18 means that if the ring is an established gang or crime family symbol in the city, you definitely recognise it. Feel free to invent something that you think is fun :)
That's from the Lost Brothers gang, says Twiglet, turning the finger in his hand and then pulling off the ring. It''ll have the name on the inside....
On the inner face of the grubby ring, Twiglet can read the gang-sign crudely sketched, probably with a knife; It's the sign for a guard dog. "His name was Brother Dog" Twiglet reports, putting the ring back on the table. "He was always a shit muscle man. Always looking for some excuse to spill blood. He won't be missed by many, but the Brotherhood may want pay-back." Twiglet thought more and then realises something. "This isn't Lost Brothers territory...not by several blocks." The young Halfling looks from Branca to the Goblin. "If they are moving on this Tavern, it means a turf war in the offing....did you kill them all or just chew off a finger?"
Either way, Twiglet does not want to be in the middle of a turf war....or found holding a Lost Brothers ring
Branca looks pleased at the answer "The Lost Brothers you say? Good, good. Now I know that, my little chat with the masters tomorrow will be much more productive. I wonder if they have forgotten why they agreed my Boar was neutral ground?" She cracks her knuckles with a look of significant pleasure, "I certainly hope so."
Looking at Roars, Branca asks "So, what state did you leave them idiots in? Enough of them left to realise their mistake?"
Ilduarana has been observing with curiosity her new companions. They were so different from the Oaktree people. She was dying to ask them about their lives and habits... but as her people always said: "observe for a day before thinking, observe for a year before speaking"
“Did...she...say she put them in a flowerpot”. Twiglet was still not sure it was possible to be a female goblin, he’d certainly never heard of one. “Or...she killed the with a flowerpot?”
”Either way, it might be better to be somewhere else soon” Twiglet realised that the Boar might not be a safe space for him much longer. The Brotherhood were no friends to his gang but runaways were always fair game
Gundren laughs "Well this certainly has been a most interesting evening, but I must call it a night. Feel free to continue eating and drinking your fill. Branca, would you mind showing them to the rooms I booked when they want to turn in?" Branca nods her agreement "Excellent, I look forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow" He gives you all a conspiring wink before leaving the table. Sildar also makes his goodbyes and heads up the stairs at the back to where the tavern's rooms are located.
(OOC)
I didn't think we would spend this much time in the tavern. Reminder that Gundren invited you to meet him in the stables at 2am, which is a few hours away. How you spend the time between now and then is up to you.
Having observed most of the recent exchanges in silence, Humblodt rises and steps after Gundren. His conversation is inaudible to the others bar the first few words, "Where exactly are your brothers..."
It's getting late and tomorrow is going to be a long day. XiaoLong gets up... walks to Branca... and ask her if she would be kind enough to send someone to wake her up in the early hours, in time for the meeting set by Gundren. As she leaves, she addresses the table:
"Good night everyone. I guess I'll see you all in the morning".
At 2am, there is a small lantern lit inside the stables behind the inn. It lights a ladder to the hay loft where another lantern can be seen once one is close. Sildar stands quietly at the entrance to the stables smiling and nodding at those who enter.
Gundren is waiting in the hay filled loft and is pacing, brimming with excitement. He tries to give each of you a hug as you join him for the meeting.
"Welcome my good friends! I am glad you have all come to hear about the opportunity you have all been waiting for your entire lives! I hope you're ready to do the last job you'll ever need to do in fact! Perhaps you've heard of Phandalin? Wave Echo Cave? The great dwarf Queen Torendeahilda Rubymace, no doubt? SURELY you've heard of the legendary Forge of Spells! I know, I know, the Forge was lost centuries ago and you've heard it is impossible to find, lost to the depths forever! That might be true, IF you weren't now in business with the Rockseeker brothers, that is! We've discovered the lost mine and the entrance to the Forge, and together we will all go down in history as those who resumed the great work of Torendeahilda and restored the mine to it's former glory! I can't wait to see all of your faces when we get there!"
You all hear a bit of clambering as Sildar's head and shoulders pop up at the top of the ladder. He says with a bit of sarcasm "so much for just hiring them for the trip to Phandalin, to start. Perhaps they'd like to know where the greatest of adventures begins, Gundren?" As Gundren resumes Sildar returns to the ground to keep an eye out.
