Greetings, I am a veteran player and game master (GM Mostly) of forty years and am looking to begin a game. Now, to be honest, this is my first time using D&D Beyond and expect it to be a bit of a learning curve. It's also been about five years since my last game which was ran using 5th edition. While I would prefer to use 3.5, of which I have an extensive collection, 5th will do. I expect that I'll borrow heavily from 3.5 so I'll be up front about that. I am a native of Des Moines, which is in Iowa in case you didn't know but have a erratic work schedule (and another concern) that makes it difficult to be part of a table top group. I have ran and played PBM and PBP over the years, but not using this sort of format. I'm a bit behind the technical side of things I'd guess. For the moment I am looking for 1-4 reasonable players, preferably ones mature enough (and familiar enough) to know that a PBP requires attention regularly to work smoothly. While I would like to post a turn daily, I will be shooting for three (3) or more a week. I am quite comfortable running separate story lines if need be and weaving them into a larger story. The campaign will probably begin slow as we get a feel of each others strengths and weaknesses then develop into a deeper story. As I said above, the system is new to me so it may take a few tries to understand how to use D&D Beyond effectively, adding maps, images, etc. My budget is limited so I doubt that I will be 'purchasing' expansions that are offered so we're pretty much stuck with the generic character options provided for free, at least for simplicity's sake. Since this may qualify as a session zero, I shall add that I am comfortable with most reasonable, mature content and behaviors. I am not keen on player's rolling over characters just for the sake of it. Danger is part of the game, so death (and worse) can happen, so replacing a lost character will be addressed as it comes. As a GM I am open minded to all races, colors, creeds, or whatever, but frown upon real world politics, social issues, and moral judgements in-game. Just saying. I have an rough idea for the campaign but since I'm trying to knock off the rust and get back into the GM groove I will be developing as we go. I will be utilizing some of my Judge's Guild material as a starting foundation. Some of it will feed off of the characters and their actions within the game. While I am not adverse to a dungeon crawl, I prefer to have a bit more depth to a game so not all situations will require a hammer. Not if I can guide it properly, anyway. If you are interested, please include a brief bio of yourself and what type of race/class you'd like to play when you post. Thank you for your consideration, Rick.
Rick - I too am a veteran player (started with AD&D in Middle School!) I have a fair amount of experience DMing PbP's and quite a bit more playing via PbP, so I'm very happy to join your game and enjoy the ride! I share your sentiments - I like Role playing more than just Roll playing, and have seen great examples of both! One thing I highly recommend as a PbP DM is to get a web-based folder, like Google Drive, and base your map and any other handout-type items there. Here is a link to one folder with some maps, etc for an idea. I can chat separately how I made the maps if you want =)
I live in NOVA (Northern Virginia) and am pretty consistent posting - but usually only once per day and in the evening. I do travel some, and will let you know before I go. If I can access the internet while I'm gone I will try and post, but you know how that goes sometimes! I don't usually write a lot each post, but I do try to add a bit more description than just, 'I hit the kobold.'
I have a character recently developed that I could use (the game fell apart almost immediately =(. Livvi is a half-elf bard - see the spoiler for background info.
Livvi is a young female half-elf with long, sandy-brown hair and emerald green eyes. Her skin is lightly tanned, and she is slim and about five and a half feet tall. She looks like a wealthy merchant's daughter. When you first meet her, she is wearing a nice dress in the current fashion, her hair is loose and covers her ears.
Livvi is a bad girl. The kind of girl that the boys fall all over themselves for. The kind of girl who gets what she wants. Always. The kind of girl who can cut you with a casual comment, enthrall you with a gentle touch, or drive you to the point of madness with whisper in your ear and a light caress on your neck. The kind of girl who looks like an angel but is anything but...the kind of girl most simple folk have no chance against. Growing up, Livvi always knew that she was different. Special. Even as a half-elf, she was offered anything she wanted and led a comfortable life. And Livvi liked that. She learned how to smile at the right time, to act shy or be bold, and always - always - win.
This lasted well until her early teens, when the other girls started hating her for her beauty and popularity, and the older boys started treating her differently. But not in a good way. It was also a time when she discovered the magic in names and words, how with a musical instrument or her voice alone she could alter the world around her to suit her needs. The first time she manifested this power was when some of the other girls decided it might be time to "knock the crown of the princess." Livvi wasn't happy - not at all - and she hurled a string of nasty insults at them. The effect, combined with her developing magical abilities, were devastating. And thus she started to study both arcane and mundane arts of influencing others.
Livvi had a life of modest wealth and privilege. She was classically trained in music, poetry, and court etiquette. (Think of the daughter in an 1800's minor nobility household.) Her favorite teacher was a bard of minor talent, and taught her the basics of the trade. Livvi soon surpassed him in raw power, and her devious and selfish use of her arcane powers frightened him. Of course, her parents could not believe the teacher's lies of the craven things that their beautiful daughter could do with her voice, and so he was let go in disgrace.
In her late teens, Livvi sought out additional masters and training, gravitating to the darker artists and powerful bards in the area. Her appetite for power and magic grew, and she dabbled in questionable practices. At 20, she had made several 'acquaintances' in the thieves' guild...Now she is on the move, having gotten involved in something WAY above her head, and someone she actually cared about died. An innocent person is in prison for it - but Livvi is OK with that.
Started D&D when I was in middle school, too - seems that's a common thread among the mid-gen players. Had a gap in play between then and my early 30s... but I always saved up my lunch money to buy the novels and the compendium (never bought an adventure, just in case I got the chance to play it... Childhood naivety... Haha).
Like I said, I reconnected with the hobby maybe five or so years ago and was lucky enough to play in a weekly game that saw us move from Faerun to Spelljammer. Since then, I've tried my hand at DMing, although due to schedules and moving, it fell into a permanent hiatus. I compensated for that by joining this website and playing in a few PbPs. Most go the wayward side of inactivity and sort of fizzle, but I've been lucky to be a part of one that has had legs on it for over a year. So checking this site is a daily ritual for me. I'm in the EST time zone.
Rhanloi gave you some solid ideas for the offline maps and what not. Although, I am also completely on board with theater of the mind, too. I've also noticed a lot of groups supplement the PbP with Discord (a free to use online group chat service that doesn't require sharing personal contact info) for out of character/game comments, questions and just for notifications regarding when they've posted.
Regarding the character I want to play, I'll be honest. I'm not quite sure yet. Character creation is one of my favorite aspects, so I actually have an extensive roster. Lately, I take the approach of waiting to see what others in the group build and find something that would compliment the group (mechanic wise). I also take into account how ability scores are generated because I use that to build on character traits and personality. Recently, however, I've been playing wizards and clerics it seems. I wouldn't mind a change of pace. Regarding playable races, it would depend on what the world your building, but I can say that given your focus is on role vs roll, I'm likely to build something that may be "off stereotype." For example, two of my favorite recent builds are a half-dow paladin and a half-orc cleric. A friend of mine created a pair of Dwarven Brothers (my reckless barbarian to his older more responsible monk), unfortunately that campaign faded which we were saddened about.
Point is - I'm open on character creation for now. I like constraints and working with others because I feel it'll force me to be more creative.
Thank you, Rick, for offering to share your time and world with others.
By the by, this thread is marked 'Private,' which may limit the people who look at it...If you want to open it up, see if you can change it to Public and Recruiting. =)
If you're still looking for players I would love to play I usually play a rogue. New here to d&d beyond.
I have played for two years D&D 5e and a group on Sundays. I myself am very new here haven't played a play by post yet still trying to figure it out but I love to play with your group.
I like the character's bio, it shows a lot of promise as well as skill on your part for story telling. I kept the thing private because I hoped to avoid a ton of replies. I'm experienced enough with PBM an PBP to know players tend to come and go, sometimes with shocking regularity, but my intention is to keep the 'story' going. So I figure if someone leaves, I can reopen for recruitment while in game, characters drift away, die, are captured, or are 'lured away'. Plenty of ways to spin it so it deepens the 'story'. I'm still trying to figure out just 'what' the story/quest will be at the moment but have settled on a vary old school game setting. Most will probably have to google Judges Guild to get it, but, as I've said, I've been at it for a while now. As much a hobby as obsession. My job schedules are erratic to say the best (tomorrow I work about 3-5 hours in the morning and another 2 at 10pm), and daily changes are not uncommon. Makes it hard to sit down at a regular table these days. I've been in a gaming hiatus for probably five years or so. Had some family issues and other things that I had to focus on. I keep busy mostly by vlogging about this beloved hobby on my YT channel and a few others. To show my intent, I went out yesterday and bought a 5th edition Player's Handbook. I'll grab the GM Guide next month. I pretty much have most of 3.5, 2nd edition and a load of others. Bought my Judges Guild stuff in the mid 80's and still have it. Anyway, some players may find my style enjoyable, other's frustrating. We won't know until we know. Anyway...
It sounds like a group's forming. One of the issues I've been stumbling about with is posting maps. A few months ago I started to get a Twilight 2000 PBP going using G+ but it fell apart fairly quickly, mostly because several players couldn't grasp the idea of timely responses. Another swears that it takes more time than a sit down game using Roll20. I've heard of Discord but haven't investigated it yet, as well as several map making programs. It's a work in progress and I always feel behind the times with the technical side of things.
Rick, I tend to use Pinterest (example here) myself to warehouse my campaign images so DM and players can refer there as needed. Also, it is easy to link to an image there and post it here on DDB as desired be it maps, images, etc. as the example in the spoiler below. I like Discord for OOC but not for in character play as I prefer DDB menu options and dice roller etc. but I hear DDB in the future may plan to do something with Discord so this might change maybe. The timely response thing is an ongoing issue for all PbP's... it just comes down the group of players you get together. Also, most DM's keep their campaign manager link private to avoid just anyone following and filling up your campaign uninvited but most people are respectful but sometimes... surprises happen.
Well, hopefully I have set it so that people won't just drop in. I'm not looking for a college of characters to manage. I'm not at all familiar with Discord at the moment. As for timely responses, my figuring is to give joined players reasonable chances to chime in but the nature of some games see characters drift away, get captured, lost, die, etc. Then I post, looking for another player who'd like to join in. We'll get there.
I'd be interested in taking part in your endeavour. I am relatively new to DDB, after picking the hobby back up after a long hiatus (last played AD&D 2nd Ed) and recently started back again. I'm a UK based player, but am online between 2 & 3 times on most days, so shouldn't cause too many issues on the delay front. I tend towards letting characters develop their own personalities as I play them but have a starting concept in each instance. I'm very open to discussing the background of a character and any tie-ins that can further evolve a plot line, or open avenues of interest.
Similar to jr_el_leon I don't mind what sort of character I play. I have a preference for, and more experience with, archers, rangers and bards, but am open to seeing what fits a party. Most of the feats and their 'best usage' are all new to me, so I'm happy to just roll with something and see how adept (or not) I end up.
Belonging to a guild meant responsibilities, especially a need to earn enough coin to pay her dues as well as leave enough left over to cover necessaries, such as eating. Belonging to the guild also offered opportunity as there were many different people looking for healing. Some more so than others. While most leeches found their way into the employ of nobles and wealthy merchant clans, others gained employment by service with the various City and Militia Companies, some few took on positions aboard one of the hundreds of ships that sailed on each tide. Ships owned by honest captains, hard working merchant clans, even some of the black sails (though pirate ships rarely used black sails for obvious reasons). Some set up stalls in the various markets, seeking to provide healing services to the masses, others did well enough to hang shingles above small shops or rooms rented in various taverns.
Lilita wasn’t quite good enough or well known to set up on her own, not yet anyway and there were other hazards when it came to accepting positions in the great houses, merchant clans, and various sea lord cabals. Of course, coming up from the streets, she knew to be careful of strangers, even so, it was so engrained into her to help, she found it difficult to say no.
As part of an extension of her tutoring by several elders in the guild, she had been assigned to assist an old Leach – a Druid – by the name of Pencelot Foonse. Pencelot keeps a shop at 187 Battlement Road and has a reputation for his excellent knowledge of herbal remedies and, although a bit strange in his aversion to harming parasites, can treat most illnesses. During the six months that she has spent assisting Pencelot, Lilita has improved her understanding of herbalism. The Druid sometimes came off gruff, being especially firm on his price of five gold crowns per treatment, Lilita knew that he offered to treat the pet of any patient for no extra charge. Pencelot often laments the fact that he left the forest to help “Human” animals and took “vacations” frequently in a woodland a few days outside the city. Lately, he had taken to leaving the shop in her good hands, which wasn’t a bad thing considering many of Pencelot’s customers are Craftsman, Guards, and Sailors. One of the down sides of the temporary arrangement was that she found her ear being bent with ‘rumors’, some quite wild sounding, each time he returned.
While she sat, sorting out various herbs and plants that Pencelot brought back from his latest ‘vacation”, Lilita heard the old Druid alternatively chastising a young Guard by the name of Amlack for drinking too much at his age and warning Amlack from visiting a rival Leach whose shop located in the merchant quarters.
“…Lord Maigrinstaff is very knowable about disease, I’ll grant, but there’s something foul about him, I’m a telling ya. Foul…”
Lilita shyly lowers her head submissively and does her best to ignore the exchange she overhears feeling little sorry for the young guard, the old Druid Pencelot can be a bit gruff and set in his ways but she knows his heart is in the right place and he means well. She diligently continues working... sorting the herbs and plants knowing her place and keeping her thoughts and opinions to herself wondering if all that her master had been saying about Lord Maigrinstaff could be true or if it is all just idle gossip.
Growing up in the guild as a foundling was not easy and Lilita well remembers the punishments for engaging in gossip all too well... as the young leech closes her eyes, she can hear in her mind Nanna Grisel's words-of-wisdom on such, 'be sure to taste your words before you spit them out!' She smiles and pushes back at her feelings of curiosity... losing herself in her work.
A short time later the door to the street opens, then closes as the Guard went out. A moment later Pencelot entered the back room and eyed the rows of carefully sorted flora. “Good job, but that the chamomile will need spread out on one of those shelves on the back wall of the shop, so they’ll dry.” He hesitated for a moment and hooked a thumb back towards the other room. “Did you catch what I told that young Amlack? About that… About “Lord Maigrinstaff?”
Lilita's eye looks downward flushed, flustered and a little embarrassed, "just a bit... snippets here and there, not all. I was trying really hard to keep my attention focused on the task assigned. The guild trains us, foundlings, not to stick our noses where it doesn't belong and its unbecoming of an acolyte leech to question our betters. My apologies master, I mean no disrespect to you or your opinions. I respect your judgement in such matters. I just don't want to get into trouble. I enjoy my position here with you so do not wish to displease."
“Stay away from him. Trust me on this.” A flash of anger and remembered pain crossed the old Druids face. “Some one I trust says that the ma – the thing, is a, well, better off that I don’t say. Just in case. Just stay away from his shop. Hopefully the guild elders will act… They probably won’t, but one can hope.”
Lilita bows respectfully deferring to the old Druid's wishes,"yes, master... I have never met Lord Maigrinstaffnor any reason to seek him out. I shall obey you in this and all things as you command. The Guild Elders are very wise, I am sure they will do the right thing... some things just take time."
