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20:32, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 1-B: Targos (The Luskan Arms)

Posted by DM BearsFor group 0
DM Bears
GM, 481 posts
Fri 2 Jul 2021
at 11:44
  • msg #1

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Notice: This thread follows from msg #420 in Chapter 1 - Part 1. Events after continue in the branching thread Moyrah's Home from msg #14.


Hlin sat down in a chair with, lamenting the simple action that was so taxing on her beaten body. "Someone fetch me the those bandages," she said, waving a hand to the table where Ethen had laid out whatever medical supplies she had in storage for emergencies. Thorben concurred. He hadn't suffered any wounds himself, and was just glad he could be of help. Dannika, too, tried to be of as much help as she could. "No, I'm fine on my own, thank you very much," Hlin said when Ethen stepped over to give her a hand in removing her fleece over-clothing. Ethen instead set to busying herself preparing herbal tea that could perhaps serve to alleviate the pain.

No later did Rhydd enter with Torgrim behind him. A rat squirmed across the floor by their feet and out into the cold. It wouldn't be long before it regretted its decision, undoubtedly. It might have had nooks and crevices to get back in again.

"Good to see that some of you have your senses intact," Hlin said after she'd finally managed to pry off the fleece. Her shirt beneath was stained with blood. She poked a hole through a ripped section, feeling the gnarled wound beneath. "Ah. Nothing too serious. Thorok. Good. Good . . . When you get old, it gets harder to shake things off. Even for us Dwarves!" She then chuckled, but the wounds stung so she quickly stopped.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Tue 27 July 2021.
Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 210 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Fri 2 Jul 2021
at 16:55
  • msg #2

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Rhydd pushed the hood of his heavy bear-fur winter coat back from his head, and stepped over to a corner of the room. There he took a moment to brush the snow from the shoulders of his coat, then shrugged his shoulders out of the overcoat and draped it across a chair.

He gave Hiln the others in the room a smile as he stepped over to the fire and warmed his fingers. "My fingers and toes feel it first, it seems," he muttered to no one in particular.

The archer gave the seated Dwarf an appraising look, and nodded to her after she had spoken. "And I am glad to see you up and moving on your own power."

"I have heard of Ice Trolls, of course, but I have generally had the good fortune not to have to get too close to them."


After a short pause, he pulled his hands back from the fire and rubbed them together, massaging his fingers as he did so. "Much better."

"That was very brave of you and Farwalker to go toe-to-toe with those Trolls,"
he remarked, turning back to face Hiln.

"It would have been brutal if they had a clear path to get to the militia-men."

"Although,"
he added after a moment, "now that I think on it, I would have paid good coin to see them tear that lackwit Skath limb from limb."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:05, Fri 02 July 2021.
DM Bears
GM, 484 posts
Fri 2 Jul 2021
at 21:10
  • msg #3

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

The old Dwarf nodded in agreement with Rhydd's last comment. It might even have elicited another chuckle, had she not thought a certain justice accompanied the macabre imagery. "And better yet for that pest Naerth to have stood with him . . . but don't thank me. It was your Goliath friend who kept them at bay — I could barely remain upright after even a single blow." She sighed as she stretched to bind her wounds. "I'm not the mighty warrior I once was, woe, I am not. You should have seen me in my prime! I would've made swift work of those Trolls alone with an arm behind my back and both eyes closed! Chopped them to pieces. But though I am no longer that Dwarf, to experience the fray once more . . . I haven't felt like this in The All-Father knows how long. Even if this was the last. Even if this was the last . . ." Her gaze grew distant, and she smiled as only someone old reminiscing about times past could. "You don't know how much I would give to be with my Battle Sisters again."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:12, Fri 02 July 2021.
Torgrim Squallborn
Rogue, 45 posts
AC:13 HP:33/24 Init: +2
PPer:11; PIns:13; PInv:11
Sat 3 Jul 2021
at 01:46
  • msg #4

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

After brushing off what snow had found its way onto his person Torgrim strode towards the bar of the Luskan Arms, arms extended triumphantly to the sides. "Hello again, Ethen my dear! Just had to pop out for a spell, take care of some trolls, nothing to break a sweat over."

