It's a beautiful spring morning outside the Blue Dragon inn in the free city of Greyhawk. The trees are just getting back their leaves, and the druids in the city -- almost all of them -- are at the druid circle preparing for the spring equinox. The circle exists outside the city to it's Northern gates.
The rest of you just came out of the inn. Having known each other for a week, you spent a night at the Blue Dragon inn.
Despite what had happened last night, you all have gold in your pockets. The message board in front of the inn seems to be a place where people can find adventure. Several notes have been taken. Leaving a few left.
Baldwin took in a deep breath. The fresher spring air served to clear the head of the sweaty odors of more confined spaces like inn common rooms, though as a large city the Free City of Greyhawk had more than its fair share of randomly unpleasant smells outside as well.
He flexed his right hand. The knuckles were still a little sore from the chastisement he had meted out last night. But then that drunken sailor had it coming to him and would doubtless feel the pain of his transgressions a lot worse this morning. If Baldwin felt any pangs of regret, it was for the mug he broke across the man's face. The damage was compensated, but he had lost his cool more than he should have and the innkeeper's crockery paid the price. "Next time, use something less breakable," he reminded himself, not initially realizing he was speaking aloud. The raised eyebrows, smirks, and sidelong glances from his companions of the night before snapped him out of his reverie.
He had come to the Free City of Greyhawk for a purpose - to promote good, sensible behavior within his church's clergy and flock and cleanse it of blatant corruption. But after a fortnight, he was no closer to finding a practical way to do it more than calling out fools and bribe-takers and getting into a lot of fistfights. He needed to find a focus, a shorter-term goal that could be leveraged into something more. That's when the message board caught his eye...
Briena welcomes the nice weather as a chance to get outside and stretch her legs, not to mention her animal companion's legs. Of course, he's still stuck on a leash, for the sake of the sensibilities of city folk but you can't have everything.
Briena found the local idea of carousing a bit loud for her tastes. She spent last evening quietly eating and drinking watered wine in a corner. Fortunately, Rishi dissuaded some of the rougher patrons from trying anything unfortunate. A mouthful of bared fangs is a very effective deterrent to trouble. She was worried about that sailor for a while, but fortunately he caught a mug to the face before he caused any serious trouble.
Having failed to find any immediate assistance for her mission to kick the Empire soldiers out of the forest, Briena is now moving to plan B, and accordingly, the message board.
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Zahk'rii opened his eyes with the morning sounds of the city. He hadn't moved from the spot where he passed out the night before: the Blue Dragon's floor.
His belongings hadn't moved either. Perhaps he was lucky or maybe a colourfully dressed dragonborn who sometimes spoke as a pirate and laughed way too often way too loud made possible thieves think twice.
"Shiver me timbers! Either I drank handsomely or me deadlights got hurt in a brawl, the sunlight sure is bright today! Hahahahahaha!" he commented mostly to himself, as he stood up. "Did I tell them that time I met Robilar? I remember drawing me cutlass and reenacting the battle! Wait a moment..." the dragonborn's eyes open widely as he looks around, his face showing increasing anger.
"MUCKLE DAMRED THIEVES 'AIR EH NAMBLIES BE KEEPIN' ME TARRY!" he yells before noticing the item he is holding, the one he thought was stolen and the only thing he loved more than himself: his stuffed tarrasque named Tarry.
Shame turning his face red after the hubbub he started out of nothing, Zahk bursted into laugter "Sink me if I am not a fool! Hahahaha!" the dragonborn said as he packed Tarry into his bag and apologized to the innkeeper before exiting the Blue Dragon.
Once outside, Zahk inhaleded deeply, enjoying the fresh air of the morning as he turned to the message board. He came to the Free City to become a great warrior and hero, like Robilar did here as well years ago, and every wannabe hero needs a quest to prove himself...
Morley slumps out of the inn, wincing and covering his eyes. "Bloody hell, why's it gotta be so damn bright out here? Is a coupla clouds too much to ask fer?"
He squints around at his surroundings, finally catching sight of the others. His eyes widen with anger, before wincing with pain at the bright light. "Oi! You! You almost knocked me damn teeth out last night! That's a cheap shot, smackin' someone with a mug, and a waste o' good drink besides! I oughtta kick yer damn a-"
Suddenly he stops, closes his mouth, and rushes to bend over near the door, the sound (and smell) of his retching causing passers by to wrinkle their noses in disgust. He waves dismissively in Baldwin's general direction, still bent at the waist. "Ok, ok, it's possible I had it comin' to me. I been told before that I kin get a bit rambunctious, as it were, when I'm drinkin'. Sorry if I was rufflin' yer feathers last night."
