(Adventure) Rivenblight's Castaway [Creamsteak judging]

[Thomas Hobbes]

"The list stays here, lassie, and that's all there is to it," says Daggreth bluntly, not seeming to notice her late arrival. "'Sides, it's all in Dwarven script, so 'less you kin read that, it's a moot point anyways." He turns back to his book.

"Aha!" he exclaims. "Perfect," he adds with some degree of satisfaction. He looks up at the others. "I forgot about this guy. Small-time dry goods merchant, runs 'em personally 'tween here and markets up north. Dresses real flash, so he looks like a target. Hasn't been hit yet, uses a wagon. 'E's a bit of a..." Daggreth seems to search for a word that is accurate but not too uncouth. "'E's a bit 'rrogant. Goes by Tylkin. 'E'll be glad to have four free guards along, 'though he might ask a few questions 'bout you hidin' in his wagon."

 

[doghead]

"So this would be the caravan you would choose if you were doing this?"

Jaan suspects that arrogent will turn out to be a polite understatement.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

"Yeh. More 'er less."

 

[doghead]

Jann nods in acknowledgement, them looks to the others to see if they have anything to add or ask.

If not, Jaan continues, "When does he leave and where can he we find him? And could you provide a note of introduction. It should simplify matters and help avoid any .. misunderstandings."

And once that is sorted, the only thing left is the money. Jaan rather hopes that Ioleta will jump in at this point. She has a way with words.

ooc: don't know where it comes from Sparky, but Ioleta is both enchanting and intriguing.

 

[WizWrm]

Velbrik glances at Ioleta when she suggests taking the list.

When Jaan is finished talking, he looks back and says, "Did we want to tell Tylkin the truth, or should we make something up? Maybe something about free coverage because of some new merchant's-guild thing that's being tried out; or that we're guarding his caravan as a "free sample," of sorts, for some insurance/mercenary company, or something like that? If he's so, ah, arrogant, he may not dissemble so well in the face of bandit attacks about our purpose. I can picture this merchant, just as the bandits swarm the caravan, shouting 'Ah-ha! You've fallen into our trap!' or some-such. Besides, the less people who know what's being done, the less chance it'll trickle back to the bandits."

 

[Sparky]

Ioleta holds her hands out in a placating gesture, "Easy, there. I wasn't suggesting we take your document. I would remember anything you told us..." With a forefinger she taps her temple, "I have a mind like a steel sieve." She blinks, "No, that's not right... a trap! A steel trap." Her mouth quirks as she considers, "But sieve works too." She rounds on the dwarf, "You didn't answer my question... have they ever taken prisoners?"

She raises her eyes skyward at Velbrik's words and heaves a great sigh, "I know the ilk." She exhales mightily.

"Good idea to concoct some line to feed him... but if we don't tell him the real story... do we have to work for free?" She holds her hands out again, another placating gesture. I better not get stuck in this pose. She expands, "I do not mean we should fleece the guy, but, you know. Give him a bargain. Any good merchant would recognize a bargain, right? And our story would sit better." She wrinkles her nose, "It wouldn't be very nice to take him deliberately into danger without warning him though... though I suppose he's already risking the trip." She seems to be thinking out loud again.

"And if he's as 'arrogant' as he is purported to be, it might also be wise to purchase a mirror. In case we need to distract him."

She stops and wrinkles her nose. "That wasn't very nice, was it? Nor very fair." She shrugs her shoulders, "I guess we shall see soon enough. Where can we find this Tylkin?"

OOC: I'm glad you're enjoying her. And per your earlier comment - I'm not the mad one... it's her, Ioleta.

 

[WizWrm]

"Well, we're not really taking him deliberately into danger. We're just hoping that danger will find us; the chance it will is equal with or without us."

"I suppose we ought to charge him a bargain rate, at least, then." Velbrik nods towards the dwarf, asking, "What would that be? I haven't done any truly conventional guard-work in my time here. If you'd mind writing up a note for that, saying that we're down-on-our-luck and came to you for work, and that you gave us an available job; then give us directions, we can set out right away."

He smirks. "And don't worry. I already have a mirror."

 

[GnomeWorks]

"Ioleta's got a point, we shouldn't do it fer free." Troi says. "We don't wan' 'im gettin' suspicious, er somethin'..."

He looks to Velbrik. "We should also try ta get an idea a what we're gonna do if er when we get ambushed, y'know? Not havin' a plan might be a bad idea, as it'll be hard ta come up with somethin' under fire."

 

[WizWrm]

"Well, we need to immobilize as many of them as quickly as possible. I have minor illusion magic, if you can think of any ideas for that; I also can magically force them to cackle maniacally to the exclusion of all else, and with their success rate so far, they may be pretty close to that already."

"We could also consider tanglefoot bags, though they're pretty expensive, or nets and bolas, though they're difficult to use."

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Daggreth shrugs. "Whatever ye like. I kin write ye a note, and if Tylkin ends up payin' fer yer company, so much the better. A word o' advice, though- he may be 'rrogant, but he's a right flash bastard, too. Could sell fire to a troll."