[D&D 5e] IC: Wyvern's Claw, Monument's Finest

[Tsriel]

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/037/3/e/guildhall__fatecraft__by_tyleredlinart-d75bs1y.jpg

It's been three days since the ramshackle excuse for an induction ceremony. You, along with a dozen others, were inducted into the Adventurer's Guild, Wyvern's Claw as part of a youth movement to shore up its dwindling numbers from either mishaps on the job or from the occasional retirement. Not that Wyvern's Claw had big numbers to begin with. In the past, during more prosperous times, guild membership was several hundred members strong. Now, that number is lucky to break fifty.

Although Wyvern's Claw has had to lower its standards of recruitment somewhat, getting inducted into a guild was no simple task. First, you had to make the right contacts within the city. Then there was the background check, followed by an arduous amount of testing of your physical and mental prowess. The results of the test were tallied and it was deemed that you were amongst the cream of the crop. Rumor had it that nearly a hundred would-be adventurers applied to join. The jobs you'll take will be dangerous, but the rewards are great. For this reason alone, all three guilds, Mystique Vale, Blazing Chariot, and Wyvern's Claw are never short for potential prospects.

For your efforts, you now bear an arcane mark of a silhouette of a clawed talon placed someplace on your body of your choosing as well as your choice of mono-tone color. For all intents and purposes, the guild hall also serves as your home. It's costs of living and upkeep for the establishment and its members are collected in "finder's fees"; payments made upon accepting an approved guild job for serving as the middle man. In 822 AR, the City of Monument decided that freelance adventuring work was getting out of hand to the point where outright criminal activity was running rampant. The Senate, in an effort to curtail the unruly business practice, ratified the Osprey Carta. This law effectively decreed that all adventurers needed to have a sanctioned license in order to perform any act deemed as freelance work.

The ensuing crackdown was swift and fierce. Many freelance adventurers resisted the law, although a few, more business savvy individuals noted that in nowhere in the Osprey Carta of 822 AR did it ban the organization of individuals to share a single operating license. The cost for one alone was, at the time, 250 gold, which was easily more than a single person could afford. Many thought the law was put in place to end adventuring entirely. What happened was the exact opposite. Soon after, Blazing Chariot was founded. Many criticized the idea of guilds forming by either proclaiming it was a way for the Senate to control the adventuring epidemic as well as a means of maintaining control, which the law did just that although it was an unintended side effect.

Nonetheless, the Senate warily chose to allow the loophole to continue, curious to observe its own unintended results. Nearly a century passed without a hitch. Blazing Chariot had grown too big in order to keep all of its member base content and happily employed. The end result of the friction saw the guild literally torn in two. Blazing Chariot continued on, but now there was a rival sister guild, Mystique Vale. The two guilds haven't exactly been on the best of terms with each other even now, roughly four centuries later. Wyvern's Claw is the new guild to the scene, cropping up seemingly out of nowhere in 1170 AR. Not affiliated with any of the original guilds within the city, the guild was able to ignore the petty squabbles between Blazing Chariot and Mystique Vale and capitalize on their inactivity to rise to a surprising prominence. Wyvern's Claw enjoyed 51 years of being renown as the best guild in Monument until the combination of dwindling top-shelf talent and the constant plans to undermine Wyvern's Claw by the other guilds finally took its toll.

The current year, 1393 AR, has the guild solidly into hard times with the threat of prospect of having to close its doors due to the lack of reliable work. Given the choice, you would've gladly applied to either Blazing Chariot or Mystique Vale. However, the story you typically heard was that "they're not recruiting". The other being "if they were, they wouldn't want a scrub like you". Whatever your motivation for joining Wyvern's Claw, you now have a place to call home.

[Tsriel]

On the day of your inauguration into the guild, the hall was alive with a celebration with the available members on hand. Sadly, that ended up being more initiates than actual members. The Guild Master, Esmerelde Tirangarde (http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/43/64/0a/43640a16c18285ee389787fe0d05aaf7.jpg), a half-elf woman of considerable arcane skill, came into the position a few years ago when the prior Guild Master retired and moved away from the city. Although she doesn't look like it, she's a woman pressing into her 70s. Renown for having a kind heart but a fierce sense of structure and loyalty. Joining at the age of 33, Esmerelde displayed a natural talent as a sorceress and quickly rose through the rank of file of the guild and into prominence amongst her peers. She started doing S-Class jobs at the age of 38 before stepping back at the age of 60 to take on a more administrative role, still feeling too young to simply retire of the riches she had accrued over the years. She is the administrative face of the guild as well as the person primarily responsible for keeping track of guild resources.

