DM Cobalt's Unshackled City

Game Master Craig Mercer

"Here, this is for the trouble I have caused. I'll just be on my way then."

Alanaes drops 15 gold on top of the unconscious man and starts to walk toward the front door.

"Yep. Pretty much exactly. Except that girl was leading a band of thieves, who are now unconscious on the floor thanks to us. Maybe we should have let them rob you? Your patrons are fine. Our girl was trying to help you, and for her trouble she got grabbed by your goon, and since there were still thieves trying to rob you and your guy was actually helping the thieves out by getting in our way, Alaneas dropped him. I don't think we can make this much more clear, so I'm going to tell you again, have your men put the damn steel away. "

"Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but we had just recovered our sight, an' was looking to see who was who, when yer girl threw a spell inta a bunch o' people," the one guard who could see at the same time comments. "Spellcasters can be dangerous, an' Max there was just doin' his job."

The guards by Alanaes look towards the one-handed man, but he briefly shakes his head, and they let Alanaes leave unaccosted.

Geoff calms down somewhat (he's not good at staying angry).
"Hey! I let your man hit me and didn't kill him or run away. I was after that guy who was escaping. If my friends or I were attempting to rob this place do think I would have stayed?"

Before exiting, Alanaes calls back. "Once again, I am terribly sorry for the damage I have caused. Come on everyone, let's go." He then walks out without looking back again, whether the rest follow or not. He notices Terra off pleading to two guards who appear to be uninterested in helping out and walks over to her.

"Terra, things seem to be okay, but I'd like to find our companions and get away from this tavern. They don't seem to like us here."

"Terra, things seem to be okay, but I'd like to find our companions and get away from this tavern. They don't seem to like us here."

Your welcome at my place, as long as you don't wreck another tavern, my friends.

@Terra. . . I was looking at you to keep them out of trouble, too. . . tsk, tsk. . . :)

Terra adjusts her glasses as she glares at them. "W-What are you two talking about?" Lazy frigg'n jerks! Terra thinks to herself.

"Terra, things seem to be okay, but I'd like to find our companions and get away from this tavern. They don't seem to like us here."

"Oh, Okay." Terra responds. If the 'guards' answer her question with a real answer she thanks them and then quickly makes her way over to her boys. Otherwise, she doesn't bother to interact with them before making her way back to the others, as they really didn't do anything to help.

@ Soth. Trouble follows Terra like a lost puppy. :P

"Lil' lady, you must be new here, eh?" one of the guards responds. "It don't pay to get involved wit' someone important's business, eh?"

"Dat's da truth, ya know," the other replies. "Ya could end up floatin' in da bay if ya cross the wrong guy, ya know."
"'Sides, ya gotta have ya own boys ta take care o' things if ya wanna run a 'business' is this city, ya know."

Alanaes and Terra have left the building.
Are Darian and Geoff going to follow, or are they going to start a fight?

If they let us leave, I'll leave

"Come on Darian, they aren't worth our time and I'm tired of this place already. Look, the girls are even gone."

They don't stop you from leaving.

"Have a nice day folks." Darian says with a grin and walks out the door whistling for his horse and his dog.

And now everyone has left the Golden Goblin.
The other inn looms in the distance, or will you be going somewhere else?
Terra, sorry, but when the town is run by basically mob bosses, the guard (such as it is) doesn't like to get involved if they think it is a turf war between mobs.

No prob DM C, totally understand! Terra is a bit miffed by there indifference to help though. :)

Terra nods a small thanks the the two and walks back towards the group. Although they were useless in what she asked, the advice they gave was useful. Terra is not foolish to ignore good advice.

Stay out of Important people's business, crossing the wrong guy would be trouble, and count on your own trusted friends over the guards or others to get things done. Terra thinks to herself as she walks towards her 'boys.'

When Terra gets back to the boys, she looks up at them, waiting for them to make a decision of what to do next.

"I'm getting the feeling that this whole place could use a good house-cleaning..." Darian says grouchily. "I take it the guards were about as helpful as the bouncers?"

Terra nods in responce to Darian's question.

"Five minutes at that bar and I need another drink..." Darian sighs, rubbing his head where he'd been hit. "Let's go find Rogar and Soth."

Assuming that that encounter took at most maybe 30 minutes, if I found no temple, I would have simply gone to get a room and would try to eat a meager meal in the dining area, perhaps listening to rumors and conversation.

