Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Rufus sighs in relief as the party clambers back upon the barge. Rufus nods at the captain. He says,"We believe we have found and slain that which took your crew member. It was a close fight. Demons always are..."
"We are sorry for the bad news," Lindale was trying to think more about the missing sailor than about the monster that caused the disappearance. "You man is ..." (she did not want to say it but there was no way around it) "he must be dead. But we all hope it would not be repeated and this part of the river should be safe now."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Lindale was standing as far to the bow as it was allowed, leaning on shipboard and watching water moving past them. She smiled to Banzo, acknowledging his presence, but sighed to the question: "I do not know what to say, or, may be, how to say it. It does feel like we are doing something good - and something big too. But... these are not the adventure you hear about. No, this is wrong - I mean, in adventures Great Heroes save someone or something from something menacing, yes, but ... I do not know how to say it... aesthetic? Like a dragon, or an evil wizard. But here... in real life every threat we came across so far is so disgusting. Also, terrible and should not exist in the first place. I feel more like a cleaner, than a hero."
"Don't get me wrong, there are nice bits too - traveling, people we meet, and I am sure Rufus will spin a nice story even from that abomination in the cave. Just need to get used to the gory part of the job."
"May be it's just me - quiet life in the woods and suddenly... all that. May be for you this is something ... mundane? Do hope it is not! World full of such terror should not even exist."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"I like killing demons, but I think I should rest now," Hatch said. "When we reach wherever it is this boat's going, maybe we can find another quest to take?"
"And think of all of the people who no longer need to fear those acid demons." Brocc puts in, from where he stands beside his spider mount. he had been looking to the trees on the side of the boat, as they passed by, and glances over to the others as he speaks. "Maybe we didn't bring back those who were hurt by them already, but we did make sure no one else has to fear them." he shrugs. "That is a good days work in my estimation." He then turns back to watching the trees again.
Lindale nodded, then shook her head, then nodded again: "I know. And understand. Just need to get used to it. Are we going to return back to Chalice or continue to travel from ... wherever we are going to?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"The hillmen are good, when not trying to attack your camp in the middle of the night." Brocc agrees, slightly jaded against the hillmen due to the first few meetings.
"I say we decide that after we get to where we're going. Even if we decide to go back to Chalice, we may learn of another adventure to be had between there and back again. Either way, doesn't hurt to look around when we land."
Suthida thanked them for avenging Thanoms death though the breath went out of her a little to learn that there had been actual demons loose in the world.
" We're about an hour out of Tegris. Take some rest and we'll be there soon enough.", and so they were.
The village of Tegris is small and unassuming though many of the wooden buildings appear to be at least partially new or at least newer than others. A large number of dwarves and gnomes line the docks dressed in mining gear are haggling with each other in an open sided shed stacked high with crates with lumps of dark stone. Further removed is a large enclosed building with smoke pouring out of the hole in the centre of its roof.
" Here we are. We'll be a few hours loading and unloading and will likely spend the night here. Your welcome to travel back in the morning."
"Well, the best places to find out interesting tidbits are town bulletin boards, guard quarters for wanted posters and the like, and pubs. I suggest that we start with the bulletin boards if there are any, if that's okay with everyone," Hatch suggested. "Might also be good to find a place to sleep the night."
"Just as well." Brocc says with a nod. He has his spider move off of the boat and is happy to be on dry land once again, even though the ride was shorter this time.
"May be worth even to find it first. As you said - pubs, Inns and taverns are places to ask questions." Lindale turned to Suthida "Where people usually stay in Tegris?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
" Most of the miners sleep out at the mines but crew stay at The Lode, its not much but theres dry cots, ample ale and lots of venison."
" If your looking for work, they always need strong backs to haul ore or work in the smelters. Could be theres some trouble in some of the mines...or bandits after silver."
"I say that we stay in town, learn the gossip going round, rest at The Lose, and tomorrow check around the mines if there's anything to do worthwhile."
"Sounds good to me." Brocc agrees with the idea.
Walking into town the group soon sees that other than the docks, a couple of offices, the smelter, The Lode and some warehouses and a scattering of private dwellings there isn't much to Tegris.
Wandering the streets for a bit they see that there is a trading post/general store attached to the side of the Lode. The group attracts quite a bit of attention but no one approaches them, indeed everyone seems to mostly keep to themselves here...definetely more a frontier town vibe than the settled streets of Chalice.
Entering the Lode it is crowded with people eating, drinking and playing games of chance...the majority are dwarves, gnomes and humans though there are a scattering of Wood Elves, Half-Orcs and a small group of Black Elves* avoiding the Wood Elves.
*The Black Elf faction were once part of the uprising led by Prince Viridel Kerithrion against the rest of the Elven nations, but became horrified at the depths to which they had sunk, and managed to escape to the surface world again. However, they have never truly forgiven themselves for what they were a part of. They appear much the same as other elves and do not have the strong grey skin tone of Dark Elves but they avoid other Elven folk due to the deep shame that has become ingrained in their culture.
Lindale looked around with usual curiosity. "Quests" as Hatch called them where of less interest to her (something truly important would surely stand out) but the people and the place itself were interesting. Black Elves alone were worth the travel (like everyone, she heard the stories, of course - and now appreciated the chance to see the legend in a flesh). If there was a free table and the group took it, Lindale would watch the crown without attempts to talk to the patrons. But waiters - another matter. Thanks to minding the Tavern in Chalice the other day, she felt like a part of the Union and could talk to "her kin" easier, so, the first tavern worked that happen near by was asked about all news and words on the streets.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Brocc finds a table the group can claim and takes a seat. He would order a drink from the serving person who stopped by, but otherwise be content to watch and listen as the others joined him.
A rather rough looking dwarven woman in a dirty smock slaps a half dozen ales down on the table from her fists.
" First drinks free! Anything else you need?"
"What else do newcomers need? News. People to rescue, monsters to slay, a way to build up a positive and heroic reputation," Hatch said before taking a big swig of ale. "Preferably something that makes the area a bit safer afterwards," he finished after a glug.