"Shut up pipsqueak or you might end up with a couple of chunks in your pie." Luthok carefully scoops the chunks off of the table and puts them in his empty tankard. "Old Oozebeard may just steal kids in the stories, but a scrawny halfling might look like a kid if you squint a little."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of Guilds
The Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & Ruffians Eira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors Expanded
Roland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
Before another word is spoken, the tavern door nearby you all crashes open as a brown-haired, tanned skinned half-elf woman rushes in with a panicked look in her eye. Her brown eyes are stained by tears and threaten to cry again. This woman is dressed plainly in a yellow dress which reaches the tops of her knees. The most obvious features you see upon her is her seemingly imminent pregnancy as she looks ready to bust open, but next in line is the scrapes of her knees, the dirt which stains the lower portion of her attire, and her utter look of desperation as she scans the room, her eyes not lingering on any given person or place.
With her sudden and haphazard appearance, the trio of bards cease their song almost like a record scratch.
"Please, please, help us- they took our daughter!" The woman cries out, "These men came, took her, my stars, please, help!"
Aside from your potential reactions, no one makes a move. Everyone suddenly finds their drink very interesting. Even the chipper barkeep averts his gaze. Linia snaps out of her disgust for Oozebeard and rushes to the half-elf's side. "What's gone n' happened, miss? Aren't you Apothecary Yennan's wife?"
"Yes, my husband left to find them, but no one will help us! They are beyond the wall!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Merrick leaps down from the table, all thoughts of apples and meaty chunks forgotten. "The wall? What wall? Your baby? Your daughter? How old is she?"
He shakes himself, realizing that his normal quick speech just won't do here. He takes a deep breath, and speaks, this time in a much slower and reassuring voice.
"Ma'am, you are obviously distraught and upset. Something awful clearly just happened. Please, sit down, take a breath and drink some water."Merrick motions Linia for a water. "We hear you and want to help, but we cannot do that without a clear understanding of who you are and what happened. Now, start from the beginning.
The other people at the table can hardly believe their ears. This doesn't sound like the stream of consciousness halfling from a moment ago, jumping from one topic to the other and tripping over himself with excitement. It almost sounds like a thoughtful and well considered listener.
Merrick gently gives the woman some water, pats her on the knee encouragingly, and prompts her to begin anew. He speaks slowly and carefully, to calm her down. "So. Let's start again. We are all listening. Start at the beginning..."
Luthok sits quietly by the table, seemingly unmoved by the distraught half-elf entering the tavern. The only sign of interest in her appears as he corrects his mask for a better view of the conversation unfolding.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of Guilds
The Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & Ruffians Eira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors Expanded
Roland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
The half-elf woman, Mrs. Yennan, takes the seat offered by Merrick as Linia pours a glass of water for the lady. She looks at the water and focuses on it as she speaks.
"A dozen, green cloaked men came and took my daughter. She's only 16..." Mrs. Yennan wipes her tears, "we were at the shop when they came. Our shop is by the entrance to the city, near the wall that protects us from the wilds. My husband chased after them, but he is just one man!"
Ms. Yennan looks between the four of you, now associating you with one another, and looks into Muireach's eyes. If she was curious or confused about his appearance, she didn't show it, "Will you, sir? Thank you, I visited a couple taverns looking for adventurers such as yourselves, but no one even looked at me." She looks like she is about to burst into tears at the thought.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"So, who were they? What interest do 'green cloaked men' have in you and yours?" Dyoken asks. "Fill in the details and we'll have her back that much sooner. Which way did they go? You have any suspicions on where they'd end up?"
"I haven't a clue who they are, but they wore strange amulets, honestly they shouted about some Grimmore or such person," Mrs. Yennan confesses, "they headed south, and my husband soon gave chase when he packed some of his potions or such. If I weren't pregnant I would be out there tracking them. They fled in a wagon and my husband followed by horseback. They left some impressions on the ground, I'm sure..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Muireach stands up and taps the table to signal for the waitress using gold coin that Oozebeard didn’t take, “Well, I suppose we should be going then.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"They will make off with your children!" Dyoken exclaims, "They'll come after them in the night!" he continues with an odd rhythm... "So it's time to take some action, boys It's time to follow us. Through the mist, through the woods, through the darkness and the shadows. It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride. Say a prayer, then we're there, at the drawbridge of a castle, and there's something truly terrible inside!"
Muireach heads out and starts humming to himself, “Huh, catchy tune.” After that, he heads to the stables and looks to a tall, white stag,“Mordred! We have a quest. We’re off to save the children!” and saddle himself up.
