Beorn sets out the various books he checked out. These ones have the legends of the horseman in them. He seems to aim them away from Poke-Poke since he doesn't want the books eaten. Since all of our noggins might be in peril it is best we take turns reading it, or having them read to us.
Dr. Tes tests out a variety of large sticks and rods, flinging them about with lanky arms. After nearly knocking over a display stand of ornate daggers, he buys a light mace. He names it Raoul.
Not quite sure if this is relevant, but this is something I found while researching curses
Aggrah tells the group all about the following
Day 4: Minstrel Wooman passed yest'rday from his wounds. I've been giv'n the duties of writtin' the log. The Capt lead us into the Horsefly Swamp, the sketers were the size of rats. Did half a day b'fore makin' camp.
Day 5: It was a terribly night. Lost Guun'r last night from the black plague. Chortle's has the sign of puss this mornin' and Doc doesn't think he's gonna make it. Only covered 2 miles, seems like we did a circle. This swamps cursed.
Day 7: Chortle died yest'rday but arose again this morning as a zombie. Capt took his head off and burned the body. Pete's got festering wound that's black. doc thinks this place is cursed.
Day 8: We walked and walked and walked but we never set foot on dry land. Doc got it today, a big croc, swallowed him whole. Capt lost is foot to some type of black slim.
Day 9: I cut the Capt's leg off today his skin was springing roots like a plant, it was creeping. We made camp in tree with Buck and the Capt. We tied the tent to a tree 'bout 10 feet off the ground.
Day 10: Woke up and Capt was crawlin' with bugs and black widows this morning. dumped his body out the tent. buck and I was too tired to leave the tent today.
Day 11: The tent is encased in a black creeping tentacle...this place is cursed.
Bron points to the curse research book Aggrah holds and says,
That curse in the book is a worry, though I doubt that it's whatever Brandan has been affected by.
Ulfrec considers the account. Ahh... more cheese.
"So we have some leads then. A cursed swamp and a specter of a head-collexcting horseman? Does any of that tell us how to kill it, or bypass these curses, or what? I can track and shoot and maybe chop something, but magic stuff I'm gonna have to rely on you lot. "
We should avoid this swamp until we have ways to treat diseases
Love cheese...
(+2 vs humans)
After a few hours of getting to know each other you notice many of the customer have either left or gone up to their rooms to retire.
The doctor approaches the head bobber. "Oooooh, you've been having fun!"
Bradan looks over the groups mentioned above, hands itching and teeth slowly clenching. He drops his voice so only the party can hear.
"Somethings happening tonight. Here. Not sure what exactly, but those four look a bit too well armed and prepared for regular old town goers, those lot over yonder, with the shady eyes and twitchy fingers I can hear talking about something going down tonight. Not sure about the old man behind me, but if that was a ploy, I'm suspicious hed be the magic fella."
He scopes the room, taking in sight lines, areas of cover, and the angle to the upstairs.
"We cant really do anything til they tip their hand, but if one of you feels like picking a good old fashioned brawl, we might be able to head off their plans."
He slips to the edge of his seat, subtly fingering the carved handle of his longbow.
The doctor approaches the head bobber. "Oooooh, you've been having fun!"
[Dice=perc]1d20 +4
Hmm..Mysterious people with perhaps mysterious goals. I wonder which group harbors malicious intent?
Bradan:
One thing that stands out is this place is built like a place to make a last stand. There are no doors leading to the outside in the backroom you are located. The widows look more like slits that permit archers to fire from, they are not large enough to fit a small or medium body through.
You know there is a front door and you recall seeing two stair cases in side rooms. You know these long tables are heave but they can be turned over for cover.
Poke:
You don't hear any conversation but you think you know who Bradan is referring to.
Poke poke sees the dog as he is looking around. "So are you saving the dog to eat?" he asks Ulfrec
The five (white haloed) people who were whispering get up and toss a couple gold pieces on the table. "When's b'fast?
A large stocky looking brawler glances over to your table. His eyes fixate on the goblin. "Dog's a guud meal, wolf's bett'r," he chuckles. He then tips his hat, everyone can see he has a ragged scar that runs down his right cheek. They head towards the stairs.
"S!%+shitshit! AH, HELLO, ALL! THIS HUMAN ELDER IS RATHER UNWELL! DOES HE BELONG TO ANYONE?"
Ulfrec looks from the diminutive goblin to the hulking brawler, each of them dead in the eyes. Geri's my brother... I trust that's all I need to say on the matter. Aye?
