Athelwyn sets to helping with collecting the scattered coinage from out of the muck of the street, though aggravation bordering on rage is evident in her features. "Let's just get our stuff and head to the tavern before I decide to burn down someone's mansion-bank."
“Aye, a right old arse-gargler that one. Well, take the rest of the day off and then go back tae talk tae the wizard about further work in the mornin’?” Grommund asks as he picks his share of the coins from the road.
Siann wisely refrains from violently opposing the group's sudden expulsion from the Squire's office. Scowling mightily at the Gnome, she stoops to help pick up the scattered coinage, "An arse-gargler the Squire might be, we have a right arse in our midst."
She points a finger at Fronar, "Next time you want to try a trick like that again....don't."
She looks at Grommund then silently nods her acceptance of his plan, then strides off towards the tavern.
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"So I guess he wasn't serious when he mentioned the banking opportunity." He shrugs his shoulders and helps Athelwyn collect the scattered coins. Upon Siann's command, Fronar stands straight and quickly moves his hands behind his back. He has the look of a child who's parents just caught him with standing on a chair with a hand in the cookie jar. "What? Me? What did I do?" He holds back a smirk and slowly returns to collecting coins.
Fronar whispers to Athelwyn, "Mark my words. I'll get Siann to laugh, even if He kills me."
Current Map: Link To Map of Thurmaster
The group retires for the evening to the Hounds and Tails, you find the food meh at best and the ale watered down, glad you are not paying for it. The rooms are cheap enough at 2 silver per person per night sharing a large bunk room. (No private rooms available.) however you soon learn that the rather distressingly stained sheets are home to many inquisitive and hungry bugs (fleas, lice, etc.) and getting a good nights rest might be hard pressed under these conditions.
Soon Tauster shows up and joins you at your table.....
I believe there are just five of you now. So go ahead and split the gold up 5 ways. Should be 22 gold apiece.
Tauster sits down with you at the table, sitting quietly at first as if in deep thought. After a while he speaks
"I have a small commission for you. If you want." he says.
I would like you to travel to Kuiper’s Farm with a letter from me and deliver it to Kuiper himself. If Jelenneth has been seen anywhere along the river, he'll know about it." the wizard says.
"I am willing to offer you 10 gp each, up front for this and I will promise you 50 gp each if you can find my missing apprentice. In any case, Kuiper‘s Farm is directly on your way back to Milborne (see the area map located here). If you agree, I will also pay for overnight accommodation at the tavern here, such as it is, before you set off on your way in the morning."
Then Tauster waits for a response.
That be soundin' like a fair deal? How'd we be collectin' if we find her?
He looks around at the others and at the surroundings.
If'n it matters not to the others, I just as soon not be spendin' the night in this flea-infested burg. I'd be much more comfortable sleepin' out o'doors.
"Can't rightly refuse if it's on our way. I'm with you, Dorin, let's avoid this flea ridden pit..."
Tauster agrees with you about the current locales sleeping facilities and then counter offers.
"Well I don't have any spare beds but you are welcome to camp out in my tower. Safest place in town." he chuckles.
Then he leans forward and whispers "If you don't mind sleeping on the floor, don't mind all the lumber and building materials, I never finished the inside anyways. Never had any real use for it. Only have it because wizards are supposed to have a tower. And I guess I wanted to look the part."
So after a few more stale ales the group retires back to the tower. Tauster hangs with the group for a while and you learn a little more about your new found friend.
Some years ago, Tauster got into the very blazes of an argument with his Guildmaster. The upshot was that Tauster was told in no uncertain terms to leave for somewhere very, very far away and never come back. The Guildmaster brandished a slug at him, telling him that this was the polymorphed form of another mage who had not run away quickly enough when the Guildmaster told him to. "I put just a little salt on him every day the Guildmaster snarked. Tauster took this to heat and regards himself as retired. He wants a life of reading books and tomes, pottering about in his herb garden, and generally being inconspicuous.
