story thread Scarlet Citadel: Redtower

bwatford · May 2, 2022

Scarlet Citadel

Redtower

Some dungeons are dug out with precision by massive hordes of undead workers or tribes of goblins, built in great chaos and energy to the plan of some cunning mind. The Scarlet Citadel is more of a peculiar growth of layer upon layer of tunnels, defensive halls, hidden crypts and labs, and many secrets buried deep below the surface.

Human settlement of the White Forest started modestly indeed at the nearby river village of Redtower. However, over time, both the village and the castle deeper in the woods became a site of importance to dungeoneers, arcane seekers, geomancers, and a certain breed of dwarven mystic.

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Redtower
Magdar Kingdom
TorsdayWednesday, the 8th of Low SummerMay
94 Zobeck Free Years (FY)
Afternoon (1:00pm)
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The town of Redtower has grown somewhat since its days as the village of Redleaf, adjusting to and even taking advantage of the new influx of adventurers, but it still has much of the same rustic, self-determined earnestness that it always had. Located on a tributary of the Templine River in southern Magdar between Peltzenheim and Schio, Redtower is an unremarkable logging settlement by itself but is better known as a launching point for adventuring expeditions into the infamous ruined castle and cave complex nearby—the Scarlet Citadel.

As your caravan approached Redtower from the northwest you traveled through lowland prairie toward the White Forest where Redtower is nestled within the tree line. A wooden palisade surrounds most of the town with platforms and small watchtowers attached to the palisade at each entrance. On the far southeastern corner of town, a curious redstone tower rises over the wall, itself connected to the wall via rampart. A small tributary of the Templine flows from the southwest to the northeast on the far side of town.

Redtower’s principal export is lumber, but the residents have adopted an entrepreneurial spirit around its status as an adventurers’ destination. While many townsfolk are honest, pioneering people, it also houses plenty of opportunists looking to take advantage of adventurer's flush with coin. Redtower thrives off this sort of “adventure tourism,” simultaneously warning travelers away from the Scarlet Citadel while peddling wares guaranteed to—supposedly—allow them to survive it. While predatory, these adventure peddlers are not lying about the dangers of the citadel: everyone in Redtower knows few who venture into the citadel ever return.

As you and others disembark from the caravan in front of the most visibly imposing structure in Redtower by virtue of its unique construction and namesake: The Cage Tavern & Inn has a row of curved bones, much like some massive ribcage, these curved bones protrude from the ground in a corridor to the tavern’s southern-facing wall and side entrance. The last few ribs are incorporated into the inn’s construction, acting as supporting rafters visible on the inside of the building. The rest of the Cage’s construction is eclectic, with the older parts of the inn—the space immediately connected to the enormous ribcage—of the wood-and-stone construction typical of the region but with newer elements showing more distant touches: sweeping iron gables from Zobeck, a dwarven-style hearth from the Ironcrags, Perunalian motifs in the columns, and so on.

Considering Redtower’s small size and populace, the Cage is surprisingly full-featured: it boasts several rooms from comfortable to aristocratic in quality, though it has only one aristocratic suite. Owing to its adventurous and often wealthy—patronage, travelers can find lodgings and fare suitable for up to a wealthy lifestyle. The Cage’s name—and unique construction element—supposedly dates back to the town’s earliest days as Redleaf when the proprietors’ ancestors, Milena and Henrik Gjorski, slew a mighty giant on the spot the inn now rests. The toll of the fight would mean the end of their adventuring career, but they returned to this site of their last great battle to retire. They found the giant withered and scavenged to little more than a massive ribcage and decided to build an inn around it, preserving it as their final—and biggest—trophy.

This story is told and retold on command by their descendants, sister and brother Ariadna and Ambrozy Gjorski. They are human adventurers of a sort, as most of their family has been, but found they prefer the company of adventurers more than the escapade itself. The family business continues to appeal to adventuring types as evidenced by the monster hunting trophies on the walls—the stories of which erupt if anyone asks about them—and the very sturdy construction of the tables and chairs.

It is just after lunchtime as you move to the counter to secure room and board and perhaps something to eat.

