December PotM

[Admin Choc]

Nope, we don't have the Christmas tree set up yet, it is considered rude over here. I just read that in an informative article about Dutch Christmas but I think it is slightly outdated. Everywhere are Christmas trees to be seen (we just are slightly slow, we need a bit of jolly holly spirit to be added to get into the Christmas vibe ;-)

Anyway, just to share some Dutch silly with knowing things that you need to know before heading out to a Dutch family during Christmas --> a gourmet set, a Christmas gift basket from work, Delft Blue Christmas ornaments, Ice skating and family games. Curious? Let me share a link so you can read up

Besides that, we are all here to nominate ofcourse! Let us not be distracted by this Dutchness stuff so, here we go --> please nominate an excellent post you have spotted, and written this month. And you have come to the right thread to share what you think was worth the 'Post of the Month December'- nomination and hopefully, victory. So GO AHEAD, make this thread stuffed with nominations, keep in mind to only nominate one post (and not multiple posts to prove your point please), and that you can nominate only once.
Besides that: nominate nominate nominate, share the link and your motivation and let us all enjoy

Last but not least, there is no shame to nominate your own post! If you feel you made an effort, you spend extra energy and time and your post shows it? Earn the credits you deserve and nominate :-). There is no time like the present so please use this Month/this thread to provide a stage and spotlight for a post you think needs to be seen and read...

Disclaimer: since we want to get the winning post in the spotlight, please be aware the post you nominated can be used to be in the next Explosive Runes. If you, or the writer of the post, have any objections to this; let us know

[Lentil Sponge]

