(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Uriel]

Niccolo pauses, mulling something over in his head,'Good, Sir, that name seems familiar to me, perhaps you are named after a Hero of Old?'
Niccolo sips his tea and recites:

"The Rede of Exantrius"

'Twas upon the Dark and Fiery rim of old Kieros aflame,
That a Grand Hero met his End in War's Game,
'Gainst Firomath, and his Unholy Horde,
Didst Exantrius do battle with his Righteous Sword,
With Angels uncounted, at his Back, and his Side,
Didst he leave the Villain no place in all the World to hide,
Yet Fall he did, so great was his Foe's Might,
Sending our Hero into Endless Night,
Yet Rise he did do,shucking this Earthly Coil,
Residing Evermore upon Heavenly Soil...'

Niccolo smiles a wry grin,


'Unless you are the same Man, Exantrius? Then I think the Hero travels upon Earthly Soil once again, eh?'

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Aerda/Merrim: He nods his head toward each of your introductions, then looks toward Jallazri as she begins to speak.

"My lady, I'd be not so swift to speak ill of any town to which I am a guest. But regarding my stay here, it is but a passage: I have quite pressing business to attend to elsewhere."

As Niccolo begins to recite his tale, the old knight listens, a wistful grin passing over his lips. This quickly changes, however, and at its end he seems almost dumbfounded: Then, after a moment, composedly furious.

"My good man, I take offense that you should imply I would be so cowardly as to 'shuck this mortal coil!' Why, the very notion is absurd!" He is taken aback for a moment, and again seems confused, but again soon regains his composure.

"And for another, my allies were hardly uncountable! Their numbers were one-hundred score and forty-eight!"

He pauses to take a sip of his drink, then smiles.

"I apologize if I seem ill-tempered, but a knight must always take care about his reputation, that the forces of evil seem no less dark within its light."

(OOC: Great verse, Uriel Which reminds me, how do people prefer their XP handled? Story-based awards will be a big part of it, naturally, but I'm wondering if anyone prefers or has a problem with uneven experience awards, and/or role-playing awards.)

 

[dpdx]

(OOC: Should we have/does everyone prefer an OOC thread for our game, or is it easier to keep track of all in one? Also, XP awards are fine with me however you want to do them, and it reminds me of a question - what are your rules for leveling?

Fendric awaits your resolution of his exit, and hopefully, reentrance. It was only a block away! )

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(Re: Leveling... I'll only award XP at times appropriate to leveling, about which I tend to be lenient... So level when you reach appropriate XP. Aside from that, just follow PHB rules for leveling up. If anyone is interested in Prestige Classes, email me, and I'll try to incorporate them into the world when the time is right.

Resolving the Inn experience: )

A dirty black labrador lies at the entrance to Pilate's. Beyond the entrance a dark-skinned thirty-something man is spooning a thick brown stew from a bowl... He looks up as you step over his dog and into the room.

He seems a bit curious as to why a member of the temple would be staying somewhere other than the temple, but he has no problem with it. There are three rooms open, designed for either a single person or a couple, but capable of reasonably fitting up to four people without great discomfort. Cost is six silver per night.

 

[Timothy]

I am sorry, Great Sir Exantrius, I am known to be annoyed rather fast. But from your reaction I lead that you are indeed the Great Hero, Exantrius. I am honoured to be in your presence! Could you retell the tale for us, that we may know the true way it went?

And also, If you wouldn't mind me asking, do you, perhaps, need company on whatever is your quest? I would be honoured very much if you'll allow me, and these comrades, to join such a noble warrior.

If Exantrius makes a sense motive check (I'm not bluffing, but have different feelings than being honoured) he'll note that I am more interested in the benefits of travelling with a great hero, rather than to travel with Exantrius as a person.

 

[dpdx]

A dirty black labrador lies at the entrance to Pilate's. Beyond the entrance a dark-skinned thirty-something man is spooning a thick brown stew from a bowl... He looks up as you step over his dog and into the room.

"Good evening, sir, and may The Shining One embrace you in his Holy Light! I desire a room, for one night. Are any available?

He seems a bit curious as to why a member of the temple would be staying somewhere other than the temple, but he has no problem with it.

(And had you been subjected to the 'soothing' melodies of Brother Asgriff at night, you would wonder no more, my good man...)"I am on annual leave from Temple duty for the next two moons, good sir. I wish to experience life such as it is, outside the cloister of the Temple, and I wished to start immediately."