The lunch menu consists of Baked Pheasant and Soft Cheese served with a Glass of Mead for just two silver coins.

Modest room and board consist of two meals a day (for two) plus your private room for twenty silvers per night. (double occupancy).

Meager boarding consists of a hammock in the public bunk room with a footlocker for two silver coins per night per person with meals provided at additional cost.

Ariadna Gjorski is the current sister on duty at the bar. She wears a collection of protective charms and talismans.

OOC Scene Notes

TorsdayWednesday, the 8th of Low SummerMay @ 1:00 pm

Welcome aboard everyone!

Feel free to introduce yourselves here, roleplay. Feel free to use any of the scenery or NPC's to your liking in your post. Tracking room cost and expenditures. Feel free to ask any questions of the innkeeper, I will answer as I have time.

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Show Characters Status

ARIK LOSTCUB
Hit Points: 15/15
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Resistance (cold)

Bear Hug: 3/3 *L
Rage: 2/2 *L

Spell Slots 1st Level 1/1 (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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ELENDRIS VESSICARI
Hit Points: 9/9
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Fey Ancestry, Sunlight Sensitivity

Hexblade's Curse: 1/1 *S

Path of Darkness: 3/3 *L
Spell Slots 1st Level 1/1 *S (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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INGYRD MOONDANCER
Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Fey Ancestry, Sunlight Sensitivity

Stalwart Will: 1/1 *S

Spell Slots 1st Level 2/2 *L (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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SHERMAN FLEECE "BLOODNUT"
Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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SIR ROBIN HAWKWOOD
Hit Points: 12/12
Hit Dice: 1/1

Special: Fey Ancestry

Divine Sense: 4/4 *L
Lay On Hands: 5/5 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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BigBear · May 8, 2022

Sherman Fleece "Bloodnut" - Ratfolk Rogue 1

The trip had been quick. Well, quick for a caravan of the size Sherman had reluctantly joined. He had been quite eager to leave the caravan a few days in when the entire caravan had halted to make repairs on several damaged wheels. It turned out one of the young scouts that were supposed to be on the lookout for dangerous rocks had missed a few that were covered by mud from a rain a few days prior. The word lashing that the poor boy received left a deep impression that he did not want the caravan leader’s attention.

Rather than let himself possibly risk any infraction, Sherman took to scouting ahead for the caravan during the day. He would range several hundred meters from the caravan in different directions to ensure the caravan would have advance notice of any possible threats. Luckily, nothing happened and the caravan arrived, albeit slowly, at his destination. He said his farewells to the few others that he befriended on the journey, most were continuing on with the caravan, and mentioned that he was foolish to tempt fate by planning to enter the Scarlet Citadel.

He had not spoken about his reasoning. Not to them. The last thing he wanted was competition for the remedy that ailed his sister. No, he could not allow that. He needed the mushroom and planned on retrieving it at any cost. He looked up at the sky, the sun had just past it’s zenith and he knew that obtaining lodging for the evening should be his first priority and headed for The Cage Tavern & Inn. It was an odd amalgamation of cultures and history. He had heard a brief story about the Inn from one of the traveling storytellers with the caravan. While the stories of the place were impressive, the food was still to be judged.

He entered in ahead of the others that seemed to have their eyes set on leaving the caravan and made his way to the bar. He moved like water following cracks in a road around the bar, easily avoiding current occupants. Upon reaching the bar he set his pack down at one of the chair bases and pulled himself up onto one. He still had to stretch up a little and grab hold of the bar to get a good look around and spotted Ariadna Gjorski.

“Hello there,” Sherman said with some confidence. Best to start with confidence and then change if the need arose. It had been a good lesson he learned back in school. Being smaller than most others he could easily portray himself as weak or helpless, but in situations like this, it was better to appear strong and confident. Even if he was feeling the butterflies in his stomach.

“The posting at the front said that you had lodging for two silver a night.” He fingered a gold coin out of his pouch of gold that he had roped around his wrist and tucked under a bulge in his gauntlet. He didn’t keep all of his money in one place, but this spot was easy to make flourishes with. He placed the edge of the coin on the table and spun it quickly. The coin turned into a blurred sphere spinning in one spot for a few seconds before Sherman snatched it up and held it out to Ariadna in his open palm.