Otherwise, I like a good ribbing. Big fella! Ulfrec motions for the brawler to come closer.
Geri sits, watching.
Ulfrec looks from the diminutive goblin to the hulking brawler, each of them dead in the eyes. Geri's my brother... I trust that's all I need to say on the matter. Aye?
Otherwise, I like a good ribbing. Big fella! Ulfrec motions for the brawler to come closer.
Geri sits, watching.
"Funny, him don't look like a longshanks."
"Funny, him don't look like a longshanks."Ulfrec looks from the diminutive goblin to the hulking brawler, each of them dead in the eyes. Geri's my brother... I trust that's all I need to say on the matter. Aye?
Otherwise, I like a good ribbing. Big fella! Ulfrec motions for the brawler to come closer.
Geri sits, watching.
But I look a bit like a wolf, nay?
Aggrah studies them... trying to figure out what's going on here
My goodness! This old fellow is in distress! I know some healing magic.
Aggrah you get a quick sense that the situation is about to boil over as Ulfrec responds to brawler's comment and motions for the brawler to come closer. Scarface doesn't hesistate when challenged. Then, suddenly, you are jolted by Dr. Tes's announcement.
Meanwhile a few of the bar patrons look over to the Dr. Tes and they uniformly shake their heads back-and-forth. Several folks mumble, 'Naw, don't know him."
As most the crowd is focused on Dr. Tes, the brawler approaches Ulfrec. He cracks his knuckles. "Jus' you or do I need to pound yer mutt too?' His companions spread out ready in case the situation escalates.
"You got this, Ulfrec. If they get froggy, I'm ready to jump."
Seeing the men close in, Bradan grabs the butt of his club, hanging off his belt under the table.
Ulfrec looks at Bradan, Really, dude?
Turning back to the brawler. I was wondering if you were local or in town for something special. I'm from near by, but don't come into town much.
Please excuse my friend, he's had a bad day.
I'm Ulfrec, my... mutt is Geri. What's your name? The dwarf stands up slowly for a hand shake, non-threateningly offering his hand.
The brawler's a squat human who has a angry looking ragged scar that runs down his right cheek. He's clean shaven, almost as if to highlight his scar, he is an imposing and intimidating individual. He is wearing well tailor leather armor that fit's his body perfectly. His hands are wrapped and he sports one fine looking leather strapped cestus on his right wrist and iron ring on his left hand. He has an assortment of daggers that are visible and a knobbed club that is hanging from his side. He looks quite comfortable in this type of escalating barroom situation. (A:8 on the map)
His four companions quickly assess the situation. Two are humans who are wearing studded leather armor, they have bucklers on their backs along with composite longbows. They both have longswords that have not been drawn, and a visible dagger and sap. They both have a single ring on their right hand. (A:10 and E:4 on the map)
There's a human male with holy symbol of bloody sword sticking in rock crudely painted on his chainmail. His armor has several dings from prior battles. He is holding a light crossbow in his hand and he has Morningstar slung under his left arm. He has moved over to the block the exit doorway leading to the main tavern. (ED:8 on the map)
Lastly, there is a lanky looking human who has tube hanging from his waist and several small pouches. He has a single dagger on his left hip. He also has a ring on his hand. he is standing squarely in the doorway. (E:9 on the map)
"Jus' you or do I need to pound yer mutt too?'
Poke Poke quickly responds to the human
"It looks tender enough. No need to pound it more. You don't want the meet to turn to mush.
"Jus' what I thought." the brawler spits out in disgust. He offers neither his name or hand.
The man in the doorway breaks the tension, "Now, now Boris just calm down. I'm sure there's has to be one person in that party who would be willing to go a round with you. Seems like the best way to resolve this situation with minimal blood loss." He pauses, "Besides there's a person is distress over there."
Poke Poke sensing some potential fun might happen and sneakingly slides under the table and makes his way to the other table.
"And what situation would you say this is, oh talkative one? Seems to me you lot came up in here itching for a fight, for some reason or other, while we've merely been minding our business and peaceably chatting. I cant say for the life of me why you're looking to scrap, but it hardly seems charitable and friendly."
"So why dont you lads carry on off outta here, and we all go about our business nice and neighborly."
The man with the holy symbol scowls at the suggestion, "Or we can all fight and let off some steam." He eyes Bron. "Your god's subservient to Gorum's teachings. You need to acknowledge that fact."
Beorn goes over to the old man and casts Cure Light Wounds on him. Be well!