D&D 4th Ed is Out

The town you are currently staying in is called Fallcrest, nestled right in the middle of a region known as the Nentir Vale. This is a small town build upon the ruins of a larger city and not far from Kobold Hall.

You guys were sent to this town by The Holy Order of Bahamut and Company (THoBaC) and soon after arriving, you went to the local THoBaC office and received the full details of your quest. Since you were weary from your travels, you all spent the night at the Silver Unicorn Inn on The Holy Order's dime and after some preparation (and bacon), set off for Kobold Hall the following day.

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Originally Posted by Kamakazie

Been thinking about how I handle things at the table and how it might be beneficial to handle some things differently here. In terms of loot:

- At the table I make selling items to the vendors an active process, with the players actually trying to convince the trader to pay good money for their items. This can be fun and promotes roleplaying, but since we're not going to be face-to-face and we have the ability to advance the game via this forum, I'm just going to make it so you can sell any item at 20% of it's value as long as you are in an area with a trader (ie: not in the woods or a dungeon, etc).

- Buying items is a different story. For the most part you are not going to find any vendors that sell magical items, different vendors are going to have different types of goods (ie: you're not going to find ritual components at the blacksmith) and if a blacksmith doesn't have a certain type of weapon in-stock, he would probably be willing to craft it for you but it will take some time. I also normally vary the prices of goods and my players can barter if they don't like what's being asked; I'm not going to do this to you and things will normally be sold for their standard list price. I will make inventory lists for the shops/vendors you come across and let you know what you can buy if you go looking. Some locations might even have sales days and other days when new stock comes in, so these lists will not remain static.

- I normally choose to just ignore any normal items that are found after combat; no doubt you have noticed this in Kobold Hall. I just don't see a big need for the players to horde daggers and robes for a few pennies unless they're really hurting for cash. Any projectile which is used during combat is lost unless it is a magical item (javelins/arrows/daggers/shurikens/etc); magical projectiles return to you immediately after they are used.

Let me know what you guys think on this matter. Do you like this, is there anything you'd like done another way or is there something else I could add to this that would be awesome?

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It would be nice to be able to try to charm a higher price out of the trader. Perhaps a simple one time check for the party for every trader we encounter to determine what the percentage will be.

As for normal items, I'd actually like the option to collect them and sell them back later. We can use the spare change to keep us stocked on ranged weapons.

Sounds good taggart. 1d20 roll. 1-5= 15%, 6-15=20%, 15-19=25%, 20=???

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Originally Posted by taggart6

It would be nice to be able to try to charm a higher price out of the trader. Perhaps a simple one time check for the party for every trader we encounter to determine what the percentage will be.

As for normal items, I'd actually like the option to collect them and sell them back later. We can use the spare change to keep us stocked on ranged weapons.

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I don't like the idea of rolls for lowering prices if they're not also inflating the prices if they don't like you. What I can do is keep track of reputation and give you discounts for certain people if you are well known in the area or if you did something for that person. Perhaps side-quests for certain vendors!

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Originally Posted by Kamakazie

I don't like the idea of rolls for lowering prices if they're not also inflating the prices if they don't like you. What I can do is keep track of reputation and give you discounts for certain people if you are well known in the area or if you did something for that person. Perhaps side-quests for certain vendors!

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I thought TIm had a good idea. You have a 1 out of 3 chance of getting a little lower, 20% or a little higher.

honestly though your not tied to any one system. I say just mix it up as you see fit. I think it's boring to just leave it vanilla 20%. Maybe we meet a person wha's father was killed by a warforged and thus we get a huge mark up.

Maybe theres a quest to re earn their respect. Maybe we meet a *** blacksmith with a dwarf fetish. BAM! huge discount.

Also, before I spec out level 2, I'll need a list of items for sale by the vendor. One of my build options requires hammer type weapons and it'll be pointless to spec for hammers only to be stuck with my greatsword.

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Originally Posted by taggart6

Alse, before I spec out level 22, I'll need a list of items for sale by the vendor. One of my build options requires hammer type weapons and it'll be pointless to spec for hammers only to be stuck with my greatsword.

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Sounds like you guys need to start looking around or gathering information in some way to see what vendors you can find in the town. [trying to move things along]

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Originally Posted by Kamakazie

Sounds like you guys need to start looking around or gathering information in some way to see what vendors you can find in the town. [trying to move things along]

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I figure we can use quote for in game chat.


<At the inn's breakfast table>

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Originally Posted by Tock

After breakfast I suggest we split up and see whats what. I can gather info on local merchants, Werk can touch base with the local religious groups for info and see about selling the artifact to the Order as well as find out any pressing issues they need us to attend, and Ashen can check the town for local gossip, news, and maybe any side jobs people need a hand with. Maybe we can see if theres a local mage or magic guild willing to pay a little more for this staff we found.