Tauster is not an adventurer. Truth be told, he does't want to get mixed up in anything at all. He feels that if trouble of any kind gets stirred up, his old Guildmaster will hear of him and send something awful to deal with him. His paranoia on this count is irrational, but then paranoia often is.
Tauster can be used to buy spell components and healing potions from. He also will let a wizard copy spells from his spellbook for a fee.
Finish up anything else you would like to do here and we will move on toward the farm.
Everyone add 10 gold to your possessions for the upfront payment by Tauster.
Grommund tolerates their time with the eccentric wizard wile making polite smalltalk. The dwarven rogue is just happy to be anywhere but the insect managerie the local tavern called a bed. He pondered if it was really worth it to continue dicking around the boonies, having to deal with all the strange people out here, but in the end he decides it's nice to be part of a team again. The company of Dorin especially is welcome. It had been many years since Grommund had one to call brother. Another benefit of sticking around was that his purse seemed to continue to get fatter, and they hadn't been required to do anything too heinous so far.
At the end of the night, Grom offers to stand his normal watch at the tower door, despite Tauster's assurances that it was warded. In the morning he is up early, and helps the others pack up their gear. "Let's off tae this farm then."
Dorin rises, scratches unceremoniously in several parts, checks his armor and weapons, then stretches his hands over his head.
Aye, let's be on the road to see 'bout this farm.
He walks to Tauster.
Thanks fer yer hospitality, Tauster. I'm hopin' we find out somethin' 'bout yer 'prentice. If so, we'll be sure t'come back fer the rest o'the gold, eh.
Before leaving for tavern, Athelwyn steals a quick glance at Siann, already trudging towards the flea-ridden dive, and shoots what might pass for a reprimanding look to the gnome. "More likely she'll break your fingers to stop you, next time, I think. Besides, she's got a point. Cantankerous as Marlen was, attempting so overtly to rip him off with a simple glamour was an ill-conceived idea. We're lucky he was content with throwing us out."
She was glad to leave the tavern behind them, even for an unkempt and unfinished mage's tower. Better still is the prospect of putting the little hamlet behind them entirely. With any luck, they'd find Jelenneth in short order. A tinge of worry gnaws at Athelwyn's mind, however. Those bandits on they had encountered on the road just a couple days prior seemed a bit too much of a coincidence given the missing apprentice's choice of profession. Were the brigands looking for her particularly? Or were they targeting those with a knack for the Weave without prejudice?
"A moment before we away. Might I have a moment more of your time, Tauster? I am a recent transplant from Halruaa, and would not mind a chance to compare notes with one of you Northern mages." Athelwyn puts a little too much emphasis on Halruaa, hoping to impress the man with her place of origin.
Siann nods at the sensible suggestion by the mage, "I agree, we must travel that way, why not make some extra coin."
She rubs her hand through her short-cut hair, stopping when she found something. Pulling out a louse, she pinches it into oblivion, tossing it to the floor in distaste, "Any where else but that inn would be a blessing."
She rises with the sun, streching and limbering up before beginning a series of exercised that leave her skin glistening with sweat, and a calm , satisfied expression on her face.
Bowing farewell to the strange mage, she gives way to Athelwyn, turning and walking back to the wagon to wait for all to gather.
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"Stay INSIDE your tower?! Oh yes please!" As Fronar revels in his excitement, a familiar voice of his patron echoes in his mind, "Ask about the chest."
He shakes his head in agreement, "Sure thing uncle." He looks at Tauster, "Does this mean you will finally show us what was in that chest that we carried all this way to deliver to you?"
Fronar falls victim to his curiosity several times throughout the night. Getting up and sneaking around. Examining any item that catches his interest. Inevitably each excursion ends with him breaking something or causing an audible, unwanted noise. After each, he followed the same routine. He would look around to ensure he was not noticed and sneak back to his bedroll to give the impression he had never moved. Drifting off to sleep for a short while, then waking up abruptly and repeating.
