Storms of Change, Part 2

[silentspace]

Kestilin whispers in Warden Ricsten’s ear before bowing to you and leaving the room. Ricsten nods. “Wizardry is an expensive undertaking, but we will be able to help you. But first, let me tell you a little about the wilderness.”

“The wilderness between Shillen and Goruka, is an untamed land, filled with hills and forest. The forest you seek is overgrown, and thick with underbrush. You will need full body armor to get through the underbrush without harm. If you have no armor, or partial armor like chain shirt, you will need to wear explorer’s outfits. There are three ways to your destination I see. You could head straight northwest, making your way around, over or through the hills and forests. Or you could follow the Trade Road north and then head west. Or you could head west along the border, and then north into the wildlands. The Trade Road is mostly empty in the day, but our rangers say there is heavier traffic at night. Gorukan scouting parties, and their agents, will be near. Heading west along the border may be safer, but the bandits and brigands may cause you problems. Heading straight through the wilderness is the most direct route, but there are many dangers there, especially tribes of murderous humanoids. Any way you go, know that there are forces amassing in Goruka. We feel they may march any day.”

Brenin joins in. “The faster you go and come back, the better for all of us. House Dharnan is in a precarious position. Lady Dharnan is heading… is heading west out of Mintra with our remaining troops, those loyal enough to the cause of good to continue serving without pay. It will be difficult for them, with limited food and supplies.”

“Aye, it will be difficult for all of us. Here are some supplies for you now. Please take what you need.”

Kestilin returns, followed by two soldiers struggling with a heavy wood chest.

Inside the chest are:
Dagger (1 lb) x4
Longsword (4 lb) x2
Composite Longbow (3 lb)
Arrows (20) (1 lb) x2
Bolts (10) (1 lb) x2
Chain Shirt (25 lb)
Buckler, Small (2.5 lb)
Buckler (5 lb)
Lantern, Bullesye (3 lb)
Lantern, Hooded (2 lb)
Oil (1 lb) x20
Tent (20 lb) x3
Tent, small (10 lb)
Torches (1 lb) x40
Healer’s Kit (1 lb) x2
Explorer’s Outfit (8 lb) x6
Explorer’s Outfit, Small (4 lb) x2
Antitoxin (- lb)
Spell-writing supplies (- lb) (for 2 spell pages, or 1 1st-level spell)

 

[Verbatim]

Dunathar - Dwarven "Finder"

Devan asks how long before the group leaves, assuming he has the time he will ask Dunathar to go with him for so information.

"Dunathar, I'm going to the Warehouse district to find some information on someone I'm looking for, would you like to come with me?

If not Devan will still go, He will inform the party of his intentions. He will then go to the warehouse district and try and find the silient traders house.

Glancing up from the open chest and to Devan, Dunathar tried to hide his surprise at Devan's request.

~Well, the night is young, and I seem to be on a roll so far...~

"Aye, I'll go with ye, just give me a moment to collect me some of these supplies."

As the others eye them, Dunathar reaches in and takes what he thinks he will need before waiting at the door for Devan.

(OOC: Dunathar takes the following items for himself: 10 bolts, 1 explorer outfit, 1 dagger and the antitoxin)

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow

Manzanita takes an explorer's outfit & the spell-writing materials. "I am interested in the long sword and composite bow. I am proficient in these weapons, although I have not had the resources to purchase them for myself. Does anyone else lay claim to them?"

"Thank you Warden, for this equipment. We shall put it to good use. Let us discuss our route. Personally, I would prefer the trade road. I look forward to doing some damage to the forces of Goruka sooner than later."

OOC:: Manzanita may want other stuff as well. I need to revisit her encumbrance situation.

 

[mpickett81]

Adromon, human psychic warrior 1

Adromon eyes one of the longswords and picks it up. Getting a feel for its balance, he says, "I'd like this item and nothing more, if no one objects." Adromon holds off on speaking of a preferred destination. He won't vote unless it's necessary to determine the most popular route.

