26 Ches 1471, Night (Day 1)

Triboar Trail

• Orthanc Hellbringer walks south on the Triboar Trail nearing his destination-- an inn a caavan guard he met in Neverwinter told him to go if he wanted work.
  • He is an 8 foot tall Goliath, a species exceedingly rare to see off the mountains they call home.
  • Although the weather is still somewhat cold, he wears only a loincloth and is covered in tattoos.
• As he approaches a crossroads, among bare foundations and rubble of prior iterations, stands The Wayside Inn
  • It is the 5th Wayside Inn to be built in 150 years
  • It can house 12-16 people
  • There is an attached Stable and Forge
    • By the stable there is a very full wagon with a very old, loaded up Pack Mule. 

Wayside Inn

• Orthanc enters the Wayside Inn to a somewhat bustling environment, given the location.  
  • Backes Dunfield is tending bar
    • Human, Illuskan male approximately 45 years old.
    • Immediately seems very professional.
  • Assisting him is, Cooragh Struckt. 
    • Half-orc, Illuskan female
    • Cook, blacksmith, brewer, and all-around hand at The Wayside Inn
    • She has tools of all kinds on her person and seems to be very good at virtually everything she does
  • A very pretty middle-aged half-elf named Martisha Vinetalker goes table to table settling the patrons bills. She seems to be the proprietor.
    • She has silver hair and pale skin. She looks to be half moon elf.
    • She's dressed very well for the middle of nowhere.
  • Otherwise the patrons consist of mostly caravan guards and merchants and there are about a dozen people here.
• At one of the tables, sits Gomlee Moonstagg
  • Gomlee is a wizened old man with an eye patch, covered in scars.
  • Sitting at the table with him are the two hired guards he rode south with
    • Vala Silverton is an Illuskan human from Neverwinter wearing out of place (and if anyone around knew fashion, out of date) noblewoman's clothing. Her hood is pulled up over her dark chestnut curls even indoors and her silver eyes look slightly nervous.
    • Paxtor Verdigris is (seeminly) a human man, eating and drinking with great relish, flashing unusually sharp canines. He's an established caravan guard in the region and speaks in a thick brogue.
  • As Orthanc approaches the table, Gomlee is telling Vala an extremely embellished tale of his 67th human kill when he was an adventurer in The Dragon Coast in his youth
    • Vala is very entertained and happy to play up her reactions
    • He also claims to have killed a demon with the help of 5 other people, three of whom did not survive.
    • Upon seeing Orthancs stature in the doorway, Gomlee immediately recognizes him as one of the hired Caravan Guards, remarking that he hasn't seen any 8 foot tall people walking around since they last met. He requests 2 chairs be brought over so Orthanc can sit.
  • Vala, Paxtor, Orthanc, and Gomlee all introduce themselves. 
    • As Vala introduces herself to Gomlee, he tells her they've done this already and she doesn't have to keep introducing herself.
      • Vala laughs it off and notes that she's been "hitting the alchemy a little hard as of late" and wipes a little blood from beneath her nostrils.
• As introductions wrap up, a chair tips back at a nearby table, bumping into Paxtor's and quips "Been waitin'".
  • The speaker is  "Rig" a half sea elf with bright red hair in tight braids and sea green eyes. 
    • Gomlee recognizes her as another hired Caravan Guard, but says he doesn't recall her name. 
    • Rig cagely responds that "just Rig's good".
  • She has, apparently, been here for a few days already and has gotten chummy with Cooragh Struckt & Backes Dunfield.
• With introductions out of the way, Gomlee breaks down the job:
  • The Party has been hired by Gundren Rockseeker to guard his wagon on the Triboar Trail from the Wayside Inn to Barthen's Provisions in Phandalin and will each recieve 10 GP on delivery.
    • Gomlee notes that the Triboar Trail can be quite dangerous especially this time of year, and there's been a lot of goblin activity recently which is why Gundren Rockseeker was looking for more guards in the first place.
      • Gomlee is not overly concerned, though and notes that it's only 20-25  miles.
