Adventure's in Jarlsguard (IC)

[Logos7]

The Fort Dominated the small mesa that hung over the rocky mountain passage that lead to Jarlsguard. Its strangely shaped, Romboid Starburst Design, while practical and effective, looks strange to your eyes, as does its construction of gigantic and unmortared granite blocks.

Coming up the fortress gate, you see some sullen dwarfs and dirty human guards and watchmen keeping a careful eye on all those who enter. Inside you see a ramshackle Inn, a General Store, and the long lines of merchant wagons, awaiting inspections.

The Air mists in front of the guards mouths as they look you over,

What do they see?

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

Varis approaches the gate looking around the fort with a mix of distaste and awe, something so strongly built yet with no style what so ever.
Figures... with Dwarves and humans what else can you expect... he mumbles to himself.

The guards see a elf with long silver hair and forest green eyes approaching, they notice he walks with grace and looks as though he knows how to use the twin blades hanging at his belt. He is wearing a forest green cloak pinned with a lightning bolt clasp.

[Limos]

Elodius

"Well aren't you a fancy one." Elodius says as he slips in to step beside the elf. His black leather boots crunch an especially offensive flower beneath his heel. "What brings you to out of your forest Skinny?" He grins rakishly and continues keeping pace with the dour elf.

Elodius Fench is dressed in a Black leather Greatcoat, far too stylish to double as armor, worn over red leggings and shirt. His black leather boots come up to mid calf and are studded with metal. The pockets of his greatcoat bulge with spell components and his Implements.

Fench walks with a pronounced slouch, sliding along with every line of him screaming sleaze. His hands sunk deep into the pockets of his coat he stomps any bit of beauty that catches his eye.

[Nahal]

Malaethim

Just ahead of the two of them, an Eladrin with white hair and solid blue eyes collects a few gold from a wagon driver and deposits them into his pouch. Underneath a nondescript green cloak, his chainmail, longsword, shield and javelins bear the stylizations typical of Fey smiths. Despite the fact that he has obviously completed an escort run his gear is fairly clean and well-maintained.

Overhearing the conversation between his kinsman and the impolite human, Malaethim interjects. Pay no mind to him cousin, he says cheerfully, he's just envious that his granddaughters will be spending nights in your chambers long after he's pushing up daisies. He just manages to keep a mild does of contempt out of his voice. Dropping back, he introduces himself to the Eladrin. Name's Malaethim, friend. What's brought you here, away from our ancestral home? He is perhaps a touch formal, his poise smacking of nobility trying to pass itself off as a common man.

[Halaster]

Baldrik

Baldrik's steady pace doesn't falter for a single step as he looks up from the road at the fortress, only the droning song he has been singing under his breath stops for a while. He surveys it with an eye to the craftsmanship, more than the aesthetics, on which he reserves judgement.
A bulky dwarf he is, made even bulkier by his armor of hexagonal bronzed steel scales, and his solid horned helmet, which also hides most of his face, except for a fleshy nose, a long beard of nondescript brown color, twisted into dozens of thin braids, and a pair of keen gray eyes. He carries a warhammer, the head shaped like an armored fist, loosely over his shoulder, his massive shield, of round, metal-rimmed oak hangs over his back. Sturdy boots protect his feet, while his hands are warmed by fur gloves on a cold day like this.

He spares the other travellers only a sidelong glance and a muffled snort, before he continues singing to himself. "The emperor had a beard so long and thick, he alwas kept it wrapped around his ... leg, fallara-fallara-dam-dam-dam-dam..." He halts however, listening to their conversation.

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

At hearing the incredibly pomp human's questions Varis turns to him with his hands on his hilts.
If you must know Human I have come from my home becuase it is destroyed. And has been for more than twice your lifetime so please attempt to show some respect to your elders and obviously those more able than yourself.

Varis says with a snear as he turns his back to address the Eladrin in front of him
In Elven:Bright light to you cousin. Glad I am that I am not alone with this savage and his ilk. What brings you from your majestic homeland to this dismal place?

[Halaster]

Baldrik

Hearing the elf's words, the dwarf interrupts his song again.
"What? Someone snuffed your home, and you got the audacity to walk around here, alive and kicking, and still talk of respect? I sure hope you have an explanation, why your bones aren't rotting where they're supposed to."
He sets himself up next to the wizard, a look of defiance on his face, but also an unmistakeable twinkle of mockery in his eyes.

[Limos]

Elodius lets rip a rich laugh, "Ah, Elders is it? That would be some of that Elven superiority you've been feeding us for generations." He nods to the Dwarf, "Yet they always wonder why no one likes them." Elodius has always preferred Dwarves to Elves.

