Home Brewed

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

The Dwarf King Cometh

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Late in the afternoon on the 29th of the 6th Moon, a thing happened for the first time since the sun burned in the sky. The King Under The Mountain ventured forth from his domain, and journeyed to Haven. The dwarf folk of Razor and Haven both share kinship, for in the days of old a strong alliance existed between the two realms, and in the days of Haven's founding, dwarven masons and stonecutters aided in building the walls and battlements. Their labours complete, many of these dwarves settled in Haven, giving rise to a vibrant and prosperous dwarven community within the city.

Today the king travels to Haven to honour the kinship between the mountain dwarves and the sky-touched, as the Haven dwarves are referred to in Razor. Ahead of his royal procession, messengers flock through the city, passing out parchments to every dwarf they can find.

Outside the walls, the deep note of dwarven horns are heard, heralding the coming of the king.

Harken Dwarves of Haven!
In honour of the kinship between the dwarves of Haven
and Razor, King Wrothiron, Son of Bentbeard, Lord of
the Razor Mountains, Protector of Dwarfkind, Keeper
of Grimlin's Stone, and Champion of Moradin, comes to
Haven!

All Dwarves worthy of their beards makes haste to the
main gates to pay respects to the King Under the
Mountain and receive his blessing!

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

A New Day Comes

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It is the coming of a new day in the city of Haven. Rebirth, rejuvenation, a new dawn, such things hold the promise of a new dawn, yet there is no dawn to speak of - only eternal night. In such times one can only find a brief respite before the drudgery of a doomed life goes on. Yet the people of Haven do their best to put there troubles aside as Founders Day comes ever closer.

It is a cool morning, with a sky is black, no moon nor stars penetrate a heavy canopy of clouds above. The air is damp, warning of a coming rain and the people gather in the city squares and parlours to discuss news and rumours of an eventful night.

City Watch patrol Slaver's Square in great number, looking for escaped goblins following a daring escape last night. It is said that a Dwarven warrior named Grimblade taunted a goblin wizard, who freed his wretched brethren before being cleaved in two by the warrior.

Rumours abound that a group of adventurers unraveled the mystery surrounding thirteen missing women, and attacked a hag's hovel in the farmlands outside the city, slaying the horrid creature and putting the souls of the thirteen dead to rest. A sad outcome to be sure, but comfort was to be taken in the news that the hag was dead. It is news that swept through the city, and for years to come, children would be warned to behave for fear of being taken by the ghost of Old Bavaora.

With the coming of Founders Day, so to came an outbreak of crime, with reports of wagons being stolen, cutpurses using magic to rob merchants in Hero's Square, and a daring attack on guards at Founder's Keep. This was hardly new news, however, as the city is plagued by crime.

With Founders Day a mere day away, travelers continue to flock to the city, braving the moonless nights to join in the festivities.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

@BespeckledCeph Thanks for giving it a shot! If we happen to pique your interest again, feel free to resume with your character - this is West Marches after all, so you guys are free to go at your own pace.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Ravenhold Handout

For those of you planning to venture forth from Haven, this will be your first likely stop before going east to Razor, south to Pax, or west to the other baronies.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Harbour Ward

Late Evening, 28th of the 6th Moon

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The Harbour Ward is a short ride north of Haven, situated along the coast. Void of the natural protection of the cliff walls that protect Haven, the Harbour instead relies on high stone walls and battlements. The ward is full of new inhabitants for Founders Day, and taking advantage of the potential shoppers, an impromptu market has been raised alongside the piers, where traveling merchants peddle their wares. Exotic goods from Amnon and Eclor are featured predominantly.

One merchant sells a treasure chest he swears can't be opened, plundered from a haunted ruin in the wastes outside Runestone. "Who among you manage the will to open this magical chest?! 10 gold and the riches of a ancient tiefling king can be yours!"

Beside the stall, a caravan lays in wait, where the master stands atop his mountain of goods, strung tight to his wagon. He has the look of a man whose been in some fights himself, leaning heavily upon a spear, fierce eyes and a scar across his face. "Strong men of stout hearts, hear me! Bandits waylay the road to Ravenhold. Who among you can muster the courage to aid a merchant in his travels? Accompany me and safeguard precious goods and earn gold! Yes, you heard me right! Not copper! Not silver! But gold! We ride out now and be back by morning! Blades and bows to me, and upon my arrival, 25 gold a man!"

