Skallbrekka. The last holdout of the nomadic First Born. When all the other races began coalescing under kings, queens, and generals; the goliath abstained. They kept the old ways of individual tribes. But this decentralization has unfortunately had some side effects in modern times. It's left them vulnerable to outside exploitation. Exploitation that is most visible in their de facto capital, Longhein. Which is where we start.
Longhein is a dense city. Small in number, but closely packed together and because of the outside business interests that have set up various ventures, Longhein resembles other modern cities in several ways. It boasts two rail lines that run southwest and southeast. Electric lights illuminate the streets as well as many homes and businesses. And due to a nearby luxury ski resort built by Nadiran nobles, Longhein is home to a few fine dining establishments and glitzy hotels.
You characters are hired help on a survey expidition. Dwarves from the Dual Kingdoms looking to determine the profitability of a silver mine north of Longhein. You're to be paid 500gp each upon safely reaching the mine and 500gp upon return. A handsome sum, but for what could be a dangerous journey. Your meeting the expedition leader, Brottor, at the Molla Hotel. A modest establishment on the northern side of Longhein.
You enter the hotel and are immediately greeted by a large room that resembles the taverns of yore. A great hearth burns warm in the center, a bar faces the western side of the building where a goliath barkeep serves drinks and takes food orders. They way he doesn't even have to look for bottles or glasses suggests he's been this hotels barkeep for a long long time. There's no other patrons down here, save for a party of dwarves in the back of the room who appear to be taking inventory of supplies and equipment and pouring over routes on a big map displayed on their table.
Please introduce your characters as you enter the room.
Clank Clank Clank. A new arrival, this one a peculiar type as there are gears turning and making noises. There are small little whistles, as steam waffs from the back of the warforged. The warforged seems very much out of place in this part of town, looking like one of the fancier models that are sometimes used for entertainment. The warforged clanks his way to the dwarves to find the leader of the expedition.
"Excuse me, but do any of you go by the name of Brottor?"
The warforged looks at the map, "By any chance would there be any locomotives that can take us to our destination?"
A human man of average height and build, with short brown hair and grey eyes enters the room. He wears simple, clothing and carries a backpack he appears to be armed with a single dagger on his belt. . As he looks around the room noticing the warforged “Interesting “ Ardyn said quietly then walked over to the bar.
Having secured his horses and equipment at a local Nadir Noble's home (an old acquaintance of the family), Lord Orgosh (the younger) retains his armor, shield, and longswrod in this new, and somewhat wild place. Also, he thinks to himself, it wouldn't hurt to make an impression upon the new employers.
Seeing no greeter or crier as he enters the hotel's main room - directly into a tavern? - he decides to announce himself. "Lord Krish Orgosh here to meet with Sir Brottor of the Dwarven Expedition." As he does so, he realizes the place is virtually empty and instantly feels the fool. He sees the Dwarves at their table, stands a little taller, and walks their direction. As he does, he sees a Warforged and, as he approaches the thing, says, "Oh good, they have table service. Do be a good lad and bring us a round of Dwarven Barrel Wine, nothing too sweet though." Then nods to the Dwarves assembled. "Gentlemen, I do believe you are expecting me. Who among you is Brottor, may I ask? And am I the first, or have the rest of the expedition been waiting on me?" He asks somewhat embarrassedly.
Lord Krish Orgosh is a full-blood Orc of about 6'3", well over 250lbs, with a body built for war. His hair is short, well-kept, and black. His skin green. His black eyes are sharp and betray a tacticians cunning. His reinforced great helm hangs from its chain (linked to his armor). It appears custom-fitted, steel, and without adornment. He wears a suit of full plate which bears his family's crest. The design style of the armor is antiquated, which might cause some Knights to think to mock Lord Orgosh, though it provides full coverage. However, upon closer inspection, it is of the rare metal Adamantium. His shield is solid steel with the family crest etched into it, and a Moon-Touched longsword sits within a practical steel sheath at his belt. Though noble in demeanor, he wears no cape or fanciful adornments upon his armor or visage. For all purposes, the warrior before you appears practical.
A hulking Goliath enters, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the door jamb. Despite his create size, he closes the door very gently behind him. He is dressed in a mishmash of furs and tanned hides, and walks with a large staff that some smaller races might just call a tree. For those who have seen variations of the traditional Goliath tattoos, Erskine's are slightly different, with stylized flames wrapping up his forearms and neck.
