Welcome to Nesme. HighSun (August) 1367 DR
Lurkwood_GM
[Gm Notes]
Nesme Known Aspects: Riders of Nesme; Occasionally Plagued by Orcs
[Narrative]
The city bustles, as folks move about Nesme, tending to their daily lives. Occasional caravans come and go, bringing good and people to town one day, leaving with other goods and people the next. Like rings of a tree, the outskirts of the city is mostly farm and livestock, with the city increasing in wealth, density, and size of buildings towards the center.
Occasionally, a Rider of Nesme or two is seen patrolling the town, but rumors say that the every present attacks by Orcs, trolls, and the like have thinned their numbers substantially.
Like many trading towns, there is a constant stream of people in and out of the city, and whole industries geared towards catering to them.
[OOC]
There are 3 places to stay in Nesme at present: The Fallen Temple, former Waukeen temple, which is free, but is essentially a large camping area, the Sleepless Knight, a small but upscale inn, Torch, a place favored by adveturers, and the Evermoor, which is essentially a flop house. Housing may also be negotiated with private home owners who often rent rooms.
There are seven taverns of various repute.
The initial scenes are solo. You will end up together, eventually.
How you get to Nesme is up to you. Each of you were seeking work and got notice, through whatever reputable channels you have, of a work opportunity offering power, wealth, etc. Each of you receive a parchment with a rough map of Nesme with a specific building noted as well as a date and time.
Nymh’s date is tomorrow, Finn’s is the day after, and Chuck’s character the day after that. The times for all three is 4:00 pm.
I gave you all some time to explore / poke around, but none of that is required. It’s up to you. Ed, you have 1 day, greg you can have 2 days, or assume you are still in route to the city.
Chuck, none of this is to rush you. Take the time you need.
Henry Lewis
[Gm Notes]
Temple of Waukeen Aspects: Criminal Element; Helpful Bystanders
[Narrative]
The Waukeen temple has seen better days, as the once luxurious temple has fallen into disrepair. Almost every inch of the temple is now used for lodging, some temporary, and others more permanent. Tents, lean-tos, and other hobbled together structures form a small town within the town, with small paths leading here and there.
Merchants of all sorts can be found, peddling cheap food and small trinkets.
[OOC]
Greg, this is one of the scenes where you could pick an NPC (which you can define, or I can define) and try to create an advantage to get additional information, or we can just hand waive it as atmosphere.
If you really wanted to find out about the criminal element, for example, you can ask around, pay bribes, observe. Most skills you have can be used to create an advantage with an NPC via impressing them, or threatening, or tricking, etc.
This is where the players provide a little bit. IEm I'll try to use my <skill> to create an advantage by....
Finn finally arrives in this city ... whatever the name is - it's like
most other cities. They are mostly the same to him - a place to make
some quick coin and perhaps spend a night or two with company. It
usually doesn't last that long though. He's usually on the move
relatively soon after arriving. Who knows, maybe this place is
different. Maybe not.
OOC:
I think we need new names - Nymh and Finn might be too much confusion :-)
Finn spends his time in the cheap and seedier parts of town (Waukeen
sounds good) and listens closely to conversations as best he can. If
he catches wind of any schemes, he might try to insinuate himself into
the group with promise of his wizarding skills. If you ask him, he'll
tell you - they are quite good and will always save the day.
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Henry Lewis
[Gm Notes]
Temple of Waukeen Aspects: Criminal Element; Helpful Bystanders
[Narrative]
Finn finds a place to set a spell, letting the masses wash over him. He notes, curiously, that no one has seemed to give his demonic heritage even a second glance.
It doesn’t take too long to determine that the majority of the goings on in the temple seem legitimate enough, but that there is a definite undercurrent of criminality. Pickpockets, gambling, and other vices are in full-view of those who care to see it.
