Damros listens to all Mirt had to say and ends it with a quirk of his eyebrow. "So, for being honest, we get an 'attaboy' bonus? I can live with that."
He looks around the room before addresssing Mirt directly, "Since finding the talking horse was the 'first test', how about giving us a real job to prove we are capable and willing to DO your less than subtle jobs?"
"For being honest when I had doubts you get more. It won't be a continual thing, but I wanted to demonstrate that loyalty does go both ways. You are more than just a pawn, and if you help us out, we will help you out when needed. I have no job for you right now, but you will be hearing from me again. In the meantime, you may also contact me if you need anything from the Harpers."
Damros moves over to the bar and spreads out his parchment with sketches of the changes they hoped to make. He also lays down a drawing stick.
"Lif, when you have some time, you might want to look at these plans and changes and sketch in what YOU might like or think would improve this place. Since you haunt it, it's your home too."
He does not wait for a response but works his way back to the stairs. "I am going to freshen up and head out to see what the local night life is like. Or how bad the tavern bards are."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
You all get on and do your own things for the evening, and after a tenday of disruption, your tavern is finally opened. While the works are going on, you take some time and a chalk board to get to know Lif. He is (was) a half-elf who was the previous barkeeper, and the last long-term owner of Trollskull Manor. Maintaining the tavern was his life's work and he couldn't abandon it in death. As such he has scared off a few owners in between him and you by haunting them (leading to Volo's interest) because they wanted to remove the tavern and use it for other purposes. As you were having a tavern still here he came to accept you as the new owners, and when you asked him to help out, he was beyond happy. (As the module puts it, he becomes quite accommodating: pulling out a chair when a character wants to sit down, pouring a beer and delivering it to a character, taking coats when folks come in from the rain, and so forth. Once the business is up and running, Lif can also perform other helpful functions, such as locking doors, sweeping floors, and so forth.)
Over the next few weeks, you have a business that starts to take off, the novelty of a poltergeist bartender is certainly one that brings people, though most do seem to think it is not real and is just some magic, which is still impressive enough for them to return. You have some entertainment provided in house by Sehaethas and Xaul, bringing in an additional 31gp over the 12 weeks from tips.
Damros (might) spends some time hanging out at the potions shop. Based on XGtE, if you spend 150gp (reduced from 225gp as a neighbourly discount) you would have sufficient time to gain proficiency with either herbalist kit, or alchemist's supplies as you have enough time, but I am not sure if you have the funds to spend on it.
(If Skye or anyone else has additional things they wanted to do over the downtime, we can retroactively add them in).
The first couple of tendays there is the excitement of a new venue and business is booming. It then calms down a bit and you start to struggle to bring people in to cover the costs. At this point Lif encourages you to spend a bit of gold regularly to advertise and bring people in. This then brings the sales back up and you are managing the tavern well. Broxley Fairkettle (The fellowship of Inkeepers contact) is impressed. Overall in the 12 tendays you make a profit of 105gp.
(I will give you all 24 hours to respond to this with anything relating to downtime before launching into chapter 3)
Xaulenjoys the long stretch of time free, and makes the most of engaging with the patrons. On some nights, he'll join Sehaethas in a dance or song, but for the most part, he's happy doing odd jobs here and there to keep things running smoothly, along with keeping an eye on finances. When he's not working dutifully behind the scenes, he's sat down himself to have a drink with patrons, listening to their stories and sharing his own (although he's had to shy away from conversations with customers lamenting how their previous inn had burnt down more than once) . With the constant hustle and bustle about him, and the strengthening feeling of community building up with every week, he feels as if he's found a real home within the Pact and Poltergeist, as it becomes clear soon enough who the regulars are, and his sense of found family for the party is only enhanced by having to collaborate on the business together with them. He especially seems to have struck a chord with Lif, seeing as he knows a small share of Elvish tales to talk about with him, and Humid Oasis is tided over by the stories that they hear from the customers that pass in and out, which are enough to keep them from encouraging Xaulto step out of this comfort and into more danger for the sake of adventure.
(Ok I’ve read downtime in PHB and Xanathar’s now. PHB says need level 3 to make magical items, and so she’ll work at the inn also for now, until she has time and money to make something or more items to sell, in the future.)
With Lif becoming so helpful, Skye finds herself in the unexpected position of being a beautiful Air Genasi inn owner alongside a half-orc, a poltergeist, and whatever Damros is — and still finding herself the most off putting to the clientele.
