A BARDS TALE - Session 2: "Punch, dodge, duck, parry...." or "Hit them before they hit you!"

30th May 2023          

9th to 10th Day of Rainmoot: 1492 

Mission:                                                                                                                              Escort Ethrane brothers to Tradesmeet

Campaign:                                                                                                                            Tales from the Bard

Location(s):                                                                                                                                  AMN: Imnescar, Small Teeth Mountains, Caravasar (Trademeet)

Present:                                                                                                                            Dramos Ethrane, Niall Tharivol, Ragul-Nur, Roscoe Tosscoble & Dasan Ethrane (NPC)

9th day of Rainmoot.

The group headed to the Talented Fiddler as they were told there was a Battle of the Bards competition taking place. Some entertainment....at last.

Taking a table they ordered drinks, only Dramos abstaining. Dasan was quickly succumbing to the influence of the southern ales.

Half way through the competition of the battle of the bards an old dwarf approached Ragul-Nur.

Old Dwarf: “May an old dwarf buy a younger dwarf a drink?”

Not wanting to upset the old dwarf, Ragul-Nur agreed, before long the Old Dwarf had bought 3 rounds, Dasan was decidedly the worse for wear. Niall placed a bet on a likely looking Halfling Bard.

The Old Dwarf, who himself was inebriated started to tell a story.

Old Dwarf: “We used to dig the mines of the Silver Princess quite happily, we would dig, dig, dig, dig……. dig, dig, dig, dig………dig  the whole day through. Without much of a break. Old Grumpy wouldn’t give us more than 5 minutes in the morning, 5 in the afternoon and 5 at night. But we was treat real good by the princess. Then we found the ruby, what a size, natural shape, like a heart, well heart shaped it was. It was perfect, we named it our lady’s heart and presented it to the princess on her 21^st birthday. She held a ball in our honour. The seven seniors that were her council, named it and presented it. But by morning the Princess was stricken by an unknown malady, a curse. It was ‘him’ that dun it. He was a stranger but he was handsome, she was lonely and she fell for him. Then he just up and left on the stroke of midnight. He gave her an apple, told her it was from his garden and he had saved the best and most beautiful apple for her. We didn’t know what to do. So, Doc, he was a cleric of high standing, came up with a plan to encase the Princess in a crystal Casket, so all could come and see her beauty. To ensure she was alive he performed a ritual, and he told us that the Princess’s soul now resided in the Ruby Heart. Days and weeks went passed until a dragon appeared, destroyed the palace. The ruby heart was never seen again. The Seven wisest councillors were over-come with grief and 1 by 1 they turned into pillars of crystal. There they remain to this day.

I need you to find Our Ladies Heart, restore the Princess. I left an item my friend the Halfling smith, Toby Tosscobble, he lives in Mere. I am old and will not last to make the journey myself, I ask you, a fellow Dwarf to complete my task”

Ragul-Nur was taken aback by this and was just about to answer when......The young Halfling Bard, one Roscoe Tosscoble, had not only won but as he passed their table he overheard the Old Dwarf mention the name, Toby Tosscoble.

Roscoe: "That's my cousin".

Swinging around he didn't see the barmaid and knocked over the 4 flagons, decorated with a dragon, spilling the ale onto the floor. A large Half-Orc stood up and shouted....

Half-Orc: "Hey they were my drinks!

The Half-Orc swung a punch at Dasan but Dasan had already fallen to the floor to be sick and the punch went over his head. Ragul-Nur stormed forward and punched the Half-Roc only for his 'might blow' to fall harmlessly on the Half-Orcs side. Roscoe dashed behind a pillar, a Halfling supporter of one of the loosing acts ran at Roscoe and missed his swing punching the column instead. An Elf, who was sat with the Half-Orc launched himself at Niall as a 2nd Halfling tried the same.

