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A Mess In Marbleton.

Posted by GMFor group archive 1
GM
GM, 8 posts
Tue 1 May 2018
at 00:58
  • msg #1

A Mess In Marbleton

The four of you have journeyed along the adamant roads to the town of Marbleton. Originally a quarry, Marbleton now exists purely because of its location along a crossroads; the town has adamant roads stretching away from it in roughly all the cardinal directions. It rests in the foothills a week south of Caverntown, and roughly in the center of the continent. While not the largest town, it sees enough money that there is a full range of basic shops run by the Merchant Guild. There are local chapters of the Wizard and Thieves Guilds, if you know the right people to ask. A small temple sells healing to the many travelers.

While you were headed in the general direction of Caverntown for work, you have heard it is a bit expensive to get started there. Marbleton is a cheaper place to look for work, and is ideal for a small group of delvers such as yourselves. Directions from the Town Watch lead you to a bustling tavern named the Plastered Pony. It is in decent shape, and the sign displaying a drunk horse boasts a fresh coat of paint.

Feel free to elaborate on any details of your group. Once everyone has made their initial post I will assume you are completely done updating your character sheets, and that you are ready to look for work! Use the rules for Finding a Quest, but since this is the first adventure you get to make Carousing and Current Affairs rolls at +4.

As a reminder: you do not need to include the actual dice rolls, just the margin of success if needed for the roll.

Siirist Reyzorwyn
Wizard, 1 post
Red Headed Wizard
SQUIRREL
Tue 1 May 2018
at 02:28
  • msg #2

A Mess In Marbleton

Once inside the Plastered Pony The Wizard decides to split off from the rest of the group to see if he can't find some work for them.

After a while he finds his efforts of partying with the locals to be less than effective due to a rather sad sized coin purse but does end up hearing of a possibility or two that he can bring back to his allies.



Carousing success by 0 at default with bonus
Current Affairs success by 7 default with bonus

Faelar Blackleaf
Urban Scout, 1 post
Tue 1 May 2018
at 02:41
  • msg #3

A Mess In Marbleton

"Alright Faelar, lets go see about some work." mutters the elf. A bit of green hair pokes out from under his hood. He didn't have much success, the other patrons uninterested in his attempts to strike up a conversation, and so he simply bought another pint and sat back at the table. "Well, that was a bust, anyone else find anything?"

fail by 3
Gorok
Barbarian, 2 posts
The Mountain
Half-Ogre Gladiator
Tue 1 May 2018
at 02:57
  • msg #4

A Mess In Marbleton

A Half-Ogre named Gorok, the former gladiator known as The Mountain, walked into The Pony. He wore a simple pair of black trousers and shoes, but no shirt, exposing his grey-green skin flecked with darker spots. His just more than shoulder-length hair was in a mixture of braids and dreadlocks, some of which were decorated with beads and shinies. Gorok stood head-heigh above the other patrons, and as most shirtless, barbaric types usually do, he drew quite a bit of attention to himself as he came in.

The gladiator sat at the bar, and started trying to make conversation with one of the patrons, hoping to score some info on any local adventuring-type jobs.

“Hey there!” he bellowed, his voice clearly half again as loud as any normal person would be. He patted the man on the back, probably a bit too hard, and said, “Anyone ‘round here hiring adventurers?”

Carousing automatic fail.
Current Affairs fail by 2.

Do'Jherak
Cleric, 1 post
Cat Folk
Hunter Cleric
Tue 1 May 2018
at 04:40
  • msg #5

A Mess In Marbleton

The cat boy is tiger striped and sharp toothed with hair dreaded and pulled back into a pony tail. His simple clothing is accented by some light scale armor that protects his torso and a cloak hanging off his left shoulder. He sets down a backpack and a bundle of spears with his companions then sets about finding a drink, and with any luck, a job.

For a Cleric the tiger-man sure knows how to have a good time. While socializing with everyone in the bar and telling great stories of hunts he participated, punctuated by thrusts off his tankard as though it were his spear, he also gathers a good deal of information about the local goings on that might lead to work opportunities. With his newfound information he returns to his friends to tell them what he learned.

Carousing - Success by 5.
Current Affairs - Critical Success!

GM
GM, 9 posts
Tue 1 May 2018
at 05:53
  • msg #6

A Mess In Marbleton

All of you except Gorok notice a lot of the customers in the tavern appear a bit "odd". One commonality seems to be an overabundance of face paint, or at least remnants, on a good percentage of the clientele.

Do'Jherak and Siirist manage to cadge a spot at the bar for a few minutes and ask the barkeep some questions about work in town. The barkeep explains that thanks to the Clown Guild's convention in town there are not many jobs floating about, and that most of the inns are full. He does confide in them, "Your large friend over there does realize that he is trying to get a mime to talk, right?"

The barkeep continues with, "I've only heard of one job in the last week or so. Lee was in here earlier trying to find a well-armed group for some task. She said she would swing by later. Go grab a table and I'll send her your way when she shows up."


