WhtKnt |
This will be the gameplay thread for Throne of Bloodstone.
WhtKnt |
The adventure begins, as so many do, in a tavern. The Inn of Clowns is where you have gathered, brought to the land of Damara and more specifically, Bloodstone Pass, by the promise of adventure. And what greater lure for such as you, paragons among your peers, than that? The evening shadows grow long as you arrive, and the warmth from the fire within is welcoming.
The innkeeper, a bear of a man, greets you warmly. "Good eve and well met, friends. How may I be of service to you?" The common room is fairly empty, with only a few tables occupied, mostly by what appear to be farmers.
Cha'Tima Achak |
Tima strides in and plops himself in a chair, taking a moment to relax and rub his temples. While not physically drained due to his odd modes of travel, Tima feels mentally exhausted.
Cha'Tima usually travels either as an Incorporeal creature or by teleporting short distances. Because walking is for wimps.
Feeling a bit better a moment later, he calls back to the innkeeper.
"I'll have a mug of whatever you have on tap, and whatever you have on the fire. I'm not picky. Bread and cheese is fine if you've got nothing else."
He scans the room.
"Not too busy tonight. Is it usually like this?"
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
A rather plain-looking man enters the tavern, scans the room, grabs a seat at an open table, and says "Evening. I'll take a beer and some stew if you have any, with some bread if it isn't that old or hard."
The Mitral armor he's wearing seems almost out of place on him, as he looks like someone who should be scribing books in a library. Unsurprisingly, he pulls out a book and begins reading.
Cathryn Dayshaun |
A lady finds herself in, the clothing she wears is simple, a brown cloak with a hood covering her reddish hair, which seems to almost shine when the light catches it. Her emerald green eyes scans the room, taking the setting in. Her stride befits someone with a purpose on their mind. Covering her simple attire though is mithral fullplate, that has been darkened through some process, on its front stands the Symbol of Tyr.
Of the various items she carries, a pair of Longswords mark her hips with a large Lucerne hammer and bow across her back.
She notices the scant few, nodding to any that catch her gaze, in the Inn before settling herself into a chair near the front of the room.
Hearing the barkeep.
"A pleasure to meet you friend, food and drink of any kind will do for the moment. Information on the state of things in the Pass would be appreciated as well."
She speaks in a clear, direct, almost commanding voice. Though her tone is relatively pleasant all the same.
Cha'Tima Achak |
"I spoke too soon. Looks like business is picking up." Tima remarks, glancing at the newcomers with his one good eye as he lounges in his chair, arms slung over the back.
Taking in their equipment, he remarks "I imagine you're all here for the same reason I am? Unless there's a war brewing I hadn't heard about."
Valonzo Wescott |
Floating gently to the ground on leathery wings, the dragon lands outside of the Inn of Clowns, touching down with the sound of talons on cobblestones. Standing on its hind legs, it begins to warp and twist, and in a flash of flesh, it assumes the blurry, distorted form of a young man dressed in eastern garb and a strange three-faced mask.
Removing his mask, and then some goggles he was wearing under it, he reveals dark hair and eyes glowing with blue light the equal to any candle. He removes a few weapons and places them in his pack, as well as the cloak. mask, and goggles he was wearing. A small rock orbits his head as the man enters the Inn, his thin frame draped in blues, reds, and golds.
He pauses at the entrance, scanning the room briefly.
Cha'Tima Achak |
That reminds me, I should probably describe Cha'Tima. I always forget people can't see my mental picture.
Cha'Tima is a tall swarthy man with hawk-like features. At first glance he appears to have feathers braided into his long black hair, but closer inspection reveals they're actually growing from his scalp. Perhaps his most striking feature is his right eye, or lack thereof. Tima deigns not to wear an eye patch, revealing an eerie blue glow emanating from the sunken hole in his head.
He dresses simply, garbed mostly in a simple (if made of fine, sturdy material) tunic and breaches, glittering gold bracers engraved with the image of a hawk flying against the sun being his most ostentatious adornment. His bow likewise is simple in design, made of a dark wood, though closer inspection reveals faintly carved runes covering every inch of exposed surface.
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"I appearantly was not alone in hearing that someone needs help. My name is Rowan. Nice to meet you." Says the scholarly looking man as he closes his book. You notice as he does that the spine is a book entitled "Notable Adventurers of the modern age" before it is deftly returned to his pack and moving his dinner over to Cha'Tima's table. "Mind if I join you?"
