You find yourself today in Breachill, answering the town's monthly Calls for Heroes, a local tradition wherein the Town Council hires adventurers/mercenaries/heroes to deal with issues and troubles beyond the scope of the town militia, as set aside by the town's public funds and budget. Today, on this fine morning, around 8:50 AM, the Council has called an emergency meeting set for 9:00 am, which is unusual, as they are normally scheduled for noon. You all happen to find yourselves in town with an interest in attending. The purpose of the emergency is unknown to you.
A small crowd is milling outside the Town Hall building, waiting for the appointed time. In all, about 40 townspeople are congregated outside the building, chatting and passing the time until the meeting starts. Some locals have brought their children with them to meet any new heroes.
While you are awaiting the meeting's start, you notice a well-dressed goblin woman pacing right outside the front doors of the building. The studious-looking goblin has her hands clasped behind her back and she's mumbling to younger male goblin, also finely dressed and garbed in leather, a dogslicer at at his waist, who appears to be acting as a bodyguard, keeping any onlookers away from the female goblin.
Jojo is dressed in fine garb, at least what is considered "fine" for a goblin. He has his hand on the hilt of his sword, looking at the growing crowd. He always found himsel uncomfortable around the civilized folk of a small town. He tended to feel their prejudices toward his kind more acutely, even though he had learned manners and culture from Madam Warble. He preferred the big cities, where a goblin was as common as a halfling or dwarf.
He sighed. Warble had asked him to accompany her on an urgent errand regarding the Bumblebrasher tribe and he could not refuse her. Not after all she had done for him as a child. So here he was, "dressed up", acting like a bodyguard, waiting for the town hall meeting to start. He could see that Warble was nervous about her plea. "Madam, please do not fret. I am sure the humans of this town will say yes to whatever aid you desire from them. You can be very convincing when you want to be." Jojo smiled at her, trying to ease her nervousness.
Wang hustles to the crowd, the threadbare hem and sleeves of his plain, brown haori fluttering in the air. His bundled possessions bounce awkwardly on his back, and the dark-haired Tian-Dan youth winces when the occasional woody, percussive sound rings from his belongings. I thought they said these things are a midday? he thinks to himself and then absently completes his thought aloud, "At least I made it in time!"
He pauses to survey the crowd, occasionally arching an eyebrow. "Pardon me!" he says with a grin as he starts to weave his way into the crowd and closer to the front. "Excuse me. So sorry! Oh. Pardon me. Oops! My apologies."
The young man manages to pop out the other side of the crowd near the doors to the town hall. He combs back his bangs with one hand and then straightens his long, high ponytail. As he is smoothing down his haori, he overhears the goblin speaking.
"You need aid?" he grins a smile that radiates sincerity. "Are you offering work? At the call? My name is Wang. Shi Xin Wang. And I'm looking for work." His brown eyes twinkle without a hint of prejudice.
A small man in a gigantic blue hat and monk's robes makes his way through the crowd. As he gets closer, you see that he is not wearing a hat. It is in fact the cap of a mushroom and clearly part of his head. The face beneath holds sapphire eyes, a pair of holes serving as nostrils, and a thin mouth. His skin all over is white as chalk where it isn't armored in what looks like tree bark and underneath the skin are thick muscles. His robes are dirty--no, not dirt--mold. His robe must have been a light tan when they started, but now it is spotted with blue, green, and black mold. His backpack too looks similarly mildewy. Perhaps the strangest thing is that the grouping of the mold isn't random--it appears in subtle patterns that make you think it may have been grown on his robes on purpose.
"Early call for heroes, very early, must be needing much heroics, needing strong arms and courage, yes, I will answer call today," he says to no one in particular in a reedy voice.
Wang glances over his shoulder when the leshy speaks. Midway in returning his attention to the goblins, he rapidly turns bodily to face the walking mushroom, eyes wide with wonder. A kami? A kami!
"May the morning grace you, noble kami!" Wang says with a formal bow. "Forgive me. I regret that I do not have a proper meal to offer you. Maybe you would accept an offering of music in its stead?"
Without waiting for an answer--and apparently having forgotten that he asked a question of the goblins--he quickly slides his half-slung pack from his shoulder and separates his ruan from the rest of his bundle. Quick as a blink, he has tested the strings and twisted the pegs. He begins plucking a few slow, sonorous notes that gradually rise into a vibrant reel.
Wang lets the last note fade on its own and then bows again to the leshy. He smiles brightly and looks to the leshy expectantly.