@deadpixel101

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

The Dungeons of Founders Bridge Keep

Late Evening, 28th of the 6th Moon

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The old gaoler examined his desk with a feeling of pride. The ledger, the inkwell, his quill, and the ring of keys where precisely where they were meant to be upon the table. Not a speck of dust assaulted the rich oak table, cut and fashioned when the sun still rose and set. He sighed in satisfaction. The dungeon may be a messy hell, but here at his office, where prisoner's names were recorded and their possessions taken and recorded, it was pristine.

The door opened, two officers of the watch walked inside, dragging an unconscious tiefling between them. "Ah, what have we here," questioned the gaoler.

"A thief," said one of the officers. "Caught this one trying to rob vendors down in Hero's Square."

The gaoler stood up from his desk, a finger to his scraggly grey beard as his sharp eyes inspected the body. "A nasty gash upon her thigh. Your handywork?"

The officer smirked. "What this?" He asked giving the wound a slap, blood leaking out onto the clean floor. "The work of a... a... a smartian."

"Good samaritan," he corrected. "And I'll thank you not to let her bleed on my clean floor. She'll need a wrapping of gauze and some stitches." The gaoler made some notes in his ledger.

"I'da thought you'd let this creature bleed out," smirked the officer.

"I'll remind you that the Gods Laws rule in Haven, by the grace of the High Lord. I would have had her hands, but now a fine will do, or barring that, slavery." He continued writing in his ledger. "Lay her possessions out on the desk - neatly if you please!"

One by one, the tieflings items were laid out. The gaoler eyed them suspiciously. "No coin purse?"

At last the guard's smirk faded. "Ah no! No coin purse."

The gaoler put down his quill. "I'll ask once more. No coin purse?"

This roused a punch in the arm from the officers comrade. "Did you say coin purse? Oh yes, it did have a coin purse." He tossed a fat purse upon the desk.

"Mhm. As I thought." He opened the purse, counting out each coin, and jotting down in the ledger. "250 silver pieces. A tidy sum. Very well! Have her fastened in the stocks. I'll see to her wounds at once."

The dragged her away as the gaoler locked the possessions and silver in a sturdy cabinet behind him. He sighed. She'll be awfully surprised when she comes too; locked in a stockade in a cramped dungeon. "Always so busy on Founders Day."

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

DM Note:
@deadpixel101@The Large Dumbo@BespeckledCeph

You guys are at the top of my list for some catch up encounters. Let me know, either through a hook IC or just giving me a shout on OOC or Discord, and I'll set up an encounter for you.

@Default@Pennydumb123

Just to remind you guys that you owe me a nice juicy medium-rare goblin encounter IC. Once you get that sewn up we'll move on to your next encounter.

@dndragons@Cu Chulainn@rush99999

I should be able to finish our current encounters today then you guys can get some rest and level up your characters.

Downtime Activities

Something to think about as well as you guys rest for the night, is a downtime activity your character might do as they take a little time off. Think about your proficiencies and any tool kits you may have, and what your character might be able to do within a span of a few hours (unless you intend to take a day or more rest.) There's still a full day until Founders' Day, so by all means feel free to take a whole day off.

You could craft an item and sell it to put a bit of gold in your pocket. You can practice your profession, doing your 9-5 job, forgoing your lifestyle expenses for the day. You can recuperate, healing up from any poison or disease effects you incurred over your prior adventures. You can perform research, gaining insight into a mystery related to your backstory or a prior adventure. You can seek training with an NPC you've met, or something else entirely. Just let me know, as always, in a hook IC or OOC or Discord.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

DM Note:

We are quickly approaching the end of the first IC day. We've had a battle against a rat storm, a goblin break out, a wagon heist, a halfling bamboozlement, and an ongoing investigation for the 13 missing women. You guys may squeeze in one more encounter each to finish off the day. After that, you should think about resting for the night. Its likely that most of you will be at level 2 by the time you take this rest.

Think about your lifestyle expenses if you live in Haven or where you may seek accommodations if you're a just here for Founders' Day. Also you might want to visit a bank to break up some of your gold into silver and copper. Visit the treasury at the Castle of Lords, or the Gilded Staff bank by the main gate.

