Ok I'm sorry guys. I finally quit my old job yesterday. Everyone still around?
Search Posts
I am, I'm sorry guys my life became volatile unexpectedly, but I'm still planning to continue asap if you're all still hanging in.
Just checking in. I know I owe you guys a post but I've been rather busy this week and weekend. Buying a new truck, interviewing for a new job, helping my parents remodel an old house. Yeesh. I'll try to get the encounter set up tonight. The problem has been that this is one of those mandatory fifteen minute posts that requires computer, not phone.
since I didn't let you full rest, I'll say yes. they'll fall off when you sleep.
Mira, Ever the perceptive one, notices a few things. First, that there is indeed a tray of used dishes on a box, probably the food Laria mentioned leaving for her friend. Second, that some of the sacks had been pilfered from. As if the food had not been quite enough. A tiny bit of the grain made an almost imperceptible path to a spot on the wall where it didn't quite meet the floor!
After a moment, Septima realizes that she has seen a hidden latch like this one and uses her foot to twist a false Cobblestone in the floor. The mechanism makes a soft grinding sound and a bit of the stonework on the wall slides about an inch to the right, revealing the seam of a secret door! The hallway beyond smells of damp, musty stone.
Been a while since we've heard from belinda, I'll push us along in the morning, after sending a pm. :)
Mira, happens to lay her hand on a crate with a marking just barely legible by the light through the cracks of the trapdoor. Glow rods Alchemical glow sticks! All the light of a torch with less heat.
Laria takes you to the cellar after you've had time to recover from dinner. It's simple enough, but just as she starts to follow you in there, there is a pounding at the door. Muffled calls of Dottari members and some fishy business of nightly random checks leads Laria to close the cellar and go to handle that business. This basement contains numerous crates of cooking
As the trapdoor slams shut, you are left in darkness. What do?
Lux stifles a giggle at the gleeful yordle, and nods. "Knight is just the title. I'm certainly not expecting you to go dressed as the dauntless into battle. However, to bring your along, and yes, I fully intend on coming," she adds with a mischievous smile towards Rei, "I need an oath. Do you, for the duration of this task, swear fealty to me as your Lady, and to guard the knowledge and secrets of our esteemed house as they are given you?"
"Hmm. On the target, few people know I'm here, and still fewer would expect me to respond to a crisis. Safe to say the target was my brother, though I do see the wisdom in your suggestion. What really concerns me is that the Dauntless should be here. We were led to believe that they were ambushed by a Noxian regiment, however this would seem to suggest that Noxus expected them to be here. Unless..." Lux takes the weapon from Rei and the note from Coco. Turning it over, a curse escapes her lips. "Quite the example of Noxian Diplomacy... This is the crest of Du Couteau. So this wasn't military, but why- Just then, a bedraggled soldier bursts into the door. "General! A Noxian warband is attacking the town! The guard is being overwhelmed!" The gnarled man to Lux's left speaks up. "I shall bring the remainder of the regiment to bear. We can ride out immediately. Lady Crownguard, please remain safe in the manor." With that, he turns with a flourish of his cape and strides out of the door without further acknowledgement. Lux stared daggers at the man's back, but holds her tongue for the moment while the Count's personal guard escorts him from the room with a hurried formality towards your party. A moment after the doors on both ends of the hall close, she addresses you all. "My authority, while legitimate, is not exactly recognized well. If I may be frank with you all, we are spread extremely thin. Noxian warbands are mostly young ones coming of age, attempting to prove themselves. You may know that military Rank or recognized strength is the only form of social ranking in Noxus, and so these seek to achieve their detestable form of nobility." She beckons you all closer and leans over the table, a map of the area is strewn with chess pieces, a makeshift war table. "The Warband is coming from due east, that much we know. I'd wager that their encampment is near here," she indicates a stand of trees with ebony king. "General Ward is going to lead his regiment head on from the city gates like so, but the real key is the officer. The warbands are inexperienced, but there is always one officer there to witness the strength of the newcomers. If we take him down, we should be able to scare off the rest of the band without more bloodshed. I'm sorry to even ask, but Demacia is in an hour of need. As Emissary of King Jarvan III, I extend to you the position of knight in this time of need. Should you accept and succeed in our mission, we will request of the Capitol to make your knighthood official. Will you assist me in this mission to save the lives of the men and women of this city?"
I approve heartily
"There's a secret entrance in the cellar, I'll show you to it once the food has settled." Laria says, happily rubbing her round belly.