Resting the staff in the crook of his arms, blows into his hands to warm up from the cold and a small fire momentarily sparks in his palms, before winking out as he looks over and sees the Dwarves. Erskine waves as he starts walking over and says, "'Lo, I'm here fer the expedition?"
The warforged thinks to themselves as the noble approaches him and askes for a drink <Here we go again...> "Sir, I regret to inform you that I am not a servant here or anywhere, I am here to help escort a fellow to a silver mine. I do believe we will be working together in this expedition, good sir. I can tell you all about the various types of drink, but I do not know enough of this place to serve, nor am I servant anymore."
Lord Orgosh looks to the Warforged appraisingly at first, then with genuine curiousity. "I do apologize, my good... err... Warforged. I meant no disrespect, honestly. I have heard of some of your kind becoming independent, but had never met such a one before now. What name do you go by? Also, if we are to travel together... are you a he-robot, a she-robot... How would you like to be regarded?"
A short goblin walks through the door, no taller than three and a half feet, dressed in multiple layers. Wrapped around her shoulders (for there were some subtle differences that gave it away) sits a cloak that every now and then seems to shine in the light. Under that is a black jacket that goes down to her knees, enhanced with toughened leather and rivets under the cloth, and under that is a set of normal clothes (a red shirt and lavender trousers) along with an extra portion of padding around her waist and hips. However, the much more immediately important things to focus on would be the musket strapped across her back, almost as long as she is tall, and the four-barreled pistol sitting in a holster on her hips. She quickly moves closer to the fireplace, warming herself up, and scans the room for whomever she was there to meet. The motley crew of dwarves and several not-dwarves seems like a good place to start, and so she walks over and takes a seat nearby, listening.
At the table near the back are a total of six dwarves. The dwarf you assume to be Brottor is standing closest to the map table. Staring at it. Not talking while the other dwarves quietly argue about mountain passes, weather conditions, and possible dragon lairs. He is a young dwarf. Perhaps younger than you may have been expecting. His wears his beard short and neat on his neck and cheeks but allows the goatee to grow long and fashions it into an intricate braid. A braid that must take a considerable amount of time weaving.
C0nD-T0R, Lord Orgosh, Oliva, Erskine Bronttor looks up and squints a moment at the both of you , "Rail!? Saints I wish. Bronttor, aye that be me. I'm guessing you all are here for the survey team. First and foremost, I'm in charge. I'm responsible for everyone's safety, including yours. Even though your our escorts, you don't do anything without my say. I don't like heroes. If we see a dragon or giant, we're running. Got it? Now then, over there is Ilde. She's in charge of the surveyors. She's the one who says how long we stay once we reach the prospective mine. We leave at first light tomorrow. Ask any questions you got, make your preperations now, and get some rest. We'll get you come morning. Gilt, the barkeep, has your rooms prepared and set aside for you."
Lord Orgosh Resembles a tavern. The bottom floor is the bar/restaurant for the hotel. Top floors are all rooms.
Ardyn The goliath behind the bar looks over at you. "Well you don't seem to be a skier and you don't look much like the kind who's here to start some fancy new store. You running from something?"
Ant You're able to find a nice warm spot by the fire. An old chair who's cushioning has seen better days, but comfortable enough for you even if it's a bit larger than you may be used to. You're able to over hear everything being said by Brottor as well as the exchange between the warforged and half-orc who approached the table.
Erskine raises his hand slightly before saying "errr 'ow long's the journey? Will we be needing to gather our own food?" He looks around the table and says "Any of yous been out there on a trip like this before?"
" I’m not running away from anything just doing some traveling, " this wasn't the first the someone had asked him that question, he’d left his village to see the world and because knew if he had stayed he would end up running his father’s shop someday, Ardyn had no interest in doing that. "Could I get a glass of whiskey, also do you where someone named Bronttor is? I came here to join his expedition."
Erskine Brottor thumbs over to the supplies piled in the corner near the map table. You see, amongst other things, dwarven rations. Canned goat meat in a thick brown ale sauce. Notorious for being rather disgusting, but also for being incredibly nutrient dense which makes it excellent travel food as you don't need to bring as much. "Food is all covered. We'll be following a stream up so we'll have plenty of water along the way. None of us here have journeyed into these mountains in particular, but we're all quite capable mountaineers. Well it's a survey mission. We'll be traveling slow, plotting routes and such along the way. Shouldn't take more than two weeks to get there. Then less than half the time coming back I imagine as we'll leave some gear there at the mine should we find it."
Olivia "Foot. We travel by foot. Mostly should be hiking, but some climbing might be involved. Bandits? No I doubt it. Beasts or worse? Yeah, we may. But, that's why you're here after all."
