You began your journey leaving Fort Crystal Lake, a walled town on the northern shores of a narrow serpentine shaped lake. There are three wagons and each is pulled by six mules.
The country here is sparsely dotted with pines and other trees of both deciduous and evergreen varieties. There are few shrubs, but occasionally there are patches of wild flowers of blue, yellow, green and purple. The land is generally flat, and rises at an almost imperceptible climb as you follow a road going east and then turning south for a few miles, before it turns east again when it begins to follow a small creek of fast flowing clear water. The creek bed is filled with round stones about the size of a halfling’s head. Far in the distance, toward the horizon, you can see a mountain range with the clear sign of snow at its peaks. Being midsummer, this surprises you, but one of the drivers tells you that the snow stays on those peaks almost every year, all year long.
On the second day out of Fort Crystal Lake the caravan comes to a single building, with a three sided structure serving as a makeshift stable. This building, a combination post and barracks is called Fort Tilnon, and you learn here that there are homesteads nearby, but you cannot see them from the road.
On the third day out you come to a fenced in area. A wooden fence about eight feet high surrounds an area that includes five small cabins, a large trading post and barracks building, and a small tavern. The tavern has a sign hanging next to the door that shows a Red Gamecock standing on an overturned bucket. The people here, only a handful of them, tell you it is called Fort Moons, and here you meet a man who is a bit obsessed with the way this worlds moons (“Elidio” the larger of the planets two moons and “Pamidia” the smaller moon) look from here, in the southern hemisphere.
The moons, here, have a tendency to appear larger, or at least this trapper, named Jolvor, a Human from the far north of Dwargleland, will try to convince you that they do.
The caravan will camp for the night within the fence of Fort Moons, and everyone will be invited to have a drink at the tavern. This building is very small. There are no tables. There is a bar and it is only eight feet long. The woman at the bar is an old, green skinned elven woman. Her hair is black, but is beginning to turn grey at the roots. Her name, she tells you, is Hanamakonomina A’kalelamomonihalela, but she tells you that you can call her “Mina”. She serves several kinds of alcohol, and has roasted nuts and dried sweetened pear slices.
You must pay 2 cp for every beer you drink, and four cp for two fingers of whiskey, a glass of Elven wine will cost one sp! (but it is a very good, red wine full of fruity undertones and with a warm bite that goes down smooth). The snacks are free.
The caravan stays here until morning and travels overland for all of day 4 until the road finally disappears and you are only following faint ruts from previous wagons.
You camp outdoors on heavy blankets lined with a natural rubber compound imported from Zieferland that are laid upon the ground. You are given a blanket, but the night is warm and you feel you do not need it, but Paulinna Southmiller tells you,
“This is a strange country. We’re lucky to be one of the caravans making this trip in midsummer, but even now you can’t take chances. Some nights the temperature will drop so far it will chill you to the bone, and then the next day it will soar to so hot you’ll want to strip naked and walk in the creek. I can tell you that when fall comes, you’ll need five blankets, and by winter, well when winter comes we don’t often send a wagon as far out as Fort Horizon.”
On the fifth day, after travelling some seventy three miles across this land and climbing to an elevation of over two thousand feet, you come to Fort Horizon.
Fort Horizon is huge, compared to Fort Tilnon or Fort Moons. It is also a fenced area, but it is very different. There seems to be a ruin of some kind here, on this flat glade to the north of South Fork Creek. The ruin is made from close fitting stones of nearly identical shape and size. The stones are red, and if this is natural it is a type of stone none of you have ever seen before. The ruin takes the shape of a series of continuous low walls, no more than a couple of feet high and a few structures that could have been the foundations for buildings at one time. Against the outer area of the ruins dirt has been pilled and on top- of the structure a low wooden wall has been erected. The wall is no more than three feet high, and since it sits atop the ruin, it is about six to seven feet above the ground around the fort.