Cha'Tima Achak |
"Nice to meet you too. And knock yourself out. Name's Cha'Tima. Most people just call me Tima."
"That a good read?"
Valonzo Wescott |
Wescott lets out a low whistle, clicking his knuckles in his left hand. He then smiles, approaching the bar. "Good day, a fine establishment you have here. When you get a moment, some meat and wine, or whatever passes hereabouts." He sits at the bar, turning around to watch the room with those shining blue eyes.
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"I was just familiarizing myself with people I could be working with. I figure we probably won't get Drizz't or Elminster, but you have a chapter in there."
Once again, Rowan produces the book and deftly flips to the section that is entitled "Spirit Walker." "Here you are." He then offers the book to Tima.
WhtKnt |
"I'll have a mug of whatever you have on tap, and whatever you have on the fire. I'm not picky. Bread and cheese is fine if you've got nothing else."
He scans the room.
"Not too busy tonight. Is it usually like this?"
"No, this is a bit unusual. Normally, we don't see so many travelers." He smiles at his jest. "What brings you folk to our little village?"
His words are not lost on you. Bloodstone Pass is the only reasonable crossing point through the Galena Mountains in Northeast Faerûn and acts as a trade route between Damara and Vaasa. Due to the extremely impassable terrain that constitutes the majority of the mountain range, the pass is the easiest route and is of great strategic importance to both Damara and Vaasa. It is in the Barony of Bloodstone and Bloodstone Village, the Bloodstone Mines, Lake Midai, Waukeshire, the Vaasan Gate, Windless, and Virdin are all in the pass.
WhtKnt |
Wescott lets out a low whistle, clicking his knuckles in his left hand. He then smiles, approaching the bar. "Good day, a fine establishment you have here. When you get a moment, some meat and wine, or whatever passes hereabouts." He sits at the bar, turning around to watch the room with those shining blue eyes.
"Very well, meat and wine for the table. I can't help but feel that the presence of so many strangers has meaning."
Valonzo Wescott |
"Especially considering the combined might assembled." Wescott smiles, moving over to the table where Warlord and Tima sit. "Greetings, fellow travelers. A night like this calls for shared wine and stories, does it not?"
Amarilis Whitewolf |
A tall young woman enters the room. She has dark brown hair, braided in some points, and eyes of the same color. Her tanned skin suggests a life spent on the roads, but she is clearly a northerner. She wears a finely made chainmail and a cloak apparently made of the pelt of a white wolf. At her back, she carries a beautiful two-bladed sword with curved blades remembering the claws of an animal.
Amarilis carries half a dozen hares in her hands, already skinned. She walks in the midst of the new costumers, paying close attention to them, only stopping to speak with the bartender.
"Hello again, my friend! How many years since the last time I passed here? One or two right?"
She hands him the hares.
"I found these beauties on my way here and remembered of that amazing stew that I ate here the last time... do you think you could make it again? Looks like I’ll spend the night here. For now, just a mug of that fine ale you hide for the regulars, ok?"
Amarilis turns her attention to the other customers. Tima, Rowan, Cathryn and even Wescott?
What are they doing here?
"Well, that is weird... Do you know each other? I hope you are not here to bring trouble to the good people of Bloodstone."
Forgot that we might know each other, so edited my post so at least Amarilis knows everyone, making this mission less weird!
Cha'Tima Achak |
"I was just familiarizing myself with people I could be working with. I figure we probably won't get Drizz't or Elminster, but you have a chapter in there."
Once again, Rowan produces the book and deftly flips to the section that is entitled "Spirit Walker." "Here you are." He then offers the book to Tima.
Tima chuckles with his rough voice.
"They actually got most of this stuff right. If a bit exaggerrated sometimes."
He turns the book on its side, holds it with one hand, and lets the pages flip through, scanning it. He stops it at one point and reads.
"So you're the Warlord, then? Never knew you went by a different name. I've heard your group takes on some crazy missions. The rest of them still kicking around?"
I'm assuming the book is ever so slightly out of date, as these things usually are.
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Tima looks up when the innkeeper addresses him, and prepares to answer...
...But his player is somewhat unsure. Why ARE we here? In this specific place, I mean. What significance does it hold for our larger mission?
-------------------------------------------------
After that:
"I wouldn't say we all know each other, but we're getting to. But how have you been Whitewolf? it's been a while."
Amarilis Whitewolf |
"I wouldn't say we all know each other, but we're getting to. But how have you been Whitewolf? it's been a while."
