pogre
Legend
Episode 34
Episode 34
Pogre’s campaign – To Save a Soul
The following morning the group wandered down to the common room of the Inn to have a bite to eat. While munching on some wheat cereal and dried beef they saw a young boy come into the tavern and start moving around between the tables. He finally reached the group and asked, “Get your Daily Realms gentlefolk. It’s the final issue. A mere silver for this fine newspage.”
“Final issue?” Bridget asked. “Does this mean it’s going out of business?”
“No he means the final issue of the day or week,” Johann answered.
“No sir,” the boy countered, “this is the final issue of the Daily Realm.”
“I’ll buy one,” Shannon offered.
The boy quickly handed over one of the news pages and headed to the next table after receiving his coin.
Daily Realm Handout.*
“Well, we have some time before we hook up with Frederick to get our contract. What shall we do?” Scapa asked.
“This advertisement about the missing Halfling servant seems odd,” Johann commented.
“Like maybe he was kidnapped for a diabolical sacrifice?” Shannon asked.
“Exactly,” Johann answered. “Let’s go check it out while we’re killing time.”
“When are we going to see the Lord Inquisitor Helfrich Manstead?” Bridget asked.
“The fact that he has the initials H.M. has me a bit spooked,” Scapa admitted.
“What do you mean?” Bridget asked.
“Remember the letter to the evil wizard Hert? It was signed H.M.” Scapa answered.
“It’s good to be suspicious,” Johann agreed. “But, I think we should go see him anyway. At worst we may confirm the suspicion and if we do not go see him, he may suspect that we are onto him if he is involved.”
“It’s settled then, we go to inquire about the missing Halfling and then on to the Lord Inquisitor’s office,” Shannon stated.
…..
The group arrived at the manse of Lord Inzhar in the Northwestern part of Hemmerschneg by early afternoon. A surly butler came to the door after the adventurers had rung the bell.
“Yes, what is it?” the servant asked.
“We’re here about the missing Halfling,” Scapa answered.
“Yes, there is a reward for information contributing to his return. Do you have such information?” the butler asked.
“Well, you see,” Johann began, “This is our line of work. And so we were hoping to gain some more information that might help us in our investigation.”
“There’s not much to tell. Greely took off with the larger part of the master’s silverware and three of his premium plates. I suspect he is half way off to Almarr now. The covetous little bugger.”
“Was he involved in any odd religious groups or have any strange acquaintances?” Shannon inquired.
“He WAS a Hobbit,” the snooty butler answered.
“Yeah, well, say no more,” Johann commented. “The amazing thing is that you are even offering a reward for his return.”
“Only to make an example,” the butler replied.
“Anyway, can you offer us any other information that might be helpful in hunting him down?” Shannon asked.
“He was a gambler and fond of drink,” the butler answered.
“Hey wait a minute! I was just starting to build up a hatred for this little peck,” Johann commented.
“You animosity is well placed I assure you,” the butler said. “I am sorry I do not have any more information for you.”
The group left and decided the Halfling was a dead end. They journeyed on to the Temple of Hemmerschneg.
…..
“Man, they know how to build a temple to a deity around here,” Johann commented. “Why don’t you two worship someone with a big temple like this?”
Bridget and Shannon ignored Johann as they walked as a group up the white stone stairs towards the temple’s entrances. A large courtyard was at the top landing and three ornate archways were beyond it. The middle archway was labeled sanctuary and obviously contained the massive worship area. The left archway was labeled Inquisitors and the right was labeled Registration.
In short order a man in a white tunic approached the group and asked to help. They explained they would like to meet with the Lord Inquisitor and showed him the letter of introduction Lukas Praketon had drafted for them. The group was given an armed escort to see Helfrich Manstead.
Helfrich Manstead was a stern looking man. His dark hair speckled with gray was cropped close to his head. His mustache was waxed at the tips into a down position matching his hair’s peppery appearance. This facial hair gave the Lord Inquisitor an appearance of perpetually wearing a huge frown, a countenance rarely misrepresenting his actual facial expression.
