Mid Summer Party – Flamerule 31st

H 76/L 56 Winds out of the north at 20 mph

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

DM Note – We are going to do this day a little differently. It’s going to act like one big conversation between you of Rockhammer Hold, and various people you talk to at the party. Anyone can chime in with a response, or question, or answer at any time in this forum. I don’t want this to be the same person answering for the group the entire day, everyone should get involved. And by everyone I mean Kregnok, Althalus, Umberto, and maybe Melisi. Anyways, on to the party…

“You wake up on this holiday and can already sense a buzz around the stronghold. Ivan the cook, Kate and Meredith the gardeners and Rez’Gyrk all work frantically in the kitchen for tonight’s feast. Gravaar and Ol’Jed are getting along famously, with the old man teaching the young orc how to skin a deer.

Johann and the carpenters work on throwing together benches and tables along with a small stage for tonight’s festivities.

Kregnok, Otihand, Dain and the quarry dwarves work on an axe throwing contest, open to everyone. Rumor has it that the dwarf with the worst toss will have to shave his beard.

Panian and Melisi pace out a nice sized archery range for a contest later on tonight. Nadia is talking about making a custom made bow for the winner.

Phyllis the bartender drags her cart over toward the front gate to set up for refreshing beverages. It lets your mind wander about how grand it will be to have a fully functioning tavern when the stone wall is complete.

Most of you run around and help out where you are needed. During the early afternoon some of the artisans, actors, and musicians arrive to start getting ready.

Dominic calls out for you to come take a look at your valley from the guard tower next to the front gate. It is quite breath taking. Considering that exactly two months ago you stumbled up here from Silverymoon and discovered this empty keep. Now you look out and see all the people milling about. Once you were seven, now you are 42. And with the addition of the hired people today, you might have close to 60 people here right now.

Dominic pipes in, “You ever think about hiring a butler? You know, to oversee day to day operations inside the stronghold? Keep everyone in line, paid, keep the place stocked up on goods, whatnot. You know, so you don’t have to worry about little details, maybe go on an adventure or something?”

Hmmm, might be a good idea.

As the sun is starting to set the musicians start playing and immediately you can feel the place come alive. Everyone is singing and dancing and having a great time. Phyllis comes by and hands out ales to the “Lords of Rockhammer Hold”. You all smile, toast, and down your drinks.

Ivan the cook and the rest of his staff starts hauling food out to the tables that Johann and his crew set up. They come out with waves and waves of food fit for a king; wyvern shank, chicken eggs, soft cheese, raspberries, corn, lamb stew, quail eggs, broad beans, strawberries, beef steak, collard greens, peas, spice bread, griffin-milk cheese, nut bread, smoked sausage, gnomes’ yogurt, plum pudding, goblin bannock, centaur rye, and deep dwarven blue cheese. You have never eaten better.

Just as the food comes out you see your first guests arriving. Mayor Kevian Droverson, Evan Barksdale, and about 20 residents of Temel arrive. Every single resident stops and thanks you profusely for your hospitality. Once they are through, a teary-eyed Kevian approaches, “I-I can’t thank you enough for sharing this holiday with the people of Temel. This has truly been a most welcome day for our tiny thorp.”

"Please friends, enjoy yourselves. Know that tonight we celebrate friendship and hope. Good hearted denizens of the Nether Mountains are always welcome in Rockhammer. Let's eat!"

This food is especially delicious. How have the inhabitants of the hold been?

Melisi

Kevian smiles, “We are doing about as good as we can.” The mayor shakes your hands again before heading off to be with his people.

Evan smiles and approaches, “He has been under a lot of stress lately. I suppose much of that comes from being surrounded by these nefarious mountains, and being financially wiped out. But,” he says with a smirk as he raises his ale, “we still have our health.”

You all gulp down another ale and enjoy the moment until Evan speaks up again.

“I don’t suppose any of you have any idea what Karg and this Thar Grim-Rule are up to, do you? These events of recent seem…orchestrated. But I haven’t an inkling as to their purpose. I mean between their shaman Thar allowing himself to be capture, to the set-up with the medicine, to the ransom, I just can’t figure it out. Any ideas?”

