This is a derailment from the current storyline. I'm bringing you a reprint of adventures in Howlsburg in between sessions. This one is from almost two years ago. Enjoy.
It is a beautiful day in the Great Northern Wilderness and the city of Howlsburg is bustling with activity. Strangers are entering the city whose paths will soon be intertwined.
Father Roundtom, a dwarven priest of Verseti, enters Howlsburg through the south gate. The guards great him warmly as he passes through and into the city. The traveling priest is still rusty at speaking the dialect of the humans in this region. He enters the Great Horn Dragon Inn to enjoy a cool ale at the bar.
Clark, a young human mercenary, enters Howlsburg through the south gate. He is unnoticed by the south gate guards but is warmly received by the bartender of the Great Horn Dragon Inn who promptly brings him a delicious bowl of beef stew.
Sir Drixil, an elven paladin of Rurga, rides through the south gate a top his steed. He heads straight for the stables. He drops his steed off with the young stable boys then heads to the Great Horn Dragon Inn.
Leif, an elven nobleman, enters Howlsburg through the south gate. He passes the stables, the inn, and a clothing store. He enters Property Titling & Homestead Deeds. He witnesses a young pioneer couple receiving their deed for their new homestead only a 1.5 miles north of Howlsburg. Leif asks the fat dwarf if he knows Elliot's address. The dwarf explains that he has not heard of him and not sure he lives in town.
Ama'ha Ly'dre, an adorable gnome, enters Howlsburg through the north gate. The cautious north gate guards question Ama'ha about where she is traveling from but the guards judge that one of her size could not possible be a threat and permit her to enter. Ama'ha rides her dog Huitae into town passing the House of Nuintukse. She dismounts in front of the shoe makers shop. Upon entering she meets a young elven couple. She orders a pair of boots and agrees to pick them up the following day.
Alexsandra Drake, a human woman knight of striking beauty, rides through the south gate a top her steed. She heads straight for the stables. After careful inspection of the facilities, she deems it safe to leave her horse there then heads to the Great Horn Dragon Inn.
Lorelle, an elven ranger, enters Howlsburg through the south gate. She passes the stables, the inn, a clothing store, and the Property Titling & Homestead Deeds building. She enters the market going on in the middle of the town square. She looks for some one to sell her pelts too. After seeing the market is much too busy, she enters the General Store. Lorelle meets Randle a tall thin human who owns the general store. He offers her a good price for her pelts and invites her to come back anytime.
Roundtom, Clark, Alexsandra, and Sir Drixil refresh themselves in the bar of the Great Horn Dragon Inn. Leif enters the Inn and ask the boy at the front desk for a bath. He notices the boy is reading a manuscript about Necromancy, a forbidden dark art. He tells the boy his concerns about him reading such a book and the boy replies "It is a fiction book. I don't even believe in magic." Leif replies "That in itself is the problem." The boy hands him a towel and directs him to the room with three canoe-like bath tubs.
After Lorelle sells her pelts, she goes into the Great Horn Dragon Inn for a bath. The boy hands her a towel and directs her to the room with three canoe-like bath tubs. She enters and sees a naked half submerged elf. Without looking up, he commands her to bring him more water. Lorelle ignores the arrogant brute and fixes her own bath. Leif looks up to find out why his "request" is not being filled and realizes the now naked woman is in fact an elf, a very gorgeous elf at that. Leif begins to retract, apologize, and flirt. Lorelle ignores him and tries to enjoy her bath.
Ama'ha Ly'dre discovers the friendly market where everyone is polite and unsuspecting. A mischievous grin creeps across the young gnomes face as she surveys the potential thieft-o-rama before her. She decides instead to go into the Tale of Two Empires Inn and get something to eat and perhaps some information. She enters the Inn and the elf behind the bar welcomes her warmly. She explains to the bartender she is short on coin. The elf bartender tells her not to worry, he doubts she will take up that much room or eat all that much food. He welcomes her to ask him for anything and he will accommodate.
At the Great Horn Dragon Inn three roughnecks try to leave without paying. The bartender is helpless to stop them. Clark steps in front of the leaving lumberjacks and asks them to pay. Roundtom slams down his beer stein and marches over and stands by Clark and says "Pay `em." Sir Drixil stands and announces "You will pay for what you have taken."
