Meet 46, Adv 11, 3/4/23

So the next day the 19th, the party left Erylond proper and started heading east, North East the 7 miles to Glagdir Province. Eoghan (and Grin), Darius, Shimlagesh, Grendel, Connal, and Wilhelm (with Frontari, Louie, and Jack) all moved on this spring day. The sky was empty of clouds and the air was cool and crisp. The scent of fresh turned earth and the bursting smell of grasses filled the air. We passed farms, and fiefs, peasants and hunters, gatherers, woodwards, lumber jacks, shepherds, goosegirls, minor lordlings, and all types of people. We broke for lunch and a local farmer welcomed us to his outdoor home and table where we shared it with his wife and kids.

It was about 2:30 when we came upon what had been defined to us as Glagdir Province and then it was only a short walk to the main town area. The road here was wide, 40’ or so – still dirt but defined. A bit over a dozen main buildings were here, 3 of them were manor houses for some local merchant or lord. One of the first places was the Sheriff’s domicile and provincial jail and the Sheriff himself came out to see us. 5’ 9”, 180, maybe about 40 – welcomed us and identified himself as Torod. We announced ourselves as the Vanguards of Ragnarok and he seemed happy to see us.

We had been expected and hoped to arrive. He shared some more details beyond what Hrald had let us know. His dogs (Axel and Butch) have still not turned up and there were no signs of tracks. He reiterated what we had learned earlier and shared some of his thoughts about the Grymerian, Hragring. He was currently staying with the Lady Vari Thor, the young woman who took over her family’s holding on their death at the start of last winter from Brainfever. Hragring (about 40 or so) was courting the Lady Vari – and as an agent from Grymeria, there had been some grumblings about town that he might be involved.

He arrived here at the behest of the Guider of the Dead from Erylond to help make sure the graveyards were sanctified and a place of rest. But he has not left yet and some people are wagging tongues.

As for us, he took us to the see Lord Glagdir – the largest of the 3 manor houses. The Valet, Sang, and elder man, unlocked the gate and let us in. He bid us to leave our cloaks and weapons here and then escorted us further into the manor. There were some rugs and the house looked old. Guess? Maybe 3 generations of family had lived here.

Upon seeing the Lord Glagdir though, we were a bit surprised. Barely 19, 6’ 2”, 160 lbs, downy cheeked and had the look of a scholar or student. He was also geeking out on meeting us and after verifying from the Sheriff that we were the Vangaurd’s, guessed about half of us and even a few facts about our exploits. Seems at the Lordsmoot, Lord Durcent and Baron Skuddrid spoke well of us and based upon the problems he was having, was pleased his Seneschal Hrald was able to garner our aid.

The Sheriff took his leave and Lord Glagdir expanded more on what had been going on. He did lean into the letter his wrote to Lord Hoggar and was concerned that it was a part of the problem or would be in time. We learned that he had taken over as the head of the family 3 years ago when his parents died. He dropped out of college in Erylond and came home to put the Province in order, doing what he could for the people here. He also made sure his 3 younger siblings would get a proper education and be able to finish it, something that he could not do. He was earnest, honest, appreciative, and in this matter regarding the defiling of the graveyard as well as maybe insulting a distant necromantic lord – a bit out of his element.

He was going to pay for us to stay at the Wandering Ewe, the province’s inn and we left after reassuring Lord Glagdir of our capabilities and earnestness to head to the Ewe in question. The tapman was a tired looking adult male named Arming and the Ewe had a 4 count of wenches, all between 14 and 17, and all wearing poorly concealing clothes festooned with bells and chimes. We arranged mutton and beer and he gave us a key to the Grand Chamber (sleeps 10). The room was nice, a cord of wood, lockable foot lockers. We parked some gear and then went down to eat and drink.

It was an early dinner for us and we shared a bit with the locals. Some light games were going on and we noted that the tavern had 3 types of people: younger crowd hanging out, family types spending some coin to go out to eat while the kids listen to the storyteller, and hard working types who had but in a full day and wanted some company. A few of us noted that a five count of young men all got up at the same time and left together – it stuck with us as interesting as no other large group like that had done anything the same.

