This is the PBP thread for Jester's Shadows over Istivin PBP.
The Discussion thread can be reached Here.
Istivin is the capitol of the nation Sterich, vassal of neighboring Keoland. Located on the Davish river it is miles north of the Jotens and far from the looming Crystalmist in the west.
Istivin lies at the political and geographic heart of the March of Sterich. The nation’s capital since its founding nearly 800 years ago, Istivin is the hereditary seat of the House of Qualtaine, modest rulers largely content to enjoy the wealth of vast mining operations in the nearby Jotens and Crystalmist Mountains. Maintaining those mines often meant cutting through tribes of savage humanoids and giants, however, and these struggles brought turmoil to Sterich for eight centuries. With its soaring walls and sturdy keep, Istivin and its citizens weathered many brutal incursions over the years.
Then, eighteen years ago, Istivin fell under attack from a wholly unanticipated opponent—Lolth, Demon Queen of Spiders. An immense black hemisphere of eldritch energy appeared over Krelont Keep and much of the city’s central square, completely cutting off the government and constabulary housed within. Brave citizens were able to cross through the energy barrier, but none returned from its inky depths. Worse, the hemisphere expanded slowly, every day engulfing more of the city.
At the same time, organized raids by giant-led savage humanoids surged into the lowlands of Sterich, hitting the nation’s border forts with devastating effect. Only the timely intervention of brave and powerful adventurers destroyed the giant threat, unveiling it as the work of ebony-skinned elves from below the Crystalmists.
Descending into the depths of the earth, these adventurers penetrated the fabled Vault of the Drow and ultimately ventured to the Abyss itself to solve the mystery of the black hemisphere, which turned out to be the physical manifestation of an attempt by Lolth to draw Istivin—and eventually all of Oerth—into her hideous Demonweb.
With Lolth’s machinations defeated, Krelont Keep and its inhabitants returned to Istivin unharmed.
Ten years ago, mountain dwarves from the southwest sent warning to Istivin of a new giant and savage humanoid force gathering near the mountain headwaters of the Davish River. Soon thereafter, contact with the dwarfholds ceased altogether.
Istivin moved against the threatening incursion but failed to anticipate the speed and ferocity with which the assault would come. The nation’s unprepared and undermanned border forts buckled under the fierce assault, and many of their surviving soldiers fled to the interior to defend the capital. Sterich’s western baronies fell quickly as the forces of the Giant King Galmoor marched for Istivin. Overmatched and unprepared, Earl Querchard ordered a complete evacuation.
Less than a decade after Lolth’s black hemisphere, Istivin had fallen. Humbled, Earl Querchard fled to the city of Flen, in the neighboring kingdom of Keoland. Although now virtually independent, Sterich had been established as a Keolandish vassal state, and King Skotti felt some responsibility for its fall. He promoted Querchard to the title of marquis, and installed the ruler at the head of a vast army of reclamation that struck back against the giants eight years ago. When the blooded army hacked its way to Istivin, they discovered a completely abandoned capital, with no sign of King Galmoor or his savage host. The city’s ancient buildings remained almost wholly intact, unlike the other conquered settlements of Sterich. A puzzled Querchard resumed his position of rulership in Krelont Keep and set to the task of liberating the whole of the land.
Within two years, all of Sterich had been reclaimed, but true peace never came. A shadow of dread and disquiet had fallen over Istivin. Tempers flared more easily, and deadly accidents occurred with regularity. Foul nightmares began to haunt the populace, and more and more of Istivin’s folk found themselves caged in the city’s asylums. Other citizens vanished altogether, including the marquis himself, gone now four years.
The city that has twice recovered from giant and extraplanar invasions now seems to be under siege once more. What power assails it remains unknown, and the folk of Istivin despair that a new conquest is imminent.
A palid mist hangs over the river as you travel upstream towards Davish Landing. The acrid smell of fish is thick near the pier as the bells ring letting you know other boats are nearby. In the shadowy early morning light you catch small glimpses of people doing morning chores and the hustle and bustle of a port near a major city. Even in times as rough as these have been people struggle doing the chores that they must to survive. You can tell the ruins of ships or buildings from the Giant raids just a few years hence. Many have yet to be rebuilt but most are in at least some small way in at least the first stages of repair. You leave your respective boats and join with the group of people making their morning trips to Istivin, it is at least an hour trip to the city and will still be in the first light of morning as you expect to enter the city.
