"It's quite the story, Dwarf." Lok chuckled, leaning forward in his seat.
"I originally went to this tavern for a few drinks and some rest while I was in between missions."
The barbarian gestured to Willagee for a refill.
"After I drank my share, I rented a room." Lok grimaces as he recalls what has happened. "I guess I fell asleep, but next thing I know, I heard a commotion from the main bar room."
"Everything after that has been a blur. We cant leave, There was a witch named Mad Maggie, A rotting man named Mr Dory, A vampiric Count, and this tavern changes every time I catch my breath."
after the barbarian finished retelling his story, he pauses to take a drink.
"Thinking back, it hasn't been all bad. At least I'm stranded in a place with lots of drinks."
The moment Delmon pulls out his dice, there is a sudden rush from both sides of the room as the combatants converge rapidly on Delmon. For a second he wonders if they are going to attack him, so is relieved when he sees each creature reaching for a coin pouch at their belts. The bugbear instantly assumes the role of bookie, calling for the bets and managing the coin. The first roll of seven is met with a loud cheer as several in the gruesome crowd win their bets. The goblins harrass the bugbear for their next bet while the gnolls start baying for the next roll. The noise and commotion is abut the same as before, but at least the food has stopped flying.
Willagee and Kardinya tentatively poke their heads back over the bar, and relax when they see the entertainment has taken a new and less messy direction. Kardinya pulls out a wand and walks into the room to start her cleanup while Willagee pours Lok a new drink. The dwarf nods politely at Lok's tale before replying.
Well, not as colourful as yours, I'd say. I came 'ere fer a holiday after finishing a rather lengthy contract of service with one o' the noble houses of Waterdeep. Rather liked the atmosphere so I stayed on. Been 'ere a few months now, just watching folk come and go. O' course now they'll only be comin' and not goin' until the curse is lifted. Such is life when ye get caught up in the whims o' the gods, no? Barok Clanghammer's the name, anyway. Pleased to make yer acquaintance.
Hatch, you can re-emerge whenever you are ready.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Lia, realising Bentley is still standing there, takes an appreciative sip of water, before saying "Thank you. Would you... like a seat?" She gestures towards a chair at the table.
Hatch wakes up feeling rather, well drained, but otherwise healthy and able despite being a bit pale still from the blood loss. Whatever healing he must have been given must've done wonders considering the predicament he remembered being in. He rubbed at his throat where he had been bitten. Well, at least he seemed to be alive and not dead...or worse, undead. His skin crawled at the thought.
Had he grown more chest hair while he was out? And was it the effects of the blood loss still lingering or was he a bit drunk again?
Eh, details. He somehow managed to drag himself out of bed, stumbled out of the room, took notice of new changes to the inn, and continued on past gambling goblins and gnolls and on to Willagee. "I'll take anything good for the blood please. With lots of garlic. And holy water if you got it," he ordered before resting his head on the counter.
To Lia, Lok, and anyone else nearby he began asking, "And can someone tell me if I'm alive? Or if we broke the curse? Or where that *here he said some things in a mix of Infernal and Draconic not worth translating* Count *more Infernal here* vampire *a choice word in Draconic* is?"
The bugbear glares at Delmon and snarls: What you wanna know names for, pinkie? Shuddup and roll. And gimme yer gold, you lost.
Bentley grins a wide grin and pulls up a chair. Looking at Lia with a full-faced smile he chortles: Why thank you! You're too kind! So, tell me about your adventures so far. I love a good story...
Barok's handshake is firm indeed, and the smile under his wispy moustache is warm and genuine. As Lok asks his next questions, the dwarf takes a deep breath, strokes his beard with hand, and then replies: Well, yes I suppose I've been here a while, but then... I'm not sure I actually AM here. Seeing the confused look on Lok's face, he blinks and pats Lok's hand comfortingly, then continues... Lemme try to explain, though I admit I'm just guessin' at much o' this...
I've not met Mad Maggie in person, but I know who she is, and she's no witch. She's Beshaba, the goddess of misfortune, or an avatar at least. I've seen her handiwork before, and it's unlucky indeed that you've been caught up in her affairs, but she cares not who suffers at her whims.
Yer probably wonderin' how it is that everythin' keeps changing, right? The hotel is different, patrons are different, the staff don't remember ye. I may be wrong, but I expect there's a new version o' reality each time, created anew just fer you - just fer the curse. Each reality is made to feel like it's been here forever. The goblins, the gnolls - even me - we're real enough, in this place. I've got memories of being here for months, and more still going back as far as I can think. But my true self probably still exists in my own - our own - original reality.
