Month: November 2009

Causens’ Corner in the Temples
The NPCs listed in this section are tertiary characters at best. They should be used in a narrative capacity. They are mouthpieces for the GM, and should not be coming into conflict with the PCs. They may prove to be available as some level of resource for the PCs, but other than that, their impact on the story will likely be minimal. These are not extraordinary individuals.

Alassorn of Karnhorn, the local cooper
37 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 11; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk +1 melee (1d6, club), or +3 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2; AL CN; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 13.

Skills: Sleight of Hand +7, Craft (woodworking) +10, Disable Device +4, Forgery +7, Hide +7, Knowledge (local) +7, Listen +3, Move Silently +6, Profession (cooper) +4, Search +3, Spot +3.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (Craft [woodworking]).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, club, dagger, pouch with 30 princes (sp).

Background: Alassorn is something of a success story. A career criminal, a turn at the oars of one of the Duke’s galleys killed Alassorn’s anti-social tendencies. Finally released after he had served his time, Alassorn apprenticed with the only craftsman who would accept him—Hesrick, the cooper at Causens’ Corner. Hesrick, unlike Alassorn, knew nothing of the criminal elements in the Temples and work only for legitimate businesses. While he survived, one could not call him successful. Alassorn, meanwhile, was willing to help out his old criminal cronies by supplying things like weighted barrels to easily dispose of a body in the bay, or false-bottomed barrels in which to smuggle goods. With the money made through his illicit dealings, Alassorn did something completely out of character—he acted honestly and in good faith. He purchased the cooperage from Hesrick for a price everyone had to agree was more than fair. Hesrick went to live with his eldest son who had a fairly prosperous farm outside the city and Alassorn was free to contract with whomever he pleased.

What He Knows: While Alassorn isn’t in the thick of the underworld, he hears plenty of stories and he has a good idea of who killed whom, especially since he may have supplied the means to hide the body. He also thinks he knows more than he does, crediting himself with deductive capabilities far beyond his actual capacity.

What He Will Tell: For enough coin, Alassorn will tell anything. It doesn’t matter if it is true or not. Of course, Alassorn is aware that occasionally stupid decisions can come back to haunt one, so he never sells false information to anyone connected with the underworld in the Temples. Outsiders, however, are fair game.

Tactics: It’s been quite some time since Alassorn has needed to protect himself, but he still remembers how to fight. He’ll try to escape from any fight, though, before he’ll willingly engage in one. If forced, he’ll fight defensively while trying to get a feel for his opponent. If he has a few rounds in which his opponent has not landed an attack, Alassorn will actually attempt to fight as regular, until he gets hit, at which point he’ll return to fighting defensively. If he has a chance to escape a fight, even one in which he’s doing well, he’ll take it.

Cessforn the Elder, the father of the local carpenter
72 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6; hp 11; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10; BAB +2; Atk +0 melee (1d6-2, walking stick), or +2 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +6; AL CN; Str 6, Dex 11, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 10.

Skills: Craft (carpentry) +11, Craft (woodworking) +7, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +3, Heal +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +7, Move Silently +3, Search +5, Spot +4.

Feats: Dodge, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Craft [carpentry]).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, pouch with 15 dublings (cp) and 5 princes (sp), walking stick (can be used as club).

Background: Cessforn lived his entire life in the Temples. Born to a carpenter, he apprenticed as a carpenter and brought his son up to be a carpenter. When he looks back on his life, he has many regrets, mostly not having left the Temples for someplace safer. Still, could he have started over? Could he have afforded to leave an established practice? Luckily, his son is responsible enough to see to his father’s needs. Should Cessforn the Younger pass away, the Elder will soon find himself in a very dire situation.

What He Knows: Not a criminal himself, he has grown up around criminals. He knows much about the underworld, who is important and who is dangerous, but nothing that every other denizen of the Temples doesn’t also know.

What He Will Tell: He doesn’t really have anything to tell and he is too frightened of repercussions to tell what he does know.

Tactics: Cessforn, if attacked, will defend himself. He doesn’t expect to last much longer in this world, and given the chance to go out fighting, he’ll take it. He won’t go looking for a fight, but if presented with one, he’ll start swinging his walking stick. He doesn’t have much of strategy.

Cessforn the Younger, the local carpenter
51 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1 Atk +0 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff), or +2 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +3; AL LN; Str 8, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 10.

