Welcome to the Gameplay Thread!
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Welcome Bedlam!!
Welcome Katrin!!..good to have you here!!
Checking in...
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my posts aren't showing up...for me at least
I see that 1 now :)
it seemed to have eaten like 4-5 of my DOT posts...
You could just do them again.
I did thast why it was like 4 or 5 of them it ate...I seem good now tho :)
After the events of the last several days, the groups find themselves in the common room of the Rusty dragon inn. The Barkeep Ameiko Kaijitsu informs each respective group that several of their fellow party members had packed up their belongings during the night and had left town, she may have more information why if is she is asked about specific members, but for now she just lets them know they are gone. The two groups not really aware of each others circumstances are drinking and talking among themselves looking very forlorn and worried about the future..
Bedlam looks around at his remaining party members.
Aye, we be needing to do right by this town.
They be wanting help and I be thinking that we be the only ones to do it.
"Well" starts Loupe "nice if he'd said goodbye, but I guess he had a reason and I did only meet him yesterday. Was sort of hoping we might go hunting today now I've prepped some more fireworks, but hopefully there's still enough of us."
"So, anything happen while I was asleep? Maug said there was something. Hope you guys didn't head out without me..."
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Katrin nods to Bedlam and says, "Indeed Bedlam it appears we have lost some of our number over the past few days. Such is the way of adventurers I suppose, always willing to go where the road takes them. I however have a task to do here in Sandpoint and I am not going to abandon this current contract. We need to investigate the town further and see if the one leading the goblins is still hiding in town."
The sound of footsteps could be heard as Karl made his way to the table occupied by Loupe, Bouldershoulder and Vishoon. He had slept moderately well last night, considering everything that had happened lately; the goblins attack, the incident with Shayliss and of course the sudden disappearance of some the people he'd worked with in repelling the goblin raid. Seeing no empty chair at the table when he got closer he went to the table of a group sitting next to them, which had an empty chair.
Karl focused his attention on the well armed group of strangers as he neared their table, unintentionally listening to their discussion of their own predicament which was more or less similar to their own Looks like everyone is leaving this town Placing his hand on the empty chair, Karl eyed the people before him "You waiting for someone?" Karl raised the question as he patted the chair with an air of impatience about him.
Bedlam has been watching the Human approaching their table.
He swallows his ale. He then looks up at the stranger.
Aye, we be waiting for another.
You might be knowing where we be finding him?
Sten watches as Karl makes his way to the table of strangers, a look of worry on his face. "Some hussy tried to entrap our friend, but we put a stop to that. What make you of them over there, knowing our friend's ability to pick people I am sure nothing good will come of this either."
"I don't think so" Karl replied as he unhanded the chair went to one of the further tables which were empty, grabbed another chair and dragged it back with him to where his companions sat, just in time to hear Sten reciting what they went through and making a comment about his poor ability to judge people. The ex-guard sat down, leaned back in his chair while he let his shield sling into his arm and onto the table before him.
"Don't worry I try to limit my self to one terrible encounter per week" Karl smiled at the group, his scars shifting with the changing expression of his facade "So its just the four of us now eh? I won't lie I'll miss the company, but in my line of work losing good company isn't exactly that surprising" Looking towards the bar, Karl noticed Ameiko busy preparing the orders of the moderate amount of people that sat about the tavern.
"Hey beautiful!" He waved with his left arm, his voice not as gruff as it usually is "Whenever your free we could use some food" Karl continued after he noticed her look his way.
"Anything exciting happen while we were out?" Inquired Karl, as he turned to face Loupe.
The Grim 1/2 Orc Comes down the steps. I wonder if any of these folks are the ones I am looking for? . As he scans the room looking over all the patrons especially the group of folks at the one table that look like they might be able to handle themselves. One of them maybe?
Seeing the some of the people from the previous night. The seemed alright and that One said he help with Tevok. I guess I'll go join them.
Finding a chair he pulls up to the table, Greetings, The others must be late sleepers ehh. Or have they found BETTER company?
He orders some food and drink, and looks ar Karl You don't plan to ask us to track you all over this town again today do you?
