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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 3429838" data-attributes="member: 11">Session #4 – “Delirium Tremens” (part 4 of 4)The Sign of the Green Gem was packed with patrons.  The odor of scented candles wafted over the stench to sweat and ale, as the strains of bard plucking a lyre floated over the rolling wave of voices raised in merriment.  The crowd was mostly men in the maroon and black doublets common to merchants, surrounded by sons already growing to resemble their road-weary fathers. There were also about a dozen women, some of which were working here this evening, though for the rest it was not so clear.The innkeeper, one Wilson Tummins, greeted the signers of the Charter of Schiereiland effusively, guessing who they were as soon as Timotheus asked after Euleria.  He sent a servant to fetch her, and then yelled to another to clear a table for them. But he also warned them, that while Euleria had been able to make some arrangement for quarters, it might not be enough to suit such noble guests.As they took their seats pitchers of ale and clean mugs appeared by means of smiling serving wenches, and they were offered a choice betweens the daily brown stew or today’s roast game hen.“Has Euleria Finch taken care of paying for this?” Timotheus asked.“I will find out,” said the serving wench, but when she returned it was with the food, informing them that no, Euleria had not made provision to pay for their meal.Timotheus grabbed his money pouch from his belt and held it up upside down for all to see, waving it like a limp flag in a faint breeze.  “My money’s pouch’s as flat as a grandmother’s teats!” He swore.“I will pay for you,” Victoria offered.  “And for anyone else who cannot pay…”“Thank you, Victoria,” Timotheus replied with a kind smile and genuine gratitude. “It is just that we didn’t make a bronze penny off of that…”“Off of what?” Telémahkos asked.“Our first adventure,” Tim replied.  He turned to the one of the servants walking by. “Could you bring us some <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Beers+of+Aquerra" target="_blank">Old Wes</a>?”“No,” replied the servant curtly.“You don’t serve it, or you are out?”“We don’t serve it.”“But why not? It is made in the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Border+Shires" target="_blank">Border Shires</a>, and we get it all the way in Schiereiland…” Timotheus was perplexed.“Well, Schiereiland is really far away from here,” the servant replied, annoyed.  He walked off.“Does that make sense to you?” Tim asked Victoria.  The militant shrugged her shoulders.Euleria arrived as they were still eating, wearing a dark green outfit with doublet, vest, trousers and high boots, as if she were about to go riding.  Unlike most women in the place, she wore no make-up.Telémahkos, Markos and Timotheus all stood as she arrived, but the other three remained eating.  Euleria seemed put off for a moment, and then demurred gesturing for them to be seated again.  She would remain standing.“I am glad that you have finally arrived.  I was beginning to worry that something had befallen you on the road,” she said.  She went on to explain that she had hired two sell-swords in Sluetelot, along with a boy of about fourteen summers to act as porter.  The sell-swords were named Dunlevey and Falco, and they came highly recommended.  The latter had served mostly as a scout, but the former had worked as a guard for House Tenbrook.  She also explained that she had sent word ahead to Tribunisport to allow the lord there to know they might be coming, and had taken the liberty to send word to the Border Shires in case the party decided to go that way.“Speaking of the Border Shires, is there some conflict with them here we should know about?” Timotheus asked.“They are not well-liked here,” Euleria explained. “There has often been conflict between House Swann and the halflings of Thistlewoodshire.”“Why? They’re halflings!” Timotheus exclaimed, and then lowered his voice. “Who can not like halflings? They’re pretty inoffensive…”“Well, let’s just say that at one time of another the land that is now Thistlewoodshire belonged to House Swann…” Euleria began as Timotheus let out an “oh” of understanding.  “Lord Gosprey of Gullmoor?  He calls himself the Count of Thistlewood, and that drives the halflings mad with anger.”Timotheus Smith shrugged, suddenly bored by the topic.  There was a brief argument about whose idea it was to hire a porter, initiated by Markos – everyone else insisting it had been his idea.  Euleria confirmed this when asked.“You are very efficient, Euleria,” Bleys complimented their steward.  “Thank you.”“Yes, very good,” Victoria said praise sounding awkward in her tight-lipped manner of speaking.The steward went on to explain that this was the time of year merchants came to New Harbinger to secure spice and other goods for the rest of the trade season, and because of this she had only been able to procure two double rooms.  