28 Lamashan, 4711 AR
After another semi-successful performance to keep a roof over you head, you head out for a walk to enjoy the evening air. Not long after you start your walk, you notice a lithe young elven woman. When your eyes meet, she smiles and hurries over to you. She holds out an envelope.
May this letter find you in good health and well standing. If you have the time, your presence is requested at the Golden Badger. You know where it is if you wish to find it.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dachs
As it would turn out, some people don't like fights in their bars. Thankfully, someone has paid your fine for you, and you've been released. As you step out of the jail, you are met by a teen half-elf girl. She hold out an envelope.
As you sit quietly, and alone at in a tavern, the name of which you didn't bother to notice, the barmaid brings you an unasked for pint. As she turns to leave, you notice she placed an envelope under the pint.
It has been to long since we've seen each other. Perhaps you would like to stop by my establishment. You remember the way.
Love and kisses,
Dachs
As you are trying to catch a few minutes sleep in an alley, a rough looking dwarf kicks you awake. He holds out an envelope. "Take it boy. Don't be late."
Your presence is requested at the Golden Badger. If you don't know where it is, Rooth can tell you. Hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dachs
As you and Chavi are resting a bit at a cheap tavern, a plainly dressed human boy comes up to you. He hands you an envelope and runs off.
I trust you and your friend are well. If you are so inclined, please join us at the Golden Badger tonight. I have something you may be interested in being a part of.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dachs
"Finally!" Schmitty jumps up and shoves the paper in his pocket. Schmitty hates waiting. As soon as he and Chavi clear the inn He jumps on her back. The scales at the base of her neck are by some odd occurrence the exact size and shape to create the perfect seat and their are some small innocuous protrusions that schmitty uses as perfect hand holds on Chavi's sinuous neck. "Lets go find the Golden Badger!" He tells Chavi. The two proceed to scurry around the city looking for their next adventure.
Once they find the place they simply idle their day away waiting for nightfall.
Evan thinks for a moment after tucking the letter into the interior pocket of his gray vest. "Well, gee. That's a friendly invitation. Don't have any better offers, presently."
Evan adjusts his hat and heads out towards the Golden Badger. He was fairly certain he'd run across it before during his trips around Quantium, heading there immediately, but keeping in mind who he might ask should he be wrong.
As he walks through town, Evan keeps his focus sharp on all passing strangers, adopting an air of being a simple traveler rapt with surprise at the wonders of Quantium, but he's really making sure no one's following him or paying too close attention to him.
Niko will stare overly long at the dwarf, but take and read the missive when he bearded fellow starts to look impatient. Mulling over the contents, he decides he really doesn't have anything to lose at this point.
"A'right. I'll be there soon. Thanks"
Standing up with a creak of armor, he dusts off his hat and pulls it on, covering the side of his face the best he can. Shouldering his blade and his pack, he moves to the mouth of the alley, glances both ways but sees nothing suspiciously abnormal, and sets off.
He remembers the Badger, having been thrown out of there once before after a night of a bit too much to drink. His feet taking him there on their own as he finds his thoughts and eyes wandering over the sights to be found on the streets as he travels them.
Karg looks down at the map. He studies it carefully. He rotates it a couple times, and studies it again. He flips it around and shows the girl. He points to marked spot on the map and in a demanding tone, "you take me there".
Moneta takes her letter and grimaces. The Golden Badger. If I weren't worried about rent in two months, I'd tell him where to shove that bar, sideways...
She does take the usual precautions - she's got her chain shirt on under her cloak, with a loose fitting tunic over it. She's made sure her face isn't too stiff by massaging it until the muscles work again; her transformation doesn't always leave it entirely under her control. Her spear is in hand, and her assorted job sundries are about her person.
Your menacing demeanor terrifies the girl and she runs away screaming, knocking over a couple of men as the goes. They yell after her as the runs, but then catch sight of you and shut up.
Each of you arrive alone, Schmitty first, followed by Evan, Niko, and Karg. Whoever this Mr. Dachs person is, he appears to be busy as you're told to wait in the common room, and given a pint of ale so watered down it only has a slight taste of alcohol to it.