The Nomination Credit to @TSRodriguez14 Player: Noquarter19 Game: The Lawless City System: Pathfinder GM: Lentil Sponge Context: Vyeggar Vugmuk, Noquarter19's character, is a half-orc looking for his brother, and one of six people who are indebted to the thuggish owner of the casino said brother used to work at. The owner's second-in-command has given them a mission they must perform in secret, which Vyeggar was initially unsure about committing to. Also, Vyeggar has been a massive tool due to his past traumas and distrust, to the point of actively hindering the party at times. The Post Itself: Vyeggar starts thinking about a recent incident at the casino where he put himself in danger for the sake of one of the other party members. He's recently realised that he cannot find his missing brother without friends, so he attempts to make peace with the others. After that, and planning their mission, he retires to a bedroom to find a prostitute getting him food. Overwhelmed by the recent events and revelations, instead of sexual favours Vyeggar asks her just to let him put his head on her lap (not like that) so that he can feel loved, at least for a bit. Why Nominate This Post: Because I couldn't nominate every post in this game. Seriously, I have some absolute killer writers in this game and they are a fun quirky bunch of misfits. Shoutout to Touketsu, CatCanCook, Dylan Scott, Alatere & Vaerdis! But this post really stuck out to me. Noquarter19 has been very good about writing an intentionally unlikeable character who actually hinders the party, but never doing so too much or without very good reasoning and logic. But this is the post where it feels like a break-through with Vyeggar is made and he is at his most sympathetic. It just emphasises how many barriers and walls he's put up, and while there's a lot of progress to be made before he stops being a problem, this is the first time he's actually opened up to someone and it emphasises how broken and tragic the character is. Just great writing. I'd also recommend the post he made before this, where he put himself on the line for no benefit to himself but because it was the right thing to do. Link to the post itself!   Vyeggar Vugmuk Credit to @TSRodriguez14 Hours later, after the events in the casino, the half-orc Vyeggar Vugmuk found himself staring out the window into the distance, his golden eyes watching the sun settle down below the horizon, slipping away like an old man breathing his last. He had been in a brown study ever since the events by the river, and despite the earlier excitement in the casino with the giant top-knotted orc, Vyeggar had felt emotionally numb for the last several hours. He had made a fair go of it at the conch shell game, shucking coins from those too gullible to know he was conning them; he had then turned around and tucked the earnings into his shirt and passed the whole mess off to Damien for safekeeping or to do with as he pleased, while Vyegger himself had stalked off to straight up assault – and then insult – the Maztablastas. He didn’t care about the coins; it was only money, and an inconsequential amount considering the total debt he owed Tilly. At that level of insolvency, a fistful of dollars was largely beneath his consideration, especially with everything else going on. Afterwards, when Liana was safe and the old man temporarily rousted from the establishment, the scene descended back into the usual humid, smoky, depressing miasma. Standing there, watching the orc run haltingly off after the old man, Vyeggar found himself vaguely wishing the brute had finished the job on his head which the corrupt town guard had started only a few short days before. He wanted to sleep for a thousand years, but sadly there was no rest for the weary. ”Ok, you have five minutes to discuss a plan with each other, then go up to your room and pretend you’ve got a customer with you…” Vyeggar was hardly enamored with the task at hand; he knew that the likelihood of further damage to his reputation with Tilly would be high should this whole cockamamie plan go tits-up, but he had no choice. Sandramine had succumbed to his own unique blend of diplomacy and told him, if not the truth, the direction he should turn his investigation towards regarding Valdik’s whereabouts. But that avenue of inquiry was fraught with its own peril, for his newfound lead pointed to the one man that Tilly demanded be slain on sight, with nary a word exchanged. At this point, to borrow an expression or two from the casino world, he had played his card against Tilly’s second in command, and in so doing he was now pot-committed. He needed to find Kasturr, or at the very least, where the treacherous kobold bastard laid his filthy, lice-ridden head at night. And then, once he had gotten his pound of flesh in the form of information – and only then – would he end the wretch’s life. He’d just have to make sure the others were on the same page – assuming he hadn’t become a complete pariah to them. He had lagged back with the others at the end of the shift, uncertain how to go about formulating their midnight machinations. The dynamic felt like it had changed. The focus of his ire had changed. Everything was