"Oh right, yes yes. That Sildar, he loves to make jokes. He's always right though, you know. Good man, that one. It's just that, you all deserve to know the scale of what we are about to achieve! Shouldn't be much trouble, really. Supplies are being put together currently and we should be ready to depart by noon tomorrow. No later I told them! The arrangements have been made and everything will be brought right here then so we can get right to it! With all of you along I'm sure the typical ruffians along the road with give us no trouble and beyond that perhaps there will be some traversing of the hills and the mine and we should be able to find the spot!"
Gundren pauses as if he might be finished and there is another loud clearing of the throat from down below.
"Right, right. You want to know about the finer points of the job. We'll be taking two wagons south along the The High Road to the Triboar Trail and then on to Phandalin. When we deliver them to Barthen's Provisions you'll each be paid twenty gold pieces for your services, at which point you are of course free to take your leave if you choose." Gundren chuckles. "Boy wouldn't that be a curious choice when on the doorstep to the Forge of Spells, eh?! Don't worry, there will be plenty of coin for continued help from there on in. My brothers will be there to fill us in on the details. In fact, everything should be all squared away already!" He smiles proudly and waves the still unopened letter about before stuffing it back in his pocket.
Twiglet had been dozing fitfully behind hay bales in the stables when the others came in. He couldn’t sleep in a bed in a tavern room. He’d certainly never slept in a bed before, though he’d pretended to for a laugh when they’d found a four-poster giant in Master Weynslaw’s manor. He joined the others in the hay loft as they went up.
After listening to the dwarf he seemed unsettled. “It’ll be my first time out of the city” says, to no one in particular. “But with everything happening here I suppose I need to be scarce.”
20 gold pieces of his own would certainly give Twiglet some more options while hiding from his gang. But he still felt on the edge of the group.
“I’m not sure the grumpy dwarf wants me here” he thought, but the other dwarf seems nice (though the cheerfulness seemed a little forced), the monk looked honourable and the goblin fascinated him. And he’d never seen so many elves in one place. Such a ragtag group was sure to put off casual bandits, he thought...
Humblodt listen's to Gundren's tale, allowing him to finish, but clearly building up steam as it went on. "The Forge of Spells? Really? If you have found it, which I most sincerely doubt, the only sensible thing to do would be bury the accursed thing under a bigger mountain this time. No good will come of this, I'll warrant ye thrice and be damned". It appears at this point as if Humblodt is rambling, but his eyes are acutely surveying the assembled band. They linger on Twiglet for a moment, before he gives a scarcely perceptible nod, as if to say, "He'll do".
"Great Danger? Heavens no, what bandits would think to attack a group of our size upon the road? And once we reach my brothers' camp, they should have finished their investigation of the cave, so we can approach the site of the Forge safely. I am sure anything guarding it has long since decayed in the centuries since it's loss." replies Gundren confidently.
When Roars in Silence suddenly looks up Twiglet realises that the happy dwarf still seems to have NOT said what might be the situation at this abandoned dwarves relic. Although he wasn’t senior enough to plan heist jobs in his former gang, he had learnt enough to notice missing details. Missing details meant either a slap-dash hope for best leader, or bad news that they were will fully hiding (like double guard or magic protection around the target). Neither were good news.
Not being able to say such subtle things in his halting sign language, Twiglet quietly addresses the Monk and goblin, both nearby. “He’s leaving a lot out of his speaking about this job”. He shifts to get himself more comfortable in the hay. “That’s never a good sign.”
(Twiglet)
18 means that if the ring is an established gang or crime family symbol in the city, you definitely recognise it. Feel free to invent something that you think is fun :)
I can work it into the backstory
That's from the Lost Brothers gang, says Twiglet, turning the finger in his hand and then pulling off the ring. It''ll have the name on the inside....
On the inner face of the grubby ring, Twiglet can read the gang-sign crudely sketched, probably with a knife; It's the sign for a guard dog. "His name was Brother Dog" Twiglet reports, putting the ring back on the table. "He was always a shit muscle man. Always looking for some excuse to spill blood. He won't be missed by many, but the Brotherhood may want pay-back." Twiglet thought more and then realises something. "This isn't Lost Brothers territory...not by several blocks." The young Halfling looks from Branca to the Goblin. "If they are moving on this Tavern, it means a turf war in the offing....did you kill them all or just chew off a finger?"
