Starting Officially Monday Feb 18th for members of the Louisville D&D group. We may start earlier if ball is sufficiently rolled.
This will be the first play-by-post for most if not all of you. So the rules and the ebb and the flow will be especially malleable to start.
More details coming, and the full player's guide is coming this week.
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PART 1
THE SNOWS OF SUMMER
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The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much
excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood
speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that
descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed,
and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the
woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows
what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother
Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.
As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded
mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard
of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that
the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and
strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood.
He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into
the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the
snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their
peaceful village.
Kalhar was an inconspicuous man, one of little flair or excitement, and often kept to himself even when he was out and about. He spent his time these days as an apprentice to the apothecary, and the times in between were filled with reading, experimentation, and drinking; often alone. Despite this isolated existence, however, he never seemed offput by his lack of companions or singular existence. Most of his encounters with the town's populace were polite but curt, and little was known of him. Even littler was said.
Tall, and with a thick frame, he nonetheless seemed to avoid growing much past his bones; one could easily see his wiry muscles and tight skin, a rather ordinary flesh tone with nothing notable to speak of in the ways of birthmarks or pockmarks. His face was rather unflatteringly flat, and most of his smiles came off as snide due to his small nose and high cheekbones. Atop his head were strands of black, greasy hair, and he rarely kept it in order, a crippling apathy of all things affecting primarily his hygiene to the casual observer. On this cold day, he wore a quilted wool dark green gambison, tied with a buckled brown leather belt, and some plain brown trousers.
He continued mashing the plant matter, and curiously unlike himself, struck up a conversation with his mentor.
"What do you make of this chill, Lady Willowbark?" His voice was dry, and deep. "Very unlike Helden this time of year, especially what with the beasties out in droves kidnappin' the noblefolk."
Axel loved to learn. Always has. Even as a small child his thirst for knowledge was the driving force behind his every action. His parents would often find him with his nose in a book rather than helping with the family business. Finding broken objects was usually the telltale sign that Axel had been tinkering again. When confronted, his response was always the same. "i just wanted to see how it worked" in a small sheepish voice. Axel doesn't possess much presence. He's a small man, maybe five and a half feet tall on a good day. Brown hair frames his face with a clump of disheveled brown hair on to of his head and a thin beard tracing his jaw line. His lack of any muscular physique and pale skin reflect his inner scholar. Today, he is clothed in a simple brown tunic and pants. A light jingling betrays the myriad of tools he keeps in his pockets. Axel is disappointed to find a lack of knowledge in this new locale but spends most of his time in the temple talking to the priests or in the apothecary talking to the staff to glean what he can. With his ever present notebook in hand, Axel enters the apothecary with a downcast stare, not wanting to attract unwanted attention but secretly wishing for somebody to speak to him so he can perhaps learn a thing or two from these fine country folk.
The Willowbark Apothecary
"I prepare for any and all changes that might benefit business, but I must concede that this bout of cold has been taking a toll on my supply stores. If it is worse north, then logically my requisition costs are going to be inflated." The elf Tessaraea Willowbark starts murmuring before looking back at Kalhar and remembering to speak as if someone is listening.
"Hard times engender people to seek substance abuse, should I start acquiring Flayleaf, Yellowcap Mushrooms, and Pesh? No, no, no civic responsibility... OH! That reminds me, I took a trip out to a farm between here and the Border Wood. It's hard to remember which one, all of them typically have large litters of youth. As I was saying, I was called over to save a boys life. He had taken ill after falling through ice over on Wishbone Creek. ICE! He claims that a white stag spoke to him near the forest and he tried to follow it.
The attitudes of the farmers out there is very much one of concern, they seem to be losing livestock by the day, I overheard one Farmer Dansby telling that Cleric while I took the correct approach and helped that boy. No empirical evidence of trolls at this juncture as the livestock simply disappear, but I am keeping my eyes out. If the rumors of snow in the Border Wood is true, the trolls wouldn't take kindly to it.... But it would do the business good if we knew more, I certainly think you'd like to get out and do that, I'm about to be in one of my moods."
She nods Kalhar towards the door as it opens.
Axel enters the shop completely oblivious to any conversation. Focused on his own thoughts and rising levels of anxiety that comes with meeting new people.
