Ok, good night Brian.
Who stay here ? I do
Galdamor payed his fee and take a room in the inn.
In there, he prayed Hextor to help him in his future fights with his ennemies and to find which god he would face.
Then he take down his armor and fall asleep with ease in his feather bed.
June 2nd
The party splits up in the morning and goes around town to look for supplies.
This is what you find are available for sell (standard price):
Morlin's Smithy: +1 Battleaxe, +1 Longsword,+1 Heavy Shield, +1 Breastplate,+1 Chain shirt, 50 +1 arrows
Shrine of Pelor: Scrolls of Bless, CMW, CSW, Dispel Magic, Lesser Resto and Resist energy
Serentien the Wise: Scrolls of Dispel, Fireball, Invisibility, Fly, Mage Armor and Web. Potions of Cats grace, Invisibility and Fly. Bracer of Armor +1 Ring of Protection +2
Jarret's Sundries: 3 potion of CLW
Avarthel: Potion of Barkskin, CLW, Lesser Resto and neutralize potion.
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Winston is also offering 300gp in magical stuff to aid you on top of the cash.
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Serentien has no idea on the symbol.
Serentien has 2 pearl to sell for identify spell.
Silvanius thanks Serentien for receiving them, and adds - "We were also hoping to obtain your assistance in a one or two other matters, namely while we were travelling here, we were accosted by an hobgoblin brigand band - one of them carried a symbol we were not able to recognize. I believe my friend has it with him" - he turns to Galdamor.
Serentien looks over the holy symbol I have no idea what it represents. he replies
Silvanius shakes his head - "A shame... Any idea if someone else in town could assist us with this information?"
We are wasting time... I long for the outdoors...
probably not i am the most knowledgeable fellow you will find West of Brimdol replied serentien.
Reill wakes up late into the down with a yawn and a terrible headache.
ACH! I shouldn't have drank all that... my my... what happened...
He hazily remembers bits and pieces of memories involving a rather beautiful bar maid and several hours of drinking, followed by several hours of...
His thoughts are stopped when he notices the note by his bed.
He wakes and tries to find his companions, but realizes they have all headed out for the day...
S&%$... what was I supposed to do.... oh yes! The loot! haha! Well, Reill old chap, looks like money is soon to be a non-issue for ya, eh?
He hurries off to the armory, hoping to intercept Rufa so as to assist her in the buying and selling of their goods.
That pretty lady won't get a good deal without me.... bah
June 2nd Mid afternoon
The trail leads past a small cabin in a forest glade. A Ramshackle front porch is littered with a fishing baskets and skinning frames. The cabin overlooks a dark bayou or lake with old gray cedar-tree draped in moss rising out of the water. An old skiff is tied up on the shore nearby and a little smoke curls from the fieldstone chimney.
(Location C)
Before any of you can react the hounds sniff you out they charge out barking loudly. They stop about 10 ft from you and growl and snap ferociously.
Silvanius approaches the dogs calmly, signaling Grook to stay behind and calm.
His movements are completely non threatening, as he tries to calms the animals, and understand the reason for their distress - if they are being protective, territorial, or simply aggressive.
Silvanus you understand that they are guard dogs set on protecting and alarm duty.
Your wild empathy tells you also that you could befriend them in matter of minutes.
Brian totally did not see the dogs coming, not that it mattered much when they came bounding out to greet them.
"Puppies!" Brian calls out with glee, then he drops prone and looking expectantly at the dogs, hoping to be able to get close to them. He also takes out a field ration, separates the meat in it so as to feed it to the dogs.
"They seem to simply be guard and alarm duty - give me a few moments and they should come to accept our presence. But stay on the lookout, they are probably someones' guard dogs"
Silvanius smiles as Brian approaches, and advises on some of the usual procedures regarding handling animals in these situations.
"Hmmm." Concerned, Rufa casts a Mage Armor, just in case it's needed.
I let you deal with it Silvanius
Said Galdamor to the Druid.
The priest stay behind Brian and Silvanius, aware of any other threats than the dogs.
Less then a minute after the dogs spotted you, the cabin's door opens, and a lean woodsman of indeterminate age steps onto the porch. He has a seamed, leathery look to his face and arms, a big curved knife sits in a sheath strapped to one Thigh. On hand is still inside the house as his holding on to something.
Don't get many visitors out here. Who're you and what d'ya want with me?
Hi
We are mercenaries hired by the council of Denlin's Ferry to take care of the hobgoblin problem. The Council tell us that you are the man who know best the region and that you can help us find these bastards and gave us informations on the tribes who plague the region.
This is Rufa, the Longarm's brothers, Silvanius and his friend Grook and Reill. I'm Galadmor Graak, follower of Hextor.
Reill thinks to himself...
I don't think I have spoken in a long time... boy my mouth is dry... I feel like maybe I should play an instrument or sing a song right now... hmmm
If I might say, good sir, these nasty creatures tried to jump us not two days past, and I got a bit of an itch for revenge see? And a bit of an itch for some gold, if you catch my drift. I suppose what I am saying is, I like a nice ale and some hot food in my stomach before I go lay down to sleep on a nice bed after a long day goblining.
