"I think I'll remain as is. I mean I already look like a caravan guide anyway.."

"Whoever is posing as a merchant, I will be your personal guard."

Gaskar, the halfling, smiles at this. "I'm the merchant," he says.

Just a couple cure light or cure moderate would be cool if they're in stock

Deduct the potions from the gold given to you. You can get them at cost. 300 gp for CMW. They will spare a couple but are preparing for battle and are hording them.

Liandra Nightwind wrote:

"Whoever is posing as a merchant, I will be your personal guard."

Gaskar, the halfling, smiles at this. "I'm the merchant," he says.

"Good."

"Milord, will we be taking our horses or riding in the wagon?"

"Milord, will we be taking our horses or riding in the wagon?"

Gaskar assumes Manfred is addressing him. "I've got three horses to spare besides the wagon. I usually use them on long journeys to keep the horses fresh. We're less than a day from Piren's Bluff so that's not a problem. How many of you have horses besides?"

"I have a wagon and two mules."

"I have a wagon and two mules."

"Oh, well. Try to keep up," says Gaskar competitively.

Liandra snickers

"And I have my trusty mount, Trouble."

Galadar wrote:

"I have a wagon and two mules."

"Oh, well. Try to keep up," says Gaskar competitively.

"It won't be a problem I am sure," I say politely, "They're decent enough animals. I will need something to carry in it. Perhaps some produce or baskets of clothing?"

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Galadar wrote:

"I have a wagon and two mules."

"Oh, well. Try to keep up," says Gaskar competitively.

"It won't be a problem I am sure," I say politely, "They're decent enough animals. I will need something to carry in it. Perhaps some produce or baskets of clothing?"

Gaskar disappears for a good half hour and returns with a couple of shady-looking soldiers. They load Galadar's wagon with foodstuffs and ale. Money changes hands.

"These will fetch a shiny copper," Gaskar muses. Covering the cargo with a blanket, he adds, "Come on now. No need to get the General bogged down with details like this. They'll just confuse him. Cover them up."

The General's aide-de-camp catches Knotty's attention:

So what do I look like when Knotty Ashe gets done with me?

So what do I look like when Knotty Ashe gets done with me?

Like Hru. ;-)

Flinching from the mirror, Sir Manfred says; "Well then, with that out of the way, let us depart! Time waits for no man... or orc I suppose."

While the wagons are being loaded, I want to ask around and see what information I can find on the situation we are heading into...

Diplomacy (Gather Information): (1d20+9=29)

I will take rolling a natural 20 for my first dice roll for this adventure as a good sign. :)

Sir Manfred looks around. "Is it possible to get a map of the route we are taking?"

While the wagons are being loaded, I want to ask around and see what information I can find on the situation we are heading into...

Diplomacy (Gather Information): (1d20+9=29)

I will take rolling a natural 20 for my first dice roll for this adventure as a good sign. :)

You learn that there are many in the town who have grumbled about the Baron's flirtations with Cheliax for years. You also learn that few grumble very loudly as the Baron is said to have spies amongst them. More recently, the Baron has sent some of his guards to hang out at places where idle talk might reveal disloyalty dressed in their day-to-day clothes with weapons concealed.

Sir Manfred looks around. "Is it possible to get a map of the route we are taking?"

No map necessary as we are heading right there. I've almost got the map of the keep ready to share.

Anything else before I jump you to the front gates?

Hru sits and neatly folds his priestly cloak he then removes his fine red leather boots, taking a package from his pack and placing the cloak and boots back in. Unwrapping the package he then dons his worn travelers cloak and with a slight wince some fine but roadworn boots.

"It never hurts to have a second pair of boots." he says to no one in particular.

Now he looks like nothing more than a traveled mercenary.

"I can travel to the town as an extra guard, but perhaps the Baron is in need of a Headsman? It's cowards work but I suppose I look the part" he punctuates that with another toothy grin.

"I think we should get a feel for whats going on in the Baron's town before making deep plans," I suggest to Hru.

As we are on our way to a town, I'm ready to go as is.

