Jez wanders about sampling the fare. The stranger and more disgusting it appears, the more she seems to enjoy it.
Strange that this Red Raven guy would magically bring us halfway across the known world, and then not show up for the meeting.
Hi gang, how was the fighting? I agree, we should meet up with this Raven fellow.
Ragnvald shrugs. "Boring."
"I'm gonna go find forge" Attalas starts looking about for a smithy, looking to do a bit of metal work for the afternoon. Something about hammering metal and hot blast furnaces seem to set him in a good mood.
Together you are strolling over the fairgrounds, at the moment looking for a forge for Attalas to swing the hammer in. As you finally find one, you suddenly hear a tumultuous uproar from the central podium
The Vernal Key! It's stolen! Someone has stolen the Vernal Key! one of the guards shouts - a moment of panicked petrification takes hold of the crowd before it disperses in chaotic about running!
Jez looks over at the others. This is not good.
"I don't have it."
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"I can make a new one!" offers Attalas helpfully as he points to the forge knowingly!
"If it turns out we were brought here to be framed for a theft we did not commit I'm going to gut the wizard and hang him by his entrails." Ragnvald says matter of factly.
Oh what a bother! Well, I guess we should start looking... Nymeria says, climbing to the top of the nearest tall thing and looking out over the scene.
Perception:
Oh what a bother! Well, I guess we should start looking... Nymeria says, climbing to the top of the nearest tall thing and looking out over the scene.
Perception:1d20+9
Just for the fraction of a second Nymeria sees a human silhouette escaping out of the village. Whoever that was, is fleeing northbound...
Kosti turns around, juggling around some pretty extensive Varisian curses. As he sees Nymeria 'elevated' above the crowd, he runs towards her.
Can you see anything from up there? Whoever did this could still be around! And I will be damned if the Key and the Raven dissappearing on the same day is a mere coincidence
The last part, of course he shouts no longer but merely mutters to himself.
Assuming that Nymeria reports what she saw.
Well boys, looks like we are heading north. Feel free to tag along if you want to watch a bunch of misfits save the town Kosti.
Jez then starts to run north following the direction that Nymeria pointed.
Kosti cuts right through the dispersing crowd to get to the probably overwhelmed guards, so they get out of the way once the ogre starts coming their way.
We will do our best to get it back, friend. Pray Desna twists the road before those dastardly thieves and lets us travel on the monarchs wings instead.
He then joins the rest of the group provided they make their way north and pass him by.
Nymeria climbs down.
Someone is heading up North, let's follow shall we?
.
"Um, why?"
Attalas seems at a loss as to what to do "We lookin here or walking there?"
Um, because it's the right thing to do! Come on Attalas, let's walk north okay?
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Ragnvald shrugs. "That's great. Since when have we ever done or judged what is right? I've no mind to return to these villagers a source of weakness. Gorum has granted them this trial of will. Gorum will determine if they're worthy." Ragnvald crosses his massive arms.
Your moment of party-indecision is interrupted by a pair of heavy breathing guards led by a man wearing costly furs and swinging something that looks like a golden mace in his hands
You there! he shouts even though he is nearly face to face with you I heard you are the wild band of mercenaries who have just thrashed the strongmen group?
"I was eatin peanuts" Attalas replies, very defensively.
I look at the man. The big Ulfen did the thrashing. They decided to cheat when fighting me but putting a zombie in the ring. I thought that was rather unfair as I am not trained in the art of boxing.
Oh, and we are not a "wild band of mercenaries", just a group looking to make a fair days coin. Why do you ask?
Ragnvald looks wary but does not draw his blade just yet. "I did the thrashing as the girl said."
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"He's... a Mayor" Attalas asides to his friends, his tone laden with suspicion and distrust.
"I say we're at least one ahead." Ragnvald says eyeing a nearby tree.
The mayor doesn't get the second half of the conversation and looks at one of his guards. The bearded man just shrugs and comments Told ye, m'lord. A wild band of mercenaries.
Ahem, the mayor smoothes the fine silk vest he wears under the furs
my name is Antero Ikonen, mayor of Azurestone and I want to welcome you in our lovely town...uh...you look like the sort of men who are more than anything interested in gold, can I count on that?
We are interested in things other than gold. Mobo likes fire. Ragnvald prefers fighting to the death. Attalas likes working the forge. . . . But, gold is always good. Why do you ask?
"Told ya he's a Mayor, he's shamless about it too, blatantly walkiing around throwing it in our faces..." Attalas asides again suspiciously. "Gold is good, what you want?"
The mayor's confusion reaches a climax and frustrated he throws up his arms
Alas, at least you lot look crazy enough to hunt him down. I tell you what our problem is: The Verdant Key, the priceless artifact of our ancestors was blatantly stolen by an infamous rogue called the Red Raven - at this moment he brings the most precious of our possessions to his lair in the woods north of here. Can you stop him and retrieve what is ours is my question?
I look over at Kosti with some confusion, hoping he can provide guidance since our supposed employer might now be our mark.
Kosti stands near the villages border, talking to a guard. He probably didn't hear anything said by the mayor, but he does not look as if he is trying to avoid the guards attention, despite the Raven supposedly being his friend.
I look at the Mayor. Hold on a minute. I need consult with my companions before we agree to anything.
I then move over and tell Kosti that the mayor wants us to hunt down the Red Raven for supposedly stealing the Verdant Key.
Wait, what? I cannot imagine him doing such a thing - and it makes no sense, why meet up here with merc...unless he has to have the key for ransom... We must get the key back, and if we meet up with the Raven I am sure he will explain what he did. Perhaps we can get both the key and the freedom of his lady and you can get a reward from both the Raven and the mayor!
Ragnvald plays along for now. He could always rob the mayor and sack the town later.
Jez just shrugs and figures that this town is just as chaotic as the Worldwound, perhaps not as evil, but clearly laws and rules are relatively secondary.
"I like that idea Konstanty, more reward means more food! And more steel!"
Wait, what? Our employer is a thief!?
Wait, what? Our employer is a thief!?
Our last employer was a tax collector. Is there a difference?
Then we have a deal! the mayor shouts joyfully and takes...Nymeria's hand - he's still sensible enough not to get too close to any of the others...
Do you need any provisions or help with directions? he looks at Kosti and adds You sound you have been here before, you can help this wild band of mercenaries and guide them, yes?
You know that at least one of the secret hiding places of the Raven is in the Boardwood south of Azurestone, however it could look really susicious if you just blazon what you know. Maybe hiring a local tracker at the Deerstalker's Lodge is a good idea - at least it wouldn't look suspicious.
I know my way around well enough, but I am not a native. If there is a reliable tracker that would be willing to offer his services, we might have an edge on the thief
I look around at the throngs of distraught locals milling about after the loss of their Vernal Key.
Turning to Kosti: Sounds like a plan. Do you know any trackers or rangers hereabouts who know the area?