Battle Written Out

Inasatra rides up and tells the group they are dirty dwarves.

“I have never dealt with them directly but heard a few stories, if I was ever to encounter them. They can go almost invisible for a short time, so keep your bearings about you, they thrive in the darkness. These are tough little guys…” the beautiful elf says trailing a bit off at the end.

Everyone glances back to the Eldergleen and she sighs, the group knowing there is probably more.

Shaking her head Inasatra finishes with, “they are rumored to feast on non dwarves, so this could be a hunting party looking for food.”

Everyone lets out a disgusting sigh or grunt.

Chance starts to jump off his horse, “alright, dismount and lets get in order,” he barks, only to get interrupted.

“Dammit, where did the lights go?” Talia says in a concerned and louder tone.

“Dismount NOW! Gear up!” Chance yells loud and with a growl as his form changes from a tall muscular man, to a glowing monster with blue light beaming out of his eyes. It lights the area a bit, much to the thankfulness of the humans with them. “Fighters in front, spell slingers in back!” he growls as the Champion form takes over his body.

Everyone is grabbing their gear and sending the horses down the pathway. Demi glances back, “spell slingers, who, what?”

Talia shrugs her shoulders, “that Cleric guy, I guess?”

“I am right here and my name is Sincere,” the ‘cleric guy’ responds bringing out his warhammer and whispering to its hilt making it glow, “I will not be in the back, it’s not who I am.”

Talia nods as she gets her battle staff, similar to Bastians, ready, says a few works rubs a dust compound on her armor and it moves and glows a bit giving her added protection. “I ‘sincerely’ hope you are ready to fight!” she belts out, happy with her pun.

Chance shakes his head and grunts, wishing he had his beloved here with him, or even the shaved head skank. Then he starts to look around, “it’s too quiet…”

Inasatra yells, “to the trees!” pointing at the direction a large spider like creature is leaping down onto the Eldergleen Elf.

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The spiders are called Steeds, have eight legs and are born and bred for Duergars to ride them. These creatures have uncanny leaping ability, can attack with their fangs dealing piercing damage and poison. Their front legs can grapple an opponent easily, allowing for them to feast or their rider to make their enemy a pin cushion. The riders are called Duergar Kavalrachni, a cavalry of sorts for the dirty dwarves. They carry pole arms, lances, halberds and the such to make melee attacks and heavy crossbows to make ranged attacks.

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DUERGARS SNEAK ATTACK
Inasatra swipes her glowing blue sword and it knocks the spear away that was ready to make her a shish-ka-bob. By doing that, it allowed the spider to clamp onto her, piercing her armor a bit and sinking the fangs into her (Rolled a natty, but rolled a 2 for damage. 4hp + 8hp of poison damage). She falls and rolls to get out of the jaws of the beast and tries to recover.

Chance looking around, sees Inasatra start to get attacked and turned around in time, or he thought. The spider clamps down on the glowing man, piercing his skin and he yells a bit (6hp + 7hp Poison). The Rider drives his lance like thing into the Champion as well making him step back, turn and it dislodges but not before the damage was done (6hp). “ARGG!” he yells grabbing for his shoulder.

Then blurry figures, hard to distinguish suddenly come into view and one of the slices through Luella’s arm as she screams and grabs for her arm (6hp of damage).

Another blurry figure appears and brings a make shift wooden club with a spike in it, down on Sincere only to have it glance off his breast plate, doing no damage. Another appears and takes a swipe at Chance, but he dodges it with his extended speed.

As this was happening, Talia is whirling around looking frantically, disorientated, she makes one final turn only to get a spear into the gut. The Ironbark armor does its job reducing the damage, and covering the wound afterwards, but she still gets it pretty good (10hp of damage).

Luella getting turned around at this barrage of attacks ends up having half her throat slit and shoulder run threw by one of the Duergar, a sneak attack. She quickly reactionary uses her healing cantrip to stop the bleeding (14hp of damage, 4hp returned).

Two heavier armored Duergar (Known as Duergar Stone Guard) appear and attack. One goes after Sincere with a warhammer with spikes and he parries it with his big clumbsy great hammer. Meanwhile another tries to do some damage on Inasatra but she was having nothing of it as she not only parries it, but jumps out of the way.

ROUND ONE
All the Duergar have initiative with their sneak attack and such. There are (2) Steeds with (2) riders, (4) Duergars, (2) Stone Guards and (1) Duergar Shadow.

The same Stone guard goes after Sincere again, this time he doesn’t even hit the plate.

As Inasatra was fending off multiple attacks, she gets a war pick in the side, but her fast reflexes only made it a small wound rather than a full fledged hole (5hp of damage). Another tries to drive home a spear but she situates herself between spear and sword and it slides harmlessly away.

Luella is shell shocked, completely unsure what to do and a Duergar takes advantage of it, an odd shaped club slams into her head and shoulder. Making her stumble back and land on her butt, she quickly gets up, but fear and panic is all over her face, and her eyes are welling up (11hp of damage).

Talia seconds from the skewer she took glances over to see the giant spider coming at her, she dodges the bolt that came from the Duergar’s crossbow but could not get away from the sticky, slimy two front legs of the steed and she now becomes grappled (failed throw).

Despite the other spider and rider being a good 20 feet away, it leaps for Demi and she was not ready for it. The Duergar rider slashes with it’s halberd and rips through her shoulder area making her gasp a bit, probably because she was fending off the spider attack first (10hp). The steed tries to clamp on to the large woman only to get a huge double handed battle axe handle in the mouth, rendering the attack useless.

With all the action to the left of Demi, another Duergar turns and jams two daggers into her with a flanked attack, making her eyes bulge and a loud groan comes from her mouth. Both of them deep and deliberate (14hp total of damage).

As Sincere is looking over the battlefield closely, out of the darkness races a Duergar cloaked and somewhat hard to see. Two daggers get jammed into the seams of his armor making him wince and yelp a bit (14hp of damage). It then disappears back into the darkness. “What in Animaxes fireplace?” the Cleric retorts not liking this enemy one bit.

---

A Duergar Shadow is a spy of sorts, and has a much better grasp on the chameleon traits the Duergar of Legon have. They train for it. He is hard to see, and any attack on him will be at a disadvantage. He has two attacks per round, but his second is almost always to disengage and dash to a hiding spot. The disadvantage he has is a low AC (12) and a standard HP (28). Meaning a few good hits and he is done for.

---

Luella was frantically digging in her pouch and she finds a weird rope necklace and she puts it on, as she is rubbing her staff (all jokes aside lol). Her body shimmers for a moment and then she goes to looking around frantically, tears streaming down her face (added +4ac Invoker Ward Armor)

The Spider / Rider combo that just attacked Demi now kind of wishes they didn’t. She twirls her giant axe in the air gaining some momentum and slashes at the Spider ripping through it’s side making it yelp a weird high pitched sound (8hp of damage). Then she twirls again aiming for the rider who was stuck where he was, due to the spider freezing up from the attack, and the Duergar gets an axe across his body (7hp of damage). Then in her final move, she turns to a Duergar who was trying to flank her and she does this weird rush move. Her body shuttered a little and ended up in front of the dwarf, who had wide eyes and completely surprised. The dwarf goes tumbling backwards ass over teakettle (rush move, Duergar took no damage but is prone for one round).

Then like she was in a different existence, Inasatra stops looking around, bows her head for a second, turns and with unbelievable speed and accuracy she slashes out ripping through a Dwarf, practically cutting it in half, blood flies everywhere. The Duergar wide eyes clenching for anything left of his body, watches as the Eldergleen Elf puts her hand on his nasty skull and he quickly blows up, like someone pumped in 1000lbs of air and he just explodes everywhere. Demi, Talia get the brunt of the blood splatter, some on Luella. Oddly enough barely any made it onto Inasatra.

Talia, taking inspiration from Demi twirling her weapon around, does the same like Helkyr taught her, and swings for a Duergar who uses its spear to deflect the attack. She grunts a little then takes a second to say a word or two and heal herself (11hp returned)

The Stone Guard was gearing up for another attack when all it could feel is pain, and see stars. Sincere swung hard down on the overly armored shortstuff and it was a doozy (natty 18hp of damage).

Chance finds the closest thing to attack and does. His excitement and adrenaline does him no favors as his first attack was wild, clanking off a Duergar armor. His second attack he thrusts his sword into the same Duergar who was looking to protect himself and did not do a good job of it, the sword plunges in and the dwarf spits a bit of blood (15hp of damage). Chance rips out the blade slashes again, and again wildly, and misses the dwarf completely. Grumbling he thinks of Bark and his skin almost instantly starts to turn.

ROUND TWO
Chance now has extra bark for Armor. There are (2) Steeds with (2) Riders, (3) Duergars, (2) Stone Guards and (1) Duergar Shadow.

After witnessing his friend explode into bits, anger builds up in one of the Duergar and he races for Inasatra. He tries to attack, but the blood and guts on the ground do him no favors and he slides and he is waving his hands around to catch himself from falling. Dropping his weapon he slowly looks up to the radiant blueish green eyes of this magnificent elf and it was the last thing he saw. A blade gets drove into the dwarf and it is raised up with such speed and force, he is gutted and falls to the ground in two parts practically (double damage, advantage 36hp of damage).

Unfortunately Inasatra took too long glowering at the dwarf resembling a twix bar, and a spear gets rammed into her side and pretty deep. She twirls enough to get the damn weapon out, but she grimaces and oddly does not say or make a sound, (14hp natty on Inasatra).

In a defensive move, Demi goes to block a pick axe attack by a Duergar but the weapon + move combo was too slow and she gets a decent amount of the axe into her making her yell and curse (11hp of damage).

Talia rips free of the Steeds gooey leg hold, falls to her knee and then stands back up. She is staring right into the multiple eyes of the spider and she has a quick flash back:

Shaking herself from her momentary PTSD episode, she thankfully avoids the spiders bite, but that allowed the Duergar rider to shoot his heavy crossbow and hit her in the chest (5hp of damage). She winces, looks down and her eyes bulge, “my titties, NO, you fucker!”

