Dungeon Issue 43 IC

[jakarta]

Original adventure by RANDY MAXWELL.

Perhaps you are the forward scout or trailblazer of a party ,marking a path for the others to follow. You may have become separated from your group and are lost. or maybe you on a quest or returning from one. Whatever the case, you are far from any known shelter and fleeing before an oncoming winter storm. It doesn’t take a ranger to figure out that the boiling black clouds and howling north wind mean trouble.Struggling desperately through the trees as the storm over takes you, you stumble into an open glade.

The welcome smell of wood smoke circles in the eddys of the storm driven snow ,and you can see the comfort of a light a head.

The trading post is built on a low hill and has palisades integrated into the building which must protect the interior of the fort-like complex. The surrounding area has been cleared of trees ans brush. The sight of the little fort in the midst of a well-tended meadow would be pleasant except for the large graveyard near its gates just south of the fort.

On the front wall is a crudely painted sign. JACOB’S WELL

Walking though the graves you reach the door, to be greeted with unfriendly grunts by 2 burly leather armored guards who unhappily step from the brazier in their small booth. They look you over.

"No Fighting. No Stealing. You go in the graveyard if you do. If you can't pay we keep your gear. (You'll have to keep your beast in the stable.)"

They signal with a cowbell, and a minute later the door opens and you are ushered in. The two other guards on the inside grunt with effort as they return the thick beam barring the doors of the gate.

They point to a building. "Go there. Cantina." and then shuffle back to their blankets and brazier in their own guard hut.

At the cantina door, this scene plays out (Caution, strong language, so just a link and not an embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-YO0LpmdDg

After fixing the door, you move to the fire. A small halfling brings you a bowl of steaming stew.



On one side of the room is a large bar. On the wall behind it is a wooded sign that repeats "No Fighting. No Stealing." with the addition of "or else" and a carving of a skull.

A large, roughly but well dressed, with a large pointed nose sits on a stool behind the bar.

He growls, equally in greeting and threat. "I'm Jacob. This's my place. Follow the rules. Pay 'er bill. There al be no Trouble."

[rs2excelsior]

Melaia has been travelling hard for the last several days. She's weathered plenty of storms out in the wilds over the last several years, but this one looks particularly nasty. Unfortunately there was no conveniently nearby city, so she'd been making for whatever civilization she could find. Now, pausing outside of "Jacob's Well," she was almost considering passing this one up and trying her luck with the road. Still, though, a roof and four walls would be better than getting caught out in this... She glances over her shoulder at the gathering clouds and sighs. "Well, Astos, looks like this is going to have to do. Don't want to be caught out in that weather, do we?" She pats the stag's flank, who just shakes his head and snorts - as if to show his own indifference to the situation. With a sigh, she tramps up the hill to the gate.

After the gruff gate guards and the... interesting status of the door, she almost regretted not just passing this place by. She was reluctant to let Astos too far out of her sight, but wasn't about to make any kind of scene, considering the circumstances. "Any trouble, come find me," she whispered into his ear before leaving him at the barn. She still wasn't sure exactly how much the stag understood, but it couldn't hurt.

Still, the soup was hot, better than most of what she'd eaten the last several days. She gave the halfling a smile and appreciative nod, and settles down in a table near the fire, her back to the wall. "Don't worry, you'll have no trouble from me," she replies to the gruff man who'd apparently established the little trading post. I can see where the guards get it from... "Just looking for a roof to ride out this storm under."

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Should've prepared Endure Elements today, shouldn't I?" Kiendoli muttered under her breath. "I know, Shadow, I know," she said aloud, more to herself than to the black lynx walking alongside her. Together, they strode wearily towards the guarded gate "We're almost there, and then we'll find you a warm stack of hay to sleep in."

---

Lowering herself onto a stool by the fire, she gratefully takes the bowl and sips from it, letting the stew fill her with warmth.

"Greetings to you too, Jacob," she answers with a nod. "And to you, fellow traveller," she glances at Melaia. "I'm Kiendoli, cleric of Freya. Returning home from a quest. And you would be...?"

