D&D Adventure #5: Oakgate Complex

[Grimmie]

Okay, let's kick this one off.

Seeing as we're coming up to Christmas and life is about to get real busy for most of you guys, why don't you give us an idea of what you've done in Siriath since arriving a day or two ago? We've seen Thor off on his bear hunt, but what about Orovan, Forenrond and Glibberig?

I'm also super excited to welcome Shada and Mr Johnson along as soon-to-be party members. I'll PM you guys a little bit of recent backstory just before you're introduced just so you're not totally disorientated.

I'd also like to encourage players of DnD or any of the other beardy games on 5punk to contribute to what I hope will be a central hub of RPG game setting information, character diaries and game reports. It's pretty easy to use and we've got a few people contributing or interested in contributing already. If you need a hand with anything on there just give me a prod and we'll work it out.
http://5punkybeards.wikia.com

[Dog Pants]

Shankley was planning on living it up for a bit, staying out of trouble, and keeping his ear to the ground. He's going to keep tabs on his old mates who helped him repent his way out of the church for the opportunity to return the favour, or to find some loot.

[Roman Totale]

I remember having lots of things planned for Glib, but now I can't remember any of them and currently lack the creativity to think of anything. I'll just assume he was doing his usual barding for money, picking up some local tales and knowledge, and generally dicking around by being tensile with the truth.

In fact, Glibberig will be a bit evasive if asked what he's been doing by the group - that way I can come up with something on the fly!

That said, there is word around the town that a fearsome Inquisitor has arrived to hunt down wizards that turn people into frogs...

[Grimmie]

Thanks guys, good to know what you're up to.

Party of explorers sought to clean out local dungeon and cave complexes and assist in the cartography project undertaken at the University of Fine Arts. Ask for Surael Elcaan at the front desk.

The University of Fine Arts is a humongous fortress just off the north-west wall of the city. Its walls are lined with huge yellow-stained gothic windows, with each floor inside visible as a dark silhouette through them. Huge relief sculptures of the University’s greatest artists stare out at those on the ground, and it’s something of a tourist attraction for the sprawling Halfling Camps below.

A long, precarious looking skybridge links it with Siriath’s battlements, but once you’ve stepped foot on it you gain a very strong sense of sure-footedness, even the blustery winds that beat the city walls feel less powerful as you stroll along the floating walkway which appears to be held aloft by slender pillars of glowing horse.



Atop the university is a private park used by the many students for recreation and contemplation. Showy blooms dot the landscape, to the north are a couple of ponds teeming with freshwater fish and lined with elegant pine trees, to the south a grassy mound with a river flowing from it - through the park and off the edge of the building in a foaming waterfall. It feels like mid summer, the Autumn chill gone from the air.

Directly across from the skybridge is what appears to be a grandiose mansion, which is in fact the main offices and living quarters for staff.

[Roman Totale]

My what a pretty building! I can just imagine elves frolicking about the grounds.

Glib puts on a sympathetic face

Do you feel at home here, Shankley?

[Dog Pants]

Maybe at night.

Can I assume we're met up? If so I'll approach the front desk and ask for Surael Elcaan.

[Grimmie]

Okay, Forenrond pushes open the heavy, carved wooden doors.

The interior of the main hall is polished white and cream marble, the front desk a circular affair with a bronzewood top and meaty leatherbound logbooks used to track the comings and goings of students.

There are two elves behind the desk; a youthful woman with braided blonde hair and pointy nose wearing a set of bright orange and rose red robes, and an older man with shoulder-length white hair and an angular, stern face. Both appear to be studying a detailed, freshly-inked map and give approving nods to its quality. It's the younger woman who answers to the name though, and she steps over with a little skip and a smile once she spots you're all in travelling gear rather than student robes.

That is me! Yes, hello.

You are here about the job I presume? Four of you, too. Yes, very good, very good.

What are your credentials, do you have any experience?

She speaks with quite a thick accent that none of you seem to be able to place, though Glibberig can probably narrow it down to "one of the southern islands" if he thinks about it.

[Dog Pants]

With cartography? No. But we've spent recent times assisting the Church of Cuthbert in Orhedge doing similar things. Similar by which I mean removing unwanteds from underground lairs. I can supply references if you'd like, or if you would prefer more detail I know my friend here would be delighted to oblige.

Shankley gestures at Glibberig. He actually has no idea what cartography is. Road building maybe?

[Grimmie]

She chuckles and shakes her head dismissively.

Oh no, no no.

Not even for a second did I expect you to draw the maps yourself! Our students will handle all of that. We just require a competent group to go in to- to go ahead and make sure everything is safe for them to do their work.

[Dog Pants]

And how many students are we to be escorting? What manner of unsafety do you anticipate?

[Grimmie]

Her lips curl into an almost childish smile of excitement.

Well, that's what's so wonderful, we don't know what to expect!

I should explain. The university was asked to examine the just-discovered ruins of a building to try and identify its origins. Our students initially thought it to be Human made, a hill fort left over from the wars with Agea. As they unearthed more of the building we began to find Dwarven motifs in the stonework, which led us to date it to the Southern Alliance era.

