Alvar Thorne & Associates, Part 1 - orsal judging

Deus Ex Machina · Aug 15, 2007

"Just as long as you're there." Valdaris replies, somewhat more reassured.

orsal · Aug 15, 2007

I can judge this one.

Trouvere · Aug 15, 2007

"I shall endeavour not to disappoint you," says Taelythenihel, bowing formally to Valdaris as she accepts the longbow. "However, I too have questioned our decision to escort these wagons for a mere 5 crowns apiece. I would suggest either that Alvar Thorne's thriftiness overwhelms his good sense, or that his wagons contain goods of small value, or that he is not overly concerned with their safety or the safety of his employees." She says this openly, unconcerned whether Thorne's employees are listening. "If any of these are the case, then nor should we be overly concerned, at least not to the point of dire threat to our lives. A week's free victuals and 5 crowns, the price a spellcaster would charge for a single cantrip - am I not correct, Ruud? - should purchase little more than that in defence of the wagons. Any more that I do, I do to defend myself, my servant, and you my companions."
Taelythenihel notices Ciprinus standing with his scimitar outstretched towards Ossa. "She does very little without my express consent, Ciprinus," she says. "Ossa, please take the scimitar. Our thanks. That eases my concern. Now I think we have maximised our effectiveness."

OOC: longbow +3 (+4 within 30'), 1d8-2, baby

Boddynock · Aug 15, 2007

The woman looks up distractedly when the adventurers start to appear, but doesn't respond to their questions straight away. However, once she has given final instructions to the labourers, she moves towards the group, dusting her hands on the legs of her trews.

Up close you can see that, although you wouldn't call her beautiful, she has a face which is pleasing, and eyes which look with bright intelligence at the newcomers.

"My name is Allistra Thorne, and I'm the caravan marshall. I take it you're the adventurers my brother recruited last night."

She pushes a stray wisp of dark hair from her cheek with the back of one hand as she looks over the prospective guards.

Drerek said:
"Good morning, madam. Ruud von Nistelrooy at your service. Mr. Thorne said I should assemble here this morning to help in the escort of the caravan."

Allistra essays a bow and says, "Good morning, Messir Ruud. You are welcome."

Trouvere said:
"My name is Taelythenihel. This is Ossa, my serving woman and bodyguard."

The marshall narrows her eyes, and stares at the wizard for a moment before replying. Her gaze takes in the borrowed weapons and the silent Ossa behind her. "Ah yes, my brother mentioned you. You are the elf who accosted him outside the inn - the one who thinks she's worth 400 gold a week. His reply to your ultimatum was, 'If you are not prepared to cast your spells, I hope you can use a bow. Otherwise, you are not needed.' Although I see you have managed to borrow one from your comrades, so perhaps you are prepared to earn your keep."

Then she turns to the others and greets them. "Valdaris. I'm glad to have a warrior along. And you must be Ciprinus. Good - a druid is always helpful in the wild. We'll endeavour to spend only such time as is necessary to turn a profit in the towns along our route."

Boddynock · Aug 15, 2007

orsal said:
I can judge this one.

Thanks, orsal.

Trouvere · Aug 15, 2007

"Four hundred crowns is a fair assessment, for myself and the other spellcasters," says Taelythenihel tightly. "Five crowns and trail rations equates to the casting of two cantrips or one spell apiece. Beyond that, we shall see whether shared companionship has a value of its own. But I shall accompany the wagons regardless. I am interested in visiting Ravensdale, which I have never seen, for my father had human business associates there a short while ago. I suppose their grandchildren might still be alive."

Drerek · Aug 15, 2007

Trouvere said:
""If any of these are the case, then nor should we be overly concerned, at least not to the point of dire threat to our lives. A week's free victuals and 5 crowns, the price a spellcaster would charge for a single cantrip - am I not correct, Ruud?"

Ruud nods, "Yep, but it's paying more than I was getting just sitting there at the Inn."

Trouvere · Aug 15, 2007

"Ah well. Each flake of snow makes the drift deeper, I suppose. Allistra Thorne, we are ready to depart."

Deus Ex Machina · Aug 15, 2007

“Ahhh, so you are to lead this group? Then we are at your service, m’lady.”

Valdaris replies as he takes a few steps closer to the woman with one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other across his abdomen, before he gives Allistra a modest bow. He pauses for a moment before continuing.

“Before we depart, I should like to know what resources we will have in our care. How many caravans and how many men (and women). And if I am to protect you effectively, I would know how many of them are capable of bearing arms, should the situation require?”

His eyes linger on her for a long moment, as he awaits Allistra’s response.

“As you have already seen, my comrade here came without weapon. Should you have an additional bow or crossbow that we could make use of for this journey, then it would no doubt aid us in ensuring no harm comes to this caravan, or yourself.”

Trouvere · Aug 15, 2007

"Levethix othokent zara caex sthyr, shar arcaniss versvesh vyth," remarks Taelythenihel, in Draconic. "'The smart wizard stands behind the swordsman, but magic is stronger than steel.' I am not defenceless. Speaking of which, what languages do we have in common, for private speech may be of advantage in the presence of enemies?"