TOPIC: The Man with the Blue Feather

The Man with the Blue Feather mutters to himself, “Yes, there is me of course (may Pelor guide my axe) and my friend the Bard. He tells me that two others will be joining us. Some holy man that I have been told could be mistaken for a bear when his shirt is off and a woman. He tells me she is a fighter of surpassing power.” Pausing the man considers, “We will need more, a mage and a rogue and more still if we are to have even a hope of success. Ten we will need so six more of stout heart and bold mind must I find.”

The Man with the Blue Feather looks West towards Genconia. “Yes, that is the place, Genconia will have the others. May Pelor guide my steps.” The man with the Blue Feather becomes silent as he starts his trek west towards the setting sun.

Yes this is the start of the clues thread. Of course everyone will know that the first clue is that this is happening at Gen Con but I see no reason not to start with a bit of a cheesey story.

For more information on what this is all about check this thread.

truedungeon.com/forum?func=view&catid=549&id=170817

As he enters the town the traveler notices a painted sign with a spring bubbling up in the middle of a farmer’s field . Spying a tavern sign, he makes his way towards the building in hopes of refreshment and information.

He smiles at the children running and playing in the sun lit, hard packed, dirt streets. The town must do well in trading and commerce to have the roads packed so firmly by wagon wheels. The ringing of the village smithy can be heard in the distance as well as sounds of people going about the business of the day.

Continuing on the road the traveler comes upon a building with a sign depicting a drinking vessel and a jug. “Mug and Jug, how appropriate.” He says to no-one.

Entering the building he sees that it is your typical tavern. The bar happens to be on the left in this one and the seating on the right. The assortment of smells and people in the place indicate that the patrons are also typical. Just ordinary people trying to drowned out the life that they lead with some measure of libation.

The man walks up to the bar and motions to the disinterested bar tender.

“What’ll it be mister?” she says.

“Whatever you have that is good in a bottle.” the man tells her.

She opens the bottle and sets it on the bar. The traveler places a silver piece where the bottle was and takes a seat. Examining the bottle he sees that it is a common brand. He knows to only order sealed drinks in places like this. You never know what might be floating in the open casks they sometimes use.

The girl comes from behind the bar saying, “You forgot your change sir!” “No I didn’t” he replies, “Anything left is yours.” She asks if there is anything else the stranger needs and retreats behind the bar when he shakes his head no. The exchange was noticed by some of the patrons of the establishment. The traveler takes note of who did and did not pay attention.

He thinks to himself, “Pelor, you task me in my quest. You tell me that I may not ask for help but can accept help from those who ask if I need assistance. You make my life difficult sometimes but so far it has all worked out.”

The traveler sees a man walking towards his table. The approaching person is tall and there is what might be the hint of a red beard that can be seen under the hood of his cloak. The dark cloak seems to shift in the shadows. Something about the cloak radiates a connection with the dead.

“I hear you are hiring people for an adventure good sir.”

“Yes” the man replies, “As a matter of fact I am. What makes you think you would be capable of coming on an adventure with me? It seems obvious to me that you would have a hard time fighting off a one armed one legged, blind kobold.”

“One armed… BLIND!... I doubt you could do much better swaggering in with your axe and praying for help” says the cloaked figure.

The Paladin stands up ready to confront the man who just delivered such an insult. Suddenly he smiles, throws his arms around the man in the cloak in a bear hug and says, “Wilfred MacMillon! If there ever was a Bard greater than you it could only be Widseth himself.”

Wilfred smiles as they both sit down at the table. “Not sure I’m that good but thanks for the compliment Delmar. That last adventure where we went against the Dracolich was fun. What are we up against this time?”

“I’m not sure. I know there are lycanthropes involved and there are gnomes and golems. Pelor has given me visions that I must confront the evils that reside in the West. Other than that, rumor and conjecture are all that is left to us now.”

“Typical,” the Bard says. “One of these days Pelor is going to give you a direct answer to your prayers and you will die from the shock.”

Delmar chuckles, “You are probably correct my friend. By the way, I have something for you.” Delmar reaches into a well-protected pouch and retrieves a small charm. It seems to glow with a subdued light. “It took all of my treasure from our last adventure and much more. It also took a visit to the Arch Crafter himself to forge this charm. Hold it in your hand and tell me what you feel?”

Wilfred studies the charm for a while, “It seems that I am stronger while holding this. I know a little more and there is a new spell! Yes, I am sure of it, I can do some minor healing now. No! Not minor, just a small amount for everyone all at once!”

“I have one for myself. It took everything I had and then some but I feel they are worth the cost. They seem to enhance the abilities of the person that holds them. While you get the new spell and other benefits I get different ones. I guess it all depends on who we are.”

Delmar pauses then says, “I do think it is time for us to leave this place and meet up with our other two companions don’t you?”

Wilfred nods his head in agreement as they both rise from the table and head for the door. As they approach the door a very large imposing figure blocks their path and says, “Now where’s would yous two b’goin. Weez overheards yous talkin an weez think whats yous two gots be ours now.”

"Wilfred, keep the others behind me that I hear moving busy while I deal with this half-bred, half mind, miscreant of malicious intent…”

“I can do that,” Wilfred says as he draws what looks to be an extremely sharp sword from the scabbard at his waist while freeing a horn with the other hand.

“Whos youz callin’ a miks… cree… a … WHOS YOUZ CALLIN’ NAMES PIPSQUEEK!

The few patrons in the establishment start to move hesitantly around the pair of adventurers. Their obvious reluctance is a sign that most if not all have been intimidated into this action by the rough-looking half orc blocking the door.

Wilfred raises the horn to his lips and lets loose a thunderous blast. The sound washes out into the room causing everyone but our two adventurers intense pain. Two of the four men surrounding the pair fall to the floor. The other two back away hurt and knowing magic is at work. “Edgar, I don’t think we want to mess with these two,” says one of the still upright thugs.

The half-orc bellows in pain from the blast and yells out, “I sayz when weez messes wit people not YOU!”

Delmar grabs the front of the tunic of the half-orc with his left hand. His belt flares with magic as he lifts him into the air. Edgar looks suddenly shocked that his feet are no longer touching the ground. Delmar’s right hand still holding the Dwarven Axe comes around and bashes Edgar’s head with the flat of the blade. As Delmar release his hold the half-orc slides down to the floor unconscious. With his back still to the doorway and in a heap on the floor, Edgar looks like a pile of old, used kitchen rags.

Wilfred, pointing with his sword, says to the two remaining would be larcenists, “Any more of you want to play?” He slowly and purposely advances on the two frightened scallywags, a look of impending death in his eyes.

“Hold, Wilfred! These men are no longer dangerous to us.”

“Delmar, you’re taking all my fun away. I wasn’t going to hurt them, much.”

Noticing the bartender collapsed on the floor, Delmar walks over to her and touches her on the shoulder. A silent prayer to Pelor heals the damage she sustained from the horn. Meanwhile Wilfred is browbeating the ambulant men into restraining the half-orc before he awakens. “Move you dogs. Tie him up before I remove select body parts from you.”

“Are you okay Miss?” Delmar asks the maid as she stands and leans against the bar.

“Yes,” she says, “I feel much better. You’re a paladin aren’t you?”

“You are correct. I am Delmar and I have the honor to serve Pelor in that capacity.”

“I’m Jenny and I thought you were as I’ve had healing such as you gave me once before. I am glad you stood up to Edgar. The local men have not been strong enough to deal with him and this town was starting to turn nasty.”

Wilfred walks up to the pair sheathing his sword. “What do we do with sleeping beauty over there trussed up like a Yule tide turkey?”

Jenny pauses, thinking about what to do with the half-breed for the first time since the end of the tussle. “We have a good blacksmith so we could always chain him up.”

Wilfred nods and says, “A good idea. Chain him up and make him work off any debt he has acquired with his thieving and extortion. Beware of him escaping as his kind are innately evil. He will turn on his captors if he has the chance. “A smile comes to Wilfred’s face as he continues, “You might seriously consider castrating him. That would take the fight out of his malodorous hide.”

Jenny looks shocked for a moment. Delmar smiles at Jenny while shooting a quick disapproving look at Wilfred. “Do not worry Jenny; I am sure Wilfred was only kidding.”

With a completely unconvincing smile Wilfred says, “Sure, kidding… but, If he gives you any trouble Jenny, I am sure you know more than a few farmers that are good with a docker."

“I think I can keep him in line. He was always grabbing and pinching me so I know he wants me. I will keep him chained. In more ways than one,” Jenny says with a distinctly knowing look in her eyes. “If I cannot charm him into submission I’ll let him watch what the farmers do to their sheep.”

“It looks like we have an expert in manipulation here Delmar,” Wilfred says. “I am almost beginning to feel sorry for the bloke; Almost.”

As Wilfred and Delmar leave the bar and continue their journey west they fall into a banter that seems to fit them like an old cloak.

Their voices growing softer in the distance as they leave the tavern;

“Squashing all my fun…”

“Your ideas of fun sometimes disturb me Wil…”

Character motivation cards and name tags are finished and ready to go. It does not look like I will be able to get another installment of the cheesy story done before I head out today. Not a great loss but something I might pick up after the adventure is completed.

To go over the rules one more time:

The Man with the Blue feather will be giving clues to his location starting some time Wednesday. I am trying to make sure I do one spot per day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Hints for Wednesday’s location will be posted sometime between noon and 2PM. Hints for Thursday’s location will be posted between 2PM and 4PM. Friday is completely up in the air.

Only TWO (2) people will be accepted per location and only six more people are needed. If you are one of the six people that come up to him and ask “Good sir, are you hiring adventurers?” you will get a spot in the dungeon on me, free of charge. You will get to pick from character classes that are left from what has already been chosen.

I will post what characters are taken up and how many spots are still open after each location.

This will be a role-playing adventure! So try and stay in character when you arrive at the TD Story-scape. I have character motivation cards and name tags for everyone. All tickets will be retained and turned in by me once our party is assembled. This is to make sure that if someone fails to show I can find a replacement.

The Man with the Blue Feather will be wearing a dark cloak/cape and a broad brimmed black leather hat. The hat will have a cobalt blue band and feather. If the feather is not in the hat the game has not yet started. Unfortunately the rest of his clothing must remain mundane as there was not time or money to complete his costume.

Some things to think about:

Remember, this is for TDA1348387 Golembane Combat FRIDAY at 5:38 PM

If you get a spot, be at the Story Scape and find me before 5PM on Friday! If you are not there your spot will be given to someone else.

I will post when I am in the spot where I will accept adventurers and not before so as to limit crowds.

I will stay in the spot until I get two adventurers or an hour has elapsed.

This is all for fun. ANYONE fighting or pushing or arguing will not get to come on the adventure.

If it starts to turn into a fiasco I will end the experiment and fill up the group with people of my choosing.

Something I forgot to reiterate in the last post.

There is no charge for this TD Run! I am footing the bill for the entire run. The pack of starter tokens is yours to do with as you wish. Even if you get a lucky 00 roll and pull an Ultra Rare, it is yours. All treasure chips are yours also.

Just wanted to make that clear that I have no designs on anything that you may get because of this run.

Sounds awesome - have fun!

Hint one Wednesday

I find Genconia to be amazing in all aspects. The food and lodging here are above anything I have encountered in my travels before. I am amazed at the Inn I am at now as the REGENT must have been at the HYGHT of his power when the edifice was built.

The first two of the six remaining adventurers have been found.

We will have a Ranger named Margarita and a Rogue named Ingald joining our party.

As the man with the blue feather waled into the tavern a dwarf fighter named Arrud and a druid named Heos immediately asked him if he was hiring adventurers.



Looks like the two for today have been filled. Going to make sure I am not in costume until the hint gets posted tomorrow.

2 spots left. I will post the next clue and be in position at 1PM tomorrow.

Last two spots! Hint for Friday I had to walk WEST to get to the INN that I was told I must see while in Genconia