“Some food would be lovely as well if you wouldn’t mind Miss Ariadna.” He grinned showing off his clean, yet pointy smile. That was something that seemed to surprise most people that he spoke with for any given amount of time. He was exceptionally clean, for one of his kind at least, he also kept his nails trimmed, and his teeth clean. It was something his father had trained him in.

“Take every advantage you can and perfect it.” he recited his father's saying in his head.

Ariadna muffed a chuckle. She had seen a lot of things in her time at The Cage, but this sight was a first. The ratfolk held himself up in a proud stance, well as proud as you could expect when extending themselves to the table’s edge off of a barstool. He smiled warmly and walked nearer to his spot at the bar, her talisman and charms clinking and swaying as she made her way. “Yes. I do still have room. Are you sure you don’t want a room instead? Surely, someone of your…”, she drifted off for a second before deciding the play on words was worth the potential loss of income a caravan had just arrived after all, “stature would like to enjoy the finer comforts. It comes with meals as well.” She finished.

As she finished a wave of laughter erupted from the tavern and quickly subsided back into the common murmur of tavern talk.

Sherman’s smile didn’t fade. He was used to banter like this. He had practiced enduring it back in school. Though out in the wild it was much more difficult to remain calm. An itch ticked at the back of his neck, his hair started to rise a little before he broke into a forced chuckle. “My dear lady. I would need far more beer in me than I can physically drink to think I could turn this coin into two.” He rolled the gold coin through his fingers as he spoke. As the coin flipped about he let a second gold coin rollout of the bracer and into the flipping and then quickly returned it to it’s home leaving the single gold coin to rest in his palm again. “Though I am sure if I were such a magician I would gladly take you up on your finer arrangements. Sadly, I am not equipped for the requirements of that understanding.”

Ariadna laughed back at the Ratfolk and snatched up the coin. She flexed against the coin as she moved it to a pouch on her waist and verified it was a proper coin of material and weight before pulling out six silver to return to the customer. While this was happening her right hand had already filled a standard-sized mug with honeyed mead and placed it before him. “I take it you’re one of the lot that came by with the caravan. Though I am unsure what business you have here in Redtower.” She continued as she called for a plate of pheasant and soft cheese. “What do you go by?”

Sherman had quickly picked up the large mug and had just finished a drink when she finished her question. The mead was sweet and thick. A good mead. It would blend well with the pheasant and cheese. “Bloodnut.” he responded naturally. It was well known that Ratfolk only shared their names with friends and family. Perhaps one day this Ariadna would know his true name, but it would not be this day. The response from his nase elicited some disgusted responses from some of the occupants that had been listening in and yet some others seemed to have been expecting a name like this. It didn’t matter to Sherman. He was just doing what he had been trained to do.

“I… see.” Ariadna said calmly and unsurprised. “How about I refer to you as BN.? Sound good?” She pulled a plate with a steaming pheasant from a window that looked into the kitchen and set it before him. “Well, enjoy yourself and let me know if you need any refills.”

Sherman nodded and started to enjoy the delicious food just served to him. He had been weeks on the road and the cooking here far surpassed anything the caravan had provided him.

Show Mechanics

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Main Hand: Empty
Off Hand: Empty

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Action: Paying for lodging and food (4 silver)
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here.

Show Mini Character Sheet

Sherman Fleece "Bloodnut"
Ratfolk Rogue 1

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STATS

Str 6 (-2) Dex 17 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 12 (+1) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 12 (+1)
HP 10/10 HD 1d8 AC 15 (leather) Speed 25 ft. Swim 10 ft.

Passive Perception 15 Initiative +3
DM Inspiration Yes
Languages Common, Thieves' Cant
Background Sage Feature Researcher
When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in an almost inaccessible place, or that it simply cannot be found. Unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can require an adventure or even a whole campaign.

