[PFS]GM Dennis - Heroes for Highdelve - Table 3 (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

Brialla smiles at Kiliuk. "My family may have paid you to make a signet ring for my grandmother. She loved it, but it was lost, and we do not even have the pattern any more, so we are trying to find whoever made the ring."

Kiliuk smiles back at Brialla and the rest of the party, kind of embarrassed his plan didn't work out, but bearing with it.

"This amulet seems very precious to these girls, and they've come a long way in search for it. So we ask humbly for your help. I've got some spare coin, if that's what you require."

Kiliuk takes out all of his gold coins and starts counting them, reaching 8 gold pieces before he gets distracted and starts counting from zero once again.

Torgen nods, glad the show is done with. "Aye, and I'm searching for a package. But not a puppet package, one with ceremonial axes. Have you seen anything like that? "

@Kiliuk and Brialla:

Carth chuckles and says "No need to count out your coin just yet, friend. What was your grandmother's name?" he asks, turning to Brialla. "If it was a custom job, and it was done in Highdelve, then it was probably me that did it. If so, then I'm sure I still have a copy of the design; I never throw those things away. My apprentice, Richelle, is the one who keeps the records, though, and as I mentioned earlier she's not here at the moment. You'll have to return tomorrow, I'm afraid."

@Torgen:

"A package of axes? I'm afraid that's out of my line of work. Yarla over there" he says, pointing to the sack races, "would be the one to ask about that sort of thing. Her company handles all sorts of cargo."

"That's great then!" - Kiliuk says with a smile."Now I don't mean to impose, but Brialla and Meraina, can you more or less describe the ring so the gentleman can give a fair estimate of how much it would cost us to replicate it?"

Kiliuk waits for either of them to describe the ring so the jeweler may estimate a cost.

Then, the half orc leads the group to a side for a moment, and quietly says: "I came upon some coin some weeks ago thanks to a job I did as a bouncer, and while it paid quite a lot, I regret to admit that it was product of let's say...shady business. The men I bounced for that night, they seemed like they were up to no good.

At the moment, I beared with it, but lately, it's been bothering me, how I came upon this coin." Kiliuk says kind of embarrassed, but serious nonetheless. "And so, it would be my honor if I could spend it in giving your family back their lost heirloom."

Kiliuk turns to Torgen too - "And if there's some left,I would like to spend it on getting that package of axes too, Torgen"

After saying this, Kiliuk extends his hand towards the party, showing twelve shining gold pieces in a silk handkerchief.

@GM Dennis: I improvised the reason Kiliuk came upon his wealth right now, I hope you approve of that little addition to his backstory. I don't expect the "shady men" to actually show up, it's just something I thought would be cool. On another note, I think Kiliuk would suck as a bouncer. He'd probably let people pass if they seemed desperate enough.

Meraina is fair bursting with excitement. Yes, of course we can describe it, it was very precious to granny. It was made of white gold, carved in the form of a tiny dragon clutching a small ruby in its claws. It was quite beautiful really..., her voice trails off a little wistfully.

"Thank you, I will come find your shop tomorrow. Can you tell me exactly where that is?"

"Well, you have a very generous friend here. I'll tell you what, I'll work up an initial estimate when I get back to my shop, then I can put the finishing touches on it tomorrow morning when I see the plans. My shop is right around that corner" he says, pointing a little ways away. "You can't miss it."

@Kiliuk: That's great, I love when players make pregens their own. One of the things I've liked running this scenario so far (this is my 5th run of it, I think, between F2F and PbP) is how differently each group of players play the characters.

Torgen smiles at Kiliuk. "Thank you for the offer, friend. That is quite generous. Thankfully, the Skyforgers gave me a sum to help loosen people's tongues and pay for any extra costs." He pats a small sack of gold and silver pieces at his side. "Now, if y'all help me find the package..." He winks, "Perhaps any left over can be used to help find your ring designs. Or, who you're looking for, Kiliuk."

He frowns and looks around. "Well, that's two delays. Let's try somebody else."

You've talked to Carth about the rings, with the promise of more info tomorrow. You've talked to Yarla about the axes, with a similar result. Where to next? You haven't been to the barrel ride, the statue, the food stall, or the children playing on the boxes. You also haven't made any inquiries about Kiliuk's business in town.

