Tunnels & Trolls The campaign begins...

[Jagged]

All in search of adventure must pass through Chadwick. The last human settlement before the mountains where the trolls make their home. It is a farming community, but with an impressive wooden wall and a stone keep in the center of town on a hill. It is ruled by the frontier prince Alexnder. He a is barbarian but fair and protective when it comes to his people. His red and black eagle banner hangs all around. Once in the gates you see many fields and livestock within the town. If locals are asked they explain it allows them to survive long seiges when the trolls raid in force. In the center market everything an adventurer could want is forsale.

camping gear (set person 10 gold)

mining supplies (set person 5 gold)

climbing gear (set person 10 gold)

People to hire

bearers (men that carry equipment only carry a knife) 1 silver a day

Spearman (basic soldier with short sword, spear, and round shield and leather armor) 3 silver a day

Scouts (Get you there and back..and hunts game) 1 gold a day.

All expect to be given food and medical aid.

Maps of the region 1 gold


Many other shops are around the market and one just needs to look about to find what they want.



Food is at a surplus and is being sold cheap in the market and from the farms you pass on the way into town.

There is a Inn named Mountain Goat with a sign with a picture of the animal. Many sounds of drinking are heard.


Where do you go..........??? ( Assume you have all met up during your routes to the town)

 

[Lady_Siren]

Aralia pulled the hood further over her face hiding her elven features. Though Elves weren't hated by humans, humans had a tendency to stare or avoid them. She knew there were very few elves left and even less then that in the human cities. She had long since bought all her supplies. Plenty of food, some mining gear, some camping gear and some climbing gear. She was traveling alone. Though she could afford someone to accompany her she didn't wish to be slowed down. She was confident of her abilities to survive in the wild. She didn't need to buy any weopons or armor. She was lucky, her dagger and bow were family heirlooms crafted with fine elven skill and she also managed to save a mithril vest also crafter by elves. It was hidden by her tunic. With her shopping done she was headed to the local tavern for a room and some rest before she began her jouney.

 

[Jagged]

The Mountain Goat is a large building with stables and a barn in the back as well as a row of out houses. The main room is large with rafters and lit by bright candles in lanterns. A large bar is in the center of the room where most of the crowd is sitting at and drinking. The rest are gathered around the harth in the rear of the room. On the right side is a desk with a large book on it and stairs going upstairs. The other side has a counter and beyond you hear the sounds of a busselling kitchen. The only place it seems to sit is at many large long tables.


The crowd is rowdy as in any bar and stories are heard and business is being done between locals and adventurers. Animal heads are displayed on posts and a dragon skull is above the fireplace. Troll bones and skulls are also on display. The place would be cozy otherwise.

A plump busty waitress carrying a tray of bowls and empty beer steins dumps into you...."sorry doll. Anything I can do for you? Let me know just grab a seat."

 

[LadyFairy]

Sitting in the dark corner of the tavern, a woman sat hood up trying to avoid as many people as possable while she waited for her room to be prepared. She had gathred all she needed for her journay earlyer in the day, and was ready for a good nights rest before setting out. Looking up as the waitress bumped into the new comer, she noticed that it was the same persion she had seen earler in the day gathering supplys as well.

 

[The GrandMage]

Detton

Detton was happy. He curled up in the pile of hay he was using as a bed, and yawned. His pitchfork was propped up against the wall. He'd get it in the morning when he left. Besides that, he had only the clothes on his back, and they weren't worth enough to sell. He doubted that all of them and his pitchfork would be enough to get a decent meal in the town, much less a room for the night. A small bundle was tied onto the tool and weapon that was his only material possession. It held a few berries and roots, along with a crust of bread given to him by the good family who had given him this place to stay.

No, he'd chosen to offer his services at a nearby farm for the price of being allowed to sleep in the barn and having a small serving of whatever the family was eating that night. It turned out to be a delicious stew.

He realized, sadly far too late, that this land was much more appreciative of its simple folk than the lands he came from. Had he known earlier tha a good life was so close, he would have gathered his family together, trudged over here, and offered himself to work for whoever would offer him food. But his family was long since gone. Perhaps if he survived the caves the Trolls lived in, and returned with the somewhat mythical-seeming riches held within, he would return to tell those other serfs of the wonderful life they could live here. That is, if the Lord would have them.

Prince, he corrected himself. Prince Alexander. The man seemed an angel compared to the Lord he had served, slaving on the land for a chance to scour the land for barely edible roots and any meat he could come across. And now, now he had a little food to get him into the caves, and himself. He didn't wonder what would happen to him. There was no point.