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WEAPONS

Rapier +5 attack, 1d8+3 piercing damage
Dagger (range 20/60) +5 attack, 1d4+3 piercing damage

Shortbow (range 80/320) +5 attack, 1d6+3 piercing damage

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PROFICIENCIES

Proficiency +2 Saving Throws Dexterity +5, Intelligence +3
Skills Acrobatics +5, Arcana +3, Investigation +3, Perception +5*, Performance +6, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +5
Tools Thieves Tools +7*
Weapons simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Armor Light

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FEATS

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RACIAL FEATURES

Swim: Ratfolk are capable, if slow, swimmers. You have a swimming speed of 10 feet.
Darkvision: Accustomed to living underground and in other dingy places, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. To a distance of 60 feet from yourself, you can see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Nimbleness: You can move through a hostile creature's space in combat as long as it is size medium or larger.
Pack Tactics: You have advantage on your attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Rodent Empathy: You have advantage on Handle Animal checks to influence the behavior of rodents.

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CLASS FEATURES

Expertise: (perception, thieves' tools) At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves’ tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.

Sneak Attack: (1d6) Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.

You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak Attack column of the Rogue table.

Thieves’ Cant: During your rogue training you learned thieves’ cant, a secret mix of dialect, jargon, and code that allows you to hide messages in seemingly normal conversation. Only another creature that knows thieves’ cant understands such messages. It takes four times longer to convey such a message than it does to speak the same idea plainly.

In addition, you understand a set of secret signs and symbols used to convey short, simple messages, such as whether an area is dangerous or the territory of a thieves’ guild, whether loot is nearby, or whether the people in an area are easy marks or will provide a safe house for thieves on the run.

Show Equipment

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General Inventory (64.84 lbs.)

Rapier - 2 lbs.
Shortbow - 2 lbs.
Quiver (20 arrows) - 1 lb.
Leather Armor - 10 lbs.
2 x Daggers - 2 lbs.
Thieves' Tools - 1 lb.
Bottle of Black Ink

Quill
Small Knife - 1 lb.
Letter from family about sister's antidote material
Common Clothes - 3 lbs.
Belt Pouch - 1 lb.
Backpack - 5 lbs.
Bag of 1,000 ball bearings - 2 lbs.
String 10 ft
Bell
5 x Candles
Crowbar - 5 lbs.
Hammer - 3 lbs.
Pitons x10 - 2.5 lbs.
Hooded Lantern - 2 lbs.
2 x Flask of Oil - 2 lbs.
5 x Rations (day) - 10 lbs.
Tinderbox
Waterskin - 5 lbs.
Silk Rope 50ft - 5 lbs.

Coin Purse (0.34 lbs.)
Platinum: 0
Gold: 16
Electrum: 0
Silver: 6
Copper: 0

Encumbrance

Max Load: 90 lbs. (15 x STR)

Current Weight: 64.84 lbs.

Edited May 17, 2022 by BigBear
Original post did not copy template correctly. (see edit history)

Leonidas1789 · May 8, 2022

Sir Robin Hawkwood - Elfmarked Paladin 1

For the last few days, Robin had had to cope with his new life as an adventurer. What a change from his luxurious lifestyle on his family's estates... Nights spent sleeping in a bedroll, abysmal food, having to follow the caravan leader's orders... Part of the young Elfmarked was delighted to finally leave the caravan.

But at the same time, he felt a strange pride at the thought of these last few days.

I guess I am a true adventurer now.

Be that as it may, Robin followed Bloodnut inside The Cage Tavern & Inn, and made a beeline to the counter. He waited patiently for Ariadna to take care of the ratfolk, before addressing her.
"A good day to you, fair maiden. Do you have any suites available?" he asked her.

She quickly glanced at him and almost rolled her eyes.

“A good day to you too. No, unfortunately we only have one suite, and one of them wealthy adventurers is currently renting it... Would you like a regular room? Double occupancy.”

Robin could not suppress a sigh. Double occupancy... I will have to share it!

But at any rate, that was already better than the last days' bedroll; at least he would enjoy a warm bath and a good bed. And his purse could not afford many nights in a suite anyway...

For a moment, the thought of offering Bloodnut to share the room with him crossed his mind; but the ratfolk had already opted for a hammock in the public bunk room. So Robin could only hope that he would share with someone who did not snore...

But perhaps there was another solution !

"Very well, I shall take it; but I shall pay for two to enjoy the room alone." he said.

