D&D Campaign: Mission of Mecharus

[Van]

Wesbalm is beautiful these summer months, as it is every year. The peasants work under a bright warm sun, crops swaying in a gentle breeze. The nobles watch over their fiefs and admire the manifestation of their wealth and power before them. The farmlands pepper the kingdom, surrounded by lush forests and paved roads leading to cities of varying prominence and grandeur. The royal armies keep the people and goods safe from thieves and monsters, but are mostly confined within their walls.

The people of Wesbalm consider themselves fortunate for their glorious kingdom, and count their blessings they are not confined within the borders of their desolate neighbor to the south, Bastun. The fear of this land has become a facet of life for Webalm as ingrained as breathing. There is no hard evidence of what resides there, and rumor has taken place as cannon history. Demonic influence is the common perception, stepping upon the soil itself enough to lose your mind to dark forces. The borders of these lands are heavily controlled. Great stone walls and legions of soldiers prevent anyone, or anything, from entering Wesbalm.

Adventurers, such as yourself, make a living as free agents for the noble families. Scouting, treasure hunting, assassination and spying are all common jobs for your kind. This time, you have been called to Cretchwall, an large commerce center that acts as in-between between the capital city, Litany, and the technological wonderland of the west, Mecharus. You’ve been recommended by an unknown benefactor as an escort for a Litany diplomat to travel from Cretchwall to Mecharus. Very few are granted entrance to Mecharus, and even with suspicions of the job you can’t pass up such opportunity.

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I'll have a rough map up here in a day or two for you to follow, but it really shouldn't be needed since I doubt we'll actually make it out of Mecharus for the next act :V

How you arrive, what you do in Cretchwall, and maybe any backstory or characterization you want can go in your first post here, along with a repost of your character sheet for easy reference. I'm going to trust you to keep track of your own characters and be honest.

Also, I appreciate feedback you can give on how well I do this. I'm not looking to become a master DM, but I'm interested in my storytelling ability in general. :V

[Klyr'Talnethnay]

The dark elf slips off of the back of a wagon as it pulls up to the gates of Cretchwall, exchanging a few words with the caravaneer he had been riding along with to reach the city as a guard, and stands alongside the road for a moment, frowning as he looks up at the city, muttering to himself as his hand plays over the pommel of his blade.

"Feels like a trap, but the bait is just too good. Mecharus, heh. Well, if you know it's going to spring, at least you have a better chance to avoid getting caught. Time to stomp on the trigger."

Klyr shakes his head at himself and heads into the city at a slow pace, trying to re-familiarize himself with the general layout of the city, then heads to wherever it is that he is supposed to meet this new employer.


Klyr'Talnethnay, level 2
Drow, Assassin
Guild Training: Night Stalker
Darkfire: Darkfire Charisma
Background: Curious Archeologist (+2 to Thievery)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 13, Dex 20, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 15.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 10, Con 13, Dex 18, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 13.


AC: 20 Fort: 13 Reflex: 17 Will: 14
HP: 27 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS
Stealth +13, Streetwise +8, Acrobatics +13, Thievery +13, Perception +6

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana, Bluff +3, Diplomacy +3, Dungeoneering +1, Endurance +2, Heal +1, History, Insight +1, Intimidate +5, Nature +1, Religion, Athletics +1

FEATS
Level 1: Hidden Insight
Level 2: Underdark Climber

POWERS
Assassin at-will 1: Inescapable Blade
Assassin at-will 1: Executioner's Noose
Assassin encounter 1: Nightmare Shades
Assassin daily 1: Terrifying Visage
Assassin utility 2: Lurking Shadow

ITEMS
Final Sleep Ki Focus +1, Magic Leather Armor +1, Backpack (empty), Bedroll, Belt Pouch (empty), Camouflaged Clothing, Climber's Kit, Crowbar, Flint and Steel, Glass Cutter, Sunrod (2), Thieves' Tools, Footpads, Waterskin, Silk Rope (50 ft.), Journeybreads (10), Light Shield, Repeating crossbow, Longsword, Magazine (3), Crossbow Bolts (60), Holy Water (level 1) (2), Alchemist's Frost (level 1) (2), Antivenom (heroic tier), Tanglefoot Bag (level 2), Dagger (2)

[Kant]

Luthor lazily reads through the overly wordy job description. Clacking aristocrats, they'd just as likely ask for something simply as go and till the fields themselves. He would have denied this job and kept with the Integrated Command regiment--if not due to his loyalty to his comrades then to his hatred of escort missions--, but he was in dire need for coin since he bought his armor. He sent a reply

I'll do it
Luthor

[Purser The Guy]

Koril Flerus, a thin, somewhat short young man wearing simple clothes beneath runed, hard, leather walks through Litany to meet his new employer.

The young human sage had been tracking down some old leads on older Wesbalm historical tomes when a messenger found him and delivered the message that mentioned work... and coin! Koril had been neglecting his coin curse and by this time, it was thinner than an ugly streetwalker. The fact that he would have a chance to enter Mecharus and perhaps explore was of even greater interest.