Either way, Twiglet does not want to be in the middle of a turf war....or found holding a Lost Brothers ring
https://ddb.ac/characters/18753496/QyeRuu
Branca looks pleased at the answer "The Lost Brothers you say? Good, good. Now I know that, my little chat with the masters tomorrow will be much more productive. I wonder if they have forgotten why they agreed my Boar was neutral ground?" She cracks her knuckles with a look of significant pleasure, "I certainly hope so."
Looking at Roars, Branca asks "So, what state did you leave them idiots in? Enough of them left to realise their mistake?"
Roars in Silence signs a short reply and sits back in her chair, folding her arms. Branca sighs and says "so...that would be a 'no' then."
(Twiglet)
Something about a flowerpot?
Roars in Silence | Goblin | Barbarian
Ilduarana has been observing with curiosity her new companions. They were so different from the Oaktree people. She was dying to ask them about their lives and habits... but as her people always said: "observe for a day before thinking, observe for a year before speaking"
... she has never been good at the silence thing.
“Did...she...say she put them in a flowerpot”. Twiglet was still not sure it was possible to be a female goblin, he’d certainly never heard of one. “Or...she killed the with a flowerpot?”
”Either way, it might be better to be somewhere else soon” Twiglet realised that the Boar might not be a safe space for him much longer. The Brotherhood were no friends to his gang but runaways were always fair game
https://ddb.ac/characters/18753496/QyeRuu
Gundren laughs "Well this certainly has been a most interesting evening, but I must call it a night. Feel free to continue eating and drinking your fill. Branca, would you mind showing them to the rooms I booked when they want to turn in?" Branca nods her agreement "Excellent, I look forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow" He gives you all a conspiring wink before leaving the table. Sildar also makes his goodbyes and heads up the stairs at the back to where the tavern's rooms are located.
(OOC)
I didn't think we would spend this much time in the tavern. Reminder that Gundren invited you to meet him in the stables at 2am, which is a few hours away. How you spend the time between now and then is up to you.
Having observed most of the recent exchanges in silence, Humblodt rises and steps after Gundren. His conversation is inaudible to the others bar the first few words, "Where exactly are your brothers..."
It's getting late and tomorrow is going to be a long day. XiaoLong gets up... walks to Branca... and ask her if she would be kind enough to send someone to wake her up in the early hours, in time for the meeting set by Gundren. As she leaves, she addresses the table:
"Good night everyone. I guess I'll see you all in the morning".
XiaoLong - Human - Monk in "the BFOAGWGH"
Humblodt doesn't return to the table, so it is safe to assume that - wherever his conversation with Gundren led - he retired for the night afterwards.
At 2am, there is a small lantern lit inside the stables behind the inn. It lights a ladder to the hay loft where another lantern can be seen once one is close. Sildar stands quietly at the entrance to the stables smiling and nodding at those who enter.
Gundren is waiting in the hay filled loft and is pacing, brimming with excitement. He tries to give each of you a hug as you join him for the meeting.
"Welcome my good friends! I am glad you have all come to hear about the opportunity you have all been waiting for your entire lives! I hope you're ready to do the last job you'll ever need to do in fact! Perhaps you've heard of Phandalin? Wave Echo Cave? The great dwarf Queen Torendeahilda Rubymace, no doubt? SURELY you've heard of the legendary Forge of Spells! I know, I know, the Forge was lost centuries ago and you've heard it is impossible to find, lost to the depths forever! That might be true, IF you weren't now in business with the Rockseeker brothers, that is! We've discovered the lost mine and the entrance to the Forge, and together we will all go down in history as those who resumed the great work of Torendeahilda and restored the mine to it's former glory! I can't wait to see all of your faces when we get there!"
You all hear a bit of clambering as Sildar's head and shoulders pop up at the top of the ladder. He says with a bit of sarcasm "so much for just hiring them for the trip to Phandalin, to start. Perhaps they'd like to know where the greatest of adventures begins, Gundren?" As Gundren resumes Sildar returns to the ground to keep an eye out.
"Oh right, yes yes. That Sildar, he loves to make jokes. He's always right though, you know. Good man, that one. It's just that, you all deserve to know the scale of what we are about to achieve! Shouldn't be much trouble, really. Supplies are being put together currently and we should be ready to depart by noon tomorrow. No later I told them! The arrangements have been made and everything will be brought right here then so we can get right to it! With all of you along I'm sure the typical ruffians along the road with give us no trouble and beyond that perhaps there will be some traversing of the hills and the mine and we should be able to find the spot!"
