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[D&D 4E PbP] War of the Burning Sky Act 1: The Scouring of Gate Pass (IC)
TiamatZ
Ghost punsThe Banette of my existenceRegistered User regular
Ghost punsThe Banette of my existenceRegistered User regular
War of the Burning Sky Act 1: The Scouring of Gate Pass, a Dungeons & Dragons (4E) adventure for five first level characters
This is a PbP game.
I, TiamatZ, will be your DM. Sheets are on myth-weavers (or Orokos). Dice rolls are on Invisible Castle (or once again Orokos). For now, this is an IC thread. Post OOC discussions/comments/questions/etc in the OOC thread to avoid clutter and confusion.
I expect each of you to post at least once a day (except maybe on weekends [Saturdays and Sundays]) when you're able (though if it’s your turn, by all means post during the weekend; I’ll just post the updated map by Monday or so). If you'll be away for an extended period of time, let me know so that I (or yourself, or others) can make arrangements to keep the game moving while you're gone (or postpone it if the majority of the party is unavailable). I'm a level-headed person, and I won't kick you out for missing posts here and there. That being said, if you flake consistently you'll be removed from the party.
For combat, I will provide the HP, AC and other defences (as well as any special bonuses monsters receive e.g. +2 AC when standing next to each other) of the enemies present and you shall roll attack rolls. If you hit, roll damage and work that into your post. Also colour coded the monsters (makes it easier to work with, since most of you are newbies to the PbP format) by their border; red are minions, green are normal monsters, yellow are elites and purple are solos. So if you pop a daily on a red bordered monster you are going to feel really silly because it shouldn't last more than a single hit. Everyone will post their IC actions, with the rolls and results in SPOILER tags.
I will use TalonRazor’s idea (from the Legend of Novus PbP game). You must declare what you are doing in ORANGE text. The rolls must be in RED BOLD text and linked to the IC (or Orokos) roll. At the bottom of the post, still in spoiler tags, they shall post who is up next, in brackets and size 3 font that is GREEN, and who is on deck. Here is an example template:
"Johnny Law swings his mighty fist, smacking the honest citizen in the face."
For immediate interrupts, remember to post them with any criteria to follow in orange as well. If one of your powers has an immediate interrupt ability, state that power as well as when to use it e.g. when a monster strikes me, I want to use power X (where X is the power with immediate interrupt, such as Wizard’s Shield utility power, or the Fighter’s No Opening Utility power).
Also link to OOC thread: here
The primary goal here is for us all to have fun. I’m (mostly) new to PbP DMing and you’re all also (probably) new to PbP games, so we’re all noobs here. If you're not having fun for some reason, please let me know. Alright, now that that's all out of the way, let's go roll some dice and kill some monsters!
Of course, before that, let’s post up that Trailer once more:
War of the Burning Sky Trailer
”While once news reached the Free City state of Gate Pass by weekly teleporting courier, that channel has gone silent, and now news travels by the old routes of rumour — travellers from the outside world. You might be one of those travellers, or a concerned native of the city, but you have heard the rumours.
Emperor Drakus Coaltongue, ruler of the mighty Ragesian Empire which lies to the west of Gate Pass, has been slain in a distant nation, or so the rumours say. Of course, the rumours once said that Coaltongue was immortal. However, no one doubts the tales of armies mustering in Ragesia, with orders to secure the borders of the empire at this time of weakness and uncertainty. And from Shahalesti, the Eladrin nation east of Gate Pass, the rumours say its ruler seeks to claim the vulnerable Ragesia for his people.
Gate Pass sits alone in its mountain pass, one of the few safe routes between these two nations — Ragesia and Shahalesti. For weeks people have been saying war would come to Gate Pass, and now the rumours have appeared to be true.”
Contents:
Prologue: The Secret Meeting
Chapter 1: So it begins...