He slowly straightens up, spitting out the last of his vomit. Noticing the message board for the first time, he ambles over, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Hmm, what's this? I could use some more jingle in my pockets. Saving up money to open a new shop is going to take a long time, especially if there are many more nights like last night.
Sinch steps out the door, smelling the breeze of yet another day in this city. He glances cautiously around as he spots the message board, eyes a ticket flipping in the wind. As he approaches, a barhand comes out and yells towards him, "And don't come back til you've got the means for this 'ere tab!"
Yep, time to get out and find some coin, pay my debts and figure out my lot in life. Damn sure haven't figured it out yet. "At least there's no barkers here. Course with you two, there's not much need, eh?" Sinch says as he glares toward Morley and Zahk'rii. "Of course, I don't mean anything by it, just right early in the morning for silliness."
Turning toward the message board, he reaches out for the tatter that caught his eye. Here's my lucky ticket.
Lia looks up from her meal of rice and steak as the others crowd around the message board. The motley crew she's found herself a part of is quite lively today. As entertaining as they were, she couldn't help but wonder how long their partnership would last.
I mean, anything could happen... but until the end, I'm not going to just abandon them. I'm not my father.
She promptly finishes off her meal and steps over to the message board. "What're you looking at?" She tries to get a peek at the slips of paper they're crowding around.
Maybe it's something that'll lead me closer to him...
The wind rustles past you as you look at the notices on the board. Two are in common (), and the other is in Elven (). Three in total. all three are written on colored parchment. All one had to do was pull one off and read it. The two in common are hand written in beautiful italics. While the other is written in elvish script. The elvish script is flowing and beautiful. While the common script is written in ugly letters.
The Adventuring Holstein Cow Company is looking for intrepid explorers to explore a ruined castle half-way to Hardby. The Castle is rumored to be haunted. Those that wish to look at this relic of the Greyhawk Wars must be brave enough to handle the spooks and to report back if it's indeed, haunted.
Wanted, intrepid adventurers needed to explore a ruin outside of Greyhawk for possible signs of snake cult activity or worse: to see if clerics of Vecna are operating in there. The adventure is expected to be lethal and only the foolhardy need to apply. One only has to apply at the Church of Saint Cuthbert.
Yn eisiau: Adventurers i ymchwilio digwyddiadau rhyfedd penodol ar ein fferm. Mae rhywbeth yn dwyn ein da byw.
Lia takes a closer look at the Elven notice.
"Huh... something's happening at a farm, it looks like. Livestock's being stolen."
She had spent the last night in the bar laughing, dancing and singing, gladly accepting a drink from any willing to pay for it and looking for an easy pocket to swipe a few more coins from. Traveling near the Cuthbertian made her careful. Her store of coin was running lower than she would like. The note in elvish caught her eye and she reached for it her delicate fingers running below each line of the flowing script reading it.
"You are correct, not as lucritive as the other two I think, but we could help some needy folk perhaps?
She began slipping the dagger back into her belt and running a hand through her hair. Her head tingled a little, she had perhaps accepted one or two too many drinks the night before. She adjusted her 'tool' belt slung about her waist.
Morley glances at the others, one eyebrow raising. "So the jobs available are to either work fer a company what named itself after a milk cow, go on an adventure they admit you have to be dumb 'n' crazy to take, or go find an actual cow what some elf farmer lost? I think I'm startin' to remember why I never got into the adventurin' business before."
He stops abruptly, hand over his mouth and eyes going back to where he's vomited once already. "Ugh. False alarm. So, what d'you fellas think sounds least likely to kill us while weighin' down our coin pouches?"
"Please, let me see those two notices written in the same scrawl." Sinch glances at each note. He puts his hand on his chin, rubbing absently.
"Hmmm. I am no leader of men, but I am willing to lend hand, regardless of the destination."
"I never like to hear of animals suffering."
Sinch's face loses its gleeful luster for only a moment as a hurtful thought scrapes across his brow.
No doubt these cattle are meeting a violent end, despite their unknown whereabouts. More money and a good fight is great but...my vote is that we follow up on this one first."
He points at the Elvish notice that Lia translated.
"Should be simple enough to track down some livestock. If nothing else, Rishi here can sniff 'em out."
The wolf huffs as his name is mentioned.
"Ok, ok, it's possible I had it comin' to me. I been told before that I kin get a bit rambunctious, as it were, when I'm drinkin'. Sorry if I was rufflin' yer feathers last night."
