This 2E Dragonlance game is set in the city of Haven, during the War of the Lance. Haven is a city undergoing great upheaval. First massive numbers of refugees pour in, then the city is conquered by a draconic army. Can our heroes survive under this dark occupation?
Gregeddin and Tulbas (River Way, Harbor District)
"Honestly, I'm not sure if going after a giant is less or more suicidal than challenging Darewind," Magnus admits. "But if you're going, I will go, as well. I have spells of defense to protect you, should anything go wrong."
Tulbas wrote:"How long and how well do you know Raetmal?"
"We first met five years ago, after he was banished from Silvanesti," Magnus answers. "In the Tower of Wayreth. We have worked together a few times since then, but I haven't seen him much since he moved here to Haven."
"In any case, we should get off the streets before Darewind's followers track us down," he adds.
Darga nods in agreement. "It'll be dangerous, fer sure. But it won't be as dangerous as goin' up against a giant, an' we won't be helpin' th' cult." He laughs, but with little mirth. "Th' thieves' guild bein' th' better group ta help! Strange times, I s'pose..."
"Well, I guess, before I go home, I can try to recruit someone to help us out," Kendra says. "So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning then?" she asks.
Gregeddin and Tulbas (River Way, Harbor District)
"Unless your uncle wakes up and this becomes public knowledge, I don't believe Darewind will go after him. You are his current target," Magnus says. "Although if he should try and go after Raetmal, I don't see what an untested, if talented, apprentice could possibly do to stop him."
Encouraged by Magnus opinion, and knowing that if he goes to stop the giant, Magnus will come too, which will assure him he is not trying to murder Raetmal, Tulbas answers, "Thank you for words of wisdom. I'll consider it this evening. Currently I'm inclined to go and stop the giant. Good night then." He slightly bows to Magnus but doesn't lower his eyes, then looks at Gregeddin and after a short nod starts walking back to the house, trying to keep unnoticed as much as possible.
"We shall meet in the morning" Gregeddin concurs, and departs with Tulbas.
As the pair wander down the streets, Gregeddin asks the elf, "has that settled your mind, or are there even more thoughts now?" offering a wry smile to accompany the question.
Darga smiles and nods at Kendra's suggestion. "If'n we're gonna do some hard work tomorrow, then don' stay out too late. Do what ya have ta do, an' I'll stay 'round here 'til th' elf lad comes back." Before she can reach the door, though, Darga calls out to her in sudden remembrance. "T'morrow...d'ya wanna meet here, or is there a better place fer ya?"
Tulbas concern lifts for a moment when he answers Gregeddin, "Yes, it does settle it somewhat, but still Magnus is untrustworthy. Raetmal need be watched. In any case, let's meet with the others again and see if there is any progress planning for tomorrow."
When they get back to the shop and see only Darga there Tulbas asks, "Hmm... Haaque didn't return with the huntsman yet?"
Haahqae puts on his show for the customers of the Steel Tankard, gets his meal and then retires early as he has a big day tomorrow.
Kendra heads home and gets some rest.
Gregeddin escorts Tulbas back to the mageware shop, then picks up some dinner for his folks before returning home. After dinner, he packs his armor away and mends his singed cloak. He puts most of his coin away, but grabs the great helm.
Darga waits for Tulbas to return. He then tells the young mage that Marvin has agreed to watch Raetmal, although the old herbalist has concerns about his safety in doing so. He mentions that he and Kendra are going to help the thieves' guild instead of fighting the giant. He then heads home for the night.
After Gregeddin takes Tulbas home, he speaks with Darga about Mad Marvin. Once everyone leaves, Tulbas is left to ponder whether he wants to go with Gregeddin and Haahqae to fight the giant, go with Kendra and Darga to the sewers, or remain where he is. Should he leave Raetmal alone or ask Marvin to watch him or remain there with him? How simple things had been just a few days ago. Now his whole life was in turmoil. He realized that whatever choice he made might have far-reaching consequences on the future.
* * * * *
The following morning is a cold one. Due to a sudden cold snap, the temperature sharply drops to just below freezing. Frost appears on windows and on the streets--a clear indication that the upcoming winter will not be a mild one.
Kendra and Darga (Outside the Grinning Goat Tavern, Merchant District)
Kendra and Darga head to the Grinning Goat Tavern that morning where Crystal waits for them. The place is closed up for now; it usually doesn't open until later in the day, so Crystal stands outside, leaning against the building. She's bundled up in her cloak and drinking from a bottle, looking annoyed. When the two approach, she stands up and finishes the drink, then tosses the bottle onto the ground. "Morning to you...this a friend of yours?" she asks, glancing down at Darga. "Damn cold. Wish I could afford to go to Nordmaar every winter. Or maybe a nice tropical island," she adds, rubbing her arms for warmth.
Haahqae and Gregeddin (Near the Main Gate)
Haahqae and Gregeddin both get up early that cold autumn morning and head to the main gate. There, by the exit of the city, several people await them. Ismene is bundled up for the cold, all in red, with her familiar curled up around her legs. Miriam stands stoically in her shining armor; if the cold bothers her, she refuses to acknowledge it. Raena is there, looking up at the sky ponderously. Burzan looks irritated, either by the cold or the early morn, or something else entirely. Jaymes arrives a few moments later, looking among the group with a mix of surprise and worry.
