”Morning, Dugan.”
The dwarf reaching up, pulls at the brim of his hat. ”Heber” Seeing your group enjoying your food, the dwarf makes his way over to you.
”So. . .you’re the lot Niles chose. My name is Dugan Lockbreaker, and, for all intents and purposes, I’m your new boss.”
Fenn looks up from his 'grub', "Mornin'... Mr. Dungan!"
"Didn't kno' we was gonna' have a 'manager'...! Thought we were doing a 'job'... y'know kinda like an independent contractors and all... You sound like yur soppos'd ta be commin' with us?"
Legainn looks the dwarf over. "For all intents and purposes, we haven't discussed anything yet. You'll be our boss after we negotiate terms and sign the documents over, sir. I'm assuming you have a standard employment contract?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
Fenn sits up listening to the interchange an shows a remarkable amount of insight, "Naow hold on a moment Ma'am Miss Leggan... not to be contradictory... or disrespectful but Ah was not looking fur no jobs as in a regular thing. Ah thought we all was getting together to go into business with each other as a team of 'private independents' ta do a job for someone for a 'as-yet unnegotiated' amount o' pay."
"Naow money don't drive me solely but some recompense is not a unreasonable-like thing to expect.. considering tha risk Ah'm likely ta be taken; but tha' is not mah issue heah. What I want understood up front is I work for myself... hopefully with yaw fine people as a group. I don't mind us negotiating the details of a mission or a contract for a job... but Ah'm not interested in calling any man, nor dwarf, no insult meant Mr. Dungan, master or Boss working for them, when Ah's can jus' as well work for mahself!"
"Ah'm not interested in having to 'owe' work tha I don't get to decide upon.. or say no to if'n Ah have a mind to. Now tha don't extend to working with yaw.. if'n say yaw want to do something I might not agree with.. I'd go with the majority of the party's wishes and support the team cause - yur'all Mah team o' adventurers an Ah'll support the party!"
"On a more business side.. Ah'm not interested in say... getting into work where, let's say - we are contracted to go clean out a bunch o' bandits in their hideout. Simple enough, but once its done and we start collecting their loot some 'boss' comes in ta tell us we have to turn over everything to him! Git mah meaning?"
"I jus' don't want to agree to no contract slave work, ma pap may be a mean-cussed, black-hearted, poor example o' a man.. but he didn't raise no thrall!"
Skully listens to the others comment on Dugan.. She smiles and continues to scarf her bacon..
Finally done with her food Skully speaks up.. "Mr. Dugan here is very respected around and has in the past made many pockets full.. You should all just calm down and listen to what he has to say.. Im sure there's some sorta contract involved.." Looking to Dugan.. "Sorry for my newly met companions rudeness Mr. Lockbreaker.. Continue with what you were saying please.."
Dugan takes a long puff off of his cigar as he eyes the group. He exhales with a shake of his head.
"Now see here, young pups. You are all acting like it be me that has something to prove. I've been crawling in and out of hidy holes since before some your parents were born. I have nothing to prove." He waves his hand out before him. "You're here, so my guess it be you that are trying to make a name for yourself.
Before we get ahead of ourselves. Let me tell you a little bit about how this is going to work. You'll either see it my way and perhaps we can make a little coin for ourselves, or we part ways and you can leave here with full bellies and make you way back to the farm." Dugan eyes Fenn.
"I have a little business where I am contacted by someone that needs a job done. Usually that means item retrieval, but we have been known to work as caravan guards or from time to time even personal body guards. For this we get paid. And by "we", I mean me. I set up the deals, research the jobs (when I can)and put up the coins for any supplies that might be needed for those special jobs. For that, I take thirty percent off the top." Dugan pauses as he walks over to the bar and accepts a tankard from Heber. After taking a drink, he continues.
"I'm in need of a new group of fortune hunters like yourselves. The last bunch had a disagreement with a clan of giants that didn't turn out so well.
I've been contracted to find an item that is supposed to be in a ruin of a castle about three days walk from here. The client was not positive as to where this ruin lies, but he was pretty sure on the general area. It's a simple job. You find the item. You retrieve the item. You bring the item back to me. You get paid. See no fuss...no muss. We get paid a hundred gold. You keep anything you might find along the way. Let's call it a test run. You make it back with the item intact as well as your own hides and perhaps you'll want to take on another contract with me."
