Skyserpent
2006-02-27, 02:17 AM
The Serpents Sky Tavern and Messenger Guild
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Tavernoutside.jpg
You enter the building and are immediately greeted by the Bartender, a balding man with thick spectacles who seems to be pouring a silver liquid into a noble’s glass. “Welcome!” He says, “Take a seat, please!” you notice the majority of the occupants are finely dressed nobles and one or two young men with goggles and leather flight gear, apparently on break. Not a few minutes later you hear a loud yell from the room in the corner. Followed by a few laughs, “oohs”, and “ahs”… The circular iron door opens and out stumbles a laughing Noble with a few of his friends, his hair in disarray sopping with wine and an empty mug in his hand… “Better luck next time! anyone else?” says a well-dressed Half-Elf walking out from behind him… “Well, Well!” He says spotting you… “It seems we have some newcomers! Welcome to The Serpents Sky!”
The Tavern is fixed upon a small floating island; a Spherical apparatus juts from the bottom where Griffins and Hawks fly out of to send important deliveries for the aristocracy, and a large polished steel pipe is attached on the side with small holes fashioned into it's side at regular intervals. The sign is of a stylized nondescript dragon is emblazoned above the main entrance door. The whole building is attractive, if slightly old fashioned, with circular windows and decorated iron boarders.
It’s original location before it was released into the sky is now a jagged crater between two other buildings, a short fence around it keeps children from falling in. People are wondering what to do about it.
The first level of the Tavern is pretty normal, aside from the Platinum pipe and the entrance to the Gate there really isn't anything out of the ordinary. The bar stocks all kinds of food and drink, they offer all types of alcohol, Cheese and bread among other small delectibles... however at 150% of the listed price in the PHB. (It takes a lot of work to get this stuff up there...) As well as the special dishes listed below
-----------------
Special dishes:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/foods.jpg
DrakeCakes: These fanciful wafers are chewy and are shaped into a wing shape with different colored powdered seasoning for each different breed of dragon.
Red cakes taste like strawberries, and thus are by far the most popular
Green taste like melon,
White tastes simply of powdered sugar,
Blue is naturally blueberry,
Black is a slightly bittersweet cranberry flavor that is more mild, richer individuals find the taste more refined when the more average visitor tends to dislike it.
They come in plates of five of one color. The Tiamat Plate is something that new visitors order; it comes with one of each flavor as well as a Wyvern Tail Brew.
-Plate of 5 (3gp)
-Tiamat Plate (5gp)
Wyvern Tail Brew: The Wyvern Tail is a special drink served in a specially stylized pitcher in the shape of its namesake. The taste itself is a bit sour and is extremely strong, Wyvern Tail Brew also leaves your throat with a thin burning sensation that is actually almost pleasant. Weaker drinkers find this uncomfortable at best. Usually taken in shots. It is a popular drink in the Serpent’s Sky.
-1 pitcher (3gp)
Platinum Flash: A Platinum Flash is special silver colored wine that takes its name from the Platinum Dragon Bahamut. The drink is mellow and light. A thin fog pours out of the glass when poured and any character that partakes breathes mist for a few minutes afterward. The drink is no more alcoholic than normal wine but Younger Nobles find it exotic and appealing.
-1 bottle (5gp)
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Attractions:
---------------------
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/ThePipe1.jpg
The Platinum Pipe: The Pipe is a special attraction, which is the centerpiece to the whole tavern. A Pipe, 80 feet tall with an odd funnel like shape, it ends with an opening to let in air and a rain shield is rigged to the top so it can operate in less than ideal weather. The pipe also has holes of varying sizes at regular intervals. These holes are designed specifically so that whenever a spell caster casts a wind-based spell into the pipe, the air will siphon out creating melodies like a giant flute. Karzonius offers rides in the pipe as well. Using a controlled Defenestrating Sphere spell sealed into a grate so the winds won’t damage the rider he launches the occupant upwards at high speed sending them up the pipe and spinning and once they peak he casts Feather Fall so that they float gently to the ground. As an alternative to simply riding the Pipe anyone who can successfully take and finish a single mug of standard ale on the ride before they hit the ground and not spill a drop (A DC 25 Dexterity Check) Fine Wine for you and a single friend are free for the rest of the night you may only win the prize twice per week. For more squeamish individuals a less motion-oriented Reverse Gravity Spell is also available, however the prize is not applicable to this Lighter version of the ride
The ride itself costs 3 gold pieces per run with either style.
