[D&D 5E] Securing the Alliance: An Adventure in Tethyr (IC)

[This Effin’ GM]

"Them ogres did a number on the architectural works here." There has to be an easier way to say that.. Gnorth began looking around to see if any of the inns that were still in working order and if any had a tavern attached to them. He was excited to tell the tale of the party's valiant fight against the gnoll and their pet polymorphed dragon, only mildly embellished, and figured he might be able to make some pocket cash as well (or at least pay for a room and a meal). After business, of course.

 

[hafrogman]

Lorenzo nods. "They really did, didn't they?" He looks at the smashed inn just inside the entrance. "It'd be awfully funny if that were the Triton’s Tankard and our culprit was inside when it happened. But even I'm not THAT lucky. With a name like that and the reference to the harbor room, it's probably right off the water. What say we make our way to the docks and see if we can't find some likely soul to give us directions?"

 

[CanadienneBacon]

"Agreed," said Brue, grateful for the distraction from her earlier comment to Schepp. "Let's find the Tankard. And then maybe a room for ourselves. I don't fancy another night out in the open." Her stomach grumbled. "And something to eat."

 

[Forged Fury]

As the party made their way through Port Kir, a few things became obvious. The town was subdued; the wanton destruction putting a damper on the normally vibrant port. There also seemed to be a distinct lack of able-bodied guardsmen in the town. As they passed each destroyed building, a pattern quickly emerged. It seemed the ogres had specifically targeted inns, leaving other businesses alone. Certainly odd behavior for ogres, as they tended to be indiscriminate in their destruction.

The party's fears were confirmed when they reached a shattered structure fronting the pier. A sign proclaiming the structure to be the Triton's Tankard hung sideways from a single chain, the other chain having been snapped during the attack. The main room was open to the elements, the front wall having been smashed apart. A bar still stood along the far wall, a dour man wiping the few unbroken glasses. Spotting the party gathered at the entrance, he said, "Well, come on in... name's Devlin. What can I do for you folks. Please don't mind the mess." The tavern was otherwise empty, it didn't look like Devlin was getting much custom today.

 

[hafrogman]

Lorenzo turns and does a quick headcount before take an exaggerated step through the "doorway" and into the Triton's Tankard.

"Well met Devlin. My name is Lorenzo and my companions and I are thirsty from the road, so we'll take five of whatever's on offer, and a little bit of news if you have a mind. Because you look like a man with a story."

 

[Olrox17]

All the inns had been wrecked. What? That made no sense to Corilo. "Someone must really hate the innkeepers around here, huh? Do you overprice beer or something?"

Then, thinking about their mission here, a thought surfaced in Corilo's mind. He whispered to Brue: "Maybe someone knew that meeting was going to take place in an inn, but didn't know which specific inn? So they wrecked them all?"

 

[This Effin’ GM]

Corrilo had a point, Gnorth had to admit. Dissapointed that he was going to be unable to perform his tale anytime soon, the half orc resolved himself to adding a few more stanzas to his tale pending the next few day's events.

"Well, nice to see tavern like this before arrival, feels like home," Gnorth winks at Devlin, hoping to use humor to diffuse the man's dour disposition.

 

[Egon]

Boddynock was a bit befuddled by the sights of Port Kir. First the ogre at the gate, then seeing all of these inns laid to waste? Something terrible was definitely happening here, and it was now their job to find out what. And stop it. From the stolen artifact, to the broken treaty...and even the stories about "Vials" that he had heard in preparation for this leg of the quest, he was beginning to wonder if there were any good people left in the world.

"Well, besides you lot, that is."

He entered the tavern, and when Lorenzo ordered the drinks he nodded his thanks towards the man. He made his way to the far side of the bar, out of earshot of most of the patrons, and awaited his companions to join him. When the drinks arrived and everyone had joined him, he took a long pull from the goblet offered to him, the malty beverage flowing out the sides of his mouth and soaking his long beard. He wiped his face on the back of his sleeve, belching slightly at the refreshment.

"Fine taste, that. But...," he paused, looking around the room before continuing in a lower voice, "We aren't here to talk about the food and drink. Have we agreed that I am to take on the task? I can do so, but we should find somewhere else to talk."

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Brue thanked Lorenzo, then discreetly asked Devlin to fill her tankard with water. She stood opposite the gnome, and considered Schepp's question. "I can escort you, sure. The worry is that the opposition will recognize me, though. Still, Vials didn't seem to know my parent organization, so mayhap I'd be an unknown." Brue did her best to put on a neutral face.

 

[Forged Fury]

Devlin nodded and turned back to the kegs, drawing five ales from the keg behind him which miraculously survived the attack. Plunking them down in front of the party, the man said, "Well, welcome to what's left of the Triton's Tankard. I'm sure you already heard by now, or saw the ugly brute they've got strapped up outside, but the town was attacked less than a tenday ago by a gang of ogres, about a dozen in all."

Frowning, he continued, "Well, I don't know if I'd say the town was attacked, but they certainly did a number on all the inns and taverns for some reason. The town guard put up a stiff front, but most of 'em were slaughtered. City guardsmen aren't made to fight off those kinds of beasts. Now, the streets are patrolled by retired guardsmen and the people who used to do the administrative work for the guard. You know, the ones who weren't otherwise ready for duty."

Waving his hand around the room, taking in the damage and signs of rebuilding, he said, "As you can see, business isn't so great now. Not only did the ogres smash up our buildings, but they killed and carried off most of the guests. On top of all that, I even heard one of the ogres on the night of the attack yell that old Haedirn's dead. Dark times for Port Kir, indeed."