"I will take another ale for myself, and one for Mister Maldhon, the master archer." He leaned onto the bar with one hand, and gestured towards the fireplace with the other. "And I'll have three of whatever the dwarf drinks. I'd say she's earned it after a performance like that, wouldn't you agree? He shot Ethen a sympathetic smile. She seemed to have some prior dealings with the dwarf, so perhaps she could be persuaded to offer the drinks free of charge. Torgrim had, despite his charitable demeanor, no vast fortune to speak of after all.

Regardless of who paid for the refreshments, Torgrim soon wandered over to the fireplace and handed out the drinks to Rhydd and Hiln. "Here's to another day in the land of the living"He raised the flagon slightly before taking a hearty gulp.
DM Bears
GM, 488 posts
Sat 3 Jul 2021
at 11:26
  • msg #5

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Hlin nodded. "Aye. After the battle come drinks." Ethen poured some stout ale from a barrel. Hlin drank the tea Ethen had brewed as well, but more so just to be polite — she didn't believe in whatever herbal hokum Ethen subscribed to.

"Where is Mallory? And Farwalker?" Dannika asked. She had expected them to enter in behind Rhydd and Torgrim, but no-one came. She was fearing the worst, and wondered how everyone could act so jolly in circumstances like these.
Torgrim Squallborn
Rogue, 46 posts
AC:13 HP:33/24 Init: +2
PPer:11; PIns:13; PInv:11
Sat 3 Jul 2021
at 12:27
  • msg #6

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Safe, and nearly unscathed" Torgrim reassured the nervous half-elf. "Off for a debrief with the speaker and the captain, for which Mister Maldhon and I were seemingly unwanted. I'm certain they'll be with us shortly." A white lie. One could never be more than 90% certain on anything when dealing with the Zhentarim or any others in their line of work Torgrim had found. Yet, there was no need to worry the mousy scholar with all the brutal truths of the world.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure yet, by the way" He extended the hand not currently holding the flagon towards Dannika. "I'm Torgrim, and if you need some pointers on how to treat that viola of yours, I'm the half-elf for the job.".
This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Sat 03 July 2021.
Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 211 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Sat 3 Jul 2021
at 16:48
  • msg #7

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Rhydd was happy to let Torgrim answer Dannika's inquiries. The Half-Elf had a blustery "Hail-Fellow-Well-Met" air about him and seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice, and it suited the archer just fine to stay quiet and let Torgrim ramble on.

He accepted a flagon of ale from Ethen with a nod, and gave her a coin to pay for it. Putting his back to the bar, he rested his elbows upon it.

Standing silent and moving only his eyes, 'twas easy to imagine him in his guise of a hunter.
DM Bears
GM, 489 posts
Sat 3 Jul 2021
at 21:26
  • msg #8

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Dannika . . . of Callid- of Candlekeep" the nervous half-elf answered skeptically, but shook the strange – and somewhat eerie, if she was being honest – man's hand none-the-less. Torgrim. A half-elf like herself, she was fairly certain, judging by his ears and coarse facial features. She'd spotted it the first time she saw him – he'd been in The Luskan Arms prior to the the Trolls showing up, and he'd taken one of the bottles of Alchemist's Fires with him. "You doused the Trolls in fire, correct? They have a penchant to get up if they aren't."

Hlin took a swig of her ale. It did not have quite the same kick to it as the mead served in The Mead Hall, but it was more than drinkable. And if it wasn't, she'd drink it regardless. She fell silent alongside Rhydd as she stared at the embers. Her wounds stung, aye, but that was quite alright. "I am no Harper," she broke the silence, "but I am in need of assistance."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:28, Sat 03 July 2021.
Torgrim Squallborn
Rogue, 47 posts
AC:13 HP:33/24 Init: +2
PPer:11; PIns:13; PInv:11
Sun 4 Jul 2021
at 00:23
  • msg #9

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Despite Torgrim's best attempts to appear otherwise, Dannika's glance said it all. He looked as he felt; like shit. Today's exhilarating encounters with the beast of the lake and the frost trolls had given him a boost of energy, but the effect of his nearly sleepless nights were slowly catching up with him. His overly cheerful demeanor was a last ditch effort to give off the impression of a functional member of society, with varying success. He decided to do what he usually did; ignore it and double down.

