You find yourselves in the small farming town of Lakeshore, and by happen stance it appears to be some type of festival. The festivities seem to be all near the center of the town around the Fancy Farmer Inn and Tavern. A rather substancial group of people all seem to be happily greeting each other and enjoying some of Fanny's special ale. It seems that each year she produces a different flavor and this year people are saying that it is better than usual. As you look around the town you notice that all the buildings are made of sturdy walls and thatched roofs, in fact they look almost identical from the outside. You notice a singular man of importance at the far end of the festival.
Having settled their larger equipment within the Tavern/Inn, the roved, cowled and masked figure who has been introducing themselves simply as 'Grey' wanders the town and watches the festivities.
Standing at a little over 6 feet, and at about 220 is a half-orc. He has been assigned as a guard. He figures he can make some easy money, and then move on to the next town to celebrate his friend's birthday. He is actually spending more time being social than he is actually looking for trouble so he is taking a -1 to his perception checks.
** spoiler omitted **
Having settled their larger equipment within the Tavern/Inn, the roved, cowled and masked figure who has been introducing themselves simply as 'Grey' wanders the town and watches the festivities.
A muscular, large half-orc, about 6'8" walks randomly around the town center. His long black unkempt hair is tangle in many knots and has colorful shells tied into some strands. Wearing some worn cloth pants and adorned with a rusty chain shirt, he clearly appears to be quite uncivilized. Aside from a ripe pungent odor anouncing his presence, he also wears a necklace made from large colorful shells, many of which are cracked or broken. Slung over his shoulder is a large maul.
The half-orc appears to avoid making conversation with the few that dare approach him -- most people part way for him either due to his savage appearance or to avoid the smell of one who has not bathed in a long, long time.
Muugru smells food and beer wafting in the air and he follows his nose to the Fancy Farmer. He reaches into a dusty old pouch and randomly pulls out some coins. "Will this get me ale", he asks of the tavernkeep who raises an eyebrow.
"Actually that will get you more than just one ale", the tavernkeep replies.
Muugru snorts. "That not what me ask. Me just want one."
The tavernkeep shrugs and serves the half-orc his ale. The keep then removes a few coins and begins to hand Muugru the change, but the half-orc has already stormed off.
Muugru takes a couple sips from the mug and seems quite surprised. "Hrmm, not bad", he says to himself.
He leaves the tavern and goes outside to watch what is happening in the town square. Muugru looks inside his coin pouch and sees a significant absence of coins. He gulps back the ale and looks towards the fancy looking man.
Muugru drops the mug onto the ground and walks towards the man. "Me mercenary. You have work?" Muugru asks with all of his usual charm.
Taking part in a festival has always been one of his favorite activities and this one is no different. After aiding that injured man, whom he had been meaning to check on, he cozied up to the village rather quickly. Having made himself a regular at the Fancy Farmer, he quickly began learning as much about the town and everyone in it as he could. Curious lot that Halflings are and the fact his profession is rather foreign in this area made him a little more of standout than your average adventurer.
Any chance to show his skill with the musket is good enough for Frizzen and a shooting exhibition against the town's best archers and crossbowman was right up his alley. Amongst gunslingers, showmanship is paramount to one's reputation. Being the first in an area to wow the crowds often leads to rather inflated claims of just how powerful they really are. Frizzen wanted to be sure he was that gunner in this part of world. After finishing his exhibition, Frizzen takes his leave participate in a little socializing.
Grey takes note of the two half-Orcs though the roved figure does nothing at the moment to approach them.
He offers to chat quietly to any that approach his masked presence.
Muugru:
When you approach the mayor of the town you get your point across and he motions you to follow him down an alley. Heshlem as being hired as a guard you follow the large orc and the mayor. Once out of ear shot of the townsfolk lets you know that while today is Livestock day to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring not all is jovial. There have been some wolves that have been killing some of the farmers' livestock on the outskirts of town. He asks you to look into the problem and shows you some gold coins.
