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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 21:10:26 GMT -5
A wave of laughter, and the mixed smell of pipe smoke and ale washes over you as you open one of the double doors that leads into The Wayfarer's Rest. Guardsman Jackson at the gate into Clifton suggested this inn, saying, "If you need a place to stay, the Wayfarer's Rest is a great place to find a bed. Tell old Borris that Guardsman Jackson sent you, and he will give you an ale."
A few steps into the common room and the cooking smells coming from the kitchen make your mouth water.The inn itself is a fairly large three story rectangle, the exterior recently white washed, and the windows and doors are bordered in chestnut stained wood. The common room is quite large, with twin fire places set in opposite walls. A dozen round tables cover the center of the room, with several long tables with benches along the outside. A few more private booths line the back wall.
Groups of men and women sit at all the round tables, laughing, dicing, and listening to a fellow play the dulcimer. A fellow in a black cloak sits in one of the booths. When you enter, several people look up for a moment before going back to what they were doing before. One fellow even nods a greeting. The closest server brushes past you with a tray laden with frothy tankards, "Find a spot where you can M'deary, we will be with you shortly." Another server finds you almost immediately after you find a spot, "What can I get you hun?" After placing your order, you spot another fellow sitting at the bar making notes in a ledger. The front half of the man's head is bald, and the rest is graying. He's wearing simple white cotton, and a leather belt strains to contain his considerable girth. Over the rest he wears a pristine white apron. From the way he keeps an eye on the staff, and the room in general you would say that that man is Old Borris, the one Guardsman Jackson told you about at the Harbour Gate when you came into the city.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 18, 2019 10:04:57 GMT -5
Cautiously I start approaching the bar. Whispering "NO Clappy we shall not be doing anything like that here. I am here for work; when the time comes we shall slaughter things like they were kobolds in a meat grinder." (Clappy is the lingering voice of the HAG that I escaped from mixed with my inner evil both on my sheet.(it's the devil on my shoulder whispering to me a lot))
Upon reaching the bar. "Greetings good sir. You Must be Old Borris. A kindly fellow, hmmmm what was his name now.... oh yeah Jackson told me to come get a free ale this morning. If you could also point me in the direction of the people whom might have some work in this wonderful lil town I would greatly appreciate it."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 10:45:17 GMT -5
Old Borris laughs, "I am indeed. Welcome to the Wayfarer's Rest. That Jackson is better than me sign for sending custom my way." He slips a silver coin from one pouch to another without looking down at what he's doing, a well practiced motion if you've ever seen one. He makes a tipping mug gesture to one of the serving girls, then points at you. She nods, and before long stops by with a drink in her hand, "'Ere you go deary." She smiles, and then heads off to another table. Old Borris pushes the ledger away from himself, and turns in his seat to face you, pulling back for a moment when he meets your eye, "Erm, so, you're looking for work you say?" He pauses, looking you up and down, "You have the look of an adventurer about you." He points to the shifting shadows that cling to you like armour, "If that's the case than there are a few that are always hiring. The Sinkhole always needs guards, the Mages Guild is always looking for rare ingredients, and the Merchants Guild needs escorts for their supply runs to the Sinkhole. The Duchess might even be looking for guards too." He pauses again, looking uncomfortable, but trying to hide it, "Unless you were looking for some other kind of work?"
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Post by Kosga on Apr 18, 2019 11:33:17 GMT -5
"What do you mean by other kind of work? I am not afraid to get my hands dirty." Lowers my voice "Or bloody if need be." Resumes talking in a normal voice. "Hmmm rare components you say. Now what could the mages guild be up to that would need such odd supplies?" in a Whisper "Possibly Clappy."
1d20+3
11+3 = 14 perception looking for the hottest chick in the room.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 11:46:19 GMT -5
Old Borris looks even more uncomfortable than before as you whisper to yourself, "Well, erm, I mean to say that..." He trails off, taking a breath to steady himself, "You could be a cobbler for all I know. Perhaps you make a mean pecan pie. If it's not adventure you seek that my previous advice would have led you astray." He closes the ledger, tucking it up under his arm, "If you want to visit any of the guilds I mentioned just head back on up to the Harbour Gate, turn left and continue until you find the gate to the High District. For the Palace, turn right instead and go to the Palace Gate." He stands then, shifting his bulk around to not bump into you. "If there is nothign else? I have a small matter to attend to." He pauses to answer any other questions you might have before heading off toward the kitchens, stopping along the way to speak briefly to the server that brought you the drink.