Roughly ten minutes after Karg arrives, a handsomely dress, somewhat short man with only the lightest hint of orcish blood comes out of the hallway leading to some back rooms. He looks at each of you four. He looks a little displeased and says to a man sitting on a stool next to the hallway, "Thought I told you make sure 'Neta got an invite to this littl' get t'getha. Where is she?"
The man replies, "She got the letter, Boss. I was in the room when Lilly gave it to her."
The Boss is obviously not overly pleased by this answer. He motions to the four of you and says, "You four, come alon' then. We got business t' discuss." He turns and heads back down the hall.
Schmitty turns his nose up at the ale when he sips it. "If I wanted water I would have ordered water.", he thinks. Schmitty waits patiently, though he fidgets more as his patience is tested. He's glad when he is shown to the back and follows, Chavi within arms reach as always. Schmitty is curious as to who this Mr. Dachs person is.
Evan takes his hat off as soon as the short, well-dressed man enters, and keeps it in his hands as he follows Schmitty and Chavi into the rear room.
"Pardon me, but are you Mr. Dachs?" Evan pulls out his letter, still folded up, and indicates it. "I appreciated your invitation." He offers his best smile.
Karg nods respectfully at the others and takes a seat. His hand rests comfortably near his sheathed dagger's hilt.
Niko will frown a bit at being told to wait and will spend his time staring around the room surreptitiously almost as if he is expecting something to appear out of nowhere.
He won't touch the drink that was passed to him, and from time to time adjusts his hat to better cover his shock of white hair and the left side of his face. When directed to the others, he spends a great deal of time looking them over as well, looking perhaps longer then 'comfortable' to some.
He seems particularly weary of the half orc, and is slow to rise when Dachs finally calls for everyone being the last to his feet and last in line.
The dapper half-orc walks around behind a finely craft oak desk. As he sits, he closes a ledger that was open and places it in the top right drawer of the desk.
He says, "Please, sit. There are appropriately sized seats for all the humanoids present. After sitting, he continues, "We've got ourselves some business t' discuss. First, let me ask if any of you've ever been to the Mana Wastes?" He looks around waiting for answers.
The dapper half-orc walks around behind a finely craft oak desk. As he sits, he closes a ledger that was open and places it in the top right drawer of the desk.
** spoiler omitted **
He says, "Please, sit. There are appropriately sized seats for all the humanoids present. After sitting, he continues, "We've got ourselves some business t' discuss. First, let me ask if any of you've ever been to the Mana Wastes?" He looks around waiting for answers.
"Not i" Says Niko, glancing around at the others more intently since it was looking more like a team hire as opposed to a competition for a single position. "Unless that is required to be hired for it, in which case i grew up right next to it."
Could be worse He muses to himself. This could get me out of town for a while also.
He says, "Please, sit. There are appropriately sized seats for all the humanoids present. After sitting, he continues, "We've got ourselves some business t' discuss. First, let me ask if any of you've ever been to the Mana Wastes?" He looks around waiting for answers.
Evan takes a seat near the desk. "Yessir. I've spent some time in Alkenstar City. The Mana Wastes can be a dangerous place, 'specially if you're planning to use magic," he says matter-of-factly, giving Schmitty a look.
Evan begins to rotate the brim of his hat in his hands. Hadn't planned to get anywhere near Alkenstar. Hope this job doesn't require too much time in the city.
He says, "Please, sit. There are appropriately sized seats for all the humanoids present. After sitting, he continues, "We've got ourselves some business t' discuss. First, let me ask if any of you've ever been to the Mana Wastes?" He looks around waiting for answers.Evan takes a seat near the desk. "Yessir. I've spent some time in Alkenstar City. The Mana Wastes can be a dangerous place, 'specially if you're planning to use magic," he says matter-of-factly, giving Schmitty a look.
Evan begins to rotate the brim of his hat in his hands. Hadn't planned to get anywhere near Alkenstar. Hope this job doesn't require too much time in the city.
"I've heard of it vaguely, but I've never been. It doesn't sound like the kind of place I would want to spend a lot of time. My mind is my power and in that place I have to rely on my stature."
"Me not know. Me been many places. Me not hear of it b'fore, so me think no."
