Silvanius makes no motion except to lay a hand on the huge apes' shoulder by his side, to keep him calm.
Names and length of stay replies a burly men who does seem to be more confident in the use of his weapons you can tell by the way he carries himself
Galdamor stepped and saluted the guards.
Gentlemen. She's Rufa and this is the brothers Longarm Denlin and Brian. The man with the big ape is Silvanus a follower of nature. The half elf is Reill which entertained us with his songs. I'm Galdamor Graak follower of Hextor.
We are all hired by Mr Frodo to protect him in these dangerous roads.
As you can see, we have been attacked - by some hobgoblin lead by a priest. We managed to kill the most of them to safely arrived here.
Unfortunately, others merchants weren't as lucky as us and we found a group of five people already dead, surely killed by these bandits.
After a short pause he continued
We will stay as long as Mr Frodo want, but we hope to see a person named Serentien. We hope he could help us in some ways.
Can you please tell us where we can found him ? This will be very helpfull.
Indeed! Where? Bands of these murderous savages have been skulking near the town for days now. You're lucky you came through it replies the same man
Where ? I don't know exactly. About half a day from here on the road where there is the remnants of a farm
Serentien's house ? sure you can't miss it. It's the old noble manor-house with a handsome view from the bluffs overlooking the river. Head North from the town center.
Good, This is important information for us. And the Ferry seems to have been plighted also of late by these brigands - I expect our recent confrontation will show that we are on similar ground.
Well do remember that there is not fighting in town.
he makes a hand gestures that signals the men behind him that you can go trough
Thank you for these informations sir. We will remember the no fitghting rule.
Then Galdamor ask Mr Frodo
Where are we going ? Do you know an Inn where we can stay a few days ?
Having been standing silently in the back of the group, Reill pauses in front of the guards as everyone begins walking into town.
Ah, Mr. Guardsman. I had not known Denlin's Ferry to be militarized, o have a need to be. Why is it that we find you here, asking questions of weary travelers who want nothing more than a bed, a nice ale, and to assist their employer in completing his business. Surly more than some bandits is going on to cause a fuss such as this?
There has always been a small militia in drelin's ferry after all the surrounding area is this not that safe in the north of town. Goblins and their ilk have been raiding since ever from the mountains. reply the guardsmen to Reil
Mr Frodo: I usually stay at the Old Bridge Inn, its the best one this town has to offer.
You make you way toward the river and the ferry. you pass 4 big buildings before hitting the river.
The ferry is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. A stable by the riverbank houses the draft horses, and nearby work sheds hold spare ropes and various other materials for keeping the capstan, barges, and hawsers in good repair.
The ferry is operated by Drathgar. a great-grandnephew of old
Drelin himself. He employs about two dozen horse-handlers, carpenters, and porters to run and maintain the ferry. II costs 1 sp to cross on foot, or 3 sp with a mount.
once in town Mr Frodo show you the different place in town:
The Green Apple: A cheerful tap house and inn on the north side of town. Less expensive then the Old Bridge inn
Morlin's smithy: armorer and weaponsmith
Shrine of Pelor: small field stone and wood construction under the care of Brother Derney
House of Serentien the wise
Old Toll House: currently serving as town hall (old dwarven made) and Guard HQ
The Old Bridge Inn: Larger and busier then the green apple. (better but also more expensive)
Jarett's Sundries: General Store
Delor's Livery stable: handles horses and have a few to sell
Gausler's Brewhouse: Brewery run by a 1/2 orc
Sterrel's Provisioning: General store
The Old Ones: A small clearing in the woods on the west bank of the Elsir holds an old circle of small standing stones (Menhirs) called the Old ones. The druid Avarthel now tends to the sacred grounds
Well i'll be staying here. Lets meet up in a few hours for diner.
Mr Frodo will get inside the inn reserved a room ask for a bath. See to it that sam is fed and will retire for a few hours.
Silvanius follows suit without much fuss - he is used to the distrust of his presence and that of his loyal ape friend, but is most of the times able to call upon peoples' good sense and smooth things out whenever needed.
As they arrive at the inn, he addresses the person in charge - "Well met, I would like to arrange accomodations for myself and my travelling companion over there" - he points outside where the huge ape stands at the door - "Would it be possible to cater to us?" - he smiles.
Silvanius heads to Delors' stable and, after debating it with Grook, inquires about the possibility that his companion stays there for the time being.
its close to dinnertime so the smithy is closed...
ah my dear companions. Let us get some food and a good bit of ale, and in the morning I would be more than happy to accompany you. Now where is the tavern...