The second spider rider combo turns to Chance and attacks. The spider clamps, what it thought, was deep into the opponent, only to have it shrug it off and turn in annoyance. The Bark saved him from an attack. The spear comes shortly after and he blocks it with his long dagger and it slides harmlessly away. The Champion’s eyes turn to slits and he growls.

Inasatra parries the Shadow’s attack, and the creature was in pure disbelief mode at the speed and awareness of this enemy. He then dashes to a fallen tree. Another attack by a Stone guard has him missing the heavily armored Animax Cleric.

Luella in fear, remembers a little trick Rawek taught her before she left. She has already cut her palm a bit, blood down her staff and she slams it to the ground. Her eyes flash red, and the Shadow who attacked her before gets a staff pointed in his direction. The shadow’s eyes light up feeling some flame burning on him and he flails a bit around (made save but took 8hp of damage). This was two fold as the flames will a lot longer than 6 seconds and his next attack cannot be a sneak one.

Demi wheels around and slams her axe into the ground, cutting the prone Dwarf from last round in half, ending its life completely (with bonuses and such she got a 31, 21hp of damage, he ded). She then turns to the next close one and that was a stone guard and slashes hard, ripping through a seam in the make shift but sturdy armor, not once but twice (12hp and 9hp of damage) sending the dwarf back holding onto its side.

Inasatra grabs for something in her belt, it is a rose thorn. She squeezes it, and her body flashes a soft pink. A thorny whip erupts from her hand and she snaps it once making a metal striking sound. She flings it towards the unsuspecting spider, and it wraps around the two front legs. She pulls on it and the two legs slam together, the gooey substance doing the creature no favors now. When it tries to recoil, it was the worst thing it could of done as the Eldergleen elf stood firm and the legs are ripped out of the creatures body (13hp of damage, prone next round). Then with the quickly recoiling magical thorn whip, it helps her leap forward and slam her now pulsating red and blue sword deep into the Rider of this now crippled spider (15hp of damage). She is standing on the spiders head, wide eyes and a grin with her sword in his gullet. She then jumps off the spider, making a save from getting attacked.

Talia has rubbed some dust on her armor and it shifts, and hardens (added +2 ac), then she swings for the fences at the closest Duergar and it slices through the upper legs of one of them making them howl a bit (10hp of damage).

Sincere quickly “sheathes” his warhammer and grabs his necklace. Raises his hand, bows his head and bright light streaks from his hand and hits the Spider Rider duo (20hp split between the two), then in a surge like fashion, rips out his warhammer and swings at the now stunned Spider clocking it hard (12hp) making it start to shrivel up and stumble a bit. The rider has to jump off.

Chance goes after the Duergar who was jumping off the Spider, and took him by surprise driving his sword deep into the dwarf, but unfortunately not as deep as he wanted (7hp of damage), then slashes across the neck, hitting and digging really deep almost beheading him (11hp of damage). He grabs for his throat, blood spurting out and collapses on the ground. With a surge he has learned to master, he turns and drives the sword deep into the spider, who all but goes limp and dies (11hp).

ROUND TWO
Chance now has extra bark for one more round. Talia has the extra AC for 3 more rounds, and Luella has her magical armor as long as she concentrates. There is (1) Steed (without front legs) with (1) rider, (1) Duergar, (2) Stone Guards and (1) Duergar Shadow. DM rolled for moral and they failed miserably. Rolled a 4 on a 20.

Seeing their group getting routed, the Duergars take a bonus action to turn into their chameleon, invisible state.

Talia’s eyes bulge a little, she rolled a 22 on perception, and she grabs some component from her bag. She leans her staff against her, throws the component up, murmurs a word and slaps her hands together making the component burst all over. By then everyone in the 60 foot area has a bright pink outline about them. Smirking and proud of herself, the Witchblade says “there you go, have at it!” The Chameleon effect is dispelled and any attack is with advantage and double damage (fairy fire).

The group then makes quick work of the rest. Demi rushes forward and kills a stone guard and the Steed that was left with no front legs. Sincere again casts a spell that shoots light beams and kills the other stone guard. Inasatra brings out her bow, her preferred weapon and takes out the Cavalier Duergar. Chance decapitates the last simple Duergar. But the shadow has fled and is a good 60 feet up the mountain.

“We can’t let it escape,” the Eldergleen says, drawing back her bow. She stands perfectly still, her head does a weird cocking motion and she grins. As the arrow flies, she mumbles, “got you…” and everyone watches as the dwarf 90 or more feet off, just collapses and stops moving.

Without warning and suddenly, Chance is practically tackled by Luella, she is balling hysterically and is holding on tight.

The Champion, wide eyes, watches as his bark dissipates and he wraps one arm around the invoker. He kisses her on the top of the head and says “you are safe now Luella, I would never let anything happen to you.” He glows a bit, and his healing washes over him and Luella.

“Loot what you can, then hide the bodies. Make haste,” Inasatra says glancing at Luella with some disgust, “if they come looking for them and find them by nights end, they could track us from there and who knows what they will bring to avenge them.”

Talia makes her way over to the Champion, and rubs Luella’s back who is slowly recovering. The Witchblade looks around, and is unclasping her armor. “You tell dad about this I’ll kill you, but I know your healing doesn’t leave scars…”

Out pops Talia’s perfect breasts. She rips the bolt out of her and she gasps, blood spurts a bit. The Champion wide eyes looks around quickly, puts his hand square on her boob and heals it. “What the hell Talia, a little warning before you bust out the firecrackers,” Chance says quietly, “I want to see my children’s second birthday, so yeah, I won’t be telling anyone about this… especially your father!”

Plugr’s daughter quickly covers up, face as flushed as anyone has ever saw her and she is clasping her Ironbark armor back on. Luella has a smirk on her face and starts to giggle a little, as she sniffles.

Both of the girls walk off trying to help with the bodies. The rest of the group does as well.

The Duergar has no need for money, so there was only 2 gold, 10 silver and 20 copper. Plenty of Raw weapons to choose from, and make shift sturdy armor. Everyone shrugs their shoulders, Luella grabs a evil looking dagger, Talia grabs the money and the rest is thrown 100 feet from the road. Demi and Sincere are dragging one of the spiders over to the side of the road and covering it the best they can. Chance is hauling any dwarf corpse a good 50 feet off the road and tossing it, (no dwarf tossing joke).

Luella and Talia casting a cantrip together creating and moving water along the road, getting the blood moved to the side. Trying to help with the smell as well as any stains someone would find.

The group seems good, as Chance heals Demi and she smiles wide. She went to kneel and Chance grabs her, gives her a look and the big warrior woman nods her head.

The rest of the party heals up from either Sincere or Chance.

“Let’s get our horses and find this goddamn Shadow Run place now!” The large Champion yells walking towards the horses.

Meanwhile Talia is coming from the brush with a sack in her hand, she puts it on the side saddle of her gallant white horse.

The group is now ready to move on.

First Five Begins Here

The ride was tense, but swift. It was about an hour later and they can see the road got a little nicer, and a larger walled area was apparent more to the north. Large braziers and some torches, made it fairly well lit. The walls are roughly 10 feet stone, and another 10 feet wooden palisade on top. Not in the best shape, but seems to be keeping people or things out. A huge double door inset into the wall.

Chance gets everyone to stop, at the entrance to the large well upkept pathway. He jumps off his horse, and spots the stable, that was also inside a large fenced area. The entire area has a heavy guard presence, who has taken notice of the group and has weapons drawn and are quickly getting into formation.

The Champion sighs, looks over to Inasatra, and nods, “care to join me?” he says knowing she would have decent persuasion skills and thinking of the Renrazzi Elf; Faelyn Hilorca and how good she was with this kind of thing.

Barely looking, the Eldergleen elf nods and walks with the large man to confront an impressive battle formation of 10 or so guards. One man sits behind them.

“Odd hours you keep stranger, nothing good ever comes with an encounter a click past high moon,” he says with a booming and powerful voice.

Chance stops as does Inasatra, “could not agree more, but we have been riding all day to get here…” he starts to say but gets interrupted.

Still booming, “if you agree with me, then I suggest you turn around and leave,” the man finishes.

“Oh, ok, sure. I’ll just go down the road to that luxurious bath house filled with gorgeous naked maidens, and barrels of wine and…” Chance starts but gets a nudge by the Eldergleen elf.

A few snickers come from the guards but they quickly get back in line.

“We just had it out with some, dirty dwarves, and we are honestly just looking for some lodging for the night, we will be gone by morning if need be,” Chance says, trying to keep his voice positive but losing patience. ‘Everything is a goddamn chore now a days’ he thinks to himself.

The man peels off three guards, and walks to the side, he points at Chance, and beckons for him. He sees Inasatra start to walk, “no, only the tall one in dark armor…”

As Chance gets closer, the mans eyes turn to slits trying to focus on the symbol on his chest, “fuck me, what is the Black Ward doing out in these parts, as if we didn’t have enough to deal with.”

The Champion chuckles, “no good sir, I am honestly, just traveling through and just need a place for my party to stay for the rest of the night, however long that is,” he finishes looking up to the sky.

He is shaking his head, “you had an encounter with the dwarves huh? Tuck tail and ran I suppose, I can understand, even for the Ward…”

“No,” Chance says giving the man a sincere look, “we took them out, all of them and those creepy ass spiders too.”

The man, who is dressed in plate mail armor, and armed to the teeth shakes his head, “Black Ward you might be, but those Dwarves are near impossible to kill, especially at night…” he finishes with a chuckle.

Chance shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head, “well, no, we took them all out.”

Putting his hands on his hips the Captain of sorts, starts to shake his head again, when he looks past you with a bit of wide eyes. The guards take notice and aim their weapons at the quickly approaching woman.

“Easy guys, I just wanted to offer a gift,” Talia says with a smirk, holding out a sack, that seems to be dripping something out of, “sorry, its a bit, messy.”

After a few uneasy seconds, the man gingerly takes the sack and opens it. He scoffs loudly and drops the sack on the ground, “really?”

“Hey, I had a funny feeling we would need proof, so there it is, all the baddies went buh-bye,” she says in a cheerful, Talia like tone.

