"Come on Elmo," Eric says with a sigh. "Let's carry Carp inside and find out where we are sleeping tonight. Maybe we can get Velcore or Trane to make sure you two are alright." Shaking his head he adds "Or maybe not Velcore seemed pretty upset about the whole fighting thing, and Trane ... well Trane understands animals and plants real well, people not so much."
Eric lifts Carp up under his armpis and motions for Elmo to take Carps legs. "I'm not sure how we are going to raise the money for chain mail and an axe. I couldn't afford chain mail myself. I've been running the amounts over in my head and I just don't think we have it as a group. Maybe you could get by with something cheaper at first and then upgrade to chain?" at that moment, Eric walking backwards, stumbles over the door frame. Narrowly avoiding dropping the still unconsious Carp he stumbles into the barmaid who brought him his food eariler causing her to spill the tray of drinks she was carrying all over herself. Her hand snaps out and and angery "Slap" is heard as she leaves a red handprint on Eric's face. She then storms off to change her soaked white top.
"By the way Elmo, welcome to our unnamed adventuring company."
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Coming to, Cananthir warily eyes Elmo and attempts to stand with what dignity he has left.
"Boy, you sure do pack a whollop and while I will not purchase you chainmail I can buy that damn Big Axe you want"
Shaking Elmo's hand Cananthir states to our vagabond group: "He's got my vote."
And to Eric: "Thank you for not leaving me bleeding in the mud. I find I need a good fight every now and then to set my mind straight."
Well, that's one business wrapped up. I think I am going to bed now, I feel exhausted. I' ll see you all in the morning.
Heading to his room, Rafael opens the window, beckoning to Edgar to come in.
Here. Eat up, then tell me
Edgar gobbles up the meat, he looks very hungry Not the finest quality, but I feel I should be satisfied, given where we are.
Here's what I learned...
Velcore comes over to Carp and lays a hand on his shoulder. "Let Iomedae grace revive you."
"A good nights rest will help heal the rest of your pains."
Velcore goes back to eating his meal.
Well fought! Welcome Elmo, champion of Hommlett, to the <name pending> Adventuring Group!
@Elmo: I'm afraid our group's funds are a tad weakened for the moment. Do you have at least some decent cured leather armor? If not, we can see about arranging to get you some. As you can see of our august companionship, few can yet afford such fabulous armor as chainmail. I am sure after we deal with whatever bandits are about, we will have plenty of cash to spare for some upgrades.
I can see you are rather adept at melee fighting. Are there any other aspects of your martial training we should be aware of? Any skill with a bow or crossbow? Do you prefer to use two-handed weapons or a sword and shield?
Despite the overwhelmed look on Elmo's face, the pernicious gnome continues his barrage of questions.
Oh, and we will need the name of next of kin...for purposes of detailing your lineage when you are a bona fide hero of course. Also what is your favorite color? Favorite day of the week? Do you have a last will and testament? I am required by gnomish Wayfarer laws to remind you of the necessity of a last will and testament...
I ask a few other inane questions before finishing. This is my way of seeing his mental acuity under stressful social situations.
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Elmo (to Erik and Cananthir): I'm in the group? Yippee! You won't regret this, I promise! As far as equipment, I got what I use when I go hunting around here - leather armor, my woodsman's axe, a dagger, and a bow - so, I'm good for starters. My pa has a shield, he'll probably loan it to me if I ask him.
Elmo {to Garm]: (As above, and) I'm good with an axe and a bow, as I do lots of hunting around here. I hope someday to get a real battle axe, as that is what I know how to use well.
Next of kin? You mean ma and pa? They live on a farm nearby. Pa was a fighter once, but he don't talk about it much. Maybe I should ask him if he has any of his old equipment saved somewhere that I could borrow...unless he gave it to Otis. My brother Otis went off in service to somebody else to seek his fortune, and hasn't been seen for a long time...kind of a sore point with my folks, actually.
Let's see...Green...Saturday, 'cause it's market day...and, I don't own hardly nothing so I don't think it matters who gets my stuff.
Well...nice to meet you fellows...I better get on home. He grabs his shirt and walks down the road toward the farm.