The Sky path
A Special room on the side is actually carved from a special enchanted wood which makes the ground invisible. There is an iron frame around it so that the occupants won't accidentaly walk into a wall, the room suspended over the air edge of the island so that the occupants get an exciting feeling of floating above the city. Karzonius uses this as a dining room for gala parties, keeping scrolls of Heroes Feast on hand for more extravagant bonanzas.
TheGriffinGate
This is a special Spherical area sealed off from the rest of the tavern is actually a pen and nest for the Griffins, used for Package Delivery and as a fun ride for more frivolous Nobles. Also there are a few Courier Hawks and Messenger Pigeons there for more mundane letters. They feed them every eight hours, and clean them every few days.
Griffin Riding
If one is willing to spend some gold then the Tavern also offers Griffin Rides. Nobles who spend a little more gold get to ride around above the city, tooling around and just having a good time. Naturally if any nobles got hurt business would drop tremendously so Riders will be given a special harness Suit to be worn over their clothing, the Owner himself specially designs the vest on the suit for maximum safety. An immovable rod is rigged into the right lapel so that if the rider were to for some reason fall, a quick pull of the latch stops him from a particularly nasty drop. A Sunrod is strapped to the side as well so that if one were stuck in midair they can signal one of the guides to help. A Signal Whistle is also provided for the daytime when a Sunrod would prove less than useful. The ride’s cost totals to 150 Gold Pieces per person.
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Knowledge (Local) or Gather Information DCs
DC 5 – The building floating above the town is a Tavern
DC 10 – as above, plus The Serpent’s Sky Tavern is where many young nobles go to drink and send important messages, it’s been around for a good 16 years
DC 15 – as above, plus The Serpent’s Sky Tavern is also known for it’s amazing attractions all following an airborne theme. The food is delicious and there are many famous nobles who go there for privacy. If you want to reach it you would have to go somehow fly up there, or send an order for a pickup at a designated point.
DC 20 – as above, plus The Tavern Keeper and owner rarely if ever leaves the place though Griffins have been seen flying to and from the place, carrying foodstuffs and supplies. The local Wizards Guild often sponsors some citizens rides up to the Tavern for their own designated costs
DC30 – As above, plus The owner and Guild master’s name is Karzonius. An extremely skilled albeit mysterious Bard, He showed up in town quite suddenly and made several expensive purchases. He seemed to have been amazingly rich and spent more money in the first week of his arrival then an average noble would spend in a year. No one knew where he came from but he purchased a small plot of land and, using magic, uprooted the building and suspended it high above the city. It has been there ever since.