Skills: Craft (Carpentry) +9, Diplomacy +5, Disable Device +4, Gather Information +2, Hide +2, Knowledge (local) +5, Listen +5, Move Silently +3, Spot +7, Tumble +6.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (carpentry).

Possessions: Artisan’s outfit, pouch with 15 princes (sp) and 5 wrens (gp), quarterstaff.

Background: Like his father, Cessforn the Younger grew up in the Temples. It’s all he knows. He apprenticed under his father and actually has some skill in carpentry. He could likely move out of the Temples, but he has a wife and children and not much actual coinage, rather his wealth is in his business. Finding another place where he could live with his father close by for as little as the Temples would be difficult, if not impossible. As such, Cessforn works throughout Bowden, earning a fair amount of money, but lives and has his shop in the Temples.

What He Knows: Cessforn keeps out of trouble, he stays away from criminals and he forgets any rumours he hears on the streets. He knows how quickly fate can turn on a man in the Temples.

What He Will Tell: He will tell nothing, and he will insist that he knows nothing. Knowledge is far too dangerous in the Temples.

Tactics: Cessforn isn’t a fighter, but if his family is threatened, he’s more than willing to use the stout staff he always carries with him. He knows the Temples, which means he knows violence.

Not much of a fighter, Cessforn will fight defensively. He’ll try to give his family a chance to escape. That done, he’ll attempt to escape himself. If he is in his own neighbourhood, he’ll try to get those people who know him involved, at least to find help. Cessforn has plenty of friends—for a man of the Temples, he’s honest—so there might actually be people willing to help.

Fishmonger Gereslack, a pimp
38 year old Male Human Rogue 3: CR 3; Size M; HD 3d6+6; hp 22; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d6+1, shortsword), or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3; AL CE; Str 12, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 13.

Skills: Bluff +8, Disable Device +5, Gather Information +6, Hide +8, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (Local) +7, Listen +5, Move Silently +7, Open Lock +6, Search +5, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8.

Feats: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Persuasive.

Class Feature (Rogue): Evasion.

Possessions: Dagger, leather armour, pouch with 25 princes (sp) and 5 wrens (gp), shortsword, traveler’s outfit.

Background: It’s not as though a person grows up dreaming of becoming a pimp. Still, Gereslack had few options. He might have become a thug, he could have become a loanshark, but the fact is, he prefers trading in flesh. He pretends it isn’t a crime, that no one is hurt, forgetting that he took women and girls in desperate situations and forced them to sell themselves. He is not a romantic, though he will often say that he is. Along with pimping, Gereslack sometimes involves himself in people smuggling, moving young women and boys to use as slaves elsewhere.

Gereslack always carries his weapons with him and he wears his armour, but under his clothing. He always wears a heavy, large cloak in the hopes of hiding armour and weapons.

What He Knows: Gereslack is not highly placed in the underworld, but he does have connections. He knows enough to help an outsider navigate the underworld of the Temples. He also knows enough not to cross the wrong person or insult anyone who could exact retribution.

What He Will Tell: He knows that telling the wrong person the wrong thing could lead to his death, so he is very careful about what he says and to whom. However, if there is gold in the equation, Gereslack will likely take a few risks.

Tactics: Gereslack doesn’t like physical confrontations. He will try to talk his way out of any fight, either by bluffing or intimidating. Once the conflict has been avoided, he’ll pay someone to kill or otherwise remove the threat of the individual with whom he was in conflict with. If forced into a fight, Gereslack likes to feint. He’ll take whatever advantage is available and fight as dirty as necessary to win. If things look particularly bad, he’ll try to flee, or at least fight defensively if retreat is not possible.

Jileforis, a landlord
47 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6; hp 14; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; Attack +2  melee, or +6 ranged; SV Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +6; AL CE; Str 11, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 16.

Skills: Bluff +10, Diplomacy +10, Gather Information +8, Hide +6, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (local) +8, Listen +6, Profession (landlord) +7, Spot +3.

Feats: Iron Will, Martial Weapon Proficiency (longsword), Persuasive.

Possessions: Courtier’s outfit, daggers (3), longsword (masterwork).

Background: Jileforis came to the Temples as a child. His father was a failed businessman who had lost almost everything, including the family lodgings. As a young man, Jileforis left home with the intent to make money. He remembered the life he had previously led. Jileforis became the practical partner of three, the two other offered money and connections. Jileforis brought the ides and insured their implementation. Soon, Jileforis no longer needed his partners and so he took what he could and left. They soon faded into the Temples, while Jileforis rose to the top. Along with properties, Jileforis owns boats, warehouses, and a trading company. He continues to visit his tenements in the Temples, always bringing some hired muscle.

