The First Step

[Ruess]

Sandpyke

Armour Chapel*The* southmost ward of the city. Several City Watch officers live here.

JehaFourth weekday, 22th49 days to a month, except Mesha is a day short of MeshaFirst month of the year, out of eight in total.

The sun is just peeking at the horizon. You can see its warmth brushing the dune peaks if you stand on the city's walls.

You aren't. That is, you aren't standing on the a wall admiring the sunrise. Instead, you are standing on a street corner in Armour Chapel. It's a very nice ward in the southmost area of the city. There's parks aplenty and big houses where the officers of the City Watch rest their heads. The streets are nicely patterned and there's plenty of clerical guards standing watch as a supplement to stern-eyed watch troopers. It's all very orderly and peaceful in here, very lovely indeed.

 

Ever so very coincidentally, you have business here, at the high class tavern called Yawning Pit (Or was it Yawning Abyss? Gaping Abyss?) that sits right next to a large sanctum of Osiris. The clergy are at work getting their sanctum back to business, and you see three of them sweeping the stairs.

All you have to do is stand up from your seat on this comfortable tree stump and get moving, cross the street and shuffle past a large wagon. Looks like a large group of greyhide goblins are moving a large smithery on wheels and one of the axels is causing them a delay. You think they'll get it done eventually-

Hold up.

Trouble's coming!

From your left, down the street, stomping angrily, you see three burly dwarves wearing armor. You don't need to do more than glance their way to know they are tightly wound and looking for an excuse to start throwing hands. You don't think the greyhides, being workers and wearing just clothes, will have too solid a chance against what are either trained guards or stout-bodied thugs.

 

You could stand by and watch things unfold. The clergy over by the sanctum are bound to notice.

Or you could do something about things yourself.

Choices Choices Choices~

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Ruess (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

Doallyn McClare

Character Sheet

Male Neutral Good  Human Wizard,

Init +1 

HP: 5/5 

Speed: 30

AC: 11

Touch: 11 / Flat-footed: 10,

Fort +1 / Ref +1 / Will +3

Base Attack Bonus: +0

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 14
 

 Doallyn moved with a sense of urgency seeing a possible situation about to play out that wouldnt likely end well. If things did go awry maybe his military coat and signet ring could help for cooler heads to prevail. However he'd rather avoid throwing his name around at this point.

He wasnt sure what degree of Common the goblins spoke. He knew he didnt speak Goblinoid. He found the one Goblin that looked like he might have been in charge of the group. 

Getting their attention, he'd quietly motion at the looming approach of Dwarves. He kept his voice low. 

Might want to push this a bit out of the way some more to avoid a dustup. Need a hand?

If the goblin agreed he'd summon the earth elemental and utilize its strength and smaller size to get under the cart broken axle, using earth glide to shift the cart up some more to potentially avoid a confrontation.

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)

[Chaz Hoosier]

Robin Kirkko

Robin has been traveling for weeks when he arrives in the city. Never had be imagined such inexorable heat and such bright sun in the northern climes of his birth, and he sits in the shade fanning himself and feeling miserable. Misery is no excuse for not looking great though--at least the heat gives him the excuse of leaving the top few buttons of his shirt open and his sleeves rolled up to show off his physique. He spots the brewing commotion with his casual expression and steps in between the dwarves and the goblins. Cannot the goddess of love bring a little patience to this situation? His hand goes to his holy symbol, he mumbles a prayer, and divine power seeps into the world with the faint whiff of flowers. "How about just going around, gentlemen?"

 

---

Description

Robin is a straw haired tomcat. He is tall, strapping, and handsome, with blonde hair carefully tousled for a rakish look, blue eyes, and a strong jaw. He always dresses in clothes that show off his physique. He is, as one would expect of a cleric of Sune, incredibly vain and considers his hair his best feature. His focus on superficial matters might give the impression that he isn't all that bright. One the other hand, be sincerely sees the beauty in other people--whether outer beauty or inner beauty. He carries a shield depicting the face of a beautiful red haired maiden, and has a rosary of glass beads with the same symbol on the end dangling from his belt.