Chapter 2: Retrieving the Case
Illianthar as Areneth Thalant, Drow Telepathy Psion - Tragedy can be a cruel mistress, and Areneth knows her all too well. Born a slave to an Eladrin noble, he fled servitude and started a new life on the land of a human farmer, only to bear witness to the deaths of the farmer and his family by Eladrin bandits. Now bereft of two families, Areneth came to Gate Pass to start anew again. He knows eventually he must confront his past, but for the time being he's content to outrun it.
skarsol as Summer Storm, Longtooth Shifter Cleric of Nusemnee - Cast adrift as a youth near Gate Pass, Summer's earliest memories are of the squalor of the streets and the violence of a gang. Caught in the act of defiling a temple, a devout elven couple saw a chance to spread their goddesses word and took her in. Years later, she's become a Cleric of Nusemnee and has turned her life around just as her patron goddess once did. Now she seeks to bring the light of her faith to others who are like she once was.
squishy-blob as Titania Shaylee, Eladrin Fey Pact Warlock - Servant to Her Majesty Shalosha the Princess of Shahalesti, Titania Shaylee acts as a scout and spy in Ragesia and the surrounding kingdoms. Trained in the arcane arts by the finest sages in Calanis as an ancient and powerful dryad, Titania wields her powers for the good of her kingdom and to bring about the end of forces of darkness such as Coaltongue and Leska.
Turanos as Dorn Kir, Half-Orc Monk of the Stone Fists - Born to an orc tribe, Dorn spent his formative years the subject of constant ridicule and bullying over his half-blooded nature. Unable to match the orcs in physical size or strength, he instead developed a deep and abiding rage which drove him to excel in agility, speed and general ferocity. One day a chance encounter with a devotee of Melora and the brutal manner in which he murdered her changed Dorn's outlook on life forever, leading him to wander the wilderness and drift between towns and cities until he came to Gate Pass. There, he finally attained some balance in his heart and mind by way of monkhood and the worship of Melora.
Witch_Hunter_84 as Traorin Xinskarr, Dragonborn Stormheart Warden - Hailing from the Dragonborn clans of the northern Ostalin mountain range, Traorin is a warrior in constant communion with the elemental forces of mountain, wind, and storm. He has been sent forth by his clan in light of the rumours persisting of the Emperor Coaltongue's death to ascertain the truth of these rumours and gather information as to how the situation might affect the Dragonborn. He has arrived in Gate Pass and is preparing for the worst, and with new rumours of war the worst may yet happen.
Bp1580 as Swain C. Angevin, Human Tactical Warlord - Always having had a mind for warfare and strategy, Swain forged a successful but relatively unsung military career in Ragesia in the time before Coaltongue's rumored death. Although he returns to Gate Pass, his birthplace, yearly for the Festival of Dreams, he has also agreed to help a cleric named Torrent get out of the city. With his innate tactical knowledge and fearsome strength, Swain is going to do whatever it takes to prevent a massive war, and he's not afraid to get his hat dirty in the process.
Cause of death: Swain gave his life to end the terrible and sadistic reign of Flaganus Mortus, the famous "Ragesian Devil" of the Ragesian forces invading the city of Gate pass on New Years Eve, by demolishing an entire home on themselves. That is, not before he broke the wyvern rider's spine beforehand.
Orokos/MythWeavers Campaign name:
Quest List:
Additional Notes:
The Specifics
This is a PbP game.
I, TiamatZ, will be your DM. Sheets are on myth-weavers (or Orokos). Dice rolls are on Invisible Castle (or once again Orokos). For now, this is an IC thread. Post OOC discussions/comments/questions/etc in the OOC thread to avoid clutter and confusion.
I expect each of you to post at least once a day (except maybe on weekends [Saturdays and Sundays]) when you're able (though if it’s your turn, by all means post during the weekend; I’ll just post the updated map by Monday or so). If you'll be away for an extended period of time, let me know so that I (or yourself, or others) can make arrangements to keep the game moving while you're gone (or postpone it if the majority of the party is unavailable). I'm a level-headed person, and I won't kick you out for missing posts here and there. That being said, if you flake consistently you'll be removed from the party.
For combat, I will provide the HP, AC and other defences (as well as any special bonuses monsters receive e.g. +2 AC when standing next to each other) of the enemies present and you shall roll attack rolls. If you hit, roll damage and work that into your post. Also colour coded the monsters (makes it easier to work with, since most of you are newbies to the PbP format) by their border; red are minions, green are normal monsters, yellow are elites and purple are solos. So if you pop a daily on a red bordered monster you are going to feel really silly because it shouldn't last more than a single hit. Everyone will post their IC actions, with the rolls and results in SPOILER tags.