As Hatch arrives, takes a seat and orders a drink, Barok continues: Powerful magic, I know, and hard to wrap yer mind around. The old tavern is still there, but once you step through the doors, yer in this reality, whatever it is, and Mad Maggie makes the rules here.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Lia smiles broadly at Hatch and gives a little wave as he passes, before turning to Bentley, still beaming. She pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts before launching straight into her story.
"You see, this place is under a curse. I've got no clue how it all works, but originally, when we came in, this place was far smaller, just a single-storey tavern, and, mind you, a well-worn one at that. I don't mean to point fingers, but from what I saw, you knocked over the drink of a woman named Mad Maggie, who was some kind of witch or something, and put the curse on this place. I don't think it's your fault at all; it sounds like she was a rather ill-tempered type. She laid out the curse before she left: One dies, two cries, three lies, four buys and five flies. We discovered the numbers in the curse referred to the room numbers, and that the poor man in room one had also been put under a curse. He seemed to be immortal, but the situation was... resolved when he threw himself into the fire. We then came to an inn, a little less grand than this place, now with the upstairs area. The staff didn't remember anything. We found out about a count who was visiting and decided to meet him. We tried to ask for his help before he attempted to charm both Hatch and I, failing with Hatch and succeeded with me. He was going to drink my blood until Hatch stepped in and took my place. I'm not sure if you saw Hatch before he got taken away to rest, but, he was in a bad way, let me tell you. The count disapeared and we found ourselves here."
She looks away sheepishly, feeling as though she didn't tell it very well, and that she was quite wordy with it.
Waiting to hopefully be fed, Hatch muddled through something in his still slightly blood deprived brain.
"Floors," he said to anyone who could hear. "It isn't room numbers, it's floors. Dory was in room one alright when this place only had one floor, but that vampire was not in room two. He was however bunking on the second floor. Now we have three floors. Three lies so, who is rooming on floor number three?" Hatch asked this last bit to Mr. Willagee.
"Thats a lot to take in Barok." "So none of this is truly real. We were thrown into several new realities."
"And not just by any old witch, but a goddess of misfortune." Lok reiterates.
The barbarian seems pretty shaken as the situation begins to fully dawn on him, just how big of a mess he was in. Taking a few moments to take deep breaths and get himself back under control "Well. I swore to get revenge on Mad Maggie, but ive never hunted any goddess" The barbarian muttered into his drink.
"Thanks for all the information Barok."
"Any advice on the riddle she left us? I'm starting to think this riddle is just a false hope to drive us further to madness."
Only the bravest of onlookers have the guts to join in the dice game, but those that do are rewarded with hearty slaps on the back from the gnolls, and good-humoured jeers from the goblins. The bugbear doesn't seem to care what species the participants are, as long as they pay their gold, and there are few that dare renege against the hairy bookmaker. Bets are placed by all, and they seem happy for Delmon to make the dice rolls. Delmon rolls as many sevens and elevens as not, and continues to bet on the Pass line so he manages to break even. The bugbear doesn't get any friendlier, but Delmon seems to have gained some popularity with the gnolls and goblins, and is included in each call for a round of drinks. (Free drinks for Delmon!)
Bentley listens attentively to Lia's account, and replies: So from what you're saying, it sounds like so far you've succeeded by pure chance. Hmmm, that's interesting. As the halfling speaks, both Lia and Andree continue their drinks, but start to notice a strange tingle in the ends of their fingers, and their vision seems to become a little fuzzy.
Lia and Adree, please make a CON saving throw.
As the barbarian comes to terms with the new information, Barok flashes another consolatory smile, filled with pity at the difficult situation Lok and his acquaintances find themselves in, but also with confidence that all will turn out ok. Then, at the mention of a riddle, his bushy eyebrows rise up slowly as he says: Oho! So, there's a riddle, eh? I'm rather fond of riddles. Perhaps you'll share it with me?
Lok recites the words of the witch, and gives his opinion, after which Hatch interjects with his own observations. Willagee arrives with a freshly-grilled, rather rare steak and a side of steamed cabbage and spinach, placing it in front of Hatch just in time to hear the tiefling's question. Willagee doesn't answer immediately, but looks inquiringly at Barok, who after a moment simply nods. The bartender then replies: Uh, well sir, there's only one guest currently on the third floor, and - uh - that would be this good gentleman dwarf here.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Of course he hasn't lied," Hatch told Lok. "If he had we'd be a step closer out of here. He needs to lie, whether telling a lie or lying down or who knows what the witch meant, he's got to do it to help break the curse," Hatch explained. "Which is probably why he's here. He's probably a very honest dwarf, which would make him lying something that wouldn't just occur naturally. Like how a vampire won't naturally just out and cry over something, but I'm guessing the Count did somehow, or how Dory was unkillable until he flung himself in the lit chimney and burnt up. We get a truthful dwarf to make 'three lies' harder to pull off."
