[IC, Labyrinth Lord] The Misty Isles

Carcharodon · August 16, 2014, 11:23:15 PM

Warant, Isle of Chalm, early spring

The first ship of the year from the mainland lays into port in the city of Warant on the western shore of Chalm. Shortly after, the crew and dockworkers begin to unload crates of cargo - produce and a herd of sheep from the mainland, mostly - and the passengers disembark.

A surly dwarf points a thumb toward some ramshackle buildings near the waterfront.

"Drunken Goblin's where you folks'll be wanting to go. Only inn in the city that ain't full up this time of year. Ye might mention Ol' Bronzebelly pointed ye that way. Miss Ferra - she's the owner - might give ye a break if'n ye tell her I'm pointing business her way."

The dwarf, presumable Ol' Bronzebelly, gives much the same speech to all of the three dozen or so passengers getting off the ship. Similarly, an assortment of native islanders begin whispering rumors while mingling with the new arrivals, even before anyone's reached the Drunken Goblin Inn.

Spoiler

So, I'm assuming you guys have all gotten to know each other a little bit on the month-long ship ride from the mainland, and you'll all have heard one of the eight rumors I'm posting here. I'll roll randomly for who gets what rumor.

Rolls
1d8=3, 1d8=3, 1d8=8, 1d8=7, 1d8=1, 1d8=2
Arkansan - 3
pspahn - 3
Daztur - 8
Spinachcat - 7
Opaopajr - 1
pbj44 - 2

Everyone gets the rumor corresponding to their number.

Rumors
1. Goblins have been plaguing the Old Hill road, besieging trade caravans. The Lord Governor of Warant has set a bounty of five silver pieces for goblin ears, and an extra bounty of 100 gold if presented with proof that the goblins are no longer a threat.
2. Rumor has it that there's a nest of owlbears in a cave just inside Blackheart Forest, five miles out of town. Everyone knows owlbear eggs are a delicacy, and their pelts make for the best leather on the island.
3. An old wizard's tower has fallen into ruin outside town. It's rumored to be haunted and the wizard's treasures are said to still lay within. The tower is perpetually shrouded in mist, and none have been brave enough to enter in years.
4. Legend has it, a tiny island known as the Fang to the north of Warant is home to an old smuggler's den that may still hold a cache of valuables left there long ago. Most sailors in Warant think the Fang is cursed with bad luck and won't go anywhere near it, however.
5. The teens of Warant insist that the local graveyard is haunted. They say that, if you spend the night in the graveyard during a full moon, a restless spirit will appear. The identity of the spirit is always changing – some say it's a half-elven woman, while some insist it's a full-blooded orc warrior (though why an orc would be buried there is another mystery altogether).
6. A local farmer, Old Man Hatchet, is willing to pay good gold to enterprising folk willing to clear any unwanted beasts from a cave on his property. Purportedly, the cave contains some sort of giant rodent or insect – Old Man Hatchet's sight is failing and his account varies from telling to telling.
7. Tales tell of a burnt elf village in the Blackheart forest east of Warant. Legend has it among the trackers and rangers that on a full moon, a secret place is revealed, filled with elven treasure.
8. A hobgoblin warlord in the village of Kane on the isle to the northwest of Warant is gathering followers and building a small fleet, supposedly to begin an incursion onto Chalm. Locals say the Lord Governor would pay a great sum to those bringing back more concrete evidence of this fleet.

pbj44 · August 17, 2014, 01:28:30 AM

Theodotos approaches Denther, "What say you Brother, shall we test the hospitality of this Drunken Goblin Inn?"

He glances with some unease at the city docks and holds fast to his holy symbol.

"Neorth guides our journey, but Dui will steady our hands."

Arkansan · August 17, 2014, 01:47:01 AM

"Well I don't know about you lot but I'm getting a drink any one that wants is welcome to tag along" Gareth says to no one in particular.

He will make for Drunken Goblin, inquire about this wizards tower he heard about on the voyage, and buy himself something to drink.