[jakarta]

(OK, let's back up a sec... I wrote that "beast in the barn" bit before you mentioned a deer predator cat for an animal companion...)They make you lock it in a wood shed with a promise of its pelt joining the others in the storeroom if it causes any trouble. The cleric gets a personal escort into the cantina, where the guard reports the "lynx in the woodshed" situation.

"Well, if we use up the woodpile near the door, you'll be the one tah fetch more fram dah shed!" declares Jacob, as we takes a pointed moment to shine one of the lynx skulls decorating the bar...

[rs2excelsior]

"I am Melaia, just a huntress. I was just passing through the area when this storm started coming up - Thought it'd be better to ride it out with a fire and a roof over my head." She's pleased to see another traveler taking shelter - the locals don't exactly seem the welcoming sort. "What's this about a lynx?" she asks, more amused at the commotion that Jacob was putting up about it than concerned.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Not a very animal-friendly place... My poor little Shadow wouldn't hurt a fly!

It's alright, she'll behave in that shed, as long as she gets her food and a pile of hay

Kiendoli doesn't grace Jacob with an answer, turning to Melaia instead, "Oh, just a kitten I picked up in my travels, she's not even fully grown yet," she talks perhaps a bit louder than necessary, stealing a glance at the locals in search of a reaction.

"We're travelling companions now. My kind," she twitches her pointed ears as clarification, "seems to take well to animals of all kinds. Freya herself must have blessed this cub, judging by how big she's growing."

[jakarta]

The other patrons are rough looking barbarians and trapper types.

[rs2excelsior]

Melaia smiles. "I understand that. Astos is my companion - a stag. I found him on a hunt, and he seemed drawn to me. A sign of favor from Artemis, I think." She leans back, looking over the rough-and-tumble patrons. "I have to say, I'm glad to see another outsider here. This storm might have us stuck here a while, and these folks don't seem like the best of company." She takes another sip of the steaming broth. "Stew's good, though."

[NiKkatsu]

Spoiler: Nyx

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ok. So for some reason I can never post any pictures in threads.. so I just linked a picture of Nyx. Yes, it's the sorcerer from the pfsrd, but somehow, after looking at many pictures, I thought it was the most fitting for how I imagined her. Right now she is also wearing a heavy fur cape over herself to protect from the cold.

As the gate opened, the ring of the cowbell still echoing in the cold air, Nyx steps inside the small settlement. She looks up at the ominous sky and pulls up her heavy cloak around her shoulders, shivering.

She walks into the Cantina, struggles with the door a bit, embarrassed, and orders a bowl of hot stew. Settling down around the fire, she takes off her cape and hood and sets her sheath, bow an quiver next to her. The people around cannot help but stare at the enthralling beauty of this tall elven woman (OoC: because of her racial trait 'perfect'). Nyx can never really get used to this reaction and blushes a little bit, but tries to act as if she hadn't noticed, not wanting to attract too much attention - she has heard stories about the horrors of the world of men. Remembering why she prefers the calm and anonymity of the wilderness, she starts eating intently, just now realizing how hungry she was from all the walking these past few days.

She listens to the two travelers sitting nearby, quite interested as one of them mentions something about 'their kind' being good with animals - Nyx notices the ears. A half-breed! She had very rarely met any in her life. She is just about to join the conversation when she hears the short-eared woman say she is also a devout of the Huntress! And Nyx believes she may even recognize this woman... Suddenly, she feels a nervous pang in her stomach - she knows that, because of her blood, she usually isn't very appreciated by the other followers of Artemis... But Nyx's Faith was genuine, and she felt truly blessed by Artemis, so she never really understood the stigma.

Spoiler: Sisters of the Huntress

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So, are we from the same Temple? do we know each other? have I ever heard of you? or maybe you're from a different sect or something? Maybe we've worked together before? How does this work, us being both from the same Faith? Nyx has just been sent away on some pilgrimage to a faraway shrine. Are you headed there too?

[Mad Max]

The cantina door swings open again, briefly letting the wind in. Stepping inside is a handsome young man, golden haired and dressed for summer weather in a fine white toga and leather armor. He has a cheery smile and seems unfazed by the weather. On his uncloaked back a bow, blade, and lyre are strung, all emblazoned with a symbol of the sun. He scans the room, looking for friendly faces...no luck. But wait! Is that a sister of Artemis he sees?