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Pretty soon Ostler calls for last round, in preparation for closing the bar and kitchen for the night. It is late, and customers are leaving to go home. Those who want to stay at the Inn are provided a free room and board as per the previous agreement with Ostler. Trane heads for the grove for the night, and Velcore to the temple.
Unless there is something else out of the ordinary you wish to do, we will progress to the morning. It is now the next day, and a bright sun peeks above the horizon to greet a clear and cloudless sky. Ostler provided some information about various people in Hommlett you may wish to visit with today.
Interestingly enough, those of you who descend to the common room in the Inn, attracted by the wonderful smells of breakfast cooking, see that Elmo is seated at a table, wolfing down freshly baked biscuits, a bowl of meal, sausages and cheese. He is wearing his farmer clothes, and waves at you to join him...
Velcore will talk with his companions a little after his meal, letting them know he is staying at the temple and will meet the Head Priest Terjon in the morning. He will stay a while to listen to Garm and get a feel for the people of the town of Hommlett.
As the night gets deeper Velcore says goodnight to his friends and walks to the temple.
The weathered druid relates his meeting of Jaroo:
"The keeper of the Grove is a druid named Jaroo. He invited me to spend the night in his grove. I will return for breakfast."
As the group meets in the morning for breakfast, Trane has shown up with his lioness. She looks with interest at Elmo's breakfast. The long sausages seem to fascinate her, both visually and aromatically.
Trane smiles at Elmo and mentions:
"Welcome to the group. I am Trane, a nature man or druid. I am learned in the ways of the wild."
He adds with a conspiratorial wink:
"By thrashing Carp and Balty, you have beat them. They better watch out. You get to eat first and they let you have shade while they get sun. I see you are pack leader at the breakfast table."
Trane orders some breakfast with a plate of sausages for 'the cat'.
The cat looks with longing at the sausages.
I better be getting some of those!
Eric walks catiously into the dinning area keeping a weary eye out for barmaids, and wandering to himself how he's going to get any food. I've talked to a waitress maybe a dozen times in my life and I been slapped in the face six times, I don't like them odds he thinks.
"I suspect we'll split up and meet back here at noon." He says as he sit next to Elmo and Trane. "We need to get you out fitted with gear, so some of us and you should go to the town's store or smithy or both." He spots Chaandra eyeing the sausages and starts watching them too. "Someone else will have to track down the rumors of bandits, maybe see if the mayor or sheriff has a reward posted or a leed to where to find them."
I plan to go to Burne first, then the Elder. I will see you at the trading post when I finish.
Have a nice day Ostler
Rafael finishes his breakfast and walks to the door, with Edgar flying close to him.
Trane smiles at Elmo.
"We'll find you some armor. Lead us to the armory. Your a big 'un like me."
Trane follows Elmo to the 'armor store'.
I would be glad. I also suggest that we don't go alone in our destinations. There is safety in numbers
But first, let us pay a visit to "His Most Worshipful Mage of Hommlett".
Being up well before the bells toll at the temple. Velcore prays, meditates and gets a little exercise in before his breakfest with the priests. Velcore recites "The Act of Iomedae" over and over again in Celestial.
Iomedae first slew Nakorshor'mond, cutting the unconscious bodies of her circle from the beast's stomachs.
Celestial ( Iuseltael binly lhelf Caxunlrun'suct, voyyicw yrel ocvuclviuol putiell ub reln vinvhel bnus yrel pelaly'l lyusavrl. )
The Second Act
In her second miraculous act, she defeated a coven of witches in the Sargavan city of Eleder, freeing the city from their tyranny.
Celestial (Ic reln lelvuct sinavohuol avy, lrel telbelayelt a vujelc ub fiyvrell ic yrel Lanwajac viyz ub Elhelteln, bnelelicw yrel viyz bnus yrelin yznaccz. )
The Third Act
From the back of a flying griffon, the soon-to-be-goddess hewed Segruchen the Iron Gargoyle's wings from his body, sending the so-called King of the Barrowood plummeting to the ground where she slew him in his falling-crater before he could escape.