He pushes the sack off with his foot back towards Talia, “here take it back. You realize that you probably has led a venging party of Dirties to trace the smell back to us… great job.”

She playfully shakes her head, “you shouldn’t return a gift sir, that is just rude. Even if it is a dwarf head. And no, they won’t.” She leans down grabs some herbs in the bag, “it masked the scent, so quit being so damn rude.”

Two of the guards exchange looks and smirks, and that led to them easing a bit up on their stance. The leader gives her a long look and chuckles. “Fine, bring your party in, the stable is over there, it is a silver per horse.”

Talia wheels around, “a silver?!” she says with some disbelief.

The man is walking to the fortified gate, “yes, silver, how do you think we make it in this god forsaken land? On good looks and, dwarf heads?” He barbs back, then dismissing the garrison he brought forth. They seem to disperse and go back to their patrols or guard duties.

After the group settles in their horses, Chance is looking at the stable hand intently, surrounded by guards, “I need these horses well fed, extra water and give them a brush, understand?”

In rags for clothing, an unkept beard and smelling of urine, the man looks over, “might right ya say, I get some dresses for dem here as well, what say bout that eh?” In broken common, with a flushed grin on his face.

Chance shakes his head, pulls out 2 gold, grabs the dirty mans shoulder, “extra water, extra feed, and brush them, understand? I will have another gold for you if I feel this has been accomplished, understand, I hope?”

The mans eyes light up and he grabs the gold and bites on it, he nods and goes rushing down the stable corridor.

Afterwards Chance and the party heads through the gates, looking about, this town smells funny, has a weird vibe to it and looks to have way too many guards roaming about.

The group, with a little protest are being escorted into the first, very large, building of the town. Double doors, that seem sturdy, but that is where it ends. Appears to be 3 floors, made of wood, maybe some stones and masonry work. Definitely has seen better days. It has a sign that says “Aging Doorway Inn.”

A man, bleary eyed walks out, speaks with the guard. Demi, grabs some money from her pouch, glances over to the Champion. He just shrugs his shoulders and they disappear into the double doors.

The captain of sorts, leads the Quarter elf a bit farther down this odd town, filled with buildings that look like they wouldn’t last a gust of wind, to ones that look brand new and sturdy. Turns down an alley that has a heavy guard presence, and is taken into a large stone building. He opens a door and guides him up a flight of stairs. They lead into a room 30 x 30 foot room, that is fairly well decorated, and has two guards who probably were just sleeping. A large hanging torch holder in the middle with the ceiling a good 20 feet up, attached to some piping. Each wall has doors, except the one they entered on. Some tables, chairs and what appears to be a circular unlit fireplace in the middle.

A man burst out of the door, “what the fuck is going on, why did you wake me up!” he yells, looking around. Briefly giving Chance a look, eye brow raise then to his captain.

Peppered greyish black hair, going into his beard as well, short and fairly small. His head seems to be too big for his body. Dressed in a silk night outfit, when he looked at the Champion, it appears he only had one eye available, the other seemed, injured in some way.

“Sorry to have woken you Doyen, sir, but I felt this was urgent enough that…” the man starts only to get interrupted.

“yes yes, it’s what 2 in the morning, formalities can go fuck itself,” he says completely frustrated, walks up to you and gives you a once over and ends at your symbol. He frowns, sighs and mumbles, “fuck me.”

Chance chuckles, “I get that reaction often,” he says quietly, standing straight with his hands behind his back. Realizing this man is very flamboyant and works on his emotions too quickly (rolled a 21 on insight); better keep any anger deep.

“Why are you here?” the Doyen says bringing his silky belt around him, tying up his over coat, walking to a table with a pitcher on it, and grabbing a glass, “what could Black Ward possibly want in the Free Lands?”

“Passing through, on our way to Thoraxe, uh, Doyen, sir,” he says stumbling a bit wondering what the hell a doyen is, “it is a long ride from Havenleaf and we…”

The man wheels around practically spilling his drink, “Havenleaf? You want to tell me you rode all the way from that place?” He says scoffs and laughs, “you have pretty fast horses, Black Ward.” Finishing with a bit of sarcasm.

“The names Chance Axion, Sire,” he says giving him a slight bow, and then standing back up again.

This seemed to please the man, seeing the tall Black Ward agent giving him a bit of respect. “Alright, this is, all so fucking fascinating, but why are they not in the Aging Doorway Inn?” he says, again filled with frustration as he takes a gulp of water, slams the cup down.

“They killed a band of Dirties, sir, proof is outside the gates in a bag dripping with blood,” he responds, giving the Doyen another glance to make sure he is not going to be in too much trouble.

An eyebrow raises as this leader glances back to the tall quarter elf, who is dirty, has some blood on him, a few rips and holes in his armor, “took them out did you?” he says starting to smile, “good, those fucking abominations need to be eradicated from this land, hell all of Legon above and below!” He finishes louder and with authority.

He walks to Chance, with over exaggerated strides, puts out his hand, “the name is Yokheck, the Doyen for this town, and you just won yourself a little gold, a nice bath and a clean bed.”

The two exchange hands shakes, and Chance smiles nodding a bit.

Yokheck walks to a door, opens it, “Bath is in there,” he says, then walks to a door across the room, opens it, “your bed, in there. We eat a click past cry time, understood? Now get a fuckin’ bath before you put your head down on my clean linens.”

The Doyen walks to the captain, says something and he disappears into the door he came out of. The captain nods to you, smiles big and walks out, and down the stairs.

“Well, shit, good night then, I guess,” the Champion mumbles to himself with a chuckle and heads for the bath to clean up. After a wash, he walks to the room with nothing but a towel on. Goes in, closes the door and turns up a small lantern on the wall.

A smaller 15 x 15 room, with a small window on the far wall, a lumpy odd looking bed against the far left wall and a table and small dresser on the right. A few paintings and a curtain set that probably needed throwing out or a cleaning at least.

Chance sighs, shrugs his shoulders and puts on his pants. Crawls into bed. Two clicks past high moon and falls fast asleep.

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FREYA (Friday) 7:00 AM

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Turn Base Starts Here

DMaster: You are awoke at 7:00 AM, some random bell ringing throughout the town. Ding dong ding dong (todd is a) ding dong.

Chance: I will grab my good clothes and put them on, to have breakfast with the Doyen. Make sure I am somewhat presentable.

DMaster: You walk into that middle room, and there is a maid of sorts, sweeping up the floor that has dirt and the like (probably from you).
She jumps a little seeing you, she reached for something but fumbled and it dropped.
MAID: Uhhh who… are you?

Chance: Chan: Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you the name is Chance Axion. The Doyen did say that breakfast was just a little past cry time, correct?
Giving her a look.

DMaster: She glances at you, glancing between you and what fell on the floor which is a wicked looking dagger. Talking in broken common.
MAID: dagger to the face, be the way for you, sneaky lil fart you be, ya know
She continues on cleaning after she picks up her dagger, puts it back into her belt.

Chance: Shaking my head but keeping my eyes on her

DMaster: She looks to be mid 30’s. A scar or two can be seen. Harden skin, hair dry and dull, pulled back. Wearing a knapsack looking outfit. She is just cleaning and such. The Room: you walk out from the west side. The other door on that side was where the doyen went. The east has two doors as well, the far one was the bathroom, you do not know where the other one goes, on the north wall is the stairway down, and across from that to the south, is a double door – currently closed.

Chance: Chan: can you at least point me in the direction of the Doyen, my good lady

DMaster: She scoffs and points at the double doors, still speaking in broken common.
MAID: Bother me, everyone can and do can. swear to the max of ani…

Chance: Chan: Yes, the max of Ani.
Give her a short confused look, nod my head and make my way to the double doors

DMaster: You head through the doors and it opens into a fairly large dining area. It is a 30′ x 50′ room, with a huge table in the middle. some weird and odd paintings, not exactly well framed either, seems dingy, but it’s nice. some candelabra hanging, kind of crooked, the chairs are rickety and it smells a bit of mildew. Two windows on the far wall. A male servant of sorts is placing things on the table. He glances over and raises an eyebrow.
MALE: Doyen, sir, are we just letting anyone in to dine?

Chance: I am making my way over towards the table and scoff a little, before I see the Doyen

DMaster: He looks up, gives you an odd look then like he realized you were still here.
DOY: Oh yeah, ummm, dance was it, Dance axlefrottle or some shit?
The man chuckles and shakes his head.

Chance: Chan: Good Morning to you sire and its Chance, Chance Axion

DMaster: DOY: Oh yeah. well sit already, jeesh
He is looking over a scroll
DOY: what was your tally for the dirties you killed?
He has a quill and ink, waiting for you to respond.

Chance: I give him the tally of all the dirties that the group killed

DMaster: DOY: 6 dirties, 2 spiders and a … ohh… those little fuckers. creepers, or shadow things, yeah.

Chance: Chan: I must thank you for the bath and a warm bed, Yokheck
giving him a small smile

DMaster: He kind of waves you off
DOY: So a gold per dirty, hmmmm 2 gold for that dark fucker and a platinum for those…
He stops and shudders
DOY: Fucking gross. spiders
He looks around
DOY: Where the hell is my daughter? probably spent last night fucking the bar-room.
He looks at the servant who is almost done setting things up, he shrugs his shoulders.
MALE: Hell if I know, you told me to stop bending her over the desk, so I rarely know where she is anymore.
He shakes his head. The Doyen frowns, gives him a stern look.
DOY: Food, sometime today?
The maid throws the cleaning towel across the room
MALE: so goddam impatient
Says quietly as he leaves.

Chance: Just sit there, shake my head and look around the room
Chan: once breakfast is had, I will see to my group and we will be on our way

DMaster: DOY: Yes yes.
He now is on to another scroll reading it, then suddenly, he yells, making you jump a little.
DOY: Where the fuck is my goddam beanwater!
The servant comes in wide eyes with a pitcher and few mugs
MALE: Calm down, right here, fuck man.
He says quietly, then slams a mug down in front of you and him. Pours the drink and goes to leave. But before he makes his way out,
MALE: Daughter must of just gotten home
DOY: Oy?
He nods, smirks
MALE: I can smell the rotten fish from here.
DOY: Fuck off! Get! Go. do your job and bring us breakfast before I have to go to bed from waiting so long!
The Doyen shakes his head, looks back down to his scroll, and takes a deep drink

Chance: Grab my mug and take a drink, not sure what to even say to all of this. A little shell shocked as to how people treat each other.

