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12:11, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 1 - Groshdou.

Posted by New GMeneraFor group 0
New GMenera
GM, 10 posts
Wed 13 Sep 2017
at 22:03
  • msg #1

Chapter 1 - Groshdou

The city of Kaparin is currently in its lull, with most of the Redfleet out at sea on various expeditions and endeavors. The market is bereft of its usual activity, seeming to be even quieter than usual. Vendors occupy themselves with games or oddities, or simply stand at their tables and booths with their chins resting on their palms. Some have even nodded off, unconcerned with the potential of theft due to the lack of perusers and shoppers.

Kaelan Drell wanders through the street in a bit of a state of ennui, seeing nothing new at the stalls, yet still painfully reminded of the loss of his own store. While absently ambling through the market, he is greeted my Tal Masuu, a trader who had frequented his store on the regular and would keep him abreast of news from afar.

They shake hands and exchange pleasantries, then catch up on the meager crumbs of gossip each have to share.

“My friend,” Tal says as he places a hand on Kaelan’s shoulder. “I’m truly sorry to hear about the loss of the store. Kaparin, as well as many of us mercantiles, suffered a great loss that day. I know it isn’t much, but please accept this gift.” He hands him a writing instrument. “This is a pen with a very unique property. The words you write with it are not readily apparent, but only become visible at very low temperatures.

“I truly wish I could do more for you to help you get back on your feet, but perhaps there is value in a bit of information I have to share? You of course are familiar with the neighboring village of Groshdou? Well, as we passed through there on our way here from Rachar we encountered a man by the name of Mardrough, a seeker. He boasted of discovering an interesting piece of numenera which he did show me, but I could not ascertain its purpose upon sight. He is certain there are many more to be found where he obtained that piece, and he was intent on returning there within a couple of days or so. Of course, he would divulge little else about the location or the nature of this place.

“As I know you are in need of replenishing your wares and since the Redfleets are not expected to return for some time, I thought you might see an opportunity with this Mardrough fellow? Though he was not forthcoming with me, perhaps your excellent skills of persuasion and your gift for gab might prove useful in convincing him to divulge the location of his find?

“One more thing: just an FYI… the folk of Groshdou seemed to be a bit out of sorts for some reason. While they were no less hospitable than normal, they seemed on edge and a bit distracted, quite unlike their usual gregarious nature. Just thought I would give you a bit of a heads up.”


Tal Masuu visits with Kaelan a short while longer, then states he must take his leave. He bids his old friend well and leaves to join his soon departing caravan.


OOC: You may consider yourself present during this exchange or join up with Kaelan at any time from this point.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:28, Wed 13 Sept 2017.
Hurley Kosson
player, 5 posts
Clever Glaive
Who Crafts Illusions
Thu 14 Sep 2017
at 23:35
  • msg #2

Chapter 1 - Groshdou

Hurley is meandering down the street from stall to stall. He isn't really looking to buy, but he enjoys the occasional banter with the bored shop owners. His laugh is loud in response to jokes that aren't quite that funny.

He is idly perusing a grill selling a roasted root covered in a dark bean jelly when he catches sight of Kaelen Drell. The flashy merchant had made the large retractable forearm that the big warrior wears at this very moment. Hurley is just about to yell out his greeting when Kaelen is addressed by another man.

Hurley doesn't wish to intrude, so he drifts closer. Eventually, he stands only a few feet away and leans over the display of woven material at an adjacent stall. With only his face visible behind the fabric, he leans in to put an ear not-so-subtly against the cloth to hear better.

When the two men part, Hurley ignores the look from the weaver and hops off in pursuit of Kaelen.

"So, you going to Groshdou?" he asks with a complete lack of tact. He has thrust his face around in front of Kaelen to interrupt the man's journey.

"I mean, I wasn't listening, but I couldn't help overhearing.... That man talks SO friggin loudly." Hurley talks fast and loud himself, but you can feel his genuine enthusiasm. "So, you're going to go, right? I could come with you, you know. I'm armed!" he laughs and thrusts the large bracer and its synth-stone blade right under Kaelen's nose as if to prove his claim.
Kaelan Drell
player, 11 posts
a Fabulous Glint who
Crafts Unique Objects
Fri 15 Sep 2017
at 00:05
  • msg #3

Chapter 1 - Groshdou

He may not talk loudly, but his words and actions are every bit the performance, as Kaelan sweeps back long locks from in front of his face as his old friend (and perhaps rival, but it was always friendly at worst) commiserates with him, twirling the offered pen in his fingers idly as he looks it over, "In the end, it's just... things. Things can and will be replaced. Do keep an ear to the ground for me, though... see if you hear anything about the caffa that did this to me. Someone slipped me an unstable cypher. I've done my best to be fair in this city... but you know how some of them on the black docks can be..."

At the suggestion, the smile that the man was affecting finally begins to morph, taking on a more genuine representation. "And this is why we're friends, Tal. We take care of each other. I'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind. It's been an aneen's age since I last did my own delving. Might be nice to get my hands dirty once again."

