Misery in Mordent

[Mithreander]

OoC: Think it looks great! Nice job on playing those two too.

Baldor looks to the two brothers, eyeing them with an air of someone out of pacients, and motions to the tavern. "There be a place we can sleep, and if not, I garentee you that once you pass out on the floor, they'll show you where you can!" He then notes the guards once more and adds "No offence, 'course."

 

[Snipehunt]

There's a sharp crack, a noise like a small thunderclap, and a flash of light as one of the guardsman discharges his musket into the air. The party jumps in shock at the sudden discharge, and sees one of the guardsmen lowering his musket and pulling out a long, thin metal rod, cleaning and reloading it with a metal ball and some powder from what looks like a dried horn.

In the sudden silence that follows, the party realizes that they haven't heard any noises from the nearby tavern the entire time (nearly 5 minutes) they have been in this strange land. Light peers out from cracks in the door and between the shutters, however. The sign above the tavern shows a black raven walking on two legs and carrying a crown in it's beak.

In the dim light of the lanter, the party can just barely make out a smirk on the face of the blonde-haired guard, who says, "I hope I've got yer attention now. It's clear as the noon sun to me you be furriners in this land. Furrinners, now, gots to pay a license, if'n they lacks papers. Ya got papers?" He waits for a second.

"I didna think so. That'll be, what, is it 20 gold a person now? 20 gold for each of ya."

He holds out his hand, resting his musket in the crook of the arm holding the lantern.

 

[Mithreander]

"Well, if'n that's the law..." the dwarf says he makes a move to his purse and looks to the blonde "I'll pay it directly to the person 'o's in charge, and not some rough necked pee-hole such as yourself!" He pulls his hand away and moves closer to the young man. "Lad, I be thinken you have little authority 'ere except that given to you by you noise-and-light maker. I'd either see this law with me own eyes, or talk to the person who'd rob me o' me 'ard earned cash!" With that, he growls "I don't take well to threats."

 

[Jarval]

Both brothers jump at the thunderclap from the guard's staff, and suddenly there's five feet of sharp steel in Osric's fist.

"Now listen closely to me, boy." He snaps, the blade waving an intimidating pattern in the air. "We've only just arrived here, and we've been perfectly civil so far. But you start trying to screw us over for gold, and I'll get a hell of a lot less civil. Are we clear?" Osric takes a step towards the guard, never letting his eyes fail in their lock with that of the blonde-haired man.

"Umm, now, let's not be to hasty here Osric. We don't want a repeat of the Cultists of Iuz incident now, do we?" Horatio take a few steps back from the guards. He looks pleadingly at the blonde-haired soldier.

"Please, just let us past, so we can rest for the night. If you want, we'll drop by the guard house tomorrow to discuss any dues." He suggests hopefully.


OOC: From a rules standpoint, that's Horation using a combination of Bluff (+16, the Cultists of Iuz bit), Diplomacy (+22, please let us in the town), and a Suggestion spell (to just generally improve the odds).

 

[Snipehunt]

OOC - do you mind using a dice roller? I like this program - here. No need to roll this time - you can take a 1 and make the diplomacy check (I'm ruling this is a use of diplomacy to alter reaction). The suggestion fails.

The guard's eyes narrow as Osric draws a weapon and he backs up a few paces, grabbing his musket with his free hand. As Horatio speaks, the guard shakes his head, appears dazed for a split second, then continues to back up. He stops suddenly and considers what Horatio has said.

He laughs. "I just be joking with ye. Of cor', there ain't no need for licenses. Ain't that right, fellas?" He glances nervously at the other three guards. Suddenly, his eyes widen and he wears a look of true fear.

Before the party can take any action they hear a commanding baritone voice boom out from the South as a tall warrior strides into view. He is wearing a clean, well-maintained breastplate over well-made clothes, and wears a wide-brimmed hat with a white ostrich feather. A brace of pistols are stuck in his belt, which holds a rapier in a scabbard.

"McDonough, what in the name of the Nine Hells do you think you are doing? Didn't I tell you next time I caught you codging travellers would be your last?"

He walks slowly, without concern, up the street, walking right by the group to the locked door of the Upstart Raven. He knocks three sharp, quick raps, then two slow, then three more quick, and yells, "All clear, Duggan, you all can breathe easy again," through the door.

Then he walks back the group, smiling and relaxed. "You are excused," he says to the four guardsmen. "Except McDondough - you, drop your musket here, and turn in your gear at the brig tomorrow." More sternly, he says, "And if I don't see you by 9 sharp, I'm sending out a warrant. I'm through with you."

McDonough lays down his musket, and slinks off into the night. He spares a mean glance for the 7 newcomers, then disappears between two houses. The other three guards walk North to the guard station.

"Welcome to Thristletown, such as it is. I'm Sheriff Monat. From Mordent Town," he says, smiling and shaking hands with each. "Stay out of trouble, stay off the roads at night if you know what's good for you, and don't bother the mayor unless you want to be stocked. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to the men."

He immediately begins marching North

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

“Aye, finally someone in charge worth spending our words on, eehy dwarf!!! Excuse us Sir Monat! Could you tell us where we are and if this blasted fog will ever be gone?” As Karthak speaks, he walks to the musket on the ground and picks it up, examining it and removing the long rod that McDonough pulled out earlier. “Interesting weapon isn’t it my friend?” He says to Baldor.

 

[Mithreander]

Baldor grunts at the sargents back and turns to Karthak and the weapon that he holds. "Aye, lad, tis that" he says with interest. "I'd like time to study it." he finishes as he looks up at the taller man. "Ya have interst in weapons then?" he asks as he starts to head to the tavern. "We'll discuss it over a pint, if that be alright with ya."

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Ivar had been puffing himself up and poising himself for another bout of intimidation, but after the sheriff's intervention relaxes. Although, of course, he spares the time to make a rather rude gesture in the direction of where McDonough vanished. He turns back to the others. "To the tavern. Ivar hungry."

 

[Snipehunt]

Baldor and Karthak beat Monat to the dropped musket. Karthak calls out to Monat, who does not appear to respond until Karthak carefully picks it up, and is starteld to find the long metal barrel hot to the touch.
Seeing Karthak pick up the musket, Monat quickens his pace. As Karthak and Baldor discuss the strange item, Monat strides up to them and interrupts their conversation.

"Give me that," he says with disgust. He grabs for the musket (OOC - since it's not combat, I'm ruling he just does it) and tries to grab it from the startled Karthak's hand. (OOC - Strength check 7 think you can beat it?) "That belongs to Mordent."

 

[Jarval]

"Food sounds like a good idea." Horatio agrees with Ivar. "Last one in the bar buys the first round."

"Now you're talking." Osric grins, sheathing his sword as the brothers set off quickly towards the tavern.