The young porter was asleep in one of the rooms right now, but the two mercenaries could be sent down to sleep in the common room and bedrolls could be used on the floors.Laarus preferred to call on the hospitality of the citadel, and Euleria would be sent to inquire before it became too late.  But before she left, Bleys brought up the salary of the hirelings.“We agreed upon fifteen copper pieces a day for the sell-swords and but one copper per day for the porter, plus room and board, of course…” Euleria stated.“Fifteen!” Timotheus was surprised.  “I didn’t get that much when I worked as a caravan guard!”“They are well-trained,” Euleria replied. Tim frowned.“Are you already paying them?” Bleys asked. Euleria nodded.  She went over some their skills.  Falco was an archer and a woodsman.  Dunlevey was skilled in the use of several kinds of swords.  The boy porter was quick-witted and strong.“I am having a hard time accepting that we are going to be paying people to possible bring them to their death,” Bleys the Aubergine commented, his flat tone occasionally swallowed by the raucous crowd around them.“That is why they get paid,” Timotheus laughed.  Bleys glared at the expressive young veteran.“So they know what they are getting into?” the watch-mage continued his questions, not taking his eyes off of Tim. “I am sure they do…” Timotheus said.“I would not have hired them if I was not satisfied as to their capability, both mentally and physically,” Euleria said.“And the boy, as well?” Bleys asked.  “He knows what he is getting into?”“I think that serving as your porter is a better choice than what his life would have been like otherwise,” she replied. “Which is?”“On the streets of Sluetelot, living copper to copper…”“Very well…” Bleys relaxed slightly.  “Euleria, again, you have served us well.  Accolades.”  She gave a quick bow and then headed out to the citadel.  She said she would find Falco and Dunlevey at the tavern they were at and send them back to meet their employers.“Oh, wait! One last thing,” Euleria hurried back over from the doorway.  “I was able to contact Joezyn Barhyte regarding your interest in the King Stones and he sent me this map to pass on to you.”  She gave Bleys a folded piece of parchment stained with age and scribbled over in several hands. (1)The young nobles finished their meals.  Laarus of Ra ordered that a bath be drawn for him and despite Bleys’ request that he remain to meet the hirelings, the priest did not want the water getting cold.  He also asked that his clothes be laundered. (2)Telémahkos joined the bard in song, drawing long applause and many copper coins thrown into the bard’s urn.  “Is he begging?” Victoria asked Timotheus, unused to a noble singing for spare coin in an inn.  Tim laughed and called for another pitcher of ale.  Markos looked increasingly uncomfortable in the crowded and merry tavern.Telémahkos looked happier than any of the others (except perhaps Tim) had ever seen him.  He had the whole crowd singing a traditional Thrician drinking song, and he walked over and even got Bleys to sing a line with him.The hirelings arrived soon after.  Dunlevey the Swordsman had a long sword on his left, a short sword on his right, a great sword on his back and a wicked looking dirk in a sheath on his boot; all tied with red ribbon in a peace-knot.  He was around six feet tall and had a bush of red-brown hair and a pock-marked face.  Falco fletching was three or four inches shorter, with greasy long black hair tied in a ponytail, a hooked nose and narrow green eyes.  He wore a scimitar at his side. Timotheus and Bleys took some time to further question their hirelings, but Victoria headed out for the Plaza of the Shrines soon after she met them.  Markos Ackers headed out as well, seeking a tavern that was more to his liking.  He found out where they had been (a place called “the Bird’s Eye”) and he headed in that direction.  Dunlevey was a little drunk, but very friendly and respectful, and obviously eager to make a good impression on his noble employers, while Falco might have been able to teach Bleys a lesson in terseness, as he gave one word answers, when not simply nodding or shaking his head.Once satisfied, Bleys the Aubergine excused himself and headed out of the inn as well in order to visit the local watch-mage, Oroleniel the Salmon.Falco retired, but Dunlevey and Timotheus got on right away and soon they were drinking and schmoozing with other patrons as friends and equals, not as employer and employee – working hard to get a couple of local ladies to give them some attention.Telémahkos, on the other hand, did not have to try to hard at all.  The young Briareus had good looks, charm and talent, and in this environment it shined through as an aura of confidence that was obscured in places like bogs and abandoned roads.  