Nearing the city, Ashe raised his hood to cover his heritage. The party proceeded to a bar where they met a friendly drunk man who resembled the barbarian in stature, but for a full head of greasy locks of hair. Brutus, a struggling gladiator, welcomed them with open arms (and the hope for cheap booze), recommending the crew try attend the gladiator games in the city. Despite a propensity to mispronounce every one's names, the party found him clueless, but non-threatening.
Heading towards an inn for the night, a young thief attempted to steal from Rolf! She was easily caught, yet his looks and charm won the party over somehow, and Babette was taken in, much to the barbarian's chagrin. He was no long enamored by the sparkling civilization, now noticing the filth and disease in every corner.
 |
| The Thief Babette |
Rolf, still clutching his papers from William, and the rest made their way to the castle and their audience with King Nevin.
Seated right beside the king was... Archbishop Adolphus??? It appeared that Archbishop never left the city, and would send body doubles to oversee events.
Velandro gave to the Bell of Chardastes and Adolphus was quite please, rewarding each member in attendance one thousand gold pieces (including Babette!)
 |
| The Bell of Chardastes will finally be returned! |
The trip back to the inn was filled with many stops, as everyone stopped to spend some of their earnings and random magical devices, potions, or just luxury items.
Talis noted that Maloran's luck with ladies seemed to improve in the city, almost rivaling his own consistent streak. Upon the compliment, Maloran paused a moment and declared the group was moving to another inn for the following night. Everything but the drinks would be free!
7 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Everyone traveled to the Hydincall Magic University in the morning. Kannex immediately gained credentials on the spot and was invited to study in the library. The others spent a few gold to get magic items identified by the students. They left Kannex at the University and crossed town to the coliseum to watch the gladiators fight.
That night, they picked up a pleased Kannex from the University, and proceeded to move their belongings from the inn to a different inn Maloran simply called "My Cousin's Place." Indeed, the inn was actually owned by Duane Alberhold, one of Maloran's cousin.
It was also a brothel, as a very pious acting Wrath physically escorted one the employees out of his room.
Talis determined getting chicks at the brothel was too easy, so he went out to a different bar. The bard didn't score with any ladies, but did get a date with a girl who seemed awfully familiar....
8 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The party secured their valuables at the brothel and everyone except Kannex went back to the coliseum for a day of amateur fighting. Ashe did not fare well, but Rolf won his group. Wrath was disqualified due to Talis trying to impress his date. Seated in one of the nobleman's boxes, he tried to cast spells to aid Wrath, but the magical detection installed around the arena caught his act. He was immediately detained and escorted away... The rest of the party was in general seating, and Velandro spied Talis' female companion...
"Isn't that the girl from the Temple of Alasku? With the bright pink bedroom in the middle of a dungeon full of undead? What was her name... Celeste? What in the battlerage of Farmesk is she doing here?"
Talis was immediately labelled a magic cheat and branded on the forehead with a magical rune that only appeared within the limits of the city. He was released outside the arena to hail of curses, sputum, and rotten vegetables. Hydincall liked their gladiators fighting clean.
He was greeted back at the brothel by the cheering chorus of the Dag Family. The kobolds, along with Kane, had traveled down to the capital to reunite with Velandro. Kane filled the rest in on the growing spider-person problem.
9 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Wrath announced that he received an offer to train with a gladiator school in the city, despite Talis' actions. He packed up his belongings and bid them all farewell.
10 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Velandro announced that he received permission to take the Dag Family to a monastery in Ispatlia for formal training. A much more tearful parting took place and they left.
Talis continued to try and get magic spells or training, but the magic rune forced most sages and wizards to shun him.
11 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The remaining group, save Kannex, decided to attend an auction. A small part of the mission to the capital was to pick up some more, or nicer items for the chateau and whatever those bungalows were.
Ashe convinced the others to put together some of their earnings to buy things for the greater good of the party.
- 50g -6 full length woolen cloaks
- 50g - 2 crimson robes
- 10g - 2 pair boots
- 500g - china dishes
- 50g - crystal goblets
- 150g - 3 floor rugs
- 40g - vase
- 15 - casks of white wine
- 50 - casks of red wine
- 50 - brewing supplies
Most of the pooled money went towards a fantastic painting. It was a huge oil painting of adventurers looking a map and pointing to some mist covered mountain off into the distance. Sure it was 5,000 gold, but it would look awesome over the mantle in the Chateau's great room.
 |
| A poor rendition of the fancy oil painting. |
12 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
In the early morning, the wagon half-packed to leave for Eding, no one could find Talis anywhere. Heading back in for more personal items, everyone was startled by explosions down the block. They staggered out to the street to find Talis nonchalantly walking back from the origin of the flames.
It's uncertain why Rolf became so enraged with the philandering bard but a chase ensued. The pair dashed through alleys, over walls, and back into the brothel. The group ran back into the brothel, to (a) catch Talis and (b) prevent Rolf from beating him into a pulp. They only managed to detain the barbarian, as Talis jumped out a window and onto the wagon.
As he turned around, hoping to see an irate barbarian, he saw the building enveloped by a strange green mist, and in an instant, the entire building was gone, only the foundation of the building remained... and a very confused Brutus coming out of the outhouse that had been behind it.
DM Notes: There you have it folks, the completion of the second story (That infernal holy bell), the launch of the spider-people storyline, and an entire brothel of adventurers (and employees) simply vanishing in one of the biggest cities on the continent.
This session ended our "big game" for the semester. Players would be heading back home for the summer, but there were still some people available The arc of episodes will cover the adventures of our Summer adventurers, a brothel, a bright blue outhouse, and a strange creature named Qually.
Three little notes:
First, the magical auction they picked up all their stuff for the Chateau was from "Going Once, Going Twice" from Dungeon #13.
Second, I'll mention him in the notes of later episodes, but I love the stupid simplicity of Brutus the ex-Gladiator. He's barely mentioned in the journal, but he's a loyal meat-shield who can almost remember names. I'm sure he'll call Talis: Ballast, Callus, Dallas, and Talcum, if they travel back together to Eding. Picture him as professional wrestler Razor Ramon.
| Give him some chain mail and a bastard sword, and you have Brutus. |
NEXT #16 - "O Brothel, Where Art Thou?"
To be honest, I don't remember this session at all so I can't tell you why Rolf wanted to pulverize Talis.
ReplyDeleteThere was a magic shoppe that piqued Rolf's interest. May have involved deposits on magic potions, or some arrangement with a very skittish mage.
ReplyDeleteTalis gets wind of things, visits the shoppe, and it just happens to be coming from there with smoke billowing behind him.
That may have affected the barbarian's emotions, but it didn't make the journal.
Or he tired of group members that can't keep their swords sheathed; either way it was almost 20 years ago and I can't remember what I did yesterday. 😁
ReplyDelete