Completed Play-by-Post: In Search of the Sorcerer

[Grimgravy]

"From what Zaral said, the merchant we seek is locked down in the docks. Perhaps we can find out about this lock-down in the lodge on the way." Rhenmyr replies to Ker.

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

Unless anyone objects or has anything else to add? ... Moving on

The rain pelts down as the group trudges their way off the pier and onto the plank road toward the warming hut. You push aside a heavy leather curtain that functions as a door and enter the low roofed enclosure to find yourself in a dimly lit, dank and cramped space. A grizzled man with a fierce black beard and a peg-leg stands up and hobbles over to greet you in a gruff voice, "Welcome. Come in from this damnable rain and have a seat. We've got warm beer and whisky if you need something to keep the chill out of your bones."

Huddled around the fireplace, wrapped in furs, are a knot of creatures seldom seen outside of their mountain fastnesses: Five dwarfs of dour aspect and looking miserably wet, turn and glower at you with bulging eyes that look past bulbous, warty noses. The smell in low hut is unpleasant to say the least.

 

[Siveon]

OOC

Sorry I haven't been posting. I just got tired of roleplaying for a bit, so I let the railroad happen.

Marcán nods. "Sure thing. Some whisky please." Marcán takes a seat, after paying the man. "Anyone else want a drink?" He addresses the group. Afterwhich he questions the man who runs the place, "So, you know anything about what's happening in Odessos?"

 

[Grimgravy]

"I'll take a beer," Rhenmyr replies. "That is a good question. The harbor lock-down led to quite the inconvenience last night. Any news you could provide would be most welcome."

OOC

I think taking lack of reply as consent is a good idea. Keeps things moving.

 

[nikolokolus]

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ

I think I'll start doing that a little bit more. But this has me thinking a little bit about where we are and where things are headed.

If you guys aren't feeling the RP heavy stuff, and want something a little more tightly focused on exploration, combat and treasure hunting vs. investigation and role-play then please let me know. I didn't set out to steer the game this direction, but it sort of feels like it's taken on a life of its own (which is firmly my own fault).

If this stuff is boring or not engaging, please tell me - you won't hurt my feelings. Frankly, I'm just as new to PbP as all of you and I'm starting to wonder if the format isn't so great for a the kind of game that seems to be emerging - something this RP dense really seems to stretch things out and makes "progress" feel pretty slow.

What am I saying besides rambling? Good question. How about we step aside and take stock. Post below any thoughts or impressions about where things are heading and what you'd like to see going forward. If you think everything is OK as-is, that's fine too. Truly though, my main goal is to entertain you as much as myself. If you guys want something a little more quick-paced and bare-knuckled, it's fairly easy to shift focus and make that happen.

Then again, if people aren't feeling it all and want to do something totally different, I've got a ton of published material like Rappan Athuk, Barrowmaze, DCC modules, Thieves World, Old TSR modules: Keep on the Borderlands, In Search of the Unknown, Temple of Elemental Evil, etc. I'd even be up for switching rule systems to something like Crypts & Things (Don't worry, it won't cost anybody anything, I've got the pdf), which might even be a better fit for a more fast-paced style of play and characters start off much more competent and tough than the typical 1st level Swords & Wizardry character, so you can do more early on (Plus, I promise. No house rules! ).

Anyway, long story short: I'm happy to continue on as we are and just as happy to do something different. Don't hold back.

 

[Grimgravy]

OOC

I'm ok so far. We've just gotten to our second location, and I'm assuming we'll get some more direction when we meet the priest Father whatshisname, the Kelts' father, and/or Koren Ghul. I'd just suggest that if there's not much to do storywise where we are and we're farting around, drop some hints so we know we should move on.

"By the way, do you know where to find a man by the name of Koren Ghul? I understand he's a fairly man well know in town." Rhenmyr asks.

 

[nikolokolus]

The thickset man pours Marcán a drink from a dirty bottle into a dirtier cup. "Sure. It looked like maybe plague broke out in the docks, 'cept it weren't plague. There was a helluva poisoning in one of the taverns in the district. Nasty business; killed two dozen people stone dead plus killed an Inquisitor and three of his 'prentice Torturers from the Imperial City. All Hell's broken loose and they've got the district locked down pretty tight now from what people tell me. I guess they think they're going to catch the assassin, but good luck with that!" He snorts derisively and barks a short laugh.

