dot, also,
No wonder it's not showing up in my campaigns...major dottage!
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The town of Torch has long enjoyed a singular claim to prosperity-a violet flame that burns atop Black Hill in the heart of the town. This flame burns incredibly hot, and while it's usually the size of a bonfire, several times a year the fires spew up into the heavens in a brilliant beam of purple violence. These eruptions are presaged by about an hour of soft rumbling, giving nearby smiths a chance to retreat before the fires can consume them. At all other times, the violet energies allow for the smelting of all manner of skymetal. Torch is one of the only locations where skymetal can be worked with relative ease outside of Starfall, and its entire economy has risen around these purple flames, with traveling smiths coming from across Avistan to pay for the opportunity to work with them. Of course, Torch needs all the visiting trade and coin it can gather, for while the town's distance from Starfall makes it inconvenient for the Technic League to maintain a permanent presence here, the taxes and tariffs it charges the Numerian town on a monthly basis are significant. The town prospers, but the bulk of its income does not belong to it.
Which is why, when the fires atop the hill suddenly go out, the town is in trouble.
Recent Events:
The violet flame that has burned atop Black Hill for over a century has gone out, leaving a strangely seeping pit of rubble and bubbling fluids where the town's livelihood once glowed day and night. This happened 8 days ago.
Ever since Councilor Khonnir Baine, one of Torch's more powerful wizards and a well-liked individual, went missing on his second expedition under Black Hill, the citizens of the nervous town have edged closer to outright panic. With their hands full handling the growing refuse and waste problems in town now that their primary disposal method is gone, the town council is eager to find out what happened to Khonnir and rescue him they've made public a reward of 4,000 gp to any group that can recover Khonnir's body; if he can be returned alive, they've promised to throw in the scroll of resurrection they've been holding on to in case they need to revive him. Interested parties are invited to speak to the council at Town Hall in the morning.
Khonnir Baine discovered the signs of unusual traffic on the banks of Weeping Pond, and shortly thereafter, the submerged tunnel that provides access to several heretofore unknown tunnels under Black Hill. His emergence from the caves with a deactivated semi-humanoid automaton sparked worries that something strange might be going on in the caverns, but when he failed to return from
his second expedition a few days ago, those worries turned to outright fear. Several other adventuring parties have gone missing in the caves, and Torch finds itself running short on
new volunteers. 7 days ago the first group went and never returned, 6 days ago a second group went in and never returned, 5 days ago Khonnir Baine went with some allies and returned with an odd metal object, 4 days ago a group of Brigh worshippers went in and never returned. 2 days ago Khonnir Baine and his team went back in, and have not returned.
Bayani is nursing a glass of cheap wine -- he is unable to afford anything better with his patron missing -- and is apparently in a foul mood. He glances around at the revelry going on in the tavern, and grouses to Seamus, sitting nearby, "Not a bit of concern in these folks for Khonnir, they're just worried their garbage disposal isn't operating. Proper sanitation practice is well known in most parts of the world, but here they just dump it in the torch and assume it's going to sustain them forever. Nethys take uncurious fools!"
Seamus, taking a break from playing, has joined his new friend Bayani and is sipping a mild ale, nods his head in agreement.
"They have taken both the torch and Khonnir for granted to long, I had wanted to go with him, but he had said it was too dangerous, I guess he was right"
Taking another drink,looking at Batani over the ceramic mug of foamy liquid bravery, he asks
what are we going to do about it?
"It serves the man right. He brought that robot back with him, practically slobbering over it, and now look what's happened? Ain't nothing good happened by giving metal a sense of intellect. It's inhuman!" Merelinda scowls over her drink, her black hair tied back so as not to add hair-flavor to her beverage.
After taking a few sips of her bitter beer, she looks about at the others. While she specifically hated robots and things of that nature, she knew that humans could also be a foul race, when so inclined. Some bigbad might have done Khonnir in...but it was more likely some person, looking to get rich with a wizard's valuables.
"Well, as I see it, we have two choices. One," he says, holding up a slender index finger, "Get drunk and find someone sexy and available to forget our troubles with, or two," holding a second finger up, "find some comrades with more courage than sense and go after him. Although I suppose one could combine the two, get drunk and find comrades who are sexy, available, AND have more courage than sense."
Balgrim plunks his mug down on the table and takes a seat.
I hear ye talking about the missin' and 'is mechanical man. This is somethin' I got a passing interest in. He looks about as if just noticing he butted his way into a conversation. That is if you don't mind me joining ye. I would be interested in going and having a little look where your wizard-man went.
Merelinda rolls her eyes at Bayani's comment. "I'm surprised the ladies aren't lining up already, the smooth way you talk. How about we skip the drink, for now, if we're going to go chasing after this dumbass? You already are displaying poor decision-making, and you've hardly even started tipping them back."
As Oriana sidles up, the warpriestess catches the look and rolls her eyes again. Another friend made, apparently.
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Over in the corner the three Ropefist thugs laugh loudly and pound the table.