The halfling takes the pirate scarf off and in an instant undergoes a dramatic change. His body thins down to almost nothing and he looks fresh faced and clean in dark blue clothes. The halfling's eyes however are not so soft and friendly, more like ice and one twitches a little from time to time.

Then he hands the small brown hat in his hand to Manfred. "Fill your boots, Manny. This baby is all magicked up and ready to go. You choose whether you want to look like Hru here or whatever. Once we get inside I may want it back, but no one is going to take a second look at me, and I don't want them doing the same to you. Drawing attention is a bad thing. Howsabout looking like a husky woman, you know in the right light..."

"No, I guess not, you choose. And listen to Mr Officer here, he's not coming but he's willing to offer me advice, like he's important." That was said with real contempt.

"Yeah, fight like a hero and you may die. But make sure I ain't about, I aim to do the job and disappear."

"It never hurts to have a second pair of boots." he says to no one in particular.

hheheheehe

Gaskar, the halfling merchant, stops the caravan a short distance from Piren's Bluff. He shares some of the food from the wagons allowing everyone a small feast. It's a bit early in the day for a meal but he doesn't explain his motives.

When you arrive at the town a short time later, however, the guards complain that their shift is changing and grumble about having to inspect another caravan.

"Just make it quick," says Gaskar, "You know me."

"True, but who are these new faces and what's their business in Piren's Bluff?" the guards asks. He waits for your answer.

Howsabout looking like a husky woman, you know in the right light...

Sir Manfred gives an unfriendly look at Knotty Ashe and simply says "No."

I advise Manfred from entering town as a half-orc. Two half-orcs might make the guards too suspicious if one of them dissapears later. Just look like yourself, but in cheaper armor is my advice.

When the guards ask as to our identities, I volunteer from my seat on my own wagon, "New business partner. Gaskar had a bigger load this trip and was too cheap to buy his own wagon. These lot are my regular guards. The name is Galadar."

I take 10 on Profession (merchant) to look and act like a merchant for a total of 20. I'm dressed in regular traveling clothes for the trip, albeit wearing my gold ring to look slightly successful.

I advise Manfred from entering town as a half-orc. Two half-orcs might make the guards too suspicious if one of them dissapears later. Just look like yourself, but in cheaper armor is my advice.

Yeah, I was just joking about him looking like Hru. His question was directed at Knotty any how.

Sir Manfred nods to Galadar, relieved. He concentrates on changing his armor to poor quality.

Knotty smiles at the necessary improvements to the knight's attire. And checks his wands, potions and scrolls.

Then he relaxes on the wagon and dozes.

Okay, timeline synchronization

Gaskar, the halfling merchant, stops the caravan a short distance from Piren's Bluff. He shares some of the food from the wagons allowing everyone a small feast. It's a bit early in the day for a meal but he doesn't explain his motives.

When you arrive at the town a short time later, however, the guards complain that their shift is changing and grumble about having to inspect another caravan.

"Just make it quick," says Gaskar, "You know me."

"True, but who are these new faces and what's their business in Piren's Bluff?" the guards asks. He waits for your answer.

When the guards ask as to our identities, Galadar volunteers from his seat on his own wagon, "New business partner. Gaskar had a bigger load this trip and was too cheap to buy his own wagon. These lot are my regular guards. The name is Galadar."

"Very well then," says the guard, completely lacking in suspicion. "Move through. Make it fast."

As you make it through the gates with your wagons barely scrutinized, you see the next shift arriving to replace the current guards. You're in Piren's Bluff.

Gaskar leads your caravans straight towards the centre of town. He points out places along the way, "The Dead Well is a fine tavern. Graden's has mining supplies. Nasty couple that runs it. Down that way's The Lodge; it's really only for hunters and others that come in from the woods and mountains. The Black Candle will sell you cures for cold and droopydick..."

He stops talking only when he gets to a large store in the centre of town. In a loud, sing-song voice he calls out: "There once was a halfling named Tucket ..."

A happy looking halfling pops out the door arms spread wide in greeting and responds, "...who looked at his life and said ...".

A female halfling bustles out so fast behind the man that she almost barrels her husband over. With a wide smile she interrupts, "Gaskar Drolp, you stop encouraging him right now!"

