It is a busy day in the Ramshackle flophouse, the inn by the docks of Warwik where you, by coincidence or by design, are sharing a table, contemplating means to glory and fortune, and the sad lack thereof in your current disposition.
The Ramshackle is the place to go for any adventurer down on their luck. The food is cheap, and so are the lodgings. The menu is short: there is mutton stew, rum and hard cider. The few patrons asking for anything else are rewarded by hard looks from proprietor Treebok.
But you don't really come her for the food. This is a rough place, and brawls are fairly common, but it is also a good place to pick up rumors and some of them sound interesting.
Topping the list is the 500 gp bounty that has been placed on Fell Tarmick, the leader of the Greentree bandits, dead or alive.
There is also talk of some hideous undead-infested crypt near Fool's pass. Some daring adventurers were foolish enough to enter it and the few that returned were horribly disfigured. Now someone who knows someone in the Wizard's academy was talking about some healing spring somewhere in Penprie forest, and there might be some disfigured adventurers willing to pay good money for information about its location, or failing that, the Temple itself.
There is also some crazy lady looking for her husband, but there is no real money in that.
Also there is talk of mysterious disappearances in the slums, but people disappear there all the time, dying of disease or starvation, falling into the river or being thrown in after a drunken stabbing or what have you. Yet the rumors are persistent. But nobody cares about those people anyway. Except for the Temple of the Moon and the poor sod who's giving out free healing in the slums.
I'll leave it to you to get acquainted and to decide on a course of action.
The half elf looks at you . His cloak show sign of having served as an improvised pillow in the wilderness and his equipment is worn . Nonetheless , it is well kept .
" Hello , I'm Juliare , an outof doors man , scout , archer , the works. Would you be interested in some cooperating in order : union make strength after all ?
His words seem to be directed more to the two men than the little lady
I don't know if tou have heard the same rumor than me but I'll make a summary of them and what I think .
The Greentree bandits are of course interesting but 500 Gp are a lot of money . Might be too dangerous for us . I think it would be better to find some real information of their numbers and tactics and so on before going after them . I'm also a bit surprised the reward seem to be only for their boss and there is not a lower reward for any number
I would forget about the undead crypty thingie . More a work for paladins and priests to me. If we can find a survivor of the group of adventurers, maybe I would change my mind but for the moment...
Sense Motive DC 10
Healing spring seem to be the usual myth . there is always rumoured to be one.
The crazy lady might be interesting . I would at least find out how his husband disappeared before forgetting about it.
One better choice would be to investigate the disappearances in the slums. Checking this should be easy enough and making a friend of someone who give free healing could be a wise career move.
Personnally I intend to go visit the authorities after finishing this so called meal and ask them some question .
What do you think ?
It's early afternoon, so midday works fine.
Brock looks at the half elf for a moment before speaking, "I too wouldn't mind finding more information on Bandit's" Brock looks to the Green tinted man sitting next to him "my new partner agrees?" He asks.
"Information is power, Brock. Hence, we shall discover whatever we can about our quarry before pursuing him. We wouldn't want to leave our acquisition of the prize to chance." Hessiah says in a hypnotic voice, the afternoon sun giving his green skin a sinister cast.
Hessiah smiles at the half-elf, "Hessiah, recently of these parts, pleased to meet you. Shall we discuss the matter of division of labor and rewards? We wouldn't want there to be any misunderstanding later."
After his partner gives his introduction Brock scolds himself for not being more polite, "And I be Brock, Just Brock" his large hairy hand held out.
"Just Brock. Like just rock. Unmoving. Stoic. Reliable."
Quick nods her head.
"I know the type."
At first sign, Brock seems to be a combatant . I can't quite place you but you seem to have some experience also.
Labor should of course be mutual but let's not assign a value to every action . This begins like this and then you have people asking for more money because they have killed one more mecreant than you. so equal division of work between us three and equal distribution of treasure . If this association works well , we'll see to make it more permanent we'll distribute the money earned at each occasion. If someone does not pull its weight , we'll see then. We are not many so I don't think we need to designate a leader but one important thing , we don't contradict each other in public.
So I guess we'll begin by going to see the authorities .
'Are you coming ?'
Quick nods her head at Juliare, snapping her fingers. An arc of electricity dances around her hand.
"Sounds good to me. Let's saddle up! The name's Quick."
"Onward then."
