IC - The Princess Flam [D&D5e]

[Wooloo]

You have just crossed the small stone archway that greets you welcome to the village of Gnoblabloob, home of gnomes!

This small and quaint gnomish settlement lies just a few miles outside the capital city and is home mostly to specialized workers that provide high-end services and goods to the nobility and upper classes of the Realm.

Everything in the village is meant for small sized creatures, so you might have trouble entering buildings or alleyways.

All of the tiny houses have chimneys and, from each of them, a different colored smoke puffs out. Clockwork contraptions run wide in the streets and various smells of baked goods and magical scents fill the air.

You’re supposed to meet the Flam Master at the Patisserie's Guildhall.

What do you do?

1 - Go to the Patisserie's Guildhall.
2 - Take a leisure stroll around the village.
3 - Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
4 - Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
5 - Other stuff you want to come up with.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi Tortle Wizard 1 AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6 PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10 Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2 Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1 Wazi walks into the gnome village and finds it comforting. While his size makes him stick out, he was friends with a few gnomes back home in the forests. Thinking he still has plenty of time before his meeting at the guildhall, he wanders around the town, looking for interesting shops or some of that green-froth ale.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall.
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.

[DonchasWatrfals]

Ulfgar Rummaheim
Mountain Dwarf Barbarian 1
Rages: 2/LR
AC: 16 | HP: 16/16 | HD: 1d12
PP: 14 | PInv: 11 | PIns: 14

Ulfgar makes his way into town and stops briefly for a mug of green-froth ale, and finds himself surprisingly pleased. He downs a second and asks for directions to the guild hall. Upon his arrival and unsure of who to speak to, floats on the periphery of the passing gnomes and begins looking around for someone who looks like they would be the Flam Master.

[Illven]

Rachelle will take a stroll around the village, talking to a few folks pleasantly before heading to the guildhall

[Kvard51]

Key follows Ulfgar, thinking the barbarian seems like a likely prospect to have songs written about him. He quaffs a mug of the Green-Foam, quickly finishing it off when the dwarf takes off again. He continues watching as Ulfgar mills around outside the Guildhall, waiting for him to do something songworthy...

[Seandiggersby]

Leonidas arrives at the town. He enters a tavern and orders a mug of green froth ale. He first takes a sip out of it to try it but when he tastes how nice it is he downs it almost instantly.

[DonchasWatrfals]

Ah yes, says Ulfgar as he extends his hand towards the tortle. The town guard sent me along to help out. The names Ulfgar, and, he gestures to Key standing a little ways away watching the two of them, this Kenku has been following me since we entered town. I'm assuming he's with us as well. Ulfgar gestures for Key to come and join them.

[Wooloo]

This post happens a few moments before all the dialogue at the Astounding Mule Tavern.

------------------

Wazi and Rachelle

The wizard Wazi and the rogue Rachelle are in no hurry to appease the frivolous king and the spoiled princess. Wazi has been here before, but this is Rachelle’s first time visiting this quaint and peculiar village and both heroes want to take in the sights before going to work.

The pair walks around the village and marvels at the little gardens, the little fountains, the colorful houses and tasty treats that vendors give out as free samples. Everything in this village is neat and tidy, and it does seem like a place where life was improved by magic and engineering combined.

Once they’re satisfied with the stroll, they decide to move on.

But...

Wazi and Rachelle witness something surprising. Princess Wylora herself!

The Princess steps out of a shop. She is scolding a vendor.
“It’s the wrong color! This is not the color I wanted! It’s as good as garbage, I’ll throw it away.”
She dumps a parcel at a nearby bin and goes away escorted by her knights.
The vendor motions to retrieve the item from the bin, but one of the knights stops him. “She said it’s garbage. Leave it there.”

The distraught shop-owner goes back inside and the princess leaves escorted by her guards.
The parcel remains in the bin and now no one is looking.

Wazi and Rachelle: What do you do?

