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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]



    "Every 100 years, the Witch Queen Baba Yaga returns to the nation of Irrisen to place a new daughter on the throne, but this time, something has gone wrong. Far to the south, winter cloaks the forest near the village of Heldren with summer snows. The heroes venture into the wood and discover a magical portal to the frozen land of Irrisen, whose supernatural winter will soon engulf all of Golarion unless they can discover the fate of the otherworldly witch Baba Yaga—a quest that will take them through snowbound Irrisen to even stranger lands beyond."

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE
    Name
    [Player]
    Color
    Race [Ethnicity]
    (Gender ID)
    AL
    Side 1
    Side 2
    (Lady) Argentea Malassene
    [NPC]
    Teal
    Human [Taldan]
    (f)
    LG Cavalier 4
    [Inspiring Commander]
    Warder 4
    [Hussar]
    Arthog
    [NPC]
    Golden Rod
    ??? Winged? Unicorn
    (m)
    ?? LA 4 Unicorn 4
    Darkhelm, the Peaceful Void
    [NPC]
    Indigo
    Astomoi
    (f)
    NG ??? ???
    Moorgram Kelvar
    [Ostoril]
    Dark Orange
    Human [Taldan]
    (m)
    N ??? Witch (Endurance) 3
    [Gingerbread Witch]
    Ten-Penny Tacey
    Fire Brick Red
    Half-Orc [Cragkin, Taldan]
    (f)
    CN Druid 3
    [Feyspeaker]
    Rogue 3
    [Burglar]
    Windrunner
    Purple
    Zealot Griffin
    (m)
    LG Griffin 4 Paladin 2/
    Ranger 1
    [Divine Tracker]/
    LA 1
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2023-05-21 at 08:50 PM.
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Drina Fakete




    Description 5' 9", 125 lbs.; Green Eyes, Red Hair

    Tall and thin, but fit. Red hair, green eyes w/ freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. Hands and arms are scarred terribly, as if by burns, and she keeps them covered by long sleeves.

    Personality

    A bit of a know-it-all, Passionate when she is sure she is right. Not afraid to argue, even with those in authority.

    Home of Record

    Varisia, Avistan


    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Tenzei




    Description 5' 7", 240 lbs.; Brown Eyes, Bald (but Black body hair and stubble)

    A young man with the distinctive features of the Tian. He has a short growth of stubble on his head. As if he once shaved it but has since forgotten. He is strong of limb and limber, and his clothes are fastidiously clean, but they are frayed and beginning to lose their color.

    It is as if this man has been walking for a long time, with very little.

    Personality

    Quiet, almost demure. When Tenzei makes eye contact he does not hold it for long. He is polite and kind however. He is a follower, not a leader, and a bit of a pushover.

    Home of Record

    Xiwu, Lingshen, Tian Xia


    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

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    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]



    Starday, 20 Erastus 4713 AR (Waxing Gibbous)

    Today's Poor Rykard Almanac entry for expected weather today is a low of 60 and a high of 80 (degrees Fahrenheit), with dry winds coming from the south off of the Inner Sea at 20 mph. A good wind and dry air to keep from feeling the bite of the middle of summer. And Old Rykard the Redundant's famous Almanac - put out once every five years as a periodical mainly for farmers and sailors, is a pretty penny because it comes from powerful divination. Sure, sure, there are those days where strange events and magic throw something off for a day or so. And the weather ends up tracking properly with the estimates in the alamanac within a week, usually w/in 10% of expected.

    In the village of Heldren, a small village in Taldor just north of the Border Wood near Qadira, the PCs .... be they short-term residents or very recent arrivals ... have heard rumors of strange, unseasonable pockets of wintry weather appearing across Taldor. Or at least, such is circulated among Heldren's gossip mongers.

    The reality of today in Heldren is a low of 55 and a high of 75 and dry. So, that is only a shade cooler and well within the alamanac's tolerance range, right? The only thing a little off is that the winds are from the north 15 mph ... same speed, different direction. But not entirely unseasonable.

