Back to the Basics

[griffin7890]

The world is filled with many stories. The stories of the rich and the poor, the brave and the cowardly, or even the important and the unimportant. Lives pass in an instant compared to infinite of time. Thousands of years ago, I took part in a ritual, that, even at the time, I felt was unethical and wrong. Magic was drained from the world and imprisoned within smaller boundaries, instead of it floating free as it should. I have watched from the outside in as the magical world, now called Exrunia, has blossomed, but the same cannot be said for the world I chose to stay in. Magical beings of all sorts have become extinct, gone with the flow of magic. Everyone and everything in the world deserves a portion of magic, not just a select few. Everyday, I sit, wishing that I could do something myself, but, alas, I am stuck out here with limited ability to intervene with anything that happens in Exrunia. I know, however, that I must do something soon. My life is growing short and my powers, especially with limited magic of this world, can't ward off death for much longer. I will find someone who is.... sympathetic to my cause, so that I may witness the reunification of these worlds.
~Bigby
((Changes and Additions to the story-line.))
1. The world is much bigger than I had originally planned. This is because I forgot about the diversity of the races. Exrunia is the size of Earth and the outside world, which incorporates Exrunia is big. I don't know how big. Just know that it is big.
2. In the outside world, many creatures that relied on magic became extinct.
Goblins, dragons, giant spiders, etc. populations went down, but still exist.
3. Dragons, a rare exception, exist in both worlds, but the ones who live in the outside world are considerably weaker. The majority of the dragon population lives in Exrunia.
4. I hit a large rock when it came to other planes, but found a solution.
The entirety of the outside world acts as if covered by a dimensional lock.
Nothing can get in from any other plane of existence.
Exrunia is still open to anything though
Extremely old creature may know secrets......
5. Average technology is about Renaissance, but there comes many exceptions. (Of course.)
6. OOC speaking should be labeled clearly.
((OOC: Yes, I do like cheese.))
7. When your character speaks, just color it.
Blue: Wizard Guy
Green: Stycotl
Brown: Legoshrimp
Orange: Rodgin
If you want to change your color, just ask me.

8. Know one thing, I love to foreshadow things in different languages.

9. I tolerate PVP, but I don't want it or like it.
PVP will only be tolerated if you do something incredibly stupid to another player.
If you have any questions during the campaign, ask about them out of character.

The town of Peregrinus is small town. There is nothing interesting about it, yet adventures tend to favor it for some unknown reason.
Perhaps it is because there are many good inns and bars.
Perhaps it is because it is close to many other towns.
There are no particular shops of interest, mostly ones with basic needs with a few exceptions.
It just seems that anyone traveling will eventually turn up there.
You find yourself in this town and decide to stay a few days.
One night, you feel thirsty and head to the nearest bar, which happens to be called, The Snooty Fox.
It is incredibly crowded with peasants celebrating the coming harvest, but there is a small bar and bartender in the corner with virtually no people sitting at it, so that is where you head.

((To clear up something, you all entered at virtually the same time and headed over to the bar.))

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor, a tall young human male with blue eyes and brown hair, walks over to the bartender in the corner of the room and says to him "Get me some ale please". Then sits down and waits for the ale to come.

[griffin7890]

The bartender, an older man, quickly fills a tin mug with ale and slides it down to Deltor.
"Ah, it is good to hear somebody young say 'please' once in a while. Say.. are you four in a group together?"
Everyone looks at one another, as you begins to protest, but the old man cuts you off and says, "Oh! That is wonderful, means you get our discount for traveling groups of patrons. All food items are half off and you can buy two pints (of alcohol) and get one free."
So, can I get you anything to eat?
We have a broth on the pot out back made with cheese and mushrooms with chopped up bits of chicken mixed in. We also have some beef roasting if you want any.

(When I say 'you' I generally mean the person who posted before, but I will clarify if I mean otherwise. I love the bartender)

[Wizard Guy]

Halimath tilts his head and smiles vaguely "Ill have some wine If you have any, else Ill have a pint of ale my good man."

He turns to the man next to him and says "So what caused you to gravitate towards this establishment."

[griffin7890]

((OOC: Assumingly, you are talking to Deltor? ))

"Oh, we used to have wine, but we haven't any since, the goblins moved in, but... you wouldn't be interesting.
Ale it is then."
The bartender fills another tin mug with a pint of ale from the barrel under the counter.