As you approach Fort Horizon you can see several tall buildings of a two stories in height within the fenced area. There is a large two story structure on the south wall of the fort, and it is flanked by two round towers. The bases of these towers are part of the ruin the fort is built upon. They are round stone towers rising to a height of ten feet, and then a wooden structure has been added to create a second floor. Between the two towers is a two story all wooden building that is roughly thirty feet square.
In the center of the square building there is a gate, or more like a drawbridge. It is up, but it does not cover the hole that leads to the interior of the Fort and instead only comes up to about five feet in height. You can tell that if the gate is lowered it will be a perfectly sized ramp allowing the wagons to enter the fort by passing through the square building.
Occasionally you see one or two people, wearing a large felt hat and a carrying a spear, walking along the inner side of the wall that surrounds the fort.
At the gate, there are two men, both Halflings, standing on something elevated so that their shoulders and heads are above the edge of the raised gate. They also wear large felt hats with wide brims, but you do not see that they are armed, and in fact both men seem to be leaning on the top edge of the raised gate, with their arms folded on the wood, and they look to be relaxed as they watch your caravan approach.
It is Day 1, Turn 1, noon at Fort Horizon on August 14
We can create different sounding names for the months, but let’s assume there are twelve for now. The actual calendar for this world is a bit too complicated for a PBP adventure and I don’t want to bore anyone with the details
The caravan approaches the gate to Fort Horizon, and one of the Halflings shouts, “’Allo the caravan. Good day Miss Southmiller, and welcome back. We’ve been expecting you.”
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
"Well, it appears that our new neighbors are eager to see us!" Edren says with a smile. He then hops off of the wagon he was riding on and walks beside it, stretching his legs.
As the caravan closes with the gate, Edren studies as much of the wall as he can see.
Edren is looking to see how sturdy the wall is and how defensible it is. Would either of these fall under a skill check from Profession (soldier)?
The young dwarf waves. "Allo the fort! So, where are we, again?" He starts laughing, obviously well entertained. Hopefully because he thought that was funny.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
Sithundan rides in the back of his wagon in deep meditation seemingly oblivious to the fact that they had arrived, but in actuality he is absorbing every bit of information that the world around him will bestow.
Male Human Fighter (Viking) HP 13/13; Initiative+3; Fort+5; Ref+3; Will+0
Bjarki is quite pleased to finally be here and gives an impressed whistle at the sight of the ruins. He gives Sithundan a friendly nudge as he passes by.
Nice rocks, eh Sit? Poke around the ruins whydont'cha? You might come across some relatives,heh, heh!
He starts unloading his stuff and soon realizes that he has brought to much Ale.
Dolin! Give me a hand with the drink here!
Would Knowledge engineering tell me something interesting about the fort itself?
"WHAT? Well, maybe if you balance some on top of my anvil, Bjarki. I have to use both hands to carry that anyway. It'll be awkward, but, carrying an anvil is ALWAYS awkward!"
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
during the trip:
In response to Ms Southmiller
"My agreement with Valindor allows me to bestow the ability to be comfortable in any climate - I can see this becoming a popular request during winter!" something for something
Valind looks on as two of his companions jump in before Pauline can talk.
Understandable that they are desperate to start, though. I judge preparation will do better here than speed.
Concentrating he calls upon Valindor to help him make a good impression and speaks quietly to the heavens.
"Valindor guide me in this new place"casting guidance
and moves towards the halfling men.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
Sithundan allows Bjarki's comments to roll off his back, but as soon as he mentioned needing help with the kegs his eyes pop open and walks right over. "You need an extra set of hands?"
Portia will have a beer, to take the edge off of the past couple days of travel. She looks around to the various faces that she has grown accustomed to seeing over the past days as well. She turns to Derrick, so what type of weapon is that. I ain't never heard or seen nothing like it before? Me, I just know how to wield this longsword, that looks like it could do some real damage.
She then turns to Paulina Southmiller, so how long have you been a caravan master? How many runs do you make? What sort of interesting tales could you share with me. I haven't been so far from home before, this is all kinda new to me still.