"Yes!" He says in delight as Quick talks of the rock, "Like the Rock". He shakes the Cowgirls hand, and as they all get up to leave, he chugs the rest of his drink and makes sure all have finished theres, if not he will down there ale as well. If there not going to drink there mead he will.
Ah sorry miss , I should know better that to judge at first appearance. No hard feeling ?
The authorities in question is the captain of the guard, a no-nonsense dwarf with a well-groomed beard and a spotless suit of armor. After a short wait you are ushered into his office where he gives a small speech that he obviously has given several times already.
The gist of it is that the Green Tree bandits started off as a Robin Hood-like gang with lofty ideas about stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, but then, as so often happens, they noticed that they were none too well off themselves and turned into regular bandits. They have been credited with a dozen robberies of diverse merchant caravans and have generally made a nuisance of themselves.
If you are intent on catching them, you could either masquerade as a merchant caravan or try to accompany one, or try to find their camp somewhere in Penprie forest. There is a reward for their leader, a rogue by name of Fell Tarmick to the tune of 500 gp, dead or alive.
Are there any survivors of the attack we could ask for details ? We would especially like to have a estimation of their tactics and number.
Also there is no individual reward for any of their number , just the boss ? How can we prove to you we deserve the bounty for the boss ?Also do you know anything about a woman who is looking for her husband ?
Finally , we heard about disappearances in the slums . what would you know about this ?
Are there any survivors of the attack we could ask for details ? We would especially like to have a estimation of their tactics and number.
Also there is no individual reward for any of their number , just the boss ? How can we prove to you we deserve the bounty for the boss ?Also do you know anything about a woman who is looking for her husband ?
Finally , we heard about disappearances in the slums . what would you know about this ?
"Well, you could always ask at the Trading Post", Braggar chuckles. "Most of the merchants visiting the city stay there. They usually lie in ambush but they have been known to use disguises. We also have report that they have a bard egging them on. As to how you can prove that you deserve the reward, you could always bring us his head."
"I don't know of any woman looking for her husband. There has been some unrest in the slums lately, but there always is, and Elan Kanto of the Temple of the Moon is doing a swell job helping the poor and homeless. I don't know of any trouble out of the ordinary. People come and go all the time there, the grass being greener on the other side and so on."
"Whatever is the case, let's discuss the matter of our plan in private."
"I've got a room nearby. We could go there. It's private."
Quick leads the group through an alley and on again to a bigger street. Trekking up some stairs behind a shop, they emerge into a little room, sparsely decorated. Quick seems to be a woman of quick action and quick words, and her room reflects it.
A small table, with a single cup and a single plate sit in the left of the room, while a pile of blankets on the right probably serve as a bed.
"So?", she says, in between chews of her tobacco, "What's the plan? There's a pretty coin on the head of that bandit. I'd be up for that. While I'm concerned about the disappearances in the slums, that sounds like more investigative work. We have a real threat in front of us, no? We even have a name. Fell Tarmick, or something."
Quick spits into a spitoon that she has set up in her room.
"Now, I've done my share of caravanin' around. I know the roads pretty well. What say we try to join a caravan? Most of you hide inside the coach, or under blankets or something. This unarmed halfling will take the reins, or the front, dependin' on the type o' caravan it is, y'see. We can just dare 'em. Y'know? Dare 'em to even try to take this caravan. As soon as they start, we start too; they'll never know what hit em."
"Spark'll help, too".
"Who is Spark ? A fifth person to help would be good ".
"What I figure so far is that if they attack caravans and not lone wagons, they must be at least 20 maybe more depending of the size of the caravan . I would also like to know is their first greeting is a flight of arrows or something like an ultimatum.
Personally , in a stand up fight , we would be bound to lose at least someone. I figure with luck I can deal with 4-5 persons but ...
The other problem is we would not be sure to be attacked.
Another tactic would be to wait here for news of the next attack and then track them up . Then a quick run and grab of the boss . After all , he is the only one we would be payed for and, without him , I doubt the bandits would still be a menace "
As for the map , Hessiah , let me think a moment about what I know of the region
Damn ! I am not used to work with people . We'd better keep a low profile from now on . Bandits might have informers in town , Wouldn't do to be pegged by them too soon ... I thing only two of us should go interrogate the merchants ?
During this time , I'll try to have informations about this woman and her husband . Does someone know something about this Elan Kanto and the temple of the moon ? Is he the one who give free healing ?
