It has been quite a journey thus far, that has landed our intrepid adventurers here on the road to Rockmount. Many months have passed since the Band of the Hand crossed sorcery and steel with strange Astral creatures in the Storm Horn village of Refuge. Few things have changed since then. The gentle Goliath Monk, Thont, elected to head back to Refuge to check in on the reconstruction of the Temple of Lliira about a season ago, leaving the Hand missing a finger for some time. However, it wasn't long before the group came into...adoption(?) of a strange old Aarakokra Ranger named Mub, deep in the Snakewood Forest. Mub is a curious creature, seemingly addled from either age or cranial injury, but regardless seems unnaturally adept at his work, making him invaluable when it counts.
It was during a pass through a way-point inn on the Fallow Road that you heard of strange goings on in the mountain hills boarding the Snakewood. Travelers through the mostly dwarven community of Rockmount have been trading tales of strange keening noises that echo through the valleys on rainy spring nights, and of a strange armored contingent moving through the hills. The town, being a rather resourceful community, has not put out any official call for help, but the traveling merchants are getting a little on edge. Seeing as your group considers itself something of experts in the field of "strange goings-on in mountainous areas," you've decided to head up the Fallow Road and check on things. Who knows, in this day and age, where there's weirdness, there's likely treasure, and preemptively saving a town from monsters at the very least pays in fame.
All of this crosses your minds as your trudge the last few rain-soaked miles to the stone bridge leading into Rockmount's main thoroughfare. As you squint to can barely see smoke rising through rain, signalling that there is warmth and dryness at least somewhere in this town. Occasionally you see a dwarven form, or that of a taller humanoid dart across the street from one building to the next, but on a day like today, not many people are out and about.
You briefly stop a dwarvish person in a rain-slick oiled cloak as they are moving quickly through the muddy street. At your question, the bearded individual points down the street further into town towards a long building with some sort of artistic installation in front of it that is hard to discern in the rain before tromping off further into town. With a shrug you start heading in that direction when you catch the whiff of a cook-fire nearby. Looking to your left, you see a large square building not twenty paces away that looks like and inn and tavern. There is a sign hanging from the eves that depicts a harp and a drinking chalice. The sign reads in common "Harper & Goblet." As you look back further into town, you seem to have lost sight of the villager you spoke to previously; only now seeing a rain-drenched street. The building they pointed to stands inviting a couple hundred yards away.
Gavin, tired of the rain, agrees with Peren. “A nice cup of ale ounds pretty good right now. Maybe we can find out a little bit more about what’s going on around here. If the rumors have any truth to them, we may be able to get some work ridding them of their problem.”
You don't find much in all the muck. The area looks pretty well picked over and worked and this rain is both making new growth or small edible creatures hard to find, and also making you uncomfortably soggy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
Seeing Mub settle in on the rainy roof with some other wet looking pigeons and town-birds, you think that maybe your odd traveling companion might either be up to something or insane, and at this point you're too wet to care to flip that coin....coin that will soon be spent in the warm inviting inn before you. As you enter the establishment the familiar smells of cook fires and ale surround, almost comforting in their atmosphere. Looking around, the place seems fairly busy; the ten or so tables that populate the inn's dining area are mostly full, though you see one off to the side currently being vacated by a group of what look to be locals. There are two or three human men and women in blue aprons that you'd guess are waitstaff flitting about from table to table dropping off rounds of ale or plates and bowls of food. Behind the counter, an older human woman seems to be in conversation with two or three men at the bar, though when you enter, she scans the room almost imperceptibly, and points to the emptying table, calling over one of the workers as well. "Della! Table eight! We've got travelers!" The approned lass scurries over to the now empty table, gathers the plates and glasses in a tray and gives it a quick rubdown.
On the stage by the fire, a pair of men appear to be performing some sort of fiddle and bass duet; the soft dulcet tones of the bass giving a good foundation for the more nimble fiddler to weave a tune throughout the establishment.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Peren gives a nod to Mub as he enters the Harper & Goblet. He then sits at the table and orders a bowl of stew and a mug of ale. He then looks around to see what he can gather from the crowd.
You don't get too much from the motley crew of locals and travelers huddled around tables in here. The only thing that really stands out to you is that your companion Kathra is the only dwarf in here, which seems a bit odd considering you heard Rockmount was a predominantly dwarven town.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kathra would have happily stayed out looking for food with Mub, but when he seems to abandon the hunt she heads into the inn with the rest of the party. She winks at the waitress in what is either a friendly or awkward manner as she orders a mug of ale and whatever it is they have to eat, before asking for more information. "Seemed a bit empty in town on our way in. Troubling times?"