One of the lumberjacks looks at the situation and decides it's not worth it and goes over and pays the bartender. The tall lumberjack decides to poke fun at the dwarf. The lumberjack with the massive arms tries to punch Clark in the face but misses. Alexsandra stands ready to jump in but Drixil turns to her and says "Two on two, it is a fair fight." Stay true to the code of chivalry Alexsandra stops but remains ready for action. Clark jabs the lumberjack in the mouth. Roundtom attempts to sack the tall one but is pushed to the side. Roundtom now in a position where he is standing but his head is pointed towards the ground; the lumberjack decides to give the good priest a wedgie and yanks Roundtom's underwear skyward. The strong lumberjack angered by Clark's "love-tap" smashes his fist into Clark's face and the young mercenary feels his jaw pop out place and then pops right back, followed by a hot dull pain that shots over his entire face. Roundtom looks up and decides to target what is at his eye level. With a violent blow to the human's genitals, Roundtom smirks as the sound of crushed walnuts is followed by the human puking in pain before hitting the floor. After seeing the destructive power of the dwarf's fist, the strong lumberjack tries to make a break for it. Clark grabs the lumberjack by the back of his collar, yanks him around, and whispers in his ear "You still haven't paid." The lumberjack runs over to the bartender throws him the money and tries to leave again. Clark grabs the lumberjack by the back of his collar and yanks him around again to whisper in his ear "What about your friend?" The bartender yells "He paid for both," The lumberjack starts to walk out and Sir Drixil bars his way and says "Forgetting something?" and points to the lumberjack's friend still laying on the floor. The lumberjack picks up his friend and begins heading for the door. Sir Drixil still barring his way shakes his head and points to the mop then to the pile of vomit on the floor. The lumberjack drops his friend, cleans up the mess, and then looks at Sir Drixil for permission to leave. The elven paladin stands aside and the lumberjack and his now eunuch friend scramble out of the bar.
During the brawl the boy at the front desk can't get any reading done so he goes and sits in the bath room with the two naked elves. Leif whispers to Lorelle that the boy is reading a book about necromancy and suggests not staying alone with him. Leif quickly finishes his bath, dresses, and leaves. Lorelle follows his lead and leaves the creepy goth kid alone in the bath room. When they come out to the foyer of the inn, the lumberjacks have already gone.
Ama'ha Ly'dre wanders around the Tale of Two Empires Inn and listens in on the many conversations. She learns some important info about the keep and the town. She walks around smiling and bowing to those that take notice of her, and all the while hanging on every word that is being said. When a rugged looking human wearing a seasoned uniform of an Eastern Territory recon officer enters and takes notice of the gnome. He leans down close to her and starts to sniff at her while he asks her questions. The gnome looks offended but says nothing as the human starts questioning her about where she has been and how long she has been in the area and where she is going. The rest of the military patrons start looking in their direction, listening to the questions and are confused as to why the little gnome is being attacked in such a way. After talking to her, he walks over and starts whispering to some very important looking older humans in uniforms and their looks of confusion turn to looks of suspicion. Ama'ha Ly'dre approaches the nice elf bartender to ask what that was all about, but with hint of concern in his voice he tells her she should find another place to stay. She grabs her supplies and heads out the door. She looks back and sees one soldier in the window watching her leave and two other military men follow her out and stop on the porch of the inn and just casually watch her walk away.
Back at the great horn Dragon Inn: The bartender shouts "Drinks on the house!" and invites everyone to come to the bar for free drinks. Clark and Roundtom begin talking about the brawl, their purposes for coming here, and where they are headed. Leif and Sir Drixil introduce themselves and relate their noble lineages, as elves tend to do. Alexsandra and Lorelle strike up a conversation about one another's background. As everyone is enjoying their drinks and meeting everyone, the gnome and her dog walk in. The bartender is very polite to her and brings the gnome's dog a bowl of milk. The dwarf and a couple of the elves take a great interest in the gnome since they are rarity in their part of the world. The bartender directs the heroes to the multicolored pavilion near the west gate. He states that the pavilion is home to a sultan-ish man that helps adventurers to get jobs. The bartender also goes on to give them the lowdown on the local churches. Lastly he tells of the famous 152nd cavalry division of The Dominion of Man that has been gone for 3 weeks patrolling the disputed territory. "They are heroes of the region and the pride of Howlsburg." The bartender says proudly.
Leif offers the assembled people to join him on his quest. He refuses to go into detail but assures them that he will make it worth their while. The group joins up with Leif without even insisting him on disclosing any information about the quest.
