Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

Not one more step...

“Hello in the tower,” Bartol bellowed from a safe distance.

“Hello on the road,” came a reply. “Approach and state your business.”

Two armored and armed guards opened a door. Higher up the tower a third figure could be seen playing with a wand.

“He’s cast a spell,” Timmay whispered.

“Some sort of divination,” Bernedette added also under her breath.

The party approached the guards. They were clad in the uniform of Purple Dragons.

“We are here as a simple trade caravan,” Timmay offered as they closed. “We hail from Mistledale.”

One of the guards held the door open, while the other went inside. A moment later another figure emerged with the guard. He was the Sergeant of the Tower.

“We need you to sign the register,” the sergeant stated. “And we will need you to peace bond your weapons.”

“I’m not signing anything,” Bartol angrily remark.

Timmay tried to settle the matter diplomatically. The sergeant and the barbarian squared off. Only with the intervention of another visitor did things cool down. A moon elf, with long black hair and the hint of white in the front dressed in black studded leather and armed with a short sword and bow, was also being detained by the Watch.

“I’m Veridian,” the elf broke in. “And if you will have me as a companion, I will finally be able to continue my journey. It appears the Purple Dragons don’t like lone travelers in Cormyr.”

“Cormyr,” Bartol murmured. “I’ve gone further today then I ever have before. I’ve never been outside the Dales.”

“None of us have,” Timmay tried to console him. “But for adventurers like us, who needs to fear the path we tread.”

“Adventurers?” the sergeant asked. “You’ll need to sign the name of your party into the register.”

 

[diaglo]

What's in a name?

“Sign?” Bartol growled. “Are you still mocking me?”

“Just do as I taught you,” Bernedette hummed. “You’ll do fine.”

“But we are just here to trade,” Timmay stated again.

The party finally gave in. Timmay wrote the name into the ledger:

The Eleventh Hour Adventuring Company

“And now to peace bond your weapons,” the sergeant continued.

Bartol and Erik were each allowed one dagger free, but everything else was bound. Timmay, Bernedette, and Thane’s weapons were also bound. Veridian had submitted to the process earlier.

“Spell casters, too, need to be bound,” the sergeant added. Just then the figure from on high entered the lower tower from another door.

“Those two for certain,” the war wizard indicated Timmay and Bernedette.

“And me,” Bartol proudly admitted.

The arcane and barbarian spell casters were peace bonded. Thane remained quiet on the matter.

“There are wolves at the door,” one of the guards interrupted.

“They’re with us,” Thane stated. He slept outside with his pack.

The others were fed and bed down for the night inside the barracks. Timmay and Veridian stayed up late talking. Timmay told Veridian everything he could about the party. Bartol saw to Bob. Besides the party’s animals, there were 15 other horses inside. All had the brand of the Purple Dragons. Bernedette focused on her research. Erik was his normal quiet self.

Tilverton was 1 day further travel to the West.

 

[diaglo]

Bright Lights, Big City

The party planned to leave early the next morning. Mostly so they would make it to Tilverton in time to find an inn. But partly due to the unwelcome greeting the guards had given them the night before.

Before leaving the sergeant once again reminded the party of the laws and customs of Cormyr.

“You will be safe,” he began. “So there will be no need to draw your weapons. If you do use them or cast spells you will be punished. Only by visiting Arabel and obtaining a legal writ will you be free to move about the country. Even then you must be willing to show your charter to any and all Purple Dragons upon request. Further…”

“I’ll hold you to your word,” Bartol commented. “If we are not safe I will hold you personally responsible.”

“Bartol,” Thane screamed. “Let’s just go.”

They left at a quickened pace. As the road moved closer to the city, more activity was noted. The lands were all well tended. And the buildings became more frequent. The party could see Tilverton a mile or two away before they arrived. A high stone wall surrounded the city. The gates were open. Guards patrolled the walls and on the ground. As the party passed thru the main gate, the party paused. The Sun was just beginning to set.

“Torm,” Bartol prayed. “Protect us.”

“We’ll need to stay together,” Thane commanded. “We don’t want to get separated. Keep an eye out for trouble.”

“I’ve got that covered,” Veridian smiled.

“Move along,” a guard said. “You’re holding up traffic.”

“Friend,” Timmay grinned. “Do you know a nice inn or a place to stay?”

The guard directed the party to a gnome priest in the market square. He was a practitioner of Gond. Timmay ran ahead to find him. The rest of the party followed. Bartol brought up the rear with the horse train. Veridian scanned the crowd.