He searched his purse and produced two gold pieces which he handed to the innkeep.

The knight then sat at a small table near the counter; a few minutes later, Ariadna brought him a plate of pheasant and cheese with a glass of mead. He took his time to enjoy that warm meal; it certainly wasn't delicate food, but it had a pleasant taste. Not so bad after all.

Once he was finished with his meal, Robin searched his backpack for his Dragonchess Set and placed it on the table in front of him; his eyes scanned the room for a potential player he could challenge to a game.

Show Mechanics

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Main Hand: Rapier
Off Hand: Empty

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Action: Your action goes here.
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here.

Show Mini Character Sheet

Sir Robin Hawkwood - Elfmarked Paladin 1

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STATS

Str 16 (-3) Dex 8 (-1) Con 14 (+2) Int 12 (+1) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 16 (+3)
HP 12/12 HD 1d10 AC 18 (chain mail, shield) Speed 30 ft.

Passive Perception 12 Initiative -1
Vision Darkvision 60 ft.
DM Inspiration Yes
Languages Common, Elvish, Draconic, Celestial
Background Noble Feature Position of Privilege

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.

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WEAPONS

Longsword +5 attack, 1d8+3 slashing damage
Dagger (range 20/60) +5 attack, 1d4+3 piercing damage

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PROFICIENCIES

Proficiency +2 Saving Throws Wisdom +2, Charisma +5
Skills Athletics +5, Deception +5, History +3, Insight +2, Perception +2, Persuasion +5
Gaming Sets Dragonchess +5
Weapons All weapons
Armor All, shields

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FEATS

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RACIAL FEATURES

Darkvision: Thanks to your elf blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim Conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in Darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in Darkness, only Shades of Gray.

Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

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CLASS FEATURES

Divine Sense (4/day)

The presence of strong evil registers on your senses like a noxious odor, and powerful good rings like heavenly music in your ears. As an action, you can open your awareness to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any celestial, fiend, or undead within 60 feet of you that is not behind total cover. You know the type (celestial, fiend, or undead) of any being whose presence you sense, but not its identity (the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich, for instance). Within the same radius, you also detect the presence of any place or object that has been consecrated or desecrated, as with the hallow spell.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expended uses.

Lay on Hands (5/5 per day)

Your blessed touch can heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can restore a total number of hit points equal to your paladin level × 5.

As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.

Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands, expending hit points separately for each one.

This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.

Show Equipment

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General Inventory (148.5 lbs.)

Chainmail - 55 lbs.

Shield (with emblem) - 6 lbs.

Pouch - 1lb.

Longsword - 3 lbs.

Dagger - 1 lb.

Set of Fine Clothes - 6 lbs.

Signet Ring

Scroll of Pedigree

6 x Rations - 12 lbs.

Waterskin - 5 lbs.

Amulet (holy symbol) -

Dragonchess Set - 0.5 lb.

Explorer's Pack - 59 lbs.

a Backpack

a Bedroll

a Mess kit

a Tinderbox

10 torches

10 days of Rations

a Waterskin

50 feet of Hempen rope

Coin Purse (0.34 lbs.)
Platinum: 0
Gold: 13
Electrum: 0
Silver: 2
Copper: 0

Encumbrance

Max Load: 240 lbs. (15 x STR)

Current Weight: 148.84 lbs.

Show Spells

Paladin Spells
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Spell Save DC: 13
Spell Attack Mod: +5

No spells yet

Edited May 9, 2022 by Leonidas1789 (see edit history)

PatronSaint · May 8, 2022

Arik Lostcub - Bearfolk (Grizzlehide) Barbarian 1

Arik hadn't spoken to anyone much the entire trip. He usually brought up the rear, giving everyone surly looks while secretly hoping someone would force him into a conversation anyway. They didn't, and so he walked into Redtower in a surly mood. Part of him wanted to go on with the caravan, since it was a job that he already had and was therefore the "easy path". But the caravan master had been giving him the stink eye for a while yet, so Arik took his leave of the caravan along with several others. He approached the tavern, looking over it with a scowl.

