CAMPAIGN UPDATES 11 & 12
Cast:
Alexander Petrok, Lawful Neutral male Oerdian human templar of
Zilchus (1st level paladin variant).
Perpegilliam Brown, Neutral male Hairfoot hobniz rogue (1st
level Thief).
Hristo, Neutral Good male Wesevud ("Central") noniz
ex-town watchman and rogue (1st level Figher/1st level Thief)
Vladamir Kostitov, Lawful Good male Oerdian human
prestidigitator for the governor's guardsmen (1st level Illusionist).
Abraham the Radiant, Neutral Good male Oeridian human acolyte of
Pelor (1st level Cleric).
Quote of the Month:
"...then we'd be the Commanding Cocks!"
~Vladamir Kostitov, speculating on what the name of the party
would be if they had met at the Champion Cock Tavern.
Setting: The free town of
Readying 15th, 581 CY.
Perpegilliam Brown woke early, before any sunlight had yet dared
peek through the mangy shutters of his grungy hostel room in Prymptown's Dock
District. After a little eye-rubbing, he realized that it was a knock on
the door that had awakened him. His little furry feet dangled over the
edge of his bed and he climbed down to the floor. In the small hallway he
saw the hostelkeeper knocking on another door further down. Perpegilliam
called out to the man, and the Oerdian reminded Perry (who had forgotten, not
having been there in years) that the guests were always warned when the
Watchmen had been seen out by the docks. Perry shut his door and climbed
back onto his straw mattress. He heard the shuffling of feet outside in
the hallway. In fact, the noise helped him drift back to sleep.
The Kostitov House was the finest home on the west side of Prymp
Keep. Vladamir Kostitov sat down to breakfast with his mother Marian, his
brother Marcus Jr., his sister Cassandra, his sisters-in-law Natalia and
Gabrielle, and his nephews Kolos and Leib, and his niece Katrina. Marian
doted on her favorite son, Marcus, at the head of the table. The three
children, as usual, made so much noise that Vladamir couldn't even hear what
was being said at the other end of the table. He could barely hear
Cassandra who was sitting right next to him and was asking him
questions. She seemed interested in how well Abraham the Radiant -- the
acolyte in charge of the shrine to Pelor in her absence -- had done on the
adventure in Prymp Keep. Vlad freely confessed that Abraham had acquited
himself quite well in combat. Cassandra said that she had noticed a
growing wanderlust in Abe for some months now, but she changed the subject to
Vlad's plans for the day. He planned to go to the Garrison, and excused
himself from the table to prepare himself to do so.
Readying 18th.
The gnome called Hristo woke up in a large, wooden
room. There were crates and barrels around him, and stairs going up one curved
wall of the room. It slowly dawned on the groggy noniz that the walls in
rooms do not normally curve. Hristo had been stripped of his armor, arms,
and equipment -- including the dagger hidden under his cote. He was still
in his fullcloth and padding he wore under his army, and they were still ripped
where the monsters who attacked Barada and him had struck him and sent him
flying. Barada was nowhere to be seen. Hristo realized that he was
alone, and very hungry. He also noticed that a chain was attached from the
wall to his leg. As he came to his senses, he realized that he was in the
hold of a ship.
Just then, a nearby door opened and an human in studded leather
armor entered. He expressed surprise to see Hristo was awake, and went up
the stairs to find the captain. Hristo sat down and waited patiently to
see what would happen next.
Readying 15th.
Alexander Petrok has left Petrok Manor earlier that
morning. Wearing his simplest traveling clothes, he set out for the gates
to visit the
Abraham the Radiant, as always, was an early riser. He
prayed to Pelor and gave thanks for another glorious day, despite the
gloominess of the cloudy winter day. But once his prayers had been said,
Abraham had an appointment to attend. He visited quite early the shop of
Corvek the Armorer, and was pleased to find that the fitting had been done on
his new suit of chainmail. Abe tried it on, struck a gallant pose, and then
waded out the door through a small crowd of armed men waiting to get into the
armorer's shop.
Perry kicked the ground hard as he walked. He bought some
fresh bread, cheese, and a flask of wine at a bakery by the New Market and then
proceeded back towards the docks with his breakfast. To his left, as he
walked along by the docks, the waters of
Perry was interrupted by these deep thoughts by a tap on the
shoulder. He turned around and found himself facing his old tutor in the
thiefly arts -- the gnome, Tilwich Tourmaline. The two hugged like old
friends. When they parted, Perry showed his old tutor the six copper Vels
he had plucked from Tilwich's pouch. Tilwich was most impressed, but
handed back the two sets of thieves' tools that he had pulled from Perry's
pouch. The two walked and talked throughout the rest of the
morning. Tilwich made known to Perry that he would be in town for a few
weeks before setting out along the coast again, and was looking for old pupils
that needed further training. Perry asked Tilwich if the gnome knew of any
fences to which Perry could sell merchandise without running into any thieves'
guild. Tilwich promised to look into it, and find Perry later that
evening.