Outside of a tavern/temple to Cayden Cailean in Windward district, and a small open air area to a relatively minor goddess called Besmara, goddess of piracy, strife, and sea monsters, no temples are in Riddleport.
And, strictly speaking, there will not be too many temples or even shrines to Ragathiel in Varisia. The powerful angel that is a general of Heaven's army isn't worshiped much outside of Mendev.

True, but maybe a temple devoted to some sort of similar philosphy, honor, chivalry, goodness, etc. . . If not, no worries, I will just stay at the tavern. :)

The inn that Soth-Loren is at is the 'Mystery of the Gate', a large inn that seems to be filled with adventurers and scholars.
Drawings of the Cyphergate and its details are on the walls, and a lively crowd is present.

Rogar isn't there, but has left word with Soth-Loren that he was going to the Cyphermage Hall to see their library.

If Terra knows where the others are, she mentions it to the group. Otherwise she follows the others as they look for Soth and Rogar.

I will assume (a big assumption, mind you) that everyone eventually makes it to the mentioned inn.
If you want to interact with the patrons, or troll for rumors about the road ahead, this would be the time to do so.
If you have no futher plans, I'll move on with the story.

I'm good with that, I just assumed everyone was slowed down by the holiday weekends.

I also think that the holidays have slowed us down, and wanted to post to keep the thread close.
Also, it is a post to let people know where story is.

I'm still just waiting to get in. I have been monitoring the posts, but not to the point of metagaming it later. :)

Terra sits with the others at the Inn. She doesn't really speak much unless spoken to, but she listens and watches, absorbing everything and anything of interest.

With a curious look, "Greetings my friends. I didn't know you would be following me here, or I would have awaited thee outside? I sincerely apologize", with a small lowering of his head and partial bow.

Is everything alright? Can I offer to buy you something to eat? I have only just began to dine, myself."

Alanaes sits down next to Terra and tells Soth-Loren of their experience in the tavern.

"I suppose I was a bit ruthless with that kick, but it wasn't like I was attempting to permanently damage the guy... I don't like this place much."

"When I got off the boat I was thinking "We're in town. I don't need to be walking around in full armor." If I ever think that again will someone please hit me?"

With a curious look, "Greetings my friends. I didn't know you would be following me here, or I would have awaited thee outside? I sincerely apologize", with a small lowering of his head and partial bow.

Is everything alright? Can I offer to buy you something to eat? I have only just began to dine, myself."

"What are you having? Is it good? I-I think I'll have some." Terra asks, feeling a bit hungry after all that drama at the other tavern.

"I suppose I was a bit ruthless with that kick, but it wasn't like I was attempting to permanently damage the guy... I don't like this place much."

Terra shakes her head as Alanaes speaks. Sissies...

"When I got off the boat I was thinking "We're in town. I don't need to be walking around in full armor." If I ever think that again will someone please hit me?"

Terra smirks. ...So every time your not wearing your armor then..?

A serving girl sweeps by with a load of drinks for another table, and seeing that this one has filled, returns soon. "Drinks? Or a meal?" she asks. "We've fish, fowl and beast roasting tonight."

The rest of the inn's dining floor is taken up by knots of people, some appear to be scholars, and some adventurers (due to their varied armor and gear, although none appear to be fully geared up). Snatches of conversation swirl though the air, as the patrons discuss various things...
"... angles indicate that it is a ring, mostly buried..."
"... trade route though the danger of the Nolands..."
"... goblins raiding beyond The Lucky Monkey on the way to Cauldron..."
"... those woods ain't natural..."

"Umm... fowl please...and something to umm... drink...too..."

Terra leans back and listens to the conversations as she waits for her food. Her elven ears perk up as she hears the people talk about a buried ring, and she focuses on what those people are saying. She also gives a look over but not enough to make it look like she is staring.

With a curious look, "Greetings my friends. I didn't know you would be following me here, or I would have awaited thee outside? I sincerely apologize", with a small lowering of his head and partial bow.

Is everything alright? Can I offer to buy you something to eat? I have only just began to dine, myself."

"What are you having? Is it good? I-I think I'll have some."

"I am having just plain fish, which is all I require and", with a polite nod and smile to any waiters/waitresses in the area, "most excellent for a humble meal. For you my lady, I might suggest perhaps the roasted duck, and I believe I had overheard something of elven figs. But order as you wish, my friends. I would be honored if thou would allow me to purchase our first meal abroad."

