In between slices of hot ham and mugs of cold beer, Kor was looking at the Dwarf with interest. "As long as the pay is good, I'm in. It's been a good while since I've been involved in something dangerous." She looks expectedly at the others.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
This sounds like exactly the type of adventure I'm looking for. You say we must choose a side, we should probably know more about what we are choosing. What's the name of this organization we'd be working for?
Tok thinks back at what he's read or heard about Khubic's organization or the tragedy at Elturel (History: 18)
Tok - You've heard rumors as you've travelled recently about the fate that befell Elturel. You thought them tall-tales until you kept hearing the same from others you'd meet. The details varied but the core story was the same; Someone or something has ripped the city of Elturel from the material plane and plunged it into the nine hells. Everyone seems to think their hamlet is next, but no one knows anything for sure. The harp tattoo on Khubic's head is a clear indication of what organization he works for. Most folks have heard of the Harpers;
This clandestine network of spellcasters and spies seeks to tip the scales in favor of the innocent, the weak, and the poor within the Realms. Harper agents pride themselves on being incorruptible defenders of good, and they never hesitate to aid the oppressed. Because they prefer to work behind the scenes, they are rarely noticed as they thwart tyrants, depose rulers, and head off any growing force that is rumored to have evil intent. The Harpers has its finger on the pulse of power in the Realms and works tirelessly to even the odds for the downtrodden.
Individual Harper agents operate alone, relying on their wits and extensive information networks to gain an advantage over their enemies. They know that knowledge is power, so gathering intelligence beforehand is paramount to their success. They are well-informed and always have access to aid, magical and otherwise. Veteran members have access to secret caches of knowledge stashed all over Faerûn, along with trusted sources stationed in every major town and city.
All - Khubic smiles and says, "Thank you all. You give me hope. Cheers." And he lifts his glass to you all before taking a drink, "Alright, now that we've got the doom and gloom out of the way, let's talk business. Now, to be clear, you will all be considered temporary mercenary agents and not full initiate's in our faction. We don't normally recruit agents in taverns, we're making an exception due to the circumstances I mentioned earlier. If things go well and you're still interested in helping us fight, there's potential for advancement." Khubic reaches to his waist and pulls out his coin pouch, "For now, I'm willing to pay you each five gold and another twenty five gold each once the delivery has been made. The item in question is a sealed packet of documents. I need them delivered to an agent operating Northwest of Hill's Edge. This should only take about a full day to complete, two at the most. Once the delivery is made, the documents will contain instructions for you all to be paid the agreed upon amount. The packet will be available to you here at the bar tomorrow morning. Just walk up to the bar and order a 'Bed Wetter'." Khubic takes another sip of his drink before continuing, "As for the packet itself, do not try to open it. It has been enchanted to self-immolate if opened without first uttering a pass phrase and the immolation is not a small one. You'll also get a map to the general area of operation of the person you're looking for. Well, I think that about covers it. Any questions?" Khubic hands each of you five gold pieces as he awaits your response.
Kor fingers a gold piece. She squints her eyes, examining the grooves and relief. She takes a bite of the gold. Satisfied, she flips it into the air, emitting a sharp ringing sound as it is launched into the air. The coin lands in the open palm of Kor's hand. She looks up and smiles. "Seems good to me. Easy delivery, made a good amount of em back in the days." She leans in and stares at Khubic in the eye."So what sorta trouble are you expectin' on the road then, that it couldn't be taken by one o' your own men?"
Felmar & Kor - Khubic says "Nothing specific, like I said we're stretched a little thin at the moment and if I'm laying all my cards on the table," He looks to each of you in a serious manner before continuing, "You aren't the first group I've sent. I've no idea what happened to the others, just that the packet was never delivered and they disappeared without a trace." Khubic lets that sink in and says, "I'm a careful man, but even so I can't say with 100% certainty that I wasn't followed or that there aren't spies in this very room. Those who caused the fall of Elturel will be looking to throw us off their trail though. He holds up a thick hand and extends a finger as he talks, punctuating his points. "Watch each other's back, have an alibi prepared in case anyone questions your business in the area, and if it comes to life or death, let them have the packet of documents. Hopefully, they'll be stupid enough to open it and give you an opportunity to save yourselves. Even if they manage to get the packet opened safely, the messages within are heavily coded." He looks to everyone seated around the table. "Any other questions? By all means ask!"
