Rise of the Runelords

Game Master SweeperAZ

@Oded: Aldren shudders."It was a shame what happened to Fluffy,"he says, referring to his dog,"But without her aid I surely would have perished before I you came."

He raises his glass,"A toast! To Man's Best Friend! May she rest well in the afterlife!"

Berenwyr gratefully accepts a glass of wine and raises it when Oded makes his toast, then moves over to the gnomes.

I'm glad to see you alive and well. I am Berenwyr Feladrannil, of the forests of Kyonin. I don't think I caught your names earlier today. He takes a seat while Singe hops from his shoulder to the table-top and pecks at some stale bread crumbs. Tell me, did your son make it safely to the inn? Were you able to save your booth from those rapacious creatures?

"Weylyn. Weylyn Dell."

He pauses, staring at the lady. Realising this, he says:

"So, why help me earlier? What do you care about some 'cut-rate cutpurse?"

Darius will continue to carouse unless otherwise prompted. Not feeling left out, just didnt want anyone to think I disappeared.

Ah lad, she was a hero.

Oded clinks his glass with the downtrodden man. Oded had never owned a dog, and it was not common in his former village. But he did his best to imagine what it was like. Finding no success, Oded moved on to the man's own life.

Errr... So what do you do, then? Some big shot in this town, I'm sure. Oded smiles, trying to stay on happy topics, and throw in some humor.

Also paying attention to the thread. :) Oh, and your plan for the holidays sounds good, sweep.

Though Caladrian came to the tavern with the rest of them, he much preferred to relax at a side table, slowly sipping at a drink, smiling at his friends enjoying the fame as he pages through a book.

@Berenwyr:"Not as such.", the female gnome says,"Our booth was one of the first to be attacked. I've heard goblins around here are afraid of the written word, something about it stealing their souls or some such, though I didn't believe it. A shame too, probably could've gotten a few more coins out of it."

The male of the pair looks at her with a wry grin,"You are too in love with coinage, love. If you had your way, you'd sell everything else we owned, buy a giant tub, pour all the money gained from the sale and swim around in it."

He looks back at you and winks,"Some days I'd swear she has a bit of Dragon blood in her."

This, of course, earns him a smack on the back of his head by his wife.

Berenwyr shakes his head, Such a shame. Not only the loss of your worldly goods, but for your son's future as well! He pauses for a moment in thought, and then digs the 5 gold coins that he earned from the day's activities out of his pouch.

Here, it is not much, but hopefully it will help a bit.

The elf slides the coins across the table to the gnomes.

When will you leave for Magnimar?

@Weylyn: "I was actually curious as to what you found in the Fat man's purse, there have been ugly rumors going around about him in certain circles and I've been asked to confirm them."

@Berenwyr: The husband slides the coins back,"Oh, we're not as bad as all that. We have the funds to move to Magnimar and pay for schooling. We were just selling odds & ends as we couldn't take it with us, no room in the new house."

@Oded:"Holiday, actually",Foxglove says, pausing to take a drink,"Came up north to do a bit of hunting. Boar meat, while not a rarity, is particularly tasty when hunted around here."

He looks you up and down as if sizing you up,"Would you and you companions be interested in coming with me? I'm set to go off hunting about a week from now."

@Berenwyr: The husband slides the coins back,"Oh, we're not as bad as all that. We have the funds to move to Magnimar and pay for schooling. We were just selling odds & ends as we couldn't take it with us, no room in the new house."

Are you sure? The elf arches an eyebrow. If your son's schooling is anything like mine was, it's always more expensive than you think it will be.

He shrugs. Either way, I wish you and your family the best, and hope your travels are safe and swift. However, if you don't mind, I would like to ask a few questions about this area.

I have heard that there are many ruins in this area. Do you know where any can be found? Do many people explore them or are they mostly avoided? What are the most common dangers in the wilderness surrounding us, and are there any ways to avoid them without fighting?

Boar, eh? Probably tastes fantastic. So you've done a bit of traveling in these parts, I just arrived the other day. Seen anything interesting? We overheard that they've had a bit of trouble, lately.

Oded thinks clearly for a second, a rarity while drinking. The idea to see if the traveler knew anything about the surrounding area seemed to stick in his mind.