 

[GPEKO]

Bert

Filbert takes a small explorer's outfit, one dagger, the other 10 bolts, an healer's kit, the hooded lantern and some oil (2). Examining the fabric of the explorer's outfit, he says : "No doubt this will protect me better from the underbrush than my old travelling clothes. It's definitely heavier and not as confortable though." Putting his backpack on his shoulders, he adds: "Ouf, this his heavy ... I hope we get there fast."

Bert puts his pack back on the floor and turns toward the warden. "I also thank you Warden. I wonder, do you have any idea what awaits us at the keep ? Is it occupied ? And ... those Goruka scouts and agents, are they attacking travellers from Shillen on the road ? They are nothing more than bandits if they do that."

"As for our way, I also prefer the trade road but not for the same reason. We'll go faster and I'm actually hoping we can avoid a few dangerous encounters. Gorukans, or whatever they call themselves, are not savages after all." It's also the best place to start gathering information for the temple but Bert doesn't mention that.

OOC : Filbert is now under medium encumbrance (Filbert feels like Sam ).

 

[GPEKO]

OOC : Just to help, here's what's left (assuming Manzanita didn't take the weapons she talked about):

Dagger (1 lb) x3
Longsword (4 lb)
Composite Longbow (3 lb)
Arrows (20) (1 lb) x2
Chain Shirt (25 lb)
Buckler, Small (2.5 lb)
Buckler (5 lb)
Lantern, Bullesye (3 lb)
Oil (1 lb) x18
Tent (20 lb) x3
Tent, small (10 lb)
Torches (1 lb) x40
Healer’s Kit (1 lb)
Explorer’s Outfit (8 lb) x4
Explorer’s Outfit, Small (4 lb)

Adromon should take an explorer's outfit too.

 

[Hurricain]

Devan smiles at Dunathar's request.

Devan will take the Chain shirt and the composite longsword.

Then he will leave with Dunathar.

 

[silentspace]

Dunathar:

Spoiler

Dunathar’s always appraising the value of things, and he’s surprised that Brenin and Ricsten are giving them so much without asking for anything in return. Bert even told Brenin that he won’t commit to anything, which Brenin seemed to have no problem with! And from the sound of things, House Dharnan doesn’t even have enough money to pay their own troops. Brenin seems to know the group isn't that powerful or capable (at least not yet). With the value of equipment and gold they've offered, they could have hired a more capable group. Or they could have hired a whole bunch of mercenaries. Heck, Ricsten’s got the whole garrison at his disposal! If he used his own troops, he wouldn’t have to pay them anything!

 

[silentspace]

Devan takes the chain shirt and the composite longbow, and leaves with Dunathar. They reverse their course, passing the guards along the way, and return to the back alley behind the Warden’s house. Twilight has set on Carodan and the streets are filled with shadow. Street lanterns give some illumination, but there are plenty of gaps between them. Lagren, the barkeep, had said the Silent Traders had an unmarked guildhouse in the warehouse district, but where would it be?

In the distance, you see a group of three figures who you think you recognize. They’re too far away to see clearly in the twilight, but there’s a tall, heavy human male, a human female carrying a longspear, and a small, robed gnomish woman. Glendrake, Thevin, and Mavdeno from the caravan! They are still far away, and while you guess they’ve probably seen you, they probably don’t recognize you.

 

[silentspace]

Warden Ricsten grins widely at Manzanita’s eagerness to engage the enemy. “We could always use people like you in the military! But don’t be too hasty to attack anyone you see in the wilderness. These are advance scouts and Gorukan special forces, not your average footsoldiers. They specialize in subterfuge. Ambushes and the like. They will probably guess you are working for us, and will be treated as the enemy.”

"As to what’s in the keep, I don’t know. I have no knowledge of the keep. We’ve had no reason to explore that forest. But I can tell you what we’ve encountered in similar forests here. The most dangerous natural creatures are bears, spiders, snakes, boars, wolves and wolverines. There are also orcs, goblinoids, gnolls, ogres and trolls. And ghouls as well."

"As to the Gorukans themselves, no I guess they are not savages. They are humans and humanoids after all. But with the brutality of their invasion forces, and the devastation they have wrought, and the lives they have taken, frankly I don't see what difference it makes whether they are 'savages' or not." Warden Ricsten's jaw sets grimly for a moment, before relaxing back into his usual calm demeanor.