Celestial ( Bnus yrel pavx ub a bhzicw wnibbuc, yrel luuc-yu-pel-wuttelll relfelt Lelwnovrelc yrel Inuc Wanwuzhel'l ficwl bnus ril putz, lelcticw yrel lu-vahhelt Xicw ub yrel Pannufuut qhosselyicw yu yrel wnuoct frelnel lrel lhelf ris ic ril bahhicw-vnayeln pelbunel rel vuoht ellvaqel. )
The Fourth Act
Calling upon Aroden's then-herald Arazni, Iomedae convinced a regiment of mortally wounded knights at the Second Battle of Encarthan to stay their ground against a horde of wraiths until reinforcements arrived at dawn to rescue them.
Celestial ( Vahhicw oquc Anutelc'l yrelc-relnaht Anakci, Iuseltael vucjicvelt a nelwiselcy ub sunyahhz fuoctelt xciwryl ay yrel Lelvuct Payyhel ub Elcvanyrac yu lyaz yrelin wnuoct awaicly a runtel ub fnaiyrl ocyih nelicbunvelselcyl annijelt ay tafc yu nellvoel yrels. )
The Fifth Act
In what is now considered her fifth miraculous act, Iomedae smote Erum-Hel at the Battle of Three Sorrows (the same battle in which Tar-Baphon returned Arazni’s body to the Knights of Ozem), forcing the crippled Lord of the Morghs into hiding in the depths of Orv.
Celestial ( Ic fray il cuf vuclitelnelt reln bibyr sinavohuol avy, Iuseltael lsuyel Elnos-Relh ay yrel Payyhel ub Yrnelel Lunnufl (yrel lasel payyhel ic frivr Yan-Paqruc nelyoncelt Anakci’l putz yu yrel Xciwryl ub Ukels), bunvicw yrel vniqqhelt Hunt ub yrel Sunwrl icyu riticw ic yrel telqyrl ub Unj. )
The Sixth Act
Iomedae instantly reforged her sword—magically shattered by the Whispering Tyrant—fusing it together with a prayer and an oath to end the wizard-king's evil.
Celestial (Iuseltael iclyacyhz nelbunwelt reln lfunt—sawivahhz lrayyelnelt pz yrel Frilqelnicw Yznacy—bolicw iy yuwelyreln fiyr a qnazeln act ac uayr yu elct yrel fikant-xicw'l eljih. )
The Seventh Act
The seventh Act was the calling of the Undenying Light in Absalom, which is commemorated at the Seventh Church. As a terrible storm shrouded the city in darkness, a pack of sea-ghouls attacked the city. The then-mortal Iomedae called for the Starstone to light the city; the Starstone Cathedral glowed with blue fire, and the stars shone rays of light that targeted the ghouls and allowed Iomedae and the city's defenders to destroy them.
Celestial ( Yrel leljelcyr Avy fal yrel vahhicw ub yrel Octelczicw Hiwry ic Aplahus, frivr il vusselsunayelt ay yrel Leljelcyr Vronvr. Al a yelnniphel lyuns lrnuotelt yrel viyz ic tanxcelll, a qavx ub lela-wruohl ayyavxelt yrel viyz. Yrel yrelc-sunyah Iuseltael vahhelt bun yrel Lyanlyucel yu hiwry yrel viyz; yrel Lyanlyucel Vayreltnah whufelt fiyr phoel binel, act yrel lyanl lrucel nazl ub hiwry yray yanwelyelt yrel wruohl act ahhufelt Iuseltael act yrel viyz'l telbelctelnl yu tellynuz yrels. )
The Eighth Act
Convincing the graveknight known as the Black Prince to throw himself upon his sword as punishment for his evil is considered Iomedae's Eighth Act. This righteous suicide redeemed the undead knight's soul and allowed him to be judged in the Halls of Aroden.
Celestial ( Vucjicvicw yrel wnajelxciwry xcufc al yrel Phavx Qnicvel yu yrnuf rislelhb oquc ril lfunt al qocilrselcy bun ril eljih il vuclitelnelt Iuseltael'l Eliwryr Avy. Yril niwryeluol loivitel neltelelselt yrel octelat xciwry'l luoh act ahhufelt ris yu pel motwelt ic yrel Rahhl ub Anutelc. )
The Ninth Act
In order to free nine righteous knights from imprisonment by the vampire-mage Basilov, Iomedae gave nine drops of her own blood; when Basilov attempted to recapture them, she and the knights slew him.