As the tavern maid gets to you in the round of orders, you think she briefly tenses up a bit, like maybe she's surprised to see you? You're not sure why that would happen. Maybe you caught her off guard with your question? Maybe one of your constellation tattoos moved and she saw it? Now that you are thinking about it, there is a little tickling sensation across your neck and shoulders.....but that could just be your hair drying out in the warmth of the inn....
As Della takes a round of orders from the table, she fumbles a little at Kathra's question. "Troubles miss? No; it's likely just the rain be keeping folks out ah the streets. 'Sides, if there were any trouble to be had, the Krahkal's would have it all sorted out soon enough." And with that she excuses herself and heads toward the bar to drop off your food and drink requests, managing to collect an impressive number of empty plates and tankards from neighboring tables on the way there.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
Gavin, drinks his ale while taking in the music and waiting on food. He also notices that Kathra is the only dwarf in the establishment. He casually waits for an opportunity for either Della or the barkeep (if there is one) to be free for a moment, away from other customers. He will walk up and place a silver piece in their hand and say, “We are the Band of the Hand, an adventuring group that heard of strange stories here. My name is Gavin. Who do we talk to in an official capacity to provide assistance? And, is there a reason my shorter companion is the only dwarf in here today when your town is full of them?”
Do I get any sense from the room that we are welcome/being cautiously watched? Insight: 13
You can tell that Kathra is getting a few glances from the surrounding tables, but otherwise the room seems in a rather peaceful mood.
The tavern maid, Della, seems nearly impossible to pin down, as she is practically a whirlwind of activity, flitting from table to table pausing only long enough for a brief comment or to take an order. However, the older lady behind the bar seems to have broken away from her conversations and is over by a keg pouring drinks. As you wander over, she smiles to greet you and tips a glass. "Your table's second round is almost ready. Food should be out soon too."
When you place your coin on the bar and slide it her way along with your introduction and questions, her composure shifts a bit, though she manages to hold her outward, more jovial expression. "Strange stories? You get a lot of those in places like this when folks come to get a little tipsy after a long day's work. If'n ya heard any tall tales, it's likely all that they are. The Krahkal Clan's been keeping Rockmount safe for generations. As to your friend, we just don't get many of her kind on this side of town. Most of the dwarves that live here or pass through usually end up at either the Axe or the Hammer, or are merchants and dignitaries staying at either the Manor or the Krahkal's. Don'tcha worry though. Us here at the Harper and Goblet are pretty inviting."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
At Peren's comment, Kathra nods in agreement. At Della's response to Gavin's questioning, she follows up with a question of her own. "Who are the Krahkal Clan? Should we make an introduction to them?"
She's very interested to see how Della reacts.
((I guess this is a way for her to make sure Della's telling the truth))
As it so happens you have heard of the Krahkal Clan. They are in industrious, if insular lot, who trade in weapons and other crafted goods. They are also said to have some rather powerful Sorcerers to be counted among their lineage, though nobody is really sure why. Blood-magic among the dwarves is very rare as it is, and the Krahkal Clan's ability to produce several has led to all sorts of rumors of various clan elders meddling in everything from demons and dragon to scandalous trysts with archfey and even stranger beings. Of course, the insular nature of the clan does little to dispel these rumors.
When Della comes back with your food, you catch her with some questions about the mysterious Krahkal Clan.
For Kathra again:
It's pretty obvious to you that she's worried about something as she answers your questions. You know you are getting the pretty boilerplate and "touristy" answers from her and that it's likely she's hiding some things and keeping busy to avoid being pinned down for any hard questions. It's even more likely, knowing what you know of the Krahkals, that they'd probably come down hard on anyone not towing the "company line" of sorts in their town.
"Are you not familiar with the Krahkals, miss?" Della says, setting down a few bowls of vegetable soup with some skewers of what looks like maybe squirrel meat on a side plate. "They are the founders of Rockmount; built this town up from nothing, they did. The finest group of dwarves you'll ever meet to be sure. If you have some time, ya should visit the clan hold. They're always welcome to see a fellow dwarf." With a thin smile, she excuses herself, whisked away again in a flurry of activity.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
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It has been quite a journey thus far, that has landed our intrepid adventurers here on the road to Rockmount. Many months have passed since the Band of the Hand crossed sorcery and steel with strange Astral creatures in the Storm Horn village of Refuge. Few things have changed since then. The gentle Goliath Monk, Thont, elected to head back to Refuge to check in on the reconstruction of the Temple of Lliira about a season ago, leaving the Hand missing a finger for some time. However, it wasn't long before the group came into...adoption(?) of a strange old Aarakokra Ranger named Mub, deep in the Snakewood Forest. Mub is a curious creature, seemingly addled from either age or cranial injury, but regardless seems unnaturally adept at his work, making him invaluable when it counts.
