Phlan has a history of ascendance and collapse dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Its current state is one of decline. The previous Lord Protector, Anivar Daoran, left no heir, leaving Ector Brahms, the Knight Commander of the Black Fist, as the Lord Regent. Phlan has declined tragically under his guidance as the Black Fist imposes increasingly harsh methods of punishment that fail to preserve law or order.
The lack of trust in the city's guard from its populace has opened a vast power struggle between the Black Fist and Phlan's stonewrights, carpenters, ironhands, and merchants. In addition, a criminal organization known as the Welcomers operate within the shadows. Construction begun by Lord Protector Daoran has been halted as the city's new Lord Regent struggles to pay the guilds for their labor; half-built structures are everywhere and heaps of unused construction materials clog the streets.
Despite its best years being behind it, Phlan is an excellent place for adventurers to make their living, whether it be to make a name for themselves like the famed Ren o' the Blade, or to serve one of the Moonsea's factions in an attempt to stabilize the once great city.
After resting and recuperating from the strange encounters during your last adventure, you have discovered a handbill posted on a wall near the Laughing Goblin, where you have all met today. The handbill bears a request from a familiar face:
WANTED:
Holy Knights, Blessed Warriors of the Gods, and other bold slayers of the Undead. Reward commensurate with risk. For particulars, contact Doomguide Yovir Glandon at Valhingen Graveyard, City of Phlan
Our Party:
Arnald the Keen: Human Fighter (Battle Master) Ola do Mari: Water Genasi Paladin/Warlock (The Hexblade) Sylyra Wasanthi: Wood Elf Druid (Circle of the Shepherd) Uragum: Goliath Wizard (War Magic)
Uragum sullenly stared into his cup of ale while sitting at the groups usual table. His plate of food slowly growing cold. After the last mission he had hit the fighting pits in hopes of some quick coin to funnel into furthering his magics. Whether he was off or the competition was stiff he did not know and loss after loss befell him before he got a win.
The losses alone were enough to sting his pride but there were whispers that he threw the matches. They were untrue, if any of them knew him, they would know his honor would allow no such thing but still his reputation was tarnished. He sighed, and took another drink and began to pick at his food waiting for the others.
Ola understood Uragum's mood probably better than others for having a quite similar experience, but what she felt was closer to anger (as much as she would allow such lower emotion to be felt). After some work at the Temple (that alone could take the mind of selfregret) she decided to take later defeat as a challenge, that she is expected to overcome with harnessing her powers, clearly, she was not there yet. The letter from Brother Keefe and her new rank within Alliance was a proof enough that determination does pay. She intended to continue on her path.
"Why do you think he did not simply sent for us?" Ola sat by Uragum and ordered "the catch of the day" with a glass of water as usual. "I mean Doomguide Yovir." She looked at the sighing mage "You did see the handbill outside, didn't you? He seemed to be satisfied with our work last time."
"Hand out? No, I" he said and stopped while frowning. "I guess I was too wrapped up in my recent failings. If there is a new task then I'm in. If its from the Doomguide, does it have something to do with the Dragon Cult?" Uragum asks.
Ola slowly shook her head: "I am not sure, the bill says "undead" and no mention of dragons. Though so far it seemed to be the same. This time it promises reward, though. Might attract some competitors." She did not rush out, though, and did not look as if afraid to loose the job.
Sylyra enters The Laughing Goblin and after a quick glance at the table where Uragum and Ola are sitting, settles into a seat at the bar. He is visibly pleasant and almost chatty toward Imizael or Fat Mar, whomever is behind the bar.
Arnald walks into the Laughing Goblin with Sly perched on his shoulder once again and smile on his face. Seeing Uragum and Ola sitting at a table he makes his way over to them, stopping on the way to tell a waitress to get him the daily special and a mug of ale. Settling in at the table with his friends he asks, "How have you two been doing this last tenday? It's been a much needed break from adventuring for me. Oh, and look what I did!" And with that Arnald pulls out a piece of wood that vaguely, sort of, if you squint at it, looks like the dragon statue the party brought back from the last adventure. "I carved this myself. Ain't that something? I haven't whittled anything in years and I'm still just as great as always."
((Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't we all live in the Laughing Goblin?))
Ola managed not to flinch at the look of the miniature copy of the statue and even politely add: "You certainly captured the ... essence of the thing. I do not mean that literally, of course." But then she switched the subject: "We are discussing that handbill outside from Doomguide Glandon. It seems there are some more troubles along the coast and they need someone to help. I was thinking to visit him after the breakfast. Would you like to join?"
Uragum looks over at Arnold with a pretty bruised face letting that provide his answer. Then looked at the statue. "It's ah, dragon? Yes, dragon. Little more practice and you'll be leaving the life of an adventure to pursue art. Either way you'll probably starve just as much."
"I had not seen that Ola. Yes, I'd certainly like to accompany you to see Doomguide Glandon." Looking to Uragum with a confused expression that morphs into understanding, "Ahh yes, because artists are never appreciated while they're alive. But never fear, I'll not be leaving this life of adventure. Was just looking for a hobby to help me relax."
Then it was settled. After the breakfast Ola stood up: "Coming too, Uragum?" Sylyra got his polite nod earlier but seemed to be too busy to even ask. So, Ola and Arnald (with Uragum, should he decide to join) went to the familiar building to meet the Doomguide.
OOC: I'm going to assume Sylyra is coming along as well.
The Valhingen Graveyard sits north of Phlan, on the opposite shore of Stojanow River. It is a beautiful garden of statues, tended plants, trees, mausoleums, and headstones, in entirely pristine condition.
The graveyard is the only notable feature of the city north of the river. Most of the city is on what is presumed to be an artificial island. A bridge near the city's North Gate crosses the river a short distance west of the graveyard to give mourners an easy walk to the cemetery.
Valhingen Graveyard looks more like a park than the cemetery that it is, and stands in stark contrast to the ramshackle, half-built surroundings of Phlan. Gravel walkways wend between tall trees, well-tended beds of shrubs and flowers, sturdy mausoleums, and rows of headstones, monuments, and commemorative statues.
You need only a few moments to spot a man and a woman dressed in simple, home-spun gray robes trimming shrubs and pulling weeds from between gravestones.
OOC: That wasn't meant to invoke passive-aggression. Sylyra is, of course, free to do something else while the group looks for Yovir and I will resolve it accordingly. I just hadn't heard anything from Sylyra in three days and thought it better to assume he was with the party than to guess at his intent.
That was not the first time the party was visiting Doomguide but to keep formalities, Ola walked to the workers, explained the reason for the visit and asked where can they can find Yovir Glandon.
"Welcome," the woman says, "I am Fedya, and this is Drolo. The Doomguide should be in that small chapel over there. He will be happy to hear that someone has answered his call."
OOC: No problem. I was waiting for some kind of interaction with any of the other players, but we'll roll without it. I shouldn't have placed expectations on others.
Despite his chattiness with the barkeep, leaving The Laughing Goblin, Sylyra is tight-lipped and stays about 10 paces behind the other three until they reach the bridge. Once over the bridge, he closes the gap a little and finally catches up once they stop at the Graveyard.
Finding Doomguide Glandon is simple enough. The human male of middling age is by himself in the small chapel, going about his duties stoically and without humor. He is thin, with a shaved head and a well-trimmed beard streaked with grey, and dressed in a grass-stained gray robe with twigs and leaves tangled around the frayed hem, sweeping leaves out of the simple stone chapel with a worn-out broom.
As you approach, he stops sweeping and turns his deep-set blue eyes in your direction.
"Hello there," he says in his typical resonant voice, "I am pleased to see you again. What service can Kelemvor's faithful provide for you today?"