There are three rooms open, designed for either a single person or a couple, but capable of reasonably fitting up to four people without great discomfort. Cost is six silver per night.

Fendric pays the innkeeper his six silver for a room, thanks him, and leaves, stopping to pet the dog on his way back to Caval's Horde.

 

[dpdx]

(OOC: Since I can't stand to see this thread on Page 2, I'll take an extra turn: )

Fendric opens the door to Caval's Horde, smiles at the bartender, bounds over to the table, and sits down in his original seat: "Well, now that that's taken care of, who'd like another ale? Sir Exantrius? Niccolo? Merrim? Ms. Rednail? Aerda, how about you and Victus over there? My treat!!"

Not waiting for assent, Fendric (who has 25 gold in the pocket of his cleric's vestments) counts with his fingers to six, stands up, and says "Six ales, please, sir! Four for us at the table, one for the man with the pretty bird (indicating Aerda), and one for his friend!" (moving his hand ever so slightly to indicate Victus)

A look of confusion passes over Fendric's face, as he recounts his fingers, quickly murmuring each name "SirExantriusAerdaVictusMerrim... OH!"

Smiling, Fendric adds, "And me too, sir! Make that seven, please!"

(Elapsed time: 1, maybe 2 rounds, at most. )

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(OOC: Since I can't stand to see this thread on Page 2, I'll take an extra turn: )

(Sorry, was hoping to give people more time to respond... But...)

Jalarzi:

"My lady, while I may correct our friend on factual errors, I can hardly compare with the grace of his tongue to tell such a tale."

"As for company..." He pauses, growing thoughtful and somber. "...that may well be necessary, and at the very least it would be a wonderful nicety. When Brother Fendric returns..."

At which time, Brother Fendric returns, and orders a round for the group.

"I am humbled by your generosity, and the strength of your light... The good lady Jalarzi has extended an offer to accompany me on my travels, to which I am highly grateful. Let me say only that it would be a great pleasure to see your company as well, should that be your desire."

"Let me tell you first of my quest:" He takes a large sip from his mug, then clears his throat, seeming somewhat distressed, even confused.

"A knight of my order, Lord Thedoric -- you may have heard his name, for it was quite well-honored in its time -- has commited a great act of betrayal," a sudden awkward pause, "the nature of which, I must admit, I am not fully aware. All the same, it is clear that the forces of darkness are at his side, and the very order of natural things is threatened!"

Niccolo: You recognize Thedoric's name as well... It's one you've heard spoken in a much more current sense, although you have heard it for many years. You can't think of any specific stories, but you've never heard a particularly heroic one about him: He's more recognized as a great diplomat -- known for leading more than one warring nation to find a peaceful solution to its conflict...

"You may have heard word of the wars which have been unleashed between the nations South of here. They may seem distant, but in short time they shall spread, sweeping Northward under the dark shadow of the Betrayer. I have been following his path for months now, trying to undo what has been done, travelling with the tide of bloodshed cresting at my back."

"If I know his patterns rightly, and I should think I do, having followed him for so long, and having been allied with him for longer, then he is en route as we speak to the city of Eivanrach, to plant the seeds of discord once again. It is my duty and cause to arrive there with all do haste, to give warning of the treachery before it can take root."

"But for tonight, I shall take pause to rest in this fine city... Which reminds me, would you know where to find a decent inn nearby?"

(Assuming Fendric points him to Pilate's "Let me go, then, to reserve my room there... I am sure you will need the time to consider what I've said." And with that he exits the room, leaving the six of you behind.

As the door closes, Oliver the lutist stands as well, from what seems to have been a quiet slumber in the corner. He laughs to himself as he half-stumbles toward the exit.

Gruff but jovial: "Alas, poor Senility -- I knew him well!"

 

[National Acrobat]

OOC: Obviously I will need a room so I will head down the street to take care of gaining accomodations as well.

After listening to the Knight's story, Merrim is moved to action. "I would be honored to aid you in this task. If what you say is true, then eventually the homes of my people will stand in the way of this Betrayer and I would have it said that the wee folk came to the aid of the world and did not shirk their responsibility." After that little outburst, Merrim will go back to eating and quietly observing what is going on around her.

 

[Timothy]

A Great Knight that turned to evil? That is certainly a worthy cause indeed. But a dangerous one at that. But, if The Great Sir Exantrius is with us, we do not have to fear.