A+ movie reference. I couldn't help but respond in kind xD
Holdrun Manor sits at the North end of town. It's quaint by the standards of capitol city dwellers, but still plenty large enough to house a full Demacian court. Large marble pillars decorate the typical stark white stonework of Demacian noble architecture. Poppy asks around as you enter, and you overhear that the Dauntless Vanguard has yet to arrive in Shadow's peak. The emissary of King Jarvan III is holding an impromptu meeting on the subject. After some convincing, Poppy gains passage for you all into the meeting to share your findings. Only three people occupy the heavily guarded room. The current Count of Shadow's Peak, a gnarled looking military officer, and Luxanna Crownguard. Anyone would know that Lux is the sweetheart of the Capitol, sister to Garen, and member of the most prestigious family in all of Demacia, save the crown itself. After a formal introduction, Lux regards you with piercing blue eyes, and a slightly worried expression "I heard that someone had quelled an owlbear attack in town, and I thank you. However, I am not clear on how this relates to the issue of the Vanguard?"
Rexus continues to eat, now contemplating how to translate whatever he has to add on the subject into racquetball terms. Even the big Biff gets it, and, with a goofy grin, says to Amara "I think she's bein sneaky about somethin y'all ain't supposed to be doin'. Kinda like how me an miss Laria say our owners died of old age when we mean we broke their freakin necks." "Biff!" snaps Laria, but too late. "Well I suppose the cat was already out of the bag, but I hope you all can be trusted. Neither of us were legally freed. My master's bastard of a son flogged my brother to death, and turned to my father. I wasn't in time to save him, but that little... *Sigh* he did not die with dignity. "I ran away, falling in with the Bellflower network. Along the way I met Biff, who had a similar story, and made it here with forged papers. "With due respect, miss Mira, I welcome the attention of a... Racquetball team. I believe I have access to a well hidden court, but there's an issue. "About a week ago, a neighboring business with access to the.. court, asked me if he could store some goods to be sent along the network, as well as hide himself. I've been leaving food, and it's been gone each day, but I have a bad feeling. I haven't actually heard from him, and sometimes I hear the strangest sounds, almost laugher coming from below. I haven't had the time nor the guts to go look myself. I wonder if you all would go see if the old racquetball court is useable?"
With a pained smile, Laria answers, "It was... natural causes. He was rather old." To the other request, she beams and passes a heaping pile of turkey towards Alexis. Sense Motive DC 16: If you're allergic to bullshit, gesundheit.
You're suddenly quite wary of her pants, lest they spontaneously combust. And many other euphemisms relating to the fact that that was one hell of a lie.
Poppy looks about with a worried expression. "I suppose you're right. I hate to get civvies mixed up in this, but I do think that those of you brave enough to help should follow me. The Manor is housing those of the Demacian court that were to come. If the vanguard is here, that'll be where. If not there should at least be an emissary of King Jarvan by now."
When Laria Longroads decides to take care of someone, not many can match her in hospitality. The spread is as intimidating as it is tantalizing. Pit smoked boar and turkey, fresh veggies, baked potatoes, magically chilled drinks, and exotic tasting sweets with Katapeshi and Taldoran spices with the fine Longroads coffee for dessert. Say what you will about halflings, they know how to eat. Laria herself is a gregarious host. She's rather normal for a hobbit, somewhat rotund, round three feet and some change, short blonde hair atop her head and feet. Through conversation you learn that she, like many halflings in Cheliax, was a slave at one point, but was freed when her master died some years ago. She confided in you that she uses the coffee shop as a front to help smuggle other people and some goods to freedom and such. Such trade brought her into contact with the sacred order of Archivists and Rexus's parents, among others.
Ozzy waves a hand as if to say "go ahead" and moves immediately into a dismissive gesture. Out of the shop and still wary of running into that snake Akros, you feel you should head back for dinner, and find no trouble doing so.
Flustered and a little stunned, Mira finds her way back from whence she came, trying desperately to figure out whether she was more excited or terrified of the potential encounter.
Rexus taps on the door. "Ahem, may I come in? Miss Longroads is just closing up and preparing supper. We shou- oh my, you look absolutely Ravishing my dear. I knew I had recognized you from somewhere. You wore a very similar dress to a ball some five years ago, yes? Erm... Lady Cassano's daughter?" His face shows pure astonishment as he enters the room.
I just finished the fifth one, right after Summer Knight. Possibly best yet imo. The audiobooks are good
Have any of you read the Dresden Files? It's freaking amazing.
