Northpeak Adventures
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Northpeak Adventures: Introduction
I thought it'd be really nice to keep somewhere a summary of the progress in Northpeak. Lore, background, NPCs, items, and anything of note that is worth remembering both in the near and the distant future, so I'll post some notes on what I know. For now there isn't that much info available as we barely ran the first adventure and we're all learning our way around a place that is alien to all of us, but hopefully as the campaign goes on I can fill it up with the help of the DM and other fellow players.
If anyone that isn't enrolled finds this interesting, remember that everyone's welcome to join! Just sign up in this thread
Important: As usual with Tales by the Fire posts, unless specified otherwise, everything that appears in this thread beyond this post is IC, but that does not mean that every character necessarily knows it just because it's been posted here. Most things should be pretty common knowledge amongst those that are involved, but some things might not. Use common sense to avoid metagaming!
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Prologue - Northpeak is Under-Rat'ed
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Some disturbances in the local mines pointed that there was a rat problem under Northpeak. Marthio, Orcmauler's right hand, set out to contract the Dead End Squad to handle the situation.
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Some members of said squad were still recovering from the previous adventure and only three remained available at the time. Amy, Athenea, and Krillis.
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They were joined by Banarok Brazenshield, a bow-wielding dwarf rumoured to have elf blood, and Harrimane Tiller, an aged priestess of Ilmater. They both paid their fee, and joined the Adventuring Company, that now totalled nine members. Marthio noted that ten is the maximum number of members that any Adventuring Company can have as per the regional legislation, so only one slot remained open.
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Their mission was to bring the 'Rat King' alive if possible, as well as kill as many rats as possible in their way.
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The five adventurers returned not too long after, and although notably wounded, they collected their reward, along with the belongings of Manus Ironhammer the Tainted: A shield, a battleaxe, a set of scale armor, and an enchanted protective cloak along with a generous pouch of gold. The five Adventurers found a fair way to share it all as the most precious item, the enchanted cloak, was claimed by Krillis.
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Prologue - The Fellowship of the Dead End
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Lord Obram "Orcmauler" Instigion makes a call for adventurers, asking for help in solving Northpeak issues.
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Seven people of different backgrounds answer the call, and join forces. They are informed that in order to get started into the adventuring business, they need to form an adventuring company and register themselves, which has an associated "inscription" fee. As they have no gold, they take on the assignment as amateurs and freelancers.
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The adventurers return all live and well, with enough bounty to pay the inscription fees and then some. Amywiewien, Arthur, Athenea, Krillis, Rarin, Roska and Serenity become the founding members of the adventuring company 'Dead End'.
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After the spoils are shared, each of the adventurers take their well deserved rest to spend their hard earned gold and lick wounds while preparing for the next adventure, which promises to be soon enough.
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Northpeak Adventures: The Story Begins…
@327210080b:
It's the year is 1370 when a small mining community stumbles upon a new iron ore mine and sets up a small walled town. They name the town Northpeak. They have no official ties to the Silver Marches, they have strained but not hostile ties with their dwarven neighbours in Citadel Adbar due to the proximity of the mine to the dwarves.
The leader of Northpeak, Lord Obram "Orcmauler", a retired adventurer and veteran of the orc wars has sent out word to adventurers to come help keep Northpeak safe and share in the wealth from below. Orc attacks from the mountains, blizzards and winds strong enough to collapse houses, the spectres, wraiths and necromancers of Vordrorn Forest always unsettle the people of Northpeak and the ruins of the ancient dwarven city of Ascore lay just to the south and something seems to stir in it's ruined depths.
Problems surround Northpeak and the chance of a dragon attack always lingers from one of the hostile northern dragons or an all out assault from the Zhentarim or the Shades from Aunauroch. Northpeak wishes to keep it's independence from the rest of the Silver Marches, but can it hold out against the horrors of the north? All are welcome to join the battle to claim this frozen land as Northpeaks own, all except the tusked green skins, all those and their half breed children are to be killed on sight.
And if ye brave adventurers can't handle the cold and blood, ye can always run off to the Fork for a warm fire and a quick wagon ride back to the comforts of Silverymoon.
