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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 3669570" data-attributes="member: 11">Session #9 – “Returning to Sluetelot & Leaving Again” (part 1 of  3)  (1)<a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Ralem" target="_blank">Ralem</a>, the 1st of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Quark" target="_blank">Quark</a> – 566 <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/H.E." target="_blank">H.E.</a> (637 <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/M.Y." target="_blank">M.Y.</a>)The coolness of the night gave way to the cleaving heat of mid-summer Sluetelot.  The sea gave no hint of a breeze to alleviate the closeness, and Bleys the Aubergine was glad to get up early and greet the day rather than struggle for an extra hour of the damp tossing and turning, as Telémahkos and Timotheus were doing, weary from their late arrival by ferry the night before, followed by their immediate joining of revels.  Tymon was already up, washing his master’s travel clothes.Bleys and Victoria had arrived in Sluetelot late in the evening two days before, where Laarus awaited them having returned from Lilly City that same afternoon.  They were nearly done with their own breakfast when Timotheus and Telémahkos joined them, and might have gone on their way if there were not news to share of their time apart, business to handle with Euleria, and grousing to do about the fact that Markos would be late.“Did he say why he would be late?” Laarus Raymer had asked the steward of his cousin when he had passed through a few days before, doing nothing to hide his disapproval.“His message only said that he training would take longer to complete than he first thought,” Euleria had replied.  Then as now she was wearing her typical tight fitting-clothes that seemed appropriate for an afternoon hunting foxes, and she had a calm demeanor only occasionally broken by the slightest of smiles.The common room of the Death & Taxes Inn was empty of all other patrons, and still being cleaned up from the night before, as was common at this time of the day. Barton Digits served with even more obsequious joy than normal, having happily collected and recorded the tax the young nobles paid on their spoils from their adventure in Kraken’s Cove. (2)Euleria presented them with an itemized list of all the expenses that had incurred since their last meeting.  No one objected to discussing financial matters in Markos’ absence, though the steward was certain to ask before she began. The expenses included purchasing provisions for their upcoming long journey and arranging for transport of their horses from the livery outside New Harbinger by barge to Sluetelot.  She also informed Victoria that three good light warhorses had been picked out for her to choose from at the stables in New Sluetelot. (3)“I have also arranged for the halflings of Wesmearshire to provide a guide into the Disputed Territories, but I could make no details in terms of what it will cost.  It shall have to be negotiated when you arrive there.”“Thank you, Euleria,” Bleys said to the steward.  “As always, your service is invaluable.  Much more than we could ever hope to expect.  You do those of your profession credit…”Euleria smiled awkwardly and thanked him for his praise with sincere humility, and then she turned the talk to the hiring of Falco Fletching and Dunlevey the Swordsman.“They want to re-negotiate their pay,” Euleria explained.  “They would be willing to lower their per day pay to five pieces of copper, or five-percent each of the gross spoils recovered while in the Disputed Territories, whichever is greater.”The young nobles all found this very disagreeable, but Telémahkos was particularly vocal in his opposition to agreeing to those terms.  There was a long debate about crafting a counter-offer to the would-be hirelings, And Bleys suggested they dismiss them altogether, while Timotheus wanted to try to make an offer to Dunlevey to be hired on as his personal sword-arm, while Laarus was concerned with the phrasing of the charter when it came to the split of spoils and did not want to agree with any thing requiring a split off the top before the noble houses got their share.“Why do you think they want to change their terms?” Victoria asked. “They were happy with less before.”“I told you dismissing them was a bad idea,” Timotheus said.  “Sell-swords don’t like having their time wasted.”Falco and Dunlevey arrived soon after and negotiations began in earnest.  It soon became apparent that the two would-be hirelings had decided to negotiate as a duo as to have a stronger bargaining position.  Worried that after taxes and paying the Houses, their own shares would hardly be more than what the two were asking for, they could not agree.  After a long discussion, Falco and Dunlevey were offered three copper pieces a day or two and half percent of the gross treasure recovered, whichever was greater.  