Mateo and Zoya are present as well, looking very much out of place among the others. They both appear a bit intimidated by the others and keep a fair distance.
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(OOC: Spellcasters, let me know if you want new spells today.)
Kendra regains 1 HP. Her condition improves from seriously wounded to moderately wounded. Gregeddin is now about 15 lbs in light encumbrance. Darga regains 1 HP.
It is now Autumn Harvest 20th at Second Watch (8 AM). This means it has now exactly been one week since the game first started.
I'll leave it to BishGada to decide where he is going to go. He can show up for one or the other, or just stay home. Up to him.)
When Darga tells Tulbas that Mad Marvin agreed to watch over Raetmal, Tulbas deeply relieved. He thanks Darga and tells him he will go tomorrow with the others to stop the giant, wishes him and Kendra good luck with the sewers and suggest they will meet in few days in the mageware shop to update each other.
After Darga leaves Tulbas quickly goes to Mad Marvin and thanks him for the help he offers. He then explains he will be away for few days and asks Marvin to stay at the mageware shop while he is gone. He offers that both Marvin and his wife can stay if they want, and asks them to keep the mageware locked behind them. "Darewind is after me, so probably nothing will happen, but if anything does,don't endanger yourself, just flee and take Raetmal with you. I honestly believe that if you just stay low, no one will attempt to do anything to the shop as they fear it."
At the evening Tulbas write a note to Raetmal in case he will wake up, 'Dear uncle,
Things have gone somewhat complicated,
I think keeping a distance from the shop for a while will be better for everyone.
I hope you get better. I put you in Marvin's trusted hands as he was our only true friend for so long.
Don't you worry, probably we will meet soon again, but if not I thank you from the depth of my heart for all you have done to me.
You were a great teacher and anything one can want from a family member.
I love you and cherish your influence over me,
Tulbas.'
Then he attends to Raetmal needs, show Marvin the windows and exits of the house in case he needs them, where he keeps the supplies and clean sheets.
This night he sleeps next to his uncle.
In the morning he quickly says his farewells, grabs a quick breakfast, squeezes firmly Raetmal's hand and goes to the main gate.
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(OOC: Tulbas learns Light, Shield, Grease x 2, he is still under 'Armor' effect.
BTW, can a spell be dispelled by the mage who cast it at will? Specifically the Grease spell?)
"Crystal, is this Darga," Kendra says, motioning to the gully dwarf for a moment. "And Darga, this is Crystal." She then motions to the thief. "He is pretty much my help for the sewers, and I was wondering if it was possible if we could recruit you to go with us as well," she suggested. "You are a member of the the guild," she pointed out. "So, something like this might win you some points with the guild."
Gregeddin makes his way roughly to the centre of where everyone is gathered and beckons, "Come on over everyone, gather round close." Taking a quick scan of the faces before him he concludes, "All right almost all of us are here, so take a moment to cover the formalities, were out her trusting one another with our lives so no need to be bashful. "
The bard silently curses himself when he realises Kendra isn't coming, the Great Helm was making his pack a tad heavier than usual. But the momentary lack of Tulbas and Magnus was a little more concerning. Maybe reading their spells was taking longer today, but he was sure they said they would turn up.
"You've all met me, Gregeddin, before, and most have Haahqae. And Jaymes here is the one who brought this tragic plight to our attention in the first place and is our tracker for the Giant."
Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Near the Main Gate, Market District)
Jaymes nods to the others at the introduction. "This is...quite a team you've assembled," he comments.
It's around this point that Tulbas arrives. Magnus arrives mere moments later. Jaymes looks quite unsettled to see the Black Robed Wizard; the rest of the party also displays various degrees of anxiety. "Surely we can do this without sorcery," Jaymes asks. "In my experience, magic always makes things worse, not better."
Magnus appears amused by the statement. "No need to fret. Magic can be quite useful. Perhaps I could conjure you a bath. You clearly have not had one in months."
Jaymes scowls, but does not reply.
Kendra and Darga (Outside the Grinning Goat Tavern, Market District)
Crystal laughs. "'Points' won't do me any good if I'm dead. Everyone we've sent down there has disappeared without a trace. What guarantee is there I won't as well?"
"Sewers? Certain death? That sounds fun!" a voice says from above. Crystal quickly grabs one of her daggers, but she relaxes upon seeing the speaker. Up on the roof of the tavern is a kender. Kendra recognizes him as the same kender who rescued her during the riot. Likewise, Darga recognizes him as the same kender he met the day he was robbed.
The kender climbs down from the roof and joins them. He is wearing a little suit of chain mail that seems to have been forged for someone of his size. Instead of wearing a coif on his head, though, he's wearing a little white cap with fox ears on it. There's a long sword on his back, and he's carrying some kind of strange weapon that looks like a bow but has blades on it. "Hello, I remember you," he says to Darga and Kendra. "Remember me? I'm Pen. Sounds like you're going on an adventure. I'm all about adventures. They're kind of my thing. I'm a Hero in training, you see."
"Then, I guess I'll have to put myself in harms way to make sure you are protected," Kendra says before she turns her attention to the kender. "I remember you. Hero in training? How can you be a hero in training? There is a training for heroes?"