"Probably best." Setting down the Mortar and Pestle, he pushed his way through the bead curtain that separated the back room from the storefront. Uninterested eyes met the young man, and a perfectly polite smile flashed briefly across his thin lips.
"Welcome to the Willowbark. How can I assist you?"
Axel jumps slightly at the somewhat sudden appearance of the new face. oh...uh hello. My name is Axel. I'm with the caravan that came into town yesterday. I'm just looking around really. Seeking knowledge and interesting things" a nervous smile appears on his face. "you are mister Willowbark?"
His face didn't budge an inch. "I'm afraid I am not Mister Willowbark, the lady finds my insight 'n handwork barely good enough to apprentice. I am, however, more than capable of filling your order or answering questions about our products and services."
Glancing over the man, he took note of any weapons or threats on his person as a matter of habit.
"oh yes of course. " a bit put off by the curt response but this is the only place in this town that may provide something of interest. "I'm a bit of a tinkerer, sometimes my ideas turn out well and sometimes...well he gestures to a scorch mark near his left ear "i am in the pursuit of any knowledge or information that can keep me from getting a match set. I've been told that a mixture of two parts salt, one part water, and one part oil will stabilize a flask of alchemist fire enough to neutralize the explosiveness. Do you know enough to help me with this or should i wait for mrs willowbark?" he seems to relax a bit as he flips open his journal and begins to take notes.
One thin eyebrow raised as his polite smile faded into what seemed like genuine interest. "Is there a reason you seek to put a damper on the ignition of alchemist fire? Are you looking for a more controlled flame, or perhaps something not quite as hot? I must admit, I do not understand the nature of your query, but if you enlighten me as to your intended purpose I'm sure we can come to some agreeable purchase on your behalf."
"I only wish to know out of curiosity. The field of alchemy is quite interesting to me but my knowledge is rudimentary at best. I an no longer permitted to experiment within the confines of the caravan due to too many past failures. a wistful look enters his eyes as he smiles slightly to himself "what a joy it would be to have unrestricted freedom to experiment and create with the only guidelines being my imagination. he focuses back in "I'm sorry, got lost in the moment there. If you could direct me to the ingredients that would lower the burning temperature and something that could help control the flame, i would be most grateful. Also, it appears I'm out of spare parchment and ink. "
"If you find such unrestricted freedom, by all means, educate me on it's source. As far as the alchemical composition of Alchemist Fire goes, I'm afraid you might find it hard to alter in it's completed form - it does burst into flame when exposed to air."
He stepped a few paces over behind the counter, and halted next to a stack of small wooden chests. The brief flash of interest on his face fades to business again, and he continues. "Alchemist's Fire is primarily used as a weapon, my good sir - a deterrent for goblins and the like. I don't suppose you would need such a powerful igniting agent for mundane purposes," and with that he lifted the lid of one of the chests. "...and a tindertwig may do you more practical good. It is like a small, sturdy stick with an elixerous powder placed upon the end that ignites when struck. A mere gold piece for the miracle of fire... would that interest you?"
His phrasing and pitch are rehearsed and bland, but he comes off as knowledgeable at the very least.
sells a variety of herbs and all of the special substances and
items listed in the Core Rulebook, as well as a potion of resist
energy (cold) and a surprisingly large stockpile of alchemist’s
fire (because of troll fear :) )
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A cold, frosty draft entered through the crack in the door. The floorboads creaked and groaned, accompanying the tingle-tingle of the chimes above the shop's door. Behind the gust a man with ears like an elf but a spark in his eye known only to the humans of Golarion strode in, his thick leather boots padding softly on the wooden floor.
The man, neither short nor tall, neither thin nor fat, a solemn and silent figure now darkening the apothecary's doorway swept his eyes slowly from figure to figure - he saw three, two men and a woman. None of them were anything like the ones he was looking for, or at least, so he thought - he had never seen his parents and knew nothing of their faces.
He stood for a while before remembering that it is considered proper in many settlements to close the door behind oneself after entering.
"Excuse my poor manners," Jezzera spoke finally, with a voice full of rasp and gravel. "I am not accustomed to culture such as this."
