A Tunnels and Trolls® play-by-post adventure run by khara_khang
Thanks for your patience. It really wasn't necessary.
Ruth has been gone quite a bit nearly the last two years, and she has not been seen around the Blue Frog in months. This is the first time any of the guests have seen her new place, and it seems that she has been quite successful. Her new place of business is a row store with an apartment above it much like the one Domina and Desuma bought [cf. Lizardmen in Red Water Bay --ed.], but it is clearly a step up. The neighborhood is quieter and cleaner (and farther from the Blue Frog), the streets are paved and the building is in good shape. The store front has been made into a large dining area that easily fits the dozen or so guests. The sign above the door says, "Dimensions: Fine Cuisine Internationale."
Some of the guests who spend much of their time in dungeons and dives wonder if they belong in a place like this, but the delicious smells coming from inside lure them in.
Bela greets each visitor at the door and directs them to their seats at the great table. The table is laden from end to end with food, filling the room with the smells of roasted meats, sweet desserts, potatoes, beans, greens, fruits, breads and more. Some of the dishes are completely new to Khazan.
Some time after noon, when it seems that all have arrived who are going to arrive, Bela rises and speaks to the dinner party. "Welcome, again, friends and heroes. Nearly two years ago, some of us here met for another dinner party. We gave thanks and honor to deeds then recently done. We are gathered here, again, for the same purpose. I had just a small part in the adventures that you have recently experienced, and I hope this dinner makes up for that.
"For my part, I give thanks to all of you for your friendship. When all else seems to fail in this land, your friendship is there to give me hope. In return, I give you honor." Bela then turns to each of the guests, calling them by name and repeating their recent heroics, no matter how small, to the rest of the guests. He then tells the tales of the fallen or missing. When each of the heroes has been honored, he calls for the chef and her assistant.
The beautiful and elegant Ruth a'Guerré then steps forward and bows. "There should be something here for all tastes," she says, "so there is no excuse for leaving in want of anything. If you have any questions about the new dishes, just ask. I personally recommend the falafel." She then turns to recognize her assistant. He is a short round man with stout belly and balding head, whom she introduces as her assistant, Pog "The Mule" Harrigan. She then turns to Bela and says, "Well, what are you waiting for? The food's getting cold."
Bela then steps forward and gestures over the table. A green light radiates from his hands, touching each of the dishes and providing heat that returns each one to the proper temperature. "Enjoy," he says, and then takes his seat at the table.
Ruth and Pog take their final bows and then return to work. The rest of the day, they hurry about tending both the table and the kitchen. Often, they replace empty platters with new ones filled with more food.
Feel free to write your character into this dinner, if you wish. For a much better tale of dining, go back and read the denouement for Lizardmen in Red Water Bay.
The hungry Orc seizes upon the green glow as the signal to eat. "Red means stop, green means go, yellow means go very fast," his father Oother once said. It isn't poignant enough to be one of his wittier sayings, but it is fun all the same. Between munchings and crunchings, Taran decides he maybe doesn't care anymore to keep secrets about his grumpiness. "Anybody seen my, er, the, argh, Elf, Cambrea, who came back with me through the portal? Anybody?"
"Why, she still got your undies?"
<WHOMP>
Satisfied at having kicked his brother under the table, or at least someone whom he thinks is his brother, Taran answers anyway. "Er, yeah but that's not the point. I found some treasure too, but she made off with it. I can't share it if I don't have it," he says, deciding to enlist the troupe's collective thirst for treasure in the hope that they might help find her.
The Skeleton thinks, "That brute just kicked me. How rude! Well, he is an Orc." He smiles at Taran as only a Skeleton with no lips can, and resumes pouring wine into his mouth cavity where it splashes against his ribs and trickles down his spinal column.
"By the way, anyone know when the Night Gail was expected back in town? I left my backpack and shield on board." <munch crunch belch urp ughn nughn>
Quickly, quiet up to this point, very nearly chokes on his food, downs a full thimble and then, still gagging a little, points alternately from the nearest bottle to his empty cup.
Shipy enters Ruth's place and looks hesitantly at everyone and at the table. "Oh brother, this is what I call entertainment." He notices that Amroth, Jay and Lilac are not present.
Politely, Bela greets him and directs him to a seat beside Taran at the great table. After Bela moves on, he leans over and pokes Taran with one chubby finger. "You know I just realized that that worm inside you tried to kill me back at the temple. Maybe it dislikes Hobbits? Should I thank you or your worm for not killing me?" He doesn't pause for a response. "Well, as you know, Taran, I usually try to save a life a day. Usually it's my own," he adds with dripping sarcasm.
Taran uncharacteristically scrutinizes him with a furrowed look that puzzles him for a moment before his thoughts drift elsewhere. His eyes go wide at the sight of the table laden from end to end with food. The sights and aromas that permeate the room also fill his mind with thoughts of gluttony, of all the things in which a Hobbit could become lost in thrall.