[Randel]

Carver

A small horse-drawn wagon is moving along the road toward the city, waiting for its turn to be checked by the guards. While the horse nibbles on some stary bits of grass at the edge of the road, the wagon driver, a blond-haired eladrin wearing a dark brown (but clean) travelers cloak looks around at the scene.

In her hand she has a block of wood which she is carving into the rough shape of the Fort. Its strange appearance catches her interest and she takes care not capture this view in the block... might have to look at the other side to get it done right.

Hearing the little argument near her, she looks up and sees the others.

"Hey now, we are guests in these parts, cousin." she says to Varis. "Remember, one cannot expect hospitality to be given them if they aren't polite... Besides, this place looks alot less flammable then our elven settlements. I think they have us beat as far as buildings go."

She turns to the dwarf and shrugs. "Sorry, about that, few of us fey get outside as much as we should."

In the cart, a halfling rogue lays resting on a bundled up blanket.

[Logos7]

Moving past the gates, you find yourself in the Courtyard of Giantbane.

Up ahead is an Inn and an attached general goods store. The sound is loud and raucous from the Inn.

To the Left is the wagon yard, where close to 100 wagons are tied, and behind them many beasts of burden are hobbled in raggedy lines. There are a few guards who make a shifty sort of patrol from the outside of the inn to the wagons and behind them, before going back again.

A few rough faced locals and hired guards , keep watch on a few of the wagons.

To the left is the customs office, it looks like. The wood is rotten from lack of use, and a moldy sign there hangs "Closed".

The Afternoon is passing on, and your all certain that you cannot make the city proper, Jarlsguard itself before nightfall. Looking around at your fellow traveler's you must decide if you want to stay the night out in the cold, or in a nice warm inn.

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

Varis considers the words of the dwarf and the new eladrin and decides to not reply and continue a pointless argument.
It has been a long and arduous journey to this point, I would much rather stay at the inn as long as the prices aren't too steep. My funds have been depleted lately. What say you other fellows?

[Randel]

Carver

A small horse-drawn wagon is moving along the road toward the city, waiting for its turn to be checked by the guards. While the horse nibbles on some stary bits of grass at the edge of the road, the wagon driver, a blond-haired eladrin wearing a dark brown (but clean) travelers cloak looks around at the scene.

In her hand she has a block of wood which she is carving into the rough shape of the Fort. Its strange appearance catches her interest and she takes care not capture this view in the block... might have to look at the other side to get it done right.

Hearing the little argument near her, she looks up and sees the others.

"Hey now, we are guests in these parts, cousin." she says to Varis. "Remember, one cannot expect hospitality to be given them if they aren't polite... Besides, this place looks alot less flammable then our elven settlements. I think they have us beat as far as buildings go."

She turns to the dwarf and shrugs. "Sorry, about that, few of us fey get outside as much as we should."

In the cart, a halfling rogue lays resting on a bundled up blanket.

[Jokes]

Dollar

Dollar rolls about in his sleep as the cart makes it's way through the streets. The little halfling has picked up a talent for being able to sleep anywhere, and the noises from arguing humans and elves does little to stir him.

As the guard inspect the cart, one prods him and he immediately awakes, standing bolt upright before the guard could tell it was a little man sleeping there. "I wasn't asleep," he stammers in Deep Speech, "I..." He looks at the guard, then around, slowly remembering where he was. The halfling is of average height for his race, but his clothes hang from his thin frame, a piece of cord holding his pants tight. His head is shaved bald and his skin is almost pale white, except for the black rings around his eyes. "I, uh, apologise for startling you." His common is nervous and jumpy. "Um, carry on?"

He turns back to Carver. "Are we there already, boss?"

[Limos]

Elodius

Elodius surveys his surroundings quickly before nodding to the Eladrin. "I concur, the Inn would be much prefereable to sleeping out of doors." He looks around the coutyard critically, "I'll be in the common room if you need me." With that he strides into the Inn to search for somewhere more comfortable.

[Nahal]

Malaethim

Allowing the human to do as he wishes, the Eladrin soldier turns to Varis. In Elven, he replies Like you, my home is lost. I someday hope to reclaim it, but will need either an army or some truly legendary heroes to conquer what has taken residence there.

To the Dwarf, he says in Common Which is more noble, friend? To die when your passing will accomplish nothing, or to live that you might take vengeance upon those who slew your friends and family? Like my cousin here I chose the latter, and hope some day to free my home from the clutches of a monster the likes of which you've never seen.

