Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet

Index > Game Forums > D&D B/X: The Temple of Elemental Evil > Official Gameplay

Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for our forums.

5 of /7
<< First < 3 4 5 6 7 >
load previous

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 16, 2021 8:55 pm
Oct 16, 2021 8:55 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
I'll wait and see if anyone is going to contribute to the healing potion funds before I address Maloria's excursion. As a reminder to the group, Mal is able to purchase 1d6 potions of Cure Light Wounds at a cost of 40gp each. so were looking at somewhere between 60-240 gold, depending on how kind the dice are to her when she arrives at the church.
Meanwhile...
Gilly sets out early in the morning, searching the town for any signs of a cryptic looking eye, either on people wandering the village or on property. Other villagers seem to pay her no mind at all, or on a few occasions she gets friendly nods from shop owners and laborers getting ready for the day's work to begin. Those that do watch her as she wanders around seem only interested in the fact that she's a new face, or perhaps more so, a new face that has been the subject of whispers as rumours of the party's endeavors to the ruined moathouse have been spreading. None of the stares or glances seem hostile, though, and while she's somewhat disappointed to find no sign of what she was looking for, the morning isn't a complete waste of time as she does get a bit more familiar with the layout of the village and what sort of businesses are in this town.

Eltrezar sets out for the druid's house right away after breakfast. He knocks on the door and waits, and after an log enough while that the wizard begins to think the druid isn't available yet again and begins to walk away Jaroo opens the door.
"Ah, a man as prompt as you can only be desperate. I have not yet even had my morning tea!" He sees a round, medium-sized wicker basket in the druid's right hand, held like a waiter would hold a serving tray. As he lifts the basket lid 5 Potions of Detect Dangerare set inside.
After handing the potions to Eltrezar he tells the wizard that if the wizard is in further need of his assistance in creating potions or scrolls for the party he will be able to take another order on the morrow, and then stands at his door and looks conspicuously at the donation box hanging on the side of his house.
https://i.imgur.com/kJpFLBp.png

Bors heads across the road with Eltrezar, but as Eltrezar continues on towards the home of the Druid of the Grove, the fighter stops over to speak with Brother Smythe who is getting his furnace ready for the day's work. Seeing the fighter he says, "Ah! Earlier than I expected, but give me a moment and I'll get it for you."
He heads inside his shop and is gone but a minute when he brings the sword back with him. The sword is returned to the fighter in excellent condition, and Bors's keen eye can see no evidence that it has ever been damaged.
"I worked late into the night giving your weapon this fine edge, but it was well worth my time as I'm quite proud of how it turned out. In fact, I felt such a keen focus on the work I was putting in, time rather slipped past my notice and it was early this morning when I looked up and saw the eastern sky turning a dark shade of indigo. I do believe that if you were to leave it with me, rather than subject it to more wear and tear right now, I'm certain I could make it even finer if given some time in the evenings after I have finished my work for clients, no more than a few months, I would think."
Brother Smythe looks on waiting an answer from Bors.

Rolls

Gilly Wisdom roll - (1d20)

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

nezzeraj

Oct 17, 2021 12:23 pm
Oct 17, 2021 12:23 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Did we do communal gold or did we split it?

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 17, 2021 4:31 pm
Oct 17, 2021 4:31 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
@nezzaraj: You guys split the gold equally after taking out a 10% cut for the Trading Post Man-at-Arms as per the agreement Gilly made to hire him. Everyone got 100.55 gold for this last excursion to the dungeon. After taking into consideration the costs of last night's dinner, a bed in the dormitory room at the inn, and this morning's breakfast, I currently have Bors's wealth total a 108.7 gold (he was pretty broke before joining the party, you'll recall).