He smiles at everyone, though his eyes do not show real happiness. "Though I have seen Ruth's home from a distance, I certainly never expected this," he says, his eyes slowly going back to Taran and his demeanor as his words issue forth.
Shipy stretches out his hand and encircles a goblet; he raises it aloft. "I shall always look upon all of you as my kin, but nothing ever ends so easily now, does it?" His vague hint goes unanswered as he sips the wine from the fine goblet.
The Hobbit has especially worn his best fine green shirt for the occasion, along with a matching cloak and a simple belt around his waist. His pants are a plain brown fabric, and as always, his feet are bare. This one time, his hair is combed and perfectly in place, but undoubtedly it won't remain so with Jax and Taran always taking delight in messing it up. He adjusts himself in the chair and brushes the wrinkles out of his shirt, making it look smoother and darker from a distance.
After many greetings at dinner, and a joyous feast in honor of the party, Shipy taps on his goblet with a spoon to get everyone's attention. "I suppose a feast would not be a great feast without presents now, would it?" Pulling a small piece of paper from his pocket, he reads from the list. "Since no one seems to want to take the initiative, I will do so as party leader," he pauses with a sheepish grin, "and divvy up the treasure.
"Jay, wherever the frell you might be, you get the two scrolls.
"Quickly, you get the Shield Scarab.
"Jax you get the potion.
"Some of you have seen a few things which interested you, I believe, and I have attempted to direct those items appropriately. Sadly, there are not enough magic items for everyone, but sometimes that is how it is," he concludes with a shrug.
"Taran gets two rubies and one emerald.
"Jack gets two rubies and one emerald as well.
"Olvarin gets two rubies and one emerald also.
"Ebony gets one ruby, two emeralds, 111 gold pieces and 18 silver pieces.
"Bela gets 100 gold.
"That's pretty much it, unless someone protests?" he asks, looking around and up with a beaming face. His expression changes from interest to slight confusion, then back to interest again.
Quickly is visibly delighted. "Wheeeee! Thank you!" He zips to the pile for his swag. "If it's gonna be this kinda party, I'm taking off some clothes!" He shucks the little leather jerkin that has given him protection thus far. (Don't worry, no naked he-Fairy... he's got a tunic.)
He experiments with the scarab, seeing if he can handle it like a buckler for a moment, then decides to let the magic work on its own: he pins it onto his tunic, then admires it in the reflection of the nearest goblet. Then he settles into more drinking.
Prince Thalion lets Jay sleep, and he closes his own eyes in blissful rest while he guards his friend. His thoughts drift back to Jay's promise of helping some captives. Reluctantly, Prince Thalion will help if that's what Jay really wants. He also ponders the invitation that Jay carries: it is nothing more than an enchanted paper which implants manufactured memories, but convincing Jay of this fact may be hard.
When Jay awakes (his boots still on his feet), he continues with his plan of investigating the crime scene, and Prince Thalion accompanies him. The rest of the day is wasted uneventfully. Eventually Jay returns to the Blue Frog Tavern and is given his share of the treasure.
The deck hand checks the rooms as he always does, hunting for rats wherever he might find them. As he enters the adventurers' quarters and walks around the room, his lantern casts shadows everywhere, but his eyes are sharp. He notices a backpack and a shield bound tightly together in one of the lower hammocks.
"Ha! Just my day!" he mutters, enjoying the advantages of not-so-airtight security. There is always a place to barter stolen goods, even on a ship floating at sea. Smiling, he takes the items and scurries away like one of the rats he hunts with a club in the dark.
Cambrea adjusts her pack. "Once again, this is not a dating service," she tells herself in a soft whisper. She rationalizes that it is better that she leave Khazan. With the treasure she carries in her pack, she will do very well for herself.
A sailor standing nearby asks her, "What you did this summer?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know." She climbs aboard the ship. "Let's do this again sometime Taran," she tells herself, offhandedly blowing him an invisible kiss as she listens to the noise of the sea gulls.
When Taran recovers from his worm-controlled moment, he realizes that Shipy is right in one sense.
Close proximity to the Hobbit causes a physical change in Taran, much like the one that overcomes Bilbo in the movie.
The worm inside him intensely dislikes the Hobbit, and maybe not just Shipy, but all Hobbits in general for that matter---possibly from a bad experience with a former host. The real numbing dilemma is the stark realization that the worm itself has its own agenda and has far more control over his actions than he cares to admit. Who is really in control? Taran fumbles with a sharp eating knife, turning it over in his hand. His mind tells him to stab the knife deep into the little foulmouthed pipsqueak Hobbit's heart. His honor tells him otherwise. His hand shakes nervously as he fights the urge to do its bidding.
