As you approach the gate you can tell they were not expecting you but very happy anyway. The guards stand lazily at attention, almost asleep, until one notices the caravan. "They made it!" one of them yells which sets off a chain of shouts behind the wall. The gates are opened and you are welcomed in with cheering and smiles. At least for you that is. The human mules Thorum is now employing receive harsh treatment, bordering severe. They throw stones, call names and even kick at your prisoners. And the guards aren't much better when they lead them off. But your group at least is welcomed with opened arms.
Thorum leads the wagons to market district where their wares will be sold and a profitable margin will be had, hopefully. The last wagon, however, heads off to the castle with the most wounded of its guards riding in the back. But as the wagons are being offloaded into a rented warehouse he turns to the guards left and yells. "All right lads, good work. First round at the Dragon's Hoard is on me." At the prospect free drinks the guards are more than excited and cheer the affirmation. As they storm off, Thorum looks to you and says, "Offer expends to ye all as well. Ye more than earned it."
Jorn sighs, glad to have guided the caravan to Bastion with only minimal problems. "Aye, I'll take ya up on that offer," the druid responds, instructing Tyr to stay put outside the establishment when they arrive. The dinosaur growls softly, a note of complaint in the sound, but does as he's told.
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Liath frowns at the lax state of the guards. One would think that a city all but besieged would put a first effort into its fighting men.
Liath likes not the treatment of the prisoners, but it can be said the bandits are reaping as they sewed. Perhaps, once the city is again stable, proper military discipline and uniform treatment of prisoners can be observed.
Liath politely and professionally declines his offer. "You are good man, Thorum, and I may share a drink with you some time, but the Silver Order is taking a renewed interest in this important city, and it seems we are already late in the undertaking. If you would please tell me who rules this area and where they might be found, I'd much appreciate it. Also, where is the temple to Bahamut and who is the High Priest?"
Liath politely and professionally declines his offer. "You are good man, Thorum, and I may share a drink with you some time, but the Silver Order is taking a renewed interest in this important city, and it seems we are already late in the undertaking. If you would please tell me who rules this area and where they might be found, I'd much appreciate it. Also, where is the temple to Bahamut and who is the High Priest?"
"Do I look like a native lass? Ask the bartender. Have a drink. Pull that..whatever it is out of your bum for a min," is the dwarf's response.
Home, sweet home, he thinks unenthusiastically as they enter the city. He hadn't been here in some time, and he has less than fond memories of the place. The local populace seems to have dwindled, as well. "I'll take you on that one, mate," he tells Thorum as they head to the bar. All in all, he's had easier jobs-- the scar on his shoulder will likely be there awhile-- but at least he's in one piece.
"Thank you for your offer, good sir, but I need to find my brother first. Maybe we can meet you all later? I would very much like to introduce you to my brother."
Barbie is anxious to be with Hugo again. The unsettling events of the journey, from the ambush to the appalling treatment of the prisoners (Barbie blushed at Tiasar's question and could only shake her head in silent disapproval) have put her gentle spirit to the test, and all she needs right now are a familiar face and a warm hug, and to feel safe again.
She asks some of the guards where she can find Hugo Schmidt.
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Liath chuckles and solidly claps Thorum on the back. "It's a called a 'ranseur'! And that's a fine idea. I'll join you shortly."
Liath goes to grab her gear and join the others in the pub. He has a fair point, a bartender would be the most able to greet a newcomer and give basic directions and information.
As she grabs her pack she hears Barbie calling on the guards, asking after someone. "Eh, who is that you're looking for? John Galt? Oh, no, Hugo Schmidt? If it's any help, I'll be calling on the High Priest soon, and I'll make sure to ask after the man. Even if the local guard can't find him, the clergy may be of some help here."
She shrugs her pack onto her back and follows Tiasar and his bodyguard to the bar.
"Thank you for your offer, good sir, but I need to find my brother first. Maybe we can meet you all later? I would very much like to introduce you to my brother."
Barbie is anxious to be with Hugo again. The unsettling events of the journey, from the ambush to the appalling treatment of the prisoners (Barbie blushed at Tiasar's question and could only shake her head in silent disapproval) have put her gentle spirit to the test, and all she needs right now are a familiar face and a warm hug, and to feel safe again.
She asks some of the guards where she can find Hugo Schmidt.