    But step outside of the town proper, and things take a turn for the weird ... and tragic.

    The sleepy village of Heldren has rarely seen so much excitement or concern. Hunters from the nearby Border Wood speak of unnaturally cold weather at the height of summer that descended on the forest just days ago. Heavy snow followed, and those who returned spoke of an uneasy presence in the woods, as well as new, dangerous predators. No one knows what this event means, but the town’s soothsayer, Old Mother Theodora, claims dark times lie ahead.

    As if in proof of that dire prophecy, a badly wounded mercenary arrived in town yesterday, claiming to be a bodyguard of Lady Argentea Malassene. He told the village council that the noblewoman’s escort came under attack by bandits and strange, wintry creatures near the edge of the Border Wood. He alone escaped, and Lady Argentea was dragged away into the forest. Now the townsfolk cast fearful eyes toward the snowy forest, worried what else might emerge to threaten their peaceful village.


    Where might each of you be during a weekend (Starday = Saturday) when folks get together earlier than normal pub hours to ruminate? Go fishing with friends at the end of the week? Get a little extra business as possible to see to your success? Maybe get ready to court that special someone at a midsummer dance held this evening?
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Drina sets out in the late afternoon towards the towns largest tavern. She makes sure her colorful dress is swishing and swirling as she takes a roundabout route so people see there is a Varisian Wanderer in Heldren and to give them time to get curious. Is she a fortune teller? A Kapenia Dancer? She wants the crowd excited by her presence and what it might mean, because she means to earn a little coin tonight.

    She arrives at the tavern just before dusk, finding a corner table with less than perfect lighting. She sits, orders a glass of wine, and begins shuffling her cards. So far she hasn’t said a word, but she is open for business.
    “It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”
    ― Kvothe, The Name of the Wind

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    "Not far now my friend. You may rest soon."

    The gates of Heldren such as they were loomed ahead a hundred meters up the path. There was the promise of warmth and safety, employment perhaps. Most importantly food. The young man's companion did not answer. He could not, the dead-after all-do not speak.

    The young man; Tenzei, was not bothered by the man's limp weight, there was a strength to his arms that belied his portly cheeks and belly. He wore a brown faded robe and sturdy boots with a rucksack about his shoulders. His pate covered in a thin fuzz of stubble, as if his head was once shaved but had been neglected. It was itchy, but Tenzei's arms were full of the corpse of a dead man. Like a solid boulder rolling down a hill he took step after step forwards until at last the gates were firmly in front of him. Adjusting his stance, Tenzei raised his eyes to the watchman.

    "Good afternoon. I am but a soul in search of succor. This one is a soul in search of rest. Could you direct me to your house of graves?"

    Tenzei tried to smile warmly and look the man in the eye, but could not maintain the open guileless stare for long. He dropped his eyes to the ground in front of his feet and waited, nervous yet patient.
    All Hail Fun!
    Quote Originally Posted by Cardea View Post
    No... no... its... its supposed to be 'then'... NO. DENOMAR OUT. YOU HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING.
    New Sexy Mordrent Avatar via Tiffany Lirle! I bow down to her sense of fun.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Halfling in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Griss looks up from his meal as an unusual woman enters the tavern, and watches as she makes her way to a table.
    He then gets back to eating his dinner.
    - JSS1701

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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Amanu takes his time casually strolling around the edges of the village looking for signs of the unnatural or any defilement that might have upset the natural world. Having only recently arrived, the stories of strange weather cause his tail to bristle and his mood to foul. With a somewhat forced smile he greets anyone he encounters and questions what they have heard of the strange weather.

    Spoiler: Crunch
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    Assessment: Looking for things obviously out of the ordinary. Patches of ice, strange tracks, broken fences, strange noises, strange formations of birds or the like.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Drina

    Business is quite slow right now at Heldren's only tavern, the Silver Stoat. It stands right on the town square across from the town hall.