Quickly is visibly delighted as he pins the Shield Scarab onto his tunic. Almost instantly, the Scarab shrinks down to Fairy size, protecting Quickly far better than any armor he could ever wear. Even as Quickly admires his newly acquired magic item he can't help but remember Ocullos, the Leprechaun he abandoned to a most certain death. Quickly bites his lip and drinks some more wine. Maybe more wine will help hide the small tang of guilt he feels inside.
Jax eats and drinks merrily, sampling everything and occasionally eyeing Shipy suspiciously about things only he ponders at the moment. His aches and pains remind him of his encounter with Axwall earlier at the Blue Frog Tavern, and of course the bouncer Chereva. One may never forget the lusty curves which surround her. With a grunt he reminds himself he isn't like his brother: he doesn't go outside his own kin. Taking the small green bottle of dark liquid, Jax puts it away for safe keeping.
Olvarin sits at the great table with his comrades, a bit more subdued than the others. His thoughts, however, are anything but subdued. He offered up his emotions to Chereva on his sleeve. "Love is never easy," he tells himself. Collecting his two rubies and one emerald as his share of the treasure, he rolls them in his hand and watches their sparkling brilliance in the light. He holds a total value of roughly 550 gold for one day's work. Not bad.
If anything, Ebony has taken the worst of this experience. Not many really understand the things she has been through. The others got off easy. But she doesn't take things for "granite": her life has never been that easy. As usual, what little she gained in this adventure she had to fight for, including respect. At times she believes her advice and suggestions were not given as much value as they merited, and for the most part, she thinks she was eventually vindicated. She is dressed beautifully for the occasion, and more than a few of the guests take a second glance at her, surprised at how stunning she appears.
"Oh god, I've never been so happy since the last time I was beaten up by a woman!" He laughs, waving a mug of beer. "Let's do it again sometime." <Belch> "Really, I don't regret this adventure, but I do both rue and lament this adventure." He smirks.
Bela is the only one among who seems to understand the complex dynamics that work within a group such as this. For once, the harshness of adventure seems to have abated as everyone enjoys the offering that Ruth has so generously furnished.
This is my last GM post for the Pirate Blade of Rahnian. I have thoroughly enjoyed Game Mastering this game. It has run far longer than I ever expected it would, and the twists in the plot have changed as much as I have since it began nearly nine months ago. Thank you everyone, especially to those who stayed with me from the beginning.
Even as Quickly admires his newly acquired magic item he can't help but remember Ocullos, the Leprechaun he abandoned to a most certain death. Quickly bites his lip and drinks some more wine.
And more, and more, and more (there's a lot of guilt). When he really gets into his cups (or entirely into someone else's) he can be heard to mutter, "H'musta got outta th---hic---ere. Lepro. Lapra. Lepracha. His kin can just blink outta there. Right?" he asks the Scarab. "Riiiiight." He replies for it. "Blinky blinky blinky Lepre. Lopracha. Leprecha---hic---auns. WHUPS!"
Thank you everyone, especially to those who stayed with me from the beginning.
And thank you, boss! It's been a ball. I want in on the next one! When's the next one?
Thanks Khara Khang!
For all that Olvarin was mopey and forlorn, I enjoyed your game! One bit of advice: next time let the Elf get the Centaur. :) J/K!
Weird Ollie
P.S.: Sign me up for the next one!
... her failed crush on Captain Krandor (which drove her to take a leave from delving in the first place)...
Don't feel so bad. Krandor is an idiot.
He notices that Amroth, Jay and Lilac are not present.
Jay would only bring everyone's spirit down with inappropriate comments, especially during the part where Bela recites deeds of heroism.
"I shall always look upon all of you as my kin...."
Another good reason to have missed the feast.
"Jay, wherever the frell you might be...", you get the two scrolls.
Kidnapped by a know-it-all Sphinx. Help! Help!
"... you get the two scrolls. ... Sadly, there are not enough magic items for everyone, but sometimes that is how it is."
Does a scroll become useless when someone learns the spell, or can it be reused by another person? If it's still good, then Olvarin, Ebony, Bela et al. could also use the scrolls, especially since Jay is elsewhere at present. If not, then one of them could still use them, then teach the others and Jay the spells (kinda "spreading the wealth around").
Taking the small green bottle of dark liquid, Jax puts it away for safe keeping.
Trade ya a spell scroll for it.
Prince Thalion lets Jay sleep, and he closes his own eyes in blissful rest while he guards his friend. His thoughts drift back to Jay's promise of helping some captives. Reluctantly, Prince Thalion will help if that's what Jay really wants.
I've always liked this guy.
He also ponders the invitation that Jay carries: it is nothing more than an enchanted paper which implants manufactured memories, but convincing Jay of this fact may be hard.