Looking across the people that are here this morning, you see the server mentioned previously. A woman wearing a thick leather apron that is clean, but looks stained with discoloured splatters, and a woman that has the look of a farmer about her sitting with her husband. Of the three the server would be the most attractive, with a few features that draw the eye. The farmer's wife would be next, but seems pretty average overall. There is something a little off putting about lady with the apron. Something subtle that you can't put your finger on, nothing obvious by any stretch anyway.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 18, 2019 12:02:24 GMT -5
"No Borris I do not make a delicious pecan pie. I shall go see what the guilds have to offer. Thanks for the help."
with that I turn about and head for the door.
"I agree clappy not very appealing at all today! Lets hope we have better luck with the guilds." I say as I leave the inn.
Without any second of delay I head back to the gate, and turn left and head for the high district.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 12:25:03 GMT -5
You make your way through the hustle and bustle of the city of Clifton. As soon as you step foot into the flow of people, they divide around you like a rock in a river. From time to time you're jostled back and forth, by someone that isn't paying as much attention. You make your way South to toward the High District, the docks, and the Duchess' Palace. Each of those districts is separated from Commercial District by one long wall. To the South-West and up on the cliffs bordering the sea, the Duchess' Palace towers over all other buildings. A monument to her power and influence in the Empire. Also up on the cliffs, but this time to the South-East the roofs of the guild-houses, the splendor of the Pelorian Temple, and the tower of the Mages Guild can be seen over the walls. Splitting those two districts is the docks, with a long road descending down to the sea. You only recently passed through that gate when you arrived here in Clifton.
As you approach the gates to the High District the crowd thins somewhat, and you're no longer jostled at all. You note two pairs of guards on either side of the portcullis at ground level, and another pair of faces looking on attentively from the arrow slits above. The men all wear a tabard bearing the Imperial insignia paired with the Duchess' personal crest over their chainmail armour. The men watch the steady stream of humanity pass through between them. Unless you draw attention to yourself by staring at the guardsmen, they just wave you on through.
The Mages Guild itself is a large perfectly round white sphere. There is a long cylinder sticking out of the roof at an angle. The sphere seems to be made from a single piece of stone, without a seem or join to be had. A few people come and go from the building every few minutes, and by your math if the floors are standard height, it must be really cramped in there. As you approach the building you can feel the weave like it were a lute string recently plucked. It’s vibrations passing through you in waves. Opening the door itself, you’re greeted by a ten foot long hallway. There is a window set in the wall in front of you, and a door to the left and right near the window. A placard reads ‘Reception’ under the window.
As you reach the window, you see a Tiefling woman wearing a shirt so tight that her modest chest pops distractedly. You were looking for beauty before, but apparently in the wrong place. She's beautiful enough that you almost didn't notice the jet black horns sweeping back, and tapering to sharp points about eight inches later. She glances up as you approach, and says in a perky high pitched voice, “Good morning. How can I be of assistance?”
(Cha 20, just to put things into perspective.)
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Post by Kosga on Apr 18, 2019 12:47:50 GMT -5
"Greetings my lady."(bows slightly)"Good Old Borris sent me this way; he says that the guild is in need of supplies. Could I happen to get a list of what all is needed, so that I may keep my eyes open during my travels?"
After hearing the types of ingredients that are needed. "Thank you My lady, I shall definitely keep my eyes open for them." Said while keeping my eyes upon her.
I suavely turn and sashay my way toward the entrance. Near the door "yes clappy that she is. Extremely she is." With that I exit the oddly shaped building.
"clappy it seems that there is beauty here after all."
I head to the warriors guild, they shall likely have more work for me. I stroll right in like I am an extremely important person about.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 17:33:03 GMT -5
She raises an eyebrow at you, "I don't know who Borris is I'm afraid. The guild is always in need of supplies, are you a purveyor of high quality paper, inks or perhaps various herbs and reagents?" She stands up and gives you a once over from head to toe, "Judging by the look of you, I'm thinking that you are a practitioner of the arcane. If so, I should inform you that casting spells within the walls of Clifton is illegal unless you're a member of the Mages Guild." She picks up a small sheaf of paper and a small box. "Do you want to get that taken care of now? The guild charges ten Gold Phoenixs a month in dues, but you gain access to the guild facilities and other benefits as well."