((OOC: Had to add that last part because it seemed like he had taps. ))

[Rodgin]

Lyle gladly grabbed up an ale, though he doubted he would drink three tonight. Ale was for refreshment, not inebriation.

Well, at least some good came of stumbling in together, Lyle said nodding to the other people. Name's Carlyle, but everyone calls me Lyle.

[Legoshrimp]

First Deltor says to the bartender "Yes I would like some beef." Then turns and answers Halimath "Well I do not think we have been introduced I am Deltor, and you are?"

[Goblin Dan]

<p align="center">
<font face="Arial">
<a href="http://www.human-age.com">Virtual human development game</a><br>
<a href="http://www.human-age.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.human-age.com/images/banniere/baniere_light.gif" alt="free human development game" title="free human development game" width="468" height="60"></a><br>
<a href="http://www.human-age.com">www.human-age.com</a>
</font> </p>

[Wizard Guy]

"Well I do not think we have been introduced I am Deltor, and you are?"
"I am Halimath of Arial, I'm pleased to make you're acquaintance."


"but... you wouldn't be interesting."

((OOC: Um, methinks you meant interested in staid of interesting?))
taking up his ale and sipping it tenuously, he says "Goblins you say? Hmm."

[griffin7890]

((Yes, defiantly))((Get the **** out of here Goblin Dan. You don't just come in and post on any board you feel like.))

The bartender returns with a steaming plate of meat.
"Aye, Goblins, nasty little creatures."
He sets the plate down in front of Deltor and begins to speak again.
"You should speak to the manager if you wish to know more. All I can tell you is that we can't get into our storage cause of em'. The manager is really steamed and is looking for someone who can get rid of the little buggers. The manager is in the door to the left if you want him"
After this statement he resumes his work, cleaning glasses.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor says to the bartender. "Thanks" Then answers Halimath. "pleasure to meet you Halimath as for what brings me here is I need to find a member of the local theives guild. Do you know if there is any member of the guild here?" Deltor turns to the bartender and asks the same question.

[Wizard Guy]

Halimath looks thoughtful, to the bar tender he says "I think I may just do that, after I've slaked my thirst and had something to eat." to Deltor he says "I'm new here, so I'm sorry but I can't say I know much at all about this township."

[griffin7890]

"Thieves' guild? Nay, we are to small a town to attract a guild, but maybe if you head north, to Imaulia you will find one there." Says the Bartender.

[griffin7890]

"Ah! Well, we are a traveler's town. We are agricultural, but most of our goods are suited to accommodating wanders. The nearest city, to the North is Imaulia. To the west we have a very large forest, many adventurers head there. To the east there are the mountains, as you can plainly see if you look outside. Our storage is in a cave near the mountains, so we always keep it locked, as we are not around. Finally, to the north there are more small villages." he replies.

"Can I get you anything else to eat or drink?"

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor replies to the bartender. "Well thanks anyways." Then says to Halimath "I will join you"

((glad there is no thieves guild. Now I can steal without infringing on their teritorry.))

[griffin7890]

((OOC: Assumingly, since nobody else is on and I want to keep this campaign going, they all said," Yes, that seems like a wonderful idea."))

You head for the door on the left and open it.
Inside there is a red-faced man sitting out a chair, filling out paperwork and mumbling to himself.
When you enter, he looks up and says, "What do you want?"

[Wizard Guy]

To the bar tender he says "Well I would not say no to a cheese sandwich or a bowl of stew."

to Deltor he smiles and says "Wonderful, I'm sure I shall enjoy you're company."

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor answers saying. "We heard you had a goblin problem. Perhaps we could be of assistance" Also Deltor looks around the room to see if there is anything that is small and of value.

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: I seem to have posted a little to slow.))

[griffin7890]

((Make a spot check.))

"Ah! You heard about that?

Well, we have a storehouse where we keep our finest brews, but recently, a pack of goblins moved in.
Now, I have no idea how they got in there, as we booby trapped the place, but they are there and stealing my supplies.
I am hiring adventurers to clear out the goblins, so that I may continue using the storehouse. As payment, you can have a keg of my finest brew for free (valued at 2,000 gp) and keep whatever you find in there."

((I think I am going to knock off for now.))