The man then turns to Rhenmyr with a slightly confused expression on his face. "Koren Ghul? Yeah I heard o' him, but I think he died about six months ago? Least ways, there were a whole lotta smoke and fire and 'splosions around his tower awhile back. Guards found three of his underlings burnt to a crisp on the street and the door in were locked up tighter than a drum and no one has come in or out since. Hell, I heard the Watch even offered a bounty to anyone who could break the lock; Every sneak thief and wannabe sorcerer in the city tried his luck, but no dice. But if you think you've got what it takes his tower is just outside the wharf on the edge of the Pleasure Quarter. Watch yer purse if you head there ... well, that is assuming The Watch lets you out of High Town?"

 

[Grimgravy]

"Thanks for the information. Poisoned an Inquisitor. Someone REALLY doesn't like the Hyperboreans. Seems we all need to get into the docks. That should be our next goal unless Father Inniros is in Hightown. Hyginos,where is the good father?" Rhenmyr asks.

OOC

So Ghul's tower was locked/burned 6 months ago. 4 months BEFORE I was even sent to find him?

 

[nikolokolus]

OOC

Yessir!

 

[nikolokolus]

Hyginos is seated on a low stool, with a far off look in his eyes and silly stupid grin on his face. He snaps out of it when Rhenmyr addresses him. "Huh? Oh, what was that sonny? Father Inniros? He's usually at his shrine at the east end of low-town, right at the edge of The Sink. He sort of keeps a low profile, what with him being a Mitraic and all."

 

[Grimgravy]

"Lowtown again. Everything points us there. Marcán, I'd wager your father was last seen inside the quarantine as well." Rhenmyr says. "We need to find a way inside."

 

[Smashing Axe]

Spoiler

I prefer to take this sort of RP with broadstrokes, narration of what the character does, and his general demeanor and intention, rather than to act it out, except for pivotal moments. So in that regard I prefer brevity. As far as the direction we seem to be going plot wise I have no objection. I like the setting's style so far.

"Well, best place to start would be to ask to be let in, see what type of guards they have and whether they might be bribed. Our two new friends might know more, won't hurt asking them. For now though I think I'd prefer to take my peace for the night. I want to go over what was taken from the Hyperborean and isolate everything touched by the arcane tomorrow."

Heron will spend the rest of his time in the inn talking to patrons, diverting conversations as best as he is able onto the subject of local mages and their rumoured whereabouts.

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

I prefer to take this sort of RP with broadstrokes, narration of what the character does, and his general demeanor and intention, rather than to act it out, except for pivotal moments. So in that regard I prefer brevity. As far as the direction we seem to be going plot wise I have no objection. I like the setting's style so far.

Spoiler

That's very helpful, thank you. I can definitely cut down on the exposition and first person perspective stuff when it comes to "fluff"

 

[nikolokolus]

It's just past midday here in the low circular hut on the edge of the marsh. In reality the place is little more than a large yurt (about 25 feet in diameter) rather than an inn - a place to wait for the ferry and imbibe a drink or two. If you want to sleep here you certainly can lay out on one of the 4 tables.

Eventually Zaral comes into the hut and motions to the Dwarfs with a slightly hesitant gesture, "I'm ready to shove off when you are."

Spoiler

One by one the five gnarled, twisted creatures trundle out of the hut and into the driving rain; casting unfriendly looks at all of you as they pass by. When the last of them is gone you hear the hut keeper release a long held breath, blowing the air out wetly over his lips, "Nasty little things. Maybe we'll get lucky and Zaral will drown them in the river!" He says laughing.

 

[Grimgravy]

"They did seem unpleasant. I wonder what brought them to town?" Rhenmyr muses. "I think Heron's suggestion is a good one. We should find a quiet inn to plan our next moves, recover our wounds, and I for one will need some sleep. We could scout out the main entrances to the docks as well."