It was true, she had never met Lord Maigrinstaff though she had heard a few rumors. Conflicting rumors. It was said that the Leach held a Guild Master position in the cities branch of the guild and that he kept late hours, never seen on the streets during the day. During her stay in the girl’s wing at the Guild’s training hall there had been several very talented young women who had been ‘recruited’ to serve at Maigrinstaff’s large townhouse, to help tend to his patients. It was known that the Healing House was one of the older one’s in the city and often catered to wealthier clients. Simply called The Rose, the Healing House of Maigrinstaff had enough rooms to allow for those who could afford it, privacy. She might be young and new to healing, but Lilita knew many avoided open shops like Pencelot’s. Some out of misguided fear that they might become even sicker. Other’s, worried about status and opinion, didn’t want to be viewed as weak or in decline. For every patient like the Guard, many more would call upon Pencelot, begging (or ordering) the healer to make a house call.
The old Druid snorted and then shook his head, muttering: “Un-natural, if Bliesara is right. If the elders won’t do something, perhaps the Head Sage might. Perhaps…” He glanced at Lilita and gave her a grim smile. “You’re a good lass, perhaps too good for the likes of this city. Many things that seem simple are far from it; just as many things are not what they appear to be. But without proof, what else can one do but warn those who’ll listen? It’s a hard life, yes, it is. It’s problems like this that makes me lament ever leaving the woods to help these urban animals, yes.” He sighed. “Anyway, once your finished, you can go for the day.”
Lilita just smiles politely and listens patiently without interruption as the old Druid rambles on about Lord Maigrinstaff and The Rose Healing House that he operates. Lilita experiences a brief moment of self-reflection and remembers why she not chosen to serve such a prestigious and popular healing house, the recruiter's words still haunt her memory through the sting of the rejection has faded somewhat, 'Lilita though your knowledge and talents as an Acolyte Leach are impressive you are a rather common and unremarkable flower... in both form and manner, a Dandelion cannot hope to compare with a Rose at full flower. You lack all the essential qualities to represent the Rose Healing House, my dear, perhaps you should set your sights lower and avoid future disappoints.'
Lilita turns to Pencelot and bows respectfully, "thank you for your concern and warning master... my work here is complete so I will take my leave and see on the morrow." With that Lilita cleans up things and grabs her cloak to depart...
<>
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street venders were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the likeminded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during day light let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompence, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his wellbeing... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby’s. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, your staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
As he made his way through the open gates to the palace annex where most of Atar the Lion’s Ministries maintained their offices, Mordecai was nearly ran over by a sprite of a girl. The sandy haired half elf clutched a copper tube of the sort that city criers carried. So obvious to anyone around her the young woman giggled, skipped sideways, never slowing down. She flounced out of sight before he had a chance to complain. Growling down a sigh, Mordecai continued his way, giving any one else the ‘eye’ if they even seemed to be about to bump into him. Like most days, the courtyard and main hallways bustled with paper pushers and government flunkies.
Mordecai thinks to himself, "One day I'll figure out if these people are bringing order to the city or just delayed chaos..." Taking note of the stacks of paper and the constant reshuffling of both people and things he concludes it's the latter.
With his joining the Protectors Guild, Mordecai had concluded that he needed to step up his activities a bit more in order to generate some income. The time for waiting for two-bit silver jobs was over. In hopes of gaining a lead or two on some possible work he decided to stop in and pay a visit to an acquaintance of his. He had met ‘Fat’ Quig while competing in the fighting pits. Quig was a body wrestler, a slob of a human with a lot more muscle beneath his fat than most floobs figured, much to their dismay. Wrestling was just a side bar for the man; a way to make some extra coin and get dirty without doing so professional or in the streets. Quig’s main job was as chief clerk for the Sub-Minister of Internal Communications. During a few conversations between matches, Mordecai had struck up a working friendship with the man, one that held possibilities. As part of Quig’s job was to hand out decrees, royal declarations and important news for the ministries criers to bellow out across the city, the man often knew about things before the general public did. Perhaps, Quig had implied, that some information on potential bounties, for example, might be withheld for a day, perhaps two, for a small cut. Passing a pair of royal guards who were eyeing him from their post, Mordecai strolled into the outer office of the Sub-Ministry for Internal Communications.
A bout a dozen clerks and pages were busy at tables; others digging in shelves packed with parchments, thickly bound books, and piles of tightly rolled scrolls. Towards the back was the door to the sub-minister’s office but the man he’d come to see was much closer at hand. Overflowing a heavy stool, Quig’s desk was just inside the door. Busy scribbling something on something, the chief clerk belched, causing ink to splatter from his quill across the parchment in front of him.
Mordecai silently walks up to Quig's desk and then chuckles - he remembered the time he saw this behemoth throw someone clear out of the pit and into the crowd.
After a moment, Mordecai coughs politely and says, "You're getting more on your shirt than on the paper, Quig."
“Eh? Oh, it’s you. Well, ink dries and leaves less of a stain than cheap wine,” Quig said indifferently. Looking up, he looks at the Half-Orc and scratches near a large stain on his satin shirt. “What brings you here?”
"I'm here to pick up on our conversation from earlier." Mordecai leans in a little closer and says quietly, "You provide a lead, I make sure she or he is found by the right people and we both end the day our coin purses a little heavier." Mordecai pauses a moment before continuing, "So, what's on the menu today?"
A slight grin came to the chief clerk’s fat lips, few would mistake it for humor. Greed, pure and simple. Rubbing a hand over his three-day old beard, Quig eyed Mordecai speculatively, measuring him as the Half-Orc had seen him measuring an opponent before entering a pit. A sideways glance towards the back where the door to the sub-ministers’ office was followed by a slight nod.
“While I know how you handle yerself in the pits, there’s no doubt,” Quig said slowly, eyes locking with Mordecai knowingly. Neither blinked for a moment and then the chief clerk gave a chuckle that sounded more like a snort. Leaning forward, the man lowered his voice:
“There’s a fellow called Daris Hadara, he’s wanted for sedition and spreading discontent, or so says the senior clerk over at the Chief Adviser’s office. Says e’s from Var-Klar (otherwise known as the City State of the World Overlord). E’s too small of a concern for the Blue Cobra’s to bother with (Tarantis secret police) but there’s a notice to be posted in all the City Guard’s watch posts tomorrow as well as the Sheriff’s office.”
Mordecai keeps his gaze on the man. "So, a political insurgent. Fine. How much?"
“Eh? Yeah, rewards fifty gold crowns, if’n e’s alive and intact to undergo questioning. My cut’s, oh, say, fifty%”
Quig looked ready to argue but the offer of thirty percent came as a surprise, but the chief clerk was quick enough to cover the grin threatening to give away his thoughts. Instead, he said grudgingly, “Thirty percent than, though I can assure you, it’s not old info. Perhaps a day at the most.” Quig paused and seemed to be making a decision before adding, “He made the mistake of running his mouth about our beloved ‘Lion’ last night outside the Eight Star Tavern, over in the Poor Quarter, not far from the gate to the Shopkeeper’s Quarter. One of the ‘Sage’s men’ heard his speech and fingered him (turned him in). Donno if Hadara’s staying there or not but it might be a good place to start.”
The City State of Tarantis is ruled by Atar the Lion, hereditary monarch and his cabinet, which consists of the offices of Chief Advisor, Minsters of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Land Management, Minister of War, Minister of Domestic Services, and Head Sage. the cabinet is known to hold regular meetings twice a year with the Sultans of the surrounding Provinces to share information and official reports, but Atar the Lion may summon the cabinet into session at any other time of his choosing. Although the cabinet may suggest policy changes, the final decision in any matter is in the hands of 'The Lion'. Although Atar has occasionally disbands the cabinet entirely to select new ministers, he retains Monach the Canny as his Chief Advisor. Atar disbands the cabinet periodically in order to keep the reins of power in his own hands and prevent any member from becoming more powerful than himself.
The Chief Advisor to the Ruler of Tarantis, Monach the Canny, is second in command to Atar the Lion. When Atar is out of the city-state, the Chief Advisor runs the government and the surrounding Provinces. All Ministers report to him, and he relays important information to Atar. his carpeted office is littered with reports and reading material, and the bookshelves are full to overflowing with more of the same. And the reason that Livvi knew all this was, being a Bard, even a shiny one, knowing things was power and unless she wanted to eek out a living performing in seedy taverns and two-copper playhouses, information was the key to power. It also helped that Flander, Sub-Minister of Internal Comminutions, had a smaller, less impressive office in the same wing of the Ministers Quarter. The Ministers Quarter was hardly a true quarter of the city, merely an annex of the Palace. Even so, it ‘was’ next to the Palace, which meant opportunities.
Flander’s office was split into two rooms. A larger, outer room where a dozen scribes and pages worked, small desks piled high in parchments, papers, and the occasional oddity. A smaller room, one with windows overlooking the Government Quarter’s center square. Flander was a thin, harried looking man with short cut, greasy hair well hidden beneath a blue turban that matched the blue robes he liked to wear. His beady eyes kept drifting even as he made an obvious effort to look her in the eyes.
“It’s a job, isn’t it?” the Sub-Minister groused, jerking his eyes back up. “You know, I’m not even sure why I allow you into my office anyway. Your still an apprentice, or so I’m told. If it weren’t for all the decrees and public announcements flowing down from the top” – Flander’s waved a cheaply bejeweled hand in the direction of the Chief Advisor’s wing – “we wouldn’t need to hire temporary Public Criers at all. I’m doing you a favor here. If you didn’t know-“
Flander’s gave a pregnant pause, eyes flickering around as if expecting the spy to leap out of non-existent shadows. “- even if you didn’t know Bilina.” He nodded, a regular habit she observed even as his eyes drifted again. “I’m offering you some work as a favor to Bilina… Do you want it or not? The pay is ten silver crowns per day for the next seven day.”
OMG YES!! It was all she could do to contain herself. There were times when her giddy, barely constrained manifested as Livvi the little girl, getting her first taste of flavored ice - a decadent delicacy in Tarantis normally reserved for the upper classes. Just part of her chaotic nature that often served her well and just as often created situations that she had to use her wits, charm, or magic to get herself out of.
Livvi nods and curtsies - just deep enough to give the worm of an official a slightly better view - and says, "You are most gracious." Yes, this is precisely what she had anticipated would happen - her plans to get this job, from this man, in this office, had been weeks in the making and doing. What Flander didn't know was that she actually did know Bilina - had used her connection to the girl to find out about the physical location of various offices and who worked in them, the personalities of at least ten different lower-level appointees, and some of the more useful bits of gossip. All to get on the good side of this greasy toad.
Yes, she had grand plans, and this was just the first step in a long, and rewarding, journey to greatness.
The greasy toad swallowed, a bead of sweat appearing on his chin as his eyes burrowed deeper for a long moment than jerked away. Males of all races – okay, she amended, most races – were all the same. A predictable sameness that was a major weakness, one that she knew well how to exploit.
Flander’s dug around in one of the piles stacked on his desk and pulled out a parchment. One decorated with a ribbon and seal of the office of Internal Communications and several paragraphs of written announcements. As he rolled it up and slid it into a rather plain looking case made from beaten copper and capped with an official looking seal, the sub-minister gave her a greasy smile.
“The job’s fairly simple. I’m assigning you to the Shopkeeper’s Quarter. Visit both markets, trice daily and read the parchment. Each morning stop and see Quig” – he gestured at a fat, sweaty, slob of a clerk at a desk by the front door. “He’ll give you the day’s announcements or proclamations. You read them, morning fest, noon, and before even fest. Quig will pay you each day upon returning this.” He waggled the case before offering it to her.
“Do a good job and I might be able to find other work for you to do,” he said.
Livvi briefly thought about making some kind of comment about Flander waving the hard cylinder case in her face, but decided that would be too much, way too soon. Besides, she had him in a good place, and her plans were still in play. She took the beaten copper case, turned, and walked out of the Sub-Minister's office like she was royalty.
As she made her way out of the building, Livvi clutched the case and grinned. It was a possible stepping stone into the city administration and a chance to meet the powerful, wealthy, and famous and only the gods knew, if they cared, what sort of opportunities would prostrate themselves at her perfectly manicured feet.
All but skipping out the gate, she started to turn a corner and found herself joined by a slender, beautiful human of some exotic ancestry. When Bilina materialized out of the shadows next to her, Livvi smiled her first real smile of the day. Bilina was Livvi's best friend in the entire world - at least in her own estimation - and was a key part of her plans. Of course, Livvi was not entirely positive who was manipulating whom - perhaps they were two puppets tied by complex strings, each thinking they pulled the others.
The slender, beautiful human with pale skin and lavish, raven colored hair flowed down, over her shoulders in clever braids. Bilina Jazzadra, middle daughter of a minor noble from the Provence of Jarmeer. Seen by many of the available men in the city, and a few ladies, as a very ripe prospect, Bilina was a horrible tease whose reputation was always on the verge of scandal. Something Livvi completely appreciated. However, there was more about Bilina than she let on. Secrets, of which Livvi knew of one – a serious one. Bilina was a spy; an agent of Adar the Lion’s secret police.
“Told you Flander – excuse me, Sub-Minister Flander, “Bilina said with a lilting, mocking laugh as she slipped one arm under Livvi’s, “is a terrible letch. You had the job the moment you walked in.”
There were few things that scared the young half-elf. There were considerably fewer things that she respected. Bilina Jazzadra was both. They were not childhood friends - had not grown up together in the estates of their doting or distant fathers. No, their relationship was founded less than a year ago under less than pleasant circumstances. Yet they had both survived that night and formed a bond known only by those who share a singularly horrible experience. Livvi had revealed her powers that night to get them both free from their ordeal. But Bilina had revealed some unique skills a noble's daughter did not normally possess. In the days and months that followed, the young women spent hours together, comforting each other at first, then growing past their memories together. It was during this time period that Livvi learned one of Bilina's secrets - she was an agent of Adar the Lion’s secret police.
“Told you Flander – excuse me, Sub-Minister Flander, “Bilina said with a lilting, mocking laugh as she slipped one arm under Livvi’s, “is a terrible letch. You had the job the moment you walked in.”
Livvi laughed, her free hand delicately covering her mouth as she had practiced time and again. "Yes. Men. They are sooo predictable - one reason why I like them!" she retorts. "Come, let's get some iced kaffe and see what I am to be spreading about today."
Bilina’s laugh sounded by musical and naughty as they walk towards the Shopkeeper's Quarter, they pair ducked into a nondescript pastry shop and found a secluded table in the back. After placing their order, the bard pulls the parchments out of the case and scans them before handing them over to Bilina. "What do you think? Anything interesting?"
Waiting for the server to move out of earshot the older woman peered over the parchments with interest. “Well, everyone knows that the Silver Festival is in two five days,” she said, flipping the first, overly elaborate page. At the second one Bilina snorted.
