[5E D&D AL] Kip84 runs: DDEX1-4 Dues for the Dead (Inactive)

Game Master Kip84

Please dot this thread so the campaign is linked to your campaigns tab :)

Gameplay will begin as soon as characters are finalised.

Rakish walks in, looks around, and settles down.

He is armed with axes. Two hand axes and a battle axe, all currently sheathed. His shield looks to be made from a black dragon scale. On his back is a longbow and a quiver full of arrows.

Like all lizardfolk, his hide is strong and he doesn't need armor. Despite this, he wears leather armor as a means of fitting in to society a bit better.

Garth Stormwind enters the room. He's a young human male, although at first glance you could be forgiven for mistaking him for old. A few strands of red still appear here and there in his greyish white hair and full beard, still his youth is easy to determine with a little examination.

He's armed with a longbow, a quiver of arrows, and twin shortswords, while he wears scale mail armor.

So yeah, game play is gonna start anyway :D

A young elven lass practically bounces into the game, her long blonde hair done up in a braid woven with flowers, and a grin splitting her fair featured face. Some leather armor peaks out from her clothes, implying she has at least taken some care towards her safety, and a few small daggers are visible, though it clearly looks as if they haven't seen much/any use.

Pausing for a moment, she looks back outside and yells something in a foreign tongue:

A low gutteral growl emanates from the throat of the lizardfolk. It's uncertain if it is intentional. He eyes the woman, taking in the sight of flesh and bone. His clear tertiary eyelid flashes horizontally across his eyes, keeping them freshly wet.

The fates bring an ally. Rakish will accept. The ally will sit. The ally will drink. The ally will tell Rakish of it - her self.

At the reference to an ally, Sera squeals with glee, either missing or ignoring the preceding growl. Well, as I said, my names Sera. Grew up in a merchants caravan, which is where I got my appraisal eye. Her eyes grow wide as she realizes she just treated Rakish like an animal at market. Oh dear, I am so so sorry for saying those things to you, about you, reviewing you. When I see something new and interesting it just kinda happens.

Noticing Garth, she exhales with noticeable relief. Good sir, care to join us with sitting and drinking? Please say yes and save me from myself!! she thinks, trying her best not to turn on sad puppydog eyes.

Even though the cloak and cowl is obviously meant to hide the tiefling's heritage, it doesn't quite work. He leans forward, his wide black eyes surrounded by gray skin and scales and framed by jet black hair. "This might be interesting after all." He picks up his glass and takes sip. He makes it seem like the last sip of the tastiest nectar he's ever had.

Sahil walks in and looks around. He wears scale mail which has seen better days, two hand-crossbows at his sides, and a rugged backpack. The hilt of his rapier looks new, as if it has seen no use so far.

A stout human comes in through the door. He wears heavy armor, a shield on his back. If he was a little shorter, you'd think he was a dwarf! The man goes to the barkeep and orders an ale with a bit of a dwarvish brogue... Maybe he is a dwarf after all? Nah, you think, he doesn't even have a beard, though he's sporting some impressive sideburns.

He looks over the room and nods to the obvious adventurers, raising his mug with a broad grin!

The fates bring more allies. We will drink and eat and speak of shared goals.

Raksih turns to the not-dwarf sitting at the bar, You will join us. Sit. Eat. Speak.

The man smiles and takes a seat, setting his warhammer to stand on the floor at his side, "The name's Ironjoy, Beryl Ironjoy, from Good Mead."

Sera giggles as the sturdy man introduces himself. Wow, your parents must have been mean to make your forename and surname the same, Ironjoy. Can I call you Joy for short?

Sad over the rejected offer to Garth, she shouts out to the others, Hey you, interesting people, other interesting people are chatting, you should join us!

"Hah! Lass, most of the lads call me Ironjoy the surname gifted to me by me surrogate family! You can call me Beryl," he replies with a laugh and a wink. "What d'I call ye?"

Ok Beary, My names Seraphyna Bell, but that's a lot to say, so most just say Sera. That one there who really likes to drink and eat is Rakish. looking around, she adds, Any idea where we are, or why we're here?

"I'm sure that all will be made known in time, Seraphyna. Until then, let us continue to get acquainted with one another, shall we?"