A monk from the House of Nuintukse, the church the bartender had described as a death cult, walks in smoking a cigar. The bartender, who has been pleasant even to the lumberjacks, tells the monk he is all out of food and drink. The monk and the heroes have some words but in the end the monk leaves. The bartender explains to the heroes that he has to close the bar part of the inn to clean up for tonight and asks them to come back later.
The heroes leave the Great Horn Dragon Inn and decide to go to the pavilion. Sir Drixil tells them he will meet with them after he visits the Temple of Rurga. Before they can part paths, they hear the sound of horns from the west. The guards that were standing by the fountain start helping the merchants pack up their wares and close down their booths. People from the shops, inns, and private homes begin to lining the street, their mood is that of relief and joy. Suddenly the horns stop and the applause and cheers from the people of Howlsburg can be heard from the west gate and are coming closer with the sound of hundreds of hooves. The heroes look towards the west gate and four columns of cavalry galloping towards the Keep. Fr. Roundtom attempts to count the number of horses marching past. He estimated close to 700 horses in the cavalry. They rumbled passed the fountain and disappeared into the Keep. The crowds' cheers died down and the people of Howlsburg joyful prepared to celebrate the road weary soldiers return.
On the way to the pavilion, Roundtom decides to stop off at the Church of Light. Clark, Leif, Ama'ha Ly'dre, Alexsandra, and Lorelle continue on to the pavilion. The pavilion is as large as a circus tent. When they enter there are corridors with thick fabric for walls. The air is filled with spicy incense. As they are traveling through the pavilion they come across a small reception area on the left. In this area is a leader open and on a stand, a pen and ink well, a bell, a counter with no stools and behind the counter is a bead covered door way. Leif rings the bell and almost immediately a 6'6" 250lbs shirtless human in purple puffy pants comes from beyond the beaded door. He warmly greets the party. Leif asks if he knows where he can find Elliot the Sage. The large human says he does but explains that information is only shared with members. Leif asks what it means to join this guild. The human tells him the organization helps with getting members jobs with elite patrons, deals in information and equipment for its members, and the cost is 10% of their payment from their adventuring. Leif asks how one becomes a member. The human says just sign the book. The book has names of many races and regions. Some of the names have a red line drawn through the middle of them. Leif picks up the pen and signs "Leif" but the ink starts moving around and respells "Lazarus Grimleaf" in Leif's handwriting. Leif angrily states "True names are very powerful." The human explains that it is so they can keep track of their members. As he says this, as if by an invisible pen, a red line begins to run through one of the names in the book. Leif asks what that means and the human explains to him that member has just passed. Leif says "Now, where is Elliot?" Human tells Leif he can't go to Elliot's unannounced so he will contact him first then give him the information. The human asks if any one else will be joining?
Clark goes to sign the book and Alexsandra holds him back. Leif picks up the pen and draws a line through his name but the letters of his name just absorb the line. The party turns and leaves.
Sir Drixil arrives at the Temple of Rurga. He enters and is greeted by an Ogre in monk robes. Sir Drixil is a little shocked since he is from the Timiro Kingdom. He asks to speak with the priest and the ogre goes to fetch him. An old human with a long beard and kind eyes is hunched over with age and uses a cane to walk. He greets the paladin with a blessing from Rurga. The old priest introduces himself as Fr. Sikora. Fr. Sikora disapproves of the followers of Rurga in the Eastern Territory encouraging the pending war with the Wolfen Empire. He tells Drixil that Rurga has spoken with him and he believes if the Wolfen convert to Rurgaism the war will be avoided. He tells Drixil of their missionary work into the Great Northern Wilderness. Drixil asked if the mission was by force but Fr. Sikora assured him it was being handled with the utmost respect and care for the Wolfen people and their culture. Sir Drixil tells Fr. Sikora that he and his companions are looking for an elf named Elliot. The priest tells Drixil where Elliot lives and tells him that Elliot is the oldest resident of these parts; no one knows how long he has lived in this region but his home was here before the keep was built. Before the priest excuses himself he warns Drixil to stay away from that pavilion near the west gate, it is from the Western Empire and can be nothing but trouble. Drixil thanks him for all his help. He goes before the sanctuary and says his prayers in silence meditation before leaving.
Fr. Roundtom enters the Church of Light. This structure dwarfs all buildings in Howlsburg except the Keep. This stone building is clean and bright. The interior has ornate architecture The church is very busy; people are coming and going, priest and priestess performing a variety of rituals, people praying before statues of many deities.
