Tunnels & Trolls : The Isle of Darksmoke pbp

Best Selling RPGs - Available Now @ DriveThruRPG.com
Rublehead looks at her and asks "What's wrong? You look bad."
"I dunno, need to sit down." Distraction accomplished, Sally returns to the table, feeling foggy and shaky but also proud that she made a scene for a good cause.
 
"No disrespect, m'lord, but I must decline your generous offer of a libation for I have already drunk my fill and it would be both unwise and a disservice to you should I allow my judgment to become impaired and my attention to be clouded, for how would you like a servant who cannot perform to the best of his capacity? Many thanks for the gracious offer, for it speaks volumes that your mien is as noble as your aspect, and had I not already imbibed I would certainly accept. I will humbly accept this seat and assure you I am always ready to discuss business at your leisure, Your Grace!"

It is at his point that the noble turns his attention toward the disturbance at the bar. He appears only slightly interested. You notice that his servants appear quite focused on the ensuing ruckus as well, their muscles taut, ready to act.

After a moment, he nods to his men and blinks his eyes slowly, then turns his attention back to you. The men seem to relax at this subtle gesture. "As you wish." he says. "I am Baron Zolag, servitor to the Kythir of Morbelos." He pauses, as if waiting for a deferent reaction. "Tell me, Bravo, what brings you and your comrades to the Isle of Darksmoke?" His left eyebrow rises slightly, and he regards youmuch as a cat regards a mouse under its paw.
 
Last edited:
Meanwhile, behind the bar Midnight lays hands on the offending keg, saying the words which pluck magical energy from the very air and bend it to his will...
 
Last edited:
I unleash the words and hope my magic is enough, for I know far to well how exhausting this curse breaker can be...'
 
It is at his point that the noble turns his attention toward the disturbance at the bar. He appears only slightly interested. You notice that his servants appear quite focused on the ensuing ruckus as well, their muscles taut, ready to act.

After a moment, he nods to his men and blinks his eyes slowly, then turns his attention back to you. The men seem to relax at this subtle gesture. "As you wish." he says. "I am Baron Zolag, servitor to the Kythir of Morbelos." He pauses, as if waiting for a deferent reaction. "Tell me, Bravo, what brings you and your comrades to the Isle of Darksmoke?" His left eyebrow rises slightly, and he regards youmuch as a cat regards a mouse under its paw.
"O great Baron," replies Bravo, "we are but humble yet hardworking strangers to this land who have come in search of opportunities to better our respective stations! Some might disdainfully call us 'adventurers,' but I'm sure your eminence will agree such a term has negative connotations; therefore I prefer the appellation freelance troubleshooters."
 
I unleash the words and hope my magic is enough, for I know far to well how exhausting this curse breaker can be...'

Midnight feels the energies coursing through and around him, which he is, with considerable force of will, to dontrol and direct.


"O great Baron," replies Bravo, "we are but humble yet hardworking strangers to this land who have come in search of opportunities to better our respective stations! Some might disdainfully call us 'adventurers,' but I'm sure your eminence will agree such a term has negative connotations; therefore I prefer the appellation freelance troubleshooters."

Baron Zolag smiles a slight, wry smile. "As you wish. Have you and your band much... freelancing experience?"
 
Rublehead keeps an eye on Sally in case she falls ill.
 
Baron Zolag smiles a slight, wry smile. "As you wish. Have you and your band much... freelancing experience?"
Bravo replies, "Brevity being the soul of wit and humility being the mark of confidence, m'lord, let us simply say neither so little that we are unseasoned nor so much that we are cocksure. Let us say there have been incidents and accidents along the way, but the fact that we are here speaks for itself vis-à-vis our capabilities as well as our vim, vigor, and entrepreneurial ethos. Therefore, pray tell what service we may render unto one as high-born as yourself, Your Grace?"
 
"I dunno, need to sit down." Distraction accomplished, Sally returns to the table, feeling foggy and shaky but also proud that she made a scene for a good cause.

Sally feels drunk as she walks somewhat unsteadily to the table.


Rublehead keeps an eye on Sally in case she falls ill.