"Indeed we did! Between lady Mallory's magics and your invaluable alchemical assistance, the trolls stood little chance." Torgrim didn't feel the need to specify that Dannika's bottle had ended up missing the trolls entirely, and that both trolls had ended up ignited by arcane means.
Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 212 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Sun 4 Jul 2021
at 16:42
  • msg #10

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Rhydd had been glancing around the common room, his back against the bar, where he was resting his elbows. His head whipped around in surprise when Hiln spoke, and he turned his attention to the Dwarf.

Hiln had already told him that she was not a Harper when he had previously come right out and asked her, so her denial was not surprising to him. But her asking for aid was. Most Dwarves that Rhydd had ever met tended towards the proud, stiff-necked variety, and Hiln had struck him the same way. Truth be told, Rhydd knew that he himself sometimes struck others that way -- not that he cared one way or the other what others thought of him. But given his own mind-set, it occurred to him that it must have taken a lot for Hiln be able to bring herself to come right out and ask for help, instead of handling whatever it was by herself.

He shifted his stance so that he was facing Hiln, and his back was to Torgrim and Dannika. His intent was to block the male Half-Elf's view -- he knew that some people could read lips, and it was easier for Hiln and him to keep their voices low even if Torgrim did not have that ability.

"I don't trust him," he said quietly. "He was falling all over himself to kiss Skath's arse, earlier."

After a short pause, he asked "How can I help?"

It was indicative of Rhydd's high regard for the Dwarf that he asked that question before being told what the problem was.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Sun 04 July 2021.
DM Bears
GM, 496 posts
Sun 4 Jul 2021
at 17:59
  • msg #11

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"I am glad," Dannika smiled. "I am curious what Miss Mallory wishes to do with the heart – if the town lets her at all keep it."

Hlin listened to what Rhydd had to say, then she got up from her stool – carefully, so as not to strain her wounds – and departed the conversation. She returned a brief minute later with her pipe and pipeweed. "That man is troubled is all," she said while she proceeded to light her pipe, referring to Torgrim. She took a puff and shrugged. "but troubled men often turn wicked." After a few more puffs she continued. There wasn't any reason to hurry. "The man who killed . . . Herve," she took another few seconds to recall the name, "is named Sephek Kaltro. He's been busy in Easthaven, killing everyone who's kept their names out of the drawings." She wearily blew nose out of her nostrils. "Until he ran out of people to kill."

Hlin Insight into Torgrim's character [19]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:43, Mon 05 July 2021.
Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 214 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Mon 5 Jul 2021
at 19:47
  • msg #12

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

In reply to DM Bears (msg # 11):

Rhydd pursed his lips thoughtfully. "If he is the one I am thinking of, I knew the man -- but not his name -- from several years ago, when he used to work for Torg's Trading Coster."

"He was over in the Three Flags just last evening, and after he rushed out Lady Mallory conjured up a phantasmal image of him that was so accurate that I easily recalled the man -- although not his name."

"The man I am thinking of worked as an enforcer and general muscle for the coster. He struck me as being a Reghedman, one who did not shy away from getting his hands dirty doing dark deeds."


After a short pause, the huntsman added "And this . . . Sephek Kaltro . . . has been going around killing people, you say? Well, by that I mean people who probably don't deserve it -- some do, as you well know."

"Has someone put him up to it, do you suppose, or it this Kaltro's nature do do such things unbidden?"

This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Mon 05 July 2021.
DM Bears
GM, 508 posts
Mon 5 Jul 2021
at 21:10
  • msg #13

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Between Trolls and the Plesiosauruses, I must say this has been a rather eventful day. I hadn't expected this when I set out from Candlekeep. Oh, thank you," Dannika said to Torgrim as she humbly accepted the cup of tea Ethen had poured, all the while remaining blissfully unaware of the conversation that took place a few paces over.* "No Chwingas in sight, however. I reckon I would need that lesson at some point. After I buy a new bow." She mumbled the last part. "Apparently, there's nothing magical about the music. It just has to . . . not . . . sound like . . . what I was playing." A small wince overcame her when she recalled her earlier practice session. "Was it really that bad? Do you think there's any hope for me? I don't need to be a virtuoso, I just need to play well enough to pique the ears of little, mischievous elemental spirits." She sipped the warm herbal tea. From the way it smelled to Torgrim, it must have tasted quite pleasant. "Chwingas don't have ears, of course, at least not in the traditional sense – they're mostly made of straw or weeds or whatever the climate would dictate. Peculiar, really, when you consider . . ." Dannika launched into what Torgrim would soon realize was a lengthy ramble on her favorite topic.