    A fixture of village life, the tavern fills up with patrons in the evening as they gather to share gossip, hear news, and reward themselves for a hard day’s work. Anything that’s worth knowing in Heldren gets talked about here, and if asked where he got a particularly juicy bit of gossip or information, a villager will likely say, “I heard it from the Stoat.”

    Husband and wife Menander (male human) and Kale Garimos (female human) run the Silver Stoat as if it were their family kitchen—there’s always a seat at the table or a space by the hearth for a guest, or a warm bowl of Menander’s hearty stew for an empty belly. Menander works in the kitchen, cooking up his famous venison flank steak and numble pie. Kale tends bar, serving up the tavern’s signature brew, Three Devil Ale, which she brews in-house using imported Chelish hops. Heldren doesn’t get many visitors, so there is no true inn in the village, but travelers are welcome to a spot on the floor of the Stoat next to the fireplace for a night, as long as they’re up early and on their way. Those who linger risk a rude awakening from Menander’s wet mop in their faces.

    Drina, what is your "general intention" while here? Also, will you be eating a meal and having a drink?


    Tenzei

    There are no gates whatsoever to this town. Two roads from the cardinal directions quarter the town, but Tenzei comes in from the north. He passes several homes when he accosts somebody to whom he can pose his query. They look at Tenzei and his grim wares and points down the street ... past a town square and statue, and Tenzei is directed to a building with a downward-facing bow. Tenzei is not familiar with the symbol, but if that is what the man points to....

    As Tenzei approaches the town square, he sees a building to his right on the northwest corner with a sign that says, "General Store," but it looks like they are just closing for the day. To your left on the northeast corner is a sign that says "Town Hall."

    You pass through the Town Square. The most notable feature of Heldren’s town square is the large statue of a beautiful woman right in the center of the town.

    You pass the Town Square. To your right on the southwestern corner is a picture of some type of white weasel-like creature, and the sounds from it inform you that is the obvious village pub. To your left is a simple, two-story house on the corner, obviously the home of someone prominent. Next to that building is the one with the sign of a downwards-facing bow with arrow. Something about the simplicity of this larger building tells you it is likely either the town guard (bow-and-arrow) or some type of spiritual or religious space.

    What do you do?
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Too many rumors.

    Isolde rides slowly down the road towards Heldren from her small cottage in the nearby woods, lost in thought. Above, a large black raven flits from tree to tree, branch to branch, keeping pace.

    There had been too many rumors lately. Though she had an (admittedly deserved) reputation for severity and inhospitality, sometimes bordering on outright hostility, Isolde's status as a healer and knowledge-keeper caused many of the townsfolk to cautiously seek her advice and aid. They invariably brought news, or whatever was considered to be news in Heldren... which usually consisted of which cows had recently had calves and how the local turnip crop was faring.

    Recently, though, there had been more unusual tales. Stories of unseasonable weather; Sightings of unusual creatures; And now some noblewoman had apparently gone missing. Ordinarily, Isolde would dismiss these tales as the idle ramblings of ignorant villagers, but the details all aligned too closely to be entirely without merit. If even half of these rumors were true, it could mean very unpleasant things in the near future.

    More information was obviously required. And, as distasteful as it may be, there was only one place to get that information. Steeling herself for the inevitable stares and whispers, Isolde presses on towards the town.

  11. - Top - End - #11
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Once the wine she ordered is delivered, Drina takes a drink and makes a bit of a show of swishing it around before swallowing, ”Ahh! An excellent wine for so small a village. And would tonight’s meal be as fine?, the fortune teller asked, smiling her best smile at her server.

