Paths of Legend - Tragedy at Silvergard

[Amaury]

Johen entered the private room and was surprised to see the one-person-dancing-stage.
He wondered for himself: why would one want to dance on his own and do it privately??
How strange. Their customs are certainly different from ours..

He then sat rather apprehensively awaiting the explanations from the half-elf.

Iphithis started to describe the mission and Johen listened with a serious face. Until.
Until the 5000gp payment was announced, at which point, Johen's mouth opened up to form
an incredulous 'O'!! He could not believe it! 5000gp!! 5000gp!! By all the Oaks of High Forest!
What a sum!

When the half-elf finished, Johen stared at him. His surprised expression was gone and
instead he looked bewildered. The House is ready to offer 5000gp for a scouting mission??
Again his paranoia took over. 5000gp to check on a remote village? Probably burnt to the
ground?? Come on! Hire six horsemen, check it out and take the money for yourself !!
he thought.

"Iphithis! I do not mean to be rude, but you are NOT telling us everything! Why?
Why would the House pay 5000gp for a mere scouting mission? This doesn't make sense!
This is too good to be true! Speak up!" says the young druid in a slightly offended tone.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Iphithis chuckles, "When speaking of the House of Lords, such an amount is trivial. In terms of sheer monetary wealth, Azgund is far wealthier than any of the other human lands. Turen, and please forgive the assessment if it sounds a bit harsh, is limited by the Druids in how far it can develop. That's not necessarily a bad thing...there's a lot more nature in Turen then there is here. And this is a bit more than a scouting mission. It may involve rescue of the village, it may involve battling wayward orcs, it may involve investigating the where abouts of the villagers if it appears they took refuge elsewhere. There is a great deal more involved here than just scouting."

 

[Helfdan]

Valen stands, a look of concentration on his face.

"We will need maps of the area, if any are available. Of particular interest will be what fortifications were there, as the orcs will doubtlessly use them. Also, sources of water... the orcs are likely to be guarding these as well. If this is a plateau, we need to know how many routes there are, as if the ways of ascent are limited, the orcs may know some and not others. Lastly, any information we have on the mine's layout, and any potential hazards - such as toxic gases - that we need to know about." He looked thoughtfully at the ground for a few seconds. "I am also surprised that we have no news in such a long time. Have there truly been no refugees? No one to tell the tale of the invasion, off what kind of occupying force we will face?"

The ranger obviously felt comfortable, now that there was a tactical problem to address. He again had the intensity the others observed at the city gates, when he first faced the wayward druid.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Iphithis puts up his hands in response to Valen, "Whoa, hold on a second. All of that...well, as much as we have, will be made available to you. First, I need to know that you're all in...or not."

 

[ethandrew]

Estelle takes a seat on the couch, slouching down low. She listens intently as the half-elf goes into the mission. At the mention of the payment, she sits up slowly.

"For those of us who might be unfamiliar with Silvergard, how far a travel is this? Will mounts be provided or are we to walk?" She absentmindedly bites on her lip, not really noticing. With a brief pause, and before her questions can be answered, she blurts out, "No matter what the answers, I'm in. It sounds like fun!"

 

[Yttermayn]

Aohdan had to stop himself from simply pointing at Valen and saying "Yeah! What he said!". For some reason, he wanted to know these things, and by his interest in them had to admit his interest in the mission to himself. Although why he would be interested in the fate of a bunch of two-leggers, he couldn't immediately fathom. Maybe it was just the gold. But then again, maybe it was just that spending this brief time with them, they had grown on him. Whatever the reason, he couldn't deny he was interested. "I'll be damned, but I'm in. But I want a mount too, if Estelle's getting one!" he said.

 

[Arkhandus]

"I would wager that the value of re-opening the silver mine has something to do with the reward promised by the House of Lords, gentlemen. While it is a substantial amount for any of us poor chaps, it is as nothing to what the lords and ladies spend on their own comforts." Alaric says, looking at the suspicious country bumpkins.

To Iphithis, he adds "You know of course that I won't refuse the offer."

(ooc: ....what would Aodhan even use for a mount?)

 

[Helfdan]

"Whoa, hold on a second. All of that...well, as much as we have, will be made available to you. First, I need to know that you're all in...or not."

Valen's fair complexion reddens slightly in embarrassment.

"You are right, of course. I believe it is obvious -- you have my sword."

 

[Jemal]

Had William not allready made up his mind, the story would have made it for him. "Of course you have my services, good sir."

 

[Amaury]

Iphithis chuckles, "When speaking of the House of Lords, such an amount is trivial. In terms of sheer monetary wealth, Azgund is far wealthier than any of the other human lands. Turen, and please forgive the assessment if it sounds a bit harsh, is limited by the Druids in how far it can develop. That's not necessarily a bad thing...there's a lot more nature in Turen then there is here. And this is a bit more than a scouting mission. It may involve rescue of the village, it may involve battling wayward orcs, it may involve investigating the where abouts of the villagers if it appears they took refuge elsewhere. There is a great deal more involved here than just scouting."

Limited by the Druids?? We live in harmony with Nature, not in a stinky crowded city!
he thought.

Johen thought for a while before taking his decision. Silvergard was not that close and the
mission itself could last a while. However, all of his newfound companions seemed ready to
go. This adventure would provide him with financial security beyond his wildest dreams and
also means to investigate the murder of his Master. Also, he knew he would feel much better
out in the wild than within the walls of this noisy city.

"I accept the mission. Highflyer and I will go to Silvergard. I will pray the Wind Spirits
to help us succeed in this task. he said to the half-elf.