Cadan strides over to the fire, lays his bag to the side and sits down next to Nyx. "Such a blizzard might have shaken the faith of a weaker man," he says, with a playful expression "But I knew there was a reason I found this place. Hello, sister; you look like you need a friend, and Apollo knows I do." He extends a hand, and grins broadly.

[NiKkatsu]

So entangled in her own thoughts as she was, it takes a second for Nyx to realize the handsome human was actually talking to her. She glances at his outstretched hand for a second, blinks, and confusedly extends her own.

Apollo, you say? I've heard of him. The brother of Artemis. The priestess' always say to be weary of men, but that it is possible to enjoy the company of followers of the Sun god. They also say his followers tend to be the most gifted of musicians and I see you carry a Lyre: care to enlighten us with your talents? If you can lift my spirits, as only a true man of the Faith could, I may consider your offer of friendship.

The shift in attitude is slightly unsettling: lost in thought a few seconds ago she now speaks with an almost burning assurance, holding the man's hand in a sturdy grip, staring at him intently and with an undertone of menace in her voice - she is already on her guard. A life of hardship and rejection has taught her not to be so trusting. But the man was right about one thing: she could use a friend right now and the other patrons didn't seem particularly likeable. It was going to be a long night and some conversation would certainly be welcome...

[rs2excelsior]

Melaia nods at the newcomers. "This storm caught quite a few of us, it seems. Welcome, plenty of room." A follower of Apollo, with a lyre no less - she'd certainly welcome some music, even if it did mean warding off a pass here and there like it did sometimes. And the elf - "I think we might've met before. At - the temple in Cyra, I think? I'm sorry, I remember faces better than I remember names. What brings you out this way?"

[Mad Max]

Cadan tilts an eyebrow and shoulders his lyre. It is exquisitely made, and the strings seem to catch the light and shine. "I'll gladly play. This fire is welcome, but music and company? Now those are what really warms the heart." He begins to play, softly at first, but gradually and naturally growing more jaunty and upbeat. He is a talented musician, and reads the room well to try and determine what mood to go for.

Spoiler: OOC

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In case it comes up (like if it affects the mood of the cantina), here's a dice roll for performance (1d20+13)[32].

[wkwkwkwk1]

"I would certainly call it a sign from the Huntress, yes. And the stew is good, especially on this weather," Kiendoli says between sips.

She follows the newcomers with her eyes, and both conversation and song with her keen ears.

"Such skill," she mutters to the elf sitting at her side.

[jakarta]

There are murmres of appreciation at the music, and as the tempo picks up the barbarians start singing along. A tribal hunting song about a maiden and a bear that almost matches the beat the bard is playing. He shrugs slightly, adjusts his beat to them, and soon most if the tavern is singing or stamping along.

One barbarian starts dancing a jig on a table.

(100 xp to the bard for rolling a Nat 19 the first roll of the game.)

[NiKkatsu]

As Nyx is about to answer Meleia, she gets distracted by the beautiful music of the Minstrel. In a sense, she is relieved, afraid as she was that the Huntress might recognize her.

Nyx is completely enthralled by the music and when the rowdy patrons start singing, she surprises herself by taking out her harp and joining along in music and song. She hasn't had fun in such a long time, and this literal calm before the coming storm feels like a true blessing of Artemis.

Spoiler: Perform using Inspired (trait)

Show

(1d20+5)[16]
or
(1d20+5)[9]
(keeps the best)

[jakarta]

As Nyx is about to answer Meleia, she gets distracted by the beautiful music of the Minstrel. In a sense, she is relieved, afraid as she was that the Huntress might recognize her.

Nyx is completely enthralled by the music and when the rowdy patrons start singing, she surprises herself by taking out her harp and joining along in music and song. She hasn't had fun in such a long time, and this literal calm before the coming storm feels like a true blessing of Artemis.

Spoiler: Perform using Inspired (trait)

Show

[roll0]
or
[roll1]
(keeps the best)

A good time is being had by all.