Jileforis does not carry coins with him because he does not pay for anything with his own hand. If payment is required, one of his toughs will deliver the payment. Jileforis always travels with at least 4 toughs. One of the toughs will have Jileforis’ purse, which will include 35 wrens (gp) and 10 braces (pp). Jileforis always carries his longsword, and is not averse to using it, though only when doing so presents no danger to him.

What He Knows: Jileforis makes it his business to know everything. He knows who are the criminals and the decent citizens. He knows those craftsmen he wouldn’t allow to work for free and those he would pay double. He knows who can get what and how much it will cost. If something needs done, Jileforis knows how to get it done.

What He Will Tell: He tells nothing unless he can profit, substantially, for it. A few coins is meaningless. Once a secret is out, its value is gone. If he knows of a smuggler who can bring him in a certain product, then sells that information, something could happen to the smuggler or the price could increase because the smuggler now has more customers. Jileforis always considers the long-term.

Tactics: Jileforis has thugs to do his fighting. He didn’t rise to his position so he could dirty his hands in fisticuffs. He’ll have his toughs level the opposition, or at least screen his retreat. If absolutely forced into combat, Jileforis will fight defensively, all the time attempting to intimidate his opponents, or buy them off. Any opponent that stops his attacks based on threats or promises will have a price on his head the second Jileforis is out of danger.

Wesent Tailor, the local tailor
36 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 7; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk -1 melee (1d6-2, quarterstaff), or +3 ranged; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5; AL LN; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 5.

Skills: Appraise +7, Craft (clothing) +10, Diplomacy +2, Forgery +7, Hide +4, Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +4, Move Silently +5, Profession (tailor) +7, Search +4, Spot +3.

Feats: Dodge, Skill Focus (Craft [clothing]).

Possessions: Artisan’s clothing, pouch with 10 dublings (cp) and 10 princes (sp), quarterstaff.

Background: Wesent Tailor’s parents were indentured to a rich family who lived on an estate just outside of Bowden. Wesent escaped at a very young age and has not seen his family again. He arrived in Bowdern destitute and afraid. He spent some time running with a gang of young thieves but never felt as though he belonged. He had come to know many people in the Temples, and had only found one man he thought he could trust. He became an apprentice to a small, insignificant tailor who only succeeded in keeping their two bellies full. When his master grew ill, Wesent took over the business. What little money they had stashed away, Wesent spent on a funeral for his old master. Now, Wesent does what he can. He is not particularly good, but he makes a living. He cannot see a time when he will have enough wealth to marry and start a family, but he has no other skills on which to fall back.

What He Knows: Wesent spent much of his youth on the streets of the Temples, and he has maintained contact with a few of his old friends. He knows as much as most people in the Temples know, though he has access to other information through his friends.

What He Will Tell: He won’t tell anything unless the profit from doing so was enough to get him out of Bowden and set up elsewhere. Nothing he knows is worth that kind of money.

Tactics: There’s very little that Wesent will fight for, save his small shop. He’d just as soon receive a beating as fight back, hoping that by not fighting back, the enjoyment the bullies or thieves take from beating will be minimal, and that will persuade them to move on. If his life or shop is threatened, he’ll take up his quarterstaff and hope to drive off the attackers with a show of strength. Since that won’t be forthcoming, he better hope they are worse fighters than he.

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d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, and Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at Causens’ Corner Copyright 2009 Fraser Ronald

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The Non-Player Characters at the Sign of the Squandering Snail, Part Two

Flourette, a barmaid at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail
23 year old Female Human Commoner 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d4-2; hp 4; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +0 melee (1d4-1, dagger), or +2 ranged (1d4-1, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort -1, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 9, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 16.

Skills:  Balance +5, Climb +1, Escape Artist +3, Hide +2, Listen +3, Move Silently +3, Profession (barmaid) +3, Spot +3.

Feats: Agile, Improved Initiative, Simple Weapon Proficiency (dagger).

Possessions: apron, dagger, simple clothing

Background: Flourette is a child of the streets. Her father was an itinerant labourer who barely kept his family fed. Her mother was a seamstress who turned to intermittent prostitution when Flourette’s father disappeared. She has never learned if he simply left his family or if he met some deadly fate.