" Could there be a true orcish mastermind? Prodding our defenses, toying with us all the while threating us with their well known savagery? I believe they have a shrewd master who is marking his territory. Perhaps Karg and Thar are trying to soften us, preparing us for some sort of invasion? Thar seemed a cut above most green-skins, he has a higher power guiding his movements. Regardless, we shall not let them make a mockery of us again." Umberto raises his tankard. " To the free peoples of the Marches, tonight we fear no evil! We rejoice in friendship!" Umberto finishes yet another ale.

Aye, while I have no doubt that someone is behind their motives and actions, I doubt it to be a simple orc. It's my opinion that subtle plans, and shadowy actions are not the meat and potatos of orcish kind; they prefer strength, and action, and glory on the battlefield. However, Master Umberto raises an excellent point, that tonight there shall be no worry. Here's to the friendships honored tonight, and the strength of those friendships on the morrow!!

“Aye!” shouts a defiant Evan to Umberto’s toast. Evan nods politely and heads over to the food.

The party is in full swing now with everyone clapping along to a local song about a young man coming back home after being away a long time.

Tian puts on a dazzling magic show for a the kids and a handful of adults. She lights up the skies with her low-level arcane spells much to the delight of the onlookers.

It is also nice to see some of the guards enjoying the festivities. Dominic has all nine of them on partial duty; half guard work and half partying. Dominic keeps a close eye on them, making sure they aren’t getting drunk.

You see a two of the guard speak to Dominic as he comes by. They glance in your direction as does Dominic. Certainly they are talking about you. Dominic shrugs his shoulders and motions to you. The two men take a deep breath and walk over.

You recognize them as Oddon and Rolur, two of the original guards. “Um…we was wondering….um…Mi’Lords, of course, if um….well, you see…we married the Burres sisters awhile back and um…well, do you think we could build ourselves a house here? You know, start a family, the whole thing. It wouldn’t be big and take up a lot of room. Just a small place for our two families. What do you think?”

*Note* Apparantly Sam and I are working at the same time today, consider my ealier response to Umberto/Evan's conversation, as it is slightly out of place.

Kregnok will call out "As long as you build those houses out of stone!" as he walks over towards the axe throwing competition.

* I fixed it and put it back in a more sensible order*

The two guards seem very excited and thank you again for letting them build homes up here.

You scan the crowd and start to wonder about the others. We could have a pretty good sized place here in no time, especially if people start bringing their families with them. Heck, we are already bigger than Temel right now!

Everyone is having a great time at the party, Ivan the cook still brings out more food, and Phyllis fills everyone’s mugs with fresh ale. Things couldn’t be better.

Then you see something that is a bit of a concern. It’s Lozigee’s gang of ruffians that he “rescued” from the streets of Silverymoon, no doubt to follow in his honorable footsteps. Nicknames the “Street Urchin Gang” by Ivan, the four kids whose ages range from six to twelve are hanging out around the food table. You watch them closely for a minute and can immediately tell they are up to something. It might be a subtle nod to each other, or the way they move through a crowd, but it doesn’t take long before you realize they have a mark in the crowd, at it’s the Mayor of Temel himself.

Someone should have a talk with these kids and nip this in the bud. Of course, Lozigee is no where to be seen.

Althalus:

"Gather round, yon knuckleheads! Yes, you and you and you and you. Come here. I am not sure where Loz is, or he would be telling you this, but you guys have the night off. You practice in the keep, you do not work. A lesson you haven't learned yet is that there are times when NOT stealing is more profitable and advantageous than lining your pockets in the short term. And, a word to the wise, if I can see you stalking the Mayor, then you are not ready to be stalking the mayor. Now I don't want to see anymore of that nonsense tonight. Panian and I can take you out and do some scouting next week. We can show you a few things that could help you develop your skills."

The kids hear Althalus’s words and scamper off. The six year-old half-orc, Warrick, give the ranger a dirty look before running off with the others ruffians to the keep.

You hear a shout, “Hail! Good people of Rockhammer Hold!” and turn to see Captain Aito and his patrol approaching from Everlund Pass. The men file pass and shakes hands, thanking you for your hospitality before heading over for food and drink.