The first few guards you ask don't know him but they direct you to ones that might. They, however, have also not heard of him which leads to others. But no matter who you try, none seem to recall a Hugo Schmidt. They do however admit that they wouldn't be surprised if he left or got transferred. Most guards are only here a few months before getting cycled to somewhere else. This place was a dead end for the laziest or worst the kingdom had to offer. No one wanted duty in Bastion cause it was the most boring post available. That is until the bandits showed up. Sure things got a bit more exciting but since supplies were getting hit, everyone was suffering.
As she grabs her pack she hears Barbie calling on the guards, asking after someone. "Eh, who is that you're looking for? John Galt? Oh, no, Hugo Schmidt? If it's any help, I'll be calling on the High Priest soon, and I'll make sure to ask after the man. Even if the local guard can't find him, the clergy may be of some help here."
For those of you that go to the Dragon's Hoard you quickly realize that this tavern was once a very popular place. It had a large dinning area with a bar and stage and enough setting to sit near a hundred people. And three stories meant a lot of room for people to stay overnight. But the place is practically empty as you walk in. The staff sit sullenly in chairs that would be for customers and lone Halfling plays a lazy tune on a small guitar in the stage. No one seems particularly motivated until your large group walks in.
Instantly, the staff is busy cleaning the tables, sweeping the floors and making the place acceptable if not good quality. The tables you choose are given extra attention with smiles all around.
Prices:
Meal (comes with 1 drink) 3sp
Mead 3sp
Ale 5cp
Wine 2sp
Desert 1sp
Your own room 1 gp
Bed and Blanket 3 sp
Place by the fire 1 sp
Room with lock 3 gp
Multiple rooms 12 gp
The food is a bit stale but the cook most have worked some magic because it tastes decent. The prices are also a bit low compared to other places of this size but that is probably because they are just happy to have customers. The Halfling even picks up on the atmosphere and begins playing a more jaunty tune.
As the night progresses more and more people fill into the tavern to hear about the caravan that made it and soon the tavern is full to bursting. The barmaids and bouncer are hard pressed to keep up with the volume but no one seems to mind.
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Tiasar looks around the dreary place as it begins to get...slightly less dreary. Quaint I suppose. After he quietly asks Jusker if the prices are fair, he approaches the bar. "Umm, hello. I would like..." Tiasar starts digging into his coin purse, showing too much of his coin before blushing and remembering when Jusker told him not to do that. He puts down three silver pieces. "A meal that comes with one drink. Would you happen to have tea?"
Jorn plops himself down in a seat. "Meal an' a drink for me, too," he says, enjoying the first chair that wasn't the bench of a cart for the first time in quite a while. "What kind o' ales ya got?"
Outside the bar, Tyr waits patiently, tail wagging as he sniffs and observes the surrounding area. If it weren't for the fact that he was six foot long dinosaur, you could practically mistake the tyrannosaurus pup for a big dog.
Tea 1cp
Stalkid sits down with the rest of the group. Shifting ucomfortably on his seat he rummages in a pouch at his side. Finally he pulls out a gleaming golden coin. He gives it a quick bite to ensure its real before handing it off to a server.
He mumbles a bit in what seems an strange made up language before shaking his head with an odd rattling noise. "Spiced Wine. A bottle."
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Liath drops heavily into a chair and calls for meat and wine, dropping 3 silver coins onto the table. She expects to at least be up late talking to the high priest, so it seems a choice time to fortify hereself. She may possibly stay in a priest's quarters, so she does not yet call after a room.
"Jorn and Stalkid, what calls you two here? This seems a desolate place for nature worshippers? Are you here to sing a grove of trees into existence or breed a stock of young dinosaurs?"
Her blunt questions are said with a bland tone, clearly meaning not to cause offense, even if such questions do.
Meanwhile, Barbie is asking around, trying to find the local office where the Guard keeps papers on transfers and reassignments.
Jorn chortles at the question. "We're surrounded by nature, lass. Here more 'an most places, e'en." Leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, he continues, "The higher ups back home wanted me t' protect th' caravan, so here I am. I am nothin' if not loyal t' me clan and me home."
Meanwhile, Barbie is asking around, trying to find the local office where the Guard keeps papers on transfers and reassignments.
Which unfortunately leads you to the castle where such records would be kept. This seems to be the only place where there is discipline as they stop you at the gate. You tell them you are looking for someone who used to be a guard here. They don't know themselves and tell you its too late to see the scribe of the captain of the guard, the only man who have that info. Your search ends here until tomorrow it seems.
Jusker readily accepts the free round of drinks. Oh, why not, he thinks as he orders a second. I can settle with the elf and go back home in the morning. "So what was in the cart at the back, anyway? The one with its own guards and all?"
