Test Run

Game Master RaFon

Fenn raises his hands ina universal sign of I'm not going for any weapons, "Whao! Hey now! I'm not trying to accost you none - fine dwarven warriors like yurselves! There is nothing of your's Ah desire! Just go on about yur way.. and we'll all be peacible-like!"

Fenn backs away slowly from the semi-circle of very rude dwarves. To watch them pass by...

He mutters to Zabela, "Ah knew dwarves were taciture ffolk.. but tha' was jus' plain rude...!"

Zabela whispers back, "Whoever that is in there, they must be very important! I'd like to meet them, but I'd be afraid to waste their time."

Unless someone does anything else.

The dwarven retinue continues on, their eyes and crossbows on the group, until they disappear over a small rise on the road. A few minutes later, the jingle of the ponies' bells are lost to the sounds of the forest.

We can now fast forward to arriving at the city gates. Fenn you do have your prisoner with you.

Yes... if he is still available and alive for questioning. Fenn planned to turn him over to the magistrate as evidence of their breaking up the bandit lair. Not much I know but its something! Fenn has the goblin trussed up pretty well and gagged.

As usual, Jessare takes too long donning his armor and misses the commotion with the dwarven retinue.

When I get to the city I will do what I said before, but while at the local temples seeing to the body I will ask around a little about the dwarven caravan.

Fenn ponders about the Dwarven Caravan,"Well it could have been one of two things... it could have been a money shipment.. like gold or somesuch... or it could have been a prisoner transfer... though I wonder who be such a serious threat to require THAT much security?!?"

Either way Fenn makes his way straight for the nearest guardsman to inform him they have a prisoner who was part of a bandit gang and may have important information... would he be so kind as to inform Officer Ba-wen Thona!

Zabela follows Fenn as she did before, only she asks around at the tavern and the market about the caravan.

Bringor heads to the tavern and tries to learn about the caravan without drawing undue attention to himself.

Any goods you sell bring you half market value.

It is just past midday when you make it to New Wesel. The city gate is crowded with people entering the city. Farmers drag wagons filled with wares to the market as children fight with wooden "swords". Two guards, seeing Fenn pulling the goblin along, make they're way to you and lead the creature away, telling you they will inform Thona.

After leaving Brom's body at the temple, you make your way to the Blue Boar.

Being lunch time, the dining hall is quite full and you have to wait several minutes before getting an open table. After you've been seated and a girl has taken your order, you see the Boars owner, Heber, make his way from behind the bar. Wiping his hands on his apron, he walks over to your table.

"Welcome back. I heard about your companion. You have my condolences. Unfortunately, its an occupational hazard in your chosen line of work. Eat and drink your fill. As before, the bill is covered by Dugan."

Fenn politely thanks the guards and lets them have the goblin..grateful to be free of having to watch it anymore.

Fenn leads the way through the markets of the New Wesel and he hawkes all the gear and weapons on his makeshift trevoy...

And parcels out 25 gold and 6 silver coins to each party member... Zabela, Jeseare, Bringor, and Dervick.

To all he speaks.. consciously trying to keep his country drawl out of his words, "You all .. did a fine job. This is your.. share, all of .. you earned it with good team spirit and... cooperation. Thank you!"

Then Fenn shows the silver flask {Dwarven Runes on side}, red-stoned ring {Fenn removed the finger so as not to gross her out.. wrapped it and put it away}, and the scroll of Summon Monster I asking - Again trying real hard to pronounce correctly, "Za-Bela can you tell if these are magical, please?"

When they finally make there way back to the Blue Boar Fenn smiles tiredly at the owner, "Thank ya sir... it was mah fault really... just didn't realize he was so injured.. I- Ah really don' have any excuse. So, Ah'm writing a letter to his Uncle .. he's a mercenary Captain."

Fenn finds a seat and somberly orders a light meal of potatos, mutton and cider and eats in silence.

