Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Mazariim - "Orcs From Beyond"
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Dragonsbane" data-source="post: 6362222" data-attributes="member: 6775188"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">A03S01</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">7 Hinter 811</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Returning to Amara from their adventures in Blowing Rock, the heroes returned to Galen's family theater, deciding to tell his family about his new adventuring lifestyle, only to find Lai there, already enjoying time with Galen's mother. After some cleaning up, they enjoyed a meal, met Galen's father, and talked about his future. The group then spent a few days doing personal things - speaking with guildmasters, learning the secrets of some new spells, training tigers, and the other unusual usual things that heroes do.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Later that month, the heroes had just finished enjoying a show at the local theater and were approached by an elf who spoke of the show and of heroes. After a few minutes of alluding to the life of adventurers, he spoke of himself and his past. "Alernon Windstrider," he said, and soon he told them he needed their help. What for? "To save the world, of course," he said with a straight face. The heroes though him insane, and indeed the elf did seem a little off. Yet, Aleron had been following them since the keep, finding them as he had himself been spying on the keep, looking for the source of the disturbance he had felt weeks ago, knowing it had something to do with his destiny. Of course, the group was skeptical. An elven priest of Thalaman who thought he had a divine destiny, somehow intertwined with the strange machine they had found in the orc's keep. Asking them to join hands, Alernon then took them with but a thought to . . . another place.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Floating in the Astral Sea was a new sensation to everyone, a limitless blue void stretching to infinity . . and just as quickly as they had arrived, they were back near Amara. Obviously, Alernon's gift from Thalaman was real, and the heroes decided to help him for a wide range of reasons. The elven priest wanted to head to Arkhan's Hall to speak with a sage who might know more about the strange machine, odd civilized orcs, and alternate realities. And so, the heroes and Alernon set out.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The first night they reached Bingimton, a small town with a mix of human and dwarven residents. After a brief rest and some breakfast, they set out towards Arkhan's Hall. Along the way, they ran into some trouble . . . </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Felinn spotted the chimera before the group was close, luckily for the party. After a ferocious battle, the heroes were triumphant, slaying the chimera.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">A03S02</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">9 Hinter 811</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Cleaning up and readying so continue on their journey to Arkhan's Hall, the heroes discuss some of Aleron's previous planar mishaps, some of which sounded very worrisome. Pressing on, they soon arrive at the small dwarven hold, the occasional long toot of a dwarven steam locomotive heard from outside the city walls. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">It quickly becomes apparent that non-dwarves are not completely welcome in town, but the heroes settle in at a tavern, sending a page boy to locate the home of the seer they seek, Barxis Brewerson. They soon head to his home and meet the gold dwarf, aged and balding, but with a quick wit and sharp mind. The sage had been having a late-night chat with the jarl of the town, Julius Goldenbeard. Before they knew it, they were somehow convinced to help settle a dispute in the town over the rights to a mine, as the town needed an independent arbiter from outside the town, and the heroes had just happened to arrive. Barxis is relieved he will not need to help with the arbitration, and he and Aleron quickly go about researching the items that the Orceri had with it on its trip to our world.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The next morning the heroes meet up with the jarl in the city halls, and are presented to the three rival parties vying for control of the mine. The mine, once owned by the Stoneaxe clan, became a contested property when the Stoneaxes were killed in a cave in within their own section of the hold. Now, the heroes would have to decide who best deserves the mine, based on both who is entitled to it as well as what is best for the hall. The three parties include Sebastian Fisk, a gold dwarven merchant with an impatient demeanor; Bartol Ironfist, a high dwarf of good manners but shady appearance; and Duvola, ex-wife on Odon Stonefist, a high dwarf of ravenous appetites of pleasure. As the groups went their separate ways and the heroes decided to talk there in the city hall, Iskar followed the merchant back to his offices. While investigating, he was seen by dwarven guards and chased, eluding their grasp, this time . . . <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Deciding the look around the town before beginning any interviews with the parties, the heroes first take a trip into the mines themselves, boarding a small-sized steam locomotive pulling dozens of mining cars up the mountain and into one of many caves. The heroes disembarked and examined a silver mine, noting some planned expansions of the mine as well as some bad attitudes from racist dwarven miners.