Lets go get some food says Meraina as she starts heading towards the food stalls.

" Meraina, I knew I liked you! " Torgen smiles broadly and follows her towards the stall. "Whatever she wants, I want double! "

Buzzing about the multicolored tents here are townspeople eating fried dough and meat skewered on thin sticks. Rich, delicious smells permeate the air as a tall, broad-shouldered man works the crowd, telling snappy jokes and offering friendly handshakes.

”Well hi there folks! You must be visitors to our fair town! Eh, get it? FAIR town?” He chuckles as he rushes off to greet the next group walking up. The next time he passes by, he says ”Anyway, welcome! What can I getcha? Funnel cake? Corn dog? Fortifies the bones, only one silver!”

Brialla happily nibbles at a funnel cake.

Meraina stops on her way to the food truck and looks at Kiliuk, but, that, that's so very sweet of you!, she grabs him in an enormous hug for such a tiny girl and promptly bursts into tears. Drying her eyes she mumbles, sorry about that, its just, well, that's so incredibly kind. What can I do to help you?

As they head towards the food trucks she smiles at Torgens comment, I am sure we are going to be the best of friends, I really would like to get him something, I am sure he is so very sweet under that gruff exterior, maybe a nice bright wooly hat to fit over his helmet. I wonder if there's anyone in town who could make one.

To the food vendor she squeals in delight, Ooh, funnel cake please, I am sure it is delicious.

Kiliuk smiles at Torgen, glad to have made a dwarven friend. Surprised at Meraina's hug, he blushes profusely and adds - "D-Don't think much of it. I'm only doing this because I feel guilty, that's all!"

After arriving at the food stall, Kiliuk's eyes light up at the sight of the corn dogs. He buys two, before remembering about the promise he had made in the sack race.

"Mister, what's the best thing on the menu? Your corndogs are very flavorful, but I'm looking to buy this woman over here-the half orc gestures towards Brialla-"the best you've got. I'll give you 5 silver pieces for the best thing you can come up with!"

While the man either cooks or fetches said delicacy, Kiliuk interjects trying not to interrupt the other clients-"Say, brother...You haven't happened to have seen a woman around these parts? Long black hair like a raven's feathers and big brown eyes like caramel. She goes by Gilda. That ring any bells?"

Torgen looks at the others sheepishly. Then, practically whispering, he mutters, "Funnel cake. " When asked to speak up, he repeats himself, almost confessing. "A funnel cake please. "

He turns at looks at the others, daring them to question the strength of a dwarf who orders funnel cake. What, it's delicious! And, there's no one from the Skyforge to jest.

@Kiliuk:

"Woah, five silver will buy you a whole lot of corndogs--everything on our menu is five copper--but I'll tell you what. I've got some strawberry jam hidden back here, and some cream. You give me one of those silver pieces and I'll whip up something special." When Kiliuk inquires about Gilda, the man pauses in thought. "Can't say I know any Gildas (though I met a Glinda once, up North of here). I don't think there's anyone by that name in town. Tell you who you should ask though, is Yarla, over there at the sack races. She does business with all sorts of folks in the nearby towns. Anyway, here ya go young lady" he says, handing Brialla a plate piled high with fried dough, strawberry jam, and whipped cream. "One Toshi special, courtesy of your big friend here."

Brialla's eyes almost pop out of her head when she sees the treat. She grabs a piece, dips the dough in the jam and the cream, and then smiles as she tastes the food. "Thank you, Kiliuk. There is far too much here for just me, do you guys want any?"

Torgen's eyes light up. "Ooh, don't mind if I do! " He rips off a piece of his funnel cake and dips. Between delicious mouthfuls, he speaks. "Well, if you can't help my green friend, perhaps you can help me. I'm searching for a crate. A package of ceremonial axes from the Skyforgers. " He licks his fingers, happily. "You heard anything about that from your customers? "

"Think nothing of it. My father always told me I should keep my promises. You won that sack race fair and square, and you deserve that treat."

After hearing Toshi speak, (I assume his name is Toshi) the half-orc looks back at Yarla and scratches his head. "I must've had so much fun in the sack race I forgot to ask her. Be right back, guys!"

Kiliuk hurries over to Yarla to inquiry about the woman, giving the same description to her and pointing out her full name: "...Gilda Korgren is her name."