The Tuckets begin unloading the wagon while paying Gaskar for the cargo.

As the wagons are being unloaded, I step up next to Gaskar and ask, "How long are you staying in town? It might be safer for you to clear out before we make too much noise. And if you manage to take off with all the money before I get my share, it might give me an excuse to see the Baron if I need one.

As the wagons are being unloaded, I step up next to Gaskar and ask, "How long are you staying in town? It might be safer for you to clear out before we make too much noise. And if you manage to take off with all the money before I get my share, it might give me an excuse to see the Baron if I need one.

"I doubt anyone would believe that I am capable of deceit. ... Except for General Dakovya, who has an overly suspicious nature. ... And, Ben at The Dead Well, but he spends too much time dealing with riff-raff. ... And, the Baron, but I can only sell what's available and if an unscrupulous craftsman sells me shoddy goods ..."

The protestations of innocence continue until Gaskar is out of sight ... with the money.

I also take the time to ask the halfling store owner, "Which inn would you recommend while I am in town. I prefer good dining and good beds, though perhaps some of my guardsmen might prefer cheaper."

I also take the time to ask the halfling store owner, "Which inn would you recommend while I am in town. I prefer good dining and good beds, though perhaps some of my guardsmen might prefer cheaper."

"Well," Tucket ponders, "The Conqueror's Blade has a few beds but they most rent by the hour. More expensive but not because of the fine sheets." He glances to see how closely his wife is listening, "The owner, Rhasper, invested not so much in assets as asses ...".

"Tucket!" his wife interupts. "These people want The Dead Well. And tell Ben Willhuff that the Tuckets sent you and that fabric he ordered is in. He'll give you a good deal if only because my husband loses so much money there each week as to make up for it."

Liandra grins at the ribald comment.

"Cheap and decent grub. Ben's place sounds good, if its good enough for Mr Tuckett, its good enough for me."

"I agree," I say somewhat authoritatively, still pretending to the 'merchant boss' of our little caravan. "Why don't we get our rooms and then if you guys want some free time we can take in the sights, the flora and fauna of this town, so to speak."

As we head towards the tavern with my now mostly empty wagon, I try to keep my eyes open, especially to determine whether there are signs of a lot of military men or guardsmen in the streets or whether it looks fairly normal in regards to the activities. I'll also be looking for any signs of the plant that was our signal.

"I agree," I say somewhat authoritatively, still pretending to the 'merchant boss' of our little caravan. "Why don't we get our rooms and then if you guys want some free time we can take in the sights, the flora and fauna of this town, so to speak."

As we head towards the tavern with my now mostly empty wagon, I try to keep my eyes open, especially to determine whether there are signs of a lot of military men or guardsmen in the streets or whether it looks fairly normal in regards to the activities. I'll also be looking for any signs of the plant that was our signal.

Hru catches on anwswering "Yarp goodman, I be hankering to slake me thuurst right enough" trying to sound like an unlettered mercenary.

Meanwhile he scans the street for trouble also

spells prayed for this day

"Sure thing. Is it okay if I check out the lodge place?"

Following Hru's lead, Sir Manfred says "Well, of course! Ah, I mean..." (roughens his voice) "...yeah."

"Sure thing. Is it okay if I check out the lodge place?"

"By all means, but make sure to check back in case there is... that is, in case I have work for you."

I say much more softly, "We might find out more if we split up after getting our rooms, each of us checking into a different part of the town. Remember to be discreet. We don't know whom we can trust."

Liandra nods silently

sigh

"We shouldn't do this alone, I'll go with Eria. Give us a chance to get the lay of the land. Hows about you an' me are an item? You know you choose, husband or bosom buddy, what say you?"

Knotty starts to link arms with the girl.

Eria makes a little bleh face at the thought "I'll pass on the bossom buddies bit thanks you're old enough to be my father after all."

Knotty laughs at the lovely halfling maid, "well said!" patting her hand.

Those who go The Dead Well:

Those who go The Lodge:

"Greetings good sir on a right fine day," I say cheerfully to the barkeep at the door of the inn, "Would you know if there are rooms available for myself and perhaps a few of my guardsmen? Also, is there a place in town for the keeping of a wagon?"