-------------------------
NPCs of Note:
Karzonius: (Adult Silver Dragon, Sor 13)
Karzonius is actually an Adult Silver Dragon who found life in his Cavernous domain boring and lonely. So, using his funds and his Polymorph ability, he established the Serpent’s Sky. Charismatic and fun loving Karzonius spends most of his time mingling with his visitors and brewing the special foods that are served in his tavern. He appears as an attractive Half-Elf with long, brown hair and a goatee to match. His eyes retain their silver coloration and he every once in a while he secretly speeds up the process of chilling drinks with his icy breath weapon. His original lair is still around and serves as his storage for gold, but he spends most of his time in his tavern tending to the business. He hired a bunch of poor young riffraff and trained them to be great messengers and Griffin Riders. The most notable of which is his adopted son, Gabriel.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Karzonius.jpg
Gabriel: (4th level Ranger 3rd level Bard)
Gabriel (Gabe for short) is a young half-elven teenager with silver hair who was raised by Karzonius. He tends to the animals and enjoys hanging out with the other nobles around his age. He visits them often in their own manors and heads back to live with his adopted father. A talented rider and a charismatic individual in general Gabriel is quite famous among the younger aristocrats. He spends his free time practicing with his bow, and riding his personal Griffin, Lexington, sometimes both at the same time, he might be spotted shooting a large bird out of the sky, and direct his mount to snatch it up before it hits the ground. He and the Barkeep Ramon are the only ones who know of Karzonius’ nature and Gabe has had trouble resisting the urge to tell. He doesn’t much see the point of his father keeping his Draconic nature a secret and urges his father to tell. Of course Karzonius knows that if any nobles were to know of his true nature they would most definitely arouse some suspicion and likely make many of the regulars uncomfortable.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Gabe.jpg
The Bartender Ramon (6th level Expert)
Ramon is a middle-aged balding man who was the first human to befriend Karzonius when the Dragon first arrived years ago, originally a charismatic baker with a penchant for alcohol. Karzonius found his joyful demeanor interesting and offered him a job at the Tavern. Ramon gladly agreed, quit his old job at the bakery and has been a loyal friend to Karzonius and works hard to keep the place running smoothly. He was the original creator of the DrakeCakes, Wyvern Tail Brew, and had a hand in inventing Platinum Flash Wine.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Ramon.jpg
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Map
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/TAVERN.jpg
Floor 2
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/9a32384c.jpg
Karzonius' room is extravant, albeit simple. There is a desk in the corner where he writes letters to the important people of the city and there might be a plot device in there somewhere... (DMs discretion of course) there is a secret compartment in the corner near his bed where he keeps his vault: DC 25 spot check (Arcane Lock on top of an Amazing Quality Lock with an alarm spell as well...) There is a large fireplace which is kept lit almost 24 hours a day. and a few couches for visitors. there is also a screen that can divide the room to give Karzonius some privacy when company is by the fire. Near the fireplace is a closet wherein he has a few fine clothes, a small humidor, and some of his fine wines (His "Secret stash" if you will) all the doors on this level are secured with Good quality locks (With the exception of Karzonius and Ramon, who prefer Amazing quality ones)
The standard bedrooms for the young men who work in the tavern are simple, large bunkbeds and a desk are shared, with 2 men to a room. They each get a single chest with a basic lock to keep their possesions and gear.
Gabriel has a similar bedroom, though slightly bigger, and with an Armoir. The Armoir remains unlocked and contains Gabe's Bow and arrows, along with his regular clothes. He also spends some of his nights writing books and epic poems...
Ramon's room is basic but contains a workdesk with a large apparatus for brewing different kinds of alcohol, he's currently working on an opposing number to the Platinum Flash, a red drink that allows the imbiber to breath small blasts of thin flames... Unfortunately Ramon is having much trouble attempting to distill Elixer's of fire breath and making them taste like anything but spiced water... Thus his room almost constantly smells like smoke and a few scorched holes in his walls and floor can attest to why...
Adventure Hooks:
-Karzonius is unaware that the magic he used to allow the Serpents Sky to fly accidentally opened a small rift to the Elemental Plane of air in it’s original site. Unbeknownst to him a few Invisible Stalkers managed to get through the portal and are now causing the deaths of many local Aristocrats. It's only a matter of time before this little problem gets traced back to Karzonius...
-The PCs catch wind that the Assassins Guild is planning to kill an important Noble, unfortunately they have no way of getting to the Serpents Sky, which is where the noble tends to spend his time and where the Assassins plan on doing the job.
- A young Aristocrat has taken a fancy to Gabriel, who is soon approaching marrying age and wants the PCs to help her win his heart.
-A cloaked figure offers the PCs something of value (Information, weapons, contacts, quests, items the possibilities are endless here...) But he designates the Serpent's Sky as the meeting place... but wait... How is the Party going to GET there!?