I will use TalonRazor’s idea (from the Legend of Novus PbP game). You must declare what you are doing in ORANGE text. The rolls must be in RED BOLD text and linked to the IC (or Orokos) roll. At the bottom of the post, still in spoiler tags, they shall post who is up next, in brackets and size 3 font that is GREEN, and who is on deck. Here is an example template:
"Johnny Law swings his mighty fist, smacking the honest citizen in the face."
Standard Action: Basic Melee Attack
Move Action: Stand there
Attack Roll [1d20+4 = 16+4 = 20] Damage Roll [1d20+10 = 1+10 = 11]
[Up Next: Bobby Joe][On Deck: Chuck Norris] (or red for enemies)
Move Action: Stand there
Attack Roll [1d20+4 = 16+4 = 20] Damage Roll [1d20+10 = 1+10 = 11]
[Up Next: Bobby Joe][On Deck: Chuck Norris] (or red for enemies)
For immediate interrupts, remember to post them with any criteria to follow in orange as well. If one of your powers has an immediate interrupt ability, state that power as well as when to use it e.g. when a monster strikes me, I want to use power X (where X is the power with immediate interrupt, such as Wizard’s Shield utility power, or the Fighter’s No Opening Utility power).
Also link to OOC thread: here
The primary goal here is for us all to have fun. I’m (mostly) new to PbP DMing and you’re all also (probably) new to PbP games, so we’re all noobs here. If you're not having fun for some reason, please let me know. Alright, now that that's all out of the way, let's go roll some dice and kill some monsters!
Of course, before that, let’s post up that Trailer once more:
War of the Burning Sky Trailer
Act 1: The Scouring of Gate Pass
”While once news reached the Free City state of Gate Pass by weekly teleporting courier, that channel has gone silent, and now news travels by the old routes of rumour — travellers from the outside world. You might be one of those travellers, or a concerned native of the city, but you have heard the rumours.
Emperor Drakus Coaltongue, ruler of the mighty Ragesian Empire which lies to the west of Gate Pass, has been slain in a distant nation, or so the rumours say. Of course, the rumours once said that Coaltongue was immortal. However, no one doubts the tales of armies mustering in Ragesia, with orders to secure the borders of the empire at this time of weakness and uncertainty. And from Shahalesti, the Eladrin nation east of Gate Pass, the rumours say its ruler seeks to claim the vulnerable Ragesia for his people.
Gate Pass sits alone in its mountain pass, one of the few safe routes between these two nations — Ragesia and Shahalesti. For weeks people have been saying war would come to Gate Pass, and now the rumours have appeared to be true.”
Contents:
Prologue: The Secret Meeting
Chapter 1: So it begins...
Chapter 2: Retrieving the Case
The Cast (AKA the party):
Current Party :
Illianthar as Areneth Thalant, Drow Telepathy Psion - Tragedy can be a cruel mistress, and Areneth knows her all too well. Born a slave to an Eladrin noble, he fled servitude and started a new life on the land of a human farmer, only to bear witness to the deaths of the farmer and his family by Eladrin bandits. Now bereft of two families, Areneth came to Gate Pass to start anew again. He knows eventually he must confront his past, but for the time being he's content to outrun it. skarsol as Summer Storm, Longtooth Shifter Cleric of Nusemnee - Cast adrift as a youth near Gate Pass, Summer's earliest memories are of the squalor of the streets and the violence of a gang. Caught in the act of defiling a temple, a devout elven couple saw a chance to spread their goddesses word and took her in. Years later, she's become a Cleric of Nusemnee and has turned her life around just as her patron goddess once did. Now she seeks to bring the light of her faith to others who are like she once was. squishy-blob as Titania Shaylee, Eladrin Fey Pact Warlock - Servant to Her Majesty Shalosha the Princess of Shahalesti, Titania Shaylee acts as a scout and spy in Ragesia and the surrounding kingdoms. Trained in the arcane arts by the finest sages in Calanis as an ancient and powerful dryad, Titania wields her powers for the good of her kingdom and to bring about the end of forces of darkness such as Coaltongue and Leska. Turanos as Dorn Kir, Half-Orc Monk of the Stone Fists - Born to an orc tribe, Dorn spent his formative years the subject of constant ridicule and bullying over his half-blooded nature. Unable to match the orcs in physical size or strength, he instead developed a deep and abiding rage which drove him to excel in agility, speed and general ferocity. One day a chance encounter with a devotee of Melora and the brutal manner in which he murdered her changed Dorn's outlook on life forever, leading him to wander the wilderness and drift between towns and cities until he came to Gate Pass. There, he finally attained some balance in his heart and mind by way of monkhood and the worship of Melora. Witch_Hunter_84 as Traorin Xinskarr, Dragonborn Stormheart Warden - Hailing from the Dragonborn clans of the northern Ostalin mountain range, Traorin is a warrior in constant communion with the elemental forces of mountain, wind, and storm. He has been sent forth by his clan in light of the rumours persisting of the Emperor Coaltongue's death to ascertain the truth of these rumours and gather information as to how the situation might affect the Dragonborn. He has arrived in Gate Pass and is preparing for the worst, and with new rumours of war the worst may yet happen.
