Before the Call for Heroes
Since the Breachill Town Council has been holding monthly Calls for Heroes for decades, a fair number of local traditions have built up around the event. Many adventurers who plan to lobby for the jobs outlined at the meeting visit Wizard’s Grace, a popular nearby tavern, before the proceedings begin. Some hold traditional toasts for good fortune, some schmooze with the townsfolk in hopes of being hired, and some seek to scope out the other adventurers with whom they might be working—or competing for the jobs at hand.
A young human woman name Trinil Uskwold the granddaughter of the founder of the Inn. You see her direct two young halfings who are serving the crowd of adventurers. The inn is full of people hoping to see the young adventurers who will approach the Call of Heroes.
Hey canna I get my drink Twilia? A older human man with a green robe asks the young halfing with red hair and blue apron. I am working on it Gerald, can’t you see how busy we are today? She says back to the man as she pours wine into a cup for young couple.
I will get for you Gerald. Trinil says as she grabs goblet to bring to him. She makes her way to the old man. In the distance a half elf man named Trenis is playing a lute while singing a tale of heroes. Sitting in the chair next to a window sits a young halfing writing in his journal as he sips his tea. The next table over there are two dwarves in their older years playing an intense game of Thrones and Bones . Ha I got you Kraga your in check now! The bald dwarf yells at his companion. There are open seats at the bar and two open tables.
As you come into the Inn. Your adventure is about to begin.
A call for heroes! This sounds like an excellent opportunity. Maybe I cannot get the lead role, but the pretty sidekick whose flying sidekick can send men flying? This I can do better than no other. Get your head in character. No Thug role this time...
Hanako walks to the bar with poise, dressed in fine clothing, hoping to look like a Female Lead... as long as she doesn't have to kiss a guy. Better to get punched through a wall.
Twilia the young halfling pours a drink for another human. She wipes her hands and then comes over human female monk. What canna get you dearie?" Twilia ask the girl dressed up in fine clothes. [b] Your Cheating again. says one of the voices of the dwarves playing a game. Twilia looks and yells Stop playing then. Sorry about that
Hanako replies, "You are such a dear. Kindly deliver a white Zinfandel, unless of course you serve sa-ke—that is rice wine. Plum wine would interest me as well, if that is an option. But if you lack Tien imports, the aforementioned white wine will do nicely."
She looks around at the many costumed ladies and gentlemen, and says to Twilia, "So many are auditioning. This call for heroes is very interesting. I hope I am fortunate to be selected."
Rice wine! Oh my she must be famous adventurer to drink rice wine Twilia thinks to herself. She clears her throat very nervous to this strange person. We have some wine I thinks its white. She says in response.
Smiling princessily-sweet, Hanako says, "Ah, yes, the house wine it is then. Kindly surprise me." Hastily, she adds, "—aside from the color. White, please."
If I spill red wine on my Princess May-May outfit, I will look like a murder victim. To lie prone in morbid silence is such a waste of my budding talent.
Twila moves to get the house wine for the female Adventurer. Kraga a bald dwarf who looks really old. He has scar running from his left eye to his nose. I am not cheating Snargorf. You just forgot to move. He yells at his companion who looks confused. Ah your right! I should have moved my Mercer to the Bauman. Hey who yelled about playing fair? Show yourself Snargorf looks around. Meanwhile Twila brings the house wine back to Hanko.
"Why, thank you so much."
Hanako accepts her glass, and takes a very small sip, just enough for a taste. In these social occasions, one does not want to have an empty glass. Or pink cheeks, especially when wearing a cherry-blossom-pink outfit.
Hanako is ready to mingle, but she first looks around for a familiar face.
Hanako turns and sees the blonde-haired fighter. He is a true martial artist, but...
"Ah, good to see a familiar face," she says to the fighter. "If I am not mistaken, you are a true martial artist." A little embarrassed by the implication of her own words, she adds, "But then, it is my own martial skills which I use to earn a living. Perhaps the Martial Hero role is trending." 'Trend' is not a verb. "So then, are you also here to audition for this Call of Heroes?"
Gareth enters the tavern, his heart hopeful for the opportunity to make a name for himself as an adventurer. Looking around he notices the well dressed woman and how she seems clearly out of place from the other patrons here. Filing that observation away for now, he then approaches the bar intending to order a drink for good luck.
