Heroes of the Lance (Inactive)

Game Master EltonJ

Gameplay thread here, fellas.

Picking up where we left off. Bander is likely saved from being eaten by a worg from the sudden appearance of an Ogre!!!!

Bander, who was standing on a chair palms on the table leaning over the table looking back and forth between the minotaur and the worg, pauses at the gasps and hoopla surrounding the entrance of an ogre.

He looks around incredulously, "This place is amazing." He plops back into the chair he had been sitting on overwhelmed by the wonder of it all. He takes a deep swig out of a huge mug that moments ago was in front of the minotaur. "Humans living in treehouses, werewolves in the tavern, traveling ventriloquizers . . . well I supposed if the minotaur is a ventriloquizer the wolf might not be a werewolf . . . and now an OGRE. No one is going to believe me when I get home."

Bander puts the mug back on the table. He wipes his face with his sleeve, He stands up and looks at the other folk. "Do you all get many ogres up here?" He looks at the huge figure in the doorway. "That is one fancy ogre." The kender crosses the room toward the door. He hops up on a chair and then a table near the door, "Oh excuse me. Don't worry I won't step on your dinner." He stands up with his hands resting on his hips still a look of rap amazement at things. "Ahhh hi. Are you here to kill us all. You know being an ogre and all."

The huge bull pauses thoughtfully to consider Bander's series of run-on questions.

"Nash is very smart warg. Warg talk good", he replies sagely with a nod at his lupine friend. His tone suggests that the answer was obvious.

The kender apparently satisfied with his answer, Maddok goes back to his meal. He generally enjoyed spending time near kender. There was less yelling when they were around and he admired their courage. Quietly, he contemplates where their boundless courage comes from.

A heavily robed figure enters into the in of the last home. A delicate hand tolls on to a staff, the outline of a white robe can be seen on the sleeve and the hem. He quickly takes a seat in a far corner so as not to attract too much attention. He will ask the barmaid for a glass of red wine.

Bander, still standing on the table near the door looking at the ogre, stops and watches the elf casually walk in the door, right past the ogre, and find a table in the far corner almost as if the elf interrupted an important moment. He seems stunned that the elf didn't notice the giant hulking armored ogre. He looks around to the other patrons as if they should also be surprized. He looks back at the ogre, "So your cool with elves. What about the rest of us?"

Kali's knuckles whiten again as she stands before the ogre trembling like a leaf about to be blown off a branch. The color drains from her face leaving her pale skin an ashen gray as she starts to feel the fear she'd felt that night come screaming back. She looks as if she's about to pass out, be sick, and run screaming for her life all at once. Her breathing starts to come in quicker and quicker gasps almost as fast a small songbird's breathes or a little mouse's. The latter being a rather apt comparison given her wide, terror-filled eyes.

Otik: "Kali, some people want some wine. I have some wine for them right here."

"Wah-wine. s-serve wine," Kali quietly gasps as she forces herself to start thinking again. She moves, but unlike the fluid grace she normally exhibits, she moves stiffly and slowly. It is all she can do not to start weeping and gibbering as something from her worst nightmares stands in the door of the Inn. She braces against the bar as her knees buckle and she nearly falls. Taking in a deep breath, she looks up at Otik with fear like he's only ever seen after the really bad nightmares in her eyes.

"I-I think I can do this," she mutters as she tries to steady herself then takes the bottle and glasses over to the tables wanting them. She manages only to spill a little as she shakes from the near panic she's in as she pours the glasses and gives them to the patrons. Her final stop is Thalasi's table.

"I-I am t-t-terribly sorry for the wait, sir," she apologizes as she pours him a glass of wine.

The elf will not and will smile a thank you. He whispers a thank you, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself, he draws out a steel piece from a pouch.

With another one he says, Have courage

Remember, common wine is 2sp (4sp on Krynn, which is on the steel standard, not the gold standard) per 1/2 gallon pitcher -- or 0.5sp (1 gp) per 1-cup glass. Giving 1stl is 40 times the price of the glass of wine!!

It's a fine example of the adventurer's disease -- don't catch it!! ;)

When the ogre enters the bar, Peregrine goes completely still, her downward-tilted head remaining so as her eyes turn to regard the massive, armored male. Then the oddities hit her: he didn't smash in, he entered, ducking under and turning sideways to edge his great shoulders through the door instead of wrecking it; he isn't wearing the typical mis-matched and patchwork armor of the ogres, but well-made, well-fitted, almost Solamnic armor. The shield she guesses, her head lifting somewhat to get a better look, seems to be of equally-high quality, and an urge she calls 'The Nudge' causes her to concentrate long enough to lower the touch of focus that prevents her from seeing such things all the time.

