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You exit the inn and gather outside. The weather has taken a turn for the better, clear and warm. You know where there are some merchants you can ask questions of (237 East Potter's Lane), where a map can be picked up (the guard house on the corner of Livingstone and Broadstroke), and some shopping do to.
What first?
__________________ “Taxation is very much like dairy farming. The task is to extract the maximum amount of milk with the minimum amount of moo. And I'm afraid to say, that these days, all I'm getting is moo.”
Last edited by Thomas Hobbes; 27th January 2004 at 12:54 AM..
Velbrik glances at the sky, then returns his gaze to the city-scape in front of him, scanning the city-scape indifferently. "Excellent," he says, "Let's get cracking. We should pick up the map first, and then we ought to head over to talk to the merchants about the attacks."
He taps his chin thoughtfully. "Jaan, did you need to purchase something? As I said, the monks paid me fairly well, and I could lend you a bit of gold if you need it."
[OOC]: I guess the only remaining dance partner is Troi, so, GW - with your permission.
The doors of the Red Dragon Inn crash open and spill a reeling pair into the square. Ioleta catches herself and the woodsman just before the two, terribly off balance, fall over. Laughing, she rights herself and, one hand still in Troi's, she smiles and curtsey's yet again. "Not half bad for a rough-and-tumble woodsman. Though it was mostly tumble there at the end." She gives Troi's hand a grateful squeeze and a nod before dropping his hand and turning to the others. With a crosseyed breath she blows a few stray strands of hair from her face and grins, flushed and laughing still, at the other two companions.
"Map then merchants. Check." She raises her eyebrows as she falls in, "I can't help but notice that we don't have anyone skilled in the magical healing arts along for our ramble... perhaps we should pop by one of the Feasthalls. Get a blessing... some healing draughts." She turns out her pockets and sadly pantomimes watching a moth flutter away. "'Fraid I can't help out with the expenses though. Tithed everything at the monastery, don't you know?" She winks.
With a hopping steps she ranges a bit in front of the group, splashing in an occasional puddle, "So, what are we to call ourselves? Every band of adventurers needs a name, no?" She walks, slightly unsteadily - what is in that pack?
Sparky [OOC]: I guess the only remaining dance partner is Troi, so, GW - with your permission.
OoC: Quite alright.
Quote:
Ioleta "Not half bad for a rough-and-tumble woodsman. Though it was mostly tumble there at the end."
Troi nods, balancing himself. "Gotta watch out fer those chairs, people dunno how ta push 'em in when they get up..."
Quote:
Ioleta "I can't help but notice that we don't have anyone skilled in the magical healing arts along for our ramble... perhaps we should pop by one of the Feasthalls. Get a blessing... some healing draughts."
"Eh, we got Velbrik an' that wand." Troi says, shrugging. "That's been workin' out fine fer us. I got a jar a healin' salve, too, from th' monastery."
Quote:
Ioleta "So, what are we to call ourselves? Every band of adventurers needs a name, no?"
Troi shrugs. "Dunno... never really thought 'bout it, y'know? Not real necessary... 'sides, people come an' go as they please, so ya got th' problem a namin' a group that might not stick together after an adventure."
__________________ While I play D&D, it is not my game of choice, be it 3.5 or 4e.
"You're insane AND Jurassic, GW." - garyh
"The reverse side also has a reverse side." - Japanese proverb
----- Steamworks: A guide for introducing technology to a fantasy setting. (d20) Journey: The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet... (Work in progress)
Velbrik raises an eyebrow at Ioleta. "Whatever happened to grim and dour adventurers, eh?" He shrugs. "Ah, well. And - indeed, I don't see that we really need a name as a group, since I doubt we'll be together much long past this one commission. Never know, though - I've been working with Troi since I got here, but Jaan's a recent acquaintance." He nods to Jaan.
As they walk to the guardhouse, Velbrik asks, "Hm, I don't believe you ever told us what it is that you do. Troi's a woodsman, of course, and Jaan's a knight of - Verdante, you said? I'm a...fighting storyteller, I suppose you could say. Though I cover healing as Troi said," Velbrik continues, removing the wand at his belt and twirling it briefly before replacing it. "And I know a couple basic spells that can get us in or out of trouble," he says, "Plus a couple of other things."
