Another one of Merrix’ student friends, a gnome with freckles and innocent green-grey eyes looked at the two of them: “What are your goals in life? You, Corti, who does your music serve, and you, Milo, whilst you’re doing fine, how many are out there starving? What if you were to put your talents to a good cause?” Carlo shot him an angry glance.
”I apologise for my friend, Leo is a little impetuous and naive at times. Yet he hits the nail on the head. We represent the people of this city who are tired of the war and want a lasting peace. We need persuaders, and we need people who can get places and who know people.” Fixing Milo with his eyes, he adds in a conspiratorial whisper “Now we both know enough to make life difficult for the other- let’s not have things get that far...”
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Not even looking over at the presumptuous gnome “I have no intentions of making anything difficult for anyone. I’m not against a good cause, in fact a lot of my efforts have been relocating refugees from this war as of late.” Now glaring at the gnome “probably more than you have done, what do you plan to do for the hungry? Fill their bellies with a tune?” Bringing his attention back to Merrix the angst disappearing from his face back to his calm demeanor “I have a been weaving a web of contacts, working on reacher higher places and persuasion is one of my specialties. This notion of lasting peace is a fallacy, peace is not the resting state of man or the like. Even if there was a wave of peace over the land, it always leaves someone subjugated and suffering; it’s all about perspectives. The only way to fix the problems you see isn’t to crumble the system, but to infiltrate it.”
“I’m a freelancer, not a Broadster. Y’can confirm it with either Alessa or Garan at the front desk of the Agency. I’m the one what’s laern—sorry, I’m the one who learned the orc tongue to crack some of the Dusker Grin cases. Brought in Gruthak the Snarler, and I’m ‘alf a breath—keh, rather, I’m this close,” Tarian pinched the air in front of her, index and thumb less than a finger’s breadth apart, “to bringing in the one behind the dreamroot case.”
Of all the inconvenient times for the sounds of home to be pouring from my mouth… Keep your cool, Tarian.
“If a freelancer i’n’t supposed t’know about Thomas Reed hyurre,” Tarian shook Marcellus violently, “then why did you just tell her about ‘im, hmm? Unless you want to be reported for tossing your ‘seycrit’ intel to the winds for jus’ any yearrs to ketch, y’ll let me do it.”
Stop. Breathe. You’re in Duskrock now, slow down and act like it.
“Look, I’m sorry. I could just really use the bounty right now. I’ve nae—not had any good bounties for time enough and the Agency doesn’t pay freelancers’ expenses. So I’ll be turning him in. Whatever pocket coin you have won’t fill my belly nor pay my rent. But he could. And if I can beat Tarnuuk the Knuckle-biter in a dustup, I can handle some loon who attacked me in the street.”
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"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Brandt finishes up with Celeste and pays for his meal, as well as the time spent with her. "Well, that was fun and if I'm not mistaken, it seemed like you enjoyed it too."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
The nightwatchmen eyed Tarian suspiciously, but eventually harrumphed and stepped aside, letting her and Marcellus pass. Cold sweat running down her spine, she pushed the sergeant along, down another set of widing alleys, to quickly get out of sight of the patrol. By the sounds of it though, she had gotten her bearings well enough to make the guards think she was actually heading to the station though. She’d have at least three hours of a head start before they’d know she never got there with her prisoner.
————————
Celeste flashes snother one of her charming smiles at Brandt snd giggles slightly: “You weren’t striking me as insecure, but I’ll admit, I’ve had worse. The room is paid for until the morning however, so you can stay here if you want, and get some rest.” At that she got up from the cushions and motioned to leave Brandt alone in the room.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Carlo seemed stung by Milo’s words: “It is true that our successes have been few and far between. Yet I sense we might be on the same side of this fight.” Looking at both Corti and Milo, he got up from his spot and added: “Come to the Hill tomorrow, you’ll see what I mean.”
With that, he and his friends left, paying the bar keep on the way out. A few moments later, the gruff man places a large ale and a steaming meat pie before Milo. “You still wan’ that room?” , looking at Corti
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt decides to follow Celeste's advice and decides to go to sleep, since tomorrow likely wasn't going to be as fun as today and he'd need to be fully energized.
