The Troubadour's Travels (IC)

Stringburka · 1st September 2009, 10:39 AM

As you leave the small hamlet of Werja, you savor the smell and sound of the early morning. It’s late summer, and the birdsong is only half as intensive as merely a month ago. The air is quite sharp, and you realize this might be the last week before Frostnight. The peasants are already out tending to their harvest, which has been generous this year, and you see a cow chewing on the hay roof of a shed while a farmer makes a futile attempt to stop it. As you cross a stream, you think about the mission at hand.

This was not what you thought you’d do when confirming your interest to the red-cloaked man that hired you. Not only are you going after a poet of all things, it seems that several other groups have interest in him too. Your employer seemed more than a bit disturbed when he gave you the assignment, and didn’t even haggle for your price – not a low one either, thirty silver in your purses now and an additional seventy when the troubadour is found. You’re traveling towards Firina, a larger town and a coastal one at that. If the poet’s been in Firina, you will surely find out about it, and if he’s heading north you’ll have easy access to a ship.

You go through the orders again in your head, remembering the mans stern voice. He had the piercing gaze of a veteran warrior, possibly nobled, but you still had no idea of who he was.
"So, as I said, find the poet, try to find out why he's chased, and bring him to Firina. Don't hurt him. Should he be dead when you find him, bring his corpse and any belongings. In Firina, you will meet with a man called Creukar. He will stay at the Mossy Rock inn, but won't arrive there in about a week. He will give you the rest of your award."

As you enter another tiny hamlet, you see a group of people gathered out on a field. They shout and gesture, but it’s quite far and you can’t directly determine what the occasion is. What do you want to do?

OOC: I need spot and listen checks from all that try to see what’s happening at the field. Feel free to socialize a bit at first, you’re far from the field and have time for some IC chat.

wysiwyg · 1st September 2009, 03:31 PM

The young warrior is only too happy to be on the road once again. Easily bored, Kareus is eager to find an adrenaline outlet other than guarding overloaded wagons of grain or pilgrims seeking a safe route on their spiritual journeys.
The purpose of the mission seem not to disturb him at all. Find the bard, Bring him to his employer. Get well rewarded for it too! He comes out of his reverie when he hears the commotion in the village ahead. He can barely make out what the noise is about, but his keen eyes tell him a bit more as he gazes ahead to see what all the fuss is about.

Spoiler:

Toptomcat · 2nd September 2009, 08:56 AM

Lucas' bushy eyebrows dissapear into his unruly mop of hair as he views the confrontation in the distance. He breaks into a jog as he surveys the group.
"Looks like trouble. Not that there ought to be much out here in the sticks that could spell trouble for a group like this- but who knows? We knew this job was screwy when we took it anyway."

Spoiler:

Stringburka · 2nd September 2009, 02:09 PM

Spot DC 15

Listen DC 15

Both checks over 15

EDIT:

OOC

wysiwyg · 2nd September 2009, 02:30 PM

Kareus walks casually to what appears to be some kind of friendly contest between two groups. He folds his arms across his chest and stares at the teams once he reaches within a few yards of the contest.

Theroc · 5th September 2009, 03:34 AM

Aliandrys walked alongside her companions, her eyes and ears focusing on the sight as they walked, one hand moving halfway to her bow, should things become hostile. After all, the advantage of the bow was range. What good was a bow if you waited until your prey was upon you?

Unfortunately, for all her training int attuned herself to the wilderness, she couldn't make out anything. Seems she'd need to work on honing her senses in the future.

OOC

Stringburka · 5th September 2009, 11:42 PM

When you get closer you see that two groups of peasants have gathered, seemingly preparing for a tug of war. It is quite common practice to solve disputes between families by having one of these, and when you close a farmer notice you and cries:
“Oi, warriors! Wanna give a hand withe rope?”
Both groups move towards you quickly, shouting and asking you to help their side.

wysiwyg · 6th September 2009, 05:52 AM

Kareus finds it humorous that disputes are sorted by tugging a string. Then again, he sadly reflects on his own nature – am I any better? Does my sword serve the right cause any differently? Here I am searching for a man whom I know nothing about, and I shall bring him back even if it comes to...I’d rather not think about it. But it would seem that might makes right is the nature of how most problems are ‘solved’. At least let me find out where to side myself here.
Kareus address both groups – “Before I join this fine family gathering might I enquire as to the nature of your differences?”

Toptomcat · 6th September 2009, 08:28 AM

Lucas grins at the high spirits on display, and stretches as he anticipates giving a hand- then pauses as the two sides erupt into cries for them to help one side or another, frowning slightly and holding a broad hand up to silence the clamoring peasents [or at least bring things down to a dull roar.]

"If you're just enjoying yourselves, then sure, I'll pitch in- but if you're resolving something serious, do it yourselves. Then we can all go at it once you've settled your differences."

No sense in making enemies here.

Theroc · 6th September 2009, 06:14 PM

Aliandrys' hand lowered to her side, so as not to appear hostile as the scene proved peaceful, for now anyway. As both sides clamoured, she heard her compatriots make two differing decisions.

"I'd need to agree with my compatriots here. If it's for sheer pleasure, then I will happily take a side without issue. If this is a method of arbitration, then I need to know the story and details behind the dispute... if I must take a side."

