Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"

ALDRIC:

"I'm trying to find someone named Grimjaw in a place called Rivergard Keep. Do you know anything about that?"

Vallivoe runs a hand over his balding head, scratching absent-mindedly as he considers the question. "Rivergard Keep..." he mutters, his eyes cast toward the far wall for a moment before drifting back over to Aldric. "No, sorry, can't say I've heard of it. The only keeps I know of are the Haunted Keeps. Buncha ruins 'round the valley that folks claim got a buncha ghosts and monsters prowlin' and the like. Can't say for sure where any of 'em are though, I just hear stories from merchants and drovers and the like."

Before Aldric leaves, the merchant looks to have an idea, and snaps his fingers. "Oh! If yer goin' out and about...I don't know if it's relevant or not, but I overheard someone say that they saw a skull pinned to a tree with a black arrow, like some kind of dire warning or ill omen. Could be that's yer bandits or somethin'. It was a half day's walk along the Larch Path, then about four miles east into the hills."

MELEK:

"Of course, my friend," the baker says with a grin. "If you'd like a loaf, feel free to take one. They're not my standard fare, I'm afraid, as late in the day as it is, so they might be a tad stale. I was fixing to toss them before you walked in, anyway. You'll want to try my specialty, though." He points to a display with a few small buns. "Cheese-topped with melted mushroom cheese from some local farms on the outskirts of town. Those will run you five copper apiece, but I assure you they're well worth it. Mangobarl Lorren, by the way," he introduces himself with an outstretched hand.

When Melek asks what's ailing the town, Lorren takes a moment to think. "Well inside of town, Sheriff Harburk tends to keep the peace pretty well. I've heard little Pell Mhandyvver had a scare outside of town though, actually went to look for myself, figured I'd try to help Sheriff Harburk out, this town's a lot for one man and his trusties to handle. All's I saw was a goblin near the spot, I figure that's what spooked her. Probably a gang of them moved in and rigged a haunt to scare off intruders. If that's the case though, she's lucky she got there and back without getting spotted by them. Nasty little creatures," he says.

RUMBLE:

Helvur Tarnlar's directions don't take you far, just a few houses south past the intersection, taking you past Drouth's Fine Poultry and the buildings shared by the butcher and sheriff on the right side of the road, and Waelvur's Wagonworks on the left before you reach a nondescript building you might not have guessed was an arms and armor shop if you couldn't see the wares through the wide open door.

Weapons of every kind line the walls inside, and shields of various sizes are stacked against the far walls. Racks of armor crowd the floor space, leaving only a narrow path toward the wooden counter in the back. Behind the counter stands a half-orc built like a ballista, with broad shoulders and thick arms. His skin, more green than gray, is mapped with old scars, and his eyes are calm and appraising. "Looking for something specific, or just browsing?" he asks, low and unbothered. "If you were looking for Ironhead Arms, you've found it."

Melek returns the baker's handshake, and looks with interest at the buns on display. If there is sufficient, he requests the purchase of five of the specialty buns and offers the baker three silver pieces as payment and goodwill.

However, Melek is somewhat disappointed to learn that the only rumour worth telling is of a frightened child and a lone goblin. This hardly qualifies as 'great troubles', and he starts to wonder whether the Lord of Lance Rock really was the only disturbance of note in this part, whether the opinions of the local peasants were worth the time, and whether his visions were inaccurate.

Still, one thing could lead to another, and he needed to have faith in the message of the gods.

Pray, sir, where did this incident occur? If chance arises, perhaps we might lend our vigilance also, for the sake of the town's peace.

After all, one goblin could portend many goblins, and from what he knew, the base creatures were often attracted by greater evils. Then as an afterthought, he adds:

And whose child is Pell?

Aldric scowls as he considers Vallivoe's words. "East of Larch Path," he repeats. He considers further, picturing the area in his head. "That would be on or near the river." He nods to himself. "It would make sense that Rivergard Keep would be along the River Dessarin."

He turns to the shopkeeper and smiles, his yellowed tusks glinting. "Thank you. That may be just the information I need."

He steps back out into the road, hoping to run into Rumble.

Even had Rumble seen far more impressive display of arms and armor back at Summit Hall or even off-world before, he still moved through the shop examining the displays with no small amount of wonderment and admiration in the craftmanship, having forgotten prior thoughts of needing to do the /exact/ opposite! So, it was with a bit of a start that he nearly knocked into a nearby armor rack, before with hand over his chest and sheepish smile he turned to the half-orc.