I cannot remember/find what was in the purse...*sheepishly stares at GM, hoping for help.*

@Weylyn: Inside the pouch, you find money. Assorted gold and silver with plenty of copper. you also find a small full vial and an even smaller piece of parchment.

Thanks Beren. My phone is not good for such things. We did not discover what these did, correct?

Not yet.

Got it.

"Asked to confirm them for payment? Now what self-respecting thief would just tell you what was in the fat mans purse?"

Weylyn smiles, hoping she'll play the game.

We begin again. Hopefully Lost Gamer returns to us healthy and hearty.

@Weyln: Misha smirks, "Altruism is indeed lost to the world. What a shame."

Misha pauses to take sip of her drink. "For payment, I propose a trade; I know you and your acquaintances have been hired by the Sheriff to investigate and hopefully stop whatever is from slaughtering livestock. I also know where the source of the slaughter is. I tell you and the rest where it is located and, assuming you survive, you show me what was in his purse."

"I don't know just what exactly it is, but the areas the slaughtered livestock have been found form a kind of diameter with a particular cave in the center. I haven't told the authorities of this as I've just recently figured it out and the events of today put sharing of info on hold."

She takes another sip. "So, do we have a deal?"

@Berenwyr: "Plenty of ruins, to be sure. The Old Light next to town is one of the more prominent in the immediate area. Then there's.... Thistle...bottom? Top? Something or other North East along the Lost Coast road."

@Oded: "The Livestock killings? Yes, I've heard of the as well.' Aldren shudders again, "Ghastly from what I've been told. No one seems to have found the source of the attacks yet."

Weylyn regards Misha.

"The trade seems to be in my favor. Information like that could lead to some serious gold fallout if my lads and I could stop the problem. You willing to let that happen for the contents of some fat man's purse?"

Hmmm, Berenwyr leans forward, clearly intrigued. What can you tell me about this Old Light, and about Thistle bottom, or top, as it may be? What are they? Are there any local legends or rumors regarding them, or do you know anyone who has been to either?

Ah, yes. That seems troubling. Anything else interesting around here?

Oded orders another round, buying into the stereotype of the hard drinking dwarf. This next may be his last, as he is quickly losing interest in his new friend, and thinking more of a warm bed, and the prospect of a nice breakfast.

Unless something prevents it....

Darius having far too many cups, makes his way to his bed to sleep the demons away.

@Weylyn: "Items are only worth what people are willing to pay for it. You have something a value to me, I have something of value to you. Granted, we could both get what we want be other means, but this has the benefit of expediency, wouldn't you agree?"

"I do agree. And please, do not mistake my questions for skepticism. I am merely gauging the qualities of a new friend. I'm sure you can appreciate that?"

Weylyn flashes his trademark grin.

"Oh and I do accept your offer. Here is what was in the fat man's purse. What do you make of it?"

Weylyn shows the contents of the pouch.

@Berenwyr""Merely tales and speculation.",the male gnome says, "Old Light, as we call the ruined light house, is thought to be centuries old. It is belevieved to have been old when the Empire fell. Sandpoint was founded here simply because of the natual harbor which Old Light rests upon. There has been great debate on whether the town should rebuild the light house or not. The foundation is still solid by all accounts, but the estimated cost to the town is a bit much."

The wife adds,"As for the rest the ruins, they're around, but we don't know off-hand about them. We have books about them, but they've been boxed up for out upcoming move to the south. That Atlas I sold you this morning may have a few clues to be gleaned from it. If you happen to drop by our new shop in Magnamar ( if that was the city's name, I'm on another PC), we might be able to get you some better information.'

It has just occoured to me that you've yet to ask their names. :)

@Weylyn: Didn't you give the vial and that piece of paper to Berenwyr?

I showed it to him for identification, but I kept it. Weylyn is weary to share things no one helped him get. He's learning though.

I'm glad to see you alive and well. I am Berenwyr Feladrannil, of the forests of Kyonin. I don't think I caught your names earlier today.

Berenwyr takes in the information while Singe pecks at a knot in the wood in the rafters above. Hmmm, very interesting indeed. I shall have to make a thorough study of the books you sold me today. Who knows what secrets I will be able to glean from them? With that, the elf stands abruptly, checks his mask and gathers up his staff and the gold coins as his raven caws and hops onto his shoulder. I hope you'll excuse me then. It has been a long day and I am quite exhausted from all this running about. He offers a gloved hand to each in turn and shakes firmly but gently. I take this opportunity to wish you and your son safe travels and a bright future should I not see you again before you depart. If I journey to Magnimar in the future, I will seek you out. Farewell.