Eltrezar the Medium

cowleyc

Oct 17, 2021 7:12 pm
Oct 17, 2021 7:12 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
funfungiguy says:
Eltrezar sets out for the druid's house right away after breakfast. He knocks on the door and waits, and after an log enough while that the wizard begins to think the druid isn't available yet again and begins to walk away Jaroo opens the door.
"Ah, a man as prompt as you can only be desperate. I have not yet even had my morning tea!" He sees a round, medium-sized wicker basket in the druid's right hand, held like a waiter would hold a serving tray. As he lifts the basket lid 5 Potions of Detect Dangerare set inside.
After handing the potions to Eltrezar he tells the wizard that if the wizard is in further need of his assistance in creating potions or scrolls for the party he will be able to take another order on the morrow, and then stands at his door and looks conspicuously at the donation box hanging on the side of his house.
Eltrezar takes the potions and stores them in his many pockets. Hrmph! "A wizard is never desperate, only busy. As I am sure you are as well. These potions will be most appreciated, as we have found many dangers lurking behind doors and hanging from the ceiling in this moathouse. I do not know when we will be returning next, but if I could request some in advance that you would brew when you have time? My companions have been adamant about being able to transform into trees, which seems more of your specialty than it would be mine." As he speaks, he reaches into his purse and retrieves five gold coins, which he deposits in the donation box.

He waits for a moment for Jaroo to respond, but speaks out again before the druid has an opportunity (or possibly interrupting him). Ahem! "Have you come across anything about a symbol of an eye, perhaps on fire? It would seem that an ogre we found in the depths was working for an organization or person with that symbol, though we have come across no other instance of it. There seems to be another group of bandits using that place as a lair, with secret underground passages, and I fear we have stumbled upon something more sinister than simple brigands."
OOC:
You wanted it? You got it. Eltrezar is requesting potions of Tree Shape.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 17, 2021 9:34 pm
Oct 17, 2021 9:34 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
@cowleyc: Jaroo listens to Eltrezar's requests and inquiry's and notices that at the mention of a burning eye the druid's eyes light up and then scowl suspiciously, in contemplation. "I have heard mention of this 'burning eye' symbolism a few times as of late, actually, though I must admit I have been too focused on tending to the affairs and needs of this community's followers of the old way as of late and have not felt the need to press for more information recently. I believe I had heard the name mentioned by a number of gnomes who reside north of us a league or two, in the Kron Hills. Rather, while exchanging news by bird, they mentioned recently that a group of gnolls, I believe, were in service of a man who bore the mark of a burning eye. Wait one moment please..."
The wizard enters his home a moment and Eltrezar can't help but recall that the gnome rescued from the Ogre's closet said he was ambushed by a group of gnolls and dragged to the ruins, or that the original members of the party had spoken of encountering gnolls on the way to Hommlet from Verbobonc that nearly killed one of their companions, a dwarf, the wizard believes. Could the incidents be related?
Jaroo returns with a book in hand. A quick glance at it by the wizard shows the writing to be handwritten in some language that Eltrezar can't read, but the layout appears to be similar to that of a diary or a journal of some sort.
"Aha! Here it is," he says after flipping through some pages a while. "Hmm... yes about a month ago. *mumble*...* 'eye on fire'... *mumbles some more*... 'Lareth the Beautiful'... Hmm..." The druid mumbles a bit to himself while reading the strange writing before he closes the book and looks up to the wizard.
"Well the bird wasn't of the strongest memory, I'm afraid, as things sometimes go when I exchange news with fellow druids over long distances but I hardly doubt you could fit much more information on a pidgeon's ankle if you were to exchange news by bird the more traditional way, and blessings to the little fellow for trying anyhow, right?
"The best I can reduce from the creature when it appeared and I spoke with it was that a group of gnolls has been harassing a number of gnome warrens in the Kron Hills under the direction of one called 'Lareth the Beautiful' who wears an eye of fire as his symbol, though to what purpose, I know not, and none was mentioned of the ruins at the moathouse.
"I concede, again, that I did not pay it as much attention as maybe I should have, but it was mentioned only briefly and the gnomes are a capable enough people despite their diminutive size, and as their concerns had not seeped into our village yet, I felt I should focus on attending to Hommlet's more immediate needs, as I'm sure you understand. As you now mention it to me, I an beginning to deduce that the some darkness is now beginning to finally make its way here and I shall pay more attention in the matter. If you like, I can send some birds north to see if any more information can be gathered from the gnomes, but it might take a few days at least to hear word back.