Crestfallen, and worried about her brother, Barbie goes back to the tavern to meet the others and make arrangements for a place to stay tonight.
Stalkid sips some of his drink and cocks his head to one side. "I had to leave." He shrugs his shoulders and laughs, "When you all helped me rid the goblins I knew that this path would be the most interesting."
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As the waitress takes her coins and deposits a plate of steaming meat and a flagon of deep red wine in front of her, Liath takes her dagger and sets upon the beef with vigor, slicing thick slabs and gobbling them down with gusto in a most unlady-like manner.
Finishing off the last of the meat, she takes her mug and seeks the attention of the bartender. "Ho there! We are new travellers here, and many of us would know the most basic of details. Who rules here, and where might he be found? And where is the temple of Bahamut? How many priests call it home and who is chief among them? Other than that, how fares the town in its current state? A cursory glance would say this populace is more resigned than resolute."
Again she speaks such course words with an air one merely stating fact and talking about the weather, than one calling the courage of an entire city into question.
As the waitress takes her coins and deposits a plate of steaming meat and a flagon of deep red wine in front of her, Liath takes her dagger and sets upon the beef with vigor, slicing thick slabs and gobbling them down with gusto in a most unlady-like manner.
Finishing off the last of the meat, she takes her mug and seeks the attention of the bartender. "Ho there! We are new travellers here, and many of us would know the most basic of details. Who rules here, and where might he be found? And where is the temple of Bahamut? How many priests call it home and who is chief among them? Other than that, how fares the town in its current state? A cursory glance would say this populace is more resigned than resolute."
Again she speaks such course words with an air one merely stating fact and talking about the weather, than one calling the courage of an entire city into question.
The bartender/owner/bouncer doesn't seem at all miffed at your tone. He is too happy at just having a full tavern after so long. He is tall, thin and bald well muscled. And though he is an older gentleman, he moves around the bar with practiced ease. "Ho there to you young lady. The names Boris and I rule this here," he says with a laugh and a flourish at the tavern. "But if you're talking about Bastion that would be Lord Markov. He's in the fancy castle. As for the temple, well, its seen better days, like most of this place. Your wagon of goods is a welcome reprieve, assuming the traders offer a decent price."
From somewhere in the tavern you hear Thorum. "A dwarf always offers fair prices. Another round and they'll be fairer still." A general cheer goes up and the Bartender laughs.
"I'll hold you to that dwarf. Anyway. The temple's near the school in the southern part of the town, near the south gate. You can't really miss it with the carved dragons circling the pillars. I think Father Cadd is the leader there. Gold Order I think. Ain't got many subordinates left though. Many have moved on. Too many." When he finishes he gets a far off look in his eye. As if remembering times long past. He shakes the thought away. "But with the supplies you brought things are looking up."
After a while, the group sees a tired and rather sad looking Barbie entering the tavern.
"Excuse me, good sir" she addresses the owner "Would it be possible to rent a... a place here for the night?" After a short, almost embarassed pause: "I would not need a room, even a bed in a common area would do."
She takes a sit close to Liath, then asks for a simple meal.
"Course lass," the bartender says. "Place by the fire is a silver or we can give you a cot for 3."
Stalkid fidgets in his seat, as though he is quite nervous. He pours himself a large cup of the wine and downs it quickly before standing up. He swings around to the bartender, "Do-you-have-a-place-to-keep-animals?" he manages to blurt out, the words all jumbled.
"Course lass," the bartender says. "Place by the fire is a silver or we can give you a cot for 3."
"A cot will do nicely sir, thank you."
Barbie leans her chin on her hands, overlapping on the table, and listens quietly to the chatters among the others.
Stalkid fidgets in his seat, as though he is quite nervous. He pours himself a large cup of the wine and downs it quickly before standing up. He swings around to the bartender, "Do-you-have-a-place-to-keep-animals?" he manages to blurt out, the words all jumbled.
"Pardon? Wait yours isn't the one out front making people nervous is it?"
"The large bird, yeah?" Stalkid gives a bit of a giggle; "Possibly..." He gets up, noticing he has around half a bottle of the wine left. He slides the wine to her and hands her a clean cup. "Good to see you made it back." With that he moves out to the front to check on Tael and make sure she isn't terrorizing the surrounding area.
"If ya mean Tyr," the dwarf butts in, "He ain't nothin' t' worry 'bout. Trained him meself. Ain't no more dangerous than a hungry dog," Jorn assures the innkeeper. "He is gonna need some place t' sleep t'night, though. If ya got a barn or somethin', Tyr won't touch nothin' in there 'less I tell him t', meself."