Soon he was dancing with a voluptuous woman named Amalda.  She worked for the Great Matet Merchant Company, giving ‘special aid’ to its employees while they were on the road.  A woman of loose morals and easy laughter, Telémahkos found her arousing, but that included his suspicions, so he tossed his belt pouch of coins to his cousin to watch over.  However, being flat broke, Timotheus used some of that coin to buy drinks for himself, Dunlevey and the cold ladies they were talking to.  Telémahkos would chastise his cousin for this later.Euleria returned about an hour later with news that she had arranged for the party to stay at House Swann’s citadel, but they needed to be over there within the hour.  Timotheus and Dunlevey left to go find Markos, just as Victoria arrived from her prayers at the Plaza of Shrines.  Bleys the Aubergine returned after having told the local watch-mage that he would return for another visit soon, sensing that the half-elf was eager for company.  He immediately went over to Telémahkos, who was dancing close with Amalda, the both of them giggling drunkenly like teenagers.“Away woman, he is done with you,” Bleys said, rudely pushing between them.  Amalda stumbled away in shock, but Telie gestured for her to stay close by.“The watch-mage mentioned a party of adventurers that passed through here recently from the Disputed Territories,” Bleys told Telie.  “It seems they may have lost some of their number, see if you can find out what happened.”As Bleys walked back over to the table, Telémahkos grabbed Amalda and apologized for the interruptionAmalda pointed out her employer as he left the common room, and Telémahkos asked if she could arrange a meeting with him.  She said she’d try.  He then went on to ask her about the talk of the adventuring party Bleys has mentioned.  She explained that the merchant caravan she was a part of had met them on the High Road. The party had lost two members, one of which was a <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Priestesses+of+Isis" target="_blank">priestess of Isis</a>, and they were carrying a gravely wounded “northern barbarian priest of the dwarf hammer god”.“<a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Thor" target="_blank">Thor</a>?”“That’s the one!”“And what led them to such dire circumstances?” Telémahkos asked.“Well, I was not present when Master Lowe spoke with them, but the rumor around the caravan was that this group had come upon a camp of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Dervishes" target="_blank">dervishes</a> training for an attack on Thricia, and had barely escaped at all,” she went on to explain.Laarus Raymer of Ra re-appeared fresh and clean and back in his jeweled cassock, his travel clothes would be ready the next day.While they waited for Tim’s return with Markos’, Telémahkos went around back a shadowy corner out in the rear alley for a few sleazy moments with Amalda.------------------------------------------------------------------The hour was waning as they all finally made it to the citadel gate, escorted by two pages bearing lanterns.  They were allowed in through a narrow entrance around the side, and past a narrow courtyard to a narrow alley made up by the citadel and one of its outer buildings.  Here they were led down stairs to a narrow hall of austere windowless cells with straw mattress cots, a writing table, and a chest of drawers with a washbasin and fresh linen atop it.The New Harbinger Citadel steward was a plumpish woman approaching middle age with a bob haircut with streaks of white in the black, and a broad slightly misshapen nose.  She was called Tabitha Mark.   She explained that they were not to leave the guest hall without permission, and that there were guards at either end of the hall if they needed anything.  There was also a common room where breakfast would be served in the morning, but that if anyone were hungry now, she would have something brought down from the kitchens.“Also, will you be available for dinner tomorrow night?” she asked.  The signers of the Charter of Schiereiland accepted the invitation without hesitation And then thanking her, the young nobles gathered in the common area they had been provided to talk some before retiring.  Telémahkos informed the others about what he had learned from Amalda regarding the other adventuring party, emphasizing the camp of dervishes.“I don’t know about the rest of you, but this news does not exactly increase my enthusiasm for going to the Disputed Territories,” Telémahkos said.“You? Scared? Naw!” Markos smirked. “You know, one thing about this whole discussion that was never brought up is the fact that you were not exactly embroiled in the battle in the stone building either,” Telémahkos mentioned.  “If I remember correctly you were out in the courtyard yourself.