You are walking from your lodgings at the Broken Oak Inn and Tavern on the outskirts of Burle. The sun rose not two hours ago and there is a cool wind coming in from the south. As the party walks from their private quarters over the stables to the tavern hall when without warning, something soft and light drops from the sky and lands on each of your heads with a "plop." You look up to see a murder of crows flying overhead. If crows could smile, you'd swear several of them look very pleased with themselves. Reluctantly, each of you raise your hand to feel the top of your heads. To your surprise, it is dry. As the murder flies off several seem to laugh raucously and turn off toward the east. Looking down, you notice a rolled parchment tied with a stout cord. Picking it up, you break the string and and see that it is in Keoish (those that can read Keoish are able to read the simple document):
WANTED
Brave Adventurers!
Are you bored, listless, unappreciated?
Looking for just the right quest to suit your finely honed talents?
PLENTY OF GOLD AND TREASURE FOR ALL!
See Demetrious the Sage!
One and one half miles east of Labalna just north of the Hool Marsh.
Apply in person!
No magic messages or familiars accepted!
The crows seem fly off gain more and more height in the sky as go off in the distance towards the east.
Just the night before you spent your time in the tavern hall toasting the two friends you lost on the Dreadwood Road. Wigger and Cwenhild lost their lives fighting off a bugbear ambush. Cwenhild feel first as she was scouting ahead of the group when the bugbears fell upon her. It was Wiggar, her mate, that rush forward to try and save her. When she fell he rushed upon the two bugbears that killed her and slew them as they took her life. Wiggar was in turn killed when the bugbear shaman and his minions slew him and then fled into the woods. It took a week to hunt the band down and finish them off. This broke the bugbear raiding party and cleared the roads for the time being. Now the group of adventurers are trying to decide if they band together on another venture or go their seperate ways to seek their fortune. For the success of your venture clearing the Dreadwood road the Black Lion Trading Company bought you several nights in the private quarters of the Inn as a bonus. It as allowed you to rest, relax, and regain your strength. Today was the last day the Black Lion covered the stay at the inn and it was the group's plan to finish discussing plans for the group's next step.
The Broken Oak Inn and Tavern is just north of the Town of Burle. The entire complex is surrounded by a flat cut stone wall that climbs to six feet or so and is well taken care of by the grounds attendants. There are several orchards and small copses of trees inside the walls along with two small vegetable gardens that are wall maintained by gardeners. There are also bee hives and chicken copes and a fenced in area for sheep and pigs. The grounds are well maintained and guarded. There are two gates the main one and a smaller one that are both closed at night and have armed sentries on them until sunrise.
It has one main building made of both stone and oak. The main building is a mead hall along with several smaller private rooms in each corner. There is a huge open kitchen and a bar on each side. The group knows there is also a cellar that is accessible from both the back pantry area behind the kitchen and from the outside. There are two flights of open stairs by each bar that go up to two landings with additional tables in the corners and along the runs are small booths. There is a huge fire pit for roasting in the kitchen along with two wood fire ovens that also have a place for hanging pots for boiling and cooking. At the far end of the hall is a huge fire place in addition to several smaller fireplaces upstairs and the pit and ovens the hall stays warm in the colder months. In the warmer months the windows are opened as are the roof shutters above the kitchen area to let the heat out and the air to flow.
The second building is rooms and quarters and is three stories tall. A guard room and barracks are located here for the private guard and some of the younger grounds keepers and care takers. There are common rooms, private rooms and smaller suites on the second floor. Larger private suites and more luxurious accommodations for important guests that have door attendants and guards are on the third floor. There is also a small bath house in the basement below along with storage (including private storage for travelers).
The third building is large stable with a second floor above it with private suites and multiple rooms attached. There are four such suites each with four rooms and a bathing room that is shared by two suites. They have private attendants and the lower stable entries are guarded during the day and at night.
The Broken Oak was once a fort and it was re purposed by its current owner as a secure and safe resting place for well to do merchants, adventurers, and noble folk. Each building is made up of a mix of flat cut stone and specially treated oak. The roof is made of cut slate. It is as well tended to as the grounds and walls.