Opaopajr · August 17, 2014, 07:43:25 AM

"For beasties they pay bounty to disfigure, but I wonder what they know of these goblins when is drunk." While walking his donkey off the ship, it has a moment of reluctance on the plank connecting to the pier, "Come, Polycarpos, I steer you not wrong yet. Soon we fill your saddles with fruits, luscious like before." The donkey abides.

"I need you stabling, and bed to rest for me. We go to these people who know & have seen these drunken beasties." Totters off towards the Drunken Goblin alternately muttering, "Miss Ferra, Agéd Bronzebelly, Miss Ferra, Agéd Bronzebelly..." as if to remember them.

Daztur · August 17, 2014, 10:53:31 AM

"Come Nonik," says Borgarus in the dwarf's usual pompous tone, "let us see if there is any basement space where I can have you dig us some proper sleeping trenches. And make sure that you don't live up to the name of his disgusting hovel."

The young goblin, accompanied by a small but vicious dog, scampered around its masters fine but well-worn pants as the pair approached the inn.

pspahn · August 17, 2014, 12:12:21 PM

Quote from: pbj44;780388Theodotos approaches Denther, "What say you Brother, shall we test the hospitality of this Drunken Goblin Inn?"

"Yes, that sounds like a good place to get our legs back under us after a month at sea. I'd like to find out more about this wizard's tower as well."

Denther tends to his animals. "Come Holly, come Molasses!"

The dog bounds off the boat and starts sniffing everything, but the horse is as obstinate as ever and does not wish to traverse the ramp. Denther tugs on the reins, pleads with the horse, and finally gets behind it and starts pushing.

One of the sailors who's been watching the spectacle says, "Oy friend, it's probably na' wise to push on an 'orse's rump like that. Try a good whistle."

Denther considers the man's advice. Wisdom has never been his strong point. He puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles. On cue, the huge draft horse trots down the ramp and onto the docks.

"Thank you!" Denther says, but the laughing sailors wave him off.

Denther looks to his new companions. "The Drunken Goblin, then?"

Opaopajr · August 17, 2014, 06:44:32 PM

Sidling over to Borgarus on the way the Drunken Goblin, "Oh, there it is you are, Mister Borgarus, my friend."

Assuming a dwarvish familiarity with fellow sea traveller, "I forgot you has a said beastie, like the tavern named to which we go. Did you see ever your goblin with the drunkenness? To what I should expect?, a night sleep with much noise?"

"They rumor at Warant, by the governor!, that such beasties cause the caravans that supply problems. But so behaved was yours, we made across the ocean, yes? Misunderstood beasties, no?"

Daztur · August 18, 2014, 12:45:51 AM

"Well, cousin," says Bogarus with an avuncular air, "goblins are naturally servile creatures. They will serve even the foulest beings in return for a pottage of gruel. But with a fair hand they are most amendable to proper discipline.

And yes, the helping of these pink-faces is quite disconcerting. However, I do hope that I will be allowed to dig a proper sleeping trench in the cellar and thus avoid the worst of the noise."

When Bogarus gets a chance, the dwarf will ask the barkeep if it would be possible to bed down in the cellar.

pbj44 · August 18, 2014, 01:18:16 AM

Theodotos finds a table where he and his new-found companions can sit and then orders a glass of wine.

"To your good health gentlemen!"

Daztur · August 18, 2014, 10:29:52 AM

Bogarus orders a glass of whatever is cheapest, planning to dump it down Nonik's throat at the first opportunity and surreptitiously refill it from the wine bottle in his bag. Fortune hasn't smiled on this dwarf and has left Bogarus with a thin purse.

"It is certainly good for the health to be off that leaking tub. I'll drink to that."

Opaopajr · August 18, 2014, 03:17:20 PM

"Pardon my question, for I am but looking for a Miss Ferra? By the Agéd Bronzebelly was I referred, to seek for room for myself & stabling for my Polycarpos, a donkey of good disposition. You would please have available?"
In a lowered whisper, "and for how many the cost in coin?"

Spinachcat · August 18, 2014, 05:57:26 PM

McGinty OrcHunter, stretches to his full height (all 36 inches) and looks Bronzebelly in the eye, or more likely, his beard.

"Dwarf, spread the word. The Orchunter has arrived on Chalm. Killing time has begun for the pig men."