"No...its way too early for that" Replied Karl dejectedly, remembering the game of cat and mouse they had to endure thanks to Shayliss, following this he placed his left hand on his forehead.
The sounds of the jovial cheering and loud laughter had died down almost completely since last night, the people that sat around them were engaged in their own conversations instead of staring at them with glee and respect as they had done yesterday, of course they did get the occasional smile and wave but it seemed that mostly things have calmed down Heroes one day...and still unemployed on the next, makes me wonder if the right people have actually watched as I...killed one goblin, guess I still have much to prove Karl ran his left hand through his short curly hair and brought it to a halt when it reached the back of his head, he looked upwards at nothing in particular and began to think of ways to get himself hired, preferably by someone rich and influential...
Vishoon nods at Karl, And goes back to his food. Damn this man is not easy to find. I wonder if there is some local riff-raff that I can hire to help me look?
"So, I pretty much just slept and prepped. Did manage to sleep off the hangover though. Given that we were under siege from goblins, I'm surprised how much didn't happen to me."
He smirks a little at Sten's comment
"I take it your night was a bit more eventful than mine. Abyss, I've been here for months and no hussy has tried to entrap me!"
Guess he's got a way with the ladies.
Ameiko hurries around the inns common room serving breakfast and bringing drinks while singing a sweet soft song in her native tongue, the sun shines through the windows of the inn and the fire burning in the fireplace fills the room with the smell of cherry wood..as the groups eat and mingle with each other a familiar looking man saunters down the stairs, dressed in fine formal clothing and followed by three servants. His Blue and overcoat is embroidered with golden patterns and in his right hand a cane with what appears to be a giant diamond at the top,atop his head a wide brimmed hat with an exotic bird feather stuck in the side.
The man looks around the room and seeing Katrin proceeds to make his way over to her.
" Good Morning, Miss Katrin, Nice to see you again..I hope you slept well!"
The man is Aldern Foxglove, he looks around the room and loudly clears his throat..
" UH..HEM...Good morning to all of you, I would like to thank you all again for your wonderful heroics the other day..I am still in your debt for saving me from a most unfortunate fate!..I promised you all a further reward and I am a man of my word..So here it is, Today you will accompany me on a Hunt into the Tickwood, our Prey will be the Legendary Wild Piggywhiskers the Great, the largest, meanest, stinkiest animal this side of Magnimar..and once Killed, we shall return here for a feast in your Honor!!.."
The mans words get louder as he goes along, he seems to be in genuinely good spirits and excited to be going on this hunt. Katrin cant help but notice though that he seems to be staring at her while he talks, turning a bit red in the cheeks.
"I would like all of you to meet me over at the Goblin Squash Stables in one hour, where I will be purchasing every one of you your very own Horse that you may keep for after the hunt is over as my gift to you..and furthermore here is sufficient gold coin to outfit yourselves with whatever you may need for the hunt..I will see you all in one hour!!
The man tosses a fairly large leather pouch on the table and quickly turns and heads out the door.
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Katrin says to Aldern Foxglove, "A good morning to you as well Lord Foxglove. A hunt for the you say for the Wild Piggywhisker? That sounds like an excellerating idea. I am always up for a challenging hunt with wild game as the reward. Although squashing goblins gives me some excitement they are hardly a challenge to a seasoned warrior such as myself. This hunt appears to be something worthy of my skill."
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Anders bustles in,just in time to hear Lord Foxgloves announcement.
"Wonderful! Sorry I'm late, just been speaking with that merchant about the wand. Looking forward to this hunt, I am! havent been on a good hunt since I was a Lad! Where is everyone? is it just the three of us now? No Sacerdos? No Carrion?"
"Oh, I'm still around, Sir Trelassion." Sacerdos responds as he approaches the table. He'd been expecting to see their ranks diminished, instead he finds them swelled with new adventurers.
The cleric stands at the table, looking for a spot to squeeze into, his clothing smelling subtly of smoke. He nods to those he knows and reaches for a chair. "Excuse my tardiness. I saw to it our little robe was properly destroyed. The ritual took a bit longer than I'd anticipated."