 

[Helly]

Ker watches the strange dwarfs leave and goes directly to the Hut keeper.
"Say, good man, did some Kelts like me and that man over there *Ker points at Marcan* passed by this inn recently? We are passably worried for their well being."

Spoiler

Wait, those dwarves have tails?

 

[nikolokolus]

Ker watches the strange dwarfs leave and goes directly to the Hut keeper.
"Say, good man, did some Kelts like me and that man over there *Ker points at Marcan* passed by this inn recently? We are passably worried for their well being."

Spoiler

Wait, those dwarves have tails?

"Yeah several. A real hard lookin' bunch - a band of mercenaries from the looks of them - was headed south through here just a couple of weeks ago and then there was a middle aged fellow and his son that went over to the other side; headed home I think? I dunno . . . a few days ago with an ox and a cart if I recall."

Spoiler

I love John Bauer's art ... and yes some dwarfs have tails ... I guess?

 

[nikolokolus]

(Assuming nobody carries on with the hutkeeper)

Several hours pass by and the day's light begins to fade. The hutkeeper informs everybody that he's going to need to close up for the night and head home to the city - about a half-hours ride up and over the hill to the Common Gate. He apologizes that he can't let you stay here any longer. As he pulls back the leathern curtain it looks like the worst of the storm has passed; diminished now to a light drizzle. He exits and walks around to the corral and puts a bit and bridle on a donkey and despite his infirmity hops on its back in surprisingly agile maneuver. "If you all are headed up into the city I wouldn't mind the company . . . plus I can't say it ever hurts to be escorted by a group of well-armed sellswords."

 

[ERYFKRAD]

"Ha, maybe joining sellswords is an invitation for trouble by itself!" retorts Borric. "Now to look for a decent inn."

OOC

Sorry for the late rejoining, I couldn't access the 'dex for a bit. nikolokolus I've got no problems with this so far.

 

[Grimgravy]

"Town awaits, then." Rhenmyr says. "Lets go."

 

[Siveon]

Marcán groans. "And I was just starting to get comfortable." He gets up from his chair.

"A bit of company for the walk wouldn't be so bad I suppose." He walks to Ker as they head out. "Hear that man? A middle aged man and his son! I wouldn't exactly call my father spritely so middle aged would fit the bill, hopefully we're not too far gone." He excitedly whispers.

OOC

Do I recover hitpoints? Because I had like 6 wounds and waiting around for a couple of hours should help don't you think?

 

[nikolokolus]

OOC1

For clarity's sake I just want to reiterate that the hutkeeper mentioned that a middle aged man and his nearly grown son, crossed the river to the other side, from here not to here . . .

OOC2

You recover 1 HP. Honestly though, I'm seriously debating changing the HP system to the one Cyrpts & Things uses. Basically all HP damage is superficial until you reach zero and you recover 1 HP per hour of rest or you recover all of them with 8 hours of rest. After HP reaches zero, wounds get deducted directly from CON. It changes cure spells in that they only restore CON and not lost HPs, but you can drink a bottle of wine or other alchemical concoction to restore a small amount of HP once per day. Something for you all to think about

 

[Helly]

Ker is grateful to the hutkeeper for the news, but feels a bit disappointed. Did we come here for nothing after all?
"Marcán, if they crossed the river back, maybe we ought to go back too? If it really was them, we have no reason to be in Odessos, maybe we missed them and they are already back home?"

 

[nikolokolus]

As Ker talks with Marcán, suddenly the short, stout prisoner Theron, slams headlong into him - his wrists are still bound tightly behind him, but he's managed to work free a corner of his gag. He is snarling and snapping his teeth at Ker's neck and his muffled shouts fill the small hut, "Fools! Your time is coming! My master will return and you'll all be licking his boots when he does!" His compatriot Erasmos merely looks up dully, his features blank and expressionless.

Theron's unarmed attack at Ker [1d20-4] = 12-4 = 8 Damage [1d2] = 2

Ker is able to easily dodge the man's clumsy charge and bats him aside as he goes past, stumbling into a table.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

As Theron stumbles into the table, Borric uses the opportunity to trip Theron.

halp

Standard 1d20 roll?