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Fronar moves slower than his usual self. Showing signs of fatigue from the nights events. He seems to struggle to keep his eyelids from closing as he stumbles around, gathering up his belongings. He shows a little more haste as he realizes his "place" during travel is riding on the mule. "Can't wait to get my ass on the ass and take a nap." Looking confused he raises an eyebrow, "Wait. Where are we going again?"
Current Map: Link To Map of Thurmaster
Athelwyn inquires about spells that Tauster has available to copy into her spellbook that is of her level to cast. Tauster explains that it takes two hours per spell copied and cost 50 gold per spell and he has the following that he can offer. Charm Person, Comprehend Languages, Sleep, Tenser's Floating Disk, Shield and Illusory Script.
Even with Fronar's pleading Tauster still refuses to let the gnome near the chest or to see what is inside it.
Let me know if you are buying any spells before departing and we will retro that in.
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The next morning the group packs up and heads out toward the farm that Tauster told them about, as it was a six day journey between Milborne and Thurmaster and the farm lay about half the distance so for the next three days they traveled back along the river without incident until they reached Kuiper's Farm....
When the group finally arrives at Kuiper’s farm, you see a tall (6'4"), relatively young (28), and strongly built man chopping firewood out front. Upon your approach the man stops chopping the wood and comes over and greets each of you with a bonecrushing handshake and a friendly, open manner. "Well met strangers, I am Kuiper and this is my farm. What can I do you for?"
The man is wearing some finely made leather armor and a finely crafted longsword on his hip. A dagger on his belt has an intricately laid pummel. Across his back looks like a fancy longbow with some red feathered arrows that remind you of the ones the constable in Milborne had.
You would say that Kuiper is no mere farmer by his appearance..
"Well met bonnie farmer lad. We come bearin' a letter for you from Tauster. Here," the dwarf says, offering the farmer his letter.
Taking the letter from Grommund and looking over it, he has a look of concern in his eyes. "I have not seen Jelenneth for a few weeks or so. The last time was when she was on her way to see her parents in Milborne. I know old Tauster sometimes sends her to look for herbs and plants along Hog Brook, if she had left Milborne of her own free will and was truly on the way back to the wizard then she may have stopped there to gather a fresh supply on her way back to Thurmaster. Perhaps some mishap befell her there?" the ranger muses.
"I take it if the few of you were hired by Tauster to find me then I take it at this point you may know more than I do. So what exactly have you learned so far?"
"Well...there may be a connection tae some bandits who attacked us on the way here, tried tae take our spellcasters. But we dinnae have any evidence as such, just supposition. Can you take us tae this Hog Brook? We might find something there as you suggest."
Gettin' curious about this whole situation despite meself. So far it's been profitable. Just need tae remember to quit chasin' leads as soon as the gold stops flowin'.
"Well I don't know of any bandits around these parts, but it is troubling news you bring. The Blessed Wood-that section of the Thomwood south and east of the Woldcote River-has been free of humanoids since the so-called “scourge” 21 years past, when the Parlfrays used mercenary fighters to clear out these woods and make them suitable for foresting. This has considerably increased their own income, and some 200 people in small family groups live within the woodland. Prior to the scourge, foresting was a dangerous business here; since the settlement, this has become a peaceful and reasonably prosperous area." he says.
"The great Thomwood to the west of the Woldcote is avoided by local people, save for the margins of the wood just south of the Churnett river and around Hog Brook. Timber wolves, the occasional mountain lion, and bears are often seen along the forest’s edge. An especial peril of the darker recesses of the forest are the huge and giant spiders which lurk there, and local people usually mention these brutes as a specific reason why they don’t enter the deeper recesses of the Thornwood. Humanoids (goblins and bugbears especially) are both believed to dwell deep within the forest also. Since the Thornwood does not yield timber as good as that from the Lyrchwood or Blessed Wood, and it lacks the Redwood’s fruit harvest, there is no pressing reason for local folk to exploit it." he continues, obviously well versed in the knowledge of the general area.