====================

Ulfgar, Key and Leonidas

The green-froth ale is the local specialty and it’s remarkable flavor is praised all across the realm!
Only one tavern in town holds the secret to this fabled recipe. The Astounding Mule Tavern.
When you enter, you discover it is a tad expensive… 7gp per mug or 15gp a pitcher. (serves three mugs)
Are you still willing to buy one?

The three of you can pitch in and buy the pitcher, spending 5gp each.

If you find it too expensive, you can go instead for a regular mug of ale, that costs 1sp each.
It is still... pretty good, I guess... but not legendary.

Wazi hasn't arrived here yet.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi Tortle Wizard 1 AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6 PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10 Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2 Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1 Surprised to see the princess herself, and even more surprised to see her treat this merchant so harshly, Wazi looks at Rachelle, "Should we find out what that was about?" He motions to go into the shop to talk to the merchant.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora

[Wooloo]

Wazi

Wazi peeks into the bin and sees the parcel
It’s a small pair of glasses with colored lenses. They actually fit the wizard well enough.
But Wazi was taught to be honest, so the tortle hero goes into the shop to return the item to the vendor.

Inside, Wazi finds a gnome Optometrist busy making and adjusting eye-glasses. Seeing the princess rejected parcel, the gnome says:

“Thank you! But these lenses are better off in your possession.
The knights will return to check my inventory to make sure I didn’t retrieve them from the garbage.. And the princess didn’t even ask for a refund! So all is well.” He smiles kindly.

The tortle wizard, Wazi, has a new pair of stylish glasses!

Spoiler: The new glasses

Show

EYES OF MINUTE SEEING - from the Dungeon Master Guide
Magic Item, Wondrous item, uncommon
While wearing them, you can see much better than normal out to a range of 1 foot. You have advantage on Intelligence(Investigation) checks that rely on sight while searching an area or studying an object within that range.

-----------------------------------------------

Rachelle goes to the Guildhall:

As Rachelle steps inside this beautifully furnished hall, she is greeted by one of the assistants.
“The flam master will be here shortly. Would you be kind enough to wait a moment?” The assistant serves tea and biscuits, while Rachelle waits.

--------------------------------------------

Ulfgar

The mountain dwarf, Ulfgar, resigns from his idea of trying the fabled green-froth ale.
He sticks to the regular brand, which is.. ok. Not great, but not terrible either.

-------------------------------------------

Wazi, again

Wazi arrives at the Astounding Mule tavern, sporting his new stylish eye-glasses.
He meets Ulfgar, Leonidas and Key and they all chat briefly.

Wazi is surprised to find out how expensive the green-froth ale is.
But then again, nothing seems to be cheap in the village of gnomes.
A single mug costs 7gp and a pitcher (serves three mugs) costs 15gp.


============
Wazi, Key, Ulfgar and Leonidas are at the Astounding Mule Tavern.
Rachelle is at the Guildhall.
The game will move forward when the others arrive at the guildhall.

[DonchasWatrfals]

Ulfgar finishes his ale and looks at the new acquaintances he has made and will apparently be working with.

I believe we best be getting to the guild hall now.

He waits patiently as the others gather their belongings and they make their way out the door towards the guild hall.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi Tortle Wizard 1 AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6 PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10 Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2 Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1 Wazi goes into the tavern to get a green-foam ale. He had a taste of one once but never his own glass. He's been saving up for weeks and knows this might be his last chance to have his own. Hearing the dwarf mention the guild hall, Wazi looks at the group and speaks up. "Are you going to meet the Flam Master, too? So am I. My name is Wazi and I'm here representing the wizard, Garnik. Before we go, is anyone interested in trying the green-froth ale. Perhaps we could split a pitcher between the four of us. I can pitch in 5gp for it."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora

[Kvard51]

The kenku Key considers the price for a moment, but decides to keep his green froth ale. After all, he might not ever get the chance to drink it again!

He fishes seven gold out of his pouch and pays the barkeep, then takes a long pull on his mug.

[Wooloo]

Key

Key buys a mug of green-froth ale. Afterall, what is the purpose of gold, if not spending it?

And the ale... It is fantastic! What an incredible beverage!! This is the best ale you ever had!

