dot
Here.
I am coming very late to this but it looks like I may still be able to join. If others have precedence that is absolutely understood and reasonable.
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Martina Tristram, Taldor's finest monster hunter, arrives at the edge of a small town. To some, this hamlet is beneath notice, but Martina knows it as the site of a monument to a famous dragon slayer, a woman that Martina has admired since childhood. It seems fitting that her journey into Taldoran legend should begin here...
Solvi and Bissi are in their usual position 100 feet or so ahead of the wagon, looking out for any trouble.
Bissi currently has the Aspect of The Falcon up. Oh, and she has scent.
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Martina had stopped beside the road to rest her horse and stretch her legs. Now that she was in sight of the town, she felt no particular rush to arrive. The land was lovely in this part of the country, and she knew that Renault preferred the fresh food of the wild to the standard feed he'd be eating once he was stabled.
Catching sight of the caravan rolling by, she waved to the men as they passed.
"Hail, travelers! What brings you out this way?"
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Thick accent rolling off his tongue, one would see olive skin and bleached blond hair with an easy smile as Orell said, "Luck's favor upon you Lady, we are but humble guards paid to escort this fine caravan to the most humble city almost upon us." A holy symbol hangs from his generously unbottoned and wrinkled shirt, plain and wooden bouncing with each laugh and gesture of which there are many, a large double crossbow hanging from his back.
The journey has been long and Shriek feels the need to have a rest and a good lunch. His pockets are almost empty since he left the chaos of Galt for a less populated region, more on need of a sword than a politician tongue.
The last year has been tough after adventuring in the River Kingdoms, avoiding bandits, river pirates and old forgotten beasts, then avoiding the turmoils at Galt streets. The Verdurian Forest seems as a good change, and the mysteries Shriek has been told to lay within the forest a good chance for adventure, gold and fame.
Belhaim should be just a stop in his route to a life of adrenaline and intense experiences, but who knows what surprises lay ahead.
Thinking on all that, a half-orc well armored and carrying a sword walks down the road under the shadows of the alder trees.
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"Hail to you as well!", Finn says as he hops out of the wagon. His long blond hair is tied back. There are blue streaks running through it. His complexion is rather fair, except for the blue birthmark It is a swirling design running from his forehead, down the left side of his face and around his neck.
He calls up to Silas Gribb, "I think I'll walk along with the caravan for a while, Mr. Gribb."
A slender female walks just besides one of the wagons, carrying a shortbow and a elaborate double sword.
Working my shifts as a caravan guard! How low have I sunk compared to my elven ancestors!
The other guards have got to know her as Yasmin. She takes her swordcraft very seriously and has no appetite for idle banter.
A young man with the evidence that perhaps he isn't always quite as careful when taking care of the animals as he should be on his pants turns towards a leopard who is walking alongside him and quietly speaks to her,
"Lots of people coming to this small little town. Wonder if a carnival has come to town? That would be great, wouldn't it? Like returning home"
Seeming to almost understand him the leopard coughs lightly and the young man nods.
Turning towards Martina
"Hello. I'm Solvi and this is my friend Bissi"
At the sound of her name, the leopard looks up and nods.
"As Orell says, Bissi and I are just caravan guards right now. But we're parting company from the caravan in Belhaim. Just travelling around a bit right now. Do you know much about Belhaim? We've never been here before"
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"I am Martina Tristram, and I aim to be the most well-known monster slayer in Taldor. I'm on a pilgrimmage to the grave of Tula Belhaim, the greatest dragon slayer on Taldan history. The town is named for her, though I believe it has since fallen into obscurity. Too many forget the glorious history of our empire."
Her tone is friendly, but a little imperious. Martina's manner and speech are typical of the idle wealthy children of Taldor's countless petty houses.
"Renault, to me." she called out, and the horse soon emerged from the roadside brush and waited patiently as she mounted with practiced ease.
"I will gladly ride with you into town. Your goods will be safer than ever before, and you needn't think of paying. I was, after all, already heading in this direction." she says with a smile.
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The ride into town is pretty uneventful as these things go. No real threats rear their heads, and you make it to your destination safe and sound. However,as you make your way into the town, the local constable and a few of his guards great you at the town center. The constable looks you over, then right at your employer
Alright Silas. I know what's in the boxes. Step down now, and you don't get hurt.
Your recent boss starts sweating bullets in the drivers seat of the wagon.
Yasmin looks closely at the constable, trying to determine if he is honest or looking for a bribe.
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Orell looks at this whole situation and curses a bit under his breath and says I do not know by luck's rear end what is going on here but I have been promised honest pay for honest work, so I will just take a caravan horse with saddle and be on my way Orell says holding his large crossbow pointed down in a non threatening manner.
Shriek is surprised by the tumult in the town center at his arrival to Belhaim.
What is going on? he thinks as he closes by one of the buildings casually, avoiding the attention while he attempts to understand the events developing in front of him.
Solvi goes into an alert stance but does NOT draw an arrow.
"Silas, is there something that you want to tell us?"