After chatting it up with the cheery dwarf, during the stay at the inn, after a beer, she turns to all the boys, Edren, Dolan, Bjarki, Gruingar, Sithundam, any of you boys care for an arm wrestling bout? Strength checks, first to 3 wins?
approaching Fort Horizon:
Portia will keep a keen eye on her surroundings. One never knows when trouble lurks. per:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22. She also keeps track of any wildlife she spots or edible vegetation should the need ever arise to track down such food. survival:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
While taking in all the sights before her, her feathery companion flying above her seems to startle slightly. When she scans the horizon, a large bird takes flight. Upon seeing this majestic animal soar, she pulls out her silent whistle, makes a couple quick chimes to reign her friend back in from any possible danger. Once she sees the eagle fly off towards the north, she breathes a sigh if relief, lets her companion take flight once more and turn to the group and say, Looks like those nice people of Horizon know we are close. Their eagle just took off in the distance as she points in the general direction.
at Horizon:
Portia will stretch her legs a bit, continuing to take in the shear sight before her. She acts tough to blend in with the boys, but sometimes loses herself in the wonder like the giddy girl she is. She tries to spot the eagle she saw upon approach per:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11. If she spots it, she will ask one if the guards if it is friendly, and if so can she feed it.
Once inside the Fort walls and at a stop, she turns to Paulina Southmiller, so where can we start to put all of these fine goods if yours? Portia will ask as she starts to unload a wagon bit by bit. She lets the boys get the drink. She thinks to herself I may be a woman but I can keep up with the boys.
This thought doesn't last long however, after a few trips from wagon to 'warehouse', it is very visible that she is exhausted. Her stamina has never been the greatest, which is why she seems to always have to prove herself to the men around her, not counting those strong ones present. She takes a seat, closest to her, calls over her bird, and feeds her some sees from her pouch.
Finn jumps down from the caravan, one hand on the butt of his weapon. Landing with a slight thump, he begins strolling towards the gate with a swagger, uncharacteristic of Halflings. He spit some tobacco on the street as he walked, and pushed his hat back on his head to get a better look at the guards, elevated as they were.
"Looks like a lot of us out here." he thought with a grimace. "Hopefully no one I'm too familiar with."
A paper tacked to the side of the wall caught his eye, and he turned towards it, noticing at once that it was a Wanted poster, with his own face on it. Finn walked closer, hoping that no one could see how unsure he was, or hear how fast his heart was beating. Letting out a sigh of relief, he noticed that it wasn't him after all, but a halfling named "Split-Tooth" Sam.
'Reward?' he thought. 'Perhaps I can use this to my advantage. 'Long as no one tries to collect on me first.' He frowned. Turning from the poster, he resumed his normal swagger as he walked towards the gate, resisting the urge to grab his gun.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
While watching Sithundan and Bjarki unload the ale cask, Edren chuckles to himself about a recent memory involving strength.
"Arm-wrestling? Sure! There are few ways to better size a new companion up than a friendly feat of strength!" Edren settles himself at the table with Portia and clasps her hand with his. "On three?"
Gruingar asked this question and this answer should be shared with everyone
The town of New Joteph lies at a southern Latitude of 38 degrees, 48 minutes, 36 seconds. The coast of Garicadia here has an Oceanic/Mediterranean Climate. The land appears fertile, but trees are not in abundance (some preliminary testing has discovered the soil to be slightly high in salt content). As you travel to Fort Horizon, over the five days, it does not rain, but the Drivers and Paulina will tell you that brief intense summer thunder storms are not uncommon. The “setting” could be compared to Perth, Australia, in some ways, but as you travel higher in elevation, and further inland toward the mountains the comparisons end.
Portia and Bjarki expressed interest in unloading the cargo of the Caravan, but will not be asked to help with this work, as they are not employees of the WEAC.
Once the gate is down, and the wagons enter Fort Horizon, they will make a quick turn to the left and then the right, heading for a large building that sits in a secondary wall that separates the west end of the fort from the east end of the fort. You all quickly learn that the Captain of the fort, and many of the soldiers live in the buildings of the east side of the fort, while the rest of the population lives on the west side of the fort.