Someone with me to go and ask questions there ? I'm not really used to dealing with templemen ...
"Spark? Spark's here, and Spark's there.", Quick says, first pointing to her heart, and then pointing to the clouds. "Spark tells me secrets."
Quick lets a little electricity play over her fingers. "The crackle is communication. And it's everywhere." Playfully, Quick blows on her finger, and puts out the electricity. "You'll meet Spark soon."
"I'll go with ya to the temple. I know my way around those places. Been hurt enough times to figure some of that out myself too. Mr. Kanto may not be the only healer around these parts.", she says with a wink.
At the end of the meeting Brock looks tired from strain on his brain. When his companions begin to plan he seems even more bored and strained as he sits there on Quicks floor sharpening his Great Axe. When Juliare speaks of the fight he lifts his head and clears his throat, " The Elf is right I fear no man, especially when he hunts those who are neither warriors nor ready, but Arrows hurt, I say we wait till we hear of the next attack ready to track them after they have struck. Then we shall prey upon them as they have the unfortunate merchants, only we will not still there goods, but there lives" As he looks up there is a Great smile on his face to. He then continues his sharpening.
"Am I the only one who thinks it's a cowardly course of action? Wait until more innocent merchants get hurt? That's your plan? Really? We have enough info. We know that a bunch of attacks have already occurred, and we know the dude's name."
Quick scratches her chin for a moment.
"I think there's a couple other ways to approach it. We could round up all the other survivors, and make a little map of where all the attacks have happened. It may give us enough of an idea as to where they are coming from. Alternatively, we could explore the seedier parts of town, and look for work under the guy. You know, pull the whole, 'we heard of the famous Green Tree bandits and we want in' trick. You're right about one thing, Juliare. They must have informants. It's bound to attract their attention some way or another."
You're right . These are much better plans. What's more we can do both.
One group to research the attacks , one other to try to find informants. Quick , since this is yout plan , where do I go ?
At the mention of coward Brock jumps to his feet and stands at his full hight, his chest thrust out and his great axe in his left hand " Are you calling me a Coward!" He roars with such intensity the veins on his neck bulge!
"I am no Coward!" He barks his brown eyes looking straight at Quick a obvious challenge, "You dishonor me! A man you do not know, by presuming me a coward?!!" spit flying form his mouth, his knuckles white on his Great Axe.
'STOP THIS NOW !'
' Brock , Quick did not call you a coward . She described MY plan as cowardly . It was my best plan at the moment and, yes, waiting for the next attack stuck to my craw also .
Now the rest of the plan is sneaky and underhanded but it is still the best plan we have . If you want to challenge all the bandits to a duel , it will be without me.
We are not here to be heroic, we are here to eliminate a menace to people as efficiently as we can.
Now the next time someone threatens someone else here either with words or weapons is the last time you'll see me. Now do as you want.
"Brock, leave Quick alone. We know you are not a coward. Why only a fool would doubt your courage? Look at those muscles why they can probably topple a tower. That steely gaze in your eyes is reminiscent of heroes from a great ballad. So you see whatever it is that you heard is something that is not directed to you. Please sit down and have some ale."
Quick keeps her cool all the while.
"All I'm saying is, I'd rather stick my neck out first, to keep some innocent people from getting hurt. And that's only because I know I can handle myself. And you both look like you can too. Especially you, Brock. How many merchants do you think swing an axe like you? None."
Quick smirks, "Which is exactly what we want. Brock, and Juliare, you go and try to get yourself hired. Have no qualms about flashing weapons around to get what you want, but work with a little subtlety if ya can."
Quick spits into her spitoon again.
"Hessiah, you're with me. Let's get some details."
"Actually, I was thinking of cutting an extra deal with the Trade Guild. We rid them of a problem and they provide us with extra cash and help. All we need do is package the proposal properly."
"Hence, we need to find information on how much of a pest our quarry is."
Brock Calms a little when Juliare steps between him and Quick, and As she steps away and Hessiah compliments him on his strength he smiles, "You are right".
"Forgive me I am sometimes Quick to anger" with that Brock leans to sit, but before he can Quick describes her plan for Juliare and him to go Join the Bandits. Brock will Follow Juliare out of the room behind him.
Brock Calms a little when Juliare steps between him and Quick, and As she steps away and Hessiah compliments him on his strength he smiles, "You are right".