-One of the Griffins is missing and Karzonius hires the adventurers to track it down and find it… this may connect to some farmers complaining about their horses disappearing not too far outside the city.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Tavernoutside.jpg
You enter the building and are immediately greeted by the Bartender, a balding man with thick spectacles who seems to be pouring a silver liquid into a noble’s glass. “Welcome!” He says, “Take a seat, please!” you notice the majority of the occupants are finely dressed nobles and one or two young men with goggles and leather flight gear, apparently on break. Not a few minutes later you hear a loud yell from the room in the corner. Followed by a few laughs, “oohs”, and “ahs”… The circular iron door opens and out stumbles a laughing Noble with a few of his friends, his hair in disarray sopping with wine and an empty mug in his hand… “Better luck next time! anyone else?” says a well-dressed Half-Elf walking out from behind him… “Well, Well!” He says spotting you… “It seems we have some newcomers! Welcome to The Serpents Sky!”
The Tavern is fixed upon a small floating island; a Spherical apparatus juts from the bottom where Griffins and Hawks fly out of to send important deliveries for the aristocracy, and a large polished steel pipe is attached on the side with small holes fashioned into it's side at regular intervals. The sign is of a stylized nondescript dragon is emblazoned above the main entrance door. The whole building is attractive, if slightly old fashioned, with circular windows and decorated iron boarders.
It’s original location before it was released into the sky is now a jagged crater between two other buildings, a short fence around it keeps children from falling in. People are wondering what to do about it.
The first level of the Tavern is pretty normal, aside from the Platinum pipe and the entrance to the Gate there really isn't anything out of the ordinary. The bar stocks all kinds of food and drink, they offer all types of alcohol, Cheese and bread among other small delectibles... however at 150% of the listed price in the PHB. (It takes a lot of work to get this stuff up there...) As well as the special dishes listed below
-----------------
Special dishes:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/foods.jpg
DrakeCakes: These fanciful wafers are chewy and are shaped into a wing shape with different colored powdered seasoning for each different breed of dragon.
Red cakes taste like strawberries, and thus are by far the most popular
Green taste like melon,
White tastes simply of powdered sugar,
Blue is naturally blueberry,
Black is a slightly bittersweet cranberry flavor that is more mild, richer individuals find the taste more refined when the more average visitor tends to dislike it.
They come in plates of five of one color. The Tiamat Plate is something that new visitors order; it comes with one of each flavor as well as a Wyvern Tail Brew.
-Plate of 5 (3gp)
-Tiamat Plate (5gp)
Wyvern Tail Brew: The Wyvern Tail is a special drink served in a specially stylized pitcher in the shape of its namesake. The taste itself is a bit sour and is extremely strong, Wyvern Tail Brew also leaves your throat with a thin burning sensation that is actually almost pleasant. Weaker drinkers find this uncomfortable at best. Usually taken in shots. It is a popular drink in the Serpent’s Sky.
-1 pitcher (3gp)
Platinum Flash: A Platinum Flash is special silver colored wine that takes its name from the Platinum Dragon Bahamut. The drink is mellow and light. A thin fog pours out of the glass when poured and any character that partakes breathes mist for a few minutes afterward. The drink is no more alcoholic than normal wine but Younger Nobles find it exotic and appealing.
-1 bottle (5gp)
----------------------
Attractions:
---------------------
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/ThePipe1.jpg
The Platinum Pipe: The Pipe is a special attraction, which is the centerpiece to the whole tavern. A Pipe, 80 feet tall with an odd funnel like shape, it ends with an opening to let in air and a rain shield is rigged to the top so it can operate in less than ideal weather. The pipe also has holes of varying sizes at regular intervals. These holes are designed specifically so that whenever a spell caster casts a wind-based spell into the pipe, the air will siphon out creating melodies like a giant flute. Karzonius offers rides in the pipe as well. Using a controlled Defenestrating Sphere spell sealed into a grate so the winds won’t damage the rider he launches the occupant upwards at high speed sending them up the pipe and spinning and once they peak he casts Feather Fall so that they float gently to the ground. As an alternative to simply riding the Pipe anyone who can successfully take and finish a single mug of standard ale on the ride before they hit the ground and not spill a drop (A DC 25 Dexterity Check) Fine Wine for you and a single friend are free for the rest of the night you may only win the prize twice per week. For more squeamish individuals a less motion-oriented Reverse Gravity Spell is also available, however the prize is not applicable to this Lighter version of the ride
The ride itself costs 3 gold pieces per run with either style.