"Still Hog Branch is used to water livestock and a great variety of herbs and shrubs grow along its banks. As good as place as any to start I reckon. There is a local tradition of running pigs down it to forage scrub oak acorns, the brook has been known to house several wild boars. We might get us a little dinner while we are down there and have us a feast when we return." he seems intrigued by the offer to accompany you.
"Well let me tell the farm hands I will be gone for a while, let me pack up my equipment and get some food for the journey and we shall be on our way. I have a small ferry down by the river that can take us across. The brook is right across the river there. We'll hike up along it for a ways and see if we find any tracks. And if we happen to find a large wild boar then..." looking at Grommund with a gleam in his eye... "dinner will be served."
"Huzzah! It's been an elf's age since I et a properly roasted boar! What you say you, friends? Let's bring home the bacon! Hehehehehe!" The dwarven rogue is clearly inordinately excited at the prospect of a boar hunt. "You wouldnae happen tae have any arrows I might buy, would you?" he asks Kuiper.
Dorin nods at Kuiper.
Aye, a sound plan. Let's be doin' some huntin' fer the boar and the lass.
"It is worth mentioning that the girl left her component pouch behind in Milborne. Perhaps a forgetful mistake, perhaps not, but it would render her training under Tauster nearly pointless in the face of real adversity." Athelwyn pauses in thought for a moment, then muses aloud, "I would think that points to her being intent on returning to Tauster's residence unlikely. Although, maybe she was far enough along before she realized they were missing that she decided to borrow Tauster's supplies in Thurmaster."
"Arrows, do I have arrows? You betcha and one of a kind as well." he says as he pulls a red feathered arrow from his pack.
"Make them myself using cardinal feathers and reeds down by the brook. It makes the arrow ultra light and have extended range. Because they are lighter they don't do as much damage but they sure fly further and you can hit your target from further away. Garyld in Milborne gets them from me all the time, he swears by them and so do I. I have them for sale for 2 gold per quiver of 20 which is a fair enough price. I also have regular arrows for sale as well." he says as he brags just a little.
Flight arrows have an extended range. Increase all range increments with a longbow by 20 feet, or by 10 feet if using a shortbow. The damage dice is reduced by one type when using the flight arrows. Longbow would do a d6 and a shortbow would do a d4 as a trade-off for the increased range.
He then turns to Athelwyn "That does not sound good. It is unlikely that a wizard's apprentice would forget such a item. That would be like me forgetting by bow. So this may just as well be a wild goose chase we are on if she was taken by someone in Milborne but we should check it out just in case as then we can rule out her coming this way."
"Uhhh....I'll just take a quiver o' the normal arrows. We dwarves aren't much for tryin' new things."
Siann takes in Kuiper, noting his broad shoulders and brawny arms, but looks away with ruddy cheeks when his eyes pass by hers.
Cursing herself for a ninny, she listens the Kuipers accound of the countryside, marvelling that a land could be so untouched by conflict for so long.
When talk begins of taking down a boar, her mouth floods with saliva as memories surge back....
Blinking her eyes, Siann brought herself back from memory lane, as Kuiper makes his comment to Athelwyn.
"Your knowledge of the area will make our task that much easier, Kuiper." she says, a little bit shyly.
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"Mmmmmmmmmm, fresh bacon! Even if we can't catch an indication of her current where-abouts, some smooth smoked bacon strips would definitely be worth the trip." Fronar licks his lips as his eyes are locked into the blank stare of a daydream.
His eyes blink and he shakes his head a few times. Displaying a somewhat disappointed look after realizing he was imagining the sizzling delight. "Do you know the lady well, Sir Kuiper?" Fronar looks back at the mule and cart, "Ummmm, are we gonna bring the cart? I'm no expert in hunting, but wouldn't it be a bit of a hindrance? I suppose though, if fortune smiles on us, the cart would be handy in bring home the trophy?"
