The guiding bolt slams into the leader in a bolt of light.
Astrids stike glances off armour.
While Aukans attack severely wounds but fails to drop the fleeing bandit Magnus slays him with bolts of arcane energy.
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Liam squares off against his foe, giving him a somewhat intimidating snarl as he lunges at the bandit with a rather haphazard leap.
which apparently worked, much to Liam's surprise. as he manages to drive his sword right through the bandit.
impaling his sword along with the bandit into the side of the wagon.
Fairgrim attempts to quietly rush up to the other side of the bandit facing Liam, and similarly rush his blade through to help his comrade.
He glances around to take stock of the situation.
The bandit dies a horrible horrible death.
The leader attempts to go down fighting and attacks Astrid.
I'll see you serve me in hell wench.
Attack for and
Attack for
His attacks are wild and desperate!
Aukan rushes to Astrid's defense YOUR BLOWS ARE PUNY AND YOUR ANCESTORS CALL TO YOU! he bellows
The attack strikes hard, crunching mail, but the man does not go down.
Rest of the party is up.
Karl moves in and attcks the leader with his mace and follows up with a shield bash.
Magnus stands back and lets the others beat the leader into a bloody pulp.
Liam struggles to pull his sword from the side of the wagon, the body hanging from it does not help much either.
With a huge tug the sword suddenly frees itself. sending Liam spinning around. and soon finds his blade at the side of the bandit leader
Both Karl and Liam strike true and the leader goes down, blood coming in great gouts from his mouth.
You are left with 3 disabled bandits thanks to Magnus spells.
The leader has a chain shirt, a battle axe, a dagger and 5gp in assorted coins in his pouch. The bandits are clad in poorly cared for leather armour and either wield rusty swords or spears.
When checking the leader you can see that he is wearing uniform of the Guard of Rhoona underneath a plain brown surcoat.
Snorri draws in a sucking breath when he sees that.
Aukan is panting from the exertion
Was a good fight yes? The Battle Spirits were pleased.
and then hearing Snorri he says This means something to you? gesturing to the surcoat
Is anybody in need of healing, besides me?
Walking forward to the bandits he had put to sleep, Magnus kicks one of the ruffians to wake him.
"Time to get up sleepy head. You have some questions to answer."
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Snorri grunts. Not sure on these other bastards but this one here seems to be one of the Ducal guard... Grimvatt is gonna want to know about this.
We've been seeing a lot of 'attention' from the guards lately. A bit of harassment you see.
The dwarf kicks some dirt over the bodies.
That should do for a burial, what say you?
You push on for another few hours where you meet up with some seriously armed dwarves who take control the grain wagons and provide some new wagons, laden with 4 large kegs each.
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THE BEER! Aukan exclaims Duke Guards would think twice before bothering those the Battle Spirits have blessed.
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Karl raises his hands and murmurs a prayer of healing to Frey, and as he touches his chest with his fist, the healing surge flows through him.
He bows his head...
Thank you, Frey...
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When the battle ended, Astrid whirled around, ready to strike the nearest person, rage still smoldering in her eyes. An internal battle rages within her, and then she goes limp, giving out an exhausted sigh.
"Let us go," she says quietly, before walking forward.
When the new dwarves arrive, Astrid is nursing a cup of tea, going really heavy on the herbs, shaking.
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"Might I have some of that tea, please Mistress Truestone?", the wizard asks
Liam straightens himself up as he looks over the results of his "attack" ha, I am, no doubt the finest swordsman in the whole...ahhh...forest. he boasts at his lucky strike.
But Liam is soon silent as there is not much agreement among the others. and as the group moves on, he still is proud of his accomplishment.
Liam tries to ride near Astrid, he seem like he want to talk to her, but is always unsure what to say. finally getting some courage up, Astrid, you think, ahhh, maybe, you could, ahhh, teach me a little about your weapons?
His request sounds a bit awkward in his voice, he seems at a loss for words and that was the first idea that popped into his head, what the hells was that? what kind of stupid idea were you thinking? damn it, no she thinks I am a total idiot.
Liam is a bit quiet as the cargo changes hands, he simply rolls his eyes at the excitement Aukan seems to have over the beer.
but that is rather quickly forgotten about when Magnus asks to share Astrid's tea. Great, now I've got competition. I'll show that finger wiggler... he thinks to himself. the piercing glare in his eyes as he eye's the wizard.
Ahhh, Astrid, you still have some of that tea I got for you? maybe we can brew a pot for the others that are not so, engrossed with beer.
Karl listens attentively at the exchange, and simply shakes his head at the banter surrounding Astrid.
What is our next task now that the exchange has been made. Do we ferry the goods back to town?