I'm really interested in seeing if there is a merchant or blacksmith who has a fine assortment of hammers for purchase. While you 2 squishes were sleeping, I spent the early morning talking with a smelly retired dwarven sergeant who served in the King's guard as a front line pounder. The hairy squishy had the most amazing things to say about his time swinging a hammer onto the skulls of other squishes. He says the ringing sound made after impact resembles a clock...and I love clocks.

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<taps mic>

Is this thing on?

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Originally Posted by TOCK

<Stares at Werk and Ashen waiting for a reply as they stare back with a glare that indicates brain damage or deep thought>

So what do you meat bags think? I really want to get my hammer and squish things.

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Sorry, Werk was a little hung over from all the drinks he had the night before. He may be devout, but that doesn't mean he can't knock back a few.

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Originally Posted by Werk

After stumbling out of bed, I go to the mess hall and fix myself a nice bowl of gruel. They have a fine selection of pastries, cheeses, and sliced meats since this is a high end establishment, but I felt like some good home cooking. Gruel. Lines the stomach and sits like a rock for at least the next few days.

After eating, I tidy myself up for the day which includes knotting my mane back and braiding my now lengthy beard.

Tock tells me of another drunken Dwarf, something about him being a soldier or whatever. Sounds like a heathen to me. I told him to tell Ashen I was going to the local chapel for a talk with a representative of my order. Hopefully they will have some information on another artifact to be found, plus I want my money for this piece of junk dragon skin we lugged out of that last infestation.

As I walk out of the Inn to find the village crier, or at least a guard who can give me direction, I notice people staring at me. I am used to this in the lower levels of my home world because, with all modesty, I am a damn sharp looking young man, but on this occasion they were looking upon me with disgust! When I realized they weren't looking at my face but my belly, I shifted my eyes down to notice my clothes are all stained with blood!

Oh damnit, the dragon blood from that mass slaughter must have leaked into my rucksack! I certainly can't go to the chapel in this mess...

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Sorry for the absence guys. I have been really busy with the wife preparing for the baby to arrive. It could be any day now. Just in case I fall off the internet without notice, someone could just take over for Ashen if needed. Play him as a reserved, taking everything in and thinking first before acting kind of guy.

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Ashen awakens from sleeping in the comfort of an inn. Although, he never quite rests as well as when on a cot at a dig site for some reason. He gets dressed, grabs his bag and slinks his way downstairs. He pauses at the edge of the room taking everything in while most still don't notice him. Most wouldn't care anyway. The human merchant shop owner from down the way is too busy going over paperwork of some kind or another. The half-elven family on a vacation trip to visit some family in town is enthralled with one another while the father seems content to be away from the extended family. The gruff dwarven man at the bar not only looks as though he has been here drinking all night, but probably for more than one night.

Ashen catches himself after focusing a little too long on the Shifter waitress with auburn hair and features he could only describe as beautifully fox-like. He is not accustomed to seeing other Shifters, and especially not ones as attractive as this. Ashen noticed something odd for a waitress when she went behind the counter. She leaned down to her bag and rummaged through it pulling out something sweet to snack on. The piece of candy was not the odd thing, though. What caught his attention was the archeological pick and parchment scroll of some kind. He then noticed the dagger fastened to her noticeably dirty boot. His necessity to find information this morning after a quick breakfast now begins with the beautiful woman...

Ashen sits down at an empty table and wait for the waitress to come by. Before she has the chance to speak, "Morning Miss. I hope the rest of my day is as lucky as this. It isn't everyday that one sees such a beautiful lady." After some minor chatter Ashen orders a meal of fried basilisk eggs, dragon-style hashbrowns and a side of bacon. He eats his meal and then breaks the ice with the waitress...hoping for a name and possibly a meeting time and place to discuss both local and not so local events.

Ashen will also use his time to go to a few shops in town and maybe another tavern, mostly to find some leads on the local problems and if his newly formed group could lend aid while awaiting the next church funded expedition. This also gives him a chance to peruse the local wares.

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Alright, excellent. I'm super busy atm but I will get to everyone within the next couple of days. I especially like that everyone ignored Taggart's dialogue lol.

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Originally Posted by Kamakazie

I especially like that everyone ignored Taggart's dialogue lol.

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:(

Werk just can't get a break.

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Originally Posted by Werk

"Goddamn old world piece of trash." Werk whispers to himself while he turns the rusty crank on an antique manual washing contraption. "No free laundry service after check out my ***!" Rust begins to flake off of the complex mesh consisting of various gear sizes. Crunch, crunch goes the gears as the rust falls into the inner workings which pulverizes the iron oxide into a fine powder. A breeze caused by the fast rotation of the cleaning drum is finely focused by the housing and exits through the gear mesh which fatefully blows the rust dust straight into Werk's face. "Errrrrrrrggg!!!"