"Lass, this here's Phlan. If'n yer here about that posting outside, we be heading to the graveyard cross town. The death priest's got a job fer folk like us," Beryl looks around, "Are ya all up to task?"

EDIT: In the recruitment thread, the DM has a short intro. That is what I am referring to.

The game shall begin properly on Monday evening (Aussie EDT, Middle of Sunday night in America)

You've each seen the bill, posted on trees along the roads in and out of Phlan and around town as well.

WANTED:

Holy Knights, Blessed Warriors of the Gods, and other bold slayers of the Undead. Reward commensurate with risk. For particulars, contact Doomguide Yovir Glandon at Valhingen Graveyard, City of Phlan at the third bell after noon.

You've made your way to the busy Cracked Crown inn to get some lunch and pass the time till the time of the meeting. You spot several other adventurer looking folk around the bustling common room, there's even a Lizardfolk warrior, whom the other patrons are steering clear of.

If you clink on the link: "DDEX1-4 Maps" in my tag line it should direct you to a google slides page that has a map of Phlan and also another map... you should be able to move your own token (if your tokens not there, don't worry it will be soon.) If you can't move your token or you'd just prefer not to that ok, just give a general description of where you'd like to be and I'll move it for you.

I use google slides because I can make an edit the maps easily on my tablet or smartphone with the google slides app. It's worked very well in my Star Wars game.

"The graveyard's not far, just across the plaza and the river. Me kin say 'tis bad luck ta leave without finishing yer drink though, so we'll finish this 'afore headin' out," the man laughs as he takes a pull from his tankard.

"Tiefling, what'd be yer name? The lads back home call me Ironjoy, if'n ye didn't hear me talkin' to the lass," he smiles and looks to the lizardfolk, "And ye, lizardman?"

...there's even a Lizardfolk warrior, whom the other patrons are steering clear of.

If you're talking about me, then the other patrons are clearly not avoiding the lizardfolk.

"And ye, lizardman?"

Rakish, the brown color scaled lizardfolk says, with a single roll to the R.

"Well met, Rakish! Have not met yer kind afore. Glad to meet ye!"

I think he meant the 'normal' patrons. ;)

The tiefling doing a bad job of hiding his infernal heritage speaks up. "He is not the only one sitting at the table, human." He pulls out some dice. "How about a friendly game of Liar's Dice to while away the time?"

Garth nods at Sera and finally answers her. "Sorry, as my words were traveling from my mind to my tongue, a black cat crossed their path and they had to take a much longer route to get there."

The bearded youth shakes his head. "Bad luck to let a black cat cross your path, don't you know." Garth nods his head to the others who have gathered. "I'm Garth Stormwind and I'm here about the handbill as well."

As the server puts a mug in front of him it's easy to see that the contents are steaming water and not alcohol. Garth drops a few herbs into the water and the smell of mint comes from the drink. "I've no moral objection to beer, ale, mead, or any other alcohol, but when the future is uncertain I'd rather drink something that will clear my head than cloud it."

Sera quietly takes the scene in, content that the group has begun conversing over just staring at each other. Folk are meant to talk and quiet just aint right she thinks, before spiraling off into debating with herself if her thoughts go around a black cat or not.

Rakish orders meat, bone in. He seems to care little for what kind of meat, nor does he care for how well it it cooked. His primary concern is the length and heft of the bone.

Afterwards consuming the meat, he examines the bone, turning it this way and that. He gives it a good lick to clean it off, then he starts carving into it with a curved knife, the sharp edge on the inside of the curve.

Artisan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

After about an hour, the long bone has been crafted into a well made bone club, complete with a leather wrapping around the handle and a balance good enough to be used as a weapon. Rakish then starts carving scrimshaw into the bone, eventually detailing a scene of a man defeating walking skeletons. The entire process takes hours, but the vast majority of the time is spent on decorations. It only took a single hour to craft the bone into a workable club.

As he works, he listens to what the other converse, occasionally speaking himself.

By the time they are ready to leave, Rakish hands the weapon to Garth. Rakish says in a croaking voice, This brings destruction to the walking dead. This helps you in our endeavours.

