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The armory was silent this early in the morning, though a young skinny maiden was in it already three swords laid out in front of her. She was running a polishing rag over a fourth blade in her hand.
"Go ahead lass and get some breakfast, ye can finish your chores afterwards."
He told the girl who scampered off. He paused and frowned pulling a breastplate off a table and setting it on the wooden floor. He unrolled a map of the lands and waited for you all to gather round.
This'n is a simple mission, lads and lasses, but important. The lifeblood of Druma is trade, coin has to flow in, coin has to flow out. Merchants ere in town are sending up special looms to be used at the Feast of Fate."
He pulled out a pouch of leather and pulled some dark leaf and stuck a large wad of it in his lips. He offered the pouch out to those gathered.
"The caravan will take ye to Ebbernant, a large town in the northeast of Druma close to the borders of Ishgar. I recken you folk can take a day or two and enjoy the festival and then head back. Watch for bandits near any woods along the path. Bastards show up e'er now and then. Any questions?"
Inil respectfully declines the offer of the dark leaf from StoneShield as he steps forward to ask a few questions.
"A few questions Master Stoneshield, what exactly is it we will be transporting to Ebbernant and what exactly is this Feast of Fates?"
He paused quizically quirking a bushy eyebrow at you then chuckling.
"At this festival they make this special tapestry to some minor goddess or something sposedly they weave this thing and it provides forsight in the year to come. Seem's kinda hokey to me eh boy. E'er year they raft these big ol looms here in Macridi with special woods sposedly grown in some sort of faeriegrove in the woods About the town and then they take these looms up to the festival.
Bandits have been growing something like a bad wart in the lands, and they need to make sure they get there so they hired up to insure they get there. These looms are so big they will be mounted on the wagons pratically, so its really just a matter of making sure the wagons arent destroyed or nothing on the way there."
Realizing his mistake Inil Grins in embarrassment.
"I assume we will be expected to bring our own supply's for the venture?
Having followed out with a plate of food, with Untari catching every bit that dropped, she would watch and listen. After a second she asks, trying to gauge how to handle the bandits " How do they hunt? And will you lead this? From stories we are odd pack, so we would stick out." She was not sure what a loom was, but figured if they could plan out a pattern of how to handle everything, it should go well. If nothing else she knew Hanz and Untari would be able to take on most.
She did take her time in studying the surrounding area, as she had never been in a proper smithy. It was hot, and having all her gear on her made it feel even hotter. She was already sweating, and Untari had not even followed them in. He was standing guard outside, but she would bet he was really sleeping. Again.
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Taking the chew and placing it in his mouth Throg pauses for a moment before forcing a smiling face on.
Very earthy and full bodied.
Wow fangs and chew do not mix its just lopping around in my mouth aggg, I just swallowed it.
After a light cough he continues on.
So how many looms are we moving and how many people are in this caravan. I am skilled but I do have my limits.
Hanz didn't know what he was passed but he tried it anyway. He thought it was food and began to chew. That was a bad idea. It was awful and he spit into his hand immediately. "Blegh." He carefully wiped it off with a handkerchief and vowed to burn it later. He had no questions himself and just listened.
He laughed at the way Throg swallowed the chew, and Hanz spat it out.
"Well'n its not for e'erone. There are six looms, five of great big size, hard to miss em the other somewhat smaller I reckon if he had to Hanz could easily carry that' un about. Your concerns about sticking out are noted but to be honest Miss Rakil, that is half the point. If you stick out as obvious muscle any hair brained bandit'll think twice about causing a ruckus."
He paused then grinned once more hand grooming his beard.
"Colewin reckons since its your first mission... at least with us, we could help out alittle. Theres a small cart being prepared for you all now, mostly with foodstuffs and water, Hanz there eats a bit, so it will come in handy."
He did stop now and he reached over to a small chest on the ground near one of the weapon racks that was mostly empty. He put it on the little table in front of him and cracked it open. He pulled out a small slate tablet and a peice of chalk.
