Recruits - Eleasis 20th

Eleasis 20th
H 76/L 56 – winds out of the E at 20 mph, .75” of rain

Closest Patrol Today:
Captain Aito arrives in the PM from Cholnudon

A slightly overcast day greets you as the Rockhammer Valley begins to stir. After a brief shower the trumpets blare as three people approach. Captain Dominic questions them at the gate to the keep before letting them in.

“Recruits!” shouts the captain.

A young man, with red hair cropped close to his head, dressed in platemail speaks first, “Greetings heroes of Wageton. I am Troy Percival of Wageton and I humbly ask to join your ranks here at Rock Hammer Hold.”

The second person, a young man about the same age as Troy approaches. He has long, straight black hair that is tied in a knot. “Hello. My name is Delek and I seek a master to continue my studies.” He humbly bows to Umberto.

The last person is a young woman with blonde hair, she wears studded leather. “Hey. I’m Janar. Looking to join up too.”

Out of Character:

"Right this way please... all new arrivals must empty their pockets of any ill intent and pass through the Sense Motive detector."

Umberto smiles at Althalus and welcomes the new recruits. " I am Umberto Lunini, please tell me a bit about yourselves." Preparing Sense Motive...


<Question> How intrusive is the detect thoughts ability from Merthuvial?

Hmm, I would say less than casting the spell. I’d imagine that you would just have to maybe hold the hilt of the sword while it is sheathed to use this ability. Since there would be no verbal or somatic gestures I don’t know that anyone would realize it, even if they made or failed their saving throws.

So, you can “cast” this with a duration of 4 minutes and you can basically do all three at the same time (although I imagine that would sound confusing in your mind) since its area of effect is a cone. You don’t start getting surface thoughts until the 3rd round.

I guess that we would do this with Umberto “casting” the spell and then starting to question them. You’d get a verbal response from them as well as surface thoughts from all three of them.

Let me know if you want to proceed with this.

I will proceed, smiling and casually resting my hand on the hilt of the sword.

Troy smiles and steps forward, he seems to be a true leader from your initial impressions.

With a polite nod Troy speaks, "My family comes from Waterdeep where my father was a captain of the guard. He was a honorable and just man and he instilled upon me the same qualities. I have dedicated my career to these principles and left Waterdeep to seek my place in the world and help where I could."

He clears his throat before continuing, "I seek a noble and just way of life that I could not afford to pursue in Waterdeep. Because of this I have not selected a pantheon to follow as of yet."

Kregnok interrupts, "Argh, a paladin with no god? Are ye daft?"

Troy smiles, "I understand you point master dwarf, but I assure you it is difficult to break into the ranks of knighthood without the proper connections in such a metropolis as Waterdeep. I have been studying several paths recently," Troy digs through his backpack and pulls out several books, "that includes the ways of Helm, Torm, and Tyr."

He sets the books down and continues, "Any enlightenment on your personal encounters with these religions would be most beneficial in making my decision. I believe that I could be of great benefit here while I learn my place in Faerun as well."

1st Round Detect Thoughts - You detect the presence of all three conscious minds.

Next question Umberto!

" Welcome Troy, I think we can aid in your studies. Those with true and honorable intentions are always welcome here at Rockhammer. Delek was it? What has brought to our doorstep?"

Delek nods politely and steps forward, Troy smiles at him and gives him a friendly pat on the back.

"Greetings. I grew up in the riverside town of Wageton. My father passed away at a young age and I grew up with my mother and two younger sisters. My grandmother came from Shou Lung Empire where she was an instructor at a local monastary. She taught the arts of hand-to-hand combat as well as meditation practices. Her daughter, my mother, was taught a limited amount of the arts before she headed west with her new husband."

"Eventually we settled in Wageton and lived here for many years. I have always felt that my grandmother's life was a call to my own destiny. I moved to Silverymoon for a few years to study the ways of the monk as best I could. Having learned everything I could from my mother and what I could learn in Silverymoon, I have come here to further my education with you Umberto. I hope you find me worthy of your tutiledge," Delek says with a bow.