It is considered one of the safest places outside of Burle's oak walls.
Harry grunts quietly as the message plops onto his head, clearly used to the activities of the seagulls back during his seagoing days. Seeing the message brings a brief look of curiosity, which soon is replaced by a look of disgust. "This some sorta joke? Who is this Sage? Neveah neard of 'im. Think I'd rather find another ship lookin' fer help in Torvin rather than deal with some crackpot so-called 'Sage' who lives in th' quagmire!" he erupts with a note of disgust.
The small halfling cranes her neck up, trying to get a glimpse of the note. Better that it was in the half-dwarf's hands rather than one of the extra-tall ones.
[dice=K. Local (re Demetrious the Sage)]1d20+11.
"Demetrious, Demetrious, I swear I have this on the tip of my tongue . . . ugh!"Maja shakes her head vigorously, as if to push aside the thought. "Doesn't matter. Think about it. How many people do you know who could control a murder of ravens to fly right over us and drop a message on the heads of and adventuring party? Not too many by my count. We oughta see what this Sage is about!"
Maja was glum the first days after the loss of Wigger and Cwenhild, but delivering some well-deserved justice to the gnolls gave her some peace, and restored the halfling mostly to her lively self. "Not to mention I've been wantin' to explore the marshes--I've already learned so much about it." Maja had spent enough time with the party that everyone knew she had a special interest in the Jalen River and all the lands it crossed. "They say there's all sorts o' creepy crawlies in there, like snakes the size o' a boat!" She grins excitedly at the thought.
Bynoth too eyes the note and, what if anything, can be gleaned about the Sage.
For his part the warrior-priest cared little for learned men, save those who studied military history or recorded the litanies of the deity he served.
At Maja's boundless enthusiasm for the exploration of boggy mires and the beasts they home, the lean priest wearily ran a gauntleted hand o'er his freshly shaved head;
"Always the seeker of danger Weatherseed... We have just returned from the yapping jaws of death, and yet you now yearn for treacherous marshes and serpents that can swallow you whole..! I will never understand you hobniz..."
3rd Day of Readying (Early Spring) of 570cy
A young boy walks by with a several horses in tow that he is taking to the stables from the inn. The horses are road worn but are nice steeds with good tack. The boy smiles as he walks by and flips his long hair hanging over his eyes. The horses make CLOP ITTY CLOP ITTY CLOP as their hooves smack the cobblestone ground.
You can see grounds keepers walking the grounds, trimming trees and raking up grass and weeds they must of just chopped down before you walked out.
Several people stand at the steps of the tavern hall talking and precede to walk into the doors. The crows are now long gone as they flew off to the east.
Cerilis watches the crows fly away and does not look at the halfling as he responds. His voice is soft and calm.
Be respectful...do not underestimate the old man. He is old for a reason.
Harry glances back up at the sky where the crows flew off to, "Those crows be flyin' on an ill breeze if'n ye ask me. Still if'n ye all insist...I kin watch yer backs, make sure they don't sprout any blades, tch."
If looks could kill, then crows would melt for sure. Sylas bent down and looked at the note and says I am not overly fond of someone whom presumes to make us errand lackeys. Regardless if we do decide to see this sage, the price just went up
Thanim examines the scroll and frowns. He nods at Sylas' remark, "Apply for the chance to risk your life," he says, drawing out the "apply". "For what? Gold and treasure? I don't like this. Life is more important than that. The taste of death is still fresh in my mouth. If this is no more than a grab for wealth, I'm not interested." He pauses and looks up toward the sun, "Though... this is quite the show of magical power. That is quite unusual. Is he desperate? And if so, why?" He looks at the others.
"Of course life is precious, Thanim, but a life never lived has no value, and staying where it is safe, where others protect you all the time, is not living. Without risk there is no growth, no learning. Cwenhild knew this to be true. We were trying to decide what, if anything, to do, and something new and interesting literally fell out of the sky and hit you on the head! The only way we could learn anything of his motives is to answer his plea."
