VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Starring:
@Christina as Cookie Sweetmead
@Local Hero as Lok Ahl
@The Flame as Nootie Plucker
And introducing @Benzine as Ben Zine
~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to Waterdeep, the Crown of the North, where a wondrous tale of urban adventure is about to unfold. Our story begins with the gathering of adventurers at the Yawning Portal Inn and Tavern. Volothamp Geddarm, the famous explorer and raconteur, has a quest for them — one that entangles the characters in a bitter conflict between two nefarious organizations. If the adventurers complete his quest, Volo rewards them handsomely. Yet a much greater prize lies hidden somewhere in the City of Splendors, waiting to be claimed.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Yawning Portal, a legendary establishment in the heart of the bustling city of Waterdeep, stands as both a testament to adventure and a gateway to the unknown. A massive, round building with a sturdy stone exterior, the inn's most iconic feature is a circular well, almost 40 feet in diameter, that dominates its main common room. This well, known as the "Yawning Portal," is a direct passage to the ancient and mysterious Undermountain, a sprawling dungeon complex that holds untold secrets and dangers.
The common room itself is a lively and chaotic space, always teeming with a diverse array of patrons. Wooden tables, worn by countless tankards and the marks of adventures past, are scattered across the uneven stone floor. The air is thick with the aroma of hearty stews, sizzling meats, and the distinct scent of ale.
A large stone hearth crackles with warmth at one end of the room, providing a cozy respite for those seeking solace from the perils of the outside world. Overhead, a series of balconies and walkways encircle the main floor, offering additional seating and vantage points for the curious or the watchful.
The Yawning Portal is a haven for adventurers, mercenaries, and fortune-seekers from every corner of the realms. The buzz of animated conversations mixes with the occasional burst of laughter or the solemn recounting of daring tales. A bard in the corner strums a lute, weaving melodies that echo through the establishment, adding a touch of whimsy to the adventurous atmosphere.
The Yawning Portal is more than just an inn; it is a crossroads of destinies, a place where the bold come to test their mettle, and where the allure of the unknown beckons from the depths below...
Your party, has convened here tonight for a night of food, wine, and tales as you gather to catch each other up on your recent escapades...
~~~~~~~~~~
{{The onset of the game is reserved for your characters to converse and give each other an idea of what's going on in your lives and what has brought you to Waterdeep this winter. We'll proceed with this phase until at least everyone has had a chance to contribute.}}
@Christina as Cookie Sweetmead
@Local Hero as Lok Ahl
@The Flame as Nootie Plucker
And introducing @Benzine as Ben Zine
~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to Waterdeep, the Crown of the North, where a wondrous tale of urban adventure is about to unfold. Our story begins with the gathering of adventurers at the Yawning Portal Inn and Tavern. Volothamp Geddarm, the famous explorer and raconteur, has a quest for them — one that entangles the characters in a bitter conflict between two nefarious organizations. If the adventurers complete his quest, Volo rewards them handsomely. Yet a much greater prize lies hidden somewhere in the City of Splendors, waiting to be claimed.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Yawning Portal, a legendary establishment in the heart of the bustling city of Waterdeep, stands as both a testament to adventure and a gateway to the unknown. A massive, round building with a sturdy stone exterior, the inn's most iconic feature is a circular well, almost 40 feet in diameter, that dominates its main common room. This well, known as the "Yawning Portal," is a direct passage to the ancient and mysterious Undermountain, a sprawling dungeon complex that holds untold secrets and dangers.
The common room itself is a lively and chaotic space, always teeming with a diverse array of patrons. Wooden tables, worn by countless tankards and the marks of adventures past, are scattered across the uneven stone floor. The air is thick with the aroma of hearty stews, sizzling meats, and the distinct scent of ale.
A large stone hearth crackles with warmth at one end of the room, providing a cozy respite for those seeking solace from the perils of the outside world. Overhead, a series of balconies and walkways encircle the main floor, offering additional seating and vantage points for the curious or the watchful.
The Yawning Portal is a haven for adventurers, mercenaries, and fortune-seekers from every corner of the realms. The buzz of animated conversations mixes with the occasional burst of laughter or the solemn recounting of daring tales. A bard in the corner strums a lute, weaving melodies that echo through the establishment, adding a touch of whimsy to the adventurous atmosphere.
The Yawning Portal is more than just an inn; it is a crossroads of destinies, a place where the bold come to test their mettle, and where the allure of the unknown beckons from the depths below...
Your party, has convened here tonight for a night of food, wine, and tales as you gather to catch each other up on your recent escapades...
~~~~~~~~~~
{{The onset of the game is reserved for your characters to converse and give each other an idea of what's going on in your lives and what has brought you to Waterdeep this winter. We'll proceed with this phase until at least everyone has had a chance to contribute.}}
Cookie talking at 1.5x speed in an almost too sweet and too cheerful tone.
By the gods! I can't believe I'm here! The Yawning Portal! What do you guys think has made this place so renowned? The food? The drink? The music? The customer service? The well? There has to be a whole ocean under a well that size! I wonder what is down there. How deep does it go? Oh! Ben, have you tried your drink? Is it good? Mine is good, but it's not as sweet as I like.
