Sharn Tavern: The Tower's Shard '08

[Moggthegob]

Gene takes a drink and continues " Krepis has been with us for a while. He has a nasty temper and, unfortunately, is incredibly strong and durable, but he always did the hard work of carrying the stone from the prospecting fields to the trains, where we send them to be polished and cut. The trouble is, today's supply of shards never made it to the train. We looked into it and as it turns out Krepis took the order and from what we've been able to gather he ran off into the woods with them. We do not know why he took them, but he certainly did not have the presence of mind to do this alone. He has some sort of accomplice. That said, we could care less about that. We want him back, dead or alive and we would like the stones. My own house has placed a rather large bounty on his head and so has House Orien and House Kundarak, all of whom were set to profit from this shipment. All told, the bounty is a flat sum of 20,000 gp, 25,000 is you get back the stones. So my offer is, for you to go after the bounty and you get to keep the bounty and anything else you find, we just want the shards and the ogre. What do you say? Sound like your kind of thing?

[InVinoVeritas]

"Very noble!" Balnibar replies. "You have my support indeed in those endeavors. May you rid your house of corruption yet."

[Bront]

"That sounds ok. We can track him and find out what happened to him, and recover the stones." Stulgar says.

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: I'm confused--Does that mean this is a purely bounty hunting for cash? Out of character, I would jump at the chance to do this adventure, but could there be some minor human interest if possible? Siobhan is a Neutral Good Druid who doesn't care about money--she did the rescue mission because it sounded like people were in danger, for instance, and was very happy to save everyone from those cocoons)

[Bront]

OOC: I view the human interest to see if the Ogre is guilty or being forced to or tricked, and maybe trying to bring him back alive. Hense Stulgar's responce. It's also an excuse to get out of sharn.

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: Hmm? That's not human interest--it's a practice of the law thing. If he was also a wanted murderer, for instance, who killed several people to get the shards, it would be different. As is, most Druids (imo, and at least Siobhan) should not care about a property dispute between and employer and employee (though ironically, if it was House Cannith who lost something, Siobhan would likely seek out the ogre to help him, since she sees House Cannith as a force of great evil and destruction in the world, likely responsible for the Mourning).

Fortunately, it would be easy enough to add that the ogre was a killer, and something as simple as that (or equivalent) is more than enough of an excuse for me to put Siobhan into this adventure.)

[Bront]

OOC: Or you can tag along to keep your brother out of trouble. You know how nice it's been to associate with other Dragonmarked houses

[Moggthegob]

" Excellent!" Gene exclaims " Just to warn you though, there has been word that he is tearing up the swamps, and the reason we are certain it was him is that the first team we sent to go calm him down was mauled and nearly completely annihilated."

[Moggthegob]

(There is other human interest it just isn't obvious and won't be until you start putting the puzzle peices together, there is more to this than meets the eye.)

[stonegod]

Originally Posted by Moggthegob

(There is other human interest it just isn't obvious and won't be until you start putting the puzzle peices together, there is more to this than meets the eye.)

OOC: OOOOh, a Transformer^TM!

[Manzanita]

25,000 gold is a good bounty. "You've come to the right place, Gene." states Raven. "We will find this ogre and bring him back, dead or alive. And we'll get the shards back too, if at all possible. I wonder. It sounds like this ogre was a useful and loyal servent of your house for a long time. If it does turn out that some other group has swayed his simple mind with magic or sweet promises, and we could free him, would you be willing to hire him back? If so, we'll try not to kill him."

"Now. Is there anyone from that first team we could talk to? And how would you propose we start?"

[Moggthegob]

Gene smiles and shakes Raven's hand "Excellent. he was a very good and loyal worker so the situation is odd. IF this does turn out to be some kind of skullduggery we would be willing to hire him back, hes a strong boy. The 1st team is still is intensive care attempting to recover and as such would be able to meet with anyone. I would suggest going out to the prospecting fields and picking up the trail there."

[Jack of Tales]

Not knowing if she is in the right place, Kyra walks through the door and peers around at the clientele of the tavern. Upon noticing the numerous ragged appearances, miscellaneous weaponry and the occasional wizard's robe she allows a broad grin to cover her face. The shifter throws her dark hair over one shoulder and moves with grace to the bar's countertop. She rests on one elbow and grins at the warforged barkeep.

Hey there, Could I get a drink? Wine preferably, if ya have it. Also, where can I get a job 'round here? This is The Tower's Shard right? Some old man pointed over here when I was outside askin' around about finding excitement and adventure. I don't really care what I just need to go somewhere! Kyra continues to barrage Brews with words until he either interrupts or opens his mouth to speak.

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: Heh, I figured, but Siobhan would not have found it without the little impetus--thanks )

"The swamps are a part of the natural way of things, and if the balance there is being harmed by his actions, they must be stopped. And it will be quite pleasant to be back in the swamp instead of here in this place," Siobhan agrees, backing up her brother and Raven.

[Moggthegob]

Gene stands up Ok well I need to get going and I suggest you do the same. This invitation is by no means just limited to the 4 of you,but know that the bounty doesnt get any larger if you invite more people. Have you any other questions before I go?

[Manzanita]

"OK. Makes sense. I've got a couple more questions. Does this Krepis have any distinguishing marks? Presumably you'll give us directions to the prospecting fields? Can you give us transport to Shadow Marches, to boot? And once we catch this Krepis, where do we take him?" asks Raven. She can barely disguise her excitement about getting out to the fields again. She's very glad Stulgar & Siobhan will be with her again. Tracking ogres through swamps is hardly her think.

[Moggthegob]

" Krepis has the mark of the house branded on him. He is after all, house property. The prospecting fields are on the Droaam side of the marches, near the Sea. I, however, cannot provide transportation for you. When you catch him, you can bring him to wherever the nearest House enclave at that point is, Graywall in Droaam, Zarashak, the City of stilts. I doubt he'll getm uch further away fro myo uthan the marches themselves.
Gene finishes off his drink.

[Mellubb]

When Mathew hears mention of possible others joining the group he at first stands to offer his assistance. Then, he remembers how he was shunned the last time he offered his assistance to this group and sits back down.

[Manzanita]

OOC: I'm having a bit of difficulty locating these fields on the map. Presumably, though, Raven will understand where they are.

"OK. So we can get our own transport to Zarash'ak. From there, we can walk to the prospecting fields. Is there anyone there now who we can talk to? We can collect our reward, then in either Graywall or Zarash'ak. Do you have something go give us to demonstrate the reward and our agreement when we report in to one of those locations?"

[Solange]

"Can Mathew come with us? Please? Lily pleads.