Ardyn The bartend grabs a bottle from behind the shelf, "I'm afraid all we have is local whiskey. Dwarven and Cantabrian whiskey has been all drank up. Brottor is right over there, along with what I assume is the rest of your party. Fair warning, looks like they're packing their canned goat meat. Ugh. If I was you, I'd buy something fresher to take if you can. Whiskey'll be 4 copper."
Gos leans over to the table. "I carry a portable fishing pole with me. I would rather have something fresh, maybe one of you can convince me to lend it to you for a bit." She looks down into her pack, double-checking that the magical extending stick is still there. "I also have normal rations, so I won't need to buy much more, at least."
"I do belive this will not be the last time I will be mistaken for a servant, it is certianally not the first. I do declare no ill will. I liked where I was stationed at, but unfortunately many people do not like it when a warforged have weaponry, even if it is to protect said people. My serial is C0ND-T0R, but I go by Conductor. As for what I like to be referred as, he or they are fine, I do not mind. And what of you, sir?"
C0ND-T0R gives a sigh when there are no rails, but then thinks of the potential of a new railway, "I do declare that if there would be a mine to be built, then a rail should be fed from the mines to this town to transport cargo. Do we have any wagons or at the very least horses for the journey, or is the path too steep for steeds?"
Conductor eyes the goblin, or rather the musket that the goblin has on her back. "Greetings, m'am. I see that you are also packing some firepower." With that said, Conductor ruffles through his bag to pull out a small cannon.
" Thank you" Ardyn said as he reached into his pocket, after a moment he takes a gold handing it to the goliath. He would take the barkeeps' advice on trying to get something better than canned goatmeat. "This should cover the cost of the drink and a tip for you".
Lord Orgosh replies. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Conductor. Your voice sounds more masculine to my ear, so please forgive me if I perchance call you by he and him... I am Lord Krish Orgosh of the Orgosh Family of Western Nadir. You may have heard of the Orgosh War College? That is our family school."
After introductions with Conductor, Lord Orgosh politely listens to Brottor and the others. However, when Olivia mentions 'traveling on foot', he politely clears his throat. "I hear that you wish to travel by foot, and though I certainly understand that as your preference, but you are not implying we have to as well, are you?"
Skallbrekka. The last holdout of the nomadic First Born. When all the other races began coalescing under kings, queens, and generals; the goliath abstained. They kept the old ways of individual tribes. But this decentralization has unfortunately had some side effects in modern times. It's left them vulnerable to outside exploitation. Exploitation that is most visible in their de facto capital, Longhein. Which is where we start.
Longhein is a dense city. Small in number, but closely packed together and because of the outside business interests that have set up various ventures, Longhein resembles other modern cities in several ways. It boasts two rail lines that run southwest and southeast. Electric lights illuminate the streets as well as many homes and businesses. And due to a nearby luxury ski resort built by Nadiran nobles, Longhein is home to a few fine dining establishments and glitzy hotels.
You characters are hired help on a survey expidition. Dwarves from the Dual Kingdoms looking to determine the profitability of a silver mine north of Longhein. You're to be paid 500gp each upon safely reaching the mine and 500gp upon return. A handsome sum, but for what could be a dangerous journey. Your meeting the expedition leader, Brottor, at the Molla Hotel. A modest establishment on the northern side of Longhein.
You enter the hotel and are immediately greeted by a large room that resembles the taverns of yore. A great hearth burns warm in the center, a bar faces the western side of the building where a goliath barkeep serves drinks and takes food orders. They way he doesn't even have to look for bottles or glasses suggests he's been this hotels barkeep for a long long time. There's no other patrons down here, save for a party of dwarves in the back of the room who appear to be taking inventory of supplies and equipment and pouring over routes on a big map displayed on their table.
Please introduce your characters as you enter the room.
Clank Clank Clank. A new arrival, this one a peculiar type as there are gears turning and making noises. There are small little whistles, as steam waffs from the back of the warforged. The warforged seems very much out of place in this part of town, looking like one of the fancier models that are sometimes used for entertainment. The warforged clanks his way to the dwarves to find the leader of the expedition.
"Excuse me, but do any of you go by the name of Brottor?"
The warforged looks at the map, "By any chance would there be any locomotives that can take us to our destination?"
A human man of average height and build, with short brown hair and grey eyes enters the room. He wears simple, clothing and carries a backpack he appears to be armed with a single dagger on his belt. . As he looks around the room noticing the warforged “Interesting “ Ardyn said quietly then walked over to the bar.