By the gods! I can't believe I'm here! The Yawning Portal! What do you guys think has made this place so renowned? The food? The drink? The music? The customer service? The well? There has to be a whole ocean under a well that size! I wonder what is down there. How deep does it go? Oh! Ben, have you tried your drink? Is it good? Mine is good, but it's not as sweet as I like.
Nootie smiles warmly and sips his drink as Cookie rambles on.
"I don't know. Seems to be a lot of important and powerful-looking people coming and going 'round these parts, though. I'll say the food and drink has been mighty nice so long as I've been here, but that well is somethin' else. Kinda gives me the creeps." He shoots a wary glance toward the massive hole.
"I don't know. Seems to be a lot of important and powerful-looking people coming and going 'round these parts, though. I'll say the food and drink has been mighty nice so long as I've been here, but that well is somethin' else. Kinda gives me the creeps." He shoots a wary glance toward the massive hole.
{{You do not have your color set on the account page.}}
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Oh! You remind me of Guadak Thundervoice! Visited at our garden once. Had the deapest voice you ever heard when he sang. Shook all the windows! Poor guy had to sit on the ground though. We didn't have a chair big enough for him. I made him a whole roast pig and he ate it all too! It was the best fun.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
You continue to sit and converse (or attempt to, in some cases). Plates of food are brought to your table and summarily picked clean. Mugs are filled and refilled. The sounds of gamblers yelling and drunken adventurers singing bawdy songs nearly drown out the off-key strumming of a young bard three tables over.
Then all the noise is eclipsed by a shout: "Ya pig! Like killin' me mates, does ya?" Then a seven-foot-tall half-orc is hit by a wild, swinging punch from a male human whose shaved head is covered with eye-shaped tattoos. Four other humans stand behind him, ready to jump into the fray. The half-orc cracks her knuckles, roars, and leaps at the tattooed figure — but before you can see if blood is drawn, a crowd of spectators clusters around the brawl.
Then all the noise is eclipsed by a shout: "Ya pig! Like killin' me mates, does ya?" Then a seven-foot-tall half-orc is hit by a wild, swinging punch from a male human whose shaved head is covered with eye-shaped tattoos. Four other humans stand behind him, ready to jump into the fray. The half-orc cracks her knuckles, roars, and leaps at the tattooed figure — but before you can see if blood is drawn, a crowd of spectators clusters around the brawl.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
As you look around the common room, you notice the bartender keeping a keen eye on the events unfolding, and you also notice that he is keeping one hand hidden behind the bar while the other mindlessly wipes away with a rag.
You see a couple other employees of the tavern watching to see how things play out, but you get the impression they aren't necessarily equipped to prevent violence so much as clean up after it.
No one seems especially anxious. This is the Yawning Portal after all, and its a busy night as more people than usual are using this spot as a way to get out of the cold. Probably just the first brawl of the night, really.
((Can you make an Insight check, please?))
((14. How do I paste it all fancy like Christina?
Nvm, I figured it out. Not sure if I have a modifier but I'll roll the right way in the future))
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
((Wasn't sure if you were waiting on an "real" one))
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
When the group of humans look back at you, you realize that they don't seem to be looking to you for support, but instead seem to be deciding whether or not you're a threat...as if they expect the half-orc to possibly have backup. This brawl is likely part of the constant posturing and warring between the different factions in Waterdeep.
You don't recognize any of the prospective brawlers, though there's something about the tattoos covering the human's head that you just know could be important.
((My bad, was in a rush earlier and never used the rolling thing before so I forgot my +0 etc.
I'm assuming we haven't actually met or talked to Volo at all yet and we're just a bunch of randos sitting near each other?))
Nootie addresses Zine.
"Hey, you're welcome to get involved if you like, but this aint my fight"
Upon seeing Lok Ahl cast a spell, Nootie backs away from his spot at the table to distance himself from whatever is about to transpire.
I'm assuming we haven't actually met or talked to Volo at all yet and we're just a bunch of randos sitting near each other?))
Nootie addresses Zine.
"Hey, you're welcome to get involved if you like, but this aint my fight"
Upon seeing Lok Ahl cast a spell, Nootie backs away from his spot at the table to distance himself from whatever is about to transpire.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
((Minor Illusion cannot create an image of a humanoid, but I think I can tweak things to make your idea work?))
It looks as though the gang of humans is about to jump the half-orc, but the suddenly there's a call from the crowd:
"Halt this at once! Make way for the City Watch!"
The mysterious appearance of the City Watch freezes them in their tracks. There's a bit of confusion, as typically you only see members of the Watch in the Yawning Portal if they're off duty, and they're rarely there on official business. And then they quickly realize they cannot see the Guard.
But the moment's hesitation is all the half-orc requires, as she absolutely levels the tattooed man with a roundhouse punch, sending him sprawling to the floor. His compatriots waste no time in counter-attacking, the four of them jumping on the furious female half-orc and raining down blows.
That was smart, Lok. At least let her get a punch in before they jumped her 4 on 1. Anybody recognize these tatoo guys. They seem like the biggest bunch of jerks.
