GM’s Notes, 20 September 2015

Date:

11 Adnar’Kerz, 1308

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Doreen Underfoot (Mel) – Halfling Fighter / 2
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris – absent) – Pixie-Fairy Mage / 6
Fenkeh Burrowes (FrM) – Halfling Thief / 3
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 6
Nurther Skye (Gayle) – Dwarf Cleric of the Caregiver / 3
Ruati Ryiannasal (Daniel) – Elf Rogue / 3
Tibideaux (Brian) – Dwarf Fighter / 3
Tørhalla Ulricsdøttìr (Francine) – Human Barbarian / 3

Voted Most Valuable Player:

None

GM Notes:

The day was cold, with scattered snow on the ground. Occasional flurries kept things interesting.

The Dumbarton Oaks Experience passed through the village of Winchon. The place was resplendent with fresh paint and new construction. On a spur of rock in the crook of the river, where the Upper Soult meets the Lesset, a stone tower or keep appears to be under construction.

The party took the ferry to Arz, noting that preparations seem to be underway for the construction of a bridge. In the winter?

Welcome to Arz!

Located at the confluence of the Lesset and the Upper Soult rivers, Arz sits astride the major trading routes to the resource-rich Western Earldoms of Reyifor and Melatar.

Merchants from Fangaerie and even Kisra hawk their goods in the market, cheek by jowl with timber and iron brokers from Artal and Frandor.

By the King’s Road and the mighty Soult River, the rich markets of the central Kingdom await, while to the west lay the wealth of the endless mountains and the bountiful woods.

Truly, Arz is where the resources of western frontier meet the riches of the heartland! Fortunes stand to be made!

On the docks of Arz, the party took leave of their erstwhile hirelings, Trorelian Glaive and Selden Bock. They also bid a fond farewell to their ride, the Master Merchant Tanserus Balkanor of Arz. They did get contact information, since Master Balkanor will certainly have need of caravan guards… come spring.

The city of Arz is dominated by the vast dome of the Cathedral of the Caregiver, perched upon the hill that looms over the town. Judging by the crowds, it is a pilgrim destination even now in early winter.

After perusing the local tourist brochures, the party secured rooms for the week at the Penitent Man Inn. The ostler there is an old, retired Halfling adventurer named Endo Boffin. Other employees include Endo’s very young nephew (?) Fredo, and a half-ogre named Gorok. The inn is run by Meras of Tebillac, a man with four hairs combed neatly across the top of his otherwise bald head.

The party split up.

Ruati took a self-guided tour of the local constabularies, looking for her wanted posters.

Dumbarton, Fenkeh, Nurther, and Tørhalla went up to the cathedral and braved a gauntlet of assorted officials to report the ruined (and probably desecrated) chapel of the Caregiver back at Red Spur Gorge. After taking care of that small detail, Nurther worshiped at the Cathedral while the others took the tour.

Doreen and Tibideaux, meanwhile, checked in at the Guild Hall, got baths, and bought very inexpensive but high quality clothes from Wynas of Derley: Simple Garments for Simple Folk. There was also much drinking, including a couple of rounds at a very local joint, the Polecat Tavern.

These two groups eventually ran into each other near the market, and Tørhalla took exception to Doreen’s new outfit (and fresh lilac scent). An improbable public brawl ensued, which ended with the arrest of Doreen, Fenkeh, and Tørhalla. They’re currently spending the night with a fellow prisoner (named Bart) in the Cardinal’s jail.

Armed with information from the Guild Hall, Tibideaux went on to make contact with the town’s Master Ratter, Ayk Methwys. Master Methwys is ill, and isn’t up to the job of dealing with the latest vermin epidemic, not to mention all of the vagrants that have made the town’s formidable sewers their home in the past year.

The Chartered Town of Arz is a Co-dominion of the Noble Lord Baron of Arz and His Eminence the Cardinal Prelate of the Church of Everlasting Hope.

The town itself is under the jurisdiction of the right honourable Warden of Arz, appointed by the Baron, and the Council of Aldermen, appointed by the Warden with the Cardinal’s Concurrence.

The Guild Council of Arz is responsible for nominating aldermen, regulating economic life, and promoting the welfare of the town.

His ostensible apprentice, his nephew Brom Wemblen, has proven incompetent and unlikely to improve.

So, Master Methwys has granted a temporary licence to the Dumbarton Oaks Experience as contract (unguilded) ratters in his employ. He’s paying a copper a tail, plus a silver a tail for the giant rats rumoured to be lurking under the town.

Meanwhile, Kailan took a nap.

Experience Points:

(none awarded)

Next Game:

04 October, 2015.