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Post by Kosga on Apr 19, 2019 7:48:26 GMT -5
"Borris, or Old Borris as he is called runs the tavern Wayfarer's Rest, in the cross roads at the center of the Commercial District. He gives a free drink out to people whom patronize his establishment upon their first time visiting. He referred me to this section of town to find work."
Mutters "yes clappy I am not forgetting the paperwork." Sighs slightly before continuing.
"My Lady I would be glad to get that taken care of most promptly. However I do not intend on needing to cast spells within the city walls." Starts pulling out gold coins, and meticulously counting them out for her. "I figure that while I am in town itself I should not have to worry about anything becoming so violent that I need to start casting spells at it in order to defend myself with."
Graciously takes the box and papers, taking a quick look over them, before looking about for a spot to sit down. Not seeing anything but the hallway, thinks to clappy {this will be interesting}.
"I shall be back shortly." I give her a second small bow as I head to the room on the left. Sitting at the desk I do not even try to talk quietly. "Clappy one would think the chairs would be a bit softer. I know she is hot, she's very hot. Now quiet please I have paperwork to do."
I start filling out all of the paperwork as needed; whip out a dagger to trim one of my fingernails with. "Now for the painful part, why can't this be your blood clappy?" I say as I stab my finger with the dagger. After I have the required amount of blood, I seal up the vial putting it into the box along with my fingernails. "Why my fingernails I will never understand but oh well."
Standing up to leave the room, "Damm almost forgot." Plucks out a couple of strands of hair and stuffs it into the box. Then regathers the paperwork in triplicate the box my composure and leaves the room.
Looks about the hallway before I enter again, don't want to run into someone and look bad. Turns toward the receptionist. "Here you go my lady, all three copies of each form filled out, blood, hair and fingernails all inside the box as asked for. I already gave you the 10 golden pheonix's." I quickly sign the last form that I am presented with. "Is there anything else that I need to do in order to be a member?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 20, 2019 11:16:54 GMT -5
After you finish the paperwork and dispense with the required samples, you take the collection back to the receptionist. She pops up with smile, and takes what you've brought her. She quickly checks over your paperwork with a well practiced eye, and makes a couple notations here and there. Once she has finished, She tucks your sample box onto a wheeled cart, and adds your paperwork to a file on the same cart before turning back to you. She hands you a sheet of paper, "Sign the bottom, right there" She points to where you should sign, then adds, "Nope, You're now a full fledged member of the mages guild. She fishes out a copper ring sized for your smallest finger, and offers it to you. "It is traditional to wear the copper ring on your left hand. While wearing that, you can enter the door to your right. The guild owns property all over the city and elsewhere. They've set up a pretty elaborate collection of teleportation circles to get around. If you do well, you can gain higher status within the guild and a better ring." She holds up her hand, and you can see a silver band on her pinky. "Was there anything else I can help you with?" Her tone is one of conclusion. Like she sees this conversation ending shortly.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 21, 2019 5:53:01 GMT -5
I slide the ring upon my left hand as instructed, looking up I ask "is there a platinum ring level?"(waits till I get a reply) "Thank you; if all goes well I shall be seeing you soon with large amounts of supplies." With that I bow a bit, turn and do a small gig on my way out of the guild.
Arriving back on the streets of the high district I wander about for a while checking out the rest of this section of town. Stopping in the fighters/warriors guild for a moment.
I walk in take a long detailed look about the place before strolling up to where a receptionist.
"Greetings Good Sir(insert "My Lady" if appropriate), I am here to inquire as to the availability of any gainful employment to be had on this fine day. I am not too scared to get my hands dirty, or to do just about anything that will make me some coinage."
Whispers "yes clappy even some gems will do."
1d20+5
8+5 = 13 performance(untrained)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 21, 2019 22:26:20 GMT -5
She smiles patiently, “Yes, there are platinum bands. The eight Guild Masters wear them. There are also gold, silver and copper.” When she says silver she holds up her hand again. At copper she gestured to your own finger. “Prove yourself to the guild, and you will be promoted.” When you mention seeing her with large amounts of supplies, she raises an eyebrow, “Specific Mages sometimes ask for specific things, and sometimes members come by the guild to try and offload something interesting they’ve found to other Mages. Spell scrolls and other magic items will almost always find a buyer if the price is right, but I do not have a list for you.” As you dance your way out of the Mages Guild she hangs a sign that reads, “Out to lunch, be back shortly.”