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Phlan has a history of ascendance and collapse dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Its current state is one of decline. The previous Lord Protector, Anivar Daoran, left no heir, leaving Ector Brahms, the Knight Commander of the Black Fist, as the Lord Regent. Phlan has declined tragically under his guidance as the Black Fist imposes increasingly harsh methods of punishment that fail to preserve law or order.
The lack of trust in the city's guard from its populace has opened a vast power struggle between the Black Fist and Phlan's stonewrights, carpenters, ironhands, and merchants. In addition, a criminal organization known as the Welcomers operate within the shadows. Construction begun by Lord Protector Daoran has been halted as the city's new Lord Regent struggles to pay the guilds for their labor; half-built structures are everywhere and heaps of unused construction materials clog the streets.
Despite its best years being behind it, Phlan is an excellent place for adventurers to make their living, whether it be to make a name for themselves like the famed Ren o' the Blade, or to serve one of the Moonsea's factions in an attempt to stabilize the once great city.
After resting and recuperating from the strange encounters during your last adventure, you have discovered a handbill posted on a wall near the Laughing Goblin, where you have all met today. The handbill bears a request from a familiar face:
Our Party:
Arnald the Keen: Human Fighter (Battle Master)
Ola do Mari: Water Genasi Paladin/Warlock (The Hexblade)
Sylyra Wasanthi: Wood Elf Druid (Circle of the Shepherd)
Uragum: Goliath Wizard (War Magic)
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Uragum sullenly stared into his cup of ale while sitting at the groups usual table. His plate of food slowly growing cold. After the last mission he had hit the fighting pits in hopes of some quick coin to funnel into furthering his magics. Whether he was off or the competition was stiff he did not know and loss after loss befell him before he got a win.
The losses alone were enough to sting his pride but there were whispers that he threw the matches. They were untrue, if any of them knew him, they would know his honor would allow no such thing but still his reputation was tarnished. He sighed, and took another drink and began to pick at his food waiting for the others.
Ola understood Uragum's mood probably better than others for having a quite similar experience, but what she felt was closer to anger (as much as she would allow such lower emotion to be felt). After some work at the Temple (that alone could take the mind of selfregret) she decided to take later defeat as a challenge, that she is expected to overcome with harnessing her powers, clearly, she was not there yet. The letter from Brother Keefe and her new rank within Alliance was a proof enough that determination does pay. She intended to continue on her path.
"Why do you think he did not simply sent for us?" Ola sat by Uragum and ordered "the catch of the day" with a glass of water as usual. "I mean Doomguide Yovir." She looked at the sighing mage "You did see the handbill outside, didn't you? He seemed to be satisfied with our work last time."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Hand out? No, I" he said and stopped while frowning. "I guess I was too wrapped up in my recent failings. If there is a new task then I'm in. If its from the Doomguide, does it have something to do with the Dragon Cult?" Uragum asks.
Ola slowly shook her head: "I am not sure, the bill says "undead" and no mention of dragons. Though so far it seemed to be the same. This time it promises reward, though. Might attract some competitors." She did not rush out, though, and did not look as if afraid to loose the job.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sylyra enters The Laughing Goblin and after a quick glance at the table where Uragum and Ola are sitting, settles into a seat at the bar. He is visibly pleasant and almost chatty toward Imizael or Fat Mar, whomever is behind the bar.
Arnald walks into the Laughing Goblin with Sly perched on his shoulder once again and smile on his face. Seeing Uragum and Ola sitting at a table he makes his way over to them, stopping on the way to tell a waitress to get him the daily special and a mug of ale. Settling in at the table with his friends he asks, "How have you two been doing this last tenday? It's been a much needed break from adventuring for me. Oh, and look what I did!" And with that Arnald pulls out a piece of wood that vaguely, sort of, if you squint at it, looks like the dragon statue the party brought back from the last adventure. "I carved this myself. Ain't that something? I haven't whittled anything in years and I'm still just as great as always."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
((Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't we all live in the Laughing Goblin?))
