The sun was rising slowly on the little hamlet of Carp on the Wall, the early rays shimmering on the water flowing lazily in the riverbed.

In the house at the bottom of the hill, Jeromius, miller by name and by trade, was lying in bed, his eyes open, thinking.

The recent drought had been cause of concern for him: his watermill no longer had the power to process the wheat brought in by the local farms.

Thinking back to his conversation of the previous day with Zhorr (closest-thing-we-have-to-a-Mayor), he sighed.

He felt silly: yes, Zhorr had promised he would look into it, and yes, he was some sort of wizard... But he couldn't very well magic more water down the river, could he?

He sighed again, kissed his wife's Marella's forehead (which caused her to smile in her sleep), and got out of the simple wooden bed.

After ensuring that his wife was well tucked in under the old linen sheets, he proceeded with his morning routine.

He didn't know if the wheel would turn that day, but he would be there just in case.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:04, Wed 18 Jan 2017.

The sun was rising slowly on the little hamlet of Carp on the Wall, the early rays shimmering on the water flowing lazily in the riverbed.

In the manor at the top of the hill, a man was sitting at a finely crafted dark oak desk, lost in thought.

Zhorr van Lyre, Crafter of Wonders, Master of Sword and Magic, and closest-thing-we-have-to-a-Mayor of Carp on the Wall, was not happy that day.

Carp on the Wall had never amounted to much, and it still didn't, but in the years since he and Lia had taken residence there, the little hamlet had known some prosperity.

Having two retired adventurers settling down in your neighborhood tended to have a galvanizing effect on the local economy and/or quality of life, even more so if they were both magic users, and willing to offer the occasional spellcasting service for free.

Now he was starting to wonder if he had made the community too dependent on himself and Lia.

Jeromius's problem had a rather simple solution. All it took was a bit of help from Eldamere Blacksmith, the local... Well, blacksmith.

Not for the first time, he reflected that it was both highly convenient and slightly disturbing that almost everybody in Carp on the Wall had stuck to the family profession for so many generations that their last name still correctly described their role in the community.

You had Jeromius Miller, Eldamere Blacksmith, Eveliss Preacher, Mandala Trader... And the four farmer families: Yeoman, Granger, Plowman and Cropper. He wasn't sure why, but that creeped him out ever so slightly.

Anyway, the solution to the Miller problem was simple: get Elda to set up a secondary drive shaft, conjure up a couple of horses with simple first-level spells, and done! Water mill is converted to horse-powered mill until the drought ends. All it takes is a couple of inespensive spells each day, and somebody able and willing to cast them.

Chances were, in the end he was going to have to do that: Jeromius's problem was really the whole village's problem - no watermill means no flour means no bread means no food. On a good day, society is three missed meals away from anarchy. No food, no good.

"Dee? It's early, come back to bed." A soft female voice called from the other room, breaking his train of thought.

So Lia was awake.

Well, he could think about Carp's problems later: it wasn't like they were going anywhere.

He had much more enjoyable things to do right then, and it wouldn't do to make a lady wait.

"Coming, Lee."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:51, Sat 12 Nov 2016.

The sun was rising slowly on the little hamlet of Carp on the Wall, the early rays shimmering on the water flowing lazily in the riverbed.

Maron Jameson Yeoman, head of the Yeoman family, owner of the largest farm in Carp on the Wall, was not a happy man that day. As he looked down from his window at the thirsty crops in his fields, he unconsciously pulled at his short beard.

Normally the water would be flowing from the river, into the canals, and straight to the fields. With the water level being so low, however, none was coming through, and the crops were starting to dry up.

An insect buzzed by his ear, and he swatted it away distractedly.

He would have to talk to Zhorr, the closest-thing-we-have-to-a-Mayor, see if maybe he had some ideas on how to solve that problem. He usually did, after all.

He looked at his oldest son, already out and inspecting the fields, and nodded approvingly. Good lad.

The sharp pain in his neck came completely unexpected. Unthinkingly, he slapped a hand on the... Bee? Wasp? That had just stung him.

The dead insect dropped to the wooden floor.

Still holding a hand on his injured neck, Maron glared at the tiny form on the floor: the day was not off to a good start.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:28, Sat 12 Nov 2016.

The sun was rising slowly on the little hamlet of Carp on the Wall, the early rays shimmering on the water flowing lazily in the riverbed.

Just past the bridge that led to the small village, not far from the watermill, lay a cozy inn by the evocative name of "The Carp's Nest".

Its sign, depicting a golden fish standing in a bird's nest atop a wall, swayed gently in the morning wind.

