[IC] The Protectors of Greensfen (Part II)

[nerdytenor]

Dardus can't help but chuckle at the newly enhanced map.

"Ah, I forget myself. You've only just arrived, after all. Your main mission is to eliminate the threat posed to our town. These three," Dardus says, indicating Joshua, Rellek, and Karis, "helped uncover threads of a strange plot to take over our town by means both martial and arcane. Mardrick's wife was seduced by the leader of the enemy force, a man named Baradur. You must route Baradur's forces and ensure he never attacks our town again. Also, if possible, you are to rescue Elloen, Mardrick's wife, though in truth she may not wish to be rescued."

 

[nerdytenor]

"As to the direction, Elloen was teleported away using a magical stone which Joshua now posseses. While the stone's power is spent, there are traces left in it which Joshua can use to divine Elloen's destination. Glaelyn, Mardrick's teacher and a powerful warlock, could divine the rough direction and is fairly confident about the maximum distance of the teleportation."

Dardus wipes his forhead. "All of this arcanery leaves me a bit dizzy, I must confess. I only hope you can find the enemy without too much trouble."

 

[Arbanax]

Rellek listened quietly the banter going on, but having got what he felt he could from Dardus he became to make mental preparations for the journey. He wanted to make sure they re-provisioned if possible, the blight itself might have stolen whatever game would otherwise be on offer.

[Sblock]

Ok NT depending on what the others intend to do, I am checking my equipment, getting a sharpening stone to put an edge on my old axe (I guess the magical ones retain their keen edge) checking me arrows, sorting out my bow etc.

I'd like to make sure we are restocked for the journey and I'm taking the map when its finished with. Unless anyone objects. If there is a piece of charcol or another quill I will ask to have it, so I can continue to fill out the map as we go.

[/sblock]

 

[nerdytenor]

Dardus provides the party with a small amount of food for the journey. He then hands a small hand-written note to Karis. "When you get to Andusk, you can give this to the inn keeper Farley Templeton - he's a trading partner and an old friend. He will put you up for the night free of charge."

With the party ready to go, Dardus gives a final farewell. "Gods protect thee!" And with that the party is off.

OOC: Feel free to do anything else before leaving if you want.

The first part of the road to Andusk is familiar to three of the party members, at least for a few miles. To the north, the Dead Forest looms - strange chirps and growls can occasionally be heard, but neither man nor beast emerges from the darkness. To the south, rolling hills can be seen in the distance behind tall willow-like trees. A few caravans pass the party going towards Greensfen, but the journey is unremarkable.

After a few hours, the town of Andusk looms. There are no guards, and no gate - houses just start appearing, gradually becoming more dense until the road is completely surrounded. While modest, the town appears an urban paradise compared to Greensfen. At first Andusk appears entirely residential, but gradually a low noise can be heard towards the center of town. Curious, the party finds a large open-air market bustling with activity, the smell of food and spices heavy in the air. The Templeton Inn is quickly spotted in the Northeast corner of the square, and there is a bakery and brewery near at hand. In areas where no trading is going on, various groups of people, mostly young men, play at dice and cards.

By your reckoning, there are about two hours of daylight left.

OOC: OK then - what will everyone do?

 

[pathfinderq1]

On the road, it is obvious that Kraegyn is a seasoned traveler- while the weight of his armor means his pace is slow, it is also steady, and he knows a number of marching tunes. He also, oddly enough, seems to have at least a bit of knowledge of the area, on a general level.

Once they reached Andusk, he looked the place over warily. "No wall, and able-bodied men free enough to spend their time dicing in the market," he muttered. "You would almost think that the area nearby wasn't plagued by bandits and orcs, or that the next village over wasn't blighted and cursed." Then he shook his head once and looked around the group. "Well, unless anyone has a better idea, I guess that we might find that inn and pull up a table, to see what rumors we can hear over a mug of ale..."

 

[Bramble]

"And something to eat! My hunger gives me a new appreciation for the words of Jeffries the Lark, a bard of my acquaintance, when he said in one of his many love-sonnets:

So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet-seasoned showers are to the ground;
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found."

Blay turns to his new companions, "I agree with Kraegyn. Perhaps our morose mage can get a better reading on where to go, and we can inquire as to the best way to get there."

As the party moves down the street, Blay walks with Kraegyn. "Fascinating tune you were humming as we walked. Made the miles simply fly by. I'm something of a collector of songs, rhythems, and tunes, you may have inferred. Was it something you picked up in your martial training? I find soldiers always have the best songs to cope with drudgery."

 

[Arbanax]

Once they reached Andusk, he looked the place over warily. "No wall, and able-bodied men free enough to spend their time dicing in the market," he muttered. "You would almost think that the area nearby wasn't plagued by bandits and orcs, or that the next village over wasn't blighted and cursed." Then he shook his head once and looked around the group. "Well, unless anyone has a better idea, I guess that we might find that inn and pull up a table, to see what rumors we can hear over a mug of ale..."

Rellek also was amazed at the seeming carelessness of he village, considering the extent of problems both around Greensfen, its many migrants and its own impoverished state. To look around you'd think there had been peace about for many years.

Like Kraegyn Rellek was keen to find out why this town seemed so at ease with itself? Was all as calm as it appeared to be?

Following the troop across the market, Rellek kept his eyes and more importantly his fine hearing open for comments or clues that he might pick up on as he moved toward the Inn.

 

[The Digger]

"I suppose food and drink are our first concern. And you are right in saying we may pick up hints or rumours as to what is happening around the place."

Joshua also looks a little askance at the seeming ease that the town is in.

"May I suggest an early night and an early start tomorrow. I will check the stone to get a better idea of direction before we set off."

 

[covaithe]

Karis is suspicious of the town's lax security as well. "My bet is that this town knows all too well about Baradur and his orc friends. And if they're not afraid of them, I'll give you one guess why. How badly do you want to sleep in a bed tonight? I for one would rather a cold bedroll in the trees, and no blade in my ribs when I wake up."

 

[Arbanax]

Karis is suspicious of the town's lax security as well. "My bet is that this town knows all too well about Baradur and his orc friends. And if they're not afraid of them, I'll give you one guess why. How badly do you want to sleep in a bed tonight? I for one would rather a cold bedroll in the trees, and no blade in my ribs when I wake up."

Rellek was inclined to agree with Karis, already the party had been mislead by the warlocks wife and used as dupes. He for one didn't mind sleeping with a guard in the open rather than duped a second time.

Friend Karis speaks well. Whilst daylight yet remains, we could test our suspicions against what rumours and murmurings we might find, this place seems busy enough. Rellek said gesturing to the otherwise busy market place that seemed so out of place compared to the world they'd witnessed on the doorstep.