Even the impolight don't deserve to die, come with us. We will try to protect you. I'm Lojhan by the way, master of healing.
"Who are you calling impolite, Mister Lojhan? It is not a crime to expect decent service when I am paying for it. In fact, it should be a crime not to serve me."
Lojhan Skydal wrote:
"Now get out or you'll be squashed to nothing."
"Oh, very well. I suppose I should not be surprised that this old barn of an inn is about to collapse. Lead the way, Mister Lojhan. I am not far behind."
"Where are your manners sir." Bungo munches down on his bread, crumbs flying everywhere. With a full mouth he adds. "Were just trying to enjoy our dinner, please tone down your rudeness? Yet another mouth gaping bite, this time of cheese, Bungo stutters out an introduction. "The names Bungo, and Im sure my companions here will agree you are acting like a buffoonish baboon."
The well dressed man sticks up his nose and then glares at you. "I beg your pardon. Do I know you?!"
Throughout the late afternoon and evening, many of the resident of Drellin's Ferry arrive in Nimon's Gap. The 'Cross Eyed Beholder' appears full, so many of the refugees are camped in several of the fields surrounding the town. Iormel's coach arrives rather late and the councilman and his wife begin to set up an ornate tent next to their coach. However, it is clear that the wife is of no help whatsoever, and the two begin to bicker at each other.
"Iormel, this spot is too bumpy and it simply won't do."
"Well, if you weren't so drunk, then maybe you could help . . ."
"Well, you know I hate travel by coach! What else is there to do?"
. . .
Bofus:
Sneaking into the coach when Iormel is out setting up his camp, you find the plush sheets rather comfortable. On one of the seats are three empty bottles and a half finished bottle of red wine from a Cheliax Vinyard called 'Red Devil Wine'. As you give the inside a thorough search, you find a stash of 300 gold pieces in in a sack under one of the coach seat cushions.
"And you are not a very funny, gnome. As for me, I will be happy when you are gone from my sight. Now get in your wagon and begone! I don't want to hear another word from you. The only news you bring is the ill sort!"
"Well, if you send someone back to become food for the horde, make sure that they know we set several traps on the way. There are a number of deadfall trees as well as a magic trap or two that will have to be avoided. We did not expect anyone would be so fool hearty as to actually head back into the mouth of the storm."
"Well, if you hadn't taken the note down in the first place, I would not have to be making these decisions. I have every right to defend my property and the likes of you should be held accountable for your villainous acts!"
"Nobody made you leave Drellin's Ferry. You were welcome to stay there and welcome the horde. I mean, there are obviously people in the horde who you know, otherwise you would not have left that nice note on your home threatening the horde. After all, if you were truly powerful enough to back up your threat, then you would not have had to leave since you clearly would be powerful enough to stop the horde yourself."
"Don't be such a fool! I am a merchant and have done very well for myself through hard work, but that does not mean that I would try to single handedly stop an entire horde of monsters. Furthermore, I resent you making accusations that I know people in the horde! I cannot help the fact that there are dangerous fiends and burglars about. Only a fool such as yourself would not find it prudent to give trespassers a warning before they attempted any such mischief! But now you claim to have removed my note! How dare you!! That note was not written to warn off intruders from raiding the Inn. By my own hand, that note was a threat to any intruder who dared enter my own home! Now you force me to send one of my servants back into harm's way to rectify the situation! You are an interfering wretched little gnome, aren't you?!"
"Rahadoum huh, sounds far away. You should also be careful. These boxes have weapons of red steel in them all the way from the devil forges of Cheliax. Fortunately the priests of Iomedae and mages in Brindol know how to destroy them so that they will not be able to be used to assist the horde."
"Does a little black gnome such as yourself even know where Rahadoum is? I should doubt it, you uncultured idiot!"
Tirion wrote:
"Good thing that we got them before Durgin escaped with them. You are lucky that we got them back, after you came and relieved the guard that was watching Durgin, he almost fled. Fortunately we had an eye watching Durgin so that he would not run."
"Are you saying that the simpleton Farmer, tried to betray Drellin's Ferry to that horde! That damn traitor! I thought he might be a spy! I sure hope you killed 'em before he caused any more trouble! We can't afford such treachery!"
Tirion wrote:
"All I can say is that I would hate to be the person who procured them for the horde. Shouldn't be difficult to figure out who it was. After all, the Cheliaxian devils keep very good records of every business deal."
"What are you trying to say?! You don't want to be Durgin Fortkeep, the traitor? I'm sure the records are somewhere, but I would be surprised if they used Durgin's real name. Spies like him are very deceptive and treacherous!"
Tirion wrote:
"Especially one involving a huge quantity of devil forged dragon blades such as these."
"Are you trying to intimidate me? Just because I didn't want to leave my beloved town of Drellin's Ferry, does mean you should take out your inadequate failings on me! You're the idiot hanging out hear destroying my silk blanket and bumbling everything else around here!"
"Looks like a beautiful day. Good for a long ride on the road. You should get going so that you are not behind those traveling on foot. I expect we should make the Gap by tonight, hopefully even farther."
Iormel, sits on a chair near his carriage, sipping a what appears to be a cup of tea. He looks up at you as you approach.
"I detest running from the horde. I loathe to think what they are doing to my estate, and I certainly don't know what makes you think that it could possibly be a beautiful day."
As he notices that you have run over one of his silk blanket with your wagon he glares at you in alarm.
"Watch were you park that wagon of yours! Have a care! That blanket comes all the way from Rahadoum. I don't expect you to understand its value, but you should at the very least watch what you are doing, you imbecile!"