So, what can you tell us about these goblins, and perhaps the best place to look for some payment or bounty...
Wiston sent ya now did he? Well i am sure Cap'Sorana had a say in it to. So if i catch both your meaning. You got Hired and you want to Hire me to go goblin hunting?
you can tell that he relax now. taking his hand away from behind the door frame he called for his dogs who stop barking and come sit at his side.
It seems like we got a big war party in the forest, Maybe they came down the old Forest Road or might be that they came by the Skull Gorge from the Wyrmsmokes. My money's on the Skull Gorge. I have seen worg rider amongst the raiding parties along the Old North Road and the Dawn way. I am your man depending on the price. Its 5gp per day or 10 if you got a mind to go off someplace dangerous, or an equal share if you want me to do more than just show you around.
Brian seems uninterested in the conversation at hand, instead he crouches down and asks
"Ya ya ya. Can I pet the doggies?"
Yes you could, How about a drink wile you do you pondering.
"Thank you for the drink - lets take it to seal the deal then, shall we?"
Then it is done, but what deal do you just want me to track or to fight?
Taking a drink when offered, Reill speaks up concerning the payment
Seeing as you know the lands here, I am all for hiring you on to track us down some goblin patrols, as I do not think any of us could match your skills on that matter. Anyone opposed? No? Then let's get on with it!
He will then gulp down his beverage and prepare for some more traveling.
Your price is high but I'm certain that's because your a man of great talent.
For know I think we can manage some hobgoblin without your help. But if we need you, it's seem fair to me that you share the loot with us.
Galdamor, my friend, I trust your wisdom on this matter. Perhaps we do not need this man's help...
He eyes Winston up and down, rethinking if he should let some precious gold leave the party's hands...
Rufa, Silvanius, and the Brothers Denlin, what say you? Shall we leave this fella to his own devices and save us some gold, or shall we hire him to the crew?
Jorr tries to cover a smile by taking his drink to his lips after Reill's comment.
Silvanius shakes his head as he smiles - "Look, I have already stated my opinion on this matter - I would welcome Mr. Jorrs' company in our foray - he seems to be knowlegeable about the area and this is exactly what we need"
"As far as combat goes... I would offer up front half of the agreed upon amount - if he proves to be a capable combatant, we should offer the remaining agreed amount at the end of our activities. If not, we should re-negotiate the combat referring end of the agreement" - he states matter of fact.
"I believe this would agree with everones' sensibilities?"
I can agree with that
Said Galdamor
Fair enough... Well let's get to it then?
very well then get me a few minutes to organise myself and lets go goblin tracking...
"Whenever you are ready" - Silvanius nods with a smile.
Jorr joins us and the party sets out from his cabin
"A pleasure to have you accompany us."
A wide expanse of dark water has flooded the woodland in the low valley. Tree still protrude from the calm, dark waters here and there, but many large reaches seem to be little more than open pools of algae chocked water. The trill of frogs and the whine of insects fill the air. The forest road leads right gown to the edge of the flooded section up to a rickety looking causeway made of thick planks of wood lashed together with mossy rope. The wooden causeway runs for several hundred feet through the boggy patch, only a foot or so above the water.
Up Ahead you can make out the wreckage of a wagon, lying on its side and half sunk in the flooded forest about 30fr from the causeway. (your side)
Silvanius applies his senses to try and scout the area before they approach.
He also tries to identify the type of terrain they are navigating, to ascertain what dangers it may pose.
What did you think Jorr ?
Asked Galdamor to their new guide while looking to the scene
outside of the causeway is weed chocked shallow bog.
Jorr will tell you that the causeway is uneven and slick. He will tell you that the bog might be treacherous as the bog in some area might be even more shallow. The body of water is actually deeper than what it looks like.
"Someone definitely built this. Think it was the raiders? I really don't enjoy the idea of taking a swim in that. Perhaps we should check out that wagon first?" Rufa offers her own opinions, though unwilling to head in first. "Honestly, I don't see much cover from archers along that pathway. Seems rather dangerous."
No We build this and i try to keep it in working condition. It is slippery but we can cross it. replied Jorr
"That does alleviate a few of my fears at the very least. How often is the path traveled, if you don't mind my asking? And is that wagon new?"
Caravan and merchant use it in order to go in and out of Elsi vale from the North West. So yes is it often traveled. I am a bit far to tell about the wagon but it couldn't be more and a day or 2. you see no animal feeding on it nd there isn't that rotten flesh smell yet.
"Well..." - Silvanius smiles, pragmatic as ever - "I guess our path is across it then"
"Agreed. If no one has any other concerns, shall we move forward?"
Looking at the causeway, Silvanius asks - "Anyone wishes to take point?"
I think somebody with a light armor and some dexterity will be the perfect person to cross first
Said Galdamor
Silvanius looks around at the group in expctation - "Reill?"