“Not too much lads, we are back on patrol in the ‘morn!” shouts Aito. The captain comes over to speak to you.

“Ah friends, it is good to see you and happy Mid Summer day to you.” Aito motions for you to come closer, “The High Lady sends her blessings, I tell you, you are close to her heart. She speaks highly of you, bragging to the other generals of the alliance of your unsolicited help. She wants us patrols to be move involved with you and your efforts in the mountains. So, myself and Captain Ensyer will be making regular stops here and spending the night, instead of in Temel.”

Phyllis comes by and hands the captain an ale, which he eagerly downs.

“Captain Kremmel, now that’s another story. Have you met him yet?”

"Um, no we have neither seen nor heard of a Captain Kremmel." Lander says as he passes by.

(DM Note - sorry about that, I figure instead of everyone pouring through everything ever written on our campaign trying to figure out who this guy was, I would just answer this for you.)

Captain Aito shakes his head, “Captain Kremmel…his days of valor and duty are behind him I fear. He has been a shady character for some time. Always bickering about not getting paid enough, not getting enough respect, so on and so forth.”

Aito shakes it off, “Enough gloomy talk friends, let’s drink!”

The archery contest is in full swing and you stop by to watch a few minutes of it. Panian and Marina are very good at this but one of Captain Aito’s men pulls off back-to-back bullseyes in one of the later rounds, much to the surprise of everyone.

In the next round of five shots, Panian puts two right on the edge of the bullseye, and fires two arrows for his 4th and 5th shots from his elven double-bow and makes two very good hits, but off from his near bullseye marks.

Marina goes next, and she is more consistent with her shots, nailing one bullseye and having two near-misses.

The patrolman goes last and does not fare as well in this round, but he does nail the bullseye once again.

In the end, Nadia the bowmaker declares Marina the winner by the count of 26-24. The other patrolmen all give their comrade pats on the back for his valiant effort against two well seasoned archers.

From the Everlund Pass comes more people to the party. Hinnar of the Red Wizards of Thay Enclave arrives with two of her assistants. “Greetings Lords of Rock Hammer Hold,” she says with a deep bow, “thank you for inviting us to Mid Summer.”

She introduces her assistants, Muxos and Alasitra before they head off to mingle with the others. Some people greet them happily but you can see that some of the people from Temel don’t trust Red Wizards of Thay.

Hinnar shakes her head, “No matter what we do, our reputation proceeds us. Believe me when I say we are doing everything we can to remedy this. The actions of…Kizzaf, set us back when we were doing so well in the region.”

You all remember earlier this month when a NPC group led by Panian confronted Kizzaf at the Enclave for kidnapping two individuals from Wageton. Hinnar captured her and turned her over to the authorities in town.

Hinnar takes a small sip of ale that Phyllis provided, “I hope I don’t sounds crazy, but I want us to be more like you. You people of Rockhammer Hold are developing a great reputation in the Nether Mountains. Talk of your deeds in Temel with the sickness spread like wildfire up and down the Rauvin River.”

“We’ve done our best, we sell our arcane magics at ten-percent below market cost, we’ve helped out the immediate surrounding area where we can. Mostly just farmers, but we have yet to make a big splash like you did with Temel.”

You nod your heads in agreement, but are still taken back a little with all the news of your efforts for Temel, everyone knows you about you now.

“I have a proposal,” says Hinnar as she sets down her ale, “let us work with you next time you do something heroic. We have many arcane spellcasters that would be more than happy to help and makes these mountains a safer place. We want to held in high regard by the people.”

“So,” she says with a smile, “can we share the stage with the Heroes of the Nether Mountains? What say you to my proposal?”

*can I get a sense motive check?*

**rolls**

You feel she is sincere, in fact, you have gotten this feeling everytime you have spoken to her.

"I feel this would be just fine Hinnar. We will include you in our next venture. Many know of the Red Wizards, and it is no secret many fear them. I sense that you are sincere, and the hardest, but most rewarding part of building a community is extending trust. " Umberto raises his tankard yet again and makes a sort of silent toast.

“Excellent,” smiles Hinnar, “it will be a pleasure working with you.” Hinnar shakes everyone’s hand and goes off to the party to mingle with the other guests.

Kregnok stumbles back from the axe throwing booth, muttering something about “artic dwarves” and “northern rules” that you all get a kick out of. You can still see Otihand and Dain in a heated argument, occasionally making cutting gestures to the other’s beard.

A couple of the acting troupe members alert everyone that the play is about to begin, so you head over to the stage that Johann and his men created this afternoon.

The play is entitled “A Cobbler’s Tale” and it is a pretty funny little act that everyone seems to enjoy. The narrator does a great job as he whips the crowd into a frenzy of excitement for the play. He tells a wonderful story that centers on a traveling cobbler who gets into some crazy situations resulting in hilarious consequences. All throughout the play the narrator keeps the audience on their toes with light humor, and great crowd interaction. One part of the play stands out in particular; the hapless cobbler apparently had not done a good job repairing a man’s shoe, and when the cobbler turns around, the man stabs him with a fake sword. As the cobbler’s body is dragged offstage by goons, the narrator replies, “What happens in Cholnudon, stays in Cholnudon.” This is greeted with nods and shouts of “it’s true!” from the audience.

The play wraps up and the crowd gives a standing ovation, the crowd roars with approval when the narrator takes his bow. The musicians start playing again while Ivan brings out fresh fruit and sweets for dessert.

A short while later you sense a commotion in the crowd as people start to back away from something. You move forward and see a huge brown bear crawl up on the stage. Dominic springs into action, alerting his men to draw their weapons and move forward. The beautiful elf Vadania appears from behind the bear and puts her hand up. Dominic and his men stop and watch as everyone else in the camp does. Vadania whispers something to the musicians and they play a different song. The brown bear delivers an ear-splitting roar as he stands up on his hind legs, which makes everyone take a step back. Then the bear dances to the music. Vadania smiles and dances along side the massive beast. Halfway through the song a little girl wanders up by the stage. The bear is back down on all fours sniffing the girl, whose parents are too terrified to approach. The music stops. Vadania lifts the child in the air and places it on the bear’s back. The music starts up again and the bear continues to dance. Squeals of delight come from the little girl as the crowd applauds.

“Ah, here they are right here,” says Lander Timmons who escorts the narrator over to you.

You soon find that the narrator’s charisma and charm are no act. “Ah mi’ lords it is an honor and a privilege to meet such fine upstanding citizens. I am Haer Dalis’; actor, poet, singer, fighter, lover *wink*, handy with a lockpick, handy with a spellbook, handy with a lot of things, including the ladies *wink*.”

“You, my monkish friend,” he says as he approaches Umberto, “I know you like the ladies and I know which one you like, ha ha! I think she is a most gorgeous woman who can…tame the inner bear,” he says as he pokes Umberto’s ribs, “if you know what I mean and I think you do.”

“Am I right my dwarven friend? Me thinks I am. Ah, we need to sit down, you and I, and exchange stories over mugs of ale. And over and over and over again! Ah, by your beard I’ll wager we’ll get along famously. I’d bet my own beard, but as you can tell by my pointy ears, and questionable parentage,” he removes his hat to reveal two small, devilish horns, “that I have no beard, nor am I likely to grow one anytime soon.”

“Ah, ranger friend! You and I have seen our fair shares of the countryside! I’ve been around, through, between, over and past every known forest, mountain, river, hill, swamp, and valley that you could put a name to. If it is in Faerun, then I have been there. A great respect for nature grows within me like the mighty oak, my friend.” He says as he pats Althalus on the back.

“Hello, what have we here?” he says as he approaches Melisi. “I’ve not seen such beauty and as I have alluded to earlier I have been around the world and back. Let me peer deep into your inviting eyes…hmmm, you have a bit of, dare I say, the underground elves?”

Melisi, with her disguise on, is shocked that he learned her secret.

“Oh, neveryoumind, my fair lady, I wouldn’t hold that against you. I would die just to hold you close to my naked body *wink*.

Haer Dalis’ spins Melisi around and leaps upon a nearby table, causing you all to smile at his antics, “So my new found friends, fate has brought us together and they time has come. Will you have the great Haer Dalis’ as a friend? What great adventures will await us? What stories will they tell of us? So, what say you?”