Here is a quick key to some of the buildings shown on the map (as the map is orientated, East is at the top of the page)
1) The Gate Building
2) A watch post?
3) Stable
4) Corral
5) Merchant Street
6) Alchemist Shop
7) Another tower ruin, without a wooden building built onto it, there is a door and it appears that part of this “structure” is below ground level
8) Blacksmith’s residence
9) Foundry (there is a short, two foot high stone wall surrounding the working space of this area)
10) A common area with tables and benches (purpose?)
11) These are very small, 10’ x 10’ cabins for rent, two of them are occupied, “d”, and “e”
12) Another common area, with well trimmed grass, and a few temporary booths with canvas awnings where fresh food is traded and sold
13) A residence?
14) WEAC office
15) Home of the WEAC official
16) A residence?
17) A sign hangs above the door to this building, it shows a spoil of thread and two crossed needles
18) Carpentry
19) Wainright
20) Alchemist’s residence
21) Empty
22) Pottery
23) These are larger cabins, some are occupied some are available for rent
24) Another common area, but this is mostly dirt
25) The ruin of another building
26) This is a pen for sheep, goats and pigs
27) Residences
28) The Shady Dragon Inn
29) The WEAC General Store
30) The Well
31) Town Hall
32) Another ruin
33) The Church (This is a wooden building, but construction, including scaffolding, is underway on a tower made from fired bricks. Currently the tower rises to a height of 26 feet above the ground. Next to the tower, in an open lattice wooden crate, is a small brass bell.)
34) An Extension of the Church, with a few unusual shrines
35) The Main Barracks
Edren:
Yes the “nature” of the defensive fortifications do fall under profession: Soldier, and a take ten here is all you need to tell that the wooden wall and the improvised earthen works (the dirt “ramp” piled against the stone foundation) are obviously not intended to be a defense against any kind of well planned or deliberate assault from an intelligent attacker and look more like the sort of “fence” that would be put up to keep out (or in) animals. You might be able to hold off a small attacking force for a few moments but that would be all.
Bjarki:
Yes, Knowledge Engineering can be used, and a take ten here will tell you that the improvised earthen works look to be very well done, it is a good angle that might slow down a deliberate assault and probably keeps local fauna away from the wooden wall. The wooden wall is strongly constructed, and solid, but probably not meant to keep out any kind of organized assault. The stonework of the ruin that the fort is built upon is interesting, and the uniformity of the stones catches your eye. If you approach the stone work where it is exposed, say on the two towers flanking the gate building, you even can see that the mortar lines between the stones are precise. Then you notice that the stones are not stones at all, but are in fact some kind of manufactured brick. You cannot tell the exact composition of the bricks, without taking time to scrape it with something hard or otherwise examine the material in closer detail.
Portia, while at Fort Moons:
Paulina answers you with a scoff, “Caravan Master indeed. Bah, it’s a damned bloody demotion is what it is. Take my word for this lad, every contract the waec makes is worth less than the paper it is printed on. No, this is the last time I have to make this trip and I’ll be glad to be back in New Joteph where I can sleep in a nice bed and take a hot bath once a week like a civilized person. I’ve made a dozen trips to Fort Horizon and never seen more than a few animals and a giant lizard once, but that critter bolted as soon as it heard our wheels rattle on the rocks. It’s been a dead right bore I’m telling you, but listen up, I’ll share you a secret, lad, just between you and me, cause I like you. See. I hear that before summers over the weac is sending sixteen wagons to Fort Horizon with ten families of settlers due to arrive by ship from Ilgorland any day now. Some deal was made. I just know it, some deal that is going to set these folks up to start farming and building on the land outside of the fort. I’ve heard that each family is being given forty acres and a pair of mules. There’s a plan for Fort Horizon lad, but I don’t know what it is.”