As the conversations come. . .

"Would you excuse me a moment, friends?", as I stand and approach the people speaking about goblin raids.

As I approach their table, I will hold my empty hands up and offer what I hope is a warm smile, "Good sirs <or ladies as the case may be>, I apologize. I was not listening into thy conversations, but I did overhear something of a goblin raid near,. . . Cauldron. Is this correct, my friends? I beg thee to tell me what thou hast heard of it.", as I open my pouch for a few coin to buy them another round of whatever they eat or drink.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 +7 instead if with women from Charming Trait

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 just to see if they believe what they say, or perhaps are holding something else back.

The group of adventuring type (or traveling types) is a mix of three men and two women. They look at Soth-Loren with a bit of curiosity, then one of the men shrugs acceptance and speaks.

"Mind you, I haven't this first-hand," he says, "But I've heard tell that goblins are beginning to raid merchants and such heading into and out of Cauldron, or at least more often than usual."
"They say that they've been attacking more often between the Lucky Monkey Inn and Cauldron proper."

"I've heard that one of the generals has offered bounties and a reward too," one of the women chimes in.

It sounds like they believe what they are saying.

"Bounties and rewards? After that fiasco at the other place, I could use some of those."Geoff responds as his interest is piqued by the information.

Terra keeps listening as she eats her food, finding the subject interesting.

Putting down a few coin to pay for their meal, "Thank you good sirs and ladies. Perhaps this is something we might help with."

Returning to my seat, "I just overheard something interesting, and perhaps relevant to the rest of our journey. It seems that the number of raids by local goblins has increased recently, heading into Cauldron. They seem to be based somewhere in between an establishment called, um, um, . . .“the Lucky Monkey”. Dust anyone know of it?”

Any appropriate knowledge roll, DC 15 will tell you, as will asking some of the patrons such as the ones that Soth-Loren just spoke with (Diplomacy DC 12).

Untrained knowledge local 1d20 ⇒ 15

"I think I saw a sign on our way into town. Bet the bartender would know and I need a beer. Hold on." Darian says.

Getting up the big man makes his way over to the serving counter and says "One ale, a stout if you have it, and do you know were I can find the Lucky Monkey?"

untrained diplomacy 1d20 ⇒ 17

Good enough to look at what I posted as the Lucky Monkey spoiler.

Bringing his beer back to the table, Darian says "It's an Inn, bout three days out. I got basic directions. As long as we stick to the road we shouldn't miss it. So these goblins are supposed to be near there, then? I'm all for clearing out vermin when necessary, but is this really our concern? The people 'round here have already showed us how much they like being helped."

Terra shrugs. "It is outside of the city proper... maybe we can recover what they raided? That could possibly be worth some coin, at least." Terra says quietly, as usual.

"I shall do it because it is the right thing to do, not for booty or fame. Count me in."

Terra shrugs again. "Sounds good enough to me."

Sorry, patients came in and I got cut off. . .

"This is also on the way to our destination, I take that as a sign from above that we are on the right path, indeed. The heavens are mysterious in their inclanations and machinations, but we shalt be guided to where we need to be, and to where we are needed most. I have a good feeling about this."

"Dust anyone speak the goblin's tongue? I am not so familiar with their tactics, but such raids, are they not uncommon for goblins? Perhaps they have an unknown director."

Oddly enough, Rogar has the appropriate knowledge skills to answer Soth-Loren's questions, but he is off checking out the Cyphermage library.
To ask around the parton adventurers or scholars would be a Diplomacy Check, DC12.
They might know more than just the rumor Soth-Loren picked up.

"Yes, Soth-Loren, it is the right thing to do! But it is also a great way for me to practice my style of combat. I've been feeling a little rusty lately and I need to get myself back on the track to perfection!" Alanaes is excited about the idea of taking on some goblins.

Sorry for my lack of posts lately. Been busy with work.

Rogar finishes scanning through the last dusty tome and gets back to the the real world and remembers he was going to meet with his allies at the inn at about this time. He thanks the Owner on his way out and makes his way back to Inn.

Upon entry he scans the room for his friends and silently seats himself and finally says "Good to see that no ones missing any limbs. So what did I miss?"

If asked if he needs anything he will politely decline he has a hate for inn food.