different, and that difference made him uncertain how to proceed. His uncertainty, a truly foreign concept for the beastly, hedonistic brawler, left him feeling raw and vulnerable. When the it’s canon now, dwibucket brigade reconvened in a little corner of the staff room, they surely could not miss their half-orc companion’s subdued manner, for it was a far cry from his typical boisterous, brash braggadocio. Vyeggar took a deep, weary breath. He shouldn’t have been feeling nervous about this; none of them could claim to be better than he, for they were all passengers on the same sinking ship. Yet there was distance between them that could be almost physically calculated, measured out in every exclusive huddle he was disallowed from. He cleared his throat. ”Right, well, I’m sh*t at this sort of thing so I’m just going to say it. I’ve been an ass to you all, I don’t deny it.” It was an acknowledgement, not an apology, but as tangential to remorse as it might have been, it was a great leap forward for him. ”Had some personal issues with this place. Didn’t know who to trust, so I just didn’t trust anyone. Well, things changed, and I can’t do what I need to do flying solo. Don’t expect you’ll have me, but if you do, well…” He trailed off, uncertain where to go from there. His arms flapped once loosely at his sides – “what do you want, this is who I am,” the gesture tried to say. ”It’d be kind of you, and more than I deserve. I’ll not work against you, long as we can agree on one thing: when we find Kasturr, we keep him alive until I can talk to him. You feel the urge, after I get what I need, to tell Tilly that I openly defied her orders by talking to him first , I won’t hold it against you. I don’t expect things to be peaches and cream between us, but I’ve got personal business with that kobold sh*thead, and as long as none of you stand in my way getting to him, I won’t be a problem to you.” He flicked his eyes in Liana’s direction. ”You hate me most of all, and for good reason. You may as well hang onto that, because I’m not like to change enough to suit you. I put my ass on the line trying to keep that orc halfwit from clubbing your crazy old friend into the goddamn ground, so maybe keep that in mind moving forward that maybe I’m not the biggest piece of sh*t on the planet. Compromise is a two-way street, honey. Anyway, enough of that, let’s talk about this stupid plan with the boyfriend…” He had tried to keep it brief but ended up cutting a minute out of their allotted five. It didn’t matter. Saving the boyfriend was not a priority. Appearing to try was. When it came to brainstorming ideas for how to handle the boyfriend, Vyeggar was nothing if not pragmatic. ”So we’ve got two objectives, eh? – keep the girl safe, and keep whatever the magic thing is from changing hands. Well what’s to stop Liana from walking her home all friendly like, strike up some little banter about your gods or whatnot, something pointless and innocent that won’t connect with Sandramine or Tilly. As for the boyfriend, if he’s just some low-level wannabe gangster, I don’t see why we don’t just beat the sh*t out of the kid when we see him and rob him. Either that, or we’re going to end up having to storm wherever his crew is holed up – and at that point we might as well set the place on fire, smoke ‘em out and pick ‘em off as they flee.” He shrugged. ”Or we could ask nicely like a bunch of p*ssies.” He paused, realizing too late that being crass like that would not score him any points – and then he just shrugged. Can’t please everyone. As the meeting wrapped up and the others filed off, he grabbed Damien’s shoulder before the green-skinned fellow could depart. ”I’m guessing a good part of what you wanted to talk about I covered earlier? Or is there something else we need to hash out?” Finally, back upstairs in the quiet of his room, Vyeggar turned away from the window which he had been staring out, his thoughts interrupted by the unexpected guest. ”I’m sorry? The little goblin girl smiled politely in the dark. ”I said, I’m just here to get you food, and leave when the sand timer is done.” She paused, adjusting her skirt. ”Although… if you had, say, 30 gold to part with, I could make sure you’re very well rested…” ”Oh,” he said quietly, his eyes turning back to the horizon. ”No, that’s…” He sighed deeply. He had never been an attractive man but after the savage beating he had received and the resulting damage to his dental work, he now resembled a pale-green gargoyle. In the gloom of his temporary bedroom, this little goblin whore either couldn’t tell, or couldn’t care less, what Vyeggar looked like. It was comforting to be wanted, even if it was for coin. The thought of sleep seemed so seductive at this point. The psychological entropy his mind had been battling ever since leaving the clutches of the church of Sophi had worn him to the brink, and in the room’s quiet solace, broken only by the gentle come-on from this sweet little thing, Vyeggar felt the exhaustion begin to take him. ”I don’t want that, but… but…” This weakness was unbecoming, but he felt paralyzed and broken, his limbs moving through air thick as syrup, his spirit beaten and degraded. All he wanted was a safe place, a place where he could find rest. ”What's your name, if you don't mind me asking? [Insert name here]? That's a nice name. A pretty name for a pretty lady. [Insert name here], could I just, maybe, lay my head down on your lap? I- it’s…“ His sudden yearning for someone to hold him was so strong, but he could hardly find the words. ”It’s been so long since someone just held me.” Only the darkness could tell if there were tears in his eyes, and it revealed nothing.   