Stat Block

Robin Kirkko
M CG Human Cleric, Level 1, Init 0, HP 9/9, Speed 30
AC 14, Touch 10, Flat-footed 14, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 2, Base Attack Bonus 0   
  Morning Star  +2 (1d8+2, x2)
  Dagger   (1d4, 19–20/×2)
  Crossbow, light (Bolts (20)) 0 (1d8, 19–20/×2)
  Studded Leather Armor, Light Wooden Shield (+3 Armor, +1 Shield)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 14
Condition None

OOC

Cast Hypnotism against the dwarves.
Effects: 3 hit dice For: 4 rounds
Will 14 Negates

Edited February 13, 2023 by Chaz Hoosier (see edit history)

[Ryfte]

DESCRIPTION Elia is a small kobold, well, a dragon really, barely over 2' tall with a tail that is actually a bit longer than she is tall. Her scales are purple, violet, and pink shades, quite vibrant, and her eyes are a luminous aqua blue-green (heavy on the blue). Her fins are more flexible than that of standard kobolds with stronger, more controlled support spines that allow her to flex and relax them, giving her much better control maneuvering in water than her land-bound brethren.

Her "leather" armor, a bluish-gray toned material is rough to the touch, covered in small cartilage ridges from the sea eel its crafted from.| SHEETElia Argus
Female, Neutral Good, Dragonwrought Water Kobold, Warlock 1

---

AC/TAC/FFAC: 19/15/15 | HP: 6/6 | S/D/C/I/W/C: -2/+4/+0/+1/+0/+3 | F/R/W: +0/+4/+2 | Move: 30', Swim 30', Climb 20'
Darkvision 60', DR 2 / Cold Iron, Eldritch Blast 60' RTA 1d6 (20/x2)

---

Elia had been amazed at the desert as she had sheltered from the sun in the merchant's wagon. It had been a number of weeks, the journey itself, and she'd seen so much more than she'd ever dreamed could exist outside her home. She'd heard the stories from the very few visiting traders her whole life but experiencing them for herself was so different from simply hearing of them. She'd barely been in the town for half a day and the heat and sun were already far too much for her to find comfortable.

The city itself had been stunning. It was enormous. Larger than she had ever imagined in fact and it was somewhat overwhelming for her. She would have become lost on her way here had she not had the company of her recent companions leading the way, the large buildings all around that seemed to stretch so high into the sky above made it difficult for her to find her way. That along with all of the people bustling about the street on their way to one place or another, all busy as they could be. Even the street beneath her feet, cobbled as it was, was an oddity for her and felt strange beneath her feet. This place, it was as if she were in a different world entirely and when she'd stumbled across a well preserved seating area, broad stumps all that remained of what must have been glorious trees long ago she all but ran for them.

---

* So much... * There had been others sitting in the same area that they joined and exchanged pleasantries with as she stood near one stump that was nearly taller than she. There was some shade here as well, something she was quite grateful for as she glanced up to the stretched canvas awning high above, gently flapping along its edges in the light breeze.

She leaned against the stump and held her own tail, absentmindedly fiddling with her fins and flexing her spine ridge as she watched the ebb and flow of foot traffic. Her eyes wandered across the signs and sights of the area, the shops, and buildings that she could see and she all but chirped, a brief thrum of head fins and tongue on the roof of her mouth, as a grin spread across her small reptilian face. ** trill **

There, right across the way was the place they had been looking for! What fortune shined upon them indeed in a place like this, to put them sol close to their destination! Still she remained in place, chatting with those there, waiting for the others. She'd listened to a few of them, chatted with others, and found that many of them had interesting stories of how they'd come to this place, not unlike herself.

