When Luenevyn finishes Prat nods as if trying to clear his head and says,"You have an odd name. Can I just call you Riddle for short? Anyway, I'm called Prat by my friends at the theater. I've lived there since Ms. Absalee adopted me which is grand since I get to work backstage at all the operas. It's excting and what not, but not nearly as exciting as becomeing an honest to goodness real adventurer!"
Luenevyn chuckles good-naturedly at Prat's chatter, perhaps reminded of his own youth. "Sure, Prat, you can call me Riddle. Same goes for the rest for you, if you like."
** spoiler omitted **
Prat:
When Luenevyn finishes Prat nods as if trying to clear his head and says,"You have an odd name. Can I just call you Riddle for short? Anyway, I'm called Prat by my friends at the theater. I've lived there since Ms. Absalee adopted me which is grand since I get to work backstage at all the operas. It's excting and what not, but not nearly as exciting as becomeing an honest to goodness real adventurer!"
"Wow there lad," says Tolin. "I wouldn't go off and call myself an adventurer just yet!"
"Lady Vanderboren is selling off some of her properties to the south of town. One in particular has a potential buyer but it appears some wild dogs are keeping people weary of approaching. I can offer you 100 gold to clear out the Vanderboren Plantaion and remain on the premises a few days for safe keeping. What say you?"
"I'm in."
Luenevyn: looking for trouble...I mean money
"You can count me in. Where, when and how long do you want us to stay there?"
Raising his left eyebrow, Lam-ang asks, "100 gold each?"
"Wow...a hundread gold! I've never seen that much before. I'm not afraid of some mangy mutts, count me in."
Raising his left eyebrow, Lam-ang asks, "100 gold each?"
"No," "Tolin laughs and slaps Lam-ang on the back. "I said dogs, not dragons! I have scraped up a 100 gold coins total from my companions...I know this isn't a glamorous job. That's why I'm asking you to do it. I have other errands for my Lady to attend to."
"The plantaion is about 11 miles down the road," Tolin explains, pointing out the Dawn Gate. "Just past the big mossy rock - you'll know it when you see it - is the drive way. It leads a ways into the groves before getting to the house. It should be servicable. I don't imagine you'll need to be there more than 3 days or so while we set up a meeting with the buyer."
"Other questions?"
"When do you need us to be there?"
"When do you need us to be there?"
"Why not now? Come on times a wasting - let's get going," Prat nearly leaps out of his skin as he skips towards the Dawn Gate.
"When do you need us to be there?"
Tolin seems distracted for a minute and then says "Sooner is better than later, but you don't have to go right now. It'll only take a half an hour to walk down there, so I would just give yourself enough time before dinner to get settled."
"The property has been abandoned awhile but the last time I was out there, it was in good shape."
Lance tries to see what Tolin was distracted about.
Lance then looks at his fellows and grins. "Well shall we discuss our new mission? I have a plan but I would need some help and some critiques."
"Hey Prat! Wait a moment please."
Turning to Tolin, Lance says "oh, almost forgot. Do we need keys to the place?"
Lance tries to see what Tolin was distracted about.
You look up but do not think he was actually looking at anything.
Turning to Tolin, Lance says "oh, almost forgot. Do we need keys to the place?"
"No," Tolin says. "The door doesn't have a lock that I recall and the gate was busted. You should be set."
The warrior turns to leave and says, "Oh, my dwarven friend Kaskus will be by...probably the day after tomorrow with your money. Bye!" Tolin waves and walks toward Landowner's Lane in the north west cornor of the market.
Turning to his comrades Lance says "OK. This was my plan. We buy meat, a hammer, nails, boards, rope, an axe, rent a cart and go talk to one of the animal keepers in the docks area.
The animal keeper can tell us how to catch the wild dogs safely. He can give us an idea how they will act and how the will attack.
If we can catch the dogs instead of killing them maybe we can make a little extra coin by selling them to him as well. Maybe he can even loan or rent some equipment to us. You know like cages, traps, those loops on stick things they use to handle animals, etc.
Now the boards, hammer, nails, rope and the axe can help us make sure we can be safe and set up a trap or two. We can board up a room or two so that we don't get surprised while resting.