"Oh, it is no worry, my good sir. I am certain that doors will become familiar to you soon, as their frequency will no doubt find itself endearing to your memory" he quipped, although without the slightest air of malice or snark.
He left the tindertwig box open for the bumbling one to gawk at, and centered himself behind the counter once more. "Welcome to the Willowbark. How may I assist you?"
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Jezzera paused. The skinny man raised a decent question. In his travels throughout Irrisen he had come across Heldren almost by chance - his supplies were low though his body had long since grown accustomed to the harsh climates of the north, he had begun to feel the effect of cold and fatigue.
"I am far from home on a pilgrimage. My people live in the tundra beyond the forest and for many days now have I been in the wilderness."
Jezzera reached into the leather coat and produced from it a silk pouch secured with a hempen rope. "I have exhausted my supply of materials and can no longer rely on Magic to keep myself warm in this eternal winter."
"Searching for a source of warmth? Not a problem at all. We have plenty of materials to keep your hands warm and your provisions dry." But with that he paused, and cocked his head. "...but the frozen Tundra, you say? Sad to say though you've wandered far south we seem to be cursed with an unnatural cold spell this summer. You wouldn't happen to know much on these matters, would you?"
As the bustle in the shop continues, the door shuffles open again. As everyones' eyes instinctively flitter up to where a person or creature should be, there is a lack of corporeal form that should seemingly be there. With a small squawk, a strange bird makes himself known and everyone's fears of a ghost disappear.
Seconds later, a tall, thin half-elf wielding a ridiculously unwieldily spear barges through the door. In a hushed voice with a strange accent , she calls out. Stephen! Stephen, where did you go? Come back here! She spies the bird and a smile settles across her face. Damn bird. Don't run off like that! She admonishes Stephen in a language few would recognize.
The half-elf stood six-feet tall with long white hair and blank white eyes, a pile of furs, potions and casting accoutrement on her back with oily pants, thick boots, a small dirty shirt, and a thick wool cap that did little to disguise her slightly-pointy ears.
She turns to the shopkeeper (Kalhar), and with a half smile, I apologize, sir. I will take my bird and be on my w....... She stops midsentence as the bird flaps up on to the counter and stares at Kalhar.
Having perused the box and selecting two tindertwigs, Axel scribbled a few notes in his journal and turned to notice a new figure standing in the room. man i really ought o pay more attention he thought to himself. "if i may sir, i have found that a packet of dry powder at the bottom of ones pack keeps moisture from ruining your belongings. especially writing materials and, if it is your realm of expertise, spellcasting components. he says this in a quiet voice as he lays a pair of gold pieces on the counter and slides them to the apothecary's apprentice.
as the door opens for the third time in five minutes, an adorable little puffin makes its way into the shop followed quickly by, what i would assume is, the puffins owner. As the most recent newcomer reprimands her bird, Axel thinks to himself perhaps this little village holds more mysteries than i give it credit for
as the bird flaps up to the counter Axel hesitantly tries to pet the bird fully aware of its sharp beak.
"Well, if either of you need some common materials for your willworking, then by all means feel free to peruse our selection. It is not exhaustive, but we typically stock most items you cannot reasonably find easily in the wild for very reasonable pr-"
As the bird interrupted his conversation, he could do little else but stare into the eyes of the puffin, his mouth dropping open as if to say something but finding little in his rehearsed shopkeeper routine to address the situation. Instead, he just... gaped, for a moment, before closing his mouth and continuing to stare for a moment longer before finding the words.
"Your bird appears to have taken a liking to me, my lady. Perhaps it has heard of our excellent deals on tindertwigs this month."
His eyes finally left the bird, and looked up to her, and then back to the bird.
Haha yes, tindertwigs. Yes. Damn bird. I apologize for interrupting you from your transaction. Sirs, I'll be leaving. Once I get my damn bird!! she says to both the alchemist (Kalhar) and the other dude (Axel).
Sarlene tries to scoop up Stephen, but he squawks and runs around the shop, eventually settling behind the gentleman she cannot identify (Axel).
Kalhar quietly observes the situation as it plays out, and as the surprise of it fades it is clear by his facial expression that he regards it with some amusement.
F$%&ing bird! Stephen, quit runnin aboot!