The innkeeper and her husband, their blankets drawn over their heads to block out the morning sun, rested peacefully in their bed: few ever came to Carp on the Wall, and those few wanted a place to spend the night, not one to break fast: there was no rush to begin their day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Sat 12 Nov 2016.

Some people take up the life of an adventurer for fame. Some take up that life to gather riches beyond all imagination. Some even become adventurers just for the opportunity to travel to new lands and seek out exotic people. Aran Kalisar was none of these people. Aran Kalisar only sought one thing: Justice.

The lives of the Ifreeti people - no, not just the Ifrit, but all non-humans in this Kingdom were looked down upon. Slavery, discrimination, abuses untold. All of it was reprehensible and unacceptable. By his parents' foresight, Aran had been spared his fate and made to look like them... LIVE with them. He learned that not all humans were immoral and despicable. He learned that many do not know the errors of their ways. He learned that some would never change and had to be burned from existence like the blight they are upon creation.

Now that he was of age and the raw power of the elemental plane of fire coursed through his entire body he was able to take on the world. It was his time to grow strong and end man's oppression once and for all.

Carp on the Wall would be a beginning. The fiery-haired, human-esque Ifrit made his way into the cozy town and took a look around. He walked cautiously, observing the humans of the town carefully as he passed them by and made his way towards "The Carp's Nest." Aran was a lithe creature, as quick and swift as fire, with nary a sign of fat on his body. His eyes were a dark amber, with specs of orange that burned through, hinting at his extraplanar origins.

When he finally arrived at the Tavern, he was unsure of what step to take next. How do you go about asking how to inconspicuously escaping a kingdom? He chose then to take a seat at the bar and flash a friendly smile at the barkeep. "Good Morning, Sir. What's the news around town?"

Tessa Grrmir, innkeper of the Carp on the Wall, turned around and looked at the young man who'd just greeted her so cheerfully, eyeing him with golden eyes from beneath a golden mane, and considering how to break the news to him.

Most people addressed her as "monkey". The least cultured ones, not knowing what a monkey was, simply called her "animal". Being called "sir", given that she was amittedly wearing rather masculine clothes, seemed rather respectful, if incorrect. She didn't particularly want to embarass this seemingly nice lad.

In her nice contralto voice she replied: "Good day and well met, young sir. I must presume you never met a Vanara before."

She smiled - the Vanara way, showing no teeth - and pointed at her hair, braided in a rather unusual fashion: "This particular way of doing one's hair indicates that I am, in fact, a female of my species. My name is Tessa Grrmir, it is my pleasure to meet you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Mon 05 Dec 2016.

"Oh, my apologies!" replies Aran, who is extremely excited at the prospect of a non-human running an establishment such as this, and seemingly a free-one as well.

"It's not often I see anyone who's not a human in such a prestigious position. I'm Aran Kalisar. I'm looking to get into adventuring, and I heard this was a good place to get my start."

Tessa laughed gently: "Prestigious? My my, aren't you the charmer."

She turned around to pull a bowl of slightly desiccated black bread out of a cupboard.

"In truth, Carp on the Wall is a tiny hole at the end of the world. But, we made a life here, and that is what matters. "

Placing the bowl on the counter she smiled again at Aram: "On the house. If you would like some ale to soften it, that will be four coppers."


Turning around to get a mug, she continued: "If you are interested in adventuring, you should talk to Master Zhorr. Closest thing we have to a mayor, Master Zhorr: when you can count the place's population on your fingers, you don't really need one, so he does not have an official title. But, he owns much of the property in the village, including the manor at the top of the hill, and he worked hard to turn this place into something better. He used to be an adventurer back in the day, until something happened to his leg."

---

OOC: Carp on the Wall is considered a hamlet, and that's counting the goldfish. Think small... Then think smaller.

Also, no, Zhorr did not take an arrow in the knee :P

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:08, Sun 04 Dec 2016.

Aran smiled pleasantly as he was offered a free meal, however, modest. "I wouldn't mind the ale, " he replied as he reached into his pouch to produce four coppers.

"He owns... just the land?" Aran was curious if Tessa was also property of this 'Master Zhorr'. "I think I'd like to meet this Master Zhorr."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Mon 05 Dec 2016.

Tessa peered at Aran intensely, then replied: "He owns many properties in Carp on the Wall, and all that he owns is better held in his care than it would in the care of others, or with no caretaker at all."

As she poured him his ale, she continued: "When my husband comes back, I shall ask him to arrange a meeting for you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

Aran mustered a smile, though it was difficult for him to hide his fading excitement and (only slightly) growing disappointment.