Standard Action: rp only Swift Action: Free Action: Movement: Stat Block Vyeggar Vugmuk Half-orc Brawler 1 Hit Points: 13/13 | AC/Touch/FF: 14 /11/ 13| Speed: 30 | Initiative: +2 | Spell Resistance: None | Damage Resistance: None Saves: Fort +5 | Reflex +3 | Will -1 STR 17 (+3) DEX 12 (+1) CON 17 (+3) INT 12 (+1) WIS 9 (-1) CHA 4 (-3) Attacks: Melee BAB +4 Ranged BAB +2 | Combat Maneuver Bonus +4 | Combat Maneuver Defense 15 Weapons: Fists. +4, 1d6+3, x2. Skills: Intimidate +8 | Kn: Local +5 | Perception +3 | Swim +6 | Skill Mod Skill Mod Acrobatics +0 Knowledge (Local) +5 Appraise +1 Knowledge (Nature) +1 Bluff -3 Knowledge (Nobility) +1 Climb +2 Knowledge (Religion) +1 Craft +1 Knowledge (The Planes) +1 Diplomacy -3 Linguistics +1 Disable Device +0 Perception +3 Disguise -3 Perform -3 Escape Artist +0 Profession -1 Fly +0 Ride +0 Handle Animal -3 Sense Motive -1 Heal -1 Sleight of Hand +0 Intimidate +8 Spellcraft +1 Knowledge (Arcana) +1 Stealth +0 Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +1 Survival -1 Knowledge (Engineering) +1 Swim +6 Knowledge (Geography) +1 Use Magic Device -3 Knowledge (History) +1     Skills Table Race/Class Abilities, Feats, Traits, etc. Racial Traits: Darkvision: Half-orcs can see in the dark up to 60 feet.Darkvision | Intimidating: Half-orcs receive a +2 racial bonus on Intimidate checks because of their fearsome nature.Intimidating | Orc Blood: Half-orcs count as both humans and orcs for any effect related to race.Orc Blood | Orc Ferocity: Once per day, when a half-orc is brought below 0 hit points but not killed, he can fight on for 1 more round as if disabled. At the end of his next turn, unless brought to 1 or more hit points, he immediately falls unconscious and begins dying.Orc Ferocity | Weapon Familiarity: Half-orcs are proficient with greataxes and falchions, and treat any weapon with the word "orc" in its name as a martial weapon.Weapon Familiarity | Favored Class Bonus (Brawler): Add 1/4 to the brawler’s effective level to determine her unarmed strike damage.Favored Class Bonus Traits and Drawbacks: Bloody Minded: You are always ready for bloodshed. You gain a +1 trait bonus on initiative and Intimidate checks. Bloody Minded | Bruising Intellect: Your sharp intellect and rapier-like wit bruise egos. Intimidate is always a class skill for you, and you may use your Intelligence modifier when making Intimidate checks instead of your Charisma modifier. Bruising Intellect | Cruelty: You were rewarded as a child for flaunting your victory over others as completely as possible, and you discovered you enjoyed the feeling of rubbing your foes’ faces in the dirt. Whenever you are engaged in combat and there are dying or helpless foes within 30 feet, you take a -2 penalty on attack rolls against foes who are neither dying nor helpless. Cruelty Class Features: Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A brawler is proficient with all simple weapons plus the handaxe, short sword, and weapons from the close fighter weapon group. She is proficient with light armor and shields (except tower shields).Weapon and Armor Proficiency | Brawler's Cunning (Ex): If the brawler's Intelligence score is less than 13, it counts as 13 for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites of combat feats.Brawler’s Cunning | Martial Flexibility (Ex): A brawler can take a move action to gain the benefit of a combat feat she doesn't possess. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The brawler must meet all the feat's prerequisites. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + 1/2 her brawler level (minimum 1). The brawler can use this ability again before the duration expires in order to replace the previous combat feat with another choice. If a combat feat has a daily use limitation (such as Stunning Fist), any uses of that combat feat while using this ability count toward that feat's daily limit. At 6th level, a brawler can use this ability to gain the benefit of two combat feats at the same time. She may select one feat as a swift action or two feats as a move action. She may use one of these feats to meet a prerequisite of the second feat; doing so means that she cannot replace a feat currently fulfilling another's prerequisite without also replacing those feats that require it. Each individual feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability. At 10th level, a brawler can use this ability to gain the benefit of three combat feats at the same time. She may select one feat as a free action, two feats as a swift action, or three feats as a move action. She may use one of the feats to meet a prerequisite of the second and third feats, and use the second feat to meet a prerequisite of the third feat. Each