"Apology accepted. Just keep in mind that I'm buying a pewter mug at first opportunity. Hopefully that thought will help keep you on a wiser path."
Baldwin takes down the notice posted by the Church of St. Cuthbert. He muses, "Even in writing the Church has trouble with diplomatic words. Of course this notice is going to scare everyone away who doesn't have a death wish!" He then tacks it back up on the notice board.
"Livestock, eh? Probably bandits or predators. Either way, it sounds like a good way to start getting acquainted with the surrounding lands. Then, if we find we work well enough together, perhaps we can look into some of these other notices."
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"Hahahaha! Cor blimey, Holstein Cow Company! These landlubbers will never stop surprising me me." he comments as he reads the notes.
When the others start discussing the jobs, Zahk turns his attention from the notes to the strangers gathered around them and him.
"Yer all gotta be kidding me. Investigating lost cattle when a castle is waiting fer us to plunder it and a cult is hiding in some ruins? Next ye will tell me ya want a hug and a kiss goodnight HAHAHAHAHA!" he comments before bursting into laughter again. "No prey no pay, I guess. And I want to know the bucko's story, so count me in. He's still swaggering so I betcha less than a month ago he was sailing the waters. Am I right, matey?" Zahk points with his head towards Morley.
After a dramatic pause and tidying his clothes, the dragonborn speaks again "Where are me manners? Me name's Zahk'rii Kreinkun, but call me Zahk. always on the hunt for glory, booze and booty".[b] Zahk takes off his hat and bows exaggerately [b]"What's yer story? Ye lubbers seem friendly, but if we are to gang up I want to know ye.
Rum makes a heart merry, but causes the memory to fade, eh Zahk? Wouldn't you rather save some conversation for the road? I'm sure no one here wants to here anymore about lion taming or tricks involving whips and cigars, but if you want another story, I guess I can conjure one up..."
A breeze blows past you, making the notices on the notice board quiver slightly. One of the city watch patrols the street, looks at you, and snickers. "Wannabe adventurers," he says with some derision. "Hey, I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee."
Her eyes narrowed and she shot a glare at the guard. For a moment she was about to say something but instead just managed to bite her tongue.
Turning back to the group.
Castles and cults wont be going anywhere, that livestock however is, Zahk is it? You may call me uh...
The elf began adjusting the toggle on her cloak. She was a fool suggesting they take the elven missive. What if she was recognized? What if one of these adventurer's in front of her said her name in the wrong spot to the wrong people. She coughed when she realized she had left a pause in her name.
"Bitterleaf, you may call me Bitterleaf it would be the easiest way for you non elves to say my name. Im a bit of a troubleshooter if you will."
"Alright then, let's go help the farmer. Best to start off with something easy, 'n work out how to work together in a scuffle." Morley tosses his backpack over his shoulder, careful not to rattle the vials and flasks too much. Despite the careless and messy nature of everything else about him, the bag is packed carefully so as not to break any of his volatile and expensive ingredients. "Anyway, worst case scenario is that them cattle is already dead, and we'll get some beef outta the deal. Sounds great to me!" He grins widely and steps back from the message board, ready to head out.
He grimaces, spits, then heads back inside the inn. "Jus' a sec, I gotta get somethin' to wash me mouth out. Hair o' the dog what bit me sounds pretty good!" He comes out a minute later, wiping foam from his beard and belching. "Ok, let's get this ship sailin'. So Cinch, is it true you was in the circus? That musta been some good times. You said you got some stories for the road?"
"Bitterleaf, huh? I gotta say, there's nothin' strange about a person havin' a nickname, but they usually let someone else give it to 'em instead o' makin' it up on the spot. Whatever fills yer sails, lass."
Still distracted by the guard's barb, Baldwin fails to notice Bitterleaf's hesitation...
"I am Baldwin and I am tempted to say that my story is hardly written yet. But I serve the Church of St. Cuthbert, keeping his clergy and flock on a sensible path of honesty and forthrightness. Sometimes that requires a stern word, sometimes a stern fist. I am content to deliver either."
With his mind set on leaving the city, Sinch could care less about the intricacies of names or identities.
He nods in excited agreement with Bitterleaf.
"What are we still standing around here for? Let's go," Sinch says as he impatiently readjusts the chain draped around his shoulder, as well as the backpack strap on the other.
Lia rolls her eyes at the guard's taunt. If only you had taken an arrow in the throat as well. Then you might be somewhat tolerable.
Lia carefully pockets the elven missive.
She doesn't really take any notice of Bitterleaf's potential worry.