Note: Lizardfolk have a racial ability to harvest weapons and armor from their kills. They can make a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts/blowgun needles in one short rest (an hour). I've also chosen artisan tools so Rakish could have proficiency in decorating the items he makes from bodies.

As for who he gave the weapon to; I picked the lowest level martial character in the group. :)

"Na, never can say no to a good ale," Sahil throws in as he joins the conversation. "Hope the walking dead are not pure bones, arrows might just go through..." he adds, padding his crossbows.

"Weren't meanin' no offense, shrouded one," Ironjoy chuckles, "The lizard's just such an oddity, it even detracts from yerself, eh?" Sorry, I assumed we were all spread about the room. Only expected Sera and Rakish to be at the same table.

The clan crafter waves down a barmaid and presses pair of gold coins into her hand, "Drinks fer the table, and some meat and cheeses ta go with it. Me thanks, lass!"

EDIT: "Well met, Stormwind! Do ye hail from Icewind Dale? Ye look like ye might be from the Tribesmen?"

Looking at Sahil, "What might yer name be?"

"The name is Reis, Sahil Reis!"

Did I miss a trend when parents named peoples forenames the same as their surname, or is this just a way to introduce yourselves that is intending to confuse others? asks Sera quizzically. It just seems like saying part of your name twice is redundant and maybe even unnecessary! she adds with a mischievous smile.

"Thank you for the gift, Rakish. " says Garth. "A fine club it is and it might indeed be the perfect weapon against the right foe."

Garth continues drinking his mint tea, and will eat any food put before him.

"Nay, lass. We introduce the name we would normally be referred to by first. Then by custom, we say our full name. Do ye not do the same amongst the elf-folk?" Ironjoy says with a laugh.

"Well met, Reis! Have a drink on me!" The warrior looks at the man with an appraising eye, "Ye look like ye've seen some action."

I wasn't raised amongst "elf folk", as you put it. I was raised amongst a caravan, where we were upfront and forthright with each other. We never repeated our names like that. Honestly, the only time I can think of prior to this where I heard people introduce themselves as such were the stories of a Harper spy who was often found bedding noble women and his daring escapes from their spouses. She immediately scrunches her eyes in mock focus, You're not a Harper spy trying to bed the innkeeper are you?

"I'd say he looks the part. And his name, Ironjoy, rather suggestive. Like something one would hear in a bard's tale. Plus the inkeep does have a sultry air about him."

Ironjoy laughs heartily, "Ya got me, the Harper spy here for the Innkeeper, and her shapely form! Call me what ye wish, and I will do me best not ta disappoint!"

Time draws on as the group of adventurers traded names, jokes and jibes, slowly getting to know one another. Finishing his meal, Rakish cleaned a large bone checking its weight and beginning to carve it into the shape of a club before finally adding fine detail with small carving tools.

The portly barman gave the the group a puzzled look as he passed catching something about the short heavily armoured human being here to "bed the innkeeper"...

Eventually it's almost time for the meeting, the second bell seems long past and it's time to head through the town square and north across the river to the graveyard for the meeting with Doomguide Yovir Glandon

Valhingen Graveyyard looks more like a park than a cemetery and stands in stark contrast to the ramshackle, half-built Phlan. Gravel walkways wend between tall trees, well-tended beds of shrubs and flowers, sturdy mausoleums, and rows of headstones, monuments, and commemorative statues. You need only a few moments to spot a man and a woman dressed in simple, home-spun grey robes trimming shrubs and pulling weeds from between gravestones. They bid you good afternoon and introduce themselves as Drolo and Fedya, cleric's of Kelemvor. When it becomes apparent that your group is here to enquire about the Undead problem they grow morose and point out a small stone chapel where Yovir Glandon can be found.

As you approach the chapel you hear the rasp of straw against stone. Stepping through a plain archway you see a thin, human male of middle age, with a shaved head and a well-trimmmed beard, streaked with grey. He is dressed in a grass-stained grey robe with twigs and leaves tangled around the frayed hem, sweeping leaves out of the simple stone chapel with a worn-out broom. As you approach, he stops sweeping and turns his deep-set, blue eyes in your direction. “Hello there,” he says in a surprisingly resonant voice, “What service can Kelemvor’s Faithful provide for you today?”