Berenwyr then heads to the bar and retrieves the books he purchased earlier in the day before ordering a simple supper delivered to his room. Burdened by the tomes, he slowly climbs the stairs to his room and does not emerge again for the remainder of the evening, although flickering candle-light illuminates his room late into the evening.

If undisturbed, he'll start reading A History and Atlas of the Thassalonian Empire before getting a good night's sleep. I'll update his prepared spells for tomorrow. Right now his plan is to try to scribe a scroll of Protection from Evil at some point tomorrow if he can find the appropriate materials in town after he accompany's the group to meet with the Sheriff et al in the morning.

@Weylyn: Didn't you give the vial and that piece of paper to Berenwyr?

He just showed them to me. I have the potions of swimming and CLW on me, and we divvied up the gold already, but he still has everything else from the fat man's pouch.

@Weylyn:Misha open the pouch and removes the vial and paper. She she uncorks the bottle and sniffs the contents."You may want to dispose of this,"she says, re-corking the bottle and putting it back in the pouch"That vial contains some nasty poison mixed with venom. Imbibe that and illness will be the least of your concerns.

Misha looks intently at the piece of paper. She pulls out a small book and copies the contents with remarkable accuracy into it. She then puts the paper back in the pouch as well and hands it back to you.

Weylyn dumps the vial into the fire nonchalantly.

"What does it mean? I'll help anyway I can."

Still around and watching. Just wanted to let you know. No rush. Enjoying the story!

First week of school, always busy. :)

@Berewyr: "My name's Herkas Flurospar", the husband says,"and this is my wife, Jenni.".

"We ran a book store here in Sandpoint", jenni says, "We're taking over a bookstore in Magnimar once we get down there."

@Weylyn: Misha says,"I don't know what the paper says just yet. It's in code and incomplete. If I can get the other half, I may be able to translate it."

[b]"Now for my end of the bargain; here is a map of the Sandpoint Hinterlands."The map shows the town in the upper-left. Southwest from the town shows farmland and marks in a rough circle."These markings show where the livestock killings have occurred. Here,"She points at an X in the center,"is a cave where I'd bet good money that the killer is residing."

Misha rolls up the map and hands it to you."I want this map back when you're done, so stay alive."She says with a lop-sided grin.

"I plan to. By the way, I usually return maps to pretty ladies over dinner. Any place in town you love?"

@Oded:"Outside of the Goblin raid today? Not as such.", Aldren takes another sip of his drink."Not being a resident of Sandpoint or it's surrounding areas, I'm not exactly privy the comings and goings of the area."

@Weylyn:Misha chuckles,"Come back alive and intact and we'll discuss it."

Is there anything else any of you wanted to do?

All set here. We've got some leads, for sure.

Weylyn smiles and nods his head.

"Goodnight then, I pray my return is swift."

Weylyn leaves the dragon and walks home. As he passes the door, he catches Berenwyr's eye.

"I'll see you tomorrow!"

Berenwyr nods back to Weylyn as he ascends the stairs.

Keep your blades sharp. I believe we will need them again before too long.

ready for the next morning

ready for the next morning

me too

Make that three.

Agreed.

Go go Power Rangers

Sorry, school has to take priority. :)

Dawn seems to come too soon. The smell of smoke still permeates the air as the sun rises over Old Light. Most of the debris has been cleared away the night before, but the feeling of shock and loss isn't so easily clean up.

The Rusty Dragon's common room is relatively empty save for a tired-looking waitress and a patron gobbling down his breakfast with gusto.

So, what do all do?

Oded wakes somewhat early and leaves his pack upstairs, choosing to bring only his axe and shield downstairs. After the previous day, it seems he has more if an attachment to this little town.

Sitting down at a table, he thinks of ordering a beer, hair of the dog and what not, but figures that after yesterdays excitement, keeping all of his reflexes is best. He knows that when the others come down, they will share all they have learned. He also knows that they have a meeting coming up with the sheriff and mayor.

School? Moving? Pfft. ;)