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Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval.

Posted by The WorldFor group 0
The World
GM, 29 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 17:44
  • msg #1

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

The Savage Frontier (also known as the North) is a cold, rugged, sparsely populated land of snow-capped mountains, rocky hills, sprawling forests, and foggy vales.  Isolated strongholds, ancient burial mounds, and the ruins of many forgotten empires dot this vast landscape.  Bounded by the Sea of Swords to the west and the desert of Anauroch to the east, the Savage Frontier extends as far north as Icewind Dale and as far south as the town of Daggerford. Old roads stretch across this great expanse, linking the dwarven strongholds and mines in the mountains to the coastal settlements, frontier towns, and fortified outposts of humans and other folk. These roads are long, lonely, or poorly defended, making them dangerous to traverse. In fertile valleys, towns and cities have sprung up, separated by dozens if not hundreds of miles of untamed wilderness haunted by bandits, barbarians, and monsters.

Evil dragons stirred into action by their dark queen, Tiamat, threatened the settlements of the Savage Frontier for a time. Ultimately, they were defeated and forced to withdraw to their lairs, while Tiamat was banished to the Nine Hells. Fear of the dragons' wrath has faded quickly with the coming of a new threat: giants. The peoples of the North are no strangers to giant incursions.  Frost giants have long claimed the Spine of the World as their demesne, and hill giants are known to scrounge for food in the untamed hills. But now, in the past couple of months, giants of every kind have emerged from their strongholds in force to threaten civilization as never before - and not just frost giants and hill giants, but also stone giants, fire giants, and cloud giants. It seems all of the giants are in an uproar. Reports of giant attacks throughout the North have reached the coastal cities of Luskan, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep, stoking fears and rumors that the giants are waging war against humans, dwarves, elves, and other small folk.

You've been traveling along the High Road for days. In the early afternoon you stop at a sign post for a short rest.  The signpost is next to a trail that heads north into the hills. Nailed to the post are three arrow-shaped signs. The two marked "Waterdeep" and "Daggerford" follow the High Road but point in opposite directions. The third, marked "Nightstone," beckons you to follow the trail. If memory serves, Nightstone is roughly ten miles up the trail.

A dwarf named Morgrim Rubyheart travels with a half-drow, who may be traveling under a false name.  The unlikely traveling companions are in search of a dwarf named Morak Ur’gray, the innkeeper in Nightstone.  Althought the town is small, the inn is renowned as a place of good food and cozy rooms, and Morak has a reputation for being fond of adventurers.  The inn at Nightstone, and Morak act as kind of a hub for sharing stories and news.  Morgrim and the half-drow have been told that Morak may know something of the Ruby of the War Mage.

At the sign post the unlikely pair meet another unlikely pair.  A human named Rose, and a halfling called Zip.  They too are headed toward Nightstone, looking for adventure.  For non-elves, Nightstone is a portal to the forests of Ardeep, which are said to shroud ancient mysteries.  The elves of Ardeep do not look kindly on adventurers looking to exploit their forest, and relations between the wood elves and the inhabitants of Nightstone are strained to say the least.

The four adventurers decide to share the last ten miles of their journey together.  As they start to get comfortable with each other, they converse to pass the time.  Please describe you character to the group, including physical appearance, and demeanor, and any personal information that your character decides to share with the group.
Ratt
player, 1 post
Mon 14 May 2018
at 18:52
  • msg #2

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

You may call me Francis

Ratt says. He is clad in scale mail armor and carries a simple, round shield on his back along with a plain traveling backpack. Over his mail armor he wears a plain light brown robe that a rural priest might wear. He carries a staff covered in runes. Hanging from his neck is a bronze colored amulet of Oghma (god of knowledge). Some observation reveals that the amulet is likely made of some substance lighter than metal, probably painted wood. He appears to be a half-elf.
Morgrim
player, 1 post
Mon 14 May 2018
at 20:00
  • msg #3

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

"I am Morgrim Rubyheart, Sonnlinor of the Dwarffather and Soulforger Moradin, of the people of the Great Rift, true heirs to the Bhaeryndenian empire may it rise again to send the villainous Drow straight to the nine hells where they belong!..."

As is his habit Morgrim's run-on sentence seems to peter out rather than come to an end, often giving the impression that he assumes those listening are either not paying attention or cannot comprehend what he is saying and simply gives up on the statement to grumble to himself.

A squat dwarf with long, deep black hair. The hair that falls down out of the back of this silver helm is as long as the beard that cascades down his front, both reaching past his belt and nearly to his knees. There is a grey streak through his beard just to the right of center.

His Shield, chainmail, hammer, helm, and seemingly even his disposition bear the symbol of Moradin's hammer and anvil. His slate grey eyes match his cold demeanor and he rarely responds with open anger even to obvious insults and seems to ignore completely sarcasm and veiled slights.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:01, Mon 14 May 2018.
Rose
player, 1 post
Mon 14 May 2018
at 20:06
  • msg #4

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

In reply to Ratt (msg # 2):

I am Rose Haven. My father named after the flower but before we departed he said I was much more the thorn.