    • The Unknown brothers are trying to start a trading company in Phandalin despite the towns reputation for getting destroyed.
    • Gomlee worked for them as a wagon driver for 10 years before everything was destroyed and for another 2 years after the downfall of Neverwinter
      • Before the downfall of Neverwinter, all of Gundren's jobs panned out, but for the past 2 years they haven't
    • Gomlee signs on anytime Gundren thinks he's found something interesting, and he is very excited about whatever he found
      • Rig notes that Gomlee is a little tight lipped about what is being mined.
        • Gomlee says he doesn't know what it is just that Gundren is very excited.
          • Silver used to be plentiful in these hills, but it's been depleted for decades. Iron ore is still present, but Gundren wouldn't get excited about that.
    • He notes that Gundren is talkative for a dwarf, especially if you get him talking about mining
      • Vala, who's fathers wealth came from Silver mining, says she'd love to speak with him when they meet him.
  • Gomlee tells the newly formed Party that they haven't met her yet, but may have seen her out guarding the wagon --
    • Paxtor interrupts, asking Gomlee if he means Slimy Pete.
      • Gomlee seems genuinely miffed by this, asking Paxtor to not disrespect his friend in that way. She's not Slimy and her name's not Pete. It's Meilu.
        •  Gomlee has been traveling with Meilu for years.
        • She is an excellently trained mule
        • If you give her a carrot or an apple she will love you forever.
      • She's stronger than she looks and if The Party needs to store anything on the wagon, they're welcome to.
• Dinner is served to The Party
  • Rig, having made friends with Cooragh Struckt, is brought the staff meal special - a spicy cioppino stew
    • The stew is spicier than most can handle, but Luskan's are used to it.
    • Paxtorleers at Cooragh when she brings Rig's food, asking who her friend is
      • Rig notes Cooragh is a lovely woman, while Gomlee warns that she sleeps with a 3 foot long dirk.
  • Gomlee, Vala, Orthanc, & Paxtor are served Potato Stew with a Leg of Lamb.
    • Given his size, Orthanc is given 4 servings in a bucket and chows down. 
      • Vala is disgusted by this, but tries to hide it by focusing on cutting her meat into the tiniest pieces possible.
  • Gomlee asks Paxtor if he's taken the Triboar Trail before as a caravan drive or been to Phandalin.
    • Paxtor says he has worked the trail for half his life and been outside of Phandalin a few times.
  • Gomlee tells the party that Phandalin has been destroyed numerous times, but currently has about 400 people living there.
    • Since the destruction of Neverwinter, many have relocated to Phandalin looking for a fresh start.
• As they finish eating, Gomlee informs them that this is where the company dime ends, but if anyone would like to stay and get plastered with him (with their own coin), he welcomes them.
  • Paxtor is tempted, but wishes to have a fresh start for the days work and declines, as does the rest of The Party.
    • That said, he does already seem rather drunk.
  • Rig tells everyone to "keep it professional" and leaves The Party to go sit at the bar with Martisha Vinetalker, Cooragh Struckt, & Backes Dunfield.  
    • Paxtor is jealous of Martisha Vinetalker's attention to Rig, his canines inch out a little and his skin goes slighly orange, but no one notices.
• Vala asks how safe it is out of doors and if there is a shrine nearby. 
  • Gomlee tells her the Wayside Inn is the only building for miles and it's somewhat unsafe at night.
  • Vala offer's to pay Orthanc 5 SP to guard her while she says her prayers and he accepts.
    • Orthanc and Vala leave.

Edge of the Triboar Trail

• Vala walks to the edge of the woods and arranges 5 sticks of incense in a pentagram shape, one for each of her preferred gods (Mystra, Siamorphe, Oghma, Milil, and lastly, Savras which she places at the top,). 
• When finished, Vala Silverton curtsies and pays Orthanc..
• She kneels and prays in a rapid whispered common. while Orthanc stares menacingly at the treeline, axe in hand. 