None of you know nor any of the guards.
"If ya mean Tyr," the dwarf butts in, "He ain't nothin' t' worry 'bout. Trained him meself. Ain't no more dangerous than a hungry dog," Jorn assures the innkeeper. "He is gonna need some place t' sleep t'night, though. If ya got a barn or somethin', Tyr won't touch nothin' in there 'less I tell him t', meself."
"Seeing as people are still coming in I ain't gonna say anything. The barns 1 silver per night but he might upset the horses. Any damages are on you," he says with a serious look.
Barbie takes a deep breath and with her usual shy tone of voice addresses the group at the table:
"Excuse me, would anyone know of some place here in Bastion where I might look for a job? I'm good at cooking and housekeeping, I've also worked as a maid... I could take care of children, I guess... I'm willing to learn, if needed..."
"Tyr's a good lad, ya won't have nothin' t' worry 'bout," the druid replies. "An' I'll likely take ya up on that place t' sleep here, meself."
Barbie takes a deep breath and with her usual shy tone of voice addresses the group at the table:
"Excuse me, would anyone know of some place here in Bastion where I might look for a job? I'm good at cooking and housekeeping, I've also worked as a maid... I could take care of children, I guess... I'm willing to learn, if needed..."
Seeing as nobody seems to answer her inquiry, Barbie asks the same thing to the bartender.
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As Barbie comes over to where Liath is talking with the Bartender and tenders her question of employment, Liath fields it. "I'll be going to the temple soon to discuss plans for the future. I'm not sure what they've been spending their silver on, but if you're a person of some energy and ability, I'll doubt not there'll be a place for you. Care to come with me?"
Liath addresses the bartender, "Would the temple be open now, or shall I wait until the morning to obtain audience?"
Barbie takes a deep breath and with her usual shy tone of voice addresses the group at the table:
"Excuse me, would anyone know of some place here in Bastion where I might look for a job? I'm good at cooking and housekeeping, I've also worked as a maid... I could take care of children, I guess... I'm willing to learn, if needed..."Seeing as nobody seems to answer her inquiry, Barbie asks the same thing to the bartender.
The bartender points at Liath. "Probably your best bet here though I wouldn't count on them either. And at this hour I would expect your chances to be even less." By now the sun has gone down but the bar is still full and noisy.
As Barbie comes over to where Liath is talking with the Bartender and tenders her question of employment, Liath fields it. "I'll be going to the temple soon to discuss plans for the future. I'm not sure what they've been spending their silver on, but if you're a person of some energy and ability, I'll doubt not there'll be a place for you. Care to come with me?"
"Yes Milady, thank you. I'll have to go to the castle first thing in the morning to see the scribe of the captain of the guard and ask him about my brother, then I will gladly come with you to the temple and ask for a job there."
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Tiasar sits quietly the entire time, continuing to make addendums to his notes and listening to the various conversations. However as the noise level raises further and the room gets more and more crowded, Tiasar's sensitive ears start hurting. He makes his way back up to the bar, waving for attention before sliding down a gold piece for his room. Tiasar then heads up to his assigned room to check it out.
Having an excuse to celebrate, the revelers, especially the locals, are loath to end it. The celebration goes on through the night but eventually the inn keeper has to kick everyone out start charging to stay for the night. That gets people moving in a hurry. The common room fills up quickly with sleeping guards to point that those that opt for nothing more than a pillow and a bedroll might feel cramped. Though the caravan was expecting a decent profit, the guards hadn't received it yet and didn't want to waste any more than they had drinking.
In the morning people move around groggily and the bathrooms fill quickly with those that drank a little too much. For those that get a room, a wash basin and hot water is provided but for others its another 3 silver. Breakfast is 2 silver and includes a hearty serving of ham, bread, cheese, dried fruit and either tea, milk or water. The guards go back to their duty and Thorum begins the long and sometimes loud process of setting up stalls and haggling prices.
At around noon, a man who seems to be dressed as a courier hands each of you a letter with the seal of Lord Markov of Bastion. In it is a summons to meet him at the castle for dinner. The summons is optional but who in their right mind would deny dinner at the Lords castle their second day at the city. Formal wear is not required but weapons will have to be left at the gate as well as...animal companions.