DMaster: The doors burst open and two kids come running in probably about 10 and 12, both boys. They are arguing with each other about a toy
DOY: What have I told you about that, disputes are taken outside and the strong will persevere, and the weak, they don’t get a goddam toy do they?
They look at him and shrug their shoulders, then stop and look at you
BOY: Who is the tall goofy fucker?
Doyen chuckles, giving his kids a playful look.
DOY: Its Dance axlepot or something
He waves his hand around, they look at each other
BOY: Dance? Your name is Dance?
They start laughing

Chance: Chan: No, it appears your father might have a few hearing issues… my name is Chance. Chance Axion.
giving them a small smile and chuckle

DMaster: In walks the servant with a large pot and the other woman servant has some plates
DOY: About goddamn time!
They sigh and put the pot in the middle of the table. Then they put bowls of what looks like fruit, seasoning, etc around it
DOY: Help yourself

Chance: I give them both a smile and a nod

DMaster: You get dirty looks, and they leave. You can smell its porridge. It looks like you can make it anyway you want; berries, raisins, cinnamon, and some other things you are unsure what they are.

Chance: nod my head, and help myself, grabbing some berries and what not

DMaster: The kids are doing the same, making a mess, the Doyen gives them a look and they shrug their shoulders. Then in walks a woman, mid twenties, dirty blonde hair,that is somewhat a mess. A nice shirt, but wrinkled and has a few, ummm stains on it. Tight pants and she is yawning and stretching
WOMAN: Fuck porridge again? my ass can’t take porridge anymore
The male maid giggles,
MALE: I not sure the town can take your ass anymore either (quietly)
WOMAN: Fuck off!
DOY: Always nice to see you my dear, classy as ever, couldn’t even change your shirt, we have a guest.
He points to you, as he is looking around for utensils.

Chance: Shaking my head taking a small bite of my food

DMaster: it tastes like sawdust. It kind of smells like Porridge, but honestly you are unsure. The berries were ok, almost sour, you think it’s edible but its not very good. The daughter stops and looks, raises an eyebrow, growls a little playfully.
WOMAN: Oh, why, hello…
She walks by you, runs her hand across your shoulder
DOY: Don’t even think about it, he is Black Ward, you don’t want to get involved.

Chance: Wondering why being Black Ward would have anything to do with sticking the log in the fire, but whatever.
Chan: and I am married I might add

DMaster: DOY: Married. Oy.
Shakes his head. His daughter, presumably, shrugs her shoulders and sits down. You can smell the smoke and booze on her after she walked by. The two boys stop and look at you
BOY: What is Black Ward?

Chance: Chan: lets just say when things need to get done, I am called on to get them done.
giving them a look

DMaster: The daughter smiles, licks her lips
WOMAN: Like… me?
DOY: No, when something bad is happening, or has happened, the Black Ward comes in to make it worse or to sweep it under the rug.
He is fumbling around with his napkin.

Chance: Grunt, clench my jaw and shake it off.

DMaster: The Doyen rolls his eyes to his daughter and finishes fixing up his bowl
BOY: Don’t need Black Ward for you to be on your back sis!
They giggle. She gives them a look and went to point at them with a spoon, but it had porridge on it and it goes flying across the table.
WOMAN: Oops. Damn
Shakes her head, then gives them another bad look.
WOMAN: Shut it you two

DMaster: After a few minutes, she is looking you up and down. Licking her spoon all erotic like. One of the boys looks and he scrunches his face.
BOY: Ugg, I’m going to hurl…
The Doyen looks and shakes his head.
DOY: Not now Darla, ok? Dance is married over there.
He waves her off, she sighs and grabs another helping. Then like her father, she bursts out
DAR: Where’s the fucking beanwater, it’s like they had to ride to fucking Clovendale to get the goddamn beans!
Yokheck smirks, nods his head.
DOY: I know, right?
They come out with more beanwater and some mugs

Chance: I will continue to nibble and finish up my beanwater
Chan: Just a small question. Have you ever watched your servants make your food, or beanwater?

DMaster: Yokheck glances up and shakes his head, looks back down to his scroll. Darla looks over,
DAR: No, why would we do that?
Gives you an odd look.

Chance: Shrug my shoulders, fake like I am going to spit and put my bowl under my mouth. Then mix the porridge a bit with my spoon. Then give her a look.

DMaster: Her face goes from confusion to wide eyes.
DAR: They wouldn’t?!
Yokheck waves her off finishing up his bowl.

Chance: Realizing that is probably what is happening, stop eating my food. Push it away.

DMaster: Darla is now looking around her bowl of porridge with her spoon. They are finishing up too, they all seemed to have calmed down a bit.

Chance: Giggle a little. Get the Doyen’s attention.
Chan: Yokheck, I thank you for the hospitality but I really should gear up and meet up with my group. Thoraxe is still a few days off.

DMaster: He glances up
DOY: Oh yeah, Darla, get Dance here 8 gold and 2 platinum
Her eyes bulge
DAR: uhhh why?
Yokheck slowly looks up to her, face flushing. Her eyes get a bit wide, and she looks down.
DOY: Because I said so you lazy slut, just fucking do it, goddammit.
The kids giggle, she throws her napkin at them and they bat it away. She gets up and walks for the stairway
DAR: Come on Dance, from Black Ward, fuck, Dance really? That’s your name.
The boys giggle
BOY: Dad always gets peoples names all fucked up, he is such a dumbass
Doyen slams his hand on the table making everyone jump.
DOY: Close that shit mouth of yours, before I make it a shoe shiner

Chance: Chan: No my name is not Dance, but at this point, I don’t care. My name is Dance longschlong visiting from the mystical place of unicorns.
Just shaking head at this exchange, chuckling.

DMaster: She stops and gives you wide eyes, and glances down to your… junk region.

Chance: Cringe and dip my head. “bad idea with that last name, with her.”

DMaster: DAR: Glad to get out of here, anyways, come on
You get a decent look at her, she doesn’t seem to have too much up top, but she has an amazing ass, close to the level of Khamyra

Chance: keep thoughts focused on heading to Thoraxe to keep the flopper down. I follow her.

DMaster: You head down the stairs, into the alley way. She walks to the main road, turns and heads back inside the building, through double doors. The road is somewhat busy. Guards standing at the entrance and you can see at least 2 or 3 different groups on patrol. Less than stellar people walking about, getting where they have to go. Some shoves, a yell or two. It kind of reminds you of the Pit.

Chance: Following her with my hands behind me

DMaster: She walks into a big room, bunch of doors, a few guards, some people talking in the middle of the room. You are guessing this is the government level of the stronghold Yokheck lives at. Darla walks over to a window and raps on it
DAR: Hey, whorebag, open up, I gotta give out payment
The large window opens almost hitting her
WOMAN: Hey look, its the town cum receptacle!
A larger middle aged woman, with glasses looks at her and hisses.
WOMAN: Go fuck some guy to get the money, not getting any today bitch.

Chance: “It never ends, doesn’t anyone have a simple polite exchange in this place?” thinking to myself.

DMaster: Darla leans over a bit, winds up very quickly and just belts the big one right in the kisser

Chance: Eyes get big and nod my head.
Chan: Impressive right hook.

DMaster: The glasses go flying, she falls out of the chair with a loud yelp!
DAR: I said, I need payment you fat fuck… I need…
She is leaning in to yell at her but two fat arms reach from the ground and now Darla is getting pulled through and just beaten by this big woman. The guards were lightning fast, and efficient. You figure they do this 10 times a day, apparently. Two guards have both of Darla’s legs pulling her out. The other burst through the back door leading to the woman and you can see him grab a chair and just lay the lumber to that woman on the ground. She lets go of Darla.
DAR: Get off me you fucking skanky cow bitch!
After a short minute, the big woman is leaning up a bit, the one guard has her by the collar. She has blood all over her face.
WOM: You goddamn privileged cock sucking mother fucking slut…
The guard raps her on the head.
WOM: What the fuck, she hit me first!
She looks at the guard.

Chance: I can’t help but laugh seeing the chaos.

DMaster: Darla is now standing back up, a bit of a bloody nose, her hair even more of a mess. She is realigning her jaw a bit. Wipes down the front of her, scrapes at her… umm, stain on her shirt.

Chance: Crossing my arms standing there
Chan: By all means, take your time.

DMaster: GUARD: You fucking reek, how many guys finger blasted you last night?
He says with a chuckle to Darla. The woman, blood trickling down her face, behind the counter, yells.
WOM: Half the town and probably three times in the prison!
DAR: Bitch, even if it was just one, its one more than you’ve had in 10 years
She tries to get away, the guard grabs her pretty hard.
WOM: I’ll fucking knock your teeth so far down your throat you’ll find it on your toilet paper tomorrow morning!
The guard stops with the woman, and lets up a little. Pats her on the shoulder.
GUARD: That, hmmm, that was pretty good.
With a now toothy grin, she nods with a smile on her face. He nods and gives her a swat anyways. The woman is escorted away from the window.

Chance: Dying to be a smart ass, but I will stay quiet. I don’t need stink hole here getting in my grill. Plus I want to be out of this town, ASAP.

DMaster: Finally the Guard looks out
GUARD: Goddammit Darla, every. fucking. time. What’s the pay out?
She looks at you
DAR: What was it again?

Chance: Chan: for killing some dirties

DMaster: She gives you a wide eyed, annoyed look
DAR: No you fucking dumbass, the amount my dad wanted to give you?
The guard chuckles and shakes his head

Chance: Sigh, giving her a dead stare right through her. When I know, no one is looking, let my eyes beam, just a teeny bit.
Chan: 8. gold. 2. platinum.

DMaster: She goes rigid. Takes a step back.

