The Jade Frontier (DM: Ukingsken, Judge: Lord Sessadore)

[ukingsken]

[sblock=ooc] Nope Patronis should be ok. Not much of a porch but there are a few citizens walking about town, most appear to be just returning from the fields.[/sblock]

 

[Malanore]

Shayla draws the hood of her cloak up and pulls the sides of it around her disguising as much of her barely 5 foot frame inside it before setting off for the tavern. Inside she scans the room slowly then sits as it seems the town directs and orders one of the drinks the barmaid happens to be serving, trying to get the name from her in common.


[sblock=ooc]Only after she's sure there are no other elves in the room will she draw the hood of her cloak back and try to enjoy the merriment of the evening[/sblock]

 

[rumleech]

Mr Bricks notes what the old dragonborn is drinking and buys a glass of that along with a wine and water for himself and goes to sit with the old fellow.
"Hello again, I saw you sitting here and I thought as you were the only person to give me the time of day before I'd come and sit with you, you don't mind do you?" Mr Bricks introduces himself while keeping a careful watch on the old draconic's reactions.

[sblock=Insight check]Insight (1d20 + 6=15)[/sblock]

[sblock=Working Stat Block]
Mr, Bricks
Human Rogue 1
Init +4/Passive Insight 16/Passive Perception 17
HP 24/24 Bloodied 12 Surge Value 6; Surges Per Day 6/7
Action Points 0 Second Wind Unused
AC 16 Fortitude 12 Reflex 17 Will 13 - Speed 6 Size Medium Saving Throws +1
Str 12 (+1) Dex 18 (+4) Wis 12 (+1)
Con 12 (+1) Int 10 (+0) Cha 15 (+2)
Basic Attack: Dagger/Short Sword Attk: +5/+4 Dmg 1d4+1/1d6+1
Ranged Basic Attack: Sling/Dagger Attk: +6/+8 Dmg: 1d6+4/1d4+4
Range: 10/20 and 5/10
Powers
Sly Flourish
Piercing Strike
Deft Strike
Positioning Strike
Trick Strike
[/sblock]

 

[ukingsken]

The old man motions and grunts Names Eilian, now sit and listen. It's not every night Sakura sings, and I haven't heard the Shadowseal Tragedy since I was a boy. I didn't even think anyone but me remembered the melody, let alone the words.

Eilian takes a sip from what you've realised is tea, and lans back in his chir, eyes fixed on the rising crexcendo of the music. It swells around you, and despite your lack of understanding you feel the pain in the music. Sakura is weaving a tale of great loss, and this is it's moment.

He obviously has eyes for nothing but the music right now, and you're unable to glean much from your conversation other then disinterest and annoyance at being distracted from the performance.

[sblock=Elves] After looking around very carefully Malanore is sure there are no elves present[/sblock]

 

[rumleech]

Mr Bricks gives the music his full attention - he can't understand the words but he can use the emotion expressed in th music as a gauge to test the feelings of the audience.

[sblock=Working Stat Block]
Mr, Bricks
Human Rogue 1
Init +4/Passive Insight 16/Passive Perception 17
HP 24/24 Bloodied 12 Surge Value 6; Surges Per Day 6/7
Action Points 0 Second Wind Unused
AC 16 Fortitude 12 Reflex 17 Will 13 - Speed 6 Size Medium Saving Throws +1
Str 12 (+1) Dex 18 (+4) Wis 12 (+1)
Con 12 (+1) Int 10 (+0) Cha 15 (+2)
Basic Attack: Dagger/Short Sword Attk: +5/+4 Dmg 1d4+1/1d6+1
Ranged Basic Attack: Sling/Dagger Attk: +6/+8 Dmg: 1d6+4/1d4+4
Range: 10/20 and 5/10
Powers
Sly Flourish
Piercing Strike
Deft Strike
Positioning Strike
Trick Strike
[/sblock]

 

[ukingsken]

As the song draws to a close, the crowd quietly applauds and Sakura steps down, heading back into the kitchen area.

Eilian turns to Mr. Bricks and says Now what was it that couldn't wait until after that son?

 

[Fragsie]

Cheysuli Sage

After her somewhat over-the-top entrance that fell on an unappreciated audience, Cheysuli's attention was totally absorbed by the entracing dirge; the refrain summons up painful memories of loss and confusion, a single tear manages to get half way down her cheek before she wipes it away.