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Astrid is still a little pail, and shaking a little bit. With the time he's spent with Astrid, Liam knows that she's always like this after she unleashes her fury. Although fury may not be the right word for it, as she is always deathly silent and precise during her "rages."
Turning around, she seems surprised, a stark contrast to the confident, prickly Astrid that Liam is so used to. "What? Oh, sure. I guess I could teach you to hold a greatsword when we bed down for the night."
Astrid seems to have almost recovered from her battle fury earlier. When Magnus approaches, she shrugs and pours him a cup, and in response to Liam's question, she nods. "I've already put some of it in the pot. It's good, but it's even better when mixed with just a tiny bit of the stuff I already have. You're developing a good taste for herbs, Liam," she says, giving a rare smile.
When Magnus sips some of the tea, he finds that, yes, indeed it is delicious. While the tea in the tavern was a tad too bitter, the new blend combined with some of the old has just the right taste.
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Karl listens attentively at the exchange, and simply shakes his head at the banter surrounding Astrid.
What is our next task now that the exchange has been made. Do we ferry the goods back to town?
Yes, thank the Immortals you were here for us so far. I'm hoping we have no more trouble on the way back.
Giving a content sigh as the warm liquid glides down his throat, Magnus closes his eyes and takes some time to simply enjoy the drink, and meditate on how his magics accomplished the tasks he required of them. Like listening to a well sung aria, his magic sings to him, and he feels content.
Opening his eyes and taking in the surroundings, he gets himself back to business.
"Well lets get these barrels back to the town. I think we are going to have a difficult time getting them in...anyone have any ideas?"
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If we have trouble, we sing to the Battle Spirits and spill the blood of the transgressors! Aukan boasts
Snorri and one of the armed dwarves drive the wagons back towards Rhoona with no incidents this time.
The wagon driven by Karl (the other wagon driver) is first to reach the gates.
What have you got there dwarf?, one of the guards asks.
Naught but a wagon load of beer, he replies.
Beer eh? Very well, there is a 10% import tax.
Karl looks somewhat peeved but grudgingly asks Oh aye? Then how much gold will that be?
No coin, replies the guard, holding up a large bucket. We'll take 10% of each barrel - Dukes rule.
Don't be daft man! Opening all my barrels will spoil the lot. Why can't I just pay in coin?
Its either paid properly, the guard says again waving the bucket, or you can turn your wagon around and go the way you came.
Astrid, somewhat weary of a long day's travel and the idiocy of humanity and general, rubs the bridge of her nose and stalks up to the guard. Displaying her characteristic lack of grace and tact, she growls, "I'm not from this land. But I reckon if somebody begs for ale and beer, no matter their station, they're a drunkard. And if they use hired thugs to harass honest traders, they're a thug. I pay respect to neither. Now let us be on our way."
I would suggest that you reconsider or verify the Duke's Rule. If you are indeed entitled to 10%, I am sure that the Duke himself understands the complexities with dividing up or separating out pieces of goods that would lose all value in the process. In those circumstances, fair trade the value of the 10% in coin is most acceptable.
The gate looks unusually well guarded - far more guards than you'd expect - while all are not focused on you as a group there are about 10 in the immediate vicinity. Karl doesn't seem to look too anxious to try to drive a horse drawn cart past them all but he does seem vexed.
One of the Dukes latest laws, not ours but fear not, people will be clamouring to buy your beer so they can also pay their taxes. No coin will be accepted - only beer.
Turning to the others, Magnus asks, "What if we give one barrel as the tax. It is more than they are asking, but it will retain the integrity of the other barrels. What do you think?"
These lackeys will not harass those with such strong Battle Spirit! Aukan boasts and slaps Magnus on the back for good measure
I suggest giving one half a barrel and using that remaining one immediately in the tavern. It will not spoil with the current demand.
I suggest giving one half a barrel and using that remaining one immediately in the tavern. It will not spoil with the current demand.
The dwarf grumbles but accepts your suggestion.
Strangely enough the guards do not drink the beer, they treat it as if it was as precious as coin, carefully removing it by the bucket and pouring it into a nearby barrel of their own.
A nearby merchant, seeing you have beer and wanting to get his own goods into town makes some frantic efforts to buy the beer that remains in Karls barrel and a deal is struck. The remaining half barrel is sold to the merchant for a hefty price and you are admitted into Rhoona.
Astrid mutters as they enter Rhoona. "This is madness! People buying bear as if it were a dwarf-forged blade! What has overtaken this city?"
There is no different Astrid. Good beer and good steel! Both are necessary to appease the Battle Spirits! Aukan is all smiles now that he has liquid refreshment
"Simple supply and demand, I should think. Although why the leader of this town has placed such a harsh tariff on beer is odd, but whatever the reason people will pay what the market will bear, I suppose."
You get the wagons back to the dwarves quarters without further issue. You are paid ten gold each.