Instead, he slept.

 

[Lostsoul8626]

Zex

As Zex entred the gate of the city the smell of civilization washed over him.

"Now this is more like it." he said as he walked up to a merchant "I need Food and I need climbing gear, oh and a sack to carry the food."

The merchant got everything together and sat it in front of Zex. "That will be 14 gold pieces." The merchant said in a deep raspy voice. Zex paid him and started to walk up the path. He noticed an inn named "Mountain Goat" and decided to go inside.

Zex made his way to the bar and sat down. The bartender came over and Zex said "Anything that's strong." The bartender poured something into a glass and handed it to him. "It's smokeing" Zex said

 

[Lady_Siren]

Aralia moved silently through the tavern thanking the waitress and seating herself at the bar. Her hood stayed in place and she avoided meeting anyones gaze but her ears stayed open and her senses as well to any danger or information that may be of use.

 

[poohlive]

He walked into town with little on his back, except scars and recent blood stained clothing. He smelled of death, which depressed him even more, the4 stench of something he wanted on him, like a masque that mocked his very existence. It frigthened little children, who scattered off, some of the adult didn't seem all that relieved to see him either. In fact, humans on the whole didn't particularl like seeing this kind of display in their town. They had no problems with dwarves, mind you, but then again, an unkept, piss poor dishevelled destitute example like this turned more than a few noses.
He dragged behind him a warhammer, which was chained to his arm with some kind of brace. It left a nice little trail as he walked out of the forest, and into this town. The hammer looked stained in red, sticky blood and even hair, bone, and brain matter still clutching to it. From all of the dragging on the ground, it had collected more than its fair share of hanger on's from the forest floor below, dirt, pine needles, an occasionaly bug who got caught in the sticky drying blood, wiggling its little legs in a vain attempt to run away before it died.
Even the bugs got to die...
How envious.
At a rain barrel in town, he washed as much gunk as he could off of his face, no need to save his clothing. He just wanted to look presentable enough to get drunk. He cleaned off his weapon too, although, once finished, he just dropped it, forgetting it... which would have kept it there by the rain barrel, had it not been chained to his wrist, so after a few feet, it continued in this new direction.
He did not stop for food, although he was hungry. He did not stop for supplies, although he had none, bar the weapon. He did not even stop for rest, although he hadn't slept in days.
He wanted to get drunk, get piss poor drunk, maybe even find a bar tender that had something stronger than drink... something much more... that could get a dwarf who wanted to be shit faced, high, and plasted all at the same time, that wish.
Inside the bar, he had to hop up on the stool, his legs dangling from the seat, and his weapon laying on its side.
"You haven't gotten something... a little more stronger than ale, have you?"
He stopped the bar tender before he moved onto the harder liquors, "I don't mean a vat of shine or potato vodka. I'm talking about something really strong... something mind altering."
He dropped a measly pouch of coins on the table, giving the bar tender a hard look.

 

[LadyFairy]

Alonria

Having rested the night at the inn Alonria had arisin before sunrise ,and headed for the stables to ready her horse to leave. She planed to investagate the troll caves and see for herself wheater or not the roomers were true.
She was dressed all in brown, except for a glimps of snowy white material at the collar of her tunic, her leggings were laced to her legs with crisscrossing bandages.
Belted at her waist was a short sword, while upon her back she carried a quiver of arrows, the cloak she wore hid the dagger at her back from view. Her boots came to her knees, hardend leather soles and soft hide. She had not yet brought up the hood of her cloak to cover the long flaming red hair she had braided down her back.
Quietly she crooned to her horse to keep him quiet she lead him from the stable, once outside she mounded her horse, and continued on her way.

 

[Jagged]

Interesting...........I love the characters. You will hear about the next phase soon.

 

[Master Nerd]

Veter was wandering down a poorly maintained dirt road, largely aimlessly. He knew little about geography, but he knew that the mountains were to the south, and that's where the trolls lived.

'I must be crazy,' he thought to himself. 'I'm going south to the mountains to find trolls on purpose. Better than where I come from though.

He sighed, and tossed his heavy cloak back over his shoulders. He'd been on the road for two days. Travel by foot was not his preferred method of transportation, but stealing a pony or riding dog had never even been considered- too risky.

The tip of a lookout tower rose into view over the horizon, and his spirits picked up. He quickened his pace.