"I will not be going with you in body. From the looks of the mission ye wont really need me, this is more about getting your feet wet than throwing you straight into the fires of dirty work, but I will be availible for questions and aid. This here little tablet is magic, something Allura came up with years ago. If'n you have questions write it on here and it'll show up on the big slate we have in the war room. it might take a moment or two but then my response will appear on your slate. The magic renews but dont last long, you will be able to send 2 maybe three messages a day and get the response."
He set the slate and chalk down and nodded to the group.
"Now remember the accord. Anything found during the mission as war loot you bring back here, we tally up the summed up wealth and then Master Binderbook will dispence good gold coin split amongst you all fairly."
If no one else decides to be in charge of the slate Inil will take it.
"Well thats all my questions answered, when do we need to leave?"
Makes no objects to Inil taking the slate, as she was unsure her grasp of common would be enough to transmit a good message. She looked about her pack, and nods, realizing she was not familiar with some of the group. They were a mix matched bunch however she felt they would be good friends. " I am Kelisa. The lazy thing outside is Untari. He is good for holding prey. I will provide food if needed." She taps the bow on her shoulder. It was nothing special for now, but the tall woman seemed like she knew how to use it. She eats some of the bacon she had brought, and after a moment ask " Are there known... Ban... Bandits? In this area we walk? I and Untari can scout ahead, but I am not familiar with these lands I am back home. Are there any obvious signs to look for?"
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Throg takes a good look at the cat noting what he can about its species.
Seeing the tablet Throgs eyes light up. Staring at it being handed to Inil. As a grin stretches his face as his thoughts begin to race on the nature of the item.
Ah is this some kind of Message spell or Sending spell quite interesting.
Quickly turning toward Braendar
Is the 2 to 3 limitation because it can only send a set number of words a day renewing at the start of the day or are their variations on the various tablets with some stronger or weaker.
He begins to pace back and forth while mumbling to himself.
Maxim had gotten quite thoroughly distracted on his way to the forge, first enjoying his meal quite excitedly, then spotting a mouse scurrying down a side corridor which he felt compelled to follow. Rodents were foretellers of things to come, so he needed to make sure this was simply a curious fellow out seeking food, not the harbinger of something greater. His question satisfied, he turned back and finished the journey to the forge, entering just as Stoneshield was finishing answering the first round of questions. Seeing the magical tablet, a giddy smile crosses Maxim's face.
"Words and whispers from afar brought near,
Unravel questions with answers made clear!"
Looking about the assembled myriad of mismatched souls, the maniacally giddy smile remains firmly planted on Maxim's twisted face.
"Maxim be my name,
or Ash, if its all the same.
A mender of bones and breaker of might,
I too would be pleased to end hunger's blight."
With his final words Maxim taps the collection of pots tied to his pack.
"Yes indeed. Best we get going, the faster we can get back and celebrate our first mission. Do you agree?" the dark green scaly creature pipes up. his hand on his weapon
Surprised by the sudden appearance of Nizit, Inil leans down and whispers.
"Not that your not welcomed here, but I thought you under Colewins command?"
Surprised by the sudden appearance of Nizit, Inil leans down and whispers.
"Not that your not welcomed here, but I thought you under Colewins command?"
"I am. Aren't I. Please pardon my intrusion. Sleep got the better of me. Hope I'm still in time to catch up. Happy hunting he gives them a quick salute before the little guy dashes off
Throg takes a good look at the cat noting what he can about its species.
[dice=K.nature]1d20+8
Seeing the tablet Throgs eyes light up. Staring at it being handed to Inil. As a grin stretches his face as his thoughts begin to race on the nature of the item.
[dice=spellcraft]1d20+8
Ah is this some kind of Message spell or Sending spell quite interesting.
Quickly turning toward Braendar
Is the 2 to 3 limitation because it can only send a set number of words a day renewing at the start of the day or are their variations on the various tablets with some stronger or weaker.
He begins to pace back and forth while mumbling to himself.
The dwarf merely scratched his head at your meanderings about the hand held slate and then shrugged.
"I'm guessing you have the right of it, truth be told I havent thought about it much. Miss Allura would be the one to ask about it, I just know the durned thing works."
He answered with another apologetic shrug.