"Well, it don't really matter how much you do or don't know about the Waste, as you're just going a little ways in. Shouldn't be a problem for a lot such as yourselves." He smiles gets to the point, "Earlier today, a few of my boys returned from a job. Told me about a small group o' wagons. What I'm hiring the four of you for..." There's a knock at the door interrupting him. Dachs yells, "What?!"
The door opens and a rough looking dwarf, that Nikos recognizes, says, "Boss, Moneta is finally here. You want I should send her in?"
Dachs says, "Send her in." The door closes and he returns his attention to the four of you. "I was hoping this lass would show up. She has some very personal experience with the Waste."
Just then, the door opens and an emaciatedly thin woman walks in.
Dachs stands and adjusts his coat and tie and makes sure his bowler his on fashionably crooked. "Nice of you to join us Moneta. I was just telling these gents about a little trip I'd like the five of you to take. Have a seat and I'll finish." He shows Moneta to a new, very sturdy and well cushioned chair.
Moneta moves with a deliberate caution - more like she expects things to break if she's not gentle with them, and settles into the chair. It creaks a tiny bit under her. She's dressed in loose fitting trousers and a half-wrap-around shirt, with a gray cloak.
She's got the latter bundled about her, though in response to general normsy, has the hood back and her face and hair showing. Her face seems a little...unnaturally stiff. Her hair is a lustrous brown with some bronze highlights in it, and a few strands of what looks more metallic still.
She turns her eyes towards Dachs, and narrows a little bit. "I suppose that's...one way to describe what happened."
Her teeth seem faintly metallic when she speaks.
"What're you talking these folks into, Dachs?"
Moneta moves with a deliberate caution - more like she expects things to break if she's not gentle with them, and settles into the chair. It creaks a tiny bit under her. She's dressed in loose fitting trousers and a half-wrap-around shirt, with a gray cloak.
She's got the latter bundled about her, though in response to general normsy, has the hood back and her face and hair showing. Her face seems a little...unnaturally stiff. Her hair is a lustrous brown with some bronze highlights in it, and a few strands of what looks more metallic still.
She turns her eyes towards Dachs, and narrows a little bit. "I suppose that's...one way to describe what happened."
Her teeth seem faintly metallic when she speaks.
"What're you talking these folks into, Dachs?"
"Going into the mana wastes, but we don't know why." Schmitty says in an attempt to be helpful.
Evan puts his hat on his lap and stops fussing with it. "He brings up a good point," Evan says as he indicates the halfling. "If any of these folk need to rely primarily on magic to finish whatever this job is, they're gonna be at a real disadvantage."
He pauses, realizing the woman's interruption has prevented some useful information from coming out. "Just what is the job?"
"And how much it pay?"
He chuckles a little, and shows a grin that shows just a little of what looks to be a stunted tusk. "Well, ain't the lot of you just an eager group of mercenaries. Fine then, I'll cut to the chase. As I was saying before 'Neta arrived, some of my boys spotted a few wagons traveling south along the edge of the Waste. Being the inquisitive sort, they followed, and happened to be innocent bystanders and witnesses to the fate of the little caravan."
"That particular group of wagons was set upon by a bunch of deformed creatures. According to my boys, these creatures killed most of those 'at was part of the caravan, and dragged off the rest of 'em. I figure they're all dead by now, or wishin' they was. Your job is to go there, one of the boys that saw things happen will lead you all there, and then you'll be salvaging whatevah is there to find. I can offer you each 100 gold now, another 150 when you return. Anything beyond the salvage from the wagons I'd be happy to sell for you at a cost of 50%." He looks around at all of you. "How's that sound?"
He chuckles a little, and shows a grin that shows just a little of what looks to be a stunted tusk. "Well, ain't the lot of you just an eager group of mercenaries. Fine then, I'll cut to the chase. As I was saying before 'Neta arrived, some of my boys spotted a few wagons traveling south along the edge of the Waste. Being the inquisitive sort, they followed, and happened to be innocent bystanders and witnesses to the fate of the little caravan."
"That particular group of wagons was set upon by a bunch of deformed creatures. According to my boys, these creatures killed most of those 'at was part of the caravan, and dragged off the rest of 'em. I figure they're all dead by now, or wishin' they was. Your job is to go there, one of the boys that saw things happen will lead you all there, and then you'll be salvaging whatevah is there to find. I can offer you each 100 gold now, another 150 when you return. Anything beyond the salvage from the wagons I'd be happy to sell for you at a cost of 50%." He looks around at all of you. "How's that sound?"
