The Mourning After (Horror) (IC)

[Kobold Stew]

Tillington has 5gp in his purse, and he's not good with money. He'll buy the first round for those in the group who join him, and perhaps the second, hoping for the best after that. A week ago, he didn't think he has a future. Thinking long-term and saving funds is probably not top of mind for him right now.

 

[Hades#2]

Xian

Xian considered his companions mission while he cleaned up. Something to do with Clawfoots and House Vadalis. He was tempted to have a message sent to his aunt but it was too soon. He needed more information.

When he was presentable, Xian went to the bar and grabbed a quick drink and a bite to eat.

 

[JustinCase]

Maladiel enjoys his bath immensely; despite the privileges Clan Boromir offers back in Sharn, the half-elf never forgot being the favored boy of Dame Yamyra, when his every whim was taken care of. His stay here got really close to that complete indulgence, and Mal takes his time washing, grooming and picking a new suit of fine clothes before moving to the bar.

Ordering a fancy drink for himself and whoever of his companions is there, Mal also eyes the collection of various other intoxicants. Deciding not to indulge himself just yet, he joins the others.

He is generous in buying them all drinks and food, making jokes, harmlessly flirting with both his companions, other guests and waiters of all races and genders, and generally having a good time.

Only his companions might notice that the Khorovar is subtly trying to get to know who has any information about the surroundings and recent goings-on, lingering only slightly longer with those who talk about these things before moving on to new subjects or people.

OOC: Not sure what skill to use here. Is Persuasion applicable? If not, adjust the modifier to match the appropriate skill: Persuasion: 1D20+5 = [18]+5 = 23

 

[Leatherhead]

Stories of locals and gossip fill the bars.

A tale of lost family: The familiar story of missing clawfeet, as told by the riders who were bonded to them.

A tale of love: A house baker has become engaged to a clan warrior. You hear of how they met, during a tournament for the game Conqueror, and how the baker pulled off the win using a rare "en passant".

A tale of hunting: A drunken embellishment of how a Sheppard used a sling to down a Sharpooth Titan.

A tale of curios: The local Whitewood Ranch received a shipment of giant spiders for their stables last month, they have a lot of strange and exotic mounts, but who would ride a spider?

A tale of mischief: Some young halflings recall the pranks they pulled off during the nights of Long Shadows. Who knew a rotten egg could smell that bad?

GM: Sounds like an investigation check to me, but that's a high roll either way.

 

[Leatherhead]

Whitewood Ranch, on the outskirts of Gatherhold.

2st of Zarantyr, 998 YK. Morning.

After a night of carousing and gossiping with the locals, you awaken to a crisp new day with your goal in sight. The House Vadalis owned and operated Whitewood Ranch. Just north of the town, and beside the lighting rail, it was almost impossible to miss.

The first thing that you notice about the Ranch is how pristine it is. The grounds are impeccably maintained, the animals out to pasture are almost impossibly handsome, even the signature white wood fences are clean from the expected mud and dirt. Taking a closer look at the main gate you notice the white wood isn’t even painted, it’s grown that way. The only added color is that of the brown and green Vadalis heraldic hippogriff.

Meeting you at the gate is a storybook white stallion, a shining white coat with flowing black mane and an unnaturally intelligent sparkle in his eyes. Riding bare-back on top of the beast is a middle-aged human. Trim red beard, clean white shirt, tan riding pants and boots. Less majestic, to be sure. But perhaps even more polished in behavior.

After a nimble flourish and a quick hop down to the ground, he bows to greet you. “Welcome to Whitewood! Eixek d’Vadalis at your service!” With a well-rehearsed smile and arm extended, he invites you to enter.

GM: I think everyone is ready. If not, let me know!

 

[Kobold Stew]

"Nice ta meetcha, Eixek!" says Tillington, with a tip of his cap, as he looks up...way up.

If he had an apple in his pocket, he'd offer it to the horse, but he does not, so he instead begins to walk in the direction indicated.

 

[MetaVoid]

"Eh, hello Eixek d'Vadalis. I am Ozzar Nabadar Kundarak. Thank you for your welcome. We're ready to see some magnificent beasties."
Ozzar follows the guide wherever he takes them

OOC: we're here to find out about the missing beasts, right? We don't have any contact or other somethings.