Having secured his horses and equipment at a local Nadir Noble's home (an old acquaintance of the family), Lord Orgosh (the younger) retains his armor, shield, and longswrod in this new, and somewhat wild place. Also, he thinks to himself, it wouldn't hurt to make an impression upon the new employers.
Seeing no greeter or crier as he enters the hotel's main room - directly into a tavern? - he decides to announce himself. "Lord Krish Orgosh here to meet with Sir Brottor of the Dwarven Expedition." As he does so, he realizes the place is virtually empty and instantly feels the fool. He sees the Dwarves at their table, stands a little taller, and walks their direction. As he does, he sees a Warforged and, as he approaches the thing, says, "Oh good, they have table service. Do be a good lad and bring us a round of Dwarven Barrel Wine, nothing too sweet though." Then nods to the Dwarves assembled. "Gentlemen, I do believe you are expecting me. Who among you is Brottor, may I ask? And am I the first, or have the rest of the expedition been waiting on me?" He asks somewhat embarrassedly.
Lord Krish Orgosh is a full-blood Orc of about 6'3", well over 250lbs, with a body built for war. His hair is short, well-kept, and black. His skin green. His black eyes are sharp and betray a tacticians cunning. His reinforced great helm hangs from its chain (linked to his armor). It appears custom-fitted, steel, and without adornment. He wears a suit of full plate which bears his family's crest. The design style of the armor is antiquated, which might cause some Knights to think to mock Lord Orgosh, though it provides full coverage. However, upon closer inspection, it is of the rare metal Adamantium. His shield is solid steel with the family crest etched into it, and a Moon-Touched longsword sits within a practical steel sheath at his belt. Though noble in demeanor, he wears no cape or fanciful adornments upon his armor or visage. For all purposes, the warrior before you appears practical.
A hulking Goliath enters, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the door jamb. Despite his create size, he closes the door very gently behind him. He is dressed in a mishmash of furs and tanned hides, and walks with a large staff that some smaller races might just call a tree. For those who have seen variations of the traditional Goliath tattoos, Erskine's are slightly different, with stylized flames wrapping up his forearms and neck.
Resting the staff in the crook of his arms, blows into his hands to warm up from the cold and a small fire momentarily sparks in his palms, before winking out as he looks over and sees the Dwarves. Erskine waves as he starts walking over and says, "'Lo, I'm here fer the expedition?"
The warforged thinks to themselves as the noble approaches him and askes for a drink <Here we go again...> "Sir, I regret to inform you that I am not a servant here or anywhere, I am here to help escort a fellow to a silver mine. I do believe we will be working together in this expedition, good sir. I can tell you all about the various types of drink, but I do not know enough of this place to serve, nor am I servant anymore."
Lord Orgosh looks to the Warforged appraisingly at first, then with genuine curiousity. "I do apologize, my good... err... Warforged. I meant no disrespect, honestly. I have heard of some of your kind becoming independent, but had never met such a one before now. What name do you go by? Also, if we are to travel together... are you a he-robot, a she-robot... How would you like to be regarded?"
A short goblin walks through the door, no taller than three and a half feet, dressed in multiple layers. Wrapped around her shoulders (for there were some subtle differences that gave it away) sits a cloak that every now and then seems to shine in the light. Under that is a black jacket that goes down to her knees, enhanced with toughened leather and rivets under the cloth, and under that is a set of normal clothes (a red shirt and lavender trousers) along with an extra portion of padding around her waist and hips. However, the much more immediately important things to focus on would be the musket strapped across her back, almost as long as she is tall, and the four-barreled pistol sitting in a holster on her hips. She quickly moves closer to the fireplace, warming herself up, and scans the room for whomever she was there to meet. The motley crew of dwarves and several not-dwarves seems like a good place to start, and so she walks over and takes a seat nearby, listening.
At the table near the back are a total of six dwarves. The dwarf you assume to be Brottor is standing closest to the map table. Staring at it. Not talking while the other dwarves quietly argue about mountain passes, weather conditions, and possible dragon lairs. He is a young dwarf. Perhaps younger than you may have been expecting. His wears his beard short and neat on his neck and cheeks but allows the goatee to grow long and fashions it into an intricate braid. A braid that must take a considerable amount of time weaving.