“Well, of course his Grace, Lord of Lions, demands that all loyal citizens be vigilant against foreign provocateurs and malcontents. This week it’s the “Overlord’s” – referring to spies and troublemakers from the Great City State of the World Overlord – “tools. Last week it was the ‘World Emperor’s”; next week, probably both.”
" Ohh - the Silver Festival. Is your family hosting a party, or will you be somewhere else? Perhaps in the palace this year?" she asks with an arched eyebrow and a grin on her face. Livvi loved social events and parties, both for the fun of getting dressed up to meet handsome lords and princes, and for the valuable gossip and insights about the aristocracy and city-leaders. She also knew that Bilina was angling to someday be invited to the Lion's celebration...but wouldn't dare to admit it.
“No, not family though my sister Silisna angled hard for father to make the offer. No, this year the honors go to the Maigrinstaff’s.” The spy’s nose wrinkled slightly as she made a face. The Maigrinstaff’s bloodline was as old as the city, it was said. Wealthy beyond count, the family had a checkered reputation among their peers. Too many dark secrets buried deep, it was said.
Just than the sever returned. A thin, plain faced woman slightly younger than what Livvi’s age appeared to humans with bright green hair – a fashion that was all the rage, a year ago. She deftly set down two cups and a small plate of cut meats and cheese.
Eye’s flickering from the plain face to the green hair, something in Livvi’s face made Bilina look up from the parchments. An almost girlish titter rippled out of Bilina’s puffy lips. “Be nice, Livvi. The girl’s doing the best she can with what the goddess gave her. Not everyone can make grown men turn into stuttering dolts.”
Livvi had barely even noticed the young serving girl with green hair...she was just a cog in the machine. But perhaps she could be more. Livvi made a mental note about her and this shop. Since she was going to be spending a lot of time in this quarter, Livvi would need a good place to work from. And eyes and ears to watch what was going on when she wasn't there. Perhaps this could be one of those spots. She would need about five or six, but you had to start somewhere...
Bilina’s laugh was just as wicked. The noble turned ‘secret police’ picked up the last parchment and frowned.
“Well, apparently another merchant’s get has gone missing. Third in a month.” She ran a manicured finger along the lines of beautiful lettering and shook her head.
When Bilina got unusually serious, Livvi shifted her full attention to the announcement in her hand. "Three merchants gone missing? Any details or descriptions? What can you tell me about the other two disappearances? I'll have some time between my 'Public Service Announcements' and will need something to do. Maybe I can find out something useful over the next few days. And I know you - you want to know 'Who' as much as 'Why.'"
“You know, it’s a big city. Lots of floobs show up dead or go missing but when it’s someone with position or wealth or both, someone else starts asking ‘why’. I’m sure someone is investigating, and most likely the families of the missing will offer rewards for information or the return of the missing.” She left it unsaid that there would be rewards for living or dead or proof of either as well. It wasn’t an uncommon thing in Tarantis. It was a large city with over 25,000 inhabitants at last census. Plus being a major port city and a haunt of pirates (and worse), only the gods knew how many transients also made the place home.
"Well, it’s getting towards noon, and I need to start making these announcements if I'm to be paid. And you know that I have to find the right place to make them - a spot with good lighting, great acoustics, where I can be easily seen and heard by the milling throngs! And that requires some scouting. Will I see you tomorrow? Here at the same time?"
Bilina handed the parchments back and watched as Livvi rolled them up and returned them to the tube. Even with her connections, Livvi suspected that Bilina had ulterior motives for steering her into this job. As byzantine as most governments were, the various ministries we’re loath to share information, holding out as long as possible. Having a ‘friend’ working in as a crier would give Bilina an opportunity to glean important or useful things before they’re made public. Even a few hours could make a big difference.
Waving a languid hand, Bilina sighed, “Most likely. Not much goes on this early in the morning. Unless, of course, I over sleep.” She laughed, then smiled as the server returned to clean up.
Livvi paid the tab to the girl with the green hair personally, adding 5 coppers as a tip and commenting, "I love your hair, by the way. It contrasts your lovely skin. I'll be working near here for a while and need a place to be refreshed during the day. I look forward to visiting you again!"
The server beamed. “You are most kind, mistress, most generous!”
When the server skipped off Bilina smiled knowingly and patted the back of Livvi’s hand. “Honey is always the best lure. Have an eventful day.”
<>
Livvi spent the next hour or so wandering the markets, the streets, squares, and alleys of Shopkeeper’s Quarter until she located a good spot in an open area with lots of pedestrian traffic, good lighting, and where her voice will carry over the ever-present hum of people going about their days.
When the appointed hour came, she stood upon an elevated area at the edge of central market, in front of the elegant “Black Rose House of Healing”, across from Aksham’s Tattoo shop. Clapping her hands three times to get everyone's attention, and recited the announcements in her best trained voice, using dramatic pauses and emphasis to ensure the message is not only heard, but retained in the simple minds of these simple folks. [Performance (+5) +13 = 18] Her performance was flawless, drawing a large crowd; even bringing several servants to the upper windows of the Black Rose.
While reading the third announcement about the missing merchants, she is particularly watchful of the crowd to see if anyone is paying an unusual amount of attention or has an otherwise strange reaction... [Insight (+4) +15 = 19] While many in the crowd seemed more interested in the new crier’s talents, more than a few were indifferent to the news in general. Warnings to be vigilant were common, as everyone knew that the devious, perhaps even evil, ‘Emperor’ and ‘Overlord’ were hell bent on absorbing or destroying Tarantis. It was well known. There were a few stirs of interest about the pending Silver Festival. Though there would be celebrations in several Quarters, the wilder parties would be indoors and by invitation only. While wrapping up, Livvi noticed several City Guard arrive. Since they made no attempts to interfere, she assumed they had been drawn by the crowd and her lilting voice. A second, more subtle movement from a third-floor window of the Black Rose suggested someone had been listening from behind a curtain.
That was his life for a number of years, travelling around the city states, learning the byways, bylaws, and just generally getting by on his skills and a bit of chance luck more than his wits. His most recent endeavor had again landed him on the wrong side of someone shady...
Brought out of his reverie by a passing group of priests in bright yellow escorting several wagons stacked high with barrels made to enter the market square at the end of the street. Several in the lead were urging people to give way, when words failed, clever uses of long poles tipped with silver balls did the trick. Most gave way easily, though a few shouted and cursed as they too, had things to do and places to be. While far from the city of Var-Klar or that of the distant Great City State of the self-proclaimed World Emperor, Tarantis was holding its own.
The passing of people on their everyday tasks made him reflect on the varied, but ultimately empty life he had led so far. It was time to find a pursuit with a bit of purpose to it and perhaps this was the city do find it. He’d heard of Tarantis, the city of pirates and renegades, as it was known by everyone not from the region itself. There were worse things being said in Var-Klar, also known as The City State of the Invincible Overlord, the place where he had journeyed from. It was Having only been in the city for a day, Erandal found it to be as filthy and as crowded as the other places his travels had taken him. If anything, even more so. There was the added stink of the harbor with it’s rotting fish, unwashed sailors, and exotic goods from around the great sea.
Well, Tarantis certainly lives up to its reputation, and right about now I reckon I fit right in! Trouble and trash. Still, not he worse place I've been in, and certainly... err, probably not the worst predicament. I guess I should try and find a better place to lay low and get plan...
With limited coin in his pouch Elan knew that he needed to find work and soon. While there were always places in the great cities were food was cheap, if one didn’t question what or where it had come from, and one could usually find a corner to pass the night, doing so had its dangers.
What's this... Eran moved towards the outskirts of those gathering around to listen.
As he watched a comely young woman climbed lightly onto a raised stone barrier and waved a copper tube towards the nearest citizens at the edge of a market square. As he watched she pulled out a gilded parchment, the sort city criers often carried and began to recite the contents in a melodious voice. She was gifted, he noted, as her voice rose and fell in dramatic ways as she half sang about an up coming festival in two five days (two weeks). Her voice took on a blend of humor and that of a stern father, warning the gathering floobs to be ever vigilant against malcontents and seditious behavior; that agents of the ‘Misguided Overlord of Var-Klar’ were at large in the city and that it was every good citizen duty to finger ‘turn in’ such evil types.
Festivals area always places to earn a few honest coins, but I wonder whether there's any reward for these agents? Missing nobles sound like they would be worth a few bob to anyone who finds 'em.
Up on her perch the crier wagged her finger at various faces in the crowd as she repeated the part about being vigilant and fingering trouble makers from out of town, drawing laughter and grins. Holding up one hand the crier held up the parchment to indicate there was more. As she read aloud names of several middle-class citizens that had gone missing over the last few five days, her eyes seemed to be scanning the crowd as well as the market itself, as if searching for something.
A little lost in his musings, Eran vacantly watches the crier scanning the crowd for a few moments, and stands up a little, poking his head up to see if he can work out what she is looking for. A thought finally descends upon Eran,'Trouble makers from out of town...
' Nah... she couldn't mean me, not yet surely! Best just try to stay out of sight though... He quickly moves to hide himself in the crowd a little more, shying his face away.
Consider the past few posting as a rough draft. There' are some issues with grammar and placement but the developing story has flavor, dose it have legs yet? All we can do is wait and see...
Livvi spent the next hour or so wandering the markets, the streets, squares, and alleys of Shopkeeper’s Quarter until she located a good spot in an open area with lots of pedestrian traffic, good lighting, and where her voice will carry over the ever-present hum of people going about their days.
When the appointed hour came, she stood upon an elevated area at the edge of central market, in front of the elegant “Black Rose House of Healing”, across from Aksham’s Tattoo shop. Clapping her hands three times to get everyone's attention, and recited the announcements in her best trained voice, using dramatic pauses and emphasis to ensure the message is not only heard, but retained in the simple minds of these simple folks. [Performance (+5) +13 = 18] Her performance was flawless, drawing a large crowd; even bringing several servants to the upper windows of the Black Rose.
While reading the third announcement about the missing merchants, she is particularly watchful of the crowd to see if anyone is paying an unusual amount of attention or has an otherwise strange reaction... [Insight (+4) +15 = 19] While many in the crowd seemed more interested in the new crier’s talents, more than a few were indifferent to the news in general. Warnings to be vigilant were common, as everyone knew that the devious, perhaps even evil, ‘Emperor’ and ‘Overlord’ were hell bent on absorbing or destroying Tarantis. It was well known. There were a few stirs of interest about the pending Silver Festival. Though there would be celebrations in several Quarters, the wilder parties would be indoors and by invitation only. While wrapping up, Livvi noticed several City Guard arrive. Since they made no attempts to interfere, she assumed they had been drawn by the crowd and her lilting voice. A second, more subtle movement from a third-floor window of the Black Rose suggested someone had been listening from behind a curtain.
"Ahh, seems someone who doesn't want to be seen heard my announcements. Could be a sick noble. Could be someone more nefarious. Could be nothing of value or interest. I'll give it a little time before making further inquiries..." she thinks to herself after noting the movement on the third floor of the Black Rose.
A moment later as the crowd began to disperse to their regular routines the trio of guardsmen approached her raised step. A balding, slightly malodorous sergeant appeared to be in charge. With him was a tall, young, blonde man whose eyes kept sweeping over her and a bored looking woman whose looks probably contributed to her choice of a career path.
The sergeant leaned a halberd against one shoulder and took a good look at the copper tube in Livvi’s hand. “You must be new to tha’ Quarter, Miss.” As he spoke the smell of fried onions and thick garlic wafted over her.
"Indeed, sergeant. I was assigned this posting only this morning and will likely be here for several days. I take it this is your patrol? Anything, or one, a young lady should avoid or be wary of? Although I am not some timid schoolgirl wandering too far from her mother's side, I am glad to see the City Guard making regular patrols here." Livvi speaks smoothly - speaking to ones who hold a position of power but who are below her standing in the social classes of Tarantis. She also makes sure that the three soldiers do not hem her in and that she has an avenue of escape if they are not the finest examples of service to the Lion...
Pulling his eyes away from a shadowy figure lounging in a doorway a few yards away the sergeant nods. “Yes, a few, and a few more, no doubt. Like one of those misguided fools from the ‘Overlord’ you were warning our honest, hard working citizens to be wary of.”
"Dammit!" Livvi cursed to herself. She had been so distracted by this oaf's obviously poor hygiene and pungent odors that she was too slow to catch the younger guard's not quite subtle signs. She had let herself get focused on one thing and had missed a bigger thing. "Never lose sight of the wolf by focusing on the hare!" Her old instructor's voice still sounded in her head, scolding her again for getting distracted.
“Well now, “the sergeant said, getting warmed up to share some good gossip and rumors with the obviously pretty girl paying attention to him, “There’s – “
“Sergeant ?!”
“Not now, Amlack.”
The blond guard shakes his head and makes a less than subtle gesture towards the Black Rose. “I think that’s Hadara!”
[GM D20 roll = 1 (Livvi’s perception +4) = +5]
By the time she turned her head whomever this Hadara was that Amlack was pointing at had disappeared around the side of the Black Rose. The older guard frowned, and it was clear to Livvi the man was torn between continuing kibitzing with her and following this Hadara, whomever he was. Finally, the sergeant gave a nod. Gripping his polearm better he left, leaving a wake of pungent odors. The guard, Amlack paused slightly to give Livvi a smile and a more than familiar look over before hustling after the other two.
Once the guards had moved on, so did Livvi. She had several hours before her next scheduled 'performance,' and she wanted to continue mapping out the Market District in her head. She would look for at least two other cafes or inns - not big ones, but nice enough that she wouldn't want to wash her hands and the table and cups before eating anything... She would look for multiple routes into and out of the area, places where she could hide or disappear, and the places where people congregate and talk, like a park or even just a few trees growing in a patch of grass. Today, she listened and watched. She didn't want to spook the herd by asking questions yet. She needed to become part of the background here. To be 'one of them.'
At the next designated time for announcements, Livvi would repeat her performance but in a different spot. She intended to have two, or possibly three, locations to make her decrees, picked to maximize crowds, acoustics, and escape routes. (A girl always had to be careful in the city!) Afterwards, she would remain until the markets and shops closed for the evening, return to the café where she started the day to pay her new informant with the green hair a visit and help cement the bond she started earlier.
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street vendors were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the like minded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during daylight let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompense, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his well being... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Lilita hearing the older guards comment turns a sad gaze to the Sergeant and gives him a polite respectful bow and holds her tongue.
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, you’re staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
Lilita looks at him somewhat surprised that he knows where she lives, "that is most kind of you to offer Ser Amlack I would very much appreciate an escort especially one such as yourself trained by the honorable Sergeant there... perhaps many in the city have forgotten his past valor and deeds but I have not. Thank you."
“It’s really safe for a bea – “Amlack stammered for a second, then continued – “A young lady to live alone like that. I mean, the cities full of dark hearts. Plus, there’s been some disappearances. Karria, the Baker’s daughter just two nights ago, and Dame Poritrous last five day. And others…”
Lilita listens and nods, "these indeed are dark times... I am greatly saddened to hear of such... my heart goes out to those poor unfortunate women and their families. No doubt the City Watch will get to the bottom of things and put stop a stop it. I have every confidence in you, your comrades and your Sergeant... that you all will do your best to safeguard us all."