"Of course, I am right."
Quick winks and makes a clicking sound, pointing her fingers at Hessaih. "I like your thinking. We're doing a service, may as well get paid twice. I'm in, we just need to convince them. I'm kinda new in town, where would we go to speak to a Trade Guild Official? We should hit up the local authorities after, too, to get a detailed report on all the attacks' locations."
Most of the attacks have taken place along the road west of Warwik, but there have been incidents to the south, too.
There is no Trader's Guild as such, but there is a number of open houses where trade is conducted and merchants can rent tables or booths. There are also several powerful families who run their own operations, like the Gaspar family, one of the most powerful in town.
As you try to approach the merchants, you quickly realize that you are not the only ones. Many adventurers are eager to prove your value and unless you have someone to vouch for you, the merchants tend to be very tight-lipped and even more tight-pursed.
What you do manage to find out is that the bandits number at least a dozen, perhaps two dozen, and that while they are a major nuisance, they tend to stay away from well-armed caravans, going for easy targets if they can.
Regarding the woman missing her husband, her name is Penelope Barmey (the name says it all, really), and she is trying to sell some sort of map which she claims shows part of the caves where she thinks that her husband disappeared. In some way she claims to receive messages from him, so she's convinced that he's not dead.
For Brock and Juliare:
Suddenly you notice that the raucous singing coming from one of the nearby allies that has been going on for a while as you've been standing in a corner negotiating for information with a bedraggled woman who's trying to hawk her favors, is abruptly cut off by a sickly thudding noise. Noone around you seems to care. Some even applaud.
You might also (later) want to roll a Diplomacy check to see what you find out.
diplomacy : result + 0 = 19
Diplomacy roll for Elan Kanto 16
About Penelope , can I assume , I know where to find her ?
What is the green area south of warwick ?
By the way do you prefer us to post ooc comments in the Pbp discussion trail or here ? [/ooc]
Yeah, you could probably find Penelope with a little effort.
The green area would be cultivated lands. Ooc comments here are fine as long as they relate to your actions. I use the other thread more for meta-questions and such.
Brock Walks over to the alley and peers in 1d20+4=10 perception skill
Brock:
As you peer into the dark alley, you see the body of a man dressed in rags lying sprawled in the gutter. Another man, wearing black leather armor and armed with a rapier, is crouching over him holding a sap. An overturned damejeanne lies beside the men, quietly spilling its contents down an open sewer grate.
As you approach, the standing man, who is in his thirties, with dirty brown hair and a crouching posture, turns to you, bares his teeth and snarls. "Mind your own business, punk, if you know what's good for you."
Brock looks at the man laying on the ground with out a hint of fear, then he slowly turns to look the attacker full in the eyes waiting before he speaks, trying his best to not bring any bad to his mission at hand.
Pointing Brock says, "That man was minding his own business and it didn't seem to do him very well did it?"
Then Brock brings himself up, his chest filling with air "I will spare you, if you point me in the direction of the Bandits, or someone who knows where I can find them. I wish to join, and have no problem shedding blood to gain trust" Brock then slowly smiles.
Intimidate: 1d20+3=23
Brock:
Brock watches as the thug disappears out of the alley, and then walks to the man making sure he's alive. Then once the man is okay, and the jug that was spilling is upturned Brock walks back to his companion Juliare.
"Elf Juliare, this place is vile, have you found anything? all I have seen is the poor stealing from the poorer"
Having taken leave of the woman he was speaking to , Juliare go after Brock
He arrives just in time to see the thug disappear. He then tries to trail the thug discretly signaling Brock to trail him with some distance since the thug know Brock
Having taken leave of the woman he was speaking to , Juliare go after Brock
He arrives just in time to see the thug disappear. He then tries to trail the thug discretly signaling Brock to trail him with some distance since the thug know Brock
The thug actually disappears down into the sewers. Do you still want to follow him?
[
Hessiah searches for more information on the bandits. In particular, he wants to know who their victims were and if these victims were running goods in competition to one or all of the big merchants. He wants to rule out the idea that these bandits are enforcers of the aforesaid merchants.
Quick is really fishing for any kind of lead that she can use to pick up on any word of the bandits.
"I'm gonna keep asking around, Hessiah. You try too. If we get nothing, we can at least try going for a bit of a walk up the King's Road."
"Try getting a map of the area while you're at it."