Sarlene looks at the strange customer (Axel), and with a look of mixed amusement, embarassment, and anger, Sir, ja must forgive me for my bird. He's an idiot sometimes. She reaches into her pocket, and pulls out a wad of paper, unrolls it, and reveals a few small fish. The puffin pokes its head out from behind the customer's robes, and waddles slowly to Sarlene.
"Kalhar, have you heard anything from our dear neighbor Argus, I had sure hoped to find a measure of ale with him at the Silver Stoat tonight."Tessaraea Willowbark walks up, freezing in place as she takes in the scene.
"Greengold in my home, a weeks worth of business in an afternoon. Maybe the temperatures are falling north of here, surely a migration path south could be profitable, if only I had more stores. Of course, I have no information to collaborate that it has indeed gotten colder further north. The clothes do indicate travel, possibly traders, though it isn't consistent enough to surmise that they would be a single caravan. How many others have you brought with you? Were they disappointed to find no inn in Heldren? The Silver Stoat does provide a good warm meal, and Kale will typically allow a friendly face the use of her rug by the fire for a night. Hmmm, but by your reactions I don't think you've been here long. Ahhh yes, what a pleasant bird. Do friendly birds attract more customers?....
Kalhar be sure to investigate what we discussed earlier, measure to the closest drachm if you can." She turns and walks into the back of the store yet again, leaving the beads swinging wildly.
Temperatures falling? I'll be damned, where? I could stand to have a good chill again. I'm no good in this oven of a land. Sarlene says, almost to no one.
"And damn it, if I couldn't use a good stiff drink. She turns to the customer and the shopkeeper. "Silver Stoat? Is that what she said? Look, I can't offer much, and I am sorry for taking your time with this damn little bird... If ja want a little restitution, I'd be glad to offer ja a drink there later tonight. " She picks up Stephen, now happily munching on a few fish, and turns to leave. Stephen eating fish She notices the strange man, himself a half-elf as well (Jezzera). Well I'll be damned, another halfie! You, too, friend. Come drink with me! She smiles, does a small bow, and turns for the front door.
Kalhar poked his head into the back room.
"Ah, yes, I'll check on Argus as well as take care of all manner of testing for you, my lady. I'm afraid that proper assessment of the current situation could take days, though, so I'll probably be out for a little while."
He returned to the main room fully, and smiled curtly once more at the departing bird-wrangler. "I'm certain we can come to some manner of agreement involving drinks. I'd be happy to accept them on behalf of the apothecary, in short order after I'm finished resolving these transactions."
Palming the gold, he slid both coins into a small box below the counter and idly started jotting down the financial details of the purchase. "Is there anything more I can get for you, m'lord? As a manner of business I do require your name for financial records" he asked, nodding towards Axel.
He of course kept the corner of his eye mindful of the Shaman, ready to assist him at any moment.
Bar! At sunset! Do not forget! Ask the barkeep for Sarlene, or look for Stephen here! calls out Sarlene, loudly, as she ducks out the door, harpoon haphazardly taking a small chunk out of the top of the doorframe S+$&! as the door closes behind her.
Sarlene heads for the Silver Stoat, cheerfully, with a sated puffin falling asleep in the crook of her arm.
"of course. my name is Axel North." he chuckles a little "seems like an appropriate surname given the unusual circumstances" he quickly stows the new purchase in his bag and follows Sarlene out of the shop. "I don't believe i caught your name in there. " he says as he catches up to the young woman "i've already been introduced to Stephen here, and may i say what a delight little fellow. my name is Axel North. I'm from the very direction my name would suggest. Judging by your accent I'd say you are as well. Have you ever been to Clarion? My family is from that area."
"Clarion? Never heard of it... My name is Sarlene, good sir, a pleasure to meet you, eh. I'm every part the Northerner, though I think I be a little more northern than you, by your accent." says Sarlene.
Sarlene looks Axel over, her eyes lingering over his visible gear. "What do ja do?"
Sarlene strolls out of the Apothecary and turns right, towards town square. The most notable feature of the square is a large statue of a beautiful woman, known locally as "The Lady". The Silver Stoat is right on the corner where the road with the apothecary meets the square.