Briena gives the guard a flat look in response to the taunt then turns back to her fellow adventurers
"I'm Briena of Perrenland, I am a guardian of the wild and it's creatures."
"Lia Nightbreeze. Formerly of Zeif." Lia offers a quick bow.
"Well, Zahk, it looks like we have enough agreement to look into the stolen livestock first. Perhaps after that we will be able to look into the problems brewing in the ruins. Until then, I will leave it up to those of us who read elvish to lead us to the people in trouble."
"Aye, let's get goin'. I wonder if they'll feed us there? Nothin' like fresh eggs jus' plucked out from under the hen." Morley licks his lips delightedly.
"Cooked first, I hope?"
"It's settled, then?" Lia straightens herself up. "Let's see if there's some horses or a cart available for us to rent..."
"O'course, cooked! What'd ya think I am, a savage? I mean, yeah, raw eggs c'n help with a hangover sometimes, but I'm not hung over every mornin'." He looks up and down the street. "I think I saw a place to git horses just t'other day. Now where was that again?"
Morley looks back and forth the street multiple times, as if looking for landmarks he remembers. Suddenly his furrowed brow straightens, and with a relieved sigh he starts down the street. "Ah, right, it's this way. I remember a place next to that guildhall with the sellswords an' all that. We can get a cart or somethin' there to haul us all out to that farm."
As he looks back to wave at the others to join him, he accidently steps in horse droppings in the middle of the road. "Ugh, no wonder all these city folk is so grumpy all the time. You can't walk down the bloody street without pickin' up somethin' fragrant on yer boots. On a ship the only time you worry about that is if someone's dumb enough to go to the crap lines in a gale. Come on, let's get outta this place." He continues down the road, step-scrape, step-scrape, trying to clean his boot.
The way to the guildhall livery stables was uneventful except for:
Seeing a newlywed couple, both of them laughing and on their merryway before reaching the livery stables.
"Rishi will follow along behind the cart, more comfortable for everyone that way."
"Rishi will follow along behind the cart, more comfortable for everyone that way."
Another random city encounter:
You meet a follower of Celestian, who is arguing for a cart down to the docks district. "I'm telling you I only have five pieces of silver, and I need to get to the docks!""Sorry, renting a cart is fifteen pieces of silver, I can't change my prices for just anyone."
"But I need to be on that ship, can't you make an exception?"
** spoiler omitted **
It's another dragonborn
She almost reached into her belt pouch to pull out a few coins for the newlyweds.... but that was almost. She had to make her coins count until there were more of them. She thought there was a moment they could take advantage of.
"Guys we could rent the cart, charge that fellow 3 silver to get to the docks and still be on our way. We are renting a cart anyway right? It wont slow us down too much I think and it will save us a bit of coin at the least.
She suggested quietly amongst the group. She also eyed the man renting the carts.. particularly his waist to see how secure his coin pouch might be.
"As long as I get to the docks, especially to Snagtooth shipbuilding," says the Celestian worshipper. The Dragonborn heard your suggestion and turns to look at you, Malayvin Ai Illiurda.
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Zahk watches the dragonborn argue and considers the elf plan, but in the end his impulsive nature overdrives him.
The dragonborn gets close and pulls out 15 gold pieces which he promptly gives the cart renter "Make sure he arrives on time, I'm paying the extra fee to make his short ride fast and timely, ye hear me?" Zahk says in an intimidating voice before bursting into laughter.
The piratey dragonborn then turns to the other dragonborn and bows before offering his clawed hand. "From scalykin to scalylad, we need to unite against them scallywags! Hahahaha! Me name's Zahk'rii Kreinkun, look fer me in the Blue Dragon Inn next time ye be in port and we'll share a drink! Long time no see one of us, always a pleasure!"
After shaking hands with his blood-brother, Zahk turns to the renter again.
"Will that cover me cart too? But we don't want no ugly cart, gives us the fanciest. If we are to sail the roads, let's do it with class! Hahahaha!"
The dragonborn replies to Zahk'rii, "Are you for real?"
However, there is a coach that is available that will seat six. Although one has to drive to get to the destination.
Morley walks up and pats a horse hesitantly. "So does one o' you know how to drive these things? Sorry to say it, but unless it floats on water I'm better as ballast than pilot."
Sinch reaches out and begins to stroke the horse's mane.
"There's a good girl."
He turns to the rest of the party.
"Unless someone objects, and with her help," he says looking back to the horse, "I can drive us, no sweat."
Sinch looks over to the dragonborn stablemaster. "What's her name?"