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Riddleport: city of pirates... and thieves, prostitutes, lepers, drug addicts, cultists, beggars, crime lords, and more. In any other city, this morning would be considered dreary and depressing. The damp fog, so typical of Riddleport, lies low across the city, hiding even the mysterious Blot from view.
As the sun rises into the sky, the fog slowly burns away and the streets become busier as outcasts from all over Varisia trudge through their day. Here and there, well-dressed newcomers can be seen; come to study the Blot, no doubt, and don't know enough to try to blend in. The thieves and beggars will teach them.
Across the harbor to the south, the massive and mysterious Cyphergate can be seen, standing silently as it has for—how long? The morning sunlight catches a few of the cryptic runes, and they glimmer almost magically for a moment until the light moves on.
In the busy streets of Riddleport, among a crowd of people shouting, pushing and rushing around, a young girl stands alone with a puzzled expression on her face.
Clearly of Varisian blood and dressed in unassuming, yet elegant clothes, she stands slightly taller than average, with light skin and delicate features.
An hand playing with a lock of long raven-colored hair, her penetrating hazel eyes look around at the surrounding buildings and houses, as if looking for something.
'It should be around here somewhere... Did I take a wrong turn? No, no I don't think so...'
"Ah! There it is" She exclaims out loud when she finally spots what she was looking for. "The Gold Goblin!"
'Well... Here goes nothing! Gambling tournament here I come!'
Taking a deep breath, Anežka musters her courage and steps inside the place.
As she makes her way to the goblin, as good a place as any to find work, she pauses and looks up. The blot. A strange shadow in the sky.
Anezka sees an elderly man leaning against the wall, he appears to have been crying, or perhaps still is.
phenomena connected to its infamous
Cyphergate Riddle—the long-sought hidden
purpose of the stone arch that rises over the
harbor. Old accounts tell of strange lights
moving in the sky and sounds issuing forth from
it without explanation. The manifestation of a
shadow in the sky is something new, though.
No known magical traditions explain the
existence of the hovering shadow, and it does
not bear the trappings of any known spell.
The wizard Argentus Blakely (a noted Cyphergate
scholar) postulated that the Blot is some sort of
convergence for focusing arcane energies. He has
yet to prove his hypothesis but is running several
experiments to test its validity.
The darkness in the sky over Riddleport is known
locally as Blakely’s Shadow, or simply the Blot.
The Blot first appeared over Riddleport about
a month ago and has remained in the sky ever
since. It has changed size and shape and has
even disappeared intermittently, but has always
returned after several hours.
The overlord has offered a 500 gp reward to
anyone who can determine what the Blot is
and if it poses a threat to the city. Many have
undertaken the challenge but so far there have
been no results.
A local cyphermage and stargazer named
Argentus Blakely first noticed the Blot before
it was visible to the naked eye. He called it an
“atmospheric shadow” and it was subsequently
named for him as it became more visible.
The Blot has no known analogy in nature.
The Blot changes shape and size somewhat, but
is generally ovoid in shape and hovers alternately
over the harbor and gulf just south of Riddleport.
It is dark like a shadow but does allow some
light through, albeit dimly, and flying objects
can faintly be seen through its obscuring haze.
It casts a faint shadow on the ground beneath it
depending on the angle of the sun.
The Blot hangs at a fairly constant altitude of
about 2,500 feet and appears to be roughly 250
feet long by 130 feet wide.
The Blot seems to move in a pattern that appears
erratic until studied closely. It follows an elliptical
orbit traveling north over the town and south
over the gulf, shifting north and south as the
tides shift. It is closest to Riddleport at high tide.
A heavily armored dwarf strides into the gold goblin, his magnificent red beard flowing over his breastplate, partially obscuring the symbol of Torag that is emblazoned into his armor.
A mighty hand rests casually in the hilt of a beautiful war hammer as he makes his way towards the nearest bar.
"by the great beard of Torag, this dwarf is parched! Ale! Ale over here, please!"
Hoping to quickly be served his refreshment, he sits down and eyes the area.
He thinks to himself:
hmm... It would seem the rumors about this old gambling hall are true... Place looks less than honest. I love me some gambling as much as the next dwarf, but this place appears even below my standards! Ah well. Gotta trudge through the mucky muck sometimes when your hunting abominations in the name of Torag!
As Biggs approaches the Goblin he sees and hears a young child running in front of him, the girl ducks into an alley Help me! Help me! Oh please. I am so scared!
"heavenly forge of the strong armed Torag! what seems to be the trouble little lady? If someone trying to hurt you? I will not stand for any abuse of the innocent!"
He grabs his war hammer and scans about, then kneels down and places a hand on the girls shoulder, asking whys wrong.
I was out to bring my daddy the medicine he needs. A bad man picked me up and took my monies…now I have no monies to buy Daddy his medicine. I was scared he might be chasing me! I have been running for miles now. The little girl looks up at Biggs bravely but there are tears in her eyes.
hmm... The mighty hammer is not one to be easily fooled
"is this man still following you? How much money did he take?"
