From humble beginnings...

[Narrator]

To Garik

As you idly follow behind and examine the disk, you notice that on those who have put theirs on, it has indeed assumed a very plain nature. No-one would assume it's value at anything beyond a poor-man's jewellery, valuable only to the person wearing it.

DM: I'm assuming your character has followed the rest to the inn. Let me know if you want to follow the others on the equipment mission or stay behind.

 

[Narrator]

Due to farrier's and liveries closing early, you decide that finding a beast of burden should be your first task. With little difficulty, you're able to pick up a fine steed for a reasonable price.

You stop by apothecaries and temples for potions, various specialty stores for rations and tents and whatnot, gaining whatever you needed with little fuss or negotiation.

It was not until you went to the cartographer that you encountered a problem. Asking about maps for the Land of Iuz and the newly incorporated Horned Lands made the gangly, little old man almost jump from his easel in fright.

Albeir Johannson of Johannson, Johannson & Johannson Kar'to Graffers

"Ye canna be serious? Oh, aye, I see ye are... well, I 'ave an old one but if ye want sumfin' more recent... well, ye'll 'ave ta go to da mayor's office, 'e's a map collector ya know... but 'e won't give ye da time a day, snooty little snot..."

He goes over to a wall of pigeon-holes filled with scrolled up parchments and papers of all sorts. Though not marked in any way, he seems to navigate the mess as if he knows what he's doing and eventually pulls out a small sheaf of parchments which he hands over for you to look at.

They are definitely old as the documents are labelled with "The Duchy of Furyon" where the Empire of Iuz should be. One of the maps, however, actually shows an overview of the city of Dorakaa, and several of them show ancient roadways to and from various cities within the lands of the Old One.

"Whatchee be wantin' dose fer? Plannin' a journey?"

He cackles with laughter at this but quickly notes that nobody else is laughing and so stops and asks:

"Oh dere mother Beory, ye are aintche? Well... I be chargin' no less for de dead as I do fer de livin', ninety sheafs fer dat dere mastopeeses and not a common less, ye 'ere!"

What is your response?

DM: The pony cost you 36gp. For some reason, the man didn't charge you as much as the others and seemed more than happy to accept the standard, rather than inflated price.

 

[Narrator]

To Clete

After a couple of hours you manage to garner a fair bit of information about the man that is Tarvoden.

After being led astray until finally you changed tact and asked about Knights of the Hart, you eventually managed to track down a former militia man from Highfolk who knew of Tarvoden.

Apparently, he was a hero. During Iuz's push into the Vesve, Tarvoden had distinguished himself in combat and was promoted as a man-at-arms; an honorary knighthood that held with it the prestige but not the power.

Further, he had apparently stayed during the occupation to defend a small village of olvenfolk. Eventually, the village had to be abandoned and Tarvoden had protected them throughout their journey and, at one stage, had stayed behind in order to stave off an attack so that the villagers could flee to safety.

After this, he was a fully fledged Knight of the Hart, despite the Highfolk branch being traditionally, entirely olven.

You then proceeded to a temple of Heironeous. Having heard Tarvoden invoke his name upon your leaving, you figure that's as good a temple as any to find out more about him.

Perhaps not surprisingly, nobody had heard of him and the high priest was too busy to accord you any attention.

However, as you were leaving, another person called to you from the shadows behind a long section strewn with pillars.

What do you do?

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita calls to the others present at the map store to gather to discuss

I'm very reluctant to pay 45gps for an old map. Perhaps we will find better info in Critwall. It also appears, as I recall,

OOC: geography knowledge check

that Dorakaa is right on Whyestil Lake. If we just follow the Veng upstream & then follow the lake around, we're sure to get there.

At a provisioning store

I assume we can find some water on the way, but you're right, Grenier, we should get more. Let's up it to 4 water skins apiece. M'faro, can you hold that additional weight, or do we need an additional pack horse?

 

[Grenier]

At the provisioning store.

"Good, good, I already carry two though, and you all look as if you have one, the extra weight won't be too much."

At the Kar'to Graffers.

Grenier rests his weight on his staff and looks over the counter.

"How much for the overview of Doraaka, good Sir?"

"And perhaps you would know, is there clear road from here to Critwall?"

 

[M'faro]

At a provisioning store

Yes, Manzanita my horse can hold the additional weight. I guess now it's carrying about 50 pounds, so with another 45 pounds it's still light load.

 

[Narrator]

3pm, 11th of Planting, 585 C.Y.

It begins raining. Just a light drizzle. It's 16 C/62 F

 

[Narrator]

Albeir Johannson

"Well, 'taint right ta be separatin' a set, see... forty sheafs fer de one, ninety fer de lot."

He says as he clasps his hands in front of him and rocks on the balls of his feet.

"As fer de road, I don't rightly be knowin'. 'tis dark days, an' few be travellin' 'tween de cities. I be sayin' you 'ave a clear road to de sea, along de road ta Willip. After dat, who be knowin' but de gods. I do hear tell of hoch jebline an' worse 'arrassin' people near da border, but fer better info, ye be wantin' ta hang in da tavern's an' spread a lil' coin, if ya get me meanin',"

He rubs his fingers together and rocks forward on the balls of his feet, teetering in a precarious position. You notice suddenly that, if it weren't for his height which though low is certainly higher than a halfling, he resembles a halfling more than a little bit.

DM: There are four maps in the 'collection' he showed you.

 

[M'faro]

At the Kar'to Graffers, when Mr. Johannson mentions Willip

Willip! That´s the city where I disembarked with Tarvoden and the other fellows! Was there any road from there to Critwall? Darn! I can't remember....

OCC: Two questions: Did I remember any road? and Where did the guys that came with me from Radigast went?

 

[Grenier]

"We are short already, so my offer is 25 sheafs for the one of Doraaka or 60 for the lot. I would think this a good price for outdated maps that none here have use for or would buy for that matter."

Grenier gives the man a penetrating glance as he speaks.

OOC: Maybe an intimidation check?
How big is the store? Does it look like the man lives in the same building? What type of entry points are there?