McGinty shrugs his empty pack and full quiver over his shoulder, double checks his wineskin (again), heft his weapons and walks down the gangplank into Warant.

With nary a silver, McGinty doubts he'll afford the fare at the Drunken Goblin, so its time to see if the street grocers have some cheap vegetables for sale.

Carcharodon · August 20, 2014, 12:59:57 AM

Quote from: Daztur;780473"Come Nonik," says Borgarus in the dwarf's usual pompous tone, "let us see if there is any basement space where I can have you dig us some proper sleeping trenches. And make sure that you don't live up to the name of his disgusting hovel."

The young goblin, accompanied by a small but vicious dog, scampered around its masters fine but well-worn pants as the pair approached the inn.

Poor, long-suffering Nonik puts up with the yapping and occasional nip from the dog. He straightens his shoulders, releases an almost inaudible sigh, and resolutely follows his dwarven master.

Quote from: Daztur;780637"Well, cousin," says Bogarus with an avuncular air, "goblins are naturally servile creatures. They will serve even the foulest beings in return for a pottage of gruel. But with a fair hand they are most amendable to proper discipline.

And yes, the helping of these pink-faces is quite disconcerting. However, I do hope that I will be allowed to dig a proper sleeping trench in the cellar and thus avoid the worst of the noise."

When Bogarus gets a chance, the dwarf will ask the barkeep if it would be possible to bed down in the cellar.

The barkeep, a middle aged woman with a long, blonde braid - presumably Miss Ferra - plunks down the various drinks in front of the party after a reasonably short wait.

At Bogarus's request, she stares blankly.

"In... the cellar? I really don't think that's a good idea. I don't know how they do it in whatever dwarven hole you come from, but here on Chalm, we sleep in beds like civilized people."

Quote from: Opaopajr;780773"Pardon my question, for I am but looking for a Miss Ferra? By the Agéd Bronzebelly was I referred, to seek for room for myself & stabling for my Polycarpos, a donkey of good disposition. You would please have available?"
In a lowered whisper, "and for how many the cost in coin?"

Miss Ferra, previously stumped by Bogarus, appears even more bewildered, to the point where she actually cocks her head to one side.

"Uh, yes. I'm Miss Ferra. You say that Bronzebelly sent you? Damn dwarf, always sending me the foreigners..."

At the mention of coin, she perks up a bit.

"That'll be two silver a night per room. Each room has two beds, two chamberpots, and a key for the water barrels downstairs."

Quote from: Spinachcat;780806McGinty OrcHunter, stretches to his full height (all 36 inches) and looks Bronzebelly in the eye, or more likely, his beard.

"Dwarf, spread the word. The Orchunter has arrived on Chalm. Killing time has begun for the pig men."

McGinty shrugs his empty pack and full quiver over his shoulder, double checks his wineskin (again), heft his weapons and walks down the gangplank into Warant.

With nary a silver, McGinty doubts he'll afford the fare at the Drunken Goblin, so its time to see if the street grocers have some cheap vegetables for sale.

The dwarf stares for a moment, then bursts into laughter.

"Ye hear that, lads! We've got us an Orchunter here! Thinks he can take on the whole damn island himself, I reckon!"

While most of the surrounding dockworkers chuckle along, a gray-skinned fellow with prominent tusks - an orc! - just shakes his head and scowls in the party's general direction.

Opaopajr · August 20, 2014, 05:36:45 AM

"You are very generous, Miss Ferra, for offering a bed for my donkey as well as I. But though well behaved, Polycarpos, will have the trouble on using your establishment's steps, even if he may have the aim for the chamberpot. Stabling, for how many the coin?, would his nature better suit, yes?"

Faradonas looks at his money and counts and recounts and fusses with the silver & copper, as if money leaving him makes him sad. Ten copper and a silver are pinched off, then back with 20 copper instead, and finally two silver are shuffled out and placed out towards Miss Ferra. "He is a good beast, but not a pet for the houses indoors so much."

pspahn · August 20, 2014, 07:32:18 AM

Denther empties his entire purse on the table. "A round of drinks for my friends, please." He scoops the remaining coins back into his belt pouch oblivious to the greedy stares of others.