Interesting about that one with the bandits Snorri says you killed - that means I owe you a bit more - drinking ale on a empty stomach isn't the best - let me buy you lunch at The Blarney Chicken - today it's a mutton stew I'm told and the bowls are always deep
Eat well - least I can do[
Your food, simple but tasty arrives with bread and you fall to eating. Around you the customers talk.
The duke is suffering from inherited insanity - his father wasn't too steady. I think it goes back to the first of Rhoona's leaders.
Nay - I think it's much more sinister - Draco Stormsailor has likely murdered the duke and is issuing decrees in his place.
A hoary old man interjects. Its those Ethargarians! They are somehow behind all these woes - No one knows what those shifty bastards are up to and they only buy from their own folk! They don't share their business with honest artisans.
His companion adds And don't get us started about dwarves - they are stealing as much gold as they can! Taking the food from our tables as they work on the Dukes palace instead of our own stone masons!. Both the dwarves and the speaker scowl at each other.
A young man deep in his cups of wine waves it all away dismissively.
I think the lot of you are doom mongers. I'll tell you what it is - the Duke has finally selected a wife I think. The beer will be used for a big gala party for us all when he announces his marriage.
Outside a commotion is heard. One of the patrons sticks his head into the street and says, The dukes herald approaches. There must be a new proclamation!
HAH, what is this now! More mad proclaimings! Or does the Duke wish to repeal his decision about Beer. Aukan moves to hear what will be said
Karl, famished from the days work, tears into his meal and listens intently to the rumor mongering that goes on between the locals.
This Duke certainly requires further investigation...
As Aukan moves to hear the proclamation, Karl joins him.
Maybe we will get some clarity on these odd doings?
Liam was pretty quiet during all the beer talks, letting the dwarves do their thing. instead He found something a bit more interesting, a stray dog wandering about.
Liam goes and tries to comfort the poor thing
He soon has a new friend. I think I will call you...Archie, you like that huh?
soon Liam's ears perk up at the offer of a free meal, you hear that Archie? lets go eat...
on the way to "The Blarney Chicken" Liam notices a guy chopping some meat. slipping over to get a few scraps for Archie, Liam looks for an opportunity to snag some scraps.
but again, his luck isn't so great and he quickly scurries away empty handed.
catching up with the others, Liam enjoys his meal and shares it with Archie (if Archie followed along).
After a bit, it looks more like Archie, wants to go his own way. so Liam gives him a bit more of his stew and sends him on his way.
Now there is conversations to be listened in on. and Liam wanders the crowd. looking to pick up bits and pieces of all that's been going on. he can't seem to sit still for too long. and he does mange to be in the way more than he should.
As the it seems a proclamation is forthcoming, Liam slips to the back of the crowd, scouring the emptied tables for anything of interest left behind.
Magnus enjoys the simple meal with a glass of local wine. While the drink is bland at best, the stew more than makes up for it.
At the announcement of the herald approaching, Magnus joins the others to hear what the King is upto now.
Very near to the tavern the herald and. A guard ten men strong stop - the herald unrolls his scroll and begins to read loudly.
Be it known to all that his benign munificence, Stephen Duke of Rhoona's, has declared the following to be his word and decree...
Whereas, the scheming, greedy and cunning nature of dwarven folk is known to all.
Whereas, their short statures and bearded appearances are an affront to the sensibilities of decent humans.
And whereas, the citizens of Rhoona's have already borne the insulting presence of these creatures for too long,
It is hereby decreesld that a state of war exists between the foul and corrupt domain of Rockholme and the virtuous and principled duchy of Rhoona.
Furthermore any dwarf found within the boundaries of the duchy after one day of the reading of this decree will be considered a dangerous criminal, subject to arrest, its punishment shall be the public shaving of its face and the stretching of its vile person upon the rack until such a time it as it attains a more human stature.
Such is the word of the Duke of Rhoona!
A large crowd is gathered to hear this pronouncement and while there are some who are happy with the decree the overall response is subdued.
We are not prepared for a war, some can be heard muttering.
Whoa, wait a minute, this is some sort of joke, right?
Aukan looks around Huh. Duke wants to fight with Dwarves. They have the Spirit of the Mountain, very strong. I would not want to do battle with such a sturdy folk.
Its Draco who's behind this mark my words!, says Grimvatt Stonebreaker.
If it's war he wants then it's war he'll get! Foul and corrupt indeed....
Grimvatt works himself into a spluttering frenzy.
As the it seems a proclamation is forthcoming, Liam slips to the back of the crowd, scouring the emptied tables for anything of interest left behind.
[dice=perception]1d20+3
[dice=Investigation]1d20-1
There is a coin pouch on one of the tables, half eaten meals and half drunk drinks.