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">After a examination of the mine, the heroes went to the collapsed Stoneaxe clan's abode, checking their weapons at a room before continuing into the dwarven hold. Although warned about spellcasting, the heroes do cast a few smaller spells to the dismay of the guards. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">That night, they returned to the home of Barxis the sage, and hear the shocking confirmation of what some of them had thought for some time: the adamantine weapons, and its finer physical properties, indicated they were made . . . in another alternate material plane.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">=-=-=-=-=-=</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">A03S04 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">((from Smiggles</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">13 Hinter 811</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Smiggles took a long, slow draw from the pipe as he sat by the fire, contemplating the day’s events. A lot of information and lies had been thrown his way, and he was having a hard time separating the two. He breathed the smoke out through his nose as he started into the fire as if the answers could be found there. None of these greedy bastards deserves the mine, maybe it should have an “accidental” collapse so no one can have it, he thought. He frowned, knowing that when gold is involved the dwarves would actually want to know what happened.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">He tapped out the ashes in the pipe and began pacing the room. The only thing he knew for certain was that Mr. Stoneaxe had a gambling problem and owed people money and that the Stoneaxe cave collapse was no accident. Both Fisk and Ironfist said the deceased man owed them money. With the law stating the debts are erased upon death, it made those two unlikely suspects because killing him meant they would get nothing. That just leaves one suspect left. Smiggles stopped and rubbed his chin. No…</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">There are two suspects. The fat sow has plenty of motive to want him dead. He embarrassed her by divorcing her. Smiggles smiled at the memory of getting her to drop her mask. She is also a spurned lover, and she is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it. Combine that with the fact that she actually has a legitimate claim to the mine based on marriage, killing Mr. Stoneaxe makes sense. She knows the cave and where to place explosives to cause the most damage, and she has the resources to hire people to do the dirty work and to then shut people up afterwards. Smiggles tapped his chin thoughtfully. Yes, all of this makes sense, and is certainly plausible, but then there is the other suspect.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Mr. Stoneaxe himself. True, killing ones whole clan is probably taboo, but he also must have known of the law to clear the debt upon death. Smiggles had seen desperate men do desperate things. What if he collapsed the complex himself? Everyone would assume he was dead, especially since no one has cleared it to account for all of the bodies. He could then skip town and start over, without having worry about people coming for him. He had easy access to explosives, and he would know what to do with them. Smiggles sigh and slapped the side of his head. Stupid brain, this was easier before you came up with that crack-pot conspiracy theory that makes logical sense.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Smiggles flopped back down onto the cushioned chair and let out a frustrated growl. Why do I even care so much? No matter what we decide, one dwarf is going to get richer and two dwarfs are going to be pissed. Might as well let them draw straws for it, it is basically the same thing as letting us decide at this point. At least then the two dwarfs will be pissed at the short straw and not us. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Smiggles absently hefted his coin purse knowing that there was not enough in there to get the gem needed for a resurrection. Stupid dwarves and their aversion to magic and their love of dead people who they take credit for as if being born to one of them was some great accomplishment. Smiggles snorted and said in a mocking tone, “Hey look at me, I am the descendent of Jarle Awesome-Beard, which makes me so important and great! So what the hell did you have to do with that or anything he accomplished? Nothing, that’s what. Sit down and shut up.” Smiggles closed his eyes and imagined revealing a newly revived member of the Stoneaxe clan to the meeting, flipping them all the bird and then walking out. He smiled at his imagined looks on their stupid bearded faces.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Smiggles rose and walked over to the liquor cabinet. Opening it, he gave a grunt of approval. Dwarves may be fat, hairy, ugly, drunkards, xenophobic, reclusive, grumpy, greedy, backward thinking, and short-sighted but at least they kept good spirits. Smiggles poured himself a glass of brandy and began pacing again, trying to focus his mind back to his real task of making the actual decision. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">He knew for certain he was not going to give the mine to the piggy princess, so it was down to Fisk or Ironfist. Fisk is a complete ass, but Smiggles had to admit that the man must know a thing or two about running a business. He is an outsider who has obviously made a good profit trading in this tiny town, no small accomplishment. Smiggles had to admit that even before he met the man, he thought of the merchant as the front runner since merchants are the lifeblood of most economies, but his asinine behavior makes it hard to want to help him. Ironfist on the other hand is Mr. Polite and Formal, and seems like a good guy. Smiggles was not buying the act. He is just a pretty face on the bad-<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> mountain of crime in the town. He even admitted as much by saying that Mr. Stoneaxe owed his family money and since the only debts he had were gambling debts that must mean that the Ironfist family are the ones running the gambling houses. Even if the gambling house theory was wrong, the man obviously had no intentions of doing anything with the mine other than making himself richer, and since the Jarle wanted us to pick someone who would be best for all, Ironfist is out. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Smiggles sipped the last of the brandy and put the glass down on the table. It looks like the donkey with a beard is going to get the mine after all, he thought. Smiggles yawned and stretched. He knew he would still have to do some fact checking, but at least know he could go to bed with a mind at ease having made a decision. Now he just hoped that he wouldn't be seeing more guards in the morning...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">=-=-=-=-=-=-=-</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">((from Aizune</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Aizune went to mediate on the days insights. No good winner appeared of the three claimaints.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The X-wife was just like any other x-wife he had read about from human novels. Lying and inticing her way to the top. She had the most to gain from Odan's death but why she would take the rest of the clan with him I can't quite figure out. Unless they would have never served her then they would have to go. She also knew his home and just where to have the assassin place the explosives.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The merchant while a complete ass to us seemed like the most likely winner until when I gathered information among the townsfolk and found out he is the owner of the only gambling hall in town. You can only get in by invite. He wouldn't have much to gain by Odan's death but he may have decided he milk had run dry. Or he may have decided that he needed to be made an example of to make the others pay up. In addition, I noticed that the Jarls guards were very wary of being in his warehouse and constantly watched his private guards with their hands occasionally brushing their axes. This proves he is not a reputable man.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The Ironfisk clan stronghold was very impressive. Certainly they do not need the mine. Their spokesman was very nice to us but that's the role of the spokesman. My father taught me to always be wary of the man who seems to always have the right words. The townsfolk while not having any issues with the spokesman do have problems with his clan so much so that many warned me to watch my back when dealing with them.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">I would have preferred to go with Smiggles idea to resurrect one of the deceased members but we lacked the resources to travel fast enough. We could have certainly used Lia's abilities. Something tells me she is avoid Aleron who must smell of madness and chaos to her. Maybe he should smell of them to me as well...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">The best thing is to attempt to speak with one of the deceased clansmen and find out why they died. Hopefully he wasn't just asleep when it happened. I was thinking about how unlikely it is though that all of them were in the sleeping hall at the same time. The Ironfisk had many guards who must constantly be on duty 24/7 surely the Stoneax clan did the same. That would mean that the night shift guards, all of them had to be in the residence area which means they were lured there or were attempting to quell a dispute or a fire...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">That gambling house may also be worth investigating if one can gain access.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">A03S04 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">((from Aizune</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">17 Hinter 811</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">After investigating the gambling house and being attacked from assassins sent by grandma Ironfist we decided to give the mine to Devula. She had the best claim, weak as it was, and more importantly the mine would be worked by the town and would directly profit the town.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">Fisk needed the mine to avoid being killed by the owner of the casino. I have a suggestion on how to save his life. We disguise him as a guard who along with other guards escort us out of town. Then he simply keeps traveling with us to Amara. There we can give him a small amount of gold and put him in contact with Aldof. Maybe have Smiggles intimidate him to keep him from relapsing into a gambler again. Hopefully this death experience was enough to break that.