Felmar - Khubic chuckles and says, "Aye, that would not be ideal. I'm afraid I don't know much about 'em. We operate autonomously as much as possible. We have small cells and lone operatives throughout the Sword Coast. No one agent has all the keys to the castle so to speak. But don't worry, the agent will need to speak a code word to which you'll speak a specific response." Khubic points a thick finger at you, and you suddenly hear his voice in your head, "Code phrase is Gold-Breasted-Waxbill. Say it back to me, only I will hear it." Khubic nods after you repeat it takes a drink from his tankard.
Doc well familiar with what the tattoo meant accepts. "Well Khubic, I am traveling between jobs right now, I seem to have some time for some extra coin. Though I will need you to do something for me, I will be sending a letter to (undercomon language: xxxxxxx) please make sure it gets to him. He will need to know what is going on and how to get in contact with me through you." Doc looks around the table at the rest of the motley crew, "well mates, looks like we are going to take a trip to hell."
Felmar - Khubic finishes his drink, wipes his mouth with his sleeve, and sends you another message, "Your code phrase is Great Blue Heron."
Doc - The dwarven Harper agent nods and says, "Of course, I'll deliver it to the post office myself."
All - Khubic looks at you all and says, "Alrighty then folks, thank you again. I'm leaving town tonight, but before I go, is there anything else you'd like to know?"
I pull Kubrick aside and whisper “skip the post office, this needs to use other channels. What else can you tell me about the goings on with this job?” (uses Criminal Contact) looking back at the party “I guess it’s time to turn in for the night.”
Kor - Khubic shakes his head and shrugs, "Can't say I do. Should I?"
Doc - Khubic raises an eyebrow and seems uncomfortable, "Nothing more than I've already told you. What were you hoping to learn?"
All - You awaken the following morning and retrieve the package from the bar along with a map. The map shows your destination being an area on the outskirts of the Northdark Wood. The morning is clear and crisp and the day is yours. What would you like to do?
In between slices of hot ham and mugs of cold beer, Kor was looking at the Dwarf with interest. "As long as the pay is good, I'm in. It's been a good while since I've been involved in something dangerous." She looks expectedly at the others.
This sounds like exactly the type of adventure I'm looking for. You say we must choose a side, we should probably know more about what we are choosing. What's the name of this organization we'd be working for?
Tok thinks back at what he's read or heard about Khubic's organization or the tragedy at Elturel (History: 18)
Tok - You've heard rumors as you've travelled recently about the fate that befell Elturel. You thought them tall-tales until you kept hearing the same from others you'd meet. The details varied but the core story was the same; Someone or something has ripped the city of Elturel from the material plane and plunged it into the nine hells. Everyone seems to think their hamlet is next, but no one knows anything for sure. The harp tattoo on Khubic's head is a clear indication of what organization he works for. Most folks have heard of the Harpers;
This clandestine network of spellcasters and spies seeks to tip the scales in favor of the innocent, the weak, and the poor within the Realms. Harper agents pride themselves on being incorruptible defenders of good, and they never hesitate to aid the oppressed. Because they prefer to work behind the scenes, they are rarely noticed as they thwart tyrants, depose rulers, and head off any growing force that is rumored to have evil intent. The Harpers has its finger on the pulse of power in the Realms and works tirelessly to even the odds for the downtrodden.
Individual Harper agents operate alone, relying on their wits and extensive information networks to gain an advantage over their enemies. They know that knowledge is power, so gathering intelligence beforehand is paramount to their success. They are well-informed and always have access to aid, magical and otherwise. Veteran members have access to secret caches of knowledge stashed all over Faerûn, along with trusted sources stationed in every major town and city.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
I chose me side the day I swore me life an’ soul to Torm. And a lil’ coin on the side is a nice bonus. Count me in. Where do we start?
All - Khubic smiles and says, "Thank you all. You give me hope. Cheers." And he lifts his glass to you all before taking a drink, "Alright, now that we've got the doom and gloom out of the way, let's talk business. Now, to be clear, you will all be considered temporary mercenary agents and not full initiate's in our faction. We don't normally recruit agents in taverns, we're making an exception due to the circumstances I mentioned earlier. If things go well and you're still interested in helping us fight, there's potential for advancement." Khubic reaches to his waist and pulls out his coin pouch, "For now, I'm willing to pay you each five gold and another twenty five gold each once the delivery has been made. The item in question is a sealed packet of documents. I need them delivered to an agent operating Northwest of Hill's Edge. This should only take about a full day to complete, two at the most. Once the delivery is made, the documents will contain instructions for you all to be paid the agreed upon amount. The packet will be available to you here at the bar tomorrow morning. Just walk up to the bar and order a 'Bed Wetter'." Khubic takes another sip of his drink before continuing, "As for the packet itself, do not try to open it. It has been enchanted to self-immolate if opened without first uttering a pass phrase and the immolation is not a small one. You'll also get a map to the general area of operation of the person you're looking for. Well, I think that about covers it. Any questions?" Khubic hands each of you five gold pieces as he awaits your response.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Ye expectin’ trouble with delivery? Other parties in’rested in the papers I mean?
