Initiation
Chapter
OUTSIDERS (1)
-Children of the City-
The Lord Commander of Uild is disturbed to be visited by her two Nobilite sons. They worry that something has returned and is the cause of ongoing chaos in the Frozen Forest. The Lord Commander says there is a new candidate who is going to be the warden of the west and the western border with the forest. Marigold, a feline shifter cleric, witnesses the death of a Whitecloak, Mattis, in the forest, at the site of slaughter. She takes a token from Mattis, who wishes her to return it to the Winewright gang. The next day, Aldrin Fairweather, a human fighter, is training with his mentor, Ser Sioux Rambane, when Winewrights begin to make trouble on the street. Aldrin disperses them but knows they will come back. Sioux is concerned is Winewrights are pushing into their street for territory. He sends Aldrin to a man named Umber with a mission to save the Outer District. In the night, Erbi, a child-like kobold bard, is lost in the forest and breaks their Erhu. They are rescued by Marigold, who shows them the way to the city and has a lead on where to get their Erhu repaired. The following day, Aldrin attends the tiltgrounds to find Umber, and after some friendly advice from a Whitecloak named Thayne, finds the bugbear smoking a cigar with a waif. Umber offers Aldrin a job, or an audition at least. Marigold and Erbi arrive at the Herald's Horn and meet the proprietor Harley, who offers to mend the Ehru for free if they attend a meeting and hear out a job offer. He is a greasy and unpleasant man, but the offer is genuine. Aldrin arrives outside a renovated building called the Old Choirhouse. Upon the doorframe, a boar skull is mounted. A halfling wizard and the waif are also in attendance. Darnum 'Lev' Levin, is a skittish and curious student who talks of good fortunes. The waif, Sweet Angel, is Harley's lieutenant and does not speak until his arrival. Next to arrive are Marigold and Lev, who share greetings with the men. Then Harley arrives. He works on behalf of a collective and is looking for people who will represent Umber's wing of that collective and help the public. He promises bed, board, riches, and prosperity if the attendees can prove themselves. An elven woman emerges from the Choirhouse, 'El', who is going to observe them during their audition. They all work for the Brightbear Gang. The party are tasked with solving a problem. A Winewright safehouse will be lightly guarded and contains an informant. Whether they go loud or quiet, brutal or unseen, is up to them. They simply must solve the problem without taking a life. The party set off with plans to use diplomacy.
OUTSIDERS (2)
-The Audition -
The party heads for 55 Quiet Street, but only briefly scouts the location before putting their plan into action. Marigold poses as a Death Herald to gain entrance to the house and gives the Winewright token she received to the drow kidnapper. He begins to make notes and ponders aloud that the attack in the Frozen Forest could have been the Brightbears, as their leader has a penchant for fire. Erbi creates a musical distraction to draw the kidnapper outside, while the side window Lev found grants him, Aldrin, and El entrance to the property. The intruders find a hidden passage leading to a cellar. Underground, there are two thugs, Aldrin recognises from Fairweather, and an elven kidnapper dressed in gold who attacked with a magical claw. Aldrin tanks well, intercepting an attack meant for Marigold. El blasts the drow when he comes down the stairs, then moves into a flanking position. Lev deals consistent damage with a frost orb. When the thugs are knocked unconscious, Aldrin and El interrogate the elven mage. They realise that even though he has arcane gifts, he is a grunt, and he too is incapacitated. The party find three cells. In the first is a tiefling Shipsworn of Aswain, Zorros. He was imprisoned for trying to help the wrong people. The Shipsworn offer to help everyone, but Zorros says he owes a special debt to the party. In the second cell is another thug, Hud, whom Aldrin had previously pushed into a fountain. They leave him in the cell. In the last cell is an orc named Geeza, their mark. Due to his appearance, the Winewrights mistook him for a higher-up gang member, thinking he was a bugbear. He is the barkeep at the Old Choirhouse. When the party return their, they have an interview with Umber and his associate, Marco. Umber is a general, Marco is a captain, and El is a lieutenant. He would be in charge of the party day-to-day. Umber speaks like a revolutionary, speaking to reforms of his organisation and the city. He says he has been away too long. The interview reveals that Aldrin is idealistic, but naive. Lev, who showed intelligence in caution on the mission, seems to not know much about the city. Marigold is steadfast in her Tarinan faith, but unsure of much beyond that. Erbi shows promise, but is too unseasoned to make judgment calls. Umber offers them the job, promising bed, board, and expenses. In return, the party would work under Marco, holding a seat open to the public, so that they may share their problems. They all accept the job, and Marco knights them with his cigar. The party are now privates of the Brightbears.
OUTSIDERS (3)
-Untitled-
Coming Soon
OUTSIDERS (4)
-Untitled-
Coming Soon