Age of Mortals DL (Inactive)

Game Master JASON RODARTE

"I am Viridios," the elf answers the girl. "Will you join us tonight, and share with us the story of how you came to learn this song?"

For a brief moment, she can see his bark-like skin, under his cloak...

Lavakhat seemed to beam with joy as she quickly backed up the little bit she had. "I would be honored to share a story or two." She answered as she slung her back over her shoulder and pulled her hood back up. "Also I do have a bit of food should you need some." The young woman offered. "Tis not much nor the tastiest thing but it will fill your belly. They're meant to be a full day's meal so we could split them for tonight." Lavakhat went on as she walked along side the group.

She paused for a moment and gave a nervous laugh before stating, "and I'm rambling... I'm sorry. I don't get to speak to people too often, while not unless I'm trying to explain that I've done nothing wrong."

"Have you done something wrong?" Viridios asks with a wry smile, following his companion Thyll without whom he would never survive in the wilds.

"Uha... Heha" Lavakhat laughed nervously but didn't answer the question posed to her by Viridios. "So you are Viridios, and who are the others? Are you a group of travelers or?" Lavakhat asked trying to quickly turn the topic off of herself.

"This is Thyll Autumncaller," Viridios answers, introducing the elven woman who has long walked with him.

"And this is Kret, whom we've just met" he continues, pointing to the barbarian.

Then he stops. "How rude of me," he apologizes to the dwarf. "I am afraid that I didn't get your name?"

The dwarf blinks.
"I go by Lokien Forge."

Finishing clearing up his wares, he shoulders his pack easily as large as he is and turns to the rest.
"We should start moving out now before the guards closes the gates for the night."

There is a temple to the gods in the town that has shrines to the surviving gods though there are not many clerics in the town.

While everyone is doing their own thing in the open market, a group of six scruffy looking individuals looking to be of Nerakan in appearance, dressed in leather armor, carrying shields on their back and carrying short swords and saps at their side enter the area where you all are. They approach a figurine dealer's stall. Their leader speaks with the proprietor of the stall and talks to the merchant. He then reaches into a sack he had brought with him and pulls out an Onyx Statuette in the shape of a panther. The merchant's eyes widen as he looks at the pristine figurine. This in itself does not attract too much attention as the Open Market is a melting pot of many different people and much is sold and traded.

What does attract attention is that a finely dressed Silvanesti elf with silvery hair dressed in attire of a courtier of Silvanost is walking by. He sees these men and his face contorts from a look of indifference to that of anger. He storms up to the the men raising his voice and says, "You Fiends! You dare steal the heritage of my people and sell it like baubles in the Open Market! Have you no shame for your crimes against my people?"

The thugs turn to look at the angry elf and then laugh a hearty laugh. The head thug then says, "Yea, so what you pritzy little elf? You didn't have the guts to hold onto this stuff so what we're doing with it is fair game."

The elf looks even more flustered and yells, "It is hard enough that my people have been driven from their homes by the filthy bull men and forced to live in the squalor of this human infested town. What is worse is seeing you dammed humans profiteering off of ill gotten gains pilfered from the homes of my people. I demand you hand over the goods to me you thugards for they do not belong to you."

The head thug gives an evil smirk and says, "So the pritzy elf thinks he's a tough guy huh? You really don't know who you're messing with Knife Ears."

Another thug says, "Hey Nedd, this elf looks cleaner than those beggars we've been seeing on the street. He's likely got some steel in his purse."

Nedd thug leader grins wider, showing his dirty unkept teeth. "Ya know Gentz, you're probably right." He snaps his fingers and then he and the rest of his thugs pull out their saps.

The elf reacts by drawing his impressive looking rapier with a flourish and points it at the thugs. Despite being majorly outnumbered, the elf is enraged enough that he does not seem to want to give ground to these thugs.

So how does everyone respond to this?

Standing behind the others and taking advantage of the spectacle having drawn everyone's attention, Viridios uses his staff to cast a spell, which transforms his appearance. Under the guise of a Knight of the Thorn, he steps out from the crowd to intervene.

"What is going on here?" he asks sternly.

Standard action: cast Disguise Self + Move action: enter the scene and speak.

Kret merely looks to his newfound companions. He's in an unfamiliar culture and too weak to be putting his neck out for someone else.

As the eyes where taken off of Lavakhat, she took the chance to use her less, reputable skills.

Slight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Moving behind the group of men to the merchant. "Get down please sir, this may get ugly." Lavakhat softly requested. She had hoped that none noticed the fact she had laid her hand over the Onyx panther and calm nicked it off of the table. After all there was much more pressing matters at hand. Such as the fact thugs where wanting to attack an elf in the open street not to mention a knight just showed up... or well they thought so.