 

[diaglo]

A night off...

The two gnomes were thicker than thieves. Speaking of thieves, Veridian’s eyes spied one. A young lad was carefully cataloging the party’s goods. Veridian mentioned this to Bartol and went to have a chat with the youth. He told the boy to watch himself.

The priest talked incessantly. But at least he led the party to a nice inn. He also directed Bartol to the only tavern in town, the Flagon Held High.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Bartol called out to the inn as he continued with the party.

The Windlord’s Rest was a very nice place. The owner again was a gnome, Thungor Triblane. He offered the party a very nice room. When he summoned his staff to unload the caravan, Veridian intervened.

“We’ll handle this,” the elf said.

Erik, Bartol, and Veridian unloaded the loot. Thane took his pack to the room. Thane was the first to get ready for the night. He had plans. Everyone guessed what those might be, but no one asked. Timmay stayed with the other gnomes and chatted away. It was the most the party had ever heard Timmay say. Although most of the conversation was in gnome, so no one knew what they were talking about. Bernedette buried herself in her studies.

After unloading and seeing to Bob, Bartol got ready for a night on the town. He pulled out his finery. The tabard of Torm he hadn’t worn since the tournament and his normal clothing. He took a bath and shaved. The stumble on his head he left alone. He strapped on his fine dagger, bonded longsword, and his peace bond gauntlets. He wasn’t about to break the law and cast one of his spells. Veridian offered to join him, although, the elf didn’t look happy about going.

The Flagon Held High was busy. There were numerous people milling about the front of the place. Veridian took a slight detour to an alleyway to check on things. Bartol followed to relieve himself.

“No use in wasting a trip,” Bartol decided. “Better to go in empty, that way less trips out to the garden.”

There were multiple side doors. As the two companions finally approached the front door, a dwarf was tossed out.

“Next time,” the bouncer yelled. “Pay with real money.”

“Ah,” Bartol relaxed. “I feel more at home now.”

 

[diaglo]

Bartol the Dragoncrusher

Veridian face paled.

“I think,” he quickly stammered. “We need to exchange some of our coin. I don’t think they will accept Dales’ talents. They expect crowns. Come with me to the bar.”

“A fellow after my own heart,” Bartol agreed. “The bar is an excellent choice. But I was kinda hoping for a table nearer to the stage.”

They entered the tavern. The place was even more crowded on the inside. Bartol quickly pushed his way to the bar. The din was almost deafening. All conversations were held at a shout.

“Barkeep,” he ordered. “A glass of wine for my friend and an ale for me.”

“First,” Veridian quickly interjected. “We’d like to exchange some coin.”

“Very well,” the bartender replied.

Bartol handed over a sack of silver coins. The bartender counted them out and slid back the equivalent in Cormyrean coin.

“Keep ‘em coming until we run out,” Bartol said as he turned around. He headed to a table.

“We’ll pay as we go,” Veridian leaned over the bar and took the sack back. He went over to the table and slipped the sack back into Bartol’s belt.

After Veridian sat, Bartol bellowed for another round.

“I’ve a terrible thirst,” Bartol began. “I’ve just slain a dragon…”

The place fell silent.

“And I’ve got a load of coin burning a hole in my pouches,” Bartol continued to yell. “Oh, but it’s quiet in here all of sudden.”

Bartol had gained the attention of a nearby table of Red garbed adventuring types. A female half elf approached. She had the hide of some red scaly creature as her gauntlets.

"May I join you?” she asked. “I would love to hear of your tale.”

Veridian slapped himself and panicked. He got up and sprinted out of the tavern.

 

[diaglo]

The noise in the tavern resumed. Bartol proudly told of his exploits against the Coin Dragon. The lady was very interested. She asked many questions. She also bought Bartol a few rounds. Bartol didn’t seem to notice that Veridian had left. He was in his own world. He had company and she was interested. She also told Bartol of her own battles with dragons. A red fire-breathing monster, she and her companions had slain. She wore part of its hide as armor now.

Bartol was just getting to the good part of the battle when he heard and saw Timmay.

“I’m so terribly sorry, my lady,” Timmay addressed the female. “Bartol is fond of telling tall tales.”

“Timmay’s much better at this story telling them I am.” Bartol offered. “Tell her about the Giant or the other Dragon. The one Bernedette saw.”

Timmay tried to steer the conversation away from the party’s encounters and more towards the triumphs of the Red garbed group. The lady half elf finally got the idea. She excused herself and went back to her table.

Veridian eavesdropped nearby.