A cart driver nearly ran him over shortly after he passed through the gates of the city. He paused to swear loudly at the man, then continued on his way. Spotting a pub, he entered and ordered a bowl of soup. He was happy to pay for it, as he hadn't had anything hot to eat since before he left on his journey. He didn't want to think about that time, now.

He finished his meal and glanced out the window at the sign hanging above the door. 'The Goat's Head, huh? I've heard worse, I suppose.

 

[Jagged]

All the heroes tobe are now in the INN......a good start.



People are eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow and most people would describe the mood as up beat as a group of bards play and sing of heroes past and adventures.

The dwarf is served a particlarly nasty mixed drink that has smoke coming out from under the lid of the large stein.

the females are looked at them more then a few of the drinking crowd longingly.

Plenty of farmers there and nobody thinks your out of place, but unknown is all.

Near the bar is a board up covered with fliers selling items...requests for items and work offers.

Among them are....

The Church of the Creator has had its holy book stolen by trolls that have run off to spike pike mountain it is believed. The church is willing to pay $300 gold for its recovery.


A gold mine is looking for guards on North mountain. Room and board provided bonus for every troll head taken.

The Merchant's guide....Needs prospectors to find if there is any good resources on North mountain.

Town Council: Blood cats running loose on local roads. For every skin brought in you will receive $10 gold.

 

[poohlive]

He had to die. That was the only thing to it. The universal truth that bled through his veins and shook him down to the very core. He was still alive, and he shouldn't be.
The almighty Valeen had refused to take him down to her domain, making him stay up here, endure this pain and torture that is life.
He knocked back the drink, glad that the feeling left him, glad that things began to slow down, and circles appeared in his vision. Yes, that was helpful, that was a step closer to death.
He broke the glass on the counter, asking for another, as he used the shards to slowly cut into his palm. The blood fell all too slowly, dropping like rain on the counter.
He took a look at the local groups, needing help for themselves or others. Jobs. Employment. Well, he needed nothing to do with money, but some of them could be dangerous, even deadly.
Yes, that's what he needed.
Blood cats? No. They weren't dangerous enough. It would take a good half dozen to make a decent fight, and those things rarely traveled in groups of three or more. Something else.
The North mountain? Dangerous enough, wild terrain, but still... you couldn't find death there. Only ifyou happened to come across a lair of trolls or something. That would take to long, you could spend years in the North mountains looking for trolls, and still never see one.
Pah!!!
Gold mine? It showed promise. He could see himself dying there, a couple of good trolls just tearing him limb from limb. Yes, but then. The trolls there weren't helpful enough. They would be alone, and he'd have a group of people with him, all wanting to take the head for their own merit.
No.
Spike Pike Mountain? Trolls... plural. It said trolls plural. He couldn't imagine just a single troll on Spike Pike mountain. They'd have more than one, guarding the book, wanting to keep it for themselves, sell it off to some evil magician, make a years worth of food or lodging.
Yes. A small group of warriors, off to save a book from dozens and dozens of blood thirsty little buggers. God damn if he couldn't find death there... he couldn't find it anywhere.
He got off his stool, missed the ground... only a drunk dwarf could actually miss the ground, hit himself on the head... although for some reason it didn't hurt at all. Got up, tripped, leaned heavilly on the counter, smled, put a few gold coins on the counter, and went out to see this church of the creator.
They'd have information for him. Helpers. He wouldn't be stupid enough to do this alone, but he was stupid enough to fight what needed to be fought.
Tipsy and half dazed, he made his way outside, walking towards the church.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Aralia studied the ad about the book caught her interest. It obviously held some mystical value. And back in the olden days most mystic items originated in the elven kingdom. Could there be a connection? Possibly.. the rest of the ads held little to no interest to her. Grabbing her bag and pulling her hood furthur over her face and stood up and headed towards the church hoping to be one of the first to answer the ad.

 

[LadyRozes]

Rowena headed into the last known village near the mountains. It was quite a busy village for one being so plagued with problem of trolls. As she walked through the village she noticed a many people that were milling about , it seemed the Mountian Goat Inn was the place to stay hopefully they still had rooms available.

Just as she was about to head into the tavern an ad caught her eye.. A temple or rather what they called a church was looking for a lost book, she felt and internal pull, perhaps this was why she was meant to come here .. to help these people find a holy book. She headed for the temple.. or rather church and decided to lend her services.

She walked into the church to see that there were many here already comming to help these people with their plight, perhaps she might be of help and could join others to help them also find the book.