Thyll shifts back and forth on her feet nervously as Viridios attempts to alleviate the situation. She stays back, hoping to not stand out from the crowd as she fingers her medalion, ready to cast a summons if things go south for her companion.

"Nay Lads, Hold your ground and by the gods. Why that form?" curses Lokien as he attempts to restrain his companions only to see to his horror, the form taking of a dreaded black knight.

He looks to see if the true black knights has taken note.

A Thorn Knight? the lead knight asks. We have no Knights of the Thorn here. Whose command are you under? he asks,.

Viridios waves his staff, and incants a spell before continuing.

Standard action: Charm Person (Will save DC 17) on the lead knight

"The Thorn comes and goes as it wishes," he speaks while donning his mask, which now appears as the gruesome visage of a skull. "Go about your business, and I will take care of this elf."

He turns to the elf, and addresses him in Elven: "Come with me. I am a friend.

Lavakhat, having gone unseen in her little trick, moved out of the way. Calmly walking back over the the group, a smile upon her lips. Her hands where both behind her back and hidden under her cloak grasping the onyx jaguar figurine. Now she had to put her trust in her newly made friends... or at least in Viridios.

I think that if you are going to cast a spell there needs to be iniative rolled. I will try to do that when I get home

Up to you! Do you roll initiative, which may be more expedient, or should we? If things go sideways, I may chose another action, if that's ok? To be clear: my action was meant to be my answer to their question, which is why I allowed myself a little leeway out of combat...

I can do it.

In the discussion thread can you guys give me your iniative

[dice] 1d20+ [/ dice] so I can have easy access?

Who is getting involved besides the Silvanesti?

I get the feeling that everyone is waiting to see what will happen...

I would say Lavvi is involved.

I guess you could say I’m doing a readied action to cast SMI to Summon a viper amongst the baddies of violence occurs.

I'm preparing to run since I have short legs. I might need a headstart.

At this point, Kret is withholding action. He might get involved if a fight breaks out.

Suspense...!

Viridios' initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Thyll's initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Kret's initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Lavakhat's initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Lokien's initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Knights
in Charge 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
2 helpers 1d29 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Order
Viridos
Helper 2\
Kret
lokien
Thyll
Lavajaat
In Charge
Helper 1

Silvanesti is up

That works out nicely! As before...

Viridios waves his staff, and incants a spell before continuing.

Standard action: Charm Person (Will save DC 17) on the lead knight

"The Thorn comes and goes as it wishes," he speaks while donning his mask (move action), which now appears as the gruesome visage of a skull. "Go about your business, and I will take care of this elf."

He turns to the elf, and addresses him in Elven: "I am a friend."

Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Kret stands motionless as the tension in the air grows thicker.

No action this round.

It's time to go boys. The Thorn will take care of it as they leave.

Viridios watches them go, and then addresses the courtier of Silvanost in Elven: "it will be some time before my spells fades, but perhaps we should leave the market with haste, in case? My companions and I were on our way to set camp in the wilderness. Would you care to join us?"

Lavakhat took a chance and smiled, speaking in elven as well: "Come with us and you'll even get a gift! A nice gift even."

The elf raises an eyebrow

"Reorx beard. What's keeping them?" grumbles Lokien.

"The Silversage? In Pashin?" Viridios asks, surprised. "Do you think that we could accompany you? It would be an honour..."

He allows the illusion to fade, while keeping his hood and mask on in order to conceal his appearance from prying eyes, before introducing himself: "I am Viridios. This is my companion Thyll Autumncaller."

"The humans and the dwarf," he continues in the common tongue, "have all come to Pashin for different reasons; but I believe that we all share common woes, and that they could be allies to the cause."

”He Silversage? I’m not familiar with...her? I assume a scholar of sorts.”

Would that be Knowledge (local) or Knowledge (history)?

Viridios hesitates, before continuing: "but I fear that my manners are lacking as I was so eager to meet with the famed Silversage that I did not ask your name...?"

Oops, I got the name wrong, we can just assume that that this is what this elf calls the Herald

To speed things along, I will assume all of you end up heading toward the Wounded Crow tavern. Outside the building is a makeshift stage set up and a large crowd of people consisting of mainly local Khurites but also a mix of Nerakan Civilians. A number of lanterns have been set up illuminating the area as night has fallen upon the town. There is a number of chatterings among the people there, with the Khurites exuberant to see the famous Herald and hear his stories. The Nerakans look less enthused and almost indifferent but curious enough to show up and see what the Herald has to say.