[Zero Prime]

Jhereg Vaeleris, Knight of Iomedae
^{AC: 16 | Flat footed: 15 | Touch: 11
HP's: 48 of 48
Conditions: None.}

As he road up to the gates of the way station, dismounting and leading his two horses to the gate, the large man spoke briefly with the gruff guards, "A cold night to be on guard duty, your service is noted." He tossed the guardsmen a military salute, "And appreciated." His cloak was thick with frost, large flakes of wet snow covered his shoulders in a blanket. He walked towards the stables, removing Aegomar's saddle and brushing his coat, he spoke to his warhorse in soothing tones as he ensured his companion who had bore him over numerable battlefields was fed, cared for and warm. He turned to his pack horse and did the same, soothing brave Gaerion, and eventually slinging his saddle bags over his shoulder he made the short walk to Jacob's Well.

Prior to entering he shook the snow from his cloak, and brushed it from his knife-hewn hair, entered the establishment after reseating the shoddy door in it's frame. He took a seat and rested his saddle bags over the back of a chair. He unbuckled a cloak, revealing a stark white tabbard with the symbol of Iomedae emblazoned upon it, and unbuckled a great broad sword from his back, it's blade nearly 7 feet long and over a foot wide at it's broadest point, resting it against a wall behind him.

As the halfling brought him a bowl of stew he muttered to himself, "Inheritor be praised." Before partaking of the steaming hot food, he looked to the hook-nosed Jacob, held up two fingers, and ordered two flagons of ale. His first bowl finished, the warmth of it spreading through his limbs, he looked around the tavern at his fellow travellers.

He heard something that caused him to raise an eyebrow, curious. Cyra. A far off land, but not unknown to him, though it's people worshipped a pantheon unfamiliar to him. He walked past the bar, two flagons of ale in one hand, he tossed a small pouch coin to the keep, "A bottle of whiskey, top shelf. And I will need a room for the night, plus hay and feed for my horses."

[jakarta]

Jacob quotes a price three times the city rate, but here on the frontier small luxuries are expensive.

[Zero Prime]

Jhereg Vaeleris, Knight of Iomedae
^{AC: 16 | Flat footed: 15 | Touch: 11
HP's: 48 of 48
Conditions: None.}

Jhereg nodded at the merchant, "You'll find more than you need in the coin purse Master Jacob," he waited for the man to bring him the bottle, "Her grace be upon you." And grabbing the bottle, he moved towards the table where he had overheard mention of Cyra, "A bottle for the companions of the minstrel," he nodded where Cadan played his lyre with both skill and talent, "It will warm the belly as much as a well played ballad fortifies the spirit." A broad smile, "I am Ser Jhereg Vaeleris, a knight-errant, guided by the Inheritor's grace. And you fine folk?"

[rs2excelsior]

Melaia introduces herself again to the strangers, enjoying the music the two are playing together. The locals seem to be enjoying it as well; maybe it'll get them to loosen up a bit. She chuckles at the mental image of gruff Jacob getting up on a table and dancing a merry jig as the bard plays.

The bowl of soup finished, she takes a glass from the bottle that Jhereg had kindly provided, which she intends to nurse for the rest of the evening. Despite her earlier misgivings, this was shaping up to be far better than chancing a night on the road. She even sings along quietly to herself with some of the songs she knew. She was passable enough at it, half-remembered lessons from her vocal tutors a lifetime ago coming in handy every now and then, though nowhere near the skill of the two musicians.

[jakarta]

After a while things quiet down, as dancing music can only be kept up for so long lest feet get sore.

Almost everyone contently sits in a near doze, except for one barbarian irritated with another for grabbing food off his plate.

"Edgar! Mind your hand from my ration, ol I'll mind it from ya arm!"

"Yew, ^gobble^ twernt gonna eat et. ^smack^"

"Well, Eye mite had....It is good to see ya appittite is back. Ya not bellyaching about ya back any more."

Edgar just keeps getting gobbling .

[NiKkatsu]

Setting her harp aside, Nyx is left with an uncharacteristic smile on her face. She hopes she didn't get too carried away and made a fool of herself in front of these strangers - showing emotion was never her strong suit. ''Thank you.'' she says to the bard. ''That was... beautiful. Apollo himself would be inspired by your talent, of that I am certain. Perhaps we could join the others and share a few drinks? What say you?''