It occurs to Hanako that the blonde-haired fighter was talking to the gaming dwarves, not herself. She tries to play it up as if her talk of heroes is part of her performance—after all, why wait for the official audition?
She goes on, making sure to catch the attention of her target audience: Trinil.
"What is a hero?" Hanako says as she paces the room, drink in hand. "Sometimes, there is a man. And, well, he is the man for his time and place.
"But times, they are changing, and so must our place as women! We women cannot afford to be the damsels in distress, waiting for their knight to shine in armor and slay the dragon.
"When Hell comes knocking on our doors, when demons rise from the Abyss, we women cannot dangle our locks from towers and squeal for any man or beast."
She clenches her right fist tight as a rock, opens her left palm like a gentle leaf. When fist meets palm, she bows to Trinil and says,
"I present to you: Kojima Hanako, fighting nun of Shelyn, goddess of protection. I do not know if I have the right to call myself Hero. But I can tell you that the hero you seek is no mere dragon-slayer."
She hikes up her skirt to enter the Dragon Stance.
"You seek a Dragon!"
She holds the stance for a moment, then relaxes and says to Trinil (softly), "I must confess I wanted to demonstrate a scissor and axe kick combination, but I fear some may think I am truly attacking, for I have studied Dragon Style Unarmed Combat since my childhood in Minkai.
"Still, I hope you were pleased with my unrehearsed lines. I also studied improvisational techniques at the Temple of Shelyn."
Before Snargorf can reply to the Zano who standing behind the old dwarf. Hanako gets up and makes her display. Trini whose mind is focus on getting drinks stops and watches. She is awe of this young woman and her speech about heroes. She gives an applause and some the patrons bang their mugs. Heroes, Heroes the crowd begins to chant. About that time Gareth walks in and sees all of this going on.
Heroes?You say back in my day we did our own saving. Yells Kraga at the crowd.
What's the world coming too Snarlgorf replies as well.
Meanwhile Twilia walks ups to Gareth Sir what is it you would have to drink?
Zano listens to all of this decides to do what?
Shortly after Hanako finishes her performance their is a cry from the end of the bar. "Ah! You're the lady that talks to no one." Standing atop the barstool is a goblin wearing an oversized red coat and pointing excitedly at Hanako. She takes a large gulp from her mug and continues "You changed your clothes and found people to talk to, so I couldn't remember for a bit."
Hanako recognizes the adorable goblin. She stifles a giggle and says, "It seems I was talking to everyone just now." She sits at the next barstool as she goes on, "I usually need to get punched though a wall to receive such cheer!
"I am Hanako by the way." She sips her wine. "I remember you also, but also remember having forgotten to ask you your name. Which is...?"
The goblin's mouth splits open into a wide grin, displaying numerous sharp teeth, as she proudly introduces herself. "I'm Mob of course! and then asks, a little confused "Do you get punched through walls a lot?"
"Thankfully no," Hanako replies. "I have added more variety to my stunt repertoire, such as tumbling down stairs and crashing through windows screaming. A man screams for me. I am supposed to be male when I die humorously. I tie my hair in a samurai man-bun and wear a mask to play my Thug Two role.
"This costume is my Princess May-May outfit. Audiences like my portrayal of her, but she is a weakling. A damsel in distress. I dare say the reaction you just witness validates what I have always known to be true:
"Audiences crave strong women."
Hanako takes a bigger swig of wine than intended. There is passion in her eyes. She goes on,
"Do you think I am correct, Miss Mob? Being a strong woman yourself, surely you at least share my sentiment."
Gareth is distracted by Hanako's performance, but is snapped back to attention by Twilia's question. "Ah yes just a cup of wine if you wouldn't mind." He then turns back to the room and watches quietly and intently.
When Zano joins the conversation, Hanako replies, "Hero is a title one must earn. I think I have proven my potential—I choreograph and perform my own stunts, time the delivery of my lines such that the corny becomes clever, and most importantly, I know the trick to being endearing.
"It is best accomplished by having flaws. Perfection is boring and unrelatable. This is why I say that dragon slayers..."
Suddenly, Hanako stops talking. Realization dawns: There has been a misunderstanding. So obvious! How could I not see...?
Hanako allows a sheepish smile. "When I spoke of seeking a dragon, I was referring to myself. Not as a literal dragon, of course, but as one who has trained in the Way of the Dragon—a fighting style in which one lashes out as if her leg were a dragon's tail, maximizing power on the initial strike.