The Wayside Inn

• As they rejoin the table, Orthanc asks Vala if her gods have ever done anything for her
  • She dodges the question instead asking him if his have ever spoken to him.
    • Orthanc responds that they have which fascinates Vala.
  • Gomlee interjects saying that Mielikki has certainly been quite good to him throughout his long life and he wouldn't be here without her. 

• Rig, from the bar, asks if there's any news from the road.
  • Backes Dunfield responds that there have been reports from caravanners of increased goblin activity along the Triboar Trail, particularly around 10 – 15 miles east of Phandalin which has been unusually active for the late winter / early spring.
    • Caravaners coming through the Wayside Inn have talked about large movements of goblins between Neverwinter Wood and the foothills of the Sword Mountains.
      • There's been a few raids here and there, but mostly it's just been moving around a lot, which is odd. 
      • The Caravaners would almost rather be attacked. They're really on edge as they don't know what the goblins are doing in the hills

Outside of the Wayside Inn

• The Party realizes Paxtor is gone, but hear him outside, talking to Meilu, who he is still referring to as "Slimy Pete". He declares that he doesn't care what they call Meilu and starts wetly kissing her on the cheek.
  • Gomlee threatens to hurt Paxtor if he's out there molesting Meilu
  • The party hears a few wet kissing sounds followed by an extremely loud thud. 
    • Meilu has turned to kick Paxtor into the side of the Wayside Inn
      • This pleases Gomlee who notes that Paxtor took it a little too far and that Meilu can defend herself. 

The Wayside Inn

• Paxtor
• 28653|Vala] approaches Backes Dunfield at the bar, stating that she believes one of her Party has just accousted a mule and asks to buy a carrot to get Meilu back in our good graces.
  