Lifestyle Expenses

Wretched - No cost
Inhumane conditions with no place to call home, taking shelter wherever you can on the streets, or captive in a dungeon.

Squalid - 1 sp
A leaky stable, mud hut or rat infested boarding house in the poorest parts of the city.

Poor - 2 sp
A basic hut or room in a flophouse or tavern. Simple food and lodging going without most basic comforts.

Modest - 1gp
A rented room in a decent boarding house or tavern. Living conditions are clean and simple.

Comfortable - 2gp
You live in a basic house or cottage or a private room in a fine Inn among merchants, tradespeople, and officers of the watch.

Wealthy - 4gp
You live a life of luxury, in a nice house or a suite at an Inn, likely with a servant or two waiting on your beck and call.

Aristocratic - 10 gp
A life of plenty and comfort, you live in a townhouse among the most powerful people in Haven, or the finest room in one of the finest inns in the city, with servants awaiting your every need.

If you don't live in Haven, then you will need to find accommodations for the night. Listed are possible accommodations and a meal.

Accommodations

Squalid - 7cp, 3cp
A stable at the farms is known to rent out space to urchins and vagabonds, serving a broth. Its hardly food, but at least its hot.

Poor - 1 sp, 6cp
The Trotting Mule outside Hero's Square and the Craven Kraken Inn at the Harbour Ward outside the city offer basic rooms. They tend to serve bread and butter as well.

Modest - 5sp, 3sp
Inns such as the Rusty Cudgel near the arena in Slaver's Square offer decent rooms. They also serve a hearty fish stew.

Comfortable - 8sp, 5sp
The Lord and Lady Inn near the Main Gate of Haven offers fine rooms for guests of the city. They also serve a good meal of seared beef, cream corn, and bread.

Wealthy - 2gp, 8sp
The Castle Inn at the Castle of Lords offers suites to highborn travelers. Roasted ducklings on a vegetable bed with bread pudding is common fare.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Hero's Square

Late Night, 28th of the 6th Moon

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Hero's Square is typically quiet this time of night, especially on a Loreday when most are in bed before heading out for a day's labour come the morning. However, with Founder's Day so close and the city full of visitors, many are in the square setting up stalls, while others are keeping their stalls open late to take advantage of the increase traffic.

"Beef on a bun, here!" Shouts one vendor standing over a cook fire, seared beef sizzling and popping over a spit, its aroma filling the square.

"I got elixers! Elixers to cure what ails ya!" Shouts one standing over a row of glass vials of assorted colours.

"Bits and baubles! Get your bits and baubles!" Cries another, ringing a bell as he calls for customers.

Several beggars roam the square, pleading for coppers, and a pair of officers of the watch patrol the area. A small crowd walks the square, visiting the stalls and buying wares, bartering and looking for deals before the day of festivities. The word on most people's lips are the rumours coming out of Slaver's Square. Alarm bells were heard earlier and rumours abound that range from escaped slaves to goblin wizards razing the square. Most trust that the City Watch have it under control as the bells have since ceased.

At the east end of the square, a large building overlooks the chaotic arrangement of stalls and pavilions, a sign swinging in the cold breeze reads Trotting Mule Inn. A drunk snoozes on the porch, another looms over his pack mule threatening it with a switch, while merchants and farmers shuffle in and out, some after a drink other heading home to find their bed.

The stars shine brightly ahead on this cool, clear night. However it is a moonless night, and shadows creep over the square, breaking for the street lamps that line the edge of the square and the dozens of lanterns that hang over the open stalls.

@rush99999@dndragons@Cu Chulainn

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Hey guys, in case you didn't catch it on Discord, I have a pretty hectic schedule this week, so likely the only time I'll have for encounters is in the early morning hours - thats about 6am-9am eastern time. So that being the case, we'll likely have a lot of encounters being done on the OOC thread or in PMs.

The best way to get an encounter is to IC. Write a little something about what your character is up to and tag me. It can be anything from walking into a tavern for a drink, casing some manor to rob, or simply going out for a stroll. I'll hit you with a random encounter or get you started on an adventure, or if you're short on time and intend to write an IC later, just give me a shout on OOC. Continue using our bot on Discord for rolls, and I'll check in as regularly as I can to update the encounter and keep things moving forward.