DM Note - Haer Dalis is a hirable 1st level bard.

Hail and well met indeed, that is quite an introduction! Will your troupe not miss such a ringleader of fine stead?

“Of course they will, of course they will. They are but mere mortals and now that I have graced their presence how could they possibly not cherish every last moment spent with the great Haer Dalis’!”

"So what say you, friends?" he says triumphantly.

"There is room for all here at Rockhammer, and I am sure we could use one of your talents. Welcome Haer Dalis."

“Excellent choice my friends, Lady Tymora smiles on all of us today. What great fortune for all of us. Well, except my acting troupe, they will be disappointed that is for sure. Excuse me while I break the news to them.” Haer Dalis’ runs off into the crowd, and as good as an actor/orator that he is, you get the feeling that the troupe might be slightly relieved to see him go.

The party is in full swing now, everyone enjoying their time. Even Ivan the cook and the gardeners Kate and Meredith have stopped working and now relax. The two guards, Oddon and Rolur, stop and introduce their wives to you. All four thank you profusely for letting them build a home in the valley.

Not quite everyone is enjoying the party as much as most. You spy Gravaar and K’Gorsz standing at the front gate of the keep, slowly sipping on ales. Makes sense now that you think of it, this is not a holiday celebrated by most orcs and goblins and they would be very much out of place with everyone else, so they have stayed away from the festivities.

Maybe someone should go over and say something to them.

Umberto grabs two plates of food, something with meat on it and heads over to his goblinoid compatriots.

" Hail there friends. Thought you might like some food, Ivan has outdone himself. If you feel up to it, I am sure we could get a game of toss-the-halfling going?" Umberto grins. " This is a holiday to give thanks, and you are welcome to join us, and I encourage this. Your are always welcome at table at which I sit. "

Aye, welcome and well met! Now, have a drink on us, and we'll see what else the night brings us!

Althalus:**mouth finally closing from the shock of meeting Haer Dalis** "I would that he was a little less me and a little more... me, I suppose. Still, things will be a little more interesting with him around, until they aren't, at which point we may have to kill him." **chuckles to himself, finishes his ale and walks off to locate another**

Gravaar and K’Gorsz appreciate your company as they sit down and chow down on the food. After a few minutes the goblin digs through his food, “What? No bugs? What Gilm going to eat?” Then K’Gorsz runs off to find something for his spider to eat.

You sit down with Gravaar and get a chance to see how he is doing. “Good. Jed good guy. Not like most when they meet orc. Jed teach me to use bow to hunt. Gravaar teach Jed to set traps and to sneak up on prey.”

The orc heads off to find more ale when Dominic comes up, “Some old man here to see you.”

You head back to the party and you find a kinda scraggly older man, Althalus introduces the Hermit to the rest of you.

“Thank you for the invitation, I got Panian’s note the other day.” You get to chatting with the hermit and you find that he is a fountain of lore of these parts. He mentions a king who lived in these parts hundreds of years ago, well before the establishment of the Silver Marches. “He is said to watch over the land still and will return when the time is needed.” Very interesting.

You make some more small talk, talk about the weather and the changes he has seen in the mountains. At one point he sets down his mug and you can feel something serious is about to be said.

“I’ve been searching the mountains lately, namely for a location of Karg at the Broken Tusks and also the now infamous Black Knight. I found neither, which tells me something. Both are going to great lengths to remain hidden, which is quite unusual in a near law-less mountain range. I have, however, seen a good deal of traffic in the foothills east of Wageton. More and more organized, monstrous creatures in that area. Gnolls, hobgoblins, and some human bandits. Look like mercenaries to me and I would wager that this is the work of Dreadholt Holt Burukhan (a.k.a. The Black Knight). Apparently he was a pretty high up in the Banite (church of Bane) in Sundabar but their secret temple was raided. He escaped and I have no doubt that he will attempt to rebuild the church in these mountains.”

The hermit, bites his lip and gazes up at the moon. “We should make a pact to work together. I know you to be good people, hearing what you did for Temel. I too have watched over these mountains for decades, and wish to see the best for it. What say you, shall we make a formal alliance to work together, share information, and better protect the Nether Mountains?”