Shaldra~ZIn D&D5e~~Zin

[Grimsvald]

HISTORY

The Planner Wars
​

300 years ago a great war suddenly fell upon these lands. Portals tore open throughout the country revealing bridges to another plan of existence. An existence of darkness, madness and hate some called Hell and others called the Underdark. Marching across these trans-dimensional bridges were horrific warriors standing 5ft tall and clad to the teeth with black steel. With one hand they swung gored cudgels, with the other they slung dark magic and blood rusted boots they waded through the corpses of our friends. These monsters became known as Duergar Death Clerics and they slaughtered their way to the nations capital of Blackwood.

Shaldra~Zin​

In these dire days the people of Blackwood turned to their greatest wizard, a peaceful scholar of Illmater. For days they searched for him and found nothing, they felt abandon, they mocked his great power when they assumed he had no intent to use it. Little did they know he had traveled to a long forgotten temple of his faith to find a fabled spell scroll of his god. The temple was left in ruins when he was only a child and everything inside was list to time. Little did the wizard know that these things were lost on purpose, thought to be too dangerous by those who crafted them. Without this detail of history the wizard returned promising an end to the bloodshed.

The Moment​

The great wizard named Shaldra~Zin piled his temple's treasury in Blackwoods town square. He climbed to the top of this mound, lighting candles at every step. At the top he carved each word of the spell scroll into his flesh and ritualistically cast a spell that came to be known as "The Moment" The entire city and all that lay within its walls vanished in a single moment. Half of the enemy forces were gone just as they invaded the capital. With their forces suddenly divided the death clerics were crushed by aiding forces that surrounded them. The city and its people were never seen again. Those who survived the war thanked the wizard Shaldra~Zin for their lives and they prayed to their gods that the vanished were giving the same thanks.

Ember Lanterns​

Before the allied forces returned home from this wrecked battlefield they assembled a powerful task force. Each army left behind 1 great war hero. These heroes would meet in secret and watch over these lands to ensure that the portals never re-opened and the death clerics never stepped foot in our world again. It was legend that their signal to meet was a green flame lantern hung at the tree line. Because of this they were called the Ember Lantern. There identities were never known, their actions were never seen and some say they never existed. Over the centuries the lanterns stopped hanging and their existence, real or imaginary, faded from the history books.

Rebuilding​

When the allied forces left, the city of Blackwood was rebuilt and renamed in honor of the wizard that saved its people. This new city of Shaldra~Zin was built with a temple of Illmater at its northern point and a powerful guard wall to wrap its entirety. While the city was rebuild by the survivors of the war and refugee mountain dwarves from the south, it struggled to stabilize its economy. In its absence a neighboring city rose to the top and became the nations new capital. This new capital city was Gorn to the west. This city continued to expand and by the time Shaldra~Zin was built it could never hope to compare to the metropolis beside it.

New Heroes​

Here in the great city of Shaldra~Zin is where your adventure begins. You are fine ore lost in the mountainside of society waiting for catastrophe to set you apart from the dirt that surrounds you. The heat of your determination will allow you to be forged into heroes by the pounding hammer of global conflict. Then your legend can be solidified in the tempering waters of time.

Tell us, where in the city does your adventure begin? DoomyGloom and C Cyan_

 

[Tmd4772]

After a small performance in a tavern that netted him a few gold pieces, Brazensong walks out into the marketplace that occupies the northwest section of the city. It was the second noon, a term for a time when a market is very busy in the dead of night. Filled with more shifty characters, and far less children. That was common in this city, nightly auctions were where this market shined brighter than it ever could in daylight, now off-duty soldiers coming from works, patchwork bands play unexpectedly fine music. Brazensong enjoyed the festivities of course, as he often played with one of the bands, or netted some coin playing solos.