"Whew! I say I don't usually startle so easily, but s'pose I got a little too enraptured at yer stock here." He admits with a bit of a chuckle. "Names, uhm, Rumble. Rumble Siltskin. And you have the right of it... N-not about the browsing bit, but me looking for the Ironhead Arms. Heh..." He trails off into sigh. "Anyhow, I just came hoping to see if maybe you had any battleaxes and javelins to spare. And maybe to see if you do trade-ins as well? As I kinda wound up in possession of one too many handaxes you see."

Arkun gets tired of waiting in the inn and wanders out into the middle of town, looking for any sign of his previous traveling companions.  “I wonder what trouble they are getting into… now.. where to?”

Trundling down one of the main paths of Red Larch, having just left the Drouth Poultry shop at the crossroads near the center of town, a small tortle roughly the size of a halfling seemed to have his chin in his hand. Seemingly lost in thought, and now, standing still as he began to truly consider things. A very small handful of passerby's knew of the strange 'creature' from his bi-yearly forays into town, but most did not and the ones who did not likely stared for a long time as tortles were not common in general, especially not the handful of adventurers walking through town either solo or in groups. Whatever conundrum or problem was assailing his mind was likely one of import, at-least to him. His eyes swept over the buildings. 

The tortle wasn't wearing much beyond a simple beige robe that had a few splotches of dark stains on the front. A small booklet just barely peeking out of his pack, which seemed to be laden with many small supplies, and a simple gem or crystal only visible to those walking closest to him, as it sat just inside the lower shell between it, and his neck. "My, what should I do... We've not heard from them in so long, and so far no one here has heard of anything good or bad occurring... they simply have no news to share. Perhaps I will have to find some adventurers or mercenaries after all..." he was mostly mumbling to himself, but just loud enough that anyone passing by might hear him.

(Leaving this open enough that any of the party can stumble on him. I feel it's a good way to enter without stepping on toes!)

Arkun stops short as he is looking down the Main Street of Red Larch and he sees an unusual sight.  A tortle!  He continues to look left and right, but then makes his way with speed to approach the interesting creature, curiosity getting the best of him.  “Ummm… hello.  My name is Arkun, I don’t get into town very much, I don’t think I’ve seen you before!  By the way, have you happened to see a grumpy appearing orc wandering around who likes to give orders, an earth genasi, and an aasimar?  I know that sounds like the beginning of a joke, but I assure you it is not.. they are my frie.. my companions, fellow adventurers.. ah.. we were working together until yesterday and now I’ve lost them it seems, have you seen any of them walking about town?  I’m from Kryptgarden Forest, not sure where they have wandered off to..”

Suddenly jarred from his deep consideration, Atta looks up at the man. His arms loosening mostly, but held together in a sort of T-rex pose as he listens to the man suddenly asking him about several different species and even describing one of their behavioral patterns. "Well it sounds like they might be converging on a bartender, master R-kun." saying the mans name slightly off but obviously due to it being strange on his tongue, and not an insult. 

"But I do believe I saw what was likely a Genasi walk into that building over yonder... Genasi are the ones that looks like elements, yes? I've never seen one in person... Just as most people haven't seen my kind..." he says with a shrug. "The rest? I've not seen them about... Orcs are rare inside of towns from what I've heard, and I have no earthly idea what an Aasi-mer is, so even if I did see one, I wouldn't recognize it as such. I don't mind leading you to the place i think your friend went... I'm quite stuck on an issue, and perhaps not thinking about it wfor a moment would help clear my mind!"

Arkun smiles and gives a laugh, seeing the confusion with his offhand joke, and he listens to the reply from the tortle. His curiosity gets the best of him, and he cannot help but inquire further.  "Issue?  What is the issue, if I may ask?  Maybe.. I could help?  And then we could find my friends, er ah, companions.  I've been here a couple of days, maybe I can offer something that could help your progress.."

MELEK:

Pray, sir, where did this incident occur? If chance arises, perhaps we might lend our vigilance also, for the sake of the town's peace.

OOC: Mangobarl provides you direction, I'll update this accordingly on the region map when the party is back together.

And whose child is Pell?

"That'd be the Mhandyvvers, they run the poultry shop down south near the end of town. Pell is Minny's granddaughter, but I don't know which of her three kids she belongs to if I'm being honest." 

The baker carefully wraps the mushroom loaves in paper before wrapping them all together and handing them to Melek. He takes the silver, tipping one coin in appreciation. "Thank you, sir. Hope you have a swell one."

OOC: Removed 3 sp from Melek's character sheet and added 5 mushroom buns.

ALDRIC & RUMBLE:

"Anyhow, I just came hoping to see if maybe you had any battleaxes and javelins to spare. And maybe to see if you do trade-ins as well? As I kinda wound up in possession of one too many handaxes you see."

"Yes, and yes," the half-orc says. "Take a look for yourself, feel the heft, take your time. Happy to buy, long as I can turn a profit on it."