At 5'11 Rose is tall for most human women (and is probably the tallest in the group). She is beautiful despite her size. Dark straight hair and fair skinned. Her light hazel eyes always have a calmness to them and not a single wrinkle has set in on her face.

Her shield is covered with a mosaic which depicts a sunrise. During camps she props the shield up and meditates and prays to Lathander.
Rose
player, 2 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 20:17
  • msg #5

Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

OOC: Can Francis give a little more detail to his appearance since his sheet says half-drow.
Ratt
player, 3 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 20:33
  • msg #6

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Rose:
<Rose>
At 5'11 Rose is tall for most human women (and is probably the tallest in the group).

It's not a contest. Besides, Ratt is slightly taller.

Ratt appears to be a sun-darkened half-elf with very light blonde hair and amber eyes. As far as you know, he is not a half-drow.

Francis says to Morgrim, Peace, Morgrim. Evil has a way of feeding itself to the pit, though clearly it is upon us to speed their way. But surely not every drow. I have heard tell of certain individuals who are not so bad. Meaning no disrespect, but even the Exalted King Breunor Battlehammer may agree upon certain exceptions, methinks.
Morgrim
player, 2 posts
Mon 14 May 2018
at 21:34
  • msg #7

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Morgrim nods and snorts without looking at Francis. It is unclear what this means.
Zip
player, 1 post
Tue 15 May 2018
at 02:24
  • msg #8

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Zip is the shortest one in the group. at first glance he could easily be mistaken as a child with sandy blond hair that is disheveled and sky blue eyes. he tends to stay in the background and speaks very little but when he does everyone notices a definite accent. when asked questions he answers with short or vague response.

where are you from?...The south

what are you doing this far north? ... looking for something fun to do

In turn he asks no questions of the others.
Ratt
player, 6 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 16:35
  • msg #9

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

So, Rose and.. Zip? was it?... Adventure abounds in the North, perhaps you already know this, but I feel I must warn you that if your intentions are toward Ardeep Forest, the elves there do not take kindly to outsiders.
Rose
player, 3 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 17:51
  • msg #10

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Rose simply nods her head forward once to acknowledge Francis' words.

Being the recovering hermit that she is more interested in observing and listening. But not wanting to feel like she is being rude she musters up a few words after a long pause.

"Thank you for your warnings."

OOC: Can we get more information on

1. Ruby of the War Mage?
2. Whether we are assumed to be forever companions or if we need to make it happen?
3.What our current motivations are (other than going to Nightstone to learn of a ruby from Rubyheart)?
The World
GM, 33 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 18:55
  • msg #11

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Rose:
1. Ruby of the War Mage?
2. Whether we are assumed to be forever companions or if we need to make it happen?
3.What our current motivations are (other than going to Nightstone to learn of a ruby from Rubyheart)?


1. I don’t know much about this.  Joe and Dixon said their characters were interested in this, so I used it as a device to put them together.  I’ll have to research it some if it ends up being something you want to pursue, it’s not part of StoKiTh quest unless we write it in.
2. This is up to you.  The way I’ve put you together, I assume the characters would think they are just sharing the road at this point.  As players I hope you find a way to make your characters want to stick together, and I hope the coming events will lead in that direction, but it's up to you.
3. I’ve just tried to put you together at the same time and same place at this point.  The motivations I’ve given you, I tried to base on your character descriptions and backgrounds you gave, but basically you are all adventurers looking for adventure.  You should find it as soon as you reach Nightstone.  The first 10 mile leg here is just an opportunity to meet and greet.  We’ve done that I think, so we’ll move on.
The World
GM, 34 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 19:04
  • msg #12

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

After traveling for 10 miles, it is early in the evening.  The sun is going down, but it will still be light for a couple hours.  You hear the ringing of a bell. The sound grows louder as Nightstone comes into view. A river flows around the settlement, forming a moat. The village itself is contained within a wooden palisade, beyond which you see a windmill, a tall steeple, and the high-pitched rooftops of several other buildings.  Apart from the ringing of the bell, you detect no other activity in the village. The trail ends before a lowered drawbridge that spans the moat. Beyond the drawbridge, two stone watchtowers flank an open gap in the palisade. There are no guards on the towers.  You can see that the drawbridge opens up into the town square, but can’t make out any activity from where you approach.

South of the village and surrounded by the river moat is a cone-shaped, flat-topped hill on which stands a stone keep enclosed by a wooden wall. The keep, which overlooks the village, has partially collapsed. A wooden bridge that once connected the keep to the village has also partially collapsed.

The bell has not stopped ringing since you noticed it start.

(map of Nightstone has been uploaded to Game Map)
Ratt
player, 8 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 19:41
  • msg #13

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Francis sighs, I don't suppose those bells are calling the villagers to mass. He unslings his shield from his back, holding it to the ready.

He looks at the bridge between Keep and Village, Can anyone see what broke the bridge and the keep? I have heard giants throw rocks. Or maybe catapults?

He looks into the rivers to see if there is any clue to the nature of the damage.