Dyoken follows after, jerking his head for Merrick and Luthok to join them. His horse, Rocinante, is tied at a post outside. He's a bit slow and thin, past his prime, but a good eager steed.
Luthok gets up, slowly, and walks hesitantly after the others while mumbling to himself. "Might as well follow 'em out of town before I leave them behind and go home."He gets his spotted donkey, half an ear seems to have been broken off, but she looks like she has been taken good care of. "Cm'ere Toadstool, we are leaving now".It takes the old dwarf about a minute to even get onto his steed.
Now that you see the dwarf standing and walking for the first time you might notice a bad limp. His left thigh seems moist through the brown pants currently adorning the dwarf.
Outside the tavern, the sun has begun to set and it will be dark in a couple of hours. You stand on Stant Street, which leads southward toward the southern gates of the walled portion of the city. The Viridian Tankard is one of many taverns nearby, but there are also stores, small inns, and other buildings of service. From where you stand outside the tavern, a particular shop catches your eye. It is a two-story building with a busted door. If you are a local or have been in town for a while, you have definitely heard of this place. It is the shop known as "The Honored Herb" that tends to offer free services to the poor folk of Shepherd's Crossing. Specifically, those who live outside the walls, as there is a growing village just beyond.
Mrs. Yennan follows you lot out as you mount and prepare your horses/buck/donkey. Your mounts all have saddles and saddlebags. She points and seems to be trying to be as helpful as possible, "They went through Gate Ria,"she points to the southern gate, "I will be at our shop when you return... please, please bring my husband and daughter home in one piece..."
If you follow the trail of hoofbeats from the apothecary's shop to the gate, you will see that they do not follow the Amber Way, one of the major trade routes that helped the founding of Shepherd's Crossing. Amber Way stretches from the northwest Peaks of Mullivan to the southeast dunes. The tracks lead straight south.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
(Persuasion: 13)
Extended Signature
"Oh put your little knife away. I just want to know what the locals have to say about this Wonderous Cave."
Extended Signature
"Shut up pipsqueak or you might end up with a couple of chunks in your pie." Luthok carefully scoops the chunks off of the table and puts them in his empty tankard. "Old Oozebeard may just steal kids in the stories, but a scrawny halfling might look like a kid if you squint a little."
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
Merrick starts to retch, but manages to swallow it down, as the dwarf puts the meat-like rotted chunks in his flagon of ale.
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
Before another word is spoken, the tavern door nearby you all crashes open as a brown-haired, tanned skinned half-elf woman rushes in with a panicked look in her eye. Her brown eyes are stained by tears and threaten to cry again. This woman is dressed plainly in a yellow dress which reaches the tops of her knees. The most obvious features you see upon her is her seemingly imminent pregnancy as she looks ready to bust open, but next in line is the scrapes of her knees, the dirt which stains the lower portion of her attire, and her utter look of desperation as she scans the room, her eyes not lingering on any given person or place.
With her sudden and haphazard appearance, the trio of bards cease their song almost like a record scratch.
"Please, please, help us- they took our daughter!" The woman cries out, "These men came, took her, my stars, please, help!"
Aside from your potential reactions, no one makes a move. Everyone suddenly finds their drink very interesting. Even the chipper barkeep averts his gaze. Linia snaps out of her disgust for Oozebeard and rushes to the half-elf's side. "What's gone n' happened, miss? Aren't you Apothecary Yennan's wife?"
"Yes, my husband left to find them, but no one will help us! They are beyond the wall!"
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Dyoken stands "You're in luck my deer. You just happen to be in the presence of the great 'Lord of Heroes'!" He gives Muireach an encouraging nudge.
Extended Signature
Merrick leaps down from the table, all thoughts of apples and meaty chunks forgotten. "The wall? What wall? Your baby? Your daughter? How old is she?"
He shakes himself, realizing that his normal quick speech just won't do here. He takes a deep breath, and speaks, this time in a much slower and reassuring voice.
"Ma'am, you are obviously distraught and upset. Something awful clearly just happened. Please, sit down, take a breath and drink some water." Merrick motions Linia for a water. "We hear you and want to help, but we cannot do that without a clear understanding of who you are and what happened. Now, start from the beginning.
The other people at the table can hardly believe their ears. This doesn't sound like the stream of consciousness halfling from a moment ago, jumping from one topic to the other and tripping over himself with excitement. It almost sounds like a thoughtful and well considered listener.
