Coming Soon!
A week ago, Silas Gribb offered you a job as caravan guards. He seems a bit gruff, but when he offered you each one hundred gold pieces for this job, it seemed too good to be true. The trip through Taldor has thus far been uneventful, but tomorrow you are set to arrive in the village of Belhaim. You hope your employer will be able to pay for your room in the local inn and give you a nice place to sleep. Only time will tell.
A scruffy, stern, aging merchant sits in the front seat of a horse drawn wagon holding the reins. He calls back to the rest of you as he looks down to each of you who walk beside his wagon."So, tomorrow we reach Belhaim. I've got some business to conduct in the village and I need you guys to be ready to do your job. Are you all clear on that?"
Why don't we get to know eachother first? I'm Kardan
"Kardan, Have you ever worked as a caravan guard before? I'm paying you good money to do your job and not ask questions. I need you to protect this shipment and if we run into bandits or goblins or any such fiend, I need you to dispatch them with great haste and keep my merchandise safe. We are not hear to socialize and get to know each other. Are we clear on that point?!"
“Wow there Silas, I feel more of an introduction is an order.”
Bungo addresses the group.
“Greetings friends, it's your boy Bungo Ma Jungo, master of the jungle, the seas and the trees. A little about myself…”
Bungo rummages around his bag until pulling out a liquid stained tattered journal.
“ I’ll have you know in my spare time I primarily spend hours on end using my incredible intellect and aspiration to create my own poetry strictly based on rhyme. I would love to share some on our journey ahead.”
Bungo intensely locks eyes with those who listen.
"Haa, Haa, Haa!" bellows the merchant. "I had no idea that you were part bard! Well, if you wish to give me a little poetry, maybe that would help pass the time in this interminable trip. Let's hear one of your little rhymes, Jungo!"
“Ahhhh, I thought you'd never ask. Here, one of my favorites”
Bungo maintains a serious tone, on the edge of aggression.
“I call this: Life of a Dwarf”
“Pig…...Dig…….Rig…….Swig”
“There I lay, in the brig.”
Bungo sets down his journal.
hahahaha, good one Bun- Buuuuuurp-go, ah pardon me
A short stout man adorned in hundreds of different rings, hoops, necklaces, and other elaborate jewelry steps fourth adorned in a large ornate turban
I kardan Adjul have dedicated my life in practice and studying the blade and magic,mixing both to with deadly synergy. Being a simple guard will be nothing of a challenge to me.
" “I call this: Life of a Dwarf”
“Pig…...Dig…….Rig…….Swig”
“There I lay, in the brig.”
"Well, Bungo, I see that you have a very simplistic view of dwarves. Have you ever met one, by chance?"
"I Kardan Adjul have dedicated my life in practice and studying the blade and magic,mixing both to with deadly synergy. Being a simple guard will be nothing of a challenge to me. "
"Magic and Blade, you say? I've never meant one who can do both well. However, let's just hope we don't have to put your words to the test."
Turning to the rest of the company, the unshaven Merchant yells out to the rest of you.
"Now, folks, I have a simple request for you. When we get to Belhaim, I want us to keep a bit of a low profile. I have some discreet business to attend to and I don't want us to stick out like a sore thumb. Do you understand what I'm saying? Perhaps we can just keep our heads down and refrain from making any big productions. Bungo, that may mean holding off on reading some of your Life of a Dwarf poetry."
ah Silas i'm all about making scenes, I am a performer at heart, you should know that.
“Well Silas, I have only heard tales of the all powerful, heroic, incredible, demon slayers, forge saviors, sky breakers, godlike Beard Bruiser tribe. But I’m sure that's just a hoax. All dwarves I know seem drunken to me.”
“Anyway, while in Belhaim, if I am to disguise myself in such ways. I must know of this alleged discreet business you speak of.”
I will stride to keep a low profile while we are there, and what business are we talking about here?
In stumbles the great Lojhan Skydal
I could've sworn I had just heard one of the finest pieces of poetry I have ever layed my ears upon
Lojhan clearly still has the remains of a hangover from the night they left the town
which one of you fine gentlemen has concucted such an amazing piece of work
His eyes scan across the three men
Bungo beckons Lojhan over.
Yardix interrupts the conversation
"Aha! There you are friends! I've been looking all over for you. Hello Bungo, Lojhan and Kardan.
Sorry i was late. I was telling a bartender one of my famous jokes!
Yardix looks anxious to tell the joke. "I insist you hear it so here goes! An Ogre, Giant and Troll walk into a bar... But the kobald was able to duck under it.
Kardan erupts in an uncontrollable laughter emanating from within his gut
Ha ha ha that's a good one Yardix!
Yardix looks pleased that Kardan liked the joke. "Why thank you Kardan I hope your looking forward to more of my comedy!"
"I will stride to keep a low profile while we are there, and what business are we talking about here?
