Taverns & Trans Girls

Session 01

Vikar (Zoe) and Lenna (Mia) started their investigation almost immediately after entering the Howling Tavern. They knew each other already, having grown up in the same forest. The eager new adventurers went straight to the bar, ordered a drink, and noticed an interesting, unsavory taste to their ale. After a quick chat with Orlyn, the bar tender, they learned of a rat infestation that's been ruining the stock of the tavern. Orlyn called Ketch, the owner out who gave them as much info as he could. Ketch seemed to have little faith in the capacity of a couple young heroes, but was willing to pay to actually get to the bottom of the problem and finally have his tavern back in full force.Without even bothering to settle into their rooms, the two heroes went straight to the basement and poked around. Lenna helped herself to half a cheese wheel, and some other easy to reach goodies she was sure no one would notice. Vikar noticed a lot of rat tracks leading underneath a door in the basement. Upon investigation, mostly by Lenna, behind some pipes in that room, there was a trap door leading down into the city sewers. Vikar very confidently investigated a small crack on the other side of the room, sure that it was a clue (it wasn't).Climbing down the ladder to the sewers was a surprisingly easy feat for both Vikar and Lenna. Vikar, being a small forest gnome, was able to climb down without damaging the ladder, and Lenna with the grace of an elf, made it look effortless. At the bottom they passed through some doors that opened up to the sewers, which filled their noses with vile smells, and misted their bodies with the heat coming from the water. (yuck) Lenna once again took a moment to open a few doors, and rummage through some unwatched storage crates and barrels. She found a few stray gold pieces, some rations, and a disapproving glance from Vikar every now and then.Eventually they came across a door that emit some light under it. Lenna cast Detect Magic and noticed a trail of enchantment leading through the door, following some rat tracks they could both see on the ground. They attempted (unsuccessfully) to sneak up to the door and carefully pushed it open with Vikar's spear. Upon opening the door they met the gaze of a young guard they later learned to be called Sir Phillip. After some random, and confusing "Truffles", and "Black Truffles" statements from Vikar, trying to say the secret word, Lenna conceded and simply gave the guard the gold he was asking for (15gp each). To which he promptly and politely opened the door for them.Lenna and Vikar then realized they had entered the Thieves' Guild, and were surrounded by four or five shady characters, and an angry, heavyset tiefling woman waiting for them at the counter. She looks the two up and down a couple times, and asks what two people of such character are doing down here in her den. Seizing the opportunity for free help, she gives Lenna and Vikar info about the rat problem she's having, knowing full well Ketch likely sent some newbies snooping around trying to solve the same problem. She gives Lenna a small vial of poison, and escorts them both to the entrance of caves beyond the sewers.Lenna, still sensing the trail of magic going in the same direction Bernie is pointing them, agrees and follows along. They are shown into the store room, and commanded (rudely) by Bernie to move some giant barrels of ale. Vikar, on their own, moves the barrels with great effort, while Lenna and Bernie watch, fascinated by the tiny wonder. Bernie climbs up first, peeks through the trap door, and ushers the two to climb up. They follow without hesitation, and before they can turn around and ask what to do next, they see Bernie climbing back through the trap door, locking it behind them with both a key and some kind of enchantment.Frustrated but undeterred, Lenna moves straight towards a light she sees coming from a tunnel to her right. Vikar follows, both of them remaining hidden, but not before attracting the attention of a swarm of sewer rats. A few hits back and forth before the rats swarm Lenna and she absolutely loses her cool and pummels the remaining rats into a puddle in the dirt._{This is where the session ended for today and I'm so excited to see what happens next...}