Session 5: Late night day 22 / early Morning of day 23

Our intrepid explorers ended their first night in Orlane at the Slumbering Serpent Inn, where they were greeted by the innkeeper, Belba. She seemed a good sort and fed the hungry adventurers a delicious meal of roast chicken. They booked comfortable rooms, with a secret plan: to spirit away in the dead of night to investigate the abandoned Foaming Mug Inn. And so the band departed after the town had gone to sleep with a party consisting of Calbach, Lhoss, Hilja, Myrtle, Chalkboy, Gnorcia, and Chiki. They made a stealthy yet speedy trek to the Foaming Mug where they were able to gain entrance through a window in the back to try and avoid detection. Once inside, candles were lit to discover that the large common room was in disarray. Tables and chairs had been overturned and broken; it appeared there had been a large dustup with nobody who cared to clean up the mess. Upon inspection, there appeared to be drag marks leading to a cellar door in the floor. Steeling themselves, the explorers forged on to see what was in store for them below ground. A foul odor permitted the air. There were casks of good wine and also large crates of rotten food, which did not seem to be the source of the stench. Two doors were seen. The adventurers resolved to explore them both. Behind the first door: nothing. Behind the second door: three hideous serpent men, poised to attack! A noxious plume harmed a few, but undaunted, Calbach attacked one of the serpent men. After a brief scuffle with the lizard men, Lhoss cast a sleeping spell on the enemies and the three monsters were quickly dealt with by slitting their throats. The room was searched and a pouch of gems and money was discovered. Chiki approached Myrtle, Hilja, and Chalkboy and made them an offer: each adventurer participated of their own will and would partake equally in the spoils. After recovering the wine, all retreated back to the Slumbering Serpent for rest and the money was divided equally, with the gems and remainder set aside for future use until the value of the stones could be determined.

Session 4: Ending of Day 22 of Readying

Chiki, Gnorcia, Lhoss, Kyro, and the henchmen Chalkboi, Hilja, and Myrtle all congregated in the Golden Grain Inn. The inn keeper, Bertram, tried repeatedly to get the group to stay at the inn, giving the prices of rooms, and even offering a discount, but the party became suspicious, especially with the sinister scar faced man staring them down while Bertram continued to run a full press. The party, except for Kyro, decided to leave the inn and go to the Temple. Bertram followed them out of the inn, and down the road. This made everyone nervous, and Lhoss decided to cast a sleep spell on the innkeeper, which succeeded.

The party made its way down the southern road, and observed a few of the buildings with some suspicion. They came up on the stream that flowed into a small lake. They crossed and found a black smithy with another building to the east that was boarded up. Some inspection found a sign that indicated that the building was called The Foaming Mug Inn at one point. The party went around the building, but noticed that they were being observed by the smith and apprentices. They were able to pry one board off and look into the dim room, but weren't able to see much.

They gave up that inquiry and followed the road around to the north and approached the Temple of the goddess Merikka. They found the grounds unkempt, and the gardener was quite rude. They entered the temple into a large columned room, and talked with the priestess Misha, who indicated that only the clergy and support were allowed past that room. After a few questions (which followed the pattern of nothing going on in Orlane), they went back to the Golden Grain Inn.

They talked to Kyro and found that the suspicious man had observed him for a time, and then went up (presumably) to his room. They quickly left and went north across another bridge. They noticed an area with many large elms and growth, and an inn on the right. They went down the forested path and noticed a weasel that seemed to be observing them, and then it scampered off. They continued down the path and encountered an elderly man who identified himself as Ramne, and that he had been waiting for them, indicating that his pet Whiskers (the weasel), who was perching on his shoulder, had told him. He strongly discouraged them from staying at the Golden Grain Inn and said that the Slumbering Serpent is much better. He was cautious and asked the party to investigate the interior of The Foaming Mug in the evening.

The party then went to the Slumbering Inn, but on the way, Whiskers came back and looked hungrily at Cluck-Cluck the chicken (one of Chiki's pets). Unfortunately, Chiki wasn't paying attention, and Whiskers whisked off with the hapless Cluck-Cluck. The group generally supported Whiskers over Chiki.

The group were greeted warmly by Belba, the co-owner of The Slumbering Serpent.

Session 3: Journey to Orlane Days 22 and 23 of Readying

The players gathered together at the Bragg's Post Inn in Hochoch and had a discussion with an elven fighter named Myrtle Dixon. This included Chiki "The Turtle", Calbach, Gnorcia, Lhoss, Kyro, Ronan, and Chalkboi. After a brief discussion, Myrtle agreed to travel with the group to Orlane to investigate the strange reports that the group has received.

