The donkey is on its last moments. You are able to comfort the beast as best as you know how as it passes from this world due to a combination of its wounds and general exhaustion.
Seeing the guards approach the scene, Millivent turns to them and tries to begin telling her tale again. "My good gentlemen of the Black Fist, my family owns a peat farm an hour east of Phlan and...." The knights interrupt the woman, waving her off. "An hour away from the city?" they roll their eyes and sigh. "That is too far off our jurisdiction. We are only responsible for investigating matters within the city proper." Millivent manages to deliver a few more pieces of her story to the guards, despite their clear annoyance. While this exchange is going on, you notice that these guards are wearing long chain shirts underneath black tabards embroidered with a field of green nesting a black clenched, gauntleted fist. By their sides, each carries a longsword.
After a few more seconds of this back and forth, one of the guards pulls a small piece of paper from a pouch, and looks around for a capable body, meeting the gaze of one of you. (Randomly selected character: 1. Key: 1-Cato; 2-Graxx; 3-Utar; 4-Rose; 5-Drazzim; 6-Darrius).
The guard hands the piece of paper to you, and orders you and your companions to go investigate. "This paper is a promissory note entitling its bearer to50gpfrom the city’s coffers for services rendered. Bring it and proof of completion of your good deed to the Stojanow Gate, and we will repay you for aiding this citizen where we couldn't."At this, Millivent looks hopeful, turning to the party and saying "Yes, please, save my family and friends! I'll wait for you right in front of the Stojanow Gate."
(Anyone who would say their character has been in Phlan/the Kettle for more than a few days is welcome to roll a history check on the Black Fist).
Edit: Seeing Cato and Drazzim so eager to help, Millivent then reaches out to them, pointing east. "One hour that way. My husband's name is Angus, please find him and our little ones."
Darrius removes his pack now knowing there is no immediate danger, digging through finding his coin pouch. Realizing he only has 4 gold coins left he just gives her his whole pouch. "Here take this, while you're waiting for us to do this get cleaned up and get yourself a meal."
*** If she refuses to take it "No I insist, my sister will have my head if I didn't try and provide some kind of comfort for you."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cato History: 13
Cat takes the paper. "We will see this done." He turns to Utar and Drazzim. "I expect you two are in for another adventure." Then to Rose, Darrius and Graxx, "you three seem able, strong of mind and body. Will you accompany us to recover those the Kobolds--or whatever it may be--spirited away?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
(You guys have a one hour walk to the peat farm ahead of you. Let me know what you guys are doing and saying, and how exactly are you traveling there).
Edit: (Millivent took Darrius’ offering with a thankful smile, after politely trying to refuse it as proper etiquette dictates).
Rose will travel at the center of the group. "So, a peat farm, never heard of one of those before. I always thought peat was dug up with shovels or mined or something. Ah well, I guess we'll see."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Darrius is going to stick to the back of the group, keeping an eye out and keeping to himself, unless someone speaks to him, he doesn't try to give off a rude vibe, he just stays quiet and to himself.
Graxx will travel behind Cato. He has his greataxe on his shoulder as he walks. He seems like a completely different person now that he is out of the Tavern and back in his element on the road heading for battle. He is walking with his chest out and every now and then takes his greataxe off his shoulder to wring his hands around the grip in anticipation. He states to himself and to those close enough to hear him. "Yes... Vengeance will be dealt and Tempus will be pleased."
Utar's and Cato's history check (anyone else succeeding the {DC 10} check mentioned above is also welcome to the spoiler box):
The Order of the Black Fist: Commanded by the Ector Brahms, the Lord Regent of Phlan, the remnants of the Black Fist are charged with maintaining order and discipline in Phlan; a task they are not succeeding at. In the void of the leadership of the Cinnabar Throne, the Knights of the Black Fist have been empowered to act as judge, jury and executioner of the Lord Regent’s will. They dispense justice quickly and harshly and are both feared and reviled by the citizenry of Phlan. The lower ranks of the order are rife with corruption and the acceptance of bribes is common place. While rooted in the clergy of Bane, the Black Fist severed all formal ties decades ago; they still pay lip service, however.
Typical Black Fist Guardsman: The racial demographic of the Black Fist is diverse with a majority of the members being human, dwarves or half-elves; while there are a few elves, half-orcs and halflings, they are fairly uncommon. Most wear a suit of scale armor or chain shirts with tabards, along with a half-helm-- enameled black--and carry a longsword, a truncheon and a kite shield emblazoned with the heraldry of the Black Fist (a field of green with a black clenched, gauntleted fist). Most guardsmen abuse their authority and accept bribes without hesitation.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Rose's history roll: 23) "Those guards had better made good on their deal, payment in full, or... Well, I guess we can't force them to act honorably, there's just too many of them. But it'd be bogus of them."