Sylas tsks and says eh, when you get to be four hundred years old or as old as my parents you can come to me with the value of a life worth living and risk against reward. Let us go talk to this sage then and hear him out. If it's just wealth and no learning we can find another thing to do. Enough wealth, however, and we could get our lost friends a really nice masoleum.
"We are all mortal. Compared to the gods, we are all mayflies. But I still decide how to live my life. I still decide what gives my life value." He looks the group over. "We can go see what this man, Demetrius, wants, but I am not interested in applying. Either we do this together, or I am out. I have no desire to risk my life with an unknown group, especially for simple treasure."
Bynoth listens intently as the others discuss the course ahead, mulling over the group and the past few days evens;
"All life has a purpose Perrun. For some it is to die gloriously, like our companions who fell to the buchveer. For the mundane host, it is to live useful yet uneventful lives, breed and build before they are judged by Logos."
The war-priest weighs his own words, before continuing;
"This sage is one of a learned path, and may have knowledge that is useful to us, regardless of our collective or individual decisions. Once we know more on the finer detail of his proposition we can make a tactically sound decision yes?"
At Thanim's words he see's the opportunity to continue to theological sparring the two priests had oft engaged in;
"All mayflies Brother Thanim? I think not... Some of us are soldier ants..."
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"Indeed, all are as mayflies. Now, I speak only with regard to the lengths of our lives, not what we do with them. Even the elves are mayflies compared to the gods. However, with respect to what we do with that time," he smiles, "there are significant differences."
As the party discusses the finer points of the Sage's note over their breakfest in the Inn they conclude they will take the trip to Labalana and visit this sage.
From Maja description of its location and asking several locals of Burle in the Inn they discover it lies along a trail going to the Hool Marsh on the eastern edge of the Jory Hills and in the middle of the woods. It is a small farming village with about six to eight families at the center of the community. Demetrious, from what you can tell has been there for a very long time. He lives in a small house just east of the the village on the edge of the forest.
As the party packs up their belongings and head south the pass into the town of Burle. It is one of the largest towns in the Viscounty of Salinmoor with nearly four thousand citizens in the surrounding area. The town is surrounded by a oak wall that ten feet high with squared towers in each corner and on the river edges. The river edge is protected by a three to four foot stone wall and three to five foot drop off. There is a small dock area for river boats and barges. The town itself is well kept, well guarded, and most citizens give you a wide track as you walk by. As you entered you noticed guards and a young priest at the North gate inspecting people for obvious signs of the plague. Southern Keoland has been lucky as there has not been a major outbreak of the plague here due to the nobility and church's vigilance. There have been a few cases of hamlets and small villages getting it but they have been taken care of swiftly by the nearby churches.
As you walk over the long wooden bridge and take the river road south-east eventually you come to trail and a wooden sign that points south. In Keoish there are two boards and the top one says:
To Hool Marsh! and right below it another sign that says Labalna. Sylas suspect the group has already traveled nearly seven miles and have been walking for nearly three hours due to having to traverse the crowded roads of Burle.
It is now well past noon and although the day is sunny you can see that a storm brews off in the south and that there is a very good chance by night fall or later it will be upon you.
Harry glances up at the darkening sky, and shakes his head briefly. "Looks like rain, can't tell how bad. Need ta find some shelter just in case. My joints can't take too more damp nights," he finishes up hawking a big glop of spittle.
Bynoth too eyes the coming storm with a hard stare;
"Best we make haste to the Sage's home hamlet. Double time it if necessary..."
The Priest of War allows himself a rare smile before adding
"Allowing of course for Master Grawlund's weary bones..."
Maja is seen peering at the dirt along the fork in the road. She is curious if anyone ever takes the road that goes to Hool Marsh!
[dice=Survival]1d20+9.
The road going from Burle to Saltmarsh is heavily used and well maintained. Even now a few wagons going from Burle to the south east go by you.
The road to the Hool Marsh is nothing more than a trail with wagon ruts. It is not well maintained as you look down the road. It has been used even recently as this morning from signs of the fresh wagon wheel ruts and hoof marks in the ground. It might be 3 to 6 six wide at anyone point along the road as you look down it.