To the others at the table, he offers a nod of greeting. "I am Sacerdos Echthileon, servant of Ragathiel and also at your service. I take it you are all in the employ of the good town to investigate the recent attacks?" He gestures to the others in his group. "As are we. This region holds a wealth of history dotted with troubling tales. The events of 5 years past to be included. But this last week's events...a trouble all their own."
Spotting the departing form of Foxglove, the cleric raises an eyebrow. "A hunting trip, eh? Well, perhaps we will have the opportunity to continue our own hunt for clues while searching for this beast."
Bedlam smirks at Katrin as Foxglove showers her with looks.
Aye, we be needing some outdoors time.
Meself be feeling closed in. A hunt it shall be!
He notices the next table, who were also addressed and invited, nod in agreement.
I be Bedlam Bottomland, tinker and explorer.
Welcome, you be invited to this grand venture.
"Oy lad. If I be in any employ it is that of the Forge Father. We have not been offered the role of investigating anything to my knowledge, although it seems if to be a very simple case of we have goblins that needs to be wiped from the face of this town and its surroundings post haste. Now as to this back to nature mature male hunt and the good Lord Foxglove's obviously smitten nature with the young maiden over there, I believe there be many easier ways to woo a young lady that do not involve us galumping about in a gods forsaken bright spit o forest chasing after a bit o forest fauna that may or may not show and may or may not maim or kill one of us in the process. Lad needs to find her matron and get his own together, humans have no sense of propriety is all I am saying." The dwarf has yet to show to a single meal or event without wearing his armor and carrying his dorn wrapped around his waist.
Bedlam sighs:
And that is the kind of Dwarven stubbornness that I left me clan fer...
Nature do be having a way to ease the mind a bit, my good Dwarf.
"Sten known as the Bouldershoulder. Son of Hoggric who slew Findorc. Grandson of Termic who forged Brekken the Blade Burner. Last of the line of Tolordric Seven Gems, King of Stoneflow. Faithful of Torag all glory to the Kith and Kin. And how may I know thee Bedlam of the Bottomland, may your ancestors look upon you with pride and know thy worth."
The arrival Foxglove was almost missed by Karl, who was amused by Loupe's comment, but then the noble began speaking of his desire to hunt a very specific boar and since he was addressing both groups his voice was too loud to ignore or miss. Grey eyes followed Aldern as he went on about how he was giving them free horses Free horses? Because we killed a few goblins...a few ANNOYING goblins. I have clearly made the wrong decision by becoming a sell-sword, goblin hunting is way more profitable Then Karl noticed the unsubtle blush that appeared on Foxglove's face as he looked towards the well armed Ulfen woman Of course, now it makes a lot more sense, we are just tacked on to make it so he's not being too obvious when in reality he's doing all this for a woman, how typical...I am not one to talk though A solemn look came upon Karl's face for but a moment as his eyes shifted to the table.
"Although squashing goblins gives me some excitement they are hardly a challenge to a seasoned warrior such as myself. This hunt appears to be something worthy of my skill."
Karl looked up as he heard Katrin's reply to Aldern Well aren't we confident...still its better than having someone who's unsure of themselves The desire to lean back further in his chair assaulted him, but it was quickly dashed to pieces when he heard the familiar sound of a pouch filled with coins hitting a solid surface. Turning his head towards the strangers table he noticed the coin pouch lying there, no one making a grab for it yet, he was about to remind them that they were included in the noble's little speech too but was interrupted by the greetings of Sacerdos.
"I take it you are all in the employ of the good town to investigate the recent attacks?"
"Someone has to be, especially when the guards and sheriff aren't doing what they are supposed to" Commented Karl, the bluntness in his voice was clear to all the people around them Its best I get this greeting over with now, the sooner we learn of each other, the sooner we'll stop stepping on each others feet while trying to keep this nobleman safe on his hunting trip The man with short, curly hair turned his chair to the side so he could more easily address both groups "Karl Sarvo, mercenary, sell-sword and whatever colorful term you may have for someone you pay to kill your enemies for you" Karl studied the group more carefully as he gave his introduction, they seemed capable enough in his eyes but he felt there was no need to tell them that.