"Home."
Garyd stops to look about.
"Fellows, it doesn't look like much but it looks a damn sight better than a few years ago. I know of a few places that are decent places to stay that won't pad up your bill. Too much." With a sly smile.
Garyd's hand brushes against a breast pocket on his vest and then he begins walking towards Istivin.
The sound of shore birds reaches your ears as the slap of the mud on the ground greats you. You move up the road seeing the city off in the distance, it's large walls immense in the dawning light. The smell of the well tilled fields and of the animals on their respective farms assail your noses while carts go up and down the well rutted road.
"Apparently there has been quite a party here, and nobody bothered to help clean up. I've not seen this kind of destruction remain in such disrepair over time. At least it looks like they are trying to get back on their feet. Some would have already given up. Garyd, if you know the way to a fine inn and a warm fire, I await your lead."
"Apparently there has been quite a party here, and nobody bothered to help clean up. I've not seen this kind of destruction remain in such disrepair over time. At least it looks like they are trying to get back on their feet. Some would have already given up. Garyd, if you know the way to a fine inn and a warm fire, I await your lead."
Thats humans for ya, no work ethic, no sense of pride in the quality of their buildings. The city looks the same as when it was reclaimed from the giants. I think I remember a few good pubs from the last time I was here, all of them far from this damm river.
Garyd
Your family home is in the north part of the city
you know of 3 inns in the town
The best of which is The Gryphon’s Arms, and it is actually outside the city, it is on the east side of the city, just outside the walls near the Brink’s Gate.
Magnus
There is a "good" pub named the rusty beard in the south of the city not far from where you are expecting to enter. It is a dive, but the only place that serves good dwarven meade and ale. It also happens to be just outside of the so called "Dwarvin Court" where the elders try to "work" together but tend to complain a lot and then go to the beard and get drunk and actually come to an agreement.
"To the 'Rusty Beard' with all hast, the ale isn't going to drink itself ya know".
"Yes, a warm bed would be a nice change of pace."
Korren walks up beside Twitch and whispers to him "So, think he's the one we heard about?"
"Yes, a warm bed would be a nice change of pace."
Korren walks up beside Twitch and whispers to him "So, think he's the one we heard about?"
"If not, he may well know where we would find him," answers Twitch quietly. Turning to the dwarf he grins. "Dwarven drink has always been a little strong for me, but dwarven company is always entertaining. Why don't you lead the way?"
The looming black basalt walls of Istivin cast long shadows over the tired ground. The sense of foreboding over the city is strange, given the fact that it was spared destruction and remains the vibrant trade center of these reclaimed lands. Something about those dark walls, and the way the gate towers seem to frown down upon the line of travelers and merchants seeking entry to the city seems chilling. The mood is not lightened by the center gate tower’s menacing granite cornerstone in the shape of four massive wolves.
"Well, those are impressive looking wolves," Aerflae says as he follows the party to whatever inn we are going to.
You notice that the guards, and there are a lot of them, are stopping people and questioning them as they try to go in. It looks like you may have to wait in line for hours.
Falling into line with the others, Twitch complains noisily to Korren as the group slowly progresses in the queue. Every few minutes, he peers up the line intently, watching how the progress is going and trying to will the line forward.
"I can't stand this," he mutters to his friend as he takes a coin from his pouch and begins to roll it over his knuckles. "What's the point in this charade anyway? Anyone with half a brain could get into the city without being seen. All they're doing is questioning the ones who have nothing to hide while the guilty are creeping in unmolested. City guards should be out catching criminals, not interrogating innocent visitors."
Shaking his head in annoyance, the halfling continues trying to amuse himself with the coin, practising making it vanish then pulling it from unlikely places about Korren's person.
"I'm bored," he sighs eventually. "How about we just sneak in? I'm sure we could both slip past the guards with no trouble."
Garyd shrugs, "They aren't really trying to stop anyone from getting inside. They're trying to get an accounting of who IS coming here and what their business is. In case of an assault on the city it could be the only way to identify anyone afterwards. At least, that is what they used to do. I've been gone for awhile so things could have changed though."