Ola managed not to flinch at the look of the miniature copy of the statue and even politely add: "You certainly captured the ... essence of the thing. I do not mean that literally, of course." But then she switched the subject: "We are discussing that handbill outside from Doomguide Glandon. It seems there are some more troubles along the coast and they need someone to help. I was thinking to visit him after the breakfast. Would you like to join?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Uragum looks over at Arnold with a pretty bruised face letting that provide his answer. Then looked at the statue. "It's ah, dragon? Yes, dragon. Little more practice and you'll be leaving the life of an adventure to pursue art. Either way you'll probably starve just as much."
"I had not seen that Ola. Yes, I'd certainly like to accompany you to see Doomguide Glandon." Looking to Uragum with a confused expression that morphs into understanding, "Ahh yes, because artists are never appreciated while they're alive. But never fear, I'll not be leaving this life of adventure. Was just looking for a hobby to help me relax."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Then it was settled. After the breakfast Ola stood up: "Coming too, Uragum?" Sylyra got his polite nod earlier but seemed to be too busy to even ask. So, Ola and Arnald (with Uragum, should he decide to join) went to the familiar building to meet the Doomguide.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Yeah, I'm coming too. Then Doomguide should have something interestingly enough." Uragum says. He moves to join the others.
OOC: I'm going to assume Sylyra is coming along as well.
The Valhingen Graveyard sits north of Phlan, on the opposite shore of Stojanow River. It is a beautiful garden of statues, tended plants, trees, mausoleums, and headstones, in entirely pristine condition.
The graveyard is the only notable feature of the city north of the river. Most of the city is on what is presumed to be an artificial island. A bridge near the city's North Gate crosses the river a short distance west of the graveyard to give mourners an easy walk to the cemetery.
Valhingen Graveyard looks more like a park than the cemetery that it is, and stands in stark contrast to the ramshackle, half-built surroundings of Phlan. Gravel walkways wend between tall trees, well-tended beds of shrubs and flowers, sturdy mausoleums, and rows of headstones, monuments, and commemorative statues.
You need only a few moments to spot a man and a woman dressed in simple, home-spun gray robes trimming shrubs and pulling weeds from between gravestones.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OK, sure.
OOC: That wasn't meant to invoke passive-aggression. Sylyra is, of course, free to do something else while the group looks for Yovir and I will resolve it accordingly. I just hadn't heard anything from Sylyra in three days and thought it better to assume he was with the party than to guess at his intent.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
That was not the first time the party was visiting Doomguide but to keep formalities, Ola walked to the workers, explained the reason for the visit and asked where can they can find Yovir Glandon.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Welcome," the woman says, "I am Fedya, and this is Drolo. The Doomguide should be in that small chapel over there. He will be happy to hear that someone has answered his call."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Thank you," Ola nodded politely and walked with the others to the appointed chapel.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
OOC: No problem. I was waiting for some kind of interaction with any of the other players, but we'll roll without it. I shouldn't have placed expectations on others.
Despite his chattiness with the barkeep, leaving The Laughing Goblin, Sylyra is tight-lipped and stays about 10 paces behind the other three until they reach the bridge. Once over the bridge, he closes the gap a little and finally catches up once they stop at the Graveyard.
Finding Doomguide Glandon is simple enough. The human male of middling age is by himself in the small chapel, going about his duties stoically and without humor. He is thin, with a shaved head and a well-trimmed beard streaked with grey, and dressed in a grass-stained gray robe with twigs and leaves tangled around the frayed hem, sweeping leaves out of the simple stone chapel with a worn-out broom.
As you approach, he stops sweeping and turns his deep-set blue eyes in your direction.
"Hello there," he says in his typical resonant voice, "I am pleased to see you again. What service can Kelemvor's faithful provide for you today?"
See my profile for all my PbP threads!