During this time it seemed that the two dwarves of the different groups began their own introduction, and while Karl felt that Sten was being overly serious As usual He felt that there was some truth to what he's saying "I agree, there are a lot easier ways of telling a girl you fancy her, buying her and the people around her horses and taking them on a trip through the forest" Karl chuckled "Even I didn't have to do that to get the girl I fancied, who was very stubborn and really hated me....at first" He continued, the later part of his comment was surprisingly lighter in tone and sounded much more heartfelt.
Bedlam stands and bows formally to Bouldershoulder.
I am honored, Sir. May your beard be always braided and your Arms pure and sharp!
Bedlam then glances at the Human who approached their table.
Well then, laddie.
I be suspecting our joining of forces shall be a fearful thing to dem Goblins!
"Loupe of clan Ardoc, Journeyman Golemcrafter and resident armoursmith at your service, master Bottomland."
"Well, I've never been on a mounted hunt like before. I'm sort of curious - I've heard stories of course, and read of them in books. I gather this is a hobby of the hereditary upper class? We have servants attending on us with hot wine and iced tea? Always sounded very... civilized" the hesitation and accent leaves the impression that civilized was not the word Loupe was going to originally use.
"Not a problem BBQing it from a distance with magic is there?" he asks a little anxiously "I thought we'd be hunting goblins rather than Piggywhiskers"
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Katrin looks to Sacerdos and says, "I have been looking into the matter ever since I signed up to work with the watch. I have yet to find any clear clues surrounding the attack. I think its about time we take a break and enjoy ourselves on a hunt out in the wilderness and stop worrying about a bunch of dammed gobins for a while. We'll soon be back on the case once we've killed some boars and got some meat in our bellies."
As to Loupe's comment she says, "Well fight how you want mister Loupe, but as for myself, I work better getting into the thick of the fight, up close and personal."
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"My apologies! I am such an ill-mannered lout not to introduce myself! I am Anders Trelassion, Paladin of Alseta, Goddess of doorways. I sense she is presenting us with a door of opportunity here; perhaps it is her will that we join together."
"Master Ardoc, I believe it would be considered unsporting for you to slay the quarry with magic. But no-one is demanding that you force yourself into combat; It is perfectly acceptable in these things to remain at a distance and let the more experienced hunters do the leg work."
Bedlam thumps his mug down at the statement from Anders.
Aye, we be going hunting.
Nutt'n like the smell of the wild, sneaking all around ye!
The call of the untamed beast, lurking in the shadow's depths!
The rough and ready branches to falling on ye without a fair warning!
Aye, this be the right of it!
What am I getting into here? These people with long names and title. Slayer of Findroc? who or what is that? I dunno about this.. But this Aldern Person seems like a man of money in this town, and he pays in gold it seems Vishoon looks at the bag of Gold. Maybe i should work with these folks and earn some coins
Greetings All, I am Vishoon, I am a Bounty Hunter. I hunted wild animals back home, Why would you need a horse? Find some of it tracks, so you know where it travels, and then find something that attracts the beast and it will come to us. Sounds like an inferior way to hunt a beast. Tho I wont turn down a free horse and some gold from the man.
"Hey - I'm not saying I can't get up close... just that it seems a waste not to use the firepower I prepared this morning. I thought we were going to hunt goblins and necromancers, not boars!"
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Katrin Helgunnr says to Veshoon, "I myself am also more effective on foot as wielding a polearm while riding a horse is extremely difficult. While I could resort to my Sword and Shield, a spear head works better against giant boars. But Lord Foxglove wishes the hunt to be done on horseback and as he is organizing this venture, I will abide by his wishes and fight on the back of a horse. I am always up for a challenge."
Bedlam looks at Katrin.
Ye say a horse!?
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"That's the accepted protocol, yes. Though as I say most nobles just use it as an excuse to socialise. Only the most dedicated Hunters actually do any hunting, though no-one would take it amiss if you tried your hand. But the whole point of the exercise is to participate. Slaying the quarry out of hand with magic defeats that object, so everyone is issued a spear and goes chasing off after the quarry on horseback. Can't say I'm much of a horseman, haven't ridden in years. I'll probably be at the back of the pack, I'm afraid."
"Well, party, gold, free horse and mingling with potential customers - as my uncle would say 'Work the iron you've got, don't pine for mithril you haven't'!"