It is 1489 DR the year of the Warrior Princess. The town of Greenest was founded by the halfling Dharva Scatterheart, a rogue who fancied herself the queen of the Greenfields. Scatterheart passed away without ever achieving that level of eminence, but her town grew into a thriving community. Its success isn’t surprising, since Greenest is the only town of any size astride the Uldoon Trail, the most direct road between the eastern cities of the Dragon Coast, Cormyr, and Sembia with the Coast Way running south to the great cities of Amn, Tethyr, and far Calimshan. The trade caravans that pass through Greenest bring gold to the town’s merchants and craftsfolk, and Governor Nighthill runs the town at the behest of the inhabitants.
Thatcher's Rest is the only Inn that has a large stable yard to accommodate travelers and merchants as they come through.
Northeast of town is the only Mill that processes all the harvested grains.
To the east is the Temple of Chauntea who is led by Eadyan Falconmoon, a level-headed half-elf priest.
In the center of town is Dharva Market where the farmers and merchants sell their wares and produce.
South of town is the keep that is the only defense against attackers
It is currently Fall and the holiday Highharvestide has just passed. There is still a festive atmosphere here in Greenest as neighbors' gossip and laugh or drink the day away. Greenest is very welcoming of newcomers as every new person brings more news of far-off lands. Thatcher's Rest is filled with locals, merchants, and their bodyguards. Dharva market still have several delicacies such as shepherd's pie and sweets from Baldur's Gate. Eadyan Falconmoon the priest of Chauntea is blessing the townsfolk in hopes of a bountiful harvest next year.
It is currently nightfall and there is a half-moon in the sky filled with drifting clouds and a starry night. Greenest is surround by farms and rolling grasslands.
Please introduce your characters and describe what are they doing in Greenest this evening.
Krackle would pause a moment, leaning against a tree. He would look up towards the moon as a light wind blew across his crimson colored scales. The moonlight reflected off of them slightly as he lowered the hood of his dark tan cloak and took a deep breath through his nostrils. The kobold had never been outside of Baldur's Gate and until recently, and his clawed feet ached after what seemed like weeks of walking. After taking a few more deep breaths he would lift the hood once more and begin trudging towards the glowing lights of Greenest. Clutching his bag tightly in his hands, he would cautiously enter the town.. walking along the side of the street while avoiding getting too close to any townsfolk that might be out after dark. The smell of hot food and the rumbling of his stomach would lead him to the large doorway of the Thatcher's Rest.
upon reaching the inn, Krackle would simply stand there... the light spilling from the inn illuminating the small figure in the night. He would continue clutching his bag... even harder now as his clawed fingers threatened to penetrate the leather fabric. Eventually after a few long moments, he would make his way inside the establishment... hoping to find something to eat and maybe... for the first time in his life... a bed to sleep in.
Ironthar is one such bodyguards down at Thatcher’s Rest. He sits at the corner table with a big tankard of spiced ale in his hand. Living in the Sword Coast had its benefit, nothing in the Shadowfell taste this good. He enjoys his drinks while quietly observing the various people coming and going throughout
Ironthar is a tall and imposing figure, even in sitting position he still loomed large in the corner of the tavern. His raven feathered black cloak also added to his menacing figure. He is of elven descent but his skin is in a color of ash. His hair is the same color as his outfit and had been growing long. Resting on the wall beside him is a vicious looking glaive, its black blade decorated with beautiful etching of plumage.
Sterling arrived in town a few of days ago. Weary from his travels (it also being his first time leaving the temple over night) he went to the Temple to Chauntea to present himself to Priest Eadyan Falconmoon and request permission to provide Sunrise services in the town square for Lathander.
His mornings have been spent serving the few awaken in town and the other who seek the blessings of Lathander his afternoons he has been assisting Falconmoon how ever he can.
This evening his is helping bless the town folks alongside Falconmoon, praying for a fresh dawn on their next growing cycle.
Stirling is laughing and joking with the passersby between blessings and us enjoying the evening.
Zuawarzyk Zaranski watches the two grumpy gentlemen standing up from his table and gives them a consoling frown. “Sorry, mates. That was bad luck on your part, that deuce filling my boat like that. C’mon, sit back down, lemme give you a chance to win your coin back…” Alas, they had run out of coin and luck on the same hand. The larger of the two grumbles and turns back to say it starts something but his friend holds him back and they depart.