The Talented Fiddler bar room was now sheer bedlam. A trio of Halflings started a fight by the stage. The Monk who had lost tried to jump over the table but was that drunk he fell over and knocked himself out, another monk tried to round kick Roscoe from behind but mistimed the kick and his leg smashed off another column. Niall swung an uppercut and sent the Elf back to where he started, knocking him out with a single blow, then he started on the Halfling. Ragul-Nur was hitting the Half-Orc but was being hit back too. Dramos dragged his brother off the floor and threw him under a table. Dramos then went and hit the Half-Orc. The Half-Orc, enraged, dragged Dramos off his feet and swept him over a table, knocking drinks flying everywhere.

The serving girl, who had the drinks spilled in the first place swung at Niall for attacking the 'child' as she put it. She missed, spinning round and smashing her tray into the face of the 'Lady of the night', breaking her nose.

Ragul-Nur eventually knocked the Half-Orc out, Niall smashed a fist into the serving girl and she slid down a column with a black eye and a nasty lump on her head. Roscoe dealt with the Halfling that attacked him as Niall turned his attention to the Halfling and knocked him out.

The Old Dwarf shouted discretion was the better part of valour and led them out of the door. They made their way back to the Secluded Valley Inn, where remarkably they were all staying.

Talking into the night they introduced themselves but the Old Dwarf was soon sound asleep. They carried him to his room and put him into the bed.

Here Roscoe confirmed he was from Mere, where his cousin lived too. He could guide them there.

10th day of Rainmoot.

Early next morning, with Dasan still unable to accomplish anything resembling sober they left asleep. The others met for breakfast and decided that they needed information. Rumours were flying around that the 3 dogs owned by the owner of the Talented Fiddler had been poisoned last night, from drinking spiled beer off the floor. Dramos and Ragul-Nur went back to the Talented Fiddler whilst Niall and Roscoe tried to glean more information from the Old Dwarf.

An official was there taking statements. Dramos talked to the serving girl. After a small bribe, Dramos found out that the drinks were intended for them, the Half-Orc and the  Elf had bought them. No one at the tavern knew who they were. They departed back to the others and brought them up to speed. They would approach the north and south gates in pairs to see if an Elf and a Half-Orc had departed the city late last night or this morning.

Roscoe and Ragul-Nur went to the north gate and again for a small bribe found out that no Elf wit a Half-Orc companion had left the city by that gate.

Niall and Dramos approached the south gate and were taken before the gate commander, the same official that Dramos had seen at the tavern earlier that morning. He was willing to inform Dramos and Niall, after Niall had described the Elf, that they seemed to be members of the Shadow Guild, a Thieves Guild with influence in most if not all large urban centres in Amn. The official told them that if they had been brought to the attention of the Guild it was either they had been hired by someone outside the guild or the guild themselves were interested in the group. Either way he advised them to leave Imnescar, with due haste he added.

It was now past midday when the group arrived back at the Secluded Valley Inn.  Dasan had awoken and was in a panic as he didn't know where everyone had gone. They all agreed they should leave Imnescar, they paid their bill, loaded the mule and departed for the south gate and Caravasar (Trademeet).

PLAYER INFORMATION:

A BARDS TALE - Session 1: 'Lefty, Righty, Loosey, Tighty' or 'Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty!"

23rd May 2023           A new beginning.

1st to 8th Day of Rainmoot: 1492 

Mission:  Escort brothers to Tradesmeet

Campaign: Tales from the Bard

Location(s): AMN: Athkatla, Crimmor, Purskul, Imnescar

Present: Dromos Ethrane, Niall Tharival, Ragul-Nur, Eafan Ethrane (NPC)

1st Day of Rainmoot

Ragul-Nur: "I'll sit here then as there are none to many seats elsewhere, I just want to kill some Orcs, 4 days I've been here and not a whisper about what's happening down south".

The High Elf, looked the Dwarf up and down and nodded, pushing the chair out from the table with his leg.

Niall Tharival: "I'm Niall Tharival and like you I hunt Orc. Have you heard anything about the Screaming Skull Orc Tribe?"

The Dwarf shook his head.