2nd Round Detect Thoughts - Delek as an intelligence of 14, Troy has an intelligence of 12, and Janar has an intelligence of 14 as well.

Next question!

" Interesting, I hail from Phsant. I would take on a student such as yourself Delek, welcome. Curious, which order of monks did your grandmother instruct?"

Without a change in demeanor Delek bows politely, "Thank you master. My grandmother taught Quivering Palm."

3rd Round Detect Thoughts -

Troy - Have I been passed over? No, these are good and righteous people, Cato spoke highly of them.

Janar - Stay calm, breathe, stay cool.

Delek - Remain humble and polite, grandmother would be proud.

" Very good. Janar, from where do you come? What can Rock Hammer do for you?"

Janar looks to the skies as if she is mulling over her response.

"Grew up in the High Forest. Uncle has a cabin inthe woods. Never knew my parents. Worked odd jobs. Moved north. Heard of you in Wageton and I'm looking for work."

4th Round Detect Thoughts -

Troy - Who is this woman and why do I feel uneasy around her?

Delek - She is a peculiar one, and Troy thinks the same.

Janar - Keep cool, keep cool, keep cool.

" Work? Well as you can see, there is plenty to do around here! What did you have in mind?" Umberto smiles, looks at Troy and Delek and then back to Janar, waiting for an answer.

Troy – “I want a new hat!”

Delek – “I want a new hat!”

Janar – “I want them to have new hats!”

Ok, sorry about that….

Troy smiles and is the first to step forward, “I would be glad to help in the defense of the Nether Mountains. I am dependable, honest, and good with a blade.”

Delek bows, “I would like to learn more of the ways of the monks.”

Janar looks around, “I, uh, I’m uh, dependable. And a scout. I’m a good scout. Good in a fight too.”

5th Round Detect Thoughts –

Troy – Ah, that went well. Sounded professional.

Delek – I hope he picks Troy and myself.

Janar – Uh, what?!? Crap, think, think, think!

" Troy, you have impeccable timing! A group of paladins of Tyr have just arrived, helping us fortify and protect the keep. I am sure they would provide a good resource. Delek, I am pleased to have you here. I will take you on as a student. You will learn the ways of the Shining Fist," Umberto nods to Troy and Delek. He then looks to Janar. " I don't know if we have a place for you here Janar. Perhaps there would be work in Cholnuldon? Or maybe at the Outpost? I wish you well, however, and you are welcome rest here. Troy, report to Sir Horace, if you gives you trouble let me know. Delek, you can follow me." Umberto nods and excuse himself.

*walking off with Umberto* Hey, perhaps we should put the ankle biters on the girl... the munchkins haven't had anyone to harass in awhile and I don't trust her.

" Indeed, let's do that. I felt as if she had a much more clandestine purpose. Could you and Hasimir follow her when she leaves town? And then follow up on this uncle in the cabin the High Forest?"

Troy gives a polite smile before moving off to find Horace. Delek nods and remains standing next to Janar who stares off in the distance.

Ivan the cook comes and escorts Delek and Janar to the NPC bunkhouse (Janar just resting for the night), but as they leave you get one last reading before the spell ends:

6th Round Detect Thoughts –

Troy – Ugh, Horace again. Not my favorite person I’ve met, but I must impress the Lords of Rock Hammer. I must make the best of this.

Delek – Things have worked out wonderful. Hmmm, Janar seems distracted.
Janar – I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead I’m dead.

DM Note – following up on this with the uncle in the High Forest might be quite the endeavor. The High Forest is freaking huge, I’m guessing it would take someone at least a month to walk around the perimeter of it.

(Geezus, am I glad I used the sword or what, still you're being tricky Mr. DM...)

Nix the High Forest endeavor, but I do think someone should trail her and give the gang of juveniles a mark.

Hasimir would be more than happy to hang out around Janar ,and see what she is up to.