A male tiefling walks in soon after Braendar starts speaking.
Wearing studded leather armour, he carries a rapier, light flail, light crossbow, and a backpack.
He also looks just like a youthful hale half-elf.
Well, apart from the caprine amber eyes.
Or the alabaster-white skin, royal purple hair, or vestigial cobalt blue horns.
Oh, and the tail, of course.
"Sounds like a pretty straight forward mission."
"My name is Visruþ, by the way."
"I'm handy with light blades and a few spells."
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Hanz looked back and forth between the speakers, smiled when his name came up, but mostly just sat and ate. Someone smarter would likely tell him to do. So far he figured he needed to beat up bandits trying to steal pants and short-making machines.
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Throg waves as the Kobold leaves
Oh bye then Nizvit see you around base one day.
Turning toward the others he smiles and says
Knowing what we know now do you guys think we need any particular supplies I know a bit about roughing it but some of you guys he looks down at the cat seem to have more solid skills in that area.
"I have some notion of roughing it."
"But I'm not an expert at it."
"I myself am good and ready when you's are."
"If you folks are good to go, gather your things, take some horses from the stable and head into Macridi. East side of town is where the caravans gather, You are looking for Goode's Coster company. Big G over a pile of coins is their trademark. If'n you arent sure how to find it stop by ol Quick in the center of town, the boy can lead you there for a few coppers im sure."
He began with a big grin.
"Okay, sounds good to me."
Visruþ then walks over to the stable to find a good horse.
Shakes her head and laughs, as the group walks out. Untari good at hunting? Maybe when he is hungry and I will not feed him. Lazy bones. However, the big cat keeps pace with Kelisa as they move off towards the stable. She gets on one, but it is obvious she has only basic training in riding one of them. Dumb beasts. Who ever thought to ride something this awkward and unskilled? I shall break my neck if I fall. Anyone watching would be amused, and the traitorous Untari you would swear is laughing at his mistress.
Inil goes to his room to collect his equipment and supplies before meeting everyone else at the horse's.
"So since we will most likely be working together for a fair while why don't we all introduce ourselves and how we will be of use to each other, I will start us off. I go by Inil for those I have not introduced myself to yet, I am conjure of sorts you could say and am bound to a particularly cheeky miss who I am able to call for aid, usually I prefer to keep her with me at all times to keep her out of trouble but alas the less knowledgeable tend to jump to conclusions when they see us so for the most part I tend to keep her on her home-plane when I am in town. I will introduce you's to her when we set off, I am also a alchemist with some small training in herbalism."
"Fair enough. I'm Visruþ. I'm a tiefling if anyone hadn't noticed", he says with a wink.
"Came from Cheliax. Can't stand the place. Too rigid and stodgy."
"I escaped, and have been wandering around since then."
"I'm pretty good with light weapons, and can use some spells as well."
"Don't know too many spells, but I don't need a spell book either."
"Oh, yes. I'm good with both diplomacy and languages."
Maxim had little else to say as they listened to StoneShield address the finer points of their mission. Such details mattered little to him. The world would answer far more for them once they were out there.
Having gathered his meager possessions from his bunk, Maxim makes his way to the stables to unite with his comrades. He finds one of the ponies set aside for the more diminutive members of the Shield and scurries into the saddle quite nimbly. He is still snacking on the remnants of the food he gathered at breakfast.
Maxim looks over at his genie-blooded companion, a bit confused. It was clear that the taller folk did not listen very well. No matter, he was happy to explain himself again.
"Maxim be my name,
or Ash, if its all the same.
Voice of the Final Harbinger,
A capable scout and skirmisher,
mender of bones and breaker of might,
I can also end hunger's blight."
Shakes her head jovially, not understanding how one was suppose to get these horse beast moving correctly. One could tell she was not a horsemaster.
She did however answer the question posed about her abilities, " Me and Untari hunt prey together. He chases into my arrows. He then will take them down by the neck. It is effective."
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After getting to the stables and hearing the others Throg introduces himself.
