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EN World - Morrus' D&D / d20 News & Reviews Site - Homebrew - Night's Embrace--Part I: A Touch of Darkness
Homebrew - Night's Embrace--Part I: A Touch of Darkness
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*After finally managing to give aid to the last of his allies, Shan sinks down against the wall. His eyes repeatedly drift close and jolts back up again as he sits waiting for the man from the window to come nearer.*
__________________
The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be. - Douglas Adams
Kelloran hurries over to the knight slumped against the wall. "Are you all right?" he asks. "Um, can you walk?"
"You don't look as if you can." This after a closer look at the man's wounds.
"Look, wait here and I'll get the cook to help me carry you inside." The lad turns away, then back again.
"Um - do you have any money? Zaltan won't take in any charity cases. And if you do have funds, you're probably safer giving them to me - because that fat bastard will rob you blind while you're asleep. That is, if the cook doesn't take it all between here and the inn."
"Look, I know there's no reason you should trust me - but I'm telling you, you really can't trust the innkeeper! I can't keep him from robbing you - but I can help you hide your funds."
After receiving a reply from the knight, Kelloran will go and check on the others to see that they are all still breathing, too. And while he's at it, he'll try and find his dagger, as well (although he won't waste any time if he can't see it straight away).
Rystil Arden
RA, Kel will lift any obvious coin purses from the unconscious characters - initially because it's a reflex to work such easy marks but eventually, rather regretfully, because he really does think that's the only way they'll have their funds intact. He'll return the purses to them, less whatever the fees for lodging and any healing may be ... and maybe less 10% as a "handlers fee". If he does decide to do that, he will tell them. But I'll let you know further down the track.
__________________
Impress the locals? Uh - give me a moment!
"Only if I have to," Shan responds to the question of whether he can walk. He tries a smile, but it just turns into a grimace.
*When he is asked to give over his money, Shan looks at the lad passively as he tells his reason for asking, only sadly shaking his head as he hears what the people inside could be expected to do. When he has finished speaking, Shan takes a small coin purse from his belt and hands it over to the lad while looking into his eyes, showing his current weakness and dependency and imploring him to live up to the trust Shan's placing in him; not only for his coins but for the well-being of the entire group.* "I'd better let you hold on to it then," is all he says aloud.
"They haven't started bleeding again, have they?" Shan asks when he goes to check on the others.
OOC
Sense motive to see whether Kel will help them out: 13+5=18, I'll take that as sensing good intentions. (I assume he does have good intentions? )
I'll give myself a DC 15 Concentration check to stay awake until Kel comes back with the cook: 16+6=22, so it seems he will.
"They haven't started bleeding again, have they?" Shan asks when he goes to check on the others.
"They're all right for the moment. Once I get you all inside, I'll go for a cleric. Don't tell them inside that I helped you."
Kelloran hurries back into the inn's back yard. Before telling the inn staff what has happened, he takes his gear back to the stable and hides it.
Rystil Arden
RA, Kel will also hide the purses that he lifted from the others. He'll take enough from each to cover the cost of the inn for a couple of days, as well as the cost of some healing. He'll know what Zaltan is likely to gouge, and he'll guess at 10gp per injured person for the cleric.
Kel rushes into the kitchen and grabs the cook, Dethar, by the arm.
"Master Dethar, come. Some travellers have been attacked just outside the inn - they're lying unconscious in the alleyway."
"One of them, a knight, is still awake. He's asked for our help. He gave me," - here the young man hesitates slightly, as if doing the sums in his head - "2 gold pieces to help them into the inn ... but I can't carry them in on my own. Please help me, Master Dethar - and I'll give you one of them."
"Ha! He gave you more than 2 gold, boy - I can see it in your face. You'll give me the lot, or I'll tell Zaltan you've been taking bribes behind his back."
"No, but Master Dethar, if you take it all then I don't get anything for helping them. It's true - he gave me three gold coins. At least let me keep one of them. And I'll tell Zaltan that it was you who found them and brought more business into the inn for him!"
