This site is an online accumulation of the Post Reports for my current ongoing D&D Campaign - for anyone who might be interested in reading them.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Meet 40, Adv 10, 1/7/23

 After taking the month off for holiday and year end game, we came back to the table and there was a ton of LARPing at the table. At 1 point, we had a 4 way split and we had a chance to interact with a number of the party's extended family. Which made most of the players say, "Ah - now that makes sense why "X" is the way he is."

Follows:

We were hanging out at the local tavern discussing what the plans were next. Grendel had a dinner with Byrag Maexoff and Dizzy was happy to go with him. Connal wanted to go to dinner at his family and Eoghan was going to go with him. Gryg of course was invited back to his family for a dinner as well. That left Wilhelm, who honestly, was going to go back to Dizzy’s mother’s house and have dinner with Shebara and Frontari.

In the meantime, Dizzy wanted to…thought to…figured it was time…to go to the Reetersbeard Tradehouse and visit with his father. A high level manager and organizer in the Reetersbeard organization, Korok had little love or recognition of his son. Dizzy felt weird going back after 2 plus years but eventually made his way to Korok’s office. There was some sheltered banter in the beginning, and Korok had 5 other daughters (from 3 other women) that he identified and recognized. Their pictures and the like were displayed in the office.

As for Dizzy, words started flying and it was learned to the group that Korok never forgave Dizzy or Shebara for Dizzy’s attitude, and he claimed his tough love was for Dizzy to finally rise up and actually claim something, be a man so to speak. Since he never did, he was a disappointment. And then after he got him a job with the organization, placing him a decent enough level with the skills he had (writing), Dizzy eventually manifested touched powers from his goddess – and Korok felt that he was wasted and duped. He couldn’t move Dizzy again in the organization; it would look like nepotism and Dizzy would not be given a fair shake in his new place. Words were exchanged, more so than usual and Dizzy left a few years ago.

He belittled his estranged son and his “adventuring” party job. Thug, criminal, loser. If he begs, he could have his job back. Then it was going to leave and Korok threatened to have Shebara fired at her job as retaliation for having such a piece of shit son. It might have been bluster or not, but Gryg (as a Reeteresbeard as well) waited behind to invite Korok to his family house tonight after dinner to talk and not make any decisions now.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm and Eoghan had not gone to the Tradehouse, instead they had gotten directions to the Hunters’ District up on the western slopes of Mount Doverfjell. He was hoping to learn where maybe a bobcat or lynx could be found for hunting and the druid and ranger walked around, marveling at not only the dwarven hunters, rangers, and the likes here doing their business, but also the animals that had been gathered near and far. Birds of all types, squirrels, rabbits, elk, caribou, dogs and many breeds, wolfhounds, wolves, indeed a number of mountain lions and cats, including a 16’ tall wooly mammoth and a sabertoothed tiger.

We spoke with Arnskar, a doughty dwarven woman and seemingly guildmaster up here. She did talk about the tiger, most people are interested. Was captured 3 years ago when it was caught in a landslide. Captor hadn’t sold it yet and wanted 350 gold crowns for it – no exceptions. Wilhelm was tempted, but it was a princely sum. He did look at a few mountain lions, pleased with what he saw, and was willing to talk about getting one – 210 nobles for it.

We reconvened and discussed what was to follow. A few of us bought new clothes (our current garb were getting pretty worn out and dirty) and just before 5- we broke up into…fours…(sigh) and went on our way!

Connal and Eoghen arrived at Connal’s family home where Karl and Feli greeted them and invited them in. All of Connal’s elder siblings were here. From Kindy and her husband and kids, who had in her youth been a high wire act but a bad fall or two turned her off and she switched out to ticket sales and organization. Then there was Kenny, on his 3rd wife, the new Strongman of the troupe, he was working out now, buff and thick (shredded is the word!) and playfully bantering with Karl. Kloe the next sister with her husband and kids, she was still actively acting as a light contortionist clown back up. Then there was Karen – she was there with her two kids, and had a bit of an attitude and might have been miserable – but was a perfect straight man for the family. And then there was the youngest (ahead of Connal), Kay who was the troupe clown and also turned tricks now and again with what marks she would pick up at the circus.

There was food and laughter and cursing and jokes and more food. Feats of strength, flipping (who isn’t flipping? Get flipping!), kids all over. The house was a bit of a mess, the yard was a bit of a mess, and kids were everywhere – but it was a lively get together that promised to overwhelm Eoghan who was not at all used to anything like this, and a breath of nostalgia for Connal who got a chance to revisit home after being gone for so long.

Gryg had gone to his dinner, alone, where his father Porfan and mother Tila were happy to have him back. The two older siblings were out now but his 3rd, 4th, and 5th youngest siblings were there. Thor was 36 (16 est h/a) and had missed his brother tremendously. He was proud to have joined the local chapterhouse of the League of Odin on his 35th birthday and wanted to follow in Gryg’s footsteps and learn how to fight. He was already skilled enough with a hammer and had been given a tin badge indicating he had achieved the first level of needed skill to eventually get his graduation degree.

The next youngest, Wodan was 31 (14 est h/a) and also wanted to be a part of his elder brother’s circle – Gryg’s sure, but with Gryg gone these last 2 plus years, had turned his focus to Thor. Not allowed to join the League yet (Porfan’s orders), he did practice with Thor at home, often taking the position of “random attacker with a knife” that Thor could practice his attacks and moves on. Wodan had gotten pretty good at carving (thanks to Tila, his mom who worked at the Reetersbeard Tradehouse in the Wheelwright area as a carpenter and spoke maker) and would make a number of carved wooden knives. Thor liked them so much, he would bring a few in and sell them to other League members and share the profits with his brother would make more. He gave one to Gryg.