Skye’s steely glint and unsmiling former-pirate face glowers at customers and wipes down the bar and surfaces with a natural resting ***** face that knows no equal. Still, despite her lack of showmanship, in the absence of a bard, when the nights are long and the inn is full she finds herself leading the shanties from time to time, and her bawdy blue songs find receptive homes until it’s time for them to spill out into the streets on their way home in the small hours, to the chagrin of the Pub’s neighbouring businesses and residents.
Damros (might) spends some time hanging out at the potions shop. Based on XGtE, if you spend 150gp (reduced from 225gp as a neighbourly discount) you would have sufficient time to gain proficiency with either herbalist kit, or alchemist's supplies as you have enough time, but I am not sure if you have the funds to spend on it.
"It always comes back to coin. How much I need and how much I do not have," Damros muttered to himself as he lifted another load of botanical castoffs to the pile in back of the potions shop. "At least they were willing to let me work it off over time. Not how I expected to be spending my free time - scut work for lessons." He finally releases the load and turns to grab a shovel.
(( I do not expect Damros to work enough to pay it off entirely in one go. He will be back as time permits to work on gaining proficiency with herbalism kits and identifying the proper plants. It is as close as he will get to gaining any advantage on healing... ))
AND, since Damros survived to level 3, he gained a Pact Boon. In this case, Pact of the Talisman.
Your patron gives you an amulet, a talisman that can aid the wearer when the need is great. When the wearer fails an ability check, they can add a d4 to the roll, potentially turning the roll into a success. This benefit can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and all expended uses are restored when you finish a long rest.
If you lose the talisman, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. This ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it destroys the previous amulet. The talisman turns to ash when you die.
In this case, it LOOKS like a Raven Feather on a chain. While it looks like a regular feather, it is actually a finely crafted bit of metal which is detailed to appear as a 'regular raven feather'. Damros will wear it tucked under his shirt so it does not show most times.
Early one morning while you are all in the manor but the tavern is closed (maybe having breakfast or other activity in the main area, or in your rooms. Up to you individually but please include what you are doing in your next post) the usually quiet street changes. Windows rattle as the roar of an explosion fills Trollskull Alley. Charred bodies and anguished screams fly through the air. A thick cloud of acrid smoke billows outward from the blast, which seems to have occurred right outside your door.
Damros had been up early. Up in the tower, doing a set of ritual forms and observances which he had been neglecting for months. It was a routine he had kept to, near religiously, before his ejection from the the Shadowfell. He was mid balancing stance when the floor seemed to be pulled out from under him. Untangling himself and regaining his feet, he ran to the window, leaning out to see chaos before him.
Sehaethas was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, with Kylaski telling him what to make. When the placed suddenly rattled, Kylaski took over to see what was going on. Sehaethas was able to get her to take the food off the fire before she rushed to the front of the tavern.
Skye is in the basement, doing something she suggests important but has never clearly explained, with the kegs of ale.
When the blast goes off the impact is muted through the stone work but the thunder still clearly reaches her. She heads up to the main floor of the inn, to investigate and see what’s happened.
Arcana: 18 for Kylaski. Sehaethas doesn't know arcana, that was part of the "things man wasn't ment to know" package. The different personalities have different skills.
Both of you (and anyone else 13+) can identify that based on the effects, size of blast and how sudden it seemed to be, this was a fireball. It seems to have been centred on the street outside and your tavern was caught in the edge of the blast.
In the wake of the explosion, people emerge from their houses and shops to survey the devastation. The fireball didn’t set any buildings ablaze, but it left eleven people dead:
One elderly female human who was out for a walk
Two cloaked male humans clad in leather armor with sheathed longswords
Two female humans and one male half-elf dressed in plain clothes
One male gnome wearing a burned cloak and clutching a dagger
Two female halflings who were playing a flute and a fiddle, and two male halflings who were dancing.
A blast this size means the city guard will be on their way to close off the crime scene. Anyone wanting to search the bodies needs to do so quickly.
Damros listens to all Mirt had to say and ends it with a quirk of his eyebrow. "So, for being honest, we get an 'attaboy' bonus? I can live with that."
He looks around the room before addresssing Mirt directly, "Since finding the talking horse was the 'first test', how about giving us a real job to prove we are capable and willing to DO your less than subtle jobs?"