“No one can fault you for the good works you do, Miss Lilita, even the Maidens of Orissi cannot depend on their order’s works and efforts for the poor in the city to protect them from those with ill or evil intent. I – “
"Thank you... that is indeed very true. My works and efforts in the community are no shield nor should they be... I only seek to give what little comfort I may where I am able to those who need it the most. Good deeds such as your offer to escort me is its own reward is it not? We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. People after us will remember you for your kindness, bravery and good heart as you follow your path to serve and protect, so too must I follow my path, no matter what the risks."
As Lilita walks along with him towards her home she notes the thoughtful look that had come over Amlack’s face. After a few blocks of quiet he nods.
“You have such deep thoughts for one so young,” he said, “but I guess it’s to be expected as you deal with more suffering and death in a five-day than most do in a lifetime. I see too much of it in the back alley’s and the streets myself.
Lilita smiles, "perhaps that is true or maybe it is just that I have an old soul..."
"My pap warned me that serving “The Lion”, and Tantaras wouldn’t be easy. Such evil and corruption; and the talk of war, always war” There was another pause before Amlack coughed and forced a smile onto his face. “My apologies, Mis Lilita. I should not say such things in the presence of a lady.”
Lilita... lightly places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "no apologies are necessary... you are a man of honor and duty, I respect that... you may feel free to confide whatever you wish to me and unburden yourself, speak your mind... freely... this too is a form of healing."
The young man seemed relieved. “I guess you’re right, we serve, which is more than many can claim.”
Lilita... her face serene, calm and passive meets his gaze and speaks softly, "all the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, and hope. The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world, alas my calling is perhaps much more simplistic than yours and that of your superiors... with its sheer shifting complexities and varying shades of grey... I simply tend the sick and injured... any and all who are in need... to ease their pain and suffering. While yours is a much more difficult calling... but I believe in you and respect that you seek to try to do the right thing when and where you can!"
“Oh?!” Amlack started slightly, then cast a guilty look her way. “Well, I asked ‘round a bit, you know? I think it was an urchin who told me about the Varda wagon. I’ve seen it a few times while on patrol but assumed it was abandoned. Usually things like wagons don’t last long. Either they are ‘claimed’ by someone or are dismantled for the wood.
Lilita smiles again, "see... even when you don't have to... you look out for someone like me, I am no perfumed beauty, no rich merchant or great lord's daughter... I am merely one of many, the faceless plebeians of this grand city. You have a good heart Amlack... thank you!" [Lilita’s Perception check: 10]
The guard’s face reddened slightly than his eyes flickered towards her wagon about the same time hers did and his demeanor changed abruptly, more on guard. She saw a figure huddled in a gray cloak, leaning against lower step of her home, swaying slightly.
“Looks like you have company.”
Lilita's gaze falls upon the swaying figure with concern, feeling tremendous empathy for all who suffer. The young healer turns her full focus on the stranger... and away from the young guardsmen. Her attention is all on the figure who is obviously in distress and unwell... Lilita moved quickly forward without any concern or thought to her own safety and wellbeing. As they drew closer the figure’s shape revealed a middle-aged woman with pale skin. The stranger swayed slightly than collapsed onto the ground. Without pause, Lolita begins to physically examine [GM: Medicine check > 7 (+4) = +11] the woman to attempt to determine what may be amiss with her.
Unable to initially diagnose her condition Lilita struggles to move the woman turning to Amlack,"please help me to move her, it's alright... you don't need your weapon, she is not a threat, trust me."
At first glance as they reached the woman Lilita wasn’t sure. The woman’s skin was very pale, almost chalky which could mean an illness of the blood. There were no obvious wounds or signs of coughing, blood loss, or other obvious illness.
Gripping his halberd tighter Amlack’s said, “Move her? Move her where?”
"Into the Vardo of course... I have a small bed inside where she can be made comfortable and I can attend to her... please help me to help her," Lilita pleads, "I cannot lift her myself."
Finally, Amlack nodded. Dropping his weapon, the guard easily picked up the woman and carried her inside where, upon placing her on the narrow bed, stepped back to hover nervously.
Once inside the Vardo Lilita, as her physical examination proved to be less than helpful, used her innate magic to castDetect Poison and Disease in hopes of learning more of what ails the woman and possibly give Lilita a better idea how to go about helping the woman or at least make her more comfortable. As she does this Lilita will also make use of herbal smelling salts ((ammonia inhalants)) pulling out a pinch of some spirit of hartshorn used to arouse consciousness seeking to talk to the woman to get idea what has transpired with her recently and possibly get her to describe her pains or symptoms so that Lilita can try again to better diagnose her condition how best to treat her.
“Is… is she contagious?”
“I don’t know,” Lilita said honestly as she worked. A soft glow surrounded the woman, revealing the usual signs of various minor diseases and malady’s that plagued many of the cities poor but nothing serious; nothing that would warrant her current condition.
After half an hour she had exhausted most of her knowledge. Whatever it was, it was something that was outside her limited training. She did gain confidence that it was none of the usual culprits; nothing that “should” harm Amlack or herself. Her next step would be a through examination of the patient.
"Amlack I know you mean well and I appreciate your assistance, I really do... but now I need to examine the poor dear a bit more closely... thoroughly... so for modesty's sake I think you either need to wait outside or head on home and I will talk to you later."
“What? You want me to leave? I mean, maybe I should go for help…”
Lilita sighs, "I've got this... besides look at her... why do you think she came here to me, usually those who come to me are desperate just because they have nowhere else to go, no one else cares. I will do all I can for her and if I need a consult with someone, I will go to Healing Guild and make a few innocent hypothetical inquiries in the morning, once I have her stabilized."
Amlack blushed wildly than nodded and turned for the small door. “No, no, I don’t think I can be of any further help. But – “he hesitated, door half open – “if you need something; anything, please come see me at the Iron Barracks. If I can’t help my sergeant can, he knows…a lot.” Biting his lower lip, Amlack watched briefly as Lilith began to remove the woman’s clothing before fleeing the Vardo.
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street vendors were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the like minded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during daylight let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompense, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his well being... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Lilita hearing the older guards comment turns a sad gaze to the Sergeant and gives him a polite respectful bow and holds her tongue.
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby’s. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, you’re staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
Lilita looks at him somewhat surprised that he knows where she lives, "that is most kind of you to offer Ser Amlack I would very much appreciate an escort especially one such as yourself trained by the honorable Sergeant there... perhaps many in the city have forgotten his past valor and deeds but I have not. Thank you."
“It’s really safe for a bea – “Amlack stammered for a second, then continued – “A young lady to live alone like that. I mean, the cities full of dark hearts. Plus, there’s been some disappearances. Karria, the Baker’s daughter just two nights ago, and Dame Poritrous last five day. And others…”
Lilita listens and nods, "these indeed are dark times... I am greatly saddened to hear of such... my heart goes out to those poor unfortunate women and their families. No doubt the City Watch will get to the bottom of things and put stop a stop it. I have every confidence in you, your comrades and your Sergeant... that you all will do your best to safeguard us all."
“No one can fault you for the good works you do, Miss Lilita, even the Maidens of Orissi cannot depend on their order’s works and efforts for the poor in the city to protect them from those with ill or evil intent. I – “
"Thank you... that is indeed very true. My works and efforts in the community are no shield nor should they be... I only seek to give what little comfort I may where I am able to those who need it the most. Good deeds such as your offer to escort me is its own reward is it not? We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. People after us will remember you for your kindness, bravery and good heart as you follow your path to serve and protect, so too must I follow my path, no matter what the risks."
As Lilita walks along with him towards her home she notes the thoughtful look that had come over Amlack’s face. After a few blocks of quiet he nods.
“You have such deep thoughts for one so young,” he said, “but I guess it’s to be expected as you deal with more suffering and death in a five-day than most do in a life time. I see too much of it in the back alley’s and the streets myself.
Lilita smiles, "perhaps that is true or maybe it is just that I have an old soul..."
My pap warned me that serving “The Lion”, and Tantaras wouldn’t be easy. Such evil and corruption; and the talk of war, always war” There was another pause before Amlack coughed and forced a smile onto his face. “My apologies, Mis Lilita. I should not say such things in the presence of a lady.”
Lilita... lightly places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "no apologies are necessary... you are a man of honor and duty, I respect that... you may feel free to confide whatever you wish to me and unburden yourself, speak your mind... freely... this too is a form of healing."
The young man seemed relieved. “I guess you’re right, we serve, which is more than many can claim.”
Lilita... her face serene, calm and passive meets his gaze and speaks softly, "all the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, and hope. The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world, alas my calling is perhaps much more simplistic than yours and that of your superiors... with its sheer shifting complexities and varying shades of grey... I simply tend the sick and injured... any and all who are in need... to ease their pain and suffering. While yours is a much more difficult calling... but I believe in you and respect that you seek to try to do the right thing when and where you can!"
“Oh?!” Amlack started slightly, then cast a guilty look her way. “Well, I asked ‘round a bit, you know? I think it was an urchin who told me about the Varda wagon. I’ve seen it a few times while on patrol but assumed it was abandoned. Usually things like wagons don’t last long. Either they are ‘claimed’ by someone or are dismantled for the wood.
Lilita smiles again, "see... even when you don't have to... you look out for someone like me, I am no perfumed beauty, no rich merchant or great lord's daughter... I am merely one of many, the faceless plebeians of this grand city. You have a good heart Amlack... thank you!"
[Lilita’s Perception check: 10]
The guard’s face reddened slightly than his eyes flickered towards her wagon about the same time hers did and his demeanor changed abruptly, more on guard. She saw a figure huddled in a gray cloak, leaning against lower step of her home, swaying slightly.
“Looks like you have company.”
Lilita's gaze falls upon the swaying figure with concern, feeling tremendous empathy for all who suffer. The young healer turns her full focus on the stranger... and away from the young guardsmen. Her attention is all on the figure who is obviously in distress and unwell... Lilita moved quickly forward without any concern or thought to her own safety and wellbeing. As they drew closer the figure’s shape revealed a middle-aged woman with pale skin. The stranger swayed slightly than collapsed onto the ground. Without pause, Lolita begins to physically examine [GM: Medicine check > 7 (+4) = +11] the woman to attempt to determine what may be amiss with her.
Unable to initially diagnose her condition Lilita struggles to move the woman turning to Amlack,"please help me to move her, it's alright... you don't need your weapon, she is not a threat, trust me."
At first glance as they reached the woman Lilita wasn’t sure. The woman’s skin was very pale, almost chalky which could mean an illness of the blood. There were no obvious wounds or sighs of coughing, blood loss, or other obvious illness.
Gripping his halberd tighter Amlack’s said, “Move her? Move her where?”
"Into the Vardo of course... I have a small bed inside where she can be made comfortable and I can attend to her... please help me to help her,"Lilita pleads, "I cannot lift her myself."
Finally, Amlack nodded. Dropping his weapon, the guard easily picked up the woman and carried her inside where, upon placing her on the narrow bed, stepped back to hover nervously.
Once inside the Vardo Lilita, as her physical examination proved to be less than helpful, used her innate magic to castDetect Poison and Disease in hopes of learning more of what ails the woman and possibly give Lilita a better idea how to go about helping the woman or at least make her more comfortable. As she does this Lilita will also make use of herbal smelling salts ((ammonia inhalants)) pulling out a pinch of some spirit of hartshorn used to arouse consciousness seeking to talk to the woman to get idea what has transpired with her recently and possibly get her to describe her pains or symptoms so that Lilita can try again to better diagnose her condition how best to treat her.
“Is… is she contagious?”
“I don’t know,” Lilita said honestly as she worked. A soft glow surrounded the woman, revealing the usual signs of various minor diseases and malady’s that plagued many of the cities poor but nothing serious; nothing that would warrant her current condition.
After half an hour she had exhausted most of her knowledge. Whatever it was, it was something that was outside her limited training. She did gain confidence that it was none of the usual culprits; nothing that “should” harm Amlack or herself. Her next step would be a through examination of the patient.
"Amlack I know you mean well and I appreciate your assistance, I really do... but now I need to examine the poor dear a bit more closely... thoroughly... so for modesty's sake I think you either need to wait outside or head on home and I will talk to you later."
“What? You want me to leave? I mean, maybe I should go for help…”
Lilita sighs, "I've got this... besides look at her... why do you think she came here to me, usually those who come to me are desperate just because they have nowhere else to go, no one else cares. I will do all I can for her and if I need a consult with someone, I will go to Healing Guild and make a few innocent hypothetical inquiries in the morning, once I have her stabilized."
Amlack blushed wildly than nodded and turned for the small door. “No, no, I don’t think I can be of any further help. But – “he hesitated, door half open – “if you need something; anything, please come see me at the Iron Barracks. If I can’t help my sergeant can, he knows…a lot.” Biting his lower lip, Amlack watched briefly as Lilith began to remove the woman’s clothing before fleeing the Vardo.
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Greetings, I am a veteran player and game master (GM Mostly) of forty years and am looking to begin a game. Now, to be honest, this is my first time using D&D Beyond and expect it to be a bit of a learning curve. It's also been about five years since my last game which was ran using 5th edition. While I would prefer to use 3.5, of which I have an extensive collection, 5th will do. I expect that I'll borrow heavily from 3.5 so I'll be up front about that. I am a native of Des Moines, which is in Iowa in case you didn't know but have a erratic work schedule (and another concern) that makes it difficult to be part of a table top group. I have ran and played PBM and PBP over the years, but not using this sort of format. I'm a bit behind the technical side of things I'd guess. For the moment I am looking for 1-4 reasonable players, preferably ones mature enough (and familiar enough) to know that a PBP requires attention regularly to work smoothly. While I would like to post a turn daily, I will be shooting for three (3) or more a week. I am quite comfortable running separate story lines if need be and weaving them into a larger story. The campaign will probably begin slow as we get a feel of each others strengths and weaknesses then develop into a deeper story. As I said above, the system is new to me so it may take a few tries to understand how to use D&D Beyond effectively, adding maps, images, etc. My budget is limited so I doubt that I will be 'purchasing' expansions that are offered so we're pretty much stuck with the generic character options provided for free, at least for simplicity's sake. Since this may qualify as a session zero, I shall add that I am comfortable with most reasonable, mature content and behaviors. I am not keen on player's rolling over characters just for the sake of it. Danger is part of the game, so death (and worse) can happen, so replacing a lost character will be addressed as it comes. As a GM I am open minded to all races, colors, creeds, or whatever, but frown upon real world politics, social issues, and moral judgements in-game. Just saying. I have an rough idea for the campaign but since I'm trying to knock off the rust and get back into the GM groove I will be developing as we go. I will be utilizing some of my Judge's Guild material as a starting foundation. Some of it will feed off of the characters and their actions within the game. While I am not adverse to a dungeon crawl, I prefer to have a bit more depth to a game so not all situations will require a hammer. Not if I can guide it properly, anyway. If you are interested, please include a brief bio of yourself and what type of race/class you'd like to play when you post. Thank you for your consideration, Rick.