Perception: 8 (to see anything in river and to listen for sounds of fighting in the town)
Investigation: 12 (to piece together clues about damage)
Rose
player, 5 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 20:50
  • msg #14

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Rose too looks for evidence of what has ote is happening here as we approach.

She has her shield and glaive out

10 perception
12 investigate
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Tue 15 May 2018.
The World
GM, 37 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 21:33
  • msg #15

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

A 15' section of the bridge between the keep and the village has been destroyed.  The section has been smashed rather than burned or chopped up.  The support structure under the section of destroyed bridge are also smashed.  You can see some chunks and bits of smashed debris floating and caught among the remaining support structure.  Other than the 15' smashed section the bridge looks fairly intact.

The water in the river/moat isn't all that clear, so you can't really make anything out.  It appears to be fairly deep, and is about 30' wide.  You do spot some trout swimming.

No sounds of battle, but it is hard to hear anything over the incessant ringing of the bell.

(I would prefer to give you more, and more detailed information for better rolls, and leave the piecing of clues together to you)
Rose
player, 6 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 21:43
  • msg #16

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

 where is the bell? Can we tell?
The World
GM, 38 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 22:23
  • msg #17

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

In reply to Rose (msg # 16):

The bell is in the steeple. You can see it over the pallisade swinging wildly. (#5 on the map)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Tue 15 May 2018.
Rose
player, 7 posts
Tue 15 May 2018
at 22:44
  • msg #18

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Rose starts walking ahead and then realizes what she is doing...

"Well boys, the bridge leads us right to the source off that bell. Let's check it out. Perhaps there is someone ringing it opposed to some magic."
Zip
player, 2 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 00:39
  • msg #19

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

I'll through a perception check (17)

a investigation check (16)

and an insight check (22) in for good measure

Until we hear back as to what else may have been gleaned from these new checks Zip will follow the others into town to see if we can figure out the cause of the ringing of the bell and the broken bridge

He also does the best he can to hide behind the others and stay unnoticed

stealth (14)
Morgrim
player, 3 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 02:31
  • msg #20

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

"Let's go make a good first impression."

Morgrim makes no perception checks, investigation checks or insight checks and trudges implacibly toward the drawbridge.
Ratt
player, 11 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 03:47
  • msg #21

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Ratt will follow Morgrim and the others. When we get close to 1, if we can't see anything else in the town I will lament my armor, elsewise I would climb that large tree to see what I can can see (assuming it is taller than the pallisade), before we cross the bridge.
The World
GM, 39 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 17:07
  • msg #22

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Zip:
I'll [throw] a perception check (17)
a investigation check (16)
and an insight check (22) in for good measure


I would prefer if you tell me what you are trying to perceive, investigate, or gain insight about.  I assume you mean the bell and the bridge since you mention those next.

You can see that the bell is made of bronze.  It has a pleasant full sounding and long ringing tone, but the unceasing ringing would start to grate on most.  The steeple is slender, made of wood and looks well maintained.  The steeple also contains very nice stained glass depictions of birth, the dawning sun, trees and unicorns.  You can tell it's a temple, but not what gods it is dedicated to (rolled a Religion check for you).

You can't tell anything more about the bridge without getting a closer look.

The party moves to the drawbridge.  It is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and made of sturdy oak planks. Iron chains bolted to the drawbridge connect to the nearby watchtowers.  Two watchtowers flank the entrance to the village, forming a gatehouse of sorts. No watch is posted.  (Morgrim check private messages).

You can see some of the temple from where you are.  It appears intact.  The bell ringing is quite loud from where you are now.  You can see that other buildings have been damaged.  You see a number of large boulders scattered about, that seem very out of place.  One near the southwest corner of the temple, one about 50' in from the drawbridge are the closest (you can see these on the map).

The bell continues to ring.  No other signs of life or activity (yet!).
Morgrim
player, 4 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 17:18
  • msg #23

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Morgrim grumbles <b>" This is a grim and eerie scene... There are tracks over there, someone should check those out, I'll watch the gate." Morgrim indicates to the west with his hammer and then grasping it in both hands moves across the bridge to stand under one of the towers, leaning out around it to look about the town from this new vantage point, looking for potential enemies, allies or bystanders.

Perception roll: 14
Ratt
player, 12 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 17:25
  • msg #24

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Francis nods and goes and investigates said tracks and says to Zip, Maybe you can climb up this tree or that guard tower and see if you can spot any boulder throwing giants, and if you can see anyone in the steeple.

Investigate: 6
The World
GM, 40 posts
Wed 16 May 2018
at 17:33
  • msg #25

Re: Chapter 1: A Great Upheaval

Oh, forgot to mention, the boulders are nested in small craters.

The tracks are hard to make out, but you can tell that they lead to and from the north, and they belong to different races, non giant.  The largest look like Worg.

Mogrim pokes his head around the watch tower.  In the southeast corner of the square he sees two worgs feasting on an animal carcass.  About 150' away from the drawbridge.  The wind and the bell work in your favor and the worgs do not notice you yet.
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