The cart will help us get the stuff there and the meat is to lure the animals.
What do you think?"
" Oh and a shovel in case we want to dig a small pit trap."
Lance waits to see how everyone responds to his ideas.
Summer nods to Tolin when he aproaches and remains silent while Lance buys his daggers.
Lance thinks for a moment "Summer, don't you work at a herbalists shop? Do you think you could find some herbs that would help use put the dogs to sleep so we don't have to kill them?"
"Anyone know where I can buy armor, cheap?"
Prat stops in his tracks, and returns pouting to listen to Lance. As he listens to the plan he realizes how impatient he is and that he has a lot to learn about adventureing. "That sounds like a perfect plan, Lance."
Lance thinks for a moment "Summer, don't you work at a herbalists shop? Do you think you could find some herbs that would help use put the dogs to sleep so we don't have to kill them?"
Summer nods then says " There is a leaf that we sometimes use for a sedative when someone is injured. I could go and get some."
Terribly sorry about my previous post I got very confused
Luenevyn listens to Lance outlining his plan in growing disbelief.
"Wow. That sounds incredibly complex. We're going to clear out some wild dogs, not a clan of man-eating dragons. We go in, we kill 'em, we get paid. What could be easier?"
Luenevyn listens to Lance outlining his plan in growing disbelief.
"Wow. That sounds incredibly complex. We're going to clear out some wild dogs, not a clan of man-eating dragons. We go in, we kill 'em, we get paid. What could be easier?"
"Well. It does have alot of options, but it seems to be a safe plan. I don't mind your objection though. What would your plan be?"
"I personally prefer to have a safe place to hole up at night and I would prefer to catch the dogs over killing them. True the pit might be a bit much but we might need the shovel anyways. To dig a grave for the dogs maybe even. I don't want anything else being attracted to the place. God's help us if a real monster showed up. But I am all ears."
"Like you said, Lance, it's nice to have a plan. Which brings me to my present concern, where to buy reliable yet affordable gear for this little adventure."
"Anyone know where I can buy armor, cheap?"
Prat catuiously approaches Lam-Ang and says, "I don't know anything about the buying and selling of armor, but I might be able to get you a shield. Last season we ran a show called The Fallen Heros of Goboran and I think the shields that the chorus carried might still be in my prop room. Whould that help?"
For the DM:
"Well. It does have alot of options, but it seems to be a safe plan. I don't mind your objection though. What would your plan be?"
"I don't have a plan. It's dogs. Like I said, we go in, we kill 'em, we get paid. Pits and cages and traps and animal trainers? If one comes up to me, I'll club it right back down." Luenevyn demonstrates with a swing from his cudgel.
To Lam-Ang he says, "Tepinal's Wares or Leldibar's Shop here in Sunrise may have some of what you're looking for. Otherwise, I'd suggest Champion's District, but that's not really my stomping grounds, so I can't really say for sure."
"I don't have a plan. It's dogs. Like I said, we go in, we kill 'em, we get paid. Pits and cages and traps and animal trainers? If one comes up to me, I'll club it right back down." Luenevyn demonstrates with a swing from his cudgel.
"Riddle has a point, it's just some scrounging hounds. Why don't we just head on out there? We can pick up some rope on the way to tie up any of the dogs we catch so Lance can bring them back if he wants."
"Anyone know where I can buy armor, cheap?"Prat catuiously approaches Lam-Ang and says, "I don't know anything about the buying and selling of armor, but I might be able to get you a shield. Last season we ran a show called The Fallen Heros of Goboran and I think the shields that the chorus carried might still be in my prop room. Whould that help?"
For the DM:
** spoiler omitted **
Prat:
"Hmmm, wild dogs... I think we should go with the plan of drugging them. But that means we're going to need some fine bait. Or some pit traps, instead?"
Lam-ang pauses to think of other things that might help the party against the wild dogs.
Knowledge (nature) (1d20+1=21)
Prat is obviously over stimulated by the prospect of being a real adventurer and geting paid such a large sum of money. Jumping up and down he says, "I've got an idea. I will be back in one hour with some stuff from the theater. Anyone who wants to go round up some mutts needs to be at the gate then so we can begin our quest." Prat takes off with out waiting for anyone to object and heads back to the Opera House to collect the items he has in mind.