Vladamir reported to the Garrison to find out if he was expected
to return to duty. The Baliff, in charge in the Senator's absence, thought
it reasonable to put Vlad back to work. Vlad sought out his regular patrol
-- already on duty -- and joined up with thhem. As usual, all was calm
along their route. The other guardsmen questioned Vlad at length about his
adventure, encouraging him to embellish on the details. Finally, they
parted company. While still wandering about town, Vlad met his sister-in-law,
Natalia, who had his niece Katrina in tow. Natalia had an errand to run
for her husband, Marcus. Vlad's brother wished to have a fine dagger to
leave at the Garrison's shrine to Kelanen on Godsday. However, she was
stuck with her daughter and did not wish to have Katrina around where weapons
were being sold. Vlad politley volunteered to run the errand for her,
which she gladly accepted. Vlad went to the Old Market to see if any
weaponsellers were out today.
While at the Old Market, Vlad was stopped by a stranger in
platemail armor who was making a scene because he could not find a shrine to
Heironeous in town. Vlad explained that there was none to be found, at
which the stranger balked and said some unpleasant things about the local clergy. The
stranger left with his small entourage, and left Vlad to discover that no
weapons were being sold in the Old Market that day.
Abraham had returned to his shrine, and found that it was
occupied. A plain-looking, but richly-dressed young woman had been standing
before the wooden icon of Pelor. She turned with a start, but was relieved
when Abe identified himself. She told him her name was Dalinda, and that
she had purchased several years ago a prayerbook to Pelor and memorized the
hymns inside. She wished to know if there was anything else she should
know before attending a service. Abe assured her she was well-prepared,
but that this Godsday there would be a night service. As he pressed her
for details of her background, she said only that she had lived in Prymp all
her life, but that her family would not approve of her interest in
Pelor. She grew agitated, and left Abe alone to ponder his
encounter.
Readying 18th.
Hristo was soon in the presence of another Oerdian, this one
with shaggy brown hair, wearing leather armor, and a broadsword hanging at his
side. This man knelt before Hristo just out of reach, and spoke calmly
with his prisoner. Hristo had been lucky, he claimed, in that the gnolls
who attacked Hristo and Barada were eager to show their worth to their new
employer, and made sure to bring them as live prisoners to this
man. Barada had recovered first, but because he had refused to answer the
man's questions, he was "forced" to keel haul Barada. A sailor
from on deck called down to the man, calling him Captain Renspa.
Renspa went on to say that since killing Barada, he had had a
change of heart. He was already convinced that Hristo and Barada had
belonged to the adventuring band attacking his Skull Keep, and there was no
other information he particularly needed from Hristo. But something he did
need was a cabin boy. He proposed to release Hristo, to roam the ship as
he wished, for as long as they were at least a mile from the coast -- as the
sailor's call had indicated. All Hristo had to agree to was to help out
whenever asked by any crew member, not to go in any private room without
permission, and not to make any trouble.
It didn't take Hristo very long at all to agree to those terms.
Readying 15th, 591 CY
Alexander Petrok continued to wander the Dock Distrct. Off
the mainstreet, he found a building, like a shop, but with a blank sign out
front. Intrigued, Alexander lurked nearby to watch the entrance. His
wait ended when two men, looking like common laborers, emerged. They were laughing
about how relaxed they felt. Alex decided to explore inside after seeing
they left the door ajar. Inside was a sitting room, in which a woman
looked over the back of a couch as Alex entered. Alex soon discovered that
the woman was in a severe state of nakedness, and felt what he presumed to be
un-templar-ly urges. Resisting her advances, he asked if she had seen
anyone bearing the likeness of Barada, the Flan. She had not, and Alex
quickly took his leave.
Perpegilliam Brown also continues to wander the town, though he was
now leaving the east end of the Dock District and circling around towards the
Tannery District. Not being as familiar with this part of town, Perry took
sometime exploring it, and examining what shops he came across. In fact,
he would later become agitated at just how much time he had wasted just milling
about, becoming distracted by everything. He had only circled halfway
around the town by the time he reached the Champion Cock Tavern, and he stopped
there for a late dinner.