Actually, Everyone, I've decided to let the bonding moment between those still at the shop be what it is. Unless something else presents it self, the plot will move on tomorrow mid-day ish. (East coast time)
Spoiler alert, I literally put her in the way of where the adventure takes you ^_^ Have fun on your date rebel girl!
I'll have to be careful with the magic stuff... I accidentally rolled some for the Kingmaker campaign I ran, and the players nearly bankrupted the kingdom buying a PAIR of Flying Cauldrons. However I gave them bonuses for holding races in the coliseum.
Ozzy nods and promptly buries his nose in a book. His shop has several different varieties of any kind of affordable magic item you could want, as well as a few more expensive ones in glass display cases. On a table near the door is a pamphlet detailing his signature glamouring process, the only one around that can be done without the expensive process of first enhancing the item. "Please come prepared with the cost in hand and a CONCISE description of the item and what you wish it to appear as. read the print at the bottom.
"Ah yes. Funny how the geometry of a circle can go over one's head." he says, using a gross oversimplification. "Still, going over the rudiments with you did help me regain some pieces of my own dimensional theory. Perhaps sometime you'll desire to pick up where we left off." Ah, now you remember. Part of the reason he's so hard to follow is that he lost most of his magical ability in a huge dimensional mishap some time ago attempting his Magnum Opus. Now his thoughts are a little... Broken.
"Oh, Hello Alexis!" the voice was deep and commanding. Much to Alexis's relief, however, it did not belong to Akros. The Middle Aged gentleman wore a fine suit and top hat. Ozymandias Magnus. A condescending old bastard to be sure, but he had taken a shining to Alexis a few years back, teaching her a thing or two about spell slinging (as he haughtily termed lower level magic). "What are you doing in Villegre?" he asked as he unlocked the front door to his own magic oddities shop.
I apologize, I had indeed missed it behind one of my posts a few minutes later. Will fix. orz
"Well... no. The Vanguard Should be here but..." She abruptly stops as she realizes that Ayva was serious. Nat 20 Bonus knowledge: The Dauntless Vanguard is usually present at the opening ceremony for this festival, commemorating their repelling a Xir'Sai incursion some time ago. If Noxus wants to really start something, capturing the highest ranking soldier in Demacia, Garen, would certainly bring down the house.
"Unfortunately I need to get this to the dock before my father sets off, I'll meet you at Clenchjaw's tomorrow night, okay?" she drops into a low, sultry whisper as she nears Mira's ear, "Don't stand me up this time, cutie..." And she kisses the stunned girl on the cheek before turning to leave. "I was talking about the donkey by the way, watch me leave all you like."
hahaha actually the only reason it's not is that translate doesn't provide a romanized script for Persian. In lieu of that, Catfolk is actually Swahili.
With a creak of the rope, the donkey hauls the barrel up and over the dock. By the time you get up there Felicia is inspecting the barrel, brushing past the char and checking for leaks. The donkey let out an impatient bray at Mira, and the catgirl looked up at her. "Hey don't stare at my ass" she says with a cheeky grin. "This is great, Irreseni Whiskey, still in the cask. I hope Baba hasn't left yet." At a look from Mira, she clarifies, "Father. Baba is the old Catfolk word for it." She smiles and sets to retying the donkey to its little cart and getting the cask on it.
Felicia releases her grasp and smiles. "You're smoother when you drink. Speaking of, can you help me with something? I was out here with my father last night trying to recover some of the liquor that he smug- er... sold the owner. We got a few casks and such that weren't burned, but today I saw one that we missed. If you could fasten this rope down there, I have a donkey to help pull it up. I'll buy you a drink at Clenchjaw's for your trouble." She leans over the edge of the boardwalk, a distracting action in itself, and indicates a charred barrel thunking against a support beam in the water.
Gremlin sneezes at the casting of Alexis's spell, and promptly returns to sleep in his sunbeam. The Mira that Alexis was following walks west, towards the Alabaster Academy. She turns to enter a shop near Villegre park and Alexis catches just enough of her face to realize that it's the wrong girl before following her inside. She looks up at the sign and, with a queasy shudder, realizes what shop it is. Luvidicus Akros, Humble merchant of fine books and scrolls the sign reads in ostentatious gold leaf.
Her tone changed drastically, as did the nature of the embrace, though it didn't relax at all. "I thought we were going to meet there that night, it's why I took the night off. I guess I owe you a thanks for that, even if you didn't show..." Felicia winks.