Rick - I too am a veteran player (started with AD&D in Middle School!) I have a fair amount of experience DMing PbP's and quite a bit more playing via PbP, so I'm very happy to join your game and enjoy the ride! I share your sentiments - I like Role playing more than just Roll playing, and have seen great examples of both! One thing I highly recommend as a PbP DM is to get a web-based folder, like Google Drive, and base your map and any other handout-type items there. Here is a link to one folder with some maps, etc for an idea. I can chat separately how I made the maps if you want =)
I live in NOVA (Northern Virginia) and am pretty consistent posting - but usually only once per day and in the evening. I do travel some, and will let you know before I go. If I can access the internet while I'm gone I will try and post, but you know how that goes sometimes! I don't usually write a lot each post, but I do try to add a bit more description than just, 'I hit the kobold.'
I have a character recently developed that I could use (the game fell apart almost immediately =(. Livvi is a half-elf bard - see the spoiler for background info.
Livvi is a young female half-elf with long, sandy-brown hair and emerald green eyes. Her skin is lightly tanned, and she is slim and about five and a half feet tall. She looks like a wealthy merchant's daughter. When you first meet her, she is wearing a nice dress in the current fashion, her hair is loose and covers her ears.
Livvi is a bad girl. The kind of girl that the boys fall all over themselves for. The kind of girl who gets what she wants. Always. The kind of girl who can cut you with a casual comment, enthrall you with a gentle touch, or drive you to the point of madness with whisper in your ear and a light caress on your neck. The kind of girl who looks like an angel but is anything but...the kind of girl most simple folk have no chance against. Growing up, Livvi always knew that she was different. Special. Even as a half-elf, she was offered anything she wanted and led a comfortable life. And Livvi liked that. She learned how to smile at the right time, to act shy or be bold, and always - always - win.
This lasted well until her early teens, when the other girls started hating her for her beauty and popularity, and the older boys started treating her differently. But not in a good way. It was also a time when she discovered the magic in names and words, how with a musical instrument or her voice alone she could alter the world around her to suit her needs. The first time she manifested this power was when some of the other girls decided it might be time to "knock the crown of the princess." Livvi wasn't happy - not at all - and she hurled a string of nasty insults at them. The effect, combined with her developing magical abilities, were devastating. And thus she started to study both arcane and mundane arts of influencing others.
Livvi had a life of modest wealth and privilege. She was classically trained in music, poetry, and court etiquette. (Think of the daughter in an 1800's minor nobility household.) Her favorite teacher was a bard of minor talent, and taught her the basics of the trade. Livvi soon surpassed him in raw power, and her devious and selfish use of her arcane powers frightened him. Of course, her parents could not believe the teacher's lies of the craven things that their beautiful daughter could do with her voice, and so he was let go in disgrace.
In her late teens, Livvi sought out additional masters and training, gravitating to the darker artists and powerful bards in the area. Her appetite for power and magic grew, and she dabbled in questionable practices. At 20, she had made several 'acquaintances' in the thieves' guild...Now she is on the move, having gotten involved in something WAY above her head, and someone she actually cared about died. An innocent person is in prison for it - but Livvi is OK with that.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Good day, Rick!
Started D&D when I was in middle school, too - seems that's a common thread among the mid-gen players. Had a gap in play between then and my early 30s... but I always saved up my lunch money to buy the novels and the compendium (never bought an adventure, just in case I got the chance to play it... Childhood naivety... Haha).
Like I said, I reconnected with the hobby maybe five or so years ago and was lucky enough to play in a weekly game that saw us move from Faerun to Spelljammer. Since then, I've tried my hand at DMing, although due to schedules and moving, it fell into a permanent hiatus. I compensated for that by joining this website and playing in a few PbPs. Most go the wayward side of inactivity and sort of fizzle, but I've been lucky to be a part of one that has had legs on it for over a year. So checking this site is a daily ritual for me. I'm in the EST time zone.
Rhanloi gave you some solid ideas for the offline maps and what not. Although, I am also completely on board with theater of the mind, too. I've also noticed a lot of groups supplement the PbP with Discord (a free to use online group chat service that doesn't require sharing personal contact info) for out of character/game comments, questions and just for notifications regarding when they've posted.
Regarding the character I want to play, I'll be honest. I'm not quite sure yet. Character creation is one of my favorite aspects, so I actually have an extensive roster. Lately, I take the approach of waiting to see what others in the group build and find something that would compliment the group (mechanic wise). I also take into account how ability scores are generated because I use that to build on character traits and personality. Recently, however, I've been playing wizards and clerics it seems. I wouldn't mind a change of pace. Regarding playable races, it would depend on what the world your building, but I can say that given your focus is on role vs roll, I'm likely to build something that may be "off stereotype." For example, two of my favorite recent builds are a half-dow paladin and a half-orc cleric. A friend of mine created a pair of Dwarven Brothers (my reckless barbarian to his older more responsible monk), unfortunately that campaign faded which we were saddened about.
Point is - I'm open on character creation for now. I like constraints and working with others because I feel it'll force me to be more creative.
Thank you, Rick, for offering to share your time and world with others.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
By the by, this thread is marked 'Private,' which may limit the people who look at it...If you want to open it up, see if you can change it to Public and Recruiting. =)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
If you're still looking for players I would love to play I usually play a rogue. New here to d&d beyond.
I have played for two years D&D 5e and a group on Sundays. I myself am very new here haven't played a play by post yet still trying to figure it out but I love to play with your group.
I like the character's bio, it shows a lot of promise as well as skill on your part for story telling. I kept the thing private because I hoped to avoid a ton of replies. I'm experienced enough with PBM an PBP to know players tend to come and go, sometimes with shocking regularity, but my intention is to keep the 'story' going. So I figure if someone leaves, I can reopen for recruitment while in game, characters drift away, die, are captured, or are 'lured away'. Plenty of ways to spin it so it deepens the 'story'. I'm still trying to figure out just 'what' the story/quest will be at the moment but have settled on a vary old school game setting. Most will probably have to google Judges Guild to get it, but, as I've said, I've been at it for a while now. As much a hobby as obsession. My job schedules are erratic to say the best (tomorrow I work about 3-5 hours in the morning and another 2 at 10pm), and daily changes are not uncommon. Makes it hard to sit down at a regular table these days. I've been in a gaming hiatus for probably five years or so. Had some family issues and other things that I had to focus on. I keep busy mostly by vlogging about this beloved hobby on my YT channel and a few others. To show my intent, I went out yesterday and bought a 5th edition Player's Handbook. I'll grab the GM Guide next month. I pretty much have most of 3.5, 2nd edition and a load of others. Bought my Judges Guild stuff in the mid 80's and still have it. Anyway, some players may find my style enjoyable, other's frustrating. We won't know until we know. Anyway...
https://ddb.ac/campaigns/join/3442832404535959
It sounds like a group's forming. One of the issues I've been stumbling about with is posting maps. A few months ago I started to get a Twilight 2000 PBP going using G+ but it fell apart fairly quickly, mostly because several players couldn't grasp the idea of timely responses. Another swears that it takes more time than a sit down game using Roll20. I've heard of Discord but haven't investigated it yet, as well as several map making programs. It's a work in progress and I always feel behind the times with the technical side of things.
https://ddb.ac/campaigns/join/3442832404535959
Rick, I tend to use Pinterest (example here) myself to warehouse my campaign images so DM and players can refer there as needed. Also, it is easy to link to an image there and post it here on DDB as desired be it maps, images, etc. as the example in the spoiler below. I like Discord for OOC but not for in character play as I prefer DDB menu options and dice roller etc. but I hear DDB in the future may plan to do something with Discord so this might change maybe. The timely response thing is an ongoing issue for all PbP's... it just comes down the group of players you get together. Also, most DM's keep their campaign manager link private to avoid just anyone following and filling up your campaign uninvited but most people are respectful but sometimes... surprises happen.
Well, hopefully I have set it so that people won't just drop in. I'm not looking for a college of characters to manage. I'm not at all familiar with Discord at the moment. As for timely responses, my figuring is to give joined players reasonable chances to chime in but the nature of some games see characters drift away, get captured, lost, die, etc. Then I post, looking for another player who'd like to join in. We'll get there.
Hi Rick,
I'd be interested in taking part in your endeavour. I am relatively new to DDB, after picking the hobby back up after a long hiatus (last played AD&D 2nd Ed) and recently started back again. I'm a UK based player, but am online between 2 & 3 times on most days, so shouldn't cause too many issues on the delay front. I tend towards letting characters develop their own personalities as I play them but have a starting concept in each instance. I'm very open to discussing the background of a character and any tie-ins that can further evolve a plot line, or open avenues of interest.
Similar to jr_el_leon I don't mind what sort of character I play. I have a preference for, and more experience with, archers, rangers and bards, but am open to seeing what fits a party. Most of the feats and their 'best usage' are all new to me, so I'm happy to just roll with something and see how adept (or not) I end up.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
(Lilita's storyline)
Belonging to a guild meant responsibilities, especially a need to earn enough coin to pay her dues as well as leave enough left over to cover necessaries, such as eating. Belonging to the guild also offered opportunity as there were many different people looking for healing. Some more so than others. While most leeches found their way into the employ of nobles and wealthy merchant clans, others gained employment by service with the various City and Militia Companies, some few took on positions aboard one of the hundreds of ships that sailed on each tide. Ships owned by honest captains, hard working merchant clans, even some of the black sails (though pirate ships rarely used black sails for obvious reasons). Some set up stalls in the various markets, seeking to provide healing services to the masses, others did well enough to hang shingles above small shops or rooms rented in various taverns.
Lilita wasn’t quite good enough or well known to set up on her own, not yet anyway and there were other hazards when it came to accepting positions in the great houses, merchant clans, and various sea lord cabals. Of course, coming up from the streets, she knew to be careful of strangers, even so, it was so engrained into her to help, she found it difficult to say no.
As part of an extension of her tutoring by several elders in the guild, she had been assigned to assist an old Leach – a Druid – by the name of Pencelot Foonse. Pencelot keeps a shop at 187 Battlement Road and has a reputation for his excellent knowledge of herbal remedies and, although a bit strange in his aversion to harming parasites, can treat most illnesses. During the six months that she has spent assisting Pencelot, Lilita has improved her understanding of herbalism. The Druid sometimes came off gruff, being especially firm on his price of five gold crowns per treatment, Lilita knew that he offered to treat the pet of any patient for no extra charge. Pencelot often laments the fact that he left the forest to help “Human” animals and took “vacations” frequently in a woodland a few days outside the city. Lately, he had taken to leaving the shop in her good hands, which wasn’t a bad thing considering many of Pencelot’s customers are Craftsman, Guards, and Sailors. One of the down sides of the temporary arrangement was that she found her ear being bent with ‘rumors’, some quite wild sounding, each time he returned.
While she sat, sorting out various herbs and plants that Pencelot brought back from his latest ‘vacation”, Lilita heard the old Druid alternatively chastising a young Guard by the name of Amlack for drinking too much at his age and warning Amlack from visiting a rival Leach whose shop located in the merchant quarters.
“…Lord Maigrinstaff is very knowable about disease, I’ll grant, but there’s something foul about him, I’m a telling ya. Foul…”
Lilita shyly lowers her head submissively and does her best to ignore the exchange she overhears feeling little sorry for the young guard, the old Druid Pencelot can be a bit gruff and set in his ways but she knows his heart is in the right place and he means well. She diligently continues working... sorting the herbs and plants knowing her place and keeping her thoughts and opinions to herself wondering if all that her master had been saying about Lord Maigrinstaff could be true or if it is all just idle gossip.
Growing up in the guild as a foundling was not easy and Lilita well remembers the punishments for engaging in gossip all too well... as the young leech closes her eyes, she can hear in her mind Nanna Grisel's words-of-wisdom on such, 'be sure to taste your words before you spit them out!' She smiles and pushes back at her feelings of curiosity... losing herself in her work.
A short time later the door to the street opens, then closes as the Guard went out. A moment later Pencelot entered the back room and eyed the rows of carefully sorted flora. “Good job, but that the chamomile will need spread out on one of those shelves on the back wall of the shop, so they’ll dry.” He hesitated for a moment and hooked a thumb back towards the other room. “Did you catch what I told that young Amlack? About that… About “Lord Maigrinstaff?”
Lilita's eye looks downward flushed, flustered and a little embarrassed, "just a bit... snippets here and there, not all. I was trying really hard to keep my attention focused on the task assigned. The guild trains us, foundlings, not to stick our noses where it doesn't belong and its unbecoming of an acolyte leech to question our betters. My apologies master, I mean no disrespect to you or your opinions. I respect your judgement in such matters. I just don't want to get into trouble. I enjoy my position here with you so do not wish to displease."
“Stay away from him. Trust me on this.” A flash of anger and remembered pain crossed the old Druids face. “Some one I trust says that the ma – the thing, is a, well, better off that I don’t say. Just in case. Just stay away from his shop. Hopefully the guild elders will act… They probably won’t, but one can hope.”
Lilita bows respectfully deferring to the old Druid's wishes, "yes, master... I have never met Lord Maigrinstaff nor any reason to seek him out. I shall obey you in this and all things as you command. The Guild Elders are very wise, I am sure they will do the right thing... some things just take time."
It was true, she had never met Lord Maigrinstaff though she had heard a few rumors. Conflicting rumors. It was said that the Leach held a Guild Master position in the cities branch of the guild and that he kept late hours, never seen on the streets during the day. During her stay in the girl’s wing at the Guild’s training hall there had been several very talented young women who had been ‘recruited’ to serve at Maigrinstaff’s large townhouse, to help tend to his patients. It was known that the Healing House was one of the older one’s in the city and often catered to wealthier clients. Simply called The Rose, the Healing House of Maigrinstaff had enough rooms to allow for those who could afford it, privacy. She might be young and new to healing, but Lilita knew many avoided open shops like Pencelot’s. Some out of misguided fear that they might become even sicker. Other’s, worried about status and opinion, didn’t want to be viewed as weak or in decline. For every patient like the Guard, many more would call upon Pencelot, begging (or ordering) the healer to make a house call.
The old Druid snorted and then shook his head, muttering: “Un-natural, if Bliesara is right. If the elders won’t do something, perhaps the Head Sage might. Perhaps…” He glanced at Lilita and gave her a grim smile. “You’re a good lass, perhaps too good for the likes of this city. Many things that seem simple are far from it; just as many things are not what they appear to be. But without proof, what else can one do but warn those who’ll listen? It’s a hard life, yes, it is. It’s problems like this that makes me lament ever leaving the woods to help these urban animals, yes.” He sighed. “Anyway, once your finished, you can go for the day.”
Lilita just smiles politely and listens patiently without interruption as the old Druid rambles on about Lord Maigrinstaff and The Rose Healing House that he operates. Lilita experiences a brief moment of self-reflection and remembers why she not chosen to serve such a prestigious and popular healing house, the recruiter's words still haunt her memory through the sting of the rejection has faded somewhat, 'Lilita though your knowledge and talents as an Acolyte Leach are impressive you are a rather common and unremarkable flower... in both form and manner, a Dandelion cannot hope to compare with a Rose at full flower. You lack all the essential qualities to represent the Rose Healing House, my dear, perhaps you should set your sights lower and avoid future disappoints.'