Then there's Tian Upperhill (http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/63/f9/34/63f934e53bda4c7cc35fd7d19abc6d65.jpg), the halfling barkeep. A long-time adventuring companion of the current Guild Master, Tian always seems to have his fingers in just about everything going on about inside the guild and out of it. When asked about his skillset or any resemblance of past experiences, Tian simply states that "he's a guy that just got lucky more than a few times". Tian is one that always has a useful bit of info or two about a job that he gladly shares with members of the guild. If in the off-chance he doesn't, he knows where he can point you to.

Early on in the guild's existence, the then Guild Master of Wyvern's Claw quickly learned the importance of having an on staff physician. Braccus "Doc" Irgstrat (https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ersF53wzhq4/SQ3mLuxYeaI/AAAAAAAAAYw/cFS_tTwLKew/s400/Brodertquint.jpg), an elderly human male born with the gift of restoring life (in a limited capacity), is the current longest standing member of the guild. Although considered retired from adventuring, he can't ever bring himself to separate himself entirely from the adventuring life. He's always present in the guild hall and available for medical services or the occasional sagely advice as needed. He loves to talk though and has been known to put people to sleep with his soothing, gentle voice if you let him prattle on for too long.

Jura Hammerhilt (http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/03/74/1c/03741c977d2ef15dab72c7093724b69b.jpg), a dwarven shieldmaiden and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the guild, fancies herself as a perfect embodiment of a lady although she acts absolutely nothing like it. Rarely seen in the guild hall without a full stein of beer, every other word from her mouth is seemingly an obscenity or vulgarity of some form. While that may put some people off, she's genuinely a good-hearted individual that cares deeply for the guild, although she won't freely admit it. She's been known to get into fights when she hears people speaking ill of Wyvern's Claw although the occasional drinking contest as the loser's expense will sometimes suffice. When not off adventuring, she also serves as the guild's weapons and armor master, working the forge as a side job.

Hailing from the exotic land of Xurthia, Wraqiroth (http://theactionpoint.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/192.jpg) is a dragonborn wizard with exceptionally keen intellect and an eye for detail. He is the guild's Master of Records, often spending much of his time in the guild's expansive library dividing it between records maintenance and conducting his own personal research. Occasionally he will do jobs to help fund his research endeavors, although no one has really seen him be fairly involved on a job. Somewhat socially awkward and not much for conversation, he speaks with a throaty growl as if on the verge of clearing something disgusting from his throat. It's rumored that he's able to breathe fire much like a dragon, although no one has ever seen it.

Outside of the assigned posts, guild structure is fairly loose without any real sort of pecking order save for those who have proven their strength, merit, and capability. Of all the members of the guild, only five have permission to go on S-Class jobs. These jobs are noted to be extremely dangerous and could potentially take years to complete. Permission must be granted by the Guild Master before anyone can undertake an S-Class assignment. It's understood that if you willingly choose to undertake an S-Class job, the guild may not be able to go discover your whereabouts should communications go silent. It's also been known that there have been people to have never come back from those assignments with little to no trace of finding out whatever happened to the operative.

[Tsriel]

Three days after the day of your inauguration, Guild Master Tirangarde left a note with Tian requesting five of the new recruits for their first assignment, who respectively passed a note to each of your with your respective names on it. Tian hands them to you with a knowing wink and smile. Inside the message reads:



Dearest Member,

I hope you are finding guild life quite accommodating. I wanted to give you a few days to become acclimated to your new life with us in the Claw. I'm certain by now that you're more than eager to get out there and start doing some jobs on behalf of the guild. It just so happens I have the perfect first assignment for you and will be sending four others to join you in this endeavor. After you've had breakfast, please come to my office for the specifics of this job as well as to meet your fellow operatives for this assignment.