~after over an hour of waiting in line~
A Human soldier walks up to the first of you in the line. He is holding a piece of parchment and a board with which to write upon and looks very, very Bored.
“You there, how long has your group travelled together?”
With all the dry dwarven sarcasm I can muster "4 or 5 years if it gets in the gate faster".
~he smiles at you~
"Ever been to Saltmarsh?"
"I'm bored," he sighs eventually. "How about we just sneak in? I'm sure we could both slip past the guards with no trouble."
"Yes, but if one of the guards saw us, then a dozen guards would start chasing us. Honestly, after last time, I don't really want to be run out of another town."
"Ever been to Saltmarsh?"
"Once, a few months ago. It was too humid for my tastes, but the brewery was one of the best I've seen."
Hmmm
~he makes a mark on his piece of parchment
and looks further down the line
"Whats your religion?"
The other guards seem to perk up when he says this.
"Ever been to Saltmarsh?""Once, a few months ago. It was too humid for my tastes, but the brewery was one of the best I've seen."
"Oh and what did you do there?"
Hmmm
~he makes a mark on his piece of parchment
and looks further down the line
"Whats your religion?"The other guards seem to perk up when he says this.
Brandishing my holy symbol,"I am Magnus Shalefist War-Preist of Mayaheine, protector of the downtrodden, enforcer of justice, and bastain of valor. In Mayaheine's name I have fought with your fathers to hold this land and fought with you to reclaim it".
"Whats your religion?"
"Fharlanghn"
"Oh and what did you do there?"
"Not that much, actually. Mainly did a few odd jobs, but nothing really worth mentioning. One day I decided I wanted a change of scenery, so I left."
"I hope this line isn't longer than the lunch hour. I would like to get a fresh, hot, but I'll take warm, meal."
"Agreed. It looks like those fellows from the Inn a couple of days back are ahead of us."
“You there, how long has your group traveled together?”
We've been on the road since Urnst. It's been several weeks. But if you mean before that, then it's been years.
~he smiles at you~
"Ever been to Saltmarsh?"
Sure haven't.
~he makes a mark on his piece of parchment
and looks further down the line
"Whats your religion?"
I follow Atroa's guidance. If I may be of service, please ask.
"Would you suggest a good Inn? With good entertainment?"
"Emil? Why in the Abyss are you on gate duty? You should be boots up on a desk with a cup in hand!" Garyd says with a smile.
"I've collected a world-wise crew to bring their talents, ambitions, and skills to Istivin. Although I think they may have come just so they could get me to shut up about the place," accentuated with a grand gesture.
Pointing to the scribe, "Make sure to mark that Garyd "Bladebolt" Vyctiro has returned from travels abroad," said with another smile.
"Yes well step by step I will get everyones name down. Now has anyone had any nightmares lately?"
"Are you carrying any unpreserved meats?"
"Where did you get that armor?"
"Have you ever killed a dragon?"
"Have you ever been killed?"
"Have you ever been hurt by the undead?"
"How many torches are you carrying? How about gold?"
~He asks each question after waiting for the answers from each of the previous questions.~
"Would you suggest a good Inn? With good entertainment?"
"Well for good entertainment there is always the broken flagon up north near the abandoned quarter. They have to offer good prices and entertainment just to get people to come there. Closer to the gateway here is the Rusty beard. It is just across from the dwur court so I am sure the drink will be more to your liking. Though I tell you most in the city are not really into fun right now."
"Emil? Why in the Abyss are you on gate duty? You should be boots up on a desk with a cup in hand!" Garyd says with a smile.
"Nice to see you again, you ugly son of a rat. Yes I should be but with everyone doing gate duty today is my day. Plus do you truly think that two divisions of these lazy bums could do without mean arsed Sergeant to keep them in line."
"I, sir am Aeflae Windwaker, an aspiring merchant who has decided to try and become part of this fair city's rebirth. I have never been to Saltmarsh, have not had any nightmares, I haven't been unfortunate enough to meet a dragon, I haven't been killed or touched by one of the unliving, I carry no torches, and my gold is my business not yours, good sir.
Perhaps your questions are for those of less repute than myself, but I am quite offended by this line of questioning. My freind Magnus here stated that it would be a grand opportunity, I did not come here expecting military rule."