Stringburka · 7th September 2009, 12:35 AM

The man who noticed you first speaks up. He's a short skinny man with equally short and skinny beard, and when he opens his mouth it seems he's become nervous.
"Well, milords, we're g-gonna have a feast tonight to celebrate the harvest, and we're to decide who-whos calf is gonna get slaughtered. So if you'd be so kind as to help us, we'll let you in on the feast!"

OOC

wysiwyg · 7th September 2009, 07:29 AM

With a genuine smile Kareus relaxes a little. “If you’ll allow me to interject, I’d like to offer a third and fourth option, the ones practiced in my village. Why not alternate each year? Let the family who hosted the meal last harvest be the guests this year. Or perhaps, let the calf be paid for by both groups. Shall we leave the decision to chance maybe? If you’ll allow me”

Kareus nicks the rope at several places, enough to weaken its strength only slightly. He then addresses both groups “Let us have our contest, but only for one minute. Before us are four possible outcomes. The first two are obvious: either group can win. The loser shall host the ceremony as it has been traditionally done in the past. If neither party manages to pull the rope when the time is up, last year’s guests will be this year’s hosts. And lastly, if the rope snaps, both sides shall pay equally for the feast. I suggest that I join the group on the right, whereas my friend Lucas shall join the group on the left. Lady Aliandrys shall be the arbitrator. As a sign of friendship, my friends and I will even chip in for a quarter of the calf. Shall we go at it then?”

Contest Suggestion

Toptomcat · 8th September 2009, 05:00 AM

Hmph. Very cute- and he likes to hear himself talk. Still, not an unfair way to do things.

If no serious objections are raised, Lucas takes his place at the opposite end of the rope from Kareus, grinning and chatting with the family on his end of the rope. When the time comes, he hauls with all his might, brawny arms straining. His sense of balance and leverage- honed to a keen edge by countless hours of training- helps to give him the footing he needs to really put his back into it.

Spoiler:

Stringburka · 8th September 2009, 08:03 AM

The farmers begin to prattle loudly, but after a while they calm down and the tiny man talks to you again. "That do seem like a good idea, Sir."
You all grab an end of the rope, and after a full minute of hard pulling you're all a bit sweaty and puffy, but neither side has moved more than a few inches and the rope is whole.
"Well, it seems our Clara's becomin' dinner then," the tiny man who's now presented himself as Wallry says "and it seem's you're joining! But may I ask what brings people such as you to our village? We rarely get visitors this time of the year." He smiles warmly towards you, while the rest of the groups cackle amongst themselves about the tug and the upcoming feast.

OOC

Theroc · 8th September 2009, 07:32 PM

Lia observes quietly, looking about herself on occasion. She wasn't particularly fond of Kareus including her in the payment without consulting her first, but that was something to be discussed in private, after all, she didn't want to be rude. As the match concluded, the Learam girl remained somewhat aloof from the others as the farmers began questioning the group. Not being particularly skilled in discussion with what she considered 'outsiders', Aliandrys left the discussion to the two men.

wysiwyg · 8th September 2009, 09:44 PM

Rubbing his hands together, Kareus tries to undo the slight rope welts he received from tugging the rope. He puts his arm around Wallry’s shoulder in camaraderie. “We weren’t destined to come here; it’s just a stop-over for us on the way to Firina. Darn glad for the invite though. Shall we go and see this beauty of yours. What was her name again, Clara? We’ve been on the road for three days, with nothing better than unsalted oat meal. A warm meal of beef would be just splendid,” he says, rubbing his arms together very briskly.

Toptomcat · 9th September 2009, 07:21 AM

Lucas nods, keeping the conversation going as the crowd goes back to Wallry's.

"We were just passing through, but maybe you can save us a trip. We're not looking for Firina so much as we're looking for news in Firina. Have any of you heard anything about all this craziness involving a traveling poet? Strangest damned thing I've ever heard of."

Stringburka · 9th September 2009, 09:55 AM

None of the villagers has heard anything about the poet, but they say that the feast will be big, with people from the outlying farms and the lumberjacks and fishers joining.
They don't underestimate the celebration, well over a hundred and fifty people join when the day turns to evening. The spirit is high and there's both food and drink aplenty. People dance, laugh, and generelly seems quite happy. Wallry, who's just finished his new barn, offers you a place there should you want somewhere to sleep.

OOC: Anyone who asks around for the troubadour may make a Gather Info check DC 10.

Gather Info

Theroc · 9th September 2009, 10:39 PM

Aliandrys attempted to politely deal with the locals, dropping questions about the minstrel, but failed to accomplish anything. Despite the failure, the festivities were quite enjoyable. She wasn't sure how they were going to find this man they were hired to find, but the adventure would likely be worthwhile, even if she didn't truly need the money.

OOC

wysiwyg · 9th September 2009, 10:49 PM

Kareus abandons himself to the joy of the moment like a man whose breaths are few, who has but moments to live. He savours every morsel of food, every drop of wine, and every swing of a dance. He mingles wildly with the village folk and eventually stumbles back to the barn at the wee bit hours of the morning when the party has finally died down. He falls fast asleep as soon as his head hits the hay. A great smile of contentment on his face. Too bad for the pounding headache that awaits him when he wakes.