[Game Thread] Echoes: Chapter 1

[Dusdane]

The sun rises on another day on the continent of Oni. You are currently residing in the small town of Avercrest. How you got here is up to you, as you could have just arrived the night before or have resided here for a few days. Avercrest is a small town, built up of a few wooden houses and shops. It has a small population, mostly made up of farmers, as the town is smack dab right out in the country. A small dirt road leads out from the town towards the main highway, which eventually leads to the capitol. The town is full of cynical people though, as recently, it seems like the livestock and farms have been dying utterly fast. Nobody quite knows why however, and the mayor has been looking for someone to go find out.

As a small town, and being south of the main country, Avercrest is but a small name on the map. The nobles and the King barely know or care about it. However, Avercrest is home to a man of great prestige, an Old Mage known as Horimire, and this is the only reason Avercrest even registers on the map. However, in recent days, Horimire hasn't left his home in days, and seeks the security of his own home, a small house on the edge of town.

The town has a full array of services, from an Inn to a blacksmith. Small, quaint things though, nothing too fanciful. The mayors house in the biggest, being at the far edge of the town borders. The sun has risen, and the people have begun their daily routine of work and play. The Farmers have begun their work in their twisted and gnarled fields, and the women have begun conversing and homemaking.

Where are you currently located at and what are you doing?

[Grengor]

Fredrick is sitting in the towns tavern, sipping on a glass of cold water as the sun comes up. With his good nights sleep came the renewal of his spells, and as always the sense of calm that comes with the knowledge that he is backed by a potent arsenal of magical might.

Although his initial purpose in visiting the small town was to visit the Old Mage Horimire, Fredrick has recently learned of this small towns plight and has decided to see what he may uncover about the withered crops. Once the sun has risen higher in the sky, Fredrick plans to visit the Old Mage and discuss things of an Arcane nature, perhaps adding to his knowledge of magic. Afterwards, he plans to bring up the gnarled crops, and see if the old mage has any insight to offer on the matter.

This water tastes salty.

It almost tasted like sea water. Fredrick would have to have a "chat" with the barkeep tonight.

[Beez]

Having spent the night in the inn, Dragar walks outside, stretches and yawns. Wanting to fully wake up and not being a fan of splashing with cold water (being cold sucks), he wanders around town looking for a martial arts studio or equivalent where he can wake up the good way and get some practice in.

[Jester Xero]

Scratch had just rode into town on a donkey the day before. He was currently, of course, at the bar ordering a nice frothy cup of mead. The little halfling seemed to be fond of good drink, like most were. He glanced around the tavern, not seeing much he considered interesting. His light brown curls seemed had gotten him questioned at several bars, and he was really waiting for some idiot to go ahead and call him on it. For the time being, he smiled and raised his glass around at people who came by. He'd been just passing through, maybe cause a bit of a ruckus before he left. However, he'd caught wind of strange goings on and decided to stick around for a bit.

He could either fix things and make a profit, or make things worse and make a funny. Either way, he'd sipped his ale and watched around for anything interesting.

[Jai]

Jinx was up with the dawn, stretching on the somewhat lumpy inn mattress. Still, it was better than the rocky ground she often had to kip on. Slipping out of bed into the slightly chilly morning air, she set to stretching properly. Back popping, knuckles cracking, and the slow warming of large muscles gave her a moment to organize her day. Fionn's Rule number 47: Farmer's feed the world, so treat them with due respect. So I should do what I can to help them. With a deep breath, she decides her first stop after breakfast should probably be the mayor's, to start sussing out the problem.

She sank on the floor, tucked in a restful position, and spent some time centering her mind. When she reached a sense of power and control, she clambered back up and began preparing for the day. Rule 28: Take pride in your bearing. She washed her face, and brushed her hair, carefully drawing it back, plaiting odd locks, and wrapping the whole of it in a scarlet ribbon. She brushed a few wrinkles out of her forest green blouse and donned it, along with her well-polished leather. Finally content that she'd cut a picture befitting her talent, she tucked her assortment of weapons into their sheaths, some hidden, some not (Rule 7: Always keep a spare weapon tucked away for emergencies), and left her room.

She smiles brightly at the innkeeper. Excuse me. Where's the best place to get a good breakfast?

[Roshti]

Oddwin awoke slightly startled at his surroundings for no discernible reason at all for he knew where he was. The back of this Inn, as opposed to last week's and a fortnight's before, seemed less cozy and more lumpy. He checked his belongings before climbing out of his pack and putting his spell books inside, which he used with a small blanket as a pillow. He had the gold for a room but he saw the back of the Inn as more comfortable, probably because he had slept this way for about a decade now, after his father's death.