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua'">I would also like to establish a business relationship only!, with Devula. Basically getting her as a contact to give us information on such things as trade routes they would like, happenings within the town and in particular any Orc sightings. I am very curious what Odan wanted to find when he sent his expedition to Orc land. Perhaps she can tell me so I can keep an eye out for it. </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dragonsbane, post: 6362222, member: 6775188"] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=5][FONT=book antiqua]A03S01[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]7 Hinter 811[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Returning to Amara from their adventures in Blowing Rock, the heroes returned to Galen's family theater, deciding to tell his family about his new adventuring lifestyle, only to find Lai there, already enjoying time with Galen's mother. After some cleaning up, they enjoyed a meal, met Galen's father, and talked about his future. The group then spent a few days doing personal things - speaking with guildmasters, learning the secrets of some new spells, training tigers, and the other unusual usual things that heroes do.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Later that month, the heroes had just finished enjoying a show at the local theater and were approached by an elf who spoke of the show and of heroes. After a few minutes of alluding to the life of adventurers, he spoke of himself and his past. "Alernon Windstrider," he said, and soon he told them he needed their help. What for? "To save the world, of course," he said with a straight face. The heroes though him insane, and indeed the elf did seem a little off. Yet, Aleron had been following them since the keep, finding them as he had himself been spying on the keep, looking for the source of the disturbance he had felt weeks ago, knowing it had something to do with his destiny. Of course, the group was skeptical. An elven priest of Thalaman who thought he had a divine destiny, somehow intertwined with the strange machine they had found in the orc's keep. Asking them to join hands, Alernon then took them with but a thought to . . . another place.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Floating in the Astral Sea was a new sensation to everyone, a limitless blue void stretching to infinity . . and just as quickly as they had arrived, they were back near Amara. Obviously, Alernon's gift from Thalaman was real, and the heroes decided to help him for a wide range of reasons. The elven priest wanted to head to Arkhan's Hall to speak with a sage who might know more about the strange machine, odd civilized orcs, and alternate realities. And so, the heroes and Alernon set out.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The first night they reached Bingimton, a small town with a mix of human and dwarven residents. After a brief rest and some breakfast, they set out towards Arkhan's Hall. Along the way, they ran into some trouble . . . [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Felinn spotted the chimera before the group was close, luckily for the party. After a ferocious battle, the heroes were triumphant, slaying the chimera.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [FONT=book antiqua]A03S02[/FONT] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]9 Hinter 811[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Cleaning up and readying so continue on their journey to Arkhan's Hall, the heroes discuss some of Aleron's previous planar mishaps, some of which sounded very worrisome. Pressing on, they soon arrive at the small dwarven hold, the occasional long toot of a dwarven steam locomotive heard from outside the city walls. [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]It quickly becomes apparent that non-dwarves are not completely welcome in town, but the heroes settle in at a tavern, sending a page boy to locate the home of the seer they seek, Barxis Brewerson. They soon head to his home and meet the gold dwarf, aged and balding, but with a quick wit and sharp mind. The sage had been having a late-night chat with the jarl of the town, Julius Goldenbeard. Before they knew it, they were somehow convinced to help settle a dispute in the town over the rights to a mine, as the town needed an independent arbiter from outside the town, and the heroes had just happened to arrive. Barxis is relieved he will not need to help with the arbitration, and he and Aleron quickly go about researching the items that the Orceri had with it on its trip to our world.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The next morning the heroes meet up with the jarl in the city halls, and are presented to the three rival parties vying for control of the mine. The mine, once owned by the Stoneaxe clan, became a contested property when the Stoneaxes were killed in a cave in within their own section of the hold. Now, the heroes would have to decide who best deserves the mine, based on both who is entitled to it as well as what is best for the hall. The three parties include Sebastian Fisk, a gold dwarven merchant with an impatient demeanor; Bartol Ironfist, a high dwarf of good manners but shady appearance; and Duvola, ex-wife on Odon Stonefist, a high dwarf of ravenous appetites of pleasure. As the groups went their separate ways and the heroes decided to talk there in the city hall, Iskar followed the merchant back to his offices. While investigating, he was seen by dwarven guards and chased, eluding their grasp, this time . . . :)[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Deciding the look around the town before beginning any interviews with the parties, the heroes first take a trip into the mines themselves, boarding a small-sized steam locomotive pulling dozens of mining cars up the mountain and into one of many caves. The heroes disembarked and examined a silver mine, noting some planned expansions of the mine as well as some bad attitudes from racist dwarven miners.