Dugan drains his drink and eyes the group of you. "Well, what do you say?
"Oh.. Treasure Hunting eh? Thats sound fun! Now is that 100 gold a piece or a 100 to split?"
"That'd be a hundred to split...minus my thirty percent, of course."
"Thats 14 gold per, after your cut.. Hope the job only requires us to go and pick it up and return.. That kinda money isn't worth dieing for.."
I agree Skully it isn't but we aren't in a position to negotiate things.
Brom shoulders his pack and Lucerne Hammer.
Do you have more specific directions as to how to get to the area where the ruin is supposed to be Master Dugan? We have a long way to travel and the sooner we start the sooner we get back with your trinket. Also it would be helpful if you would tell us what the item we are supposed to retrieve is.
Fenn listens to the interchange... and raises an eyebrow at the 14 gold bounty... needing no words to show his agreement with Skully on the paltry {almost insulting} amount versus risk being offered from the look on his face.
From his expression it is clear he is not impressed with the arrangement in the least, but he doesn't say anything.
At Brom's comment about not being in a position to negotiate, Fenn {gfaws}... his sentiment clear he does not agree with that... but again he makes no comment adjusting his weapons belts and tightening the strap of his crossback elven curve blade buckled at his chest.
"So what IS this trinket that we're supposed ta retrieve...?"
Glancing at Fenn when he said his piece, Legainn shakes her head when she hears the pay. "Paltry fare for a wandering hire, I feel." She listened more closely as the dwarf got more evasive in his own speech, trying to feel for the dwarf's demeanor.
Without a clear read on the situation, Legainn stands as well. "Very well. We will talk of fairer pay when we return, Mr. Lockbreaker."
Ignoring Legainn's comment, Dugan continues.
"We are looking for a bottle of wine. Dwarven wine, to be exact. I'm no vintner, but the client is and he says that this is some important part of the history of wine. . .whatever that means. He says that the maker's mark should be on the bottom of the bottle. An anvil as far as he says."
Reaching into his vest, he pulls out a rolled up piece of parchment. Walking over, he uses the group mugs to hold down the edges of a crudely drawn map. "We're here in New Wesel," He points to the map. "Twyford is four days to the east. The structure is supposed to be somewhere around here." He points again to the map. "Around three days from here in the big forest the road passes through."
"If we do this job for nothing basically I certainly hope it will open up more lucrative opportunities for us.. I'll gather my things.. Are yall by chance providing us with a mount?"
"My knees don't do so well on the trail these days. That's where you all come in. And the "walk in the woods" is also why were not being paid a king's ransom. However, if the payment is below the standards of you mighty adventurers, by all means, pass on the job and I'll hire me someone not quite as picky. And no offense, lass, but I'm not sending off horses with people I just met."
Skully pokes a pouty lip.. "Alrighty then ill get my walking shoes.."
Legainn simply shifts her pack on her shoulders and looks to the others.
Fenn listens to the interchange between Dungan, Skully and Quolamin... catching the hint of annoyance in Dungan's tone to the , in Fenn's opinion, legitimate concerns about the 'mission'... and its questionable pay and or goals.
He make's a decision having had the last straw of Dungan's evasiveness... and plain rude orneriness with Miss Legainn... something his country gentleman sensibilities will NOT abide...!
Fenn sets down his pack opening it to retrieve a sack of white linen. Walking over to the table where Dungan has laid out the crude' map.. Fenn pulls from his belt pouch a piece of dark blue chalk. Laying out the sack he sketches a copy of the map quickly.. but as accurately as possible paying detail to any indicated landmarks.
Coping the map Fenn gives the Dwarf a dangerous scowl .. his meaning clear {you will get yours if this is not on the level...} a clear threat of reprisal in his burning emerald eyes!
Fenn says to Dungan to drive home his point, "...I ain't no farmer. Ah'm a hunter... remember that!"