After the bard finishes her performance, Cheysuli moves over toward her. With a slight bow of respect she says to the songstress:

"My lady bard, that was one of the most beautiful, yet wrenching melody i have ever heard. It called forth things within me that i had tried to ignore; you have reminded me of my purpose; thankyou. Though, not speaking draconic, i do not know the details of the tale your song tells; could you enlighten me?"

 

[ukingsken]

Sakura looks puzzled momentarily, and then begins to slowly speak.

I am no bard feyborn, merely a woman who knows a story and sings her children to sleep. This is not normally a tale we like to tell, but with things the way they are well, it seemed to fit the mood of these past nights. But I believe I remember the words in the common tongue. It was written long ago, and is a piece of history most around here don't remember.

In shadowed keep of tumbled stone,
A peril lurks, for years unknown,
The Kinslayer's spirit guards it yet,
'Gainst a newfound vile threat.​

The Kinslayer once was proud and strong,
Until the Night Lord came along.

The thing of evil sent dark dreams,
Nightmares wrought of tortured screams,
The vowed defender's mind did bend,
And with his blade he did rend.

Awakened to the awful truth,
Shattered bones of men and youth,
His wife and children, pride and joy,
Mistaken for demons, forced to destroy.

The Kinslayer fled to meet death alone,
For wicked deeds he must now atone,
And so the fallen Knight must wait,
For heroes to arrive and reverse his fate.

But twisted whispers echo through the halls,
And ghostly blood runs 'long the walls,
None can face those cursed remains,
Fear like water in their veins.​

The Night Lords Brood from a cursed line,
Now threatens to awake the unholy shrine,
Dark power craves as men do thirst,​

Confining spells to be reversed.

Storm clouds gather with the demon's approach,
And the living dead will soon encroach,
The forces of good will never survive,
For the Kings of Night will soon arrive​

As you can now likely tell this is not a tale we normally tell, and not many would want to remember it even if they knew it. But giving them an enemy to focus on will help us come together as a community, even if it is nothing but a wives tale. Now let me ask you how it is I find a stranger in the Iron Lotus for the first time in over a year?

 

[Fragsie]

Cheysuli Sage

Cheysuli listens intently to the prose, trying to imprint in on her memory.

I am no bard feyborn...

"I'll hear nothing of it, by my ear you are a fine bard, and you have a way with the art that evokes the most base melencholy. To evoke such emotion is truely a sign of a master."

As you can now likely tell this is not a tale we normally tell, and not many would want to remember it even if they knew it. But giving them an enemy to focus on will help us come together as a community, even if it is nothing but a wives tale. Now let me ask you how it is I find a stranger in the Iron Lotus for the first time in over a year?

"That certainly is a very macabre story, but also an intriguing one. My companions and I are here at the request of the Shogun; we have been instructed to put an end to your local problem with kobold raiders, but also, and here is the part i'm most interested in; to investigate the rumours of an upsurgence of undesirable elements in the area..."
Cheysuli pauses a moment, partially for dramatic effect, partially to take a breath. "As a local who is much appreciated by her peers, do you have information that could help us fulfil our mandate and satisfy the Shogun?"
After a slight pause, Chey backtracks on what the woman had said and asks:
"Are you sensitive to the touch of the fey? Many notice my infernal heritage before they do my true fey upbringing."

[sblock=OOC]Very cool song UK, must have taken you a while.[/sblock]

 

[ukingsken]

[sblock=ooc] Don't give me too much credit. One thing I've learned time and again from reading articles about dming is borrow borrow borrow, shamelessly borrow. I adapted it from something already written But it is quite good just not mine to take credit for. But thanks for thinking I could have wrtten it![/sblock]
For many years our lands have suffered the taint of demons and devils. Many times before I have met your kind, and most prefer to identify with their fey origins. Who among us wishes to be seen as a demon, especially in a country at war with demons?

The kobolds I know about. They've been around before, but always just a nuisance. Once every few years a roving band of orcs comes along to whip them up and attack the town, but our walls always protect us. Lately things have gotten much worse. The kobolds have become more brash, attacking supply wagons and travellers wantonly. You're the first people to arrive in several months.

As for an undesireable element I'm not sure what you could mean. People are on edge because of the kobold attacks, especially after Elder Laith dissappeared. Some folk say he was inside the walls but thats proposterous, how would he dissappear from inside the walls? He must have been out for a walk after dark as he ws wont to do.

Sakura seems to be a little uncomfortable talking about the dissapearance of Laith, but otherwise appears completely genuine.

Now can I offer you some fine tea? We have several varieties.