A discussion was made about plans, and then the group went to sleep, got up the next morning, and several met with Hilja Levandi, a professed Druid, at the grove of Obad-dai. The high priestess of the grove confirmed her membership, and a large black bear, apparently a friend of Hilja, briefly appeared to the group. Hilja appears to have made a special connection with Ronan.

The group then all met back at Bragg's Post and began travel to Orlane. The trip took four days, and nothing unusual happened. The group observed the Dim Forest to the north, and the river and swamps to the south, and arrived in Orlane, which appeared to be a small village composed of farmers, at least that was the observation initially.

The group observed that there was caution in the air, as young children were quickly brought inside when they were seen, and a teenage girl quickly went into her house. Her father came out when hailed, and answered questions briefly in a quiet but firm manner, pointing out the general locations of two inns in town.

Following the directions of the (farmer?) from the home, they proceeded to a large wooden inn, called the Golden Grain Inn. The proprietor, Bertram Beswill, greeted them jovially, but when asked about problems in Orlane, flatly denied them, saying that they are a quiet farming village, worshiping Merikka, goddess of the harvest, and referencing the stone temple that was observed somewhat to the east of the village.

That was the conclusion of the adventure, with all participating in an afternoon meal. I will allow general posts in front of the group here in the inn for a game time period of three hours. You can also use that time to do individual questing and such on your own forum pages. We will begin game play again about 5:00 PM.

For reference, in game time, it is the 22nd day of Readying (which is the first month of spring). Each month has 28 days. Coldevn will be the next month, followed by the Growfest festival, which is celebrated up to 7 days in some locations.

Session 2: Hochoch Information

Here is some more information about the town and area that you are in. Hochoch is a city of about 8,000 inhabitants and the people are generally lawful neutral or neutral in their outlook (with a strong tendency towards good). There are temples or shrines to these various deities in town, the base alignments that worship them, with a description of their spheres:
St. Cuthbert - LG(N) wisdom, dedication, zeal
Boccob - N magic, arcane, knowledge
Pelor - NG sun, strength, light, healing
Wee Jas - LN magic, death
Bralm - N(L) insects, industrious
Fharlanghn - N(G) horizons, distance, travel
Geshtai - N lakes, rivers, wells
Obad-hai - N nature wildlands, freedom, hunting
Zuoken - N physical & mental mastery
Pholtus - LG(N) light, resolution, law
Velnius - N(G) sky, weather
Merikka - CG agriculture

It is encouraged that you determine if you are a follower of one of these religions. The priests and druids at these locations will be great sources of information as well, and have resources (such as healing and other products).

The ruler of Hochoch is a Knight of the Watch, which is a strict order (more so in the north-western borders) - this Knighthood is supported by the countries fo Bissel, Gran March, Geoff, and especially Keoland, the primary Lord over the whole region.

The government is formed with this knight, and three others - a local merchant, priest/druid, and mage.

There is one court of justice in the city, an open market square, 4 smithies, and 3 inns

Session 1: Adventures in Greyhawk - Day 22 of Readying

These posts will be for another group that is adventuring in the area of Gran March.

You are currently located in a town named Hochoch in the Gran March. The capital of Gran March is a town named Hookhill, of reasonable size. Gran March is ruled by the leader of an order of knights named Commandant Petros. Petros maintains a standing army of knights and auxiliaries to defend the land.

Some of you may have labored recently in the development of a caravan track between Hochoch and Hookhill (through the before impassable Dim Forest) - if you want to add this to your character profile, come up with a story and detail it below. This will accrue no immediate benefits, but will assist in developing your story and make things more interesting.

You are encouraged to detail your story for the rest of us to understand - you can keep some or all private at your own discretion. You can also provide information directly to me when I create your private thread.

Hochoch has sufficient equipment and stores to provide for your needs now, but availability and prices may change if you don't take advantage of this now. You are all currently housed in one of three inns:

The Green Dragon
The Hogs Head
Bragg's post

You have paid up for a weeks stay and basic fodder as you are preparing for your upcoming adventures.

Some other things that you are aware of: The Dim Forest is located in the western area of Gran march. Hochoch lies at the southern end of the forest, and Hookhill lies to the north east, near a mountain range called the Lortmil Mountains. There is a swamp area called the Rushmoors south and east of Hochoch, and a river named the Javan River flows to the east in a NE-SW direction past Hochoch. A realm named the Grand Duchy of Geoff is to the west, and another realm called Bissel is north of Hookhill.