Turning to the party as he carefully rolls up his copy of the map, "Comme'on yaw.. let's git! This booze ain't gonna walk itself heah!"
Fenn picks up his pack and walking past Qoulamin he says, "..when as we get the chance Mr. Col-lamm.. I'd like a piece o' any parchment you might spare to transfer this map sketch to something more permanent."
With that the young half-elf country boy walks out side with the dignity of a man with plans of his own...
-------
When everyone has assembled outside and makes to leave Fenn steps to the front addressing them all outside of hearing of Mr. Dungan, "Hold on a moment everyone... Ah can see's we all got some concerns about this hear 'mission'... will yaw please indulge me a moments o' your time? Ah'd like to ask a few questions of the locals and constabulary... here in - ah'bout where it is we're suppos' ta be going. A little information can be worth a lot of avoided pain! Mr. Dungan seemed real reluctant-like to provide much information... tha' don sit right wit meh! Ah promise, Ah won't take more'in a few minutes! Maybe in tha' time Mr. Col-lamm you might be able to copy this hear map onto some of your parchment if'n you got it to spare tha' is."
New Wesel is a fairly large city that was built after the original city, of Wesel, was destroyed during the dragon war, close to a century before. It was, and has become again, a large trade city that lies along the Erevas river. Ships come and go from the large port everyday, bringing and taking product to and from the city. Since the city's construction, it has been fallen under the rule of the Council of Guilds. Nine members hold seats and uphold the laws of the city.
Like most cities, the "downtown" area is comprised of shops, eateries, street vendors and inns. As you move out of the heart of New Wesel, you find artisans of all types. Leaving the city will take you past homes and farmland that helps feed the population.
Brom studies the map carefully when Dugan shows it too them. He is impressed when Fenn makes a copy of the map. I would never have thought to do that he thinks to himself.
Bryn follows the others out of the Inn. He nods at Fenns suggestion to seek more information about the area where they are headed. If we are going to try to find more information we should do it quickly. He says. We have a long way to travel.
"Onward!"
"Sorry, folks. I was expecting something different from the usual routine of the no-gooder looking for pasties, I suppose." Legainn sighs and gestures at the surrounding buildings. "I can come along if you'd have me, Fenn. Might be able to pick up a few things alongside."
Fenn... is visibly touched.
He smiles and blushes slightly at the support of the group of strangers.
Answering Quolamin, "...thank you Mister Cul-lamen~ {Fenn's obviously trying to pronounce his name more accurately out of a growing respect}... 'shucks' I ain't all that! But your belief in me is kindly appreciated.. Ah'll not forget it and try mah best ta prove worthy o' your trust!"
Fenn then takes the offered parchment and takes the time to make a detailed copy of the cloth sack map he made.. this time using a stick of charcoal from his belt pouch to make this map sketch.
Rolling up the parchment version he walks over to Brom and hands the map to him saying, "Brom.. you being tha' only one o' us who's a trained mercenary and soldier.. I think you should carry this as you got the learnin' o' tactics, deployment and logistics o' strategic matters... much more'in me Ah'm sure! I'm just a hunter and woodsman.. you probably got a bigger view o' such things than Ah.. right naow. I trust you ta keep it safe and updated with what ever we find and learn about."
"As fur asking o'f tha' locals.. I do intend to be quick about it.. we DO have us a long journey ahead...! I'll be quick, Promise!"
At Legainn's comments Fenn smiles and nods in acceptance commenting,"..ya.. Ah know whut ya mean Miss Legaan! Ah don likes ta condemn a man, or dwarf, without evidence of no-good.. but it don't take no gen'us... ta know somethin's fishy about this whole deal! Ah thank you for being willin' ta help Miss Lagann~ {again Fenn is making an obvious effort to start pronouncing his team's names much beeter.. still not quite there} ...I right appreciate it! I Won't let ya down!"
Then grinning somewhat embarrassed, he addresses them all, "Ah.. just wanted ta say thank you all for trusting mah' instincts on this.. yaw belief in me.. right touches a body kindly...! Well, just say is all.. right nice o' all yaw, na somethin' ya'd expect from strangers ya just met. Ah think we'll make a good team an I hope ta call you'all friends soon!"