Fallen in Battle :
Bp1580 as Swain C. Angevin, Human Tactical Warlord - Always having had a mind for warfare and strategy, Swain forged a successful but relatively unsung military career in Ragesia in the time before Coaltongue's rumored death. Although he returns to Gate Pass, his birthplace, yearly for the Festival of Dreams, he has also agreed to help a cleric named Torrent get out of the city. With his innate tactical knowledge and fearsome strength, Swain is going to do whatever it takes to prevent a massive war, and he's not afraid to get his hat dirty in the process.Cause of death: Swain gave his life to end the terrible and sadistic reign of Flaganus Mortus, the famous "Ragesian Devil" of the Ragesian forces invading the city of Gate pass on New Years Eve, by demolishing an entire home on themselves. That is, not before he broke the wyvern rider's spine beforehand.
Orokos/MythWeavers Campaign name:
PA WOTBS
Whenever you use a site like Orokos or Invisible Castle for your rolls (attack rolls/ skill rolls etc.), use this as the campaign name.
Whenever you use a site like Orokos or Invisible Castle for your rolls (attack rolls/ skill rolls etc.), use this as the campaign name.
Quest List:
Current Quests:
Completed Quests:
Main Quest: Obtain the Case:
- Obtain the Case from the Shalasesti spies.
- Obtain the Case from the Shalasesti spies.
Completed Quests:
None Yet!
Additional Notes:
Swain's Combat Leader: Swain and any allies within 20 squares gain a +2 bonus to initiative rolls.
Swain's Tactical Presence: When an ally Swain can see spends an action point to make an attack, the ally gains a +1 bonus to the attack roll and +2 to his/her damage roll.
Summer's Healing Word: Whenever Summer uses a Healing Word, the target can spend a healing surge and regain 1d6+4 additional hit points.
Swain's Tactical Presence: When an ally Swain can see spends an action point to make an attack, the ally gains a +1 bonus to the attack roll and +2 to his/her damage roll.
Summer's Healing Word: Whenever Summer uses a Healing Word, the target can spend a healing surge and regain 1d6+4 additional hit points.
TiamatZ on
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Posts
You have each been told to meet someone by the name of Torrent at the Poison Apple Pub a little before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and to use the alley door. This seems a bit strange, as the pub has been closed down since its owner was arrested.
With fears of invasion high, the streets are fairly deserted and normal festivities are muted, letting you travel fairly unmolested. The pub is in a poorer district about a mile from the western city wall, filled with slush-covered cobblestone streets and dark, snow-filled alleyways. The evening is dark and claustrophobic, the multi-storey buildings of the city looming in the night, no lights in most windows.
The pub is a two-story building attached by a rooftop bridge to a neighbouring house. The door and windows are boarded up, and the curtains drawn (though a faint light can be seen upon close inspection). A notice has been posted on its door:
Note:
The adjacent building connected by the bridge is an abandoned residence, currently unoccupied. Down the street from the pub is a stable. Lastly, another inn stands on the opposite side of the abandoned inn, run by a frugal gnome (who wouldn’t be, considering that there are few patrons left to take shelter under his roof.). You have been told to enter through a side alley entrance to avoid being seen. The door is locked, but you've been instructed to knock.