Puff, smoke. Hlin tilted an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Rhydd as the fireplace continued to crackle. "You're familiar with the man? You surprise me again. I, too, had the misfortune to come to know him through Torg. Know him," she corrected herself, "I know of him. But he did strike me as the company Torg would find herself in . . ." Another pause – the conversation was equal parts silence and talk. "Torg's is no more, neither coster nor Dwarf. Or rather, the Dwarf is rotting away in a beaten old cot in Easthaven, half her wits about her, if that.

"She's dealt with Black Robes before, and it might be that Kaltro donned it himself after there was no more work for him in the caravan . . . although, who he is beholden to presently I do not know. He has acquired some strange powers. Whether through orders or not, the killings are not haphazard. Targos is one of the three towns that elected to sacrifice people instead of food and warmth," she chortled, lips still wrapped around the mouthpiece. She found the entire thing farcical, whether it be people, corn, or under flannels. "My guess is that Kaltro aspires to some higher purpose, or whatever it would be, and that he's doing The Frostmaiden's dirty work for her."


Torgrim, I think it's fair to give you a chance to roll to see if you can overhear what Rhydd and Hlin are talking about. Roll me a Perception check. Scratch that, you can have Torgrim overhear what what you want him to overhear.

EDIT: Some minor cleanup . . .

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Mon 05 July 2021.
Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 216 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Tue 6 Jul 2021
at 16:26
  • msg #14

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Sounds like Kaltro needs to be put down," Rhydd muttered after Hiln had spoken her piece, "especially if he is acting as a cat's-paw for the Frost Maiden".

"Obviously, since this is the first I've heard about what he's been up to, I've given it no thought -- but do you have any ideas about how to go about doing that?"

"I suppose,"
he continued, "we could try and lay some sort of a trap for him, but I've got no idea as to where -- or whom -- he will strike next. Have you been able to spot any sort of a pattern to his goings-on?"
DM Bears
GM, 515 posts
Tue 6 Jul 2021
at 18:08
  • msg #15

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Hlin nodded at a lot of what Rhydd said. "Mmh. Easthaven's killed aplenty," she responded to his last question, "and Kaltro killed those who cheated the game. Targos, as far as I can tell, doesn't have a problem with people finding ways to keep their names off the list. Either that, or Kaltro doesn't have access to said list yet. But Herve should have hung yesterday, and he didn't. Perhaps he found that reason enough to kill the man.

"Lonelywood hasn't killed anyone, despite their promises at the last Speakers' Council." Hlin paused. "Only one's with an ounce of decency intact, I say . . ."

A piece of ash drifted, and Hlin followed it with her eyes. "Here you have to sit and listen to the ramblings of a tired old Dwarf . . . enough about this. You probably have your own needs to tend to. Could I ask you where you're headed? You've only recently arrived in Targos, from what I've gathered, entirely by accident . . ."
Torgrim Squallborn
Rogue, 48 posts
AC:13 HP:33/24 Init: +2
PPer:11; PIns:13; PInv:11
Tue 6 Jul 2021
at 23:57
  • msg #16

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Certainly! I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to at least play a simple little tune after a little practice and guidance. I favor the lute myself, so there are limitations to my tutelage, but at the end of the day, a string is a string." For the first time in a long while, Torgrim's enthusiasm was genuine. Meeting someone with anything beyond a fleeting interest in music was rare enough in the Dale, and especially in Targos. His interest did not extend to whatever a Chwinga was, however. While the Scholar held her impromptu lecture on the topic, Torgrim nodded along courteously without really taking in her words fully.

Soon, his attention was stolen away by what little he could pick up of the conversation going on behind him:

"Sephek Kaltro ... going around killing people..."
"You're familiar ... know him through Torg ... rotting away ... Easthaven ... she's dealt with Black Robes before ... three towns that elected to sacrifice people ... Frostmaiden's dirty work ..."
"Chwingas don't have ears, of course, at least not in the traditional sense"
"some sort of a trap ... got no idea as to where ..."
"killed those who cheated the game ... Herve should have hung yesterday, and he didn't ..."