"You kill (makes a fist and slams it into his other hand) wolves..."
Then he shows the gold coins and points to the far east of town.
Frizzen:
Fanny the innkeeper of the Fancy Farmer motions you to the side. As you follow her through her kitchen and into the alley behind the inn she hands you a tankard of ale. Once you have finished your ale she lets you know that one of the merchants in town to sell their livestock has been causing more trouble as the day has gone on. She has tried to talk to him and even took away his ale, but that has not detered him. The problem comes in that he is a well known and well loved merchant that makes it to the town each year for the Livestock festival. She promises you some type of reward should you solve the problem for her.
Sorry, just figuring out how familiar or not I need to be.
"Ma'am,"Frizzen says with a slight bow and tip of his tricorn,"I will have a chat with your guest and we will see if he will come to his senses." With that Frizzen ask the owner to show him which merchant has been the source of trouble this fine evening.
Heshlem looks at the rather large half-orc and gets a feeling the wolves are in a lot of trouble. He then lets the mayor know he accepts the deal.
Heshlem then turns to the large half-orc. "My name is Heshlem. What is your name? I figure if we will be going out together a small introduction should be made."
The festival has arrived and he is finally allowed outside of the house he has been couped up in since waking up back in the village.
The trail is getting even colder now but he promised he would stay till after the festival. Now to see if anyone will help me hunt them down afterwards. They told me the halfling that brought me in staying at the Fancy. I owe him and maybe he could help as well. I need to thank himat the very least.
Looking around he sees all the new faces, and the old ones look a little different ever since the attack. But maybe that is just me.Seeing the two half-orcs, he thinks, Those two look like they would be good in a fight, maybe I'll catch up to them later.
Entering the Fancy Farmer, he looks around hoping to see the halfling with the gun he was told about. Not seeing him he looks for Fanny figuring she would know where he would be, but oddly he sees no sign of her. Odd that she isn't here as busy as they are.
Heading to the bar, he speaks to the bartender there, "They told me the halfling who brought me in was staying here. I was hoping that I could thank him and see if he would help me. You wouldn't know anything about him would you?"
Handing him an ale, the bartender replys with a sad smile, "Sorry about your father, Kyras. Here ya go. On me." Looking around for a moment he speaks up again, "I don't see him, but Fanny was just talking to him a little bit ago. She should be back any minute now I think. Why don't you just have a seat and wait till she gets back."
Zan had been on the road for days, but now it seemed his luck had turned. A festival of some kind offered a welcome rest for his weary feet, and the fact that said festival was in honor of ale only sweetened the deal.
At 3'3", Zanfoodle could be mistaken for a small child, were it not for his strange garb and multitude of packs, pouches and other objects slung all about his person.
Zan shuffles into town, headed for the center of this festival, which appears to be an Inn.
Once inside, he notes that the bar is standard height for humans and looks around for an object to stand on.
Seeing a convenient bench, he noisily drags it over to the bar and climbs up on top of it. Reaching in his pouch, he produces several coins and asks that two mugs of ale and a quite large quantity of food be brought to the table near a window that he'll be occupying.
Climbing down from the bench and relocating to said table, Zan proceeds to watch the festivities outside the window, making note of the two half-orcs conversing in the square and the important looking man standing off to one side.
Seeing a halfling appear out of a back room, Zanfoodle perks up a bit.
"So I am NOT the only short one in town. And he appears to have some sort of firearm strapped across his back! Now here is a fellow that could be entertaining to meet!"
Not noticing that the halfling seems preoccupied with something, Zan stands up on his bench and waves.
You there! Short one! Come have a seat and I'll stand you a pint!
Zan grins widely at his cleverness, as the irony of him calling someone short is not lost on him.
