Location:The One-Eyed Jax tavern - the north bank of Luskan
Date & time:Early afternoon Day 1 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather: Minimum = below freezing Maximum = 55 degrees Fahrenheit Precipitation = Sleet Wind = 35 mph from the north (Arctic)
Thallan makes his way carefully down the stairs to the tavern’s tap room. Every now and then he has to stop and hold his head. After about the second stop, he realises that a lot of the banging in his head is actually the storm shutters slamming back and forth as the wind howls outside. Coming from the far south (Calimshan) he was used to hot dry southerly winds not the freezing cold winds that seemed to perpetually blow in this place.
Eventually he reaches the taproom where the barkeep Serena takes pity on the half-elf’s obvious distress and pours him a large mug of something and pass it to him “here try this”she says. Thallan cradles the mug and takes a deep sniff; a flowery yet smoky aroma assails his senses and he carefully tastes the drink. While it tastes of earth, it also has sweet overtones. “What is it” he exclaims after taking another mouthful. “It’s from Calimshan and is called kafay” Serena responds “and is perfect for what ails you!” She smiles “you and your friends certainly partied hard last night; the sun was coming up when you decided to call it a night so I think I’ll need to make another pot for when they emerge!”
Thallan thinks to himself “that’s right he had met with two other half-elves last night and something about them – although he could not quite put his finger on it – was very familiar. Whatever it was their voices harmonized well together and they had entertained the tavern’s patrons for several hours during which they had been plied with far more drink than perhaps was wise?”
As Thallan is making his way through his second cup of kafay he hears the stairs creak. Shortly afterwards one of the other half-elves had just referred to himself as ‘The Piper’ character appears and is greeted by Serena who also hands him a cup of kafay. Thallan tries to remember his name and realises that he had never been told it. Thallan raises his mug as The Piper comes into the room “I think they may drink this in the Outer Planes?”
Not longer afterwards the last member of the trio; Bryn Arinai was his name if Thallan remembers correctly also comes into the tap room. Unlike both Thallan and The Piper he is not all tentative in his movements and is if anything far too cheery. As with the others Serena greets him with a large mug of kafay saying with a smile “this is just the medicine you need!”
As the three half-elves sit at a table Serena brings out three huge platters of food, juice and more kafay. After they have finished eating she then brings a scroll to the table “this was left here by the gentleman you were talking to last night”. On the outside written in a beautiful copper-plate script are the words ‘To the Bryn Shander (& region) franchisees of Acquisitions Incorporated’
Thallan unrolls the scroll and reads aloud “Dear Franchisees Congratulations on being the newest members to join the Acquisitions Incorporation network. As agreed you will take over the Bryn Shander (& region) franchise and will remit to the corporation a fee of 150 dragons per month. For this fee the corporation will provide you with a base of operations in Bryn Shander and engage support staff; please note you will be expected to meet the salary costs of your employees from your own revenue sources. I have advised the major domo that you three gentlemen are the new franchisees and that you will be making your way to Bryn Shander forthwith.”
The document is signed Ominifis Hereward Dran and has been countersigned by each of you.
Next Steps
The party will need to work out which of the following company positions (notate bene [1] they can wear more than one hat if they so decide, [2] not all positions have to be filled): Cartographer Decisionist Documancer Hoards-person Loremonger Obviator Occultant Secretarian (OOC: see https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/ai/growing-your-franchise#CompanyPositions for more details)
Equip themselves – if they think it warranted – with whatever they need to get to and survive in the Ten Towns region.
Work out how to get to Bryn Shander noting that none of you have been there before.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Bryn sits down at the table with a smile, and puts down his mug of Kafay. He then reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small metal flask and to the shock, horror and maybe disgust of the other half-elves pours what can only be some kind of liquor with a sweet and spicy aroma into his drink before giving a swirl and taking a deep drink. As he does, the amulet around his neck glows faint green.