Cordially,
Esmerelde Tirangarde
Guild Master of Wyvern's Claw

[Grishnakh]

Naeris Galanodel

After three days sitting in one place Naeris was getting more than restless. All his items - that is, the few possesions he had - were still packed in his bag in the corner of his room. Years of living in the forests travelling from place to place had ill-prepared him for settling down in one spot and he didn't really like it.

There was no hunting to be done here, being inside and in a city, so Naeris had gotten to bed early. The problem with that was that he woke up in the middle of the night, wide awake and no use in going back to bed. Out in the wilds it was good to need little sleep, that way you could use both morning and evening twilight for your hunting, but in a city it just left you with extra time to kill. Thus, he found himself prowling the halls yet again, sometimes retreating to a dark corner when some other members of the guild came staggering from a late night in the common room. Left to himself with nothing but shadows and his thoughts for company.

Honestly, he wasn't to sure about this entire guild buzziness. He had come because he hoped to find some like-minded people, and after all guild membership was the best way to earn a living in cities such as this, but all the strangers in this place had him on his toes and looking over his shoulder. Still, it couldn't be all bad. The guild-master was of elven decent and if she was running things than maybe he should trust in her capabilties. With her as it's leader, maybe this guild could yet become like a tribe for him, if he was willing to give it a chance.

Of course, after a while he found himselfs slipping into the common room. There were only so many corridors to explore and he wasn't about to start entering peoples rooms and other private or restricted areas. He wasn't that bored, at least not yet. Surprisingly, as he entered the common room he found he was not the first there. Tian was already manning the bar, cleaning the countertop with a rag. Or maybe he was still there, no way to know for sure. Whatever the case, he must have some very sharp eyes, for the moment Naeris walked into the barroom he looked up and with a smile waved him over. Grinning at Naeris he slipped him a note and offered some leftovers from last night for an early breakfast, as the ovens were not yet heated.

Taking the note and his food into a corner opposite the door, Naeris sat down to read what it said. Excited to finally see some action he quickly ate his breakfast and went to Esmerelde's office. Now all he had to do was wait for the others, but this was the kind of waiting he was used to, this was waiting with purpose.

[Pallid]

A city run wasn't really all that different then a run through the jungle when you got down to it. Well sure the scenery was different but the way you approached it wasn't any different. Hopping a downed log and hopping over a gnome that skittered into your path were basically the same. Just as scaling a building could easily be replaced with scaling an unruly tree that barred your progress. And so once again Salt was out in the streets doing his run. It would continue to allude him how people managed to sit still all the time in a place as wondrous as this. Sure it was a far cry from the jungles of home, but to sit idle and get fat when there was so much open space to experience? The idea was a maddening, that and the beds were too small to sleep comfortably on. He needed to speak to someone about that when his run was over.

Ten suns he had been in the city and with each nightfall with the few hours before light brought he had found himself a new route to run. This Sun's route had more jumps then the last two, but he seemed to have come across a larger cluster of gnome people, with the amount of low hanging signs and smaller tables cluttered about. Still the run was fun and one he would commit to memory he reasoned to himself as he finished up the last few twists and turns that brought him back to his guild. So he put that on to his mental to do list when he was finally settled into this place. Luckily he didn't have much in the way of gear to stash away in his room, just the standard kit the people at the testing ground insisted he take despite his protests. Then and even now he couldn't understand why he would even need half the junk that came along with the pack, it all just seemed like unnecessary clutter to him. Most of it wasn't even edible, and it just added weight. Weight that he had to get use too in his travels, hence it being currently strapped to his back, despite wearing little else but loose cotton clothing that was also forced on him.

He bee lined for the mess area to grab breakfast, not even bothering to clean up after the run as he would just get messy with the food anyhow. He gave the small halfing man a hearty greeting as he grabbed the first available hot plate that he could, dimly aware of what he was actually eating. It didn't really matter, food was food and he had found the city food to be wanting as a whole anyway. Just couldn't compare to hunting and cooking something yourself after a few days travel. It was then, with a mouth full of some form of bird that he had gotten and read the letter. Work! Finally, he had been sitting around doing nothing for so long he had feared he might have to ahead back to the jungle with no stories to tell!

So he finished up the bird meal, he really needed to ask what exactly that was later, and headed into the hall to find someone had awoken even earlier then he had. A nice welcome to be sure, meant he didn't have to wait alone. Though the other person seemed to be a bit scrawny, he had come to learn that was just the way of elves. Still, he could perhaps fix them if they was to be his pack mate. A few good meals and some training could get them up to speed in no time.