"Damnit! I'm done. It's clean enough!" As Werk open's the tub he becomes keenly aware of where he left his skull full of goo. "MY CLOTHES!!" Suds, wash water, and sticky, green clothes present themselves to Werk. In a fit of rage, Werk dumps the entire machine over pouring the contents all around the floor of the back room of a local general store. After swinging his arms around the air for a few moments, Werk gathers himself. On the floor in front of him right beside his ruined clothes is the container of the goo, now finely polished and gleaming in the dim light. Werk belts out a deep belly laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

After buying a new set of clothing, human size..., from the proprietor and paying for his tantrum, Werk is now 1gp less wealthy and no better off than when he got up. Off to the chapel he goes, baggy pants and all.

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Tocks Morning

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Tock stares at the clock located to the far right of the Inn dinning area as he taps on the wooden dining table in front of him.

"8:47", he mutters to himself in a low growl that teeters with a hint of rage. It's been 10 minutes since Tock last asked his companions sitting across from him what they should do. 10 min of silence and awkward gazes. 10 min with no response from Werk and Ashen, and Tock was starting to get very very angry.

"WHY WON"T YOU PILES OF USELESS MEAT AND BONES ANSWER ME?" Tock roars as he raises his metal fist in anger. "ANSWER ME!" he demands as his fist swings down with a thunderous fury that smashes through the table. Pieces of broken wood and splinter erupt from the blast and go flying through the Inn. As the last bits of wood settle to the floor, the Inn becomes silent as the local patrons all stare at Tock and his companions with a mix of awe and fear.

"Look what you guys made me do!" Tock says as he notices the looks of terror in the eyes of those around him. "Now they think I'm just a crazy death machine." He releases a frustrated sigh and lowers his head to sort out his latest mess. "This people are sacred of me," he thinks to himself, "and worse off, Werk and Ashen are just ignoring me." Across from him, Tock hears the sound of a nervous cough that wakes him from his pondering. It is soon followed by a feeble and scared voice.

"E-e-excuse me kind, sir." , the voice says " But my friend and I don't know what your taking about.. As we said before, our names are Davis and Ethalo. We are simple dress merchants traveling through. Please don't hurt us. We only want to sell our wares at a fair price. M-m-might you have us confused with others?"

Tock raises his head in confusion and looks at the source of the voice. "Strange", he thinks to himself, "now that he mentions it, I thought Werk was shorter and had fewer face boils. I'm also pretty sure Ashen wasn't a halfling with grey and blue hair. He did have a belt though but his wasn't lavender with a purple studded stones." Tock releases another sigh of frustration as the obvious dawns on him.

"Damn squishes" he says with a grin on his face, " It's so hard to tell you guys apart. I'm sorry for my outburst. My companions and I slayed a terrible dragon yesterday and I was badly damaged after the battle. Usually my body shutdowns and my wounds are healed in a few hours, but sometimes I'm left a little disoriented if the damage is extensive. Damn ice wyrm must have caused more damage then I expected. I think I even already spoke with one of my companions today. I must have forgotten. Will you please accept my apology?"

Davis and Ethalo quickly change a nervous glance of disbelief at each other, and with out words nod their head in approval.

"SPLENDID!", Tock roars in a merry tone. Content with his first apology , Tock turns to the face the rest of the Inn and bellows, "HELLO ALL!, SORRY FOR THE BIT OF SMASHING THERE. I GOT A LITTLE ANGRY AND LOST MY TEMPER. YOU SEE I JUST KILLED A DRAGON AND I GOT CONFUSED FROM ALL THE DAMAGE. I"M BETTER NOW AND SHOULDN'T BE KILLING DRAGONS TODAY SO NO NEED TO WORRY!"

The Inn patrons, not really knowing how to respond to such a thing, continue to stare at Tock in a silent state of shock. In the background, the sound of single patron wetting himself can be heard.

"Well then, " says Tock, after rationalizing that general silence must be a sign of approval since if they had a problem they would just say so and wetting one's pants doesn't count as disapproval because peeing is a biological function that has to happen anyways for these walking water balloons of meat, "I'll be on my way if someone can direct me to the local blacksmith. I'm going to get a new hammer!"

"D-d-down the street next near the open market" says Davis in a frightened tone. "Its next to the l-l-local dress shop."

"Thank you kind sir!" Tock replies as he marches out the door. Things are definitely looking up, he thinks to himself as he makes his way to the blacksmith. A child like grin grows across Tock's face as he comments to himself, "Definitely looking up indeed."

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Originally Posted by taggart6

Tocks Morning

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I know I'm taking a while to get back to you, but let me handle the NPCs. I actually do have this city and NPCs defined for you guys, so I'm going to use some of what you just posted, but not all of it. Remember that you are your character and the DM covers the NPCs that you interact to.

Also remember there are consequences to all of your actions. The Silver Unicorn Inn is a very luxurious place and the area you're sitting in is much more upscale than your everyday tavern. If you smash a table in there, you can be pretty sure you'll need to pay a hefty sum and maybe more.

I'll get a response out for all of you tonight. ;)