She saw a dwarf and a cloaked figure heading for the temple, perhaps they were also interested in forming a sort of search party. A group always needed someone to help things along, should something go wrong, perhaps they were willing. She smiled at the dwarf and cloaked figure hoping they would take her smile as an open gesture.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: Anyone else wanna come find some old book?

By the time Tol'Chuk made it to the church, or what looked like the church, he had begun to walk straight. The world had stopped spinning, at least in a clockworse motion, it had decided to slow down enough and rather tilt and whirl sort of from side to side now, which didn't help matters much at all.
The cold air now, fresh and crisp, did help him though. He was far from sober, but he could function at this point, which was all he needed for the time being.
He went inside the grand church doors, and plopped down on one of the pew chairs, not trusting his stout little legs too much longer.
"I'm here for the job," He spoke much too loudly, a few people praying silently rose, glancing back to take a look at him.
"The book! Trolls stole it, didn't they. Lots of trolls... yes, lots of trolls. We'll see, we'll see how many. Ha ha," as he went on, he spoke softer and softer, more to himself now. It was like a mantra, speaking to a child, he was encouraging himself.
"Damnit!" He yelled again, pounding a large fist on the back of a pew, "Where's the guy... the person, the father reverand. I need a priest to tell me where the hell to go, and how to get the book back."

 

[LadyFairy]

Alonria

Alonria had arrived at the church earlyer in the morning, and sat listing to the dwarf next to her grumble. Smiling she leaned over pulling back her cloak so as not to alarm him quietly said, The preast will be with us as soon as the mass is over, the've asked us to be quiet till then. Think you can mannage??

 

[Jagged]

The adventurers arrive at the Church of the Creator


The Creator is often a reference made to the main god of the region named Odin father of the Gods and ruler of the realms


The church is one of the few stone buildings i the town and is an impressive three stories with two tall towers at the front of the building. It has large stainglass windows many statues of heroes and children of the gods pepper the gardens around the church.

The sermon given daily alone with blessing and creation of magical weapons has once again attached a large crowd.

The Priest is giving the sermon but does break into the myth telling to speak about the book. It was taken from a shrine outside the walls of the town. It needed to be there overnight for a ritual. It along with offerings to the gods (including gold, food, weapons, and animal skins) where left there with three guards. The men fought valiently but there were far to many....they died a good death.

From the weapons and tracks it is believed a war party of some 150 plus trolls came through the area. They had been raiding and perhaps the shrine was merely a stop on the way home. They are of the Red Claw Clan who worship a pagan troll god that demands blood shed and sacrifice. Many farmers and mining and logging camps have been hit. Tools and weapons and timber have been taken as well as many young women for sacrifice and pleasure to make half trolls. Violent tough creatures....


The Priest says he will be in the garden after the sermon to speak to any takers to recover the book.


You see the robed man on a stone bench with a priests staff after the sermon. He has his hood up and along white beard. He wears the symbols of a tribal elder and a priest. Many notches are on his staff from kills in combat and symbols of what monsters he has killed. He looks tired but there is something more then that behind those old eyes.......he looks out to the mountains but he is very awhere of what is around him.....

 

[poohlive]

"Quiet?" Tol'Chuk roared with laughter, "Quiet? Lass, I was being quiet. Oh, dwarven church, that's a ceremony right there. Yelling and screaming, and a pub in the corner where you can get a mug of ale before you listen to the rest. Rowdy, more than one fight breaks out during the course of the praying. Ha ha, that's church, but if you want peace lass. I'll leave you to your praying. I believe I'm wanted elsewhere."
He bid her a good day, and walked out into the garden. Lots of open space, and plants, almost too much for his taste. Dwarves, living in tight squeezed up holes in the ground, just couldn't understand the clear blue sky and all of its openness. So unnatural, so big.
How could one look at it without feeling nauseous.
Well, that's nothing. He felt nauseous anyway. The drink he had taken moved south on him, making his stomach spin just as weirdly as his mind. It took most of him just to stay awake.
He was getting sober though, his bloodshot eyes becoming more clear. The drink was strong as shit, but didn't last all too long.
Next time, he'd ask for three or four. Have a nice good buzz going.
Yeah.
"So," He spoke to the old man, bowing once for honor, although it was a very short bow, considering that at Tol'Chuk's height, he was about as tall as this man sitting down.
"You want the book back from the trolls, do you? Aye, I'm here to help. I can get it back... or die trying."
He emphasized the "die trying" for good reason.