"I see. I am glad Master Zhorr takes care of those in his service, but I don't understand why one would be better off in the service of another than forging their own path."

As he considered the implications of this - one who would rather be enslaved and taken care of than free and master of his own will, his breath and heart rate began to quicken, as this was his most important mission.

Tessa inclined her head and watched Aran curiously, then pulled out a stool from under the counter and sat on it: "Son, I would ask if you have just arrived in Cheliash, but you sound Chelian enough, so you should know that already: if I went to the capital without a proper collar, I would find myself wearing one soon enough. I certainly don't have the money to pay a blasphemy fine, and guards love charging non-humans with blasphemy. And then it's off to the slave market with you."

She shook her head: "Then again, you are human, so maybe you don't know. Humans, elves, dwarves, they usually don't end up at the market."

---

OOC: A DC 10 check on knowledge (local) will reveal that a blasphemy fine is 1000 gp or more, depending on the severity of the specific action, the race of the accused, the mood of the judge, the phase of the moon, and how much drinking money the guard needs for the day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:00, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

"Sure, you're absolutely right, " replies Aran. "But there's so much world beyond Cheliash. "If you had the opportunity to make yourself a good life elsewhere, would you take it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

Those not used to varanas often have a hard time reading their facial expression.

Even so, Aran could not quite shake the feeling that Tessa's smile had layers to it - beyond the obvious - as she replied: "Ah, but where else would I get the chance to be in charge of such a prestigious establishment? I think, after you meet with Master Zhorr, maybe you will understand. And if not, well, there's always tomorrow."

She looked at the sundial on the wall: "Uldus won't be back for a few more hours, and I'm afraid our bard is currently away. If you are planning on spendong the night here, I can show you to your room. Or, I could do my best impression of our bard, and tell you the story of Carp on the Wall."

---

OOC: Well, silly me: I just realized that Tessa was actually supposed to be Hessa... I don't know if it was autocorrected somehow or I just bungled it up, but I guess she's Tessa now :P
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:21, Tue 06 Dec 2016.

"It's true" came the not-quite baritone voice from the doorway. The body there wasn't quite large enough to take up the whole space within the frame, but it was still an obviously healthy specimen of...humanity? "There is indeed so much more out there in the world. And I have seen but a fraction of it."

The man moved away from the backlighting of the outdoor sun and stepped within, unafraid, and obviously unconcerned if he was making a scene. And, were it not for his deep blue skin and stylized braid with bits of jewelry made from beads and silver, he probably wouldn't have even been noticed, had he kept his mouth shut. But that wasn't the kind of person he was.

"I am Dakash." He said it like it was a pronouncement - not an arrogant 'this is me' beating of his chest, but rather a more direct way of letting them know that there *may* be some value or importance to knowing that name. Perhaps not now...but someday.

"I would have a drink, if you permit it here" he said to the woman.

A hooded figure with long hair escaping the hood chides the blue-hued figure " Dakash, must you make a scene? We are now in Cheliash, if you'll recall. You'd have a hard time passing as a local, no matter what you might remember about the region." Noting the vanara behind the bar, the hood is pulled back to reveal an elf. "Forgive his impetuousness. He took a lifetime learning manners and" shooting Dakash a withering glance "several lifetimes to forget them."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:21, Thu 08 Dec 2016.

Tessa looked curiously at the crowd rapidly assembling in her inn: "My my. So many visitors all in one day. Interesting times must be ahead. What can I bring you? Ale? Mead? Cider? Wine? "

More non-humans?!

Aran approached the newcomers with eagerness and excitement, smiling broadly as he did so. "Welcome to Carp on the Wall, travelers! I am Aran Kalisar, budding adventurer and crusader for non-human rights!" He would normally avoid saying such grandiose things, but considering his company he felt he could get away with it.

"I was just about to ask the beautiful Tessa here about the story of Carp on the Wall."

He turned back to the bartender and grinned widly.

Tessa chuckled: "Now now, young man, don't overdo it. Although, on second thought, if you could teach my husband how to overdo it, I would not mind at all. I am no bard, but I suppose I shall do my best. If you would sit at that table, I shall bring my strongest mead. It will make the story much better."

After serving each of her patrons with either her best mead or their drink of choice, depending on their preference, Tessa partially closed the window blinds, dimming the light in the room to a penumbra, and set to tell the story of Carp on the Wall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:47, Fri 09 Dec 2016.