[Private to Do'Jherak: For the crit, you get some more information about Lee. Lee is a Journeyman Merchant of the Stonehall family. They are a local wealthy merchant family known to run several of the roadhouses in the area. You do not get any clear info from the other patrons on what type of trouble Lee needs help with, but they all agree she is good to pay whatever she offers you.]

[Private to Do'Jherak; Siirist Reyzorwyn: Both of you hear that due to the Clown Guild the inns around town are basically full. They do suggest trying Merle's as there might be a room left.]
Lee
NPC, 1 post
Tue 1 May 2018
at 06:15
  • msg #7

A Mess In Marbleton

Lee enters the bar a little while later and the barkeep points her to your table. She is a human woman in her mid-thirties, and is dressed in practical, clean clothing. Nothing about the way she dresses suggests money, but her mannerisms seem to hint at a knowledge of business.

She walks up to the table, notes the weapons, and immediately asks, "Are you the group looking for work?"

Barely waiting for the affirmative she goes straight into her pitch, "You may call me Lee. My family runs several roadhouses in the area. My Uncle Merle just passed away yesterday and I was sent to take over his inn. I arrived to find the inn closed. Upon opening the door I discovered why: scratching noises in the cellar and a foul stench in the air. I suspect the inn has been infested by giant rats. They are quite the problem in this area thanks to Marbleton's poorly maintained sewer tunnels."

She allows you to digest this information for just a scant second before she offers, "I will pay you 8 copper per giant rat head up to a maximum of a full gold piece. I will also include room and board at the inn for a week after you have exterminated the rats. Is this agreeable to you?"

Feel free to post any conversation before Lee arrives. I just didn't want to hold up the game by not posting her dialogue.

If you wish to try and haggle, make a Merchant roll. A full gold piece is worth $400. That would take 50 giant rats to get the full price.

Faelar Blackleaf
Urban Scout, 2 posts
Wed 2 May 2018
at 02:52
  • msg #8

A Mess In Marbleton

"8 copper seems a little lite... I have arrows to pay for, and some of the others also have expenditures. I also feel that I can speak for the rest and say that if there is a maximum cap on the payment, there will be a maximum cap on the number of rats that we will kill. We don't work for free."

success by 2
Lee
NPC, 2 posts
Wed 2 May 2018
at 03:13
  • msg #9

A Mess In Marbleton

Lee curtly responds, "Your expenditures are none of my concern. I am sure a resourceful group would manage to take on giant rats without complaining about arrow loss. If you do not complete the job by clearing out the cellar you will receive no pay at all. I already gave you quite a fair offer for this extermination job."

With a slight widening of her mouth that could almost be a smile, she adds, "The inns around here charge $150 a week. How long can you afford to sit around doing nothing? If you come asking me about the job again in a week my price will not be as generous."

Success by 6. She is just a better merchant than you are.
Gorok
Barbarian, 3 posts
The Mountain
Half-Ogre Gladiator
Wed 2 May 2018
at 03:34
  • msg #10

A Mess In Marbleton

“Such a penny pincher,” said Gorok. “We’ve got nuthin’ better to do. Let’s go squash some rats.”
Do'Jherak
Cleric, 2 posts
Cat Folk
Hunter Cleric
Wed 2 May 2018
at 03:51
  • msg #11

A Mess In Marbleton

The Cat-Boy stands up and puts on his backpack, "Is there anything noteworthy about your new inn we should be aware of beforehand?"

He grabs his bundle of spears and shoulders them, pausing a moment Lee's reply, then looks at his companions, "Don't just sit there; The Hunt begins now!"

Fast Talk success 1
Siirist Reyzorwyn
Wizard, 2 posts
Red Headed Wizard
SQUIRREL
Wed 2 May 2018
at 04:20
  • msg #12

A Mess In Marbleton

"Aye, I prefer the idea of a roof over my head to sleepin' on the streets even if the pay's no so good."

The Wizard stands up and begins to walk with Lee towards the infested inn believing the matter to be settled already.

"So if your uncle passed yesterday how did this infestation get so quickly?
Was his passing possibly related to the infestation?
Is there a bounty on any other creatures we find down there that might be unwelcome or do we just worry about the rats?"




Diplomatically successful by 7
Lee
NPC, 3 posts
Wed 2 May 2018
at 05:37
  • msg #13

A Mess In Marbleton

In response to the Cat-Boy, Lee just says, "It is an excellent inn that my family wants to take good care of."

Lee waits for you to gather your things, and then escorts you to a large inn that appears to be in excellent repair. There is even an artistic sign saying "Merle's Inn". It is roughly 50' by 60' and has two floors. Most of it is built of stone, although there is some wooden trim around it that makes it stand out.

Once inside, the odor and the scratching sounds in the basement become obvious. Lee finally answers Siirist's questions, "Uncle Merle was a wizard. He was not an adventurer like you though. Normally, a wizard that has a business and stays at home would join the local chapter of the Wizard's Guild."

She grimaces for a moment and says quietly, "Uncle Merle wasn't a guild member though, much to the chagrin of my family. Apparently he locked his wizardly secrets in the basement. That is all I know. I am paying you to take care of those rats that are making that awful scratching sound in the cellar."