Talking with Arming, he wasn’t sure who it was until he called one of his girls over. A 16 year old farm looking girl with weighted bells on her torn shirt and unfettered breasts named Hera, let us know that the table had Sonnab and his crew. Sonnab was a young man, he and his brother had been left behind when his parents moved away. They do odd jobs and are in high demand from the locals – specialty in shearing but they can do about anything. 5 all together. They were working this week for the Dikstra family a bit over a quarter mile north of town province center.

Before deciding on anything else, we figured we should head off to speak with Lady Vari Thol and maybe learn about this Grymerian, Hragring. We followed the directions in the deepening gloom heading east to the Thol Homestead in the Province. 40 plus acres, a few serf cottages, many sheep. The manor was locked up as well as the gate. We rang the bell and the Valet Ballod, an older male, came and misunderstood our presence here – not knowing that we had already been to town.

The Lady Vari was happy to meet with us and we came to her sitting room where we met her. She was 23, not unattractive but plain features. A 12 year old younger sister was with her and they were reading from a Friggan Primer of prayers. An older male, over 40, looking like a tradesman, 5’ 8”, 210 lbs, was here and we were introduced to him as her paramour, Hragring. Yep, this was the Grymerian, but he didn’t look anything like what had been expected.

We talked for a bit and learned that he had been coming here (not this house, but this province), at the bequest of the Guider for 2 decades and the Thol family had always been kind to him. He would spend 3 weeks tending to the graveyard, sanctifying the recently deceased, make sure the markers and stones were in good repair, and just generally do what ceremonies he needed to for the place. He did emigrate to Grymeria shortly after its founding and he felt a comfort being there.

When Vari’s parents died of brainfever at the end of his visit in the fall and the sudden snows, he stayed here at first as a friend and confidant, but between the two of them, a relationship grew and he has little reason to leave. Lady Vari knows the provincials in Glagdir look poorly on her and Hragring, but she loves him and he the same with her. Some questions were asked and the Lady Vari thought there were some insults bandied about. Hragring assured the party that he was not here doing anything nefarious, regardless of whatever chin wagging the townsfolk might do. Eventually we wore out our welcome and left.

Our thoughts were that Hragring had nothing to do with the graveyard robbing now and that we should maybe set up some watch there tonight. Supposedly the crimes were all between 10 and midnight, and it was getting close to 9 now.

We made our way back to the Wandering Ewe, learned that the Common Room was closing down about 10, and food won’t be available until 7 tomorrow. Arming and armoring up, we ventured off to the Graveyard Hill and set ourselves up.

We could identify the 4 graves that had been disturbed, and sure enough, they were all buried between a year and two ago. There didn’t seem to be anything specific about them that made them more interesting than another. At one point Shim sat on a gravemarker and got a faint shock in his ass for it. A detect magic followed and we could see a low order aura of magic was on the more recent graves. There is a Ceremony that can be cast on a grave to make sure that anyone interred should have an undisturbed rest. And based on something Hragring mentioned to us earlier, it made sense.

There were a number of larger oak trees here, 60’ tall, 70’ crowns. We arranged some places to hide out and then we waited. It wasn’t long after 10:30 when we could see candle light heading our way from the north. They moved close and around 200 yards out paused for a bit, drew up into a line and then moved VERY quick towards us – faster than Connal could run, maybe ever as fast as a horse can gallop. It stopped some distance from the hill, 4 of them broke away, and they all ran to the cemetery and ran a bit of the way up the hall. One stayed out, a good 40 yards from us – and whoever it was kept moving the tapir away from its face and back. The reflective purple glint from its eyes let the group[ believe the figure had infravision – and was far enough away to keep the diggers in view.

Connal wanted to creep closer but our voices carried a bit and the diggers were spooked once, and then twice. Shim made himself invisible and did the same for Connal. It seemed like they were going to run, heading back down the hill and making an escape when Dizzy at 80’ away in the dark with only moon and star light spun his sling and tried for a hail mary called shot to one of the fleeing robber’s legs – and hit! He went down screaming, his leg hit terribly, the other 4 picked up speed and again with the unworldly pace, ran off to the north, candles eventually extinguished.