"As to your further potions needs, I generally would not be interested in listening to or accepting your request until the morrow, as I told you the terms of our agreement and I am far to busy to listen to a man who doesn't listen to me. But I am feeling generous today, to your great benefit, so I will take your request now, though I refuse to begin working on them until the morrow, when you should have placed your request!" He looks at Eltrezar sternly on his emphasis. "Will you be needing anything else besides the one Potion of Tree Shape?"
OOC:
Tree Shape is a Level 3 spell, and you can only place orders of up to five Levels worth of spells each time. That means you have two Levels worth of spells you can still add to your request. Eltrezar could add one Level 2 spell in the form of a scroll or potion, or he could add two Level 1 spells to the order. Is there anything else the wizard would like?

Rolls

Secret Roll

Eltrezar the Medium

cowleyc

Oct 18, 2021 3:04 am
Oct 18, 2021 3:04 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
Hrmph... "We had rescued travelers and merchants from this ogre of which I spoke, and they spoke of gnolls... one of which was a gnome. I mean of those we rescued, not the gnolls. I must clarify that none of the gnolls seemed to be gn... I digress. I do not believe this to be a coincidence. We, my companions and I, will continue our investigation into matters; it would be very helpful if you did speak with the gnomes, and hopefully word will return by the time we next come to town. And I did not intend to be rude in requesting your alchemical wares out of turn, I really did mean 'whenever you can get to them.' We have become more comfortable camping in the place, and so we will likely be spending more and more time at the moathouse. A few potions of magical healing would be most useful, especially in the coming days."

With a sheepishness that seems uncharacteristic of the wizard, Eltrezar places another three gold coins in the donation box.

Bors

nezzeraj

Oct 18, 2021 5:38 am
Oct 18, 2021 5:38 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Thanks, updated my sheet. Bors has no problem contributing a share of gold to the health potions.

KCC

Oct 18, 2021 9:08 am
Oct 18, 2021 9:08 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
Gilly cursed herself about halfway through her circuit of the village. She had forgotten to give her share of coin to Mal for the potions. She would gather a small pile as soon as she got back to the tavern, and make sure she got it. When she eventually returns to the tavern, she does so with a slightly fuller heart than she had yesterday. Not all the people in this place were as rotten as the trading post owners, and not a single sign of an eye had been seen.

She had enjoyed the morning of nodding to strangers, and so she amassed Mal’s pile while humming a happy tune!

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

dominion451

Oct 18, 2021 2:04 pm
Oct 18, 2021 2:04 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
With Bors and Gilly's coin supplementing her own, Mal heads for the church to take care of the potion business.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 18, 2021 9:59 pm
Oct 18, 2021 9:59 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
@cowleyc;
Jaroo Ashstaff listens to Eltrezar and makes note of the additions to his order then nods. "I shall have those potions ready for you as soon as I can, though they may take some time. I have other affairs to attend to, not including sending out some birds to the north as you request. The 21st of Eleint, if you will, and I should hopefully have good tidings on both fronts. He nods a quiet gratitude at seeing the coins dropped into his box and returns inside to do whatever druids do in their strange little houses.
OOC:
I adjusted the gold in your inventory to reflect the 5gp and then 3 gp dropped in the druid’s box.
@KCC:
Gilly returns to the Inn to await the others' returns from their respective errands. When she gets there she finds two persons of interest sitting around the tavern's common area. The first is the man who was playing solitaire the evening before. "The hero returns," he says with a wry smile. Again, he sits alone playing his game of cards, and as Gilly looks at him, he lifts a card from a row on the table and with a flourishing flick of the wrist the card disappears from his right hand. He seems to act nonchalant at the trick, though it’s evident that he meant to impress her with the sleight of hand maneuver. Then, with a snap of his fingers, the card reappears in his left, though only momentarily, for with the fingersnap, it springs forth from his hand and the edge of it strikes him in the eye and he suddenly flinches back, pressing his palms to his stricken eye, knocking over his horn of ale, which spills his drink across the table, soaking his cards.
"Dammit! he exclaims, grabbing his jacket off the chair back behind him and using it to sponge up the ale soaking and damaging his playing cards. "Oh! These cards aren’t cheap, and now I have to go buy another deck from those jackasses at the trading post," he mutters under his breath.
Gilly watches with some humor at his folly and sees that he is occasionally looking at the halfling from the corner of his gaze, embarrassment clearly written on his reddening face. She must admit that until he flicked a card into his eyeball, the dexterity his hands demonstrated were sort of impressive.
From across the bar she hears a man quietly guffawing at the scene, and when she looks over, Elmo sits at the tavern’s bar chugging a stein of drink despite it only being mid-morning. "Well if it ishn’t th’ mightiesht of the wee-est of folk," the man exclaims. "I -hic- hear word from Ostler that yeh’ve been keepin’ yerselves busy over at the ruins, eh? Come ‘ave a seat o’er ‘ere and tell me wha’s news over in those parts an’ I’ll buy yeh an ale an’ mebbe let yeh ‘ave a smell o’ my -hic- o’ my fingers..." He crassly drags his thick middle and index fingers under his nose and Gilly recalls that the drunkard had mentioned that he was going to spend some time with a lady friend before he left, after returning from the ruins the last time.

