The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

MacConnell · Nov 9, 2016

Returning to Southroad Fair

OOC:

Gathered Collection:
4 Flint Kukris, 45 Bone-Headed Arrows (all, no monetary value)
17 Flint-Headed Arrows (no monetary value)
11 very small pouches of herbs, 12 dark orange tubers
4 dark red stones, 4 gold Ansylin coins, 2 silver earrings
2 steel dirks, 1 coral necklace
left hand, drawing, parchment

GM:

The party departs, again, for Southroad Fair. The trip is void of significant events and takes two more days to complete. During the time of travel, dedication is spent on deciphering the parchment, identifying the herbs, identifying the stones, and attempting telepathic communication.

OOC:

Identified Items:
2 Steel Shimadow Kukris: damage 15: hindrance 20: (Bolo)
2 Steel Dirks: damage 10: hindrance 10
Laminar Pighide Bracers: Cover = 10%: Soak = 6: Hindrance = 3
1 pair Laminar Deerskin Greaves: cover 10: soak 7: hindrance 4
1 Deerskin Belt: cover 10: soak 7: hindrance 5
1 Chitin Buckler: cover 10: soak 18: hindrance 9
4 measures of dried blackberry leaves (Indigo)
4 measures of dried blackberry leaves
8 Quartz Crystals: 10 clams each (party)
4 pieces of Amber: 10 clams each (party)

GM:

As the members of the party spread out during travel, each tries to communicate with another, proving a lesson in futility and frustration. In the security of camp, San-Bolo, Sheldon-Indigo, and Aust-Revan find that they can most readily get the attention and convey emotion to each other at almost any reasonable distance. Any other combination of effort, only allows for acquiring another's attention at a maximum distance of about 2 paces. Rather than discouragement, it gives the everyone the impression that Revan's idea should eventually be possible, but it will require much further practice.

GM:

With a collaborative effort, none of us being able to actually read, having only been exposed to numbers, making a mark for our name, and some signage, it is decided that the parchment does indeed contain true writing in the Ansylin language, though not a single word can be identified, nor the seal at the bottom, though it is certainly a seal.

Sheldon offers, "Perhaps we could see if Lyndha can read this. Though Giodavi is basically in charge of the community, she seems to keep the books. Maybe she is more literate than mere numbers."

GM:

What are everyone's intentions upon entering town? Also, enough time has passed for all commissioned armoring to be complete. Check updated character records to make sure everything is correct.

Kwargrow · Nov 9, 2016

"We should check in with Giodavi first, let him know our trip was a success. Then we can have a hot meal, a bath, and then discuss the specifics. I think we're familiar enough with town that everyone can tend to their own business deals. We should ask Giodavi if there are any places in town for rent that we can base our trips out of." - Sannit

MacConnell · Nov 10, 2016

Kwargrow said:
"We should check in with Giodavi first, let him know our trip was a success. Then we can have a hot meal, a bath, and then discuss the specifics. I think we're familiar enough with town that everyone can tend to their own business deals. We should ask Giodavi if there are any places in town for rent that we can base our trips out of." - Sannit

OOC:

It is late as usual when the party arrives back in town. Late enough that the pack animals are simply tethered outside the Boar's Head Tavern. Supplies and collection can be tended tomorrow. A hot meal that someone else cooked and a sturdy seat are always a welcome when returned. Business can also wait. Nothing is pressing now that the job is completed.

Giodavi, of course, greets the party as they enter, in his usual boisterous manner. "I, for one, am glad to see the return of the Southroad Seekers. I can see by your nature that you were successful, but business can come later. Eat first. Here, please sit. Be comfortable. Your meals and drinks are on me."

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 10, 2016

Merin and Tor both greet Giodavi warmly, and sit down at a table to eat. Both of the friends order a Pine Vine Mellow to drink, and toast the party and each other to their recent success. Merin seems especially eager to be merry, hoping to purge the recent bad thoughts and daydreams that had been plaguing him.