[rolling rolling…or maybe i am not rolling rolling :) LOL]
I don't know if he is chasing me…I don't see him. He took all 20 gold!
"hmm... Perhaps you should come clean young one. What really happened?"
ok it was only 10 gold. she looks abashed
"My dear, do you think Biggs Longshaft is some sort of joke? What is this game you are trying to play, do ye just want me gold or is your father truly sick? Speak quickly, before the anger in my belly rises up like heat from the forge of Torag himself!"
it's the truth!!!! 10 gold!
She seems a bit frightened, but seems to be honest now
A deep feeling of pity spreads through the rugged dwarf's chest, and a bit of a blush spreads across his cheeks.
He tosses the girl a platinum piece.
"This should cover your expenses my dear. May the gods watch over his return to good health"
Anezka sees an elderly man leaning against the wall, he appears to have been crying, or perhaps still is.
When she notices the old man, Anežka stops, perplexed.
After a moment of hesitation, she slowly approaches him, and in a concerned tone, she asks - "I'm sorry to bother you sir, it's none of my business but... Are you alright?"
thieves. They took my last 15 gold. I have nothing now. How am I to feed my family?
"oh, It's terrible!" Anežka exclaims, "I'm so sorry..."
'Uhm... Could it be true? He wouldn't just lie to scam a few gold pieces out of people's kindness... Would he?'
The man is slightly stooped, human, with a shock of shoulder length white hair that is starting to recede. His teeth are yellowed, and appear to be in bad shape, his hands are gnarled…apparently arthritic.
Can you help ma'am… he looks hopeful, but cautious, as if he is afraid you might take advantage of him.
"I-I... Please, take this. I know it's not much, but I hope it'll help you get back on your feet!"
Anežka takes the very last gold pieces out of her now empty pouch and deposits all five of them in the hands of the old man.
After her little act of generosity, with a smile and a friendly wave she sets off once again for the Golden Goblin.
The man smiles, starts to speak then walks on almost in tears.
Amelia makes her way to the goblin and joins the cue outside
Biggs will take leave of the girl an make his way towards the line for the gambling tournament, as he knows it just be starting soon.
alright Biggs, time to see what these guys are up to. Torag save us if there truley be devils here... The filthy abominations of the lower planes will not be safe from my mighty long shafted hammer!
The girl made a feeble attempt to grab Biggs' leg but he easily pulls away
Both of you look up and see that you recognize the other.
Looking lost, a lone elf wanders the streets of Riddleport looking for a tavern called the Golden Goblin. Dressed in worn leather clothing of a rustic hue, it is clear that she rarely enters the city.
Approaching her destination, the elven scout notes the queue surrounded by the unfortunate. Watching two previous entrants stopped for alms, she is thankful for her worn clothing, appearing herself to be little more than an indigent.
Joining the line, she wonders if she is about to be accosted as well.
As the elf gets close he sees commotion happening down and alleyway it looks like a woman is being assaulted
Meriwen will quietly slip into the alleyway, creeping up behind some boxes to get closer.
Once closer, she will try to get an accurate sense of what is going on.
Two men have beaten a woman and she falls to the ground. They stand over her prepared to loot her
Noticing the woman in peril, Biggs steps forth, drawing his hammer and preparing to defend this innocent in the name of Torag!
"you fellas picked the wrong time to screw around!"
Ok
Sorry Biggs that is for our newcomer you are in line w anezka
Sorry I'll be clearer in the future. I got lazy w spoilers
You stand in the line to get into the Gold Goblin, you both notice that there is a cover charge of 1 GP to get in the door.
Biggs pays the entry with a grumble.
Meriwen creeps as close to the two as she can before silently leaping onto the back of the one closest to her.
Missing with her right hand, her left scores a mark across the back of the first thief. Smiling, she licks the blood off her nails, beckoning the two criminals to step forward.
Screams of fear and panic
You won init and you drop the one thug.
The other man and woman stand and run in the same direction.
Monster!!!
A door opens and they both go through. It slams
The man breathes shallowly.
--------------
Biggs you step into the Goblin and immediately are stopped.
You must sign the contract to gamble.
Click the link that says second darkness map to see the contract. You can roll knowledge planes as well
Working silently, Mariwen uses scraps of the would-be robber's clothing to stanch the bleeding on his back.
Having stopped the bleeding and prevented his immediate death the young woman will rise before turning her back on the alley and continuing on her way.
So that is the way it is in this city. Devoid of purpose, the citizens turn on each other, even going so far as to turn on their would be rescuers. I must finish my duty quickly that I might leave this place, returning to where predator and prey exist along natural lines.
You stand in the line to get into the Gold Goblin, you both notice that there is a cover charge of 1 GP to get in the door.
Anežka sighs lightly, taking from her pocket the lone gold piece she had set aside for the entry fee.
"Well" - She wishpers, handing over the gold - "Here goes nothing..."
Anezka you step into the Goblin and immediately are stopped by a massive wall of flab and muscle with a truncheon at his side.
You must sign the contract to gamble.