-Thug1: Barwench! Another pitcher of Sky-beer! Make it snappy!
-Oriana: My name is Oriana she snaps back with spirit.
-Thug1: Yes of course then. Oriana-wench! Bring. More. Beer.
-Oriana roll her eye and says to you: Well, if there's nothing further, I've other patrons to attend. And she begins to turn to walk away.
MAP UPDATED WITH COOL ACTION SHIBLETS.
Eh a bit oh the good stuff never hurt anyone.
Balgrim shouts over his shoulder at the loud ruffians.
Oi! You wanna keep it down and be civil over there? We're tryin' ta have a conversation over here.
Merelinda's lips compress so tightly they seem to disappear for a moment. She relaxes for a moment upon hearing the woman's snippy retort, but narrows her eyes when the thug doesn't seem to want to drop it. Closing her eyes for a moment, she breathes deeply, then releases.
She rises to her feet, gently grasping Oriana's arm for a moment while giving her a kindly, if a bit patronizing, smile. "Just a moment...Oriana, is it?" She walks to the other side of Balgrim, closer to the thugs.
"My friends, I am sure you realize our lovely server deserves a bit more respect than that. I think an apology is in order, don't you? And better behavior in the future?" All this is delivered in a tone without kindness nor malice, but her eyes bore holes through the thugs.
"Anything worth doing is worth doing with a bit of good wine in you. Well, that doesn't quite describe this stuff, though," Bayani comments softly.
He notices Merelinda taking Oriana's side against the thugs, and decides it'd be best to back her up. He stands up, moving next to Mere, and says, "Aye, she's no wench, she's a fine barmaid, so apologies are needed - which are in your own best interest as she determines how good your drinks are when you order," Bayani makes a rational argument in favor of politeness to serving staff.
Bayani also studies the man who spoke carefully, imagining how he'd move in a fight, preparing for the possibility of a brawl.
Seamus carefully sets his lute on his chair, standing and moving away from the table and toward Oriana's location, chimes in with Bayani,
Yeah boys, no need to be offensive, were all friends here
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Thug 1: Lighten up, cads, we'z just playin with the pussycat!
Thug 2: Yeah, YOU don't want any trouble, I promise ya.
Thug 3 to the other two thugs: Can we just get back to our game ya'll!
They return to their dice rolling and strange board game which consists of a map of some ancient sprawling dungeon and small geeky figurines that resemble monsters. Wierdos.
Oriana quickly picks up your empty glasses. And almost inperceptable, under her breath-like, she whispers Thankyou, friends. Next round's on me. And she hustles away to the bar before you can answer MAP UPDATED. AGAIN.
Seeing that the rowdy customers have settled down Seamus returns to his seat, nodding imperceptibly when Oriana thanks them, and ask
Well Bayani, tell me more about this second plan of yours, something about "find some comrades with more courage than sense and go after him" You think we'd have a chance? I mean I can track a little and I'd love to explore some new-found sight, especially one no one else has seen yet, all my tutors took me to were well explored dig sights
As Seamus speaks he gets more excited with the prospect of looking for the wizard...
It wasn't much of an apology, but they seemed to had settled down, so Merelinda returns to her seat. She listens vaguely to Seamus and Bayani exchanging their banter, but broods instead. When 222 seconds have passed and their server returns with the free Sky-Beers, Merelinda smiles at her. "Thanks, Oriana. Taverns are places where lots of information is exchanged, right? Heard anything interesting lately?"
Of course, she's fishing for information about the missing Khonnir Baine, but will eagerly soak up any knowledge the woman might decide to confer to her and her comrades.
Didn't other groups go down and not come back? Does anyone... hold on.
Balgrim stands on his chair and shouts to the whole bar.
Who knows something about the cave under the torch!?
Bayani rubs the ear closest to Balgrim. "Quite a set of lungs you have." He takes a sip of the sky-beer and considers the possibilities. "It could be as simple as Khonnir has fallen and suffered an injury that makes him unable to return to the entrance. He is an older human, and with no offense intended, you folk do lose some resiliency as you age."
boy does he get distracted easy
Seamus rolls his eyes, breathes a heavy sigh and slaps Bayani on the arm.
the plan, are we going to the cave or not?
As he waits for Bayani answer he tries to hear what Oriana tells Merelinda and watches to see if anyone will actually answer Balgrim's bellowing invitation for information.
"I am if you'll join me. What I mean to say is, there's no reason to assume Khonnir has been taken prisoner by some evil clockwork army. We may be able to rescue him easily. Sorry, I do tend to ramble a bit when I drink."
if I'll join, I would beg to go...clockwork army...I'd be as famous as mom if I found a clockwork army
Seamus, tries to subdue his excitement, but he still bumps the table and rattles a few drinks when he half jumps out of his chair
Did you hear that guys were going to the cave, do any of you fine adventurers want to go with us?
I hope Balgrim, Merelinda and Tusara will go with us, they seem like so much fun, I bet they would be a riot on a deserted island.