    ”You know what? Just go ahead and bring supper when you are ready to serve. This establishment is very clean, and the wine is good. And would your proprietor mind if I earned a few coppers plying my trade over here in the corner tonight?”, she asked, I would be happy to Harrow for him for free, should he wish it. Or his lady wife instead.”
    “It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”
    ― Kvothe, The Name of the Wind

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  12. - Top - End - #12
    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Griss

    Griss, the woman you noted is easily recognizable as a Varisian woman, which is not very common in Taldor (but not exceptionally rare, either).

    You continue to enjoy (or hate, your choice) your meal of roasted falcon with rosemary, pistachios and malabar chestnuts with a salad of steamed broadleaf arrowhead, elephant foot yam and cherries.

    Griss, what will you drink with your meal?


    Amanu


    During his strolls around the edges of he village (which I assume are the edges of the areas the village claims and not the town proper, which is tiny), Amanu will hear a racket like a lot of bees. Though it sounds like more bees than he would think, indicating their might be a hive nearby, it is also the sign of good summer activity. Even the air is a good, dry, warm day. Not too warm, sure, but it was a nice day nevertheless. There is nothing indicative in or around Heldren that there is "unseasonable weather."

    Asking around for a few hours during the afternoon and into the late afternoon, Amanu learns a lot of gossip.
    Spoiler: Amanu's Rumor Mill
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    Everyone says the weather is unseasonably cold for midsummer—it even snowed in the Border Wood! Most suspect magic is involved, and some fear Qadiran agents played a role in it.

    Old Man Dansby claims that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm lies closest to the Border Wood, where half his crops have died from an icy frost and the rest have been carried off.

    A farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest—and heard it talking—then tried to follow it.



    Isolde

    Isolde gets into town. It seems there was a minor dance that was going to be held in the Town Square, but with the rumors of strange weather and a waylaid noble's train, there will be a normal Starday-night evening. Which means the only action (or interaction) one is likely to have will be at the Silver Stoat.



    Drina

    Dinner tonight is roasted falcon with rosemary, pistachios and malabar chestnuts with a salad of steamed broadleaf arrowhead, elephant foot yam and cherries. With a good meal and a glass of (basic b***h) wine, the total comes to 5 silver. All Drina has is gold, so she pays with a gold measure, and gets five silver weight in change.
    Spoiler: OOC
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    Let me know if you leave a tip.
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2021-11-15 at 10:35 PM.
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Ogre in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Drina slides a silver back across the table to the server, "Thank you. I'm sure I will enjoy the meal."
    “It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”
    ― Kvothe, The Name of the Wind

    Spoiler: personality test results
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  14. - Top - End - #14
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Tenzei has no choice but to trust the locals. He strides towards the building marked with a bow and arrow. Hopefully here he can complete his final duty to his former master.

    Gingerly he climbs the steps and right as door yawns before him....

    his stomach growls.

    That of course will be stage two of business once this sordid affair has been closed.

    "Hello?" he calls.
    All Hail Fun!
    Quote Originally Posted by Cardea View Post
    No... no... its... its supposed to be 'then'... NO. DENOMAR OUT. YOU HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING.
    New Sexy Mordrent Avatar via Tiffany Lirle! I bow down to her sense of fun.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Denomar

    It may take a bang of the door or two rather than a gingerly voiced salutation, but a man appears, a relatively handsome, bearded half-elf. He looks at you with a smile, before his eyes track to your Weekend-at-Bernie's drinking buddy.

    "What happened, and who are you, and who was he?" he says while immediately easing Tenzei of the weight while bringing Grygor to the ground and tending to him.
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  16. - Top - End - #16
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Tenzei politely, but firmly steps back as the handsome half elf reaches for the corpse.

    "I thank you. But this man is my burden until I can see him at rest." He looks into the blank face of the body and then back to the handsome be-whiskered man.

    "I am Tenzei, and this man is, was, Grygor; a slayer of monsters and my master until he is set in repose within the ground." Tenzei's voice is flat, and painstakingly accented, as a result the speech is slow and methodical, almost as if listening to a recording at 90% playback speed. "He traveled to this place in search of coin, that he may partake in more things to taste and drink if I am not mistaken. He was taken in the night by death. I would guess it was his heart, his liver, or his humors that took him."