Her eyes narrow as she sees the signs of magic glowing about the ogre's weapon-hilt, a hint around his hand (which she can't see clearly enough to really identify), and his cloak ... not to mention the long item he's carrying!!

The robed elf as he steps past the ogre 'gets caught' in her regard, and her gaze moves from the overly-large warrior (who is, after all, just a warrior no matter how big) to follow the clear-to-her wizard, thoughtfully regarding the staff he bears until her control reasserts itself and she pushes the Sight back into her subconscious.

Glancing between ogre 'knight' and elf Wizard for several moments, she comes to a decision and starts to quickly but precisely put her tools and her project away -- she's clearly a believer in 'a place for everything, and everything in its place'. "Interesting," she murmurs, though the voices in the back of her head are banging back and forth at each other.

The Inn of the Last Home rests cradled high in the boughs of a vallenwood tree, its worn steps winding around the heavy trunk up to the familiar, carved door. Warm laughter and cooking smells drift down to entice travelers to leave the road and rest from their journey.

For returning patrons, the Inn seems timeless, unchanging. The wooden bar weaves around living branches of the tree, its burnished glow deepening with each year. The delicate windows of stained glass behind the bar are being polished by Otik Sandath, the barkeeper. He turns and waves, smiling at you, and motions the barmaid in your direction.

The low murmur of voices fills the inn. An old man weaves stories in the corner by the hearth, to the delight of the crowd gathered about him. At a far table, near the storyteller, a man and a woman sit together and speak quietly. Another man stands near the storyteller, but he doesn’t engage with him or his listeners; a small boy stares thoughtfully into the fire a few paces away.

Having delivered the last drinks on her tray, the barmaid steps toward you with a smile and shows you to a table. Something about her seems familiar. The hair? The intelligent glint of her eyes? Could this be Tika, the little girl who swept the tavern floors a short five years ago? The Inn never changes, but surely its people do…

Kalisuel pauses as Thalasi speaks to her, she nods and seems to at least move past the initial fear she is feeling.

"Th-thank you. I'll try," she mutters, taking the bottle back to Otik before continuing her rounds. Thankful that Tika is handling the ogre, the well armed and armored ogre, she still can't help but feel ashamed at her cowardice. What would Blossom or Olund say to her? What about Rascon or Dale? She doesn't feel the overwhelming sorrow anymore when she thinks of them, but there's still the wound left by their deaths. They'd become her friends, her family, and it is hard not to feel terror every time an ogre is mentioned being spotted or a pack of goblins is rumored to be about.

"Face yer fears, lass," she can hear Olund telling her, "ain't nothin; ta be afraid o' here."

"If only fear were so easy to banish, my brave friend," she whispers to herself as she fills up her tray for another round of drinks and platters of food.

Was the reference to Tika meant for any of us in particular?

Maddok doesn't react as many of the other do when the armored ogre enters the Last Home. The circumstances of his own life had left the bull with a different set of prejudices. From the few times he'd had to tangle with one, he knew they were occasionally mean and always very strong. But, from his experience, groups of men on the road were much more likely to be bandits than a lone ogre seeking shelter in a warm tavern.

Feeling a little bit more at ease, the elf will try to catch glances ar what ya doing on from the corner of his eyw.

Was the reference to Tika meant for any of us in particular?

Just a late introduction to the Inn of the Last Home. I'll let you decide if Tika has any meaning for you.

Sorry for the delay in posting. When I saved the discussion tab as a favorite, it apparently didn't take.

"Water. Please." the Ogre says as he glances over his shoulder and out into the distance.

He certainly did not match the stories that had been told of his kind. While he certainly had the height and muscle mass one might expect of one of his kind, he wore an expertly smithed suit of full plate armor, similar to what a knight of Solamnia might wear, including a Roman Style ala Hulk from Thor Ragnarok style helm, which he removed in preparation to enter the building.

A massive sword and shield hung from his back, along with what appeared to be a long staff that was wrapped in cloth.

The most odd thing about his appearance, however, was the massive dinner-plate sized holy symbol if Kiri-Jolith that hung around his neck.

He smiled gently down at the young woman and said "May I enter please?"

No worries here, I think we can flex things a bit. I think we can say this happens before Otik gets her attention.

Kalisuel swallowed hard as the ogre asked to be let in. She tries to speak a couple of times, but can only nod her head as she steps back to give the strange knight the room he needed. Before she can say anything else, Otik calls her away.

After a few minutes, she reappears from the crowd, still much shorter than Slam even when he is seated.

"Y-your w-w-w-water, s-sir," she squeaks as she places slides the small cask filled with fresh water flavored with fruit onto the table. It's clear she's still terrified of the ogre, though she's trying hard to not let it control her. "W-would you like something to eat?"