Outside of the building, Aldric overhears Rumble's voice in conversation as he walks north past the doorway.

OOC: Equipment that is unused, like a weapon that came with starting equipment or weapons found in an armory, sell for 50% of their full value. Weapons and armor found on monsters or other combatants can still be used, but cannot be resold for any value.

ARKUN & ATTA:

As your gaze turns south toward the shop where Atta saw Rumble enter, you spot Aldric, standing out easily among the townsfolk, miners and farmers that are moving along the dusty streets.

In Ironhead Arms:

Rumble eyes practically light up with relief. He then proceeded to maneuver to the storefront counter to start divesting himself of previously mentioned handaxes. Though as he realizes at least two of them were fair bit chipped and scratched from having used them to carve and smash animated bones, it was with a bit of a grimace that they are tucked back into their respective holster. This left with him with at least 2 other handaxes on the table, and after a moment's hesitation, he added his greataxe to his trade-ins.

"Never quite got a chance to use that bad boy, but s'pose it's for the best. Need'a diversify my arsenal, or however the instructors put it; 'specially if I'm gonna be dealing with bandits and the like." The Genasi offhandedly mentions. He leaves the half-orc shop keeper to further inspect the weapons, and once again began combing the stacks. For all of his earlier interest in battleaxe, Rumble only really examines the one before noticing the war picks.

It was then with some trepidation that he grabbed one with a single pick one side and a hammerhead on the other, turned it over in his grip a couple of times, and just sort of stares at it for a long moment before taking it alongside a couple of boot daggers and a glaive. "You mention something 'bout custom jobs earlier? H-how would that work exactly?" He asks

Trade-In:
- 2 of 4 Handaxes (Worth 5gp total)
- Greataxe (Worth 15gp)

Seeking to Purchase:
- Glaive(20 gp)
- Warpick(5 gp)
- 2 Daggers(4 gp)

(OOC: I wanted to commit to getting javelins, but ran into the same issue of how to functionally carry it given the rest of his loadout. He's already gonna be almost always carrying the glaive by hand as-is. xD)

Rumble finds the stock at Ironhead Arms to be plentiful and polished. The craftsmanship is equivalent to something you might find in the larger cities of the Sword Coast, and the half-orc shopkeeper is sufficiently knowledgeable to help Rumble test out several different options, ensuring that he settles on a weight and feel that he likes. 

"Nah. Don't do custom," the half-orc says, brief but not unfriendly. "Don't got the forge to do custom. That's the Tanturs' territory. Good folk, though. Get some of my stock from them when someone bails on an order."

OOC: Rumble's sheet has been updated with his purchases.

Atta fails to catch that the druid keeps correcting himself for now. But he takes in a large breath and says "Well.. I doubt you would, but as  an adventuring sort.. perhaps you have. I am from a small cloister of Chirurgeons. We heal not with magic, but with medicine, herbs, salves, and ointments. However our primary supplier stopped showing up about a month ago, and we began to worry. They're from the outskirts of Red Larch. A pair of homesteaders... Bero and Nerise Gladham. They grow many of the herbs we use in our paultices. And so I came to town to find out if anyone has heard any news, but so far, they have not." he says the faintest hint of sadness like someone ho thinks their friend might be missing. 

"Either way, enough of MY problems. Let us gather your friends and share the story. One of you may just have heard-tale of them." he says, beginning to move towards the 'weapon' shop that he doesn't currently know is 'that.' as he's never had a reason to enter.

Atta also fails to notice the other member of the party, considering his size and the people moving about the street.

Melek bows his head in cordial thanks, and departs the bakery with his wares, heading south. Perhaps if it's not too late, he might wander past this poultry shop and see if there's anyone to talk to...

OOC: Mostly just an excuse to head to the south end of town and regroup with the others

Arkun nods to Atta, smiling as he recognizes the ways and has an appreciation of them.  "I see.  I see one of my companions, the crusty, bossy orc just down the road there, come with me.. I'll introduce you.  He may have heard something of Bero and Nerise since he's been all over the town last night and this morning.  I was too exhausted after our recent encounter at Lance Rock, so i have been meditating and recovering.  Let's catch up with him, see what he has found out."  Arkun holds up a hand to get Aldric's attention and encourages Atta to walk with him.

Atta would simply follow for now. (Just so you can proceed)

OOC: The whole party is in sight now once Rumble departs Ironhead Arms, so feel free to narrate that as you wish! Updated maps and leads below. These are also updated on the Campaign page.