After saying all that Hatch began to tear into the mostly rare steak, so famished after everything that has happened he didn't even bother with the silverware, gripping the still rather bloody hunk of meat in both hands and chowing down. It didn't have the garlic he had asked for, but asking for it now would require him to stop eating, which was unthinkable according to his hungry tummy. Man just wasn't meant to survive on booze alone.
(I'm assuming Hatch didn't overhear the bit about Mad Maggie being the goddess or the avatar of the goddess of misfortune?)
(I feel like this is going to become a running joke now. Here we go again...)
Con Save: 8
(of course)
Are you within 10 feet of Hatch? I just discovered I apparently have Aura of Protection - While you are conscious, you grant all friendly creatures (including you) within 10 ft. a +3 bonus to all saving throws.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Delmon slaps Hatch on the back and says "I thought you were dead. Oh well meet this cute girl Kardinya here." He pauses to kiss her passionately. "Join this gambling thing. You too dwarf you should join. Also get yourself a pretty girl like Kardinya." He then rolls just one more time then hands his dice to the bugbear that took charge and says "I need to go cuddle with Kardinya here so you use my dice until I get back." He then takes some mugs of ale and brings Kardinya over to his room and well yeah..........
Charisma for Kardinya 19
Bone Dice: 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Murder Hobo Help(a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
"It's quite the story, Dwarf." Lok chuckled, leaning forward in his seat.
"I originally went to this tavern for a few drinks and some rest while I was in between missions."
The barbarian gestured to Willagee for a refill.
"After I drank my share, I rented a room." Lok grimaces as he recalls what has happened. "I guess I fell asleep, but next thing I know, I heard a commotion from the main bar room."
"Everything after that has been a blur. We cant leave, There was a witch named Mad Maggie, A rotting man named Mr Dory, A vampiric Count, and this tavern changes every time I catch my breath."
after the barbarian finished retelling his story, he pauses to take a drink.
"Thinking back, it hasn't been all bad. At least I'm stranded in a place with lots of drinks."
"How about you Dwarf? You got a story?"
The moment Delmon pulls out his dice, there is a sudden rush from both sides of the room as the combatants converge rapidly on Delmon. For a second he wonders if they are going to attack him, so is relieved when he sees each creature reaching for a coin pouch at their belts. The bugbear instantly assumes the role of bookie, calling for the bets and managing the coin. The first roll of seven is met with a loud cheer as several in the gruesome crowd win their bets. The goblins harrass the bugbear for their next bet while the gnolls start baying for the next roll. The noise and commotion is abut the same as before, but at least the food has stopped flying.
Willagee and Kardinya tentatively poke their heads back over the bar, and relax when they see the entertainment has taken a new and less messy direction. Kardinya pulls out a wand and walks into the room to start her cleanup while Willagee pours Lok a new drink. The dwarf nods politely at Lok's tale before replying.
Well, not as colourful as yours, I'd say. I came 'ere fer a holiday after finishing a rather lengthy contract of service with one o' the noble houses of Waterdeep. Rather liked the atmosphere so I stayed on. Been 'ere a few months now, just watching folk come and go. O' course now they'll only be comin' and not goin' until the curse is lifted. Such is life when ye get caught up in the whims o' the gods, no? Barok Clanghammer's the name, anyway. Pleased to make yer acquaintance.
Hatch, you can re-emerge whenever you are ready.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Nice to meet you, Barok." Nodding his head at the Dwarf.
"My name is Lok." Lok reaches his hand out for a firm handshake. "Just Lok, I have no last name."
"You've been here a while? Have you personally met Mad Maggie?"
Lia, realising Bentley is still standing there, takes an appreciative sip of water, before saying "Thank you. Would you... like a seat?" She gestures towards a chair at the table.
Delmon places another 5 gp on the bet and asks the monsters "What'r yer names?"
GIVE ME SEVEN! 9
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
Hatch wakes up feeling rather, well drained, but otherwise healthy and able despite being a bit pale still from the blood loss. Whatever healing he must have been given must've done wonders considering the predicament he remembered being in. He rubbed at his throat where he had been bitten. Well, at least he seemed to be alive and not dead...or worse, undead. His skin crawled at the thought.