As Hurley approaches, Kaelan chuckles lightly at the man's bluster. He manages to not flinch at the display so close to his neck, knowing the man means well enough, "Not listening in, were you? Lucky happenstance at its finest, then, I presume." Taking in the offer, he shrugs, "I am... and if the fates are with us, it would seem there may be some delving in the offing. But understand, if you come with, it'll be as a companion, not as a paid guard. If you heard his suggestion, then you also heard that my reservoir of shins is a mite low at the moment."
Hurley Kosson
player, 6 posts
Clever Glaive
Who Crafts Illusions
Fri 15 Sep 2017
at 05:22
  • msg #4

Chapter 1 - Groshdou

"Ha! Companions it is. I wouldn't have it any other way!" he barks. To emphasize their camaraderie, Hurley heartily thuds Kaelan on the back with a meaty hand.

"...This could make us rich, you know..." His eyes twinkle.
Esperon
player, 13 posts
Fri 15 Sep 2017
at 12:05
  • msg #5

Chapter 1 - Groshdou

"That is a refrain in the song of your life," answers a booming voice from down the street. A hulk of a man strolls toward the pair, a sack over his shoulder. Tall and burly, this human has short-cropped dark hair and brown eyes. He has, at the moment, a smirk on his face.

He walked without haste, and perhaps with some inability to make too much haste, as his ponderous frame settled into a ready stance next to the two others.

"Hello, Kaelan. What has Hurley here talked you into?"
Hurley Kosson
player, 7 posts
Clever Glaive
Who Crafts Illusions
Fri 15 Sep 2017
at 22:11
  • msg #6

Re: Chapter 1 - Groshdou

Esperon:
"Hello, Kaelan. What has Hurley here talked you into?"

"Talk him into?!?!" Hurley display mock indigence. "He is the one who convinced me!" He certainly sounds earnest.
New GMenera
GM, 15 posts
Thu 21 Sep 2017
at 00:54
  • msg #7

Re: Chapter 1 - Groshdou

After some good natured banter between yourselves, you decide to stock up on some food for the journey to Groshdou. You figured on having enough rations to last the nearly three day journey, and you managed to strike a deal of only 4 shins per person to cover the amount you'd need.

The well traveled road that runs from Kaparin to Rachar proves to be smooth to travel, crossing over some rolling hills and plains. There has been talk from traders of the occasional bandits assaulting caravans in transit, but many have hired persons-of-arms that easily dispatch such ne'er-do-wells, and attacks on the road have decreased as of late. As a result, you find your travel pleasant and uneventful.

Your party reaches Groshdou in the late afternoon of the third day. It is a small village with a population of roughly 300. From what you know of the village the people are very modest and live a simple lifestyle. Unlike its agrarian neighbors in the surrounding small towns a few days east, the citizens subsist mostly on game, as the hardened sandstone plains that extend to the ocean cliffs are inhospitable for farming. They must make a couple days’ travel with their surplus meats to trade with their more agricultural neighbors to add variety to their diet.

Merchants have mentioned that the residents of Groshdou are a very superstitious lot and view numenera with heavy suspicion. They cling tightly to mundanity and eschew change when possible. As the road between Kaparin and Rachar runs through the town, they are welcoming to strangers, especially traders that can offer interesting foods.
New GMenera
GM, 16 posts
Thu 21 Sep 2017
at 01:07
  • msg #8

Re: Chapter 1 - Groshdou

When you enter the town you spend the remainder of the afternoon seeking Mardrough based on the description provided by Tal Masuu. He described the seeker as short of statute and a bit soft for a man as active as his type would tend to be, with a distinct mechanical device in place of his right eye.

You peruse the town for a couple hours but find no one meeting that description. When you've asked the locals about where you can find a man by that name or description most are familiar with him but none can offer any help in locating him. Considering the reputation of these townfolks to be welcoming and affable they seem a bit standoffish when spoken to.

As the sun sets you decide to take to the local public house for a respite and a meal. The establishment, called Yrgan's, is all but empty save the barkeep and a sole proprietor in a dimly lit corner. Before ordering your food you ask the barkeep if he is familiar with the subject of your search. He answers almost a bit too loudly, "Sorry, I ain't familiar with anyone of that name or look. What can I get ya?"

At that point the lone customer, cloaked and hooded, attempts to discreetly slip out the entrance of the pub.
Hurley Kosson
player, 11 posts
Clever Glaive
Who Crafts Illusions
Thu 21 Sep 2017
at 23:04
  • msg #9

Re: Chapter 1 - Groshdou

"These Bubbas just aren't that helpful," Hurley comments with a grimace of disappointment. He is frustrated by the lack of cooperation and eager for a drink.

By the time they make it to Ygran's, he has all but given up. At the barman's suspicious behavior, however, he perks up. His eyes squint and he catches the movement towards the door. He gathers the particles around the door with a flourish of will and shapes them.

A sound comes from just outside the pub's door where the hooded figure seems to be fleeing. A deep voice of a man calling out threateningly, "Where's Mardrough?!?! That guy better hope I don't see him!"

(crafting a Minor Illusion of a burly, bearded glaive outside the door and the man's voice coming through into the bar.

16:13, Today: Hurley Kosson rolled 15 using 1d20.  Minor Illusion (T- deception/trickery).
)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Thu 21 Sept 2017.
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