"Focusing on kicks also allows me to use my hands for the longspear, or for grappling. I of course hope to grapple. As the Heroine, I will get to throw the Thugs through walls! I do not know which side of the throw is more fun, but I look forward to the day I find out!"
Hanako is now confident no one thinks she is interested in a dragon-slayer role. Not that she would say no. She will obviously need to play Hero parts before she is in demand enough to be selective.
Mob's beady, red eyes narrow in anger "Don't go adding stuff to my name." and calms a little as she drains the last of her drink "And I don't get what you're saying at all! I don't care about audiences. And aren't you just super weak cause you always get pushed around and won't even scream for yourself." Mob goes for her mug again, before remembering it's empty and yells across the room "Hey! Need a refill!" Mob rummages through her numerous pockets to dig out the coin needed to pay while Zano and Hanako speak.
Hanako is not about to blow her chance at a Hero role by bickering with another actress. She says to Mob, "I suggest we do not quarrel publicly like two stereotypical divas. That is a sure way to be typecast into a trashy role."
She takes a sip of her wine and tries meditation to calm herself. Breathe. Relax. Boring. She sips the remaining wine in her glass. Ahhhh...
She ponders before speaking, and finally looks at Mob inquisitively. "Do you truly not care what the audience thinks? I addressed you as 'Miss' as a sign of respect, yet you took offense. Because..."
Hanako, you nitwit! Mob must be a boy goblin!
"Yes. I shall refrain from calling you Miss, but there is a condition:" Hanako's eyes narrow. "You must refrain from calling me weak." In a cheerful tone, she continues, "I do like the super part, if you do not add to the super."
Jathal Makes her way into the tavern, shes knows this one only by name.The call for heroes sounded like a good idea, she smiles at the idea of a little adventure. She takes in the sight of so many others seeking the call as well.
She makes her way to the bar, pushing herself though the crowd and keeping an eye on the wanna be adventures gathered here. Some pretty boys here She thinks with delight as she reaches the bar.
"I'll take an ale" She says to the barkeep and spots the goblin. She has never seen a goblin this up close. She is not sure if the goblin and the over dressed lady are flirting or not. The dirty image that put in her head makes her burst out laughing from the bar.
Hey is not time for you heroes to go to the council meeting? Trini says out loud waiting to see who all leaves the Wizard's Grace.
You each leave the Wizard's Grace as you do you hear "May Desna smile on you heroes yells a halfling sitting by the door. As you each walk across the street to the Council meeting you see the building and the memorial fountain behind it. As you make your way to the building you see a goblin woman pacing out front the door next to the two the guards. You also see the town members coming into to see meeting happen.
Oh, such formalities!
Not wanting to leave her meeting with Mob on a bad note, Hanako says, "Forgive my hasty question, Just-Plain-Mob. There is wisdom in focusing on your role, disregarding audience impression.
"Perhaps we can both land Hero roles and there will be two strong women. Let us both break a leg—" Seeing how addressing the goblin as Miss was a flop, Hanako clarifies, "—by which I mean, good luck!"
She then moves to the meeting, but she notices the seemingly-distressed goblin woman. "Is there something a matter, Miss?—which I respectfully call you because I do not know your name? Mine is Hanako, Fighting Nun of Protector Goddess Shelyn."
Hanako is not speaking as an actress as she addresses this goblin. Her tone suggests she intends to truly help, if there is a need. When she mentions her goddess, her normally-softspoken tone is hardens. She is a samurai's daughter; her trained voice carries the strength of a samurai.
“My Bumblebrashers,” she laments in a distraught tone. “Why haven’t I heard from my Bumblebrashers? Are my people trapped in the citadel?”
She then breaks her speaking and looks up at Hanako and says
“Please, do allow me to introduce myself. I am Warbal, ambassador to the Bumblebrasher goblins of Hellknight Hill. It is my great honor to serve my fellow citizens of Breachill as the town’s official representative to the Bumblebrashers. I communicate with the Bumblebrashers, convey the town’s concerns and interests to them, and advocate on the tribe’s behalf. It is a duty I take very seriously—they are my people, after all. Hence why I am here today, and my rather distracted nature earlier. I hope you’ll forgive it.”
After Warbell speaks she looks to the coming heroes.