"Maybe we can leave the cart here with Kuiper's hands while we hunt?" Grommund suggests, nodding to the excitable gnome.
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Turning his attention to Fronar, Kuiper responds as he pats the gnome on the back "It's ok little one, I think your cart is best served by staying here at the farm. We be a going hunting and that cart, well noise will be a problem. Also hiking along Hog Branch doesn't offer us any suitable terrain for it. I'll make sure my farmhands take care of it and your animal while we are gone."
With that Kuiper leads the group down to the river where a small makeshift raft awaits. Using the two long poles attached Kuiper brings the group across and to the mouth of Hog Branch.
After securing the raft, Kuiper tells everyone to keep their voices at a whisper as they begin to make their way up Hogs Branch moving inland away from the river and into the woods.
The ranger stops periodically to look for tracks and signs of passage. After several hours of this, there is a rustling in the bushes some distance ahead. Kuiper stops and draws his bow taking cover against a small tree. He motions for everyone to get ready. "Maybe our dinner has arrived."
1 gold for 20 arrows is correct.
You are welcome to follow along. Please keep your comments in the discussion thread. Thanks.
Dorin braces himself at the front near the ranger and white knuckles his axe as he awaits the approaching boar. He peers into the brush and listens for the approaching animal.
Grommund buys two quivers of arrows before leaving the farm. When they hear the boar approaching, he hides in some nearby bushes with his bow ready.
Siann's face splits into a feral smile as she also tries to conceal herself in the underbrush. Crouching there she tries to master her fevered anticipation of the forthcoming meal.
A grey wolf steps into view from the treeline, followed a moment later by a woman in ragged cloak and robe. Motioning for the rest of you to keep still, Kuiper cautiously advances and holds a brief conversation with her in a language none of you understand. After a few minutes, he motions for the rest of you to join him. As you do, he introduces you to the woman.
"This here is Oleanne, she is a druid, although a bit feral. She has trouble with the common tongue although I will try to translate the best that I can."
Oleanne has an extraordinary appearance. Somewhere under the dirt there's a remarkably pretty young woman (age 21), but it’s hard to tell, as her hair is long and unkempt and her clothing little more than rags. She is 5’ 5”, lightly built, with dark eyes and auburn hair. Accompanying her are two large gray wolves who growl as the group approaches.
"Those two there are Belshar and Arlin, unless you are proficient with Animal Handling I would avoid approaching them as they do bite." the ranger adds.
Oleanne seems agitated by something.
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Fronar stands frozen with eyes wide open and a goofy grin on his obviously enamored face, "Ummm.... I... pleased... meet... name... Fronar... boobs..." He shakes his head to wake from his trance, but as soon as he looks in Oleanne's direction he snaps back into his trance.
"What is wrong with you? Stop that! Show the druid some respect. Represent your family with more distinction." The voice of his patron breaks his mesmerized gaze. He looks up and to the right and mumbles softly, "Yes uncle, but.." Quickly he's interrupted, "No! Not.. but... anything! House Fizzelbinks deserves better than your boyish infatuation." "You're right of course, I'll try to control myself."
Grommund remains hidden in the bushes while Kuiper talks to Oleanne. Then he shuffles his way out. "Greetings," he says in the common tongue. "Seen any boar about Ms. Oleanne? What about bandits? We're here tae find one or the other."
Athelwyn stands at the relative rear of the gathering, wanting no part of the aggravated pair of wolves at the druid's flanks. Hearing Grommund's questions, she adds, somewhat meekly, "And Jelenneth as well—Tauster's apprentice. We were hoping to find signs of her passage hereabouts as well."
Dorin steps out from cover, and simply stands leaning on his maul while the others engage the druid.
Siann likewise emerges from the undergrowth, brushing a stick and some leaves from her hair.
She stands at Dorin's shoulder, arms crossed, staring at the newcomer, only offering a nod when introduced.