Portia:
You see, on the third day, a small herd of white tailed deer, about three hundred yards to the south of the caravan. When the caravan stops, to water the animals in the creek, you can easily make out tracks of small mammals, possums, badgers, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and possibly small bears (Dwargleland is famous for its HUGE brown bears, but small bears are rare in those lands, so these tracks are a curiosity to you). The trees along the creek occasionally bear fruit, pears and apples, and you even see one cherry tree. The ground has edible plants including raspberries, blueberries and to your surprise a tall thick stalked edible plant that the drives introduce you to that they call “Asparagus” a plant you have never encountered before, but that you learn also grows in Ziefeland. You also discover a small yellow “fruit” like vegetable growing near the grassier areas of the creek that the drivers call “tomato” and they tell you that it is edible, but taste better when it is fully ripe and turns a bright red in color. When you ask about the eagle you saw fly off to the north, one of the Halfling guards tells you that the bird is not tame, does not belong to anyone in the Fort, and occasionally perches on the top of the building for unknown reasons.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
To Partia at the bar:
"A nice little arm wrestling match may help me calm my mind and find my center, but do you think you can stand up against stone?" Will this be all contenders against Partia or like a tournament? Strength check:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Apparently I have a long way to finding my center.XP
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren's attention returns to the wall surrounding the fort. "Not much of a wall for a fort," he mutters to himself. "I suppose things have been pretty dull out this far, though. Well, if anything does come up, I hope we can bring this thing up to snuff."
He waves at the halfling lookouts as the caravan passes under them. The sights and smells of the fort fill his senses, which have been left bare by the long trip.
Was thinking of a freestyle, whoever wants to chime in...as far as checks. Was thinking best of 3, a natural 20 counts as 2 points. In case of a tie, add up the total rolls average out and then determine winner
Hmm, interesting indeed. I will keep that in mind. Asparagus was it, I hope I get to try some. Also, this 'tomato' you speak of, is it sweet. What types of dishes is it used in. I am an amateur cook in my off time she says with a smile.
while unloading:
Portia will take a breather while unloading. She is able to unload the small stuff, a few muskets here and there. A caged livestock or two, but leaves all the bulky and heavy gear to the big buys like Sithundan and the mountain of a man Bjarki.
Once she is finished, she will take a stroll around the Fort. Taking in all the various sights and sounds. The place is huge and she is slightly overwhelmed at it all.
"Arm wrestling? Not as much fun as simple wrestling, but it could do, I think. Let's give it a go, Portia!" Honestly, the presentation is bad enough you can't tell if that was supposed to be innuendo or enthusiasm.
Dolin unloads his stuff near the forge, placing everything against the outside of the wall, initially. Then he enters the forge area, looking for pretty much anybody. "Hey! I'm Dolin, sent to help make sure things are running right and to get some more practice in with weaponry. Who runs this forge?"
It’s not a big deal, but as a reminder of what I posted earlier, Portia, and all of the rest of you, will not be asked, nor allowed, to off load the goods from the wagons as none of you are employees of WEAC, though some of you may be employees of the Merchant Guilds who are signatory to the contract with WEAC, even you will not be allowed to handle to cargo. You can. Off course, unload your own goods.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
To Portia:
"Looks like I'm up 2 games to 1, would you like to call it a draw or give it one more go and let me finish you off?" He says this with what you can assume is a smug smirk on his stony face.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren approaches Paulina before they reach what he surmises is a gatehouse and asks, "Since you are familiar with Fort Horizon, where does one go to find some work. I am just itching to do something after that trip."
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
Sorry - I thought we were on rounds
Valind sighs as the crowd materialises around him. Making his way to the halflings he once again callus upon Valindor - this time silently. He summons his luck and initiates a conversation.
He happily allows Ms Southmiller to join in - his intention is to be taken as an equal, not to annoy the caravan master.
diplomacy+guidance+silver tongue+luck:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 21 "Good day, Gentlemen! I am Valind of Valindor. I believe you've been expecting me as well? Might I have your names and directions to where I might purchase a building? I understand you are in desperate need of salt, and I have a quantity to trade."
On his last sentence Valind feels something from his god. His stomach drops. He spent most of his money on salt because he had been told it was in demand...