The road leading out east is well-traveled and muddy. Every step you take leaves a deep footprint and the feeling that your boots are sticking a bit too long to the ground. A light rain pelts your faces, ensuring that the mud is moist throughout the trip. Other than the occasional farmer travelling towards Phlan to either buy supplies or deliver goods, the traversing of the sparsely forested farmland area is quite uneventful.
Twenty minutes into the trip, you finally notice what can only be described as an erratic pattern of donkey footprints, clearly made by a beast of burden who was injured and tired. As if to confirm your finding, droplets of blood also pepper the road, following the donkey steps closely.
Forty minutes into the trip, the environment changes to a boggy scenario. Farmland along the road start becoming more sparse, giving way to mushy, dark-brownish soil that releases a faint acidic scent as you walk by. The farmers you have been spotting in the distance, which until moments ago were working on fields of grain, now dig deep into the soil, as if the dirt itself was the prized harvest, not something growing out of it.
Edit: Right about the hour mark, you come across deep wagon marks on the road, obviously showing that the vehicle haphazardly veered into the road from one of the neighboring peat farms.
"It's not dirt, not yet at least; it's peat, decaying plants that died in a bog." Rose keeps looking around. "Used for fertilizer and such, I believe."
You notice that unlike the other peat farms around, there are no laborers working the lands at the one you now stand. The area is vast, moist, unappealing, and fetid.
Rose's investigation check (not in spoiler box because the party notices it as well once Rose walks over to investigate): One of the sections of the farm has clearly served as the stage for some sort of conflict. The moist soil is turned several times over, with many crawling critters being revealed in the process. You can't be sure of what is mud, peat, or blood in this mess. There are so many chaotic footprints in this portion of the farm, that an uninformed passerby would probably just conclude that the soil was dug up as a result of peat harvesting. Looking around more carefully, however, Rose is able to determine that the chaos of footprints eventually seems to converge towards the east, lending credibility to Millivent's claim that the abducted were taken that way. Unfortunately, a quick glance over yonder reveals that a deep bog awaits those who are eastbound.
(Those that feel so inclined may try to make further sense of the chaotic scene found by Rose and/or find their way within the bog. If so, you are welcome to either call a survival check or a help action to give advantage to someone else's check).
Graxx's animal handling check:
The donkey is on its last moments. You are able to comfort the beast as best as you know how as it passes from this world due to a combination of its wounds and general exhaustion.
Seeing the guards approach the scene, Millivent turns to them and tries to begin telling her tale again. "My good gentlemen of the Black Fist, my family owns a peat farm an hour east of Phlan and...." The knights interrupt the woman, waving her off. "An hour away from the city?" they roll their eyes and sigh. "That is too far off our jurisdiction. We are only responsible for investigating matters within the city proper." Millivent manages to deliver a few more pieces of her story to the guards, despite their clear annoyance. While this exchange is going on, you notice that these guards are wearing long chain shirts underneath black tabards embroidered with a field of green nesting a black clenched, gauntleted fist. By their sides, each carries a longsword.
After a few more seconds of this back and forth, one of the guards pulls a small piece of paper from a pouch, and looks around for a capable body, meeting the gaze of one of you. (Randomly selected character: 1. Key: 1-Cato; 2-Graxx; 3-Utar; 4-Rose; 5-Drazzim; 6-Darrius).
The guard hands the piece of paper to you, and orders you and your companions to go investigate. "This paper is a promissory note entitling its bearer to 50gp from the city’s coffers for services rendered. Bring it and proof of completion of your good deed to the Stojanow Gate, and we will repay you for aiding this citizen where we couldn't." At this, Millivent looks hopeful, turning to the party and saying "Yes, please, save my family and friends! I'll wait for you right in front of the Stojanow Gate."
(Anyone who would say their character has been in Phlan/the Kettle for more than a few days is welcome to roll a history check on the Black Fist).
Edit: Seeing Cato and Drazzim so eager to help, Millivent then reaches out to them, pointing east. "One hour that way. My husband's name is Angus, please find him and our little ones."
Utar tries to recall what he can about the Black Fist.
History - 5
*** Darrius just rolled into town.
Darrius removes his pack now knowing there is no immediate danger, digging through finding his coin pouch. Realizing he only has 4 gold coins left he just gives her his whole pouch. "Here take this, while you're waiting for us to do this get cleaned up and get yourself a meal."
*** If she refuses to take it "No I insist, my sister will have my head if I didn't try and provide some kind of comfort for you."
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
"Scaly little creatures? Kobolds for sure." Hearing about the reward, Rose says "Looks like we have ourselves an adventure!"
Cato History: 13
Cat takes the paper. "We will see this done." He turns to Utar and Drazzim. "I expect you two are in for another adventure." Then to Rose, Darrius and Graxx, "you three seem able, strong of mind and body. Will you accompany us to recover those the Kobolds--or whatever it may be--spirited away?"
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
"I'm in" says Rose, "sounds more fun than another night of juggling daggers for pocket change."
"You know I'm coming."
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
(You guys have a one hour walk to the peat farm ahead of you. Let me know what you guys are doing and saying, and how exactly are you traveling there).