This is far more important than an acting job, even if my speech did vastly increase my chance of landing Female Lead or Sidekick, if not top billing as The Hero. Best not to speculate...
"You have done no wrong that requires forgiveness, Miss Warbal. Like yourself, I take my duty seriously. Mine is to Shelyn, and Protection is among her provinces.
"If your people are trapped in a citadel, I will go to them. Oh—but not without my new friend Mob!" At least I think we are on the way to becoming friends, maybe even BFFs, unless she is still mad at me.
Hanako looks back in the crowd for Mob. (Or rather, she looks for a gap between heads since a little goblin could prove hard to spot among all the burly men!)
Mob throws up her hands in frustration as Hanako keeps talking, saying "Like I said I don't get what you're saying at all. I don't know or care what a 'sterotipic diva' is or 'typecast' and I don't care about an audience or hero roles. If I wanna fight, I'm gonna fight." seriously she adds "And if you don't stop adding useless things to my name then you're the one I want to fight." Mob walks away to insist that the bartender refills her mug so she has something to drink in the council meeting before she picks up her backpack and weapons from the corner of the room and walks across the street to the council.
Spotting Warbal outside the council building , speaking to Hanako Mob rolls her eyes and then waves at Warbal to catch her attention.
Jathal signs as she looks to her barely touched ale, takes a drink and heads into the street with the other would be hopefuls. and spots, yet another goblin talking to the over dressed lady with the other goblin.
Trapped goblins,close to the city? this could be interesting and something to cut her teeth on. She decides to get in on the action and heads toward the fancy lady and her goblin boyfriend. Or maybe not her boyfriend, nuns have little fun she heard.
Jathal pasts a smile on her face and starts to greet Warbal" Miss Warbal,was it? With all the fine adventures in town, I am sure arrangements cane be come to. Why don't you walk with us and tell us a bit about yourself and the Bumblebrashers. It must be endless and rather thankless work advocating for a whole tribe" She gives Warbal what she hopes is an encouraging and sympathetic smile.
This is a dice expression.
Hanako notices a woman whose face alone could land her any princess role or romantic female lead.
"I think you have the right idea," she says to the admittedly-prettier one. "The meeting will be all talk, no action. We can walk and the true heroes can join our merry band.
"I am Hanako by the way," she says. "And you are?"
Jathal nods to the lady with the goblin, non boyfriend. " Jathal Duskwalker, your dress is lovely" She says, thinking she looks look a beggar next to Hanako. " At the very lest we can see what the council says, they often offer a reward. But if they refuse to Help.' She shrugs "We can set out without them. But, ignoring them may make enemies"
Ah... that would explain why the would-be heroes carry real weapons rather than stage props. Something did seem amiss...
Hanako replies to the compliment on the outfit. "Thank you. I am an actress, so I am accustomed to dressing up for festivals." At the mention of making enemies, she says, "Oh, I do not wish to alienate myself from the Council. My intention is to be helpful."
She says to Miss Warbal, "I expect you need to attend the meeting anyway, given your position. Might Miss Duskwalker and I accompany you as volunteers ready to assist your people?" It seems clear that Not-Miss Mob already knows Miss Warbal. Perhaps Mob is a Bramblebrasher?
Mob pays little attention to the surrounding adventurer's, not even to the conversation between Hanako and Jathal happening above her head.
As Warbal walks with ladies and Mob. She seems to be so caught up in her thoughts. As Jathal speaks to her it makes a great impression on her. She looks up and in calm voice says “I am certain something foul has befallen the Bumblebrashers—their leader, Helba, would not miss our meeting twice in a row for no reason, nor would, the tribe signal its distress if something terrible were not amiss. I plan to present this information to the council and ask them to hire adventurers to contact my tribe.” “You are adventurers! Are you not? She looks at each you with renewed sense of hope. You are just the heroes I hope the council might hire on my behalf. But please, there is a system in place for a reason. Come with me into the meeting and listen to my petition. If you are up for my task, I beg you to offer your services to the council. You might be my tribe’s only hope!”
When you each enter the town hall, guards positioned at the front doors direct them to the council chamber, the entrance of which is just past the main hallway. Just before the meeting begins, the guards move to stand outside the chamber’s southern door.