The tavern is warm and the atmosphere is more like a home with a few extra seats. The aroma of stew hangs in the air. A woman looks up "Ah, hello. Now who may you be, standing there being tall and all? Well I'm Kale and we have ale."She giggles a bit at herself before hurrying to the door to sweep Sarlene inside. "Oh, why didn't you say that you was a we, hello bird." She smiles again leading Sarlene to a chair.
"Now we have our Three-Devil Ale, it's brewed in the back here with imported Chelish hops. My husband Menander is currently tending the stew and falling asleep standing up in the kitchen. I can have a bowl of that right out if you want dear, you look simply starven skinny." She peers where she ignored Axel standing in the doorway. "Sorry dear, had to get her fed first."
"Thank you, mam. I'm famished. I'm Sarlene, this is Stephen, and that fella is Axel North of Clarion. I haven't eaten in a good day besides some salted fish. He doesn't mind it, but I might. Some bread would be incredible, and I'll never turn down hot food. And a Three-Devil Ale, for myself and the gentleman." She motions to Axel, and waves him over to her table.
Sarlene repeats her query to Axel as he sits. What is your profession? And why did you come this far South? Stephen squawks excitedly when Axel comes to the table, and paces across the floor to look at Axel (and look for food).
As they both left, the apprentice turned the page on his notebook and kept scribbling. His tone was polite but lacking in interest.
"Sorry about the mess, sir. Most of our business is much calmer than that. Do you have a list of materials that you require? It is worth mentioning that we have a one copper minimum on all material purchases."
After the customers had dealt with their various purchases, he casually removed his smock and hung it up in the back, waving a silent goodbye to his neurotic boss. Stepping outside, and wrapping a scarf around his neck as he donned his cloak, he briskly moved to the neighboring structure and knocked on the door swiftly. "Argus? Are you home? Tess was wondering if you'd be headed to the Stoat tonight."
Axel nods to madam Kale and smiles to reflect his understanding and joins Sarlene at her table. " I travel with a caravan. You may have seen it when you came into town. Specifically, I fix things. I do enjoy a good tinker. Nothing cannot be improved is what i say. I've been fixing things my whole life. My parents might not agree on the choice of words. they like to say "breaking" or "exploding" things. but you know how it is. gotta fail a few times before you get it right eh?"
"You in the kitchen, I see you sleeping. Bring out the food, I've got the ale."
Before you know it you have nice tankards of ale and bowls of stew in front of you.
"Let me know if Menander needs to cook up a venison flank steak or one of his numble pies. I think he already fell back asleep, standing even."
Thank you, miss Kale, and thank your man as well. I'll speak in a better tongue, though I have much appreciation for your knowledge of the Northland's tongue. This tongue is hard for me, as are the others I've learned from books and the like. A tinkerer? Fascinating. Learning is a tough task, to be sure. I've stumbled in the application of my... "gifts"... as well.
" ah let the man rest. though not so much that he falls into the soup. i hear people don't taste so good"
Sarlene lets out a gruff, loud, bellowing laugh that one would expect from a stout dwarf, not the like of her. Her smile fades as she brings a spoonful of stew to her mouth. She stares blankly for a second, looking past Axel as she chews some bits of vegetable. With a full mouth, she mumbles quietly, "This place is strange to me. It is odd to be away from the sea..."
Next to the Apothecary - Argus'
A stout and extremely clean dwarf answers the door (His beard is most immaculate). "Ah errand boy, why yes I will. That sounds great"His smile reveals more gold teeth than normal ones. "I should probably trim up, thank you m'boy"
"don't worry yourself my friend. things are always bound to change. i have found that every day is an opportunity for greater knowledge and holds to possibility for adventure. I never would have thought i'd run into such interesting people in this small town. who knows what tomorrow will bring?" Axel smiles an awkward crooked smile at his new friend "all we can do is hope for the best and deal with what we are given in our own way" with that he finishes off his ale and relaxes back in his seat.
Aye, ja, that be true. Sarlene raises one gruff, calloused hand to get the attention of Kale, wit two fingers raised to indicate that she and her odd, inquisitive little comrade needed more ale. With her other hand, she raises her glass to her mouth and downs her ale in the most unladylike of ways, ale rolling down past the edge of her lips.