"For being honest when I had doubts you get more. It won't be a continual thing, but I wanted to demonstrate that loyalty does go both ways. You are more than just a pawn, and if you help us out, we will help you out when needed. I have no job for you right now, but you will be hearing from me again. In the meantime, you may also contact me if you need anything from the Harpers."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Skye inclines her head after a moment. “I’ve been stung before. A two way street. That’s gratifying to hear.”
Damros moves over to the bar and spreads out his parchment with sketches of the changes they hoped to make. He also lays down a drawing stick.
"Lif, when you have some time, you might want to look at these plans and changes and sketch in what YOU might like or think would improve this place. Since you haunt it, it's your home too."
He does not wait for a response but works his way back to the stairs. "I am going to freshen up and head out to see what the local night life is like. Or how bad the tavern bards are."
You all get on and do your own things for the evening, and after a tenday of disruption, your tavern is finally opened. While the works are going on, you take some time and a chalk board to get to know Lif. He is (was) a half-elf who was the previous barkeeper, and the last long-term owner of Trollskull Manor. Maintaining the tavern was his life's work and he couldn't abandon it in death. As such he has scared off a few owners in between him and you by haunting them (leading to Volo's interest) because they wanted to remove the tavern and use it for other purposes. As you were having a tavern still here he came to accept you as the new owners, and when you asked him to help out, he was beyond happy. (As the module puts it, he becomes quite accommodating: pulling out a chair when a character wants to sit down, pouring a beer and delivering it to a character, taking coats when folks come in from the rain, and so forth. Once the business is up and running, Lif can also perform other helpful functions, such as locking doors, sweeping floors, and so forth.)
Over the next few weeks, you have a business that starts to take off, the novelty of a poltergeist bartender is certainly one that brings people, though most do seem to think it is not real and is just some magic, which is still impressive enough for them to return. You have some entertainment provided in house by Sehaethas and Xaul, bringing in an additional 31gp over the 12 weeks from tips.
Damros (might) spends some time hanging out at the potions shop. Based on XGtE, if you spend 150gp (reduced from 225gp as a neighbourly discount) you would have sufficient time to gain proficiency with either herbalist kit, or alchemist's supplies as you have enough time, but I am not sure if you have the funds to spend on it.
(If Skye or anyone else has additional things they wanted to do over the downtime, we can retroactively add them in).
The first couple of tendays there is the excitement of a new venue and business is booming. It then calms down a bit and you start to struggle to bring people in to cover the costs. At this point Lif encourages you to spend a bit of gold regularly to advertise and bring people in. This then brings the sales back up and you are managing the tavern well. Broxley Fairkettle (The fellowship of Inkeepers contact) is impressed. Overall in the 12 tendays you make a profit of 105gp.
(I will give you all 24 hours to respond to this with anything relating to downtime before launching into chapter 3)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Xaul enjoys the long stretch of time free, and makes the most of engaging with the patrons. On some nights, he'll join Sehaethas in a dance or song, but for the most part, he's happy doing odd jobs here and there to keep things running smoothly, along with keeping an eye on finances. When he's not working dutifully behind the scenes, he's sat down himself to have a drink with patrons, listening to their stories and sharing his own (although he's had to shy away from conversations with customers lamenting how their previous inn had burnt down more than once) . With the constant hustle and bustle about him, and the strengthening feeling of community building up with every week, he feels as if he's found a real home within the Pact and Poltergeist, as it becomes clear soon enough who the regulars are, and his sense of found family for the party is only enhanced by having to collaborate on the business together with them. He especially seems to have struck a chord with Lif, seeing as he knows a small share of Elvish tales to talk about with him, and Humid Oasis is tided over by the stories that they hear from the customers that pass in and out, which are enough to keep them from encouraging Xaul to step out of this comfort and into more danger for the sake of adventure.
Xaul Lackluster: Half-Orc Fathomless Warlock: Warlock Dragon Heist
Borvnir Chelvnich: Black Dragonborn Barbarian: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Pushover Gerilwitz: Tiefling Wizard: Acquisitions Incorporated
Callow Sunken-Eyes: Goliath Arctic Druid: We Are Modron
DMing The 100 Dungeons of the Blood Archivist , The Hunt for the Balowang and Surviving Tempest City!
Killer Queen has already extended this signature, though not by much!