The guardhouse is a simple, no-nonsense two story building, with the first floor of stone and the second (perhaps a later addition) of wood. In common script is written
ORUSSUS CITY WATCH Guardhouse 13
67 Broadstroke Street
Busy-looking men in armor of considerably less polish than Vagan's hustle in and out of the building by its double-door front entrance, so entering takes a bit of timing. There's a middle-aged guardsman behind the desk; as soon as you show him the little piece of paper Vagan gave you, he says, "Oh, you lot," and smiles a little, handing you a small piece of parchment. On it is a reasonably well drawn map; judging by the sparse legend and lablings, Vagan sketched it himself.
There's a trade route that heads up north from Orussus towards the Elven city of Rivenblight and the several human cities in between. It travels for about twenty miles (a day and a half walk or less than half a day's ride) through the cultivated land immediatly on either side the road before it enters a forest, which is of no small size- although Vagan's less than expert mapping leaves how big it is precisely up in the air. You figure it is not so wide that even a laden carvan couldn't pass through it in about a day
ooc: Since we haven't nailed down ENworld geography yet and I feel a cartoonish MS Paint map may detract from the feel, the description is what you get. Feel free to ask clarifying questions, ask for paticular knowledge checks, etc.
__________________ “Taxation is very much like dairy farming. The task is to extract the maximum amount of milk with the minimum amount of moo. And I'm afraid to say, that these days, all I'm getting is moo.”
Last edited by Thomas Hobbes; 21st January 2004 at 01:40 AM..
"Yes, I am a Guardian of the House of the Greenman, as we call him in our part of the world. Verdante is more common down here, though."
Jaan's never heard of hired swords naming their groups. Perhaps its a southern custom. He has no particular objection, but as Velbrik pointed out, they will proably go separate ways at the end of this commission. He says nothing on the topic, as he has nothing new to add.
He turns to see what Ioleta has to say about herself.
***
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Hobbes
There's a trade route that heads up north from Orussus towards the Elven city of Rivenblight and the several human cities in between. It travels for about twenty miles (a day and a half walk or less than half a day's ride) through the cultivated land immediatly on either side the road before it enters a forest, which is of no small size- although Vagan's less than expert mapping leaves how big it is precisely up in the air. You figure it is not so wide that even a laden carvan couldn't pass through it in about a day
Jaan considers the map for a moment. Its seems clear enough.
"This area," he says, pointing to the forest region, "is it flat or hilly?"
"What is the last place to get food and a bed before arriving at the forest?"
For the moment Jaan can think of no more questions. Jaan thanks the Watchman for his assistance when all are done with their questions.
ooc: ready to move on to the merchants when everyone is done.
At that, Troi grimaces. "Man, I dunno if I'd use that word ta describe myself. Sure, I can track an' all that... comes with wanderin' 'round all over th' place, y'know? But I dunno if 'woodsman' is th' right word. I like th' smell an' sounds an' sights a th' city, more'n th' woods."
Quote:
Velbrik "I'm a...fighting storyteller, I suppose you could say."
Troi nods, and looks to Ioleta. "Y'ever hear a th' Nobius college? That's where he learned all his stuff. An' good stuff... when he's recitin' a tale, ya feel... empowered. It's kinda strange, but it works: we all did a lot better with Velbrik around, back at th' monastery."
Quote:
The Map
There's a trade route that heads up north from Orussus towards the Elven city of Rivenblight and the several human cities in between. It travels for about twenty miles (a day and a half walk or less than half a day's ride) through the cultivated land immediatly on either side the road before it enters a forest, which is of no small size- although Vagan's less than expert mapping leaves how big it is precisely up in the air. You figure it is not so wide that even a laden carvan couldn't pass through it in about a day.
"Hmm..." Troi muses aloud, looking over the map. "This map seems kinda... iffy... lemme think 'bout it fer a minute..."
Knowledge (Geography) +5. Attempting to recall the regions between Orussus and Rivenblight, and the road(s) between them - basically trying to figure out how accurate the map is.
