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Shackled City put through a blender (updated 7-23)
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<blockquote data-quote="xnosipjpqmhd" data-source="post: 3487986"><p><strong>Sanctified Soup</strong></p><p></p><p>Although darkness engulfed the trail as the caravan climbed the mountain, the massive walls of the keep atop the peak shone in the dying rays of the sun. The fifty-foot high walls were built of thick, black volcanic rock flecked with green malachite, such that they glittered like quartz in the light.</p><p></p><p>In order to provide a manageable slope, the trail was forced to wind completely around the mountain, though in a couple of instances, steeper and more direct trails branched off, but Bolgrim was forced to avoid these. At intervals, other smaller tracks switched back from the main trail and led to small plantations, estates, or mines located around the mountain.</p><p></p><p>When asked about the keep, Bolgrim lectured the questioners with an annoyed tone. "Cauldron Keep sits on the caldera of an extinct volcano, guarding this pass between Throff and Berghof." His chest suddenly puffed up. "My people built it ages ago, before any human had ever set foot here. But alas, it is said that a magical plague struck the inhabitants, and it fell into ruin. Successive generations of humans rebuilt it as Adlerweg Keep, but today it is the Cauldron Keep we all know."</p><p></p><p>Soon the caravan had entered the city through the east gate, which the heroes later learned was called Merchant's Gate. The city lay below them in ever-narrowing concentric circles, until finally it reached the shores of the lake which lie in the center of the dormant volcanoe's cone. A guard named Skylar Krewis greeted them; no taxes were levied, but he warned those carrying weapons that the castellan looked harshly on those who loose their sword for no reason.</p><p></p><p>After seeing the caravan safely to an enclosure along Obsidian Avenue, Jack and Tateland received a handful of coins from Bolgrim for their service. They rejoined Oberyn and wandered the darkening city for a while, looking for an inn.</p><p></p><p>Oberyn stopped a messenger boy. "Where might we find a room for the night?"</p><p></p><p>The page judged Oberyn's dress and suggested a few places, and Oberyn settled on the Laughing Horse, to which the boy pointed them.</p><p></p><p>Upon finding the Laughing Horse, the travellers met the proprietor Drand Thetric. Oberyn bartered with the obsequious innkeeper for three rooms for a week, evening meals included, and Tateland paid. Some discussion followed about whether the beds would have sheets, and Drand promised to find some.</p><p></p><p>"We will take our evening meal now," said Oberyn. "Is the cook in at this hour?" </p><p></p><p>"I'm afraid we are between cooks at the moment," admitted Drand.</p><p></p><p>"No cook?"</p><p></p><p>"But I am planning to hire one straightaway. In the meantime, I can get you some soup, if that's your pleasure." He added under his breath, "There's a rain barrel out back."</p><p></p><p>"Fine, we will take the soup," said Oberyn, "but I expect you to hire proper help tomorrow." He sat down at a table with Jack and Tateland.</p><p></p><p>In moments, Drand returned with three bowls of tepid water in which floated sad remnants of what once must have been vegetables but now appeared to be grey soggy globules.</p><p></p><p>"I will say the blessing," said Tateland, and he spoke words entreating the gods to purify the meal. At once the broth's aroma improved, and though its taste was still lacking, it seemed edible enough.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=GM commentary]Note that because Cauldron Keep guards Adlerweg Pass IMC, all of the roads leading from the gate spiral down the mountain, with little dead-end trails curling off of the main road where plantations and mines are located. Although not obvious, this is the first of several coming references to a spiral motif to be explained later.[/sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="xnosipjpqmhd, post: 3487986"] [b]Sanctified Soup[/b] Although darkness engulfed the trail as the caravan climbed the mountain, the massive walls of the keep atop the peak shone in the dying rays of the sun. The fifty-foot high walls were built of thick, black volcanic rock flecked with green malachite, such that they glittered like quartz in the light. In order to provide a manageable slope, the trail was forced to wind completely around the mountain, though in a couple of instances, steeper and more direct trails branched off, but Bolgrim was forced to avoid these. At intervals, other smaller tracks switched back from the main trail and led to small plantations, estates, or mines located around the mountain. When asked about the keep, Bolgrim lectured the questioners with an annoyed tone. "Cauldron Keep sits on the caldera of an extinct volcano, guarding this pass between Throff and Berghof." His chest suddenly puffed up. "My people built it ages ago, before any human had ever set foot here. But alas, it is said that a magical plague struck the inhabitants, and it fell into ruin. Successive generations of humans rebuilt it as Adlerweg Keep, but today it is the Cauldron Keep we all know." Soon the caravan had entered the city through the east gate, which the heroes later learned was called Merchant's Gate. The city lay below them in ever-narrowing concentric circles, until finally it reached the shores of the lake which lie in the center of the dormant volcanoe's cone. A guard named Skylar Krewis greeted them; no taxes were levied, but he warned those carrying weapons that the castellan looked harshly on those who loose their sword for no reason. After seeing the caravan safely to an enclosure along Obsidian Avenue, Jack and Tateland received a handful of coins from Bolgrim for their service. They rejoined Oberyn and wandered the darkening city for a while, looking for an inn. Oberyn stopped a messenger boy. "Where might we find a room for the night?" The page judged Oberyn's dress and suggested a few places, and Oberyn settled on the Laughing Horse, to which the boy pointed them. Upon finding the Laughing Horse, the travellers met the proprietor Drand Thetric. Oberyn bartered with the obsequious innkeeper for three rooms for a week, evening meals included, and Tateland paid. Some discussion followed about whether the beds would have sheets, and Drand promised to find some. "We will take our evening meal now," said Oberyn. "Is the cook in at this hour?" "I'm afraid we are between cooks at the moment," admitted Drand. "No cook?" "But I am planning to hire one straightaway. In the meantime, I can get you some soup, if that's your pleasure." He added under his breath, "There's a rain barrel out back." "Fine, we will take the soup," said Oberyn, "but I expect you to hire proper help tomorrow." He sat down at a table with Jack and Tateland. In moments, Drand returned with three bowls of tepid water in which floated sad remnants of what once must have been vegetables but now appeared to be grey soggy globules. "I will say the blessing," said Tateland, and he spoke words entreating the gods to purify the meal. At once the broth's aroma improved, and though its taste was still lacking, it seemed edible enough. [sblock=GM commentary]Note that because Cauldron Keep guards Adlerweg Pass IMC, all of the roads leading from the gate spiral down the mountain, with little dead-end trails curling off of the main road where plantations and mines are located. Although not obvious, this is the first of several coming references to a spiral motif to be explained later.[/sblock] [/QUOTE]
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