"Hmm - give me all three gold, and I will give you these three silver. And who knows what else of value they might be carrying."
"Oh, be careful, Master Dethar. The knightly one warned me that, if I were to be tempted to steal from him, I would bring down upon myself the wrath of his god - not to mention the curse they paid a sorcerer to lay on their belongings, should any enterprising thief manage to lay hands on them."
The cook blustered - "Bah, you fool, words are cheap. 'Tis just a tale he has told to frighten you." - but Kelloran noticed that he didn't say any more about helping himself to the party's belongings.
"All right, then, you foolish lad - let us go and bring in these 'guests'."
With that, the two of them go out to bring in the wounded off the street.
Last edited by Boddynock : 01-30-06 at 04:37 PM.
Reason: Hmm - I suppose I should have sblocked this
*Kel and the cook exit the building to carry in the wounded, as the cook feels some of the bodies down for extra coin, frowning slightly as he helps to carry them in. He turns to look at Shan.*
"There we are, all safe and sound. Do you have a silver for a gratuity, sir knight?"
"You only had three gold between the lot of ya? Well, then, I'm afraid you're not going to be able to pay Zaltan for a room, and we'll have to turn you all out on the street. A pity, that."
"You only had three gold between the lot of ya? Well, then, I'm afraid you're not going to be able to pay Zaltan for a room, and we'll have to turn you all out on the street. A pity, that."
"Oh no, Master Dethar - I've already explained that my father must cover his costs, and that, even out of the goodness of his heart, he cannot afford to reduce his prices any further than the 1gp per person per night for his best room and for the special service that goes with it."
"The good knight, here - what is your name, gentle sir? - has already given me the last of his gold to pay to Zaltan. I am holding it safely until his return - which should be any time now. In fact, it was the need to keep coin in reserve for the rooms which meant that there were only limited funds on hand to reward us for our help."
"It's my guess that whoever attacked these good people also stole their purses - all except this brave warrior's. Perhaps the noise I made opening the back gate scared them off before they could take his as well."
"First two, then three, and now it's more? Boy, I think ye're looking to steal from us is what I think. Now why don't you give me the coins, so I can hand them over to Zaltan when he gets back, all safe like."
*Shan gives Dethar an irritated look and forces himself to his legs.*
"It's still my coins, no? Well, I don't want my coins going hand to hand and risk being lost before paying for our rooms. They'll stay with the lad until I ask for them back. If you've already split three gold, then that ought certainly be enough to see us inside. With the four gold for rooms I don't think I had much more to give anyways."
*He turns to the lad.*
"You asked my name. I am Shan Murkley, a paladin in the service of Ilmater."
"A paladin eh?" he seems a bit sceptical, "Well, the boy's a thief--can't you paladins detect thieves or somethin? No matter, you're gold ain't safe with him--he'll probably run off and spend it on liquor or women."
*Shan looks at the blushing lad with concern, wondering if he was right to trust in him after all. Seeing it still as the best way to get the fallen under a roof though, Shan keeps his eyes on him as he answers the cook.*
"I have you as witness that he holds gold to pay for beds for the four of us now, I'm sure you wouldn't let him fail in that duty."
*Shan looks at the cook directly to see if he would argue, but then turns back to address the youth more directly before he has a chance to.*
"As for what coins may be left over. I'll expect them back when the beds have been paid. We'll see if I placed my trust wisely then."
"You've both had my name, would you return the favor?"
"Leftover coins, eh?..." the cook replies thoughtfully, "Oh, name's Dethar and that lout is Kel. You risk much in trusting him--my witness ain't gonna mean squat to him."
"I'm Kelloran. Zaltan, who owns this inn, has had the raising of me. I don't know who my parents were."
He gestures towards the other and says, "This is Dethar. He's the cook." He can't keep the resentment out of his voice. Then, recollecting that he still has to live here - and that Dethar still has considerable power over him - he adds, "And he's a good one, too."