"I, sir am Aeflae Windwaker, an aspiring merchant who has decided to try and become part of this fair city's rebirth. I have never been to Saltmarsh, have not had any nightmares, I haven't been unfortunate enough to meet a dragon, I haven't been killed or touched by one of the unliving, I carry no torches, and my gold is my business not yours, good sir.
Perhaps your questions are for those of less repute than myself, but I am quite offended by this line of questioning. My freind Magnus here stated that it would be a grand opportunity, I did not come here expecting military rule."
“Marchioness Emondav has had some strong laws enacted as of late. None that will affect an honest merchant. Seems however that such a thing is getting harder and harder to come by. We are at this time not under military rule and are free to go about your business. I hope it serves you well.”
He nod's you all through, taking care to note what weapons you are carrying.
~You note, that everyone including poor farmers are armed. Sometimes quite heavily with at least long spears.~
"Yes well step by step I will get everyones name down. Now has anyone had any nightmares lately?"
"Are you carrying any unpreserved meats?"
"Where did you get that armor?"
"Have you ever killed a dragon?"
"Have you ever been killed?"
"Have you ever been hurt by the undead?"
"How many torches are you carrying? How about gold?"
"I am Gent Hennade, this is my companion Tevin Forwalken.
We haven't had any nightmares recently.We have some jerky in with our rations.
The armor was a gift to me from a family friend.
We have not had the chance to meet a dragon.
We are still among the living and have not seen Atroa, Dellib, or Zuoken. I hope to have that meeting far into the future.
How would you define hurt? We have battled undead on several occasions and will continue to do so. Their vile presence is not tolerated.
We have a few torches.
I'm am not sure how much money we have at the moment."
"The Rusty Beard sounds like a good place to start then.
Are there dragons or undead in the area? If so I would like to be prepared in case they approach the city."
"How would you define hurt?"
"Injured by their powers, drained as such."
He nod's you all through, taking care to note what weapons you are carrying.
~You note, that everyone including poor farmers are armed. Sometimes quite heavily with at least long spears.~
"Yes well step by step I will get everyones name down. Now has anyone had any nightmares lately?"
"Are you carrying any unpreserved meats?"
"Where did you get that armor?"
"Have you ever killed a dragon?"
"Have you ever been killed?"
"Have you ever been hurt by the undead?"
"How many torches are you carrying? How about gold?"
"No, no, treasure cache, no, no, no, none, and enough to last me a long time, and since you're going to ask it, I'm carrying a falchion and longbow."
"By the looks of things a miasma of gloom has descended upon your city. I have heard tales of shadows and disquiet intruding on the minds of the populace, perhaps after sufficient refreshment I could speak to the ones in charge and offer some advice or aid".
"By the looks of things a miasma of gloom has descended upon your city. I have heard tales of shadows and disquiet intruding on the minds of the populace, perhaps after sufficient refreshment I could speak to the ones in charge and offer some advice or aid".
"Perhaps, we shall see."
Once the you pass through the gate,
you then spy the Gate Square ahead. There are dozens of
beggars huddling within, many of them
maimed veterans of the recent wars. Korren
you feel a tug at the hem of your cloak
and find an elderly blind man addressing
you.
"Can you part with a copper for an old blind man?"
"I can part with more than that.", says Korren as he places nine silver pieces in the old man's hand.
"I can part with more than that.", says Korren as he places nine silver pieces in the old man's hand.
~ gets a piercing look in his sightless eyes and quickly whispers, “Beware. It is always watching,” before walking away. ~
Korren
*Stands there, confused*
"Twitch, did that blind guy just stare at me, tell me it is always watching, then wander off? I just want to make sure."
Injured by their powers, drained as such.
"Yeah, several times. I have recovered each time and also developed ways to prevent their vile touch from effecting me. Atroa has graced my body with a bit of True Light."
"Yeah, several times. I have recovered each time and also developed ways to prevent their vile touch from effecting me. Atroa has graced my body with a bit of True Light."
Injured by their powers, drained as such.
~nods you along.
"Tevin, keep on eye on our fellow travellers. It seems they are the ones we seek."
"We should follow them and wait for a proper spot to talk with them. I think we may have to skip the food and drink until we can meet with them."
"Sound advice as always my friend."