OOC: Have Torgrim heard anything about Sephek Kaltro, Torg or "Black Robes"?
DM Bears
GM, 517 posts
Wed 7 Jul 2021
at 10:45
  • msg #17

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)


Torgrim's History check on Torg's Trading Coster, Sephek Kaltro, and The Zhentarim (w/ Advantage due to background) [14]: Torg's had been a common name in the underbellies of Ten Towns a couple of years prior. They dealt in wares otherwise hard to acquire. Some magical.

Sephek Kaltro, a tall and broad Reghed man, was Torg's primary bodyguard. When the coster went defunct, he picked up the odd job, and wasn't shy about dirtying his hands when in Easthaven. Brasn was fond of him and had tried to recruit him into The Geese on several occasions. Each time, the man insisted on working for only himself.

Torgrim had no clue what his connection to The Black Network was. If he indeed was in liege with them, they'd managed what The Geese could not. But it was hard to tell – they'd only recently turned their attention to Icewind Dale, and they typically held their cards close to chest. The only thing Torgrim knew was that Brasn was not a fan of them trespassing on his turf.

Rhydd Maldhon
Fighter, 217 posts
AC:15; HP:28/28; Init:+3
PPer:14; PIns:12; PInv:10
Wed 7 Jul 2021
at 15:39
  • msg #18

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

In reply to DM Bears (msg # 15):

Rhydd grunted at Hiln's labeling his presence in Targos as an "accident".

"That's putting lipstick on a pig," he muttered. "Our lackwit of a guide got himself turned around, and whilst he was attempting to find his arse with both hands, we ended up here. I was originally bound for Bryn Shander."

The hunter shrugged. "But, here I am. 'Tis better than hunkering down in an ice cave somewhere out on the tundra whilst  trying to last out this winter storm that never seems to end."
DM Bears
GM, 519 posts
Wed 7 Jul 2021
at 16:15
  • msg #19

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

". . . you see, Chwingas are exceptionally hard to track down, but there was this Tiefling scholar who figured out something ingenious – with a bit of mud from Chult, she . . ." It didn't register to Dannika that Torgrim was only half-way paying attention.

"Bryn Shander," Hlin said, still smoking her pipe. It helped dull the throbbing more so than the tea, if only from the familiarity. "There's work in Bryn Shander. Some lucrative. Not enough pluck from the notice boards these days. Goblin trouble, last I heard. Though, I doubt our murderous common acquaintance is traveling to Bryn Shander anytime soon. He must've traveled through there to get from Easthaven to Targos." She shrugged. "Unless he took the long way 'round."
Torgrim Squallborn
Rogue, 50 posts
AC:13 HP:33/24 Init: +2
PPer:11; PIns:13; PInv:11
Thu 8 Jul 2021
at 08:55
  • msg #20

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

Sephek Kaltro. Torgrim hadn't heard the name since back when trodding around in the dirty slush covering the streets of Easthaven. A bit to brazen in his methods for his taste, Torgrim had been relieved when Brasns recruitment efforts had fallen through. Nothing good could come from a lone wolf like Kaltro finding some zealous purpose in the grotesque whims of a cruel goddess, Torgrim thought.

"but there was this Tiefling scholar who figured out something ingenious – with a bit of mud from Chult, she-" "I see, I see." He didn't, but that didn't stop Torgrim from attempting to steer the conversation away from fun facts about fairies and sprites. "But how is your search going? Any planned excursions to anywhere in particular? Unless they're hiding away in the cellar I can't imagine coming upon a Chawinga from the comfort of the Arms."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:17, Thu 08 July 2021.
DM Bears
GM, 522 posts
Thu 8 Jul 2021
at 13:02
  • msg #21

The Luskan Arms (Inn in Targos)

"Chwingas." Dannika corrected Torgrim. "And yes, I haven't set out from Candlekeep without any schemes or plans of attack – that would be silly, if not outright foolish. They're the key to absolving this land of the everlasting winter. Toril turns in mysterious ways, so one simply has to unravel the mysteries. And Chwingas are, as it stands, mostly a mystery, but it is written that they have a certain control of the weather. I was originally bound for Bryn Shander, and I have these lanterns, one of which I've given to-" she went for her satchel, but the door swung open. "Mallory! Thank The Earthmother! Tell me everything about the Trolls! Did you salvage anything? Hairs? Eyes? Teeth? Fingernails?"

Farwalker ducked underneath the header behind the wizard in red.

OOC: That's all I had time for now, I'll post for Moyrah later this evening.
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