"Anyways.. let's git movin'..."
-------
Fenn sets out down the street looking at the surrounding buildings reading the street signs... and occasionally asking the passerby on the street for directions.
Eventually he makes his way to the New Wesel - City Watch, Sheriff's Jail or Magistrates Offices. Walking in he looks around and finding what looks like a Town Guardsman he introduces himself.
"Begging yur pardon Sah, Mah name is a Woodsman of an this is Miss a Holy Woman! I and mah companions are going ta be doing some traveling on business and we wanted to know is there any bandit activity on tha' roads to yur knowledge between heah and up tha road a pace? We are not from around here and want ta know if there might be trouble up tha' road from bandits or... perhaps monster activity.. before we find ourselves in tha' middle o' it! Also, it would be nice ta know if there be a bounty on any bandits in tha' area - we might be interested in helpin' yaw law-men out a bit by lookin' into bringing some o' them bandits back four a reward. A jobs a job after all?."
"Also, we're heading ta Twyford cause we heard o' a job possibility there.. a mans gotta work after all. But were a little uneasy with it all we heard the boss is a dwarf named Dungan Lockbreaker... but we also heard he may be of some suspicious nature... just rumors mind ye. We've only been told he's lookin' ta hire some folks fur jobs o' the traveling sort. We only know o' an inn he might be waiting to receive applicants to the work he's got in mind. But, me an mah' companions want no trouble wit tha' law.. so any info on this dwarf would be kindly appreciated if'n he is known to tha authorities?"
By the time you start making your way through the city, the crowds have started moving in. Several times you get turned around in the throng of people before making your way to the office of the city guard.
Three men stand before the stone, two story, building. Two of the men are wearing leather armor and helmets. The third man is wearing splint mail. All three have the same blue tabard bearing the symbol of even merchant scales, trimmed in gold.
As you approach, you hear the man in splint male giving out orders to the other two.
"Janson, you need to make sure your unit is keeping an eye out at the docks. We can't continue to let the Moon Paws continue to just saunter into our city any damn time they please. Nibs, here, will relieve you at two bells." He pats the men on their shoulders as they start to walk away. "Watch out for each other and be safe."
Seeing you approach, the man faces you and listens to your questions before responding. "Twyford you say? If you're looking for work, you're headed to the wrong place. Nothin' but farms there. But if your hearts set on the country, there has been a little problem on the road. A couple of bodies were found there a little over a fortnight past. And not two days ago, a traveling merchant said that he was robbed of his wares by..." The captain chuckles here, before quickly regaining his composure. "Ghosts. I personally think he got a little too deep into his cups and let his wagon team run off. He wanted us to investigate it, but the Council of Nine won't let us venture that far out for just one merchant."
"As far as Dugan Lockbreaker goes," He sighs and rubs his neck with his hand, giving it a little shake. "He's a thief. Well, reformed thief if you ask him. He hires out groups of explorers to do this job or that. Mostly on the up and up as far as we've ever been able to see. No evidence of any true wrong doing. He skirts the law here and there, but he always keeps his permits up to date and his "business" brings in a lot of coin to the city in taxes, so the Nine gives him a wide berth. He's a copper-pincher, if I've ever seen one, but I've never had any rough dealings with him."
Legainn inclines her head when Fenn introduces her, then listens until the guardsman finishes. "And what of local trouble? Any large groups operating in the area a couple of travelers should be aware of?"
"We've a thieves guild, based in a neighboring city, trying to make a presence here. So far, my guards have been able to keep them from getting too strong a foothold.
Fenn listens carefully to Sergeant Bawen Thona taking in the answers to Legainn question as well.
"Hmmm.. bodies turned up and a rumor of theivin' ghosts... ok. Thank ya kindly fur the info We'll look into it on our way. Ah know ya said the won't pay for your men and you ta look into it, but if we can solve the mystery and bring back evidence of who... or what ~ if'n need be, killed those two travelers and stole tha' merchant's wares... think you might be able to get us some reasonable reward for settling tha' matter?"
We are not going to get very far today Brom says to Skully and Quolamin while Fenn and Legainn talk to the guardsman. It is going to take forever to get out of the city with these crowds.