Zabela Detects Magic on the flask, the ring, and the scroll, and her suspicions are confirmed, "Just the scroll, Fenn. The other two are mundane."

Fenn nods, "Ok..then we need to get them appraised for resale if possible..."

He looks around the Blue Boar and comments, "..we'll get that done after we've settled with Dugan."

Bosk makes his way to the bar and buys a round for the group.

And here we are again.
Quietly
I know Im not the only curious one, did anyone hear anything about that dwarf caravan? Or is that usual around here?

Fenn shrugs, "Unusual? Ah-hell.. until like a week ago.. Ah'd nevah' even been to tha' big city!"

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

What do I know about the caravan, and is this normal?

You hear that the dwarves have stopped their caravan outside of Dugan's office. It is easy enough to get directions there. It is in a more "seedier" area of the city.

"I didn't hear anything either. And I really am very interested."

Bringor smiles wryly. "Sometimes it comes in handy to be the little guy. I heard that the caravan is stopped outside Dugan's office. C'mon, let's go; we needed to see Dugan anyway."

Fenn speaks up, "Didn't the Bar Keep, Heber, tell us Dugan was coming to meet us here? I'd rather not get in the middle of angry Dwarves all of them aiming heavy crossbows at us. Dwarves don't like noisy folk and might take ta' shooting our noses off if we butt in unwanted! Ask yurself this... is the 14 gold apiece we're getting paid for this bottle o' booze worth getting a platoon o' angry dwarves aiming heavy crossbows at us with itchy trigger fingers?"

Fenn takes a sip of his hard cider and leans back in his chair... to light up his corn-cob pipe, "If'n its all the same ta me.. I'll wait right here thank ya much! Dugan knows where we're supos' ta meet him.. he can come if he want's his prize. I'll not go lookin' fur trouble unnecessarily."

"No, he just said that Dugan was covering our bill; he didn't say whether or not he was coming to meet us."

Fenn shrugs, "He met us here before... ah'd figure he'd met us here again... New Wesel is a big city ta go looking fur one dwarf! Make sense fur him to met us here again. Ah, didn't even know he had an office.. but I didn't much look nor ask round-abouts fur it neither."

"Fair. Dugan's office is in my old stomping grounds; I may be able to observe something useful. I suggest that myself and maybe one other person--it'd need to be somebody fairly quiet and observant, though--try to visit Dugan and see what information we can scare up in the seedy part of town about what's going on, while the others remain here. That way, we've got both bases covered: if Dugan comes, there will be a delegation here to meet him, but we're not counting on him coming here. I'm ready to get paid."

Well, that Dugan fellow doesnt seem like the type to want to be checked up on, especially if hes currently being visited by an important personage. However, we went through a lot including watching a compatriot fall to get this bottle and I dont think sitting and waiting is the way to honor that. You know, I get the feeling Dugans done this before. I'll go ask the barkeep if he has a recommendation. If not, then I guess it might be best for you to go back to your old stomping grounds.

Makes his way over to the barkeep when he has a second not busy

Excuse me, could you settle a disagreement? I swear I heard you say Mr. Dugan was set to meet us but my companions are insisting that my age must be affecting my hearing.

To Bringor, Zabela answers, "I'm fairly observant, and I can be quiet when the occasion calls for it. Shall I accompany you?"

Fenn sighs, "Dammit Brin... ya know I'M the only other sneaky type in the group... and Ah just started mah pipe! I think this is a bad idea... but if'n you want ta go sneakin' about in the dive side o' town... I'll back ye up.."

Taking a puff off his finally lit pipe he looks to Zabela, "Tha' won't be needed {puff}, Miss Zabella...{puff}.. I'll look after Bringor."

"Fenn, go on and finish your pipe; I'm not in that big of a hurry. It'll give Father Mahan a chance to talk to the barkeep."

"I'd offer to come along, but... well, sneaky is one thing I am not, so as long as someone stays with me, since I don't know who I'm waiting for, I'm happy to wait here. Besides, it might give me the chance to get to know some of you a bit better, and the like."