---

It was over an hour later when she noticed a trio of dangerous looking armored figures making their way down the street, towards the smithy wagon that the greyhides were having such a difficult time with. Broad and imposing, not to mention very determined of gait, as they all but stormed along it was almost a certainty that quite shortly there would be a conflict of sorts. Doallyn, a male human, stepped forward almost immediately as did a fellow by the name of Robin, both whom she had chatted with a bit in the shade there. They urged the goblins on as well as offering assistance quite gracefully. * Now that is considerate indeed... they remind me of Sarrow... always leaping in to help right away... *

Without thinking, as was often the case with the young dragon, she spoke aloud, "This isn't good at all! They look quite angry at someone or something..." and then blushed deeply as she was startled by her own voice. She'd always tried to be helpful at home and during her journey she'd carried that forward, assisting with odd chores along the way. Still, this was different and she was uncertain if she should become involved or not. After all, these were all strangers and those men were likely as not quite capable of knocking her on the head with a single blow that would send her to her ancestors! She knew there was little she could do without causing real harm to them and was reluctant to do that as well, hurting others with her magic. This was one of those instances in which staying out of other peoples way was more helpful than anything she herself could actually do and so she merely watched from out of the way, just in case her help might become needed.

---

OoC

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Ryfte (see edit history)

[IWantBapo]

Lucas Léonide BlaiseAge 26 | Height 6''0 | Weight 126 lbs. | Hair Blonde | Eyes Gold | Complexion Fair skinned

This male appears to be between five foot nine and six feet, he is clad in scaled-mail baring the symbol of St Cuthbert; god of retribution. His hair is blonde reaching down as far as the edge of his ears with no curls or knots, though the subtle glint of oil portrays a lack of hygiene. Rounded features specifically around his nose, chin, and eyes give the impression that his origins are initially human, despite his unusual birth as an Aasimar.

His equipment consists of the aforementioned scaled-mail which is strapped over a green doublet with a second layer of brown leathers. His shoulders carry the straps of a backpack that appears to be full of various odds and ends; the outer layer consisting of iron buckles, a bedroll, and waterskin all strapped neatly against the burlap folds. His belt has two pouches that lay strapped shut, just beyond them is the hilt of a battleaxe on his right side. | "My Speech" | 'My thoughts' | My actions.

Male Lawful Good Lesser Aasimar 1, Level 1, Init 3, HP 12/12, Speed 30ft
AC 19, Touch 13, Flat-footed 16, Fort 4, Ref 3, Will 2, Base Attack Bonus +1  
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14
Conditions None

Maneuver Grid

Known Maneuvers	Numerical Value
CRUSADER’S STRIKE	1
VANGUARD STRIKE	2
STONE BONES	3
LEADING THE ATTACK	4
CHARGING MINOTAUR	5

 

---

Lucas had travelled his share of miles throughout the course of his journey to this locale; Sandpyke, a foreign place with foreign concepts. He had taken the scenic route throughout all of it, frequently detouring to visit religious sites as well as take part in local cuisine. Most villages had their own unique way of living; diversity increasing the further he found himself from the largely populated metropolis of his home. At journeys end, Lucas had felt somewhat relieved to finally be within the safety of well-crafted walls - he had missed the security that came along with the confined space.

From his position at the side of the road, he had observed the dwarves on fast approach - and the goblins that appeared to be in the way of their warpath. His disinterest in conflict stirring him to his feet, he takes a neutral stance on the matter with expectations that conflict will likely draw the attention of the city watch. Instead choosing to cross his arms and lay in wait of what is to come. 'It would be unfortunate to see harm come to the honest in labour, I'll have to observe this and see where it goes'

Though he chose not to act, it appeared that several others nearby had chosen to do the opposite. Individuals he might label as unique from the status quo, not much unlike himself. Curious to know more, Lucas splits his attention between the two groups - Dwarves on fast approach, and the swift to act do-gooders with an interest in meddling.