Then he blurts out, "Sir, I won't let you down. I wouldn't steal from you. And I'll make sure you and your friends are safe." Then, biting his lip, he casts his eyes to the ground. "That's torn it," he thinks. "Now Dethar will come down on me like a ton of bricks. Where's the safest place for me? Maybe in the taproom - there should be enough customers there. I have to get to Zaltan as soon as he gets back. But I should keep an eye on Sir Shan and his friends, too. Blast! How did I get myself into this mess?"
Then Kelloran addresses the cook. "Master Dethar, we'd better get them inside and settled before the evening crowd gets here."
*Shan moves over to the two fallen men and kneels down beside the one he took so long to give first aid. He makes sure his wounds are bound good enough to handle being moved before standing again.*
"Take this one inside and I'll watch over the others meanwhile. I think a single room with four beds would be best if you have one. Just be careful with him, he's lost a lot of blood. When you get back, I'll carry the elf and you two take the last one. That sound workable?"
OOC
I assume I can carry a heavy load without taking damage? I don't think Sulannus would weight more than that for Shan.
"Take this one inside and I'll watch over the others meanwhile. I think a single room with four beds would be best if you have one. Just be careful with him, he's lost a lot of blood. When you get back, I'll carry the elf and you two take the last one. That sound workable?"
Kelloran looks at the elf, looks back at Shan's wounds, and his eyes widen. "Wow," he thinks, "this guy is really tough."
He then sneaks a peek at Dethar, to see if the cook is also properly impressed (and perhaps having second thoughts about any foul play).
"Well, I'm not the best one to ask, but I know Zaltan don't have rooms that big. This ain't exactly Elenia's Blessing, but we'll see what we can do."
*He stoops over Titus and picks him up with Kel's help.*
Knowledge Local DC 12 (DC 10 for Kel, so he can attempt untrained)
Elenia's Blessing is the name of the most expensive, luxurious inn in Thresk.
Knowledge Nobility DC 5
Elenia Aurelous is the name of the princess of Sundaria.
Knowledge Local DC 20
Basel Tham, the innkeeper of Elenia's Blessing is a vocal supporter of the royal family, and an advocate of Princess Elenia in particular.
Knowledge Local DC 25
Elenia's Blessing is so named because the princess visited the inn once in disguise, so Basel Tham renamed it in her honour.
Knowledge Nobility DC 5
Elenia Aurelous is the name of the princess of Sundaria.
(OOC: For the SBLOCKs above, just roll once for each Knowledge type and you can keep going deeper if you got a higher roll. If you got a 25, you win (nothing useful)!
Yup, he can carry a heavy load, but he can only take single move actions, so he'll be moving at half speed.)
Last edited by Rystil Arden : 02-03-06 at 10:14 PM.
*When the others have left, he prepares first Blunt and then the elf to be carried; replacing her sword in its scabbard and placing the bow on top of her.*
Nope, it is half normal walk speed, I would think. Normally you could walk (which is half combat speed I believe) with both your standard and move actions, but Shan can only use one or the other
Last edited by Rystil Arden : 02-03-06 at 10:14 PM.
Hmn, I hope I don't bring up too many rules issues, but I'm gonna explain my reasoning on this.
In 6 seconds you can move twice your base speed by hustling or just one time your base speed by walking. Shan can move one time his base speed in 6 seconds, so I've assumed he was walking at normal speed, he's just too weak to hustle. If so, I see no reason to slow him down just because combat is over.
The only argument I could see against it is that he wasn't actually walking but attempting some hobbling run that he really wouldn't do if he weren't in a hurry. Did I just make your point?
Probably won't matter much either way, but I just wanted to explain myself.
Nope, it's all cool. I understood your point before you said it, but I do indeed envision the hobbling run. Not that he can't do the hobbling run if he wants to now. That's definitely still an option
Nope, it is half normal walk speed, I would think. Normally you could walk (which is half combat speed I believe) with both your standard and move actions, but Shan can only use one or the other
The large man mutters something, though it's hard to make anything out in his death's-door dementia. Demons, zombies, and "bloodbath" seem to figure high in the delusion, though.