The High District is a noble’s paradise. People flaunt their wealth, and those that clearly haven’t the means actually stand out here. You get pointed glances, and outright stares everywhere you go. You notice that any guards you pass pay you very close attention. Sometimes they even follow you around for a couple blocks.
The Adventurer’s Guildhall is a relatively simple manor house compared to the palatial buildings that it is surrounded with. The structure actually looks more like a schoolhouse mixed with a fortress than a manor once you get a good look at it. A large three story square building. The yard has been broken up into various training facilities. There is an archery range, a sparing yard, a horse yard, and an obstacle course. All the practice facilities are surrounded by a running track, which in turn is surrounded by a ten foot tall stone wall.
The only entrance to the facility is a twelve foot tall set of thick arched double doors. Two man wearing identical badges of a pair of arrows crossed arrows like an X, the X is crossed again by a vertical lance, and crossed again by a horizontal sword. Both men are armed with pole axes at the double doors. When you ask the guardsmen about employment opportunities, both men look at each other and then back at you, “You looking to join the Adventurer’s Guild?”
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Post by Kosga on Apr 22, 2019 6:04:24 GMT -5
when I notice a guard following me about.. I pause just long enough for the guard to catch up. "Greetings guard how can I help you on this fine day? I know I look quite out of place here with all the nobility about, for that I apologize. I shall endeavor to make sure that I do not cause you or any of your compatriots any issues while I am about. Have a nice day." With that I move along minding my own business.
(at the adventurers guild)
"Why yes I am. May I pass so that I can make that happen?"
muttering to myself "Not now clappy, this is not the time for that. Soon it will be the time for those kinds of things."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 22, 2019 6:13:37 GMT -5
The guards slow their pace as you do, and stop when you stop. Heaving a sigh you walk back to them to have your conversation. "Just doing our job." One of them says, and another adds, "If you keep on like you're doing we will get along just fine." The final guard adds, "We understand that business brings about all kinds of people to the High District, glad you understand." They all nod as one. You get the feeling that they have said all that before, probably a lot of times.
The Guardsmen looks you up and down, "What skills do you possess that would be an asset to the Adventurer's Guild?" The other one adds, "And what's with all the muttering? You touched or something?" The first one smirks, speaking quieter, but still loud enough that the other guard can hear. With you standing between them, you definitely hear, "He might have to be touched to want to do what we do." The other guard chuckles.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 22, 2019 19:24:55 GMT -5
"It seems that we are in agreement on one thing. I would have to be touched to do what you do; though not in the same way that I have been. You see I have had my life ""touched"" by a great and mighty Celestial being." Looks towards the other guard, "I mutter to myself all the time, haven't you ever found yourself talking when nobody was listening? As to what I can do, I believe that there isn't anything that I can't do. Is there any specific things that I must be able to do in order to join?" I look not nervous but more agitated at there questions.
(he does not know which celestial being offered to make the deal with him)
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 23, 2019 6:21:11 GMT -5
The one guard snickers, and the other raises an eyebrow, "So you're saying you've been touched by an angel?" The snickering guard scoffs, choking back a full blown laugh, "This guy cracks me up, let him in." He says between fits. The other guard nods, turning back to you and says, "Well it really does depend on your specialty, but since you can do anything" He pauses for effect here, stressing the word anything. He shakes his head, "Look, if you can fight, go to the sparing yard. If you can shoot, go to the range. If you can ride, go to the horse yard. If you prefer stealth or happen to be a magic user, go to the manor." They adjust their stances to allow you passage into the compound.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 23, 2019 7:00:22 GMT -5
"Well it may not have been an angel directly, it could have been any one of the numerous beings that occupy the plane of Celestia."
"Very well I shall visit several of the areas you have described." I do a little jig right on by the 2 guards whom are now letting me by and straight into the manor.
"Yes clappy those two were most odd and would have been mostly gristle." I say while on my way into the manor.