Excavating further still, we found stone doors lined with runes we could not read which lead to a dungeon - inside we detected signs of life; spiders, beetles, slimes. There's clearly some manner of ecosystem inside, they could not survive without nests and a source of food.

Her animated expression softens a little, she's clearly excited to have found a completely undocumented, ancient dungeon amidst the dig.

My students may be skilled with a quadrant, quill and compass, but they are no swordsmen. We need the dungeon cleared so they can do their job. That's where you come in, assuming you're skilled enough?

[Dog Pants]

The students will follow after then? Don't worry about our skills. If you find it insufficient then it's likely you can use our fee to hire other hands. What is the fee, by the way?

[Roman Totale]

Fair lady, my Elven accomplice here is too modest. It is however his only shortcoming, so I'm sure you'd be delighted to accept his request of an evening of fine dining and even finer wine one night? I can provide references.

As far as fees go, the advancement of knowledge and learning is our key motivation. That said, financing such altruistic adventures such as ours can be difficult. Don't think of it as paying us to clear a cavern, think of it as investing in the education and the arts for generations to come. I have even brought some stationary supplies for your students to use! Don't worry, they do move.

Ms Elcaan...is it Ms?

Glib flicks his eyebrow towards Shankley

Ms Elcaan, is that a Southern Isles accent I detect? Wonderful place. Have no fear of our skills - we are seasoned veterans. Whilst I'm sure that many a blatherskite may make nebulous claims to being more lovers than fighters...

He casts his eyebrow at the other elf behind the desk

...some of us are adept at both.

The eyebrow makes its way back to Forenrond

Glib finishes with a doff of his hat and a low bow, that I'm guessing makes him disappear behind the desk.

Bluff: 20,+5 = 25

Diplomacy: 9,+5 = 14

[Dog Pants]

Nice interjection.

[Grimmie]

Incredible.

Surael appears to be a little flustered, but your confidence and sharp tongue leaves her completely convinced to your party's abilities.

The grey haired Elf behind her doesn't seem quite as entertained by the flirtatious exchange going on, and pointedly stops reading his scroll to look over with a sour expression.

Maybe we can discuss a celebratory meal when you return?

The fee? Oh, of course. You'll be escorting eight of our students. We've already found a reliable caravan driver to transport them and their equipment to the dig site. The pay is one hundred gold per day, and you should be at the site by the third day. The Arcane University have promised us use of their teleportation circle once we have the area properly mapped and secured, but for that we need you there first.

As for your fee for clearing the dungeon levels beneath..

She looks over her shoulder to the older Elf, and he steps forward with a sympathetic face.

We don't know how many creatures lay beneath the fort's ground level, nor how many levels it may stretch on for. Furthermore we don't know what the fort was used for. The Sourthern Alliance period pre-dates the Agean Wars by at least three-hundred years, and even then the building above ground may merely be a façade for a much older complex. Ultimately you'll be doubling as explorers, and unless we find living heirs to the complex's previous owners, have rights to anything you find below.

Of-of course, the University would greatly appreciate the chance to study or curate anything of great artistic worth, please do keep that in mind. I'm sure you understand, Mister..?

[Roman Totale]

Windsurge. Lord Windsurge of the great House of Gilt. Perhaps you've heard of me? My family has a background in adventure and academia - we've seen our fair share of dangerous librarians in our time I can tell you.

Mr Shankley would be delighted to accept your offer of a meal upon our return.

Now, are these students of a nervous disposition? Are any likely to scream and shriek and flee and clamour when faced by a skeleton with a rusty hammer? Will they end up emboldened with a rush to the head and try to take on a horde of undead?

Now I know that so far skeletons and the undead haven't been mentioned, but...dungeons.

As good fortune would have it though, my good friend Thor is without compare when it comes to soothing the nerves of frightened young folk. His rich, velvety tones will calm and console them, and despite his tough and rugged exterior, they will find him to be a warm, sweet, cuddly bear of a man.

The eyebrow finds its way back towards the other elf.

[shot2bits]

Orovan has been too entranced by Glibberig's eyebrows to pay attention to any of the dialogue, so remains blissfully unaware of the situation

[Grimmie]

King of bullshittery.

[Grimmie]

The older elf looks suspicious but doesn't speak up. Surael just nods with interest, a nervous smile creeping across her face as she tries to get a word in edgeways.

O-our students? I imagine they would react like any normal person would in the face of danger - fortunately I'm decided that your team are going to be there to defend them.

Undead? No, at least I hope not, though it wouldn't hurt to be prepared I suppose! I wouldn't have the faintest clue as to what to do if there were any beneath the ruin. Although having said that, I believe a holy knight is on our books for this journey, so you may have some protection in that regard.

She takes each of your names (however you wish to be noted down, Lord Windsurge) and marks on a beautifully detailed map of the city where you currently are and the quickest route to the main gate, through the traveller camp and to where your caravan driver will be waiting. It seems you'll be departing within the next few hours, as numbers have been met, giving you a chance to grab any last supplies (ration packs, feed for animals you want to take along, stabling for those you want to leave behind).

Do you have any further questions?

[Roman Totale]

Glibberig shrugs nonchalantly and wordlessly.