Heh. Goblins and bugbears. I would kill them for free.
Armitron heads to the notification to see it for himself. He considers the bounty thoughtfully, while the King has regarded me with his favor I am beneath his notice. Perhaps a quest into Vassa will give me the skills to attract his esteemed attention.
Armitron begins to look around to see if this notice has captured the interest of anyone else...
Verd stares at the notice for a solid minute with a blank stare on his face. Comprehension finally dawning, the half orc rubs his chin. "How're they knowing which ones were killed near the citadel then?" he asks no one in particular.
"How're they knowing which ones were killed near the citadel then?"
I suppose it is because it is not worth it - Reply a female half-Orc. - That place is too far from other settlements.
Deudon strides over to investigate the note, trying to look imperious as he does so.
A fair price. Earn a little coin and it might go far if invested wisely. It might also be a chance to test the mettle of these other folk.
"Well, there's gold to be won," he says loudly, turning to regard the men gathered nearby. "Which of ye wants to go a-hunting?'
Hmmm, probably best to avoid the giants until our abilities have been proven . . .
Armitron nods to Deudon, "I was thinking something similar friend".
Armitron points to the half-orcs gathered near the notice, "Are you two also interested in a joint venture in Vassa?"
Seeing the group gathered around the notice, Marcus will wander up. "What is so interesting over here?"
"Are you two also interested in a joint venture in Vassa?"
"Yup" Verd nods.
"You lot! What do you say we leave now and beat the crowd? The early bird gets the wyrm!"
Armitron shakes his head in assent to the elf's suggestion.
"Before we go we should at least introduce ourselves. I do not want to be in the frozen wastes of the north and find people around me fleeing the field of battle in a critical moment. I am Armitron Foebane of House Foebane of Heliogobalus and Paladin of the King Gareth's realm".
"I'm Verd." He answers matter of factly. After a moment of silence, he seems to realize this is a time for titles. As if by rote, he recites: "Pastoral Close One of the Earth Mother Verd, at your service m'lord."
"I does what the Grain Mother tells me. Mostly thats farming, weddings and the like. Now I spose it's fighting goblins and bugger bears." He shrugs. "I nevered quit the job mid harvest if thats what you're asking."
"And I never quit the hunt without my quarry."
Raelyn pats Verd lightly on the shouder, obviously impressed by his unpretentious and straightforward manners.
Trying to hide a wince at the rhetorical posturing of the half-orc and the elf, Deudon introduces himself simply.
"I'm Deudon Thardenes," he says. "A warrior from the south."
"I say we leave now while they prepare. That bounty is not so enticing split 36 ways."
The monsters will hear a group that size coming a mile away.
The man named Marcus continues to absentmindedly listen to the conversation, waiting for a decisive plan... and anyone to actually acknowledge him.
"What is so interesting over here?"
Deudon jerks a thumb at the bounty notice, whilst nodding at the elf's words.
So these hotheads want to strike out alone. The elf's got a point about the gold - and I want as big a share as I can get. Let's hope their overconfidence won't be the death of me, there are things out there in the wilderness that can easily overwhelm a small, untried band.
Still, he ponders, glancing around at the larger mob of warriors, there are things in the wilderness that could annihilate a group five times our size. Oh, to possess such delicious power as that ...
THe female half-Orc speak again.
You have to be new in these regions elf - Talking about Raelyn - There is a reason people go in big groups they want to arrive alive. If you plan to ago alone good luck, less competence for me - She laugh a little and goes away.
Following Thorkaa, quietly, so only she can hear:
"I appreciate the advice. I care little for the reward I was only saying what I thought would stir these others to action, because I sincerely thought a small band would have a tactical advantage. I take it you know this area well?"
Deudon cannot prevent a little blurting chuckle pass his lips as the elf follows the half-orc.
So much for their bravado, he muses. That one was pretty quick changing his tune.
Seeing that Thorkaa seems to know something about the area, he idly wanders after the pair, discretely trying to listen in to their conversation.
Marcus smiles at the the current humor of this congregation. People can be funny little things,so worth living to see.
I take it you know this area well?"[/b]
I am not an expert but yes I do know the area, this will not be my first time travel to that place. And the tactical advantage against the other people wanting the bounty is nothing if you are ambushed by a tribe of 40 goblins. Unless, of course, you can travel without drawing the attention from the creatures that lurk in Vaasa
Verd considers for a moment how he might be able to move unseen in the wilderness. Not getting any bright ideas, he decides to leave subterfuge to the elves and nods at ThorkAa's advice.
Armitron nods to Marcus, "We seem to have a small band formed here aside from the rest of the lot heading north. Are you interested in going or just loitering by the notice?"
I take it you know this area well?"[/b]I am not an expert but yes I do know the area, this will not be my first time travel to that place. And the tactical advantage against the other people wanting the bounty is nothing if you are ambushed by a tribe of 40 goblins. Unless, of course, you can travel without drawing the attention from the creatures that lurk in Vaasa
"I'm afraid you have misunderstood me. It is not the 40 against whom I seek a tactical advantage.. It is the hordes themselves, those which I aim to lay low!"
To Raelyn: Please explain. I and a friend are in the search of a good adventuring party for a quick goblin hunt, but not if that means a suicide mission.