Merrick gently gives the woman some water, pats her on the knee encouragingly, and prompts her to begin anew. He speaks slowly and carefully, to calm her down. "So. Let's start again. We are all listening. Start at the beginning..."
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
Luthok sits quietly by the table, seemingly unmoved by the distraught half-elf entering the tavern. The only sign of interest in her appears as he corrects his mask for a better view of the conversation unfolding.
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
The half-elf woman, Mrs. Yennan, takes the seat offered by Merrick as Linia pours a glass of water for the lady. She looks at the water and focuses on it as she speaks.
"A dozen, green cloaked men came and took my daughter. She's only 16..." Mrs. Yennan wipes her tears, "we were at the shop when they came. Our shop is by the entrance to the city, near the wall that protects us from the wilds. My husband chased after them, but he is just one man!"
Ms. Yennan looks between the four of you, now associating you with one another, and looks into Muireach's eyes. If she was curious or confused about his appearance, she didn't show it, "Will you, sir? Thank you, I visited a couple taverns looking for adventurers such as yourselves, but no one even looked at me." She looks like she is about to burst into tears at the thought.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
As she begins crying, Muireach’s eyes shimmer a bit browner, and his face becomes determined, “Of course. I will never turn away one in such need.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"So, who were they? What interest do 'green cloaked men' have in you and yours?" Dyoken asks. "Fill in the details and we'll have her back that much sooner. Which way did they go? You have any suspicions on where they'd end up?"
Extended Signature
"I haven't a clue who they are, but they wore strange amulets, honestly they shouted about some Grimmore or such person," Mrs. Yennan confesses, "they headed south, and my husband soon gave chase when he packed some of his potions or such. If I weren't pregnant I would be out there tracking them. They fled in a wagon and my husband followed by horseback. They left some impressions on the ground, I'm sure..."
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Muireach stands up and taps the table to signal for the waitress using gold coin that Oozebeard didn’t take, “Well, I suppose we should be going then.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"They will make off with your children!" Dyoken exclaims, "They'll come after them in the night!" he continues with an odd rhythm...
"So it's time to take some action, boys
It's time to follow us. Through the mist, through the woods, through the darkness and the shadows. It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride.
Say a prayer, then we're there, at the drawbridge of a castle, and there's something truly terrible inside!"
Extended Signature
Muireach heads out and starts humming to himself, “Huh, catchy tune.” After that, he heads to the stables and looks to a tall, white stag, “Mordred! We have a quest. We’re off to save the children!” and saddle himself up.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Dyoken follows after, jerking his head for Merrick and Luthok to join them. His horse, Rocinante, is tied at a post outside. He's a bit slow and thin, past his prime, but a good eager steed.
Extended Signature
Luthok gets up, slowly, and walks hesitantly after the others while mumbling to himself. "Might as well follow 'em out of town before I leave them behind and go home." He gets his spotted donkey, half an ear seems to have been broken off, but she looks like she has been taken good care of. "Cm'ere Toadstool, we are leaving now". It takes the old dwarf about a minute to even get onto his steed.
Now that you see the dwarf standing and walking for the first time you might notice a bad limp. His left thigh seems moist through the brown pants currently adorning the dwarf.
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
Outside the tavern, the sun has begun to set and it will be dark in a couple of hours. You stand on Stant Street, which leads southward toward the southern gates of the walled portion of the city. The Viridian Tankard is one of many taverns nearby, but there are also stores, small inns, and other buildings of service. From where you stand outside the tavern, a particular shop catches your eye. It is a two-story building with a busted door. If you are a local or have been in town for a while, you have definitely heard of this place. It is the shop known as "The Honored Herb" that tends to offer free services to the poor folk of Shepherd's Crossing. Specifically, those who live outside the walls, as there is a growing village just beyond.
Mrs. Yennan follows you lot out as you mount and prepare your horses/buck/donkey. Your mounts all have saddles and saddlebags. She points and seems to be trying to be as helpful as possible, "They went through Gate Ria," she points to the southern gate, "I will be at our shop when you return... please, please bring my husband and daughter home in one piece..."
If you follow the trail of hoofbeats from the apothecary's shop to the gate, you will see that they do not follow the Amber Way, one of the major trade routes that helped the founding of Shepherd's Crossing. Amber Way stretches from the northwest Peaks of Mullivan to the southeast dunes. The tracks lead straight south.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Dyoken hops into Rocinante's saddle and turns to the woman. "We'll return with your family... Mrs. Yennan, was it?"
Extended Signature