For the DM:
"Hmmm, wild dogs... I think we should go with the plan of drugging them. But that means we're going to need some fine bait. Or some pit traps, instead?"
Lam-ang pauses to think of other things that might help the party against the wild dogs.
Knowledge (nature) (1d20+1=21)
Prat is obviously over stimulated by the prospect of being a real adventurer and geting paid such a large sum of money. Jumping up and down he says, "I've got an idea. I will be back in one hour with some stuff from the theater. Anyone who wants to go round up some mutts needs to be at the gate then so we can begin our quest." Prat takes off with out waiting for anyone to object and heads back to the Opera House to collect the items he has in mind.
For the DM:
** spoiler omitted **
Prat quitely creeps through the Opera House gathering up the items he has found and shoving them into a canvas sack. He leaves a note for Johan that reads:
Johan, I am off on my first grand adventure. I barrowed some stuff from the work room to help me take care of a dog infestation. Wish me luck and I will see you soon. Prat
After tacking the note to Johans workbench, Prat hoists the bugling sack onto his shoulder and heads out to meet the others at the city gate.
"That kid sure is eager," Luenevyn says as Prat runs off. "But he's made our plan for us, I guess. The lady's leaves sound good too. Okay Lance, any idea where to get this gear you want?"
"I suggest that we bring some near rancid meat. It is a fine way to attract/distract these wild dogs. Then perhaps we can lace these meats with the appropriate knockout drug or something."
Prat looks fairly comical lugging a bulging sack over his shoulder as he returns to the Dawn Gate looking for the others.
He calls out, "Lance... Riddle... are we ready to go?"
Summer listens carefully as the debate of what to do ensues. "I think the drugging plan is the best although on second thought Bullrush night be better. Shall I go and get some from Elains's?"
Lam-ang: You quickly find a vendor who sells you a sizable sack full of scraps and hunk of meat of questionable freshness (5sp).
Summer: You return from a quick foray into the Merchant District with some Bull Rush (). You feel pretty confident that if you could get the dogs to eat it, they'll be no trouble.
Prat: Sorry, I misread something above, add a heavy wooden shield (AC +1 and only half the hardness though) to your procurements.
Lance: Your choice, a tour through the Azure District yeilds the following from one shady dealer: a hammer, nails, boards, an axe, a shovel, and a cart for 20 gp (you'll get 13 back when everything is returned in good condition).
Luenevyn: you wait impatiently while everyone else runs around like chickens with their heads cut off. The promise of some much gold is the only thing that keeps you from going home.
Summer listens carefully as the debate of what to do ensues. "I think the drugging plan is the best although on second thought Bullrush night be better. Shall I go and get some from Elains's?"
Glad your back!
Sasserine was founded where three rivers pour into the sea. The slow moving Emerald river to the south gets its name from the algae grows in great shimmering patches along its surface. While beautiful, dangerous crocodiles, snakes, and worse lurk beneath its surface. The little crab river to the north winds through marshes and swamps that are generally safer than the lands closer to the Amedio Jungle. The more formidable Thunder River cuts through the lands in between and provides an artere TO. Along this waterway is the Amedio Highway, the road connecting Sasserine to distant Cauldron. For a days journey along the road plantations dot the countryside. These crucial pioneers constantly battle the encroaching jungle and flooding plains to provide timber, cotton, and a myriad of ordinary to exotic foods.
A trickle of people pass through the Dawn Gate and no one pays any attention to the odd little group of untried adventures that drag their cart of supplies into the hinterlands. Although Sasserine is a bustling port town, it only takes a few dozen yards out of its gates before you realize how untamed the surrounding lands are. The road is well maintained and trees cut back, but everywhere is evidence that the jungle wants to take over. Vines creep along the cobblestones. Moss hangs from the tangled branches. Occasional screeches echo from the darker depths.
Soon the road angles closer to the Thunder River. Shots can be heard from logriders wrangling lashed together timbers. Logging camps foray into the jungles in search of rare woods and sail them downstream. Lizardmen claim as many of these lives as do the river itself.
