Rescue at Rivenroar (Game Thread)

[Sk4mpE]

   Søffå has remained standing; concerned over the forboding words he has heard from the dwarf regarding his home of Sundabar.  As the others have been speaking, he has strolled listfully into the room, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

   However, a comment from Troyas has brought his attention to the present.  "The Hall has been raided?  Surely, it was guarded?"

(click to show/hide)

   1. What do I know of the trouble in Sundabar?  Am I aware of who this dwarf Kallad is?
   2. Do I have any knowledge of the Hall of Great Valor, or its contents?  Interested in connections to the prior war.

History Check, Hall of Great Valor and its contents (Re-roll - Luruar origin):
      1d20+10 → [20,10] = (30)
Original Roll, discarded:
      1d20+10 → [5,10] = (15)

[Melblen_Cairn]

Soffa

(click to show/hide)

(sheesh there isn't much you don't know with that roll) You know much of the hall. Built as a memorial to the fallen in the War of the Red Fist and to the heroic efforts of the Heroes of Delibyr Vale. It held a number of items of significance to the people of Loudwater and the surrounding area. This museum was always since served by a castellan, who cares for the hall and the items contained within. The current castellan took over 37 years ago, a man named Sertanian, who had served as a young man in the army the defended the walls of Loudwater.

As for Sundabar you know much of it's History as well. Orc incursions from the outer reaches of the Many-Arrows lands to the north west are common place but they never breach the walls of Warcrown's Watch the northern fortress the bars passage into the vale. The Watch was renamed such a few centuries ago after the son of the Dwarf King Emerus Warcrown, who died there valiantly. It used to be known as Citadel Felbar, once ruled by King Warcrown. He moved his rule back to Sundabar after the death of it's human ruler, Helm Dwarf-Friend. Helm returned the city to the Dwarves on his deathbed, fearing civil unrest for the throne.

King Warcrown had two twin sons born under the Thunder Blessing. The one that died on the Watch, the other was presumed dead after a river accident. The body was not recovered from the wreckage along with the other dead. You also know, from an ancient written letter from the King to an artisan that when his twin sons were born he had two small mithral amulets crafted to commemorate the births. One is interred with his first son, the other has never resurfaced since the loss of the second son.

When the heirless King Warcrown passed, His five advisers took stewardship of the throne, until a suitable heir could be found. The city has since grown and flourished. The outer districts eventually were brought into the city's limits and secured with outer walls.

You also know the city's governing ministries are rife with corruption and greed. The span between the rich and the poor continues to widen and the council is viewed by many commoners as grasping and greedy. Many of the districts within the city are run by street gangs or organized crime. One such gang, the Lost Ones, is rapidly growing within the city.

In the poorer communities within the city a disorganized movement has begun with the ideal that the city would be better off without the rule of the council. More of an anarchanistic bent they are not much more than vandals and lack sound leadership.

"Two guards were posted at the doors day and night since it was built. Of the ones there last night, on lost his life the other an arm and part of his leg. My personal physician does not expect him to last through the day." he says with a frown before continuing, "It is through him that we knew that the Hall's Castellan, Sertanian, was also taken along with many of the relics held within. It is the missing people of the town and these taken relics that I would really like to speak with you about."

[Sk4mpE]

   Jumping again in front of his friend, Søffå continues:
   
   "The dawn has not brought better news, I am afraid - The loss of this town is truly great.  You have, for one, my sympathy, and I am open to assist you in what matter I can.  What exactly might you have in mind?"

   After a short pause, he adds:  "The Red Fist standard from the Tavern, the cleric, and now the Castellan and the hall artifacts are known missing; how about the others?  It takes little insight to see that this attack was somehow connected to the past battle against the Red Fist, although I am not sure what tragedy this forebodes.  Maybe you could shed some light on this?  What happened here?  What brought on these attacks?"

   "And the question that has been burning in my mind since last evening - Who is Sinruth?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

"I fear you are correct with your observations there does appear to be a connection with the past." he confirms Soffa's concerns, "It is starting almost like it did before, a rise in bandit attacks, then more bold incursions." he takes a drink of some tea and places it back on his desk before continuing, "The previous council meeting I made a suggestion before the members that we begin to higher outside help in guarding against these bandit attacks, they quashed it then. After last nights attack, they reconsidered my proposal. I have been given approval to enlist the aide of adventurers such as yourselves in returning our townsfolk and our relics from the past."

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Was Captain Harrowleaf also among those missing presumed taken captive by the attackers?" Everyn asks, recalling Marril's reluctant promotion taking some tea offered to him by Susteen with a nod.

"Yes, since we have not found his body, we assume he was captured and taken, his son, Thurnan is also missing." the Councilman answers. Susteen makes his way to each of the guests offering the drink.

[Atanos]

Oh why thank you.  But about these artifacts do you pay for each one? Or the whole Lot? And what sort of pay should we be expecting?

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Return the relics and those folk taken from us, and I can offer you four hundred pieces of gold from the town's coffers. Two hundred for the relics, and two hundred for the the people taken. Will you return them home?"

