From humble beginnings...

[Narrator]

The Old Man

"Oh, I understand, I understand. I'm not so interested in receiving a reply you understand, I'm more interested in knowing that someone is just going to see if they're ok, you know? It's only a day and a half out from here and they would welcome you with a hot broth and some bread to be sure. I would go meself but I haven't the means and these old legs won't carry me far."

You can see he's obviously nervous as he has been gripping his hat like it's a talisman until now it's little more than a scrunched up piece of leather.

He then responds to your further query.

"Oh, like I mentioned, I had heard you was going that way from all your questions around the traps and figured if you were able, that you could just drop in on 'em and see, y'know?"

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita will go upstairs to find Grenier & M'faro. When she does she will tell them of her actions downstairs

Friends, Garik & I have paid the healer the barman recommended for him to brew up a potion to cure you two. He says it should be ready tomorrow. Garik is accompanying him to make sure it's OK. So that means we have at least all day today left in town. I'm thinking I may just hang out in the tavern & attempt to learn more about the route & maybe the viscount who's providing the gold. (was he a viscount?) What do you two think?

 

[Clete]

"OK tell me how to find this niece of yours. I'll talk to my companions about it, but I can't promise anything.

Wait in the inn and I'll tell you if I can visit her later today."

 

[Grenier]

"Good, good Manzanita, how much will that set us back? M'faro and I will just check on Clete, then discuss the routes a little more, whilst you mingle."

 

[Manzanita]

80 sheves. Well worth it to allieve your pain & suffering & get us out of this hell-hole.

Since I've got all day to mingle, I'll accompany you to discuss our route & such with Clete. Just don't touch me.

she winks

 

[Narrator]

The Old Man

The old man beams and excitedly tells you how to get to his neices place.

"It's just a day's journey along the Fairhaven Roadway and then a cart track that goes out to several farmsteads runs off it. After about another half-days journey, you'll see a plantation of Galda trees, can't miss 'em, should be 'bout ripe to pick too! He, he!"

He seems about ready to burst with excitement by this stage and so doesn't continue until he settles down a bit.

"Tha's where you'll find 'em, they own the farmstead there and the lands around. Freeman Darson is my neice's husband's name. He'll be there probably with a few likely lads preparing for harvest."

He stands there looking at you with a smile as wide as his face which looks decidedly odd when you factor in the wrinkles and whiskers. For a moment he just stands there, grinning until it becomes slightly awkward and then he seems to suddenly realize something.

"Oh! Yes! Right... I wait in the common room, yes, yes... I'll be downstairs, good lad. Mr. Gerald will see me good with a drink I think. Ahh... 'till later then."

He nods and smiles and shuffles off down the stairs. He tips his crumpled leather hat to Grenier, M'faro and Manzanita as they are coming up the stairs and pass him by.

 

[Clete]

To Manzanita, M'foro, and Grenier

Hello mates! Good morning. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Say, looks like some of you got roughed up. What happened?

 

[M'faro]

Good mornin' Clete.

We're sick, but don't worry it doesn't spread. Tomorrow a healer will deliver a curing potion for us and we'll be fine.

Meanwhile let's take a look at the maps...

 

[johnsemlak]

Edit, mispost again. Doh!

 

[Clete]

"Yes, let's look at the maps. Also, I did some ask'in about the road to Critwall. I found out a few things.

Here's what I found out about our road:

Essentially there were two routes and the following key pieces of information were garnered in my efforts:

1) On the road to Willip, we will encounter numerous waystations where militiamen will require the payment of several taxes, including a Freesword tax which is called 'Blade Coppers' once we cross over into the Barony of Willip; a Foriegner's Tax; and, again once we cross over in to Willip, a Dweomercrafting Tax. However the journey will be swift and safe due to the relatively good condition of the road and the constant patrols.

Willip itself is a bustling port city full of colour, life, activity and crime. It is the main base of Furyondy's navy and therefore has extensive shipyards and many sailors. It is also a nexus of trade for the Nyr Dyv into Furyondy. From Willip there are vessels that will take us as far as Herechal for a modest fee, however from there, getting to Critwall would be under your own steam.

2) Crossing the plains of St. Lucius, the relatively unihabited area between the road from Gorsend to Willip and between Gorsend and Critwall/Herechal, is said to be treacherous due to roving bands of hoch jebline who break ranks from their base in Critwall not to mention bandits. There have also been rumours of beings with scales that ooze a vile, rotten egg smell and other 'things' that resemble fat, hairless gnomes that mindlessly attack anything living.

Such are just wild rumours, though, told to me by wild-eyed men after too much drink. Others have said that the journey is actually quite scenic and due to the plains being relatively free of trees and hills, quite swift and can easily cut in half the time it would take to journey from Gorsend, not to mention be a helluva lot cheaper."