I am Throg wizard soon the be extraordinaire.
reaching into his clothing he pulls out a small scorpion
This is my friend Snips. We come from Galt. Never go there its filled with hobgoblins they have way to many civil wars to purge them properly. Oh if we meet other hobgoblins don't tell them I am a Wizard they will try their hardest to kill me.
he then says Bastards. under his breath.
Hanz looks around as things go quiet, a piece of bacon pauses half way to his mouth. "I Hanz. I hit things good. Um. Also not go hungry in wild. Also throw rocks real good." He places the piece of bacon against his chin as he thinks for a long moment, then nods, "Yep."
n the stables of the Silver Shields compound you could see one of your fellow groups set of horses being readied while yours were already set to go. The trip into town was easy enough, the day just hinting at the warmth of the summer to come in a few months and the road through the Palakar forest was quiet. Macridi itself was a certainly growing township of over 3000 souls. As such the majority of the shops were lined along the two main roads that crossed through the town. A large stone fountain resided in the centet of the town and beside it a small wooden cart stand with a wooden placard in front of it that read "Quick's Mesagin Service."
In town 3 cp
Out of town 9 cp
A young man, a few years older than Hanz... perhaps a few years younger it was hard to tell stood behind the mobile cart widdling away on a peice of wood. He paused seeing you all approach and then took off his big round straw hat letting loose a sizable whistle and bowing torwards Kelisa.
"That m'am sure is a big ol cat. "
He began and from his tone it was now obvious it was a whistle about the size of Untari and not a whistle for Kelisa.
"You folks here for business about the town? Did mister Binderbook send you all here?" He added going back to his widdling.
"We were sent by Braendar StoneShield to get some horses."
"Shouldn't be any problems getting the best horses, should there?"
Kelisa chuckles at the man, rubbing Untari on the head. She had never really thought him to be that big, as he was still somewhat a young cat.
" Thank you. He has brought down big prey before. He will get bigger, and bring down even bigger prey. However, we are to gather those... Horses? For travel. I am not best storyteller, one of others should say."
She would follow the lead of the others, however someone who knew horses would have to help her with it, as she knew next to nothing about them.
Maxim looks confusedly at the larger members of their companies. They were already riding horses, why ask this lad about more? Pulling up on the reigns of his little pony, he moves through the crowd to just before the messenger.
"Seeking the company of Goode's Coster we be,
Perhaps ye'd lead us there for a fee?
A silver weight given from me to you,
For this short duty, I trust this will do."
Maxim produces a silver piece from his pouch and holds it out toward the lad.
Hoping the young lad understood Maxims words, Inil decides to post a question of his own.
"You would be right good lad, Mister Binderbook did send us, I assume you are here to meet us, What might your name be?
Hanz was in awe of his horse. It was huge. Bigger than any other horse in the stable. And it actually fit him quite well. He grinned ear to ear and he didn't think he'd ever stop while on his mighty steed.
"I'm fairly new to this riding business."
"Should be interesting."
The young man quickly led you through the town to the eastern edges of it where several large fenced compounds lay. As you neared one of the fenced in locations you all could easily see large looms sticking over the fenceline though as you watched large swatch of canvas was being draped over the top of them.
"You folk might want to hitch up the horses and take a step inside and introduce yourselves I reckon they are uh expectin ya Iffn you were hired.
The young man began with a quick bow and a doffing of his cap. He tossed the silver peice given to him by maxim up into the air as he started to whistle a tune catching it and putting it into his belt pouch before he started to jog off back to his stand.
Visruþ walks into the compound, pretty as you please, and introduces himself to the nearest guard.
"Greetings! We're the guards assigned to protect these rather robust looms on their journey."
Inil follows Visrub into compound, and while Visrub introduces himself and us, looks for someone who can point us to the person in charge.
Maxim lazily leads his pony across the town following the lad's guidance. As they reach their destination, he ties up his pony and slips down to the ground. He casually strolls over to the looms as his companions inquire as to their next step.
"Hi. I Hanz," he says waving at whoever Visruþ talks to.
Would let the others do the talking, as she knew her common was not good enough to get across the message that they were delivering the goods. She would pet Untari, stroking his fur as they gathered and Visrub took the lead, explaining for them.