OOC:
Let’s get this party started :P
Stealth check: 1d20+1 = 14
He had heard a rumor that a cleric named Torrent was in need of escort out of the city, but was unaware of any of the other details. He made his way near the pub and took to the shadows deep in the alley way, hoping that the next steps he needed to take would make themselves plain.
As he watched the entrances to the pub, he noticed a Dragonborn in leather armor approach the alley door. He focused in on the newcomer, mentally cataloguing every motion and word as the warrior knocked at the alley door, making sure to stay out of sight.
Perception (to catch anything said or done): 1d20+8 = 17
"Greetings!" said Dorn, loudly enough for the nearby dragonborn to hear, as he slapped a large hand down companionably upon the drow's shoulder, "It seems the inn is closed, but ah, what a fine night for a wander in any case, eh?"
Standard movement to be adjacent to Areneth.
Minor action to speak and put his hand on the drow's shoulder.
Arriving at the inn, her attention was caught by the notice pinned to the front door. "Interesting. Is this Torrent a member of the resistance? My parents didn't mention anything about that." As she was reading the sign, she notices a half-orc turn into the alleyway to her left, promptly followed by his loud voice. "He sounds like a guard. Have the Ragesians come to look for more "hostile collusion"? Mindful of the directions to avoid being seen, Summer crossed to the inn on the other side of the street and pretended to examine the posted bill of fare while keeping a surreptitious eye on the proceedings in the alley.
He was in speaking distance when he heard the half-orc mention that the inn might be closed. "I sincerely hope there is ale left in the taps at least. A meeting at an inn without ale to smooth things along would make for a unfavorable start to our little adventure."
The clap on his shoulder startled Areneth, and he quickly rose to his feet, turning to look at the newest alleyway denizen.
“Indeed, it would appear the inn is closed. Although with the amount of traffic coming to its door, you would think that perhaps the owner should reopen…assuming he survives to do so.”
Areneth assumes a casual, loose stance, leaning against the pub wall, giving a slight smirk. He seems to continue to focus his attention on the dragonborn; his silvery eyes shining in the darkness, looking almost as if the pupils are a liquid metal moving about.
"The inn is probably supposed to look closed. Less chance of anyone...'uninvited' showing up this way." he said, not really talking to anyone in particular. He wished he had been able to wear his military greatcoat and hat for dramatic effect, but he would've drawn every inquisitor within a mile to their meeting place had he done so. He decided to settle for straightening his back and standing in a vaguely heroic manner as he waited for a response.
Perception Check: 1d20+2=17
Move Action: walk up to Dorn, Swain, and Areneth.
Whatever the feeling was, it passes, Traorin continues up toward the group and intorduces himself. "Greetings, I am Traorin of the Dragonborn," Traorin leans in to whisper, "I do not know if this should mean anything to you but does the name Torrent mean anything to anyone here?"
"I jest! I jest! Ah, the looks on your faces," Dorn wipes a tear of mirth from his eye as he holds out his other hand to the dragonborn in greeting, "I am called Dorn Kir, and I'm a monk of Melora, so I know Torrent well."
“Quickly now, you weren’t followed were you?” the woman says in an hushed whisper. “Hmmmm. Looks like we're still missing some potential members. Still, it looks like mostly everyone's accounted for...” she says as she carefully scans the alley for any potential spies...
Torrent's smile fades, as she spots the concealed Eladrin not far off.
"Looks like we are not alone, my allies. Halt! Who goes there? Be you friend or foe?" Torrent shouts as she places her hand on her battleaxe's hilt...
"I take it you are Torrent? Quite the diverse bunch of folk you've gathered here." She says while looking pointedly at the drow before stepping past the dragonborn and making her way towards the door. She looks back at the group still standing in the alley and says "It's been a lovely conversation gentlemen but don't you think you should continue it inside. All manner of folk could be listening out here."