"Ha! I say let's head over to the Brewhouse! After that I say we head on over to the bridge inn.
Hey Silvanius, you might want to try Avarthel the druid, I am sure he would take in G$@+o. An I'll meet you there tonight."
"I'm going to head with Silvanius to stable this beast, then if you two don't mind I think I'll join you this evening. A few drinks to shake off death."
Rufa and Silvanus manage to convince delor with a bit a coin to stable the ape then rejoin the other for a few drinks.
The atmosphere at the tap house is a joyous one.
After an hour you all leave to meet up with Mr Frodo for diner.
You all have a good time in the rather more quiet atmosphere. Food and drinks are of quality and so are the prices.
Galdamor quit is heavy armor to meet the other for a few drinks.
Without it, he was still impressive. His white hair, gray eyes and mixed heritage giving him the look of some noble warrior of the past.
Mr Frodo, you seemed to know well this town. Do you think we can sell the weapon and armor we took from the hobgoblins here for a fair price ?
as you are finishing up diner, a tall, balding man of about fifty approaches your table:
He nods to Mr Frodo who nods to him back
Mr Frodo, how are you ?
Mr Wiston, i am find and you.
I have seen better days, I have been informed that you and your party just came into town from the West on the old Dawn way
That is correct town speaker, thanks to these brave mercenary we where able to punch trough an ambush today and ride into Drelin's ferry
Yes i know have been told. Captain Sorana will be joining us shortly.
Facing Reil I'll get right to the point, We are in trouble and i was hoping i could persuade you to help us out.
Our town is under pressure, the speaker begins. Hobgoblin raiders have been harrying ours lands for several days now. They have attacked and killed people in the outlying homesteads, and they have been waylaying travelers along the Old Dawn Way. Beyond the immediate threat to our homes, the road is our lifeblood. If the Hobgoblin make the Old Dawn Way impassable to the west, trade won't come this way. Not only do we need to repel the raiders from our town, but we have to keep the road open. There will be proper retribution in coins for you of course if you and you men choose to help us.
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"Hobgoblin raiders you say? Sounds like just the job for the Longarm brothers! We dispatched 10 of them on the way here, one of 'em was a powerful caster too. Though sadly that trade will definitely dry up if merchants keep getting killed at this rate. We found 5 merchants' bodies at the farmhouse they were based in. We could always use some more work." He glances at Brian and the others at the table.
"If there's good coin I'm game. I don't suppose there might be a bounty on hobgoblins now, would there? Say for ears or maybe heads? Or were you wanting a chieftan or something special."
After having provided for the best possible conditions for both Grook'O and the two stabled horses, and enjoying Rufas' company, Silvanius calmly walks over to meet the others, commenting to the wizard - "I am a man of the Wild for sure, but I cannot help enjoying the miriad of sights and sounds that invade one's senses whenever I am in a settlement" - he smiles - "It does not matter how far one may thing to have strayed from the outdoors, man and woman will always be natural things"
At the report from MR. Winston, the druid frowns - "I wasn't aware that the situation was that grave, as to make the town feel under pressure... Was any motive uncovered for this sudden violence, or have things always been like that?"
Galdamor listen carefully to the speaker.
After his two teammate he said. If Mr Frodo doesn't need our services anymore I will be happy to help,
Gold is not wat I look for so if you authorize and help me to built an altar to Hextor, count me in. My arm is always available to restore order in the lands who lost it.
"Ha! You are in luck Frodo! All you have to do is sit on your duffy while we clear some hobgoblins and you get paid for it! As for me, I am all up for it."
After listening to Silvanius he snorts a bit and replies "Humpf! Ya, you are right for sure! Women be quite the natural things for sure!"
"If Galdamor wants his share in liberties, that's fine by me. Some of us need coin for the finer things in life. Personally though, I'm not too interested in tangling with some hobgoblins again, but if it keeps the trade going, who am I to argue for commerce. I just hope commerce is thankful for the help. Preferably golden thanks."
"And don't get me wrong, natural is good. But a little bit of illusion here, a dash of transmutation there, maybe even some conjuration depending on the mood."
"I believe we can consider it settled then?"
A tall woman in a chain shirt, a long sword hanging from he belt (you all can see that from the way she carries herself she isn't a novice) come inside the private room where you are all having dinner.
Wiston: Ha captain so good of you to join us. he stands up and introduce her to everyone. This is the captain Soranna.
she bow her head to all of you.