@Torgen:

"Axes? 'Fraid not, friend. You may actually want to follow your friend over to Yarla there. Her company handles all sorts of freight passing through Highdelve. If anyone knows about your axes, it's probably her."

-------

@Kilik:

"Oh, hello again! Gilda, you say? There's a woman named Gilda who's made a name for herself sewing exquisite outfits in Grayhaven. I don't know that her family name is Korgren, but my apprentice, Tolwin, would know. He keeps the records of all the artisans we do business with. Unfortunately, the fool got himself banned from the festival this year, so he's not here. If you come by the shop tomorrow morning, though, I'll have him dig through the records first thing."

Kiliuk thanks Yarla for her help "Thanks, friend. I'll be sure to give her your name to improve your trade. You are good woman."

After smiling at her, he goes back to the rest of the group says "Well! Looks like that apprentice has the information I am looking for, too. Now, if everyone's finished with their meals, I suggest we take a look at that statue over there... you know, let the food settle in our bellies before we try that barrel ride!" the half orc says with a smile, scratching his sideburns.

Meraina links her arm through Kiliuk's, Yes, lets go!

The dwarf nods, licking a remaining bit of jam from his lips. "Aye, I'm glad I'm not the only one who appreciates a good piece of stonework!"

Fully 10 feet high and twice as long, the centerpiece of the square is not stonework as Torgen had surmised, but rather a gilt statue of a gold dragon with outstretched wings. A plaque at the base reads: "Highdelve dedicates this statue and all of Protectress Square to Aurelliax, Our Gilded Lady. Long may her golden wings envelop us, and may we never fail her when she calls."

Standing next to the statue watching a group of children play is a cheerful-looking woman with white hair and ruddy cheeks. She greets you heartily when she spots you approaching. ”Welcome to Highdelve, travelers! My name’s Winette, Winette Qarl. I’m the mayor of this town. Are you having fun at the festival?”

Brialla nods and smiles politely to the mayor.

perc: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Oh, we are having a lovely time thank you but you have your very own dragon? That is amazing, can you tell us more about Aurelliax?

"I wouldn't put it quite like that. She's not 'our' dragon; if anything, we are 'her' town. She is our patron and our protector, has been for generations. She lives in the mountains not far from here and comes to visit us from time to time; even attends this festival every year, in fact, in her human form!" She cranes her neck a bit, scanning the crowd. "I don't see her just at the moment, but you might even run into her if you wander around the fair this afternoon."

Kiliuk blushes profusely and practically jumps out of Meraina's embrace- "M-Meraina, I appreciate the affection, but there's a risk you are taking with getting so close to me: Father always said orc hormones are so powerful we can get women pregnant just by touching them! I don't want to make you bear a child forcefully!" - the half-orc says scared and superstitious, clearly showing he is very gullible and naive.

He kind of dusts off something on his arm and recomposes himself before realizing something and jumping in horror- "Wait! You even hugged me before! Oh God, what have I done? I'm not a responsible man, I don't even know how to change a diaper!"

It is quite a display seeing the burly, hulking half-orc stress and panic over something that is clearly false, as he scratches his head worryingly.

F@&*f+!&f%~*f@#!f+++f%+%f*%!

the use of that particular bad language at the end of that post is amusing...

Meraina laughs at Kiliuks panic, Don't be so silly!

"Shouldn't you be panicking too? Do you want to be a mother or something?" Kiliuk says confused and nervous, scratching his sideburns quickly.

Hehe, you are very silly, that isn't how babies are made. Meraina gently digs him in the ribs and links their arms together again.

Kiliuk ponders for a bit - "Well that does make sense, seeing as how your belly looks fine to me. Must be another one of my old man's tales. He really likes to play pranks on me. Can you believe he once told me babies were delivered by a Giant Stork?" -Kiliuk says before bursting into laughter and smiling, tightening his arm around Miraina - "Ha! At least I know now that they are obviously delivered by the Great White Worg."

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

@Brialla Yeah, I figured that must be going through Kiliuk's head. I'm having fun exaggerating Kiliuk's lack of mental prowess.

Torgen looks at Kiliuk, mildly amused. Hrmm.. I guess he doesn't know how most half -orcs are made. Ah, I prefer the Worg story to the truth. Distracting himself from those thoughts, he checks out the statue.