    Tenzei smiles wanly. "I was to keep him safe. I have failed in that charge. A man said this place was the place to bring one who is deceased. Can you assist me in showing me where I can bury him as is proper to the customs of this place? I am afraid that I have no money with which to pay you, but anything on this man's body is yours as recompense. As his slave they are not mine to take."
    All Hail Fun!
    Quote Originally Posted by Cardea View Post
    No... no... its... its supposed to be 'then'... NO. DENOMAR OUT. YOU HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING.
    New Sexy Mordrent Avatar via Tiffany Lirle! I bow down to her sense of fun.

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Denomar

    "I am Elder Natharen Safander, priest of Erastil, but also overseeing our village's shrines here to Abadar, Gozreh, Pharasma, and even Sarenrae. I will see to this man as is proper, but he will be prepared and buried according to Erastilian customs if I see nothing about him but the secular," the man says.

    "Come inside, I will feed you and give you a roof over your head this night. It would do I and my wife Zaander well to have a visitor to dine with, and we can share news. But first, help me move Old Grygor to the viewing room, and on the morrow I shall tend to him as is rite."
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    "I...Thank you. Your kindness is uncommon for one as Forsaken as I. Show me the way."

    Tenzei follows Natharen into the temple, grateful to have found the close to this particularly nasty chapter of his life.
    All Hail Fun!
    Quote Originally Posted by Cardea View Post
    No... no... its... its supposed to be 'then'... NO. DENOMAR OUT. YOU HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING.
    New Sexy Mordrent Avatar via Tiffany Lirle! I bow down to her sense of fun.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Halfling in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Finishing his meal. Griss steps over to the bar to get a light ale, then walks over to the corner table where the woman is sitting.
    "A card reader. Can't say I've ever met a fortune teller who really could, but maybe you're the first. May I sit?"
    - JSS1701

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Tenzei

    You uncover information regarding the Temple of Erastil in town. [See Discord writeup.]

    In addition, while not gossips, Elder Safander and Zaarida - who see to the spiritual concerns of the village and thus interface with a lot of people each day. This, combined with Tenzei's endearingly humble demeanor, gets them to open up about town rumors.
    Spoiler: Town Rumors
    Show
    Everyone says the weather is unseasonably cold for midsummer—it even snowed in the Border Wood! Most suspect magic is involved, and some fear Qadiran agents played a role in it.

    Old Man Dansby claims that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm lies closest to the Border Wood, where half his crops have died from an icy frost and the rest have been carried off.

    A farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest—and heard it talking—then tried to follow it.

    A group of rangers in the Border Wood called the High Sentinels usually keep bandit activity curbed. They’re doing a poor job if brigands could attack a well-armed caravan and abduct Lady Argentea.

    Locals say a hunter named Dryden Kepp claimed he saw a giant white weasel on the High Ridge in the forest. No one believed him so he went back to trap it and prove them wrong.

    Two weeks ago, Lady Argentea Malassene traveled past Heldren on her way from Oppara to Zimar to meet her betrothed. Rumor has it the two didn’t get along and Lady Argentea caused a scandal by calling off the engagement and returning home.

    (This will close out Tenzei for the night.)


    Griss (and Drina)

    Griss, it costs four (copper) pennies for your ale, and another five silver weights for your meal (removed from your sheet). Do you offer a tip?
    Spoiler: Griss & Drina
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    Griss and Drina are now sitting together, but we will track any small talk they may have in a side-channel so as not to hold everyone up.
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
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  21. - Top - End - #21
    Halfling in the Playground
     
    jss1701's Avatar

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Yes, Griss will give the server an extra silver.
    - JSS1701

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Isolde regards the empty square with a frown. The villagers really must be spooked if they've abandoned their usual diversions.