The concerned fighter notices that Sally walks with the gait of someone in their cups. As he starts to make his way to follow and offer assistance, the muttering thief at the bar turns to him and says drunkenly, "Poison, beware poison in that fell pit! Why, a man can be poisoned in Darksmoke simply by ... " the light suddenly goes out of the man's eyes, and he falls drunkenly to the ground in a heap. His tankard of ale spills across the stained wooden floor. For a moment, Rublehead fears the man dead. But snores, and a puddle of urine suddenly spreading from beneath the man, prove that he is alive, if unwell. Two of the establishment muscle make haste to drag the man outside, as a third fetches a mop and begins to clean up.


Bravo replies, "Brevity being the soul of wit and humility being the mark of confidence, m'lord, let us simply say neither so little that we are unseasoned nor so much that we are cocksure. Let us say there have been incidents and accidents along the way, but the fact that we are here speaks for itself vis-à-vis our capabilities as well as our vim, vigor, and entrepreneurial ethos. Therefore, pray tell what service we may render unto one as high-born as yourself, Your Grace?"

Baron Zolag and his men tense up again at a fresh commotion from the bar. Again seeing that it is no threat, and deciding it is no concern of theirs, the hawk-faced nobleman leans forward to speak to Bravo, his perfumes and other assorted aromas becoming almost cloying as he does so. "Have you any idea what is happening on the other side of that curtain?" He asks, indicating the north end of the room with a cocked eyebrow, and the subtlest hint of a glance in that direction.
 
Baron Zolag and his men tense up again at a fresh commotion from the bar. Again seeing that it is no threat, and deciding it is no concern of theirs, the hawk-faced nobleman leans forward to speak to Bravo, his perfumes and other assorted aromas becoming almost cloying as he does so. "Have you any idea what is happening on the other side of that curtain?" He asks, indicating the north end of the room with a cocked eyebrow, and the subtlest hint of a glance in that direction.
"M'lord, I make it a policy not to stick my nose where it doesn't belong and discretion is one of my primary virtues," replies Bravo. "If Your Grace feels it would behoove me to know, or if it is relevant to an offer of employment, then I'm sure you will take the initiative as befits your station."
 
"M'lord, I make it a policy not to stick my nose where it doesn't belong and discretion is one of my primary virtues," replies Bravo. "If Your Grace feels it would behoove me to know, or if it is relevant to an offer of employment, then I'm sure you will take the initiative as befits your station."

Zolag smiles again, as if humoring Bravo. "There are men and women behind that curtain, indulging in an intoxicating plant known as kywa. Its effects are powerful and stupefying." He pauses, as if trying to gauge Bravo's reaction. "Those who fall under the sway of this potent smoke often become predictable, as well as... pliable." Again the Baron pauses, this time to take a drink of his wine, which he first swirls around in his goblet. "There is said to be a strain of kywa, grown in the depths of Darksmoke itself, that is superior to all others. It is referred to, by those who know of it, as "Darksmoke's Delight." I require flowering specimens of that strain, in sufficient quantity to start growing it in Morbelos. Do you feel that this is within you and your comrades' capabilities?" He gazes directly and deeply into Bravo's eyes as he asks this. Zolag, it would seem, is a man who'd know if he were being lied to...
 
Sally puts her head down on the table. Her eyes close but she's not asleep. She mumbles "Please just give us the job. We try hard until job done."
 
Zolag smiles again, as if humoring Bravo. "There are men and women behind that curtain, indulging in an intoxicating plant known as kywa. Its effects are powerful and stupefying." He pauses, as if trying to gauge Bravo's reaction. "Those who fall under the sway of this potent smoke often become predictable, as well as... pliable." Again the Baron pauses, this time to take a drink of his wine, which he first swirls around in his goblet. "There is said to be a strain of kywa, grown in the depths of Darksmoke itself, that is superior to all others. It is referred to, by those who know of it, as "Darksmoke's Delight." I require flowering specimens of that strain, in sufficient quantity to start growing it in Morbelos. Do you feel that this is within you and your comrades' capabilities?" He gazes directly and deeply into Bravo's eyes as he asks this. Zolag, it would seem, is a man who'd know if he were being lied to...
"I shall avoid imbibing this Darksmoke's Delight and thank you kindly for the information, m'lord!" replies Bravo. "Naturally I would need to know what constitutes a sufficient quantity before I can provide the honest answer Your Grace certainly expects, but I expect it should be well within our abilities to procure what you desire."
 
Midnight will wait till there is a moment of distraction and try and return to his friends with stealth, a bit tired.
 