The Eladrin felt a bit surprised at this sudden revelation, when Torrent briefly smiles. “No need to be alarmed. The resistance has been keeping an eye on some potential people here in Gate Pass. People, whom they believed, would help me in their plight. A few hours ago, before sunset, they sent word of whom was arriving tonight. Of course, there were some volunteers that have stated their intentions to help me out beforehand, one of whom whose daughter was to meet up with us. But I see she has yet to arrive…”
“Now then, if you would kindly, please come in out of the cold. The night’s darkness conceals many a inquisitive eye, eyes that may wonder why such a meeting is taking place in a pub whose owner has just been arrested for collusion.” She says, as she lets you in, gesturing to a single table where she has set up a what appear to be provisions for the meeting tonight. Swain was already inside, inspecting the room.
Anyone who approaches Torrent closely would see that she is tall and looks to be as strong as the typical warrior. She has distinctive and sharp features and short white hair. Her tanned skin gives her away as a foreigner and under her dark winter coat she wears a breastplate decorated with blue wave-like etchings. You also notice a wooden holy symbol of some type tied to her wrist with a leather cord.
Dorn:
Once you enter the tavern, the darkened pub appears empty, it’s many tables and chairs pushed to one wall and covered with sheets. A single table with enough chairs for all of you sits in the middle of the room, with a map placed upon it. A small oil lamp and a keg sit on top of it, along with several mugs. Unless the shadows beyond hide more, your group and the woman are the only people in the room.
Dorn Kir, Areneth:
You notice a staircase that leads upstairs, located in a corner of the common room and beside the bar. The windows and door facing the street are closed and boarded up from the outside. On the wall behind the bar hangs a bronze bust of the former emperor of Ragesia, Drakus Coaltongue, a regal, aged half-orc with a scar cutting diagonally across his face.
While you are settling down, the woman picks up a mug of beer and speaks. “Good evening, all. My name is Torrent. Thanks for coming,” She gestures towards the keg and mugs, and with a wan smile says, “Have a drink. Just because we’re about to go to war doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the New Year.” She then takes a pull of her mug and sits down.
OOC:
Areneth ignores the comment from the Eladrin, and gestures to the waterskin he's holding while saying, “I hope you’ll pardon my rudeness, Madam Cleric. Alcohol clouds the mind, and I have the feeling that tonight I must have my wits about me to the utmost.”
Curious, she stands up and opens the portal first. She sees the Longtooth Shifter Cleric, wearing the symbol and markings of the fallen goddess of retribution, Nusemnee, like a badge of honour. She opens the door quickly (though quietly) to avoid suspicion from the outside.
"Ah, I take it your Summer Storm? Your parents gave word in advance that you'd be arriving. Care to take a seat with the others?" Torrent gestures, as she points towards one of the open seats on display...
A moment passes before he laughs again, restraining himself to a low chuckle this time in deference to Swain's advice, "Never gets old. Have no fear, friend, there are no guards here - come and enjoy the fine company this evening!" He waves his arm vaguely in the direction of the gathered adventurers.
"To be honest, neither side is going to have it easy if war breaks out, which it almost certainly will. Although Ragesia has lost a powerful leader in Coaltongue, it is still a massive nation with an army to match. I could get into the details of the theoretical war, like how Ragesia's army could be spread thin and how Shahalesti's decision making could be compromised by greed, but that doesn't matter. What matters is this war will majorly destabilize both nations and utterly decimate anything or anyone in between. And if you look on the map..." Swain paused for dramatic effect, standing up from the chair and towering over the table for emphasis. It was a little dramatic, but he needed everyone on the same page here. When he felt he had driven his point home, he pointed at Gate Pass and finished his sentence,
"...that's exactly where we are. If these two nations go to war, Gate Pass is going to be obliterated, and there won't be anywhere to run with enemies on both sides as well as the Burning Sky preventing transportation. So if you have anything you even remotely care about in Gate Pass, either of the two nations, or even in this world at all, then we should stop debating about the 'true meaning of war' or which nation is better and focus on stopping the entire world from throwing itself into a churning pit of self destruction and death!"
Swain sat back down, feeling good about having spoken his mind. He casually added, "...or at least that's my opinion, anyway." before sitting back down and instantly returning to his previous laid back demeanor. He then took a swig of ale and watched the table for a response.