The young man, Niring, had been crying and yelling. We dropped a cure minor on him and tried to get some answers when the Sheriff Torod and 3 of the provincial militia arrived, alerted to the yells and screams. He looked the kid over and we gave him a story of the kid scared at our presence and falling back over a marker, hurting his leg as the others ran. He was one of Sonnab’s crew, maybe 16 years of age. He was taken to the jail and party followed. Another cure minor was given and we talked for a bit. He was going to sleep it off and we could question him in the morning – and then the Sheriff was going to maybe head over to the Dikstra farm and talk to Sonnab. Group wanted to be involved so would have to be here early in the AM.

We slept, poorly, but were up the next day bright and bushy tailed. Shim was sad the kitchen wasn’t open yet so we went off to Sheriff Torod’s to talk to Niring. He blamed us for the attack and we refuted it. His case was poor and the Sheriff let him know. He refused to say some things in front of the Sheriff who agreed to step out to check the rain barrels. Seems they were digging up gems and jewels. They needed it. Not coin. Sonnab and then had done something, something not good – and he couldn’t talk about it – swore to secrecy. If Sonnab wanted to tell us, then it was up to him. Just don’t bring the Sheriff.

We debated the matter and decided to tell Torod that we’d handle the next part and he could stay here with Niring. We gathered there was something more to all of this but agreed for now to hang back and wait for the party’s return and explanation. We left, getting directions to the Dikstra portion of the farm and headed up that way. 85 head of sheep were here grazing and at the hen house, an older farmer and his family wondered who we were. We said we were from Erylond and wanted to have a word with Sonnab if that was ok, Sheriff Torod gave his ok. Dikstra called to Sonnab who waved back, picked up a lamb, and headed to the group.

Sonnab was an easy-going young man, 18, 5’ 10”, maybe 190. Tanned and fit, and seemed to have a happy-go-lucky look about him. He was pleased to meet the party, learning they were an adventuring party and the rest of his Crew also came forward to meet the “rockstars” from Erylond. After some introductions were given around the party indicated to Sonnab they needed to talk to him alone. He bid the rest of his crew to go back to work and turned his attention back to the party, eyes wondering.

During all this, Sonnab and Wilhelm were inexplicably feeling comfortable around each other. There was a resonance between the two of them that neither could explain. Eventually we got around to talking about Niring which had the young man become guarded. Oh, he got hurt? Hope he’s ok. We went all over conversationally until Sonnab was verbally boxed in and he admitted he needed help and was so thankful the group was there to help.

He needed between 30 and 50 gems to be given to the Far Dam orc tribe, a migratory Firvanir tribe of Randari Orcs that pass through the area. What for? He hemmed and hawed for a while until he extracted a promise that the group would not tell the Sheriff, the Lord, anyone WHY. It went around a bit and we provisionally agreed on it. He thought we would help him dig up graves or sell him gems and we had to dissuade him of this as he got around to the why of it.

They owed the Far Dam tribe the gems because they would not accept coins. And they had to fund the dowry for the orcish women…girls, they had spent a week having their way with.

What?

Through a number of false turns and starts, we got the story. Sonnab and his crew worked hard and did good work, but there was precious coins left over for anything. So they had somehow hooked up with a brewer that was exporting casks of his beer from Canaslan and moving it over country to avoid paying Tariffs to King Seljack in Paxian. Sonnab’s crew usually picks up the stuff from an old shrine or the like outside of Canaslan’s borders near a place called Hillscar, and carry it overland north and west to another place where some smugglers from Stivil take it from them. They get paid well enough for their effort for once a month work, taking a few days.

However, a few weeks ago they had come upon a number of orcish girls and women who had been found at Hillscar. They were in poor shape, thirsty, and left there. They did not speak Common and Sonnab’s crew did not speak orcish. But they were young men far from civilization and came upon these young Randari girls…and took advantage of them. Sexually. After almost a week, guilt had been settling in and Sonnab was getting a bad feeling. Who had captured them? Whay had no one come back for them? What was going on? The orc women had grown catatonic and stopped talking. He suggested the group head off towards home with the orcs and bring them to Swelter Ridge, a landmark small cliff not too far north of Glagdir Province. They could hand them off to the Far Dam tribe there and begone before the girls get the ability to speak back.