@dominion451:
Maloria heads back to the church where she again finds herself waiting in the Audience Chamber a while before Calmert returns with a surprisingly small woven basket. As he opens it before her, Mal finds only a single potion inside, and the priest can’t help but notice Mal’s face fall.
"It is unfortunate that out acolyte was not able to produce all of the potions that we were hoping for. The alchemy, as I’m sure you understand, is both difficult and precise. Any introduction of foreign materials to the brewing process, any mistakes in the divine incantations spoken in prayer, any failings whatsoever in the process and the entire batch of potions is compromised and the ingredients rendered worthless. Our acolyte’s abilities to brew our much needed potions were not enough, and mistakes were made. Only two of the potions met our standards, and as I gave you my word that half would be made available to you and your companions… well…" He gestures sadly at the single glass bottle.
"As I said before, our needs for these potions has increased as of late due to a rash of ill fortune that has enveloped our community. Have you spoken to your companions about the prospect of hiring an alchemist for the church to devote their undivided attention to the brewing process so that our acolytes can focus on the divine aspects of the endeavors?"

Rolls

Secret Roll

#Potions of Cure Light Wounds available to purchase - (1d6)

(1) = 1

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 19, 2021 11:59 pm
Oct 19, 2021 11:59 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Updated yesterday's post, for those that check for updated posts by date.

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

dominion451

Oct 20, 2021 12:57 am
Oct 20, 2021 12:57 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Boooo!
Mal's face does fall indeed, but she thanks the Priest for his efforts none the less and pays him the 40gp for the single healing potion.

"To be honest father, we have found very little in the way of treasure in the moathouse thus far and my companions do not think it prudent to enter into a contract of service until that changes. I would very much like to help with the alchemist but unless our luck changes we would surely fail in our obligation."

Eltrezar the Medium

cowleyc

Oct 20, 2021 2:39 am
Oct 20, 2021 2:39 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
Eltrezar takes the potions and heads back to the inn, where there horses were waiting. He sits down and awaits the rest of his companions. As they arrive, he lets them in on what he learned from the druid. After all, knowledge is power.
OOC:
I'm heading out in the morning, and should be back in about five days. Eltrezar is more than happy to share the info with the party and then head back to the moathouse.

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

dominion451

Oct 20, 2021 2:41 am
Oct 20, 2021 2:41 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Have a blast, be safe!

KCC

Oct 20, 2021 12:41 pm
Oct 20, 2021 12:41 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
Gilly found that she didn’t much like wandering around by herself. Well, the town had been okay. But there were a lot of strange men in this town too, and she thought it best to avoid them. Not that she was afraid. No, no. Not afraid… The long legs were all so… weird.

Confusion as to who was calling her hero turns to mild amusement at the failed trick. A genuine, if distant, gladness at the sight of Elmo, quickly turns to a rolling off the eyes and a move towards the door ever so slightly.