Upon entering the manor area I am taking a quick look about, looking to find where I should be going, or someone whom can be giving directions.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 23, 2019 13:03:53 GMT -5
"As you say." The one guard says, while the other adds, "Celestia, right." Both guards look at you with a mixture of confusion and amusement as you dance on past them. They hold off their laughter for a few moments, but not long enough for you to be out of ear shot. Once inside the walls a fellow in chainmail jogs past you with a steady chink chink chink of metal. His backpack sways, but does not bounce leading you to think that it's weighted down. You cross the track and get a better look at he various other training areas. The archery range is closest, so why not head there first? It runs the entire length of the premises with the exception of the running track. There are three hay bail targets, painted with concentric rings, as well as two scarecrow looking men composed of tough leather and filled with straw at one end of the range. Behind the targets is a ten foot tall hill fronted with sandbags to stop missed arrows from taking out a runner. Every twenty feet from the targets there is a log painted white so it stands out against the grass. Right now there is a fellow standing at the one hundred and twenty foot marker, unloading shot after shot down range. His groupings are terrible, but he is hitting the targets with almost every shot. After watching him fire a few more shots his quiver empties and he starts walking toward the targets. Chink chink chink the jogger moves past the range again.
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Post by Kosga on Apr 26, 2019 7:24:06 GMT -5
Casually I walk up beside the person on the range, making sure that he can see me. "Greetings good Sir Might I inquire as to if there is a supply of bolts about that I could acquire for use upon the range? While I am capable with this contraption It is not what I am best with and I have a tendency to break bolts often even on a practice range."
I shall continue to walk with him and help him retrieve his arrows.
After returning to the 120' mark I step over to a different target as not to crowd him and fires off a few bolts at the target, just to see how bad my aim is today.
1d20+5
8+5 = 13 normal roll
1d20+5
13+5 = 18 Disadvantage due to 120 foot mark. light x-bow range 80 feet.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 26, 2019 8:59:18 GMT -5
The man glances over at you while walking toward the targets, you see his eyes drift down to your chest. His eyes linger where he and the other two guards wear similar badges. The symbol they wore is of a pair of arrows crossed arrows like an X, the X is crossed again by a vertical lance, and crossed again by a horizontal sword. "The training facilities here are for members of the Adventurer's Guild. If you want to practice your skills here, you will have to join." He starts collecting his arrows, and doesn't object when you start pulling a few out of the targets yourself. "Look, by your own admission this isn't your specialty. If you're looking to join, take the entrance exam where you're strongest. If you want to take a shot or two in the mean time, go for it." He watches you carefully as you line up on the target, and take your shot. Your bolts streak down range and two of three hit the outer most ring of the hay bale target, the last just outside the ring. "Not bad, not bad. It's best that you know the effective range of the weapons you wield, a crossbow such as the one you wield is better suited for under a hundred feet. Personally I hold my fire until eighty feet when wielding such a contraption." He says the last with the same tone and intonation as you did. "So what is your specialty?"
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Post by Kosga on Apr 28, 2019 12:08:08 GMT -5
"As you can tell it is definitely this crossbow. I do like to keep in somewhat practice as I never know when it will be needed. What I actually specialize in is arcane energy." takes a couple steps back. "Here let me show you, don't worry there is no danger of harm to anyone about and I am legally able to do this."(ignores what clappy has to say) Shows him the ring before calling up a baseball of bright golden arcane energy to my hand. Before tossing it away, "This little ball of energy has about the same destructive force when I need it to as any one of the guards about town with there halberds." Gently tosses it into the air in a direction that is safe for everyone letting it fly to it's maximum range and fizzle out.
"You mentioned membership; Can you tell me what all that entails and how much it would cost, and where I would need to go? I am hoping that it isn't a whole lot, as to get this ring cost me most of my available gold."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 29, 2019 7:52:09 GMT -5
He chuckles when you joke about the crossbow being your specialty. He watches you throw around some arcane energy with a nod, "I can see how throwing around damage at that kind of range would be useful." He moves back to the one hundred and twenty foot marker, and fires off three arrows before speaking with you again. The first arrow sticks out of the top of the humanoid target's forehead, the next arrow takes the other humanoid target in the face, and the final arrow hits the ring just outside of the bulls eye on the hay bale target. He looks to you and shrugs, "I was practicing with my eyes closed before, never know when you might get blinded in combat right?" He continues to shoot, this time his grouping is very good. Each arrow hits within an inch of the previous one on the same target. "As for membership, there is no cost to join the adventurers guild. You just have to take an entrance exam, to prove you're capability. Then you just complete one mission for the guild to become a full member."
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