Heber looks up from where he is pouring a drink. "Dugan is not due here today. If you are looking for him, I suggest you head to his office."

Ah, you couldn't humor an old guy? Thank you though.

Returns to the table mid conversation

It would seem we are all best to pack our things. If Dugan intended to meet us here he left the barman uninformed. I prospose one last round and then we can set off. A few of you can still break off and go ahead once we get closer but I wouldn't want to just wait here.

Zabela slowly sips her beer, trying not to let the bitterness affect the look on her face. She agrees to follow with the group to Dugan's office who will not be sneaking.

"If everybody is going to be in the area anyway, I don't mind doing the sneaking alone, but you're welcome to tag along if you want, Fenn. I'm leaving now, and the rest can come after Father Mahan gets his drink. I'll try to see what I can learn about Dugan and the caravan, and then come back this way to meet back up. Then we can formulate a plan on how handle things from there."

Unless somebody raises an immediate objection, Bringor turns around and walks out, headed for Dugan's office.

Fenn sighs... but nods in acceptance. He Really did not want to face down a squad of Dwarven crossbowmen for Dugan's sake... not for a paltry 14 gold coins!

Fenn paced his smoke with Father Jeseare's drink so when he was done a simple nod from Fenn and he extinguished his pipe and stood... collecting his gear.

Pulling his cloak about him and his hood up he pulled his money pouch and hung it on a drawstring around his neck dropping the bag under his clothes and armor to hang at his chest.

Looking at the others, "Yaw might want ta make sure your money pouch is in a similar place... Bringor said it wer' a seedy side o' town... pick-pockets can steal ya' blind... best ta be careful!"

"I'll lead tha' way yaw all stay near... Miss Zabela.. you right behind me. Dervik you got our rear... ok? Watch fur who is watching or following us - Dervik. We don't look the seedy type and it will be obvious to anyone from there.. it may invite someone ta try ta mark us as a target fur muggin or scam for pickpockets."

Fenn heads out...

Draining the last of the ale from his mug, Bosk leaves a silver on the table for a tip, tucks his slim coin pouch into the top of his boot, and heads out the door, to bring up the rear of the group.

Following a short distance behind the others, he makes an effort along the way to see if anyone is following or paying the group undue attention.

Let me know if you want additional Perception checks and I'll make them... though it isn't my strong point.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

As the group travels through the city the gap between the wealthy and the no so, becomes quickly evident. The shops and their clientele go from the well-dressed lord or lady looking at a fine necklace, to the farmer buying lumber, to finally, in the Nethers, one is just as likely to see a dark-robed mage entering a potion shop as they are to see a robbery...or worse.

It does not take long until you are accosted by street urchins begging for coppers. They are easy enough to shoo off and it is not long until you see the large metal carriage sitting outside a two-story stone building. Five of the armored dwarves stand outside the building talking quietly to each other.

Quietly, probably backing off out of sight of the office/dwarves
Perhaps one of us the caravan didnt see the other day can go and make small talk? Im sure they are a reasonable group. Its not like they are orcs or something dreadful of the sort.

(Also, I'd have handed out 3g to the beggars. Thats my tithe allotment for this take)

Fenn himself will give out about 1 gold, and 2 silver but only in assorted silver and copper coins to the seemingly most needy of the Beggars... or the most timid of children.

He will pull father Jeseare aside and suggest, "...don't give them any gold... good friar.. these poor beggars flash a gold coin around and it will get their throats slit by the thug bravos and extortion gangs around here or worse squeezed to know where they got their hands on such coin! Only give them silver and copper coins... its safer for them! 3 copper can by a bath and a meal in the right places. Remember.. only adventurers and nobles deal in gold coins. Most common folk only ever see silver."

Seeing the Carevan waiting outside Dungan's Office makes Fenn shake his head in trepidation.