Unnngh. Jusker groans as he wakes, his head pounding. He had drunk freely the previous night, including not a few dedicated to Cayden Cailean, his god, and had shared stories with a few of the men. He'd splurged a little and gotten his own room, and is now glad that he had done so-- the thought of being surrounded by other noisy individuals all night makes his headache even worse. He washes and dresses slowly, hoping his headache will subside, then eventually heads down to breakfast.
It's nearly noon by the time he gets around to leaving. "Tiasar," he calls to the elf. "Been a pleasure, mate, but I've got me girl to get back to. Keep yourself out of trouble, and remember what I... what?" They're approached by a courier who hands them both a letter. Jusker opens his and finds it's a summons to the castle for dinner. He sighs. He doesn't relish the thought of setting out after dark, so this would mean another whole day spent in Bastion. "Hm... Well, looks like I'll be staying a bit longer then."
Barbie wakes up at first light. She completes her morning routine, which now includes her magic since it gives her a sense of security, and immediately after breakfast she goes to the castle to talk to the scribe, hoping to find out what really happened to Hugo.
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Liath wakes up with a crash of rhinos using her head as a ramming target. She has a vague recollection of drinking with Jusker and Jorn, matching them bawdy joke for bawdy joke.
Gladly handing over the silver for breakfast, she spends the better part of the morning negotiating with her head to lessen the pain, She finally gives up and casts Virtue on herself, and the buffer of magic seems to take the brunt of the pain. It might be that Bahamut's guidance was not intended to cure the effects of over indulgence, but she'll be of more use to the Greater Good with it than without it.
She was just tightening the final strap of her breastplate when she received the summons. Well, that's fine. Leaves her time to get to the temple beforehand.
As she is heading out the door she notices the ranger and elf, Tiasar. Figuring that they might have some insight, and that there is strength in numbers, she approaches them.
"I'll be heading for the temple now to take stock of their strength and direction. I may have a fight in front of me if their faith is as lackluster as the rest of the discipline in this city. Care to come with me and back me up?"
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As things begin settling down, Tiasar sits and finishes up his notes for the end of their journey.
Tiasar Auvreathem, Day 1 in Bastion
Our caravan's journey has come to an end as we arrived in
Bastion. The journey was full of much more excitement than
I had originally anticipated - hiring Mr.Ragnos turned out
to be a very wise decision. It turns out goblins are every
bit as malicious as the stories make them out to be.
The money system is simple, but efficient. Everything is
in counts of ten. I have learned recently that showing how
much money you have can hold negative consequences,
as thieves are actually a problem in human settlements. I
intend to experiment more with more intelligent ways to
disguise or conceal my coin. Learning fair prices I fear
will be a lesson entirely learned by experience.
The diversity in human goals and morality continues to
amaze me. On the last leg of our journey we ran into an
ambush set by a large group of bandits. Luckily we managed
to drive them off without any casualties, but I received
my very first injury, a crossbow bolt to the shoulder.
Luckily I still have a good store of devil blood from my
first binding (see page 283) and healed the wound before
it bled too badly. Still, the event was shocking and the
pain was unlike anything I had felt before. However I
curiously feel almost more integrated into the group as
a result of this injury, as if I have shared part of the
struggle with them. I almost regret having to part with
them. Mr.Ragnos's company will be sorely missed as well.
Tiasar wakes early in the morn, reading for a time and sipping water before heading down to get breakfast. Tiasar slides the ham to one side of his plate to let Morde at it; he never had much of an appetite for meat. He eats at the bread, cheese, and fruit while sipping at the tea. Nothing to boast about, but it's nice that they at least have some.
After eating Tiasar looks around for Mr.Ragnos, but assumes the man is still asleep and sets out to find a new bodyguard. He still has some ways to go, and he knows Mr.Ragnos was only going to take him here. However his attempts at recruitment turn out to be a comical failure as he is only met with odd stares and laughs around the marketplace and buildings he enters. At noon he returns to the inn, disheveled at his failure as he starts to think of a new approach.
As he's lost in thought the letter is handed to him. He opens and reads it quickly with a bit of shock. Amazing, what luck! Tiasar thanks the courier and stows the letter. "Indeed Mr.Ragnos. I wonder how we attracted this much attention." He gives some brief thought then a nod to Liath. "I would like that, I am still much ignorant to human faiths."
He shrugs at Liath. "If you like. I, uh... hope I didn't embarrass you, love." The memory of some of the comments he had directed at the young priestess the previous evening, especially as he had gotten into his drinks, returns to him. His cheeks, however, show not the slightest bit of extra color, and the ghost of a smile plays on his lips.