individual feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability. At 12th level, a brawler can use this ability to gain the benefit of one combat feat as an immediate action or three combat feats as a swift action. Each individual feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability. At 20th level, a brawler can use this ability to gain the benefit of any number of combat feats as a swift action. Each feat selected counts toward her daily uses of this ability.Martial Flexibility | Martial Training (Ex): At 1st level, a brawler counts her total brawler levels as both fighter levels and monk levels for the purpose of qualifying for feats. She also counts as both a fighter and a monk for feats and magic items that have different effects based on whether the character has levels in those classes (such as Stunning Fist and a monk's robe). This ability does not automatically grant feats normally granted to fighters and monks based on class level, namely Stunning Fist.Martial Training | Unarmed Strike: At 1st level, a brawler gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A brawler may attack with fists, elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a brawler may make unarmed strikes with her hands full. A brawler applies her full Strength modifier (not half) on damage rolls for all her unarmed strikes.Unarmed Strike Feats: Deft Maneuvers: (from EITR) You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when performing a trip, disarm, dirty trick, feint, reposition, or steal combat maneuver. In addition, you receive a +2 bonus on checks with these combat maneuvers. Now a prerequisite for the relevant greater combat maneuver feats.Deft Maneuvers | Improved Unarmed Strike (class): You are considered to be armed even when unarmed - you do not provoke attacks of opportunity when you attack foes while unarmed. Your unarmed strikes can deal lethal or nonlethal damage, at your choice.Improved Unarmed Strike Languages: | Common | Orc   Eligible for Armor Focus feat (+1 AC - armor) Eligible for Aquatic Combatant (bludg strikes hit for full dmg underwater) Eligible for Artful Dodge (+1 AC - dodge - if only threatening combatant) **Eligible for Belier's Bite (+1d4 bleed damage to unarmed strikes)** Eligible for Blind Fight (Reroll miss percentile due to concealment) Eligible for Cleave (additional attack vs adjacent foe if initial attack hits) Eligible for Combat Expertise (trade atk bonus for AC bonus) Eligible for Combat Reflexes (bonus AoO = to Dex mod) Eligible for Combat Vigor (allows for self healing of 1d6 at price of 1 min fatigue, replen after 8 hours) Eligible for Death From Above/Death From Below (situational, bonus from high ground/bonus vs flying creatures) Eligible for Demonic Style (bonuses to Atk + Dmg when charging) Eligible for Desperate Battler (bonuses when no allies within 10 feet) Eligible for Dirty Fighting (bonus to combat maneuver attack when flanking) Eligible for Drag Down (trip a foe who trips you) Eligible for Enforcer (intimidate as free action when dealing nonlethal dmg) Eligible for Felling Escape (trip a foe when breaking a grapple) Eligible for Flanking Foil (affect flanking enemy with successful attack) Eligible for Frightening Ambush (intimidate as free action vs flat footed foes) Eligible for Ground Grabber (+2 CMD vs larger enemies) Eligible for Intimidating Prowess (add str mod to intimidate checks + cha mod (int mod with trait)) Eligible for Ki Throw (throw opponent prone on successful trip attack) Eligible for Opportunistic Grappler (attempt dirty trick while being grappled) Eligible for River Raider (stealth and swim bonus when weather is clear) Eligible for Scorpion Style (after successful atk, foe makes wis save or speed reduced to 5 feet) Eligible for Shadow Strike (deal precision damage vs foes with partial concealment) **Eligible for Smash (bonus to breaking objects and doors)** **Eligible for Snapping Turtle Style (bonus to ac when at least 1 hand is free)** Eligible for Solo Maneuvers (+1 to CMB/CMD when only one threatening) Eligible for Step Up (when foe takes a 5 foot step, take 5 foot step toward them immediately) Eligible for Throw Anything (no bonus on ranged attacks with improvised weapons) Eligible for Toppling Pileup (after successful trip vs foe, attempt trip against adjacent foe) **Eligible for Weapon Focus - Unarmed Strike (+1 to attack rolls)** **Eligible for Whirling Hold (can sicken foe when maintaining a grapple)** Level 2 ideas: Dodge Feat (Bonus). Makes eligible for Azata Style (+1 dodge bonus if move at least 15 feet), Crane Style (-2 to defensive attacks, +1 additional Dodge AC), Landing Roll (if tripped move 5 feet as an immediate action) Take 1 rank in Knowledge (Dungeoneering), eligible for Rat Catcher (bonus vs small creatures and swarms) Level 3 ideas: 3 ranks of Intimidate makes eligible for Boar Style (unarmed strikes can be B or S) 3 ranks of Swim makes eligible for Shark Style (unarmed strikes can be piercing and do bonus 1d6 bleed dmg) Eligible for Reap the Infirm (bonus damage vs diseased creatures) Eligible for Savage Slam (do damage and move foe when releasing a grapple) Eligible for Tiger Style (bonuses to CMD, slashing dmg, bleed dmg on crit)