Celestial (Ic unteln yu bnelel cicel niwryeluol xciwryl bnus isqnilucselcy pz yrel jasqinel-sawel Palihuj, Iuseltael wajel cicel tnuql ub reln ufc phuut; frelc Palihuj ayyelsqyelt yu nelvaqyonel yrels, lrel act yrel xciwryl lhelf ris. )
The Tenth Act
In the absence of its rightful lord—the heirless patriarch of House Narikopolous—Iomedae ruled the city of Kantaria for a year and a day while its lord, bringing prosperity to the city despite constant attacks by shapechanging horrors, which she battled personally.
Celestial (Ic yrel aplelcvel ub iyl niwryboh hunt—yrel relinhelll qaynianvr ub Ruolel Canixuquhuol—Iuseltael nohelt yrel viyz ub Xacyania bun a zelan act a taz frihel iyl hunt, pnicwicw qnulqelniyz yu yrel viyz tellqiyel vuclyacy ayyavxl pz lraqelvracwicw runnunl, frivr lrel payyhelt qelnlucahhz. )
The Eleventh Act
In her eleventh and final miraculous act before ascending to godhood, Iomedae cast her cloak before her into the Pit of the Starstone in Absalom; the common wool cloth straightened and expanded into a firm walkway across the gap, allowing her to enter the Cathedral and take the Test.
Celestial ( Ic reln elheljelcyr act bicah sinavohuol avy pelbunel alvelcticw yu wutruut, Iuseltael valy reln vhuax pelbunel reln icyu yrel Qiy ub yrel Lyanlyucel ic Aplahus; yrel vussuc fuuh vhuyr lynaiwryelcelt act elgqactelt icyu a bins fahxfaz avnull yrel waq, ahhuficw reln yu elcyeln yrel Vayreltnah act yaxel yrel Yelly. )
Pleasantly surprised that there is almost no hangover from last night, Bryce gets up and picks up his equipment. He goes outside the inn to find the well (or any adequate place to wash a bit), undresses to the waist and proceeds to clean himself. Afterwards he joins other party members at the breakfast.
"I thought a bit last night, and maybe we should wait to name our adventuring party after our first or second successful foray. Probably by then we're either dead, or have enough money and experience that we can choose a name related to some of our adventures. What say you?"
After breakfast, Bryce is willing to join Rafael and Canathir (should they accept his company) in stroll through the village.
Velcore is patiently waiting for the priest of the Temple of Iomedae to wake up so that he may break fast with them and have a word with Terjon the leader of the Church.
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Edgar, Eric, Elmo and Trane make their way to the building commonly referred to as The Trading Post by the residents of Hommlett (#13). Outside the door, a shield and lantern are suspended from chains. The shield is painted, showing a sword and a cheese. You can see through the windows that the whole front building is filled with various goods.
Rafael, Bryce and Cananthir walk to the far eastern edge of the village, where they find a two-story tower atop a low mound (#30-31). A castle is being built around the tower, and workers have dug deep trench lines about ten feet wide and as deep, down to a hard clay. They seem to be in the process of mortaring the foundations of the wall to be built above. Work has barely begun, but the outlines of bastions, towers, a gatehouse and a keep can be noted.
The keep is atop the second hillock, and considerable excavation has taken place. The earth from this digging has been used in the walls around the whole. Some dressed stone blocks are visible, but not similar to local stone.
The tower is some 55 feet tall, a smaller tower rising inside the greater at about 35 feet above the ground. Its entrance is accessible only by going up a curving flight of stone stairs which terminate in a landing about 10 feet above the ground. The outer door of the tower lowers to form a bridge to the stone landing. There are numbers of arrow slits around the tower, and it has a splay around the base to about 6 feet in height. The lower and upper battlements are machicolated, the merlons being pierced for archery as well. Two men-at-arms watch from its roof.
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The ancient temple sits outside the village of Nulb - about as nasty and run down a thorp as you would want to see. Not everyone in Nulb is nefarious, but there are some shady folks living there. Nulb can be reached by taking the eastern road from Hommett, which splits into a high road and a low road. The high road is shorter, about 20 leagues or so, but goes through the Gnarley Forest. That is where we are hearing tales of bandits waylaying travelers and merchants.
The low road travels a long way north and then turns east, so the total distance is probably 30-35 leagues.
