You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World and you’ve heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.”
It did not surprise you that Venture Captain Drandle Dreng woke you at an ungodly hour and tasked you with exploring the tower and reporting back to him. He has set no deadline, but indicated he would not be pleased if you had nothing to report because others were acting faster.
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The undine wasn't in the best of moods. Yet again, Zarta had summoned him from the nice cool recesses of his library and told him she was volunteering his name to VC Dreng for a new assignment. Despite his protests and his allegations that he was almost fired by a Minotaur last time, there was no talking her out of this plan.
He appeared in his flowery robes with several scrolls poking out of their cases. He was a slightly built undine. He wore no armor and had only a dagger at his side. Ash looked his team up and down as they entered. "So what's the plan," he sulked.
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A tall, white haired man in his mid twenties makes his way into the room, with a confident look on his face. A large sword in its scabbard across his back along with other weapons of battle hanging from his belt and backpack. A long dark tattered cloak drapes around his shoulders and down over an ornate and yet to be scratched or dented breastplate.
He eyes up Ashwell before introducing himself "I'm Mort" He reaches out a large hand to the undine "First time working with someone of your kind."
He glances around the room "Where's the rest of 'em? I can't believe I got here almost first! That page was so persistent, I hope I didn't scare him off too bad. I wasn't really serious..."
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"Come on, mom," Linria says as she urges her fox companion up. The tiny magical beast energetically hops to its feet, scratching her deep fiery red coat with her hind leg. White tips outline her ears and a single strand of purple fur extends down her back.
"You heard him. We have to make for the Fallen Fortress. Scared?" She laughs at her fox. Linria stands well below six feet, quite short for an elf, and her disheveled black hair extends nearly to the backs of her knees. Her deep green eyes would otherwise be dull if it were not for the contrast against her porcelain white skin. She wears a practical brown cloth robe with little embroidery or highlights to it and black leather boots with mud stains decorating them. The whole ensemble is really quite tomboyish.
Linria and her fox meet the rest of the team at Venture-Captain Dreng's office. "The plan? You don't waste any time, do you? I like a man who takes control," she jokes with Ashwell. "I'm Linria, but call me Lyn. It's just so much easier and cooler. That's a big sword you've got there, Mr. Mort. You think we'll need it in this Fallen Fortress?"
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Mort watches the Elven woman come in Why is it I'm always working with women but can never get a date! Not even at Sheela's party last week!
"How's it going Lyn. Nice fox you got there. It is a fox right? Didn't know there were ones that had purple fur."
He pulls his sword out of its sheath with a ring "Sure hope so! I'd be a shame to not get some blood on this baby again, been too long." A week is a while, even if that last week was quite busy...He slides it back in its spot.
Mort leans into the group whispering for some reason "Don't tell her, but this is likely going to be her last mission. From what I figure, if we do things right on this trip, I should have enough coin to finally get that newer model in Yold's shop down on the corner. Those Northmen really know how to craft a big sword!"
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"Oh, I'm good. I just joined the Society recently and this will be my first expedition. My companion here is Sayra," she says as she rubs the fox's head. "The purple in her fur is ... a long story."
Yes, "This fox is my mother." What a great opener that would've been.
Linria clears her throat, quickly changing the subject. "Why are you whispering, Mr. Mort? Can your sword actually hear you?"
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Mort gives a hearty laugh at that thought "No, no, that'd be a bit crazy. We've been through a lot together and out of respect for her fine work of late I thought it would be a bit rude to... ya a bit crazy for sure."
"So by the looks of things I can assume the both of you cast spells or something? A lack of armor and 'real' weapons and all. Are you particularly good with people? These 'hens' I was with on my last mission, very flighty but man they could really talk someone out of a fight. Or lull them into a nap! Cept this frog... very much not a hen, more like a cross between a hen and a fighting cock really. Hellova right cross that one had!" He continues to watch Lyn, kind of like he's doing his best to size her up.
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"I get it, you love your sword. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I lived with dwarves for a few years, so I know very well how one might be closely attached to a weapon or suit of armor," she laughs, but her fox glares up at her and paws at her boot.
"Sayra here helps me use magic. I don't really understand it yet, but communicating with her lets me tap into the arcane, kind of like this," she lazily lifts one hand and taps her shirt with a finger. It begins to glow brightly. She then speaks very softly, almost seductively, "I can lull things to sleep pretty easily too with just the right words... And a bit of magic."