"I shall avoid imbibing this Darksmoke's Delight and thank you kindly for the information, m'lord!" replies Bravo. "Naturally I would need to know what constitutes a sufficient quantity before I can provide the honest answer Your Grace certainly expects, but I expect it should be well within our abilities to procure what you desire."

"Our Royal Botanists could doubtless produce fields of kywa from but a single seedling specimen, given time. But the more you can bring, the better, to get them further along, and quicker! A sackful will suffice. But more, in this case, is better, and will be more profitable for you in the bargain. I offer you 1,000 pieces of Morbelosian gold for each sack you return to me, filled with the fertile plant. What say you, brave Hobbit? Is this reward enough to interest you?" He again cocks an eyebrow, and sips from his goblet.


Midnight will wait till there is a moment of distraction and try and return to his friends with stealth, a bit tired.

Everyone's attention is still on Sally as she makes her way wobblingly to the table. Make a L1SR-LK to avoid Midnight being seen emerging from behind the bar.
 
Midnight easily slides out from behind the bar unseen. (I'd have to crit fail, to fail pretty much.) He goes to rest on the table.
 
Midnight easily slides out from behind the bar unseen. (I'd have to crit fail, to fail pretty much.) He goes to rest on the table.


Don't forget to award yourself Adventure Points!
 
Last edited:
"You want some fresh air?" Rublehead asks Sally
 
Sally lifts her head. "Yea. fresh sea air and some soft grass."
 
Sally puts her head down on the table. Her eyes close but she's not asleep. She mumbles "Please just give us the job. We try hard until job done."

Does this mean Sally has sat at the table where Bravo and the Morbelosian noble are?

Sally, still feeling befogged and weak-kneed, sits down...

"You want some fresh air?" Rublehead asks Sally

Sally lifts her head. "Yea. fresh sea air and some soft grass."

Rublehead helps Sally out of the inn and back to the street.

Rublehead tenderly helps the still-shaking Sally to the street outside...
 
"Our Royal Botanists could doubtless produce fields of kywa from but a single seedling specimen, given time. But the more you can bring, the better, to get them further along, and quicker! A sackful will suffice. But more, in this case, is better, and will be more profitable for you in the bargain. I offer you 1,000 pieces of Morbelosian gold for each sack you return to me, filled with the fertile plant. What say you, brave Hobbit? Is this reward enough to interest you?" He again cocks an eyebrow, and sips from his goblet.
"Naturally, naturally," nods Bravo vis-à-vis the capabilities of Royal Botanists. "I don't doubt that my colleagues and myself can procure what you need, Your Grace. I will speak to them of it momentarily, m'lord, but first I must ask about equipage for this venture, for the best results require the best preparation, as a person of your esteem of course already knows."
 
ooc: I had meant that Sally sat back at the table they were at earlier.
 
"Naturally, naturally," nods Bravo vis-à-vis the capabilities of Royal Botanists. "I don't doubt that my colleagues and myself can procure what you need, Your Grace. I will speak to them of it momentarily, m'lord, but first I must ask about equipage for this venture, for the best results require the best preparation, as a person of your esteem of course already knows."

Zolag grins as if he knows a secret that amuses him. "Of course, dear Bravo. I understand there is a shop in this village where one might acquire such supplies as are needed for an expedition. The kingdom of Morbelos is glad to advance to you all that you should require. It will be deducted from your reward, of course. I'm sure you and your party will agree to this most reasonable of conditions. Though, I must wonder whether you shouldn't speak to your colleagues before agreeing...? he trails off, eyes drifting to Sally and Rublehead. "Are you sure they are up to the task?" he asks, suddenly seeming a bit more serious.

ooc: I had meant that Sally sat back at the table they were at earlier.

ooc thanks for clearing that up.
 
Zolag grins as if he knows a secret that amuses him. "Of course, dear Bravo. I understand there is a shop in this village where one might acquire such supplies as are needed for an expedition. The kingdom of Morbelos is glad to advance to you all that you should require. It will be deducted from your reward, of course. I'm sure you and your party will agree to this most reasonable of conditions. Though, I must wonder whether you shouldn't speak to your colleagues before agreeing...? he trails off, eyes drifting to Sally and Rublehead. "Are you sure they are up to the task?" he asks, suddenly seeming a bit more serious.
"By your leave, my liege, I shall attend to that this very moment. They are more competent than circumstances would seem to indicate. I expect they have been exposed to this Darksmoke's Delight of which you so courteously warned me, through no fault or intention of their own."
 
