St. Ulthar's Medallion

[Mark Chance]

DM: Mark Chance
Judge: Not a Clue
Start Date: 03/19/2011
OOC Thread: Link

NPCs et Cetera
Alvise Biaggio, grizzled half-elf frog hunter
Mael Loïc, aged human minor merchant prince

Loot, Et Cetera
Eight potions of cure light wounds up front. Another 350 gold pieces upon completion of this task.

Dramatis Personae
sunshadow21: Quillian Barthony, halfling cleric
Mahorfeus: Bozzago, tengu rogue (acrobat)
galahad0430: Devon Belanti, aasimar cleric
Deuce Traveler: Lem the Cook, halfling monk
InVinoVeritas: Holphin Halicarnassus, halfling summoner
gryphon_gold: Coreuth Din'assa, elf rogue (rake)

Watch Orders
First: Lem, Quillian
Middle: Devon, Coreuth
Final: Holphin, Bozzago

 

[Mark Chance]

Day One: Meeting with Mael Loïc

The Gulls, named for the perpetual presence of sea birds associated with shipping, sits on the seaward side of Venza. Waters all around are dotted with colorful vessels at anchor, while the immediate area is thronged with smaller crafts loading and unloading exotic goods from far away lands or river crafts carrying crates, clay jugs, and wooden barrels from just up-river. Merchant houses and import-export concerns cluster as close to the action as they can, channeling the wealth through everything from loud dock-side warehouses, enthusiastically open to the public, to exclusive Twin Rose waterside shops. An entire section of docks stretch past Ranocchio and is consecrated to Venza's infinite fleet of tiny fishing vessels and the thriving fish markets that they support year round.

Following the drunken stories of Alvise Biaggio and with the time-worn medallion of St. Ulthar in hand, a group of adventurers exists the Dunn Wright Inn, heading for the offices of Mael Loïc, aged human minor merchant prince. According to Quillian Barthony, halfling cleric, Mael is one of the few remaining adherents to the dwindling cult of St. Ulthar. As such, he might be quite interested -- as well as outraged -- about news that goblins have defiled one of the Iparoc Mounds in the bogs outside the city. These Mounds were once used as burial sites, and St. Ulthar's cult was known to inter their faithful there.

The morning sun glares, promising a warm day ahead. The docks are already thick with workers and visitors. The adventurers navigate their way through the crowd until they arrive at a well-built, three-story structure of rock, mortar, and wood. The shingle hanging above the stout front door depicts a simple fishing boat with a lantern attached to its prow. This must be place.

 

[sunshadow21]

Quillian leads the group through the familiar streets of the docks district, stopping only once to wonder if leaving the sea behind was really the wisest idea in the world. After all, he really didn't know anything about making on a living or dealing with people on land beyond the docks. He shakes off the doubt quickly though, and keeps moving toward his goal. When they arrive at the Mael's shop, he steps in and looks around for a clerk. As soon as he spots one, he requests a meeting with the owner as he has information that St. Ulthar would wish Mael to hear.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Lem

Lem stood, smoothed his travel-worn peasant clothes, gathered up his sack and carefully slung it over his shoulder, whistling a tune as they left the inn and wound through the docks. "You'll be awfully glad you asked me to come along. I'm a fantastic cook, and one shouldn't have to go on adventure while on an empty stomach, as any good halfling knows." He walked with an excited bounce to his agile step, but stayed quiet as Quillian went to talk to the clerk.

 

[Mahorfeus]

The tengu rogue stalked the congregation that Quillian led, having heard of this opportunity only by eavesdropping on the fellow. He had yet to actually speak to the cleric, or any of the others in the group for that matter. Nonetheless, the half-elf's mention of goblins had piqued his interest, presenting an opportunity for him to put his skills to good use for once. Bozzago kept to himself, quietly entering Mael's shop with the rest of the group.

 

[gryphon_gold]

Coreuth strolls casually along with the group tasked to find this man of St. Ulthar. "I hope this merchant prince of yours isn't a penny-pincher," she puts it bluntly to Quillian. "Otherwise, this will have been a waste of time." The elf makes no attempt to hide her motivation. "Though, if push came to shove, I'm sure I could charm him into letting go of some coin..." she says half to herself, and half to the cleric. When they reach the shop, Coreuth stands besides Quillian, waiting for Mael to make his appearance.

 

[galahad0430]

Devon follows Quillian excitedly. It is all he can do to keep himself from trying to rush the others. His first real mission to fight evil!! He can not wait to spread the light of Helina over those dark forces.

 

[Mark Chance]

Day One: Meeting with Mael Loïc

The gang of adventurers files into the entry chamber of Loïc's place of business. The room is sumptuously furnished, or so it appears at first glance. Other glances, however, reveal that the once lavish furnishings have seen better days. The thick rug is threadbare in places and faded. The tapestries have moth-eaten holes in them. A faint, moist, and musty odor hangs in the air.

A chainshirt-clad guard leaning against the wall in the corner opposite the door slides off his stool and to his feet. By the time the fourth adventurer is through the door, the sleepy look on his face is gone and his right hand rests on the pommel of his scabbarded longsword. His tabard bears the same blazon on Loïc shingle outside.

There are two other doors exiting the entry chamber, both closed. One is obviously locked. The prodigious metal lock holding the portal shut looks to be the newest item in the room. The other door is closed, and it has a shuttered window at about shoulder height.

A small, tidy desk sits in front of this latter door. A small half-orc, also tidy except for his ink-stained fingers, sits in the high-backed chair behind the desk. His squarish hat and tasseled vest announce his profession as bookkeeper. He looks up from his ledgers as the adventurers enter.

Quillian asks to see Loïc, mentioning information about St. Ulthar.

"Ah," says the half-orc. "St. Ulthar. Hmm. Yes, yes. I suppose Master Loïc might want to hear this information." He leans back in his chair and raps on the door with his knuckles. The adventurers hear a bolt being slid and a clanking like metal against metal. "Master Loïc will see you now."

The half-orc returns his attention to his ledgers. The guard continues to stare at the party.

 

[sunshadow21]

Quillian will step forward into Mael's office and indicate to Devon to share the story and the medallion, as he was the one who heard the story the clearest.

 

[Mark Chance]

Day One: Meeting with Mael Loïc

Quillian will step forward into Mael's office and indicate to Devon to share the story and the medallion, as he was the one who heard the story the clearest.

OOC: Feel free to interact/react in the first chamber if you'd like to. Time to set the stage for Devon.

On the other side of the door is round chamber with a sunken floor. The furnishings here are even more luxurious, or at least they would be if not for the tatters, the worn spots, the ranker odor, and even a few dark patches of mold growing on the walls.

The ceiling overhead vaults into a dome crisscrossed by a veritable maze of rusty iron rods. Dozens of crows perch on the rods, hopping and flapping and squawking. Feathers and bird droppings add to the decor.

A remarkably fat human with thinning black hair, runny blue eyes, and flabby lips slumps in what must be a very sturdy chair. A small table supporting a crystal bowl full of dates stands near his left elbow. He wears grease-stained pajamas, the shirt of which isn't quite long enough to cover his pale, fleshy abdomen.

"I am Mael Loïc," the man says, wheezing as if even speaking is exertion. "How may I help you?"