    Arriving at the Stoat, Isolde hobbles her tired horse outside before entering, the raven quickly landing on her shoulder as she closes the door behind her. Taking a moment to let her eyes adjust to the darkness, she regards the crowd inside, noting faces both familiar and strange. Some more strange than others, as she sees a flamboyant catfolk in the corner of the room.

    Taking a table near the entrance to the inn, Isolde seats herself with her back to the wall, watching the room. She calls to the barmaid:

    "Water".

    Isolde tilts her head as the raven puts its beak to her ear.

    "And bread".

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Quote Originally Posted by jss1701 View Post
    Yes, Griss will give the server an extra silver.
    Done.
    Quote Originally Posted by doko239 View Post
    Isolde she sees a flamboyant catfolk ...

    Taking a table near the entrance to the inn, Isolde seats herself with her back to the wall, watching the room. She calls to the barmaid:

    "Water".

    Isolde tilts her head as the raven puts its beak to her ear.

    "And bread".
    She does recognize, indeed that it is a catfolk. She knows that most catfolk are personable humanoids that are very adept hunters and climbers.

    Isolde will be served bread and a cup of water. She is charged three copper pennies for her repast (removed from sheet). Will she tip?

    What is it Isolde would like to accomplish while at the Silver Stoat? Just eating and back to her cottage for the evening?
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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  24. - Top - End - #24
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Minh

    A group small in number, but large in bulk, ambles into the Silver Stoat as twilight begins to set in. There's Carl Schuhmann and his two grown sons, boisterous, happy and red-faced- plainly, they've been doing something active, though from the smell of it they had the courtesy to wash before coming in. Half a head above even big Carl, and broader than Elias, towers a stranger- a snake-headed stranger in robes of a foreign cut. The room tenses for a moment, then eases an instant later as he leaves his weapon by the door and they absorb the relaxed tone of their conversation.

    "-I thought everyone from that far out East knew how, is all."

    "Many do. But I'm a spearman, not a monk: if someone's close enough to come to grips, things are going badly."

    "...why ask to practice with us, then? Sure, I can wrestle, and young Elias has picked up a few tricks, but the little clearing outside my cottage is hardly the House of Untwisting Iron."

    The big nagaji shrugs eloquently.

    "Many reasons. Because it's tough to find a partner to practice spear-fencing with outside a major city or a military encampment, but you can find folk wrestling anywhere on the face of Golarion. Because sometimes you very much need to know what to do when things are going badly. Because it's excellent exercise even if- especially if-you're not very good at it."

    They find a seat on the table between the fortuneteller's and Isolde, and- hungry from the day's exertions- he orders a helping each of the stew, the steak, and the pie, washing it down with small beer.

    As the meal winds down and he massages a knot from his shoulder, his eyes happen to meet one of the other travelers', and there's a lull in the noise of the tavern. He takes the chance to strike up a fresh conversation:

    "Big day for a small town. Myself, you. More than one other that I've seen. Some whim of Desna's, maybe?"

    Spoiler: OOC
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    General intention is to ingratiate himself with the locals and come across as an amiable traveler rather than a threat- as well as establish RPwise that Minh works to keep his physique rather than just 'having Strength 20,' lack of training rules in D&D be damned.
    Last edited by Toptomcat; 2021-11-17 at 01:25 AM.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Colossus in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Minh

    He is given his meal and small beer.

    Towards the end of his banter with the Schulmann boys and anyone else he chats with, he does get the bill. His meal comes to 5 silver weights and 4 copper pennies. When Minh reaches to his pouch, he remembers to his horror that he had run out of money!

    What does he do?
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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  26. - Top - End - #26
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Isolde accepts the food and drink without comment. Tipping isn't really in her nature, not so much out of malice or spite but because it simply wouldn't occur to her to do so. Setting the plate of bread aside for her raven companion, she stares at her glass of water as she focuses her attention on the surrounding conversation.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    For the moment, she will simply sit in the corner and listen to the chatter of the patrons, trying to pick up any mention of the missing noble or any of the other strange occurrences. If she hears any key words being spoken, like "Argentea Malassene" or "missing noble", etc. she will take note of the speaker for later.