It was during a pass through a way-point inn on the Fallow Road that you heard of strange goings on in the mountain hills boarding the Snakewood. Travelers through the mostly dwarven community of Rockmount have been trading tales of strange keening noises that echo through the valleys on rainy spring nights, and of a strange armored contingent moving through the hills. The town, being a rather resourceful community, has not put out any official call for help, but the traveling merchants are getting a little on edge. Seeing as your group considers itself something of experts in the field of "strange goings-on in mountainous areas," you've decided to head up the Fallow Road and check on things. Who knows, in this day and age, where there's weirdness, there's likely treasure, and preemptively saving a town from monsters at the very least pays in fame.
All of this crosses your minds as your trudge the last few rain-soaked miles to the stone bridge leading into Rockmount's main thoroughfare. As you squint to can barely see smoke rising through rain, signalling that there is warmth and dryness at least somewhere in this town. Occasionally you see a dwarven form, or that of a taller humanoid dart across the street from one building to the next, but on a day like today, not many people are out and about.
A town map:
Peren asks one of the people walking by “Good day to you, can you direct us to the nearest Inn”
You briefly stop a dwarvish person in a rain-slick oiled cloak as they are moving quickly through the muddy street. At your question, the bearded individual points down the street further into town towards a long building with some sort of artistic installation in front of it that is hard to discern in the rain before tromping off further into town. With a shrug you start heading in that direction when you catch the whiff of a cook-fire nearby. Looking to your left, you see a large square building not twenty paces away that looks like and inn and tavern. There is a sign hanging from the eves that depicts a harp and a drinking chalice. The sign reads in common "Harper & Goblet." As you look back further into town, you seem to have lost sight of the villager you spoke to previously; only now seeing a rain-drenched street. The building they pointed to stands inviting a couple hundred yards away.
Peren will look to everyone and say “Let’s head into the Harper & Goblet, to dry off and get some food and drink”
Gavin, tired of the rain, agrees with Peren. “A nice cup of ale ounds pretty good right now. Maybe we can find out a little bit more about what’s going on around here. If the rumors have any truth to them, we may be able to get some work ridding them of their problem.”
Mub walks to the edge of the town and looks about in the dirt for nice things or some thing to eat.
11 Survival
For Mub:
You don't find much in all the muck. The area looks pretty well picked over and worked and this rain is both making new growth or small edible creatures hard to find, and also making you uncomfortably soggy.
Peren asks Gavin “Will Mub not join us into town?”
mub take to the air flying over the town with his good eye to the wood before rooting on the inn where the flock is.
For the party:
Seeing Mub settle in on the rainy roof with some other wet looking pigeons and town-birds, you think that maybe your odd traveling companion might either be up to something or insane, and at this point you're too wet to care to flip that coin....coin that will soon be spent in the warm inviting inn before you. As you enter the establishment the familiar smells of cook fires and ale surround, almost comforting in their atmosphere. Looking around, the place seems fairly busy; the ten or so tables that populate the inn's dining area are mostly full, though you see one off to the side currently being vacated by a group of what look to be locals. There are two or three human men and women in blue aprons that you'd guess are waitstaff flitting about from table to table dropping off rounds of ale or plates and bowls of food. Behind the counter, an older human woman seems to be in conversation with two or three men at the bar, though when you enter, she scans the room almost imperceptibly, and points to the emptying table, calling over one of the workers as well. "Della! Table eight! We've got travelers!" The approned lass scurries over to the now empty table, gathers the plates and glasses in a tray and gives it a quick rubdown.
On the stage by the fire, a pair of men appear to be performing some sort of fiddle and bass duet; the soft dulcet tones of the bass giving a good foundation for the more nimble fiddler to weave a tune throughout the establishment.
Peren gives a nod to Mub as he enters the Harper & Goblet. He then sits at the table and orders a bowl of stew and a mug of ale.
He then looks around to see what he can gather from the crowd.
Perception = 24
For Peren:
You don't get too much from the motley crew of locals and travelers huddled around tables in here. The only thing that really stands out to you is that your companion Kathra is the only dwarf in here, which seems a bit odd considering you heard Rockmount was a predominantly dwarven town.