Chance: Chan:OK, Guard, sir, it was 8 gold and 2 Platinum.
Looking at the guard, smile and nod. Then giving the daughter a glance.

DMaster: GUARD: Damn, must of got a few of those spiders, Doyen hates those
She is staring at you, not sure what to think.

Chance: glad I only did the beam a little, this could of went south.

DMaster: He is rifling through things, Hands Darla the money. She grabs it, hands it to you, still looking into your eyes. Then as though she seems to shake off the scene, she shakes her head.
DAR: Goddammit, shouldn’t of had that last shot.
She walks past you.
DAR: Ok, done. bye
She walks out the door, the place seems to be settled down. Looking down, it is a really smelly coin bag, wrapped in what you think is twine with blood all over it, kind of smells like pee.

Chance: Head to my room, gear up and go to the Inn where the group was. Thinking, does everything smell like excrement or urine in this place?

DMaster: You head back in, get to your room. You hear more yelling. Doyen yelling at his kids. You head back out, down the alley and into the main road. Darla is hitting on some old fat guy, who is dressed fairly nice and he doesn’t seem to be wanting any part of it. She looks at you, then double takes. Looks at your kick ass armor, armed to the teeth. Her eyes open a bit and she nods her head.

Chance: Shaking my head as I head to the Inn, quickly.

DMaster: Talia is outside the Inn, looking over a parchment. She glances up, then frustrated-like slap the parchment on her thigh.
TAL: Oh, looky here. The man who didn’t have to sleep on hay that smelled like urine
She gives you a playful dirty look.

Chance: Chan: Damn, hope your morning went better than mine
giving her a playful look back.

DMaster: She chuckles. Looks kind of innocent. All the while you can hear some commotion coming from the Inn.

Chance: Drop my shoulders, sink my head.
Chan: Please don’t tell me… That isn’t…

DMaster: She looks at you bewildered, playfully. Shrugs her shoulders. Some more yells from the Inn. Just then Sincere is pushing Demi out of the Inn, she is red faced with one hand on her Axe. Sincere has the Axe locked down with his arm.
SIN: Not worth it, miss Black Ward, not worth it
DEM: That fucking scumbag, I’ll…
She glances over to you, and straightens up

Chance: Give her a half scolding, half disgusted look.
Chan: Demi. what’s going on?

DMaster: Sincere sees you, then releases the muscular Black Ward woman.
DEM: Sorry, M’loooo… err Chance.

Chance: Clench my jaw, giving her a look

DMaster: Inasatra is walking out, flailing her hand around like she hurt it. Looks to be a bit of blood on her knuckles. You can hear someone yelling in pain, in the Inn. Some other commotions. From the corner of Demi’s eye, she looks to the Eldergleen, smirks.
DEM: Finish what… ummm… we needed to do?
Inasatra still shaking her hand, smirks.
INA: Jaw like a goddamn rock… (quietly)
TAL: Oh its a peach of a place, it was five star!
Luella walks out smirk on her face.

Chance: Grunt loudly.
Chan: I don’t want to even know, right now, let’s get the hell out of here.

DMaster: They all nod. You see Inasatra give Demi a look and they smile, Demi gives her a playful hip bump as you walk out. During the day there is about half the guard presence outside.
TAL: It looks like we have a half days ride to the tourniquet or whatever they call it

Chance: Look at her.
Chan: What the hell is a tourniquet?
Shaking my head.

DMaster: LUE: I hope we got the right information, I mean…
The Invoker is a bit red faced, giggling.
DEM: Luella…
Giving her a look, shaking her head and a warning finger.

Chance: Stop, look at them.

DMaster: Talia grabs your arm.
TAL: Keep walking.
Even she chuckled a little.
TAL: we were still not geared up, and we wanted to know where we were going. I mean the map is nice but you know, who knows what is really there, amiright? Anyways, Demi was asking questions and this guy seemed pretty nice. Maybe the least smelly guy in there.
Demi huffs hearing the story being retold and walks off. Sincere rolls his eyes, shakes his head.
TAL: Then out of nowhere he just grabs Demi’s huge honkers and said, “that’s payment enough for the information!”
The Witchblade smiles, snickers a bit, reliving the event in her head.
TAL: That man must of flew 20 feet, I never saw anyone uppercut anyone like that before. (Demi has the “brawler trait”) I am not even sure he is still alive. His jaw was broke that is for sure. Then it got a little dicey. I exited out the front, that is when you showed up and here we are.

Chance: Recounting the brawl with Darla in my head, just shake my head. Guess this is how they live?

DMaster: You make it to the stable; The horses look, amazing. Sheen, brushed. The man, still smelling like urine comes over.
URINE: Feed, watered, and brushed

Chance: Give him a small smile and nod, reach into the smelly pouch and hand him a gold piece. Since he is use to smelly things it seems

DMaster: He smiles real big, bites it
MAN: Horses be nice, brush they like… thank you ya hear?
Talia’s eyes are big, she puts her nose to her horse and she cringes
TAL: Goddammit, it looks great but it smells like someone wizzed all over her
DEM: Let’s just get the hell out of this place, ok?
Her face still flushed and its apparent she still is a bit steamed.

Chance: Chan: agreed, let’s go
thank the stable hand before we leave

DMaster: he smiles big, giggles a little and runs into the town. You guys get to the main road and head out. (Rolls 15) It is clear sailing. Some clouds along the southern horizon, and the light breeze is a bit cool. Could not be more than mid 50’s. Everyone is chilly, but they get used to it as they ride. You see a few well armed merchants go by, but nothing more. There seems to be a few more towns, the people who you see, more dwarven than anything else now
TAL: Here is a town, want to stop for a bite, or just eat some rations?

Chance: Chan: since we are making good time let’s stop for a bite. I don’t want us to have sore asses for the rest of the trip.
Smirking.

DMaster: You stop at the town. There isn’t really a stable, just a long fence that has a few horses tied to it. Everyone looks around a bit unsure. Some makeshift guards, one is a dwarf the other looks to be a mixed breed. The armor and weapons don’t look great, but they are strapped none the less.
GUARD: What is your business here in Blackfields?

Chance: Chan: just passing through

DMaster: Talia looks at you oddly.
TAL: (quietly) Just passing through?
He is looking at you all, shakes his head.
GUARD: Yeah, keep passing-on-through.
Points west. The other guard, the dwarf spits and laughs
TAL: Ok, strike that, not stopping here. It smells like piss here too.
The mixed breed gives Talia a look. She has already turned around and is walking off.

Chance: Nod head, not looking to start a fight
Chan: yeah lets go

DMaster: You ride about 5 minutes out, stop where there are more trees and brush. Look to eat some rations, take a piss, drink some water. Talia walks to you and you are both looking at the map.
TAL: maybe 3 hours, can’t tell exactly
she steps back, still looking at the map, twisting it, and making her head tilt too. Demi looks over.
DEM: This tourniquet sounds like a bitch to get through. I can’t imagine they just let anyone through.
TAL: Oh, but if Chance says we are “just passing through” I am sure THAT will work.

Chance: Chan: well of course nothing…
Stop mid sentence, look to Talia with an angry look.

DMaster: She smiles innocently, and slowly makes her way over to her horse. Smelling her horse and bringing her head back with disgust.

Chance: Chan: As I was saying, it is never easy when I get involved. At least the rations taste better than the breakfast I had
Shake my head.

DMaster: SIN: Well at least you got a breakfast. Mine went flying across the room and some poor maiden got a new slimy hat.
Everyone looks to the Cleric and they giggle. Then Talia wheels around.
TAL: Yeah, where did you go last night?
They all look over, eyes perked

Chance: Sigh loudly.
Chan: I was invited by the Doyen, who is the leader apparently, to sleep in his Stronghold and have breakfast with him.
Go on to explain everything to the group, then find a free place in my saddle and put the smelly pouch in there.

DMaster: They are listening while finishing up the rations.

Chance: Finishing up the tale…
Chan:… that Daughter, Darla, I think her name is, just leaned over a little and bazinga! What a right hook! Just flattened that fatty out of her chair (chuckle) her glasses went flying… of course chaos ensued.
Look at everyone.

DMaster: They are all chuckling a bit, enjoying the story.
LUE: That town is like a huge sucker punch. People just waiting to scam you, fight you or apparently, grab onto your huge milkbags!
Demi’s eyes light up.
DEM: Luella!!! I swear!
Her face turning flush.

Chance: Shake head, do everything in my power not to laugh.
Chan: Luella. Come on, enough of that. Let’s get going. Everyone take your piss, and we are off.

DMaster: They all nod, everyone doing the same thing; trying not to laugh.

Chance: Chan: We did make a little coin off killing the dirties
Pat Toby and smile.

DMaster: Talia’s eyes snap to you?
TAL: Really? We made money?

Chance: Chan: Yes, now that everyone has rested lets get riding. I will use the money to pay for things on the trip.

DMaster: Talia looks over, more curious than anything.
TAL: Oh, we couldn’t split it?

Chance: Shake my head.
Chan: No. It smells like an army of goblins squatted on the coin bag.

DMaster: TAL: Oh, oh. Gross Chance.
You jump on your horse as does everyone else. You are riding and in the distance you can see what looks like a patrol of dwarves. Beyond them is a long extended wall from deep into the brush and half forest to the mountain, extending out south, most likely to the Teeter Winds.
DEM: That must be the Tourniquet.
The wall is similar to Shadow Run half stone, half wood palisade, huge double doors.

Chance: head towards the huge double doors

DMaster: The patrol is making their way to intercept, they set up in front of you. 4 huge shields down, spears out the small holes, 4 more dwarven guards behind them, crossbows trained on you and the party. One man standing behind them

Chance: Putting one hand up
Chan: no one make any sudden moves
looking back to my group

DMaster: They all nod, with an odd look. They shrug their shoulders.
DWARF: State your business, coming in from the Free Lands

Chance: Chan: I am Chance Axion of the Black Ward, on my way to Thoraxe

DMaster: A few guards react to the “Black Ward”
DWARF: What the hell does Black Ward want in Thoraxe? Pardon my line of questioning but rarely does the presence of Black Ward accompany a parade.