The main focus seems to be a younger elf, it’s impossible to tell how young with those sort, who walks around with an air of confidence. As Finn watches, people come to the elf, from time to time, some dropping off small bundles, others picking them up. Most of the visitors to the elf are young themselves, and spend almost not time interacting, they drop off / pick-up with a practiced efficiency. A few older sorts stop by as well, and they tend to tarry longer with the Elf who, for the most part, remains in a single place.
Curious, Finn turns his attention to one of the visitors, and watched as he leaves again, stopping a few booths away at someone selling cheap grog. The proprietor hands something over to the lad, and off he goes again, disappearing into the crowds.
[OOC]
Finn FP: 3
I'll handle the retcon in a bit, though as a note, if you had forgotten to ask to retcon the place, and ended up with a need to escape in a hurry, you could invoke 'always has a plan', and just Retcon that he had cased the place and figured out a way out.
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 2:51 PM, Greg Rushton <gregory...@gmail.com> wrote:Oh ... one more thing he'll do is to scout out the building on the
map. He really wants to make sure that there's a way out if things go
south. After all, he always has a plan :-)
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 5:49 PM, Greg Rushton <gregory...@gmail.com> wrote:
> OOC:
> Thanks - that's helpful. Definitely no fate points to be spent at the moment.
>
> On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 4:45 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> [OOC]
>>
>> All good questions.
>>
>> Everyone starts off each 'session' with 3 fate points. For us, that's not
>> really definable, but I would say that's 2 or 3 meaningful scenes. Fate
>> points can be used to power stunts or invoke aspects for advantages.
>> However, they can also be compelled against the player (giving them more
>> fate points to spend).
>>
>> There's also a couple of ways of getting free aspects - one such way is to
>> try and create an advantage.
>>
>> That said, you can also just go ahead without any of that, and try to learn
>> something without any additional work.
>>
>> I paused then to address this, as it's a big part of the game, but as you
>> rightly point out, there is an economy at play, and just spending them
>> willy-nilly may not make sense. On the other hand, all scenes have the
>> opportunity to spiral out, in a sandbox manner, based on some of them. So,
>> you may seek to find information, while others may be seeking out advantages
>> against you.
>>
>> I'll post in a bit the players you find, and others. I'll assume for right
>> now no fate points. Roll for your notice skills - if you're note happy with
>> eh rolls, let me know if you spend a fate point to increase your roll or
>> re-roll.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 1:26 PM, Greg Rushton <gregory...@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> OOC:
>>> So, one thing I'm not clear on are the boundaries, sessions, refresh
>>> rates, etc. I'll go with the flow on how that plays out.
>>>
>>> IC:
>>> Seeing the row upon row of shanty tents is a familiar scene to the
>>> wandering cursed tiefling. He walks along the stalls, looking for
>>> potential allies, targets, and just getting the general lay of the
>>> land here.
>>>
>>> OOC:
>>> He'll try to use my notice skill to find potential players in the area
>>> He would also try to use his transmutation/evocation skills to impress
>>> by levitating something small ... "Accio spoon"
Greg Rushton
If the conversation isn't happening, he'll leave - but if the elf is
talkative, Finn will listen and try to glean as much as he can about
the comings and goings in this area.
Henry Lewis
[GM Notes]
Cat's Post: Criminal Element; Mind Your Own Business
[Narrative]
As Nymh suspects (perhaps), the ledger is not about the tavern, at least not entirely, as odd entries are interposed between entries for ale and food. The entries appear coded: perhaps loans, perhaps bounties, it's hard to say. He only has a few moments to persue the ledger, though, before Mary returns with a mug of liquid, and a sack.
"Here's your drink. Then we'll go."
[OOC]
Rolls (passive): +2 (thief +4) vs. 4, : Fair Success (+2)
Will casually glance at the ledger to ensure Mary is operating at a profit, (if not, some small item of moderate value will be left on the ledger) and will examine some of the items on the desk for relative value or interest. (He is also looking for a headpiece to a Staff of Ra, if there is one lying about)
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:Mary leads Nymh, who follows after her, through the food preparation area, which a dwarf, who has seen better days, grimly pounds some root vegetable into a paste, for a purpose Nymh can only guess at. Towards the back of the food area, is a small office, with a desk container a clutter of items, including ledgers and various items.