"That's quite enough Kardan. My business is my business and it is something you need not concern yourself. I just trust that you will remember who is paying you and I expect you to follow orders and do your job when the time comes."
Yardix looks anxious to tell the joke. "I insist you hear it so here goes! An Ogre, Giant and Troll walk into a bar... But the kobald was able to duck under it."
"Enough. . . . Enough . . . . you crazy halfling. Stop it before I wet my pants!" Silas replies as he wipes tears from his eyes. "I am not used to laughing so much. I hired you four to protect my caravan, not to be making me laugh like some hyena. Yardix, you have great talent for a young fella such as yourself. However, I must admit, you halflings have a strange and quirky sense of humor!"
Im sorry Silas. Now lets get to business.
Right then, when do we start
"Start? Start?! Is that what I'm hearing? You start now! You're job is to guard this caravan and do whatever I tell you! Now, keep your eyes peeled for trouble and make sure that weapon of yours is nearby and ready to use."
Right. Lets get to it then.
“Don't worry Silas, I shall protect the caravan as if it was lore. No need to fear anymore."
Bungo draws his nodachi.
The rest of the day passes slowly. Silas returns to his usual grumpy mood and says very little the rest of the day. The evening is uneventful, but you wait with eager anticipation the arrival in Belhaim on the following day.
The morning starts with overcast clouds and the rain drizzles slightly. Everything has a damp feel to it. By midmorning, you reach the gates of Belhain.
"Hail, Good sirs, and welcome to Belhaim! Are you bringing in items to trade?"
"Aye" Silas grunts a reply, trying not to say too much else.
"Ahh good. We always welcome traveling merchants to our town." The bearded guard yells down from the gatehouse tower, "If you have weapons we ask that you peace bind them with knots. I'm sure you understand. I also need you to submit to an inspection. A few of us will be down in just a moment."
With a skeptical look on his face Kardan puts away his rapier and take a look at his surroundings.
"Everything looks fine guys let's head in!"
Bungo is perplexed by how perceptive Kardan seems.
He then continues to call up to the guard.
“We are simple banana farmers looking to trade some of our fine fruit, perhaps the inspection isn't necessary.”
Yardix looks towards Bungo.
"I'm afraid fruits bring with them a certain tariff. We are going to need to collect some coin for bringing in bananas. Stay still for just a moment. I'll be right there."
"Don't bother yourself, young man." Gribb calls up to the guard. "Just stay where you are. My friend here is just joking. Aren't you, Bungo?!" He says with a serious stare to the Mwangi. "We have no such bananas. Come to think of it, we are not here to trade at all. I'm just carrying a lot of camping equipment."
As the guard turns away, the unshaven merchant turns quickly to Bungo, glares at him and gives him a sharp comment, "You fool! Let me do the talking. Before you know it, we will have the whole regiment here inspecting my wagon! This is not what I meant when I said no productions!"
"So, shall we head to the inn and rest for a bit?"
“Great idea Yardix.”
“I’ll tell you what, that could have been quite the slip up.”
Bungo gives Silas a good slap on the back.
A moment later, the a large gate opens and a balding guard with a long moustache comes out the door and introduces himself. "Greetings, folks. I'm sergeant Hersk and I'm here just to ask a few questions before I let you through. This shouldn't take but a minute."
The sergeant gives an appraising look over the company and then begins asking a few questions. "So where are all you folks from? You don't look like you're from here. Is this your first time to Belhaim?"
“Why, yes it is.” Bungo moves up to Sergeant Hersk.
“Bungo’s the name, knowledge is the game.”
“Never been to Belhaim, but the people seem delightful.” Bungo winks.
Seeing that Bungo clearly doesn't understand the situation lojhan quickly intervenes
Bungo please don't try to use you "charm" on any one, it rarely works
Lojhan speaks to the guard
please ignore my friend here, it's been a very long trip. It apears he still has yet to recover
“Why, yes it is.” Bungo moves up to Sergeant Hersk.
“Bungo’s the name, knowledge is the game.”
“Never been to Belhaim, but the people seem delightful.” Bungo winks.
"Nice to meet you, Master Bungo. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"Please ignore my friend here, it's been a very long trip. It apears he still has yet to recover."
"You wish me to ignore him? That I may do, but I have yet to hear your own name, good sir. Are you here for business or pleasure? Do you have something to hide?"
"Sergeant, you have nothing to worry about with these good fellows. They are decent, simple folk who are not use to dealing with authority such as yourself."
The merchant calls over Sergeant Hersk to his side and puts his arm around him and begins speaking in hushed tones.
Bungo remains quiet.
As does Yardix
Sergeant Hersk turns from Silas and begins to walk away with a pouch in his hand and then he calls out to the guards in the gatehouse,
Turning to the four of you (the guards of the Silas Gribb's small caravan), Hersk calls out,
Silas commands.