Corti sits at the empty table for a moment, reflecting on the conversation. She slowly stands and walks back to the stage, and begins to play an upbeat drinking song, popular with both sailors and soldiers. As she sings a slightly altered version of the most popular lyrics, she resolves to see what that half-elf wants. It would be nice to work towards something concrete again. This will be good for me.
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Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“You sounded like you did when I first met you,” Marcellus spoke at last. “What are we going to do?”
Tarian breathed in slowly, and out slowly. “We’re going to find help. I’ve got a plan. It’s not a great plan, maybe not even a good plan, but it’s better than what we’re already dealing with.” She turned her face to the rain, then nudged her head toward an alleyway. “C’mon, we’re off to talk with a friend of mine.”
The tavern echoed through the lightless streets with raucous orcish from several dozens of voices. Tarian pushed through the dimly lit hall thick with orcs, half-orcs, and the occasional goblinoid to the table she sat with Grumm at a couple hours earlier. Grumm wasn’t there.
A quick look and she spotted Grumm at the next table, playing Three-Dragon Ante with his usual crew. Tarian motioned for Marcellus to stand where he was at while she sidled up next to the big orc. “Hey Grumm,” she called in orcish over the din, “play the druid last in the flight. And don’t play that Bahamut card as your ante next flight.”
The other players laughed and adjusted the cards in their hands, while Grumm’s slate-colored face darkened with anger as he quickly stood up. Grumm towered over Tarian, his shoulder just above the top of her head, and the shouting crowd stepped back a pace to watch.
Tarian didn’t wait.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 20 Damage: 4
Grumm rounded on Tarian with a furious swing of his own.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus Tarian’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: Attack: 6 Damage: 4
The crowd roared with each exchange as the two continued their brawl.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 20 Damage: 4
([Tooltip Not Found] versus Tarian’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: 9 Damage: 4
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"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Each had landed but a single blow on the other. Their strength was fairly evenly matched and they both knew it. The crowd spurred the two on as Grumm spat a mouthful of blood and Tarian rubbed her bruised cheek.
(UNARMED STRIKE versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 18 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Grumm shouted his victory and raised his arms high, then dragged Tarian through the back door to the alley behind the tavern. Marcellus, panicked, was grabbed by Grumm’s men and forced to follow.
One of Grumm’s men, a half-orc, knelt down beside Tarian’s crumpled form and set down a small box, quickly getting to work tending Tarian’s wounds. Tarian groaned and looked up at Grumm, who folded his arms and leaned against the closed door.
Grumm rubbed his chin. He didn’t look that much better than Tarian. “You want to talk, then talk.”
“You got lucky this time.” Tarian brushed off the half-orc and thrust out her lower jaw at Grumm, baring her teeth: the orc grin. “Next time, though, it might not be me saying the orc hello.”
Grumm’s brow sunk even deeper over his eyes.
Tarian switched to common, since most of Grumm’s men only barely understood it. “It’s not just the Broadsters out tonight, guard’s out, too.” Tarian pulled herself to her feet, leaning heavily on the wall. “Now, maybe there’s something I can do about that, maybe not. But y’might be seein’ a tetch more round hyurre t’night ‘round midnight, if y’ketch my meanin’.”
Grumm eased away from the door. “What you want?”
Tarian gestured to Marcellus. “I’ve a friend what needs a wey out of Duskrock. Clever men with weys of gettin’ dreamroot into Duskrock must alsoh have weys of gettin’ out, I reckon. Kent be too metch longer now befair we’re all in it.”
Grumm shook his head.
“Aaahnd…” Tarian added, “they know I know somethin’ about the dreamroot.”
Grumm reached for an empty bottle in a crate by the back door.
“Ahnd doin’ me hairm’ll just bring them down on ya faster,” Tarian quickly added. “Jest… give me time to talk to him alone here, just for a while, and then get him out of town. They all think you’re dumb. I respect you. You know that.”