The woman begins to speak in a mangled common tongue "Krynen’s farmstead (just south of the young werebear in the local legends about the young werebear in the Woods do not paint me in a flattering light so he fled. I haven’t seen Jelenneth, but he took frightened, confused, and calm him, but I haven’t seen Jelenneth, but I haven’t seen Jelenneth, but I haven’t seen Jelenneth, but I have a problem of me and I saw him transform into a werebear is very frightened, confused, and northeast of the Woods do not paint me in a flattering light of the sight of me"
Kuiper tries to help by translating what Oleanne is trying to say "I haven’t seen Jelenneth, but I have a problem of my own that affects the woods. A young boy from Krynen’s farmstead (just south of the river and northeast of the Thomwood; has fled his home, and I saw him transform into a werebear in the woods. Unable to change back into his human form, the young werebear is very frightened, confused, and alone. I tried to approach and calm him, but he took fright at the sight of me and my wolves, the local legends about the Wild Woman of the Woods do not paint me in a flattering light so he fled."
He then turns to look at the group.
"I am surprised not to have heard about this for myself. From her description I can conclude that the boy must be Maxim, Krynen’s son. His father probably does not know what fate has befallen the lad and must be dreadfully worried." he states.
"No offense, miss, but we ain't the do-good squad. We're just here tae take our dinner and track down that girl for our employer. Unless there's money in it for us, that lad is on his own. Werebear ought tae be just fine out here by hisself."
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Fronar looks disgruntly at Grommund, "Manners? If a dwarven lass with a tankard and long braided hair asked for your help... wouldn't you... you know..." Fronar raises and lowers his eyebrows suggestively, "... help her?"
Fronar puffs up his chest a little, obviously meaning to give a subtle show to impress the druid. "Fine Feral Female, would you have the power or knowledge of how to cure the boy's... shall we say... condition?"
Fronar, covers his mouth as if to hide what he is saying, but makes no attempt to lower his voice. "It never hurts to gain the approval and trust of the locals. You never know when an extra acquaintance might come in handy, and an extra 3 sets of eyes might be helpful in our search for the missing apprentice."
"No, I wouldnae help her. Unless she was payin'." Despite this claim, Grommund makes no effort to stop the gnome from conversing with the woman.
"Unless we can find any other leads, it wouldn't hurt to at least take a look. There seem to be a few mysteries creeping up at the same time in this area—around the same time. Perhaps it is all somehow related," Athelwyn says for all to hear. She spares a wary glance to Oleanne, then turns once more to Grommund. "Could be the father would be keen on rewarding those who see his boy safely returned, right?"
Grommund grunts, crossing his arms over his chest. Better be, or I'll start walking back tae civilization soon as this ever unfolding b@&$$*%s is over with.
Dorin finally steps forward.
"So, Lady, where'd ya last see the boy...er, bear...er, whatever? I be thinkin' the ranger here can track 'im down, right Kuiper? Then we'd be clubbin' 'im on the head and draggin' 'im home to dear ole dad, right?"
“We're having no luck with Jelenneth, but I want to find this boy," the ranger states, producing a couple of weighted nets from his backpack. He adds "If the werebear panics and attacks us then we must defend ourselves, but we must do so without hurting him."
"I will try to draw the creatures attacks while you try to capture him and restrain him with these nets. I have no problem capturing and restraining him and trying to talk some sense into the boy, but harming him is not acceptable." he says.
"You are not to use weapons, unless in 'self-defense', and even then you only use the flat of your blades; if you can not do this, or feel you should be paid for your effort then I can lead you no further and you are free to return to the farm." he warns.
"Oleanne will lead us to where she last saw the boy."
"So which two of you want these nets?" he ask.
"Considerin' they probably be needin' thrown, not me."
Grommund looks about as dour as any dwarf ever did. He stalks over and grabs the nets from Kuiper, fuming that the man who is probably half his age has the balls to talk down the long dwarven tradition of greed. "Let's get this shite o'er with..." he grumbles in dwarven. Gonna have tae burgal Kuiper's farm blind to make this worth my while. Gods damn it.