It didn’t work out that well. They did arrive at Swelter Ridge and did attract the attention of the orcs in the area. But the Randari women had no problem talking and in their own language told the hunters what had been done to them and Sonnab and his crew’s responsibility. Confronted by the angered tribe, they were forced to wait while a medicine woman came out, checked the 4 girls over, and announced that all of them had been deflowered and that 2 of them were also gravid with child.

Recompense and honor demanded the girls be given enough treasures to offset the value that Sonnab and his crew had taken from them. The orcs did not blame Sonnab for the kidnapping of the orcs, but for their week long actions that followed. If Sonnab did not pay, the Far Dam tribe would be forced to enter Glagdir Province and exact a raid to amass enough treasures and honor instead.

Damn it. Sonnab pleaded with them to give them a chance to get money. The tribe wanted no coin – nothing that would force them to have to trade with other human centric towns. Gems or jewels would suffice. They had to return every night between midnight and 3 to meet with the Tribe’s Fire Champion, Svandan. They can return empty handed if it happened that day (as it did last night), but if they failed to show up, the tribe would enter the Province on raid footing if need be.

Sonnab had already given the orcs 9 gems to date and wanted the party to help him get the other 21. We were like, damn it. What the hell? At some point the decision was that we would go with Sonnab tonight to talk with the Fire Champion Svandan and see if there was another path we could take to resolve this before it comes to raids, stealing, and blows. Sonnab was so thankful for the party, not realizing that they didn’t hold him or his crew in good regards. We asked about the Sheriff’s dogs and he assured us at Axel and Butch were ok and were here. We went to see the dogs and agreed to take them back to the Sheriff, omitting that Sonnab had taken them. We reminded him we’d see him and his crew tonight about 11ish and with the Torod’s animals in tow, headed back to the heart of the province. It was about 9:30 AM on the 20th – 2 days shy of the Festival of Pies. 😊

Youth Group! Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 24, 3/1/23

With at least 3 weeks in town to train and take care of whatever smaller personal goals the group wanted, we awoke the next day and discussed with the various College Masters what we wanted to do. Furd took a walk to the heart of Nulb with Boris Silversword to meet with Fione, one of the main blacksmiths in town. Fione was a big woman, 6’, 180 lbs, who had taken over the smithy after her father had suffered a stroke maybe 5 years earlier. She was loathe to just have Furd work at any of her stations so she placed him on bellows duty to start.

Furd aced it. He kept the coal bed hot and even worked some of the smaller stations the journeyman smiths were working on. The other apprentices in the place began to watch Furd and eventually emulated the half-ogre. Fione was impressed and welcomed Furd back. Boris gave the fighter 2 hours each day to come and dow some work at the forge, eventually hopefully enough time would pass that he could do some personal work at an anvil station.

Ophelia wanted to work on her non magical healing and Saleyn O’Hare, the Master of Cups, was more than willing to help the cleric in studying various types of healing and what would be required to make a kit. The Cleric of Athena was quickly overwhelmed with exactly how much study was involved so in addition to her other duties and training, Saleyn wanted Ophelia to devote at least 2 hours daily to her healing lessons.

Rowan was concerned for Hamburger’s vision and eventually was directed to go and visit Mother Screng’s Herb Shop. Screng was a very old woman, 80’s plus, and she had a wicked tongue and no time for fools or questions. Her daughter, Hruda, was in her 60’s and had a wrinkled and scowling expression. When Screng didn’t want to do anything, she often passed it off to Hruda to resolve it, which only made her daughter even more foul tempered.

As for an ointment for the Bull’s eyes, they could contact the Order of the Gnarley Wood, a major druidic consortium that operates in the area. She would sent a pigeon to them and invited Rowan to return on the 22nd.

Aredhel had spent a day and a half with Percy Threecoppers and in her time, discussed with the Master of Wands her desire to get a permanent marking, a tattoo, of Hades somewhere on her person. He did have some exotic inks of a magical nature that he would help make available and directed her to talk to Tricia Ferris, the Master of Coins. Tricia did try to cant with Aredhel but the sorceress did not recognize the hand signals so let it go. She had some skill in tattoos but there is a person in town that would be better – the proprietor of the Boatsman Tavern – a woman named Lodrriss.

Lodriss was a woman in her late 20’s who had a number of tattoos and old scars on her. She looked like she had a hard life but was making her best now. There was some talk back and forth and they settled on 3 sessions of 25 nobles each to do and finish the job. They’d start after the Festival of Pies.