"I suppose it'll do. I guess I don't NEED to sleep on the ground tonight. Maybe they'll have room in the barn. It'd be cheaper." He skulked inside, letting the ratfolk and the elftouched talk with the woman at the counter. Arik wondered if that's how other races flirted looked like or if these two were just like that to everyone. "Well aren't they just the sweetest." If sarcasm was a sauce, it would have been leaking out of Arik's ears. The vagabond bearfolk clomped up to the counter and grunted "You got room in the horse loft?"

"No sir, we don't lodge people in the barn. Our cheapest accommodation is our meager rate." She evidently guessed his intent to save money. Arik grunted and snuffled, wiping a bit of snot from his muzzle with one paw. "Fine. I'll take that." Arik paid the fare and listened to whatever she said later. He paid for a meal, admitting to himself that it would be better than foraging. The surly brute sat down near the fire and began to eat, although his nose was sifting through the myriad scents of the tavern for some rodents. He kept an eye on the peppy elftouched, who looked like he was trying to start some sort of game. The game and pieces were unfamiliar to Arik, and he wasn't in the mood for it anyway. "But I guess I could eavesdrop if anyone decides to play him..." As if to encourage him, a mouse scurried out and pecked at some crumbs under a table near the elftouched's table.

Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Arik tried to casually step over to the table, aiming to add some dessert to his meal. Once close, he stepped with surprising quickness for one his size and stepped on its tail. The bent down, scooped it up, and downed it in one gulp. His sudden move likely drew stares, so in an effort to repel attention, he sat down with a snarl at a table nearby the elftouched.

Show Mechanics

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Main Hand: Nordmansch Greataxe
Off Hand: Nordmansch Greataxe

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Action: Your action goes here.
Bonus Action: Your bonus action goes here.
Move: Your movement goes here.
Manipulate: Your one free object interaction goes here.

Show Mini Character Sheet

Arik Lostcub - Bearfolk (Grizzlehide) Barbarian 1

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STATS

Str 16 (+3) Dex 12 (+1) Con 16 (+3) Int 10 (+1) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 8 (-1)
HP 15/15 Resistances: Cold HD 1d12 AC 14 (unarmored defense) Speed 30 ft.

Passive Perception 11 Initiative +1
DM Inspiration Yes
Languages Common, Darakhul, Northern
Background Outlander Feature Wanderer

You have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people per day, provided the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.

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WEAPONS

Nordmansch Greataxe +5 attack, 1d12+3 slashing damage
Bite +5 attack, 1d6+3 piercing damage
Bear Hug* (3/day) +5 attack, 4 bludgeoning damage plus target is grappled.

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PROFICIENCIES

Proficiency +2 Saving Throws Strength +5, Constitution +5
Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +3, Nature +2, Perception +3, Survival +3, Intimidation +1
Instruments Drums +3
Weapons All
Armor Light, medium

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FEATS

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RACIAL FEATURES

Natural Armor. Your hide is thick and tough, granting you a natural AC of 13 + your Dexterity modifier.

Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Bear Hug (3/day). When you take the Attack action, you can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action. If you hit, you can grapple the target in addition to dealing damage to it. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Thick Coat. You are resistant to cold damage.

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CLASS FEATURES

Rage (2/day)
In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you can enter a rage as a bonus action.

While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren't wearing heavy armor:

You have advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.
When you make a melee weapon attack using Strength, you gain a bonus to the damage roll that increases as you gain levels as a barbarian, as shown in the Rage Damage column of the Barbarian table.
You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
If you are able to cast spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while raging.

Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven't attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on your turn as a bonus action.

Once you have raged the number of times shown for your barbarian level in the Rages column of the Barbarian table, you must finish a long rest before you can rage again.

Unarmored Defense
While you are not wearing any armor, your armor class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.

Show Equipment

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General Inventory (86 lbs.)

Greataxe - 10 lbs.

4 x Javelins - 8 lbs.

2 x Handaxes - 4 lbs.

Hunting Trap - 25 lbs.

8 x Torches - 8 lbs.
10 x Rations - 20 lbs.

Tinderbox - 1 lb.
Waterskin - 5 lbs.

Backpack - 5 lbs.