“Welcome. I have read the letter from Inquisitor Praketon and now am at your service. What can I do for you?”
Shannon proffered the letter they found on Hert.
Manstead read the letter carefully and showed no emotion. He spoke more slowly this time, “We are aware of this activity and I have two Inquisitors assigned to this task at this moment. You were right to bring this to my attention and if we had more solid citizens like yourselves Hemmerschneg would be safe for all.”
Manstead stood in an obvious signal that the meeting was over.
Bridget ignored his motion and said, “Inquisitor Praketon was most anxious that we look into this matter. Do you not want our help?”
“Lukas Praketon was a very good man, but his endless pursuit of that wizard Hert has addled his brain some. There is an old saying, ‘A man looking for ghosts usually sees them’. Please leave this matter to the professionals.” The Lord Inquisitor swept his hand in a motion announcing unequivocally the meeting was over.
The group left.
…..
“That meeting did nothing to allay my suspicions,” Shannon admitted. All agreed and they continued walking to the Quail’s Covey Inn.
Frederick was waiting at a table for the group and motioned for them to join him.
“I am ready to go. Did any of you want to come along?” Frederick asked.
“Can we all go?” Scapa asked.
“I suppose, but you better change into these,” Frederick answered reaching down and pulling out a soiled bag. He handed each of the adventurers a soiled cape that was gray and worn. “You will fit in better in the Dregs with those on.”
With not a small amount of muttering the group donned the capes and followed Frederick back into the now dark streets. Frederick led them down a number of turning and twisting streets until they found themselves in a slum.
“Welcome to the Dregs,” a smiling Frederick said to them.
Down in the Dregs.
Frederick led them down a back alleyway and a half flight of stairs that ended in an iron door. “Be ready my friends, hands on weapons, you never know what excitement this knock might bring!”
Frederick knocked loudly on the door and shouted, “Open up it is Frederick here to see Mercurial!”
To be continued…
*The handout is not a high quality pdf. The others in the future will be much higher quality.
Episode 34
Pogre’s campaign – To Save a Soul
The following morning the group wandered down to the common room of the Inn to have a bite to eat. While munching on some wheat cereal and dried beef they saw a young boy come into the tavern and start moving around between the tables. He finally reached the group and asked, “Get your Daily Realms gentlefolk. It’s the final issue. A mere silver for this fine newspage.”
“Final issue?” Bridget asked. “Does this mean it’s going out of business?”
“No he means the final issue of the day or week,” Johann answered.
“No sir,” the boy countered, “this is the final issue of the Daily Realm.”
“I’ll buy one,” Shannon offered.
The boy quickly handed over one of the news pages and headed to the next table after receiving his coin.
Daily Realm Handout.*
“Well, we have some time before we hook up with Frederick to get our contract. What shall we do?” Scapa asked.
“This advertisement about the missing Halfling servant seems odd,” Johann commented.
“Like maybe he was kidnapped for a diabolical sacrifice?” Shannon asked.
“Exactly,” Johann answered. “Let’s go check it out while we’re killing time.”
“When are we going to see the Lord Inquisitor Helfrich Manstead?” Bridget asked.
“The fact that he has the initials H.M. has me a bit spooked,” Scapa admitted.
“What do you mean?” Bridget asked.
“Remember the letter to the evil wizard Hert? It was signed H.M.” Scapa answered.
“It’s good to be suspicious,” Johann agreed. “But, I think we should go see him anyway. At worst we may confirm the suspicion and if we do not go see him, he may suspect that we are onto him if he is involved.”
“It’s settled then, we go to inquire about the missing Halfling and then on to the Lord Inquisitor’s office,” Shannon stated.
…..
The group arrived at the manse of Lord Inzhar in the Northwestern part of Hemmerschneg by early afternoon. A surly butler came to the door after the adventurers had rung the bell.
“Yes, what is it?” the servant asked.
“We’re here about the missing Halfling,” Scapa answered.