I will choose the inn too, Gods know I could use a bed after my last run. Malaethim makes for the inn as well, avoiding Elodius for the moment.

[Halaster]

Baldrik

A smile crosses Baldriks face at the woman's words, and he gives the Elf a wordless nod. To Malaethim he replies: Ah, that's a hard choice to make indeed, and I guess, you wouldn't get dwarves and elves to agree on that one. Sometimes, my people just feel it more shameful to live, than to fall, no matter the manner of death we die. Your quest is noble enough, though, and I hope I haven't insulted you with my rash, but heartfelt words. Oh, and by the way, the name's Baldrik Mountainshaker.

Looking about himself, he rubs his hands. Well, a warm fire and a hearty meal, not to mention a hearty ale, that's for my mother's son. Why don't we all have a drink together, and talk of old times and faraway homes? He then accompanies the Eladrim to the inn.

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

As all the others agree and head toward the inn Varis follows, he takes a seat at the table with them and orders himself a glass of their finest wine. Even though he has this feeling that it won't be very fine at all...

[Logos7]

The Inside of the Inn is grimey, the badly maintained lanterns lend a smokey quality to the air, and the warm tar on the exposed log engs give the place a pungent stench.

Once inside, you see a barkeep, An Orc almost 7 feet high. He Yells at you as you come in. "Whadda Want"

[Limos]

"Wine my friend!" Shouts Elodius to the barkeep. He plunks himself down on a barstool. "I need to wash the taste of road dust from my throat. He chuckles and drops a gold piece on the counter.

[Halaster]

Baldrik

The dwarf's face shows that he isn't exactly happy to be served by an orc, but he orders some ale anyway, before sitting down at the table with the others.

Seeing Varis' face he shakes his head.
You should really lighten up a little, friend elf. No place is like home, and this one is decidedly not like home at all, but life goes on, and you don't want to spend centuries with that dour attitude, do you? After all, there's something here to fill your stomach and make your head feel light and fuzzy, so why bother with the atmosphere?

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

Varis turns to the dwarf seated next to him. How can I enjoy life in a dour place like this, being served by this swine it was his kind that killed my entire village but alas dwarf I will try to lighten up. At least enough to play games with the human. Varis chuckles to himself as he says the last part and takes a look around the inn seeing if there are any hostile faces looking toward his group.

Spoiler

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Ill go ahead and roll a perception check just for fun haha. (1d20+9)[11]

[Nahal]

Malaethim

As soon as he walks in the door, Malaethim scans the room out of force of habit. In particular he notes any entrances and exits, the positions of any bouncers or other toughs (if present) and any patrons that stand out.

Spoiler

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Perception - (1d20+6)[10]
And if needed: Perception2 - (1d20+6)[19]
Perception3 - (1d20+6)[21]
If he can do all I'm having him do in one roll great, otherwise that's what the other two are for.
Edit: Kinda glad I made those extras, hopefully at least one is enough to provide me something useful.

After doing so, he orders an ale and attempts to grab a seat close to the door. Not exactly the royal palace on Midsummer's Eve, Malaethim says mostly to himself, but it'll do. To Varis he says Sorry for your loss friend, but I take some encouragement from knowing that there's at least one Orc around who's chosen civilization over raiding.

[Limos]

Elodius

Elodius nurses his wine at the bar and glances around the bar nonchalantly. He opens up his senses and tries to determine if anything in the bar is not as it seems. He opens up his magical senses and sweeps them through the bar, sniffing out any low level magic in the room.

Spoiler

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Roll for Perception to see if I spot anything out of the ordinary, and roll for Arcana to Sense the Presence of Magic nearby. DC 20 + half the spell level

(1d20+2)[21] Perception
(1d20+9)[22] Sense Magic

[LittleCarp04]

Varis

Spoiler

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On second thought don’t we just use our passive perception unless we are looking for something specific, like a specific person or something like that

Varis looks at his companions with mixed emotions, to the eladrin he has a odd sense of respect but also a feeling of misunderstanding how they are so cordial to the others, his entire life he has felt nothing toward other races but anger, but sitting here at the table with the others, even the human, he feels a odd sense of belonging. He smiles to himself imagining that he may possibly grow to trust and enjoy the company of this wide range of other characters.

[Randel]

Carver

"Yes we are." she says to Dollar as they reach the inn.

After making sure the cart is parked and the horse put in a stable, she brings Dollar into the inn and sits down.

When asked for her order, she says "Some wine, if you would and whatever is the days special." she turns to Dollar "And what would you like? Some sort of soup might be best to get you back to strength." she looks at the poor halflings lean figure.