Albert had no interest in Nulb. With books at his fingertips and a like minded friend in Percy Threecoppers, Albert was content to stay at the college and just read and read and read. Percy did share some pies he had purchased earlier with the reclusive wizard and they talked at length about the planes and the cosmology of them. The dice were brought up and Percy let Albert know that they were bound somewhere else, most likely one of the 9 hells. There is a river, the River Styx, that meanders through the planes and most likely whatever demonic entity is on the other side, get a charge when the dice are used, slowly powering them up. The more they are used, the more power the demonic entity gets.

But what about the sometimes good things that happen? That is the lure to get you to keep using them here. Albert then spent some time writing down the various planes and their position back and forth with neighboring locales.

Pestle was enjoying the Festival, wandering around and tasting the many pies the locals of Nulb had baked and were giving and selling. The actual piemaker was pretty put out since his profits were nonexistent this day so tried to offset it by doubling his pie costs. No one was partaking. Pestle then went and spent some time Percy Threecoppers adjusting her available spells and making some changes and purchases as well.

Furd was wandering the fair and doing some shopping when he came upon an armor salesman named Latisto. Latisto was a fast talker and even though he had no armor that would fit the Half-ogre, he know a place where he might be able to get some. Why don’t you come back tomorrow and the two of them and Latisto’s associated, Estarda and Artto would go and make a raid on a place to get something for the half-ogre. “Sounds good! I like you!”

Ophelia was wandering the fair and eventually purchased a pipe and some weed to go along with it. She then went back and spent time at the college and hobnobbed with Saleyn and Boris.

Rowan went off to Mother Screng’s and was able to meet with Argalaine, a half-elf druid leader from the Order of Gnarley Wood. They discussed the bull, the vision, and eventually Rowan’s joining with the Order. He told them about Jaroo and they seemed pleased that their member was doing well (even missing a leg). Rowan was also interested in a better armor and learned that Argalaine would happily arrange a hunt with Rowan in a week for a bullstag where they would help him acquire his own set of Hide Armor. We would meet with Argalaine again and do it soon.

Aredhel had a real friendship brewing with Lodriss and Tricia, the sorceress getting out from under Albert’s shadow after such a long time. Her interests were moving off on her own and she was even enjoying her training and personal time with the Master of Swords, Boris Silversword; the two of them stopping for a long drink now and again.

Aredhel did manage to learn from Lodriss that she had been a slave for some time, owned by the Captain of the Longsword Merchant schooner, Tolub. He was not…a nice man and even though she was free of him, he would occasionally come back and reminder here that once upon a time – she was his property. Aredhel did not like this and promised Lodriss that if the situation ever came up, she’d help her new-found friend out.

It was the 24th and Furd went off early in the morning to meet with Latisto, Estarda, and Artto. Latisto went over the plan with Furd. There were a three count of ogres not too far from here, guarding an obelisk in the Gnarley Wood. They had been there for some time and the obelisk is sealed but can be opened with 4 people working the switches and saying in ogre, the code. Which was One, Two, Three, Four, and Five – in time with the buttons pressed. “Are we going to kill them?” Latisto made a face, “no! No! no, not unless we NEED to. We just need them to like, go, you know? Plus, one of them is wearing YOUR armor. Right? The armor you want? Right?”

Nodding absently, Furd tentatively agreed as the group wandered into the woods. Sure enough, an encampment was found with 3 ogres, 2 males, 1 female. The female seemed to be the leader and they were holding bits of deer meat over a fire, squinting when it got too hot, and then pulling back and eating it. There were 2 long tents here as well.

Furd called out in Ogre, “Hey! Come here!” as Latisto and the others went around to the other side of the camp to try and engage whoever would be left. The female went off to the woods and saw Furd. “Who you!?” “Furd! Who you?!” “Ixitch!” “Ok!” “Why you call me!?” “I did!” “But Why?!” “I don’t know! They told me to!” “Who did?!”