The head of New Joteph said they wanted... no. He said "the caravans never think to take salt, and you know how important salt is". Valindor please don't let me have made the stupid mistake of mistaking an inference for a fact! figuring salt will be normal trade good cost, not the inflated price Valind thought he was going to get
Since Guingar doesn't like to intitate conversations with strangers. He and Nasantur move around trying to unobtrusively listen in on conversations that involve the locals.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
Sithundan knows that meditation will not put a roof over his head so he will look to Edren and Bjarki "Edren, Bjarki may I join you in your ventures for work?"
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
I am guessing that the talking between ourselves, even if split over a couple of posts, will still be part of the same turn, correct? Or should we be waiting for the next turn to respond?
If the former...
Edren, glad to see that he isn't alone in his restlessness, nods to Bjarki and Sithundan, "I would be happy if you joined me! Let's hope they have some interesting work for us to do." Edren finishes with a laugh.
Full Name Teekmorg the Battle-Hungry
Race Goblin
Classes/Levels Beast Rider (Cavalier Archtype)/1
Gender Male
Size SMALL (3' 1")
Age 15 years old
Special Abilities +4 to Ride & Stealth checks, Darkvision 60ft, Order (Order of the Cockatrice; +1 damage under challenge)
Alignment CN (Chaotic Neutral)
Deity Gorum
Location Unknown
Languages Common, Goblin
Occupation Bounty Hunter
Strength 12
Dexterity 18
Constitution 15
Intelligence 12
Wisdom 14
Charisma 14
About Teekmorg
Nothing is known about Teekmorg's home, history, or tribe. All that is known is that he allows no one to be called a friend; he believes that friends are worse than enemies. The only "true friend" is his mount, a scarred boar that he calls Gor, after the deity that the Goblin worships.
You can see that the wall around the fort is a good defense to keep things out, but would be easy to climb over from the inside, so escape at any moment from the fort shouldn’t be a problem
When Edrin asks Southmiller about work in and around Fort Horizon, and as others move in close waiting for her answer, she turns her back to the Halflings. Humans and Elves unloading the wagons and taking the goods into the main barrack building, and then she says under her breath, but loud enough for all of you to hear,
“Now listen up people. There’s work a plenty and everyone inside will offer you cash for work but the first thing they are going to ask you is this, are you contracted with the weac?. You see the weac sets wages and compensation for every kind of work under the sun, and the captain will see to it that the contracts are honored. You travelled here with a Valindorian, I suggest you slip him a few silvers and make sure he is on your good side. You don’t have to be a contractor, and the people, some of them, will pay you well if you are not, and they can keep the weac out of their business, and there’s no rule that says you have to work as a contractor, so don’t let that agent, Finster, in the weac office tell you otherwise. Be careful of who you do business with. You can go to the weac office and see what kind of contracts are available, or you can spend a day going around the place and find out what kind of work is available. I’d start by checking in at the Shady Dragon. They can rent rooms and cabins there.”
As Dolin comes into the working area of the local smith and announces himself, an old human man comes out from the house. He is wiping his hands on a large course rag.
He looks intently at Dolin and says, “The name’s Harlow Gindoki. I run this shop. I don’t hire nobody, but you can rent workspace here from the weac at 12 silver pieces a day, that’s sun up to sunset and I don’t take kindly to folks who get some crazy idea that they should be working after dark, making noise and keeping decent folk out of bed. You’ll clean up after yourself, or you’ll find another place to do your work. Don’t put your gear down till I see a signed contract, friend Dolan, sir. You can leave your things in a cabin, and pay the good people at the Shady Dragon for the room.”
"Glad to meet you, Harlow! So, you both don't own your own foundry and the fort itself doesn't own it? What kind of self-respecting commander would let an external business hold his outfit hostage?" He shakes his head as he moves out of the man's space. "Go rent a room and get a contract to sublet the forge? Got it. Don't get it, but I got it. Where's this WEAC office?"
After the smith points him to the office across the common space, Dolin walks away from his gear, which is sitting OUTSIDE the foundry wall where he put it before greeting the smith.