"Ah that is much better!" he says with a grin, "Right, so it looks like we may signed ourselves up things without even realising."he adds with a chuckle. He then turns to the barkeep, "Dear Serena, you wouldn't know where Bryn Shander is would you?"
Thallan sailed the Sea of Swords for the first time a year ago. His first trip on the big water was full of anticipation and hope as he left port at Baldur's Gate bound for Caer Calidyrr on Alaron in the Moonshae Isles. What followed was a whirlwind of new experiences encompassing island life, much sea travel, immersion in cultures he'd never previously experienced, and the apprenticeship he could only have dreamed of. A year later, heart broken, and training unfinished, Thallan sailed back to the Coast feeling more lost than ever. How he'd ended up as far north as Luskan, he couldn't really say, but here he was, and this morning ... well, apart from the splitting headache, he felt better. Last night was the most fun he'd had since ...
Thallan peers at the contract through half-closed eyes. He gently clears his throat and begins to ask, "Where is Bryn Shander?", but the Piper beats him to it.
Thallan is tall, well-proportioned, and muscular. He had arrived at the One-Eyed Jax wearing traveling clothes and carrying a small pack. His skin, eyes and hair are light brown. The former attributed to sun exposure, and the latter is long, only slightly wavy, and easily hides his pointy ears. Despite the sadness in his eyes, he has an easy smile and a pessimistic attitude.
He looks at the barkeep, hoping she might say somewhere warmer.
"Dear Serena, you wouldn't know where Bryn Shander is would you?"
Serena looks up at Bryn's enquiry and sees that Bryn has just beaten Thallan to the punch in terms of asking the question responds"only vaguely my dears as I've never been to the place. All I know is that its the largest town, perhaps that's a bit generous a term, in the Icewind Dale which is on the other side of the Spine of the World and more than 100 miles as the dragon flies."
"Icewind Dale?" Thallan repeats slowly. "I don't suppose it's been misnamed, and the weather's actually quite nice there?"
Serena smiles at Thallan's play on words and says "Well 'dale' or 'dell' can mean a protected valley so I'm thinking the weather is better there than on the mountains that surround it. How nice it is, may depend on your point of view?"
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DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Bryn sags at the mention of Icewind, "That does not sound pleasant at all.. You mention the spine of the world, does that mean our only way to get there is by crossing the spine, or do we travel by ship? Secondly, is there anyone in town that might sell us a map of the surrounding region, in the event we have to travel by foot?" He finishes and finishes his mug of kafay, with a smile and then adds, "You wouldn't be able to supply some more of this glorious drink for the road? Maybe whatever grain or fruit it is made from?"
"Does that mean our only way to get there is by crossing the spine" Bryn asks
Serena shakes her head at Bryn's question and says "most normal people follow the coast road towards Fireshear and then take the Ten Trail up to Bryn Shander. The only people I know that'd try and go over the Spine of the World are Uncle and his lads but from all the stories I've heard including once lashing a goblin to Uncle's shield they're"and hear she drops her voice to a whisper "... a bit nuts; especially Vondal!"
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DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Thallan picks up the contract and reads it again. And a third time. Putting the parchment down and taking in and releasing a deep breath, the brawny half-elf's lips bend into a good attempt at a pleasant smile. "Well, friends, it looks like we've become business partners," he says in a positive tone of voice. He looks toward the door. "I'm going to need to buy a few things before we leave town. I spent the first half of my life in the desert and the past year in the Moonshaes. I'm going to need more than these clothes if we're headed even more north." Picking up his mug and wiggling it at Serena, he grins, "But maybe one more of these before I head out."
The Piper simply stares into his Kafay, thinking to himself "what have we done now?" he then looks over the parchment to make sure there is no way out, then says to Thallan and Bryn "Well I guess that's it then, we had best get ourselves equipped and organised, heaven knows what business we are in."
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Tirohia te Moana - Level 2 Cleric - What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor?
Ebonitus de Viribus - Level 4 Cleric - The Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond.
By the time he has finished his next mug of kafay, Thallan's eyes are a bit more focused. The other two kind of remember his eyes looking a little dreamy even before he began drinking last night, so he appears to be about back to normal. He stands and claps Bryn on the back of the shoulder. "I'm going to go buy some warmer clothing and perhaps some armor. I'll be back by lunchtime, partners."
A couple of hours later, he returns with cold weather clothing, chain mail, and an empty purse.
Bryn will follow Thallan to aquire some cold weather clothing, but whilst Thallan goes armour hunting, Bryn will search the town for a map of the north, so they will have some semblance of where to go if they end up getting lost.
Once Bryn returns, proud of his new thick cloak and map, he heads up to his room and collects his gear. Once he is back in the main area, he turns to the barkeep, "Ah Serena, is there the possibility of Kafay for the road?" he then turns to his new companions, "I am ready if you are!"
Thallan takes the time to put on his armor in the common area, not shy about dressing in public (though he puts it on over his travel clothes, so modesty isn't necessary). He holds his helmet in the crook of the arm holding his flail. He would be an imposing figure if it wasn't for his wide smile and soft eyes.
The Piper also heads out for a few things, then returns to his room, collects his things and packs them, ready for the journey. He then returns to the common area, thanks Serena for her service and promises to stay here next time he visits this town. Then to Bryn and Thallan he says "Well partners, let's get this show on the road."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Tirohia te Moana - Level 2 Cleric - What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor?
Ebonitus de Viribus - Level 4 Cleric - The Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond.
Location: The One-Eyed Jax tavern - the north bank of Luskan and the Northern Means enroute to Bryn Shander
Date & time:Day 2 & 3 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather: Minimum = 35 degrees Fahrenheit Maximum = 65 degrees Fahrenheit Precipitation = Drizzle Wind = 25 mph from the south (Tropics)
By the time that Bryn and Thallan have finished acquiring cold weather clothing and maps of both the route to Bryn Shander and its surrounding region (I'll post this later, I'll also assume that you spoke at some stage to some knowledgeable sorts) its late in the afternoon. Even though the sun wont set for a few more hours the party decides to spend one more night at the 'One-Eyed Jax' and set off early in the morning.
The next morning the wind from the north has swung around to the south and is also less gusty. Not long after sunrise (4.05 am) the party is packed and ready to leave. Quickly swallowing mugs of kafay they set out on 'Northern Means' towards Fireshear. As they trudge along (generally northwest) they can see the Spine of the World mountain range looming on their right (northeast) above the road. Every now and then they catch a glimpse of the islands well out to sea in the northern sea of swords and the odd sail.
The first day passes uneventfully enough and they manage to find a place to set up camp for night. Given the slight drizzle that they've been experiencing on and off during the day its obviously going to be a damp night. Despite the drizzle they manage to get a fire going and settle down for the night. The sun sets at about 8pm and Bryn takes the first watch (8-11 pm) followed by Thallan (11 pm - 1.30 am) with The Piper taking the last watch (1.30 - 4 am).
The next day (Day 3 - 1st Tenday) is virtually a mirror repeat of the previous day except for the lack of drizzle.
Location: The Northern Means enroute to Bryn Shander
Date & time:Day 4 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather: Minimum = Below Freezing Maximum = 65 degrees Fahrenheit Precipitation = Snow Wind = 20 mph from the north (Arctic)
The party wake to a far colder morning than the previous two days and the wind has shifted to the north straight down from the Spine of the World. There are dark flat clouds sitting on the top of the mountain range that runs parallel to the road.
After the party has been on the road for a couple of hours they spy what looks like a ruined building 50 yards off the road.
OOC: I know you're still editing, but this won't be affected by the rest of your post.
The first day of travel, Bryn and the Piper come to realize that Thallan is not only an open book, but quite the talker! These are the highlights:
He is originally from Calimport in Calimshan, the son of a single mother.
His mother is an entertainer — a dancer and actress.
