[Game Thread] Welcome to Westgate

[RavenColm]

Welcome to Westgate

Westgate, the city of merchants, no city as been in bigger turmoil in the last 100 years. It’s a city of wonders, where the smallest ripple in the pond, may end up causing a tsunami. It is a day like many other in the port city metropolis, the street is booming with people gushing in every artery of the city like an ant hive, on the surface the metropolis looks like any other.

But just bellow the surface, there is another kind of life. On the street level, crime syndicates and thugs rule the city at knight with an iron fist, crushing the population with fear of walking the nights without a weapon. The peace is swiftly kept by the city guards, trough hard work and cooperation of the 10 Merchant guild houses that help in any way they can. When scratching deeper, you find a web of lies, deceit and manipulation. As you see even with the war being ‘’over’’ it still rages on but on a new level. No adventurer or watchmen has ever been able to scratch deep enough so that they may bring to light the many secrets that lies within the city’s massive wall.

Here you are adventurers, gathered together through fate, you are about to live the greatest adventure of your life.

Chapter 1: The fate of Melera

Today is a day of festival within Westgate, here you are walking the crowded streets of the Silverpiece way. The main artery is filled with game stands and pesky sellers from various houses, chanting the ever so redundant sales pitch in order to attract customers to buy their goods. This does not interest you see, because you have all been called upon by the House Vhammos. You do not have any idea, of why you have been called, but an invitation to a private banquet was enough to poke your curiosity since you know that civilians are rarely called unless they are capable adventurers. House Vhammos is known to ask for outside help, since the house is mainly one of scholars and wizards. Upon arriving at the house you where given instruction to ask for Lady Melera, and present the VIP card that the messenger has given you earlier, witch will grant you access to the banquet. You where given permission to enjoy the party until called upon.

(DM note: ok this is the intro, introduce your characters, you may also check around the stands if there is anything that might interest you. When you guys are done, we will continue with the story)

[Huhart]

The surging mass of humanity flowing through the streets of Westgate was like a lover’s embrace to Melwine. He could sense the energy of the crowd, the illusion of lawful business with a dark undercurrent of deceit, fraud, guile and treachery. On any other day, he would have stopped at one the various stalls to try his luck at the games or barter of a trivial trinket. But not today, today he was on a mission.

How he happened to become the recipient of a summons to House Vhammos, he did not know. Maybe they had heard him boasting of his former glories in one of the taverns he frequented, or it could be just luck, or the intervention of mighty Brandobaris. It didn’t really matter, in any case. The invitation meant adventure and excitement. And this was what Melwine lived for.

Melwine was dressed in his finest attire, master crafted studded leather armor with a cape and feathered cap, all in mouse gray as was befitting for a ‘Hand of Misadventure’. He arrived at the house and presented his invitation. Scanning the crowd, he tried to guess the identity of Lady Melera.

[FlyingGreenMonkey]

Rodel strolled along with the flow of the crowd. He enjoyed the rhythm of the city. For a few moments he let himself become part of the city, letting the crowd take him along the streets, letting the games and shows catch his eyes. He occasionally reached his hand into one of his pockets to make sure the invitation was still there. He had no idea why House Vhammos would summon him but he loved it for doing so. It smelled of adventure. Maybe this time it would actually be a worthwhile adventure!

Rodel reached the house dressed in green and brown. He smoothed his green cloak a bit. It had gotten a little crumpled in the crowd. His master crafted chain mail caught the sun's light and gleamed. His great sword had been polished and was strapped to his back. It had been a long time since he had attended any noble gathering and was unfamiliar with the customs of Westgate so he didn't know if his current attire was good enough. He presented his invitation and asked for Lady Melera.

[RavenColm]

As you enter the main hall of House Vhammos, you are impressed by the sheer beauty of this place. The main hall stretches across a crystal made floor tiles emanating sparkling colors that almost blind you, Pillars as white as the snow hold the roof giving it a majestic look. The ceiling is filled with paint etched on the stones telling the first legend of this guild. As you show your invitation for the second time you are lead deeper into the hall where the banquet is actually held.

A man approaches you asking you to follow him. You are taken upstairs, he informs you that lady Melera will come shortly. This room looks as beautiful as the main hall, but it is a much more personalized place, from what you can tell it’s a working place for lady Melera. Her bureau is filled with dossiers and piled with request sheets, this probably has something to do with the fact that many scholars from Vhammos are always asked to help on expeditions due to the extensive knowledge they have of the surrounding plains around Westgate.

After a few minutes, you see a young women entering the room, she is dressed quite formally in her dress, and from the necklace that she wears, you can tell she is an achmagi instructor of the Vhammos achmages.

‘’Greeting adventurers, I am grateful that you accepted my invitation, as I am in great need of adventurers. As you might know, the house of Ssemm are know for their treachery and deceit. Recently they have asked for our help in deciphering a schema they found. Since we are always willing to help, we sent a young scholar name Ella to help them with their cause. Upon deciphering the schema Ella as sent a secret note to us saying that the schema's should not be used, because the power they hold is more then what mortals can handle. Upon hearing this we decided to pull Ella out of there saying we did not know how to translate this artifact. Unfortunately, one of the Ssemm samurai named Sheno, as found that we where lying and has sent troops to capture Ella, and force her to give them the translation. Now before I go on with more details, I wish to know… Will you help us? We are put wizards and scholars and we are ill equipped to deal with a direct threat from House Ssemm. If you do help us the reward will be of 1000 gold pieces.’’