Edited February 13, 2023 by IWantBapo (see edit history)

[Wiz]

The anthropomorphic bat was not enamored with the heat.  There are many species of bats that adapt well to desert environments; of course, most do best at nightime after spending the day in a cave.  Nevertheless, Chira was not ready to give up, and standing in the shade of the temple, her spread wings and tall ears acted as natural radiators, eliminating some of the excess heat.  A thing to be appreciated by the lightly furred form of the small woman. 

Noting the potential encounter that was developing, Chira stepped forward, addressing the approaching dwarves.  “In my life, much of dwarven ingenuity, practicality and engineering have I heard.  Could you perhaps with this problem assist?"  The druid gestured toward the grey goblins fumbling with their yurt.  Wise her words were, but probably not well received; still... in a situation like this it is always well to speak wise words.  Even if they do not immediately help, they are often remembered and may mitigate later issues.

Edited February 14, 2023 by Wiz (see edit history)

[Amoren]

Character Sheet

Kaldakaczil
Male Lawful Good Gold Dragon 1, Level 1, Init 1, HP 14/14, Speed 30ft, Swim 30ft
AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, Fort 4, Ref 3, Will 1, Base Attack Bonus 1   
  Bite  +4 (1d8+4, x2)
  Unarmored (+1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 14
Conditions None

---

The gold dragon lurking quite obviously nearby glanced across the unfolding situation, hesitant to get involved not out of any concern or lack of impulse to help, but out of uncertainty about what he should do. The wyrmling's immediate instinct was to do what he always did when he spotted something about to go wrong, inform Ser Aluric and rely upon his wisdom and experience to know what he should do. Whether it was turn into a bird and distract the disgruntled dwarves, use his great strength to pull the cart out of the way, or merely observed as the paladin's sense of justice and wise words disarmed the situation. Sadly, he was lacking in all of the above options that came to mind, much like he lacked his Mentor he had relied upon to give him a sense of direction outside the pleasant Chesentan woods he had grown up in.

In that moment to consider what to do without options, others had sprung into action, giving an entirely new solution to such problems that the dragon did not consider - all of the above, well, minus turning into a raven and squawking obnoxiously into their ears to give them something far less gobliny and squishy to focus their attention upon. That made the dragon paladin-to-be's decision making process far simpler, as instead of contemplating what was best, he merely had to contemplate where he could best contribute. And so the large, dull-yellow scaled lizard crept quite unsubtly forward from his little corner of where they were waiting, following Doallyn to the goblin's cart, and contributed his own diminished, but still considerable strength to pushing it out of the way.

"Here, allow me to help, noble small things," the dragon rumbled, his finned tail giving a happy little flick of enjoyment as he got to act upon his noble impulses.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Amoren (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

Doallyn McClare

Character Sheet

Male Neutral Good  Human Wizard,

Init +1 

HP: 5/5 

Speed: 30

AC: 11

Touch: 11 / Flat-footed: 10,

Fort +1 / Ref +1 / Will +3

Base Attack Bonus: +0

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 14
 

 

Doallyn glanced over next to him as a larger shape appeared. There was a momentary lapse in is brain, not expecting a dragon to suddenly be next to him pushing a broken smithy cart. That wasn't the sort of thing that happened every day. It also wasnt something for the dragon to be doing to keep a low profile, something that was already hard enough in the middle of a city like this. He'd met the dragon briefly before so he quickly was able to refocus and get back to moving the cart. The initial shock not as much as the night before. Had to focus. His little earth elemental acting as a wheel-jack on the axle gliding through the ground underneath wouldn't last but for a few seconds. Hopefully with the added brute force of the draconic assistance they'd be able to move it far enough in the time frame. 

Thank you there my gold scaled friend.. I thought I'd have to be trying to shoulder this thing on my own.  Doesn't seem too many people are quick to help the little greyhides here.

