D&D 5E [IC] Creamsteak's Princes of Elemental Evil

Forged Fury · Aug 11, 2015

Damien looked around at the fortified keep. Now this would make a magnificent outpost. Situated on the river, you could control waterborne commerce between the north and south portions of Dessarin Valley... the warlock thought.

Mindful that Thaliss was on speaking terms with the folk here, he kept his mouth shut, deferring to the half-elf to get them through without issue.

Creamsteak · Aug 11, 2015

Steve Gorak said:
"Quite a few moons have passed since I last saw you Holgar, I hope your family and you are well! We are looking for a missing merchant caravan from Mirabar. Have you heard anything about this?"

OOC: I'll assume that Thaliss spent some time about one year ago at Rivergard Keep, just after he became a warlock (and was just a level 1 sorcerer, with no standing within the adventuring guild). His noble background allowed him to be accepted within the keep, and he stayed there for about 1 month or so. OK?

OOC:

That works. You also know that Jolliver Grimjaw is the leader out here, sarcastically nicknamed "Jolly". The business here is to provide protection to business on the river. Many merchants pay good gold to support this venture, from what you can recall.

Holgar looks your group over and calmly says, "Boy, if I got a family, I'd be the last person to know. 'fraid we don't know nothing about caravans usually. If you were looking for rumors of river pirates or a missing boat, I could probably find you some more help. I doubt anyone here knows much about any caravans."

Thaliss: Notably, despite the fact that he looks calm, you can tell that Holgar got a bit more nervous suddenly.

Steve Gorak · Aug 11, 2015

Creamsteak said:
OOC: That works. You also know that Jolliver Grimjaw is the leader out here, sarcastically nicknamed "Jolly". The business here is to provide protection to business on the river. Many merchants pay good gold to support this venture, from what you can recall.

Holgar looks your group over and calmly says, "Boy, if I got a family, I'd be the last person to know. 'fraid we don't know nothing about caravans usually. If you were looking for rumors of river pirates or a missing boat, I could probably find you some more help. I doubt anyone here knows much about any caravans."

Thaliss: Notably, despite the fact that he looks calm, you can tell that Holgar got a bit more nervous suddenly.

Thaliss laughs as if Holgar just made a joke, noting his sudden nervousness. "Alright then, we'll just be passing through. Do you know who'd be willing to take us across the river?"

OOC:

Can Thaliss determine the source of Holgar's nervousness? Is it because Thaliss mentioned his family, or because he mentioned the missing caravan?
[roll0]
[roll1]

Creamsteak · Aug 11, 2015

You are able to tell he gets more nervous at the mention of the caravan.

"Oh, just looking to cross the river here? I'm sure that can be arranged. Shoalar Quanderil's boat just got back from Womford. He'll probably drop you off on the other side of the river when he disembarks. I don't know if he'll charge you though, so have some coin."

Steve Gorak · Aug 11, 2015

"Thank you my friend! I hope I get to catch up with you while we are here, which may not be for long!"

Telepathically, he says to Holgar, "Are you willing to tell me more about the caravan, nod twice if you can and we will arrange to meet". Also, he telepathically says to his party companions "Holgar knows something about the caravan, lets see if we can find out more".

Creamsteak · Aug 11, 2015

Steve Gorak said:
"Thank you my friend! I hope I get to catch up with you while we are here, which may not be for long!"

Telepathically, he says to Holgar, "Are you willing to tell me more about the caravan, nod twice if you can and we will arrange to meet". Also, he telepathically says to his party companions "Holgar knows something about the caravan, lets see if we can find out more".

Holgar's head sweats beads to everyone present and him and four of his subordinates agree to walk you to the boat landing.

The keep's eastern wall juts out into the river, forming a good-sized basin in which a couple of keelboats float. A wide gap in the southeast wall provides access to the river, although it is blocked by a heavy chain. A twenty-foot tall bluff of rock and earth separates the landing and a nearby tower from the rest of the castle grounds. To the north, a wide stream flows out of a cave mouth into the boat basin. An iron grate blocks access to the stream.

Holgar points at the far side of the landing where a larger ship is moored.

A large keelboat is moored to the inner side of the keep's east wall, floating in the boat basin. A rope ladder leads from the top of the wall to the deck of the boat, about six feet below. Hatchways lead into the boat's cabin from the bow and the stern.

"That's the Rivermaid. It's Shoalar's boat. He doesn't mind good gold, but he's not fond of questions..." nodding towards Thaliss. "My boys will have to stay with you in the keep, but I'm going to head back and mind the gate."

You can see the captain of said boat is almost done unloading a large collection of goods. His appearance is rather unique, he is a tall balding water Genasi with his right shoulder and neck covered in barnacles.

Forged Fury · Aug 11, 2015

Damien had remained quiet while Thaliss had been working on the guard. Nicodemus had taken the lull in the activity to take a peek around and been regaling the warlock with ideas about the keep. This would make a fine redoubt! We could set-up chains at the water's edge along the walls to hang all those who dared defy my, I mean, your rule! Their torment would be delicious!

"And at that tower, a perfect place for-"

Holgar knows something about the caravan, lets see if we can find out more.

WHAT?!?!? What is this other voice in your head, Damien? Do they not know the expanse of your mind is my plaything? It must be the half-elf. I thought him a simple sorcerer, but it seems he has made a pact with one of the Old Ones, dust-choked has-beens! Smite him at once!

Master, Damien thought with more than a little exasperation, it was your plan to join with these people. Surely in your omnipotence, you knew of this other Warlock? Perhaps more pressing things were on your mind? Surely killing one of them now will end our relationship rather suddenly.

He could tell that Archandros, the ninth most feared pit fiend of Avernus currently possessing Nicodemus, was grumbling. Yes, quite. I must have had my mind on far more important things than your skulking around on Faerun. Stay with them, but I will claim that mortal's brain as a dish sponge when the time comes!

With all of that going on, Damien made no outward show of having heard Thaliss' telepathic communication.

Creamsteak · Aug 11, 2015

When the tall thin balding genasi notices the strangers peering at his boat from the land he jokes, "Seems we are taking guests now in the keep. Silver tags, by the looks. What brings you mercenaries to our humble station?" The man scratches off some infested sea life from his skin absentmindedly and stares down from his deck with one knee on the side of his vessel.

hafrogman · Aug 11, 2015

Tolan stays silent and in the back of the group as Thaliss and this Holgar fellow negotiates their entrance to the keep. The mental message catches him a little off guard, not expecting such magic.

"A neat trick, that." he thinks to himself, but keeps his mouth shut and his eyes open as the group is escorted to the Rivermaid. He doubts they would be so haphazard as to have any sign of the caravan itself lying out in the open, but you never know. Also it might be a good idea to know the layout and guard locations for this keep. In case a return is needed under less 'cordial' circumstances.

Captain Shoalar catches his eye as the group draws near to the boat.

"We were seeking passage across the Dessarin. We're to meet with a caravan at Summit Hall, and it's a long walk to Womford. Holgar suggested you might be willing to provide us passage for a price."

Creamsteak · Aug 11, 2015

The tall man laughs to himself, but loud enough for his crew to hear. "Passage? Like a ferry boat? Well it is only a short distance... that can be arranged." He motions at his boys to hurry the pace. "Pike, we have company. Some silver tags need to cross the river. Something about a caravan."

A halfling runs around the courtyard grounds and comes up to you. He has stringy long dishwater blonde hair and a few bruises for himself. "Captain Shoalar's Rivermaid atcher service. Ferry cross the river... four heads... ten silver each... that'll be five gold. Gotta tip."