“Yes, there is a reward for information contributing to his return. Do you have such information?” the butler asked.
“Well, you see,” Johann began, “This is our line of work. And so we were hoping to gain some more information that might help us in our investigation.”
“There’s not much to tell. Greely took off with the larger part of the master’s silverware and three of his premium plates. I suspect he is half way off to Almarr now. The covetous little bugger.”
“Was he involved in any odd religious groups or have any strange acquaintances?” Shannon inquired.
“He WAS a Hobbit,” the snooty butler answered.
“Yeah, well, say no more,” Johann commented. “The amazing thing is that you are even offering a reward for his return.”
“Only to make an example,” the butler replied.
“Anyway, can you offer us any other information that might be helpful in hunting him down?” Shannon asked.
“He was a gambler and fond of drink,” the butler answered.
“Hey wait a minute! I was just starting to build up a hatred for this little peck,” Johann commented.
“You animosity is well placed I assure you,” the butler said. “I am sorry I do not have any more information for you.”
The group left and decided the Halfling was a dead end. They journeyed on to the Temple of Hemmerschneg.
…..
“Man, they know how to build a temple to a deity around here,” Johann commented. “Why don’t you two worship someone with a big temple like this?”
Bridget and Shannon ignored Johann as they walked as a group up the white stone stairs towards the temple’s entrances. A large courtyard was at the top landing and three ornate archways were beyond it. The middle archway was labeled sanctuary and obviously contained the massive worship area. The left archway was labeled Inquisitors and the right was labeled Registration.
In short order a man in a white tunic approached the group and asked to help. They explained they would like to meet with the Lord Inquisitor and showed him the letter of introduction Lukas Praketon had drafted for them. The group was given an armed escort to see Helfrich Manstead.
Helfrich Manstead was a stern looking man. His dark hair speckled with gray was cropped close to his head. His mustache was waxed at the tips into a down position matching his hair’s peppery appearance. This facial hair gave the Lord Inquisitor an appearance of perpetually wearing a huge frown, a countenance rarely misrepresenting his actual facial expression.
“Welcome. I have read the letter from Inquisitor Praketon and now am at your service. What can I do for you?”
Shannon proffered the letter they found on Hert.
Manstead read the letter carefully and showed no emotion. He spoke more slowly this time, “We are aware of this activity and I have two Inquisitors assigned to this task at this moment. You were right to bring this to my attention and if we had more solid citizens like yourselves Hemmerschneg would be safe for all.”
Manstead stood in an obvious signal that the meeting was over.
Bridget ignored his motion and said, “Inquisitor Praketon was most anxious that we look into this matter. Do you not want our help?”
“Lukas Praketon was a very good man, but his endless pursuit of that wizard Hert has addled his brain some. There is an old saying, ‘A man looking for ghosts usually sees them’. Please leave this matter to the professionals.” The Lord Inquisitor swept his hand in a motion announcing unequivocally the meeting was over.
The group left.
…..
“That meeting did nothing to allay my suspicions,” Shannon admitted. All agreed and they continued walking to the Quail’s Covey Inn.
Frederick was waiting at a table for the group and motioned for them to join him.
“I am ready to go. Did any of you want to come along?” Frederick asked.
“Can we all go?” Scapa asked.
“I suppose, but you better change into these,” Frederick answered reaching down and pulling out a soiled bag. He handed each of the adventurers a soiled cape that was gray and worn. “You will fit in better in the Dregs with those on.”
With not a small amount of muttering the group donned the capes and followed Frederick back into the now dark streets. Frederick led them down a number of turning and twisting streets until they found themselves in a slum.
“Welcome to the Dregs,” a smiling Frederick said to them.
Down in the Dregs.
Frederick led them down a back alleyway and a half flight of stairs that ended in an iron door. “Be ready my friends, hands on weapons, you never know what excitement this knock might bring!”
Frederick knocked loudly on the door and shouted, “Open up it is Frederick here to see Mercurial!”
To be continued…
*The handout is not a high quality pdf. The others in the future will be much higher quality.
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