The party would also pay for their provisions.   It was agreed. The discussion turned to what exactly the party would do next, and while the discussions were relatively peaceful without Markos around, but they were no shorter.Laarus of Ra brought up taking a detour by <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Tribunisport" target="_blank">Tribunisport</a> to warn <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Wetherwax" target="_blank">House Wetherwax</a> that an attack on their naval forces might still happen, but the others were against any possible delay.  They were more agreeable to his alternative of having <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Dracius+of+Ra" target="_blank">Dracius of Ra</a> send word with his agent who was headed to the area anyway. (4)Later that afternoon, Bleys accompanied Victoria of Anhur to the stables in New Sluetelot to look in on the party’s horses and aid her in the purchase of a new warhorse to replace Argos.  After some haggling on her part from the watch-mage, she bought a particularly hardy light warhorse that the hands had dubbed ‘Ironside’.  It was a gray horse with a mottled white belly and legs and a black mane.Osilem, the 3rd of Quark – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)Though evening’s shadows had arrived, it was still very light out this time of year, and the patio Death & Taxes was as crowded as the common room.The signers of the Charter of Schiereiland were gathered around a table, finishing dinner and complaining that Markos had not yet arrived, when he was spotted pushing his way through the crowd without looking up, his nose buried in a small book he was paging through. (5)“Markos!” Telémahkos called to him, getting up to meet him half way.  The slender mage looked up and made a weak wave by way of hello and continued upstairs to the suites. Sighing, Telémahkos went after him and brought him back to the table, so the party might discuss their options and fill him in on decisions regarding the hirelings and expenses.Markos looked bored throughout the entire discussion.  They also told him about the vote to go to the King Stones, and he did not object.  All that was left was the matter of when they would leave.“I would like to stay one last day or two in order to scribe some spells,” Markos asked.  “I have learned a new spell I plan to use on our front-line fighters… with your permission…” He gave a weak smile to the group, despite the contempt that burned in his eyes. “It would enlarge you, making you stronger, and giving you more reach.  Victoria, I thought you in particularly would benefit from it with your long spear…”The militant shook her head.  “I already have access to that spell by Anhur’s grace,” she said. “And I personally find the downsides outweigh the benefits.”Markos’ lip twisted in disapproval.  He turned to Timotheus.  “And you?”“Sounds fun,” Timotheus smiled, and took three big gulps of ale.“If we are to be headed to the King Stones, I believe we may be able to kill two birds with one stone, as they say,” Bleys said.  “We might do service to the Triad (6) and to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Ra%27s+Pantheon" target="_blank">Ra’s pantheon</a> by retrieving the amulet of Fallon.  I know the church of Isis, specifically would also hold those who accomplished this feat in high esteem.” (7)Bleys the Aubergine brought out the map that <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Malcolm+the+Bronze" target="_blank">Malcolm the Bronze</a>  had provided him and retold what he knew of the Moor Tombs (8), and noted how both maps they had referred to the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Barbarians" target="_blank">barbarian people</a> know as the Ray-Ree.  He also told them of the amulet, and the likelihood of finding it.Victoria and Laarus, of course, were eager to look into this and do honor to their gods and the followers that came before them, and Telémahkos and Timotheus had no objection to looking into it while they were down there.“Anything is better than fighting ogres,” Telie said with a forced smile.“<a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Malcolm+the+Bronze" target="_blank">Malcolm the Bronze</a>  mentioned that the Ray-Ree are used to having adventurers come through their territory, and may help us, but they are a proud people and we must come bearing gifts… Tools that are rare for them, but common for us…” Bleys went on to explain.  We are to give them these things with no expectation of trade or payment.  