"Well, you know, one thing I can't complain is about the job... Things are getting darker, don't know why."
She thinks for a while, trying to figure out how much time has passed since she last met Tima.
"Yeah, that last time got a bit dangerous right? I still have the scar in my hip... Oh, and I finished my sword! Its called the Wolf's Fang... I know, not too original but yah know, it fits... here, take a look!"
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"Yes, some people call me by that name. I prefer Rowan. It tends to attract less attention then calling myself 'The Warlord of The Seven Armies.' Besides, I don't really have the physique for the whole general thing; My parents were sheppards after all." Glancing back at the book, he adds "They never seem to get that part right."
"Unfortunately, I'm the last member of the seven armies still around. We took work for a Orc warlord, against my opinion might I add, and he didn't like it when we told him we were leaving. It took me a couple of years, but I managed to get my revenge."
Turning to the newcomer, Rowan adds "Greeting Ms. Whitewolf. They make you a chieftain yet?"
"As for why we are here, I'm not sure. I got the urge to hit the road and this is where I found myself. I do hear they have good stew here, and this is one of the few paths through the mountains. I just came in myself, and then Master Achak and I were getting acquainted."
Cha'Tima Achak |
"Sorry to hear that. You never quite get used to losing friends like that." he raises his mug in a slight toast, and downs it.
Cathryn Dayshaun |
Cathryn eyes the growing crowd somewhat puzzled, hearing names of great importance thrown about, before catching Amarilis's glance as the other walks in.
In Tyr's name, Amarilis? Well things seem to be getting quite interesting.
Seeing the others gather around Cha'Tima's table, Cathryn stands graciously before striding across the room to join the others.
She waits patiently for a moment to introduce herself.
"My dearest Amarilis, it has been too long. I pray that your battles fare well." Cathryn's eyes glint a little, perhaps in acknowledgement of a certain rivalry or with respect of a fellow warrior.
Turning to the others, she smiles cordially, lowering her hood, as her red gleaming, almost metallic, hair and jade eyes become apparent. "I don't believe I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you, my name is Cathryn, Cathryn Dayshaun. I am a servant of Tyr. Pray, mind you if I might sit?"
Cha'Tima Achak |
"Cha'Tima Achak, Tima to everyone here."
He gets up for the first time and drags another empty table over, putting it together with the current one.
"It was getting cramped over here. Feel free to pull up a chair."
Went with the assumption that every table here seats around 4 people.
Amarilis Whitewolf |
"What's this thing made of? Looks like bone, feels like steel."
"It is indeed steel, but forged... differently!"
Turning to the newcomer, Rowan adds "Greeting Ms. Whitewolf. They make you a chieftain yet?"
"No, no, thanks to Uthgar. I am done with those crazy skinwalkers... let them feast on themselves until the end of the days! But it is nice to see you again."
She waits patiently for a moment to introduce herself.
"My dearest Amarilis, it has been too long. I pray that your battles fare well." Cathryn's eyes glint a little, perhaps in acknowledgement of a certain rivalry or with respect of a fellow warrior.
"Of course my battles fared well, Cathryn, you still remember how I fight right?" Amarilis laughts, still unable to resist a friendly competition.
"I am Doppel" says Doppel slowly, his eyes still transfixed on the fire.
"Don't mind him... he will talk to you, at the right time."
WhtKnt |
The innkeeper returns with your requested food and drink and sets it before you. Deciding to be a little less subtle, he asks, "So, what brings you here?"
Cathryn Dayshaun |
"A pleasure to meet you Tima."
@Amarilis
But of course, it's hard to forget the fury you bring to a battlefield."
Turning to the innkeeper before accepting her food and drink.
"Thank you sir, you have my gratitude.
Personally I am here on word of Diviners in service of Tyr. They were unable to give specifics, just that the fate's suggested the area to be of great interest and worth investigating. Beyond that I cannot tell you much."
Valonzo Wescott |
"Ah, thank you." Wescott says to the bartender, turning his head slightly three times. "As to what brought me here, yet another rejection from Tazmikella..." he smiles twice "..has set me on the road again seeking more experience."
Turning to the group, he places three gold coins on the table, takes them off, and places them again, face down. Then he scoops them up, giving them to the bartender. He clears his throat. "Although it is rare these days for me to assume this form, in it I am called Valonzo Wescott."
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"Good to see you as well." says Rowan to Amarilis. When Doppel makes his rather cryptic statement, Rowan chuckles and says "Tis true. The dude abides, or so I've heard it said."