As the meal progresses, Tor says:

"Rent? Nay, my dear Sannit! We should think about having our own house! I don't mean personal living space; I mean like a guild hall, or one of those communal "Round Houses" that I've heard so much about. A place for work. I wonder how much it would cost to commission one? We could have it built by local carpenters, while we're out and about. As for private sleeping chambers, we could have those built around the village as well, but that can come later. I'd like to have a place to gather that we could call our own. What say all of you?"

OOC:

Tor goes on to describe a Bronze Age Round House:

Kwargrow · Nov 10, 2016

San-Bolo greet Giodavi along with anyone else they might recognize inside and accept food and drink. "It's good to have a place to come where people aren't trying to stab us," Sannit says with a wide grin.

Sannit responds to Tor, "Of course we should have our permanent place of operations, but I was also thinking short term, like tonight. We are already renting beds, or sleeping out in a tent like us. I was just going to ask if there were any empty houses around."

After a full belly and a wash, the two return to the Boar's Head. If they are ahead of the rest of the party they have one more drink apiece, offering to pay for those, and will tell the story of the battle from their perspective, showing off the gleaned kukri's and where the hunter struck them.

Trying something new, Bolo tells the end of the story, giving appropriate credit to the rest of the party for finishing the fight and admitting that they were too wounded to the point of desperation. They don't speak of anything they found after nor even that they spoke to the hunter, only that he fell to Aust and Revan's blows.

MacConnell · Nov 11, 2016

Discussing the Battle

Kwargrow said:
I was just going to ask if there were any empty houses around."

After a full belly and a wash, the two return to the Boar's Head. If they are ahead of the rest of the party they have one more drink apiece, offering to pay for those, and will tell the story of the battle from their perspective, showing off the gleaned kukri's and where the hunter struck them.

Trying something new, Bolo tells the end of the story, giving appropriate credit to the rest of the party for finishing the fight and admitting that they were too wounded to the point of desperation. They don't speak of anything they found after nor even that they spoke to the hunter, only that he fell to Aust and Revan's blows.

Since it is passed dark, Lyndha joins Giodavi and the remaining members of the Southroad Seekers at the Boar's Head Tavern. Giodavi closes up and then sits with the group to discuss the business.

"I'm sure you are all tired after such a journey. I have had no houses built for rent. I have never before had the need. The largest I can offer is one of the bunkhouses, which sleeps four, but I would be more than happy to make an arrangement with you if you wish to use one to store your belongings. I would also consider selling you one and you could commission the Carpenters' Guild to add onto it. If you wish to have a place built, talk to the Carpenters' Guild for that as well. There is no taxation or deed permit requirement."

"So I surmise by your return that you have eliminated the hostilities to the west. By Sannit's description you encountered Shimadow. Was it natives expanding their territory or head hunters?"

Sheldon gestures for Giodavi to wait momentarily and walks outside to retrieve a few items. When he returns he places a bone-headed arrow and a flint kukri upon the table before addressing the question.

"Indigenous hostiles? It would appear so with the rudimentary weapons, but these..."

He places the four, small, rectangular, gold coins on the table bearing the stamped symbol for Asylim.

"are not something one would find on any aboriginal clan."

Giodavi and Lyndha both look at the coins, shaking their heads.

"Those greedy fools. I truly did not expect such an action, or any action for that matter. Not the start of this past growing season but the one before, an emissary was sent from Asylim demanding monies. You all being former caravaners and, therefore, mandatory members of the Teamsters Guild can understand some of the machinations of Asylim. Fees for this and that and the other. When it was all said and done, the Magistry wanted 50% of the communities income and guild dues from the various factions, here."

