Dragonlance: Heroes of a New Age

Game Master Shalafi2412

Indeed Knowledge Religion. Its a fairly easy check if you're a cleric but the higher you get the more info I'll give.

Yes even the Moon Gods have a shrine there Terevalis

Even the gods of Magic?

Since the gods have returned, they guide our path and re-establish themselves in their proper place in the universe. I believe that if they have chosen us, it is for great things, such as they did the Heroes of the Lance so long ago, the Dragonbane even longer ago.

Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Alathea looks thoughtful at Terevalis' words, "Yes but the Heroes of the Lance knew one another before their adventures. Well most of them did, Goldmoon and Riverwind were strangers to the rest of the Companions. Even Huma Dragonbane was allied with Kaz and Magius on his quests. We are all strangers to one another".

Looking at Jor and the away The majority of us, at least, have a semblance of honor or a desire for knowledge, priestess of the Tree of Life.

Laughing at the mention of honor and that honor will not keep you alive or feed your family elf when you die with knife in your back. Ups, I forgot it did happen with your whole race already almost Jor smile wryly Mercenaries are bunch of people I can understand and can respect. Honor is only something you really can afford when you have the strenght to do what you want.

Looking at the Herald and glancing at others It indeed does sound novel idea but I do unfortunately not really trust or believe this 100%. I live for battles, I am breed for battle and that is the truth. The steel being payed ensures I can live yet another day and my own strenght allows me to do it. Relics or what not, being stupid is not on top of my list. I have the mission, duty and power of Brass Tiger Company behind me and that is more than you can ever wish. at this Jor assumes wide and give a small bow toward others

I am Jor Majere, a member of Brass Tiger Company and in behalf of Brass Tiger Company I have authority to search, fill and form contracts. My services and loyalty are yours if you can afford to pay for them. That is more important for me than your honor and lost culture elf

Not sure how famous Brass Tiger Comapany is for others but I assume they do know about it/have heard or maybe roll Knowledge

With a 13 you can tell that the Hearld probably refers to Chemosh, also known as the Lord of Bones, the Lifebane and the Black Goat as the Horned Goat Skull is his constellation. He represents the Godly force of Fatalism. He disdains life and embraces death and undeath for the souls of Krynn. He is a very evil god but often took a back seat to the evil of the Dark Queen. As he is feared and reviled by most civilizations and thus his worshipers tend to be fairly secretive and thus little is known about the inner workings of his church."

As for the Brass Tiger Company, indeed it is quite a famous mercenary company who do work all over Anasalon. They are known for their professionalism and loyalty to their hired causes. Still they are more moral than many other companies and will not take jobs that involve torture or outright slaughter of innocent civilians. Jor would easily know the policies of the Brass Tiger Company so he would not need to roll as he is a member of the organization. Others can make a knowledge Local or History, DC 10 to know this information

The Herald looks to Jor and says, "A man who lives by the coin I see. Shinare, the Winged Victory would smile on such a path in life. IF it is money you seek then profit you will have Brass Tiger Jor. The bandit Pegrin's ill gotten gains are yours for the picking. Indeed even the Dark Knights I hear have a bounty for his capture worth 100 steel. And one should also think of the lost treasure itself Jor. The profit one would make to discover the forgotten treasures of elves and dragons. Such could be worth the price of your services."

Mercenaries are little more than whores who turn tricks for the highest bidder. Perhaps Hiddukel is better suited for that one, Herald he says pointing with his thumb at Jor who neither appreciates what his last names means or signfies.

I do not say that earning steel through adventure is not charming idea, I do not deny that finding a lost and forgotten treasure would be something I have not dreamed off. I shall consider it and most of all, capturing or killing this Pegrin and reaping that bounty will increase the chances of my company here.