Roundtom scans the crowd for a clergy of the northern gods. He spots a burly human priest of Odin from across the crowded and moves to get his attention. The priest of Odin introduces himself as Fr. Matovich and tells Roundtom of the coming war. He thanks the Priest of Odin and leaves to ketch up with the group.
The party regroups near the fountain. Sir Drixil informs the others that he knows where Elliot lives. He tells them they must leave the city out the south-eastern gate near the Keep and then a half a mile through the woods to an old house. Ama'ha Ly'dre expresses her discomfort with the idea of going so close to the Keep. The party decides to make sure they pass the Keep quickly. At the south-eastern gate in the shadow of the keep the guards are drink, playing cards, and relaxing. These seem to be the least disciplined or alert guards in the city. The party makes small talk with the guards and learns that the town has virtually no crime.
The heroes leave town, Lorelle finds a trail that is so overgrown that only a ranger would have even noticed it. Lorelle leads the party as she follows the ancient trail. They come to a clearing. Sir Drixil notices that the tree line forms a perfect circle. The diameter of the circle is roughly 200 yards. In the center of this circle is an old decrepit two store house with a small front porch, boarded up windows and heavy closed curtains. The house looks as if it is in great need of repair and a coat of paint, one can tell the house is made of wooden boards that had been painted white at one time. At the end of the trail was a small wooden sign on a stake. The sign had one sentence in every written language even in wolfen that read "There is nothing here worth stealing which is worth losing your life." Leif suggests that only one member of the group approach the house. The party agrees to let Leif go up to the house alone.
Leif walks up the creaky steps and knocks lightly on the door. Several moments pass and Leif knocks again. After several more minutes the sounds of locks being undone start at the top of the door and end at the bottom of the door. The door slowly opens; Leif sees that the door frame is 8 inches wide. In the dark of the house Leif sees the eyes of an elf. "Master Elliot?" Leif asks. "Who seeks Masters Elliot?" "I'm Lazarus Grimleaf of House Ozreich." Elliot drew back silent for a moment "Tell your companions to enter my house with you. It is not safe to remain outside the house." Leif waved over his fellowship. When the party had assembled on the porch the door was opened wider. Before them stood an elf hunched over with age, wrinkles had worked into his brow and the corners of his mouth; his hair was thin and white. To the humans, Clark and Alexsandra, he looked like an elderly man; the dwarf and gnome, Roundtom & Ama'ha, even being some what familiar with elves and their longevity just saw him as aged; but to the elves, Leif, Drixil, and Lorelle they understood they were in the presence of ancient being that had seen the rise and fall of many an empire. Leif knelt while Drixil and Lorelle bowed low in respect.
As they entered the foyer Sir Drixil, Ama'ha Ly'dre, Lorelle, and Leif removed their weapons and hung them on the coat hooks. Fr. Roundtom was unnerved by the situation and clutched his war-hammer, ready for anything. Clark and Alexsandra left their weapons by their sides. Sir Drixil and Lorelle notices as they entered Elliot quickly removed an apron that was stained like a butcher's. Elliot leads them down a darkened hallway, lined with antique furniture and portraits of royal elven lords and ladies, to a sitting room with a couch and large arm chairs by a fire place.
The group sits around the fireplace and Elliot tells Leif "I know what it is that House Ozreich seeks and the good intentions for which they seek it. However, since none still live that could release me from my oath; I will not give you the information you seek. Instead you must first prove to me that you are the quality of elf that your forebears hoped their descendents would become. By your actions alone will House Ozreich succeed or fail." Leif nods. Elliot excuses himself and before leaving the room, says "It is not safe to wander in my house, be sure to stay by the fireplace."
Elliot returns with a package that is covered in strange writing. He explains that they must deliver this to Fraderack the Wolfen wizard in Corad. Corad is 3 weeks march northwest into Wolfen territory. Elliot tells them that Fraderack can be found at his shop
called "The Acts of Magick". Fraderack will give them another package to return to Elliot. Elliot expresses his admiration of the Wolfen Empire and their system of government but assures the heroes he has no ties to any government and has no intention of partaking in the war effort. Elliot suggests leaving first thing in the morning. The heroes thank Elliot for his hospitality and begin to gather their belongings and leave. Ama'ha Ly'dre lingers behind the rest of the group and Elliot has private words with her in the wolfen language. Sir Drixil waits by the door for Ama'ha to catch up.