Mary leans out and calls for someone, and a small human boy appears, and she whispers in his ear. He nods, and darts off, and Mary says, “I’ll be right back.” Nymh is left alone in the office for a few moments
[Let me know if you do anything]
On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 6:51 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
[OOC]Unlikely, but no promises. The gang was in a different town, but that doesn't mean people don't move, as indeed, you did.Still, Mary would likely have told you, right? I mean, it's not as though you left her....well, bad point. She seems like she would have told you.On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 3:47 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:Then to the local guild, unless they are allied with my former gang. If so then Hells no
[OOC]Ed, to be clear, in case I'm not, which I sometimes am, not I mean, "Uncle" is code for the guild.On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:Nymh will begin to follow"I guess I'm not getting that drink..."(unless it was a signal the talk was over)Nymh will get up and head towards the Uncle's part of town."I guess I'm not getting that drink..."On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 6:04 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:"You know my uncle", she says with a sly smile, "Past problems are forgotten when present problems are solved."With that, she turns and starts to head into the back.On Mon, Nov 2, 2015 at 6:52 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:"I wouldn't want to put you through any trouble... Your Uncle though... Does he still hate me? I made him more coin than I lost him. Can you put in a good word?"On Tue, Oct 27, 2015 at 1:43 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:Mary explains she drifted from there to here, and scraped together enough money to buy this place, which she now runs. "Though, as with many things in town, my uncle has a hand in running it," she notes.She doesn't know anything about your "job", but offers to put out feelers, if you like.On Tue, Oct 27, 2015 at 4:29 AM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:"Drifting in, looking for work. You know how it is. And you, what are you up to? You look fantastic." While the rogue exchanges pleasantries with his old friend, he will drop in some of the coded phrases they used years ago indicating he was called here for a job, not sure of the details, though it smells funny, and will enquired if she knows of anything going down. When they embrace for a hug, will mention the address he was given, and mention it sounds dangerous.
On Monday, October 26, 2015, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:The woman puts her hands on her hips, and gives a little laugh. "Nymh. I always knew some day you'd come walking through my door. I never doubted that. Something made it inevitable. So, what are you doing here in Nesme?"On Mon, Oct 26, 2015 at 2:40 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:A genial smirk dies stillborn on his face as he turns to face his old friend."Mary... Mary! How glad to see you. I was so disappointed when I got called out of town and couldn't see you. You look fabulous, and fit""How have you been? Are you working here? Join me for a drink, we have so much to catch up on..."On Mon, Oct 26, 2015 at 4:54 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:[GM Notes]
Cat's Post: Criminal Element; Mind Your Own Business
[Narrative]
Nymh leaves the door behind him, slinking back off into other parts of town.
That evening, after having done his due diligence in exploring Nesme, his mind turns to drink and other topics. He selects the ‘Cat’s Post’, a place where it seems questions are neither asked, nor answered. He picks the best spot he can manage, near a large window that is easily escaped out of, should it come to that.
The Cat’s Post knows it’s clientele, with well endowed barmaids of various races tending the customers. The bartender, a human, appears capable to defend himself , should it come to that. Remnants of broken furniture and spilled drinks, suggest to Nymh that it “comes to that” somewhat regularly.
As he looks around, getting a sense of the place, a half-elf barmaid stops at the table. “What’ll it be, handsome?”, she asks, offering a polite smile. As the nimble human prepares to answer, his thunder is stolen by a voice behind him. “I’ll take care of him”, a voice says in an icy tone.
Nymh immediately recognizes the voice.
[OOC]
I am compelling the (not so) smooth criminal aspect, so take a Fate point.
Mary Celeste was a second rate thief you had a romantic entanglement with four years ago. A scheme you were involved in (having nothing to do with her), required your quick absence from the city, and you did not have a chance to explain things to her.