Bloody weird long legs…

It’s when he back is almost to the door that it opens, and the wizard is once again by Gilly’s side.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 21, 2021 7:34 pm
Oct 21, 2021 7:34 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
@dominion451:
Calmert listens to Maloria's explanation regarding her refusal to commit to the hiring of an acolyte, and his face falls. He sits quietly a moment, eyes closed in thought, and Maloria can read not only disappointment in his demeanor, but possibly even a sense of anger which the man is focused on stilling.
When he opens his eyes again, he looks at Maloria and nods. "That's unfortunate indeed," he says staring at her. "My suspicions tell me that this recent and prolonged spat of ill fortune that has started to plague the simple folk of this community, and the rumoured activity that seems to be swirling around that moathouse of late are quite possibly related in some way, and that having the means to assist you with your needs would in turn allow you to assist us with ours, and again back to you... 'One hand washes the other', as they say.
"If lack of coin, though, is the reason given for your inability to help us, Acolyte Stoneforge, far be it for me to question your motives, and I shall tell others I would hear no more of the rumours of the wealth you and yours have pulled from those ruins in the last few days already.
"Perhaps the meager coin you find there is better put to use through the purchase of your horses, and your new weapons, and your hirelings. Perhaps those two men at the Trading Post are more equipped than the church to attend to the needs of this village, nevermind the degree to which they mark up the prices of their goods when sold to the community or mark down the value and any wares dragged out of crumbled ruins that they buy from new arrivals.
"Perhaps when the innkeeper has no more room in his overnight safebox for yours and your companions' newly acquired coin you might feel secure enough in your wealth to reconsider and distribute a small amount of the overflow to aiding our church help those that serve our deity St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel, Acolyte Stoneforge."
The man sits quiet a moment, and then stands up with a start. "Well... In any case, as I've impressed upon you before, I have many pressing matters to attend to. There is a woman in the village who has suddenly and inexplicably gone into labour far earlier than was expected, and the birth has not been easy on her. There is good reason to believe that neither woman nor child shall survive this. Certainly not without the limited aid those such as I and others here might be able to provide. And other rumors have spread that a farm to the north of here was raided by a group of gnolls, though as you have made apparent to me, not all rumours carry any seeds of truth to them, so perhaps they have only lost a few livestock to dogs.
"As agreed upon, the cost of this potion which you and your companions can put to service in the exploration of that bountyless pile of debris is forty gold. I trust you will leave the coin on the table as you leave."
With that Calmert walks out of the audience chamber leaving Maloria to sit alone as he so often does with visitors, and the cleric can't help but wonder if the social dynamic between her and Calmert has changed now.
OOC:
Gilly and Bors each agreed to throw in for potions, but having only one potion available for this tenday period, there's no way to divide the cost into three equal parts. I will deduce 13 from Bors and Gilly's inventory, and 14 from Maloria's. Let me know if you would like to adjust that differently somehow.
OOC:
@everyone else:
1. Is it safe to assume that everyone besides Maloria is now at the Inn awaiting her return with the potions before setting off for the ruins again?
Also, Demagor has not been active on this site for 22 days, and has not posted to this game in almost a month. They have the "Zzz" next to their avatar. I'm willing to proceed under the assumption that they have abandoned ghosted the game. So:
2. Have you come to a decision on whether you're going to hire the services of the Man-at-Arms or Elmo?
3. Have you decided if you are going to let Kobort and Turuko accompany the party in exchange for a share of the wealth?
4. Lacking a thief in the party, let alone one that can attempt to unlock any doors they have thus far been unsuccessful with, are you still planning on getting some axes for the doors in the basement?

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

dominion451

Oct 22, 2021 4:37 am
Oct 22, 2021 4:37 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Can't trust MaA anymore and Elmo is a disgrace, seems like Kobort and Turuko are in, definitely need the axes.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Oct 22, 2021 4:43 pm
Oct 22, 2021 4:43 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Alright, I'll give it a bit of the day to let anyone else weight in on it (save cowleyc, obviously) and then we'll go buy some axes.

Eltrezar the Medium

cowleyc

Oct 23, 2021 1:01 am
Oct 23, 2021 1:01 am
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Eltrezar doesn't trust hireling thieves. They never perform, and always disappear at inopportune times. He does like the honesty of Kobort and Turuko.

Weather forecast cut my hike short, but I'm still cruising around.

KCC

Oct 27, 2021 12:34 pm
Oct 27, 2021 12:34 pm
Re: Part 6: Another Return to Hommlet
OOC:
Whats the next move then?
load next
Index > Game Forums > D&D B/X: The Temple of Elemental Evil > Official Gameplay
5 of /7
<< First < 3 4 5 6 7 >

Thread locked