Perception : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"Would have looked better in stonework. Silly dragon. " Torgen mutters, irritated at his own mistake. He picks up a flyer and laughs. "These are the kids we need to see. " He shows the flyer to the mayor and laughs again. "Y'all certainly take this fair seriously! We need to find these kids, on urgent business! "

The mayor rolls her eyes and says "ugh, those two." She seems hesitant to talk about them any further. You can give me a Diplomacy check to convince her to talk more about them, if you'd like.

"Well you look like a good mayor, ma'am. Someone that knows her people well. We get that they are troublemakers, but we know they don't speak for the town: you've got good people here. Fine, honest folk that are hard to come by. How exactly do these two stand out so much?" Kiliuk says to the best of his ability, giving the major a wide smile

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Pttttht, the forum ate my post...

"We have important business with them, so we need to find them. Anything you tell us would be helpful."

dipl. assist whoever has better than +1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Diplomacy, Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Torgen smiles, but his irritation shows through.

"Oh, don't worry about it. They're trouble-makers, but they should be back at work tomorrow morning."

As you speak with the mayor, you begin to hear murmurs of alarm from the western end of Protectress Square, which soon become shrieks of shock. Two people stumble into the square-a young dark-haired man and a light-haired woman, half walking and half relying on the shoulders of friends. Winces of pain cross their bloodied faces. Somewhere, someone shouts, "The Bloomgivers have been attacked! Someone get Aurelliax!"

The crowd around the Bloomgivers hushes and parts, and a tall, authoritative woman strides purposefully toward the injured youths. A grim look on her golden-eyed face, she reaches a hand lovingly toward the Bloomgivers. Aurelliax addresses the Bloomgivers in a commanding voice that carries across the square. "Kameer. Kara. Young ones, what has happened here?" The Bloomgivers pause to catch their breath before answering. " We' re so sorry, Aurelliax," Kara says. "We were picking the brightblooms when those bullies set upon us. They took us completely by surprise, and they stole the Golden Pendant right from Kameer's neck! We barely got out with our lives!” Kameer nods. "It was Richelle and Tolwin! They're up on Dendra's Slope, and they've still got your amulet!”

At this news, several individuals, including the proprietors of the jubilee's events- emerge from the crowd. Turning to Aurelliax, a white-haired woman-the town 's mayor, from the crowd's whispers-visibly bristles with anger. "I've had enough of those two! Clearly we should have punished them more harshly!" she says. "Aurelliax, would you be so kind as to retrieve these villains? We'll get your amulet back, and those two will get the justice they deserve in our stocks."

The golden-eyed woman looks at the mayor ruefully. "These bullies are two of your own, yes?" The mayor gives a regretful nod. "I'm terribly sorry," Aurelliax continues, "but I'm afraid I can't directly help. You see, I promised your forebears that I would never interfere in the town's interpersonal matters. I cannot turn my wrath against any of your town-not even if they might deserve it."

She turns to the crowd. "Are there any among you who are willing to be heroes for Highdelve? Could you retrieve these bullies and my amulet? I assure you all that I will reward those successful most generously!”

Artwork added to the maps deck.

"It's not about of making coin ma'am. It's about fixing this situation! I'll help, those ruffians will get what they deserve." Kiliuk says to the mayor and Aurelliax, approaching them.

He looks back at his friends and asks-"What say you, friends? Would you help me teach those mooks a lesson?" I've heard my mace does wonders for education.

While talking to the Mayor

Oh, they must have don something terrible to be barred from the festival. Will it be safe to talk to them? What did they do?

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

As people begin to panic Meraina starts to look worried and subconsciously moves behind Kiliuk. Peering around him she spots Aurelliax in her human form and her eyes go about as wide as humanly possible. Err, err, ma'am, are you really a dragon? I mean, I've never seen a dragon before and it would be wonderful if we.... she trails off mumbling sorry, didn't mean to be rude

As the story comes out Meraina straightens up. Of course we will help, I am sure we can get your amulet back and teach these bullies that they can't go round robbing people. Who are they?

"I will of course do what I can." Brialla's quiet confidence is obvious to her cousin and her new friends.

I mean, it's about forty nine percent about the coin, fifty about getting my information, and one is just boredom. Torgen nods. "Aye, I'll join you. Bringing some kids home shouldn't be too hard. "