As the coach pulls away, you scurry underneath the carriage and grab hold of the frame from underneath. At first this seems fine, but as it pulls away out from Drellin's Ferry, your arms begin to grow tired.
While you hang on, you are able to hear Iormel talking to a woman in the back of the carriage, but it is difficult to hear what he is saying. Perception Check below to hear what is said.
As you grow weary of holding on, you will also need a Strength Check DC 10 to stay on. If you wish to get a better position on the outside of the coach, you will need to make a Climb Check DC 20 to climb out the back of the coach and up the back to reach the roof. This position on the roof is much more comfortable for riding, but is not as conducive for being hidden from people observing the carriage from the outside.
Bofus Perception DC 25:
As the carriage leaves town, Iormel says, "Well, my dear, We are safely on our way out of Drellin's Ferry. I am actually sad to be leaving our little home, but I assure you, we will be well taken care of where we are going..."
Iormel steps into the boat and Drathgar's horses then begin moving the capstan on the far side to pull the ferry across. Sitting in the boat, Iormel, looks around as he rides over the swift moving Elsir River.
Behind the DM Screen:
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Once on the eastern side, he gives Drathgar, the ferryman, a few coins. However, he accidentally spills them and Drathgar crawls down on the ground to pick them up. A few words are exchanged and Iormel continues walking back into town.
Perception DC 20:
While Drathgar is picking up the coins, Iormel quickly and subtly removes a hitching pin from the capstan and places it in his pocket. You believe that the device will likely become unhooked and jammed up on its next use.
"Rubbish! All of the citizens have just as much need of the guards as you do. This is outrageous. If I am not mistaken, this situation is what I call Malagastorea!"
"How is it that you have guards of the town helping you out by loading crates from your barn into a wagon? This sounds like you are using town resources for your own purposes? How can you be so selfish to take advantage of the town guards when there are other elderly folk that could use their help? I'm am surprised that you are letting them do the heavy work for you. I thought you had more morale fiber, Fortkeep! If you were a decent sort you would dismiss them immediately!"
"I still think you are all cowards for at least not trying to fight the horde. It is not right that they should come in and steal all of our wealth and property! However, I see that I am outvoted in this matter. Well, do whatever the hell you want, I've got my own business to attend to anyway. Go tell the others that you have no backbone and let them remember all of you for your courage."
Iormel stands up and walks out the door in disgust.
Did either of you decide to answer his question and tell him your names?
"Mister Iormel, if you do not refrain from putting people at risk wit' your arrogance I will be forced to remove you from this room."
"Can he do that? I am a councilman of this town and I have lived here for many years. Captain, did you hear this man?! He is threatening me with force! Captain, I urge you to arrest these rude people and protect your councilman. However, before you do, I would like to hear your name as well, Mwangi!"
"I was making a point you ignoramus. If I wanted to steal from you, I'd do it, with you here or not. Obviously I don't because I *GAVE IT BACK*. Now quit with the indignant self-righteous sanctimony and get with reality!"
Iormel glares at Bofus and asks coldly. "What is your name, halfling and where do you come from in the first place?"
"And by the way, If I wanted to loot this town, I'd do it with you all here, it'd be more fun" I toss what I stole from him into his lap. "We're NOT trying to rob you. We're trying to help you!"
Bofus tosses a small gold medallion onto Iormel's lap and the councilman quickly snatches it up in anger!
Perception DC 15:
The medallion Bofus tosses onto Iormel's lap has an ornate crest with crossed swords and an H on it.
Previous Perception Check and Knowledge, Nobility DC 20:
This medallion has the symbol of House Henderthane, which is a one of Cheliax's Noble Houses.
His appearance goes from pale white to angry red in a quick moment. "How dare you steal from me, you impudent rogue! They may be telling the truth and have strong allies, but I don't know how you can all put up with their arrogance!"
As Tirion lays down the evil holy symbol of Tiamat. Iormel turns pale and suddenly cannot find any words to speak.
Thordak wrote:
"We're here to warn you you're about te get killed an' you treat us like criminals! Oi am Thordak, son of Throtgar of Ironfist. Oi'm here te protect tha vale from the goblins; if you wanna help, y'er welcome! If not, stay outta moi way! ...An Torag help ye if ye try an' stop me!"
Iormel glances up at Thordak with genuine fear as he tries to sink down in his chair. He mumbles a reply.
""Please don't leave, Tirion! Iormel did not mean what he said! I think he is just a little nervous!"
"The Hell I am! There is no need to uproot the hardworking folk of Drellin's Ferry, for some criminal activity! Even if there is some group of hobgoblins, there cannot possibly be the numbers described by these upstarts! At the very least, I would detain them until you got some verification, and I mean real proof, not some forged mockup to scare us!"
"How do I know you aren't just lying, so you can get rid of us and stay here to plunder the town?! How do we know those papers aren't simply forged! I know your sort. Look at the greedy dwarf sittin there sharpening his axe, and that sly little halfling!! They even brought their own Mwangi slave with them! And that dark imp of a creature! I don't even know what kind of race he is, but I'm certain they have plans to see us leave alright! The story of a horde is a fine little ruse to get wealthy! A horde for a hoard! Shame on you for using a few goblin raids to instill fear in the rest of us! Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I am not going to tolerate this sort of banditry in my town. Captain Soranna, you should be doing a better job than to let this rabble run the town! Tell me Captain, and Speaker Wiston, have either of you actually even seen this so called horde? Of course the answer is no!!!"
"You fool!" Iormel snaps back. "We can't let them take everything we've worked so hard for, just because we lack the nerve to stand up to this hobgoblin rabble!"