Grumm grunted, and before opening the door, he said, “Maybe I come back in an hour. Maybe not. You find out what I think of you then.” He switched to orcish and said to his men, “Inside. We talk.”
As the dim light from inside squeezed into a narrow band before disappearing behind the closing door, Tarian turned to Marcellus. “We’ve got maybe an hour. You’d best explain yourself while we have time.”
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"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Marcellus has calmed down somewhat, now that Tarian and he were no longer in the alley. But he was still struggling to talk: “It’s true what they said, well no, not really, but the part about the Asylum... I couldn’t shake the dreams, the faces... Skeen helped for a while- blissful dreamless nights... jumbled me up though, made me forget things, twist the truth around... I was so ashamed, a Duskrock Dragoon no better than a common drunkard, stumbling his way from dreamroot den to dreamroot den. Another dragoon brought me to the Asylum, gave them a false name, to protect me and what little honour I had left. The treatments were terrible, but I started thinking more clearly again, remembered things. That’s when the killing started. And let me tell you, whatever the papers call it, they’re killings... First they got Lance Corporal MacFergus, then Privates Benedict and Humphreys were found dead. A couple weeks back, Sergeant Blake was caught in a fire, and Corporal Terrence fell into the path of an oncoming horse carriage. When Lieutenant Ornell was found having fallen off his balcony while tending to his roses, the Captain decided to flee the city, and I needed to get out of that godsforsaken Asylum...”
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
The gruff barkeep stepped towards Corti. “Sorry dear, seems like a slow night, I’d like ta close up for today, now that your friend’s gone to sleep too. Don’t be disheartened though, it’s just that with the work stoppages, a lot of the workers here don’t have the wages to come eat and drink here. Been the same for the last three weeks. I don’t have any more rooms, but you can stay here, it’s not like you need a room, right?”
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Corti gives him a small nod, "Yes sir, that's perfectly fine, thank you." She packs up her instrument and takes a seat at a table in a corner, going into Sentry's Rest for the night.
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Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
“I won’t be able to help you if you need further treatment. Ask some other apothecary. I have some damage control to attend to after we’re done here.” She figured she would probably regret it, but Tarian fished out one of her last remaining coins from her coin purse and pressed it into Marcellus’s palm. “This is more than I can spare. Get yourself something else to wear, find a quiet job in some other town, change your name; do whatever, just don’t draw attention to yourself.” She brandished her fist, still flecked with Grumm’s blood, at Marcellus. “But if I hear you’ve dragged my family deeper into this, I’ll join them and hunt you down myself.”
At the sergeant’s mortified look she sat back, relaxed. “Who are they, anyway? It was a would-be assassin you killed at the Asylum, I take it?” Tarian struggled but managed to pull the torn and crumpled note from the vest pocket beneath her chainmail and returned it to Marcellus. “I think I’ve helped you enough to earn that answer you promised me.”
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"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Marcellus looked at the coin and the crumpled parchment, and suddenly burst into tears. “I’m sorry, I don’t have much more...I am terrified for my life...I know the deaths weren’t accidents, but I’ve got no proof, and whatever I’d say would be treated like the ramblings of an old dope fiend... which isn’t even lying. All I knows is that the Captain took the threat serious enough, he’s fled Eastward, out to the Badlands. He didn’t want me to come to you, thought it was too dangerous... He cursed your mother and said he should’ve killed you that night for the sake of all of us. Don’t know what he meant by that though, even if he was as sharp and clear eyed as ever saying that. As far as I know he’s cared for you and your mother both...” As if to serve it up as proof, he dropped a small locket with an image of Tarian on the inside into her trembling hand. It was definitely a picture of her.
”This was Hector’s?”, she asked, trying to process the sergeant’s words.
“Yes, he tried to destroy it, before he ran, but the embers didn’t catch. I thought the least I could do was to bring it back to you. I don’t know what is causing all this, but I can believe the Captain when he says that only conflict and death lies at the end.”