 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)

[Ruess]

Resolutions

Robin begins the droning incantation of his spell. It will take several precious seconds to complete. Hopefully the three dwarves will be too occupied to notice before the spell's effect seeps into their minds. Of particular import are the louder acts of a wizard and a dragon: the former brings about a small elemental to hold up the damaged axel with the welcomed aid of the gold dragon whose strong claws are of great utility here.

The nine greyhide goblins are first very startled by a wizard offering to help. That a gold dragon joins in to help just about *drops their eyes* out of their sockets.

A harsh bark from the easily identified boss - she's the one yelling the loudest at the others - gets them back to work hauling the smithery on wheels from the gate and to the side of the paved street where it will be in no one's way.

"Grattituud," the she-goblin offers to Elektra in broken accent of Common. She's dressed to hammer metal, and looks about as comely as an iron ingot, but she tries to make a friendly face in respect of the wizard and the dragon helping.The other eight mirror her in gratitude and dirtyness although none manage much in Common beyond crude "Grattituud, Grattituut."

 

In contrast to the beneficience that comes from the two brave volunteers, the three beard-jaws give the suddenly arriving distraction that is Chira a collective glare that positively seethes with bile, and then follow it with a string of harsh words most certainly not suited for such a civil and peaceful area. It is enough that even the three sweepers by the stairs pause their work and look in the direction of the quarrelsome voices. 

Compounding these words, the dwarves add several angry hand motions that, to put it politely, suggest Chira's health is in severe danger if she remains where she is, distracting these three. The message in total thus boils down to:

Get Lost. Or Else.

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by Ruess (see edit history)

[Amoren]

Character Sheet

Kaldakaczil
Male Lawful Good Gold Dragon 1, Level 1, Init 1, HP 14/14, Speed 30ft, Swim 30ft
AC 11, Touch 11, Flat-footed 10, Fort 4, Ref 3, Will 1, Base Attack Bonus 1   
  Bite  +4 (1d8+4, x2)
  Unarmored (+1 Dex)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 14
Conditions None

---

With one last heave with the elemental acting as an impromptu wheel, the cart was finally out of the way. The gold wyrmling's chest was already puffing out even before the small creature's broken words of gratitude, their thanks causing what seemed to be a pleased expression crossing his scaled lips.

"I am certain many were tempted to come to their assistance as well," the dragon spoke to the conjurer, seemingly content with remaining sitting in broad daylight on the side of the street. His gaze turned towards the rather quarrelsome dwarves confronting the small winged druid they had met while approaching the tavern earlier. She wasn't alone, at least, as Robin seemed to have something in the works to smooth over the situation. "They might have just been waiting to see how they could best help! Or, were just concerned about rousing the ire of the three disgruntled men coming our way...But  I'm sure our two friends there well help their foul temperament as well!"

Edited February 15, 2023 by Amoren (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

Doallyn McClare

Character Sheet

Male Neutral Good  Human Wizard,

Init +1 

HP: 5/5 

Speed: 30

AC: 11

Touch: 11 / Flat-footed: 10,

Fort +1 / Ref +1 / Will +3

Base Attack Bonus: +0

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 14
 

 

Doallyn could not have cared less about the ire of the dwarves. Their ire would have had no justification. But he nodded to Kal just the same.  He turned his attention back to the greyskins once more for a moment. Rummaging in his pocket he pulled a silver and squatted down a bit to be at eye level with the she-goblin.  He raised his other hand and showed his signet ring. Then he tugged at the collar of the military uniform. 

My name is Doallyn McClare.  If anyone gives you trouble.  You tell them you have the protection of House McClare okay? And if anyone gives you any trouble on buying parts for repairs you find me.  

He offered her the silver. 

Use this to help with your repairs.  And if I need smith work you'll make sure to get me a discount? 

Doallyn gave her a wink, and put the coin into her hand.  After that he would stand back up fully and turn his attention to the others and how the other half of the situation was playing out.  