Lilita turns to Pencelot and bows respectfully, "thank you for your concern and warning master... my work here is complete so I will take my leave and see on the morrow." With that Lilita cleans up things and grabs her cloak to depart...
<>
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street venders were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the likeminded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during day light let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompence, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his wellbeing... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby’s. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, your staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
Mordecia’s story line
As he made his way through the open gates to the palace annex where most of Atar the Lion’s Ministries maintained their offices, Mordecai was nearly ran over by a sprite of a girl. The sandy haired half elf clutched a copper tube of the sort that city criers carried. So obvious to anyone around her the young woman giggled, skipped sideways, never slowing down. She flounced out of sight before he had a chance to complain. Growling down a sigh, Mordecai continued his way, giving any one else the ‘eye’ if they even seemed to be about to bump into him. Like most days, the courtyard and main hallways bustled with paper pushers and government flunkies.
Mordecai thinks to himself, "One day I'll figure out if these people are bringing order to the city or just delayed chaos..." Taking note of the stacks of paper and the constant reshuffling of both people and things he concludes it's the latter.
With his joining the Protectors Guild, Mordecai had concluded that he needed to step up his activities a bit more in order to generate some income. The time for waiting for two-bit silver jobs was over. In hopes of gaining a lead or two on some possible work he decided to stop in and pay a visit to an acquaintance of his. He had met ‘Fat’ Quig while competing in the fighting pits. Quig was a body wrestler, a slob of a human with a lot more muscle beneath his fat than most floobs figured, much to their dismay. Wrestling was just a side bar for the man; a way to make some extra coin and get dirty without doing so professional or in the streets. Quig’s main job was as chief clerk for the Sub-Minister of Internal Communications. During a few conversations between matches, Mordecai had struck up a working friendship with the man, one that held possibilities. As part of Quig’s job was to hand out decrees, royal declarations and important news for the ministries criers to bellow out across the city, the man often knew about things before the general public did. Perhaps, Quig had implied, that some information on potential bounties, for example, might be withheld for a day, perhaps two, for a small cut. Passing a pair of royal guards who were eyeing him from their post, Mordecai strolled into the outer office of the Sub-Ministry for Internal Communications.
A bout a dozen clerks and pages were busy at tables; others digging in shelves packed with parchments, thickly bound books, and piles of tightly rolled scrolls. Towards the back was the door to the sub-minister’s office but the man he’d come to see was much closer at hand. Overflowing a heavy stool, Quig’s desk was just inside the door. Busy scribbling something on something, the chief clerk belched, causing ink to splatter from his quill across the parchment in front of him.
Mordecai silently walks up to Quig's desk and then chuckles - he remembered the time he saw this behemoth throw someone clear out of the pit and into the crowd.
After a moment, Mordecai coughs politely and says, "You're getting more on your shirt than on the paper, Quig."
“Eh? Oh, it’s you. Well, ink dries and leaves less of a stain than cheap wine,” Quig said indifferently. Looking up, he looks at the Half-Orc and scratches near a large stain on his satin shirt. “What brings you here?”
"I'm here to pick up on our conversation from earlier." Mordecai leans in a little closer and says quietly, "You provide a lead, I make sure she or he is found by the right people and we both end the day our coin purses a little heavier." Mordecai pauses a moment before continuing, "So, what's on the menu today?"
A slight grin came to the chief clerk’s fat lips, few would mistake it for humor. Greed, pure and simple. Rubbing a hand over his three-day old beard, Quig eyed Mordecai speculatively, measuring him as the Half-Orc had seen him measuring an opponent before entering a pit. A sideways glance towards the back where the door to the sub-ministers’ office was followed by a slight nod.
“While I know how you handle yerself in the pits, there’s no doubt,” Quig said slowly, eyes locking with Mordecai knowingly. Neither blinked for a moment and then the chief clerk gave a chuckle that sounded more like a snort. Leaning forward, the man lowered his voice:
“There’s a fellow called Daris Hadara, he’s wanted for sedition and spreading discontent, or so says the senior clerk over at the Chief Adviser’s office. Says e’s from Var-Klar (otherwise known as the City State of the World Overlord). E’s too small of a concern for the Blue Cobra’s to bother with (Tarantis secret police) but there’s a notice to be posted in all the City Guard’s watch posts tomorrow as well as the Sheriff’s office.”
Mordecai keeps his gaze on the man. "So, a political insurgent. Fine. How much?"
“Eh? Yeah, rewards fifty gold crowns, if’n e’s alive and intact to undergo questioning. My cut’s, oh, say, fifty%”
Quig looked ready to argue but the offer of thirty percent came as a surprise, but the chief clerk was quick enough to cover the grin threatening to give away his thoughts. Instead, he said grudgingly, “Thirty percent than, though I can assure you, it’s not old info. Perhaps a day at the most.” Quig paused and seemed to be making a decision before adding, “He made the mistake of running his mouth about our beloved ‘Lion’ last night outside the Eight Star Tavern, over in the Poor Quarter, not far from the gate to the Shopkeeper’s Quarter. One of the ‘Sage’s men’ heard his speech and fingered him (turned him in). Donno if Hadara’s staying there or not but it might be a good place to start.”
Livvi’s Story line
The City State of Tarantis is ruled by Atar the Lion, hereditary monarch and his cabinet, which consists of the offices of Chief Advisor, Minsters of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Land Management, Minister of War, Minister of Domestic Services, and Head Sage. the cabinet is known to hold regular meetings twice a year with the Sultans of the surrounding Provinces to share information and official reports, but Atar the Lion may summon the cabinet into session at any other time of his choosing. Although the cabinet may suggest policy changes, the final decision in any matter is in the hands of 'The Lion'. Although Atar has occasionally disbands the cabinet entirely to select new ministers, he retains Monach the Canny as his Chief Advisor. Atar disbands the cabinet periodically in order to keep the reins of power in his own hands and prevent any member from becoming more powerful than himself.
The Chief Advisor to the Ruler of Tarantis, Monach the Canny, is second in command to Atar the Lion. When Atar is out of the city-state, the Chief Advisor runs the government and the surrounding Provinces. All Ministers report to him, and he relays important information to Atar. his carpeted office is littered with reports and reading material, and the bookshelves are full to overflowing with more of the same. And the reason that Livvi knew all this was, being a Bard, even a shiny one, knowing things was power and unless she wanted to eek out a living performing in seedy taverns and two-copper playhouses, information was the key to power. It also helped that Flander, Sub-Minister of Internal Comminutions, had a smaller, less impressive office in the same wing of the Ministers Quarter. The Ministers Quarter was hardly a true quarter of the city, merely an annex of the Palace. Even so, it ‘was’ next to the Palace, which meant opportunities.
Flander’s office was split into two rooms. A larger, outer room where a dozen scribes and pages worked, small desks piled high in parchments, papers, and the occasional oddity. A smaller room, one with windows overlooking the Government Quarter’s center square. Flander was a thin, harried looking man with short cut, greasy hair well hidden beneath a blue turban that matched the blue robes he liked to wear. His beady eyes kept drifting even as he made an obvious effort to look her in the eyes.
“It’s a job, isn’t it?” the Sub-Minister groused, jerking his eyes back up. “You know, I’m not even sure why I allow you into my office anyway. Your still an apprentice, or so I’m told. If it weren’t for all the decrees and public announcements flowing down from the top” – Flander’s waved a cheaply bejeweled hand in the direction of the Chief Advisor’s wing – “we wouldn’t need to hire temporary Public Criers at all. I’m doing you a favor here. If you didn’t know-“
Flander’s gave a pregnant pause, eyes flickering around as if expecting the spy to leap out of non-existent shadows. “- even if you didn’t know Bilina.” He nodded, a regular habit she observed even as his eyes drifted again. “I’m offering you some work as a favor to Bilina… Do you want it or not? The pay is ten silver crowns per day for the next seven day.”
OMG YES!! It was all she could do to contain herself. There were times when her giddy, barely constrained manifested as Livvi the little girl, getting her first taste of flavored ice - a decadent delicacy in Tarantis normally reserved for the upper classes. Just part of her chaotic nature that often served her well and just as often created situations that she had to use her wits, charm, or magic to get herself out of.
Livvi nods and curtsies - just deep enough to give the worm of an official a slightly better view - and says, "You are most gracious." Yes, this is precisely what she had anticipated would happen - her plans to get this job, from this man, in this office, had been weeks in the making and doing. What Flander didn't know was that she actually did know Bilina - had used her connection to the girl to find out about the physical location of various offices and who worked in them, the personalities of at least ten different lower-level appointees, and some of the more useful bits of gossip. All to get on the good side of this greasy toad.
Yes, she had grand plans, and this was just the first step in a long, and rewarding, journey to greatness.
The greasy toad swallowed, a bead of sweat appearing on his chin as his eyes burrowed deeper for a long moment than jerked away. Males of all races – okay, she amended, most races – were all the same. A predictable sameness that was a major weakness, one that she knew well how to exploit.
Flander’s dug around in one of the piles stacked on his desk and pulled out a parchment. One decorated with a ribbon and seal of the office of Internal Communications and several paragraphs of written announcements. As he rolled it up and slid it into a rather plain looking case made from beaten copper and capped with an official looking seal, the sub-minister gave her a greasy smile.
“The job’s fairly simple. I’m assigning you to the Shopkeeper’s Quarter. Visit both markets, trice daily and read the parchment. Each morning stop and see Quig” – he gestured at a fat, sweaty, slob of a clerk at a desk by the front door. “He’ll give you the day’s announcements or proclamations. You read them, morning fest, noon, and before even fest. Quig will pay you each day upon returning this.” He waggled the case before offering it to her.
“Do a good job and I might be able to find other work for you to do,” he said.
Livvi briefly thought about making some kind of comment about Flander waving the hard cylinder case in her face, but decided that would be too much, way too soon. Besides, she had him in a good place, and her plans were still in play. She took the beaten copper case, turned, and walked out of the Sub-Minister's office like she was royalty.
As she made her way out of the building, Livvi clutched the case and grinned. It was a possible stepping stone into the city administration and a chance to meet the powerful, wealthy, and famous and only the gods knew, if they cared, what sort of opportunities would prostrate themselves at her perfectly manicured feet.
All but skipping out the gate, she started to turn a corner and found herself joined by a slender, beautiful human of some exotic ancestry. When Bilina materialized out of the shadows next to her, Livvi smiled her first real smile of the day. Bilina was Livvi's best friend in the entire world - at least in her own estimation - and was a key part of her plans. Of course, Livvi was not entirely positive who was manipulating whom - perhaps they were two puppets tied by complex strings, each thinking they pulled the others.
The slender, beautiful human with pale skin and lavish, raven colored hair flowed down, over her shoulders in clever braids. Bilina Jazzadra, middle daughter of a minor noble from the Provence of Jarmeer. Seen by many of the available men in the city, and a few ladies, as a very ripe prospect, Bilina was a horrible tease whose reputation was always on the verge of scandal. Something Livvi completely appreciated. However, there was more about Bilina than she let on. Secrets, of which Livvi knew of one – a serious one. Bilina was a spy; an agent of Adar the Lion’s secret police.
“Told you Flander – excuse me, Sub-Minister Flander, “Bilina said with a lilting, mocking laugh as she slipped one arm under Livvi’s, “is a terrible letch. You had the job the moment you walked in.”
There were few things that scared the young half-elf. There were considerably fewer things that she respected. Bilina Jazzadra was both. They were not childhood friends - had not grown up together in the estates of their doting or distant fathers. No, their relationship was founded less than a year ago under less than pleasant circumstances. Yet they had both survived that night and formed a bond known only by those who share a singularly horrible experience. Livvi had revealed her powers that night to get them both free from their ordeal. But Bilina had revealed some unique skills a noble's daughter did not normally possess. In the days and months that followed, the young women spent hours together, comforting each other at first, then growing past their memories together. It was during this time period that Livvi learned one of Bilina's secrets - she was an agent of Adar the Lion’s secret police.
“Told you Flander – excuse me, Sub-Minister Flander, “Bilina said with a lilting, mocking laugh as she slipped one arm under Livvi’s, “is a terrible letch. You had the job the moment you walked in.”
Livvi laughed, her free hand delicately covering her mouth as she had practiced time and again. "Yes. Men. They are sooo predictable - one reason why I like them!" she retorts. "Come, let's get some iced kaffe and see what I am to be spreading about today."
Bilina’s laugh sounded by musical and naughty as they walk towards the Shopkeeper's Quarter, they pair ducked into a nondescript pastry shop and found a secluded table in the back. After placing their order, the bard pulls the parchments out of the case and scans them before handing them over to Bilina. "What do you think? Anything interesting?"
Waiting for the server to move out of earshot the older woman peered over the parchments with interest. “Well, everyone knows that the Silver Festival is in two five days,” she said, flipping the first, overly elaborate page. At the second one Bilina snorted.
“Well, of course his Grace, Lord of Lions, demands that all loyal citizens be vigilant against foreign provocateurs and malcontents. This week it’s the “Overlord’s” – referring to spies and troublemakers from the Great City State of the World Overlord – “tools. Last week it was the ‘World Emperor’s”; next week, probably both.”
" Ohh - the Silver Festival. Is your family hosting a party, or will you be somewhere else? Perhaps in the palace this year?" she asks with an arched eyebrow and a grin on her face. Livvi loved social events and parties, both for the fun of getting dressed up to meet handsome lords and princes, and for the valuable gossip and insights about the aristocracy and city-leaders. She also knew that Bilina was angling to someday be invited to the Lion's celebration...but wouldn't dare to admit it.
“No, not family though my sister Silisna angled hard for father to make the offer. No, this year the honors go to the Maigrinstaff’s.” The spy’s nose wrinkled slightly as she made a face. The Maigrinstaff’s bloodline was as old as the city, it was said. Wealthy beyond count, the family had a checkered reputation among their peers. Too many dark secrets buried deep, it was said.
Just than the sever returned. A thin, plain faced woman slightly younger than what Livvi’s age appeared to humans with bright green hair – a fashion that was all the rage, a year ago. She deftly set down two cups and a small plate of cut meats and cheese.
Eye’s flickering from the plain face to the green hair, something in Livvi’s face made Bilina look up from the parchments. An almost girlish titter rippled out of Bilina’s puffy lips. “Be nice, Livvi. The girl’s doing the best she can with what the goddess gave her. Not everyone can make grown men turn into stuttering dolts.”
Livvi had barely even noticed the young serving girl with green hair...she was just a cog in the machine. But perhaps she could be more. Livvi made a mental note about her and this shop. Since she was going to be spending a lot of time in this quarter, Livvi would need a good place to work from. And eyes and ears to watch what was going on when she wasn't there. Perhaps this could be one of those spots. She would need about five or six, but you had to start somewhere...
Bilina’s laugh was just as wicked. The noble turned ‘secret police’ picked up the last parchment and frowned.
“Well, apparently another merchant’s get has gone missing. Third in a month.” She ran a manicured finger along the lines of beautiful lettering and shook her head.
When Bilina got unusually serious, Livvi shifted her full attention to the announcement in her hand. "Three merchants gone missing? Any details or descriptions? What can you tell me about the other two disappearances? I'll have some time between my 'Public Service Announcements' and will need something to do. Maybe I can find out something useful over the next few days. And I know you - you want to know 'Who' as much as 'Why.'"
“You know, it’s a big city. Lots of floobs show up dead or go missing but when it’s someone with position or wealth or both, someone else starts asking ‘why’. I’m sure someone is investigating, and most likely the families of the missing will offer rewards for information or the return of the missing.” She left it unsaid that there would be rewards for living or dead or proof of either as well. It wasn’t an uncommon thing in Tarantis. It was a large city with over 25,000 inhabitants at last census. Plus being a major port city and a haunt of pirates (and worse), only the gods knew how many transients also made the place home.
"Well, it’s getting towards noon, and I need to start making these announcements if I'm to be paid. And you know that I have to find the right place to make them - a spot with good lighting, great acoustics, where I can be easily seen and heard by the milling throngs! And that requires some scouting. Will I see you tomorrow? Here at the same time?"
Bilina handed the parchments back and watched as Livvi rolled them up and returned them to the tube. Even with her connections, Livvi suspected that Bilina had ulterior motives for steering her into this job. As byzantine as most governments were, the various ministries we’re loath to share information, holding out as long as possible. Having a ‘friend’ working in as a crier would give Bilina an opportunity to glean important or useful things before they’re made public. Even a few hours could make a big difference.
Waving a languid hand, Bilina sighed, “Most likely. Not much goes on this early in the morning. Unless, of course, I over sleep.” She laughed, then smiled as the server returned to clean up.
Livvi paid the tab to the girl with the green hair personally, adding 5 coppers as a tip and commenting, "I love your hair, by the way. It contrasts your lovely skin. I'll be working near here for a while and need a place to be refreshed during the day. I look forward to visiting you again!"
The server beamed. “You are most kind, mistress, most generous!”
When the server skipped off Bilina smiled knowingly and patted the back of Livvi’s hand. “Honey is always the best lure. Have an eventful day.”
<>
Livvi spent the next hour or so wandering the markets, the streets, squares, and alleys of Shopkeeper’s Quarter until she located a good spot in an open area with lots of pedestrian traffic, good lighting, and where her voice will carry over the ever-present hum of people going about their days.
When the appointed hour came, she stood upon an elevated area at the edge of central market, in front of the elegant “Black Rose House of Healing”, across from Aksham’s Tattoo shop. Clapping her hands three times to get everyone's attention, and recited the announcements in her best trained voice, using dramatic pauses and emphasis to ensure the message is not only heard, but retained in the simple minds of these simple folks. [Performance (+5) +13 = 18] Her performance was flawless, drawing a large crowd; even bringing several servants to the upper windows of the Black Rose.
While reading the third announcement about the missing merchants, she is particularly watchful of the crowd to see if anyone is paying an unusual amount of attention or has an otherwise strange reaction... [Insight (+4) +15 = 19] While many in the crowd seemed more interested in the new crier’s talents, more than a few were indifferent to the news in general. Warnings to be vigilant were common, as everyone knew that the devious, perhaps even evil, ‘Emperor’ and ‘Overlord’ were hell bent on absorbing or destroying Tarantis. It was well known. There were a few stirs of interest about the pending Silver Festival. Though there would be celebrations in several Quarters, the wilder parties would be indoors and by invitation only. While wrapping up, Livvi noticed several City Guard arrive. Since they made no attempts to interfere, she assumed they had been drawn by the crowd and her lilting voice. A second, more subtle movement from a third-floor window of the Black Rose suggested someone had been listening from behind a curtain.
((WOW, that is a bundle of work right there! Nice stuff Rick))
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Erandal’s story line
That was his life for a number of years, travelling around the city states, learning the byways, bylaws, and just generally getting by on his skills and a bit of chance luck more than his wits. His most recent endeavor had again landed him on the wrong side of someone shady...
Brought out of his reverie by a passing group of priests in bright yellow escorting several wagons stacked high with barrels made to enter the market square at the end of the street. Several in the lead were urging people to give way, when words failed, clever uses of long poles tipped with silver balls did the trick. Most gave way easily, though a few shouted and cursed as they too, had things to do and places to be. While far from the city of Var-Klar or that of the distant Great City State of the self-proclaimed World Emperor, Tarantis was holding its own.
The passing of people on their everyday tasks made him reflect on the varied, but ultimately empty life he had led so far. It was time to find a pursuit with a bit of purpose to it and perhaps this was the city do find it. He’d heard of Tarantis, the city of pirates and renegades, as it was known by everyone not from the region itself. There were worse things being said in Var-Klar, also known as The City State of the Invincible Overlord, the place where he had journeyed from. It was Having only been in the city for a day, Erandal found it to be as filthy and as crowded as the other places his travels had taken him. If anything, even more so. There was the added stink of the harbor with it’s rotting fish, unwashed sailors, and exotic goods from around the great sea.
Well, Tarantis certainly lives up to its reputation, and right about now I reckon I fit right in! Trouble and trash. Still, not he worse place I've been in, and certainly... err, probably not the worst predicament. I guess I should try and find a better place to lay low and get plan...
With limited coin in his pouch Elan knew that he needed to find work and soon. While there were always places in the great cities were food was cheap, if one didn’t question what or where it had come from, and one could usually find a corner to pass the night, doing so had its dangers.
What's this... Eran moved towards the outskirts of those gathering around to listen.
As he watched a comely young woman climbed lightly onto a raised stone barrier and waved a copper tube towards the nearest citizens at the edge of a market square. As he watched she pulled out a gilded parchment, the sort city criers often carried and began to recite the contents in a melodious voice. She was gifted, he noted, as her voice rose and fell in dramatic ways as she half sang about an up coming festival in two five days (two weeks). Her voice took on a blend of humor and that of a stern father, warning the gathering floobs to be ever vigilant against malcontents and seditious behavior; that agents of the ‘Misguided Overlord of Var-Klar’ were at large in the city and that it was every good citizen duty to finger ‘turn in’ such evil types.
Festivals area always places to earn a few honest coins, but I wonder whether there's any reward for these agents? Missing nobles sound like they would be worth a few bob to anyone who finds 'em.
Up on her perch the crier wagged her finger at various faces in the crowd as she repeated the part about being vigilant and fingering trouble makers from out of town, drawing laughter and grins. Holding up one hand the crier held up the parchment to indicate there was more. As she read aloud names of several middle-class citizens that had gone missing over the last few five days, her eyes seemed to be scanning the crowd as well as the market itself, as if searching for something.
A little lost in his musings, Eran vacantly watches the crier scanning the crowd for a few moments, and stands up a little, poking his head up to see if he can work out what she is looking for. A thought finally descends upon Eran,'Trouble makers from out of town...
' Nah... she couldn't mean me, not yet surely! Best just try to stay out of sight though... He quickly moves to hide himself in the crowd a little more, shying his face away.
Consider the past few posting as a rough draft. There' are some issues with grammar and placement but the developing story has flavor, dose it have legs yet? All we can do is wait and see...
Livvi's storyline continues...
<>
Livvi spent the next hour or so wandering the markets, the streets, squares, and alleys of Shopkeeper’s Quarter until she located a good spot in an open area with lots of pedestrian traffic, good lighting, and where her voice will carry over the ever-present hum of people going about their days.
When the appointed hour came, she stood upon an elevated area at the edge of central market, in front of the elegant “Black Rose House of Healing”, across from Aksham’s Tattoo shop. Clapping her hands three times to get everyone's attention, and recited the announcements in her best trained voice, using dramatic pauses and emphasis to ensure the message is not only heard, but retained in the simple minds of these simple folks. [Performance (+5) +13 = 18] Her performance was flawless, drawing a large crowd; even bringing several servants to the upper windows of the Black Rose.
While reading the third announcement about the missing merchants, she is particularly watchful of the crowd to see if anyone is paying an unusual amount of attention or has an otherwise strange reaction... [Insight (+4) +15 = 19] While many in the crowd seemed more interested in the new crier’s talents, more than a few were indifferent to the news in general. Warnings to be vigilant were common, as everyone knew that the devious, perhaps even evil, ‘Emperor’ and ‘Overlord’ were hell bent on absorbing or destroying Tarantis. It was well known. There were a few stirs of interest about the pending Silver Festival. Though there would be celebrations in several Quarters, the wilder parties would be indoors and by invitation only. While wrapping up, Livvi noticed several City Guard arrive. Since they made no attempts to interfere, she assumed they had been drawn by the crowd and her lilting voice. A second, more subtle movement from a third-floor window of the Black Rose suggested someone had been listening from behind a curtain.
"Ahh, seems someone who doesn't want to be seen heard my announcements. Could be a sick noble. Could be someone more nefarious. Could be nothing of value or interest. I'll give it a little time before making further inquiries..." she thinks to herself after noting the movement on the third floor of the Black Rose.
A moment later as the crowd began to disperse to their regular routines the trio of guardsmen approached her raised step. A balding, slightly malodorous sergeant appeared to be in charge. With him was a tall, young, blonde man whose eyes kept sweeping over her and a bored looking woman whose looks probably contributed to her choice of a career path.
The sergeant leaned a halberd against one shoulder and took a good look at the copper tube in Livvi’s hand. “You must be new to tha’ Quarter, Miss.” As he spoke the smell of fried onions and thick garlic wafted over her.
"Indeed, sergeant. I was assigned this posting only this morning and will likely be here for several days. I take it this is your patrol? Anything, or one, a young lady should avoid or be wary of? Although I am not some timid schoolgirl wandering too far from her mother's side, I am glad to see the City Guard making regular patrols here." Livvi speaks smoothly - speaking to ones who hold a position of power but who are below her standing in the social classes of Tarantis. She also makes sure that the three soldiers do not hem her in and that she has an avenue of escape if they are not the finest examples of service to the Lion...
Pulling his eyes away from a shadowy figure lounging in a doorway a few yards away the sergeant nods. “Yes, a few, and a few more, no doubt. Like one of those misguided fools from the ‘Overlord’ you were warning our honest, hard working citizens to be wary of.”
"Dammit!" Livvi cursed to herself. She had been so distracted by this oaf's obviously poor hygiene and pungent odors that she was too slow to catch the younger guard's not quite subtle signs. She had let herself get focused on one thing and had missed a bigger thing. "Never lose sight of the wolf by focusing on the hare!" Her old instructor's voice still sounded in her head, scolding her again for getting distracted.
“Well now, “the sergeant said, getting warmed up to share some good gossip and rumors with the obviously pretty girl paying attention to him, “There’s – “
“Sergeant ?!”
“Not now, Amlack.”
The blond guard shakes his head and makes a less than subtle gesture towards the Black Rose. “I think that’s Hadara!”
[GM D20 roll = 1 (Livvi’s perception +4) = +5]
By the time she turned her head whomever this Hadara was that Amlack was pointing at had disappeared around the side of the Black Rose. The older guard frowned, and it was clear to Livvi the man was torn between continuing kibitzing with her and following this Hadara, whomever he was. Finally, the sergeant gave a nod. Gripping his polearm better he left, leaving a wake of pungent odors. The guard, Amlack paused slightly to give Livvi a smile and a more than familiar look over before hustling after the other two.
Once the guards had moved on, so did Livvi. She had several hours before her next scheduled 'performance,' and she wanted to continue mapping out the Market District in her head. She would look for at least two other cafes or inns - not big ones, but nice enough that she wouldn't want to wash her hands and the table and cups before eating anything... She would look for multiple routes into and out of the area, places where she could hide or disappear, and the places where people congregate and talk, like a park or even just a few trees growing in a patch of grass. Today, she listened and watched. She didn't want to spook the herd by asking questions yet. She needed to become part of the background here. To be 'one of them.'
At the next designated time for announcements, Livvi would repeat her performance but in a different spot. She intended to have two, or possibly three, locations to make her decrees, picked to maximize crowds, acoustics, and escape routes. (A girl always had to be careful in the city!) Afterwards, she would remain until the markets and shops closed for the evening, return to the café where she started the day to pay her new informant with the green hair a visit and help cement the bond she started earlier.
<>
Lilita's storyline continues...
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street vendors were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the like minded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during daylight let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompense, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his well being... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Lilita hearing the older guards comment turns a sad gaze to the Sergeant and gives him a polite respectful bow and holds her tongue.
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, you’re staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
Lilita looks at him somewhat surprised that he knows where she lives, "that is most kind of you to offer Ser Amlack I would very much appreciate an escort especially one such as yourself trained by the honorable Sergeant there... perhaps many in the city have forgotten his past valor and deeds but I have not. Thank you."
“It’s really safe for a bea – “Amlack stammered for a second, then continued – “A young lady to live alone like that. I mean, the cities full of dark hearts. Plus, there’s been some disappearances. Karria, the Baker’s daughter just two nights ago, and Dame Poritrous last five day. And others…”
Lilita listens and nods, "these indeed are dark times... I am greatly saddened to hear of such... my heart goes out to those poor unfortunate women and their families. No doubt the City Watch will get to the bottom of things and put stop a stop it. I have every confidence in you, your comrades and your Sergeant... that you all will do your best to safeguard us all."
“No one can fault you for the good works you do, Miss Lilita, even the Maidens of Orissi cannot depend on their order’s works and efforts for the poor in the city to protect them from those with ill or evil intent. I – “
"Thank you... that is indeed very true. My works and efforts in the community are no shield nor should they be... I only seek to give what little comfort I may where I am able to those who need it the most. Good deeds such as your offer to escort me is its own reward is it not? We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. People after us will remember you for your kindness, bravery and good heart as you follow your path to serve and protect, so too must I follow my path, no matter what the risks."
As Lilita walks along with him towards her home she notes the thoughtful look that had come over Amlack’s face. After a few blocks of quiet he nods.
“You have such deep thoughts for one so young,” he said, “but I guess it’s to be expected as you deal with more suffering and death in a five-day than most do in a lifetime. I see too much of it in the back alley’s and the streets myself.
Lilita smiles, "perhaps that is true or maybe it is just that I have an old soul..."
"My pap warned me that serving “The Lion”, and Tantaras wouldn’t be easy. Such evil and corruption; and the talk of war, always war” There was another pause before Amlack coughed and forced a smile onto his face. “My apologies, Mis Lilita. I should not say such things in the presence of a lady.”
Lilita... lightly places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "no apologies are necessary... you are a man of honor and duty, I respect that... you may feel free to confide whatever you wish to me and unburden yourself, speak your mind... freely... this too is a form of healing."
The young man seemed relieved. “I guess you’re right, we serve, which is more than many can claim.”