As if he only now noticed the light of the breaking dawn, he gathered the last remainder of his strength, and headed out the door. “Thanks again, and sorry that I couldn’t be more helpful.”
With that, he left, leaving Tarian to ponder the events of tonight, as she dragged her battered and bruised body to the station, to report that Thomas Reed had escaped.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
The smell of last night’s rain still hung in the air. Kerrigan liked the smell, but she knew that here in the Outer Ward, a cold night often claimed a life or two. Brother Kobe, the human elder of the Western Camp had invited her into the camp to help with some sick children a few months back. Since then, she made it a point of her weekly routine to check in on the dozen or so families and the few orphans who called the ramshackle huts and tents their home away from home.
Getting here, she was usually greeted by the sound of kids playing in the muddy tracks between the huts, or by the chit-chatting of the older girls taking care of the community’s washing near the well that lie at the centre of their encampment. Today though, she was instead greeted by two girls who ushered her to a distraught elven woman. Kerrigan had met Artemis Elandriel a couple of times before, and had gotten to know her daughter Alethea during one of her visits. Alethea wasn’t there though, and thick tears ran down Artemis’ cheeks.
”Kerrigan, how good of you to come. It’s Alethea. She’s been out playing with some of the other children, but she hasn’t gotten back. I was waiting up for her until sundown, but she didn’t return. I looked for her all night, all of us did. But we couldn’t find her anywhere. Last I know, she was playing hide and seek with Colyn and Teley near the city wall, but they couldn’t find her either. I’m afraid that she followed someone into the city and can’t find her way back. She’s only six... Please, can you help me?”
————————
Arc didn’t much like his assignment. He was a visionary, a creator. He was not here to deal with labour disputes and haggle over wages. Yet, he was sent to the Forge to do just that. More specifically, to move the workers of the House Cannith Northern Forge Steel Mill back to their task. This might be a sort of test, to see how he was with people.
He was told that the Foreman of the Mill was a fearsome half-orc by the name of John Krull, something or other. Well, here he was at any rate, standing in front of the Foreman’s tenement house. Checking tge names next to the entrance, Arc headed towards the creaking wooden stairs that would lead him up to the second floor and Krall’s apartment.
Arc was deep in thought, when he was bumped by a small gnome hurrying past, carrying a bunch of bundles, packages, and letters. He threw a small and sodden package in front of the door that Arc was planning to knock at, and brushed past him with a, “Today’s post, make way”. Stepping over the package, Arc noticed that it had been leaking some dark liquid, which had sosked into the paper. It made him think of ink blots on his neat calculations...
Hesitantly, he knocked on the door.
————————
Thia was excited. She had managed to get a place at Derbert Sparks’ presentation before the Corphyrean Confederation today. She was very curious to see what he would present that would be able to unite the continent and bring it into a glorious future, like he promised.
In the corridor outside of her student room in lower Uptown, she bumped into another student, from the Bard’s College. He had a dhock of red hair, freckles, and deep, forgiving green-grey eyes. She had met him in some of the bars around, and knew him as Leo, short for Leonid Tetuski. He was a Zhivarg student that should have graduated last year, but didn’t want to return to his country because of the ongoing civil war. So he tried to get by teaching juniors and competing as a slammer. He wasn’t very good at the first, but when he spoke he could bring out a fire in people that would scare them.
“Hey Thia, don’t go to the presentation today please. Just, for your sake, stay in the library today.” Something was off about him, he seemed tenser than ususl.
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Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Knocking on the door, Arc calls out, "John? John Krull?" He gives the premise a look over, disappointed in it's lack of maintenance. It's not like magic was all that rare these days, a simple application of the Mending spell would go a long way.
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Another one of Merrix’ student friends, a gnome with freckles and innocent green-grey eyes looked at the two of them: “What are your goals in life? You, Corti, who does your music serve, and you, Milo, whilst you’re doing fine, how many are out there starving? What if you were to put your talents to a good cause?” Carlo shot him an angry glance.
