The last two days of travel have been fairly uneventful, maybe even pleasant, as you and your group of companions trekked up the well-worn mountain road higher into the Storm Horn Mountains on your way to Refuge to fulfill your mission of mercy…or money, you're not too picky.
You’ve steeled yourselves for what trials may lie ahead as you recount the travelers’ tales you heard on the way up; strange lights, untimely avalanches, slaughtered livestock and travelers, even the destruction of the local temple from a heavenly beam…Refuge has had it rough these past few months.
Now, however, their luck may be on the rise. As you pass the last turn of the road, the town of Refuge stands before you. The dusty road you travel leads straight into the town proper and joints as a T intersection with the only other real road the town has to offer.
From the weathered sign-gate over the town entrance, you see a building to the left that looks like a general store or provisionary of sorts. A sign bearing the mark of clasped hands and reading “Helpington’s” hangs above the doorway. On the right side of the road a large, tavern-like structure stands to greet weary travelers like yourselves. The post out front has a sign that reads “The Davy Lamp.” At the end of the main road, a large manor house dominates the town proper. You imagine that you will likely find whoever is important in this town somewhere around there. As you look to the left again, you see the cratered remains of a building on an upper hill at the end of the east-west road. If anything in this town would resemble a “recently destroyed temple” this would be it. To the right of the main road again, you spot couple of villagers around a large well drawing water.
A town map:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
As we walk towards the town, I (Gavin) turn to his comrades “Well it’s smaller than I thought it would be. No matter, trouble is trouble. Doesn’t matter how little the victim is.” I scratch my head for a moment and then ask, “I served with mercenaries a while back, and one thing I have learned is that to have a reputation will do us well. What should we call ourselves so people remember our worth?” He cocks his head toward the sky with his deliberate thinking face. “Now I am not the greatest at this but I have a few ideas, I and am open to other suggestions of course.” I list off a couple options for the group to consider, or totally veto. “Whatever we choose, it’s better ‘those five adventurers’”
Regulators
Peacemakers
Band of the Hand...1 of us for each finger...get it (no quarreling on who Is the thumb)
Kathra is not overly concerned with names, but she does like rhymes from time to time. "Band of the Hand seems... sensible." As the party enters the town, she points at the ruined temple. "Perhaps answers can be found in the wreckage. Or at least a clue."
As the dragonborn heads for the tavern, Kathra sighs. "Or we could go to the tavern."
I think a mug of ale is the best idea all day Peren! We may be able to get some news from the barkeep. Come on Kathra, that rubble isn’t going anywhere
Kathra knows which way the wind blows and allows herself to be led to the tavern, where she immediately orders their largest ale and whatever is available to eat. If pressed, she might even admit it was worth skipping the ruins for now.
((I'll let our friend Thont catch up with us in the tavern.))
As you enter the tavern a bevy of sights and smells, some familiar, others more novel, enter your senses. The light in here is mostly lantern-lit, with what look like eight or nine lamps hanging scattered among the rafter beams casting their soft glows to the tables below. Two or three of the tables have some locals around them, eating what looks to be meals of smoked fish, rabbit stew, or some oatmeal mixture with exotic fruit sliced and mixed in.
Mirabel catches the eye of the barkeep as he enters and gives the universal sign for drinks and a meal. The barkeep nods back and gestures for the party to find a seat wherever and taps a small hammer on metal plate near the door that leads to the kitchen, possibly signalling a cook or server of your arrival before pulling out five mugs and filling them with ale.
Gavin asks for a bowl of stew when the bartender brings then drinks. I look around to see if anyone is paying much mind to us
”Well it was no tall tale of the destruction of the temple.I think we should see what the bartender can tell us about the going ones here. Then before we poke around much more I think talking to the elder would be wise. With all that’s been happening I would wager the folks here aren’t to fond of strangers.”
The barkeep delivers a round of ale and, a few minutes later comes over with a tray of food for the table. There are a line of three smoked fish rather artfully arranged on a grass-weave mat, a sharable serving bowl of rabbit stew with empty individual bowls beside it, and a small basket of a strange roundish fruit with a gleaming, obsidian-like skin that breaks as easily as the skin of any apple or pear to reveal a reddish flesh beneath that has a spicy aroma.