[bananabadger]

Player: BestTeaMaker
Game: The Banshee Bride
System: 5e
GM: Fillyjonk

Background: Nukky, an orphaned kobold druid, prepares camp and some much-needed goodberries for his fellow adventurers who are wounded and stuck with him in a strange time warp.

Reason: Playing high-powered heroes capable of wonders, we sometimes forget how amazing and fascinating simple magic can be. Here, BestTeaMaker brings a kobold's tragic family background and a wonderful ceremony into the oft-overlooked and sometimes routine player action of casting the Goodberries spell. Magic should be, well, magical--and this post reminds us of that.

Link to game post

 

Nukky Time would be frozen, but Goodberries were forever. Arriving at the camp clearing, Nukky begins to make preparations for rest. Using what supplies they had, Nukky began to make a fire and tent. Sitting in front of the fire, he brings his sack in front of him. He holds out his hands, and with his final spell slot, chants out a simple rhyme. Goodberries for life, Goodberries for all. May Goodberries be lasting til the sun again falls. Every evening he would recite this, and every time ten berries would appear in his hands. It was the first piece of magic Nukky learned from his mother, before he took up the oath of the woods. Every time he would cast it, he would remember nights in the woods with his family. His father tending to the fire, his mother cradling him in her arms. Every night she would recite this simple poem, Goodberries pouring out of her palms and into a sack just like his. For his entire time, he felt that this was the only connection he had left of his family, but now that has changed. A new fire alights in Nukky's heart, hearing the words of his family in the shiny rock. He would find them again, and get them back. Satisfied, the kobold reaches in and takes out the previous batch of berries. Their magic was long gone, but they were still tasty. Maybe his new friends would appreciate sustenance in this cold frozen time. He calls out to his fellow group. "Nukky has camp ready. Nice and peaceful here at least."   Rolls Full Rolls Character Nukky   Character Class HP AC Wildfire Druid 3 27/27 15 Senses P.Per P.Inv P.Ins Other 16 11 14 Darkvision (60ft.) Spell Slots 1st Level - - - - 2nd Level O - Spell Mod Save DC +4 14 Saving Throws STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA +0 +2 +3 +3 +6 +1   Rolls Full Rolls Saving Throws Full Rolls Move - Action Goodberry Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating - Initiative - OOC - Inspiration - Wildfire Spirit Rolls - Saving Throws - Move - Action - Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating - Initiative 7 OOC -

[Ildrahil]