Edit: (Millivent took Darrius’ offering with a thankful smile, after politely trying to refuse it as proper etiquette dictates).
Rose will travel at the center of the group. "So, a peat farm, never heard of one of those before. I always thought peat was dug up with shovels or mined or something. Ah well, I guess we'll see."
Darrius is going to stick to the back of the group, keeping an eye out and keeping to himself, unless someone speaks to him, he doesn't try to give off a rude vibe, he just stays quiet and to himself.
Perception -> 7
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
Cato will stride confidently in front, a smile on his face. He is happy to be on another adventure.
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
Graxx will travel behind Cato. He has his greataxe on his shoulder as he walks. He seems like a completely different person now that he is out of the Tavern and back in his element on the road heading for battle. He is walking with his chest out and every now and then takes his greataxe off his shoulder to wring his hands around the grip in anticipation. He states to himself and to those close enough to hear him. "Yes... Vengeance will be dealt and Tempus will be pleased."
Utar's and Cato's history check (anyone else succeeding the {DC 10} check mentioned above is also welcome to the spoiler box):
The Order of the Black Fist: Commanded by the Ector Brahms, the Lord Regent of Phlan, the remnants of the Black Fist are charged with maintaining order and discipline in Phlan; a task they are not succeeding at. In the void of the leadership of the Cinnabar Throne, the Knights of the Black Fist have been empowered to act as judge, jury and executioner of the Lord Regent’s will. They dispense justice quickly and harshly and are both feared and reviled by the citizenry of Phlan. The lower ranks of the order are rife with corruption and the acceptance of bribes is common place. While rooted in the clergy of Bane, the Black Fist severed all formal ties decades ago; they still pay lip service, however.
Typical Black Fist Guardsman: The racial demographic of the Black Fist is diverse with a majority of the members being human, dwarves or half-elves; while there are a few elves, half-orcs and halflings, they are fairly uncommon. Most wear a suit of scale armor or chain shirts with tabards, along with a half-helm-- enameled black--and carry a longsword, a truncheon and a kite shield emblazoned with the heraldry of the Black Fist (a field of green with a black clenched, gauntleted fist). Most guardsmen abuse their authority and accept bribes without hesitation.
(Rose's history roll: 23) "Those guards had better made good on their deal, payment in full, or... Well, I guess we can't force them to act honorably, there's just too many of them. But it'd be bogus of them."
The road leading out east is well-traveled and muddy. Every step you take leaves a deep footprint and the feeling that your boots are sticking a bit too long to the ground. A light rain pelts your faces, ensuring that the mud is moist throughout the trip. Other than the occasional farmer travelling towards Phlan to either buy supplies or deliver goods, the traversing of the sparsely forested farmland area is quite uneventful.
Darrius' perception check:
Twenty minutes into the trip, you finally notice what can only be described as an erratic pattern of donkey footprints, clearly made by a beast of burden who was injured and tired. As if to confirm your finding, droplets of blood also pepper the road, following the donkey steps closely.
Forty minutes into the trip, the environment changes to a boggy scenario. Farmland along the road start becoming more sparse, giving way to mushy, dark-brownish soil that releases a faint acidic scent as you walk by. The farmers you have been spotting in the distance, which until moments ago were working on fields of grain, now dig deep into the soil, as if the dirt itself was the prized harvest, not something growing out of it.
Edit: Right about the hour mark, you come across deep wagon marks on the road, obviously showing that the vehicle haphazardly veered into the road from one of the neighboring peat farms.
"This is our stop, I think." Rose will perform a cursory investigation of the scene. (17)
While Rose checks the scene, Graxx asks the group, “Any of you lot local? What’s the deal with the dirt?”
"It's not dirt, not yet at least; it's peat, decaying plants that died in a bog." Rose keeps looking around. "Used for fertilizer and such, I believe."
You notice that unlike the other peat farms around, there are no laborers working the lands at the one you now stand. The area is vast, moist, unappealing, and fetid.
Rose's investigation check (not in spoiler box because the party notices it as well once Rose walks over to investigate): One of the sections of the farm has clearly served as the stage for some sort of conflict. The moist soil is turned several times over, with many crawling critters being revealed in the process. You can't be sure of what is mud, peat, or blood in this mess. There are so many chaotic footprints in this portion of the farm, that an uninformed passerby would probably just conclude that the soil was dug up as a result of peat harvesting. Looking around more carefully, however, Rose is able to determine that the chaos of footprints eventually seems to converge towards the east, lending credibility to Millivent's claim that the abducted were taken that way. Unfortunately, a quick glance over yonder reveals that a deep bog awaits those who are eastbound.
(Those that feel so inclined may try to make further sense of the chaotic scene found by Rose and/or find their way within the bog. If so, you are welcome to either call a survival check or a help action to give advantage to someone else's check).
Darrius will provide a Help action and attempt helping someone look about the scene without messing it up even further.
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson