Oct 18, 2020 3:15 am
Selvam smirks, More is merry. I don't see why not.
Part 2: Welcome to Hommlet
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Oct 18, 2020 7:50 am
Standing with Kelric, collecting his hammer and shield "Sounds like you ‘as a vested in’erest in ridding the area o’these bandits. We could rightly use yer ‘elp, an’ you could rightly use ours. Welcome I say. We just ‘as to offload to the smithee an then I reckon we can sit an plan"
Oct 18, 2020 5:03 pm
Yes, welcome to the team, says Alice.
We watch each other's back and fight the good fight.
We watch each other's back and fight the good fight.
Oct 18, 2020 9:14 pm
OOC:
@dominion451: Did Alice get the most modest single room for 2gp, or did she go with one of the pricier rooms?Quote:
Horseshoes are nailed to three faces of the post in front of this shed, and within sit a forge and bellows. This is obviously the smithy. A short but brawny man is vigorously pounding away at a piece of red-hot iron."Which I suppose brings us to the final order of business as far as you'rte concerned, which is to see that you're paid for your services. Let's see... I believe the agreed upon price was twelve gold apiece?"
Oct 19, 2020 1:12 am
Ten gold apiece was the bargain struck Brother Smyth. This is a fine smithy you have here. Who is the druid you speak of?
Alice helps to unload the goods as she speaks.
Alice helps to unload the goods as she speaks.
OOC:
Simple room for 2gLast edited October 19, 2020 1:16 am
Oct 19, 2020 4:19 pm
"Ah, the Druid o' the Grove!" He points to a grouping of trees and a well-manicured lawn across the road directly to the south, no more than 100-150' away. "Jarood Ashstaff is 'is name. A fine man.
"Yeh see, yer church bein' here in this town is a relatively recent hapenin'. It was raised raised by th' viscount, in honor o' th' aid rendered to him by the Archcleric of Veluna during the war against that evil temple. After the church was built, some o' the villagers became worshipers o' your god, but many, if not most of the folk of Hommlet, are still of the Old Faith. It's with the Druid o' the Grove where we seek our instruction and truths. I'm an assistant to the druid, though as you can probably guess, my source o' makin' a livin' is sometimes a bit at odds with the beliefs. Regardless, I find myself often thrust int' th' role of spiritual advisor to the faithful nearly as often as I am asked to shoe these folks' horses, and sometimes I'm asked to do both at once...
"Ten gold you say! Now's I think about it, that sounds about right", and he gives Sister Alice a sly wink. Then he looks over the others, his eyes falling on Coulson and Angel a moment longer than the others. "Did'ja run into any trouble on your way south from Verbobonc?"
"Yeh see, yer church bein' here in this town is a relatively recent hapenin'. It was raised raised by th' viscount, in honor o' th' aid rendered to him by the Archcleric of Veluna during the war against that evil temple. After the church was built, some o' the villagers became worshipers o' your god, but many, if not most of the folk of Hommlet, are still of the Old Faith. It's with the Druid o' the Grove where we seek our instruction and truths. I'm an assistant to the druid, though as you can probably guess, my source o' makin' a livin' is sometimes a bit at odds with the beliefs. Regardless, I find myself often thrust int' th' role of spiritual advisor to the faithful nearly as often as I am asked to shoe these folks' horses, and sometimes I'm asked to do both at once...
"Ten gold you say! Now's I think about it, that sounds about right", and he gives Sister Alice a sly wink. Then he looks over the others, his eyes falling on Coulson and Angel a moment longer than the others. "Did'ja run into any trouble on your way south from Verbobonc?"
Oct 19, 2020 7:04 pm
With a proud sounding growl, the dwarf replies "Aye we did a’ tha’. We ‘ad a bit o’ a run in wi’ some Gnolls. ‘Ard fight ter be sure, but we won ‘em and came through." he shows the Smith where the Gnoll spear caught him "3 less Gnolls ter worry ‘bout here a ways. ‘Scuse mah ignorance, bu’ you said summit ‘bout a evil temple. Tha’ summit ter do wi’ the bandits we ‘eard tell of?"
Oct 19, 2020 7:26 pm
I can respect a druid, says Sister Alice,
They teach the hardest lessons with a wooden cudgel, just like my Lord.
Sister Alice returns the blacksmith's wink at that.
They teach the hardest lessons with a wooden cudgel, just like my Lord.
Sister Alice returns the blacksmith's wink at that.
Oct 19, 2020 11:13 pm
Given that Kelric was not part of the deal to transport the wheels, he stands at the entrance watching the door to the inn. Those men were up to no good, best I keep an eye out for trouble he thinks to himself.
Oct 20, 2020 2:23 am
With the talk focusing on religion Angel stands silently after the wagon is unloaded.
Oct 20, 2020 6:09 pm
Brother Smythe nods in friendly agreement with Alice's statement before handing each of you 10 gold for your services. As he's doling out the coins from a leather satchel, he answers Coulson's inquiry about the temple.
"Aye, and no actually..." he says somewhat cryptically before continuing. "It's a bit of a story. Th' short version of it bein' that this here village was started off a couple o' farms, a resthouse, and this smithy. As roads started passin through th' area, travelers come with it and th' resthouse eventually got fixed up nice and became the Wench across the road. Shortly after, a wheel and wainwright settled in the thorp. More farmers an' herdsmen followed, for grain was needed for th' passin' animals, and meat was in demand fer the innfolk. Prosperity was great, for the lord o' th' district was mild and taxed but little. Trade was good, and the land was untroubled by war, outlaws, or ravagin' beasts. The area was free, beautiful, and bountiful, in other words... Too much so, in the eyes o' some.
"Whether the evil came west from Dyvers, as is claimed by some, or crept up out of the forestlands bordering the Wild Coast, as others say, come it did. At first it was only a few thieves and an odd group of bandits molesting the merchant caravans. Then come small bands o' humanoid creachers, kobolds an' goblins an' the like, raiding the flocks an' herds. Local militia and foresters of the Waldgraf of Ostverk apparently checked, but did not stop, the spread of outlawry and evil creepin' in to the area.
"A collection of hovels and their slovenly inhabitants formed the nucleus for the troubles which were soon to increase, and eventually a wicked cleric established a small chapel nearby. The folk of Hommlet tended to ignore this place, Nulb, even though it's only about six miles frome 'ere. But its out-of-the-wayness was ideal for the fell purposes planned for this settlement, as was its position on a small river flowing into the Velverdyva. The thickets and marshes around Nulb became the lair and hiding place for bandits, brigands, and all sorts of evil men and monsters alike. The chapel grew into a stone temple as its faithful brought in their illgotten tithes. Good folk were robbed, pillaged, enslaved, and worse.
"In but three years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded that evil place, and swarms o' creatures worshipped and worked their wickedness within. The servants o' what was bein' called the 'Temple o Elemental Evil' made Hommlet and the lands for leagues around a mockery of freedom and beauty. Commerce ceased, crops withered, pestilence was abroad.
"But the leaders of this blight were full of hubris and, in their overweaning pride, sought to overthrow the good realms to the north, who were coming to the rescue of the land being crushed under the tyranny wrought by the evil temple. A great battle was fought.
"When the good people o' Hommlet saw streams of ochre-robed men and humanoids fleeing south and west through their community, there was great rejoicing, for they knew that the murderous oppressors had been defeated and driven from the field in panic and rout. So great was the slaughter, so complete the victory of good, that the walled stronghold o' the Temple o' Elemental Evil fell within a fortnight, despite the aid of a terrible demon. The place was ruined and sealed against a further return of such abominations by powerful blessings and magic.
"Life in Hommlet quickly returned to a semblance of its former self as it was before the rise o' the temple. For abou' five years now, this village and the surrounding countryside have become richer and more prosperous than ever before. A monstrous troll which plagued the place for a time was hunted down by a party o' passing adventurers. Carrying the ashes and a goodly fortune as well, the adventurers returned to Hommlet, an' before going elsewhere to seek their fortunes, they also returned a portion of the villagers' losses. Other adventurers, knowing of the evil that had once resided in the area, came to seek out similar caches, and several did find remote lairs an' wealth... Jus' as some never returned at all.
"After a time, adventurers stopped coming to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, an' no evil existed here to be stamped out. The folks o' Hommlet have heaved their collective sighs, some pained at the loss o' income, but others relieved by the return to the quiet, normal life they once knew, an' Hommlet 'as continued its quiet existence for another four years or so.
"But abou' a year ago, the rumors o' bandits ridin' the roads again began to circulate. Not frequently, mind ye, but to some effect. Talk o' goblins in the woods to the' north, and an ogre lurkin' somewhere about have been whispered. Even yerselves say you was ambushed by a pack o' gnolls, those filthy currs that they be...
"To the good folk o' Hommlet, this seems all too familiar, so they eventually sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk hereabouts. These whispers have spread throughout the countryside, and the news has attracted outsiders to the village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on slayin' monsters and bringing peace and security to Hommlet, but deeds speak more loudly than words, an lies cloak the true purposes of the malevolent always.
After a time, adventurers stopped coming to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, and no evil existed here to be stamped out. The villagers heaved a collective sigh—some pained at the loss of income, but others relieved by the return to the quiet, normal life—and Hommlet continued its quiet existence for four years more. But then, a year ago, the bandits began to ride the roads again—not frequently, but to some effect. To the good folk of Hommlet, this seems all too familiar, so they eventually sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk about. These whispers have been spread throughout the countryside, an' the news has attracted outsiders to our village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on slayin' monsters and bringin' peace and security to Hommlet, but deeds speak more loudly than words, and lies cloak the true purposes of the malevolent always."
Brother Smythe looks to Alice. "That church o' yours on the edge o' the village was raised built up recently by the viscount 'isself, in honor o' th' aid rendered to him by th' Archcleric of Veluna during th' battle against the Temple, and 'as done a decent job o' convertin' a number o' locals to the worship o' Saint Cuthbert since. Meanwhile the Druid o' the Grove was a pleasin' arrival about a year ago for the folks who follow th' Old Faith, though 'is purpose for arrivin' is said to be not so much for matter o' the locals' needs, and maybe more as an agent o' th' druids of Gnarley Wood, sent here to see if th' evil temple is truly and totally destroyed, to keep an eye on events and recent rumours, an to help repress any rise o' evil o' that sort should things turn sour again.
"So as I said... Aye, but no. Rumors o' bandits, if they be true, an' they most surely are, haven't anything to do with that evil temple. But combined wi' all the rumors of troubles returnin', th' pieces seem to be settin' themselves on th' board in a way that feels all too familiar."
With that he finishes paying each party member their coin, and thanks you each again for your delivery.
As the conversation seems to come to an ends, Kelric and Angel hear a commotion coming from the Inn across the street. A moment later the six men who you saw arrive earlier come sauntering out, a few of them laughing, followed by the innkeeper carrying a crossbow.
"Haha, don't get yer apron crammed up the crack o' yer arse innkeep," says one of the men. "We's jes' 'avin' us a bit o' fun. Nobody was hurt... yet. How 'bout you jes' calm down a bit and get used to enjoyin' our business from time-t'-time, eh? We'll be seein' you around."
With that the man turns to the stableboy who's watching the scene quietly. "Boy!!! Pick yer slackjaw off the ground and bring us our horses 'fore I come over there and clout you one!"
The buy scurries off to collect the men's animals.
Quote:
Scuse mah ignorance, bu’ you said summit ‘bout a evil temple. Tha’ summit ter do wi’ the bandits we ‘eard tell of?""Whether the evil came west from Dyvers, as is claimed by some, or crept up out of the forestlands bordering the Wild Coast, as others say, come it did. At first it was only a few thieves and an odd group of bandits molesting the merchant caravans. Then come small bands o' humanoid creachers, kobolds an' goblins an' the like, raiding the flocks an' herds. Local militia and foresters of the Waldgraf of Ostverk apparently checked, but did not stop, the spread of outlawry and evil creepin' in to the area.
"A collection of hovels and their slovenly inhabitants formed the nucleus for the troubles which were soon to increase, and eventually a wicked cleric established a small chapel nearby. The folk of Hommlet tended to ignore this place, Nulb, even though it's only about six miles frome 'ere. But its out-of-the-wayness was ideal for the fell purposes planned for this settlement, as was its position on a small river flowing into the Velverdyva. The thickets and marshes around Nulb became the lair and hiding place for bandits, brigands, and all sorts of evil men and monsters alike. The chapel grew into a stone temple as its faithful brought in their illgotten tithes. Good folk were robbed, pillaged, enslaved, and worse.
"In but three years, a grim and forbidding fortress surrounded that evil place, and swarms o' creatures worshipped and worked their wickedness within. The servants o' what was bein' called the 'Temple o Elemental Evil' made Hommlet and the lands for leagues around a mockery of freedom and beauty. Commerce ceased, crops withered, pestilence was abroad.
"But the leaders of this blight were full of hubris and, in their overweaning pride, sought to overthrow the good realms to the north, who were coming to the rescue of the land being crushed under the tyranny wrought by the evil temple. A great battle was fought.
"When the good people o' Hommlet saw streams of ochre-robed men and humanoids fleeing south and west through their community, there was great rejoicing, for they knew that the murderous oppressors had been defeated and driven from the field in panic and rout. So great was the slaughter, so complete the victory of good, that the walled stronghold o' the Temple o' Elemental Evil fell within a fortnight, despite the aid of a terrible demon. The place was ruined and sealed against a further return of such abominations by powerful blessings and magic.
"Life in Hommlet quickly returned to a semblance of its former self as it was before the rise o' the temple. For abou' five years now, this village and the surrounding countryside have become richer and more prosperous than ever before. A monstrous troll which plagued the place for a time was hunted down by a party o' passing adventurers. Carrying the ashes and a goodly fortune as well, the adventurers returned to Hommlet, an' before going elsewhere to seek their fortunes, they also returned a portion of the villagers' losses. Other adventurers, knowing of the evil that had once resided in the area, came to seek out similar caches, and several did find remote lairs an' wealth... Jus' as some never returned at all.
"After a time, adventurers stopped coming to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, an' no evil existed here to be stamped out. The folks o' Hommlet have heaved their collective sighs, some pained at the loss o' income, but others relieved by the return to the quiet, normal life they once knew, an' Hommlet 'as continued its quiet existence for another four years or so.
"But abou' a year ago, the rumors o' bandits ridin' the roads again began to circulate. Not frequently, mind ye, but to some effect. Talk o' goblins in the woods to the' north, and an ogre lurkin' somewhere about have been whispered. Even yerselves say you was ambushed by a pack o' gnolls, those filthy currs that they be...
"To the good folk o' Hommlet, this seems all too familiar, so they eventually sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk hereabouts. These whispers have spread throughout the countryside, and the news has attracted outsiders to the village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on slayin' monsters and bringing peace and security to Hommlet, but deeds speak more loudly than words, an lies cloak the true purposes of the malevolent always.
After a time, adventurers stopped coming to the area. It seemed that no monsters were left to slay, and no evil existed here to be stamped out. The villagers heaved a collective sigh—some pained at the loss of income, but others relieved by the return to the quiet, normal life—and Hommlet continued its quiet existence for four years more. But then, a year ago, the bandits began to ride the roads again—not frequently, but to some effect. To the good folk of Hommlet, this seems all too familiar, so they eventually sent word to the Viscount that wicked forces might still lurk about. These whispers have been spread throughout the countryside, an' the news has attracted outsiders to our village once again. Who and what these men are, no one can be quite sure. All claim to be bent on slayin' monsters and bringin' peace and security to Hommlet, but deeds speak more loudly than words, and lies cloak the true purposes of the malevolent always."
Brother Smythe looks to Alice. "That church o' yours on the edge o' the village was raised built up recently by the viscount 'isself, in honor o' th' aid rendered to him by th' Archcleric of Veluna during th' battle against the Temple, and 'as done a decent job o' convertin' a number o' locals to the worship o' Saint Cuthbert since. Meanwhile the Druid o' the Grove was a pleasin' arrival about a year ago for the folks who follow th' Old Faith, though 'is purpose for arrivin' is said to be not so much for matter o' the locals' needs, and maybe more as an agent o' th' druids of Gnarley Wood, sent here to see if th' evil temple is truly and totally destroyed, to keep an eye on events and recent rumours, an to help repress any rise o' evil o' that sort should things turn sour again.
"So as I said... Aye, but no. Rumors o' bandits, if they be true, an' they most surely are, haven't anything to do with that evil temple. But combined wi' all the rumors of troubles returnin', th' pieces seem to be settin' themselves on th' board in a way that feels all too familiar."
With that he finishes paying each party member their coin, and thanks you each again for your delivery.
As the conversation seems to come to an ends, Kelric and Angel hear a commotion coming from the Inn across the street. A moment later the six men who you saw arrive earlier come sauntering out, a few of them laughing, followed by the innkeeper carrying a crossbow.
"Haha, don't get yer apron crammed up the crack o' yer arse innkeep," says one of the men. "We's jes' 'avin' us a bit o' fun. Nobody was hurt... yet. How 'bout you jes' calm down a bit and get used to enjoyin' our business from time-t'-time, eh? We'll be seein' you around."
With that the man turns to the stableboy who's watching the scene quietly. "Boy!!! Pick yer slackjaw off the ground and bring us our horses 'fore I come over there and clout you one!"
The buy scurries off to collect the men's animals.
Oct 20, 2020 6:40 pm
The dwarf turns a cold, dark eye on the men. "’Ere Kelric, knows any thin’ ‘bout these shit pots?"
Oct 20, 2020 8:47 pm
Alice, frowning at the commotion from the inn, marches briskly over to the innkeeper.
Everything on the side of law Innkeep? Were you robbed?
Everything on the side of law Innkeep? Were you robbed?
Oct 23, 2020 2:00 am
Seeing the commotion and theInnskeep, his trusted customer, Kelric nocks and arrow and raises it slightly, not right at the men, but so it would hit a few feet in front of them. What seems to be the trouble here?, he shouts so he could be heard over the commotion.
Oct 23, 2020 3:58 am
Angel slinks deeper into the shadows and carefully makes his way to a more favorable vantage point from where he might use his bow more effectively.
Rolls
Hide in Shadows (10%) - (1d100)
(35) = 35
Move Silently (20%) - (1d100)
(82) = 82
Oct 23, 2020 8:28 am
Coulson let’s his warhammer slide through his hand so the head is resting on the floor, his hand gripping the haft. "So’s it migh’ be like that Ye?" he says gently, letting Kelric know that he is ready to support him
Oct 24, 2020 5:50 pm
As it becomes apparent that the men have an audience their demeanor remains one of a oily sort of "friendliness". "Now, now... There's no trouble", says the one who was speaking to the innkeeper and the stableboy. "Was merely a bit of a misunderrstandin'. We thought some o' the servin' wenches inside was up for a bit o' fun is all, but the innkeep 'ere set us straight and informed us that the girls are of a more respectable sort an' all o' that, so we'll be on our way, soon's that worthless lout you call a stableboy bring us our horses.
"How 'bout you all jes' set yer weapons away an' we end this peacefully. By th' look o' things a couple o' you 'ave already had a hard go of things out on the roads, an' it'd be a shame if the six o' us were to 'ave to litter this road with the four o' yours corpses on account of a misunderstandin' concernin' the wenches o' this dump, yeah?
"'Sides... by the way things are lookin' we might be locals for a while. Always good to keep the peace between neighbors, yeah?"
The fact that the man said it would be a shame to litter the roads with four corpses causes some of you to look around, and as you do you notice the two elves, Jonas and Selvam, both ducking around the shed and hightailing it out of there. Jonas's escape doesn't come as much of a surprise, he practically froze in the fight with the gnolls, nearly costing Coulson and Angel their lives. Seeing Selvam flee the scene is a bit more confusing, but the man has a fair stack of gold now, and depending on his whether he chooses to live within his means or not, he can conceivably live off of it for a good while before he has to worry about finding work again, so long as he keeps himself alive in the process.
Whether you like these men or not, you now find yourselves outnumbered four-to-six. The innkeeper carries a crossbow in hand and has a cudgel now tucked in his apron ties, and his size alone hints that he may be tough to knock over. The blacksmith watches intently, weilding a smithing hammer in one big hand. Still, if the four of you engage against these six men, there almost surely will be casualties on both sides, even supposing the two villagers aid you in the fight.
Every man stands tensely waiting to see what happens...
"How 'bout you all jes' set yer weapons away an' we end this peacefully. By th' look o' things a couple o' you 'ave already had a hard go of things out on the roads, an' it'd be a shame if the six o' us were to 'ave to litter this road with the four o' yours corpses on account of a misunderstandin' concernin' the wenches o' this dump, yeah?
"'Sides... by the way things are lookin' we might be locals for a while. Always good to keep the peace between neighbors, yeah?"
The fact that the man said it would be a shame to litter the roads with four corpses causes some of you to look around, and as you do you notice the two elves, Jonas and Selvam, both ducking around the shed and hightailing it out of there. Jonas's escape doesn't come as much of a surprise, he practically froze in the fight with the gnolls, nearly costing Coulson and Angel their lives. Seeing Selvam flee the scene is a bit more confusing, but the man has a fair stack of gold now, and depending on his whether he chooses to live within his means or not, he can conceivably live off of it for a good while before he has to worry about finding work again, so long as he keeps himself alive in the process.
Whether you like these men or not, you now find yourselves outnumbered four-to-six. The innkeeper carries a crossbow in hand and has a cudgel now tucked in his apron ties, and his size alone hints that he may be tough to knock over. The blacksmith watches intently, weilding a smithing hammer in one big hand. Still, if the four of you engage against these six men, there almost surely will be casualties on both sides, even supposing the two villagers aid you in the fight.
Every man stands tensely waiting to see what happens...
Oct 24, 2020 9:02 pm
Kelric drops his bow slightly, not enough to not get an arrow off if needed, but enough to release the tension of the situation.
He says in a stern voice, Well, you've had your fun. Be on your way then, we do not want any trouble either.
A bead of sweat drops off of Kelrics brow as he takes in the surroundings. He looks for a nearby barrel or object that can serve as cover if it comes to that.
He says in a stern voice, Well, you've had your fun. Be on your way then, we do not want any trouble either.
A bead of sweat drops off of Kelrics brow as he takes in the surroundings. He looks for a nearby barrel or object that can serve as cover if it comes to that.
Oct 25, 2020 5:26 pm
Sister Alice has never been one to shy away from a fight, but neither has she been one to start trouble. She turns to the inn keeper,
If you were not robbed and none of your girls were harmed then we have no cause for further trouble sir.
Alice looks back to the highway men with a flat expression,
As you say, no one needs to die tonight. Keep to the right side of the law whilst in town and we will be proper neighbors.
If you were not robbed and none of your girls were harmed then we have no cause for further trouble sir.
Alice looks back to the highway men with a flat expression,
As you say, no one needs to die tonight. Keep to the right side of the law whilst in town and we will be proper neighbors.
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