Seamus waits with baited breath to see if anyone else jumps at the chance to go. As he still tries to listen in on Oriana's answer to Merelinda and watches to see who may answer Balgrim.
Her attention turns to Bayani for a moment. She speaks flatly, arching a dark eyebrow, "Yet another reason for you to abstain from the drink."
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222 seconds
Oriana returns with the drinks but just as she is about to answer Merelinda, Balgrim blurts his question to the crowd. The whole place goes silent. That's when the purple haired beauty in the SE corner of the room who had been sitting all alone sipping a glowing blue drink in a martini glass stands up. Gracefully she strides toward the door, glancing back at Balgrim non-chalant. She vanishes out the door into the street. MAP UPDATED.
Merelinda's cheeks glow as she becomes a sudden center of attention, but she weathers the storm stoically, otherwise. She keeps her gaze focused on Oriana, her smile a little more forced. She notes the purple-haired woman exiting after Balgrim's bellowed interrogation, and thinks that following her might be a good idea. First things first, though.
Seamus, watching the crowd, is surprised as the whole place goes silent. Then as Merelinda looks at him, no PAST him; he realizes too late, shifting about, as he looks over his shoulder and around Oriana, to catch the door shut as someone exited. He turns to Merelnda and ask excitedly
Who was that? And are we gonna follow them?
Tusara glances around as the crowds attention shifts, but doesn't appear particularly worried. As a local of the town, attention seems to be largely focussed on some of the newcomers to which Tusra immediately forms a glancing analysis. Having wanted to enter the Black Hill anyway, after hearing that her mentor was missing, working with a team of people sounded promising, provided they were competent of course.
Balgrim sits down, frowning.
Well I guess we will just have to go find out for ourselves if everyone here is going to be so cold about questions. Anyone know who the lady with the purple hair is? Balgrim asks only to the table looking around at everyone over his mug.
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Balgrim gets the following Rumor out of a farmer: I know what your saying, you wanna know more about Khonnir's disappearance. But I'll tell you what I think happened to him! You know...gremlins! We've always had problems with em around these parts—the pests are always breaking things or running off with supplies. I bet they have a whole nest somewhere in those caves under Black Hill.
Tusara gets the following rumor out of Jimbone the Bartender: The mechanical creature Councilman Baine found under the hill wasn’t the only one. Others have been crawling out of the ground around town and attacking people! Mark my words, whoever goes down there is in for it!
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A nice farmer who thinks you have awesome bicepts tells you: Something’s been raiding Seven Tears Farms lately, crushing some crops and stealing others. Whatever’s doing it leaves these big round footprints in the ground. Dam, this town has PROBLEMS, don't it? I sure wish Khonnir was still ehe. E'd know what to do...
Seamus politely thanks Jenna and asks if she can store his lute behind the bar. Returning to the table he shares Jenna's opinion and listens carefully to what everyone else learned. He then asks
Do you think there in any correlation between the purple haired lady that Oriana told Bayani about and the purple haired girl that Balgrim saw leave the bar?
Merelinda accepts the farmer's compliment with an amused smile. She listens thoughtfully as the man rails on about the recent misfortune of the town of Torch, nodding in appropriate places to urge him to continue. When he is done, she says, "I appreciate you sharing your information, sir. We'll see what we can do about these recent issues."
Merelinda stares at Seamus as though he grew a third eye when she returns to the table and hears his statement. "Just how many purple-haired women do you think are in this town? Of course it's the same girl!" She sighs in exasperation, taking a small sip of her drink before addressing the group.
"Apparently there's been something giving the Seven Tears Farms problems...leaving big round footprints on the ground and stealing and killing crops. I wouldn't think it's related to Khonnir's disappearance...but any lead is worth a look, right?"
Balgrim returns from getting himself another drink and speaking to one of the men at the bar.
Gotta be, can't imagine there are too many women with purple hair around. Also, that guy gestures with his mug says this town's got gremlin problems and it could be them who got Khonnir.
Taking Bayani by the arm Oriana whispers in his ear: Wonder what happened to that good-looking woman with the purple hair? Doesn’t anyone else find it strange that she showed up a few days before the torch went out, and that no one’s seen her since?
"Oh, indubitably, Ori -- the thought had occurred to me as well, except that I just saw her duck out the door. So... if she was involved in some way, the dwarf just told her exactly what we plan to do. Seems like some stereotypes are at least sometimes accurate. Tell you what, m'dear, if you hear anything more about her, make sure to let me know."
When Balgrim makes his statement, Bayani aggrees: "Purple hair is very rare among humans, true, so the principle of Gardan's Dagger indicates the most likely hypothesis is that that woman and the one we just saw are one and the same."
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Grimacing like a maniac, this lean little bat-eared horror displays a mouth full of needle-like teeth and glowing, orange eyes.
Your typical Gremlin is...
XP 400
CE Tiny fey
Init +4; Senses darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision; Perception +6
Defense
AC 18, touch 17, flat-footed 13 (+4 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size)
hp 6 (1d6+3)
Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +4
DR 5/cold iron; SR 12