[Legoshrimp]

((Here is the roll.
[roll0]))

[Stycotl]

as he hears talk of goblins, Caeol perks up. He watches as the others head for the door and begin talking to the owner. Slowly he sets his tankard down, wipes his face with the back of his forearm, and walks toward them. He hangs back a bit though, just listening for now.

[Rodgin]

That sounds like a fair trade for our services, Lyle says with a nod. I'm in.

Lyle feels the weight of his mace quickly, shrugging a bit under the straps of his armor. Never seems to fit quite right, but he had yet to find armor that did. It was the nature of the beast.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor replies to the manager. "Asumming everyone else agrees will do it" Then he says to the rest of the party "lets go. I think the storage is to the east near the mountains."

[Wizard Guy]

Looking around at his new companions Halimath says "I to am game to try my hand at eradicating the goblin menace."

[griffin7890]

After making a spot check, you see that the only small things of value are on the tavern-keeper's person.
"Very good! Very good! Yes, the caves are about a mile east. You will notice it because it is marked by two trees. One has fallen over, making it look like a cross. Walk through the trees and you will find a wooden door which will lead you into the storage room."
He opens his desk and pulls out a small, brass key.

"This will get you into the cavern and will open all the other doors in the storage area. Just.... stay away from the door marked "Do not Enter". It just has some very personal items that are dear to me. There are a few traps on the front door and in some of the rooms, which makes me wonder how the goblins got in, but they are only used to protect from robbers. The key will get you in safely. Now, be off with you! I have work to attend to."

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor takes the key and puts it in his pocket. Then leaves the tavern and starts heading to the storage cave.

[Wizard Guy]

As Halimath catches up to Deltor, he says "This should be interesting, although I'm a tad to curious about the door with do not enter on it. what is so precious to him that we can not even gaze upon it."
((OOC: I was just wondering, Is it assumed that I had prepared spells this morning? If so, should I now state what spells I had prepared?))

[Legoshrimp]

Daltor replies. "Yes it should be, and I am sure we will find out what is in the room." While he said the later he smiled devilishly.

[griffin7890]

((Make a list of spells that you would prepare on average and if we forget to prepare your spells, then we will just use the default list))

((Ima wait until Stycotl or Rodgin posts.... they haven't been on as much as you two.))

[Rodgin]

(Sorry. I check two+ times a day. Most I can offer)

That doesn't seem like it will be needed Lyle says with a frown. I'm sure we'll find plenty without opening the door our employer asked us not to.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor replies to Lyle. "This is not really about money I am just curious to why he had to tell us not to go in. Does he think we can't read? No I think he is hiding something important. Maybe it has something to do with the goblins being able to get in even with the locked door and traps.

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: List of spells prepared by default: cantrips; Detect Magic, Light, Daze. 1st level; Sleep, Magic Missile.))
To Lyle, he said "Indeed, an old friend of mine had a saying for every occasion. On the subject of tavern owners and barkeeps I remember him saying the following ' I've been drinking in bars for over forty years and I have yet to meet an honest owner.'"

[Stycotl]

Caeol fidgets for a moment as they start to leave. He then hurries to catch up, "Could you use one more sword? I am a fair hand at combat, and I was just beginning a search for mercenary work today."

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor replies "Sure that would be great. As long as it is ok with everyone else." Then Deltor asks Whats your name?

[Stycotl]

"I am Caeol Stonehorse. And who are all of you?"

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor says. "I am Deltor, and it's a pleasure to meet you Caeol.

[Stycotl]

Caeol nods respectfully, and then falls into step with the others. He is a tall, black-haired human, of dark, weathered skin, and pale green eyes. He wears his chain shirt comfortably, with a longsword and a hammer at his belt, and a greatsword over his left shoulder.

[griffin7890]

After several minutes of walking, you find yourselves at two tree entwined. Following what the innkeeper said, you follow the path that the trees shows and eventually you find yourselves at the base of the mountain. A small door is built into one of the nearby rocks.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor walks up to the door then opens it with the key. After that he searches the door to see if the traps on it were set off or any other weird thing about the door.
((search check [roll0]))

[griffin7890]

When you turn the key you hear a large clunk and the door is no longer locked.
Your search check turned up that there is a trap, but by turning the key you turned it off.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor says to his companions. "The trap on the door is untouched. I see two options the goblins are getting in through a secret passage or they have a key. Either way I think we will have to go into the room that the manager told us not to." Then he opens the door and asks. "what will be the marching order."