Looking at the dirty table, Carver brushes over the spot in front of herself and Dollar, with just one brush of her hands the dirt and stains are cleaned off the table and she brushes them to the floor.

"Bit dirty." she says, inspecting it.

[Logos7]

You all settle down in what passes for an Inn in these parts, and eat some meager food, and drink some only slightly corked wine, and passable ale. No one can ignore the hoarse and loud snoring like rotten cloth ripping coming from the backroom, and a few of you spy (Dollar,Elodius, Malathrim, Varius) what looks like a ginormous foot in behind the doors to presumably what passes for a kitchen. Your pretty sure an ogre or something like one is back behind the doors.

Elodius detects the hint of magic about the place , above you believe several enchanted objects.

Before Long the sun starts making its downward trundel to sleep the night, and the innkeep , that ork , comes over to your table.

The Orks foul breath is hot in your face, as he leans over to you and with a toothy grin , smiles, and then says " We aint got no rooms, but you all can sleep in the stables if you want, for another gold piece."

A Large Hulky Figure steps into the general good store, which is only an empty doorway between the store and the bar. The Demonic Cant and Tiefling Tail cannot be mistaken, but this tiefling is the largest you've ever seen, broad in chest and wide in sholder with arms as big as your legs.

The ork yells loudly in your ears "Be With you in a Bit, Rayne".

The Ork Snorts and the continues to give you his best orky smile, "So what will it be"

[OOC, I am using passive perception , so if you make a perception check, Please say what you are looking for , otherwise, Im just going to go with your passive check. Out of the ordinary is fine, as long as your willing to accept what i say is ordinary or not. Limos, check the ooc for the direction to the magic items you cannot see, short story, behind the bar]

[Nahal]

Malaethim

That'd be one gold for the lot of us? Malaethim asks the ork. Shame there's no space in the inn itself, but a roof over the head's still a roof. The stalls have been...erm...cleaned since their previous occupants made use of them?

[Limos]

Elodius

Fench glances around the bar as he feels the subtle emanations of enchanted objects in the room, he attempts to discern which objects are giving off the emanations. (He would have to look into the possibility of stealing them later.)

When the Orc walks over to the table Elodius smiles widely. "It won't be the first time I've slept in a stable friend." He places a gold piece on the table and ruefully examines his purse. "My coin has apparently deserted me." He replaces the depleted purse and rises to head for the stable. Now one may wonder how it is possible for Elodius to have spent his entire store of gold on a few cups of wine. In actuality the purse only contained a few coins at a time, and the rest was kept concealed about his person in a variety of smaller purses and the false heel of his left boot. This is due mostly to abject paranoia and the assumption that everyone else's soul is just as debased as his own.

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According to the PHB if I successfully detected magic I should either pinpoint it's location and source, if it is within sight, or get a general direction of it if it is out of sight.

So I would like a rundown of which objects in sight detect as magical and the general direction of any magical objects that are out of sight.

Unless of course it isn't important to the plot in which case you can feel free to disregard it.

[Randel]

Carver

Carver raises an eyebrow at this.

"A gold piece to sleep in a stable? That sounds highly excessive to say the least... particularly since I already have a horse in there." She opens her purse and looks inside, seeing only silver and copper pieces (her gold kept in a more secure pouch) getting the coin to pay for the meager meals for her and Dollar.

"What say I clean the stable a bit or wash dishes? Does that sound fair?"

Spoiler

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Diplomacy [to get a better deal]: (1d20+2)[5]
Insight [on the orc to see her feelings]: (1d20+3)[9]
Insight [on the tiefling to see his intentions]: (1d20+3)[18]

She takes a brief look at the tiefling and the surrounding area.
Arcana [to detect magic]: (1d20+11)[28]
Arcana [to identify any facts about tieflings, notably giant ones]: (1d20+11)[14]
Perception [too look for suspicious things]: (1d20+3)[21]

[Jokes]

Dollar

Dollar follows Carver into the tavern, taking in the dingy surrounds, but to him, the place was a palace. The orc scares him some. Before now, Carver had been the biggest person he'd ever seen, and now everyone in the inn seemed so big... He had no idea about the reputation of orcs, but the gruffness of his voice reminds him of his svirfneblin masters.

"Mmm, soup sounds lovely." He looks over at the kitchen and spots the giant foot. "Things keep getting bigger..."

"Really? A stable? With hay?" Dollar beams, his eyes almost excited. "Though I'm not sure how much sleep I could get..." He looks around incredulously at the assortment of people in the tavern and the enormity of his situation finally hits him. He smiles, looks down at his bowl and enjoys his first good meal in years.