Wiston sits down again
Wiston: Allow me to answer the questions you have asked so far. We are going to empty our coffers and offer you the total sum of 500gp to drive off the goblins. Unfortunately i will have to say no to an altar as these matters are decided all the way up in Denovar by the Temple Council.
Captain if you would be so kind to continue the practical briefing
Soranna: Very well Townspeaker. I am Soranna Captain in the regular March of Sterich army. Currently dispatched under Baronnes Bristeir of Elsir Vale. Every year since we took back this part of the country goblins raiders have came from the Wyrmspoke mountains to this area. This year was no different at first. They have been harrying our lands for several days now. They have attacked and killed people in the outlying homesteads and waylaying travelers. This is different. It looks like a large aggressive raiding party has moved out from the mountains. Frankly i fear they might be numerous enough to sack the town.
she pause for a few seconds before continuing
because she is standing right behind the speaker she can see him
I have sent a dozen guardsmen west on the road to find out where the Hobgoblins were lairing, but the got cut to pieces a few miles inside the forest. The only workable information came from Jorr a ranger who live inside a cabin an patrols the Witchwood. He has seen three different war bands each about fifteen strong.
Your task would be to meet with him, track and kill all of these marauders and clean up the woods.
Wiston: So you are up for the challenge?
I don't need the money but If I accept your task I will be happy to have a good word from you and Captain Soranna for this Temple Council to my request.
Wiston Done, and as for the cash its a party payment how you divide it is your concerne. he says with a sigh of relief.
I'm ready to drop my share to them If they agree to do it
Said Galdamor to encourage his comrades to accept the mission.
"Hey Denlin, you up for it? Think we should? I figure it would be a good idea, but man! 45 hobgoblins is a lot! We had better plan this one well as not to get swamped...
Say, do you have any plans for this besides "meet Jorr and kill them all" or is that our department as well?"
Soranna: they are moving in groups of around 15 individuals or so. that is something you can manages after all if what you told the guards upon entering Drelin's ferry that is the size of the ambush force you managed to defeat, wasn't not?
Having been listening carefully, Silvanius nods - "It was a close call, but then again, we were ambushed and we prevailed. I would also be interested in taking part of this foray alongside my companions - there seems to be a blight on this land, and if my assistance is needed it will be offered"
Continuing, he adds - "If I understand correctly, we are to meet up with this man Jorr. Would it be possible to obtain at least rought directions to his cabin?"
Before that, don't forget that we must see Serentien to have more informations on the strange hobgoblin's god and try to buy some stuff to identify the magical things we found
Soranna: His cabin is out of the way, but if you take the Witch trail, go left at the first big trail crossing. Jorr's cabin is about 7 miles in. Or if you are on the old North Road take a right on a trail about 9 miles from the forest edge. Jorr's cabin is near the Blackwater.
Wiston: There are couple of shops and other place you could resupply, Brother Derny of the church of Pelor and Avarthel the druid.
If you have no more questions for both of them, the mayor and the captain will leave you to finish up the evening.
Diner once finished Mr Frodo will pay for the diner and bid you good luck on this new assignement.
You can sleep in this inn (phb price for fine accomodations) or at the other inn (regular price).
The night is uneventfull and you all meet up for breakfast.
Silvanius thanks Mr. Frodo for his employment and hospitality - "It has been a pleasure" - he offers with an outstretched hand - [/b]"I hope our paths will cross again in the future - good luck to all your endeavors"[/b]
Afterwards, he gathers with his companions in the common room - "Ok, so the plan is first thing tomorrow meet Serentien to gather information, while the others push for trading on the gear we have collected - depending on how much we make, it is possible some of us will want to provision further... Shall we point for departure tomorrow after lunch?"
"After lunch sounds agreeable. How do we want to split up? I'd think it best if Galdamor leads one team and Reill the other."
Galdamor thank the speaker Wiston and Captain Soranna when they left.
Then after the meal he joined Silvanius in his thanks to Mr Frodo.
I'm used to speak with people, less in bargaining. But I will be happy to see this Serentien and learn more about the strange symbol we found.
I will try to obtain the just price for any information he can provide us.
in the morning Reill will get a note saying that 300gp await the party in the Town hall
"Hmmm. Guess I'll head out with the group going over to Serentien. Well, I'm off for the night!"
And with that he leaves but he does not go to the inn. Instead he heads over to the standing stones in hopes of finding the druid. Uppon finding no one he settles down for the nignt out under the stars.