"I laughed. I considered it a joke. We are so far from the city, it would be impossible for them to enforce such demands; as well as, impossible for them to march an army this distance to destroy us, but I see I have under estimated their greed and avarice. They hired insurgents to do what an army could not. One of the ruling families is Shimadow. I guess that's how they were able to hire such a crew. Killing my hunters is not just short-sighted. It's absolutely cruel, sadistic even."

He pauses momentarily, clearly disturbed and upset.

"I wonder if this is the decision of all 7 members or if it's a split decision."

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 12, 2016

Merin scowls momentarily, not at Giodavi, but at the idea of hired assassins. Then he says:

"I too, doubt that all of the Shimadow we encountered were mercs. I suspect that only the leader was a merc, because he was the only one whose hand bore this brand,"

Merin hands the parchment with the tattoo sketch to Giodavi.

"I suspect that these others may have simply been pike fodder, recruited from among foolish youths who were out to prove themselves to their tribal elders."

MacConnell · Nov 12, 2016

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin scowls momentarily, not at Giodavi, but at the idea of hired assassins. Then he says:

"I too, doubt that all of the Shimadow we encountered were mercs. I suspect that only the leader was a merc, because he was the only one whose hand bore this brand,"

Giodavi looks at the representation of the brand and nods. "This confirms my previous deduction. That is the brand of the Ansylin Assassins' Guild. I know this for certain. I was not a former merchant of Asylim before founding this community. I was a soldier, a member of the Magistry Marshals, but it has been almost 10 years. I wonder why now? Why would they suddenly after all this time decide to take action against us?"

Kwargrow · Nov 12, 2016

Sannit strokes his beard and drains off the last of his drink, setting the mug on the table. Beside him Bolo takes a sip from her still half full mug.

Sannit says, "It might be that they've been too busy and are finally getting around to harassing Southroad Fair or that they found something nearby that has peaked their interest. Whatever their secondary motivation we can be sure that if they're spending money, they plan to make money. I doubt they will give up after this attempt. It seems that the Seekers have shown up just in time, Giodavi. We like this place and we'd like to see it stay with you and your people. We have some few other items we need looked over, but I think this discussion should also include what we plan to do next. There are two more rumors we need to investigate. Where do we go now? Tor expressed interest in the tree and I think that might be a good next stop, especially if word of our deeds is spreading."

OOC:

Are we going to bring up the letter now? I didn't because Sannit said he wouldn't.

GM:

+1 Commercial skill for Sannit

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 12, 2016

Sannit said:
"...especially if word of our deeds is spreading."

Tor looks as if he has had an epiphany.

"Yes, precisely. Word of our deeds HAS been spreading. We ourselves might unwittingly play a part in all of this. I doubt the Asylim guilds pay much mind to every crackpot who wanders into the wilderness to establish a trading post. But Giodavi isn't a crackpot. He's well-organized, and well-equipped. And now rumors are spreading of the "dragon slayers" who are helping him. The guildmasters aren't blind; they see the potential for Southroad Fair to become a competitor. They have the foresight to understand that this small trading post may one day grow into a large town, or even into a city. And that does not bode well for their commercial interests. And there is also one other thing that bothers me..."

Tor pauses, sighing deeply, his countenance wearing a wistful, regretful look.

"What if those Shimadow were sent to kill US, and mistook the hunters for the so-called "dragon slayers"? What if the guildmasters aren't concerned at all with the commercial success of the town? What if they see Giodavi as attempting to form his own mercenary guild? We ourselves may be to blame for this unwanted attention. Not only that, but if the guildmasters figure that out, their focus might shift to US. We might all become targets."

GM:

+1 Commercial skill for Tor

The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

MacConnell

Creator of The Untamed Wilds

Kwargrow

Gamer Extraordinaire

MacConnell

Creator of The Untamed Wilds

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

Kwargrow

Gamer Extraordinaire

MacConnell

Creator of The Untamed Wilds

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

MacConnell

Creator of The Untamed Wilds

Kwargrow

Gamer Extraordinaire

Tellerian Hawke

Defender of Oerth

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