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]After a examination of the mine, the heroes went to the collapsed Stoneaxe clan's abode, checking their weapons at a room before continuing into the dwarven hold. Although warned about spellcasting, the heroes do cast a few smaller spells to the dismay of the guards. [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]That night, they returned to the home of Barxis the sage, and hear the shocking confirmation of what some of them had thought for some time: the adamantine weapons, and its finer physical properties, indicated they were made . . . in another alternate material plane.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]=-=-=-=-=-=[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=book antiqua]A03S04 [/FONT] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]((from Smiggles[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]13 Hinter 811[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Smiggles took a long, slow draw from the pipe as he sat by the fire, contemplating the day’s events. A lot of information and lies had been thrown his way, and he was having a hard time separating the two. He breathed the smoke out through his nose as he started into the fire as if the answers could be found there. None of these greedy bastards deserves the mine, maybe it should have an “accidental” collapse so no one can have it, he thought. He frowned, knowing that when gold is involved the dwarves would actually want to know what happened.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]He tapped out the ashes in the pipe and began pacing the room. The only thing he knew for certain was that Mr. Stoneaxe had a gambling problem and owed people money and that the Stoneaxe cave collapse was no accident. Both Fisk and Ironfist said the deceased man owed them money. With the law stating the debts are erased upon death, it made those two unlikely suspects because killing him meant they would get nothing. That just leaves one suspect left. Smiggles stopped and rubbed his chin. No…[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]There are two suspects. The fat sow has plenty of motive to want him dead. He embarrassed her by divorcing her. Smiggles smiled at the memory of getting her to drop her mask. She is also a spurned lover, and she is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it. Combine that with the fact that she actually has a legitimate claim to the mine based on marriage, killing Mr. Stoneaxe makes sense. She knows the cave and where to place explosives to cause the most damage, and she has the resources to hire people to do the dirty work and to then shut people up afterwards. Smiggles tapped his chin thoughtfully. Yes, all of this makes sense, and is certainly plausible, but then there is the other suspect.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Mr. Stoneaxe himself. True, killing ones whole clan is probably taboo, but he also must have known of the law to clear the debt upon death. Smiggles had seen desperate men do desperate things. What if he collapsed the complex himself? Everyone would assume he was dead, especially since no one has cleared it to account for all of the bodies. He could then skip town and start over, without having worry about people coming for him. He had easy access to explosives, and he would know what to do with them. Smiggles sigh and slapped the side of his head. Stupid brain, this was easier before you came up with that crack-pot conspiracy theory that makes logical sense.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Smiggles flopped back down onto the cushioned chair and let out a frustrated growl. Why do I even care so much? No matter what we decide, one dwarf is going to get richer and two dwarfs are going to be pissed. Might as well let them draw straws for it, it is basically the same thing as letting us decide at this point. At least then the two dwarfs will be pissed at the short straw and not us. [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Smiggles absently hefted his coin purse knowing that there was not enough in there to get the gem needed for a resurrection. Stupid dwarves and their aversion to magic and their love of dead people who they take credit for as if being born to one of them was some great accomplishment. Smiggles snorted and said in a mocking tone, “Hey look at me, I am the descendent of Jarle Awesome-Beard, which makes me so important and great! So what the hell did you have to do with that or anything he accomplished? Nothing, that’s what. Sit down and shut up.” Smiggles closed his eyes and imagined revealing a newly revived member of the Stoneaxe clan to the meeting, flipping them all the bird and then walking out. He smiled at his imagined looks on their stupid bearded faces.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Smiggles rose and walked over to the liquor cabinet. Opening it, he gave a grunt of approval. Dwarves may be fat, hairy, ugly, drunkards, xenophobic, reclusive, grumpy, greedy, backward thinking, and short-sighted but at least they kept good spirits. Smiggles poured himself a glass of brandy and began pacing again, trying to focus his mind back to his real task of making the actual decision. [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]He knew for certain he was not going to give the mine to the piggy princess, so it was down to Fisk or Ironfist. Fisk is a complete ass, but Smiggles had to admit that the man must know a thing or two about running a business. He is an outsider who has obviously made a good profit trading in this tiny town, no small accomplishment. Smiggles had to admit that even before he met the man, he thought of the merchant