 

[LadyRozes]

Rowena stepped into the church and wandered towards the Priest. She waited until after the ceremony to approach the priest. "Father if I may intrude upon your day? I was inquiring about the search of your holy book?.. IF I may be of service? .. I feel it is my calling to go should anyone else wish to search for this book. I can be of great help.." She smiled one of her winsome smiles. Is there any details you can give me of the whereabouts of where the book has been stolen from?"

 

[Master Nerd]

The young gnome examined a flyer advertising jobs. He hadn't thought much about what he would actually do once he got here. Mercenary work... not his first choice, but better than a lot of things he could be doing. At least it wasn't boring.

Prospecting. That was a possibility, though he wasn't fond of caves.... bounty hunting troll and bloodcat heads didn't sound terribly enjoyable either...

'A missing book, huh? I'll bet I could get that back. Be nice to have some backup, though... Might be some other treasure to find, too.... Yeah, I can do that.

He slid out of his chair, leaving a couple silver coins under his plate as a tip for the waitress, and wandered accross the street to the church. He didn't like churches. Priests tended to like hearing themselves talk too damn much.

He wandered in early enough to hear the priest talking about what had happened to his book. A small army of another god, plus some trolls.

'Sounds like a challenge to me,' he thought. 'Odds are bad...' He looked around and spotted a couple rough figures that could only be adventurers. Probably here about the book too. 'At least I won't be alone. Probably.'

He waited for the priest to finish talking, then wandered out the back door into the garden. There was a big person -a woman- already speaking to the priest. He quietly walked up to the pair and spoke during a pause in the conversation. "I would like to offer my services to aid in the retrieval of the text, sir."

 

[LadyRozes]

Rowena smiled at the gnome, "Hello. I am glad you wish to help.. perhaps we can find others willing to help us.. IM afraid.. I cannot fight very well, but defending .. and a few other things I can do that might be of need. .. I am Rowena, prietess of the Goddess (I havent thought of a name yet.).. what is your name?"

It was obvious by the attaire she wore that she was a priestess, but sometimes people mistook her for some other things. IT was alright her green robe lined with yellow was a bit worn from the traveling she had done. Perhaps it was best not to say too much.

 

[The GrandMage]

Detton

Detton didn't look at the fliers. He didn't even go in the Inn. Of course, considering he was illiterate, it wouldn't have done any good, anyway. Serfdom was not an easy thing, and one usually lacked in education. Brains were not essential in being what was basically an uncared for slave.

Sometimes Detton found himself wishing he was a slave. Slaves were treated harsh, true, but the master knew he had to care for a slave or it would die. A Lord didn't care for his serfs. They weren't subjects, they weren't slaves. They were free men who owed him whatever they could scrape together during their lives. Who cared if they lived or died, as long as the Lord got all the profit?

Detton, was, however, very religious. Religion is very important to a person who assumes they'll die every day. Faith is essential to someone who slaves their life away and is more scared than joyed to find they're alive in the morning. And so, Detton was as clean and presentable as he could make himself in the morning, sitting at rapt attention in the church, hanging on every word.

Now, Detton had no reason to live. Why bother? He'd slaved most his life away to an uncaring bastard whose hobbies were having affairs with other mens wifes and beating his poor serfs into even worse living conditions with higher taxes every other day. His family was dead, buried all together in shallow graves in an unmarked patch of earth.

Well, if living doesn't matter, why not at least try and make it count toward the afterlife? It would be very nice to die and go to a paradise of some kind. Lots of food and drink, warm beds, good clothes, and no work. If he died, it didn't matter much, and if he succeeded, maybe it would get him into some higher notch of the afterlife. It was a very appealing idea.

He went out into the garden, with the others, and moved toward the priest. He bowed, and knelt before the man, asking for his blessing. "Oh, holy sir, I would be most honored to help in retrieving the book for the Church. I am not sure what help I can be, but I wish to assist in any way I can."

 

[LadyFairy]

Alonria

Alonria noticed sevral other's were out in the gardens when she arrived after the ceremony. Calmly she walked over to join them she recognized the dwarf who had sat next to her inside ,and offered her appologies to him. For she hadnt ment to offend him, by asking him to be quiet inside, and offered her services along with the other's in retreaving the stollen book.

 

[poohlive]

"Ah, water under the tunnel, my dear lass. We can't all be blamed for not knowing the rituals of others. I am glad I have an ambassador to the humans like yourself to show me the way. It will be wonderful to work with you here."
He gave her a once over, a bit confused as to what he say. His eyesight had grown better over the last half hour, and he could actually see her for what she was.
"My dear, you are nothing but a girl. Not that much taller than myself... and that's saying something. Why would you want to risk life and limb?"