At that point Latisto and the others hit the camp and carving up with broadswords, battles axes, and rapiers – drove into the two ogre males here: Ugg and Krak. The two ogres each took scoring blows before hitting back and hitting hard! “You are with them!” Ix cried out as her friends were calling her. The sky was getting dark now with sudden storm clouds. “Weird,” she said, “That happens a lot when I am angry.” “I’m not with them!” Furd cried out. “I came with them, but I am here with you!” “I have to go help!” Furd hoisted his great sword and nodded, “Great idea! I help too!” and then Furd (double crossing Latisto and his companions) ran back to the camp with Ix to help save Ix’s friends.

Meet 45, Adv 11, 2/18/23 - Dungeons and Dragons

Finally time for a new adventure. This would be a surface adventure, taking them throughout a variety of locals from a distant pastoral fief, to the orcish outlands, a lost cathedral, a town in Canaslan filled with organized crime, and a lakeside hotel and abandoned cave filled with horrors. They have Darius, Connal, Eoghan, Wilhelm, Grendel, and Shimlagesh with them for this foray.

Follows:

The party had some weeks of downtime where they had the chance to visit their guilds, do some training, and in Eoghan’s case – get more familiar with his new prosthetic in regards to his bow use. We sold off some equipment, replenished our stocks, and even talked to someone who might be able to craft the dragon scales we picked up in Heroditis’ lair into something of use to the group.

Wilhelm and Grendel tried their best to fitting in with life in the big city, Wilhelm doing some duty as a mouse and rat catcher on the docks in thanks to his 3 cats, and Grendel had some turn at 3 different jobs so far – but the elven noble scion was unused to actual daily work and kept getting removed from his positions due to his not understanding of worker, supervisor relations, timeliness attendance, and maximum effort.

We would periodically go to the Greater Rand Sellsword and Adventuring Guild and noted a lack of viable prospects for local needs as well as a slow emptying out of local groups who were heading westward to Bork Keep to get a jump on the Adventuring season now that the snows had stopped.

And then on Plantmoth the 18th, our fortunes changed.

We had shown up after chatting with the Half-Ogre Jarlund, were directed to speak with the Guider of the Dead, Taris Halloran – one of the high ranking officers in the GRSAG. We had until now limited exchange with her. She’s a 40 something year old human woman, matronly and plain, a follower of Frigga. She greeted us warmly and bid us to sit. There was a older man with her, Hrald, the Seneschal from Glagdir Province, a distant fiefdom some 7-8 miles East, Northeast from Erylond.

It seems that Lord Glagdir had heard of us through our action and also at the Lordsmoot where Lord Durcent spoke highly of the party and their actions. We had also been given a bit of a glow up from Baron Skuddrid from Stivil so it was with fond hopes that the group would be available for this matter.

Glagdir province is known for its timber stores as well as its numerous herds and heads of sheep. A bit over a 1tousand acres, it's home to 500 or so people and until recently, has no issues or problems except what would be the norm in a provincial town. 3 days ago the town graveyard was the site of a crime as two graves had been partially dug up. Many bones had been scattered about and the populace was concerned. The Sheriff and 3 of his militia had investigated and although prints were found around the grave, there were none either leading to or away from the hill.

There is a Grymerian currently in town and the thought was that he had been in some manner responsible for it. Lord Hogar, a Grymerian nobleman and merchant had been in contact with Lord Glagdir not too long ago and were looking to exhume some of the elder bodies from the graveyard. After being told no, and then this happening – Lord Glagdir and some of the populace are wondering if these matters were connected.

Then 2 days ago, the same thing happened. It was pretty obvious that another 2 graves had been dug up, and again, bones are scattered about. The graves are all of people who died shortly over a year earlier. This had angered Lord Glagdir who then penned a very angry missive to Lord Hogar and had it sent off to Grymeria. The Sheriff was going to watch the next evening and sure enough, last night, another grave was disturbed. However, when the Sheriff and his dogs came upon the area to investigate – the animals had their barks cut off and they too disappeared. This time the grave had been dug up, but not completely. And 4 shovels had been left behind.

The group was being approached to have the graveyard stop being defiled. To identify the culprits. Hopefully diffuse the situation with Lord Hogar of Grymeria. And finally to get the dogs returned to the Sheriff or at least find out what happened to them. We would be paid 300 silver, a stiped of another 12 months of food stuffs would be sent to our home in Erylond upon the completion of the same deal we had with Lord Durcent. And lastly, half a ton of wood for cooking and heating as soon as feasible.