Now sitting along, Zuawarzyc Zaranski shuffles the cards, takes a drink, and eyes the tavern for more potential marks. “Friendly game, anyone?” He calls out sociably. Zuawarzyc “Zeds” Zaranski has the look of the road about him - broken in and worn, but we’ll tended to leather armor and boots, rapier at his side and a dagger or two on the other, eyes that seem to see a lot without needing to dart around and an easy confidence and friendliness with strangers of all sorts. One could almost mistake him for a traveling bard if his colorful clothes were a bit brighter or he showed any talent at all for music. He looks.. human. Or maybe human and a mix of… something? It’s hard to peg, exactly, and he likes to keep it vague.
“You! Come my short friend, have a game and a drink with me!” Zeds calls out to the Kobold who just entered and is clutching their bag as if it was a child’s first stuffed animal. “Stop letting the night in. Close the door and come sit. Drink. Play…”
“And you! Dark and broody! Bring your drink on over and join us,” he calls out to the ashen elf as well. “Winning a few hands would surely cheer you up, no?”
“Open invitation,” Zeds calls out to the bar as a whole. “Friendly game, some spirits, some chatter… why else you even hear?”
Krackle would wince and look around quickly as the man at the table calls out to him... slowly raising a clawed finger towards his own chest. "I.. uhh.. OK." The kobold would sputter as he slowly made his way towards the open chair. He would toss his bag onto the chair before climbing onto the chair and sitting on it. Taking his seat upon the bag allowed him to both ensure that he knew where his bag was at all times and also allowed him to see up onto the table. "I.. I don't think I wanna play any games.. Unless it is just for fun... I don't have many coins and I gotta make'em last.." He would say with a tiny frown. "My name is krackle... like uhh.. Kinda like the sound of burning wood..." After introducing himself he would raise his tiny hand and struggle to get the attention of a barmaid. "Hello... Hi... Umm.. Oh sorry... Hey.. Can I get uhh.. oh sorry.." After a few unsuccessful attempts at getting service in the busy tavern, Krackle would lower his hand and slouch in the chair, his small shoulders slumping. "What's your name mister? Is.. is there a trick to getting some food? I.. I'm not very good at getting attention. I don't really like doing it much." the Kobold would ask as his stomach lets out a low grumble.
Zeds puts a coin between his fingers, holds it high in the air and lets out a whistle. Once one of the waitresses turns and sees him he smiles and gives her a nod beckoning her over once she’s a moment. “They’ll be right here to take your order,” he assures his new friend.
“Name is Zuawarzyc Zaranski but that’s a bit much, eh? Most just call me ‘Zeds’ and that works for me,” Zeds says and reaches over to shake hands. “Nice to meet you, Krackle. Where you from?”
Zeds listens to whatever Krackle shares, or doesn’t, while shuffling and reshuffling the cards. He deliberately is not flashy with his shuffles and in fact sprays the cards out ‘accidentally’ once or twice. “Friendly game is fine. Have to pass the time somehow, am I right?”
“Cheat? Moi?” Zeds says with overly dramatic wounded pride. “I wouldn’t even know how!”
“Besides, my new friend Krackle here prefers not to wager… So how about we just keep it social for now? I’m Zeds, by the way and you are…?”
As the evening blessing are wrapped up Eadyan Falconmoon the priest of Chauntea turns to Sterling "Let's have dinner together and I will pay since you have been very helpful during one of my busiest nights. Do you mind getting a table at Thatcher's Rest, as I know that may be hard to do this night. I will meet you there after I talk to Mayden as he seems in need of someone right now." Afterwards Eadyan Falconmoon ushers a man in his 50s into his office at the back of the temple.
The busy waitress, a woman in her 20s with auburn hair, makes her way through the crowded Inn and stands ready to take your order. She looks at the trio and asks "What will ye be having? ale, mead, beef stew, or barbequed boar?"
"Hello mister Zeds and Mister Ironthar" Krackle would say as he quickly glances between the two much larger figures. When Zeds asked the kobold about where he was from he would look down towards his dangling feet.. "Umm well... I am from a pretty big city... Much different than here." He would offer as he tried to avoid answering the question with too much detail.