"So your not here to kill us?" Bander slowly repeats his question. "Just need to clarify. Its crucial to everyone's evening."

Bander mumbles, " I suppose I should be used to this being overlooked but I am standing on a table here."

The wizard will quietly move his hand down to a spell component pouch.

The elf takes a look at the ogre as he enters the room and his eyes open wise as he sees the symbol of rh boson of heaven.

The Ogre sighs, which sounds like a bellows expelling air, and says "No, I'm not here to attack anyone. I'm just here for something to eat and drink and mayhaps even a place to sleep. I will, of course, pay."

The Ogre again looks over his shoulder.

Peregrine knows that trouble soon follows a kender who's bored -- or who believes himself to be ignored. Which means that there's a distinct possibility that Bander might wind up jumping up and down and waving his arms in the ogre's face. Trying to forestall the devastation, she says in a carrying voice, "Bander, he's not here to kill us. Probably heard of Otik's spiced potatoes all the way over in Blöde, and just wanted to drop by to try them out, hmm?"

She glances at both the ogre and the elf wizard again, then -- if the kender comes over -- adds, "Listen, I seem to be down a few beads. Can you look on the floor, see if I dropped them?"

"Spiced potatoes?"

Kalisuel relaxes just a little at Slam's answer to bander's question.

"Y-yes, they're a specialty of Otik's, and a favorite of many who visit Solace. We also have a vegetable soup, a mutton stew, and some roast duck if you would like something to go with them," she explains, her voice a little stronger now that she isn't quaking in terror.

"This night gets more and more INTERESTING." He double points toward Otik, "I am never leaving." He hops off the table landing lightly. "This place is amazing. Non-murderous ogres, talking dogs . . . well if the minotaur is not a ventriloquizer its completely possible the wolf is of the 'Were' variety."

He looks up at the Ogre, "The potatoes are good. Hot if you eat with your hands."

His head turns toward Peregrine, "Oh I will help." He starts crawling around on the floor looking for beads.

"Good Taytoes!" Maddok chimes in with several of the spiced spuds clutched in his enormous paw. "Very good."

The huge bull minotaur gestures with his horns at the chair opposite himself. "Sit. Eat."

Slam pulls out a gold coin, puts it in Kali's hand, and says "I will try these potatoes then."

He then walks over to Maddok's table, nods in thanks, then moves the chairs opposite Maddok's side of the table out of the way, then sits on the floor and drinks his water.

Slam's approach stirs the worg from his feast. He sits up on his haunches to watch as the ogre politely makes himself comfortable.

"You're not dressed like any of the ogres I've ever seen", he observes aloud. "Most of 'em look like my man Maddok here - all clan in loincloths and leather. That armor's almost shiny enough to see yourself in. Wait... are you with the Knights?"

Bander emerges from under a table, "Excuse me." He absently says to the patrons whose table he was under. He passes Perigrine's table putting a few beads on the surface. Some of them were even the beads she mentioned earlier, there was also a brass button and crumbs of something.

He walks over to the table where Slam, Maddok and his warg are sitting. "Hiya again. This is easily the most interesting table in the room I mean often do a talking dog, a minotaur and a fancy dressed ogre break bread in a human tree top inn." He smiles at the two huge folk and looks down at the dog.

After a moment he stands on his chair to get Kalisuel's attention, "Um I want some potatoes and duck. Also an ale feel free to use a full pint glass." He holds out his palm with several coins another button a feather. "It should all be there."

He leans over in Slam's direction. "So the wolf on the floor is named Nash. I am not sure if he can talk or if Maddock can throw his voice like a ventriloquizer or if Nash is a werewolf or some other kind of talking dog creature." He straightens up, "Oh my manners. I am Bander Drunkensquirrel of Lookit. Pleasure to dine with you this evening." He nods cordially and looks between the 3 others around the table.

Kalisuel takes the coins from Bander and nods to both him and Slam.

"It'll just be a moment," she says before scurrying off to fill the order.

"Most of 'em look like my man Maddok here - all clan in loincloths and leather. That armor's almost shiny enough to see yourself in. Wait... are you with the Knights?"

"I am a priest in the service of the lord of God of Honor. I have worked with the Knights of Solamnia before, but I have not taken the vows of service."

He walks over to the table where Slam, Maddok and his warg are sitting. "Hiya again. This is easily the most interesting table in the room I mean often do a talking dog, a minotaur and a fancy dressed ogre break bread in a human tree top inn." He smiles at the two huge folk and looks down at the dog.

"I often take meals with Humans, so this is not at all odd for me." said Slam with a chuckle.