C0nD-T0R, Lord Orgosh, Oliva, Erskine
Bronttor looks up and squints a moment at the both of you , "Rail!? Saints I wish. Bronttor, aye that be me. I'm guessing you all are here for the survey team. First and foremost, I'm in charge. I'm responsible for everyone's safety, including yours. Even though your our escorts, you don't do anything without my say. I don't like heroes. If we see a dragon or giant, we're running. Got it? Now then, over there is Ilde. She's in charge of the surveyors. She's the one who says how long we stay once we reach the prospective mine. We leave at first light tomorrow. Ask any questions you got, make your preperations now, and get some rest. We'll get you come morning. Gilt, the barkeep, has your rooms prepared and set aside for you."
Lord Orgosh
Resembles a tavern. The bottom floor is the bar/restaurant for the hotel. Top floors are all rooms.
Ardyn
The goliath behind the bar looks over at you. "Well you don't seem to be a skier and you don't look much like the kind who's here to start some fancy new store. You running from something?"
Ant
You're able to find a nice warm spot by the fire. An old chair who's cushioning has seen better days, but comfortable enough for you even if it's a bit larger than you may be used to. You're able to over hear everything being said by Brottor as well as the exchange between the warforged and half-orc who approached the table.
Erskine raises his hand slightly before saying "errr 'ow long's the journey? Will we be needing to gather our own food?" He looks around the table and says "Any of yous been out there on a trip like this before?"
" I’m not running away from anything just doing some traveling, " this wasn't the first the someone had asked him that question, he’d left his village to see the world and because knew if he had stayed he would end up running his father’s shop someday, Ardyn had no interest in doing that. "Could I get a glass of whiskey, also do you where someone named Bronttor is? I came here to join his expedition."
.
Erskine
Brottor thumbs over to the supplies piled in the corner near the map table. You see, amongst other things, dwarven rations. Canned goat meat in a thick brown ale sauce. Notorious for being rather disgusting, but also for being incredibly nutrient dense which makes it excellent travel food as you don't need to bring as much. "Food is all covered. We'll be following a stream up so we'll have plenty of water along the way. None of us here have journeyed into these mountains in particular, but we're all quite capable mountaineers. Well it's a survey mission. We'll be traveling slow, plotting routes and such along the way. Shouldn't take more than two weeks to get there. Then less than half the time coming back I imagine as we'll leave some gear there at the mine should we find it."
Olivia
"Foot. We travel by foot. Mostly should be hiking, but some climbing might be involved. Bandits? No I doubt it. Beasts or worse? Yeah, we may. But, that's why you're here after all."
Ardyn
The bartend grabs a bottle from behind the shelf, "I'm afraid all we have is local whiskey. Dwarven and Cantabrian whiskey has been all drank up. Brottor is right over there, along with what I assume is the rest of your party. Fair warning, looks like they're packing their canned goat meat. Ugh. If I was you, I'd buy something fresher to take if you can. Whiskey'll be 4 copper."
Gos leans over to the table. "I carry a portable fishing pole with me. I would rather have something fresh, maybe one of you can convince me to lend it to you for a bit." She looks down into her pack, double-checking that the magical extending stick is still there. "I also have normal rations, so I won't need to buy much more, at least."
"I do belive this will not be the last time I will be mistaken for a servant, it is certianally not the first. I do declare no ill will. I liked where I was stationed at, but unfortunately many people do not like it when a warforged have weaponry, even if it is to protect said people. My serial is C0ND-T0R, but I go by Conductor. As for what I like to be referred as, he or they are fine, I do not mind. And what of you, sir?"
C0ND-T0R gives a sigh when there are no rails, but then thinks of the potential of a new railway, "I do declare that if there would be a mine to be built, then a rail should be fed from the mines to this town to transport cargo. Do we have any wagons or at the very least horses for the journey, or is the path too steep for steeds?"
Conductor eyes the goblin, or rather the musket that the goblin has on her back. "Greetings, m'am. I see that you are also packing some firepower." With that said, Conductor ruffles through his bag to pull out a small cannon.
" Thank you " Ardyn said as he reached into his pocket, after a moment he takes a gold handing it to the goliath. He would take the barkeeps' advice on trying to get something better than canned goatmeat. "This should cover the cost of the drink and a tip for you".
Lord Orgosh replies. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Conductor. Your voice sounds more masculine to my ear, so please forgive me if I perchance call you by he and him... I am Lord Krish Orgosh of the Orgosh Family of Western Nadir. You may have heard of the Orgosh War College? That is our family school."
After introductions with Conductor, Lord Orgosh politely listens to Brottor and the others. However, when Olivia mentions 'traveling on foot', he politely clears his throat. "I hear that you wish to travel by foot, and though I certainly understand that as your preference, but you are not implying we have to as well, are you?"