Once inside the council chamber you each see that the room is set up as an auditorium, with a carpeted walkway separating several rows of benches into two sections. The carpet leads to a small set of steps and a raised dais. On the dais is a large desk separated into five parts, where the Breachill Town Council’s five members are seated, talking quietly with one another as they wait for the meeting to start. On the desk, situated in front of each chair, are tarnished bronze plaques bearing the names of the council members. From east to west, the names are Jorsk Hinterclaw, Melma Ann Sendari, Greta Gardania, Trini Sprizzlegig, and Quentino Posandi. Melma, Greta, and Quentino are humans, Jorsk is a dwarf, and Trini is a gnome. About 40 of the townspeople come into see the meeting.
With a sharp rap from her gavel onto the desk, a stern, dark-haired woman with a deeply furrowed forehead and kind eyes brings the assembled crowd to a hush.
“Welcome, neighbors and friends...” the dark-haired woman begins, her rich voice washing over the room, “...to the Breachill Town Council’s monthly Call for Heroes. I am Council President Greta Gardania, at your service. On behalf of my colleagues beside me, I promise you all that we will hear and consider today’s petition with the utmost discretion and care. There is no existence without community, as our town charter says.
“Today, our agenda includes one petition. Miss Warbal, our very own ambassador to the Bumblebrashers of Hellknight Hill, requests the help of heroes for a matter of utmost importance. Let’s hear her concerns in her own words, shall we? Miss Warbal?”
At this summons, Warbal emerges from the front row of benches. The well-dressed goblin woman makes her way to the foot of the dais’s steps. She clears her throat and begins her address to the council.
“Esteemed councilors,” Warbal says, with a frazzled tone to her voice. “It has been more than a month since I’ve been able to contact the Bumblebrashers. I fear that something terrible has befallen them. What’s more, I have seen my people’s distress signal coming from the top of Citadel Altaerein—” Before she can finish her petition, the door on the western side of the room flies open, as a young man, his eyes wide with panic, runs in shouting and waving his ink-stained hands. Billowing black smoke and flames follow him into the room: “Fire! There’s a fire! Everyone flee!”
Mob is shocked into action as the council rooms fill with smoke. Her drink spills across the floor as she leaps to her feet and rushes to the front of the council room to grab Warbal and get her out of the flaming building.
Hanako looks at the stage. It must have a backstage as in a theater. Surely the back exit would prevent the council team from getting trampled or slowed by the masses.
Hanako sees Mob is seeing to Warbal, so she approaches the council members. She speaks in the tone of a hero unfazed by danger.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, you must get to safety immediately. Please stay together and move in an orderly fashion—"
If she has reason to believe a backstage exit exists and would be away from the fire, she finishes with, "—to the backstage exit."
Otherwise, she looks for an exit that isn't bottlenecked by panicky townsfolk and bulky armored heroes—
—and follows the best path she sees (or follows Mob if she sees no better way).
"—this way."
Hanako soon realizes that the only entry is the way she came in. The people around her hearing her voice run past the council table. Stop go to the front yells Greta Gardina. The fire is on the right as you came in. You see the fire spreading
Only one route. Not good.
Though there is only one way out, Hanako states her reason for hoping there was an alternate exit. "I suspect you or Miss Warnal is a target. The fire may be intended to draw us out."
She expects a wizard or men with torches are beyond the door—
—but a billowing cloud prevents her from seeing beyond the flames. She isn't entirely sure the exit is even safe, but she moves toward it, wondering if Mob, Jathal, or the blonde-haired fighter might get a better glimpse.
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In addition to the spoiler, I'm also looking for something to help put out the fire.
Remember fire safety people, walk, do not run to the nearest unoccupied exit, single file line and alert the nearest fire department.
He then sees the creature He must have set the fire! As Zano points it out to his allies.
Roll INT
"Oh! It seems we are dragon-slayers after all."
She says that, but wonders if the small creature is yet an adult.
Gareth jumps to his feet and tries to act quickly looking around the room for safe exists and trying to see who may need help getting to one.
Noticing the creature that is breathing fire after Zano points it out Gareth moves to stop the creature from hurting anyone.
Mob grabs Warbal and turns to run for the exit, as she draws close she sees Zano point out the small creature breathing fire right next to the exit.
"Get out of here Warbal" Mob says as she turns to face the creature and reaches for the huge maul slung across her back.
While Jathal does not see anyone, the Blond man yells and points to a shape.People are yelling and pushing though the fire and she is a little excited and unnerved, here is her chance. Don't blow this She thinks to herself