“I am a mage, and as such gave support with my spells when I could,” Markos said by way of explanation. “I cannot be expected to jump into a melee when my skills lie elsewhere…”“Can we speak civilly for a moment?” Telémahkos asked, looking up from his oatmeal.  “I hope you can hear what I am saying despite being burned by a deep bitterness whose origin I do not know…  You can acknowledge that a mage does not fight as a warrior would, so would it not make sense that someone whose skills are more aimed towards being a scout, for example, be used differently as well?  So telling me that I should have been at the forefront of that battle is a similar case.  It does not help.”“Well, m’Lord,” Markos sarcasm dripped off his lips like stray bits of porridge.  “May I speak freely without fear of your using the training you received as part of your station in life against one whose circumstances kept them from getting the same training?  Huh? M’Lord? Sir?”“No, better just to think on what I just said…” Telémahkos replied, and then stood, excusing himself for the night.  “Telémahkos is right on at least one thing, let us leave such talk for tomorrow,” Victoria said.  “It is late.”“Yes,” Laarus of Ra agreed.  “We can discuss what our next move may be over breakfast perhaps.”Tholem, the 18th of Sek – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)Loud knocking on each of their doors awakened them.  After several days of camping on the roadside or in the bog, their sleep was deep and much appreciated. And after morning prayers they gathered in the common room to chew on bacon, and slurp down bowls of steaming oatmeal chock full of nuts.  There was wine and goat’s milk provided as well.“So the plan is to go to Tribunisport and see if we can find out more about this pirate plot, and then decide if we will follow up on that, or go to the King Stones in the Disputed Territories,” Laarus started up.Victoria and Timotheus nodded, and Markos said, “Yes.”“I am not sure if this plan is the best,” Bleys the Aubergine offered.  “It seems we have little to go on in terms of this plot, and a trip to Tribunisport will cost us coin we may not have, especially since we are now spending over three silver pieces a day for our hirelings…”“True,” Victoria said. “And there is the cost of either ferrying the horses or keeping them here…”“It seems to me that unless we have some news of the plot we can bring to the authorities, we should go to the King Stones and forget about going to Tribunisport,” Timotheus said.Telémahkos let out a deep sigh.“The only thing I will say on it is that I am baffled by the actual ethics of this group in terms of deciding what we should be doing, when we have something we know is happening, as compared to some rumors of what may be happening with dervishes, or chasing after some gold… I am just surprised at your choice when we have something nearby we can look into that might really help someone…”Markos snorted with laughter.  “Your talk of ethics amuses me.”“Let me see if I can clarify where I am looking at this from,” Victoria said, ignoring Markos.  “While we know for certain of nothing happening in the Disputed Territories… True… All we have regarding this pirate plot is…”“Right… My word,” Telémahkos finished for her. “As a nobleman that should be more than enough…”Markos laughed again, spitting oatmeal onto the table. “But it is not more certain than other information we may have…” Victoria continued.“Oh certainly it is!” Telémahkos protested.“More than a priest of Ra?” Timotheus interjected.“There was nothing in what Laarus told us of what the priest of Ra said that should lead us to think any trouble is imminent,” Telémahkos reasoned. (3) “But with this new news of dervish camps?” Victoria said. “Yes… Does that not lend aid to the tales of troubles in the Disputed Territories?” Laarus added.“How is that different from all the years of back and forth skirmishes and raids?” Telémahkos asked.“That may not be a new development, but we are a new development,” Victoria said with pride in her voice.“Well, we all knew such things existed when this charter was signed and this is the first I hear that we want to involve ourselves in the borderlands strife,” Telie filled a mug with wine.  “There were a variety of things we could get involved in…”“Right, but the borderland strife and one other thing,” Victoria pointed to the map, which was unfolded on the table.  “Seem to lead us in the same general direction…”“Personally, I think pirates are more likely to be troublesome to common people,” Markos piped up. “And so, I would want to look into that, but if there is an invasion… Well, in the long run that causes more suffering…”“Yes, and if we find that the followers of the Red God of the West are planning an invasion, if we find these camps and get a sense of their number we can send word to the Margrave and make a difference that way…” Laarus added.“This conversation has become absurd!” Telémahkos was flustered. “There is no indication that any kind of invasion is imminent!  