Koril Flerus, level 2
Human, Wizard
Arcane Implement Mastery: Orb of Imposition
Background: Occupation - Scholar (+2 to Arcana)

Str 8, Con 13, Dex 10, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 11.
AC: 18 Fort: 14 Reflex: 17 Will: 18
HP: 27 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 6

TRAINED SKILLS
Dungeoneering +9, Arcana +13, Insight +9, Nature +9, History +10

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +1, Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Endurance +2, Heal +4, Intimidate +1, Perception +4, Religion +5, Stealth +1, Streetwise +1, Thievery +1, Athletics +0

FEATS
Wizard: Ritual Caster
Human: Enlarge Spell
Level 1: Armor Proficiency (Leather)
Level 2: Implement Expertise (orb)

POWERS

Bonus At-Will Power: Winged Horde
...+7 att, 1d6+5 Psychic Damage, Burst 1 Within 10

Wizard at-will 1: Nightmare Eruption
...+7 att, 1d8+5 Psychic Damage (adjacent enemies take 4 damage), range 10

Wizard at-will 1: Thunderwave
...+7 att, 1d6+5 Thunder Damage (Push 3 squares), Close Burst 3

Wizard encounter 1: Orbmaster's Incendiary Detonation
...+7 att, Hit: 1d6+5 Fire Damage (Knock Prone). Until end of next turn, enemies starting turn or moving into burst take 2 fire damage, Burst 1 Within 10 (Burst 3 if extended with orb)

Wizard daily 1: Sleep
...+7 att, Hit: Slowed (save ends). Unconscious on 2+ failures. Miss: Slowed (save ends), Burst 2 Within 20

Wizard daily 1 Spellbook: Flaming Sphere
...+7 att, 2d6+5 Fire damage
Conjure Flaming Sphere (Move action to move, Standard to attack, Minor to sustain) Creatures starting turn adjacent take 1d4+4 fire damage.

Wizard utility 2: Shield
Wizard utility 2 Spellbook: Jump

ITEMS
Spellbook
Adventurer's Kit
Potion of Healing (heroic tier) (3)
Magic Orb +1
Dagger
Cloak of Resistance +1
Runic Leather Armor +1
Residuum (Any) (90)

RITUALS
Tenser's Floating Disk, Create Campsite, Comprehend Language, Eye of Alarm, Endure Elements

[Van]

The Iron Lock was one of the nicer taverns of Cretchwall...not that this put it to any glorious standard. The tables and mugs were clean enough, and that suits most of its patrons. Most of the luxuries of the city are confined to the halls of the wealthier citizens, who rarely venture out among the streets themselves.

You find it an odd sort of place for a meeting of such supposed importance. Your contacts however are made known immediately

A young elven woman and gnome that resembles torched shoe leather sit at a table as best they can. The elf is fair like most of her race, slightly taller than normal with a smile of perfect content as she surveys the room, appreciating the rustic decor. The gnome is ragged and tan, wiry white hair shooting out in every which way. his beady eyes lock onto you and waves you over to join them.

"Sit! Drink? No? Too bad!" The gnome slams down a mug of ale, startling everyone but the elf, only barely glancing at her friend with the same smile before turning to the adventurers.
"Thank you for coming," she says. "We're sorry we couldn't meet you somewhere better, but tradition and law prevent Litany from establishing any sort of embassy or headquarters within Cretchwall."
"FATBACKS!" the gnome howls. "Little...little munny grubbin fatbacks jus don't want us, to see the TRUTH!"
The elf ignores the outburst and continues. "I'm Silvara Whitestride, Chief Ambassador of Litany. And this esteemed gentlemen is C.R. Gunnybolt, Head of Gnomish Relations." The gnome is still buried in his drink, barely mumbling some kind of acknowledgement. "He's a mean drunk and a lightweight, but quite respectable outside a pub. You'll warm up to him eventually."

"But yes, about the job...Gunnybolt and myself are on our way to Mecharus in a hope to improve relations with Litany and Mecharus, and possibly gain a rather lucrative research contract. They've finally agreed to meet with us, and we're in need of escort to "The Ticking City"

"Normally, we'd have royal guards join us on such missions, but paranoia and fear are at all time highs. The presence of military would get the people up in a stir. Even in disguises, the men all carry themselves like soldiers do, they can't who they are." The elf chuckles to herself. "So, you all were recommended for this job by various advisors of the court and myself, though that is all I am allowed to tell you." She smiles again.

"We'll be leaving out tomorrow morning. We have a few horses with us, should only take a day or so to get where we need to. Oh, and of course you will be rewarded for your services, and its possible you might find some work in Mecharus as well. Despite their fame, they have problems like any other city"

A loud snore rattles the table, the gnome facedown and fast asleep.

"He'll be better in the morning. You best get yourself prepared, and I'll put his one to bed on my own."

"Before you go, have you any questions?"

[Klyr'Talnethnay]

Klyr watches the elf with a slight frown before sighing and shaking his head, then glaring at the gnome as he faceplants into the table.

"Well, I suppose at least he's less abrasive passed out. I do hope your diplomatic skills make up for his lack thereof. The important part right now is how much. And what sort of trouble should we be expecting?"

[Kant]

Luthor wonders to himself if an employer could ever think of a place less original to meet then a tavern, then shakes his head, no, there were no questions from him.

[Purser The Guy]

Koril calmly listens to the Elven ambassador and tries his best to ignore the rambling gnome. He allows a small sigh of relief when the gnome finally passes out.

"Agreed. The information I was wanting has already been asked of you by, I presume, a soon to be companion of mine."