The Quality of Gold

Part 7: Invitation to the Citadel

Comments in Blue have been added after publishing.

Details

Looking for a Few Good Knights

Lady Rowena met Dougal many years ago when he was leading a ragtag group of survivors across the border into Ustalav. He was obviously a survivor and a seasoned veteran. She eventually gained his trust and confidence and when she eventually told him about her less-than-good attitudes, was surprised that he did not seem offended.

If the party investigates on their own, they will be referred to Capt. Dougal who will spell out the deal.

“If you want to commit to service for the Citadel, you will receive free housing, food, supplies and battle training. The spellcasters will have access to masters who can further your ambitions. But in turn, you will need to commit to 6 months of service on one of the patrol groups. For two weeks, you will be assigned to a patrol leader who will travel through their assigned territory and you will keep the peace and bring any stray refugees back to the safety of Stonehaven if they desire.”

** The party may think of joining the Knights to infiltrate the operation. They will need to convince the leaders that they are sincere (DC20 group Deception or if they pick someone as a rep). ** (they did NOT do this)

Visiting Citadel Terrace

By the time the party reaches the outside of the Citadel, the weather is dark, rainy and cold – miserable for anyone to be outside. The rain may stop for brief periods, but never longer than 15 minutes.

Notable NPCs:

• Arsenic ‘Nic’ Joone is the cook for the Terrace residents. His meals are excellent quality and watch captain or refugee alike eat the same good meal. Everyone calls him Nic, which is left over from his adventuring days when he was suspected of purposely poisoning a coven of witches causing trouble for a small town.
• Capt. Dougal Wicker is the pragmatic Captain of the Knights who organizes the scouting parties, recruits new knights and ‘disciplines’ the troublesome (usually by committing them to one of the undead camps)
• KIllroy is the Terrace medic and apothecary. Once serving as a field medic in Lastwall, KIllroy is skilled in his art, but has been drinking too much lately and there is a 50% chance he is unable to treat an emergency at any one time
• Yorbro is a blacksmith who is very content to just create and repair weapons, armor and horseshoes, but he is also the biggest gossip. His shop is always inviting and warm due to the forge, so he is a popular man.
• Zimar is the young stable keeper. His past is a mystery, but he speaks in a thick accent that sounds like he may be from one of the countries in the far south. If asked, he demurs and says he is “from here and there” or “I was born in the back of a wagon and didn’t have a map handy”.
• Quartermaster O’Doul was once a well respected bounty hunter working for the surface towns near Highhelm. Something he did sent him into exile, however, and he is not willing to discuss it. He does have excellent outdoor/ranger skills and gives some of the best tactical advice in the town. He does not run a store, but if someone can impress him with a DC16 Diplomacy, he will be willing to part with a few mundane things.