”I apologise for my friend, Leo is a little impetuous and naive at times. Yet he hits the nail on the head. We represent the people of this city who are tired of the war and want a lasting peace. We need persuaders, and we need people who can get places and who know people.” Fixing Milo with his eyes, he adds in a conspiratorial whisper “Now we both know enough to make life difficult for the other- let’s not have things get that far...”
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Not even looking over at the presumptuous gnome “I have no intentions of making anything difficult for anyone. I’m not against a good cause, in fact a lot of my efforts have been relocating refugees from this war as of late.” Now glaring at the gnome “probably more than you have done, what do you plan to do for the hungry? Fill their bellies with a tune?” Bringing his attention back to Merrix the angst disappearing from his face back to his calm demeanor “I have a been weaving a web of contacts, working on reacher higher places and persuasion is one of my specialties. This notion of lasting peace is a fallacy, peace is not the resting state of man or the like. Even if there was a wave of peace over the land, it always leaves someone subjugated and suffering; it’s all about perspectives. The only way to fix the problems you see isn’t to crumble the system, but to infiltrate it.”
“I’m a freelancer, not a Broadster. Y’can confirm it with either Alessa or Garan at the front desk of the Agency. I’m the one what’s laern—sorry, I’m the one who learned the orc tongue to crack some of the Dusker Grin cases. Brought in Gruthak the Snarler, and I’m ‘alf a breath—keh, rather, I’m this close,” Tarian pinched the air in front of her, index and thumb less than a finger’s breadth apart, “to bringing in the one behind the dreamroot case.”
Of all the inconvenient times for the sounds of home to be pouring from my mouth… Keep your cool, Tarian.
“If a freelancer i’n’t supposed t’know about Thomas Reed hyurre,” Tarian shook Marcellus violently, “then why did you just tell her about ‘im, hmm? Unless you want to be reported for tossing your ‘seycrit’ intel to the winds for jus’ any yearrs to ketch, y’ll let me do it.”
Stop. Breathe. You’re in Duskrock now, slow down and act like it.
“Look, I’m sorry. I could just really use the bounty right now. I’ve nae—not had any good bounties for time enough and the Agency doesn’t pay freelancers’ expenses. So I’ll be turning him in. Whatever pocket coin you have won’t fill my belly nor pay my rent. But he could. And if I can beat Tarnuuk the Knuckle-biter in a dustup, I can handle some loon who attacked me in the street.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
(DECEPTION or PERSUASION, not proficient with either, -1 CHA, rolled with advantage) 15
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Brandt finishes up with Celeste and pays for his meal, as well as the time spent with her. "Well, that was fun and if I'm not mistaken, it seemed like you enjoyed it too."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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The nightwatchmen eyed Tarian suspiciously, but eventually harrumphed and stepped aside, letting her and Marcellus pass. Cold sweat running down her spine, she pushed the sergeant along, down another set of widing alleys, to quickly get out of sight of the patrol. By the sounds of it though, she had gotten her bearings well enough to make the guards think she was actually heading to the station though. She’d have at least three hours of a head start before they’d know she never got there with her prisoner.
————————
Celeste flashes snother one of her charming smiles at Brandt snd giggles slightly: “You weren’t striking me as insecure, but I’ll admit, I’ve had worse. The room is paid for until the morning however, so you can stay here if you want, and get some rest.” At that she got up from the cushions and motioned to leave Brandt alone in the room.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Carlo seemed stung by Milo’s words: “It is true that our successes have been few and far between. Yet I sense we might be on the same side of this fight.” Looking at both Corti and Milo, he got up from his spot and added: “Come to the Hill tomorrow, you’ll see what I mean.”
With that, he and his friends left, paying the bar keep on the way out. A few moments later, the gruff man places a large ale and a steaming meat pie before Milo. “You still wan’ that room?” , looking at Corti
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Brandt decides to follow Celeste's advice and decides to go to sleep, since tomorrow likely wasn't going to be as fun as today and he'd need to be fully energized.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Corti sits at the empty table for a moment, reflecting on the conversation. She slowly stands and walks back to the stage, and begins to play an upbeat drinking song, popular with both sailors and soldiers. As she sings a slightly altered version of the most popular lyrics, she resolves to see what that half-elf wants. It would be nice to work towards something concrete again. This will be good for me.