"I have never felt comfortable in large crowds. Look at those 40, milling about like a herd. How do you expect them to agree on anything, and make any quick decisions. These few here, standing apart from the pack, these are the sort I can see myself travelling with. If you know these lands why don't you come along as our guide? But first, I need to know.. who is this friend of yours?"
Whilst still trying to keep half an ear on Raelyn's conversation with Thorkaa, Deudon turns back to the other adventurers grouped about him.
Half-orcs are easily to manipulate and influence from what I've heard he ponders perhaps I should ingratiate myself this fellow who claims to worship Chauntea. Odd choice for one of his bloodline . . .
"Where do you hail from Verd?" he asks "And why leave turning the soil for breaking the heads of goblinkind?"
A paladin too. I must be cautious here. Still, such warriors have proven their abilities against many a foe, including the children of my Undying Queen. He might keep me alive or he might kill me, depending on what he suspects and how zealous he is in his faith.
Deudon offers Armitron a respectful nod, one man-at-arms recognising the ability of another. Glancing at Marcus, he concludes the man seems timid and not worth his consideration.
To Raelyn: I suppose yu are right. Those people do not seem competent enough, they would probably die soon. My friend is half orc like me, but he is less inclined to physical confrontation, he is more a scout.
To Raelyn but loud enough for the others to hear: I and my friend could guide a competent band of adventurers to the citadel.
Armitron nods back to Deudon but refarins from breaking away until he receives Marcus' response.
"I was born a couple weeks journey southeast." Verd responds to Deudon. "The mother, she tells me to come. I come." He shrugs again. "You. You're a warrior from the mountains? You fight in lots of wars?"
"It would seem I should go with, if nothing else it should be interesting." Marcus looks to the paladin as he speaks. "I am... Marcus, yes Marcus is a good name. Blessed to be trodding this soil by Lathander's bright grace.”
"Well met then Marcus. A follower of the Morninglord will be welcome in a dreary land such as Vassa".
"Lathandar, Ilmater and Chauntea looking over us. An auspicious start I should think".
Armitron then urns to Deudon, "From where in the South do you hail friend?"
"Verd! Come meet Thorkaa!"
"You. You're a warrior from the mountains? You fight in lots of wars?"
"From where in the South do you hail friend?"
"I admit I am far from home. I go where my sword takes me, or at the very least the gold that hires it. My home lies across the Sea of Fallen Stars; the city-state of Cimbar in the land of Chessenta."
"Lathandar, Ilmater and Chauntea looking over us. An auspicious start I should think".
Deudon can't help but wince at Armitron's proclamation, though he hastens to cover his reaction.
Lathander, Ilmater and Chauntea, he thinks And looming over all three, mantling them with her great bat-like wings, her five terrible heads whispering her supremacy ... Tiamat. Deudon smiles to himself.
"Verd! Come meet Thorkaa!"
Uninvited, but having heard some of Thorkaa's offer, Deudon strides over to meet the half-orc.
"I admit I am far from home. I go where my sword takes me, or at the very least the gold that hires it. My home lies across the Sea of Fallen Stars; the city-state of Cimbar in the land of Chessenta."
"I never been across a sea." Verd responds. "Maybe some day, if the Goddess wills."
"Verd! Come meet Thorkaa!"
Verd gives Raelyn a sidelong glance "I'm standing right here y'know. " To ThorkaA he asks "How many times have you been out there? To the citadel I mean."
Sense Motive on Deudon's wince.
As Deudon strides away Armitron follows whispering in his ear.
Armitron smiles at Verd, "I am sure the Elf meant no harm by his comments Verd. This is good, then we will have an elven woodsman for a guide and a priest who already knows some of the terrain to assist".
Verd gives Raelyn a sidelong glance "I'm standing right here y'know. "
Answering to Verd: I have been there two times in the past, It is not exagerated to say that it can be a hell. I thought I would never go back there but The new bounty have make reconsider.
"My friend. You must learn to place your trust in the Gods. The life of a mercenary traveling to strange lands will not be a long one for the Faithless. I am here if you wish to talk".
Oh, by the Five-Coloured Tail, he's one of those paladins . . .
"I will keep your offer in mind, paladin," he responds.
I have been there two times in the past, It is not exagerated to say that it can be a hell. I thought I would never go back there but The new bounty have make reconsider.
"We didn't come here expecting a gentle days plucking bloodstones from the loam. We're ready to wet our blades if the rewards are good."
"The posting mentions a bounty for giants, Thorkaa. Which variety of giants do you expect are running about?"
Solitary Hill giants if there is luck. There could be frost giants, but I rather avoid those at all cost
Armitron listens to ThorkAa's explanation.
"With the proper combat strategy any foe can be felled. I would agree that a Frost Giant would be a tall order indeed".
Armitron scans the area, "So myself, Deudon, Verd, Marcus, ThorkAa and the elf makes six. Does anyone need anything before we travel to the Citadel? Sorry I did not catch your name master elf".
"Raelyn. Well met, but we can dispense with the master stuff."
Armitron nods, "Raelyn it is".
"Bright beginnings indeed, a wonderful start for adventure. I do expect this will be an interesting excursion. Many new experiences to be had." Marcus absentmindedly chatters and beams a smile at all involved.
"With the proper combat strategy any foe can be felled. I would agree that a Frost Giant would be a tall order indeed".
Proper strategy is not always posible. I would say that I am still alive cause I ran away a lot of times