Ragul-Nur: "Mine is Ragul-Nur, headed here as soon as I heard word about Murann falling to an Orc horde that came out of the Wealdath".

Tharival: "I have been tracking the Screaming Skull Tribe since, they, since they..........well I've been tracking them awhile. Lost the trail north of the mountains, eastern Small Teeth. Decided to head from town to town to pick up news. Ended here when I heard the news about Murann".

Ragul-Nur: "Perhaps these Screaming Skulls joined the horde and where in on the attack on Murann?"

They settled down for a few drinks trying to listen in and hopefully pick up news from the chatter on the other tables. The Guard District was full of mercenaries. All hoping to make a quick fortune. All that was known for sure was an Orc Horde had gathered in the Wealdath, marched on Murann and captured the city. The city of Velen was now cut off from the trade road west and it's only link with the outside world was by Sea.

As they drank they noticed a youth had entered the tavern and a few eyes were turned toward him. The youth was uncomfortable and seeing an empty space at Ragul-Nur and Tharival's table he hurriedly sat down.

Youth: "May I buy you both a drink?"

They both answered yes, and questioned the motive behind the drink so easily bought.

Eafan: "My name is Eafan and I seek escort to the city of Trademeet, to the south of Imnescar.

Tharival: "You'll cover expenses and food?"

Eafan thought awhile before answering.

Eafan: "Why yes, of course, I'll cover travel expenses but only pay for modest accommodation when needed, nothing outlandish, extravagant."

Ragul-Nur: "That would be kind of you, and we only have to escort you to Trademeet?"

Eafan: "Yes, Trademeet."

Tharival: "Then we are your escorts, now when and where shall we meet?"

Eafan: "The Meirtyn Gate, sunrise tomorrow. The weather is said to be hot, make sure you have plenty of water, which is free enough in the city wells".

Eafan bade his farewells. Many eyes followed him out the door!

2nd Day of Rainmoot

When they approached the gate, Ragul-Nur and Niall noticed a stranger standing with Eafan.

Eafan: "This is my brother Dromos Ethrane, he will accompany us to Trademeet".

Ragul-Nur and Niall looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Just as easy to escort 2 as it was to escort 1 they thought. To beat it all, they were paying!

The day ended uneventful.

3rd Day of Rainmoot

Niall did some hunting and managed to bring down a stork. It was good eating that night.

4th Day of Rainmoot

They arrived in Crimmor at Dusk. They stopped in a modest inn called the Caravaners Rest.

An uneventful night.

5th Day of Rainmoot

They left their departure until late and decided to replenish the little supplies they had expended to get here.

It was only a 3 hour walk to Purskul, they arrived shortly before dusk. They stopped in a modest inn called the Weary Traveller.

6th Day of Rainmoot

It was obvious that the main influence in the town was the half-Orcs and very small % of True Orcs tat resided in Purskul. Ragul-Nur and Niall Tharival, although tempted, knew the penalties for the transgressions they were feeling.

7th Day of Rainmoot

They departed early. Heading away south before the sun was risen over the battlements. It looked like a sizable mercenary force, mainly Half-Orcs was building up in Purskul.

Niall went hunting again. Ragul-Nur went with him and was just about to give him the benefit of a Guidance Cantrip when a snake bit him in the long grass. He shouted out and put Tharival off his aim. The arrow sailed into the distance. Lost! It took Niall Tharival 3 more attempts before he brought down enough fresh game to feed them that day.

8th Day of Rainmoot

3 More arrows Niall used hunting this day.

8th Day of Rainmoot

Today Ragul-Nur decided to show the High Elf how it was done, 1 arrow and the young deer was brought down.

Ragul-Nur: "That's how you do it my friend, just like that!

Niall: "Huh! Beginners luck".

They arrived in Imnescar after dusk and where given directions to the Secluded Valley Inn.

Players Information:

Niall Tharival: Minus 7 arrows

Ragul-Nur: Minus 1 arrow