Angrily glaring at elf this time Everyone knows that Majeres served as mercenaries. Everyone knows that we do have our pride and code, which you clearly keep insulting and I am letting go so you better watch your mouth. You are not welcome here in this town, elf and you better keep watch as there are still plenty of people having a grudge against you

Ignoring the elf for now Jor looks at the others and back to Herald but to accept this job, there is formalities to be done if I were to aid. Treasure or not I am in the end a mercenary and only coinswill move my sword. as Jor reaches his hand out and I never defined how much it has to be

even 1 copper here will be enough to seal the deal.

Interesting. Here Jor Majere, 2 stl to serve as my body guard throughout this venture. placing 2 stl on the table.

All this speak of honor but yet they know not what it means. Am I to work with these people. Surely if the old man has seen it it means something. What am I to do with this package?

"Herald I am willing to accept your vision and to go on this journey as I have faith to believe in what you tell me, but I have been tasked and must return to Ak-Khurman. How am I to do both. I can not simply break my duty."

The Herald says to Gabriel, "Your task will be done in time Sir Knight. There is no reason why you cannot accomplish your task here and afterwords complete your task at Ak-Khurman. For now the retrieval of the Key is paramount for if you fail to retrieve the key now, it may be lost forever."

As for Jor he thinks on his words but seeing Terevalis taking the lead the Hearld says, "I believe your have your payment Brass Tiger Jor. You are bound to the task at hand by the pact of coin."

As the law dictates, as the honor of mercenary bounds me, the payment has been received and accepted. Jor Majere of Brass Tigers at standby and after that Jor assumes his position a bit behind from Terevalis

You paid, you gain. The necessarities and points of the agreement have not yet to be discussed but that can be done after everyone here has given their opinion. This is to fine-detail our contract and to be understood by both parties. speaking with a calm and passive voice as Jor stands in relaxed form but hands never far away from his Greatsword

Since the steel is mine, the contract would be with me.

"Very well, I will help to get this key, but I must work in secret for I am less welcome here then the elven people. You will have my sword in this task herald."

Gabriel looks around the room at each person wondering what they all are thinking.

I don't know who I should or can trust yet. They could surely profit from knowing I'm a knight. The dark knights would pay good coin for me, and that one driven by the coin more than anything. What in Huma's name have I gotten into.

Alathea smiles at Gabriel and mouths the words "thank you" knowing the risk that he takes.

"It seems we are all in agreement Herald. Still we know not where to search for this villain, can you guide us in this as well?"

The Herald says to Alathea, "In my dreams I have seen the one you seek. He lies a day and a half travel to the south in the outskirting woods of the Silvanesti Forest. There he makes his camp along with his fellow bandits and his ill gotten gains. As for details of who else resides in the camp, that has not been revealed to me in my dreams."

Shall we meet here and head out in the morning?

Ok well suffice to say with the information the Herald gave you your characters can get to the Bandit Camp with a successful Survival Roll of DC 15 (To find tracks or signs of traffic). Getting to the forest edge is simple enough as you just go straight south but searching the woods is another story. Now Jor does know that a group of Pegrin's men are in town right now. Do with this information as you will. As only Terevalis has been in the town for any length of time he can make a Knowledge: Local check to see if he knows anything about the criminal underworld of Pashin as there might be someone who would have intelligence on Pegrin's gang and its members. Right now you have no idea of their numbers or any noteworthy members other than those you have met already and Pegrin himself.

The Herald says, "I have told you all that I know on the subject. The sooner that you find Pegrin the better but he is a dangerous man so resting to recover your strength for the battle ahead would be a prudent choice."

I would suggest to move now instead in the morning as we do have then the moment of surprise in our side. Most of the bandits are sleeping plus it is easier to fight in the darkness when people have no idea how much enemies lies in the darkness without even speaking off possible retreat options. Jor comments as he lists the options

We could also wait till morning and buy necessary stuff. What I do wonder is what is the composition of our team at the moment. I do recognize that you are a wizard, the lady there a cleric. You pointing at Gabriel were called Sir Knight and as far as I can see you are not Nerekan so that leaves Steel I assume. What about you? Kagonesti elf or? Jor asks curiously as his left eyebrow rises a bit

Anyway suffice to be 12 hour travel to get there (A typical travel day is 8 hours of travel so a day and a half travel is 12 hours). You could push into the night and do all 12 hours in one run get there say 8 am in the morning but if you do so it will be fortitude save to avoid fatigue as you won't have 8 hours of rest. The DC will also be higher than normal as you're doing more than an 8 hour travel day.