Gundren pauses as if he might be finished and there is another loud clearing of the throat from down below.
"Right, right. You want to know about the finer points of the job. We'll be taking two wagons south along the The High Road to the Triboar Trail and then on to Phandalin. When we deliver them to Barthen's Provisions you'll each be paid twenty gold pieces for your services, at which point you are of course free to take your leave if you choose." Gundren chuckles. "Boy wouldn't that be a curious choice when on the doorstep to the Forge of Spells, eh?! Don't worry, there will be plenty of coin for continued help from there on in. My brothers will be there to fill us in on the details. In fact, everything should be all squared away already!" He smiles proudly and waves the still unopened letter about before stuffing it back in his pocket.
"Any questions?"
Twiglet had been dozing fitfully behind hay bales in the stables when the others came in. He couldn’t sleep in a bed in a tavern room. He’d certainly never slept in a bed before, though he’d pretended to for a laugh when they’d found a four-poster giant in Master Weynslaw’s manor. He joined the others in the hay loft as they went up.
After listening to the dwarf he seemed unsettled. “It’ll be my first time out of the city” says, to no one in particular. “But with everything happening here I suppose I need to be scarce.”
20 gold pieces of his own would certainly give Twiglet some more options while hiding from his gang. But he still felt on the edge of the group.
“I’m not sure the grumpy dwarf wants me here” he thought, but the other dwarf seems nice (though the cheerfulness seemed a little forced), the monk looked honourable and the goblin fascinated him. And he’d never seen so many elves in one place. Such a ragtag group was sure to put off casual bandits, he thought...
https://ddb.ac/characters/18753496/QyeRuu
Roars in Silence sidles up to Twiglet and signs a question, keeping her hands close to her chest so only he can see.
(Twiglet)
Why you in big hurry to leave town? Lost Brothers problem is Tavern Lady problem, not yours. What are you running from, Small Fear?
Roars in Silence | Goblin | Barbarian
Humblodt listen's to Gundren's tale, allowing him to finish, but clearly building up steam as it went on. "The Forge of Spells? Really? If you have found it, which I most sincerely doubt, the only sensible thing to do would be bury the accursed thing under a bigger mountain this time. No good will come of this, I'll warrant ye thrice and be damned". It appears at this point as if Humblodt is rambling, but his eyes are acutely surveying the assembled band. They linger on Twiglet for a moment, before he gives a scarcely perceptible nod, as if to say, "He'll do".
Twiglet stumbles through some signs to Roars in Silence “Me like Lost Brothers before...me run now”
https://ddb.ac/characters/18753496/QyeRuu
"Gundren...you seem to be recruiting quite a large party ? Are we expecting great danger ?"
XiaoLong - Human - Monk in "the BFOAGWGH"
"Great Danger? Heavens no, what bandits would think to attack a group of our size upon the road? And once we reach my brothers' camp, they should have finished their investigation of the cave, so we can approach the site of the Forge safely. I am sure anything guarding it has long since decayed in the centuries since it's loss." replies Gundren confidently.
Roars in Silence is halfway through a response to Twiglet when she hears Gundren mention bandits.
(Twiglet)
If you were in gang before, why you ru-
Her head whips around - suddenly much more interested in the conversation she had only been half-listening to up until now.
Roars in Silence | Goblin | Barbarian
Ilduarana is looking to Roars and Twiglet speak with their hands. She could not understand the language but she perceives that they were both nervous.
XiaoLong has her doubts as well, she seems trustworthy... Ilduarana gets closer to XiaoLong and asks her
When Roars in Silence suddenly looks up Twiglet realises that the happy dwarf still seems to have NOT said what might be the situation at this abandoned dwarves relic. Although he wasn’t senior enough to plan heist jobs in his former gang, he had learnt enough to notice missing details. Missing details meant either a slap-dash hope for best leader, or bad news that they were will fully hiding (like double guard or magic protection around the target). Neither were good news.
Not being able to say such subtle things in his halting sign language, Twiglet quietly addresses the Monk and goblin, both nearby. “He’s leaving a lot out of his speaking about this job”. He shifts to get himself more comfortable in the hay. “That’s never a good sign.”
https://ddb.ac/characters/18753496/QyeRuu