“He’s just an idiot barbarian,” she said as she sat down with her friends.

Veridian winked to Timmay. Bernedette and Thane stood by the doorway. Erik had remained behind with the loot.

“Well,” Bernedette said to Thane. “There is only one way to get him out of there without telling all.” She ripped a slit down the side of her dress and hike it up a bit, exposing some leg. “Wish me luck.”

Thane stood dumbfounded.

Bernedette entered the tavern

“Oh, Bartol,” she called. “Aren’t you going to keep me warm tonight? It is my birthday.”

Bartol’s jaw hit the table. He practically knocked over his drink and any of the furniture nearby in his attempt to leave.

Several other patrons also headed Bernedette’s way and a waitress carrying drinks, too.

“Compliments of the gentlemen at the bar,” the waitress said. In a whisper she said, “We need to talk.”

“Bartol, honey, why don’t you and Thane head back to the inn and get ready for tonight,” Bernedette took the hint. “I’ll catch up.”

Thane was still standing awestruck. Bartol grabbed him and dragged him back to the inn.

 

[diaglo]

She shook me all night long



Thane was supposed to knock out the barbarian. But somehow he missed the clue. Instead he did as Bernedette had instructed. He helped Bartol prepare for the night's activities. Erik laughed the whole time.

Bernedette in the meantime was shown a familiar ring symbol by the waitress, Alisiar. Bernedette in turn winked to Veridian and Timmay. She then left to the safety of the inn. Or so she was thinking.

Timmay and Veridian cased the joint a little while longer. They saw the waitress signal another patron. It appeared the Cult was active in Tilverton too. Timmay left separate of Veridian.

Veridian also noticed some one watching the Flagon from a nearby window and some familiar rogue markings on a side alleyway.

(I won't go into detail about Bartol and Bernedette, but suffice it to say it is an important part of the story for a later post.)

Bartol raged twice that night.

 

[Angelsboi]

OOC i tired to roll Bluff (Seduction). I rolled a natural 20. Bartol rolled a Sense Motive and rolled a natural 1. It was Fate.

 

[diaglo]

Shopping trip

The next morning Timmay called the party together for a meeting.

“Morning,” Bartol chirped. “What a great day it is. Don’t you think.”

“Uhhh, No,” Thane sourly replied. “You made such a racket last night.”

Bartol blushed. Bernedette still hadn’t crawled out from under the covers. In fact she was holding onto them very tight.

“Today, I think we should sell everything,” Timmay ignored the Grin on Bartol’s face. “But we need to be careful. We know the Cult is here. Until we have divided up the shares I don’t think we should separate.”

Bernedette finally crawled out of bed. The party was all business. Everyone told what he or she knew. Veridian offered to find the local broker’s guild, since he was not a part of the caravan share. Bernedette handed him the magical ring jsut in case he needed it.

Timmay knew from his gnome friends all the best places to go. First stop was Dundar’s Fine Blades. Timmay haggled with all his considerable might. The party agreed upon a hefty sum. Dundar didn’t have the funds on hand. So he gave them a token to exchange at the moneychanger. The party also had coins they needed to change. So the moneychanger was the next stop. Timmay tallied up everyone’s share. The party split up.

Bartol went hog wild shopping. He revisited Dundar’s shop. And then he went to the market. And to other places that caught his eye as he wandered about town. He bought better armor, a larger shield, some silvered daggers, some arrows, more rope, winter gear, pouches, a bandoleer, sacks, and a gift for Bernedette, a heavy woolen cloak in blue with a crescent moon, the true sign of a cleric of Corellon Larethian. As night approached he headed back to the inn. He still had a lot of money left over. He wanted some potions and holy water. But that would have to wait.

Meanwhile, the others were busy too. Veridian had paid a visit to Phidalpar Undreir, a local fence. He learned much about trouble headed the party’s way. When he left he ran into Bartol momentarily to warn him and to get directions to the others. Thane visited the grove to Silvanus. He left his pack here for the coming days. Thane knew that Bernedette and Timmay would be spending several days working on their spell books. Timmay and Bernedette visited the Tower of Wits and Work. The wizardess, Filani, came highly recommended. They spent some time there, enough time in fact for Veridian to find them. He told them of the trouble and set off to the Purple Dragon’s barracks. He purchased a temporary adventuring charter before going back to the inn. Erik had returned to the inn. He had everything he needed. Eventually everyone returned.

 

[the Jester]

Wow, Bartol and Bernadette...

I'm thunderstruck.

Whoda thunkit!