“Greetings young one! Finally a job for us, hopefully it's one with excitement.” He said merrily dropping his pack by the door and moving a chair over to the other person. He wasn't sure if it was male or female or how old, so he stuck to genderless terms until he at least heard them speak. The coffee-bean brown brute of a man held out his hand to shake, ignoring the few thick black coils that had broken away from the clasp that held the rest and attempted to over run his face. “Salt of the Southern Tribes and you friend?”

[Grishnakh]

Naeris leaned back and eyed this strange brute up and down. Although the man clearly hadn't washed it wasn't so much the smell, but more the blatand disregard for personal space that caused him to draw back a little.

"Young one? Really? Not very perceptive for a human are you." He knew he was being rude, but the remark about his age had firmly put his guard up. Because of the demise of his clan Naeris had never chosen an adult name, so those familiar with the elven traditions might recognize his name as one given to children. The choise to not take another name had been his own, but still it was a touchy subject. On the other hand, the big man opposite him didn't even know his name yet so the remark could hardly be an insult. Probably best to make nice and introduce himself, as it appeared they would be working together.
Putting a smile on his face (a bit late, but maybe it would still take the sting out of his words) he clasped the outstretched hand. "Naeris Galanodel, pleased to meet you." Perhaps not entirely sincere, but the big guy probably wouldn't notice that.

[felgrimm]

Rylan had been all over Monument in the three days since the Wyvern's Claw induction ceremony. Partly to burn some of the nervous energy he had built up the days before finding out if he had been accepted into the guild, partly to see the sights and women of the city and mostly because he had needed a good stiff drink. Drinks he had found too, perhaps a few too many, but he would get past his throbbing head soon enough.

He had left the small home of the tavern maiden he had ended up going home with last night early, keeping it in memory for later if the need should arise, and headed back to the main housing of the guild. As he walked along, he again raised his arm, touching the inside of his wrist where the arcane mark of the guild sat, reminding him that he had excelled in his testing for guild membership. He felt very proud of himself for his achievement, hoping that he would soon be able to tell his parents his good luck, he hoped they would be proud.

He pulled the hood of his red cloak down as he entered the guild, winking at one of the female initiates that had been accepted in passing and giving her a grin that she returned with a slight blush. He walked into the guild tavern and seeing Tian behind the counter, stepped up with a quick bow, asking the halfing how his morning was going. He asked for something quick for breakfast and an ale to wash it down with as Tian slid a letter to him with a wink.

It was from Esmerelde! He tore it open, reading immediately and almost cheered aloud. Work! He couldn't wait to get started working for the guild, and here was his first assignment. He ate quickly, downing his food and ale so he could go back to his room to freshen up quickly. After doing so he made his way to the guildmaster's office, finding two other initiates already there waiting patiently.
Stepping up to them he introduced himself. "Well met, i take it we three and two others will working together soon? My name is Rylan Liadran, nice to meet you."

[Sessadore]

Falgrim had spent the last several days with great impatience. After his acceptance to Wyvern's Claw, he had spent the first day wrapping up his work at a forge in Monument - a craftsman's greatest asset is his reputation, and leaving any jobs half finished when he was inevitably given work through the guild would do no good for that. He had been accepting only small jobs since he had decided to apply to the guild in case of the exact situation he found himself in now, so that he would be able to finish any outstanding work quickly and neatly tie off all of the loose ends. It made for less work (and lower paying to boot), but such was life.

Today, he woke with some annoyance. He had hoped Moradin, the Forge Father, would have granted work through the guild by now, as that seemed the path he was intended to follow. But with nothing seemingly on the horizon, Falgrim had resolved that this morning he would visit Jura at the forge and see about starting a new suit of armour. Likely not for himself, as he did not have the gold to purchase enough metal and leather for a full suit, but there must be someone in the guild who needed some armour! He could show them how an Ironfist makes armour!

His course for the day determined, Falgrim started his day as usual with his morning devotions to Moradin. Once complete, he went to the mess for some breakfast before seeing about work. Smithing is hungry work, after all, he told himself. However, Tian's note, accompanied by a knowing wink, upset the dwarf's entire plan for the day. The entire plan! Nonetheless, as soon as his meal was complete he went back to his room, donned his armour, and grabbed his pack and weapons, then made his way to Esmerelde's office.