After traveling all morning you finally see the first of the great plantations. A few hundred feet off the road sits a stately white-washed mansion capped by red-clay tiles. Several small children run up and down the gravel driveway as men and women can be seen toiling endlessly in the fields. You press on. Several more are passed, some vast and grand, others no more than sodden rice fields with shacks on stilts.
Sometime just after noon the jungle makes a surprising return. Scattered trees become clumps and then copses and finally a torrent of trunks and branches. Even the sounds of the river are lost. Still, the highway persists like a tunnel through the heart of a mountain. Finally, a massive oblong stone appears along the road. Ancient and weathered the rock hints at having once been covered in markins or carvings of some such. Now, nothing by groves and cracks are clearly discernable.
Along side the stone is an impressive, wide iron trellis. A gravel road leads away from the highway into the jungle. This must be the place.
Prat drops the sack to the ground as the others arrive at the city gate to show off his procurments; three lenghts of rope, a club, and a handaxe. Hoisting up the wooden shield he hands it to Lam-ang saying, "I thought I could find one of these for you. It's not armor, but it should do to help keep you safe. You can have it if you promise not to hit me."
Once on the trail Prat starts of with wild exuberance, rushing ahead and calling back for the others to hurry up. Half way to the end of the road he starts to lag behind, nearly dragging the akward sack of ropes. He is often heard muttering, "Are we there yet?"
When they arrive at the gate he drops his sack and then himself to the ground and exclaim's, "About time, I'm hungry. Did anyone bring any food?"
Prat's words are echoed by a rumble from Luenevyn's stomach as he realizes he's quite hungry too.
"Damn, all that planning and no one remembered food." He sighs. "Well, anyone know how dog tastes?"
Luenevyn walks up to the gate and peers through, looking and listening for any sign of these wild dogs.
Prat's words are echoed by a rumble from Luenevyn's stomach as he realizes he's quite hungry too.
"Damn, all that planning and no one remembered food." He sighs. "Well, anyone know how dog tastes?"
Luenevyn walks up to the gate and peers through, looking and listening for any sign of these wild dogs.
The archway is wide and tall enough for a fairly good sized horse-drawn wagon to fit comfortably. The gravel driveway runs straight south as far as you can see in the gloom. Vast palms, cycads, and other trees line the sides. Their branches reach in all directions and tangle with its neighbors. A green canopy of leaves and vines block most of the sunlight. Stray shafts of brilliant light create angled supports. Birds chirp and squawk. Although overgrown, the jungle has not yet reclaimed this path. There is nothing to indicate immediate trouble.
Summer rolls her eyes and mutters something about them being barbarians when the elf suggests eating the dogs. She then walks a little way off and starts looking for edible fruits or plants.
"Ok. I brought along some bait to attract those dogs. Now did anyone bring some potion to sedate them?" Lam-ang then looks for a good elevated vantage point from which he can observe the area.
Hoisting up the wooden shield he hands it to Lam-ang saying, "I thought I could find one of these for you. It's not armor, but it should do to help keep you safe. You can have it if you promise not to hit me."
"Well Lance...Riddle, I think it's about time we rounded up some dogs," Prat says trying to ignor the rumbling in his belly. He tucks the sack of rope off to the side of the gate, hidding it behind the overgrowth. The boy is an odd looking hero, a handaxe and club shoved in his belt while he firmly graps his rapier in one hand. In the other he akwardly trys to hoist the large wooden shield decorated with fake goldleaf and artifical jewels. "Are we ready to do this or shall we stay out here like scared little kittens?" He starts to slowly walk down the path scaning the sides for any signs of movement.
"From the mouths of babes," Luenevyn mutters to his companions with a wry smile.
"Belay that, Prat!" he calls to the boy. "Why don't you let me take point, and you can back me up with that shield of yours. Or perhaps it might be best to see if we can get some of Lam-Ang's meat ready. It's only dogs, but we may as well take advantage of Lance's planning."
Luenevyn turns to Summer. "Lady, were you able to get some herbs to spike the meat?"