"This can't be good or coincidence that we were going after a bottle of Dwarven booze. This Dugan's got something of a notorious rep for dealing in valuables... not necessarily his own."

"I'm not sure those guards, if'n they be the same this morning, are the 'small-talkin' type.. but if'n ye want ta try... be mah guest. But be prepared to make a hasty exit... they were not very interested in being polite or social before. Don't see as why they'd be much different now just because they're in the seediest most dangerous part o' the big city with thieves, con-men and cut-throats all about..."

Zabela is more than a little afraid of the beggars. Poverty is met with a considerable amount of dignity among elves, this was simply heart-breaking and frightening all at once. Coming up to the building and seeing the dwarves, her fear was mixed with excitement and anticipation. "We have an appointment, gentlemen. I say we keep it. Even if we have to wait our turn. Unless of course, Master Spellwhisper knows another way in?" She looks at the halfling expectantly.

(I dont mean to say I gave out 3 one gold coins, rather whatever assorted pocket change we found, just 3 g in total)
I dont think this bottle is stolen per se, the house was overrun with goblins. Clearly abandoned. If you would rather we not speak to these gruff but seemingly upstanding guards then we might as well leave and come back later. Although we are already here it might have been wise to seek more information about that mirror or its former owner to be on more level terms when we meet back up with Mr.Dugan.

Fenn pondered the situation and sighed.

"Alright, fine... Dervick and me will go to the office. We have business to conclude with Mr. Dugan and we'll walk right in... the Dwarves have no 'legitimate' reason to stop us.. as it is not their office and if they accost us... we can get the magistrates on them. But the rest of you should stay here and wait for us to give the 'all-clear' sign and wave you over. If this turns hostile or goes sour... we'll need you to get us out of trouble - Bringor they'll need your stealth to get to us if we don't come out and Father Jeseare we'll all need your divine healing if this turns ugly. I'd rather not let potential foes know all our assets. Does anyone have a better idea... speak now or hold yur peace!"

As Fenn and Dervick approach the building the dwarves block their entry. This time, however, they do not brandish their weapons. After Fenn mentions that they work for Dugan and that they are expected, one of the dwarves walks into the building. After a few minutes, he returns and waves the two inside. Fenn motions for the others to come along. As they begin enter the building, they hear a heated discussion between Dugan and another gravely-voiced man.

Sorry to marionette you, but I thought this would speed us through the process of entering. :)

As Fenn and Dervick approach the building the dwarves block their entry. This time, however, they do not brandish their weapons. After Fenn mentions that they work for Dugan and that they are expected, one of the dwarves walks into the building. After a few minutes, he returns and waves the two inside. Fenn motions for the others to come along. As they begin enter the building, they hear a heated discussion between Dugan and another gravely-voiced man.

Sorry to marionette you, but I thought this would speed us through the process of entering. :)

LOL. Sometimes ya just have ta trust Yur DM! Its cool! :)

The building the companions enter is quite large. Directly inside they find Niles sitting at a raised desk. The room contains several other desks, a few are large enough that a chair sits on either side, facing one another. Cabinets line the back wall of the office.

In the far left corner of the room is an office. The wall around the office runs to about waist high, it is then frosted glass to the ceiling. Two men can be seen inside the office. You can hear them arguing.

Sorry for the crap description. I picture the office building kind of NYPD Bluey. Like a modern T.V. police detectives unit. Think Law & Order S.V.U.. Hope that helps. I can't get the map to work. I'll try to put it on there later, if I think it's needed.

"Remember Thorill Granitebreaker, you came to me...I did not come to you!

"I had my orders, or, believe me, I would not be here scoundrel!

"We all have our paths to follow. I chose mine and you chose yours. I think after nearly five decades, you might be able to let this go.

"You deserted your clan! Some things, time can not heal!

Fenn is not pleased to be in this situation... between two arguing dwarves with a personal grief.

But we we're here now...

Fenn knocks on the door, "Dugan, its Fenn we're back... do you have time to settle up? Or should we come back later...?"