When the time comes, the Herald comes onto the stage. A man probably approaching 70 walks onto the stage. He is balding on the top of his head, but white hair still hangs out the back of his head. He has a trim well kept beard and he is dressed in a fairly modest white robe. There is a weathered looking eyes as though he has seen very much in his life. There are cheers from the crowd as he goes onto the stage. He raises his hand and speaks with an Abasasinian accented common. "Thank you, everyone. May you please hush your words so I may weave a tale for thee."

With that the crowd quiets down to listen. The Herald begins to speak.

"I am known as the Herald. The Memories of Krynn are mine to know and share. In my dreams I have lived many other lives. I have lead men into battle on the side of good and evil. I have fought on dragonback and wielded the mighty dragonlance. I have lived, loved, and died a thousand times. This eve, I shall share some of my tales with you."

The crowd begins to shout, "Tell us of Huma!" A Khurite yells.

"Tell us of Raistlin and the Dark Queen! Tell us of lord Ariakan's fall among the minions of Chaos!" A Nerakan yells.

"I have another story for you this evening," the Herald intones. "I shall tell you this day of a young girl named Mina and of a great war, one fought not over control of Krynn but for the souls of its people." Murmurs go through the crowd mostly positive sounding but a few grumbles are heard also.

"My story begins about a year ago, the night of the Great Storm. Everyone remembers the Great Storm right?" replies of yes come from the crowd. He begins to tell of how the child Mina appeared to a platoon of Knights of Neraka that night and how Mina healed the minotaur Galdar who quickly dedicated himself to the child. He tells of how they journeyed to Sanction and helped prevent the Knights of Solamnia from breaking the siege. He speaks of how the Lord of the Night Targonne scoffed at her claim that she would do what no other has been able to do, capture Silvanesti. He continues with her doing exactly what she said, she captures the ancient elven homeland. It is said that when she first arrived there that a portion of the normally xenophobic elves fell instantly in love with her. He goes on and tells of her betrayal at the hands of Targonne and his eventual downfall and then of Mina's leaving to the north. You notice that the Nerekans start to get a little edgy now. He starts to tell of how the Qualinesti elves fleeing their own homeland arrive in Silvanesti and help their cousins run their occupiers out of the country. As he starts to tell how the dark knights allies the minotaurs had to come in and "rescue" the Nereakans make themselves known. A voice cries out from the crowd.

"Lies! Lies! Enough of your lies! We had an agreement with the minotaurs is all. They rescued no one, it was all planned that way.", you notice that several of the Nereakans start pushing themselves towards the stage.

The Herald with the same look on his face that he has kept all evening replies to the angry Nerekan, "I do not lie about the truth of history. If you are angry with someone why don't you take it up with the minotaurs? You do know where they are don't you?"

This little jab at the Nerekan sets him and companions off and a rock flies out from the group and slams the Herald in the head causing him to stagger as a trickle of blood comes from his forehead. A crowd of angry Nereakans then forms to make their way towards the Herald with fists and clubs ready to beat down the Herald. Someone jumps into the way of the Nereakans and is quickly thrown out of the way. This sets off a riot as the Khurites and Nerekans engage in an all out brawl with one another. However a group of seven Nerekans push their way through the crowd and are close to reaching the Herald. What do you do?

"Why is such a story setting off such a fight?" grumbles Lokien.

"It was a pretty good one too....."

Viridios finds a small lump of wax in a pouch, and incants a spell. Suddenly, from a nearby alley, a group of Khurite warriors is heard approaching. They are planning to teach the Nerakans a lesson...

Cast Ghost Sound DC 16

As they walked Lavakhat made her way to the new elf, who still hadn't given his name, and produced the onyx jaguar. "Here," She offered it to him with a smile. "You may not be the original owner, but it did belong to your people." Lavakhat said softly.

Seeing the fight break out, Lavakhat shook her head and looked to the others. "Maybe we should go around."

“Humans.” Thyll shakes her head and casts a summoning spell. A radiant viper appears in between the Herald and the Nerakians closing in on him.

Kret attempts to maintain a level head, but the sounds of the rioting crowd soak into his mind. He jerks upward into a standing position and looses a primal scream before drawing his weapons and charging headfirst toward the 7 Nerekans near the Herald.

Are you trying to hide your spellcasting?

If I can, yes.

"Going around clearly isn't an option anymore," Viridios laments before incanting a second spell.

Viridios casts Shield. Like Thyll, Viridios attempts to be discreet, if at all possible. Stealth, if applicable: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Lokien resists the urge to pull out his beard!
These......children! his furious thoughts ramble as he looks around to see exactly what the rest of the people inthis inn including the herald is doing.