"Can I be getting you travelers anything else?" He asks as he lays down a handful of utensils.
For Gavin:
A cursory glance across the room yields little unexpected information. Your group is getting some suspicious side-eye from a few of the locals, likely due to the bronze dragonborn and towering goliath you travel with. There are some hopeful murmurs as well from a few who seem to think you might be here to help out.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kathra helps herself to the stew and the fruit, and takes a long drink before fixing the barkeep with a searching look. "Your temple is destroyed. What happened?"
As she is naturally distrustful, she watches the bartender closely to gauge the sincerity of his answer.
Insight: 20
((Very insightful. Yes. Also I gotta catch some sleep so assume Kathra nods at whatever the bartender says and just sort of sits and eats and lurks in what is very definitely not an awkward fashion.))
((Don't worry, I figure we'll wait until at least Thont catches up before I answer any questions directed at the barkeep so that everyone has a chance to get what information they need.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
Mirabel stares at the fish. "You EAT them?" He takes a bite and chews slowly, making various noises of curiosity before swallowing and licking his lips.
"Well now it makes sense." He begins to eat with gusto, turning to regard the barkeep with curiosity and a hint of affection.
((I understand we will wait for Thont just getting questions out))
As Gavin takes some stew and washes it down with a drink of ale, starts a conversation, “Much appreciated, this looks like quite a feast after a few days of traveling. We have come to help your town friend. We have heard that there has been some attacks on the villagers and travelers. Has anyone tried to track the attackers to see if they are beast or man? Any idea where they came from? Where can we find your Elder that is asking for assistance?”
Peren takes a bowl of stew and piece of fish and says there is nothing better than a good meal after a couple days on the road. He raises his glass and says a toast to my new companions. After eating he sits back in his chair and scans the room
The last two days of travel have been fairly uneventful, maybe even pleasant, as you and your group of companions trekked up the well-worn mountain road higher into the Storm Horn Mountains on your way to Refuge to fulfill your mission of mercy…or money, you're not too picky.
You’ve steeled yourselves for what trials may lie ahead as you recount the travelers’ tales you heard on the way up; strange lights, untimely avalanches, slaughtered livestock and travelers, even the destruction of the local temple from a heavenly beam…Refuge has had it rough these past few months.
Now, however, their luck may be on the rise. As you pass the last turn of the road, the town of Refuge stands before you. The dusty road you travel leads straight into the town proper and joints as a T intersection with the only other real road the town has to offer.
From the weathered sign-gate over the town entrance, you see a building to the left that looks like a general store or provisionary of sorts. A sign bearing the mark of clasped hands and reading “Helpington’s” hangs above the doorway. On the right side of the road a large, tavern-like structure stands to greet weary travelers like yourselves. The post out front has a sign that reads “The Davy Lamp.” At the end of the main road, a large manor house dominates the town proper. You imagine that you will likely find whoever is important in this town somewhere around there. As you look to the left again, you see the cratered remains of a building on an upper hill at the end of the east-west road. If anything in this town would resemble a “recently destroyed temple” this would be it. To the right of the main road again, you spot couple of villagers around a large well drawing water.
A town map:
As we walk towards the town, I (Gavin) turn to his comrades “Well it’s smaller than I thought it would be. No matter, trouble is trouble. Doesn’t matter how little the victim is.” I scratch my head for a moment and then ask, “I served with mercenaries a while back, and one thing I have learned is that to have a reputation will do us well. What should we call ourselves so people remember our worth?” He cocks his head toward the sky with his deliberate thinking face. “Now I am not the greatest at this but I have a few ideas, I and am open to other suggestions of course.” I list off a couple options for the group to consider, or totally veto. “Whatever we choose, it’s better ‘those five adventurers’”
Regulators
Peacemakers
Band of the Hand...1 of us for each finger...get it (no quarreling on who Is the thumb)
Peren ask the group - where to first. Should we talk to the villagers around the well?
Or head into the the Davy Lamp?
Mirabel's stomach growls. "It's been a long journey, I could use a good meal." He gives some thought to a name. "Why not the Five?"
Not waiting for an answer, Mirabel heads to the tavern.
((I'll let the other two check in and then I'll get to you and the tavern, Mirabel.))