__________________ While I play D&D, it is not my game of choice, be it 3.5 or 4e.
"You're insane AND Jurassic, GW." - garyh
"The reverse side also has a reverse side." - Japanese proverb
----- Steamworks: A guide for introducing technology to a fantasy setting. (d20) Journey: The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet... (Work in progress)
"This area," he says, pointing to the forest region, "is it flat or hilly?"
"What is the last place to get food and a bed before arriving at the forest?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by GnomeWorks
Knowledge (Geography) +5. Attempting to recall the regions between Orussus and Rivenblight, and the road(s) between them - basically trying to figure out how accurate the map is.
The map itself offers no clue as to either of Jaan's questions (the map has no roadside landmarks and the forest is designated by a blobbish area enclosed by a line, with "forrest" written within in Vagan's handwriting), but the guardsman answers "Hilly, I seem to recall. Road's pretty flat, but that's cause it was made that way. There're small inns along the way, too. Nothin' inside the forest, and nothin' to compare to the Dragon, but they're there."
The map, Troi thinks, is decent. It gets the proportions right, anyway- it’s about 25 miles to the forest from Orussus and the road goes through the dense forest for another 17 or so, with sparser trees beyond those limits. The map extends only a few miles north of the edge of the denser forest. Rivenblight, however, is far, far away- and while he might know some of the closer kingdoms and roads, he doesn’t know all of them. (13+5=18)
__________________ “Taxation is very much like dairy farming. The task is to extract the maximum amount of milk with the minimum amount of moo. And I'm afraid to say, that these days, all I'm getting is moo.”
Last edited by Thomas Hobbes; 21st January 2004 at 04:25 AM..
So many wonderful distracting events happened since Ioleta was posed with questions. A beautiful leaf, an alley cat, a beggar child to entertain with sleights of hand. And the guardhouse. As the group draws near Ioleta considers it closely. Still the same... large rough stones below, tight planking above... good for scaling, but those windows... too narrow and grillwork besides. But upstairs... the records... one day... She sighs and smiles ruefully, casting her eyes down, the picture of humility. She starts, ever so slightly, as the group enters the guardhouse and she hesitates for a twinkling - masking it in adjusting her backpack, before entering with the others.
Once inside she studiously, and artfully, does not make eye contact with any of the guards, but you get the impression that she is missing nothing - not the slightest detail. She says nothing, seeming to prefer to let the more veteran folk do the talking. Ioleta's eyes widen as she sees the writ from Officer of the Watch, Vagan. Useful piece of paper, that. Could have saved me a lot of trouble. She turns her attention to the map... Me, I'd do my ambushing in that forest. Horses spooky, tighter quarters, no witnesses...
"Well, th' map looks 'bout right ta me." Troi says, leaning against a nearby wall. "It's a little less'n twenty miles to th' forest, an' then th' road goes through th' forest fer 'nother twenty er so. Dunno much more'n that, though, other'n that Rivenblight's that way, somewhere... never been there, so I dunno."
Quote:
Guardsman "Hilly, I seem to recall. Road's pretty flat, but that's cause it was made that way. There're small inns along the way, too. Nothin' inside the forest, and nothin' to compare to the Dragon, but they're there."
Troi nods. "It'd be real easy fer 'em ta set up an ambush, then. Flat road, hilly land with trees... it won't be easy ta get 'em all, if we lure 'em inta a trap. Might hafta track some of 'em down.. luckily I got some skill in that area." He smiles.
__________________ While I play D&D, it is not my game of choice, be it 3.5 or 4e.
"You're insane AND Jurassic, GW." - garyh
"The reverse side also has a reverse side." - Japanese proverb
----- Steamworks: A guide for introducing technology to a fantasy setting. (d20) Journey: The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet... (Work in progress)
Jaan shifts a little to see if Velbrik or Ioleta has anything to add or ask.
If not, he is about to gather up the map, thank the Watchman and head back out into the street when a question occures to him. He looks back up at the Watchman.
"What can you tell us about the activities of the bandits in this forest area? How long have they been active? How often have they stuck? And how did they set about it?"
"Firstwe heard was 'bout three, four months ago." says the guardsman. "Lotsa little stuff between now and then. Mostly just pushing around peasants and merchants without more than one or two guards, that sorta thing. Big one just a few days ago, though. They caught the one guy carrying five hundred crowns worth of gems." The man shakes his head. "Probably hidden that stuff away right good, though. Or spent it. I woulda. Anyway, that's what got the merchants so huffy. They posted the reward after that."