Trane had learned you get more a lion and a kind word than you get with just a kind word. His lioness companion followed quietly. "Elmo, show us what you want to buy." Trane jingles his pouch. "I have some gold, let us see what price you can get."
Garm rolls out of bed with a loud *THUMP*.
Wha...what time is... My eyes open wide at how high the sun has risen already. Great, now I'm going to miss breakfast...
I hurriedly throw on my colorful entertainer's outfit and attempt to hurry down to breakfast. Unfortunately, my alchemist's workshop seems to get stuck in the doorway not once...but three times.
Already rather frazzled, I hurry down the stairs and out the door in an attempt to catch up with my companions. I beg hurried apologies of any patrons I nearly collide into on my way out the door.
Oops, pardon..Oh!...excuse me sir, I'm late and...Good morning Master Gundigoot!...breakfast? No, sorry I'm late!...yes, yes I plan to perform again tonight...unless I'm adventuring...yes ,you do understand...I really must be going...pardon me miss...
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As the group enters the Trading Post, you notice the presence of several men. A man at arms stands in a far corner wearing leather armor, a gloved hand poised upon the hilt of a longsword, watching you intently. A second man stands behind a counter, and he watches you also - he is dressed in leather armor, and is equipped with a shortsword. A tall, thin man with sharp features, dressed in chainmail, walks across the room and meets you at the door. Can I hep youse wid sometin'? He points at Elmo...Hey, ain't you da one what was scrappin' in da street last eve? Ha! Youse gots a good punch dere, buddy! So...wat douse ya need, hey?
Elmo (to Trane, et. al.) I don't know if you should be spending your hard-earned wages on me. I feel a little guilty, like I haven't earned it. Armor and weapons are expensive!
Trane looks at the tall, thin man in chain mail.
"We need to get Elmo outfitted. Let us start with armor. Do you have any scale armor, preferably used?"
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Trading Post: Scale ya sez? Let's see... The thin man goes to the back of the room, rummages around, and comes back hefting an old set of scale mail armor. It is rusted in spots and dented in places, but looks serviceable. Here's da only scale we gots, and a fine set it is...already broke in! You can haz dis for...say...60 gold pieces.
"60 gold pieces!? That's a 20 percent markup over the normal cost!"
"Come on guys let's go. The smith might have something so we don't have to deal with this theif. Pa always said that that a merchant who can't be trusted in the little things can't be trusted in the big."
GARM! HEY GARM! OVER HERE! Goodness, you should have told me you would come with us, we would have waited. Rafael says.
He grabs the nearest workerI say, this is a most peculiar place to build a fortress
I think it has style.
Edgar looks at the area.
"That's all rusty and dented and hasn't been maintained. Elmo could make some better than that with a pots and a hammer. How 'bout 30? It is for Elmo."
Velcore will make his way to the Inn to see if any of his companions are still around.
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He grabs the nearest worker I say, this is a most peculiar place to build a fortress
The worker looks at you for a moment, and looks at Edgar, and you can see the gears turning in his head... So...you aren't particularly keen on this location for a fortress? And...I suppose you are an expert on such things? Fine, Sir Expert, tell me EVERYTHING we have done wrong so far... Or, better yet, go tell that fella over there, he'll appreciate your opinions, I'm certain.
He points to another man about 50 feet away, who seems to be writing in a leather-bound book. Then the worker turns away and resumes working on the stone blocks and earthwork.
Velcore will make his way to the town Elder and hopefully meet up with some of his companions there.
I never said that you did anything wrong, my good fellow
Rafael then turns and walks towards the man the worker indicated
Hello, my good man. We are travelers from (insert past location here). Is this fortress-in-the-making a response to the bandit uprising?
Trane looks sad.
"You have some old rusty scale, and we can maybe pay 40 gold for it. Anything more would make all of us feel bad. And the moment we find something better, we will be selling it back to you."
To Worker: What my good friend here meant was that you have picked a marvelous location for the defense of the village. It just seems so...odd that a peaceful, god-fearing village such as Hommellette would need a fortress this size. Likely the result of increased bandit raids?
To correct the misunderstanding. I doubt Rafael actually meant it was a terrible place to build, only that it was peculiar that they were doing so.