When the waitress arrives at the table a large toothy smile spreads across the small kobolds face. "Oh hi! I've never had any of those things before..." He would reply. "Maybe the Mead and the boar? Do you know how much that would be? It isn't that many coins right? I have some coins but I don't want to spend them all at once.." Krackle's clawed hand would pull a small leather pouch from inside his cloak, clutching it tightly. He would open it just far enough that he can take a peek inside and count his coins while waiting for the response from the waitress. When he hears the price he would hesitate for a moment before carefully counting out the coins and handing them to her one by one.
After she leaves, Krackle would turn to look towards Zed and Ironthar. His eyes would widen a bit and he would start to bob up and down a bit with excitement. "I want to learn how to play! I've never played real cards before!" he would exclaim.
Sterling walks into the Tavern a bit out of place. He looks around with a huge smile on his face, having not spent anytime in taverns growing up, each visit to once had been a treat.
He starts looking for an open table. Not seeing one he walks up to the bar to have one reserved.
My Lord can you have the waitress hold the first table for Priest Falconmoon as soon as one is free?
Not sure what the gesture the Bartender ment, he assumes it's an affirmative gesture and walks around. Seeing the card game he walks over.
"Oh, hello!" Krackle would say with a smile, his hands quickly tucking his coin purse back into the safety of his cloak. "We are going to play cards! I have seen some cards before never played with them, I was never allowed to play with them." He would add. "My name's Krackle! Kind of like the sound burning wood makes.... This nice man asked me and Mister Ironthar to sit with him and play. Are you nice too?" he would ask while gesturing towards Zeds and Ironthar before glancing back towards the deck of cards.
I'm like to think I'm nice. Nice to meet you Mirster Krackle, Ironthar and you sir? My name is Stirling. May I join your game? Though I'm afraid I am a novice at games of kill and chance.
Zeds smiles as he hears both of his new friends needs the games taught to them. Could it be this easy? he thinks to himself. Though his excitement ebbs a bit as he hears Krackle mention just how broke he is.
"And an ale for myself, and a bowl of stew," Zeds says giving the waitress the coin he held up earlier and flashing her a smile. "Bring Ironthar here another drink as well. On me."
Zeds starts shuffling the cards and begins explaining the basic gameplay of a simple type of poker. It's not the fastest or most exciting game but an easy one to learn. He's tempted to press Krackle about where he is from but he recognizes the little one isn't in a sharing mood. He can't say he hasn't been there himself before. Ironthar... Well Zeds is having thoughts about whether he wants to set this fellow up or not. He at least sounds like he has coin to lose... But he doesn't exactly seem a pushover. As he's dealing out a basic hand to show them the turns of play and such he spots more company arriving at the table.
"Another novice, is it?" Zeds says with a friendly smile and an invitation for Stirling to sit. "You three aren't setting me up, are ya's? Old pays trying to pull one over on the new guy in town??"
He jokes but Zeds isn't entirely joking. It seems just too good to be true and with a bit of a suppressed sigh he resigns himself to merely passing the night teaching these three poker. Fair enough, he already won a bit today. No need to push things and gain a reputation here in Greenest too quickly...
The waitress takes the coins and soon returns with the drinks and strew. The night is idyllic until you hear heavy leathery wing flaps followed by something you will remember for the rest of your days. A massive bolt of lightning rips through Thatcher's Rest instantly killing 10 people including the waitress. The stench of ionized air and burnt flesh assaults your senses. Looking up through the massive hole in the ceiling you see blue scales on a massive beast. Then comes the immeasurably deep roar of a beast as it rains more destruction on Greenest.
Panic sets in and people are screaming as they run while others stand still in shock. There is a deep groan from the timbers of the Inn, the rest of the roof is collapsing. The Innkeeper yells out "Get to the keep!"
