Mae

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

<sup>It takes a little time to calm down Architend and collect everything from the packs that had been scattered in the sand. Which sifting through for your things, the party manage to uncover some discarded items from adventuring groups long since passed through here. Two iron spikes, an empty wineskin, a spare tinderbox and a pair of large, bright purple pantyloons are found among various debris. You also find a small wooden teacup, encased in a glass tube.

Markus and Voldalus make some further introductions. After some consideration, it is decided that safety in numbers might just be a good enough reason to continue as a group, deeper into the dungeon. After all, who knows what might be waiting for you further in the depths. The party approach the corridor...</sup>

Please assume a formation or/and pick a spot on the map. Aurix is currently leading Architend and will be able to decide his location, too. Let me know where you are standing.

I have labelled some squares for ease but you may pick anywhere on the map you like. You may also travel deeper into the dungeon if you wish...

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

@kingeditorI wasn't sure if people wanted some time to react to Voldalus and Markus' entrance, but I think enough time has passed to allow for that :D

If no one is against it, I'll do a short group up post to push things along and get moving~

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

@kingeditor not so much ideas like crushing rocks or anything, but more how to move things along generally to progress things.

Alternatively if people are happy with the pace and want some more time to meet that's fine too :D

D&D 5E: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

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@Mae@Lauder@Vertigo@Ellri@Cu Chulainn@kingeditor@POOHEAD189

Hi everyone! Looking to move things along but I'm not sure the best way to do that. Does anyone have any ideas for that? Alternatively I'll start cooking something up deeper in the dungeon for the next DM post ;D

[ADVENTURER]

@Lugia( That's pretty cool, I'll start working something out ;D )

As the group sizes each other up, a haunting howl rips through the air. Emerging from the treeline, two bloody eyes stare at you from above a skinless jaws, long gnarled fangs holding back a bestial snarl. The canine lunges towards you from the forest edge, bones jutting out of mangey furs at odd angles. It's lopsided gait doesn't stop it from covering the ground to the road and launching itself at Flint the Farmhand with a savage bite.

Flint silently screams as the creature rips into his chest and takes a bloody chunk out of him.

@Duthguy It's Dan's turn. The beast is beside him. What does he do?

Pending Reboot...

<sup>The dwarf turned his head, looking around for the owner of the voice before a big grin crossed his face. "Ten years? must be a quiet life! Come here, brother. What clan do you hail from?" He met Einkel's handshake with a firm, warm grip of his own, and as Einkel searched his pack, the travelling dwarf turned to release the hatch on the back of the cart. He clambered up, sweeped a few things out the way, and sat down, motioning to the seat beside him. The cart was a bit messy, with a few barrels and a chest lining one side and a collection of sacks, parchment and oddities strewn across the rest of the vehicle.

"You're too kind! What I would give for a good drink right now." The dwarf rubbed his hands together in anticipation, but stopped as his eyes grew wide. He gave a sharp intake of breath. "By Gear's beard, it's beautiful. I haven't had a drink in days and you offer this sweet ambrosia? You're a good man." he took the ceramic cup gently and lifted it towards the other. "To new friendships!"
As he spoke, he saw a gray mass out of the corner of his eye, and whipped his head round, finding himself staring at the lizardfolk. "My god, how long have you been there?" he exclaimed in Dwarven, the hand containing the cup starting to tilt dangerously. His other hand rummaged in a pocket, pulling out a thick glass lens on a silver chain. He absently placed it over his eye, leaning over the side of cart and staring at Jhank. He looked down the street. He looked round the square. And then he scratched his chin, looking the Lizardfolk up and down.

"Never seen one of you up close before. Tell me, do you have to do anything specific to keep those scales of yours in good order?" he babbled excitedly in common, his cup in very immediate danger of tipping.</sup>

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Note: You can do skillchecks if you wish, regardless of whether information is coming from IC or PM

The travelling dwarf is very pleased with Einkel's gift.

Pending Reboot...

@rush99999 He seems tired but genuinely happy at being offered a drink. You're not picking up on anything particularly malicious.

Also liking the family update :D Gives me some more ideas for around Swampmuck.

Pending Reboot...

@Lusus Naturae woops, let me fix that, sorry!

Pending Reboot...

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@Lugia@Necroes@rush99999@Shovel@Cao the Exiled

IC is up! Let me know if you want to take a crack at any rolls to get more information on the dwarf.

There's alot to do in the festival as well, hopefully once the main quest is sorted you can go explore a bit before going off on an ill-advised adventure. Some of the stalls have some helpful rewards, if you can best them ;)

The festival runs for two weeks. I might put together a map of swampmuck or at the very least, next post will have more information about what stalls are where-ish.

Pending Reboot...

<sup>The sleepy town of Swampmuck was the leper of the civilised world, though it's inhabitants were blissfully unaware of how ill-received their little home was, given that few of them had ever ventured beyond it's reaches and knew no better. They did not know that the stench drifting off the swamp when the wind was cruel was a foul one. They did not know they lived in squalor even compared to other villages, and they did not know that bread was more of a staple food then turnips were, given that that was what Swampmuck mostly farmed and mostly ate.

Today was different though. Today was the second day of the Harvest Festival, where folks as far as Middlemarket might mistakenly wander into Swampmuck's reaches and actually enjoy themselves. Stalls of all shapes and sizes lined the streets, covered in brightly coloured cloth that caught the midmorning sun. Voices called through the square, advertising their wares and challenging folks to play carnival games. Beneath the hubbub, laughter and chatter bubbled up like the soft lapping of waves on the shore. It was homely. Everyone was having a good time.

"Behold! Mr Marvelous' Majestic Monsters! Come and see for yourself some of the greatest, most dangerous beasts of the land..."
"Dunk the goblin win a prize! Step right up! Give the nasty beast a bath!"
"Metor Strongman challenge you! Wee wussy folk no beat Metor! Test your strength!" barralled a booming laugh.
"The judging of the Prized Vegetable competition will begin shortly..."

Villagefolk and travellers wandered to and fro among the stalls, holding dusted turnips on sticks and bartering with traders. Overlooking the town square, The Adamant Tankard was bustling with activity, as folks booked up rooms or popped in for a quick drink and a meal. Across the way sat the forge and Ye Olde 'Magic' Bookstore, both of which had seen good business in the day previous. The streets teamed with people, and right bang in the middle of it all, a Dwarf quietly finished setting up his cart.

He was a little late to set up for the festival, but his dusty, worn, high quality clothes told of a long journey from distant lands. His cart sat slap dab in the middle of the Town Square, and villagers parted like waves to wander around him, avoiding his gaze. Two fine horses pulled his cart, one midnight and one chestnut in colour, and they rested quite happily in their harnesses. He pulled a hammer from his belt and with a few good loud THWAKs the sign he had brought with him was planted firmly in the ground, stating his business here.</sup>

"EARN GOOD GOLD QUICK, ADVENTURERS WANTED"