Rakish grabs the notice on the way out of the bar. Upon being asked by the priest, he holds up the sign and says, This notice brings us to clear the undead problem. His voice is gravelly, like when a human loses their voice to a bad cold or a long night at a concert.

"We can take care of it for you."

Beryl smiles and watches the others, giving a nod to the priest, "Aye, what be yer problem, that ye'd need ratcatchers like us ta deal with?"

The tiefling nods in agreement with what the others have said.

Sera stays behind the group as they traverse the square and graveyard, her attitude unusually somber. She nods as Rakish states their plan, but then scrunches up her nose when Beryl speaks, We're here for undead abominations, not rats. she whispers quietly.

Beryl flashes Seraphyna a broad grin, "Sure. Undead then."

Yovir sets his broom against the wall "Ah, oh course. Yes, it does appear that the Undead are active once more beneath Valhingen, so I had those handbills posted in town and the surrounding area. I'm glad you've answered my call."

"About a month ago a novice Kelemvorite disappeared. I wasn't concerned initially as the life of a Kelemvorite is diifficult, and those who cannot accommodate it often simply leave, but my suspicions were aroused when Brother Rasorran, another Kelemvorite, vanished. It was not possible that he would leave; he has been dedicated to the faith and to the people of Phlan for nearly 10 years!"

"Poor Sister Bethel was the case that has left me with no doubt though. She also disappeared but her body was found twelve days ago, partially eaten."

He pauses, shaking his head with sorrow.

"Within the last 100 years, Valhingen Graveyard has gone from being overrun with Undead to the statuesque place of rest it is today. Due primarily to our work here. I took a few of my most experienced priests and we investigated the oldest section of the known catacombs and found no undead, so I don't think the source is the same as before but something new..."

"Where was Sister Bethel's Body found? There could be clues left there that might suggest where to start looking. In fact with a good bit of luck we might be even able to track the creatures that killed her." says Garth.

Sera nods in agreement with Garths assessment, and awaits an answer.

We will go. You will take us there.

"Aye, take us to the sites. We've got some fair trackers and folk that may be able to follow a trail o' evidence," Beryl says with some seriousness.

"Aye, time to roll."

A little taken aback by the groups eagerness to be off without even discussing payment Yovir replies to Garth's question.
"I believe her body was found just past the crypts for the First Families of Phlan. I don't have time to take you there myself but I can organise a guide. The catacombs are quite extensive and it wouldn't do to have you lost down there. "

Turning to look over his shoulder he calls out. " Cassyt! " before turning back to address your group once more.
" Mind that you do not disturb the restful dead, and leave their possessions be, theft from the dead will not be tolerated. "

A young plain looking half-elf woman, dressed in the grey homespun robes that mark her as a Kelemvorite, shuffles into the stone chapel from an entrance behind Yovir. She looks the group over before clearing her throat nervously. " Ahem, er, hello. "

Inspiration: There's been some great interaction between the characters, I especially enjoyed Seraphyna's clever reference to a Harper spy ;) and the detail Rakish put into crafting the bone club. Everyone is awarded inspiration.

Hello! says Sera, her enthusiasm creeping back in as she meets another young half-elven lass. While you lead us to the problem, mind if I ask you a few questions? Alas, she doesn't even give the girl a moment to answer before launching off into a barrage of questions relating to the girls history, admittance into the clergy, religious doctrine, and fun past-times when not on duty.

Mind that you do not disturb the restful dead, and leave their possessions be, theft from the dead will not be tolerated. "

Rakish croaks out, The dead will sleep in peace. You will not fear disturbance.

Rakish also seems - as much as any can read a lizardfolk - to be unconcerned about payment and cost. He seems to care little for any actual coin.

When I first made this character, I actually gave away all his gold rewards to the other players. I stopped once I remembered that I would need it to purchase better equipment and maybe services later on (like paying for a potential resurrection). So to reflect his lack of concern for coin, I instead make it so he never talks about it and doesn't bother with negotiations on it.

"Aye, won't take anything from the ol' bones. We will lay out the walking ones nicely as well."