It is 1489 DR the year of the Warrior Princess. The town of Greenest was founded by the halfling Dharva Scatterheart, a rogue who fancied herself the queen of the Greenfields. Scatterheart passed away without ever achieving that level of eminence, but her town grew into a thriving community. Its success isn’t surprising, since Greenest is the only town of any size astride the Uldoon Trail, the most direct road between the eastern cities of the Dragon Coast, Cormyr, and Sembia with the Coast Way running south to the great cities of Amn, Tethyr, and far Calimshan. The trade caravans that pass through Greenest bring gold to the town’s merchants and craftsfolk, and Governor Nighthill runs the town at the behest of the inhabitants.
It is currently Fall and the holiday Highharvestide has just passed. There is still a festive atmosphere here in Greenest as neighbors' gossip and laugh or drink the day away. Greenest is very welcoming of newcomers as every new person brings more news of far-off lands. Thatcher's Rest is filled with locals, merchants, and their bodyguards. Dharva market still have several delicacies such as shepherd's pie and sweets from Baldur's Gate. Eadyan Falconmoon the priest of Chauntea is blessing the townsfolk in hopes of a bountiful harvest next year.
It is currently nightfall and there is a half-moon in the sky filled with drifting clouds and a starry night. Greenest is surround by farms and rolling grasslands.
Please introduce your characters and describe what are they doing in Greenest this evening.
Here is some ambience to get you immersed in Greenest
Krackle would pause a moment, leaning against a tree. He would look up towards the moon as a light wind blew across his crimson colored scales. The moonlight reflected off of them slightly as he lowered the hood of his dark tan cloak and took a deep breath through his nostrils. The kobold had never been outside of Baldur's Gate and until recently, and his clawed feet ached after what seemed like weeks of walking. After taking a few more deep breaths he would lift the hood once more and begin trudging towards the glowing lights of Greenest. Clutching his bag tightly in his hands, he would cautiously enter the town.. walking along the side of the street while avoiding getting too close to any townsfolk that might be out after dark. The smell of hot food and the rumbling of his stomach would lead him to the large doorway of the Thatcher's Rest.
upon reaching the inn, Krackle would simply stand there... the light spilling from the inn illuminating the small figure in the night. He would continue clutching his bag... even harder now as his clawed fingers threatened to penetrate the leather fabric. Eventually after a few long moments, he would make his way inside the establishment... hoping to find something to eat and maybe... for the first time in his life... a bed to sleep in.
Character art just in case**
Ironthar is one such bodyguards down at Thatcher’s Rest. He sits at the corner table with a big tankard of spiced ale in his hand. Living in the Sword Coast had its benefit, nothing in the Shadowfell taste this good. He enjoys his drinks while quietly observing the various people coming and going throughout
Ironthar is a tall and imposing figure, even in sitting position he still loomed large in the corner of the tavern. His raven feathered black cloak also added to his menacing figure. He is of elven descent but his skin is in a color of ash. His hair is the same color as his outfit and had been growing long. Resting on the wall beside him is a vicious looking glaive, its black blade decorated with beautiful etching of plumage.
Sterling arrived in town a few of days ago. Weary from his travels (it also being his first time leaving the temple over night) he went to the Temple to Chauntea to present himself to Priest Eadyan Falconmoon and request permission to provide Sunrise services in the town square for Lathander.
His mornings have been spent serving the few awaken in town and the other who seek the blessings of Lathander his afternoons he has been assisting Falconmoon how ever he can.
This evening his is helping bless the town folks alongside Falconmoon, praying for a fresh dawn on their next growing cycle.
Stirling is laughing and joking with the passersby between blessings and us enjoying the evening.
Zuawarzyk Zaranski watches the two grumpy gentlemen standing up from his table and gives them a consoling frown. “Sorry, mates. That was bad luck on your part, that deuce filling my boat like that. C’mon, sit back down, lemme give you a chance to win your coin back…” Alas, they had run out of coin and luck on the same hand. The larger of the two grumbles and turns back to say it starts something but his friend holds him back and they depart.
Now sitting along, Zuawarzyc Zaranski shuffles the cards, takes a drink, and eyes the tavern for more potential marks. “Friendly game, anyone?” He calls out sociably. Zuawarzyc “Zeds” Zaranski has the look of the road about him - broken in and worn, but we’ll tended to leather armor and boots, rapier at his side and a dagger or two on the other, eyes that seem to see a lot without needing to dart around and an easy confidence and friendliness with strangers of all sorts. One could almost mistake him for a traveling bard if his colorful clothes were a bit brighter or he showed any talent at all for music. He looks.. human. Or maybe human and a mix of… something? It’s hard to peg, exactly, and he likes to keep it vague.