Chance: Chan: The ward or rather me and my group need to speak with King Grim Eye

DMaster: DWARF: Oh, is that all?
Chuckles behind the Shields. Todd rolls a 7 for persuasion, and fails.

DMaster: DWARF: You are going to have be held at Tourniquet Point for now.
He is pointing at the large double doors. Talia shakes her head.
TAL: Great going bro…

Chance: Give her a sharp look.
Chan: Talia shut it, now, is not the time

DMaster: You are escorted to the double doors DM: Condensing a bit. They are escorted to the gates, where there are some makeshift, long term buildings. The group waits by the stables and Chance is escorted to a hut. He is interrogated by the lead, or captain of sorts. He rolls a 17 in persuasion, and it helps. But the Dwarven Kingdom has standing orders to allow Black Ward or Camerondale operatives through and free reign in their land. So he is let go and the party moves on.

Chance: Walk out and over to my group.

DMaster: They look at you.
DEM: Everything good? I think they are letting us through

Chance: nodding my head at Demi
Chan: let’s go shall we

DMaster: You ride for about 3 hours, the sun is setting, looks to be a beautiful sunset in front of you. Still chilly, but the clouds on the horizon is pumping up this colorful sunset. You can see the walls of a pretty damn big town, smaller city to your North West. A community of sorts surrounding the place, like suburbs. It is almost exclusively dwarf. There are some of them walking around, lighting lanterns with a long pole, conversing at the side of the large pathway. People walking hand in hand from one place to the next, well upkept roads, houses, etc -and- A huge road leading to what you believe is Dhegdor. the city is built, with a gradual increase up the mountainside

Chance: we are going to keep riding along, trying to make good time.

DMaster: You are riding along, turn and look when you don’t hear horses behind you. All five of them are on the main road leading to the City. They look over to you
TAL: Dhegdor. Like I said
She points

Chance: Chan: I want to keep riding.

DMaster: They all look at each other and back to you.
DEM: Uh, to where? It’s all but night and the temperature is dropping like Luella’s panties.
LUE: Hey! Well… but, hey! I don’t wear any!
Talia giggles.

Chance: Chan: fine fine let’s go
Shaking head at the comment but secretly smiling, remembering Ferellus and our ball-busting. It brought us closer.

DMaster: You guys ride up, pay 2sp, much to Talia’s displeasure. Drop off the horses in a luxurious stable that has huge grassy areas fenced in. The place looks immaculate. There are 5 or 6 stable hands to this massive area, each horse stall is huge. You realize why its more expensive because of the accommodations. You don’t mind, you have been running them hard, they deserve a little extra. The female dwarf who grabs your Horses, has her eyes light up seeing Toby and she smiles very wide.
HAND: Oh, my, he is a gorgeous horse.
She pats Toby on the side of the neck giving him a once over.

Chance: Chan: Yeah, he is. Well handsome anyways.
Smirk
Chan: His name is Toby.

DMaster: They take the horses in, she seems enamored with him. Some guards give you a once over but do not pursue. (18 rolled)

Chance: once through the entrance go look for an Inn.

DMaster: You walk in and the main road just stretches for as far as the eye can see, it starts to go up and up and up as the city is built further and further into the side of the mountain. About a minute into your walk, there seems to be a string of inns, market like stores and a pub or two. Probably for visitors and tourist alike. The place is very well lit, the colorful sunset can still be seen above, but it’s getting a bit cool, dipping below 60. Talia points out the Inn she wants and it is called “The Yawning Fey” and it has an colorful bright logo that is hard to miss.

Chance: Make our way into the Inn, not going to argue with Talia. I am smiling since it has a better name than some of the Inns I have stayed at. Thinking, so glad it’s not called the Spicy Whistler.

DMaster: DM: Condensing a bit: Chance pays for the rooms for everyone, it was roughly 8 gold for room, board, dinner and breakfast. The Champion hands out the keys and everyone settles in and heads back down. It is about 8:00 PM now. The group all arrives at a fairly large round table. It’s Freya, so people seem a bit more relaxed. Talia is down there, wide eyes drinking the brew and loving it. She has a frosty mustache from the Dwarven Ale.

Chance: Chan: Don’t be getting to lit on the ale.
Giggling seeing the frosty mustache

DMaster: She shakes her head and wipes her mouth.
DEM: Ahhh, much better than last night
She says with a huff, eyeing up Talia’s brew. A Dwarven woman comes up, eyes big looking you all over

Chance: Give the Dwarven woman a soft smile. (When (d) is in the dialogue it means it is in the dwarven language)
Chan: I would like a mug of ale for my companions, and myself (d)

DMaster: WAIT: You get the specialty tonight, any extra mugs of ale is 3sp. Need anything right now? (d)

Chance: Chan: no thank you, just a mug of ale and some food for our stomachs(d)

DMaster: She nods
TAL: I’ll take another mug if you don’t mind (d)
She is fishing for some silver, hands it to her. She takes it, nods her head again and walks off. Demi looks around, then to Talia.
TAL: What? I’m thirsty!
Witchblade shrugging her shoulders.
DEM: Didn’t think about a language barrier, I barely speak Common…
SIN: We know…
She gives him wide eyes and a tilt of her head. Everyone chuckles. Glancing about the room, everyone is Dwarf, except an elf you saw and what you think was a human. But that was it.

Chance: Chan: Apparently it is pick on Demi day today? Whether it be, what did you call them, honkers, or the language barrier…
Giving her a look, playful smile.

DMaster: She give you a playful tilt of the head.
DEM: I know, right?
You all get served a mug of ale, and then a large bowl of this thicker soup, some mushrooms in it. Talia is sniffing it
TAL: You try it first
She is looking at Luella who is eyeing it up too. Demi digs in, her eyes light up.
DEM: Damn, it’s good!

Chance: Chan: everyone, dig in and enjoy
Taking a deep drink of my ale before digging in myself

DMaster: They finish it up, it gets taken away and then you each get a plate of food, some sort of meat, a weird globby side and then what looks like some snails maybe? Talia lifts one off the plate
TAL: Might not try that.
Inasatra laughs, and smirks.
INA: It is a delicatessen, not sure the Dwarves think it is, but…
She takes it, gulps it down and she smiles softly.
INA: Not bad. A bit, spicy, but palatable.

Chance: Chan: you know what I say, Yolo
grab one and gulp it down.

DMaster: DM: Famous last words….
It’s decent but it is a bit spicy, you finish off the food it was good. Then to top it off, you get a slice of pie; it tastes like ginger, and it is smooth and delicious. Needless to say you are full. Well worth the money you think to yourself.

Chance: Wash down the food with the rest of my ale
Chan: I am going to call it an early night, try not to drink too much
Looking over in Talia’s direction

DMaster: Seeing Talia, you can tell it’s going to be an early night, she looks sleepy
LUE: I think we are all a bit tired… after that shit-hole last night, it will be nice to sleep in a bed that wasn’t urinated in 5 times
They all laugh a bit, but nod their heads in agreement.

Chance: Smirk a bit
Chan: well, then I will see you all in the morning
Make it a point to walk over to the Dwarven woman before heading to my room. I reach in my pouch and slide her a gold piece
Chan: that was for the ale and the good food (d)
and give her a warm smile

DMaster: She looks up and smiles wide. Says Thank You in dwarf with a playful wink. You head to your room, its about 9:30PM.

Chance: get to my room, put silent fate and my daggers with my gear, splash my face with some water. Lock the door to my room and strip down

DMaster: DM: Todd rolls a 1 for sleep. You fall fast asleep.

---

Saturlay (Saturday) 1:00 AM

---

DMaster: You wake up suddenly, your face is flushed, sweating and your stomach is about to twist itself in two.

Chance: Run for the chamber pot.

DMaster: You hurl and hurl, your head is spinning. You drink some water from the basin, hurl again. It was most definitely the slimy snails, you think to yourself. You pass out on the floor, wake up a half dozen times to hurl or just feel terrible. You get about 2 hours sleep. -2 on any savings throw today. There is a bugle sound resounding through the town, it must be their “crier” so to speak. You are none to happy to have to get up, off the floor.

Chance: Grumble getting up, grab some clothes and make my way to at least find something to drink

DMaster: Your stomach is very uneasy, though you pretty much emptied out the contents last night. You get some water from a water barrel on the bottom floor. Talia is already at the table, looking over what you think is a map

Chance: Grab the water and plop down at the table
Chan: you were right about the snails, I should have stayed away from them

DMaster: She looks, then double takes
TAL: Oh boy, you look like… you ate a bad snail…
Raises an eyebrow.

Chance: Chan: Spent half the night tossing cookies
looking at her
Chan: might have gotten an hour or two of sleep

DMaster: Everyone comes down, eats breakfast and comments on how bad you look.

Chance: Drink water and some tea. A wee bit of bread.

DMaster: That seems to settle your stomach. You’re exhausted, but feeling a bit better than before. Everyone glances at the map, and realize, there really is only one way to go.

Chance: Get everyone ready, get on Toby and head out. Head across the bridge towards Trollbelt

DMaster: You guys are riding out. In the distance, North West you see this extremely large tower. Bigger than anything Camerondale has. You do not get close to it, but you ride around it just the same. Massive tower, that must look over half the Teeter Wind Plains. Can’t even imagine how long it would take to walk the steps up to the top. A few small villages, everyone seems friendly enough. Being fall, the trees are already turning a bit and in all rights it is a beautiful ride. You make it past a marker where you can see a fairly large town, possibly a small city in the distance to your immediate West, the marker says: Berylforge, the other one say this way to the Bridge, learned it is called “Marblepike Span” named after it’s style. Well maintained marble / stone material and a pike resembling railing along it. It spans easily a mile to get across the great Voteamora River. You ride across, some guards stop you, but you have a pleasant conversation and move on. After 4 hours you stop at a small town, that has some market stalls by the massive road. You grab a bite, delighting in the fresh produce and wonderful cheese. Chances stomach is still only wanting bread, and water because of the cookie tossing.

Chance: Go to Talia and Demi
Chan: How far can we get today?
Gingerly eat the bread.