Kor fingers a gold piece. She squints her eyes, examining the grooves and relief. She takes a bite of the gold. Satisfied, she flips it into the air, emitting a sharp ringing sound as it is launched into the air. The coin lands in the open palm of Kor's hand. She looks up and smiles. "Seems good to me. Easy delivery, made a good amount of em back in the days." She leans in and stares at Khubic in the eye. "So what sorta trouble are you expectin' on the road then, that it couldn't be taken by one o' your own men?"
Felmar & Kor - Khubic says "Nothing specific, like I said we're stretched a little thin at the moment and if I'm laying all my cards on the table," He looks to each of you in a serious manner before continuing, "You aren't the first group I've sent. I've no idea what happened to the others, just that the packet was never delivered and they disappeared without a trace." Khubic lets that sink in and says, "I'm a careful man, but even so I can't say with 100% certainty that I wasn't followed or that there aren't spies in this very room. Those who caused the fall of Elturel will be looking to throw us off their trail though. He holds up a thick hand and extends a finger as he talks, punctuating his points. "Watch each other's back, have an alibi prepared in case anyone questions your business in the area, and if it comes to life or death, let them have the packet of documents. Hopefully, they'll be stupid enough to open it and give you an opportunity to save yourselves. Even if they manage to get the packet opened safely, the messages within are heavily coded." He looks to everyone seated around the table. "Any other questions? By all means ask!"
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Anythin’ ye can tell us about the feller we are delivering to? Hate to get to the end an’ then give it to the wrong person!
Felmar - Khubic chuckles and says, "Aye, that would not be ideal. I'm afraid I don't know much about 'em. We operate autonomously as much as possible. We have small cells and lone operatives throughout the Sword Coast. No one agent has all the keys to the castle so to speak. But don't worry, the agent will need to speak a code word to which you'll speak a specific response." Khubic points a thick finger at you, and you suddenly hear his voice in your head, "Code phrase is Gold-Breasted-Waxbill. Say it back to me, only I will hear it." Khubic nods after you repeat it takes a drink from his tankard.
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Just bein’ clear. He says that, then we say what?
Doc well familiar with what the tattoo meant accepts. "Well Khubic, I am traveling between jobs right now, I seem to have some time for some extra coin. Though I will need you to do something for me, I will be sending a letter to (undercomon language: xxxxxxx) please make sure it gets to him. He will need to know what is going on and how to get in contact with me through you." Doc looks around the table at the rest of the motley crew, "well mates, looks like we are going to take a trip to hell."
Felmar - Khubic finishes his drink, wipes his mouth with his sleeve, and sends you another message, "Your code phrase is Great Blue Heron."
Doc - The dwarven Harper agent nods and says, "Of course, I'll deliver it to the post office myself."
All - Khubic looks at you all and says, "Alrighty then folks, thank you again. I'm leaving town tonight, but before I go, is there anything else you'd like to know?"
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
Tok shakes his head as he carefully tucks his new coin pouch away
Kor leans in. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know a Captain Morgan Halloway, would ya?"
Very well. I'm off'ta find a bed. Sun rises early an' I'm guessin' I'll be needin' me strength a'fore this job is done. 'Til the mornin'
Felmar rises, nods a goodbye to his new companions, and makes his way to his room for the night.
I pull Kubrick aside and whisper “skip the post office, this needs to use other channels. What else can you tell me about the goings on with this job?” (uses Criminal Contact) looking back at the party “I guess it’s time to turn in for the night.”
Kor - Khubic shakes his head and shrugs, "Can't say I do. Should I?"
Doc - Khubic raises an eyebrow and seems uncomfortable, "Nothing more than I've already told you. What were you hoping to learn?"
All - You awaken the following morning and retrieve the package from the bar along with a map. The map shows your destination being an area on the outskirts of the Northdark Wood. The morning is clear and crisp and the day is yours. What would you like to do?
DM I The Forge of Fey Fury
Palifwan "Pal" Turnipson I Level 0 Harengon I Hero's Journey
I’m for goin’ and gettin’ things over with. But if everyone else wanted to grab a bite first, I wouldn’t be arguing’. Good either way.
I'm ready to go! We should take caution though, I'd prefer our story doesn't end the same as the last group Khubic sent.
He looks over to Doc
You seem an experienced traveler, perhaps you should lead the way and look out for anything that doesn't seem right