 

[Neurotic]

"Good day to you. I am Malix."
Short dwarven figure with short response, Malix just looks at the man through his mask, waiting for him to start the tour.

 

[JustinCase]

Maladiel smiles his usual radiant smile, and he takes a very small bow.

"And I," he says after his companions have introduced themselves, "am Maladiel. Like my companion here noted, we have come to view your collection of animals. Are they all as magnificent as this wonderful horse?"

He moves up towards the white stallion, hoping it doesn't do anything unpredictable. Perhaps he can pet it, or something? Either way, Mal hopes to give a good impression by seeming to care for animals.

Once they are walking towards the ranch, he attempts to strike up a conversation about trivial things, but interjecting seemingly harmless questions about security, missing animals, or people looking to sell their creatures to the ranch.

"Do you only sell animals that you've raised yourself?" is one such question that Mal hopes to find out with if bandits have tried to sell missing clawfoots to House Vadalis.

OOC: Animal Handling to see if Mal is any good at interacting with the horse: 1D20+2 = [8]+2 = 10 Deception to make sure the questions about security and such are not out of place in the conversation: 1D20+5 = [19]+5 = 24

 

[Leatherhead]

With a gentle brushing of the horse, the man begins his sales pitch.

"Irian's Touch here (like all our animals, of course) is magebred. Obedient, quick, intelligent. That large building there is our equine area, and I have some excellent specimens to show you. While the locals sing the praises of raptors and tribex, for my money, a well-bred horse is still unsurpassed for most long-range journeys!”

The man gives two finger-snaps. In turn, the stallion gives what can only be described as a quadrupedal bow, then trots off to pasture, returning with an open topped carriage in tow. Eixek invites you all aboard and then joins you all for a tour.

“Adventurers, no doubt?” He questions while he begins the tour. First stop, a building that appears to be populated by animals that could only be classified as familiars. “Will your adventures have you sleeping in the wilderness? If so, consider one of our alarm animals. We offer a wide array of creatures bred to wake you (as loudly or quietly as you wish) in case of danger! They won’t help you pull on that heavy armor though, haha!”

After passing by a few more buildings you find yourselves by a kennel, featuring canines and similar creatures. “Dog: Man’s best and first friend. But of course their friendship isn’t limited to just humans! Here we have all the best stocks. Sharn Snufflers, a bloodhound able to track people even in the heavy rain of the City of Towers. This jumpy little girl is a Karrnathi Warmfur, she emits a magical aura that will keep you warm even in the harsh snows of the Hoarfrost Mountains. Here is a Whitewood Ranch exclusive, and Ironhide Terrier, their thick hide is able to withstand the claw attacks of a Clawfoot Raptor. Oh, and later on, if you need a living assistance dog, I recommend an Aundarian Pointer. Very smart, even knows the Mage Hand cantrip to assist in household chores.”

Again you move on, and see a few more buildings. Eixek notices you all looking at the various buildings around the ranch. “You probably wonder about the white wood! It’s a proprietary Vadalis enchantment. We breed the trees to grow with white wood, and it never fades, no painting required! Once we’re over that hill, you’ll see a small grove in the distance, just there. We are very proud of it, it’s the namesake of the place after all!”

Spoiler: Xian & Tillington

Thanks to your passive investigations you two notice something a bit different: One of the buildings has a different door than the others. While all the buildings are made of white wood, this building’s door is made of white-painted metal. Above the door handle, where a lock would typically be, there’s instead a black plate with the Mark of Handling engraved in it.

Finally, the tour stops at the barns. Horses, tribex, and fastieths dot the pastures. “And here, Gentlemen, is where we keep the mounts. Other ranches might call them ‘beasts of burden’, but here at Whitewood Ranch, we believe it more apt to call them ‘creatures of comfort!’ I trust that Irian's Touch here has impressed you with the power and smoothness of his services, and I can assure you that the rest of his brothers and sisters are just as keen to help you!”

GM: I hope you all don't mind going for a tour. Eixek is none-the-wiser about your current cooperate espionage, and thinks you all to be a typical adventuring party, or maybe a bunch of potential prospectors looking to strike the motherload out in Q'barra. As for the horse, well he's better at handling you than you are at handling him.