Making his way through the marketplace, carried by the streams of people in the bustling streets, he sees familiar shops and location. These shops sold fine, quality items, yet remained in ill repair, as making a good living were restricted rights available usually to nobles and travelling merchants. Murmurs and gossip about Gorn's cause of the city's poverty was often the talk of the market, but Brazensong always tried to keep himself out of politics. The dim lighting of the torches that illuminated most walkways off the beaten path led Brazensong to his current residence in the market place, an old potion shop owned by an old lady, which was Zen's bed and breakfast. As he enters the shop, the small, old human woman greets him. "Ah, Brazensong, welcome back! Were you successful in procuring any money from performing today? she croaked. "Ah, yes actually, I was able to receive enough to make it on my own. I'll be leaving soon." Zen replied. "Oh no dearie, you'll leave an old lady?" The woman asked jokingly. "Yeah Yeah." Zen responded, as he knew her too well to take heart. The old lady noticed then transformed into a picturesque and stunning woman with a devilish smile, "Oh come on, it's your last night, lemme have a little fun" she pleaded. "Nope, I finally saved enough to repay my debt to you, hell Ill only have 17 coin when I leave. But at least I'll be a free man." Zen retorted. "Oh Brazensong, Brazensong, for he has yet to belong. Dashing and handsome and does no wrong. Wills to be a free man, and even believes he can. Not from this lady no; For there's no place he can go. As I'll follow him here, there, or anywhere, till he wraught with despair, no torture to compare. Though he leaves without care, without need to beware. Though he will always return, if he rests in a chair." she hummed. "I have known for sometime, Quinn. The hex you put on me that is" Zen stated. Quinn's smirk widens, "Good. Now go to bed. You'll be leaving a beautiful woman tomorrow, I hope you don't regret it~" she chimes. Zen goes to his ever so familiar cot, and shuts his eyes.

Brazensong woke the next morning to cheerful songbirds, and dazzling sunlight shining through the trees and into the window. He diligently packs his things, leaving his viola in his hands, and briskly exits the cot with no intent of coming back. Walking confidently through the underbrush of the path he took the night before, he arrives in the marketplace....

 

[Cyan_]

In the south-east section of Shaldra~Zin lies the slums. Like any slums, poverty and strife twist and turn in the quarter's narrow alleyways. Here, thieves and drug-rings thrive. It's only natural that distrust for fellow man roots itself within its residents. The atmosphere here is very different from the one in Cade's homeland, but the longer he has lived here the more he becomes used to the slums' and city's turmoil. His orcish background helps him, in this case. It's much less likely for people to mess with the lumbering half-orc, at least not alone.

Today, Cade finds himself leant up against a wall in a large court yard in The Grand Plaza, the quarter's go-to motel. He basks himself in the sunlight, idly watching some fellows play ball. It is not uncommon for people to ask him to play due to his height, and sometimes he obliges them.

Idly, Cade thinks about heading to the Triffle Truffles for some grub later in the day. As he imagines the scent of fresh barbeque, he is interrupted by one of the fellows, holding a basketball, indeed asking him to play. Cade straightens himself, yawns, then obliges.

 

[Grimsvald]

Tmd4772

As Brazensong walks out into the market he is hit by a wave of loud chatter. Then he is almost hit by a wave of rushing customers. The market is leading up to its morning peak. The merchants are ranting about their best sellers and pushing sales on their lingering merchandise. Honestly it wouldn’t be a bad corner to play for coin if you could be heard over the foot traffic.
( Is there anything particular you are looking to by at the market? If so, telling me what it is and give me a 1d4 roll)

C Cyan_ (give me a dexterity check and a Strength saving throw. To determine how well you play.)

 

[Tmd4772]

Brazensong humors the idea of some extra coin to get on his feet. Brilliantly, he begins to wander through the marketplace in search of a stand that has a roughly 2 foot tall leftover wood crate for sale at a cheap price, or perhaps free....

 

[Cyan_]

The fellow passes the ball to Cade, and Cade wastes no time dribbling into the court yard, heading right into play. [DEX-save: 17] [STR-save: 14]

 

[Grimsvald]

Tmd4772

You find a well fortified stage of full creates outsit a small grocers. The men putting this stock away have decided to take a break. They are sitting in the ally way shade eating some of the produce and smoking.