Suddenly animated, the monk strides over to Torrent and holds out his hands to her as if begging something from her, "Surely that is why we are here, yes? You have a plan?" Without waiting for an answer he straightens and slaps his hand to his chest, "I will help you!" The half-orc then grins around the room again as if everything is now settled and will work out just fine.
Torrent grimaces and straightens in her chair, saying, “That’s one year gone.” She shakes her head a little, then looks over the table towards you and quietly says, “I guess it’s time to get down to business."
"The city’s in trouble. You may have heard of rumours of a Ragesian army marching towards Gate Pass. Unfortunately, those rumours are true. The Ragesian army is marching on us, and will be here by tomorrow. Before then, we have a mission."
"I used to study at a magic academy to the south, called Lyceum. They’re good people. So when word reached them about Ragesia’s 'Scourge,' they sent out messages calling for anyone fleeing Ragesia to come to them. They want to stand against the Ragesians, and the resistance wants their help. We just need to get a message to them."
"Normally we would have sent something by teleporting courier, but something strange is going on with planar magic. The last courier who teleported into Gate Pass, rumor is that he showed up burnt to a crisp. Not that I have that sort of magic anyway, but if we’re going to talk to Lyceum, we’re going to have to go overland. And that’s a problem, because the city’s walls are sealed."
"Ever since their emperor died, the Ragesians have been trying to show that they’re not in disarray and weak, and they’re marching an army in our direction, since the mountain pass we’re in is apparently 'strategically valuable.' Either way, a few fools on the city council want to negotiate with the Ragesians, and rumor is they’re going to invite a group of Inquisitors into the city to look for 'magic-users who are hostile to the empire."
"They’ve sealed the gates of the city so no one can get out, to make sure they look like they're cooperating, and only military personnel can get in or out."
"We’re going to have to get out of the city, and I’m open to suggestions on how. Once we're out, I can get us safely to Lyceum, but before we get ahead of ourselves, we have a mission tonight."
"The short version is that we’ve got to meet a contact—a gnome who goes by Rivereye Badgerface—in about an hour at a guarded depository about a half-mile from here." She says, as she pointsa towards a spot on the map representing Gate Pass. "He's carrying a case of vital military intelligence which he stole from the Ragesian palace, and the heads of the resistance think that it needs to reach Lyceum. We’ve got to get that case, get out of the city, and get far away from here before the idiot city council lets the Ragesian Inquisitors in. Once that happens, the odds of us escaping are—" here she pauses and finishes off her mug of beer in one long guzzle "—slim."
"I know I'd love to stay here and fight against the Ragesians, but I'm no soldier, and this mission might be more important. Worst case, you get away from the Ragesians and we can part ways a few days down the road. Best case, you can come with me to Lyceum, and we come back with an army of our own to drive off the Ragesians. But we’ve got to act fast either way."
She places her hands on the table, gazing at each member's eyes carefully.
“Are you ready for this?”
OOC:
You've unlocked the following Conversation options:
“It seems we have two tasks ahead of us. Obtain information from the gnome, and then flee the city. As far as leaving the city walls, I would be able to teleport the entire group a short distance. The process would be somewhat unpleasant, though not fatal. Another option might be finding out what types of military patrols are allowed to exit the gates, and then obtain some uniforms and pose as one of the patrols.”
Looking over to Torrent, he continues, “Madam Cleric, what do you know of this Rivereye Badgerface? is he sympathetic to the cause of your resistance? Or is he merely selling his information to the highest bidder? Also, do you know just how ‘guarded’ is this depository that we’re meeting him at?”
"My good lady cleric, I was sent here by my people in the mountains of northern Ostalin to better aquaint myself with this coming conflict and the consequences it might bring to the greater world. If this Mr. Badgerface has any pertinent information on what's coming then I suggest we go to him first. That is, assuming he is on the level and in fact has any information worth obtaining." Traorin sets his mug down and leans foreward in his seat, locking eyes with the cleric. "If the Regasian army is indeed intent on taking this city by force it will need assistance to weather the sotrm. Lyceum seems to be a distance away with no method of teleportation, but if that's where the case needs to go to protect this city, then that's where it needs to go."