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The guards are honest as they can be. They don't look like the bribe taking kind as its way too public for that kind of shakedown. These men are here on a mission.
Silas, looks around, looks at Solvi, then says I ahhh don't want any trouble.
The guard captain looks over the group and says Neither do I. You come peacably, and the rest of you lot get to walk away. We cease the cart and its contraband either way.
You there with the crossbow, you can take the horse. If Silas has pay, you can ask. If selling his illegal goods was going to get your pay, then by Desna's wings, you're out of luck.
"Sh!t" Yasmin exclaims, seeing that Desna has abandoned her again.
"Constable, is there a place where a mercenary can find some honest work around here? Maybe an elderly woman has a rat problem in her basement or something like that?"
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Orell steps down and unhooks the horse and saying I will split the sale id the horse with all the guards and we can at least get a night at the common room and a meal and perhaps look for more work in the morning and he takes the horse and leads it by the bridle away waving to the other guards to come and leave Silas to his fate so that they might have some meager compensation and a hot meal
"So that's it? Contraband?" mumbles Shriek for himself. Placing his longsword over the shoulder, the half-orc shouts for the group "And what is there inside those crates that is contraband to trade in here?"
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Orell looks back to Finn and says, The town law was nice to us letting us get a horse and not arresting us with Silas, they must know that guy, so I do not care what he has as we are free and have a story to tell and a bit of coin once we sell the horse Orells hands waving with dismissal and at first a frown but then when ending a smile
"Would you mind if I join you?" Yasmin asks Finn and Orell
"Ah well. At least our food was provided on route. And we're now in a brand new town to explore. Things could be a lot worse"
He returns to the wagons to grab up his gear and then quickly catches up with the others.
"Thank you for splitting the money from the sale of the horse. I don't think that I'd have thought to grab a horse like that. She is a good animal, too. Belsarnt by name. We should make sure that she goes to a good home"
As he says this, he hands the horse an apple to eat.
"Pfff, having something only means you can lose it again" Yasmin grumbles while twirling her two-bladed sword in her hands.
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A female gnome dressed in leather armor and with leaves stuck in her hair watches the hilarity at the town gates, then seems to make a decision. She catches up with the group of adventurers walking away with the horse. There is a large wolf by her side.
Hi! Can I join you? This looks like it's going to be fun!
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Solvi looks at the group, looks at the guards, and sighs with a heavy head and quitely goes with the men-at-arms.
You are left in a semi-busy town square with as guards take the wagon, minus the horse.
After a few minutes of standing around, a kindly, older women emerges from a local tavern and says well, it's already been such a bad day for you travelers, why don't you come in for some stew. I'll even throw in the first tankard of ale for free. come on in my dearies!
She then turns and walks back into the tavern.
When the gnome wants to join
Just a few more of those animals and we can start a traveling circus!
"Do whatever you want."
As if one can forbid a gnome to do what she wants!
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"That would be appreciated madam!"
And after that you probably have this 'small' task you want us to do for you...
Yasmin follows the woman inside.
"Beer!" the half-orc wets his lips as he listens the magic word "It has been like weeks since I had the opportunity to drink a tank of ale. Would you mind if I join you?" he asks as he follows the group into the tavern with the woman.
"By the way, my name is Samuel, but everybody calls me by the name of Shriek. I am pleased to see there are more foreigners looking for adventure in the region" despite his impetuous character and rude appearance the half-orc displays real manners and offers his hand to anyone willing to great him.
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Takes Samuels hand and gives it a good shake with a smile and ties up the horse in the stable for now and eats some of the delicious stew enjoying an ale leaning back without a word for the first time in a while simply enjoying and saying after the break I am Orell the shootist and this here is Finn and Solvi and it is good to have us all for a group to find some coin and adventure
Solvi walks in with his leopard at his heals. As he puts his backpack down in the corner a nose and a pair of curious eyes can be seen glancing out of the top.
"Thank you. Could I also trouble you for some water for my friends here?"
After the woman brings some water, he opens up the pack. Two ferrets (one with brown markings and other with black markings) and 2 cats (a calico and a jet black cat) all climb out and drink their fill. They then politely sit down on and around Solvi. Somewhat surprisingly they all seem to be the best of friends with each other and the leopard.
"There seems to be a lot of traffic here. Is there some kind of festival or carnival in town?"
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The gnome has to jump and can barely wrap her hand around 2 of the half-orc's fingers, but she grins up at him.
Nice to meet ya, Shriek! I'm Gilraen. This is Ray! pointing at the wolf. Then she scrambles up onto a chair next to Orell and digs into some stew and ale. Ray tries to make himself inconspicuous near her chair, watching his surroundings.
Bissa looks at Ray and cautiously comes over to investigate. She sniffs at him, claws ready but not out,
Shriek shakes the hand of the caravan guys "Great to meet all of you. What was all about that caravan? What are your plans here now?"
He seems a bit amused as well about the gnome and her wolf. The half-orc returns the greeting and soothes the wolf "I have heard tales about the druids and gnomes of the Verdurian forest. Are you from here Gilraen?"