Readying 18th
Hristo found quickly enough that if he stayed quiet and out of
anyone's way, the pirates who held him captive really didn't seem to care where
he wandered onboard the ship, or what he did. He was able to learn the
whole roster of the crew by that afternoon. Captain Renspa had a first
mate named Kaz, a second mate named Gershom, a third mate who doubled as
navigator named Pulnka, eight mariners who stayed constantly busy, and two
hobgoblins who stayed below deck most of the time unless they wanted food from
the galley. Hristo spent most of the day just sitting on the deck,
watching all the activity. Close to evening, however, he was told to come
into the galley and help check the biscuit barrels for grubs. Hristo
calmly set about the task, as if he were doing a routine chore, seperating the
hardtack and removing the grubs. While working, Hristo heard a whistle
from outside, which the cook explained meant that they were nearing Prymp, but
would not be stopping there. Hristo wished he could see Prymp again, and wondered
briefly if he ever would, before he again became absorbed in his task.
Readying 15th
Alexander next made his way east along the docks until he came
to the Naval Docks and the Harbormaster's Quarters. Alex was granted an
interview with the sentinel currently in charge. Alex questioned the man
throughly on which docks had been inspected, and which ships had been found to
have suspicious cargo. He learned that a dock inspector named Zlatko
Gulenov had been making suspiciously short reports on what cargo ships on the
westernmost docks held. Zlatko was off-duty, but was due in the next
day.
Satisfied, Alex left and nearly bumped into Abraham. Abe
was on his way to see Peter Filvo, the Harbormaster. Since Filvo was a
follower of Pelor, Abe was able to speak with him. Abe wanted to make sure
that Filvo knew about the pirates, and if they had been spotted yet. Filvo
explained to him that the docks were being monitored, but the pirates had not
yet been flushed out.
Perry, while returning to the Dock District where he began his
day, ran into an acquaintance named Taver Royskov again. Taver was an
Oerdian, and a mercenary fighter, who understood that Perry was now in an
adventuring party that might have need of his services. Taver Royskov did
not come cheap, however, and demanded 2 gold Ivids per day of
employment. Perry initially told him that his price was too high and would
not be paid, but though better of it and told Taver that he would have to name
his price before the entire Band of the Grinning Gargoyle that night at the
Grinning Gargoyle Tavern.
Readying 18th
Hristo continued to sit alone on the pirate ship and watch the
sailors work until nightfall, when most of the sailors went below decks to rest
and the hobgoblins came on deck to guard the ship. Palmis, one of the
sailors, grabbed Hristo and told him to come below with him. Palmis was
off duty and wanted to talk. He told Hristo about growing up in Porton,
the ports of Dargveto and Dargvanessa farther west on the coast, and The Red
Zephyr's current destination -- Chathold in Almor. Palmis drank from a rum
bottle while he talked, and his ramblings became less useful as he went
on. Hristo finally decided it was safe to leave when Palmis fell asleep,
and Hristo went back on deck. Three of the sailors were having a discussion
in hushed voices, but stopped when they spotted Hristo come up from the
hold. Hristo just walked nonchalantly past them into the galley, were he
fell asleep in a corner.
Readying 15th
Alex returned home, to be confronted by his brother-in-law, Franco
Katerinov. Franco invited Alex to a supper the following evening at the
Laborer's Guildhall, where Franco was an officer. Franco was being so
friendly that Alex was immediately suspicious, but accepted the invitation
regardless.
Perry, Vlad, and Abe dined together at the Grinning Gargoyle
Tavern. Most of the usual crowd was dining there, but a nearby table had
an unusual guest. Nemis Coraz, advisor to the laird of Prymp, was quietly
enjoying the food and drink at a table within earshot of them. Perry hid
low in his seat, not wanting to be spotted, but Nemis seemed to pay them no
mind.
While they were dining, Taver Roskov arrived, and told the three
adventurers his terms of employment. Taver sat down for an interview, and
began to go through his work history as a man-at-arms, who had even once helped
bring down an ogre in combat.
While the three listened to him, another man came over to their
table, and warmly introduced himself as Demetaliph. He was looking for
Barada the Flan, but had so far only been successful in locating his old
companions. Joining them at the table, he explained that he was a
successful shepherd with a ranch to the south by the village of Vecheld Gesto,
and a flock of about 150 sheep. The trouble was, Demetaliph could not be
sure of how many he still had, as his sheep had been disappearing a few at a
time each day. The man explained about how a pack of death dogs had
recently emerged from the Thelwood, and posed such a threat that Governor
Vecheld had sent troops to disperse the pack. And though they had been
successful in dispersing it, Demetaliph's current troubles seemed to indicate
that stragglers from the pack were still roaming the Ahlissa coast and posed a
continuing danger.