Kathra would have happily stayed out looking for food with Mub, but when he seems to abandon the hunt she heads into the inn with the rest of the party. She winks at the waitress in what is either a friendly or awkward manner as she orders a mug of ale and whatever it is they have to eat, before asking for more information. "Seemed a bit empty in town on our way in. Troubling times?"
Insight: 8
For Kathra:
As the tavern maid gets to you in the round of orders, you think she briefly tenses up a bit, like maybe she's surprised to see you? You're not sure why that would happen. Maybe you caught her off guard with your question? Maybe one of your constellation tattoos moved and she saw it? Now that you are thinking about it, there is a little tickling sensation across your neck and shoulders.....but that could just be your hair drying out in the warmth of the inn....
As Della takes a round of orders from the table, she fumbles a little at Kathra's question. "Troubles miss? No; it's likely just the rain be keeping folks out ah the streets. 'Sides, if there were any trouble to be had, the Krahkal's would have it all sorted out soon enough." And with that she excuses herself and heads toward the bar to drop off your food and drink requests, managing to collect an impressive number of empty plates and tankards from neighboring tables on the way there.
Gavin, drinks his ale while taking in the music and waiting on food. He also notices that Kathra is the only dwarf in the establishment. He casually waits for an opportunity for either Della or the barkeep (if there is one) to be free for a moment, away from other customers. He will walk up and place a silver piece in their hand and say, “We are the Band of the Hand, an adventuring group that heard of strange stories here. My name is Gavin. Who do we talk to in an official capacity to provide assistance? And, is there a reason my shorter companion is the only dwarf in here today when your town is full of them?”
Do I get any sense from the room that we are welcome/being cautiously watched? Insight: 13
Peren says to Kathra “something seems a little off about this place, but I am not sure what it is”
For Gavin:
You can tell that Kathra is getting a few glances from the surrounding tables, but otherwise the room seems in a rather peaceful mood.
The tavern maid, Della, seems nearly impossible to pin down, as she is practically a whirlwind of activity, flitting from table to table pausing only long enough for a brief comment or to take an order. However, the older lady behind the bar seems to have broken away from her conversations and is over by a keg pouring drinks. As you wander over, she smiles to greet you and tips a glass. "Your table's second round is almost ready. Food should be out soon too."
When you place your coin on the bar and slide it her way along with your introduction and questions, her composure shifts a bit, though she manages to hold her outward, more jovial expression. "Strange stories? You get a lot of those in places like this when folks come to get a little tipsy after a long day's work. If'n ya heard any tall tales, it's likely all that they are. The Krahkal Clan's been keeping Rockmount safe for generations. As to your friend, we just don't get many of her kind on this side of town. Most of the dwarves that live here or pass through usually end up at either the Axe or the Hammer, or are merchants and dignitaries staying at either the Manor or the Krahkal's. Don'tcha worry though. Us here at the Harper and Goblet are pretty inviting."
At Peren's comment, Kathra nods in agreement. At Della's response to Gavin's questioning, she follows up with a question of her own. "Who are the Krahkal Clan? Should we make an introduction to them?"
She's very interested to see how Della reacts.
((I guess this is a way for her to make sure Della's telling the truth))
History: 13
Insight: 1
((Actually, Kathra, as a dwarf, you are welcome to make a History check before asking that to just know more about the Krahkal Clan.))
For Kathra:
As it so happens you have heard of the Krahkal Clan. They are in industrious, if insular lot, who trade in weapons and other crafted goods. They are also said to have some rather powerful Sorcerers to be counted among their lineage, though nobody is really sure why. Blood-magic among the dwarves is very rare as it is, and the Krahkal Clan's ability to produce several has led to all sorts of rumors of various clan elders meddling in everything from demons and dragon to scandalous trysts with archfey and even stranger beings. Of course, the insular nature of the clan does little to dispel these rumors.
When Della comes back with your food, you catch her with some questions about the mysterious Krahkal Clan.
For Kathra again:
It's pretty obvious to you that she's worried about something as she answers your questions. You know you are getting the pretty boilerplate and "touristy" answers from her and that it's likely she's hiding some things and keeping busy to avoid being pinned down for any hard questions. It's even more likely, knowing what you know of the Krahkals, that they'd probably come down hard on anyone not towing the "company line" of sorts in their town.
"Are you not familiar with the Krahkals, miss?" Della says, setting down a few bowls of vegetable soup with some skewers of what looks like maybe squirrel meat on a side plate. "They are the founders of Rockmount; built this town up from nothing, they did. The finest group of dwarves you'll ever meet to be sure. If you have some time, ya should visit the clan hold. They're always welcome to see a fellow dwarf." With a thin smile, she excuses herself, whisked away again in a flurry of activity.