Had he grown more chest hair while he was out? And was it the effects of the blood loss still lingering or was he a bit drunk again?
Eh, details. He somehow managed to drag himself out of bed, stumbled out of the room, took notice of new changes to the inn, and continued on past gambling goblins and gnolls and on to Willagee. "I'll take anything good for the blood please. With lots of garlic. And holy water if you got it," he ordered before resting his head on the counter.
To Lia, Lok, and anyone else nearby he began asking, "And can someone tell me if I'm alive? Or if we broke the curse? Or where that *here he said some things in a mix of Infernal and Draconic not worth translating* Count *more Infernal here* vampire *a choice word in Draconic* is?"
(Luckily Hatch doesn't curse much in Common)
(And for that I am grateful)
The bugbear glares at Delmon and snarls: What you wanna know names for, pinkie? Shuddup and roll. And gimme yer gold, you lost.
Bentley grins a wide grin and pulls up a chair. Looking at Lia with a full-faced smile he chortles: Why thank you! You're too kind! So, tell me about your adventures so far. I love a good story...
Barok's handshake is firm indeed, and the smile under his wispy moustache is warm and genuine. As Lok asks his next questions, the dwarf takes a deep breath, strokes his beard with hand, and then replies: Well, yes I suppose I've been here a while, but then... I'm not sure I actually AM here. Seeing the confused look on Lok's face, he blinks and pats Lok's hand comfortingly, then continues... Lemme try to explain, though I admit I'm just guessin' at much o' this...
I've not met Mad Maggie in person, but I know who she is, and she's no witch. She's Beshaba, the goddess of misfortune, or an avatar at least. I've seen her handiwork before, and it's unlucky indeed that you've been caught up in her affairs, but she cares not who suffers at her whims.
Yer probably wonderin' how it is that everythin' keeps changing, right? The hotel is different, patrons are different, the staff don't remember ye. I may be wrong, but I expect there's a new version o' reality each time, created anew just fer you - just fer the curse. Each reality is made to feel like it's been here forever. The goblins, the gnolls - even me - we're real enough, in this place. I've got memories of being here for months, and more still going back as far as I can think. But my true self probably still exists in my own - our own - original reality.
As Hatch arrives, takes a seat and orders a drink, Barok continues: Powerful magic, I know, and hard to wrap yer mind around. The old tavern is still there, but once you step through the doors, yer in this reality, whatever it is, and Mad Maggie makes the rules here.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Lia smiles broadly at Hatch and gives a little wave as he passes, before turning to Bentley, still beaming. She pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts before launching straight into her story.
"You see, this place is under a curse. I've got no clue how it all works, but originally, when we came in, this place was far smaller, just a single-storey tavern, and, mind you, a well-worn one at that. I don't mean to point fingers, but from what I saw, you knocked over the drink of a woman named Mad Maggie, who was some kind of witch or something, and put the curse on this place. I don't think it's your fault at all; it sounds like she was a rather ill-tempered type. She laid out the curse before she left: One dies, two cries, three lies, four buys and five flies. We discovered the numbers in the curse referred to the room numbers, and that the poor man in room one had also been put under a curse. He seemed to be immortal, but the situation was... resolved when he threw himself into the fire. We then came to an inn, a little less grand than this place, now with the upstairs area. The staff didn't remember anything. We found out about a count who was visiting and decided to meet him. We tried to ask for his help before he attempted to charm both Hatch and I, failing with Hatch and succeeded with me. He was going to drink my blood until Hatch stepped in and took my place. I'm not sure if you saw Hatch before he got taken away to rest, but, he was in a bad way, let me tell you. The count disapeared and we found ourselves here."
She looks away sheepishly, feeling as though she didn't tell it very well, and that she was quite wordy with it.
Delmon sadly hand over his gold and waves over some more human guests into the gambling circle. "SEVEN!"
Here are the next few rolls: 9 10 10 5 11 11 7 10
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
After those rolls Delmon collects his money and pays his debts then winks at Kardinya and whistles.
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
Waiting to hopefully be fed, Hatch muddled through something in his still slightly blood deprived brain.
"Floors," he said to anyone who could hear. "It isn't room numbers, it's floors. Dory was in room one alright when this place only had one floor, but that vampire was not in room two. He was however bunking on the second floor. Now we have three floors. Three lies so, who is rooming on floor number three?" Hatch asked this last bit to Mr. Willagee.
"Thats a lot to take in Barok." "So none of this is truly real. We were thrown into several new realities."
"And not just by any old witch, but a goddess of misfortune." Lok reiterates.
