The group hung around at the Bent Hook for a couple of days getting their pay at the keep and talking to the locals about the various possibilities for further adventure. It seemed that there were several “maybes” but nothing certain. So after a couple of days of drinking Ortolf’s sludge they decided to head towards Ludensheim and see what a bigger town had to offer.
Travel up river took about a day and a half. It was a fairly easy walk and nothing of note seemed to happen. The group didn’t even meet anyone on the road until they were within a couple of hours of Ludensheim – and those were all local farmers headed into or out of town. Eventually they arrived at the town gates. The fact that the town had gates was a good indication that it was bigger than Botkinburg had been. In fact, a wall circled the entire town – a large stone base that went up about 5’ and was then topped by a wooden palisade. There were a couple of gates and even a small moat around the town. The Hreusen River ran alongside the town on the east side. The back half of the walled in area was taken up by the keep and its grounds. The forward or southern part was the town.
Of immediate interest to the group were the three taverns in town – you got the names from the nice town guard at the gates, a man named Wilhelm (“You can call me Willy&rdquo
. The three options were:
*The Coach and Horses – the high-class establishment in the town. But it was only high class as far as a provincial town can manage. This seems to be where the merchants gather.
*The Catching Pike – Has a nice image of a fish catching a fish with a fishing pole. Closer to the dockside gate and seems to be the location for the rivermen – fishing and bargemen.
*The Fainting Goat – A solid provincial tavern and Inn. Your average farmers and townsfolk gather here in a large common room.
The group took rooms at the Fainting Goat. (An assumption for the first night and you can certainly change this if you want.) The owner/manager/innkeeper is a woman named Gertrude. While many innkeepers are large and stout from years of consuming their own products Gertrude was actually quite young and petite – maybe 5’4” at the most and maybe as old as 30, but possibly quite a bit younger. It seems she inherited the place from her father who met with an accident recently. (An errant keg of stout being unloaded from a wagon and he failed the dex check.) But from everything you have seen “Little Gerry” as people called her when she wasn’t there commanded her common room as firmly as any innkeeper you had met. And at least half the folks there would have supported her if anyone even considered trying to push things the wrong way.
The group spent time in the town and tavern looking for information on two main topics:
- What sort of adventures were available in the area?
- What sorts of shops were available?
Rumors of events and things to do or get paid for
*There were rumors of attacks on farmers and villagers to the South. This seems to be including Botkinburg and so might be the mess you just cleaned up. Or maybe not.
*A farm in New Town, the area on the other side of the river between the reiver and the ridge, was attacked yesterday. It looks like the house was burned to the ground. What happened to the family? There have been attacks recently but always to locations further out. This home was close enough to New Town that people are surprised.
*The guard in New Town (A collection of homes and farmhouses not a walled town) is hiring more guards in the face of growing fear of attacks from the ridge.
*Nobody mentioned the old temple under the rock that looks like an eagle or dragon. But when asked several had heard rumors of it and other hidden “caves, temples, fortresses, etc . . .” throughout the Ridge. Some had heard that particular story and thought it was a bit to the Northeast. Or maybe that was southeast? Rumors varied but that story was out there.
*A group of bandits seemed to be using the Barren Woods to the West of the town as a base to attack people on the road between Ludensheim and Posit – the next major town up the road. The local guard is offering a small (100gp) prize to anyone offering proof that they have dealt with the threat.
*Rumors of things in the Barren Wood exist – but you also get the sense that those rumors always exist amongst those living on the edge of the woods.
*Merchants from Posit were heard talking about that town dealing with several dangerous attacks on ships on the river. (You heard this from people who travelled with the caravan, not the merchants themselves who would likely have stayed at the Coach and Horses Inn.
*Several ogres were seen to the east along the ridge. At least that is what the farmers guessed they were. Others said hill giants. Sheep and cows were also missing.
*A caravan going upriver to Posit is looking to hire a few guards, although the wages are low.
*Nobody has seen an elf matching Thaoran’s father at all. Elves are not common around here.
*Everyone has rumors of a general “these are dark times” nature. A few whisper of the Dark One return. But nobody has specifics beyond the stuff above.
Shopping in Ludensheim
The only specific request I have received is from Thaoran about special arrows. There is a fletcher/bow maker in town. He has a few special arrows available. The main thing to remember about these arrow is that they are one-time usage arrows. Shoot them and they are destroyed. Shoot and miss? Still used up. There are lots of arrows available but only a limited number of magical ones as they require the services of both a fletcher and a mage. What he has: (For comparison a normal arrow does 1d6)
Arrow +1: Arrow gives +1 to hit and +1 to damage. 20 gp each. (4 available.)
Arrow of light +1: +1 like above but when it hits it lights up with the light cantrip. 50gp (3 available)
Arrow Lightning +1: +1 like above. When shot it turns into a lightning bolt that does 2d8 damage. 75gp (2 available)
Arrow of the Net +1: Attack/damage +1. When it hits this arrow creates a large net that restrains and medium or smaller creature. A creature may use its action to make a strength check to break itself or someone else out of the net. On a successful check (dc 13) the net is destroyed. 125gp (1 available)
Potions of Healing are available at one of the local temples for 50gp per potion.
Has anyone been keeping track of group finances?
And now on with the story
After spending a day in town hunting down rumors and arrows you reconvene back at the Fainting Goat. Little Gerry is back at her post directing traffic. The tavern is moderately full with what appears to be a mixture of general townsfolk and travelers. A few woodsmen sit in one corner telling stories about the woods. A group of farmers appears to be discussing a particularly large pumpkin grown by “Fritz.” Other small groups were at several other tables. A young lady played a flute as she sat near the fireplace.
Shadows of the Empire Q&A
Shadows of the Empire
Shadows of the Empire - R
Reralae's A'niorna