Arriving at the Guild Master's office, he sees three others outside - a typical scrawny elf, a giant of a man, skin the colour of onyx, and a not-quite-so-scrawny elf. Hmm, that last one might not be an elf ... ears aren't as pointy as the other, and is that stubble? Ah blast it, what does it matter anyway? Falgrim grumbles to himself as he walks, "Entire day something something wait this long something just when I something something typical human city, no something something." When he reaches the others and stops walking he seems to remember himself and stops talking, a frown etched on his face (a face very used to frowns, if the lines are any indication). He doesn't initiate any conversation during the wait, though he does give each of his presumed companions-to-be a more thorough appraisal before turning his attention to his armour. "Ah blast it, how did I miss you? Right on the front, too," he mumbles, fiddling with what seems to be a broken link.

[Woggle]

Falmaer Crispin

Crispin had been in Monument for three months now, since deciding to settle in one place for a while and practice his woodcarving trade more seriously. His work for a local master had certainly kept him busy, but the constant scenery of the City had inevitably grown too familiar for the Halfling and joining an adventuring guild looked like an ideal reason for some travel.

Crispin had spent as little of the last three days as was possible in the Wyvern's Claw Guild Hall. He was sure he'd see enough of it in the coming months, and instead roamed about the Monument, getting one last taste of it before guild business took him away. This morning he had awoken bright and early, and strolled about the craftsman district, taking in the sights and sounds of work-men and -women starting their days. Dallying briefly to chat with a baker opening shop, Crispin headed back towards the guild hall. Perhaps there was finally work for him?

Arriving at he dining hall, Crispin greeted Tian amiably, taking the note the barkeep handed over, and sitting to grab a bite to eat. He opened the note with some curiosity, reading its contents quickly. Work, from the guild master Herself! Wolfing down the rest of his food, Crispin rose and made his way to the Guildmaster's office, hopping he wasn't too late.

Entering the Guildmaster's office, he saw four others already there, whom he recognized from the inauguration. "Hope I haven't kept you waiting. I'm Falmaer Crispin, and it's a pleasure to meet you all." Crispin smiles warmly at the other guild members, offering his hand.

[felgrimm]

Rylan had been trying to introduce himself to the two fellows that had made it to the guildmaster's office before him when the dwarf had come in, sized them all up for a second and then stood back, absent mindedly talking to himself about armor or something.

The dwarf hadn't bothered to introduce himself to anyone so Rylan had decided to break the ice and introduce himself first when the fifth member of their team walked in. The halfling was immediately friendly (every halfling he had met tended to be that way) and introduced himself with a raised hand. Rylan took the offered appendage with a smile.

"The pleasure is mine good sir, my name is Rylan.... Rylan Liadran of Drenael, though you most likely haven't heard of it. My father once told me that small towns create little to no reputation to the surrounding areas, and if you were very lucky, it would stay that way. The last thing he wanted was stray adventurers showing up half dead on your doorstep with monsters hunting them down."

He grinned at Crispin again with a wink, grabbing the tooth that hung around his neck for emphasis.

[Grishnakh]

Naeris Galanodel

The arrival of a third team-member gave Naeris an excuse to move away from the big fellow. He was happy to see another elf here, well only half but still better nothing, and started to step forward for an introduction when he was interrupted by the arrival of the other two who would make up their party.
One seemed to be a dwarf, but at least he had the decency to keep to himself and not bother anyone. The other was a halfling, a cheerful person, but than so were most of them. While Naeris studied the newcommers his initial excitement at seeing the half-elf began to fade.
He might be of elven decent, but gods he's a talkative fellow. He thought, slowly moving back into his corner waiting for them to be summoned inside.

[Sessadore]

Falgrim momentarily interrupts his inspection to glare at the Guild Master's door. "I thought she said right after breakfast," he grumbles under his breath to no one in particular. "Could've been pounding the forge by now, by my reckoning." There's more mumbles and grumbles as he returns his attention to his armour, but none formed coherently enough to make out.
Just a friendly bump. I'm not as impatient as Mr. Dwarf here. ;)