"A pleasure to meet you Messner Wescott. You may call me Rowan."
Rowan shakes his head and then says "With so many adventurers in an inn (pardon the pun) I wonder when the old man will come staggering in complaining of orcs attacking his farm, or an army of the undead from the local dungeon."
Cha'Tima Achak |
The innkeeper returns with your requested food and drink and sets it before you. Deciding to be a little less subtle, he asks, "So, what brings you here?"
"We're here for the adventure of a lifetime. I can feel it in my bones on this one: We'll change history, or die trying."
Cathryn Dayshaun |
"Well, I would prefer not to die trying... Let's just leave it at the changing history bit shall we?"
Cathryn chuckles a little before turning to Rowan, Landsknetch, and Valonzo.
"A pleasure to meet you each.
Pray tell me Valonzo, what sort of form do you regularly take then? You have my curiosity."
Valonzo Wescott |
"Something like this." he transforms into a medium-sized copper dragon in an instant. Twitching his nose, he transforms from copper to bronze, bronze to silver, [/b]"or one of these."[/b]
Returning to human form with a twitch of his nose, he smiles, saying "Or bigger forms, depending on the need. But I prefer the scale and wing over lesser forms. The roiling in my blood seems quieter when so incased."
Cathryn Dayshaun |
Cathryn stares for a moment, not outright surprised, she had seen many things more surprising in her time, but all the same, that was not what she was expecting.
"Well, that is quite impressive. Seems like it would be a rather handy thing to do. Though most people must find that more than a little unsettling, no? I must admit, drawing my blade crossed my mind in that first instant."
Valonzo Wescott |
"Most people find quite a bit about me unsettling, I'm afraid." Wescott admits. "But when one has chaos crawling through one's blood, you get used to swords being drawn." he shrugs.
"Still, it's worth all that to be able to soar through the skies, to see the Realms through the eyes of so majestic a creature." he smiles. "If you like sometime, I could show you what I mean."
WhtKnt |
The barkeep watches impassively as Valonzo changes form. He seems genuinely impressed, but not surprised or startled. Instead, he takes a chair and turns it around, sitting backward in the seat.
"Heroes you are, then. I guess that you'll do." He rises and crosses the room to a door that leads to the kitchen, presumably. "My lord..."
All of the other patrons of the tavern come to their feet, standing at attention. Two of them proceed to the entrance, stepping outside and assuming a guard position.
A tall, handsome man enters the room, wearing royal finery and the crest of Bloodstone. The innkeeper bows before him. Beside the richly-dressed man are a beautiful blonde woman in her mid-twenties and an elderly man wearing the robes of a scholar.
The innkeeper smiles broadly. "May I present Baron Tranth, Baron of Bloodstone. This," he says, indicating the young woman, "Is the Lady Christine, and this," indicating the elderly man, "Is Quillan, chief advisor to Baron Tranth. I am Stephan, humble innkeeper, and loyal citizen of Bloodstone."
"Hardly a mere innkeeper, Stephan," the Baron replies. "Few others have my ear in the way that you do."
"You flatter me, my lord," Stephan says with another flourished bow.
The Baron takes a seat at your table. "I will be succinct, my friends. Bloodstone is in dire need of assistance. Of late, we have been plagued by war against the neighboring country of Vassa. Through consultation of wise men, use of the mystic arts, and the craft of military intelligence, we now know that our opponent is in league with powerful demons. We suspect the Prince of the Undead, Orcus, whose name I shudder to even mention. Zhengyi, the Witch-King of Vaasa, is obviously a minion of that fell demon. The Witch-King's army consists largely of undead. We cannot cross the Ford of Goliad without being at a great disadvantage; if they crossed the ford first we could prevail in battle, but they show no signs of such foolishness, more is the pity."
"We have been seeking adventurers both brave and powerful enough to enter the castle of the Witch-King in the north of Vaasa, penetrate its secrets, learn the role of Orcus in this matter, an destroy the source of this evil once and for all."
"There is virtually no limit to the reward we would pay to rid ourselves of this evil, but there is virtually no limit to the dangers you may encounter in the castle. Come, let us discuss this matter together. Stephan, your finest!"
Stephan disappears into the kitchen, only to return carrying a keg of liquid. He taps the keg, which is labeled as brandy, and distributes a mug to everyone, starting with the Baron.
"Tell me, how can we convince you to aid us?" the Baron asks, taking a sip.
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"So to sum up, you want us to cross into Vaasa, march through an army of the living dead, and kill one of the most powerful beings in the modern age. Does that about sum it up?"