There are other groups of Knights other than the foul Dark Knights of Neraka or the Legion of Steele. says the elf, But I think we should set off in the morning, if only to give the casters time to prepare their spells for what might take place tomorrow.

"Agreed, I just arrived in the city and am quite tired from my trek".

Come Jor Majere, perhaps we should discuss the terms of your contract in the shrine to Shinare or the 3 Cousins?

Who has shrines represented here?

"Let's leave tomorrow. If you want to hit them while they're in bed, we can leave late and walk slow."

All of the Gods have a shrine here Terevalis, even Takhisis and Paladine!

Jor walks along Terevalis to one of the shrines First: The amount of Steel from the whole service. As a sole represantive of Brass Tiger Company here in the whole region I am willing to take a less amount of steel as in to increase our reputation and show the skills of the company in order to attract more potential customer. So in such we are speaking around 100-200 Steel coins.

Second: I will provide food, weapons and other necessary equipments for myself so that will not be under your consiousness

Third: Since I am working for you and regarding the incident with the elven relics and so on-> I assume all the relics regarding elven or sylvanasti will be collected and given to you. However I will retain the right to receive the bounty from Pegrin and collect it from Dark Knights since no one else in our group cant really do it

Fourth: question of equipment and items from the bandits will be leaved open ended but we can still define these in some form: since you are a magic user you will of course receive all the required items such as wands, spellbooks etc. All the other items will be sold and steel divided additionally to my salary

Fifth: I will be protecting you as the contract dictates but I will not sacrifise myself. I will do my best in each and every situation to prevent harm befalling you as well keep enemies coming in contact. There is no direct commanding involved but I will fulfill the commands to my best abilities

And lastly, everything I do is not the be questioned since that might save my and your life as well.

Jor finishes and watches at Teravalis If you have something to say about conditions, please do so. This is however the basic contract albeit with some modifications what we use for all Brass Tiger Company contracts

"So we are leaving in the morning then? Where are we to meet? I have a room back at the inn we could just leave from there, as I think other of you are staying there."

"I believe we should leave from the Temple. The Inn is far too conspicuous for my taste. Yes, I am staying at the Inn as well. Better that we slip away from here separately as well. The hour is late and I grow tired. I shall see all of you gentle folk here in the morning".

Alathea stops at the Shrine of Zivilyn one more time to recite a prayer and heads back to the Five Dragon Inn.

That seems fair, however for the first stipulation. There is no way to guarantee that you or we will receive 100 or 200 steel in this venture since we really have no idea as to the content and number of the goods that have been purloined by this cretinish thief. This cannot be guaranteed. However, I would be willing to keep you in mind for future ventures to help ensure that your financial necessities are taken care of. I hope, to be able, one day to return to the Forests of Silvanesti and aid in the reclamation of my home. The spoils of the Minotaurs would be yours to share in as well.

Thinking for a moment Jor hesitantly agrees We do have a deal although I do have to warn before that next time the price will have to be 200 steels as that is standard one but that might be fine till later dates.

and just to make a point. Although we have a bad start, it is nothing else than rules and heart of Mercenaries. Also this is to spread word of my Company as well ensure further contracts. Just to warn that if there is no profit to be seen or risks are too high, we will consider other employers but that is, unfortunately, our way of live

But without further ado, we do have deal

Is it possible to get scrolls from the elven underground?