"With evidence, they might just do that."
"Well lets be on our way then.."
Fenn smiles, "Well good then, be seeing ya sergeant! Oh and would you be kind enough ta give meh directions ta a library or a hall of records wit lore on the history o' this area? I'd be much obliged!"
Getting directions Fenn takes his leave of the station house.
------
Out side Fenn tells the party, "I got one last place to go fur some info on this area... wanna find out a'bit about tha' history of hera-abouts. Last place .. honest!"
It takes a little time to wander the large bustling city of New Wesel... but with the Sergeant's directions Fenn finds the library of records he's looking for...
Walking in Fenn finds a nearby librarian, "Excuse me ma'am... mah name is .. these are mah traveling companions were going ta' be going ta' . Ah was wanting ta know if there are any ruins, or old burial sites, or old keeps or abandoned manors tha' might be off tha' road on tha' way ta Twyford somewheres around the forest before ya git ta Twyford? An if so's whats it's history? Maybe there are some legends or ghost stories about tha' lands or forest here-abouts? An whats tha' forest's name by tha' way? Ah'm just curious is all. Also, , 'ford', Ah know is a shallow patch in tha' river one can cross on foot.. but who was ? Who or what is Twyford named after an why, if'n Ah may ask?"
Legainn pauses when Fenn directs his question at the other individual, thinking for a moment. Why does that sound familiar?
"Burial sites? Just the newer cemetery here and the old one at Wesel. As far as keeps and manors..." She ruffles some pages and pulls out a more detailed map of the area. "There is Jerimiah Davies old home about here." She points to a spot on the map that matches the map you carry. "The area is called Davies Glen, after Jerimiah. He was a bit of a recluse in his later years and didn't spend much time off his grounds. The whole area is grown over. Doubt you'd find ten people that even remember the place."
"Now Twyford is here." She points further on the map. "Is a farming community. Three small creeks merge there into the Erevas. As far as I've ever heard, that's how it came about it's name. I think they were going for the three creek angle, but thought Twy sounded better than Tri."
Fenn studies the map carefully and nods taking in everything the librarian says.
"Thank ya, ma'am.. mid if Ah take a few notes?"
Turning to Bron, "Hey Brom .. bring our sketch over heah and let's update it with official records."
Fenn will copy every detail he can about the area maps the librarian has shown him.
Smileing at the librarian Fenn comments, "Thank you kindly fur yur assistance ma'am... Ah'm sure yur time and info ain't free... but Ah'm not rich - tho' Ah can pay ya this...?"
Fenn hands her one silver 'shield' coin.
The investigations done Fenn leaves the library before discussing more with the party...
------
Outside Fenn addresses the party, "Ok.. Ah'm all satisfied with the little bit o' info we gots. We can leave naow. Sounds ta ma like some bandits have holed up in an abandoned and seemingly furgotin' manor and are using it as a hideout ta rob travelers on tha' road. Might be using tricks ta' try to make folks think its unquiet spirits or somesuch - so's no one goes looking fur robbers. Weather they are bandits or not.. least ways we got a clearer idea where ta be lookin'."
Looking at Skully, "Ah thinks you an me Skully gonna have our work cut out fur us. If its bandits .. undoubtedly they will have lookouts. Unless we want ta' walk into an ambush~ 'not mah first choice', once we come in sight of tha' woods where tha' manor is.. you an ah should probably sneak ahead and scout out tha' area under stealth at night as we probably gots tha' best eyes among our team. I can see real good at night better than most... well normal folk we find tha' manor and look for any signs of camping brigands then come back in tha' mornin' and plan an advance."
Then he looks at the party ...especially Brom, "Unless someone has a betah' idea?"
Well we have a three day walk to discuss it. Brom looks up at the sky trying to determine about what time it is.
Its not a bad plan but we have a long way to go yet and we aren't really sure where this abandoned manor we are supposed to find is. Now we know we may have to contend with bandits to finish our job. This isn't going to be as easy as dugan made it sound. Either way we had better get moving, unless you all want to stay in the city tonight and leave in the morning?