The heroes walk in silence almost to the gate of Howlsburg. Then they begin discussing their plans for leaving town. All agree that leaving town in secrecy is in their best interests. On the way back to the inn they stop in at Hammer & Anvil blacksmith shop. They meet Helmut on of the dwarven owners. Fr. Roundtom conveyed his disapproval of a dwarven shop employing a Kobold smith. Helmut is enraged by Roundtom's racism and challenges him to a fight. Before they can begin brawling Helmut's fraternal twin brother Dietrich breaks it up. Dietrich orders his brother into the back of the shop and apologizes to the heroes. He explains that the Kobold smith had saved his brother's life and they are best friends. Fr. Roundtom turns and leaves. Ama'ha had her daggers sharpened by the smiths. Sir Drixil inquires about purchasing some dwarven or kobold made wears but the prices were too steep.
After the heroes left the black smith shop the party split up. Fr. Roundtom, Leif, and Sir Drixil went to the Tale of Two Empires Inn and Lorelle, Ama'ha, and Alexsandra went back to the Great Horn Dragon Inn.
At the Tale of Two Empires Inn:
Fr. Roundtom met with Captain Boris a dwarven advisor to the Eastern Territory army. He had an air of despair about him as he drank from deep beer stein. Boris explained that the humans are not willing to listen to their "elders" and most of Boris' advice falls on deaf ears. He worries that when the war comes Howlsburg will be the first causality.
Leif sees an attractive female human. She is looking bored and ignored by her toad of a husband that is concentrating heavily on his gambling; which he is losing badly at. She is desperately trying to get the attention of any male in the bar. Leif motions to the jaded merchant's wife to rendezvous with him at the staircase to the Inn's bedrooms. She quickly heads over to the stairs. Sir Drixil guards the stairs and make sure no one goes up to disturb the "lovers." The paladin noticed the woman's bodyguard stand and watch intently where she was going. After Leif returned with the tousled woman and she sat back down next to her oblivious husband; her bodyguard retook his seat.
At the Great Horn Dragon Inn:
The girls reserved rooms for their fellow adventures. Lorelle and Alexsandra relaxed in the bar. Ama'ha Ly'dre wandered about listening to the conversations. For the most part, the conversations were unimportant to her mission; gossip about neighbors, jokes that are funny to dumb humans, drunken babble, etc. Ama'ha was ready to call it an night when she hears, "I'm telling you these diamonds are from the Bones of Belimar and in Timiro will be worth four times this amount. Give me one thousand Eastern gold pieces and this little pouch is yours!" Ama'ha has an insatiable lust for shiny stones of great value. With the cooperation of her mount, Huitae, she lifts the heavy pouch off the human merchant. Ama'ha decides to cash out and call it a night.
In her glee, she doesn't notice the rugged looking human wearing a seasoned uniform of an Eastern Territory recon officer standing in her path. She looks up from her newly stolen pouch and sees the same Eastern Territory scout that she met at the Tale of Two Empires bar; she stops in her tracks and hides the pouch. The scout glares down at her and says "I hope that is the last bit of business you do in Howlsburg. I strongly recommend not being in town come tomorrow." Ama'ha slowly nods as the scout walks away. She rushes to her room.
The next day the heroes leave town from different gates and meet in the woods near Elliot's house. After they regrouped, they make a wide circle round Howlsburg before heading northwest into the wilderness.
Six hours later, far down the remains of the great northern trade road, with the last of the inhabited homesteads long behind them, the pluck of a crossbow is heard followed by Leif hitting the ground and saying "Bandits!" Heard from all the around them in the woods were quiet voices spoken in a harsh and foul language, Fr. Roundtom recognized the words, but could not understand them, he alerted his friends "Goblins!" Before the party can react a ragged goblin burst through the foliage and stabbed Huitae, the gnome's mount, with it's short sword. The dog fell to the ground; Ama'ha barely escaped being crushed by the animal's weight. Another goblin took advantage of Leif being on the ground tending his crossbow wound. The goblin stabbed at the elf but Leif was able to roll out of the way and only his clothing suffered any damage. Lorelle, Alexsandra, and Sir Drixil rushed to the aid of their friends. Fr. Roundtom boiling with rage pulled forth his mighty war-hammer and smashed open the skull of one of the murderous bandits. One by one the goblins were slaughtered and chase off into the woods. After the fray Fr. Roundtom called upon the grace of the northern gods to heal the noble steed of his gnome friend. The power of the northern gods heard his voice crying out for aid and blessed him with their intercession. Huitae was saved by the faith of Fr. Roundtom. Fr. Roundtom also healed Leif of his minor wound. The heroes decided to rest near by and regroup.
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