Scrolls are not in abundant supply considering that the elves had to abandon their homeland leaving their sanctums behind and there is not a lot of wizards in the elven underground. There is also not an abundant supply of money to actually pay for the special inks and components needed to properly scribe scrolls. Still if you want a scroll you have two choices. You can search the Bazzar to find a scroll seller but expect to pay inflated prices as Scrolls are heavily marked up due to low supply and high demand. Secondly you could ask Shaylin to scribe a specific scroll for you. I'll say she is willing to craft 1 scroll for you of up to 2nd level (as 3+ level spells are not usually given to those who have not taken the test). You still must pay the money for the components though to make it.

So our heroes depart saying farewell to the Herald and leaving him in the safety of the temple. You then all rest for the night at the 5 dragon inn if you're staying there (or wherever else you chose to rest). In the morning you wake up refreshed and treat yourself to breakfast. It is now 8 AM. Do you want to head out and search for Pegrin's Camp or do you want to gather some information in the town first?

The elf would have gone back to the sewers of Pashin and told Sheyln what was taking place and to ask for her advice on the matter.

Terevalis heading back to the sewers and eventually arrives at the elven enclaive. Sheylin meets with Terevalis and hears his words. She then says, "It is an Intriguing development Tervalis. Even though this herald is a human his insight into things of elven kind seems uncharacteristic. The secret of elves and dragons... humm, such secret eludes even myself in knowledge. If the Herald is at all correct in his words then this situation will involve more scrutiny."

Shaylin is lost in thought at the moment considering the situation and then says, "Terevalis, I would ask that you accompany this party of adventurers and see their task succeeds. Still they have yet to earn enough trust to let them act alone on this endeavor. We can not be sure that after they retrieve the relics that they themselves will not sell the relics. Thus I will have Naelathan and three of our best scouts shadow the party. They shall not interfere unless things appear to be dire but will be there for your support and as well as retrieve the elven relics by force if this party proves treacherous. If indeed they keep to their word however, I would be most interested in having them brought before me. I will then call on the powers of Divination to see what further destiny lies ahead."

Shalafi, I have hired a mercenary from the Brass Tiger group in order to help ensure that the relics are returned to the people of Silvanesti. I hate to ask but is there any way to get more funds to ensure that he works for the side of the people of E'li?

Shaylin says to Terevalis, "Funds unfortunately are not something we have in abundance. A majority of our funds are being used to purchase supplies and goods needed for the enclaive. The humans charge inflated prices for their wares which puts even more strain on our funds. How much money would you require Terevalis in order to keep this sell-sword's loyalty?"

The sum is much Shalafi. He asks for 200 steel. I did tell him that was a lot of steel but promised to keep in mind for other jobs.

Ready to go whenever.

Shaylin hears the request and says, "Humm, that is quite a sum. It would mean a sacrifice of money that could be better used for potions, reagents or supplies. I would rather avoid paying that kind of money if it can be avoided. There may be a solution however. I am sure the bandits that you are dealing with have some amount of coin. The fee could perhaps be paid out of what is found. You certainly would be entitled to a share if your aid is sufficent. If you can pay him out of your share then all is well and good. If not, I will cover the difference that is needed."

Right now my main concern, Shalafi, is to retrieve the Key of Quinari

Shaylin hearing you mention the key says, "That which belonged to Quinari is among our most treasured relics. That should be your main concern Terevalis. See to it that it returns to elven hands where it belongs. Is there any more concerns you wish to address?"

At this time no, Shalafi. With the mercenieres help, a Majere I might add, I will bring back the Key of Quinari. The 3 Cousins will guide my path.

OK that covers the side quest for Terevalis. Any other side quests or preparations before all of you leave. In addition are you doing the 12 hour walk or splitting the travel to a 8 hour / 4 hour split if you are leaving?

I vote we rent horses for the day to cut down on our own fatigue.

Gabriel leaves a not for Alathea at the inn.

He heads to the stables to retrieve his horse and waits on the side of town toward the camp. He looks on awaiting for the others to arrive.

I'm fine with either. Faster may be better, but I have a horse so I won't be fatigued. Up to you guys.

What would the cost be for renting a horse?