Kathra is not overly concerned with names, but she does like rhymes from time to time. "Band of the Hand seems... sensible." As the party enters the town, she points at the ruined temple. "Perhaps answers can be found in the wreckage. Or at least a clue."
As the dragonborn heads for the tavern, Kathra sighs. "Or we could go to the tavern."
Peren says we should think about the name over a mug of ale
I think a mug of ale is the best idea all day Peren! We may be able to get some news from the barkeep. Come on Kathra, that rubble isn’t going anywhere
((Or so you think! *DUN DUN DUUUUN*.....okay it's not going anywhere.))
Kathra knows which way the wind blows and allows herself to be led to the tavern, where she immediately orders their largest ale and whatever is available to eat. If pressed, she might even admit it was worth skipping the ruins for now.
((I'll let our friend Thont catch up with us in the tavern.))
As you enter the tavern a bevy of sights and smells, some familiar, others more novel, enter your senses. The light in here is mostly lantern-lit, with what look like eight or nine lamps hanging scattered among the rafter beams casting their soft glows to the tables below. Two or three of the tables have some locals around them, eating what looks to be meals of smoked fish, rabbit stew, or some oatmeal mixture with exotic fruit sliced and mixed in.
Mirabel catches the eye of the barkeep as he enters and gives the universal sign for drinks and a meal. The barkeep nods back and gestures for the party to find a seat wherever and taps a small hammer on metal plate near the door that leads to the kitchen, possibly signalling a cook or server of your arrival before pulling out five mugs and filling them with ale.
Mirabel asks for "whatever I haven't tried yet and a mug of ale."
Gavin asks for a bowl of stew when the bartender brings then drinks. I look around to see if anyone is paying much mind to us
”Well it was no tall tale of the destruction of the temple.I think we should see what the bartender can tell us about the going ones here. Then before we poke around much more I think talking to the elder would be wise. With all that’s been happening I would wager the folks here aren’t to fond of strangers.”
The barkeep delivers a round of ale and, a few minutes later comes over with a tray of food for the table. There are a line of three smoked fish rather artfully arranged on a grass-weave mat, a sharable serving bowl of rabbit stew with empty individual bowls beside it, and a small basket of a strange roundish fruit with a gleaming, obsidian-like skin that breaks as easily as the skin of any apple or pear to reveal a reddish flesh beneath that has a spicy aroma.
"Can I be getting you travelers anything else?" He asks as he lays down a handful of utensils.
For Gavin:
A cursory glance across the room yields little unexpected information. Your group is getting some suspicious side-eye from a few of the locals, likely due to the bronze dragonborn and towering goliath you travel with. There are some hopeful murmurs as well from a few who seem to think you might be here to help out.
Kathra helps herself to the stew and the fruit, and takes a long drink before fixing the barkeep with a searching look. "Your temple is destroyed. What happened?"
As she is naturally distrustful, she watches the bartender closely to gauge the sincerity of his answer.
Insight: 20
((Very insightful. Yes. Also I gotta catch some sleep so assume Kathra nods at whatever the bartender says and just sort of sits and eats and lurks in what is very definitely not an awkward fashion.))
((Don't worry, I figure we'll wait until at least Thont catches up before I answer any questions directed at the barkeep so that everyone has a chance to get what information they need.))
Mirabel stares at the fish. "You EAT them?" He takes a bite and chews slowly, making various noises of curiosity before swallowing and licking his lips.
"Well now it makes sense." He begins to eat with gusto, turning to regard the barkeep with curiosity and a hint of affection.
((I understand we will wait for Thont just getting questions out))
As Gavin takes some stew and washes it down with a drink of ale, starts a conversation, “Much appreciated, this looks like quite a feast after a few days of traveling. We have come to help your town friend. We have heard that there has been some attacks on the villagers and travelers. Has anyone tried to track the attackers to see if they are beast or man? Any idea where they came from? Where can we find your Elder that is asking for assistance?”
Peren takes a bowl of stew and piece of fish and says there is nothing better than a good meal after a couple days on the road.
He raises his glass and says a toast to my new companions.
After eating he sits back in his chair and scans the room
((Peren needs to make a Perception check if you want any special information.))