C Cyan_

You approach a defender with quick hands and quicker feet. You play to their left then roll to their right, passing the ball between your legs. You leave them in your dust and looking foolish in front of their crew.

With your mind caught on this little victory you didn’t notice the barrier beyond him. You roll right into their teammates chest. You fall to your back, overshadowed by a hulking human with a shaved head and full beard. He takes one long drag from his cigarette turning it to ash between his lips. Then he lets out a huge puff of smoke from his nostrils like a bull. He flexes at you to intimidate.

All in all the game was fairly faught, but your team ended with a 2 point loss. You have earned some credibility without making any enemies. Your teammate sits at the dried up fountain in the courtyard and offers you something to smoke. “Good effort green.”

 

[Tmd4772]

Seeing the golden opportunity, Brazensong goes to speak to the men on their break and offers to help the stock their groceries in exchange for one of their wood crates...

 

[Cyan_]

Cade sits down next to his teammate and takes the cigar. "You, too, uh. Pink." Cade's voice is low but soft and rather calming. He doesn't feel upset over the loss and is instead happy for a game to pass the time. After the initial culture shock when Cade first came into the city, life's gotten routine. Mundane activities like playing basketball with the locals is what mainly fills up his time.

"Guy over there's pretty big." Cade nods at the direction of the bald and bearded bear of a man. He takes a puff of the cigar.

 

[Grimsvald]

Tmd4772

The men grunt and shrug, “Do what you want. We’re on break.” They dismiss the bard by turning and beginning to chat among themselves. They didn’t need pay back for use of the stage as long as he didn’t break anything.

C Cyan_

“Yeah, thats Reggie. He’s a big mean machine man. He’s not too quick on his feet, but he got big so he disn’t have to be, know what I mean?” The man reached out to you so that you can give him the smoke back. That is when you realise no one in the hood passes a cigarette. A few seconds after exhaling the world around you begins to slow down. A little bit of grey poors into all the colors you can see and every movement you try to make happens seconds after you try to make it. The mans voice falls away to background noise, too difficult to focus on. Before you know it, he is passing the smoke back to you. He says something along the lines of how are you feeling, but you no idea what works he used to ask that....

 

[Cyan_]

Cade is very disturbed. He pushes the cigar back into the man's hands and tries to make sense of him[Insight: 24]. "I, uh. Gotta go," he mumbles, excusing himself. This problem has never happened to him before. As he tries to get away, he attempts to figure out what he just inhaled [Medicine?: 18] and looks around for any other people nearby, friendly or not [Perception: 22].

 

[Grimsvald]

C Cyan_ this person seems honest, but you’re questioning your own judgment right now. This smoke is laced and by the feel of it, they are downers. Just thinking of the word downers makes tou feel heavier with every step. This must be that new stuff Blue Bear that has been hitting the street in competition with LoboMal.

You note the accassional passer byes while you stumble through the streets. Most of them scramble to keep their distance. Some shove you away with a, “learn to handle your juice.” Or a , “get straight gutter boy.” Noise begins to mount until you find yourself in another part of town bustling with business. One shove proves to be too much and you fall flat in front of a couple of produce boxes.

Tmd4772

You see an intoxicated half orc stumble into the market and fall in fromt of your new stage. What action do you take?

 

[Cyan_]

Cade groans, lying flat on unfamiliar ground, his mind running a weird kind of slow. The idea of picking himself up is logical, but he's not feeling very logical right now. This new drug is strong stuff, and his constitution has never been the best...

 

[Greenstalker]

Keaxusha came to town a day before and found an inn at moderate part of town. He was moving around with his hood while he was in a more prowling position. His back was arching over as he was bending forward a trick he learned during his travels to be seem shorter than his usual height. Even with all of these however he is around 6' tall quiet easily. He was short on catnip and after asking around he was told that he could found some in the market so he was headed there for the time being looking for exotic weeds and spices especially ones that he can either chew or smoke.