"Excellent!" The blue skinned man known as Dakash strode forward into the room, seemingly paying little mind to the good-natured chastisement of his female companion. He walked directly to where the self-proclaimed adventurer was sitting and, after the briefest of moments closing his eyes and dipping his head to the seat he was about to take, sat down to join them.

"Oh...a story? Perhaps it's one I haven't heard before." He gave a broad smile, which only got bigger when the woman said she would quench their thirst(s) with some strong mead. "That would be grand."

His head tipped upward and his eyes seemed to focus on a singular point near the ceiling, but he didn't let his attention waver from the living, breathing people around him.


Dakash Szagdala rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  perception.

"A light, fruity wine would be fine for me" said the elven woman. She stood about five feet tall and wore common traveller's robes. She carried a staff and had a bandolier across her chest.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:16, Fri 09 Dec 2016.

Tessa took her place in front of her audience, and began narrating:

---

It was a cool spring morning.

Andulon Trader, the founder of Carp on the Wall, was raising the walls of this very inn.

He was steadily hammering away, whistling a merry tune, the walls slowly rising, the sun was getting higher and higher in the sky.

Just before noon, he heard a girl's voice addressing him.

What are you doing there human?

He turned around, and found a golden fish staring at him from atop the wall behind him.

"Holy carp!" He exclaimed in surprise.

Well, yes. Replied the fish: Indeed, I am a carp, although technically my powers are arcane in nature, so 'magic carp' would be more appropriate. But still, very perceptive of you.

Andulon opened and closed his mouth a few times, at which point the fish said with mild disapproval: Hey, there is no need to be rude, you know, I did not insult your family.

Utterly nonplussed, Andulon could only say: "I'm... Sorry?"

Forgiven, forgiven. Replied the golden carp magnanimously. So... What are you doing?

"I am... Building a wall?" At this point, as you might well imagine, Andulon was beginning to wonder if the sun was strong enough to cause hallucinations. He didn't feel especially hot, but who knew.

A wall? What for? Asked the carp.

"I... Am going to build an inn. See, they are going to build a bridge here, something to do with trade routes to the north, and all the weary travelers will stop at my inn, have some food, spend the night, and I will make a lot of money." The subject of making a lot of money was particularly dear to Andulon. It's still very close to the heart of the Trader family, in fact: if you ever visit Mandala's store, try not to get her started: she can keep going on for hours on the subject.

An inn, you say? How bothersome... That's how villages start, isn't it? And a village next to my river means humans will be pooping in my river. I don't want humans pooping in my river! I live in my river! Would you want to live in a place full of human poop? Go build your inn somewhere else! The carp demanded.

"But... I... I can't... I mean... Even if i built my inn somewhere else, the bridge will be built by royal decree, I can't change that. And there will be a toll booth, and a trading post, and humans will come. There's nothing I can do." At this point, Andulon was more and more convinced that he was having a heat-induced hallucination, regardless of the fact that he did not feel hot at all.

Well, what am I supposed to do then? I can't live in a river full of human poop! The carp replied - quite understandably, if you ask me.

"You could... I don't know... You could come live with me at the inn? I'll build you a nest or something."

A nest? You do realize I'm not a bird, right? A nest for a carp! That sounds... Well, that sounds like the name of one of you inns, doesn't it? The fish raised an inn to her... Chin, for lack of a better word.

There was a bright flash of light, and there she was, sitting atop the wall, just where the carp had been a moment earlier: a beautiful blonde girl, with bright blue eyes, a lithe figure, and completely naked.

"The carp's nest. Doesn't sound that bad, does it, human? I suppose I could adapt to living with you... What do you think, human? Human? Human?! Human! My eyes are up here, you know?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:47, Fri 09 Dec 2016.

Dakash had been listening, and leaned forward when the woman got to the end of her story. "Ah...blue eyes you say? Then indeed, she must have been quite beautiful to behold! Blue makes everything more attractive." He winked, the obvious reference to his own personal shade of cerulean giving away the reason for his happiness about the tale.

He looked around again at the interior design of the place, then up once more. "So...is that one drunken official the most revered person to stay here? If there are trade relations with the neighbors and they pass through this area, you'd think there would be diplomats and court viziers and all sorts of people being married off to other people of noble birth on the road, wouldn't you?"

Tessa looked perplexedly at Dakash: "I'm afraid I can't remember any drunken officials. There was the one nasty hellknight, but he wasn't drunk, just incredibly racist. Luckily for me and my husband, Master Zhorr set him straight. Other than that... I'm afraid we don't have a lot of notable visitors: this bridge is mostly used by people who would like to be... Inconspicuous. Unprotected non-humans, for the most part."