Even if there is an invasion being planned, I do not think it is so pressing that we should ignore this other matter that may only take a day or two to find out there is no problem… But I fear that it will be worse…”“What is it your fear will happen?” Bleys asked.  “You seem to be the only one with any information about this, so perhaps you can tell us more about what you know we will see the situation as you do and make our decision easier.”Telémahkos sighed again.  “The reason I have been tight-lipped is because of the politics of the parties involved, and someone of a noble house, or a close ally may be involved, and I have been asked by someone who cares about this person to intervene before he makes a stupid mistake…  From my perspective, whether his shame comes to light or not, we are still doing something by preventing this from happening.”“It seems like cleaning up after the stupid mistakes of nobles might become a habit for us,” Markos sneered.“As I said before, I know of a plot that is happening in this place and it involves an attack on the Wetherwax fleet,” Telémahkos spoke each word loudly and slowly.  “If we don’t want to do anything about it, that’s fine, but that baffles me as to the group’s ethics and its purpose.”“Why not just tell the watch-mage of Tribunisport…” Timotheus began and looked to Bleys.“Cwell the Carmine,” Bleys said.“Cwell the Carmine,” Timotheus repeated.  “And let him investigate it.  It is not as if we are especially suited to this mission.”“And, well… Not to be too blunt,” Victoria of Anhur added.  “But this is a danger to only one noble family, while the Kingdom of the Red God of the West is a threat to all of Thricia.  Some unorganized groups of pirates will never be a real threat to the fleet.”“I guess I will have to continue to be baffled,” Telémahkos said.The discussion descended into the logistical details of costs to go to Tribunisport and that of provisioning themselves for a long trip into the wilderness.  Bleys bemoaned the fact that they were paying the hirelings three silvers a day without even knowing where they were going, and that would not be needed in Tribunisport and be even a greater drain to keep provisioned on the long trip to the Disputed Territories.  Well, he didn’t really bemoan, being Bleys, but was as close to bemoaning as could be detected in his steady voice.No one had any argument against his points.Realizing how low on funds they really were, the talk moved to which of their choices was more likely to bring monetary reward, but were unable to come to an agreement on that either.“Can you tell us any more about this noble who is involved?” Victoria asked Telémahkos getting back to the topic of the party’s choices.“He is not a noble, but a son in one of Thricia’s richer and more influential family,” Telie explained.  “Also, this information was shared with me with the understanding that I would attempt to dissuade him from his rash action before reporting this to the authorities… Therefore, I will not betray that because of a promise made.”“Wait… So how would we get rewarded if this must be done in secret?” Victoria asked.“I hope to be able to persuade this person to turn against the plotters and we can bring them to justice, or bring that information to the authorities,” Telémahkos explained.  They decided to postpone any decision making until after the dinner with Lord Swann that evening, in hopes that perhaps he might give them some reward for aiding Sir Quintus, which might ease their monetary woes.In the meantime, Telémahkos would wander around New Harbinger to gather what information he could.  He asked Timotheus to meet him at the inn for lunch.  Markos went back into his cell, burying his face into a book, while Victoria went into town to purchase some things, including, perhaps, a new horse. Bleys the Aubergine turned to Laarus of Ra, “Would you care to accompany me to see my fellow Academy alumnus? I met him last night and I am sure he would not mind the extra company.”“I am honored that you would invite me,” Laarus replied.End of Session #4------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes:(1) You can view a scan of this map by clicking <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Map+-+The+King+Stones+%28Old+Adventurer%27s+Map%29" target="_blank">here</a>.(2) <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Priests+of+Ra" target="_blank">Priests of Ra</a> have must abide a by the rule of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Priest+of+Ra+Characters#finery" target="_blank">finery</a> to remain in their order.(3) This is a reference to Laarus’ conversation with <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Dracius+of+Ra" target="_blank">Dracius of Ra</a> in <a href="http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=3378425#post3378425" target="_blank">Part 3 of Session #1</a>.</blockquote>

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