 

[Tmd4772]

Brazensong attempts to diagnose what's wrong with the man...[Medicine:13]

Then attempts to move him into an empty nearby alleyway...[Strength:13 , Dexterity:7]

 

[Cyan_]

Cade can feel himself being dragged and immediately tries to resist [Athletics: 10], but just isn't strong enough. The person dragging him appears to be a half-orc himself. "Ah- damn! Who are you?!" he cries out groggily, thrashing about, still feeling very out of it.

 

[Grimsvald]

Greenstalker

You find 3 places selling catnip in the market area. The first one you spot is selling it processed, scented but a little over priced. Their product doesn’t seem to be moving fast, so the smell of it, though flavored, is a little weak. The second spot you notice is selling catnip fresh and unprocessed. Small pots with flurishing organically grown plants. Lastly you notice a cheaply crafted cart with a halfling sitting on the back end of it, dangling his feet and whistling a toon. There are a few bags of catnip among his products. They look like they are cut with some kind of secondary plant that give them a hint of elderberry. The halflings product is suspiciously cheap, further more he seems to be paying little attention to anything beyond whistling his song.

Tmd4772
You have been in the city long enough to have seen this around the streets. This stranger seems to have consumed a bit of the Sad Bear or Blue Bear. It is a potent depressant that slows down perception and reaction without slowing thought. As long as you dont fight the trip you come down from it feeling well rested, destressed and happy. If you spend your whole trip in a panic you will come out the other end of it exhausted and crying.

You are struggling to pull this stranger to safety. The men on their break laugh for a little at your scene. Then they say, enough is enough, and come to help. With help you pull him into an allyway. One of them men on break advises you to grab the halforc some oranges to eat wheb you comes down in about an hour.

C Cyan_
Your words come out a minute after you try to say them. Your struggle gets you no where. Good news is, they seem to be trying to help you.

( give me a perception check )

 

[Cyan_]

Cade allows the men to drag him some place, their laughter and friendly words assuring him he's not about to be mugged. He mumbles to himself noncoherently. [Perception: 21]

 

[Grimsvald]

C Cyan_
You have indeed been mugged.
( Removed the pouch of gold that would come from your background choice. If you did not recieve any gold from your chosen background remove 5g instead.)

 

[Tmd4772]

Brazensong heads back into the marketplace, specifically to the grocers he had passed before, in order to buy some oranges.

 

[Greenstalker]

Keaxusha trusts his nose and leaves halfling and heads to second shop that sells with small pots which is also seem to be freshest of three. Keaxusha is like a gourmet he prefer best quality not the cheaper or overpriced one and there is no telling what could be mixed in during process of first place. "two potss of cccatnnnip mew" He prepares some silver and copper changes from his backpack where he keeps around 3 gold worth silver and copper rest of them are in gold and in a pouch that is hanging around his neck hidden in his vest and leather armor.

 

[Grimsvald]

Tmd4772
You get a friendly greeting as you enter the grocers. A fat mustached man behind the counter offers you two oranges for a single copper.

Greenstalker
There is a skinny golden skin woman with ratty hair watering the plants. She wants 1 silver for each plant. Each plant on her counter is named. Reggie, Celie, Gretto, Baltroc, Sarah.

 

[Tmd4772]

"I'll take it" Brazensong replies, "However I only have gold, could I receive change back?"

 

[Grimsvald]

Tmd4772
“Of course!” The man smiled tossing his hands in the air. He counts out your change and pushes forward the oranges. “Have a great day!”

 

[Greenstalker]

Keaxusha gives two silver pieces to woman and takes the pots named Sarah and Celie. He nods his head. "Any suggestionnns howww to handlee these babies?" Although he asked about that he pulls out a small leaflet of catnip and puts it into his mouth and slowly chew it. t is obvious the big kitty in front of her does not actually grow the plants just want to have a fresh stock. Hs tail and ears are moving alot too as if he is excited about something or suddenly a voice caught his attention but he seems to be trying to keep his attention with woman out of courtesy.