[Rodgin]

I'll be near the front. I think I can do the most good there.

[Wizard Guy]

"I think it would make the most sense if I were to be next to the last." Halimath loads his crossbow, and puts light to a torch.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor replies. "Well I will be between Lyle and Halimath. That puts you in the front Caeol Deltor readied his shorbow.

[griffin7890]

When you open the door, the first thing that hits you is the stench. It smells of death and decay.
As soon as your eyes adjust you can see four goblin bodies, all cleaved neatly in half, in the same area.
The hallway is relatively small, with just enough room for two people to walk abreast.
At the end of the hallway there is another wooden door.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor walks to the door and searches it for traps.
[roll0]

((Edit: nice nat 20 :smallbiggrin:))

[griffin7890]

The door has no disernable traps, but while searching the door, you turn around and see the trap that the goblins had set off. There is a small cut in the stonework and because the goblins were cut cleanly in two, you can see that a pendulum blade killed them.

[Stycotl]

((OOC: how long is the hallway?))

Caeol has his warhammer in hand, fearing the cramped spaces to be a hindrance for his greatsword. He scans the stonework cautiously, awaiting more surprises.

"If there is one trap, there are bound to be others."

He tries to stay as close to the front of the hallway as he can without getting in the way of the lockpick.

[Rodgin]

Indeed, but the tavern owner said the key should urn them off. I wonder...

Lyle leans down closer to the bodies, trying to discern which way they were coming from before they were sliced in half.

1d20+1

[griffin7890]

((Sorry, the hallway is about 30 feet across.))

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor tries to open the door with the key saying. "lets try this."
((you need to lose the =search on your roll rodgin.))

[Stycotl]

"I'm thinking we'll be needing light up ahead. Anyone object to me carrying a torch?"

Caeol chicken-wings his warhammer under his left arm as he fishes for his flint & steel, and his torch. He will keep them out and ready, the torch as an off-hand weapon, even if others persuade him to wait until they need it before lighting it.

[Rodgin]

Here, use this instead, Lyle says, handing over a sunrod. You won't have to use flint and steel to light it.

We'll try this roll again

[roll0]

[griffin7890]

The bodies are all facing towards the door leading outside, so it is best to believe that they came from the inside out.

[Stycotl]

Caeol frowns suspiciously and hesitates to take the sunrod.

"How does this thing work exactly?"

He stuffs the torch and tinderbox back into his pack and begins his examination of the alchemical device.

[griffin7890]

(....So... who has completely forgotten about this campaign?)

[Stycotl]

(OOC: still here)

[Legoshrimp]

((still here just nothing for me to say))

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: I to am still here, but I didn't have anything to say.))

[Stycotl]

(OOC: assuming the others pantomime to him how to use the sunrod)

Caeol finally gets the thing working. He squints and holds it high over his head, still frowning suspiciously. Then he looks to see the progress on the door.

[Wizard Guy]

Halimath digs around in his backpack for a little while, until he comes up with a flask and a tindertwig. "I can not help but notice that the door is made of wood and that wood is flammable, as is lamp oil such as that which I am holding. What do you chaps say to spreading the door with oil, lighting it on fire, and waiting outside until it burns through?" He said, grinning evilly.

[Stycotl]

Caeol frowns.

"If we were planning on smoking the goblins out, maybe. But we don't even know how deep the tunnel goes. I would think it might just be smarter to defeat the lock, or if that does not work, to break the door down."

(OOC: this is assuming that the lockpicking did not work)

[griffin7890]

As you insert the key, the door swings open with a creak.
As your eyes adjust to the light, you see a small figure spread out on the floor below a wooden barrel.
The figure makes a small groaning sound, but then lays still.

[Stycotl]

Caeol holds the sunrod out, standing to the left side of the door as he glances quickly at the figure, and then out, past it, into the rest of the area, warhammer still in his right hand.

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor cautiously walks over to the figure on the ground. Then takes the barrel off of the figure.

[griffin7890]

As the rod is moved around, you see barrels upon barrels stacked up in three rows, with about 15 feet of space between them.
The each stack of barrels is three barrels high, the top being about three feet above your head.


Deltor walks over to the figure and lifts the barrel off of it. The figure, now you can see that it is a goblin, smells strongly of alcohol, so you can assume that it passed out from drinking too much.