(assuming the bard agrees)
She moves over to the table where the Knight offered a bottle to share. Sitting down, she pours herself a drink and says: ''An interesting lot, to say the least. Almost sounds like the beginning of a joke: a huntress of Artemis, a minstrel of Apollo, a knight of the Inheritor and a priestess of Freya walk into a bar... But I digress. I am Nyx. Nyx Galanodel, also a faithful of Artemis'' As she says this she tries not to meet Melaia's gaze. ''and this man is... well... I didn't catch your name, minstrel.

Even if she seemingly ignored it, Nyx's sharp ears caught the conversation between the two barbarian's nearby and is ready to intervene, if need be - but she would prefer to avoid violence. (guess you didn't need such sharp ears for that since it's the only conversation going on right now aside from ours, but whatever)

[Mad Max]

"I say that's a fine idea." Cadan gladly joins the others, stringing his lyre back over his shoulder.

"I am Cadan Diakos. It's a pleasure to meet you all." He takes a sip from his drink and smiles broadly at the others "I daresay I heard some song from this table as well! I'm always happy to have the accompaniment. And a chance to play some of my bawdier songs...nobles only ever want to hear ballads and love songs. It's a welcome change of pace." He grins and drinks again.

[jakarta]

The storm outside picks up more intensity, with gusts rattling the window shutters intermittently.

[Zero Prime]

Jhereg Vaeleris, Knight of Iomedae
^{AC: 16 | Flat footed: 15 | Touch: 11
HP's: 48 of 48
Conditions: None.}

The dark haired young knight simply nodded his head, of course he preferred the cathedral choirs of Iomedae's warrior-priests, their chants echoing from the arched, marbled spires of her church. He sipped at his whiskey, broke off a crust of bread and used it to clean out his stew bowl, as the shutters began to hammer a staccato rhytym against the window frames he looked to his companions. "A cold winter's night and an unfortuitous storm, it seems I am fortunate to find shelter this eve." He nodded to his companions, "You are all travelling together, yes?"

[jakarta]

(A tacet agreement to group up would be productive...)

The eerie howl of the wind gnaws and moans through every crack about the compound. The fire occasionally gutters and insanely jumps as the draw of the chimney is disrupted, or the wind attempts a short , diving invasion of the building, only to capreciously abandon the breach head a moment later.

The old ranger lights his pipe, and behind a veil of drifting smoke begins swapping stories of windingos and yeties and white walkers and ice spiders that come down from the mountains in the coldest years....

[NiKkatsu]

To Jhereg Nyx answers:''I was headed up to the shrine of Artemis when I noticed the sky and decided to seek refuge for the night. Now I cannot speak for these two, since they were already here when I walked in, but the rest of us just seem to have stumbled upon this abode individually - looks like we were all traveling separately and our being here is just a happy coincidence. Perhaps us meeting here is a good omen. Where were you all headed then?''

As the wind howls menacingly, she fills her glass and takes a long sip.

''Sounds like it's going to be a long night...''

[rs2excelsior]

"No, I came here alone. Wasn't headed anywhere in particular - I'd been on the trail of a particularly massive bear, but I lost his trail. After that... well, I wasn't headed anywhere in particular. Not headed anywhere at all now that this blizzard's coming in. Although once it's lifted, I may head for that shrine as well - offer thanks to the Huntress for another prosperous season."

(OOC I'm definitely open to working together - obviously, haha - IC we really don't have anything to group up for at the moment. But if there is something that comes up Melaia will be more than happy to work with the others.)

[NiKkatsu]

Spoiler: OoC

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(OOC I'm definitely open to working together - obviously, haha - IC we really don't have anything to group up for at the moment. But if there is something that comes up Melaia will be more than happy to work with the others.)

Yep. that's also what I was thinking. That's why I was making up the omen thing. So many religious people; maybe we could invent faith reasons. Haha. Any better ideas are welcome xD. Let's see where the DM takes us.

''Oh! of..of course! I would be more than honored to guide an actual Huntress. I can show you the way, if you so wish, and we can give praise together. Obviously, you-you don't need my help to find your way around. But, it would be my pleasure.''