Strolling back into the bar, Frizzen stops to survey the scene that lies before him. Gunslingers tend to watch their backs rather closely due to that desire for notoriety An amused and perplexed look spreads across his face upon catching sight of a rather peculiar gnome waving his arms about. Seeing that the character seems to be directing his attention toward him, Frizzen turns to Fanny and says,"Fanny, I'll watch for your problem causer from across the way. He will be less likely to take ill to you and your fine establishment should he take offense to a talkin to, hahaha." With that he makes his way across the tavern to where the gnome has set up shop. "Well, I must say I am bit surprised to find a wee fella like myself lurking about these parts. Name's Frizzen. And what might ya call yourself,Mr. Gnome?"
Frizzen positions himself to watch the patrons from the gnome's table continuing to scan the tavern for any bits of information.
Noticing the figure bundled up with packs and bags trundle into town and head into tavern, Grey nods to any around him and follows.
Zan's smile broadens as the gun-toting halfling makes his way across the tavern toward him.
"Oh, yes, my manners! Zanfoodle Stumbleduck at your service sir! But if you like may call me Zan. Everyone else does! Please, please! Sit and share a mug with me. I've been on the road oh so terribly long, its good to have some company!"
If it was physically possible, Zan's smile widens even more as the barkeep approaches with two mugs of ale and several heaping plates of food. Zan takes up the oversized utensils and digs in voraciously.
Between bites, "So, Frizzen you said? What manner of firearm is that? I've never had the pleasure of seeing one so close before, and I make a habit of learning about things that...er...explode and such."
"Well my Friend, we call this beautiful piece of wonder a musket. There are other types, but for me this beauty keeps me at the right distance from some of the bigger fellas out there.",Frizzen says with a wide grin and a wink, adding"Explode,huh? I thought all gnomes were into that sort of thing, hahaha. Sorry,known one too many gnomesin this line of work. You're an Alchemist,right,Zan? I know a bit about that field." Reaching into his cartridge satchel, Frizzen produces a small tube of coated paper," Enough to make these and a couple of other toys. Nothing like you fellas get in to, but they do their thing."
Frizzen then tosses his cartridge over to Zan who he is sure will want to inspect something he has never seen before. Taking a sip from his mug Frizzen ask,"What brings you 'round these parts anyhow?"
"Well my Friend, we call this beautiful piece of wonder a musket. There are other types, but for me this beauty keeps me at the right distance from some of the bigger fellas out there.",Frizzen says with a wide grin and a wink, adding"Explode,huh? I thought all gnomes were into that sort of thing, hahaha. Sorry,known one too many gnomesin this line of work. You're an Alchemist,right,Zan? I know a bit about that field." Reaching into his cartridge satchel, Frizzen produces a small tube of coated paper," Enough to make these and a couple of other toys. Nothing like you fellas get in to, but they do their thing."
Frizzen then tosses his cartridge over to Zan who he is sure will want to inspect something he has never seen before. Taking a sip from his mug Frizzen ask,"What brings you 'round these parts anyhow?"
While eating, drinking and conversing you fail to notice that some patrons are starting to cause a bit of a ruccus. Also you fail to notice that Grey has sat down at a table across the common room from you and is quietly observing you.
You have no idea where it came from, but each of you get hit in the head with a tankard full of ale and take
damage.
Muugru and Heshlem you head out the east side of town. After about 20 minutes of walking you come across a small farm where a nervous farmer eagerly awaits your arrival. He tells you that a pack of wolves has made off with his prized cow that had a family heirloom around its neck. He mentions that he believes that there are four or five wolves. He says that the wolves are hiding somewhere in the trees just off to the right.
"Me kill them good!", Muugru nods and replies to the mayor.
"Muugru", he replies to Heshlem.
As the half-orcs start off towards the farm, Muugru turns towards Heshlem and says, "This good job. We hunt for food and work at once. Har har."
As they walk Heshlem will notice that Muugru makes little conversation and most replies in the fewest words possible. He also notices that Muugru stays a couple steps behind himself and matches his pace perfectly.