OOC
Just thought I'd give this a bump and let y'all know I'm still around whenever Titus manages to wake up.
*Kel and Dethar return before long and take Blunt inside, as Shan carries Sulannus.*
__________________
"That's so far over the line between genius and madness, it passed all the way through Cthulhuville and normalcy and all the way back to brilliance!"--MoogleEmpMog
*With the whole group inside now, they have escaped to 'safety', if this place can be called safe. It is a seedy tavern indeed, but undoubtably safer than lying out on the streets.*
__________________ DM: The only thing standing between you and the fiendish owl bear in this corridor is the Rogue. Sorceror: I cast Enlarge Person. On the Rogue. To block the corridor. Rogue: What the?!?!?! Hah! I get a Fortitude saving throw..... <rolls>.... <sigh>
Kelloran is just about cross-eyed, trying to keep an eye on both Shan, who looks like he will pass out at any moment, and Dethar, who will no doubt take any opportunity to corner Kel himself. Feeling the comforting weight of his second dagger in his boot, he hopes that he won't have to use it. If he does, any hope of escaping retribution will be gone. Actually, there's not much hope that Zaltan - or Dethar - won't take this out of his hide anyway!
Rystil Arden, OOC
RA, what is the maximum size of room in the inn? Kel's going to suggest to Shan that the party should all be in the one room if possible - even if it means putting somebody on the floor.
(OOC: The biggest room is a very cramped double, which just has a marginally larger bed and a tad more space than the singles. The Orc's Armpit is more of a tavern with a few rooms attached, and certainly nothing big or fancy.)
Kelloran avoids Dethar and races to find Mara - the head maid and his only friend in the Armpit. Many is the time Mara's beautiful smile and kind words have encouraged him - and once, when he was about eleven, she came upon him weeping after one of Zaltan's ferocious rages and swept him into an impulsive embrace which kept him warm for years afterwards.
"Mara, I need your help. The people Dethar and I just brought into the inn - they've been badly wounded, and are in no state to protect themselves. My guess is that Dethar is going to rob them blind - and they don't deserve that. They got hurt trying to help a woman who was attacked in the alley."
"Mara - I have to go to the temple to get some healing for them. Please, could you keep an eye on them. I shouldn't be more than half an hour - Zaltan's still out, and there's just time for me to go before the evening rush."
"If Dethar tries to rob them, please, could you distract him? I know you can handle him - I've seen you sidetrack him when he wants to ... you know. I'll be as quick as I can - and I'm sure the paladin would reward you for your help."
"Please, Mara - these are good people, and you're kind and brave - please help me keep them safe!"
"Mara, I need your help. The people Dethar and I just brought into the inn - they've been badly wounded, and are in no state to protect themselves. My guess is that Dethar is going to rob them blind - and they don't deserve that. They got hurt trying to help a woman who was attacked in the alley."
"A woman was attacked in the alley? Oh no, that's horrible! And these people saved her? Are they adventurers?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelloran
"Mara - I have to go to the temple to get some healing for them. Please, could you keep an eye on them. I shouldn't be more than half an hour - Zaltan's still out, and there's just time for me to go before the evening rush."
"Actually Kel, the evening rush has already started...where could Zaltan be? He should be back by now. Anyways, I'm not sure I'll be able to get away with it, but I probably might with Zaltan not here...hopefully this place'll be in enough of a disarray that no one would notice...But the guests will need service..."
"Even so, I'll do my best, if I can..."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelloran
"If Dethar tries to rob them, please, could you distract him? I know you can handle him - I've seen you sidetrack him when he wants to ... you know. I'll be as quick as I can - and I'm sure the paladin would reward you for your help."
"You want me to...I...I guess I could...try. There's a paladin? Wow, I hear they're really brave and they always fight to help people who are in need. I don't need a reward...it's the right thing to do to help a paladin."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelloran
"Please, Mara - these are good people, and you're kind and brave - please help me keep them safe!"
"I'll try my best," she flashes Kelloran a dazzling optimistic smile that belies her earlier doubts.