The cobblestones of Ashfall Square were slick with last night’s rain, reflecting the flicker of guttering lanterns. The air was thick with the scent of smoke, ale, and something sharper—rebellion. The band hear it before they see it: a pounding, chaotic rhythm echoing from the heart of the square, like war drums played by someone who doesn’t care if the world burns.
A crowd of young townsfolk has gathered, their faces painted in streaks of ash and bright pigment. They chant in unison, their voices raw, their eyes alight with a strange, feverish energy. At the centre, atop a toppled merchant’s cart, stands a wiry bard with wild hair and a battered lute. He thrashes at the strings, producing a sound that’s more fury than melody.
The music is infectious—literally.
The band feel it in their bones, a compulsion to join in, to lose themselves in the chaos.
Hello, hello, hello, how low?As the music swells, the crowd’s chanting grows louder, the air vibrating with the promise of something about to break. Whether you quell the storm or ride it into history is up to you.
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello
Ekham casts Silence over the Grungy Bard, the mob start swaying and moving to find the new beat to hook on to.
Bo sends her familar as an owlbear over towards the Bard, but as he jumps off of the wagon, a discordant chord is reverberated, enthralling the mob again and some of the Band.
After a bit of to-and-fro, the mob starts mosh-pitting the band; the bards lute keeps getting stolen from him, with the owlbear finally taking it and running off.
Gribble is dominated and attacks Ekham while the Bard escapes.
Ekham saves Gribble from the Domination via the use of extreem violence.
While Bo paws over the new Lute and spends some time attuning to it. Gribble and Ekham question the teen mob that are rousing from being KO'ed.
While Bo paws over the new Lute and spends some time attuning to it. Gribble and Ekham question the teen mob that are rousing from being KO'ed.
They find out:
- The Bard is known as The Spark
- His music stirs unrest and rebellion wherever it’s heard, driving crowds into frenzied riots.
- The Spark is the Prophet
- The Spark is the Key
- The Key to Anarchy
- The Ember Choir is planning a second, larger gathering in three nights’ time, this one in the catacombs beneath the city.
- The Music is to Awaken the God of Anarchy, The Spark is the Key, the final Key, The Anarchy
- Entrance to the catacombs
Cursed Lute of Mass Confusion
Wondrous Item, very rare, requires attunement by a bard
Appearance:
This ornate lute is carved from pale moonwood, inlaid with swirling silver filigree that seems to shift when viewed from the corner of your eye. The strings hum faintly even when untouched, producing a discordant undertone that unsettles nearby creatures.Magical Properties:
When played, the lute can unleash a wave of chaotic enchantment that muddles the minds of all who hear it.Mass Confusion (1/day): As an action, you may strum the lute in a wild, dissonant melody. All creatures of your choice within 30 feet who can hear you must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be affected as if under the Confusion spell for 1 minute.
The effect ends early for a creature if it takes damage or is shaken awake by an ally.
The Curse:
Once attuned, the lute subtly warps your perception of reality.Whenever you attempt to use Mass Confusion, roll a d20. On a 1–3, the effect targets all creatures in range, including allies and yourself.
While attuned, you have disadvantage on Insight checks, as your mind struggles to separate truth from illusion.
If you fail a Wisdom saving throw against being charmed or frightened, you also become confused for 1 round.
Removal:
The curse can only be broken by playing the lute flawlessly under the light of a full moon in front of an audience of at least 13 willing listeners who remain silent for the entire performance.The Golden Dragon Tavern and Casino
The Golden Dragon Tavern and Casino is the largest establishment in all of Drakos. It features over 50,000 square feet of casinos, shops, restaurants, and guest rooms. One could theoretically come to Drakos and never need to leave the Golden Dragon with all of the amenities it features. As the name would suggest, the theme of the Casino is gold dragons. Sculptures, paintings, and outfits all depict these most majestic of creatures.
The front doors of the Golden Dragon Tavern and Casino are opened for them by an attendant dressed in a fine black and red suit.
The waiters and waitresses all wear outfits of black and red with golden scale accents and don a golden dragon mask for the entirety of their shifts. Fake displays of treasure and wealth fill the casino and serve to draw folks to its numerous restaurants and the Dragon’s Den Tavern.
The smell of food, liquor, and tobacco are thick in the air and pleasant music from a live band on a stage not far from where you’ve arrived echoes through. There are hundreds of people within the main area, most of which are crowded around the dozens upon dozens of card tables that are scattered through the floor. Servers carry trays crammed full of drinks to patrons parting with their hard-earned gold.
The decor is extravagant, and it is clear tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of gold pieces were spent in the construction of this casino.
The Golden Dragon's main draw is its hundreds of gambling tables with blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker tournaments kicking off multiple times each day!
The Dragon’s Den Tavern features two stages that are constantly cycling through live music as well as four separate bars kept stocked with drinks from all across the continent!
The bartenders are performers as well as mixologists and each beverage is accompanied by a small performance. The tavern is even connected to a pool that extends to the exterior of the casino. One of the bars is in the water and floating fake lily pads serve as both decorations and drink holders.
At the centre of the Dragon’s Den is a full-scale ancient golden dragon statue surrounded by a fountain filled with coins. Nearly everyone who makes their way to Drakos finds their way to the Ancient Dragon Fountain and throws in a coin as they make a wish.
With prices per room ranging from 4 to 20 Gold per person per night, Ekham gets the penthouse suite for all at 20 per person per night for 2 nights or 240 Gold.
The band steps into the suite, and the smell of vanilla is the first thing that strikes you – a strong aroma filling the air from candles burning all across the space.
The suite itself is larger than many houses you’ve seen and is complete with its own kitchen area, multiple tables and couches, and a sprawling bed against the far wall with a massive mirror on the ceiling above it. The far wall of the room is almost entirely floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light to flood in. There is also a set of glass double doors leading out to a balcony that overlooks the city square.
The band wake in the morning to the room filled with a banquet of breakfast.
As they go down, they take a wander and spot two shops of note.
The Golden Dragon Magic Pawn shop and the Golden Dragon Potions a plenty
Buy and Sell Magic Items
Buy Magic Potions, either off the shelf or a Random Dozen for 5000 gold
Comments
Post a Comment