For the next 1d4 days, Key is under the effect of the Bless Spell. However, in the following morning after the effect ends, he will suffer 1 level of exhaustion due to a terrible hangover.

Spoiler: Bless

Show

Bless: Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi Tortle Wizard 1 AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6 PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10 Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2 Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1 Wazi watches Key drink his ale in one gulp. When no one takes him up on his offer to split a pitcher, he counts his coins and decides to refrain from spending it all today. "OK. Let's get to the Guild hall then."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora

[Seandiggersby]

Considering the cost for the green froth ale to be too steep Leonidas decides it best to just skip out on getting it. "I'm fine with going to the guild Hall, the sooner we get this Flam the better"

[Wooloo]

The young rogue Rachelle enjoys some tea and biscuits while the others explore the city.
But soon she is joined by Ulfgar, Key, Leonidas and Wazi.

Shortly after the entrance of group, an older gnome with a purple colored pointy hat rushes over to you with tears in his eyes:

“It’s a disaster, I’ll tell you! My career is ruined!! The king will have my head on a platter and my children will be banished from the realm!!”

You presume this to be the Flam Master.

“Have you come to help..? Will you save my flam..??”

The gnome explains that the flam was taken in the middle of the night, two days ago. The thieves also took rare bottles of brandy, perfectly aged wheels of cheese and many smaller cakes that were meant for less distinguished guests.

The town guards tried to chase them, but they managed to get away. It was a gang of Derros known as the Weasel Band.

Their lair is at an abandoned keep to the northeast of here.

“Please hurry! I’m so worried about the flam!! The other things they stole can be replaced, but I spent the entire year preparing this magical dessert. It is irreplaceable!”

[Illven]

Do you have any pictures of the layout of the keep? Rachelle asks. Or alternatively, do you know where we can find any?

[DonchasWatrfals]

Ulfgar chimes in

Or do you know any current or former members of the Weasel Band in the village?

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi
Tortle Wizard 1
AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6
PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10
Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2
Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1


Wazi chimes in as well.

"What do you want us to do if they've already started eating the flam? What does this flam look like?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora
The Weasel Band, stole the flam

[Kvard51]

Key listens to everyone, filing words away for later use, and maybe a few for now... "I'm going to have their head on a platter if Weasels are already eating the flam."

[Wooloo]

The Flam master answer Rachelle’s questions:

“I have a crude map of the area, it should be easy to find the keep.. Just across the northern woods, heading into the swamp lands. But sadly, I don’t have the layout.. no one does… It’s been abandoned for centuries.”

Then he turns to Ulfgar:

“I’m sorry, no.. The weasel band is an outlaw group, and a slippery one. The guards never captured any of them.”

And then the gnome gets flustered and angry with Wazi’s question:

"They ate it already? Oh, of course not!!
Everyone knows Derros don’t eat flam.
They might have eaten the cheese and drank the brandy. But they won’t touch a flam. It’s just their underdeveloped taste buds can’t stand the fine flavours of life.

No, they certainly didn’t eat the flam. They want to sell to the rival kingdom, I’m sure! Lord Bergassos of Myrlakia is likely already having his horse settled for the ride.

That’s why you need to hurry. Rescue the flam before a foreign delegation arrives!"

He shows the party a picture he drew of the flam. Looks beautiful indeed!

When the party agrees to help, the old gnomish dessert maker hops with joy.

"Oh, thank the gods! Thank you!! Your deeds will not be forgotten!!
Please, take this pumpkin pie to aid you in your quest!"

Spoiler: magic pie

Show

The pie has six slices. Each slice is the equivalent of a common healing potion.

House rule: Drinking a potion (or chomping down a piece of magic pie) only takes a bonus action. Not a regular action.

There is no need to decide who is carrying how many pieces of pie. If you happen to need a piece, just presume it was in your bag. That is, of course, until the six pieces are consumed.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi
Tortle Wizard 1
AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6
PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10
Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2
Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1

Wazi takes the pie and wraps each piece in a piece of waxed paper, handing them out to the crew. He debates haggling over a fee but decides that the man is likely good for a reward and having a magical baker as a friend is likely better than a few gold pieces.