Coin Purse (0.2 lbs.)
Platinum: 0
Gold: 9
Electrum: 0
Silver: 6
Copper: 0

Encumbrance

Max Load: 480 lbs. (30 x STR (powerful build))

Current Weight: 86.2 lbs.

bwatford · May 9, 2022

Scarlet Citadel

Redtower

As the group began to settle in, one could notice amongst the monstrous trophies that hung upon the walls of The Cage that there was also a map that depicted the path that led out of town to the southeast. It also depicted the Scarlet's Citadel's location. The CItadel lay some twenty-one miles southeast of the village. A seven hour walk by foot or five if on horseback. It also had big red letters that warned you not to go there as most never came back.

As you are looking at the map, a tavern patron, a large, bald, heavily muscled, and shirtless man that smelled of needing a bath approached. The man had a red circle tattooed on his forehead, inside the circle was an image of a dragon turtle. The man's pants were ragged and dirty. He introduced himself as Jandar Chergoba as he bowed politely.

"Don't let that piece of paper fool you, that path itself is littered with danger, ever changing as if by magic. You hear stories from ones that tried to go out there and came running back. Went out there once myself, found a dead corpse near the path, I tried to identify it, but it was impossible as it had been ravaged by the elements and by scavengers. But I heard the strange sound of insects buzzing but I did not notice the rippling bulges and swelling in the corpse itself until it burst open, and a swarm of dung beetles attacked me. I barely made it out of there alive. Still have a few scars from their nasty bites." he said with a chuckle.

He looked at you to gage how the story had affected you before adding "I could take you out there. I mean if you are going to go. I could be like a guide. Of course, I will need payment for the service. I am sure we could come to an agreement. Yes?" he asked curiously.

OOC Scene Notes

TorsdayWednesday, the 8th of Low SummerMay @ 1:10 pm

Combat/Conditions Tracker

Currently Not in Use

Characters Status

ARIK LOSTCUB
Hit Points: 15/15
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Resistance (cold)

Bear Hug: 3/3 *L
Rage: 2/2 *L

Spell Slots 1st Level 1/1 (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

________________________________

ELENDRIS VESSICARI
Hit Points: 9/9
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Fey Ancestry, Sunlight Sensitivity

Hexblade's Curse: 1/1 *S

Path of Darkness: 3/3 *L
Spell Slots 1st Level 1/1 *S (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

________________________________

INGYRD MOONDANCER
Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
Special: Fey Ancestry, Sunlight Sensitivity

Stalwart Will: 1/1 *S

Spell Slots 1st Level 2/2 *L (ATK +5 DC 13)
DM Inspiration: 1/1

________________________________

SHERMAN FLEECE "BLOODNUT"
Hit Points: 10/10
Hit Dice: 1/1
DM Inspiration: 1/1

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SIR ROBIN HAWKWOOD
Hit Points: 12/12
Hit Dice: 1/1

Special: Fey Ancestry

Divine Sense: 4/4 *L
Lay On Hands: 5/5 *L
DM Inspiration: 1/1

Active Maps

Currently Not in Use

Leonidas1789 · May 9, 2022

Sir Robin Hawkwood - Elfmarked Paladin 1

Robin had noticed the large map on the wall.

What a strange hypocrisy! Providing information about the Citadel's location, yet at the same time issuing warnings not to go there.

Even though the Scarlet Citadel was indeed Robin's destination, he had decided not to travel there alone and instead join or form a group of adventurers with similar goals if he could.

But then the stranger came, introduced himself and offered his services as a guide; almost immediately, Robin decided he did not trust him. It wasn't just the smell, it was the man's entire demeanour. Besides, the elfmarked did not buy Jandar's story at all; so he paid close attention to the man's facial expression to see if he was lying. Also, the knight observed the strange tattoo on his forehead, trying to determine which organization it represented.

"Payment you say, my good man. Exactly how much are we talking about?" Robin asked.

He had been about to challenge the nearby bearfolk to a game of Dragonchess, as he recognized him as a fellow caravan member; yet playing would have to wait now, as Jandar, albeit probably untrustworthy, might still prove a useful catalyst for the formation of a group headed to the Citadel.