Lilita... her face serene, calm and passive meets his gaze and speaks softly, "all the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, and hope. The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world, alas my calling is perhaps much more simplistic than yours and that of your superiors... with its sheer shifting complexities and varying shades of grey... I simply tend the sick and injured... any and all who are in need... to ease their pain and suffering. While yours is a much more difficult calling... but I believe in you and respect that you seek to try to do the right thing when and where you can!"
“Oh?!” Amlack started slightly, then cast a guilty look her way. “Well, I asked ‘round a bit, you know? I think it was an urchin who told me about the Varda wagon. I’ve seen it a few times while on patrol but assumed it was abandoned. Usually things like wagons don’t last long. Either they are ‘claimed’ by someone or are dismantled for the wood.
Lilita smiles again, "see... even when you don't have to... you look out for someone like me, I am no perfumed beauty, no rich merchant or great lord's daughter... I am merely one of many, the faceless plebeians of this grand city. You have a good heart Amlack... thank you!" [Lilita’s Perception check: 10]
The guard’s face reddened slightly than his eyes flickered towards her wagon about the same time hers did and his demeanor changed abruptly, more on guard. She saw a figure huddled in a gray cloak, leaning against lower step of her home, swaying slightly.
“Looks like you have company.”
Lilita's gaze falls upon the swaying figure with concern, feeling tremendous empathy for all who suffer. The young healer turns her full focus on the stranger... and away from the young guardsmen. Her attention is all on the figure who is obviously in distress and unwell... Lilita moved quickly forward without any concern or thought to her own safety and wellbeing. As they drew closer the figure’s shape revealed a middle-aged woman with pale skin. The stranger swayed slightly than collapsed onto the ground. Without pause, Lolita begins to physically examine [GM: Medicine check > 7 (+4) = +11] the woman to attempt to determine what may be amiss with her.
Unable to initially diagnose her condition Lilita struggles to move the woman turning to Amlack,"please help me to move her, it's alright... you don't need your weapon, she is not a threat, trust me."
Gripping his polearm tighter, Amlack looked alarmed. “A threat? Threat, how?”
At first glance as they reached the woman Lilita wasn’t sure. The woman’s skin was very pale, almost chalky which could mean an illness of the blood. There were no obvious wounds or signs of coughing, blood loss, or other obvious illness.
Gripping his halberd tighter Amlack’s said, “Move her? Move her where?”
"Into the Vardo of course... I have a small bed inside where she can be made comfortable and I can attend to her... please help me to help her," Lilita pleads, "I cannot lift her myself."
Finally, Amlack nodded. Dropping his weapon, the guard easily picked up the woman and carried her inside where, upon placing her on the narrow bed, stepped back to hover nervously.
Once inside the Vardo Lilita, as her physical examination proved to be less than helpful, used her innate magic to cast Detect Poison and Disease in hopes of learning more of what ails the woman and possibly give Lilita a better idea how to go about helping the woman or at least make her more comfortable. As she does this Lilita will also make use of herbal smelling salts ((ammonia inhalants)) pulling out a pinch of some spirit of hartshorn used to arouse consciousness seeking to talk to the woman to get idea what has transpired with her recently and possibly get her to describe her pains or symptoms so that Lilita can try again to better diagnose her condition how best to treat her.
“Is… is she contagious?”
“I don’t know,” Lilita said honestly as she worked. A soft glow surrounded the woman, revealing the usual signs of various minor diseases and malady’s that plagued many of the cities poor but nothing serious; nothing that would warrant her current condition.
After half an hour she had exhausted most of her knowledge. Whatever it was, it was something that was outside her limited training. She did gain confidence that it was none of the usual culprits; nothing that “should” harm Amlack or herself. Her next step would be a through examination of the patient.
"Amlack I know you mean well and I appreciate your assistance, I really do... but now I need to examine the poor dear a bit more closely... thoroughly... so for modesty's sake I think you either need to wait outside or head on home and I will talk to you later."
“What? You want me to leave? I mean, maybe I should go for help…”
Lilita sighs, "I've got this... besides look at her... why do you think she came here to me, usually those who come to me are desperate just because they have nowhere else to go, no one else cares. I will do all I can for her and if I need a consult with someone, I will go to Healing Guild and make a few innocent hypothetical inquiries in the morning, once I have her stabilized."
Amlack blushed wildly than nodded and turned for the small door. “No, no, I don’t think I can be of any further help. But – “he hesitated, door half open – “if you need something; anything, please come see me at the Iron Barracks. If I can’t help my sergeant can, he knows…a lot.” Biting his lower lip, Amlack watched briefly as Lilith began to remove the woman’s clothing before fleeing the Vardo.
<>
Lilita's storyline continues...
It was early evening as she left Pencelot’s shop and made her way along the still busy street. It was that time of day when laborers and street vendors were making their way home, or to local taverns and inns for a bite of Evenfest, perhaps some general companionship of the like minded. As cities went, especially for its size, Tarantis was rather squalid. With no prohibitions against animals within the walls, many households had miniature barnyards full of dogs, pigs, cats, fowl, and cattle surrounding them whenever possible. The refuse spilling into the streets encouraged rats and insects to proliferate, something that Pencelot complained about frequently, explaining on more than one occasion that it was much of the cause for so much illness and disease in the city. Dysentery was the most common, especially since many of the grog shops and taverns pursued varying levels of cleanliness. Another failing when compared to larger cities, the moral standards set by many of the nobility and merchant class spilled over into the masses, something that Lilita was always mindful of. There were sections of the city that a young woman would not be safe during daylight let alone after dark. However, her free ministrations for the health and wellbeing of her fellow citizens, especially among the poor was becoming known. It was rare for her to travel more than a block or two and not receive a friendly smile or a called greeting. This held more so in the Common Quarter (which was often addressed at ‘Thieves Quarter’) where so many of the homeless and near homeless took up residence.
Such a kind-hearted soul would often be the target of many mean-hearted people within a city such as Tarantis, something her upbringing had taught her in a few harsh lessons. That she did not take the healers path so much for the wealth, fame or position that it would provide, but that being such a natural healer, it never occurred to her that she wanted to be anything else. Despite a wish use the gifts the gods gave her freely and without request for recompense, Lilita knew that some amount of coin was needed to support herself which was why she agreed to help Pencelot when the opportunity was presented. It helped her to meet her obligations to the Healer’s Guild, to which she owed much. The rest of her free time was spent healing the cities poor and destitute, often traveling into the more unsavory quarters and back alleys. That she refused payment of any sort, except, perhaps, honest gratitude and the rare smiles of those who had little to smile about, gave her more protection than a small troop of Paladins would have provided. Often oblivious to the dangers around her, she never saw grateful, unsavory types benefiting from her growing skills warning others of the same ilk to think twice before laying hands on her.
Passing from the Shopkeeper’s Quarter to the Tradesman’s Quarters Lilita was greeted by the young guard, Amlack who, ignoring the smirks and grins of his fellow city guard. Throwing an embarrassed look towards his peers, Amlack took a few steps close.
“Well met, Miss Lilita. I – “he glanced down for a brief moment – “I just wanted to thank you and Physician Foonse for tending to me, ah, my malady today.”
Lilita eyes downcast a bit embarrassed by such attention... gives the young guard a shy yet friendly innocent smile, "Master Foonse did most of the tending, Ser Amlack... I just assisted him is all so your kind thanks... though appreciated by both my Master and I is not necessary. But you are most welcome, is there something more that I can do for you? I mean, your malady is not troubling you further is it?" She says with a look of genuine concern for him and his well being... [Perception vs. Amlack’s health: (+2) +13 = 15]
“Well, the cough is gone but there’s a bit of a…” Amlack’s face reddened slightly, aware of his fellow guards smirking and grinning at his expense a few feet away. A stout, older Guard with the emblem of a sergeant on his helmet and with a fairly pungent smell that Lilita could smell from where she stood, muttered, “Just grab ‘er, if’n you want a kiss, boy.”
Lilita hearing the older guards comment turns a sad gaze to the Sergeant and gives him a polite respectful bow and holds her tongue.
Ignoring his superior, the young guard gently took Lilita by the elbow and steered her a few more paces away and out of the main flow of passersby’s. “The cough’s fine, honest,” he said, then coughed anyway. It did sound better than it had last five day. “I jus…just wanted to see if you’d like an escort home. I mean, you’re staying in that old Vardo wagon by the wall dividing the Trade Quarter from the Laborer’s Quarter?”
Lilita looks at him somewhat surprised that he knows where she lives, "that is most kind of you to offer Ser Amlack I would very much appreciate an escort especially one such as yourself trained by the honorable Sergeant there... perhaps many in the city have forgotten his past valor and deeds but I have not. Thank you."
“It’s really safe for a bea – “Amlack stammered for a second, then continued – “A young lady to live alone like that. I mean, the cities full of dark hearts. Plus, there’s been some disappearances. Karria, the Baker’s daughter just two nights ago, and Dame Poritrous last five day. And others…”
Lilita listens and nods, "these indeed are dark times... I am greatly saddened to hear of such... my heart goes out to those poor unfortunate women and their families. No doubt the City Watch will get to the bottom of things and put stop a stop it. I have every confidence in you, your comrades and your Sergeant... that you all will do your best to safeguard us all."
“No one can fault you for the good works you do, Miss Lilita, even the Maidens of Orissi cannot depend on their order’s works and efforts for the poor in the city to protect them from those with ill or evil intent. I – “
"Thank you... that is indeed very true. My works and efforts in the community are no shield nor should they be... I only seek to give what little comfort I may where I am able to those who need it the most. Good deeds such as your offer to escort me is its own reward is it not? We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. People after us will remember you for your kindness, bravery and good heart as you follow your path to serve and protect, so too must I follow my path, no matter what the risks."
As Lilita walks along with him towards her home she notes the thoughtful look that had come over Amlack’s face. After a few blocks of quiet he nods.
“You have such deep thoughts for one so young,” he said, “but I guess it’s to be expected as you deal with more suffering and death in a five-day than most do in a life time. I see too much of it in the back alley’s and the streets myself.
Lilita smiles, "perhaps that is true or maybe it is just that I have an old soul..."
My pap warned me that serving “The Lion”, and Tantaras wouldn’t be easy. Such evil and corruption; and the talk of war, always war” There was another pause before Amlack coughed and forced a smile onto his face. “My apologies, Mis Lilita. I should not say such things in the presence of a lady.”
Lilita... lightly places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "no apologies are necessary... you are a man of honor and duty, I respect that... you may feel free to confide whatever you wish to me and unburden yourself, speak your mind... freely... this too is a form of healing."
The young man seemed relieved. “I guess you’re right, we serve, which is more than many can claim.”
Lilita... her face serene, calm and passive meets his gaze and speaks softly, "all the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, and hope. The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world, alas my calling is perhaps much more simplistic than yours and that of your superiors... with its sheer shifting complexities and varying shades of grey... I simply tend the sick and injured... any and all who are in need... to ease their pain and suffering. While yours is a much more difficult calling... but I believe in you and respect that you seek to try to do the right thing when and where you can!"
“Oh?!” Amlack started slightly, then cast a guilty look her way. “Well, I asked ‘round a bit, you know? I think it was an urchin who told me about the Varda wagon. I’ve seen it a few times while on patrol but assumed it was abandoned. Usually things like wagons don’t last long. Either they are ‘claimed’ by someone or are dismantled for the wood.
Lilita smiles again, "see... even when you don't have to... you look out for someone like me, I am no perfumed beauty, no rich merchant or great lord's daughter... I am merely one of many, the faceless plebeians of this grand city. You have a good heart Amlack... thank you!"
[Lilita’s Perception check: 10]
The guard’s face reddened slightly than his eyes flickered towards her wagon about the same time hers did and his demeanor changed abruptly, more on guard. She saw a figure huddled in a gray cloak, leaning against lower step of her home, swaying slightly.
“Looks like you have company.”
Lilita's gaze falls upon the swaying figure with concern, feeling tremendous empathy for all who suffer. The young healer turns her full focus on the stranger... and away from the young guardsmen. Her attention is all on the figure who is obviously in distress and unwell... Lilita moved quickly forward without any concern or thought to her own safety and wellbeing. As they drew closer the figure’s shape revealed a middle-aged woman with pale skin. The stranger swayed slightly than collapsed onto the ground. Without pause, Lolita begins to physically examine [GM: Medicine check > 7 (+4) = +11] the woman to attempt to determine what may be amiss with her.
Unable to initially diagnose her condition Lilita struggles to move the woman turning to Amlack,"please help me to move her, it's alright... you don't need your weapon, she is not a threat, trust me."
Gripping his polearm tighter, Amlack looked alarmed. “A threat? Threat, how?”
At first glance as they reached the woman Lilita wasn’t sure. The woman’s skin was very pale, almost chalky which could mean an illness of the blood. There were no obvious wounds or sighs of coughing, blood loss, or other obvious illness.
Gripping his halberd tighter Amlack’s said, “Move her? Move her where?”
"Into the Vardo of course... I have a small bed inside where she can be made comfortable and I can attend to her... please help me to help her," Lilita pleads, "I cannot lift her myself."
Finally, Amlack nodded. Dropping his weapon, the guard easily picked up the woman and carried her inside where, upon placing her on the narrow bed, stepped back to hover nervously.
Once inside the Vardo Lilita, as her physical examination proved to be less than helpful, used her innate magic to cast Detect Poison and Disease in hopes of learning more of what ails the woman and possibly give Lilita a better idea how to go about helping the woman or at least make her more comfortable. As she does this Lilita will also make use of herbal smelling salts ((ammonia inhalants)) pulling out a pinch of some spirit of hartshorn used to arouse consciousness seeking to talk to the woman to get idea what has transpired with her recently and possibly get her to describe her pains or symptoms so that Lilita can try again to better diagnose her condition how best to treat her.
“Is… is she contagious?”
“I don’t know,” Lilita said honestly as she worked. A soft glow surrounded the woman, revealing the usual signs of various minor diseases and malady’s that plagued many of the cities poor but nothing serious; nothing that would warrant her current condition.
After half an hour she had exhausted most of her knowledge. Whatever it was, it was something that was outside her limited training. She did gain confidence that it was none of the usual culprits; nothing that “should” harm Amlack or herself. Her next step would be a through examination of the patient.
"Amlack I know you mean well and I appreciate your assistance, I really do... but now I need to examine the poor dear a bit more closely... thoroughly... so for modesty's sake I think you either need to wait outside or head on home and I will talk to you later."
“What? You want me to leave? I mean, maybe I should go for help…”
Lilita sighs, "I've got this... besides look at her... why do you think she came here to me, usually those who come to me are desperate just because they have nowhere else to go, no one else cares. I will do all I can for her and if I need a consult with someone, I will go to Healing Guild and make a few innocent hypothetical inquiries in the morning, once I have her stabilized."
Amlack blushed wildly than nodded and turned for the small door. “No, no, I don’t think I can be of any further help. But – “he hesitated, door half open – “if you need something; anything, please come see me at the Iron Barracks. If I can’t help my sergeant can, he knows…a lot.” Biting his lower lip, Amlack watched briefly as Lilith began to remove the woman’s clothing before fleeing the Vardo.