(Ok I’ve read downtime in PHB and Xanathar’s now. PHB says need level 3 to make magical items, and so she’ll work at the inn also for now, until she has time and money to make something or more items to sell, in the future.)
With Lif becoming so helpful, Skye finds herself in the unexpected position of being a beautiful Air Genasi inn owner alongside a half-orc, a poltergeist, and whatever Damros is — and still finding herself the most off putting to the clientele.
Skye’s steely glint and unsmiling former-pirate face glowers at customers and wipes down the bar and surfaces with a natural resting ***** face that knows no equal. Still, despite her lack of showmanship, in the absence of a bard, when the nights are long and the inn is full she finds herself leading the shanties from time to time, and her bawdy blue songs find receptive homes until it’s time for them to spill out into the streets on their way home in the small hours, to the chagrin of the Pub’s neighbouring businesses and residents.
(did I forget to say earlier you also level up to level 3)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
((Oooh. You probably did and I missed it. Excellent! I’ll stay with working for now for downtime though.))
"It always comes back to coin. How much I need and how much I do not have," Damros muttered to himself as he lifted another load of botanical castoffs to the pile in back of the potions shop. "At least they were willing to let me work it off over time. Not how I expected to be spending my free time - scut work for lessons." He finally releases the load and turns to grab a shovel.
(( I do not expect Damros to work enough to pay it off entirely in one go. He will be back as time permits to work on gaining proficiency with herbalism kits and identifying the proper plants. It is as close as he will get to gaining any advantage on healing... ))
AND, since Damros survived to level 3, he gained a Pact Boon. In this case, Pact of the Talisman.
Your patron gives you an amulet, a talisman that can aid the wearer when the need is great. When the wearer fails an ability check, they can add a d4 to the roll, potentially turning the roll into a success. This benefit can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and all expended uses are restored when you finish a long rest.
If you lose the talisman, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. This ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it destroys the previous amulet. The talisman turns to ash when you die.
In this case, it LOOKS like a Raven Feather on a chain. While it looks like a regular feather, it is actually a finely crafted bit of metal which is detailed to appear as a 'regular raven feather'. Damros will wear it tucked under his shirt so it does not show most times.
((I missed the level up as well!))
Early one morning while you are all in the manor but the tavern is closed (maybe having breakfast or other activity in the main area, or in your rooms. Up to you individually but please include what you are doing in your next post) the usually quiet street changes. Windows rattle as the roar of an explosion fills Trollskull Alley. Charred bodies and anguished screams fly through the air. A thick cloud of acrid smoke billows outward from the blast, which seems to have occurred right outside your door.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Damros had been up early. Up in the tower, doing a set of ritual forms and observances which he had been neglecting for months. It was a routine he had kept to, near religiously, before his ejection from the the Shadowfell. He was mid balancing stance when the floor seemed to be pulled out from under him. Untangling himself and regaining his feet, he ran to the window, leaning out to see chaos before him.
Sehaethas was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, with Kylaski telling him what to make. When the placed suddenly rattled, Kylaski took over to see what was going on. Sehaethas was able to get her to take the food off the fire before she rushed to the front of the tavern.
Skye is in the basement, doing something she suggests important but has never clearly explained, with the kegs of ale.
When the blast goes off the impact is muted through the stone work but the thunder still clearly reaches her. She heads up to the main floor of the inn, to investigate and see what’s happened.
Anyone taking a closer look (so far all of you) may make an arcana check
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Arcana: lucky number 13.
Arcana: 18 for Kylaski. Sehaethas doesn't know arcana, that was part of the "things man wasn't ment to know" package. The different personalities have different skills.
Both of you (and anyone else 13+) can identify that based on the effects, size of blast and how sudden it seemed to be, this was a fireball. It seems to have been centred on the street outside and your tavern was caught in the edge of the blast.
In the wake of the explosion, people emerge from their houses and shops to survey the devastation. The fireball didn’t set any buildings ablaze, but it left eleven people dead:
One elderly female human who was out for a walk
Two cloaked male humans clad in leather armor with sheathed longswords
Two female humans and one male half-elf dressed in plain clothes
One male gnome wearing a burned cloak and clutching a dagger
Two female halflings who were playing a flute and a fiddle, and two male halflings who were dancing.
A blast this size means the city guard will be on their way to close off the crime scene. Anyone wanting to search the bodies needs to do so quickly.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)