(YBA) Oskarn the Traveler on the Caravan Road.

[Yellow Sign]

With your reply, the Burgermeister visablely relaxes. A broad smile erupts on his face. "Good! Good! Glad to hear it. You can't be too careful you know. Well then this is what I need. Modric the Physic knows a alchemist in The Crossroads who will be able to make the anitdote. He will give you a letter of introduction and a few items to barter with for the antidote. I estimate it will take you 3 weeks travel time there and 3 weeks back giving us a 2 weeks to spare. If you are not back with the anitdote before the 2nd full moon all will be lost. Are you willing to do this?"

 

[Ciaran]

"Of course, though I hope the reward will be worth it. I am a man of quality and not accustomed to playing errand-boy."

(Not really true, but he says this sort of thing so often it's become second nature. )

 

[Yellow Sign]

"Yes! Yes! I can see that. I am not just looking for a errand boy for it will be a dangerous undertaking. I must warn you. You will be traveling through the Ult Mountains, which have been plagued with Nightfangs of late and the Sun's Anvil desert beyond which is always a dangerous place to travel."
He pulls out a blue velvet bag from a drawer in his desk. Tipping it over a flood of golden coins spill out. "Twenty golden guilders (yen) will be yours if you bring back the antidote in time. Also if you wish, I can also get you a post of some importance here in town. Town sheriff perhaps?"

 

[Ciaran]

"Why, that is a substantial sum," Oskarn observes, mesmerised by the coins. "But I should prefer more. And a Sheriff, you say? Pah! An insult, to propose that a man of my refinement should hold such a post. I should prefer the role of Burger, and perhaps the hand of your daughter in marriage should she prove sufficiently comely.

"But enough of that. I shall require a portion of the monies in advance, for the journey you propose shall require supplies and equippage of quality. Such things as I require do not come cheaply."

 

[Yellow Sign]

"Indeed! Indeed! You are a man of ambition I see. I like that. It reminds me of me! As you can see, I am a rich man. But I earned every penny that I have. I have power and respect of my people who I serve as Burgermeister. But that power and respect was gained through hard work and cunning. I can give you 3 guilders as a retainer. And as for the position of Burger," A sly smile spreads across his lips " I am not yet ready to retire. If you are resourceful enough to complete your task then Sheriff is a good starting point to see if you are good enough to be my successor." His smile drops from his face. "As for Ammela, there is not a more beauiful young woman in the district but she is willfull, smart, and not a fool. She has a dozen suitors as it is. If you bring the antidote in time, I will give you the chance to court her but after that it is up to you and her." Bloombald rises from his desk. "Two final questions, do you think you can do it and will you do it?"

 

[Ciaran]

"You are the only Burger here, Herr Bloombald?" Oskarn appears puzzled. "I should have thought... but never mind. Of course I shall perform the task you require, and with sublime perfection and efficiency. But the advance sum you offer is insufficient. I cannot purchase even a single weapon of quality with so little! Perhaps ten guilders will do, with another thirty to be provided upon the safe return of your daughter."

 

[Yellow Sign]

"Oh, I see your confusion. The position of Burgermeister is a elected position as is that of a Burger. It is beyond my power to grant you the title of a Burger. Though as a the Burgermeister it is within my power to appoint you Sheriff. A few years as our stalward Sheriff would be a good path to take to become a Burger and then Burgermeister. But that is not here and now." He takes 5 guilders from the pile of coins and holds the out to you. "I can give you these coins now and 25 when you return with the anitdote. That is my final offer."

 

[Ciaran]

"I accept your generous offer!" Oskarn all but snatches the coins from the Burgermeister's hand. "In addition, I shall require some token with which to prove to your daughter that I am indeed your own messenger and aide, rather than some new captor, perhaps worse than the first."

 

[Yellow Sign]

Bloombald looks at you strangely, "I am sorry if I have stated the facts in error but my daughter is quite safe in her bed at the momemt. It is the safe return of the antidote to the posion in her blood that I require." He sits on the corner of the desk. "Let me tell you what has happened and maybe that will clear things up. A week ago, my daughter was bitten in her bed by a Glided Scarab. This small beetle the size of a guilder has a very toxic posion which is fatal in about 9 weeks time. Now this Scarab is a rare native to the sand dunes of the Sun's Anvil desert. I am making inquires about how such a creature got into my daughters room and I fear that it was placed there by some unknown assassin. It will be your job to travel to The Crossroads to aquire the antidote from a alchemist there and return."

 

[Ciaran]

"Ah," says Oskarn, his eyes glassy. "All has become clear; every question clarified, each mystery elucidated. Your pardon, Herr Burgermeister, but I feel a mite queasy; the food of Tavistal has, perhaps, proven somewhat richer than my admittedly sparse traveler's fare. I beg your pardon, and would retire to my rooms for the evening before, refreshed and rejuvenated, I set forth on the morrow to retrieve the antitoxin that shall save your treasured daughter from her terrible fate."