Lady Melera pauses awaiting your response to her plea.

[Huhart]

"So, you want me to waltz into House Ssemm, free some librarian who's being guarded by a troop of samurai and bring her back here, dragging this big oaf with me," He indicates Rodel, "And for that you will give me...1500 gold?" Melwine asks, smiling broadly.
"I suppose I could consider it. I am actually pretty busy right now. But, maybe, if you gave me a small advance, you know, as a sign of good faith, I could be persuaded to drop my other commitments."

Melwine waits patienty for the Lady's answer. He looks up at Rodel, smiles and gives him a wink and a thumbs up.

[FlyingGreenMonkey]

"I can tell I'll like you, I'll let my little friend here handle the financial arrangements" Rodel laughed looking down at Melwine. Looking back at Lady Melera he replied to her question. "Protecting a young lady from some samurai and one of the most powerful houses in Westgate, all to keep vital information on a very powerful magic item that is too dangerous away from said house?" Rodel said in a nonchalant tone. A smile slowly crept on his face. "Sounds fun.....and suicidal. I mean I'm as fool hearty as the next adventurer but I'm no idiot. I would like to help but before I decide I want to know what you would have us two do against a House?

[Huhart]

"Hush, you fool! Knowledge is more valuable than money...but I would rather have the gold!" Melwine whispers to the swordsman.

[RavenColm]

Lady Melera smiles, understanding that it’s quite normal that nobody would just jump into action against one as powerful as the Ssemm Guild.

‘’I understand your worries, but we know House Ssemm is powerful, that is why it is not a direct assault. The last we heard of Ella she sent us a magical not saying that she is currently hiding at the Urdo docks at the city’s harbor. Understand that due to the treaty, House Ssemm cannot lauch a full scale search as it would draw too much attention. You are likely to face a small number and your mission isn’t necessarily to fight, but only get her out so she can rejoin us.’’

Lady Melera pauses… And reaches to a scroll that has been sitting on her desk, and hands it over to you.

‘’Give this to her when you make contact with her, it’s a teleportation scroll, it will get you back here once your done with the rescue mission. Also I will hand you 300 gold pieces each as an advance. If you make it here fast, and without too much blow over to the public eye, I would be willing to give an extra. But please hurry you don’t have much time’’

http://www.raflar.com/fantasyrpg/Westgate%20Key.pdf

http://www.raflar.com/fantasyrpg/ima...fire_72dpi.pdf

[Huhart]

"Very well, I'll do it," Melwine says, somewhat annoyed at being rushed through the negotiations by the urgency of the mission. At least he got some gold in advance and could probably sell the scroll for a tidy profit should things go bad.

"How will we know this girl, when we find her?" the halfling inquires, "And is House Urdo involved in this also?"

[RavenColm]

''Ella has medallion like mine, she has long blond hair and she is quite tall. she will be easy to spot and this is what scares me, she really stands out. As for house Urdo, they are enemies of House Ssemm, I believe that's why she ran over there.''

(OOC: I will post to continue the story when FlyingMonkey posts)

[FlyingGreenMonkey]

"Smart move on her part. I wonder if we could get house Urdo give any support? If not they will atleast act as a possible safe zone. Don't want to go to crazy on your enemies terriotory. Well either way you can count me in.," Rodel says with an grin. This sounded like the perfect adventure. House against house. Trying to rescue a damsel from samurais.

[Huhart]

"Hmmm, tall, young, attractive female...human, i assume. Sounds like just your type, eh fella? Uh, What you say your name was?" Melwine asks Rodel.
"He'd like to know if she's currently...on the market...as they say?" he adds, speaking to Lady Melera on Rodel's behalf. He snickers at his own joke.

[RavenColm]

Melera grins at Melwine's comment, but doesn't really replies. She then turns to Rodel

''I will inform House Urdo that some samurai have breached their territory, and I will talk about the entire Ella situation to see if they can actually do something about it. Please you must hurry at once.''

DM Notes: OK now before we go on, I will take in consideration that you guys are on your way there. I forgot to mention, but in my game I use what we call an event roll. what this is is quite easy to understand. I myself have an ''Event table'' with a few events from the game that happen in no particular order. I think it adds spice to the game. How it works is easy I will ask you both to roll, then I will sum up your rolls with a modifier of my own knowledge, with is basically decided by where you are currently in the story. So yea this is the first of these rolls. so just rp your walk over to the Urdo docks and add your roll to that post. Lets see what happens Extra info: forgot to mention that you roll a D20

[Huhart]

Melwine takes the scroll and gold and leaves the house. "Hurry, she says," He complains, "What if we'd turned down her offer? Who'd be hurrying then, eh?"
He walks briskly up Silverpiece Way, trying to act nonchalant, but inwardly wary that any movement in the shadows could be some thug ready to strike. He was glad he had the big guy with the sword to back him up.

Dice Roll:

1d20

2

Event Roll

[FlyingGreenMonkey]

"Probably knew what we would say already. I mean messengers sent to us personally," Rodel shrugged keeping his pace to Melwine's. He watched the people they passed by, half wondering if any of them could be from House Ssemm. "Since we couldn't have proper introductions my name is Rodel and what do you go by," he said trying to make small talk and appear as normal as a halfing and a human dressed in their finest could.

Dice event roll:

1d20

9

Event Roll