//I'll keep these entries as a short summary of the events of note that transcend, but if anyone is up for making write-ups from a narrator point of view, or even some kind of personal journal from the point of view of a single character, I'm more than happy to clip it to the corresponding chapter/act to add a bit of storytelling and depth.
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Northpeak Adventures: Items and Artifacts
Tel'quavv'iir
This longbow seems of elven make, runes etched along the shaft spell the name of Tel'quavv'iir. Who Tel'quavv'iir was or how his bow found its way into the treasure hoard of a goblin chief is unknown
This weapon was in possession of the Goblin Chief Grignok Greenie, and upon his defeat the elven archer Amywiewien declared that her arm was not strong enough to make the most out of the bow's drawing power, gently conceding Athenea the honour of using it.
Obsidian Trident
This trident is made with obsidian and magically strengthened to never break. To whom it belonged is not known, but it was found in the treasure hoard of the Goblin Chief near Northpeak.
As the longbow, this weapon was found with the Goblin Chief Grignok Greenie. A praticularly well made weapon, the first one that could truly be called 'magical' from those that the 'Dead End' recovered. Despite nobody in the troupe being especially apt at using this extravagant weapon, Roska saw fit to keep it. Perhaps she could find a way to use it efficiently.
Cloak of Resistance
This cloak was worn by Manus Ironhammer the Tainted the moment he was captured by the 'Dead End' Adventuring Company. As it was the adventurers' doing that rescued Northpeak from the mining crisis, they were allowed to choose what to do with it. They decided that the cloak's protective properties would be best suited to the one who had acted as the group's shield for the quest in which such cloak was obtained, Krillis.
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Northpeak Adventures: Lore and Legends
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Northpeak Adventures: Places
Northpeak is a mostly peaceful hamlet of farmers and miners that along with a few veteran adventurers decided to settle to build a prosperous community. Here is where the Northpeak Adventures beging. There are a few places of note:
The Mines
The main source for Northpeak's wealth and a possible reason for ever since Northpeakeans began to exploit it, they've ran into all kinds of issues. These deep, rich iron mines are object of desire for many different factions with different interests.
The Hillfolk
Not exactly welcome, the hillfolk are tolerated just next to Northpeak as long as they do not cause too much trouble. They are few, but strong. Some of the farmers have occasionally complained about some cattle vanishing mysteriously the day before these people had a copious feast of delicious meat.
The Breach
Northpeak is situated in a naturally well defensible position, high on a hill and sorrounded by natural obstacles. However, there are a couple of entry points that had to be walled, and those walls have not always held against Northpeak's aggressors. The Breach is a clear testimony of that.
Town Square
Northpeak's town square, a common place for gathering where the Stone of the Law is set reminding everyone, local or foreigner, the basic set of rules they must follow while within Northpeak domain. Some merchants and small scale businessmen try to make some profit around the Town Square. The Barracks and the Dragon's Head Inn are also located in the area.
Half-built temple
Whoever began to build this temple never finished it. It lays now half built, with no priest of any faith to tend it. Perhaps that will change?
Farmlands
Besides the mines, the other natural source for wealth in Northpeak. Its farmlands are rich and despite the cold climate, they allow for a wide array of crops to be cultivated.
Wildlands
Just south and east of the Farmlands lay the Wildlands. An ample, rich terrain that with some work and preparation could potentially be used for Northpeak to expand upon, both for building and primarily farming. Northpeakeans already have plans for this, but the local druids are against it, as they consider that Northpeak's farmlands are vast and rich enough to sustain Northpeak's population and expanding further would be done only out of greed, with the consequent unnecessary draining of natural resources.
Druid Grove
Secluded into an opening of the forest southwest of Northpeak, the druids have their not-so-secret meeting place. At least, the one meeting place that the druids have chosen to be not-so-secret.
Up the frosty hills to the east of Northpeak the goblins have their lair. There, they fight each other for the rule of their kin, so that in turn they can reign over the other humanoids in the area. It's hard to imagine whatever goes on in their little, wicked heads, but one thing is for sure - this place is a threat to Northpeak's plans for prosperity.
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Northpeak Adventures: Non-Player Characters
Northpeak Lord Obram "Orcmauler" Instigion
De facto leader of Northpeak, and the one that made the call for adventurers in the hopes of putting an end to Northpeak's many problems.