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
“You sounded like you did when I first met you,” Marcellus spoke at last. “What are we going to do?”
Tarian breathed in slowly, and out slowly. “We’re going to find help. I’ve got a plan. It’s not a great plan, maybe not even a good plan, but it’s better than what we’re already dealing with.” She turned her face to the rain, then nudged her head toward an alleyway. “C’mon, we’re off to talk with a friend of mine.”
The tavern echoed through the lightless streets with raucous orcish from several dozens of voices. Tarian pushed through the dimly lit hall thick with orcs, half-orcs, and the occasional goblinoid to the table she sat with Grumm at a couple hours earlier. Grumm wasn’t there.
A quick look and she spotted Grumm at the next table, playing Three-Dragon Ante with his usual crew. Tarian motioned for Marcellus to stand where he was at while she sidled up next to the big orc. “Hey Grumm,” she called in orcish over the din, “play the druid last in the flight. And don’t play that Bahamut card as your ante next flight.”
The other players laughed and adjusted the cards in their hands, while Grumm’s slate-colored face darkened with anger as he quickly stood up. Grumm towered over Tarian, his shoulder just above the top of her head, and the shouting crowd stepped back a pace to watch.
Tarian didn’t wait.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 20 Damage: 4
Grumm rounded on Tarian with a furious swing of his own.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus Tarian’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: Attack: 6 Damage: 4
The crowd roared with each exchange as the two continued their brawl.
([Tooltip Not Found] versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 20 Damage: 4
([Tooltip Not Found] versus Tarian’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: 9 Damage: 4
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Each had landed but a single blow on the other. Their strength was fairly evenly matched and they both knew it. The crowd spurred the two on as Grumm spat a mouthful of blood and Tarian rubbed her bruised cheek.
(UNARMED STRIKE versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 18 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
(UNARMED STRIKE versus {https://ddb.ac/characters/10813543/67aOQX}Tarian{}’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: 11 Damage: 4
(UNARMED STRIKE versus ORC’s AC of 13) Attack: 16 Damage: 4
(UNARMED STRIKE versus {https://ddb.ac/characters/10813543/67aOQX}Tarian{}’s AC of 17, no shield) Attack: 8 Damage: 4
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Grumm shouted his victory and raised his arms high, then dragged Tarian through the back door to the alley behind the tavern. Marcellus, panicked, was grabbed by Grumm’s men and forced to follow.
One of Grumm’s men, a half-orc, knelt down beside Tarian’s crumpled form and set down a small box, quickly getting to work tending Tarian’s wounds. Tarian groaned and looked up at Grumm, who folded his arms and leaned against the closed door.
Grumm rubbed his chin. He didn’t look that much better than Tarian. “You want to talk, then talk.”
“You got lucky this time.” Tarian brushed off the half-orc and thrust out her lower jaw at Grumm, baring her teeth: the orc grin. “Next time, though, it might not be me saying the orc hello.”
Grumm’s brow sunk even deeper over his eyes.
Tarian switched to common, since most of Grumm’s men only barely understood it. “It’s not just the Broadsters out tonight, guard’s out, too.” Tarian pulled herself to her feet, leaning heavily on the wall. “Now, maybe there’s something I can do about that, maybe not. But y’might be seein’ a tetch more round hyurre t’night ‘round midnight, if y’ketch my meanin’.”
Grumm eased away from the door. “What you want?”
Tarian gestured to Marcellus. “I’ve a friend what needs a wey out of Duskrock. Clever men with weys of gettin’ dreamroot into Duskrock must alsoh have weys of gettin’ out, I reckon. Kent be too metch longer now befair we’re all in it.”
Grumm shook his head.
“Aaahnd…” Tarian added, “they know I know somethin’ about the dreamroot.”
Grumm reached for an empty bottle in a crate by the back door.