Throughout the walk, the constant clanking of sea shells which Muugru wears on a necklace and tied into his hair, it is obvious to Heshlem that sneaking up on the wolves will not be an option for Muugru.
After being pointed in the wolves direction, Muugru readies his earthbreaker and begins looking at the ground for any obvious tracks. He also scans the treeline for any sign of movement.
Groggily, Kyras wakes up just realizing he had drifted off at the bar while waiting for Fanny to get back. Guess not quite as recovered as I'd hoped.
All of a sudden the noise behind him registers and he turns around to see the barfight going on behind him. Looking around he tries to find the source of it, hoping is hasn't gotten too far out of hand.
Perception:
"Me kill them good!", Muugru nods and replies to the mayor.
"Muugru", he replies to Heshlem.
As the half-orcs start off towards the farm, Muugru turns towards Heshlem and says, "This good job. We hunt for food and work at once. Har har."
As they walk Heshlem will notice that Muugru makes little conversation and most replies in the fewest words possible. He also notices that Muugru stays a couple steps behind himself and matches his pace perfectly.
Throughout the walk, the constant clanking of sea shells which Muugru wears on a necklace and tied into his hair, it is obvious to Heshlem that sneaking up on the wolves will not be an option for Muugru.
After being pointed in the wolves direction, Muugru readies his earthbreaker and begins looking at the ground for any obvious tracks. He also scans the treeline for any sign of movement.
1d20 +1
1d20 +4
Due to your high survival and perception skill you are able to know from their tracks that there seems to be one large wolf, a medium sized wolf, and two small pups. You are able to tell that this is a small family and notice that not 30 yards into the woods is their den.
Due to Muugru's pungiant odor the alpha wolf is able to smell you and the family readies themselves.
Groggily, Kyras wakes up just realizing he had drifted off at the bar while waiting for Fanny to get back. Guess not quite as recovered as I'd hoped.
All of a sudden the noise behind him registers and he turns around to see the barfight going on behind him. Looking around he tries to find the source of it, hoping is hasn't gotten too far out of hand.
Perception: 1d20 + 8
Due to your high perception you are able to discern that in fact the trouble has started because of large drunk merchant (perhaps the one Fanny talked to Frizzen about). There seems to have been some disagreement about a game of dice that was going on and one thing led to another until it is an all out brawl. Since Muugru and Heshlem the "hired muscle" to keep the peace are gone it is left up to you, Grey, Zan and Frizzen to deal with this situation. Will all four of you please roll initiatives.
Reeling from the crack on the cranium, Frizzen spins around to see whatthe hell just happened. Seeing the bar is about to erupt in a druken brawl, not the sort of thing he cared for, he quickly rams a low dose of only powder down the barrel of his musket.
Muugru snorts and smiles,"good eating today"!
Initiative:
Realizing how ugly the fight has gotten, looks around for something to use as a truncheon. Drawing steel would just make this worse and its festival to boot. Geez that stupid drunk.
Perception:
After (hopefully) seeing something he can use Kyras will move to get it.
EDIT:
Muugru snorts and smiles,"good eating today"!
1d20+4
I surely will...just wasn't sure if you guys wanted me to do that.
Heshlem's initiative:
Zan's initiative
Grey's initiative:
I surely will...just wasn't sure if you guys wanted me to do that.Muugru snorts and smiles,"good eating today"!
1d20+4
Wolf combat:
She wolf runs towards Muugru because he smells like food and attacks with a bite attack.
Her teeth sink in true and she takes a bite out of Muugru's leg leaving a gash.
damage
Initiative order for combat:
She wolf
Muugru
Heshlem
Alpha Wolf
Pups
I will do it however the group decides....everyone leave an out of character vote and we will do it that way from now on.
Drunk Merchant initiative:
Initiative Order:
Grey
Drunk Merchant
Frizzen
Zan
Kyras
As the loud voice of the Merchant's disagreement escalates into a more 'physical' mode, Grey deftly moves any thing upon his table out of the way and adjusts their robes while a soft melodious drone emanates from his figure as Grey gestures at said ruckus inducing Merchant.
