(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Guilt Puppy]

[Have we heard from Aerda's player yet, GP?]

(No, unfortunately. For the time being, I'll put him on auto-pilot, but without a character sheet to pass on, it may be difficult... So for now: )

Aerda considers what Fendric has said, then steps outside, saying no word...

Before the barkeep even finishes pouring your ale, he returns, Astrule on his wrist, the ring in his palm. He sets it on the counter abruptly, its rattle piercing the silence.

"Astrule wouldn't take it. Wouldn't take it away, I mean... He just sat there, fidgeting. Which isn't like him... He knows my command."

"I only had a twinge of doubt myself, but I'm convinced that it was the ring's contribution... I think it's capable of much more influence than that. For Astrule to disobey... I'm beginning to doubt everything I've done since putting it on."

"I'm worried to leave it in the city, where anyone might find it. If it doesn't want us to let go, it might come looking for us... I have a thought of where to hide it, but I'll have to take it there myself. I won't wear it, of course... If it can still hold sway from my satchel, hopefully my knowing will be enough to resist it."

"I will catch up with you, when I can. Victus and the others are still in town -- he at least will stay until I return here, if I ask. Tell him where you go, and some instructions for me to track you should your path change. 'Look for rocks in the shape of such-and-such constellation,' what have you."

"Travel safely, friend, and farewell..."

He pauses, then looks over at Nurthk.

"I also spoke with this young man some, and there's something that stands out about him... It's not my choice alone, but you certainly have my consent to take him along, should you choose to."

With that, Aerda heads out... (Until such time as his player returns...)

(I think at this point we can flash forward again to the next morning, as you're preparing to leave... Which direction are you headed? Any further preparations to be made in this town?)

 

[dpdx]

"Thank you. In the meantime, do you have our cargo with you? Perhaps it would be safest for me to hold it until you return, in case we encounter one of the destinations. Until we next meet, then, my noble friend, may the Shining Light keep you in its Holy Protection..."

As Aerda leaves, Fendric collects his mug of ale, and leaves a silver on the bar as payment.

Fendric then looks over at the half-orc: "And what do we call you, my friend?"

 

[Festy_Dog]

Originally posted by dpdx
"And what do we call you, my friend?"

Nurthk smiles to the old half-orc.

"I guess I'll have to finish the tale another time then, fare you well," he says, and turns to Fendric, "Call me Nurthk Dedblood, and it would be a pleasure to travel with you, I've a lot of time on my hands you see, but thats another story."

 

[dpdx]

"The pleasure's all mine, Nurthk," Fendric replies, shaking his hand. "You come highly recommended by my recently departed friend, and I'm happy to have you along with us, His Radiant Holiness Be Praised. We'll be on our way as soon as we've gotten everything together. I'll have to consult our map, and the delivery we have left, but I suspect we'll be headed for colder climates sooner rather than later. That's what the others had said, at any rate."

"For the time being, we'll be travelling together with Niccolo, a gnomish Bard of no mean skill, Brother Hiritus, another acolyte of the Temple, and Aerda too, soon as he has taken care of something for us. When we make camp tonight, I shall tell you all the whole sordid tale, if Niccolo doesn't beat me to it!" He chuckles at this last remark. "Anyhow, they should be here at any time now."

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo muses on the rebirth of the group...The Company of the White Owl,indeed...

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk nods.

"Sounds good, what are we looking at in the way of winnings should whatever we're doing be done sucessfully?" he asks.

 

[dpdx]

Fendric lowers his voice to Nurthk: "Well, and may Pelor vouch for my honesty, I do not know - but keeping in mind who this quest was made on behalf of, I suspect it would be worthy of even five years' work. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, here, but when we are at camp, outside these walls, more shall become clear."

Fendric looks around for Niccolo and Hiritus, as well as Aerda.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Two things on not clear on:

First, where are you headed? West, toward the Free Cities? North and across the sea toward Tourne? Elsewhere?

Some notes on these options, information you'd easily pick up around the city:

- The West Road out of town will eventually lead to the Ashen Mountains, where you may have to track South for about four hours on horseback to Kell's Pass for the overland route (which reaches high altitudes, and cold weather... this was the path Merrim was assuming you'd take when she got you the cold-weather outfits), although you've heard mention of a shortcut underneath the mountains that's more of a straight shot -- information on this route is scarce, all you've heard is that it exists. If you take the Kell's Pass route, you should end up in Trannes, a fortified border city, from which it should be a short trip to Eivanrach.

- Trade and travel between Bethel and Tourne is scarce, but it does exist. The North road splits in three at Yovesh... The Northeast road will take you to Port Artel, where you might have some luck gaining passage -- it is only about a day on sea to get there, after all. The weather may be poor for sailing -- it is by now mid-fall -- but then it is likely to get worse the longer you wait.

- The clerigy of Wee Jas, you'll have heard, have come primarily from the Derah forest -- the largest temple in this region lies there in seclusion, sitting upon the river Damiel. I can't think of a particular reason you'd want to go there, but you might be able to, so that's there.

If there's anything else you'd like to have researched while in town, let me know. I'm just trying to cover all the natural assumptions.

Second, when are you leaving? I had assumed you'd stay at the temple one last night, but if you intend to leave immediately, Hiritus will be ready to accompany you... Still, it will make a difference (how far you get before camping, how much time has elapsed, et cetera...)

Note that Aerda will hand over your "cargo," as well as a copy of the map he's made.

 

[dpdx]

[I'm not sure it's not just the four of us (Nurthk, Hiritus, Niccolo and I), so Fendric was thinking of waiting for Niccolo and Hiritus to arrive before we set out. Other considerations: The default option was the mountains, since we do have the gear, and that's where Merrim expected to go. Aerda could come back (and in fact, I'd prefer that he did), otherwise we could recruit again. God, I'd hate to have to bury this PbP...]

[edit: My presumption was that it's already the next morning, and as soon as we gathered everyone, we were ready to set off. If that's not right, I'm fine with another night in the Temple. I also wouldn't mind another chance to talk to Father Premule before we left.]

 

[Uriel]

OoC:We can easily recruit if need be. I have a RL friend from my group who is rather fanatical on here now, 'ferretguy', he'd play. As far as where we go, I'm open. I think that any path will lead to the same glorious fame and fortune that are our destinies. You know, I haven't even updated Niccolo to level 2 offically, I am just having such fun playing him. I can't recall if we discussed this, but are we going to 3.5? Gnome Bard is rockin in 3.5 and I could actually wear some armor. Just wanted to ask.

IC: Niccolo enters, having taken a walk about town, looking for his friends, old and new. Ready for adventure and keen for new stories to tell, new songs to sing.