DMaster: TAL: Skorsida probably… if its a day and a half to the capital, if we ride 12 total, we can easily make Skorsida, if the map dimensions are right
Demi looks at the map and nods her head, Talia traces her hand across something called Spriggen Sanctuary.
TAL: Would love to go to the Spriggen Sanctuary!
She swoons a bit, Demi shakes her head with a smirk. Heads to her horse.
TAL: Biggest trees in all of Legon, they say they go up a mile in the sky!
Inasatra laughs a bit.
INA: Half mile maybe, but yeah it is a sight to see.
Talia instantly gets glued to the Eldergleen who now regrets saying anything. The Witchblade assaulting her with questions.

Chance: Shake head, finish my food, do what I have to and get everyone going.
Chan: Talia, maybe on the way back we can stop at the Sanctuary okay?

DMaster: She twirls around with wide eyes and smiles.

Chance: Pull Inasatra away from Talia.
Chan: if we run into any more patrols along the way, I need you to be our voice for the group. Since those snails didn’t agree with me and I didn’t get much sleep. I also respect that you have more experience in dealing with people than I do.

DMaster: She smirks and shakes her head, looks down and pauses
INA: Actually, I don’t. I steer clear of people and prefer to be alone. So I appreciate the thought but I would not be your best bet, maybe…

Chance: Chan: well, I am putting my trust in you Inasatra, if anyone can be the voice for the group right now it is you.
giving her a soft smile

DMaster: She gives you a strange long look, shakes her head and moves to her horse. You can’t tell what was said, but Inasatra and Talia have an exchange ending in Talia saying, “…yeah Chance gets weird sometimes, it keeps things interesting.” You get everyone going again and ride on. (rolled 15) It is clear sailing, it’s a bit chilly, mid 50’s clear skies and light winds. You are about an hour outside of Trollbelt and decide to ride to there for the second rest. You ride into town around 4:30PM. pay the stable a copper.

Chance: Find a close pub since we aren’t staying for the night. Marvel at the architecture

DMaster: Its an ancient town, you can tell by the architecture, things are well kept but much older and worn down.
TAL: Hmmm, known for their mushroom soup and… snails

Chance: Eyes grow wide, make my face turn green. Cover my mouth looking at her, shake my head.

DMaster: she looks at you, smiling wide. Inasatra smirks and chuckles. You find an Inn, they have amazing mushroom soup and fresh baked bread. You have strong tea, more bread a little bit of cheese. Then head back out. As everyone is getting on the Horses, Talia heads over to you.
TAL: We can go to Coinmaul, it’s a weird settlement city thing. Or we can go to the town of Skorsida, which I would prefer.
Sincere overhearing, chimes in.
SIN: Ahhh, Coinmaul, been there once on a retreat, no large buildings except for the stronghold, all single or double floor houses and miles and miles of it, originally created for mine workers and the building of the great Castle.
Talia looks over smirking, nodding her head
TAL: Very cool.

Chance: Chan: Skorsida it is, we ride, now.
Get on the horse and ride.

DMaster: They all nod, get on the horses and ride. It’s only about 2 hours later and you can see the town coming up. The party gets sidetracked for a short time with some ass-hole guards (Todd rolled a 1). But once they see Black Ward they don’t want to risk getting in a tussle. Todd rolled a 16 on persuasion, to their 3. They are eyeing you up, then one nudges the other and points at Demi.
ROUGH: That’s Black Ward isn’t it? (d)
Another looks at you, squints, Then tugs on the leader of this rabble.
ROUGH: Black Ward, not in the mood today. (d)
After a short bit of argument, they just leave
TAL: Who knew a symbol of “BW” would carry so much weight?

Chance: Chan: it has its perks at times doesn’t it? But it does come with some downside, it usually freaks people out. Come on, let’s get into town already, now that is over with.

DMaster: You ride into town. No stables, it is an open town. You trot your horses to the closest Inn. It is called “The Drunk Duck.”

Chance: See if there is a place to tie the horses up. Make sure my group is all here and finding a spot for the horses.

DMaster: Along the side of the Inn, a few small horses there. Though, as the trope goes, dwarves are no fan of horses; at least full size horses. Way to hard to get on and off and if they fall, OY! So there are a few donkeys and small ponies

Chance: Tie up the horses and make sure to take care of them before heading into the Inn; feeding them and giving them water

DMaster: Luella and Talia volunteer to go get some hay and water. Once ready you, Sincere, Demi and Inasatra walk into the Drunk Duck. Before entering you can hear the music playing, people cheering, laughing and having a good time. Inasatra rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Demi gets an instant smile on her face. Entering it’s very loud and festive, a bard on stage plucking away, some woman singing, it sounds great; everyone having a grand old time.

Chance: thinking to myself it’s going to get real quiet in a minute, once everyone notices us

DMaster: Some people are looking over, wider eyes. It seems the song was coming to an end anyways and everyone claps and cheers. Then, as predicted, it gets quiet. There are 4 dwarves on stage, an older man who is playing a very large drum, a woman who sings, another woman who seems to be playing the bagpipes and another younger man who plays the flute. The older man stands by his drum, points at you four.
DWARF: Oy! We have… guests?!
You four stop dead in your tracks

Chance: Looking around as I stop in my tracks looking for who would be an Innkeeper. Demi has a smirk and shyly waves at everyone.

DMaster: There is what looks to be a desk of sorts but no one is there
DWARF: Come now, no need to be shy…
You are guessing the majority of the people here are regulars, like everyday regulars.

Chance: Nod my head to the dwarf speaking

DMaster: He smiles, walks around his drum.
DWARF: You, beautiful elf woman… what is your name?
Inasatra’s eyes bulge a little, looking around at everyone looking at her. Her face starting to flush

Chance: Can’t help but smirk a little, seeing her reaction

DMaster: INA: Inasatra, Inasatra Torydark of the Elf Clan Vaalyun.
DWARF: Oh, the most ancient of Clans, such a rich and storied history!
Everyone claps and she gives the dwarf on stage a warm smile and nod. He asks Sincere about himself.
SIN: My name is Sincere Fridleholden and I hail from the Great City of Camerondale
DWARF: Whoaa….. long way from home, and what a place that city is, the capital of the second greatest kingdom in Legon.
The dwarf then turns his gaze to Demi, who is already blushing a little…
DEM: Yeah Yeah, I’m Demi Brachess, and I am also from Camerondale
His eyes light up and smile.
DWARF: I might be a wee bit worried seeing that Black Ward symbol on both ye chests, but the time for worry is no more in the day, it is time for food, drink, music and love!

Chance: Just looking on as everyone introduces themselves to this dwarf

DMaster: In walks Talia and Luella. Everyone looks past you
DWARF: You tall man, with… short tips
Talia stops, burst out laughing and then stops looking around at the entire bar room staring at her.
DWARF: Your name? From where do you hail?

Chance: Chan: Chance Axion from Greyshale
Give him a respectful small bow.

DMaster: He smiles at you, then looks past you towards Luella and Talia.
DWARF: What? More guests… what a great and wonderful surprise!
Demi turns to them
DEMI: Introduce yourself so we can get something to eat and drink a few ales before the snow flies.
DWARF: Yes Yes, Beautiful dark haired rotund warrior with the adorable dimples, we be doing this so we don’t raise our mugs with strangers, but with friends, you see.
Demi turns around at the “rotund” comment and she looks down at her self than back to him, eyes a bit flared. The dwarf gives her a “oops sorry” look. Meanwhile, Talia gets this big huge smile and a slight blush, even giggles a little.
TAL: I am Talia Stotz, daughter of the greatest warrior in Legon. Well used to be, he retired when… well.. anyways, I hail from the City Capital Camerondale
DWARF: Ohhhhh… the blonde haired terror, Plugr Stotz, Camerondales first first knight and one of the most decorated warriors to still be alive. Who knew he had offspring and they were so beautiful to boot?
TAL: Wait, you know him? what? You called him the blonde terror?
She shrugs her shoulders, still blushing.
TAL: No, I can see that, he can be a dick sometimes
The Dwarf burst out laughing as does half the bar, then he is eyeing Luella up

Chance: smile big looking at Talia, can’t help but laugh at that. Oh here we go. Nod my head looking at Lue Lue

DMaster: DWARF: And pardon me if you might ye lass. You look like you know how to smile and dance like the fey
She has a small evil smile on her face
LUE: Yes, My name is Luella, you can call me Lue Lue and I also hail from Camerondale where I am an exotic dancer
The room grows quiet and the dwarf on the stage gets a big grin
DWARF: Feel free to break out those perky armor mittens anytime lass, no be shy in this here tavern
One of the woman Dwarves swats the man on the head and the room erupts with laughter and cheers

Chance: Chan: now that we have been introduced, my good man, might we get some food, ale and some rooms for the night?

DMaster: He nods
DWARF: Oy yes, my wife, she owns the inn.
She was the one that swatted him, and she is still giving him the stink eye despite his best efforts to look innocent. She waves you over pay 6sp a person for dinner and a room
OWNER: 6SP for the night, that includes dinner and board. Drinks here be extra and we don’t like mornin’ much, so breakfast is not something we do. (d)

Chance: Nod my head
Chan: That is fine (d). We just want some good food and some ale and a nice warm, clean, bed
before going back to the group to pass out room keys

DMaster: she points to a table in the far corner the only one open for you to sit at. You six drop your stuff off and head back down
as usual Talia is down at the table already, looking around wide eyed, excited. (Todd rolls a 3 for CON save). The day has taken it’s toll on you. From riding all day, to the bad slugs, to the stress and lack of sleep. Your stomach is still a mess. You try and down a few, simple things and your body was having none of it. You excuse yourself for the night, and head upstairs to the bathroom… like yogurt out a doggy door. You make it back to bed and fall asleep, only to get awoke by Talia.
TAL: Here ya go Bro. You doing ok?
She puts a mug of water to the side of the bed. She is tucking you in a bit better with the blankets.