[Atanos]

This task is beyond Soffa an myself, However we did meet another group of able adventurerers.......going by the name of wolf something or other. My point being is this would make 5 of us if the decide to help out. It might be easier to convince them if the reward were a nice round number say 500, 100 a piece........?
I don't know what skill to use to haggle, diplomacy?

(click to show/hide)

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3808565/

8?

[Melblen_Cairn]

Everyn eyes Atanos at his observation and lack of ability to count and clears his throat part way through his attempt to haggle more out of the councilman, "Ahem....Atanos, What am I, chopped Rothe gizzard?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

(click to show/hide)

Diplomacy would be the skill

The councilman shakes his head at the attempts to haggle and turns to his assistant, "Ah Susteen, I am beginning to lose faith in my idea here. It seems these adventuring types are just as greedy as the last group we interviewed. Is there no one out for the common good anymore."

[Sk4mpE]

Søffå, in his polite but rather succinct manner, attempts to salvage the conversation:

   "Do not be so quick to discount our honor, kind sir - There is much we do not yet know, and my friend speaks true enough that more than three will be needed to accomplish this task.  A mission such as this requires men, weapons, supplies, and most of all preparation - None of which comes cheap.  So, you must pardon our hesitation; haste leads to folly, and folly to an untimely demise."

   "If gold is scarce, might you not lend your influence to aid our preparation, or to provide some information that would help us better determine the risks?  For one, just how many people are missing?  What was were the natures of the artifacts stolen?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

"It's not that it is scarce. The council is giving my plan an opportunity..to fail. Many feel its a bad idea to bring in adventurers to solve our problems.

We have reports of six people missing so far. You know of Captain Harrowleaf, his son, and Sertanian. We have also heard that an alchemist named Andronsis, a cook named Mirtala and an elderly woman named Zerriksa were taken

As for the relics, they are of more importance to the town than anything of monetary value. Sertanian would be the only one that would know everything that may be missing from the Hall. We know they made off with several shields, a ceremonial sword, and a battle standard.

[Atanos]

A few shields, a sword and a battle standard, sounds like they are preparing for war. Is it their battle standard by chance? Perhaps taken from a fight long ago[color]

[Melblen_Cairn]

"No, it was two hand's clasped on a blue field, the symbol of the Heroes of the Vale. I am not an expert but I am fairly certain the sword is unusable as a weapon and the shields had big scorched holes in them."

[Atanos]

Daaahhhh.......... they don't keep me around for my keen skills of deduction....I....I....I'm just going to have some more wine, thank youAtanos humbly requests after his assumption was dead wrong

[Melblen_Cairn]

Susteen hurries to comply with the request, pouring a glass from a dark bottle and delivering it into Atanos' waiting hands.

[Melblen_Cairn]

"I understand there is not much to go on. We do not have any information. I can tell you that you are  likely the missing townsfolk's only hope. Warden Orena was backed in a decision this morning to withhold all patrols around our boards whilst we recover from this, so there will be no rescue parties from Loudwater to go forth and bring the missing folk home again. If you will not go, then I must find other that will. Will you assist our town?"

[Sk4mpE]

Sensing the sincerity in his voice, Söffå feels himself inclined to help.

"Your intentions are noble - I will help you.  I have two requests:  One, our group, myself and whoever joins me, will require outfitting.  We would require a modest amount of funds to be equipped properly, or access to your armory and stables, if such a thing is possible.  I ask that you do what you can in this regard to assist our preparation."

"Yes, hostages make things quite complicated.  People are slow, people get hurt.  Speed is critical - A horse and cart might be of great use."

"Second, we need as much information as we can - I wish for access to any historical records from the war you may have, and from those who might know more of what we are up against.  Do you have any in your guard who might be in a position to know more of your enemy?  Do you have information from other towns that might help us determine the origin where these creatures are striking from?  I overheard that a prisoner was captured - Have you had any success thus far in interrogation?"

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Ah, the prisoner. No we have not had any real chance to garner any information out of him. He wont speak to anyone unless we cut him a deal. He is to have a proper trial and likely will be hanged for his crimes." Troyas answers solemnly. "You are welcome to try to gain what information you can, he may be your best hope in finding where the beasts lair outside of tracking them somehow."

After another sip of tea he continues, "As for your first request, I find myself hard pressed to provide for you. I wish I could help, but you need to understand my position here. I am newly appointed to the council after my Mother's recent passing. My sister, myself, and a small few others on the council; from what I can see, are out for the common welfare of our community. The rest have become mostly complacent with their standing especially the ones that head various guilds. Their pursuit of wealth drives their decisions."

By reports you are capable. From what Marill tells me you may even rival our celebrated Heroes. You appear to be better equipped then any on our militia and most of our guard, plus you wield magic which fewer and fewer can claim these days. As for a horse and cart, even if one were available now, I don't know of many bandits or goblinoids that lair right off of main roads, I think you would find it of little use to you. Your path is likely to take you fairly deep into the wilds."

After a moments contemplation and some more tea, "Though I am sure with a little coaxing I might be able to have old Marsh Laval scrape up enough food and drink to fill your packs for the journey."

[Sk4mpE]

"Everyn, Atanos, what do you say?"