Last edited:
"By all means, see to your friends," says the nobleman with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Make sure you are all in agreement, so that we may seal our bargain, and make the necessary arrangements. But, do let me know what you all decide."
 
Does this mean Sally has sat at the table where Bravo and the Morbelosian noble are?

Sally, still feeling befogged and weak-kneed, sits down...







Rublehead tenderly helps the still-shaking Sally to the street outside...


Rublehead helps the still-wobbly Sally out of The Seven Curses. The sun is dropping lazily toward the Horizon. Though sunset is still an hour or more away, the temperature has dropped considerably, and the cooler air feels good.

The residents of the village seem to be finished with their daytime activities, and are either lazing in front of their huts, seeing to their families, or cooking simple meals, judging by the sights, sounds and smells.
 
I approach the others and inform them that we have been presented with a unique job opportunity: procuring kywa plants, alias Darksmoke's Delight, at a price of 1,000 pieces of Morbelosian gold per sack. Additionally, Baron Zolag has agreed to equip us at his expense. "What say you all?"
 
Rublehead nods and says "Seems good to me!"
 
ooc, as I recall, Rublehead and Sally are outside, the latter taking some air. Bera, Zala and Midnight are inside at a table.
 
"Well, that's a nice perk," Bera acknowledges. "What's your assessment of the Baron," she asks of Bravo, "and for that matter, what's a Kywa plant?"
 
"Eh, I'm not so impressed by titles, but reward of gold? That is another thing." I say while resting on the table, "Though I do wish to recover some strength, magic is at times a challenge, great power must be harnessed well. Mind you if we run into a dancing girl, niece, whatever the bartender said while on the job? I'm good collecting treasure in gems from either of them or items. Gold is heavy!"
 
"Eh, I'm not so impressed by titles, but reward of gold? That is another thing." I say while resting on the table, "Though I do wish to recover some strength, magic is at times a challenge, great power must be harnessed well. Mind you if we run into a dancing girl, niece, whatever the bartender said while on the job? I'm good collecting treasure in gems from either of them or items. Gold is heavy!"

For every 10 minutes of non-combat time you spend doing nothing more strenuous than walking (or flying) at normal speed, you regain 1 point of STR.
 
OOC: I've lost track of how many PCs there are; is everyone on board with accepting the Baron's job offer? If so, Bravo will relay that and try to collect an advance or other means of procuring supplies.
 
OOC: I've lost track of how many PCs there are; is everyone on board with accepting the Baron's job offer? If so, Bravo will relay that and try to collect an advance or other means of procuring supplies.


OOC: There are six PCs. I put a list in the forst post of this thread, plus I'm using the Game Master's Party Roster (tm) from this module!
 
"Well, that's a nice perk," Bera acknowledges. "What's your assessment of the Baron," she asks of Bravo, "and for that matter, what's a Kywa plant?"
"Kywa is apparently a narcotic, the one being imbibed on the premises, and one I suggest we all avoid consuming," says Bravo. "As for the Baron, he is an aristocrat and therefore beyond such considerations as ethics and fair dealing despite whatever persona he chooses to present," Bravo continues in a tone dry as kindling, "which is why I am endeavoring to get as much up front as possible, for I will be pleasantly surprised should he choose to live up to his end of the bargain. Surely he is aware we would have little recourse in his realm should he decide to alter terms or renege altogether. I suggest we provide a degree of loyalty commensurate to that which we receive; additionally I propose we make use of any and every opportunity to place ourselves in a better bargaining position when we no doubt return with his kywa."
 
"Sounds good to me." The dark clothed fairy says, "money is a good thing, if it domes int small pretty jewels..of value, but they don't make big enough packs for me to carry all I'd enjoy, truly."
 
Sally heads back in to the tavern, hopefully a bit clearer headed.
 
Sally heads back in to the tavern, hopefully a bit clearer headed.

As Sally makes her way back into The Seven Curses, she feels much more steady - physically. She does, however, still feel a bit foggy-headed. Not terribly so, but enough that she notices.
 
Banner: The best cosmic horror & Cthulhu Mythos @ DriveThruRPG.com
Back
Top