Cha'Tima Achak |
"So to sum up, you want us to cross into Vaasa, march through an army of the living dead, and kill one of the most powerful beings in the modern age. Does that about sum it up?"
"Exciting, isn't it?" Tima says, and smiles.
"Come on, isn't this exactly the reason we're here? What better adventure than trying to kill a GOD?"
Amarilis Whitewolf |
"Tell me, how can we convince you to aid us?" the Baron asks, taking a sip.
"IF I agree, and that is a big IF, since I'll need the help of everyone in this table, I'll want nothing for myself."
She waits a couple of moments to her words get the proper weight, then continues.
"I know this mission is not only important for Bloodstone, but for all Damara and the condition I ask will affect the whole kingdom. The Dalelands are not the peaceful and idyllic place that once was. The shadows are spreading and when the time comes, I need your word that Damara will come in aid. I know this is not a simple request, but neither is yours."
Valonzo Wescott |
"Simple. My weight in diamond dust." He smiles, but his tone is serious. "My current weight." his face pulses as if something crawls under its skin. "Not the weight I can bring to bear. I'd offer to do it for free as well, but diamond dust fuels so many of my needs, I don't usually enjoy being broiled in politics, and it is not often I have the resources of an entire barony offered."
Cha'Tima Achak |
The Warlord of The Seven Armies wrote:"So to sum up, you want us to cross into Vaasa, march through an army of the living dead, and kill one of the most powerful beings in the modern age. Does that about sum it up?""Exciting, isn't it?" Tima says, and smiles.
"Come on, isn't this exactly the reason we're here? What better adventure than trying to kill a GOD?"
Tima sobers a bit, and thinks.
"But on a more practical note, we'll be behind enemy lines for a long time. We need supplies, especially healing items and stuff to use to remove harmful effects. I imagine we'll be facing a lot of vampires, wraiths, and shadows, among less savory things, so we need all the help we can get."
"Can you arrange that? Some of that magic is very expensive in wand and scroll form."
"Or even something that would get us into a safe place to rest. I've been on some cushy demiplanes before. That's probably asking for to much though."
Cathryn Dayshaun |
Hearing the words as they are spoken, Cathryn takes interest briefly in the beginning but her eyes quickly turn to fire at the mention of Demon's and especially show at the mention of Orcus.
"I have dedicated my entire life to fighting Demons and their ilk. Such fiends are horrible creatures that are a blight upon existence. I would accept no payment for any services rendered." her hand tightens on the table as her voice intensifies slightly "Orcus of all things huh? The undead as well!? No I would not accept anything. I'll see them destroyed."
Cathryn pauses hearing Tima's suggestion on equipment.
"He speaks truth, I would journey into the Abyss and back for a chance to rid existence of a being like Orcus, but going into an army of undead of the likes you speak of is tantamount to suicide without proper preparation. "
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
After listening to everyone else respond, Rowan will sigh and say "Well, I was headed into Vaasa anyway, so I guess this won't be too far out of the way. Besides, I'd hate to think that you all went there and died because I wasn't there to stop it."
"As far as payment goes, I want your country to take in any refugees that flee Vaasa, especially once we get started. You'll obviously need to be vigilant for signs of treachery, but I want you to feed and provide living space for any refugees we send your way, as well as tending to their wounds and making sure that those who want training find it free of cost. Understand that if we succeed at this, and I come back to find that you've enslaved, or basically enslaved, the refugees, I will not be happy."
WhtKnt |
"Certainly the refugees will be welcomed and well-cared for. As for facing down an army, we do not expect that even of heroes such as yourselves. Rather, we would see you bypass the armies to take the fight directly to the witch-king's citadel. We can supply a few goods that will assist, but we have not much in the way of powerful magics, else we would do this task ourselves."
Cathryn Dayshaun |
"That makes sense, I didn't really suspect you to have anything too powerful, I'm starting to get the sense that everyone here knows their way about things anyways. Strange coincidence."
Cathrun lightly grips the onyx black hilt of the Longsword on her hip as she speaks. Seems the Diviner's still know their stuff.
The Warlord of The Seven Armies |
"If you can bring us what healing items you can spare, some travel supplies, and horses for everyone who needs them, we should be okay. Unless someone has a better travel plan for us." Says Rowan as he turns to the group. "We should probably start discussing our strategy. Stephan, do you have a room that we could use, as well as any maps you might have of Vaasa? We will need to discuss a route and other things.."