as the front runner since merchants are the lifeblood of most economies, but his asinine behavior makes it hard to want to help him. Ironfist on the other hand is Mr. Polite and Formal, and seems like a good guy. Smiggles was not buying the act. He is just a pretty face on the bad-:):):):) mountain of crime in the town. He even admitted as much by saying that Mr. Stoneaxe owed his family money and since the only debts he had were gambling debts that must mean that the Ironfist family are the ones running the gambling houses. Even if the gambling house theory was wrong, the man obviously had no intentions of doing anything with the mine other than making himself richer, and since the Jarle wanted us to pick someone who would be best for all, Ironfist is out. [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Smiggles sipped the last of the brandy and put the glass down on the table. It looks like the donkey with a beard is going to get the mine after all, he thought. Smiggles yawned and stretched. He knew he would still have to do some fact checking, but at least know he could go to bed with a mind at ease having made a decision. Now he just hoped that he wouldn't be seeing more guards in the morning...[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]((from Aizune[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Aizune went to mediate on the days insights. No good winner appeared of the three claimaints.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The X-wife was just like any other x-wife he had read about from human novels. Lying and inticing her way to the top. She had the most to gain from Odan's death but why she would take the rest of the clan with him I can't quite figure out. Unless they would have never served her then they would have to go. She also knew his home and just where to have the assassin place the explosives.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The merchant while a complete ass to us seemed like the most likely winner until when I gathered information among the townsfolk and found out he is the owner of the only gambling hall in town. You can only get in by invite. He wouldn't have much to gain by Odan's death but he may have decided he milk had run dry. Or he may have decided that he needed to be made an example of to make the others pay up. In addition, I noticed that the Jarls guards were very wary of being in his warehouse and constantly watched his private guards with their hands occasionally brushing their axes. This proves he is not a reputable man.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The Ironfisk clan stronghold was very impressive. Certainly they do not need the mine. Their spokesman was very nice to us but that's the role of the spokesman. My father taught me to always be wary of the man who seems to always have the right words. The townsfolk while not having any issues with the spokesman do have problems with his clan so much so that many warned me to watch my back when dealing with them.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]I would have preferred to go with Smiggles idea to resurrect one of the deceased members but we lacked the resources to travel fast enough. We could have certainly used Lia's abilities. Something tells me she is avoid Aleron who must smell of madness and chaos to her. Maybe he should smell of them to me as well...[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]The best thing is to attempt to speak with one of the deceased clansmen and find out why they died. Hopefully he wasn't just asleep when it happened. I was thinking about how unlikely it is though that all of them were in the sleeping hall at the same time. The Ironfisk had many guards who must constantly be on duty 24/7 surely the Stoneax clan did the same. That would mean that the night shift guards, all of them had to be in the residence area which means they were lured there or were attempting to quell a dispute or a fire...[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]That gambling house may also be worth investigating if one can gain access.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=book antiqua]A03S04 [/FONT] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]((from Aizune 17 Hinter 811[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]After investigating the gambling house and being attacked from assassins sent by grandma Ironfist we decided to give the mine to Devula. She had the best claim, weak as it was, and more importantly the mine would be worked by the town and would directly profit the town.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]Fisk needed the mine to avoid being killed by the owner of the casino. I have a suggestion on how to save his life. We disguise him as a guard who along with other guards escort us out of town. Then he simply keeps traveling with us to Amara. There we can give him a small amount of gold and put him in contact with Aldof. Maybe have Smiggles intimidate him to keep him from relapsing into a gambler again. Hopefully this death experience was enough to break that.[/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua] [/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=book antiqua]I would also like to establish a business relationship only!, with Devula. Basically getting her as a contact to give us information on such things as trade routes they would like, happenings within the town and in particular any Orc sightings. I am very curious what Odan wanted to find when he sent his expedition to Orc land. Perhaps she can tell me so I can keep an eye out for it. [/FONT][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Mazariim - "Orcs From Beyond"
Top