"Ow..." At the thought of the man who had given him life, love and all the knowledge he had on the arcane, a hand came to his head as a pain like a crossbow bolt at point blank range was buried in his skull. After a moment's pause and a shiver, the gnome hitched up his pack and moved to the front of the building. On the way to the tavern a human child, only a few inches taller than him pranced by just as a few over sized rats ran across her feet. She screamed and ran away just as Oddwin reached for the door. He looked back and giggled shortly before giving a small skip inside.

He set down his pack and climbed his way to the top of a stool before slamming his fists on the wood of the bar and smiling with his eyes closed at the bartender. "Some milk please, captain!"

Oddwin's next endeavor, (after his beloved milk) was to the Old Mage Horimire's home for a short bit of conversation. His father spoke of the man with great appreciation when he was young. He did not know whether his father knew him or had heard of his power from afar but his fantastic stories captivated the young gnome in such a way that he had to meet the mage himself. The underlying reason was, of course, the finding of his twin sister, but his head would be level and his gnomish glee intact.

[Esoteric Sleeper]

Grickquai Sol

The sun finally found its way through the trees to shine down on the young half-orc's resting place in the woods. He had been awake for sometime, but his hangover had insisted that he set out on a late start this morning. That and the trepidation of wondering into a new town.

He had reached the town just the day before, but he had been in no rush to walk up to the city proper only to be asked to leave. Again. These small towns seemed to have little patience for orcs, half-blooded or not. And so he found a cozy spot and drunk the discomfort away.

Still he couldn't stay in the woods forever, this close to the town these woods were likely private property, and while one half-orc might be asked to leave the town proper, he might just as easily be killed if found trespassing. Stretching, he stepped naked out into the stream and washed the nights dirt from his dark colored skin, then he took his time dressing in his fancy cloths and armor. People mocked him for trying to live above his station, wearing such garments, but at least the humans would talk to him when he dressed this way, even when the town guard of that one town demanded to know how he paid for it all. He didn't answer, they kicked him out of town. Surprise surprise.

If Grick did not find a group of adventurers in this town to make a clan out of, he was almost certain he would give up, throw in the cowl, and try once again to live with the orcs. He was getting tired of what he once thought of as food telling him what he could or could not do.

With his armor in place and his massive swords strapped to his back, he mounted his horse and headed towards the town proper.

[OodSigma]

Ranzmut Gerbert Glimgel Klemrick Olffnab has spent his past few nights in the town they call Avercrest. Last night he had met his goal of the week, accomplished the task that was keeping him here. At first he was just passing through but on his first night at the bar, 4 days ago, he had set up an stage and performed, as he always does, a set of songs, poems, and tricks for the enjoyment and hopefully gold of the patrons. He saw a young maiden that did catch his eye and while this is not strange it was indeed odd that she denied him. Being hurt and feeling vulnerable Ranz has spent the last 4 days courting her and succeeded last night. So that brings us to today. Hung over he creeps out of the house and searches for a good place to warm up and than leave.
Having surveyed the town the past few nights he has found an opportune spot, in a more advanced town it would be the town center. Where all traffic passes through. He spends uses his natural gnomish ability to manipulate the arcane (prestidigitation) to craft a crude bowl and carves into it "DONATIONS". He finds a perch as high as he can, sets the bowl down on the ground in front of him and began to strum his lyre for all to hear.

 

Dice Perform:

1d20+11

(13)+11

Total = 24

Perform

[Grengor]

While Fredrick sat at the bar and watched the comings and goings of the people, he couldn't help but notice two short fellows enter. The halfling's light brown and curly hair reminded him of human children, although Fredrick decided to keep that thought to himself. Halflings have a habit of knowing their way around a pocket after all.

Fredrick also takes note of the skip in the step of the gnome who had entered just after. Although he seemed jolly enough, Fredrick took note of his position in the tavern. Gnomes had a habit of disappearing after all.

After finishing his water, Fredrick turns to the nearby gnome.

What brings you to these neck of the Kingdom? Fredrick asks cheerfully.

[Jester Xero]

Well then, with everything as tame as it was, Scratch decided to stir up some fun. He'll make a

Dice Roll:

1d20+15

(18)+15

Total = 33

Hide to lose himself in the crowd, become much harder to see, almost impossible with his small stature. When he's sure nobody is looking at him, he'll take a quick look around for the biggest, meanest lookin' mofo in the tavern... (who's unarmored) and promptly

Dice Roll:

1d20+8

(4)+8

Total = 12

Sneak Attack him with a thrown cup of ale. Flat-footed AC Vs. Cup to back of guy's head.