He's never met his father. His mother told him he was a traveler she's never seen again. She never wants to talk about him; Thallan doesn't even know his name.
In his 30s, Thallan became a regular contender in one of Calimport's gladiator rings. He fought professionally for a little more than 10 years before getting hurt (bad blow to the head).
After recovering from the injury, combined with his decision that he was tired of the heat, he left Calimshan and began wandering the central and northern regions of the Sword Coast, at first living off the earnings he had accrued as a fairly talented fighter.
Along the way, he started honing his skills on the drum and the horn.
He began entertaining in taverns as well as participating in any underground fighting rings he caught wind of.
For almost 20 years, he traveled up and down the Sword Coast, going wherever the wind took him with nothing to tie him down.
One night in Baldur's Gate, he fell into conversation with another bard who was boarding a ship for the Moonshae Isles the next morning. The bard's explanation for why he was going was so persuasive, Thallan decided to join him (though Thallan doesn't remember what the other bard said now).
The two bards parted ways once their ship landed on Alaron, but through a series of strange coincidences and happenstances, Thallan quickly became apprenticed to a female half-orc skald named Shautha who traveled the isles collecting stories from the indigenous peoples.
Unfortunately, the apprenticeship was cut short when Shautha died.
Thallan then decided to return to the mainland and recently arrived back on the Sword Coast.
He hopes to become a great skald like Shautha. If and when he feels he has enough skill, he will adopt Skald as his second name as Shautha did.
When he speaks of Shautha, his voice is full of pride, but also sadness.
Concerning the Isles, he says he hopes to return one day, but it is too painful to be there right now.
In regards to Thallans chatter, Bryn responds with conversations about how his travels in the north for the last 5 years but doesn't talk much about before then. He does talk about how he too, doesn't know his father but he does know he was a traveller and a musician who was quite charming. His mother told him that growing up, he had his fathers looks.
Bryn stops as he spies the building. He turns to his companions and in a lowered voice "What do you guys think? Do we investigate the building or keep moving?"
Thallan, who looks a bit like a bear ready for hibernation with three layers of clothing — travelers clothes, cold-weather clothes, and armor — turns to look at the building. "I don't know," he says. "Looks abandoned." He looks back at Bryn. "But if you'd like to check it out, I've got your back, partner," he says with a smile.
OOC: Since Grant is not DMing for the next little while, what say you to RPing the first night around the campfire? I'll start us off, but if neither of you are game, just ignore it.
Following the first day of solid travel, the former gladiator is ready to try to find some shelter from the occasional drizzle. After the trio selects their camping spot, he seeks out some smaller trees to knock over and use to build a small shelter to huddle under near the fire. He makes a kind of tent, but the other two don't think it looks like it's going to do much good. Thallan, however, seems happy with his craftsmanship.
As they finally settle around the fire to eat and get warm before turning in, Thallan begins pulling off his armor as his mouth starts running again. "As much as I hope we don't run into trouble up here, we probably will. One thing I learned early on when I was matched with a partner or team for a bout, it was to quickly share strengths and weaknesses with each other. It wouldn't do any good for each fighter to run into combat like we were on our own, but it was also dangerous to not know how to work together. The sooner we knew how the others fought, the better chance we had of watching each other's backs and staying on our feet." He nods at his flail and shield sitting beside him. "I'm what they called a bruiser. I like to get close to my target and just start swinging. I try to take the heat off of others who like to stay further away from their opponents like archers and spell throwers." He shrugs. "I have a few spells I can throw myself now, but they'll be better for distracting and aiding — not really attacking." He looks at Bryn and the Piper, expecting one of them to share their own strengths and weaknesses.
OOC2: One thing we're going to have to keep track of is who gave us bardic inspiration. Since we're all different colleges, each of our BI is going to be slightly different. For instance, since Thallan is Valor, his BI is not only good for saving throws, attack rolls and ability checks, it's also good for weapon damage rolls (evidently not spell damage) and to increase AC as a reaction.
OOC3: Grant, do you hold to the "you don't get a full rest if you're wearing heavy armor" rule? I have Thallan taking off his armor in the campfire scene, but if you don't mind him keeping it on while sleeping, I won't have him take it off in case we're ever attacked at night.
Bryn thinks for a moment, "How about we make camp tonight and we can check it out as break camp and move on tomorrow? I know for one, I could do with a rest."
As they find their campsite, Bryn observes Thallan for a few moments and with a lazy smile, leans against a rock and pulls out his lute, strumming a few chords. As he does so, a spectral hand appears in front of him and does something similar to what Thallan does and constructs a crude shelter. The notes he plays sound almost instructional, as the spectral hand gets to work and makes the shelter.
Once camp is set, Bryn listens to Thallan, "I would say I am the opposite to you. I tend to stand back, and use some of the spells I was taught by my mother from range. Don't you worry though, I won't be useless, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve."
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Chapter 1 – We agreed to what …..
Location: The One-Eyed Jax tavern - the north bank of Luskan
Date & time: Early afternoon Day 1 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather:
Minimum = below freezing
Maximum = 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Precipitation = Sleet
Wind = 35 mph from the north (Arctic)
Thallan makes his way carefully down the stairs to the tavern’s tap room. Every now and then he has to stop and hold his head. After about the second stop, he realises that a lot of the banging in his head is actually the storm shutters slamming back and forth as the wind howls outside. Coming from the far south (Calimshan) he was used to hot dry southerly winds not the freezing cold winds that seemed to perpetually blow in this place.
Eventually he reaches the taproom where the barkeep Serena takes pity on the half-elf’s obvious distress and pours him a large mug of something and pass it to him “here try this” she says. Thallan cradles the mug and takes a deep sniff; a flowery yet smoky aroma assails his senses and he carefully tastes the drink. While it tastes of earth, it also has sweet overtones. “What is it” he exclaims after taking another mouthful. “It’s from Calimshan and is called kafay” Serena responds “and is perfect for what ails you!” She smiles “you and your friends certainly partied hard last night; the sun was coming up when you decided to call it a night so I think I’ll need to make another pot for when they emerge!”
Thallan thinks to himself “that’s right he had met with two other half-elves last night and something about them – although he could not quite put his finger on it – was very familiar. Whatever it was their voices harmonized well together and they had entertained the tavern’s patrons for several hours during which they had been plied with far more drink than perhaps was wise?”
As Thallan is making his way through his second cup of kafay he hears the stairs creak. Shortly afterwards one of the other half-elves had just referred to himself as ‘The Piper’ character appears and is greeted by Serena who also hands him a cup of kafay. Thallan tries to remember his name and realises that he had never been told it. Thallan raises his mug as The Piper comes into the room “I think they may drink this in the Outer Planes?”
Not longer afterwards the last member of the trio; Bryn Arinai was his name if Thallan remembers correctly also comes into the tap room. Unlike both Thallan and The Piper he is not all tentative in his movements and is if anything far too cheery. As with the others Serena greets him with a large mug of kafay saying with a smile “this is just the medicine you need!”
As the three half-elves sit at a table Serena brings out three huge platters of food, juice and more kafay. After they have finished eating she then brings a scroll to the table “this was left here by the gentleman you were talking to last night”. On the outside written in a beautiful copper-plate script are the words
‘To the Bryn Shander (& region) franchisees of Acquisitions Incorporated’
Thallan unrolls the scroll and reads aloud
“Dear Franchisees
Congratulations on being the newest members to join the Acquisitions Incorporation network. As agreed you will take over the Bryn Shander (& region) franchise and will remit to the corporation a fee of 150 dragons per month. For this fee the corporation will provide you with a base of operations in Bryn Shander and engage support staff; please note you will be expected to meet the salary costs of your employees from your own revenue sources. I have advised the major domo that you three gentlemen are the new franchisees and that you will be making your way to Bryn Shander forthwith.”