Reaching the office, he walks round to the door and lets himself in. "I'm told I need a contract from you so that I can work at the forge across the way? How much are you thieving shysters going to demand for THAT?"
I did say his social skills were a little off, didn't I?
I have no desire to place myself in servitude to this weak if I can help it. So I guess I will have to ask around and see what else is available. Guess I can check out this Shady Dragon first.
Portia will nod at Paulina and smile and her info given. She then nods to the rest and takes off towards the Shady Dragon, I am headed towards the Shady Dragon if any of you strong men would like to join me? she poses the general question to Edren, Sith, Gruingar and Bjarki. Should anyone join her, So, what are you boys good at, other than tossing back a cold one?
She looks around and wonders aloud, where did Dolin run off to?
Coming into Fort Horizon, a mile behind a caravan, is now a strange site to behold-a goblin, wearing leather clothing which appears to be from reptile skin, with a scimitar on his weapon's belt, and riding a boar covered in scars and having a chipped tusk-evidence of several fights. The goblin, named Teekmorg, looks around the area, hoping that no one will take any bad reactions to his approach.
Dah, he grumbled to himself, Split-tooth no here. Split-tooth no in Fort Moons. What here for, then? What you think, Gor?
He petted his boar mount, which only grunted. Teekmorg moved on, hoping to find some lead to Split-tooth Sam, a halfling criminal he has been looking for for some time.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
"Hmm, not much different than being a professional soldier."
Edren decides to wait to visit the WEAC office, though. Instead, he joins those traveling to the Shady Dragon.
"Well, Portia, I'm a soldier, first and foremost, so throwing back cold ones while off duty is what I do! Other than that, I think we all have talents that will be suitable for the jobs around this place. I would like to work with the soldiers here, but I've a feeling they will need to trust me first."
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
DM Terquem:
Did Valind get a response? Do I need to spend more rounds? Okay if is put into the background by Paulina talking business. Am not expecting an amazingly positive response.
Speaking out loud to anyone who might hear, Valind inquires about the salt he brought to Fort Horizon.
A Halfling Guard approaches him and smiles saying, “We’ve got all the salt we need, it is abundant in the mountains here, but if you wish to sell it I’d take it to the Shady Dragon. The folks there delight in trading for non weac goods, and you might get a fair price, or you might not,” he shrugs his shoulders and walks back to the gate.
Valind:
yes you can add to your background. I’ll take a look at it and if I see anything that needs to be corrected I’ll let you know.
When Dolin enters the WEAC office he immediately takes note of the sparse furniture and neat appearance. There are five wooden chairs along one wall, sort of like a waiting area, and to his left there is a tall counter, protected from the rest of the room by a metal “decorative’ fence like structure bolted to the top of the counbter and extending to the ceiling.
Dolin can see that there are filing cabinets on the other side of the counter, a single small desk, and a dwarven man sits at that desk. He doesn’t appear to be old, but then you notice that his face is aged, and you suspect that this dwarf dies his hair and beard. His hair color is dark black. He is portly, and he struggles to get out of his chair when he sees you looking at him.
[b] “Well good afternoon, and welcome to Fort Horizon,” the dwarf says. He speaks slowly and does not smile.
“You do not have to sign a contract to rent space by the day, sir, if that is your intention. The rate for the tools and space at the forge is twelve dollars* a day. That is from sun up to sunset. If you desire to enter into a long term contract for rental accommodations, such as a cabin and space to work your craft, discounts are available, but payments are required in advanced equal to one third the term. There is a schedule of rental fees, for the various cabins posted on the wall behind you, next to the door. Next to that is a current listing of several unusual jobs that require special talents, if you are interested. For employment purposes, I’m afraid I can only co sign on behalf of the WEAC, and the Captain will need to verify the terms.
As Portia, Bjarki, Edren, Gruingar, and Sithundan are about to enter the Shady Dragon, and Sithundran points out the strange mounted Goblin who has entered the Fort, several small dogs rush by them barking loudly at the boar and its rider.
Teekmorg strokes the boar’s side with his knees and soothes the mount.