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As the crowd gathers in the open sun, a scruffy ratfolk dressed in simple robes over light armor scans around the people. Some might think the sun hurts his eyes, as he keeps one shut against the glare. If not for the pack on his back, he might look like any other craftsmen with the various tools strapped to his limbs and carried upon his belt. After a few moments he finally sees a somewhat familiar face, so he tightens a few straps on his gear as he approaches Pileus in the crowd.
”Pileus, my friend,” Gexi says a little too loudly in the gathered crowd. ”I thought the meeting was to begin at midday. I’m just glad I didn’t oversleep. Any idea what the urgency is?” Gexi’s voice cracks slightly revealing his lack of confidence at the moment. His whiskers twitch and he fidgets unconsciously, but he tries to hide it.
So open here. No where to bolt. But at least the press of the crowd is comfortable.
He ysoki? A sign! Wang momentarily bites his lower lip.
Wang glances over his shoulder when the leshy speaks. Midway in returning his attention to the goblins, he rapidly turns bodily to face the walking mushroom, eyes wide with wonder. A kami? A kami!
"May the morning grace you, noble kami!" Wang says with a formal bow. "Forgive me. I regret that I do not have a proper meal to offer you. Maybe you would accept an offering of music in its stead?"
"I call myself Pileus Shady Pool, not Noble Kami," he says, misunderstanding the bard. "Meal is not needed. I eat in forest. But music is always welcome! What do you call yourself, friend?"
Pileus, my friend,” Gexi says a little too loudly in the gathered crowd. ”I thought the meeting was to begin at midday. I’m just glad I didn’t oversleep. Any idea what the urgency is?”
"No, no idea, friend Gexi. I was going to greet Sourdough Starter in kitchen when I saw big early crowd for Call. I wish to be called, so I hurried over."
"Wang. Shi Xin Wang," he answers with another, slightly less formal, bow and grins. The kami deemed to tell me his name. Oh, this is an auspicious day indeed!
A very large orc with protruding tusks from his lower jaw, and shaved head except for a long queue in the back trots up to the gathering. He wears a massive greatsword over his back, the hilt just visible over his impressive shoulders. He wears a set of hide armor that covers most of his torso but his thick arms are bare. You can see the arms are crisscrossed with white scars which are easily visible against the green skin tone. Tattoos are also visible around the hides and on the neck of the tall newcomer.
Thark takes in the scene with a mushroom-man, a rodent-person, and a small handful of goblins, and quickly feels more at ease about his own rather unusual form. He nods to the others, and says in a bass voice: "Our Lord in Iron has blessed us by moving the time forward. The sooner we answer the Call, the sooner we can hear the lamentations of our enemies and gather rewards in his name."
"Lamentations?" Wang's eyebrows rise. I thought these jobs were things like finding lost cows or helping to shingle a roof?
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Gexi continues to look around and runs his hands along his snout, smoothing his whiskers down. He notes Pileus' attention being drawn to the musician. He opens his mouth to speak but only a slight chirp-like sound comes out as a large shadow falls over his sight. On instinct, Gexi opens his closed eye, revealing the red glow for just a quick glimpse.
As the massive orc speaks in a booming voice, Gexi notes he seems well spoken. Perhaps this orc is not a threat. "I fear for the enemies facing you. This Call for Heroes has attracted a lot of attention. I hope the jobs being asked of us aren't too dire."
He raises his hand in a weak wave. "Name's Gexi."
If this orc is up for consideration, I may need to wait until the next Call.
"I hope Call is dire! There's no glory in small Calls. Like Call-Hero orc said, we want to hear lamb and tater rations of our anemones! Is that a kind of hero victory stew?" Pileus asks eagerly.
Thark nods at the ratfolk. He offers a rather massive hand to shake and you see more of those whitish scar along his forearms. "Thark, servant of Gorum, Lord of Blood and Iron. Some from my tribe made stew of their enemies, it is quite good with ale and fresh fruit." He shows a set of rather imposing teeth in his lower jaw, and it's not easy to know if he's serious and grimacing, or joking and smiling. Maybe some of both.
Thark continues, "Heroes are not made by small efforts but by great deeds that are exalted. Thark devoutly wishes for a quest of such renown, and Wang, small mushroom-man, and ratfolk will be right alongside."
"Renown, I can get behind!" Wang says with a grin. He looks back at the worried goblins as he reaches down to lift his pack onto his shoulder.