Marthio, the Lord's Advisor
Marthio is the Advisor and treasurer of Northpeak, a rather enthusiastic man with a heavy mind on business.
Pelindung
-Pending info-
Goblin Chief Grignok Greenie
Source of unending trouble to the peaceful mining and farming community of Northpeak, this goblin and his band of Bloated Spider Breeders were hunted down and killed by a party of adventurers hired by Orcmauler. That adventurer company, from then and on known as the "Dead End Squad", at that time was formed by Amiwiewien Gwenna, Arthur Vane Lightwielder, Athenea, Krillis, Rarin Hellet, Roska and Serenity.
Manus Ironhammer the Tainted
Manus Ironhammer was a dwarven miner that somehow contracted the curse of lycanthropy. It's not known how, but in a short time Manus managed to evacuate the whole mining community of Northpeak in fear, as he gained the power of controlling a large horde of rats that overran the mines. His reign was however short lived, as some members of the 'Dead End' adventuring company managed to seize him, and deliver him to the local authorities for examination and questioning.
//Help from the DM to add anything that should be known about the NPCs is most welcome here!
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Northpeak Adventures: Characters
Amywiewien Gwenna
Not much is known about this elven huntress. She keeps to herself most of the time, and seems to prefer to stay in the forests outside Northpeak, only staying at the local Inn long enough to have some rest and recovery after each adventure.
One thing of note, however, is that she appears to be a very practical person, disregarding traditions (and some might say even common sense) whenever they come in the way of getting the job done.
Arthur Vane Lightwielder
-Pending image-
-Pending info-Athenea
Athenea is a young girl that appears native to Northpeak's area. It is quite possible that she and whatever relatives she has moved in when Northpeak was enacted. Besides her brown hair and brown eyes of pretty dull and unremarkable tones a quick glance at her shows that she appears quite fit, and her hands are callous from years of hard labour with tools.
Miner, farmer, or gatherer, all seem to fit. But something pushed this young woman to switch her tools for weapons of war as the call for adventurers was made.
Her character so far appears rather reserved and dissociative.
Banarok Brazenshield
-Pending image-
-Pending info-Harrimane Tiller
Over the hill? Over a few hills. Harimane looks a little too old to be starting off on a life of "Adventure". Having outlived three husbands, Harimane's life so far has been that of a dutiful wife and homey mother. She always felt the call to get out and make the world a better place, but thought it would be best if she waited till her children died of old age first.
Harimane wears simple robes, solid travelling boots, and a wooden symbol of Illmater around her neck. A cruel looking heavy crossbow and quiver is slung over her shoulder, suggesting that her kind eyes and merciful faith have the potential to give way to wrath.
Krillis
-Pending image-
-Pending info-Rarin Helet
-Pending image-Little is known about the dwarf Rarin Helet. He does not care to talk about his past. He seems to have had had a hard life, and seeks adventure from anywhere he can find it to perhaps mollify the reality of his past.
Not being of particularly high intellect, but with abundant strength and courage, he jibes with the best and perhaps expresses himself too often. He does seem to desire only two things in his life, adventure and ale, but that is the nature of most dwarves, but is particularly pronounced in him because of his barbarian upbringing.
Roska
-Pending image-
-Pending info-Serenity
-Pending image-Serenity is slender of build and unremarkable of presence, favouring various shades of grey to melt into the wintery landscape. At a closer look, her mixed heritage is apparent, most readily in the tell-tale pointed ears, sticking out of hair as dark as her eyes.
There's something decidedly stand-off'ish about Serenity, who seems to often stand at the outskirts of gatherings, or trailing along at the back of the party. So far, she doesn't seem to care much for the thrills of battle, the spoils or even the company. Instead, she observes everything and everyone with the same measured care, but tends to keep whatever conclusions or judgements thereof to herself.
Serenity wears no discernible holy symbol, but has been known to cast the odd healing spell in a pinch.
//PCs added alphabetically and as they join at least one adventure. I need your help sending me whatever basic description and ambitions you'd like to be shared here, if any at all. After that, we can add highlights and defining events in the life of each PC as the campaign progresses