Then there was Baldoral. At 25 (11 est h/a) he was a bit of a loner and wanted to be a part of something more. His studies were poor, he had a penchant for not listening and going his own way if at all possible. But he was fascinated with Gryg and just wanted some sort of connection with his almost legendary elder brother.

Dinner was weird – Porfan and Tila although married and with a number of kids, had a gulf of years between them (30) and it seems that Tila had grown a bit tired of her husband and his conservative ways. Porfan tried to stop any conversation about Gryg and his experiences and Tila was expounding on them. Eventually he went to the yard with his 3 brothers and let them hold his weapons, and even gave Baldoral a chance to shoot his crossbow. It sailed up well over the target and was lost somewhere 4 blocks up. It changed Baldoral’s life at that moment and everyone went inside.

Dinner kept going and Gryg defended his life and choices. 50 is an important year for all dwarves and Gryg was serious about his current career choice and path. He did let the group know about Korok Reetersbeard before he showed and when he did, the charismatic older dwarf had Porfan on the back foot, Tila swooning over him, and the 3 other kids fascinated. Gryg tried to intervene for Dizzy and Shebara and had questionable success. Tila was invited to Korok’s office tomorrow, bring Baldoral – he looks like a young man with some promise. Porfan was very much not…anything and was getting looked over.

A bribe was eventually offered to Gryg to poison Dizzy with a magebane elixir but for clerics, and even though the price was noticeable, he demurred. Korok respected that and thanked the family for their time, let Tila walk him to the door (with accompanying hug and see you tomorrow) and left. Needless to say, the rest of the dinner was much less interesting.

Wilhelm arrived at the Dizzrea home and had a nice dinner with Shebara and Frontari. They talked a bunch and Frontari decided to get his cousin, Raschel to come over. She worked for the Hunter’s District as a leather worker and shared her thoughts about the place and some of the pricing involved. Conversation moved about, was flirty and friendly. She liked his cats and the entire family was huggy and appreciative. It was after 9:30 and getting late when Wilhelm offered to walk Raschel home. They two of them left amidst hugs and giggles, inviting him to come back any time, and took the long way to her home. Where eventually she invited him in for a drink and to talk some more. And the elven druid did. And boot scene.

Meanwhile Eoghan was so overwhelmed by Connal’s family – worried that Kay was going to have her way with him or Karen would. Connal covered for him and Eoghan left, eventually going back to Dizzy’s mom’s house – where he learned that Wilhelm had been here for dinner and company and left a short while ago. They shared some cheese and crackers and ale with him and then it was getting late and the tire ranger decided to turn in and Shebara set him up with a place in the living room and her and Frontari went off to bed. Also boot scene.

As for Grendel, he and Dizzy went to the Maexoff Demesne where Byrag met them along with his wife Fadia (69 human, silver haired Goldie Hawn looking) and daughter Vyer (49 human Elizabeth Hurley looking). The place was rich, also carpeted, and the dinner was delicious. They talked about his youth, his life, meeting Fadia, and then making the step up and growing up. Silas Maexoff was adamant that the young wastrel make something of himself and helped groom Byrag over the years to the man he was today until his passing.

They saw his memorabilia of his time in the Stivil Arena and learned about his years earlier and the hard times he had. He took them to his “man cave” where they saw other trophies and items there. It was a chance wood carving and painting of him with a distinctive looking sword that turned the conversation that way.

Silas Maexoff demanded a large dowry for his daughter, Fadia, and Byrag who was spending his winnings as fast as he was making them, was hard pressed, eventually selling/pawning his family blade to a broker in Stivil for 90 days. To the tune of a thousand gold crowns. If he didn’t come back at that time to pay the loan back plus 25%, the item could be sold again to anyone else interested. Byrag was out of Stivil before the 90 days were done, already up here in Ironcamp and working at a lower position in the Maexoff organization. He had written numerous times to find out if the weapon was available and then was sad to learn it was no longer “there” and must have been sold.

He was sad, but tried to say that the elven way of things being that sometimes things go on for a better reason and as long as the weapon was being used by someone who needed it – it was worth it. It was his great grandfather’s blade and he was able to trace its ownership and lineage back some 312 years to its forging – at a time when the Randari Empire was still climbing.

We talked a bit more and then Grendel came clean. He had the blade (not here, back at Dizzy’s mom’s house) and that he had come here to talk to Byrag about it. And that he paid 140 crowns for it. 140? 140!? That’s…an insult! I had to pawn it 50 years ago for a thousand crowns! Byrag was very mad. And Silas said it was long gone and doesn’t know where it went. That that that old…he LIED to me! We talked about the gems and Byrag sort of clammed up about it, not fooling Dizzy or Vyer. Dizzy tried to trip him up by saying it was missing a blue gem. Byrag knew it was missing a green one but was so overwhelmed, that he went to his office and shutting the door, opened his safe to look.

Fadia was next, and she told the two friends that she did NOT want that sword back in the house. At all. It was back of Byrag’s past, not his present and to not give it to him. Vyer met her father in the hall when he came out of the office, satisfied it was STILL the green gem he had, they had to be lying. He was upset with the lie from Dizzy, and the lies from Silas, and so wanted his sword back. Vyer had to talk with him a bunch until he calmed down and came to realize that mom was mad and that the sword was part of his youth, it was time to move on  - just let it go.

At the table we discussed the gem and passing it on to Grendel. It would need to be remounted to the blade – it would need his blood to fuse it – and it would need the heat of a dragon’s fire to melt the flux to allow the gem to once more sit properly. Money was spent and we left the Maexoff family one step closer to Grendel getting his sword re-enchanted again.

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