 

[Wiz]

Chira, not wishing for trouble from the dwarves makes a placating gesture, folds her wings up to reduce her profile, and heads around the dwarves and around the cart to go across to the Yawning Portal.  The bat woman moves with some alacrity, not wishing to give the dwarves much time to think about the fact that their defacto punching bag is on the move.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Wiz (see edit history)

[Ruess]

Resolutions

Armour Chapel*The* southmost ward of the city. Several City Watch officers live here.

JehaFourth weekday, 22th49 days to a month, except Mesha is a day short of MeshaFirst month of the year, out of eight in total.

5:22Early Morning. Sun is rising behind the dunes in the horizon

 

The immediate manner in which Chira obliges the three toughs clearly is something unexpected. So is the complete lack of... Well, anything at all from her. That she drops her approach and goes away leaves three pairs of tensed fists and their owners blinking in surprise. It is this very surprise that ends up being a perfect foundation for Robin's spell, which finally manifests in full. Coincidentally, Robin's words echo audibly into Chira's ears just like they do for the three knuckle-crackers.

"How about just going around, gentlemen?"

Chira is close enough to see a glimpse of hate giving way to a mixture of tiredness and loss of wind. The latter is a rather metaphoric thing but the mood is gone and the fight has left all three dwarves. 

In a manner of some scant seconds the three turn and take a turn for the park instead, slowly grumbling into their beards and visibly not in the mood to be doing anything at all. They trundle along, hands in their pockets and eyes on the ground. It takes no skill in Dwarven to understand how their previously flared tempers are entirely put out by magic's touch. Embers are now ash, and no risk of fight exists so long as no one does something incredibly silly.

 

 

 

While Robin and Chira observe the dwarves passing into the park and wandering into whatever roads awaits in the greens, Doallyn's gift of silver is received by the she-goblin boss who offers as deep a curtsy as she can manage with her apron and gloves. Being from a noble House Doallyn sees right away it is a terrible curtsy. His tutors would just about faint at the sight of it. 

 

"Claerd," the she-goblin offers in return, thumping her chest and pointing at herself. Then, eyeing Doallyn on level height, she tries to pronounce his name. "Doooh...Allyn? Makk Lar?" It's clear your name is odd for her, but she's trying. That said, she also looks to the dragon, a question in her eyes. Her hands pantomime something vague, indicating at the two of them. It's clear Claerd is not one for charades since she has no talent in it.

 

And then, because he winked at her, the cad, a small tint rises on Claerd's cheeks. It's small and subtle but it's there.

 

And with that, the smithery is safe enough - for now.

You suppose you could venture into the tavern proper...

Unless you have other designs in mind first.

 

[Wiz]

Chira hearing the hypnotic effect and realizing it has silenced the dwarves and sent them on their way, at least until such time as the spell wears off and makes them wonder what happened, continues in her path into the inn to look around.  The druid's eyes are momentarily dazzled coming into the shadowed interior of the inn against having been adapted to the bright desert sun outside.

Edited February 15, 2023 by Wiz (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

Doallyn McClare

Character Sheet

Male Neutral Good  Human Wizard,

Init +1 

HP: 5/5 

Speed: 30

AC: 11

Touch: 11 / Flat-footed: 10,

Fort +1 / Ref +1 / Will +3

Base Attack Bonus: +0

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 17, Wis 12, Cha 14
 

 

Doallyn caught the blush from the She-Goblin. That was NOT the intention, but if it got a discount should they run across one another again.  Though the attempt at a curtesy was amusing.  He also heard the mental chiding from Racanna as it mentally played out in his head. 

"Doallyn...leading that nice goblin girl on like that.  You absolute slag!"

He cleared his throat slightly as he looked to Kal, the dragon still next to him.

Well it seems that little conflict has been avoided as smoothly as probably possible. How about we head our way into the tavern?   

Assuming Kaldakaczil voiced no objections he would make his way towards the tavern and step inside. 

Edited February 15, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)