"I sure could use some more ammunition if I'mma head out on a job like that, Mr. Dachs." Evan draws back his duster and indicates his holstered pistol. "These work just fine in the Mana Wastes, magic or no magic. But I can only stop as many Mana Wastes creatures as I have bullets for. Think you can see fit to include a few cartridges beyond the standard pay?"
He chuckles a little, and shows a grin that shows just a little of what looks to be a stunted tusk. "Well, ain't the lot of you just an eager group of mercenaries. Fine then, I'll cut to the chase. As I was saying before 'Neta arrived, some of my boys spotted a few wagons traveling south along the edge of the Waste. Being the inquisitive sort, they followed, and happened to be innocent bystanders and witnesses to the fate of the little caravan."
"That particular group of wagons was set upon by a bunch of deformed creatures. According to my boys, these creatures killed most of those 'at was part of the caravan, and dragged off the rest of 'em. I figure they're all dead by now, or wishin' they was. Your job is to go there, one of the boys that saw things happen will lead you all there, and then you'll be salvaging whatevah is there to find. I can offer you each 100 gold now, another 150 when you return. Anything beyond the salvage from the wagons I'd be happy to sell for you at a cost of 50%." He looks around at all of you. "How's that sound?"
Niko will have been staring at Moneta since she walked in, but at Dachs's explanation will nod slowly.
"Alright, i'm in seeing as i don't have a better offer. You'll cover travel expenses also i assume? Since you're wanting salvage brought back and all..."
He'll shift slightly on his chair, Banded mail creaking.
"Got a map of the area? How far out? How many days travel, and how big is the salvage? With the exception of the short fellow there, I doubt any of us are exactly teamsters..."
She pauses, thinks about the costs in horses and wagons. "Given what you're paying..." she shrugs... "If you're not providing mounts and drayage, whatever it is you want salvaged can't be...that large."
"How long ago did this happen? If we find survivors, who should we turn them over to? You, their creditors, the city watch, or whatever temple will promise to heal them and take payment later?"
She turns in the chair - it's not so much a stiffness as a mechanical motion, and looks towards Niko, with his obvious scarring, nods politely. Smiles, almost as an afterthought. Yes, those teeth are...metallic...under the enamel. She glances at Karg for a long moment, and continues.
"While I've been in the wastes...it wasn't exactly by my choice - and I...had some help getting out of there. I've got some knowledge of the place and how to survive there." Without any explanations of it, she says "Someone else will need to hold the compass."
Knowledge (arcana)
Knowledge (planes)
Survival
Use these if you need a check before I post again, or if the story suits. These will represent what Moneta knows about the wastes.
In response to Evan's request for more bullets, Dachs says, "What you do wit' your initial 100 gold is up to yourself and of no concern to me."
He looks at Niko and says, "It wouldn't be responsible of meself to send you out there to salvage and not provide a way to get my goods back to me, would it? My boy will have a covered wagon to carry whatever ya find. As for food, I'll graciously provide 15 days worth, more than enough to get there and back on."
Finally, he looks at Moneta, pausing a moment to look over her features, then says, "Won't be no need for a map. My boy knows where the wagons are and can take you there. How big the salvage is I don't know, neither do they as they never got close enough to check things over. Take whatever'll fit in the wagon and do whatever you please with the rest. If you don't have your own mount, you'll either need to ride on the wagon, make use of that 100 I'll be giving you if you accept the job to buy your own horse, or you can bloody well walk there and back. I don't much care how you do the job, so long as it gets done, and doesn't lead back to me."
He locks eyes with all five of you individually for a brief moment, than asks, "Do we have us a deal, or not? If not, then move along as I got another group of gold hungry folk should be here in an hour I can offer the job to."
"Can't speak for the others - but I'm willing to act as a guide and local expert as needed. You got any connections we can use for renting horses - or anyone who's business you've got a stake in, so that what we rent comes back to you a little bit?"
She has noted the non-response on what to do with any survivors found, and will wait to see anyone else comments.