While Flourette had promised herself as a young woman that she would never sell her body, the Temples often forces people to ignore their own codes. She had strayed from her self-imposed path more than once, each time disappearing deeper into the underbelly of the Temples. She took on the name Flourette when she reached Causen’s Corner and the Snail. Flourette was her mother’s name. Her own real name is Adalei.

Goal: Flourette plans to make enough money to leave Bowden. She wants to travel to some small town, find work there and maybe marry a farmer.

Motivation: She is sick of the city, sick of the Temples and sick of the woman she has become. Flourette wants desperately to leave her past behind her.

What She Knows: Flourette has learned much about life in the Temples. She knows all the major players in the Temples and has become an expert on Causens’ Corner. She has stopped listening to gossip, but can’t help but hear it.

What Will She Tell: She will not tell anything. She can see no good of sharing the information she has, even for coin. If she was offered wealth enough to disappear and start anew somewhere far from Bowden, she would offer everything she knows.

Tactics: Flourette will flee or talk her way out of a fight. If she thinks her life or her tattered honour is at risk, she will fight as best she can, though always defensively.

Cornille, a barmaid at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail (background based on the Lorestaves adventure)
20 year old Female Half-elf Bard 2: CR 2; Size M; HD 2d6; hp 9; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +2 melee (club, 1d6+1), +2 melee (dagger, 1d4+1), or +2 ranged (dagger, 1d4+1); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CG; SV Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 12, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12.

Skills: Diplomacy +3, Gather Information +3, Hide +1, Knowledge (Arcana) +5, Knowledge (Geography) +6, Knowledge (History) +6, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +4, Listen +2, Move Silently +1, Perform (Comedy) +6, Perform (Keyboard Instruments) +5, Perform (Oratory) +5, Perform (Sing) +6, Search +2, Speak Language (Auran, Common, Elven), Spot +2.

Bard Spells Known (Level 0, 3; Level 1, 1) Level 0: Lullaby, Mage Hand, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument; Level 1: Expeditious Retreat, Identify.

Feats: Scribe Scroll

Features (Bard): bardic music, bardic knowledge, countersong, fascinate, inspire courage +1

Possessions: Apron (with club hidden under apron), common clothing, 4 daggers (left sleeve, lower back, each boot).

Background: The barmaid Cornille is actually the young bard Carylle of Temelburh. The only daughter of a famed poet, Carylle took it upon herself to follow in her father’s footsteps. Karlis of Temelburh had studied at the university in Bowden, and so Carylle traveled there to study also. She did so against the wishes of both her parents, who had planned a profitable marriage for their daughter. Never one to allow another’s vision to supplant her own, Carylle ignored the wishes of her family.

She proved a capable student, however the rigorous scholarship left her bored. She found the academic atmosphere stultifying. Independent as always, she decided to visit the places of legend about which she studied rather than simply hear some old man talk about them. Carylle found much to whet her appetite for knowledge in her travels, and her love of ancient history led to her discovery of a forgotten treatise on the Elder Gods, those that existed before the One God—the Elder Gods that were not supposed to exist at all.

Her curiosity led her to dig deeper, and that has brought her to the Temples, an area left untouched by the religion of the One God.

Goal: She hopes to find clues to the fate of the Elder Gods. She always wishes to learn about history and about the world around her.

Motivation: She does not seek power, nor does she wish to defy the One God. Carylle simply wants to learn all that she can. Secrets are valuable because they are knowledge, not because they are secret.

What He Knows: Regarding the Temples, Carylle knows little. She has not been here long. She knew the Temples through the rumours and legends bandied about Bowden. She has learned little of that is true, but she has gathered little information to replace them.

What Will He Tell: She will happily discuss history and her journeys if someone realizes she is more than a simple barmaid. As a barmaid, she will tell nothing, hiding her ignorance behind a feigned fear of revealing a secret.

Tactics: Carylle do as much as possible to avoid conflict. She doesn’t want to get herself in a position in which she needs to use her magic to save her life. If forced into a fight, she’ll fight defensively, always looking for a way out, and using her guise as Cornille to get the guards at the Snail to intervene on her behalf. If she has to, she will use her magic.

Chardine, a barmaid at the tavern at the Squandered Snail
41 year old Female Human Commoner 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4+9; hp 18; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13; BAB +1; Attack +1 melee (1d6, club), or +4 ranged (1d6, club); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +1; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 8.

Skills: Listen +3, Profession (barmaid) +7, Spot +5.

Feats: Run, Simple Weapon Proficiency (club), Skill Focus (Profession [barmaid]).

Possessions: Apron, artisan’s outfit, club.

Background: As a young girl, Chardine lived in one of the small farming villages surrounding Bowden. She had seen the city, going there for fairs, festivals, and the occasional market day. When she became old enough to marry, she feared that she would live the rest of her life in the same, small village with its small people. On a whim, she followed a group of players to Bowden. The players took her in and she became their maid. She cooked and cleaned for them. Sometimes she would bed one of them. When they moved on, she stayed in Bowden, finding she could make a few coins working in the taverns and inns. Sometimes those coins would be made in her bedchamber. Smart enough to realize she had no future, she returned to her village, only to find she was unwanted. Her family did not want a daughter debauched by the city, nor did any suitor.

With nothing left in her home, she returned to Bowden and the only life she knew. As time passed, leaving its mark, her prospects lessened. She has finally found herself in the Temples and fears how further she may plunge.

Goal: Chardine believes she no longer has a chance to have a child, but she still wants a family. She is, in fact, desperate for that. She sees Dunchad as her last hope for a husband, as she is told almost every day that she is old and unattractive.

Motivation: As time takes more from her, Chardine is looking back on her life and wondering why it was so hollow. She accomplished nothing. She has nothing. She fears in the future she will have less. She sees no escape for her save though marriage. With a partner in life, she feels she could better withstand fate’s cruel humour. Even were her partner taken from her, a widow is usually offered some respect, and the Church will offer some charity.

What She Knows: As with most of the staff at the Snail, Chardine hears many rumours of many nefarious plans and actions. She has seen the dark underbelly of the foulest part of Bowden, and she fears it. The things she knows gives her nightmares.

What Will She Tell: Believing her future is already in peril, Chardine will tell nothing unless the reward is such that she could escape the Temples. As she knows nothing of that value, it is unlikely Chardine will tell anything.

Tactics: Chardine is not a fighter. She will attempt to flee any combat. Only in the direst of dangers will Chardine fight, and then she won’t be fighting very effectively. In any case, Chardine will throw herself on an opponent’s mercy where there is mercy to be found.

Tathan, kitchen worker at the tavern
71 year-old Female Human Commoner 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4; hp 4; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Atk +0 melee (1d4-1, knife), or +2 ranged (1d4, knife); SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +3; AL NE; Str 8, Dex 12, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 14.

Skills: Appraise +4, Craft (cooking) +11, Listen +13, Profession +8, Spot +10.

Feats: Alertness, Skill Focus (Craft [cooking]), Skill Focus (Listen), Weapon Proficiency (knife).

Possessions: Apron, artisan’s outfit, knife.

Background: Tathan is actually Murnac’s mother, though no one knows this. She grew up in the Temples and expects to die there. She is not proud of her son, having hoped he would have amounted to more than his father, who died in a knife fight with a pimp, but she can only blame herself. Tathan raised Murnac as best she could, but considering she spent much of her time drinking or flat on her back ‘at work,’ her best wasn’t much good. Murnac was essentially orphaned at a young age. Now that he has taken her in, Tathan tastes bitterness every day. She cannot say that she loves her son—she honestly doesn’t know him. She can say that his kindness, taking her in and giving her shelter, reminds her every day of her failings as a mother.

Goal: Tathan has no goal save to help and protect her son. Her life means absolutely nothing, and she would honestly thank someone for running her through with three feet of steel. She works as some small thank you to her son. She does not know the man, but she feels the responsibility toward him as an adult that she never evidenced as a mother.

Motivation: Guilt motivates Tathan, and bitterness that she proved no better than her drunken husband, Murnac’s father. She does not know how to expunge the sense of failure that pervades her life. She hopes she can do so by proving useful in her twilight years.

What She Knows: Tathan knows everything that goes on in the Snail. The only secret is Cornille’s true identity. Other than that, she knows who wants to bed whom, and who would eagerly join a revolt against her son. She passes on her knowledge to him as best she can. They share dinner once a week, but they only talk business.

What Will She Tell: There is no way to make Tathan tell anything, unless one can provide an honest threat to her son. If one had Murnac tied up with a knife to his throat, Tathan would tell all she could. That is the only chink in her armour. Otherwise, do your worst.

Tactics: Tathan isn’t going to fight. At most, she’s going to try to flee, yelling in the hopes of alerting others or her son. She honestly isn’t afraid of death.

Toughs, the guards and other toughs hired by Murnac
Male Human Warrior 2: CR 1; Size M; HD 2d8; hp 12; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14; BAB +2; Attack +3 melee (1d6+1, club), or +3 melee (1d6+1, short sword) or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); SV Fort +3, Ref +2, Will -2; AL LE; Str 13, Dex 15, Con 11, Int 9, Wis 7, Cha 10.

Skills: Climb +1, Hide +4, Listen +1, Move Silently +3, Spot +1.

Feats: Blind-Fight, Power Attack.

Possessions: club, dagger, leather armour, short sword

Staff, miscellaneous staff
Human Expert 1: CR 1; Size M; HD 1d6+1; hp 10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13; BAB +0; Attack -1 melee (1d6-1, club) or +3 ranged (1d4-1, dagger); SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3; AL CN; Str 9, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 13.

Skills: Diplomacy +3, Forgery +5, Hide +5, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge (history) +2, Listen +1, Move Silently +3, Profession (gambler) +3, Sleight of Hand +7, Search +5, Spot +5, Tumble +5

Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge [local]), Toughness.

Possessions: club, dagger

________________________________

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (”Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.

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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, and Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at the Squandering Snail, Part 2 Copyright 2009 Fraser Ronald

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.

The Non-Player Characters at the Sign of the Squandering Snail, Part One

Murnac, owner of The Squandering Snail gambling house
54 year old Male Human Rogue 3: CR 3; Size M; HD 3d6+3; hp 16; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +2; Atk +3 melee (1d6+1, shortsword), or +3 ranged (1d4+1, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL NE; SA Sneak Attack +2d6; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 9.

Skills: Concentration +3, Diplomacy +1, Disable Device +6, Escape Artist +7, Hide +1, Intimidate +5, Jump +7, Knowledge (local) +2, Listen +8, Move Silently +6, Search +2, Sense Motive +9, Sleight of Hand +7, Spot +3.

Feat: Alertness, Negotiator, Track.

Class Feature: Evasion, Trapfinding.

Possessions: dagger, fine clothing, heavy cloak, purse with 25 gp and 12 sp, short sword, shoulder belt with scabbard.

Background: Murnac is known around the Temples as the Shepherd. Not because of the care with which he treats his clients, rather because of the multitude of ways he can fleece them. The Snail is not the most crooked gambling house in the city of Bowden, but it certainly is not the most reputable. Much like his establishment, Murnac is not the most dangerous man in the Temples, but one should never turn one’s back on him else one finds oneself with a dagger planted in said back.

Murnac is a product of the Temples. He grew up in the streets, working as pickpocket and later as an enforcer. He gained the money for the Snail by loan-sharking. Well, he didn’t actually buy the establishment, which had been a public house, rather the owner of the establishment disappeared after defaulting on a loan owed to Murnac. His loan-sharking is now confined to patrons of the Snail, though he still maintains ties with the underworld of Bowden.

Goal: Murnac’s only goal is to take care of Murnac and make Murnac rich. Nothing else matters.

Motivation: Murnac intends never to know poverty or want again. He does not care who he needs to hurt nor who needs to starve so he can eat.

What He Knows: Murnac knows all about the underworld in the Temples. He knows who is important, who is dangerous and who is a blowhard. Murnac doesn’t know much about the actual politics of the city, though he will bluff his way through any conversation concerning such, and not very well.

What Will He Tell: He will tell nothing of importance unless he is well paid for his information. Even when coins enter into the equation, he is no fool—some information in the Temples is worth a person’s life. If he feels he can profit without risk, he’ll sell knowledge, but he is careful. He knows what can happen to a careless person in the jungle of the Temples.

Tactics: Murnac is a rogue, and that means he’ll go for the sneak attack. He’ll move to flank opponents as well. First off, though, he’s going to call in his “boys,” the doormen and guards at the Snail. He’ll let them deal with trouble. Murnac’s ‘respectable’ now, so that means he shouldn’t have to get his hands dirty.

Dunchad of Helst, the barkeep at the tavern at the Squandered Snail
42 year old Male Human, Commoner 3:  CR 2; Size M; HD 3d4-3; hp 5; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11; BAB +1; Grap +2; Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, club), or +2 ranged (1d6+1, club); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 8, Int 11, Wis 9, Cha 9.

Skills: Craft (brewing) +4, Craft (carpentry) +5, Diplomacy +1, Hide +1, Listen -1, Move Silently +1, Profession (barkeep) +6, Ride +6, Sense Motive +1, Speak Language (Common), Spot -1

Feats: Simple Weapon Proficiency (club), Negotiator, Skill Focus (Profession [barkeep]).

Possessions: apron, club, simple clothing.

Background: The village of Helst is only two days ride north from Bowden. Dunchad is the son of a carpenter, and had apprenticed with his father. Throughout his life, he heard stories of Bowden and the wealth one might find there. In truth, Dunchad is a lazy sort, and so thinking he could either remain in his home village and struggle to make a life for himself and possibly a family, or move to Bowden and find wealth and happiness without that same struggle, the choice was obvious.

While he at first found work as a carpenter, he was not particularly good. He soon learned that to make a living in Bowden he would also have to struggle. He looked for other ways to attain wealth. He started to gamble. Bad move. While he was a mediocre carpenter, he was a horrible gambler. Less than a year after moving to Bowden, Dunchad found himself without a job and soon he would be without a home. In order to pay off some of his debts to Murnac, the owner of The Squandered Snail, Dunchad did some carpentry work at the gambling house. Murnac figured the work was okay, and having a carpenter on hand might not be a bad idea. Given the choice of sleeping out of doors or working at the gambling house he frequented, Dunchad chose the latter.

That was more than twenty years ago. Dunchad continues to work at the Snail. He has since learned to be a brewer, though his skills as a brewer have not yet reached the mediocrity of his carpentry. Still, he does his job, skims only a little of the profits, and shags only Chardine, the oldest and least desirable of the barmaids. He doesn’t anger Murnac and tries to keep peace with the rest of the staff.

He sorely wishes he had stayed an apprentice in Helst.

Goal: At this point in his life, Dunchad is becoming desperate for a family. He has always desired wealth, now he only desires the means to keep a roof over his head and food on his table. He has no more grand designs. He has no more fanciful plans.

Motivation: Dunchad came to the city of Bowden believing he was smart and talented. Bowden soon changed his mind. Dunchad now believes he has been cursed. He fears old age, knowing that once he is no longer able to work, he will no longer have a home. He has seen the beggars and forsaken on the streets, and he fears the same will happen to him.

It’s not enough fear, though, to make him propose to Chardine, perhaps the one woman in his life who might actually consider becoming his wife.

What He Knows: Dunchad listens, so he knows most of the same rumours everyone else in the Temples knows. He tries hard not to listen to the planning and conniving that happens in the Snail. He figures that, for the most part, ignorance may not be bliss, but it’s not going to get your throat cut . . . usually.

What Will He Tell: Since he has nothing secretive to tell, he won’t be telling it. He usually doesn’t pass on rumours either, unless they are particularly amusing rumours regarding figures of authority in the government.

Tactics: Dunchad stays out of fights. He isn’t paid to police the establishment, merely serve drinks. If forced, he always keeps a few clubs close at hand. His favorite sits below the counter near the beer kegs. This one has an iron-shod head and has a +1 modifier to damage. He will try to flee a fight, but when forced, fights defensively.

Bressal, a gamesman at the gaming den at the Squandered Snail
26 year old Male Human Expert 2: CR 1; Size M (6 ft., 4 in. tall); HD 2d6-6; hp 4; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +1; Atk -2 melee (1d4-2, dagger), or +3 ranged (1d4-2, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL NE; SV Fort -3, Ref +2, Will +4; Str 5, Dex 15, Con 5, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 11.

Skills: Bluff +2, Diplomacy +4, Escape Artist +5, Gather Information +4, Intimidate +2, Knowledge (local) +1, Profession (gambler) +5, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +8, Use Rope +4.

Feats: Deft Hands, Negotiator.

Possessions: dagger, simple clothing.

Background: Bressel grew up the second son of a shipwright in the dockyards of Bowden. He proved to have little skill or talent for his father’s profession, though he did make an admirable attempt at learning. Bressel’s father was not appreciative of his efforts. He never appreciated how hard Bressel tried, he only cared that Bressel couldn’t succeed.

Bressel became bitter and angry. His relations with his family, all his family, soured. As a young man, the Temples swallowed him. A quick lad, and one with one ear always open, Bressel made his way, surviving but never prospering. He wasn’t tough enough to run with the gangs, and he wasn’t smart enough to think up his own plots and schemes, so he needed coattails on which to hang.

Learning how to gamble, and how to run a gambling table—cards, dice, anything—Bressel ingratiated himself to Murnac. Murnac found a place for him—not a place where Bressel can make a little side profit, rather a place where Murnac or one of his “boys” always can watch him.

Goal: Bressal is all about Bressal. He doesn’t have big dreams, just wants to make himself a boss of somewhere nice like the Snail.

Motivation: Bressal figures Murnac’s got a nice deal, nice place. Bressal is watching Murnac, trying to figure out his secret. He knows Murnac is that much smarter than the normal ‘mule’ on the street, so he’s got to have a secret.

What He Knows: Bressal knows plenty about what’s going on behind the scenes and in the shadows of the Temples. He’s always listening, and he remembers most of what he hears.

What Will He Tell: He’s not about to just share out information. Like everything else in the Temples, information is a commodity. It has a price. There’ll be a negotiation before there’s any exchange.

Tactics: Bressal prefers the safety of fleeing a fight, especially if there’s any chance at all that he might lose. If he’s got numbers on his side, he’ll try for the backstab. He’ll do anything to keep himself alive.

Faelan, a gamesman at the gambling den at the Squandered Snail
31 year old Male Human Expert 3: CR 2; Size M; HD 3d6+3; hp 19; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12; BAB +2; Atk +2 melee (1d6, club), +2 melee (1d4, dagger), or +4 ranged (1d4, dagger); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +5; Str 11, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 13.

Skills: Bluff +3, Diplomacy +8, Escape Artist +4, Gather Information +6, Intimidate +7, Listen +6, Profession (gambler) +6, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand +7, Spot +5, Tumble +4.

Feats: Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Persuasive.

Possessions: club, dagger

Background: Faelan’s family was once one of the lesser burghers, a family of merchants and artisans. Faelan’s father, inept at everything save drunkenness and whoring, lost what little fortune the family had before loansharks took his heart. Faelan actually saw that happen. The loansharks took little Faelan as part of the payment.

Rather than a horrible fate, Faelan found he actually enjoyed the work to which he was put. He found himself working as a runner at an underground gambling den in the dockyards. It was rough, but few of even the most dangerous denizens in the dockyards would attack a kid for no reason. Faelan was smart, and picked up the tricks quickly. He survived his indenture and actually left the custody of the loansharks with skills.

Faelan has worked at many of the gambling dens in the dockyards and the Temples. He ended up at the Snail mostly due to an infatuation with Flourette, which is working itself out. He will likely move on soon. His skills are in demand.

Goal: Faelan is not a person who sets out goals. His conscious goal is to conquer Flourette romantically. His unconscious goal is to test his mettle against fate. Since surviving his indenture, Faelan has the belief that he is playing a game against fate or destiny.

Motivation: Faelan likes to win. Although he’s not known for his adherence to the law, he is a man with his own sense of honour, and keeping that intact takes precedence over winning. In his game against fate, he is uncertain of the rules, but that’s okay—he’ll learn them as he goes along.

What He Knows: Faelan has been working on the periphery of society for many years. He’s learned to keep his ears open even when his eyes are elsewhere. He’s perfected leading a gaming table while listening to each and every conversation at the table, reacting to none of them. As such, if there’s information that has passed through the Snail, Faelan likely knows it.

What Will He Tell: He’ll tell you how much he wants for his information. It might be coin, it might be a favour, it might simply be a cup of well-watered wine—one never really knows with Faelan. He’ll give information, but he’ll also expect to profit from it.

Tactics: Faelan has learned to talk his way out of fights. He really hates to resort to violence as it makes him feel somewhat stupid. He believes he should be able to talk his way out of anything. If he is forced to resort to violence, he’s not particularly interested in killing someone, unless they are trying to kill him. Rather, Faelan will do his best to drop his opponent as fast as possible. Faelan isn’t bloodthirsty, so as long as he doesn’t fear for his life, he won’t kill another individual.

________________________________

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (”Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.

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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, and Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.

The Lorestaves: The NPCs at the Squandering Snail, Part 1 Copyright 2009 Fraser Ronald

DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY: As per section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Product Identity: SEP; all names, all locations.

DESIGNATION OF OPEN CONTENT: As per section 1(d) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a, the following are designated as Open Content: NPC statblock excluding background.