The female goblin speaks, directing her comments to the four adventurers gathered and chatting. "Jojo, let them approach. They appear to be the heroes answering this emergency call, Please approach. I am Warbal Bumblebrasher, ambassador to the Bumblebrasher goblins. This is my child, Jojo. Have you heard of our tribe?"
After hearing your answer, Warbal continues, speaking very eloquently for a goblin, which surprises you. "It is my great honor to serve my fellow citizens of Breachill as the town's official representative to the Bumbebrashers. I communicate with the Bumblebrashers, convey the town's concerns and interests to them, and advocate on the tribe's behalf. I am here today to speak on the tribe's behalf. I lost contact with them about three days ago. Plus, I have seen faint plumes of red smoke coming from the top of the citadel. They are in distress and I hope the town will help and you will join the effort. I am sickened with worry."
You can see the pleading in her voice and eyes.
"Oh! The Bumblebrashers. A merchant at the Cayden's Keg mentioned them yesterday," Wang answers. "Live in an abandoned castle?"
As Warbal continues on, he listens attentively. "Smoke coming out of the keep does sound like some sort of trouble. I'd be honored to help the town rescue your wards." After a pause, and still smiling, he asks, "Does it pay much?" He jingles his relatively light coin purse. "Just curious. Making calculations. Of course an honorable person could hardly say no to such a plea!"
Thark is not from this area, and even if he was, the name of some goblin tribe likely would not stick with him -- though now, when he hears of their plight, he is keenly interested.
"No matter what it pays, Thark will help Bumblebrashers. Where is this castle, nice lady?"
Thark is ready to go now. This is why he came to Breachill after all -- to help others and be of service.
"Hmm, Bumblebrashers, yes, decent folk, not far. Red smoke, no talk from City Dell Allterrain, this is bad, but good time for heroes to prove their heroitude and save the day! Don't fear, Pileus Shady Pool--" Pileus gestures to himself excitedly, "--will travel to City Dell with new friends and put out red smoke fire and ask why goblins stop talking to Hero Caller Warbal!"
Pileus ponders to himself what kind of natural causes--such as herbs or minerals--might make red smoke.
Jojo sighs and reluctantly allows the party to approach, while he watches them closely, making sure they have no intent to harm Warbal. When she introduces him, Jojo nods, keeping his hand on his dogslicer. He hated asking the humans for help, but Warbal was not the fighting type and he doubted he could handle alone something that had overwhelmed the tribe. Jojo interjects, "I think it's more like a citadel or keep, than a castle. Although I have never been in a castle, but I would imagine it from my readings to be much larger and more lavish than our humble abode."
Jojo is glad to have help in saving his tribe, but he reserves his comments, allowing Warbal to take lead.
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Gexi stays to the back of the small group, leaning around Pileus a bit to keep an eye on the two goblins.
Checking in on some goblins sounds safe enough. I've heard of these Bumblebrashers a bit. They seem peaceful and if these two are examples of their kin, then they seem exceptionally unlike stereotypical goblins.
"I am sorry to hear this." Gexi nods to the goblins but when he continues there is a slight tremble to his voice. "I believe this could be just the opportunity I was looking for. I'll be glad to help, if chosen by the council's wisdom."
"Are you from here?" Wang asks Thark and Gexi as the attitude near the door drifts towards waiting. He shifts the weight of the pack on his shoulder. He is certainly not the strongest-looking would-be adventurer.
Warbal ponders Shi's question for a second, "I do not know the fee that the Council is willing to pay to resolve this issue. That information is not shared with me. I only proposed the crisis and hope they can hire the right people to resolve it."
At Thark's question, Warbal smiles. "Guess you're not a local. The ruined citadel is a stone's throw from here. Perhaps a little over a mile from the NE part of town."
Warbal chuckles at Pileus' enthusiasm. "While it's not up to me, I hope the town hires you. You're a bundle of energy!"
As she finishes, the doors to the meeting hall creak open and the townsfolk, Warbal, and the party are free to go inside for the emergency meeting. Warbal, followed in tow by Jojo, make their way to the front, as they will be called on the make the formal petition to the Council. Any "heroes" applying for the position also sit near the front of the hall.
Wang jumps as the doors open and then grins broadly. "Ah! Here we go," he says and steps with the throng into the hall. He sifts his way toward the front to take a seat, taking care to not smack bystanders with the neck of his ruan. "How do these usually proceed?" he asks nobody in particular.