Wolf Combat:
Muugru looks down at the wound on his leg and notices the missing meat. This makes Muugru very angry.
Muugru holds tight his earthbreaker and puts full force into it, trying to crash it down on the wolf's head.
Heshlem attacks the wolf that attacked Muugru
Attack roll
Damage roll
Zan reels from the blow to the head, perfectly good ale running down his face. Somehow he keeps a hold of his own mug, and standing up in his seat he yells out in a high-pitched voice filled with as much fury as his tiny body can muster, "What a waste of good ale!", as he draws back his arm and launches his mug into the fracas across the room aiming for the largest human he can find.
Mug thrown, Zan quickly reaches down to scoop up Frizzen's mug as well if he is not holding onto it.
Frizzen slips his ramrod back in place, clicks the hammer back, and aiming the muzzle skyward pulls the trigger. A thunderous BOOM fills the air followed by smoke and and the smell of sulfur. Hoping this sudden eruption will give him the edge and the fact that many of the patrons have seen his skill with the gun, Frizzen leaps atop his table and shouts,"ENOUGH! If any man or otherwise continues bust up Fanny's fine establishment, he may find himself looking down the barrel of my musket! Now let me buy you fine gentlemen a round in celebration of your fine season."
Grey does not jump nor flinch at Frizzen's thunderous weapon display,
But continues to watch the crowd for their response...As well as maybe stopping Zanfoodle from throwing Frizzen's mug and hence continuing the fight...
"Um...you may also want to pay for the hole...?" Grey says quietly, then actually does look up and tries to figure out exactly which room above would be on the receiving end of Frizzen's discharge.
Curious-er and curios-er..." Grey mutters softly from behind their mask, as their attention returns to the common room before themselves.
Wolf Combat:
Mugruu hits and kills the she wolf crushing her head with one fell swoop. Heshlem's attack strikes true on the alpha wolf and with one chop of his sword beheads the alpha wolf.
The pups seeing their parents killed in one shot, become paralized with fear unable to act.
Drunken Brawl:
to save versus Lulliby
The merchant fails to save and becomes very tired....he actually falls asleep right on his feet. That is until Frizzen shots a blank into the crowd. The thunderous display wakes him up and leaves him visibly shaken making him unable to act.
"I see no reason to kill the pups. Maybe they can make a nice pet for someone. It is better than leaving them out in the wild to be killed by something bigger at least."
Seeing the man and many of the patrons are completely shocked by burst unfamiliar actions, Frizzen slams a full cahrge of shot and powder down the barrel of his musket saying,"I say again, sit down, behave like civilized people, and enjoy a round on me.", a cold icyness hanging on his words and smooth actions.
"I see no reason to kill the pups. Maybe they can make a nice pet for someone. It is better than leaving them out in the wild to be killed by something bigger at least."
Muugru looks stunned at the comment from his fellow half-orc. "But them have the best meat! So tender. Hrmm, but so little. It take more time to skin them, than to eat them. Okay, we sell them for ale money."
Muugru pulls out his dagger and begins hacking and cutting away at the wolf corpses to extract a few choice peices of meat. Heshlem can't help notice that in Muugru's butchery of the dead wolves that he completely ruins what could have been 2 valuable wolf pelts -- almost as if he were completely oblivious to the fact that they are worth money.
With the second blast everyone stops and quietly takes their seats knowing that the next one won't be a warning shot. Fanny comes out of the kitchen with two cast iron frying pans in hand ready to handle her business, but is shocked when she sees everyone has calmed down and is sitting quietly almost like a small child who knows that they are in trouble. Seeing Frizzen standing on his bench, as to appear taller, with musket drawn she realizes what has transpired. She hurries over to the table with the halfling and the gnome and thanks them for saving her establishment. She gives everyone a round of ale and a hot plate of roasted turnips and mutton on her.