  • Backes notes this isn't the first time this has happened and that people are really oddly drawn to that mule.
  • Vala approaches Meilu carrot in hand and very formally apologizes for their traveling companion Paxtor.
    • Meilu gently takes the carrot and quickly devours it while giving Vala very long eye contact. 
    • Vala backs away from her in a respectful, albeit extremely formal, bow and goes back inside.
• Vala tells Gomlee that Meilu is well and that she is a lovely mule with a lovely name.
  • Gomlee says he's known her her entire life and funnily enough, he didn't name her. Meilu just told him that was her name. was Meilu one day.
    • Rig asks how she said it and Gomlee responds "not with her talker, with her thinker", alluding to telepathic abilities. 
  • Vala asks if any other animals have every spoken to Gomlee in this way
    • He tells them of a time a Unicorn told him to get out of the way as it was running and he thought that was very reasonable.
    • Meilu has told him about other conversations she's had and enjoyed so she must be speaking with others.
  • During the conversation, Paxtor takes out a knife and starts scraping shit off of his boots right onto the inn floor. 
    • Gomlee notes that Vala's shoes are impeccable given the conditions on the road, which she takes as praise, though it was not at all meant as a compliment.
      • Vala has been exclusively riding in the wagon, not walking. 
      • Orthanc supposes that Vala floats instead of walking.
      • As Orthanc speaks, the party realizes that what they thought were Orthanc's shoes is actually just very caked-on mud.
• Very troubled by Orthanc's foot situation, Vala asks Gomlee if he thinks the Innkeep would mind a harpist playing for tips, which he says she would likely love.
• Vala leaves the table and approaches the bar where Martisha Vinetalker stands and introduces herself.
  • Martisha immediately places Vala's last name and identifies her as one of the Neverwinter Silvertons. 
    • Vala quickly lies, clarifying that she is not a trueborn Silverton and nervously asks if Martisha is aware of anyone in Neverwinter surviving The Ruining.
      • Martisha, a self-described bastardess, says that she didn't see the explosion itself, but it was felt even at the Wayside Inn. They took in many refugees in the days after the Ruining who had been outside the walls at the time of the explosion, but one man, Artemis Entreri, told her he survived the blast by sheltering under a bridge.
        • Martisha Vinetalker said he didn't seem like one to boast, but she does not know how one would survive the heat of the lava.
        • He disappeared a few days after arriving and she knows nothing else of him.
    • Paxtor wanders over and offers to buy Vala a drink. Martisha, knowing of her nobility, offers her a glass of Fae Wine which she saved for a special occasion. 
      • Vala & Martisha sip theirs. 
      • Paxtor downs his in a single shot and wanders off bored.
        • Vala discretely whispers her thanks to Martisha, saying it is truly refreshing to find a bit of refinements.
        • Martisha grey up in Silverymoon and totally gets it.
  • Vala asks if she can play her harp for tips, and Martisha is delighted just as Gomlee said she would be.
    • Vala sends her compliments to the chef for the divine leg of lamb and sets up her Lap Harp on a table in the corner.
      • Before she can begin playing, Rig finishes her drink in a single gulp and places the cup at
        • Vala's feet, throws a silver in it, gives Cooragh Struckt a platonic cheek smooch and leaves.
      • character:7128653|Vala] begins to play a jaunty tune and earns 32 Silver.
• Orthanc asks Martisha if there's any rooms that would accommodate someone of his size. 
• Martisha offers him space in the barn free of charge, along with some blankets and sheets.
  • Orthanc thanks her and offers to do any slaughter she needs.
    • Martisha says Backes Dunfield & Cooragh Struckt do the hunting but she'd be obliged if he defended the Inn should there be an attack in the night. 
    • She also tells Orthanc that any meat he harvests on the Triboar Trail is his to keep per local law.
      •   Orthanc takes that to mean he can harvest the meat of any people he kills
        • Martisha states that at least in Silverymoon where she is from there are laws about eating humanoids.
        • She is unsure of the specifics of Sword Coast laws.
        • Orthanc states that there are no such laws in the mountains which does not surprise anyone.
      • Paxtor, who has been imbibing with Gomlee Moonstagg turns to Gomlee and says "Any port in a storm I say" 
        • Martisha asks if he means fucking corpses
          • Vala begins to play her harp as loud as humanly possible to drown out this conversation.
          • Martisha seems glad for the distraction and says that although the regular crowd doesn't appreciate the harp, she certainly does.
          • Vala, warmed by the compliment, begins to play Martisha's favorite song, Unknown.
            • Martisha praises Valas skill, noting that The Walk of Corellan is an exceptionally difficult tune to play, especially on a harp that small.
            • Vala in turn praises her ability to create a bastion of civilization so far from the city.
            • Martisha thanks her saying it's been hard work over the past 25 years.
            • She had brought just enought money to build a simple 2 room structure and it's grown over the years.
            • She'd like to keep it going as long as she can, but sometimes Beshaba shits in your eye.
            • Since Lord Dagult Neverember, The Open Lord of Waterdeep, came to occupy Neverwinter trade has picked up and business is much improved. 
• The inn is starting to thin out as people go to bed.
  • As Vala finishes The Walk of Corellan, Orthanc places a massive hand on her shoulder and tells her if she needs him for her prayers again he'll be up in the animal loft and goes to the stable to sleep. 
    • Vala raises her glass of Fae wine in cheers 
  • Gomlee, who has been getting steadily drunk, slams the rest of his Baldurs Gate Ale and tells the remaining Party members that he'll be sleeping in the wagon tonight.
    • Paxtor slaps him on the back, thanking him for the room
      • Gomlee is drunk enough that he doesn't see Paxtor there at first and had already begun to draw a long, well-kept sword from its sheath before catching himself.
        • Gomlee apologizes, saying its second nature at this point
        • Paxtor slaps him even harder on the back, laughing and saying he too has been on the road and gets it.
      •  Gomlee retires to the wagon with the rest of his keg of ale.
        • Vala, distrustful of Paxtor, whispers a warning to watch out for Meilu
        • Paxtor, at the same time, tells Gomlee to tell Slimy Pete goodnight.
          • Gomlee seems to take Vala's point and retires for the night.
  • Vala thanks Paxtor for the wine, saying she'll sleep better for it, and the rest of the party retires for the evening.

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Next Session → Session 001: The Fall of Gomlee Moonstagg