The Eighth Adventure

[mgtremaine]

January 5

It's early afternoon in the village of Hornpipe. The sun is out, pushing temperatures into the 40s. The snow from the New Years storm continues to melt away.

First stop is the Village Elder's compound. The manor-style house and its outbuildings are enclosed by an 8' high stone wall.

Dame Simonetta and Kiplyn, this is you!

OOC: The extended family numbers about a dozen, plus there could be any number of visitors. Let's roll to see how many people are here: 1d20=11. This means our Heroes should be able to get someone's attention, to open the gate.

Dame Simonetta and Kiplyn approach the heavy iron gate. They catch the attention of a servant girl. She notices Dame Simonetta's fine clothes and says, "Right away, Mum. I will fetch someone to let you in. The Elder is in his office, taking meetings. There are a couple of people in line before you, so be patient."

The rest of the Hobbet Heroes continue down the road west, toward the center of town...

"This is quite a large house, do you think they have rooms here? I wish I had brought a snack." Kiplyn looks around somewhat shyly at the surroundings.

[kipper]

"This is quite a large house, do you think they have rooms here? I wish I had brought a snack." Kiplyn looks around somewhat shyly at the surroundings.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Dame Simonetta replies, "There is no use speculating before we have proper information.We will be seen in turn." In point of fact, the Dame is a bit miffed at having to wait, so she is talking to herself as much as Kiplyn.

[Bastet1002]

Beppo and Robur drop off their friends and continue on to the Inn. With them are the NPCs Fiona and Douglas.

Our heroes smell smoke in the air and pick up the pace. As they come in view of the Inn, they are greeted by an unforgettable sight: A pair of legs are sticking straight up in the air! Not just any legs: the long, lovely legs of a seven-foot tall human standing on her head. And then as the flames rise and the paint starts to peel, the hobbets realize what they are looking at: It is the painted wooden sign from the Inn of the Welcome Wench. Someone has torn down the sign (depicting an impossibly proportioned, scantily clad woman) from its signpost and is making a public spectacle of burning it in the road.

There are two humans, both men. They tug at the burning sign and break it into pieces, sending up a shower of sparks. "Let it burn, Mike, let it burn."

Robur hears a 'glugging' sound. He sees a wine barrel, labelled 'Urnst White,' a nice vintage. It's been smashed open and is spilling its contents onto the ground. Next to it is a broken barrel labelled 'Mead'!

What is this, a fun raid by the party-pooper police?!? How do the Hobbets react?

Robur is not used to seeing humans but is absolutely incensed by this vandalism and dumping of fine alcohol. It hits so very close to his heart and he imagines if this happened to his father's business. He casts the Druid spell entangle on the two men, and yells at them drawing his stiletto, "What in the tumbleweeds are you doing?!" He then plans to interrogate this "Mike" and the other human.

[mushgnome]

Kiplyn and Dame Simonetta:

After waiting for a while, our heroes are led into the compound to meet with the Village Elder. His "office" turns out to be a clearing at the edge of his pastures. The Elder is leading against a fence, watching his family work the farm, with a look of pride and satisfaction on his face. He is a trim older man with a kindly and concerned facial expression. He gives the impression of being a good listener. "I like to be out in the fresh air. This is where I do my best thinking. What can I do for you? You don't seem to be down on your luck."

[mushgnome]

Robur:

Mike sees Robur draw his weapon and shouts in alarm: "Open!"

The other human steps in between Robur and Mike. "Now now, put away your butter knife, little man! You look hangry. Come inside and have something to eat. My name is Darby. Welcome to the Straight and Narrow Inn."

OOC: Entangle spell requires some sort of trees or vines. The two humans are standing in the road, no plants.

[Scottenkainen]

The other human steps in between Robur and Mike. "Now now, put away your butter knife, little man! You look hangry. Come inside and have something to eat. My name is Darby. Welcome to the Straight and Narrow Inn."

Beppo had been prepared to hide until he saw Robur's unusually warm reception. This emboldened Beppo to step forward and say loudly, "Straight and Narrow Inn? What happened to the Inn of the Welcome Wench?"

[rredmond]

Do either of you speak up and say anything to the Druid, or do you let Ursa make the introduction, while she seems to be on a roll?

Noh will bow, with Carc on his shoulder, "an honor to meet you, Jaroo Ashstaff I am Noh and my companion Carc."

Noh will bring whatever fruits and berries he can purchase from Frederick and anything Ursa deems appropriate for the bear; he wants to make a good impression.

[Bastet1002]

The other human steps in between Robur and Mike. "Now now, put away your butter knife, little man! You look hangry. Come inside and have something to eat. My name is Darby. Welcome to the Straight and Narrow Inn."

Beppo had been prepared to hide until he saw Robur's unusually warm reception. This emboldened Beppo to step forward and say loudly, "Straight and Narrow Inn? What happened to the Inn of the Welcome Wench?"

Robur warily lowers his blade, but does not put it away to see what these "thugs" Darby and Mike have to say for themselves.

[coffee]

Last but not least...

Do you take this offer?

OOC: This is far more generous to the players than the module as-written. Gygax would only offer you 600gp for the chess set.

Wilbur is inclined to take this offer, but confers with his comrades first.

[kipper]

Kiplyn and Dame Simonetta:

After waiting for a while, our heroes are led into the compound to meet with the Village Elder. His "office" turns out to be a clearing at the edge of his pastures. The Elder is leading against a fence, watching his family work the farm, with a look of pride and satisfaction on his face. He is a trim older man with a kindly and concerned facial expression. He gives the impression of being a good listener. "I like to be out in the fresh air. This is where I do my best thinking. What can I do for you? You don't seem to be down on your luck."

Dame Simonetta curtsies politely and ignores the Elder's implication that we may have come for handouts! "We have come to introduce ourselves. I am Dame Simonetta Clytie LaJolle, and this Goodman is Kiplyn Sorefoot. We, along with some others, would like to take up residence in this town. I was curious as to who in town may be able to provide long-term accomodations for respectable persons."