Nominating Horseman Gates everywhere Player: Horseman Game: Reluctant Heroes Yule Thread System: D&D 5e GM: Horseman/Rasgorn/Gibbon Context: Every year the DMs of Reluctant Heroes (RH) put together a special thread where all the heroes (PCs) from the various threads can come together and laugh, drink, sing, dance, game, and generally cavort. Now, this is held outside of the game’s canonical time, which is currently around 1300 AD. The setting is our very own Earth, only in this Earth the times of Tolkien and Howard predate our recorded history and actually happened, from the Ages of the Silmarillion, through the Ages of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, To the Age of Aquilonia, to the current Age we are in. Each year Yule is held in a different city and this year's Yule celebration is being held in Pont du Falx, also known as Falcon's Point. Yes, this means a lot of extra work by our dedicated DM team during this busy time of year, but they take it on. All players, old and new, are invited to this and it happens while the other threads are going on, with all the mayhem our dear DMs can throw at us in those ongoing threads. But our Yule celebration is where heroes can let their hair down around other heroes and not have to worry about a dirk in the back or a Dracolich in the closet. The most danger is a rather sharp barb aimed at one PC from another on occasion. About the Post: This is the kind of scene setting we have come to expect in RH and it has become the norm. But this scene is so well laid out, thought out, described, and graphically depicted that I had to share, for this is not the norm across RPGX I ken. And the crazy thing is, this post is simply describing the various gates the PCs can enter the city from, and the players get to choose which gate. Why I Nominated This Post: I could easily nominate 90% of the DM posts in this game and wouldn't feel like I was doing enough. Our three DMs are simply that talented. Heck, in truth I could nominate most of the posts of the players as well, such a talented group of players do we have. But digress I do, for this is about Horseman's post. What really struck me was that this is simply a background post setting up a scene for the PCs. Yes, this is background and believe me, Horseman has a scene set up for each of the gates so whichever gate a PC chooses, there'll be some type of encounter. So much time and care dedicated to a scene setting background post is simply above and beyond and this post deserves due consideration because of it. Link to the post.   Entering the City of Pont du Falx, the Gates Epona River Gate The Epona River Gate is only open daily and primarily serves cargo coming in from the Epona River, but many locals who live near the river use the gate as their primary access on small boats. The gate is reinforced with a strong deep wall containing the Gnomish made mechanical works to lift the gate. The Dwarven made iron gate is massive and extremely heavy, but lifts effortlessly. The Gnomes used power from the flow of the river to lift the gate. Many have come to the city just to look at the gate. City guards and customs agents man this gate. Just inside the gate are stone moorings with cranes overhead to unload cargo. Just ahead of you can be seen the old arched stone Scythe Bridge over the river. Just beyond the bridge is the diversion dam that regulates water going into the city canals. The Grand Canal runs north south, cutting through the city and was built specifically to aid the delivery of river cargo to the Merchant District. The Merchant District rises above the canal through natural geography. The canal is on a very gentle slope with a slow flow to the south and a massive tunnel was cut to deliver cargo below the Merchant District shops. This canal also supplies water through the city to fountains and wells scattered in the districts and quarters. Anyone coming in the Epona River Gate can float easily down the canal and get nearly all the way to the Cadrachan, Inn. Then just up the stairs. Saxon Gate Saxon Gate was one of the two gates under primary attack during the siege of 1273-1274. The main attack eventually came through Saxon Gate. The gate was eventually repaired and stands strong again, battered and battle worn. Entering through this gate one is immediately thrust into a good sized Saxon town filled with timbered houses and shops, the entire Saxon Quarter is rather compact and it is teaming with Germanic refugees from the Winter Wars that call this place home now. The Saxon Quarter is a thriving Teutonic town with the bulk of the populace being expert craftsmen of various craft trades. The houses are not just structures, they are works of art as much time and attention has been paid to carved woods and perfect stonework. The most notable inn is the The White Scramasax. Working your way Southwest you will find Claymore Street running directly east and west, folling the street west you will see the great statue of Cadrachan and Dinadain locked in eternal combat in the city square, just beyond is the Cadrachan Inn. Thors Gate Thors Gate stand opposite Saxon Gate on the east wall of the central city with the massive stone Dwarven fortress of Aesculus Hall lying between them. Thors Gate is made of wood and iron, while it still has arrowheads, spear points and a few scorch marks on it from the siege of the city, it is essentially untouched except by time. The gate was never seriously tried during the siege past the first couple months. Once battering rams shattered on the wooden doors and frame it was considered impenetrable and let alone from frontal assault. However, they did attempt to go around it. Bullettes were summoned by the Dark Druids and they dug a tunnel under the gate that was used by Duergar and Vanir to attack Thors Gate from the inside. Vedricson Collapsed the tunnel and with the help of Cuthred, Bjorn and Rota the Vanir were killed ending the Battle of Thors Gate. The Nordics in the city say that the gate is made from a limb of Yggdrasil, the world tree Legend holds that the limb fell to Midgard and it was cut into planks with Hofud, the sword of Heimdall, then crafted into a door by the Dwarves to guard the treasury of the Aesir. The door was gifted to Yallmir the Dane when he helped rid the world of Lycannthropy and Yallmir gave it the Norse immigrants to the city to keep them safe. Early Norse in the city were followers of Thor and named the gate in his honor. Walking through Thors Gate one walks into a rural Nordic village with one large longhouse and many small homes set in a square pattern. The Norse go to the sea every day to fish, while a few stay back and take up traditional crafts such as carving. Everywhere there are large racks of drying fish, the smell of salt and fish permeates the quarter. The Norse are rather clannish here and don't welcome strangers openly. They do not attack them, but they won't offer help easily either, especially if you are not Nordic. These Norse do not trust Gnomes or Halflings, but consider both Dwarves and Elves to be magical creatures. Traveling to the Cadrachan Inn from Thors Gate is a mirror path to entering through Saxon Gate. Travelers along this route