The document is signed Ominifis Hereward Dran and has been countersigned by each of you.
Next Steps
Cartographer
Decisionist
Documancer
Hoards-person
Loremonger
Obviator
Occultant
Secretarian
(OOC: see https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/ai/growing-your-franchise#CompanyPositions for more details)
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Bryn sits down at the table with a smile, and puts down his mug of Kafay. He then reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small metal flask and to the shock, horror and maybe disgust of the other half-elves pours what can only be some kind of liquor with a sweet and spicy aroma into his drink before giving a swirl and taking a deep drink. As he does, the amulet around his neck glows faint green.
"Ah that is much better!" he says with a grin, "Right, so it looks like we may signed ourselves up things without even realising." he adds with a chuckle. He then turns to the barkeep, "Dear Serena, you wouldn't know where Bryn Shander is would you?"
Thallan sailed the Sea of Swords for the first time a year ago. His first trip on the big water was full of anticipation and hope as he left port at Baldur's Gate bound for Caer Calidyrr on Alaron in the Moonshae Isles. What followed was a whirlwind of new experiences encompassing island life, much sea travel, immersion in cultures he'd never previously experienced, and the apprenticeship he could only have dreamed of. A year later, heart broken, and training unfinished, Thallan sailed back to the Coast feeling more lost than ever. How he'd ended up as far north as Luskan, he couldn't really say, but here he was, and this morning ... well, apart from the splitting headache, he felt better. Last night was the most fun he'd had since ...
Thallan peers at the contract through half-closed eyes. He gently clears his throat and begins to ask, "Where is Bryn Shander?", but the Piper beats him to it.
Thallan is tall, well-proportioned, and muscular. He had arrived at the One-Eyed Jax wearing traveling clothes and carrying a small pack. His skin, eyes and hair are light brown. The former attributed to sun exposure, and the latter is long, only slightly wavy, and easily hides his pointy ears. Despite the sadness in his eyes, he has an easy smile and a pessimistic attitude.
He looks at the barkeep, hoping she might say somewhere warmer.
Serena looks up at Bryn's enquiry and sees that Bryn has just beaten Thallan to the punch in terms of asking the question responds "only vaguely my dears as I've never been to the place. All I know is that its the largest town, perhaps that's a bit generous a term, in the Icewind Dale which is on the other side of the Spine of the World and more than 100 miles as the dragon flies."
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Icewind Dale?" Thallan repeats slowly. "I don't suppose it's been misnamed, and the weather's actually quite nice there?"
Serena smiles at Thallan's play on words and says "Well 'dale' or 'dell' can mean a protected valley so I'm thinking the weather is better there than on the mountains that surround it. How nice it is, may depend on your point of view?"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Bryn sags at the mention of Icewind, "That does not sound pleasant at all.. You mention the spine of the world, does that mean our only way to get there is by crossing the spine, or do we travel by ship? Secondly, is there anyone in town that might sell us a map of the surrounding region, in the event we have to travel by foot?" He finishes and finishes his mug of kafay, with a smile and then adds, "You wouldn't be able to supply some more of this glorious drink for the road? Maybe whatever grain or fruit it is made from?"
Serena shakes her head at Bryn's question and says "most normal people follow the coast road towards Fireshear and then take the Ten Trail up to Bryn Shander. The only people I know that'd try and go over the Spine of the World are Uncle and his lads but from all the stories I've heard including once lashing a goblin to Uncle's shield they're" and hear she drops her voice to a whisper "... a bit nuts; especially Vondal!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Thallan picks up the contract and reads it again. And a third time. Putting the parchment down and taking in and releasing a deep breath, the brawny half-elf's lips bend into a good attempt at a pleasant smile. "Well, friends, it looks like we've become business partners," he says in a positive tone of voice. He looks toward the door. "I'm going to need to buy a few things before we leave town. I spent the first half of my life in the desert and the past year in the Moonshaes. I'm going to need more than these clothes if we're headed even more north." Picking up his mug and wiggling it at Serena, he grins, "But maybe one more of these before I head out."