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 5:22 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:Not Nymh's circus, not his monkey. Don't know this guy, his problem if he gets his butt beat.Nymh is going to continue on his way, and will see about thinking on some ways to neutralize any attackers, if he even decides to go to his appointment the next day.On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 8:11 PM, Henry <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:[narrative]At first, there is only a muffled sound of footsteps, and a distant click and creak.Then, there is the distinct sound of fighting. How may involved, irbid hard to say, but the grunting you hear is likely the guy you saw enter.The sounds of fighting linger...[ooc]Right, plus 4. If you had invoked an aspect or stunt you can add +2 or re-roll, by spending a fate point.You note that the sounds are more muffled than you might expect, given the size of the place.Let me know if you keep to your initial plan, or deviate, as to time
Henryif this would be notice(+3), I rolled a +1, so +4 if not that, then just a +1 I guess
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 7:53 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
[OOC]On FATE dice topics, I learned you can use 4d3-8 which makes sense, for a distribution of -4 to +4. So, if that's easier...I mention this, as you'll need to roll notice to see what, if anything, you hear.On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 4:47 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:yes, he will give him a minute or so, then walk by the building on that side of the street, and loiter near there to readjust his boot. I think there is a rock in Nymh's boot that needs extracting, and near that doorway seems to be a good enough spot to remove it. He will spend no more than a minute, then continue on down the street.
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 7:40 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
[OOC]I'm assuming after he goes in?On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:Will look about and see if there is anybody else looking at the building. Otherwise, will casually saunter by, and see if he can hear anything through the walls of the shack.
[Gm Notes]
Nesme Known Aspects: Riders of Nesme; Occasionally Plagued by Orcs
[Narrative]
The cunning acquirer of items blends in with the crowd, until a good time presents itself, then he slips away. He wanders a bit until he finds an inn which seems to meet his purpose, the weathered sign proclaiming it to be “The Evermore”.
In a less busy part of town, everyone here more of less keeps to themselves. The inn seems rundown, but just north of seedy, as there are no obvious blood stains in the main hall. A surly looking half-orc negotiates a price, and jabs an oversized finger at Nymh. “No visitors after 10. No animals. No troubles.” The half-orc doesn’t say specifically what happens if any of these rules are broken, but Nymh has an active enough imagination to guess. A key is produced, as well as room number, once payment is made, of course.
Lodgings made, Nymh heads for the spot on the map, albeit earlier than his appointment. Perhaps not surprisingly, it is only a few blocks away from the Evermore. The area is far less crowded than the other areas of the town, the few folks spotted appearing keen to do their business and move on.
Many of the buildings appear abandoned, or at least not well maintained. The building noted on the map seems better maintained, a smallish shack with a door, and no visible windows. The building appears relatively small, one or two rooms only, and only a single floor.
After a few minutes of watching, a solitary figure comes to the door. The man is burly, and painfully muscled, all stuffed into poorly maintained chain armor. Strapped to his back is what appears to be a mace and a axe.
He glances around nervously, and moves to open the door.
[Rolls]
Unknown: Notice –00 = -2 results: Mediocre. He doesn't spot Nymh watching him.
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 3:33 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
OOCI actually came up with a fun concept for you. I'll add in Fence as well, as it seems to work well.On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 3:31 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:How about he is a fence that I have used in the past?Also, I never really wrote anything up, but Nymh would be about 5'8", wiry build, black hair, blue eyes, He would normally be wearing a variety of clothing, most of it tear away. Tucked amongst it all, he would have a short sword, a couple of daggers, a sling and some slingstones.