RED LARCH MAP:

Red Larch Known Locations:

1. Allfaiths Shrine: Wayside shrine used by many faiths and owned by none
2. The Swinging Sword: Three-story inn with stables and dining room
3. The Helm at Highsun: Ramshackle two-story tavern with good food and drink
7. Helvur Tarnlar, Clothier: Quality clothing store and point of contact for the Lords' Alliance
8. Lorren's Bakery: Bakery specializing in cheese-topped buns with melted mushroom cheese
10. Drouth Fine Poultry: Red Larch's largest poultry shop
11. Jalessa Ornra, Butcher: Four buildings housing Red Larch's butcher and constable
13. Ironhead Arms: Shop dealing in new and used arms and armor
14. Mhandyver's Poultry: Red Larch's less impressive poultry shop
15. Haeleeya's: Bathhouse and dress shop that doubles as a point of contact for the Emerald Enclave
16. Waelvur's Wagonworks: Workshop selling wheels, axles, and wagons
18. Mellikho Stoneworks: Red Larch's northern quarry
22. Vallivoe's Sundries: Almost any Adventuring Gear can be bought here, buried under heaps of other stuff

Current Leads:

1. Bandits: Constable Harburk Tuthmarillar has heard rumors of a bandit lair south of town.
2. Ghost: Pell Mhandyver claims to have spotted a ghost near an old tomb near the hills outside of town. Mangobarl Lorren investigated the area and spotted a goblin.
3. Tricklerock Cave: Albaeri Mellikho pointed you here to rumors of legendary treasure.
   
4. Black Arrow: Endrith Vallivoe overheard someone saying that they saw a skull pinned to a tree with a black arrow, like some kind of dire warning or ill omen.

"Ahh~ Fair enough, sir. S'pose I'll need to pay'em a visit sometime in the future as well. But regardless, you have my thanks sir, and I'll see ya around." The earth genasi gives one final bow, before then making his way out with his new purchases either in hand or safely holstered on his person. If Aldric is still outside by the time Rumble makes his way out, a look of surprise briefly crosses the genasi's mug. But then an awkward smile, he's quick to nod in greeting, and offer to join his senior in moving on to whatever next destination his fellow knight had in mine.

Though he might not get far into the offer before noticing the others (or they in turn call out), his mood expression only brightens at the sight of most of them. "Well, well, well~ What do we have here? Or I s'pose who to be a bit more tactful. Heh." He says as the group presumably converged enough for casual conversation, eyeing the Tortle with a look of genuine curiosity bordering on wonderment. "This one here a druid friend of yours, Arkun?"

Once within easy speaking distance, Atta in turn could note...(see spoiler)

Listening to the conversation inside, Aldric determines that Rumble is about ready to step back out onto the street when he hears and sees Arkun trying to get his attention. His gaze quickly shifts from the elf to the small individual walking at the druid's knee. The half-orc scowls. What kind of person is that? It is hard to see in the dying daylight. Is it a halfling wearing some strange armor?

After only a few more steps, the old knight's scowl grows. That is no halfling. It is some kind of turtle person.

Suddenly, a memory occurs to him. He remembers a time when he was still at home before he joined the Knights of Samular. His kind-hearted mother was telling him about a race of people called ... what was it? It was like turtle, but different.

Aldric is still scowling when Arkun and Atta stop a healthy distance away. He stares down at the tortle — still not remembering the word. Though he looks very disapproving, it is in fact his frustration at not remembering what he wants to remember that has him looking so.

He is still staring when Rumble exits Ironhead Arms and does a better job of greeting the newcomer. The novice's welcome seems to shake the half-orc, and Aldric's face slackens into something a little less imposing.

After the others have said a few words, Aldric finally ventures: "Sir Aldric Harthstone, marshal of Westbridge."

When asked about Bero and Nerise Gladham, the half-orc looks at Alkun and gives a little shake of his big, dark green head. "I do not know those names." He looks back at Atta. "We could ask the sheriff of Red Larch. I know where to find him."

Atta walks at a surprisingly brisk pace for his size. Keeping up relatively easily as they walk towards the 'others.' 

As the two of them met the other pair, Atta would give a simple wave of greeting as he looked up at them both. "It is nice to meet you Both. I am Atta, a tortle, and a humble Chirurgeon - Not a druid, to be clear. I may look an animal, but I am quite capable of speech! And to you Sir Aldric! You must be the man that Arkun was telling me was firm, but fair, and with quite the air about him!" his words meant as a compliment, as well as reversing the description Arkun gave if only for the sake of social dynamics (Deception: 14 - As you're a player, you can decide if that has any effect, I am doing so more for flavor!)

"And yes, the Sherriff sounds like quite a good idea.. I likely should have started there. Though I've never spoken to them myself, so I do not know them. But I must ask, is this everyone of your group? I would hate for my personal matters to be the cause of a failed meeting."