The Piper simply stares into his Kafay, thinking to himself "what have we done now?" he then looks over the parchment to make sure there is no way out, then says to Thallan and Bryn "Well I guess that's it then, we had best get ourselves equipped and organised, heaven knows what business we are in."
Tirohia te Moana - Level 2 Cleric - What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor?
Ebonitus de Viribus - Level 4 Cleric - The Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond.
By the time he has finished his next mug of kafay, Thallan's eyes are a bit more focused. The other two kind of remember his eyes looking a little dreamy even before he began drinking last night, so he appears to be about back to normal. He stands and claps Bryn on the back of the shoulder. "I'm going to go buy some warmer clothing and perhaps some armor. I'll be back by lunchtime, partners."
A couple of hours later, he returns with cold weather clothing, chain mail, and an empty purse.
Bryn will follow Thallan to aquire some cold weather clothing, but whilst Thallan goes armour hunting, Bryn will search the town for a map of the north, so they will have some semblance of where to go if they end up getting lost.
Once Bryn returns, proud of his new thick cloak and map, he heads up to his room and collects his gear. Once he is back in the main area, he turns to the barkeep, "Ah Serena, is there the possibility of Kafay for the road?" he then turns to his new companions, "I am ready if you are!"
Thallan takes the time to put on his armor in the common area, not shy about dressing in public (though he puts it on over his travel clothes, so modesty isn't necessary). He holds his helmet in the crook of the arm holding his flail. He would be an imposing figure if it wasn't for his wide smile and soft eyes.
Thallan is ready.
The Piper also heads out for a few things, then returns to his room, collects his things and packs them, ready for the journey. He then returns to the common area, thanks Serena for her service and promises to stay here next time he visits this town. Then to Bryn and Thallan he says "Well partners, let's get this show on the road."
Tirohia te Moana - Level 2 Cleric - What shall we do with the Drunken Sailor?
Ebonitus de Viribus - Level 4 Cleric - The Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond.
Chapter 1 – We agreed to what …..
Location: The One-Eyed Jax tavern - the north bank of Luskan and the Northern Means enroute to Bryn Shander
Date & time: Day 2 & 3 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather:
Minimum = 35 degrees Fahrenheit
Maximum = 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Precipitation = Drizzle
Wind = 25 mph from the south (Tropics)
By the time that Bryn and Thallan have finished acquiring cold weather clothing and maps of both the route to Bryn Shander and its surrounding region (I'll post this later, I'll also assume that you spoke at some stage to some knowledgeable sorts) its late in the afternoon. Even though the sun wont set for a few more hours the party decides to spend one more night at the 'One-Eyed Jax' and set off early in the morning.
The next morning the wind from the north has swung around to the south and is also less gusty. Not long after sunrise (4.05 am) the party is packed and ready to leave. Quickly swallowing mugs of kafay they set out on 'Northern Means' towards Fireshear. As they trudge along (generally northwest) they can see the Spine of the World mountain range looming on their right (northeast) above the road. Every now and then they catch a glimpse of the islands well out to sea in the northern sea of swords and the odd sail.
The first day passes uneventfully enough and they manage to find a place to set up camp for night. Given the slight drizzle that they've been experiencing on and off during the day its obviously going to be a damp night. Despite the drizzle they manage to get a fire going and settle down for the night. The sun sets at about 8pm and Bryn takes the first watch (8-11 pm) followed by Thallan (11 pm - 1.30 am) with The Piper taking the last watch (1.30 - 4 am).
The next day (Day 3 - 1st Tenday) is virtually a mirror repeat of the previous day except for the lack of drizzle.