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Mort gets a look of slight concern when the Elf calls him on his 'fondness' for his sword. "Ya, we go way back. A good friend that rarely lets me down, they are hard to come by sometimes." He puts a reassuring hand on the hilt for a moment.
"So do you cast spells to make light? Be nice to have around. Our eyes aren't near so nice as Elves in the dark and dim and Mindy here needs the attention of both hands to sing properly. Carrying a sunrod in my teeth in the middle of battle is pretty high on the list of suck."
Mort looks over to Ash and pokes him a couple times to check to see if he's alive or not "He feels kinda cold and clammy... I guess that's normal for those Undines."
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(From outside)
"What do you mean, your gut feels like it's on fire?
That's what it's for, to give you a warm sensation when you need to warm up, it's brandy after all."
The door opens, and a cheerful looking man steps in, wearing a scale mail and a big tower shield with a crest of a bright flame on it.
His skin tone is unusual, a warm yellow with hint of soft green, and his eyes are a fiery amber color.
"Good day folks, this is the meetup place for the expedition to the ruins?"
His eyes go over the party currently present.
"A human, an elf...a fishy looking blue human?"
But he kneels down briefly, "Aww, a little fox, how sweet."
He takes out a piece of chicken from a pouch, and puts it on the ground in front of the animal, then steps back to give it space.
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Sayra paws at the chicken for a moment, testing it cautiously, then grabs it in her jaws. Linria looks over at the unusually bright genie man and smiles. "Oh, thanks. She likes chicken. As Mr. Mort says, I'm Lyn. With Quiet Blue and now you, it looks as if we almost have our own convention of elements here."
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A few moments after the door closes, it opens again as a young woman with dirty-blonde hair and pale green eyes wanders in. Though she's carrying a pack full of gear and a longspear, her hair is mussed and she has the overall bearing of one recently woken from a sound sleep.
"Hello...? Am I in the right room?" she yawns. For a moment she simply gazes at the fish-man, the elf, the red and purple fox, and the yellow man. Then she blinks and rubs her eyes. "Um...this isn't a dream either, is it?" She pinches herself, as if to make sure. "Ow! Okay, not a dream..."
Suddenly, her eyes settle on Mort and her expression brightens with happiness and recognition. "New Friend Mort! Did Mr. Dredel Dang wake you up too? That means we get to work together again! How wonderful!"
Now appearing more awake, she looks back at the others and smiles. "Hi New Friends! I'm Corona Merrion," she says as she sticks her hand out for a shake.
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"Hey Blaze, great to meet you. You're the first of your kind I've worked with, and as much as I remember.. seen. I did hear something about brandy though.."
Mort bends down and gives one of his 'Hens' a hug "Nice to see you again Corona! He didn't wake me up personally, but his unfortunate page did. I hope he recovers soon."
Mort then introduces Corona to everyone in the room other than the blue guy since he doesn't know him yet.
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Linria nods her head at Blaze. "I thought you looked a little bright. I've seen an ifrit before, but you're on the greener side," she says with a smirk on her face.
She offers a handshake back to Corona. "Hi Corona. I'm Lyn, and this is Sayra. ... Sayra, what's gotten into you?" The fox is sniffing Corona's clothes frantically, not unlike a dog. Linria nudges her away.
Mom? Really?!?
"I think she likes you. ... You kind of smell like fresh bread."
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Ashwell stood in opened mouth silence at the group of ruffians assembled before him. "Sorry milady, the ParaCountess doesn't allow that sort of relationship on a mission. If you'd like to talk afterwards, I think I could find the time," he creepily smiles at Lyn. Other than that one, he wasn't sure about the rest.
"Kindly remove your hand from me, Mortimer. I am quite competent, well studied, and no doubt the leader of this expedition. I'm also an assistant librarian at the Society . Please keep that sword in between me and whatever trouble we encounter and things will go swimmingly."
He nods to the rest of the collected lot.
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I did hear something about brandy though.."
"Ah, you heard that, did you? You're welcome to try my brew."
Blaze takes a small flacon from his belt.
"It will warm you up pretty good."
Linria nods her head at Blaze. "I thought you looked a little bright. I've seen an ifrit before, but you're on the greener side
"But tuskless and yellow enough to not be mistaken for a half-orc."
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"Aw, it's good to see you too New Friend Mort," Corona smiles as she returns Mort's hug. As she lets go she glances down at the fox, now known to her as Sayra. "Awwwww, hello there New Friend Sayra! Are you hungry?"
She glances up at Lyn with a questioning look. "I uh...actually do have some bread that I made last night! Is it okay if I give her some? Mama always told me to ask permission first before giving food to someone else's pets or children."
"New Friends, the rest of you are welcome to have some too!" she adds. "I don't have any jams or jellies to go with it right now, but maybe we'll have time to do some shopping before we leave?"
Secret Stealthy Robot Dot
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Sayra licks Corona's shoe. "Sayra, you make it seem like you haven't eaten in weeks. Blaze just gave you some chicken! I can't take you anywhere..." Linria sighs, defeated. "Alright, sure, she can have some bread... and I wouldn't mind some too."
"Sorry milady, the ParaCountess doesn't allow that sort of relationship on a mission. If you'd like to talk afterwards, I think I could find the time," he creepily smiles at Lyn.
Linria blushes at the suggestion, then awkwardly clears her throat. Sayra turns and glares up at her. "Um, I'd have to send word to my mother and ask her if it's okay first. I'm sure you can understand."
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"This time it's cornbread, New Friend...er, I don't think I got your name," Corona responds. "Or yours," she adds to the slightly-creepy undine. "But anyway, cornbread is much easier to pack up and take with you on super secret missions like this one," she explains as she produces several pieces of wrapped cornbread from her pack and passes them out to those interested.
"This is a super secret mission, right? Mr. Dang made it sound like it was...and I'm sure he wouldn't have woken us up in the middle of the night if it wasn't!"
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A swarthy young Varisian bravo with dark hair and twinkling green eyes winks at his new best friends, "Gitano Frallino, ladies and gentlemen. Pleased to make your acquaintance. My rapier, my wit and my song are yours. I have some skill with the first. As for the rest... Well, I reckon we're all a work in progress, aren't we?"
With an eager and encouraging grin, tugging on his soul patch, Gitano says, "Tell me a little about yourselves, before we're off."
"Oh, do any of you happen to know exactly what sort of adventure this will be?"
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Gitano loosens his silk Sczarni scarf, "Well met, friends!"
"Ash, only a cool glass of water like you could pull off an entrance in robes of that bouquet!"
"Mort, your sense of humor simply slays me," he readies to duck, in case he misjudged the man.
"Lyn, you're more a fox than your furry little familiar!" Gitano tries to pet the creature, mindful of its sharp teeth and a little suspicious of its arcane nature.
"Corona, how refreshing! Here, please take my twist of lime. May I call you Cerveza? Dual-cursed, eh? Sounds rather unpleasant. Is there anything I can do to help?" He hopes his cheerful wink will mitigate any offense.
"Mr. Dreng said something about a tower ruin outside the city. Sounds like a wonderful place to adventure!"
He gestures to the door, "Let's be off, then. Anyone mind if we stop by the apothecary on our way out of town? Need to spend my last 50gp on a potion of cure light wounds."
Gitano graciously invites the beefier gentlemen to precede him out the door and, with a winsome smile, holds it open for the fair ladies.
You do your last minute shopping and move out to the cairnlands, where the siege castles are located. Following the directions from Drandle Dreng you manage to find the one you are after.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
Before you can enter the building you hear baying hounds, coming quickly closer! And indeed, three dogs appear, they seem to think you are a suitable breakfast. What is weird is that these three dogs have a collar, each a different color...
[dice=Red]1d20/dice]
Initiative
Mort
Ashwell
Lyn
Giatano
Corona
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Green
Red
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Blaze
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Blue
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Corona's face brightens as one last straggler makes an appearance and introduces himself. "Hello New Friend Gitano! Want some cornbread?" she asks, waving a piece at the well-dressed man and sending crumbs flying everywhere. She looks a little puzzled when he asks to call her Cerveza, but then smiles and shrugs. "Both start with a C, so that's close enough! What does 'Cerveza' mean, though? It sounds pretty."
When he makes reference to her being 'cursed', her eyes widen with surprise. "How did you know!? Do you have some sort of second sight?"