We discussed the matter and took the jog, agreeing with the Seneschal Hrald, and made what purchases and plans necessary to leave early on the morrow.

Youth Group! TOEE - Meet 23, 2/15/23

Totally have not been updating this bog - so sorry! I'm about 2 months of things to post - will catch up and thanks for the patience! Real life and all that. :)

Mayor Merydis took us on a short walk through Nulb. The Nyr Dyv River runs along the northern end of it, wide, deep slow, and muddy. Fishing and water commerce does a brisk business so there are plenty of ships and docks there. The majority of the town is tired looking, older, but still some glimpses of pride here and there. At one point in the past, Nulb had an active full time contingent from the Guild Halls of Greyhawk, but the Demonic wars and time and distance have slowly sapped the depth and experience from the guild’s teachers and resources until we have a smaller but still capable contingent here.

The guild grounds were a small compound of 4 buildings and yards connected together and encompassing maybe 2 acres of space or more. The Mayor took us to Shev Jackson, the guild master. Late 40’s, a weird pause and manner of talking, hair really teased up and greased in place. He reminded the mayor that he needed to go and took over for the party. He talked about the grounds, the other masters, and wanted to take the party for a walk along the campus to meet with the other masters and figure out where we’d be working and who we’d be working with.

First was Boris Silversword, the Master of Swords. Thin and skilled, Boris was a capable fighter of elven descent with what we guessed was 30 or 40 years of experience under his belt. Even though Furd dwarfed the man, the half-ogre quickly recognized Boris’ skills and was happy and willing to learn. The rest of the party felt the same and Boris and Aredhel shared a smile or two for now. They left here feeling pretty good with their first guild master encounter and moved on to the Master of Coins.

Tricia Ferris, the Master of Coins, was pixie of a woman, 5’, 93 lbs, thin. Her hair was light brown and her features were at best described as cute. She was also a shrewd negotiator and had little interest in Shev Jackson or his posturing. Most of her skills and teachings ran towards covert skills and the like, but she willing and happy to be available to the party should they need her over the next few weeks.

We then went to see the Master of Wands, Percy Threecoppers. Percy was a tad closer to 50 than 40, salt and pepper hair, just about 6’ tall, decent sized wizard’s beard, and a gravely voice. In fact the group realized quickly that Percy and Albert had a familiarity between them with not only skills but also looks and magic outlook. Three of the party members immediately began talking with him about books and spells and inks and papers and the like. He was more than willing to help out, and even wanted to now, but Shev had the group slow down as he was still taking them on a tour and they hadn’t paid tuition yet.

We left and went off to the last guild hall to see the Master of the Cups, Saleyn O’Hare. She was a breathtaking woman or middling height and exquisite features. Her voice was both playful and husky, her touch had tingles in them, the scent was floral and intoxicating. Just about everyone was taken by Salyen who was also humble and self depreciating in comparison to the rest of the party. It was after some time that we learned that she was a priestess of Aphrodite that some of the nails slid into place. She has a good relation with the druids who maintain the Gnarley Woods and was happy to invite the party to sit with them at a later date. She did remind the party that the Festival of Pies was in a day or two, but more importantly, their last week here would coincide with the Holiest week to the followers of Aphrodite, a 3 days expression of contentment, joining, support, and love.

So…an orgy? Yep, and she invited all of us. Ophelia was very interested in going and that’s all she talked about on a going forward.

We went off to Shev’s office and after hearing from Furd that the Half-Ogre didn’t like him, but liked the teachers, it was time to come up with training and admission costs. The numbers bounced all over a bunch but for the most part settled between 100 and 200 nobles each for the party members. We paid, got some dorm assignments, set ourselves up here, and walked the campus meeting the other students here learning as well as familiarizing ourselves with the locations in questions.

Aredhel, Pestle, and Albert spent the next day or two going over the books they had acquired from Burne and the Lieutenant. Master Threecoppers also had some tomes here and was willing to trade off spells with the party for other ones to be written in their own books. Aredhel also managed to learn a few spells, swapping a few out of her repertoire as needed. As for the existing tomes, they were keys for whoever wrote them and owned them, fine enough to keep, but there would be the need to eventually get any spells they wanted out of the tomes and into their own books.