Especially when he doesn't want to be convinced.
When Jay awakes (his boots still on his feet), he continues with his plan of investigating the crime scene, and Prince Thalion accompanies him. The rest of the day is wasted uneventfully.
Ah well. I tried. "Hey, didn't you say something about teaching me spells last night?"
Eventually Jay returns to the Blue Frog Tavern and is given his share of the treasure.
Joy. Of course, he hasn't the stats to actually cast Dear God, but que sera sera. It's an investment in the future. "Anyone else want to go free several captives from a terrible Troll, a monstrous Minotaur, odious Orcs, and one fantastic Fifernickle?" If not, Jay'll go alone (presumably with Prince Thalion).
This is my last GM post for the Pirate Blade of Rahnian.
All good things eventually coming to an end, yes?
I have thoroughly enjoyed Game Mastering this game.
Well, I'm glad you had a good time. I thought it was a complete waste.
Besides not having the opportunity to accomplish anything of substance, look at what I had to endure: deranged and cannibalistic Leprechauns, addle-brained [Amroth --ed.] Esas, insulting Warrior-Wizards, self-pitying Fairies, Johnny-come-lately Healers, patronizing Orcs, OOC Orcs, thespians of questionable legal status, omniscient swamp rats, Tolkein wanna-bes, interminable Hobbbit [sic] scenes, and the knowledge that I'm not really looking at acquiring a second date with Lerotra'hh. BAH!
Wait, this means I get to look forward to our first actual date, while still having memories of already having had one! And I'll actually have time to prepare small talk this time! Wa-hoo! This adventure rocked!!! ;)
It has run far longer than I ever expected it would.
Ah, yer just mad because I kept trying to track Shippy Sr. [sic]
Thank you everyone, especially to those who stayed with me from the beginning.
We luvs ya, ya lug.
I want in on the next one! When's the next one?
There isn't one. Everyone is now expected to join in one of the other ongoing adventures at the Blue Frog Tavern group.
Seriously though, I had a pretty good time. Definite kudos and thanks to you for running it, and I'm also certainly looking forward to the next time you're situated behind the screen!
(And no offense to anyone else who played, but I gotta say Quickly stole the show this time out!)
For all that Olvarin was mopey and forlorn...
Yes, work on that. You really brought down the happy-go-lucky bright spirit that is Jay.
One bit of advice: next time let the Elf get the Centaur. :) J/K!
If that doesn't work out, I know a Gremlin I can introduce you to.
(And no offense to anyone else who played, but I gotta say Quickly stole the show this time out!)
Quickly staggers to his feet, bows, and faceplants into the mashed potatoes.
You're kidding me? His only blows struck were either inconvenient (Jax) or disastrous (the Captain), and he's thanking his lucky stars nobody's grilled him about the Leprechaun. But thanks all the same! I had a ball playing him, and I'm itchy to continue, somewheres, with someone....
Really, though, this was a great bunch of players I'll be glad to game with again, and with fine characters that Quickly will be happy to adventure with again.
You're kidding me?
No.
[Quickly's] only blows struck were either inconvenient (Jax) or disastrous (the Captain)...
So?
... and he's thanking his lucky stars nobody's grilled him about the Leprechaun.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying he was anywhere close to being the most effective---heck, Lilac was a lot more productive and she was only around for about three posts. Several of us could have been deleted and it wouldn't really have had any negative impact on events; in some cases, it'd have improved things, as you note.
But so what?
Despite it all, and sometimes even because of it all, I thought Quickly was consistently entertaining, and that's what I consider the most important aspect of a game.
Again, this isn't to denigrate anyone else out there. There were several standouts. But the post with this line:
"Quickly Ratcatcher at your service, Jax. And don't worry, I won't confuse you with your brother. I'll be sure to baffle you separately."
put Quickly over the top in my book.
But thanks all the same!
De nada.
Really, though, this was a great bunch of players I'll be glad to game with again, and with fine characters that Quickly will be happy to adventure with again.
Joy.
Thanks mos' kindly. I had fun putting posts like that together myself.
I'll also throw some kudos into the pot. Now that the adventure is technically over (but still being archived, just in case :), I really feel like I'd recognize Quickly if I ever overheard him in the street. His character is just that much fleshed out. Both he and Olvarin make fantastic additions to the culture here at the BFT, and should be commended for their masterful debut performances.
Thanks mos' kindly. I had fun putting posts like that together myself.
Alright already, compliment time is over.
I'll also throw some kudos into the pot.
Oh great, more of 'em....
Both he and Olvarin make fantastic additions to the culture here at the BFT, and should be commended for their masterful debut performances.
Fine, if they're still coming.... While Jay doesn't like Olvarin at all (although he's trying to like him), I happened to like him quite a bit.
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