Also trying to be helpful, Evan says, "Beggin' your pardon, but if we're unable to keep your man alive, you might need to give us a map so's we can find the stuff you want and bring it back your way. Otherwise, once he's gone, this here's a lost cause and you're out 500 gold, Mr. Dachs." He offers a polite smile.
He looks at the others in the room. "I know a fair bit about the Wastes myself -- and some of the creatures living there."
Diplomacy Check:
"Dachs, you know you're going to want to have two men you trust working that wagon - they'll need to take shifts. This fellow..." she nods at Evan, whom she's not been introduced to yet, "makes some sound points. You want something from this, and want it on the cheap - sending us out underequipped is going to be worse than not sending anyone at all."
Diplomacy (aid another) on Evan's roll.
"Dachs, you know you're going to want to have two men you trust working that wagon - they'll need to take shifts. This fellow..." she nods at Evan, whom she's not been introduced to yet, "makes some sound points. You want something from this, and want it on the cheap - sending us out underequipped is going to be worse than not sending anyone at all."
By the way, with a group Diplomacy or solitary Bluff of 27 you can either increase the pay to 150 gp initial and 350 gp upon completion, or gain a second redshirt to man the wagon. A group Diplomacy or solitary Bluff of 30 will get you both the increased pay and second redshirt. Each PC can only do one of the two, either contributing to the group Diplomacy, or trying for the solitary Bluff.
Just some info.
Karg listens to the barrage of questions being uttered from Moneta.
Looking at Moneta, "All this blab'n start'n to hurt me head."
Karg looks back at Dachs. "This seem simple enough. Recover yer lost crap and bring it back. The coins sound good. Me ready to go."
Karg listens to the barrage of questions being uttered from Moneta.
Looking at Moneta, "All this blab'n start'n to hurt me head."
Karg looks back at Dachs. "This seem simple enough. Recover yer lost crap and bring it back. The coins sound good. Me ready to go."
Karg accidental Diplomacy aid roll:
"When would we be leaving, Dachs?"
Niko would still be looking over at Moneta, but finally look back over at him.
"You'd think you'd want to give us horses to get us there and back with your stuff faster though."
"Seems simple enough. Plus I have a crossbow and Chavi has teeth and claws. I may not even need to cast. " Schmitty looks around "And by that I mean i'm interested."
He gives in a little, "Fine, I'll provide a couple horses, but the rest have to ride the wagon or walk. As for when I want you to leave, the sooner the better. After all, it'll take you a week to get there and I don't like being beat to my salvage."
He opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out five small bags. "Mind you, taking this job for me means you see it through to completion, or your death. Understand?"
He gives in a little, "Fine, I'll provide a couple horses, but the rest have to ride the wagon or walk. As for when I want you to leave, the sooner the better. After all, it'll take you a week to get there and I don't like being beat to my salvage."
He opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out five small bags. "Mind you, taking this job for me means you see it through to completion, or your death. Understand?"
"uhh, yea." Schmitty stammers
Schmitty thinks "Seems a bit dramatic for a salvage mission, but I suppose that's how less than legal types do business."
Niko will stand up and then take one of the bags of coin.
"Or option three."
Giving Dachs his overly long look, Niko will pocket the bag.
"I'm ready to go whenever."
This said to the air, most likely addressing everyone else as he adjusts the greatsword on his back and shifts a worn napsack.
"I'll want to get a few things settled, but they'll only take a few hours. Where do we meet your man? And for a week out and back, there's only a day of food for contingencies."
"Can anyone here create water? If so, it'll be handy, as we can fill up the casks any time we find a place where magic works, rather than having to route through springs."
She stands; she seems heavier in doing so than her frame would indicate, and steps up to take Dach's gold.
"I trust your man knows what you're looking to salvage? Do make sure he's competent enough to stay alive. It would be unfortunate if we went to all this trouble, and didn't recover whatever it is you're being so secretive about."
"I'll want to get a few things settled, but they'll only take a few hours. Where do we meet your man? And for a week out and back, there's only a day of food for contingencies."
"Can anyone here create water? If so, it'll be handy, as we can fill up the casks any time we find a place where magic works, rather than having to route through springs."
She stands; she seems heavier in doing so than her frame would indicate, and steps up to take Dach's gold.