Anything they give us will be as gift as well… But if we do not offend them, we will benefit from their aid more than the mere cost of such items…”There was no objection to this at all, and soon Euleria was given the task of procuring such tools for the party to bring with them, given a budget of up to thirty pieces of silver.Isilem, the 9th of Quark – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)It was not until three days later that the signers of the Charter of Schiereiland headed out of Sluetelot once again, by way of the Beach Road as they had nearly two months before.  In that time they took care of last minute business, including packing their gear, agreeing to pay for Bleys to learn and scribe the enlarge person spell as well, and discussing their route and goals some more.  In addition, a horse had to be acquired for Tymon.They wondered at the reputation of the Beach Road when once again three days of travel on it brought no noteworthy event, let alone an attack by bandits.“Bandits would not be foolish enough to attack a band of nine men on horses,” Bleys commented.They hurried past Bog End, not wanting to deal with the aggressive locals, and Falco led the way into the rolling plains divided into perfectly square farmsteads.  Here local farmers waved to them as they passed on the dirt tracks that divided up the properties, and just before mid-day on their fourth day of travel they came upon a hamlet at some crossroads that was having their market day. Here they happily paid a few copper for homemade muffins, fresh cow’s milk still warm from the udder, and spicy blackened sausages on a stick.As they made to leave, they were called to by a tall figure in long yellow robes.  As the man approached they could see he was a watch-mage.  He had long graying wavy hair, and a long face with a jutting dimpled chin.  He held a long ornate staff.  He introduced himself as Terrance the Yellow.After a brief discussion of the weather and the possible dangers on the road, Terrence made mention to Bleys the Aubergine of one Jacoba the Brown, a watch-mage of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Brill" target="_blank">House Brill</a> who was stationed in the Border Shires.  He bid them farewell.Before nightfall, the young nobles and their retainers made camp on the edge of a wall of thorny trees. “Beyond is Thistlewoodshire and the Border Shires,” Falco explained. It was rare that he strung so many words together at once, and he had a strange habit of picking one person he stared at when he spoke, even if he was addressing the whole group. “We will continue in the morning.  The narrow paths beyond are unsafe for our mounts in the dark, and there will be many places where we need to dismount to make progress.”“Do you know this area well?” Timotheus asked their guide.Falco shrugged, “As well as a human can.  I have passed through here once or twice, but though the halfling are always polite, they are not overly fond of big folk, which is what we are to them…”“Wow, you are almost downright talkative tonight,” Timotheus kidded.“I had something worth saying,” Falco replied curtly, and walked off to prepare his bedroll.…to be continued------------------------------------------------------------------Notes:(1)    This session was played on May 27th, 2007, in Maplewood, N.J., rather than our usual Brooklyn gathering place.(2)    See Sessions #6 & 7 for the party’s adventure in Kraken’s Cove. <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Thricia" target="_blank">Thricia</a>n law states that 6% of all spoils of adventuring or war must be paid in tax.  This is halved to 3% for those of noble houses, or chartered by a House or the Crown.(3)    This was part of the instructions sent to Euleria via Faultless during the various InterSessions between Sessions #8 and #9. (4)    Laarus did send word to Dracius to have Eubren Winter of Ra pass on the warning regarding the attack.(5)    Not to be read by other players in the campaign: [sblock]This is a book that was left for Markos at the front desk that Barton Digits had been informed not to show or talk to about to anyone else. [/sblock](6)    In <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Thricia" target="_blank">Thricia</a>, The Triad refers to the alliance of the three goddesses, Isis, Nephthys and Fallon.  Otherwise, in most of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Central+Aquerra" target="_blank">central Aquerra</a> it would refer to Ra, Thoth and Anhur.(7) Upon arriving in Sluetelot, Bleys sought out <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Leisel+of+Isis" target="_blank">Leisel of Isis</a> to tell her of what Malcolm had told him and get her approval for the quest as a means of encouraging his priestly companions to agree to undertake it.(8) Bleys learned of the Moor-Tombs from <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Malcolm+the+Bronze" target="_blank">Malcolm the Bronze</a>  in InterSession #8.5.  To see the Moor-Tomb map itself, <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Map+-+Moor-Tomb+Map" target="_blank">click here</a>.</blockquote>

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