Location: The Northern Means enroute to Bryn Shander
Date & time: Day 4 – First Ten-day – Month of Eleasis (Highsun) – 1494 - ‘The Year of Twelve Warnings’
Weather:
Minimum = Below Freezing
Maximum = 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Precipitation = Snow
Wind = 20 mph from the north (Arctic)
The party wake to a far colder morning than the previous two days and the wind has shifted to the north straight down from the Spine of the World. There are dark flat clouds sitting on the top of the mountain range that runs parallel to the road.
After the party has been on the road for a couple of hours they spy what looks like a ruined building 50 yards off the road.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
OOC: I know you're still editing, but this won't be affected by the rest of your post.
The first day of travel, Bryn and the Piper come to realize that Thallan is not only an open book, but quite the talker! These are the highlights:
In regards to Thallans chatter, Bryn responds with conversations about how his travels in the north for the last 5 years but doesn't talk much about before then. He does talk about how he too, doesn't know his father but he does know he was a traveller and a musician who was quite charming. His mother told him that growing up, he had his fathers looks.
Bryn stops as he spies the building. He turns to his companions and in a lowered voice "What do you guys think? Do we investigate the building or keep moving?"
Thallan, who looks a bit like a bear ready for hibernation with three layers of clothing — travelers clothes, cold-weather clothes, and armor — turns to look at the building. "I don't know," he says. "Looks abandoned." He looks back at Bryn. "But if you'd like to check it out, I've got your back, partner," he says with a smile.
OOC: Since Grant is not DMing for the next little while, what say you to RPing the first night around the campfire? I'll start us off, but if neither of you are game, just ignore it.
Following the first day of solid travel, the former gladiator is ready to try to find some shelter from the occasional drizzle. After the trio selects their camping spot, he seeks out some smaller trees to knock over and use to build a small shelter to huddle under near the fire. He makes a kind of tent, but the other two don't think it looks like it's going to do much good. Thallan, however, seems happy with his craftsmanship.
As they finally settle around the fire to eat and get warm before turning in, Thallan begins pulling off his armor as his mouth starts running again. "As much as I hope we don't run into trouble up here, we probably will. One thing I learned early on when I was matched with a partner or team for a bout, it was to quickly share strengths and weaknesses with each other. It wouldn't do any good for each fighter to run into combat like we were on our own, but it was also dangerous to not know how to work together. The sooner we knew how the others fought, the better chance we had of watching each other's backs and staying on our feet." He nods at his flail and shield sitting beside him. "I'm what they called a bruiser. I like to get close to my target and just start swinging. I try to take the heat off of others who like to stay further away from their opponents like archers and spell throwers." He shrugs. "I have a few spells I can throw myself now, but they'll be better for distracting and aiding — not really attacking." He looks at Bryn and the Piper, expecting one of them to share their own strengths and weaknesses.
OOC2: One thing we're going to have to keep track of is who gave us bardic inspiration. Since we're all different colleges, each of our BI is going to be slightly different. For instance, since Thallan is Valor, his BI is not only good for saving throws, attack rolls and ability checks, it's also good for weapon damage rolls (evidently not spell damage) and to increase AC as a reaction.
OOC3: Grant, do you hold to the "you don't get a full rest if you're wearing heavy armor" rule? I have Thallan taking off his armor in the campfire scene, but if you don't mind him keeping it on while sleeping, I won't have him take it off in case we're ever attacked at night.
As far as I’m concerned you can get full rest if you sleep in armour.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Bryn thinks for a moment, "How about we make camp tonight and we can check it out as break camp and move on tomorrow? I know for one, I could do with a rest."
As they find their campsite, Bryn observes Thallan for a few moments and with a lazy smile, leans against a rock and pulls out his lute, strumming a few chords. As he does so, a spectral hand appears in front of him and does something similar to what Thallan does and constructs a crude shelter. The notes he plays sound almost instructional, as the spectral hand gets to work and makes the shelter.
Once camp is set, Bryn listens to Thallan, "I would say I am the opposite to you. I tend to stand back, and use some of the spells I was taught by my mother from range. Don't you worry though, I won't be useless, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve."