The Band of Brogallos (Brogallo and Kleptikos)
Having saved the Bro-cenaries from Zenabarithon's wrath (thus preserving his power base), Brogallo and Kleptikos make their way to Valthrun with the warband and quickly decamp with the officers to a discrete tavern named The White Rose. They quietly enter the watering hole, and Brogallo tosses a gold piece to the bartender saying, "Greetings Rakov! We need the feasthall for some privacy. Bring food and drink and see that none of the peasants bother us."
"Aye, milord. The room's yours until you tell me otherwise. I'll have the slaves prepare your rooms, as usual."
"Good man! Bring the drink immediately and the food as soon as it's ready - we're starved and parched from the road."
The group makes its way to the private feast hall in the rear of the inn and quickly bar the door before falling into the plush divans surrounding the hearth, where a cozy fire crackles. Two slave girls quietly enter from a hidden door in the rear of the hall. With downcast gazes the efficiently spread out a half dozen bottles of liquor and several loaves of bread before quickly leaving, all the while avoiding the gazes of the predators that have descended upon their world.
Lt Stoner barks a sharp laugh before saying "I like it when they're terrified of us. It makes it so much easier to deal with them!" The warriors all chuckle before Brogallo says, "Enough. Hand me a glass of that whiskey and let's get business out of the way so we can relax. Let's be honest boys - we were damned lucky to get out of that last scrap with our hides intact."
A chorus of unanimous murmurs shows the others agree. "I don't like that dragon flying around these parts", Brogallo continues, "I think it might be worth our while to head north for some coin and fun. What's your thoughts, lads?"
Stoner is the first to reply, saying "I never much cared for Valthrun, sir. Let's leave this place and join more sympathetic sorts up north. Lots of work to be had, for sure."
Sgt Rock, after taking a long draught from a bottle of absinthe, is the first to respond. "Slaughter's boys and mine are right glad to be alive and obliged to you for getting us out of that scrap, sir. They'll definitely be happy to get into more familiar territory and get some loot off the hobgobbos, as well."
Sgt Slaughter agrees enthusiastically, saying "'Tis true, sir. things are bit too crazy down here. Much more fun turning the gobbos into pin cushions and much less risk than going toe-to-toe with the wyrm."
"And you, Kleptikos? Will you join us?", Brogallo asks.
"Without question. I was getting sick of that bumpkin and those self-righteous priests, so the farther away, the better. Blastikus was alright, but I think he might be starting to get delusions of grandeur and egotistical wizards tend to take risks that are detrimental to the health of sane people. We've still got a few months before the snow sets in, so we might as well get some loot while we can."
"Fair enough, boys. Let's spend a few days here to unwind and then we'll head out to Tallow Watch to see what we see. Let's eat!"
Late that evening, after the others have passed out in drunken stupors, Kleptikos quietly slips out of the inn and makes his way through the now silent darkened streets. He has long cultivated the ability to appear to drink far more than he really consumes and has used it to liberate many valuables from irresponsible owners in the past. This time, however, he wishes to conduct private business instead of the far more enjoyable larceny.
He makes his way to a derelict building and slips into the adjoining alley. After a few yards, he discretely presses two of the bricks, causing a section of the wall to silently open inwards. He slips in quickly, silently closing the hidden door behind him. Deftly, he silently makes his way to a rear room where he finds a youth barely into his teens quietly making notes in a ledger by candlelight.
"Hey there, boss. Been expecting you since the kids saw you and the muscle go through the eastern gates earlier today. What news?"
"Redneck is out for blood after I gave him the slip during a scrap with a dragon. The simpleton actually thought I'd face down a monster for no good reason. I'm going to head north to check on my boys up there." He tosses a small pouch of coins to the youth and says "Here. Take some for yourself and share the rest with the kids. If Redneck is still alive and comes back here, tell him I got caught trying to steal some rich dame's jewels and met my end at the hands of her guards. He'll believe it and it will take the heat off while I sort out my northern affairs."
"Is there any news to report, Selark?" Kleptikos wearily asks, rubbing his eyes and reaching for the bottle of wine on the table.
"Mostly the usual comings and goings, boss. There is one thing unusual, however."
"Well, spit it out damn it!", Kleptikos snaps. "It's late and I need some sleep."
Fearful of having overstepped his bounds with undue familiarity, Selark pales before blurting out "The Oni boss! Some people have said they've seen them prowling around! They catch a glance of one before they disappear in front of their eyes. The kids have overheard adults talking when they went begging. The adults seem really spooked about this."
"Hmm... well that's Blastikus' problem to solve. He's got their damned map, not me. Keep an ear out for anything more. I'll send a messenger to Hamyla's place with news when I get settled up north. He'll be wearing a red bandana like they do on the taiga. Pay him the standard fee and give him any updates."
"Sure thing, boss, sure thing. Are you calling it a night?"
"I am. It's well past my bed time", Kleptikos says as he turns to leave. He pauses before turning to Selark and saying "Don't fuck this up, boy. Keep doing as I say and all will be well. If you start getting any crazy ideas in your head about your true place in life...well, the sewers are always hungry."
"N-n-no problem, boss", Selark stammers, "Everything will be the way you want! I promise! I like things the way they are, just fine!"
Kleptikos stares into the boy's eyes for a long moment before silently turning and disappearing into the darkness.
The group sets out for Tallow Watch after a few days of recreation and reach the city uneventfully. Brogallo decides to start prospecting for some additions to the party with results below.
The Band of Brogallos Appear
Similar to the procedure for The Mighty Redneck, I roll a d6 for number of allies, d4+4 for level so that they would roughly be around the Bros level, and rolled on the Character Subtable DMG pg 175 for the results below. Kleptikos is conducting the negotiations (+30% Charisma bonus) and we get:
- Ah Soh Human Male, Lvl 8 Monk (Lawful Evil)
Uncertain but 55% prone toward positive - Man Lee Human Male, Lvl 6 Magic-User (True Neutral)
Friendly, immediate action - Manderbro Male, Lvl 7 Magic-User (True Neutral)
Enthusiastically friendly, immediate acceptance - No Tiki Human Male, Lvl 7 Fighter (Chaotic Neutral)
Enthusiastically friendly, immediate acceptance - Otilola Human Female, Lvl 7 Cleric (Chaotic Good)
Neutral - uninterested - uncertain - Voon deGoon Human Male, Lvl 7 Fighter (Neutral Evil)
Uncertain but 55% prone toward positive
I decide that Otilola is creeped out by Kleptikos, slaps him and leaves. The rest are swayed by Kleptikos' sly words and join for the lucrative payday. After the group confers, they share news and the rumor table is updated with new potential hooks.
The Band of Brogallos March Forth!
No comments:
Post a Comment