"So the wolf on the floor is named Nash. I am not sure if he can talk or if Maddock can throw his voice like a ventriloquizer or if Nash is a werewolf or some other kind of talking dog creature." He straightens up, "Oh my manners. I am Bander Drunkensquirrel of Lookit. Pleasure to dine with you this evening."

"You may call me Slam. It is not my real name, but it is what I am known by."

An ogre who's worked with knights? That's the first time I've heard of that, Kalisuel thinks as she fills up a small mug with ale and gets the large platter of potatoes on the tray.

A minute later, after she's fixed Bander's plate, she comes back and sets the plates and mugs down on the table in front of the people who ordered them.

"I hope you enjoy your meals," she says with a smile that almost seems natural. She starts to walk away, but pauses as she pats the pockets of her apron.

"Uh, did I lose my pencil around here," she asks as she looks around on the floor.

The elf will pick up the fallen pencil and motion to Ki, listening in to the conversation.

Everyone, please make a perception check.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Bander pulls out a pencil ”Oh here I found it under the table over . . .“ He shrugs as the elf hands her a pencil. ”Must be mine.”

The lender looks up at Slam, ”So you work with knights and you worship the old gods. That’s interesting I met some guys in Gwynned one of them said that the Knights Solimantic were part of the reason the gods disappeared. Although he used bad language and didn’t say ‘part of’ I didn’t want to be impolite.”

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 I am not sure if I wanted to know this with this character. LOL

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Post coming later tonight.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19 I can’t set the DC for this. If its high enough I am going to have to pull part of the staff out and look at it.

You have to beat Slam's cmd to pull out the blue crystal staff.

no worries. I thought it would be against his perception. But I have no intention of taking it. It was more a question of how far out I get before I exclaim something about it.

Bander looks at the Ogre’s kit and does a double take. Now that is a pretty thing. I wonder what it does. Bander leans over in his chair, precariously over, his fingers twinge with curiosity. He reaches his hand around a bundle he shifts a flap. A look of joy comes over his face. There is a screech and the chair tips the kender swings hanging on the staff on the seated ogre’s back. He lands with a thud and looks at Nash. ”Any chance that the Ogre didn’t notice that.”

"Oh. um, thank you," she says to Thalasi. She slides between the tables and the patrons returning to their meals as the novelty of an ogre wears off enough to focus on other things. She takes the pencil and uses it to mark down what each of the three at Maddok's table owe before moving on with her rounds. She keeps glancing over at Slam, her curiosity getting the better of her fear. Seeing the unusual staff, she tries to remember if she's heard of such a thing before, and if there was a reason he would have it.

Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Geography, Local, Nature: +5, so 17
Everything else: +1, so 13

She sees Bander reach for the staff, then crash onto the floor before she could do anything. She flinches in sympathetic reaction, knowing how embarrassing that could be. She only hopes that Slam is good-natured enough to take it in stride, and that Bander will be wiser in his curiosity next time.

I was going to roll to see if she noticed Slam looking over his shoulder, but I think Bander just distracted her from that.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Btw, the staff is wrapped. He's trying to keep it on the down low.

[dice=Perception]1d20+9

Btw, the staff is wrapped. He's trying to keep it on the down low.

That's what I took from your description and introduction. When the DM offered the perception roll whatever you have bound up became utterly irresistible to Kender curiosity. I didn't get a good look cause I slipped off my chair swung around your back and landed on the other side of you cause I didn't beat your CMD. So its still hidden I imagine you just have had a kender awkwardly fall next to you and dangle from your back a moment. Good Lord this character is fun. . . .if he isn't killed by his friends.

Who am I kidding. Its fun even if you kill him.

It brought a slight frown, a crease of concern, to her face; things were getting worse and worse in Solace already, and now these unusual people were here. She’d known something dark was rising — you couldn’t have passed through the far north-east without learning that — but ‘what’ was something for other, more powerful, more influential people to deal with.

But apparently, the strangeness was extending itself to Solace.

"No, the knights did not cause the gods to disappear."

He then watched the Kender try to take his staff. As he fell over, Slam picked him up, sat him back in his chair, and said "you fell down there Bander."

Breathing a sigh fo relief, Kalisuel returns to her rounds, but keeps glancing over at Slam and watching him as he ate and drank.

Perception (To notice him looking back over his shoulder.): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 I'd say that does it.

She stops by the bar and frowns. She suddenly feels very naked without the weight of her chain shirt as she notices Slam glancing over his shoulder again and again. She sets the tray and pitcher down and looks to Otik.

"I think Tika can handle things for a moment. I just need to step outside for a moment," she tells him before slipping out the back way.

The kender's eyes go wide as the ogre lifts him up he hangs awkwardly ridged he hits the chair gingerly. His eyes look around. He says nothing.