The Sky path
A Special room on the side is actually carved from a special enchanted wood which makes the ground invisible. There is an iron frame around it so that the occupants won't accidentaly walk into a wall, the room suspended over the air edge of the island so that the occupants get an exciting feeling of floating above the city. Karzonius uses this as a dining room for gala parties, keeping scrolls of Heroes Feast on hand for more extravagant bonanzas.
TheGriffinGate
This is a special Spherical area sealed off from the rest of the tavern is actually a pen and nest for the Griffins, used for Package Delivery and as a fun ride for more frivolous Nobles. Also there are a few Courier Hawks and Messenger Pigeons there for more mundane letters. They feed them every eight hours, and clean them every few days.
Griffin Riding
If one is willing to spend some gold then the Tavern also offers Griffin Rides. Nobles who spend a little more gold get to ride around above the city, tooling around and just having a good time. Naturally if any nobles got hurt business would drop tremendously so Riders will be given a special harness Suit to be worn over their clothing, the Owner himself specially designs the vest on the suit for maximum safety. An immovable rod is rigged into the right lapel so that if the rider were to for some reason fall, a quick pull of the latch stops him from a particularly nasty drop. A Sunrod is strapped to the side as well so that if one were stuck in midair they can signal one of the guides to help. A Signal Whistle is also provided for the daytime when a Sunrod would prove less than useful. The ride’s cost totals to 150 Gold Pieces per person.
-------------------------------------------
Knowledge (Local) or Gather Information DCs
DC 5 – The building floating above the town is a Tavern
DC 10 – as above, plus The Serpent’s Sky Tavern is where many young nobles go to drink and send important messages, it’s been around for a good 16 years
DC 15 – as above, plus The Serpent’s Sky Tavern is also known for it’s amazing attractions all following an airborne theme. The food is delicious and there are many famous nobles who go there for privacy. If you want to reach it you would have to go somehow fly up there, or send an order for a pickup at a designated point.
DC 20 – as above, plus The Tavern Keeper and owner rarely if ever leaves the place though Griffins have been seen flying to and from the place, carrying foodstuffs and supplies. The local Wizards Guild often sponsors some citizens rides up to the Tavern for their own designated costs
DC30 – As above, plus The owner and Guild master’s name is Karzonius. An extremely skilled albeit mysterious Bard, He showed up in town quite suddenly and made several expensive purchases. He seemed to have been amazingly rich and spent more money in the first week of his arrival then an average noble would spend in a year. No one knew where he came from but he purchased a small plot of land and, using magic, uprooted the building and suspended it high above the city. It has been there ever since.