The girl steps toward her, then abruptly dashes forward to hug Mira. "omygodsmiraIthoughtyouwereintherethenightitburneddownImsogladyoureokay!" Now able to see the rather unique features adorning the stawberry blonde hair, Mira is more sure of the barmaid's name.
Kindof a reminder and statement because I don't remember if I've said it: A lot of these NPC's have no real intended purpose, so don't feel like you have to remember or find a use for every one. But you guys LIVE here in Kintargo. I put names on so many of these random people because I don't want you to think of it as city stats on a paper, but as a place where your characters live and love. Home, for your and for all these people. Also, remember when I said most of the PC's from my other games still live here, just that in this reality they're not the heroes? ... ... ... I can't decide whether Mira could handle it if I kept going with that...
There's almost nothing left of the Thrashing Badger. The back half of the building fell entirely through the boardwalk. The scorch marks abruptly stop a few feet from where the building once was. Hey... Fire doesn't just stop in a line like that. someone specifically doused the fire before it got to the next building... Speaking of the next building, there is a girl standing next to the door, a barmaid, by her looks, and a large part of the reason you ever went to the raucous Thrashing Badger by her... other looks. "M-Mira?"
"I don't think you could squeeze into somethin' of miss Laria's and that just leaves mines." Biff looks at his own size in comparison to Amara's. She is by no means a small woman, but still, Biff's tunic would be the size of a party dress on her. The man looked close to seven feet tall.
Fair enough. Have fun and feel free to interact with whatever. I'll be around for interactions with Gremlin, Rexus, and Biff, though I will leave Laria rather busy until the plot supper. Just like in any good RPG, the character that advances the plot gives a vague line and doesn't turn to acknowledge you when interacted with until her cue comes up.
Mira:
It's after daybreak by now, and as you walk outside, you realize that Jarvis End is a very long walk from Villegre, unless you feel like shelling out for another ferry. Still you walk, lost in thought, and arrive by old habit at the pile of ashes that once was the Thrashing Badger, the Harbor's rowdiest Tavern.
Fun Fact: BiF was the first character I ever created with a class of my own creation. He likely won't be fighting for you guys, but he once played a deadly gladiator sport known to my cheesy ass as Brawlball. He was also based off of Switowski. Here's a frame of reference.
"Miss Laria said you was her guests and to treat you nice. Food's on the house." The big man's speech was simple and slow, but the huge smile that alighted his ebony face was as gregarious and endearing as anything one could have said. "Just give a shout if I can help ya. Most folks jus call me big fella, BiF for short." And with that he turned to head back downstairs.
Rexus' eyes were fixed on the leg, frozen solid and stuck fast to the dock still in a standing position. "R-right... Erm, we should get moving to er... The uh... L-long..."
The trip to the coffee house was easy enough. Some guards were hustling about but between the knowledge of Mira and Gremlin there always seemed to be somewhere to hide close at hand. The Longroads coffee shop was warm and cozy, it's owner already awake and firing up the ovens for the breakfast bread and pastries. The busy little Halfling ushered you in, introduced herself as Laria Longroads, and hustled you all toward the bunkroom in one breath, with promise to make proper introductions after the breakfast rush. The bunkroom was pleasant if a little utilitarian. Each bed had a soft matress, blankets, and a footlocker. Two full size tubs were in the adjacent washroom already filled with piping hot water. Shortly a hulking, dark skinned man knocks on the door. He brings an offering of breakfast, including fresh cinnamon buns the size of dinner plates and warm tea.
Fun fact, Tikkle actually had a brilliant energy rapier in his campaign. A Swashbuckler targeting touch AC on every attack. Disgusting.
Alexis:
Your eyes were mostly drawn to the rapier, that was an Icy burst enchantment on top of at least two or three levels of enhancement. beyond that, it was wielded with a deadly precision that could deal unreal damage. Amara:
Your assessment is cool and precise, albeit more than a little humbling. The officer, Bosh, is a fighter, maybe twice your skill, and roughly your equal in strength. his movements were slow but powerful. Tikkle, to you, seemed wholly unreal. The speed and prowess was unlike anything you've ever seen, and it was sooo... stylish. Mira:
Wow that sword was amazing. did it have ice powers? Pretty sure it had Ice powers. That strike too, didn't even look like it should hit that solid, but the way he whipped that thing around! Septima: Distracted by earlier conversation, the fight happened almost too fast for you to see. good thing he's on your side at least.
|