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Corona jumps with surprise as the baying hounds appear, clearly intent on herself and her friends as their next meal. Finding that her legs once again seem to be sleepy, she flicks her wrist and drops a small wand into her hand from its place in its wrist-sheath.
"Look New Friend Mort, I went shopping after our last mission!" she exclaims gleefully as she waves the wand in an arc overhead.
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Linria shrugs as Gitano compliments her. "Um, nice to meet you too. Certainly not the shy type, are we?" She smirks as Sayra scoots back behind her legs, sizing the man up from a safe distance.
"We're here!" Linria says as she marvels at the broken down tower. "And this place seems to have some interesting stonework. I wouldn't mind getting a closer look. Oh --" Her thoughts are interrupted by the angry dogs charging at the group. Sayra ducks behind Linria and growls back at them. "I like animals too, Blaze, but it doesn't look like Corona will be calling these ones New Friends any time soon!"
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Gitano swallows the last bit of cornbread and wipes the crumbs from his soul patch. "Whoa there, Ash! I'll do what I can to keep the flea-bitten strays off you."
Gripping rapier and buckler, he moves forward about twenty feet and readies to strike the first beast that passes him to attack the team.
"One of you worthies want to help me flank these creatures?"
Corona uses her wand while Giatano moves up and takes up a defensive stance, ready to attack the hounds.
Initiative
Mort
Ashwell
Lyn
Giatano - Readied: Hits 17 for 4
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Green Huey
Red Dewey
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Blaze
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Blue Louie
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Corona
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Mort happily and hungrily takes a chunk of Corona's cornbread and disbatches it quickly "I've gotta be honest with you Corona... great bread! I can't think of a nicer bit of corn bread that didn't have the chance to be smothered in butter or beans. I'm going to need to stop on the way though for a bit more of something. It takes a lot to keep this belly from growling." He rubs then frowns a bit and knocks on his breastplate. "Ya growling in there would echo pretty loudly I bet."
Once he's done with his snack he turns his attention to the couple new voices in the room, raising an eyebrow to Ash and his standoffishness and returning the greeting and 'humor' to Giatano. "Slaying someone is no joke my friend. If I draw this sword in anger toward someone, they best be preparing for oblivion..." He gives Giatano an extra couple seconds of a stare.
"Now THIS is a place to find adventure! And maybe some coin for a new sword!"
Mort hears then sees the hounds. "Prepare yourselves for battle! Ah man, just some damn hungry jackals. Nothing to be afraid of... they aren't ninja's!"
Mort moves up stiffly in his new armor and draws out his 6' of steel with a ring.... preparing to swing it on any dog that comes within reach.
Ash's pebble flies through the air and is about to hit the red-collared dog just when it collapses to the ground! Huey circles around Mort to get a bite in at the less-armored Lyn, but Mort steps in. The greatsword circles through the air and comes down on the unprotected body of the dog, cleaves skin and opens the entrails of the poor hungry dog!
Initiative
Blaze
Giatano - Readied: Hits 17 for 4
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Blue Louie
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Corona
Mort
Ashwell
Lyn
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Green Huey Killed by Mort, the poor puppy only wanted to play...
Red Dewey - asleep
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Blaze protects Lyn and her fox. Louie sees the unarmored ash and decides she should be an easier lunch than those armored pathfinders. It circles behind around blaze and the others.
Initiative
Corona
Mort
Ashwell
Lyn
Giatano
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Green Huey Killed by Mort, the poor puppy only wanted to play...
Red Dewey - asleep
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Blaze
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Blue Louie
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Mort pulls his sword from the side of the hound with a quick jerk to free it from those pesky ribs Mangy dogs, a good pet gone feral. No snacking on the Hens!
Seeing the last threatening dog run up to sweet Corona he spins in his stance and shouts "Woah now doggie, we won't be havin' none of that! Not on my watch!" He moves over and gives the pathetic thing the sharp end of his steel.
"You ok Corona?" He asks as he pulls his sword from the animal.
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"Hey, guys, do we want Mort to euthanize the last puppy, too? It might be an act of mercy. Or we could try to just chase it off. Some of you guys look scary enough."
Gitano isn't thrilled with the idea of killing a helpless beast, but he's a practical man. The dogs had attacked them, after all.
Unless someone, hopefully, offers an alternative solution, I'll step up to do the needful when it's my turn. Then, we should take a look at these things. The collars might tell us something about them.