Demetaliph offered to pay two gold Ivids for their aid in this
matter, which Taver quickly accepted. Perry, intrigued, decided that he
would accompany Taver. Wanderlust also got the better of Abe, and he
agreed to go too. Vlad did not feel his time was available, as he did not
know when the Guard might need him for the assault on Skull Keep. And so
it was decided that, for awhile at least, the Band of the Grinning Gargoyle
would split up. Perry suggested they meet the next morning outside the
tavern, and proceed at once to Vecheld Gesto.
Before leaving the tavern, Perry noticed Tilwich Tourmaline had
slipped in. Perry went to go sit with him, and learned that Tilwich had
verified that afternoon that the fence he used to deal with in Prymp still did
not have strong guild ties, and would see Perry now that his store had
closed. Tilwich directed Perry to Gemanov's Pawnshop, a small
establishment east of the docks that Perry had missed while exploring town
earlier that day. Sure enough, there it was, and though the shop appeared
closed, Perry found the door was open. Perry told the man who opened the
door that Tilwich had sent him, and Perry was allowed to come in. Waiting
at the back of the shop was a large man who identified himself as Gemanov, and
asked to see what Perry had to offer. Perry carefully produced two
complete sets of thieve's picks -- which comprised the bulk of the treasure
that hadn't been lost while fleeing Skull Keep. Gemanov was impressed and
offered a trade for items in the shop. After looking around, Perry found a
gnomish-made cloak that was unusually shaded. This item, Perry recognized,
would help him hide in shadows, and he accepted that and some gold Ivids as a
trade.
After doing business, Perry made his way across town to the
Chapel of Fharlanghn, where he had talked last night to the acolyte, Gershom
Walker. Gershom, who was there again tonight, thanked Perry for returning
a lost Holy symbol to them the other night, and the two talked at length about
the praying to Fharlanghn, and other religious observations. After bidding
Gershom good night, Perry made his way back to the hostel in the Dock
District. Down the side street with his hostel at the end of it, he saw
some unsavory customers in the street. Perry ducked into a narrow opening
between two buildings, and circled round behind the buildings to reach the
hostel. He made his way safely to his room, and like the rest of his party
in town, enjoyed a restful night's sleep.
Readying 19th
Hristo's sleep was interrupted by loud noises and shouting just
around dawn. When he snuck out of the galley to investigate, he was nearly
thrown off his feet as the ship lurched to one side. Most of the crew was
on the side of the deck cutting grappling lines from the side of the ship,
while occassionally getting clipped by a crossbow bolt or grazed by a hurled
trident from below. First Mate Kaz stood on the poopdeck with a smoking
weapon which could only have been a rifle, though Hristo had never seen one up
close before. There seemed to be chaos on the ship, which Captain Renspa
wasn't helping as he shouted orders to wildly to be understood. Hristo
managed to stop a sailor as he went running past, and learned that the ship was
under attack by mermen. Hristo decided the best place for him was out of
harm's way, and promptly returned to the galley. He emptied out one of the
barrels of biscuits and crawled inside it to hide.
Readying 16th
Perry and Abe met Demetaliph outside the tavern, and only waited
a short time for Taver to show up. Demetaliph had a horse, but did not
have mounts for the others. Perry decided to stop at the town stables at
the southern edge of town and purchase a pony for himself. Abe walked
along beside. Taver, clad in cumbersome splintedmail armor, found in
increasingly hard to keep up, and kept dropping out of sight throughout the day
as he stopped to rest. Demetaliph seemed unconcerned, and took an interest
in talking to Perry and learning where the hobniz had traveled. He asked
Perry several times if he was from the Thelwood. When asked why Demetaliph
thought he would be, the man responded that his brother, Pridyanaliph, was
quite a traveler and had seen both hobniz and olves in the woods.
Late that morning, Alex was summoned to the Chapel of
Zilchus. Curate Adderal, the priests Stanus and Borgev, Alex's father and
Head Templar Phillip, the Templar Sergeant Kolos, and Alex's peers Aaron and
Istvan were all there. Alex was late for an impromptu meeting that had
already discussed that the Governor's Guard was moving too slowly in responding
to the brigand and pirate threat from Skull Keep -- suspiciously slow as the
curate felt. It was resolved that the Templars would be sent to deal with
this matter if the Guard failed to do so. All that remained undecided was
a deadline as to when the Templars of Zilchus would take action.
TO BE CONTINUED