Chance: Smile real big.
Chan: Yeah, but I should of listened to you…

DMaster: Interrupting.
TAL: About time you realize that!
She says with a big smile.
TAL: Sleep good, talk to you tomorrow morning.

Chance: Chan: Thank you.
Roll over and go back to sleep.

---

Starday (Sunday) 6:30 AM

---

DMaster: you get a good night sleep (rolled a 17) Wake up, your stomach is tight but its fine. You are back to normal, relatively speaking

Chance: Hey now! lol
Get up and chug some more of the water, get my gear on and make my way down

DMaster: Overnight the temperature rose, and it looks to be in the mid 60s already probably going to hit 80 you think. A little lift of the window tells you it’s muggy, and heavy clouds, a drizzle here and there.

Chance: Head downstairs, excited to get something in my gut that will stay there. Grab a table and wait for the rest of the group to come down

DMaster: Then it hits you, the Dwarven woman saying, they don’t do breakfast. The tables all have chairs on them, it’s quiet and dark

Chance: grumble a bit and make my way outside. Go grab a ration to get something in my stomach, since it has settled down

DMaster: You sit on the long beam that Toby is tied up to. Pet Toby sneak him a carrot. You look around the town and it has such charm to it, such history. A few dwarves walking along, some older. Some younger. It is Starday so people seem dressed down more, relaxed, laughing and conversing.

DMaster: After a bit you walk in. A few of your group is down there, bleary eyed. They are yawning and stretching.
LUE: Missed a hell of a party M’Lord
She says smiling, rubbing her temples a bit

Chance: Chan: Lue Lue, it’s Chance in public would you please
Shaking my head at her
Chan: well at least I am feeling better, no more snails for a long time

DMaster: She looks at you and nods
LUE: Sorry, heads a bit foggy
Talia comes slowly down the stairs, smile on her face but she is in a bit of discomfort.
TAL: Those guys sure know how to party, my feet hurt from dancing so much
LUE: Mine too
Demi comes down, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Both Talia and Luella look at her in amazement
TAL: Demi, you drank a friggen barrel last night!
she smiles, shrugs her shoulders
DEM: Used to it, plus I am not sure the both of you combined could match my stamina
Sincere comes down, smile on his face trying not to laugh. After a few minutes, everyone looks around
DEM: Where is Inasatra? She took off to her room shortly after you.
Looking over to you.

Chance: Chan: don’t tell me no one kept eyes on her last night?

DMaster: They look at you funny, shrugging their shoulders.
TAL: What is she a dog now?
Then the Eldergleen walks into the pub, she has a bag with her. She puts it on the counter, opens it up and you all smell amazing fresh baked bread smell. Everyone oooh and ahhh.
INA: Bread and a slather of butter will do the body good after a night of drinking.
She hands them out with some butter and it is the best bread you have ever tasted. (DM: Todd said Discord is lagging, I told him his brain is lagging… he responded with: Asshat!)

Chance: Chan: thank you for that, Inasatra
Smile and nod to her.

DMaster: Everyone ate up and enjoyed; then thanked her two three times each. She nods and everyone gears up for the half-day ride to the Capital city.

Chance: Once we are done eating get everyone to the horses and prepare for the ride

DMaster: The group is underway. It is a nice ride, albeit a bit muggy. It is heavy overcast, and a few sprinkles have been felt here and there. Must be in the mid 70’s right now. It was a good ride as you can see the Capital Thoraxe in the distance. It is massive, huge walls, the City build half in the mountain and it gradually goes up and up and up until it is too foggy to see. The outskirts of the City has a very large “town of Thoraxe” probably a couple thousand live just on the outside of the huge doors and entrance. Eventually you make it to the capital city. One thing you really notice is that everything is very clean, very well kept. No raggedy buildings, or muddy streets. Being a Starlay, most people are wandering about, chit chatting with you, giving you guys a look but nothing more. Getting closer and closer to the walls, you can see the intricate dwarven construction and detail, especially around the entrance. The closer you get, the denser the community is. A decent guard presence, nothing like Shadow Run, but you see a few, they are grouped in three it appears.

Chance: marvel as we get closer

DMaster: The massive gates are open, but people are being stopped and a few quick questions and they head in. You stable your horses, it is a pretty big facility but it is only half full. Filled with ponies, donkeys and some other animals you are not sure how or why they are being ridden.

Chance: Once we stable the horses and pay make our way to the gates

DMaster: Some guards eye you up quick and they motion for others to join them.
DEM: Ahhh here we go. Lets hope our crest can get us through without any bullshit
She mumbles to you.

Chance: Nod head.
Chan: I couldn’t agree with you more

DMaster: You are about halfway in line, and a few guards pull you out and walk you to a shelter area. Much more ornate and well kept than the Tourniquet. One leader, persay, and two Dwarven guards on each side, hand on weapon.
GUARD: Sorry for the interruption, but you have to realize you stick out a bit here. Please, state your business in this land

Chance: Chan: We are here for reasons I can’t reveal due to the nature of the mission.
Hold up my hand for them to see the ring, and point at my symbol.

DMaster: DM: Todd rolls a 20 on persuasion
GUARD: What is… oh hell. Black Ward. Anything we should know about?
That leader is then looking the rest of the group over
GUARD: They travel in pairs, ahhh there is the other one
They see Demi too, and they nod their heads.

Chance: Chan: We have orders, but I doubt we will be in the City more than a day or two.
thinking to myself hope he doesn’t push for more information

DMaster: He sighs and opens his stance as though to tell you to move on forward.
GUARD: Well, we have standing orders that operatives of Camerondale can come and go, so in with you. Just don’t start any shite ok?

Chance: Nod my head at the guard and lead the group into the city once we are done dealing with the guard

DMaster: You guys are jettisoned to the front of the line, and through the gates. It is a little past High Sun, though you wouldn’t know with how heavy the clouds are. Once inside you gather a bit aways.
TAL: Didn’t, stick up his butt, say this is like a half day walk or something to the castle?
DEM: Stick up his, wat? wait, who?

Chance: Chan: Talia.
Shake head at her knowing she is talking about Obyren.
Chan: well now that we are in, maybe get something to eat and drink should be the first order of business.

DMaster: Inasatra looks at Demi and even chuckles a little.
INA: I am guessing she is talking about Obyren?
TAL: See! I am not the only one… oy! my head
She rubs her temples after yelling a bit too loud. You get the group moving, traversing what is a pretty big street. It has to be 60-70 feet wide, shops, buildings, inns and pubs everywhere. One really sticks out to everyone, and seems to be the busiest.

Chance: Marvel seeing how big it is lead the group to it
Chan: I think some of us need food and something maybe to cure a hangover? hmmm?

DMaster: Talia’s eyes are huge looking in,
TAL: Wow? Its really big and busy!
A patron leaving the eatery, looks over and chuckles.
DWARF: Aye! The Famous Darkbrew Pub and Eatery. Best bang for your coin in all the city!

Chance: chuckling at Talia then nodding to the dwarf.

DMaster: Darkbrew. Why do I know that name? It hits you. You think it is Tucla’s maiden name. Killians wife.

Chance: My eyes get big
Chan: come on, let’s go in, I’m starved!

DMaster: Talia looks at you, smiles hearing you a bit excited to go in. You walk in, and there are multiple entrances to get in, it is wide open. You get seated at a large table by aDwarf who is moving fast and talking even faster. There has to be 70-80 tables, 4-5 bars along walls in the open, easily 200-250 dwarves in here

Chance: marvel at how big this place is, and how busy.

DMaster: Again, it is almost exclusively dwarf. You catch a glimpse of a human, an elf here and there. The ceilings has ancient dwarven wooden construction, huge iron candelabras. It also smells absolutely heavenly, foods of all sorts, ale getting served everywhere. Even Sincere has a smile on his face looking around
WAIT: Here’s the menus you all from outta town? Oy! Of course you are, sorry (d) House ale ok?

Chance: Chan: that will be fine (d)

DMaster: the menu is huge, it has just about everything

Chance: look it over and pick some real meat and veggie dish, no more snails for me

DMaster: The woman returns HUGE mugs of ale, like double the size. Then you all order food. Taking a deep drink, it tastes awesome and unique. Inasatra smirks a bit looking at it and nods her head
DEM: What is that… spice, or what?
SIN: Yeah, I taste it too
TAL: BUUURRPPPPPP (oops)
Some Dwarves next to her cheer and clap
INA: Cardamom Seed, its Cardamom Seed (d)
The Eldergleen says softly with a smile, taking another drink

Chance: I take a deep drink of mine and then set the mug down

DMaster: You all get served your food and the plates are twice the friggen size a normal helping of meat. You get like 3x the size
everyone digs in, and it is delicious.

Chance: Go full caveman seeing the plate. Let out a loud belch in between drinking, eating and pat my stomach

DMaster: You do, you were starving. More cheers and claps from the patrons. Talia nudges you
TAL: Gross

Chance: Give her a look and playful nudge.
Chan: oh sure, you can do it and it’s okay, but when I do it, it’s gross?

DMaster: TAL: Yeah when I do it, it’s cute
In between bites and drinks they all look over and nod their head in agreement.

Chance: Shake head.
Chan: No one asked any of you!
Say playfully. Finish what I can on my plate not going to over indulge

DMaster: Everyone has a big smile on there face, finishing off the drink
SIN: I must say, that was most enjoyable.
LUE: I think I might bust out of this belt… wow
It was fairly priced too, 4gp for the whole thing

Chance: Pay and be on our way

DMaster: You guys walk out, stunned at everything, the amount of food, ale, the ambiance despite it being somewhat chaotic in there
DEM: If I lived by this place, I’d go there daily
Everyone nods with a smile on their face.

Chance: Telling everyone as we leave how the owners must be related to Tucla for everyone who knows who she is, and to those that don’t I explain who she is

DMaster: You explain this as you are starting up the huge road.
TAL: Oh, that tall scary guy who told me you lopped some poor sods head off?

Chance: Nod my head to Talia
Chan: and Demi’s boss to boot
Smirking

DMaster: She nods, with dreamy eyes, letting the after eats sleeps try not to affect her too much.

Chance: Chan: let’s go now that we have been fed, it’s business time…