The barbarian seems pretty shaken as the situation begins to fully dawn on him, just how big of a mess he was in. Taking a few moments to take deep breaths and get himself back under control
"Well. I swore to get revenge on Mad Maggie, but ive never hunted any goddess" The barbarian muttered into his drink.
"Thanks for all the information Barok."
"Any advice on the riddle she left us? I'm starting to think this riddle is just a false hope to drive us further to madness."
Only the bravest of onlookers have the guts to join in the dice game, but those that do are rewarded with hearty slaps on the back from the gnolls, and good-humoured jeers from the goblins. The bugbear doesn't seem to care what species the participants are, as long as they pay their gold, and there are few that dare renege against the hairy bookmaker. Bets are placed by all, and they seem happy for Delmon to make the dice rolls. Delmon rolls as many sevens and elevens as not, and continues to bet on the Pass line so he manages to break even. The bugbear doesn't get any friendlier, but Delmon seems to have gained some popularity with the gnolls and goblins, and is included in each call for a round of drinks. (Free drinks for Delmon!)
Bentley listens attentively to Lia's account, and replies: So from what you're saying, it sounds like so far you've succeeded by pure chance. Hmmm, that's interesting. As the halfling speaks, both Lia and Andree continue their drinks, but start to notice a strange tingle in the ends of their fingers, and their vision seems to become a little fuzzy.
Lia and Adree, please make a CON saving throw.
As the barbarian comes to terms with the new information, Barok flashes another consolatory smile, filled with pity at the difficult situation Lok and his acquaintances find themselves in, but also with confidence that all will turn out ok. Then, at the mention of a riddle, his bushy eyebrows rise up slowly as he says: Oho! So, there's a riddle, eh? I'm rather fond of riddles. Perhaps you'll share it with me?
Lok recites the words of the witch, and gives his opinion, after which Hatch interjects with his own observations. Willagee arrives with a freshly-grilled, rather rare steak and a side of steamed cabbage and spinach, placing it in front of Hatch just in time to hear the tiefling's question. Willagee doesn't answer immediately, but looks inquiringly at Barok, who after a moment simply nods. The bartender then replies: Uh, well sir, there's only one guest currently on the third floor, and - uh - that would be this good gentleman dwarf here.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
(I feel like this is going to become a running joke now. Here we go again...)
Con Save: 8
(of course)
Delmon takes his drinks and chugs them. He rolls another round then runs over to Kardinya in his drunken state and kisses her. 10
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
Willagees response makes the barbarian frown.
"Barok is the only one on floor 3?" Lok racked his brain for any clue, and how this fit in with the riddle.
"But that doesn't make any sense, He hasn't lied." He said outloud glancing between Hatch and Barok
Delmon brings Kardinya back to the group and gives her some ale and continues rolling and kissing her. 8
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)
"Of course he hasn't lied," Hatch told Lok. "If he had we'd be a step closer out of here. He needs to lie, whether telling a lie or lying down or who knows what the witch meant, he's got to do it to help break the curse," Hatch explained. "Which is probably why he's here. He's probably a very honest dwarf, which would make him lying something that wouldn't just occur naturally. Like how a vampire won't naturally just out and cry over something, but I'm guessing the Count did somehow, or how Dory was unkillable until he flung himself in the lit chimney and burnt up. We get a truthful dwarf to make 'three lies' harder to pull off."
After saying all that Hatch began to tear into the mostly rare steak, so famished after everything that has happened he didn't even bother with the silverware, gripping the still rather bloody hunk of meat in both hands and chowing down. It didn't have the garlic he had asked for, but asking for it now would require him to stop eating, which was unthinkable according to his hungry tummy. Man just wasn't meant to survive on booze alone.
(I'm assuming Hatch didn't overhear the bit about Mad Maggie being the goddess or the avatar of the goddess of misfortune?)
Are you within 10 feet of Hatch? I just discovered I apparently have Aura of Protection - While you are conscious, you grant all friendly creatures (including you) within 10 ft. a +3 bonus to all saving throws.
Delmon slaps Hatch on the back and says "I thought you were dead. Oh well meet this cute girl Kardinya here." He pauses to kiss her passionately. "Join this gambling thing. You too dwarf you should join. Also get yourself a pretty girl like Kardinya." He then rolls just one more time then hands his dice to the bugbear that took charge and says "I need to go cuddle with Kardinya here so you use my dice until I get back." He then takes some mugs of ale and brings Kardinya over to his room and well yeah..........
Charisma for Kardinya 19
Bone Dice: 7
Murder Hobo Help (a great place for new dm's to get help with murderhobos and a great place to share how you've delt with murderhobos)