The barking dogs will not approach, and one they understand that the boar is not agitated by their antics they run off to another part of the fort.
Fin walks at a slower pace, moving by the buildings of the fort and taking in the faces of the people staring out at him. That is when he sees another poster, on a wall on one of the shops. He makes no notice of the poster, but keeps his eyes on the Goblin riding a boar that has entered the fort behind the caravan.
Fin:
In the poster’s this “Split-Tooth” Sam is drawn with his mouth shut, frowning, and you can only guess why he might be called Split Toothed Sam. You know, however, that you have very normal teeth, for a Halfling, and there has never been a reason for anyone to call you Split-Toothed
Teekmorg:
You finally see a Halfling, dressed differently from the rest of the inhabitants of the fort, though the way all Halflings and other human types dress is still strange to you, this one stands out, and then you notice he bares a strong resemblance to “Split-Tooth” Sam.
The others enter the Shady Dragon
It is a small tavern and inn. The main room has only four tables, each with five small chairs (by small I do not mean sized for Halflings, they are just normal sized small chairs).
Emmitio and Delouse Maliozz are here. They are a young Elven couple. He is handsome and thin. He wears no shirt, and his lower body is wrapped in a long, bright red skirt painted with strange tropical trees. He has green skin, as do all elves, and long straight brown hair. His wife is as attractive as he is handsome, but she is heavier than he is, even a bit on the plump side for an Elf. She wears a similar skirt, but she is not topless and instead wears a blousy yellow shirt made from light cotton and a woolen bodice. Her hair is golden bronze colored and very long, coming down to her waist.
The two of them great you with smiles and a strange kind of greeting, saying almost at the same time, “Howzit, travelers. Take a table and rest. We’ve got many good things to serve you.”
Then, strangely, Emmitio eyes Gruingar suspiciously, and when the fetchling returns the elven man’s stare, he quickly turns his eyes away.
In addition to the Elven proprietors, there are four others in the tavern, two of them you recognize from the caravan as Karl Drespor, the dwarf, and Jeannine Rentour, the Halfling. With these two are two other Halflings, both young men.
Gruindar tells Nashantur to stay hidden and watching outside unless he hears combat.
When Gruingar sees Emmito's reaction, he thinks to himself, Wonderous! Yet more selphs to shower me in muck and derision without knowing a reason why. Only just because.
Guingar mutters quietly to the others, I better not do the talking here. His kind don't like my kind... Well few do, but his kind don't like us more than most... P'rhaps you Sithundan as an elemental folk would offend him less than meself.
Gruingar then does his best to fade into the background and not draw the attention of the elves. However, he will listen and carefully watch all that happens.
There may be an opportunity later to prove his worth to the uppity elves. Or failing that, to eventually show he is too powerful to snub openly.
Not sure how you want to do it, it doesn't really seem like stealth since he isn't trying to hide from them. He is just trying to be a wall flower and not be focus of attention. If you want it, I will make a stealth roll. Let me know if you want that handled another way. stealth:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
I see it more as a basic Charisma Ability Check. You see, in my opinion, characters with higher Charisma scores, a higher sense of self in my opinion, would probably be more tuned to knowing when to draw attention to themselves and when not to, so I am saying you rely on you awareness of your "selfness" and try to not draw attention to yourself.
Portia walks with Gruingar. So, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you? Sithundan is an Oread. I have heard tales about them, but it is the first time I ever saw one. He definitely showed me his strength when we arm wrestled, almost popped my shoulder out its socket. You however, I have never heard about. I understand if you don't wish to answer and I don't wish to pry, just curious is all, she says with a comforting smile.
Shady Dragon
Upon entering the Shady Dragon, she looks around quickly and lets her eyes adjust to the change in light. She walks over to the bar, falcon perched on her shoulder, and smiles at the two behind the bar.
Afternoon, I would be up for a cold drink and a nice meal after the long trip. What would you suggest? Also, I was told you fine folks have cabins for rent. I also inquire about your rates and availability.
She then grabs a seat at the bar, and orders the meal suggested by the hosts.