"I trust your man knows what you're looking to salvage? Do make sure he's competent enough to stay alive. It would be unfortunate if we went to all this trouble, and didn't recover whatever it is you're being so secretive about."
Schmitty takes his bag of gold.
"I cannot create water. sorry."
He opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out five small bags. "Mind you, taking this job for me means you see it through to completion, or your death. Understand?"
Karg's forehead scrunches as he tries to contemplate what was said. "Him just threaten me? Hrmm, that not make sense then me have to kill him now. Hrmm, oh me know what him mean."
"Right, we git your crap and defend it with out lives. Me understand." And with that said, Karg reaches out and grabs the bag.
As Karg turns to leave he hears Moneta mumble something about needing water. "Me kin make water, but me not sure if you kin keep your mouth shut long enough to enough to drink it. Har Har." Karg laughs and smiles at the half-elf while slapping her on the back to let her know that it was a joke... although one has to wonder given that the slap was quite hard.
He opens one of his desk drawers and pulls out five small bags. "Mind you, taking this job for me means you see it through to completion, or your death. Understand?"Karg's forehead scrunches as he tries to contemplate what was said. "Him just threaten me? Hrmm, that not make sense then me have to kill him now. Hrmm, oh me know what him mean."
"Right, we git your crap and defend it with out lives. Me understand." And with that said, Karg reaches out and grabs the bag.
As Karg turns to leave he hears Moneta mumble something about needing water. "Me kin make water, but me not sure if you kin keep your mouth shut long enough to enough to drink it. Har Har." Karg laughs and smiles at the half-elf while slapping her on the back to let her know that it was a joke... although one has to wonder given that the slap was quite hard.
"Is that a pee joke?"Schmitty wonders
Karg's slap on Moneta's shoulder barely moves moves her at all...it's like her body is much denser than expected. Karg does feel the protective chain shirt she's wearing...
"No harm done. The Wastes are unkind to the ill prepared."
Evan takes a bag of coin as well, and shrugs. "I should be able to craft a few new bullets while I'm in the wagon." He turns to look at Karg. "If yer hopin' to rely on magic to create water, that may be no go. Ya said you weren't familiar with the Mana Wastes. I assume that means ya don't know what the possible effects of magic cast in it are."
Knowledge: Arcana/Local check (same modifier):
"What? Dis place is gunna fek up me magic? Bah! What does this place do to magic? Me call on divine magic from Gorum... maybe me magic not get affected?"
"What? Dis place is gunna fek up me magic? Bah! What does this place do to magic? Me call on divine magic from Gorum... maybe me magic not get affected?"
Evan gives him an unhappy look. "I'm afraid not, friend. Magic, no matter where it comes from, just tends ta get ... all mucked up there. At least, some of the time. There's a chance nothing may happen at all."
He sighs. "The problem is, there's no way to guarantee what will happen if your magic goes haywire in the Mana Wastes. It can be dangerous, even deadly. We'd be a lot better off buying enough water to sustain us before we go in."
He turns to Dachs and says, "I notice we're not being paid as bodyguards for your man, so I assume if he gets into trouble, he knows how to take care of himself, by himself?"
"Well these Mana Wastes sound like good place for Karg! Me not need magic ta guide me blade. If them wastes fek up magic for others that try ta harm us, then all da better. Me thinks it good idea to stock up on water then. Maybe there are some good things that come from listn'un to da half-elf ramblin's?"
"Not all castings have...bad outcomes. If you focus tightly and ignore the distractions, you can get past some of it."
She turns to Karg. "Our Lord in Iron speaks through me as well." She smiles, showing her semi-metallic teeth. "Battle is worship. All who will fight are His."
"I expect there may be good from listening to one another on different topics," Evan says to Karg in a polite tone, "if we're gonna work together and venture out into the Mana Wastes as a group. We're likely all good at something the others aren't. Trick is to figure out what everyone else's strengths are, and learn from them."
Evan stands up and switches the grasp he has on his hat, freeing up his left hand to extend to Karg. "That reminds me -- name's Evan Markhale. Good to meet ya."
"My name's Marcus, but you can call me Cousin Schmitty. Everyone does. It's a nickname that kind of stuck. I'm a conjurer." he says's as he pets Chavi. "Quite a good one too." Schmitty smiles.