Cookie starts judging the distance and how long it would take her to get over there after they are done to be able to at least help the orc from dying.
{{Here, @Benzine.Post in thread 'Session 0 - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist' https://gwforums.com/threads/session-0-waterdeep-dragon-heist.1586/post-96821
also @VashTheStampede how far away are we from the fight? }}
Cookie starts judging the distance and how long it would take her to get over there after they are done to be able to at least help the orc from dying.
{{Here, @Benzine.Post in thread 'Session 0 - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist' https://gwforums.com/threads/session-0-waterdeep-dragon-heist.1586/post-96821
also @VashTheStampede how far away are we from the fight? }}
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
((Roll an insight check))
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
((With Awakened Mind, which is what I gather you're using, you can put thoughts in her head but she cannot respond and you cannot read her mind.))
You are able to tell by watching her as you plant your message that she refuses to admit that she needs help.
You are also able to tell, because you have eyes, that if she doesn't get help, she's going to lose this battle, and lose it quickly.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Zine gets the impression that this conflict did not start in the brawl and is based on some exterior baggage or beef between the parties.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
((I'll take your first roll, which came up fine for me.))
))
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
When Cookie sees Ben's friend Yagra drop unconscious, she feels the need of expediency. Concussions are no joke after all. These tattooed jerk faces need to be taken care of. They seem too keen on hurting people and ruining the nice Tavern atmosphere. Racing foward to meet the Tough Guy and pulling out her Cookie Shield and Giant Meat Mallet Mace that begins to glow with a purple light as she swings it with the intent of somebody who has butchered enough things to know just where the weak parts are.
Moving up to Tough Guy and casting Inflict Wounds at level 1
Moving up to Tough Guy and casting Inflict Wounds at level 1
((I think it makes more sense to let Benzine go before me since he was actually heading into the fray, unless he has any objections.
Also I think Nootie probably would've been more off to the west or north side since I had him backing away from the table a bit during the Minor Illusion. I was kind of imagining him in one of the others' spots in my head originally tbh, but either way he was trying to avoid being close to the commotion.))
Also I think Nootie probably would've been more off to the west or north side since I had him backing away from the table a bit during the Minor Illusion. I was kind of imagining him in one of the others' spots in my head originally tbh, but either way he was trying to avoid being close to the commotion.))
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
As Cookie swings her mallet, she whispers an incantation, and as the final word leaves her lips a surge of dark, necrotic energy erupts from the mace, striking the gang member with a force that seems to defy the cleric's small stature. The spell she is invoking is known for its brutal efficacy, and she wields it in the name of truth and justice.
The energy envelops him, seeping into his body like a malevolent shadow. His confident sneer twists into a grimace of unbearable pain as the spell's power courses through him, ravaging his flesh from within. The gang member's body convulses violently under the spell's influence, and then, as quickly as it began, his movements cease
The tavern, once filled with the raucous noise of its patrons, falls into a stunned silence.
The Halfling Cleric, her mace still glowing faintly with the remnants of divine energy, stands over the fallen gang member, her expression solemn.
The remaining hoods are stunned momentarily...then gather themselves.
"OH MY GOD, SHE KILLED KENNETH!"
"GET HER!!!"
Hoodlum Turn
The three human toughs work in unison, as this isn't their first donnybrook.
Almost in a flash, they collapse upon the cleric and deliver three blows in quick succession. First a ruffian swings to take Cookie's head off with one swift stroke of his mace, but she deftly ducks the swing, using her short stature to her advantage. Then, a goon stabs forth with his rapier, but Cookie deflects that blow with a sudden shift of her shield. But evading three attacks at once proves too great a challenge for the young cleric, as the final hooligan critically connects with an overhead strike with his hammer. The impact is brutal and sudden, the sound of it echoing through the now hushed tavern...
Cookie takes 7 bludgeoning damage
(( @Local Hero is up next ))
The energy envelops him, seeping into his body like a malevolent shadow. His confident sneer twists into a grimace of unbearable pain as the spell's power courses through him, ravaging his flesh from within. The gang member's body convulses violently under the spell's influence, and then, as quickly as it began, his movements cease
The tavern, once filled with the raucous noise of its patrons, falls into a stunned silence.
The Halfling Cleric, her mace still glowing faintly with the remnants of divine energy, stands over the fallen gang member, her expression solemn.
The remaining hoods are stunned momentarily...then gather themselves.
"OH MY GOD, SHE KILLED KENNETH!"
"GET HER!!!"
Hoodlum Turn
The three human toughs work in unison, as this isn't their first donnybrook.
Almost in a flash, they collapse upon the cleric and deliver three blows in quick succession. First a ruffian swings to take Cookie's head off with one swift stroke of his mace, but she deftly ducks the swing, using her short stature to her advantage. Then, a goon stabs forth with his rapier, but Cookie deflects that blow with a sudden shift of her shield. But evading three attacks at once proves too great a challenge for the young cleric, as the final hooligan critically connects with an overhead strike with his hammer. The impact is brutal and sudden, the sound of it echoing through the now hushed tavern...
Cookie takes 7 bludgeoning damage
(( @Local Hero is up next ))