At the mention of the word cellar, Lee walks over to a door on the north side of the inn. [Secret to Gorok: Gorok finds it rather strange for a basement door to be made of such thick wood and to boast a heavy bar.]

Lee says, "If you want to lighten your load you can leave anything you will not need for killing rats with me. I must warn you, however, I plan to bar the door behind you once you go down. I do not want giant rats coming up into the inn - they are strong enough to push doors open. If you want out all you need do is knock and I will come remove the bar."
Gorok
Barbarian, 4 posts
The Mountain
Half-Ogre Gladiator
Wed 2 May 2018
at 11:40
  • msg #14

A Mess In Marbleton

“Thanks, but I’ll hang on to my stuff,” said Gorok, sliding his shield onto his arm and hefting his morningstar. “Don’t die while we’re down there. Otherwise we can’t get paid.”

He stretched a bit, working his shoulders in circular motions and cracking his neck side to side.

“Alright, I’m ready,” he said. “Whose got our light?
Siirist Reyzorwyn
Wizard, 4 posts
Red Headed Wizard
SQUIRREL
Wed 2 May 2018
at 15:27
  • msg #15

A Mess In Marbleton

"You do" is all The Wizard says to Gorok before his spell is cast lighting up Gorok's morning-star head.

The Wizard then casts a weaker version of the same spell upon his canteen before sliding the canteen under his shirt.

Sitting down to rest and recover his energy before they go down The Wizard reengages Lee in conversation.

"So what kind of wizard was your uncle? What was his focus and why didn't he want to join the guild?"

Success on all
Sunlight on morning-star for 7 days
torchlight on canteen for 10
CRIT torchlight on Spear for 6 days
Moonlight on Javelins for 9 and 6 days
CRIT Moonlight on Javelin for 11 days
Moonlight on 5 arrows
1 arrow moonlight was an automatic failure, not crit.

6 minutes of recovery time to recover all my mana is needed.



HP: 10/10     Energy: FP 8/11, ER 0/3, PI 6/6     Status: Continual Light(Torch) on Canteen (10 days from rat start)     Spells On:0
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Wed 02 May 2018.
Lee
NPC, 4 posts
Wed 2 May 2018
at 20:09
  • msg #16

A Mess In Marbleton

Lee just responds with, "I have already told you all I know about my Uncle. I did not particularly enjoy spending time around him."

Assuming that you have everything sorted that you need to, Lee opens up the cellar door. The bar is quite heavy and takes her a few seconds to remove and place aside. You all file through, and then she carefully closes the door. You hear the muffled rasp of the bar being placed back on the door.

On the other side of the door you find the cellar to be quite dark. It appears to have the same floor plan as the rest of the inn, and is really deep. It is a 12' drop over the stairs to the floor beneath. The stairs lead along the north wall to the northeastern corner, where they hit a landing and then continue along the east wall to the floor. You can see one of the stone pillars supporting the inn, but beyond that your light does not illuminate.

Everyone except Gorok notices all of the floor is matted with layers upon layers of dense spider webs. They are so dense, in fact, that avoidance is impossible. You would near to clear them out somehow to proceed forward. Only the stairs are web-free. Oddly, all the scratching noises that you could hear in the inn have stopped.

See the game map if you want a picture of the situation.

A Naturalist roll or similar would help identify the webs. You can try wading in, or something else. What would you like to do?

Siirist Reyzorwyn
Wizard, 5 posts
Red Headed Wizard
SQUIRREL
Wed 2 May 2018
at 20:25
  • msg #17

A Mess In Marbleton

"For someone who spent most of his time in this cellar Lee's uncle sure didn't keep things very clean did he?"

The Wizard casts something on himself and then creates a focused heat source on the cobwebs a few yards away from the stairs hoping to cause them to burn away.




Casting Mage Sight on Self is successful
Assuming mage sight shows nothing additional
Casting Ignite fire at torch power is successful


HP: 10/10     Energy: FP 11/11, ER 2/3, PI 6/6     Status: Mage Sight and Continual Light(Torch) on Canteen (10 days from rat start)     Spells On:0
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Wed 02 May 2018.
Do'Jherak
Cleric, 6 posts
Cat Folk
Hunter Cleric
Wed 2 May 2018
at 21:10
  • msg #18

A Mess In Marbleton

The Hunter Cleric kneels down and takes up a handful of the web in his hand getting the feel for it and smells it before tossing it aside, grabbing his javelin and standing back up in the lead while wrapping his cloak around his left arm. He ponders the web holding his position before the mass of webs, "This one thinks the job might not be exactly as advertised..."

CRIT on Naturalist roll
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Thu 03 May 2018.
Faelar Blackleaf
Urban Scout, 3 posts
Thu 3 May 2018
at 00:50
  • msg #19

A Mess In Marbleton

Faelar grumbled to himself, still unhappy about the job. But the rest of the group wanted to job, and it was better than nothing. It would probably be a super easy job anyways.

"As advertised or not, We need to find out what we are dealing with before we try to renegotiate the pay. Lets look around and kill something."

Faelar readies his bow with an arrow
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Thu 03 May 2018.
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