Pileus retrieves a dented buckler from his backpack and straps it onto his left arm. "Come Friends Gexi, Shi, Thark, let's become heroes!" Striking (what he thinks is) a heroic pose with the buckler held to the sky, though it comes off a little goofy, he declares, "Hero-to-Be Pileus Shady Pool and hero-to-be-friends, coming through!" The fungus leshy makes his way through the crowd and as far forward as he can manage, too eager to notice whether or not the others join him.
Wang grins encouragingly at--and is encouraged by--the kami's antics.
"Hired or not," Thark says to Warbal. "Thark will aid Bumbles."
Bemused by the fungus-man, Thark enters the hall the grin on his face wiped away with a solemn look of reverence as he enters. He stands near the front, out of the way of others to see, but not willing to sit unless asked to do so. If there are councilors or other leaders there, he bows respectfully, but stands silent until called upon.
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Gexi smiles and seemingly purrs as he follows Pileus into the hall. He moves closer to the musician, Wang, to answer his question. "I am not really from anywhere, except from below, I guess. My family, my second family, travels hidden tunnels and open trails to trade goods with many people.
He motions around to the other humans present. "You do not look like the people here. Where have you travelled from?
"I knew Thark was an honorable person," Wang comments before the half-orc sidles out of the way.
He leans over to answer Gexi's question, quietly but also loud enough to be heard despite the din of the filling room. "I am from the Empire of the Dragon, Xa Hoi. Have you heard of it? I've found people's familiarity with the lands on the other side of the Crown is inconsistent."
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Gexi squeaks in excitement. "I have heard of this land of dragons." he says while smiling. "Esteemed Tjek came from Tian Xia, Diguo-Dashu I am told lies deep beneath your surface. He brought maps with him and told grand stories to go with them."
"I always enjoyed the tales of Nalinivati," he continues as if he is simply remembering things. "Especially the tale of how they spurred their nagaji to use poison blades to defend the clutches of eggs. Esteemed Tjek would then tell how Great Grandmother stole the idea and took it further by collecting and refining venoms to use against her enemies."
As he talks, Gexi unconsciously runs his hands over the vials in his belt.
Jojo stood next to Warbal. So many humans around in one structure! It definitely made him uncomfortable. He found the interaction of the adventurers gathered quite interesting. A half-orc, ratfolk, a human not from these parts, and a mushroom man...they were quite the bunch. He hoped they were competent.
Guards positioned at the front doors direct the party and the townsfolk into the building, while children play outside. As the meeting is about to start, the guards move to stand outside the chamber's southern door.
The council chamber 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 by into five parts, where the Breachill Town Council's five members are seated, taking 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 are Jorsk Hinterclaw (dwarf), Melma Ann Sendari (human), Greta Gardania (human), Trini Sprizzlegig (gnome), and Quentino Posandi (human).
In all, there are 40 townspeople in addition to the party and the councilors assembled for the meting.
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..." Greta 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." As she is speaking, she looks around the room making eye contact with as many people as she can.
"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." At that Greta looks over at the little goblin woman, Warbal, and continues.
"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?"
Warbal shakes herself from her worry and emerges from the front row of benches. The well-dressed goblin woman makes her way to the foot of the dais' steps.
Once he's made his way forward Pileus sits on a bench at the very front, calmly listening to the president speak with rapt attention. The leshy, it seems, has mastery over his ebullience when the need arises.
Wang unconsciously nods as he listens to the preamble from his seat on the second bench. He smiles back when the council president makes eye contact. His hands grip each other over his lap to keep from fidgeting. Only one petition on the agenda? Fortuitous it is that I met the son of the petitioner!
Jojo sits on the front row next to Warbal. When her name is called, he squeezes her hand to reassure her and stands and claps, but then realizes that he is the only one, and the clapping sound slowly dissipates until gone. He then takes his seat again, waiting to hear Warbal's plea for aid.
Thark sits near the center aisle about three rows back. He has already, in his mind, committed to the aid of the lost goblins, but watches the proceedings with decorum and interest.
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Gexi loses sight of the other candidate heroes in the group as he enters the large council room. After many people sit down, he fist spot the orc, Thark, and takes the aisle seat behind him. Then seeing Pileus and Wang seated to the front, Gexi stands again and goes to move but the councilors start the meeting so he sits down again quickly where he was.
This man Thark seems enthusiastic enough. Hopefully the people of Breachill won't hold his heritage against him.