__________________ “Taxation is very much like dairy farming. The task is to extract the maximum amount of milk with the minimum amount of moo. And I'm afraid to say, that these days, all I'm getting is moo.”
"Hmm..." Troi muses, "yep, I was right. They were gettin' away with it, an' now they got uncautious. They'll prolly jump us if we present a temptin' 'nough target..."
He looks to the guardsman. "'Scuse me. Could you put out a recrutin' poster, er somethin'? Lookin' fer guards ta guard a rare an' valuable treasure recovered from th'... um... Monastery a St. Feragon, headin fer th' city a Rivenblight." He nods, smiling. "Keep th' applicants' names handy. We'll wanna look at 'em..."
He looks to the others. "I think that'll attract th' 'ttention we need ta lure 'em out. We'll need ta wait a few days fer th' word ta get out, but once it does... all we gotta do is head fer Rivenblight on that road," He points at the map, "an' th' bandits're as good as ours." He smiles.
__________________ While I play D&D, it is not my game of choice, be it 3.5 or 4e.
"You're insane AND Jurassic, GW." - garyh
"The reverse side also has a reverse side." - Japanese proverb
----- Steamworks: A guide for introducing technology to a fantasy setting. (d20) Journey: The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet... (Work in progress)
Jaan still doesn't like the idea, but holds his tongue and nods non-commitaly. Wait till we hear what the merchants have to say. He will go with what everyone decides, but still hopes it will be some other course of action.
"Have the Watch or Milita been involved in this so far?" he asks the Watchman.
The guard shrugs at Troi's question. "You can do whatever you like." And then, partially continuing and partially as a reponse to Jaan's question, "The Captain doesn't want to use the manpower it would take to patrol that far out for that little, and into an ambush, no less. Like I said, these guys are small time." He shakes his head. "If merchants can't spring for a handful of guards, that's their problem." He grins. "'Course, I guess they pay you the big money to be a bit more direct, huh?"
ooc: you lot mind if we add one more? matthewbajda is hoping to hurry his character through approval and jump in. I don't mind if you don't.
__________________ “Taxation is very much like dairy farming. The task is to extract the maximum amount of milk with the minimum amount of moo. And I'm afraid to say, that these days, all I'm getting is moo.”
Velbrik shrugs. "I suppose we could try that. Were you thinking of using real treasure of some sort, or just an empty wagon? Also consider that there may be other caravans heading out - we could look at one of those and see if we can get ourselves put as guards or some-such. That would probably be easier and faster, and the merchants sponsoring it would most likely agree to whatever we had planned for an ambush."
"We ought to see what else we can come up with, though. But we definitely need to speak with the merchants, first."
OOC: Well, there are already three people waiting for something to do in the Red Dragon Inn; if he hooked up with them they'd have enough for an adventure.
Ioleta watches the exchange between the more veteran folk, absorbing every word. She still seems guarded, but a smile flickers at points during the exchange. She tucks a lock of hair behind her reflexively, unnecessarily... ...short now, keep forgetting...
"I can see Troi's point. Luring them out would be a good idea... especially if they're slavering over some choice cargo. But wouldn't we have to wait some time," her hand flutters vaguely, "...who knows how long, before the seed of rumor reaches the bandit's ears?"
She purses her lips, lost in the planning, nervousness forgotten. "Let's go talk to the merchants. See what they have to say and then, if we feel like we have the time, we can have Officer... Vagan, was it? Paste up posters or put out the word for guards, or however it is he recruits?" Her eyes alight she looks from Velbrik to Jaan to Troi to the desk sergeant and snaps her eyes back to Troi, "Let's go, shall we?" She lifts her pack tucking her thumbs under the straps. Nothing to see here, easy... easy - would you look at that keyring? I could snag that in a twinkling... it's a wonder more folk don't escape...
![(Adventure) Rivenblight's Castaway [Creamsteak judging]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/iconimages/living-en-world/adventure-rivenblights-castaway-creamsteak-judging_ltr.gif)
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