"Thank you for the pie and the map Flam Master. We will do our best."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora
The Weasel Band, Derros that stole the flam

[DonchasWatrfals]

Ulfgar looks around at the newly formed crew

Alright look, we don't know each other very well, but if you haven't caught my name yet it's Ulfgar. Looks like we're working together to get this Flam back. I say we hop to and get to this keep as quick as possible, because it sounds like time is most definitely of the essence. Is everyone prepared to get going? Because if you need something from town, now is the time to speak up. Otherwise let's hit the road.

[Wooloo]

Leaving the village:

With a map provided by the Flam Master, the party crosses the nearby woods and arrive at the keep. The trip took 1 day, so please remove 1 portion of rations from your inventory, or at least half-portion if you want to be more frugal.

---------------

The Keep:

This old keep belonged to a local lord who died in a shipwreck nearly a hundred years ago. Since he left no heirs, it has been vacant ever since. The king often offered it to lesser lords or even distinguished merchants or scholars. But none would take ownership for three main reasons:

1) It was built in a smelly plot of swampland.
2) It is rumoured to be haunted by the distraught ghost of the previous owner.
3) The keep is gradually and steadily sinking into the swamp.

Nowadays it serves as the lair of The Weasel Band.

-----

And so The party stands at the gates of the keep!

It would be a pleasant summer morning, but the skies are covered in heavy clouds, giving the old stone building an eerie appearance. It is a relatively small construction and most of its original rooms seem to have sunk into the foul-smelling swamp.

The original entrance is entirely flooded and impossible to cross.

The only way in seems to be a small service door on the left side of the building. Checking for traps, none are found. The door seems safe, but locked with a simple lock.

Spoiler: Lock picking

Show

Lock picking - only if you have thieve’s tools: Dex check DC 12, only one chance or the lock jams. Help action not possible, but magical help (guidance, or other spells) is ok.

Spoiler: Kick it down!

Show

Kicking down the door - Will be quite loud and alert anyone inside. Automatic success if your Strength is 13 or higher. Otherwise, Strength check DC 20 - Help action is possible to roll with advantage.

Spoiler: Automatic checks for traps

Show

Automatic checks for traps, spells and hazards:

In order to make the game move a bit faster, I’ll presume the characters are always actively searching for traps, spells and hazards, so I roll all the proper skill checks in secret (perception, arcana, investigation..). Or I don’t even roll when there’s nothing to find.

[Seandiggersby]

Leonidas looks to the group. "Alright, if there are no objections I can just kick the door down, will save us the hassle of trying to pick the lock. They'll most definitely hear it though, and then they'll come to attack. Get you weapons or whatever else you use ready." leonidas says as he draws his sword and readies his shield. He waits for a response.

[Bobthewizard]

Wazi
Tortle Wizard 1
AC: 17 | HP: 8/8 | HD: 1/1d6
PP: 12 PInv: 13 PIns: 10
Spell Slots, 1st: 2 / 2
Arcane Recovery: 1 / 1

Wazi shrugs his shoulders, but it's difficult for the others to see under his shell,

"If no one knows how to pick a lock, then I think your plan is our best option."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

none

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Patisserie's Guildhall, Flam Master
Go buy a mug of the famous and unique green-froth ale.
Send a postcard to your parents via Gnomish Tinker-mail.
Princess Wylora
The Weasel Band, Derros that stole the flam

[DonchasWatrfals]

They're going to know we're here sooner or later. What does a little bit of noise matter? I'll even give you a hand!
Ulfgar readies his maul to use it on the door, provided Leonidas is unable to kick it open.

[Illven]

Rachelle raises her hand. I can attempt to pick the lock. I'd rather at least try to keep the element of stealth. She says hopefully.

[Kvard51]

Key watches the others, hoping to pick up some new words. As everyone offers opinions, he mimics what he just heard from Rachelle.

[B]"Pick the lock."/B]