    Perception: (1d20+9)[19] (+7 base, +2 for Awareness)

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Isolde

    You don't overhear anything along the lines of what you were hoping to overhear. This is really the only scuttlebutt of interest that trips your "that's uncommon" meter...
    Spoiler: Isolde's Intelligence Gathering
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    Everyone says the weather is unseasonably cold for midsummer—it even snowed in the Border Wood! Most suspect magic is involved, and some fear Qadiran agents played a role in it.

    Old Man Dansby claims that someone keeps stealing from his fields. His farm lies closest to the Border Wood, where half his crops have died from an icy frost and the rest have been carried off.

    A farmer’s son took ill a few days ago after falling through the ice over Wishbone Creek. The boy said he spotted a white stag in the forest—and heard it talking—then tried to follow it.

    The above takes up her night, and it will be assumed that she will return to her cottage afterwards. Evening activities are closed out.

    Minh

    (See last post.)


    Griss & Drina

    Your conversation will come to an end at some point. (Don't worry, you can RP "in a time bubble" for as long as you'd like in the RP channel, as long as it doesn't inform, or be informed by, anything occurring in the IC.) But because you are socializing together, you won't really do anything else productive that evening. So your evening activities are closed out.


    Tenzei

    (Evening closed out, as already posted.)


    Amanu
    (see your directed post from before)
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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  28. - Top - End - #28
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    As the hour grows late into the afternoon, Amanu contemplates what he has learned. He makes his way toward The Silver Stoat for some food and drink while he contemplates his next move.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Minh

    When the traveler ignores him, Minh shrugs and goes back to his meal without complaint.

    Quote Originally Posted by lostsole31 View Post
    Towards the end of his banter with the Schulmann boys and anyone else he chats with, he does get the bill. His meal comes to 5 silver weights and 4 copper pennies. When Minh reaches to his pouch, he remembers to his horror that he had run out of money!

    What does he do?
    Any time spent on the road will involve both fat times and lean, and while Minh is low on free cash, he's not quite as broke as it might seem. Many of the spices and ingredients in his pack are trade goods sought-after across Golarion- and while someone in a village as small as this might rightly raise an eyebrow at being offered vanilla or saffron, everyone needs salt. He takes a small wooden box from his pack and withdraws two folded paper packages that he hands to the waitstaff.

    "I'm sure the proprietor won't object to being paid in good, pure salt? From the saltworks at Mut. That for the meal tonight- and I would much appreciate if I could be woken at dawn when the cookfire's lit, and if I could use the Stoat's oven to bake when it's free. I've my own ingredients."

    It's a somewhat unusual request, but given that each of the packets is a carefully-measured ounce, he's just effectively offered a few pennies for the privilege of using their stove that morning. Or as a tip, if the request's denied.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Consider my evening closed out.
    Last edited by Toptomcat; 2021-11-17 at 12:57 PM.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [IC]

    Amanu

    Amanu, many strange faces in the bar, but either they seem engaged in their own discussions, or they seem unsociable in nature at the very least. Tables are taken, and you have to sit at the bar to eat. Your musket gets strange looks, but you are told to put it against the wall, and they point. There is already a strange-looking polearm with many metal projections sitting against the wall.

    Do you comply? Meanwhile, you will overhear and see the below...


    Minh

    A man comes over to mystified woman serving you. "What seems to be the issue?" he asks her.

    "Husband, this .... person .... refuses to pay in proper coin. He wants to barter with salt."

    The man gives Minh a hard stare. "How much salt? as I am sure my options are either just let it go ... and I don't get paid; or, I call for the constable ... and I still don't get paid, even if you spend the night in luxury."

    Minh?
    20MAR2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Worldwound (2013, Jacobs, Keith, et. al.).
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

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