-------------------------
NPCs of Note:
Karzonius: (Adult Silver Dragon, Sor 13)
Karzonius is actually an Adult Silver Dragon who found life in his Cavernous domain boring and lonely. So, using his funds and his Polymorph ability, he established the Serpent’s Sky. Charismatic and fun loving Karzonius spends most of his time mingling with his visitors and brewing the special foods that are served in his tavern. He appears as an attractive Half-Elf with long, brown hair and a goatee to match. His eyes retain their silver coloration and he every once in a while he secretly speeds up the process of chilling drinks with his icy breath weapon. His original lair is still around and serves as his storage for gold, but he spends most of his time in his tavern tending to the business. He hired a bunch of poor young riffraff and trained them to be great messengers and Griffin Riders. The most notable of which is his adopted son, Gabriel.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Karzonius.jpg
Gabriel: (4th level Ranger 3rd level Bard)
Gabriel (Gabe for short) is a young half-elven teenager with silver hair who was raised by Karzonius. He tends to the animals and enjoys hanging out with the other nobles around his age. He visits them often in their own manors and heads back to live with his adopted father. A talented rider and a charismatic individual in general Gabriel is quite famous among the younger aristocrats. He spends his free time practicing with his bow, and riding his personal Griffin, Lexington, sometimes both at the same time, he might be spotted shooting a large bird out of the sky, and direct his mount to snatch it up before it hits the ground. He and the Barkeep Ramon are the only ones who know of Karzonius’ nature and Gabe has had trouble resisting the urge to tell. He doesn’t much see the point of his father keeping his Draconic nature a secret and urges his father to tell. Of course Karzonius knows that if any nobles were to know of his true nature they would most definitely arouse some suspicion and likely make many of the regulars uncomfortable.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Gabe.jpg
The Bartender Ramon (6th level Expert)
Ramon is a middle-aged balding man who was the first human to befriend Karzonius when the Dragon first arrived years ago, originally a charismatic baker with a penchant for alcohol. Karzonius found his joyful demeanor interesting and offered him a job at the Tavern. Ramon gladly agreed, quit his old job at the bakery and has been a loyal friend to Karzonius and works hard to keep the place running smoothly. He was the original creator of the DrakeCakes, Wyvern Tail Brew, and had a hand in inventing Platinum Flash Wine.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/Ramon.jpg
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Map
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/TAVERN.jpg
Floor 2
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/Yinger2k7/9a32384c.jpg
Karzonius' room is extravant, albeit simple. There is a desk in the corner where he writes letters to the important people of the city and there might be a plot device in there somewhere... (DMs discretion of course) there is a secret compartment in the corner near his bed where he keeps his vault: DC 25 spot check (Arcane Lock on top of an Amazing Quality Lock with an alarm spell as well...) There is a large fireplace which is kept lit almost 24 hours a day. and a few couches for visitors. there is also a screen that can divide the room to give Karzonius some privacy when company is by the fire. Near the fireplace is a closet wherein he has a few fine clothes, a small humidor, and some of his fine wines (His "Secret stash" if you will) all the doors on this level are secured with Good quality locks (With the exception of Karzonius and Ramon, who prefer Amazing quality ones)
The standard bedrooms for the young men who work in the tavern are simple, large bunkbeds and a desk are shared, with 2 men to a room. They each get a single chest with a basic lock to keep their possesions and gear.
Gabriel has a similar bedroom, though slightly bigger, and with an Armoir. The Armoir remains unlocked and contains Gabe's Bow and arrows, along with his regular clothes. He also spends some of his nights writing books and epic poems...
Ramon's room is basic but contains a workdesk with a large apparatus for brewing different kinds of alcohol, he's currently working on an opposing number to the Platinum Flash, a red drink that allows the imbiber to breath small blasts of thin flames... Unfortunately Ramon is having much trouble attempting to distill Elixer's of fire breath and making them taste like anything but spiced water... Thus his room almost constantly smells like smoke and a few scorched holes in his walls and floor can attest to why...
Adventure Hooks:
-Karzonius is unaware that the magic he used to allow the Serpents Sky to fly accidentally opened a small rift to the Elemental Plane of air in it’s original site. Unbeknownst to him a few Invisible Stalkers managed to get through the portal and are now causing the deaths of many local Aristocrats. It's only a matter of time before this little problem gets traced back to Karzonius...
-The PCs catch wind that the Assassins Guild is planning to kill an important Noble, unfortunately they have no way of getting to the Serpents Sky, which is where the noble tends to spend his time and where the Assassins plan on doing the job.
- A young Aristocrat has taken a fancy to Gabriel, who is soon approaching marrying age and wants the PCs to help her win his heart.
-A cloaked figure offers the PCs something of value (Information, weapons, contacts, quests, items the possibilities are endless here...) But he designates the Serpent's Sky as the meeting place... but wait... How is the Party going to GET there!?
-One of the Griffins is missing and Karzonius hires the adventurers to track it down and find it… this may connect to some farmers complaining about their horses disappearing not too far outside the city.