[Stycotl]

Caeol wrinkles his nose at the drunk goblin and then looks past into the depths of the chamber, trying to gauge its dimensions. He steps past Deltor and the goblin, scanning hastily between the stacked barrels.

[Stycotl]

(ooc: anyone still there?)

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: I'm still here, but I'm waiting for the DM to post so I have a reason to reply.))

[Stycotl]

Caeol bends over one of the barrels, trying to get an idea of what kind of libation is within. He searches for symbols on the outside of the barrel, though he wouldn't know how to read it anyway.

[Legoshrimp]

((I am still here.))

[Stycotl]

(ooc- assuming that there is nothing of particular interest around the barrels)

Caeol begins walking slowly toward the back of the enclosure, trying to get an idea of the size of this compound, and looking for other exits.

[Stycotl]

Caeol sits on a barrel and waits for the great voice in the sky to continue with its narration.

[griffin7890]

((Really sorry there, went away to Gulf Springs, Alabama for a week with no computer and couldn't find time the next couple of days.))

You see nothing but more and more barrels stacked up on top of one another.
After bending over the barrel, it is pretty clear what is inside of the barrel.
In the middle of the barrel there four large letters burned into the barrel.
BEER

((I understand that your character is illiterate, but barbarians should know what this means.))

You walk for at least a minute until you reach the end of the barrels.
Once the barrels end, all that is left in front of you is another forty feet of cavern, with a door on the right, a door on the left, and a smaller hallway continuing toward the back of the cavern.

((I need to know more specifically what you did... Did you take one of the straight paths through the barrel, or go around?))

[Stycotl]

Caeol slips between some barrels off of the right side of the cavern, and heads for the wall, trying to see if there is an open path along the wall.

[griffin7890]

((Make a spot check.))

[Stycotl]

((http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4113895&posted=1#post4113895

caeol rolls a 2, with a -1 mod. so he doesn't see anything))

Caeol frowns as he sees something that distracts him from his search. Curiously, he crouches to see if by chance the barrel to his left is of an older vintage.

[Wizard Guy]

Halimath indicates the passed out goblin and asks his companions "Pray, should we perhaps tie this wretch up and see if we can't bring him round for interrogations?"

[griffin7890]

You look upon another barrel in the pile.
There is no difference with this barrel than any others.
Just a plain barrel with nothing but,
BEER
written on it.

((Wizard Guy, your response is very group based... so I can't do anything but wait.))

[Stycotl]

Caeol hears Halimath's question and stands, a sour look on his face as he examines the barrels of beer.

"I think you should either drag him outside and pick his brain--if he wakes up--or get rid of him so he cannot surprise us later."

[Legoshrimp]

Deltor says "Lets take him outside. He might prove to have useful information." Deltor asks "Does anyone have rope?" Assuming some one has rope He ties the goblins hands and legs. use rope check [roll]1d20+7[roll] Then grabs the goblin and starts to drag him out. Deltor then asks "Caeol will you please help me get it outside?" After the goblin is awake and outside. He asks the goblin "How did you get in to the cave?"
diplomacy check [roll0]

[Legoshrimp]

dang rolls use rope [roll0] diplomacy [roll1] sorry about the double post

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: I think Intimidate would be a better skill to use for interrogation. ))

[Legoshrimp]

((Your are probably right, but I am trying this and if it dosent see reason I will have to show it its mistake through less pleasent means))

[Stycotl]

Caeol wrinkles his nose and heads back over to Deltor. He firmly grasps the goblin by the elbows, as much to control its arms as to pick it up, and drags it back out the door. Then he leaves Deltor with the goblin and walks back into the entrance, allowing his eyes a moment to adjust to the gloom again.

[Stycotl]

(anyone there still?)

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: I am, but I've been waiting for the DM or someone to post.))

[Legoshrimp]

((Here, and waiting for the DM to post.))

[Stycotl]

ooc-dm? dm? is there a dm out there anywhere?

[Legoshrimp]

((lol. i have been wondering that too))

[Wizard Guy]

((OOC: His user profile says he hasn't been on in a week. Perhaps we should send him an email.))

[Stycotl]

(ooc-everyone's fighting finals and stuff, so it is really understandable. i just wish that people would post that they weren't going to be on for a while so i'd stop being curious in the meantime.)

[Wizard Guy]

((Oh, Right I hadn't thought of that.))

[Stycotl]

*cough* bump