“You! Come my short friend, have a game and a drink with me!” Zeds calls out to the Kobold who just entered and is clutching their bag as if it was a child’s first stuffed animal. “Stop letting the night in. Close the door and come sit. Drink. Play…”
“And you! Dark and broody! Bring your drink on over and join us,” he calls out to the ashen elf as well. “Winning a few hands would surely cheer you up, no?”
“Open invitation,” Zeds calls out to the bar as a whole. “Friendly game, some spirits, some chatter… why else you even hear?”
Krackle would wince and look around quickly as the man at the table calls out to him... slowly raising a clawed finger towards his own chest. "I.. uhh.. OK." The kobold would sputter as he slowly made his way towards the open chair. He would toss his bag onto the chair before climbing onto the chair and sitting on it. Taking his seat upon the bag allowed him to both ensure that he knew where his bag was at all times and also allowed him to see up onto the table. "I.. I don't think I wanna play any games.. Unless it is just for fun... I don't have many coins and I gotta make'em last.." He would say with a tiny frown. "My name is krackle... like uhh.. Kinda like the sound of burning wood..." After introducing himself he would raise his tiny hand and struggle to get the attention of a barmaid. "Hello... Hi... Umm.. Oh sorry... Hey.. Can I get uhh.. oh sorry.." After a few unsuccessful attempts at getting service in the busy tavern, Krackle would lower his hand and slouch in the chair, his small shoulders slumping. "What's your name mister? Is.. is there a trick to getting some food? I.. I'm not very good at getting attention. I don't really like doing it much." the Kobold would ask as his stomach lets out a low grumble.
Ironthar grunts at the human at the gambling table.
“Hrrggh. Fine, I just got my gold might as well wager it!” He said and started walking towards Zeds.
“Don’t even think of cheating or my tankard would be in your skull.” He slams his tankard down on the table.
Ironthar then sits in front of the human man and places a gold coin on the table.
“What’s the game? Dice, Cards?”
He didn’t notice the small Kobold has also joined them on the table.
Zeds puts a coin between his fingers, holds it high in the air and lets out a whistle. Once one of the waitresses turns and sees him he smiles and gives her a nod beckoning her over once she’s a moment. “They’ll be right here to take your order,” he assures his new friend.
“Name is Zuawarzyc Zaranski but that’s a bit much, eh? Most just call me ‘Zeds’ and that works for me,” Zeds says and reaches over to shake hands. “Nice to meet you, Krackle. Where you from?”
Zeds listens to whatever Krackle shares, or doesn’t, while shuffling and reshuffling the cards. He deliberately is not flashy with his shuffles and in fact sprays the cards out ‘accidentally’ once or twice. “Friendly game is fine. Have to pass the time somehow, am I right?”
“Cheat? Moi?” Zeds says with overly dramatic wounded pride. “I wouldn’t even know how!”
“Besides, my new friend Krackle here prefers not to wager… So how about we just keep it social for now? I’m Zeds, by the way and you are…?”
As the evening blessing are wrapped up Eadyan Falconmoon the priest of Chauntea turns to Sterling "Let's have dinner together and I will pay since you have been very helpful during one of my busiest nights. Do you mind getting a table at Thatcher's Rest, as I know that may be hard to do this night. I will meet you there after I talk to Mayden as he seems in need of someone right now." Afterwards Eadyan Falconmoon ushers a man in his 50s into his office at the back of the temple.
The busy waitress, a woman in her 20s with auburn hair, makes her way through the crowded Inn and stands ready to take your order. She looks at the trio and asks "What will ye be having? ale, mead, beef stew, or barbequed boar?"
“Ironthar!” He said to the man followed by a grunt.
“Free game’s fine, but I need a drink if I win.” He proceed to drink from his tankard before ordering a beef stew to the waitress..
He finally sees the small kobold and look at him curiously before going back to the human.
“So explain me how to play this card game!”