“Ahnd doin’ me hairm’ll just bring them down on ya faster,” Tarian quickly added. “Jest… give me time to talk to him alone here, just for a while, and then get him out of town. They all think you’re dumb. I respect you. You know that.”
Grumm grunted, and before opening the door, he said, “Maybe I come back in an hour. Maybe not. You find out what I think of you then.” He switched to orcish and said to his men, “Inside. We talk.”
As the dim light from inside squeezed into a narrow band before disappearing behind the closing door, Tarian turned to Marcellus. “We’ve got maybe an hour. You’d best explain yourself while we have time.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Marcellus has calmed down somewhat, now that Tarian and he were no longer in the alley. But he was still struggling to talk: “It’s true what they said, well no, not really, but the part about the Asylum... I couldn’t shake the dreams, the faces... Skeen helped for a while- blissful dreamless nights... jumbled me up though, made me forget things, twist the truth around... I was so ashamed, a Duskrock Dragoon no better than a common drunkard, stumbling his way from dreamroot den to dreamroot den. Another dragoon brought me to the Asylum, gave them a false name, to protect me and what little honour I had left. The treatments were terrible, but I started thinking more clearly again, remembered things. That’s when the killing started. And let me tell you, whatever the papers call it, they’re killings... First they got Lance Corporal MacFergus, then Privates Benedict and Humphreys were found dead. A couple weeks back, Sergeant Blake was caught in a fire, and Corporal Terrence fell into the path of an oncoming horse carriage. When Lieutenant Ornell was found having fallen off his balcony while tending to his roses, the Captain decided to flee the city, and I needed to get out of that godsforsaken Asylum...”
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Wes enjoys his meal before retiring to his room for the night.
The gruff barkeep stepped towards Corti. “Sorry dear, seems like a slow night, I’d like ta close up for today, now that your friend’s gone to sleep too. Don’t be disheartened though, it’s just that with the work stoppages, a lot of the workers here don’t have the wages to come eat and drink here. Been the same for the last three weeks. I don’t have any more rooms, but you can stay here, it’s not like you need a room, right?”
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Corti gives him a small nod, "Yes sir, that's perfectly fine, thank you." She packs up her instrument and takes a seat at a table in a corner, going into Sentry's Rest for the night.
I do both party and individual character commissions. PM me for info.
Corti- Warforged bard (Union!)
Hadar Jaffe- Half-elf Knowledge Domain Cleric (Nemo's Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun)
“I won’t be able to help you if you need further treatment. Ask some other apothecary. I have some damage control to attend to after we’re done here.” She figured she would probably regret it, but Tarian fished out one of her last remaining coins from her coin purse and pressed it into Marcellus’s palm. “This is more than I can spare. Get yourself something else to wear, find a quiet job in some other town, change your name; do whatever, just don’t draw attention to yourself.” She brandished her fist, still flecked with Grumm’s blood, at Marcellus. “But if I hear you’ve dragged my family deeper into this, I’ll join them and hunt you down myself.”
At the sergeant’s mortified look she sat back, relaxed. “Who are they, anyway? It was a would-be assassin you killed at the Asylum, I take it?” Tarian struggled but managed to pull the torn and crumpled note from the vest pocket beneath her chainmail and returned it to Marcellus. “I think I’ve helped you enough to earn that answer you promised me.”
"On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." --Kevin Flynn, Tron (1982)
Out of context, also applicable to Dungeons & Dragons.
Marcellus looked at the coin and the crumpled parchment, and suddenly burst into tears. “I’m sorry, I don’t have much more...I am terrified for my life...I know the deaths weren’t accidents, but I’ve got no proof, and whatever I’d say would be treated like the ramblings of an old dope fiend... which isn’t even lying. All I knows is that the Captain took the threat serious enough, he’s fled Eastward, out to the Badlands. He didn’t want me to come to you, thought it was too dangerous... He cursed your mother and said he should’ve killed you that night for the sake of all of us. Don’t know what he meant by that though, even if he was as sharp and clear eyed as ever saying that. As far as I know he’s cared for you and your mother both...” As if to serve it up as proof, he dropped a small locket with an image of Tarian on the inside into her trembling hand. It was definitely a picture of her.