will pass through the Flemish Quarter with all their shepherds and past the Franco-Norman Quarter. The Norse here consider the Normans to be rivals, lesser Norsemen that do not deserve their respect. The Normans consider the Norse to be barbarians and often spit in their direction when they pass them. Many fights, some deadly have broken out along this route. There is currently a blood feud between the two. Dirks Gate Dirks Gate is one of the largest Gates in the city. It brings in all the agricultural traffic from the south and Southeast. The outer gate is wide and low with the inner gate high and narrow. The gate was a primary attack point during the siege. After nearly a year, it finally fell. The gate has been patched, but never fully repaired. It's been mostly Half-Orc and Mercenary guards in this part of the city and they figure good enough is good enough. The gate is in poor repair and starting to get grown over. Approaching the city to Dirks gate you will pass Shanty Town. It was first a refugee settlement for those fleeing the Winter Wars in the lead up to the siege. Over time it became home mostly to Goblins and Orcs. The Crown found that having Goblins and Orcs in the city in unlimited numbers was too troublesome. So, they were asked nicely to resettle in Shanty Town by the Konun Vörður. A short fight ensued, there was blood on the streets and the order was carried out. Some down on their luck humans live here as well as other outcasts. Shanty Town is often called Goblin Town or the Goblin Ghetto now, it is filthy and smells awful from the nauseous mix of the stench of the tanneries and the fertilizer vats that use fish waste to make fertilizer for the Haymarket. Goblins make and Orcs make up the primary work force of the Tanneries and Fertilizer makers. The District is characterized by a great number of farms and gardens, as well as a great many hay barns, apple houses and small farm houses. The Haymarket was run by the only Lord to have a small fiefdom within the city. Sir Percival Snow he had a Manor House and owned much of the surrounding farm ground. Before the city fell the Haymarket was a rather idyllic place, akin to a small farming thorp with small orchards dotted in clumps throughout the district as well as wide fields of wheat, corn and oats. Dirks Gate was sundered by a wooly rhino and a horde of orcs and gnoll raiders. The creatures spread out looking for the easiest targets first. That was the Haymarket, only protected by a low stone wall. The army burned and looted through the fields, orchards and farm houses. They made Snow Manor their primary target. Sir Percival Snow survived the attack, but everyday he wishes he hadn’t, as he lay crushed and gutted, through blurry eyes he watched as his home burned, he smelled burning flesh of his house staff, he heard the sound of his wife and sons being murdered. He awoke alive days later, and survives to this day, crippled and mentally broken. He lives in the burnt shell of his manor, farming a small plot of land near the graves of his family. The new government divided up Percivals land in the Haymarket, parceling it out to families to farm. The Black Soil was broken into, Godert impaled on an Orc spear, he beautiful daughters were pulled from their hiding place in the cellar, carried off and ravaged. The girls returned several weeks later, finding their father dead and rotting. They buried him, and went about trying to restore something of their lives. By then end of the year all five of them gave birth to Half-Orc babies. The Woodcutter and Whetstone survived relatively lightly. Mama Kate opened all the doors, rolled liquor barrels outside, and then jumped into the well to hide. Perendil Aspenwall was helping defend Candle Tower (Tower 13) and survived. Many of the barns in the grange were burned and all were looted. The low stone wall bordering McAshens Run was partially dismantled and damaged. It was later turned into a hedgerow. The district was expanded across McAshens Run to the streets, taking up part the Yeoman District. Their is only one established guild within the Haymarket, the Poulters Guild. This Guild is run by Guildmaster Egil, a Flemish Goose Down Merchant. Harlots Gate Harlots Gate is the most dangerous gate in the city, it is just up a steep hill from the wharf and accesses the Red Light District. The main thorough fare is moderately to poorly well kept, off the main street the district is dilapidated. Filled with filthy tenements, beggars, Lotus addicts, and drunks. The gate itself has largely been ignored, only a person or two can get through at a time, and it is overgrown and rotting. The tanneries can be smelled from this gate, and the sewers have largely failed leaving waste flowing down street gutters. The Red Light district is home to the most notorious establishment in the city, the Half-Orc N Hussy. The sign on the tavern appears to be the only thing in the district well kept, it features a brightly painted grinning Half Orc with one arm around a lady of the night and a mug in the other. The Inn is well known for Black market deals, and famous for knife fights. Disputes at the Half Orc N Hussy are settled with knives and betting is encouraged. It is popular to down to the tavern, imbibe illegal spirits or Lotus, and wait for a fight to break out you can bet on. Finns Gate Finns Gate is the main gate in which travelers from the sea enter the city. Once landing on the wharf and passing the fishmongers, stevedores and longshoremen, its a fair walk up the hill with a switch back near Harlots Gate. Then continuing up the hill to the center of the city where atop the walls sits the primary customs house for the city. Here ship cargo is off loaded with huge cranes made the Gnomes to lift the cargo up over 250 feet, then to wagons. Once the cargo is on wagons most of it heads due east on Claymore street to the merchant district. It is under the cranes that sits Finns Gate, named in honor of Finn McCull. Coachmen sit on the wharf waiting for people with the means to hire them for a ride up the long road to Finns Gate. The Coachmen are renowned story tellers, a tradition amongst them, as a way to garner tips. A typical ride is a copper, but they hope for a little more if their stories are worthy. Entering Finns Gate gives you ready access to the heart of the city. The Foreign Quarter is immediately to the north with it's exotic buildings, peoples, sites and smells. It is home to foreign dignitaries and visitors to the city. To the south is the Yeoman Quarter where free men live and work. Further east are the Inn District, the smithies of the Mineral District and a couple miles up the street, to the north is the Hippodrome. This arena was built by quarrying rock to repair the city, eventually it turned into a gaming arena with everything from animal races to gladiatorial games. Slaves, Debtors or condemned prisoners can choose the life of a gladiators if they like. Games are held periodically on no set schedule. However there are always games on the Spring Equinox. Claymore street is broad, broad enough for 10 chariots to travel abreast and it is lined with shops of every type. This stretch is considered a must for the wealthy.