"Hello mister Zeds and Mister Ironthar" Krackle would say as he quickly glances between the two much larger figures. When Zeds asked the kobold about where he was from he would look down towards his dangling feet.. "Umm well... I am from a pretty big city... Much different than here." He would offer as he tried to avoid answering the question with too much detail.
When the waitress arrives at the table a large toothy smile spreads across the small kobolds face. "Oh hi! I've never had any of those things before..." He would reply. "Maybe the Mead and the boar? Do you know how much that would be? It isn't that many coins right? I have some coins but I don't want to spend them all at once.." Krackle's clawed hand would pull a small leather pouch from inside his cloak, clutching it tightly. He would open it just far enough that he can take a peek inside and count his coins while waiting for the response from the waitress. When he hears the price he would hesitate for a moment before carefully counting out the coins and handing them to her one by one.
After she leaves, Krackle would turn to look towards Zed and Ironthar. His eyes would widen a bit and he would start to bob up and down a bit with excitement. "I want to learn how to play! I've never played real cards before!" he would exclaim.
"It's 1 silver for the boar and 5 coppers for the drink" says the waitress.
Sterling walks into the Tavern a bit out of place. He looks around with a huge smile on his face, having not spent anytime in taverns growing up, each visit to once had been a treat.
He starts looking for an open table. Not seeing one he walks up to the bar to have one reserved.
My Lord can you have the waitress hold the first table for Priest Falconmoon as soon as one is free?
Not sure what the gesture the Bartender ment, he assumes it's an affirmative gesture and walks around. Seeing the card game he walks over.
What manner of game is this my new friends?
The Innkeeper a big bear of man nods in affirmation as he knows the priest well.
"Oh, hello!" Krackle would say with a smile, his hands quickly tucking his coin purse back into the safety of his cloak. "We are going to play cards! I have seen some cards before never played with them, I was never allowed to play with them." He would add. "My name's Krackle! Kind of like the sound burning wood makes.... This nice man asked me and Mister Ironthar to sit with him and play. Are you nice too?" he would ask while gesturing towards Zeds and Ironthar before glancing back towards the deck of cards.
I'm like to think I'm nice. Nice to meet you Mirster Krackle, Ironthar and you sir? My name is Stirling. May I join your game? Though I'm afraid I am a novice at games of kill and chance.
Zeds smiles as he hears both of his new friends needs the games taught to them. Could it be this easy? he thinks to himself. Though his excitement ebbs a bit as he hears Krackle mention just how broke he is.
"And an ale for myself, and a bowl of stew," Zeds says giving the waitress the coin he held up earlier and flashing her a smile. "Bring Ironthar here another drink as well. On me."
Zeds starts shuffling the cards and begins explaining the basic gameplay of a simple type of poker. It's not the fastest or most exciting game but an easy one to learn. He's tempted to press Krackle about where he is from but he recognizes the little one isn't in a sharing mood. He can't say he hasn't been there himself before. Ironthar... Well Zeds is having thoughts about whether he wants to set this fellow up or not. He at least sounds like he has coin to lose... But he doesn't exactly seem a pushover. As he's dealing out a basic hand to show them the turns of play and such he spots more company arriving at the table.
"Another novice, is it?" Zeds says with a friendly smile and an invitation for Stirling to sit. "You three aren't setting me up, are ya's? Old pays trying to pull one over on the new guy in town??"
He jokes but Zeds isn't entirely joking. It seems just too good to be true and with a bit of a suppressed sigh he resigns himself to merely passing the night teaching these three poker. Fair enough, he already won a bit today. No need to push things and gain a reputation here in Greenest too quickly...
The waitress takes the coins and soon returns with the drinks and strew. The night is idyllic until you hear heavy leathery wing flaps followed by something you will remember for the rest of your days. A massive bolt of lightning rips through Thatcher's Rest instantly killing 10 people including the waitress. The stench of ionized air and burnt flesh assaults your senses. Looking up through the massive hole in the ceiling you see blue scales on a massive beast. Then comes the immeasurably deep roar of a beast as it rains more destruction on Greenest.
Panic sets in and people are screaming as they run while others stand still in shock. There is a deep groan from the timbers of the Inn, the rest of the roof is collapsing. The Innkeeper yells out "Get to the keep!"