Cerilis is tired of the debate on the merits of Theology and keeps his eye outward.
Agreed...A storm is coming. Best get moving before we are caught out side.
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The dark human shrugs. "Water is good. I prefer to be dry, sure, but the land does not. No land does. All we can do is hope to reach some sort of shelter. 'Noth's got it right. Just got to keep moving."
As they continue down the path, Perri wonders aloud. "What kind of home do you think an old sage has? Small cottage? Ornate mansion? Fortified tower? Hermit's cave?"
Harry glances up at the darkening sky, and shakes his head briefly. "Looks like rain, can't tell how bad. Need ta find some shelter just in case. My joints can't take too more damp nights," he finishes up hawking a big glop of spittle.
[dice=Survival, weather]1d20+8
Thanim looks at the sun, as if already missing it. "If we hustle, maybe we can make it to the village before the rain. Perhaps Demetrius can provide some shelter, whatever that shelter may be." He shrugs and looks at Perri, "No matter, though, since we're going, let's go. The path less traveled... So what else is new?"
"Think we kin make it, if'n we don't git delayed or," he turns to look at the hobniz with a steely look, "decide ta take the scenic route!"
He shrugs in response to the Rhenne's ramblings, "Tryin' ta make the measure of th' man afer ye even meet 'im? Not a wise plan. Even the calmest water hold dangers unseen." He shakes his head in warning, "Trust 'im not!"
"Take his measure? Trying to pass the time."
Bynoth gives a curt nod in agreement at an onward momentum, then adds his own thoughts on Harry's warning;
"Master Grawlund has the right of it. In these dark days where pestilence, demons and... chaos run abroad... Forewarned is indeed forearmed."
Sylas looks over the travel they have thus made and calculates the distance to the hamlet in his head as the group members discuss it and says
we will need to keep a good pace but may wish to light torches and magical lights as we continue on the round for those whom cannot see in the pitch black of night like myself
Sylas will cast dancing lights and use them to put one light on each corner of the group like a canopy of light following them along.
Sylas looks over the travel they have thus made and calculates the distance to the hamlet in his head as the group members discuss it and says
we will need to keep a good pace but may wish to light torches and magical lights as we continue on the round for those whom cannot see in the pitch black of night like myself
Sylas will cast dancing lights and use them to put one light on each corner of the group like a canopy of light following them along.
"It's not that far away--we'll be there in 2-3 hours, tops!" Maja pulls out a radish from her pouch, dusts it off, and begins to munch on it. "Guess there are still some people going in and out of the Hool Marshes - fresh wagon ruts for sure. Maybe there's catfish out there?"
[dice=K. Local (why do people go to the Hool Marshes?)]1d20+11
"Sylas, when you're done with adventuring, do you think you'll retire and become an all-knowing sage? Sylas the Sage. Seems to fit, don't you think?"
I suppose I could specialize in some knowledges or creating wonderous items perhapsSylas says scratching his chin as he follows along.
Thanim speeds his walk and sidles up to Sylas, "If we are still on the road when darkness falls, I shall need the lights, just like you, but be careful with the... public... use of magic. Commoners, and many others, be discomforted by such things. Walking with unmanned lights... Well, that may draw undesired attention. Best to stick to torches and such for now." He pauses, then laughs, "Perhaps when you are known as 'Sylas the Sage', things will be different and dancing lights will be commonplace!"
"We'll worry about it if we are still walking when it gets dark. Until then, enjoy the sun! The breeze! Just the simple day itself. Too often we are putting our lives on the line. For now, we're just walking across the land . . .. It feels nice, doesn't it?"
"All in all," Harry pipes up suddenly from his own thoughts, "Havin' the sea breeze in me hair, whippin' around me body, be moar pleasureful than smell the fetid swamp air that seem ta hang like a cloud over this land." He chuckles darkly, "see how this Plague has torn this land asunder, easy ta see why I like th' sea better."
Cerilis continues to walk and let the others do their talking. He keeps his eyes to the sides of the road they walk.