Dice Roll:

1d3

2

+

Dice Roll:

1d6+3

(1)+3

Total = 4

Damage, if Neccessary..

Also, he ducks back into a different part of the crowd as soon as he tosses the cup, just incase it does indeed hit and people try to trace the trajectory.

[Roshti]

At about half of his large glass of milk, Oddwin turns to the man who spoke. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't happen to hear whether it was you or the man behind you babbling. If it were in fact you, I shall answer the question. He offered a smile twice the size of his face and ran a hand through his straight hair. "I, mister human, am here to see a man of great power!" His hands came next to his head and his fingers wiggled around at the last two words. "But, being a small man of great power myself, I assume you are here to see me?" He nearly drowns himself as a gulp is interrupted by a chuckle. "Of course you're not, I'm blisteringly mad." He turns back to the man and reapplies his squinted smile.

[Dusdane]

Ranz, as you play your wonderful lyre, a small crowd seems to flock to you, dropping several pieces of copper and silver into your donation bowl. They seem awed by your performance, and many of them actually think your a demigod by your playing. Some sway back and forth to your music, and some even fall asleep to it, regardless of its tempo or rythem. You get an extra 10 gold from the donations.

Scratch throws the cup, which sails through the tavern and promptly smacks a person square in the back of the head. A loud grunt is heard, and a rather large man turns around. He has disgusting looking hair, which looks rather ratty and greasy. He then hollers out in a intimidating tone towards the crowd of bar patrons. "Who did that?!" Hes rather ugly, with his left eyes missing and gangly teeth hanging out of his mouth. His friend, another ugly man, starts to laugh, but is greeted by a large punch to the face. He falls back, stunned, knocking over another man and his drink. The other man, clearly angry, then smashes the glass over the missing eye guys head. And so begins the Bar Brawl!

Beez, throughout your search, you do not find a studio, as the town is rather small and untidy for such an exquisite thing as that. However, a lute playing man does capture your attention, as does random hollering from the nearby Tavern/Inn.

Jai, the Tavern keeper looks to you and smiles, looking at you rather quaintly. A thin man, his cheeks are gaunt, and he looks rather optimistic. "Why, the best place to eat around here is... Well... Thats hard to say... Food is quite hard to get round here..." Immediately, a glass mug shatters the wall next to him, and he promptly ducks from the mug, as the bar room brawl has begun.

[Grengor]

Blistering mad indeed. Fredrick thought, as he scolded himself for striking a conversation with a gnome.

You must be to mistake me for a human. Did the golden scales and pointed face not clue you in? Fredrick asked.

No sooner had the words left his mouth did a Tavern Brawl break out. Never one for a physical confrontation, Fredrick hops over the bar table to crouch behind the counter for protection.

[Roshti]

Oddwin flings his pack over the bar and follows it. Being a young gnome for tricks however, he quickly pulls the spell book designated for Illusions from it in mid-air and looks over the first page before looking back to the yellow man crouching beside him. "Oh no, my friend. I simply have never seen a yellow scaly man before and had no idea what to call you." Around a hundred silent woodland critters from a rabbit to a badger appear around him and jump across the bar to terrorize the bar patrons fighting each other. He reaches a hand out next to him. "The name's Oddwin, captain.

(OOC: Do I need to roll for the casting seeing as the entirety of the bar would have to roll as well? :P If so I shall.)

[Jester Xero]

Scratch dashes under a table of people, easily keeping him concealed. He cupped his hands and lowered his voice, shouting out:

"TAAAAAVEEEERN BRAAAAAWL!"

He'd reach out from under the table and pull a random person towards the table, and when the stranger connected with it, no matter how lightly it seemed, Scratch threw his hands against the bottom of the table and shook it violently, spilling drinks and food all over the patrons to incite more vigorous participation. If they stood up and left to get their "payback", he'd take a drink and some of the food from the table before

Dice Roll:

1d20+15

(2)+15

Total = 17

slipping through the crowd and around the bar.

What he hadn't expected was the spellscale sitting there:

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

The sound of smashing glass and a couple shards flying into his hair had him reply to his own question:

"Ah, of course. Would you be up for making some coin?"

He glances around for the til, or maybe the key to said till, and also for any doors other than the one on the opposite side of the brawl.