Warbal makes her way to the foot of the dais' steps. She clears her throat and begins to address to the Council.
"Esteemed councilors. it has been two weeks since I've been able to contact the Bumblebrashers. I feat that something terrible has befallen them. What's more, I have seen my people's distress signal coming from the top of Citadel Altarein-"
Before the goblin can continue her petition, sounds of battle and screams can be heard from the hallway! Just then, the door to the south of the room flies open, a young guard rushes in by the name of Anton, fear on his face quite apparent, "Devils! Fire! Everyone flee!"
Out of the smoke billowed hallway, two small creatures flying on wings of fire, laugh and fly in, and proceed to breathe a 15' cone of fire, engulfing Anton, as he is burned to a crisp! They proceed to fly further into the room, delighting in the panic that their presence causes! The crowd of 40 bystanders and councilors scream in panic, as the doorframe of the this wooden structure catches fire!
Round 1: Jojo
Realizing the danger the fire devils pose, Jojo springs to battle. "Warbal, get to safety! We have to take out these devils before they breathe their fire again!"
Thark is a bit slow to react as the rear doors burst open and flying fiery creatures enter the room, spreading fire as they come. He leaps from his seat into the center of the aisle, and calls out, "Gorum approves of this test! Trial by iron, trial by fire!" and he casts a spell that ripples black energy near the imp on the east side. The blackness seems to pull life force out of the creature before it closes a nanosecond later.
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Gexi jumps at the shouting, unsure how to react at first. Then as Jojo and Thark take action Gexi gets inspired. He reaches for a vial at his belt and pulls out a vial that slightly glows with a blue shimmer. He hauls back and throws it at the closest devil.
As the vial splashes across his target, he has a thought. Wait! Fire melts ice, but water puts out fire, that may not have been a good idea. What are these things?
►► Draw and throw a Lesser Frost Vial , plus 1 Cold Splash damage
► Recall Knowledge (What are they? And are they weak against anything specific?)
"Stop fire, or Pileus Shady Pool will make you stop!" the monk-room charges◆ forward◆ with a double stride and flurries◆ the devil, bringing both fists to bear on the pyrophile.
Wang nearly trips over the bench when the door bursts open. He is left agape as the young guard is gruesomely burned in front of his eyes, making him slower to react than the others. However, once he has gathered his wits, he speaks with confidence.
"Winds of doubt may howl,
But the heart that guards the weak
Knows no turning back."
He hustles out from the benches and draws his bow.
At the end of the round, some of the crowd members flee through the western exit, but others (about 10) panic, trip over each other and fall prone to the ground. The fire spreads two squares east and west from the door frame. The black smoke billowing from the fire stings your eyes a little, but does not block your vision.
Round 2: Fire Scamps
The green one points its short finger at Gex and launches a bolt of fire at Gex that hits for 6 damage.
The red devil, severely wounded by Pileus, bites the monk and casts magic at him.
Round 2: Jojo
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Gexi ignores the burned fur smell coming from his shoulder and grabs more chemicals from his belt. "Little salt," he whispers as he works. "Some iron filing, and maybe some fresh juice." He shakes the small vial and it begins to glow a slight bluish-green. Then he tosses it at the scamp again.
"These aren't devils," he shouts to the other heroes. "They are scamps, elementals. They hate cold if you can do it.
► Quick Alchemy to create another Lesser Frost Vial.
► Strike with the Lesser Frost Vial. , plus 1 Cold Splash damage.
► Take a look around and identify who among the panicked citizens is in most damager. The point them out to others. Maybe give them a bonus, but otherwise would save them the action maybe.
Seeing his spell have little impact, Thark says, "We will settle this as the Lord of Iron intended..." and draws out his oversized greatsword and steps forward to attack the scamp on the right.
Pileus grits his teeth at the pain, then concentrates, his muscles rippling and what looks like dew forms on his arms and hands. "Fire monster, meet flowing waves!"
Then he flurries◆ with two Flowing Wave attacks against the scamp, a puff of steam escaping from his fists where they contact it.
Finally, he raises his buckler◆ against the scamp.
Jojo misses, but Gexi's frost vial, Thark's greatsword, and Pileus' blows destroy both elementals.
"This way! I will lead you out!" Wang speaks with confidence to the panicked townsfolk. He reaches down to help one of them to their feet. "While the others engage the devils, you will escape. Fear not the flames."
He moves near the burning doorway. Once there, he inhales some of the flame.