As the group makes its way toward Labalna, Bynoth takes little enjoyment from the countryside and wilderness that surrounds them;
"Master Grawlund has the right of it. The stench of lawless chaos is upon the wind, until the rule of law is returned to these realms, and the demonic pestilence blighting it is scoured, I simply cannot enjoy."
As the party makes it way south down the trail they can hear a bell making a rythemic DING DING...DING DING. It seems to draw closer and you can hear a man talking as if giving instructions. As you come over a small rise on the trail you see a farmer at the front left side of an ox holding a staff. He is giving the ox instructions which it seems to be ignoring and just walking along at his pace.
Behind the ox is a two wheel cart packed with goods. Two teen age boys are walking behind the cart both holding a staves as well and they seem to be chatting to each other.
As you make the rise the man sees you and he stops the ox by grabbing his harness and barks Boys!. The boys stop chatting and make their way to the sides of the cart holding their staves.
All three seem a bit nervous and their eyes are are on you. The old holds the ox in place checks his boys and looks back to you. Morn’in to you and yours. We don’t see many adventurers on this road. You heading to the Marsh?
Thanim glances quickly at the others and takes a single step forward. "Aye, and a fine day to you and yours. No, we're not for the Marsh. We're looking for a man calling himself 'Demetrius the Sage'. You heading to Burle?"
The two boys seem to look around in the surrounding area as if to see if there are any more strangers hiding in the woods.
The old man seems to relax just a bit as the Dwarf tells him his intentions. He looks at the boys and waves them to ease their guard.
"Aye, I am headed to Burle to sell good I have. Honey, lard, fur, cord, wooden lures for fishing and such along with some goats we have." He looks at the entire group a few times. " I am Belon that is Eloon and Barna, my two sons. We live in the village of the old sage you speak of."
The two boys seem to relax and both walk up to their father but stay a few paces behind him. Still watchful and guarded of the area around them and the party. Both look very nervous about the group being on the road.
The farmer puts one end of the staff on the ground and leans on it a bit. "What business do you have with old Demetruis? He is a feisty old badger...full of stories if you can get him to talk...he tends to ask more questions than he gives." The boy called Eloon turns to his brother after they whisper something. Maja hears the boy say..."That is the old sage that protects the woods on the other side of the village. The one with all the animals and weird furniture..." Barna seems to smile... "He does talk a lot but grandpa says he has been around here since he was a boy...
Sylas leans forward a bit and smiles saying if he has been around that long is he perhaps an elf? My name is Sylas Shadow. Would you happen to have a spare net and fishing pole with hooks and line for sale? Its a hobby of mine.
Seeing Belon relax a bit gives Thanim some relief. He breathes a little easier and smiles. The forced meeting of strangers is at best awkward, and he is happy that this one seems likely to be uneventful. "Belon, pleased to make your and your sons' acquaintances, and good luck with your wares. I am Thanim, servant of Pelor, and these are my compatriots." He makes a shallow bow and shakes his locks as he does so. Not knowing whether Belon can read, he keeps the parchment in his pack and says, "We received a bill sent by Demetrius, so we seek him out."
"What business do you have with old Demetruis? He is a feisty old badger...full of stories if you can get him to talk...he tends to ask more questions than he gives."
Hearing Belon's description of Demetrius, he responds, "He has asked for some assistance. Though I do expect questions, I hope he won't play coy and refuse to answer ours. After all, he requested our presence!" He chuckles at his joke and adds, "We'd appreciated any help or directions."
Cerilis watches as the young men look off into the surrounding landscape. He keeps his eyes on them as they start to settle down a bit. His hands never moves from his side, knowing full well that he could have his weapon out and ready should the need arise.
Bynoth listens to the interplay with the men and boys, then taking his cue from the canny olv Cerilis, eyes the surrounding locale;
:
As he scans the horizon, the priest of war chimes in with his own forthright thoughts;
"Though we have business with the sage Belon, I would offer you and your goods escorted protection to Burle. The lands reek of lawlessness and you are honest folk, whose wares and toil will be needed to rebuild such a realm."