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 5:21 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
[OOC]Perfect. I'm tending my chickens but will post the scene tonight.That said, as it's your contact, I can make him an NPC on my own, or you can give me a brief amount of flavor and I'll work around that. IE, I know him because I lost my ship to him in a card game.On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 2:19 PM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:ok...Rolled 4 dice, if 1-2 is +, 3-4 is /, and 5-6 is -, I got 2 +, one nothing, and one - with contracts being +1, that makes +2. If the Numbers are reverses, then it is a wash.If it is a wash, I will use a point and re-roll, for +, +, /, + so that would make 4+On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 5:04 PM, Henry <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:OocSo the same thing, kind off. For contacts, give me a roll and let me know if you want to spend a ate point.Doing the rolls and the like upfront will just speed the process along, so it's as much you telling me, as meTelling you (I know we're in learning mode right now). So, for example:I want to use my contacts skill to either see if I know anyone or to meet some one if I don't. I rolled a -1, so used a fate point to re-roll.It's meant to be meta-gamey. I.e., I rolled crappy so I will spend....I'll post the rest in a bit....
HenryNymh will try to come in on the heels of a larger group, trying to dress about as nicely as they are, or as close to their style as possible, and will follow along as if he is with them. If they go to a specific inn, he will follow in on their heels and also book a room. After he has moved in, he will slip out, with a dingier set of clothing underneath, and also book a bed at the Evermoor. (If he feels like he is in danger at the primary, he will duck out)If he has any contacts in this town, he will try to find them, if not, he will try to establish some.In the day, he will walk about the town, ostensibly on shopping errands, and will try to find the appointed building and do some surveillance. (What sort of building is it? number of apparent exits? part of town it is in? how much foot traffic? etc)Afterwards, he will find a bar tending towards the seedy side, and take the second or third best seat available (Best would be greatest view, with best access to exits, he will forgo vision for access to the exits, and will try to use reflections off of mirrors, or surreptitious use of cutlery to round out the view behind him.)
On Sun, Oct 25, 2015 at 2:56 PM, Lurkwood_GM <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:
--
Henry Lewis
The man purses his lips, and stands, moving to the front of the desk. You can make out at least four weapons on him. “That’s fine, but you don’t do anything without checking in with me. No jobs, no side-jobs, nothing.” He smiles, a bit broadly. “This is my town, after all.”
[OOC]
Good Question. CHUCK!!
Nymh"Just passing through. Just wondering what is going on in town, and wondering if there are any opportunities for a man with my meager skill set is all. I'm not looking for long term, and I'm not looking to die in the process. If you think of anything, let me know."{ooc]I was just wondering if anything was going on in that building...And filling time until Chuck comes up with a PC, or is he even in? Haven't seen hide nor hair of him around these parts.On Fri, Nov 6, 2015 at 8:11 PM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:Finishing his drink, he nods to the woman, who slips the bag over his head.
The next 20 minutes are an odd-collection of ducking, moving, sitting, and climbing – while blindfolded. Nymh is certain that they moved below ground, and assumes there is a tunnel system of some sort under parts of the town, though can only guess at the extent.
A sudden flash of light hurts your eyes, as the sack is pulled off, and you find yourself in an office with a small desk, and a dangerous looking human.
The man glances from Nymh to Mary, then back. “I certainly appreciate that you had the wisdom to check in before doing anything in my town”, the man says gruffly. “Are you here permanently, or just passing through?”
[OOC]
I should point out, this is all a good example of the ‘sandbox’ nature of the game, as most of this is outside of the initial plot idea/plan. Which is all good.
However – I thought I would remind you that you are here for a job opportunity (for EVIL!) and don’t know if this job is aligned/opposed/known/unknown to the guild. So, you can do what you like here, but choices have consequences.
Maybe.
On Wed, Nov 4, 2015 at 9:56 AM, Henry Lewis <eth...@gmail.com> wrote:She reaches out and parts you gently on the face. "You know the rules."[OOC]If nothing else, we'll go down the rabbit hole....On Wed, Nov 4, 2015 at 8:24 AM, Ed Boyle <eboy...@gmail.com> wrote:[Nymh]Thanks gorgeous, A lovely drop! How's business? It looks like a nice enough place.Will drink deeply, and nod to the sack."For my head I suppose. Can't talk you into the honor system?"
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Henry Lewis
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Greg Rushton
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