”This was Hector’s?”, she asked, trying to process the sergeant’s words.
“Yes, he tried to destroy it, before he ran, but the embers didn’t catch. I thought the least I could do was to bring it back to you. I don’t know what is causing all this, but I can believe the Captain when he says that only conflict and death lies at the end.”
As if he only now noticed the light of the breaking dawn, he gathered the last remainder of his strength, and headed out the door. “Thanks again, and sorry that I couldn’t be more helpful.”
With that, he left, leaving Tarian to ponder the events of tonight, as she dragged her battered and bruised body to the station, to report that Thomas Reed had escaped.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
The smell of last night’s rain still hung in the air. Kerrigan liked the smell, but she knew that here in the Outer Ward, a cold night often claimed a life or two. Brother Kobe, the human elder of the Western Camp had invited her into the camp to help with some sick children a few months back. Since then, she made it a point of her weekly routine to check in on the dozen or so families and the few orphans who called the ramshackle huts and tents their home away from home.
Getting here, she was usually greeted by the sound of kids playing in the muddy tracks between the huts, or by the chit-chatting of the older girls taking care of the community’s washing near the well that lie at the centre of their encampment. Today though, she was instead greeted by two girls who ushered her to a distraught elven woman. Kerrigan had met Artemis Elandriel a couple of times before, and had gotten to know her daughter Alethea during one of her visits. Alethea wasn’t there though, and thick tears ran down Artemis’ cheeks.
”Kerrigan, how good of you to come. It’s Alethea. She’s been out playing with some of the other children, but she hasn’t gotten back. I was waiting up for her until sundown, but she didn’t return. I looked for her all night, all of us did. But we couldn’t find her anywhere. Last I know, she was playing hide and seek with Colyn and Teley near the city wall, but they couldn’t find her either. I’m afraid that she followed someone into the city and can’t find her way back. She’s only six... Please, can you help me?”
————————
Arc didn’t much like his assignment. He was a visionary, a creator. He was not here to deal with labour disputes and haggle over wages. Yet, he was sent to the Forge to do just that. More specifically, to move the workers of the House Cannith Northern Forge Steel Mill back to their task. This might be a sort of test, to see how he was with people.
He was told that the Foreman of the Mill was a fearsome half-orc by the name of John Krull, something or other. Well, here he was at any rate, standing in front of the Foreman’s tenement house. Checking tge names next to the entrance, Arc headed towards the creaking wooden stairs that would lead him up to the second floor and Krall’s apartment.
Arc was deep in thought, when he was bumped by a small gnome hurrying past, carrying a bunch of bundles, packages, and letters. He threw a small and sodden package in front of the door that Arc was planning to knock at, and brushed past him with a, “Today’s post, make way”. Stepping over the package, Arc noticed that it had been leaking some dark liquid, which had sosked into the paper. It made him think of ink blots on his neat calculations...
Hesitantly, he knocked on the door.
————————
Thia was excited. She had managed to get a place at Derbert Sparks’ presentation before the Corphyrean Confederation today. She was very curious to see what he would present that would be able to unite the continent and bring it into a glorious future, like he promised.
In the corridor outside of her student room in lower Uptown, she bumped into another student, from the Bard’s College. He had a dhock of red hair, freckles, and deep, forgiving green-grey eyes. She had met him in some of the bars around, and knew him as Leo, short for Leonid Tetuski. He was a Zhivarg student that should have graduated last year, but didn’t want to return to his country because of the ongoing civil war. So he tried to get by teaching juniors and competing as a slammer. He wasn’t very good at the first, but when he spoke he could bring out a fire in people that would scare them.
“Hey Thia, don’t go to the presentation today please. Just, for your sake, stay in the library today.” Something was off about him, he seemed tenser than ususl.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Knocking on the door, Arc calls out, "John? John Krull?" He gives the premise a look over, disappointed in it's lack of maintenance. It's not like magic was all that rare these days, a simple application of the Mending spell would go a long way.